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anjuschiffer · 3 years

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No Point In Lying

I should’ve been working on WIPs...oops...

Note: This is pre-daminette...and while Damian does not appear, I’m still tagging this as Maribat as it part of a Maribat au...

Tags: @theatreandcomicfreak @genshin-and-fanfics-are-my-life @toodaloo-kangaroo @elijahcrevan @vixen-uchiha @nathleigh

AO3

Lila pinched her skin as she stood outside the classroom room, waiting for her new teacher Mlle Bustier to introduce her.

She always hated introducing herself. What was the point of it when all the friends she would end up making will forget about her months later? They always promised to keep in touch and yet, they never do.

Thanks to her mother being a diplomat, Lila always found herself changing school every school year and while travel stories always captured people’s attention, it was only temporary. When she would run out of stories to tell, one by one, they would leave, disappointed in knowing that Lila had nothing else to offer.

A temporary entertainment in their eyes…

Looking at her reddened wrist covered in nail marks, Lila let out a long heavy sigh when she heard someone climbing up the stairs.

Quickly turning, Lila was surprised to see a student running up the stairs, the boy dashing straight towards her!

“Watch out!”

Lila quickly stepped to the side, watching as the boy skidded towards the door, only to fall face flat onto the ground. Panicking, Lila helped him out, watching as the boy towered her by a whole foot. “Thank you! Can’t believe I was almost late for- say.” The boy looked at her from top to bottom.

Lila watched as he was about to grab her hair, only to stop. “May I?” While Lila would never let anyone touch her hair, she somehow found herself saying yes. “Thanks.”

She felt as he ruffled her bangs a bit, remaining still as she let the boy fix her hair, feeling as he gently pushed strands of hairs away from her face and placed back the silver hairband she had chosen to wear that day. “And finished.” The boy proudly announced, taking out his phone and showing Lila her reflection using the front camera. “Your hairband was a bit out of place and I-”

“Thank you.” Lila cut off, giving the boy back his phone. “I didn’t think much about-” The boy let out a small gasp.

“You can’t just not worry about your hair! It looks very pretty and that shine! You already take lots of good care for it already! But doing these small-”

“I see you’ve met out new student Marcel.” Mlle Bustier interrupted, “and you’re late...again,” causing Marcel to let out a nervous laugh.

“Apologies, Mlle Bustier. I’ll try not to be late.” Marcel gave a small bow, heading into the classroom, Lila following him as he sat in the front of the classroom, next to a boy with glasses.

“That’s Marcel Dupain-Cheng.” Mlle Bustier snapped Lila from her trance, Lila feeling the tips of her ears burning. “He’s the class president. During lunch today, he’ll be showing you around the school. But for now, let’s head inside. It’s time for you to introduce yourself to the rest of the class.”

Lila could only nod, feeling her stomach jitter for the first time in ages.

Before she could even approach Marcel to ask him about the tour around the school, Lila was ambushed by her fellow classmates, one in particular shoving a phone in her face.

“Hi! I’m Alya! I was wondering if you would be willing to say- hey Marcel! I’m- hey!” Lila watched as Marcel frowned as he took Alya’s phone and raised it above his head, Lila watching as Alya struggled to take it back.

“Alya, we already talked about this. Ask people before recording them.” Marcel pocketed the phone. “You won’t be getting it until you apologize to Lila.” After an apology, Alya got her phone back and put it away. Just as she was about to ask Lila about her travels, Marcel grabbed Lila by her wrist and dragged her outside the classroom, Lila wondering what exactly was happening.

“Marcel...I don’t think she’s following us.” Lila spoke up, watching as Marcel got flustered, instantly, but clumsily, letting go of her.

“S-Sorry about that! It’s just that I know how energetic Alya can get when she gets like that and thought that-”

“Thank you.” Lila smiled, clasping her hands behind her back. “Really. Thank you.” Smiling, Marcel returned the smile, quickly going onto the promised tour, Lila absorbing his every word.

Just a month into school and Lila already fitted in with the rest of the class, already having a best friend in the form of Alya. Even after running out of stories to tell them, Lila found herself invited to every girl’s outing, after school events, club meetings and evern shopping out on weekends.

Today, the girls were out having a picnic, trying to catch Lila up on the different events that happened in the school year so far.

“-but of course! We only had one guy who was willing to go with our ridiculous plan.” Alya retold, looking at all the girls before signaling them.

“Marcel!” The girls said in unison, Lila watching as Mylene, Alix and Alya laughed while Rose and Juleka simply smiled at the memory.

“He’s just like Ivan.” Mylene added, a soft smile on her face. “He may look intimidating at first, but the moment he speaks, you can tell he’s a big softie!”

“Doesn’t help that he’s so tall.” Alix raised her hands above her head. “Guy’s a giant!”

“You’re just jealous because he’s so tall.” Alya poked.

“Have you seen his dad?” Alix almost screamed, honestly wondering if anyone has seen Marcel’s father, or was she the only one?

“I remember when I first met him,” Juleka spoke up, making Lila jump. Can you blame her though? This was the first time she’s ever heard her talk! “I was busy helping tune my brother’s guitars, sitting on the Liberty’s deck when I saw him, staring back at me. One minute he was on the grass and the next, on the Liberty’s deck, asking me to model for him.”

Now that was surprising.

“Wait, is that how he actually asked you to model for you?” Alix screeched before going into a laughing fit, Lila watching as the others soon joined in, leaving Lila confused.

“Oh,” a snort. “That’s right! How did we forget to tell you!” Alya managed to say, gesturing Rose to fill in Lila while she continued to laugh.

“Marcel runs his own fashion line: MDC! He designs and sews all of the clothing, hats, bags and accessories in his fashion line. Juleka,” Rose gestured to her blushing girlfriend, “is Marcel’s main model.”

“Main model?” Lila asks, looking at the rest of the girls. “Do you guys help model for him too?”

“Sometimes.” Mylene shyly states. “But he mainly asks Juleka, Aurore and Rose to model for him. Aurore is another girl in the school!” She quickly adds when she saw Lila panic.

“Oh? What’s this?” Alya smirked, Lila feeling a shiver down her spine. “Could Lila...have a crush on Marcel?”

“W-What?! NO! No!” lila squeaked, knowing her face contradicted her feelings. “I barely speak to him! How would I have a crush on him when the only time I speak to him is during class and that’s it?”

Apparently that wasn’t convincing enough, Alya wrapping an arm around Lila, a cheshire smile plastered onto her face.

“Oh Lila, you can’t fool us that easily. Not that you should be shy about it. Almost everyone in the class has had a crush on the designer.” Alya confessed, Lila watching as Mylene looked away while Rose hid her face into her hands.

“Had?” Lila dared to ask. “Does-”

“Yup.” Alix quickly answered, a grin plastered on her face. “Nathaniel, Chloe and Sabrina? They’ve fallen victim to Marcel’s spell. Oh! But of course, Chloe would never admit to falling in love with the baker’s son.” Alix quickly wrapped up, noticing Lila’s pale face. Uh-oh. “W-Well, despite-”

“Despite there being many people who’ve had a crush on Marcel,” Alya picked up, hitting Alix’s shoulder, “Marcel never showed any interest in them, something about none of them appealing to him. No offense!” Alya quickly said as she looked at Mylene and Rose. “And to be quite honest, I think you have a good chance of getting Marcel’s attention.”

“What?” Lila squeaked, feeling her cheeks burn.

“You’re literally the first person Marcel has ever went “designer mode” the minute he laid eyes on you.” Alix clarified. “Never done it to anyone else but you.” Alya squealed.

“If you do capture Marcel’s attention- imagine it! The two of you would be the cutest couple in school! No! In all of Paris! You and Marcel, posing together-”

Lila let out a screech, feeling her face on fire as she buried it into her hands.

“No way, now way, no way!” Lila denied. “Marcel’s just someone who I admire! He’s the first person I met who welcomed me to Dupont, so of course I’m going to-”

“Alright, alright.” Alya sighed, patting Lila’s shoulder. “So you don’t have a crush on Marcel...so that means you’ll be alright with him getting your measurements and being face-to-face with him, right?” Lila’s head snapped up.

“What?” Alya showed Lila her phone, Lila reading the message.

“Marcel needs a model right now since Aurore might not make it to his photo shoot in an hour, so of course, I told him you’re okay with filling in for her.” Lila sputtered to come up with an answer, only being able to watch as the girls dragged her to Marcel’s studio…

Or rather bedroom.

There he was, wearing nothing but a tank top and a pair of sweats, his toned arms exposed. Did he work out?

Trying to not gulp loudly, Lila could hear the snickering and whispers of good luck as the girls left them alone, Marcel giving Lila an apologetic smile.

“Sorry for making you-”

“No!” Lila accidentally squeaked out. “Help being fine- mean.” She cleared her throat, hoping her heart would stop beating so loudly in her ears. “I’m glad to be able to help a friend out.” Lila answered, hoping she didn’t cross a line by claiming Marcel to be her friend.

Judging by Marcel’s smile, she didn’t cross it, causing her heart to flutter.

“Thanks Lila, you’re truly a life saver! Now all that I need to do is-” Lila simply smiled and nodded, her breath hitching when Marcel’s fingers grazed her shoulder as he started to take her measurements.

Being so close to him, she could smell the sweet aroma of bread, a small hint of-

Oh no…

There was no hiding it anymore, no point in lying about it, because...they were right...Marcel wasn’t just a friend…

He definitely was a crush...and a huge one at that.

#maribat #maribat male!marinette #marcel dupain-cheng #anju writes

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imnotusedtobeingloved · 3 years

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THAT’S ROUGH, BUDDY.

(PLEASE DON’T REPOST/REBLOG)

Warnings: heartbreak, betrayal.

Pairing: Zuko x f!Reader

Characters: Zuko, Katara, Aang, Toph, Sokka, Uncle Iroh (mentioned).

Requested: I guess?

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, nor the gif. Credit to the owners.

Summary: Part seven of “destiny is a funny thing”.

previous part

A/N: Hey guys! It’s part seven already! Let’s see how long i can keep this up lol. Have fun reading!

The steaming hot liquid in the pot reminded you of a long time ago. Of a small tea shop in the Earth Kingdom to be more specific. And so did the boy that poured it.

“No one can make tea like Uncle, but hopefully I learned a thing or two. Would you like to hear Uncle’s favorite tea joke?” He balanced a tray full of cups as well as a kettle. “Sure,” Katara said. “I like jokes,” Aang agreed and Toph didn’t seem unenthusiastic either. “Bring it!”

“Okay,” Zuko nodded, serving tea to the Duke and Haru before standing up, holding the tray. “Well, I can’t remember how it starts, but the punch line is “Leaf me alone, I’m bushed!”

The group stared at him. Silently.

“Well, it’s funnier when Uncle tells it,”

“Right ...” Katara dragged out the word. “Maybe that’s because he remembers the whole thing,” And as the rest of the group started laughing, Zuko gave a small smile. “It’s nice to get a chance to relax a little. It hardly ever happens,” Toph said, grabbing the cup Zuko handed her, before he approached Sokka. “Hey, can I talk to you for a second?" Your eyes followed the Water Tribe boy as he walked out, shortly followed by the prince. “What was that about?” You furrowed your brows, turning to Katara. “I don’t know,” She shrugged, sipping on her tea. “Hopefully my brother isn’t plotting anything stupid,”

The Team stayed gathered together around the fire until the sun left the sky and the night broke in.

Soon you were cuddled into your warm sleeping bag, the fire long since diminished. Your brows furrowed unconsciously upon a distant rustle, mind still foggy from your dreams. Drifting away once more, your features relaxed, only to be interrupted again seconds later. Sleepily you blinked your eyes open, trying to see through the dark with a cloudy vision.

It was probably nothing, you thought, turning around onto your other side, and the last thing you saw was the empty bedroll next to you...

Wait.

Empty?

You shot up, getting tangled in the sheets and tumbling over before you caught yourself. Careful not to wake the others, you stood up, looking around.

Where could he have gone? Had he left and betrayed you again? But how would he even get away?

You shook your head at the thought before it occurred to you. Appa! He wouldn’t, would he? You ran towards the bisons sleeping spot, heart beating rapidly, as if you didn’t know what to fear more: Finding Appa gone, or the prince.

Your lungs ached as you rounded the last corner, where you found the bison, fast asleep. A breath of relief passed your lips, walking up to him and crawling the soft furr next to his snout, to which he purred quietly. Suddenly a head appeared above the saddle, prompting a startled gasp from you. “(Y/N)?”

“Zuko!” You hissed, a hand over your chest. “What are you doing here?” The shadow questioned looming over you. “I’m the one that should be asking that question!” You pulled yourself up to the saddle, sick of him staring down at you. He grabbed your arm, pulling you up and finally explained when you landed next to him. “I have the feeling that Sokka might be up to something,” He drew his hood back and furrowed his brows. “Up to what exactly?” You searched his appearance for any indications, but he didn’t give anything away. “He asked me about the war-prisoners today. Where they would be put away,” Your eyes widened. “The Boiling Rock,” He nodded. “Exactly. I have the suspicion that he might try to-”

Your whispers where interrupted by silent steps in the distance and a quiet “Shhh,” from below. You and Zuko shared a look as someone climbed up, and eventually peaked over the rim of the saddle. “Not up to anything, huh?” The prince asked, arms crossed. Sokka fell, with a stiffled scream, his bags content spilling out on the floor. He gave you a resigned look. “Fine, you caught me. I’m gonna rescue my dad. You happy now?”

“No!” You exclaimed, while Zuko took an entirely different approach. “I’m never happy,”

"Look, I have to do this. The invasion plan was my idea, it was my decision to stay when things were going wrong,” The prince raised a brow at his words and jumped down from the saddle. “It’s my mistake, and it’s my job to fix it. I have to regain my honor. You can’t stop me, Zuko. And neither can you (Y/N),” He pushed Zuko aside, beginning to climb up to you. ”You need to regain your honor?” The prince questioned. “Believe me, I get it. I’m going with you,”

“No. I have to do this alone,”

You put a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it softly. “No, you don’t, Sokka. We’re all in this together. We’re here for you,” Zuko nodded, motioning to the bison. “And besides, how are you going to get there? On Appa? Last time I checked, prisons don’t have bison daycares,” The boy looked between the two of you, before he sighed, shoulders slumping. "We’ll take my war balloon,” Zuko gestured for you to follow him, before leading the way.

The travel to the Boiling Rock remained silent for the most part.

Sokka had sat down on stack of boxes, while you leaned against the railing. Zuko blasted fire into the tank from time to time, making sure it kept moving. But eventually even the silence got deafening. “Pretty clouds,” Sokka spoke up. “Yeah ... fluffy,” You resisted the urge to slap a hand against your forehead, while Sokka whistled. "What?” Zuko said, giving him a look. “What? Oh, I didn’t say anything. You know, a friend of mine actually designed these war balloons,”

“No kidding,” The prince raised his brows. “Yep, a balloon ... but for war,” Zuko blasted more fire into the tank. “If there’s one thing my dad’s good at, it’s war,”

“Yeah, it seems to run in the family,” The firebender gave him a defensive look. “Hey, hold on. Not everyone in my family is like that,” Sokka held his hands up. “I know, I know, you’ve changed,” The prince lowered his gaze, shacking his head slightly. “I meant my uncle. He was more of a father to me. And I really let him down,” He gave you an indefinable look, but he redirected his attention so quick that you wondered wheter you’d just imagined it.

“I think your uncle would be proud of you. Leaving your home to come help us? That’s hard,” The boy argued, fumbling with his boomerang. “It wasn’t that hard,” Sokka’s head shot up. “Really? You didn’t leave behind anyone you cared about?”

“Well, I did have a girlfriend. Mai,” You bit your lip to keep quiet, waiting for his next words. “We tried for some time but it didn’t work out. It wasn’t what I wanted,” He seemed to have more to say, but Sokka interrupted with a sly smile. “That gloomy girl who sighs a lot?”

"Yeah,” Zuko confirmed, giving you a quick glance that went unnoticed. “My first girlfriend turned into the moon,” Zuko’s brows shot up before he briefly looked into the sky. “That’s rough, buddy,” He said, eyes landing back on Sokka. “What about you, (Y/N)?” You grew stiff, staring at Sokka’s face. “Me?”

“Yes, what about you? Any lovers in sight?” You crossed your arms, taking a moment to think. Zuko’s burning eyes roamed over your silhouette, but you didn’t dare meet his eyes. “No,” You answered eventually, lowering your head. “No one,”

By nightfall Sokka had fallen asleep, preventing you to do so with his loud snores.

Zuko was busying himself with keeping the tank full, while you took a look out in the distance.

“There it is!” You alerted the others, pointing towards the large construction. The Water Tribe boy awakened from his slumber, staggering over to see it. ”There’s plenty of steam to keep us covered. As long as we’re quiet, we should be able to navigate through it without being caught,” Zuko plotted. But as you entered the volcano’s steam, the balloon began to lose altitude quickly. “We’re going down! The balloon’s not working anymore!” Zuko blasted fire up into the balloon, but with no avail. “The air outside is just as hot as the air inside so we can’t fly!” You said, grabbing his arm to stop him. “So what are we supposed to do?” His gaze flew from you to Sokka. “I don’t know!” He said. “Crash-landing?”

The balloon skidded along the boiling water, splashing Sokka’s hand, which he shook while you put a hand over his mouth to keep him from screaming. Your aircraft hit the base of the rock, throwing you out in the process. You moaned, getting up and rubbed your sore hip. “How are we gonna get off the island if the balloon won’t work?” Zuko groaned, looking at the destroyed object. Sokka seemed to be more optimistic. “We’ll figure something out! I suspected it might be a one-way ticket,” The fire bender furrowed his brows. “You knew this would happen and you wanted to come anyway?”

“My dad might be here! I had to come and see!” Sokka walked towards the destroyed remains of the balloon. “Uncle always said I never thought things through. But this ... this is just crazy!”

“Hey, I never wanted you to come along in the first place! And for the record, I always think things through! But my plans haven’t exactly worked, so this time, I’m playing it by ear. So there,” He said gathering the balloon and throwing it into the water. ”What are you doing?”

“It doesn’t work anyway,” He shrugged. “And we don’t want anyone to find it,” You sighed. “I hope you know what you’re doing,” You turned towards the prison. “There’s no turning back now,”

By the time the sun came up, the three of you had found a supply room, stacked with reserve guard uniforms.

“I hope these disguises work,” Zuko said, voice muffled by the mask. “We just need to lay low and find my dad as soon as possible,” Sokka said, blue orbs peaking out of the slit. They were just as beautiful as Katara’s. Your head whipped around whe a series of guards ran by, one coming back to look at your team. “Guards! There’s a scuffle in the yard. Come on,” He gestured wildly. Prisoners were gathered in the yard, forming a circle as the guards moved through to the inside.

“I didn’t do anything! I’m going back to my cell,” A tall man called, as a guard whipped fire in his direction. “Stop right there, Chit Sang,” Zuko tried to approach, but your hand shot forward to stop him. “We can’t blow our cover,” You whispered.

“I’ve had it with your unruly behavior!” The guard yelled, getting more riled up by the second. “What did I do?” Chit Sang asked. “He wants to know what he did,” The guard gloated, looking at you. ”Isn’t that cute?" His face grew sour when none of you answered and your tongue felt tied, prompting you to nudge Zuko in the side. “Uh, very cute, sir,”

“Super cute,” Sokka added. The guard walked up to Chit Sang, getting into his face. “You didn’t bow down when I walked by, Chit Sang!” The man looked confused. “What? That’s not a prison rule,”

“Do it!”

“Make me,” The guard growled walking away, but not without whipping fire at the male. Chit Sang blocked it, redirecting the flame to its owner, who broke it with a kick. “Tsk, tsk. Firebending is prohibited. You’re going in the cooler,” He ordered. “You! Help me take him in,”

“Meet back here in an hour,” Sokka whispered to you and Zuko before following the command.

But you didn’t meet in an hour.

In fact, not even you and Zuko managed to stay together, soon being pulled into two different directions due to commands. While you ended up in the weaponry, you had no idea were the others went. “Not your first time doing this, huh?” A guard leaned against the wall next to you, arms crossed. You gave him a brief look, before you resumed sharpening the swords and knifes. “Not really,” He took his helmet off, raising a brow. “How come?” You shrugged, not meeting his gaze. “I’m a non-bender. You need to know your weapons if you want to defend yourself,”

“True,” he inclined his head, taking a knife of his own and starting to prepare it. “I’m impressed. Not many non-benders manage to get employed at the Boiling Rock. Normally they prefer fire benders,” You hummed, grabbing fire the next weapon. “Guess I must be special then,” The guard gave you an amused grin. “You don’t have to wear the mask in here by the way. It’s more of a representative part,” You choose to ignore his comment, instead trying to redirect the conversation. “Hey, can I ask you something? It’s all pretty new to me and I didn’t get to explore everything yet,”

The thought didn’t seem to bother him, featured remaining relaxed. “Sure, rookie. Ask away,” You subtily cleared your throat, attempting not to sound suspicious. “I know the Boiling Rock holds the Fire Nations most dangerous criminals. But what about war prisoners? Do they end up here as well?”

The man shrugged. “If they make it this far... probably,”

“So...” You swallowed. “Any Water Tribe inmates here?” He huffed a short laugh. “You’re pretty interested in those prisoners for a guard,”

“Am I? Shouldn’t I know who I’m watching over?” He shrugged. “I guess so. You’re just very specific about it,” It was time to shut up, you concluded, grabbing a knife. “Well, anyways, thank you for the-” The words god stuck in your throat when you saw Zuko passing by through the window in the door. If you hadn’t been convinced by his amber eyes, then for sure by the time you saw his scar.

“I have to go.” You muttered, subtly slipping the weapon into your pocket. “Hey! Wait up!” The guard yelled rushing after you. You’d just managed to slip through the door, when he grabbed your upper arm. A few seconds later and you would’ve managed to blend in with the others in the lounge. “You can’t just leave. Your work isn’t done yet,”

“Sorry,” you retorted, desperate to reunite with your group. “but I can’t stay.” You rammed your elbow into his ribs, knocking the air out if his lungs. The halls were empty, thanks to the midday meal everyone joined. If you’d manage to lock him into the weaponry you could leave undetected.

You grabbed him, shoving him back into the room and slamming the door shut, before sticking the knife through the handle and using your fire to heat up the metal, sealing it shut. You breathed a relieved sigh as he banged his fists against the door and turned around, colliding with a large chest.

“What do we have here?” The man grinned, locking you in a tight grip that made you squeeze your eyes shut. "I arrive late to the break one time, and there's already trouble," He produced a flame, melting the blockade. The guard you’d locked in opened the door, his face distorted in anger. “She locked me into the weaponry, asked a lot of questions and lied about being a non bender,” He spat, glaring at you.

“Well,” the male behind you said. “What do you want do with this imposter?” The guard snarled.

“Throw her into the cooler!”

tags: @zvkonation @viva-la-millennia @randomness501 @drheinzd @kaylove12 @duh-dobrik @yeetscreetiwannaeat @ ashnkamfeun @hailkyoshi @shortmexicangirl @animexholic @sorrythatspussynal

#zuko x reader #zuko fanfic #zuko imagine #zuko x you

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caffeinetheory · 4 years

Note

Can I humbly request some fake dating Jasonette?

Okay fair warning I kinda went ham and this is long, it’s like ten pages but for you it was worth it, I hope you enjoy it <3<3<3 now without further adieu:

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Jason was in dire need of a date for the upcoming Gala, why you might ask? Well someone wasn’t thinking and said they had a secret girlfriend, which didn’t exist. Now the whole family was happy he had finally found someone. Dick was the most persistent, the hopeless romantic he was.

Telling Diana about over lunch a 2 months before the big annual charity gala was either the best decision he made or one he would regret, only time would tell.

She laughed in his face at his stupidity, but was willing to help. She sent a text and rolled her eyes when she got a response a few minutes later, “My sister will do it, be prepared to meet her next week at your place,” and that was that. He wasn’t expecting to actually get a date from her but hey, if it worked then he’ll go with it. He had about 2 months to make it believable, but god why did it have to be an Amazon.

A knock on his apartment door at 3 a.m. was now how Jason would be meeting who ever Diana had convinced to do this “fake date” thing with him, so a 5”6’ women pushing herself into his apartment when the door was opened certainly woke him up.

