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kimnjss · 3 years

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uncharted territory | kth

⤑ series: kinda hot

⤑ pairing: campus flirt!taehyung x sweet girl!reader

⤑ genre: lmao i don’t even know... angst? smut?

⤑ rating: explicit

⤑ word count: 7.5K // unedited.

⤑ warnings: use of alcohol and weed, cursing, dirty talk, slight hair pulling, over-the-shirt nipple play, dry humping, ruined orgasms.

⤑ A/N: hihihi! just here to remind you how much i appreciate all of you guys reading this story nd getting as invested as you are!! don’t hesitate to let me know what’s on your mind - no matter what it is ., feedback is my favorite!!

JANUARY 30TH, 2021 | 19:07

Hoseok is leaning handsomely against the side of his car when you're stepping out. Arms crossed over his chest as his teeth nibble on his lower lip, eyes seeming to sparkle when he's looking at you. The shine only getting brighter when the corners of his mouth lift into a smile. Body lifting from the side of the car to pull the passenger's door open, gesturing to it with his hand.

“Ooh, check out the gentleman,” You're teasing with a laugh, ducking into your seat as he rolls his eyes. Jogging around the front of the car until he's sinking into the spot beside you, taking another moment to let his eyes travel over your body.

Nodding slightly to himself before he's grinning, “You look hot,” His warm hand landing on your thigh to give it a little squeeze before he's pulling from his parking spot and onto the road.

Compliments from Hoseok came sparingly, wasn't really one to gush over your appearance with mere words. He was more of a show-er than a talker in that sense. So when he was paying you a compliment, it was never anything all that deep. Never once compared the brightness of your eyes to the sunlight or whatever Shakespearean shit he could muster up. He was just going with what he thought and you appreciated that.

It kept things from getting confusing between the two of you. If he was constantly dotting on you and telling you how amazing he thought you were (and you were amazing, no doubt about that), but if he was telling you.. it would definitely put a damper on your whole arrangement. You were a simple girl to be completely honest. Words got to you, you'd be head over heels in love if he was calling you beautiful every chance he got.

Hot was good. Hot was fine. Hot was safe. Because catching feelings for Hoseok? You'd be better off standing in the middle of the road waiting to be run over. And then getting the driver to put it in reverse. Hoseok was brutal when it came to girls and relationships, didn't waste time on feelings or the overly emotional.

A bit of an asshole, but that was why you liked him. He knew how to keep things fun and exciting, loved being surrounded by people. But he wouldn't hesitate to tell someone to fuck off if the circumstances called for it. He was cool. To put it simply. A very cool guy taking you out on a date. Anyone would be giddy about that, it was Jung Hoseok for crying out loud!

“What you got a taste for?” His eyes don't move from the road in front of him. One hand steering the wheel while the other keeps its hold on your thigh. Skin easily warming under his touch, you force yourself to focus on what he's saying.

Having to keep yourself from suggesting, (for the first time in person but the eighth(?) to him) skipping dinner and going back to your place to make proper use of your time. You bite that down. He wanted to take you out to eat, so you planned to humor him. Eat with him so he can eat you out. Simple.

“Anything, really. You like pasta. Should we just go to that Italian place?” With a slight nod, he's directing the car toward the restaurant. The smile on his face lets you know that he had been secretly hoping to get to eat there tonight. It was his favorite place to go, knew the menu like the back of his hand.

So he's pleased that you're suggesting it.

The car ride is filled with soft music and playful banter about whatever comes to mind. He's challenging you, saying things that he knows will get under your skin just to hear you argue why he's wrong. Laughing as you outline all the reasons why mints and chocolate should be far away from each other.

He keeps a gentle hand on the small of your back as he leads you into the restaurant. Still egging you on with why he thinks you're wrong, laughing at the way your face twists up at him. Pausing only briefly to get your table, but the debate is in full swing the moment the two of you are settled across from each other.

There's a subtle type of competitiveness in his tone, paired with the playful smile on his face. Not even a full hour here with him and you were starting to see what Jimin was talking about. Being out with Hoseok, talking beyond where you should do it next, was something you never considered.

It's nice.

JANUARY 30TH, 2021 | 19:59

Conversation between the two of you doesn't die down even after your food is being set down in front of you. You're only now noticing that you never really talked to Hoseok before. You were friends, of course, that's what the 'F' in FWB stood for, but you were more like group friends.

Never really hung out alone until some months ago when you were starting this whole thing up. And fucking didn't really account for all that much talking. You knew nothing about him aside from the fact he was Taehyung's asshole womanizer roommate. No idea how witty, how animated, how attractive he could be.

It made you want him even more.

He's in the middle of explaining the King Henry VIII drama he had seen the other night, which is also surprising. He almost seemed 'too cool' to be this interested in a period piece starring Natalie Portman. But he's speaking so excitedly, that you can't help but hang on to every word from his lips. All until your phone is flashing on the table beside you, Taehyung's smiling face lighting up the screen.

The buzz steals both of your attention from the conversation, your brow furrowing slightly. A part of you knows that he's only calling for nonsense, probably in the midst of a fight with his girlfriend and he's calling for you to tell him he's right. It's hardly ever an emergency when he's calling you, so there should be no problem with letting his call go to voicemail.

Especially this close to the end of your date, you'd be heading back home with Hoseok in no time. Plus he could just text you if it was something important. There was no reason to answer, and yet, you can't keep your hand from reaching for the device. Shooting an apologetic smile over at Hoseok.

“He knows I'm with you... he wouldn't call if-,” The nod of Hoseok's head cuts you off, waving you away with a smile to take your call. And you're excusing yourself quickly, pressing the phone to your ear once you're far enough away from the table.

He better have his dick caught in a mousetrap or something to justify interrupting your dinner. “Tae. What's going on?” You listen, for any telling sounds of things being out of the ordinary. All you hear is the hum of the TV and his heavy breathing hitting the line.

“Yn, you've gotta get over here.” There's an urgency in his voice that has the hairs on the back of your neck standing. “Why? What's going on?” It's probably something stupid, it usually is when it comes to Taehyung. But curiosity has already set in and you find yourself thinking of how to tell Hoseok you have to go.

“I can't just tell you... you have to come,”

Groaning into the phone, your hand lifts to pinch the base of your nose. A deep sigh leaving your lips. “Tae. I'm out right now. If this isn't urgent-”

He's quick to cut your words, “It really can't wait.” He almost sounds serious, which has the slight annoyance you feel melting away. “Okay, okay. I'll be there in a minute,” Quick to hang up the phone and head back over to the table.

Hoseok has his head bowed, full attention on the plate of lasagna as he shovels forkfuls into his mouth. Reaching for his glass as you slip back into your seat, gulping down his water. And you're two seconds from telling him that you have to go when he's reaching for his napkin, wiping the corner of his lips.

“Taehyung needs you to rush over?” How he was able to just guess that is beyond you, but you're nodding your head a sheepish smile taking over your features. “He says it's urgent,” You genuinely feel bad. Even though things between Hoseok weren't any deeper than hooking up, you still had agreed to come out with him. To stay out with him.

To leave in the middle of it (not to mention before you could wrap everything up and go back home) felt shitty. You were having a good time getting to know him, but if you didn't go see what was going on with Taehyung, you knew it would bother you for the rest of the night.

Despite everything, Hoseok seems to understand. Insisting you finish the rest of your risotto before he's paying the bill. He even keeps up with the bubbly conversation from earlier, enjoying the sound of your laughter all the way to the car. Guiding you in with a gentle hand on the small of your back.

He lets you choose the music and hums along with the songs you play. It's not long before he's pulling up in front of his house, car staying on as he steps on the brake. You wait for him to put the car in park and when he doesn't, you're shooting a confused look in his direction.

“You're not coming in?”

He's quick to shake his head, fingers tapping against the steering wheel. “I'm gonna go see what's up with those girls in building E.” Oh. Right. You almost forgot for a second who you were dealing with. Jung Hoseok, notorious fuck boy. If he wasn't sleeping with you, then he'd just find someone else to do it with.

Feeling bad for cutting your date short was useless. “See you later, then.” He meets your words with a nod, waiting patiently for you to get out of his car. Spares a moment to lift his hand in a wave before he's speeding down the road.

JANUARY 30TH, 2021 | 20:21

Taehyung is sat on the couch when you enter the house. Hunched over a bowl with chopsticks in hand. Torso bare and hair falling in a ruffled mess around his face. He doesn't budge at the sound of the door, too focused on pushing long strings of spicy noodles into his mouth.

He could've at least put together a fake emergency if he was going to call you over like this. Pretended his arm was broken or something, instead of coolly sitting on the couch trying to gulp down his beer around the mouthful of Ramen.

“Hey! What's so urgent? Why are you half-naked?” Your loud voice startles him, droplets of beer falling from his lips and rolling down his chest. He swallows, reaching forward to grab up a napkin, using it to wipe at his well worked on pecs.

Your eyes follow the movement of his hand, long fingers brushing the droplets from his tanned skin. It must be the anticipation of getting fucked tonight because you're finding it hard to tear your gaze from the ripples of his stomach. “I'm in from the gym,” He explains the no shirt, the tightness in his arms that have fallen victim to your greedy stare. Flexing obviously as he reaches for his drink again, taking a few sips before he's picking up his bowl. His chest tenses with the movement.

Has he always been this... wow? Quite literally staring in the middle of the room, greedily enjoying the sight of your best friend without his shirt on. Yet, it's not the first time you've seen him sans shirt. Countless sleepovers and pool parties, but his bare stomach seemed different now.

Seriously. Did he always have abs like that?

You're forcing yourself to look away, face grimacing at the loud burp he lets out. Enough to snap you from your thoughts, wherever they were going was uncharted territory. And you had no interest in exploring that, especially when you were supposed to be annoyed with him!

“What's the problem? Why'd you make me rush over?” Wearily, you step closer to him. Eyes scanning over his body in a less pervy way, trying to detect any sign of injury. Maybe even a paper cut a little too deep. “Are you okay?” Your face inches from his, still searching.

He's laughing, hand lifting to rest on your forehead, pushing your head back slightly. “I'm fine. Want some?” Taehyung lifts the bowl between the two of you. And your gaze drops to the spicy scent. And normally you'd be letting out an excited whoop, accepting his generous offer and plopping down beside him.

But right now, all you are is annoyed. Annoyed and frustrated. If it wasn't for him, no doubt you'd be off somewhere with Hoseok, minutes from having your eyes rolled back, nails scraping against his skin. Instead, you're here, no emergency in sight. You shaved for this! Matched your lingerie for this! What a waste.

“Are you fucking kidding me!? I was out with Hoseok, Taehyung.” As if he didn't know. And he had the audacity, to sit there, slurping his noodles as if he wasn't at fault for this annoying ache in the pit of your stomach. Something that would've been long taken care of if it wasn't for him.

His shoulders lift in an uninterested shrug, jaw falling slack as he shovels another mouthful into his mouth. “Well... now you're not. It's extra spicy. Your favorite,” He's offering more food up to you and all you do is roll your eyes, letting out a frustrated huff.

“You're fucking ridiculous,” You scoff, hands rummaging through the contents of your purse until your fingers are catching onto your phone. “I'm calling Hoseok,” You announce for no real reason, especially because he acts as if he hasn't heard your words. Attention back on the hot bowl in his lap.

He's being weird and you don't know what it is. Noticed it in doses these past few days and assumed it would just blow over... but he just seemed to be acting more and more out of character the more time passed. It confused you. And you hated being confused.

Part of you was convinced that it had something to do with him now knowing that you're sleeping with his roommate. The side comments, inadvertently trying to cock block, and now this being proof enough. But there was another part of you... a much smaller, poorly trained part, that was convinced these were the actions of a jealous man.

What would he have to be jealous of, right? It wasn't like he wanted to be the one sleeping with Hoseok. Well, debatable... but seriously, the way he's been acting lately has led you to believe that there was something else going on that he wasn't telling you. Tae's known the guys you've fucked around with before and never has he acted so... stiff?

Something changed. Something was different. And you can't help but wonder if the picture incident had something to do with it. Highly unlikely, as Joon said, he has probably already forgotten about it. But, nothing else made sense.

Hoseok doesn't answer. Not like you actually expected him to. He went to 'see what's up with the girls in Building E'. No doubt busy with that, why would he answer his phone? “Come on, Yn.” Taehyung is beside you now, you're not sure when he stood up, but you can smell the sweetness of his body spray. Even after the time, he spent in the gym.

“Listen, I'm sorry I interrupted you.” His hand is reaching to lower your phone, halting your request for an Uber. “...but you're here now. Just stay. Relax.” Flashing that breathtaking smile of his and it's becoming apparent how he gets away with so much. This boy knew how to use his looks to his advantage, there was no denying that.

But, you're not easily fooled. “You can't just interrupt my dates because you're lonely,” Some of the bite is gone from your tone. Not entirely sure how upset with him you really were. Of course, calling you out when he knew you were with someone else was shitty... but it was Taehyung!

A terrible reason, but the best one you could come up with. There was no way staying mad at him was an option, when he has done the reverse many times with you involved. He's smirking at you, picking up on the anger melting away from your features. “So it was a date. You told me it was just dinner,” He teases.

Not entirely pissed at him anymore, but that didn't mean you'd just let his stupidity slide. This was the second time he's interfered with your much needed Vitamin D and it was about time he heard something about it. “Just dinner. A date. A fucking square dance. Taehyung, you can't just cut in because you want.” He's looking at you funny, this dazed expression that you've never seen directed to you before. From him.

It makes your heart stutter, so you ignore it. “What if I did the same with you? If you were out with Ailee and I called you up with some stupid excuse?” He doesn't even hesitate, dark eyes glued to yours. A stare so intense, you feel the heat rising to your cheeks. “I'd come running,” The deepness of his voice and the seriousness of his tone has your breath hitching.

There was no way this was happening. You were used to flirty Taehyung, got pretty good at compartmentalizing your feelings when it came to the Taehyung that you dealt with on a day-to-day basis. But this... this was different. Uncharted territory, indeed. The way he was looking at you? Talking to you? Nothing like you've ever handled before when it came to him.

No idea how you were supposed to react, so you decide to just leave to keep from making a fool of yourself in front of him. “I'm leaving. Goodnight, Taehyung. Call your girlfriend.” A halfhearted request, you're really just reminding yourself that he has one. And while 'The Other Woman' was a great song, that wasn't you.

“She broke up with me like an hour ago,” Again? You want to say, feigning disbelief. Their routine breakups were far from surprising and they always ended up in the same way: them back together and holed up in Taehyung's room for days on end. Only to end in a pointless fight that would repeat the cycle.

They were always broken up, but that didn't mean they were done with each other. It never meant that. “Please, stay.” He's pouting obnoxiously, so you're confused why you find it so cute. Fingers laced with yours as he lightly shakes your arm. “I miss hanging out with you,” Puppy dog eyes aimed right at your heart.

He's not wrong. It's been a little while since the two of you just hung out. Lounged around in sweats, ate, and watched bad TV. And it was very unlikely that Hoseok would be returning your call. Jimin is surely busy with Jungkook or something. You'd just be going home to sit around and do exactly what you could do here.

“Fine.” Eyes rolling to exaggerate your annoyance. “Go make another packet while I change,” Soft hair bounces as he nods his head, turning to pick up his half-empty bowl from the coffee table, carrying it into the kitchen.

You're halfway up the stairs before he's calling out to you, smiling when he sees your head poke around the corner. “I'm really sorry I ruined your date. That was not cool,” There's sincerity in his tone and in his eyes, every last bit of annoyance or frustration you felt dissipating at the sight.

“It's fine,” The prettiest smile he's ever seen pushes onto your lips, nearly stealing his breath away. “I'll just have to text Hoseok and explain your issue with separation,” Giggling at your own lighthearted joke and he's matching the sound.

Silently praying you hurry upstairs so he can get his heart in check. So he could think. Something he's been skipping out on that since the moment he picked up his phone and decided to call you.

JANUARY 30TH, 2021 | 21:43

You're wearing basketball shorts. His basketball shorts. Paired with a sports bra that you must've left here for one reason or another. It takes everything in him not to zero in on the jiggle of your ass as you pass him. The pebble of your nipples pushing against the fabric. You always complained about how cold his apartment was.

