#i get emo just thinking about her… she DEFINITELY could have stood alone as the protagonist of her own book in my opinion

[fabled-fiction]

Cute but Deadly

(Hobie Brown x Venom!Emo!Reader)

Summary: When Miles, Gwen, Pavitr and Hobie get stranded on a random Earth, they gain help from an unexpected source...who just so happens to be Hobie’s partner.

Word Count: 2.7k

Warnings: Use of (Y/N)

A/N: This is like, half an exposition on you as venom and half the group getting a GLIMPSE into you and Hobie’s relationship. TBH Ill probably write another venom!reader ;)

It was like a slingshot.

One moment they’re gracefully gliding through the interdimensional tube, a cascade of colors filling their senses.

And the next they’re spit out into whatever tear had happened, ripped from the smooth joyride into an awfully painful exit.

A ringing filled all their ears as they slid down the wet concrete wall they had crashed into, all of them leaving a sizable dent and growing cracks in the foundation that would surely become a much bigger problem in the morning.

Slowly standing up, Miles stretched and reached to rub the back of his neck. His next priority was to hold his hand out for Gwen to take as he helped her up. A loud groaning noise came from Pavitr as he stood and stretched his back, a few cracks popping as is arched.

“Oh god, what happened?”

Collecting their senses, they were finally able to assess their situation.

The first real big problem that caught their attention was that they were NOT on the Earth they had set onto their watches,

The second (and more pressing) being that all their watches were glitching out.

“Uhh…I think we hit one of those tears that Lyla was talking about.” Gwen groaned as she smacked her watch.

Oh yea, they had definitely hit a tear. An unfortunate circumstance that had happened due to one of the villains they were bringing back having been a little too rowdy, causing the tubes they used to travel to be all torn up and out of shape. Luckily Lyla had fixed most of them, but there were a few she had yet to patch up (code and physical wise). They must have taken one of those broken routes from Hobie’s Earth to get to HQ.

Miles had listened to all about ten seconds of that speech…and had unfortunately missed out on the protocol they all had to follow in order to get back safely.

By the looks on everyone else’s faces, they hadn’t bothered to pay attention either.

So here they were, abandoned in a random dimension’s alley way, with no where to go.

“Well, we must be on SOME Spider’s Earth, let’s just figure out whos! Theres a fifty fifty chance they have a watch that can easily zip us back to HQ!”

Fortunately they had Pav’s optimism on their side at least.

Walking next to Gwen on the sidewalk, looking for any type of newspaper or phone booth to narrow down their search Miles took in the state of this Earth.

Even though it was night time, it was much darker than any other Earth they had been on so far. The rain almost looked black, and the puddles on the ground had a eerie viscosity to them. They stuck to his shoe with every lift, and he could feel them run down his spine and into his suit.

Watching Gwen pull up her hood made his suspicions confirmed that this was one of the more creepy Earth’s they had been on. The color palette alone made him almost think it was Noir’s…but offset colors that rimmed the street lights told him otherwise.

He thought the scream that came from the alley way was his for a moment.

His senses were shooting off a lighting speed.

Both him and Gwen shot their heads to look down, and the sight they saw almost made him want to give up the search.

What looked to be a civilian was grabbed by back tendrils that had shot out from the wall, dragging them around the corner. Their fingers gripped the corner of the brick wall with all their might, and had they not been caught off guard they might have been able to get a better grip.

Damn Gwen for being so brave, leaping into action.

Tripping over his own feet, Miles barely had time to catch up with her as she swung around the corner. Flinging his own web forward, he ran across the wall and quickly skidded around the corner.

It felt like all light in the alleyway was getting sucked in by this…being. It stood above the man, being practically almost twice his height. It’s jaw was unhinged, showing off its multiple rows of teeth but that's not what made all their hairs stand on the back of Mile’s neck.

A bright pink tongue was reaching down and unwrapping around from around his throat, taking a long lick from across his face.

“It’s always the most cowardly that have the most delectable fear.”

That voice, with a bass so low Mile’s swore it made the loose gravel on the ground vibrate, sent a pang into his stomach.

“Oh crap…not a Venom.” Gwen whispered, running a hand down her face.

“A venom?! What..what's a Venom? How do you know that's a Venom?”

“It's a villain of Spiderman…theres a possibility that the Spider we’re looking for is currently possessed…or that it’s taken it’s other host on this Earth. Either way, we have to take it down.”

“WE? Whos We? Why dont WE just wait for Hobie and Pav…we fix our watched AWAY from that and…and then come back! Preferably with someone bigger…like Miguel..or Peni!”

The deadpanned look on Gwen’s face…he could feel it from behind her mask as she watched him fumble over his words. Pulling his own mask down, he watched as Gwen shot a web at the Venom’s side. It barely wrapped their bicep as she pulled, trying to grab their attention away from the civilian. It works, making them BARELY side step. They were caught of guard though, dropping the civilian as they looked in their direction. The squint of its white pupil’s that were shaped similar to the ones on their mask made Mile audibly gulp as he went invisible.

Flipping around them, he helped the civilian up and pushed them out quickly before returning to the scene of the fight.

Gwen was mostly playing a game of cat and mouse, shooting her webs and bringing the Venom closer to her but flipping away before they could grab her.

The Venom looked confused, physically tilting their head as Gwen quickly flipped back.

It happened in slow mo, but also too quick for Miles to react in time.

Venom had reached out and grabbed Gwen by her ankle. Flipping her around, they held her against the wall. Miles watched as small black vine-like tendrils leaked off their hand to hold Gwen in place on the wall.

“Hmm, you smell and look like a Spider but you don’t smell like mine…who are you?”

Feeling a hand keep Miles from springing into action, he watched as Hobie held a finger to his lips as he walked forward…with his hands in his pocket. How was he so chill about this?!

Looking over at Pav, he was baffled that all he had on was a giddy smile.

Hobie slowly walked up to the Venom, not even making himself known. All he did was lean against the nearby wall and cross his legs before calling out.

“Babes, would you put my friend down?”

The Venom takes half a beat to itself before turning their head to look over their shoulder.

A large, spine chilling smile spread across the inky face before their hand dropped Gwen. As they began to take large strides towards Hobie, their frame started to shrink into itself. Like if spilled ink could put itself back into it’s bottle, Miles watches as the once towering creature transformed into…a completely normal looking person.

Well, a completely “normal” person in all black clothing and painted black eyes with eyeliner extending onto their cheekbones. The eyeshadow surrounding their eyes glittering and making said eyes light up like their smile as they dropped into Hobie’s arms.

So much was happening right now it was making Mile’s head spin.

They wrapped their arms around Hobie’s neck, leaning back as they stared into his eyes. He placed his hands on their hips, rubbing circles into them as they leaned forward to take Hobie’s breath from him. It was like they were in their own little world as Hobie leaned forward into the touch of the walking void. Their hands found a way to hold his face, thumbs running over his cheeks before pulling away. Like they had remembered they were regrettably not in their own world together as they wiped their makeup off his lips. His face chased theirs for a moment, before they turned their head to look over at Miles and Pav.

Eyes that had looked at Hobie with such warmth were cold as they looked at them, chilling the ground they stood on and making it feel as if their limbs were freezing in place.

“They’re friends babe…go on introduce yourself.”

Not leaving his side, Miles watched as they held a hand up.

“I’m (Y/N)...”

Your voice wasn’t as deep or menacing as it was before which calmed Miles, but the lingering gravel still put him on edge. Gwen and Miles both awkwardly waved while Pavitr shot forward and grabbed their hand, shaking it rather quickly.

“Im Pavitr! I've heard all about you from Hobie, it's a pleasure to finally meet you!”

That made another, more condescending smile break out on their black painted lips as they veered a look over to Hobie (all whilst Pav was still shaking their hand).

“Oh really? And what has he said?”

Pushing Pav away from you, he turned you to face him. His hands resting on your shoulders, one hand coming to prop your chin up to look at him. Just like that he had gained your full attention. The softened look that graced your face made Miles almost forget that you had a man halfway in between your teeth when he had turned the alley.

“Let's get back to the problem at hand yea? We need to stay at your place tonight…fix up our watches.”

Hobie held up his wrist that held the watch, and watched as you took his wrist and stared at it. Your touch ginger with him…

“I suppose I can help you with that. C’mon, my place is this way.”

Lifting his arm off their shoulder, Miles watched as you launched yourself up into the air and landed on the rooftop. All four of them craned their necks upward, but Pavitr was the first to follow after.

“Dude, you’re dating a Venom?!” Gwen yelled out as she followed behind him in a swing.

“What of it?”

“Uhhh they’re a Venom? Thats whats of it?? When were you gonna tell us?”

“I like to let things happen naturally.”

That earned a scoff from Gwen as she swung in front of him and crossed her arms.

“No you don’t.”

Hobie smirked, “You’re right, I don’t.”

(Y/N) was right in their place being close by. As they landed on the side of a building, Miles watched as their hand turned an inky black and grew as they forced their lock open.

He wasn’t entirely sure what he expected your apartment to look like. From the way Gwen talked about Venom’s he expected an ooey gooey evil lair with skeletons strunge up in cacoons.

It was a perfectly normally, lived in looking apartment with some posters hung up on the walls and fairy lights helping to fill the apartment with light alongside some retro looking skull lamps. The overhead fixture looked like it hadnt been turned on in months based on the amount of dust that had collected on it.

Wait…was that Hobie’s missing vest hanging off the side of the couch?

“I have a spare room you guys can sleep in, and the couch pulls out.”

You quickly walked over and picked up the entire pile of clothes, walking over to what he could only assume was your bedroom door and kick it open. Quickly throwing them in, you slammed the door shut and turned to everyone.

“Watches please.”

Holding out a small basket, each one of them dropped their watch into the basket. You quickly look over each one, and nodded before pulling our laptop out of the couch cushion and flipping it up.

“Whos hungry?” Hobie clapped his hands together before turning and welcoming himself into your kitchen. With a roll of your eyes, you began typing on your laptop.

Miles slowly made his way over to the now laundryless spot next to you and watched as miles of code scanned over your screen. You had only pressed a few buttons, but now you were just watching as it ran. He also noticed how Hobie’s once broken watch as now rebooting itself.

“Is that…Society code?”

You moved quietly like a cat, he hadn’t even noticed that you had turned your head. The chipped black nail that had found itself wedged between your teeth reached to turn the screen towards him.

“Does it look like Society code?”

“...Yea.”

“Then it looks like Spider Society code.”

Miles nodded, patting both his hands on his knees before looking at you again. Your stone cold stare having not left him.

“Can I ask you another question?”

“Shoot.”

“Do you like…actually eat people?”

That made you blink at him, before looking away with a smirk which did not comfort Miles any more about the fact that he was staying here the night.

Standing up, you walked into the kitchen to see Hobie, Pavitr and Gwen standing around the counter eating what was left of whatever chinese leftovers were in your fridge.

Wedging yourself to lean against the counter that just so happened to be between Hobie’s legs you looked at the three of them.

“Your watches code should all be fixed in the morning.”

Reaching behind you, your hand grabbed the carton that Hobie was holding and you started to shovel it into your mouth as his hands found your hips again. His hand occasionally reached to take the chopsticks from you to steal a bite.

After finishing the carton, you placed it on your counter and stretched your arms up. Since they had interrupted your…lets call it patrol you’d actually be able to get a good nights rest.

Well mostly because Hobie had interrupted.

Pushing yourself off the counter, you walked back into the living room to see Miles plugging the second watch in gingerly. It made you smile a little, and let a huff of air out of your nostrils. He was nice and fun to mess with, you’d have to ask Hobie to bring him over some time again.

Opening your coat slash storage slash shoe closet, you pulled out multiple blankets and tossed them at him. Hearing him yelp out and tumble over the side of the couch, you watched as Gwen ran over to help him out.

“See you in the morning losers.”

Opening you bedroom door, you hand absentmindedly reached back to grab Hobie by the collar of his shirt and pull him into your room.

Stumbling in behind you, you watched as Hobie quickly recovered and turned around to look at you as you slammed the door shut and leaned against it.

“I think your friends are scared of me.”

Feeling his warm hand grasp your chin you smiled up at him as his thumb ran across your bottom lip, smudging your makeup in the process.

His face got incredibly close to yours, so close in fact you could hear how fast his heart was beating as he caged you in. Lips hovering over yours, you felt a ghost of a kiss as he placed a hand next to your head.

“Good.”

—

Miles swears he had never slept as good as he did last night ever in his life. Despite the fact that he crashed on a suspected man-eater’s couch.

All four watches on the table were blinking green, signaling that they were good to go.

“Sleep aight?”

Looking over, he saw Hobie leaning against the wall with a cuppa in his hand sipping it slowly. He had a smug smirk on his face as he looked at Miles, taking an obnoxious sip from his cup, like he was waiting for him to realize something. With a squint, and a rub of his eyes Miles felt his eyes pop open just a little wider than before.

“Is that (Y/N)’s shirt?”

[shakey-hands]

please please can we get fukuzawa awkwardly having to tell ranpo he’s dating reader and the two of them start fighting and reader is subjected to it??? 😍😍

haha yeah. first ask that imma answer, let me know if you guys want more. my asks are open for any (except mineta gross) mha, ouran, or bungo characters :)

{this one is gonna be done with she/her pronouns but if you ask for gender neutral or he/him or any other pronouns, i can do it}

---

The clock struck two when Y/N looked at her phone, leg bouncing up and down in a way that always annoyed the people around her. Great. It was thirty minutes past their meeting time and her boyfriend still had not shown up with what she understood was his adopted son.

It had been a good plan. Meet on neutral territory, gas up (what Y/N assumed was) a teenage boy with a sweets addiction, and then break the news. Y/N was not sure why they needed to go through such lengthy troubles to inform her boyfriend’s son that they were dating. He was at least old enough to understand what dating was. And from what she had heard from Kunikida, Fukuzawa’s son had a very prominent dating life of his own. But Y/N trusted her boyfriend, no matter how many times he looked off into the distance with quiet wisdom that felt vague.

Y/N sipped her tea, realizing that caffeine would only worsen her anxiety. It didn’t matter how many times Fukuzawa and Kunikida tried to tell her that the meeting wouldn’t be a big deal and that the son would love her, she wasn’t so sure. He was working at the Armed Detective Agency and was good at what he did. At least those were Kunikida’s words as Y/N and him were quietly reading in the same room as they did on Saturday nights. While Y/N appreciated Kunikida for his straight forward/driven personality, he did not fare well in comforting her.

Which brought her to her boyfriend. His solid, piercing eyes would always soften as she talked about her day over their dinner dates and he would brush the back of his hand on her cheek in the moments they were alone with one another. While Y/N rarely noticed because she herself was too infatuated with him, Fukuzawa cared deeply for her after seven months of dating. Their last hurdle was introducing Y/N to Ranpo. Fukuzawa was not at all worried since Y/N had a knack for making sweets and made people feel as if they were special when she smiled at them. There was never a shortage of praise around her.

Y/N checked her phone again, hoping that an apology text would come through and she would not be left in the dark. That however was proving difficult. Fukuzawa was driving with Ranpo eating cotton candy in the passenger seat. He had to be bribed away from the sweets table Dazai had set up for some ungodly known reason to mess with Atsushi. It was embarrassing how long it took for Kunikida to pry Ranpo’s little grubby hands away from the snacks and then another amount of time for Fukuzawa to get Ranpo to put on his seatbelt.

It made Fukuzawa nervous that he was so late. He knew Y/N would be understanding, it was part of the reason he enjoyed her company so much. Knowing her, she would probably be bouncing her knee and staring down at the table, overthinking things. He, of course, was right.

As Fukuzawa was pulling into the parking lot, he spotted his girlfriend’s car. It was pristine, as always, and had a small cat paw sticker on the back left bumper. He smiled inwardly, realizing that he had been waiting for this. There was a future with Y/N and Fukuzawa couldn’t wait.

Ranpo still had yet to get out of the car, his glasses dangling from his shirt pocket and a light dusting of sugar crystals on his lips. He was pouting, of course. Kunikida did not pack enough snacks for the car ride, meaning Ranpo did not have the mental energy to get out of the car and go into whatever flop coffee shop the president insisted they go into. People were so stupid and Ranpo already just finished a case that was so obvious. The local police really needed to be more useful.

“Get out of the car,” Fukuzawa said, getting more and more agitated.

“No,” Ranpo said.

“Let’s go. I promise there will be sweets inside the shop.”

“So? There were sweets at the agency.”

Fukuzawa rolled his eyes, knowing Ranpo would sit in the car out of stubbornness. “Ranpo-”

“Yukichi?” A soft voice called out from the entrance of the cafe.

Fukuzawa turned to see Y/N standing right outside. She had a to-go cup of something hot in her hands, jacket sleeves pulled over her hands to stop the warmth from burning her skin. Even though it was overcast and windy, Y/N still seemed to have a certain glow about her that always took Fukuzawa’s breath away. She waved timidly, not knowing why he was awkwardly standing behind his parked car with a weird defensive stance. He nodded over to her, giving her a genuine smile before turning his head back to the car and glaring.

“Is everything okay?”

Y/N began to approach her boyfriend. The only other time she had seen her boyfriend have this stance was when she had bumped into some eyebrowless pale emo kid in an accident at the mall. Fukuzawa seemed to pick the weird fights, but she just smiled through it. His eyes held a certain annoyance the Y/N had not seen before. Her eyebrows furrowed as she took a step off the curb. Fukuzawa held out his hand, motioning her to not get closer. Y/N paused, unsure about his demeanor.

“Ranpo, don’t make me ask again.” Fukuzawa’s voice held a bass to it that Y/N had never heard before. She could only assume it was his dad voice that he has never had to use with her.

The window rolled down on the old car for just a crack. “I don’t remember a question being asked.”

The voice was whiny and slightly muffled, as if the speaker had sweets in his mouth. Fukuzawa rolled his eyes and put his hand on the glass. Y/N was slightly shocked by her boyfriend, but decided to let him do his thing. She was not a parent and the closest time she had ever been was when she had a babysitting gig decades ago when she was a teen. While she was interested in a family, she had neither the time nor mental capacity to follow through. So she stepped back onto the curb and took a sip of her tea, relishing in the warmth it provided.

“Ranpo, if you don’t get out of the damned car, there will be no sweets at the agency for a year.”

A clear threat had been made.

The door slammed into the car next to it, causing a dent that Fukuzawa watched form. Out from the passenger seat, a short man with a slight pout crawled out of the car. Definitely not the young teenager Y/N had been expecting. He was only slightly taller than Y/N and wore a cape. In fact, he looked like a full grown adult, maybe only ten years younger than Y/N. Her face said it all, though neither men were looking at her. They just stared one another down before Fukuzawa remembered his loving girlfriend stood awkwardly behind him. He motioned for her to come over.

Ranpo did not look impressed as he looked her up and down. Y/N looked too ordinary to know Fukuzawa in her jeans and plain jacket combo. Her shoes were dirty from all the yard work she had done throughout the years. As she got closer, Ranpo watched closely as Fukuzawa gently touched the small of her back before wrapping his arm around her waist. While Ranpo had never seen the President act like this, he did not care.

“Ranpo, I would like you to meet-”

Ranpo yawned loudly. “She’s way too old for me. Almost to hag status.”

Y/N’s eyes widened. She began to stumble over her words, not knowing how to respond. Fukuzawa’s cheeks burned with embarrassment. He couldn’t believe that Ranpo would even think he was trying to set them up. Ranpo made a disgusted face.

“No offense lady, but you don’t even look fun. Like all you do is sit in the dark and contemplate the excitement of frostingless yellow cake.”

How do you respond to that?

Y/N looked down, not sure if she wanted to laugh or cry. She was suddenly thankful for the sudden gust of wind that burned her cheeks, a sign that snow was rolling in. Who insults like that? The little sniffle that Y/N let out set Fukuzawa back into the present instead of the daydream he had slipped into where Ranpo got his ass beat.

“You can’t talk to her like that,” Fukuzawa said sternly. “And she’s not here for you.”

“Obviously. She could never handle the Greatest Detective.”

“No!” Fukuzawa said, tightening his grip on her waist. “I wanted you two to meet because we’ve been dating for a while and I thought it was finally time for you two to meet.”

Ranpo suddenly scoffed dramatically. Once. Twice. Three times. “And here I thought we agreed never to keep secrets! And all this time you’ve been giving your praise to someone else!”

Fukuzawa looked at the small man incredulously. “I’m allowed to date, Ranpo.”

“Not really!” Ranpo exclaimed, throwing his hands up into the air. Those who were passing by continuously glanced, wondering why they were arguing so loudly in a public space. “How gross is that! You’re like centuries old!”

“Look, I just thought you’d want to be in the know. If I had known you’d throw a tantrum, I would have just waited until after we were married.”

In that moment, Ranpo and Y/N spoke simultaneously:

“Tantrum?!”

“Married!?”

“Oh I’ll show you a tantrum!”

Ranpo pushed the old car to make it move back and forth in its parked place before beginning to punch the glass. There was no real power behind his throws, so there were soft thumps being emitted. Next he started to kick the tires, also without power behind his movements. He truly had transformed into a toddler, making the people walking by walk a little faster. He came off as some random crazy person on the street rather than an acclaimed detective.

Fukuzawa didn’t know where to look until a warm soft hand held his cheek, guiding his eyes towards Y/N’s. She smiled softly, ignoring Ranpo as he began to get physical. Her smile caused a chain reaction in Fukuzawa’s heart, making him resist the urge to get down on one knee at that very instance. He did have the ring adding weight to his pocket. She kissed his forehead, making him awkwardly bend down as she chuckled against his skin.

“You want to marry me?”

Fukuzawa blushed slightly. “In due time, of course.”

She chuckled again and nodded. “Of course.”

“I’m not calling her mom!”

#bungo stray dogs #fukuzawa yukichi #fukuzawa x reader #ranpo

[goldentsum]

your captions with a fuck girl is 😗 chefs kiss but I was wondering if I could request the reader eventually catching feelings for the captains and how that would go 👉🏽👈🏽

━ captains - catching feelings for a fuckgirl

CHARACTERS: sawamura daichi, bokuto koutarou, ushijima wakatoshi

GENRE: angst, fluff

AUTHOR’S NOTE: i couldn’t think of anything so thank you to my unnie, @daydreamingsora-fics​ for the ideas hehe! check her account! that bitch be having a big braiin~

pt. 1

━ daichi ♡

how long has it been since he first agreed to this arrangement?

tbh daichi doesn’t know either, it felt like it was years ago. every time you leave his front door, the sting he felt almost became nostalgic and slowly became numbing.

he can’t do this after all, his feelings are always all over the place with you. daichi was always torn between feeling happy and hurt when you guys meet up. so with a heavy heart, he confronted you, face void of emotion but his feelings were a whirlpool of mess.

“I can’t do this arrangement anymore. I have to focus on volleyball”

his voice was cold and left no room for argument. it didn’t surprise you tbh, I mean daichi is the complete opposite of you. he’s always hard-working, responsible, and just so so kind. and you were just you, a girl who’s scared of commitment and pushes people away.

naturally, you agreed to end it because who were you to stop him? it’s not like you guys were dating. It was just some harmless fun, right?...

as days pass, your mind always kept coming back to that moment. what if you just stopped him? but who were you to do that? feelings are complicated and soooo, you did the thing you were known for. toy with others to forget daichi

when you heard that karasuno was up against shiratorizawa, you couldn’t help but be proud. daichi worked hard for that, he really did it, huh...

you then went to the arena to watch the match though you swore you’re just watching because it was a first in 5 years that your school has a chance to go and play in the spring interhigh and karasuno is playing against the top school in your prefecture, you just have to watch its so not because daichi was there.

when you arrived, you saw daichi with another girl and saw that she was giving him something, a soft blush on her face. you rolled your eyes at that, wanting nothing more than to pull Daichi away--..

you slowly realize that you really like the dependable captain and seeing him take the charm from another girl was leaving a bitter taste in your mouth. you stomped towards them and grabbed daichi, surprising the two

“(y/n)? what are you doing here--! Hey, wait!”

you started to drag the male away, a scowl on your face. you two got inside the arena when daichi removed your grip on his wrist, turning you around to face him.

“what’s your problem? you just can’t pull me away like that--!”

grabbing his jersey, you planted a firm kiss on his lips when he was close enough. the kiss finished as quickly as it started but it surely surprised the heck out of daichi. his face became bright red, looking at you with bewilderment

“I.. I like you, you idiot! So don’t talk to other girls and don’t take charms from them!” You shouted, your heart was beating a little too fast

“Y-You mean that? You like me?”

you nodded, feeling shy. daichi looked at the sight in front of him, a warm feeling started to blossom inside his heart. you, the cold female who scares others off,  getting flustered in front of him and actually telling him about your feelings

he smiled and hugged you so tightly making you gasp.

“Don’t worry, you’re my good luck charm now.”

━ bokuto ♡

you comforting bokuto after he gets pouty has become a normal thing now and you don’t really know how to stop it

you noticed that he was always popping out of nowhere, pushing his way through in your life and always always hanging onto you.

this was really bad, you shouldn’t have let this happen... you should’ve pushed him away like you always did

the more he hang around you, the more you start to notice the little quirks he has and dare to say it was making your heart flutter... but your pride was getting in the way for you to really say it to Bokuto.

it was embarrassing for you. bokuto was constantly declaring his love for you, reassuring that his feelings would never change but you always shrug it off. Ignoring his feelings and rejecting him so bluntly.

it amazed you though, bokuto never took that to the heart which was the complete opposite of what you thought his reaction would be. you thought he’ll go emo mode and leave you but he actually stuck around more.

he would always hang out with you, getting brighter every single day. At this point you thought that bokuto should replace the sun if anything

bokuto, who was trying to make you see that there’s nothing scary about love if you two got each other, asked you to come to watch his matches for the interhigh tournament, saying that he’ll win all the games for you.

you declined the offer, feeling flustered at how easily he say such embarrassing things.

bokuto was in his emo mode for the rest of the day when you declined and ran off, leaving him behind. he tried texting and calling you but you didn’t answer.

in your dorm, you laid in your bed with your phone looking at Bokuto’s texts with a smile threatening to pop out but you didn’t really notice, too immersed in your thoughts while you stared at his cute texts

when the interhigh rolled in, bokuto was slightly pouty because you didn’t even text him back and you didn’t wanna come and watch his ‘super awesome spikes’

it was the first game and fukurodani was nervous because their captain and ace was still pouting in the corner, head not really in the game.

you quickly ran in the small arena beside the main one, getting lost on your way there. you saw bokuto frowning in the court and your eyes averted to the scoreboard, widening when you saw that fukurodani was lagging behind with 7 points.

you pursed your lips and shove down your pride, cupping your hands around your mouth and shouted, 

“bokuto! go and show me your ‘super awesome spikes’!”

you could feel all the eyes were on you, almost regretting it, but when you saw bokuto’s wide eyes and bright grin you knew that you did the right thing.

