#if someone says they need the funding these groups are happy to do everything in their power to work with them | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

fookinavocadosman · 1 year

Text

episode 2: jealousy jealousy {HS}

y/n and harry grow closer after their second night but will something or someone completely derail their progress?

warnings: drama. literally this whole chapter is just drama.

word count: 3.3k

A few days have passed since Harry and I’s rule break and no one has found out. The day after it happened I was on edge all day waiting for Lana to call Harry and me out but instead, she called out Riley and Niall who just so happened to have been doing naughty stuff around the same time as us but they were more obvious about it getting caught.

Thank God we didn’t get caught though because Niall’s handjob and kiss cost the group $7000. Since then the rules have been broken more and more and the prize fund now stands at $82,000.

Liam got caught jacking off, Kate and Zayn had a make-out session, and lastly, Harry dared Louis and Niall to kiss losing us another 3k. In the past 5 days we have lost a total of $15,000, and some people aren’t too happy. And by some people, I mean Harry and I.

Harry and I have been really good about not breaking the rules. It’s been really fucking difficult but we haven’t broken the rules since that second night. Harry and I have also been getting closer to each other since we talked after that second night.

The light is bright as I wake up, my eyes fluttering open to see Harry already looking at me. At some point during the night I had turned around in his hold and my hands lay lightly on his naked chest right below his sparrow tattoos.

“Morning. How’d you sleep?” He asks me, his voice raspy from not being used. I hum stretching my legs slightly as I take in a deep breath, his scent engulfing me.

“Good, how about you?” He chuckles brushing the hair that fell in front of my face to behind my ear.

“Good, after I got everything under control.” He smirks at me and I feel a blush creep up on my cheeks burying my head into his chest.

“Sorry about that.” I mumble into his chest and he chuckles again his chest vibrating against my forehead.

“Nothing to be sorry about babe, I did it to myself.” His hand brushes up and down my arm and we lay in a comfortable silence until I lift my head looking up at him. I am about to say something but I peek my head up looking around to see everyone else in their own worlds and our microphones are on the table out of range to hear our conversation. I lean into Harry whispering.

“I really did enjoy last night but we need to be careful, we can’t be breaking any more rules.” I pull my head back to look at his reaction. He smiles at me nodding his head in agreement.

“Yeah, promise no more rule breaks.” He holds his pinky out to me and I smile wrapping my pinky around his. He kisses my forehead before getting out of bed and stretching.

“Time to seize the day my lady.” He smiles at me, leaving me alone in bed.

Today is going to be interesting. We have a workshop today and everyone has been wondering about what it’s based on since Lana announced it to us before we got ready this morning. When we are all finished getting ready we head down to the grassy area and see a woman in a blue jumpsuit waiting for us. There are platforms with what looks to be a thin mattress and ropes on top of it and everyone looks confused.

We all get in line to say hello to the woman and we learn her name is Nicole while she directs us to stand with our partners. I thankfully get placed with Harry while Louis and Ava get placed to the left of us and Zayn and Sage get placed to the right of us. The other pairs are Riley and Niall, and Liam and Kate. We all stand on the platforms as Nicole explains to us what we are doing today.

We are doing Shibari which she says is to improve intimacy and trust in relationships. Harry leans down picking up the rope, unraveling it, and playing with it. I observe his hands as he plays with the rope wrapping it around his hands before stopping and doing it all over again. I feel a tingle run through me as I watch him but I shake my head stopping the thoughts running through my mind.

I focus back on Nicole as she explains what she wants us to do. She wants someone to be the one being tied up and the other doing the tying. Harry looks at me asking which one I want to be but I shrug my shoulders.

“Uh, I’ll get tied up since I don’t know how to do any of the tying.” I tell him and he raises his eyebrow at me while nodding.

“You’ve never tied anyone up before?” He asks me and I shake my head.

“No I’ve been tied up once but that was about it.” I explain to him and he nods coming to stand in front of me.

“Alright, just let me know if you’re uncomfortable and I’ll stop.” He tells me looking at me with a serious look and I nod.

“Good. Now put your hands in front of you, wrists together.” He orders me and I obey immediately holding my wrists out to him. He skillfully wraps the rope around my wrists making sure that they aren’t too tight on me but also aren’t loose. He has me tug it a few times before smiling in satisfaction. He drops the rope and moves around behind me his chest pressing against my back.

“Back straight, chin up.” he whispers in my ear as he reaches around to my front pulling the ropes to my back. He takes the ropes bringing one side over the opposite shoulder making an x form across my chest with my hands being raised to sit right on my sternum. He walks back around admiring his work smirking when he makes eye contact with me.

“You’re breathing’s a bit heavy. You okay?” He teases me and I dry swallow nodding my head. “Yeah. Yup. Everythings a okay.” I say though it sounds like I’m trying to convince myself. I shuffle a bit on my feet as Harry continues to eye fuck me. He steps forward undoing the knots and freeing me letting me move my hands around a bit.

I look around seeing some being hog-tied, others are keeping it simple by just tying their partner’s hands in front of their body, and then we have Zayn and Sage who are fighting and wanting nothing to do with each other while Nicole tries to reason with them. Harry hands the ropes to me and I grab them nervously. He kneels looking up at me before smiling.

“Come on I’ll teach you.” He smiles motioning for me to kneel and I do so we're now on the same level. He instructs me on how to tie his wrists together correctly step by step. My eyebrows are furrowed in concentration as I bite my tongue while forming the knots. Every once in a while my eyes flit up to meet his as he talks, his voice deep and mellow causing a shiver to run through me each time. When I finally finish I observe my work smiling.

“I did it.” I smile up at him and he sends me a soft smile.

“You did.” He whispers. We observe each other sitting silently and taking in the moment before we’re snapped out of it by laughs. I look around to see Louis has hog-tied Ava and is holding her up by the ropes like a duffle bag. Everyone is laughing and I turn back to Harry seeing a dimple pop out.

“I didn’t know you had a dimple.” I say and he turns towards me smiling again.

“Uh yeah, it only pops out every once in a while.” He smiles at me the dimple still prominent. The workshop comes to a close and everyone seems to have had a good time, except for Zayn and Sage. We all do our own things for the rest of the day before getting ready for the night. Before we can settle in for the night we get told we have to meet at the cabana so everyone begrudgingly heads down. Lana dings once we all settle in and I let out a sigh.

“Hello.” She says and we all murmur our hellos before she continues.

“There was a breach of the rules and money has been deducted from the prize fund.” She announces and everyone groans.

“Who was it this time?” Kate asks everyone and we all look at each other not saying anything. I look at Harry worried that what we did has finally come out.

“You have lost $3,000. The prize fund now stands at $79,000.” Lana announces and I let out a sigh of relief knowing that we weren’t found out. Everyone starts pointing fingers and defending themselves but no one is admitting to anything. After no one admitting anything, Kate leaves the group heading back to the house.

We all sit in silence waiting for Lana to speak up but she doesn’t say anything more. I sigh getting up and leaving the cabana ready to go to bed. I change into comfy clothes and lay down closing my eyes to sleep. I stir slightly when Harry gets into bed but he quietly shushes me telling me to go back to sleep and I listen, escaping to my dreams.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today has been awful. Everyone has decided to have beef with someone today after last night’s announcement that two people broke the rules and I am getting annoyed.

Liam and Sage have been pointing the finger at me and Harry and have been trying to get everyone else to turn on us. At this point, I just want whoever it was to reveal themselves because I’m getting to the point where I will smack the next bitch that points a finger at me.

I head over to one of the chairs on the beach laying myself down to soak up the sun. I listen to the waves crash against the shore and take in the smell of the sea.

“Hey Y/N!” I hear someone yell and I lift my head seeing Ava and Riley coming toward me.

“Hey girls.” I smile at them and they sit down on the chairs next to me getting comfy.

“Who do you guys think broke the rules?” Riley speaks up after a while of silence and I sigh.

“I have no idea but I’m about ready to smack the next person that points their finger at me and Harry.” I tell them and they laugh.

“I mean Liam was acting really suspicious when it came out but I just can’t think of who he’d kiss.” Ava brings up and I shrug.

“It doesn’t matter the truth will come out soon.” I say and they hum in agreement. Throughout the day people bicker and argue while some relish in each other’s company. Eventually, Kate summons us all back to the cabana and once we're all gathered she speaks up.

“We need to find out who broke the rules once and for all.” And everyone stays quiet, clearly not wanting to be here.

“Come on the faster you admit it the faster we’re out of here.” She speaks up again and I let out a long sigh looking at Harry.

“Fine, we are going to ask Lana.” Kate says and everyone agrees.

“Lana.” Kate says making Lana ding.

“Lana, was it Harry and Y/N who broke the rules?” She asks and there’s a long pause before Lana speaks.

“Negative.” Harry and I nod our heads while everyone else cheers, glad that we weren’t the ones that broke the rules

“Lana, was it Riley and Niall.”

“Negative.”

“Wow, I’m shocked.” I tease Riley and Niall causing both of them to flip me off laughing. Kate goes through all the “couples” but when Lana replies negative to all of them we’re back at square one.

“For fucks sake who was it!” Harry yells out and Lana dings once more.

“The two that broke the rules were.” She pauses for suspense making everyone nervous.

“Liam and Sage.” She finally announces and the cabana breaks out into screams.

“You fucker!” Zayn yells at Liam about to lunge at him when Louis pulls him back.

“Oh come off of it Zayn! You made out with Kate! I was just getting back at you!” Sage puts Zayn in his place and he scoffs breaking out of Louis’s grip. He heads back inside and everyone is stunned into silence at the outburst. I lean closer to Harry before whispering.

“Well if they weren’t over before they definitely are now.” Harry chuckles nodding his head before standing up. He pulls me up before ducking down and wrapping his arms around my legs hoisting me over his shoulder. I dangle upside down making everyone laugh as I scream at him to put me down.

“Now if anyone would like to join us I’m going to the pool!” He announces picking up a light jog and I yell at him. He stops at the edge of the pool hoisting me into his arms and I shake my head at him.

“I swear to god if you throw me into that pool I’m ending everything.” I tell him and he smiles wide. More screams are heard distracting me as Ava is hoisted over Niall’s shoulder while everyone else is walking leisurely. I look back towards Harry who has a sick smirk on his face and I know exactly what he’s thinking.

“Harry no!” I scream as he throws me out of his arms my body colliding with the cool water of the pool. I push myself back up to the surface as another body is thrown next to me and I shake my head at Harry.

“That’s it we're over!” I yell at him and he pouts his lips at me.

“Don’t say that you’re going to break my heart.” He feigns being upset and I cross my arms not budging.

“Fuck you!” I yell over Ava and Niall’s bickering. I turn my back to him facing the ocean when I hear a splash and arms wrap around me from behind.

“I’m sorry baby. Please don’t end things.” He apologizes his voice serious and a smile breaks out across my face. He squeezes me harder when he sees the smile lining my face as he scoffs.

“Oh fuck you had me worried there for a minute.” He nuzzles his head into my neck nipping at me and I let out a yelp.

“Hey who’s that?” Liam yells and we turn around seeing a girl walking towards us. We get out of the pool and line up in a circle as the new girl comes towards us.

“Hey!” She yells and we all yell back. Liam goes up to greet her first, hugging her and she eventually makes her way toward us.

“Hey, I’m Brooke!” She says coming towards me and I wrap her in a hug.

“Hey, I’m Y/N.” I smile at her breaking the hug and she goes right on next to Harry.

“Hey.” She says eyeing him up and down and I cross my arms watching the interaction. She pulls Harry into a hug and he hugs her back as they murmur greetings. She eventually gets down the line before heading back to stand in front of everyone.

“So what do you know about this?” Liam speaks up to her and she shrugs her shoulders.

“I don’t really know anything.” She answers and everyone looks at each other shocked but also trying not to laugh.

“Uh well, we have some rules to tell you.” Kate tells her and she nods.

“First no kissing, no sexual touching, and no masturbation.” Kate says and Brooke’s jaw drops.

“Oh what the fuck.” she says and we all laugh. Harry pulls me closer to him as I observe her.

“The jealousy is radiating off you love.” He whispers in my ear and I scoff.

“Fuck off I’m not jealous.” I mumble and he laughs.

“Sure you aren’t.” He retaliates and I pull myself away from him.

“I am not.” I keep defending myself but he doesn’t believe me.

“We’ll see about that.” He remarks and I look at him but his attention is no longer focused on me, it’s on Brooke. We all eventually break away to get ready for the night party we were told was happening and I dress simply in a black bralette and black jean shorts.

We all have a couple of drinks down at the beach socializing with Brooke. Her attention is focused on Harry for most of the night and he’s keeping his on her. If Harry wanted a rise out of me well he’s going to get one because I am pissed. He hasn’t been near me all night and I’m suffering.

Eventually, the music playing turns sexual and people start grinding on each other, I’m left swaying my hips until someone comes up behind me placing their hands on my hips. I tilt my head up seeing Zayn and he asks me if what he’s doing is alright. I nod my head and continue the motion of my hips giving in to the music. I’m so caught up in the way we're moving that I fail to notice how Harry stares daggers at me.

When I finally catch his eyes I smirk turning up the movement of my hips and trailing my hand up to grasp Zayn’s hair. I see him clench his jaw and I continue my teasing moves. Two can play this game. As the night winds down and everyone is ready for bed we disperse to the dressing room to get ready. I change into a blue baby doll dress with matching panties.

I make my way to the bedroom ready to climb into bed with Harry but stop when I see another body laying next to him. Fucking Brooke. I let out a huff as I survey the room seeing an available spot next to Zayn. I smirk knowing exactly what to do. I walk over to his bed and he smiles seeing me.

“Hey, can I join you tonight?” I ask him flipping my hair over my shoulder and he smirks.

“Of course, you can.” He pats the free space next to him and I climb under the covers keeping a smile on my face.

“Thanks for letting me in.” I say and he smiles shaking his head.

“No problem at all.” I lay my head down sneaking a glance at Harry who I can tell is trying his absolute hardest not to burst at the seams.

“Trouble in paradise?” Zayn asks me turning my attention towards him and I shrug my shoulders.

“Nah why do you think that?” I ask him and he chuckles.

“Well for one you’re in my bed tonight and you and Harry have barely left each other’s sides since the beginning.” He explains and I sigh.

“He’s doing this to prove a point but I won’t give in to him that easily.” I tell Zayn and he nods.

“Well, I am more than happy to help you win whatever war you two have decided to embark upon.” He smiles at me and I smile back.

“Thanks.” I mumble and he shakes it off. “Now are you ready to make him want to murder me.” He smirks and I nod.

“You betcha.” I agree and Zayn reaches his arm out pulling me to his chest. I get comfortable and Zayn laughs lightly making me laugh.

“He looks like he’s about to jump out of that bed and kill me.” Zayn whispers and I giggle glancing at Harry.

“This is going to be fun.” I mumble and I hear Zayn agree.

“Oh, you have no idea.”

taglist: @golden-hoax @nikkisimps

#harry styles #harry styles angst #harry styles fanfiction #harry styles fluff #harry styles imagine #harry styles and y/n #harry styles au #harry styles x reader #harry styles smut

220 notes · View notes

spaghettificationandpretzels · 11 months

Text

A Voice Through the Nothingness Part 9

Series Masterlist

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8

As always, please comment if you're enjoying yourself.

Contains: Slow burn, so much fluff, brief mentions of domestic violence, mild angst, more fluff.

