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photochoco · 3 years

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First days are always the most hectic

Black Cauldron’s newest recruit learns the ropes. She hopes she isn’t in over her head!

---

Wisty had always loved sleeping late. In a world where the night was eternal, and the city had only colored lights to indicate the time, it was easy to lose track. They often would stay up until the deep purples of “night” would slowly gradate into the bright yellows of “daytime”. People more or less adhered to the idea that yellow was for doing things and being awake, and purple was for sleeping. Though Wisty had found that the city came alive during the purple hours in a way it didn’t when the lights were yellow. They themself worked better during purple hours. Ah, night life.

But if they looked out the window now, everything was just a muddled soup of values. Greys mixed together dully. Had they known this would happen, they would’ve appreciated it all a lot more.

It’d been several weeks since they’d been cursed, and everything had changed. Wisty had tried to go on with life as normal, but quickly realized that the old “normal” was not coming back. People stared at them, whispered and glared. Creating art had been immensely frustrating. And their friends…

It had all come to a head around the time of their birthday. Wisty always enjoyed throwing a party with all their buddies, and they were determined to make this year no exception. They’d gone all out, decorating with colorful streamers that they couldn’t see, balloons everywhere, and a cake they’d made themselves.

No one had shown up.They’d been so sure their curse didn’t matter to their friends. Apparently it mattered a lot. They had curled up on their bed and sobbed their guts out for what felt like hours. It hurt, not seeing any color. It hurt even more to know the people they’d considered their friends were so ready to just abandon them for being cursed. So what if their eyes were gaping black voids? So what if they occasionally leaked? So what if they hung out at Black Cauldron? So what if they hung out with cursed people? So what if they were cursed? So what? How could that matter so much?

I’d love to hang out but...y’know how my mom feels about curses and...yeah, I don’t wanna argue with her-

Uh...what if the witch comes back…? They have tracking magic and stuff so...I don’t know-

Ergh...last time you hugged me, your eye goop got all over my clothes. I still haven’t gotten the stains out. Sorry but that’s just too messed up-

It smells really weird, like chemicals? You sure it isn’t poisonous? Yeesh-

The cake had been shoved into the fridge, but Wisty couldn’t find it in them to tear down the decorations. So they threw on a hoodie and went for a walk.

It was very embarrassing when, as they wandered around with swollen red eyelids and tear streaks on their cheeks, they ran into Dex by chance. His perpetual grin slipped as he noticed their tears, and very easily got them to say why. Wisty tried to brush it off as not being a big deal, which was very obviously a lie.

An ice cream and 30 minutes later, and Dex had insisted Wisty come with him to Black Cauldron. Something about Ela wanting to speak with Wisty about something.

What awaited them through those doors was the last thing they’d expected; a surprise party thrown together just for them. Dex, the sly nerd, had told everyone what happened. Said Wisty would not be going to bed without having a party to celebrate their birthday.

Well. After they’d managed to finally stop crying over the touching gesture, Wisty was treated to an admittedly last-minute but nonetheless wonderful party with all the Cadets. Some of them had even gone out and bought them small gifts. At the end of it all, Wisty went home happily, with a full stomach and a camera roll full of memories. These people barely knew them, yet dropped everything to give them a shotgun party. It was enough for them to finally make up their mind.

After the party, Wisty approached Ela with their answer. They wanted to become a Cadet. The new couple weeks were filled with visits to BC to meet with Ela and Harvey. Today marked the day of their orientation, and their stomach fluttered with nerves. They couldn’t really imagine themselves out there fighting yet, but the prospect of it was weirdly exciting. And it gave them something to do while they figured out what to do with their artist career. Sitting in their apartment fighting off a creeping emptiness wasn’t going to help.

They put on their headphones, tugged their hair out from behind and gave it a flip for good measure before looking themself over in the mirror. Perfect, coordinated, adorable. Wisty adjusted their headphones and took a deep breath, forcing themself to keep looking when all they wanted to do was shut their eyes.

You are okay.

In front of their apartment complex, Wisty wrestled on their roller blades, selected some music, and took off. The breeze as they skated along eased their mind some, and their favorite tunes in their ears eased it more.

They wondered if Harvey had finished designing it yet.

---

The bustling of activity in the bar of Black Cauldron was the same as always, Cadets walking around and chatting with each other. Everyone stopped though, at the sound of something banging into the front door. A few moments later, the door swung open and Wisty practically tumbled through the threshold, a pair of roller blades in her hand.

“Ack, sorry! Didn’t mean to run into the door like that.”

“Now that’s what I call an entrance,” Bianca giggled, giving a wave. “You ready for your first day?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be!” Wisty said, raising her arms in a stretch. “I’m like, both nervous AND excited?”

A tall mage in a bunny mask rounded the corner, a giant calligraphy pen in his hands. “Ah, perfect. I just finished the final adjustments to your weapon. Here.” Harvey held it out with both hands. Its tip gleamed of newly polished brass. Its long body was black and smooth as Wisty took it in her hands. It was-

“It’s perfect!” she squealed in her excitement. Harvey gave a satisfied nod.

“Aaaand here are your ink canisters. I took the liberty of filling them up for you already. And here are the colors in powder form, just add water. Once you run out I can make more for you. And the colors are in the order you requested so you can easily pick them without seeing the hue. There should be enough ink to last you a whole fight, but don’t y’know, go painting the entire city.”

Wisty hugged her pen and ink pack tightly to her chest like a child being gifted a new toy. “I love it I love it I love it thankyouthankyouthank youuuuuuu!!” she exclaimed, hopping up and down. She hurriedly clipped the ink canisters to the back of her belt before doing the same to her pen across her back. “How do I look?” she asked with a twirl.

Harvey’s bunny mask was stuck in a perpetual grin, but Wisty could glean from his body language that he was quite pleased with his handiwork. “You look ready for your first day! You’ll get a chance to try ‘em out today during your sparring.”

“My what?”

“Sparring!” Bianca appeared out of nowhere and slung an arm around Wisty’s neck. “You said you don’t have a whole lot of fighting experience yeah? Plus like Harvey said, you’ll totally wanna try out your weapon before heading out there, see whatcha can do!”

“Okay…” Wisty said slowly. “But who am I gonna be sparring?”

It was then that she was lifted bodily off the ground by an enormous hand, which wrapped around her middle as easily as if she were a doll.

“That would be me, cupcake. You should get a feel for what it’ll be like fighting powerful enemies with a lot of physical strength.”

“As ya probably know, ghouls are usually witch cronies, doin’ their dirty work. Not the smartest, but really damn strong,” Bianca added.

“...Did you just call Pinprick stupid? That’s not very nice!”

“Oh no, cupcake, she is mostly right. Being turned into a ghoul scrambled my brains, hehehe,” Pinprick replied with a wide smile.

Wisty paused to consider this. “...Still! Be nicer to yourself! I’m fairly sure you’re not stupid.”

“My oh my, what a sweet cupcake you are! But no time for chatter, we must be off to the sparring spot!”

“Oh cool!” Wisty looked down to be put down. “Where is it?”

“Near the outskirts of the city,” Pinprick replied as he squeezed through the small doorframe.

“Are we gonna walk then? You don’t hafta carry me, I got functional legs!”

“Nope! No walkin’,” Bianca said, walking up behind them and jumping onto Pinprick’s other arm, balancing herself against his shoulder.

“Rooftop hopping is much faster. Observe!” Pinprick bent his legs.

“WhaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA--”

---

“Here we are!” Pinprick chirped, setting a very windswept Wisty down on the ground.

Well, that was another form of travel she could check off the list. Bianca hopped off Pinprick’s back and tossed a bracelet to the newbie.

“All Cadets carry these bracelets,” Pinprick explained. “They’re a magic disrupter, placing them on witches or ghouls disrupts their flow of magic to incapacitate them. But of course, they don’t always do the job, so you all need to know how to fight. That one is just a dummy bracelet of course, completely harmless.”

“Oh, okay,” Wisty said, turning it over in her hands. “So I just gotta snap the bracelet on you?”

Bianca and Pinprick exchanged a glance and a mischievous grin, with the former shoving her hands in her pockets and backing up. Way up.

“Get that bracelet on me, and we can call it a day. Unless you get it on real quick though!” the ghoul snickered.

Wisty unclipped her pen and spun it. “Oof, you don’t have to worry about that. I haven’t done a lot of fighting, remember.”

“Chin up, cupcake, back straight! Cuz here I come.”

“Ok so what--” Her words were cut off as Pinprick’s arm shot towards her at an alarming speed. “ShiT!!” Wisty barely had time to dodge out of the way, one of Pinprick’s fingers clipping her cheek.

Geezus, he’s fast!! She hopped backwards, trying to gain some distance between them. He lunged towards her again, arm outstretched to grab her. Gripping her pen, Wisty rammed it against his arm, knocking it off course. Undeterred, the rest of Pinprick caught up like a released rubberband. His massive hand swiped through the air; Wisty flipped out of the way in a backwards handspring, her foot kicking his claws away. They felt remarkably like rubber. Her sense of gravity was then thrown sideways as she slipped on her pen. She let out a sharp squawk as she landed roughly on her side.

She barely had time to feel even an inkling of embarrassment before she was slammed into the ground and pinned there by his other hand.

“Not a bad start, cupcake. But you’re gonna have to do better than that,” Pinprick crooned.

Wisty wheezed. “HhHhhhffffiiiihhhhhhhhne- Le’go please my lungs ack-”

Pinprick let her go and she stood up, wincing. Dude could pack a punch.

“Impressive maneuvers! But didn’t you just say you don’t have any fighting experience?”

Wisty swung her leg out to the side. “Gymnastics. And maybe like a month’s worth of self-defense classes while I was in high school. But that’s it.” She gripped her weapon in her hands, tightly this time.

“Ready? Again.” He lunged.

“Surprise!”

Wisty barely managed to bend out of the way of his swipe. Noticing the ridges on his arm, she grabbed one and swung herself up onto his shoulders. Pinprick bucked, trying to throw her off. She impulsively grabbed the first thing she could, his hair. It was as hard as plastic and hard to keep a grip on.

“Sorry! Sorryyyyyyyy!” she yelped as she reached for the bracelet.

Her apology was answered by Pinprick grabbing her ankle and yanking her off. Upside-down, she could see Bianca ambling up to the scene, a burger in her hand.

“Howzit goin’?” she asked.

Wisty let out a loud groan of frustration. “I’ve been getting my ass kicked!! SO! I’ve come to the conclusion that I will absolutely die if I go fight anything,” she grumbled as she dangled from Pinprick’s hand. He snickered in response.

“Hey, don’t feel too bad, this is only a baseline! Imagine how good you’ll be after me ‘n Nate ‘n Dex have taught ya!” Bianca said.

“Hopefully it’ll be a less shameful display than this,” Wisty replied as Pinprick idly swung her from side to side like a pendulum. “I kinda thought I was gonna learn how to fight. I know I shouldn’t be complainin’, it’s very nice of you two to take time out of your day to help me, but is this the best way to go about it when I haven’t ever fought before?”

“Here at BC, we believe in learning on the job!” Bianca replied, licking remnants of ketchup off her fingers. “We are not gonna let you go out there until you feel confident enough you can hold your own, so don’t worry.”

Pinprick gently set Wisty on the ground. “Ready whenever you are, love,” he grinned widely.

“I yield.” Wisty’s legs were far past beginning to wobble. Now she could hardly keep herself upright. Pinprick was not only stupidly fast, but stupidly powerful. He absorbed all of her attacks like they were nothing and dished out brutal counters one after the other. Wisty had been reduced to blocking and dodging, Pinprick never letting up for even a moment. She didn’t even have enough time to grab an ink canister. At least she could safely say she was better at avoiding attacks now. Her lungs burned with heavy breaths and her arms ached from swinging her pen around. Goddamn inertia.

Pinprick raised his hands again in preparation, grinning still. “We’re only getting started, love!”

“C-Could we take a break or something? I’m frickin’ exhausted and haven’t landed a solid hit on you once!”

“Of course we can stop! After you get the bracelet on. That was the agreement sweetheart, don’t back out on me now.”

“Ugh c’moooon. You have no mercyyyyy.” Wisty forced herself to stand up straight.

“What’s happening?”

Bianca turned and gave a nod of greeting to Dex, who had strolled up to the scene and was now watching with interest.

“The newbie is getting broken in,” she said, cringing as Pinprick sent Wisty flying again. “I think she’s doing...okay…”

Dex smirked. “Sure doesn’t look like it, hehe.”

“Hey, go easy on her dude, she just started today! I’ve been watching the whole time, I can tell you she’s gotten a lot better already. Aw geez,” Bianca winced as Pinprick threw a punch that caught Wisty on her right cheek, resulting in her swearing loudly.

“Remember your safe word!” Dex shouted to her.

“My WHAT? PINPRICK YOU CHEATER, YOU NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT THAT!!”

The ghoul only cackled in response. “You never asked about it, cupcake!”

“OF COURSE I DIDN’T, I’M NEW HERE! YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO TELL ME!” Wisty screeched.

As Pinprick rushed her again, she didn’t wait. This time she lurched to meet him, slamming the butt of her pen into the ground and using it to jump up to his height, landing an impressive high-kick on his chin that actually got a grunt of pain out of him.

“Close!!” Dex shouted. “Keep trying--oof, that looked like it hurt.”

Pinprick had slugged Wisty full force in the torso, her pen caught in between his fist and her stomach. It seemed to absorb much of the impact, but it wasn’t enough to keep the girl from slamming into the ground hard and skidding several yards away where she collided with some boxes. Dust flew everywhere.

“I’ll go get the nurse bed ready,” Bianca sighed, turning to head back to Black Cauldron. “Hey Dex, if it looks like Pin is getting a bit too into it, make sure he doesn’t punch Wisty into nonexistence. He’ll feel horrible if he accidentally hurts her really bad.”

Was Pinprick just that strong? Or did she just suck that bad? Wisty coughed on the clouds of dust filling the air and tasted the sharp tang of iron in her mouth. She spat onto the concrete, a gob of red. She could feel more on her tongue and dripping from her mouth. Her pen hadn’t broken, (thank you Harvey), but having it rammed into her gut fucking huuuuuuuuuuuuurt. What if she couldn’t get the bracelet on? What if she never got better at this? Her vision swam and she felt ink dripping from her face again.

Wisty grit her teeth and bit back a snarl. No. This was her first day. She’d get better, she’d get way better. And she was going to get that fucking bracelet on! She could do this!

“So...hff...that’s how it’s gonna be, huh…? Fine. Fine. You want me to play rough, I’ll do that.”

She reached behind herself to her ink cartridges. One, two, perfect.

“Yo Pinprick! Did you kill ‘em, man?!” Dex called to his comrade.

“Ahoho, I certainly hope not, we were having so much fun!”

Before he could say anything more, though, a thin jet of orange ink fired from the dust cloud. The instant it made contact with the ground, a huge explosion blossomed outward.

“HOLY MOLY!!!” Dex hollered as Pinprick skidded backwards, blinking in surprise.

“Oho, it seems the newbie has a few tricks up her sleeve! Good, good!” he laughed.

The dust was settling, and now he could see Wisty standing with her shoulders hunched and her face twisted with a determined scowl. Black liquid was oozing from both her eyes, making her look quite frightening. A canister full of green liquid was clutched in her hand, Dex and Pinprick watched as she tipped it back and took a swig of the ink inside before wiping her mouth on the back of her hand and grabbing another canister. This one she shoved into her pen.

But she didn’t make a move yet, panting.

“Oh come now love, you can’t be that tired already! You’re leaving yourself...wide! Open!” Pinprick sprinted forward and thrust his left arm out. Wisty swiftly jumped to the side, his right, and he attempted to grab her again, this time with his right hand. She ducked again, resulting in both Pinprick's hands smashing into the wall, sending pieces of brick flying.

Wisty took aim with her pen, and fired. Black ink streamed from the tip and coated Pinprick’s hands. His first instinct was to tug--

And they didn’t budge. The ink was like tar.

“What in the--” White ink spattered the wall and a blinding light filled his vision. He grunted and squeezed his eyes shut against the stinging illumination. When it faded, he swiveled his head round looking for Wisty-

And caught her out of the corner of his eye sprinting towards him. With a mighty heave, he wretched his right arm free of the ink to deal another devastating blow-

In the blink of an eye, Wisty had taken a mighty leap, vaulting herself upwards using Pinprick’s shoulders. As she shot up into the air, twisting, she aimed the nib of her pen downwards into his face.

“Boom.”

Orange ink streamed. Pinprick was caught in a huge explosion. Dex shielded his face as the heat wave slammed into him.

“Jeezus God, what the hell did Harvey put in those inks??” he muttered to himself.

As the smoke cleared, he could see Pinprick, still standing, his hands free from the black ink, but looking significantly more banged up.

“Yeowzers,” Dex trotted up next to the ghoul to get a closer look at the damage. “That was pretty awesome. Might cause some property damage, though.”

“But really, when don’t we cause just a little property damage?” Pinprick pointed out, dusting himself off.

“Wait...where’d Wisty go?”

“Hmm...did she get blown away from the explosion…?” Pinprick mused. “She was right--”

A stream of bright yellow ink hit his back, and his entire frame spasmed as electricity coursed through him. His body was knocked to the ground as Wisty dropped down from above onto him. Dex barely managed to jump out of the way with a squawk.

“You--little--” Pinprick hissed through gritted teeth, but the girl had a firm grip as she snapped the bracelet around his neck, fighting against her shaking arms as the shocks spread up them.

“Friggin...got it...Geezus…” she huffed.

She slid off Pinprick as he straightened himself up, wincing, yet looking very pleased.

“Well well well, color me surprised, cupcake! What a way to show off what some of those colors can do.”

“Hehe,” Wisty grinned sheepishly, her legs quaking. She tried to take a step forward, but stumbled, opting to lean on her pen for support.

“Tell me, what was that green ink for?”

“Healing. It -huff hff- can heal wounds if applied topically like a- hff- salve. Or you can drink it to- help with something internal.” Her smile looked a little pained. “I guess I’ll be using it a lot, eh?”

Pinprick suddenly looked rather worried, his smile dropping and his brow creasing. “Oh no...I must’ve hit you a little too hard, huh? I’m sorry about that, sometimes I can forget my own strength.”

“D-Don’t apologize! It was really hard, sure, but it was necessary right? You said it yourself, ghouls are scary strong! So if I was able to take you down, then I should be okay with practice! Plus, y’know,” she scratched the back of her head. “I did kinda electrocute you. And make you explode. Twice.”

Pinprick had to nod in agreement with that, his grin returning. “You were quite clever to coax me into getting my hands stuck to the wall. And that light! I couldn’t see a thing.”

“I know I got here like halfway through, but you were pretty impressive out there, rookie,” Dex piped up. “Pretty fast, too. And usin’ your opponent’s size and physical features to your advantage with those twisty moves? You might give even witches a run for their money with smarts like that. But for now, howsabout we call it a day? You look like you’re gonna collapse. Your cheek ain’t lookin so good either.”

Now that the adrenaline was wearing off, throbbing aches began to make themselves known all over Wisty’s body. Her right cheek really, really hurt, and she gingerly pressed her fingers against it, wincing as the swollen flesh protested.

“You two got pretty banged up. How about we head back to BC to getcha patched up?” Dex jerked his thumb back to his bike, which was parked nearby.

“Do forgive me for goin’ so hard on you cupcake. Needed to make sure you were prepared; out there, it could be even more dangerous.” Pinprick reached out and ruffled Wisty’s hair, wiggling her whole head back and forth.

“Oh c’mon Pin, I’m a hugger! Gimme one!”

Pinprick chuckled and picked the girl up with one arm, giving her a squeeze.

“You did very well today! See ya back at BC, cupcake. And you too, Dex,” Pinprick wiggled his fingers in farewell.

“Awwwww C’mon Pin, aren’t I a cupcake too?” Dex asked, his puppy-dog voice belied by the shit-eating grin on his face.

“Absolutely not! Go on now, I’ll see you two back there!” With a mighty leap, Pinprick was off, hopping from roof to roof with ease. Within no time at all he was out of sight. Wisty slumped.

“Urgh, I barely hurt him at all. Look at him doin’ parkour shit while I can barely stand--” Right on cue, her legs buckled. She was saved by Dex, who swooped down and grabbed her under the arms.

“Tracy will get you all fixed in no time. Pinprick only went so hard on you because he felt you had potential you were holding back. His method of bringing it out is to hit as hard as he can, hehe. You seem promising, rookie. I’ll have to be extra careful when we fight.”

“You use GUNS.”

“In the field! Sparring I use blanks. And my lithe body.”

Wisty burst out laughing as Dex helped her to the bike. “You guys are merciless! I don’t wanna do anything until I’m not hurting everywhere.”

“Nothin’ a lil magic n’ a hot bath can’t fix. Aight, get on the back,” Dex said, turning the key in the ignition. “DeeDee likes to go fast, so you might wanna hold on.”

“Okay...uh where…” Wisty hesitantly gripped Dex’s shoulders.

“Here we go!” The bike flared to life and Dex squeezed the handle.

The inertia as they took off was unexpected and Wisty had to momentarily throw her arms around Dex’s middle to keep from tumbling off the back. But soon enough her hands were back to his shoulders as they drove along, buildings and power lines passing by in a blur.

It was exhilarating.

“Not too fast for ya, newbie?”

“It’s awesome! I love going fast!”

“Heh, hang on then!”

Wisty closed her eyes and took a deep breath through her nose, lost in the feeling of the wind as they drove along. This was giving her an idea for…

She opened her eyes.

Ah. Right.

What she would’ve given to see what this all looked like in color. The blurred buildings. The bright moon. Dex’s scarf as it fluttered and danced behind them. He had told her it was red, but what shade of red? What shade were her inks? What if she forgot the colors she knew? Her mouth twisted as tears again stung her eyes. Not that any would fall, the wind was drying them up.

“Hey just so ya know, you might wanna actually hang on to my middle or else you’ll fall off!” Dex called over his shoulder.

“What?” Wisty shouted back right before they went over a bump. She yelped and clung to Dex again. He snorted.

“Soooooo, have you thought about partnering up with anyone?” he asked her.

“Uh...no, not really.”

“Would you like to? Newbies usually tend to, though I don’t think Alphus ever did, heh.”

“I dunno. I mean, I...” The truth was, she’d love to partner up with someone. Like Bianca and Pinprick. They’d been the ones to save her, and she’d gotten pretty attached to them both. After she’d been cursed, it felt like everyone she once had in her life had left. Her friends abandoned her, people she’d known for years. Even now, it was a stubborn ache in her chest that wasn’t going away yet. And BC...the Cadets had taken her in immediately, even when she wasn’t yet sure if she wanted to join. They accepted her, curse, quirks, all of it. They’d given her friendship and comfort.

She wanted to partner up with someone. She’d known these people for such a short time, and each of them had undoubtedly gone through their own horrible shit. Some of them more so than others. Ghouls weren’t seen as people. People without souls were surely damaged and sad to others. People whose eyes reflected no light and oozed black ink were creepy.

Her grip tightened. If Dex noticed, he didn’t say anything as he rounded a corner hard, tires screeching.

“Y’know, you should really wear a helmet, especially driving like this!”

“Naaahhhh, I’m too cool for one!”

“No one is too cool for head safety, my dude.”

“This hair is!”

He weaved easily in and through the crowd. Wisty could see people staring as they flew by. What a strange pair they must look, a boy with glowing white eyes and a girl with black voids for hers. If they could even see them. A couple of freaks, huh?

Couple of freaks.

Those weirdos at Black Cauldron...you’ve been hanging out with them? They’re all freaks!

A smile suddenly found itself creeping across Wisty’s lips.

All freaks? Huh? Well if we can accept each other regardless, then I'll be a freak too.

“...Hehehe.”