“(y/n)!! yosh!! i’m pumped up!”

you sighed at him with a smile on your lips, watching him catch up all the points. as he score, he points at you, grinning from ear to ear.

it was official, you really did fall for this dork and you’ll make him yours after all this. you swore.

━ ushijima ♡

why the hell is your childhood friend avoiding you? whenever you tried touching him, he always has these excuses. after your last session with him, ushijima just went up and go.

which was really weird because even though he was quiet and blank, he always made you his number one priority.

did he finally got over his feelings? were you really that easy to set aside? you don’t really blame ushijima. you knew he could definitely do better...

but it was really annoying, why can’t he even look at you? you miss your wakatoshi...

without ushijima by your side, you start to notice how big of a role he actually plays in your life. he was always there for you and always made time for you. even though, you can be moody and mean, ushijima was always there. never faltering, never getting tired.... but you took that for granted...

you realized it now.

tendou, that wildt boi, noticed the distance between you two. usually, you two were inseparable and every time he looked at you or ushijima, one was always beside the other.

the red-haired male noticed you were getting a little too quiet and so so closed off and being your friend he knew what to do. he went up to you and talked. he asked you if you were okay.

your feelings then started spilling because you were bottling it up for too long. your tears started running down your face, scaring and surprising tendou.

you told Tendou what happened and all your thoughts. tendou was one of your closest friends and he was just a chaotic precious boi.

tendou listened to all your worries and comforted you with food. after he finished talking to you, he was running to ushijima’s dorm as if it couldn’t wait any longer.

the tall male was done with you two moping around and misunderstanding your feelings for each other, so he took the matters into his own hands.

“wakatoshi-kun! why are you avoiding, (y/n)-chab?!”

satori burst into the ushijima’s dorm, yelling, and saw the said male on his bed and looking at his phone with a small frown.

ushijima furrowed his brows and told tendou his side

 “i don’t want to make her uncomfortable with my feelings and I know that she doesn’t like me like I like her. (y/n) will find someone better...”

satori just wants to slap you two wtf

“she was crying a while ago and told me she likes you, ya know”

ushijima scowled a bit at his words, “Don’t play with me like that and why would she cry”

satori being the little shit he is, told Nishijima something that would push him a bit to you.

“i’m telling the truth, she likes you. And if you don’t chase after her, who knows, maybe she really will find someone else.”

that did it, imagining you with another male when you could have been with him was not ideal to ushijima. he can’t let that happen.

the olive haired male stood up and run out of the door and towards to your dorm, determined and persistent until he knows the truth. do you really like him too?

he shouldn’t have left you alone. ushijima knows now, you really just have to be his.

#haikyuu!! #haikyuu x reader #haikyuu imagines #haikyuu headcanons #haikyuu angst #haikyuu fluff #sawamura daichi #daichi headcanon #daichi x reader #daichi angst #daichi fluff #bokuto koutarou #bokuto x reader #bokuto #bokuto koutarou angst #bokuto fluff #ushijima #ushijima wakatoshi #ushijima x reader #ushijima angst #ushijima fluff #captains and fuckgirls

[bruh-haikyuu]

REQUEST: Can I request Bokuto with a soft & short manager s/o and she always helps the team cheer bokuto up when hi is in emo mode and like a lot of fluff🥺👉👈

A/N: Tumblr is being a whore with their Keep Reading button, putting it on the ask and shit smh. So I apologize for the repost.

alate. | bokuto kōtarō

word count: 1776

warnings: none

(adj.) having wings; lifted up in flight

Official match protocols only allowed one manager on the court for each team. Fukurodani Academy’s Boys’ Volleyball team always had their lenient but reliable third year managers to get the job done. Third-years Yukie and Kaori had been your final salvation against the inevitable fate of having to care for the raucous boys alone. But today with some lucky fortune of theirs, they’d somehow coerced you into taking their place.

“...Will I experience any internal combustions by the end of the match?”

The three of you stood in a personal circle at the entrance to the gym. The three managers of Fukurodani, with your two seniors looming over you like two scheming birds of prey. They didn’t even have to ask why you were so worried; despite being a second-year, this was your first time to stand on the court with the team instead of panicking on your own on the sidelines. This time, you were in the game, up-close-and-personal.

“You’ll do fine~” Yukie grinned, raising her right hand in a lazy ‘OK’ gesture. “Besides, you’re a total expert when it comes to giving Bokuto a good knock in the head.”

If Bokuto’s vanity was a chronic disease, he’d need more than just a “good knock in the head” to be cured. But Yukie wasn’t wrong. Your praises, in comparison to the others’, had a quicker, more powerful effect on the ace. Though you weren’t sure if that skill of yours was more of a blessing than a curse...

“W-well, I’ll do my best,” you muttered, fiddling with the hem of your track jacket. Your seniors exchanged a look before smiling softly at you.

“Oh, and one more thing!” Kaori piped up as you lugged the bag full of empty bottles over your shoulder. “Can you act a bit bashful when you’re complimenting the captain?

“Why’s that, Kaori-san?”

“Bokuto thinks you look cute when you’re embarrassed.”

══════ ⋆★⋆ ══════

‘Cute’? What did that even mean? Did Bokuto always think people were ‘cute’ whenever they flash a single praise at him? Not that you remembered... What’s with that, you grumbled, angrily trying to get the concept into your skull.

Your eyes darted back to the court where—much to your distress—the other team just had to be painfully good at blocks. Now, you just hoped that the boys wouldn’t get too disgruntled.

The score was 12-15, with Torasaka Metropolitan High in the lead. Though Fukurodani had obtained their twelfth point with a lucky read on Torasaka’s setter dump, things were obstinately bleak for your team.

“I want to try it!” you heard Bokuto exclaim excitedly. From afar, you could already spot a few sullen scowls begin to form on his teammates’ faces. “Hey, ‘Kaashi, do you want to try that block with me?”

The setter sent you a pained expression enough for guilt to comically swallow you whole. Returning his attention to the ace who’s practically bouncing on his heels, Akaashi sighed. “Bokuto-san, let’s focus on our normal blocks first.”

A child! you thought incredulously as you watched the captain stick out his tongue at him. Though Bokuto was particularly a sight to behold when he’s in top form, just how confident could he be, trying something so risky in a middle of a tight match? Or was he just a complete and utter numbskull? You thought he was rather amazing for the juxtaposition... in a Bokuto fashion, of course.

As Washio prepared to serve, you watched the ace literally vibrate with eagerness of having such an “interesting enemy”. Whenever Bokuto got extremely fired up, it was your inevitable fate that you just couldn’t look away. The way his jersey hugged his hulking frame as he flexed his muscles in preparation to follow the path of the ball, it was nearly bewitching. If he had been like this his entire life, you were sure your heart wouldn’t take being with Bokuto for a mere second.

“It’s up!” Torasaka’s libero signaled, cleanly receiving Washio’s serve (much to the player’s frustration).

In your memory, Torasaka High wasn’t a much known threat until just recently. “Their new first years block like a fort,” you remembered what Coach Yamiji had said in the bus that morning. Despite far from being as crafty as Nohebi or as versatile as Nekoma, Tokyo teams were a force to be reckoned with.

What a terrifying sport, you thought to yourself for what seemed to be the fifth time this month.

“Left! Left!”

On the other side of the court, Sarukui, Bokuto and Akaashi scrambled to follow the ball’s trajectory. Though you were only a rookie in this entire volleyball thing, you were quick to notice that Bokuto’s footsteps were a bit smaller and slower than the first two...

Wait, is he planning to delay the timing of his block now?!

It was definitely a quick from the other side. It was evident, even to you. And when the two jumped to block the ball with their ace lagging behind, the ball had already streaked over him at a dangerous angle. Point Torasaka.

Landing on the pads of his feet, Akaashi’s expression shifted between “candidly annoyed” and “visibly concerned” as he watched the captain raise his head for his team to see.

“You’re kidding me...” Sarukui groaned under his breath. Behind him, the others followed promptly with their own reactions of disbelief.

His infamous salt-and-pepper hair deflating alongside his shoulders, Bokuto whined, loud enough for you to hear from the benches. “The hell... I thought I had that block mastered. Why’d they have to make it look so easy?”

Time-out! Akaashi turned to you and the coach a with pleading stare, hard enough for your supervising teacher to shoot upwards and signal the referee for their second break of the match.

Groaning, you stuffed your face in your hands, hoping that your senior managers in the audience were praying for your good health.

“What were you thinking?!” Coach Yamiji hissed, giving the sulking ace a well-deserved smack to the side of his head. Bokuto didn’t even flinch. “You could’ve—”

“Coach. Let me.”

Snapping his head in your direction, the old man grew pale when he heeded the dark aura that spewed from your body. Even the others, though they were only watching the entire event go down, was hyper-aware of the invisible, nightmarish fog that came with your frustration.

You’d always seemed so sweet and indulgent, never angry. Never. And yet Bokuto had finally gotten you to drop the tether that held your patience together.

Walking to Bokuto, you sent him a scowl so cold, he forgot how to blink. The rest of the team, the coach, your teacher and even Yukie and Kaori in the stands shivered from the sudden gust of frosty air that oozed from you. Some of the audience surprisingly turned their heads to watch the spectacle of the tiny Fukurodani manager who seemed like she was about to trample on their ace.

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

“Bokuto, you—!”

You froze. No. If you scolded him now, that only make matters worse. Bokuto didn’t fare well when he was scolded by Kaori or Yukie either. Besides, you were his manager, not his mother. But what else were you going to do?

Bokuto thinks you look cute when you’re embarrassed.

Swallowing a nagging lump in your throat, you recalled the words of your seniors. Embarrassed? How do you do embarrassed? Was that even a thing you could pull off manually? Taking in a deep breath, you tightened your fist before loosening them in front of your body. Something was better than nothing.

“B-Bokuto-senpai...?”

“Senpai?!” the others snapped towards you, jaws on the floor. Even Bokuto was stunned.

Eyeing his interested gaze, you continued, fidgeting bashfully, “Bokuto-senpai’s such a slob... If you just listened to the others... you’d be a lot cooler...”

Komi tugged at the back of Konoha’s jersey, whispering in the blonde one’s ear, “She’s pulling out the ‘Cute Tsundere’ card!”

Stupefied, the wing spiker muttered, “Bokuto’s actually taking the bait... Scary. L/N-san’s scary.”

And take the bait he did. You didn’t even realize how red you were with the way he was looking at you—and the shade was fully unintentional, much to your chagrin. But Bokuto’s sullen mood was far gone, replaced with the brighter interest of infatuation.

“A lot cooler...?” Bokuto savored your words in his tongue, before whipping out both his hands to grab at your shoulders. “Y-You think I’m cool?!”

You didn’t even have to pretend to be shy anymore. The close contact of his skin, the scent of his sweat mingled with the musky aroma of his cologne and the pinkish tint on his cheeks. It was too much, and you soon wondered if Bokuto had always seemed this charming to you.

“Y-you airhead! Of course I do,” you mumbled, lowering your sight to the floor. “You’re already really good at volleyball, but you do things like forcing yourself to do a block you can’t do just because you want attention and... and now everyone has to bear that burden.”

“Please go on a date with me.”

You flinched in his grasps. This was escalating much faster than you’d hoped it would. Unable to register what he had said, you asked him to repeat himself.

“The cute Y/N-chan thinks I’m cool. That’s like a dream come true, right? So if I become cool again, won’t you go on a date with me?”

How unbelievable. One second he almost reminded you of the small boy that lived below your apartment, and the next he was like some sort of phantom thief, ready to whisk you away from the confines of your castle and steal your heart. You smiled earnestly; Bokuto Koutarou really was a man of many wonders.

Slipping yourself away from his grip, you raised an index finger between his eyes. “If you win... I’ll consider it.”

Like a phoenix rising from its ashes, the ace lit up once more. Revived, renewed, and heart set on taking you out. While dragging Akaashi back onto the court, Bokuto made it a point that he was looking at you all the way. You giggled. What an interesting person.

From the stands, your gaze traced the motto of Fukurodani’s Volleyball Club. Pour all your soul into each ball. Bokuto played with passion, with his emotions and whenever the time was right, with his logic too. For a while, volleyball seemed like the last thing you’d want to spend your life doing. But seeing the ace’s blushing grin to you when they’d scored the final match point... it might not be as bad as you thought it’d be.

#haikyuu!! #haikyuu x reader #haikyuu #haikyu #hq #haikyuu scenarios #haikyuu imagines #haikyuu fluff #bokuto koutarou #bokuto koutarou x reader #bokuto x reader #bokuto koutarou imagine #bokuto koutarou scenario #sfw #bruh haikyuu writing #fukuroudani x reader

[franniebanana]

CQL Rewatch - Episode 12

So, we start this episode with our heroes having to give up their swords. I like that with everything he’s been through, Lan Wangji doesn’t put up a fight here. He willingly gives up his sword without any resistance. It’s the smart move: he’s already injured, the Cloud Recesses has been nearly destroyed, his brother is missing (and in the book, his father is also dying). And it stands to reason that Jin Zixuan is the one who protests—his clan so far has been protected from the Wen Clan: they are wealthy, they certainly are a large clan, and they have the resources to keep the Wens at bay, seemingly.

“Though I am disgusted with Wen Chao, I’m not gonna bring any trouble to our family during this time.” Welp. That was short-lived. I think this thought of his lasts for about 12 hours before he can’t take any more of Wen Chao’s shit.

As if regular Wen Chao wasn’t horrible enough, now we get sleazeball Wen Chao. This is, of course, important later, that he takes a liking to MianMian. She’s essentially marked from this point on. But can I say that I love how she’s the one who steps up to assuage Wen Chao, rather than the Jin Zixuan? She steps up like a boss, takes Wen Chao’s gross comments in her stride, and stops her master from making a big mistake.

And it’s nice to get some actual character development for Jin Zixuan too. Prior to this, we know he was engaged to Jiang Yanli, but had no interest in marrying her. He basically acted like a big dick, without any real redeeming qualities. But now we see that he is not interested in going along with the Wens’ indoctrination, even though his dad told him to just be a good boy. Brings in the theme of the younger generation wanting to pave their own path. The older generation (the majority of the clan leaders) end up being pushed aside. Their ways don’t work against the Wens. A lot of our heroes (I use that word lightly in some characters’ cases) end up being forced to grow up really fast here—they come of age as they are literally fighting a war. They form identities on those battlegrounds. Idk what I was saying, I started to ramble.

And just as a side note, Wei Wuxian kept glancing at Lan Wangji throughout that scene, maybe searching for a reaction, maybe an opening to speak, maybe just wanting Lan Wangji to look at him—seeking that connection. I think he is desperate to find out what has happened since they parted in Qinghe.

Ugh, Jiang Cheng, I couldn’t care less about your little crush on Wen Qing! Stop being so emo about her! Seriously, this is the dumbest thing they added into Untamed. This stupid “romance” that amounts to nothing and really adds nothing to either character, especially Wen Qing. Omg but imagine if they had gone with their original plans to make Wei Wuxian hook up with Wen Qing—the drama between him and Jiang Cheng! Or maybe this was the compromise. Like, “we need to make Wen Qing the romantic object for one of the boys…hmm…who should we pick…Eeny meeny miney mo….” I hate it, really. I don’t give a damn about the comb or the eventual life of loneliness that you have ahead of you, Jiang Cheng. Just stop. You’re not marriage material—you’re not fit for that, okay? You get to be a grumpy uncle, at best.

This will never not be funny to me. The absolute gall he has here, to gleefully volunteer to recite, and then to decidedly recite the wrong principles. But see what I mean about him immediately causing trouble? He’s looking for a window to talk to Lan Wangji and he finds it in misbehaving and forcing a punishment onto himself. It’s as if he’s fine behaving and being a good boy for the Jiang Clan, unless something is going on with Lan Wangji, which it most certainly is. More fuel for the fire for Jiang Cheng, I’m afraid, more proof that perhaps Wei Wuxian values Lan Wangji just a little bit more than him.

Also, everyone’s reactions here: Jiang Cheng is pissed (of course), Nie Huaisang is bemused (“Oh, you rascal!”), Jin Zixuan seems to be impressed (“You go, girl!”), and Lan Wangji…I think this is the first time that Lan Wangji actually looks at Wei Wuxian. They don’t make eye contact, but he looks up, and as his eyes flick back down, it’s as if he’s uttering a silent “thank you.” It’s such a quiet moment, juxtaposed to Wei Wuxian noisily reciting the Gusu Lan principles. I think Lan Wangji is just so appreciative here to know that he isn’t alone. He may seem alone—his clan lost many, his brother is missing—but he is most certainly not alone, because Wei Wuxian is here too. I’m getting all emotional now.

Okay, now they’re making eye contact, hahaha! Do I think Lan Wangji is a little annoyed that he has to cart shit around? Probably a little. But I actually think that he’s more annoyed that Wei Wuxian might be making things harder for them all in his desperation to have a talk with Lan Wangji. Like I said, Lan Wangji appreciates that Wei Wuxian is with him, making him feel that he’s not alone, but he also doesn’t want to make things worse. His clan is in a bad state right now, and at this point, he has to still be concerned that if they go too far against the Wens, that could come back and spell bad news for their families. Wei Wuxian has already forced that issue to the back of his mind, because he’s so focused on finding out what happened at Cloud Recesses. I can understand why Jiang Cheng is pissed, since Wei Wuxian told him he’d keep his head low, and he’s currently doing the opposite. More tension, I love it!

It’d be really easy to look at this scene and make it all about wangxian and how Lan Wangji loves Wei Wuxian so much and would do anything for him (this is, of course true), but that’s not what this scene is all about. It’s about three out of the five major clans seeing how oppressive the Wen Clan is, it’s about standing up for what’s right, even if it looks like you’re going to lose the fight. Jin Zixuan could have kept his head down and continued to shovel shit, but he didn’t. He stood up and used all the clout he had to try and put a stop to the abuse that Wen Chao is doing against Wei Wuxian. At this point, we know that Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian will help each other out—it’s happened before, it’s not news (not that I don’t fucking love it), but Jin Zixuan, who up until this point has had a pretty poor relationship with Wei Wuxian, didn’t have to do anything, but he did. He knows this is wrong, he can see what the Wen Clan is doing is wrong, but he’s mostly powerless to stop any of it. His threats are inherently empty, but nevertheless he tries. It doesn’t mean he likes Wei Wuxian, but it does mean that he knows Wei Wuxian is right to stand up to the Wens.

I love this. All of this. Lan Wangji putting himself between Wei Wuxian and Wen Chao, only to be whipped aside, and then getting up (on his broken leg) and doing it all over again. Just like Jin Zixuan, he’s literally standing up to injustice, but it’s different, right? It’s different because this is Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian, two people who’ve been through dangerous situations together, two people whose beginning was extremely rocky—but they are two people who grew to understand and need each other. I don’t think either one of them could pinpoint that need, but I think it’s there, just below the surface. Lan Wangji could never stand aside and watch Wei Wuxian be abused, and the same is true for Wei Wuxian. Right or wrong, they have a desire to protect each other. Because, like I said before, I think Lan Wangji knows they are all treading on thin ice right now. He’s seen his home destroyed and he likely doesn’t want the same thing to happen to Wei Wuxian. I would be amazed if he wasn’t thinking about that right about now—how will my actions affect him? Nevertheless, he won’t stand by and do nothing, even if it means taking that risk.

I also kind of wonder what Jiang Cheng would do here. I feel like he would try to protect Wei Wuxian (he does so later with his mother), but at the back of my mind, I still feel like Jiang Cheng has this deep resentment of Wei Wuxian that is always hiding just below the surface, just waiting to show itself. Wei Wuxian got himself into this mess, and maybe, in Jiang Cheng’s mind, he deserves the punishment. And that’s not to say that Jiang Cheng would agree with the Wen Clan, because obviously he does not, but part of me thinks he might be thinking, if only a flicker of a thought across his mind: “Serves him right.” I have a dark fascination for Jiang Cheng—I don’t want him to ever really be a good person hahaha.

Can I just point out that Lan Wangji never lets go of Wei Wuxian here, and it is a thing of beauty.

Until this moment, of course. Wen Chao asks if Lan Wangji wants to join Wei Wuxian in the dungeon, and 100% Lan Wangji was ready to do just that until Wei Wuxian stops him. He makes the decision to be taken alone. He doesn’t want Lan Wangji to get in any more trouble. He’s got to realize by now that Lan Wangji was taken to Qishan by force and probably finds that idea disturbing at the very least.

The look on his face really kills me here. Again Lan Wangji is in a situation where he is powerless. This is just like back at the Cloud Recesses. He fought—yes, he fought with everything he had, but in the end, he couldn’t stop them. He had to give up the Yin Iron shard, he had to go with the Wens to the indoctrination. And here is again: he tried to stand up to them, but ultimately he’s forced to give up and live to fight another day, as they say. And if you look at Jin Zixuan, he’s visibly annoyed—he feels like he shouldn’t be treated this way, that his standing in the Jin Clan should protect him from this. Lan Wangji, though? He looks defeated here. Not fall-on-the-ground-sobbing-defeated, but definitely defeated. He wants to do more, but realizes that he can’t. This whole mini arc for him is like one battle with himself after another. He’s struggling to find what exactly is his place in this world, what’s his place with Wei Wuxian, what’s his place in his own clan.

This fucking dog. I hate this. I hate that they went with practical over CG here. It looks so bad. Has anyone reading this seen Neverending Story? Yes? Okay, that’s what this reminds me of. 1980s special effects, but this was made in 2018. My friend and I are watching the series together (yes, I have two simultaneous rewatches going), and she likened this to Xena: Warrior Princess special effects. I think that’s pretty apt—1990s television, extremely cheesy and hokey. Honestly it ruins the whole scene for me. Xiao Zhan’s acting is great here—he is terrified of that fucking semi-animatronic dog at the other end of that cell. Although, I commented to my friend, if that had been a puppy, Wei Wuxian would have been just as terrified. I definitely relate. Dogs scare me—a lot sometimes. I had several dogs jump on me as a very young child and I’ve really never recovered. That doesn’t mean I don’t like dogs—I like them a lot! But I wouldn’t choose to be around a wild, poorly behaved dog. Like, just no.

Also, since I’m not really commenting on Wen Qing/Wen Ning stuff (because it’s mostly padding to me), but Wen Ning just wants to have friends! Wen Qing is coming from a good place, yes, but he has no fucking idea why she won’t let him talk to Wei Wuxian, a man who he clearly looks up to from the little interaction that they’ve had together. Honestly, I really wish they had kept in the archery contest when Wei Wuxian sees Wen Ning shooting arrows (I know they kind of moved it, but it’s not the same).

Wen Chao is really just trying to stop Wei Wuxian from actually breaking down this cheap-ass door. Seriously, it looks like it’s supposed to be rock, but it’s moving quite a bit. Now I’m just being mean, aren’t I? Honestly I love the low budget stuff (Mystery Science Theater 3000, anyone? I mean the good one. Not that crap that they put out recently), and I’m just poking fun.

Oh, my gosh, I just had a funny thought. How did Wen Chao know that Wei Wuxian was afraid of dogs? Maybe Jiang Cheng told him hahahaha. I mean, not like you’d need to be afraid of dogs to be terrified in that situation. It was a funny thought, in a dark way.

So I took this screenshot to set up a contrast. Lan Wangji is relieved to see Wei Wuxian alive and well, and in pretty good spirits for someone who spent the night with an enormous mythical-like dog. He doesn’t say anything—he just watches.

Jiang Cheng, on the other hand, at first is relieved to see Wei Wuxian, but he quickly pushes him away when Wei Wuxian attempts to make physical contact with him. This isn’t the first time. He did that in Lotus Pier as well. He doesn’t hesitate to brush Wei Wuxian off. I know that Jiang Cheng cares about Wei Wuxian—I know that—but he cares less about Wei Wuxian than he does about other things, like his family. There’s a distinction for him. Yanli, his mother, his father—they are all his family. Wei Wuxian was practically raised as his brother, but it’s clear that he doesn’t see him as a brother at all. He sees him as a subordinate, someone who should listen to him and report to him. I don’t think his anger here is that Wei Wuxian could have been killed, I think it’s more that Wei Wuxian could have caused the Jiangs trouble.

There’s a poignant sense of a loss of their youth here. So much has changed, and it’s changed for the worse. The sense that they took so much for granted is palpable. It’s really sad. And it’s not played for laughs at all. They all miss those days back at the Cloud Recesses when they goofed off, learned a lot, embarked on a journey to find the Yin Iron shards, a journey that ultimately was the root of all the chaos that they are currently living in (again, within CQL verse). I like how it’s just Jiang Cheng, Nie Huaisang, and Wei Wuxian who are actually having a conversation, but they keep panning over to Lan Wangji as they fondly remember their time in Gusu. Like the land he lives in, he has changed too. His scope of the world is so much bigger now: it’s not just about rules anymore, and who’s following or not following them. There are worse things than bringing Emperor’s Smile into the Cloud Recesses.

So Wen Chao has laid it all out before them now: Cloud Recesses has been taken over, Qinghe is going to be taken over, Jin Clan is cooperating but will be attacked if Jin Zixuan steps out of line, and Jiang Clan could be next. Jiang Cheng is obviously upset about the prospect, not to mention Wen Chao called his father a coward. It’s nice to see Wei Wuxian, who only a few hours ago was on the other side, trying to restrain someone else. But he knows now that the Wens are not above anything—murder, torture, absolute destruction—and Wei Wuxian is one of those people who doesn’t mind harm coming to himself, but cannot abide harm coming to others, especially those he is close to. But Wei Wuxian is obviously pissed too, and it’s taking every fiber of his being to resist the urge to lash out again. He understands now: they need to watch themselves during this indoctrination.

There was a time when I might have turned a blind eye to Jiang Cheng’s remarks here, when I might have assumed he was coming from a place of concern. This is not that time. Wei Wuxian is so caring, so kind, so welcoming, and Jiang Cheng is just none of those things. He is very much a person who places his own safety (and his family’s safety) above anything else; he is a person who doesn’t really get it when they say on the plane, “put your own mask on first before assisting others” because he would literally never not put his own mask on first. Know what I mean? And I think the concept of working together here, seeing the Gusu Lan Clan as allies, doesn’t phase him. He’s like, it’s us or them, and he chooses us. And this is all logical, but I’m only saying it because that’s not what Wei Wuxian is about. Wei Wuxian’s “us” includes the Jiang Clan (yes), but it also includes Lan Wangji, Nie Huaisang, and the other clans that are being held ransom by the Wens.

And I still say that Jiang Cheng is continually jealous of the attention that Lan Wangji receives. He wants to be the most important person in Wei Wuxian’s eyes—he is the future clan leader, after all. He wants Wei Wuxian to support him and him alone. He doesn’t understand this loyalty to another clan, especially someone like Lan Wangji, who he still thinks dislikes and disdains Wei Wuxian.

I love their faces. I love how genuine Wei Wuxian is here. I love how he asks several times how Lan Wangji’s leg is. I love how Lan Wangji stoically answers each time that he’s fine. And I hate that the episode ends right here lol. Look at that smile, though! How could you say no to that smile?

