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prettywordsyouleft · 3 years

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The Cowboy - Part 3

Summary: Leaving the city for a rural area called Blayne seemed simple enough. Your task was to convince the people to agree with selling their land for a resort redevelopment. But once there, you soon realise that your city ways are entirely different to theirs. Winning their trust was going to take some effort, and when you start to fall for a local cowboy, you wonder if you really needed Blayne more than the city life after all.

Pairing: Jung Jaehyun x female reader

Genre: cowboy au / drama / romance / if you squint there’s some enemies to lovers up in here.

Warnings: Jung Jaehyun is a cowboy, need I say more? (a bit of angst and drama, and it sometimes might feel like you’re reading a Nicolas Sparks book, so I’m told lol)

Word count: 2054

This series will be updated every Thursday and Friday.

Preview | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

“What are you handing me those for?” you asked when the man you had arranged to meet with at eleven shook your hand in greeting and then placed a pair of gumboots up on the hood of your car. You eyed the footwear and then looked back at Avery McConnell with interest.

Avery chuckled. “I know how expensive those boots are.”

“It’s not muddy, though. I’ve come at the end of spring.”

“You’re in for an awakening, Y/N. Trust me, put them on.”

You took Avery’s advice and followed him over to his truck. Climbing inside, you then glanced at your guide. “Thank you for meeting with me today.”

“Hey, it’s my pleasure. Always nice to see a new face once every three or so years,” he teased, and you laughed with him.

“So I’m learning. Not many venture out here.”

“It would be nice if people did.”

“Right?!” you enthused instantly, gesturing to the mountain ranges in the distance. “This place has so much untapped potential.”

“You won’t get to un-tap it, Y/N,” Avery told you upfront as he swung the vehicle out onto the main road. “But I wish there was a happy medium. If we could create more jobs and better housing, it would improve our farming. It’s hard to get help to come out here when services like Amazon don’t.”

“Wait, they don’t?!” you groaned heavily at the concept of not being able to order coffee pods in bulk.

“You’ll have to set up a PO Box in the township over. And if you need to have any internet meetings, it’ll be best to do them there too. The internet reaches out here, but the signal drops so frequently that no one bothers.”

“Why hasn’t anyone asked for services to be improved?” you asked and Avery smiled at you knowingly. “What? You can request cables to be laid, and I’m sure if you pay half the cost-”

“There’s not a huge focus on the internet out here when the sun rises in the morning for outdoor productivity. Most of us just have mobile phones to ring one another when we’re out on our property. And even then, the signal can be dodgy.”

“But there could be improvements,” you insisted, and Avery nodded.

“You’re persistent.”

“Well, it’s not the primitive age. I appreciate there’s a historical factor and a tight-knit community here, but this land is capital, and you could all win from some modern intervention.”

“I’m not your enemy,” Avery admitted, parking the car up on the side of a country lane. “I went to the city to escape how plain Blayne is.”

“You did?”

Avery nodded.

“Then how come you’re back?”

“It’s my home. It’s strange. Not a lot of people get why we live like this, but to us, it makes the most sense. Plus my old man got sick and needed me to help take care of the steer.”

“Okay, I’m going to sound really ignorant for a moment, but is a steer some kind of deer?”

“You came out here without knowing your basic farm animals, Y/N?” he asked with a laugh, and you rolled your eyes. “Come on I’ll show you why we need gumboots around here.”

Holding your nose, you attempted to listen to Avery’s speech about how the pigs of Blayne were some of the best meat pigs in the country. However, you were overstimulated by the smells and the sounds of the barn that you couldn’t quite keep up with the knowledge he was passing on to you.

“Ah, so this is where you were,” a voice mentioned, and you spun around, letting go of your nose and gasped for air. The newcomer smirked, his dimples deepening.

God, you wanted to hate him for being so attractive.

“You know me. I’ve got to help any damsel in distress out.”

“Where is she?” he teased, and you rolled your eyes. “Oh! Miss City, are you getting snippy with me?”

“Thank you for the warning about the owl.”

He grinned. “You’re welcome. So, seen enough pigs and want to go back to the city yet?”

“Not a chance.”

“That’s a pity, should we take her out into the cattle fields, Avery?”

“No need to be that eager to get rid of me,” you bit back and Avery, who had been watching the two of you, started to laugh heartily. You realised then how similar it sounded to May’s laugh. You pointed at him. “Wait, are you two-”

“Sadly, I’m related to him,” Avery admitted dramatically, and you glanced at the scowl on the other man’s face. “Come on Jaehyun, who wants to be your cousin anyway?”

“I never asked to be related to you either but here we are!”

“Jaehyun,” you breathed, and the man in question blinked at you curiously. “Oh, I didn’t get your name last night, you see.”

“I thought you had,” he answered back, grinning again. “Mr Cowboy, isn’t it?”

“Well, you do look like the typical cowboy in the movies when you go around in your boots and hat,” Avery defended, which you couldn’t help but snort a little at.

Jaehyun folded his arms across his chest. “Cattle fields, next. Right?”

You followed them out onto the field, watching where you stepped. Now you knew the reason for the boots. If there hadn’t been enough dung and muck in the pig barn, you certainly had seen more than enough of it out in this field. Climbing up the hill after the two men, you huffed at how easy it was for them.

“I guess there’s no need for a gym membership out here,” you muttered, sucking in a deep breath.

Jaehyun turned and looked at you then. “Come on, Miss City. The cows are over here.”

“I never wanted to see a damn cow, I came to survey the land for suitable resort spots,” you grumbled out of earshot, grateful when the slope evened out, and you reached the top of the field.

Stopping to catch your breath, you blinked at the view. In every direction you looked, the mountain range was so beautiful. All you could see was an expanse of land, which held a lot of possibilities. A golf course, a swimming and spa resort were merely two of the possibilities for Blayne’s development. Being close to nature whilst enjoying leisure pursuits could really put this place on the map.

You turned again, smiling at the wondrous thought of redevelopment until you saw what had come upon you. Backing up from the impossibly large beast, you raised your hands in defence.

“Nice cow.”

“She sure is a beaut, isn’t she?” a voice mentioned at your side, and you yelped in surprise, slipping on a cow patty.

Strong arms reached out to balance you before you hit the ground and you looked up into the face of your saviour, Jaehyun washing his gaze over you momentarily.

And then he started to laugh. “Wow, Miss City, you sure are jumpy! Feeling a little scared, are we?”

“You scared me first!”

“Was it me or the cow?” he questioned with a chuckle, and you yanked yourself free from Jaehyun’s grip, skirting around the curious animal and dashing over to Avery’s side.

He seemed equally amused. “You sure this is a place for you?”

“I’m adaptable,” you muttered, blinking rapidly.

Even you didn’t believe your words now.

“Wow, I’m exhausted,” you mentioned when you arrived back at your residence, falling down onto the couch with a groan.

Jaehyun had joined you for the rest of your exploration with Avery, much to your disdain. Every time you got close to discussing some sort of loose plan with the man, Jaehyun would distract you or shoot down your ideas entirely.

You glared up at the ceiling. “Stupid Cowboy. What would he know?”

The phone rang then, and you whined childishly, hauling yourself up from the couch and going over to answer it. “Oh good, you’re there!”

“Ah, yes. You have a nice home here, June.”

“You think so? It was once the home I raised my children in until we built the one we’re in now. Ah, that’s why I called you. I’ve made extra food and wanted to invite you around for dinner.”

“That’s too generous of you.”

“It’s the least I can do after knowing how long the boys had you out for. I told them to take it slow since you weren’t used to our ways yet. I bet your feet hurt.”

“They do, I’ll admit it,” you confessed and June giggled down the line with you.

“That’s it then! I’ll send Jaehyun around to fetch you!”

“Oh, it’s fine. I can drive myself there if you give me directions.”

“He’ll be there shortly, dearie. I pushed him out the door long before making this call.”

“Well, he should be here then,” you mentioned, glancing outside the house with some unease. “I’ll get ready!”

“See you soon, Y/N.”

After placing down the phone, you dashed upstairs to freshen up your appearance, pulling out a floral boho styled maxi dress that you had bought specifically for your country adventure. Picking up a straw hat and accessorising your middle with a woven belt, you laughed at how carefree you looked out of your usual business attire.

“He should be here by now,” you guessed, looking down the drive for Jaehyun’s truck. Collecting your bag, you stepped out of the house and locked it, slipping the keys into your purse and then jumped when you heard a loud whinny.

Turning to the field adjacent to the drive, you gaped at the sight before you. Jaehyun watched you for a moment before leaping down from the wagon. “It’s a good thing I had to run errands for Dad and didn’t bring a horse for you to ride instead, huh?”

“You didn’t bring the truck?”

“You asked if it was legal yesterday. I doubt you would have gotten in it.”

You eyed the large animal warily. “And you expect me to get up there?”

“Miss City, don’t tell me you’re scared of a mere horse. Back before any car, they were man’s best friend.”

“I thought that was a dog,” you murmured as Jaehyun leapt back up onto the cushioned seat of the wagon, his hand reaching down for yours.

“Ever seen a dog plough a field for crops?” Jaehyun asked with a chuckle, his grip firm around your wrist as he helped you up.

You sat down and looked around yourself hopelessly. “Do I need a seatbelt?”

“You really haven’t experienced much in life, have you, Miss-”

“Y/N,” you interjected, smiling nervously. “Please, call me Y/N.”

Jaehyun stared at you again and then smiled, picking up the reins. “You can hold onto me if you get scared, Y/N. I won’t tell anyone that our city slicker is frightened to ride on a horse wagon.”

“Why did I agree to go out tonight?” you wondered with a groan, shrieking and grabbing onto the front of the wagon when it started to move. Jaehyun laughed at you before eagerly asking the animal to move faster, your hands gripping on more tightly to the bar. “You’re working too hard to get rid of me, Jaehyun.”

“Really? Is it that noticeable?” he wondered and smiled when he watched you loosen your grip. “You’re adapting to this pretty well, though.”

It was your turn to look at him, a smile forming on your lips. “I am, huh.”

He glanced at you and nodded. “Who knows, maybe you’ll last more than a week.”

“Talk to me again when I make it to a month.”

“You’ll be riding a horse by that time,” he suggested, and you scoffed loudly.

“No, thank you. I’m not here to play farm. I’m here to work.”

“Farming is one of the hardest jobs out there. I thought you were here to see how us Blayners tick?”

“Well…”

“I guess you better think about what you’ll wear for a horse riding lesson tomorrow then.”

“I never agreed to it,” you objected and then sat back in your seat when Jaehyun leaned towards you.

“I like your dress by the way. It’s pretty.”

“Still full of yourself,” you mumbled, fanning your cheeks with how hot they grew with his compliment.

Jaehyun grinned. “Still enjoying it, aren’t we?”

_________________

Part 4

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melon-wing · 3 years

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The Void [Gren]

[Fanfiction Masterlist]

Ren really enjoyed the company of their newest member on the server. Grian was overall a nice addition. He was so open with all of them and spread fun everywhere he went. Sure, Ren had been on the receiving end of quite a few pranks, but he really didn’t mind that much.

There was a quiet noise and he looked at his communicator, putting his shovel to the side.

Grian fell into the void.

Ren winced. Again? Now that he thought about it… How many times had it been this week? He knew Sahara needed an ungodly amount of Shulkerboxes, but why send Grian, when he was so unlucky?

And not just this week. Since they had cleared the path to the other dimension that same message of Grian dying had come up again and again

The first time he had seen the message pop up on his communicator, he hadn’t been bothered at all. A lot of Hermits had managed to fall into the voids if their Elytra broke, they went out of rockets or just simply lost orientation. Or in the beginning when they needed to bridge over the endless nothingness.

But this? This was getting weird. It was as if Grian fell into it every time he went to the end. And it worried Ren. Falling into the void wasn’t a quick and painless death. It hurt like hell and it took really long.

<Ren> You alright, G-man? Need any help?

It took Grian a while to respond and Ren could just envision it: Grian lying on his back, being still a little out of it from respawning.

<Grian> I’m fine. I just miscalculated the landing.

<Ren> Need some help to get your stuff back? I can help you grind a bit.

Ren waited. The answer took unusually long. it had just been a nice offer since Ren knew how much it sucked, falling into the void and losing everything. Finally, there was a beep and Ren already got up, expecting to be called away to help.

<Grian> It’s fine. I had most of my stuff in my Enderchest already. That was really lucky.

Ren raised an eyebrow at that. Hadn’t Grian also said that to Mumbo a few days ago… Ren was pretty sure he had heard this a couple of times already. Now the question was, did Grian make that up as an excuse so nobody needed to help him or did he really put all his stuff away because he was so prone to dying.

<Ren> Alright! Maybe we should go to the End together next time. Then I can make sure you won’t fall! You really should take part in the buddy system we got going on.

There was no reply this time and Ren sighed. Grian always went to the end alone, declining every offer for help. Heck, even Doc in the middle of their Civil War had offered to accompany Grian when they had run into each other at the End portal.

If Ren ever met Grian at that portal, he swore he would make sure to stick to his side no matter what Grian said.

Weeks passed and Ren grew more and more worried. Sure, Grian was completely normal and healthy, but the constant deaths in the End still kept going, sometimes more often and sometimes few and far in between. And Ren was pretty sure that Grian didn’t even go to the End when there was a long time of him not dying in the void.

They had been getting closer and closer during the season and Ren had seen Grian fly around, easily landing on a tiny block mid air at almost full speed. This wasn’t a person who would miscalculate a landing or run out of rockets at the wrong time. Grian was too graceful for that, too good.

Ren looked at Grian through the flames of the campfire, his flower crown slightly crooked, but a bright smile on his lips. And Ren couldn’t help but smile as well when Grian looked at him, eyes sparkling.

“Well, thanks for this lovely evening Ren”, Grian said, a slight blush on his cheeks as he got up. “We really should do it again soon. But I really need to go now. Sahara needs a ton of Shulkers again and Mumbo and Iskall are busy with the redstone and-”

Grian stopped when Ren suddenly grabbed his hand, keeping him from moving away.

“Don’t.”

“Ren, what…?”

“Don’t go into the End. Or don’t go alone. You can’t… I don’t want anything to happen to you. I’m worried. All this dying can’t be good for your health.”

Grian smiled. A sad smile and he gently tore his hand from Ren’s grasp.

“I’ll be fine. I know what I’m doing.”

“But-”

Grian put a finger against Ren’s lips and Ren could feel the heat rising to his cheeks.

“I promise, I’m alright.”

And as if he had known that Ren would still be too stunned to react he took out his rockets to take off quickly. By the time Ren had snapped out of it Grian was long gone. Damn. How could he let his stupid crush keep him from staying by Grian’s side like he had vowed to do?

Ren quickly jumped up, going to his RV. Of course Grian had kept all his stuff on him already while Ren had to get his Elytra and rockets first. And in which chest had he thrown it again? Damn, he hadn’t paid attention earlier, too nervous from the fact that he had managed to invite Grian over to a fucking dinner date.

It took him way too long. He knew Grian would be gone by the time he arrived. That still didn’t stop him from rushing towards the End portal. When he stepped into the End, the main island was deserted. Well, deserted except for a bunch of enderman.

Ren put his head back slightly, trying to pick up a noise or a scent in the wind. His senses were slightly better than the average human’s and the full moon was close. It was faint, but Ren would recognise that scent everywhere. Grian! He dashed to one of the portals and threw an Enderpearl inside to get whisked miles and miles away.

He searched everywhere. Endcity after Endcity. Sometimes he picked up Grian’s scent, but it got less strong by the minute. Ren was falling further and further behind. And then, when he hit the next Endcity he lost the trail altogether. Damn it! He had wanted to protect Grian. He wanted to be there for him.

With a sigh Ren let his head hang low and trotted back out of the building to look for one of the Endportals. It took him a while, but then he was standing on the Main Island again. And a familiar scent hit him full force. Grian! Ren jumped up the stairs leading to the main area and then he stopped. There was Grian, kneeling in front of the portal leading home, not wearing any of his equipment, an Enderchest standing next to him.

Ren stepped closer, quietly until he was behind Grian.

“Grian… Are you-”

Grian’s head whipped around fast and Ren gasped. There were trails of tears on Grian’s face and he looked so small and scared.

“R-Ren. I didn’t think you’d- I thought you were… Why are you here?”

“I was worried.”

Grian smiled, if only a little and then got to his feet.

“I’m… I was just…”, Grian seemed to search for the right thing to say, his eyes slowly traveling slightly to the left and Ren already knew then. He was able to read Grian by now. Whatever left his mouth next was a lie. “I sprained my ankle a bit when I missed the portal. I hit the ground too hard. I’m… It’s a bit better now. Why don’t you go ahead and jump in and I’ll be right there behind you, yes?”

“No worries. We can jump in together. I can carry you.” He’d believe that lie if it meant he would be able to get Grian to the overworld again safely.

“I…” Grian’s hands were shaking as he spoke, his eyes darting to the portal, a haunted expression on his face and that’s when it hit Ren. For whatever reason Grian was scared. Scared of…

“You never once jumped into this portal, did you? You jump into the void on purpose to get back to your spawn point.”

Grian flinched and Ren knew he’d found the answer. This was the reason Grian died so often in the End. It was his way home.

“Why, Grian? Why are you so scared of going in there? We all do it. It doesn’t hurt. It’s safe. It’s-”

“I don’t want to leave.”

Ren knitted his eyebrows in confusion at the statement. It seemed so random.

“I don’t want you to leave either, but the portal will just transport you home.”

Grian shook his head and tears welled up in his eyes again, he was holding himself now, his whole posture seeming so small and uncertain, so unlike the confident and cheerful Grian that Ren had fallen for.

“The- The last time... I jumped into it before. They took me.”

“They?”

“The Watchers…” Grian’s voice was barely above a whisper but he sounded so scared as if saying the word too loud might call the ones he was talking about.