“And who might you be?” the door closed behind him with a soft click, the woman was surveying the room with a judgemental look, ‘lovely’. She turned sharply to him, her distaste clear on her face, “Someone who lost a bet so I owe Diana a favor,” she visibly sighed and relaxed slightly, “I’m sorry, my name is Marinette Prince, but you can call me Mari, nice to meet you.” Mari held her hand to the bewildered Jason who hesitantly shook it, “Jason Todd but I'm going to assume you already knew that.”

And that was the rocky start to their relationship. Mari had been living on Themyscira for the last few years so she needed some time to get used to living in the rest of the world. To say she was ecstatic to be able to wear more modern fashion would be an understatement. Their first ‘date’ was in the fashion district a few days after she made herself at home in his apartment. Six hours after they started Mari was finally satisfied, and Jason could no longer feel his arms. They decided to eat dinner at one of the hole-in-the-walls on their way back to Jason’s place.

Neither knew how the conversation had gotten on the different costumes of the various heroes and villains but it had sent Mari off on a rant. Despite himself Jason was enjoying every word she said, every critique and every praise. To be fair there wasn’t as much praise was there was critique, but to say his ego wasn’t inflated when “one of the rare acceptable ones” was the Red Hood would be a straight up lie. It was the first time Mari was acting with little to no filter, and granted they hadn’t known each other long he could tell this was rare for her. He was finding himself proud that he was the one to get her to be open like that, why he couldn’t tell you but it did nonetheless.

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

The two had fallen into domestic life pretty quickly, maybe to quickly, but that didn’t matter. When Jason came home to a clean apartment and dinner being made by his ‘girlfriend’ he was surprisingly okay with it.

“How was your day?” Mari was placing two plates of something heavenly on the small table just outside of the kitchen. Was that table always there? “It was decent, yours?” he began to dig in while a drink was placed next to him and Mari took her seat across from him. “It was nice, I finally got around to cleaning this place up,” her hair was put in a pair of double buns as she wore some shorts and a tank top clearly having changed recently.

“You know you didn’t have to right?”

“I enjoy organizing and consider it a small thanks for helping me with shopping the other day and dealing with my rants,” she had a small smile on her face.

The rest of the night was spent showing Jason where she put everything. The number of guns didn't faze her but living surrounded by weapons he supposed that made sense. The organized first-aid kit was a god send though, on more ruined towels to stop the bleeding.

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

The next date Jason planned was a movie, it was Diana’s idea. He couldn’t figure out why taking Mari to an anniversary replaying of an animated superhero movie from almost ten years ago would be in her words “comedy gold”. That was until Mari saw the opening theme and let out a loud groan.

An hour and fifteen minutes later the credits start to roll and Mari is practically dragging him out of the theater. “This was Diana’s idea wasn’t it?!” Jason couldn’t help the chuckle escaping him, Diana was right this was golden, the only thing she got this heated about what the costumes but this felt more personal. “I swear to the gods, I hate that movie! Nothing was right, He’s like my brother! And I may have been young but I wasn’t STUPID?!” Mari realizes her misstep and quickly covered her mouth dropping Jason’s wrist making him stumble, “Well, M’Lady,” he got punched for that, “I am inclined to believe the totally historically accurate animated film,” she rolled her eyes at him, “It does explain a lot though, and lets just say you're not the only one with red suits in their past,” a wink and another punch in the arm and they left the theater a laughing mess leaning on each other so they wouldn’t fall over. “Oh you arse,” “You know you love me,” another light punch, this one with very little behind it, “Worth it!”

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

Their third date was more impulsive than the last one. It had been a tough week. For Jason his family was hounding him for details about his girl and the last case he helped with took more effort than he thought it would. Mari on the other hand had been working all week on commission (how Bruce Wayne found out about her she didn't want to know) sketches, she had to make close to ten outfits for the Gala in a month and a half, sure she could do it but the perfectionist in her meant very little sleep. She still had hers and Jason’s to make, not that he knew that yet.

That Saturday they found themselves at a small coffee shop Tim liked to rave about. It was homey place, and they both needed to get out of the house.

“You know if the replacement sees us you’re gonna have to talk about how we met-” a finger shushed him, Mari looked more dead than Tim did, she needed her coffee fix, anything else could wait.

“Shhhhh Coffee now, annoying family later,” her words were slightly slurred, she hadn’t slept in two days but she finished the sketches to be approved so that was a positive.

Once the once the vanilla and cinnamon coffee hit her system she was her joyful self again. Jason had gotten himself a honey chamomile tea, it always helped with the stress. What was originally supposed to be a quick in and out ended up with them spending most of the morning just chatting.

They talked about anything and everything. They had been living together for about 3 weeks now so they were leaning the other’s quirks. She finally told him what she was working on, and laughed as his face scrunched up hearing his adoptive fathers name, she had to admit it was kinda cute. Mari also came clean about needed his measurements so they could have matching outfits, she showed him the designs. Jason had to admit he was impressed, and noticing how they looked like something MDC would make he learned another thing about the girl with him. She sure was full of secrets.

The rest of the day after their lovely coffee ‘date’ was spent going to fabric stores getting the stuff she needed to make everyone's outfits. Each one had elements that hinted subtly to their alter egos and pasts while still have a consistent color scheme and accents that paired the couples.

Jason gained yet another layer of appreciation for the girl, what couldn't she do?

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

Turns out taking her to the Gotham Botanical Gardens was a way better idea than Jason had originally thought it would be. The plants seemed to grow and perk up as she walked by. Her smile brighten up the whole room; as she twirled in a pale green sundress inspired by the keeper of the gardens Jason couldn’t help but smile as well. She really looked like a goddess in this light. He couldn’t be happier he helped bring that smile and joy to her face, she deserved the world. When he started thinking like that he couldn’t tell you but the idea this would end soon was one he avoided thinking about. Maybe there wouldn’t be an end, but only time would tell wouldn’t it?

Ivy sensed something was different in her precious gardens and went to investigate, her girlfriend followed to make sure on one got overly hurt. Both of them were shocked to see the plants blooming more than usual and just two people walking the gardens. The girl seemed to be making the pants so happy Ivy just had to talk with her, so she quietly made her was over to the young women hoping to not scare her. Harley made her way over to the former Robin, a little teasing was in order.

Yet another surprise from the former Ladybug he probably should have seen coming, Ivy adored the woman, insisting that she come more often to which Mari eagerly agreed complementing Ivy’s botanical knowledge the whole time. Suprisong himself he didn’t deny Harley’s tasing about his feelings for her, she really was something special wasn’t she?

-----------

When Mari found out Jason hadn’t seen all of the Star Wars movies she made him sit with her all weekend to watch them, he only agreed if they would watch all of Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit trilogy the next weeked.

Their next two weekends were now booked and snack runs were made. Jason made the Living room into a palace of blankets and pillows while Mari prepared snacks and drinks. They wouldn’t be getting up for awhile.

When episode 3’s credits were rolling Mari made an offhand comment about how hot Anakin was and how she felt bad for his fate, well Jason felt a little envious. Something about misunderstood, dark haired boys was Mari’s type apparently. The subtle hints were lost on him but they enjoyed the rest of the films. They skipped the newer trilogy for time and so they had something to watch in theaters.

Mari fell asleep on his arm mid way through episode 6 and Jason couldn’t bring himself to wake her, he fell asleep as the end credits rolled. Both had a content smile on their faces as they dreamed of fantasy worlds long ago and far far away.

--------

Mari had a surprise for Jason, “Come on Jay, get out of bed already,” she was pulling him out of bed on a tuesday, TUESDAY!

With much prodding and poking Mari was able to get them out of the apartment by 8, she had a surprise for him and refused to tell him what it was. “Just trust me it will be worth it,” she handed him his helmet and got on his bike. He found himself not minding someone else driving his bike for once.

The wind was blowing fast as they left the center of the city, they were in the outskirts in a more smalltown area of the city. It was like a whole different world like they had gone to a place untouched by the corruption of Gotham propper. They finally slowed down and parked in front of an older building. Secret Cave the sign read, no way, did she really go out of her way to take him here.

Taking off her helmet she shook her head to loosen her ponytail, he took this chance to really look at her. She was wearing a red v-neck under one of his older leather jackets and some dark blue jeans. She had a small black bag what went with her combat boots, both had flowers embroidered on them, he had to admit she was beautiful.

“Come on Jay, I got a surprise for you,” she was pulling his hand now as they entered the spacious store, books covered every surface and there were rows upon rows of selves. It was almost hard to move, not wanting to disturb the books but they had made it to one of the small sitting areas, “Wait here I’ll be right back.” Jaso found himself obeying and looking at the books in the area, lots of classic literature in fancy leather bound editions and some of the quintessential plays everyone had to read at some point in their original language, this was heaven for a book nerd like him.

20 Minutes later a hand covered his eyes, “Guess who,” her laugh melted his heart, “I don’t know, maybe… one Mari” he scooped her up in a hug, “I love you so much,” before he could realize what he had said, “I know you big nerd, I love you too.”

When he finally put her down, the blush was on both of their faces at their confessions, ‘they didn’t really mean that did they’ she gave him a thick parcel. “Open it later big guy, but consider it a thank you for everything.” her blush seemed to get worse but so was his, maybe it was the room, yeah it had to be right? “I should be the one thanking you but okay…” he trailed off not quite knowing where to go with this conversation, there was so many things he wanted to say to her but he couldn’t get the words out of his throat. Unknown to him Mari was in the same boat, after a beat of silence, “Want to go to the café next door than browse some more?” “Absolutely.”

They left the shop, hand in hand, and spent the rest of the afternoon together exploring the surrounding area and exploring the store, the gift still untouched for now.

When he would eventually open it a few days later he found red leather bound copies of all his favorites with a J engraved into the cover. These were something he’d treasure for as long as he lived.

-----------

It was the last weekend before the Gala, all the outfits were done and fitted so mari had free time, and Jason had cleared the day to spend with his ‘girlfriend’, were the quotes still there? Were they something more now? Hopefully he’d find out tonight.

It was Roy and Diana’s idea. A dinner at an upscale restaurant, the Ocelot came to mind so he got reservations for the two of them. Diana insisted on covering it, and Roy made sure he had the perfect suit. To say Jason was nervous would be an understatement but it only got worse when Mari stepped out of her room in a floor length dress that made her look like a straight up greek goddess, she was stunning and that felt like an understatement. Her hair was lightly curled and was flowing down her back, a small golden flowers rested atop her head in a crown shape, he was glad Roy had helped him get a suite that made him look mature but he felt he still paled in comparison to her beauty.

They had a lovely dinner, they had gotten a table secluded in the back. It started with nervous and awkward conversation that quickly melted away into the easy conversation they usually shared, it was one of the nicest dates they had ever been on. It felt like a real date with no pressures to fake something, somehow this fake relationship had turned into a real true and meaningful one.

The ‘couple’ was so engrossed with each other they hadn’t noticed the spying eyes that watched from different areas of the restaurant. There were at least 16 different people watching their date if not more but if they noticed they didn’t care. The only thing on their mind was the person in front of them.

As they were leaving the dining room they had eaten in, Jason finally found the courage to ask, “Does this mean-” Mari cut him off with a kiss on the cheek and a tighter grip on his hand, “Absolutely Jay, I wouldn’t trade this for the world.”

Small cheers could be heard in the room as they had left, it had been a success!

-----------

It was finally the night of the gala, Jason and his official girlfriend Marientte would be making their debut to the public. To say it was stressful would be putting it lightly, all the other outfits had been dropped off at the Wayne Manor the day before so that was at least taken care of. They had two hours before the Gala would start, so just over an hour to get ready. The apartment was a mess, making sure they had everything.

Jason’s suit was a dark crimson color with a midnight blue tie to tie it in with the rest of his family. The intricate beading and embroidery shined and became seen when the light hit it right, his hair was fluffy as usual but more kept than usual, the white streak pushed to the side with the rest of his hair. He looked like a proper gentleman thanks to his lady. She had a floor length ball gown that made her look like a princess. The bodice was the same midnight blue as his tie and had off the shoulder sleeves that were see through. The skirt that flowed from her his was made with the same crimson red with balck beading and embroidery in a variety of patterns. The apple blossoms were the most obvious and they traveled up her bodices in a blood red color that was made more clear in the right light, she wore black greek sandless underneath her dress and her hair was pinned to the side, a golden flower crown that Diana insisted she wore atop her head, if she looked like a goddess when they went to dinner, she was simply ethereal now, words could do no justice for how stunning she looked right now. To think she made this all by hand was beyond him.

Hand in hand they entered the ballroom, all eyes were on them. The camera flashes made them sparkle as they made their way down the carpet. Every reporter wanted to know everything about them and their outfits, this was the first time Jason had been seen at one of these actually looking happy and not coming with his family. It was the talk of everyone there.

“Thank the gods we finally made it inside,” Mari was already pulling him to a place she could get a drink. “You still need to introduce me properly to your family you know.”

“Thanks for reminding me, you know I’m sure you have met them all already.”

“That’s not the point Jay!” she hit his arm softly then picked up two glasses of champagne, “Cheers?”

“Cheers” they clinked their glasses and chugged them down. It was going to be quite the night.

They had finally made the rounds to all of his family and the important people of the gala and 2 hours in they had a moment to themselves.

“This is why I avoided these for so long.”

“I know right, to many fake pleasantries if you ask me.”

“At least we are in this together,” both said at the same time, causing them to burst into a fit of giggles.

“God I could kiss you right now.”

“Then why don’t you,” without giving Jason a chance to backtrack Marientte pulled him down to her and locked their lips in a passionate kiss. It was pure bliss, something they both needed and longed for and finally had. It felt right, like home. “Took you long enough,” Jason had a smirk as they pulled away, the applause didn't reach their ears as they pulled each other into another one this time less needy but soft, they felt whole in each others arms, this was what they had been missing for so long and now that they had it, they wouldn’t give it up for the world.

///

Asks are still open, don’t hesitate to ask!!

#my wrting #jasonette #fake dating au #follower give away #ask prompt #long post #i really like how this came out #not gonna lie #we be proud tonight #hit me up with more promots please #maribat

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batfam-imagines · 5 years

Note

Batsis/Batbro/Batsibling that was struck by lightning/received a high voltage of electricity and lived but they have major electric scars after. How would the batboys and Bruce react?

Title: Lightning

So sorry this took so long for me to write. I was going through some old requests and this one just spoke to me!

———————————————————————————–

It’s always raining in Gotham,but rarely is it ever a true storm. Thunder and lightning crash through thesky, lighting up the buildings, and silhouetting the vigilante’s swingingbetween them.

Jason and Dick hit the roof oneither side of you, puddles splashing as the three of you race to the other endof the skyscraper.

The two older vigilantes stopat the edge of the roof, hunkering under one of the many gargoyles while youclimb even higher, watching the quiet city.

“Y/N! You shouldn’t be up thathigh! Not in the storm, you could slip!”

You let out a laugh, “I’m notgonna slip! I’ve been climbing these gargoyles for years!”

Jason un-clasps his helmet, hishair getting drenched in less than a minute, “Come on, birdie! You’re makingDick nervous! If you get hurt -”

No one can predict lightningstrikes, not even the best meteorologists. So no one can predict that lightningwill strike right where you’re standing, that electricity will surge throughyou’re entire body, that it’ll stop your heart.

–

Dick screams when the lightninghits Y/N, he lunges forward to catch their, now completely, limp body before itplummets to the city streets below.

“Y/N! No, no, no! Jason, callthe Cave!” Dick scrambles for the latches on Y/N’s suit until he can get hisfingers on their pulse. “No pulse, shit! Jason! Call the damn Cave! I’mstarting CPR now!”

Jason’s fingers scramble at hisear, “B! B, are you there?! B, there’s been a fucking emergency!”

“Hood, what happened? Everyonewas ordered to stay inside -”

“Yeah, yeah, I know! Listen,Y/N was struck by lightning – Dick’s … he’s doing CPR, there wasn’t a pulse. Idon’t – I don’t -” Jason raises a shaking hand to run through his hair.

“Calm down, Jason. Take a deepbreath, you know CPR, continue that until I get to you. Tim and I are trackingyour location right now. Keep calm, Jason, we’re coming. Go help Dick until weget there”

Jason splashes to his knee’s oppositeof Dick, “Switch off”

“’m fine”

“If you don’t take a break, you’llbe too exhausted to keep going later, we don’t know how long we have to keepthis up. Switch. Off”

Dick’s face twists up into asnarl, “Fine, 27-28-29-30. Switch”

Jason continues on for two morerounds, the only sounds being the boom of thunder and the huffs of breath atevery compression.

“Can I shock them with my Escrimasticks?” Dick pulls out one of his weapons, “Would shocking Y/N again do moredamage?”

“Only one way to find out.”Jason quickly shifts back, and Dick presses the Escrima stick forward. Jason reachesout and checks for a pulse before restarting CPR. “Recharge and try again”

Dick glances towards the ground,“B just pulled up, keep going Jay. One more shock and Bruce’ll be here. Onthree pull back. One, two, three” The tip of the Escrima stick makes contactwith Y/N’s chest again, more electricity pulsing through their body.

“A pulse! I felt a pulse!” Jason’seyes are wide, his fingers pressed tightly to Y/N’s carotid artery.

Dick scrambles closer, his ownfingers going to Y/N’s wrist to feel for a pulse, “I got one too! Thank God!”Y/N was even breathing on their own.

Bruce bursts through the accessdoor, “Why did you stop CPR? Quick, get Y/N on the gurney, we need to get backto the Cave -”

Jason’s fingers shake butrefuse to move from where they’re pressed to Y/N throat, “We got a pulse. We –we -”

“Good, get Y/N on the gurney.The Batmobile’s still running, Alfred’s getting the Cave ready as we speak.”

–

Everything hurts when you wake up.Your entire right side feels like it’s on fire, your chest feels like your ribshave been broken, and your shoulder feels like it’s been dislocated.

“’flred … Alfred!”

“Y/N, good heavens, you’reawake!” The old butler quickly bustles around your hospital bed, “How are youfeeling? Do you need anything?”

“W-What happened? I don’tremember … I was on Patrol with – with Dick and Jason, but I don’t – what happenedafter?” You try to push yourself higher on the bed, but your right arm doesn’twant to work. “Why can’t I …?”

“Y/N, you were struck bylightning. Your heart stopped for approximately 7-minutes on that rooftop,Master Richard and Jason were able to perform CPR and restart your heart.”Alfred gently places a hand on the side of your neck, “Unfortunately thelightning left you with some … intensive scarring, which is why you are in so muchpain”

“How long was I out?”

Jason steps into the hospitalwing, “Two weeks, you were unconscious for two weeks”

“Hey, Jay” You throw a smile atyour older brother, “Heard you and Dickie saved my life. Thanks for that”

“You little shit, do you knowhow scared I was?! You didn’t have a fucking heartbeat!! You almost fell offthat damn building and I was in too much shock to catch you! You’re lucky Dickwas there, or you’d be a damn pancake!” Jason reaches out and pulls you into agentle hug, touching your right side as little as possible.

“I know, I was reckless. I’msorry.”

“Damn right you’re reckless! Itold you not to climb so high! You didn’t listen and you got hurt!” Dickcharges is, eyes blazing. “But you’re okay and that’s all that matters! I loveyou! I don’t tell any of you that enough, but I almost lost you!”

“I’ll be more careful, promise”

Bruce walks in next, “Good,after this accident everyone needs to be more careful. Y/N, you’re benched forthe foreseeable future. You’ll need intensive physical therapy to regain fulluse of your right arm.”

“Thanks for the concern, B.”You throw him a smile, “Not like I did it on purpose”

Bruce takes a breath beforewalking closer, “I’m glad you’re alright, Y/N. You had us all scared for awhile there”

–

The first time you see the scarringleft by the lightning strike, you cry. It spiders across the right-side of yourjaw, down your neck, over your shoulder and arm, and across your chest. Thescars are angry and red, standing out starkly against your skin.

Jason’s quick to reassure youas soon as he sees tears, “They aren’t that bad! They actually look prettybadass! Aw man, don’t cry! It won’t even be that bad once it starts to fade!”

You quickly wipe the tearsaway, “Do you know how hard this’ll be to explain to the media?! Or even tohide in my mask!”

“Don’t worry about that stuff,you aren’t leaving the Manor anytime soon anyway. I’m actually surprised Damian’slet you out of his sight this long”

“He’s a good kid, Jay. He justhas a hard time showing he cares. And plus, I like his company, he’s actuallypretty smart” You slowly flex your fingers, “Come here and help me with myphysical therapy, I still can’t move my arm right”

Jason groans, but heaveshimself off the bed, “Alright, alright. You’re lucky you’re my favorite sibling”

–

Tim approaches you next, “Jasonmentioned you were worried about being recognized by your scars …”

You glance up from your bookand flash a brief smile at him, “Yeah, I was tellin’ him that it might be hardto spin to media how suddenly I have this great new accessory and one of theBats does too”

“What would you think of a masksimilar to Cassandra’s? or one that covers just your mouth, so the scar was hidden?And I mean we can just tell the media the truth, or part of it, just tell themthat we were all outside during the last storm and that you got hit”

“That’s a pretty good idea,Tim. You got some sketches to show me?” Tim holds out his tablet and you flickthrough about twenty different suit designs, “Damn, Timmy, when did you havetime for all this! These are great! How about number 15, that one only goes up overmy nose and I can keep the Domino still. I like the colors of that one too, purpleand red, hell yeah.”

Tim grins, “I was torn betweenthat one and seven. I’ll makes up the new suit so you can try it on. You know,I wish you could show off the scar, it’s pretty bad ass looking”

You smirk, “Thanks, it’sstarting to grow on me”

–

“I would like to draw your scar,Y/N, if you would let me” Damian stands in front of you holding his sketchpadand various drawing supplies.

“What?”

“The way the scar twists is fascinatingand I believe it will provide a challenge to draw on the human body. That is ifyou would let me”

You chuckle and flick the TVoff, “Alright, kid, I’ll be your model. I just have one condition”

Damian’s eyes flash inexcitement, “Name it”

“You have to show me thepicture when you’re done with it”

“Very well, if that is youronly condition I would like to start now”

You lay back on the couch andpull your t-shirt off, leaving you in a tank-top, you slide your right arm freeso the scar is completely exposed, “Draw away, Dami”

–

“Y/N … does it hurt?”

You glance over at Dick, onlyto see his eyes locked on your exposed scar, “Not anymore, not a lot anyway.Sometimes it aches, or I get like a phantom pain, but not nearly as much aswhen I first woke up in the cave”

“I – I’m sorry you have it”

“You’re sorry I have the scar?”

Dick nods mutely, his lipsturned down in a frown, “You have it because I wasn’t watching you closeenough. I let you climb on the gargoyle, if you hadn’t then you wouldn’t -”

“Stop! It wasn’t your faultwhat happened to me! I chose to be reckless in the middle of a thunderstorm.You and Jason saved my life. If it wasn’t for you, I would have fallen off thatbuilding. This scar means I’m alive, means I didn’t die. I’d rather have ahundred scars than be dead”

“Doesn’t mean I have to like it,Y/N”

“I know, Dick.”

———————————————————————————–

Let me know what you think! Send any ideas or requests you have to my Ask Box!

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theladylovingcrow · 4 years

Text

Black Panties and An Angel's Face Pt 1 (Sanny Christmas Fic)

** A Continuation of Silk and Satin, Leather and Lace, but there's no actual sex in this part (sorry horny friends, sorry) **

Author (As known on Various sites): Lady Lover- Rockfic, Luluthechoosingcrow - AO3, theladylovingcrow - Deviantart and Wattpad, @sammy_bluebells - Instagram, @imacrowcawcaw - main Tumblr, @theladylovingcrow - writing/art Tumblr, @insannywestan Sanny shipping Tumblr

Fandom: Greta Van Fleet

Pairing: Sam Kiszka/Danny

Length: about 3k

Warnings/tags: lingerie, cross dressing, no smut yet, established relationship, gift giving, Christmas

Summary: Sam had said that he would wear whatever Danny bought him.... would he, really? Fuck, if not them this was about to he a sucky Christmas for the both of them.

Author's notes: I've been busting my ass all morning and last night trying it finish this, because honestly a Christmas fic after Christmas is just kinda... meh. But, alas, I only got the first half, the sort of build up, done. Well, something is better than nothing, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

From @therealswanqueen 's request for me (:

"Oh if you're going to write a continuation of the lingerie fic it would be nice if Danny buys it for Sam ♡♡♡ like if he's out shopping and sees something pretty and thinks 'Sammy would look gorgeous in this' ♡"

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

Danny mentally went over the list in his head, arms too full of stuff to actually pull it out of his pocket at the moment. He had gotten the regular shopping out of the way, and was now working his way though the upper level of the mall, searching for Christmas gifts the one day he could get away from those sneaky brothers.