He tries not to stare as you stretch to pull a bowl from the cupboard, laughing out loud when you realize that he's already taken one down for you. Thanking him as you move to stand close. Your cheeks are red and irritated from the quick way you removed your makeup with the dried-out wipes you left in his bathroom. Hair let out of the tight ponytail, cascading down your back in pretty waves.

It's not until you're pinning him with a furrowed brow and an upturn of your upper lip, does he realize he's literally gawking at you. With this unmistakable love-struck look in eyes. “Why are looking at me like that?” Spoken while plucking a piece of meat from the pan and pushing it into your mouth.

Caught and he doesn't even think of trying to backtrack. With a shrug of his shoulders, he's turning his attention back to the food in front of him. “I don't know. You just look beautiful or whatever,” He can hardly look at you as the words leave his lips, afraid you'll catch the blush on his cheeks.

“Or whatever?” You joke with a laugh, ignoring the flip of your stomach at the compliment. Instead, you move to the fridge, retrieving a couple of eggs while chastising him on forgetting the best part. Not sure what was up with him, but you refuse to let yourself get carried away.

You've spent so long accepting that he has and only will see you as a friend. Best friend, even. And just because he was throwing a few compliments your way didn't mean that everything all of a sudden changed. Nothing has changed. The two of you were still in the same spot you had been two years ago.

Taehyung serves you with a smile ten minutes later, fingers lingering on yours for a moment longer than normal. Not long enough to be weird, but definitely long enough to get the wheels turning in your brain. And then he's plopping down across from you like nothing, head ducked as he takes the first steamy bites of his food.

It takes everything in him not to profess his unclear feelings. Trying to limit how often he looks at you, censoring his thoughts as they teeter between mushy and cringe. It's hard with the way you're joking between bites the way you always do, he can't help but notice how pretty you are.

He felt lucky to have you like this. Even if it wasn't truly having you. Just the fact that you were comfortable enough around him to be like this. Even if it had been years, it felt different now somehow.

Everything felt different since he's started to notice little things about you that he failed to see all along. Your cute habit of flicking and tossing your hair as you spoke, more often with how animated you got. How your eyes lit up when you were excited. That tiny dimple at the corner of your mouth, which only made an appearance when you were laughing really hard.

On top of it all, he was noticing how obvious you were. Not exactly sure when it clicked in his mind and it could very well be his ego talking, but he was starting to feel like he wasn't the only one keeping a mental scrapbook. The more attention he paid to you and your little mannerisms, the more he picked up on the fact that you were doing the same.

Whenever he'd bite his lip, rest his cheek on his palm, angle his head in a certain way – your eyes would follow. And how could he forget the lust-filled look on your face as your eyes devoured him, it hadn't even been a full ten minutes since you got there and you were so obvious.

A wonder he didn't notice it before, but now that he thinks back... all of the signs were there. Everything that he missed has been screaming at him for the past-however-many years. And as much as he wanted to do something about it, he knew he had to be careful.

Extremely careful.

JANUARY 30TH, 2021 | 23:52

Right now, you had your legs in his lap – ankle inches from his junk, but that's the least of your concerns. You're more focused on tucking every last crumb of weed into the paper, eyes flickering between your fingers and the TV screen.

“How is she this oblivious?” You're commenting with a wrinkle of your brow and Taehyung has to act like he's been following the plotline all along.

From what he was able to pick up with your brief summary of the plot and the way you talked over every scene with backstory, the main character was set the be married to a man with much more experience than her. In life. In the bedroom. The scene playing in front of you right now she was just finding out that he had been lying about not being able to have children.

You had suggested starting from episode one, but he denied the offer. There was something about watching you explain a show while getting frustrated about the scenes that played out before you that he found endearing. Not a new feeling, but holding a new meaning now.

He can hardly hear what's being said because you're in the middle of a rant on how there was no reason for her to be so clueless and sent into a marriage. And how her mother should've gone into the nitty-gritty before shipping her off. And how her husband was just a compliment douche bag for taking advantage of her ignorance.

Taehyung is positive he looks like you just agreed to go riding off in the sunset. Leaned back against the couch and watching you with this dazed-dopey expression that you sum up to him just being high. You were working on rolling the second joint you'd share.

His eyes follow as you lean forward, hovering over his lap as you reach for the lighter on his side. Not even thinking to ask him to pass it over, not that he's complaining about the closeness. Elbows holding your body up as you fiddle with the spark, bringing it toward you when it stays.

You catch his stare as you exhale, handing the joint off to him before moving back to your end of the couch, legs falling back in his lap. He doesn't pull his gaze from you, letting the weed burn out between his fingers. “What?” You're asking with a soft laugh. He's hissing out a breath, bringing the smoke to his lips and inhaling.

“You're fucking gorgeous, it's annoying.” He says with a shake of his head, a thick cloud of smoke leaving his lips. “You're always talking shit,” Speaking through a burst of laughter, but he doesn't entertain the thought any further. Extending his hand to pass it over, eyes flickering up to the screen.

There had been something that he had paid attention to when you first turned this show on. The conversation that was being had on the screen about best friends and getting married and falling in love. And how that's how you should do it. Marry your best friend and it would work out.

No matter how many porn-like sex scenes appeared after that, he was still stuck on that one conversation. And the thought that if you looked so pretty next to him right now, there was no telling how much prettier you'd look done up and dressed in white. He has to laugh at himself, though.

Blaming his raging thoughts on the half-empty bottle of liquor on the table and the green you're handing back over to him. Which is why he doesn't bother to stop the question that slips out next. “Do you think that's really the key?”

Half forgot that even though you never left his mind, you couldn't read it. So you have no idea what he's talking about. “Key to what?”

“Being happy in a relationship?”

He hardly ever really talked about his feelings being with Ailee. You just knew what he told you and that was very limited. She annoyed him, but she was sometimes funny and knew what she was doing. That was pretty much it.

So you're a little shocked that he all of a sudden was bringing this up as if you knew their relationship from a hole in the wall. “Are you not happy with Ailee?” Someone who fought with their significant other as much as Taehyung did, couldn't really be happy. But you could be wrong.

“I'm sure I could be happier,” He's looking at you with those eyes again, flicking the ash off with his finger before bringing the joint back to his lips. “Do you think falling n love with your best friend is the key to all that?” He pauses, the blurts the last part out like he's lost control of his tongue. “Like you and me,”

You're letting out a harsh cough that has nothing to do with the smoke cruising through your lungs. Eyes tearing up while your back shakes. “Me and you?” You manage, letting out a gasped breath. “Like me falling in love with you and you falling in love with me?” Finger used to point between the two of you, just to be sure.

Taehyung nods his head, unphased by your dramatic reaction. “Yes, that's exactly how that would work. A money-less transaction,” You're letting out a laugh and a shake of your head, pushing the thought from your head. He was only joking, talking shit for whatever reason.

“Yeah, no. That would never work out,”

His words chase yours, “Why not?” You don't miss the small pout of his lips, as if he's actually asking. Wondering why you thought the two of you together wouldn't work out.

“I know too much. You know too much,” Going with the first reason that pops in your head, one that you've used countless times with convincing yourself. “There's gotta be some mystery,”

Taehyung is rolling his eyes, “Oh, come on. We're not the Scooby-doo kids, Yn. Mystery is overrated.” He's really pushing for this and you're not sure why. Most likely entertaining the thoughts that pop into his foggy mind, so you don't allow yourself to think too hard on his words.

Or what they could mean. “It's perfect,” He continues. “You meet someone, become best friends, decide to fall in love and now you're married to your best friend. That's the dream,” He says with a grin. And you're not sure if he's actually talking about you or if he's just talking.

“That's lazy,” Either way, you attempt to get the race of your heart to slow down. No matter how much closer he was to you now, backs of your thighs pressed against his. You're nearly seated in his lap and you just now noticed the mindless way his fingers drag over your knee. “You can't pick off from your existing friends. You meet someone, fall for them and then you become best friends,”

His laugh rings through your ears, then your entire body. Just the sound has you feeling warm all over, something that you were sure you had gotten under control a long time ago. “You just said the same thing as me, except you changed the last two steps,”

“It makes a huge difference,” It did. One was the two of you and the other could be any two strangers on the street. For the sake of you, your version was the one you'd go with. Anything else and it would be hard to talk yourself out of it.

But Taehyung has been a lot more attention, putting the pieces together as they appear. And one thing he was always good at spotting (except when it came to you for some reason) was when someone was into him. And judging from the subtle changes in your demeanor throughout this entire conversation, you were so into him.

With caution on his mind, he's shifting focus. Hand lowering to discard the dead bit in the ashtray. Leveling you with a squinted eyes and a purse of his lips. “What's the real reason you didn't want me to know about Hoseok?” Sort of had an idea of what this might be, but he wanted to hear it from you.

“What do you mean? I already told you,” You're reaching for the bottle on the table, taking a swig to keep your hands busy. And to keep you from having to look at him, no doubt the unfiltered thoughts in your mind would be slipping out with one glance.

He doesn't pull his gaze from you, though. “No, you said you didn't want things to get awkward. I think that was a lie,” His face is much closer to yours now, you can clearly see the faint beauty marks scattered against his skin.

Just a simple stretch of his leg and you're pushed further on to his lap. Back resting against his arm now that he has his hand is pressed against the armrest. He's close, but not suffocating, has left enough space for you to get up and move if you wanted to. But that's the farthest thing from your mind right now.

“Wanna know what I think it is?” Voice so low he might as well be mumbling. His eyes flicker down to your lips, noting how soft they look. And he finds himself wondering just how they'd feel pressed against his. “What?” You sound breathless like you had been thinking about the same exact thing.

He's smoothly moving his arm from you, guiding the way your back falls against the couch. “I think you're into me, like how I'm into you... and you didn't want me to know because of that,” The risk of fucking up your friendship takes the backseat because he knows he's right. Took his time and put the signs together.

“Yeah, right.” You laugh it off, but he's learned how obvious you are.

A grin spreads over his features, hand dropping to your hip. “You're making the face you do when you've been caught,” The heat of his palm spreading from your side to your entire body. And you've come to terms with the fact that you've lost control of your heart. Wrapped up in the moment where Taehyung, Kim Taehyung, your best friend and former crush revealed he was into you.

His head bows, nose nudging against yours. It's embarrassing the way your lips instantly pucker, eyes falling shut as you wait for the soft press. Eyes fluttering open after a moment of waiting and receiving nothing, catching the devious smirk on his lips.

“You're into me, aren't you?” While he was sure, positive after seeing how ready you were to have him kiss you, he needed to hear it. Needed to be sure that he wasn't missing something, he's been doing a lot of that lately.

The nod of your head is answer enough, followed by your warm hand reaching to rest on the back of his neck. Not sure who moved first, if you were pulling him down or he was lowering himself and you really didn't care.

A tiny moan escapes from your lips as he shifts above you, the sound being sent straight to his crotch. His mouth is pulling from yours, brows raised and eyes wide as he stares down at you – surprised by the fact that you could actually sound like that. Before he's given a chance to comment on it, you're pulling him back down.

Kissing you is everything he's imagined it to be and more. The soft push of your tongue paired with the deliberate scrap of teeth on his lip. Your hummed moans fill the room and stir him on, his grip falling from your hip to your thigh. Easily pulling your legs apart to slot himself between them.

Fingers tangled in his hair and heavy breath hitting his lips each time you pull away, only to dive right back in. Mouths moving over each other messily, Taehyung can barely ask the groans that die on your lips. Free hand pressed against his chest, you can feel the hammer of his heart.

Thighs squeezed to his hips, bodies so close the thinnest of papers wouldn't fit. So it's no wonder you feel it. The twitch of his cock hardening against you, so enticing you can't help the way your hips lift to meet his just as he's dropping down to press into you. A hissed moan falling from your lips at the contact.

“Fuck,” He's groaning, a switch seemingly turning on inside of him. Mouth breaking for yours and hand moving up the toward your chest. His thumb brushes over your hardened nipple through the fabric of your bra as he rolls his hips into yours.

Just the heat from pressing against you like this was enough to rile him up, mind reeling with thoughts of what it would be like to really fuck you. And the sounds you'd make. You sounded so pretty with the simple rolls of his hips, what if he was actually buried deep inside of you.

His head drops, mouth latching onto the crook of your neck to suckle at the skin there. Your senses are fogged with nothing but him. The smell of him, the feel, the taste. Still lingering on your lips and hitting your taste buds as you lick them. There's a definite heat growing between your legs with each drag of his covered cock, angled perfectly that he's just barely tapping your clit.

You want more. So much more and it's making you delirious. Needy. Hips rolling up to meet his and he's pushing you down every time. Teeth scraping against your skin and fingers pinching at your chest. “Taehyung,” It sounds more desperate than you intend it to. He's groaning back in response, face lifting from your skin to admire the red mark he's left behind.

Tongue dragging over it, soothing it with a simple swipe. Hands re-positioned on either side of your head, his gaze drops to watch the way your hips move in order to meet his, a smirk pressed on his lips. “Fuck, look at you... such a mess.” He's pushing forward, cock meeting your clit perfectly.

Strained whimper ripping through your throat as you brace your hands on his side, back arching into him. “Grinding that pretty pussy all over my cock, didn't even let me get undressed. You're so wet, huh?” Now you knew what the boys were on about when they clowned him for being mouthy. Had laughed along before, but having his words directed to you was no laughing matter.

You knew what you were doing. You could feel the effect of what you were doing but something about having him point it out in that breathy tone of his was hot. What you didn't expect was for him to want you to talk back, but the slow of his hips is quickly warning you of your role.

“Don't stop,” You're gasping, hands reaching out to him. “I could cum like this,” Your whispering, cheeks heating up at the admission. How embarrassing, losing it over dry humping, you half expect him to laugh it off as a joke.

But he doesn't, instead, he's lowering his body back onto yours, the movement of his hips picking up in speed. “Me too,” He breathes out, fingers tangling in your hair as his tongue teases against your covered lips. “Wrap your legs around me,”

His words are muffled, but you understand him enough to lift your legs, ankles locking behind his back. He drives into you like he's balls deep inside of you, pulling gasps and moans from your lips. Nails pressed into his skin as you beg him not to stop, chanting your near release. And just as you feel it bubble up in your stomach, his low pants of your name getting to you. Just as you're about to be knocked over the edge you've been teetering on, Jin's voice is breaking through.

His loud laughter bleeding through the door behind you, followed by the low grumble of Joon's voice. The jingle of his key is what snaps Tae out of it, body freezing as his head lifts to glare at the door.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck.” You're quick to push him off, looking away as he adjusting the throbbing bulge in his pants – leaving you to wipe at the slobber-dampened mark on your chest. Jin and Joon are stepping in just as you're rushing upstairs for a shirt. Their laughter filling the downstairs as you rummage through drawers for something to pull on.

All while shoving your raging thoughts out of your mind. Still in shock that that actually happened... whatever that was. Taehyung was into you. He had said it and then kissed you. God, he kissed you. Would've been to be able to fully enjoy it if you weren't so damn greedy.

Just one taste and you were wanting the whole thing and from the look of it, he was willing to give it to you. But what if it had been a fluke. A one-off because of whatever happened to Ailee and the fact that you were there. Into you, but what did that really mean? Would that change anything?

You dare to hope, even though you're sure you're wrong. There was a lot going on tonight. Him fighting with Ailee, you being torn away from Hoseok before you can do anything properly. You were high! Still, high to be honest. Would he still be into you when he was sobering up?

Finding out is the last thing on your list. Fitting yourself as his best friend after your quiet crush was one thing. Doing that after he's taken back being into you was another. You didn't want to think about what a disaster that would be, you'd rather just go home and sleep.

Jin is turning to happily greet you as you make your way downstairs, while Joon makes room for you on the couch. Taehyung doesn't look up, cheeks flushed and eyes glued to his knees. You'd give everything to know what he's thinking.

“Yn! Tae said you were here. We're gonna open Monopoly, wanna play?” It's an invitation from Jin that you'd usually be jumping at. Claiming your designated money bag piece without a thought, so he's shocked when you're shaking your head. “Think I'm gonna just head home, turn in early.”

Tae looks up at the sound of your departure, eyebrows furrowing in confusion. He had hoped you would want to stay, so he could have a chance to talk to you properly. Tell you how he was feeling even if he didn't fully understand it yet. He wanted to tell you that he liked you and he wanted to hear you say it back.