“Watchers? But they are nothing but an Urban Legend. A myth. They’re not…”

Grian sobbed and Ren stopped talking. Something changed in the air between them. A red haze surrounded Grian and suddenly his eyes were glowing golden and black wings appeared on his back. And on Grian’s arms glowing markings appeared, lots and lots of drawings of open eyes, all seemingly staring at him. Ren gasped and stumbled back a few steps, which in turn made a grim smile appear on Grian’s face.

“I look like a monster, I know. When I jumped into the portal I lost everything. They turned me into this. What if they take me again? I don’t want to leave this world. I don’t want to lose everyone. And I don’t want to lose you. I can’t lose you. Not you. And now you know I’m a monster and everything will be different and you’ll leave me and-”

Ren rushed forward, his arms moving around Grian, careful not to disturb his wings, pressing him close to his chest.

“I’m here. I won’t leave. Ever. I love you.”

The shaking stopped and Grian raised his head slightly, looking at Ren. And while his eyes might be glowing golden, Ren could still see the emotion in there. Hope.

“You do?”

“Yes. And no matter what, I’ll protect you. I don’t know what happened in your last world, but Xisuma’s magic is strong. He has made sure nobody and nothing can get into our world. You’re safe here.”

“Are you sure…?”

Ren nodded and then stepped up to the portal, guiding Grian to go with him, both of them standing on the edge.

“I won’t force you to jump in, but we can do it together.”

“Yes, please.”

Grian’s hand was shaking and Ren pressed it reassuringly as he took the last step needed, pulling Grian along with him.

He felt the magic of the portal wash over him and then the hand in his was gone as he landed on his soft bed in the RV. Respawn points. Fuck. Of course he wouldn’t stay with Grian. They hadn’t set the same respawn point.

Ren jumped up and ran out of his RV, hurrying to get to Grian, praying that he was still there. Just as he was about to kick in the door of Grian’s RV it opened and Grian stood there, back to his normal self, wide bright blue eyes looking at Ren.

Both of them just stared at each other for a second and then Ren pulled Grian into a hug once more, holding onto him as if he never wanted to let go.

“Thanks, Ren…”, Grian muttered into his shoulder and then turned his head slightly to be able to look at Ren. “I love you too.”

#🍉 stories #hermitship #hermitshipping #gren #🍉 advent calendar #this is probably the last one :P #unless creativity hits me tomorrow for my unfinished ones

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oneofyatosfollowers · 3 years

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Yatori Week 2021- Day 3

@yatoriweek2021

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/32090953/chapters/79500055

Fanfiction: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13905660/1/Yatori-Week-2021

There was a cherry tree in the new neighborhood Hiyori moved to.

It sat alone at the end of a small park, tucked away in the green bushes and trees. That’s where she met him. It was the day after the moving truck dropped off the last of their things at their new house down the road. Her mother had asked her older brother, Masaomi, to take her to the park since it had a playground. When he wasn’t paying attention, he threw the ball they were tossing too far over her head and it rolled towards the tree.

“I’ll get it!” She called. Masaomi, who was too invested in his video game, just waved. With a huff, Hiyori followed after the yellow ball, approaching the cherry tree. Once the ball was safely in her tiny hands, Hiyori stood. Suddenly, she heard sniffling. Alert and concerned, Hiyori looked around. She peeked around bushes and under benches until she realized the crying was coming from above her. Within the leaves and pink blossoms of the cherry tree, someone was crying softly. Hiyori’s heart sank when she realized it sounded like a little kid, just like her. Turning on her toes, Hiyori ran back to her brother with the intention of telling him, but she remembered her brother made fun of crybabies.

“I don’t want to play with you anymore!” Hiyori declared as she set the ball down at her brother’s feet. There must have been a break in the game because her brother gave her a look of shock and offense.

“Oh, uh, okay,” he said. Satisfied, Hiyori spun around and dashed towards the tree.

“H-hey!”

“I’m going to climb that tree!” Hiyori announced over her shoulder. She watched her brother pick up the ball and sit on the bench. Approaching the trunk, Hiyori slowed, feeling an odd sense of forbidding. She shook it off and stepped towards the tree, hands against the bark, and listened. Whoever was crying must have heard her yell her intentions and stifled their weeping. She huffed and looked around, spotting a rock right next to the tree that would make her just tall enough to reach the lowest branch. As she hauled herself onto her knees, nice oxfords scraping against the wood, Hiyori wondered if the person was nice. With a grunt she looked to the ground, furious with her mother for insisting she wear a dress to the park, then looked up. At first she couldn’t see anyone so she pouted.

“Hello!” Hiyori called into the pink, “I know you’re up here!” Her shout caused the leaves above her rustle. Someone flinched and was trying to readjust to make themselves smaller, instead the person had moved out from the branch they were hiding behind. Hiyori opened her mouth to point out their mistake, but thought better of it. As she continued her way further into the pink wonderland, Hiyori realized this person could be hurt. With another grunt, she sat on the branch and fretted; wishing she brought her capybara toy doctor kit. It would have been just like she practiced! Eventually Hiyori managed to climb up, and up, and up around the cherry tree until she was just under the crying child.

“Excuse me!” Hiyori’s shrill voice startled them and they whipped around to look at her. The boy’s eyes were a startling blue that stood out against the pink surrounding them. His long black hair was a major contrast too, it stalled Hiyori long enough for her to blink a couple times until she remembered her original goal.

“It’s mean to not answer, you know,” chided Hiyori as she settled more comfortably on the branch below him. When she met his eyes again she realized he hadn’t looked away the entire time. Did even blink those big blue things?

“Hello? Can you speak?” Hiyori tried again, this time a bit kinder. He hadn’t stopped crying since she sat down, tears rolled down his red cheeks in thick waves. No matter how he sniffed at his dripping snot or wipes under his eyes, he still looked just as miserable. She noticed he was wearing an off-white kimono, tied shut with a navy ribbon.

“Y-yeah I c-can talk,” the boy whimpered.

“O-oh.” Hiyori didn’t know what to say. Now that she heard his voice, his sorrow, Hiyori’s own lips started to tremble.

“No one -hic- asked y-you to come up he-re,” he hiccuped. That’s when Hiyori realized his eyebrows were knitted. He was annoyed with her.

“I thought you were hurt!” Hiyori defended, “I heard you crying!”

“I’m not crying,” the boy lied, pathetically. The challenge was clear on her face but the boy just let out a loud sniff and turned back around, pulling his knees tighter to his chest. Hiyori pouted again, which turned into a frown and she looked down. Up here, she couldn’t even see the ground. They were surrounded by nothing but pink and brown, the sounds of the world outside were muted as wind drifted through with a sweet scent. It was nice. She would have never come up here on her own- her mother did not condone rolling around in nature- but in any other circumstances this would have been amazing.

“Are you hurt?” Hiyori asked gently. There was a long pause before he shook his head, bangs wagging side to side, then he re-buried his face in his knees. Unsure of what to do, Hiyori played with her fingers, watching her legs swing back and forth. The thought of leaving crossed her mind but instead Hiyori crawled up next to him.

“H-hey,” he sputtered. Hiyori ignored him and situated herself right next to him, their legs dangling side by side. She watched patiently as he wiped his blotchy red cheeks then looked at her with that mild annoyance and baby pout. When he didn’t say or do anything more, Hiyori rubbed his back, hand moving up and down like her grandmother did for her.

“What’s your name?” She asked.

“Yaboku,” the boy said, “but my mom called me Yato.”

“What should I call you?”

“Um, Yato is fine,” he sniffed, “what’s your name?” He watched her pull back and stick her hand out to him with a smile.

“I’m Hiyori Iki!” She smiled as he took her hand and shook it. Yato’s fingers were sweaty and Hiyori wiped her hand clean on her dress.

“That’s a nice name,” Yato eventually said.

“Thanks,” Hiyori smiled. Her happiness quickly fizzled out when Yato just sniffed again and frowned at the ground. From this close she could see his eyes were puffy, his nose and cheekbones rubbed raw. It hurt her heart to see. No one should be that sad. Hiyori reached around him again, and pulled Yato into a hug.

“Shh, there there,” Hiyori comforted, “don’t cry. It’s okay.” The moment Yato’s head rested against her, his eyes instantly watered. She rocked him slowly, holding him tight as she shushed his sobs.

“What’s wrong?” Hiyori eventually worked up the nerve to ask.

“I miss my mom,” Yato lamented. He hiccuped and buried his face in her clothes, wrapping his arms around her tightly.

“Where’d she go?”

“She’s dead.”

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. My grandpa died recently too. Everyone was sad, I cried a lot too.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Hiyori sighed, “So, what are you doing up here?”

“I don’t want to be home, but I have nowhere to go,” he sniffed, “this is my mom’s tree.”

“Oh, did she plant it?” Hiyori asked. She leaned back in surprise and Yato moved away from her, but just slightly.

“No. She just liked it. A lot. We used to come here all the time.” He wiped his eyes even though he had stopped crying.

“That’s nice,” Hiyori said, “my family just moved here. So I’ll come here a lot too.”

“Really? You will?” Yato sounded so hopeful Hiyori couldn’t help but smile.

“Yeah! Do you come here a lot too?”

“Everyday,” he sniffed, “if you want to play together, we can.” His face looked considerably clearer, he even smiled slightly. Meanwhile Hiyori beamed at the thought of having a brand new friend. Just as Hiyori opened her mouth to gleefully agree, her name was called somewhere below them.

“Hiyori!” Masaomi shouted, “come on, mom said we have to be home by four!” His voice echoed through the leaves and the two children watched his shadows dance against the pink. Hiyori’s mouth opened and shut before she looked at her new companion. Blue met brown as they communicated their reluctantness.

“Hiyori!” Masaomi shouted, a bit more panicked.

“Coming big brother!” Hiyori finally called back. Not wanting to worry him, Hiyori spun around and draped her stomach over the branch, kicking her feet until they met a foothold. It took her a lot less time to climb down but she looked up just before she vanished through the flowers.

“Yato!” She called up to him. It wasn’t necessary, he had been staring at her all the way down, but Hiyori just wanted to say it. Especially when- from below him- he looked like a spirit that belonged among the blossoms.

“I’ll see you tomorrow!” She promised. The last thing she saw before she left was Yato’s smile and a wave.

The two become steadfast friends, closer than Hiyori had ever been with anyone her own age. They were practically inseparable; Hiyori making her way to the park at least once a day. Yato would always be there, it didn’t matter what time of day it was, he was always waiting for her at the bottom of the tree. For a while, Hiyori never questioned it, instead enjoying her time with her best friend every day, making up stories of pretend. Until she started her first day of elementary school and she passed by the park.

“Yato!” she called to her friend sketching in the dirt. His head popped up and that beaming smile instantly appeared at the sight of her.

“Hiyori!” Yato charged towards her. They met with their usual big hug, her backpack hindering his advances.

“Are you here to play?” He asked.

“No, Yato! It’s time to go to school!” Hiyori huffed. Confused, Yato cocked his head.

“School?”

“Yes! It’s this way, come on!” Hiyori grabbed his hand and tugged him along the park fence.

“But! I don’t go to school!” Yato fretted.

“Of course you do! Mom says all little girls and boys go to school at six years old,” Hiyori recited happily.

“I’m seven,” Yato informed. This surprised Hiyori, since the boy was much smaller than her, but there were more pressing matters to address. Yato didn’t have a uniform- still wearing that dirty kimono- but missing school was a big no-no.

“We have to go or we’ll be late,” Hiyori huffed. She continued to pull him but when they reached the end of the park,Yato gripped the fence and brought them to a halt.

“No, I mean I don’t go to school. My dad teaches me and my sister at home.”

“You can do that?” Hiyori gawked. She finally let go of him and watched his expression turn to a pout.

“Yeah,” Yato sighed.

“Hey that’s okay,” she rubbed his shoulder, “I’ll see you after school!” Hiyori promised. That seemed to cheer him up and he returned her wave as she jogged away from him. That promise stayed as they grew, Yato would be there when she walked to school and when she walked home. Hiyori’s mother let her stay at the park after school until dinner time.

“When do you go home?” Hiyori asked him once. He was covered in bruises and cuts again- apparently trying dangerous tricks on the playground- and his kimono was getting short and worn.

“When the lights come on.”

“Lights?” Hiyori questioned. Yato pointed to the streetlamps and Hiyori laughed.

“That’s called a street lamp!” She giggled.

“Well I didn’t know!” He huffed, suitably embarrassed.

“You don’t know a lot,” Hiyori said. She wasn’t trying to be mean, it was true.

“You should listen to your dad more when he teaches you,” she lectured. Yato just hummed and continued building their castle in the sand pit. Two springs later, Hiyori saw Yato wear something different for the first time. Just like their first meeting, he was sitting on his favorite branch. However, this time he faced her with a smile and a bruised cheek.

“Look at you!” Hiyori squealed. Climbing up the tree with the practiced ease of a squirrel.

“Me?” Yato cocked his head, holding his swollen cheek.

“You’re wearing clothes!” She exclaimed.

“I always wear clothes.” Yato was suitably confused this time and Hiyori rolled her eyes.

“Yeah a kimono.”

“My mom liked kimonos,” Yato said haughtily. That made sense. The one time Hiyori met Yato’s twin sister- shy to the point of avoiding all other people- she wore a matching kimono.

“Well you look good,” Hiyori complimented. She tugged on the orange capybara shirt and looked at his cargo shorts.

“Thanks! I found them!”

“Found them? In the store?”

“Uh,” Yato looked down, “yeah.” Despite how close they were, there was so much about Yato, Hiyori didn’t know about. But Hiyori wasn’t stupid, she tried to ask once she caught on, but he wasn’t a fan of that. But that didn’t stop them from getting closer.

“So, a haunted house, huh?” Yato snickered, “and what are you dressing up as?” As per tradition, Yato met her under the tree and walked her to school. Even when they -she- moved on to middle school a year ago.

“I’m not. I will be doing the entrance,” Hiyori stated. Spring brought on an annual happiness that could not be explained but Hiyori knew the sweet smell wafting through the air was all Yato.

“Come on Hiyori! No cosplay for me?” He teased, nose coming in far too close.

“Wha-? Cosplay!” Hiyori shoved him away, “And what’s for you?” She turned her burning face away as he laughed. They continued to playfully bat at each other until the school fence was reached and Hiyori fully pushed him away. Cherry trees were budding on her campus as the decorations for the culture fest were in full display. She stopped and stared at it, looking back at the boy who couldn’t even leave the park fence until a little while ago.

“Why haven’t you talked to your dad about coming here?”

“Hiyori,” his smile dropped and he looked to the side, “it’s fine. You know it’s for the best this way.”

“How can it be for the best? You want to, don’t you?” Hiyori pressed. As always Yato squirmed, shoulders sinking in.

“You know how he is, Hiyori. He’s just strict. It’s fine.”

“But-!”

“You’re gonna be late, you know. And so am I,” Yato shrugged. Hiyori pouted as he turned with a lazy wave over his shoulder. He thought he was so cool wearing all black and tying his hair up. With a huff, she rolled her eyes.

“I’ll see you later! Don’t forget what class I’m in!” Hiyori called after him. Turns out she would be seeing him during the culture festival, with the delinquents of her middle school, vandalizing the side and some storage sheds. They were squatting under a cherry tree under the window of her hallway, beating things they weren’t supposed to, laughing at whoever tried to stop them. This was not the Yato she knew. The sweet boy who sat next to pink flowers did not laugh while bullies beat those weaker than them. She had abandoned her post, running down the stairs, out the front door and around the building.

“Yato!” She hollered at him. He stopped, wide blue eyes stark against the Cherry Tree behind him. He looked just as shocked and fearful as the first time she saw him, but her face held more fury. The boys were just as shocked at the sight of a girl glaring at them with her fist balled. She was shaking, but the frightened boy beaten against the tree trunk caused her to march forward.

“Uh,” one of the boys faltered.

“Looks like his girlfriend came to save him.”

“Hey girlie, whatcha up to?” Another jeered. Hiyori kept her head down as she reached for the stuned victim’s arm and pulled.

“She’s kinda cute.”

“Yeah, check it out,” the boys were musing in a frightening way. Hiyori could feel their eyes on her as she and the victim stood but she was most aware of Yato. They didn’t do anything as Hiyori turned and tried to walk away, until one of them grabbed her arm.

“Hey, where ya goin?” one of them gibed. Hiyori’s lips tightened as she forced herself to look away.

“Let go of me,” she said.

“Come on, I just wanted to know why a cutie like you was hanging out with this loser,” the boys around her laughed and she felt tears well up in her eyes. Then, it was cut off.

“She said let go,” Yato growled in a way Hiyori had never heard.

“What? Dude what’s your deal?”

“Yeah, back off! I thought you were cool,” the boy holding her hand squeezed and jolted, causing Hiyori to gasp slightly in surprise. That might as well have been a wrestling bell because all hell broke loose. The hand was pulled off of her and Yato was pushed, leading to three other students on the ground. Before Hiyori could even catch up, the main bully was beaten and held against the tree. Two other boys tried to help their friend- to stop Yato from hitting him so much- before their noses met with his elbow and fist.

“Yato!” Hiyori cried, “Yato, stop it! Get off him!” She finally gathered herself and grabbed his cocked elbow. Those blue eyes flashed to her again and Hiyori gasped. She had never seen him so angry, they were alight with terrifying fury under knitted eyebrows. His face fought to smooth out at the sight of her, guilt filling in the tight lines, Hiyori realized for the first time: Yato was much stronger than he looked.

“Hey! What are you kids doing?” A teacher hollered around the corner.

“Run! Scatter!” The bullies immediately took off. Yato dropped the student he was holding, letting him slide down the tree, taking the same position as his victim. Hiyori watched her friend spin around and move towards the fence.

“Wait!” Hiyori tightened her grip on Yato’s arm.

