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takamikeiigos · 3 years

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• though keigo tends to be loud, seemingly carefree, and outgoing, he's convinced himself that hero work is his #1 priority and he has zero time to be getting all up in a tizzy about feelings

• this man probably doesn't even know what a long, meaningful hug feels like. but what does it matter because he's a hero, he doesn't have time to be mulling over that kinda stuff

• now don't get me wrong, keigo has all of the basic human wants and needs for love, affection, companionship, etc. but has managed to tuck those thoughts away deep in the back of his mind

• so he spends his free time alone watching movies by himself while eating takeout, or finding somewhere high on the skyline to perch upon while the breeze caresses him and gives him comfort while he's deep in his thoughts

• when it comes to his avian characteristics and needs, he knows many people don't understand so he tends to them himself

• long tiresome processes of preening his own wings, often getting aggravated when he can't reach a spot or can't get certain feathers to lay flat

• or when it's that time of the season and he continuously chooses to go through his ruts alone because he hasn't allowed himself time to slow down and properly take care of it, because he grew up too fast and exploring his own wants and needs was never an option

• let's talk about keigo nesting during a rut bc of pure instinct but suddenly coming to the harsh reality that he has no one to share it with

• ouch

• imagine the first time he meets you

• you think he's probably the most loud and obnoxious motherfucker you've ever met but he grows on you over time

• its only after spending a bit of time by his side that you realize little things about him that kinda break your heart

• he smiles and jokes around a lot, but when you catch him deep in thought or slipping you notice the vacant stares that make him seem far, far away

• or the fact that he doesn't touch people unless they prompt first, whether it's a high five or a pat on the shoulder, but his hands mostly remain in his pockets or by his sides otherwise

• so it breaks your heart even more when you go to give him a quick hug before checking out for the day and he completely tenses up, clearly not sure how to react

• it occupies most of your thoughts that night, before it finally dawns on you that keigo didn't reciprocate because he didn't know how to (not literally, of course)

• from then on you touch him more often - like gently putting your hand on his shoulder when you're reaching over him, or placing your hand on the small of his back when moving around him

• over-all you're in his space more, always standing a few inches closer so your shoulders touch or your hands brush

• but let's talk about that one time you both go on a mission together and keigo gets knocked around a lil bit

• you're finally able to catch up to him and the idiot is standing there covered in bruises, feathers missing and his hero outfit almost torn to shreds, and he has the audacity to smile at you like he didn't just get knocked into next week

• he tenses again when you run up to him and pull him into a frantic hug, worry ebbing from your entire being but grateful that he's still standing and alive

• but the exhaustion finally catches up to him and its then that his wall comes crashing down, his arms wrapping around you like he's clinging to you for dear life, and his head is resting on your shoulder, coming free of all those heavy thoughts he's been carrying with him

• things slowly change after that

• months later you two end up together, like two pieces of a puzzle that were lost but finally found, a relief of a perfect fit

• he texts you constantly - whether it's of things that remind him of you, or a picture of a cat he saw while on patrols, or even just to let you know you mean the world to him

• when you’re both together he almost always ends up being the one to initiate physical contact now, staying close in your space and his hand always rest against you

• on nights after a long day of patrolling, he'll come over and you'll put a movie on, cuddling close together on the couch while eating the most unhealthy junk food you could find to take the edge off

• you catch him smiling to himself one of those times, and when you look at him curiously, he shakes his head and laughs quietly

• "'s nothing baby bird, just nice to finally have someone to do this with"

• on another tiresome evening of patrolling, he flies through your bedroom window (you always leave it unlocked and open for him) and perches on your windowsill

• you can instantly tell something is bothering him by the way he's holding himself, his wings twitching and his body tense

• so you beckon him to come sit on your bed with you, thinking maybe a back rub will ease the tension. but when he finally sits down in front of you, the disarray of tangled feathers is the answer to your unasked questions

• you tell him to relax and he does, but when you hesitantly run your fingers against his feathers he nearly jumps out of his skin

• you pull your hand away as if it was burned and when you ask if you accidentally hurt him, he flushes and avoids eye contact

• "no! no, you didn't hurt me. they're just.. sensitive. 'm just not used to people touching them like that. but it.. it feels good"

• so you continue running your fingers through his feathers gently, making sure they're all in place and pulling the loose ones from his wings

• he’s all breathy sighs underneath your hands and you swear you hear him cooing every once in a while and your heart melts at the amount of intimacy and trust

• it turns into a ritual after rough days, and neither of you mind it

《《 NSFW 》》

• so look, i’m not saying keigo is a virgin but we're gonna keep going with this little needy & touch starved trend we got going. to each their own

• keigo loves being touched, but he also loves touching you

• i’m talking always pressing up against you when you’re both alone, face nuzzled in your neck while biting and licking, hands on your hips and squeezing

• clinging to you when you’re about to get out of bed, or sneaking into the shower with you bc he misses your warmth and is craving some skin on skin contact, his head nuzzled into your shoulder and his arms wrapped around you from behind

• tbh he’s probably still half asleep as he does this, too. you basically have him completely limp in your arms when you turn to start scrubbing his hair

• i’m getting a little off topic, huh?

• he’s always trying to get your attention, especially when he knows you’re busy

• he’s almost always breathless when things get hot and heavy, nearly falling apart over a make-out session

• but when you finally get him out of his clothes and on the bed where you want him, the experience is one you want to relive forever

• he’s got this wonton facial expression, chest flushed and wings puffed out, lips parted with unspoken pleas as you touch him

• the first time you even touch his dick he nearly loses it, head tossed back and fingers gripping the sheets

• "fuck.. fuck that feels so good dove, please don't stop"

• he’s so sensitive, his skin feels like it might burst into flames because of how worked-up he's getting

• the sight of him falling apart from a simple hand job is a sight to see, something you weren't expecting to get you going but it is

• you stroke him slow, your grip just loose enough where he ends up having to work for it, all the while you're gauging his expressions

• keigo is a talker, loud and completely unashamed of the filth pouring from his lips as he fucks up into your fist, his jaw slack and his brown pinched in pleasure and concentration

• "please baby, right there. god, you feel so fucking good, please don't stop. fuuuuck"

• when you decide to touch his wings out of sheer curiosity, you weren't expecting to his reaction to turn you on as much as it did

• keigo arching off the bed with a broken "f-fuck!", yanking you forward into a harsh kiss as he moans broken please and appraisals into your mouth, whining

• he finally comes in thick spurts over your hand, his hips stuttering as he thrusts upward to milk the final drops of his come, chest heaving and breathy pants falling against your lips, his hands tangled in your hair

• touch starved, needy, and sensitive

don't get me started on my man's going into a rut. whoo, good stuff.

sorry this is so long!! i got very carried away once i got into it.

if anyone wants to request anything, please do?? i would love that, especially since I'm trying to learn more about this beautiful bird-boy. nonetheless i hope y'all enjoyed!!

♡ ky

#keigo takami #bnha hawks #bnha keigo takami #mha hawks #mha keigo takami #hawks headcanons #keigo takami headcanons #hawks x reader #keigo takami x reader #takamikeiigos #ky writes #headcanons #bnha #hawks

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infinitegalahad · 3 years

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HOW TO SAY I LOVE YOU (WITHOUT SAYING I LOVE YOU)

Summary: Everybody in Easy Company can see that Shifty is like a love-sick puppy with a cute truck driver. He loves her, but he's too shy to confess. Popeye, his best friend, can no longer stand to see it. Floyd Talbert is the man of the hour and knows how to get Shifty, who can barely say I love you", to say those three words without actually saying the words. The way to solve this pining? A classic carnival date.

Word-Count: 7.4k

Notes: Howdy y'all! Once again, I am back from the dead! School has been a little crazy lately. I'm still working on requests and opening up some prompts, but I have two essays that are due in a month and aka-my life is a mess but...writing. I hope you guys will forgive me for dying and take this tooth rotting fluff of Shifty and cheeky tab! Shifty basically has a phd in being adorable. It's pure fluff, not a single ounce of angst! Once again, fem reader. Also unbeta read, we die like idiots. Enjoy!

Taglist: @tvserie-s-world @easy-company-tradition @liebgotttme @50svibes (add yourself to my taglist)

“Oh, it’s hopeless!” Popeye sighed, his face landing into his hands. It had gone on for too long. At that point, it was sickening to watch Shifty. As much as Popeye loved him, he couldn’t stand to watch him attempt flirting, or whatever he was doing with his crush. Something had to be done, and the infamous playboy Floyd Talbert was the perfect person for the job.

Floyd had a smirk sprawled across his face as he looked behind Popeye, seeing the interaction blossom between Shifty and his crush. Shifty towered over them, shining his pearly whites and saying something inaudible, earning a sweet chuckle. His sun tanned cheeks turned tomato red as he rubbed his nape.

“I love Shifty, but that poor boy doesn’t even know he’s in love with her.” Floyd remarked. Being a serial dater, he knew how to charm people, with his dashing looks and personality. Floyd studied the Virginian, struggling to hide his obvious affections. His bright smiles, rosy cheeks, spotting them within the crowds-the boy was enamored with her.

Not only was Shifty in love, but so was y/n. Shifty and y/n were both quiet, and shy people. They were adored by the company as being the nicest people alive. You were a truck driver assigned to the company in Aldbourne. Being the only girl donned in pants, the men of easy company were both intimidated and intrigued with you. When you weren’t driving trucks, you were either subjected to Floyd’s advances or the mortar trio attempting to flex their muscles. Y/n eventually eased her way into the company, becoming “Easy’s girl”. Even though you felt welcomed, you didn’t really have a friend you could rely on.

That was until you met Shifty Powers. You met him by accidentally running into him with a box full of mountains. He, being the kind soul he was, offered to help you reorder the thousands of bullets. In exchange, you offered him a ride to a location he was running late to. He introduced himself by Darrell, insisting that you called him by his real name with a smile on his face. He was an undeniable gorogues with sun tanned skin, a smile to die for, and chocolate hair that was golden in the sun. Not only was he attractive on the outside, but within. You were convinced that Shifty could do no wrong whatsoever. Heck, you also believed that he was legally not allowed to curse.

Ever since that encounter, you and Shifty had begun to hang out more. The two of you would talk for hours on end, explore the town of Albourne, escape the bars and find a little bookshop or peaceful space to talk. It was soothing to sit next to Shifty and simply hear him breathe, talk, or smile. It always makes your bleak world a tad bit better. But you were convinced that Shifty wasn’t interested in you, he was too innocent. So you decided that the farthest you would be is friends. And yet, it didn’t sit well with you.

Floyd had noticed that y/n was in love herself. Whenever she was around Shifty, she’d become a mess as well, being clumsy and blushing red. She’d twist a strand of hair in her fingers every time Shifty looked at her, batted her long eyelashes, and looked in the distance to find Shifty, intent on his target, letting out a dreamt sigh.

Floyd was in love with y/n. After all, it was rare to find a female in a company full of men. However, Floyd was Shifty’s best friend, and he wanted what was best for both of them. Popeye could see this too and he was sick of seeing two people who didn’t even know what they were in love with each other.

Floyd, Chuck, and Popeye watched Shifty and you say something to each other. It was pouring outside. Attempting to find your rain jacket, it was nowhere in sight. Shifty, seeing your frustration, took off his jacket and gently put it on your shoulders. You turned around and tried taking it off, but Shifty insisted that you stay warm.

“My pa’ always made sure my ma’ would stay warm. It’s the best I can do,” He reassured.

“Oh Shifty, thank you. This is too kind. How can I repay you?” You offered, wrapping the jacket around your body.

He shook his head, smiling, “I don’t need a single thing from you, miss y/n.”

“Boy, the world truly doesn’t deserve someone like you.” You stated, standing on your tippy toes. “Let’s get out of here so I can sneak you a Hershey bar, or two. How does that sound?”

Shifty froze and looked side to side. It felt like the devil was tempting him. But he could never see y/n as a devil. She was a beautiful angel in his eyes.

“Well,” Shifty put a finger to his lips, “That does sound mighty fine, Miss y/n.”

You took his hand and dragged him to the door, your laughter echoing in the door. Shifty held the door open and let you exit first before closing the door, making your way to the supply room to eat chocolate.

Once Shifty was out of sight, Popeye turned back to Floyd. “I’ve tried to ask him, trust me. He won't say a dang word on it.” He explained, “He thinks miss y/n wouldn’t like a fellow like him. But I’m pretty sure she loves him.”

“You kidding?” Chuck added on, “She spoils him with free food, contraband, whatever. Anything he wants, he gets. She doesn’t do that to any of us.”

“Well, miss Y/n did give me hershey bar last week,” Floyd proudly smirked.

Chuck looked unashamed, “Yeah, because you were trying to convince her to go to the amusement park with her this weekend.”

The Boy from Kokomo playfully rolled his eyes, “Shifty’s not her only favorite.” For a second, he froze, a thought finally coming in his mind. “Wait...the amusement park…”

“She already said no to that one, and all the other dates,” Chuck said.

“I know that,” Floyd replied, rubbing his chin, “I got an idea. For Shifty and Miss y/n.”

Chuck and Popeye looked at eachother, and then Floyd. They could already see the idea forming, but it would take a lot of work.

“I’ve known Shifty all my life. He’s too shy to ask a girl out,” Popeye acknowledged, “He’s too scared of being rejected.”

“I know that.” Floyd pointed his finger as he stood up and fixed his belt, “I’ve got a plan.”

“For once?”

“Yes-be quiet,” Floyd teased, “All those two need is a little push.”

-----------

Shifty looked up and down at the brightly colored paper and at y/n, who was loading up the back of a supply truck. His mouth hung open as his eyebrows rose in diseablief.

Floyd, Chuck, and Popeye stood all in front of him, waiting for an answer. Shifty shook his head and shoved the paper back in Floyd’s hands.

“Oh, I can’t do that. No way.” Shifty denied, his cheeks growing red.

Popeye let out a defeated sigh as Floyd clicked his mouth, walking up to Shifty. “Yes way! Have you not seen the way y/n looks at you?”

Shifty looked in the distance and then back at Floyd, “What? No! She looks at me like I look at you-like a friend. Besides, you’ve seen miss y/n,” Shifty’s gaze turned back to you as the butterflies fluttered in his stomach, “She made it clear ‘dat she ‘dun needa’ man, and I wanna respect ‘dat wish. ‘Sides, she wouldn’t be into a guy like me.”