Let you know that he wanted to try to be good at relationships because he wanted to try with you. He's standing with that in mind, shrinking back when you're looking at him. There before did he feel nervous around you, but with all this weighing on his chest, he doesn't know how else to feel.

“Let me walk you home,” He offers, it's a twenty-minute walk across campus. Enough time for him to talk to you... or just be around you for longer.

You're shaking your head, though. Pushing an easy smile onto your lips. “It's fine. I texted Jimin,” It's a lie and he knows it is, but he doesn't call you on it. Obvious that you didn't want to be around him. Most likely regretting the whole thing.

Nodding as he plops back down beside Jin. He watches as you pull your shoes back on, throwing a quick goodbye over your shoulder before stepping out. Not even sparing a proper look in his direction. A huff leaves his lips as he sinks into the couch, hands tugging through his hair.

He really screwed up.

>> PART TWO COMING...SATURDAY.

— you’ve always been cute, soft, tiny in taehyung’s eyes. but that’s changing one night when you’re accidentally sending him a naughty picture. forcing him to realize, maybe his best friend is kinda… hot?

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missarchivistdoodles · 2 years

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Chapter 18: Art Store Musings

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[[TW: Emotions. All of them. Descriptions of physical injury from acid. Referenced self-harm/suicidal ideation. Unintentional self-harm.]]

Swatch wasn't sure how they ended up in the passenger seat of Crimson's car, listening to their youngest sibling natter on about the new dish he wanted to cook tonight as they headed for a small grocery store on the edge of the city. It was a farm-to-table type store, everything sold coming from the owner's large farm in the Cyber Fields. Crimson was convinced the produce from there tasted better than from the more corporate grocery store near their apartment, and had bribed Swatch into joining him on their day off.

"You haven't gone anywhere but work and your apartment for months," the red Swatchling had huffed as he dragged Swatch to the car park. "Besides, there's a new art supply store down the street from the farm that you'll love."

If they hadn't been in desperate need of a new sketchbook, Swatch would have shrugged their brother's invitation off. Instead, they begrudgingly got in the car and listened to him go on about the evenings menu, waxing poetic about the Baked Alaska he had planned for dessert.

"He can have visitors now, y'know."

Swatch, who'd been watching the city pass by around them (driving was actually quite pleasant outside of rush hour), eyed Crimson cautiously. "Who?"

Crimson kept his eyes firmly on the road as he spoke. "Spam. Addy sent me a photo of him a few days ago, holding Shock."

Swatch frowned, and turned to fully face their brother. "Crimson, if you are driving to the Addison household-"

"No, no!" The Swatchling took one wing off the wheel to wave at them. "I wouldn't do that to you, bro. We're going to the RSS Feed Store, promise." He allowed a pause to stretch between them, "But if you wanted to…"

The withering glare he received was answer enough, and he huffed, a thread of annoyance seeping through his adoration of his eldest sibling. "You know, you're going to have to talk to him eventually." Swatch didn't answer, just turned back to watch the buildings begin shrinking as they entered the more suburban areas, absently reaching up to trace the scar along the left side of their beak. Crimson let the silence simmer for a minute, before flipping on the radio

"-nd that was Reverse Uno Card by Q.U.E.E.N., hope you all enjoyed it! You're listening to CCPR - Cyber City Public Radio, and coming next up is our top-of-the-hour news! I'm Amplitude -"

"And I'm Frequency!"

"-and diving into the news today, looks like we have a flash from Adaptable Marketing Solutions! Why don't you go ahead and tell us about it, Freq?"

"Sure thing Amp. Looks like AMS is launching a new fundraiser for the city, aiming at helping the homeless population. They want to build a shelter and offer retraining for down-on-their-luck programs who are struggling to find a job."

"Well I'm not surprised by that, Freq. You've heard the CEO's muffin story, right?"

"Right, Amp! It's a classic, pretty sure most of the city knows it by now. Hey, whatever happened to the other guy from the story? The original owner?"

"Oh, you mean Spamton G. Spamton?"

"That's it! The guy with the name so nice, you said it twice!"

"He vanished last summer, after there was some kind of dust-up in the Mansion."

"Oooh, right! Wasn't there a story going around that he took a dip in Queen's acid pool?"

"Among others. My personal favorite was-"

Crimson pulled into the parking lot squeezed beside the small, brick grocery store and turned off the car, killing the radio before Amp and Freq could go into a rundown of their favorite rumors. He gave his elder a quick glance, and saw the brood leader looked twice as tense as before. "How about you head on over to the art store?" He suggested, "I'll grab the groceries and meet you there, sound good?"

Swatch nodded and climbed out of the car, relaxing as the soft sounds of suburbia (lawn mowers, young programs playing, distant traffic) washed over them. Much better than the dredge from the radio. Honestly, a news station shouldn't be gossiping like that. Crimson gathered his shopping bags and headed into the small store to haggle with the owner over the price of eggs and chives.

The art supply store was housed in a small building with white-painted bricks and large windows. A bell dinged cheerily over the door when they entered, and Swatch felt their ruffled feathers fall flat as the smell of acrylic paints and balsa wood filled their beak. An employee - peacock like in appearance, but with an Addison-ish face - greeted them cheerfully as they entered.

"Welcome to India Inks, I'm India!" He chirped. "Just lemme know if you need anything!" When Swatch just gave a nod of acknowledgement, the owner went back to his magazine.

Swatch meandered through the aisles of art supplies - the store, while small, was well-stocked, bursting with everything an artist could want. Paints of every type, brushes of every size, canvases (both panels and stretched), along with every coloring implement they'd ever seen, and some they hadn't. They took their time examining the oil pastels and chalks, absently wondering how they would look if used alongside the acrylics or watercolors they preferred.

A pack of colored pencils caught their eye and they paused, reaching out to run a talon down the side. It was the same kind Spamton had gifted him, so many years ago now. They still had them, and the sketch book, now one of many fit to burst with doodles and plans and rough ideas of larger pieces. They'd used the pencils until they were nothing more than nubs, but kept them all the same, stored in a small pouch in the back of a drawer.

They hadn't used colored pencils since the Fight (that was how his siblings spoke of it, assigning the event a capital 'F' in texts and messages). Not since the man they'd come to think of as their best friend, their confidant, and maybe, possibly, something more, had left a permanent mark across his face, maring the thin keratin layer down to the bone.

They'd been planning on asking Spamton out that night. It was their day off, and after years of dancing around the topic they'd decided to address head on, and ask him on a proper date. Swatch had arrived late in the evening, unwilling to wait another day lest their nerves get the better of them, and Crimson had directed him to the east wing of the building. They'd barely seen Spamton vanish through the hidden door to the basement, and had felt every nerve in their body come alight at the sight.

The only thing in the basement (besides cobwebs and a defunct coaster station) was Neo.

Neo was dangerous.

Swatch had followed him, of course, racing after the man, who seemed well acquainted with the twists and turns of the basement halls. He'd barely made it to the chamber ahead of the butler, who had been horrified to see Neo laying out on the ground, not safely pinned to the wall as it should have been. Spamton had been kneeling beside it, something small and metallic in his hand, and had been smiling.

It had not been his smile. Swatch couldn't explain it, but the tightness of the cheeks, the curve of the lips, the manic triumph in his eyes - it hadn't been Spamton. At least, not their Spamton.

Swatch had tried to get him to move away, to speak reason, to convince Spamton that whatever he was about to do wasn't worth the possible outcome (not when one of those very possible outcomes was death), but the salesman wouldn't be swayed. They'd resorted to physically hauling him away from the machine, arguing with him about his need for it. Spamton had yelled about heaven, and freedom, about wanting more.

And he'd yelled about Mike.

In the end Swatch overpowered him, taking the keygen and destroying it with surprising ease. They'd thought it finished then - with Spamton unable to achieve his goal, they'd be able to calm him and talk this out, understand what was going on. But no.

Spamton had lashed out like a wild tasque, delivering a scarring sucker punch to their face. The tacky gold ring he'd taken to wearing had sliced easily through the tough keratin of his beak, leaving a wound that sunk into the bone beneath. Before they could recover, those same hands had been around their throat, ripping out feathers as the salesman yelled, screamed, about everything being ruined.

You’ve destroyed everything I’ve worked for! Everything I’ve done! You bastard! Don’t you understand? My chance at freedom is gone!

Their siblings had come then, pulling Spamton off and restraining him. Teal had used what he knew of healing magic to try and stop the bleeding, and Mauve had mopped up what they could of the mess, putting aside her own squeamishness at the time. Ebony and Ivory had held Spamton at bay, though it seemed the fight went out of him as soon as he was restrained. He didn't say anything, didn't look at Swatch, just stared at the ground and muttered something about rings.

Teal had the bleeding stopped rather quickly, and between the five of them they had enough handkerchiefs to wipe away the worst of the blood. They'd stood (with help) and smoothed down their ruffled feathers, doing their best not to look at the slivers of black discarded on the floor. Crimson and Lemon hauled Neo back into the holder on the wall, fixing it into place and checking the hull for any damage. Spamton had looked up then - jerked up, as though startled - and stared as they did it, looking distraught.

The expression had Swatch ordering Ebony and Ivory to take Spamton to his room for the time being. They'd taken a deliberate step to the left as they did so, blocking his view of Neo. Spamton tried to glance over his shoulder as he was carried from the room, but instead could only look at Swatch. And for the first time in ten years, seeing the man's face filled them with…nothing. No intrigue. No happiness. No joy. Just a thick, tarry emptiness that made them want to curl up and hide from the world.

Despite what the doctors had tried, the wound on his face wouldn't completely knit together, leaving Swatch with a thick scar in the keratin. It arched from beneath their left eye to where their beak met feathers. The skin that had been split was healed more easily, although the feathers there regrew in shades of gray instead of black.

The feathers on their neck, which Spamton had pulled out while screaming at him, grew back with much less fuss, and in their natural, glossy black state. A few weeks after the incident, it was impossible to tell they'd been plucked in the first place. For the first of those weeks they'd stayed at home, a rotating mix of siblings crowding their apartment to tend to their every need (which was mostly tea and books and space to think, to mourn a relationship that had never been).

Crimson reported that Spamton had holed himself up in his room and wasn't speaking to anyone, just staring at his phone and refusing to eat. Swatch tried to feel concern at that, but…couldn't. The words Spamton had screamed rang in their ears.

You’ve destroyed everything I’ve worked for! Everything I’ve done!

Had all this been a ruse? A play on Spamtons part, to get close to Neo and steal it out from under them? Had they truly ever been friends, or had they been duped, used, abused, until at last Spamton had no need of them anymore? And if so, then how stupid were they, to have fallen for it?

A week later, Teal had called, uncharacteristically panicked, screaming about the acid, about Spamton, about Crimson. Swatch and Mauve (who'd taken nursemaid duty that night) had raced to the Mansion, arriving the same time as Siren, to chaos.

Spamton - once a tall, proud man, who swaggered with his steps and gave an air of confidence and surety, but never superiority - was writhing on the tiles before the throne, fine suit soaked with acid, tears streaming from his eyes as vomit stained his mouth. He was glitching, stretches of white skin growing staticy before fading back to normal. The ring - that damned thing, which had injured him so severely - was melted to his finger, and Swatch had been mortified to feel a thrill of satisfaction at the sight.

Crimson sat beside him, awkwardly holding out his hands, which Teal was trying his best to rinse off. Destroyed feathers slid free, the acid eating away the down and blistering the skin beneath. He'd given Swatch a lost, haunted look, barely paying attention to his injuries.

"He just walked in."

Siren had shoved his way in then, followed by several nurses, saving Swatch from having to say anything. Spamton had been whisked away by the medic, taken to the medical wing to be treated. One of the nurses, an Ambyu-lance named Suture, stayed behind and took over tending to Crimson. She'd flushed his hand and arm with a soapy substance, removing the last of the acid, and gently pulled away the destroyed feathers before slathering on some antivirus ointment and wrapping it loosely with gauze.

"You'll be fine," she patted Crimson on the head, then glanced up at Swatch. "He'll need a few days of rest with minimal movement for his arm to regenerate, and there may be some discoloration of his feathers, but the acid didn't destroy any of his code or core files." She'd stood, brushing herself off, all business, and once Teal had said something to reassure her that they had it handled, she'd hustled off to the medical wing.

Swatch and Teal managed to get Crimson back on his feet, but he didn't step away, still staring at the acid river. "...just walked in…" He muttered again, and it was then that Swatch began to hate Spamton.

Not for the fight.

Not for the scar.

Not for trying to kill himself.

But for allowing their youngest sibling to see.

And yet Crimson insisted on tending to Spamton, on being there when he woke up, on making sure he was alright, was fed, was comforted. No matter what happened, Crimson stuck by him, was his friend. And in the end, Spamton ran out on him as well, absconding without a word and vanishing in the street.

Good riddance to bad rubbish, Swatch had thought at the time. They'd focused on other things - smashing watermelons, running the cafe, assisting Queen with her plans for a robot of some kind. Whenever their thoughts strayed to Spamton, whenever Crimson or Lemon asked if they'd heard from the small man, they shook them off. Good riddance, they told themself, ignoring the ache the name brought up. He never loved you. It was just part of his plan. Don't mourn what you never had.

"Welcome to India Inks, I'm India!" Swatch was jarred from his recollections as the owner repeated their greeting, and he glanced towards the door. "Oh, hello Crimson! It's lovely to see you again."

The Swatchling's beak blushed the color of his namesake, and he awkwardly smoothed his feathers from his forehead. "Oh, hey there Indy, ahem, India. It's nice to see you too." He ignored his oldest siblings' knowing smirk from behind the shelf filled with sketch books and drawing pads. "How have you been?"

The tail of peacock feathers behind India flared, and he leaned forward on the counter, beaming up at Crimson. "Why, I've been wonderful! It's not every day I get two handsome birds in my store." He swung his hips slowly back and forth, tail following the motion, and the flustered Swatchling followed the movements closely.

Swatch desperately wanted to know how long this had been going on, and poke some good-natured fun at their brother, but their phone chose that moment to vibrate with a call. They turned away from the pair to give them an illusion of privacy and, after frowning at the "Unknown Number" flashing from the screen, answered the phone and brought it to their ear.

"Swatch Paletta," they said in their best customer-service voice, wondering if a regular barfly had managed to get their number from a sibling. There was silence, then an odd, trembling hitch of breath. "Hello?"

"Twitter."

The nickname, spoken with such desperation, sent a shiver down their spine. They'd just been thinking of the salesman and here he was, as though summoned by the memories themself. "Spamt - Spam," Swatch barely remembered the name change in time to stop themself, fighting to keep their voice level. "How did you get this number?"

"Addy."

"Ah." Frowning, Swatch tried to remember if they had given Adapter permission to share their number. They'd been roped into the search for Spam a few months ago, after his brothers requested help, but hadn't expected their phone number to be handed out willy-nilly as part of the deal. "Was there something I can help you with, sir?" They forced themself to be professional.

A long moment of silence - if it weren't for the harried breathing, they'd have thought Spam hung up, then, "The strings. They're back."

"The strings…?" A thrill ran up their back - the strings? A vivid memory flashed behind their eyes - bloody wrists on the spotless bar, the air smelling of gin and iron, dim eyes set in a pale, sunken face. If you ever see the strings, give us a call. "The same strings from your nightmare?" We will come and check, any time, day or night.

"Yes." The voice was so faint they almost didn't hear it.

Swatch took a deep breath, glancing over his shoulder at the front of the store. Crimson was leaning against the counter, chatting with the clerk, who had toned down his flirting and was now showing off something on his phone. Good - they didn't want their brother traumatized a second time.

"Spam, I need you to listen to me. Are you listening?"

"Yes."

"Where are the strings right now?"

"Around my wrist."

"Both of them?"

"No, just my right."

"Okay, good. And what are they making you do?"

"Write."

"They're making you write words?"

"Yes."

"What words?"

"Sorry."

The apology was unexpected - had he not understood what Swatch asked? Well, the connection seemed fine on their end, but perhaps there was static on his. "It's okay, Spam," Swatch kept his voice calm, "Can you tell me what it's making you write?"

There was silence for a long moment, and Swatch pulled the phone away from their face and glanced at the screen, concerned they may have accidentally hung up on him. Then, "I'm sorry!" burst through the phone, loud enough that Crimson and India stopped their hushed discussion and glanced over at them. Swatch fumbled the phone, nearly dropping it, and brought it back to his head. Spam was still talking - rambling - on the line. "I'm sorry, god, I'm so sorry, for everything. I'm sorry, I know you won't forgive me but I have to tell you, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so fucking sorry Swatch, it was all my fault."