“I can’t let my dad find out!” Yato spoke rapidly when he whipped to face her. For a moment she was shocked by the sudden flip in emotions but her jaw clicked shut as irritation boiled.

“You have to face the consequences of your actions! You can’t just leave!” Hiyori shouted. At one point the victim she helped tried to hold Yato too, only to be shoved off just as quickly. By now the teacher was marching over with two more in tow. Yato struggled against Hiyori, pulling so strongly that her heels dug in the dirt.

“Hiyori, I’m not kidding, let go.” Yato demanded with a low growl.

“Yato-”

“Stay right where you are!”

“I said get off!” With a final push, Yato sent Hiyori to her rear, flat in the dirt. They stared at each other, a mix of shock and hurt rolling across their features. Then, he was gone, up the cherry tree and over the fence by the time the teacher reached them. Hiyori was not like Yato. Hiyori would listen to the teacher, Hiyori would end up sitting in the office and telling them everything, Hiyori would meet her parents after they got a phone call. Hiyori would still go to the Cherry Tree to face him at their usual time, only to find it and it’s branches empty and silent.

Unable to break a promise, or a tradition, Hiyori prepared to meet Yato under the park Cherry Tree that weekend for the viewing. They watched that tree bloom every year before Hiyori left to go with her family or friends. But that short time they spent together was as nostalgic as it was precious. Yato was waiting for her, kicking up against the bark like usual. Except he wasn’t smiling at her with that crooked grin, in fact he wasn’t even looking at her. She didn’t approach him, just stood there with her fists balled. She wanted to yell at him, slap him across his bruising cheek but she was waiting for him to speak first and he knew it.

“I’m sorry.” He said. It was lame and pitiful and he knew it but it was enough for Hiyori to march over to him.

“You better be sorry. How could you? Beating up on someone weaker than you,” she jabbed her finger on his chest, “is that why you’re always beat up?” The realization seemed to strike her just as strongly as it did him. Boys were crazy; what if those bullies have been fighting with Yato the entire time?

“No,” Yato spat at the ground, “I just met them. Couple months ago.” He shared her scowl and Hiyori felt her eyes water with frustration.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t realize I had to. You’re not my only friend, you know. Besides, you have other friends too.”

“They’re not good friends, Yato.”

“I can hang out with whoever I want,” he suddenly glared at her. It shocked Hiyori enough for her to let out a short gasp which caused Yato’s face to drop again with guilt but he looked away before she could glare. Up close Hiyori saw all the bruises littering his face. He seemed to be favoring his right side but Hiyori can’t tell if it’s because of his foot or hand. Honestly Hiyori couldn’t bring herself to focus on street fight bruises.

“Fine then,” Hiyori sighed. She watched her friend pout for a couple moments longer before looking above them. This tree was beautiful, it’s petals completely covered it in the most breathtaking shade of blush and magenta. Despite herself she smiled, this was her happy place but only when the boy in front of her was there.

“You look really pretty,” Yato mumbled. When Hiyori looked back at him, she noticed he was staring at her again. Drinking in her appearance with a blank expression.

“Th-thank you,” Hiyori blinked. Her mother put her in a pink and purple kimono with butterflies sewn around her ankles. Her fingers reached up to play with her hair, the majority of it tied with a hairstick. Damn him for making her forgive and forget her anger so easily. With a hum, Yato watched her for a couple moments longer before he looked back at the ground.

“You should go. Your friends are probably waiting.” This was about twenty minutes earlier than when she usually left but her friends probably were already there. Still, Hiyori didn’t want to leave, even if Yato was okay with it.

“Come with me,” said Hiyori.

“What?” Yato yelped, head popping up. Hiyori didn’t bother elaborating, she just grabbed his hand and pulled him off their cherry tree.

“Wait! Hiyori!” He stumbled but didn’t pull away as she walked him out of the park.

“That boy you beat up is going to be with us. His name is Manabu and I expect you to be nice,” Hiyori huffed. She held her breath as they headed towards the end of the fence. Of course they left the park more often than not these days but it still worried her. She sighed with a smile when he just continued to follow after her as they left the park behind.

“Are you sure this is a good idea? Won’t they hate me?”

“No,” Hiyori giggled, “why would they hate you?” She looked back at him for a moment. Eventually she let go of his hand but was happy to see he still followed. It had been awkward at first, Yato practically hid behind her while her friends gaped and teased. Poor Manabu was terrified and wouldn’t even talk to her unless Yato was distracted. But it ended up okay, everyone had fun and her female friends cooed at how cute Yato’s smile was.

Unfortunately, Yato couldn’t hover around her all the time. It was next spring, before middle school graduation, that Manabu asked her out. He had been so attached to her after her little rescue attempt that Hiyori had a hard time saying no. Fortunately, boys had a habit of falling out of Cherry Trees.

“That’s why Hiyori Iki, please,” Manabu bowed, “please go out with-” He fell to the ground with a thud, squished under another body.

“Yato!” Hiyori gasped. Her friend was rubbing his butt with a pout, refusing to look at her or the boy he now sat on.

“What are you doing?”

“I tripped.”

“Out of a Cherry Tree?” Hiyori huffed at him as he stood, stepping off Manabu as politely as he could. The two friends couldn’t look at each other’s red face but Hiyori at least had the dignity to help Manabu back up with Yato watching her, just like that day. Manabu too, looked suitably embarrassed. His face rivaled that of the apples on an apple tree rather than the pink of the blossoms above them. Before Hiyori could nicely turn him down- and let Yato have it- someone gently weaved their arms together.

“Sorry, but Hiyori has plans with me everyday after school forever. Give up,” Yato stated nonchalantly. He led her away as Manabu and Hiyori worked to close their mouths. The two children didn’t look or say anything to each other, even when they reached the park.

“Forever?” Hiyori repeated.

“Yep. Forever and ever,” Yato said in the same tone he used when they promised that as kids. He was completely turned around but Hiyori could see his red ears.

“And what if I wanted to date him?”

“You didn’t,” that got Yato to turn around, “I could tell.” There was nothing she could say, even with both their faces rising in temperature, he was completely serious. And he was right.

“That and you looked like you wanted to drop through the floor,” Yato finally snickered. With a gasp she whacked him, hitting him more the more he laughed at her, trying to mock her horrified expression.

“I keep telling you to stop spying on me at school! They’re getting ready to cut down that tree!” Hiyori said. At some point, Yato caught her hand and twined their fingers together, grinning despite her embarrassment.

“Come on! Let’s get some ramen. Your treat,” he started towards their favorite noodle bar. Hands swinging, she walked right next to him, refusing to let go or look at his proud smirk.

“You just don’t want to lose your meal ticket.” She muttered.

“Oh come on,” Yato scoffed, “you know you love me!” He cackled at the terrible joke and Hiyori struggled to smile. He meant it as a joke- right?- but that little comment resonated in Hiyori all the way through her middle school graduation. It kept her up at night, bounced around her skull as they walked around town, and vibrated in her chest when he waited under their Cherry Tree with a bouquet of flowers after her graduation party.

The more aware she was of her own feelings, the more aware she became of his. The attention, the neediness, the jealousy, the more-than-friendly affection. Hiyori was almost sure Yato liked her too. But no matter how much she pushed and pried, the first year of high school coming and going, he never did anything more. And if Manabu was anything to go by, Hiyori was still on the market.

There was another boy, Fujisaki, in the grade ahead of her. He had been one of her first friends in highschool and often hung out with her group of friends. Somewhere along the way, they had exchanged phone numbers, spent time alone together outside of school, and talked everyday. Even Yato knew more about him than he should, scowling as she recounted her stories about Fujisaki. There were even a couple times Fujisaki walked her home, staying with her and Yato at the park until she had to go home. They argued, right then and there under the Cherry Tree, over who would walk her home. Fujisaki’s charisma and Yato’s temper had Hiyori pick the former; something she regretted for days but never apologized for. Instead, Hiyori tried to keep their interactions and knowledge about each other to a minimum. But the fact was that Fujisaki was much more determined than Yato’s stubbornness. Before she knew it they had gone on a date, then two. Something Yato saw on social media.

“You’re really going out with him?” Yato had been late, for the first time, to the Cherry Tree one day, marching towards her just as the sun was setting. When he finally did come, he wore a storm cloud over his head and opted to shove the cheap phone he got in her face.

“I-I am not! We just date sometimes!” Hiyori shoved the device away.

“That’s called going out, Hiyori!” Yato all but shouted. His hand slammed against the tree truck right next to her head. Hiyori flinched but she was too offended and embarrassed and guilty to do anything but narrow her eyes up at him. Somewhere in the back of her mind, Hiyori wondered when the tiny boy she met grew taller than her.

“It was twice and what does it matter! I’m not doing anything wrong! I can date whoever I want,” even to Hiyori’s ears it sounded forced. Like she was trying to convince herself of something.

“Do you even want to date him?”

“I wouldn’t have agreed to a third date if I didn’t!”

“That’s not an answer, Hiyori,” Yato leveled her with a more serious gaze. Not a jealous, emotional teenage boy, but a concerned friend. She hated when he did that. How he could get so dramatic, get her angry, then make her heart quiver with nothing but honest concern.

“Who says it's not an answer,” Hiyori muttered to the ground. She heard Yato take a deep breath through his nose, sensing he didn’t believe her.

“You don’t see us at school. We hang out all the time,” Hiyori continued, “he’s really nice and we get along.” She had said this line many times to many people and while she felt comfortable acting around her friends and family, it was harder with Yato.

“I can too,” Yato mumbled. When Hiyori returned her glare to him, she saw this time he was the one looking off with embarrassment. No, that wasn’t right, not embarrassment. Fear maybe?

“I can, uh, apply? Go to high school too. With you,” Yato said, rather uncomfortably. He started twitching again but Hiyori took a moment to indulge in old daydreams. Ones where Yato would sit next to her in class and laugh with her friends, play a sport or join a club, let her know more about him.

“Why would you do that?” Hiyori hushed, “Just so you can hang out with those bullies again? You tell me who I can and can’t hang out with while never telling me anything about you!”

“I can’t tell you! There’s nothing to tell! Besides I wouldn’t,” he bit his lip, “I wouldn’t say anything if you actually liked him.”

“I never said I didn’t!” Hiyori argued.

“You never said you did.”

“Well maybe I do.” Hiyori shot. Her declaration rang through the air, it seemed to strike through Yato and his shoulders slumped. Next to her ear, his fist curled, scraping against the bark.

“Then say it.” He dared with a low growl. It hurt to hear, why couldn’t he just grow a pair and give her a straight answer? Or was she wrong and he really was okay with her dating someone else?

“Why should I? Who cares whether or not I do or I don’t, it’s dating. That’s what dating is. And it’s not like you ever-!” Her rage was cut off harshly. She couldn’t bite her lip fast enough and Yato’s eyes whipped up to hers before she could look away. They stared at each other again. The Cherry Blossoms had bloomed over a week ago and it’s brown, rotting flowers had already started to shrivel up and fall around them. But their sweet smell still wafted around Hiyori, mixing nicely with Yato’s cologne and natural scent. They were so close. During their yelling both of them had leaned closer, bangs almost brushing. Yato had bent to her eye level, which made their blushes that much more apparent.

“Would you-” his voice cracked and he cleared it.

“Would you have? Uh,” Yato couldn’t get it out and Hiyori could barely listen.

“Yes.” Hiyori said. She had always been braver than him, even though she didn’t know exactly what she was agreeing to. But when Yato didn’t talk, didn’t look at her, for a long time, Hiyori’s worries boiled over and threatened to spill over her lashes.

“I’m homeless.” Yato said suddenly.

“Huh?” Hiyori blinked, “You’re homeless? You’re kidding! You don’t actually live here?” Her voice took on a hint of a plea as her hands came up between them.

“Well, no, I can go home, when I’m not kicked out. But I don’t, uh, don’t like my dad when he, uh, bullies me.” Yato stammered. As he spoke a dying blossom fell on his head and stuck there.

“Oh, Yato.” Hiyori mourned. Taking in a sharp breath Hiyori reached up to remove the flower, dropping it on the ground and resting her palm on his cheek.

“And I’m not ‘homeschooled’ so much as I’m ‘self taught.’ He did the basics but, uh,” Yato swallowed and let out a painful laugh, “I have no future, Hiyori. All I really have is you, as sad as that is. But, uh, you do. With someone good.” His words were met with silence. Hiyori wanted to be mad, to shout, to apologize, anything. But she couldn’t. All she could do was let the tears fall down her cheeks and sniff as Yato stared. Eventually he pulled her into a hug, slowly and cautiously, resting her head in his chest.

“I’m sorry. I know you wanted to know but,” Yato sighed against her head, “I’m sorry.”

“You have a future.” Hiyori sniffed.

“Hiyori,”

“You have a future here. With me.” She asserted. He offered everything to her yet she wasn’t all he had. Yato had strength, Yato had kindness, Yato had perseverance. But no matter what, Yato had her and Hiyori had him. It was just as dependable as the tree they stood under and just as beautiful. Yato’s smile was sweet like the scent of blossoms as his eyes got a wet sheen to match hers.

“I’d like that.” He hushed. Her own breath hitched as he reached up to wipe her tears and held her face, gently. Moving slowly, ever so slightly, with nervous, jolting movements, they got even closer.

“Only if you want to,” Yato’s nose brushed her cheek as her eyes drooped, “if you want me.” Instead of answering, Hiyori used her hand to push him the final centimeter, squeaking when his lips pushed against hers. They took turns letting out soft sounds as they struggled to figure out how to kiss properly. It was awkward, their clumsy movements sloppy and off-beat while they tried to figure out how to breathe. But it was as sweet as it was addicting. Regardless, Hiyori was giddy and couldn’t help but snort at their inexperience, peaking one eye open to see a very passionate Yato with more dead flowers in his hair. Suddenly, Yato’s eyes popped wide open and he looked directly into hers. That did it and she couldn’t help but laugh. He gasped in offense and mortification and Hiyori thought it served him right. Just in case she grabbed his face and pecked at his scowl. In retaliation, Yato kissed her hard, pressing her so tight against the tree her nice shoes slid up the root and onto the trunk.

“Wha-? Hey!” Yato protested as Hiyori spun in his arms and crawled up the tree, limbs moving without thought. She took a moment to look down at him and stick out her tongue, before she disappeared into the leaves.

“Oh no you don’t!” Yato was up the tree in seconds but Hiyori was already straddling his branch, smiling triumphantly. Of course, she wouldn't be for long as Yato managed to re-claim his spot while kissing her senseless. The tree hid them well into the night, the old cherry blossoms falling off, making room for the new yet forever precious beauty.

#yatori #yatori week #yatori week 2021 #noragami #yato #yatogami #noragami yato #noragami hiyori #iki #iki hiyori #hiyori iki #noragami fanfic #noragami fanfiction

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rosemaidenvixen · 4 years

Text

In the Fullness of Time

Chapter 1: Today

When a fight leads to unintentional magical consequences, Douxie has a painful secret exposed. Prompting him to share part of his past to his friends.

Or, the tale of how Merlin and Douxie first met.

Ao3

Halfway through watching Wizards for the first time, I came up with an idea for how Merlin and Douxie met. I liked it so much that it stuck with me even after I saw their canon meeting, so here we are. For the sake of this story Merlin didn't die, and they were able to defeat Bellroc and Skrael by locking them in the Darklands (and while I'm at it Draal is alive and is spending his honeymoon with Nomura wrestling alligators in the New Jersey sewers).

Shout out to @yellowmagicalgirl for giving me the kick in the pants to get this story off the ground and @archaeopter-ace for the title.

Douxie ducked to the side to avoid the fireblast “Jim, on your right!”

Jim nimbly doged another fireblast and used Excalibur to vault over a fallen tree, continuing pursuit of their quarry without missing a beat.

The Warlock swore and tried to turn and retreat. Only to come face to face with Toby, Steve, and Claire. The boys wielding their hammer and axe while shadows flickered at Claire’s fingertips.

“Going somewhere Buttsnack?”

The Warlock made a mad dash in the opposite direction, but was instantly blocked by Krel’s serrator.

They all closed the gap on the increasingly anxious looking Warlock. Douxie summoning his staff as they moved in “It’s over, there’s nowhere for you to run. Surrender and we’ll go easy on you,”

The Warlock narrowed his eyes and growled “I will not yield my power to that blasted coward Merlin. Not in this life, or the next,”

Douxie’s eyes widened as he realized what the Warlock was about to do.

“ Everyone get back! ”

He slammed the end of his staff on the ground, forming a shield around the Warlock just as he started to chant.

Less than a second later the Warlock was consumed in a ball of white fire, the shield around him swelling and straining as Douxie struggled to contain the blaze.

Thinking quickly, Claire summoned a portal on the ground inside Douxie’s shield, siphoning some of the white hot energy away.

Their combined efforts had an impressive effect but it wasn’t enough.

Douxie’s shield shattered, the Warlock erupted with a blinding flash of light and a concussive wave. Blasting them all into the trees like leaves in a gale.

Head swimming, Douxie blinked to clear his vision, slowly managing to detangle himself from the roots and shrubbery. It didn’t feel like he’d been injured too badly, but something felt...off. At first he thought he was just recovering from the blast, but upon standing he immediately knew something was seriously wrong. And when he raised a hand to pull a loose twig out of his hair, Douxie froze when he saw that his shirt was practically falling off his arm. A quick glance up and down revealed the rest of his clothes now fit in the same baggy manner.

But it wasn’t so much that his clothes had gone from small to extra large, more like Douxie himself had gone from nine hundred and nineteen to four or five.

“Oh fuzzbuckets,”

Even as he spoke he cringed at his higher, lisping voice. From around the clearing he saw everyone else groan and get to their feet. It soon became apparent that Douxie wasn’t alone in his predicament.