4.3K words

Comment if you want to be tagged or follow #a voice through the nothingness.

“Absence is to love what wind is to fire; it extinguishes the small, it inflames the great.”- Roger de Bussy-Rabutin.

She could tell Billy was already looking for her and they met eyes across the room, Hazel waving softly before picking up her drink and walking over. Billy gave her a soft smile, his heart racing in his chest, "Hello Hazel."

Hazel smiled back, trying to compose herself, "Hello Billy."

Billy didn't know where to start, Hazel looked amazing, "How have you been?"

Hazel smiled, "I've been great. What about you?"

His head was a whirl with emotions, "Me too, things are really good."

Hazel pointed to the bar, "You wanna get something to drink then go somewhere quiet so we can talk?"

Billy nodded, "Sure, I'd like that."

Billy followed Hazel to the bar and flagged down the bartender,"What she's having please."

Hazel smiled, "That's right, you're a whiskey man."

Billy nodded, "Yeah, how is it?"

Hazel took a sip, "It's nice, very rich."

Billy collected his drink and pointed out the doors to the balcony, "How's outside sound?"

Hazel was already walking towards the doors, "Outside is great."

They found a table as far away from the party as they could and sat down, watching Lizzy meet up with the rest of Billy's group while they figured out what to say.

Billy took a deep breath, "I don't know what to say. I'm sorry I put you in the position I did. I realise now that I put your job at risk and.."

Hazel cut him off, "There's no need for any of that. I understand why you did it and I was just as at fault as you were. I'm sure you knew but I lied to you when I said I didn't have feelings for you and that wasn't right either. I should have been honest."

Billy shook his head, "You did what you thought was right and you were right when you said six months down the line I would feel differently because I do. I miss spending time with you and I miss talking to you but I see now that I didn't love you, not really, had we started a relationship, it would have ended badly."

"I know. I have to say, my feelings faded too. I still missed you terribly but it wasn't love. Maybe we can have a redo and start from scratch." Hazel didn't realise how much she missed him until now, it almost hurt.

Billy smiled, "I'd love that." He took another deep breath, "How's work been?"

Hazel grinned, "I'm the deputy head of the department now and I've been given five students to work with instead of two, turns out I love teaching. How's Anvil?"

Billy's smile grew, "That's amazing Hazel, really, you deserve all the recognition. Anvil amazing, I'm sure you've heard but Thomas has brought us so many clients, the kid's a genius."

Hazel nodded, "I did, I'm really happy he's found a good place to settle."

Billy leaned in closer and Hazel mirrored him, the air charged, "How's Barry?"

Hazel huffed, "How long you got?"

Billy itched to reach across and grab her hand, "All the time in the world, I want to know everything."

****

Lizzy fell right back into conversation with Frank, Karen and Curt without effort, it was safe to say she missed them as much as Hazel did, "how has everyone been?"

Karen smiled, "We've been great, did you read the article I did on your ward?"

Lizzy nodded, "I did, it brought it a lot of extra funding so thank you for that." The expansive article about how wonderful the long term care ward was had been the talk of the hospital for weeks.

"Now that Hazel and Billy and talking again, I'm thinking about asking if I can do one on the peds ward. What do you think?" Karen already knew the answer.

"I think that would be great, they're always looking for help. I'm sure Hazel will help you find someone, she's the deputy head of the ward now." The smiles on their faces made her feel so warm.

"What about you? You should have gotten a promotion by now?" The way Frank said it made Lizzy suspicious.

"Yeah, I won a nursing award. But you already knew that didn't you?" The answer was clearly yes.

Curt smiled, "You deserved it for everything you did for Bill, we had to nominate you."

She shook her head fondly, "Well thank you, it came with a nice pay bump."

Curt laughed, "Let me guess, four dollars and a slice of pizza?"

Lizzy pressed her lips together, "Now now, Curtis, you know full well that New York pays its hardworking health care heroes a lot more than that, it was two slices of pizza."

It took less than a second for the laughter to take everyone over. Lizzy caught her breath and sighed, pointing over to Billy and Hazel through the window, who were clearly enraptured in conversation, "what do you think they're talking about?"

Frank shrugged, "It doesn't matter, they look happy."

****

Hazel's eyes went wide as Billy went on with his story, "What do you do when shit like that happens?" She held back a laugh, "Oh sorry Mr high falutin businessman, we didn't mean to catch the pool boy neck deep in your wife but we did."

Billy chuckled, "Basically, he doubled our pay for proof. They've been married long enough that she still got a tasty settlement and he moved into a women barely old enough to drink."

She sighed, "Ah, isn't that always the way?"

Billy nodded, "You have no idea how many times we've seen it. Can I ask you a question?" Hazel nodded, "How did you end up getting such a large promotion in six months when you don't play politics? I mean Lizzy said it herself you'd rather spend all your time with patients than running shit, what changed?"

"Nothing changed, I still spend all my time with the kiddos. I already have my master's in nursing but an accelerated trauma course came up and I took it. I'm two months off finishing. I think they wanted to shut me up after the shooting but I get to change things where I am and that's why I took the job." Hazel swirls her mostly gone drink, "I never wanted to be one of those people that left the coal face and I don't plan to be but I'm sick of screaming into the void."

Billy reached out his hand and grabbed hers, "Hey, you don't need to justify anything to me. You just told me you were changing things and you're still doing what you love, I'm not going to knock you for that."

Hazel smiled and squeezed his hand, "Thanks Billy." She took a deep breath and pointed towards the inside, "We better go in and mingle. I need to pull in more donations after all and you have networking to do."

Billy shook his head, "Like I said before, you've missed your called as a UN negotiator."

Hazel huffed, "You'll have to find one first."

They headed inside, right over to their friends, "You all sorted?" Lizzy did her best to keep her tone neutral.

Hazel nodded, "Yep all sorted."

Karen went first, wrapping Hazel in her arms with a smile, "It's good to see you again. We've all missed talking to you."

Hazel hugged her back just as hard, "Likewise, we have so much catching up to do."

Frank was next, squeezing Hazel hard enough that he pressed the air out of her lungs, "It's good to see you too Franky."

Frank chuckled, "Lizzy tells us you've been doing amazing things, we're all very impressed."

Hazel nodded, "She's talking me up, I'm just doing my job."

Curt went last, hugging her with a gentle smile on his face, "I missed our reminiscing sessions."

Hazel smiled back, "Me too and I'm about to be a pediatric trauma nurse so we'll have lots to talk about."

Frank grinned, "Really? Good for you, how does that work?"

Hazel's face filled with pride, "I've been doing half shifts in the ER and half in the ward so I can still spend time with my patients. Not much will change once I'm qualified I'll just be more specialised and have more skills."

Billy sighed, "Well, I think it's great. You should be proud of yourself."

Hazel nodded, "I am."

Lizzy turned her head suddenly and grabbed Hazel's arms, "Now, if you'll excuse us, there's a very important donor we need to talk to."

Hazel followed Lizzy's gaze and nodded, "Yeah, we'll back back in a bit."

Billy waved his hand, "No worries, that's what these things are for anyway. Speaking of, I see someone Anvil would love to have as a client."

Hazel smiled, "Shall we all meet up later for a dance?"

Billy nodded, "I'd like that."

The night swirled by and Hazel was grateful for the free supply of drinks. Between going back and forth with donors and trying to fend off people wanting war stories, she was over it and ready to go home. She and Lizzy were trying to guide the conversation away from a recent horror car cash when the tapping of a glass filled the air and the hospital director wandered to the middle of the room.

With a smile, she began to talk, "Hello, everyone and welcome to our annual charity ball. Now that you've all enjoyed your horderves and drinks, it's time for some wonderful music and some dancing."

Billy locked eyes with Hazel and made a beeline for her from across the room, extending his hand with a smile when he reached her, "May I have this dance?"

Hazel smiled and took his hand, "You may."

The music started as they embraced and Billy smiled as he pulled away, "We gotta leave room for Jesus."

Hazel giggled, "There are too many rich people in this room for him to be here."

Billy grinned, "You sound like Frank."

Hazel huffed, "I don't think that's such a bad thing. Can I ask you a question?" Billy nodded, "How do you deal with them every day? I've seen Anvil's website, you give away as much as you take in so as much as you wear the ten thousand dollars suits and the fancy watches you're not one of them."

Billy was impressed with her assessments, "You just said it, the more money we take in, the more we can give and these guys pay a pretty penny for our protection. The nice suits and the fancy watches just help us look the part. Can I ask you a question?"

Hazel had a feeling she knew what he was about to ask, "Sure."

"When Frank looked into you, he looked into your financials too, why do you so far below your means." Billy knew the answer, he did it himself for years.

"I'm saving up for a house in the suburbs. A nice house where I can sleep in a room that's not also my kitchen and my living room, with a backyard and no barking dogs or drug dealers on the street and I don't want a loan. So I'm loving in a two room apartment and taking the subway and if I keep going the way I am, I'll be out of there and in a house in a year." He could hear how tired she sounded.

Billy swallowed, "I'm realising now how little we know about each other. You know about my mother and that I grew up in the system but that's it and I've got no idea about you. Can't your parents help?" The intrusiveness of the question hit him, "I'm sorry, that was really personal."

Hazel shook her head, "No, it wasn't, you've told me about your mum, I should repay you in kind. I don't have a father, he left when my mother was pregnant with me and my mother died when I was twenty without a dollar to her name. She had a massive heart attack and dropped dead at work one day. Lizzy and I met when we were eighteen in nursing school and she's been the only stable person in my life since my mother's death."

Their sudden closeness made a lot more sense now, "I'm so sorry."

Hazel smiled softly, "Don't be, it's made me really strong and hell, if I could handle working three jobs to get myself through nursing school without debt, then I can handle anything." Billy knew exactly what she was talking about, "what about you, you didn't get here without hardwork."

Billy huffed, "Shit went really bad on my last tour, there's not much I can talk about but Frank and I came into some money because certain people asked us to clean up some stuff."

Hazel blinked, "I'm not asking for an answer, in fact, I don't want one right now. But I'm getting the feeling this has something to do with the leaks David was accused of. If that's the case, I know why you can't talk about it and I don't blame you for getting something out of it."

Billy felt strange, he knew that there was plenty of information out there, especially after the video of Rawlins having his fun went viral, "You know, Karen said the same thing to Frank."

Hazel huffed, "It's not that hard to understand Billy, you did what you had to. I hope a day will come along when you can give me details because."

Billy smiled, "Me too."

They danced through each song, unwilling to split from each other despite the looks, their chests growing closer as the night drew to a close. As the last song soften and people began to leave, Billy looked over Hazel's face and willed himself to break the peace, "Let's meet for coffee and catch up, maybe we can talk more about how we got to where we are now, that's what friends do, isn't it?"

Hazel smiled, "I'd really like that. How does next Saturday sound?"

Billy nodded, "That sounds great. You wanna give me your number so we can make the plans?"

Hazel reached into her small purse, unlocked her phone and handed it to Billy, "How about we exchange numbers?"

Billy's phone was already out, "good idea." With a flurry of fingers, it was done and the phones were back with their owners.

Hazel rubbed her face, "Well, I think I've had it for the night and Barry will be worried if I'm out any later."

Billy laughed, "Yeah, I have a job in the morning. I'll see next Saturday."

Hazel smiled, "I'm looking forward to it." She saw Lizzy in the corner of her eye and with one last goodbye, she left.

Frank wandered over, Karen leaning against him looking worn out, "You look like you were having fun."

Billy huffed, "Ask Curt, he was the one romancing my old nurse all night."

Curtis chuckled, "Lizzy has been your nurse for six months man. She's a nice lady, so what if I spent the night dancing with her."

Frank rubbed his face, "I think we should all head home before this turns into the real housewives. When are you seeing Hazel again."

Billy sighed, "Next Saturday and we're just going for coffee as friends so I don't want to hear anything about it."

Frank huffed, "Sure Bill."

****

"Are you listening to me?" Hazel and Lizzy were enjoying their break but Lizzy seemed too busy buried in her phone to pay attention.

Lizzy nodded, "Yeah, yeah, you're excited to see Billy on Saturday, you don't know if you'll have time to change out of your work clothes. Just do whatever he won't care."

Hazel sighed, "Alright Lizabeth, slip. You haven't been off you phone since the charity ball. What is going on?"

Lizzy rolled her eyes, "Curt and I have been texting. We're going on a date of Friday."

Hazel held back her smile, "You wanna let me know why you're only telling me this now?"

"Because you have your own stuff to worry about, I was only going to tell you if it went well." Hazel could hear the apprehension in Liz's voice.

Hazel gave her a soft smile, "Curt's sweet. We've both had a shit track record with men but I think he's one of the good ones."

Lizzy nodded, "Yeah he is. What about you and Billy, how are you feeling about that?"

Hazel shrugged, "I have no idea, so I'm not going to agonise over it."

****

Hazel waited outside the chocolate shop, Billy was quick to suggest it and Hazel was faster to agree. He arrived right on time, a smile on his face and his arms open for a hug. Hazel accepted, Billy was warm and he smelt like something that came in a fancy, funky coloured bottle.

Billy smiled, "It's good to see you again."

"You too Billy." She waved her hand at the door, "Shall we?"

Billy nodded, "We shall." He held the door open as they entered and headed to a table, Billy even pulled out Hazel's chair for her.

"You look like you know this place well, how many women have you brought here?" Hazel's tone held no offence.

Billy smiled, "A few, it's a great place for a first date."

Hazel chuckled, "Yes, but only if you don't get the triple chocolate and double fudge ice cream Sundae."

Billy's eyes went wide, "Well, since we're not on a date, you wanna get that?"

She nodded, "Oh yes, please. You gotta share it and it's amazing. Lizzy and I get the day after we do full moon shifts."

Billy raised an eyebrow, "Ok, now I'm really interested.

Hazel laid her hands flat on the table in an effort the stop herself from getting too excited, "So, technically, you don't need to share it but it's not fun if you don't and you can't have it on a date because ordering brings up strong opinions about ice cream combinations. First things first, you get the choice of three different chocolate ice creams, which is all they have here and then two different types of fudge."

Billy felt strange, he never really got to have anything like this, not just the fancy ice cream but the joy over something so small, "What's your favourite combination."

Hazel's smile grew, "That's just the thing, it's different every time. They have the base flavours white, milk, dark and super dark chocolate but the rest is day by day. By far, my favourite was milk chocolate, white chocolate vanilla swirl and super dark with a hint of coffee and two swirls of creme brulee fudge. You'd think it would be too rich but the scoops are small and the main focus of the ice cream isn't how sweet it is, it's the quality of the chocolate."

Billy huffed, "If I wasn't sold already, I am now. You wanna go to the counter and order?"

Hazel shook her head, "Nope, I'll go with you so I can get points on my membership card but you're ordering since you've never had it before."

Billy smiled, "Fine, but only if you let me pay."

Hazel sighed, "I could argue with you but I know I won't get anywhere, so alright."

"Give me your membership card and I'll surprise you." She handed it to Billy and he hurried over, returning a few minutes later with an order number. "They'll be out with it in a minute. Why after a full moon, why not just after a shit shift?"

Hazel thought for a moment, wondering how she was going to word it without sounding weird, "I'm sure you know what full moons are like, they're filled with weirdness and with kids things tend to be even worse. So we use it as a way to get through a shift we know is going to be bad."

Billy knew what she was talking about, anything could happen when the moon was out, "That's actually a really good idea. That whole people lose their minds on a full moon is pretty universal." Billy took a deep breath, "can I ask you something?" Hazel nodded, "Curt and Liz, what do you think?"