Wisty stood up suddenly, her arms spread wide.

“Whooooooo!!!”

“Wisty SIT DOWN! You’re gonna fall off!”

“My balance is really good!”

Luckily for her, and Dex’s blood pressure, a street lined by trees with low-hanging branches forced her to remain seated for the rest of the ride. Her little burst of excitement had sapped the last of her energy, and Wisty rested her cheek against Dex’s back. She felt really tired. Happy. Veeeeeery sore. She closed her eyes, listening to the sounds of the city as they whizzed past.

Tired...

“Alright, we’re here. Hopefully Bianca has that nurse bed ready.” Dex came to a smooth stop in front of the staircase leading up to Black Cauldron. “Let’s get you to Tracy. ... ...Hello? Kiddo?”

He now became aware of Wisty’s weight slumped against his back. He twisted his head round to look back at her. She was fast asleep.

Dex sighed and chuckled to himself. “Damn, you’re really gonna make me carry you up all those stairs? Guess this is what I get for teasing you about the safe word. Hyup-”

With no small amount of effort, Dex hoisted the sleeping teen onto his back and began the trek up the stairs. Wisty let out a soft snore.

---

Unexpectedly, it's a kind of future like that.

#and then Wisty slept for 44 years #my writing #fic #story #stories #skz #skullkidz #out in the field #wisteria #wisty #dex put a helmet on

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ijustwant2write · 5 years

Text

The Tattooed Lady-Tommy Shelby x Reader

(GIF credit to @necromancersatan)

Masterlist

Summary: requested by anonymous: ‘Dommy tommy Shelby, where readers a bad ass, tattooed female who’s also in a gang but much bigger then the peakys. Tommy has to work harder cuz readers a younger and playful woman ?? x’

Characters: Tommy Shelby x Reader, mentions of other Shelby brothers

Meanings: (Y/N)=Your name

Warnings: mentions of violence, mentions of physical/verbal abuse, sexual themes

(A/N: This sort of went in a different direction, but I hope you still like it!)

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Everyone had heard of the Peaky Blinders, they knew their crooked ways, their sneaky attacks, how they always somehow got away with everything; how everyone feared getting on the wrong side of them, as it would certainly mean your time had come. However, there was another gang that people feared more, so much that no one even dared whisper their name. The women that made up this gang were ruthless, they hadn’t a care in the world, and a person who has nothing to lose is the most dangerous type of person.

Miss (Y/N) was the leader of the ‘Tattooed Ladies’. A very basic name, but a name that stood out nonetheless. It was compiled of only women, no men were ever allowed (unless they were only to stay the night). They were called ‘miss’ then their first name as they were not going to be forced to be tied down to any man, having their name stripped off them; this and the fact that they were all mostly banished from their families, having casted shame upon the name. Slowly, these bold ladies had found each other, forming a family and business at the same time. As they started opening up about their lives, they realised that in some way, they had been effected by family members and/or men, and because they were female, it meant that they took the blame. Everyone had heard of hit-men, but had anyone heard of hit-women? Not until the Tattooed Ladies.

At first, Tommy Shelby had paid no mind to this gang of women. He had dealt with many others before, and these were women, so why should he be afraid? This was before he was informed that one of his men had been brutally beaten, leaving him unable to work for weeks, as well as losing sight in one eye and a few fingers. These women went against what society had informed them to do, and to show that, they inked their arms with whatever they wanted. This would make them easy to find, hardly any women had tattoos. What he couldn’t work out was why a gang just outside of London would randomly attack one of his own. He hadn’t pissed them off in any way, was this a threat?

John grimaced as him and his older brothers walked through the slums of London. It was dirty, smelly, and the people looked desperate. He knew his upbringing wasn’t the best, but this was downright horrible. It made him think about what these women would look like. He imagined almost pirate looking women; scruffy hair, non-feminine features, maybe one would have a eye patch. They squeezed down an alley way, coming up to an unusually bright red door. Arthur knocked loudly, standing back as they waited for a reply. As the three Shelby’s waited for a burly looking woman to answer, they were pleasantly surprised when a beautiful red head answered.

“Miss (Y/N)?” Tommy asked after clearing his throat.

“No, ain’t me. Guessing you’re the Shelby lot?” She bluntly stated, her cockney accent strong.

“Yes.”

“She’s expecting you.”

John and Arthur glanced at each other as their brother stepped forward, following the red head. The building was an old, abandoned theatre, though it was brightly lit, various types of women lounging around on the plush sofas, as well as the bar. They all stared as they strolled through, the only noise was the soft music playing in the background as well as the creaking of the floor boards. There were different looking women all over the place; different ethnicity's, different builds, different hair. The only thing they had in common were their vast amount of tattoos, and the intense glare they all held. As the red head guided the men up the stage, they laid their eyes on a younger lady, sat at a desk, counting money.

“Thank you Sherry. Here, take everyone’s pay and hand them out.” She handed the rolls of notes to Sherry, but not before she stated,“And make sure to hand it out easily this time.”

Sherry winked, before sauntering off, doing as she was told. Tommy smirked as his eyes went back to the lady at the desk, approaching her slowly.

“Miss (Y/N), it seems you’ve got a good run going here.” He started.

“Mr Shelby, what a pleasure to meet you. I assume you’ve come here about that worker of yours?” She replied, not looking at them, instead focusing her attention on signing forms on her desk.

“Yes. Do you mind if we sit?” he gestured to the non existent chairs in front of them.

“If you would like to pull up your own chairs, be my guest.”

The brothers all shared a look, realising that this woman didn’t take shit from anybody. Tommy wanted to be careful about this, he did not need another war on his hands.

“Look,” (Y/N) set down her pen, leaning back in her chair and finally making eye contact,“I’m sorry about your employee. But it had to be done.”

“Why?”

“Because he hurt one of my girls. A long time ago.”

“What did he do?”

“That’s not my story to tell. He’s lucky that he only got a few injuries.”

“A few injuries? He’s lost his eyesight and three fingers!” John wasn’t sure of this woman, but he felt anger in this moment.

“He lost his sight in one eye.”

John snarled at her, not believing his ears. What angered him more was the lustful look in Tommy’s eyes as he stared at her, scoffing as he realised this was not going to be resolved.

Tommy walked to the edge of the stage, surveying the place around him.“This is quite an establishment you’re running, miss (Y/N).”

“Thank you. I know it’s not as fancy as your betting store but it’s safe and warm, that’s all that matters.”

“You’ve got quite the reputation too. I just don’t understand why this couldn’t be resolved between us.”

“Because it had nothing to do with you. I understand why you’re pissed off but I was not going to involve anyone else.”

“I would have preferred-”

“I would prefer for my girls and I to not be hassled every day, but here we are.”

“Is that what this feels like?”

She said nothing, rising from her chair and standing in front of Tommy, holding her hands together behind her back. She didn’t need this today, their day had been long enough.

“It would seem that your men have been coming onto our turf since the incident. It has nothing to do-”

“One of their men have been threatened, been attacked, they’re going to want to intimidate you.”

“Have they not heard the stories about us?” one woman shouted out, others laughing or cheering with her.“You Peaky Blinders need to learn that women are not to be messed with.”

“Girls, that’s enough. I’m sure they’re aware of what we’re capable of by now.”

“Yes, which is why I have a proposition for you.”

“Oh?”

“I’ve seen what you do, you know what I do. We shouldn’t have any bad blood between us.”

“Tommy, she set her gang on one of our men!” John exclaimed.

“Nevertheless, she believes that there was good reason to.”

“She believes that.”

“Yes, but with the Tattooed Ladies increasing, perhaps it’s time we take a step forward and listen to them.”

(Y/N) scoffed.“Oh, how very thoughtful of you.”

“What I mean to say is that times are changing; I’m sure you’re happy about that. I want to end this feud before it even starts.” Tommy held out his hand for her to shake, eyes locked with hers.

(Y/N) crossed her arms over her chest, a sudden idea popping into her head.“Alright Mr Shelby, I have a suggestion.”

He retracted his hand, intrigued.

“I want to come and see how this whole Peaky Blinders business works. See the non-refined side of the Shelby’s. In return I’ll think about a truce.”

“You’ll ‘think about it’?” Arthur piped up.

She faced him.“Yes, depending on how you influence that decision.”

Tommy liked the etiquette to this woman. He liked the surprise of them all being proper ladies, despite the fact that they were brandished with tattoos and had formed a gang, beating up anyone who dared threaten them. It was different, it was dangerous...it was sexy. Tommy held out his hand again, a small smile appearing on his face as she shook it. John’s nostrils flared as he watched the interaction, Arthur staying silent and expressionless, still not knowing what to think of these ladies surrounding him; his Linda would definitely have something to say about it.

A week later, (Y/N) and two of her girls (Sherry and Ruth), found themselves in the middle of Small Heath, taking in the dark, grim atmosphere. They leaned against a house opposite the betting shop, watching as men flooded in and out, some coming back out happy, others infuriated. (Y/N) had never been one for betting, she didn’t want to take the risk, so why would men waste their money endlessly to just lose it all?

A younger looking lad exited the shop, sporting the peaky hat. The women watched as he walked up to them, all of them sharing a knowing look as they saw the intimidation on his face.

“Uh, you Miss (Y/N)?” he asked.

“Yep. What’s your name?” she asked.

“Finn Shelby.”

“Another one, hm? Guessing your brother sent you out here?”

“Yes. He’s wondering why you’re out here.”

“I guess that was a little rude. Come on ladies, let’s see what they have in store for us.”

Finn lead them inside, not quite believing his eyes when he first saw the Tattooed Ladies. As did all the other men in the shop, no one caring if the women caught them. But this didn’t bother (Y/N) or her girls, because they knew they could take out any one of them in a second. (Y/N) held up a hand to the girls, signalling for them to stay as she headed towards Tommy’s office. Finn opened the door for her, scurrying out as he closed it. Smiling to herself, she wondered if the young man would ever turn out like his brothers.

“Is it as nice on the outside as it is on the inside?” He asked, smoking a cigarette.

(Y/N) sat on the chair opposite his desk, looking up at him.“Yes actually.”

“Why didn’t you come in straight away? We were waiting.”

“Wanted to check out the place, get a feel for everything.”

“I see you brought company. Were all those women in London part of your gang?”

“No, there’s more us of, more than you actually.” she stood back up again, inspecting the room as she walked around.

Tommy watched her, slowly coming to stand behind her, trapping her between him and the bookshelf. He knew that she was a powerful woman, but he was a powerful man. (Y/N) intrigued him like no other woman had before, and he craved her ever since he laid eyes on her. However, she was also a difficult person to read, though instead of making Tommy frustrated, it made him want to work harder for her.

“Is that so? Think you could take over the Peaky Blinders?”

(Y/N) knew his game, and she wanted to play.

“Why? You scared Mr Shelby?” subtly tilting her hips backwards, she bit her lip as she came into contact with his crotch, feeling the rhythm of his breath change.

“On the contrary,” grabbing her hips, he whipped her around to face him, pinning her harder into the bookshelf,“I don’t want just a truce, I want a partnership.”

“I said I would think about the truce.”

“Think about how powerful we could be. With us working together, more ground could be covered.”

Their piercing eyes stared at each other, lustful tension building up inside them.

“Mr Shelby,” she straightened her back, making him step away slightly,“I don’t think my women would be happy with a partnership.”

“And why not? What is it about men that you all hate so much?”

“Remember when I said that I couldn’t tell you why we attacked your man? Well it was because they used to be together, a happy couple at first until he turned nasty. For some reason he changed, he started locking her up in their own home, forbidding her to go out unless he gave her permission. She was a prisoner, tortured whenever he came home and didn’t do as he asked. And all my other girls, they were somehow abused. Shelly was beaten up by her brother because she was ‘too loud’ and ‘disobedient’; and Ruth, she was thrown out of her home when she became ‘unladylike’. She’s the reason we’re called the Tattooed Ladies, it’s a clear sign of who we are and what we stand for. We won’t let men control us, and for those who can’t defend themselves, we do it for them.”

“And you? What happened to you?”

(Y/N) hesitated, realising that anger was evident all over her face. She hated what had happened to her gang, that was her whole reason for starting it, the tattoos just helped with their image, as well as portray their stories and feelings.

“My mother and father wanted me to marry a man much older than I, try to bring some money into the family. When I refused, and after the biggest argument known to man, I ran away. A part of me hoped that they would come looking after me, but one night when I decided to return, I saw them happily sitting in our drawing room, laughing with each other; it was as if they had never had a daughter in the first place.”

Tommy was shocked that she was opening up this much. He was ready to be met with a stoned faced refusal, having a backup plan to persuade her to make deal. But with this new information, he had a feeling that this might be easier than he thought. Maybe she realised that this would benefit her.

“A man took me in. He seemed so lovely, so charitable. I stayed with him nearer the city, got a job in a grocers, it was perfect. I never loved him, only as a friend anyway. But then he kept bringing around these friends of his. Sometimes they would stay for drinks, maybe dinner, then leave. It went on for weeks, and more and more different men came in. One night I had just got ready for bed when he knocked on my door, around five men standing behind him as he walked in. Turns out he wanted to use me for sex, an easy way to make money. I was lucky to get out of there without a single one touching me. That was the first time I killed someone.”

(Y/N)’s eyes showed deep pain, she was reflecting on what had happened, an incredibly painful past. Tommy wasn’t sure what to say, not always good with his words. (Y/N) took in a deep breath, a tight lipped smile on her face.

“But I don’t let it effect me, or bring me down. I won’t let it effect anything, not even the sex; it’s not something I need to be scared of, it’s something I do for fun.”

“That’s good to know.” he smirked, liking that she didn’t let the past get the best of her.“Now I want you to think very carefully about my proposition. We can help one another, there aren’t any cons to this.”

“Aren’t any cons? Aren’t we both technically con men?”

“You know what I mean.”

“You realise I can’t make a decision right this second. I need to discuss with my girls.”

“Of course.”

“But it was lovely to see you again Mr Shelby.”

She brushed past him, heading towards the door.

“Leaving already?”

“Unfortunately, business never stops, though you should know that.”

He nodded, not breaking eye contact.

“But I look forward to seeing you again, very soon.”

She left the door wide open as she exited, giving Tommy a view of her from behind. He watched as the rest of the men ogled the three women walking out, all of them erupting into chatter as they left. Miss (Y/N) was one heck of a woman, and he would be damned if he couldn’t seal this deal.

#tommy shelby #tommy shelby imagine #tommy shelby imagines #tommy shelby one shot #tommy shelby x reader #thomas shelby #peaky blinders #peaky blinders imagine #peaky blinders imagines #peaky blinders one shot #peaky blinders x reader #bbc #bbc peaky blinders #peaky blinders bbc

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the-space-above-the-stars · 5 years

Text

my name on your...

lee taeyong x reader

Summary: As a tattoo artist, you’ve seen a lot of weird requests in your shop. But something new is when the florist across the street stumbles into your shop drunk as all hell and in the market for his first tattoo.

Warnings: none, i mean drunk taeyong?

Genre: fluff, like entirely

Word Count: 1.7K

A/N: Requests are open!! This is based on an AU prompt I saw, but for the life of me, I cannot remember the URL of the person who put that post out, so if you see this, I’m sorry! Just a short fluffy thing.

Rubbing sleep out of your eyes, you put down your tattoo gun, wiping the last bit of excess ink off of your client’s arm before passing them a mirror. “There you go, Yeri, how do you like it?” You ask, crossing the room for the coffee pot you’ve set to brew. It was near midnight and Yeri, an old friend and new client came through your doors a few hours back asking for a tattoo.

“Wow, Y/N,” she gaped at the art on her arm, two intertwined snakes, one in black ink and one in white. “This looks awesome!”

“Here,” you wrapped a bandage over the slightly inflamed red skin around the tattoo. “Give that a few weeks before you go swimming, take a bath, or go into a hot tub, okay? If you think something’s wrong, just come back, I’m usually here.”

“Okay!” She grabbed her bag and with a wave, was out the door. Silence falls over the shop as you finish your coffee, heading back to the small workspace in the backroom where you threw up some ideas for designs. The walls were covered with tacked up drawings of tattoo designs you had done in your sketchbook. If you really liked them, you would redraw them more neatly and hang them up outside.

Recently most of the drawings are flowers, a byproduct of your time spent drawing inside the florist’s just across the street. The shop was owned by Lee Taeyong, a boy around your age who was kind enough to let you come in and hang around the shop to sketch the flowers he arranged. He was shy, kind, and made incredible displays. Another fact was that he was drop dead, absolutely, positively, gorgeous and you had more than a few drawings of his stunning profie in your sketchbook.

You pull another page from your sketchpad, several different sprigs of lightly etched wildflowers. Taeyong had a special bouquet set up for a customer, a personal friend and had gladly allowed you a few pictures to sketch it. It was nice, and you picked up your pen and a piece of paper.

You had barely laid down the first line of the drawing when the sound of a bell ringing alerted you to the door opening. Just afterwards, a small crash and what sounded like some cuss words. Rushing outside, your eyes darted around to assess the damage to your shop, but there seemed to be nothing there.

Except for a blue haired mess sprawled out on your floor clutching their side. “Hey man, are you okay?” Rushing forward to help them, you noticed that they were very obviously drunk, stumbling as you helped them into a chair. “Do you need- Taeyong?”

“Yes?” The boy hiccuped and laughed, kicking his feet like a toddler. “Hey, you’re the girl that comes in to draw my flowers, right?”

“Yeah, bud-” you didn’t finish as his attention shifted from you to your tattoo gear in the tray next to him, picking up the gun. “Uh, Taeyong, did you get drunk alone?”

“No, uh, Mark was there, I think, I remember someone saying “let’s get it” but that could be Haechan imitating Mark or it could be Jaehyun, oh wait, maybe it was Lucas! But the voice was kinda quiet, so maybe Jungwoo? Wait, no, Doyoung was there! I remember cuz he drove us there. Did you know Doyoung doesn’t drink beer-”

“No, I did not know that,” you tried to stifle your laughter at this drunk man-child, putting your tattoo gear a safe distance away. “Okay, so you didn’t drink alone, did you walk here? Just nod or shake your head.” He gave you an overly exaggerated nod of his head, eyes drifting to the designs on the wall.

“Did you draw all these?” His eyes were wide with curiosity as he stood up, stumbling over his own feet as he reached the wall. “Wow, you’re talented and pretty-oh shit,” he giggled, not aware of the way your face was flushed bright red. “You’re not supposed to tell a girl you think she’s cute, right? I don’t know, Johnny told me that. Should I trust him, he’s pretty tall, so- hey! Can you give me a tattoo?”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, buddy,” you try to evade, the kill bill sirens of unethical business going through your head. “I don’t think you signing the forms while you’re drunk is very legal.”

“I’m not drunk!” He pouted, sitting back down in the chair and tucking his feet up under him.

“Okay, how many fingers am I holding up?” You held up three fingers, and unexpectedly, he reached forward and grabbed your hand, counting each finger off.

“Three! Can I get a tattoo now? Renjun went out with Jeno and Jaemin to get a tattoo on his ass, he almost actually went through with it- wait, was that your shop?”

“No, Taeyong, I’m pretty sure I would have remembered that. And I wouldn’t recommend an ass tattoo-”

“But I want an ass tattoooo,” he whines, head falling back on the chair.

“What do you even want tattooed on your ass?” You grabbed another cup of coffee, and an extra for him.

“What’s your name again?” He slurred, suddenly entranced with the pop-socket on the back of his phone.

“Y/N.”

“Okay, I’ll get that. Cuz you did the tattoo, might as well be your own name.”

“Okay, Taeyong, first of all, chug this.” He took the coffee and took a sip, pouting at the bitterness. “Please? For me?” Still pouting, he finished the coffee. “Okay, now can you give me your phone, please? unlocked, I need to call your friends.” He fumbled through his pockets and found the slightly cracked iPhone, passing it to you. “Okay, I’m going to call your friends to pick you up, just wait here.”

“What about the tattoo?” He grabs your hand as you turn, stopping you swiftly. Why were his reflexes still good when he was fucking drunk off his ass?

“Okay, I don’t know how to explain this simply, but basically if I give you the tattoo now, you’re going to not like it when you wake up in the morning. So go home with your friends, go to sleep, and if you still want my name on your...on your ass, you can come over and I’ll tattoo you.”

“kay,” he lets go and you go through his contacts until you find Doyoung. It fings twice before someone picks up.

“Hello?”

“Hello? Taeyong?”

“Um, hi, this is Y/N, I own the tattoo parlor opposite Taeyong’s shop, is this Doyoung?”

“This is he. What did he do, I’m so sorry, we just turned around for one second and he was gone-”

“Doyoungggg!” Taeyong calls from the front of the shop, catching on to who you’re on the phone with. “Hiiiiii, I’m getting a tattoo!”

“You’re not really giving him a tattoo, are you?”

“No, god, I’m not crazy. Can you come pick him up?”

“Yeah, we’re almost there, we just left the bar.” He hangs up and you pass Taeyong his phone.

“Y/N, can I tell you another secret?” He whispers, even though there’s no one around. “I really like it when you come to draw my flowers. You look really pretty.”

“Really, Taeyong?”

“Yeah,” he nods expressively. “When you’re drawing, your eyebrows do this thing where they just-” he squishes his own eyebrows together. “And your hair keeps falling in your eyes, it’s really cute.”

“Thanks, Taeyong. You’re kinda cute yourself.” A black car pulls out, three guys coming out. “Are those your friends?”

“Oh, yeah! HI DOYOUNG, HI JAEHYUN, HI MARK- OH, it was Mark who was saying let’s get it!” Jaehyun and Mark help Taeyong up, the tpsy boy immediately pulling them both into a hug. “I love you guys sometimes,” he mumbles, and- wait, is he crying?”

Doyoung, flustered and obviously worried, shakes your hand. “Thanks for looking out for him, he didn’t do anything too weird, did he?”

“Uh, well except for asking for a tattoo of my name on his ass, no, perfectly normal drunk person.” Doyoung thanks you once more and gets into the car.

“BYE, Y/N!” Taeyong waves through the window and you wave back as the car drives around the corner and out of sight, finally exhaling.

*** The next morning, you’re almost done with a girl getting her boyfriend’s name on her neck- a choice you’re sure she’s going to regret- when Taeyong walks in, wearing heavy sunglasses and holding a bouquet of flowers. “Hey Taeyong, give me a minute here.” He nods, somewhat meekly and takes a seat as you wipe away the excess ink and give the girl the normal post-tattoo warnings before she heads out. “How’s the head?” You ask, taking a seat at the reception desk.

“Hurts every time I look at anything that isn’t black. Uh, these are for you,” He sets the pretty arrangement of yellow tulips on the desk. “For an apology for bursting in on you drunk and asking for an ass tattoo of your name- I was way too drunk-”

“Taeyong,” you laugh, taking the flowers. “It’s okay. Honestly, I’ve had sober clients come in asking for weirder things. The flowers are beautiful, thank you.”

“I didn’t do anything else last night, did I?”

“Uh well, you called me pretty, like twice, but I think that’s about it.” His face flushes a deep red, and you can’t help but smile. “And I don’t know if that’s just the alcohol talking-” “It’s not!” He stutters as a clarification, getting even redder. “I mean- okay, I’m not trying to make this even worse for myself, but I think you’re really pretty, Y/N, and I’ll let myself out now.” He turns to leave, but stumbles when you lean over and grab his sleeve.

“That’s good,” you grin at the bewildered look on his face, your laugh breathy. “Because I, for one, think you’re really pretty as well, Taeyong.”

A/N: this is short, but i kinda like it. it’s chill. Requests are open!