Popeye shook his head, “God darn it Shift! You gotta realize dat your-”

“In love. L-O-V-E.” Floyd teased, budding shoulders with Shifty. “Based on the dames I’ve been with in Kokomo, I know how women work. She looks at you like a lovesick puppy. The two of you are meant for eachother.”

Shifty looked at Floyd, blinking his eyes like a child looking at a math equation. He still wasn’t understanding. “But...oh, leapin’ lizards! Miss y/n would be into a guy like you. You get all ‘da pretty ladies...how do you dewit?”

Upon hearing Shifty’s pleas for help, Floyd let out a chuckle and slapped Shifty’s shoulder, who looked like a lost lovesick puppy.

“Shifty, Shift, my dearest friend,” Floyd reassured, giving him a double pat, “That’s why I’m here. You’re getting the best advice from your best man.”

Chuck rolled his eyes, “Fan-fucking-tastic Shifty, you boosted his ego. This is going to be great.”

Floyd looked at an unassumed Chuck, giving him a pout. “Oh come now, Chuck! Look at him, he’s in love.”

“But you like Miss y/n! I don’t wanna steal her. I mean, I want someone who can treat her right,” Shifty said, resting his hands on his cheeks.

“Shifty, as your friend, I’m pretty sure everybody in easy company wants Miss y/n to accompany them at the bar for a dance or two.” Floyd explained, trying to encourage Shifty. “I know how much you love her, and I think it’s fair to give you a shot. The only way you’ll get what you want is by working for it.”

He saw Joe Toye walk by you. And even Joe Toye, one of the scariest people in the company, gave miss y/n a subtle nod. She smiled back and gave him a wave, a bandanna in your hair and dirt smudged on your cheek.

Just your mere presence made Shifty melt like an ice cream cone on a hot summer’s day. No matter what you were in, your uniform or covered in pig guts, you always found a way to be absolutely gorgeous. When Shifty had first bumped into you, he was convinced you were a fallen angel. You were too beautiful and bright in the rainy, gloomy Albourne. Yet there you were, always by his side with a smile on your face and story to tell.

Shifty let out a dreamy smile, a crooked smile on his face. “I wanna say I love her…” Shifty added on.``...without sayin’ I love her.”

The boy from Kokomo cracked his knuckles, “Well, don’t I just got the plan for you too. How does nice and slow sound?”

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“What are you doin? Stop pushin’ me! I can’t dewit!” Shifty whispered in a hush as Floyd and Popeye pushed him towards the truck where you were loading supplies for easy company.

“Boy, quit being afraid of anything. Take that leap of faith!” Floyd called out before pushing Shifty near the truck before he and Popeye hid for cover.

Shifty turned around to find them before he heard a familiar voice call his name.

“Shifty?”

The Virginian sharpshooter turned his shoulder and hid his hands behind his back, smiling with a piece of his golden chestnut hair falling on his forehead. “Miss y/n! Pleasure to see ‘yah. I hope I wasn’t interruptin’ anythin’ too important.”

“Shifty, you’re too sweet. I was just finishing the last load of K-bars…” You explained, lifting a large box and shoving it into the back of her full truck, unable to see. Finally, done after a long day. Wiping the sweat off of your forehead, you walked towards Shifty only to be greeted by a variety of poppies.

“ ‘ere, got ‘em for you. You said you like the color red…” Shifty blushed, looking to the side. Floyd and Popeye hid behind the side of the truck, giving him a thumbs up.

You took the flowers and examined them, a smile growing on your face. “Oh, these are so sweet! Thank you..” You put the flowers in the pocket of your overalls to retrieve a few hershey bars from the back of the truck, “I’ll getcha’ somethin-”

“Wait, miss y/n!” Shifty announced, following after you as he grabbed your soft hand, pulling you back. You tripped on your own feet, almost falling to the ground before Shifty catched you, his hand on the small of your back. The two of you stared at each other, cheeks both burning with desire.

Shifty coughed and lifted you up, neating your ruffled shirt and cap with your hair messily tucked into. “S-sorry, I…would like to ask you somethin’. Not chocolate, ma’am.”

You raised your eyebrows, insisting that he go forward with his response, his hand still in yours. He didn’t even notice, but you did. You could recognize his soft, tan skin from anywhere.

“Would you go to the amusement park with me? As my date?” Shifty blurted out like word vomit, “I mean, only if you want. If you don’t wanna go with somebody like me, then I understand.”

“Yes, of course I would!” You also blurted out, your face red like a tomato. You took your cap off and hid your face, embarrassed by yourself. Inhaling, you let out an exhale before pulling yourself together. “Shifty, I would love to go with you. I wasn’t even planning on going at all until you asked me.”

Shifty’s eyes sprinkled with happiness, like a child on Christmas morning. “Really? You wanna?” He squeezed your hand, realizing that he was still holding it.

You looked up at him with a warm smile, placing your dirty hand on top of his. “Yes, I would love to.”

Shifty looked speechless. The rumors were true; his smile was infectious. Perfect and bright like the sun of a warm summer day.

“Sufferin’ succotash!” He cried, “Miss y/n? Can I ask you one last thing?”

“Yes, Shifty?”

“Can I give you a hug?”

It was definitely not what you were expecting. But then again, you weren’t hesitant. Shifty could do no wrong-he simply seemed over the moon about asking you out. You were as well, but seeing Shifty’s excitement made you smile and accept it. He was too cute for his own food.

“Yes, you can.” You opened your arms only to have long hands pull you up and spin you around. It was a quick welcome as you spun around, heartfelt laughter escaping from you and Shifty. Shifty could do no wrong, whether that be at shooting or giving the best bear hugs. They were bear-like, but affectionate and protective. He trapped his arms around your waist as you held the back of his necks, your fingers tangled in his soft hair which shined in the sun. Shifty looked amazing no matter what, always glowing.

Babe threw the clown nose off of his face along with the roses Guarnere had picked out for him. Eugene was walking by, mortified to see Babe dressed (apparently) as a clown and a disappointed Guarnere. Not an unusual sight.

“Heffron,” Eugene walked towards a sad Babe, scanning his figure. “What are you doing…”

“I’m heartbroken! Look at them!” Babe mourned, pointing at you and Shifty in an embrace, happily giggling. “I was gonna ask miss y/n out and give her these roses. I dressed up like a clown since I thought we could both be clowns together.”

Eugene simply blinked, perplexed by Babe’s logic. All he could think of was the word Yikes. He would’ve most likely scared away y/n instead of winning her heart over. “Pardon?” He looked at Guarnere for answers, who simply shrugged at him.

“Don’t look at me like that. I tried, the kid wouldn’t listen. He’s a lovesick puppy with that damn dame.” Guarnere explained, crossing his arms as he looked at the happy couple.

The Cajun medic, along with Babe the sad clown and Guarnere, observed you and Shifty. A small smile crooked at his lips. He normally wasn’t one for gossip or dating, but he was happy for the two of you. Even someone as quiet as him didn’t deny the obvious chemistry between the two of you. It was like the two you were destined to be together. Humble, adored, and both beautiful in your own, respective rights.

“Yeah…” Eugene slowly bopped his head, “There sure like lovesick puppies…”

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The Carnival brought light into the gloomy Alborunte with it’s bright rides, laughing children, and joyful ambience. Shifty could recall his childhood with Popeye. Every year, they’d have a carnival during the dog days of August. He loved the shooting games, winning thousands of plushies and eating candy with Popeye until he was sick. He was sure his Ma still had the plushies tucked away in the attic.

But instead of feeling overjoyed, he felt like he was walking on eggshells.

He waited at the entrance with Floyd, Popeye, and Chuck. Chuck kept looking down at his watch, keeping lookout for y/n as Floyd gave Shifty a final pep talk. They were all dressed in fresh uniforms with showers and fine cologne. It was a refreshing change, even if it was for one night.

“Remember, play it cool. You’re sweating’ like a damn dog!” Floyd said, fixing a stubborn curl into his cap.

“Oh, I don’t think I can do this. I mean, miss y/n deserves a real man. I mean she’s so…” Shifty rambled on before Popeye swatted him on the shoulder, gardening his attention to y/n in the crowd. You were far away but to Shifty, you were still recognizable. The girls in the crowd wore plain and monotone colored dresses but you wore a beautiful floral button up with sheer sleeves and ruffles, your makeup done. It was the first time Shifty had ever seen you without your flap cap and dirt on your face, and he wanted a better look.

“Beautiful…”

Floyd smirked and patted Shifty’s shoulders, letting out a dreamy sigh, “God damn it Shifty, you’re lucky I’m being nice to you. Hottie on the dot. Go get ‘em, tiger.”

Giving him a push on encouragement, Shifty’s friends eventually faded into the crowd. Gulping, he began to walk forward towards y/n, who stood in the crowd, waiting in the exact location Shifty told her to wait in. Catching him the corner of his eye, she smiled with her red lips and walked over.

“Shifty!” Y/n exclaimed with glee, looking at his clean uniform and quivering an eyebrow. “Thank goddess I found you…and you look handsome in your uniform.”

“Says the pretty lady talkin’,'' Shifty commented back as he looked down at your tinier form. Now that you were up close, he could admire every little detail from your rosy cheeks, red lipstick, manicured hands, and glimmer in your eyes from the fairy lights. “I mean, you always look very nice but tonight you look stunning’.”

“Oh quit being’ nice to me, Shifty.” You playfully swatted his shoulder, “Every guy’s in the company’s said that to me. Not half of them even acknowledged me before I got dressed up.”

Shifty, like a confused puppy, tilted his head. How could someone such as y/n, who he considered to be the prettiest lady he had ever seen.

“Whaddya mean? You always have been very pretty, ma’am.” Shifty acknowledged, his hands fiddling behind his back. He could feel his palms sweating, seeing the moon reflect onto your glowing skin. “You always look beautiful. It’s just tonight that you look even more beautiful than you usually do.”

You shook your head as you looked down, fiddling with the sides of your dress. Nobody had said those words to you in years. They were truly heartfelt and not some cheap way of getting into your pants. “I may not see it, but thank you Shifty.”

“Well, my ma’ has always told me that I’m one bad liar. I like to say it how it is,” Shifty insisted with a finger in your face, “and I’m saying that you are one hecka’ ova’ pretty gal.”

You smiled at Shifty, amazed by how cute he was. He didn’t even have to try, it was all natural. “Oh Shifty….” You looked down at your shoes, seeing your feet brush against his boots. Clearing your throat, you looked up to talk. ‘I…”

Before you could say a word, you could see Floyd Talbetr in the back. He noticed you talking to Shifty and upon seeing you, had a devilish smirk sprawn over his handsome face. You clicked your tongue, shaking your head. “Oh goodness, doesn’t he see I’m on a date?”

Shifty turned around and bit his lip. He gently grabbed your hand. It felt natural in the moment too, his larger work in your pretty manicured hand. “That son of a gun! I’m sorry ‘bout him, miss y/n. ‘Ere, let’s go. I’m sure he’ll find another lady, but not as pretty as you. I mean she would be very pretty, but not the miss y/n typa’ pretty.”

The two of you walked side by side, hands together. You looked at Shifty, raising an eyebrow. “Are you gonna keep callin’ me pretty the whole night?’

Shifty nodded his head like an enthusiastic child, “Like I said, if it’s true, is true.”

---------

Once the two of you escaped the infamous playboy, you and Shifty walked around the amusement park. The two of you had eventually let go of your hands since something had caught your eye, causing you to mindlessly wander. Shifty followed you like a puppy dog, whatever you wanted to do he wanted. Besides, anything with you was time well spent. Carnivals were something he always enjoyed with their bright lights and shiny attractions, especially with a pretty girl he was in love with. He forgot he was in a raging war whenever he looked at you; with your soft smile and calming words. Just for one night, Shifty could escape into his fantasy world with you, which to his surprise was the reality he was currently standing in.

You were full of life in the park, dragging Shifty to every ride, whether it be scary or for toddlers. The two of you first stopped at the Haunted House, which Shifty was terrified to go into. You were scared, but it was the rush of adrenaline driving you. Shifty wanted to impress you, so he held your hand hand for “safe precaution” and walked in front of you. It was adorable to see him jump back at the slightest scares and mumble under his breath an alternative curse word, such as “leapin’ lizards” or “great scott!”

As the two of you exited the haunted house, lost in conversation, the two of you had been jumpscared. Shifty jumped and grabbed your waist, pulling you in for protection. You felt his stomach on your back and his firm grasp on your waist. You looked up and Shifty, who immediately realized what he was doing. The two of you broke into laughter, a few snorts in the middle. Shifty slowly let go of your waist, wanting to hold on longer.

“Sorry miss y/n.” He apologized, bowing his head. “Jus’ got a lil’ scared in the moment. I don’t mean to be a coward.”

“A coward? Nonsense,” You smiled in reassurance and grabbed his hand, “Your no coward to me. Now come on! There’s more rides to go!”

Shifty was distracted by your beauty as you dragged him along. Once again, the two of you trekked around the park. He was lost in your gaze. How did a guy like him end up with a lady such as yourself? It was hard to deny the butterflies in his stomach. He had never dated in the past. Yes, he had crushes, but they never acknowledged his feelings. He’d do anything for his crushes whether to be holding their books, walking them back home, anything for them, yet he never had his feelings returned. He always felt like he was the second choice. But with you, it was different. You were truly his best friend, and he wanted you to know it, but he still had no idea how to say it.

The two of you decided to take a break and ordered a sugary milkshake to boost your energy for another hour of rides. The two of you sat at a small table in the back, watching the happy couples and children in the distance. The waiter had brought over a milkshake, interrupting your peaceful little silence. Shifty wasn’t even looking at the crowds, he was simply staring at you. His long legs brushed against yours until they finessed each other, making his cheeks go red.

He looked down and saw one milkshake with two heart shaped straws. You raised an eyebrow and fiddled with the straw.

“Odd,” You remarked, examining the milkshake, “ I thought we ordered two…”

Shifty raised his head to see Floyd Talbert in the back, a smirk as he winked, two girls leaning on his shoulders giggling. Was he following them this whole time? Wasn’t he too busy with those girls on his shoulders?”

Shifty tilted his head back down and muttered a curse under his breath, “That son ova’ mother trucker…”

“Shift?” You questioned. He looked up at you, to see that you were already taking a drink. “You okay?”

Shifty rubbed the back of his nape, “Yes ma’am. Ma’ apologies.” He looked at the milkshake and your manicured hands holding the cup down. “Hey! Leave a lil’ for both of us.”

