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itchapter3 · 4 years

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Here it is, my gift for this year’s It Fandom Secret Santa

Ao3 Link (x)

My Secret Santa was @dark-alice-lilith I hope you like it! I used the prompt for college au/staying in the dorms over break with the paring eddie/richie.

@itfandomsecretsanta

The door opens and a brief gust of wind bursts through as a giant shapeless blob of coats, scarves, and reusable shopping bags shuffles in. Eddie looks up from his laptop screen to see this before it disappears behind the barrier that separates the dorm rooms’ shared kitchen from the laundry room.

Going back to the work in front of him Eddie decides to ignore the interruption until-

“Fuck!”

More shuffling, the sounds of containers being stacked and moved around then, once more with feeling.

“Fuck…”

Eddie closes his laptop with a sigh and prays that this is not a huge mistake.

“You okay in there?”

Some more shuffling, then an actual human being emerges from behind the wall.

And… he’s actually kind of cute Eddie’s traitorous mind notices. Beneath all the layers of coats and scarves he’s a tall, dark haired, blue eyed dream with admittedly silly looking glasses, but bone structure that more than made up for it.

“Just debating on whether or not I should try and walk all the way back to the store to get an egg or just end it all here and now.”

“Well I’d appreciate you not turning the common area into a crime scene I really wouldn’t advise going out there again, I’ve already gotten three seperate warnings about the snowpocalypse happening outside.” Eddie gives the guy another once over, despite the hat the ends of his hair are still dripping with melted snow. Taking pity on him he continues. “I may have a carton of eggs in my mini fridge, if you tell me exactly what you’re attempting to do with them.”

The other guy smiles and holds up a bag of flour.

“How do you feel about chocolate chip cookies?”

Eddie smiles back.

“Hmm… I deem them… worthy of me walking to my room to get eggs.”

“Yes!”

His arm shoots up in victory.

Eddie grabs his keys and laptop and by the time he looks up from that there is an arm holding the door open for him. He nods and leads the way.

The guy follows him, mostly quietly, though he does hum a few notes along the way.

“Eddie.” He says as they both reach the dorm room.

“Yes?”

“I just realized we never actually introduced ourselves.” He says, pointing out the name tag still taped to the door. “I’m Richie.”

“Oh, shit.” Eddie feels like hitting himself over the head, he just basically invited a total stranger into his room. At least he seems nice enough, has a nice enough name, although it seems a little familiar for some reason. “Nice to meet you, Richie…”

He unlocks the door then, in a sudden moment of clarity whips around with an accusatory finger pointed at-

“Richie!”

“Eddie!” He tries to mirror back, but Eddie just narrows his eyes at him.

“You- You were the one that started that snowball fight last week!”

He can remember clearly now the last time he heard that name, an exasperated ‘ Richie! ’ yelled from the quad between the dorm’s two halls during finals week just before the sounds of projectiles being thrown and the window shaking crack of one hitting his own started up.

He had looked outside at the time, but all he could make out through the fog was two figures mercilessly pelting each other, alone. It would have been pretty funny had it not completely thrown off his concentration on his online Intro to Psych final.

“Guilty?” He gives Eddie a crooked grin, which shouldn’t be cute, it should be annoying right now!

“I was going to bargain for it later, but I’m officially staking claim to half of the cookies since you almost broke my window!”

Richie just nods.

“That seems… a fair and worthy payment.”

“Good, because it is.” Eddie shoots back.

He throws the laptop on his bed and goes for the fridge underneath it, pulling out a half-dozen carton of eggs.

Richie is scanning the various movie and band posters around the room with appreciation when he looks up and Eddie feels an excited dip in his stomach despite himself, he’s pleased that Richie seems to have similar tastes as him.

“Got ‘em” He says.

Richie smiles.

“My hero!”

He hums, more happily on the way back to the common area, until he clears his throat.

“So, not to sound ungrateful but who the fuck keeps eggs in a dorm room? Aren’t those specifically made to hold beer and like… a jar of pickles you only open if you’re extremely high?”

“I am feeling the strangest sense of pity for your roommate right now.”

“Don’t, he’s a monster.” He says with a fond tone that makes it obvious he’s joking.

“Well, if you must know I don’t completely trust the cleanliness of the cafeteria and scrambled eggs are pretty much the only thing I know how to make.” Truth be told since moving out he’s probably been living on way too many frozen meals than is completely healthy, but that’s still better than getting salmonella from dodgy cafeteria food.

“That… is fair enough. I once picked up a spoon from the bin that had a piece of lettuce just full on stuck to the side of it.”

“And if I hadn’t already blacklisted it, that story alone would be enough to keep me from going there.”

“That’s exactly what my roommate said when I told him! You’ve got to meet Stan the man, Eddie!”

Eddie nods agreeingly, but something makes him want to take Richie up on that offer. He also really wants to introduce Bev to him, there’s just something that makes him feel like they would get along like a house on fire.

Once they’re back in the kitchen they start up cooking and chatting. It’s easier than Eddie expected to keep up a conversation and it turns out they have a lot in common, classes, comic books, taste in movies. Eddie measures as Richie stirs and soon enough they’re getting close to done.

“Ugh… my mom always makes this look so easy.” Richie looks at the recipe, pours a little more flour, directly from the bag, into the very sticky dough, and looks at the recipe again.

Eddie hums to himself, not having experience with either baking or watching his mother bake, but happy to watch the trial and error.

“Okay, I think it may be good now.”

Eddie looks over, and it definitely looks like cookie dough, hopefully it tastes like it too.

“Looks like it.”

As the cookies are baking Eddie hears a beep from the other side of the room and remembers why he had been in there in the first place.

“Wait!”

Eddie rushes to the dryers and pulls out a pile of soft fabrics. When he gets back he hands one over to Richie who takes it immediately before he even realizes what it is.

At the recognition he moans, pressing the dryer-warmed blanket to his face.

“I literally owe you my life now, Eds”

Eddie laughs at the muffled praise.

“I forgot I put those in there, I usually put them in on ten minute cycles just to keep me warm while I’m working.”

“Mmmm,” He finally removes the blanket from his face, instead draping it over his shoulders like a cape. “So you always spend the holidays here? This is my first time, it’s deader than I expected.”

“Yeah, it’s really usually only me and the RA’s around here. So, why did you decide to stay here instead of going home for break this time?”

“Eh, didn’t have much of a reason to go home, I mean, my family’s Jewish but we don’t really celebrate, I usually just go over to my friend Stan’s house, but he abandoned me now that he’s got some new hot piece to bring home.” He sighs dramatically. “So here I am, abandoned and alone, luckily I’ve been at the mercy of a very generous and very cute stranger, so I have high hopes for not getting murdered in this ghost town of a school.”

Eddie laughs, a blush rising in his cheeks at the mention of him being called cute.

“Well, don’t hold your breath, if I wasted my eggs on mediocre cookies I have been known to strike out in anger.”

Richie lets out a whistle.

“Well, I didn’t take you for the vengeance type.” He says in what Eddie guesses is supposed to be a cowboy accent.

“You don’t know me as well as you think you do then, partner.” Eddie drawls back at him, making him laugh.

When Richie sobers up he speaks again.

“You should come help me eat these in my room. Stan’s got this mondo TV with Netflix built right in! We can watch all the classics, pretend like we’re having a real Christmas!”

“I thought you were Jewish?”

“And I am selflessly putting that aside for you today, Eddie. Think of my sacrifice and then say no to my face.” He makes a face which must be his ridiculous attempt at puppy dog eyes. “Hmmm?”

Eddie lets out a laugh despite himself.

“Fine, fine. Only because of the sacrifice you’re making though, I live to see you suffer.”

Soon enough, the oven timer beeps and Richie pulls out a baking sheet full of perfectly browned, sweet smelling, chocolate chip cookies. Eddie burns the tip of his tongue, but declares them better than mediocre and they pack them up to head to Richie’s room in the other hall.

“Wow, your hall really gets into the holiday spirit… I’m actually pretty sure this is a fire hazard.” Eddie says as he takes in the canopy of white, red, and green lights hanging from every available surface.

“Yeah, I say blame Mike, he gets really into it and he’s somehow charmed all the RA’s into looking the other way when it comes to christmas lights.” Richie sighs fondly.

“I like it, we’d never get away with something like this in my hall.”

Eddie looks around, eyes bouncing from the perfectly arranged strings, overlapping and entwining with others. It really is a beautiful scene, more festive than he imagined ever seeing, and on campus no less.

“I guess you’ll have to come over here more often then, you should see what Mikey does for Easter!” He grins.

“I might just have to take you up on that.” And Eddie meant it, honestly as much as this break had taken a turn for the better he couldn’t wait until it was over so he could meet Richie’s friends, and introduce his own in turn.

Once inside Richie’s dorm, Eddie took a minute to take it in. It’s a lot bigger than his own since it’s a double, which he knows is shared with Stan, and the two sides could not be more different. One is meticulously organized, dorm standard furniture in the pre-approved configuration, bed made to what Eddie guesses would be military standards, textbooks stacked cleanly on the desk, the few personalizations seemed to be a few bird posters and brain teaser puzzles scattered around.

“I told you Stan’s a nerd!” Richie calls, noticing him looking around.

The other half looks more lived in, much more lived in. It’s darker, the walls are almost completely covered in posters and the dark blue plaid bedspread, which is not anywhere near made up, gives it a grungy sort of look. Eddie knows before he even processes it that this side must be Richie’s, and he takes his time looking over the little details that make it his. He’s got books and binders in a pile that honestly looks like he just turned over his backpack and let things fall where they would. The posters are mostly bands, David Bowie, The Cure, Nirvana, and a few that Eddie doesn’t recognize, must be newer ones by the look of them, he’s also got tickets from shows he’s been to taped up between the posters, mostly concerts but a few musicals and even one for a local drag show.

Eddie also notices the rather large TV set up against the far wall so that it can be seen well from either bed.

Richie must have been busy while Eddie was snooping because when he turns around from looking at the TV he's got the remote in one hand and about half of the cookies they made on a plate in the other.

“Pretty sweet right?” He says, motioning for Eddie to take a seat on the bed.

Eddie nods.

“After you.”

Richie obliges, putting the plate down so he can climb up on the messy bed. He pulls the pillows up to the head as he gets himself comfortable, on top of the duvet but under the blanket Eddie had given him.

Eddie follows him up, sitting with his back up against the headboard and looks down at Richie.

“Well, what are we watching?”

As Richie rattles off the different services Stan has built into the TV and Eddie just hums along and let’s Richie choose Netflix to start while he tries to focus on the words he’s saying rather than the warmth of him lying so close. Eddie’s a little afraid if he opens his mouth to talk he’ll scream out loud about how he’s sitting in Richie’s bed right now . Richie who is very cute and very nice and even pretty funny and has friends who sound pretty great too who he can’t wait to meet, and now he’s thinking about how much Bev would like him and-

It’s a lot, Richie’s a lot. But Eddie kind of likes that about him.