Hazel smiled, "Curt's kind and Lizzy deserves someone kind. They're grown ups, I'm sure they can handle it."

Billy smiled, "Good, because I feel the same about Curt." Before Hazel could reply, the Sunday came out, "Wow, this is something."

Hazel laughed, "wait until you try it. What did you get?"

Billy smiled, "Milk chocolate and maple swirl, super dark and white chocolate. I got two swirls of whisky fudge."

Hazel already had a spoon in hand, "Well, if you don't hurry up, I'm going to eat it all."

Billy chuckled, "Heard loud and clear, I hope it's worth the hype." Billy watched Hazel as she took her spoon and took a little bit of each, he knew one thing, even if it tasted like shit, watching Hazel enjoy herself would make it worth it.

****

The sun had just set when they were finally done, having moved from the chocolate shop to a little deli for a small snack when they got hungry for something other than sugar and chocolate.

Billy rubbed the tiredness from his face and sighed, "Can I walk you to the station?"

Hazel shook her head, "Only if you want to but I wouldn't offer to take me home, you'll get mugged wearing that." While he was dressed casually, it still looked expensive.

Billy chuckled, "I think I can handle myself if that's what you want."

She shook her head, "Maybe one day, but I have to check one of my neighbours today."

Billy paused for a moment, unsure of how to continue, "Can I confess something?" Hazel nodded, "When I first got out of the hospital, I cased your place. I know it was wrong of me and in hindsight, I have no idea why I did it and I feel shit about it but I needed to know if you were safe."

Hazel didn't flinch, "What did Dr Charles say?"

Billy sighed, "That I was in marine mode and that it was wrong of me."

Hazel gave him a soft smile, "I knew you were there. Frank too"

Billy blinked, "How?"

She broke his gaze, "Getting strangled almost to death made me a little paranoid, I tend to notice things that most people don't. Since you told me something, I'll share with you. I have an agreement with the dealers on my block, I supply them with legal Narcan and test kits through a program at the hospital and in exchange, I help them out when they can't afford to get their kids to a doctor for small shit. And occasionally, they let me know ahead of time if strange men are looking for me."

Billy was unsure of what to say, especially after what he and Frank did, "What, and they're just fine with it?"

Hazel nodded, "They're not good people but they're not bad people either. These dealers are in it to support their families, not to make money. The ones on the block that don't make nice end up getting shot. I'm sure some of them are your CIs. I'm sure you have questions."

"Why? I'm sure you've seen what these people do to each other, what they do to addicts, how can you stand them?" Billy didn't mean to sound judgemental but he did.

"Because I can reach them when no one else can. I'm not ashamed to admit that I use their worries about their children to get them to see reason and some of them have. If I get one person out, then the rest is worth it. I'm sure you know what it's like to have to get dirty to make a change." Unlike Billy, Hazel meant the unkindness in her tone.

Billy paused in the middle of the street, "You're right and I'm sorry. I have no reason to judge you for doing the right thing."

Hazel shook her head, suddenly guilty for her response, "I'm sorry too, I get a certain way when it comes to kids and I went for the low blow, there's no excuse for that."

Billy smiled softly, "I'm the one that went there first. I could have used someone like you when I was a kid, I think my life might have been a bit easier. I guess I'm just pissed that I missed out."

Hazel reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder, "I think we all need somewhere soft to land when things are hard, that's part of being human."

Billy took her hand in his and continued walking her to the station, "Do you ever wonder what would have happened if you hadn't lost my card?"

Hazel looked deep in thought, "No. My job involves lots of hurt kids, questioning the universe is a great way to end up sad. I don't think everything happens for a reason but it does happen, I lost your card, you got blown up and now we're here and there's something in that."

Billy nodded, "So live in the moment and don't be angry?"

Hazel chuckled, "The first half, I'm angry all the time but at least I'm feeling something that's not terror."

Billy knew that feeling well, "Yeah, I get that. I really enjoy talking to you."

Hazel smiled, "Likewise. You wanna have a picnic in the park one day? We can even feed the ducks some grapes."

Billy nodded, "That sounds great. How does after your shift Thursday sound?"

Her smile grew, "That sounds great." Billy hadn't realised they had reached the station, "This is my spot."

The absence of her hand in his made him feel cold, "Yes, it is. I'll see you Friday."

Hazel nodded, "You will. Bye Billy."

He gave her a soft wave, "Bye Hazel."

Part 10

@rainbowgoblinfan

#a voice through the nothingness #billy russo #the punisher #fix it fic #billy russo imagine #billy russo fanfic #billy russo smut #ben barnes #the punisher fanfiction #billy russo x ofc #frank castle #karen page #everybody lives/nobody dies #curtis hoyle #daredevil

20 notes · View notes

twistedoverbloat · 2 years

Text

The cosplay...

So Yuu was trying on a cosplay from an anime they got recommended from Deuce (headcannon of mine) and the really liked the female lead she was stubborn and was ready to fight anyone! She was also considered the leader of the ragtag group in the anime.

So when Yuu finally was able to make her cosplay and tried to do a ClickClock video for their fans they got a text from Tsunotarou saying where are they? There's a meeting. Yuu soul left their body. The meeting was about finally getting the funds for making Ramshackle better-

They sadly didn't have time so they rushed in their heels and cosplay I mean they were going to post it to the internet might as well just go.

When they got there they kicked open the door. Luckily they were able to take off the wig but not the dress the Female lead wears or the heels. Riddle and Vil taught you how to run in them.

Everyone's head snapped to them. Vil looked please with the dress, Riddle looked peeved since they were late, Leona looked bored and was falling asleep, Azul adjusted himself in his seat as Yuu kicked the door open, Kalim was talking or trying to with Idia who was looking at Yuu in shock. And Tsunotarou was happy his friend was here. Crowley then started "So glad you decided to join Yuu." Yuu flipped their hair away from their face and strutted to their chair. "Cut the crap I know you didn't call me earlier because you didn't want to spend money on my dorm. You cheap bastard." This shut him up and cough into his throat.

It was surprising to see Idia here since he always comes in with the tablet. But this meeting he was just staring at you with Pink tips in his hair and a big blush on his face. Vil asked where they got the dress and Yuu told him they made it themselves with extra fabric they had. He nodded then asked where they got the fabric from. But Crowley butted in saying the need to see how much money it would take for Ramshackle to be stable.

Yuu then told him everything that they needed he looked pale. But Yuu told his lmao if they didn't like how much he was going to give them then they would go to RSA and to Ambrose if they needed to. He agreed to a high price as he weeped, Malleus told them he'll pitch in too. Kalim said he can spear money, and surprisingly Idia said he would make a security system for them. They tanked the boys and then the meeting was dismissed.

When Yuu walked out with Vil and Malleus on both their sides, Vil was asking about the stress and Malleus was talking about his Gao-Gao Drakon-kun. Yuu heard a small voice asking them to wait. When they turned they saw Idia? They asked what's wrong and Idia said if it they were cosplaying (character) from (anime)? They said yes and that they made it themselves. He then brightened and asked what season and episode they were on "Oh I finished last week and decided to make this cosplay for the convention coming up." Idia then got happier "I'm going too do you want us both to go? I always wanted someone to come with me!" They nodded not seeing anything wrong with it.

Idia then bolted away back to his dorm giggling and rambling about his cosplay of the Male lead. Vil then asked if they really were fling and they said yes. Malleus asked if they could get him a plushie while they were there and they said yes.

Back in Idia's room he was currently fangirling over the perfects cosplay. He was proud of himself to ask them if they wanted to go to the convention with him!

#cosplay yuu #twisted wonderland #twisted wonderland x reader #twisted wonderland yuu #ooo new Yuu yes please.

157 notes · View notes

statticscribbles · 2 years

Text

Serenade

Summary: Eddie Munson/Reader- Soulmate AU where you can hear whatever music your soulmate is listening to

Song is: I just called to say I love you- Stevie Wonder You’d grown up hearing your parent’s humming songs in secret. Your mother’s voice streaming upbeat pop music and opera ballads; while your father hissed along with the alt-rock and the country drawl he heard in his head. They didn’t need to tell you they weren’t soulmate’s; the music did that for them. They assured you that while they did love each other, and wanted to meet their soulmate’s, sometimes the world was too big, and the funds too short to get them out of the small town they called home. You worried constantly that Hawkins would trap you the same way it had them; not truly miserable, but never happy enough. They put you in singing and piano lessons when you’re five, you drop the piano in exchanged for ballet and keep the singing until your parents decided not to drive you to the next town over for lessons; you join the cheerleading squad instead. You’re soulmate absolutely drowns everything they do in rock music; anything that screams they seem to fixate on. You settle into a mixture of Pop and Dance music that only grows as you join the cheer squad. You enjoy singing; although you try your best to limit it to hours you know both you and your soulmate are awake. Usually they start listening to music around the time you start school, you try not to listen before then, although morning practices usually leave you humming whatever song Chrissy decided to have you all dance to. The music your soulmate listens to seems to constantly stream throughout the day, wherever he goes to school either allows music constantly or he’s sneaking it. Chrissy laughs when you hum under your breath whatever song your soulmate is listening to. “So your soulmate is into Metal then? How much do you wanna bet he’s one of the DnD club? Bet Eddie would know him; he knows everyone who’s into metal.” Chrissy grins; genuinely trying to be helpful. “Well I haven’t met him have I?” You laugh when Jason wrinkles his nose at the song you’ve stopped humming.

——————————————————————————— “Eddie you alright?”

“Mhm; soulmate is listening to some pop shit again.” He laughs a little his soulmates taste in music had grown on him; and he knew they wouldn’t be a bad match; not when he’d tentatively heard a familiar rock song in his head one day, something he had been listening to in middle school.

“Chrissy seriously stop trying to bring Eddie back into the group.” Jason playfully shoves her and she scowls. You watch Eddie walking away and smile at the patch on his jacket.

“He’s our friend Jason!”

“He listens to fucking screaming and calls it music!”

“So does my soulmate.” You comment and Jason glares.

“Y/N you don’t count; Eddie got into DnD ; that cult shit.” “Have you ever played; I don’t think it’s a cult; we should all go! Show our support.” You smile at Jason, hoping he doesn’t see through your excuse to see Eddie more; you aren’t sure what music he listens to but if you can match up a song it’ll prove the theory you have. ——————————————————————————- It’s just your luck you managed to catch a weeklong flu when Chrisyy and Jason agree to go play DnD with Eddie. You trudge in still half sick but coherent enough for your parents to deem you fit to return to school. You wonder how pissed your soulmate is, you’d been marathoning every cheesy movie and every musical you could find while you coughed your lungs up at home. You’re half humming a song from one of them when Chrissy pulls you into a hug. “Hey no, I’m still kinda sick so I don’t-“ “You really think we care Y/N? You’ve been gone for the most exciting week ever! You were right; Jason loves DnD now; he’s fighting with Eddie to run the next campaign.” “I will I just have to check about practice this week; do you have-”

“Sorry.” You smile as you bump into someone. “I’m Y/N, you are?” “Eddie Munson; you’re the one who missed last session; you’ll have to come to the next one; since Jason’s going to run it. How much you wanna bet he fails.” He winks and you grin at him. You pause wrinkling your nose when your soulmate starts blasting some new song. “You okay?” “Yeah my soulmate decided to crank it up to like fifty on the volume apparently. That’s probably what I get considering he had to listen to the cheesy love soundtracks and musical roster all last week.” he laughs along with you.

“Are you alright?” You watch Eddie slump a little when Chrissy leaves. “Yeah; just; my soulmate has been avoiding me… they always have; guess they hate me as much as my music taste… If I don’t graduate this year; I’m worried I’ll miss out on meeting them.” “Oh god that must be horrible, can you not talk to them about trying to help you?” “Well if I knew who they were...” “Oh, well if they’re here it shouldn’t be too hard to wrangle them to at least say hello right?” “You’re just as hopeful as Chrissy; guess your soulmate is the same.” He laughs a little, bitter sounding.

“I haven’t met him yet. Not properly.”

“Well we can look together? How do we do that?” “Well pick out a song for your soulmate and just blast it 24/7, either someone picks it up and realizes they’re your soulmate; or they get so annoyed they find you to complain!!”

“That’s genius! I know just the song! You’re the best Y/N.” Chrissy grins at Eddie who shrugs. “You’ve just met me.” “And now you’re the best!”

“I heard Y/N solved your soulmate problem?” Chrissy leans over the DnD table and Eddie scowls, tucking his notes away.

“It’s not a problem, we haven’t met and we can avoid each other until she’s ready to meet.” He scowls.

“Eddie, just try it! All you have to do is pick a song and just blast it to her! Then she’ll either get so annoyed she’ll find you, or we’ll hear her singing it too!”

“So you want me to piss my soulmate off before I meet her?”

“No, pick a song she likes!”

“Wow, yeah hang on let me ask what her favourite song is!” He snaps and you can’t help but laugh.

“Well then pick your favourite? Or something that reminds you of her?” You ask him and he nods.

“Okay fine, I’ll start tonight.”

“Tonight?”

“Well yeah after the game meeting so everyone can be on the lookout.” Dustin beams nodding.

“I’m glad I could help then.” You smile at Eddie and try not to blush when he smiles back.

Chrissy arches an eyebrow but doesn’t say anything as you bid them goodbye.

You’re sitting in the cafeteria after practice trying to not pass out before Chrissy meets you to discuss a new routine.

You’ve only heard your soulmate actually singing about four times, but it’s one of the things that made you fall in love with him. Of course the comfort of his voice is the last thing you need while trying not to fall asleep. You struggle, trying your best to focus on the actual words; you swallow shocked at the song that he’s singing.

You feel dumb for not thinking about how he caught on to your music habits as much as you have for him. You sit still and enjoy the private concert. You wonder if he picked it up from how often you’d sing it; or if it was the time that you would sing and listen to it.

–But what it is, though old, so new To fill your heart like no three words could ever do I just called to say I love you- You hum faintly, careful to not let the sound too far past your lips, you don’t think you want your soulmate meeting you like this, exhausted and caked in sweat and grime.

————————————————————————————

The song has been playing on repeat for days, anytime your soulmate seems to switch to another song he cuts himself off restarting the song once more.

“Hey Dustin, you said you needed help with the sound check?” You watch as Dustin sinks into a chair in the theatre, you smile at Chrissy and Jason, the rest of the DnD gang lounging around, as well as Steve and his friends.

“Can you sing?” Chrissy asks and you nod.

“I’ve been taking singing lessons since I was five, so I like to think I can.” You smile.

“Besides I don’t need to sing for a basic sound check.” Dustin coughs slightly.

“So I do need to sing?”

“Please, just pick something, and sing into the mic.” You nod gripping the mic and letting your soulmate start the song for you.

“ No harvest moon to light one tender August night No autumn breeze, no falling leaves Not even time for birds to fly to southern skies“ You’ve never heard someone harmoinze with you before but the way the voice from your head blends with yours settles the anxiety in your chest.

“I just called to say I love you I just called to say how much I care, I do” You pause when Dustin holds up his hand.

“That’s great.” He nods and you swing off the stage, Chrissy and Jason track your movements and you make your way over to them when they wave.

“What?”

“Your soulmate was singing that wasn’t he.”

“Yeah.”

“You want to meet him?”

“You know him?” Your face lights up and they falter.

“You want to meet him?”