You cutelty giggled, “I haven’t had one of these in a while! I can’t help it. After all,”

“Strawberry, it’s the best flavor,” Shifty had said, and you had followed along in his words. The two of your eyes met, both leaned in close to the milkshake. To cut out the awkarenedess, both of you let out chuckles. A small snort emerged from your mouth, in which you soon covered in.

“Sorry,” You mumbled, hand over your mouth. Your chuckles became faint, another snort escaping your mouth, “It’s not very ladylike.”

Shifty looked puzzled, “Whatcha’ mean? What’s not ladylike?”

“My laugh,” You answered, “I always snort. It’s horrible. Whenever I’d laugh, these girls in my school would make fun of it. I can’t really control it, sorry.”

“Why would they laugh at you?” Shifty looked saddened at your insecurity. You were perfect in his eyes. You truly couldn't do anything wrong. “I think your laugh is very pretty, miss y/n.”

“As sweet as you are, you don’t have to lie.”

Shifty scooted up towards you, his hand sliding onto yours. He had a small smile in his face, his thumb caressing the inner part of your hand. “Well, I am bein’ honest. I ain’t a good liar, you know ‘dat. I’m sure ‘dose girls were jealous of you. ‘sides…” Shifty looked down and back at you with his hazel orbs, “I like your laugh a lot, miss y/n. ‘S pretty, ‘jus like you.”

Oh god, It was happening. Whether it was his cuteness, his Virgianian accent, he was luring you in. You looked up at him as your cheeks grew rosy. The two of you sat there, hand on hand, sipping on a milkshake with the lights glowing in the back. You always had the tiniest crush on Shifty, but it had finally hit you like a bus that it wasn’t some tiny schoolgirl crush-but it was truly love.

You had told yourself over and over that the only reason he liked you was because he was nice to you. You were a cheery person, but deep inside, you had been hurt in the past. Always feeling you were the second choice, you shut yourself out from love. Especially in war. Sure, you were friendly towards the men, but you told yourself you wouldn’t grow close to them. If they died, it would be better. As cruel as it sounded, it was kinder to them are you. It was for the better, right?

That fateful day you bumped into Shifty Powers changed your aspect. You were officially stupid with love, sitting there at a bright carnival, hand in hand as you sipped on a milkshake. He was too kind for you and the world you lived in.

“You’re not gonna stop being nice to me, are you?”

“No ma’am.”

----------

After the milkshake incident, you had noticed you clung onto Shifty more. You were a little taken aback when he asked to hug you. Not that you didn’t enjoy it, you truly did, and it was something that infected your thoughts. Your cheeks would go red and you’d cover the lower part of your mouth. Whenever Shifty walked into the room, it felt like the sun was shining in the dreary Albourne. Just looking at him made your IQ drop to single digits.

And Floyd had caught onto it before you had even noticed.

Instead of holding Shifty’s hand, the two of you walked arm and arm, chatting the night away. The two of you exchanged stories of your childhood, home, and how you ended up where you were. He truly was an angel with a bright smile. He wasn’t like other guys you had met who bragged about themselves. Whenever you would compliment him, he’d deny it with his cheeks all red from embarrassment.

“You’re the best shot I’ve ever seen!” You announced, in disbelief. You had seen him practice a few times, and he would hit every target with grace. “You make it look easy.”

“I’m not a good shot,” Shifty doubted, “But Pa was a good shot. The best shot I’ve ever seen. I think you’d like Pa a lot.”

As the two of you walked in the crowd, you noticed a shooting booth in the corner of your eye. It was a classic paladone duck shooting game. You smirked and pulled his arm to the side, “Well, prove it then.”

Shifty let out a sigh and stood straight, saluting like you like you were Sobel, but much less intimidating. “Yes ma’am.”

You saw him stand there, his fingers curled around the trigger and the butt resting against his shoulder. He took a breath and exhaled, and let the bullets blue. Every duck fell to the ground within a matter of seconds. A minute later, Shifty returned with a large stuffed animal and a smile on his face. He handed it to you. It was a tiny, stuffed bear with button airs.

“For you.” He commented, “I wish they had bigger ones. But I can get you more, if you want.”

You looked at the plusive. You felt juvenile, but it was Shifty. Besides, the two of you weren’t in the army in the moment; you were two lovesick puppies, running around a carnival without a care in the world.

“No, this is...perfect.” You held it close to your chest, “I’ll name him Popeye, a good luck charm.”

Shifty had taken you to every booth he could find, effortlessly shot the gates, and won you more stuffed animals. Whenever he’d give you one, you’d smile like a child on christmas. He loved to see you happy, so he kept doing it more and more. In his mind, it repeated like a broken record, “for y/n”. Wherever you went, Shifty went. Whatever you wanted, Shifty wanted. He was truly a lovesick puppy.

After Shifty’s a thousandth win, both of you walked side by side, arms full of plushies. Each of them were named after members of your company. A racoon named Luz, a black cat named Roe, a cub bear named Liebgott, a fox named Babe, a rabbit named Dick, and so many more. You held up a medium sized shark and nudged Shifty’s shoulder.

“Alright, this one?”

Shifty put some thought into it, “Webster. Doesn’t he like sharks?”

You let out a dry chuckle, “Yeah, he won’t shut up about it.”

The two of you giggled until hitting the next booth and running into a familiar playboy and his newest addition bound to be one night stands. Floyd noticed you and Shifty arrived. He crossed his arms and walked over, faking a cough.

“Look at what we have here,” Floyd scanned you and Shifty, the both of you with wide eyes and stuffed animals overflowing in your hands, “Y’know Shift, I’m proud of you. The whole company hates you for it, you lucky son of a gun.”

Shifty softened his eyebrows, “Wait, they hate me? What did I do wrong?”

Seeing Floyd’s cruel teasing, you interrupted the two. “Floyd, don’t be so cruel,” You put a reassuring hand on Shifty’s shoulder, “Don’t listen to him, he’s just being himself.”

Floyd did a fake pout, “Oh, come on hon. All due respects, but Shifty hit the jackpot before me. After all, he doesn’t miss.”

Shifty and you both went as red as tomatoes, looking sideways. Floyd’s armcandy giggled at his comment and playfully slapped him in the chest. He reassured his sweetheart and wrapped an arm around her, pulling her away.

After Floyd had disappeared to do god knows what, Shifty still looked perplexed and concerned. His thoughts were once again racing. Not about the company disliking him, but Floyd’s comment. Even though he and Floyd were best friends, the two of them were different. He was a playboy in the spotlight, and Shifty was in the back, always tagging along. Growing up, Shifty considered himself to have a loving family. He saw the way his pa treated his ma; giving her his coat, bringing her presents, and treating her like she was a queen. Shifty had never been with a lady before, and he considered you his first real one. Twenty years of age and this was his first rendezvous with a girl, he couldn’t believe it. And he wanted to make sure you were loved and not some jackpot, trying to be won like a competition.

“Miss y/n?” Shifty asked, gaining your attention. He cleared this throat, “I just wanted to tell you that I don’t think of you in ‘dat way.”

“In the Floyd way? That’s alotta’ guys, Shifty.”

“Well, I don’t want you to think I’m doin’ this because of him. Since you’re a very pretty lady, a lot of guys wanted to ask you, and be there arm candy. I just wanted to letcha know now that you're not some kinda prize to be won. I hope to god I ain’t makin’ you feel ‘that way.” Shifty exhaled, letting all his words come out like word vomit. They came out so quickie that he didn’t even know what he was saying.

“Shifty, I know you. You’re a sweetheart,” You kindly affirmed, “Any dame would be lucky to get a guy like you. This has been such a wonderful night, so thank you for that.” The two of you were close to each other, your hands hovering against his chest. His uniform looked perfect on him, you didn’t want to mess it up. Your fingers sucked in as they laid at your side, resisting the temptations that were filling your mind. “But, I do have one request.”

“Anything for you, ma’am.” He vowed, letting you take the floor.

“Teach me how to shoot.”

Shifty look behind you at the booth, a shooting gallery, and then back at you. It was an odd request for sure, especially considering the tender moment the two of you shared. “Like here, right now?” He coaxed. Out of the people, him? He was flattered. No lady had ever asked him something such as that.

You nodded, shrugging your shoulders, insisting, “You are the best shot in the world, after all.”

“Alrighty, if you insist.” Shifty grabbed the small of your back as the two of you walked to the booth. Once you were given the prop gun, you placed the butt on your shoulder and closed an eye, the other looking out of the iron sight. Shifty got right behind you, his chest against your back. He leaned on your shoulder and moved your hand to the trigger and bottom while getting a sniff of your perfume. He never missed, but being around you was definitely a distraction.

“Don’t aim for what you're shooting’, aim’ for where you shootin’,” He instructed, your eyes focused on the moving targets. Shifty hadn’t realized he had put a hand on your waits to turn you over slightly. It wasn’t like you minded his gentle touch.

The moving target came up, and with Shifty’s hand upon yours, you pulled the trigger. The bullet hit the middle of the target, slamming to the ground. However, the two of you didn’t stop. Every target that came, you shot and didn’t miss once. While you were focused on the red targets falling to the ground, you could also feel Shifty’s breath on you and his firm grasp on your hips. His fingers were on top of yours and the trigger. Whenever you were to get a target, he’d mutter “ ‘atta girl…” or “aim a lil’ higher, darlin’.” It made you lose focus, making you thankful that Shifty was right by your side. You lowered the gun, his hands still resting on your hips. When the clerk had announced you had won, you shook it off and walked over to claim your one hundredth stuffed animal. Shifty had a pout as you walked away. He truly enjoyed being close to you.

“Hey,” You called, a smile on your face, “Thank you. I’d like to do that again.”

“Shooting’ again?”

“Of course. I’d like to learn how to do it.”

“Oh miss y/n, I’d love to help, but I ain’t a good shot.”

“Stop denying it,” You affirmed, holding his hands in yours, bringing them to your chest. You looked up at him, the fairy lights glimmering in your eyes, “That you’re a bad shot and not a gentleman and that I deserve to be with someone who can treat me right. You are an amazing shot. This night has been amazing. You are someone who can treat me right. I…” Freezing on your words, the butterflies in your stomach crippled you. You knew what you wanted to say, but how could you word it into a coherent sentence. His hands scrunched in your chest as you still held them close, like a child with a stuffed animal.

“Well, stop denying’ you're not pretty'. Because I think you're the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen,” Shifty confessed as he moved closer to your tinier form, “Not only on the outside, but inside. You're kind, always putting others before yourself. You also sneak the company Hershey bars, even though they don’t need them. You're so interesting to talk to, you can just...light up a whole room when you walk inside of it,” Shifty’s cheeks were burning like a fire as he pulled you close to his body, both of your breaths heavy. “I...oh gosh darn it…”

You looked over to the side and turned back to Shifty, “Ferries Wheel.”

“Huh?”

“Let’s go. It’s the last ride of the night before they shut the park.” You exclaimed. Maybe the two of you needed a private place to talk. I love you, it was three simple words. You couldn’t say it and he couldn’t say it. Maybe it would work, maybe it would be a disaster. You had nothing to lose at

this point.

Shifty and you both walked over, seeing that there was no line for the ride. It was late at night. You only had an hour left on your night pass, and you wanted to make sure you used the most of it. What if always lingered in your mind. You knew not to get close to the men in the company, it was for the better. But now, with Shifty holding your hand, it was undeniable.

The two of you boarded onto the small cart, still hand in hand. No words were spoken between you two. You looked at the bright lights, which were getting smaller as you moved upwards. You could feel Shifty’s gaze burn into you. Although the two of you

“Miss y/n?” He broke the silence.

“Yes, Shifty?” You said, turning to look into his Hazel eyes. He smiled and shook his head, using one of his hands to cup the hand he was holding.

“I don’t know how to say this but, I want to be honest with you since we only got a little bit of time to do so. I remember when I first met you and I was speechless, and I still am. I’ve had feelings for you for a long time now but tonight...made me realize them more. It made me realize what a foot I am for not knowing’ sooner. But now, I know. I gotta say it. Miss Y/n, I love you.” Shifty declared, “more than anything in the world. If you don’t like me, ‘dat’s okay. But I can’t hide it anymore. I wanna help you learn how to shoot, I wanna go on more dates with you, I wanna be around you every single day.”

It had finally hit you. You looked at Shifty and chuckled, “You said it. I love you too. I couldn’t find the words for it...but now, I have. I love you, Darrell. ”

You moved to Shifty’s side of the cart and leaned on his shoulder, nuzzling into it as Shifty wrapped an arm around you, pulling you close to his body.

“Have you always loved me?” Shifty questioned, his fingers trailing against your bare arms.

You nodded your head, playing with his fingers. “Since day one. You?”

“Since I first looked at you,” Shifty confessed, “Floyd and Popeye always teased me ‘bout it. I didn’t have the courage to say it before, but they…”

“Helped you. I guess you're not the only one here,” You sighed, just knowing that Floyd had something to do with this. Of course, it made sense for the playboy to make a matchmaker. “I told Luz by accident and you know Luz. Floyd had overheard our conversation and had to include himself. He helped me get a dress and prepare for this all. So yeah, I guess we both liked each other...but we didn’t know it.”

“Well, know we do it. We both love each other,” Shifty said into your hair.

“Yeah…” You looked at the night sky, the stars and moon sparkling. “I like that a lot.”

The cart had stopped on top of the ride. In that moment, you felt on top of the world. Shifty had you in his arms, the temperature wa sprague, the sky was beautiful. It was all coming together now-but there was one missing detail.

Shifty’s arm pulled you in closer before he asked gently, “May I kiss you, miss y/n?”

That was it, the one missing detail. A kiss to wrap up the perfect moment. You turned your body towards him, wrapping your arms around his shoulders. “Yes, you can Shifty. You can do it as many times as you like.”

“Yes Ma’am,” He chuckled like a child. Wrapping his arms on your waist, your lips collided with each other. Your heart began to pound as you felt a desire run from your heart, to my chest, and down toward my inner thighs.

Shifty touched your neck, and the hair as it was moved away nearly gave me the chills. His hands went from the sides of your head and down to your neck, out to your shoulders and down to your hands. He grabbed your hands gently yet firm. You felt safe, he spoke no words. Your heart is about to beat out of your chest as you shut your eyes and took a deep breath out.

Shift kissed my shoulder, and ran his lips on my skin towards my ear, but didn't quite make it that far. It doesn't hurt, it only makes me want more.