After Eddie’s vetoed three separate hallmark-esque rom coms, and Richie’s vetoed an admittedly pretty horrible looking movie about cgi kittens they land on Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer which Eddie has never seen and Richie argues that that in itself is a crime.

After that’s over they decide to continue on with the series and somewhere around The Year Without Santa and Frosty the two of them conk out, the comfort and warmth lulling them asleep in Richie’s shared bed.

Richie wakes up first.

“Eddie...Eds!” He gives him a little shake as the credits music pours into the room.

He’s close enough that he can see Eddie crack an eye open.

“Mmm, lemme get your glasses.”

Richie doesn’t have time to process that because Eddie is turning around in a sleepy, cat-like stretch, reaching over the bed to where Richie really can’t see, but knows that his bedside table sits. Then he hands over the glasses and all at once Eddie comes into focus, his hair is sleep-ruffled, his eyes are still not-quite awake, there’s a red splotch on his face from where his hand must have been pillowing it, and all Richie can really focus on is how many freckles he has on his nose.

It takes Richie a minute but he realizes, once his vision is completely back to normal, that Eddie is staring at him too. His wide brown eyes are now locked onto his.

“You lookin’ at the zit on my nose?” Richie glances at him sideways before pushing himself completely up to face him. He presses a finger to the tip of his nose. “Just like Rudolph, huh?”

“I like Ruldolph! I think he’s cute…” Eddie huffs, a blush rising on his cheeks as well.

“Ohoho! I had no idea you were into beastiality, gotta say, Eds, you keep a man on his toes.”

“Shut up.” He warns.

Richie grins, he’s quickly finding that the more riled up he can get Eddie the better.

“I mean, does this thing of yours extend to Bumble, or-”

Eddie puts his warning into action and presses his lips to Richie’s, directly shutting him up.

Richie melted into the kiss, Eddie’s soft and warm against him, and he can taste the chocolate from the cookies they made together. It’s nice and sweet and a little feisty just like Eddie, but it’s also shorter than Richie would have liked, he thinks, as Eddie breaks the kiss with a heavy breath.

“I’m so glad I decided to stay here over break.”

Eddie grins, and the way he does tells Richie he is too.

#it secret santa #reddie #reddie fanfiction

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thisgirlsays22 · 6 years

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Chapters: 13/? Fandom: Shingeki no Kyojin | Attack on Titan Rating: Explicit Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Levi/Eren Yeager, Minor or Background Relationship(s) Characters: Levi (Shingeki no Kyojin), Eren Yeager Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, canonverse, In Universe AU, Canon Era, Reincarnation, Surfer Eren, Pining, Manga Spoilers, Angst, Slow Burn Summary:

Between Titan and human, unconscious and conscious, Eren finds he can access a future world.

Thank you to my betas @attraversiamo19 & @erensjaegerbombs and to my readers/cheerleaders @dreamxxdream @ageha-sakura.

You can also read below the cut:

Eren sat down next to Levi, shoulder to shoulder on the couch, brimming with excitement.

“What is it?” Levi asked, setting aside his work.

“There’s someone on this forum who says that they also remember the ‘Lost Titan Years’.”

Levi raised an eyebrow. “And you believe this random person?”

“I don’t know. Maybe!” Eren nudged Levi. “You and Mikasa had the nightmares. Hanji freaked when she started learning about the Titans. It’s possible there are more people like us out there.”

“But they could also just be full of shit,” he pointed out, nudging Eren back.

“Well, yeah, I guess. They could have gotten most of this information from the right history books, but still. It’s a lead. At least now I had more to search for than ‘Titans’.”

“True.”

“The last message they posted was from about a year ago, but hopefully they’ll still see my response.”

He was glad Eren seemed more relaxed, happy even, but this was how it often went. Eren would get caught up in something temporarily exciting and then grow despondent again when the high wore off. It was why for months Levi kept thinking, if I could just help you figure out what you want to do... why he’d seized on the idea of Eren going back to school when he’d expressed an, albeit brief, interest. It had only seemed to frustrate Eren more in the end, though, so Levi had been left unsure how to help him.

Levi had the same inclination to let their earlier conversation go--which he knew he had to stop doing from many discussions with his therapist. Whatever the other Levi and Eren had stirred up, they needed to address it at some point. He just didn’t quite know what he wanted to say.

“How did things go with Farlan?” Eren asked. Levi was actually a little surprised he’d remembered to check in given how focussed he was on writing his next forum post.

“They were fine. He didn’t seem convinced things were alright, but I wasn’t about to tell him what's going on.” What a fucking awkward conversation that would be. By the way, you’re dead in that other world. Good to see you alive, man.

“Oh. Are you mad I told Armin?” Eren’s mouth tugged down into a worried frown.

Levi shook his head and put his arm around Eren. “No. That was your call to make, and I’m glad you have someone else to talk to. Why did you tell him, though?”

“It’s going to sound strange.”

“Try me,” Levi said.

“When I saw Armin the other Eren’s memories it reminded me of how things used to be between us. I remembered how supportive he can be.” Eren sighed. “It was impulsive, but I just felt like maybe it could bring us closer together again. And maybe I can put that big brain of his to good use.”

“That doesn’t sound strange at all.”

Eren gave him a small smile, then said, “I’m glad you talked to Mikasa yesterday.”

“Me too.”

“I wish,” Eren started haltingly. “I wish that you’d had each other growing up.”

“Then we wouldn’t have had you,” Levi pointed out.

“I wish that you’d had each other growing up...and still somehow had me too.”

Levi gave a short laugh. “Yes, well. That very specific wish is sweet but pointless. We would have just been two kids with awful nightmares.”

“When you put it that way, I guess it wouldn’t have made much of a difference.” Eren didn’t look reassured, though.

“Any idea how long we’ve got until we’re body-snatched again?” Levi asked dryly, changing the subject.

“No idea,” Eren replied.

“We’re both just sitting ducks then.” Levi wondered how they’d been so lucky that the sudden appearance of the other Eren and Levi had never caused them any harm. He certainly hoped it would carry on that way.

Eren nodded. “I’m sure they’ll be back soon. We’ll just be...careful in the meantime.”

“That’s all well and good,” Levi said. “But when does this end?”

“I don’t know, but there has to be some reason they’re coming here. Something we can do that ends this.”

Levi sighed. “We keep looking then.”

“We keep looking,” Eren agreed.

They fell into a rhythm over the next few days. Eren mostly wanting to discuss leads, the latest messages he’d sent to his mysterious new contact, wondering if there was a way they could meet. If he wasn’t updating Levi, it was Mikasa, Armin or Hanji, and eventually Jean--“He’s my husband, ” Mikasa had finally snapped. “I told him everything weeks ago, we’ve just been waiting for you two dopes to give me the all clear.”

Things between Eren and Levi felt good most of the time. They hadn’t exactly left the conversation on a bad note, but there was something unfinished hanging over them, and the fact that Levi wasn’t certain what it was left him off-kilter.

Seeing Eren so intent on helping their counterparts kept Levi from trying to distract him. It had been a long time since he’d seen Eren so enthusiastic, focussed. He could hang back for a little longer, give them both time to separate these two other lives that had invaded their headspace.

At least Eren wanted Levi caught up in his plans too. It pleased him every time Eren gave him another instruction for what to do if the other Eren showed up without Levi. Every time they thought of new things to show their counterparts. Every time they shared an overlapping memory from the other world.

Eren heard back from the person who claimed they remembered the Titans, their previous life. After writing back and forth to one another, Eren agreed to a video chat.

“They’re travelling right now,” Eren said over their morning cups of coffee and tea. “They’ll contact me when they’re back.”

“Shit,” Levi said. “You want me on the call too?”

“Yeah, definitely. They said that was fine. I’m thinking we get the others over too, but just have them off-screen.”

“Why the fuck not? Use the family group chat while you’re at it.”

“I know you’re being sarcastic, but I feel an obligation to Jean to do that. He’s pissed at me.”

Levi leaned back in his chair, taking a thoughtful sip of tea. “Hm. Tell him that I fixed his bad sink repairs. He can be mad at me instead.”

“Can I? I think that’ll work. Jean can only stay angry at one person at a time.”

Levi waved a hand and said magnanimously, “Sure.”

“I’m going to put another pot on before work. You want more tea? We have to finish working on our notes.”

They had different plans for if the other Eren, Levi or both came at once. For instance, if both came, Armin had suggested they leave post-it notes around the house with instructions for how to contact someone.

In the meantime, all they could do was wait.

It was two weeks until the other Eren returned. He seemed broody, his presence pulling the plug on the near-manic enthusiasm of Levi's own Eren.

“No other Levi this time?” he asked.

Eren’s face clouded. “No.”

Levi could guess the source of the misery, and a pang of guilt shot through him. Could he be blamed for the transgressions of another life? Apparently he could from the way Eren was eying him warily.

“We’ve been keeping notes for you,” Levi offered. “To see if any names or things stand out.” He went to retrieve the notebook from their bedroom. “Unless my Eren’s in there right now and can show you himself.”

“No, I don’t feel him like last time. Maybe because we’re not drunk?”

“Probably.”

Eren looked miserable, and no matter which Eren was in his body, Levi couldn’t bear to see it. Especially knowing he--in any form--was likely the cause of it.

“Would you like to go somewhere?” he asked, recalling the awe the other Levi had experienced at seeing where they lived. “We can bring the notes.”

“Sure, I guess. Where?” At least there was a flicker of interest even though his eyes were still downcast.

Levi ran through a mental list of all the places he could take Eren, and he remembered how intrigued he’d been by the photograph of the ocean, how his own Eren could be soothed by its presence.

“To the beach.”

Eren looked at him blankly. Levi still hadn’t gotten used to explaining what every little thing was. “The ocean is there,” he clarified.

Eren’s eyes widened. “Really?”

Ah, now I’ve got your interest, Levi thought. “It’s not too far away, but I’m going to have to explain what a car is.”

“Uh, okay.” Eren looked nervous but followed Levi outside where he listened with his usual intensity as Levi spoke.

He showed Eren how to buckle his seatbelt, and then they were on their way. Levi was careful not to drive too fast, lest Eren get carsick. If the body you were borrowing was used to riding in cars, but the soul inside wasn’t, did you still get carsick? Levi didn’t particularly want to roll the dice with that one.

He explained what the radio was, and he even played some of the songs that his own Eren liked, an experiment of sorts. And yes, shitty taste in music seemed to translate over lifetimes. “This is weird, but kind of nice,” he said of some early 90s dance music. Levi winced.

As they neared their destination, the salty ocean air drifted through the cracked car windows, and out of the corner of his eye he saw Eren’s brows knit together.

“What’s that smell?”

“The ocean.”

Eren pressed his hands to the glass, craning his neck. “Where?”

“Just over the bend,” Levi told him, and sure enough, the ocean appeared before them, waves breaking in foamy ruffles against the shore. The sea was calm and languid tonight.