He had already gotten a variety of gag gifts and weird oddities the twins were sure to enjoy at Spencer's, and a new Christmas sweater for Sam; after some deliberation, a matching one for himself, as well. Their mothers were sure to enjoy it.

It was hard to know what exactly to give when they already had most things they could want, but Danny still tried to be thoughtful and give nice things to the people that meant the most to him.

New boots, a watch, and an engraved harmonica for Jake? Check.

A vintage fur coat for Josh? Yep, and surprisingly cheap.

Books for all three Kiszka's? Yes, as well as some parchment, ink, and quills for Joshie - it was one of those random finds that hadn't been on his radar of gift ideas, but as soon as he saw them he knew Josh would love them.

All that was left was Sammy. His best friend (now lover, too) always seemed to be both the easiest and worst to shop for. He was picky, so picky that, even after all these years, Danny could rarely be 100% sure that he'd like his gift.

He went in and out of every store, desperately searching for *something* that Sam didn't already have, and that he would appreciate receiving.

Nothing.

Not a single item that would be a good fit to give his new-ish boyfriend, not even a cool pair of sunglasses to just fill put some space in his gift bag.

Danny sighed, deciding to fuck the mall and go Amazon it in the comfort of their bed. But, just as he was heading towards the exit, something caught his eye.

A blue something - pale, like a robin's egg, but speckled with small, shimmering beads instead of brown splattered spots. It was a lacy bra, hanging several racks in inside of a Victoria's Secret.

Danny stopped and stared at it, considering. Sam had said.... Sam had said that he would wear whatever Danny bought him. It had been nearly two months, and, while they had definitely had sex many, many times since then, none of the lingerie items had made another appearance. Sam hadn't even mentioned it again after that day, instead only shooting Danny the occasional meaningful look that he interpreted as "Well? I'm waiting, it's on you to continue this."

He took two steps forward, but stopped just before entering onto the lighter tiles of the store's entrance. Would Sam actually like this as his Christmas present, instead of other stuff - namely, things he could actually tell their family he got?

Danny turned and was about to walk away, but then spun around for just one last look at the bra. It was so, so pretty, and would look so, so good against Sam's tanned skin; he could envision his lover perfectly in that little blue piece, coyly teasing Danny as he ran his hands over his lacy chest.

He took in a sharp breath and marched into the store, bags of presents banging against his thighs as he rushed over to the rack to closer inspect the bra. Danny set his purchases down on the ground so he could touch it, tentatively reaching out a finger to run over the scalloped trim along one of the cups.

Danny realized that the one he was looking at would never fit Sam, but, luckily, there was a whole row of blue items in different sizes behind it. He flicked through the hangers, eyebrows knitting together at all of the different numbers, letters, prices, and, he realized, slightly different styles and designs.

Which one should he choose - what would look best on Sam, and what would fit him? Danny was at a loss. The first bra he had seen and fallen in love with appeared to be the only one of its kind, which was highly disappointing but he knew that often happened when shopping - if you fall in love with something, chances are it's not going to work out. Such was life.

The other bras, though: all were the same pale blue, but some had no beading, some possessed a ridiculous amount of straps, and one was also covered in purple, trailing vines embroidered over the lace, curling over the soft fabric.

"Sir, do you need any help?"

Danny startled, looking over his shoulder at a friendly, understanding looking employee. He nodded sheepishly, nudging aside some of his bags with his foot so he wasn't barricaded in a circle of paper bags.

"Yeah, I'm... I don't know what size to get- yeah," he cut himself off, nearly saying "to get my boyfriend" but realizing that maybe he shouldn't.

It wasn't like Danny was ashamed of being bisexual, but he figured that revealing he was dating a guy and buying him lingerie was not a good idea - not only because she could react weird, but because who knew who could recognize him. He decided it was safest to just pretend to be buying a present for his girlfriend, it was close enough and completely plausible, if only requiring more thought before he spoke.

"Of course! Do you know what size she is?"

He shook his head, looking back at all of the tags. Like every guy, he knew, roughly, that A was small and D was big - stereotypically perfect, though Danny disagreed - but there were also double letters and numbers that were confusing him. He had no frame of reference to know what size the numbers indicated, nor the scope of the sizes. 28 was the smallest he saw, but it still seemed like an awfully big number for Sam's tiny ribcage, and many of the other girls he'd met, too.

"That's all right, this is probably a surprise, huh?" The employee, he saw her name was Stephi, gave him a knowing look and a grin, and Danny nodded again, smiling back.

"Yeah, she... she's been kind of hinting, but this is totally going to be a surprise and I didn't really think to check sizes before I came. She's really small though, very skinny and uh, an A cup, I think. What are the numbers?"

"Oh, the numbers are for band size, it's like the circumference of the of the ribcage. She'd probably be a 28A, that's the smallest we have," Stephi said, sorting through the rack methodically and picking out several of the blue bras as well as a few others from a lower rung. "Do these look like they would fit?"

Danny squinted at them, trying to imagine if they would hang slack on Sam's body or sit snug like they were supposed to.

"I guess, yeah, those look like they'd fit. Though, I've never really seen her wear the shaped ones, she likes softer things. They're called, uh, it has 'bra' in it..."

Really, Danny didn't want to get the shaped ones because he thought they would pop off of Sam's body weird with nothing to fill them, and that looked both unsexy and uncomfortable. He'd heard one of his past girlfriends talk about some bra thing before; it had sounded like a lighter fabric or something, but he just couldn't remember what it was called.

"A brallette? Yes, we have those, here's a few."

She took the shaped bras and set them aside, holding out a few that looked like lacy, cut off tank tops or teddys, soft and thin fabric that would most likely lay flat if nothing was underneath.

Ah, a brallette! Danny swore he was going to pay more attention to what his partner was talking about when it came to stuff like this, be it Sam or another girlfriend - though, he hoped it would only ever be Sam from now on.

Danny looked at the bras she was holding, trying to decide. There was the soft blue one with purple vines crawling up from the band at the bottom, little flowers budding up high over the mesh and lace top and then continuing over the straps. He really liked that one, so he gently took it from her and kind of tucked it under his arm, then continued surveying.

Another was completely pale pink lace, "Millenial Pink" he was pretty sure. His eyes passed over it, going instead for one of similar design but of a rich, deep green color. He grabbed that one too, and decided not to get any of the others Stephi was holding.

He thanked her for her help, figuring he had a good grasp of what bras to get, now.

"No problem! I'm sure she'll love these, let me know if you need anything else, I'll be at the counter."

Stephi turned and started walking away, then came back to him. "Hey, you have a lot of bags, do you want to put them next to the counter while you shop, if you think it'll be awhile? It might make it easier."

Danny grinned at her. "Oh, yes, please, and thank you."

He appreciated how nice she was being to him, even though that was technically her job and she'd probably seen many hapless boyfriends in the store before. Still, it was the busy week before Christmas, and she had taken the time to patiently help him while people were rushing and yelling and making a mess of things all around them. Danny carried his bags over to where she directed and took the metal basket she gave him, turning back to survey the store for anything else that caught his eye.

Over in the left corner, he spotted a table full of colorful pieces of cloth - panties, he realized, looking at the mannequins modeling a few pairs. Danny wandered over to them, stopping briefly to run his hands over another bra but moving on when he realized it wasn't something Sam was likely to wear.

There were so many options! Danny knew that there were many, many styles of women's underwear; he was proud to say that he had seen quite a few of them first hand. Still, the colorful piles were almost making his head hurt, though his heart was beating faster with something that felt like excitement.

He picked up pair after pair, settling on the 10 for $100 deal he saw advertised. It seemed ridiculously expensive for tiny, flimsy pieces of fabric, but it would be so, so worth it when he got to see Sam's sinful hips in these cheeky little triangles.

Danny grabbed one more pair of panties and another bra - a matching, strappy set - and brought everything over to the front of the store, waiting in line with all the other ladies and boyfriends to purchase his secret gifts. He grinned at Stephi as she rung him up, thanking her profusely for the help and adding the pink striped bag to his cache of others.

He made his way past the giggling groups of teenage girls out of the store, pausing to give a few of them a smile when they blushed and pointed at him. He would stop and take pictures if they asked, but otherwise, he was a man on a mission.

Danny couldn't get the image of Sam all dressed up for him those two months ago out of his head; his stockings and garter, the corset, his sweet smile. He wasn't likely to find a corset like that at a commercial mall, but the other stuff - he wanted, he needed, to get the complete outfit.

His next stop, after dropping all the other gifts at the car like he had originally intended, was a high-end 'bohemian' boutique right next to Macy's. Danny pushed open the door, quirking his lips at some indie cover of Jingle Bells playing over the store's speaker.

Danny smiled widely, looking over the store. Florals, paisley, glitter, lace and satin and taffeta, all hung like shimmering, rainbow banners on the walls. He knew what Sam's style was, the only thing he had to do was build the bridge between the lingerie he had gotten and what Sam would wear, normally, and it was - hopefully - going to be an unforgettable gift. He decided to start at the hair clips and work his way around to the mini skirts on the other side.

~~~~

Two hours and nearly two thousand dollars later, he had three full-to-bursting bags of clothing and accessories for Sam. Danny knew he had gone over board, and over budget, but every time he thought he had found the last item he turned around and another was screaming at him, sometimes from an entirely different store, how good it would look on Sam's lithe body. This new idea had shone a new light on the mall where he had previously found nothing of interest to get his lover; now, it was like he couldn't stop the floor of gifts.

He sighed, hands straining to grasp all of the bag handles as he made his way to the parking lot, trying not to knock anyone over with his haul. Now all that was left was wrapping everything up and placing it under the tree, where Sam could receive it in a few days time.

Danny worried his lip in between his teeth as he loaded up the trunk of the car. He was happy with his purchases, but that didn't mean Sammy would like them. He tried to quell any doubt in his head, though; Sam had asked for Danny to buy him more stuff, so he had. Simple.

The only thing he had to worry about was the wrong person opening the presents - which, shit, maybe they shouldn't go under the tree.

~~~~

Jake was smirking, looking back and forth between Danny's red face and his little brother's more self satisfied, but also blushing one.

"So, Sammy, what did you get? Let us see."

Sam shook his head at first, looking like he was being asked to feed his arm to a lion, but then slowly raised his gift out of the mess of tissue paper. It was a top, silver and covered in shimmering fringe all the way down its torso and in lines along the sleeves. Some of the things Danny had gifted Sam toed the line - lacy shirts, crop tops, one skirt, booty shorts (though he already wore those) with the hope that Sam would actually like them, as in making them a part if his every day wardrobe. Dressing up for sex was fun, but Sam's androgyny, even when not sexual, was still incredibly attractive and Danny wanted to encourage it.

Jake whistled. "Dang, Sammy, I might have to "borrow" that from you. But that's not what made you blush, now let us see it. "

"Nuh-uh, no can do Jack-o. Do I demand to see everything your girlfriend gives you?"

"Ooh, so it's that kind of gift!" Josh laughed. He was sitting on the floor, surrounded by shining bits of metallic paper and rainbow wrapping, swaddled in a plush red robe and grinning like the little Christmas elf he was; he had demanded they each open one gift before they did Christmas with the entire Kiszka-Wagner clan like usual.

Danny squirmed in his seat, his face getting even darker. He had gotten Sam some regular things so as not to arouse suspicion, and then saved most of the special items for later that night, privately hoping Sam would try them on and give him a little show. But, he had slipped in one pair of frilly white and black panties to let Sam know what was to come.

Sam adamantly refused to show his brothers anything else in the bag, setting it aside behind his chair and shooting Danny a look that could only be described as sultry. Danny swallowed, dry, and opened his own gift from Sam.

It was a gorgeous silk robe, starting at a light lavender and melting into a deep, inky black at the bottom. There was embroidery along the edges, little flowers and curls trimming the sweeping bell sleeves. Black lace formed a belt along the gathered waist, little silver buttons shining against the darkness.

Danny gasped, softly running his fingers over the fabric, feeling the cool softness and already imagining it against his skin.

Sam leaned over and whispered in his ear, one hand curled around Danny's bicep. "I'll wear anything you get me, but I want you to do the same, at least try it. What do you think?"

Danny turned to Sam, almost at a loss for words. "It's... it's beautiful, Sammy, of course I'll wear it. We'll be matching."

It was incredible how fast Sam was able to take the reins of a situation and flip it - here, Danny had thought that he was indulging his lover's interest, but, apparently, Sam had realized that Danny was just as into it and brought the control back to himself. Danny was putty in his hands, buying what he wanted and following every order, and he always would be, with joy.

"Woah, that's cool. But why'd you get Danny a lacy robe?"

Danny looked up, startled, to see both of the twins leaning over and staring into the box on his lap. He quickly put the top back on and shrugged, not sure how he had forgotten they were there. It was the excitement, he supposed, and the sentimentality of the gift, too, that had distracted him.

Jake shook his head, mumbling "Weirdos," under his breath and going to start gathering up the wrapping paper strewn all over the floor. There was a weird air in the room, one Danny couldn't quite shake. Sam was still sitting way too close to him and giving him looks, not at all helping him get his head back on straight.

"So, anyways, did I mention that I got us matching sweaters? Mom will love them!"

~~~~

To Be Continued

~~~~

@satans-helper

@okietrish

@lazingonsunday

@bigthighsandstupidguys

@karrotkate

@oblvions

@lantern-inthenight

@mountainofthesunn

@ryetheruler

#sammy kiszka #sanny #greta van fleet #sam kiszka #danny wagner #sam gvf #danny gvf #sam x danny #in sanny we stan #gvf #gvf fic #greta van fic #fanfic #fanfiction #my writing #lulucrowproductions #lingerie

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let-it-raines · 5 years

Text

Not Your (soul)Mate {5/?}

Killian Jones doesn’t like the idea of soulmates. He sees how happy his friends are with theirs, but he still doesn’t like the idea, not when he’s found love and lost it time and time again only to still not know his sign. He has no markings on his skin, no voices in his head, but then one day he meets Emma Swan and everything changes. Because, well, he may not have ink on his skin to tell him who to love, but the very first time that he hears Emma’s voice he knows that she’s the one for him. Then again, that could simply be his desire talking. After all, for every word she speaks, he becomes aroused.

It’s not the worst thing in the world to be incredibly attracted to a beautiful woman, but things aren’t that simple when she doesn’t have any interest in being his soulmate.

He’s screwed. And not in the good way.

Rating: Mature

A/N: Thank you all for reading, for liking, for commenting, for rebloging, and for genuinely being all around awesome!!! And thank you to @captainsjedi for her support and her artwork! We’ve got a new set today, so show her some love💙

Found on AO3: Beginning | Current

Tumblr: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Tag list: @karenfrommisthaven @skyewardolicitycloisdelena91 @scientificapricot @lifeinahole27 @captswanis4vr @a-faekindagirl @galaxyzxstark @emmas-storybook @searchingwardrobes @spartanguard @ultimiflos @jamif @idristardis @dreameronarooftop15 @nikkiemms @resident-of-storybrooke @tiganasummertree @wellhellotragic @bmbbcs4evr @onceuponaprincessworld @jennjenn615 @mayquita @captainsjedi @teamhook @kmomof4 @ekr032-blog-blog @superchocovian @ultraluckycatnd @cs-forlife @andiirivera @qualitycoffeethings @jonirobinson64 @mariakov81 @xellewoods @thejollyroger-writer @cssns

-/-

He bloody hates his brother.

No, that’s not right. He loves his brother, but he hates him right now.

He also strongly dislikes Elsa, Will, and Belle, but not as much as he hates his brother because he’s in this entire situation because of him and his big mouth inviting Emma Swan out onto one of the boats they currently have docked at their offices. Why in the world did Liam think that this was a good idea? He knows that they do this all of the time with their friends and Luis and Luca. It’s likely not the most ethical thing in the world, but they pass it off as a bit of a test drive to make sure that everything is working. He enjoys it, as does everyone else, but he still doesn’t understand why Liam decided to invite Emma when they ran into each other at the beach last week while jogging.

It was obviously a lack of blood flow to the brain or something like that.

When in the world did everyone he knows become part of the Emma Swan fan club? Suddenly all of his friends and family are also her friends, and he’s got no clue how they never crossed paths before.

Fate or something like that.

Mostly, though, once he gets past the fact that his brother asked Emma to spend an entire Saturday with them, he wonders why in the world Emma said yes.

Maybe she also had a lack of blood flow to her brain as she ran, and that’s why she agreed.

She’s trying to torture him, obviously. It’s what she’d done that morning as he tried to keep it together knowing that he and Liam still had at least two miles to run before they’d go their separate ways to their own homes. Emma had kept talking (making him have all kinds of issues that weren’t helped by her only being clad in a sports bra and leggings that might as well have been a second skin with sweat clinging to her stomach and the tops of her breasts), incessantly really, and despite their few meetings, he does know that she isn’t too much of a talker, preferring to let others fill in the gaps. And yet there she was not shutting her mouth while her eyes kept glancing at him, the right side of her lips curving into a smile.

Smirking.

Emma Swan was teasing him, torturing him really, and she knew it. She knew exactly what she was doing to him, and it really seemed like she was enjoying it.

Minx.

It was frustrating, emotionally and sexually, and made the rest of the run painful (he thinks he might have broken his personal best in time however), but a part of him realized that maybe it meant that Emma was kind of coming around to the idea of not wanting to totally avoid him. Maybe they’d somehow make some kind of attempt to be friends. He wants that so damn badly that it surprises him.

His cheeky attempt at talking to her through the bread basket might just have worked.

Or pissed her off. He’s honestly not sure. She gives him all kinds of mixed signals that he’s not even really sure are signals.

Maybe she doesn’t want to be friends. Maybe she’s simply sadistic and is playing a game with him. But like he said, two can play at this little game between them.

The problem is that Emma seems to be winning.

Emma is definitely winning, and he’s losing.

Damn it.

He’s sitting at the small marina outside of their offices with a cooler of drinks perched between his converse clad feet, and he’s waiting for everyone to show up while watching some of the white sails flutter in the wind as most people haven’t woken up to take their boats out yet. It’s beautiful out here with the ocean just feet away, the salt of the water mixing in with the air and making everything smell like the beach, which may very well be his favorite thing in the world. If he looks to his right, he can see a few colorful umbrellas perched along the sand with chairs and towels underneath them. The families who rent out the row of multi-colored pastel houses along the shoreline usually leave most of their umbrellas and chairs outside so as not to have to carry them back and forth every day, and he makes a note to himself to talk to Robin to see if the Parks department can hire a few teenagers in the summer to help with beach activities for tourists and making sure that the beach stays clean. He knows that most every teenager in town works at the shops that are already only open for the summer, so it should fit right in with that.

He and Liam also need to talk about setting out time for more sailing lessons and to make sure that’s advertised on their website.

Liam said they’d meet here at eleven, not too early and not too late, but since he lives the closest, in an apartment just half a mile away from the office, he’s here early. He always seems to be early wherever he goes. Even when he makes an attempt at showing up on time or even a little after the time, he is early. It’s ridiculous, but it’s obviously some other kind of curse that he’s going to be stuck with for the rest of his life.

At least it’s not something horrible. Being early isn’t the worst thing in the world.

Until he’s been sitting on this bench mulling over his thoughts for twenty minutes waiting for anybody to show up. Seriously anybody. The only people he’s seen are families he knows are in town for the week vacationing as they settle down under their left out umbrellas, and he’s not exactly keen on talking to them because he knows he’ll somehow get roped into giving them a local’s guide of Storybrooke.

He’s fallen into that trap one too many times.

He simply can’t help that he’s so charming.

Man, he really does sound like an asshole when he thinks things like that.

Sighing, he leans forward and props his elbows on his knees and rubs his hands across the back of his neck, trying to work out some of the tension that’s been gathering there all week. The boat they’re taking out today has been a pain in his ass to design and meet the owner’s satisfaction as they’re constantly adding in new little details that they want, and he barely slept this week trying to get as much done as possible before they take it out for this little joyride.

Deadlines and priorities and all that.

Closing his eyes, he tries to calm himself down and say that everything about today is supposed to be fun. It’s supposed to be relaxing. That’s the entire point of this. That’s what everyone else is here for. None of them know why this is torturous for him, though. It’s not just the fact that he’ll be sporting an erection today. It’s really not. This is…the whole thing is a torment on his emotions as he grapples with everything, and it’s not as if Emma is helping him out with how she’s going about everything. She doesn’t owe him anything, but damn, it’d be nice to be able to talk this out with someone.

Not that he can really even talk it out with her without wanting to take her against the nearest flat surface. Hell, it doesn’t even have to be a flat surface.

He’d tell Liam, let them have a nice chat over some glasses of rum simply so he can talk about how he’s feeling with this whole thing, but he promised Emma in the hallway of Ariel’s house that he wouldn’t say anything. He’s a man of his word and believes in good form, and he can’t break that promise. If he were to tell Liam, Liam would tell Elsa. Then Elsa would tell Ariel who would obviously tell Mary Margaret or Ruby and then it’ll all get back to Emma and she’d murder him and hide his body.

(Why does he keep thinking that she’s going to do that?)

They’d be playing some ridiculous adult version of phone tag like they played when he was a child, but instead of it ending in a word so far off from the original, all he’d get was a well deserved punch in the face for sharing something he said he wasn’t going to share and that is obviously deeply personal to the both of them.

This woman is maddening.

The bottom stair to step onto the dock creaks, and he twists his head to the side to see the maddening woman herself walking toward him with a small tote bag on her arm. Honestly, though, it’s the last thing he’s looking at because Emma’s simply wearing a pair of light washed jean shorts that do nothing to cover any part of her tanned, toned legs and a loose tank top that’s fallen down to show off the thin strap of her black bikini top covering her breasts.

Fuck.

He’s a strong man, but he can only take so much. This – this is too much, and it’s only going to get worse as she strips out of her clothes to tan or spends time in the water and talks to all of their friends.

He’s so screwed in every way but one.

Emma is most definitely still winning whatever game it is that they’re playing, and he hasn’t even gotten an opportunity to throw his hand in.

Two can play at this game, he reminds himself. That’s what he told her, and if she decides to mess with him today, he can do the same.

What the hell is he going to do?

Maybe he should simply fake an illness and go home, though that’ll be a little bit more difficult with Emma already being here.

He braces himself for her voice, but as she makes her way toward him, she’s surprisingly quiet, not saying a word as she settles down onto the bench next to him, her thigh far enough away from his that they could easily fit a small child between them. They sit like that for at least a minute and a half, total silence between them and only the distant sound of others talking around them, before his phone buzzes in his swimsuit pocket.

Emma: Hi.

Killian: Hey, Swan.

Emma: Where is everyone else? I thought we had a boat to steal.

Killian: We’re not stealing it. It’s a test drive.

Emma: Sounds pretty suspicious to me.

Killian: Are you going to try to arrest us or something?

Emma: Nah, I don’t like to waste my handcuffs.

Emma: Or do the paperwork.

He chuckles a bit and glances to the side to see if she’s got the same amused look on her face. It’s not quite as obvious, but he can see the beginnings of a smile peeking through. He doesn’t understand her in the slightest. Truly, he doesn’t. She can be kind and funny only to be annoyed and harsh one second later, but he honestly thinks that might only be with him. All of his friends and family absolutely love her, so she’s obviously a good, sweet person. Maybe it’s him that rubs her the wrong way. Or maybe he’s right in his assumption that she simply doesn’t know how to handle what’s going on and is warring between feelings and emotions. He’s got no clue what’s happened in her past, but from the little glimpse that he got at dinner, he knows that she’s been hurt before and likely pretty badly.

So he doesn’t know. He really doesn’t know. Obviously, the universe thinks that they’re well matched up for some reason, and he kind of thinks the same. He’d like to get to know her, and he thinks she’d like to get to know him. She might simply be scared.

Plus the whole barely being able to talk to each other and all. That’s a bit of an obstacle since neither of them are willing to fall into the physical side of things. Well, he’s willing, but that’s an entirely different story.

Killian: So you carry those handcuffs around often, do you?

She quietly scoffs at that, though he hears it as if she made the noise in his ear, and he looks out of the corner of his eye to see if she’s typing on her phone or not.

Emma: It’s part of my job. Don’t be weird.

Killian: Who said anything about being weird? I’m simply enquiring more about your work. I’d love to know about the great men and women who serve our wonderful town.

Emma: You’re ridiculous.

Killian: I get that a lot.