"Is that Spam?" Crimson had abandoned his crush to join them in the sketchbook aisle. Swatch nodded, pulling the phone slightly away from their head so the Swatchling could hear the rambling. After a moment, they tried to cut in.

"Spam-"

"Please," Spam gasped from the other side of the phone, and Crimson's feathers stood on end at the sheer desperation of the voice. He grabbed Swatch's arm, gripping it hard enough to hurt. "Please Swatch, you can hate me, I understand, I deserve it, just please don't leave me with him again. I can't-"

"Their house is just a few blocks from here," Crimson whispered, and Swatch nodded, the pair of them moving towards the door. India watched them from behind the counter, and asked Crimson something as Swatch tried to calm down the salesman, but he wasn't listening.

"Spam!"

There was an audible click as his jaw shut, and Swatch took a deep breath, trying to center themself. Crimson said something to India before opening the door to the shop, the little bell chiming as they hurried out and down the street, towards the car. "Listen to me," Swatch continued, "The strings aren't there. The strings aren't real."

"They are," Spam whispered, so softly the butler had to strain to hear it. "They're here." Crimson unlocked his car and slid into the driver's seat, turning over the engine and snapping off the radio as soon as it began to play. "And if they're here, then he is too."

Swatch felt their blood run cold at the simple statement, and they didn't bother with their own seatbelt, just slammed the passenger door and motioned for Crimson to go, go, go. He muttered something about 'safety laws' but obeyed, backing out of the parking lot and pulling (a tad too quickly) onto the main street, heading towards the neighborhood behind the small shopping area. "Who's there Spam?" Swatch pressed, setting the phone to speaker so Crimson could hear as well.

"Mike."

Crimson swore, and the steering wheel creaked beneath his hands. Swatch swallowed, hard, then cleared their throat. "Mike isn't there, Spam. You destroyed his phone, remember?"

"It doesn't matter," Spam's voice was louder, higher - panicked. "He doesn't need the phone, he never did, he's always had control and I'm never going to get away, he'll always be there he's always watching and listening and I'll never be free-"

"Spam? Listen to me, he's not there. Just hang on, okay?" Crimson took a turn a bit too fast and Swatch slid into the door with a grunt. "Ooof - just - we're almost there, okay, Spam?"

There was no answer, just heavy breathing, muttered words, the sound of a pen scratching against wet paper. Swatch brought the phone closer, straining to hear what was happening on the other end. Someone was speaking - so faint, they could barely parse it out. They pressed the phone to the side of their head and focused.

"Oh Spamton, do you really think it's that easy?"

Swatch had never heard that voice before, and it raked down their back, feathers standing on end and bile churning in their throat. Mike was real. Of course he was real, Spam had to be talking to someone on the phone all this time. But he'd always been abstract, a voice on the phone, a distant business partner Spam sang the praises of. Never a threat, not beyond overworking Spam, not beyond corrupting his plans and dragging Neo into the mix.

They'd always thought every decision Spam made, from his first day at the Mansion to the last, were his. But now…Just how tight were the strings Mike was pulling?

"Mike is there." Swatch whispered, suddenly sure that Spam was in great danger.

"What?" Crimson didn't take his eyes off the road, but the feathers along his neck fluffed up in alarm.

"Mike is there."

Crimson laid on the speed, zipping past more roads until they were nearly at the entrance to the Cyber Fields. On the phone, Spam gasped as something that sounded like a rubber band snapped, then there was a shuffling sound.

"Spam? Spam, can you hear me? We're almost there, just hold on!" Swatch demanded, once again forced against the door as Crimson took another sharp turn onto a residential street. They shot past several houses, then the Swatchling slammed on the brakes. The steering wheel jerked, and the car jumped the curb, crossing the sidewalk and taking out a bush covered in bright-yellow flowers. "Crimson!"

"Sorry, sorry!" The Swatchling barked, sounding absolutely un-sorry. As soon as the car stopped moving, Crimson shoved the gear stick into park and they were both slamming open their doors, rushing towards the neat two-story house. Swatch, smaller but faster, reached the door first and found it locked. Swearing, they leaned back, then rocked forward, slamming their shoulder into the solid wood.

The door didn't budge, but before they could try again Crimson was wedging himself in the way. "I have a key!" He elbowed Swatch aside and fumbled with the knob, then shoved the door open hard enough it bounced off the wall. They stood there for just a moment, eyes sweeping the room, trying to spot the specter of Mike.

There was no mysterious phone man, just Spam, laying on the ground between the barstools. Without a thought Swatch was moving towards him, barking at Crimson to check the house as they went. The Swatchling moved without a word, hurrying through the kitchen, then moving to check the other first-floor rooms.

Swatch paused beside Spam. The salesman was looking at them with distant eyes, which flickered to the ceiling before focusing on them once more. They glanced up, but saw only white plaster and light fixtures. Grimacing, they knelt, carefully moving the barstools aside so they could lift him off the ground. His right hand was bleeding, several cuts dug into the back of the wrist, and there was a bruise beginning to bloom on the side of his face. They produced a handkerchief (a good butler was never without one) and, cradling Spam with one arm, pressed it against the wounds on his wrist.

"You came."

His voice was weak and cracked, like brittle glass. Swatch started at the sound, but didn't pause, working to wrap the handkerchief around the cuts tightly enough to stop the bleeding.

"Of course I came," they said after a moment, tightening their grip ever-so-slightly around the smaller man's back. "I promised."

#warning: battery low #fanfic #spamton #swatch #spamton g spamton #spamton addison #mike #gaster #swatchling #angst #self harm #hallucinations #Crimson is totally dating India

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hoodharlow · 3 years

Text

Stuck with Nowhere to Go

El Novio Quarantine Edition: Part 1

AN: This is part one of El Novio week and I'm gonna be posting a new part for this mini series everyday until April 17. Thank you to everyone that has been supporting me and following Cal and Claudia's story. I love y'all so mucha nd hope y'all enjoy this.

Requested?

Warnings: smut, brief quarantine talk, a small arguement. and overall Claudia being h word for Cal

Word Count: 3.1 k

Calum gently pushed Claudia against the mattress, getting in a more comfortable position as they devoured each other. With one hand balancing himself, so he wouldn't squish Claudia, he used the other to unbutton the flannel she wore. He slid his hand inside her shirt and gave her breast soft squeeze before sliding down to her soaked-through panties.

Frustrated with his teasing touches, Claudia tried to roll him onto the mattress. But he wouldn't budge.

"Cal," She whined against his lips, jutting her hips against his to feel some sort of relief.

"Pretty girl, I know, but your parents are across the hall." Calum mumbled before kissing down her neck.

"It's been three weeks. Please," She sighed. "I'll be quiet."

"Fine, but you have to be quiet. For our sake." She eagerly nodded at him before he continued. "I'm only going to eat you out okay?"

"But—"

"Later okay? When we get to our house, you can have your way with me. I promise." He held out his pinky to her.

"Okay." She pouted, wrapping her pinky around his.

Calum sat on his knees and slipped off his shirt. He tossed it to the side before towering over her once more. A giggle escaped Claudia when he sponged kisses all over her face.

Having enough of his teasing, she pulled his lips back to hers. She wrapped her leg over his waist, helping her stay balanced as she grinded herself against him. Claudia was basking in having the upper hand that she didn't feel Calum's fingers slip in her panties.

He skillfully slipped his ring and middle fingers in her, causing her to loudly gasp and stop all her moments.

"What's wrong, pretty girl?" He whispered in her ear, making her whine. “Want these off?” Calum asked her, toying with the waistband of her panties.

“Please.” She nodded eagerly. He gently patted her ass so she could lift her hips up.

Once Calum slipped her panties off, he situated himself in front of her core. “All this for me pretty girl?” Calum asked. He placed soft kisses on the insides of her thighs. She squirmed at the feeling of his lips. They got closer and closer to where she needed him the most.

She let out an inaudible gasp of pleasure when Calum licked her. She tried closing her legs, but Calum’s grip on them kept her in place. He softly moaned at her taste and savored her, taking his time with his tongue. He pushed one of her legs to her chest, giving him better access to her.

He inserted another while he pressed his thumb on her clit. Claudia felt something build up in her. She felt pleasantly overwhelmed with Calum’s fingers and tongue. Calum felt it too. He sped up his fingers and circled his thumb on her clit roughly.

She moaned out, not caring who heard her, but he grabbed a pillow and covered her face. Calum lapped up her release. He dropped her legs down and laid next to her.

“Happy album release day,” Claudia whispered excitedly after catching her breath.

He grumbled his response, making her giggle. He rolled to his side and traced his thumb under her bottom lip, giving her a quick peck. He got up to the bathroom to finish himself off, but Claudia had other ideas.

“No, let me,” Claudia said. She sat up and pulled him back by the waistband of his boxers. She brightly up at him, with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Se me antoja un chorizo.”

“The kitchen is downstairs, Claudia.” He told her prying her hands off him.

“Cal, please let me suck your dick.” She fake cried.

“No, go get ready. We were supposed to be on the road by now. But someone doesn’t know how to keep her hands to herself.” He said before closing her bathroom door. He popped his head out once more. “You better be ready when I’m done.”

***

Calum watched Claudia skip down the steps of Ashton's house when it finally hit him. The last he saw her wear the dress she currently wore was when they went to Coachella the year before. It was probably his favorite dress on her, even if he's only seen her in it once.

"That's the last of them." Claudia said sliding onto the passenger seat. She has baked 'CALM' cakes for the guys in their favorite flavors along with sugar cookies shaped in their initials and in their instruments.

She took off her mask and reached for her now watered down iced coffee. She made a face and set it down in the cup holder. "This is nasty. I fucking hate almondmilk." she mumbled before taking another sip.

"Why are you still drinking it?"

"I have to finish it. It was like five bucks."

Calum shook his head, hiding his smile. He reached for his army green Hydro Flask and took a long sip of water. He capped it and started the car. Pulling the car into reverse, he gripped Claudia's head rest a little tighter as he felt her gaze on him. As he got out of the spot, he watched Claudia shift around in her seat.

"You really have a parallel parking kink." Calum laughed as they left Ashton's neighborhood.

"I do not." Claudia scoffed, crossing her arms.

"Keep telling yourself that. Your tits don't lie." He said, pinching one of her nipples. She smacked his hand away as he checked that there weren't any cars before turning into the main road.

"The AC isn't even on so can't say you're cold."

"Whatever."

Calum shook his head and drove to the nearest Target. When they got there, Claudia grabbed a homemade disinfectant wipe from her bag and cleaned their cart. They went straight to the electronics section so Calum could get a record player for the live stream later in the evening. The needle broke in the one he had and since Ashton demanded that they play the album in vinyls, he had to get a new record player.

Claudia took the cart after he placed the record player in the shopping cart. She still felt awkward shopping for pads in front of him. They agreed to meet in the alcohol aisle after she hopefully found some pads. Tampons weren't an option. Pandemic or not, the only thing she was having inside of her was Calum.

“They may not have toilet paper but least they have White Claws.” Calum told Claudia as two boxes, one of only black cherry flavor and the other variety pack because Claudia only drank tangerine flavor.

"I managed to get one thing of pads, so it's something." She told him, covering the pads with the other groceries. "I'm just lucky my period ended last week. I have a month to worry about getting more. You have dog food right? Because there's none in the aisles."

"Yeah, bought some when we got back from Medelyn's baby shower, water and toilet paper too." He nodded his head over to the shopping cart. "Is that everything? And what your parents needed too?"

Claudia looked over their shopping cart. It wasn't much but it was enough since the stores set limits on how much to buy because of the lack of ability to restock.

"I think we're good. If we need something we can drive back and steal from Ashton's garden." she joked.

While they waited in line, Claudia thought about how quick her life changed in less than two weeks. Her landlord practically kicked her, Dulce and Sara out and wanted them out by the time spring break started because of mandatory stay at home orders. She was lucky though. Calum took her in and for the meantime she was going to live with him. Though just last week Diego told her to come home. It took her a lot of convincing, but Calum ended up going with her too.

"Your total is $132.76." the cashier told them.

Claudia was barely pulling out her card as Calum scanned his phone in front of the pin pad. He thanked them and nodded Claudia to keep up.

"We agreed that I was going to pay groceries since you don't let me pay for anything else." She told him as he put the groceries in his car.

"I didn't agree to shit." He furrowed an eyebrow.

"Yuh-huh you nodded and waved me off."

He stayed silent, trying to remember if he did. Then it hit him. "Was it when we ordered Mikko's? Because I thought you meant you were paying for that."

"Of course you did, your cheap ass doesn't pay for sushi." she mumbled to herself. "Well I'm paying for groceries from now on."

"I don't like it when you spend money for us when I can pay for them. Especially now that we're both basically jobless. You need that money for school, Claudia." Calum said as they pulled up to the In-N-Out drive thru across the street from Target.

"And I don't like you paying for things that I can afford too." She argued back, but Calum ignored her since he was ordering their lunch.

He had his card ready to pay so there was no way that he was going to let her pay. When he reached the window the computer crashed and they were only accepting cash. Claudia pulled out a twenty, knowing that Calum never carries cash on him unless they're outside of California. He begrudgingly took it and gave it to the cashier.

***

Claudia considered herself a patient person. An elderly person taking their time in front of the ATM, no problem. Her getting cut in line at Starbucks because she was answering a text from Calum and not paying attention to the line, not an issue. Where she did lose her patience was when she would get stuck in traffic.

“The San Ysidro border is faster than this.” Claudia groaned, dropping in her seat after poking her head out of the sun roof.

“Well we would have avoided traffic if someone didn’t need to go back our place to get a fucking coloring book.” Calum muttered under his breath.

He had enough of her complaining. Ever since he got on the I5, that’s all she’s been doing. They’ve been stuck for over four hours and it was just her mumbling over and over how she would rather be waiting to cross the border than be stuck in the freeway. Even Claudia during her period was less irritable than this. Before she could get a word in, he turned up the volume on the true crime podcast they were listening to.

Ironically it was about a couple where the girlfriend murdered her boyfriend and disposed of his body by a lake in the very same freeway they were on.

Calum glanced over to Claudia. She was curled up, leaning against the window playing tetris on her phone. He rotated his neck and hands in hopes that he loosened up, but nothing worked. He knew he shouldn't have said that to her. It wasn't her fault that there was traffic.

"Cal…" Claudia said quietly, reaching down to lower the volume.

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't be getting all irritated when I was the one who suggested that you take me back to your house. Because of me we're stuck in traffic and—"

"Claudia, you have nothing to apologize for. You're not the one who caused the traffic. If someone should be apologizing, it should be me. I'm just stressed out because of the album dropping tonight and I'm taking my nerves out on you. So I'm sorry for being a fucking cunt."

"Apology accepted." she giggled.

Claudia leaned over the center console and kissed his cheek. Slowly, she descended down to his neck And sucked under his jaw, making him jerk the car.

"Ashton needs me alive for at least tonight." Calum said, gently prying her off of him. He adjusted his shorts and looked toward the road.

Not even five minutes later, Claudia was toying with a loose string on Calum's shorts. Her hand occasionally bumped into his crotch. Wordlessly she unbuckled her seatbelt and tried reaching for her purse in the backseat. It gave Calum a great view of the nude lace panties she wore.

Before he tried anything, she sat back down and pulled out some nail clippers. Claudia bent over the center console once more and clipped the string with them. She rubbed his thigh and laid her head in the console. Her fingertips deftly smoothed down his leg hairs.

"What are your thoughts on road head?" Claudia asked. She tiptoed her fingers up his thigh, slowly inching to semi hard on.

"I don't know, never thought about it." He answered her, swallowing hard with his gaze glued on the road.

"Really? Like you never thought of me choking on your dick while you're driving?" She pushed herself up from the console and sat criss-cross applesauce. "I have. The thought of you guiding my mouth over your dick surrounded by other cars, clueless to what we're doing. All I have to say is thank fuck for your tinted windows."

He watched from the corner of his eye. She had pulled down her dress, exposing her breasts and her panties were on the dash. One of her hands disappeared under her dress while the other was tweaking her nipples. She whimpered Calum's name loudly as her fingers sped up.