Levi pulled the car over at the lookout point. Eren had once driven them here late at night, climbed into Levi’s lap and made out with him until some drunk teenagers showed up, tapping on the car window and making kissing faces at them.

The last of the light clung to the sky, the tide just coming in and covering the sand in blankets of waves. Eren got out of the car and walked over to the ledge. His hands clutched the metal rail as he looked down at the sea in quiet awe.

“I wasn’t ready to come back to your world,” he said, voice thick with emotion. “But I knew I had to. So one day back home we could see something like this.” Eren turned to face Levi, tears on his cheeks.

Levi ushered him over to the car where he’d left the trunk open. He’d owned his ugly, boxy car for over a decade, and he and his Eren had sat at the edge of the trunk under the stars countless times over the years.

“Take a seat,” Levi said, patting the space next to him.

Cautiously, Eren did as he was told. Levi noticed that he even wiped his tears the same way as his Eren, with the back of his hand. Angry, frustrated, defiant.

“Why didn’t you want to come back here?” Levi asked.

Without hesitating, Eren replied, “I wasn’t ready to see you again.” The ocean breeze blew his hair softly into his eyes, and Levi stopped himself from reaching over to brush it away.

“So you talked to him then?”

Eren gave a short, miserable nod.

“I saw what happened between you,” Levi said. “After you’d been rescued from that...cave.” That strange memory kept coming into his head--Eren shirtless, in chains. The violence of it all gave him chills. It came to him now in nightmares too.

“He must have thought I was so pathetic that night,” Eren said bitterly. He spoke towards the sea, refusing to look at Levi.

Eren was wrong. The other Levi had sensed a kindred spirit in Eren, someone he could whisper secrets to in the quiet of the night.

“No. He understood.”

“Maybe.” Eren shook his head. “I don’t know. I’ve spent so much time trying not to think about that night. I couldn’t figure out why he’d let me stay. Pity maybe.”

“I can tell you with certainty that whatever kindness he showed you was never out of pity.”

Eren scowled. “How could you possibly know that? It’s different between you and your Eren. He shared a similar memory with me, but the way it turned out...It’s not the same.”

“In some ways you’re right. But I think we have more in common than we realised.” The saltwater breeze blew back towards them again, and Levi breathed it in deeply. “So what happened when Levi returned?”

“He told me that nothing could happen between us.” Eren’s scowl deepened. “But then he hugged me, and it reminded me of what Eren said. That he wouldn’t just do that for anyone and I--I kissed him.”

Levi’s eyes widened. The kid had balls to kiss his superior officer.

Eren continued, “For a second, I thought he was going to let me. It seemed almost like he was going to kiss me back. But he really doesn’t want me...” Eren trailed off with a defeated sigh and gazed out at the sea again.

“I think he spends a lot of time trying not to think about you,” Levi said slowly, and Eren’s head jerked towards him. “I mean, you can understand his position, can’t you?” Those two probably shouldn’t be together. No matter the pull between them.

“Yes. I just wish things were different.”

“Maybe they will be someday. You don’t have to give up forever.”

“What do I do next then?” Eren asked. A challenge in his voice.

“Don’t leave him,” Levi answered. “If what you have is just a short-lived crush or lust, it isn’t worth fighting for anyway.”

Eren’s eyes narrowed, shoulders tense and defensive. “What do you mean?”

“It might not seem fair, but if you run away, he’ll think he made the right choice, that he did you a favor.”

That year without Eren, after he’d turned him down, he’d thought Eren must have been happy. Imagined him off at school making new friends, going to parties, maybe even falling in love. Never considered that Eren’s longing, lonely ache might have matched his own.

And Levi had most certainly felt an identical ache in the other Levi’s heart. He had felt such depths of sorrow and pain, beyond anything in his own comprehension, and even just the sight of Eren in this world had eased it.

“Be a friend to him,” Levi suggested. “The choice is yours of course, but that’s what I recommend. Even if it’s going to hurt sometimes until it gets easier.”

A seagull squawked overhead, a lonely call in the night, briefly crowding out the soothing sound of the waves. Eren stood and walked over to the edge of the lookout point, eyes fixed on the blackening ocean below.

“Is that how it was for you two?” Eren asked.

The answer was complicated. Eren had put so much distance between them, Levi had thought for sure he’d imagined their friendship. That he’d imagined that they were family.

“Yes and no.” Levi tilted his head back to look up at the last pink gasps of sunlight. “I don’t know what Eren’s shown you about his mother.”

“Not much,” Eren said. “Mostly happy memories. But I know she died.”

Levi nodded. He stretched his legs out, toeing at a pebble beneath his feet.

“I met Eren, his mother and Mikasa when he was about sixteen.”

At Eren’s puzzled look Levi added, “Mikasa and I weren’t raised together. I didn’t even know I had a sister until Eren found me and introduced us. For so long, I wished I had a family and then suddenly Eren showed up and changed my life.” Suddenly, Levi had felt he belonged somewhere.

“Mikasa is your sister?” Eren repeated, eyes going wide.

Surprised, Levi said. “Oh, yes. We have the same father. It’s not the same for your Levi?”

Eren shook his head.

“Huh. Interesting.” He filed that information away for later. “Anyway, as I got to know Mikasa, I got to know Carla and Eren too. He wasn’t very subtle about having a crush on me.” Levi rolled his eyes fondly.

Face red, Eren stared intently out at the glittering sea as he listened.

Levi crossed his arms. “One day he kissed me, told me how he felt. I told him no. He was about to start a new phase of his life, and I didn’t want him to miss out on things because he was worrying about me.”

“I don’t understand what you mean by ‘new phase’.” Eren tilted his head in question.

“It’s common here for people to go away to school for their studies. Usually when they’re about eighteen. You meet a lot of new people, study, work, build a kind of life for yourself there,” Levi explained. “I’m a decade older than Eren, and I’d already lived that part of my life. It wasn’t something I could share with him.”

Eren’s expression turned dubious. “No offense, but that doesn’t seem like a very good reason.”

Levi shrugged. Of course you’d think that at Eren’s age. “Maybe.”

“Did you change your mind in the end?”

“Not exactly. His mother got sick and he moved back home. I moved a little closer too, so I could help.” He’d have done anything for any one of them. Carla, Mikasa, Eren. His family.

Sadness washed over Eren’s face. “He showed me some of that. Her dying. It still hurts.”

Levi knew then that Eren was speaking for himself too. Carla’s death in that other life had been violent, horrifying. There was a small comfort knowing in this life she’d been granted peace. He wanted to reach for Eren, both Erens, and hold him.

“I know,” Levi said softly.

“So how did you and Eren...?”

“There was no big conversation about it. You stayed and I stayed, and we just were.” There’d been no choice to make that time.

At first he’d been disappointed that Eren had never gone back to school, but he’d respected the decision and selfishly revelled in the fact that Eren had stayed, that he’d moved into Levi’s home not too long after. More and more of his things appearing in Levi’s spaces, tucked in and around as though there’d been a place for them all along.

A contemplative silence stretched between them. Levi wondered if his Eren was listening, what he was thinking.

“So you think he’d want to be my--” Eren paused, as though trying to remember a long-forgotten word, “friend?” He gave Levi an odd, incredulous look.

“Yes.” There wasn’t a doubt in his mind about that.

“Okay,” Eren said. He stood back again and walked towards the railing to stare out down at the sea. Levi heard him quietly murmur, to himself again, “Okay.”

Levi texted Armin and Mikasa, and they met them back at the house a little while later, Jean too.

“I’m going to pretend you meant to message the family group chat,” Jean said darkly when he and Mikasa arrived.

Levi sighed, but at Mikasa’s glare said, “Sorry.”

Jean waved a hand. “It’s fine. I just want to meet this bizzare-o, Eren.”

“Yes,” Mikasa said stepping inside, “Where is he?”

Levi took them through to the living room, and he and Jean watched as Eren and Mikasa met.

“Hi,” she said, moving towards Eren. She lifted her arms, unsure.

A smile spread across his face and he stepped towards her too. “Hi,” he said, and then they embraced. “I saw you here that one time. Before I understood what was going on.”

“I remember,” Mikasa said. She sounded like she was holding back tears. “God, I was so worried about him. I still am, but at least I don’t think he has a brain tumor or something.”

“I don’t know what that is, but it sounds bad.”

She laughed, one of those shaky pre-cry laughs. “Oh, this is Jean. My Jean.”

Eren peered past her and Jean hesitantly made his way over to them. “Hey,” he said awkwardly. “It’s, uh, good to meet you...other Eren.”

“You too,” Eren said, sounding unsure. He glanced over at Levi as though he held the answers. Levi gave him a smile that he hoped was encouraging.

“Anyway, I’m not waiting for Armin to get here,” Mikasa declared, breaking the awkward silence. “I have questions.”

And they discussed them all. What Mikasa remembered from her dreams, what it was like growing up together in both of their lives. She didn’t shy away from the horror of the other life, and it seemed like Eren appreciated her matter of fact approach.

Jean hung back, only interjecting with a question or two. Once asking, “So you and I aren’t close?”

“Not really,” Eren said. “You’re not always so bad, though,” he added politely.

Jean looked perturbed but fell silent again, letting Mikasa resume her questions.

“We’re not siblings in Eren’s world,” Levi interjected when she asked what it was like for the other Mikasa to have the captain as a brother.

“Really?” she said, startled. “It’s so weird to imagine us not being siblings.”

“You didn’t even know I existed until you were eighteen,” Levi said.

“Fine. It’s hard to imagine knowing you exist and you not being my brother,” Mikasa clarified, rolling her eyes.

Eren’s brows knit together. “It’s harder for me to imagine you being siblings.”

Mikasa turned back to Eren. “And you said Jean and I aren’t together either?”

Eren shook his head, not looking too pleased at the prospect. “Like I said, a lot’s different.”

Levi snorted. “An understatement.”

“Whatever,” Jean said lightly, “I loved Mikasa for years before she fell for my charms. I'm sure it's the same there.”

“Jean,” Mikasa said, “Sorry if I wasn’t ‘charmed’ by my younger brother’s friend gaping at me like a fish whenever I walked in the room.”

“I didn’t do that!”

“You did! I liked you when you grew up and asked me out like a normal person.”

“Aw.” Jean smiled fondly at her. “I love you.”

“Love you too.”

Eren looked miserable, and Levi gave him a commiserating look.

Once Armin arrived, it all started again from the top.

“What’s Erwin like in your world?” Armin asked after he’d exhausted the lines of questioning about himself.

“He’s a good leader,” Eren said, looking a little perplexed. “Kind too.”

Armin gave a happy sigh, and Levi fought back an eye roll.

“Hey Eren, is your buddy Armin dating your commander?” Jean asked mischievously, picking up on Eren’s confusion.

Scandalised, Eren said, “What? No!”

Mikasa laughed at Armin’s blush and said to him, “I’m sure if you ask Erwin nicely he’ll do a bit of roleplay with you.”