Other episodes: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |

#cql #the untamed #wangxian #wei wuxian #lan wangji #jiang cheng #jin zixuan #wen chao #wwx #lwj #cql rewatch #mdzs #mo dao zu shi

[stranger-who-writes-fiction]

i don't know what to be without you around

Fandom: Supergirl Rating: K Pairings: None A/N: I fully intended for this to just be a goofy headcanon and then WHOOPS it turned into Danvers Sisters feelings. (Not k*lex. If I see it tagged as such, ya get BLOCKED.) Short. 99% fluff. Probably contains spelling errors. You’ve been warned. 

...

Then

Occasionally, Alex would regret all the time and effort she'd wasted focusing on the downsides of having been thrust into elder sibling-dom. Because while, yes, a lot of the changes that occurred in the Danvers household upon Kara's arrival were...not great...there were definitely some perks to having a sister.

Like the simple satisfaction of a perfectly timed, “Shotgun!” victory.

“What?” Kara protested, her yawn undercutting her indignation. “You can't call shotgun yet, we don't leave for another hour.”

“You snooze you lose,” Alex told her, giving her a pointed look as she yawned again. “Literally.”

Kara rolled her eyes and returned to stuffing pairs of t-shirts and shorts into her duffle bag. Alex did the same, surveying her own bag to see if she'd missed anything. Bug spray, maybe?

She turned to head out into the hall, but Kara stood in her path, wearing a sly smile.

Alex didn't like the look of it. Not one bit.

“What's with the face?” she asked, attempting to sidestep around her younger sister. Kara easily blocked her, and crossed her arms.

“Okay, you get shotgun,” she said. Alex blinked.

“Uh, yeah. I know. I called it.”

“Which means,” Kara continued, complete with dramatic pause for full effect, but Alex already knew what was coming. The second half of the rule...how could she have forgotten. How could she have been so foolish. “I get to pick the music.”

Alex groaned in dismay.

“Kara, no.”

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

It would take them four hours to get to the Tuolumne Meadows campground. Alex sighed, and rested her head against the passenger-side window. That meant four rounds of Fearless, though it was more likely that Kara would just play the same five or six songs she'd been listening to on repeat ever since she bought the album.

“Can't we listen to something else? Please?” Alex begged.

Kara smirked, and turned the volume up.

But of course, her mom immediately turned it back down, giving Kara a stern look in the rearview mirror.

“Kara,” she said in a tone that suggested, knock it off.

Kara quickly cowed, retreating further into the safety of the backseat. “Sorry, Eliza.”

“Great,” Alex said, sitting up straighter in her seat. “Now get her to play something else.”

“Alex, just listen to your iPod, if you don't like Kara's music,” her mom suggested. Alex sank back into the seat.

“...It's not charged.” There was a snort from the backseat. Alex glared into the rearview mirror. “Because someone lost their chord and was hogging mine this morning.”

Kara shrugged, and smirked that same insufferable smirk.

“You snooze you lose.”

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

Four hours and what felt like a billion playthroughs of “Forever and Always” later, they arrived at the campsite, the interminable car ride almost instantly forgotten as the rocky banks of the river came into view. Alex had been here before, years ago on a father-daughter camping trip, but it was Kara's first time. As they filed out of the car and began to pull duffle bags and ice chests from the trunk, she turned to gaze out at the trees, taking a deep, calming breath.

Alex joined her, and gave her shoulder a good natured nudge. “It's nice, huh?”

“Yeah,” Kara agreed. “It's...a softer kind of noisy, than Midvale,” she explained with a happy sigh. And then, after a moment, she said, “...Sorry for being a jerk, in the car.”

“It's fine,” Alex shrugged. “Here, grab the tent.” Kara lifted the gear with ease, and followed Alex over to a level patch of dirt. “I just don't get how you can listen to the same, like, five songs.” She gestured for Kara to dump out the contents of the tent.

“No super speed, Kara!” Eliza called from the car. “You'll kick up too much dust!”

“Okay!” Kara called back as Alex began sorting the pieces. Kara stooped to help her. “They're good songs. You listen to your favorites a lot.” And Alex had to pause and silently admit, that was true. 

“Yeah, but not over and over,” Alex finally said. “I'd get tired of them.” Which was also true. She remembered liking that Fray song, once upon a time, but now, it just annoyed her, any time it played on the radio.

Kara shook her head at Alex’s remark. “I don’t. There's something new, every time.”

Alex glanced over at her, ready with a retort—how could there be anything new in Taylor Swift songs? Weren't they all just...basically the same thing? First dates at fifteen, feeling fearless in the rain at 2AM?

But Kara's eyes were bright behind her glasses as she enthusiastically went on. “Like, sometimes, I'll just listen to the rhythm, or the vocals, or I'll pick out my favorite sounds, and it makes the whole song brand new again.”

Alex narrowed her eyes. “So...it's an alien ears thing, or...?”

Kara considered the question as they continued to put the tent together—they'd located all the poles and stakes, and were maneuvering the tarps into place. “...Maybe?” She said.

Alex kept working on the tent, waiting for Kara to continue, perhaps offer some sort of additional explanation. When she didn’t, Alex looked up to see that Kara’s eyes were on the tree canopy overhead. Her expression was neutral, but Alex had come to recognize that particular look.

She was listening.

To what, Alex didn't know.

“Yeah,” she said after a time. “Yeah, I think it is an alien ears thing.” She smiled. “I like the way guitars sound.”

Alex might've teased her about that, if Kara hadn't sounded so achingly sincere. Did they have guitars, on Krypton? Alex couldn’t remember Kara saying anything about music from her home world. Alex knew it probably wasn’t the case, but she imagined it being a lot of...synth-y sci-fi stuff.

She considered asking Kara about it, but decided against it--sometimes, Kara would get...weird, about such topics, and they were having a nice time. Alex didn’t want to ruin it. 

So instead, she feigned offense. “Well, if you like guitars, I don't see why you don't like my music.”

Kara emphatically shook her head.

“Your music is loud.”

Alex started feeding one of the poles through the tent material. “Um, yes? That's the best part?”

“Yeah, no thanks,” Kara chuckled as she hammered a stake in place. The repeated the process at each corner, and soon enough, the tent was upright, and ready for them to store their gear inside. “It's loud and it's so emo.” 

Alex snorted, heading for their pile of backpacks and duffle bags.

“Okay, Miss 'Romeo save me I've been feeling so alone'.”

FWUMP.

A sleeping bag collided with Alex's right arm.

“That song is great!” Kara insisted, already reaching for more ammo with a wide smile.

“That's not even how the play goes!” Alex teased her. “Right? Aren't you like, the Romeo and Juliet expert?”

FWUMP. The second sleeping bag hit home, but Alex didn't care. She was having fun.

“That's not the point, and you know it!”

“See the lights, see the party, the ball gowns, see you make your way through the crowd--” Alex thought she was safe, as there were no more sleeping bags.

But Kara had found their pillows.

FWUMP. FWUMP.

She laughed again, careful not to let the pillows fall in the dirt. And she was just about ready to give Kara a taste of her own medicine, when she saw that sly smile once more.

Oh, no.

“Hey, Alex, if you hate the song so much,” Kara said with a knowing look, “how come you know all the words?”

Well, shoot.

“...Cause...you play it all the time. Obviously.”

“And you’ve listened close enough each time to learn all the lyrics?”

Alex scowled. “...I mean. It’s...it’s kind of catchy, I guess.”

Kara beamed.

“Ha! I knew—”

Alex hurled both pillows at her.

FWUMP!

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

Now

Alex lets out a relieved sigh.

Kara is back.

Kara is safe.

Kara appears to be whole and...mostly healthy. Her sodium levels are low enough to give Alex some pause, and her right leg shows signs of muscle strain, but otherwise...

“Can I go home now?” Kara's voice is raspy from fatigue. Alex shakes her head.

“Not yet,” she says. “Sodium has to be administered slowly. It's gonna take a while.”

Alex expects some sort of pushback, or protest, but Kara just offers a small hum of understanding. She really is tired, Alex realizes.

“But hey, good news,” Alex adds with forced brightness, “you do get to eat in about,” she consults her watch, “fifteen minutes, or so. Anything you want. Me and Kelly are buying.”

This earns a groggy grin from Kara, and Alex stores the image in her mind, filed under 'reassurances that Kara is still Kara, even after...everything.'

“A dangerous offer,” Kara jokes. 

“Well. It...would not be the first time we bought a mountain of food, to welcome you home,” she admits. Kara shoots her a sad, questioning look, but Alex pointedly ignores it. “So. What'll it be? Pick your poison.”

Her sister's brow furrows in thought. “Um. I guess...whatever will get here fastest?” she suggests. “I'm starving.”

“Ah. We all had a feeling you might be, so,” Alex scoots her stool across the room and extracts a plastic bag from under one of the lab tables. “Snack run,” she says, revealing the spoils with a flourish. Kara laughs outright. It's soft, but it's the strongest she's sounded since returning from the Phantom Zone.

“Thank you,” she says. But Alex taps her watch.

“Still have eight minutes to go,” she reminds her. Kara nods obediently, though she's already sifting through the bag.

“I assume the apples and olives are from Brainy,” she says.

“He swears by that combo,” Alex tells her. “Don't worry, I'm pretty sure J'onn put some actual sustenance in there. You know. Red Vines. Pretzels. The good stuff.”

“...What's this?” Kara asks, and Alex wonders if Brainy perhaps added other questionable food combinations, but the item Kara pulls from the bag isn't one of the snacks.

“Oh.” Alex rubs her arm, a little self consciously. She forgot she left that in there. “That's just...” She pauses. “...I saw that. While you were...” Alex tries to think of a good word for it, but there isn’t one. “...away. I guess I thought...that if I got it. It...was like a promise. That we'd find you. And I'd give it to you.”

The logic doesn't seem quite as sound, as she says it out loud. Regardless, it dredges up memories of awful days marked only by failure, frustration, and fear that they'd never find Kara.

She shakes her head, clearing the thoughts away, and continues in a lighter tone. “Because obviously, pot stickers would go bad, so. This seemed...less wasteful.”

Kara nods, still staring at the shrink-wrapped copy of Fearless (Taylor's Version). A wistful sort of look tugs at her features.

“I haven't listened to these songs in years,” she says.

And Alex can't pass up the opportunity to tease her. “Yes. It's been nice.”

Kara rolls her eyes, but she's still smiling. “It's a good album and you know it,” she says. She sets it aside and yawns. Alex notices that she's looking a little worn out, and she doesn't appear interested in the food anymore.

“You want to rest, while I order the food?”

“...Yeah,” Kara decides. Alex stands to collect the snacks and put them back on the lab table. Kara inclines her heard towards the CD. “Did J'onn put a stereo down here?” Alex gives her a look. “Wait. Of course he did.”

Alex takes the hint and grabs the CD, pulling off the wrapper before heading out onto the main floor. The mismatched selection of furniture is currently off to the side, having been cleared away for one of Nia's training sessions. Alex finds the stereo next to one of the lamps.

When Alex returns to the med bay, Kara's already nearly asleep, her breathing slow and steady.

Alex checks on one of the computers—everything is holding steady, and Kara's responding well to the sodium. She should be able to go home tonight.

It makes Alex sigh in relief once more.

Kara's safe.

Kara's healthy.

Kara's home.

Alex places the CD into the open tray. Checks the track list, turns it to one of the softer songs, and lets it play.

Kara smiles as the opening chords drift through the speakers.

“I like the guitar,” she says quietly.

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

NOTES: - Brought to you by the release of Fearless (Taylor’s Version) and the realization that the original album would’ve dropped at the perfect time for young, impressionable Kara to become a huge fan. - Title pulled from “Breathe” because WATCH ME repurpose select lyrics from love songs for platonic/familial relationships. - I want to say that Kara and Alex went to a MCR concert together...or maybe mentioned MCR? In the tie-in comic? I forget. This isn’t really crucial to the story, I just think it’s a fun aside.  - Apparently it’s National Siblings Day so...yay for good timing? XD 

#stranger writes #supergirl fic #long post #alex danvers #kara danvers #starts canon compliant #then diverges #supergirl season 6 spoilers #(not really #it just takes place during the current season)

[rrickgrrimes8]

Normality is Death

Chapter Two ~ My Current Existence

masterlist

My eyes darted across the room as I woke, rather abruptly, in a cold searing sweat. The whole room was matted in darkness and the lantern I had lit the night before had not soon gone out. I sighed hopelessly and pushed myself out of bed sliding my combat boots on as I did. I looked outside to see the break of dawn just highlighting the horizon - it's early then I concluded. I stretched and yawned as I left my room locking the door right after - just to be safe. 

A lot has happened since Mom, Shane and Carl left me in the forest that day, too much has happened really. It's been around 3 months since I last saw my family and although I'd like to stay hopeful, I can't shake the feeling that they're dead or hurt in some way. But regardless I need to forget them. They left me. End off - period. My family abandoned me and I have to live knowing that and they have to live knowing that they played a hand in what they think was my death. I know it sounds cold, brutal even but I tried, I really did. I looked for them everywhere. I did everything a 14-year-old girl could possibly do in a world like this and I almost died countless times trying. So I gave up. I gave up not only to protect myself but because I realised that they probably wouldn't be looking for me. Hell, they think I'm dead right? 

Since everything happened in Atlanta the government had been completely radio silent. Lots of people think it's because there's no one left to send a signal. I, however, believe that that's extremely morbid and I guess I'm still holding out hope that someone will swoop in and save us all. It sounds very fairy tale I get that. It's just I'm a 14-year-old girl and I'm so sick of this world already. To the point where I couldn't even think about living any longer in a world like this. 

Sometime during the second month of what people like to call the turning, I met some people. They took me in gave me food, a shelter, some water. Basically, they gave me essential shit I was definitely lacking. Something they also did was train me. I'm not the best, but I do have pretty basic training in hand to hand combat, the basic workings of a gun (thanks to my father mostly) and I'm pretty good with melee weapons. They protected me is what I'm saying. They are my new family - a better family I could ever ask for. 

Our camp consists of 2 houses, housing 4 or 5 people in each. Mitchell, our leader, oversees any newcomers and basically keeps law and order around here. I met them after getting trapped in Atlanta and getting cornered by a dozen or so biters. Mitchell and a few others came in and massacred all of the living dead and took me in.

"Yoohoo! Jacey get your ass up it's your turn to hunt!" my friend, Addie, shouted rudely to me as I walked down the stairs. 

"Jeez Addie, I'm coming don't get ya panties in a twist," I teased nudging her shoulder once I got close enough. She had her usual skinny jeans and a grey tank top on but her hair was styled in a pair of small buns rather than her usually high pony. 

At my reply, her eyebrows furrowed and her usually bright and beautiful eyes closed before sighing. "Do not jeez me, woman, you've got shit to do you're slacking!" she exclaimed practically pushing me out the door and into the burning sun. I promptly lifted my hands to cover my eyes from the brightness. 

"Oh my lord, I know it's your thing to be this emo vampire goth girl who only stays in her room away from people, civilization and oh how could I forget the sun. but this is ridiculous it ain't even bright out." Addie joked forcing my arm down making me embrace the scorching heat. 

"You call this civilization? If so you've got a warped definition" I said picking up a knife and gun from the armoury. 

"Just go before I get even more sick of you, Jace," Addie laughed as I rolled my eyes, gave her the finger and strutted away sassily. "And you be careful kid Mitchell went out yesterday and there were more biters then usual. He thinks a herd might pass through so don't use your gun and you know don't die?" She said almost seriously which was incredibly out of style for her but nevertheless, I smiled and walked off into the woods. 

She was right about the number of biters. After only being out an hour I've seen 16 in our woods alone and I haven't even ventured out in the city yet, which is notoriously worse but I only really have to go to Atlanta if we're desperate. I had only picked up 2 squirrels so far I guessed that the movement of the herd could be driving some of the bigger animals away, which sucks because once I tell Mitchell he's just gonna want me to go into Atlanta to gather supplies. I mentally groaned and sat down against some tree, wishing things were different. 

"Looky what we have here gentlemen." A husky voice called out from the shadows. I instantly stood up and gathered my findings and unsheathed my machete. 

"What the hell do you want?" I stood my ground as I saw a group of maybe 5 guys come closer. 

"Ooh she's sassy," the guy who looked to be the leader teased, "always liked a girl with a little spunk in her as long as she learns to shut up when daddy needs some pleasing." I could've thrown up right then and there if not for the guard I needed to keep up. 

"You're fucking disgusting," I stated unforgivingly, earning some laughs from the group. 

"You really are quite confident aren't ya?" I stayed quiet as he stepped forward, "I can always give you a lesson or two about respect and I mean clothing's optional." 

"How about you shut the fuck up before you really piss me off," I said calmly still showing my anger. 

The man in front of me however got furious over my words and brought his hand down to my cheek. I fell to the ground at the impact, "I told you to learn some fucking respect little girl." 

"And I said to shut the fuck up you creepy bastard," I got my machete out and cut into the guy's leg not giving any warning before punching him in the face, sending him towards the ground, "But you know speaking about respect. How about you learn some fucking respect for me or you know all of my gender?" I more ordered then questioned while striking the guy in the face again. "And next time, asshole, watch your tone when you speak to a woman," I smiled sweetly at him before marching off into the opposite direction. 

"Oh and if I see anyone of you anywhere around here, I'll chop each and every single one of your dicks off."

I arrived back home later that night after hunting another squirrel and a rabbit on top of my earlier findings. 

"So whatcha get for us tonight babydoll?" Mitchell said after seeing me walk up. Mitchell was a 25-year-old now-former English teacher who somehow became our leader. He wasn't extraordinarily brave nor was he an elite strategist but he was a good mentor, who had people that trust him - those people including me. 

"Just some squirrel and a rabbit nothin' special." Mitchell nodded as I started to walk away, "Any trouble?" 

I span around to him before saying, "always." Mitchell gave me an unimpressed look before taking my hunt and walking away. 

"Why am I not surprised?" he laughs while passing most of our group towards the fire. "Anything serious?" I shook my head before sitting on the rough log placed next to the heat. 

"Jus' some jackasses who thought they could take me. Guess I taught them a lesson in respect." Once again Mitchell laughed and sat next to me. 

"I know I don't need to tell you this every time you go out but you've got to be careful, okay? Your safety is my top priority and I know you hate to hear it but you're only a kid. And kids can get hurt pretty easily especially in this sort of life and I'd hate to see that happen to you." Mitchell wrapped his arm around me in a brotherly sort of way as I nodded. I understand he just wanted to help regardless of how much I hate to be called a kid. 

"I'm smart Mitchy. I'm not just some dumb kid. Plus haven't you heard I'm kind of undefeatable. Nothin can kill me," I boasted standing up and heading away from the majority of our group and back to my room. Before I left I saw Mitchell smiling then going off to talk to someone else.

I entered my room lighting a candle straight away and then dropping my bag. As soon as I entered all I could smell was the stenched of sweat and gore. I honestly don't think I've ever gone this long without a shower and I miss it so goddamn much. I miss so many things. I miss deodorant, a warm bed, fast food, soda and not to mention my mom's famous spaghetti bolognese. Just because I wasn't a fan of the woman does not mean I cannot love the food because damn she could cook. The only thing she couldn’t master, however, was pancakes but that didn’t stop her from trying. I smiled slightly reminiscing of the family meals we would have whenever we got the chance. We would all sit around the table talking, eating and just enjoying being around each other. But now they're gone so that's not going to happen anytime soon for me.

"What are you doing, Grimes?" Addie asked pulling me out of my trance.

"Nothin'," I spoke shortly before lying down onto my bed. 

"Don't seem like nothing. Talk to me, love." She walked over and sat next to me taking her hand into mine. 

"M' okay," I reassured her before closing my eyes. I felt Addie shift closer to me still holding my hand causing me to smile. 

Addie was the only other teenager in this group so we bonded pretty quickly despite her being 2 years older, "You don't have to be okay, Jacey." I couldn't help but shudder at her words - the same words I heard from Shane the day it happened. 

"Don't say that, please." I hadn't even realised the quiver in my voice before Addie sat up, bringing me with her. 

"Hey, it's okay, I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you," The brunette girl said to me. 

"It's not you i-it's jus'-" I couldn't finish my sentence before I started to sob. Memories of that night haunted me. I lost so much and so did everyone else but I couldn't understand how they were so okay with it. I lost my home, my dad, my family and my childhood all in one night. And I'm so sick of trying to be okay with that. "I just miss them so much." I finished while getting devoured by Addie's arms. I could hear her softly singing in my ear in order to calm me down and it soon did. I relaxed into her arms after a few minutes but neither of us made any indication that we were going to depart. 

"Who did you lose?" She asked gently. 

"Everyone," I could feel myself beginning to cry again but I pushed it away - I couldn't be weak any longer. 

"I'm sorry, Jacey. I hate seeing you like this. I wish I could take your pain away." 

I hummed shakily before looking up into her brown eyes, "Then do it." With that, she leaned in. Slowly I started to prepare myself to meet her lips but it never came. 

She pulled away from me and stood up, "We can't do this."

I sat up as well but remained seated on the bed, "Why?" She gave me no answer and just looked out of the window. "Addie, please, just tell me why not? For christ sakes, the world has ended. We've got nothing else to lose." 

"It's wrong," She said simply yet with so much emotion and left the room.

I felt the tears begin to return and I just let them fall.

"It's wrong."

That's all it took to break me -  2 words. 

"She's right."

#rick grimes #rick grimes twd #the walking dead #the walking dead fanfiction #the walking dead season 1 #normality is death series #twd fanfiction #effy skins #andrew lincoln #jon bernthal #richard harmon #sarah wayne callies #chandler riggs #amandla stenberg #norman reedus #steven yeun #laurie holden #michael rooker #irone singleton #daryl dixon #twd daryl #carl grimes #twd carl #glenn rhee #twd glenn #lori grimes #shane walsh #twd carol #amc the walking dead #kaya scodelario

[kyria-nico]

Fair Game Valentine’s Fluff

Everyone at Beacon High thinks that Qrow despises Valentine’s Day due to a misunderstanding from his freshman year. Every year, the student council hosts a Valentine’s Day event where students can buy Valentine’s cards and flowers for other students. Every year, Qrow gets none.

Until one year, he does.

Qrow hated Valentine’s Day.

Or, at least, everyone thought he did. Every year, the school council ran a Valentine’s Day event where students could send their friends and partners Valentine’s cards with a candy and a rose attached. In his freshman year, Qrow had received one. He had been happy at first, as he didn’t really have any friends beyond his sister, until he opened it and found that it only read “cheer up emo kid”.

He had ripped it up and thrown it out, and forgotten about it. Until the next year, when the morning announcements mentioned that orders for the valentines would be opening up soon.

“Don’t send one to Qrow! He’ll just rip it up and throw it out!” Tyrian had called from the back of the room, prompting giggles from the rest of the class. Qrow had just rolled his eyes, but the rest of the day he had people asking him why he had ripped up the valentine from last year. Too embarrassed to admit the real reason, he had just shrugged it off. Until Tai and Summer had started badgering him about it.

When they wouldn’t drop it, Qrow had turned on them, practically shouting, “I just hate Valentine’s Day, okay!?”

Unfortunately for him, that had happened in the middle of a crowded hallway. The din from the other students had stopped for one terrifying moment, before exploding in laughter and gossip. Qrow had just turned on his heel and walked out of school, completely skipping last period and resolving to forget about it. He had figured no one would remember it.

He had figured wrong.

It was his senior year now, and his “hatred” of Valentine’s Day was legendary. The story of him ripping up a single Valentine had morphed into him burning a massive pile of Valentines while ranting about how Valentine’s Day was just a bullshit corporate holiday designed to sell chocolate and greeting cards.

Now, anyone who looked at Qrow would have no reason to assume that he would feel differently. He dressed mostly in black, with ripped jeans and heavy boots that wouldn’t look out of place at a punk concert, and he had a sarcastic sense of humor that led most to think he was apathetic or cynical. Nothing about his style or demeanor really screamed “romantic at heart”.

The problem, though, was that Qrow actually liked Valentine’s Day.

Sure, he wouldn’t deny that there were plenty of companies trying to make money off it, but that was the case with most things. He had always thought it was sweet that humans had decided it was important to have an entire day just to tell other humans that they were important to them. He had always enjoyed watching people get Valentine’s cards, liked watching the way their eyes would soften or light up as they read the messages their friends or partners wrote for them.

Not that he could really admit to it at this point. The only one who knew was Raven. And she, unfortunately, was not sentimental enough about Valentine’s Day to try and correct people’s misconceptions.

“At least you’re graduating this year,” Raven said when he complained about the story circulating again. “It’s not like this’ll follow you after high school.”

->—

It was the day before Valentine’s Day, and the torture had already started. Qrow stood at his locker, watching from afar as a flustered Tai shoved a gift into Raven’s hands. Raven was staring at it with her customary disdain, but Qrow could tell she was secretly pleased by it.

“It’s sweet, isn’t it?” A voice came from the locker next to him, and Qrow turned in surprise. Qrow recognized the guy as Clover, a junior that was quite popular among students from every grade. Everyone called him the good luck charm of the school, and credited him for leading their famously bad baseball team to the state finals. Qrow had long admired him from afar, not just because he was good looking (although he was), but because he seemed to be the opposite of everything Qrow was. A “lucky clover”, indeed.

He realized he was staring. “Uh, yeah. Sweet,” he said, trying to sound noncommittal, wondering if Clover was gearing up to ask him about ‘the incident’.

“Do you like Valentine’s Day?” Clover asked, and Qrow raised an eyebrow. Didn’t he know the story?

He was so surprised by the question, which sounded genuine, that he answered honestly. “Yeah. It’s not bad, as far as holidays go,” Qrow said, inwardly bracing himself for the inevitable follow-up about him using a flamethrower on a thousand roses in the parking lot, or whatever the current rumor was.

“Do you have one?” Clover asked.

Qrow found himself off balance again from the unexpected question. “Have what?”

Clover grinned, a hint of pink blooming in his cheeks. “A Valentine.”

It was Qrow’s turn to flush at that. He shook his head. “No. I — uh, well, no one’s ever asked me. Guess maybe the universe is trying to tell me I’m better off alone,” Qrow said, letting out a little self-deprecating laugh to try and play the uncharacteristically honest words off as a joke.

“That’s a shame.” Clover had clearly finished with his locker, and yet he was still standing there, his bag slung over one shoulder, a slightly crooked grin on his face. “I don’t think there’s anyone that’s better off alone. Well, I’ll see you around.”

Qrow watched his kelly green backpack disappear into the crowd of students with wide eyes, wondering what the hell had just happened. Had he really just admitted his existential crisis about loneliness to a complete stranger? He rubbed a hand over his face, as if he could wipe the whole interaction from his mind, and threw his books back into his locker. He knew he would catch hell from Summer for skipping bio, but he didn’t really care.

After that, there was no fucking way he would be able to focus anyway.