#taeyong #lee taeyong #long flight #nct taeyong #nct lee taeyong #nct u #nct 127 #nct 127 taeyong #nct u taeyong #lee taeyong x reader #taeyong x reader #nct taeyong x reader #reader insert #x reader #taeyong fanfiction #lee taeyong fanfic

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undertaleartistshit · 4 years

Text

Ao3 link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/23186284/chapters/60573760#workskin

Aaand the next chapter of my fanfic is out! Btw, does anyone know how to put it under a cut? Cuz idk how 👀

____________

Chapter 2: Morning Meeting

The loud, repetitive beeping of the alarm shook Ink out of his slumber. He didn't dare open his eyes, his head felt too groggy and hazy to even think about properly waking up, however his alarm didn't fail its job of annoying him awake. Despite having no true emotions and having to rely on bottles of paint to feel, Ink made it day to day acting - almost - like a normal monster. He was happy, sassy, bright, he got annoyed *very* easily, and... he was forgetful. Was that an emotion? Ink didn't know, no one ever told him. No one explained exactly what feelings were to him. Since he FELT forgetful, he just assumed it was a feeling everyone got, just like happiness or sadness or whatever else.

Ink opened his eyes to a ceiling marbled silver and gold and walls filled with papers and ideas, sketches mostly. Color peeked through every few inches, giving the room an incomplete feeling and giving Ink the adequate motivation to get up. He hated incomplete things, hated the way it made his head ache and his spine tingle and his chest tighten. He switched the alarm off, wincing at the bright red colored numbers. 6:30. He slid his legs off the bed onto the hardwood floor, not bothering to make the bed. By his logic he was going to sleep in it again in a few hours and felt no reason to waste time on tidying it. Although it was quite contradictory to his hate of incompletion, Ink just didn't have the energy to care about the bed. It wasn't like magic or a drawing; sometimes it doesn't do what you want it to. Some days the fabric is just wrinkly, for example.

He stood up slowly, careful to not jostle his skull too much, and wove his way through the stacks of notebooks and papers and whatnot, careful not to knock anything over as he made his way to the door, the only think uncovered by paper. He took his sash off of the hanger set off to the side and made his way through the house to the living room. It was empty.

Ink was then hit with the memory of the previous night, realizing his mistake far to late.

Meanwhile, Blue was already awake in his tidy room, silently scribbling away ideas and plans at his large desk. He rarely needed sleep and he considered himself lucky, for the most part. He had only slept 3 hours the night before, but he didn't dare go to the kitchen or turn on any significant light source, in case Dream was awake. Dream was like an older and overprotective sibling, however Blue refrained from considering Dream a brother.

He wrote down idea after idea, answer after question, in beautiful cursive handwriting. He was almost done when a soft alarm went off in his pocket. He took out his rather modern phone, shutting off the buzzing immediately. He sighed softly, looking at the time. 6:30 already. Unlike the other Star Sanses and despite what people thought about Blue, he preferred to keep his phone on a dark setting and color scheme. In fact, most objects in his room where either a soft neutral color or a darker color. His eyes didn't burn that way.

He stood up, putting his pen down and pulling out a sweatshirt to wear instead of a tang top. It reminded him of his battle body. He never put it on anymore. He was pretty sure he burned it or at least tossed it. In the past. He shook his head, pulling the grey article of clothing over his skull and left the room soundlessly. He wasn't in the mood to get snapped at by either of his teammates, and no amount of them saving him could put him in the mood for that.

He stopped before going into the living room, taking a second to stop and self reflect. He was still riled up from being kidnapped just two days ago, plus last night's argument between Dream and Ink, and he needed some time to calm himself. He couldn't go into battle like this or even simply have a civilized discussion without his survival instincts kicking in. He had to tell Ink and Dream about it but he had no idea how the two would react. He wanted to put it off but if something happened than he would have no choice. Despite this, he decided to wait.

Blue casually strolled into the room, sitting down besides Ink on the couch, who seemed to be just... blah. "Mornin' Blue," Ink mumbled with a sour biting tone. "Good morning, Ink. Did you sleep well?" Blue inquired softly, keeping his naturally attention seeking voice low. Ink let out a 'hmpf', and let his head flop backwards. "I got sleep but there was no quality to it, if you understand what I mean." Blue didn't quite know what he meant, but he nodded believably anyways.

Dream suddenly walked into the room with a bright and happy pace. "Up and at 'em you two! We have things to do today." Ink groaned rather dramatically, and Blue sighed in frustration. Blue was generally a bright and happy person, but... today he was just so out of it. He was recovering, for Christ's sake. He wasn't happy about being kidnapped at all, and he had a lot on his mind lately.

But, being him, Blue reflected a bit on what the other two are dealing with. First off, they were immortal GODS who needed to protect and help the millions of AUs out in their Multiverse at any cost. That was already almost a good enough reason to spare them a lecture. And Blue could see why having an active mortal ally would be stressful to deal with, especially when going up against the Dark Sanses, who are by far the most dangerous beings out there. The two Gods had to watch their FRIEND get manhandled and get beaten within an inch of his life every single time they went out to fight. It must be hard on them. But Blue had to really wonder for a second. If they cared so much about him, why would they leave him to get kidnapped? The way it happened was quite stereotypical.

Before Blue could start becoming self conflicted, and start another argument within himself, a screeching ringing startled the three skeletons out of any security and peace they'd found in the last few minutes. Dream flinched harshly and wiped his head to the side and glared at the telephone with an intensity that could slice diamond. Blue had a deep blue bone club materialized in his hand in an instant, his stance tense and ready to strike at a moment's notice. Ink had his paintbrush in hand, his eyes already red, pointed and alert, his body language radiating an aura that could startle the most conditioned soldier.

But it was just a telephone call. After a few moments of just sitting there staring daggers and curses into the poor phone, Blue huffed and flopped back down on the couch with a soft thud and dissipated his club. Ink relaxed soon after, not dismissing his brush yet, and Dream grabbed the phone swiftly, not wasting another second. "Hello?... Uh, yes, we have plenty of time... Yes, we're all here toge..." Dream trailed off and his eyesockets widened, a glimmer of happiness dancing across his face. Blue and Ink looked curiously at their teammate, the two sensing either mischief or pure and utter relief and joy coming their way. Or maybe both.

"OHMYGOSHYESI'LLTELLTHEMASAP" Dream blurted, looking at Blue and Ink with a stupid wide grin. "Core found a lot of useful information about the concert thing. They said that they are actually pretty proud of their work!!" Ink cocked a bone brow in confusion and spoke with a cautious tone. "It's great they found that but... what do you mean that they're 'actually proud'? Core loves all the things that they help with."

Blue looked at the two skeletons with a tired glance. "Nevermind that Ink, make a portal already," Dream snapped and quivered with excitement. Ink rolled his eyes and and stood up with his brush, making a portal to Core. Core took a step into the room with a stack of notebooks, binders, and papers and smiled politely. "Nice to see you all again. I have some useful info."

The Star Sanses all smiled softly, except Dream, who was practically vibrating with pure euphoria. "Please sit down on the couch, Core!" Dream grinned as he ushered the monochrome seer to the couch. Dream wedged his way between Ink and Blue, hissing at the latter quietly to scoot. He patted the remaining space besides him for Core, who smiled brightly and laid their stuff out on the empty coffee table in front of them.

Blue blinked a bit, listening as Core started to explain and habitually ignoring Dream's rude gesture. It wasn't a full on conversation, so it was somewhat easier for Blue to follow. Everyone settled in, patiently listening. "So," Core began.

"I have gathered some information about the concert, and although it isn't much to go off of, it's enough to give an idea about how... well, in honesty how thought out this entire event is. First off, general stuff. The place is set in an empty AU, titled "\\\\\tale" and has 3 fixated portal ports, presumably for crowd control. It is accessible by every AU, which may be a problem with culture clash and whatnot. And the date and time is pretty straightforward, maybe they rely on people to translate timezones? We may need to do our part in sending out important points to others if that's the case. The music selection will mostly consist of EDM, house, alternative rock, electro, and remixes of all sorts of other things. Any more info is in these files here."

Ink interrupted quickly. "Uh, I've never heard of \\\\\tale. What is it?" Core hummed for a second, than reached towards a binder, flipping through organized pages filled with notes and a greyscale color spectrum. After a while, Core ran their finger across a line or two, their lips moving ever so slightly in sync. "Oh, it's just an empty copy. Nothing dangero-"

Ink coughed, and pushed away from the three on the couch, and puked putred black ink all over the light colored carpet. Blue made a somewhat frustrated, somewhat skeptical grunting sound, and raced to the closest closet to grab cleaning supplies before the ink stained the carpet. Well, badly, anyways. Dream rushed over to Ink, holding him up a bit while Core sped off to the kitchen with a pitiful "oh dear".

Core scurried back to the living room with a rag and a glass of water in tow. Blue waited until Ink was safely seated on the couch before he began cleaning the carpet vigorously, spraying anti-stain detergent onto the pale flooring, and not holding back with scrubbing. This almost reminded him of the honey-stained floors of his bro's... Blue resisted the urge to knock on his head to erase those past-thoughts out.

Ink rubbed his head, mumbling a soft apology. "Uh..." Ink started slowly. "What were we talking about again..?" Blue sighed, and muttered quiet annoyed curses to himself. Before anyone else could react, Ink glared at Blue, albeit hazily, and he growled defensively. "What's *your* problem..?" Blue glanced up at Ink with a blank expression. "Ink, I'm sorry, but the last few days have been a bit hard on me, and you and Dream as well. I didn't want to deal with your... uh... condition, so to speak on top of everything else."

Ink paused, his facial expression unreadable. Then, slowly but surely, it twisted into confusion. "What the heck happened? And you mean the puking thing right?" Blue sighed and inquired with a gentle but firm tone, balancing between patient and angry, "Do you remember ANYTHING about the concert?" Ink's eyes narrowed in suspicious perplexity, and he shook his head. Blue huffed, picking the cleaning supplies back up and placing them back where they belonged.

Dream sighed softly, putting his hand on the back of his fellow immortal. "Ink, I'll fill you in on what happened." Blue sat down in his spot, Core sitting down next to the former. Ink stared at Blue for a second, as Blue stared at nothingness with an exhausted expression. "Blue...?" Dream asked after noticing his teammates vacant air. Blue looked at the people on the couch with him, and slowly voiced his concern. "We need to work on Ink's memory." Ink looked somewhat offended, but before Blue could elaborate his reasoning, Ink blurted out in outrage.

"Yeah, you think I haven't tried?! I've tried taking notes, sending it on my phone, using connections to things or whatever!" Blue blinked at the outburst, surprised Ink got furious about such a thing. He wasn't exactly a self conscious person... maybe feelings from the fight with Dream last night were putting pressure on his already poor self control. "Well, uh... maybe there's something we haven't tried yet..?" Blue suggested. Blue felt rather helpless. Maybe he should have waited until Ink was filled in on the situation before pointing out the age-old nuisance that plagued his mind.

Ink scoffed, averting his eyes from Blue, with a shaky hiss. "Even if there were alternatives... I don't want to hear them right now. I. Don't. Care." Blue stiffened at the tone, that phrase always seemed to bring back memories after all. He took a deep breath, and-

"Ink, please calm yourself!" Dream begged. Blue blinked and nodded in agreement. "Please?" Ink glared at Blue and Dream. An eternity of silence and harsh tension passed. There was only hostility and anger in Ink's gaze. He was truly offended that Blue thought that it was an easy thing to fix.

Blue was... not in a good mindset. He wanted to smack Ink for not using his brain, he felt like crying or screaming. He wanted to snap at the others for not prioritizing such a huge problem that really needed to be fixed. He was so frustrated and stressed, and he was just so overwhelmed. He was sad and hurt that Ink turned on him so fast as well.

Dream and Core sat helplessly as Ink continued with his rant. "You know what? NO!" he screamed at Blue, grabbing his upper arm with a steely death grip. Dream gasped, reaching out to Ink to make him stop, but Ink pushed him back down. "Dude what the-" Blue panicked. It was too familiar. Too close. Too parental.

Core sat uselessly on the couch. They were worried out of their mind, as well as Dream, but they simply didn't know any of the skeletons, besides Ink, to do anything for them in the situation. If they said something, they were truly worried about the repercussions that would stem from Ink later on.

Blue struggled to get away from the Protector's angry grasp, his mind tittering between pure panic and a sense of normalcy. Ink dragged Blue to a back room. Dream sprinted after the two other skeletons before jumping and holding Ink in place. He could sense that all Ink wanted to do was to hurt Blue, and it made Dream *sick*. Blue released himself from Ink, running to his room before he had the chance to get caught again.

"ALL I WANTED TO TO WAS TALK TO HIM IN A SEPARATE ROOM!" Ink screamed at Dream and he tried to struggle out of his companion's grip. Dream held on tighter and said in a calming voice. "No, you didn't. You wanted to hurt him all because he wanted to get rid of your memory problem. He didn't know it would offend you." Ink still struggled, although too a much lesser degree. "C-c'mon Dream! That was a horrible time to bring it up though! Give me some credit here!" Dream squeezed tighter. "You don't deserve credit here, Inky. Calm down, please." Ink stopped struggling, and began to melt into the tight grip. "I... I'm so sorry..." he whispered. "You need to apologize to Blue, not me. But I forgive you anyways! And, uh, give Blue a minute to cool off before talking. He's probably really mad." Dream released his hug, and looked at Ink as Ink smiled. "Ok.."

The two walked back to the living room where Core was sitting. Dream was beginning to shake as he sat down on the couch, and Core noticed. "Dream..?" Core asked fearfully. "I'm fi... fine..." The sentence started out confident, but then Dream shivered and collapsed on Ink, who was beside him. Ink flinched, as he started to panic as well. "Uh??" Ink's confused voice rasped. "Oh. Uh. Dream probably passed out because of the abundance of negative emotions," Core commented calmly. "It would make sense after all."

Ink nodded, getting up after shrugging Dream off of his side onto the couch so that he was laying where Ink was formerly sitting. Core got off of the couch, lifting Dream's legs up and helped Ink shift Dream's unconscious form into a seemingly comfortable position. A blanket was draped over Dream, and the Guardian of Positivity's golden crown was removed and placed on the table.