Killian: Do you guys also drink coffee and eat donuts every day?

Emma: Coffee, yes. Donuts, no.

Emma: Damn, I wish there was a good stereotype about boat architects or designers. You picked a very niche field to go into. It’s hard to make fun of.

Killian: I get a lot of Popeye jokes if that helps.

Emma: I don’t think you’re buff enough to be Popeye.

It’s his turn to scoff at that, and when he glances at Emma, he sees a full smile on her face, her eyes crinkling the slightest bit as she laughs.

Killian: Just wait until I eat some spinach, love.

“Wow, look at that lively conversation happening here,” Liam laughs as he steps in front of them, Killian not even noticing that he and Elsa and showed up on the docks with how wrapped up he was in the texts and enjoying a friendly moment with Emma. “It makes me think today is going to be fun.”

“Babe,” Elsa scolds, gently placing her hand on Liam’s arm and squeezing the blue material of his t-shirt, “be nice. You know that Emma can kick your ass if you piss her off too much.”

Emma kicking people’s asses seems to be a trend, and it’s kind of (incredibly) hot.

Liam huffs, placing his hands over his chest. “Well, I would never try to piss off Emma. I like her too much.”

“Oi,” he says without much thought, “what about me?”

“You’re my little brother. I enjoy annoying you.”

“Younger,” he grumbles. “I’m younger.”

“Whatever you say.”

“Where are Belle and Will?” Elsa questions, reaching down into her bag and pulling out a bottle of sunscreen before she begins slathering it across her pale skin. “They didn’t come with you, Emma?”

“They stayed at Will’s last night,” she answers, and he takes a deep breath to try to control himself, “but I just texted Belle. They’re on their way if we want to go ahead and start getting everything ready.”

Emma stands from the bench and pulls up her shorts, his eye line directly at the curve of her ass. He quickly stands as well even if he’d really rather sit for awhile, but it’ll help to get to move away from her for some time. It’ll help if Will and Belle get here and there are more people to talk to and more voices to try to hone in on.

Who is he kidding? No matter how he tries to focus on other sounds, Emma’s voice is always the loudest.

But he can at least try.

He grabs his cooler from the ground, placing the strap on his shoulder and heading down the docks until he gets to the boat they’re taking out today that’s nestled at the end of the dock.

The Magdalena.

It’s a beautiful name for a beautiful vessel. He simply happens to know that Magdalena is the name of the owner’s mistress and not his wife, but that’s none of his business. It’s not his job to uphold some kind of moral righteousness, and considering the wife was in the room when the name was suggested, he figures that it really and truly is not his concern. He’d be overstepping to say anything. Really, he shouldn’t know any of this at all, but within small towns like Storybrooke, gossip travels quickly.

“She’s a beauty, this one,” Liam sighs as he steps up the stairs to where the wheel is, turning the key and letting everything warm up. “How much longer until it’s off of our hands?”

“Wednesday.”

“Do we get paid then too?”

“We get another installment, yeah. They’ve got a monthly payment plan set up.”

“Ah, okay,” Liam hums next to him, running his hands over the dashboard before pressing up on his toes and looking down below to the bow where Emma and Elsa are sitting on the white cushions with their feet propped up on the small table that’s been installed. He can hear Emma talk, hear her laugh, but it’s more muted with the sound of the motor and seagulls and his brother’s voice so it’s not affecting him as much. “So Emma is nice.”

“Aye,” he agrees, rolling his eyes a bit under his sunglasses because he knows where this is going, “she is.”

“I think you two would get along.”

“You and every other bloody person in this town.”

“What?”

He waves Liam away, reaching into the cooler and pulling out a bottle of water. He wants a beer, but it’s too early for that. At least he’s not driving today. He doesn’t have to worry about indulging too much. Not that he will. He’s got a pretty good tolerance, but he’s thirty-five and not twenty-two anymore. Hangovers are a killer.

“About two weeks ago Will and Belle invited me over to dinner like Belle is always doing, but Emma was also there and I’m pretty sure it was a set up.”

“Well see? If we all think you two would make a good match, it must be true. I don’t know how you never met before.”

“I don’t either.”

Liam sits down in his chair and crosses his legs over each other as he props them up on the dash. He’s got on these ridiculous patterned swim shorts with crabs and sailboats on them, and Killian really hopes that the twins picked them out for him.

They probably didn’t.

“So,” he nudges, his lips pressing together before parting so that Killian can see all of his teeth, “do you think you’ll ask her out on a date?”

He nearly spits out the water he’s taking a sip of even though he knew that was coming. He is not a gullible man, but damn do people keep catching him off guard.

“No,” he replies flatly even while he coughs a bit, pointedly ignoring the raised brows on Liam’s forehead. “She’s a fine lass, but I don’t think either of us are very interested in dating, especially after being constantly set up by our friends and apparently as of today, my brother too.”

Liam raises both hands in the air. “I’m not setting you up, I promise.”

“Then why’d you invite her?”

“She said she didn’t get to spend enough time at the beach, and I figured Elsa would be itching at the opportunity to hire a sitter for the kids and spend time with a few of her friends.”

He hums, not at all believing his brother, but he’s already in this situation. There’s no stopping it.

“Whatever. Just…let me worry about my own love life, okay? Not everyone has heard their wife’s thoughts in his head since he was a child, and it’s not that simple for me. I can’t simply date anyone. I did that before, and I got my heart broken.”

“I understand. I’m worried about you is all…not everyone finds their soulmate, little brother, and I figured you could use some happiness.”

He rises from his chair and claps Liam on the shoulder, trying to ignore the thump in his heart that may very well be threatening to stop itself right now as he thinks of all the things that he knows that Liam doesn’t. It’s more complicated than he could ever imagine.

“Let me worry about my own happiness. I have enough with all of these people who already do love me enough to torture me like this by continuously setting me up. And again, it’s younger. You and I both know no part of me is smaller than you.”

“Oi,” comes a shout from below, and he twists his head around to see Will helping Belle onto the boat, “were you wankers about to leave without us?”

“If you were another two minutes late, we would have,” he yells back down, winking at Belle who’s already got blush on her cheeks. “Did you have a late morning trying to fix your hair, Scarlett?”

“As a matter of fact, I did. I had to make it look all pretty for you.”

“Aww shucks,” he teases in his best attempt at a dainty American accent, “I can’t believe you’d do that for little old me.”

“I’ve got to look my best for my honey bunches.”

“You two are the weirdest friends, I swear,” Belle mumbles as she tosses her bag through the enclosed space and walks around to where Elsa and Emma are still sitting, the two of them getting up when they see her to wrap her in separate embraces.

“So are we going or what?” Will groans, his tact always evident. “I’ve got to be at the Rabbit Hole at eight.”

“Calm down, Scarlett,” Liam sighs, moving his feet down from the dash, “we’re going.”

For the next two hours he spends most of his time avoiding Emma. It’s a large boat, but it’s not a yacht. There’s only so many places he can hide out from her, especially since he can still faintly hear her voice wherever he goes. But it’s faint, and so is the buzz on his skin that feels more like the sun is beating down on him than anything else. It’s definitely different than it usually is, the intensity of hearing her talk not quite as strong, but he imagines it’ll be different when he’s actively in the same place listening to her voice. And there’s only so much longer that he can hide down below reapplying sunscreen or claiming to be getting lunch ready in the kitchen when they’re having sandwiches and chips. At some point he’d like to bask in the sun a little and take a dip in the ocean.

With a deep breath, he unbuttons his button down and leaves it on the couch, running his hand over the scars on his left hand. He really hopes that they’re not sensitive to the sun today. He’s got enough issues going on for that to also be one.

This is all fine. It’s going to be fine. Just because he’s tortured by Emma’s mere presence doesn’t mean he can’t have a nice day.

When he emerges from down below, sliding the frosted glass doors open, he nearly turns back around at the sight in front of him.

Bloody hell.

Emma’s stripped out of her clothes and is simply wearing the black bikini he got a glimpse of earlier, but it’s so much worse (better) without her shorts and tank top covering her skin. God, she’s stunning. He’s not sure he’s ever seen someone as beautiful as her, and as she stretches her arms above her head to pull her hair into a bun, he can see the muscles in her arms and the toned lines of her stomach while desire stirs inside of him that has nothing to do with her voice. It surely doesn’t help that a good portion of her breasts are exposed as she moves.

He likes to think he’s stronger than this, but in the end, he isn’t.

Idly he wonders if they’re too far away from the shore for him to swim back to get away from this torture. He needs a good work out regardless.

When Emma’s finished tying her hair into the messy bun, blonde tendrils still falling down framing her face, she turns to face him where he’s still standing by the doorway like a slack jawed idiot.

“Hi,” she greets, waving her hand a little bit, her mouth opening again before her lips press together as she must suddenly remember their little predicament.

Killian nods in response, still thinking about swimming away.

Emma raises her hand, fingers motioning in a circular motion like she’s trying to mime something before giving up and slapping her hand against her leg. “Where’s the cooler?”

“Up the stairs, love,” he smiles, ignoring the hum at the base of his spine. “Do you need something?”

“Water. I already feel parched, which is probably not a good sign for the rest of the day. So, um, thanks.”

“Tis not a problem.”

He leaves Emma to go up the ladder to get the cooler. They should probably bring it down here where everyone is sitting, but he’ll get around to that later when they all manage to actually eat lunch. Moving around the side of the boat, he makes his way to the bow and takes a seat on the open bench as everyone else is already seated talking about some of the summer programs that Belle has set up for the kids at the library every day.

“I’m trying to get funding for field trips to different parts of town for the daycare kids, but you know how difficult it is to get anything through town hall.”

“It’s awful,” Elsa sighs. “I was trying to get access to a deed the other day for this case I’m working on, and it took them two hours to not be able to find it in the archives only for me to find it in ten minutes. But that would be a great idea. I’m sure the twins would love that. You know the other day they told me they were old enough not to need a babysitter anymore?”

“Really?” Belle laughs.

“Oh yeah, Luca came downstairs one morning already dressed with her hair braided and very proudly told me that she could take care of herself.”

“That’s because she takes after you, lass,” he smiles, stretching his arm out on the back of the bench. “If she took after Liam she wouldn’t be nearly as independent.”

“Says the man who couldn’t tie his shoes until he was seven.”

“Why wear shoes when you can walk around without them?”

“Because you lived in a civilized place.”

“I totally agree with Killian,” Emma says as she comes around the corner, still looking as beautifully torturous as she did minutes ago, especially as she keeps talking. “Shoes are overrated.”

“You have on sandals right now,” Will points out.

“My feet would burn off on this boat if I didn’t.” Emma takes a few more steps before she’s sitting down next to him. It’s a small enough space down here, the better seating area really at the stern, that their thighs do press together, smooth skin mixing in with the dark hair on his legs. “So they do have their purposes, but it’s more comfortable without them. I mean, do you wear them at home?”

“Sometimes.”

“But not all the time.”

“God, I take my heels off as soon as I walk in the door,” Elsa groans, flexing her feet as she talks.

“That’s because they’re torture devices,” Belle and Emma nearly say at the same time.

“Bloody wonderful torture devices if you ask me.”

“No one did,” Emma scowls, even if he can see her lip threatening to turn into a smile. This is not as bad as he thought it was going to be, even if he does think that he’s going to have to get into the water soon to hide his problem that is slowly arising. “So are we going to get in the water or what?”

He gently slaps the edge of her shoulder. “Taking the words right out of my mouth there, Swan.”

She leans in close to his ear, and he can feel her breath on her skin, a contrast of cool versus the warm ocean breeze. “Good. Then maybe you’ll stop talking because I think I’m about to go insane.”

“Like I said, love, two can play at this game.”

And even though he warred with whether or not he wanted to tease her, the pros and cons seemingly balancing out on if it’s worth or not, for the rest of the afternoon, the two of them set out to mess with each other as much as they possibly can. Emma never stops talking. Like, ever. She seems to talk about anything and everything as they settle into the water, floating around in the clear blue ocean with the occasional fish swimming between his legs. At one point she’s spent a solid thirty minutes talking about the fact that Outlander is now on Netflix and then describing the entire first season to Elsa and Belle and talking about having a girls’ night to watch it, and he thinks he’s about to dissolve into the ocean for how turned on he is.

The universe’s sense of humor is cruel.

So he does the only thing he can think of doing to make her stop talking. Like the grown man in his mid-thirties that he is, he splashes her with salt water, making sure that it’s enough to cover her face.

“What. The. Hell.” Emma mumbles, spitting the water out of her mouth as she gapes at him, green eyes widened and in full view without her sunglasses. “Why did you just do that?”

“I didn’t do anything. Sometimes the water has a mind of its own, you know? We are invading its space.”

Emma doesn’t say anything back, and he wonders if he’s rendered her speechless. That would be some kind of miracle, and he hopes that it’s true, that his childish plan worked.

But it very obviously didn’t as Emma slowly but surely wades over to him as their friends keep talking, obviously all choosing to ignore what happened until Emma splashes him, getting the water directly in his eyes so that it burns for him to keep them open.

“Bloody hell, woman.”

“What’s fair is fair,” she teases, and he can practically imagine the look on her face, the smirk on her pink lips, while he struggles to control himself and to be able to even see which only becomes more difficult when he feels a weight on his back, arms around his neck and smooth legs around his waist while breasts press into his shoulder blades as Emma attempts to pull him down into the ocean with her weight. “Personally, I think you should have seen this coming.”

He grunts in response, opening his eyes even if things are still a little blurry, and because he knows that Emma is trying to push him under the water and hasn’t quite succeeded yet, he grabs onto her calves and pulls them both down, submerging them into the cool water as Emma wiggles against him, slapping and kicking at his chest until he pushes them back up to the surface, gasping for air and shaking his hair out.

“You asshole,” she groans, falling off of him but still kicking her legs toward him to splash him with water.

“I did tell you I’d answer to that,” he teases as he chases after her as she swims away, finally catching up to her and grabbing onto her ankles to pull her back to him, their chests nearly touching while they both catch their breath, shoulders heaving and faces flushed red. Her hair has completely fallen out of her bun, the blonde curls dark and wild with the ocean water settling in them, and as he stares at the water that’s falling down her face, landing on her eyelashes and dropping to her cheeks and her lips, all he can think about is how much he wants to kiss her.

Her lips would probably be salty and a little dry from the day out in the sun, but her skin would be warm and soft. He knows that it is. He’s just touched it in all of their teasing and rough housing in the water like they’re kids. It was fun, enjoyable, and he doesn’t care that he’s going to get teased about it later by Liam and Will. He really doesn’t because all he can think about is what it would be like to move two inches and glide his lips over Emma’s as he succumbs to his desires.

It’s that thought that stops him even as he reaches forward and brushes some of her hair behind her ear so that it’s not falling in her eyes. Emma has been talking for so long, her voice louder than anything out here, and he’s been so turned on that he hasn’t known what to do. Whatever this is between them is most likely a product of that, of this idiotic connection they have with each other’s voices, even if it seems to not be working in the same way that it did on the day that they first met. It’s not as intense as it was then, even though it is still most definitely a problem, and all of the questions that he has continue to whirl around in his head to form even more.

And now he wonders if he actually wants to kiss her, if he actually does have these budding feelings for her, or if it’s all a product of the universe and all of their friends pushing them together.

He thinks that he truly does like her, that he might be ready to move on from his heartbreak, but whatever they become is up to her as much as it is to him.

So he won’t kiss her. Not today. Not when he doesn’t know what’s going on.

“You two are going to turn into prunes if you stay in the water much longer,” Belle supplies from the boat, a soft smile on her face. “And I think we’re about to eat.”

“We’ll be right there,” Emma yells back, her eyes never leaving him as they continue to search his face. “We should get back on the boat.”

“Aye, it’s just – ”

“You’ve got a little problem below deck,” she teases, some of the seriousness falling away from her gaze as she smiles.

“I’ll have you know that it’s quite a sizeable problem.”

“Whatever you say, Jones.”

The two of them do eventually get back on the boat and after he’s calmed himself down below deck (figuratively and literally) and changed into a set of dry shorts and pulled his button down back on, not bothering to close it as he settles down back at his spot on the bench next to Emma like he did earlier with everyone else already sitting down and eating. The rest of the afternoon is much calmer as his brother and his friends lead most of the conversation, he and Emma staying quiet. He’s not sure if maybe she’s being kind by not talking or if maybe she doesn’t want him to either so she’s not affected, but he thinks that it works for them as they only join in when necessary.

And at the end of the day when Liam is driving them back to shore, he feels soft hair on his neck and even softer skin pressing against his shoulder, so he twists his head to the side to see that Emma’s fallen asleep, little puffs of air passing through her lips as she’s curled up on the seat.

He smiles a bit to himself and adjusts his arm underneath her.

Maybe today was better than he thought it would be.

No, definitely.

#Not Your (soul)Mate #cs fic #cs ff #captain swan fic #captain swan

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writingpaperghost · 4 years

Text

I Would Offer It Happy With a Smile on My Face (Chapter 3)

Chapter 3: Even When We’re Fallen or When We’re Hurt

Asahi's starting to get the hang of this Earth. Starting.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/24860734/chapters/60289978

“Okay!” The sound shattered the peaceful silence in KPaRS’ main headquarters room. Gathered in it were the members of the main crew. The one who spoke was a their captain, Matsuoka. He was the oldest member of the crew and had been there the longest, though he’d deny his age whenever asked. All in good fun, everyone knew. The first thing one might notice if he weren’t in his uniform might be his light brown hair, but as it were now, his uniform is the first thing one would notice. It appeared a bit different than the normal uniform, it didn’t have a high collar, the stripes there went down the front and met the ones at the bottom and sides. It lacked the pockets that a normal uniform on the sides, and on his arm was a sort of band, yellow, red, and blue. He had his hands clasp together in front of him, a smile as he continued. “Now that we’re all here, we can begin our meeting.”

To one side were the two engineers, who’s appearance stood out the most compared to everyone else in the room. The first one, a woman named Chikako, had brown hair, pulled back into low twin pony tails, and she had bright blue eyes, covered by a pair of protective glasses.She wore tan overalls, with a tool belt around her waist, underneath green tank. She wore dark green finger less gloves that came up to about halfway to her elbow. Over her overalls was her uniform vest, which was much light the jacket that others wore, but with only one pocket over her chest.

The other engineer stood beside her, a man named Katsuhito, who looked far more casual in his demeanor. Light brown hair kept back in a low and short ponytail, he wore a uniform much like Chikako’s, though unlike her, he wore only the standard mechanics uniform for KPaRS. Tan overalls and dark shirt underneath with the uniform vest, the only part out of place was the top of his overalls, where the straps hung at his sides.

“Wouldn’t it have made more sense to have this meeting when the monsters started acting strange?” Katsuhito asked, shoving his hands into the pockets of her overalls.

Matsuoka smiled, “This meeting is partly about the Kaiju’s strange behavior, or at least what we can do about it, we’re still waiting on research from the conservation.” He looks over the group for a moment, “But let’s worry about that part for now.”

To the other side were the pilots and the singular member of Ground Support. There was Jun and besides Jun was Rin. Rin had reddish brown hair, shorter than Katsuhito’s but still a little long. Much like Jun, they wore KPaRS’ uniform, though they lacked the goggles, which were instead replaced with a green scarf that was loosely wrapped around their neck.

On the other side of Rin was Fuyuko, the single member of Ground Support, who’s duty was to ensure that citizens evacuated when a Kaiju came into the city. Fuyuko had black hair held up in a ponytail and dark skin, upon which one might notice a few scars that came mainly from debris. Her job was something of a dangerous one that put her near buildings that could be damaged or destroyed, after all. The most remarkable part of her uniform was her gloves and the utility belt around her waist, which held first aid materials and the like.

Rin spoke, “Do we have any idea why all the monsters suddenly started attacking like this?”

“Unfortunately,” Matsuoka sighed, slightly, “The researchers at the conservation have yet to be able to determine what has been agitating the Kaiju...”

“Well, we can’t just continue trying to deal with them as we have.” Fuyuko grumbles, “As it’s been, we can barely do anything!”

“Of course, Fuyuko, That brings me to my next point.” Matsuoka paused for a moment, then looks over to Katsuhito and Chikako, “The higher ups have asked that we begin to develop more... effective methods for chasing Kaiju out of the city.”

“More effective?” Chikako asked, barely hiding her skepticism, “We barely know why their doing these things! How are we supposed to make something that works better?! Just make some really strong guns!?”

Matsuoka’s often neutral face faltered, showing a slight degree of what might have been discomfort. He sighs slightly, but a proper response wasn’t necessary. It was easy to tell what he would say, they all had known that it would be a possibility since it became clear that the monster attack weren’t just a string of odd coincidences.

Katsuhito sighed, resignation clear on his face, “We’ll come up with something, won’t we, Chikako?”

“Don’t really have much of a choice, now do we?” She huffed, crossing her arms, her voice dripping in annoyance.

“It’s not ideal,” Matsuoka finally said, “But as far as they are concerned, if we can’t stop these attacks than they’ll just find someone who will. At least if we are the ones designing and using the methods we can at least try to lessen how much harm comes to the Kaijus.”

“Guess so,” Katsuhito sighed once again, rubbing his temple with one of his hands, the other slipping into his overall pockets once more.

“Great!” Their captain brought a smile to his face, though it appeared rather forced, “Now on to our next topic...”

“Which is?” Rin asked.

“The curious giant that has began to appear, so the so called ‘Ultrawoman Grigio’.”

An unusual commotion followed, a reaction that was odd for the group. But this was one of the few cases where people had different opinions. They all agreed that Kaijus shouldn’t just be killed, even if they were rampaging. They all couldn’t agree about what to think of Ultrawoman Grigio.

“I think it’s pretty clear that she’s got something to do with the monsters.” Jun growled, “Obviously, she has to behind them.”

Beside her, Rin looked less sure. “Well, I don’t know about that,” They muttered, “But she does help deal with the Kaiju, and with less violence. It makes our lives a lot easier.”

“Hah!” Katsuhito laughed, “Okay, but Jun’s gotta be right. She’s clearly behind the monsters!”

Chikako shrugs, “I don’t care what’s she’s up to, I’m more curious as to where she came from. She just sort of showed up, after all.”

Fuyuko seemed to hold more of an opinion than Chikako, “In the two attacks since Grigio appeared, there was way less damage and civilian injuries.” She’d know, after all. She was the one of them that was on the ground in the thick of those sort of things.

Then there’s Matsuoka, who watches passively. He doesn’t seemed horribly bugged by the conversation, though he seems to have a smile upon his face. He crosses his arms and continues to watch, ready to intervene in case the discussion escalated into an argument.

Regardless, that Grigio was certainly interesting...

---

Asahi really never knew what to do with herself. Sometimes, when Tomomi needed help, she took photos for him. But outside of that and dealing with Kaijus - and a Kaiju hasn’t shown up since Gomess and that was about a week before - she didn’t exactly have a lot to do. She’d read some of the books that Tomomi had lying around his apartment, but that was honestly starting to get old.

She explored the city more for a few days, but at this point, she’d explored about as much as she could. A good part of one of the days was spent with Tomomi looking for clothes so she actually had something to wear other than what she arrived in. But she still didn’t know what to do with the rest of her excessive free time.

She couldn’t really try to find a job, since she didn’t actually exist in this universe. So she’s left with little to do throughout the day. If Tomomi was there, she’d be able to talk to him, though there was only so much to talk about. But right now, she was alone in the apartment, with one of Tomomi’s books laying by her side.

She was sooooo bored.

This Earth wasn’t that different from her own, but she was already finding differences. She wasn’t seen a sign of Aizen Tech, which was pretty weird to her, but fine since she seemed to remember that Makoto Aizen was a bit of a kook who caused her brothers a lot of trouble.

But then this Earth had it’s own really important events! She was going through a few a Tomomi’s non fiction books and multiple times she found reference to things called “The Awakening” and “The Terrible Fights” or other similar titles. While she was able to learn from one of the books that The Awakening was a time period where a bunch of slumbering Kaiju awoke, resulting in the world they were in now, where Kaijus were essentially giant animals. She’d have to ask Tomomi about The Terrible Fights, because that sounded very bad.

But none of this solved her current boredom.

She could go to the park! That’s a great idea, Asahi decided. There was a park that wasn’t very far from where Tomomi’s apartment, she’d found it when she exploring a few days before. Yeah, that’s a great idea.