->—

“Come on, Summer, I promise this is the last time!” Qrow was reduced to begging, clasping his hands together and trying to move into Summer’s line of sight. She kept stubbornly turning her nose up at him. She was trying to look stern, but she really only managed something close to haughty.

“That’s what you said last time,” she said, turning away from him again. “And I told you then that if you skipped bio again, I wouldn’t give you my notes!”

Qrow deflated, grumbling and shoving his hands in his pockets. Tai clapped a hand on his shoulder so hard that he almost fell over. “I suppose you can borrow my notes,” Tai said, as if he were a magnanimous King granting a prisoner his clemency.

Qrow glared at him, brushing his hand off. “Your notes are unreadable.”

“If he even bothers to take them,” Summer added, and she and Qrow grinned at each other while Tai pretended to be hurt.

“So, you’ll let me copy your notes?” Qrow gave her his very best puppy dog eyes (which were pretty damn good, despite his sometimes edgy appearance), and Summer let out a long sigh.

“Fine,” she said, reaching into her bag and pulling out her notebook, handing it to him with a stern look (although it was somewhat diminished by her fond smile). “But this is definitely the last time!”

->—

Qrow was so absorbed in copying Summer’s immaculately organized biology notes, that he missed the entrance of the student council completely, not realizing what was happening until he heard the first squeals of happiness from the other side of the room. He looked up, surprised to see that Clover was there, standing next to Robyn and James. He had forgotten that Clover was on the student council, although he couldn’t remember what he was. Robyn was the President, James was the Vice President, and Clover was…walking towards him?

Qrow flicked his eyes to either side, trying to figure out why Clover could be approaching him. He intentionally sat in the very back corner of the room, and he always had a couple seat buffer around him in the classes he didn’t share with Tai or Summer. There was a pretty blonde sitting a couple seats in front of him. Surely Clover meant to approach her, not him.

But Clover wasn’t looking at her. He was looking directly at Qrow. Qrow swallowed nervously. What could the school’s lucky clover want with its resident bad luck charm?

“I have a Valentine here for Qrow Branwen.” Clover had stopped right in front of his desk, and was smiling down at Qrow with a gentle smile on his face. He reached into his basket, and the classroom had gone so quiet that Qrow could hear the sounds of Clover’s fingers brushing against the cards. He could feel the stares of the rest of the class on him, but he couldn’t tear his eyes away from Clover as he placed the envelope on his desk, followed by a bag of chocolates and a single red rose.

Qrow thought he might actually prove the rumors true and set the Valentine on fire, but only because he was pretty sure he was so flushed that his skin was becoming a fire hazard. Even the tips of his ears burned, and his throat dried up, leaving him completely speechless.

Clover winked at him, and then he was gone, sweeping out of the room with James and Robyn following close behind. The room was still silent as Qrow picked up the envelope, sliding his fingers under the little heart shaped sticker and pulling out the card inside. It was decorated with a little cartoon crow sitting on a branch, with a speech bubble that read “Won’t you be mine? BeCAWS I think we’d go together like velCROW!”

Qrow could do nothing but smile like an idiot and bury his flaming face in his hands as the entire class erupted in shock.

->—

The story of Qrow’s sentimental reaction to Clover’s valentine spread through the school like wildfire, and it was the end of the day before Qrow could get away from the crowd of students clamoring to know why he had pretended to hate Valentine’s Day all these years. It had been a hard day. People he knew, even people he didn’t know, kept pressing chocolates and flowers into his hands all day, apologizing for never giving him anything.

Summer practically cried, clinging to his neck and wailing promises to make him a mountain of chocolate and let him copy her notes whenever he wanted to make up for all the years they’d missed. Raven had to step in and physically disengage Summer’s grip on Qrow. She gave him nothing more than a long look, but he understood exactly what it was she wanted to say anyway.

Go get him.

Qrow’s chest felt like it was filled with feathers and his knees felt unsteady and weak as he walked among the hallways, looking everywhere for a glimpse of Clover. He wasn’t even sure why he was looking. One valentine didn’t really mean anything. It could be Clover didn’t know the story, and just felt bad that Qrow never seemed to get any cards or flowers. He was a popular guy, and it would only make him look better to take pity on the weird goth kid. By the time Qrow had circled back to his classroom, he had convinced himself that the whole thing was nothing more than a nice gesture.

He pushed open the door to the classroom, and the leaden disappointment that had started building in his stomach evaporated instantly.

Clover was there. He was sitting in Qrow’s seat, and he stood up so fast he nearly knocked the desk over. Qrow felt frozen for a moment, suddenly completely unsure of how to proceed. “You know, you completely ruined my reputation,” he said, and inwardly berated himself for falling so quickly back to sarcasm.

Clover just grinned. “So you liked it?”

Qrow grinned back. “It was a little cheesy.” Clover’s smile fell a bit. “But, yeah. I liked it.”

“Everyone was so convinced that you’d hate it, I almost chickened out,” Clover said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.

Qrow tilted his head. “Why did you give it to me? I thought everyone believed those stupid rumors.”

Clover laughed, “I saw you. Last year. That Summer girl you always hang out with was giving everyone else but you a Valentine. You just looked…sad, I guess. I thought maybe you didn’t hate Valentine’s Day as much as everyone said.”

Qrow’s face got hot at the idea that Clover had been watching him closely enough to get a read on his emotions, his throat suddenly feeling dry again.

“So…what’s your answer?” Clover asked, and Qrow blinked in confusion at him.

“To what?”

Clover laughed again, and Qrow caught himself thinking that he really liked the way it sounded. Qrow swallowed as Clover walked across the classroom, coming to stand directly in front of him. His face was flushed too, and he looked nervous. “Will you be my Valentine?”

After what had happened freshman year, it was the last question Qrow had ever expected someone would ask him, and his stomach flipped at the words. He reached out, taking Clover’s hands in his own, and he smiled with a lot more confidence than he felt. “Only if you’ll be mine.”

Clover dropped his hands, moving forward and pulling Qrow into a hug so tight that Qrow almost felt his feet leave the ground. Clover was practically giggling, and Qrow found he was too, his whole body buzzing with frantic energy that made his chest feel like it was going to explode.

When they finally pulled apart, Clover rested his hands on Qrow’s waist, meeting his gaze with a fondness that made Qrow’s chest feel tight.

“Why me?” Qrow whispered, and Clover looked confused.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, you have everything. You’re popular, you’re handsome, you’re—you’re like a good luck charm.” Qrow couldn’t keep the bitterness from seeping into his voice, the rest of his feeling clear even if he didn’t say it out loud. Everything that I don’t have. Everything I’m not.

Clover shrugged. “I saw you on my first day,” he said, his fingers tightening a little on Qrow’s waist. “You were sitting up on the roof, feeding birds. You had this look on your face, like you were just completely at peace. I think—well, I just knew I wanted to get to know you better.”

Qrow laughed. “And you decided to wait until I was about to graduate to do it?”

“It took me a while to work up the courage,” he admitted, smiling wryly. “But I’m glad I finally did.”

Qrow wrapped his arms around Clover’s neck, pulling him in close and pressing a kiss to his cheek, enjoying the way Clover’s fair skin flushed as he did. “Lucky me,” he whispered in Clover’s ear, feeling his answering laugh as it vibrated in his chest.

“Lucky us.”

#fair game #rwby fair game #luckbirds #luckycharms #lucky charms #rwby #qrow branwen #clover ebi #qrover

[serendipitybutterfly]

BTS Tarot Valentines Day Special:

BTS' Future Marriages...

I know... Unusual for me since I tend to focus more on advice than predictions for the most part... But, as it's this lovey dovey season, I decided to do a marriage themed reading as a special treat as I've gotten asks surrounding this kind of question before... This is going to be a mammoth post... Omg..

This is my Valentines Day present for you guys who follow and like my readings! Thank you!!!! I 💜 you!

So, without further ado... Let's get it!

*Disclaimer- the way i see it, although this is a prediction reading, I'm only working with the energies of the present moment. If one of the boys wakes up tomorrow and firmly decides he never wants to get married, then his path will change and future readings would reflect that. For the most part, the future is in flux and can be changed... If something is a huge, fateful, set in stone kind of event then the cards will let me know. Also, in this particular reading, rather than focusing on the physical appearance of their future partners, I'm intending to focus more on personality and only mention physical appearance if something strongly comes to mind or their looks come forward as a major message of the reading. Ok done! Let's really get it! 💜

Oh wait... before anything else, I was going to call this future Marriages or life partners (because, obviously, not everyone gets married) but I just decided to ask first off if they'd all get married for the sake of clarity and got a resounding yes for them all so... Yeah... As of now, all of the boys are likely to actually get married in the future. Although... Some are closer to that future than others. Also, I was going to put all of the readings into one big post but then I realised how ridiculously long that would be and decided to split the hyung line and maknae line up into two separate posts. I'm starting with the maknae line and hopefully the hyung line post will follow soon...

Maknae line:

Starting with Park Jimin...

Character profile - The archetype cards that popped out gave me an interesting message... I'm getting the image of someone that had quite a hard life, possibly even a somehow traumatic past (cards like bully and victim in particular stood out to me as being indicative of a troubled past), but managed to retain a sweetness and childlike innocence despite it... I'm also definitely getting the image of an introvert. Someone quite soft spoken, gentle and who comes across as a bit shy. She might feel more comfortable with animals and young children than with most people. Physically I feel like she will be younger than him, and somewhat innocent and fragile looking but at the same time there's something kind of edgy and / or sexy in her style... She might wear a lot of dark colours. Yeah... I know I said I wouldn't focus on looks... But I'm definitely also getting East Asian features coming through visually... I'm also seeing long, straight, black hair and fair skin. This is the kind of person who tends to inspire protective feelings in others... But at the same time has a lot of inner strength that they can use to heal and bolster other people's confidence in themselves.

Relationship- With the Dawn card, I feel like she will give Jimin a whole new fresh perspective on life... I'm hearing 'clean slate' and 'washing away'... I'm just feeling a lovely, pure, soothing, watery kind of energy to this connection overall. I mean, the romance angels oracle deck threw out 'True Love' to describe this connection so... I mean, if Jimin still has those romantic dreams of meeting his one true love like he used to... He can definitely have that wish granted! It's just... Going to take some time... With the Chariot in reverse here, I feel like he will have to wait quite some time before they meet...hmm... How old will he be in another 7 years? About 32? Could be around then or after... But, at this point, it's unlikely to be before...

The tarot here couldn't paint a rosier picture tbh... I really hope Jimin does meet this person in the future because it looks like this marriage could genuinely be the making of true and lasting happiness for him. Just look at these beautiful cards! 10 of cups... Happy family with a loving home environment and playing children! The star because this really is a dream come true, a wish answered. Then you have a reversed queen of wands (👀 omg why does Queen of wands energy always come up with anything to do with romance with Jimin??). However... Interestingly enough, here I'm seeing her as a soft spoken young woman who comes across as quite shy and introverted but who possesses a great deal of inner strength and power... (which is why context matters in tarot guys... Cards mean something different to me basically every time!). This is next to the knight of swords who I see as our lovely libra boy Jimin himself... I'm literally see this as a Knight in shining armor rushing in to the rescue. That's how he'll feel in this relationship. Not at all in a burdensome way... But like that feeling gives him this great deal of strength and confidence in himself. She makes him feel strong and capable and in control... Like a hero. Why is this making me emo? ...

Anyway, then the high priestess is here to sum this connection up and I feel strongly that this is an extremely deep, intuitive connection... The meeting of souls... They can look at each other and just... Know what the other is feeling... Could even be a soul mate / past life connection I think... Wow.

All in all... This is great news for Jimin's future in terms of marriage at this point. Although I do think it'll be a while before they meet and longer before actually getting married... It looks pretty rosy from then on! I'm not saying there will be no bumps in the road at all (I can sense that there are certainly some deep personal issues on both sides that actually need to be dealt with through this union... Which is some soul journey stuff... ) however overall this seems like it will be an amazing match! I'm so glad! 💜 💜 💜

Kim Taehyung:

Character profile:... Uh... Haha... You just had to be different huh Tae... Lol... Ok... So here's the thing... Where marriage is concerned, Tae has that interesting fate where he actually has a choice (I mean, everyone has a choice... But most people don't actually recognise it as a choice... It just kinda happens because it's their fate. Tae has the opportunity to make a conscious choice here regarding his fate because it's like either way he can learn important lessons and grow... Both are fated partners for him. Like a real diverging path kind of thing. He will get to a point where he can choose one path or another with basically full awareness of this as a choice... This is really interesting actually. I mean, either way, he will get married and he can be happy either way too... Although in different ways for different reasons... It's very interesting...

As far as personality goes... I see two distinct personalities coming through... On one side you have someone quite mature, serious, artistic, intellectual, quiet and spiritual and on the other side I see someone very young, pretty, flirty, fun loving, popular and witty... Also very wealthy and a little bit haughty... But kinda 'cute' and funny with it?? Idk why I'm getting that... Like a kind of sly sense of humour...

Unfortunately... This is weirdly up in the air because of this aspect of choice. I can see that both will appeal greatly to different sides of him... If only they could be one person... But alas...

Relationship: Again... The tarot shows how up in the air this is because there is not yet a set path. Tae hasn't even met them yet. He's not thinking seriously of marriage at all yet. However, with the Wheel of Fortune reversed here we can see that though this is not yet set in motion, it is fated either way. Death in reverse and the Hanged Man are also giving me that up in the air, 'paused', kind of feeling... Like this fate is just waiting, biding its time to be set in motion... Right now he's on a solo path, pursuing his career and furthering his goals... It's when he's ready to let some of that go that this will be set in motion... It feels like a few years into the future to me... Not too far but not too close either... I'm not getting a definite time frame. It could be within two to three years or around him going into his early 30s...

You'll notice on one side of the 'up in the air fate' cards we've got the 4 of wands and on the other side we've got the 10 of pentacles representing the two different connections. Both are really auspicious cards for marriage. Both connections are also signified by the two of cups... Both are deep love connections... Again because this is up the air, I'm not getting specifics about the outcomes of either choice, but it does seem atleast like he has the potential to be happy in either marriage. However it looks like in one he can have the big family and legacy (in terms of children and grandchildren and leaving a home and inheritance to them) he desires, while the other relationship seems more quiet and more just about them as a couple being happy together.

I feel like the card Solitude: Island speaks of that connection (them being alone and peaceful together... Perhaps travelling to faraway countries together... And that calmer more serious vibe in that connection) while the card Playfulness is speaking of the other connection (way more youthful, energetic, playful, and flirty energy... And also literal children- and puppies!- incoming!).

So yeah *shrug*... Decisions decisions Tae... He can only make the right choice when the time comes at the end of the day (and he has a lot of spiritual guidance on his side if he chooses to tune in). It's quite likely that by then his priorities and desires for what he really wants out of life will become clearer to him and that will make the decision easier... At this point, it seems like neither of them are a particularly bad choice... Though neither is necessarily perfect either... That's what makes this such a big, fateful decision I suppose... Good luck Tae! 💜 🙏

Now for Jungkook:

Character profile: Wow... Whatta boss... Lol. I'm kinda blown away by this energy to be honest. This is like... The best way I can describe it after looking at all the cards is... This is the kind of woman that both men and women are really attracted to and tend to like (regardless of sexuality). Like... Total 'girl crush', role model, material but also super attractive and sexy... Especially to men who like strong, capable women who have that 'boss' energy... Which is apparently future Jungkook I guess...

Actually these cards really make sense just based on what kind of people Jungkook seems to like to associate with anyway... I feel a sense that she will be older than him by at least a few years (if not, extremely mature and successful for her age). This is someone wise beyond their years who actively seeks knowledge and also goes further to implement what they've learnt to help others who are vulnerable. Something else that's coming through strongly is that this person is extremely creative and artistic... They have to be involved in the arts in some way, even if it isn't their main job. Actually, what I think is that she may work in one creative field (like say, a writer cause Scribe is there) but also does alot of other artistic and creative things as hobbies, like painting, drawing, dancing, singing... This is someone who delights in expressing her creativity so it doesn't have to make her money... She just loves it. Actually there's a kind of free spirited, bohemian, hippyish vibe here which is an interesting contrast to the boss energy... (I honestly want to be her best friend??).

Again, I know I said i wasn't focusing on looks but here looks are coming through really strongly... Like her attractiveness is really a major thing people notice about her so it has to be mentioned. I'm seeing long, wavy or curly black or dark brown hair (although she might also sometimes colour it... Especially red or reddish brown). She has a really great body... Like really fit and toned but also curvy (look at that goddess card! like I said... She's sexy). Also, probably a bit above average height. I'm also seeing that this is someone who's likely to have tanned or darker skin or who tans really easily in the sun... Like in the winter she might get quite pale but then in the summer sun gets a lot darker. She's definitely someone really natural, active and outdoorsy who's likely to get out in the sun as much as possible... I think she probably doesn't wear a lot of makeup... I'm just seeing a really natural beauty... Wow.

Relationship- With the Dreamtime: Creation card I'm getting two things coming through strongly. One is that I really think these two (certainly Jungkook) will actively be manifesting each other before they meet and will (or have already) dreamt about each other. Two is that, once again, I'm getting really highly charged creative energy. These are two extremely talented artists getting together and their relationship and home will reflect that. They encourage and push each other to improve. Really unique and quirky relationship actually... In fact, you'll notice that these cards aren't exactly overtly romantic... And yet... I'm still feeling the love?? Theirs isn't exactly a mushy kind of love but it's still very strong and extremely confident and secure. It's based firmly in actions that show love in a more practical way...

With the Sun shining on this marriage it's clear that they'll be really happy with one another (I see happy children here too... Another aspect of their mutual creativity... 😏 ) but there's also a lot of freedom and space. I see a lot of travelling and a lot of respect and understanding between them. That they are forgiving and don't hold grudges is coming through. This isnt a 'tit for tat' kind of relationship where they hold things over one another or only are nice to each other if the other person is nice first... It feels like they work through arguments maturely, quickly forgive everything and move on to being loving again.

With the page and 8 of Pentacles I see that they learn and grow together as people and work hard to make their relationship and bond extremely strong and they're successful in that. With the engagement card, I'm seeing two things, both strong commitment and loyalty to each other and also that they'll probably get married surprisingly quickly after they start dating. This is another case where I think it'll be a long wait for Jungkook... With the king of swords here... I feel like he'll be a definite MAN when he gets married... Like fully grown, probably rocking both longer hair and a beard... Lol... Older and wiser... Like around his mid 30's or even a little later... However, because he'll have been manifesting and dreaming of her for years (probably even already started guys) he'll just know from the time they meet that she's the one... So why hang about?

Conclusion... I kinda want to be bestfriends with Jungkook's future wife... She's really cool... 😭

OK... This has been the maknae line future marriages reading... I will try to drop the hyung line's readings before, on or just after valentines day so stay tuned! Hope you guys enjoyed!!! 💜 💜 💜

#So... This was interesting... #Here's to me doing the hyung line readings before valentines! #This is my Valentines pressie to my followers so i hope you like it... I purple you! #Bts tarot reading #Maknae line future marriages reading #Bts marriage reading #bts tarot reading #tarot reading #Tarot #Bts #maknae line #park jimin #kim taehyung #jeon jungkook

[kueputuwarnaijo]

confession cookies | bokuto koutarou

Bokuto Koutarou tries to confess to you at school, just before he leaves for the school trip. He tries to confess with a box of cookies, which he tried to bake himself.  

Bokuto can’t stop fidgeting, and it’s pissing Konoha greatly. He clutched the box tightly in his hands and sweat beads started to form on his forehead. Honestly, nervous really is an understatement in this case. 

“Can you stop fidgeting?!” Konoha yelled, as he looked up from his locker, his voice dripping with annoyance. “You’re starting to make me nervous too, and I’m not the one confessing. By the way, if you’re gonna keep clutching the box like that, there’ll be no more cookies to give to her.”

“Huh?” Bokuto said as he looked at Konoha, who was busy with his locker. “Wh-what do you mean?”

“You’re gonna squish the box with your hands if you keep doing that.” Konoha answered flatly, his gaze still focused to his locker. “Wow, my locker is indeed messy as hell.”

Bokuto looked at his hands, which were clutching the box tightly. He quickly put the box on the table located next to the lockers. He pulled the chair under the table and sigh deeply as he sat. He examined the box carefully, making sure that there are no flaws.

Today is the day where Bokuto will confess to you. He had prepared a box of homemade cookies, which he tried to bake on his own (but failed miserably). He eventually got one of his sisters to help him bake the cookies, while the other one helped him prepared the box. Nonetheless, it’s still a gift from him.

“Are you done?” Bokuto asked. “I don’t want to miss this chance!”

“Yeah, yeah, wait a minute.”  Konoha replied as he closed his locker, locking it, and put the key in his pocket. “Let’s go, Lover Boy.”

“I literally couldn’t sleep last night!” Bokuto exclaimed as they both walked down the hallway. “It feels like my heart’s gonna explode! I just wanna give her the box now!”

“Wait, you didn’t sleep last night?”

“Nope! Not one bit!”

“Damn, you like her that much, huh?”

“Yup!”

The both of them walked down the stairs quietly. Konoha could see that Bokuto is very nervous, well more like nervous and excited at the same time, but still extremely nervous. He can’t stop fidgeting and couldn’t focus on yesterday’s club activities. He’s been rambling about this day for the past four days.

“So, have you figure out what you’re gonna say yet?” Konoha asked as he closed his locker, locking it, and put the key in his pocket.

Bokuto looked at him with confusion written all over his face. “What do you mean, bro? Say what?”

Konoha stopped in his tracks and stared at him in pure disbelief.

“... are you... are you serious?”

“What? I really don’t get it, man.”

“ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!”

“WHAT???”

Bokuto stared at his friend, clearly confused. “What are you trying to say, dude? I don’t understand.”

“Listen, Bokuto,” Konoha said slowly, his hands gripping Bokuto’s shoulders. “Girls like guys who can sway them up with words, you know? If you messed up, there’s a huge chance that she’ll laugh and reject you, and trust me, the gossip will spread like wildfire in this school.”

“WHAT?!” Bokuto yelled as his golden eyes widened. “YOU HAVE TO SAY SOMETHING WHEN YOU CONFESS??”

“DUH!” Konoha slapped the back of his dear friend’s head. “Do you want to be known as ‘The Famous Volleyball Captain that was rejected by a second-year’? You’ll be the talk of the school for at least a week! Hell, even the teachers will know about the news of your rejection!”

Bokuto is now very frightened. “How... How do I not know about this? Why didn’t any of you tell me? She’s definitely gonna reject me!”

“We thought you knew!”

“How can I think about cool words just 5 minutes before I gave her the cookies? Bro, you know I’m not that smart!”

All of his excitement has been replaced with fear. Can he really do this? Can he really confess to you? He didn’t prepare any cool words that he could use to sway you. He only brought the box of cookies. Bokuto can feel his hair slowly deflating as his optimism hits rock bottom.

Konoha cleared his throat. “Now now, let’s stay optimistic and calm and not in emo mode. You have a confession to do!”

Bokuto didn’t have the energy to answer his friend. He kept thinking about how you’ll reject him because he didn’t have any cool words to say.

‘I should’ve paid more attention in class.’ he thought grimly. ‘I could really use Kuroo’s brain right now.’

“She’s in the same class as Akaashi, right?” Konoha asked. “Why don’t we call Akaashi to discuss this problem? Akaashi is smart, he’ll now what to do.”

Honestly, Konoha just wanted an excuse to get Akaashi to deal with this problem. He forgot how clueless Bokuto can be.

“GREAT IDEA!” Bokuto exclaimed. “Let’s go get him right now!”

The both of them quickly walked (well, Bokuto sprinted) to the Mass Hall, where the second years are currently doing last minute studying for their finals. In this school, the third years started their finals earlier, because they have to study for the college entrance exam. 

The Mass Hall is filled with the second-years trying to cram the last bits of information to their brain, and you are not an exception. You were listening to Akaashi’s last minute explanation about trigonometry but then someone burst in, literally. 

“AGHAAASHIII!!” Bokuto called as he barged in to the Mass Hall. “AGHAASHIIII, COME HERE PLEASE!”

Everyone’s attention quickly shifted to the third year who stood in front of the Hall’s entrance. Everyone knew who he is, but they didn’t expect a third year student who was supposed to be on a school trip to burst in twenty minutes before the first final exam. You clearly didn’t expect this, and neither did Akaashi. Akaashi sighed and quickly walked over to the energetic owl-like captain. 

“Quiet down, Bokuto-san,” Akaashi replied as he sent apologetic stares to everyone in the Mass Hall. “Everyone is currently studying for finals.”

“Ah yes, sorry,” Bokuto smiled sheepishly, and he caught you smiling at him, which made him blush. “I need to talk to you outside, now.”

Akaashi followed him outside without speaking a word, poor boy must’ve thought that this was something between life and death. He saw Konoha waiting outside the Mass Hall.

“What’s wrong, Bokuto-san? Konoha-san? My exam starts in twenty minutes, I hope this won’t be long.”

“It’ll just take a minute,” Konoha replied. “Tell him, Bo.”

“Do you know any cool words that could, um, y’know, sway a girl?” Bokuto asked. 

“Pardon?” Akaashi said as he looked at Bokuto and Konoha. “Cool words? I don’t understand the point of your question, Bokuto-san.”

“There’s this girl that Bokuto likes. She’s in your class,” Konoha explained. “Bokuto wants you to help him prepare some cool words so that he can confess to her.”

“I just need some cool words to sway her!” Bokuto added. “I brought her a box of cookies! I just don’t know what to say to her...”

Akaashi knew exactly who they’re talking about. “Wait here, both of you. I’ll be right back.”

Akaashi went back inside the Hall. Just as he disappeared, Bokuto felt the excitement coming back to his body. Konoha knew he can always rely on Akaashi to make Bokuto feel better. 

“Calm down, Bo,” Konoha put his hand on Bokuto’s shoulder. “Everything will be all right. Just... take deep breaths.”

After a couple of minutes later, Akaashi came out of the Mass Hall. However, he’s not alone. Akaashi had called you to go outside with him. Konoha’s eyes widened as he realized that calling Akaashi was huge mistake. Meanwhile, Bokuto kinda felt betrayed. How can Akaashi do this to him? How can he send him off without any preparations? 

“Bokuto-san has something to say to you,” Akaashi said as he looked at Bokuto, who was gaping at him while clutching the box of cookies. “Go ahead, Bokuto-san.”

Bokuto felt that his throat was so dry, he couldn’t even form a word. Poor boy is so nervous that it looks like he’s about to faint. His brain scrambled to fine information about anything that sound cool. 

“Hello, Bokuto!” You said as you gave him a smile. “What is it that you want to tell me?”

“I....”

“Yes?” 

Bokuto tried to remember every cool word that everyone has said in this life, but his brain couldn’t function. He tried to think about Kuroo, his best friend from another school. Kuroo is a pretty cool guy, so he tried to remember the scientific things Kuroo said. His mind is completely blank, so he went with his instings. 