“Of course! Why wouldn’t I?”

“Well; he’s a a little weird.” Jason cuts in and you frown at him.

“Do you think I care? Wait, does he not want me?” You cant help the ice that shoots through your chest, already planning break-up songs to blast when you get home.

“What no, he’s just nervous. About everything.”

“Why would he be nervous we’re soulmates. I’ll love him no matter what.”

“You mean that?” You nod at Jason.

“Uhh okay dinner at six?” Jason rushes out nodding to you and you nod back confused, as Chrissy almost shoves you to cheer practice with her. You miss the way the rest of the DnD group enter through the side door, Eddie scanning the crowd.

You’d been able to go home early with Chrissy, she’d explained to your parents you were planning on meeting your soulmate and they’d practically shoved both of you upstairs to get ready.

“Do my parents really not trust me to find an outfit to wear?”

“Well you’re meeting your soulmate, you have to look nice.”

“If he’s my soulmate he won’t care what I wear.”

“It’s not about that, imagine you meet him and he’s nothing like what you expect him to be.”

“Chrissy I’ve been listening to his music taste be the same thing since middle school! There’s barely been any change! It took me years to even figure out he was in Hawkins and not some town halfway around the world!!!” Chrissy nods as you throw your hands up.

“You know Jason and I are soulmates right? I had to listen to hours of all the basket ball teams music they train to! So I know a little about that, everyone does.”

“My parents don’t. They couldn’t, they can’t afford to visit to look for their soulmates.” Chrissy pulls you into a hug.

“That’s not you, you have the chance to meet him; why wouldn’t you. Seems even him being a DnD nerd won’t dissuade you.”

“You know him.” Chrissy nods.

“Yes, it’s how we know to meet you.” She smiles and your eyes widen.

“You know him.” You repeat and she nods laughing.

“Come on, don’t want to be late.” She nudges you as you come up to the mall’s doors.

You step through the doors and Jason blocks your view; holding out a blindfold.

“Don’t say anything we’re going to take them off at the same time; it’ll be cute.” You sigh letting him tie the fabric around your eyes and walk you to a booth in the food court, you have no clue who’s sitting in it, it was the only booth away from all of the windows, probably planned by them.

“Okay sit down and in three, two, one.” Chrissy beams and you blink adjusting to the light.

“Thanks for the advice by the way. It really helped.” You look across to see Eddie Munson sitting smiling at you.

“Glad the advice could be of use then.” You try your best not to move your hands aware they’re shaking. You can tell Eddie picks up on his eyebrow quirking.

“My uh, my parents never met their soulmates, so this is a bit of a big deal for me. Oh my god I didn’t tell them, they’re gonna kill me.” You look up to see Eddie laughing.

“What? This is serious!” He shakes his head.

“It’s not like we don’t; we live in a tiny ass town; besides we go to school, I share the only class I’m taking with you. We’re not going to part ways and never see each other. Besides, I’d like to get to know you, before I go meet your parents.”

“There’s not much to know.” Eddie Munson smirks.

“That my dear soulmate is where I beg to differ. You’re my other half. I want to know everything about you.”

“Where do I start?”

“Well what’s your favourite song?” You can’t help but join in his laughter.

Support My Writing?

#eddie munson #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x you #eddie munson x y/n #stranger things #stranger things reader insert #stranger things imagine #stattic #written

106 notes · View notes

nefariouscryptid · 1 year

Note

please king tell us more abt Morgan's bf

how'd he die, how old was he/Morgan when it happened, etc

what was he like as a person

Morgan’s boyfriend was named Dean. He was 19 when he got into the military as a mechanic, specifically repairing tanks and other machinery on the field for those using it in combat. He himself didn’t go face to face with anyone like the very select few that did but was able to defend himself with artillery if needed. Most of the time he was making sure everything was up to order along with a few others. One of those men being Morgan.

Morgan had the same job as him, both being together each time, which is how they got to really know each other outside of being in the same barrack. They hit it off really well due to shared interests outside of the military and same conflicting opinions with their jobs. Keep in mind like a lot of people in the military, especially those that don’t see combat, don’t think they’re the bad guys. They think everyone else is the bad guy. Eventually it didn’t seem like so.

I don’t think Dean joined the military to help people, almost no one does. His reasoning was for money and college funds, but because he really believed he was on the right side, it was a morality boost anyway. He’s not a bad guy, but once you start aiding in killing innocent civilians for your own gain, you become the bad guy. That’s the moral dilemma he faced. He could try to reason and excuse killing male civilians, especially the armed ones. He didn’t feel right about it, but as he started seeing his comrades kill women and children, it was over. He didn’t understand how that was supposed to help anyone, and the trauma and guilt was becoming overwhelming.

Dean confided a lot in Morgan cause Morgan found himself in the same dilemma. And he admired Morgan when he wouldn’t shoot a civilian even if the other men screamed at him to. Which got him into a shit ton of trouble a lot, and threatened to be arrested if dishonorably discharge (which happened anyway). Morgan found comfort in Dean and was happy to find this small sliver of hope in humanity.

Battle and war, even if you’re not face to face with someone else with a gun, is incredibly traumatizing. You’re seeing your side and the others side get literally blown to pieces, children screaming in fear and pain, homes getting blown up, sustaining your own injuries, and everyone around you is so sick in the head that they follow through with everything and saying “they’re just doing their job”.

Dean and Morgan got together 2 years into service. They’d sneak into each others bunks to sleep with eachother, keep each other company. Being it was 2040s gay relationships in the military arent met with as much repulsion, but it’s still the military. They didn’t have to hide it but they weren’t immune to being abused. But in the end it was each other. Morgan was Deans reassurance and comfort, Dean was Morgan’s light and hope. In all the hell they’ve seen, their compassion for others didn’t waiver. Out of everyone they killed the least, only to self defend if absolutely necessary, or to save someone else.

Dean killed a comrade after finding him raping a young girl. The rest of the group found him and he was immediately reported. This soldier was practically a leader, and very close with the generals. He was also known for being crude and a raging misogynist, but due to his ties he got away with everything, even taking credit for successful missions he played little part In. So the other soldiers killed Dean in his sleep, the one night Morgan was alone in infirmary after a piece of shrapnel got lodged in his leg.

Morgan was destroyed. He screamed at his Lieutenant, pleading for him to understand what had happened and that Dean saved a girls life from a war criminal, to punish the other soldiers, and was met with nothing. His Lieutenant didn’t care, and said that Dean was a coward and a murder. That Soldier was a good man, and a better fighter than Dean ever was. So Morgan beat him to death.

Instead of being executed or sentenced life imprisonment, law enforcement decided to psychologically fuck with Morgan by dishonorably discharging him and sentencing him to 9 years. Deeming it as “compassion” the media said it was another case of how the law is now on the side of the “mentally ill” and how grateful Morgan should be. How easy he got it, and how now he should rehabilitate into society again. Instead of being subjected to a life of harsh living and slave labor, he’s given all the tools to redeem himself. Now Morgan is doomed to be in debt to his country, and a complete societal outcast. No chance of getting a job, hospitals at liberty to abuse him due to his record, his slap on the wrist being used as a cover up for the harsh living conditions he will now face, with no change to what’s really going on. And no one will believe him.

Dean was 25 when he died, Morgan was 24.

#alex banters #chad tag #my ocs #morgan durante #dean castro #asks

2 notes · View notes

girlinlotsoffandoms · 2 years

Text

she's her daddy's girl, her momma's world - chapter 23

girls just wanna have fun-damental rights

Notes: It's been one week since SCOTUS overturned Roe v Wade and I'm still struggling to wrap my mind around everything that's happened in the past week and everything that will continue to happen in the fallout.

I am sad and angry and fearful for what this means for the US, because it is something that's going to affect each and every one of us in one way or another. I needed to do something to try and work through my thoughts and feelings, so I wrote this.

I'm going to be taking a little bit of a break. As much as I love Maya, I'm not really in a headspace right now to write quality content for her. I wasn't even planning on posting this one but I felt like it needed to be written. I'll be back soon. Much love.

TW: this piece discusses the current state of the US in regards to the overturn of Roe v Wade and includes conversations of abortion.

Here are some links with resources and places you can donate, if you feel inclined:

https://www.hercampus.com/culture/abortion-funds-roe-v-wade-overturned/

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/

Read on AO3 or below:

Stella was sitting on the bed, finishing off her braids, when Maya entered the room. The little girl took note of her mom's outfit and the items around her; it was clear she was about to go somewhere.

“Are you going somewhere?” Maya asked, leaning against the bed frame.

Stella nodded. "I'm meeting your Aunt Sylvie and Aunt Violet downtown in a few minutes. We're gonna walk the protest."

"Why?"

Stella sighed but moved closer, lifting Maya and setting her on the bed. She’d been trying to think of an age-appropriate way to breech the subject with Maya since the news broke. The little girl was smarter than the average eight-year-old, but this was a topic that some adults still failed to grasp.

“In our country, there’s something called the Supreme Court. It’s a group of selected people, called justices, that have the ability to uphold or overturn laws for everyone in the country. They decide what laws stay and what laws go.” Stella paused. After making sure Maya was following along, she continued. “A few days ago they decided to overturn, or get rid of, the ruling known as Roe versus Wade and it’s something that has affected women all over the country.”

“What’s Roe versus Wade?”

Stella wrapped an arm around Maya and pulled her close. “When I was pregnant with you, I was so happy, and your daddy and I were so excited to meet you. I was healthy and you were healthy, and everything worked out. But that’s not always the case for other women. Sometimes women, even girls and kids barely older than you, get pregnant when they don’t want to.”

“How does that happen?”

“Well, there are precautions you can take, things you can do to try and keep from getting pregnant but sometimes those things don’t work—accidents can happen, or someone can lie and say they took those precautions when they didn’t. And, unfortunately, there are some bad people in this world who do some really not nice things to other people.”

Maya nodded, a small frown on her face. “That’s not nice.”

“No, it’s not,” Stella said with a small smile. “But it’s not always like that. There are a lot of people out there who are SO excited to be pregnant and having a baby. Sadly though, having a baby can be very dangerous. Sometimes the baby is really, really sick and won’t be able to live once they’re born and sometimes the mommy’s life is in danger. It can lead to a lot of really hard decisions having to be made. Roe versus Wade protected a woman’s choice to end a pregnancy.”

“It’s called getting an abortion and making the decision to get one is, for some women, one of the hardest decisions they’ll ever make. It’s one that will stick with them for the rest of their lives.”

“Have you ever had one?” Maya asked quietly.

“No sweetie, I haven’t,” Stella answered. “But there was a time many, many, many years ago, before I met your dad, when I was married to someone else. There were times in that marriage when things were scary and at times, I wasn’t safe. If I had gotten pregnant during that time, I might’ve had to make that decision.”

Maya frowned in concern. “Really? Why?”

Stella was quiet for a moment. She didn’t like thinking about those years with Grant and she didn’t want to expose Maya to that while she was still so young but given what they were talking about, it was an important thing to add. Her voice was sad when she spoke again. “Because it wouldn’t have been a safe situation for a baby. There were times when he put his hands on me…he hurt me. He had a lot of issues and he needed help and I was in no shape to raise a child if I would’ve gotten pregnant during that time.”

Maya nodded, understandingly. "Do other people have them cause of that?"

"Some do, yeah." Stella nodded. "Some people have really scary lives at home--sometimes home isn't safe for them and it's definitely not safe for a baby."

"There are a lot of other reasons why people make the choice to end their pregnancy. Without Roe versus Wade, states are now allowed to make their own laws regarding abortions, and a lot of states have made it illegal, which puts a lot of people in danger."

"Are there options other than getting an abortion?" Maya, at this point, had turned her entire body to face her mom.

Stella immediately nodded. "Absolutely. Some choose to go through with the pregnancy and have their baby and others choose adoption, which allows people who want kids and people who are in a better position to raise the babies as their own. But sometimes adoptions fall through or something goes wrong and the baby ends up in foster care.”

“Like Nico?” Maya’s question was sweet and innocent.

“Kind of like Nico, yeah.” Stella had to smile at the clear adoration Maya had for the boy. “But while Nico has a family now, some kids have to stay in the foster care system a lot longer than he did.”

“Is that why you’re protesting?”

Stella nodded and brushed some curls off Maya’s face. “Yeah, baby. Your aunts and I, we’re protesting to show our support for not only those who have had to make the hard decision to end a pregnancy but for those who now might not have the chance or the freedom to make that choice.”

Maya was quiet for a minute. She took everything that her mom had told her in and tried to wrap her head around it. “Can I come with you?”

“Are you sure?” Stella asked, her eyebrows raised.

Maya nodded but a small frown graced her face. “Do you not want me to go?”

“No! I would love for you to come with me,” Stella assured quickly. “But your thoughts and opinions on things like abortion are yours to have. I just don’t want you to feel like I’m pushing my beliefs onto you. If you really want to come with me though, you’re more than welcome to.”

The little girl’s eyes lit up and she smiled brightly, nodding at her mom. Stella smiled back and sent Maya to her room to get her shoes on.

As she ran out of the room, Stella’s smile faltered a little. The reality of everything was starting to sink in for her—her daughters had fewer rights than she did growing up. Granted they had a better start in life than she did, but she’d be damned if they had to grow up in a country that seemed to not care about them.

That’s why Stella was marching.

That’s why she and hundreds and thousands of women all over the country were marching and protesting—to give girls and women, present and future, the rights and freedoms they deserve.

… … …

Walking out of the bedroom, Stella met Kelly in the hall. “She going with you?” he asked.

Stella nodded. “I explained everything to her in a way she could understand and she wanted to come.”

Kelly smiled. The older Maya got, the more her strength, courage, and passion for others grew. She took after her mother more and more.

He pulled Stella into a hug. ”You’ve got this Stella Kidd. You both do, and I’m with you every step of the way.”

Stella hugged back tightly. Kelly had always supported her, no matter what, and it wasn’t lost on her that there were husbands and partners out there that wouldn’t support the women in their lives through this.

She was going to march for them too.

#she's her daddy's girl her momma's world #stella kidd #maya severide #kelly severide #stellaride #there are trigger warnings so #read at your own risk

5 notes · View notes

theorist-influencer-untitled · 6 months

Text

10.30.23 Monday

1:07 am

Still having windblow.... I feel irritated on everything, probably a soul interference...

I hate immature people,angels... I'm avoiding those...

Thinking of money and job... I feel so frustrated and ugly!

1:13 am

Windblow... I feel like crying... I suddenly feel jealous on something that I don't know... Weird!!!

1:25 am

Scanning youtube then suddenly an old friend pop-up in my head about the pronunciation of Basil Leaves, it was just funny coz like what I said either is correct... Basil Leaves or Herbs, in USA it is "bay-seal" to pronounce the Basil but in Australia it is "Va-seal".... I wasn't sure if she is aware plus the UK pronunciation "Bah-seal"... I think she was somehow judgemental that old friend Maricel Edles, it just came up into my head now... It is just weird, suddenly pop-up in my head now...

1:41 am

Voting day tomorrow... Grrr!!! People are all excited... I feel bullshit!

Windblow2x I feel jealous on things that I don't know...

2:05 am

My baby John...

6:19 am

This Uncle Jun is so excited on the voting whatever... It is too early... So, cheap...

7:02 am

On the way to voting location... I can't return to my original way of fixing up myself... I feel irritated angels...

We are with Uncle DD and Aunt Karen's spaceship...

Not happy angels...