So a few minutes later, Asahi walked around the park, taking in her surroundings. There wasn’t much special about the park, but it was nice and rather peaceful. Or as peaceful as a public park in the middle of the day could be. But someone catches her eye, though she isn’t sure why. There was a man on a bench, his head tilted backwards. His eyes appeared to be closed, though Asahi doubted that he was actually asleep.

Asahi moves over and sits on the other half of the bench. Being closer allowed her to see the vest that he wore, which seemed vaguely familiar. It was like the jacket of the KPaRS pilot, Jun, but as a sort of vest. He must work for KPaRS too, though maybe not in the same way as Jun did.

When she sits down, he opens an eye and looks over at her, an eyebrow arched curiously. “Are you okay?” She asked.

The man moved his head forward, turning it to look at her. He seemed a bit surprised, though he might have been hiding it. “Why do you care?”

Asahi digs her hand into her cardigan pocket, grabbing one of her candies. Those, thankfully, were something that didn’t change between her Earth and this one. She pulls her hand out and opens it, presenting the candy. “Candy?” She offers, “They’re really happy!”

The man looks hesitant, eyeing the candy and then her with suspicion. He raised his hand, slowly and hesitantly, then carefully takes the candy from her hand. He examines the wrapper, sniffs it as if to determine the flavor, than slowly unwraps the candy. She plops it in his mouth.

“Thank you,” He says, careful to make sure his words are understandable.

“You’re welcome!” She beams, “You seemed really preoccupied, so I thought that maybe something was on your mind?”

The man sucked on the candy for a moment, eyeing her. Then he says, “As you can probably tell, I work for KPaRS. Given the past week or so, being a bit stressed is a given.”

“Oh...” Asahi thinks for a moment, “What do you do?”

The man smiles, “I’m an engineer,” He explained, “And given the fact that Kaijius have been rampaging for almost no reason, so I kinda am one of the ones that need to figure out what to use to stop them.”

“Ah, like better nets or something?”

He scoffs, “Better nets. I wish.” He grumbles, “But the higher ups have decided that no. Having better pacification and containment measures isn’t enough, we need to use actual freaking weapons.”

He waves his hands about his head, eyes closed as he continues to gripe, “I mean, shit! Let’s not care that these Kaijus are sentient and have feelings and such like humans do!” He adjusts his vest, “Or that it’s our job to try to protect the Kaijus as much as people! That doesn’t matter the second that it starts being an inconvenience to everyone else!”

Asahi winced.

“Oh,” The man saw, “I’m sorry, I get a bit...”

“Passionate?”

He laughs, “Yeah,”

“I’m sure you’ll figure it out,” Asahi said, looking towards the sky, “I mean, there’s got to be a way that you could create something more effective than what you’ve been working with, but not super lethal...”

She waves her hands, a clear enthusiasm in her movements, “Because killing Kaijus is a really unhappy thing to do.” She thinks for a moment, returning her gaze to the man, “Maybe something like a stun gun? I dunno...”

The man looks at her and doesn’t respond immediately, then he sighs, “Maybe...” Then he thinks some more. “You might be on to something...”

“Oh...” Asahi hadn’t actually expected that. “Er, well, I don’t know about that...”

“No really! I’ll have to think about it and talk to me coworker... but it could work.” He actually looks pretty excited, all things considered. “Ah, I’m Katsuhito Yoshioka.”

“Nice to meet you!” She smiles in response, “I’m Asahi Minato.”

Katsuhito checked his watch, then stood up quickly. “Shit! I have to go!” He starts to leave, then quickly turns around and adds, “It was great talking to you!”

Well, that was an interesting conversation.

---

Asahi was back at Tomomi’s apartment talking with Tomomi. Or it was more like Tomomi was talking about his day, because Asahi hadn’t had much happen, other than her conversation with Katsuhito. It was during this talking that the TV, which had been set to the news with the volume low, caught her attention.

There was a Kaiju attack, the screen showing footage. The Kaiju had two large horns, which curled into hooks at the ends and it’s mouth was beak-like. It’s arms and legs appeared to be layered in a manner similar to a pine cone, it’s hands were sort of pincer like. Asahi thought it looked kinda silly.

“Oh, great,” She said, “A Kaiju.”

“An Eletrikzaurus,” Tomomi informs her, “True to it’s name, it can send an electrical current through it’s body, shocking anyone who touches it.”

“That’s fine, I don’t need to touch it to fight it,”

“It’s horns can fire a beam and it’s hands might be able to detach. Not sure on that one though.”

“...” Asahi was silent for a moment, “That’s a little harder to deal with, but I’ll manage.”

She heads towards the door, waving to Tomomi, “Okay, gonna go fight this Kaiju, bye!”

“Good luck!” He calls back. Asahi runs through the hallways, trying to get out of the complex as quick as possible. She needed to get outside to transform, first. When she reaches the street, she pulls out her Gyro.

“Color me with your power, Grigio!”

Like with Gomess, Eletrikzaurus quickly brought it’s attention to her, instead of continuing to focus on the building he was swatting at. Grigio began to review what she knew. Okay, be careful if she touches it, it could shock her. But it could also definitely shoot her with a beam, and maybe detach it’s hands. She could probably dodge the beam, so it would probably be best to keep a distance.

She summons her bow and starts to fire arrows at the monster. Really, that seemed to work pretty well, so she figured she would keep up with that tactic.

---

Katsuhito watched the screens as they showed Grigio fighting the Kaiju. She was staying far away, shooting it with her arrow. Somehow, she knew enough about the Kaiju to avoid risking to get shocked. Either someone told her... or maybe she knew since she was the one causing them to attack? Somehow, despite his earlier thoughts, right now, watching Grigio, Katsuhito doubted that.

Well, that doesn’t matter right now, he was instead finishing his design. Like the girl, Asahi, had suggested before, it was essentially a taser. It would be able to shoot a power electrical shot. Jun and Rin would have to be careful not to miss, or at least not to hit anything with people or electrical devices in it.

“Oooh,” Chikako coos from over his shoulder, “That looks cool! You think the higher ups will be okay with it?”

“I hope so,”

---

The fight was going fine, at least for a while. But now! Now Eletrikzaurus has started dodging her arrows, even her Grigio Scatter Shots! Fine! She’d have to change her tactics, though she was still trying to figure out the best way. She might need to get close though, since she only had a few more ways to attack the monster. She’d need to weaken it like she did with Gomess, then she could tie it up.

Wait, what is it doing? Up at it’s horns, something was forming... Where did Tomomi say it could fire beams from? Didn’t he say the...

Crap... Eletrikzaurus prepared to fire a beam from it’s curved horns. Grigio could try to stop it with a barrier or she could try to dodge it instead. But if she did that, the building behind her would get hit! But she couldn’t tank the hit either, so that seemed to leave only one option.

“Grigio Barrier!” She managed to bring up a barrier just in time to stop the beam. Right, now she had an opening, or at least she hoped she did. She runs forward and tried to punch the monster.

Technically, she did succeed in punching it, really, it did little to try to stop her. What it did do, was electrocute her when she hit it. Grigio stumbles back, clutching her hand, but still tingling a bit all around. Shit.She didn’t expect it to be able to electrocute her so quickly.

Maybe she’d done enough damage to use Grigio Shot? Though she wasn’t frankly all that sure... Even though she’d put distance between her and Eletrikzaurus, she saw something coming towards her. She raises her arms to cover her head, and then the monsters hands hit her. But the monster itself was still a ways away. Well, that answered the question of whether it could detach it’s hands or not.

She swats the hands - if they could really be called that - away, sort of punching them while they were in the air. They flew back to the monster, reattaching in it’s wrists. Right. That’s a thing it does.

Alright, maybe she could just finish this fight? Her color timer began to flash and beep, so that seemed to answer her question. She positioned her arms and aimed and Eletrikzaurus. “Grigio Shot!”

The monster stumbles back, then she uses her Grigio Bind, tying it up. She waits a moment to make sure that it didn’t break free. Once she was sure, she smiles to herself and leaves, happy to let KPaRS to handle it from there.

---

“Okay! Where could that portal possibly lead to?” Katsumi, as the oldest of the Minato siblings, had long since learned how to be calm under pressure. Or at least as calm as he possibly could.

Isami was doing a considerably worse job at appearing calm. Which is to say, he did not appear calm at all. Instead, he paced around the Minato’s living room. “I don’t know. We’ve searched everywhere we could think of... and she’d be able to come home herself! Unless something happened...”

“We’re... we’re not getting anywhere with this, are we?”

Their mom walked in, standing with her arms crossed, “You’re really not.”

“Mom!” Isami yelped, “Have you found anything?”

“Nothing for sure, but I’m sure we’ll find her. And I’m sure she’s fine. She is an Ultra like the two of you.”

“Yeah,” Katsumi notes, “But she’s not as good at fighting. If something happens...”

“We’ll just have to trust she’ll be fine,” Their mother moved over to them, rubbing their backs. “We’ll find her. I’m sure where ever she is, she’s safe.”

---

“So it turns out Eletrikzaurus can totally detach it’s hands.” Asahi says to Tomomi when she returns to the apartment.

“So it turns out.”Asahi's starting to get the hang of this Earth. Starting.

#ultraman rb #my writing #i would offer it happy with a smile on my face #waiting at the end of the road is happiness

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ladyshandioftheendless · 5 years

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~KISS AU writings 23~

The end is here, KISS fam and it’s a long one!! Thank you so much for reading my crazy stories~ I hope you all enjoyed!

~Shandi

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~MODEL AU Part 10~

Featured Pairing: Bruce Kulick/Paul Stanley

Special Guests: Peter Criss, Vinnie Vincent, Gene Simmons, Mick Mars, Vince Neil, Heather McMann (OC created by @misslivvie ~)

Summary: As Bruce and Paul start a relationship together, an old friend comes back into Paul’s life~ (told from Bruce’s POV)

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The sun would be up soon.

I gently stroke Paul’s hair. He’d fallen asleep holding me tightly with his head laying on my chest and he’d never left my side throughout the night. Being with him makes me feel…I just don’t have to words to describe how good I feel. I lay there thinking of his loving kisses and soft touches. The way he watched me undress. The loud moans of my name as he climaxed. It was perfect..just like him~ I hated moving him but I slowly lay him on his back so I can get up and make coffee.

Paul’s going to have quite an interesting day today. Dinner with his boss and his ex? It has to be stressing him out a little, even if he doesn’t want to worry me by showing it. I want to do something for him to ease his tension for tonight, but I’m not sure what. Maybe it will come to me over coffee. As the scent of drifts everywhere I hear my bedroom door finally open. Paul comes out dressed only in his robe, yawning and rubbing his eyes. “Mmmm..that smells heavenly~” I pull him close and kiss his forehead. “It should be ready soon. Why don’t you get yourself all prettied up? I want to take you out today~”

“Oh~? What’s the occasion~?”

“No occasion..I just wanna spoil you~”

“Are you sure~? I might get used to it~”

“Would that be so bad~?”

“Well haven’t you heard? I’m a selfish, bitchy diva~ All I do is shop and complain about my weight~”

“I also heard that you’re incredibly beautiful~”

“Careful..all that flattery might go to my head~”

“I’ll risk it~”

I kiss him again and go to make our coffee while he goes into the bathroom. I think that was a really good start to the day~

After we’ve both showered, changed and had breakfast I take him to Rodeo Drive where he could shop until his heart was content. It was adorable watching him fawn over clothes, makeup and jewelry. He was just so wonderfully, uniquely feminine~ It also amazed me how much he knew about fashion, how he could tell one brand from another or how he could spot a counterfeit from 10 miles away. It just proved my point that there was so much more to him than his appearance. While in the Dolce & Gabbana store he starts looking over various suits with great interest. “Brucie..when’s the last time you were fitted for a suit?” I’m a little taken aback by the question. He’s not thinking what I think he’s thinking..is he? “Um..I’m not sure. The last time I wore a suit was for my brother’s wedding so..its been a few years.” He shakes his head vigorously. “Oh no that just won’t do. If you’re going to parties with me I’m going to make sure no one else gives you dirty looks ever again.” I couldn’t possibly! The least expensive suit in this store costs over $2,000! “Paul, NO.”

“Yes, Brucie~”

“These prices are outrageous!”

“Only the best for my Photopup~”

I obviously no longer have a say in the matter. He’s already called someone over to take my measurements. I guess I’m going to have myself a nice fancy suit for the next party~

Back at my place Paul tries on some of his new clothes, asking for my opinion on how he looks. He should know better. I’m absolutely biased~ One outfit however looks particularly fetching. A black tank top under a purple off the shoulder top made from the finest lace, black leather pants and glittery purple boots. With heels of course~ “That’s perfect~ Wear that tonight~” He smiles and kisses me. “Thank you, Brucie~ Will you do me a favor while I freshen up? Time me?” I raise an eyebrow. “Why?” He blushes and looks away. “People are always telling me I take too long to get ready. I want to try to..not do that as much..” I laugh and kiss him again. “How about this? I give you a time limit and see if you can stick to it?” I look at my watch. “It’s 4:00 now and your dinner’s at 7:00. Think you can get ready in an hour?”

“A-an hour..? I don’t know..”

“Okay I’ll go easy for your first time. Hour and a half.”

“I can try..”

“Good! Your time starts now! Off with ya!”

He makes an adorable squeak and heads off to the bathroom. I love him so much~ I keep a close eye on my watch while he’s in the bathroom. I hear the door open at around 5:15. He comes back into the living room looking amazing. I knew he could do it~ “Congratulations, you beat your time limit~”

“Oooh do I get a reward~?”

“Later tonight~”

He pouts. “You’re gonna make me wait?”

“I don’t wanna mess you up before your dinner date~”

“Fair enough~”

We sit on the couch and watch one of his favorite tv shows before he decides it’s time to leave. “You’re going to be fine~” I tell him, kissing his cheek before he goes out the door. I still worry for him as I watch him drive away, but I know he’ll call me if anything happens.

He doesn’t come back until well after midnight. I hear him come into my room, undress and get into bed with me. He rubs my shoulders and kisses my ear. “I’m home, baby~”

“Mm..did you have fun..?”

“It was wonderful~”

“I’m glad.. Sorry..I can’t give you your reward tonight..”

“It’s okay..you have plenty of time to make it up to me~”

I turn so I can hold him, and we fall asleep in each other’s arms.

As the months pass Paul and I only grow closer. He spends so much time at my place he practically lives there~ I continue taking photos as a freelancer for Catwalk. Mr. Criss never hires me officially but I don’t mind. It just means I can be close to Paul without worrying about being fired~ One August afternoon while we’re doing a shoot in the studio Mr. Criss comes in carrying a gold envelope. “We’ve been invited to a birthday party.” Paul becomes ecstatic. “Oh yes, Vinnie’s birthday is this weekend! You’re gonna tell him we’re going right? It’s only one of the biggest fashion social events of the season!!” Mr. Criss rolls his eyes. “I suppose I am. You’ll bitch at me for weeks if we don’t go.”

“Damn right I will~”

“Yeah yeah I’ll do it. Get back to work, Diva Star.”

“Yes, sir~”

Looks like I’m finally getting an opportunity to wear that expensive suit that’s been sitting in my closet for months.

Sunday night Mr. Criss drives us to Vinnie’s Malibu beach mansion for his birthday party. Paul and I sit in the back seat together so we can hold hands. “You look so good in that suit, Brucie~ Do you like the cuff links I bought you~?” I smile and adjust my sleeves so I can admire them again. They were smooth turquoise stones set in silver. “I swear you’re trying to spoil me rotten. These are really too much~” He giggles. “Oh, hush up and let me spend money on you~ I haven’t had a good boyfriend in a long time~” Mr. Criss sighs loudly. “Will you two shut up before you give me diabetes?” We laugh. It’s nice to know he’s not serious all the time~

We’re lucky to find a parking space once we get there. The property is packed with cars for miles around. One of the biggest social events? Looks like THE biggest to me. I suddenly start feeling a little anxious. I’ve never been around this many people before. Paul squeezes my hand. “Hey~ If you start feeling like it’s too much we can always go.” I nod and smile. I love that he understands~ We go inside, weaving through the crowd to look for Vinnie. Fortunately he always dresses in gold so he’s incredibly easy to find~ We finally find him by the bar getting his glass refilled with champagne. A taller man dressed all in black leather and a copious amount of silver jewelry stood beside him with his arm around his waist. Paul’s curiosity is immediately piqued. “Vinnieeeeee~ Who is this and why haven’t you introduced me to him yet~?” Vinnie turns with a smile on his face, welcoming Paul with a long hug.” The gold glitter on his eyelids and lips make him look fantastic~ “Paulie, I’m so glad you finally made it~!” He comes over to hug me. “Lovely to see you again too, Bruce~”

“Thank you, Vinnie~ Happy birthday~”

“Oh, thank you~ It’s so nice to have all my friends here tonight~”

Paul motions to the guy in leather again. “So who’s this friend~?”

“Mmph I’m being so rude aren’t I? This is Gene~ I met him while on a trip to Israel last month~ Isn’t he gorgeous~?”

Paul can barely contain his excitement. “He’s a dream! Is he your boyfriend?!” Vinnie’s blush is all the confirmation he needs. He covers his mouth to keep from squealing too loudly. “Oh, Vinnie I’m so happy for you! What do you do, Gene~?”

“Fashion designer. I’m hoping to showcase some of my new styles in the U.S.”

“Ooh I’m intrigued~ If you need a model give me a call~”

“I’ve found one already but I could always use more~”

“Really? Who?”

“Take a guess, Paulie~”

That voice makes our blood go cold. Vince Neil stands behind us with the same cocky smirk he had at the last party. If he was here to start trouble with Paul again I wasn’t going to have it.

“Sorry, Paulie. Once again you’re stuck with second place~”

Paul crosses his arms. “Maybe so..but you can’t sleep your way to the top with him.” Vinnie clears his throat loudly. “Pardon me but I will not having anyone starting fights during my birthday party. Take it outside if you must.” Paul just turns and goes to the bar for a drink. “I’m perfectly fine, thank you. I’m just here to have a good time.” Vince is glaring daggers now. If there’s one thing he hates it’s being ignored. “Are you afraid to face me? Why don’t we go outside? It’ll save ya from being humiliated again~!” I’m just about to give him another piece of my mind when a woman’s loud voice cuts me off.

“EXCUSE ME!!”

Annoyed, Vince turns to her. “What do you want, bi–!!” He doesn’t even finish his sentence before she decks him right in the face! He hits the floor, making everything screech to an abrupt halt. The woman flips her blonde hair with a satisfied look on her face before looking around. “What? None of you can tell me he didn’t have it coming.” With no one coming forward to disagree, the party just continued as usual. Mr. Criss stands beside her with his arms crossed, and right next to him is Mr. Mars. “I think your boy needs some help, Mick. Why don’t you take him home? He’s already had too much.” Nodding, Mr. Mars picks Vince up off the floor and carries him to the door. “That’ll teach ya to open your big fat trap next time won’t it?” I hear him say. It probably won’t but we’ll just have to see~ Paul looks at the woman in shock. “H-Heather..?” That name sounds familiar. I'm sure we've met before. She snorts. “Oh, you remember my name? Miracle of miracles! Now come over here and gimme a hug, you idiot~!” Paul laughs and hugs her tightly. “Of course I remember! It’s so good to see you again..it’s been so long! Where have you been?”

“Oh, I went out of the country for a while to ‘find myself’ or whatever you wanna call it. While doing some makeup work in Milan I happened to stumble into in one of Vinnie’s fashion circles, and when he invited me to his party I figured what the hell? I had no idea you were here too, but Peter ran into me and brought me over~” With tears in his eyes he hugs her again. “I’m so glad he did~” I smile and rub his back. “O-oh..um..Heather you remember Bruce. He’s my boyfriend now~” She smiles at me and shakes my hand. “Nice to meet you officially~ Any friend of Paul’s is a friend of mine..but listen, tall, dark and handsome..I love Paul here like a brother. If you disrespect him in any way I won’t have any problems punching your lights out too.” She laughs to lighten the mood but I know that she means it. I spend the rest of the night with Paul as he catches up with Heather, who agrees to come back as Paul’s makeup artist. He’s overjoyed at the news and I love watching every moment~ We watch Gene lead Vinnie out to the middle of the floor and dance a special waltz with him for his birthday present. For the first time in our lives Paul and I don’t have a worry in the world.

We have each other~

~END~

#Shandi's drabbles #KISS AU writings #Supermodel StarChild~#things reach a VERY interesting conclusion~#enjoy!!#sorry for not elaborating on the dinner #perhaps in a side story~

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matrixaffiliate · 5 years

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Descry

New Story! FFN and AO3

Lily Luna is two years out of Hogwarts and still trying to figure out what's next in her life. Thankfully, an old friend happens to have an idea, and she's going to run into him at a pet shop of all places.

From this post by @prsephonies, for @thisismegz, who wanted a Lily Luna story. One-shot. Lily/Lysander fulff story.

Descry

It started because Lily had been in a second-hand store and found an old copy of one of the thousands of versions of Romeo and Juliet. She thought it would be a good laugh as she spent another night, alone, by herself, in solitude.

But for half a quid she'd have a thirty-year-old take on a 400-year-old play so she went with it.

Lily had finished Hogwarts two years ago and had no idea what she wanted to do. She'd interned with her mum for a few months, but she just didn't love writing enough to do it for a living. Then, at her mother's insistence, her dad let her tag along a bit, to see if maybe being an Auror like her brother Teddy would catch her fancy. It hadn't - both her dad and Teddy were relieved at that. James had stepped in at that point, took her to work where he designed brooms, and while it was cool to see the process, Lily was bored after a few hours. Finally, Al had taken her on a couple of Muggle university tours, but Lily is pretty sure that Al finding his girlfriend, Ellie, while in university has a lot to do with his enthusiasm for continuing education.

She'd shadowed just about everyone in the family, and come back feeling more lost than she had when she'd walked off the Hogwarts Express for the last time.

And so today, with the old DVD of Romeo and Juliet in hand, Lily went back to her parent's home. Her parents had gone on a week-long holiday and Lily realized two nights into it that it wasn't quite as much fun as she thought it would be to have the big house to herself. It probably would have been more fun if she'd had friends to have over, but all of Lily's friends from school had long since moved on in their lives, leaving Lily to fend for herself.

Lily had seen other productions of Romeo and Juliet, and this one had only taken liberties with the setting, putting it in a slightly more modern scene, but that had led to the one scene that really stuck out to her. The scene where Romeo and Juliet find each other on the other side of the aquarium at the Capulet party just felt so...

So natural, organic, the way it should be.

Lily had dated at Hogwarts, had even thought she was in love for a while, but since leaving Hogwarts she'd more or less fallen off the train. She'd looked into some of the Muggle dating apps, but she felt like such a baby on there. She wanted to meet someone on the other side of a fish tank and let something special grow. She envied how Teddy and Vic, and Jamie and Allie, had found each other in Hogwarts, had known it was right, and now were living their happily ever after.

Lily just felt so alone.

So after turning everything off in the house's Muggle room, the room where the TV and smartphones and laptops worked and we're protected from magic, Lily went to bed, trying to figure out what she'd do tomorrow. Lily usually watched Dom's little girls, but Dominique and her husband had taken the family to France and so Lily was out of a job for the remainder of the week. As she slipped into sleep, Lily decided she was going to get an aquarium, just like the one in the movie.

The next morning, Lily rolled back the crazy a bit and settled on simply getting a fish. Nothing too exotic, and nothing magical, she just wanted something that would help her feel a little less alone, remind her of the scene she liked so much from the movie, and she wasn't sure her parents would go for a surprise cat or dog when they got home from their holiday. But a fish, that would stay in her room and wouldn't randomly start talking to them and would stay contained in its bowl seemed like something she could pass off alright.

It didn't take too long to locate a local pet store and Lily set out with a bit of a spring in her step.

The store was decently large and Lily happily wandered around the whole building looking at the different supplies they had for dogs and cats, hamsters and guinea pigs, reptiles and amphibians, and of course, fish.

It was when she made it to the rows of fish tanks full of different species of fish that she felt like she was being watched. But she didn't notice anyone paying attention to her when she looked around. Lily tried to brush it off, she'd grown up with the wizarding world's most suspicious member after all - and for how many people had tried to kill her dad, she didn't blame him. So she went back to focusing on finding a fish.

Lily stopped in front of several smaller tanks all labeled 'Betta Fish' and grinned. This was exactly what she wanted! The beautiful long fins looked like the skirts she'd seen in pictures of Spanish dancers. She was caught up reading the description when a face appeared on the other side of the water.

Lily blinked and looked closer at the smiling man standing opposite of her, he looked familiar, but it couldn't be...