“MAGNESIUM!” He yelled loudly, startling all three of you. Bokuto could feel the color draining from his face as he realized that he had said the wrong word.

“... What ??” 

“I.. uh... I mean...-”

Bokuto has never felt this stupid in his entire life. Why, why did had to remember the fun part of Kuroo’s song now? Right in front of his crush? Konoha and Akaashi were both flabbergasted. Konoha bit his tongue, trying not to hold his laughter in, but the poor boy failed.

“HAHAHAHAHAAHAAHA!” Konoha laughed loudly, completely ignoring Bokuto’s pitiful face. “MAGNESIUM?! HAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHH-”

“Ssst!” Akaashi whispered as he elbowed him. “Be quiet, Konoha-san!”

“I...”

Bokuto’s head snapped to look at you, who were trying to talk and hold your laughter at the same time. Bokuto’s hair were starting to deflate and honestly, it’s the cutest thing ever.

“I’m sorry, but chemistry is not my best subject,” you replied. “I’m sorry Bokuto, is there anything I can do for you? If not, I would like to excuse myself and go back to studying inside.”

“WAIT!” Bokuto grabbed your hand. “Please wait. I... I just want to give you this.”

He gave you the box that he’s been holding in his hand. You opened the box and you realized that he gave you your favorite cookies. You looked at Bokuto, whose own face is red with embarrassment. 

“Are these... cookies?”

“Yes! I made them all by myself!”

“Thank you, Bokuto!” You said happily as you gave him your best smile. Bokuto loved that smile of yours. 

“So, please give me a second chance!” He said as he tried not to cry. “Please, please, don’t reject me!”

“Huh?” you asked, your head tilted in confusion. “I’m sorry, but I don’t--”

“PLEASE!” Bokuto pleaded, no, the boy practically yelled. “JUST ONE MORE CHANCE, I PROMISE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEA--”

“Bokuto-san!” Akaashi interrupted the pleading captain. “Please refrain from making so much noise, a lot of people are studying inside the Hall.”

“Sorry,” Bokuto replied gloomily. “Just,  please. One more chance.”

“Of course, Bokuto,” Your cheeks started to turn red. “First of all, thank you for this amazing gift, I’m really grateful. Second, may I know the reason why you gave me these cookies?”

Bokuto looked at Akaashi and Konoha for reassurance, and the latter gave him a thumbs up. “Tell her, Bo!”

“I like you,” Bokuto said as he hold your unoccupied hand. “A lot, actually.”

“... you do?”

“Yes!”

“Why?”

“Why?” Bokuto looked confused. “Because you’re so nice and caring, you’re fun and your jokes are really funny! You have the best smile! I liked you ever since we started going home together back in August.”

You couldn’t believe what you just heard. Did the cute volleyball captain just declared that he likes you? 

“I couldn’t hold my feelings for you anymore. I know I didn’t have anything cool to say, so please please please give me another chance! I’ll do better when we become a couple, I promise!”

You feel your heart skips a beat. This is the cutest confession you ever had, as well as the only confession you ever had. You look down at the box in your hands, and then you look at Akaashi, who smiled proudly. Then, you look at the third-year in front of you.

“So... uh... will you be mine?”

#bokuto #konoha #akaashi

[yourperfectflaws]

HYDRA’s Pet ; 04

Pairing: James Bunchan Barnes x HYDRA!Reader, Avengers x Reader (Platonic/ Familial)

Series Summary: As HYDRA’s favorite experiment, you were trained to follow orders perfectly. But, when you’re taken from the only home you’d ever known by the Avengers, you find yourself more lost than ever. However, out of all the things that could have happened to you, you’d never expected him to be one of them.

Chapter Summary: Your sexy ass is flown to Wakanda to meet T’challa’s genius sister, Shuri. 

Warnings: Two panic attacks, uhhhh mentions of violence and rape... and the word Hell

Word Count: 3.1k

Author’s Note: Here he comes bitchessss (I listened to Emo Boy by Ayesha Erotica while writing this btw) HE’S FINALLY HEREEEE!!!! Also, the reader says something in Russian, which is in italics, so note that she’s not saying it harder, she’s saying it in another language. 

Prologue // Previous Chapter // Next Chapter (Coming Soon!)

January 18th, 2017 ; Wakanda

When you entered the ship, it was unlike anything you had ever seen before. It looked like it came out of a different dimension. Plus, the seats were so soft you felt like you were about to melt right into them. You looked up to see T’challa taking a seat in front of you. “Okoye, let’s go.”

Soon, you were in the air and along with the whir of the engine, you could hear your frantic heartbeat in your ears. You clung to the seat while trying to focus on your breathing. All the things that have happened to you within the past two days seemed to cause you to forget your fear of flying.  

It seemed the King noticed your distress because he sat next to you at placed a comforting hand on your shoulder. He started speaking to you in a deliberately calming voice. If it were anyone else, you would have blown up at them for talking to you like a child but there was something about the King that put you at ease.  

After a while you calmed down enough to hold a steady conversation. “I like your clothses,” you complimented, noticing the gold detailing around the collar. He chuckled lightly.  

“Thank you, it’s called a dashiki,” he said while smoothing down any imaginary wrinkles. You repeated the word under your breath, staring at the patterned shirt. He regarded you with a humorous glint in his eyes. “Would you like a pair?”

You nodded slightly. He laughed and scratched his forehead. You noticed how clean and smooth his skin was. He must take really good care of himself. Again, you felt a bubble of jealousy pop within your chest. Though, it didn’t make you angry. In fact, you didn’t even hesitate to compliment him, saying, “You are very handsome.” You gestured to him with your cuffed hands. His eyes widened and he gave you a nervous laugh.  

“We’re almost there, my King.” You heard a feminine voice from the cockpit call to T’challa. He stood and made his way to the cockpit. Not wanting to be alone, you carefully moved in the middle of the two seats and gazed out at the forest below.

“This is the best part.” T’challa smiled, watching as Okoye flew the ship dangerously close to the trees. Your stomach rolled.  

“We will crash!” You clutched the seat in front of you, knuckles turning white. If the collar wasn’t still on your neck, then the seat would have bent under your force.  

They both laughed and continued. And you soon saw why.  

Instead of crashing into the forest floor, it was as if there was a screen in front of you that glitched. Suddenly, there wasn’t a forest anymore. You stood there in awe at the sight in front of you. The futuristic buildings gleamed under the luminous sun, making the entire city glow with a warm, yellow light.  

You steadied yourself against the co-pilot's chair as Okoye brought the ship down onto a large landing pad in front of a gleaming building.  

As soon as you stepped foot outside of the ship, you were hit with a wave of relief. It felt good to be out of there and on solid ground. The King sent Okoye to do something you didn’t catch— you were watching a young woman speed walk up to the two of you.  

She bowed to T’challa extravagantly. “Your majesty.”

“Ah, stop that.” He swats his hand at her. “This is Y/n. She needs the algorithm you used on Barnes.”

You straightened your back, putting on a mask of confidence as he introduced you. The woman turned to you and sized you up, a delicious grin spreading across her lips. “What up? I’m Shuri, I’m nineteen, and I never fucking learned how to read.”

This caused T’challa to scold her for her language— even though you didn’t know what part of her introduction was wrong— and lying about her age. You assumed she was younger than what she said— she definitely appeared to be.  

Shuri began laughing, which to you sounded like bells, and crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m just having fun, brother, there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s not my fault you’re too old to understand that reference.”  

“I am sure she is older than I am,” T’challa responded, gesturing to you. He most likely received your file from the Avengers.  

Shuri gasped, placing a dramatic hand over her heart. “Don’t you know it’s rude to assume a woman’s age?”

“1953.” They both looked at you with confused expressions. Shuri seemed to be surprised by your voice. You probably had a strange accent, just like them. “I was born on 1953.”

“You’re more than sixty years old?” Shuri gaped at you, sizing you up again. “Jesus, woman, what’s your secret? How do you look so young?”  

“Shuri, we have a job to do remember?”

“No, I have a job to do.” She turned to her brother, who was staring at her with a deadpanned expression. She waved her hand at him before saying, “you just sit there looking pretty. Come on, let’s hurry.”

You followed the two of them into Shuri’s lab like some sort of lost puppy. For some reason, you felt a pang in your chest watching the two of them bicker playfully. It reminded you how deeply alone you were.  

You had nobody but Hydra for the longest time and now you don’t even have that. And although you had partners for missions and such, you never had anyone permanent in your life like the Commander was. But the relationship before you was nothing like the one you had with him. It was entirely different. There wasn’t one person having control over the other, they both just seemed at ease and comfortable. And you wanted that.  

Shuri stopped in her tracks, tearing you away from your train of thought. She held her arms out and smiled. “Welcome to my technological Disneyland.” She threw a pointed look at her brother. “Except I’m Walt Disney.”

“I never said I was taking you there, you just assumed.” He folded his arms over his chest, tilting his head at her. They began to bicker again as you observed the room below. You had never seen anything like it. The spiraling ramp around the thick pillar— filled with colorful artwork— was made entirely of lights that illuminated your boots as you walked. There were white display tables along the circular walls of the room, showing off invention after invention. Other people in white robes were working on projects along the tables.  

“You made this?” You asked, observing the gadgets in front of you.  

“Hell yeah I did!” She came up behind you and began demonstrating how one of them worked. You stared at her in awe.  

“You are very smart; I could never craft anything like these.”

She thanked you, throwing a smug grin at the King, who sighed.  

“We shouldn’t get off task, we’re here for a reason.”

Shuri waved him off. “Shhh, brother, let her continue.”  

“Shuri.”

“Ugh, fine, let’s go.” She linked her arm in yours and pulled you towards a door on the other side of the room. “Come on, Y/n, I want to show you more stuff I made.”

You walked with her, listening to her ramble on about all the technological advancements and upgrades she’d done within the past month. She led you down a hallway and into another room with similar design as her lab. The two of them walked ahead of you to set something up.  

As soon as you saw the pod, your heartbeat spiked and your stomach dropped down to your feet. You stopped in your tracks and stared at it with wide eyes. Images of the horrors you were subjected to within the Chamber flashed before your eyes. No. There was no way you were going back down.  

You didn’t realize you were walking backwards until you bumped into a work table and knocked over a few supplies. The two of them stopped speaking and turned around to look at you, confusion clear on their faces. “Y/n? Are you alright?” T’challa asked, taking a tentative step towards you. However, you backed up even more.  

“Hey, it’s okay. What’s wrong?”

You stared at them, fear in your eyes, and pleaded in a quiet voice. “Please... don’t... I am sorry.” Your knees gave out and you sunk to the floor, pushing yourself into the wall behind you. You felt hot tears race down your face and choked on them.  

They stared at you with pinched brows. You were cowering as T’challa stepped towards you, kneeling down to your level. “What do you mean?”

Your breathing was loud in your ears. “Please... don’t put me back in... I’ll be better...” You managed to say between gasps.  

“You don’t want to go in the pod?” You continued to hyperventilate, even after he placed a comforting hand on your shoulder. “Hey, breathe. You’re okay.” After coaxing you into controlling your breathing, he held out a firm hand for you to take, which you hesitantly did. Pulling you up, he regarded you with a look of pity. Which again, under normal circumstances you would have told him off. But you didn’t seem to care.  

“Want to talk about it?” You shook your head, finding the floor suddenly interesting. “Well, you’re going to have to go in the pod anyways. It’s the safest way for Shuri to reprogram your mind.”  

“But I did something wrong?”  

“No, no, you didn’t do anything wrong.”  

Shuri placed a hand on T’challa’s shoulder. “Brother, I think they used the pod as a punishment.” She moved around him, taking you gently by the hand. “Come on, Y/n, I’ll set you up with a screen.”  

You followed, hesitantly of course, as she led you to a secluded area where there was a flat cot that was somehow levitating. You stared at it as she called over a few assistants. She came back and instructed you to lay down, explaining that they were going to do the procedure on the cot instead of in the pod.  

As you laid down on the cold metal surface, you wondered what they would do to your mind. You watched as the assistants inserted the IV and gave you a dose of anesthetics. And as you nodded off, you thought of your Commander and what he would say if he saw where you were now.  

.  

Shuri watched you go under as she brought up the holograms, bringing them closer so she could see better. Her brother was in another room talking with the merchant tribe leader so he’d left the two of you alone.  

She watched for a moment as your chest rose and fell as you lay unconscious on the cot and she had to admit it was kinda surreal— when you walked in here you had either a frown on your lips or tears in your eyes. So, seeing with such a peaceful expression was uncharacteristic and strange.  

“Let’s have a look at your memories, shall we?” She said, more to herself than you, as she pulled up the program.  

She saw a tiny version of you playing around the base with a tall man, giggling as you danced to Russian music, and making snowmen outside. She saw them train you, build your body to become a weapon. She saw your fear when you made a mistake— something that wasn’t easily overlooked with Hydra— and were forced into a pod to live out nightmares. She saw the hundreds of missions you’d been on, some with a man she was quite familiar with, and the countless deaths you caused. And then she saw something else. That same man forcing himself on you made her sick to her stomach.  

“Shuri, how’s it coming?” At her brother’s sudden voice, she jumped and quickly changed the memory to something else. But this one was much more violent. She turned around to see her brother walking towards her with knitted eyebrows.  

“What’s wrong? Did you see something?”

“Just this,” she lied, gesturing to the gruesome image. She had a feeling you didn’t want anyone to know about when that man had done to you, especially a King. She didn’t know if you realized what he’d done was wrong or not so she’d have to be as much of a role model to you as she could.  

She watched as her brother examined the content on the screen, shaking his head. You were shooting up several children and the sight made her want to vomit. “What have they done to this poor woman...?”  

“They raised her, brother.” She pulled up the earliest memory she could find. It was of a toddler walking for the first time. The image pulled at her chest, begging for her aid but she knew she could do nothing for her. At least not then. Now, she was going to do everything she could to help you.  

“She was scared, brother, and I know you could see it, too.” She glanced at him, watching his lips draw a fine line. “Hydra was the only place she’d ever known. I’m not surprised to see any of this.”

“Well, we need to do the same thing for her that we did for Sargeant Barnes.” He stared down at your sleeping face. “She doesn’t know it but she needs help and I’m afraid we’re the only people who can give it to her.”

.  

The first thing you heard when you regained consciousness was the steady beat of the heart monitor. You squinted open your eyes to find yourself laying on the same cot with holographic screens around your head and chest.  

You sat up and held your head in your hands, feeling it spin nauseatingly. After the spinning subsided, you stood and walked around the pillar wall and into Shuri’s lab. You noticed her sitting on a stool and working on a project.  

“Shuri.” You called out for her and she turned to look at you with a light smile.  

“You’re awake.” She put the pliers she was holding down as you approached her. “How are you feeling?”

“Not sure...” You thought for a moment. You felt strange, that much was for sure, but it wasn’t a bad feeling. You felt at ease, like everything was finally coming together. “Calm? Peaceful... Is normal?”

“Well considering our other ex-HYDRA soldier who we performed this algorithm on had the same feelings, I guess that statement could be correct.” She cleared her throat and turned on her stool.  

“So, since you’re supposed to be here for ‘rehabilitation’ or whatever.” She made dramatic air quotes with her fingers. “I guess you’ve got two choices. You can either be put on the same program that Sargeant Barnes is on where you live on the outskirts of the city... or you could stay in the building where me and my brother sleep. It’s all up to you.”

You stared at her for a moment before asking her for a coin. She stared at you in confusion but pulled one from her pocket nonetheless. Since it was difficult for you to make decisions for yourself, you figured having a coin do the work for you would save you a lot of stress. Deeming heads for the outskirts and tails for the inner city, you flipped the coin and caught it, flipping it once more on the back of your hand. It was tails. Inner city it was, then.  

Then, you had a realization. “This Sargeant Barnes... can I meet him?”

“Sure, but why?”

“Maybe I know him.”

“Craving a familiar face, I see...” She thought for a moment before springing up from her stool. “Alright, let’s go, then.”  

She linked your arms and you walked with her through the city. She mentioned she’d take you on a tour through Wakanda once you were settled in. She brought you to a small rural settlement filled with children running about, playing with each other, and brought you to a thatched house in front of a glistening river.  

“Sargeant Barnes! I have someone I’d like you to meet!”  

Bucky came out from his hut and smiled when seeing Shuri. “Shuri, I told you to— “ But when he saw you behind her, he dropped what he was holding and took a short step back. “What is she doing here?”

Shuri looked quizzically between the two of you, him standing there with his arms crossed over his chest and you observing a frog that hopped onto the shore. “Huh? Oh, Y/n’s here for rehab. She wanted to meet you for some reason.”

The frog hopped back into the water and you stood up in disappointment. Turning to look at him, you were met with his steely blue eyes. They bore into your head with fierce intimidation and you couldn’t help but look away. You didn’t recognize him without his arm but there was something familiar about him.  

Noticing your reluctance, Bucky sighed and stepped closer to you and held out his hand. “Hi, I’m Bucky, nice to meet you.”

Your eyes widened and you stepped back. You recognized his voice. He was the Winter Soldier.  

He could tell you remembered him so he stepped back and held his hand up defensively, as if attempting to approach a wild animal. But you weren’t a wild animal... were you? You could hear your breathing in your ears, it rang inside your skull like alarm bells. Images and memories of your missions with him flashed before your eyes as you stared at him, unable to move. To run.  

“Y/n, Y/n!” Shuri called to you, breaking your frozen trance. She came between the two of you, staring firmly into your eyes. “You’re fine, he won’t hurt you. He was reprogrammed, too.”  

You steadied your breathing and stood up straight, regarding him dubiously. He hesitated before holding his hand out again for you to shake. You bit your lip before taking his hand, causing a soft smile to bloom across his rugged features. You figured that this could possibly be the start to a new friendship.  

...

Note: I’m sorry this fic took so long, I’ve been having troubles at home and haven’t had much time to sit down and write. I can’t guarantee that part 5 will be out soon either. But it will be out eventually. Patience is a virtue. 

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Have a great day and stay safe!

Comment or reblog if you would like to be tagged. 

Tags: 

@stressedandbandobessed7771 @elle-r @stuff-to-look-at-18r @numwoon44 @itsgonnabe-brian-may @veganfangirl5 @shame-or-same @thisismysideblogforfunstuff @allmyficsinoneplace @nyxestia @zombielab @serenitysammy @pretty-little-me-circus @iamaunicorn4704 @marvelousblogs @mya-lach @for-the-love-of-the-fandom @buckystories-3 @harryismyonlyangel @otvlanga @08fic-reader80

#bucky #Bucky Barnes #james buchanan barnes #bucky headcanon #bucky fanfic #james barnes #James Bunchan Barnes #bucky x reader #bucky imagines #bucky x you #bucky x y/n #t'challa #shuri #okoye #wakanda #fanfiction #fanfic #marvel fanfic #marvel #avengers #avengers fic #avengers imagine #avengers x reader #avengers x you #marvel imagines #marvel imagine #marvel x reader #avengers x y/n #marvel x you #x y/n

[kloxbian]

Promises Painted on my Skin

Synopsis: 

Lexa felt her heart go out to her. Clarke’s face was a scattering of dark bruises, blood leaking from a split lip. Her cheeks were swollen red and her eyes, the color of a fading sky, darted around nervously, looking anywhere except Lexa’s face.

Tears pooled in Clarke’s eyes, tears that she fought to contain but a single one dripped down her cheek. Lexa brushed it away, careful to not pressure any of her bruises. “Oh, you poor, sweet girl,” she breathed. “You deserve better than this.”

-

Or the canon-divergent AU where Bellamy's an abusive bastard and Clarke is the innocent victim

WARNING: This fic contains mentions of physical and emotional abuse. If this makes you uncomfortable, don’t read.

Notes:  Okay, now, I would have done a better job with this if I didn’t finish five hours before it was posted. I wanted to lengthen it, and may eventually, but I already have many other things to write, so it won’t happen for at least a few more months, if at all.

A bit disappointing that Clexa Week is over. This is my first time joining, and I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ll definitely be back next year. A few of the things I’ve written are fics I never would’ve written otherwise. I’m very happy I finished it all.

Thanks to everyone who read my fics, as well as to @clexaweekofficial​ for hosting and sharing Clexa Week. You’re amazing.

-

 The two riders swerved between the trees, the sunlight shining brightly through the leaves illuminating the golden hair of their target. She didn’t look up at the sound of the horses, standing in place, her body shaking. One of the men scoffed. “Dison laik gada yu’s krei fir raun hashta (This is the girl you’re so worried about)?”

 “Em laik Skaikru. Heda na gaf em (She’s Skaikru. The Commander will want her).”

 She didn’t fight back as a rope was tied around her wrist. The rider scoffed, looping the other end around the horn of his saddle. “Kwelen (Weak).”

 “Emo Skaikru laik (All Skaikru are).”

 They turned to ride back to TonDC, a sky-fallen girl with shining golden hair behind them.

 -

 Lexa twirled her knife in her hands, sprawled lazily in her throne. The scouts were supposed to be reporting back any minute now and she frowned at wasting this time waiting instead of being able to go over her duties.

 To her right, Anya was leaning against the sturdy canvas of the tent. “If you keep playing with your weapons, Heda, you’re going to cut your fingers off.”

 The guards standing at the door of the tent shifted uncomfortably. No one spoke so casually to the commander, and when someone did, it was expected that they’d be cut down. But this was Anya. She did what she wanted.

 “If I do then you’ll be the one writing everything down for me.” Anya scoffed, looking at the sprawl of papers across the planning table. Anya was not very adept in her written language, and Lexa knew that well.

 A guard ducked into the tent. “Heda, the scouts have arrived. They bring a Skaikru with them.”

 That piqued her interest. “Send them in.”

 He backed out and moments later two scouts came in, throwing to the ground a young girl. “Heda, we found her wandering the territory alone. She was miles from her camp.”

 Lexa let her eyes linger on the girl, examining her. She was frail, skinnier than even a babe, bones jutting out of her bruised, worn skin. Her clothes hung off of her and her shoes were nonexistent, feet bloody and scraped from wandering the forest. Her golden hair, dirty and matted with mud, obscured her face from view. She didn’t move from where she’d been tossed.

 Lexa raised an eyebrow at the scouts. “Is she alive?”

 “She walked here on her own two feet. Didn’t try and fight or anything.”

 Lexa nodded, turning her eyes back to the body at her feet. “What’s your name, Skaigada?”

 She shifted then, rolling to sit on her legs. Her head stayed bowed and when she spoke, her voice was quiet and raspy. “Clarke.”

 “What were you doing outside of your camp alone?”

 She jerked, her body going stiff. “I wasn’t doing anything, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to do anything wrong, please don’t hurt me, I-”

 Anya stepped forward. “We’ll only hurt you if you don’t answer the question!” She barked. Clarke looked up sharply, hair lying in waves over her cheeks. She shrank back, curling in on herself. “Well?”

 “I wasn’t doing anything wrong, I swear!” Her voice was small and scared, pathetically weak. “I’ll do whatever you want, just please don’t hurt me, I didn’t mean to-”

 “Heda, this girl is mad,” Anya hissed, leaning in close to Lexa. “She will not tell us anything. Let me kill her and be done with it.”

 “No.” Lexa didn’t believe that. Anya called this girl - Clarke - mad, and perhaps she was, but Lexa refused to believe it. She’d heard of such cases as these, dealt with the aftermath of them, but she’d never seen anything quite like this. Clarke had no defense for herself, begged, pleaded to not be hurt, that she had been doing what she was supposed to, that he had been obedient. She acted like a dog, one that knew nothing other than obedience to its owner.

 “Onya, Gona, gyon ou.” The guards bowed and followed her command, exiting the tent without a word. Anya sent her a questioning look, one that Lexa returned with a fierce glare. Obey. Anya bowed her head and left.

 Lexa stood from her throne, stepping off the small dais. Clarke ducked her head, repeating the mantra over and over again.

 “Quiet.” Her voice was loud and commanding, stopping the young girl in her tracks. She bowed even lower, her face almost against the floor. She immediately felt guilty. Lexa crouched down in front of her. “Are you alright?” Clarke nodded, staying hunched down low. “Can you look at me?”

 She did as was asked and Lexa felt her heart go out to her. Clarke’s face was a scattering of dark bruises, blood leaking from a split lip. Her cheeks were swollen red and her eyes, the color of a fading sky, darted around nervously, looking anywhere except Lexa’s face.

 Lexa slowly undid her pauldron and jacket, realizing how her intimidating attire wasn’t helping the situation and wished she wasn’t decked out in warpaint and armor. “What happened to you, keron? Why are you colored so?”

 Clarke began to visibly shake. “I was bad. I deserved any punishment he saw fit.”

 “What did you do?”

 Clarke once again lowered her head. “I ate too much food. He said that it could have fed someone more in need of it instead of a- instead of me.”

 “Why did you take more food?”

 Clarke’s shaking got more violent and she bit her lip. “I was hungry. He only gave me a piece of what everyone else was having and when Octavia and Raven offered me more I thought- I thought it would be okay.”

 Lexa’s heart broke. She reached forward, hesitating before gently resting her hand on Clarke’s cheek, coaxing her head back up. Her entire body trembled, torn between accepting the touch or rejecting it. Clarke stood still, though, taking whatever was given.

 Tears pooled in Clarke’s eyes, tears that she fought to contain but a single one dripped down her cheek. Lexa brushed it away, careful to not pressure any of her bruises. “Oh, you poor, sweet girl,” she breathed. “You deserve better than this.”

 Clarke looked nervously at her face, opening her mouth as if to speak but thinking better of it. Lexa dropped a hand from her face, delicately taking Clarke’s own. “You can speak freely.”

 She bit her lip nervously. “What’s going to happen to me? Are you going to send me back?”

 “I will if you want to,” Lexa said, not even thinking about what her generals would say about it. “But I’d like for you to stay here. You shouldn’t have to go back to anyone who treats you like this.”

 “NO!” Clarke squeezed her eyes shut, fingers hesitantly linking with hers. “No. Please don’t send me back. I don’t want to go back.”

 “Then you won’t,” Lexa said, ducking down to look Clarke in the eye. “You’ll be safe here. I promise that whoever did this to you will never touch you again.”

 Clarke took a shaky breath in and nodded. “Thank you.”

 Lexa smiled, watching Clarke smile back, though it didn’t reach her eyes. It was nothing more than polite. Lexa vowed to kill whoever would dare do such a thing to this sweet girl.

 “I thought…I thought I was supposed to meet the commander,” Clarke croaked. “That’s what those men said.”

 “The scouts, yes.” Lexa stood, offering a hand down to Clarke. She took it, still quivering slightly. “And you have.”

 “I have…” Clarke looked at the throne behind Lexa and her eyes widened. She stumbled back, falling back down to her knees. “I’m sorry, commander, I-”

 “No no no, be quiet, sweet girl,” Lexa rushed over to her. “Don’t worry. I won’t hurt you, and I’ll make sure no one else does either.”

 Clarke’s eyes held some of the same feral instinct they had earlier. “But- why?”