“Guys, guys! The Warlock dude made everything bigger!” a much smaller Steve wailed, trying and failing to lift his axe.

Rather than bother to try and move his now oversized hammer, Toby opted for the simpler option of shrinking it down and tucking it into his pocket “Actually I think we got smaller,”

Krel sat on the ground, blinking at his four stubby, childish limbs “Kleb,”

Douxie had never heard the Akiridion word before, but based on the context he could give a pretty good guess as to its meaning.

Once she finished helping Jim up, Claire turned towards Douxie “What happened, why are we all fun-sized now?”

“Our friend here,” Douxie gestured to the smoking crater in the ground, all that was left of the Warlock “Rather than get taken to Merlin and have their contraband magic stripped away, chose to unleash it all at once and try to take us all out,”

He picked up his staff from where it had fallen “We were able to dampen it, which is why we’re not ash right now, but I have no idea what they were juicing themselves with, or how to undo it,”

The blue stone in the head of his staff flickered as he tried to summon his magic, only to have it elude him. With a sigh he lowered it “And being tiny like this, I don’t have much power,”

“What! Are we stuck like this?! I can’t win Spring King again if I’m all shrimpy, they won’t even let me be a duke!”

“For once I agree with the oaf. I will not be small again, and I refuse to let Aja see me like this,”

“Calm down guys,” Douxie knitted his brows and tried to tuck his staff away, a normally easy task made monumentally difficult by his lack of size and power “We just need to get back to Merlin and he can help us figure this out,”

He allowed himself a small grin as the staff finally reduced back into his cuff, with no small amount of effort on his part, only to swear when the cuff nearly slipped off his arm. Douxie glanced at both wrists before sighing and slipped both the cuff and bracelets off, stuffing them into his pocket. Better to take them off now than to have them fall off later and get lost. But still he almost felt naked without them.

Jim tugged at Excalibur’s hilt with a frown “But what about our weapons? We can’t carry them back like this, and I don’t think it’s a good idea to leave them out here,”

“I’ll do it,” Claire’s sclera darkened as two small portals formed beneath Excalibur and Toothache, ferrying them away. Less than a second after the weapons vanished Claire’s eyes rolled back in her head and she collapsed to the ground.

“That...that took a lot out of me,” she panted as Toby and Jim helped her to her feet.

Douxie hurried up to check on her. Much to his relief while she was sweating with exhaustion, her eyes were focused and clear and her nose wasn’t bleeding “Ok, no more magic. Our bodies just aren’t up to it right now,”

“Wait, does that mean we have to go back on foot?” Steve said incredulously.

“Unfortunately yes,”

“Aww man,”

“Double kleb,”

“C’mon guys,” Jim said while heading to the front of the group with Douxie “The sooner we start the sooner we get back, and the sooner we get back the sooner we get back to normal,”

With only minimal grumbling, the group set out through the woods. Jim and Douxie in the lead.

They stumbled their way home through the roots and undergrowth, struggling with shorter, weaker limbs. As they went, Douxie tried to come up with a likely explanation for their condition. It couldn’t be a de-aging spell, greater Wizards than that Warlock had tried and failed to obtain eternal youth. What if it was a spell intended to do something else entirely but had gone wrong? Maybe the Warlock had tried to cast a spell to strip them of all their abilities but it went haywire when--

“Hey Doux,” Claire spoke up, shattering his train of thought “What’s that, on your wrists?”

Douxie stopped in his tracks, hands unconsciously going to cover his wrists; his heart plummeting like a stone down into the bottom of his stomach.

How could he have been so careless? He didn’t have the bracelets or cuff to cover them any more, and he’d forgotten that they’d been a lot more noticeable at this age.

The rest of the group stopped to, perturbed by his reaction.

Krel squinted “Are those...scars?”

Douxie bit his lip, tightening the grip on his wrists.

Jim’s expression went from curious to soft “Hey it’s cool, you don’t have to tell us,”

“Yeah,” Steve piped up “If you say it’s none of our business, it’s none of our business,”

Claire’s face flushed “Sorry, forget I asked,”

Krel and Toby chimed in with similar reassurances.

Hearing them all try to comfort him, the subject of the marks on his wrists willing to be dropped as quickly as it was brought up; heavy, not unpleasant, emotion settled in Douxie’s chest.

These were his comrades, more than that his friends. They’d fought side by side and he trusted them with his life.

He could trust them with this to.

“No….it’s...it’s ok,” he pried his fingers away from his wrists, wincing as the marks underneath were exposed “It’s just….a hard story to tell,”

Empathy washed over Jim’s face “You don’t have to tell us if you--”

“It’s ok,” Douxie cut him off “I want to tell you,”

He took a deep breath as they all looked at him, expectantly but patiently.

“I got these,” Douxie started slowly “I got these when I was the age I appear to be now…..”

Notes: (Content warning for mentions of cannibalism)

For the magic system I'm setting up in this story there are functional differences between a Wizard and a Warlock. A Witch/Wizard is someone with innate magical abilities, whether they came naturally, like Douxie, or developed after contact with the magical world, like Claire. A person without magic of their own that still uses magical tools and objects would be referred to as an Alchemist.

Warlocks occupy a dark middle ground between the two. Warlocks are those that lack intrinsic magical abilities of their own, but consume or inject themselves with the essence of other magical creatures in order to gain their powers. These artificially gained magical abilities fade over time, so Warlocks constantly need to replenish themselves with outside magical sources. There are literally thousands of ways for a Warlock to accomplish this, but the most common method is by directly cannibalizing a Witch or Wizard. So while the words Warlock and Cannibal are not synonymous within magical communities, they share all of the same negative connotations.

The main point is that while being a Warlock doesn't make one inherently 'evil', the steps and ethical choices a person has to make to become a Warlock and to maintain that status informs a lot about their willingness to harm others for their own gain.

This won't come up in the rest of the story, I just wanted to elaborate on some of the worldbuilding.

#tales of arcadia #toawizards #douxie #hisirdoux casperan #jim lake jr #steve palchuk #toby domzalski #claire nuñez #krel tarron #rmvwrites #fanfic #in the fullness of time

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inknopewetrust · 5 years

Text

in the cloak of darkness pt. 1

Summary: “Even the Gods weren’t helping tonight.”

Pairing: Detective David Loki x Reader

Word Count: 2.18k

Warnings: Mature Language

A/N: I’ve read so many of the works about our angsty detective on here and just couldn’t help myself. Prisoners is a gem of a film and truly underrated, so I am happy to see it get a lot of love on here. This will be a multi-part fic. I hope you enjoy!

Parts: ... 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 |

A holiday off for a detective was a miracle. Crime didn’t wait for a convenient time or weekday where everyone was at the station, ready to jump on the case. The days treasured by families and tight knit communities were ones that shouldn’t be plagued by crime, happened to be the ones where it occurred the most.

Thanksgiving was a quiet one for you, as most of your family didn’t live close by. The drive into Philadelphia was too far and long from Conyers, where you lived and worked, so you decided not to go. Like you did every year for every holiday. You’re family wasn’t pleased with your decision but it wasn’t like you wanted to see them anyway, they had caused you to make a lot of difficult decisions in the past, which would have resulted in some big fight no one wanted to have.

But a day off was a day off and you sat in the darkness of your living room with the TV on low volume, trying to shut your eyes for a few minutes before you decided whether or not to go into work early, admitting to yourself that staying home for the holidays was something you didn’t like but you weren’t sure which you hated more, your family, or boring holidays.

As you listened to the soft sounds of the evening news and the downpour of rain that was happening outside, you felt as though you would finally get a lick of sleep but it was interrupted by rough knocking at your front door. You groaned at the sound of the banging turned over, you face buried into the pillow on your couch as you let out a dissatisfied “fuck” and waited a minute before answering the door, but the impatient person on the other side was knocking again. You could only image who it might be.

With a huff you went and opened the door, pulling your hair into a better ponytail as you walked. The cold air from the outside sending chills down you entire body as you greeted your partner who had been banging at the door.

“What do you want?” You asked him, leaning against the door casually, a fake smile gracing your face before you dropped it.

“There are two missing children, I want to find them, it’s my fucking job and why haven’t you been picking up your phone? I’ve been trying to reach you for hours.” He inquired and you opened the door wider, making room for him to enter your home which he did, running a hand through his hair, the water from the pouring rain falling onto your floor.

“I was trying to sleep, I probably didn’t hear it.” You told him and went to get your jacket, badge, and gun, slipping on your boots in the process. You tried to press on the screen of your phone but nothing happened, it must have died without you realizing it but you weren’t going to tell him that. Loki walked around kitchen, flicking at the papers that were on the counter and looking around the room, harmlessly of course.

“It’s no different from the last time you were here, nothing’s changed.” You commented, shrugging on your coat and opening the front door, motioning for him to exit the house.

“Habit, that’s all.” He said as he walked out and to the car that had been left running in your drive way. You hurried to the car to avoid getting drenched in the rain and he picked up the radio that was resting on the dash, putting it back in its holder.

The ride was quiet, as all of them were whenever you were in a car with him. He was a man of mystery to you, not openly friendly or emotional all the time, he was difficult to work with on some cases and he was very different from you. Perhaps polar opposites.

The other officers at the station liked your company, as your friendly demeanor brought a little light to the hard situations you all dealt with day to day. You didn’t mind small talk or learning new things about other people but you weren’t overly anxious to share your life story with others, only the happy bits that people would care about.

You knew Loki for awhile now, having been partners for a few years but it wasn’t by mutual circumstances. Your former partner had been driving the cruiser when a suspect you were chasing abruptly stopped and he had no time to break, leaving you with several broken bones and without a partner. It was a difficult time and it had taken you a few years to even want to get another partner but Captain O’Malley insisted that Detective Loki would be the best fit, even though both of you liked to work alone. The change from officer to detective was difficult, but you’ve managed to hold it together for this long.

And although he was a mystery to you, you knew him better than anyone else in his life at the moment and whether he admitted it or not, he liked that feeling. You were someone he confided in when he needed to, and that wasn’t often, but when times got tough, you knew exactly what he was going through and he knew you just as well as you knew him.

“Where are we headed?” You broke the silence as the drive had been longer than expected.

“Nowhere right now, they haven’t found anything yet but they’re looking for the RV.” He said and you furrowed your brows, turning to look at him.

“You woke me from my fucking nap to just ride around in your car for what could be hours? Do you know the last time I got a good nights sleep?” You said as blatantly as possible and he shrugged a little, his eyes blinking a few times before he turned to you, the smallest smirk was on his face but it was there, you couldn’t miss it.

“I think I can recall a time or two... we could get dinner and wait there?” He asked and turned back to the road, not waiting for a reaction.

“Don’t say that Chinese place, I can’t eat there again.” You told him and a ghost of an actual smile on his face appeared and you rolled your eyes.

“You’ve got to be kidding me... How many times can you eat there a week? You know the food isn’t good for you, like at all!? It’s fucking shit food and you know it.” You told him and crossed your arms in front of you like a child throwing a tantrum in a grocery store.

“It’s the only thing open today, besides, no one will be there and it will be quiet. It’s probably better than what your holiday would have been.” He comments and turns into the parking lot of the restaurant. You sighed and exited the vehicle and looking into the glass windows as the rain poured onto you.

“Fucking shit food.” You mumbled and followed him inside.

The restaurant was empty, just like he said and you picked at your plate as you waited for him to finish eating but he seemed to be taking his time. The waitress came around again, for the millionth time, you thought. Her eyes trained on Loki as he sipped from the coffee cup in his hand. She smiled sweetly at him and you wanted to vomit at the sight, she set down the check in front of you and filled his cup back up again, you shook your head at her as she tried to refill yours.

“Happy Thanksgiving, Detectives.” She said and waited for some kind of response.

“Thanks...” Loki mumbles a little and then looks up at her. “You have any of those-” He makes a small motion with his hand as he thinks of the word. “Those fortune cookie things?”

“My boss told me cops don’t like fortune cookies.” She said and you snickered, she glanced at you for a moment before turning back to Loki and you drank the rest of the cold coffee in your cup.

“What year were you born?” He asked her and she smiled a little at him. “Are you a dragon, a snake, or a horse?”

“I’m a monkey.” She told him and he set his cup down to look at what it said under monkey.

“Oh, you’re a monkey?” He says. “You’re very intelligent, you have the ability to influence people.” He picked up his cup again and took a drink.

“You think you can influence your boss to lower the check a little bit?” She laughed and he smiled a little, your brows furrowing at him and your eyes narrowing, he breaks eye contact with her to look at you for a minute and then back at the waitress again. He was flirting with her... well... attempting to.

“No, I cannot, my boss is a rooster.” She tells him and walks away, sneaking another glance at him as she walked away but he was no longer looking. Loki set the cup down for good and then picked up the check, glancing at it before tossing it to you which you then looked at it.

Too expensive for a place like this. You thought to yourself.

“He’s selfish and eccentric, that’s-that’s...” He trailed off and then looked up at you.

“1983, right?” He asks you and you nod in reply, pulling out some cash from your jacket pocket and placing it on top of the check.

“Pig.” He begins to read and you glance at him. “Compassionate, generous, diligent... I guess that sounds about right.”

“And you?” You asked him but before he could look to respond, his phone buzzed on the table and you both glance at it, he sets it down after reading it, takes a few bills out of his own wallet and gets up to leave.

“Ready?” Loki asks you and you both walk out of the restaurant, the waitress smiling at Loki as he walked out the door, not paying much attention to you.

“Why do you insist we go there? I hate it there.” You huffed as you got into the car.

-- caller reported an RV matching the description -- vehicle is parked at a rest stop off of Route forty-six, northbound, past exit seventeen -- any available units?

The radio sounded when he turned on the ignition and he looked over at you, not answering your question before responding to dispatch.

“This is 13-40 and 13-52, we’re five minutes away, heading over.” He said and sped off into the direction of the rest stop.

“The place has decent food, why do you hate it so much?” He answered. “You don’t hate much so it must be something good...” He mumbled under his breath and you sighed, resting your arm against the window and resting your hand against the side of your face.

“It’s nothing important... just let it go. And as I said before-” You tried finishing before he cut you off.

“Shit food, I know.” He said and looked at you again before dropping the subject completely and quickly arriving at the rest stop. The officers were there before you, their lights shining onto the RV and the RV on and facing the trees behind the gas station.

Shutting the car doors quietly, the two of you make your approach to the vehicle, it staying put in front of the tree line. But before everyone got too close, the RV shifted gears into reverse, speeding quickly backwards and to the side, perhaps a little to close to Loki and yourself. Loki extending his hand to almost push you backwards and behind him, even though you could hold your own.

“Don’t shoot!” Loki repeated over and over, yelling at the officers on the other side as he pulled out his own gun and aimed at the RV. But before anyone could approach it again, it shifted gears once more, driving straight into the trees and smoke rose from the front of the RV. Slowly, making your approach to the RV, everyone looked into the front window where no one was. But the window was shattered and a large branch sticking straight through, no one could escape from that without getting injured or without an officer noticing.

“Go around the back, wait until I get there.” He told you and you walked to the door where officers were almost ready to open the door and go inside.

“Stop. Not yet.” You told them and they nodded and waited for a minute before Loki came up behind you.

“Give me that.” He asks for your flashlight which you give to him with no hesitation and the other officer opens the RV door. With his gun drawn, Loki enters the vehicle alone, you and the officers waiting outside.

“Can you see anything?” One of the officers shouted over the rain at you as you peered inside the RV not seeing much due to the obstructed view, cabinets were covering any glance inside the RV.

“No.” You yelled back. Loki, inside coerced the man who was hiding in the lofted bed to come out, handcuffing him right away as he came down. Your flashlight that Loki had been using lit up the doorway as he made his way out, the man first, then Loki. Pushing him around the other side of the vehicle, Loki began to yell at him, trying to get information out of the man.

“Where are the girls? Walk! I’m going to fucking shoot you if you don’t start walking!” He shouted and pushed the man again who was struggling to stand on his own anyway.

The man turns around, staring blankly into everyones faces and doesn’t say or do anything. You watch him carefully, an uneasy, vile feeling rises in your body as the officers make the assumption that he’s high. You didn’t think he was, of course you wouldn’t be sure without some kind of test, but he wasn’t even talking. He looked utterly terrified.

“What the fuck are you on?” Loki asks him but of course, no response. He grabs the man by the jacket, handing him off to one of the officers and gives out orders one by one until he’s satisfied everything is handled.

Loki rubs a wet hand across his face and slicks back his hair and turns to you, waiting for some kind of direction.

“Come on, victims might be in the woods.”

And you set off into the dark forest, the sky closing in as you search further and further into the night, and to no avail.

You found nothing in the dark.

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

If you want to be tagged for the next part in the series, drop a comment on the most recently published part!

#detective loki #prisoners #prisoners 2013 #david loki #hugh jackman #x reader #fanfic #detective loki imagine #detective loki x reader #jake gyllenhaal x reader #jake gyllenhaal imagine #x you #jake gyllenhaal

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duhragonball · 4 years

Note

Reading about all the stuff you like and know about with or without Dragonball involvement is fascinating. Your posts are always my favorites to read on my dash most days.

Thank you. I don’t like to stray too far off-topic with this blog, but that’s really only because “staying on-topic” helped me focus a few years ago. Now, maybe the pendulum has swung the other way, but I think it’s mostly just that I’m bummed out by the state of things and I don’t have a convenient way to tie it in with something else.

The latest villain in Luffa is an evil cult, and I was asked a few months back if I did a lot of research on cults when I came up with the idea. I did some, but mostly it was just me drawing upon things I’ve seen in other stories, real and fictional.

And that may be why the news has me so down lately, because I keep seeing people in power denying any responsibility for their bad behavior. The pro wrestling industry isn’t exactly a cult, but there’s some parallels, and the last few days have proven that the slope is more slippery than some want to admit. When you have a close-knit community, isolated from outsiders, you end up with a power structure, and sometimes the ones at the top start to abuse people, just because they can.