"Lysander?"

"I thought it was you!" Lysander grinned and then proceeded to crawl under the aquariums to be on the same side of the aisle as her.

He then pulled Lily into a hug. "How have you been, Lils?"

"I, alright," Lily didn't remember Lysander being one to hug much and the contact shocked her, "but what about you?"

"I've been great!" He released the hug but kept his arm around her shoulders. "Are you busy? I'd love to catch up and I know a place just over the next street we could grab a cuppa and something to eat."

"That sounds great," Lily felt the eagerness bubbling up in her chest. She hadn't hung out with someone her own age in months.

Lily found out Lysander had been working in the family business of Magical Creatures the past two years. Lily envied him, as she did the majority of their old friends. They were living life while she was still trying to figure out where her life was going. But Lysander was living her original dream, and that made her a bit greener than she felt with the rest of her old friends.

"I'm so glad I ran into you," Lysander grinned at her again. "But enough about me, what have you been up to?"

Lily looked down at her tea. "Er, well, I help Dom out by watching her girls during the workday."

"Really?" Lysander's voice was full of surprise and Lily cringed.

She knew what he was thinking. When they'd been taking their NEWTS she had dreams of grandeur. But those dreams had fallen through before they'd even stepped on the train home.

"It's helping her out, and I really love her girls," Lily continued to stare down at her tea and now empty plate.

"Lily," he reached out and covered her hand with his and Lily almost turned her hand around to hold it, "I know it's not much, but Lorcan felt absolutely awful when it all fell apart."

Lily sighed, "I don't blame him anymore Lys. We had childhood sweethearts all around us growing up and I can see how he felt a lot of pressure to live that narrative. Not to mention that your mum is my godmother, and our relationship meant a lot to her and my mum. I just wish he would have been willing to say something sooner."

"You and me both," Lysander muttered.

She and Lorcan had dated their whole seventh year. They'd made plans to find a place together after they finished school. They were going to go on expeditions for Rolf and Luna together and see the world. Lily had taken to the field of magiczoolology with a passion, just like the Scamander twins and she'd wanted nothing more than to spend her life researching and learning and helping these creatures.

Until Lorcan admitted he didn't love her.

Lily had never been more grateful to be in different houses than him in her whole life. But in her heartbreak, she'd sworn off anything to do with magiczoology. It felt too painful and reminded her of everything she thought she and Lorcan had and what it had cost to have him admit that he'd never meant it when he said he loved her.

"It's alright Lys." She smiled, "I'm over it now and I don't hate him. I sent him an owl about a year ago when I finally gained some peace about the whole thing."

Lysander nodded as he moved his hand from hers to sip his tea, "He showed me, I'm glad you've moved on."

Lily chuckled and tried to ignore how cold her hands felt by grabbing her cup as well, "I've moved on in the sense that I'm over your twin, but dating is a pain in the arse."

Lysander perked up considerably before seeming to mellow in the same instant. "Yeah, you can't really meet someone taking care of a couple of toddlers."

"Or living at home," Lily admitted, a bit embarrassed to say it out loud but she'd always been able to talk to Lys about anything, even the relationship with his brother. That had been one of the hardest parts of the break up with Lorcan, she'd lost Lysander in the mess as well.

She'd never been able to get over that.

"We should hang out more," Lysander bumped her knee with his.

"I'd like that," Lily felt her chest warm.

"How about tonight?"

Lily thought his voice shook with the question, but his face didn't betray any nervousness.

"Sure," Lily felt the desire to reach out and take his hand but ignored it.

He didn't think about her that way, and she needed to not let herself start to think about him that way. She'd lost Lys once, she wasn't going to risk losing him again.

"Brilliant," Lysander's smile managed to grow wider. "I've got a few more shops to check in on for Dad and then Mum needs me to look over a paper for the Quibbler she's working on but after that I'm free."

"Do you just want to swing by my parents' place when you're done?" Lily stood and drained her cup.

"Perfect, I'll bring some takeaway," he walked with her to the pavement before pulling her into a hug again. "Merlin, Lils, I'm so happy I ran into you."

Lily let herself lean into him and wondered what changed to make Lys a hugger, he gave amazing hugs now.

"Me too," she smiled up at him, "I'll see you in a few hours?"

"You can count on it." And he rested his head on hers for a moment.

Lily was taken back by how different it felt to be wrapped in Lysander's arms to Lorcan's. The twins had always seemed so different to her, she never understood how people got them confused. And especially now, everything felt different between the two. When she'd been with Lorcan, his hugs always felt sweet, like a sugar quill. But Lysander's hug felt deeper somehow, almost possessive, and it made Lily's heart beat faster.

She tried to push that sensation away for the rest of the day. And after deciding that she'd pick herself up a fish another day, Lily busied herself by making biscuits the Muggle way and then cleaning it all up the Muggle way. But even with the distraction, Lily found herself wondering about the way Lysander had hugged her, had held her hand for a moment, had bumped her knee.

They'd been friends for their whole lives, but he'd never been one to touch her much.

Lily had to work hard to ignore the way his touch had made her breathless and to not keep replaying it in her head.

After what felt like another year Lysander stepped through the grate in the sitting room.

"Lils," he grinned when she walked in. He dusted the soot from the bag he was carrying. "I hope you still like falafel."

"You, you remembered?"

"Of course I remember," he pushed passed her toward the kitchen.

Lily followed feeling almost bemused.

"Here," he handed her her paper-wrapped falafel pita. "I had them put extra spicy sauce on it."

"Thanks," Lily took her dinner gladly, hoping eating would keep her from doing anything stupid. "How did it go at the other stores?"

"Good, I didn't find any magical creatures hiding, and Mum's article should be great." He bumped her knee with his. "But how was the rest of your day?"

"It, it was good," Lily grabbed a napkin, "I made biscuits."

Lysander perked up, "Really?"

Lily flicked her wand and brought the container over, "Grandma Weasley's ginger snaps."

"Merlin, Lils, these are amazing," Lysander grinned as he ate the biscuit in two quick bites.

Lily wasn't sure why she blushed and tried to hide behind her dinner.

They chatted easily after that as they finished dinner and snacked on the batch of ginger snaps.

"I've missed you," Lysander said quietly after the conversation had lulled for a moment.

Lily felt her heart rate pick up again. "I missed you too. Honestly," she looked down at the dwindling batch of biscuits, "after I'd gotten over everything with Lorcan, I was still sad that it had lost me you too."

Lysander was quiet for a moment before grabbing her hand. "Let's go sit on the sofa."

Lily felt his touch like a steaming mug of tea, warm, comforting, secure, and she followed willingly as Lysander pulled her into the sitting room.

"Lily," he sighed as she sat next to him, "I'm not lying when I say that I'm happy I ran into you, I'm so happy, but Lils, I don't want to go back to where we were before."

"Lys..."

"Hold on, let me explain, I'm going to lose my nerve if I don't do this all at once."

Lily nodded him on, trying to keep from smiling at one of their old arguments. He always argued that as a Ravenclaw he wasn't as inclined to jump headfirst into unknown territory. Lily always brought up his mum to shut down his excuses.

Lys took a deep breath, "I suppose I should start at the beginning. In fifth year I started to fancy you. But I told myself that our friendship was more important and so I ignored it. I didn't let myself do anything to encourage those feelings, and I didn't tell anyone."

"Not even Lorcan?" Lily frowned.

"Contrary to popular belief, twins don't always share every single detail of their lives with each other." Lysander smiled at her. "But that backfired on me in seventh year when Lorcan came over to my table during lunch one day and told me he fancied you and was going to ask you to Hogsmeade. I couldn't very well tell him to bugger off and let me have a go, so I kept quiet. I kicked myself royally when you two went official and started making plans to spend your lives together, but when Lorcan called it all off, I felt responsible, like if I had been willing to tell him I fancied you back in fifth year, maybe he wouldn't have asked you to Hogsmeade in seventh."

Lysander's tone had shifted dramatically to a seriousness she'd never heard before.

"I hated thinking that you were in pain because I'd been a coward."

"Lys..."

"I'm almost done," he cut her off. "I've determined I won't be a coward when it comes to you anymore though. I'm glad I ran into you because I want to ask you for a chance at what I've wanted for four years. I know it could be weird since Lorcan and I are identical but as much as I loved our friendship, I can't be only your friend anymore. I want to build us into something more."

"You're not identical."

Lily heard the words before registering that they had come from her mouth. Her mind was racing so fast her brain had allowed words to happen without preview. But the statement was true so she ran with it.

"I've always been able to tell the two of you apart, you aren't identical to me."

Lysander nodded slowly but remained silent.

Lily felt like her whole body was on overdrive. Her mind raced with questions and her heartbeat felt erratic as she tried to get control of her breathing.

"You never touched me because you fancied me." Was what she finally managed to blurt out.

Lysander frowned, "I suppose I didn't touch you, did I? You're probably right, but I don't know if my fifteen-year-old brain knew that's what was going on."

"I like you touching me," Lily internally cringed. She was waxing stupid as opposed to eloquent in all this. "I mean..."

"So, this would be alright?" Lysander cut her off and took her hand in his, interlacing their fingers.

The sensation of their hands intertwined left Lily breathless and she nodded at Lysander to keep from embarrassing herself further.

"And this?" Lysander brought his other hand to her face and tucked her hair behind her ear.

Lily swallowed as her face burned at the brush of his fingertips.

"I spent all afternoon trying to convince myself this wouldn't be how you felt." Lily whispered, "I told myself I was imagining it and would ruin everything if I let myself dwell on it."

Lysander leant closer to her, his breath mingling with hers, "I've never been as close to hating my brother as I was when he kissed you in front of me, but I hated myself more because I wasn't brave enough to act before he did."

Lily felt her breath lock in her chest as Lysander brought his hand back to her face.

"Lys," she managed to whisper but nothing else came out as the last of her breath left her.

Lysander moved slowly, his fingers brushing her cheek, down to her chin, before tilting her face up and dropping his lips to hers.

And like magic Lily could breathe again.

Lysander's kiss had started soft, but the moment she'd responded positively he'd taken control, and Lily felt herself melting into him. He kissed nothing like his twin. Where Lorcan had been more willing and interested in Lily having control, Lysander took the driver's seat with confidence, and Lily felt her whole body surrender to him.

He pulled back just a fraction, "When do your parents get home?"

Lily's head was barely functional as she parted her eyes to look up at him, "Sunday."

Lysander grinned, "Always did like Sundays," and then he brought his lips back to hers and Lily gave full control to him. It was a liberating feeling to give someone the reins and simply enjoy the sensations, and the more she enjoyed, the more he seemed to respond.

"Lily," he pulled back again after some time, panting slightly, "is this a yes?"

Lily cursed her brain's inability to function as she blinked. "What?"

"Do you want to give us a chance?" Lysander's smile went just a touch smug.

Lily gave his shoulder a gentle shove, "I'm only saying yes if you can wipe that smug look off your face."

Lysander's face immediately went neutral, "Better?"

"I don't want to think about how you can do that," Lily laughed before linking her arms back around his neck, "but yes, I want to do this."

Lysander crashed his lips into hers as Lily fell back against the arm of the sofa. She wasn't sure how long they snogged on her parents' sofa but at some point, the old clock chimed that it was midnight and Lily was certain her hair was a rat's nest from Lysander's hands playing in it.

"Do you watch the girls this week?" Lysander asked as he rested his head against her chest.

Lily smiled, "They're in France for a few days."

"Want to come with me on a little expedition? It's just three days in the Highlands and I was going to go alone, but if you wanted to go..."

"Yes," Lily felt the excitement build in her, "When?"

Lysander moved his head to kiss her chest before looking up at her. "I'm supposed to leave in six hours."

Lily laughed, "Was your plan to go hide in the Highlands if I shut you down?"

Lysander blushed, "Well the exhibition has been set for a few months, but I definitely had decided it was a good way to escape if you told me no."

Lily ran her fingers into his hair and along his neck, "And now it's an excuse to have me all to yourself?"

Lysander pushed up and kissed her, "I've waited four years to have you to myself, Lils, I'm going to take every opportunity you're willing to give me now that you're mine."

"Well, then I guess we should get my stuff packed," Lily murmured back as she arched up into him.

"In a moment, I'm researching right now," Lysander smiled against her. "I want to learn every sound that you make when I kiss you."

"I'm not one of our creatures, Lys," Lily chuckled.

"You're right," Lysander pulled back and locked her gaze with his, "you're the only creature that actually matters."

This time Lily took control long enough to pull him back down to her lips before melting into him as he continued his research.

And when Harry and Ginny came back from their holiday, Lily had a new boyfriend to introduce and a new job to tell them about, as one of Rolf Scamander's newest researchers.

#Descry #lily luna x lysander #lily luna potter x lysander scamander #lily luna potter #lysander scamander #next gen fanfic #next generation #not cursed child compliant!#harry potter fanfiction #fluffy #romance #old friends finding a flame and letting it burn

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ksoap-ie · 5 years

Text

My Brother’s Best Friend - 2 Taehyung x Reader

"Being Park Jimin's sister hasn't exactly been a blessing. Although I do in fact love my brother, it's always a struggle to get people to recognise my passion when someone else is already so high above me...

-------

Disclaimer: In no way am I dissing Jimin or his family in this fanfiction. Everything that I am writing is completely made up and for plot line purposes only. I love Jimin and his family very much so please don't think otherwise. Thank you.

Masterlist

"I'm going to a company in Seoul to train in singing and dancing so that one day I can perform..." "Come again?" I sit on my knees excitedly, "my brother, Park Jimin, is going to become an idol?" Jimin laughs, vigorously nodding his head. "Yes, I am." "As in, Big Bang kind of idol?" "Yes..." "As in, 4minute kind of idol?" "Yes!" "An in-" Jimin playfully lets out a quiet yell while shoving my shoulder. He does it lightly but it's enough to make me fall onto the bed covers. Letting out a small giggle, I get up and shove him back and it turns out to be a mini war inside my bedroom.

At some point Jimin falls off the bed and lands on the hard wooden floor. Grinning, he climbs back on the bed as our laughter dies down. "But really, [Nickname] I'm going to be an idol." "I know..." I pause for a few seconds before a smile tugs on the edges of my lips, "and you know what?" A silence follows not long after my voice speaks. "I'm very proud of you, Park Jimin."

————————

While Jimin was living his last few days of being a trainee and being desperately close to taking the next step of being an idol, I was doing my last art exams. It was very difficult to say the least. Especially since I'd much rather be cheering my older brother on during his debut but it was hard to find the time to even see him.

Luckily, on the 13th of June my school suddenly decided to shut down due to many teachers being sick and the school not being able to cover lessons. I was able to go visit Jimin and his members for the first time ever.

I arrived at BigHit only ten minutes before the boys debut so I was told to go where the cameras were recording the boys who were on the stage. Sitting down on a metal chair in the audience, I looked up at the stage. The boys were coming on. The camera started rolling. Park Jimin was debuting.

Once the the lights dimmed down and the and the music faded out, the girls in the audience stared screaming. Meanwhile, the newly debuted boy group bowed thankfully before heading backstage. As soon as they left, I got up from the hardened metal chair. A stabbing pain twisted in my back, however that didn't stop me from wrapping my fingers around the previously brought plastic shopping bags and walking backstage. Loud screams and talking was heard from the door that lead backstage. The screams seemed to be from someone younger as well as laughter coming from a voice which was more deeper then normal. Grabbing the handle, I opened the door and the view of backstage lays before me. Near the door where I was standing, was Jimin. His hair was still dark brown and he was wearing the same clothes he wore on stage. A black cap patterned with shades of orange and yellow was placed backwards on his head. He wore a black tank top that had shiny, gold writing printed onto the chest, it read: 'A FENDI BAG AND A BAD ATTITUDE' and showed off his muscles. Underneath his black shorts with gold detailing around the sides that stopped long before his knees were thigh-high socks. Three white stripes were sewn onto the black socks just under his knees. To finish off his look, Jimin wore simple black trainers, except his midsole and foxing being white. A gold chain hugged his neck and finally on one hand he wore a golden bracelet and on the other was a similar golden watch.

Jimin's eyes glanced towards the door as it opened and quickly said goodbye to the camera. Not long after, he rushed in my direction, immediately taking the plastic bags from my hands. "What are you doing here? You're supposed to be at school right now. You do know it's a Thursday right?" Laughing at his continuous questions, I shook my head. "No, my school was shut down for today because there wasn't enough teachers to teach classes so luckily we could have a day off. But Jiminie..." After hearing his name he makes a quiet 'hm' sound. Whilst grinning I wrap my arms around his shoulders and jump up and down squealing like the girls in the audience. "I'm so proud of you, I hope you know that. I mean, my idiot of a brother, becoming an idol. That's going to take some time to get used to... really though you're doing great. It's going to get harder but you've always got your younger sister support you in Busan, okay? Okay."

A grin stretches on Jimin's plump lips and he parts his lips as if to say something. However, the man with the deep voice flings his arm around my brothers shoulder. He is a lot taller then Jimin, probably a few inches or so. His hair is partly dyed, on the top of his head is a curly mess of light brown and underneath is an undercut which is a dark shade brown, almost black. Now looking at his face, his ears are noticeably larger then average. His lips curve into a boxy smile with teeth white as freshly fallen snow. Gleaming, his black eyes are painted in eyeliner giving the man an almost rebellious, perhaps emo look. The makeup which he's wearing gives the impression that this man is not someone you'd want to mess with despite having an immense smile planted on his face. "Who's this Jimin?" Said name looks up at the curtly mess and forms crescent moons on his eyes. "This is my sister, Y/N, she came to see my today from Busan. I think I've told you about her before." "Hm..." The man places his index finger and thumb on each side of his chin as if in thought, "the sister that had a crush on her home room teacher? Or the one that tried to crawl into the back of an ice cream van?" My face immediately turns red and I look at Jimin in disbelief. "You told someone about that? Jimin I told you not to tell anyone!" Jimin starts laughing the moment I start hitting him uninterruptedly. "So that was you?" The curly mess asks, "Jimin talks about you a lot. I'm Kim Taehyung, stage name is V." A boxy grin is formed on his face and he makes a peace sign backwards, making the letter 'V' with his middle and index finger. I grin and bow at him. "It's nice to meet you." Then, heavy footsteps belonging to a lanky man come towards us. He is dressing in black like the others with a fire-like pattern printed onto his t-shirt. Hidden underneath is a long-sleeved shirt and black jeans which are covered up with black socks similar to Jimin's. Dangled from his neck is a golden chain and to finish off the look he had black sunglasses placed on the bridge of his nose. "Hello, my name is-" if I remember right, his name tag said- "RM." He takes of his glasses and instead puts them so they're hanging off his collar, meanwhile I slightly bow. "Your the leader, right? Nice to meet you, I'm Jimin's sister, Y/N." "It's good to meet you as well, Jimin talks a lot about you." He laughs, resting his hand at the back of his neck, fingers fiddling with the chain that's hanging. "Would you like to take a seat? You can meet the other members and also talk with Jimin as much as you want, I'm sure you both missed each other." I smile at him, and nod.

Warmth suddenly crawls up my hands and an unknown feeling of comfort lingers inside my soul. Large fingers embrace themselves around mine, emitting security from such a simple gesture. With a light yet abrasive tug, I stumble on my feet as they are forced forward. My eyes glance towards the culprit face for a split second. Time seems as if it stops despite it being not very long. The corner of his lips grew into a boxy smile belonging to the one and only. Kim Taehyung. "HEY! Kim Taehyung-"

————————— "-! What are you doing with my sister?!" Taehyung's grasps mine tighter as he drags me away from my older brother. It's after the last shoot of the boys most recent song, DNA. BTS have been getting more and more popular as days go on, in fact they are even known around the world by many. For me, I've now finished school. Unfortunately Mum, Dad and Jimin couldn't attend my graduation. None of them could find the time since they're all busy with work but it's okay, I'm just glad it's over. Recently I've applied for a job in design, the employer needed someone that was willing to spend time coming up with creative pieces so they they could advise illness which are often brushed away. It's been about a month so hopefully I'll be told if I've got the job or not yet.

A pain shoots through my hand, pausing my train of thought abruptly. "Run, Y/N! Run!" Oh right... "Quickly go now! He'll catch you!" Only a few meters away, lays Taehyung. His ash grey hair is spread out along the floor, as he speaks his breath falls out uneven. His arms are surprisingly pinned down by Jimin, who's seemingly laughing with the exception of his expression.

I push myself from the floor and start sprinting as quick as possible from a sweet danger.

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tuwam · 5 years

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home.

days like this, areum really questions her parent’s sanity.

really questions. as opposed to the usual just realizing they’re a bit impossible but they’re still her parents and she loves them. because no matter the rebellion, the frowns, the dipped eyebrows and the extensive hair dye to bathe in her mother’s disapproval, she loves them.

they just don’t understand her well, much like how right now, she doesn’t think she understands them.

a brother? her brother? their brother?

and why should she meet him? she’s had enough of dealing with a sister, now there’s another son in the family. pun intended. speaking of her sister, ahyeon’s head was buried in her phone ( texting her should-be-could-be-would-be boyfriend that’s not her boyfriend no doubt.

they’ve been given rather vague instructions, to head to the address, give the man at the entrance their name ( also what the fuck that’s fancy as hell ) and head up to the suite. THE SUITE. they had a brother like this the entire time and areum can only wonder what kind of person he is to be out of their lives so long and suddenly request them like this. areum of course has been very vocal about this.

“how can we have a brother who hasn’t spoken to us for years?” ‘mhm.’ “he’s been what - out of our lives and suddenly wants to connect?” ‘mhm.’ “suddenly he’s in seoul living like a king, look at this place it’s huge.” ‘mhm.’

ahyeon is of course no paying any attention. her head’s still in her phone, her manuscripts half forgotten in favor of texting. areum has half a mind to steal her phone but ahyeon just got her nails done and they look like they’d hurt. so she’ll pass for now. she’s probably a little bitter that she can’t share this fact with anyone else, so her sister gets the brunt of it and of course being used to it - ahyeon isn’t listening.

“hey, do you mind telling your lover-boy to wait we’re doing a family thing here.” the words almost make areum gag. ahyeon looks up - eyes still sparkling from her photo shoot and areum fixes her with a look. ‘why don’t you call your lover-boy since you seem so pressed for the attention.’ areum’s response is cut-short when a shadow slinks it’s way behind her sister and she’s all arms rather than biting words.

‘cute - a devil emoji? is that your boyfriend?’

the owner of the voice, the deceptively sweet, strangely sultry voice has blonde hair. is considerably tall - taller than soonyoung she notices, and draped in an all-white ensemble of a loose sleeveless tank and comfort pants that more expensive than her phone. areum blinks as ahyeon jumps and effectively turns several shades of red.

‘ahyeon right? i was planning on getting you two some cute bachelors but i see i don’t need to? areum right? how’d the younger one manage to grow inches on you?’’

what the fuck.

ii.

days like this ahyeon is pretty sure she should put ignoring on her list of skills.

she’s been ignoring areum for twenty minutes. areum has been complaining from the time the chauffeur picked them up ( yes the chauffeur ) while ahyeon was busy taking pictures in the interior to entertain her co-star who seems so thoroughly invested in her life. the pictures were boring, she had to be as vague as possible on her social since apparently news of their relationship was still under wraps.

she did take the time to do her research though so the grandeur of it all wasn’t surprising.

what’s surprising is that areum chooses to complain rather than admire the interior design. ahyeon would rather here her talk about that, rave about her interests rather than her invisible trust that’s been broken by an estranged family member.

areum has no memories therefore she has nothing to worry about it, or be upset about. maybe it’s their parents own resentment areum shows for the picks up for them. she’s always been more receptive to that.

still, ahyeon is ignoring her sister and has been since they got on the elevator to the top suite.

she’s also been texting hyuck so - her attention is elsewhere.

[ incoming ] brother? [ outgoing ] yeah, the house is huge [ incoming ] bet he works for the mafia [ outgoing ] this might be the last time you see me [ outgoing ] what if i was kidnapped [ incoming ] they’d send you back 🤷🤷 [ outgoing ] 😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤

ahyeon’s words register because ahyeon’s nose wrinkles at the words enough for her concentration to break. that and she knows ahyeon’s just a little snippy because she hasn’t been able to sped time with her boyfriend. so what if she’s been able to see hyuck after late night shoots, hyuck’s not her lover boy. ahyeon responds so quick she forgets to add that point.

[ incoming ] you want me to say i’d come don’t you

she doesn’t notice.