“Stop,” Armin groaned, covering his face.

“You brought this on yourself,” Jean put in.

Eren looked at Levi in abject horror, but Levi just shrugged in reply. At least Eren wasn’t brooding anymore.

Though he kept a watchful eye on Eren, Levi kept his distance and let the others lead the conversation. He hoped he’d been able to give Eren some comfort, some clarity with his earlier advice. On their journey home from the beach, Levi had given Eren the few updates he had and told him to return in a few weeks.

Now all he could offer was distraction until Eren returned home, and seeing the way he smiled as Mikasa and Jean described their wedding, Levi took quiet pride in the fact that his plan seemed to be working.

After everyone had left, Levi and Eren sat together in the living room with a deck of cards between them. It had been a long time since Levi had played cards--he’d needed to go rummaging around one of Eren’s many boxes full of junk in order to find them.

“No, you can’t lay that down,” Levi said. “The number of wildcards can’t outnumber the others.”

“Right, yeah.” Eren sighed, picked the cards back up again and finished his turn with a discard instead.

“You’re picking up on this fast,” Levi said. “You should teach your friends back home how to play.”

“You think so?” Eren asked, a hopeful note in his voice.

Levi drew a card from the pile between them. “Yeah, I do.”

A small smile played on Eren’s lips. “I think that’s a good idea. If I can remember the rules, I mean.”

The day had taken a more peaceful turn, but Levi struggled to relax. A melancholy air hung between them, and if Levi could feel it, then certainly his own Eren must be feeling it ten fold. He was in the belly of the beast, so to speak, stewing in memories and emotions. Now that Levi had experienced it for himself, he suspected Eren’s return would be difficult.

Still he longed for it. He was ready.

#ereri #ereri fanfic #levi x eren #eren x levi #snkartists network #fic: difficult to know #my writing #snk #aot

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withlovingregards · 6 years

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Au Yeah AUgust Day 1!

Day 1: Soul Mates

Fandom: Dragon Age: Inquisition

There were many things that Iclyn was born knowing, since her existence was based upon the magic and life of others. One was the memories of all those that made up who she was. She knew the entire history and language of her people, which all elves had mostly forgotten. Second was the use of her deep well of magic. Muscle memory of memories not her own showed her everything she needed to know. Third was that every single sentient species was assigned what she had learned was a Soul Mate.

Or, that was what she had been told when she questioned the ghosts in her mind of the phenomena. Not very many of them had had the chance to meet the one meant for them before the end of their lives, but those who had sent her warm thoughts and loving memories to assure her that it was indeed true. Everyone with a soul had another attached to theirs.

But, what had that meant for someone like her, only created with the sacrifice and magic of others, whose soul wasn’t just her own? It had been something she had disregarded, to instead focus on the grave mission she had ahead of her.

It became impossible to ignore it, however, when that so called "Soul Mate" had come barreling into her life. And she meant that literally.

The Inquisitor had finally made her way into the Emerald Graves with her squad, investigating many things, but one in particular; the myth of the ghost that lived in the deeper parts of the forest.

That's what the locals had taken to calling her, and she told that to the Inquisitor when she'd come to her part of the world, struggling against what they called Red Templars. It was nice to put a name to the monsters she had taken the liberty of turning to blocks of ice every now and again.

When the threat had been eradicated, the "ghost" elf had turned to the group of four, and when she gazed directly at the giant man of a Qunari, color had exploded behind her eyes. It was powerful enough to stagger her, and she'd waved off the concern of the strangers as just a dizzy spell.

Because, while the world had been painted in beautiful shades long before this moment, nothing could compare to the colors that lay before her. Everything was much brighter than it had been previously, and even the simplest thing was more than it had seemed before. Leaves weren't just green, but a mixture of colors she would never know the name of.

And the voices in her head whispered the answer. This was the connection of Soul Mates.

Except the Qunari hadn't been left breathless as she'd been. He seemed completely fine, high off the adrenaline of battle, intrigued by her presence, but not discovering something he'd never felt before. And like she'd done before, she pushed all those thoughts and feelings away, instead offering her help to their cause, for it overlapped hers.

They'd asked her name. That was not something she had been created knowing, and she told them she had none.

So he'd given her one. The Elvhen surrounded by the coldest of ice, her favorite spells, should be known as Iclyn. The others scoffed at the suggestion, telling her it was just one of his many horrible puns, but she knew it was right. That was her name. Iclyn. Her name was Iclyn.

She continued on with the party, making sure to keep a close eye on the tall warrior, who was doing the same to her, for entirely different purposes.

It would have been less embarrassing to search for her answers in books, or even to blackmail someone into giving up the information. But since she was barely more than a name to these people, she took the direct approach to the problem.

She asked the Inquisitor.

Iclyn had at least been somewhat subtle about it. First, she'd asked Shaela if she'd left behind a Soul Mate in her clan. The elf's tattooed face turned red, her answer sputtered since she'd not been prepared for it. No, she hadn't left one behind. But she had found one. Though, she refused to reveal who that person was.

Iclyn asked if all races had one, pretending that she already didn't have that answer.

"Everyone has someone, but it's not always easy to find them. The world is so big, some don't want to search for them; some understand the power of marriage between families, so they forget about them. Then there's people that just can't feel them."

"They can't feel them?" Finally, she was getting somewhere. None the wiser, Shaela nodded her head as she leaned back in her chair, playing with a strand of her hair.

"There are people that are so focused on a single goal that they are blinded. It's most prominent during war time in the armies, as well to the Qunari people."

Qunari, Shaela explained, were a people that were all given an individual purpose in life, and nothing was more important than the role they played in their society. Nothing was unplanned under the Qun, and there was no room for marriage, love, or even children to be raised by their parents. It seemed cruel, but that was their way of life.

"The majority of Qunari live under the Qun? Including Iron Bull?"

"Yeah, he may not seem like it, but he's actually one of their spies. He's got a deep alibi, with his mercenary squad and all."

"I see."

That meant he'd never be able to see her in the same light in which she saw him. Iclyn wasn't even aware she was upset about that until the ghosts at the back of her mind were mostly quiet. They knew the pain of not knowing, of not having the chance to find out. It was heartbreak all on its own, but it wasn't something they could dwell on.

The few spirits that had found their Soul Mates wrapped around the elf like a familiar blanket. Their words seemed to whisper against her skin as they spoke to her.

"Don't give up."

She remembered the first time she'd been brave enough to kiss him. Or, well, when the alcohol had made her brave enough to kiss him. He'd been celebrating the victory of their latest dragon kill and was buying rounds for the entire tavern. Iclyn hadn't been there at the time, but he'd had Stiches run and fetch her. He'd grumbled about it their entire trip back to the tavern, but he even admitted that it wouldn't be a party without her.

While the elf had been discouraged by the fact that Bull would never see her as his Soul Mate, that didn't mean he couldn't see her as something else. She already enjoyed his company, with his awful jokes, worse beer, and incredulous stories. First, she'd started by helping Stiches with their wounded when they couldn't rely on just their potions and salves, healing them with what she liked to call her "endless well of magic".

After that and many celebrations like this one, it was common place to see her with the Chargers. They treated her like one of their own, especially after she'd come to them wearing a wooden helmet carved by Blackwall with an imitation of Bull's large horns. The grin on the Qunari's face had been present the whole night.

That night, however, Iclyn lost her inhibitions. Iron Bull had been so happy about his take down, had told the story a million times, with the tale getting more and more absurd, she couldn't help but sit, listen along, and drink.

At one point in the night, most the patrons had left, either too tired or too drunk to continue on. Only the Chargers and the guards who had finished their late shift were left, most of them ready to continue drinking farther into the morning. Iclyn was sat close to Bull, watching as Rocky challenged all his friends to arm wrestle with him, barely able to walk straight. The elf giggled, more than a little tipsy herself. Bull's form moving closer to her pulled her attention to him, tilting her head back so she could look at him properly.

"Pale looks lovely on you, but I have to admit, pink like that is almost sinful."

As if she wasn't pink enough, the compliment made her skin color even darker, and made the man at her side laugh. She smiled up at him and pushed at his thick arm, ending up moving herself rather than him.

"And I know what would look lovely on you," Iclyn blurted, and even in her drunken state, she knew she'd made a mistake. She wanted to panic, because she hadn't meant to set herself up for a pick-up line, but with that smirk he was sending her way...

"What's that?"

Fuck it.

"Me," she whispered, pulling him down to her lips by his horns. He hadn't resisted, because Gods above knew he could have done so, since Iclyn was a weakling compared to most. Instead, he followed her motion, and rather than kiss her gently, he took her mouth as if he was prepared to devour her.

Iclyn, herself, hadn't kissed anyone. She'd barely interacted with people before the Inquisition had found her. But even these moments the ghosts gave her memories of. They knew of love and passion, of the fire that could burn you to the very core. This was much more than that. His lips burned against her own, and when he moved his large hand to cup her neck and head, she felt like she was home. All the pressure, all the fear and anxiety of the war that surrounded them disappeared in that moment.

When they finally pulled away, both a little more than breathless, it took a while to come back to reality and realize that they had a laughing and clapping audience. Iclyn usually would have ducked her head in embarrassment, but she was still riding the high of booze and Bull's kiss, so she only winked at the Chargers while their leader laughed.

"'Bout time, never thought this day would happen!" Dalish yelled, pointing her "bow" at them for emphasis.

"We were about to start taking bets when this exact moment would happen," Krem teased, taking a sip from his drink. The two continued to take the teasing, though it didn't last much longer as everyone continued to drink and separate. As everything started to wind down, Bull carried Iclyn back to her room, since she was completely unable to walk, and laid her in her bed gentler than the elf would have thought.

"Hopefully, this isn't a drunken memory you're going to forget in the morning, because I'd really like to continue where we left off."

Nothing about that moment was fuzzy, since it kept replaying in her mind every time her light blue gaze fell to his full lips. She gave the Qunari a slow smile and a soft caress to his stubbled cheek.

"Anytime, anywhere."

"Don't promise something like that. You have no idea where that will lead," Bull laughed, reluctantly pulling away.

"I trust you," Iclyn yawned before she completely passed out.

Iclyn was having a hard time keeping still as she paced in front of the entrance gates of Skyhold, waiting for the specks in the distance to hurry up and appear before her. A week ago, the Inquisitor and the Chargers had set out on an expedition to the Storm Coast, though the details of the mission had been kept under wraps. She had been told, by Bull, that it shouldn't be anything too serious. Just collecting some assets for their cause.

Shaela, the best friend a girl could ask for, had sent a raven to her once their mission had been complete, filled with the bare minimum of information to get her point across without giving too much away. Everyone was safe, but nothing had gone to plan. Iron Bull was physically fine, but would probably need time to process what exactly had gone on. Shaela had asked Iclyn to give the man some space.