Shifty turns you around, and we are facing each other. He stares into my eyes and smiles. Shifty’s two hands grab your left hand as he places your open palm on his heart, and he holds it there. His eyes exude love, protection, security, safety, patience, and respect. You smile and he lets go of your hands, with one hand he runs his fingers through your hair and gently guides your face closer to his, eventually leaning me in to rest my head on his chest.

His other arm wraps around me, and you hope he never lets go.

And in that moment, the world was still. It was you and Shifty, on top of the world.

#shifty powers #shifty powers x reader #shifty powers imagine #band of brothers #band of brothers x reader #band of brothers imagine #we all need a little shifty in the world

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oneletteredwondered · 4 years

Text

Kiss me you animal

Sum: dance like no one is watching

Pair: Virgil/Remus, Dukexiety

Written for @dukexietyweek Day 5: Music

Warnings: song!fic, probably swearing, mild anxious feelings, MCR.

Remus is bored. Which is never a good thing on it’s own. But he’s also bored and lonely. He wants to do something with someone but he isn’t sure what he wants to do either which make him more frustrated with being bored and lonely. He groans to himself and the walls around him shudder with the force. He’s so bored he actually walks down stairs to the common area instead of just sinking through the ceiling and landing with a crash like he usually does.

The common room is dark, and dingy, and a little messy, but most certainly lived in and loved by its occupants. Remus kind of likes it that way, make it easier to hide stuff in the cushions to be found later for a well awaited prank.

This time the room is not empty. For once in a blue moon Virgil is on the couch, curled up in a tight ball of a blanket with his headphones on. Remus twists his nose up at him in greeting and Virgil flips him off in return. As he passes by he catches the sound of music coming from the headphones and an idea strikes him.

With an easy snap of his fingers, the music stops in the headphones and plays from loudspeakers now lining the top of the room. Some bright colored lights flood the floor and Virgil jumps out of his skin at the sudden new loudness.

“Remus what the fuck dude!” Virgil cries out but it’s too late, Remus is already headbanging wildly to the song playing and not caring for anything else, screaming the lyrics loudly.

“Drugs, gimme drugs, gimme drugs, I don't need it, but I'll sell what you got, take the cash and I'll keep it!”

He gesutres wildly to Virgil who is still looking at him like he’s crazy which to be fair Virgil does a lot but this seems more directed this time. Remus hops over the couch towards him and Virgil jumps back and hits the wall, skittering up like a spider.

“Eight legs to the wall, hit the gas, kill them all, and we crawl, and we crawl, and we crawl! You be my detonator!” Virgil lets out a snort but stays safe on the wall for while longer as Remus belts out the lyrics and shakes the entire common space with the force of his passion. He thrashes about, not ruining anything but certinaly causing a disruption. He spies Virgil whispering along to the lyrics as well and decides that just won't do. He slides to stop in front of Virgil with his hands out and an inviting smile.

“Gimme more, gimme more, gimme more, shut up and sing it with me!” He yanks Virgil down and pulls him into a weird spinning jumping sort of dance, no ryhme or reason, just pure movement. He’s screaming along to one part of the song while Virgil does the chorus slowly getting louder and louder. The general air of tension Virgil keeps close around him is slowly dissolving. He's laughing as he sings and the smile he wears is one Remus does not see often.

It’s a hidden sort of thing, because Virgil is all of the fears and worries, and one is that his smile looks weird or bad. But it’s here now that smile, and Virgil looks so unashamed to show it that it makes Remus even more crazy.

“More, gimme more, gimme more!” Remus spins Virgil away from him and hops up on the table.

“Oh, let me tell you about the sad man!” He makes a crying motion with his hands, his outfit shifting to pastel blue and grey, a mockery of Patton. Virgil snorts and turns away from him but Remus is faster he slides in front of Virgil and now dorns yellow and black.

“ Shut up and let me see your jazz hands,” He echos and Virgil does the jazz hands with him with no shame.

“Remember when you were a madman," Blue and black and glasses, and a crazed expression has Virgil busting out laughing.

“Thought you was Batman!” Something blindingly red and Virgil is pushing him away only to rock his head back and forth to the music.

“Hit the party with a gas can! Kiss me, you animal!” Virgil shouts the lyrics and Remus feels like ice water was dumped down his spine as Virgil keeps recklessly singing the lyrics. A sudden part of him wants to. Wants to kiss this wild Virgil who looks carefree and happy and for once not worrying what someone else thinks about him. Remus wants so badly.

So he gets closer as the song reaches a lull and back to back they rasie their hands, palms up with their fingers pointed to the sky, pressing into each other for support and energy, feeling the buzz between each other as the song begins to pick up again.

They turn and face each other screaming out the lyrics. Smiles on both their faces.

"Everybody wants to change the world, but no one, no one, wants to die, wanna try, wanna try, wanna try, wanna try, wanna try, now-!"

They head bang in time to the music, a miracle they don't bang into each other with the building force of their movements. Remus can see multitudes in Virgil’s eyes as he screams.

"I'll be your detonator!” And the music gets louder by Remus’s doing. It pounds in his ear drums as they both dance haphazardly to the music, jumping on the couch and table, kicking over a chair or two just because they can.

Remus sees Virgil laughing and looking so free of worries for the first time in a long time and he can’t stand to be away from him any longer. He dahes forward and right as the lyrics pick back up he hoists Virgil up in his arms and spins him about

“Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na!” They shout to the ceiling and Remus drops Virgil back to his feet, making sure to keep one hand on him as much as possible, gripping his fingers, hand on his shoulder, pressed up against his side or back. Remus needs to be closer to him, to somehow let Virgil know this wild side of him is welcome, wanted, beautiful.

They end face to face, hair in their eyes and cheeks red with the force of their yelling. The two of them barely breathing enough to continue but they do if nothing else than out of pure spite.

“I'd rather go to hell! Than be in a purgatory!” Remus screams.

“Cut my hair, gag and bore me!” Virgil shouts back at him.

“Pull this pin!” Remus grabs Virgil by the waist and spins him, dropping him into a dip.

“Let this world explode!” Virgil breathes out the last lyric, letting his hand fall down to the ground with his head back, Remus being the only thing keeping him from falling to the ground.

The sound of their panting fills the room as the speakers Remus put up melt into puddles and disappear. Silence surrounds them and with a small squeaking cackle, Remus hoists Virgil back to a proper standing postion but doesn't remove his hands from Virgil's waist. Virgil is still smiling and laughing, shaking his head at his own enjoyment and Remus doesn't want to let him go for a second.

But then Virgil looks at him, the smile on his face slowly falling away as he realizes the position they’re in and what he jsut did.

“Uh-” Virgil says eloquently and weasels his way out of Remus’s hands. He rubs his arms and shrinks, and just like that, the sudden explosion of who he was is gone leaving Remus whiplashed. Virgil moves to walk away.

“Where you going?” Remus asks him, trailing like a lost dog. Virgil gives him a grimace.

“Away form here,” Virgil says and before Remus can do anything else Virgil sinks out leaving him hollow and definitely missing something. Remus spins in a circle looking at the upturned room from their dancing.

They were having fun. Laughing, getting along, and Remus didn't bring out any kind of intestines or bugs or anything. It was fun and Virgil was smiling and looking so alive and now it's gone and Remus doesn’t know why.

Now he's, bored, certainly lonely, and confused.

With a twist in his mouth he sinks out to Virgil's room, except he pops up in front of Virgil's purple door and not inside like he intended meaning Virgil has locked it.

“Oh Virgey! Let me in!” Remus coos and knocks on the door quickly. There’s a muffled 'no' from the other side that makes Remus pout.

“Little pig little pig let me in!” He tries again. This time no answer at all. Remus tilts his head to the side with a crack and waves his hand at the door, willing it to open for him. It does and he steps inside.

“Seriously dude?” Virgil snaps at him because they both know that Remus knows that Virgil doesn't like when he breaks into his room. He sits up on his bed and Remus closes the door behind him with a kick.

“What just happned.” He demands. Virgil glares at him.

“What are you talk-”

“We were having fun, and dancing and singing and having fun and you just left.” Remus accuses of him angrily. Virgil slinks down at his words, not looking at Remus as he does.

“It's nothing dude just forget about it.” Virgil turns away from him and flops to his bed, putting his back towards Remus. Remus’s blood boils and he can feel the steam coming out of his nose when he exhales.

“No.” He says decidedly and stalks forward. Virgil twists just enough to see him coming but Remus is faster, landing on Virgil's bed with both his hands smacking down on either side of Virgil's head to trap him down.

“We were having fun, what happened.” He asks again. Virgil shifts uncomfortably under him, the feeling of being trapped starting to edge on his anxiety. The shadows of the room twist and creep closer but Remus glares them back with a look.

“It’s just- I don't know! We were so exposed out there and- it probably looked super fucking dumb I don't know!” Virgil scrambles for words and Remus lets out another smokey exhale.

“You know I don't give a shit what you do or what you look like right?” He deadpans. Virgil freezes and stares at him. Remus arcs an eyebrow at the confused expression.

“Out of all the people to not give a fuck how you look, I am probably the best bet,” Remus says a little softer this time, gently easing back so Virgil is less trapped but still beneath him. Virgil relaxes a little and covers his mouth with his hand.

“I know that, I do , it's just.. hard to remember sometimes. Because of, the whole-” Virgil gestures to himself as a whole and Remus rolls his eyes so hard they fall out of his head and across the floor. He shakes his head and new eyes appear in the sockets, an electric purple just for Virgil.

“Listen raggedy anx, I don't give a flying fuck,” He says and grabs Virgil's hand from across his mouth. He knows how embarrassed Virgil is by his smile, a common fear for many, but not for Remus.

“-About any of that shit.” Carefully he brings Virgil's hand to his face and kisses his palm. He feels Virgil still below him but he doesn't stop. He feels a burning inside him and he's never really learned how to call it quits before.

“I liked seeing you act all crazy and wild. I liked seeing you smile and having fun. I liked that you were having fun with me. How many more times do I need to say it?” Remus asks him then, glaring from over Virgil's hand still pressed to his face. He’d say it seven million more times if needed. Virgil swallows hard and Remus zeros in on the action hungrily.

“Maybe.. maybe a few more times wouldn't hurt?” Virgil chokes out, embarrassed about wanting the attention but Remus isn’t. He smirks wildly.

“I liked hearing you sing, i liked hearing you scream, i liked seeing you kick over a chair” HE says and Virigl snorts and attemps cover his mouth with his hand but Remus is still holding it and ends up squeezing their hands together.

“I like seeing you smile I like seeing you be happy, I like seeing you having fun,” Remus goes on and Virgil is giggling hysterically now unsure of how to respond to the affection.

“I like hearing you laugh.. I like seeing you beanth me," Here Remus wiggles his eyebrows and Virgil takes the nearest pillow to shove in his face in a peel of laughter. Remus shoves it out of the way and dives forward, scooping Virgil in his arms and shaking his head into Virgil's chest. He can hear Virgil's heart beating and the shakiness of his breathing but he's alive in his hands and it sends him reeling.

“I like you,” He pops up to look at Virgil. Virgil's smile slips off to a bewildered expression. Remus stares back at him. And since he’s never thought anything through in his life, Remus shifts a hand out from under Virgil to place on his cheek to hold him steady and kiss him.

Virgil lets out a shaky exhale of a noise through his nose that Remus can feel on his cheek but it doesn't stop him, especially not when Virgil’s tension of existing seems to melt away. So he kisses a little longer until Virgil gently places a hand on his chest and pushes him back. He stares down as Virgil catches his breath.

“I liked that,” Remus says then. Virgil looks up at him, a lopsided smile crosses his face.

“It was. It was alright,” Virgil tells him but there’s a hint of smirk there that has Remus buzzing.

“Can I do it again?” Remus asks and shimmies a little in excitment. Virgil snorts and almost, almost covers his mouth with his hand, but thinks twice and moves it to the back of Remus’s head to scratch at the base of his neck. Remus lets out a grumbling purr at the action.

“I guess you can, if you want.” Virgil tells him.

“Do you want?” Remus asks. Virgil bites his lip and Remus decides he too, would like to bite Virgil's lip.

“Yeah, I.. yeah I would like that.” Remus scrunches his nose.

“Are you sure?” He doesn't want Virgil to tighten up or fall back into his shell now. Virgil huffs at him and tugs him down just a little.

“Kiss me you animal.” And no sooner do the words leave his mouth is Remus dropping down again to kiss him, getting Virgil's lower lip between his teeth and nipping at it playfully.

They spend the rest of the day curled up around each other in Virgil's bed, kissing and teasing each other over stupid things and Remus is wiggling happily. He’s no longer bored, or confused, and certainly not lonely.

#dukexietyweek2020 #dukexiety #virgil sanders #remus sanders #fic #my post

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ripspaghet · 3 years

Text

STUPID CUPID | 01

↳ series m.list | 00 | 01 | ongoing

→ pairing: jimin x reader

→ word count: 3,309

Prologue Summary; You and Jimin have been neighbors since you were four years old and hated each other ever since. It isn't until the two of you head off to college that fate, or rather, a certain baby with wings, decides its time to teach the two of you a lesson.

→ warnings/genre: bodyswap au, enemies to lovers, slight smut, eventual smut, slow burn

</3

It's not always in the dead of the night, or the middle of a downpour, that the people we love decide to leave us.

A splash of yellow paints across the canvas of a blue sky, wings fluttering against a cool breeze. Curious little things - butterflies that is - the way they flutter about and land on anything colored brightly, your windowsill for example.

The people we love often leave during ordinary days, just like this one.

Holding your breath you inch the tip of your index finger towards it. Of course, you know butterflies aren't meant to be touched. Though, what four year old is going to pass up something as pretty as this? As you itch closer it startles, but not from you. An abrupt slam of a door shakes your walls and you turn a cheek to the retreating insect. You stare at your bedroom door. Pushing yourself off the windowsill, you make your way over, feet brushing against the carpet floor, and out the door.

"How could you!" Another slam ricochets through the house and you flinch back, nearly retreating to your room, "How dare you!"

After that moment in life, you were no longer the type of person to let serendipity rule you - so, it's only natural that you ignore it when it falls into your lap - turn and walk away as if it'd never been there, to begin with.

A week before the Switch

It hadn't been long since the sun peeked out from the horizon, but the warm body next to you is what stirs you awake, limbs stretching and contorting. Going against your better judgment you let a heavy lid peek open, only to snap it shut again.