[ outgoing ] 😒😒😒😒😒😒😒 [ incoming ] i’d come right away 🤺🤺🤺

she fumbles, her own smile making it hard for her to hide her giggles.

it’s why she doesn’t notice the shadow coming upon her. but she registers the words.

‘cute - a devil emoji? is that your boyfriend?’

and nearly jumps out her own skin, words caught in her throat because no hyuck is not her boyfriend and can people ( ahyeon ) stop asking her that. he’s not her boyfriend he’s her friend and she’s too stunned to even speak or try to defend herself to the man standing behind her. she does however, cover up the phone screen, much how she does when she’s onsite and texting during makeup. the last time someone asked her they had to powder her to cover up the blush.

meanwhile, the man, who ahyeon assumes to be their brother, hair about as blonde and neatly styled as her own, is smiling victoriously. his skin is flawless, the glitter shines subtly, much more maturely under his eyelids and suddenly she wants all the tips. his outfit reminds her of something she’d seen gong yoo wear and ahyeon is stunned.

also, relation confirmed because few people know who’s older between the two of them.

‘why so silent, if he’s your boyfriend just say so. is he cute? older? younger? famous? famously fallen? does he kiss like a boy that doesn’t know what he wants or one that wants too much.’

ahyeon’s getting dizzy.

“you’re getting a little too personal don’t you think?”

areum’s voice rings out and the attention’s off her for a minute.

[ outgoing ] i feel like i just met a member of shinee

is all she manages.

jongho.

jongho’s thought this out about 110%. he’s thought about the right way to approach them, considering he wants nothing to do with his parents he’s opted outside of surprising the at the upcoming gala and being as civil as possible. mainly because his goal is to establish something of a relationship with his younger sisters. he’s also unsure of how they’ve grown, how they’ve been molded or broken out of the mold.

a gala appearance - as he planned it, might give his parents a heart attack and he’s not too sure that they’ll warm up to him after that. though, according to what he’s observed, areum might appreciate the little spice.

though, one can never be too sure.

exposing the disgrace of a son turned star in front of his parents and their colleagues would be perfect but he’s been delicate only for the sake of these two. granted, the chauffeur and penthouse tour was a little - extra. they’re going to learn how he is one way or another, might as well lay it out in the open.

areum as he’s heard appreciates things closer to his interests. art though it’s graphic design, and the rougher aspects of rebellion, derbies and abstract expression. she’d hate to hear just how like their father she’s become, in pursuing and determining her own path. wonderful.

ahyeon as he’s seen, appreciates the things closer to their parents. not so odd seeing as he’s seen her on the screen and she’s blossomed wonderfully, a spitting image of their mother actually. eyes that hold a hidden depth that even to this day, his manager fears when they meet up.

it’s exciting.

he doesn’t mean to be late, as a grand entrance was in his plans but things change and schedules mix up. so he’s heading up now smiling as the doorman recalls to hi just how different they are. and how they’ve grown.

and they have. in height maybe, he hears voices and knows that they’re still the girls that used to fight over which teddy bear to get for christmas. it’s refreshing.

jongho steps in and makes himself known. ahyeon’s expressions, usually reserved are comical, almost a little clumsy and he knows he’s going to have fun pulling her out this strange little cocoon she’s crafted.

areum on the other hand. well, he figured areum would be something to handle. it’s why jongho only fixes her with a look - a once-over to take in the damage, the image really.

she really does look like their mother. ahyeon sporting more features of their father. areum donned in high waisted shorts, a simple tee and chunky sneakers. ahyeon in a floral romper with her neckline exposed and arms covered. areum’s hair dye is fading and ahyeon’s hair might need a break from the blonde soon.

“too personal hm? guess a spa day’s out of the question?” ‘spa day?’ naturally, ahyeon perks up at the thought. ‘just like that?’ naturally, areum does not.

jongho has met pups with an actual bite before, he’s not phased in the slightest.

“we have a lot to discuss, you guys have questions and i refuse to sit and listen while your hair begs for treatment. areum - let’s give you some brown? some waves? and ahyeon, some contrast? maybe some gray? what do you think? all on me.”

ahyeon is practically bouncing and areum fidgets, though her hands stay in her hair.

the ride there, ahyeon’s smile doesn’t leave. areum’s own lips stay sealed, but her gaze remains on the.

it won’t be easy but it’ll be worth it.

he thinks, he questions why he even left in the first place.

#{ w: son family. }#{ w: ahyeon. }#{ w: areum. }#{ w: jongho. }

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letitrainathousandflames-archive · 6 years

Link

Fives and Dogma are still alive, but have to live in hiding. They need to face their own demons when it comes to understanding what defines them as soldiers, clones, and human beings. When another friend joins them, they may get closer to this understanding for once. AO3 chapter on the link and full chapter below the cut.

The tides are high today. The ruins facing the ocean are long forgotten by the locals – noting to see but worn-out walls guarding a moss-covered house that nobody ever had become interested in. It was too far off, away from the capital city and with a far too difficult access. The terrain was unstable, and a speeder or an actual military walker might be needed to climb the steep way. Not even the troublesome teens would bother try getting there, for it was too much trouble just to spray some graffiti over an old building.

Nobody knows, however, that the place is actually inhabited. The roughed up exterior hides a home that smells like freshly-baked bread and wildflowers (a bush full of them grows near the vegetables being grown in the backyard) and the walls are painted teal-green. The decoration is simple and leaves no clue of what kind of people live there aside from the bes'bev leaning on a wall and the password-locked datapad on the small dinner table. There are three chairs placed around the table, but one of them is covered pants and shirts of the same black uniform while only the remaining two seem to be in use.

The backyard’s wall close to the meiloorun trees has an old, rusty target hanging there, blaster burns so deep on its center the next shot might just pierce the thing through. And much ahead on the deck against which the tides are crashing, there is a man looking over to the sea. The man has a large scar on his temple and its pinkish, lighter skin different from his darker tan, and his brown eyes are lost in the waves’ movement. The waves go back and forth, back and forth. Crashing against the deck. Crashing. Spraying. Exploding. Like that explosion back in…

He shakes his head. No. Remembering never did him any good.

He thinks about maybe shooting a little on the target. He misses the action, misses shooting. Then he thinks about maybe watching one of those holo-vids for the billionth time. The mere thought makes him scrunch his nose in annoyance. He can always play a holotable game. He snickers, remembering back in the day when he was just a kid and he’d be awake late at night playing with…

No, please. I don’t wanna think about him. Not today.

The man is dressed in plain black clothes, but there is a piece of what looks like a white armor on his right arm. The armor is dented, scratched and clearly has been through a lot in its lifetime. Something that he hasn’t seen in years happens: the light on the blue panel close to his wrist lights up, and a sound like static comes through it.

The man jumps upright, and he who seemed like an farmer who’d never left his fuit trees’ side in his life suddenly has the posture of a soldier. He clears his throat as his eyes examine the comlink, and he whispers tentatively:

“Sir?...”

There is silence. Not a single word, not a single sound but static. The man knits his brows, poking the comlink. Damn old thing must be picking up interference. Of course they wouldn’t call him. There’s no reason they would. The man runs his hands through his black hair, which has grown long and untamed as his goatee that now is a full beard like one of the Generals he’d served under. He has tried tying his hair up in a bun but then he saw himself in the bathroom mirror he almost screamed at the resemblance he’d share with his younger brother. That day, he’d punched the mirror until his knuckles were bloody and the glass was ground to bits. He hates mirrors now.

The man had a name before, when his brothers were still alive and his life seemed to have meaning, to have purpose. He was part of something big, something meaningful. He had a family, countless brothers who shared his face and his genetic code.

Before all this, the man’s name was Fives. And whatever this story turns out to be, it feels like an epilogue of a badly-written story.

Another man walks out of the house up to Fives. He had the same face and wore the same black clothes, the same arm guard only on his right arm just like him. His face was scarred like Fives’, but not on his temple - lighter spots dusted over his face like freckles on a large V-shape, as if deliberate laser shots had been used to erase what before had been a tattoo. The man had been the first clone to ever come to live in this planet, in this house. He tugged on the cuffs of his shirt to then walk to Fives’ side, looking at the crashing waves.

“Made some bread.” he said “Milk’s almost gone, we gotta milk the bantha.”

Fives hummed in response, and he kept watching the waves. Fives had been living together with him in hiding for the past six months, and the other man had been living there a year prior to that, and yet, they didn’t talk much. It was hard getting the Fives to talk. He’d most unexpectedly turn aggressive, never physically violent but he would scream and curse, he would slam doors, he would empty his blaster on the target outside and sometimes he would just scream at the ocean as if he cursed it.

“Will do. Can I ask you a question…” he drew in a breath, turning to the other man “…Dogma?”

Dogma nodded. He was averse to talking too. In fact, his voice would be raspy whenever Fives would hear it. Dogma would spend most of his days playing his bes'bev and baking – he used to be terrible at first, but grew very good at cooking. Unlike Fives, he kept his crew cut and shaved on a regular basis. He needed the order, needed to look proper. He’d lost so much but if he lost the appearance of a soldier, he felt like he might lose his mind too.

Not that he haven’t already, but still.

“What is it?” there it was, his voice raspy as usual

“I think my comlink rang.”

Dogma nodded sharply.

“Mine did too. Coincidence?”

“Hardly.” Fives frowned “He must be trying to reach us.”

“But why would he?”

“No idea. He said he’d never come back. Ordered us to lay low. I have no idea why he’d risk talking to us.”

“Maybe… Maybe things were cleared out.” Dogma said, his eyes slowly moving from one side to the other “Maybe we can go back.”

Fives tried to let out a laugh but it came out as a snarl.

“Go back? Not gonna happen. Look what they did to us.”

Fives turned his back on Dogma, and Dogma says:

“I got the radio to work. We can get some transmissions from the local outpost, stay sharp, keep an eye out for any progresses on…”

“We are not listening to shinies talking about whatever boring shit they do on this wasteland.” Fives snapped over his shoulder “We are not getting involved. It’s over, Dogma, we are no longer troopers. Get over it. I did.”

Fives ran his hand over his chest. He could still feel the uneven spot on his sternum where the blaster shot had hit his reinforced plate under the armor. As a last minute resource back at the 99, Kix had given him the untested armored clothing designed by Kix himself, for him to wear under the uniform. It was the only thing that saved his life. Once after Rex got Fox and his men to leave, and asked General Skywalker for time with his fallen brother, he talked in hushed whispers to the soldier who pretended to be dead. As Kix got in the scene, he pulled his best grieving face as he placed Fives on a stretcher carried by droids and he looked at Rex in a silent begging: help me out.

And Rex did. Kix made the “autopsy” on another dead brothers whose temple he’d quickly inked with a number five tattoo, as he’d later scrap off the superficial flesh of Fives’ forehead on the same spot, disfiguring his tattoo. And just like they had done a year prior to that with Dogma, Fives was registered as dead. Details of his file showed him as a victim of the virus-induced paranoia that had killed Tup, shot dead by a trooper trying to protect the Republic. His chest had been badly injured by the close range blaster shot nonetheless, and he would have breathing issues for the rest of his life.

Still, he was alive. That was more than Hardcase, Tup or Echo had ever gotten.

Fives got back into the house and dropped sitting on the couch with a long sigh. Dogma followed him, leaning against the doorframe, his features darkened with the contrast of the sun that poured in from behind him.

“Are you alright?”

“Am I ever?” Fives asked angrily as he rubbed his chest still

“You can’t just accept to be forever stranded in this hellhole, sir.”

“Will you cut out the kriffing “sir” shit already?” Fives’ voice was louder now, angrier still “We are not soldiers anymore, Dogma, we are just two men trying not to die anytime soon even if life sucks, even if every day looks exactly like the one before, even if we should be dead but aren’t, even if everyone we ever cared about-- Shit…”

Fives ran his hand over his face. Dogma just pushed all his fucking buttons, the whole posture gist, the whole protocol crap. He didn’t need any of this shit. He didn’t want it. Dogma stared at him in silence for a full minute before walking inside, picking up his bes'bev and sinking down on the opposite chair, hitting a few notes of the Vode An melody at it. Fives frowned to then abruptly get up and storm out to the backyard once again, slamming the door on his way out. Fuck Dogma. Fuck Dogma and his stupid bes'bev and his stupid formal addressing and his stupid face, Fives’ own goddamned face as well.

He picked up the blaster hanging off a nail on the wall and walked away from the target, taking his aim. He drew in a breath, and his chest felt tight. It hurt. He gritted his teeth, imagining the Rishi Eel that had killed Cutup and he pulled the trigger. Dead on center. He tought of the clanker that had killed Droidbait. Dead on center again. He thought of the clanker in the tank, the one who’d exploded Echo in front of him and he screamed between his clenched teeth, shotting it dead on center again. He kept shooting, and he kept thinking, and he kept screaming. Hardcase. Waxer. All the men killed in Umbara because of Krell. Tup. The ammo was long over but he kept pulling the trigger, the empty clicks echoing in his ears louder than the blaster shots. He dropped the weapon, running his hands over his head and the tightening in his chest seemed to only worsen.

Shit. Shit. Fuck.

“Jareor jetiise!” he snarled, turning to face the ocean where the sunlight glimmerd over the waters “kaminii haar'chak! Shabiir alor!” he spat on the ground “Fuck, fuck! I’m a fucking idiot!”

His breathing was shallow now, ragged in his dry rage. He heard the door creaking open followed by Dogma’s footsteps approaching and fuck no, he was not in the mood to deal with his accepting crap.

“Cursing the Jedi, the Kaminoans and the Chancellor is a good change of pace, but you’re still cursing yourself.”

Fives did not look over his shoulder, but Dogma’s voice was close enough for him to know the brother was right behind him.

“I do not want your self-help crap, Dogma, now will you shut your kriffing mouth for once?!”

“It was not your fault, Fives.”

“I’m telling you to shut up.” Fives’ voice is controlled but has a warning to it

“You need to stop blaming yourself.”

“You are always so quiet, and then there are these days in which you just won’t shut up, will you?”

“Just talk to me. Maybe I can help. Maybe… Maybe you can help me.”

Fives balled his hands into fists.

“This is your last kriffing warning—”

Dogma reached for his shoulder.

“You never told me what really happened to Tup.”

Krack! Fives spun around so fast Dogma couldn’t avoid the solid punch to his jaw, staggering back with a grunt. Fives grabbed Dogma by the front of his blacks, his face twisted in raw anger very close to his.

“Listen to me. Kriffing listen to me.” he repeated as he’d shake Dogma by his collar “We are outcasts, deserters, legally dead. Life is hell as it is, and so help me the stars, it’s not like I don’t think about jumping down to the rocks every single day, but you don’t have to make it even worse. Stay in your lane, Dogma. Just stay in your lane. Play your flute, do your meditation, make your goddamn breads and cakes but leave me the hell alone.”

Before Dogma could answer, the comlink on his wrist beeped, and a voice came through it:

“Doubt, do you copy?”

Rex. He was calling Dogma’s codename. The only time this happened before was when he announced Fives’ arrival to their hiding spot. Fives let go off Dogma, and he hurryingly pressed the button on his arm piece.

“This is Doubt here.”

A sigh came from the other side.

“I’ve been worried when I tried to reach you earlier and failed, may have had some interference. Is Nine there with you?”

That was Fives’ codename, based on his former numeral name and his deceased sergeant from the Rishi Outpost. Dogma eyed Fives for a second before nodding.

“He’s here, sir.”

“Good.” said Rex “Stay put. I’m on my way there. And, Doubt… tell Nine I’m bringing a friend to see him.”

The transmission was cut, and Dogma looked at Fives still.

“Which ‘friend’ would that be?”

Fives shrugged, lowering his gaze.

“No idea. It’s not like there were many of them still alive.” he scratched the back of his head, exhaling sharply “Kriff. Hey, Dogma, I’m…”

“You’re sorry, I know.” Dogma sighs, turning back to the house “I was out of my place. I’m sorry too, I just… Just wanted to do something for you like you’ve been doing for me so often.”

Dogma had recurring nightmares every other night. Tup used to have them too, would wake up in a cold sweat saying he’d seen himself doing horrible things. Fives had researched – something he’d learn from Echo – through datapads and even asking the Jedi about techniques to keep bad dreams at bay. Even commander Tano, bless her, had gotten him a book on anxiety taken straight from the Jedi library. Thanks to that, he knew a lot of breathing exercises, several techniques to cleanse one’s thoughts and, as General Skywalker had taught him, soothing mantras to steer one’s mind towards a peaceful sleep. These had been specially useful to Dogma as they’d lay in their beds to sleep and he’d writhe and whimper and cry in his sleep and wake up terriefied; Fives would calmly say “your intrusive thoughts are not who you are. Your mind is playing tricks on you. Take hold of reality. You are not what you dream. Breathe.”

Fives shrugged, feeling even more embarrassed now as they walked inside, waiting for their former captain to arrive.

“Maybe I’m beyond help, brother. Just leave it as it is.”

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#arc trooper fives #arc trooper echo #clone trooper dogma #captain rex #clone bois #my fics #i PROMISE this one will be just bittersweet and will have a happy ending #i really really promise #tcw #the time passed in exile

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the-master-cylinder · 4 years

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SUMMARY Fifty years after a nuclear holocaust, mankind is decimated and the surviving nations—the western-influenced Market and the Russian-influenced Confederation—have agreed to outlaw traditional open war. In their place, disputes are settled with gladiator-style matches between giant robots operated by pilots called “robot jox” who are contracted to fight ten matches. The Confederation champion is Alexander (Paul Koslo), who has killed his last nine opponents thanks in part to a spy in the Market leaking information to the Confederation. The Market’s champion, Achilles (Gary Graham) has won nine fights and will fight his final match against Alexander for the territory of Alaska. Achilles is supported by robot designer “Doc” Matsumoto (Danny Kamekona) and strategist Tex Conway (Michael Alldredge), the only jox to win all ten of his contract fights.

As Achilles gets the upper hand in the match, Alexander launches a rocket fist at him. The projectile goes out of control and heads toward the bleachers. Achilles intercepts the projectile but his robot takes the full force of the impact and is knocked into the crowd, killing over 300 people. The referees declare the match a draw and order a rematch, but Achilles, shaken by what happened, declares this was his contractual tenth match and announces his retirement. He goes to live with his brother Philip and his family, and finds he is publicly branded a traitor and a coward. Meanwhile, a new jox is chosen to face Alexander, a genetically engineered “gen jox” named Athena (Anne-Marie Johnson), who is the first female jox. Worried for Athena and attracted to her, Achilles returns to the Market and agrees to fight Alexander again, infuriating Athena.

As Achilles’ robot is rebuilt, Matsumoto refuses to divulge any knowledge of its new weapons so it cannot be leaked by the spy, and Conway confides in Achilles he believes Matsumoto is the spy. Conway confronts Matsumoto in his office. Matsumoto reveals he has analyzed Conway’s final fight and deduced that the “lucky” laser hit Conway claims allowed him to defeat a clearly superior opponent was in fact deliberately aimed; Matsumoto accuses Conway of being a Confederation agent. Conway confesses and shoots Matsumoto, who secretly records the deed as part of the mission briefing. Conway informs the Market leadership that Matsumoto was the spy. On the day of the fight Athena drugs Achilles and steals his jox suit to commandeer the robot. Unable to stop the fight once she takes the field, the Market decides to support her. While watching Matsumoto’s briefing on the robot’s new weaponry, the footage of Conway killing Matsumoto is played and Conway jumps down the robot’s elevator shaft to his death.

Alexander takes the field against Athena. Athena takes the early advantage, but Alexander overpowers her and incapacitates the robot. The fight is declared in Alexander’s favor and referees order him to stand down. Achilles arrives on the field and takes over the robot from Athena while Alexander smashes the referee hovercraft; the two jox stand to continue the fight. Both robots take to the air and a short space battle ensues. Alexander critically damages Achilles’ robot, forcing him to crash land and flee for cover to the arm of Alexander’s robot Athena sliced off earlier in the fight. Achilles hotwires the arm to launch its fist at Alexander, destroying his robot. Alexander emerges from the wreckage and the two battle with poles before Achilles finally convinces Alexander a match does not have to end with the death of a jock. Alexander throws down his weapon, and they salute each other with the jox’s traditional “crash and burn” fist bump.

DEVELOPMENT Gordon conceived Robot Jox while making Dolls in Rome. “I’m a big fan of the Japanese Transformer toys,” he explained from his office, which overlooks Sunset Boulevard. “While there have been animated cartoons based on these giant robots, no one has ever attempted a live-action feature about them. It struck me that it was a natural fantasy for the big screen-and a terrific opportunity to take advantage of the special effects that are available today.”

Steve Burg’s 1986 concept art

Gordon approached science-fiction writer Joe Haldeman to write a screenplay based on Gordon’s original story itself based on the story of Achilles from Homer’s Iliad-having worked with him two years prior on an ambitious stage adaptation of Haldeman’s most celebrated book, The Forever War: Dennis Paoli (co-author of Gordon’s Re-Animator and From Beyond) put the final draft through various rewrites.

“Joe is part of an Air Force think tank to develop weaponry for the future,” explained Gordon, “so he was able to incorporate a lot of actual existing technology into the script and to hypothesize where it might all lead. Then we started storyboarding the film. The reaction to Dave’s footage was excellent, and Charlie was able to get the project rolling on a projected $10 million budget-a huge budget for an Empire film. I think Charlie saw it as Empire’s chance to move up into larger-budget films.”

“Haldeman did 11 drafts of the script,” the director recalls. “Joe’s experience in Vietnam was helpful here because the story’s about our future, 50 years after an atomic war. The world is basically broken down into two superpowers: The Market, which is like the Common Market except that Japan and the United States are part of it, and the Confederation, which is everybody else. Earth has vowed no war will ever take place again, so international disputes are settled by single combat between pilots of huge robots.” These pilots are called robot jockeys or robot jocks

The sequence, using robots designed by Kevin Altieri, was storyboarded by Altieri from the prologue to the script by science fiction writer Joe Haldeman, set in a snowscape where a heavy fog covers an apparent “elephants’ graveyard” of broken, battered robots, the fallen warriors of a robotic battlefield. Here and there among the shells, fires sputter near the latest casualties while a big, menacing robot stands over its victim.

“I thought it turned out very well,” said Allen of the test footage. “The style is quite different from anything else we did subsequently because it was all shot interior while everything else has been done exterior. It didn’t splice together perfectly because it depended upon live-action which hadn’t been shot.”

PRE-PRODUCTION Six months passed while Empire continued efforts to raise financing for the film while at the same time revising the effects complexities of the script to bring them in line with budget realities, mostly by simplifying the robot action. During these delays designer Altieri left the production to accept work as a full-time director at DIC Animation Studios.

Gordon said he brought Cobb into the project “to bring a real sense of believable technology to the robots, so they could be something an audience could accept as a reality as opposed to a cartoon show. Cobb designs things that could actually work,” said Gordon. “What we ended up with was a look that was different from the look of the Japanese toys. It’s very utilitarian and it looks big, like it has the power to do what it has to do.”

Cobb explained that when he was approached by Gordon to work on ROBOT JOX he was already committed to another project and could only work on weekends. “When I left, I told them they should make Steve Burg production designer or give him the clout of production designer because he was the only person that knew how the robots went together and was the only person that could police the construction,” said Cobb. “They just walked all over him. Eventually it was wrenched out of his hands. Everything went to pot when he left. The designs got really confused. The final shape and form of the film has obviously had problems, too.”

“I was most intrigued to design the cabs and how the interactive body motions were translated by waldos to the entire robot. I was trying to think of a reason for transformation. If it could translate into different modes of fighting, that might make sense. The idea really is silly, of course, but I wanted to keep it believable and then over and above it all, it’s humorous. It’s not a serious picture, and it isn’t meant to be.”

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Cobb was also asked to design robotic parts made of heavy-duty plastic (with metal armatures underneath) which special FX supervisor David Allen could reshape, using different models for different shots during the film’s major transformation sequences. Another Cobb-assisted movie is Stuart Gordon’s Robot Jox. “Again, that was in my conceptual design mode, so I basically opted to do all the key technology and moved on. Steve Burg was involved, and carried out many of my designs. We wanted a kind of non-Japanese version of a Transformer robot, which is very, very clever technologically speaking. We weren’t going to have them turn into semi-trucks or something, but we were going to have them break apart and operate in different functions and modes. I always liked the idea where the entire head became a little aircraft. I believe that has been changed-now the whole robot flies and changes.