Unfortunately, that was just something she couldn't do. Not because she wanted to disobey the word of the Inquisitor, but her power was nothing compared to the pull she felt to her Soul Mate; a bond that had only grown the closer they'd gotten to one another. She tried to quiet the voices in her head as they ran through the worst possibilities of the situation, but the anxiety only ate at her. Until she saw the top of Bull's head over the crowd he was surrounded by.

Shaela lead that group, as she usually did, and when she was close enough to notice Iclyn's presence, she glared at the pale elf. Iclyn chose to ignore the nasty words she could interpret from that look, and instead focused her attention to the Chargers. They were fine, not a scratch on either of them, though as they talked and laughed, there seemed to be a solemn aura around them.

Shaela fastened her pace, aimed straight at her friend, and pulled her away by the arm, doing her best to hide her form with her own, even if she was barely taller than her. Iclyn gave her a sheepish smile, moving them a bit so she could still see the Qunari over the Inquisitor's shoulder.

Before the elf could give her a piece of her mind for disobeying her, there was a commotion from the group of mercenaries, and both the women looked down to see that Iron Bull had collapsed to one knee, eyes clenched tight like he was in pain.

Iclyn fade stepped out of Shaela's hold to the crowd, moving her way nimbly through the Chargers to kneel next to the downed man, giving Krem a concerned look.

"Bull, what's wrong? Are you hurt? I'll heal you-"

She went to place her hand on his shoulder, magic at the ready to check for any unseen wounds, but at the sound of her voice, Bull looked up. Her hand instead brushed against his face, and it felt like she'd just touched the sun itself. It hurt, but the hurt was soothed by the look Bull was giving her, washing over her like a tsunami. Her heart clenched inside her chest, and she didn't need her historic knowledge to know what was happening right now.

Bull knew. He knew she was his Soul Mate. But how?

"How did you do it?" He asked, breathless like he'd been hit, "How did you manage to be around me, to feel this, when I was too blind to understand?"

Iclyn framed his face with her hands, pouring all the love and heat she'd been holding for him into her touch as if he could feel it. Maybe he could, now. She began to smile while she rested her head against his own.

"I had hoped one day you would feel it too."

"How long were you willing to bet on that?" He laughed, but it wasn't because of the joke, more on the fact he was processing everything. Unable to stop himself, he moved his hand so he could cup her neck and head, thumb stroking her soft skin.

"I'd wait forever for you, for this," Iclyn mumbled. But she couldn't keep talking, not when he was this close to her. So, she kissed him, ignoring all their confused friends. She'd been waiting too long for this moment, to feel like this again.

To feel whole.

#Au Yeah AUgust #auyeahaugust #DA:I #Dragon Age #Iron Bull #my writing

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bluepunkmon · 6 years

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Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Persona 2 Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Kurosu Jun/Suou Tatsuya Characters: Suou Tatsuya, Kurosu Jun Summary: Just two guys on a date.

was going to be my gift fic for @ps2nocturne before the pairing changed. So Consider this a bonus gift, two christmas fics for the price of one

story also below the cut

Tatsuya glared at the box that housed his latest attempt at baking as wilted flowers soaked in a vase by the door, ignored the burnt cloying smell that lingered in his apartment even with the open window, and tried to reason out when his plan went wrong.

It’d started well enough. He and Jun hadn’t had chances to go on dates before they left for separate colleges, and their schedules made face to face interactions scarce. With upcoming overlaps in days-off, his boyfriend would be coming over to stay with him awhile, and Tatsuya would make the most of their limited time together. Jun had mentioned almost two years ago that he wanted to go to a French restaurant with him, and it was about time Tatsuya made good on that wish. When he brought it up in one of their daily calls, as well as going to a movie, Jun’s voice perceptibly brightened, and it sent dizzying bubbles of joy through Tatsuya like a happy, non-lethal embolism.

Unfortunately Tatsuya was not made of money. After looking up the average prices of the few French restaurants anywhere near him, he thought of his emaciated wallet, and settled for a nearby café instead. There was French food there, he was pretty sure, so it should hopefully compensate for the lack of an actual French restaurant.

The problems might have started with Tatsuya’s choice of gifts. He wanted to make him éclairs, since he mentioned liking them in passing, and get him flowers, (Which might be odd considering Jun was coming to see him instead of vice versa, but he needed at least one fool-proof element to their evening). Tatsuya had never made them, had never even eaten one, but he could figure it out. It was just baking. If Katsuya could do it, how hard could it be?

Two hours and three scrapped batches later, he was forced to conclude it was indeed fairly difficult.

The things he pulled out of the oven on the fourth attempt were scorched past recognition, but Tatsuya didn’t have time for a fifth. He still had to buy flowers, and his bike was out for repairs.

It definitely went downhill after he left. It was only after he made it to the florist, red faced and out of breath and trying not to sneeze at the cloying scents in the cramped shop, when he put his hand into an empty pocket, did he remember that he left the list of needed flowers at home. Already running late, he picked out flowers on a whim – they looked pretty, so their meanings had to be good, right? Halfway between the florist and home, he had another realization, this one being that he could have just asked the florist for help.

Which left him without food, the right flowers, or a bike to take him anywhere.

A knock at the door dragged him from his ruminations. Tatsuya gathered the flowers and went to open the door, dread unfurling sharp and heavy in his chest.

The sight of Jun in the hallway, smiling at him, small suitcase in hand and rainwater on his hair and jacket, helped though. It helped a lot. Tatsuya pulled Jun into a hug, unmindful of the flowers he held. Jun dropped his suitcase and hugged back, his grip tight and almost imperceptibly shaking “I missed you.” Jun said, the words muffled from where his face pressed into Tatsuya’s shoulder.

Tatsuya wanted nothing more than to just stay in, to hold Jun and listen to him talk until the sound and weight and warmth of him convinced him that he was really there, even if it was only for a few days. But they needed to head out for food if nothing else. He stepped back and gave Jun the flowers.

Jun’s expression morphed from happiness to something tinged with confusion. “Hyacinths?”

Were those wrong? “I was going to get better flowers, but. I panicked.”

It sounded stupid out loud, but Jun didn’t look angry, so maybe their meaning wasn’t bad after all. At the very least they weren’t burned.

As if Jun heard his thoughts, he looked past Tatsuya to plate on the table behind him. “What’s that?”

“Pastries,” Tatsuya answered. “Sort of. Don’t eat them.”

---

Tatsuya first learned of the Spoonbill Café from one of its co-owners when he’d fixed her motorcycle at his part-time job at the repair shop. She was stoic, with a taut jaw and an angry expression only augmented by a faded scar that cut through her brow, but she proved to be patient and overall kind. After a long week and string of impatient, insufferable customers, she was enough of a relief for Tatsuya to start talking with her despite himself. Also, her leather jacket was cool.

Her name was Suzuki, and in addition to owning a very cool bike and jacket, nearby ran a diner with her partner, Aoki. She’d been happy enough with the repairs that she invited him to eat there on a discount (though the short, clipped offer sounded more like an order than anything). He made a habit of going after the first visit. The food was good, the coffee even better, and he ended up getting along with Aoki as well. Over ten years with Suzuki had acclimated her to interpreting silence, and she knew intuitively when small talk, questions, or reciprocal silence were desired.

As it was still fairly early in the evening, the place was barely half full when Tatsuya and Jun arrived. Suzuki and Aoki were behind the long counter along the far wall, Aoki writing on a notepad and Suzuki bent over the coffee machine. Aoki looked up when the door hit a hanging bell and rushed over to meet them, smiling brightly. She was a bit shorter than Jun, with brown skin and eyes, and hair only slightly streaked with grey.

“Tatsuya! It’s been awhile!” If possible, her smile brightened when she looked at Jun, whose hand tightened fractionally around his boyfriend’s. “I’m Aoki, and that’s Suzuki.” she said, gesturing to the woman by the coffee machine. Suzuki curtly nodded to them, then turned back to the machine.

“And you must be Jun! Tatsuya talks about you so much, it’s wonderful to finally meet you.”

Jun’s hand loosened around Tatsuya’s somewhat, and he grinned. ”Does he really?”

“Oh, all the time!” she said. “Once he gets started it’s hard to get him to stop!”

“I’m going now,” Tatsuya said, and went to find a seat. Jun joined him, thankfully before he started asking any more questions.

In the wait between ordering and receiving their food, Tatsuya silently took in the surroundings as he often did, and his attention was magnetically drawn to the man sitting across from him. Jun always looked good, and the present was no exception, but he looked even better than usual. It could have been due to his floral blouse and jacket, or the faint make-up around his eyes and on his face, or maybe just by virtue alone of him being Jun.

And Tatsuya was still wearing a baking powder stained shirt and pants torn at the knee.

Jun frowned. “Is there something on my face?”

“You’re beautiful.”

He blinked, opened his mouth, closed it, and then averted his eyes, blushing faintly “Oh.”

Jun spoke haltingly at first, like he was out of practice, until he got more confident and spoke fairly rapidly about his job and people he’d met since the last time he’d seen Tatsuya and physics and some kind of math Tatsuya’d never heard of and only half understood even after Jun explained it twice.

This is what he wanted back at his apartment. He couldn’t very well hold Jun in a restaurant, but having him back, hearing him in person and not just over the phone, soothed a part of his spirit he never realized was agitated. The peace of being with Jun, the muted ambient noise of the café, the sugary taste of the pastry he’d gotten, flowed over to Apollo, and their combined contentment chased away any lingering cold from outside.

(He had to remember to keep a tight leash on that feeling. Once he’d gotten so suddenly happy about finding a stray cat in front of a house down the street that he’d made a garbage can spontaneously combust. The cat scratched him, and the couple who lived there weren’t fond of the sudden trash fire.)

He was enjoying himself immensely, which is why he was caught so off guard when Jun’s conversation flowed to his education classes, and his face fell and voice died all at once like a switch was turned off.

Jun quickly changed the subject and kept talking, but quieter and more vaguely than before. He looked ill.

Tatsuya lightly touched Jun’s hand and inclined his head towards the door.

He hesitated for a few moments, but then his shoulders slumped. “Yeah.”

He went to pay Suzuki as Jun left, but she waved away the money. “You barely ate anything, it’s fine. Tell Jun he’s always welcome back.”

He was leaning on the wall. His face was tired. “Sorry, about inside.”

Tatsuya shrugged. It really wasn’t a big deal.

“Sorry,” he said again, and if Tatsuya wasn’t worried before he definitely was now.

“Do you want to leave?”

Jun shook his head. “No. I’m fine. I want to go see the movie.”

He still didn’t seem fine, but Tatsuya would take his word for it for now.

Only a few pedestrians were out, all bundled tight against the encroaching cold. The sun was rapidly sinking, painting the sky in a burnt orange and yellow haze. He wrapped his arm around Jun’s shoulders, and he sighed and leaned into him. Tatsuya realized that his boyfriend’s makeup might have been there in part to hide bags under his eyes. He hugged Jun to his side, as if the gesture could ward off whatever troubled him.