And I’ve been exploring that notion in my writing for a while now, to the point where I started to wonder if maybe that reflects negatively on myself. It’s like I was saying the other day, J.K. Rowling wrote all of her evil characters too. I see people shocked that the creator of Hermione Granger would say all these terrible things, but she created about fifty other characters who would be more than comfortable punching down. So I got in my own head, and started to wonder if maybe all these creepy villains I write are just extensions of myself.

Well, yeah, of course they are. I try to put a little of myself into my characters to make them easier to write, and hopefully more relatable. The bad guys are going to get the darker, more selfish-impulses, and none of the restraint. The catch is that they’ll get completely destroyed before it’s all over. In the end, they represent things that I’m against.

What I notice is that these assholes out there flip the script. They come up with a bad guy and it’s just a blueprint for their own actions. I can only guess they read other stories and just assumed that was how it was supposed to work. They think the good guys are how you pretend to act in public, and the bad guys do the stuff you do when no one will catch you. So when they get revealed for what they really are, it makes everyone wonder how they didn’t catch on sooner. But they’ve had years to practice their deception. They’ve learned how to imitate good behavior to cover their tracks, so when they get caught, it almost makes you wonder if all good behavior is suspect.

I think that’s kind of my gut reaction anyway. I’ll hear about someone manipulating someone else, and wonder “Wait, am I manipulating someone?” Well, no, I don’t think so. But I keep trying to get into the heads of the people involved in these scandals, and that’s where it leads me. Maybe I need to take a step back from it.

#Anonymous

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imaginetonyandbucky · 5 years

Note

On their first official date, Tony has a cold and ends up taking the wrong kind of cold medicine which makes him loopy but Steve kinda crashes the date trying to tell Tony he loves him before he ends up losing him to Bucky. Even doused Tony kindly but funnily rejects him but offers to buy him dinner. Bucky gives him a friendly threat saying he loves Steve, he's his bff and brother so they'll be cool but that he can't ever go after Tony.

Doped Up Date

Bucky’s heart pounded in his chest as if he were battling a levithan—not on a date with Tony Stark.

Honestly, fighting a levithan would be easier; he’d just need to grab his largest gun and shoot at the damn thing until it was dead.

How did one combat the humor and charm of Tony Stark—resist the beautiful, brown bambi eyes?

How could he win and not wave his white flag in defeat when the red, stuffy nose on Tony’s face endeared Bucky to him?

Tony chuckled. He rested his head on Bucky’s shoulder. “You’re amazing.”

Bucky squeezed Tony’s hand. He pulled Tony close to his side. The chill off the evening seeped into his coat. If he could feel the cold then Tony could as well; he needed to keep Tony warm. It was bad enough that he had taken Tony outside when he was sick. Tony should be resting somewhere with a heater. Bucky hadn’t been able help himself when Tony had asked him out though.

He had been pouring himself a glass of milk when Tony had stumbled into the kitchen with a loopy grin on his face.

“There’s my gorgeous man.” Tony had clumsily sashayed up to Bucky. “Let’s go on a date.”

Bucky forced himself to swallow instead of spitting out the milk like it had gone sour. “Are you high?”

Tony had waved off Bucky’s question. “I took some cold medicine. Nothing strong. Date me.”

Like the weak person that he was, Bucky caved. He’d wanted to date Tony for so long, but had been too afraid to make a move due to their history. He couldn’t give up his chance at a date with Tony just because the circumstances weren’t perfect.

He also trusted that, despite a few out of character moments, Tony was telling him the truth when he said he was not high off his gourd.

(More after the break!)

“Bucky, you’re ignoring me.” Tony nuzzled Bucky’s shoulder as he whined.

“Sorry. I’m just really happy.”

Tony hummed. “That’s good.”

A violent sneeze bowed Tony’s body.

Bucky patted Tony on the back. “We should get you home.”

Tony rubbed his nose with the back of his wrist. “But we only had dinner. What kind of a date is only dinner?”

“A filling one.” Bucky slung his arm around Tony’s neck. “We’re walking under the stars.”

“On a dirty, busy sidewalk in New York.” Tony pressed closer to Bucky to avoid the two kids and their guardian rushing past.

“We could call Happy to pick us up.”

“Are you trying to kill the romance?”

“We could make out in backseat of the car.”

Tony scrunched his face. There was just something so childish and silly about the pout Tony directed at Bucky; it caused fondness and humor to course through Bucky. He kissed Tony’s temple. “A movie. You, me, and a comfy couch at home. We’ll dim the lights, grab a couple of blankets, and keep each other warm. How is that for romance?”

“Sounds better than it should be,” Tony grumbled. “It’s our first date; it should be more romantic. Flowers, sweeping music, and all that Hallmark stuff. Fireworks.”

“Watching fireworks or kissing being like fireworks?”

“Both.” Tony closed his eyes as he lolled his head back.

Bucky chuckled as he planted another kiss on Tony’s head. “Yeah, sounds like it is time to take you home.”

“I could buy fireworks, you know. I have bought fireworks.”

Bucky nodded his head and mumbled agreements. He had no doubt that Tony had purchased fireworks before.

With a gentle arm wrapped around Tony’s shoulders—or a hand tucked into Tony’s back pocket when Tony took to gesticulating—Bucky guided his sickly love home. Cuddled together, they entered the common area of the Avengers compound and took over the living room. Tony sprawled across one of the sofas and picked out the movie, as Bucky hunted down soft, fleece blankets to cocoon them in. He also fetched Tony’s medicine, much to Tony’s chagrin.

“I’m fine.” Snot dribbled out from Tony’s nose. He grimaced.

Bucky shook his head. He pulled a travel packet of tissues from his pocket then passed a tissue to Tony. “I’m sure. It’s for later when you don’t feel fine.”

Tony took the tissue. He blew his nose. “Hand sanitizer.”

“I’ll grab some while I get the popcorn.”

“My sweet prince, I would kiss you like a porn star if I weren’t carrying the plague.”

“I’ll hold you to that.” Bucky grinned as he went to the kitchen. In a flash, he had a bag of popcorn popping in the microwave and was on the move to fetch a bottle of hand sanitizer for Tony as promised. Just as quick as he was to get the popcorn started, he scurried to the bathroom where, after riffling through a couple of drawers, he found the hand sanitizer.

There was a bounce to his step as Bucky returned to the living room. The soft hum of the microwave coming from the kitchen told him the popcorn was still cooking, even as the salty and buttery aroma of the light as air treat teased his senses.

A square, blond head attached to a pair of broad shoulders peeked out from behind the couch. A corded arm pillowed Tony’s head. Laughter lit up Tony’s face as he looked at Steve: the encroacher.

Insecurity opened its maw and threatened to swallow Bucky whole.

Vague memories of a time when he used to be the dashing charmer who had all the girls fawning over him flooded back to him. Bitterness assaulted his tongue as shame coiled through his being; his jealousy was so strong that he was embarrassed.

He was happy that Steve knew how to flirt and charm.

He just wasn’t happy that the person who Steve was interested in was Tony.

Be a good friend, Bucky. Be a good friend. Tony asked you out. He likes you. Don’t go caveman.

Steve cocked his head then looked Bucky’s way. “Bucky, there you are. Tony was just telling me that you two are about to have a movie night. Hope you don’t mind a third wheel.”

“And here I thought you were tired of being a third wheel.” Bucky spoke with a smile that belied his backhanded words.

“Not when I am with two of my favorite people.”

Tony snorted tersely.

Steve gave Tony a look that communicated that he had heard Tony, knew exactly what Tony was saying without uttering a word, and that despite his disapproval, he was amused by Tony’s antics.

The microwave beeped its completion.

Bucky ignored it. “You’re giving me cavities, Steve. Tony and I planned for this movie night to be just the two of us. So…” Bucky swung his arms toward the exit.

A befuddled frown crossed Steve’s features. He looked to Tony for understanding.

Tony wrapped the blankets tighter around himself. “No need to fight over me boys.” He sniffled. “I know-” Tony blinked. “…and my head is spinning. Hello, vertigo, my old friend. Oh! Friday, movie change. Get ready to play Vertigo.”

Bucky marched over to Tony. He tucked the bottle of hand sanitizer into the space where sofa cushion met armrest. Bucky splayed his flesh hand across Tony’s forehead. “You’re not burning up.”

Tony nuzzled Bucky’s hand. “It’s just the mucus forming crystals in my head.”

“Are you sure?” Steve leaned into Tony’s space. His brows knitted together. “Maybe we should cancel movie night tonight. You need your rest, Tony. I’ll take you out to the movies some other night. What do you say? We can make it a date.”

A part of Bucky applauded Steve for his new and improved pick up skills. Another part of Bucky screamed in horror. With just a few sentences, Steve had brought an end to Bucky’s date while simultaneously asking Tony out.

Steve was devastating him.

Tony huffed. He put his hand on Steve’s cheek and pushed him away. “I know thanks to that serum you are immune to the common cold but please stay out of my face.”

Steve frowned but kept his distance. “I’m worried about you, Tony.”

“Bah.” Tony tossed a corner of the blanket over his head. The fleece covered half his face. “Everyone is such a worrywart!” Tony twisted. He flung his arms open at Bucky. “Come to me, beautiful. Sick people need warmth.”

“Yeah, you were right about not needing more medicine.” Bucky went around the couch. He plopped himself on the other side of Tony. Tony embraced Bucky like he was Tony’s long lost teddy bear. Happiness curled in Bucky’s stomach like a contented cat. It was nice to be wanted. It was wonderful to be wanted by Tony.

Steve touched Tony’s shoulder. Genuine concern contorted his face. “Tony, I’m really worried. I love you; I don’t want to see you hospitalized because we didn’t take care of you.”

“That’s a sweet love confession, Steve, but my weak, barely functional heart belongs to this darling raccoon over here.” Tony pecked Bucky on the lips. “I really hope you are immune to the common cold, otherwise that was a lot more disgusting than I thought it would be in my head.” Tony sniffled.

Red-nosed, watery-eyed, and a voice that was slowly but surely becoming raspy, and Tony was still the person Bucky most wanted to kiss on the planet. He was a smitten man; he did not mind.

“Tony, I’m serious,” Steve’s tone hardened.

“So am I.” Tony lightly kicked Steve’s knee. “Shoo, shoo. Go pine for me in another room, or make another super boy band to fight against mine, whatever it is you do to cope.”

Steve shook his head. “You’re delirious.”

Tony closed his eyes and groaned. When he opened his eyes again, a shade of the sharp wit that he usually carried shimmered in his eyes. He turned on Steve. “Steve, if I am hospitalized it will be from blue balls, because right now, I am trying to get in your best friend’s pants, and you are cockblocking me.”

Steve’s head jerked back as if struck. He blinked rapidly like a cartoon character then stared at Tony and Bucky.

“You two are dating? Really dating? This isn’t a joke?”

Tony rolled his eyes. “We are trying to.”

“Yeah, third wheel and the love confessions are making it a little hard,” Bucky said.

Steve stiffened. Red tinged the tips of his ears. He crossed his arms over his chest. “Love confession? Really?”

“You said, ‘I love you,’” Bucky argued. He wasn’t going to let Steve off the hook for intruding on his date with Tony.

Tony nodded.

“I say ‘I love you’ to both of you all the time.” The red traveled down Steve’s eartips to his neck. Steve’s jaw set stubbornly.

“No, you don’t,” Bucky said.

“Yes, I do.”

“Friday,” Tony chimed in. “Has Steve ever said ‘I love you’ to Bucky or me before now?”

“I have no record of Steve Rogers saying ‘I love you’ to either of you; however, my records do not account for times that he was outside of my hearing range.”

Tony smirked at Steve. “Don’t try to say that every time you’ve said it you’ve just happened to not be around Friday.”

“I was wrong.” Steve stood up. “You’re not sick enough to go to the hospital. You have too much energy.”

“Love you too, Steve,” Tony said.

Steve’s face turned tomato red.

Tony tilted his head so he could kiss Bucky’s cheek. “Love you more.”

Bucky’s grin cut his face in half.

“I’m going to leave you two alone.” Steve hurried for the exit, like a child who had just walked in on his parents kissing.

“Don’t go after my fella again,” Bucky hollered at Steve’s retreating back. He spoke the words playfully with an undercurrent of seriousness that he knew Steve would pick up on. Steve was his family and best friend–he loved Steve–but Tony was special. He wasn’t okay with Steve hitting on Tony.

“I wasn’t!” Steve shouted as he made himself scarce.

“Sure,” Bucky said, sarcasm dripped off the word.

Tony flopped against Bucky. “Finally! Alone at last.”

#winteriron #tony x bucky #tony stark #bucky barnes #sick fic #jealousy #steve rogers #prompts #akira of the twilight

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metaphorical-love-for-a-car · 5 years

Text

Voice Of An Angel-- Gardner x Reader

Prompt; none! :P

Warnings; FLUFF, mute-ish reader (you’ll see what I mean)

Word Count; 2.4k (whoop got a lil carried away lol)

Notes; I recently watched Dear Sidewalk and this instantly popped into my mind so enjoy lol (also you can watch the movie for free on YouTube right here)

You loved your job. You got to travel the world and share your experiences with those who were unable to get out and see other parts of the globe. Traveling photojournalist. That was your official title, and you were incredibly proud of it. You had found your passion for photography when you were a teenager. Like the saying goes, a picture’s worth a thousand words.

Because you were always looking for your next adventure, you never really stopped and settle into anywhere. Another reason for that was the fact that you didn’t really have any ties to anywhere. Your parents passed away not long after you moved out for college, and the only other relative you were close to was your Aunt Trudy. She always urged you to put yourself out there and chase your dreams, so you did. You made a point to send her a postcard from wherever you went, even if it was just a different state.

You didn’t have any trips planned for a couple of weeks, so you decided to stay with Trudy after she insisted. She claimed to be bored because her neighbors ‘all had sticks up their asses,’ and her closest friend was the mailman. Retirement wasn’t treating her too well. She was too outgoing for that.

Trudy whisked you outside. She claimed to be finishing up a surprise and that you needed to wait for her to finish before coming in. You rolled your eyes before plopping down in one of the plastic lawn chairs that sat on the front porch. As you stretched out your legs, a newcomer approached the yard gate. He eyed you warily but continued to march up the porch. You sent him a small smile and a wave, which caused him to freeze. “Uh, hello.” He pulled some letters out of his bag and stuffed them into the mailbox. When you didn’t say anything, just watching him, he cleared his throat. “I-- uh-- who are you?” You held up a finger before leaning over to knock on the door. You could hear Trudy bustling around inside. You pulled a business card out of your back pocket, holding it out to the man. His brows knitted together, and he hesitantly accepted it. His eyes widened, a reaction which surprised you. He returned his gaze to you. This time, you could see the faintest smile on his lips. “You’re the one who sends all the postcards.” Your grin widened as you nodded.

Finally, Trudy emerged. “Well, Gardner, I see you’ve met the little nomad of the family.” She could see the wheels turning in his mind and answered the question before he even got a chance to ask it. “My sister’s kid.” Gardner sucked in a breath, slowly nodding in understanding. She had mentioned her sister once or twice around him, but she never really went into details about her family. “You two come on in! I’ve got it all set up.” Gardner cast you a glance, and you just shrugged. The two of you followed her into the backyard, where she had a model rocket set up.

“You made another one?” Gardner questioned. Trudy handed you both a pair of goggles.

“Yes, but this one’s special! I figured, why not start (Y/N)’s visit off with a blast?” She paused, laughing at her own joke. You snorted and shook your head. “Plus, this one is sure to get on the neighbor’s nerves.” Trudy mashed a button on the controller. The rocket sputtered to life, shooting up into the air. When the parachute released, it gushed out a massive amount of confetti. Sure enough, the neighbor shot dirty looks in Trudy’s direction as he attempted to swat it away from his yard. You turned to look at Gardner. The goggles combined with the hat from his uniform made him almost look comical. You bit your lip, and a silent laugh shook your shoulders. Pulling off your goggles, you bounded up the stairs and disappeared into the house.

Gardner furrowed his brows as he watched you leave without a word. “Don’t think too much about it. We share the same sense of humor.” Trudy clapped his shoulder.

“Are they... are they always that quiet?” She nodded but didn’t clarify anything. It wasn’t her business to go around spilling your life story. She figured that you would tell him if you wanted to.

Gardner made his way through the house and saw you sorting through some photographs. He slowed his pace in order to catch a glimpse of them. Several were black and white, while others were full of color. You caught him hovering and smiled at him. His cheeks flushed and he started to hurry away, but you put a hand on his shoulder. You handed him a photograph before turning back to what you were originally doing. Gardner stared at you, bewildered. He muttered a thanks and dashed out of the door. He analyzed the photograph. It was a small Polaroid that captured a lake with a mountain range behind it. He turned it over, noticing that you had written a note on the back of it.

It was nice meeting you, Gardner.

-(Y/N)

After that day, Gardner would stop by Trudy’s even when he didn’t have any mail for her. He didn’t always approach the house. He usually just stopped by the yard gate for a minute or two, looking to see if you would be on the porch. The first couple of times he saw you, Gardner would just wave before continuing on. He then gathered up enough courage to stop and talk. It was usually something along the lines of “Hello, how are you today?” Though you never said a word to him, you would always give him a bright smile and a thumbs up. But on days that you weren’t there, Gardner would find an envelope addressed to him inside Trudy’s mailbox. He would smile, tuck it away in his bag, and look forward to getting home so he could open it up. It would contain a photograph with a little letter about the circumstances of you snapping the picture.