Calum pulled her hand away and licked her fingers cleaned. He slipped his and continued where she left off. With one hand on the steering wheel he brought her to her orgasm. Her hips chased his fingers as he stopped thrusting them in her and only rubbed her clit. Once her high relaxed, he slipped his fingers out of her and licked them.

He pumped a quarter size amount of hand sanitizer in his hand, cleaning his hands, and kept driving.

He looked over to Claudia and smirked. "Thank fuck for tinted windows, huh Claudia."

***

Claudia was bundled up in her room so she wouldn’t disrupt Calum during the livestream. She went downstairs to get her water and a snack after hearing 'Not in the Same Way.' She bumped into Calum in the kitchen, who was getting another White Claw.

"Hey," she said kissing his cheek.

"Miss you." Calum said in between kisses.

Before she said anything, Michael's yelling that he was a pickle echoed through the kitchen. Calum gave her a look and went back to the living room. Duke tried getting on the couch but failed.

"I leave for a fucking second and you're a fucking pickle." Calum said, trying his best not to laugh.

He picked up Duke and sat him in his lap. Panchito wandered over and hopped on the couch and used Duke's bed as a pillow.

"Uh… this is Panchito. He's the Santos' family dog." Calum said introducing the blue heeler puppy to the 40 thousand people watching. "He's about four months old and just sleeps all day with Duke."

The livestream went on until Michael's phone died and Calum continued with Luke. But just before Michael signed off, he thanked Claudia for making the CALM cakes and cookies. Calum struggled a bit to get Luke connected, but he managed once Claudia hopped in and showed him how. He gave her a sheepish thank you and watched her curl up on the opposite end of the couch.

At some point during Calum and Luke's segment, they strayed off their music and discussed cake flavors. When Claudia heard Luke say that he's not a big fan of red velvet cake, she bit back her comment about Luke eating a few slices of red velvet cake at Calum's birthday party the year before. If Claudia knew how to do one thing, that's bake a good red velvet cake.

By the time Calum finished the livestream and his phone call with Luke, Claudia had fallen asleep. He signaled the dogs to follow him outside so they can do their nightly business before going to bed. He guided them back to their respective kennels and secured the doors, so they couldn't escape to go ruin Soni's plants.

"Claudia," Calum said softly. He gently nudged her awake. "Let's go upstairs."

"Fuck, did I fall asleep?" she asked, rubbing her eyes.

"Yeah, surprisingly since you took about four naps today." he teased her.

"Oh shush." she grumbled, folding the blanket she covered herself with.

They quietly went to the guest room where Calum was sleeping to watch a movie. Not even fifteen minutes into the movie, Claudia and Calum were devouring each other. Her hand lazily stroked his length through his sweats as Calum's hands ran over her thighs and ass.

"We should get on the floor, the bed squeaks too much." Claudia said when pulled away from Calum to take off her hoodie.

She got off from the bed and grabbed a duvet from the closet and laid it on the floor. She grabbed some of the decorative pillows and arranged them neatly so they could lay on them. Calum followed suit and shedded off his sweater and sweatpants. He laid back on the duvet and took in Claudia. She sat in his lap in nothing but a light grey bralette and matching panties she got at Aerie. It wasn't an overall sexy set, but it still sent him spiralling.

She leaned down and captured Calum's lips with hers. He let out an incoherent grumble as Claudia rocked her hips against his cock. He slowly inched his hands up her thighs, feeling his way around until he found her ass. He roughly gripped her ass and began guiding her along his clothed cock.

“Can you fucking wait?” Claudia giggled, pulling away from his lips. She sat back up on his lap and took off her bralette. “I wanna take care of you.”

“I don’t want you to.” He said.

“You better remember that the next time you get a stomach ache for eating too many chilaquiles.”

Claudia drummed his chest and got up from the floor. She reached for Calum’s hoodie and tied her hair in a bun.

“Where are you going?” Calum asked her confused.

“You don’t want my help, so I don’t see what I’m doing here.” She shrugged.

She grabbed her phone from the nightstand and gave him a small salute before leaving his room. She waited outside, knowing he was going to go after her. A few seconds later he opened the door and pulled her inside.

“I’m kidding, I need you.” Calum said peppering kisses all over her face.

“That’s what I thought.” She said, triumphantly. She got down on her knees and tugged down Calum’s sweats. She licked her lips and looked up at him. “Now let me show you how proud I am of your album.”

“What would you rank it?”

“Definitely one of your top four.”

Taglist: @f-mu @another-lonely-heart @sunshinebabycal-deactivated2021 @calumscalm @karajaynetoday @cherryxwildflower @myloverboyash @idontneedanyone @findingliam-o @5-secondsofcolor @spicylftv @sexgodashton @fckingpernico @2fangirl4u @calpops

#calum hood smut #calum hood imagine #calum hood fanfic #calum hood one shot #calum hood fluff #calum hood imagines #el novio series #el novio quarantine edition

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aeonmagnus · 3 years

Photo

Happy 20th Anniversary Robots In Disguise!

This year, and today in particular, marks the 20-year anniversary of Transformers Robots in Disguise airing in the United States. This was the official English language dub of the Japanese show Transformers Car Robots, which aired in Japan the year before. This show and it’s accompanying toy line were a big shift in the Transformers brand and affected how things moved forward in the new millennium. It was also a big influence on me and this website in it’s early years, so both the brand and TFW2005 may not be what it is today without it.

We hope you will read on after the break to check out our celebration of Robots in Disguise on it’s 20th!

Intro

The following is not a comprehensive article on the show proper, but rather a trip down memory lane from my personal perspective. It was a period of change in my life, in the fandom, in the brand, and in the world – all happening at once. Robots in Disguise was smack dab in the middle of it all and I think that’s why it still resonates with me all these years later. For a deeper dive into the world of Robots In Disguise you can check RIDForever.info, a site I maintain just about RID and Car Robots. The 2021 updates are here, and the 2017 round of updates are here. I’d also suggest checking the TFWe issue all about RID over on the 2005 Boards. Now, onto today’s festivities…

The Show

RID, and yes I say RID as if it is the only RID. If you must reference that other RID show and it’s off-shoots, refer to it as RID 201x, thanks. 😊 RID aired during the Fox Kids programming block on a Saturday morning, with additional episodes set to air each weekday during the afternoon hours. Instead of stretching the show out over the course of 30+ weeks with only a new ep each weekend, they were going to blaze through it non-stop. By the end of the first week, we would have been 7 eps in. That however hit a big roadblock due to 9/11 just three days later. While some local markets did air the episodes, many larger city networks, and especially east coast markets, stuck with news coverage. Many of us did not catch the early episodes on TV the first go around. In addition, several of the episodes got pulled from TV due to depictions of buildings being destroyed and other similar visuals which understandably could upset children that just experienced 9/11. So right off the bat, the new millennium and new era of Transformers were dealing with a new reality.

The show, for those that don’t know – was a weird one-off in Transformers history. We had G1 and then the G2 remixes for a bit. Beast Wars came on the scene and ran all the way through 2000 with it’s successor – Beast Machines. During the Beast Wars era – Japan did a couple of their own Beast Wars shows, non-CGI extensions of what we saw in the US. Their market wasn’t quite ready for full CGI so they stuck with traditional anime. When Hasbro decided to continue Beast Wars into Beast Machines, Takara went a completely different way – a traditional animated show which brought back Autobots and “Decepticons”, mixing them in with the beasts. They focused the toys on a couple new and complex molds, then filled the rest of the line with repaints of previous toys. Old 2nd tier Beast Wars toys, G2 Laser Prime, and even some Generation 1 molds in the form of the Combaticons got new life as new characters in this show, capped with the biggest TF of them all at the time – a repainted G1 Fortress Maximus, now Brave Maximus. It was the prototype for what the Transformers brand did for years to come – repainting old toys into new characters. Universe, Classics, Botcon, and even some Generations runs used this method to give us some great toys in the 00s.

While there is a very complicated and long explanation for how every single Japanese show is one continuity, to someone casually starting with Car Robots it was a refresh, a new story, a new arrival on Earth. The Autobots vs the Predacons, and eventually the Combatrons/Decepticons. It was a hard cut from the last 5 years or so of CGI Beasts. Hand drawn traditional animation featuring vehicle Transformers. It wasn’t G1, but many of the folks who grew up with G1 were just getting out of college around this time. They were rediscovering their childhood love of Transformers through Beast Wars, flea market finds, raids on their parents’ attics and basements, and for the internet savvy – imports of Japanese reissues from Takara. It was a perfect storm of nostalgia; a return to Autobots and Decepticons was welcomed by kids and adults alike.

RID and TFW2005

In the years leading up to Car Robots, I was just getting into the internet, coding, design, some digital music, and all the possibility that came with it. Beast Wars, especially when it hit Season 2/3 and the inclusion of G1 lore, really got me focusing on Transformers again as a hobby. I eventually combined the two newfound hobbies into one and Transformer World 2005 was born. At no point did I ever think it would last 20+ years and take over my life in the way it did. I started the full version of TFW2005 around April 2000, with some starts and stops before that. That was right around when Car Robots started airing in Japan. Through the magic of 56k internet, I was able to connect with folks in Japan and get them to send me VHS tapes of Car Robots. Really nice, high-quality tapes too, I still have them hehe. To the younglings reading – try to picture this: no youtube, no video sharing. The concept of streaming anything did not exist yet. Napster and the eventual peer to peer stuff hadn’t fully kicked off. Plus, we were all viewing the internet on giant computers in our rooms at the speed of 1x on your phone. Less than 1 bar 3G mobile speeds today.

Yes, someone recorded episodes from TV to video tape over there, did that a couple weeks at a time, then physically mailed them across the world to me, who then got them on the internet. Can you imagine waiting weeks to watch an episode of TV the size of a twitter profile avatar? Crazy. Uploading a full episode to the internet was a big pain in the ass, not easily done. I decided to get a converter that allowed me to plug my VCR into the computer and encode the tape into digital format. From there, it was reduced using Microsoft’s WMV technology so that the episodes were about 5 MB each. 30 minute episodes at 5MB each. Dimensions – 176 x 144 pixels. 4k video today – 3840 x 2160 pixels. You can imagine that video looked like crap. But we didn’t care – we were blown away. Old school animation, vehicles, some cool Japanese anime vibes, it was what we as G1 fans kinda had in the back of our heads on what Transformers should be in a new era, and we were seeing it. Most of us had no clue what they were saying or what was going on. Also didn’t care. I still to this day think CR/RID is better like that.

So one of the first things TFW2005 did on the internet was provide these super small windows into Car Robots and what was going on in Japan. It helped get US fans hyped up for what Transformers could be. It got us wanting the toys, and importers bringing the Takara toy line over were moving serious product. It helped swing Hasbro, who was planning to return to Autobots and Decepticons again down the road, to move that schedule up. Instead of running Beast Machines until 2002 and then starting what we now know as the Unicron Trilogy, it was cut short. Robots in Disguise as a toy line and show came over in 2001, ran fast and hard for a year with non stop releases, got extended because it did so well, and then faded into the Universe line of repaints. The new millennium of Transformers was here and Robot In Disguise kicked it off with a bang.

Wrap Up

As we all continue with collecting Transformers now, regardless if you tagged into the fandom during G1, Beasties, the Unicron Trilogy, the Movies, or just yesterday – let’s take the time to give Car Robots and RID some props! It set the tone for what the new millennium of the brand would be. It gave us some toys ahead of their time. It solidified the repaint as an accepted thing in the hobby. And it gave us one crazy 39 episode run of TV that’s still a fun ride 20 years later.

For those that would like to learn more about RID and Car Robots – I still maintain a Robots in Disguise website that archives everything I have or came across. There is a lot there if you want to go on a tour of all the awesome Car Robots and Robots In Disguise era stuff. Check it out at RIDFOREVER.INFO! FIYAH!

Let us know what you think and remember from the good old days of RID on the 2005 Boards here!

Epilogue

If someone over there at Hasbro is reading – can someone please figure out who owns the rights to the show in the US market and then get it out on DVD in full, finally? Work all that funky licensing stuff out (if there is any) and get it done. The US has never had access to it via an official release. Maybe get it up on YouTube like G1? Something. Announcing plans for that before the end of 2021 would be a nice 20th anniversary tribute.

#Transformers #Transformers: Robots in Disguise #20th Anniversary #Robots in Disguise #Optimus Prime #Megatron #Car Robots #Transformers: Car Robots

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zukkaoru · 3 years

Note

for the ask game - "please come get me" with best friends sokka & toph ?

may i offer you some modern au sokka & toph featuring nonbinary toph & sokka with tourette's?

warnings for alcohol / unintentional underage alcohol consumption / a character being drugged via drinks being switched around (all are only talked about, as this is entirely set after the fact)

(angst quote prompts)

Sokka told Toph not to go to the party.

He told them that they would regret it. That it wouldn’t be as fun as it looks on TV, that it’ll be a sensory nightmare, that it’ll get too crowded for them to properly use their cane, that parties are not made to be accessible for anyone beyond your average frat boy.

But all of the frustration and the I told you so attitude fade away as soon as he answers the call.

“Please come get me,” is the only thing Toph says. Their words slur together just enough for Sokka to pick up on it, and he can hear muffled music and shouts in the background.

Sokka is on his feet before they’ve even finished their sentence. “Where are you? I’m on my way.” He puts the phone on speaker and sets it down so he can tug on his jacket and grab his keys.

“‘m outside. Not too far fr’m th’ house.”

Sokka nods, more to himself than as a response to Toph. His shoulder rolls as he goes to reach for his phone and he bites back a groan so Toph won’t hear it and think it’s directed at them. “Are you - y-you, you - safe?” A whistle follows the question before Sokka can suppress it.

(Toph knows his tics are worse when he’s stressed, and he doesn’t need them worrying about him right now.)

“Mm-hmm. …’m sorry.”

“You don’t have anything to be sorry for,” Sokka assures them as he picks up his phone successfully this time. He finds the address Toph sent him for pick up purposes, though he wasn't scheduled to pick them up for another few hours.

“You said I shouldn’ go. You were right. ‘nd now you have t’ come get me early, ‘nd…” their voice trails off.

“I’m not mad - mad. mad. mad. - at you. I’m just worried. I don’t - t-t-t - want you - t-t-t, t-t-t - getting hurt. And - mad, mad, mad, t-t-t - and I know you can t-- t-t-t - take care of yourself, but that doesn’t mean I’ll stop worrying about you, okay? You’re a little sibling to me, and it’s my job to worry about my little siblings.”

Sokka grabs a water bottle from the fridge before slipping his shoes on and hurrying down the stairs and outside of the building.

Toph doesn’t say anything until Sokka’s getting into his car, and it’s just a quiet, “Thank you.”

“I’m going to stay on the call with you until I get there, okay?”

“Okay. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

He finds Toph sitting in the grass, near the road but not close enough that they’re in any danger. The party has spilled out onto the front porch, but not close enough to Toph that Sokka can make out any of the conversation.

Sokka parks on the side of the road near where Toph is, not particularly caring if it’s a legal move or not, and then jumps out and hurries over to them.

Toph looks up like they can see him as he approaches. “Sokka?”

“Yeah, it’s me.”

“...Can you help me walk?”

(That’s not a good sign.)

“Of course.”

Carefully, Sokka helps Toph to their feet. One of their arms goes around Sokka while the other continues to tightly clutch their cane.

They promised Sokka they wouldn’t drink, but Sokka is pretty confident they didn’t keep their word. He isn’t going to harp on them for that right now, though - he can give them a lecture on underage drinking tomorrow if the hangover isn’t persuasive enough.

Sokka mumbles something under his breath - one of his tics, but he’s hardly paying enough attention to recognize which it is right now - and Toph apologizes again.

“You don’t have to keep apologizing. I’m not upset. I’m glad you called me instead of just trying to tough it out.”

Toph sniffs, but doesn’t say anything else. Sokka helps them into the passenger seat, fastens their seatbelt for them, and then goes around to get in his own seat. He hands them the water bottle and waits in silence until they’re done drinking.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Toph shrugs. “Someone switched my drink. Not much to talk about.”

“Someone w--” he’s interrupted by a tongue click. “Someone did what?!”