Jun should be able to enjoy himself while he was here, and Tatsuya would try his best to make that happen.

---

‘Try’ being the operative word.

“I’m sorry, but that screening is sold out.”

That wasn’t too much of a problem. Tatsuya had a backup option in mind that looked romantic enough at first glance.

“That one’s sold out too.”

This one couldn’t be –

“Sold out.”

Or –

“Assume most of them are sold out.” The ticker seller said. Their tired dark eyes went from him to Jun and back in an expression that might have been pity but was more likely exasperation and a desire to keep the line moving. “There’s an older movie still playing, most people have seen it already. Want to see that?”

He looked to Jun for confirmation, and then nodded. The title was a weird one for a romance, but he’d be damned if at least one part of this date didn’t go well.

---

“The killer’s gone, you can look up now.” Jun whispered.

But Tatsuya kept his head ducked and his shirt collar pulled up around his eyes. He could just hear the shrill violin strings building to another crescendo.

“How are you scared by this? You’ve fought actual demons."

"That was different." Tatsuya muttered, reply nearly lost in his shirt.

A chord screeched, followed by a gory squelch he didn’t want to think about.

“Oh. I though he was gone. I didn’t think they’d be that predictable...”

He nearly jumped out of skin when Jun touched his shoulder. “Do you want to leave?”

Tatsuya nodded, and they left as an incompetent police officer interrogated a probably doomed teenager.

The sun was long gone, and had taken its light and warmth with it. He held Jun’s hand and walked close to him, both for warmth and because he was more afraid of passing shadows cast by streetlights and dark alleyways than he would like to admit.

“It was actually pretty funny.” Jun mused quietly beside him. “The effects were terrible.”

Tatsuya couldn’t contribute, having shut his eyes after the first jump scare ten minutes in. His boyfriend was feeling better, though, so any potential nightmares later that night worth it.

His lightened mood gave Tatsuya a fleeting burst of courage. “Um,” He began eloquently.

Words never felt like enough. They were small and frivolous and could hurt so much easier than they could help. But Jun was in some kind of distress and he needed to know, without ambiguity, that Tatsuya was here for him. “Are you ok? I feel like, something’s bothering you.”

Quiet settled around him, and Jun looked a bit lost again, but he didn’t let go of Tatsuya’s hand “Yes. No. Not really, its just – “ he stopped short, then said more definitively, “I’ll tell you, but can we talk about it tomorrow? ”

He nodded. Tomorrow would work. But he still couldn’t share off how sad and tired he looked when they met earlier at his apartment. He stopped walking, and Jun followed suit, giving him a questioning glance, streetlights reflecting in his eyes like stars.

Tatsuya had already started talking, might as well keep going. “I promise I’ll help. And whatever it is, I won’t love you any less.”

Pure, blank surprise took the place of melancholy. But why was he so surprised? Tatsuya hadn’t said anything that strange, except – oh.

Well, he would have said it eventually anyway. He looked away, though he knew it wouldn’t hide the blush flaring across his face. He might have prematurely ruined his resolution to communicate more by embarrassing himself into silence forever.

Jun squeezed his hand. “Okay,” he said, a smile in his voice. “And I love you too.”

Maybe talking didn’t always have turn out so bad.

Across the street a tree caught fire.

(Even with his boyfriend sleeping beside him that night, Tatsuya left a light on. Both agreed to avoid horror movies next time they went to a theater.)

#my writing #persona 2 #p2 #persona #food/

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piratethornton · 7 years

Text

Pirates of the Clawribbean

Chapter 1: Bunnyburrow

Fandom: Zootopia

[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]

Note: Also on fanfiction.net and AO3 if that’s easier for anyone.

The territory of Bunnyburrow was a fertile region almost completely covered with farmland with a small town and port to the east. It was known as a content and humble place, which was reflected in the attitude of its population and leaders. For many generations Bunnyburrow was looked after by the Hopps family, who were well respected and managed to maintain their land's prosperity. The current Governor of Bunnyburrow, Stuart Hopps, was a busy rabbit, with his duties to his land, the Royal Court and his 276 children. One of these kits was named Judith Laverne, though the only mammal who called her that was her mother, and only if she had done something worthy of scalding.

While her siblings were happy to accept what was expected of them, Judy was always looking for something extra. She climbed every tree she could find, read every book in the library, and whenever she learned about a new activity she insisted on trying it out (even if she didn't quite excel at it). But the thing that had her attention above all else was the sea.

Her bedroom window offered her a perfect view of the ocean. Each morning she would watch the sun rise over the horizon, causing the gentle waves to glisten. Ships would glide majestically over the waters in and out of port. On days where the weather took a turn for the worse, she gazed in awe as the sea churned and lurched, lit up by the lightning streaked across the sky. She dreamt of the moment she could finally be in the middle of it.

Her obsession with the sea was largely thanks to a retired Navy captain who resided in the town. Jack Savage lived by himself in handsome townhouse near the port. Though great with age, he walked with his head held high and his back straight, offering to help mammals he came across who were struggling with shopping and regularly giving advice to ship hands when a vessel came to dock. He was polite and friendly, but was private when it came to his past. Except, of course, with the kits.

Every Friday evening Judy would make her way to the local tavern, The Carrot and Anchor, and seek out the old hare, then sit at his feet among the other children who had come to listen to his retellings of his life at sea. He spoke of the time where he had snuck aboard the Navy vessel HMS Ironhorn and worked his way up through the ranks from stowaway to captain. He made battle with pirates more times than he could count, weathered storms that even he had trembled at, and once made a daring escape from the ship of Old Davy Bones himself. It was difficult to work out which stories were true and which were embellished, as he told each and every one with both dramatic flair and complete seriousness. No matter how much truth there was in these tales, Judy was always enraptured.

It was thanks to these stories that Judy knew exactly what she wanted to be from a very young age: a naval officer. Unfortunately, there was one small problem.

"There's never been a rabbit officer," her father told her gently when she made her parents aware of her dream.

"What about Captain Savage?" Judy asked.

"Well, he's a hare," answered her mother, "and a male."

"And even then he had to force his way into the Navy," her father added, "if you believe him."

"Oh. Then I guess I just have to be the first doe rabbit officer," said Judy, brightly.

Her parents shared a look.

"It's...just not the way things are done."

As Judy grew older, she began to understand her father's words. Some jobs were meant for large mammals, others for smaller. Some things were done by males, and some by females. Occasionally there were overlaps and allowances, but only under special circumstances. The navy was dominated by large males, with the occasional female elephant or tiger who were only allowed to join if they outperformed their fellow applicants. Small mammals eager to pursue a sea-faring life would instead enlist for ships used to transport goods and animals, and this is what Judy soon tailored her ambitions towards.

Judy sought out Captain Savage after one of his Friday sessions to get as much advice as she could to achieve her dream. He was surprised but pleased to hear of her wishes, and agreed to mentor. She had regular lessons at Captain Savage's house, and learned the difference between a sloop and a cutter, how to recognise the early warnings of an incoming storm, and the trading routes favoured by merchants. These sessions always had a silent sadness, as they both knew that it would be a miracle for her to be considered to join any ship - navy, merchant or otherwise. She was still a doe rabbit, after all.

Despite this, Jack also offered her sword fighting lessons, saying she may one day get lucky and have to fend herself from a vicious pirate attack. Judy was a quick learner, and mastered the weapon in a few years. In addition, he also taught her about Navy protocol and battle tactics, subjects she devoured eagerly, and he once lamented about the injustice of her position.

"It is sad that society overlooks females and the leporidae. I hoped I had gave them cause to give a second thought, at least about the latter. Alas I am still an anomaly, one that the government would like to forget about."

As well as her sessions with Captain Savage, Judy spent time with her friend Fru Fru. The two met when Judy saved the shrew from some bullies and were close ever since. She was the daughter of the notorious Mr Big, a wealthy merchant who was suspected of underhanded dealings with pirates and smugglers. No one dared confront him of this, as he had a habit of making mammals he didn't like disappear, and his polar bear entourage was enough for several to give him a wide berth. Because of her friendship with his daughter, Judy had nothing to fear from him and he considered her practically family.

Whenever she didn't have lessons or chores, Fru Fru invited her to go shopping in the town, even if they never bought anything. It was one of the few occasions where Judy felt like a proper lady, strolling lightly through the streets, laughing merrily at some thought only the fairer sex understood. Of course, her conversations with Fru Fru would quickly turn to adventures on the high seas. While Judy spoke of her ambitions, the shrew was far more interested in the romance. She had read several books of dashing captains, pirate queens, wide-eyed youths who would search the ocean for their lost love. Judy kept saying she was above that, but couldn't help but feel a little thrill when she thought of two lovers giving in to their passions surrounded by the sea. It was certainly more exciting than her own love life.

When she was old enough to marry she caught the attention of James Buckington, a dark grey rabbit only a year older than her. His father was an important member of the Royal Court, and James was to take his place when he was ready. Every summer he would journey from his home in Zootopia to holiday in Bunnyburrow, and would constantly seek out Judy. It was obvious he was smitten with her, however he could never manage to rack up the courage to make any romantic advances. Her parents kept saying that she would have to make the first move if anything was to come of their relationship, however she could not bring herself to do it. He was a very nice rabbit, however that seemed to be all he was. After filling her head with stories of the ocean and training her hands to master a sword, the thought of marrying him was rather...stale.

"I know he seems like a...safe option," Fru Fru said as she and Judy discussed the matter on one of their walks through town, "but he does have a good position. Not to mention how handsome he is."

"He'd be perfect husband," replied Judy, exasperated. "He's so sweet, and honourable, and he's probably the only male who lets me talk about how I love the sea. But if we marry, I would have to be a noblemammal's wife, expected to sit at home, be waited on hand and foot, and help with his career. You know me. I'd die of boredom."

"Yes, I do know you," sighed Fru Fru in agreement. "At least you would see Zootopia."

"It would be amazing to live there. James has told so many wonderful things about it, but I don't know if it would be worth marriage. Besides, I don't feel anything for him. Not romantically, anyway."

"What happens if you don't get married?"

"If fate has decreed that I shall never set foot aboard a vessel, then I'll probably stay at home," answered Judy, shrugging good naturedly. "Any Hopps children that don't get married continue to help around the manor or the family farm. Maybe I'll be a governess to my younger relatives and pass on what I've learned. Hopefully they'll have more luck achieving their dreams, whatever they may be."

"Unfortunately I'm Daddy's only child, so I have to get married to continue the family line," Fru Fru huffed. "Of course, it would be easier if he didn't keep scaring away suitors. I don't think he does it on purpose, but - "

A loud crash stopped them in their tracks. They looked up and saw a very portly cheetah staring down in horror at the fruit stand he had stepped on, the squirrels who had owned it shaking their tiny fists in fury.

"I am so sorry!" He stepped back and raised his hands in a defensive position, one of them holding a large piece of parchment. "I didn't see you there! I was looking at my map! I'm sorry! I'll pay you back!"