7:40 am

Uncle DD is starting again on his cheap suggestion on Doc Ibias that I should be Doc Ibias' secretary...

7:50 am

Not my ideal life... I feel panicky... This Doc Ibias suggested that I should be a doctor... Huh? How and when? What about my sex life and my future with someone???

I need to maintain stuff... What about me having my own yaya???

How can they say that I should continue to be a doctor as my next life...There are so many things that they can't assist me like my facial wash,my derma,my teeth... What about my stuff? Most specially my assistant? I need a yaya everywhere...

I wanted everything....

11:33 am

Just got back from the voting location....Then we just dine out in "Inasal" a group meal sponsorship by Uncle DD and Aunt Karen...

Me? How can I go back to be a doctor??? I'm tired everyday here, I'm tired thinking of money and I'm doing house chores these days coz we can't hire a house assistant these days...

It is not easy to produce a doctor, first you have to have peaceful environment, enough fundings for the needs of a particular person like me! I'm vain, I don't wanna be ugly and fat and I have personal insecurities... Like what I said this is not my ideal aging days... I should have or supposed to be doing my own job and doing my beauty routine like consistent foot spa and collagen and if I'm memorizing so much ( coz I can memorize a lot and some of my professors knew it most specially if I'm motivated ) or in the good mood to study... I need a derma maintenance coz I will surely have acne or a thousands breakouts. Studying using memorization is stressful in a way...

If someone will be a doctor on his or her journey, in my case I want a yaya coz it is tiring to memorize everyday and doing house chores will take a lot of time on me, that supposed to be I'm already studying but still doing some house chores like these days, it is impossible to produce a doctor having this kind of situation.

I wanted to feel pretty coz I'm no longer a fresh graduate angels... I wanted to maintain beauty while studying... I need SEX coz it is stressful without SEX!

These days I badly need SEX....I know the point of Doc Ibias he wanted me to have a better life or he is willing to assist me on my next life. Like what I said everyone can have or the normal successful adult life is to have a cycle of 2nd childhood,like what I posted earlier, a golden aging...

A golden aging means you will just make your life continuously better until you reach your ending on this earth...

Golden aging means repeating something that you did on your younger years,like fixing your teeth again coz it is like appliances in the house there is shelf life like an electric fan can last for 5 years then you have to buy again... It is the same thing on our physical aspect,angels... Not bad to get some botox on your aging days and that is called "Golden Aging".

For me I need to have and maintain my "self-esteem" if my journey on my next life is to be a doctor, I wanna feel pretty and I need SEX! I need SEX if I feel stress-out...

Plus, Uncle DD can't assist me to do my MRI on my pelvic pain or S-Bones pain or Sciatica/ Priformis... I need a MRI but he can'/t assist me...

But before doing that doctor thingy, I need to get the certification on calling and let's just cross the bridge when we get there...

I don't wanna be alone if ever on that journey... If I'm gonna be a doctor I want old friends or classmate or biology mates to be with me like Willa, Joyce, Ronald, Elena -- those are my biology mates.

I wanted to be professional someday, in any way and my Pet Store, angels!

I wanted to transfer in ilocos after 2 years hopefully,in a lil while coz there is no LIFE here...

8:32 pm

Simply scanning youtube... Done,eating dinner....I have to drink tea coz I really can't poops...

Anyways, saw this on youtube, Chandler died already one of the actors in FRIENDS...

20/20 is still active on crimes story... I remember again the 20/20 store here... This is funny...This house is about 20 hahah... A lot of people didn't know... But I have windblow or do we have windblow???

9pm

I still have windblow... I feel bitterish..

Still, I feel irritated and jealous on something that I don't know...

This is not my ideal aging days,angels... Until when??? I feel irritated... I wanna travel... I wanna go out! I wanna have some LIFE!

I feel irritated for having this deep smile lines without a story or a history to share but simply being stuck here with Uncle Jun or Uncle DD soon???

I wanna buy Starbucks everyday... I feel frustrated...

I feel jealous, why I feel jealous, I don't know!

I need a group angels... Can't talk to anyone here... I need a job coz I need money... I really wanna transfer to ilocos after 2 years, I have no LIFE here... I have no group here and I have no LIFE here...

9:18 pm

I feel JEALOUS on something that I don't know...

9:56 pm

I have windblow and I feel jealous suddenly on things that I don't know...

I can't find a group that is only mine and me as the center and people who can talk to me and relay things if something is wrong at my back... I hate immature people.

I feel JEALOUS on things that I don't know... Yeah! YEAH! I have windblow...

0 notes

rinkrats · 3 years

Note

🥺 that mike lange story. But also those tags #sid loooves christmas #he loves giving presents #looks good in red #piles on the pounds fast #post hockey career as santa 😂😂👌🏽👌🏽

he loves his mementos and presents and is COMMITTED to them. scrapbooking. matching jackets. little pills with hidden motivational messages~*~ his love language is gifts and neck smooches and stalking geno. relevant right now are some anecdotes i sent a friend earlier this year for dorky sid gifts fic fodder:

1. Crosby's constant thoughtfulness would be impressive from anyone, much less someone of his stature.

"Sid always texts me happy birthday, he's always asking me like, how's Russia?" Evgeni Malkin said. "We talk and message all summer. He asks me how my skates are. He knows, like, everything. He follows my Instagram, I think (laughs)."

In addition to having a handle on those little details, Crosby is constantly providing those around him with memories and mementos. If the team is on the road and goes, say, sightseeing or to a sporting event and takes a group photo, Crosby will later send a framed copy to everyone.

When Ron Hextall and Brian Burke watched their first Penguins game in person, Crosby is the one who approached head equipment manager Dana Heinze and asked for two used game pucks to give to the new GM and president of hockey ops.

After the Penguins won in 2009, Crosby had jackets made for the three players on the team who had scored a Cup-clinching goal in Game 7: Talbot (Pittsburgh), Ruslan Fedotenko (Tampa Bay) and Mike Rupp (New Jersey).

"They were blue jackets with gold buttons, and each one had a patch on it that said 'GWG Game 7,'" Talbot said. "At one of our first team meals the next season, he presented us with the jackets and did a big ceremony with the music and stuff. We had a private room in the restaurant. I still have the jacket."

-The Consummate Teammate, Captain and Ambassador, Feb 2021

2. Merz: My first interaction with Sid was when we were on the bench, guys were talking about a teammate, and the first thing this 15-year-old says is, “Hey, guys. Let’s keep everything positive. Don’t talk about your teammates that way.”

Salcido: When we were getting ready for nationals, he found these little pills that you could put a hidden message inside. They unscrewed, and inside was a tiny scroll. He gave one to every teammate. … He had everyone fill one out. He didn’t tell anyone what to write, but he made it known that we all knew what the goal was: winning nationals. So we wrote on our scrolls, rolled them up and put them in the pill thing. We kept them with us everywhere we went.

-‘Is this real?’: Stories of Sidney Crosby’s year at a Minnesota prep school, May 2020

3. On “Butterfly Boy” Jonathan Pitre:

Though the Senators are his team, Sidney Crosby has always been Jonny’s favourite player. After the TSN documentary airs, Tina gets a call from the Penguins. Sid needs Jonny’s measurements. He wants to have a suit made for him by his personal tailor, Domenico Vacca.

“It’s the kindest, sweetest gesture,” Tina says. “Sid heard that Jonny went to a lot of games, so he wants him to look like he’s one of the guys.”

“I want him to feel like a pro,” Crosby says. “Here’s a guy who is going through something so painful, and his first thought is always, ‘How can I help others?’ When I was young, I’d watch on TV the players coming to the rink in their suits. That was a cool part of being an NHL player. I want him to feel that, to make it as real as possible for him.”

Tina tries to discreetly measure Jonny while she’s changing his dressings. But he’s way too smart for that.

“Um, Mom, why are you measuring me? Am I going for surgery again?” he asks.

“No, no!” Tina replies, trying to reassure him and come up with a good lie, all in the same breath. “The doctor needs them just to make sure they have proper dressings next time you are in.”

A few weeks later, the sharp navy blue suit shows up at their front door, along with a couple of ties, an autographed stick and a handwritten letter from Sid.

“His eyes just light up,” Tina says. “Jonny always liked to be well-dressed, and he just loves having his own suit. It fits perfectly. He looks so good in it.”

-Beauties by James Duthie (2020)

4. Pascal Dupuis inspired his Pittsburgh Penguins teammates on their run to the Stanley Cup, and Sidney Crosby found a special way of driving that message home.

Dupuis retired in December with lingering health concerns because of blood clots. Despite his NHL playing days coming to an end, the veteran forward remained an integral part of the Penguins and was in uniform to hoist the Cup after Pittsburgh's six-game win against the San Jose Sharks in the Stanley Cup Final.

On Sunday, Dupuis brought the Cup home one last time as a player to share a special day with his family, friends and hometown fans.

"Yes, it does feel bittersweet a little bit," Dupuis said. "You get the Cup, you want to celebrate. But at the same time I got a gift by the mail [Saturday]. Basically, it's a book of all the pictures of all the good stuff we went through. It came from Nova Scotia, so you guys can figure out who it came from (Crosby), but he couldn't give it to me during the season, he saw me skating a little bit.

"And he sent it [Saturday], before my day with the Cup, so he knew what he was doing to get me right here," Dupuis said, putting his fist over his heart.

-Pascal Dupuis shares Stanley Cup with family, friends, Aug 2016

5. In 2011, Crosby was out of the lineup with a concussion, and the Penguins made their annual visit to Children’s Hospital.

Crosby got along so well with one boy there and was so touched that he later asked Bullano to go back... just the two of them, no cameras, no attention.

When Bullano and Crosby met for the follow-up visit, Crosby appeared clutching a pair of Toys “R” Us bags, filled with a Transformer toy the two had discussed.

“He literally bought every type of this toy they make,” Bullano said. “[Crosby] had never seen it before and thought it was so cool.

“There are no pictures of this. There’s no video. He was laying in the bed with the kid. They were just playing. We were there for over two hours. I got to know the mom really well because we were just sitting there.

“The kid had no idea. Didn’t expect it. They had no idea he was coming. We got there and he said, ‘Hey buddy. hope you don’t mind that I came back.’ The kid couldn’t believe it.

“[Crosby’s] crazy cool about stuff like that.”

What’s crazy is trying to recount the many times stuff like this has happened with Crosby:

• The Little Penguins Learn to Play program has been around for nine seasons, outfitting now 1,200 kids with free head-to-toe hockey equipment. Not only does Crosby serve as the face of the program — which the NHL has now adopted — but he helps fund it, too.

“There’s an awareness of what a person in his position can bring,” Penguins vice president of communications Tom McMillan said. “I think he activates that as much as anybody I’ve seen during his playing career.”

• After a recent practice, Crosby noticed a local family in the Penguins dressing room, approached them, introduced himself, learned their story and wound up giving them a signed stick.

Nobody asked Crosby to do that, and he wanted zero credit when discussing it a couple days later.

“For people who have the opportunity to come in here, people dealing with certain things, if you can brighten their day a bit or spend some time with them, it’s something that’s special for all of us,” Crosby said.

• A few years ago, through a team charity event, Crosby befriended a 4-year-old Amish boy with cancer. Crosby remarked to Bullano how much he loved talking to the boy because of how engaging the boy was and how he wasn’t consumed with technology. Crosby even tried to visit the boy but learned he had passed away.

• He learns the first and last names of the kids who attend his hockey school in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia.

“Two kids came from Japan its first year,” Bullano recalled. “He was so blown away by that. He couldn’t wait to meet them.”

• Earlier this season, the Penguins welcomed Grant Chupinka, 24-year-old cancer patient, into the dressing room. Crosby chatted up Grant and his parents, Steve and Kim.

He spent his usual time — about two or three times the requirement. Gave the tour. Then found out the Chupinkas didn’t have tickets for that night’s game and decided he would pay for them to go.

“I’m sure he could just give them an autographed puck or something, but he takes his time to go out and see them and talk to them and get to know them,” Brian Dumoulin said. “It speaks volumes for him and who he is as a person.”

Spend any length of time with Crosby during his visits with those less fortunate, and a few things become obvious.

One, Crosby is really good at these. Smooth but not in a slimy way. Sweet. You know how when you’re around someone talking and they go out of their way to make eye contact with everyone around? That’s Crosby.

He’s also humble, always introducing himself like those he’s meeting don’t already know. Holding a hand is no issue. And Crosby is the rare 20-something pro athlete without kids who acts every bit like he does.

“It is not an easy situation to talk to someone with terminal cancer,” McMillan said. “A lot of people couldn’t do that. He has an amazing ability to do that and make that person feel good.”

Crosby has welcomed several Make-a-Wish kids and tries, if at all possible, to schedule such events for practice days — to maximize the time he’s able to spend.

He’s developed a special friendship with Patrick McIlvain, a soldier who nearly died when he took a bullet to the head in Afghanistan. McIlvain actually does physical therapy with one of Crosby’s sticks.

A former club hockey player at Cal U, McIlvain comes by every year, and the Penguins don’t even bother to tell Crosby. Either he already knows or immediately stops what he’s doing to come say hello.

“He’s not doing it to leave a legacy,” said Terry Kalna, Penguins vice president of sales and broadcasting. “His numbers leave the legacy. He’s just a down-to-Earth, good guy.”

Before a visit, Crosby has Bullano email him what is essentially a scouting report on who he’s going to meet. He likes to learn about them, their situation and what they’ve been through. As much information as he can ingest. Crosby never just swoops in, shake a hand and leave.

“As much as anyone has ever seen, he accepts the responsibilities of being not just a professional athlete but a star professional athlete,” McMillan said. “He views it as part of the job. Like coming to the morning skate. That’s just what you do.”

Put another way, “he owns those moments,” says Kalna.

Said Bullano, “He’s just a good human being.”

-When it comes to giving, Sidney Crosby does as much as he can, Feb 2017

6. When Crosby received a generous signing bonus on his Reebok deal, he wanted to share it with everyone.

“He gave everyone on the bus gifts,” says Oceanic radio commentator Michel Germain. “Him sharing his bonus with all the people he’d been travelling with for two years, that impresses me greatly. I think the most important thing about Sidney Crosby is his personality and the kind of human being he is. What he exuded. The inner richness he’d already developed.”

-Superstitious and generous, Dec 2006

7. also this simply because it makes me ;w;

Even in defeat — no, especially in defeat — Sidney Crosby proved why he wears the "C" for the Penguins.

After the game, with his heart sinking and his season over, the Penguins’ captain bent over, sank to the ice to pick up the puck, took it to linesman Tony Sericolo and then skated to his team’s handshake line.

I immediately thought of a View from Ice Level I’d written on Crosby making sure a retiring official was sent away from PPG Paints Arena properly. I knew picking up the puck wasn’t for the same reason that was, but I also knew, in some way, it was connected to Crosby’s awareness and respect of the game.

“It was for the Islanders,” Crosby told me after the game, his eyes swollen from a first round exit – by way of a sweep to make it worse. He told me how the winning team always wanted the puck, and it was his way of providing it for the Islanders.

Crosby looked me right in the eye as he told me this, just as he did with every other member of the media to come to him after the loss.

I could tell from those swollen eyes and the way he sat at his stall, by himself with his hands folded as he stared blankly, that Sidney Crosby is much more used to being on the receiving end of a puck when a series ends than he is at retrieving it for the winning team.

That scene. His swollen eyes. Staying in the locker room until most had left – talking to anyone who needed him. Most of all, though, picking up the puck that prompted my question in the first place and making sure the right people got their piece of their own history.