 “Because you don’t deserve what’s been given to you.” Lexa helped her to her feet, tracing the bruises on her face ever so lightly. “No one deserves this. To be owned. I want you to have a chance to be yourself, keron.”

 “I-” Clarke began to cry, pulling away to wipe furiously at her tears. “Thank you. I promise I’ll be good.”

 “Don’t think like that.” Lexa took her hands once more, rubbing them soothingly. “You don’t have to please anyone here. Yes, there are rules you will have to follow, people you will have to obey, but you will not be punished for being hungry nor anything so meager.”

 Clarke nodded, her stomach growling at the mere mention of food. Lexa gently released her hands. “Come, sweet girl. I will get you food enough that you won’t want to eat for days.”

 -

 Lexa knocked lightly on the poles that held up the tent she’d set Clarke up in. She heard a quiet acknowledgment from inside and ducked beneath the tarp.

 Clarke was sitting on a small wooden table that had been set up in the corner, staring at the fur-covered cot. There were heavy bags under her eyes that had only gotten worse since yesterday.

 “Good morning, Clarke,” Lexa greeted, standing a few feet away. “Did you sleep well?”

 “Fine.” Clarke’s voice was dry and cracked. Lexa frowned, stepping closer. Clarke held up a shaky hand. “I’m fine. Really. I’m just… not used to it.”

 Lexa cocked her head. “Not used to what?”

 “This.” Clarke waved her hand at the bed. “Having comfort, and having it all to myself. At the dropship, and even before that, I never had anything this good. Not anything that was mine.”

 “If you would rather a different arrangement I would be happy to find something more suitable for you.”

 “No, this is fine. It’s just different. I’ll get used to it.” Clarke looked over at Lexa for the first time since she’d stepped into the tent. “Thank you, commander. This is the most anyone’s ever done for me.”

 “Of course, sweet girl.” Clarke blushed slightly at the name, eyes flickering from Lexa’s face to the ground. “And please, call me Lexa. Just when we’re alone.”

 Clarke’s blush deepened and she nodded. Lexa smiled. “Come sit on the bed with me. It’s time we talked about what you will be doing.”

 Lexa gave her a quick overview of the Trikru and TonDC, laying out the do’s and don’t, what was considered offensive and appropriate. The rules were laid out, also quite simple, and Clarke sat in silence, listening intently. She was determined to fit into this new environment, where she was being given a chance to start over without a neglecting parent and overbearing ‘friend,’ though being with Lexa she was beginning to realize that he was not someone she should consider under that term.

 “The question I pose to you is what do you want to do?” Lexa asked. “If you want to become one of us, you will need to earn your keep. There are many ways to.”

 Clarke shrugged. “I was the healer back at the dropship, and my - my mother is a doctor.”

 “You are a fisa.” Lexa nodded. “We could get you set up with Nyko if you wish to continue pursuing that here.”

 Clarke bit her lip, chewing on it thoughtfully. “I want to, but would that be all I would do? I don’t want to be cooped up in a hospital all day, even if it is to help people.”

 Lexa rolled the word hospital over in her head a few times before she realized it meant their infirmary. “I suppose we could try and find someone willing to train you half-time. Though I warn you, it may eventually reach a point where you will be forced to choose between one or the other.”

 Clarke exhaled slowly. “What are the options?”

 “There are many. The most abundant are the gona, our warriors, defenders, guardsmen. I hope we will not have so many in the future now that all the clans are at peace but there are still many threats.”

 “Like my people?”

 “Sha, like the Skaikru. And the Maunon.” Lexa folded her hands together on her lap. “A few of the other jobs you could take around TonDC include a merchant, cook, seamstress, stonemason, and a wide array of different crafts. We’d have to teach you our language before you could find a mentor, as only the gona can speak gonasleng, but whatever you like we could find a job for.”

 Clarke tapped her fingers nervously on her thigh. “Your warriors, what exactly do they do?”

 Lexa cocked her head, pleasantly surprised to find the girl looking into a gona. “They do many things, some depending on how good of a fighter they are. We have guardsmen who take shifts standing at the gates, regulating trade and keeping watch for any potential threats. There are the personal guards like mine, who are assigned to a figure of power and it is their duty to keep that person defended. Some that are more adept with long-range weapons will help to hunt. If you were to take on the role of a gona, if there ever was a large conflict you would be called upon to fight.”

 Clarke’s face was scrunched up in thought. “This… might be a bit much to ask, but could I be taught to fight without officially becoming a warrior?”

 “That is not at all much to ask. There are many gona who only fight when called upon, and have duties as craftsmen or merchants when not required. It would be a good match if you don’t want to commit to a full-time job as a healer, and would do well to fill up your time.”

 Clarke nodded. “Then that’s what I want to do.”

 Lexa smiled. She was proud of Clarke despite only knowing her for, well, less than a day. She still had a strong spirit within her, one that, with the proper care, could rise to the surface and ignite. Lexa felt that learning how to stand up for herself physically was the perfect start for her. “Good. I have someone in mind who I think you would like.” Clarke smiled shyly at her and Lexa couldn’t help but grin back. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have another question to ask you.”

 “What is it?”

 Lexa squeezed her hands almost painfully tight. “I am only here in TonDC to deal with the Skaikru. Once a decision has been made about how to deal with them, I will be returning to the capital to rule. You don’t have to decide now, but I would ask if you’d like to accompany me to Polis and make a home there. It’s much larger, and has many more opportunities.”

 “Where is it?”

 Lexa dared to hope. “It’s about a four-day ride to the east. We would be going further from the ‘dropship,’ I believe you call it. If Skaikru were to cause trouble, you would be less likely to have to deal with it in Polis than here.”

 Clarke nodded. “Then yes. I want to go.”

 Lexa frowned. “Are you sure you don’t want more time to consider? You can decide closer to my departure.”

 “I’m sure. I want to be as far away as possible.”

 “Okay.” Lexa smiled shyly. “We’ll depart once Indra and I have agreed on how to handle the skai people. For now,” she stood from the bed, offering a hand down to Clarke. “Would you like to break your fast with me?”

 Clarke nodded, hesitantly taking Lexa’s hand. She squeezed it tight as she led her out of the tent, releasing once back out in public.

 Clarke scampered after her nervously, looking around warily. “There are so many people.”

 “There are many people in the tribes, and Trikru is the most populous.” She took in Clarke’s anxious expression. “I promise that everyone here is loyal to me. You will not be harmed.” Clarke nodded.

 Lexa took them into the pavilion, ignoring the elevated table meant for her and the other generals, sitting herself and Clarke down in a secluded corner after snagging two plates of food. “If you wish, I can have you start on your training after we eat.”

 Clarke perked up at that. “Which one?”

 “Whichever you like. It is early, so the infirmary would be slow and Nyko would have time to teach you our ways of healing. If you’d rather start the physical training, I can have your planned mentor brought in.”

 “Planned mentor?”

 “Yes. There is a certain person I have in mind who is adept at combat but is one of the kindest, most gentle souls I know. He looks a bit intimidating, but I think you will like him.” Lexa’s mind wandered. She hadn’t seen Indra’s son (she was still unsure of whether it was biological or adoptive) since her last checkup almost a year ago. It would be nice to catch up.

 Clarke shifted, looking uncomfortable with answering. “Can I do the physical training first?”

 “If that is what you want.” Lexa hated how uncomfortable Clarke seemed with making the decision herself. She wondered how long it had been since she’d been able to do so.

 She would fix this broken girl. Even at the sacrifice of her heart.

 -

 Lexa was in the middle of explaining all the different weapons to Clarke when she felt her draw in closer, her breath accelerating.

 She turned to see Lincoln entering the arena, still in his scout outfit. He dipped his head politely to her. “Heda.”

 “Hello, Lincoln. Lovely to see you again.”

 He smiled. “The pleasure’s all mine, sister.” 

 She felt Clarke press herself as close to Lexa’s side as she could without actually touching her, talking so quietly Lexa had to strain to hear. “He’s your brother?”

She smiled at that. “Brother in all but blood. Lincoln and I grew up together.” She looked back at her friend. “Lincoln, this is Clarke. She comes from the Skaikru, but I have agreed to accept her under my command.”

Lincoln frowned, switching to Trig. “Choumoda, Heda? Yeson yu don gaf emo in ste daun (Why, Commander? Yesterday you wanted them dead).”

She clucked her tongue, considering telling Lincoln of Clarke’s situation. She knew he could be trusted with it, but would Clarke want him to have it? Likely not. “Em laik noseim. En’s nou get yu daun (She is different. It’s not your concern).”

She changed back to English for Clarke’s sake. “Lincoln, I’d like to ask if you could help train Clarke in the ways of our warriors. She is inexperienced from her time with the Skaikru and wishes to learn.”

“I’d be happy to teach her.” He looked at Clarke, smiling politely. “Hello, Clarke.”

Clarke eyed him warily, muttering a quiet ‘hello.’

Lexa turned to her. “Clarke, this is Lincoln. He may be large, but he is very gentle and wouldn’t ever hurt you. If it’s okay with you, I’d like for him to be the one to train you. He is one of the few I trust.”

Clarke stared at him for a minute, wide-eyed and afraid, before mumbling a quiet “okay.”

Lexa smiled. “Wonderful. If you would like to begin now, I can stay for a bit longer to watch.”

Clarke nodded. “Yes, please.”

“Alright then. I’ll stay a bit longer.” She turned to her friend. “Lincoln?”

“I will train her whenever you require of me.” He dipped his head respectfully to her.

“I know you will.” Lexa gave Clarke one last smile before departing from the arena, leaning against the side railings to observe.

It was a process, but they’d push through it.

-

Their swords clashed with a fly of sparks.

Clarke slipped under her opponent’s sword, darting to the left and letting them stumble forward with their momentum. It only took them a second to rebalance, spinning to block Clarke’s swipe from behind.

Clarke danced back, just barely avoiding a leg aiming to knock her down. She dodged every slash and stab, keeping on the defense, never making a move. She knew that her opponent was getting frustrated.

She rolled beneath a swing at her shoulder, contorting herself to kick them in the back of the knee. It gave out and sent them to the ground.

Clarke was on her feet in an instant, driving her sword down. They twisted out of the way, lunging up and grabbing Clarke by the wrist. They began to twist and Clarke cursed aloud as she dropped her sword, lashing out with her foot and hitting them in the stomach. They lurched forward slightly before they were rising back to their feet, and Clarke looked at her sword wistfully, knowing she had no time to retrieve it. She’d have to do without.

Her opponent’s blade was coming back toward her. She smacked it away by the flat, moving closer and throwing a fist. They caught it in their free hand, a foot wrapping around her ankles and sending her flat on her back. The cold metal fell against her neck before she could move. “Set yu daun.”

Clarke put her hands above her head. “Ai giv op.”

The blade left her throat and she heard the sharp shriek of a sword being sheathed. A hand came into her vision, one which she gladly accepted. “You did well, Clarke. That’s the longest time yet.”

She preened in her mentor’s praise. “Mochof, Onya.”

“Indeed. I have no doubt you could hold your own against any esteemed warrior.” Clarke smiled widely as Lexa wandered into the arena, greeting Anya with a firm clasp and returning Clarke’s beaming smile.

Clarke smirked. “Even you?”

“Oh, I wouldn’t go quite that far.” 

Clarke scoffed in mock annoyance, appreciating Lexa’s quiet laugh. At the far end of the arena, there was nobody near enough to witness their commander drop her mask in front of her mentor and companion. “Oh, don’t you get egotistical too. Anya’s already too much to handle.”

Anya grinned, pointing the end of her knife (who knows where it came from) at her. “You’re spichen right, and you’d do best to remember it.”

“Just don’t train her too well,” Lexa teased. “You might make her better than you.”

“Oh, please, I’ve learned from that mistake. You’re bad enough.” They laughed, falling into step walking side by side back toward the tower, Clarke proudly flanking her Heda’s side.

She, Lexa, and Lincoln had left TonDC to travel to Polis only a week and a half after Clarke’s arrival. The Skaikru, it was decided, were to be given clear boundaries not to cross. Guards patrolled along the river, keeping them away from the mountain and the capitol. Due to their proximity to the Mountain, there were no villages in the opposite direction and the Skaikru were forced to expand in that direction, leaving the Trikru safe for now. If they were to retaliate, the offenders would be taken prisoner and punished accordingly.

Clarke had fallen in love with Polis and its culture. Lexa, despite her many duties, took the time to teach Clarke as much as she could about the tribes, the customs and folklore, as well as their language. Trigedasleng wasn’t a hard tongue to learn, but it was harsh and took her mouth time to adjust before she could produce some of the rougher sounds.

She’d come to see Lexa as her dearest friend. Even if she was the commander, a legendary force spoken of as more goddess than human, she’d shown Clarke her other side, the side of her that had survived the burdens of leadership. Her youthful, innocent side was what a twenty-year-old should be like. She took responsibility for Clarke, not in the way Bellamy had, but in the way of a caretaker. She’d thought she loved before, but Lexa was so much more.

When Lincoln had exhausted his skills, she’d been tossed around by multiple people until Lexa convinced her to give Anya a chance. Anya was tough, but she knew what was too much, and she had also been given a very watered-down version of the blonde’s story. With knowledge of Clarke’s past, she took certain measures to make her disciple was comfortable.

She had also settled in well as a healer’s apprentice. Her foreign medical skills had proved beneficial to expanding their capabilities, though it wasn’t always easy to replicate considering they were much more underdeveloped technology-wise. She’d met many people through that apprenticeship and was very recognizable as the quiet healer; especially with how vibrant her hair was. 

The most vocal opposer to her position was, of course, Titus. But nobody really cared what he had to say.

Anya split off from them in the tower, heading off to meet with the official Trikru ambassador (Both Lexa and Indra had wanted Anya to have the position, but it would be viewed as biased by the other clans) while Lexa led Clarke to her personal quarters. She called for a meal to be brought to them and they both sat down on the couch.

“Clarke,” Lexa said, her voice serious. “A letter arrived from Indra earlier today. It’s about the Skaikru.”

Clarke stiffened. Lexa reached over to tangle their hands. “She wrote that they approached the border, asking for an audience. It was granted, and Indra met with them personally. She said they’re asking for our help to survive, but don’t have anything to offer in return. She would take them in as one of her people, but they refuse, asking to stay separate from us.” Lexa tightened her grip on Clarke’s hand. “I’m telling you this not only because they are your origin, but because Indra’s asked permission to forward them to me. And I accepted.”

Clarke was silent. Lexa squeezed her hand, worried about how she was dealing but not willing to push her. After a moment, she spoke. “Who?”

“There is an Oktevia, Reivon, Montee, Jeisper, and Belomi.” Lexa heard Clarke’s breath falter, watched her eyes widen, and pleaded to the spirits it didn’t mean what she thought it did. But it did. She knew it did. So she let go of Clarke’s hand, wrapping her arm around her shoulder and tucking her into her side.

Lexa sat there rubbing her arm for a few minutes, pressing soft kisses to her hair, before muttering, “Clarke?”

She said nothing. Lexa tried again. “Sweet girl, are you alright?”

Despite her anxiety, she felt her stomach warm at the pet name. She shook mutely against Lexa’s chest. Lexa rested a hand on her cheek, kissing her temple long and slow before resting her cheek on her head. Letting Clarke work out what she needed.

It took time, but eventually, Clarke tried to talk, only to dissolve into choked coughing. Lexa didn’t falter. “Which one?”

She had to take a couple of deep breaths to reign herself in. “The last one.”

“And the others?”

Reivon - Raven, probably - she didn’t know, but the others… “Octavia and Monty were always nice to me. They tried to help when they could, but he had the support of most of the camp. They’d back him up if anyone ever challenged him.” Her mind drifted back to her two friends, smiling slightly. If there was anything she missed from her old life, it was them. “Jasper was nice, but he was too afraid to do anything about it. He would just stand there and watch.”

Lexa scowled. “He is a coward. Just as most of them are.”

Clarke nodded, remembering back to when Jasper had been speared in the chest, the panic that ensued. “On the Ark, they’re still children.”

“Branwodas,” Lexa scoffed. “Even a yongon knows right from wrong.”

Clarke shrugged. “Some of them do.”

The affection in her voice made Lexa pause. “You mean Oktevia and Montee?”

 “A couple others, too, but yes.”

“Would you like me to arrange for them to meet you? I know you could seek them out yourself, but if you’d rather not risk the others…”

Clarke smiled. “I think I’d like that.”

“Then I will make it happen.” She leaned down, nuzzling her cheek. “I will be there if you need anything, and there is no one in Polis who would let anything happen to you. You will be safe.”

Clarke nodded, turning to bury her face in Lexa’s arm. She smiled softly, stroking her hair. “Thank you,” she mumbled into her skin.

“Anything for you, sweet girl.”

-

The day the Skaikru arrived, Clarke didn’t leave her room.

Lexa visited her the following morning. Clarke was curled up in the armchair, her sketchpad resting on her legs. She wasn’t drawing, only staring at a blank white page.

Lexa leaned down behind her, kissing her cheek. “You cannot stay here all day.”

Clarke’s voice was quiet, broken. “What if he tries to take me back?”

“He could never.” Lexa wrapped an arm around her chest. “You are so much stronger than you were. Should he try, you could shame him enough that he’d never want to see you again. You are strong.”

She could see that Clarke was still hesitant. “If it makes you feel better, I can ask Anya or Ryder to accompany you around the city.”

She bit her lip. “Please?”

“Of course.” She stood up. “Come to breakfast with me. The Skaikru won’t be there.”

Clarke nodded, tilting her head back. Lexa leaned down to kiss her on the lips, leaving it at a quick press. She heard her groan as Lexa moved over to the door, laughing. “Come enjoy breakfast and I’ll give you more.”

Clarke set her items down on the chair, not bothering to put them away properly. Lexa grinned widely at her, sharing one last short kiss before she slipped into commander mode, all emotion falling from her face. With her kohl on (all for the intent to scare the Skaikru) she was a terrifying figure, but Clarke could see through it all. Beneath all the armor and strength was her loving niron who’d taken her in without anything in it for herself, saving Clarke from a life of servitude.

But no one could know that.

-

Clarke had been training with Anya for the past hour, all of her worries forgotten. She was taking a quick break now, gladly accepting a pouch of water from one of the guards. She downed half of it, pouring some on her hands and rubbing her face. When she opened her eyes, she saw three familiar figures standing at the railing.

A grin threatened to split her face. Octavia, Monty, Jasper, and another girl leaned against the fence watching her. With Clarke’s attention, Octavia waved. “Hey!”

She strode over to them, forgetting to bring her sword. She and Octavia shared a hug, Monty more hesitant to show her any affection after knowing what Bellamy had done. When she opened her arms to him, he sighed in relief, happily accepting it. 

“What are you doing here?” He asked. “Did they capture you?”

Shit. She’d forgotten about how much the grounders were hated within the Skaikru. “No, not at all. I ran from camp, and they brought me to their town. The commander was there, and she made sure I was comfortable.”

“The commander?” The unknown brunette said, hands twitching idly. “The scary lady can be nice?”

Clarke was tempted to tell her about their relationship but knew better. Even if it would get a hilarious reaction out of them. “I don’t know how, but she was able to tell that I came from a… less than ideal situation. She took me in, offered to bring me to Polis, and I’ve made a life here. It’s amazing. They aren’t anything like we thought they were.”

“Really?” Jasper said. “Did they apologize for spearing me in the chest?”

“They didn’t know who we were,” Clarke said. “We were unknown intruders in their land. You can’t blame them for that.”

“Then who should I blame? Myself?”

“Clarke!” 

She glanced over her shoulder to see Anya in the middle of the pit, waiting impassively for her. She turned back to smile at her friends. “Sorry. I’ll talk to you more later, I promise.”

She ignored their questions and darted back over to grab her sword, standing across from Anya. Her fos unsheathed her sword, nodding over to the fence. “You ready to show off to your friends?”

She smirked. “Hell yes.”

Anya began to advance. Clarke positioned her sword defensively in front of her, body tensed, ready to move however she needed. The first attack came right at her neck, a reckless and normally outright stupid move, but this was Anya. Her other hand knocked Clarke’s sword away, leg coming up to kick her in the stomach. She grunted, stumbling back. She charged once she’d regained her senses, meeting Anya in the middle.

The loud clang of their swords reverberated throughout the pits, telling of the immense force put in by both sides. Clarke dodged a swipe at her legs, aiming a stab at Anya’s shoulder while using her free arm to grab at her opponent’s wrist. She twisted out of the way, recovering too quickly for Clarke to take advantage of her pause.

They fought for some time, Clarke gaining small cuts on her arms, her torso, her legs, even a tiny nick just below her ear. Aware of their audience, Anya went for the most impressive disarming maneuver she knew. Hooking an arm around Clarke’s hip, she used the momentum to swing her over her shoulder and slam her into the ground. Anya’s sword fell against her throat.

“Yu win au. Bilaik otaim (You win. Like always).” 

Anya smirked, helping Clarke to her feet. “That is why I am teaching you. Because you aren’t as good as me.”

“Uh-huh. Show off.”

“Oh, I couldn’t help it.” Anya looked over at the fence. “You should have seen their faces.”

Clarke looked over and grinned at the awestruck expressions they wore. With Anya’s permission, she went over to them.

Octavia reached for her, pausing last second before dropping her hands to her sides. “Oh my god! That was amazing!”

Clarke blushed. “Thanks.”

“Thanks? That’s all you have to say? You just blew my fucking mind! Do you think you could teach me to do that?”

“Woah, O, slow down,” the brunette said. “Let her breathe.” She held a hand out to her. “Hey. I’m Raven. I’ve heard a lot about you from these bitches.”

“She says like she isn’t the bitchiest of us all,”  Jasper said. They all laughed.

“They’re right, Clarke.” She felt a bolt of electricity go through her, stiffening all her muscles and freezing her in place. “That was impressive.”

She ground her teeth together, trying to reel in her disorganized mind. The four at the fence had quieted, heads watching him, but Clarke refused to look at him. She was afraid of what she would do.

“Look at me, Clarke.” Her first instinct was to obey. She fought against it as much as she could, struggling against her fear. “I said look at me.”

“She doesn’t answer to you, Skai boy.” She breathed a sigh of relief. Anya hovered beside her shoulder, resting a comforting hand on Clarke’s back. With her fos by her side, she risked a look.

Bellamy didn’t look any different than when she’d left him, maybe a bit more ragged. He was still the entitled, arrogant boy he’d been before, but Clarke felt her head pulse. He doesn’t own you, she thought, repeating it over and over in her head like a mantra. He doesn’t own you.

Bellamy scowled. “And who are you?”

“That’s none of your concern, and neither is my sekon.” Anya’s hand tightened on her shoulder. “We should get back to the tower, Clarke.”

“No.” She wanted to scream in frustration. Why couldn’t he just let her go? “You can’t make her go.”

“And you can’t make her stay.”

Bellamy snarled. “Just back off! Clarke, come here.”

Anya was about to retort, but Clarke raised a hand, looking Bellamy straight in the eye, blocking out her instinct. “No.”

He was taken aback. “No? You don’t tell me no, Clarke. Come here.”

Her hand went to her sword before changing her mind, instead drawing a dagger from her coat. “Make me.”

Bellamy growled, striding toward her. She knew the tactic, he’d used it on her many times before. Intimidation. Make her think he was going to do something worse than he would. She wouldn’t fall for it again. Drawing back her arm, she aimed her dagger at his throat. He paused, but continued, walking until he was only a few feet from the fence.

With a quick look at Anya, she threw the knife.

Clarke wasn’t a killer, no matter how much Bellamy deserved it. The knife struck his arm, far enough to not cause any major damage, but he went down howling. Ignoring the startled looks from everyone around, she turned and marched out of the pits. With a last scalding look, Anya followed.

Anya left the elevator a couple of floors beneath Clarke while she carried on to one of the very top floors. Pushing through the doors, she fell back against them as soon as they fell closed, clutching her chest. She’d done it. She’d resisted her captor, she’d finally escaped his hold. Before, she’d known that Bellamy still held a part of her, that she still feared his influence, but now that she’d stood up to him, she finally felt… free.

“Clarke?” She perked up, a wide grin spreading on to her face. Lexa stood in the doorway between her solar and bedchambers, looking curiously at her niron. “Did something happen?”

Her heart swelled, looking upon her lover, her savior, perhaps the most important person in her life. Her smile threatened to split her face in half. “I did it, Lex,” she breathed. “I- he tried. He tried, but I did it. I’m free.”

Lexa matched her beam, rushing toward her. They met in the middle, Lexa sweeping her up into her arms and lifting her off the ground. Clarke laughed as kisses were peppered all over her face. “I’m so proud of you, keron,” Lexa said, kissing her passionately. “You’re incredible.”

“I couldn’t have done it without you,” she said, leaning forward to kiss her softly. “Without you, I’d still be with him.”

Lexa squeezed her tight. “I’m glad you aren’t. I’m so glad you aren’t. You don’t deserve that life. You never did.”

“And now I have a better one.” They shared bright smiles, kissing messily. Clarke leaned into her. This life was something she’d never expected to get.

Lexa’s hands pet her face, stroking her cheeks and making her groan into the kiss.

Yes; she could ask for nothing more.

#clexaweek2020 #clexaweek2020 day 7 #day 7 free day #free day #clexa fanfic #clexa deserved better #emotional abuse #physical abuse #recovery #poor clarke #lexa's a sweetheart #bellamy's a sadistic asshole

[danetobelieve]

Mirror Mirror || Blanche and Winston

When: 27/06/2020 Who: @harlowhaunted & @danetobelieve. Where: The mirror hall at the carnival . Summary: Winston and Blanche get dumb emo whilst looking at themselves and that it. Warnings: None 

“I don’t think that’s how physics works.” Blanche walked directly into Winston, stumbling into them. The roller coaster made her legs feel a little like jelly. “Sorry, sorry. Shit.” Blanche snickered, shaking her head as she ran her hands down her face as she pushed her newly blue hair out of her face. “As far as first rollercoaster experiences go, that was wild. And I’m awfully glad I convinced myself to not get one of those pork tacos before we got on, holy crap.” She laughed. It felt hollow and a little wrong, but she laughed anyway. Because Winston and her needed a break, some semblance of normalcy that would keep them from having a nervous breakdown. She had only given a brief explanation to Winston as to why she’d shown up at their house in the middle of the night a few days prior - Granny moved on and was at peace. That’s all there was to it, and no she didn’t want to talk about it. It was a good thing. Ghosts didn’t belong on this plane for as long as Granny was. It just wasn’t how it was supposed to work. Blanche shook off the anxiety jitters from the rollercoaster, catching the entrance of the hall of mirror’s out the corner of her eye. “Winston, did you still want to go in there??”