Meanwhile, Blue laid on his bed, experiencing one of the worst panic attacks he's ever had. He was in the past, and the present and future paid him no mind.

~~~[]~~~

Hate, worry, apprehension, fear, anxiety, panic, frustration, anger, nervousness, sadness, and betrayal.

Nightmare's single resting eye opened from his slumber. He took a deep breath, relieved at the singular negative emotions coming from an unknown source. He stood from his simple bed, leaving and walking towards the kitchen, where his fa-... minions were eating breakfast.

"Mornin' Boss!" Cross grinned. "Good morning everyone," Nightmare greeted, walking to the coffee machine, by which Horror was leaning on the counter, his singular eyesight fixated on the filling pot. "What's gotten you up so early?" Horror inquired, slowly. He was never a quick speaker, and the gang respected that. "You're one to talk," Killer snickered. Everyone responded with various levels of laughter and chuckles. "Well," Nightmare began. "I woke up because there was a huge influx of negative emotions from some random unknown place. And I have a feeling that if we go there, we can really fuck up whoever has those feeling, y'know?"

Dust grinned creepily. "Soo you're saying this isn't a slaughter, but a torture?" Nightmare chuckled, "That's one way of putting it. I have the coordinates so we can go right after breakfast. I've never seen code like it before though, we should be careful." All the Sanses agreed, as they began to cook and sip on their preferred drinks.

Little do they know...

#undertale #blue #sans #underswap #dreamtale #a #a litte big dance #ink #ink sans #nightmare sans #dust #killer #horror #cross

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darkvolley · 5 years

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I have finally finished transcribing the XemSai werewolf fic I wrote from when I was 12. It’s not actually finished but I don't plan on doin that. I’m kinda only posting it as a shitpost anyway. So don’t try to critique it. It’s very out of character to the point Xemnas is basically a hyper empathic twink, and I’m not exaggerating that. It’s also not formatted cuz I wanted to keep that genuine historical 12 year old from 2012’s fanfic in a school notebook feel. The only things changed are spelling errors, grammar mistakes, and missing words. Otherwise it’s all directly transported right out of 2012. And trust me, this thing hurts me or than it hurts you. (Thoughts didn't stay in italics during the copy paste from Google Docs and I don't wanna fix it, let alone ever look at this thing again.)

A lone blue beast raced through the forest, crunching leaves and twigs it stepped on as it tried to escape. Suddenly the blue beast was surrounded by five others. They inched closer to it with every passing moment, deep growling emitting from the blue one. With a loud roar the supposed leader, a black and white beast, lunged forward and slashed its claws in an 'x’ on the blue's face. All at once three of the others charged at the defenseless beast. The red one chomped down furiously on the petrified blue's left hind leg. The only female bit hard upon its ear, causing the blue to yelp. A more younger, dark blonde one dug his claws into its backside, the beast finally collapsing. The youngest, still a pup, watched from the sidelines as the leader pawed at the fallen beast. The four trotted away, then the female turned, growling when she noticed the blue's nose twitch. The beast's eyes opened and it lifted his head. It barked at the female, which she responded with a low growl. “I'm sorry.” The barks spoke. “It's too late for apologies, you betrayed us and we did what we had to do to protect the pack.” The female growled. “You go against one of us and you go against all us. You should know that more than any of us, Saix.” The leader barked as he and his followers ran off back to the pack and left the blue all alone to die.

“Xemnas! Hurry up!” Vexen yelled. Six boys were running home after school so they could get their work done and hang out together at the park. The only problem… “Xemnas. Do we need to carry you?” Marluxia asked. Xemnas can't run. “No Marly, I can keep running.” Why does my house have to be on the other side of the forest? He was lying on the ground, a leaf stuck in his hair, breathing heavily and trying to regain himself. Zexion crouched down to face Xemnas. “You need to get in shape, Superior.” Zexion taunted, adding his 'go-by name’ that most of them called him. “Oh shut up Zexion. Just leave me here for a little while, I'll catch up later. He requested. They all respected his request and left to their own homes. After several minutes, Xemnas sat up and removed the leaves from his hair. He became silent for a moment, listening to the sounds of nature. He heard the birds chirping, squirrels climbing up trees, leaves falling off their branches, and a quiet whimpering noise from far away. Whimpering? Xemnas stood up and tried to listen carefully to where the noise was coming from. He tried to follow the noise until it became so loud, no one could miss it. He reached towards a bush, the sound of growling startled him and he flinched, taking his hand back. He grabbed part of the bush again and parted the branches to reveal a big, blue, bloody dog. Xemnas gasped and backed up at the sight of the large odd colored canine. The beast had long blue fur that looked like hair a human girl would have. A large bloody wound on its face that resembled an 'x’ was the most prominent feature on the beast. More injuries such as a small portion of his right ear was missing. It was also odd that it had floppy ears with piercings rather than pointed, like Xemnas always saw on wild dogs in the area. Its left hind-leg had a large bite wound that looked like it wouldn't stop bleeding for a long time. Claw marks on his right side stained the fur on it's back with blood. The dog was growling furiously at Xemnas in fear of being hurt anymore than it already had been. “It's okay big fella, I won't hurt you.” Xemnas spoke softly and reached his hand out. The blue canine didn't stop growling but seemed to only be trying to scare Xemnas rather than warn him of getting bitten. Xemnas ignored the attempt at scaring him and took a risk, he gently placed his hand on the beast's head. He waited a moment so that the blue could get used to his hand and accept it. The blue's growling became quieter, knowing that for now he would not be harmed, but still keeping his guard up just incase. Xemnas patted his hand on the blue's head and the growling seemed to abruptly stop all together. “You poor thing you. Who could have done such a terrible thing to a guy like you? You're so cute and fluffy I can't think of any reason someone might want to hurt you. And look at this blood, you must be in severe pain.” The blue whimpered slightly and nudged into Xemnas's touch. He moved his hands to scratch behind its ears. The beast's tail wagged at the fluffy feeling and barked happily. Xemnas jumped slightly at the loud noise the blue made and giggled, lifting its head up. “You need a name big guy.” Xemnas thought aloud. He studied the blue fur a moment, several names ran through his head like X, that's probably not even a name, Fluffy, too girly and over used, Woolfie, he wasn't even sure if the beast was a wolf, and Buddy, too common just like fluffy. Then it hit him. “I'll call you Blu!” He cheered. 'Blu’ turned his head to the side and did a quick little bark as if he was testing out his new name. “So you like the name?” Xemnas asked, getting a tail wag and hand nudge in response. “Glad you like it Blu. I'm-” “Xemnas!” He heard Marluxia calling his name. “Superior, where are you?” Xaldin shouted. “Sorry Blu, I-I gotta go.” Xemnas said. Blu whimpered and let his ears droop. Xemnas got up to leave but Blu pawed at his leg. “I'll come back tomorrow to see you, I promise. Blu.” Xemnas looked down at Blu and patted him on the head. “Superior, is that you?” Luxord asked. Xemnas ran over to his friends and they all walked away from the area. Xemnas turned back to see Blu laying behind the bush, his wounds still bleeding slightly. “Superior, why are you covered in blood?” Lexaeus asked. “Hmm, what? I'm not- oh, this is- uh- it's… not blood. It's, uh red ink. I-I dropped my pen and when I tried to pick it back up, it broke and red ink got everywhere. Why did you think it was blood?” Xemnas lied, that last sentence to be as a distraction. “Yeah Lex, why did you think you think it looked like blood?” Marluxia repeated Xemnas's question. While everyone was pestering Lex, Xemnas took a quick look at himself. His black jacket had blood at the bottom and on the sleeves. His pants also had blood and it even on his hands. “Poor Blu.” Xemnas whispered. Zexion, who had a great sense of smell, abruptly stopped his own Lex pestering and sniffed the air. “It is blood!” He shouted. Everyone stopped where they were, leaving Marluxia, Luxord, and Lexaeus in a rather odd position, and stared at Xemnas. He turned to face the others’ rather terrifying stares. “Superior, what is it that you're not telling us?” Vexen asked. And with that, Xemnas ran all the way to his house with his cat and grandfather waiting. “Why is he acting so weird?” Xaldin asked.

Ch.2

Before the bell rang Xemnas checked his backpack for the bazillionth time today just to make sure all his supplies were there. He took a couple medical supplies from his grandfather's office to bring to Blu so he can try and he him. Zipping up his bag, the bell rang and everyone left the room to get home. Walking out of the classroom he went right past all his friends and headed straight for the woods to go see Blu. “Hey, Superior! Where ya going?” Luxord called out. “Woods. That's where. Don't wait up, don't follow me. I got some private stuff I need to do.” Xemnas yelled at them in a hurry, too busy to turn around. He walked out of the school zone and entered the woods. Xemnas couldn't quite remember where he was when he found Blu, only that the bush was next to the biggest tree in the woods. Unfortunately, it always felt like the tree was in a different place every time you visit. Xemnas wandered around for quite awhile. He started getting more concerned for Blu and searched every nook and cranny in the woods. “Blu, Blu where are you? Bark if you can hear me!” Xemnas called out, but received no reply. I hope you're okay, Blu. He walked into a rather bright part of the woods where the sky had shown through all day and night. Xemnas looked high into the sky and saw the top of a large tree. He headed towards the tree in a desperate attempt to help Blu. Eventually he stopped and could see the tree a far ways away. “Blu! Are you there Blu?” He yelled. A bush to his right rustled and startled Xemnas. “Blu, is that you?” He asked. “Superior, who's Blu?” Emerging from the bush was Xemnas's closest friend, Xaldin. “Xaldin? Wha-what are you doing here?” Xemnas asked. “Well we all got worried about you so I agreed to follow you and see what you were up to.” Xaldin explained. “You really shouldn't get involved, Xaldin. I'm not even sure of what I'm doing is okay.” Xemnas warned. “What are you doing? Does this have anything to do with what or who Blu is?” Xaldin questioned. “Listen, it's nothing against you or the others but, I just don't want you guys getting involved. I really think it's for the best if you just go home and leave me to my own business.” Xemnas told him, which obviously upset Xaldin. “What could be so private that you can't let us know, not even me, and I've known you longer than all of the others!” At this point, the two friends were getting furious at each other. “If you wanna know so bad then I'll tell you! I saw a wild dog yesterday that was hurt really bad and so today I brought some medical supplies to help him and I didn't want you guys to find out because I knew you would want me to stay away from Blu because he could be dangerous and I don't care about that, I just want to help him because there's something special about Blu, I just know it. I even felt this weird connection with him, like we needed each other somehow!” Xemnas finished his long explanation and breathed heavily from the loud, fast yelling at his friend. Xaldin just stood there for a moment, certainly confused from the speed his friend was talking inm “You… found a wild dog, and it was hurt?” Xemnas, finally collecting his breath, stood upright and cleared his mind. “Yes Xaldin, I found a wild dog and he's hurt. Are you going to tell me to leave it alone and let nature take its course or not tell a soul and help?” Xemnas desperately awaited a response, hoping that his friend wouldn't tell an adult. “Superior,” Xaldin started, “if you really believe you can help the animal, then be my guest. As long as I get to help.” Xemnas ran up to Xaldin and gave him a big hug. “Thank you Xaldin!” He simply patted Xemnas on the back and smiled. “So where is this 'Blu’ at, Superior?” Xaldin asked. “I found him in a bush near The Tree That Never Was.” Xemnas answered, pointing towards the giant oak tree. “Then let's go get him.” Xaldin replied. They both walked for a few minutes towards the tree, which got bigger the closer they got to it. The reason it was named The Tree That Never Was is because long ago the townspeople chopped down the only oak tree in the forest and over night three appeared the way it is, a forty foot tree just popped up overnight. They reached the tree and stopped for a moment. “So where's Blu?” Xaldin asked. “Somewhere around here. Blu shouldn't be that difficult to find. He is blue after all.” At the sound of Blu's name being said so by Xemnas, a low bark was heard nearby. Xemnas ran from the tree and towards the bark. He called Blu's name again and another bark was heard. Xaldin walked near a bush and a loud roar erupted from behind the bush. The roar scared Xaldin to the ground. From behind the bush a big blue dog limped out, its fangs barred and it growled deeply. Blood covered most of the face and back and it couldn't even place its leg on the ground. Xemnas ran in front of Xaldin and guarded him. “Blu calm down, he's my friend, he won't hurt you. I came back just like I promised and I can help you too.” Blu stopped growling and his tail was wagging like a puppy's. “See Xaldin, he's only scared. He's just trying to protect himself.” “Then why isn't he growling at you?” Xaldin asked. “He trusts me and knows I want to help him.” Xemnas replied. He walked over to the dog and scratched behind his ears. “What happened to him?” Xaldin asked. “I'm not really sure, but maybe he was attacked by people, or other wild dogs.” Xemnas answered. He took off his backpack and opened it up to reveal all the medical supplies. “Where did you get that stuff?” Xaldin asked. “I got them from my grandfather's office. He locked himself in his lab again today so I took them for Blu.” Xemnas pulled out some peroxide and poured some on Blu's face wound who flinched and whimpered. “So what are you gonna do with Blu, take him home with you or something?” Xaldin inquired. “You and questions, I swear. But that is something to consider. Maybe I should take him home with me.” Xemnas bandaged up Blu's head and moved to the side to treat the wound on his right. “That's a crazy idea! What if he freaks out and kills your cats or bites your grandfather, or your dad, maybe even your brother if he comes to visit! What if he bites YOU!?” Xaldin freaked out, the worst case scenarios running through his mind. Xemnas, who was unfazed by Xaldin's concern continued to treat Blu by moving onto heal his damaged leg. “Xaldin calm down, Blu isn't a threat to Terra, Vanitas, Grandfather, Dad, Ansem, or me. Blu is too nice. You like cats, right Blu?” Surprisingly, Blu let out a deep bark in response. Unfortunately, they couldn't tell if Blu was agreeing or disagreeing with what Xemnas said. “I still don't completely trust Blu. What are you gonna tell your grandfather, how are you even going to get him to your place if he can barely walk? And you do realize tomorrow's Saturday so you won't be able to see him.” Xaldin informed the other teen. “I know that if Grandfather finds him I'll be in big trouble, but I think I have an idea for a way to get him to my house today without making him walk.” Xemnas moved on to fix Blu’s ear though he couldn't do much since part of it was ripped off. “What are you planning Superior?” Xaldin asked. “Well, you remember that red wagon I had that we would ride down the street in, right?” Xaldin nodded and Xemnas continued. “I'm gonna go home and get the wagon while you stay here and watch Blu.” “What! I don't trust that beast! What if it attacks me, what if he runs away, what if-” “Fine, you go to my house and get the wagon while I stay here and watch Blu. He actually trusts me, unlike you trusting him ya big sissy.” “...I'll watch Blu.” “That's what I thought.” Xemnas walked out of the woods and back to his house. He went in and placed his backpack in his room. He searched in the garage for the wagon and when he couldn't find it, he headed straight to his grandfather's lab. Xemnas knocked on the door which opened by itself. He stepped in and looked around. His cats were in the lab and meowed at each other. The brown cat, Terra, walked towards the back of the room and pawed at a red shelf on the floor. Looking at it, Xemnas realized it was the wagon and his grandfather borrowed it to put some jars full of samples on. Xemnas walked over to the wagon and patted Terra on the head then removed the jars from the wagon. He wheeled it out of the house and down the street to the woods. He felt his phone vibrate in his pocket and checked it to see that he had a text message from Xaldin. Where are you? At the end of the street I have the wagon. Hurry, I'm kinda scared with this dog next to me watching me text. Hi Blu! jffhgddsl What? I think Blu said hi. He put his phone away and pulled the wagon deeper into the woods until he saw Xaldin and Blu. “There you are. So let's get him on the wagon.” Xaldin said. “Can you get up yourself Blu, or do you need our help?” Xemnas asked. Blu tried to limp his way over to the wagon and he tried to place his front paws up on the wagon but he couldn't jump all the way up. Xaldin pushed Blu up and Xemnas pulled him forward so he was secure in the middle. “Xaldin, you pull the wagon.” Xemnas demanded. “What? Why me?” Xaldin questioned. “Look at you, then look at me, which one of us do you think can pull the wagon better?” Xemnas sarcastically asked. “I'll pull the wagon.” Caldin replied. That's also what I thought. Xemnas and Xaldin walked through the woods with Blu on the wagon. Xaldin pulled the wagon out of the woods and they ended up on dirt road. The two boys walked on to Xemnas's house. Once they reached the driveway Xaldin's phone beeped and checked it. “Sorry Superior, my mom wants me home now.” Xaldin said. “Aw man. I guess I'll see you Monday then.” Xemnas said, sounding disappointed. “I'll see ya later, and you too ya big blue puffball.” Xaldin scratched the top of Blu's head, waved by to Xemnas, and left for his house. I hope he doesn't tell anyone. “Alright Blu, let's get you inside.” Xemnas pulled the wagon in the house which took longer than it would have if Xaldin were pulling it. He closed the door behind him and assumed his grandfather wasn't home from the research facility yet so he left the door unlocked. Xemnas helped Blu down from the wagon and let him lay on the couch. He heard meowing in his grandfather's lab. Xemnas glanced at the clock, four thirty-six, way past the cat's lunch time. “Alright Blu, you stay here while I feed the cats. I'll be right back.” Xemnas told the dog, scratching behind his ear. He went into the pantry and got two bowls full of cat food. He headed to the lab and placed down the two bowls. Terra and Vanitas ran toward the bowls and chowed down. Xemnas watched his cats eat for a moment before getting up and leaving to check on Blu. He left the lab and entered the living room. Something felt odd in the room which made Xemnas feel uneasy. “Blu, are you okay?” He asked. At the sound of the name, a man on the couch where Blu was turned around. He had long blue hair and yellow eyes. His ears were pierced and the tips were pointed like an elf. His face was slightly bandaged and some blood was shown in his face. He was dressed in a long black coat that zipped down to his waist. “Hello Xemnas.” He said. “Who are you?” Xemnas asked, rather nervous. “It's me, Blu.”

Ch.3

“Y-you're not Blu. You can't be, Blu's a dog not a human.” Xemnas stuttered. “Well, actually, Xemnas, I'm not really a dog. I'm more of a wolf dog, half wolf half dog.” The man stated. “I don't know what you're babbling about but I'm calling the police.” Xemnas went to the kitchen and reached for the phone but the man jumped over the couch, ran into Xemnas, and landed on top of him. “Please don't Xemnas. I know it's hard to believe, but you gotta trust me.” Xemnas glanced behind him and saw a rather peculiar seeming object. It was blue and curled up slightly. Looking closer, Xemnas noted that it looked furry. The man caught onto Xemnas looking. He looked behind himself to see what caught his attention. “Oh this? It's my tail. Now you believe me, right?” “What are you?” Xemnas asked. “I already told you, I'm a wolf dog.” “You can't be, you're a human… with a tail. There's no way you can be Blu, let alone any animal in general.” “I know it's hard to believe, but some animals are capable of transformation. Not just into humans, but anything, and for some they aren't very good at transforming so they retain so they retain a trait from their real form. In my case, my tail.” “Why should I trust you?” “I know your name is Xemnas.” The man said. “That's not enough, you could have seen my name anywhere.” Xemnas responded. “...You told me I was cute and fluffy yesterday.” He replied. Xemnas blushed slightly, sure he remembers saying that to Blu, but he never thought he would understand what Xemnas said. “I… I still don't know if I can trust you.” The man sighed disappointingly. He reached up and moved his bangs behind his ears. At a closer look Xemnas could see that the top part of his right ear was missing and the edge was slightly jagged. “...Blu…?” The man reached down and enveloped Xemnas in a big hug. “Oh Xemnas! I knew you'd know it was me!” “Okay, yeah that's good. Now can you let me get off the kitchen floor please.” Blu stood up and helped Xemnas to his feet. “I still don't understand though. Why… how… what are… Why don't you just explain all this to me. Who are you really Blu?” They sat down on the couch and Blu thought of where he should begin. “You see, the world is full of more wonders then the normal human truly sees. What most people see as a… wolf, for example, is actually a wolf but with great abilities. Like many animals, a wolf can transform into anything they please. Wolves who are still learning or just not that good often have trouble transforming into non-living things. They also retain something from their true form, like I said earlier for me it’s my tail. It's a little different for me though. As a wolf dog I only have limited transforming abilities. I'm lucky though 'cause its very rare. Anyone you see could really be an animal. I want to thank you though. You just happened to come along after I started to give up. Because you helped me I regain enough strength to use this form to talk to you. When you left that first day I was afraid you would never come back. You wouldn't believe how happy I was to see you again. I'm so grateful.” Blu hugged Xemnas tightly and placed his head between his neck and shoulder. Xemnas flinched and blushed slightly but placed one hand on Blu's back and the other on the back of his head. “How did you get hurt Blu?” “...I-I'm not ready to talk about it.” It was silent for a moment as Xemnas thought. This is crazy. There's no way this can be true, but yet here he is in front of me as a human. Should I tell Xaldin or the others? What if Grandfather ask about him? I need to stop worrying about this and wonder what I'm gonna do about Blu. Something alerted them and Xemnas reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his phone. Blu looked over and saw Xemnas read a text message. Xemnas looked over the text that Xaldin sent him. Hey just got home. How's it going with that dog? Xal, we need to talk. Only seconds after sending his reply Xemnas and Blu heard the front door opening. “Quick Blu, hide!” Xemnas pushed Blu off the couch and shoved him in his room. “But Xe-” Xemnas shut the door behind Blu and rushed back into the living room. His heart was racing as the door flew open and he saw his grandfather. “Oh, there you are Xemnas. What did I tell you about leaving the front door unlocked?” His grandfather said. “It must be locked because if Father or Brother decide to come home they won't be able to because they don't deserve it.” Xemnas said. “Atta boy.” His grandfather patted his shoulder and headed to his lab. “Did you feed Terra and Vanitas?” “Yes I did.” “Why is your wagon in the living room and not in my lab?” Dammit, I forgot about the wagon! “Me and Xaldin needed it to… uh… move a… a rock!” A rock!? How stupid am I!? His grandfather just stared at him confused. “You had to move… a rock?” He asked Xemnas. His phone suddenly rang in his pocket and he fumbled to get it. “Yeah and looky here, it's Xaldin. I should take this.” He ran into his room and locked the door behind him. When he answered his phone he noticed a blue tail poking out from under his bed. Hiding under the bed wasn't really necessary. “Hey Xal.” He said. “Hey, what did you wanna talk about?” “Well… Blu isn't any normal dog.” Xemnas saw Blu peak his head out at the sound of his name, who had already turned back into a dog. “What do you mean?” Xaldin asked. “Do you think your mom will let you come over?” “Probably…” “Then get over here now.” Before he got a response Xemnas closed his phone and put it back in his pocket. Blu crawled out from under the bed and limped over to Xemnas. He placed his hand under Blu's chin and bent down to his level. “Your leg still hurt?” He asked. Blu nodded in response but perked his ears up when he heard a knock at the bedroom door. Blu went under the bed again and Xemnas turned and opened the door, but only slightly in case Blu was visible. His grandfather was at the door. “Oh, hey, Gramps.” Xemnas greeted him nervously. “Xemnas, can I keep the babies in your room? Some of the chemicals in there I need to open and I don't want the little darlings getting ahold of them.” He asked his grandson. Why do you always call the cats your babies or darlings? “Uh… that might not be a good idea.” Xemnas replied. “Good idea? Why thanks, I'll go get them!” He said. “Wait! I didn't…” Why does he do that every time I refuse something? He came back with both Terra amd Vanitas and placed them in Xemnas's room. When the door closed Blu came out and encountered the cats. All three barked and meowed at each other and Xemnas assumed they were all talking. He walked over to his window and looked for Xaldin. Where are you? He turned back around and when he came face to face with human Blu he jumped and screamed. “Stop doing that Blu!” He yelled. “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.” Blu pouted and he tucked his tail down. Oh great, here comes the guilt. “No, I'm sorry. Just let me know when you're gonna do that.” Xemnas patted Blu's head and lightly giggled at how funny Blu looked with the bandages wrapped on his head and face. “The felines say the old man is crazy.” Blu stated and the cats meowed in agreement. Xemnas giggled again. “He is a little cooky, but I think that every scientist is a little psycho, even Vexen is going crazy and he wants to be a scientist.” Xemnas heard a knock on his window and looked past the blinds to see Xaldin. “Okay Blu, stay here, watch Terra and Van, and I'll go get Xaldin.” Man, he gets here fast. He left his room and got the front door to let Xaldin in. “Alright, will you tell me now?” Xaldin asked. “Why don't I just show you.” Xemnas pulled Xaldin into his room and luckily Blu was still a human. “Who the hell is that?” Xaldin asked. “Don't you remember me? It's Blu.” Blu said. “Okay, I know this is hard to believe but-” Xaldin raised his hand in front of Xemnas's face. “I'm going home.” “No wait! It's true really!” Xemnas yelled, stopping him from leaving. “Oh, I believe you. I just don't want anything to do with this.” Xaldin pushed his younger friend aside and left the room. Running in front of him in the hall, Xemnas blocked his oath with his arms. “Please Xaldin, you're my closest friend. I've known you longer than any of the others. I think you're the only one who can help.” Xemnas pleaded. Xaldin was irritated by now at his friend. “Help with what? When his wounds heal just put him back into the wild. It's that simple!” Blu limped into the hall and used the wall as support, the cats peeking from behind the door. “I can't go back. My pack won't accept me.” Xaldin turned to face him. “What do you mean?” “They thought I was a traitor so they chased me out.” Blu tried to place his foot firmly on the ground and yelped. He almost fell to the ground but Xaldin grabbed his arm and caught Blu before he fell. Blu looked up at Xaldin with yellow piercing eyes. Xaldin felt a light tug at his heart and quickly looked away from the puppy dog eyes. What is it about animals that make me want to care about everything? “I'll stay…” Blu jumped up and snuggled his arm, and Xemnas ran over to hug him. “Thank you so much Xal!” What have I gotten myself into?