It all adds up to one thing: In victory and in defeat, Crosby respects the game above all else – just as he’s always done.

-Even in defeat, Crosby shines, April 2019

#anyway this was a nice walk down memory lane after the disastrous game rip #sidney crosby #pittsburgh penguins #hockey #text

620 notes · View notes

silverynight · 3 years

Note

Hi! Could you make a oneshot where everyone is terrified of the hashiras except the kamaboko squad + Genya and Kanao? Basically a series of situations where a demon slayer sees one hashira being soft and kind around Tanjirou, and at the end the Hashiras are in a organization wide meeting, talking about important information about the uppermoons. Several kakushi suddenly rush to the butterfly estate, one of the kasugai crows inform the hashiras that Tanjirou was severely injured from a mission and has escaped the butterfly estate? He didn’t want to get healed because he wanted to greet the hashiras. Then they just all hear a thud at the corner, where Tanjirou passed out. The hashiras all freak out, they call a kakushi to take care of him and all follow him to the butterfly estate?

I love your oneshots btw!

The kakushi girl has learned a lot since that day at the butterfly estate; Tanjirou is special, there's something about him that makes every single hashira melt as soon as they see him.

Every. Single. One.

Even the scariest of them like the wind hashira. She wouldn't have believed it if she hadn't seen it with her own eyes.

They're taking a break; she's in the dining room with a few slayers and a couple of kakushi. The Pillars will be arriving soon so they're eating what they can before leaving the place.

However, one of them takes two ohagi that were left on a plate even though they clearly belonged to someone. She's waiting for the ridiculous fight (sometimes demon slayers argue with each other for nonsense like that).

"That was Shinazugawa-san's" a girl informs the boy, who immediately pales after hearing that.

"Those are his favorites," says another.

"You'll be dead soon."

"Just tell him Tanjirou ate them," a boy with short, yellow hair she doesn't remember the name of says, still enjoying his rice balls.

"What? I thought you were Tanjirou's friend, Zenitsu!" Says the demon slayer girl, almost outraged. "Why do you want Shinazugawa-san to kill him?"

If the kakushi girl hadn't been on the butterfly mansion that day, she would've been glaring at the blond as well.

Zenitsu sighs.

"He won't kill him because it's Tanjirou and the Pillars would never hurt him. Seriously, haven't you noticed? Where have you been?"

No one believes him of course and the boy seriously considers running away but the hashira arrive before he can do anything and Shinazugawa realizes what happened immediately.

A few demon slayers manage to run away, but the boy gets caught by the wind hashira; he grabs him by the uniform to lift him from the ground like nothing.

At least he's not grabbing him by the neck.

"Who ate them? Was it you?" He growls. For a second the kakushi girl thinks the young demon slayer is going to faint out fear.

"It was me, Shinazugawa-san!" Tanjirou arrives just in time. "I'm so sorry! I can make you more if you want!"

The wind hashira releases the demon slayer, who hits the floor immediately and grimaces in pain.

"There's no need," Shinazugawa huffs. "I wasn't hungry anyway."

He walks away, but ruffles Tanjirou's hair when he passes next to him. Everyone, except the other Pillars (who are already trying to get Tanjirou to sit next to them) looks like they're in shock.

***

She kinda enjoys when someone realizes what's going on; it's fun to see the confusion on someone else's face when they catch a glimpse of Tomioka smiling softly at Tanjirou or Rengoku carrying the boy in his arms every time he sees him.

"Look," Kanao, the insect hashira's tsuguko, mumbles as she sits next to her. A group of demon slayers have been training with Tokito and it's been a nightmare for almost everyone. "This is my favorite part."

The mist hashira starts throwing rocks at the ones he thinks are not moving correctly as they practice with wooden swords.

She can hear the way they hiss in pain whenever a stone hits them.

"Are you sure I'm doing this correctly, Tokito-san?" Tanjirou asks, looking as puzzled as some of his fellows slayers. He's the only one who hasn't been hit by a rock. Not even once.

"Of course, Tanjirou!" The hashira grins at him, taking both his hands almost lovingly. "Your movements are perfect! Actually, you can take a break now."

His voice is soft as he encourages Tanjirou to go eat something, but as soon as he turns around to the others an unimpressed expression appears on his face.

"That's what you call training, you incompetent airheads? We're going to keep this until you can't stand anymore!"

***

Even though Uzui is constantly flirting with Tanjirou (who seems to be oblivious to everything) he's the one stopping other demon slayers from trying to do the same.

It's understandable confusing for the others to watch as the sound hashira narrows his eyes at them from above (he's ridiculously tall) and then turn at Tanjirou with flirty smile curling his lips up whenever the boy gets close to him.

However, he lets one of the young ones follow Tanjirou (like a lovesick puppy) around everywhere.

"Who's that?" She asks, she's become really good friends with Zenitsu and often looks for him because he's the one that knows the most about that situation. "And why haven't they–"

"He's Genya," Zenitsu frowns. "He's the only one allowed to do that because he's Shinazugawa-san's little brother."

Huh. So that's why he looks terrifying as well. Also, he doesn't look little at all; he's even taller than most of the Pillars. It's weird that he usually looks so grumpy and murderous and yet when Tanjirou turns to talk to him he acts like a twelve-year-old with a crush.

"Tanjirou has no idea, right?" She asks, even though she knows the answer already.

"Not at all."

***

She definitely doesn't expect to find Tanjirou passed out on the ground when she and a few of her fellow kakushi are called to the hashira headquarters.

It seems Tanjirou got injured during his latest mission, but he didn't listen to the kakushi advice and rushed to greet the Pillars as soon as he found out they were in the headquarters having a meeting.

And now he's unconscious and the hashira are surrounding the boy and looking like they're in pain. The first kakushi that gets closer to Tanjirou gets growled at by the flame hashira, who instinctively puts himself in the middle.

"I'm sorry," Rengoku apologizes immediately, like waking up from a dream. "I thought you were going to hurt him..."

It's like the hashira's protective instincts have suddenly grown exponentially.

None of the kakushi dare to get closer again. Tomioka gets desperate and takes Tanjirou in his arms. For the first time since she met him he doesn't have a neutral expression on his face.

He's worried, almost in despair.

"I'll follow you," he tells the kakushi.

They check his injuries as soon as Tomioka leaves him in one of the rooms. Kocho strokes Tanjirou's hair kindly, smiling softly before turning to face the others.

"He'll be fine," she informs them. "But we have to let him rest."

That they do, but they remain outside the room; some of them have to go on missions already but Kanroji promises to send them a message as soon as Tanjirou wakes up.

Quietly, the kakushi girl observes as they take turns to walk in the room and stay for a while with him. Rengoku likes to take Tanjirou's hand in his and kiss it gently as he mumbles something the kakushi girl can't hear.

Tomioka looks down at the boy like he doesn't care about anything else in the world. She knows now that he's the one that met him first and wonders what happened then.

It's strange how things can turn from "I don't even know who you are" to "you're the most important thing in my life. I'd do anything for you."

Kocho helps Tanjirou sit on the bed and wakes him up herself only to give him more medicine.

Kanroji sobs a little bit, but doesn't say much. Uzui pushes a kakushi aside so he can change Tanjirou's bandages himself.

When he finally wakes up completely, Shinazugawa is back.

"Don't you ever do that again!" It's the first thing he says, growling. "Running away from the butterfly mansion just to say 'Hi' to us? Are you out of your mind?"

"I'm sorry," Tanjirou chuckles, not even a little bit intimidated by the wind hashira's irritation. "I didn't feel that bad at the moment. I thought I was fine."

"You weren't," Tomioka scolds him, but softens his expression immediately after. "I'm glad you're okay now."

Rengoku takes Tanjirou in his arms and Kanroji gives him a kiss on the forehead before Tokito starts arguing that it's his turn.

While the other kakushi look at the scene in shock, she funds herself smiling at them. Then, she desperately wishes them happiness because it's always difficult and a bit hopeless to love so much in a world like the one they live in.

Love makes everyone vulnerable, even the strong and powerful ones.

***

Patreon

#kny #kimetsu no yaiba #demon slayer #tanjiro kamado #zenitsu agatsuma #giyu tomioka #kyojuro rengoku #shinobu kochou #sanemi shinazugawa #genya shinazugawa #muichiro tokito #mitsuri kanroji #tengen uzui #giyutan #kyotan #anonymous #asks #ask silverynight

156 notes · View notes

stonefreeak · 3 years

Text

My goodness people, I’m so sorry for the delay! I’ve been working on the structuring of my files to get a better overview of what remains of the project, to hopefully be able to speed writing up (even as work really means that my free-time is much more limited than it was once upon a time, lmao. Sometimes I miss December of 2016 when this whole thing started, 33k in a month of updates, amirite?)

it’s taken me so long I’m wondering if anyone even remember this plot point at this point, lmao

Also: belated happy midsummers to all my fellow Swedes!

Bail taps his finger against this desk and stairs unseeingly at the datapad in front of him.

He hadn't been sure if the information Aleena Yashi gave him, though she's worked as an assistant to multiple senators over the years, was true. But everything checks out. He briefly wondered why she would come to him about it, rather than Senator Lobos who she's currently working for... But perhaps it's because he's known to have a favourable view of the Jedi that she's done so. Perhaps it's because all of this information mostly pertains to the Jedi and the laws surrounding them, and she wanted a prominent Senator who she could trust not to hide the information away because they don't care for the Jedi.

Bail, a Core World Senator well known for his good relationship with the Jedi and friendship with the current Supreme Chancellor, must have seemed like the best option for her. He wonders who else would have been on her list, before she settled on him, but he chose not to ask when she visited him. Perhaps it's better if he doesn't know; it hardly matters now anyway.

He looks down at the datapad again and considers his options.

He should probably discuss her findings with her, and see what exactly her goal is. If he's to do something about this, then he wants her involved even as he gathers support from other senators.

He has no doubt that Padmé will agree to add her support to Bail to help sort this mess out, but considering that they've both been involved with the investigation they're conducting into Jedi missions being altered... Well, Bail wants more Senators involved this time. Just to ensure that it cannot be taken as some form of conspiracy in favour of the Jedi. As ridiculous as that notion seems, Bail is not blind to the way many Senators look at the Jedi, nor to the fact that many of them don't seem to believe that they're really capable of what they say they are.

Few people besides the Jedi truly believe in the Force, after all.

Few people could believe in something they cannot know for themselves when others supposedly have a direct connection to it. Bail is one of the few who does believe them, he's seen what the Jedi can do first-hand. There's nothing else that can account for that kind of power besides this Force they talk of. They and other groups out there, it’s not only the Jedi, after all.

Besides, he knows many of them personally, and while Bail may not understand or follow all of their beliefs or traditions, he also knows that they're not a bunch of charlatans faking it for power of money—though he knows some of his fellow senators believe that to be the case. Even senators on Coruscant, who've seen Jedi in real life, seem to believe them little more than myth.

Bail has been kept up to date on the investigation into the Jedi missions, though he’s not taking an active role in it right now, and he’s certain that he has been kept in the loop to give legitimacy to the investigation. Give it a proper paper trail, even if it’s done with the Senate’s highest level of security. A strictly need-to-know basis, and until it’s finished, no one else needs to know.

Of course, Bail asked Obi-Wan in private if he would be allowed to tell Breha. As his Queen and the leader of Bail’s planet, he found it important to clue her in on it. Besides, it’s another step of legitimacy. After all, if Breha takes an active stance on it, then so does Alderaan.

If anyone wants to accuse the investigation at a later date for being a sham… Well, they will need to accuse Alderaan of engaging in it in the first place. Bail isn’t stupid enough to think that it’s not one of the primary reasons Obi-Wan agreed with Bail’s request.

They’re friends, and Obi-Wan likes Breha, but this is not about being friends. This is about political allyship and keeping sensitive information on as tight a lock-down as they can until the time to reveal it comes.

Besides, as worried as Bail has become with Miss Yashi’s information, it’s even worse when considered together with the altered Jedi missions and not in the least… Well, the war time propaganda. There's no point in shying away from what it is, and the ramifications it has.

Considering how most of the war time propaganda—Bail can acknowledge it for what it is, there truly is no point in trying to deny the facts—focuses almost exclusively on the clones and their efforts in the war, it's hardly strange that the general population neither know nor understand them.

Further considering the information that Bail has now confirmed to be real and accurate... He understands that the omission of the Jedi is entirely deliberate. If you want to discredit and undermine the Jedi, why would you ever speak of their accomplishments and sacrifices? You wouldn't, as that would bring public support to them.

Bail sighs and rolls his shoulders.

He needs to build a following, he cannot properly push this alone. But he also understands why Miss Yashi brought it to him alone, first. A Core World Senator is far harder to make "disappear" than a Twi'lek Senatorial aide, no matter how awful that is to say. Bail can't go missing, and any attempt on his life would have a bit more trouble hitting its mark.

That's not to say that it would be impossible for someone to assassinate him, which is of course why he'll make sure that Breha is entirely up to speed on everything.

All of it together... There is some form of conspiracy to discredit or perhaps even get rid of the Jedi; Bail is sure of it. But he cannot see to what end. What are they trying to achieve?

For what reason would anyone work to discredit the Jedi? What is the end goal to strive for? There’s no way for the politicians to dissolve the Jedi Order, they are not in that way under Senate control. They could, of course, remove all of their backing, forcing the Jedi to become free agents, certainly…

But for what purpose? It would leave the Republic without the Jedi as peacekeepers, for the Jedi would hardly remain to do diplomacy work for the Senate without its backing. After all, what would the point be? Without the Senate’s backing, the Jedi would have far less ability to do anything.

How could they negotiate treaties if the Senate won’t honour them?

They could, perhaps, be a neutral third party within discussions. But there’s no reason for anyone to listen to their input in such a case. It’s hard enough to get disagreeing parties to listen to external input when you come with powerful backing that could make you listen even if you refuse.

How could they function with no funding? They would need to work on commission, at which point only those who can afford their help can get it. That would be the opposite of an improvement.

To not even begin to talk about how few of them there are, how few of them there were even before the war. Their population is not even a hundredth of a percent of Alderaan’s population, and Alderaan is only a single planet within the tens of thousands of star systems that make up the Republic—nevermind the entire galaxy. There’s just not enough of them, and hasn’t that always been a problem even while they’re working under the Republic? Too few, spread too thin.

No, if the Jedi became free agents, their ability to affect change would be greatly diminished. Bail is quite certain they’d work on much smaller scales, still trying to do what they can for the galaxy, bit by bit. Working with smaller communities on planets and moons… If they even had the ability to find out about disputes that may need their help in the first place.

Losing the Jedi as peacekeepers isn’t a win for the Republic either, as the budget for the Jedi was already miniscule even before it started being diminished—as Miss Yashi’s discovery shows. It cannot be an attempt at cost saving, or an idea of improvement for the Republic. Needing to train their own diplomats and ensure that they have skilled enough guards… That would be more expensive and it would not be able to guarantee that these diplomats are neutral in conflicts.

The Jedi have no specific allegiances the way diplomats and even Senators have. Even the least corrupt Senator will still place their own planet and star system first. It is part of their role, after all.

So no, it cannot be something like that. Not unless the people slowly enacting this are horribly misguided and foolish. Not to mention, Bail knows most Senators would simply call for making away with the Jedi entirely, rather than this slow plan to undercut them.