You’d be lying if you said that you didn’t purposefully spend a lot of your time on Trudy’s porch in order to catch a glimpse of Gardner. True, he was shy and awkward, but you found that endearing. You had started leaving him little notes and photographs in hopes that they would provide him with a means to strike up a conversation. When you saw his familiar form stop by the yard gate, you would look up, hopeful, but he usually just kept his distance if he didn’t have any mail. Trudy would shoot you knowing glances, inviting Gardner in at every chance she got.

He regretted mentioning you to Calvin because he wouldn’t stop pestering Gardner about when he was gonna ask you out. Gardner had finally gathered up enough courage to talk to you, and he wasn’t going to ruin everything by awkwardly asking you out. After annoying him for days on end, Calvin finally managed to get Gardner to promise to have an actual conversation with you.

Gardner spent his entire route pep talking himself. He just couldn’t shake the bundle of nerves that sank to the bottom of his gut like a rock. He finally made it to Trudy’s yard, and he swallowed thickly. You were laying in the grass underneath the shade of a nearby tree. You were holding a book above your head. A notepad and pen sat beside you. When you heard the gate open, you sat up and smiled, motioning Gardner over. He looked slightly worried as he sat on the grass. You pursed your lips and quickly scribbled down something on the notepad. ‘Are you ok?’ Gardner read the note and nodded his head.

“I’m fine. Perfectly fine. I was just-- uh-- I was just wondering, why don’t you talk?” The words tumbled out of his mouth before he could even think about them. His face contorted. “Sorry, that was rude, wasn’t it? You don’t have to tell if you don’t want to. I’ll just... I’ll just go.” Gardner started to scramble to his feet, but your breathy laugh caused him to stop. His heart was hammering in his chest. He had gotten you, the silent beauty, to laugh. Then again, were you laughing at him or with him? His mind was running in a million different directions.

‘No, stay. It’s ok. I’m glad you finally stopped to talk to me.’ You showed him the notepad, and Gardner smiled. His shoulders relaxed a little as he sank back down into the grass. ‘I have vocal cord paralysis. I’ve had it ever since I was a baby.’ Gardner tilted his head. Your eyes searched his expression as he read the note.

“So, you can’t talk?” You tilted your hand back and forth in a ‘so-so’ manner before scribbling something down again.

‘A little. I had surgery and speech therapy to help, but I never really liked the sound of my voice. It sounded unnatural. I eventually just quit going. I usually communicate via sign language, but I use a notepad for those who don’t know it.’ He nodded, soaking in everything you had just explained. Gardner was finally beginning to feel at ease, and he asked you about your photographs. The two of you fell into a steady rhythm of communication, and you were able to teach him a few basic signs. It was then that you gave him the nickname Honeybee. You thought it was so funny and clever. Gardner... garden... flowers... bees... It took him a moment to get it, and he couldn’t help but laugh when it finally hit him. Trudy glanced out the window and saw the two of you. She hadn’t seen such a smile on either of your faces in a long time.

Gardner continued to visit whenever he got the chance, and he would try to learn signs so that he could surprise you. When he had learned enough to handle a simple conversation with you, you were overjoyed. You couldn’t remember a time where someone outside of your family had learned to sign just for you.

He eventually gathered up the courage to ask you out. Gardner took you on a picnic where he usually spent his lunch break, which was at a small bench tucked away in the treeline of a nearby park. He brought the PB&J sandwiches, and you brought your camera. You took many pictures of the park and managed to sneak a few of Gardner when he wasn’t looking.

That became a regular thing for you to do, take pictures of him. At first, he was a little hesitant but quickly warmed up to the idea when he saw how happy it made you. Little did he know that you were working on a surprise for him. You printed out all the pictures you had taken of Gardner over the past couple of weeks and wrote little notes on the back of each one. You tucked them away inside of a scrapbook. You smiled at your handiwork and hoped that Gardner would enjoy it.

When you showed up at Gardner’s boat with a bag slung over your shoulder, he didn’t think much of it. You almost always carried that bag with you. It had important items in it, such as your wallet, as well as some of your photography supplies. You never knew when inspiration would strike, so you always had a camera on you.

He was showing you his stamp collection when he noticed something was off. You kept biting your lip and rubbing the back of your neck. Gardner slowly closed the book, sheepishly placing it back on the shelf. “Sorry, I know that was probably boring to you.” Your brows furrowed as you shook your head. Gardner’s eyes searched your face. “Then what’s wrong?” You sucked in a breath before digging through your bag. You pulled out a small, wrapped package. Gardner stared at you with confusion etched into his features. You placed it in his lap. “What’s this for?”

“It’s a gift from me,” you signed. He carefully peeled back the wrapping paper, trying not to make a mess with it. A grin crept across his face as he flipped through the pages. He had no clue that you were taking pictures of him all those times the two of you were out together. You pulled out a piece of paper and held it out to him. He gingerly took it in his hands.

‘Gardner, trust me from the bottom of my heart when I say (or... well... write) this, I have never met someone quite as amazing as you. You’re so smart, kind, and funny. I knew from the moment I saw you walk up Trudy’s porch wearing your dorky uniform that we would be good friends. I didn’t expect us to fall in love, but here I am, falling for you. Unfortunately, my visit here is coming to an end. I’ll be traveling through the Carribean for the next couple of weeks or months.’

Gardner looked at you with his brows knitted together. His mind was running all over the place. You gave him a lopsided grin before signing, “Come with me.” He blinked slowly, trying to register what was happening. Gardner opened and closed his mouth, but he couldn’t get any words to form. You sighed and pulled out your notepad and pen. ‘You said it yourself, Honeybee. Remember? You were looking at some of my photographs and said that you wished you could have your own adventure. Now’s your chance.’

He was silent, and you were worried that you said something wrong or tried to move things to fast. You were about to write out an apology when Gardner placed his hand on your knee. “Okay, I’ll go. I want to have an adventure... with you. We could take the boat and... and sail it wherever you want to go!” Gardner gave you a loving smile, and you beamed at him, wrapping your arms around his neck in an embrace.

“I love you.” Your voice was small and raspy. You cringed at the sound of it. But to him? It was like the voice of an angel. Gardner nearly choked on air, and he couldn’t help the happy tears that stung his eyes.

“I love you too.”

tags; @sohoneyspreadyourwings

#gardner #gardner x reader #dear sidewalk #dear sidewalk x reader #joe mazzello #joe mazello x reader #joe mazzello imagine #fluff #fluff imagine

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virgosaturn · 6 years

Text

how the venus signs behave when they like someone 💗

actual user testimonials.

aries venus

“I’m really irritating if I’m interested 😂 like I gotta push all your buttons, tease you, and I looooove some witty back and forth. gotta find out if they can keep up! I can also be very touchy, but not in a sexual way?? like in a playful ‘let’s wrestle’ kind of way 😂 I know I know wtf”

“I’m very jealous, I don’t want someone to touch or to talk with who I like (a lot). I’m Taurus Sun, so even if Aries is like ‘CHARGE’! Taurus is like ‘Calm down man’. I’m possessive and I give everything I have, of course. I’m very passional and protective with I love the most. I love hugs. Sometimes I do things too quickly and I don’t want to wait too much.”

“I tend to be very teasing and like to make fun of my crush (not in a mean way, just in a fun way)”

taurus venus

“I tend to either cut a romantic relationship after about either a day or a week OR stay in the relationship, I fall in love over and over again. Very "tsundere" type in relationships (personally), takes a lot to let someone in. If I'm really, and truly into someone I pursue it methodically (sometimes). Bonding over food, sleep, intimacy, feeling safe. I notice little details too, I like to nurture A LOT. I adore comfortable silence the most.”

“I'm warm and caring towards all people (gemini sun) but I love touch, holding hands, flirting, kissing. Friends to lovers is where it's at. And loving friends like lovers. Sharing tea, watching the stars, dancing, listening to music, good conversation and laughing can make me fall in love with anyone.”

gemini venus

“When I like someone, I will talk their ear off. Of course, I’ll try to get as close as possible to them, but I always feel like communication is key + its the easiest way to flirt for me”

“I am normally outgoing but when I like someone I just tend to ignore them tbh. But I would start dressing nicer, or saying hey in the hallways or wherever, and try to get close to them physically. But act nonchalant towards them and talkative to everybody else.”

“Usually kind of take on person x’s personality traits without thinking about it, if they regularly use slang like ‘homeslice’ or ‘chief’ i’ll unknowingly start using them in everyday conversation”

“I try to make them laugh, I try to seem like I’m interested in the things they’re interested in, and tell them a bit about my interests. The night I first met my boyfriend I was watching an nfl game and I explained all the rules of football lmao I just try to seem interesting I guess”

“I act very flirty and try to make witty jokes and make them laugh and try to have conversations with them whenever possible”

cancer venus

“Im super picky about who I like and at first I can be very like ‘ruN away and never be near them’ at first when I actually find someone I like but then I get SUPER ‘I want to make you feel so 100000% supported and loved and I’m gonna knit you blanket n give you so many thoughtful gifts and show my affection by caring with my whole heart’”

leo venus

“I try so much harder to look good! i start fluffing my hair, wearing makeup, thinking through what i wear. i try to become the center of attention in any situation in a lowkey way.”

“I'm a very reserved and shy person, but when someone I like is around me I don't go all shy and passive... My bold and flirty side comes out hungry for their attention, I don't even know how it happens. I want to show I'm the best. You can see it in my voice, eyes, corporal gestures and even how I talk (vocabulary and some insinuations). Love gives me the strength to be what I want to hide.”

"I approach it the same way as you — focus more on appearance. I also make sure to pay more attention to them in case they're upset or anything & ask if they're okay 😅”

virgo venus

“I usually make a lot of eye contact and try to find a subject of discussion with the person i like. i also giggle a lot and become a little extra sarcastic”

libra venus

“I get shy around them. I usually try not to make it known, and when we are alone, I get super awkward, and introverted. But around when we're around other people, I unintentionally flirt a lot with them, and crack jokes like its no one's business.”

“At first I will just be really nice and friendly. Once we've become closer as friends I'll start joke flirting and looking for any excuse to touch them. Usually, softly rubbing their arm in a distracted way so they don't think it's intentional (but it IS 😏). I can sometimes feel myself getting too obvious and giving "those" eyes and I can't stop myself?? Like bitch stop!! But she won't.”

“I start to dress super nice and flattering, make sure my makeup is PERFECT, and make extra sure to smell super nice. I make shy eye contact, get interested in what they're saying, compliment their fashion taste, help them out when they need it, and laugh at their jokes. I also make sure not be around them too much. Like I make them want me and want to see me again by doing all those things above, but also by not being always around. (idk my English is mediocre lmao)”

scorpio venus

“I'm a Scorpio Venus and I'm actually the worst person to when it comes to crushes. As soon as I realize that I like someone I go and act like I don't care about them. Not ignoring per say, just sort of playing hard to get. I think as soon as you become more elusive, people take an interest. It's only when I get more comfortable with that crush/they get more comfortable with me or start pursuing me, I start playfully teasing or making jokes. That might just be my Sag Sun though lol”

“I try to get their attention as much as I can, weather it be by wearing a nice perfume around them, dressing a little more provocative, if I know they like me then I’ll get WAY more risky and tease them a lot. I like playing hard to get, make them want me, you know.”

“When I like somebody, i try to know all of their secrets and thoughts that they keep to themselves.”

sagittarius venus

“I like to Make people laugh and I’m very friendly and outgoing when I like someone but at the same time it’s in the 10th house so I like to play hard to get”

“I like it natural and casual. I do not force it too much but whenever I can, I try to make the other person laugh. I like to play a little hard to get too. I like the chase. I like games, I like teasing, I like jokes, laughter. I want a partner in crime. I like making out close to nature.”

capricorn venus

“When I like someone I tend to start giving them a lot of gifts and become a lot more willing to do favors or other things for them, As far as like appearances go I get more relaxed about the state they see me in”

“When I like someone I do not make eye contact. If I do though, things get too heavy for me and I look away immediately. I won't really go near you in fear of looking desperate or out of place in any way. I may also seem too serious and self composed but it's only because I'm scared to look like a fool when I want to impress someone. God damnit Saturn 😅”

aquarius venus

"Someone being authentically themselves and not smothering me is ideal, also talking about deeper things versus small talk is really important to me”

pisces venus

“When i have a crush on someone i can’t help but get nervous around them, but even then i’ll still try/want to be around them. i’ll want to joke around with them and unknowingly AND knowingly flirt. but mostly i just like to mess around and have fun and be cute together”

“I’m always very playful around the person i like. i’m more likely to make very silly jokes and tease them. i also like to make things for them or give gifts? i tend to be a lot softer & sweeter towards them than other people. i’m also indirect and shy as fuck and will rarely approach them or reach out to them first, and instead wait until they notice me”

“It can be very hard to tell when i like someone because i HATE getting rejected?! usually i put more effort into making them laugh (or laughing if they would rather make me laugh) and i'm always wanting them to feel understood/nurtured. Can be flighty depending on mood but when i am around them i put a lot of effort into making it quality time™”

“When i like someone im quite shy around them like one time i was walking thru the school hallway and i saw my crush was walking my way i literally dash and ran away from him yea..... 🙂”

#venus #astrology #mine #quotes

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ruvatia · 6 years

Text

Masked, unmasked

Anonymous asked:

Can I ask for a young justice nightwing that’s trying to convince reader (that was a good friend to him back in Gotham Academy) to join the team after they develop superpowers?

asdjhjasa I’m sorry I accidentally deleted your ask!

Pairing: Nightwing x reader (young justice) Word Count: 1,6k words Context: With a science experiment becoming noticed by the wrong people, you had discovered that you weren’t like most of your friends. And with the great detective Richard Grayson on duty of course he learns of your troubles and the aftermath of your rescue.

“I’m just saying, I know of a place where you could be a lot safer than the studio you’re living in now!”

“Look, Mr... Nightwing, dude, hero guy.” you said, finally turning around. “I appreciate you and your team saving me from those guys. I really do. But I don’t intend on moving out anytime soon, there’s not many places I can afford and I am not letting anyone else pay my rent for me.”

“I’m not telling you to move out to another place in Gotham. I want you on my team.”

“No, I’m not moving out to Bludhaven eith---What.”

He chuckled and repeated himself. He always enjoyed surprising you, regardless of if he had a mask on or not.

“I want you on my team. Don’t think I didn’t notice how some guards seemed to just faint when they were around you. Unless you really are that charming.”

You blushed, but you turned away and started walking away from him. Thankfully he didn’t notice the pink that dusted your cheeks, but part of the pink was because you felt yourself breaking out in cold sweat because someone else had so easily figured out that you weren’t like the others. The fact that he was a pretty attractive superhero didn’t really help the anxiety creeping into your frame as you walked back home.

The moment you closed the door, your phone vibrated in your pocket before you could even sink down to the floor and let out the longest and deepest sigh of the century.

from, unknown number: Not very nice of you to just storm off like that, I have a heart too you know

to, unknown number: jesus christ am I going to have to file a restraining order for your masked ass

from, unknown number: my ass holds no mask, unfortunately

Rolling your eyes, you blocked the number. You knew it was useless, Nightwing being a very smart individual that used to be under Batman’s wing but you felt good for a few seconds. Your phone pinged the moment you rose from your work desk but you ignored it, simply taking the device in your hands without unlocking it and plugging it into the wall.

You raised your arms and stretched, declaring that you were taking a shower and then going to bed. As you closed the blinds before the lights, a smirking figure on the neighboring rooftop leaped back to his base.

The next morning, a familiar face greeted you with a pat on the shoulder. Blue eyes pierced into yours as you took in his bright smile. It was blinding.

“Hey there sleepyhead, didn’t get your morning coffee yet?”

“Urgh, Dick.”

“Yes, yes that is my name. Looks like you need that morning coffee ASAP.”

“I wasn’t calling--- You know what? inject caffeine into my veins until I bleed it when I get cut. Where to?”

Dick glanced at his wristwatch, then at you, and then at the college you were both attending.

“Save me a seat and I’ll cover the goods.” he winked before dashing towards the nearest cafe.

The moment you arrived in class all the backseats were taken by the cool kids. So dragging Dick’s bag with you, you sat near the first window in the first rows. It would make your friend able to spot you faster too so it all worked out, you tried to convince yourself.

The moment you had taken your notebook out of your bag, your heard heavy footsteps, a pair going at an insane speed and another that was much more relaxed.

Your teacher, a slow, cold and sour old man opened the door and right after he took his first step into the class, Dick jumped through the frame and landed with both his feet. He spotted you and beamed your way, saying “just in time” before jogging to the seat beside you.

“Grayson. Almost late but actually present. What a pleasure to see you.” your teacher said as he sat down. “Alright class, open your manuals to the third chapter.”

“Got your favorite, as weird as it is.” He said, pushing a cup with his name on it towards your notebook.

“Look, you should tell me that after you’ve tried a matcha latte with a few shots of espresso. Tea has caffeine in it anyways.” you said, letting your fingers come around the paper cup. You felt the warmth of your drink through the foam and let out a long sigh.

“I could right now, if you’d be so nice to broaden my horizons.” he said, a mischievous grin creeping on his face.

“No.” You frowned and pulled the cup closer to you.

That earned a low chuckle from him before you both returned to the class at hand. For the first time in a long while you weren’t going to need to copy your notes for this class.

You’d known the boy sitting beside you since high school, being one of the students that could keep up with him (in more than one way) naturally you ended up together a lot. You would be lying if you said you’d never felt attracted to him, or felt some twinge in your heart when you heard that he was dating Barbara Gordon. Not that you were surprised, she was just so.... Barbara. There wasn’t a single thing that those two couldn’t do. No weaknesses whatsoever, or at least not in your eyes.

Though when you learned that the pair had broken up a little while ago, for the first time you’d started to see your friends as something else than perfect. You saw them as actual people with flaws for the first time and as you discovered and acknowledged them you grew closer to both of them in the last few months than you have in the past few years. They’d noticed too, and now before you knew it there wasn’t a week where you didn’t see them at least once, despite being in different programs in college.