"I saw that." An arm snakes around your shoulder and pulls you into a toned chest, his sun-kissed skin warm against yours.

"Then you should apologize for waking me up." You try wiggling out of his hold, but he follows you, nose nudging the crook of your neck while his slender fingers press into your hip bone.

"Stay."

You sit up, "Let go," Pushing the blankets from your sweaty skin you realize you wouldn't be getting any more sleep with him beside you - the literal sun himself.

His sleepy gaze follows you as you move towards your dresser drawers, "Come back. I'm sorry for waking you."

It takes only one glance to determine his motives, almond-shaped eyes flickering up and down your bare skin. He lays on his side, an elbow propping up his head, fingers combing through dark messy hair. You can't help but let your gaze wander down over the thin cotton sheets draped across his lower half. A smile ticks up the edge of your lips. More often than not, this guy has a way of forcing you to convey urges you push down. It's one of his many endearing qualities that annoy the living hell out of you.

"Come here."

Rolling your eyes you push your drawer shut again and make your way back to the bed. As soon as you slide back into his reach his hands are on you, tugging you to his lap as he rolls over. He looks up at you - eyes lowering to your exposed chest then waist, where his hands begin to wander up. When he reaches the swell of your breasts his fingertips graze along the supple skin, eliciting a sharp intake of air from you, "Say it."

Your eyes flutter open, annoyance coming full force, "That's a little cliché, don't you th-" His thumb and forefingers clamp down on your nipples and a submissive whine falls from your lips.

"I said, " He hisses, lips pressing against your sternum, "say it."

You let out a sigh, "Hoseok, "

A satisfied smile lights up his face and he releases you, letting his hands fall to your thighs, "Good girl,"

You snort, trying to distract from your flushed cheeks, "What are you getting at?" You nudge the fingers that caress you, "Don't tell me you want more this early in the-"

"I do," He leans in, speaking between slow and teasing kisses that he places along your neck, "but," He sighs, "I do need to ask you something first."

"Ask me what?" You pull away.

"Ah, " He groans, "won't you let me soften you up first?" Hoseok has always been like this, avoidant of serious topics and more than active during the sexual or unimportant ones.

"No."

His eyes shift away from yours, finding your pastel sheets more interesting, "I don't want to ruin this."

"Oh, yeah?" You begin to pull away from him again, only his grip on you tightens.

"Alright," He hums, snaking his arms around your waist, "will you be mine then?"

You freeze against him, staring with wide, unmoving eyes, "Excuse me?"

"I know, but I care about you. I even-"

"No." You shove his arms off to crawl out of the bed.

"You don't have to say it back. We can just-"

"No, we can't just. We had a deal. You were supposed to tell me if you ever developed feelings. I'm not the slightest bit interested in a relationship, or you for that matter."

He rolls his eyes as you put your clothes on, "I've always had feelings for you. I only said I didn't so I'd have a chance."

You freeze, turning to look back at him as he sits up, "Seriously?"

"I'm in love with you ____." He smiles as if he's just said the simplest thing in the world. Like it's easy for him to just give away everything he is to someone else - someone like you no less. A person who couldn't give a rat's ass for his so-called feelings.

You let out a dry laugh and turn towards the bathroom, "Love, huh?"

"Give me a chance to prove it and I'll have you falling for me in a week."

"I have no interest in love, Hoseok."

Hoseok clicks his tongue, "So cold, you won't even budge an inch?"

"What is it with men and not knowing what the word no means?" You pick up your toothbrush only to feel hands smooth over your hips and enclose you in a pair of strong arms. Where your skin meets him, a flame blooms, though you choose to ignore it to instead squeeze toothpaste onto your brush.

"Say you'll think about it."

You turn around to face him, your chest touching his, "If I say that, will you get out?"

He nods with satisfaction.

You place your toothbrush in your mouth and push him away from you, "I'll think about it."

"Good, " He smiles, "I'll be going overseas to visit my sister this weekend. By the time I get back, you'll have decided. Right?"

"Sure," You feign interest and begin brushing your teeth.

"'Think about it', as if." You scoff, "I've told him a thousand times over that I'm not interested. After this, we're done. I've already blocked him."

"I mean, I can't blame the guy. You've been going at it for over a year now."

"Jin," You grab the finger his pointing at you accusingly, "he knows next to nothing about me."

He hums, taking his hand back, and passing you a paper bag that's filled with your favorite breakfast pastry, "I just saying, maybe you should give him an actual chance this time."

"Why?" You raise an eyebrow as you take the bag from him, "So he can prove me right?"

"You haven't been in a real relationship since high school. You can't act like you know what it's gonna be like."

"How much different can relationships be now? They're nothing but trouble. I fail to see how that can change just because I'm older." You furrow your brow while picking at your food.

"Relationships aren't trouble, they're work. You're just too lazy and cold hearted to see that."

You groan and take a drink from your coffee, "Whatever, as if you'd understand. You fall in love with everything with a pulse."

He nods at you, unashamed, "Love is the seasoning of life - to live without it is to be dead."

"You're so melodramatic."

"Alright, change of subject. I've been hearing whispers from people." Jin smiles brightly at you.

"Oh? And what's that? More gossip?"

"Gossip?" He scoffs, "I'll have you know that this is top-quality news I'm gathering day to day and I ought to be running an article for this school."

"Tch, " You take a bite out of your breakfast, willing yourself to ignore your elder.

"Anyway," He huffs dramatically, "as I was saying, this Valentine's Day there's going to be a big party at the Jjang house-"

"There's always a big party at Jjang."

He narrows his eyes at you, "If you'd let me finish I was going to say, they're making it so that everyone who shows up has to wear red and a mask, or you're not allowed in."

You swallow your food and cough, nearly choking, "Huh?"

"Yup, they finally got sick of all the hate the art department dishes out on them."

"Can you blame us?" The booth cushion dips beside you and you turn to see another one of your friends now leaning over you to steal a piece of your breakfast, "My grandmother could throw a better party than those guys and she's dead."

Jin chokes on his drink, "Jungkook! Your poor grandmother!"

You snort, "Hey, Kookie."

Jungkook gives you a goofy smile as he chews before turning back to Jin, "My grandma is alive and well, Hyung. It's only a metaphor."

"A metaphor?" Jin sputters, "Do you even know what a metaphor is?"

Jungkook shrugs and smiles when you pass him a bag of donut-holes, "Not exactly."

"I think what he said can be implied as a metaphor."

Jin's eyes cut over to you, "Yeah, well, you're as much of an idiot as he is, if not more so." A sack of donuts slaps against your chest and you catch it before it falls into your lap, "You two need to go before you're late to that practice again."

"Alright, but before that how'd it go with that girl Yuna?"

Jin's eyes snap back in your direction as he sucks in a sharp breath of air, only to choke on the egg sandwich he'd been chewing. Coughing profusely, he lets out a croak, "What the hell?"

You bite your lip to keep from laughing, watching as your friend wipes the egg off his face, which is more than you can say for Jungkook. He's cackling so hard that people in the cafe are starting to turn their heads.

"Honestly, I bought you both breakfast and now you're harassing me in public," Jin grumbles under his breath.

After a bit more "harassment" you and Jungkook leave Jin to head to your practice. As strange as it is for an art major you've had an obsession with sports since you could remember. So, you joined one of the few sports teams available at your university your freshman year. You also convinced Jungkook to join alongside you. Convincing him wasn't that difficult either, seeing as both of you are extremely competitive. All it took was a bit of taunting.

"Early as always you two." A hand pats your shoulder and you laugh nervously.

"Sorry, Irene."

"Whatever," She drops her sarcastic tone, replacing it with a cheerful laugh, "just hurry up and get changed. I swear you do on purpose."

You turn to look at her,"Do what?"

She glances at Jungkook, who's already left you behind to get changed, "Oh, nothing." She pats your shoulder again with what you might call a forced smile, "I wouldn't want things to be awkward."

You raise a brow as Irene leaves you be to start warm-ups, "Okay?"

Irene is the team captain and a good friend of yours. It's hard not to be her friend when she's so easy to get along with, although you've shared a few weird moments with her that suggests something to do with Jungkook. You've suspected for a while now that she may have a crush on your best friend, but being unsure you refuse to help her or get involved in any way. Jungkook hates when you meddle with his love life, which you learned from experience when you tried to set him up with a girl in your anatomy class. Long story short, Kookie was forced to turn that girl down and was upset with you for a week about it. Ever since you've refused to help any of the girls that have approached you to get to him.

Once in the dressing room, you quickly change clothes and lace up your shoes after tying your hair up.

Love just isn't something you should involve yourself with. Whether it's for yourself or your friends. Who knows, maybe bad luck with love runs in the family.

You leave the dressing room and approach where Jungkook waits for you on the court, "Warm ups?"

"Yeah," He nods, "Irene wants us to catch up with the others. So, she's probably going to give us more to do once everyone is finished. Let's get this done as fast as possible."

"Alright, full speed ahead." You playfully bounce on your toes a few times before making your way to the other side of the net across from Jungkook as he tosses the volleyball from hand to hand, "Show me what you got, virgin."

He laughs, "I think you have the wrong idea about me."

"Then you shouldn't have a problem proving it, right?"

"Just ask your sister."

"I don't have a-"

"Wait nine months."

"Huh?"

With that Jungkook tosses the ball up and jumps for it, landing a harsh slap on it that sends it hurtling through the air toward you - only, you're caught off guard when someone suddenly shouts at you and your head whips around. The ball slams into your chest, knocking the wind out of you with a dramatic 'oof'. And stood there, at the entrance of the gym, is a group of dance majors that you can't stop yourself from scowling at. Especially, when you notice him silently avoiding your eyes at the center of the group.

The one on his left laughs, having seen you land firmly on your ass, "Did you both see that?"

"Glad we came in late today. We could've missed it, right, Jimin?" The other nudges him.

He hums in response but doesn't look in your direction, just continues toward the dance studio.

Sixteen Years Before the Switch

"She's pretty isn't she, Jimin?"

The boy shifts his gaze before hiding behind his mother's leg.

"Why don't you go play? I'll be right here. I'm not going anywhere."

"Can I?"

She nods with an encouraging smile, "She won't bite."

Jimin was only five at the time, you four and typically, when two children are neighbors they become friends, sometimes best friends for that matter, but that just wasn't the case with you and Jimin.

"Hi, I'm Jimin. Me, my mommy, and daddy live next door."

You didn't respond, just continued playing with your blue toy truck, quietly ignoring the boy next to you.

"I like the color of your truck."

You glanced over your shoulder at him, only to quickly look away again when you met his eyes. His presence was making you nervous, you only wanted him to go away. But, he didn't take your rushed gaze as a sign to give up and go away, if anything it only made him think to try harder and that's when he reached for your hand, "Let be friends-"

"Leave me alone!"

Sure, you didn't necessarily bite him, as his mother had suggested, but you sure as hell pushed him away and ran. Admittedly, it wasn't Jimin's fault. Moving to Busan had been the beginning of the end for you. Your Mom hoped that maybe Jimin and you would hit it off. After so much change in your lives, she wanted at least you to be happy, even if she wasn't. Though, the similar interest in sports and sweets made no difference. The bickering never ended between Jimin and you. Coaches were forced to put one of you on the bench, while the other played, or someone was getting hurt. If your families ever had dinner together, you fought over dessert.

"You'll only get hurt."

"Me being a girl makes no difference in my abilities to plow you into the ground, Jimin!" You throw the soccer ball at his face, landing a satisfying thwack.

You think Jimin grew to hate you for it. Not that it mattered at the time, since you disliked him first.

"But that's the last piece, Momma."

"Jimin is our guest ____. Don't be rude."

"But-"

"No buts."

You glared at Jimin across the table, wishing your legs were long enough to kick him from where you sat.

The older you got, the worse it became.

"What did you say?"

Your teammate scowls back at you, "I said, you're a girl and outta act like one."

"And who are you to say what a girl outta act like?" You shove him into the lockers just behind him and he yelps in surprise.

"Hey,"

You pause, head-turning to the left where the entrance to the hallway is.

"Don't you think you're being a bit reckless?"

Stepping back from your teammate, you sigh, "Great, just what I need."

Jimin has always been the popular type, loved by everyone for acting like someone he isn't. That's probably what annoyed you the most about him when you got older, he was never himself. He always lied about what he thought or how he felt to please others while acting completely different when no one else was around.

"Leave him alone and go to class, ____."

"Or what?" You laugh dryly, "You're talking as if I'm bullying this guy when he's the one who-"

"Didn't you hear me? Are you deaf?"

Your glare sharpens, "Oh, I heard you, Park."

Long story short, that was the first time you'd ever been suspended. Your mother was pissed, to say the least, and you quit the soccer team that year.

A week before the Switch

Jimin eyes you from the entrance of the gym, expressionless as his friends cut up on either side of him. You can't help the scowl that contorts your face, nor the tension that builds up in your shoulders. It's been a few months since you've seen him on campus and you'd almost forgotten about him, until now.

"You alright?"

You take Jungkook's hand and stand back up, "Fine." You dust off your bottom with a sigh. Another thing, none of your friends know about Jimin. Seeing as he is someone you wish you never knew, it makes sense that you avoid even the subject of him like the pledge.

"Let's start over, you hit this time." Jungkook passes you the ball then turns to head back under the net.

With a solid nod, you force yourself to relax, putting all your tension into your fingertips that now grip the ball.

Jimin just so happens to also have a love for the arts, which has lead to the two of you attending the same university - him being a dance major and you, art. Luckily, you rarely see each other since dance majors normally reside on the opposite side of campus. On the off chance, you do see him it's always because of volleyball practice or one of his friends, who just so happens to be an art major.

"____, earth to ____?"

"Sorry," You toss the ball up and slam your hand against it, sending it through the air and over the net.

"Nice," Jungkook bumps the ball back to you. You run for it, the feeling of eyes following you.

You have a sinking feeling that something super annoying is in the works.

To be tagged send an ask🏹💌

#bts au #park jimin #jimin #bts jimin #jimin au #jimin x reader #stupid cupid | 01 #stupid cupid series #bts crack #enemies to friends to lovers #enemies to lovers #childhood enemies #jimin fanfic #body swap au #eventual smut #bts slow burn

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imaginejamesandsirius · 3 years

Note

I love your writing and get super happy when I get a notification about this series. My prompt would be: Sirius tries to get Regulus to leave the death eaters and gets roped into trying to destroy the horcrux with him. Sirius drinks the potion instead and this whole mess somehow ends with James and Sirius getting together. Would love some angst!!!