Winston wasn’t entirely sure what had just happened. They were pretty sure that whatever it was had not followed the laws of physics. How could a loop make you feel that way? Winston wasn’t sure that jumps were a thing that normal rollercoasters had either. “I didn’t know that was what rollercoasters were like …” it had been Winston’s first time too, they were surprised they weren’t feeling sick from all of the g-force they had been subjected to. Winston laughed along with Blanche, they still felt drained and they were dressed in shorts and a t-shirt because it was very hot, despite all of that however they were enjoying themselves. This was the break that they needed. After everything that had happened, and with Granny moving on, Winston wanted to help keep Blanche busy for as long as possible. Blinking, Winston swuinted at the hall of mirrors. This was White crest and even if things seemed good Winston wasn’t sure they trusted a hall of mirrors. “Uh,” they scratched their chin before nodding, “yeah, it’s a hall of mirror those are always a goofy time right?”

“Do you think one will make me look taller?” Blanche asked. It was a joke - she could still do that. In fact, it was easier to do that. Easier for her to be normal with Winston than it was to be anything else, And, honestly, probably better for their mental state. Cleansing of the negative bullshit that had plagued them for the past six or so weeks. Blanche, admittedly, wasn’t too worried about the carnival as much as she should have been. The strange music that had been echoing in the graveyard the other day was creepy, sure, but if she really thought about it - really thought about it, it was the least strange thing out of all the strange things that White Crest had thrown at her ever, so it was probably fine. Blanche pulled Winston with her to the mirror hall. It was strangely empty as they stepped up to the entrance, and Blanche handed a couple tickets to the strange man in the booth. “You know, I’ve never been to this before,” Blanche said to Winston as they went in. “It comes every year and I just… never went.” Never really had anyone to go with. 

“Maybe you’ll finally be able to see what you’ve got on your top shelf?” Winston teased, a smile slowly creeping across their lips. “I hope they have one of the ones that makes you look like you’re a kind of wiggly person.” Slipping through the rows of carnival attractions, the almost eerie music playing softly in the background. A constant creeping melody that enveloped the space. The carnival seemed packed and empty all at once. Winston knew that there were hundreds of people surrounding them, but it was almost as if they weren’t quite there. Almost like it was just Winston and Blanche stood alone in a deserted carnival. Except, they weren’t. There was Miss Spencer from her mother’s book club, and that was their old high school PE teacher Mr Julius. Allowing Blanche to pull them into the hall of mirrors, they slipped passed the man in the booth and stepped into a dark corridor. There was an immediate bend and all Winston could see when they looked around them were various versions of Blanche and them. They looked back at themselves through their glasses and smiled, watching the mirror, well mirror their movements. “My parents never let me go,” Winston had always thought that was kind of weird when everyone else they knew went, “so this is actually my first real time too. I’ve like walked through it before but never really gone on any rides.” 

“But I’m already a wiggly person,” Blanche said, shooting them a small grin. They slipped into the darkened corridor and into the maze of mirrors. “I don’t think my parents ever really paid attention to it. I know Adrien liked going with his friends.” She had picked him up a few times. She remembered him staggering back to the car, face painted and exhausted. Blanche had felt almost jealous that her younger brother was so much more well adjusted than she had been. Blanche frowned, watching her mirror self do the same. Why was she thinking about that. But she quickly grinned as she turned the corner and she was suddenly very tall and very skinny. She snickered quietly. “Hey, come look, I got my wish.” And just as she said that, out of the corner of her eye, a flash of blonde caught her attention. She turned, squinting, and a little girl disappeared down another path. Strange. Weren’t children under nine supposed to be accompanied by an adult? Blanche squinted. “Hey, did you see that kid?” 

“I want to be a wiggly person too,” Winston giggled in reply, “you’ve just been such an inspiration to me. I want to emulate everything that you have become, I just need you to know that you’re an inspiration to me.” Slipping through the mirrors, Winston had to admit that this was pretty trippy. “Well, we get to enjoy it together and there’s no one else I’d rather do this with.” Turning, Winston grinned at the taller image of Blanche, they also spotted the girl and stepped forward with a frown. As they moved from the tall mirror to one that made them look squat and rotund, Winston frowned. Why was their hair grey and their face covered in wrinkles? “I definitely saw something weird,” Winston said recoiling away from the mirror with a frown, when they’d blinked, even once, they found that they looked normal. “This is weird, do you think that there are actually other people in here? It looked, well I thought it was empty in here.” 

“I aim to inspire,” Blanche said, giving Winston a grateful smile. That made her feel just a bit better. “I’m glad, because me to -” A wail cut her off, and Blanche practically jumped out of her skin, whipping around as her hand automatically went for her purse, for her taser. No. Stop. Fun house. Calm down, her brain pleaded with her. She didn’t, though, the anxiety crawling under her skin as her eyes whipped around to try and orient herself.   “Ah hell, I guess there were other people here,” she said, trying to breathe and slow down her heart rate. “I think that kid lost their person, or whatever,” Blanche grumbled, suddenly agitated as she strode forward to deal with the situation. “Hey kid, where’s your -” her voice caught in her throat as she rounded the corner, staring in disbelief. The kid would have been cute if she wasn’t wailing her freaking head off, large hazel eyes spilling tears, long blonde hair painstakingly curled into ringlets, wearing a red velvet dress that was too hot for the summer, with white tights and pinchy black mary jane shoes and a stark white unicorn clutched in her arms. “Winston -” Blanche said, slightly mystified. “That’s me.” She remembered this- the Christmas Party she caused a scene at when she was eight because one of the guests had a particularly mean ghost with a gruesome stab wound. For once, Adrien hadn’t been in trouble, and she was the one her father had screamed at outside in the cold. “That’s my stuffed animal, Corny.” Adrien gave him to her for her 21st birthday. And suddenly, the kid stopped crying, and just looked up at her curiously. Blanche stepped forward, confused and a little afraid as she reached out and - her hand met the glass of the mirror. “What the hell.” 

“You do an excellent job,” Winston replied with a smirk. The pair of them had barely known each other for six months and yet they already knew that they would die for her. There was just something about her that they gelled with so well. Yet they were almost immediately distracted by the sound of the noise. Their hand went to their own taser and giggled gently as they saw Blanche do the same thing. “Ha, twins.” A dull fear had settled into Winston’s bones and despite the humid and blazing heat of the early evening, Winston couldn’t help but feel a chill trickle down their spine. Spotting the kid in the mirror, Winston managed to work out where she should be and looked down at the spot to find it empty. “That’s because that isn’t real…” Winston said quietly, “I think … this is weird I think that this is just a reflection  but a reflection of you as a kid?” A bead of sweat rolled down Winston’s back and they swallowed nervously. They were about to suggest that Blanche and they make their way to the exit when they spotted what looked like a younger version of them. No, it was definitely them. They recognised the braces they’d had when they were fifteen. The thick glasses. The acne. The bulge of the inhaler in their pocket. They reached out too, instinctively, their fingers touching their reflection and causing a ripple to extend out over the surface of the mirror. It reached the edges of the mirror before spiralling back in on itself, the reflective surface beginning to creep up Winston’s finger. They tried to pull away, but they couldn’t get out of the reflection. It just kept pulling them in, the reflective mirrored surface creeping up their finger and reaching their hand. 

Blanche realized what was happening the second it started. The second the glass under her hands gave way. Her shoulders slumped, and she hardly resisted the mirror's pull. She was tired, and she wasn’t sure she had the strength to fight it off anyway. She was sucked through the mirror, and Blanche lost her balance, crumpling down to the floor. It was dark here, the only light coming from the opening in the mirrors. Blanche lay on the floor for a moment, just sitting there, before she cursed loudly and sat up. “Winston? Winston!” Blanche called for them, squinting in the darkness. She stood, brushing off her shirt and shorts with a groan. She saw a similar lump, some ways away, and she rushed over to them. “Hey, hey, you okay?” Blanche asked, kneeling down next to them. “You’re you, right??” Her words were friendly, but her tone had gone void of all emotion. Her face too, as she looked around. She was so tired of this, but now they had a job to do. She put a hand on Winston’s shoulder. “Come on, I’ll help you up.”

It didn’t take long for Winston to be dragged through the mirror and deposited into a heap on the floor. They lay there for a moment. Their glasses pressed somewhat lopsidedly against their forehead. Their face in the dirt. Pushing themselves over, they felt Blanche’s hand on their shoulder and frowned. “Thanks,” they said, allowing Blanche to pull them to their feet before dusting themselves off and checking her over to make sure she wasn’t hurt. “Yeah, don’t worry. It’s me. I fucking hate this.” Winston could fully believe that this was happening. This was White Crest anymore. They weren’t even surprised, just a little disappointed. It had been nice for a second there. “I’m okay, are you okay?” Winston asked concerned, Blanche sounded … different. “We’re gonna get out don’t worry, this is just another fun team building experience organised for us by the powers that be.” 

“Your glasses are crooked,” Blanche said, pointing. There was something building in the pit of her stomach, something she couldn’t quite identify. Blanche recognized that it was just about how she felt when she chugged half a bottle of vodka before she blacked out before high school graduation. All the pressure and everything had just been released and she just couldn’t handle it anymore. Blanche stared at Winston plainly, before shrugging. “I’m… I don’t know,” Blanche said. “I’m getting really sick of team building exercises.” She sucked in a deep breath, blinking back a few tears as she scowled at the glass that just pulled her through. It was a two way mirror, which meant she could see the outside. “I’m running into that full speed,” she announced to Winston. And then she backed up, and ran straight into the glass at full speed.There was a loud smack as she hit the glass. Not the smartest idea, but not as bad as it could have been. The material wasn’t completely hard, and it sort of bent with her before it sprung back, throwing her backwards onto the ground. “Ouch.” Blanche groaned. “‘That didn’t work.”

“Oh. Thanks.” Winston tried and failed to straighten them. Blanche looked like she was a little lost, Winston could put their finger on it but there was definitely something going on behind her eyes and Winston was dying to know what. “Yeah, me too,” Winston knew that they were honestly inches away from teetering off of the edge of a cliff and plunging into a full on nervous breakdown, “we’re fine, we’ll get through it and then leave White Crest or something.” Of course Winston was joking. There was no chance that they were going to be able to leave White Crest, not when their parents were still there and not when the town still needed them. Winston was about to protest against Blanche’s ideas when she did it without warning. Hurling herself into the mirror and then bouncing back onto the floor. Winston was by her side immediately. “Shit, that looked painful, are you okay?” they asked, before standing to their feet and moving forward to approach the mirror. “I could try and blast it with magic or something?” 

Right. Leave White Crest. How could she? Leave her friends and brother and all the people she had ever cared about in this pit of supernatural hell? Blanche couldn't even consider it. There was a time when she relished being able to go to Boston at Tufts, to get away from everyone and everything. That had quickly been overturned though, and now she was at the point where she wasn't sure she could ever truly leave White Crest. Blanche groaned in response to Winston, pushing herself up onto her elbows. “It didn't hurt like it should have,” Blanche said running a hand down her face. “The thing bends and bounces you back like a trampoline… a really hard trampoline.” She grumbled, pushing herself up onto her feet again. She looked at Winston, frowning. “I mean… sure?” Blanche said. It was worth a shot. What if it bounced back at them like a bullet ricocheting off metal? She ran her hands down her face and she gave them a shrug. “Worth a shot? I think, at least.”

The mere thought of them ever actually leaving this place was so absurd that Winston hadn’t really given it a second or even really a first thought. “You want help up?” Winston asked as she slowly got to her feet. That had looked more painful then she was letting on. Winston couldn’t blame her though. They expected that they would’ve felt the same way. “Let me see what I can do,” Winston’s initial plan was to summon just an orb of energy, it was something they’d learned with Nell. They were kind of like rocks of magic, sort of. It was complicated. The plan was to form one and throw it at the mirror. But as Winston attempted to summon their magic, they found something was different. This was the first major spell they’d attempted since the resurrection and it wasn’t even that complicated, really a simple one by all accounts. Yet Winston’s ‘energy ball’ was actually much more similar to a fire ball. It exploded against the mirror before the mirror spat it back out with a belch of fire, fortunately Winston had had the good sense to push the both of them out of the way. But they were pretty sure they had singed their eyebrows, otherwise what was the smell of burning hair from? “Well, that didn’t work.”

“Hold on, I think -” Blanche didn’t get the chance to finish when a big ball of fire burst from Winston and into the mirror… before bouncing straight back at them. Blanche blankly stared at it, sure this was it, until Winston shoved them both out of the way. “Thanks.”  Did she smell burning hair? Blanche looked up at Winston. “I guess that’s one way to get your brows done,” Blanche said, frowning. She walked up to the mirrors, and pressed hard on the surface - “What I want to know is where our reflections went,” Blanche said. The surface was hard, but it gave a little as she pushed hard on it. She turned leaning back against it with a frown. Squinting into the dark, she couldn’t tell if they were in a space where that darkness ended, or if they would hit a wall eventually. Either way, she didn’t think it was a good idea to go exploring off into the unknown, especially since their creepy reflections had been in here before. Or, well, maybe not creepy, but she hadn’t liked seeing the past. “You know, they could have picked some other memory,” Blanche said. “One that didn’t remind me of those horrible pinchy shoes.” She slid down to sit on the ground, leaning back against the mirror. “I have a knife in my purse,” Blanche pointed. “I could try to cut through it, see what happens?”

Gingerly reaching up and touching their singed face, Winston sighed and frowned. “Ever since the ritual my magic has been all fucky, and it’s always so fucking hot and my tech doesn’t work. I’m so fucking bored Blanche. Why else would I agree to go into a terrifying hall of mirrors? God I hate White Crest.” Reaching up with slender fingers, Winston tried and failed to adjust their glasses so that they were a little less lopsided. They failed dismally. But it was the thought that counted right? Nodding gently, they tapped a hand against the mirror and it reverberated gently. “There’s got to be someway out, we were pulled into the mirror and so we should be able to get out somehow. I don’t know if we can do something in the reverse?” They glanced at Blanche before shrugging. “I guess we should try the knife thing first, that seems more likely to work then whatever I can cook up.” 

Blanche frowned at the mention of their magic. “I knew something was wrong when you breathed fire. Other than the fact that you, you know, could suddenly breathe fire.” Blanche grinned at Winston weakly, resting her head against the mirror. She could feel it tingling just a bit, and she hated thinking what sort of cursed fucking magic this was. Blanche shifted to her feet again, sighing as she went and swiped up her bag. It was sort of crazy how much shit she had in it. All neatly organized - the salt, the small iron rod, taser, her wallet, and the mace. She took the mace out, checking the side of it for the lobster sticker. “Catch. That’s acid mace, we can try melting our way though too,” she said, tossing the can to them, as she pulled her small pocket knife out. She wished she hadn’t left the iron dagger Nell gave her in her purse. “What if we break it?” Blanche hummed slightly, flipping the blade out before she tried to force it into the wall. Nothing. Blanche scoffed.

“I mean, if I really try then I can breathe fire but you know elemental magic is kind of … not my forte. It’s less bad with the technomancy stuff but it’s still going fucky…” Winston hated not being entirely in control of their abilities. They also hated how drained they now felt from something they hadn’t even tried to do. It was beyond them to do anything about this now and part of them kind of just hoped that it would not be a problem long term. “Well, you didn’t break it.” Winston rummaged through their rucksack. With technology going fucky around them too they had left the majority of their stuff at home. Their laptop wasn’t here (yes they had it with them pretty much 99% of the time), their switch too, their portable charger and phone were at the bottom of the bag but Winston sure what help that would do. The small toolkit they had was there too and Winston pulled out a screw driver, tapping it against the mirror that rippled and vibrated with each impact. “I wonder if we could try and run a current through it and make it activate by literally causing an energy surge….” 

“Guess that rules out your career path from being a literal dragon,” Blanche replied flatly, but she felt the gnawing concern about Winston’s magic. “Have you talked to Nell about it?” It was sort of funny how casual she could be in this very moment. Blanche realized she should probably be flipping out by now, considering that they were trapped in a cursed mirror. The darkness loomed behind them, and she should be scared of how it felt. She wasn’t. Blanche swallowed hard, feeling weird for a moment before she let out a low sigh. “That’s a good idea,” Blanche said, pushing on the mirror with her hand. “I might be able to help with that,” she said, pushing her blue hair back out of her face as she stared hard. She hadn’t used her telekinesis since they grabbed August, since she threw a few tommyknockers into each other. “Stretch it a little, and then you run the current through it and it’ll just… break and we can get back to the other side.” Blanche glanced at Winston, suddenly a little sheepish. “But, uhhh, I might need to eat something afterwards. Or take a nap.” 

“Oh no, what will I ever do…?” Winston couldn’t help but wonder in that moment if maybe Dragons were actually real too. They couldn’t believe that they were. Surely that wasn’t something that could be hidden from the normal world. The supernatural was certainly real, but elements of fantasy like Unicorns or Dragons, well Winston wasn’t sure that was something that they were going to buy into until they had more information. “A little bit, I’ve kind of been trying to let her and Luce and Bea have some time, they’ve been through … well a lot. You know that of all people.” It was bizarre that despite everything that was going on they were having this conversation. But it wasn’t really. This was starting to become the new normal for the both of them. “Sure, we can grab milkshakes and corn dogs or I can carry you back to my car and tuck you up on the couch.” They pulled out their portable charger which vibrated angrily as soon as Winstonn touched it. Tech really hated them at the moment. Ignoring it, they prised the charger open, fiddled with a few wires, attached it to the mirror and looked at Blanche. “I’m ready whenever you are.” 

“Yeah, I know,” Blanche said, heaving a sigh. “We’ll get it sorted.” Somehow. Blanche was about to suggest Morgan, but she remembered how weird it felt discussing magic with her now that she died and presumably couldn’t use it anymore. God, everything was just fucked, wasn’t it? Lucas with his scary almost-poltergeist ghost, Winston and their magic, Nell and her arms, Luce and her heart, Bea and her head - Everything was just wrong. Why did it need to be like this? Blanche shook the thoughts off before she could spiral, shaking it off with a shake of her head. “Alright, well, I’m rooting for corn dogs and not nap time… Alright, let’s go.” Blanche centered herself, staring hard at the glass that was not quite glass. She raised her hand slightly, and tried to push from afar. At first, it didn’t work - Blanche didn’t feel anything, no strange energy released from her. So she pushed harder and harder until… there it was. The muscles in her body ached slightly from the effort, and she was fairly certain she had a bit of a headache now, but the glass pushed forward slightly. “Go, Winston,” Blanche said, squinting slightly to keep try and keep her concentration. Shit, this was harder than she thought.

The best way that Winston had found to deal with their current reality was to focus on the next immediate problem and try not to think about anything else. Like try not to think about how the hell they were meant to work as a cyber forensics technician if they weren’t able to work with tech without it at the very least sparking and sometimes even starting to smoke and explode. Gross. “Corn dogs not nap time,” Winston repeated again and again, “corn dogs not nap time.” Maybe if they said it enough then it would come true. As Blanche worked, Winston waited, trying to really center themselves as much as possible and reach that inner serenity this required. It wasn’t nearly as hard as it had been when they’d begun with magic, the practice had truly helped. Yet Winston tried to really limit the energy that they poured into the spell. The charger sparked slightly before the current expanded through the mirror. It rippled and liquified like before but Winston wasn’t going to touch it without Blanche. “Let’s do it together, on three ..” they didn’t wait for her to answer, grabbing her hand and posing themselves, “... two,” Winston took a deep breath, “... one,” it was now or never. “Now.” 

Once the mirror activated, Blanche let go groaning quietly as she ran her hands down her face. Ow. Her head hurt, and she felt like she just tried to yeet a cinder block that was way too heavy. But Blanche gripped Winston’s hand tightly when they grabbed it, perhaps a little tighter than she meant, before practically throwing themselves through the mirror. Instead of slamming against it like last time, they passed through to the otherside with little issue. “We did it,” Blanche said looking around at the dimly lit mirrored hallway. They did it. One other challenge of White Crest conquered. Blanche pressed her lips together into a thin line, shoulders slumping slightly. Should she feel excited that they made it through? Blanche glanced at her reflection, her true reflection, for a moment. She looked tired, her healing black eye yellowing along with deep dark circles from lack of sleep. God. What had she done to herself? She turned to Winston, pushing her blue hair out of her face. “Do you - Ah.” Behind their head, she could see another person in the mirror. Middle aged, with long blonde hair streaked with blue and pink piled on top of her hair. She seemed relaxed, staring at them curiously through the mirror. It took Blanche a second to realize that was her. They made eye contact, and future her opened her mouth to say something. For a moment, Blanche wanted to listen to what it was. What she had to say. Ask her what was happening - why this was happening. Why was she even here to begging with. Some semblance of an answer.  But fear gave way, and she remembered this was just a magic trick house of mirrors and it wasn’t real. That calm looking woman wasn’t her. Blanche’s hand tightened around Winston’s and she started to pull them back the way they came. “Let’s go. Don’t look at the mirrors, we’re getting away from here.” Blanche said quietly, her head pounding. 

Going through the mirror felt as weird as the first time that Winston had been through it. They had done everything right however and despite the fact that they’d left their portable charger behind in the mirror realm, they were back in White Crest proper and Winston had never been more thrilled to be back home. Winston heard Blanche’s advice about the mirrors too late. They were dusting themselves off when they spotted themselves stood there. They looked like hell. Sweat patches at their armpits, their clothes ruffled and dishevelled and their hair sticking out at odd angles every now and then. Their glasses were lopsided and their trousers had a rip in them. But then they turned to speak to Blanche and caught sight of another reflection of them. An old man with wrinkles and a bright smile, his hand wrapped around another man’s hand as laughter echoed out of his mouth though it was silent in this reality. Not sure why, Winston couldn’t help but feel relieved. They would at least be happy later on in life, even if they weren’t happy now. They couldn’t help but notice the eye in the reflection. So maybe they would never get rid of it or maybe these were trick mirrors. Winston couldn’t say for certain which it was. “Too late, but yeah, we should definitely leave this place. I’m not sure that I want to come back here … ever.” 

#p: blanche #wickedswriting #para #chatzy para #// i'm just making this after the chatzy #mirror mirror

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

Once Bitten, Twice Stupid prt 99

99

   Lance would have paid good money to go back three days to when Curtis was teasing him. He would have emptied his whole bank account and sold every possession he owned, other than Blue and Keith’s coffee book. Woken at 3am, he was on the road to Platt 5 minutes later with his heart hammering in his throat. Breaking every road rule on the back country road, he was in Platt 30minutes later and pulling into the hospital car pack 10 minutes after that thanks to bad weather and morning traffic.

  He’d happily go back to Christmas shopping and buying Shiro ugly sweaters from everyone in their friends group, including mami, Coran and Allura because he could. 10 ugly sweaters. He’d trade every millimetre of wool not to be pulling into the hospital car park. Not to be out on a stormy night that felt cold and oppressive instead of refreshed from the rain. He’d tried Keith as he’d driven, his boyfriend not picking up... because Keith had had some kind of accident. It was bad. Shiro barely holding it together on the phone call. Running into the emergency department, he tripped over his words trying to explain who he was and that his “brother-in-law” called him about his partner. Hospitals were more sympathetic towards couples who were “committed”, a load of shit in his opinion. With how loud he’d been, Shiro must have heard, a few moments later he was buzzed in much the annoyance of the triage nurse. He hadn’t meant to be rude, but Keith needed him.

  For all his panicking, he wasn’t prepared to see his banged up boyfriend. Keith scowling at the world from where he was propped up on the examination bed. He could have punched him in the dick if Keith didn’t have a massive gravel rash up his arm and along his leg. Blood in the air from the oozing sores

“You fucking idiot!”

Keith had been on his bike. Lance didn’t need to be a qualified doctor to see bad weather and a motorcycle weren’t best friends

“Babe?!”

  Keith squeaked, yeah. The fucker caught in the act. Moving away from Shiro, Lance threw his arms around Keith

“You absolute fucking idiot! Why didn’t you let Shiro fucking drive you!?”

Behind him, Shiro coughed, clearing his throat. Keith was probably shooting a desperate plea for some kind of explanation over Lance’s shoulder

“I didn’t tell him you were on your bike”

“He didn’t need to! Black leather and gravel rash! You’re a fucking moron!”

Keith hissed

“Okay... ow... okay, you’re crushing me. I’m okay...”

  Lance drew back, not at all impressed

“Well?! What do you have to say for yourself?”

“He wasn’t at fault. He got clipped by a car”

A fucking car?!

“Babe!”

Keith moved his right arm to pinch the bridge of his nose

“Okay. Stop yelling at me. I was on my way home when it happened”

“And that makes it okay?!”

“Kind of?”

Lance glared at his boyfriend who sighed, before amending his statement

“No. Look, I was being careful. Less than the speed limit. The lights went out and the car didn’t mean to actually hit me”

“You were out in the rain!”

“And right now I’m more scared of you than the accident. I’m okay”

Scared of him?! What was he in trouble for? Shiro should be the one in trouble

“Shiro was crying his eyes out! He could barely tell me what happened!”

  “Shiro, what did you tell him?”

Keith scowled at his brother, Lance didn’t want Shiro in trouble but the man had fucking scared him

“The ambulance brought you in. I called him when I arrived, but you were still in X-ray at the time”

An ambulance brought Keith in?! Wait... that was logical. A normal person in an accident would go to hospital via ambulance...

  “Mister Kogane?”

A young nurse in scrubs stood holding Keith’s chart, Keith nodding at his name

“Yeah?”

Brightly the nurse smiled at them. She’d probably already been on shift way too long... Lance couldn’t be in the medical profession. Not only thanks to the blood thing, his and the patients, but he’d be crying his eyes out cleaning a patient’s wounds, never mind how he’d act if something actually worse happened

“I’m here to clean your wounds up. If your visitor’s would like to wait in our family visiting room, I’ll get started”

Keith looked at Shiro, then to him, then back to Shiro. Keith didn’t want to be alone... but didn’t want to hurt his feelings for choosing Shiro to remain with him. Lance making the choice for him

“I’ll wait there. You know, blood and stuff...”

“Okay... you’re not leaving though...”

“Nope. I’ll be right down the hall. Been here with Mami enough times to know this place”

  He gave Keith a small smile, trying to reassure him, before heading to the visitors room near the emergency doors where the ambulances would dock. He was still shaking in shock. Sitting in the old and well used sofa in the corner of the room, Lance drew his knees up, resting his chin on his left knee as he closed his eyes. He felt jumpy. Ready to run a marathon... and then some. He could have lost Keith, all thanks to someone’s bad driving. Shiro should have fucking called him to let him know Keith was alive. He’d... hearing Keith was in accident... he was so fucking scared.

  He’d only been talking to Mami about Keith yesterday. She’d only been teasing him, well, her and Matt had been teasing him, as Matt listened in on his phone call. He wanted to tell Keith that he loved him. Calmly. Uninfluenced. Properly. Not mumbled or without thinking thanks to the fact that he loved his boyfriend. He wanted to tell Keith under the stars at the cabin. Cheesy as hell. Camping seemed so far away... and he’d definitely known he was in love Keith for a while now. His Mami had told him not to wait, but Lance didn’t want him to feel pressured.