The moment you left class, you felt your phone vibrate inside your pocket. Nightwing had just sent the text he sent to you last night again, since you decided to leave the last message unread and unanswered.

from, unknown number; Really? Blocking me before I get to take you out to dinner?

to, unknown number; You never said anything about dinner and either way I wouldn’t be interested. Please leave me alone.

You sighed again, earning the attention of your friend beside you.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, a grin on his features for a reason that was unknown to you.

“Harassment, I guess.” you shrugged, readjusting the strap on your shoulder before shoving your phone back in your jacket’s pocket. “I think I need some food in me before I head to the library, do you have time to tag along?”

“I always have time for you. What’s this harassment story about?”

“Well, creeper keeps approaching me even when I’ve very clearly refused him.”

“C-creeper’s a pretty strong word.” he commented, avoiding your annoyed expression. “Have you tried listening to their side of the story?”

“No, and it’s probably a little rude to think so, but I don’t think that there’s much to it anyways.”

He raised his eyebrow at that. “Oh really?”

“Dude just wants me to join his...”

You trailed off, trying not to give away the fact that the guardian of Bludhaven was texting you to join his team of superheroes and seemed pretty insistent.

“G-gaming group! Yeah, he wants me to join this gaming group because they need a support main but he doesn’t know if I’d actually communicate and play effectively with his friends. Sure, I can fill and heal and resurrect them when they need me but who knows what we’ll actually do as a team.”

“Well, how would you know if you never tried a game with them? Maybe just try it, and add the good ones on your friend list.”

“The good ones you say...” you sigh in response, before feeling a hand come around your shoulder. “I don’t know how they work, Dick. And even if I did these people have probably been through so much together. You know how it is with cliques, they’re all super tight-knit and it’s really hard to get in.”

“Come now, there’s no need to say that. Worst case scenario they’re added on the fiend list and I teach them all a lesson with my mad skills.” Dick winked at you. “Besides, you’re a great friend and good company to have around, I’m sure you’ll fit in great.”

You chuckled, making him release a sigh he didn’t know he had in him.

“So, about that food... Got a place in mind?”

From, unknown number: Need some help being alone?

The text made your phone shine through your hoodie jacket. You had just finished your draft for an essay that you were going to give in a few weeks, and you raised an eyebrow at the message.

You had stepped out of your apartment to grab some snacks from the nearest corner store, and you were convinced that if something did happen you’d be able to defend yourself. If Nightwing wanted you on his team you’d be just fine against a few thugs.

You would not be fine against the Joker however.

The man stood before you, smiling. He took a deep bow and then looked up at you in a swift movement, making you take a step back.

“Word on the street is that you’re quite the interesting little bird. Mind coming with me?”

#dick grayson x reader #nightwing x reader #dick grayson scenario #nightwing scenario #young justice x reader #young justice scenario

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espercr---archived · 5 years

Text

⭐️ pros & cons of dating my muse.

( HOPELESS ROMANTIC & NERVOUS WRECK ... RELATIONSHIP MATERIAL ?? )

when are you guys gonna learn not to get me started on meta about hope smith because the post is always gonna end up 500 years long i am so sorry ???

⭐️ PROS.

she LOVES to tell her s.o. just how much she cares for them-- and why. there’s no doubting her feelings for them, she’s very candid once she’s comfortable. if they’re ever insecure she will take the time to debunk every insecurity she can -- & she’s such a creative person, that she will describe in great detail every little part of them she finds beautiful- inside and out. hope just wants to make sure the people she loves KNOW they are loved in any way she can -- because sometimes she struggles to remember that she’s loved herself.

i mean, the most obvious pro is all the free baked goods - because she’s very generous, not only with her baking but with her time as well. she will knit her partners sweaters and scarves, bake them birthday cakes, and throw them surprise parties- but she will also cook them a meal after a long day, pick up something they forgot at the store, or do the laundry so they can relax. gestures big and small are her way of saying, “ i love you and you deserve something nice-- so here, have something nice.” it’s no trouble at all, and absolutely not an obligation to her. it’s just a given that she will do what she can to make them happy.

look -- she’s really funny, she’ll have you rolling on the floor in a matter of minutes if she’s in the right mood. she really commits to the bit and just genuinely enjoys a bit of witty banter ? you can be silly around her -- no judgment at all, because she’s also very silly when she’s comfortable around someone. giggles galore if you stick with hope smith.

she’s understanding. if you have to cancel a date ? no big deal. just give her a reason & be honest, you’re off the hook. while she LIVES for the attention of others -- she also tries to be conscious of when those around her need it in return. if someone she cares for is feeling down she’s got this sixth sense, she’ll be right there for them asking if she can do anything to help. & if they don’t want to talk ? that’s fine too. she’s perfectly content to simply hold them tight and stroke their hair and sit in comfortable silence if that’s what they need. just communicate your needs and she will follow through as much as she can.

hope is just ??? nurturing. she wants her partner to be living the best lives they can, and she gets SO PROUD when they succeed.

her love language is quality time so... whether it’s laying in bed for hours, going to see a movie, getting groceries, a fancy night out, or even just ordering takeaway and watching netflix all night long... as long as she’s spending time with the person she loves ??? it’s perfect.

⭐️ CONS.

she has days where the weight of the world is too much for her, where everything comes crashing down & she may not admit to needing help. she’s prone to depression & anxiety, each feeding into each other on days when her mental health isn’t at its best. she’ll try her best to put on a chipper attitude, but when backs are turned that facade slips away. the more she trusts a person, the more likely she’ll open up about needing support- but she might feel guilty if she ever begins to lean on them too much. just know that

she’s slow to love. she’s full of trust issues & anxiety & self loathing- she doesn’t expect anyone to fall in love with the mess that she is. even if someone flirts, she doesn’t take it as genuine interest. maybe they’re just having some fun at the expense of her emotions. it takes her a good amount of time & some direct verbal confirmation before she will catch onto anyone’s feelings towards her. any potential partners should be blunt & honest, or else she might assume they’re not interested at all.

hope has a habit of getting herself in over her head with trouble - & will hide it from the important people in her life as long as she can. she’s reckless, stubborn, martyristic... it’s a problem, & not an apparent one. the people who wander into her life tend to get more than they bargained for, & she carries a lot of guilt for that.

that guilt makes her tend to push people away. she’s caught in a cycle of wanting & needing love & knowing that if anyone gets too close they’re in danger more often than not. she’ll never forgive herself if anything happens to the people she loves most - winfield ( @foolheartier ) and christina and that extends to any future love interests. she’s already lost so much, she doesn’t think her heart can take anymore damage.

romance is a desire of hers, but hardly her priority. she’s lonely, yes- but there are so many other things for her to worry about. the bakery, not dying, unraveling a couple mysteries from her past, juggling friends and secret identities. it’s a lot, so forgive her if she’s not actively seeking out any more attachments. romance is more of a happenstance for her-- she isn’t really thinking about it, so it comes all at once out of nowhere as a surprise. like the other person and her could be having an entirely normal conversation or be in the middle of a life or death situation and suddenly they say something that makes her laugh -- and everything’s suddenly changed. she’s always uncertain-- but now there’s a maybe in the back of her mind.

⭐️ TAGGED BY: @softestmood !!! ⭐️ TAGGING: @foolheartier , @voidsoull , @constablegoo , @verbintenis , @cthlicdevil & the dash !

#foolheartier #voidsoull #constablegoo #verbintenis #cthlicdevil #✯( how much meta is too much meta... )✯#✯ I LIKE TO BELIEVE IN ALL THE POSSIBILITIES.✯ ( hopeisms)#✯ I’M THE HERO OF THIS STORY DON’T NEED TO BE SAVED ✯ (v;; marvel )

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galbinuscarnation · 5 years

Text

The Last of the Real Ones

Chapter 4

James walked into his parents guest room after that exhausting ordeal. He apologized for his tardiness, but they reassured him that he was an adult and didn't need to apologize about a non existent curfew. His mother had kindly pulled him aside, since she noticed he seemed more like how he acted when he had first come home a few months ago. He told her it was only a bad day but he could see in her eyes her worry for him and couldn’t bear it any longer. He informed her he was going to sleep without supper and did just that.

He collapsed onto the mattress, burrowing his face into the pillow. His mind wandered back to his absurd afternoon, how going out to lunch with Lucie launched him on a chain of events no one would anticipate. James curled up, closing his eyes, and conjured up the image of Matthew holding his adorable dog, but tensed at remembering Thomas’ presence. He had already confessed to Matthew about Grace, and even teared up in front of Anna, but she was like an older sister. Thomas, he hardly knew these days, their lives moved in different circles and they never had any real opportunity the older they became. It seemed that Matthew, once again, was flawless at maintaining a relationship with James’ own extended family better than he ever could… whatever that relationship might be. James rolled over and groaned, covering his face in his hands. He wasn't getting to sleep like this, he decided, and reached into his bag on the floor to pull out his novel. He read late into the night, finally drifting off with his glasses crooked on his nose and book laid open on his chest.

The next morning James rose, his book collapsing off of him as he adjusted his glasses. He could hear the sounds of his family, and glanced outside to find it was fairly early in the morning. He sighed and trudged out of the room to the flight of stairs leading down to the ground floor towards the kitchen. Lucie was there shoving toast in her mouth and smearing jam all over her face. She perked up at her brother’s arrival and swallowed, wiping her face.

“Jamie!” She greeted, and James went to the coffee machine to brew a strong cup, he sensed he would need it at Lucie’s expectant stare.

“Morning,” he answered and sat across from her as he waited. Lucie continued chewing on her toast, having the decency to wait for James’ cup to be ready. Once he got up and went back to sip on the black drink she pushed her plate away.

“I heard a lot happened yesterday…” She began and James grunted and affirmative, since he was still sipping. “I’m sorry you got caught up in that.”

“Why do you keep apologizing for things you haven’t done?” James sighed.

“I feel… responsible. You were only there because you had lunch with me, you only met Matthew because of me.” Lucie explained. James stared at his coffee at the mention of Matthew. He was now rested, and thinking more clearly from caffeine, as realized he was over analyzing the situation yesterday. Matthew hadn’t meant any harm, it was James that awkwardly retreated from the situation, misinterpreting Matthew’s actions as something more. More what? James hadn’t a clue but he blindly followed Matthew home with a faint hope of establishing a friendship, and becoming panicked when it turned out Thomas was there as well.

“I still fail to see how any of that warrants an apology from you.” James reiterated.

“Because… well… you know I’m friends with Matthew, but if you aren’t comfortable with it I will stop.” Lucie told him. James shook his head and gave Lucie an exasperated look.

“Lucie, don’t do something so rash for my sake. Matthew is one of the kindest friends you’ve made,” He sighed and took a gulp of coffee.

“You still think Matthew is kind?” Lucie’s eyes were wide with confusion. James nodded.

“Of course. He’s a bit theatrical and overbearing but overall he has a kind heart.”

“Wow, okay.” Lucie leaned closer to James, and her sudden scrutiny made him lean back.

“What?”

“Matthew called me last night, he asked me for your number. He said he really messed up and wanted to talk to you if you’d let him. I told him I’d talk to you about it first.” Lucie explained. “I don't know what happened but I thought it had to do with why mum and dad were worried when I came home and found out you were sleeping.”

“Oh…” James brows knitted together as he contemplated what this meant. Matthew still wanted to speak to him? Matthew thinks he messed something up? James was the one who left him in the dust. “It wasn’t Matthew’s fault.”

“I can see it in your face, that something happened between you two.” Lucie pressed. “Matthew is besides himself and you aren't even assigning blame.”

“Why would he be ‘besides himself’, when he did nothing wrong?” James wondered aloud.

“Maybe you could ask him yourself,” Lucie scrawled in the journal she always had around and tore a small slip out. She slid it over to James, who peered at it to see a number.

“This… you really think I should call him?” James asked, glancing back up at Lucie warily. She gave him a smile and nod of encouragement. “... okay.” He pulled out his phone from his pajamas’ pockets and dialed the number. He waited, aware of Lucie’s eyes watching him, and the phone was picked up at the first ring.

“Hullo this most certainly is NOT Matthew Fairchild,” Matthew greeted with a hint of annoyance. James glanced at the clock, declaring the still early hour the morning.

“Uh Matthew, it’s James,” he said before Matthew could hang up. There was a gasp and rustling sound and an apology towards someone named Adele, and James looked at Lucie helplessly, and she shrugged.

“So sorry Jamie! I’ve been getting non stop calls from journalists, I can't even imagine how they got my number!”

“Oh,” James chuckled with relief that Matthew wasn’t annoyed with him and noticed Lucie visibly relaxing as well. “You realize your number is listed on your website, one you supposedly designed?”

“For clients!” Matthew exclaimed and James could almost see the smile on Matthew’s face at his teasing and it was almost as if nothing had transpired yesterday. “Also Christopher helped me with that, I need to ask him how to filter out numbers on this thing.”

“Oh yes, he’s very good with that stuff.” James agreed about his eccentric cousin. “Or maybe get a new phone?”

“In this economy? I think not!” Matthew laughed. James laughed with him, momentarily forgetting his sister was still watching. She cleared her throat and pointed to the phone, as if you say ‘aren’t you going to ask?’ towards James. He flushed at remembering her presence and also cleared his throat, interrupting Matthew’s contagious laughter.

“Lucie gave me your number, she told me you wanted mine?” He formulated his question awkwardly and winced. There was a pause on the other line and he heard a sigh.

“Yes… I wanted to apologize for yesterday,” Matthew began. “It wasn’t fair to you.”

“What wasn’t fair? What are you talking about?” James wondered. There was another pause on the line.

“...oh, that you had told me what went on and then I dragged you to my flat and Thomas was there. You looked petrified and I was foolish not to realize what that had done to you until it was too late.” Matthew admitted. It was James’ turn to be silent, and he looked towards Lucie who couldn’t quite hear what Matthew had said and was staring expectantly at him. “Jamie? I’m awfully sorry, I hope it didn’t…. didn’t put a damper in our friendship...”

“Of course not…” James murmured, stunned by the word friendship. He felt a touch of queasiness, and was finding it difficult to breath. Lucie immediately noticed James sudden mood change and had gotten up to take James phone. He stubbornly held it to his ear and scoot away from her.

“James?” Matthew’s voice was laced with concern, and James realized he hadn’t sounded very reassuring at all. “You don’t have to force yourself… I… I fear I’ve been a bit a-aggressive I’ll leave you alone if that’s what you wish...” James couldn’t stand to hear Matthew stammering and unsure of himself because of his lack of communication skills.

“No!” He spoke loudly, startling Lucie and possibly Matthew’s eardrums. “No Matthew you’re the best thing that has ever happened to me so far, I don’t need space I need understanding when I colossally misinterpret a situation because I’m bloody awkward as hell. You have been nothing but patient and I’m the one who is sorry that you ever felt that you had done something wrong.”

Lucie blinked at James and nodded herself. “I’m going to… talk to Cordelia, I realized I need to call her!” She couldn’t mask her giddy smile as she patted James’ head and practically dashed out of the room to give him privacy. James covered his face in embarrassment and sincerely hoped he hadn’t scared Matthew off like how the other man though he had done yesterday.

“Jamie,” Matthew reverted back to the nickname, and James found he honestly did not mind when Matthew called him that. “You really think that?”

“Yes.” James said finally. “I do.”

“Wow, alright then.” Matthew chuckled, and there was movement. “Alright alright darling hold on.”

“Am I interrupting something?” James wondered.

“Breakfast for Adele,” Matthew informed him. “She has been eagerly awaiting her bowl of kibble!”

“Oh,” James realized that Matthew was talking about his dog. “Sorry I didn’t get to properly get acquainted with her...”

“There will be other opportunities.” Matthew assured him, and James couldn’t help but smile.

There were other opportunities indeed. Once they had cleared up the misunderstanding James was able to make plans with Matthew, and they even included spending time with his cousins. Thomas had apologized about the other day and James told him not to worry about it. James found himself spending more and more time out of the house, with visits to the salon, and to Thomas’s parents, where he and Christopher were staying during their university break. Sometimes he engaged with them about their concentrations, Christopher was always working on some kind of program, constantly engrossed in his laptop he built, but was willing to answer any curiosities James had. Thomas was on the path to being a nurse practitioner, and was currently sending applications to different offices to get field experience.

Even though James currently wasn’t pursuing any kind of degree, or career at the moment, the Lightwoods didn’t seem to mind. They didn’t have any expectations about what sort of life James was going to have, and it may have been due to the fact that they were technically on vacation and knew about what James had gone through in months past. He had assumed that his familial peers would stare at him with judgement, of a young man that wasted his time over ‘love’ instead of becoming a productive member of society. No, it seemed that when Thomas and Christopher were concerned, they had no such expectations, they simply appreciated James’ presence.

While James was enjoying time getting to know his family again, he still felt a tug in his heart to spend time with Matthew. After his lunches with Lucie, he would stop by the salon, which the crowd quickly lost interest in when more juicy celebrity gossip emerged. Sometimes Matthew was so busy that the didn’t get much of a chance to talk, but James always had a book in his hand, and would sneak glances as Matthew worked. He was always in awe at Matthew’s ability to entertain his clients while working delicately with hair. Sometimes James was so engrossed with his novels that Matthew would sit down to tell him it was time to close up and they couldn’t have him loitering around on his nice couch. Those were the nights James walked Matthew to his flat, and spent the evenings playing with Adele the french bulldog. He had even offered to watch her, since he knew Matthew had to get to the hospital and Thomas would had already gone home.

“He’s doing a lot better, but his mind has always been unique.” Matthew said one day, as he changed out of his self inflicted uniform of a dress shirt and vest with dress pants. James looked away, flushed, but then chuckled when Adele licked his face with her stinky breath.

“Usually if it’s not life threatening one is sent home even with a concussion…” James mentioned offhandedly.