No… There must be something else going on here, some other primary goal whoever is pulling these strings is looking out to do.

He’ll need to figure it out, no doubt, Bail concludes.

But beyond that, he also needs to build a base to help him bring this information he’s been given to the Senate’s attention. He is quite sure already who he should be looking towards first: Senator Ach’ki Mandai of Haa’ndu.

Who better to help him bring this to Senate attention than the Senator who ensured a Jedi now sits as the Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic?

—

(Supreme Chancellor Obi-Wan Kenobi masterpost)

#Supreme Chancellor Obi Wan Kenobi #star wars #bail organa #update #my writing

166 notes · View notes

tangerinesmooch · 3 years

Text

AOT Vet reaction to crush defending them

Erwin:

You were Erwin's assistant for a few years now and you've gained a very close bond with your commander. You would always be assisting him with paperwork, helping him with meetings, and even making sure the man took care of his health. Your relationship with Erwin was nothing more than close friends but your feelings for the man you worked under didn't help with the professional environment. Erwin needed your assistance with a meeting in Wall Sina with some of the nobles so he can persuade them to fund for the next planned expedition. Convincing them was kinda difficult since they were all stubborn and lazy assholes who only cared for their personal gain. But Erwin was too much of a smart man so he was usually able to convince them as much as he could. When the meeting finished, Erwin had to leave you behind for a bit in order to talk about some of the final adjustments for the funds. You were looking over some of the paperwork when you heard the voice of a noble behind you. "Man, that commander sure is pathetic. Wasting our good old money in order to keep his soldiers fat and happy." The said noble laughed in a snobbish manner. You were used to hearing negative things about the commander plus you didn't want to cause a scene so you kept quiet. But the next comment just riled you up to the next level. "Erwin should maybe sacrifice more of his men so we can fund less money. All a selfish bastard like him does anyway." You couldn't hear these comments any longer as you stood up from your seat and turned behind with a horrific glare. "Selfish? The only selfish bastard I see here is the one talking shit about his money being wasted." The noble cowered beneath your glare that you didn't even notice the door being opened by a certain blonde. "If I hear you continue talking shit about the survey corps or the commander, I won't hesitate to beat your ass. Got it, pig?" The noble squealed at your threat as he quickly ran out of the room. The commander listening was a little surprised to hear you defending him but he couldn't help but feel proud of you for standing up for him. He definitely saw you in a new light that day and hoped to keep seeing it from here on out.

Levi:

You were busy working at your tea shop as you wiped down the counters. When the bell chimed from the entrance you looked up to see a familiar survey corps captain that frequently visited your shop. "Hey Levi! Good to see you here! The usual like always?" The said man nodded and said, "Yeah, just one black tea." The raven haired man brought out his wallet and paid as he walked over to one of the tables to sit down and wait. The little touch you shared made your face heat up a bit since you may have harbored feelings for the raven haired captain. You couldn't help it. He was kind in his own way and always had a caring heart, even if others couldn't see it right away. When you were preparing his drink, you overheard some military police members walk in the shop. The shop was already a bit busy as it is, but you could still overhear some of what they were saying. "Man the scouts have been pissing me off lately. Especially that captain. No wonder why no lady goes near him. He's as ugly inside and out." His voice was loud enough for you to hear and your temper got the better of you when said group of men walked over to your counter. "Hey lady, can we take a fresh cup of tea to go? We're dehydrated." Your fists clenched as you said angrily, "I won't be giving any tea to lazy asses who call the captain ugly. Who gives you assholes the right to say that? Go look in a damn mirror and see what ugly really is. Now get out before I make you." The group of men rolled their eyes in annoyance before walking out of the shop complaining. What you didn't know was that Levi overheard everything being said. Levi was used to the military police insulting him but he didn't expect you to defend him so easily. You always seemed so kind and soft spoken so it left some sort of shock with him. The anger was in so much control over your body that you almost forgot about the black tea for the raven haired male. "Oh, sorry Levi! Here's your tea." The man walked over to grab the cup and take a sip. What surprised you was what Levi said next. "Thank you."

Hanji:

Some members of the garrison regiment were crowded around for the titan experiments the survey corps were conducting. You've been a member of the garrison for a while but you've known Hanji ever since you were cadets. You would send letters to each other almost all the time for communication and Hanji would talk about how they were going to start studying the titan's behavior. You were willing to participate to help your best friend and you were excited to see them since it's been a while. Once Hanji saw you, they were ecstatic and immediately ran to you for a hug. You hugged them back tighter saying to Hanji how much you missed them and how it's been almost forever. The sweet moment couldn't last a while unfortunately since the experiments had to start. While some of the other soldiers found it ridiculous, you understood Hanji's intentions and why they wanted to learn more. It intrigued you to learn more about the titans as well. When Hanji was working on whether the captured titans could adapt to the dark, you heard some snickering behind you. "I don't know why we even came here. That crazy bitch think this is gonna do anything? Yeah right. What an incompetent fool." The man couldn't say any more when a heavy punch was blown to his face. His friend next to him had his mouth wide open in shock at your actions but you couldn't just step back and hear his rude comment. "Incompetent fool?! Who do you think you're talking about?! That's Hanji Zoe. One of the smartest people I know. These experiments actually show value in our knowledge about the titans. You're a pathetic ass for thinking that someone like Hanji is incompetent at their job. Now stop talking shit and get to work." You huffed in anger as you went back to work on the titans. Hanji was too bothered to even care about what anyone else said, but you being furious and standing up for them brought their attention quickly. They've never seen you that angry before and the fact that it was to defend them made their heart flutter in their chest. Hanji always saw you as a close friend but never considered being more even with the feelings they had for you. They started to gain more hope that you felt the exact same way about them.

#attack on titan #shingeki no kyojin #snk #aot #erwin aot #erwin smith #erwin smith x reader #erwin x reader #levi ackerman #levi snk #levi ackerman x reader #levi x reader #hanji zoe #hange zoe #hange x reader #hanji zoe x reader #aot x reader #aot scenario

261 notes · View notes

tricksters-captain · 3 years

Text

Benny Watts/The Queens Gambit imagines - From Pawn to Pen Part 1

AN: So I watched the Queens Gambit in one day and I am officially obsessed with it. And how dare it bring back my crush on Thomas Brodie Sangster... Due to this... Have a fanfic...

Overall Summary: You’re a young journalist for Chess Review, with a love for chess and a desire for knowledge. One day at a tournament, you come across the famous Benny Watts...

Pairing(s): Benny Watts x reader

Word Count: 2,504

Warnings: (I know nothing about chess except what the show taught me so bare that in mind), none really

Another state, another tournament.

Your work had you travel round to even the smallest of Chess Tournaments to try and get the dirt on up and coming chess players or already existing champions.

You inhaled the familiar smell of a hotel lobby, taking in your surroundings as people bustled about the place.

It was one of the bigger tournaments fortunately and so you were hoping to run into some champions which tend to give you better pages which equals better pay.

You walked up to the front desk, your eyes scanning the small tables as far as the eye could see where chess boards were being studied in case you recognised any chess players.

You did but they were all the standard normies that showed their faces at these events. No one noteworthy yet.

“Can I help you?” The slim man behind the desk with slicked back red hair flashed you a toothy smile as he greeted you.

“(Y/n)(Y/l/n).” You introduced yourself and the man soon flicked through his booking sheets to find your reservation.

“Room 209. If you just head down this hall to the elevators, it’s on the second floor.” The man pointed towards the elevators where you managed to spot the flash of bright auburn hair entering one of them.

Beth Harmon.

You smiled with relief as you started to sew the piece in your head already.

“Thank you.” You took the key and made your way down to elevators.

As the elevator door dinged open, some commotion by the entrance of the lobby caught your attention.

The peak of leather through the crowd told you who it was.

Benny Watts.

Even better. You now had two top chess players you could focus on.

You decided to let the celebrity champion settle into his hotel before you mobbed him as a journalist and you also needed to freshen up after travelling.

You travelled so much that you barely bothered with your apartment. It was mostly rented out to other people besides holidays like Christmas where you actually could return home.

Everything you had was basically in two large suitcases which you dragged across the United States and Europe following chess players around.

You mainly liked travelling around Europe. You previously worked for a Parisian chess magazine but this year you took an offer to work for Chess Review which brought you back to the states.

You had mostly done smaller tournaments all year round so hadn’t had the pleasure in meeting Benny Watts or Beth Harmon yet.

Benny Watts had been one of the biggest names in chess for years now and Beth Harmon was a rapid rising star.

You knew this would be your big break in Chess Review to stop being handed the small tournaments and to document the important ones like the US Open.

You opened the door to your hotel room and smiled when you saw how nice it actually was.

You had stayed in some crap holes recently.

You dumped your suitcases to one side and immediately turned on the shower so you could relax your cramped muscles and feel a bit cleaner.

You undressed and let the hot water cascade down your back, covering your hair and face as you tipped your head backwards.

You took your time in there before getting out and blow drying your hair.

By the time you had washed, done your hair and make up again; it was time to pick a dress for the evening so you could go get something to eat.

You went for your favourite navy blue skirt and cream sweater, both hugged you nicely but were still modest, before slipping on some shoes.

You took a small purse to put your room key in and then left for the restaurant/bar that was in the hotel.

The restaurant was filled with chess players and spectators all buzzing with excitement about this weekend.

You managed to find a small table away from the majority of the hustle and tucked yourself away with your notepad.

You liked being a fly on the wall most of the time. You enjoyed observing, studying and learning about people. ‘People watching’ as some would call it.

The waiter brought over the cocktail you had ordered along with some grapes, cheese and crackers to munch on.

After writing some of the thoughts down that came to you in the shower, you looked up to see who was around you.

There was no sign of Beth Harmon which wasn’t unusual as she was known for practising in her room before tournaments.

You scanned the groups before your eyes stopped on him. Benny Watts.

His slick blonde hair fell slightly by his eye, his hat on his lap as he talked to the surrounding fans and admirers.

The man loved talking about himself and loved talking about Chess even more.

You watched him for a moment, the way his eyes were alight as he laughed amongst his peers.

Benny must've felt someone was watching him because a second later, his eyes met yours for a brief moment.

You looked down and pretended to write something down as Benny turned his chin this time to look at you again.

You were used to being invisible and in that moment you felt extremely seen.

However, the man didn’t move from his chair or even look another time after that.

You popped a grape in your mouth before taking a large sip of your drink. You’d have to talk to him tomorrow and you knew that but for the first time, you actually felt the bubbles of nerves rise in stomach.

“May I buy you a drink?” A voice brought you from your thoughts and you looked up to see Henry Cavilla, one of the regular American chess players whom you believed you’d seen only two months before in Denver.

“I’m fine, thank you.” You declined politely but the man sat down anyway, joining you at your table.

“I insist.” Henry’s smile spread widely on his lips as he waved a waiter over. “I saw you in Denver. You’re a journalist, am I right?”

“Yes. For Chess Review.” You had to hide your irritation at his boldness.

“How long you been doing that?” The man asked,

“Well I’ve been a journalist for three years, but I’ve only been at Chess Review for 6 months.” You admitted honestly as the man ordered two drinks for the table.

“What’s a beautiful girl like you doing reporting on chess? Thought you’d be more into what Beth Harmon was wearing than her Sicilian defence.”

“I could ask you a similar thing? What’s a mediocre, chino wearing, middle aged misogynist doing at a chess tournament where Beth Harmon and Benny Watts are playing?” You couldn’t help but let the words slip out of your mouth, slapping the man right round the face.

You watched the man’s smile drop following a small burst of laughter echoing through the restaurant.

Your head snapped round to see it was Benny Watts laughing, staring directly at your table. He must’ve heard what you said despite the rest of the restaurant noise.

“Listen here, sweetheart, you’re just a skirt hired to keep your boss man happy and to fuck the chess players into a one page interview so you can get your paycheck to fund your morning after pill from planned parenthood and buy yourself some clean panties you’d sooner have off anyways.” You hit a nerve with what you said and he seemed to hit one right back.

You threw the two new drinks in the mans face, causing most of the restaurant to stop and stare at the commotion as he jumped to his feet to retaliate.

You snatched your notebook and fled the scene before anything worse could happen or you get thrown out of the tournament all together.

You fell back onto your bed, kicking your shoes off as you did.

It wasn’t unusual for men to be putting you down, especially in the chess world and the journalist world but tonight you just weren't having any of it.

You groaned as you pushed your hair out of your face, replaying the event in your head. The way everyone stared after you threw the drinks in his face.

You did not need to be the centre of attention this weekend.

You put yourself to bed with the television playing so you could stop scolding yourself in your head and distract yourself to finally get some sleep.

The next morning you woke up early, getting ready quickly and making sure you had everything you needed for a full day of reporting.

You skipped breakfast, only taking a black coffee before you entered the battle field.

The chess boards were still being set up and from across the room you spotted the familiar hair colour that belonged to Beth Harmon.

“Beth? Beth Harmon?” You crossed the room to greet her. “I’m (Y/n)(Y/l/n) from Chess Review. I was wondering if I could get an opening statement before the tournament goes ahead this weekend?” You asked politely, trying your best not to attack her verbally this early in the morning,

“Uh, of course. I’m feeling very confident this weekend that I’ll quickly rise to the top, concluding the tournament opposite Benny Watts.” Beth admitted,

“Are you scared of Benny Watts?” You asked,

“Scared? No. I am merely curious to see how our game goes.” Beth admits.

“Well, good luck, Beth. I hope to catch up with you sometime this weekend for a brief interview of how you play your games if you don’t mind?” You asked politely, silently begging she’d say yes.

“I’ll speak with you tomorrow night. It’ll be the middle of the tournament so there’ll be plenty to talk about.” Beth was extremely nice in offering her time and you took it gratefully.

You left the girl to her own company and returned to the lobby where you could see a crowd already gathering.

“Mr Watts.” You spotted the leather jacket and hat as the man entered the breakfast room.

The man turned when he heard his name being called across the lobby and you quickly jogged to catch up to him.

“You’re the girl from last night who put Henry Cavilla in his place?” Benny Watts smirked at you as he recalled the previous nights events.

“Um.” You felt your cheeks flush in embarrassment. “I was just wondering if I could get a statement before the tournament began?”

“You’re a reporter?” Benny cocked his eyebrow at you, his eyes scanning you up and down shamelessly.

“Yes. For Chess Review.” You informed him.

“Follow me.” Benny nodded his head sideways towards the table he was heading to and you did as you were told.

“I was wondering how you were feeling about this weekend and possibly going up against Beth Harmon?” You asked as you sat yourself down opposite the man.

“I won’t be possibly going up against Beth Harmon. I fully expect to be going up against her. Out of everyone here, she is the only person I see as potential competition.” Benny admitted, picking up his knife and fork as his breakfast was set down on the table.

“Are you sure there’s no one else? Harry Beltik went into his tournament in Kentucky assuming no one but Cullen was any competition to him and yet Beth Harmon came along.” You stated, jotting down some notes to avoid watching the man eat.

“Well then, they’ll just have to surprise me.” His eyes locked onto yours when he spoke. His lip just edging into a smirk.

“Thank you for your statement.” You felt your stomach flip and you jumped to your feet, gathering your things.

“Would you not like a full interview or was the three sentence statement enough?” Benny cocked his head round as you began to leave.

“It was four, actually.” You corrected him, tapping your notepad with your pen.

The man huffed out a short chuckle.

“I’d be grateful for an interview later on this weekend, Mr Watts, if you don’t mind?”