“Song helped me get outside ‘nd call you. She couldn’t drive me home b’cause she was drinking ‘nd Jin wasn’t comin’ t’ get her ‘ntil late b’cause she was on a date.” They take another drink of water and then hand the bottle and lid to Sokka. “Can’t get it back on.”

Sokka screws the lid on and hands the bottle back to Toph. “You’re okay, though?”

Toph nods. “Didn’ notice though til it was too late. Thought it tasted kinda funny, but didn’t know why ‘ntil Song tried it ‘nd said it tasted like there was tequila in it.”

Sokka blinks. “How did you not notice that?”

“Someone dared me to drink a… lemonade-coke-fruit punch-milk mix.”

“...Okay.” Sokka decides he’s not going to question that one. It sounds very much like a Toph thing to take someone up on that dare and fully follow through with it. “I’m going to take you to my apartment for the night, but do you want me to get you food on the way home?”

Toph hesitates, and then nods. “Can you get fries?”

“Yeah, I’ll get you some fries.”

“Thank you.”

“Of course.” Sokka shifts into drive and slowly begins to drive away, making sure there are no party stragglers in his path.

“Sokka?” Toph speaks up again after a few moments of silence.

“Hm?”

“I’m glad I get to be like your little sibling.”

(Sokka absolutely does not have to blink back tears at that.)

“I’m glad I get to be like your brother.”

#i promise i am still working my way through these prompts #i'm hoping to do at least one more today but who knows if that'll actually happen or not skhdfj #sokka #toph #toph beifong #atla #nonbinary toph #sokka with tourette’s #ask game #veeaziel #alcohol tw #grace's writing tag

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myusernameisstolen · 3 years

Text

I’ve got an amazing idea for a Gravity Falls Homestuck AU

I’d love to make a fancomic for it, but I’m nowhere near talented enough to bring it to life, so I’m sending it out into the void to see if anyone else wants to take a whack at it, alter it, whatever. Here’s what I’ve got written up about it so far:

Bill Cipher

Derse dreamer

Chumhandle: TriangleTrust

Typing Quirk: TYPES IN YELLOW AND ALL CAPS, AND ENDS EVERY SENTENCE WITH AN EXCLAMATION POINT!

Lord of Mind, God-tier: Leprechauns are his henchmaniacs, given mind powers relevant to their canon abilities. Trying to escape his doomed reality by hijacking other players' sessions so he can enter their newborn universes/Axolotls. Has access to all knowledge throughout the multiverse, at least from minds he's capable of understanding – he's gone insane as a consequence.

Denizen: Yaldabaoth

Strife Specibus: GHO;GHWORGHKGHGHROHRkind

Species: Eye – Subspecies: Providence.

Relationships:

Dipper:Puppet

Mabel: Has one-sided kismetic feelings for

Gideon: Puppet

Stanford: Old Toy/Enemy

Fetch Modus: Subdimensional – divides an object into its different dimensions (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc) and the user must reassemble them to access it. Only usable by the Eye species.

Mason “Dipper” Pines

Derse dreamer

Chumhandle: GeminiDucktective

Typing Quirk: Types in black like a normal goddamn person.

Interests: Paranormal, Science, Ducktective (and regular detectives), Mystery genre, Puzzles, Tabletop gaming, Video games, and Hacking (which he isn't good at).

Heir of Space: Will be in charge of breeding the Axolotls. Manipulates Space with compasses and other drawing tools.

Planet: Land of Caves and Axolotls

Denizen: Echidna

Strife Specibus: Shovelkind

Species: Human

Guardian Ancestor: Stanford Pines (Secondary Genetic Donor: Abuelita)

Relationships:

Mabel: Twin Sister

Bill: Online best friend

Pacifica: Frenemy

Wendy: Crush

Fetch Modus: Wallet

Mabel Pines

Prospit Dreamer

Chumhandle: TwinnedBlitzkrieg

Typing Quirk: <3Types in Pink with lots of emojis and stuff!!!!!!:D

Interests: Arts and Crafts, Fiber Arts, Retro Aesthetic, Boys Boys Boys, Boy Bands, Boy Celebrities, Boys in Town, Rainbows, Children's Cartoons.

Sylph of Time: Has time travel powers in the form of a measuring tape. Mostly used to resolve paradoxes and help teammates in times of crisis with knowledge from the future.

Planet: Land of Rainbows and Candy

Denizen: Hephaestus

Strife Specibus: Harpoonkind (her grappling hook falls under this category)

Species: Human

Guardian Ancestor: Stanley Pines (Secondary Genetics: Reshuffled)

Relationships:

Dipper:Twin brother, best friend!

Bill: An obnoxious online presence, what a troll. >:(

Gideon: A little creep who doesn't know when to take a hint.

Candy and Grenda (Nonplayers): Girlfriends!!!!

Fetch Modus: Chutes and Ladders – Creates a virtual grid structure connected by a complex series of ladders and slides. Each square holds one object.

Pacifica Northwest

Derse dreamer

Chumhandle: MagellansMascot

Typing Quirk: Types like a normal person, but in a particular shade of blue.

Interests: Expensive jewelry, Fashion, Minigolf, History, Makeup, Photography, High Art, Buried Treasure, Conspiracy Theories, and Fast Food.

Rogue of Blood: The ectobiologist of this session, and thoroughly freaked out by it. Creates all the paradox clones with the help of a paradoxed note from Mabel in the future. Gains unusual powers of persuasion on entering the game.

Planet: Land of Gold and Roads

Denizen: Nyx

Strife Specibus: Malletkind (uses croquet mallets)

Species: Human

Guardian Ancestor: Mrs. Northwest (Direct Clone)

Relationships:

Dipper: Frenemy/possible crush

Mabel: Frenemy

Soos: A feeling of fondness, in spite of herself.

Mr. Northwest (nonplayer): Hated, especially his stupid little bell.

Fetch Modus: Professional Storage – every time she accesses her inventory, she must pay the rent for the item she retrieves. Cost differs depending on size/value of object, and amount of time kept in the Modus.

Gideon Gleeful

Derse Dreamer

Chumhandle: PsychicSweetheart

Typing Quirk: Types in purple, and makes peoples names (ex: MABEL loves GIDEON) all caps.

Interests: Magic and the Occult, Mabel, Power, Showmanship, Demonology (though he's not actually very well-versed), Clowns, and Cults.

Thief of Mind: Has the ability to steal useful memories from enemies.

Planet: Land of Ice and Dragons

Denizen: Charbydis

Strife Specibus: Robokind (has robots built to fight for him)

Species: Human

Guardian Ancestor: Mr. Gleeful (Secondary Genetic Donor: Genetic Reshuffle)

Relationships:

Mabel: Crush

Dipper: Archrival (nonkismetic)

Bill: Mentor/Ally

Stanley Pines: Lesser Rival

Fetch Modus: Black Tie – a specific tie type and knot must be chosen for each item stored, and tied. Must be untied to access item. No knot may be used twice for different items – exceptions are for items under the same category as an item already held.

Jesus “Soos” Ramirez

Prospit Dreamer

Chumhandle: GregariousGamer

Typing Quirk: lol just types in lowercase with no punctuation dude might pick a color later idk

Interests: Car engines, Fixing old broken things, Arcades/games in general, junk food, charity/helping people, Anime, and EDM.

Mage of Breath: Uses wind spells?

Planet: Land of Palms and Dice

Denizen: Abraxas

Strife Specibus: Wrenchkind

Species: Human

Guardian Ancestor: Abuelita (Secondary Genetic Donor: Stanley Pines)

Relationships:

Dipper & Mabel: Little buddies! Like the siblings he never had growing up.

Wendy: Cool friend/coworker

Stanley Pines: Father figure

Abuelita: Guardian

Fetch Modus: Tool Belt – simple as can be.

Wendy Corduroy

Prospit Dreamer

Chumhandle: BadassCucumber

Typing Quirk: types in lowercase and green.

Interests: Hiking, Woodland scavenging, exploring abandoned buildings, Hunting, Fishing, Kayaking, Woodcarving, Old Horror Movies, and Motorcycles.

Bard of Life: power to heal her teammates' wounds and regenerate during fights.

Planet: Land of Forest and Thread

Denizen: Yaldabaoth

Strife Specibus: Axekind

Species: Human

Guardian Ancestor: Manly Dan (Secondary Genetics: Reshuffled)

Relationships:

Soos: Coworker/friend

Mabel & Dipper: Younger friends

TentacleTherapist: A mysterious self-dubbed “online benefactor” sending Wendy tips and information about the game Sburb. Has impossible knowledge of Wendy's life, and implies that the stakes for this so-called game are much higher than they sound.

Robbie (nonplayer): on-again-off-again boyfriend

Fetch Modus: Toolbelt (recommended by Soos)

The Zodiac

The six players are all displayed on this AU's version of the Cipher Zodiac as their aspects – each of them has their guardian's symbol on the opposite side of the wheel:

Dipper: Space Symbol – Stanford: Six-fingered Hand

Mabel: Time Symbol – Stanley: Fez Symbol

Pacifica: Blood Symbol – Mrs. Northwest: Compass

Gideon: Mind Symbol – Mr. Gleeful: Five-Pointed Star, reversed

Soos: Breath Symbol – Abuelita: Rosy Cross

Wendy: Life Symbol – Manly Dan: Axe in a Stump

This version of the prophecy states that the players and their guardians will either defeat Bill, or “raise him to heights greater than a god.”

If the session is Scratched, then the B timeline's Zodiac will have the guardians displayed as their aspects, and our main players as their canon symbols.

#gravitystuck #I don't have a name for this AU yet #homestuck #gravity falls #bill cipher #rose lalonde #bill vs rose

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rachey899 · 3 years

Text

Moon (GT)

New characters, new story, don’t know if there will be more but please tell me what you think, maybe I will continue with it.

Short story of Moon and Emmerich here: That’s something you don’t see everyday

Word Count: 4305

---------------------------------------------

“You’re a waste of space”

“Why don’t you just run away freak”

“Did you honestly think you would make any friends”

The laughter echoed off the walls of the library at the latest school that my mother had enrolled me in. For the longest time I can remember we have bounced around school and towns, mum struggles to keep a job and I struggle to blend in and so we are constantly on the move.

Travelling to a new town was always my favorite part of our ritual, I would usually be sitting in my room crying after the latest torment of bullies from school and mum would burst in the door with a glint in her eye.

“Flowers give me the most wicked hay fever, how about we beat it?” her last job had been at a florist, she spoke for days about her wonderful flower arrangements she had come up with, usually they were very abstract and apparently the owner did not approve. It didn’t matter what the excuse was, the job didn’t fit, the school wasn’t right for me, so we beat it. On a continuous loop of fresh starts, yet they all seemed to play out the same.

Once in the car we would laugh and play a game called ‘drop the pin’ we laid out a map and let a pin drop onto it and wherever it landed was where we would go next, didn’t matter how far away it was or how outrageous it was, that’s where we would go. And then we spent hours singing loudly in the car just enjoying each other’s company. We would talk about everything and nothing or sit peacefully in silence.

And so when I came home from school today I sat in my room with my notebook and charcoal pencil and began to scribble the pain away. Mum had a new job as a beauty stylist for dogs, yes it’s as random and amazing as it sounds, and my new school was the same as it always was, the whispers and judgments, no one ever spoke to me, they would take one look at me and decide I was not normal, I didn’t fit in or I didn’t belong.

My choice in clothes was seen as ratty, I saw it as creative. I make all my own clothes from bits and pieces I find at secondhand shops, mum taught me how to sew and make clothing and it immediately become my creative release. Something I could make for myself that was so uniquely me.

“Your so very talented Moon” my mother would say.

My name was another reason people tended to think I was a freak, Moon wasn’t a very common name and maybe it seemed kind of witchy to people or just too out there. I loved my name, I was born during a full moon and my mother had said the moon spoke to her that night and told her that I was destined for magical things and so she couldn’t find a better suited name for me other then Moon. My mother always had a way of making the smallest things seem incredible and full of adventure.

I looked down at my notebook, I had drawn a troll with a large nose and covered in warts, this troll also had long curly hair and way too much lipstick, it reminded me of a particularly nasty girl at my new school. I titled it Natalie as the drawing definitely suited her and then I slapped the book closed as if giving her a slap in the face.

I huffed loudly and laid back on my bed staring at the ceiling and waiting impatiently for my mother to come home.

As if I on cue, the door swung open, and my mother popped her head in with a smile on her face. Her deep red hair curled and bounced around her face and shoulders, giving her the look of a mad scientist’s wife, but it suited her so well.

“I’ve discovered that dogs in this industry tend to be just as pompous as their owners” she stated and laid down beside me.

“Is that so” I said hiding the smile in my tone “groomed one too many poodles?” I asked her and giggled.

She rolled her eyes “Yep, let’s beat it kid” she sat up and left the room. I could hear her digging around in her suitcase, we had been here for about 3 weeks and hadn’t unpacked, we never did.

She came back into the room and laid out a large map on the carpet and sat cross legged in front of it.

“Care to do the honors?” she asked with a wink holding out a pink pin for me.

As was custom I sat beside her and we held hands and closed our eyes, with my free hand holding the pin in a fist, I silently prayed for a fresh start and acceptance, I dropped the pin. When we opened our eyes, we had a new destination set for us.

Jaeville was across the border into giant territory, we had once landed close to the border where more giants were frequent in the town, but we had never crossed the border before. Of course, giants and humans live all over the country nowadays, but the border still stands and its common knowledge that you will find more of a particular species on the appropriate side of the border. More humans on the human side and more giants on the giant side.

Of course, I had seen giants before, gone to school with them but just like everyone else even they tended to think I was weird and kept their distance from me

My mother smiled at me “Well this will be very interesting”, I laughed at her “What kind of work do you even think you’ll be able to get there? I can just picture you trying to serve a giant a cup of coffee”.

“Sounds like a challenge I’m willing to except, plus I kinda like the idea of being a tiny assistant for a big-time banker” she winked at me, and I rolled my eyes.

We packed the car that afternoon and were on the road almost immediately, we often stayed in cheap motels that mum would pay for day by day in case we wanted to leave with little notice. We stopped by a MacDonald’s and had a greasy dinner and then pumped Bon Jovi singing at the top of our lungs to ‘It’s my life’.

We drove through the night until morning, I stayed up with her, I always thought it was unfair that I got to sleep while she had to drive, so we often played number plate games or eye spy to keep each other entertained. This year I would get my license so that we could finally share the driving, or so I hoped.

It was 4:30 in the morning when we began to notice the change in the scenery, the trees became taller, the road became wider and instead of rows of human houses and a few scattered giant ones, there were rows of positively ginormous houses and only a few human sized ones. We noticed a patch of daffodils a way up the road and as we pulled up to them, they grew in size and towered over our car.

We stared at the magnificent plants for a while and then got out of the car, we walked up to the stalk of one daffodil and stared up in awe. Mum shook her head snapping out of the trance and smiled at me, without a word she grabbed my arms and began to spin and dance in and around the bases of the flowers.

When we grew out of puff, we collapsed beneath the flowers our crazy hair splayed around us, my multicolored rainbow hair mixing with her deep red and we just watched the sky grow lighter and lighter.

“Now we are ready for Jaeville” mum said still staring at the sky above us.

I only smiled in response, I definitely felt ready, the daffodil dance inspired me and made me feel like I belonged to the environment around me even if it was dramatically out of my proportions. Mum always had a way of making things particularly special.

We drove for another hour or so until we came across a large building with a sign high above us that read ‘Jaeville motel – Giant and Human accommodation available 24/7’. Mum pulled into the directed human car park, and we sat in the car in silence for a moment.

“Ready Moon?” she asked.

“Ready” I said.

We got out of the car and collected our suitcases from the boot and followed the white outlined human path into the motel, through the human entrance we took an elevator up to reception that came out on the front desk with some chairs and a bell line dup against the wall to wait for reception staff.

Mum rang the bell and a few seconds later we could feel the footfalls of a giant approaching the desk. A young giantess approached us with a gentle smile on her face, she looked to be only a few years older than me, maybe in her early twenties.

“Welcome to Jaeville, how can I help you?” she asked politely, she looked at us politely and paused on me for a moment too long “Oh my, your hair is…. Interesting” she said with a nervous laugh.