((A/N: Warning for mentions of suicide))

"You sure about this?" Regulus asked nervously.

Sirius gave him a flat look. "It's a bit late to change your mind now," he said, gesturing to the cave around them. Crossing the water hadn't been easy since the boat was designed to only carry one, and now, standing in front of the basin with the necklace visible on the bottom was kind of the worst time to decide that he didn't want to do this anymore. Their goal was in sight; even if Regulus decided to leave, it would mean that Sirius had to try this on his own. He would prefer not to try that, but he couldn't, in good conscience, walk away.

"Not that. I just meant- you're better at thinking on your feet. Maybe I should be the one to drink it."

Sirius shook his head. "No way. You know more about Voldemort and what's going on with the Death Eaters than I do. If the potion is designed to kill the drinker, we'd still need you alive and well."

"You're not going to die from drinking it."

"You know that for sure?" Sirius asked, tying back his hair. He had no idea how this was going to go, and he didn't want his hair in his face for it.

"Are you suicidal and I'm just now learning about it?" Regulus asked, looking alarmed.

"For fuck's sake, Regulus. Take a deep breath, and calm down."

"I can't believe you are telling someone to calm down, and if there were ever a moment to panic, I should think you'd agree that now is a fitting time."

"Panicking is going to make it hard for you to think. Just remember: as soon as you can, grab the necklace and get out."

"I'm not leaving you behind."

"I'll be fine. I'm not planning on dying in a cave in the middle of nowhere," he said with a smirk.

Regulus wasn't the least bit comforted by that. He knew Sirius was lying-- he wouldn't be fine.

Sirius took a deep breath and picked up the cup sat on the side of the basin. "Here goes nothing," he muttered.

Regulus felt like he was in some state of shock. His body was moving automatically, but it's like his brain was frozen in place. He'd seen Sirius have all sorts of emotional outbursts-- from angry and screaming at their parents to silent and shaking. This was a first for seeing him cry so hard he couldn't breathe. Sirius had been fine drinking the liquid at first, but the effects were cumulative. He got a little choked up after a few cups, and by the end, Regulus had been helping him drink it. He hadn't wanted to, but Sirius had figured out about halfway through that he wouldn't be able to finish all on his own.

It had been a steady spiral downwards for Sirius, but that didn't make seeing the end result any easier. He was a wreck, and it wasn't getting any better. Regulus had been sure that it wouldn't kill him at first, but after seeing him vomit because of how hard he was crying, he started to doubt it. He needed to get Sirius help, and he needed to do it fast. He couldn't just walk into St. Mungo's after betraying the Dark Lord with his brother in tow and expect for nothing bad to happen.

That left him with one option-- or at least one option that he could currently think of.

Personally, he didn't trust Potter. He didn't know him, and he didn't care to. But he needed help-- both with the necklace and with Sirius-- and there was no one better than Potter for that.

Sirius was heavy. Regulus hadn't thought about it before, but Sirius was taller than him and almost twice as big around. Regulus had never felt like a bloody stick before, but he was wearing himself out trying to drag him around. It was something of a miracle that he hadn't fallen over, to be honest. He landed with a grimace on Potter's front stoop, then kicked the door-- he couldn't take an arm away from Sirius for long enough to knock unless he wanted to drop him. He waited a couple seconds, then kicked the door again. "Come on, come on, come on," he chanted, hoping desperately that Potter was home; if he wasn't, they were buggered. He kicked the door again, sending jolts up his leg.

"What the hell are you-" James said, yanking the door open. His eyes darted from Regulus's face to Sirius's slumped form. "The fuck happened?" he asked, hurrying forward to take Sirius's weight.

Regulus's arms felt like jelly. Numbly, he followed him into the house and closed the door behind himself.

"Oi, I asked you a question. What happened?"

"There was- I needed help," he said, voice small.

"With what?" James asked, maneuvering Sirius onto the couch.

Regulus didn't want to talk about it, but he knew that he had to answer a few questions before Potter would relax.

Sirius felt like utter shite when he woke up. The nightmares-- or whatever they were called-- called by the potion had been... vivid. Overly realistic like he was reliving every single moment of the worst day of his life.

He'd realised, one day back in Hogwarts, that James wasn't going to ever be interested in him. It had him hard. James had gone on a date, and then he'd been so excited about it that he'd started to tell Sirius every little detail-- just like they did with everything else. Sirius had snapped at him halfway through and told him that he didn't want to hear about that shite; James hadn't understood why he was getting upset and got mad in return. There had been a decent amount of insults thrown back and forth, and Sirius had stormed out. He'd spent half of the night away, and he'd seriously considered never going back. He'd been hurt and angry and so depressed that he felt like he couldn't even pretend to be okay. In his opinion, he'd had worse days, but that was the only one that had been horrible where James was concerned. Everything else, he'd had James around to comfort him afterwards. For that, he'd been all alone. He couldn't exactly go running off to James when James was the problem.

Sirius wasn't suicidal. But he had been that night. Looking back on it, it felt stupid, but reliving it had reminded him of why he'd been thinking about it. It hadn't been stupid that night.

It meant that when he woke up, not only did he have a tender stomach from vomiting and a headache from crying, but he also felt... fragile. He wondered where Regulus had brought him, because he knew as soon as he opened his eyes that he wasn't in hospital.

"Hey," James said softly, off to the side.

Sirius rolled his head to the side to look at him.

He gave a small smile, looking worried. "How do you feel?"

"Been better," Sirius said, swallowing. "Is Regulus okay?"

"He's fine. He's asleep in a guest room."

Sirius nodded, eyes closing again. He felt James brush some hair away from his forehead and press a kiss to the skin there.

"I could've been there if you told me about it," James said, softly reproaching.

"Regulus didn't know who to trust," Sirius mumbled. Sleep was tugging at him again, and he knew they'd have time to talk about it later. For now, it was enough for him to be reminded that James didn't hate him.

The next time he woke up, he knew it was for several hours. The trouble was that he'd rather go back to sleep. He didn't see anyone as he got off the couch and walked to the kitchen for some water. He didn't feel firm enough to stay standing, so he sat at the table to sip gingerly at his drink. He'd need to brush his teeth soon, because this wasn't sustainable.

He got halfway through his glass before James walked into the room. "Feeling any better?" James asked.

"A bit," Sirius said. He winced at how rough his voice sounded. His throat didn't hurt, and he didn't really remember much about last night. Or whenever it was that he'd gone to the cave with Regulus. After losing time first with the potion then with sleeping so much, he didn't know how long it had been. "How long was I sleeping?"

"Couple days," James said with a shrug. "Lily came by to check up on you."

Lily was training to be a medi-witch, so it made sense that she would've been by. What didn't make sense was that Regulus hadn't protested; he wasn't a blood supremacist anymore, but he'd made it clear that he wouldn't be comfortable around Sirius's mates. He hadn't exactly been lucid for it, but he assumed that the only reason he'd gone to James was because he hadn't known what to do with Sirius otherwise. And, given the choice between Sirius possibly dying and talking to someone he'd rather avoid, Regulus would always choose to talk to someone he'd rather avoid.

"Is Regulus still here?" Sirius asked.

"Not right now. He's with Dumbledore, filling him in on what he knows about Voldemort. I told them that they could stay here, but Dumbledore insisted. I figured you wouldn't mind since there's nowhere safer than with Dumbledore. And er, I guess safe is where you want your brother? You're talking again? Or still?"

"Again," Sirius said. "I wouldn't have been able to keep something like that from you even if I wanted to. Did he tell you what me being sick was about?"

"Yeah. Pretty sure he didn't want to, but I was sort of freaking out." He admitted it easily, utterly unashamed of it. He still looked worried, even though Sirius was okay now. "You should've told me what you were doing before you left."

"You were on a date," Sirius said. It was a weak excuse, and he knew it. There was no easy way for him to explain that any time James said he had a date, Sirius left him the fuck alone. He never wanted to do anything that could make James think he was jealous. It had been stupid and he knew it, but he'd figured that James couldn't get too mad at him for not telling him if he got injured-- and if he didn't get hurt at all, then he would've been able to tell James that there had been no reason to worry.

"That's not the point. You should always tell me when you're going to do something stupidly dangerous so that I can be available if you need help. What would you have done if I wasn't home?"

The thing was, Sirius knew when James was deflecting. So instead of answering his question, he said, "You were on a date, weren't you?"

Guilt flashed across his face.

"What, you lie to me now? About dates?" Sirius had thought he did a pretty good job of hiding his crush, but if James was lying to him about going on dates, clearly he hadn't hidden shite. "What the hell?"

James swallowed, averting his eyes for a moment to peer at the floor. He toed a piece of dirt. "I didn't want you to worry about me."

"What the buggering hell were you doing that I would've worried about?" If James said that he was going into Knockturn Alley all by himself in the middle of the night, Sirius was going to kill him.

"Nothing," he said, taking a seat at the table.

Sirius glared at him suspiciously.

"Nothing! I swear. I just sit at home when I tell you I have a date."

"Why the hell would you do that? If you don't want me to visit, you can just say so."

"No- fucking hell, no that's not what it is."

"Then what is it?"

James looked at him for a long moment. There was something haltingly hopeful in his eyes, but it was clear that he was trying to tamp down on it. "You really don't know?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about. Am I supposed to know why you lie to me just to sit at home all by yourself?"

"I didn't want you to figure out that I'm in love with you. I knew it would make things weird. Hell, the only reason I'm fessing up to it now is because Regulus figured it out, and I didn't want him to drop it on you out of nowhere. He thought we were together, you know," James said. "You kept saying my name when you were hallucinating, so he asked me. I guess I didn't answer in a way that wasn't suspicious. He'd make a great interrogator," he added thoughtfully. "He stared at me, and it felt like everything came spilling out."

Sirius blinked. James had said that he loved him like it wasn't even a revelation. "You love me?" he asked hoarsely.

"Well yeah," James said, pairing the statement with a soft, small smile. The sort of smile he did when he looked at Sirius like he was the most wonderful thing in the world-- like he was looking at him right now.

Sirius's throat worked. "I kind of want to kiss you silly, but I'm not really feeling up to standing. Would you erm- help me out and come over here?"

"You- me?"

"Not going to snog anyone else," Sirius said.

James scrambled over to him, nearly knocking over his chair. Only instead of kissing Sirius, he wrapped his arms around him, holding him tight.

"Hey, my lips are down here," Sirius joked.

"Believe me, I know," James muttered, like he'd thought about kissing him a hundred times-- and he had. "I want to wait until you can stand on your own for that though."

"I can stand," Sirius protested.

"For more than two minutes?"

"You're making this harder than it needs to be," Sirius muttered, but he relaxed into James's chest. He'd get a kiss soon enough. And after that, as many kisses as he wanted.

#prongsfoot #marauders #james potter #sirius black #regulus black #fanfic #suicide tw #filled #first war #getting together #siriuslystarbucks #Anonymous

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softyoongiionly · 4 years

Text

We! Are! Family! 💏

Yoongi comes home with you for the holidays.

Pairing: Yoongi x Reader

Genre: Fluff

Word Count: 3.2k

Universe: Fear and Dumplings

Based on: this ask x

Warnings: language, suggestive themes/content, 18+ verbiage aka your family introduces Yoongi to Cards Against Humanity.

A/N: Hello and welcome to the first installment of Merry Crizzmizz 2019 ! I’m so excited for the rest of the fics and, I wanna thank all of you for sending in your requests, I hope you enjoy what I’ve come up with. This can be read as a stand alone but, I highly recommend reading Fear and Dumplings as it’s based in that universe. Happy Holidays ladz!!!

Back to the masterlist! (click here)

Yoongi is nervous.

Okay so, he’s practically always nervous but, this time? It’s for real for real nerves,

Like, he kind of wants to vomit in the backseat of the taxi nerves.

Like, he’s kissing you for the first time nerves.

And you’re here, of course, fingers laced with his, thumb smoothing over his knuckles, trying your best to calm him down.

But, you know there isn’t much you can do.

Yoongi is meeting your family for the first time and, if you were in his position, you’d be nervous too.

“Your town is pretty…” He notes, his voice lowered in an effort to control his nerves

You smile, turning your attention towards him, your fingers gently hooking underneath his chin.

“You’re pretty…” You quip, placing a gentle kiss on his lips.

A smile teases at Yoongi’s lips but, it doesn’t quite reach his eyes, “Stop trying to distract me. I’m supposed to be panicking right now…”

With a snort, you peck his lips again before leaning back, “Sooo, you don’t want me to kiss you?”

Yoongi sucks his lips between his teeth in an effort to remain serious, “I have to focus...”

“On what?” You giggle incredulously and, Yoongi doesn’t exactly have an answer so, he just buries his face into your neck.

“What if they hate me?” He groans, wincing at the bit of anxiety that shoots through his gut

Shrugging your shoulder, you attempt to pull his face from your neck, but he wraps his arms around you, securing himself in place.

“Look at me!” You laugh, goosebumps involuntarily raising on your skin as he burrows into you further, “They are not going to hate you, you’re literally the sweetest person alive.”

Yoongi snickers as you protest, wrapping himself around you tighter, “No, let me stay here, it’s safe…” He insists and, although he’s messing around, butterflies course through your stomach at his words. “You’re the only one who thinks I’m sweet…”

Stifling a giggle, you run your fingers through his hair, gently scratching at his scalp, “ Ah yes…that is completely and totally accurate.”

Yoongi smirks, sensing your sarcasm and while he’d love to sit there for hours and let you play with his hair, he has to protest, “It iiiis.”

“Yoongi,” You smooth his hair back into place as he positions himself to face you, still giggling at his antics, “you’re nice and, people know you’re nice. Every single one of my friends adores you, heck I’m pretty sure Jungkook likes you more than me at this point. He asks about you every day…”

His smirk doesn’t falter but, his eyes grow softer at your words, “That’s only because he convinced me to sign up for Overwatch and, he’s always checking if I’m going to play…”

“My family is going to love you.” You finally say, ignoring his attempts to depreciate himself, “I know this is a big deal, trust me, I’ve never brought anyone home before but, I know for a fact they will see what I see in you.”

Yoongi’s heartbeat goes a little wonky as you kiss him again, lingering slightly longer this time. With a deep exhale, he places a hand on your cheek, reciprocating your affection.

“You know it’s not really fair for you to kiss me like this right before I’m supposed to be meeting your family…” He mumbles against your lips, feeling the beginnings of arousal stirring in his gut.