Ch. 4

Xaldin and Xemnas sat on the couch in the living room watching wolf Blu play with the cats. “So, what do we do with him?” Xaldin asked. “...Well he definitely needs to stay while his wounds heal… and I guess if I word it right I can convince Gramps to let me keep him.” “But he's part wolf. It's possible that he could snap at anything. And what if he bites someone, he could be put down!” Xaldin worried. “Blu seems too sweet to bite someone. I'll just keep him on a tight leash so he doesn't misbehave.” Xemnas reassured him. “You know, a leash might not be a bad idea.” “I'm not putting him on an actual leash, Xal.” “Fine then, but don't come crying to me when he bites someone's finger off.” Xaldin simply got a glare from Xemnas. He turned his attention back to Blu. “Blu, you hungry?” Xemnas asked. Lu barked back and wagged his tail joyfully. “Oh great Superior, what are you gonna feed him?” Xaldin asked sarcastically. “I could always feed you to him.” “Touche, Superior, touche.” Blu limped to the kitchen and sat down to observe everything. Xemnas and Xaldin followed behind him. Xemnas looked around at all their food, looking in the fridge he asked, “Should we feed him human food or animal food?” He looked back at Xaldin to see he was awkwardly staring towards Blu. “What are you staring a-Aahh!” He turned around mid sentence to be surprised by human Blu. “What did I say about doing that?!” Xemnas's voice got very high pitched and Xaldin snickered at him. “Oh… I'm sorry Xemnas.” Blu tucked his tail down. “No, I'm sorry. Just… please, give a warning.” Blu nodded and Vanitas jumped on the counter. He pawed at Blu to get his attention and when he turned around Vanitas seemed to be telling him something. “Vanitas said the old man keeps a stash of sweets in his lab.” Xemnas and Xaldin momentarily glanced at each other. “Blu, he's got a lot of chocolate in that stash of his. I don't think that'd be healthy, ya know the whole 'dogs with chocolate has a heart attack’ thing?” Xemnas told him. Blu didn't understand the issue so Xaldin had to tell him the story about Marluxia's neighbor's dog that died because the man's daughter gave it chocolate. Of course that made Blu terrified of all human food, so Xemnas ended up feeding wolf Blu some meat from the freezer. “I still can't believe any of this.” Xemnas said as they watched Blu eat. “Yeah, well I've seen crazier things.” Xaldin told him. “What are you talking about?” Xemnas asked. “Let's just say that there are weirder things in that forest than shape shifting wolves.” He said to his younger friend. It was some sort of silent moment between all of them as Xemnas wondered what that could possibly mean. Blu finished eating only seconds after, it was obviously a while since his last meal. It was now getting dark and maybe around seven or so. “What are you gonna do with him when you're at school?” Xaldin asked.

And that’s it! To elaborate on a bit Vanitas was hoping Saix would eat some chocolate and die. Zexion was secretly a wolf. And I have no idea what the thing Xaldin mentions at the end was supposed to be about. Oh and Terra and Vanitas could shape shift too. And Axel set up Saix so he wouldn’t get found out. That’s all I remember that wasn’t brought up in what was already written.

#kingdom hearts #xemsai #sorry to ruin your tag with this!#fanfic #I regret this so much #it was to make yall suffer but im the one suffering #I hope I repress this

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umberoff · 7 years

Text

HI HERE IS EVERY SAI BRUSH I OWN

sooo I tend to horde brushes, like, a lot. it’s been a slowly growing collection here, but now I’ve gotten to the point where I literally have next to no room and I desperately have to delete some. BUT I’m too paranoid of the fact that I’ll need one of them again some day. so I decided to dump ‘em all somewhere!

this is basically a reference for me in the future in case I need to remember That One Brush That Did A Thing that I may have deleted, but I figure I might as well also share them all since I’m saving them anyway and maybe someone will find something they like. you can take any of them if they interest you, and feel free to change ‘em as you see fit.

most of them aren’t mine, as I’ve basically always just swiped settings from a bunch of different places, so I have no idea where most of these came from. whoops!!

if you don’t have the texture/blotmap/whatever: I unfortunately don’t have a link to where I got all of mine, but most of them are here. if something’s missing, well, google’s your pal and I’m sure you can find ‘em.

anyway they’re under the cut. warning: there is. a lot. let’s go.

Brush

blotchy and neat. doesn’t blend much, but you can turn up “Blending” if you want it to. it’s pretty good for far away trees and bushes and all

Water

my usual blender, but I don’t really use it much anymore since I prefer manually blending nowadays?? still okay to smooth stuff out though

SpaceFoam

a really nice feelin’ brush!! I don’t even know what “space foam” means but it just ~feels~ it. just has this nice, dusty, foamy texture to it. I have another version of this brush that uses “Noise” instead of “Fine Flat 2″ if you want it more round instead of square.

Crayonz

used to be a general brush for sketching/doodling, but I don’t really use it much anymore. maybe you’ll like it.

Rough Chalk

super chunky, rough, and dry chalk brush

Speckle

self explanatory I guess! pretty good for texture or large skin blemishes

Chalk(Standard)

I really like this brush-- it’s great for making simple, blended backgrounds! keep in mind, because it’s a marker, changing its opacity works differently than other brushes, ie it doesn’t “layer”, it’s just a continuous tone

Badass Inker

OKAY I ACTUALLY DO KNOW WHERE THIS ONE IS FROM it’s here. mine is changed slightly but you figure out what you like. this was my main brush for lineart before I started inking in firealpaca. very sharp and crisp.

Marker

yep

RoughBrush

PKbrush

PKblotch

usually used it for a light, textured swash of color for an overlay layer or something. it’s supposed to be a big brush, but you can have it smaller I guess??

Acrylic

except it doesn’t really resemble acrylic at all, lol. in this state I use it as one of my blenders. BUT ALSO FUN THING: set that “normal” dropdown to multiply to get a subtle darkening effect. sometimes I use this for “lineart” in paintings.

Deliciously Dry

another brush from here. very nice rough texture.

Broken Chalk

I looove this weird little guy, lol. acts normal if you just go in a line, but it’ll get all “blocky” like that if you jitter your hand. because of this, it makes a pretty interesting leaf brush! it blends pretty cool, too.

BoneDry

aaaand ANOTHER from here.

Chalk

Chalk (... again)

Grass

it’s called grass but I honestly can’t imagine using it as a grass brush, lmao. stringy and soft though, may work as the flats for hair??

Clouds

this brush is...... kinda weird?? I mean, it’s clouds I guess. it’s not really perfect, but it’ll work if you spend enough time on it. I feel like it works better painting on the same layer than its own.

Gore

this brush is awfully light and soft for something called “gore”! actually I assume it’s called that cuz you use it as a patchy effect for wounds and stuff.

CG Smooth

named so because I think it’s supposed to resemble a brush used for very smooth, glossy, cg painting. (please excuse the shitty nose, I’m way rusty)

Paint

do you know how many random generic paint brushes I have

Paint 2

cuz it’s a lot

Paint 3

a loooootttt

Parrot

I’m weirdly fond of this one even though it’s not super special. I feel like it’d be good for smooth, bright, poppy blending.

Tint

this is another weird one. it’s like..... if you wanted to do a painty wash, I guess?

Chunky

like Broken Chalk above, this is another one that gets cool things when you jitter it. this one is a little more... jagged? reminds me of broken glass

CLead

this one works weiiirdly and maybe I should make a whole separate post about it?? well for now, this one’s basically like a dry marker or highlighter or something. I like it a lot.

PSPainting

I think it’s called that cuz it’s supposed to emulate painting in photoshop, even though it...... doesn’t, really, at all.

Copic 2

Water 10

another random blender. it doesn’t work on transparent areas though! (bring its dilution down if you want it to)

Copic

I have no idea if this is even remotely close to how a copic works (probably not)

TraditionalPencil

I’m never really 100% satisfied with most “pencil” brushes in sai, but here’s one anyway I guess.

Lead

and here’s another. this is the one that I actually tend to use

Acrylic (....... again)

and like our first acrylic, this is not really acrylic at all. super soft and light blender

BrushPen

SUPER rough and textured pen kinda thing

AmazingAcrylic

if you say so, name! actually this does look like it blends p cool

RIPbrush

why is it called this. what am I even doing with half these brushes. why am I here.

NEBULA

oh wait this one’s neat (neat enough to make two images even). good for all your spacey needs! the second one is a bunch of colors and set to “luminosity”, so you can get some cool effects.

shrugs (great name)

the marker tool is a strange being but I’ve really learned to love it lately. the key to this brush is setting that drop down up there to “multiply”, so you can get really deep darks with your base color where you need it. the downside to this being that you can’t really use preserve opacity to change it to a different color or you’ll lose the effect of those darks (you can use hue/saturation/brightness shift tho, but it might be a lil weird)

aaaand everything else I didn’t post were accidental duplicates! so that’s it!! that sure was a lot but maybe you found something in here you liked ;0

#paint tool sai #sai brushes #sai brush settings #is that enough?? lol

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jggukgcf · 7 years

Text

Serendipity

Gerne: Fluff

Soulmate!au

Characters: Jimin/reader(fe/male)

Words: 1.2k

Warnings: None

A/n: The black ink dance across your skin the words popped up. But what a coincidence it’s name of the poem you just talked about in English class. Or all this is no coincidence at all.

Anon Request: Could you do a soulmate au reactions where when you write on your skin it shows up on theirs, and they find out you're their soylmaye when they see a conversation the two of you had on your arm or something, idk I thought it would be cute 😂. I did request this once but I don't know if you saw it, and you recently said you needed some inspiration so I hope this helps ❤.

Serendipity.

The word rang in your head as you stared down at your arm. The black ink that randomly appeared on the back of your wrist stared back into your eyes. You knew you had heard the word before.

The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.

What was the purpose of it? It’s quite the coincidence you just studied the poem in English class the other day. Or is all of this no coincidence at all. The universe seemed to stop in its track as you looked at the word written across your forearm. The blue ball point pen that laid on your desk caught your gaze. Almost tripping over your calico cat to get to it, you opened the cap and held it against your skin.

I’m just as afraid as I am anticipating.

The stanzas’ dance across your mind as your hand wrote the words on your wrist. The blue ink popped against the black, showing the whoever you were talking to had better penmanship even you did.

Now we wait.

Leaning back onto the gray office chair as you soaked up the classical piano music that played through the speaker on your computer. Closing your eyes, letting the music take you away from you white painted bedroom. The bright yellow sheets being the only pop of colour in the room. The feeling of a maker on your skin brought you back from your daydreams.

Fate keeps being envious of us.

You quickly grab your pen, reciting the next stanzas as you wrote on your forearm.

I am just as scared as you are.

When you see me, when you touch me.

The person on the other end of this conversion continued the poem.

The cosmos moved for us.

There was nothing slightly out of place.

Our happiness was meant to be.

Cuz you love me.

And I love you.

Lifting the pen from your arm, finishing off the line that was written before. The little game you two play, going back and forth, writing the words and stanzas on your arms for the other one to see. It made you wonder about who you were talking. Whether it was a male or female. Or if they were your age, or where they lived. They spoke the same language as you did so there was that barrier out of the way.

You're quite the poet aren’t you?

You never really thought of yourself as a poet, although you did dabble in the literacy from time to time.

I guess you could say that. You don’t seem too bad yourself.

I write lyrics that come to my head, don’t really call myself a poet though.

A songwriter. Seemed like you were talking to yourself in a way.

Songwriting is a form of poetry.

Guess you have me on that.

You looked away from your arm for a moment, thinking of what to say next. But they beat you to it.

Do you live in Korea?

Yes, in Busan.

Meet me at Alice’s Table tomorrow? 9:00am?

Sure.

It was left at that, leaving more to find out tomorrow. You made up ideas in your head of what this person may look like, act like, talk like, anything you could possibly think about as you stood in the shower, making sure the writing on your arm didn’t disappear with the warm water. You got dressed after you dried off, deciding to let your hair air dry as you walked out of the bathroom turning the light off behind you.

You sat down at your desk look down at your arm again, seeing that the blue ink had faded a little but then black writing was still sharp and clear to what was written. You grabbed the blue pen from before, taking off that cap and placing it to your skin. You started drawing, the blue lines started to form a flower. As your drawing the picture, you see words start to form just under it.

When you called me I become your flower. We bloom until we ache.

From the poem. You never even realize that the flower on your arm was starting to like the one that was in the story. You go back adding to the illustration when you see that they’ve started writing again.

Why are you drawing it?

Why were you drawing it? You didn’t even know why you were. You just picked up the pen and started drawing lines, not even knowing it was going to form a flower.

I am not sure of it myself. I guess that way I’ll know how to find you.

That seemed to make sense. Who ever also had the same flower on their arm tomorrow was the person you were talking to.

Okay, now I know what to look for in the cafe. It’s getting late you should go to bed.

You hadn’t even looked at the time, only just now realizing that it was almost midnight. The stars and moonlight shining into your bedroom, the beautiful night sky providing the light for your room at the moment.

I’ll go to bed but you have to as well.

Of course. Goodnight my penicillium, saving me.

Goodnight my calico cat.

You set down the pen, closing your curtains, shutting out the light from out. Tucking yourself into bed, as you begin to dream about the day coming.

8:55am, your phone read. You showed up early, not on purpose, it just kinda happened. You ordered your drink, taking it and moving to the back of the cafe where the tables were. Sitting down at one that was away from the rest, off in the concer. You took out the blue ball point pen that you shoved in your bag this morning.

I’m here.

It didn’t take long for you to get a reply.

Where are you?

In the back.

You took off your gray cardigan, showing the flower that you drew on your forearm the night before. You looked down, fixing your cream coloured top that was tucked into the light blue jeans shorts. You get thrown from your thoughts when you hear a smooth, almost high pitched voice, reminded you of the way bells chimes.

“When you called me I become your flower.” You looked up to see who belongs to the honeyed voice that was ringing in your ear. You come face to face with a statuesque male. He wasn’t too tall but just the right size. He’s blonde hair become almost golden in the sunlight that radiated in from the open windows. The more you looked at him the more you noticed things that made him stand out. Like the way his eyes twinkled, changing them from a dark brown to a hazel. You never knew how perfect a person could look till now. “Wow. You look...woah.” The words left his mouth before you, now knowing that you were thinking the same about each other. “I’m Jimin.”

“I’m Y/n,” you spoke, a little smile forming on your face as you kept look at him. There was a little bit of blush peeking through. He looked down at the floor in a shy manner. By this point, you know that there’s also blush on your cheeks.

“Such a pretty name,” You looked up, his eyes staring into yours. “perfect for such a pretty face.”

I’ve been listening to this song on repeat since I started writing this. I’m so happy with the end product of it.

I’m going to left some links to the lyrics and a post the helped me understand them.

-Masterlist

-Inbox

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thefatedthoughtofyou · 7 years

Text

Piercing The heart

Summary: Sam gets out of the army and can finally get body piercings. Bucky is the best piercer in town. Sam might get a little addicted and keeps going back. Both of them are smitten and dorky and in love.

Warnings: fluff, and then smut, and also needles and everything that comes with getting piercings! so read with caution!

WC: 13,721 (what the fuck how???)

Piercing The Heart

He sat in his car outside the shop and just stared at the windows. They were covered in window art and big letters. The neon sign hung in the corner declaring that they were open. Sam smiled as he read some of the huge writing scrawled across the glass. COME INSIDE AND LET US POKE YOU WITH NEEDLES! Sam thought that was his favorite. It seemed so enthusiastic. And someone walking by not knowing it was a tattoo and piercing shop would be concerned. In fact Sam had watched at least three people walk by and do double takes before walking past shaking their heads.

He leaned forward in his seat and looked up at the big letters on the front of the building. INKED UP IMAGINARIUM. The sign was glowing green and Sam sat back and sighed, closing is eyes as he rested his head against his seat. Was he really going to do this? Just walk in there and get a piercing? Could he do that? Of course he COULD, he was a grown man for god’s sake. He could do anything he wanted. He was out of the army now. He could get all the piercings he wanted and not give a shit. He took a deep breath and stepped out of the car, locking it behind him as he walked toward the door.

The shop felt cozy. Homey. Like anyone was welcome. And that seemed to be true if the diversity of clients standing and sitting around the shop was anything to go by. There was a punk couple sitting near the front window, showing each other their phones back and forth and smiling. Then there was a group of middle aged women standing near one of the tattoo artist’ doors, Sam could hear the tattoo gun going inside and smiled when the woman laughed at, what Sam assumed was another of their friends inside the room. There was a happy looking red headed girl behind the counter. She smiled at Sam when he walked in.

“Hi! What can we do for you today?” she asked cheerfully. Sam walked up to the counter.

“I uh…I wanted to get a piercing. An industrial.” He said quietly, his hand involuntarily going to his ear. She nodded and turned around, looking for something.

“Those ones have been popular today. We’ve had four.” She said over her shoulder and then crouched down, looking under the computer in the corner for something.

“Where in the hell...?” she muttered to herself before standing up again and smiling at Sam.

“Give me one sec, I‘ve lost the thingy you have to fill out for the thing. Hang on, I’ll be right back.” She stepped around the counter and headed down the little hallway, yelling as she went.

“Clint! Where are the things?” she had a loud voice for such a petite girl.

“Where are what things?” a voice called from down the hall.

“The consent form thingies for the piercings!” she yelled as she stopped in the doorway of one of the far doors, her arms crossing over her chest as she looked at whoever was inside.

“How the hell should I know Nat? I do tattoos not piercings.” The disembodied voice said calmly.

“Well you should know. Cuz you’re the one that replaced them last time. Asshat.” She said with smirk.

“Aw, really? Name calling? So rude.” He said, his voice flat. Sam saw her open her mouth to respond when another voice spoke.

“I’ve got some in here Nat. Leave Clint alone. He’s trying to work. Though I use the word ‘work’ very loosely.” The voice was low and sounded amused.

“See, it’s easy to be helpful. Not that you’d know anything about that.” She said, sticking her tongue out at this Clint guy and then walked back towards Sam before ducking into a room on the other side of the hall.

“Thanks Buck. You’ll have some work to do in a sec. There’s a guy out here that wants an industrial.” Sam heard her say.

“Thanks. I’ll be out in a sec. Here’s these for you.” That low voice said, if Sam didn’t know any better he’d think the guy was smiling. He heard a few papers rustling and then the red head, Nat, was walking back out to him. She dropped the stack of papers near the computer, scooped one up and then grabbed a pen before turning back to Sam.

“Okay. Sorry about that. You just need to fill this out real quick, and can I see your ID for a sec?” She asked. Sam nodded and pulled his wallet out, handing her his ID and then reading over the paper and filling in all the blanks. He signed and dated it right as she walked back over from making a copy of his ID.

“Here’s that. And I’ll take this. And he’ll be out in a sec to talk with you if you wanna have a seat, or look at some jewelry.” She said with a smiled and then disappeared into the back again.

Sam nodded even though she was already gone and looked down into the jewelry cabinets. There was so much jewelry his eyes didn’t know where to go first. There were bars, and rings, and bars with jewels and opals. They all sparkled in the bright lights of the cabinet. Sam’s eyes finally landed on the long bars and he leaned closer. He was wondering which color of bar to get when he heard someone clear their throat. He looked up and almost choked on the air he sucked in.

The guy standing there was fucking beautiful. His hair was pulled up into a bun on top of his head, his hands were in his pockets. His long sleeves were pulled up to his elbows and the skin that Sam could see was covered in tattoos on one arm, his other arm looked like it was made of some kind of metal, Sam moved his eyes away from it and up to the guys face. He smiled and then raised his hand to Sam.

“Hey. So you wanted an Industrial?” he asked, stepping forward, close to the counter. Sam nodded. The guy nodded back.

“Cool cool. Did you know what kind of bar you wanted?” he asked, looking down into the cabinet full of jewelry.

“Oh, and I’m Bucky by the way.” He said, holding his hand out to Sam. Sam reached across the counter and shook it.

“Sam, nice to meet you. And uh, I’m not really sure. I was thinking maybe just the sterling steel one. Or…” Sam trailed off and looked back down at the bars in the case.

“Or…” the guy said. Sam looked back to him to see that he was smiling, his head cocked to the side a little. Sam breathed a laugh through his nose and shook his head.

“I don’t know I just…I’ve always like the rose gold color. I just don’t know if it would look good.” Sam said quietly, his cheeks feeling hot. The guy nodded and moved closer to cabinet, resting his hands on the glass, the metal one clinking gently.

“Well that’s an easy fix.” He said, then bent down and opened the case. He reached in and pulled out a silver bar and a rose gold one.

“Here ya go. This way you can put them against your skin and see which one you like best, or which one you think looks better. Whichever.” Bucky said, handing the bars to Sam with a smile. Sam nodded and held them both against the back of his hand. He then moved them so he could look at them separately, then he moved them both back so he could look at them side by side. He sighed and looked up at Bucky.

“What do you think?” he asked, sounding a bit desperate. Bucky laughed. And that sound was nice. Sam felt it go right into his chest.

“I mean they both look good. You don’t like either of them more than the other?” he asked, leaning forward a bit and nodding at Sam’s hand. Sam shook his head. Bucky smiled and nodded.

“Okay. Rose gold then. For two reasons.” He said, holding up his finger and smiling.

“One, everyone always gets silver. And there’s nothing wrong with that. I’ve got silver in all of mine today, obviously. But still, everyone has it. And you don’t strike me as the sort of guy who likes to be like everyone else.” he said, smiling. Sam felt the heat in his cheeks spread to his neck.

“And two, the rose gold would look gorgeous on you.” He said, holding up a second finger, his smile widening as he looked at Sam. Sam swallowed hard and breathed a laugh.

“Oh. Thanks. I uh…rose gold it is then I guess.” He said, smiling back at him awkwardly.

“Yeah? Awesome. You can come with me then.” He nodded over his shoulder and took a few steps back.

“It’ll take about ten minutes to get the jewelry sterilized so we’ll get you marked and aligned while that’s getting done. Oh here let me take those.” He held his hand out to Sam and Sam dropped the two bars into his hand. He put them back in the case and then motioned for Sam to follow him down the tiny hall.

Sam was sitting on the cushioned bed type thing in Bucky’s office, his head turned to the side as Bucky looked at his ear. He marked a few spots with ink and then turned Sam’s head towards him a little. There was a clicking noise coming from behind Bucky, the little machine that was sterilizing Sam’s jewelry working away. Sam could see Bucky moving his own head to the side and back up in his peripherals. He was studying Sam’s ear intently. He put his glove covered fingers against Sam’s chin and moved his head to the side again. The machine behind him clicked once more and then was silent.

“M’kay. There we go. I’m just gonna get your needle ready and your jewelry all laid out and then we’ll be ready. You can lay down. Head at this end.” He patted the little bed at the end next to the wall, then pulled the rubber gloves off and threw them away. Sam nodded and lay down. His eyes moving around the room as Bucky worked with his back to him. He furrowed his brow and lifted his head a little when his eyes landed on the stack of books on top of the tall cabinet in the corner of the room. There was a weird assortment of books. Most of them were some kind of strange anatomy books, but the last one had caught Sam’s eyes the most. Written in purple across the tan spine of the book were the words, “Piercing Kama Sutra”.

Sam looked at Bucky’s back and then back to the book and swallowed hard again. Trying not to think about what might be inside that book. And how much of whatever was in there Bucky had done, and whether or not he had the desire to do more. Sam shook his head and closed his eyes. He just met this guy, he shouldn’t be thinking things like that about him. He cleared his throat and opened his eyes again a little, squinting in the bright lights covering the ceiling. He looked to the side when he heard Bucky putting on a new pair of gloves. He walked back over to the table and looked down at Sam with a wide smile.

“You ready?” he asked, his eyebrows jumping on his forehead. Sam couldn’t help but laugh.

“Yeah. Yeah I’m ready.” He said looking at Bucky and smiling when the man gave him a double thumbs up. Bucky pulled the tray of equipment close and leaned over Sam, turning his head to the side.

“I’m not doing anything just yet, just lining things up.” He said as his fingers moved around Sam’s ear. He looked at Sam’s ear for a few more moments, pressing what Sam was sure was the needle, gently into his skin a few times before leaving it against the bottom mark.

“Ready?” Bucky asked.

“Yeah.” Sam said.

“Alright, take a deep breath in for me.” Bucky said. Sam did, his chest rising.