My hair was naturally a deep red like my mother’s, but when I was a child she noticed I would develop lighter and darker streaks, she said it made my hair look like a rainbow when the sun shone on it. So naturally I decided to make it that way, I dyed my hair all colours of the rainbow and worked really hard to maintain it. No one else but me and my mother appreciated it and I guess that’s why I kept it that way, even if I was judged for it by others, it was another special reminder of my relationship with my mother.

“We would like a room for two please, I’m not sure how long we will be staying, can I pay by the day?” mum skipped over her comment about my hair and was straight to business, I think she just wanted to get to the room, have a much-needed shower and sleep the day away. Me too.

“Of course,” said the giantess, she went over the details with my mother and handed her a key, we were directed to go up the elevator to the 2nd floor and follow the human path to room 39.

We discovered upon exiting the elevator that the human path was an elevated platform with railings that stretched above the doorways of the giants’ rooms with the human rooms located above the giant ones. I guess that avoids any unwanted accidents. Of course, looking down there was also the same white markings of a human path on the floor far below, I guess we could use it if we wanted to, but I would be nervous someone might not see me way down there.

“Well my sweet Moon, I’m going to get some shut eye for a few hours, then how about you and me explore the town a little and find a nice place for dinner, yeah?” mum had already claimed the twin bed closest to the window and dumped her suitcase beside it, she gave me a squeeze and twirled her finger through my curly crazy rainbow hair and then kissed me gently on the forehead before closing the bedroom door.

I thought about going to sleep but thinking about our dance with the daffodils made me feel energized, I wanted to explore, now. I left mum a note in case she woke up and took the key with me and headed back down the hall, my first plan was to explore the motel.

First, I wandered the human platform and found it to be pretty boring, it only led to more rooms that were seemingly empty beside a couple that were staying in a room two doors from us in number 41 who were arguing loudly. I retraced my steps to the elevator and went up floor by floor and found the elevator only ever took me to more human platforms that lead to more rooms. Very uninteresting.

Finally, I made it up to the top floor which opened up into a very large room where there were no human platforms, I was at floor level with any giants who may be wondering around. But there were none. There was a breeze that blew through my hair, and I noticed that the far end of the room was open, no window no doors just open into the air, the rest of the room was filled with small gardens, flowers, fruit, and vegetables scattered around the room with a few trees here and there and benches appropriately sized for humans as well as giants littered about as well.

This must have been the roof of the motel and they definitely took advantage of the space, it was quiet and still, open, and free and the scent and moisture in the air from the plants around me calmed me to my core. As I wondered around, I came across a lemon tree that was relatively skinny for a giant-sized tree and decided it was bendy and twisted enough for me to climb. And so, I did.

I made it to the top of the tree where it was covered in leaves and fresh lemons ripe enough to pick and found a groove in the branches that was comfortable enough to sit in. I pulled out a book from my colorful patchy shoulder bag and began to read quietly, embracing the peacefulness of the space.

I didn’t even realize that I had fallen asleep until a loud honk suddenly woke me up, I flinched and sat up too quickly and lost my footing, I began to fall.

The beautiful garden room rushed by me as I prepared myself for the harsh impact with the floor that would surely significantly injure me if I was lucky or kill me if I was not. But it never came, instead I fell on a kind of fabric that bounced slightly underneath me as I landed on it.

Carefully I got my knees trying to figure out exactly how I managed to survive, the surface beneath me was blue and rough but warm and gave a little as I pressed my hands and knees into it.

“Woah” a voice somewhere above me seemed to echo around me, immediately I stood up but lost balance on the weird surface and fell back on my butt looking up at a giant boy with striking green eyes and crazy ginger hair staring down at me with his mouth hung open in shock. He had both hands in the air almost in surrender, or surprise, one held a golden trumpet, the reason I suspected for my rude awakening and the other just hanging in the sky.

We stared at each other for a long time in shock, unsure of what to do or how to even get down from the boys jean clad lap I discovered I had landed on. Hey at least I was alive.

“I’m sorry!” he finally blurted, he quickly placed his trumpet down on the wooden bench beside him and then his hands descended on me. I backtracked, quickly sliding myself further and further away from his oncoming hands, it probably should have occurred to me that knees come to an end.

“Watch out!” he shouted as my hands touched air behind me and I fell backwards, plummeting yet again, this time a warm and very unfamiliar surface caught me and I was immediately halted in my descent and instead raised upwards closer to his face.

I rested in the center of his two cupped hands, it was warm and slightly humid, leathery, it was such an alien feeling. My heart started to pound the closer I got to his face, he watched me with the same kind of astonishment and fear perhaps, or maybe it was concern, I couldn’t be sure.

“L-let me go!” I stuttered, I had finally found my voice, there was nowhere I could go I was stranded in his hands held who knows how high off the ground.

“Right, right, I’m sorry” he said, he had an English accent I noticed.

His hand descended and I was lowered to the ground at his feet, maybe I didn’t think this through. He laid his hand out flat on the ground and I immediately jumped off, I wanted to kiss the ground but decided to hold off on that extreme gesture.

I looked back up at the giant, deciding to avoid staring at his black Van covered feet, his face was now so far away, and his body seemed to stretch for miles, I had seen giants before, even interacted with them from the safety of human railings, but I had never ever been this close before.

He seemed to sense my nervousness and stood up. Not helping giant! Though he then immediately sat down on the ground cross legged in front of me as if that might put me at ease if he wasn’t so obviously tall. I just stood there watching him cautiously, I shouldn’t be so scared, giants are people just like humans, but just much larger.

I fell on him, really, I should probably be the one apologizing.

He broke the staring contest by reaching for something on the wooden bench he had been sitting on, oh god not that trumpet again, but he didn’t pick up the trumpet, instead he held something positively miniscule between his thumb and forefinger, I realized what it was straight away.

“Um I believe this is yours” he said holding it out in front of me, I reached towards his fingers and plucked my book out of his grasp.

“Oh, um thank you…. Giant?” oh I’m so stupid, obviously his name is not giant, great job Moon, you’ve probably offended him.

He laughed, a low thundering sound that I could feel in my chest, it felt... strange.

“My name is Emmerich and it’s no problem, I’m sorry if I startled you, I wasn’t expecting anyone to be in here let alone hiding in a tree” he smiled softly at me, and I could see the freckles splattered across his nose and cheeks.

I blushed from embarrassment, why would I call him giant, maybe I really am a freak, no social etiquette whatsoever, he must think I’m so rude. Introduce yourself, that’s the next thing to do, or maybe that might make things worse, though Emmerich isn’t really a common name either.

“Moon” I blurted, oh inward face palm “My name is Moon” good start moron.

“I’m sorry if I interrupted you, I must have drifted off in the tree, um I didn’t mean to fall on you…. twice” I laughed nervously and scratched the back of my neck, maybe I should leave him in peace now.

“Yeah we uh don’t get many human guests here and I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen any humans wonder in here before, I guess because this room has no safety railings, I didn’t even think to look around, I truly am sorry, I assumed I was alone” his eyebrows scrunched in concern and he leaned down closer to me “Are you alright, that must have been pretty frightening”.

Without thought I took a step back away from his face, the closeness overwhelming me, I nodded my head in acknowledgment of the seemingly empty room and at my wellbeing, I really was fine, just a bit shaken.

He pulled away again giving me space, his eyes scanned over me and his lips twitched up in a small smile “Moon is a very unique name kind of like your hair” he extended a finger towards my head and I took several steps back.

“Sorry” he said again and clasped his hands together in his lap as if to restrain his fingers from reaching for me.

“I’m not a very social person, forgive me for being so intrusive” he looked down at his lap, he resembled a shameful puppy.

“No your fine, I’m still a little jumpy I guess, I’m not particularly social either” I hesitated for a moment “Um well I can go if you wanted to continue playing your trumpet, sorry again for disrupting you” I turned to leave.

“You don’t have to go, I mean” he paused “Obviously you can go if you want to, but I um wouldn’t mind the company, we don’t generally get kids my age staying here, usually it’s just old, retired travelers” I turned to look at him, his striking green eyes seemed hopeful for companionship.

“I guess I could hang around for a while” I said making up my mind, perhaps I would make a friend for once, so far, he hasn’t been unkind or judgmental of me, he didn’t even seem that concerned about my name or hair colour, maybe this would be a good thing. Maybe I was putting in too much hope.

“Okay, brilliant” he says smiling, he places his hands on the ground either side of me “I’m just going to lay on my stomach, then you wont strain your neck” he explains.

I watch as he slowly lowers himself down and crosses his arms under his chin, he is a few feet away from me but still feels extremely close, or maybe he just looks magnified. I can see every freckle on his face, I can see the slight anxious blush in his cheeks and the light and dark hues of green in his eyes, his curly red hair hangs around his face in bouncy little spirals. Everything is just so…. Big.

To stop myself staring too much I sit down in the grass and cross my legs, I pick at a few strands of grass and fiddle with them in my lap.

“So how long have you lived here for?” I ask wanting to break the silence.

“Me and my Dad moved here when I was six, Dad’s dream was to run a bed and breakfast so he bought this motel, we have made some improvements but it’s still a long way from the cozy bed and breakfast he really wants” looking around this room in particular you can tell that a lot of love and time has already been put into making the place feel homey.

“What about you, what brings you to Jaeville?” he asks bringing my attention back to him.

“Mum and me kind of just bounce around the country, mum picks up jobs where she can but we are sort of just going wherever the wind takes us I guess, it’s nice” I fiddle with my long patch work skirt and busy myself with fraying the hem, I would fix it later, this skirt in particular was a favorite of mine and has been fixed and modified many times, its due for another touch up.

“That seems kind of lonely, do you keep in touch with friends?” he looked sort of sympathetic like he pitied the lifestyle my mother and me had chosen.

“Don’t really have any, my mother and I are really close, I don’t feel very lonely, at least not often I guess” I began to mumble, maybe I was lonely, I never seemed to fit in no matter where I went. And when mum was at work I would sit alone, drawing in my notebook and dwelling on the hurtful things people say about me every day. It does sound kind of lonely.

He seemed to pick up on my feelings, he looked so sad for me but there also shone an understanding in those eyes as well “Forgive me, I didn’t mean to upset you, I don’t have a lot of friends either. Perhaps we should change to a lighter subject, I did notice you were reading, what is it about?” he smiled reassuringly.

I pulled out my book and sat it in my lap “For the 3rd time I’m reading ‘Graceling by Kristin Cashore’” I said proudly, it really was a wonderful story and one of my favorites.

His eyes widened “I love that book, I’ve read it twice so far myself” he smiled again, he seems to do that a lot.

“Perhaps you could read it out loud? I didn’t bring my copy with me, but if that’s too we-“

“Emmerich! Room 26 needs fresh towels! Could you see if we have any clean pressed ones ready!?” a loud shout filled the room coming from the giants’ entrance to the roof, I couldn’t see the man who had spoken as we were a fair way into the room, but his deep voice shook the very foundations.

“Sorry Moon, I’ve got to go, perhaps another time and I’ll bring my book too, are you staying here long?” he lifted himself up into a crouch ready to go.

“At least a few weeks” I said quickly.

“Great I’ll see you around then” and just like that he stood and ran off shaking the ground beneath him.

I walked back towards the elevator with my head reeling, what a day. First, we arrive across the border into giant territory, dance around giant daffodils, I climb a humongous lemon tree only to fall into a giant’s lap, then fall off the giant’s lap, said giant saved my life twice and I may or may not have made my first ever friend. Definitely not a normal day for Moon.

#gt #gtfluff #sizedifference #giant #tiny

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akitokihojo · 5 years

Text

For Her

Inspired by this post.

----------

"Hey, hon!"

"Hi. Sorry for calling so late." Her voice was soft, wavering through the receiver. Sango's brows scrunched together slightly as her smile quickly wilted away.

"What's wrong?"

"Can you come pick me up?" Kagome asked. There was a muffled sniffle, one Sango could tell was intentionally done away from the cell held in Kagome's palm.

"What happened?" She asked more directly, perking up straight in the padded kitchen chair she'd claimed. Inuyasha and Miroku slowly placed their cards facedown on the dining room table, their attention shifting fully to Sango's call, the half demon's lips slowly parting in what was simple to see was building concern. She stood from her seat and quickly headed to the opposite end of the living room for a smidge of privacy, keeping her back to the two men as if it were equivalent to a sturdy border. The silence on the line was clenching at Sango's chest, nervousness beginning to leak through as nothing continued to be said. "Kagome?"

"I'm at the bus stop on Ninety-fourth and Carlton."

"Kagome, what's going on?!" Sango urged, making sure to keep her tone hushed.

"I - I was - I was mugged." She answered. She almost seemed embarrassed.

"What? Are you okay!?"

"I'm fine." It was smooth. Convincing. "Can you please-"

"I'm on my way. Ninety-fourth and Carlton. I'll be there in five." Sango rushed over to the table, reaching over Miroku to grab her purse from the edge of the chair opposite him, plopping it down on the mess of cards along the tabletop. Kagome quietly thanked her and ended the call, and Sango was quick to drop her phone in the side pocket of her bag so she could utilize both hands in her search for her keys.

"Everything alright?" Miroku asked apprehensively.

She shook her head. "I've gotta go get Kagome."

"What happened?" Inuyasha spoke, his voice a touch more gruff than normal. As her brown eyes flickered over his way, she noticed the tension now riddling his hoody-clad shoulders. He's had a thing for her best friend ever since they first met. Though unspoken, she could see right through him from the start. She wanted to tell him. It was nice seeing a guy as edgy as him so soft for someone, no less her best friend, but knowing Kagome, she wouldn't want this sort of attention.

"Nothing." Sango cooly responded, giving another shake of her head and meeting his ember gaze, the jingle of her keys causing one of his ears to twitch as she finally pulled them out. "She's just had a really bad day and wants to spend the night to get her mind off things. Don't worry about it, kay?" She stepped toward him, bending at the waist to kiss her neighbor's cheek. "Thanks for having me over. I'll see you later."

"Wait. Babe." Miroku stood. Of course he'd know when she was lying. She turned around and gave him a warning glance, one that Inuyasha couldn't see, and he responded with a very small cock of his head, indigo eyes imploring for more.

"Everything's fine, I promise. She needs me, though, so I've gotta go. See you." She bounced to her tippy toes real quick to kiss him, then quickly curved around him to step out the door.

Kagome hunched forward on the uncomfortable, metal bench, her hands supporting her posture on the edge as she stared at the gum-littered cement beneath her black canvas shoes. Her setting was illuminated by the streetlight she sat beneath, a smooth sound provided by the tires of the cars passing by. She kicked aside a stray twig, dragged it back with the toe of her shoe, and then kicked it away again, attempting to keep herself busy enough to not stare at the phone in her lap. Bright headlights caught her attention for the umpteenth time since she'd hung up with her best friend, and Kagome shot her gaze toward the oncoming traffic. This time, though, a slowing vehicle drove outside the lines of the road, dipping into the curve created for the city bus just past where she sat and coming to a stop, hazards now flashing. Sango stepped out and threw the door shut, running over to Kagome just as she stood, and crushing her with a hug.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, thanks for coming." Kagome sighed, sinking into her arms.

Sango pulled away, holding her jaw and tilting her face up to the light to check her over. The poor thing had a busted, bottom lip, smudged blood marring a small portion of her chin from it, and her right cheek was angry and scraped. Her eyes were slightly puffy and red, as was the tip of her nose, and she was a little shaky against her touch. Again, she wrapped her arms around her neck, pulling her in for a suffocating hug.

"Are you sure?” Kagome nodded against her shoulder. Eventually allotting her some air, Sango loosened her grasp, guiding her away. "Come on, let’s get you in the car."

As she dropped herself into the drivers seat after ushering Kagome into the passenger's, she locked the doors, looking over to her friend while she analyzed her condition in the sun visor mirror for probably the first time since the incident. A grimace made home on Kagome's face before she flinched from the way it affected her scabbing lip.

"Okay, what happened?"

Kagome was hesitant, softly rubbing at the redness on her cheek before gently placing the visor back along the hood of the car. Her dark eyes shifted down to her lap just as the inner lights dimmed off, then over to Sango.

"I don't really know what happened. I mean, I was mugged. He stole my purse." Kagome shrugged.

"And he hit you." It wasn't mentioned to be an ill-suited reminder, but as something she thought shouldn't be disregarded or shrugged off.

"Y-yeah. I stupidly tried to fight him off for my bag, so he threw me against the wall and slapped me a couple times."

"A couple times!? Kagome, your lip is bleeding!"