Smoothing your thumb over his lips, you shrug, sporting an unashamed expression, “Is it still unfair if I promise to make you cum more than once tonight? You know, after you’ve finished winning my family over…”

He feels his stomach lurch at your comment, his teeth immediately coming out to tug on his bottom lip.

“Wait really?” His brows raise and, he wants to kick himself for how eager he sounds.

You have this way of redirecting his focus without dismissing his feelings and, although he’s thoroughly turned on right now, he’s also noting yet another reason why he’s fallen in love with you. (??)

A laugh leaves your lips and, with another kiss pressed to his mouth, you nod, “Really. Now, be nice to yourself and, get ready to eat until you’re stuffed.”

He chuckles, pushing aside his wandering thoughts before nodding and shaking his hair out of his face “Yes mam.”

The taxi ride only lasts for another 25 minutes or so and, although Yoongi still feels nervous, he’s thankful to distract himself with the sound of your voice.

You’re going on about the various family members he’d be meeting tonight: your mom, your aunt, your uncles and, a few cousins.

Yoongi wonders where you get your personality from; your articulation, your humor, your compassion…he notes that if your family is anything like you, then maybe he really doesn’t have anything to worry about.

The taxi pulls up to a medium sized home and, Yoongi feels slightly ashamed at his relief.

The neighborhood surrounding the home is modest, cozy and, riddled with holiday décor.

“Home sweet home...” You murmur, your eyes alight with nostalgia as you kiss his cheek before, leaning up to pay the cab driver, “Thank you! Happy Holidays!”

Yoongi smirks fondly, his cheeks flushing involuntarily.

With a pleasant smile, the cab driver assists you with your bags in the trunk before zooming back down the street.

Yoongi takes it upon himself to sling both of your bags over his shoulder, leaving you with only your purse in your arms.

“You got it?” You check, nodding to your luggage, “I can take something babe...”

He waves you off, adjusting his grip and leaning over to peck your lips, “I’m good, just hold this...”

Shamelessly, he extends his hand towards you, his long fingers intertwining with your own as he tries to stifle a smile.

Lips parted in awe, you obviously accept his hand but, you’re practically speechless at the fact that your boyfriend just made a dad joke.

“I’m telling Hoseok...”

Yoongi snickers, unbothered as he strolls up to the house with you and, just as soon as his nerves dissipated, they quickly return.

By the time you both arrive at the door, Yoongi thinks he might actually be having a heart attack.

You sense this, so your grip on his hand grows tighter and, with one last reassuring glance, you knock against the door a few times.

It’s roughly 10 seconds before someone opens the door but, Yoongi swears 50 years pass until he’s greeted with the smiling face of a woman about your height.

It’s gotta be your mom, she looks just like you.

“Y/N!” She cheers, tugging you into her arms and, Yoongi feels his heart throb at the tears collecting at the corner of her eyes.

You smile brilliantly, letting go of Yoongi’s hand to wrap your arms around your mom, “Hi mom…”

“Oh my god, I missed you…look at your face!” Your mom cheers, pinching your cheeks between her fingers before, her gaze falls upon Yoongi.

With a giggle, you quickly turn towards your boyfriend, “Mom this is-“

But she cuts you off and, shoots a smile his way, her eyes lighting up, “You must be Yoongi, it’s so nice to meet you, I’m Y/M/N.”

Yoongi sends a small smile back, bowing slightly, “It’s nice to meet you to, thank you for-“

Your mom cuts him off this time, ignoring his attempt at a handshake to pull him into her arms.

“Thank you for bringing my girl home safely, I’m so excited to have you here.”

Yoongi actually feels kind of silly.

He’s been spending the better part of the week agonizing over whether or not your family would like him and, yet here your mom is, demolishing all of his worries within 10 seconds.

“Thank you so much for having me,” He smiles, bowing his head again as the two of them part, “She slept through most of the flight so, she was easy cargo.”

Pushing down the overwhelming fondness blooming your chest, you respond with an affronted expression, “He’s lying, he literally snored through both of the in-flight meals and, almost fell asleep at the customs desk…”

Yoongi rolls his eyes, nudging you playfully and, your mom admires the two of you with a soft smile.

“Customs is exhausting…” She laughs, raising her brows as she sides with Yoongi

“WOW, two minutes in and, you’re already siding against your daughter huh?” You tease and, the three of you erupt in a small round of laughter, as you retreat further into the house.

Yoongi notices the warmth, the smell of cookies baking in the oven and, most of all, the chimes of laughter emanating from the living room.

“Go ahead and set your bags in here,” Your mom gestures to a bedroom before the smile returns to her face, “Everyone is so excited to see you…”

Excited is an understatement, Yoongi is swiftly introduced and passed between the rest of your family members, each of them just as welcoming as the last.

Of course your family is amazing, he thinks, they’re apart of you.

“Yoongi have you ever played before?” Your cousin pipes up over the chatter of your family members.

After dinner, your family decides that the best (and most entertaining) ice breaker would be a round of Cards Against Humanity aka A party game for horrible people.

“No, I’ve never played; my roommates’ play it all the time though…” His posture is significantly more relaxed, his cheeks rosied from the bit of whiskey he’s been sharing with your cousin and, you’re thankful he’s already so comfortable.

After you and your cousin explain the rules, there’s a bit of chatter as your uncles tease the crass nature of the game.

“Oh my god Yoongi’s going to think we’re terrible…” Your aunt laments, causing the rest of your family to laugh.

Yoongi’s gummy smile is out to play as he responds, “I’m honestly more worried about what you guys will think of me; these are pretty bad.” He chuckles his eyes scanning over the cards in his hands.

“Ah c’mon we’re all adults here mom, Yoongi’s a big boy, he can handle it.” Your cousin chuckles, sending a wink Yoongi’s way as he deals out the first black card.

“Y/N and Y/C/N are pretty good at this game, there usually neck and neck…” Your mom murmurs to Yoongi whilst your cousin tries to settle the rest of the table.

He nods, a smirk curving against his lips as he shoots a glance your way, “That doesn’t surprise me…”

There’s something loaded in his gaze and that, along with the raspy tone in his voice, does something to you.

“Prepare to get your ass kicked Min…” Is all you say, giggling when he rolls his eyes at you.

The game is on and, throughout the next few rounds, the mood of the table settles into a comfortable chaos.

Yoongi is wiping the tears from his eyes from the amount of sheer fuckery in the cards and, although he was slightly apprehensive at first, he’s loosening up a bit.

“Ok who the hell put BITCHES AND DRUGS???” You accuse, trying to contain your laughter.

The black card you’re currently working with reads:

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3: Profit

The laughter is impossible to contain however, when your cherry-cheeked boyfriend shyly raises his hand.

With the rest of your family now quaking with laughter, your eyes widen, nudging a cackling Yoongi, “Is that your backup plan or something?!??”

“Hey if music doesn’t work out, he’s gotta make that money somehow right Yoongi?” The question is forced out through your cousins laughter and, Yoongi responds by hiding his face in his hands, trying to contain his laughter.

The game continues and, in an unexpected turn, the person in the lead is none other than the shyest king of them all: Mr. Min Yoongi.

He’s collected 6 out of the 7 required cards and, is well on his way to winning.

“Alright, you guys ready?”

It’s your turn to read and, with 5 black cards in your possession, you’re right behind Yoongi.

However, you’re secretly hoping he wins…

Call it love or whatever…

“Ok…” You hold up the black card in front of your face, clearing your throat before reading it aloud, “‘This is the prime of my life. I’m young, hot and, full of blank.’ ”

Everyone gets to work shuffling through their cards.

After roughly two minutes, the pile of white cards sits in the center of the table, waiting to be read.

“Yoongi only needs one more so, if you pick him, you have to sleep in the kitchen tonight…” Your uncle slurs, smirking drunkenly between the two of you.

You giggle and wave him off, “If I pick him,” You place a hand on his thigh, “it’s because he’s funnier than the rest of you and, you’re just going to have to accept that.”

An involuntary blush presents itself on Yoongi’s cheeks because, he will never get used to your compliments and how they make him feel.

You get through a few response encourage a round of laughter throughout your family before, landing on the final card.

“This is the prime of my life. I’m young, hot and, full of…” You flip the card over, “poor life choices.”

As if laughter isn’t already the theme of the night, the rest of the table find themselves in another bout of it.

“Ok….I’m sorry but this one is clearly the winner…” You choke out, holding up the final card and scanning the table for its owner.

And would you look at that…

Yoongi wins the whole freaking game.

“OH CMON REALLY Y/N???? You just HAD to let your boyfriend win huh?” Your cousin teases, shoving his cards to the center of the table.

“Hey I didn’t know it was his card ok??? It was just the best one…” You giggle, pressing a kiss on his cheek as he takes another sip of his whiskey.

“Poor life choices huh? Isn’t Y/N one of your life choices???” Your uncle slurs again, trying to stir the pot as usual causing Yoongi to bury his face in his hands once again.

“Oooohhh Yoongi are you trying to tell us something??? Blink twice if you’re under duress.” The comment coming from your cousin causes you to launch a card in his direction.

“Leave Yoongi alone, you’re going to give him a heart attack…” Your mom wraps an arm around him, rubbing his bicep gently.

He’s still chuckling, cheeks beet red as he shakes his head, “You guys are going to get me in trouble…”

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

Right as the two of you are heading to bed, your mom chimes in, shooting a hopeful glance in Yoongi’s direction, “Yoongi can I steal you for a second?”

He feels his heart jump in his chest but, he lets go of your hand, smiling softly at her, “Yeah of course.”

You look between them, raising your brows expectedly, “Please give him back in a timely manner, the guest room is freezing…”

He chuckles as your mom waves you off, “Just two minuuutes!”

With a giggle and, one last glance, you leave them to it, trying to stifle the burning curiosity in your gut.

“I just-“ Your mom begins and, Yoongi’s brows furrow slightly as he notices the shakiness in her voice, “I just wanted to thank you for coming and, for being so good to my daughter…I’ve never seen her so happy before.”

Yoongi feels his eyes sting with tears as she sniffles slightly, dabbing at the corner of her eyes.

“God I’m sorry. I’m such a sap…” She laughs breathlessly and, he places a hand on her shoulder, his eyes deep with sincerity.

“Thank you for being so welcoming. I um…I don’t really speak to my parents anymore…” He confesses, feeling comfortable enough to divulge this information, “I haven’t spent Christmas with a family in years and uh…” He looks away from her, blinking furiously to stop the tears from falling, “I just feel really lucky to have met all of you. I can see now why Y/N is who she is.”

Your mom sniffles again, smiling fondly at him as he continues.

“Your daughter has made me happier than I’ve ever been.” He blinks away more tears, taking a deep breath as he glances towards the door of the guest room, “And I intend on spending my life making sure she’s the happiest she can be.”

With that, your mom pulls him into another hug, rubbing his back gently as the two of them share a tearful moment.

Pulling away, they chuckle, wiping at their eyes as your mom shakes her head, “Look at us, we’re a mess…” She takes a deep breath and, smiles once more, “Welcome to the family Yoongi.”

He swears his heart bursts with joy but, rather than giggle like an idiot, he opts for the gummiest of smiles and a nod in her direction.

“Thank you. I can’t tell you how much that means to me.”

Still smiling, your mom nods in the direction of the guest room, trying to ease the heaviness of the conversation, “You better get back in there before she comes looking for you.” She hugs him again, placing a kiss on his cheek, “Goodnight sweetie and, Merry Christmas.”

“Goodnight, thank you again for everything. Oh and, Merry Christmas to you too…”

Yoongi finds himself back in the guest room moments later, eyes searching for you.

He smirks fondly at you as you’ve already burrowed under a mound of blankets, your eyes barely peeking out from the top of the duvet.

“You’re baaaaack.” You cheer sleepily, pulling the covers aside for him.

Discarding his slippers and, his various pieces of jewelry, he strips down to only his boxers before sliding into bed.

With a gummy smile, he tugs you towards him, wrapping you in his arms, “Your mom made me cry…”

Your eyes widen and you jerk in his grip to look towards his face, “What???? Why???”

He chuckles at your reaction, placing a kiss against your forehead, “She just said a lot of nice things that my black heart was unprepared for.”

You snort, “Your heart is literally made of cotton candy but, go off…”

He ignores you, attaching his lips to yours, immediately smiling into your mouth and, after a few moments of kissing he speaks up again:

“I love you so much that it’s honestly disgusting….” He smirks, his kisses getting more frequent as he holds you closer.

“I’m sorry that I disgust you…” You mumble against his lips, giggling as he pinches your side, “I love you too…”

Yoongi’s soft lips continue to play with yours and, although you’re growing a little antsy for more, you’re content with just his mouth for now.

“You’re not a poor life choice by the way…” He notes as he kisses down into your neck, his big hands slipping under your t-shirt, “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

And man oh man…do you feel the same way.

#yoongi #yoongi fluff #yoongi one shots #yoongi fanfics #yoongi fanfiction #yoongi drabble #yoongi imagines #yoongi scenarios #btswriterscollective #min yoon #yoongi bts #bts #bts one shots #bts fluff #bts fanfics #bts fanfiction #bts imagines #bts scenarios #bts drabbles

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notoriously-blonde · 4 years

Text

Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice

This is my gift to @gryffindorcls for @mlsecretsanta! Took me a long time and a lot of brain smacking to get this to be good enough! Sorry it took so long and I hope you enjoy it! Read on AO3 here. Beta-d by @xthreeravensx

Summary: After a talk with Ladybug, Chat's actions and the consequences are brought to light, Adrien vows to never be the type of person he was before. Hist first step: move on from Ladybug. In his journey to greatness, Marinette sneaks into his heart completely under the radar.

Sitting in class, Adrien has his head resting on his fist. It has been a few weeks since his talk with Ladybug. Since his actions were brought to light. Since how his actions were affecting Ladybug was brought to light. It was the day that Adrien decided to move on from Ladybug. He can’t be acting like that, especially with his partner, they are supposed to be in sync, and the way he was acting was hindering their synchronization.

And now...well, with Ladybug no longer controlling most of his thoughts, he’s found himself to be...bored. There just isn’t much to do anymore. Piano is plain and simple now, he doesn’t even have to think about how his fingers should move. Fencing is easy, too easy. Kagami isn’t even proving to be a challenge anymore.

The abilities his miraculous bestow upon him while transformed have been bleeding into his civilian life for a while now. He’s processing visual, auditory, smell, and physical stimulus much faster. His reaction time is faster. He’s stronger, not sure exactly how much stronger, but he knows he is. Plus, he already has so many trophies, a whole shelving unit of them.