“And quick breath out through your nose.” Sam huffed the air out, feeling a hard pinch in his ear.

“Good. Okay, one more. Deep breath in.” Bucky said, and he sounded like he was smiling. Sam took another deep breath.

“And out.” Sam huffed again, his sweaty hands clenching at his side. He felt another hard pinch in his ear and breathed in slowly.

“Good. Stay still for a minute and I’ll get the bar in. You’re doin great.” Bucky said and reached over, disappearing from Sam’s side for a second before coming back.

“This might sting a little bit.” Bucky said, he leaned down and Sam felt his breath on his neck. He didn’t feel a sting at all, just a little bit of pressure.

“Let me just get these screwed on here.” Sam felt Bucky’s fingers move against his ear a few more times and then he leaned back and looked down at Sam’s ear, tilting his head to the side and then nodding.

“Alrighty. You are done. You good? Doin okay?” he asked, taking his gloves off again as Sam sat up.

“Yep. Doin fine.” His eyes flicked to the books again and he forced them away. Bucky turned back to him and opened an alcohol swab, then pressed close to him again.

“Let me get some of that ink off you real quick.” He held Sam’s chin between his thumb and fingers and turned his head again. Sam gulped at the cold feeling of Bucky’s metal fingers on his skin. He desperately wanted to ask about his arm, but he didn’t think it would be polite so he shoved the urge down and nodded at Bucky when he took his hand away.

“You can take a look.” He said, pointing at the wall mirror behind Sam. Sam stood up and walked over to it, he looked at his ear and smiled. The rose gold metal bar shined in the bright lights of the room. Bucky had been right, it looked good. Sam smiled and turned back to Bucky.

“I love it. Thanks.” He said. Bucky nodded and smiled, then motioned for Sam to follow him out of the room. Sam followed him out into the main room and got paid up. He tipped Bucky 25%, just because he could, definitely not because he was beautiful. He passed the tablet back to Bucky after he’d signed.

“Thank you very much Sam. Now, after care.” Bucky said seriously, leaning forward a bit. Sam felt himself start leaning forward as well and stopped himself, nodding to Bucky instead.

“So, if you sleep on it, it might bleed a little, that’s completely normal. If that happens just clean it with warm water. Even if it doesn’t bleed, it’ll probably get a little crusty, it might ooze a little, all of which is completely normal as well. Other than that I’d say just keep an eye on it, keep it clean. And it you feel like something isn’t right, or it’s not healing properly, just come back and I’ll take a look at it for you. It should take about 4 to 6 weeks to heal, but if you’ve got picky skin it may take up to 6 months.” Bucky explained, smiling at Sam when he was finished.

“Okay cool. Thanks.” Sam said, smiling back. Bucky nodded and kept smiling.

“Thanks for comin in.” He said as Sam headed for the door.

“No problem. I heard you were the best so it was a no brainer really.” Sam said with a smile. Bucky laughed.

“Well thanks. I appreciate that. Come back anytime!” he called as Sam walked out the door, raising his hand over his shoulder to wave at Bucky.

He got in his car and drove home. Trying not to think about that stupid book he’d seen in Bucky’s office. He ate dinner and then threw himself on his couch to watch a movie. About ten minutes into the movie he pulled his laptop close and found himself typing in the book title. The book had a PDF version, a free one, because of course it did. Sam stared at the link for almost three minutes. He took a deep breath and then clicked the link.

Sam was so fucked.

~***~

His ear healed in about 4 weeks. He waited another three months to go back. He only looked at the book twice in those three months and thought that really showed how good his self control is. Though he had already made a list of the piercings he wanted from it, so maybe his self control wasn’t as good as he’d thought. He sat in his car for a few minutes again. This time he wasn’t sure if he was nervous about the piercing or seeing Bucky again. It was probably about 50/50 if he was being honest. He took a deep breath and stepped out of his car.

He walked in and immediately heard loud voices. He recognized three of them, Nat and Clint seemed to be shouting at each other, and Bucky and the new voice seemed to be shouting at Nat and Clint.

“You’re telling me that this, this right here? Is worth three hundred dollars?” Nat’s voice said.

“Yes! It’s worth that, that’s why I charged that much!” Clint yelled back.

“Can we not do this again please?” Bucky voice said, he sounded tired. Sam smiled.

“I feel like I’ve heard this same argument like seventeen times.” The new voice said, sounding slightly amused but also tired. Sam heard Bucky laugh.

“That’s because you have. They never shut up about it!” Bucky said, yelling the last part.

“I think I should go before they start throwing things at each other…again.” The new voice said with a laugh and then Bucky and a tall blonde man were walking down the hall toward Sam. Bucky’s lips curved into a bright smile when he saw Sam. Sam tried not to think anything of it.

“Hey man! You’re back.” He said cheerily.

“I am.” Sam said quietly and then looked over Bucky’s shoulder when there was a smashing sound from behind them.

“Is this a bad time?” Sam asked with a smile, raising his eye brows. Bucky and the blonde guy laughed and looked over their shoulder in synch.

“Naw. That’s just Nat and Clint being…” Bucky trailed off.

“Nat and Clint?” the blonde guy suggested, looking at Bucky as they turned back around.

“Yeah. Exactly.” Bucky said with a nod and then smiled at Sam.

“Oh, well that’s…good?” Sam asked, not really sure if shouting and throwing things were good things or bad things. Bucky and the guy laughed.

“Yeah it’s fine. This is Steve by the way. We grew up together. Steve this is Sam, I popped his piercing cherry a few months ago.” Bucky said with a cheeky smile, Steve laughed and Sam chuckled and rubbed at the back of his neck. That heat filling his cheeks again.

“Hey Sam, nice to meet you.” Steve said, reaching out and shaking Sam’s hand. Sam nodded.

“I hate to cut my visit short today but Peggy and the girls are waiting for me so I better go. I’ll talk to you later Buck.” Steve said and headed for the door.

“No problem. Give them my love!” Bucky called, getting a thumbs up from Steve as he disappeared out the door. Bucky’s eyes fell to Sam then and he smiled again before walking behind the counter.

“So, what can I do for you today Sam?” he asked, resting his hands on the glass and leaning forward a bit.

“Well, I was hoping to get a tongue piercing. But I know that some people can’t get them, so you’d have to check that first. And that’s fine, but…yeah.” He finished lamely, looking down and biting his lip. Bucky chuckled and nodded.

“Been doing some research huh?” he said, his voice amused again. Sam almost choked on air. Then calmed down and realized that Bucky just meant about tongue piercings, and that he couldn’t possible know that Sam had been sitting at home looking through the piercing Kama Sutra wondering which ones Bucky had, if any. He cleared his throat and nodded awkwardly.

“That’s good. I always encourage research. Let’s bring you back here and I’ll take a look and see if you’re okay to have one.” He said heading back to his office, Sam followed, trying to keep his eyes on the floor and his shoes and not on Bucky.

“Alrighty, have a seat and let’s get you checked out.” Bucky said, pulling on a pair of rubber gloves.

“Checking out another customer huh Buck?” Nat said as she walked past the door. She didn’t even stop to see his reaction.

“Very funny Nat. We all know you’re just jealous that I never check you out.” He said back without hesitation and then turned to Sam with a smile. Sam smiled back as Bucky walked toward him. He pressed in close and put his fingers on Sam’s chin, gently lifting it a bit.

“Okay. Stick your tongue out as far as you can for me.” Bucky said quietly, Sam did as he was told and then shivered as Bucky’s cold fingers lifted his tongue. The corner of Bucky’s mouth twitched and Sam was pretty sure he saw the shiver.

Sam tried to keep his eyes off Bucky as he leaned closer and inspected Sam’s tongue, he moved it side to side, his head following the movements half the time. Sam hadn’t noticed how blue his eyes were the last time he’d been here. He’d been nervous, and the book on the cabinet had distracted him. He’d also been faced away from Bucky most of the time. But now he was looking right at him and it was a little overwhelming. Bucky let go of Sam’s tongue and stepped back a bit.

“Looks good. I’m gonna get everything sterilized and then we’ll get this done for you.” He moved to the cabinet and pulled out a few things, then set them on a tray and put it inside that little machine. The clinking started and Bucky turned around, resting his butt against the cabinet and pulling his gloves off, throwing them away without looking. He crossed his arms and looked at Sam as he relaxed against the counter.

“Do you have any questions?” he asked, those blue eyes locked on Sam. Sam must have looked confused because Bucky chuckled.

“About the piercing.” He said, nodding forward slightly.

“Oh. Um… I- not really. I’ve heard that the pain varies for each person. That would have been my only question.” Sam said, his fingers picking at his jeans.

“So pain would be your only question?” Bucky asked. Sam nodded. Bucky adjusted himself against the cabinet, Sam tried not to stare at his flesh arm and how it stretched the sleeve of his Star Wars t-shirt.

“That’s a popular question. And it does really depend on the person. Mine didn’t hurt too bad. Just a firm pressure and then a pinch. But I know people who have said they hurt really bad.” He said with a nod, his fingers moving against his arm absentmindedly, Sam’s eyes tracked the movement.

“That’s good. Hopefully it doesn’t hurt too bad. Not that I can’t handle it. I’ve never been too sensitive to pain.” He said with a shake of his head. Hoping he didn’t sound like he was bragging. Bucky nodded.

“Yeah. You did well on your first one.” He said and then paused, tilting his head.

“That was your first one right?” he asked, a small smile pulling at the corner of his mouth. Sam chuckled and nodded.

“It was my first one.” He said. Bucky nodded.

“Awesome. Do you mind if I ask why you decided to get one now? It’s just that usually people start young. Not that you’re not young. You are. Most people just start in their teens.” Bucky said, and Sam thought that if a normal person had said that to him they’d have sounded frantic, like they’d accidently been rude and were trying to make up for it, but Bucky said it completely calmly and confidently and Sam envied that.

“I don’t mind. I uh… I was in the army. So I couldn’t really have them.” he said, lacing his fingers together in his lap.

“Ah, understandable. I always hated that rule.” Bucky said. And when Sam looked back up at him he was nodding.

“You were in the army?” Sam asked, hearing the surprise in his own voice. Bucky nodded again.

“I was indeed. For awhile. That’s where I got this.” He said, raising his left hand and wiggling the metal fingers at Sam. Sam smiled.

“I was kinda wondering. I just didn’t wanna be rude and ask about it.” Sam said quietly.

“That was nice of you. Most people either stare at it until I say something or just blurt out a question. So this was a nice reprieve from that.” Bucky said with a smile. The little machine behind him was clanking away. Sam smiled a little.

“So the army gave you that?” Sam asked, raising his eyebrows and tilting his head toward Bucky’s arm. Bucky nodded slowly and held his hand out in front him, flexing it a few times.

“Yep. They’re limb replacement service has really improved over the years.” He said seriously, and then smiled at Sam, his teeth showing through the small gap in his lips. Sam laughed and shook his head.

“Limb replacement service?” he asked, still chuckling. Bucky nodded, looking serious again.

“I think they probably call it prosthetics, but where’s the fun in that?” he asked, that crooked cheeky smile on his face again. And Sam was so fucked. This guy was adorable and he could barely fucking stand it. He was just standing there, looking at Sam with that smile, a small strand of hair had fallen out of his bun and Sam wanted nothing more than to reach over and tuck it behind his ear. He clenched his fist on his knee instead.

“They’d probably prefer that yeah.” Sam said with a serious nod. Bucky narrowed his eyes and nodded in agreement. The machine behind him clicked off and he clapped his hands together, then spun around and got the jewelry out and set it on his little try and wheeled it over close to Sam. He pulled on another pair of gloves and walked over to stand in front of him. His thighs bumped into Sam’s knees and he looked down, like he’d not even noticed Sam’s knees were there. The corner of his mouth twitched again as he moved his eyes to Sam’s. Sam swallowed hard.

“I don’t mean to sound skeevy. But can you spread your legs for me Sam?” he asked, biting his lip, his left lip ring clicking against his teeth. Sam dug his teeth into his own lip and moved his thighs apart without a word.

“Thanks.” Bucky said with a wink and moved between, his eyes going back to Sam’s mouth.

“Open for me, and stick your tongue out as far as you can.” Sam gulped and then did as he was told. This guy was trying to fucking kill him. He really was. Sam flattened his hands on his knees. Bucky moved his fingers against Sam’s tongue gently, massaging at the delicate tissue. Sam closed his eyes so he didn’t have to look at Bucky. It was easier that way. He couldn’t take looking at him when he was that fucking close. He gasped a little when he felt cold metal against his tongue. He heard Bucky chuckle.

“Sorry. Should have warned you that was gonna be cold.” Bucky said.

“Ya think?” Sam grumbled the best he could without moving his tongue. Bucky snorted in front of him.

“Sorry, I’ll do better next time.” he said, the amusement in his voice making Sam want to smile. Sam felt the metal clamp tighten a bit on his tongue and then he felt pressure against his tongue.

“Ready?” Bucky asked, the amusement gone from his voice, he sounded extremely serious.

“Uh huh.” Sam breathed.

“Okay. Deep breath in.” Bucky said, Sam did as he was told.

“And let it out.” Bucky said. Sam did, squeezing his eyes shut when he felt the needle go through his tongue. Then the clamps were gone and he felt metal resting against his lip.

“Okay, let me get the bar in there for you.” Sam felt a little sting this time as he pushed the bar in as he slide the needle out.

“Keep your tongue still for a sec.” Bucky said, his voice almost a whisper.

“I’ll get this ball screwed on here and you’ll be good to go.” He said. Sam felt a little tug on his tongue and then the pressure was gone.

“You’re all done.” Bucky said. Sam nodded and breathed in through his nose.

“You can open your eyes now Sam.” Bucky said. Sam did and saw Bucky smiling at him as he pulled his gloves off. Bucky winked again and turned to throw them away before turning back to Sam. He walked closer again and put his hands on each side of Sam’s face.

“Open for a sec.” he said, Sam did. He looked into Sam’s mouth and apparently didn’t find anything that wasn’t supposed to be there. He nodded again and then stepped back.

“You alright?” he asked. Sam nodded.

“Good. You did good. Now, you’ll want to check the balls on there once in the morning and then once at night. Cuz they tend to come undone and if it comes off there you’ll have a bitch of time getting it back on. But other than that it should be fine. Come on out here and we’ll get you paid up.” Bucky said with a smile and headed out of the room, standing behind the doorway for Sam to walk in front of him.

Sam tipped him well just like last time. And got a surprise when Bucky gave him a smaller bar for free, so he could change it once it was healed up.

“It should heal up in 4 to 6 weeks. It’ll probably be swollen really bad when you wake up in the morning. Just get some crushed ice and let it sit and melt on your tongue. The swelling should go down in about ten minutes. No solid or spicy foods for awhile. And if you can, try and rinse your mouth out after you eat or drink anything that isn’t water. It just helps keep it clean.” Bucky said as Sam nodded at him.

“Also, no kissing or oral sex until it’s healed. That kind of thing is just begging for infection. So ya know, stay safe an all that.” Bucky said with a smirk.

“That won be a prolem.” Sam said, his words garbled from the bar in his tongue. Bucky leaned back and nodded slowly as Sam backed away from the counter with a smile.

“Oh. Good to know.” Bucky said, Sam nodded again and turned to leave.

“It was good to see you Sam. Take care!” he called after him. Sam smiled over his shoulder and walked out the door.

He drove home and started drinking ice water, just to try and keep the swelling and the ache down. He fell into bed early that night. He lay in the dark and tried to will himself not to think about Bucky telling him to spread his legs. Ten minutes later he sighed and gave up, his hand snaking under his blankets and into his underwear. He wrapped his fingers around himself and bit his lip, his eyes shut tight as he gasped into his empty room.

~***~

Sam’s tongue healed up in 4 weeks. He waited a few more weeks to change to the smaller bar. He was pretty proud of himself for being able to change it without an issue. His hands shook a little but he got it okay. He waited about a month more before heading back to the shop. He was ashamed to say he’d been stalking Bucky’s piercing page on Facebook. But he missed him. And that just made him sound like an idiot. How could he miss someone he’d met fucking twice? But he did. He missed him. And wanted to see him again. So he looked at his list, picked the next one he wanted and headed to the shop.

He walked in to see Bucky laying on one of the waiting benches, his arm resting over his eyes, his shirt pulled up off his waist a little. Sam bit his lip to hold in the groan rising up in his throat. This guy was fucking unbelievable. Bucky groaned as Clint finished talking, Sam had missed what he said.

“He’s just so weird.” Bucky said from the bench. Clint leaned his elbows on the counter, smiled at Sam and gave him a nod.

“I know man. But he’s like, my best paying customer. So when Wade asks for a unicorn tattoo on his ass, I give him what he wants.” Clint said with a shrug. Sam saw Bucky’s mouth curve into a smile as a giggle came out him.

“He got a unicorn on his ass?” Bucky asked, his voice higher than normal and full of laughter.

“Yes. Yes he did. Hey Buck?” Clint said.

“Hmm?” Bucky hummed back at him.

“Your boy’s here.” Clint said, then drummed his hands rapidly on the counter and walked away with a smile. Bucky shot into a sitting position and smiled when his eyes fell on Sam.

“Hey. What’s up? Everything healing okay?” Bucky asked, standing and tugging his shirt down.

“Yeah it healed up good. I’m actually here to get another piercing done. Well...two I guess, would be more accurate.” Sam said, hesitantly. Bucky slid his hands into his pockets and cocked his head to the side, kicking at the floor.

“Well color me intrigued. What can I do to you? Uh- I mean… what- what can I do for you? For. Not to.” Bucky stammered and then smiled at Sam. That was the first time Sam had seen him even remotely flustered and his stomach jumped into his throat as he smiled back.

“Wow. Um. I wanted my nipples done.” Sam said, his voice going quite. Bucky chuckled and looked up at the ceiling, his foot tapping at the ground again.

“I love when people ask for nipple piercings. They do the exact same thing you just did. Every time. It’s great.” Bucky said, looking back to Sam.

“What did I do?” Sam asked.

“You lowered your voice. Like you think it’s a secret.” Bucky said, whispering the last part and widening his eyes playfully. Sam rubbed at the back of his neck and nodded.

“I’m glad I’m not alone in that I guess. So you can do it?” Sam asked.

“Oh I don’t know.” Bucky said, his voice going sing song-y.

“We’re pretty busy today. Clearly.” Bucky said, gesturing around the shop. Sam looked around at the empty building.

“Right. I don’t know how you’re keeping up with all this business.” Sam said flatly. Bucky pressed his lips together and gently turned back and forth on the spot.

“I know right? There’s just something about Wednesday’s that makes people…not…come here. I guess.” Bucky said, narrowing his eyes like he knew that didn’t sound right. Sam snorted and shook his head.

“Anyway!” Bucky exclaimed, swinging his arms wide.

“Let’s go back here so I can mark you up and stick you with needles shall we?” He asked, wiggling his eyebrows at Sam and then turning on the spot and heading for his office. Sam took a deep breath and followed him.

He sat on the little bed and waited until Bucky told him to take his shirt off to pull it slowly over his head. As he pulled it over his head he could swear he’d seen Bucky looking at him over his shoulder. But when he looked at him he had his back to Sam and was looking at the jewelry he was unwrapping in front of him. He put them in to get sanitized and turned to Sam. Sam saw his eyes move over Sam’s chest before he pulled on some gloves and grabbed the little cup of ink and a tooth pick. He walked over to Sam and leaned back a little, his eyes on Sam’s chest. Sam had never felt so damn self conscious.

“I’m gonna touch you now. And this might tickle.” Bucky said, and then moved forward and began marking Sam’s nipples. He leaned back a few times and then wiped a mark away and tried again. Bucky’s eyes moved to Sam’s face and then back to his chest.

“So, this might be a little awkward, but I promise I’m not feeling you up. I’m gonna have to press on your nipples a bit to flatten them back out so I can make sure the marks I have are gonna be even when they’re not…perky.” Bucky said, his mouth twitching at the corner again. Sam rolled his eyes.

“Do you take anything seriously?” Sam asked. Bucky’s mouth dropped open and he brought a hand to his chest.

“I am being completely serious right now.” He said, a little laugh vibrating through his words.

“Mhm sure you are. Just do what you have to do man.” Sam said, shaking his head. Bucky laughed out loud this time and then nodded.

“I will. I just didn’t want you to think I was trying to feel you up. I’m am nothing if not professional.” He said seriously. Sam snorted and then tried not to squirm as Bucky’s fingers pressed into his nipples. He didn’t really want to say it out loud, but there was no way that was going to help them flatten out. But apparently Bucky knew what he was doing cuz he nodded to himself and then moved back a bit to look at Sam’s chest again. Tilting his head to the side a few times. The machine clicked off behind him and he looked over his shoulder.

“Give that a look in the mirror and see if they look straight to you while I get this stuff ready.” Bucky said, turning around to take the jewelry and needle out. Sam turned and looked, the little marks beside each nipple looked even to him. He stayed facing the mirror for a bit longer to watch Bucky in the mirror. He felt heat run down his body when he saw Bucky turn around and look at Sam’s back, pulling his lip between his teeth and making a face before turning back to the counter. Sam smirked to himself and then sat back down.

“Looks good to me.” He said. Bucky nodded and turned around, pulling his little tray with him.

“Go ahead and lay down for me, head at this end if you please.” He said, patting the end farthest from the door. Bucky must have closed it at some point, Sam had missed that. He was a little nervous. Bucky leaned over Sam and smiled.

“So I should warn you, and I don’t want to be presumptuous about your nipple sensitivity, but people with more sensitive nipples do sometimes find this part a little intense. So just, ya know, be warned.” Bucky said. Sam nodded.

“Yeah I read that.” He said shortly, squeezing his shirt in his hand.

“Of course you did.” Bucky breathed, his voice close to a whisper, and if Sam hadn’t been full of nerves he may have even heard the fondness laced through it. Sam took a deep breath as Bucky’s fingers touched him again, gently moving around his nipples.

“Okay. Deep breath in for me.” Bucky said. Sam inhaled, his eyes squeezing shut.

“And out.” Sam forced the air out as Bucky pushed the needle through and Sam almost groaned. There was no pain at all, just a sharp pressure and heat that ran from Sam’s chest to his groin. Sam was so fucked. He took a deep breath and bit his lip as Bucky put the bar in and twisted on the ball.

“You did good. Really good. Just one more.” Bucky said, his compliments and praises helpful in all the wrong ways at the moment. Sam felt him move to his other nipple and squeezed his eyes even tighter.

“Deep breath in.” Bucky said, and Sam felt excitement buzzing under his skin.

“And out.” Bucky said. The pressure was the same and Sam bit into his lip even harder, stifling the moan under another deep breath. He let it out and relaxed his eyes. Bucky put the bar in and screwed on the ball, then told Sam he could sit up. Sam did and immediately moved his shirt into his lap.

Bucky moved in front of him and looked at the piercings, his head doing that adorable little tilting thing, his fingers pressing into the skin of Sam’s pecs a little as he looked at them. He nodded to himself.

“You can look and make sure they’re even if you want.” Bucky said, nodding to the mirror as usual. Sam jumped down and looked in the mirror, the metal on his chest shining in the bright lights, his cock twitched as he looked at them, the thought of someone tugging on them once they’d healed filling his head. He refused to admit that the person he’d been picturing was the man standing behind him. He cleared his throat and turned around.

“Yeah looks good.” He said quietly, his voice cracking a little. Bucky must have heard it because he turned around and looked at Sam for a brief moment, his eyes darting down to where Sam was holding his shirt in front of him. Bucky turned back toward the counter.

“Don’t be too embarrassed about that. It happens all the time.” Bucky said, then turned back around and threw his gloves in the trash before smiling at Sam.

“There’s typically two reactions to nipple piercings. One is crying. Like, hard core crying. Lots of tears. I’ve seen many a guy and gal get weepy man, it happens.” Bucky said, crossing his arms over his chest as he kept looking at Sam.

“And two, people get really, really, turned on. It’s just a thing that happens. Especially with sensitive nipples. It’s very common, and no big deal. I’ve seen fucking everything, so don’t get freaked out okay?” Bucky said, tilting his head and widening his eyes at Sam. His voice was so quiet, calming. Like he wanted to make sure Sam was okay and not uncomfortable. Sam nodded but moved his eyes to the floor.

“I once had a guy scream like a child when I did his. Ya know those screams that kids have, the really high pitched ones that make it sound like someone’s being murdered? Yeah, he screamed like that. It scared the shit outta me. I nearly died of a damn heart attack that day.” Bucky said, Sam looked up at him and saw the amusement in his eyes.

“He was a big bulky guy too. Body builder type. It was all very shocking.” Bucky said with a smirk, clearly trying to coax at least a smile out of Sam. Sam gave in and smiled at him. Bucky smiled back, the brightest smile Sam had ever seen on him. It was more of a toothy grin. And Sam wished he could see that fucking smile everyday of his damn life.

“There we go. That’s better. You can put your shirt back on if you want, it looked baggy enough to not cause an irritation.” Bucky said, Sam nodded and then pulled the door open and let Bucky walk in front of him this time. Sam tipped him even more this time, and hoped that wouldn’t be awkward either. He’d just been worried it was going to hurt a lot, and it hadn’t. At least that’s what he told himself. So sue him.

“So the healing time for those is a bit longer. 4 to 6 months this time. Irritation is really common. But you can keep it to a minimum by wearing baggier clothes, if you sleep on your stomach they’ll probably get irritated from that as well. Exercise can irritate them too, so just be careful and maybe cut down any harsh work outs you have, just for awhile. Other than that it’s the usual. Keep ‘em clean, and if you feel like anything isn’t healing right, just come back and see me and I’ll get it figured out for you.” Bucky said, leaning on the counter as he looked at Sam. Sam nodded and smiled a half smile at him. Bucky nodded back and Sam turned to leave.

“Bye Sam. It was good seeing you!” Bucky called after him. Sam jerked his hand over his shoulder in a half assed wave and nearly ran out the door. He threw himself into his car and drove home, feeling like an idiot.