"No, really. Twice. He backhanded me, but I'm pretty sure he was wearing a ring."

Sango sighed, still stiff in her seat, turning her body to completely face her best friend. "Kagome, I need you to be absolutely honest with me. Are you sure you're okay? Do I - do I need to take you to the hospital?"

"I promise, I'm fine. That's all that happened." She assured her, turning almost as much to match her body language.

"Okay, what about the police? We need to file a report to catch this guy."

"Nah, it's not worth it. He wore a ski mask, so I wouldn't be able to give them anything other than he's tall and has a deep, burly man's voice."

"But your purse!"

"I'll replace my I.D., I'll see if I can shut down my debit card through the banking app as soon as I'm home, and he'll have successfully gotten away with a five dollar bill, a collection of old receipts, a whole bunch of loose change at the bottom of the bag, and my chapstick - which is oddly what I'm most upset about right about now."

"Here." Sango pulled her own purse from behind the passenger seat to the front, fishing out the Blistex from the inner pocket and handing it to her. "Keep it."

Kagome gratefully snatched the tube from her hand, once more yanking down the visor to utilize the mirror, guiding the chapstick carefully around the cut on her bottom lip. She couldn't fight off the habit of rubbing the moisture on her lips together, instantly regretting the action and wincing from the sting.

"Kagome, are you sure?" Sango tried again, leaning her head against the headrest.

"Yeah. It's too much trouble for what it's worth." She sighed, resting back in her seat after knocking the visor back up. "But - um -" Kagome pushed some rogue, raven strands of wavy hair behind her ear, glancing sheepishly at her best friend. "I don't really want to be alone tonight. Is it okay if I stay with you?"

"Girl, I didn't plan on taking you home in the first place." Sango smiled, pressing her hazards off and shifting her idle car into gear.

"Is Miroku over?"

Sango checked the oncoming traffic over her shoulder, waiting until it was safe and pulling out from the bus's curb. "We were actually at Inuyasha's playing poker when you called. He should have gone home by now."

"Oh no, do they know?" Kagome whined, sinking further down as if to hide from her own embarrassment.

"No, no, no. I swear, I didn't tell them anything."

"But they know something's up?"

"Well, yeah." She grimaced. "There was no way around that. But I told them you were just having an awful day and wanted a girl's night."

"And they fell for it?"

"Yup."

"Inuyasha fell for it?"

"Yup."

"Miroku fell for it?"

"Um - no. But he knows better than to pry. He'll be gone, Inuyasha won't even notice us roll up, and in no time at all you'll be sitting in front of the TV on the couch with an icepack in one hand and a margarita in the other." Sango flicked her blinker on, sparing a side glance at her friend as she waited for the light to change for the left turn lane. Kagome was staring down at her lap, sucking on her bottom lip as she nodded in acknowledgment. The red light switched down to green, and Sango took the turn slow, driving through the residential neighborhood until her apartment complex came into view, taking a right into the parking lot.

"Shit." Kagome groaned.

"Fuck." Sango hissed. Inuyasha leaned against the stucco wall outside his unit, arms crossed over his chest with a hardened expression. Right beside him was Miroku with his hands tucked into the pockets of his sweater, cautiously watching them pull into Sango's assigned parking spot.

Kagome felt her cheeks grow hot, brown eyes noticing Inuyasha kick off the wall, bouncing away from him, then right back to the half demon. Wash, rinse, and repeat until her friend pulled the keys from the ignition, bringing the soft rumble of the motor to a stop. She held them out for Kagome to take by the plastic of the car key, the pink puffball hanging down from a chain swinging back and forth until she dropped it in her hands. "Go ahead and go inside. I'll take care of them."

Without an ounce of hesitation, Sango threw her door open and slammed it behind her, jogging toward the two approaching men across the lot with her hands held out to stop them. "Wait, no. Give her some space, she's had a really rough night."

"What the hell happened?" Inuyasha demanded, hardly able to tear his ember eyes away from the girl keeping her head down as she exited the vehicle.

"Don't worry about it. What are you even doing out here?"

"Oh, because you didn't make it obvious at all that something bad had happened?" The half demon chided.

"Yes. Something bad happened, but it's over and things have calmed down. She doesn't necessarily want to be surrounded by people right now, though." Sango retorted.

"The more you push him away, the more he's gonna worry." Miroku plainly remarked.

"He has no reason to. Everything's fine now. Would you just-"

Inuyasha growled as he pushed passed Sango, his shoulder nudging her out of the way, deliberately crossing the lot to Kagome. There was a small yank at his sleeve before the fingers slipped their measly grip on him, along with a hissed version of his name, but it was easily in one ear and out the other. His goal was to get to Kagome, and he'd like to see anyone try and stop him. He didn't know why his adamance was so severe. All he knew was he didn't care how fine Sango insisted everything was. Unless he could see and hear from the person this centered around that everything was, in fact, dandy, then he wouldn't believe it.

Kagome had glanced over at him when she realized he was coming and stopped just in front of the hood of Sango's car, blinking shyly before ducking her head to the side again. Why did she keep doing that? She'd never been very bashful around him before. She was loud, and happy, and playful, and direct. Whenever she saw him coming, she'd usually go in straight for a hug. Now, she was holding herself, guarded, trying to smile it off while still staring away.

"Why can't he ever listen?" Sango huffed, only standing back because Miroku had physically stopped her from interfering.

"He saw through your lie before you even said it. Literally right after you left he called bullshit and went outside to wait."

"How could he tell?"

"Sango." Miroku deadpanned.

"You're almost as frustrating as he is, I swear."

"Look, he cares. Especially about her; you and I have both mentioned that he seems to be having a harder time keeping that a secret from everyone lately. He has weird ways of showing affection usually, but for once, this isn't one of them. Give him two minutes. She isn't pushing him away."

"That's not what matters right now!"

"Okay, so what is? Spill, because no one other than you knows what's going on. She didn't just have a "bad day," did she? Otherwise, I don't think you'd be making such a big deal out of this."

Sango sighed, shaking her head. "She was robbed and assaulted." She watched Miroku's defensive expression fall. "So, you can imagine she'd like an inkling of peace right now. She doesn't want everyone seeing her this way, it's humiliating."

"Hi." Kagome greeted feebly, glancing up at him as he neared. She couldn't help the nerves that were flaring, causing her to bob from one foot to the other and suck in her bottom lip once more, hanging her head slightly. She felt vulnerable, but at the same time, as he closed the distance between them and his presence washed over her, she began to feel inexplicably safe and warm. Inuyasha didn't say anything. For a small moment, he just stood before her. Then, he stepped in so their bodies were separated only by inches. In her peripherals, she noticed him lean forward, his head cocking to the side, short, silver strands sticking out in the stark contrast of the night.

"Hey," He whispered. It was more to grab her attention than to greet. Kagome spared him another small look before looking down at his shoes. Gentle fingers curled under her jaw, gliding along the soft flesh until he reached her chin, shocking her. She never jerked away, though. She'd flinched, but she didn't resist against his pull, tilting her head back so he could see her fully. "You don't have to hide from me."

Inuyasha knew he'd seen red on one cheek from her minor upward glimpses, but as the yellow lighting of a nearby lamppost illuminated her features, he realized it wasn't just the chill of the night that had her flushed. Kagome's brown eyes were wide, slightly afraid, watching him look her over, her plush lips parting slightly as he ran the pad of his thumb over the dried blood on her chin. There was some swelling near the cut, making her bottom lip appear pinker than it naturally was and attracting his thumb to curve up and drag over. Kagome's chin slightly wrinkled as it quivered, the corners of her mouth giving a tiny arch downward, and he could smell the fresh salt of tears brimming. It caused rage to bubble in his abdomen, seeing her this way. No one had the right to take her smile from her. No one had the right to hurt Kagome. Not with him around.

The bubbling was effervescent now, coursing through his bloodstream and making him want to snap, to break something, but he didn't want her seeing that sort of reaction. Not right now. Not after whatever the hell she'd been through, so he gritted his teeth, flexing his jaw muscles so he couldn't speak irrationally. Inuyasha grazed his thumb along her soft chin again in an attempt to calm her, giving it his all to soften the scowl he felt forming on his own face. When he felt as properly controlled as manageable, he sighed through his clenched throat, inching just a little closer to the girl.

"Who did this to you?" Inuyasha seethed.

Kagome's expression twisted sadly, the trembling in her chin and bottom lip bringing something to ache dully within his chest. She shook her head, looking down before shrugging her shoulders, and he tensed his fingers against her jaw so as not to allow her to completely turn away from him.

"I don't know. He came out of nowhere."

Crumbling quickly, he wrapped his arms around, pulling her into his chest, holding her tightly as she began to cry. Kagome clutched the back of his sweater; he could feel her fingers gripping the baggy cloth, and as he curled into her, stroking her hair, he caught the faint whiff of someone else. He held onto the scent, memorizing it to the best of his abilities.

"Are you alright?" He asked, tone husky and low.

She nodded into his sternum.

"I'm serious, Kagome," Inuyasha leaned back, taking her face in his hands and bending so he could look her in the eyes. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm okay." She said brokenly, tears pooling at the tops of her cheeks. He wiped them away, running his fingers back through her hairline to push the dark strands to rest behind her ears.

"Does it hurt?"

"My lip does. A little."

"Let's get you some ice." Inuyasha tucked her back within his arms, positioning her at his side so they could walk towards Sango's apartment, her arms encircling his waist as she rested her head against his chest. Sango and Miroku met them at the door, and Kagome handed the keys over for her best friend to unlock the bolt and knob to let everyone in.

While Sango took Kagome to the bedroom to wash her face in the master bath and change, Inuyasha turned to Miroku, allowing the scowl he'd hidden to appear vividly. His friend passed on the story from Sango; what had happened to Kagome, what was taken, why she had marks. Inuyasha was furious, but he pressed his lips into a tight line to prevent himself from saying something loud or stupid, deciding instead to stomp his way over to the freezer to snag the icepack, wrapping it in a clean dishtowel from the cabinet nearby.

"You've seriously got nothing to say?" Miroku probed, cocking a brow.

"Nope."

"Nothing at all?"

"Shut up."

"Man," Sango's boyfriend nodded, impressed, crossing his arms over his chest. "You're really in deep here."

Inuyasha rolled his ember eyes, huffing out through his nose as he lolled his head to the side. "That's not even - would you just mind your fucking business? I'm trying to be nice. Like you're always telling me."

"Oh, but what's funny is I've never once had to tell you to be nice to Kagome."

"I think our definitions of funny are pretty different."

"I think you're gonna do something reckless tonight."

Inuyasha smirked, watching the girls reappear at the end of the hall, Kagome's hair now tied up in a messy bun. Loose strands waved around her face, framing her jaw perfectly, and she sauntered toward him in a pair of Sango's flannel bottoms and a tank top.

"For her," He rumbled softly so only Miroku would hear. "You fucking bet I am."

Kagome laughed into her blanket as Sango made an obnoxious joke about the romcom they watched, their pitcher of margarita on the coffee table running low and their glasses almost empty as well. As was natural for any other bad night, they'd ordered pizza, the pizza box sitting open next to it all with only three cold slices remaining. The boys had long been gone, and it was just the two of them enjoying a relaxing, unwinding, well-deserved girls night that had quickly made the stress of the evening immensely better for Kagome. Sango reached for a slice after finishing off her blended drink, nearly choking on her bite when a knock at the door startled them. They both glanced at their phones to check the time, bewildered expressions twisting their features when they saw it was just after three in the morning.

"Is it too soon to make a joke about being attacked in the middle of the night, because boy, I am not ready to die!"

Kagome giggled and tossed the closest throw pillow at her best friend, hitting her in the face. "I'm pretty sure if we were in any danger they wouldn't be knocking politely to square up."

"Then you answer the door!"

"Oh, no. If I'm wrong, I've taken enough hands for one night, thank you."

"Alright, if I die," Sango breathed, dropping her pizza back in the box and standing to make her way toward the entrance, wiggling her shoulders in preparation. "Tell Miroku he has a nice butt."

She peeked through the peephole, surprised when no one was in view, and then unlocked the door, cracking it open to peer out.

"Hey, Kagome." Sango called, a smile slowly growing on her face. "It's for you."

Kagome furrowed her brows in question, removing the quilt from her crossed legs and walking over. Her best friend opened the door wider and moved aside, a sly grin aimed her way. There was nobody there, so Kagome's brown eyes drifted to the floor, her heart giving a powerful sputter when she noticed her purse on the welcome mat, a red rose plucked at the head sitting on top of the hobo bag.

Crouching down, Kagome delicately picked up the rose, cradling it in one hand as she shifted through the open compartment of her purse with the other, shuffling through her belongings. As she pulled out her wallet, she flicked the buttoned tab open, folding it back to take a look inside.

"It's all here." She said, somewhat surprised.

"Gee, I wonder who could have possibly done this." Sango poorly acted aloof.

Kagome stood with her rescued bag in hand, stepping out to glance four doors down. The illuminated living room light was visible through his front window, and a rush of soothing warmth flooded her body, pooling in her cheeks.

"I'll - uh - be right back, okay?" She held her things out for Sango to take, not removing her eyes from the window lest they turn off. As the weight left her hands, all the while ignoring the taunting acknowledgement from her best friend, she bravely walked down the path, stopping just before the mahogany door.

It took a small moment to build the right amount of courage to knock, her heart pounding erratically, flutters tickling her tummy as she reached forward and rasped her knuckles against the wood. The wait was even worse. Then, the locks slid open loudly and she was looking at a slightly perplexed half demon in the doorway. His cheeks were briskly flushed, ember eyes shadowed from the night, short hair as ruffled and messy as usual.

And she couldn’t hold back the smile, crooked at first as her grin grew.

Kagome looked him over. He was still donned in the same hoody, sleeves pulled up to his elbows, and the knuckles of his right hand red and scabbed. Nonchalantly, Inuyasha turned his palm upward, resting it on the doorframe so it was out of her view.

"What's up?" He asked huskily. He knew she hadn't been asleep, he could hear them giggling from outside. The last thing he'd expected, though, was for her to actually drop by this late at night.

"How'd you do it?"

"Hm?"

"My purse. How'd you get it back?"

Inuyasha smiled softly, giving two taps to the tip of his nose. "I've got a good sense of smell."

"I - I don't know how to thank you." Kagome felt something pulling her towards him, like a string attached to her finger was being yanked by an invisible force.

"Don't worry about it. It's not necessary, I didn't do it for glory or anything."

"But why did you do it? You could have gotten hurt."

"For you, dummy." Inuyasha quickly and boldly stated. "I wasn't about to let some creep get away with what he did to you. I'd rather rot in hell than see -" He stopped. Stiffened. The remainder of his sentence fizzled away on his tongue as he realized she was blushing, lips slightly parted and dark eyes glistening in the dim lighting that flooded out from his living room lamp. The cut on her lip was scabbed, and stretched from the seal to just below where the pink tint ended, a dark shade outlining the small wound, only making him want to run his finger over it all the more. As if the pad of his thumb could take the evidence of it all away.

"Than see..." Kagome gently pushed him to finish.

"Than see you cry." Inuyasha meagerly admitted.

She sucked in her bottom lip and he didn't hesitate to curl his fingers around her chin, softly rubbing the base of her mouth. "Don't do that. You'll make it worse." And as she complied, he dropped his hand.

"And the rose?" Kagome asked, pushing some hair behind her ear. The half demon scrunched his nose, looking off to the side.

"I just wanted to make you feel better."

"You did. Hours ago. Inuyasha, you sat beside me and willingly held the icepack to my face for fifteen minutes. And you didn't even seem remotely bothered by it. Everything kind of went away while you were there."

"I'd do it again." His voice came out low, gruff.

"I'd do it for you, too." Kagome reached for his right palm, bringing his reddened knuckles to her lips. "Thank you."

Inuyasha softened. Her touch always did something to him, but tonight was so much more. Slowly, but before she could let him go, he folded his fingers over hers, pulling her just a smidge closer so he could kiss her forehead.

"Go back inside, Kagome." He whispered against her skin. As she stepped away to leave, he leaned his shoulder against the doorframe. She turned back to look at him twice; once when she was midway, and again just before she fully entered Sango's apartment. When the door was shut and he knew she was safe, Inuyasha smiled, raking his fingers through his hair before stepping inside, himself.

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