“I’ll find you when I’m ready.” Benny told you and from the look in his eyes, that’s what he really meant.

The day went by quicker than expected, it was impossible to watch every game of the day so you watched Beth’s and Benny’s and you filled yourself in with the plays of any others that would make good press.

You loved watching the game being played, you always tried to predict the outcome and 9 times out of 10 you got it correct except with Beth Harmon and Benny Watts.

They surprised you and it was thrilling to watch. You admired Harmon’s intuition and her attacks. Watts had always been an interesting watch all through his career but you’d only seen him play a handful of times in person before today.

In the evening, you received a call from the big bosses asking how everything was going.

“I have an interview set up with Beth Harmon and Benny Watts.” You told them with confidence.

“Good girl. Now get those interviews done quickly and send me a draft as soon as you can.” Your boss ordered before ending the call.

You sighed, running a hand over your tired face.

You picked up the bottle of wine you had in a metal cooler to see it was empty. Room service had taken so long to bring it up previously, you decided to just slip your slippers on and head down to the bar to get one final glass of wine before bed.

You were wearing a nightie so you pulled a coat on over the top in case you bumped into anyone.

As you walked down the hall, you could hear the familiar voice of Benny Watts behind you.

He was spewing some chess facts to whoever he was with as he walked.

You peaked behind your shoulder to see he was heading to his room which was three doors up from yours.

He spotted you too.

You went into the elevator to head down to the bar.

The bar was still busy despite the time and you had to wait for your wine.

You took the glass and returned to your room.

Your eyes couldn’t help but linger on the hotel room of Mr Benny Watts as you thought of tomorrows games.

“You’re not stalking me, are you?” Benny startled you as he came up from behind.

“Jesus...” You gasped, spinning round to face him.

“Trying to get the dirt on who I’m sleeping with?” The man cocked his eyebrow, his hands tucked in his tight jeans.

“Seems like the other way round since you keep appearing behind me.” You referred to earlier.

“Maybe you just like being in my way?” You couldn’t deny that Benny Watts, the Benny Watts, was flirting with you right now.

“Goodnight Mr Watts. Good luck tomorrow.” You gripped your door handle tightly.

“Please, call me Benny.”

(NEXT PART HERE)

#benny watts #benny watts x reader #the queens gambit #the queens gambit imagines #benny watts imagines #beth harmon #Beth harmon imagines #Thomas Brodie Sangster #Thomas Brodie sangster imagines #newt #anya Taylor joy

891 notes · View notes

redhoodssweetheart · 3 years

Text

Until Midnight

Pairing: Damian Wayne x Gender Neutral!Reader

Requested: Yes (REQUESTS ARE CLOSED, this was for my 1.5K follower celebration) (Also I noticed on the last several stories that I posted that I accidentally left this part as No. I am so sorry :’( I didn’t mean to do that it’s just sometimes I forget to change things)

Word Count: 1.3K

Warnings: Fluff, swearing

Description: You and a man named Dami have been in a secret romance for a while now. One day he invites you to a masquerade ball that the Wayne’s are hosting and you learn that the man you’ve been talking to is really Damian Wayne.

Your mask was secured on your face, your outfit absolutely perfect. Everything was ready for the masquerade ball tonight. Your friends would be here any moment to pick you up. You glanced at your phone and saw that you had a text message waiting for you.

Dami: I can’t wait to see you tonight, beloved. Officially, that is.

You had been secretly talking to someone named Dami for over four months at this point. You had met on an app to make new friends. He had told you that his family said he needed to make more friends and he was trying the app to see what he could find. One thing led to another and two months after you had met the two of you had started seeing one another, and neither one of you had seen a picture of the other. You didn’t mind, you were just happy to have found someone as loving and caring as Dami was.

You had found out a month ago that both of you were going to the masquerade ball that the Gotham City Public Library was hosting to try and raise funds. They were offering a magical evening like one from a book and Dami had said he was going to be there. You had agreed to wear a pin of a robin that he had sent you so that he could find you amongst the masses.

Your friends arrived and off you went, each of you talking excitedly about what the night would entail. Your friends were hoping to meet some mysterious stranger that would sweep them off their feet and offer them the thrill of a lifetime. You kept quiet thinking about finally meeting Dami. Your friends asked you how you wished the evening would go, none of them knew about your secret relationship with someone from the internet. That was something you had wanted to keep to yourself.

“I just want to have a little fun,” was all you said.

People were already gathered inside talking and laughing, the clinking of glasses, and the sound of the band mingled with one another. You looked around in wonder at the ballroom that had been chosen for this event. The chandeliers were winking at you in the low light. Everyone was dressed in their best and your friends broke away to find some refreshments while you stood in the doorway wondering if Dami was here yet.

On the other side of the room, Damian stood with his brothers, sisters, and father. It was his father’s idea to hold this fundraiser event and while Damian normally hated these things he couldn’t wait to meet you. He had imagined this moment for months and now that it was finally here he wasn’t going to lie, he was a little nervous.

Though you wouldn’t have known that by looking at him.

Damian’s face, even covered with a mask, was as unreadable as ever. Jason elbowed Dick and asked, “Does the demon spawn seem off to you tonight?”

Dick took a closer look at his younger brother and said, “I don’t see anything off about him.”

Jason, however, still wasn’t sold on anything. He was about to ask Damian what was going on with him when Damian said, “I’m going to take a lap.” Then he broke away from the group leaving them all watching him for a moment before shrugging it off and going back to their own conversations.

You had been here for fifteen minutes and asked to dance three times by random people, none of them Dami. He was supposed to be wearing a matching pin just like yours so that you would know it was him. You were beginning to think that maybe he had stood you up. Maybe he was never coming in the first place and just got a kick out of making you look like an idiot. You were almost ready to throw in the towel when you heard a voice said, “Found you.”

You turned and there stood Damian Wayne, and on his lapel was the matching robin pin that he had sent to you. For a moment your brain did the Windows shutdown noise and your mouth hung open. “You… you’re…. Oh my God,” you couldn’t form a coherent thought let alone a complete sentence.

He smiled at you, “Would you care to dance with me, beloved?” He offered you a hand and for a moment you didn’t want to believe that this was actually happening.

How had the man you had met on that app be Damian Wayne? How had you not known that this entire time you were talking to Bruce Wayne’s son?

Taking his hand he led you out onto the dance floor and pulled you in close and in that moment the entire world felt right. Everything outside of this ballroom didn’t exist and he wasn’t the son of Bruce Wayne and you weren’t just someone he had met on an app. For a moment it truly was like you were in a book or fairytale, and you were the only two people in the entire world.

The song came to an end, but Damian still held you in his arms. “Why didn’t you tell me?” The one thought that had been on your mind since the initial shock wore off slipped past your lips. “Did you not trust me even after you got to know me better?”

Damian had known that this might be one of your questions, “Can we go somewhere else? Somewhere without my family’s prying eyes and the patrons staring at us like we’re cannon fodder for gossip?”

You glanced around the room and noticed that there were people staring at you and Damian. “Yeah, I think that’s a good idea.”

His fingers intertwined with yours and the two of you dashed from the room. He hailed a cab and took you to a private club in the upscale side of town. There he found a private couch away from the others and the two of you sat. His eyes searched your face as if he were trying to memorize it. “You asked why I didn’t tell you after we got to know one another,” he began. “It wasn’t because I didn’t trust you or didn’t want to tell you. I just liked how things were. I wasn’t Damian Wayne when I was with you, I was just Dami. And I knew eventually I’d have to come clean and when this opportunity presented itself I figured what better way to tell you than at the masquerade ball.”

You could understand that he probably felt normal when talking with you. People probably used him all the time and when he was with you he didn’t have that same pressure placed upon him. “I understand,” and you saw him relax. “I’m glad I know now, I gotta say I was beginning to grow curious as to what you looked like.”

“Am I better or worse than what you had pictured?”

You acted like you were considering the question before saying, “Better, definitely better.”

He grinned and tugged you closer, “You don’t know how glad I am that I can finally touch you and hold you. I’ve been imagining this moment for months,” he confessed.

“Yeah?” You gave him a shy smile but leaned into him more, your faces growing closer.

“Yeah,” his voice soft and you could almost feel his lips on your when—

“DAMIAN WAYNE, YOU’VE GOT SOME MAJOR EXPLAINING TO DO!” A new voice shouted and you and Damian jumped apart as if caught doing something inappropriate.

When Damian looked up he growled, “What the hell?! Did you all follow us here?”

You noticed three boys and two girls coming your way and you realized that this was Damian’s family and you felt your nerves spike. The girls greeted you with bright smiles while the boys started arguing with one another. “They’re always like this,” Cass leaned over and told you.

“You’ll get used to it,” Stephanie said.

You watched the four of them bicker, a fond smile on your face.

#Damian Wayne x Reader #Damian Wayne x Reader fluff #Damian Wayne #Damian Wayne fanfic #Damian Wayne fanfiction #Damian Wayne fluff #Requested

223 notes · View notes

yutahoes · 3 years

Text

Comfort

main characters: childhood friends! Yuta Nakamoto x Y/N other characters: class president! Qian Kun word count: 1.3k words genre: fluff, highschool au summary: Highschool is hard. Luckily, Yuta is there to give you comfort. warnings: fake friends, crying, stealing, jealousy, one-sided love inspired by the anime, manga, and J-drama ‘Ao Haru Ride’

Czennies’ Anime Boy Birthday Project - Day 4

High school is hard. Complex concepts, growing up, responsibilities, making friends. Why can’t you be in elementary school forever? Maybe you won’t have this hard time dealing with everything in your life. But then again, maybe it was just you.

Your childhood friend, Yuta, is doing so well in his high school life. He’s famous because of soccer, he has lots of friends, and it seemed like he had everything in his life figured out. Maybe it’s really just you.

“Y/N, can you keep the class funds for today?” one of your friends asked and you nodded, taking the envelope from her. “The teacher will come to look for it later.” You nodded once again, placing the envelope in between the sheets of your notebook then putting it inside your bag. You also made sure to close your bag when another friend called you for lunch.

Honestly, you were thankful for the two friends you always hang out with. Without them, you might not survive this hell of high school.

They went inside the room first since they asked you to buy a drink which you agreed to. A can of coffee fell from the Vendo machine but someone raced you into taking it. “You never drink coffee,” Yuta claimed, getting the can then handing it to you.

“It’s not mine.” You said before you got another can of coffee which made him shake his head.

Before you can put the money for your drink, he put in a bill inside the machine. “Choose yours.” You clicked on a strawberry juice and he chuckled before clicking the lemon juice. He held both since you're already holding the two cans of coffee and you smiled at him, thanking him.

A teacher was already in your classroom, asking you for the class funds. You put down the cans of coffee on your desk and confidently, opened your bag to look for the envelope you put inside. To your surprise, even the notebook is gone. “What happened?” Your friend asked at your panicking state. You even took out all the things inside your bag but the notebook isn’t even there.

“It’s gone.” You whispered before checking everything. “I put it inside my notebook and now, my notebook is gone.” You tried to explain but the two girls’ looks at you were enough to know that they lost their trust in you.

The teacher asked you to come with her to the faculty and you reluctantly followed her. She kept asking what happened, where the class fund is, and where you kept it. You explained to her everything that happened yet she only sighed. “I’ll put you on cleaning duty after class for losing the money.” You pursed your lips. “Please be responsible next time.” You nodded.

Your class group chat is already exploding with messages about how the class fund is lost. Everyone pointing their fingers at you that you just closed your phone and ran behind the school building. You crouched down on the spot just below the window so no one could see you then cried your eyes out. Why does this feel so unfair? Is it your fault that you lost the money when you put it inside your bag? Where did it go?

“Did the teacher scold you?” You heard someone ask and you hastily wiped your tears. You raised your head up to see Yuta looking at you from the window pane while sipping his lemon juice. “Where did you put the money?”

You stood up while pouting. “In my notebook.” You said then started crying once again, “Are you not believing me as well? This is so unfair. I didn’t do anything.”

Voices can be heard approaching the two of you. You saw Yuta reach for you before you felt a hand on the back of your head, pulling you closer. He let you cry on his chest, hiding you from the other students passing in the hallway.

Yuta tapped your back as you teared up. “You can cry if you feel that it’s unfair but we need to find who did this to you,” he whispered before caressing your hair. You can feel him looking around before stepping backward, “Dry your tears before coming to class, hmm?” He handed you the strawberry milk and you nodded at him.

The class was in chaos when you came inside, Yuta and the class president were checking all your classmates’ bags that made them revolt. “Why are you doing this, Yuta?” one of your friends asked, holding her bag tightly. “You can’t look at my bag.”

“Isn’t it your job to hold the class funds today?” Kun asked. “Why would Y/N have the class fund?”

“Why are you accusing me?” she asked, standing up. “She volunteered to do it.” You did. “It’s her responsibility.”

“Then why can’t we check your bag?” Yuta asked. She held on to her backpack, tight. “Are you hiding something?”

You went beside her and pulled her bag that startled her. The contents falling to the ground. Although you don’t want to believe it, your notebook was on the pile of her things. The moment you picked it up, the envelope fell which Kun picked. “You really did take it.”

“I didn’t,” she shouted. “Maybe it was Y/N who put that in my bag.”

‘What? But I…’

”I was with Y/N taking drinks from the Vendo machine.” Yuta claimed. “You even asked her to buy coffee for the two of you, didn’t you?” He said while pointing at the two girls. This is really unfair. You trusted her. You thought they’re your friends. “Are you happy making someone cry?” You lightly glanced at Yuta, why does he look so agitated? “Shouldn’t you apologize to Y/N?”

Both girls looked at you with tears in their eyes, apologizing and saying that they’re just jealous. They didn’t explain further but that left you startled. Jealous of what?

After class, you thanked Kun who helped you but he only laughed. “It was all Yuta’s idea,” he claimed. “That guy might have liked you. I now understand why those girls are jealous of you.”

You were curious. They’re jealous because of Yuta? Yuta likes you? You shook your head. That’s impossible. “Hey!” someone called, running to where you are. You didn’t realize that the train was already in front of you. “Aren’t you coming in?” Yuta was already inside the train, looking at you confused.

Just one step and you’ll board the same train as him but you can’t make that step.

No. He can’t like you, right? You’re friends. It’s just not possible.

If he rides the train, he doesn’t like you. If he stays, he might like you.

“I forgot something.” You whispered. The signal that the doors will close came and you closed your eyes. ‘Please get off the train, Yuta.’

You heard the distant sound of the departing train followed by someone tapping your shoulder. “Y/N, are you alright?” Yuta. “Are you feeling alright?”

“Why did you get off?”

He looked surprised. “You asked me to get off.” What? You did? “Let’s go back to school and get that thing you forgot.”

It isn’t possible. He doesn’t like you like that. Right?

You held his hand, stopping him from walking further. “Yuta, thank you for helping me with the funds earlier.”

He smiled, shaking his head. He stepped forward, tucking a hair behind your ear. “If you want to cry next time, you can come to me. I’ll listen to you, whatever it is.” He hummed and you nodded, thanking him again. “Let’s go back to school.”

And as he turned his back to you. You realized, you already made the decision you wanted to believe in.

You don’t care if Yuta likes you now. Because one thing is for sure.

You like Yuta.

#hotpinklists #yuta #yuta nakamoto #nakamoto yuta #yuta fluff #yuta nakamoto fluff #nakamoto yuta fluff #czennies' anime boy project

78 notes · View notes