"Are you sure of that, tubby?" shouted one of the squirrels. "You just destroyed our livelihood!"

"Everyone calm down," said Judy, who had rushed over. "I'm sure it was just an accident, and something we can fix."

"This idiot wasn't looking where he was going, and now both our stand and produce for the day are completed ruined! He should be arrested!"

"That's enough!" Judy replied, sternly. "This is a peaceful town, and all visitors have a right to a warm welcome. It is a shame what happened to your stand, but I will make sure you are compensated."

"I have money!" The cheetah grabbed his coin purse, desperate to rectify his mistake. His face fell when he examined its contents. "Err...some money."

"Just pay what you can and I'll make up the rest," piped up Fru Fru, reaching for her own purse.

"Oh, Fru. You don't have to - " began Judy.

"I want to. Every visitor has a right to a warm welcome after all," explained Fru Fru, smiling at Judy. "Besides, I would have only spent it on more dresses."

Money was given out and the two squirrels walked away, still grumbling. Once they were gone, the cheetah could not stop thanking the rabbit and shrew that had saved him.

"We were happy to help," Judy assured him. "I'm Judy and this is Fru Fru. Where are you trying to get to?"

"The Naval base," the cheetah explained. "I've been transferred here from Zootopia. The name's Benjamin Clawhauser." He smiled proudly.

"You're part of the Navy?" asked Judy, excitedly.

"Kinda. I'm don't do much sailing. I just look after the base and the paperwork. Do you happen to know where - ?"

"The base is? Of course! Follow me!" Judy bounced away towards the port.

On the way Judy bombarded Clawhauser with questions about the Navy, his role, his experiences aboard a vessel, and the cheetah answered them all, though he didn't consider any of his knowledge particularly interesting. In turn the two ladies introduced him to Bunnyburrow, pointing out the best places to shop and dine. Once they arrived at the base, a small but grand building near the docks, they helped him get settled and Judy promised that she would visit soon.

She kept her word. The next day she turned up at the base, eager to learn anything she didn't already know about the Navy. This became a daily occurrence, and Clawhauser humoured her the best he could, but eventually there was nothing new he could tell her, so instead she offered to help him in his duties. He tried to refuse, but she was insistent. He quickly learned that as soon as the rabbit had her heart set on something, there was very little that could stop her. They became very good friends, and Clawhauser promised that he would do what he could to get her on a vessel.

Judy was now a very busy rabbit, between her chores, working with Clawhauser and her continuing tutorials with Captain Savage. She relished in it, knowing that even if what she did was of no great importance, her mind and body kept growing stronger, and one day all her hard work may pay off. Then in the following summer, something else came to occupy her.

James Buckington returned, and with him came a representative of King Lionheart himself, Lady Bellweather. The ewe was the king's personal secretary, and was in charge of writing his decrees, giving out orders on his behalf and performing errands that could not be trusted with mere servants. She had written to Governor Hopps beforehand to inform him of her visit and that there was a matter of great importance to discuss. She was welcomed graciously into the manor and was introduced to several of the Hopps children before being led into the main study by Stuart Hopps, his wife and a few of their sons.

Judy sat in the drawing room, which was situated a few doors away from the study, and poured tea for James Buckington. Despite attempting to make polite conversation, she couldn't help but feel concerned; James looked decidedly guilty about something, and she recalled that Bellweather had seemed worried when she entered the Hopps home. Her mind racing about what could be going on, she kept missing what James was saying to her.

"Judy?"

"Hmm?" She looked up at James.

"I said 'how are you keeping?'" he repeated, patiently.

"Oh! I'm doing very well," she replied. "Actually, I've started helping out at the Naval base. There's a cheetah, Mister Clawhauser, who lets me assist with his duties. It's only paperwork, of course, but now I have an even better chance of getting on a ship!"

He chuckled. "Wow. Working at the base, lessons with Savage... It's a wonder you have time to eat."

"I wouldn't do it if I knew I couldn't handle it."

He raised an eyebrow.

She rolled her eyes. "Mother makes sure I'm fed."

"WHAT?!"

The two rabbits jumped at the shout. It had come from the study.

"That sounded like father." Judy got up and started to walk out the room.

"Judy, wait!" James stood up also. He had a pained expression on his face. "It may be better until after they've finished."

"What's going on, James?"

He was looking guilty again. "I shouldn't be the one to tell you."

"Tell me what?" Judy's ears swivelled as more shouting was heard from the study.

He made out to take her hand but stopped himself. "Just trust me, Judy. Please."

Though it caused her a great deal of frustration, she duly waited until the meeting was over. Lady Bellweather was very sombre as she left with James Buckington (she was staying at his summer home) and soon the reason for her visit was spread throughout the entire household.

The land that made up the Hopps personal farm apparently no longer belonged to the Hopps family. For generations it had been tended to by the Hopps and its produce sold to pay for the upkeep of the manor, however it had recently come to light that the documents pertaining to it were out of date. In the eyes of the Royal Court, the land had no owner and so was property of the King, along with the profit that had been made from all the previous harvests. In the space of one meeting, the Hopps family had almost no land and were severely in debt. Though Stuart and Bonnie Hopps had argued ferociously with Lady Bellweather about this injustice, law was law and there was no way about it. The Court offered only one solution: if they could pay £100,000 by the end of the year, their debt would be forgotten and their land given back. If not, they would face financial ruin.

"£100,000!" screamed Lucy, one of the Hopps daughters. "Do they think we have that kind of money lying around?"

"It's pocket cash to those rich toffs of the Court," replied Daniel, her brother. "You'd think they'd have enough already."

"Once you're rich it's never enough," said John, one of the eldest. "In all honesty we should be glad they're not asking for more."

"And how are we supposed to raise anything if we're not allowed to use the farm?" asked Thomas, angrily.

The chatter lasted well into the night, and most lost sleep over worrying. There didn't seem to be any answer to their problem, and for every rabbit in the manor, it was a terrifying thought.

Come morning no one could speak of nothing else. The house was fuller than usual since the family members who tended the farm stayed in and not many felt like socialising in town. Stuart and Bonnie confined themselves to the study, talking just quietly enough so the inevitable eavesdroppers could not hear. Then, about an hour after lunch, they called Judy in.

They were seated in two chairs near the unlit fireplace, looking incredibly nervous. After Judy sat down in the empty chair facing them, they both took deep breaths.

"So, um," her father started awkwardly, "how's everything going?"

"Uh, good," answered Judy, slightly confused. "I've been thinking about maybe asking Mister Clawhauser to start paying me for my work. It won't be much, but maybe it'll help with...er...you know."

"Oh, that's very thoughtful of you, Judy." Her mother smiled warmly.

"Actually, it's about the...you know...that we wanted to talk about." Stuart managed a weak smile of his own.

"Is there something I can do?"

Her parents looked at each other, nervous again.

Bonnie decided to take the plunge. "Well, you know that nice James Buckington?"

Judy raised an eyebrow. "Yes, he's a good friend of mine. Why?"

"He's very taken with you."

"Can't seem to leave your side when he's in town," Stuart added.

"And such a gentlemammal."

"With a good position."

"Very eligible."

"Financially secure."

"Wait," said Judy, stopping them. She realised where this was going. "Are you suggesting that I -"

"We don't want to force you into this," interrupted Stuart quickly. "It's just..."

"As his wife you would have access to his fortune," Bonnie continued, "and he has more than enough to help with our...predicament."

"And if we don't do something...we'll lose everything."

"This way the family will be safe, and you'll have a wonderful husband. And we'll still see each other in the summer."

"You always said how much you wanted t-to see Zootopia." Tears were forming in Stuart's eyes.

Judy looked from one parent to the other, gaping at them. "But - I -"

"You do like him, right?" asked Bonnie.

"Y-yes," stammered Judy, "but not - not like that."

"You want to marry for love," stated Bonnie, smiling. She put a hand on her husband's arm. "We understand. We truly do. It's just..."

"Sometimes things don't go our way," Stuart finished.

Judy stared at her hands. There was no way out. If she refused, the family was doomed. She couldn't let that happen.

"OK."

Her mother and father let out sighs of relief, though they didn't seem any happier.

"I'll talk to James Buckington. See if I can get a proposal out of him. Though with him, easier said than done." Stuart gave a half-hearted chuckle.

"May I be excused?" Judy asked in a small voice.

"Of course, sweetie." Bonnie got up and enveloped her daughter in a loving hug. It was a few seconds before she released her, and Judy silently left the room.

She felt numb. Ignoring her siblings who immediately started pelting her with questions, she made her way to her room and collapsed on the bed. Fortunately the sisters she shared with decided she needed some space. It was a while before she managed to start crying, but when she did, it all came out. The frustration, the anger, the hopelessness. She kept asking herself what could be done, but there was nothing. Eventually she calmed down, thinking herself silly. There were plenty of mammals who were forced into arranged marriages, often between those who had never met before. At least she knew James and was friends with him. Not many had that luxury. Besides, being married to him didn't mean she couldn't make something of herself. She would make the best of her situation, as she had always done.

She sat up and looked out the window. The sky was darkening, and she could hear her family making their way to dinner. She left the room quietly, not wanting to draw attention to herself. She thought about going to the dining room, but despite telling herself she felt better, her spirits were low. Her feet carried her to the hall, out the front door and towards town. She didn't pay attention to where she was going or to the other mammals enjoying an evening stroll; she kept her gaze on the sea, which was reflecting the last rays of the sun. Just as the first stars came out, Judy found herself at The Carrot and Anchor. She entered as she had done so many times before, and soon spotted the old hare with his usual entourage.

"I had never felt colder. It was as if my very life was draining out of me, threatening to leave me as an empty husk. It only got worse as Davy Bones stepped towards me. The pirate looked me up and down, still smoking from his pipe, and said 'I thought it was customary to throw the little ones back into the sea.' His crew laughed, but I simply stared up at him. I breathed deeply, and said back 'I am the hare who braved the Bearmuda Triangle and lived. I am the one who severed Blackmane's head from his body. I do not know yet whether you are the most fearsome adversary I will meet, but don't doubt for a moment that I am not the weakest soul you'll ever come across.' He was silent for a moment, and then he laughed. Of course he laughed, but still I felt part of my inner strength returning." Jack Savage paused and leaned back in his chair, surveying his captive audience, then glanced up and saw Judy. He frowned when he saw her face. "I think that is a good place as any to stop. I'll tell you the rest next week. Off you go." The children groaned impatiently, but obediently trudged out of the Tavern back to their homes.

Jack made his way to Judy. Age had caught up with such that he now had to use a cane. "Miss Hopps, whatever is the matter?"

They sat down at a small table in the corner and Judy told him everything. The land dispute, the debt, the marriage. During this she started crying again. Jack only listened, his frown firmly in place.

When she had finished, he stared down thoughtfully at the table, his fingers laced together under his chin. After a minute he stood up. "Follow me."