  He wanted his Mami and his boyfriend. He felt sick and scared, desperately in need of her warm loving hands and soft cuddles. The Emergency Department was filled with feelings and shadows just out of sight. How he’d remembered his glasses he wasn’t sure. Fuck... If Mami was here than he’d be able to breathe again. She loved Keith. Keith, who’d supposed to kill her “baby boy”. They hadn’t seen her together since the morning after she’d slept over. She’d been up and making pancakes by the time Lance had roused, doting on Matt and Shiro, as Pidge held her coffee cup like her it was the only thing keeping her alive. She’d made so many pancakes, so happy to be in the kitchen, shooing off his worry and instance he should be making her breakfast. They’d talked on the phone. Lance planned to see her on the weekend, but got carried away planning the extension to the brickwork in his yard... this morning Keith could have died without seeing her again and it would have been because of some stupid bricks. Lance had driven her back to Platt, with a car sick Keith in the back, his Mami smiling like a school girl with dozen mixed roses in her lap.

  Keith fitted. He fitted into his family. He was the piece of the puzzle that filled a long empty spot. What if something worse was happening to Keith on the inside? Breaks and secret bleeds happening. Had Keith hit his head? Was he wearing his helmet? Was his bike alright? Keith really loved his motorbike. He didn’t want it taken away and crushed if they could fix it for him. As fear smacked him in the face, Lance started crying again. He wanted to be the one Keith wanted with him... but he and Shiro were brothers. The pain they felt when either of them were hurt was something he wasn’t in on. He felt so fucking stupid for thinking like that.

     Lance was still crying when Shiro came to fetch him. His body shaking harder than before from the invisible chill in the air. Sitting down beside him, Shiro wrapped his arms around him

“He’s okay. No fractures”

“Internal bleeding? Did he hit his head?”

“He’s off for another scan now they’ve cleaned him up. I think his pride was hurt more than anything”

Shiro didn’t say “no”

“That stupid anger loaf! Why’d he have to be in an accident!”

“These things unfortunately happen. We’re lucky he seems to be okay”

“Seems to be! He could have died... it’s not enough time... six isn’t enough time to love him. I can’t lose him!”

  Shiro kissed his hair. Lance not used to it, though he was sure that Keith’s habit had been learnt from his older brother

“He’s going to be okay, kiddo”

“I can’t... I thought... I thought he was going to be dead and that’d be the end of... of everything”

“He had his leather on, and his helmet...”

“And sometimes that’s not enough... I can’t bring him back if something happens to him. I can’t do it. What good am I when I can’t help him?”

He couldn’t rob Keith of his warmth. Of his life. That was assuming he’d survive the bite. Shiro was firm, not mean or scolding firm, but kind of firm a dad used on their chin

“Lance, you are not to blame. You weren’t driving the car. The driver was beside themselves. They called it in, and he was brought straight here. He’s going to be to be sore and cranky, but he’s going to be okay”

  The vampire felt absolutely miserable. Shiro wasn’t keeping away the cold and the shadows. Those fuzzy grey things just out view were still just of view

“I love him... I love him so much... we... we made it a month. A month and then this happens. Why does it have to happen to him? Why couldn’t it have been me?”

“Keith would be asking the same question, if it had been”

That’s because under everything Keith was the softest and sweetest anger loaf around. He was every bit the emo edge lord he looked like. All dark and violently beautiful on the outside with unicorns and cotton candy on the inside

“But I would have healed... I... feel like I’m going to be sick... It looked so painful...”

  Lance moved his hand to his mouth to stop himself throwing up on Shiro. He could see the bits of leather and bitumen in the wound. Shiro rubbed his arm

“They’re going to give him pain meds, as well as pain meds and antibiotics to take home. I wish he wasn’t this bad, but this is hardly the first time he’s been in hospital. He’ll be okay. He’s awake and lucid. He knows who we are and where he is. He knows what happened”

   Keith should have gotten checked after he’d fallen off the fucking roof. Maybe something was still was still wrong from falling? He couldn’t see Keith getting into accident. He just couldn’t see it. If he’d been calmer he would have, seeing the Keith’s bike was a death trap on wheels. He didn’t get how Keith got cleaned up. He said the car wasn’t going fast, but the gravel rash said he’d skidded. Head trauma may cause some memory loss and confusion. Full amnesia like in the movies didn’t exist. No one forgot their whole life and woke up a stranger. That was just a plot device used to make the masses sympathise. Stress did crazy things to the memory too...

  “I’m sorry I’m being like this...”

Shiro had to be as messed up inside as he was, and now he was making it all about him

“He scared the fuck out of me too”

“It’s like... like... the worst feeling ever”

Shiro nodded in agreement

“Yeah, it never gets any easier. He’ll be grumpy for a day or three, but he’ll heal”

“I know that logically... but... I can’t stop shaking”

“It’s not the best way to wake up”

“No. Next time you call me I want better news”

Shiro snorted

“I can arrange that”

  Shiro moved around him, Lance’s phone started vibrating in his pocket

“Are you ringing me?”

“I don’t know. Am I?”

Drawing back from Shiro, Lance fumbled his phone out his pocket, already knowing it was Shiro as he slid his thumb across the screen before holding it to his ear

“Lance, it’s Shiro. Keith was in accident tonight. He came off his bike, but he’s awake and he’s going to be okay. A few grazes and his pride is dented, but he’s okay, kiddo”

  A wobbly grateful smile came to Lance’s lips. Shiro hanging up. That was better news, still not great news, but better than the scare he’d had the first time around

“You’re such a dad”

Shiro snorted with a smile on his lips

“I’ve been told. You sure you’re ready for a cranky Keith? He’s got to take it easy for a few days”

“Yeah... I can deal with his cranky... um... is... it okay if I’m there?”

He hadn’t even asked permission to come home with them. Keith and Shiro might not even want or need him around

“Of course it is. I’m not babysitting a cranky Keith. He throws things”

“I feel like those are knives”

“Sometimes. Sometimes coffee cups. Usually it’s whatever’s closest”

“Maybe we can distract him with Kosmo?”

“Or I can distract him with you”

“Great. So you’re sacrificing me to the angry Keith god?”

“Someone’s got to do it”

    *

Keith didn’t want to be carried, Lance didn’t give him an option. Shiro took his car to VOLTRON, so Lance drove them extra carefully and very paranoidedly home. Carrying Keith in, his boyfriend did the alarm code, before Lance carried him through to his room. He physically couldn’t let Keith go. He was so scared Keith would slip away if he did. Laying him down on his bed, Keith hissed slightly, Lance jumping back thinking he’d hurt him. With a sigh, his boyfriend waved his non-bandaged arm

“I’m fine”

“I’m... sorry”

Keith softened

“Babe, I’m fine. A bit busted but okay. You’re shaking still”

  Lance nodded, hugging himself tightly. He wanted to grab Keith back up again

“Don’t look at me like that, come back here”

Tentatively Lance sat on the edge of Keith’s bed

“That’s not coming back here. Come back here properly”

Forcing himself to move to lay beside Keith, Keith huffed

“I’m not going to fucking break if you touch me”

Three comments in a row now, he felt bad about needing Keith’s reassurance

“I’m sorry... I don’t want to hurt you”

“You’re hurting me more by not being yourself”

How was meant to be himself?

“I can’t... babe... I thought... I thought I’d... I thought you were dead”

“Hey, I’m not dead. It was small accident”

“It couldn’t have been that small if you’re so grazed!”

  Keith sat up, hugging him around the waist with his good arm

“I slid. I covered my head with both arms. I’m trained to react... I didn’t get hit by the car full on. It clipped my bike. It was an accident. You don’t think I’d really leave you alone, do you”

“Not willingly...”

“Good. Now come cuddle me. Work was shit and I’ve missed you”

Lance turned his head, kissing the corner of Keith’s lips... It wasn’t enough... Not for either of them it seemed as Keith pulled him back, Lance turning into the kiss winding up holding himself over his boyfriend. Now was not the time to be getting horny, but he was so fucking relieved Keith was alive.

  A little over eager to show his relief, Keith broke the sting of hungry kisses

“Babe...”

“I’m sorry... I don’t think I can stop”

Keith stared up at him, those galaxy eyes of his filled with love

“I don’t think I can calm down. God. When you came into the hospital... all panicked, I started panicking too... I kept thinking what if had been worse... what would I say to you if it had been. Who’d be there with you...”

Now wasn’t the time for a confession but he had to say it

“Keith... I... I love you. I’m in love with you. I’m not saying this because I nearly lost you... but I love you. I love you so fucking much. Mami said I should just tell you and I wanted to do something special and I can’t stop... I can’t stop loving you. I’ve known you for six months now and it’s not enough. It’s not... because I...”

Working himself up, he didn’t get why Keith was smiling. Was he laughing at him? Laughing at him for being so stupid?

“... what? Why are you smiling?”

Keith snorted a pretty unsexy sound. Raising his arm, he wrapped it around Lance’s back

“Because I love you. I’ve... I mean, you’ve said it before but now you’re hear and you’re telling me... I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have you. It’s okay if you can’t calm down... just go slow... and we’ll work things out together”

  He was meant to be the cool one. Keep his composure and be the adult. But all of that went out the window with Keith around

“I love you”

“I love you, too”

Leaning down, the kiss was the kind of kiss that only Keith could give him. The kind of kiss he’d given a hundred times before that made him feel so fucking special. He wanted to shower his lover in affection. Monopolise all those parts that made up Keith and show him that no one in the world was like him or made him feel this way

“I want you”

“Good, because these scrubs aren’t doing anything for me”

“Let me do something about that”

“I’m all yours... but mind the bandages”

   Stripping Keith down, his nails had lengthened, proving useful against the fabric of the scrubs Keith had been sent home in. They’d cut through his pants, thanks to the leather in his grazes. His jacket in tatters, but it’d saved him by being more protective than normal jeans and a shirt. Stripping off his own clothes, they landed somewhere in the bedroom, neither of them caring as he sank between Keith’s legs. He couldn’t go slow, but he could give Keith pleasure. Kissing Keith’s inner thighs, his boyfriend’s hand rested on his head.

  The smell of the hospital and antiseptic still hung to his boyfriend and Lance was determined to change that. Keith was his. His precious boyfriend that he treasured. Sinking his lips down his boyfriend’s erection, he was careful of his teeth, enjoying the moan Keith let out and knowing he was the only one who got to do this. Drawing back, his eyes were on Keith, his boyfriend’s eyes meeting his, making him feel bolder. The saltiness of Keith’s sweat and precum filled his mouth, such a dirty act that lovers did. Keith gave an amazing blowjob, Lance wanting to do the same, keeping his gaze on Keith as he bobbed his head, enjoying himself watching. Between his legs, Lance felt himself growing wet. Felt the need for Keith, but first he wanted to make him cum. Wanted to make Keith feel amazing.

  Blowing Keith wasn’t enough for him, he wanted more of his lover. Careful not to hurt him, he nudged Keith onto his good side, before sliding up to bury his face in his arse. Keith didn’t like penetrative sex, but he did like this. He couldn’t use his fingers, nails too sharp and he’d never risk cutting him if he could help it. Moans bled into more moaning. Keith gasping softly as his tongue went from teasing his opening to slipping into Keith’s heat

“Shit, babe...”

When Keith went to move his hand to his erection, Lance caught it, interlacing their fingers as he delved as deep as he could. It was different with Keith, his lover didn’t grow wet, their tastes completely different, even if the act was the same

“Shit... Babe... let me touch you... I’m... I need too...”

If Keith wanted to come that badly, he’d let him. He moved both their hands to Keith’s neglected erection, pumping lightly enough to send Keith over with a nasally grunt.

  Rolling his spent boyfriend back, Lance licked their hands clean. Before licking Keith clean. Keith panting slightly, arm across his eyes, sweat across his skin. Straddling Keith’s lap, his boyfriend moved his arm

“Babe? I can smell you”

Lance blushed, trying not to grind against his boyfriend. His hands on Keith’s chest as he watched him

“This isn’t about me...”

“Isn’t this about both of us...?”

“You’re tired. I just want to hold you”

Sliding his hands up, he wrapped his hands over Keith’s shoulders as he laid his head against Keith’s chest

“I can feel how wet you are...”

“It’s alright...”

Lance nuzzled into Keith’s warmth. The cold dread of the hospital chased away

“Mhmm... maybe... I know I can’t do much right now, but I want you... I want to have sex with the man I love”

“I don’t want to hurt you...”

“And I’m not made of glass... I love you, Lance”

  Lance lifted his head, Keith smiling at him again. Dopey from his high and probably the pain meds they’d given him before sending him home. Lance was literally trying his hardest not to lift his arse and practically hump Keith like a fucking rabbit. He was so fucking happy. Happy. Exhausted. Relieved. Horny... and most of all loved... surging up, his lips found Keith’s. Heated kisses sweeping reason away. He loved this man so fucking much.

#once bitten twice stupid #ashratherose #oncebittentwicestupid #klance #keith #lance #mpreg #bottom lance #top keith #vld au #vld

[blazerina]

angst with ethan that ends all cute and snuggly

Okay girl - here’s some angst that ends snuggly, but I know it’s definitely not 100% in line with what you had in mind when you requested this. 

Open Heart // Ethan Ramsey x Allie Valentine (MC)

author’s note: this is kind of sad – not sure where it came from but it made me get a li’l emo at the end…sorry I can’t write fluff anymore…I don’t know what’s wrong with me!

word count: 3084

summary: ethan struggles within himself to figure out his true feelings for allie (MC).

--

Ethan was angry. His normally brisk pace was even faster today as he made his rounds and checked on his patients. He felt how stiff he was holding his own neck and shoulders when he bent down to get a drink of water from the fountain next to the nurses’ station.  He knew their desk was the “gossip hub” of Edenbrook and today was no different. The chattering. The whispering. The laughing. Everything had him on edge. Even the orderlies and interns seemed to be cackling about something. He was pretty sure he knew what it was.  He had to get out of there.

Instead of eating on his lunch break, he decided to go for a quick run. He had a favorite path through the park, about a block from the hospital, that he followed countless times before. It was always his “go to” lunchtime activity when he felt extra tense, or too stressed to eat a decent meal.  

He opted out of using his ear buds this time.  He wanted to clear his head without a distraction. That seemed to be his problem lately – he was too distracted.  He was longing for the days when all he had to worry about was himself; when he could focus on his patients and his work while he was at the hospital, and then go home or do whatever he pleased in his free time. It felt like forever since he had the freedom to just be. All his spare time, every waking moment, his head and his mind were filled with thoughts of her.

Ethan’s muscles knew the way having run that trail so many times before, it was as if his body’s memory took over, leading him around every bend and up and down every hill. The energy built up inside of him made him feel like he could run it five times over. He wanted to keep going…and going…and going.

Regrettably, lately he even noticed that he was slipping when it came to his patients. He had missed obvious details in a case a few days ago.  That never happens.  Not to Doctor Ethan Ramsey.  This really could only be explained by his intense focus on one fact - he never expected her to be so cold.

When he told her that what they had was in the past and they had to be professional now, he thought it would be easier than this. He expected her to pout or sulk, maybe look for excuses to see him or manufacture moments that would ensure subtle and secret exchanges with each other, but she always remained steadfast.

It was as if as soon as the word professional was uttered, Allie was shut down and turned off. The Allie he knew and had fallen in love with, ceased to exist.  She was a damn good doctor and still relied on him to be her mentor and guide, especially now that she was working with him on his team, but something was different. The look in her eye was distant, she steadied herself and steeled herself in a way that surprised him more than he cared to admit.

There were moments he wanted to linger, especially when they found themselves alone with each other, but just as he had asked, she kept it professional.  And that’s what it would take for both of them to continue to be successful. This is what proper and honorable medical professionals did – they put everyone else first and resolved within themselves to make sacrifices on behalf of the greater good.

As Ethan slowed up his jog, returning to the hospital, he was more out of breath than normal.  He checked his own pulse and realized it was much higher than he was used to on one of these more simple runs. Rolling his eyes, he was still frustrated with himself, especially as he remembered the newest buzz he’d been hearing all morning from the gossip mill.  With a heavy sigh, he moved quickly to the locker room and showered. His plan was to hunker down in his office the rest of the afternoon and hope he wouldn’t be bothered.

--

It wasn’t long before a quick knock on his office door, disturbed him from his thoughts. He had read and re-read the same line in the medical journal he was studying, at least 4 times.  

“Come in.” He barked, more forceful than he intended.

“Ethan – there you are – hiding in here again today?” Naveen beamed, appearing in the doorway as bubbly as ever, reminding Ethan of a male version of the fairy godmother in Cinderella.

Naveen’s voice sing-songed like a nursery rhyme and he seemed extra cheery for some reason. Ethan suspected he had also heard the rumors, but didn’t feel emotionally capable of handling a deep, honest, raw conversation with his mentor and friend today.

“Cut the crap, Naveen. What do you want?” He snarled, opening a drawer and pulling out his glasses. He pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a long sigh, before putting them on.

Naveen’s brow furrowed as he crossed his arms over his chest and studied his protégé. Looking over his shoulder to ensure Ethan’s office door was closed, he moved closer to his desk and looked down his nose at him, waiting in silence for Ethan to speak again.

“Look – I know I’m being short and you’re going to lecture me, but can we do this some other time? Frankly, I’m not in the mood.”

“There are days I’m not in the mood either, but I don’t go around treating everyone like second-class citizens.” Naveen chided.

“Are you going to tell me what the problem is?” He sighed and settled into one of the dark leather lounge chairs facing Ethan’s desk.

Ethan rolled his eyes and removed his glasses after letting the journal fall to his desk with a loud smack.

“Don’t you have more important work to do? You’ve gone and left me high and dry to deal with this “situation…” Ethan made quotation marks in the air, “on my own, so I’ll just take it from here.”

He huffed, clearly agitated, but looking Naveen in the eye.

Remaining calm and completely unphased by Ethan’s theatrics, Naveen replied, “Excuse me. I left you high and dry you say? Ethan, need I remind you that YOU are the one who left for two months, completely unannounced and unexplained.  So, who exactly left who?”

Ethan was not expecting him to push back with such logic. Defiantly, he pushed himself away from his desk and stood up.

“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing. This has been a well thought through plan that you’ve been watching unfold right before your eyes, even as far back as the hospital bed I kept you alive on in quarantine, months ago.”

“You and Dr. Valentine kept me alive, just want to correct you there.” Naveen chuckled, pointing out the one person, or situation, that Ethan did not want to discuss.

“Dammit Naveen, I said not now. I don’t have time for this.” Ethan walked towards the large glass window that overlooked the park where he ran a few hours earlier. He wished he was still there.

“Ethan…” Naveen, cleared his throat, “If I may…”

“You may not.”

Ignoring Ethan, Naveen kept going.

“For someone who relies so heavily on the facts of any given situation to lead you to the truth, you are making an awful lot of assumptions.”

Ethan fixed his gaze outside, not wanting Naveen to see any hint of emotion or feeling. He couldn’t let the man know he might be right.

A silence settled over the two men, hanging in the air that now felt pretty thick between them.

Quietly, Naveen offered, “With Harper this was never an issue. Why does this professional situation appear to be causing so much strife now?”

Ethan closed his eyes and inhaled slowly. Snapshots of Allie flashed in his mind. He didn’t have a good answer. Words failed him at trying to explain this “situation” to anybody.

“It’s different and you know it.” He grumbled, turning away from the window to face his friend.

“She…she has made her choice. I wasn’t so sure, but now it’s clear to me.” Ethan explained. “Everyone’s been talking about it all damn day, Naveen.  Haven’t you heard? She’s found someone else.”

--

Later that evening, Ethan was absentmindedly scrolling through shows on his television while nursing a beer.  Dejectedly, he sat on the couch, totally bored and disgusted with his current state. It wasn’t like him to recoil into himself like this. To sulk in his home and be full of self-pity. He hated what he had become. What she had done to him. What he had done to himself.

Smeone rapped on his front door loudly and suddenly, pulling Ethan from his thoughts, causing him to jump.

“Christ!” He cursed as he realized some beer had gotten onto his shirt. He glanced at the clock.

“11:17? What the hell?” Not bothering to look through the peephole, assuming it was a drunk college student at the wrong apartment AGAIN, he opened the door ready to give the person on the other side a very heated dressing-down.

He swung open the door and had to do a double take, not believing that Allie was actually the one in front of him.

“Are you insane?” He blurted out.

“Good to see you too. Can I come in? We need to talk.”

“Clearly.” Ethan held the door open wide enough for her to get by and then slammed it shut.

Allie whirled around with an angry look in her eye, referencing the way he banged the door closed.

“I didn’t mean for that to…be so hard…I just…” He sighed, already exasperated from the emotional ups and downs of his day.

“Look, I won’t drag this out or anything, but I need to know if this is what you want.”

Ethan was still reeling from all the beer he consumed, believing that Allie was actually in his living room, and also the fact that she was talking to him, not at the hospital, about what appeared to be…their relationship.

“Sorry – I’m not sure I follow…?”

“This.” Allie gestured to the large space between the two of them. “Did you spill something on your shirt?”

“I did.” He nodded. “Go on, Dr. Valentine.”

He crossed his arms over his chest to one, cover up the stain and two, show her he wouldn’t be intimidated. But why did he do that? Why did he bristle every time she was around? Why did he force himself to act like a pompous, arrogant, jackass whenever she challenged him? This wasn’t the way it had always been. Back to Naveen’s point earlier: what was different?

“Are you pleased, Dr. Ramsey? With this arrangement? Have I been professional enough for you?” Allie used air quotes when she said the word professional.

“I suppose I’d say I’m satisfied with how things are progressing, professionally,” Ethan emphasized, “however, it’s only been a few weeks so I don’t know that I can give a full review of my thoughts on the matter entirely.”

“Ethan.” Allie squared up to him and faced him head on, also crossing her arms over her chest.

“You know what I mean. Quit playing games.”

He swallowed hard. He knew that there were very few people in his life who cared about him enough to call him on his BS. Allie was one of them.

Relaxing a little bit, Ethan walked to the kitchen and Allie tentatively followed him.  Sitting down on a stool near the bar, Ethan reached into a cabinet for some glasses and offered her some water.

“No thanks, I won’t be here long.”

Ethan poured some bottled, sparkling water into a glass with some ice and took a sip. He leaned back against the counter and asked, “What are you doing here, Allie? What is it that you’re wanting…really?”

“I’m wanting to know if this is how it’s going to be.”

“How what’s going to be?”

“You’re gonna make me say it aren’t you?” She asked, a mixture of shock and sadness falling on her face.

“You are impossible.” Allie muttered under her breath before sighing and slapping her hands on her thighs.

“US – Ethan! I’m talking about US.  You and me. Is this how you want it? The professional thing. Me saying yes sir and you giving me the cold shoulder and US pretending that there never was an US.”

He wanted to speak. He wanted to say something but he had no idea what would come out if he opened his mouth so he didn’t. He kept quiet and let her continue.

“I don’t understand why you’re making this so difficult.” She stood up.

“I never should have come. I’ve been trying so hard to do the right thing, to be the good doctor who doesn’t let her feelings get in the way of anything…” Allie started moving towards the door when Ethan finally spoke.

“I heard about you and Bryce. Today. At the hospital. You have someone else now, someone better suited for you, someone who can give you the attention, the care, the relationship you want and deserve.”

Allie stopped in her tracks.

“There is no me and Bryce…” She turned around to face him. “At least not…yet and I don’t really know if that even really is a thing or not but I had to talk to you because I don’t…I can’t…”

“Move on.” Ethan finished the sentence for her, but his words sounded more like an instruction.

“Move on, Allie. It’s for the best.”

“Just like that?” She questioned, tears beginning to form in her eyes. “You can cut it all off that easily? Did it…did I really not mean that much to you?”

“This isn’t about me.” Ethan started, feeling himself about to ramble.

What a lie he was spinning. Everything was about him. The way he responded to Naveen. The way he treated the few people in his life he was closest to. His anger. All his emotion. The jogging. The isolating. This was all about him and he knew it. His choices had gotten him into this mess. There was only one clear way out.

“I want this to be about you and what’s best for you and your future.  You need to do your best to put whatever it is about us that you focus on…behind you…”

“I just want you to admit that it’s hard.” The emotion in Allie’s eyes and voice was enough to drive Ethan to his knees.

“After all we shared together and how vulnerable we’ve been with one another, why can’t you just admit that it’s not that simple? It’s not that easy to just walk away?” She questioned.

“I don’t know why. But I can’t. I can’t give in to my emotions on a whim. I must stay calculated and measured and have some semblance of order to my life, Allie.  I cannot live in chaos.”

Ethan paced a few times in the quiet as Allie studied him, letting out a sigh or two of her own.  He settled on the couch and grabbed the remote, about to turn the volume up on the television.

“You’re welcome to stay if you’d like…but I don’t have a lot more to say on this subject.”

His jaw tightened, every muscle in his face clenched. Ethan was afraid with one more word he’d let the dam inside him burst wide open and there’d be no going back. He had to think about her. He had to put her first for once, and not be selfish. As hard as it was, he had to willingly push her into someone else’s arms.

“I’ve always trusted you, you know.” Allie said, sitting down next to him on the couch.

“Allie…” Ethan tried to interrupt her, whining a little and giving away his agitation with her. He did not want to hear her appeal.

“I trust you now, too. And if you really, truly think that me trying to move on…with Bryce…” she paused, watching his face for a reaction.

“…is what I should do…then I’ll do it. I’ll move on.  And I’ll make you proud of me and we’ll be part of the best damn diagnostics team in the country. I trust you that much. I’ve always looked to you for guidance and direction. This is no different.”

A strange peace settled over Ethan. He didn’t like and couldn’t even entertain the thought of Allie being with Bryce, but it was better than her still hurting or being sad about him. He could handle never getting over their relationship; but he couldn’t handle it if she still held on.  

This morning he had been wishing for her to not be so cold. He wanted her to want him again. Here she was in front of him, letting those walls down and he couldn’t do it. Maybe he missed the secret. Maybe he wanted something that was just for the two of them. Hand brushes here and there; looks across the table only meant for one another. The thrill of sneaking out of her apartment before her roommates got up…

It was all those things and more. He didn’t miss the game completely although he had to admit it was fun. More fun with her than anything ever was with Harper…but really, when it all came down to it, he just missed her.

“I think that’s a wise decision.” He sat up a little straighter and looked into her eyes. “Go for it. You deserve to be happy.”

Allie nodded, accepting his wisdom while biting her lip and looking at the floor.

“You said I could stay…” she offered moving closer to him.  She put her head on his shoulder and reached for his hand.

Allie placed Ethan’s arm around her shoulder and looked up at him. “I just want this…one more time.”

Ethan closed his eyes and inhaled slowly, taking in the feeling of her next to him. The smell of her shampoo mixed with her makeup. Her dark red hair resting beneath his stubbled chin. Her hazel eyes sparkling and looking up at him as if he had given her the world, when all he’d really done is crush it.

He tightened his grip around her and thought to himself:

I just want this too.

But couldn’t bring himself to say it.