“Well…” Matthew sighed, and James could see he was now dressed in stylish but casual jeans and a t-shirt. “He’s in a controlled environment, and he isn’t bedridden so they moved him to a residential wing.”

“Residential?” James paused his petting, and Adele snuggled into his chest instead.

Matthew sighed once more and sat on the couch next to James. He rubbed his legs and shook his head as if he were having a silent conversation within himself. James braced himself for the information that had been nagging at him for some weeks now. “He have severe amnesia…. They aren’t sure his mind will be as brilliant as it once was. They’re making preparations to make my mother the permanent CEO… they’re constantly monitoring his results from the hospital…some of them have different ideas though, still hoping my father can still run the company.”

“Oh…” James stared at Matthew in disbelief. “They? Who’s they?”

“The board,” Matthew rolled his eyes. “They’re constantly bothering father, as if he doesn’t have enough to deal with hardly remembering anything they want him to remember… That is why I visit in the evenings, it’s less crowded. It’s easier on father to see me then, I hope.”

It didn’t occur to James until he heard the crack in Matthew’s voice just how devastating the situation was. James had a question burning in his mind, and hesitated.

“How much does he remember?” he asked softly. Matthew’s face crumpled, and James wished he hadn’t asked. James reached out his hand, maybe to place it on Matthew’s knee in comfort, but Matthew latched onto it as if he was struggling to upright in his seat.

“He remembers Mother, recalls having Charles… but the majority of his memories of of last twenty five years were….gone…” Matthew rasped, and James gasped.

“What?” he stared at Matthew with a newfound urge to protect him from the horrors he was hearing. Matthew’s father didn’t remember his own family? He didn’t remember Matthew? He tightened his grip on Matthew’s hand and even Adele noticed her owner’s distress and perked her head up. “That’s…awful… I’m so sorry Matthew…” “Thanks,” Matthew’s voice shook and he wiped his eyes, letting go of James’ hand. “I think we’re helping him with our visits. He slowly recalling some things, random memories.” Matthew frowned and stared at the floor. “The board have been pushing to get him back into the office, they believe being immersed in the environment will trigger some knowledge he has about what his future inventions. As if they don’t have documentation of his works, and various assistants that could decipher his blueprints. They don’t care about how proud he got when he remembered that the twins were born, or how he attended Charles Buford’s high school graduation… We fear if we let him come home they’ll take it as a sign that he is well enough to go back. It’s almost as if they’ve forgotten the company’s mission...”

“Do you think that he’s ready to go back?” James asked. Matthew nodded solemnly. “What’s the company mission?”

“It’s to provide accessibility to those who need it,” Matthew laughed bitterly. “They began as a company that manufactured prosthetics, chairs, and other everyday things that were made to be more accessible. They supposedly campaign for all disabilities, but the board has completely failed to be accommodating for my father when he needs it to most.”

James nodded and lifted up Adele, offering her to Matthew. He gave James a grateful smile and held her in his arms, burying his face in her short fur. James allowed Matthew the time to steady his breathing with the comfort of his dog.

“You should probably get going if you’re going to make it in time.” James mentioned after a moment of companionable silence. “I’m so tired Jamie,” Matthew admitted, and let go of Adele, who trotted away, having received her dose of affection for the evening. He sank back on the couch and gave James a rueful smile. “Forgive me for not being the dutiful son tonight, you’re free to go home.”

“I’ll stay as long as you’ll have me,” James told Matthew, and he meant it. He would stay as long as possible, just to see Matthew’s face brighten up from his presence, instead of diving into despair about his father and his company. Matthew’s hazel eyes light up at his offer, and suddenly collapsed himself upon James' lap, his head nestled against his chest. James let out an undignified noise and stared at Matthew, who had closed his eyes and was snuggling against him. “Have you gone mad?”

“I fear I am one with Adele-kind, I require much pampering and slumber.” Matthew snickered. After the shock of being used as a pillow, James let out a resigned sigh and reached for the book he had left on the end table. He opened it up, and snuck a glance at Matthew before beginning the passage he left off on. He noticed the faint smile on Matthew’s lips, and even though he knew Matthew couldn’t see he smiled back.

James blinked himself awake, squinting at the window displaying the rising dawn. He blearily looked around, slowly realizing he was on a couch that didn’t belong to his parents, with a dog he didn’t own upon his stomach instead of Matthew…

James shot up, and Adele yawned before scampering off his disruptive body. He looked around the flat, and heard noises coming from a corner in the direction of the kitchen. The smell of coffee and food wafted to the living area and he got up, his bare feet padding on the floor. He heard Matthew whistling and saw him cooking eggs on the stove. One hand was using a spatula to mix the eggs, the other was holding a mug with a tea bag, and he sipped between whistles before noticing James. James raised a hand in greeting and Matthew grinned back. “Sleep well?”

“Yeah...actually I did.” James nodded and stepped closer to observe the cooking. He noticed that coffee was brewing on the stove with an old fashioned glass brewer. He stared in fascination at the bubbling blackness, and the steam rising out of the opening on top.

“You drink coffee, right?” Matthew asked. James nodded and leaned casually on the counter.

“Yes, usually a cup in the morning and tea throughout the day.” He told Matthew. “I like the caffeine rush.” “Traitor,” Matthew teased, “What kind of British are you?”

“My mum’s American, and my father’s Welsch technically,” James shrugged and smirked back. “I’m very well rounded.”

“So it seems,” Matthew laughed and put down his mug to transfer the eggs to a couple of dishes.

James reached for a mug Matthew had left out and poured himself his coffee.“Besides, you have the ancient coffee brewer.”

“Vintage!” Matthew corrected. “but you’re right, I drink coffee too. How can people function without it?” “Sounds like you have an addiction,” James said and Matthew pushed him with his elbow. “Shut up!” he laughed, and James couldn’t help but stare. He never seen Matthew like this, with bed head sticking out in odd places but still looked on purpose because he hadn’t showered yesterday’s product out. He was still wearing last night’s clothes, but had a thin robe over it as if he had gotten cold. His eyes were still a bit drooping from the early hour, but held a spark within them for a new day, and his body movements were relaxed and inviting. James mouth went dry, and he swallowed, suddenly feeling the need to divert his eyes before Matthew noticed his oogling. Matthew was still chuckling as he picked up the plates and brought them to the small table. “I don’t have any meat or anything at the moment, but there’s bread for toast somewhere?”

“No, you’ve done more than enough,” James voice came out rough and he coughed to mask it. “Thanks for the meal.”

Matthew came up to James with a worried knit on his brows. “Are you sick?” he asked, and placed a hand on James’ forehead. James blushed from the touch and stepped away. “You are warm…”

“I’m fine, I’m always warm.” James assured Matthew and ventured to the table. He smiled faintly at the breakfast, clutching his mug in both of his hands to hide their sudden shakiness. The set up was very domestic, James had failed to notice that the napkins and cutlery has been set earlier, and there was even a small vase as a centerpiece with a familiar green flower inside. It was all very sweet, and James could almost pretend that this was fine; spending the morning with Matthew, eating breakfast at his carefully set up table, chattering and laughing like the good friends they have become. The only problem was his heart, it ached at the familiarity of the situation, how he shared a table with someone else once upon a time. How that was a time where he was so blinded by devotion he was caught off guard when he fell through the cracks.

What he knew now, was that the fondness he was developing for Matthew was more than a new friend should be feeling. His desire to spend time with Matthew wasn’t a platonic need, it was a raw and suddenly desperate longing for more. He wanted more nights like the previous, with Matthew expressing affection without a care, but James fond himself fearful of returning it; fearful that if he extended out his hand out of the pit he’d fallen into that Matthew wouldn’t take hold. He feared that if he said something to Matthew, he would receive a pitying but kind smile from him, and be told that no, it wasn’t like that. He knew that if he experience that from Matthew that his already broken heart would snap in half and he would never recover. Everything would be fine if he didn’t pursue this, he decided, but his revelation would be in the back of his mind, dormant until the time was right.

#heronchild #Matthew Fairchild #james herondale #the last hours #the shadowhunter chronicles #Heronchild Hairdresser

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stuck-in-jelly · 6 years

Text

Day 9: Witch's and Hot Chocolate

Me tiptoeing into the bnhawlw2018 tag: I uh can explain.

"SEASONAL DEPRESSION!!"

I'm getting better so I wrote as much as I could to make up for my tardiness @bnhawlwmonth

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This is going to be quick she assured herself, all she had to do was get some herbs. She told herself thing but starting into the woods she didn't feel so sure, the way the branches reached outwards to the world as is pleading to be apart from the forest itself, the errire silence that crept into her very soul whispering for her to leave, and the darkness of the trees cramped together hiding any sunlight as if huddling together for comfort or warmth. She really needs to stop thinking!

She just needs a few herbs from this place just a few, this potion required them and she was desperate. With a sigh the young witch reached into her traveling bag and pulled out a small wand if you could call it that.

It was stout but cute, made of ash wood the wand was adorn with many decorations and charms; around the entirety of the wand copper wire weaved around beautifully, from underneath the copper special runes were carved into the base ( Laguz, Sowilo, Algiz, Eihwaz, Hagalaz, Wunjo, Kenaz, and Ansuz) all meant to help her.

Covering the bottom base was a light blue cloth simply their to make the wand eaiser to grasp, and last but not least tied on the bottom by a yarn was several crystals and bells.

Last but not least on the top her name was carved 'Yuyu'.

Taking a breath Yuyu closed her eyes casted a small protection spell on herself the words rolling off her tounge by instinct. Opening her eyes she straightened herself and took her first step into the unknown.

The darkness seemed to engulf her and in seconds the dim sunlight was barely viable. She muttered another spell and her wand jerked small lights radiating from the copper before racing to the tip and out in the air and small sparks before a baby blue light appeared by her side and quickly leaped from place to place lighting the area and waiting patiently to see where theirs summoner would travel.

Yuyu kept her eyes in the ground hoping to find the herbs quick. Clove, clover, and Camomile. Just those three. And these woods are said to be covered in herbs perfect for witches then again it is also said here some dangerous witches casted horrible spells meant only for harm. Again she has to stop thinking!!

The wind picks up and the light flickers and ducks behind a tree as Yu tries to hold her bag in place. Strange. Her spells told her it wouldn't be windy at all.

Shaky it off she ushered the light and follow quickly

"Common on now, lets hurry then you won't have to be hiding there"

She was full aware the light had no sentiance but it felt nice talking to it when she was nervous, almost as if she isn't alone. The light obeyed and jumped up scanning the area quickly before waiting again.

Walking off the young witch failed to capture a faint movement in the trees above and curious eyes the followed.

As Yuyu wandered she found many herbs she couldn't help but stop and pick up although she didn't necessarily need them. These woods were strange all type of flora grew here even tho they typically don't exists in the same area, even the types of wood from the trees changed. Some serious magic dabbling happened here to cause all of this.

The light suddenly brighten. An alert, it spotted something. Hardly thinking Yuyu gripped her wand letting her energy speed through it and glow beating to the rate of her heart. She looked around eyes darting

"What is it little light? What do you see?"

She whispered desperately wishing it could talk back but then the stopped its panicked glowing and lowered itself down. Yuyu stayed on guard her eyes taking up every inch of the forest but only silence and darkness greated her.

After a few moments she lowered her wand the glowing dying and her pulse slowing. Maybe it was a squirre-

A branch smacked her square on her nose, the pain was quick but the panic was quicker. In the initial shock she dropped her wand the the light glowed in panic again, her vision was blurry as she fumbled on the ground for her wand

"ABOVE YOU!"

Her voice obeyed and her head shot upwards just in time to see a large long slithering form barreling straight for her face quickly she scrambled away just as the creature made landfall rearing its head.

Oh god a basilisk.

She never thought she'd have to see one in person. The panicked light continued to flash illuminating the features of the creature. The creature hoisted itself up on its feathered legs, the large talons tearing into the dirt as its scalied tail whipped around angrily. But She dared not look at the face.

Those eyes could kill.

Just don't look in its eyes

"DUCK!"

No questioning. She ducked quickly her body acting on its own only for imminently feel a large guar of wind wash over her threatening to draw her into its current but she dug her fingers and feet into the ground as loud crashes filled her ears. The wind slowed and her curious eyes looked upwards to see a mass wreck.

The trees that stood mighty before all crumbled and snapped under the weight of the beast. It squirmed and withered in clear pain, its talons grasping for support on anything. The light besides it flickered before dying completely

"Get up we gotta go!"

The voice pulled her from the sight as a girl leapt out from the trees running and scopping up Yuyu's wand from the ground and some feathers from the beast before dashing to her side pulling her up

"It'll get up soon"

Usually she'd be opposed to following a stranger deeper into the woods but it doesn't seem like there is much of a choice here. Their hands claps together tightly

"Hold on"

The girl pulled her own wand, it was carved into a spiral with decorative crystals logged into the oak wood. She muttered a spell a smile on her face, their bodies got lighter and squeezing her hand softly the girl dashed the world zooming by in a blur barely registering what was going on. In a blink of an eye they were in a wooden cottaged.

A really cozy cottage, they seemed to be right in front of the main door and to the right was a living room and to the left was a dinning table with a kitchen behind it, it the center was a hallway and stairs that lead to the top floor. The cottage was painted blue with white lining the frame, the furniture to compliment house was a pale yellow with blue and/or white pillows or blankets. Most of them had some desgin on them.

The mysterious girl slowly let out of Yuyu's hand before sighing loudly in relief and laughing

"Wow! That was crazy! Did you see all of that?!? Hahah! Its a good thing you're okay! Gee I have no idea how that big guy got there"

Yuyu could only take in the girls features as she rambled on and on, her hair was long reaching all the way down to her knees it light blue and curved and curled at the ends, her eyes were wide and blue as well with a light in them a spark only a child could have.

Then the girl was in her face

"Where ya from? Your hair is really cute! Is that bag for your spellbook? What are you doing out here alone? Want something to drink?"

This was too close, she could feel the blush creep around her face. She was really cute

"Umm I uh yeah would like a drink. Anything is fine"

The bubbly girl beamed wider practically bouncing over to the kitchen and and fumbled in her cabinets before successfully pulling out a pot and setting it on the stove

"Care to answer my questions?

She ask as she set the flame and dashed to a curburt full baking ingredients and sweets. Yuyu considered the girl for a moment. She did save her life and seems to be making her some hot cocca in her small cottage. There is nothing to lose. Yuyu made her way to the small dining table and sat down.

"I um I'm from a small village by the riverside. The river has been cursed and a lot of us are dreadfully ill. I wanted to get herbs from here to treat them. It would have been faster if I am here and I was just really worried about them..." Yuyu spared a glance up and those eyes stared at her with wonder, Yu could feel the blush starting up again

"I-I mean we are a tight knit community! We all basically know each other and I- uh just wanted to h-help" the girl smiled and turned back to the stove and stirred the chocolate

"That's really brave of you! I can sense you have a lot of protection spells on you but the water has also made you ill hm?"

That wasn't a thing was proud of but she knew the girl was right, her magic was weak. The light spell usually cast 2 blue orbs that circle around the summoner and usually they don't flicker in the wind. Yuyu sighed and barely managed a nod

"You should take care of yourself you know, I get you're worried about your village but you won't do them any good dead" her voice was cheerful and light and Yuyu couldnt help but feel overwhelming trust

"Guess so"

"What herbs were you looking for?"

"oh it was looking for Clove, Clovers, and Chamomile"

The girl gasped and suddenly abononded the stove and ran down the hallway and disappeared past a unseen door way. Yuyu waited a moment before footsteps ran back and the girl appeared in her arms were 3 large bags, she plopped them down in front of Yuyu

"You are in luck! I found a whole field covered in this beauties!! There was defiantly a herboligst who worked here, maybe they divided the area by medicine and poison! The outskirts of the forest are covered in poisonous plants but the center is beautiful!"

The girl rambled again as Yuyu cautiously peeked into the bag and nearly squealed with delight, there was a lot!! So much! Enough to help her village. She couldn't hold her smile as she looked back to the girl who went on about the plants and the amazing craftsman ship of the forest.

There was a faint smell of burn "Umm ma'am?" The girl stopped

"Hm?"

"The hot chocolate"

She gasped and ran back to the stove turning it off as quickly as possible and pulling the pot away from the heat

"Its not too boiled I hope!"

She muttered a small spell and a small gust of wind breezed over the pot calming the stream of heat, she left it before grabbing some mugs and heading back. One mug had Jasmime's painted along it and the other had Lilly's

"Which would you like?"

"The lily"

She nodded and poured a even amount of hot chocolate in each up before making her way bbefore making her way back to the table and sitting.

Yuyu graciously grabbed the cup and drank, it was different but tasted good.

Then it dawned on her. There is no way this girl will let her get the herbs without a hefty price. Clearing her throat Yuyu got ready to bargain

"So how much?"

"Hm? Oh! I usually put about ⅓ a cup unsweetened cocoa powder and sometimes add a bi-"

"No no! I mean how much for the herbs?" The girl feel silent and blinked in confusion

"How much? You think I'm going to charge you?" Yuyu went silent now.

Would the girl charge her now? She could feel sweat forming in her head

"A charge...oh! I got it!" Yuyu tense as the girl stood her expression turning back to its happy state

"It will cost you 1 date!" Yuyu all but chocked on her coco her face burning bright

"Really? A date?!" The girl nodded hopefully.

Well this is too good to be true

"On one condition"

The girl tilted her head intrigued

"You tell me your name"

The girl beamed

"I'm Nejire! Nejire is my name!"

Yuyu smiled, this girl had to be the cutest thing in the universe.

The forest might be cursed but if it meant getting her a girlfriend she isn't complaining too much

#my hero academia #boku no hero academia #hado nejire #nejire hadou #yuyu haya #bnha wlw month #bnhawlwmonth2018

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