He led her out of the tavern and to his house. He took a small wooden box out of a drawer in his study and then went out into the garden where they had their sword training lessons. He placed the box on the garden table and opened it, revealing a lapin sized pistol and some bullets, neatly arranged, all lined with faded red velvet. The initials 'J.S.' were etched into the pistol's handle. Judy gazed at it in wonder.

"This served me well on many occasions," said Jack, taking the pistol and stroking it fondly. "I prefer the sword, but sometimes you need a little firepower. It's also useful if your enemy is some distance away." He loaded some bullets and faced the far wall. It was made of solid stone, and there were several cracks and dents covering it. Jack aimed the weapon at the wall, breathed deeply and fired.

There was a loud BANG! and Judy covered her ears and closed her eyes instinctively. When she opened them again she saw that a new dent had appeared in the wall, formed by the bullet wedged firmly in it. Satisfied with his work, Jack pressed the gun into Judy's hands.

He then proceeded to teach her how to hold the pistol, aim it, when to shoot, how to breathe, how to reload and anything else he deemed necessary. Once she knew the basics, he took some chalk and drew targets on the stone wall for her to shoot at. Judy had been so enthralled at learning a new skill that it wasn't until a full hour later that she asked Jack why he had decided now to show her how to use a gun.

"Whenever I feel upset about something, I find practising my shooting calms me down," he explained. "It requires focus, and let's out some aggression. Of course, different things work for different mammals, but I wanted to give you some form of power. Something you had control over."

Judy gave a small smile. "I do feel better."

"I'm sorry for what's happened to you and your family," Jack said, sitting down. "If there was anything I could do, I would, but I have neither the money or influence nowadays."

"You've done so much for me already." Judy sat in the chair next to him. "I wouldn't be who I am today if it weren't for you. You've always made me feel so powerful."

Jack smiled at her proudly. "It has been an honour being your tutor, Judy. Whatever you decide to do in life, I know you're going to be amazing, and I couldn't be prouder."

The next day Judy made her way to the Naval base, though without the usual skip in her step. Her time with Captain Savage had kept her from getting too depressed, but she knew it would be a long time before she felt cheerful again. She was trying to figure out the best way to tell Clawhauser the news when she heard someone calling her name. She turned and saw James Buckington running down the road towards her.

"James?" she asked, concerned.

"Judy." He stopped when he reached her and suddenly looked nervous. "I - er - I spoke to your father this morning and - um - we - er - well, I'm sorry about the business with your farm."

"You knew along," Judy stated, failing to keep a small amount of venom from her voice.

"My father and I were completely against it!" he said quickly. "We tried to convince the Court to let your family keep the land, but we were outvoted."

Judy sighed sadly. "I'm sorry. I know you wouldn't have wanted this to happen."

He nodded in response. "Um - Judy, you're father and I were talking and - er - you must know by now how I feel, and - um -" He wrung his hands together and then straightened up. He looked around at the busy mammals carrying out their daily tasks at the port. "This isn't the ideal location for this, but I must do it know before I lose courage."

Judy closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She knew what was coming.

James cleared his throat. "Lady Judy Hopps, I would be honoured if you consented to be my wife. I would tend to your every need, and of course help out with your family's financial problems. I would make sure you want for nothing, and if ever I am required to board a vessel, I shall insist you accompany me." He smiled shyly at her.

She readied herself. "James - "

"You don't have to give your answer now," he interrupted. "All I ask for you now is to think about it. I will be travelling to Deerbrooke tomorrow, and will return in a few weeks. Maybe you'll have an answer then." He bowed, kissed her paw and left as fast as he could, his ears flaming red.

She stared at the road he had disappeared down, and couldn't help but feel slightly amused at the fact that that was the only time he had talked more than her. She sighed again. He would be good to her. She didn't love him, but she was fond of him. And he did say that he would get her on board a ship. She continued walking to the Naval base.

When she arrived Clawhauser was sitting at his desk, gazing intently at an old piece of parchment held up to his muzzle. He looked up when he saw Judy enter, and quickly rolled up the parchment and stuffed it into a back rectangular box.

"Lady Judy!" he greeted, locking the box and putting the key in his pocket. Noticing Judy's puzzled expression, he chuckled nervously. "Top secret. I'm afraid I can't tell you." Despite what he said, the way he smiled and bounced in his seat suggested he would like nothing better than to share what he knew.

Though she was curious, and could easily get the information out of him if she wanted, she pushed it out of her mind. She had other things to talk about.

"Hey, what's wrong," Clawhauser asked, seeing her sudden frown.

Judy proceeded to tell him everything. Fortunately she didn't cry this time; instead it was Clawhauser that got teary eyed. "That is so unfair. Is there anything I can do?"

"I doubt it," replied Judy. "I'm OK, really. Things are going to be very different now, but it's for the best."

The cheetah looked down at his desk sadly, then his ears pricked up as an idea struck him. "Thing is...I need to go to Zootopia in a few days to deliver this." He patted the black box. "I'll be travelling by ship, and maybe I could ask them to let you go with me. Say you're my assistant or something. We should be back before James."

Judy stared at him, her mouth agape. "You'd get me on a ship...to Zootopia?"

"I can try," he replied. "Of course, when you're...married...you'll be living there and travelling by ship anyway, but I thought that maybe you could have some fun before you're...while you're single."

Judy ran around the desk and hugged Clawhauser as far as her arms could reach around his girth. He instantly returned the embrace.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"Anytime." He pulled back and grabbed some from papers from the desk. "Right, back to work."

By the end of the next day, it was organised. Judy would accompany Mister Clawhauser on his trip to Zootopia aboard the HMS Cloverleaf, a merchant ship that occasionally ferried passengers if the price was right. Normally a Navy ship would escort mammals who worked for them, however it seemed that whatever Clawhauser had in his charge was so secret that he would be going undercover as a simple passenger who wanted to visit the capital.

Judy's parents were anxious about Judy travelling across the sea with only Clawhauser to watch over her. Unlike his daughter, Governor Hopps was not fond of the ocean and always took the longer by-land path when visiting other regions. He and Bonnie didn't offer much argument against the notion however, as they still felt horrible for pressuring Judy into marriage. Instead they gave her long lectures about being careful, doing exactly what Clawhauser and the crew told her, and not to feel ashamed if she wanted to cut the journey short and return home. Judy took this all in with a lot of eye rolling but she didn't complain. Her high spirits had returned as she joyfully packed what she thought she needed into two suitcases and reread her books about what to expect when sailing. She simply couldn't wait.

Soon enough the day arrived. The skies were clear, the wind was strong and Judy smiled brightly at the handsome three-mastered ship before her. It sat serenely in the water, just waiting to be launched. Running across the decks and riggings were several lemmings, which the entire crew was comprised of. A couple had already taken Judy's belongings onboard.

She turned back to the family members that had come to see her off. Fru Fru was also there, talking excitedly about Judy's upcoming journey and insisting that she bring back a souvenir. Once she had finished saying goodbye to the shrew, it was her family's turn.

"Remember what we told you, Judy," said her mother, fussing over Judy's dress. "Don't do anything reckless."

"The ocean is dangerous enough already without you making it worse for yourself," added her father. "It's not too late to change your mind, you know."

"I'm not changing my mind, father," replied Judy, firmly.

"And be careful in Zootopia, too," he continued. "It's easy to get lost, and there are a lot of larger animals. Wolves and bears and foxes... Be sure to watch out for foxes."

"Father, Clawhauser is a large predator, as are most of Mr Big's servants. I'll be fine."

Governor Hopps did not look convinced. He was about to say something when Clawhauser's voice was heard from the ship.

"Lady Judy! We're almost ready!"

"OK! I'm coming!" Judy held her parents in a tight hug. "I love you. See you soon." She ran down the port towards the boarding plank, waving behind her.

Just as she reached the bottom of the plank she noticed another mammal hobbling as fast as he could towards her. The old hare's cane clacked loudly against the ground, slowing only to dodge a small sand-coloured fox walking the other way, but the retired Captain's eyes never left Judy. He took a moment to catch his breath when he reached her, then stood up straight and smiled proudly.

"Forgive my lateness," he said. "I sometimes forget my age."

"I'm glad you came, Captain," replied Judy. "I wouldn't appreciate this moment as much if it weren't for you."

"You're going to love it, trust me." From beneath his jacket he took out a familiar wooden box. He held it out to Judy. "In case of pirates," he explained with a wink.

"Oh, I couldn't-"

"I don't want this to go to anyone else," he said firmly. "You're the closest thing I have to family, and I am passing it to you. Use it well. It's freshly loaded."

Hesitantly, she took the box in the paws, and smiled in thanks.

He bowed to her. "Lady Judy."

She saluted. "Captain Savage."

"We're about to cast off!"

Judy turned towards the voice from the ship and then back to Jack. He gestured for her to hurry up the plank and stepped back. She gave a final nod and rushed aboard the ship just before the crew took away the plank, and then found a good place to wave goodbye to the mammals she was leaving behind. The anchor was lifted, the sails unfurled and soon the HMS Cloverleaf slid smoothly out of port towards the open waters. The town gradually got smaller and smaller, disappearing over the horizon until it had gone completely.

Over the next few days Judy woke to the smell of salty air and the sound of waves lapping against the ship. She had a small but comfortable cabin all to herself, though she hardly spent any time in it. She was almost always on deck, looking out to the sea, watching the gulls fly overhead, and trying to remember the names of the cloud formations she could see. It had taken her a while to get her sea-legs, but once she found them she was eager to help out with the running of the ship. However it was soon made apparent that she wasn't wanted. The lemming crew had a specific way of handling their ship and they did not appreciate variations to their schedule. They worked like clockwork, highly organised and efficient, not bothering to call out orders to each other as they each knew their place at every second of the day. It unnerved Judy and Clawhauser to no end, and they began to memorise the lemmings' routine so they could avoid them.

Though she was over the moon about travelling across the sea, the crew's standoffishness and the fact she wasn't allowed to do anything was driving the young rabbit a little crazy. Clawhauser often found her leaning over the edge of the ship, her foot thumping furiously.

"Hi," he greeted at one of these times, standing next to her. "Lovely weather."

"Yes," agreed Judy, no enthusiasm in her voice.

He gave her a sympathetic look. "I know you're frustrated, but you don't have to work on a ship to enjoy it. And there's Zootopia to look forward to! I'll show you all the sights. The museums, the markets, the theatres... There won't be a dull moment."

Judy gave a small smile. "Thanks."

Clawhauser frowned. "Is there something else?"

"It's just...as soon as this is over...it's over."

"I wouldn't say that. Sure, you'll be getting married, but you'll still be you. You're not gonna suddenly turn into some housewife or 'genteel lady'. Anyone's who's met you knows you're more than that."

Judy's smile managed to grow to a normal size. She was about to say something when a squeaky yell was heard from the crow's nest.

"Pirates! Off the Starboard!"

#Zootopia #zootropolis #pirates #pirates of the caribbean #fanfic #PotC #chapter #pirates au

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