According to Allen, Cobb came up with a new look for Achilles and Alexander, the main robojock pilots, their robots, and a few sets, including a gantry and silo. When the project encountered more delays, Cobb too, departed. “I suspect that payments to Ron started to flag,” said Allen. “There was sort of a painless transition. Ron left Steve Burg in charge to do the refinements and subsequent modifications.”

Steve Bury was brought in to assist Cobb with the robot detailing, since Cobb had a limited amount of time to devote to the project. “We were constantly referring to Ron’s drawings, and Steve continued to report back to Ron to show him what he was doing and to get Ron’s approval. As a matter of fact, Ron and Steve hit it off so well that they’ve worked together ever since.”

LIVE ACTION PHOTOGRAPHY Robot Jox began principal photography at Empire’s Rome facilities in January 1987, and wrapped in April. Gordon then turned over the post-production effects to Allen, who had selected El Mirage, a dry lake bed near the Mojave Desert, as the site for filming of the live-action robot skirmishes. (Some stop-motion work would be done at Allen’s Burbank studios; the live-action filming made use of the 5-foot, 50-pound cable-controlled models of Achilles and Alexander.)

“There wasn’t too much choice as far as shooting outdoors because Empire didn’t own a local stage we could work on,” Allen explained. “And even then it would have to have been huge; we would have had to hang and paint a cyclorama and then put tables out and light everything artificially. We would have been into a tremendous set rental situation over an extended period of time, which would have been a huge cash drain.”

El Mirage was chosen for its brilliant blue skies and unobstructed panorama, but the year of on-again, offagain shooting that transpired-Allen and his crew would make a total of three trips out to the desert location proved to be anything but smooth sailing. The weather was so temperamental Allen considered it a good day if he got two or three good shots in the can.

The heat wasn’t so bad, but as we were in a geothermally unstable area, we were at the mercy of the elements,” Allen said. “We had to contend daily with clouds, rain, dust storms and hellishly high winds-our outhouse got blown over constantly. Sometimes the dust was so bad you couldn’t see in front of you. When that happened, we’d go back to the motel or drive back to L.A. When it rained the lake bed would fill up and our cars were in danger of getting stuck.”

Numerous delays caused by the weather-and requests made by Gordon for additional effects-made location shooting more costly than Empire budgeted for. Still, Allen bristles at the suggestion that his unit work might have set the film back. The location shooting was probably more expensive than Empire expected, yeah. However the problem wasn’t that we were breaking the bank but that we weren’t getting money sent to us regularly enough. If by week four we didn’t have a check, we had to go back to L.A. Rain or shine I still had to put up 10 or 12 guys in a motel.”

David Allen

SPECIAL EFFECTS PHOTOGRAPHY With the designs set, the robots were finally transferred from the drawing table into three-dimensional models, constructed in two sizes: a stop motion size of about 20 inches tall and a larger cable-articulated miniature, closer to 50 inches high. Allen pointed out that the robot miniatures were particularly difficult to build because their joints had to be cosmetic as well as practical.“A robot doesn’t have implied’ joints like a foam rubber model,” said Allen. “It has actual working interstices: the hinges and swivels and all the hydraulics and the pistons have to be tracked. It isn’t like rubber that just mushes out of its own way. If you don’t design it right, the joints will all freeze up and lock. A robot can look good and be totally musclebound or joint bound.”

“The transformations sort of suffered due to the realities of the schedule and the budget,” said Burg. “The changes were generally not that extensive. The rocket mode, for example, had some wings pulled out and cockpits reoriented, but it was still recognizable as being the same thing, whereas with some of the TRANSFORMERS cartoons, it looks completely different. That would have been possible, but it would have taken an enormous amount of time to figure it out cleverly and would have taken a lot more resources to execute.”

Dennis Gordon, a long-time Allen associate, supervised the construction of the robot miniatures for Allen. Ron Thornton was brought in to head another construction team, and Mark Goldberg and Patrick Cox of the Local Motion Company were hired to build the cable-activated controls and armatures. Mark Rappaport built many of the robot’s weapons. Construction crews of up to twenty craftsmen worked for many months to complete the miniatures.

During this time, Allen was working full-time for ILM in San Rafael on BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED, a four month assignment he had accepted during one of the many production delays on ROBOT JOX. The ILM work stretched into a full year, keeping Allen away from his shop except for weekend visits to supervise the progress of building the ROBOT JOX miniatures. Allen compared overseeing the consortium of effects people at work to “managing D-Day.” During the weekend visits to his LA studio, Allen also completed stop-motion work for Gordon’s DOLLS.

Good actors are essential in selling special effects, making them seem believable, and Gordon said he felt that his cast was very good at “being able to create that sense of combat, one-on-one, which depends on the actors involved to be able to react with each other and play off of each other. The feeling that we were going for was something like ROCKY,” said Gordon. “There are real ups and downs in these battles and real emotional reactions to things that are going on. The robots are basically tools and weapons that are carrying out the war of these men.

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David Allen began post-production work on the carefully storyboarded robot battles, filming stop-motion at his studio and taking a crew out to a dry lake bed in El Mirage, near the Mojave desert, to film the large cable-activated robots live. Allen executed the stop-motion work with Paul Jessel, who animated the Achilles robot after Athena takes control.

Said Allen about working with Gordon, “Stuart is a person who showed himself to be quite decided about things, but he doesn’t dig in his heels. He accepts realities when .he’s satisfied that what he wants is impractical or not possible. I had a pretty free hand considering what I imagine Stuart is like on a set where he would usually be expecting to control his movies—that’s what any director expects to do. He was pretty good about letting us work in a loose kind of way. Of course, the [story]boards are very important. I don’t deviate from them too much unless I have to or I feel I can improve them or in some cases I just feel they are not very filmic. My changes have usually been appreciated rather than resented. I think we have a good relationship compared to the horror stories I often hear about with other directors.”

“Conceptually, filming there was a wonderful idea but, in reality, it turned into a huge ordeal for Dave’s crew because they were shooting out there for almost a year, completely at the mercy of the desert. When they came back, they all looked like Lawrence of Arabia.”

Additional robot weaponry includes cannons, machine guns and a Smart missile, on which is mounted a video camera for point of-view shots. For hand-to-hand combat, there are saws, drills and a magnesium flare which can suddenly blind an opponent.

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But, says Gordon, “the human story must be the center of it all. No matter how great your FX are, if the audience doesn’t care about the people, then there’s no movie. That’s why I was drawn to the story of Achilles, the warrior who doesn’t want to fight anymore but is forced back into it because of his lover’s death. That’s the center of ours as well, though we’ve put it into science-fiction terms.”

Along with some stop-motion FX added later, Allen and his crew shot on location in the Mojave Desert utilizing large models for these mechanical effects; others were used for pyrotechnic explosions, while some doubled as “stunt robots” for shots in which they couldn’t destroy their carefully detailed models.

“By shooting in Death Valley, David was able to do extensive foreground miniature work, as opposed to doing it optically in post-production,” explains the director. “So most of the effects work was done in the camera, which gives it a very realistic, seamless look, because you’re seeing real mountains, sky and sunlight behind these robots.” This technique also offered the filmmakers a tremendous depth of field, keeping both the foreground and background in focus.

The live location shooting of the big miniature robots at El Mirage proved to be the biggest headache for Allen. When the location work cost Empire more than expected, Allen’s crew had to pack up and leave until more funds became available. All in all, Allen and his crew made three extended trips out into the desert. “I think if you took all the periods and added them up, we were out there for at least six or seven months,” said Allen. “That’s a long time to have a second unit crew on location. We made a very large commitment to that decision. It was a decision dictated by my recommendation, but also by practicalities.” The alternative would have been to shoot in an enormous warehouse or hanger with cycloramas, which would have been an even more expensive proposition for Empire, according to Allen.

“It takes a certain daring to shoot outdoors,” said Allen about the decision. “That’s why movies were made indoors for thirty years, because of the pressures of the industry to force predictability and control on the product. There were a lot of problems in El Mirage. We underestimated those problems.”

According to Gordon, one of the reasons the effects are taking so long is that Allen is shooting in sunlight out in the desert to incorporate real mountains and skies as a backdrop. The vastness of the desert is being used to combine the miniature robots with vast cheering throngs of spectators by shooting the cable-controlled models up close with a stadium set far in the background.

Allen is also shooting background plates for stop-motion work to be completed at his own studio. “I think the effects are really going to blow people’s minds,” said Gordon. “Although this is Empire’s largest budget, anyone else attempting this picture would want to budget three times as much.”

Gordon also pegged the film’s delay to the time-consuming special effects techniques being used to bring the story’s giant, transforming, fighting robots to life. The work, supervised by Oscar nominee David Allen, is said to be spectacular by those who viewed a product reel of footage shown by Empire at the American Film Market earlier this year. To realize the film’s complex effects action inexpensively, Allen wedded today’s sophisticated puppet technology to the low-budget effects techniques used by Howard and Theodore Lydecker on the Republic serials of the ’40s, filming the robots live against real backdrops.

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“It’s an approach that I don’t think anyone would attempt unless they were looking at this as we were—from a very low budget,” said Gordon about reviving the Lydecker approach. “Rather than light a miniature on a stage, they would take the miniature outdoors and light it with sunlight, using real sky and real clouds. It gives the miniature work greater realism. The effect is seamless because it is done in the camera.”

Gordon thinks audiences will be able to notice the difference from the blue screen optical compositing techniques that have become commonplace in effects films. “I think audiences are starting to get wise to those techniques and are able to spot them and know exactly what you’re doing,” he said. “By going back to these older techniques, our effects have a freshness about them.”

Allen and his crew spent over a year in the desert shooting the film’s robot scenes using natural sunlight, painstakingly matching the variable lighting conditions for sequences filmed over a prolonged period of time. At the mercy of the elements, the crew endured wind, rain and sandstorms which often made the shooting a waiting game. Beside the weather, the financial climate at Empire resulted in its own delays. “At one point they had to shut down production and pull Allen and his crew out of the desert until the cash flow improved,” said Gordon.

Allen accomplished most of the scenes of robot warfare live, using cable-controlled models, although stop-motion is used for some scenes. He has a second set of robots that are in a smaller scale which he uses for stop-motion,” said Gordon. “When he’s not able to get the large ones to do it, he uses stop-motion. One of the things that I am amazed at is that he’s able to meld the two in terms of being able to go from a stop motion shot to a puppeted shot. I don’t think the audience will be able to tell the difference in most of the cases. It’s a wonderful blend.”

Allen was pleased with the realism provided by the natural lighting and backdrops, but using a natural sky meant that the sky was always changing, making it sometimes difficult to match shots. And the sky at El Mirage was like Mark Twain’s comment about the Hawaiian Islands: “If you don’t like the weather, wait a few minutes and it’ll change.” Noted Allen dryly, the weather almost always seemed to get worse on any given day rather than better.

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Allen’s right-hand man on the shoot was associate effects director Paul Gentry. Ray Goode served as effects crew foreman and pryotechnician Joe Viskocil handled the fire and explosions. Winds proved especially bedeviling for the numerous shots requiring pyro effects, blowing the fire and smoke hysterically, giving away the small scale of the miniatures. The wind also blew sand off the elevated tables that the miniatures were filmed on and into the faces of the cable operators and camera crew. The difficult shoot was exhausting to everyone on the crew. Seemingly simple sequences would take hours to get on film because the process by which the robots were manipulated had to be hidden and their movements painstakingly detailed and adjusted. But Allen is very pleased with the results that were achieved.

“A major studio could not have afforded to put up a second unit working in the conditions under which we produced these shots,” said Allen. “A lot of days we simply couldn’t do anything and had to sit it out. It would be ruinously expensive to work that way for a major studio. For them, it would have been cheaper to work indoors. But for Empire it would have been much more expensive because they were not committed to the union way of doing things. To put a second unit out under those conditions, you would have to have a lunch wagon and a guard and all the facilities and amenities. We had my old R.V. and we were like a bunch of ragtag Eagle Scouters practically.”

Looking back on the years of work on ROBOT JOX, Allen remembered with some irony his first conversation with Empire chief Charles Band about ROBOT JOX, indicating the naivete with which Empire entered into the complex effects project.

Joe Haldeman

Interview with screenwriter Joe Haldeman What kind of working relationship did you have with Stuart Gordon? Joe Haldeman: I enjoy working with Stuart because he’s one of the best administrators I’ve ever seen in the arts. He and I had many pretty good-natured arguments over what the movie was going to be about, and about what science fiction was supposed to do. He usually won, being the director. We identified the problem without actually solving it-I was trying to make an adult movie that children would enjoy, and he was trying to make a children’s movie that adults would enjoy. Those are two really different kinds of movies, and I guess we never did resolve them.

How did you get involved? Joe Haldeman: Stuart called me. He’d had two successes with From Beyond and ReAnimator, and the producer gave him more or less carte blanche. He wanted to do a hard SF movie, so he called me up and he said, “I don’t have much money, but how would you like to write a movie that actually gets made?”

And I said, “Yeah!” So, he said, “What I want to do is a science-fiction version of The Iliad.” I said, “Great,” and he said, “I’ll send you a couple-page outline.” So, I get this outline, it’s pretty much like The Iliad, except it has a love interest, and people walk around in great big robots. I worked up a proposal to pitch it to the producers. They sent us out to Los Angeles and I pitched it, and they bought it. I wrote it and rewrote it-all six drafts of it.

Did you meet with the actors? Joe Haldeman: Yeah, I loved the actors. That happened because I did six drafts, and then another draft written by somebody else came in the mail. It was just awful! I wrote Stuart a long letter detailing why he shouldn’t use that script. I didn’t hear from him for months, and I thought, “Well, that’s it.” Then, they called me in December and said, “We read your criticism, you’re completely right and we want you to write the final version. Can you be in Rome tomorrow?” You can imagine how weird that was. I said, “It’s nearly Christmas, I can’t come to Rome tomorrow. Don’t be ridiculous. I’ve got a family.” I said I would be in Rome by the first week of the New Year. They said, “OK.”

They put us up in a really grand hotel on the Via Veneto in Rome. I sat there with my little manual typewriter and rewrote the script word-for-word. It was a whole new script because I got to talk to the actors, the male and female leads. We hashed out the main characters together so that they were comfortable with them. I would get up about 2:00 a.m. and write until 7:00, when the actors were going out. I would go down and copy the pages for them, and they would get in the limo and go out to the studio to act ’em out. It was a really vibrant and exciting way to live. When you’re going through something like that, you realize, “God, this is changing my life forever!” I really loved working on that project, loved being a team player rather than being the only guy responsible for the whole product.

I’m eternally grateful to Stuart for choosing me for that. He could have chosen many people who are more tractable. I think he got a good movie out of it. You can’t tell until all the various elements come together. We got good actors, we got one hell of a good writer (Smiles), we got one of the best directors around.

And the special FX? Joe Haldeman: The special FX were great. They took us out to the studios at the largest soundstages in Europe. The story involved robots 500 feet high, and they had actually build one up to the knees inside of that huge soundstage. I don’t know what I had expected, but there were futuristic automobiles, and the interiors of futuristic homes, military training stuff. I walked into the wardrobe room, and there were 200 costumes that were made for people who before had only inhabited a universe in my mind. All of this stuff, millions of dollars and hundreds of people working thousands of hours, were all there to make solid the things that I just imagined the way I imagined a novel. That was a mind-blower! It should only happen to every science-fiction writer.

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Robot Jox (1989) Frédéric Talgorn Frédéric Talgorn, who had previously composed the music for the 1989 horror film Edge of Sanity, wrote the orchestral film score for Robot Jox, which was performed by the Paris Philharmonic Orchestra. Since Prometheus Records reissued the soundtrack in 1993, it has received generally high acclaim. An editorial review by Filmtracks.com stated that “Talgorn’s usual strong development of thematic ideas is well utilized in rather simplistic fashion in this film, perfect for the contrasting characters and their underdeveloped dimensions.”

CAST/CREW Directed Stuart Gordon

Produced Charles Band

Screenplay Joe Haldeman

Story Stuart Gordon

Music Frédéric Talgorn

Gary Graham – Achilles Anne-Marie Johnson – Athena Paul Koslo – Alexander Robert Sampson – Commissioner Jameson [sic] Danny Kamekona – Dr. “Doc” Matsumoto Hilary Mason – Professor Laplace Michael Alldredge – Tex Conway Jeffrey Combs – Spectator/Prole #1

CREDITS/REFERENCES/SOURCES/BIBLIOGRAPHY Cinefantastique v17n01 Cinefantastique v18n04 Cinefantastique v19n01-02 Horrorfan#02 Starlog#145 Starlog#158

Robot Jox (1989) Retrospective SUMMARY Fifty years after a nuclear holocaust, mankind is decimated and the surviving nations—the western-influenced Market and the Russian-influenced Confederation—have agreed to outlaw traditional open war.

#80sFilms #BAND #EMPIRE

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percywinchester27 · 7 years

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Silences

Pairing: Dean X Reader

Warnings: All the Fluff. It’s straight up fluff!

Word count: 1600-ish

Summary: Not all stories are written with words. Some are written in silences.

A/N: this is for @supernatural-jackles ’s birthday challenge.

Happy Birthday Darling!! If you are not following Jen, let me tell you, you are making the biggest ever! She is awesome. I hope you have you have a birthday as amazing as you babe <3 I love you!

beta’d by the talented @thing-you-do-with-that-thing. Thank you for doing this on such a short notice, Kari. *attack hugs* Thank you for putting up with me!

Words were overrated, Dean thought as he watched her arranging and rearranging the books on the shelf. She had been going at it for hours, organizing all the books according to her catalogue, then giving a derogatory grunt and pulling them all out. She would then sit cross legged on the floor and re-design the catalogue before starting all over again. Dean couldn’t help but let his eyes wander, taking in her beautiful form, the graceful arch of her neck, and the inherent beauty of her smile. The library had remained a mess all day long, but Dean always found a way to be a company to her, silently.

He would get his entire arsenal from the trunk of baby and clean every gun part by part, meticulously, while she worked. Occasionally their eyes would meet and she would smile shyly, turning away too soon, and Dean couldn't help the grin that spread across his own lips in answer to hers.

It was a quiet companionship, punctuated not with words, but even more silences.

In fact, their relationship was woven out of these silences, from the day he had first laid eyes on her, till now. Dean suspected it would always be like that for them. He still remembered that day with perfect clarity even though it was three years ago. The werewolf attack; how he and Sam had made it just in time to save Y/N, while the bodies of her family were strewn around them. It had taken a lot of convincing from both of them for her to finally agree to spend a few nights at the bunker with them. Dean had done everything that he could to reassure her that they would never let anything happen to her, that he would never let anything happen to her.

Later that evening, during the drive back to the bunker, she woken up screaming in the Impala. Dean had crossed over to the backseat where she had been sleeping, and gently pulled her to his chest while she cried herself back to sleep.

He hadn't tried to soothe her with words, because there was nothing to say. He knew better than anyone that anything he had to say, wouldn't mean a thing while her pain was fresh.

She had kept to herself those first couple of days in the bunker. Both he and Sam had let her be, allowing her the time to cope with it.

Between the two brothers, Y/N always kept closer to Dean, choosing to sit next to him when she made it out of her room during dinner time, or using his over large shirts when she dressed for bed. It didn’t bother Dean. If anything, the effect was opposite, and he couldn’t help but wonder why.

It wasn't until one night a few days after, that Dean felt the covers over his body being pushed aside as the bed dipped behind him and cool hands steadied themselves on to his shoulder as her soft body pressed into his back. Y/N was shivering, and shaking violently. He immediately turned onto his other side to pull her flush against his body, and her shaking became more violent for a while before it slowly subsided. Hesitantly she slipped her cold fingers underneath the hem of his shirt and pressed them to the warm skin of his stomach.

Dean wanted more than anything to push her back a little to be able to see her beautiful eyes, to guess what she was thinking, but as her fingers became bolder under his shirt, she hid her face further into the chest. Dean understood, so he did not question. Instead, he pulled her closer, running his hand up and down her back, hoping that the chaffing would stop the shivering. He entangled her feet with his, and soon the trembling and the chattering of teeth stopped, replaced by the noise of her soft snores.

Dean didn't get much sleep that night. He was so worried that even his smallest movements would jostle her out of her restless sleep, that he stayed awake till the early hours of the morning. When sleep finally came to him, he tightened his arms around her, letting the rhythmic beat of her heart lull him into unconsciousness.

The other side of his bed was empty when he woke up the next day, and Dean rushed through the bunker, searching for her, afraid that he might have overstepped a line. The sweet voice of laughter from the kitchen however stopped him in his tracks. When he followed the direction of the voice, he found both Y/N and Sam laughing over a broken jar of jam.

There was a different light in her eyes. She seemed happy, for the first time in so many days. When she saw Dean, her eyes slid down, and a beautiful blush colored her cheeks. That was the moment Dean knew he was done for. There would be no going back for him now. He walked towards them and took a seat opposite to her, his eyes never leaving her Y/E/C ones. She shyly slid the plate full of bacon towards him, and that was it. The night was never mentioned.

It was over week since then, when it happened again. Dean sat up the moment he heard the door to his room creak. Y/N stood there, her face streaked with tears, unsure of whether or not to come inside, when she noticed that he was awake. Dean spread his arms for her, nodding reassuringly and she launched herself into his arms, burying her face there and crying to her heart's content. Both of them had fallen asleep like that. Dean rested his back against the headboard, while Y/N curled up in his lap.

The next morning, Dean woke up first. Her hair was sticking out in all directions, clinging to his shirt, his throat, but there was peaceful expression on her face. Dean nuzzled his face in her hair, inhaling deeply. There was no denying that he was in love. She stirred, and he stilled as she slowly disentangled herself, looking him right in the eye. There was that shy smile again, the one that refused to leave his mind.

She unhurriedly moved out of his lap, her eyes never once leaving his, and kissed him on his cheek. Dean could have stayed in that moment forever. With one last smile she was out of door, leaving him to gather his wits which were scattered all around.

Y/N did all those special things for them that no one ever had. There was a cake for Sam's birthday and a pie for Dean's. There was always good food in the kitchen and freshly laundered sheets in the bedrooms. Sam sang songs of praises for her, but all Dean had to offer were silences. Silences infused with love filled glances and flirty smiles. He never said that thanks and she never asked for one. She didn’t need it.

After grueling hunts, when Dean was so messed up that even Sam's hands shook while patching up the wounds, her gentle ones would replace his and tend to the cuts with tender stitches. She would busy herself in carefully patching him up while he would busy himself in looking at her. Sometimes she would falter and a wince would escape Dean involuntarily. Y/N's eyes would fill up immediately and all Dean wanted to do was kiss away the tears, wishing he had not winced at all.

It didn't surprise him anymore when he found her dozing at the foot of his bed the next morning, too afraid to climb in with him, but too worried to leave him alone. Dean would silently climb out and sit next to her, before waking her with feather light kisses on her brow and tip of the nose. She never said anything, but he knew she loved them.

Y/N would sit for hours in the bunker garage, watching as Dean tuned up baby. She would drag a blanket and a book, and sit by him while he worked. Even if his back was towards her, Dean always knew when Y/N was watching him instead of the book. He'd be damned if he said he didn't put up a bit of a show.

So that's what he wondered now, as he saw her stretching on the tip of her toes to reach a book on the top shelf. Her tank top hitched just a little to reveal an inch of smooth skin above the waistband of her shorts. Was she putting on a show? Dean couldn't be completely sure that she wasn't.

When Y/N turned around, Dean didn't make an effort to turn away. He wanted to be caught staring at her. And for once, instead of blushing and looking away, Y/N held his gaze. There was no question of him looking away. Slowly but deliberately she made her way towards him, and placed her soft hand on his worn one, effectively making him drop the barrel of the gun he was cleaning.

Dean looked up from their entwined finger into her warm, beautiful eyes, and every other thought but her went flying out of his head.

She was looking him right in his eyes, and the look in them was enough to make him forget everything, make his insides melt. As she inched closer and closer Dean couldn't help the contented sigh that left his lips, the breath fanning her face for a fraction of a second, before she captured them in a fiery kiss. Her lips were soft and pliant, but the passion could have set the room on fire. Dean would be lying if he said he had never imagined kissing her. On the contrary, he had done a lot of that, but this was better than anything his mind could ever conjure.

When she pulled away, there was a certainty in her smile, one that he was sure was reflected in his. Those three words were never said, but the silence was between them was filled with a love so profound, that nothing needed to be said. Words, Dean thought again as he pressed his lips to hers once more, were so overrated.

Please tell me how this was? I could really use all the feedback!

Dean Darlings:

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