He got home, pulled his shirt off and then settled on the couch. He put on the harry potter marathon on ABC and pulled his laptop across the couch and onto his lap. He groaned when the screen lit up and Bucky’s Facebook page popped up. He’d forgotten he’d been stalking him again before he’d left this morning. He moved the mouse to hover over the red X in the corner and then sighed and refreshed the page. He scrolled to the top post and inhaled so fast he coughed. He cleared his throat and read the post over and over, his heart hammering in his chest.

“Boys are so cute and I am so WEAK”

There were four crying Emoji’s after it and Sam couldn’t help but smile. He kept scrolling and saw about twelve pictures of the same cat. Some of him sleeping, some of him sitting near a window and a few of him sitting or sleeping next to Bucky’s head while he was laying in bed. There was a video below the pictures and Sam pressed play and found he was nowhere near ready for it.

The cat was rolling around on the floor, and then jumping up and scratching at the tiles and trying to bite them. Then flopping back over and flailing around some more. But that wasn’t what he hadn’t been ready for. What he hadn’t been ready for was the sound of Bucky, giggling uncontrollably in the background and talking to the cat in a high pitched voice broken with laughter.

“What are you doin buddy?” Bucky’s voice said and then giggled as the cat wiggled on the floor. A fit of giggles could be heard and then he was talking again.

“Jeffery. Buddy. What-“ more giggles.

“What is going on huh?” he said, with that voice that people only use on their pets. The cat, Jeffery, jumped up and ran to the other side of the kitchen before running back and attacking one of the kitchen cabinets, his paws moving rapidly over the surface. The little pitter patter of his paws on the wood was drowned out by more giggles.

“Jeffery.” Bucky’s voice said, sternly but just barely staying together. The cat stopped and jerked his head toward the camera. He meowed then, low and sad sounding and then flopped over again before pulling himself along the floor to rub on Bucky’s socked foot. More giggles followed, along with a snort when the cat smashed his face into Bucky’s toes and then the video started over.

Sam watched it six times, and then made a huge mistake. He’d been laughing so hard there were tears running down his face. His hand had acted of its own accord. He slid the mouse across the screen and hit “like” before he’d meant to, before he could stop himself. He stopped laughing immediately and just stared at his computer. He made a noise in his throat and slammed the computer closed. He kept it closed for a second and then opened it back up. The little blue thumb was still there. He groaned and slammed it shut again and then went into the kitchen to make dinner and take his mind off of it.

He ate in the kitchen, something he never did. Then he washed the dishes by hand, something he also never did. And when he was finally done with all that, he went back into the living room and dropped onto the couch, ignoring his laptop as best he could. He made it through Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban before he broke down and grabbed it. He pulled it onto his lap and opened it slowly. He nearly threw it across the room when the page loaded.

There was a little red one bubble hanging above his friend requests.

He took a deep breath and clicked it, dropping his head onto the back of the couch when he saw what he knew he was going to see.

“Bucky Barnes sent a friend request.”

Because of course he fucking did. Sam was a fucking idiot. That had been almost two hours ago. Jesus, he’s sent it right after Sam had liked the video. Bucky clearly had no chill. Sam stared at the accept and deny buttons for nearly five minutes before clicking accept. He sighed and tired to relax. Thinking that would be the end of it. He let his eyes fall closed and then snapped them back open when he heard the little notification noise. He narrowed his eyes and slowly lifted his head. He clicked on the little red one that had popped up over messages.

“Bucky Barnes has sent a message request.”

Sam groaned loudly, read the part about them not being able to see that you’ve read the message until you hit accept and clicked the message to see what Bucky had written.

B: Are you stalking my Facebook page Sam Wilson? :)

Sam made a face and groaned again when he saw that dumb smiley face. He sighed to himself, he was already in this deep, and he’d accepted the friend request so Bucky knew he was here. He hit accept and then tried to think of something clever to say.

S: No, I’m stalking your cat.

Sam grimaced at himself after he hit send. What the fuck?

B: haha! He wouldn’t mind. He’s very social. How are the piercings’ feeling?

Sam sighed, so he just wanted to know about the piercings. Great.

S: they’re fine. A little tender, but fine.

B: that’s good. Listen, I wanted to apologize if I made you uncomfortable at all today. I didn’t mean too. And I’m sorry if I did. I just, I get…weird, sometimes. And my instinct is always to try to make people laugh when they seem uncomfortable and half the time it backfires really badly. So like, if that’s what happened with you today. I’m sorry.

Sam’s smile widened as he read the message. So Bucky was relatively smooth in person, but online he was a ramble-y dork. Good to know. But he was also being incredibly sincere and Sam felt his heart flutter.

S: you didn’t make me uncomfortable. You actually helped me not feel uncomfortable. So, thank you.

B: oh. Well… good. I’m glad. I just, I was really hoping I hadn’t scared you off or something. Cuz ya know, I uh… I really enjoy when you come into the shop Sam.

Sam’s palms were sweating as he stared at Bucky’s dorky icon, a picture of him with his cat laying over his face, all you could see where his eyes. They were wide and scared looking. Sam smiled to himself and then bit his lip.

S: I really enjoy coming to the shop. So that’s…good.

Sam grimaced again and felt anxious as he watched the little dots appear as Bucky typed.

B: That is good. Hey I’d love to talk more but I’ve got a few people in line for piercings. But we’ll talk soon. Have a good evening Sam. :)

Sam shook his head at the little smiley face.

S: Yeah, talk to you soon. You have a good evening too. Have fun poking holes in people!

B: Oh, always!

Sam smiled and then saw Bucky’s little green online dot disappear. He sighed happily to himself and then turned his laptop off. He pushed it aside and pulled a blanket over himself, turning back to the tv just in time to see Harry Potter basically fall back into hit seat when his name came out of the Goblet. He drifted off to sleep soon after, a smile on his lips as Bucky’s giggles floated through his head.

~***~

He couldn’t wait 4 months to get his next one. He just couldn’t. He’d been talking with Bucky on and off since that night. Bucky would message him when he had down time at work. And Sam would do the same. Sometimes Bucky sent him pictures of weird things Clint and Nat were doing around the shop. About three days ago, Bucky, Clint and Nat had gone across the street to get some pizza for lunch. And Bucky had sent him a picture of Clint perched on one of the chairs and Nat lying across the table top, her head resting on her hand as she gave the camera a thumbs up. He’d sent it with the caption “I can’t take them anywhere” and Sam had snorted water through his nose.

His piercings still had a little healing to do, but they felt fine, they weren’t tinder or infected and that was good enough for him. He hadn’t told Bucky he was coming. He wanted to surprise him a little. He was a little scared that this piercing was going to hurt a lot. But he knew Bucky was the best, and that even if it did hurt, he was in good hands. And then his brain supplied him with thoughts of exactly where Bucky’s hands would be and he squirmed in his seat and kept driving.

He walked in the door and heard laughter. The place was full of it. He smiled when he saw Bucky doubled over near the counter, his hands on his knees, his face red. His hair was out its bun and Sam gulped, he’d never seen his hair down in person, he’d seen pictures, but this was different. He looked fucking beautiful with his hair falling in his face. He straightened up and took a gulp of air and then was laughing again. Clint was in a similar state. His face red as he leaned against the wall. Nat was sitting on the floor with her legs spread in a V, the top half of her body bent over to fit between them, she was slapping her hand against the ground and shaking with laughter.

There was another man standing near them, also laughing, Sam recognized him from Bucky’s pictures as Wade. His face was scrunched in a grimace as he snorted with laughter. Sam chuckled as he looked at them. They were a mess. They all took a deep breath in at the same time, the shop going silent, and they looked at each other in silence before laughing again. Sam stood watching them until they calmed down a little and then he cleared his throat. Their heads all moved in his direction at the same time, Clint and Nat waved at him in unison. Bucky smiled at him, his teeth showing again and nearly making Sam swoon. Wade waved as well and then gasped and pointed at Sam.

“You must be Sam! Who am I kidding, you’re definitely Sam, I mean just look how this one’s lookin at ya.” Wade said with a smile, jerking his thumb in Bucky’s direction. Bucky ducked his head and rubbed at the back of his neck.

“D’aww he’s so shy.” Wade said and clapped him on the back. Sam snorted quietly, shy wasn’t really a word he’d ever associated with Bucky. Wade walked forward and hugged Clint and Nat and Bucky as he passed them.

“So, your last names’ Wilson right? That’s so cool cuz so is mine! We’re twins! Like name twins obviously not actual twins because you’re gorgeous and I’m... white…. So there’s that. Anywho, we should start a law firm, or something that has similar names to law firms, Wilson and Wilson, partners in law…or something else. Probably something cooler.” Wade said in a rush, patting Sam’s shoulder as he walked past him, then he was walking backwards toward the door, still talking.

“I’d love to flesh this idea out more but I really have to run, people to do and things to see, you know how it is. I hope you all have really wonderful evenings! And Buck, don’t fuck up whatever it is this man wants done okay? He’s too beautiful for you to fuck up. Okay kids I’m out! See you all on the flip side.” Wade said with a wave and then disappeared out the door. Sam looked back to Bucky with wide eyes.

“Why do I feel like I was just talking to a hurricane in a human suit?” Sam asked sounding a little worried. Bucky chuckled and walked forward a little.

“He has that effect on people. You get used to it.” Bucky said with a shrug and shoved his hands in his pockets.

“So this is a nice surprise. What can I do you for?” he asked, that cheeky smile on his lips again. Sam smiled at him.

“I uh… I wanted…” he trailed off and eyed Clint and Nat, they were talking quietly to each other but Sam still didn’t feel comfortable saying it in front of them. He knew they’d know what it was, and he also had a suspicion that they weren’t really talking to each other, that they were just pretending too so they could spy on Bucky and Sam. Bucky tilted his head and furrowed his brow.

“Can we talk about this in your office?” Sam asked. Bucky nodded immediately and jerked his head in that direction.

“Alright you two, scram. And no listening at the door either. In fact, why don’t you just go home. And flip the sign when you leave, it’s late, and I don’t want to work the shop alone, there’s no point with my two tattoo artist gone anyway.” Bucky said, leaning out the door as Sam stood in his office.

“Well go on.” He said, raising his voice a little and then closing the door after he seemed satisfied.

“They’re gone.” Bucky said and then walked over to lean against the counter as Sam automatically sat down on the piercing table.

“So what’s up? Everything okay?” Bucky asked sounding genuinely concerned. Sam nodded.

“Yeah everything’s fine. Really good actually. It’s just, I didn’t want everyone know about this one.” He said. Bucky nodded.

“Okay. So what do you have in mind today?” Bucky asked, pulling his lip between his teeth as he looked at Sam.

“I uh… I want an Apadravya. If you do those that is. What?” he asked, Bucky was staring at him with wide eyes.

“Nothing, I just, people don’t usually pronounce that right.” He chuckled when Sam let out a small “oh”.

“I do those. It’s been a few but I do them. No problem. Let me get some gloves. And you’ll have to pull your pants down, obviously.” He said with a smile and then turned to get gloves. Sam stood and took a deep breath before pulling his pants down. He heard Bucky take a deep breath too and then he was looking at Sam. He walked a little closer, keeping his eyes on Sam’s face.

“I’m gonna try to be as professional as I can be here okay? I apologize in advance for any ill timed dick jokes. You just, you bring out my jokes man, cuz you always look so serious. Ready?” Bucky asked, Sam nodded, pressing his lips together as Bucky knelt down in front of him. He bit his lip hard when Bucky’s fingers touched him. They were cold against his skin and he shivered.

“Sorry, I know they’re cold.” Bucky said quietly and his fingers moved around the head of Sam’s dick. Sam moved his hands to the side of the table and squeezed hard. He felt Bucky make a mark, and then another and then he was standing up again.

“Okay. That was easy. You’re very…symmetrical…down there.” Bucky said and then grimaced before turning around and pulling his gloves off. Sam barked a laugh. His nerves on edge with all of himself exposed like this.

“So just to be certain. You wanted the vertical piercing yes, up and down from top to bottom through the head?” Bucky asked, glancing over his shoulder and then back to the jewelry. Sam must have missed him putting it in the sanitizer. And Bucky must have also been on his knees longer than Sam had thought. Because Bucky was pulling them out and putting them on his tray.

“Yep. That’s the one.” Sam said, resisting the urge to cover himself with his hands. He saw Bucky nod, his hair swinging back and forth a little and then he was facing Sam again.

“Okay. This might hurt. But mostly everyone just describes it as a pressure. So, just be ready okay?” Bucky asked, giving Sam a soft look.

“I trust you.” Sam said with a nod. Bucky smiled and breathed a laugh through his nose before sinking to his knees again. Sam refused to look down at him. He didn’t need that imagery in his head. He closed his eyes and tilted his head back. His hands tightening on the table edge again when he felt Bucky’s fingers on him, and then the metal of the needle pressed against him.

“Okay Sam. Deep deep breath for me.” Bucky said quietly. Sam breathed in until it hurt and held it.

“And out.” Bucky said, pushing the needle through as Sam pushed all the air out of his lungs as fast as he could. Sam moaned and then bit his lip.

“Are you okay?” Bucky asked.

“Mhm.” Sam hummed.

“You made a noise that might say otherwise.” Bucky said, sounding like he was smiling.

“It wasn’t a bad noise.” Sam muttered, biting his lip again.

“Ah, gotcha. That’s good at least. Let me get the bar in and the ball on for you. Two seconds.” Sam felt another moment of pressure, sinking his teeth into his lip harder to stop the moan in his throat from escaping. He waited to hear the sound of Bucky taking his gloves off. And he waited to see the top of Bucky’s head in his peripherals but he didn’t. All he heard was Bucky sigh, clearly still kneeling in front of Sam.

“Sam.” Bucky said quietly. Sam gulped and squeezed the table harder, his knuckles going white.

“Hmm?” he hummed, squeezing his eyes shut.

“Look at me Sam.” Bucky said, and Sam could hear him smiling, the little shit.

“I can’t.” Sam gritted out, his teeth clenched.

“Aw come on Sam, pretty please?” Bucky said, his voice going high like a child begging for sweets.

“Bucky for fucks sake will you just tell me you’re done and get up.” Sam said, sounding frustrated.

“Well I would. But I just can’t, in good conscious, let this opportunity pass me by. I mean I knew this was gonna be trying but I had no idea you’d be this…fucking gorgeous.” Bucky said, teasing at first and then sounding breathless. Sam snapped his eyes open and looked down at Bucky so fast he was surprised he didn’t give himself whiplash.

“Is this you being professional?” he asked, sounding frantic. Bucky smiled up at him and shook his head, pulling his bottom lip between his teeth. And that was when Sam really took in what he was looking at. Bucky was on his knees in front of Sam, eye level with his cock, his cheeks were flushed. His hands were resting on his thighs, his butt resting on his knees. He was looking up at Sam with his lip between his teeth and Sam felt like dying.

“So…you- you aren’t being professional?” Sam stammered, his fingers drummed against the underside of the table as he looked down at Bucky and swallowed hard.

“I’ll be honest with you here Sam, and I mean completely honest. Are you ready for my complete honesty Sam?” Bucky asked, cocking his head to the side and smiling up at Sam. Sam couldn’t decide if he wanted to smack that smile off his face or kiss it off.

“I doubt it. But tell me anyway.” Sam breathed, somehow not feeling as exposed anymore even though his pants were still around his ankles. Bucky smirked up at him and he groaned.

“I have, honestly, never wanted to give a blow job as much as I do right now.” Bucky said, his eyes moving slowly to Sam’s cock, his tongue darted out and licked across his bottom lip and then his eyes were back on Sam’s. Sam felt like his heart had stopped in his chest.

“Well, I mean that’s just…” Sam trailed off. Then saw the doubt in Bucky’s eyes and got brave.

“What’s stopping you?” Sam asked, smirking down at Bucky when he wiped his palms down his thighs and gulped, his throat moving as he looked up at Sam with wide eyes.

“Consent? I’m not really in the habit of just blowing random guys, especially when I don’t know if they want me too.” Bucky said, the end of his sentence sounding more like a question than a statement. Sam nodded and shrugged.

“My pants are still down aren’t they?” Sam said, Bucky swallowed again and nodded.

“There’s just one problem.” He said, sounding sad.

“What?” Sam asked, his brow furrowing.

“I literally just put a bar through the head of your dick. And oral sex is so unsanitary. I just, I can’t do it. I just can’t. Bad things happen when you get sucked off after piercings. I’ve seen it, and trust me, you don’t wanna see it. No amount of pleasure is worth that.” Bucky said, his hand coming up to his mouth and rubbing, his eyes looking up at Sam, full of remorse. Sam laughed and shook his head.

“I believe you Buck just, fuck. Just do…something.” Sam said, his voice going into a low growl on the last word.

“My fucking pleasure.” Bucky breathed as he moved forward quickly. Sam moaned loudly when he felt Bucky’s mouth on him. His hand fisting in Bucky’s hair as he bit down on Sam’s hip, his tongue moved over the spot and Sam pulled on his hair.

“Fuck.” Bucky whispered, the air ghosting over Sam’s wet skin and sending chills across Sam’s body.

“You like that huh? Hair pulling?” Sam asked, his voice teasing as he tugged again. Bucky moaned and then moved his mouth down a little, licking at the base of Sam’s dick. Sam’s hips jerked forward and Bucky looked up at him, licking his lips.

“Yeah. I like it a lot actually, thanks for asking.” He said quietly, biting down on his lip quickly before ducking back down to put his mouth on Sam again. He kissed over Sam’s stomach, licking him every now and then and running his teeth over Sam’s skin. He pushed Sam’s shirt out of the way with a frustrated growl and then reached up and pulled it over Sam’s head before throwing behind Sam. He looked at him for a second and then put his hand on Sam’s stomach, pushing him backwards a little. Sam looked down at Bucky’s still gloved hand.

“So uh… do the gloves do it for you or…?” Sam asked with a smirk. Bucky nodded almost immediately as he put his other hand on Sam’s stomach and then moved them down slowly, the rubber gloves pulling at Sam’s skin. The sensation making Sam shiver, his hips jerking again. Bucky smirked.

“Looks like they do it for you too.” He said, then ducked his head again and dug his teeth into Sam’s hip again. Sam moaned and moved his hand back to Bucky’s hair, this time pulling up, trying to get Bucky to move. Bucky took the hint and began kissing up Sam’s stomach, licking and biting his way up, eventually pushing himself to his feet.

He moved his hands up Sam’s sides, the drag of the rubber gloves on Sam’s skin pulling moans from him. Then Bucky moved his hands up a little more and pressed his thumbs against Sam’s nipples. Sam yelled and moved his hands to Bucky’s back, his fingers fisting in Bucky’s shirt. Bucky let himself be pulled forward, his mouth going to Sam neck as he chuckled against Sam’s skin.

“I’ve been wanting to do that since you got hard that day Sam. Been thinking about it. About the sounds you’d make.” Bucky whispered in Sam’s ear, then pulled his ear lobe between his teeth and pulled a little before letting him go.

“Fuck.” Sam breathed out, his hands pushing up under Bucky’s shirt.

“Me too Buck. Shit.” He whined, his hips rolling as Bucky pressed his thumbs against Sam’s nipple piercings hard and then let up, ducking down again and licking over the bar of the right one. Sam tugged at Bucky’s shirt, trying to pull it over his head but Bucky didn’t seem to want to move his mouth away from Sam’s skin.

“Off off off.” Sam said impatiently, finally pushing Bucky back and yanking the shirt off. Bucky twitched his eyebrows at Sam when he looked up at Bucky and threw the shirt over his shoulder.

“Pushy.” Bucky said with a smirk.

“Needy.” Sam said flatly. Bucky looked at him for a minute.

“Fair enough.” He said with a shrug and then was pressed against Sam again, dragging his hands down his back, Sam moaning at the feel of those stupid gloves. Sam rolled his hips again and hissed when his cock hit Bucky’s thigh. Bucky moved his hips back quickly and looked down at Sam.

“Ooh, that’s gonna be dangerous.” He panted, looking down between them. Sam nodded and then looked up at him.

“Is it… I mean can I – can I do this?” Sam asked, sounding unsure. Bucky smiled at him fondly and moved his hand to Sam’s cheek.

“Yeah. You can do it. It might sting a little when you cum, but you can do it. You’ll just have to make sure you pee right after, to clean it out.” Bucky said, sounding less like he was trying to fuck Sam and more like he was talking to a customer. Sam looked at him silently for a minute, Bucky’s eyes widened and he tilted his head.

“What?” he asked, somehow sounding small. Sam smiled at him.

“Nothing, it’s just weird. That clinical talk was kinda doing it for me.” He said and shrugged. Bucky smiled a toothy grin.

“Yeah? I got more of it. You want me to keep talking like that? Cuz I can.” He said, sounding eager to please.

“You don’t think it’s weird?” Sam asked, his fingers moving against the skin of Bucky’s sides. Bucky shook his head.

“Naw man, whatever you’re into. I’m happy to oblige.” He said and leaned forward, pressing his lips to Sam’s gently. It took Sam a few seconds to realize that this was their first actual kiss. He moved his hands to the sides of Bucky’s face and deepened the kiss, licking into Bucky’s mouth until he moaned. Bucky pulled back and took a deep breath.

“Listen we gotta rearrange here or we’re gonna hurt you’re beautiful dick. And I refuse to be a part of that.” Bucky said, resting his head against Sam’s. Sam nodded slowly, then smirked.

“How do you want me?” he asked. Bucky closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening them and giving Sam a look.

“I’m sorry. I had to.” Sam said with a smile.

“No you did good. I’m proud of you.” Bucky said with a nod, kissing the corner of Sam’s mouth with a smile. Then his hands moved down to Sam’s hips and he jerked him forward, pulling him to his feet. Sam gasped at the sudden movement and then bit his lip and groaned when Bucky spun him around roughly, pushing him forward so his thighs pressed against the table. Bucky pressed up against his back and moved his hands up Sam’s sides.

“This good for you?” Bucky whispered, his lips brushing against Sam’s ear, making him shiver. Sam nodded.

“Yeah. Yeah it’s really fucking good. Fuck.” He breathed. He moaned again when Bucky rolled his hips against Sam’s ass, pressing his cock against him.

“It’s good for me too.” Bucky said, biting down on Sam’s neck gently, his hips still rocking against Sam.

“Fuck.” He groaned into Sam’s skin and then his hands were gone from Sam’s sides and Sam heard him unbuckling his belt. He felt Bucky’s head press into his back, his hair tickling him, as he leaned down a little, pushing his pants down. He straightened up a second later and then pressed himself against Sam again, moaning as he slid his cock against Sam’s warm skin.

“Touch yourself Sam.” He whispered, his arms wrapping around Sam’s stomach, his hands resting flat against Sam’s abdomen. Sam whined and wrapped his hand around his cock, the tip was dripping, and Bucky was right, it did sting a little bit.

“Tell me why.” Sam breathed, one hand reaching behind him to grab at Bucky. Bucky rocked his hips against Sam hard and Sam felt him smile into his shoulder.

“Cuz I don’t wanna hurt you. Don’t wanna get over excited and hit that pretty little bar I just put in there for you.” Bucky whispered, Sam moaned and pressed his ass back into Bucky’s movements.

“Plus, you play with yourself all the time. You know how you like it best.” Bucky said, moving his hands to Sam’s hips again and pressing his fingers into the skin hard, pulling Sam back against him, basically rubbing Sam against his cock. Sam groaned and dropped forward, propping himself up with one hand, the other moving over his cock in time with Bucky’s thrusts.

“Shit Buck.” He said, he tried to say something else but it got lost in a moan as Bucky moved his hand down Sam’s hip and grabbed at his thigh. The rubber glove catching in the hair on his leg and making his hips jerk again.

“Don’t worry.” Bucky whispered, moving his hand to the base of Sam’s cock, his fingers pressing into Sam’s balls and dragging another moan out of him.

“I’ll learn how you like it too. I’ll make it perfect for you.” Bucky said, thrusting his hips against Sam’s ass, his cock sliding between Sam’s ass cheeks, slick with precum. Sam moaned and arched his back a little, then gasped when Bucky wrapped his hand up and around Sam’s chest and pulled him back against him, his other hand moving up a little to rest on the trail of hair leading to Sam’s cock.

“Come for me Sam.” He breathed, the air hitting Sam’s neck pushed him over the edge. He moaned, dropping his head back on Bucky’s shoulder, moving his hand over himself for a few quick stokes as he came. Bucky pressed against him harder, moving his hips in a few jerky thrusts and then he bit down on Sam’s shoulder with a moan. Sam moaned with him when he felt Bucky’s cum hot on his back. Bucky released his grip on Sam and they both slumped forward. Sam propping himself up on his elbows as Bucky rest his forehead against Sam’s back.

They stayed like for a few minutes, just breathing together. And then Bucky groaned against Sam’s back.

“What?” Sam asked, moving off one elbow and reaching back to find Bucky’s arm, moving his fingers against his skin.

“That was so unprofessional.” Bucky whined against Sam’s back. Sam snorted and pinched Bucky’s arm.

“Ow. Also, I never want to move from this spot ever.” He said, moving his hand into Sam’s and linking their fingers. Sam hummed.

“That would probably be bad for business.” Sam said flatly. Bucky laughed against his back and then pulled away.

“Aw, I got you all messy. Sorry about that.” Bucky said, he sounded tried. Sam stood up and turned to see Bucky pulling his pants up. He zipped and buttoned them and then pulled his gloves off. He grabbed a few paper towels and motioned for Sam to turn around again by twirling his finger. Sam smiled and then did as he was told. He sighed when Bucky’s warm hand fell on his shoulder as he cleaned Sam up.

“There ya go.” He said and spun Sam around again, kissing him quickly before throwing the paper towels in the trash, then he was back in front of Sam, is hands resting on his hips, giving him a look.

“What?” Sam asked, feeling like Bucky was seeing right through him.

“Nothin. I was just gonna tell you that you could pull your pants up now if you wanted.” he said with a smile. Sam startled and moved his hands toward them but Bucky stopped him. Sam furrowed his brow. Bucky held his finger up and then bent down, slowly pulling Sam’s pants up until they were resting on his hips again. Sam sighed and swayed forward. Bucky leaned into him and pulled him into a kiss. Sam’s smile broke the kiss and he pulled back to see Buck smiling at him too.

“So, I’d ask if we should go to your place or mine, but I really have to go home.” Bucky said, moving his thumb over Sam’s lip.

“Oh.” Sam said, disappointment filling his chest and making it ache.

“Hey.” Bucky said quietly.

“You can come with me. I just have to feed my cat. He gets cranky when I’m late.” Bucky said, scrunching his nose up when Sam sighed in relief.

“So, your place then?” Sam said, cocking his head to the side. Bucky smiled and nodded, his cheeks going pink.

“Shirts. We need shirts.” Bucky said, spinning in a circle and then pointing behind Sam, with a snap of his fingers. Sam turned around with a laugh and picked up their shirts, throwing Bucky his and then pulling his own over his head. He watched Bucky tug his shirt down with a smile, then walked forward and kissed him, just because he could. Bucky hummed into it and chased after Sam when he pulled back. Bucky smiled and then headed for the door.

“You might wanna clean up your table before we go. I’d hate to see the grief you’d get from Clint and Nat if they came in and saw that.” Sam said, jerking his thumb in the direction on the table. Bucky followed the motion with his eyes and then widened them.

“Oh shit yeah, I’d never live that down.” He said with a grimace. He fake jogged back over to the counter and grabbed more paper towels, and his disinfectant spray and sprayed down the table, wiping Sam’s cum up and then throwing them in the trash.

“Thanks doll.” He said with a smile. Sam flushed at the name.

“Doll?” he asked, looking at Bucky through his lashes as Bucky opened the door.

“I would call you babe, but I sort of call my cat that, so…that could get weird.” Bucky said, looking to the ceiling like he was thinking it over and then dropped his eyes back to Sam with a smile. Sam snorted and walked past him out the door. Most of the other lights in the shop had been shut off already.

“I just need to get these lights and then lock up. Two seconds.” Bucky said, giving Sam’s hand a squeeze and then walking behind the counter to get the lights. He clicked them off and then was back at Sam’s side, his arm around his waist as they walked to the door.

“I cannot wait to cuddle the shit out of you in my bed Sam. I’ve been dreaming about it no joke.” Bucky said as they got close to the door, he pulled Sam closer. Sam turned to him.

“Really, that all you been you dreaming about?” he teased. Bucky shook his head and gave Sam a fake sheepish look.

“No. But it’s the only dream I’m gonna act on, probably, until that beauty is healed up.” Bucky said, inclining his head and dropping his eyes to Sam’s crotch before looking back up with a smile.

“Mhm. Sure.” Sam said with a node and a disbelieving tone.

“Hey, I have a little self control.” Bucky said defensively. Sam pushed forward, into Bucky’s space. He moved his hands to his hips and pushed his fingers up under Bucky’s shirt, moving them slowly against his skin.

“I think we should test that.” Sam whispered. Bucky gulped.

“I- I’ve always been real bad at tests.” Bucky stammered, giving Sam a shaky smile.

“Good.” Sam said and then kissed Bucky. Just a quick press of lips and then he pushed the door open, holding it for Bucky to walk through. He turned as the door closed and turned his key in the lock. Then he put his arm around Sam again and they walked out into the parking lot, the neon green sign on the building buzzing loudly behind them.

#sambucky fic #this is literally the longest fucking things i've written in ages holy shitballs #sambucky #winter falcon fic #winter falcon #tattoo shop!au #piercer!bucky #my writing

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maewestside · 7 years

Text

#FAKEHATE: THE LINGERING EFFECTS OF RUPERT SCURVY... by heidi siegmund cuda, aka @maewestside

One of my former managers told me the secret to his success is he got up earlier than everyone else. #word

On Mother’s Day morning I allowed myself to sleep in till 5 am, an hour later than usual. And then hopped down the stairs and did what any bright chap would do, I searched the word “impeach” in social, hoping to get a single wiff of the smell of impeachment in the air. For months all we’ve been smelling is tension and rage, as the lingering effects of Rupert Scurvy has combusted America’s heart and soul. We used to have one, you know.

As story after story with the same inelegant script under different HateBot$ turned up under the word “impeach” revealing a non-story about Ms. Maxine Waters, one of the most courageous #sheroes of the revolution, I thought, “This can’t be!” But there it was, a grotesque caricature, #misogyny on Mother’s Day, the inelegant orche$trated verbiage an indication of an auteur who either hates himself or his mother. That the sicko junk was repurposed by "legit" lol new$ $ites caused me to hurl.

I stared in horror at my busted screen. It just couldn’t be, but in all it$ scummy glory: heavy heavy misogyny on Mother’s Day, with heavy heavy racist undertone$ to add extra.

Aghast, I realized clearly the troll$ were still under contract to #scamalot, as I watched the soulless f$!ker$ find a new critical public servant to inelegantly ba$h, because the cottage indu$try of ba$hing Ms. Hillary Rodham Clinton for profit has been outed by the hard work of chumps like me and myriad dogooders cutting through the corporate scripted narrative that sells #misogny #homophobia #bigotry and #fear for profit.

So there I was on Mother’s Day morning, trying to turn off the bigot $pigot from hurting Ms. Waters one tweet at a time by calling out the Fake Hate, and when I saw the enormity of the prescripted bot and $old venom spitting its way back at me, I summoned the strength of love, because it was afterall Mother’s Day. I wasn’t gonna let miserable, small and weak hearted troll$ ruin a day that is meaningful in my home and millions of others.

I live in a home where mothers are cherished.

So I did the only thing a peace provocateur could do in that situation. I asked the #twitter universe to send Ms. Maxine Waters extra love on that glorious Mother’s Day, and the universe responded in kind.

https://twitter.com/foxycuda/status/863746232748986369

We have to keep trying to detonate #fakehate with love, because we only have love and truth and as I’ve said from the jump, it might be all we need.

Everyone wants to swing baseball bats at those who voted for #meinshit and those who sat it out. But we must unite over the simple fact that truth is a commodity that hasn’t been profitable for corporate controlled media for some time, so things got kinda confusatory as #fakehate cloaked by billionaire fanzine$ and #bignew$ was propagated to the masses in the form of infogreed. Thus, folks truly believe there’s been a significant erosion of goodness in mankind, when it’s merely the passing of greed… let it pass…

We weren’t so easily misled down the slippery slope of info-lie$ a few short years ago cuz we weren’t getting our information from an endless sea of 24/7 $hite skewed to a demographic that the bean counters say will likely buy whatever it i$ they’re selling. Just look at the real #fakenew$ info-ad$ adorning your favorite websites. They had to figger out how to monetize somehow, so taking money from gangster$ musta felt like manna from heaven (eff you Facebook etal).

HIGH NOON FOR CYBERTREASON

A gent with a bent asked me for bulletpoints on my petition to “Investigate Project Alamo.” That’s the nifty name for #cybertreason.

https://twitter.com/foxycuda/status/863454998096519168

Hmm. Five bulletpoints to unite America and help preserve the free world from unloved children who haven’t learned to love themselves. That’s a lot of pressure but we mothers understand pressure because we’ve been in the cooker since the ‘70s.

Okay.

Five Bulletpoints to Save Democracy, as it pertains to #Scamalot and the #Cybertreason of #Project Alamo:

Number one: Sorry pal, you’re gonna have to do some homework cuz I used to condense complex shite into simple graphic bitesize pieces for a living but cybertreason takes due diligence so this will take some reading on your part. There will be no bulletpoints only homework, which you will be quizzed on later.

Your first assignment: read billionaire fanzine Forbes’ cover story on the Golden Doo$h of #Scamalot (Dec. 2016)

(for psychedelic cliff notes: https://twitter.com/foxycuda/status/856152842024869890)

Then follow it up with Businessweek, and myriad Texas new$paper puff piece$ on “Project Alamo,” a San Antonio affair starring the #sanantonio100, the number of digital hack$ it took to fukc up our country but good.

Now, the irony up to this point is these dirty deed$ were all in plain site because the Dumb Bunnie$ running the racket not only gave cozy interviews to collaborator journo$, they were celebrated en masse for playing “moneyball” with America’s heart. And America’s soul.

I have a blind friend who tells me she loves not being marketed to. #word

Today is Wednesday? Okay you have till Friday to read Forbes “exclusive” lolnotlol before my pop quiz and your next assignment: #alexandrachalupa explainer.

Ergo, read… tune out… turn off… meditate… read… seek truth. Cuz it is the truth that will return America to its good and kind soul.

Now I must return to the music in my head and my million projects piling up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zallzQAm040&feature=youtu.be

“… can’t eat, can’t sleep, knowing that nothin’s gonna satisfy me… another blip upon the television screen.. among the oceans of stars…”

#word

(and please don’t be one of the cheapie$ behind the palm$, please tip your #freepress activists. we weren’t chic six months ago when crickets were the only response to truth. now our good efforts are resonating globally so please i beseech you to join such rebel outlaws as pennywise, strung out, the adolescents, sublime, pulley, unit f and a swell group of philanthropists and help me grow the team: https://www.gofundme.com/freepress)

(above, the author, watching sunshine rick schuler channel john denver at “conejo valley days,” featuring buster akrey in the red plaid shirt. cuda asked organist akrey who his favorite artists are who he’s played with: by the time he got to jimmy page, peter frampton and steely dan, you coulda knocked her over with a feather. among the artists who performed at the annual event in simi valley over mother’s day weekend were the foo fighters, cuz the foo is on the right side of history. the mark mahoney-inked “pen is mightier than the sword” back tat circa 2000ish was designed by chris gallipoli, the art director of cuda’s third and fourth books, on her 15th anniversary of being a writer for a living #word).

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photochoco · 4 years

Text

Out in the Field (pt. 1)

Black Cauldron’s newest recruit learns the ropes. She hopes she isn’t in over her head!

Wisteria had always loved sleeping late. In a world where the night was eternal, and the city only had colored lights to indicate the time, it was easy to lose track. She often would stay up until the deep purples of “night” would slowly gradient into the bright yellows of “daytime”. People more or less adhered to the idea that yellow was for doing things and being awake, and purple was for sleeping. Though Wisty had found that the city came alive during the purple hours in a way it didn’t when the lights were yellow. She herself worked better during purple hours.

But now, they looked more or less the same. Maybe the purples were a little darker, but Wisty didn’t realize just how much she’d miss them until she’d looked out her window. Monochrome, just like the inside of her colorful room. Had she known this would happen, she would’ve appreciated it all a lot more. She was glad the BC had told her to come in for her orientation when she felt ready. She had curled up on her bed and sobbed her guts out for what felt like hours. It hurt, not seeing any color. Sure, she could still see all the colors in her mind’s eye, but what was the point if she couldn’t see them with her real ones? Her real ones, which were now gaping, black voids. They didn’t even reflect light very much, which was probably the weirdest part.

For the most part Wisty had stayed cooped up in her apartment, trying to figure out what to do with her artist career. She’d made her way to the BC a couple times to meet with Harvey, but most of her time was spent fighting off a creeping emptiness.

She put on her headphones, pulled out a few locks of hair on each side and looked herself over in the mirror. Perfect, coordinated, adorable. She adjusted her hood and took a deep breath. She forced herself to keep looking when all she wanted to do was shut her eyes.

You are okay.

In front of her apartment complex she wrestled on her roller blades, selected some music, and was off. The breeze as she skated along eased her mind some, and her favorite tunes in her ears eased it more.

She wondered if Harvey had finished designing it yet.

---

The bustling of activity in the cafe area of the Black Cauldron was the same as always, Cadets walking around and chatting with each other. Everyone stopped though, at the sound of something banging into the front door. A heartbeat later, Wisty practically rolled through the threshold, a pair of roller blades in her hand. “Sorry sorry! I didn’t mean to hit the door!”

“Now that’s what I call an entrance,” Bianca giggled, giving a wave. “You ready for your first day?” “As ready as I’ll ever be!” Wisty said, raising her arms in a stretch. “I hope I don’t cause too much trouble for y’all.”

A tall mage in a bunny mask rounded the corner, a giant calligraphy pen in his hands.

“Ah, perfect. I just finished the final adjustments to your weapon. Here.” Harvey held it out with both hands. Its tip gleamed of newly polished brass. Its long body was black and smooth as Wisty took it in her hands. It was-

“It’s perfect!” she nearly squealed in her excitement. Harvey gave a satisfied nod. “Aaaand here are your ink canisters. I took the liberty of filling them up for you already. And here are the colors in powder form, just add water. Once you run out I can make more for you. And the colors are in the order you requested so you can easily pick them without seeing the hue. There should be enough ink to last you a whole fight, but don’t y’know, go painting the entire city.”

Wisty hugged her pen and ink pack tightly to her chest like a child being gifted a new toy. “I love it I love it I love it!!” she exclaimed, hopping up and down.

Harvey’s bunny mask was stuck in a perpetual grin, but Wisty could glean from his body language that he was quite pleased with his handiwork. “You’ll get a chance to try ‘em out today during your sparring.” “My what?” “Sparring!” Bianca appeared out of nowhere and slung an arm around Wisty’s neck. “You said you don’t have a whole lot of fighting experience yeah? Plus like Harvey said, you’ll totally wanna try out your weapon before heading out there, see whatcha can do!” “Okay…” Wisty said slowly. “But who am I gonna be sparring?” It was then she was lifted bodily off the ground by an enormous hand, which wrapped around her middle as easily as if she were a doll.

“That would be me, cupcake. You should get a feel for what it’ll be like fighting powerful enemies with a lot of physical strength.” “As ya probably know, ghouls are usually witch cronies, doin’ their dirty work. Not the smartest, but really damn strong,” Bianca added.

“...Did you just call Pinprick stupid? That’s not very nice!” “Oh no, cupcake, she is mostly right. Being turned into a ghoul scrambled my brains, hehehe,” Pinprick replied with a wide smile. Wisty paused to consider this. “...Still! Be nicer to yourself! I’m fairly sure you’re not stupid.”

“My oh my, what a sweet cupcake you are! But no time for chatter, we must be off to the sparring spot!”

“Oh cool!” Wisty looked down to be put down. “Where is it?” “Near the outskirts of the city,” Pinprick replied as he squeezed through the small doorframe. “Oh, are we gonna walk?”

“Nope!” Bianca said, walking up behind them and jumping onto Pinprick’s other arm, balancing herself against his shoulder. “Rooftop hopping is much faster. Observe!” Pinprick bent his legs.

“Wha aaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA--”

---

“Here we are!” Pinprick chirped, letting go of Wisty. “Go stand over there, and we can get started. Oh before you do though…” He held his hand out to Bianca, who placed something in his palm. He then tossed it to Wisty, who caught it.

“All Cadets carry these bracelets. They’re a magic disrupter, placing them on witches or ghouls disrupts their flow of magic to incapacitate them. But of course, they don’t always do the job, so you all need to know how to fight,” he explained. “That one is just a dummy bracelet of course, completely harmless.” “How does it work?” Wisty asked, looking at the bracelet curiously. “Is it like a taser in bracelet form?”

“Correct! Today, you’re gonna try to get that bracelet on me. Get that bracelet on, and we can call it a day. Unless you get it on real quick though!” Pinprick snickered.

“Oh, you won’t need to worry about that…” Wisty mumbled.

“Chin up, cupcake, back straight! Cuz here I come.”

Geezus, he’s fast!! She hopped backwards, trying to gain some distance between them. He lunged towards her again, arm outstretched to grab her. Gripping her pen, Wisty rammed it against his arm, knocking it off course. She barely had time to feel even an inkling of triumph before she was slammed into the ground and pinned there by his other hand. “Not a bad start, cupcake. But you’re gonna have to do better than that,” Pinprick crooned. “HhHhhhffffiiiihhhhhhhhne,” Wisty wheezed. “Le’go please my lungs hhhhh-”

Pinprick let her go and she stood up, wincing. Dude could pack a punch. “Ready? Again.” He lunged.

She dodged and slid underneath him, bashing the end of her pen into where she thought the back of his knee was. She must’ve struck true; the giant ghoul kneeled with a small grunt. Wisty yelped in surprise as his entire upper half pivoted to face her. “Surprise!” Wisty barely managed to bend out of the way of his swipe. Noticing the ridges on his arm, she grabbed one and swung herself up onto his shoulders. Pinprick bucked, trying to throw her off. She impulsively grabbed the first thing she could, his hair. “Sorry sorry sorry!” she yelped as she reached for the bracelet.

Her apology was answered by Pinprick grabbing her ankle and yanking her off. Upside-down, she could see Bianca ambling up to the scene, a burger in her hand.

“Howzit goin’?” she asked. “Pinprick is killing the shit out of me, so I’ve come to the conclusion that I will absolutely die if I go fight anything,” Wisty grumbled as she dangled from Pinprick’s hand. He snickered in response. “Hey, don’t feel too bad, this is only a baseline! Imagine how good you’ll be after me ‘n Nate ‘n Dex have taught ya!” Bianca said.

“Hopefully it’ll be a less shameful display than this,” Wisty replied as Pinprick idly swung her from side to side like a pendulum.

“Ready whenever you are, love,” he grinned widely.

Pinprick raised his hands again in preparation, grinning still. “We’re only getting started, love!”

“What even determines if I’ve won anymore?!” “Simple! Immobilize me and get the bracelet on, and we can call it a day.” “Okay.” “With me at least!” “OH SCREW OOOOOOFF WITH THAT!! I’LL FRIGGIN DIE IF I FIGHT ANYONE ELSE!”

“What’s happening?” Bianca turned and gave a nod of greeting to Dex, who had strolled up to the scene and was now watching with interest.

“The newbie is getting broken in,” she said, cringing as Pinprick sent Wisty flying again. “I think she’s doing...okay…” Dex smirked. “Sure doesn’t look like it, hehe.” “Hey, go easy on her dude, she just started today! I’ve been watching the whole time, I can tell you she’s gotten a lot better already. Aw geez,” Bianca winced as Pinprick threw a punch that caught Wisty on her right cheek, resulting in her swearing loudly. “Remember your safe word!” Dex shouted to her. “My WHAT? PINPRICK YOU CHEATER, YOU NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT THAT!!” The ghoul only cackled in response. “You never asked about it, cupcake!” “OF COURSE I DIDN’T, I’M NEW HERE! YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO TELL ME!” Wisty screeched.

As Pinprick rushed her again, she didn’t wait. This time she lurched to meet him, jumping in the air and landing an impressive high kick on Pinprick’s chin. “Close!!” Dex shouted. “Keep trying--oof, that looked like it hurt.”

Pinprick had slugged Wisty full force in the torso, and the girl skidded several yards away and hit some nearby boxes, sending dust everywhere. “I’ll go get the nurse bed ready,” Bianca sighed, turning to head back to the Black Cauldron.

Was Pinprick just that strong? Or did she just suck that bad? Wisty coughed on the clouds of dust filling the air. Fine. Fine.

Fine.

She reached behind herself to her ink cartridges. One, two, perfect.

“Yo Pinprick! Did you kill her, man?!” Dex called to his comrade. “Ahoho, I certainly hope not, we were having so much fun!” Before he could say anything more, though, a thin jet of orange ink fired from the dust cloud. The instant it made contact with the ground, it triggered a huge explosion. “HOLY FUCK!!!” Dex hollered as Pinprick skidded backwards, blinking in surprise.

“Oho, it seems the newbie has a few tricks up her sleeve! Good, good!” he laughed. The dust was settling, and now he could see Wisty standing with her back nearly against the brick wall. Just...standing there. “Oh come now love, you can’t be that tired already! You’re leaving yourself...wide! Open!” Pinprick sprinted forward and thrust his left arm out. Wisty swiftly jumped to the side, his right, and he attempted to grab her again, this time with his right hand. She ducked again, resulting in both Pinprick's hands smashing into the wall, sending pieces of brick flying. Wisty took aim with her pen, and fired. Black ink streamed from the tip and coated Pinprick’s hands. His first instinct was to tug--

And they didn’t budge. The ink was like tar.

“What in the--” his words were cut off as Wisty grabbed his arms, flipped herself up onto his shoulders and, using him as her own personal launching pad, leapt up into the air. She shoved another cartridge into her pen and aimed. “Gotcha.” Orange ink streamed. Pinprick was caught in a massive explosion. Dex shielded his face as the heat wave slammed into him.

“Jeezus God, what the hell did Harvey put in those inks??” he muttered to himself.

As the smoke cleared, he could see Pinprick, still standing, his hands free from the black ink, but looking significantly more banged up.

“Yeowzers,” Dex trotted up next to the ghoul to get a closer look at the damage. “That was pretty awesome. Might cause some property damage, though.” “But really, when don’t we cause just a little property damage?” Pinprick pointed out, dusting himself off.

“Wait...where’d Wisteria go?”

“Hmm...did she get blown away from the explosion…?” Pinprick mused. “She was right--”

His entire body was knocked to the ground as Wisty dropped down from above onto him. Dex barely managed to jump out of the way with a squawk.

“You little--” Pinprick hissed, but the girl had a firm grip as she snapped the bracelet around his neck.

“Friggin...got it...Geezus…” she huffed.

She slid off Pinprick as he straightened himself up, looking very pleased.

“Well well well, color me surprised, cupcake! You were quite clever to coax me into getting my hands stuck to the wall. So, orange ink makes explosions, hmm?”

Wisty twirled a lock of her hair looking sheepish, but very happy with herself. “Hehehe, to be honest, while designing my weapon and the ink color effects, I’d asked Harvey which effects each of you guys were resistant to or weak against. Y’know, in case I lend you a hand out in the field. I want to make sure I don’t accidentally hurt one of you.”

Dex let out a whistle. “Damn, you might even give witches a run for their money with smarts like that. But for now, howsabout we get you back to BC? You look like you’re gonna collapse. Your cheek ain’t lookin so good either.” Now that the adrenaline was wearing off, throbbing aches began to make themselves known all over Wisty’s body. Her right cheek really, really hurt, and she gingerly pressed her fingers against it, wincing as the swollen flesh protested.

“You two got pretty banged up. How about we head back to BC to getcha patched up?” Dex jerked his thumb back to his bike, which was parked nearby.

“See ya back at BC, cupcake. And you too, Dex,” Pinprick wiggled his fingers in farewell.

“Awwwww C’mon Pin, aren’t I a cupcake too?” Dex asked, his puppy-dog voice belied by the shit-eating grin on his face.

“Absolutely not! Go on now, I’ll see you two back there!” With a mighty leap, Pinprick was off, hopping from roof to roof with ease. Within no time at all he was out of sight. Wisty slumped. “Urgh, I barely hurt him at all. Look at him doin’ parkour shit while I can barely stand--” Right on cue, her legs buckled. She was saved by Dex, who swooped down and grabbed her under the arms. “Tracy will get you all fixed in no time. Pinprick only went so hard on you because he felt you had potential you were holding back. His method of bringing it out is to hit as hard as he can, hehe. You seem promising, rookie. I’ll have to be extra careful when we fight.” “You use GUNS.” “In the field! Sparring I use blanks. And my lithe body.” Wisty burst out laughing as Dex helped her to the bike. “You guys are merciless! I don’t wanna do anything until I’m not hurting everywhere.”

“Nothin’ a lil magic n’ a hot bath can’t fix. Aight, get on the back,” Dex said, turning the key in the ignition. “DeeDee likes to go fast, so you might wanna hold on.”

“Okay...uh where…” Wisty hesitantly gripped Dex’s shoulders.

“Here we go!” The bike flared to life and Dex squeezed the handle.

It was exhilarating.

“Not too fast for ya, newbie?” “It’s awesome! I love going fast!” “Heh, hang on then!”

Wisty closed her eyes and took a deep breath through her nose, lost in the music from her headphones and the feeling of the wind as they drove along. This was giving her an idea for… She opened her eyes. Ah. Right. What she would’ve given to see what this all looked like in color. The blurred buildings. The bright moon. Dex’s scarf as it fluttered and danced behind them. He had told her it was red, but what shade of red? What shade were her inks? What if she forgot the colors she knew? Her mouth twisted as tears again stung her eyes. Not that any would fall, the wind was drying them up.

“Hey just so ya know, you might wanna actually hang on to my middle or else you’ll fall off!” Dex called over his shoulder.

“What?” Wisty shouted back right before they went over a bump. She yelped and clung to Dex again. He snorted.

“Soooooo, have you thought about partnering up with anyone?” he asked her. “Uh...no, not really.” “Would you like to? Newbies usually tend to, though I don’t think Alphus ever did, heh.” “I dunno. I mean, I...” The truth was, she’d loved to partner up with someone. Maybe then she could stop that cycle of loneliness before it even started.

But… “--It’d be nice to have someone show me the ropes!”

What kind of person just went around telling others how they struggled with loneliness and just wanted to be included? It wasn’t their problem. It was hers, and she didn’t need to be included just so as to not be rude. Even if it hurt, a lot. Still… Please let this be different. Don’t let this be a repeat of every time I’ve tried to join a group.

Her grip tightened. If Dex noticed, he didn’t say anything as he rounded a corner hard, tires screeching.

“Y’know, you should really wear a helmet, especially driving like this!” “Naaahhhh, I’m too cool for one!” “No one is too cool for head safety, my dude.”

“This hair is!”

Wisty stood up suddenly, her arms spread wide. “Whooooooo!!!” “WISTERIA SIT DOWN! You’re gonna fall off!”

“My balance is really good!”

Luckily for her, and Dex’s blood pressure, the Black Cauldron was within sight now. He pulled into the corner and Wisty hopped off as he turned his bike off. “That was awesome! Can we do it again sometime?” she asked excitedly.

Dex twirled the keys around his index finger. “Sure! If you can beat me when we spar.” “Oh--that is so unfair!! I can’t do that, change your conditions you meanie!”

“Take it or leave it, sweetheart!” Dex smirked.

“The only thing I’m taking is a nap, cuz--” Wisty’s legs gave out from under her. “Everything is hurting right now.”

“Let’s get you to Tracy, rookie.”

--- ---

And then Wisty slept for 44 years, content that her character arc was beginning. The lil spinoff series continues! What awaits the newbie? Probably a coupla witches and sprayin’ ink everywhere.

#erika writes #skull kidz #skz #fic #spinoff series #fanart #writing

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