So, with the reasoning that fencing is too easy and that he has proved himself many times over that he is more than proficient in that field, he decided to go to Father and tell him how he believes that studying another form of martial arts would be beneficial, more specifically, the bo staff. He spent a few hours analyzing how he fights as Chat Noir and came to conclude that he often times uses the baton like a sword/Sabre and not as a baton/bo staff. If he wants to maximize his fighting as Chat Noir, it might be beneficial to learn the bo staff.

It took a few days, but eventually he got Father to agree. Now he’s working with a trained professional to better use a bo staff. And, if Adrien’s being honest, it feels really, really good.

His training with the bo staff has proved useful in his superhero training and in fights. And he’s found it a bit easier to provide an easier defense using bo staff training rather than fencing. Maybe he should pick up karate, or judo? He’ll have to look into it.

And, with better training and a better defense, he’s found that he isn’t getting incapacitated in battles nearly as much. Not worrying about impressing Ladybug is a pretty big weight off his shoulders.

He remembers that fateful night vividly. Her words still ring through his head. Her tone. Her eyes, the hurt in them, the tears. He remembers the stabbing pain in his chest when she told him that she had almost been akumatized twice. Not particularly because of him, but his actions hadn’t helped much. From that moment, he vowed to stop at all costs. Vowed to help her in any way. And, with how his actions have been affecting her, the only solution he saw was to give up the ring. Let someone else, someone better, be the partner she needs. Someone who wouldn’t make it harder not to be akumatized.

He remembers the tears he tried to hide, trying to suppress Plagg’s faint voice in the back of his mind.

He remembers how her hands felt on his hand, cupping the ring.

He remembers how it felt when she used her hands to close his hand into a fist, moving her hands to cup his fist, enclose the ring in both their hands. ‘Chaton...’ her voice was wavering slightly, but there was pride in her tone. Determination burning in her eyes, from deep in her core. ‘I’ve already found the perfect match for Plagg. And that person is you.’ The way she had looked at him right then, the way she looked at the butterfly image of Hawkmoth that second day, the way she looks at him after she casts the restoring ladybugs, the love, admiration, gratitude; it baffled him.

He is unashamed to admit that he had broken down a second later, that they stayed in a tight embrace for quite a while longer; that all through this time, he was sniffling and sobbing.

Ladybug brought the errors of his ways to light, and then, when he was ready to give up being her partner because of how he had acted, she decided that he didn’t need to. That her perfect partner is just beneath the surface of a boy who needed help to understand.

And now...now he’s more of the partner she needs than ever before. In the few weeks since The Talk, Akuma battles have gone easier, they’ve been more in sync than ever. Ladybug discovered a way to cast the restoration swarm without using a Lucky Charm, which then reduced the need for Cataclysm and Lucky Charm. Which allowed them more time to comfort the victim, reassure the public that they are doing what they need to to take down Hawkmoth. It allows them more time to grow together, grow stronger. They haven’t called in any temporary heroes since The Talk, either.

Adrien turns the tablet to the side, and starts scribbling down ideas. Ladybug has... three powers, possibly four now? He understands why she needs them. The universe is on a constant fast track toward destruction and death, so it makes sense that Creation needs to be a little bit more powerful, no? It’s just...having a single power makes him feel more like a sidekick than her partner. Like...like he’s just a permanent type temp.

And, before The Talk, before his improvements, he was perfectly content to be that. But... now that he has become better, it feels...slightly out of balance. The Black Cat is one of the two most powerful miraculous to exist. It seems a bit weird to have Ladybug have three powers and he only has one? He’s still fine with it, mostly, he can just admit to himself now that maybe having another power wouldn’t be that bad, would it?

He starts drawing a black ball. A black hole. The product of such a destructive death that the gravity makes it impossible for even light to escape. Black holes are such beautiful things, forces of nature that instill fear among every living thing. Except Plagg. He says he accidentally created one with a yawn. Or maybe that black holes are extensions of his mouth and stomach. It might be the latter option. He’s a complete pig.

Black holes are often viewed as portals to a different dimension. So...what if there could be a way his powers could develop to create such portals? That would be awesome!

Suddenly, a yawn interrupts his thoughts. A yawn from directly behind him. A smile creeps onto his face.

Marinette. Such an amazing person, capable of amazing feats. Capable of so much kindness, selflessness, compassion, bravery, desire, determination. It’s amazing how such a tiny frame can hold such big attributes. But, it isn’t all that surprising. That’s just who Marinette is. An amazing, determined, kind, smart, and creative person.

Plus, her yawns are adorable!

For the past few weeks, Adrien has begun to notice how stressed she’s become. She has so much on her plate that he’s surprised she isn’t spontaneously combusting under pressure. Then again, diamonds are formed under intense heat and pressure, and Marinette Dupain-Cheng? She is one heck of a diamond.

He’s been trying to think of ways he can help her destress, somehow. But he hasn’t had much progress. Talking to her doesn’t seem to destress her, he’s tried many times, but the bruises she still has are a testament to how much he stresses her out. Those walls didn’t look comforting. Or the light poles. Or benches.

Maybe he should start walking with her to make sure she doesn’t concuss herself, if she isn’t already living in one continuous concussion. Maybe Ladybug can lend Marinette some luck, only the stars know how much she needs it.

Another yawn comes from behind, and the smile creeps onto Adrien’s face again. Looks like someone didn’t quite get enough sleep. Maybe the akuma attack early this morning was a bit too loud?

Suddenly, an idea strikes him, and he looks to his cup of untouched coffee. A shot of espresso in it. Father would get an aneurysm if he saw the espresso in the coffee. He’d probably get the aneurysm from the knowledge that he even drinks coffee.

His smile turns sly at that. Oh, how he wishes he could tell Father about the coffee, but he won’t because coffee just so happens to keep him alive some days.

He picks it up and swivels around to look at Marinette. Her eyes are droopy, and there are slight bags under her eyes. Not noticeable unless you were looking for them. He smiles a warm smile and sets the cup down in front of her, and his smile turns a little bit more genuine when Marinette squeaks a little bit, her cheeks dusting pink. She’s so adorable!

“For you. I couldn’t help but notice that you seemed tired. It’s untouched, but that also means that it’s colder than it should be. Hope it helps.” Then he turns back around, the elbow to Marinette from Alya as well as the suggestive look, and the look of confusion from Nino going unnoticed. Adrien did, however, notice the faint growl emanating from the back of the classroom.

Lila, he growls inwardly. Ever since he told her to get Marinette back in school, she’s had an eerily quiet growl in the back of her throat at all times. It’s like she can’t contain her rage in any capacity anymore.

He’s not sure why she’s so enraged at the prospect of him and Marinette being friends, or why she’s so set on lying, but Adrien knows this for sure: Lila will do whatever she can to stress Marinette out further.

So all Adrien needs to do to thank Marinette for everything she does for everyone is to help get her out of stressful situations.

He’ll do all that he can to do that.

So far, all Adrien’s been able to do without stressing her out much is to bring coffee every morning. Sometimes it doesn’t seem like she needs it, but there are a few days where it seems to help out a lot. This in turn has helped Marinette to loosen up around him a little bit. While she still squeaks and flails, she has stopped running into walls.

He still thinks she needs to go check for a concussion. If she doesn’t end up having one, well, it’ll be more surprising than Hawkmoth surrendering his miraculous.

And, if Marinette is starting to loosen up around him now... maybe he can deploy a few tricks to help.

Hopefully she likes inspiration!

Judging by the slight wheezing he’s been hearing all day, Adrien’s assuming that she doesn’t quite like what he wrote on the cup. ‘Remember, the strongest, brightest gems are formed in intense heat and pressure. So far, you outshine the rest.’ Maybe he should tone down the Chat Noir?

Adrien slides into his seat, turns around and places his—Marinette’s—cup of coffee on her desk, right where she would see it and, hopefully, not knock it over, like the first time. With a smile, he turns back around and catches sight of Nino looking at him with that look again.

“What’s that for?” he asks, folding his arms over his chest and leaning back against the front of the desk behind him. Closer to Marinette. Maybe.

“Dude, what’s up with you?”

“I have no idea what you are talking about,” he says, furrowing his brows a bit. He only brought a cup of coffee for Marinette.

Nino cocks an eyebrow. “You’ve been bringing Mari a cup of coffee every day for the past week. Why?”

Adrien furrows his eyebrows in further confusion. “Is...it not acceptable to bring friends coffee?”

Nino looks confused and frustrated, then his eyes widen in understanding and he rests a hand on Adrien’s shoulder. “Dude, my man, that’s, uh, yeah it’s acceptable—”

“Then what’s the problem?” Adrien cuts in. “Why is it such a big deal?”

“Adrien, sure it’s acceptable, but normally, people buy coffee for the people they like.”

“I do like Marinette!” She is such an amazing person, his second friend, (Plagg is his actual first friend, but Plagg is an immortal god that represents all of destruction in the universe, he does not count toward his human friend count), she does so much for everyone. She’s kind and brave, and clumsy, and adorable, of course he likes her, they’re friends!

He regrets saying that so loud, he can hear how Alya’s heart rate is through the roof, it happens whenever she spots something she can get the scoop on. It’s been happening a lot this past week when he’s dropped off the coffee for Marinette.

...He doesn’t know why. It confuses him greatly. And, honestly, why hasn’t anyone else been bringing her coffee, she’s clearly in dire need of it!

Plus, Nino’s eyes widen even further. “Oh, do you now?” For a brief second, Nino’s eyes dart to the right. Right to Alya. He’s been doing that a lot too. What is going on?!

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I? She’s an amazing person. One of the best friends I could have! What’s so wrong about bringing my friend coffee?”

At this, Nino is confused again, then an exasperated look crosses his face and only gets more exasperated when he looks to Alya again. Seriously, why’s he doing that? Are they planning something for Marinette? Her birthday isn’t for another few months.

When Nino looks back, there is something in his gaze that Adrien can’t quite read. It’s... like he pities him? No, Nino isn’t like that. He’s... disappointed? It’s like when parents look at they’re naive children in those movies when they say something that is completely and utterly untrue. Like an all seeing eye, but he can’t say anything.

It confuses Adrien even more. What’s Nino looking at him like that for?

Then, Marinette comes running in, a minute before the bell, as usual, but she’s a bit early today. Maybe she got some good sleep! He jerks his head to her, jumping out of his conversation with Nino, and focusing solely on Marinette. He hopes she’s doing better.

But... no, one look at her eyes, her posture, it’s normal, maybe even worse? Her hair is not quite as shiny as usual, her skin is lacking a little bit of that natural shine, the joy, the happiness. The area under her eyes is slightly darker than it should be, she might have used concealer to cover up bags? One pant leg is rolled up a bit too high, and she’s wearing different length socks.

Her heartbeat is pretty high, and it isn’t going down. In fact, when he looks back to her eyes and they lock gazes for a moment, her heart skips a few beats, then kicks into overdrive and she hurriedly breaks eye contact and gets to her seat.

Hmm...she still isn’t comfortable around him. Maybe this will cheer her up a bit. ‘Marinate’, deserves it.

And, judging by how her heart rate slows down a bit, he thinks it’s working. And, as she inhales the coffee, her heart rate slows even more.

Maybe he might just get some progress with her?

At the end of the day, Nino hands him a note scrawled in neat, loopy, beautiful letters. He’ll recognize that writing anywhere, it’s on his signed Jagged Stone album. It’s Marinette’s.

‘Thank you for the coffee, but if you’re going to keep doing this, is it okay if you add in a bit more caffeine?

(And by that, I mean three more shots.)’

Adrien’s concern skyrockets, he already adds an absurd amount of espresso to the coffee, how bad it it really if she needs that?

Well, a friend’s gotta do what a friend’s gotta do.

The next morning, there is a warm cup of coffee with three shots of espresso in there, waiting for Marinette on her desk. ‘Hope this doesn’t kill you! You are crazy Manatee!’ written on the side.

The next morning, Marinette comes in, but as she passes Adrien and Nino’s desk, she slides him a slip of paper. ‘The coffee helps, but would it be okay if you just got 16fl oz of espresso? I get...really, really tired and anxious.)’

He can’t hide his surprise even if he wanted to, as he whips around to look at Marinette, already downing her coffee.

This girl, she’s going to transform her blood into pure caffeine if he keeps doing this. Maybe, once they’re closer, he can start to wean her off of it?

Another week later, and Marinette is at 16fl oz of caffeine with two shots of extra espresso. Everyone at the coffee shop is giving him extremely concerned looks.

But, it’s helping her, and so are his little messages.

Her heart rate hasn’t broken 180 in the classroom in a few days.

Two days later, the ‘Days without Marinette Stress’ counter is reset to zero.

They are in Mme. Bustier’s class, waiting for the term project.

Everyone was anticipating that it would be a solo project, so when M. Bustier announces that it will be a partner project, everyone’s excitement skyrockets. She’s even letting them choose their partners!

Nino goes to Alya, Ivan to Mylene, Rose to Juleka, Chloe goes to get to Adrien, but Sabrina gets to Chloé first, bullet dodged . Kim goes to Max, Alix goes to Nathaniel. This leaves Lila, Marinette and Adrien.

For some reason, a dark, deep hiss builds in his chest as the prospect of Marinette partnering with Lila. Might have something to do with the fact that Lila is actively trying to hurt Marinette in any way possible.

So, without thinking, he jumps in in an instant (he hadn’t planned on using his enhanced speed, but it was Lila ). He’d much rather be seen as weirdly agile than have Marinette withstand any more stress and threats from Lila.

Once the partners are chosen, Mme. Bustier excuses Lila from the project, since she already missed so much of the assignments that she has yet to get caught up on, she doesn’t want Lila’s grades to drop any further.

Once that’s taken care of, Mme. Bustier announces what they’re doing for the project. They are to write a short story about anything they want, it just has to include a bad relationship turned good.

And...after a few minutes of trying to brainstorm, Marinette starts to wheeze a bit and rushes off to the bathroom.

It doesn’t make Adrien feel very good. He thought they were making progress, but... well, jokes and silly things tend to help her anxiety, he should brainstorm a few silly ideas.

Like...a baby is born incredibly smart, and is competing with the father for the mother’s attention and keeps taunting the father.

An old man loses his friend due to an argument about gum, and the other guy has been holding this grudge for 25 years.

A cat is having some extreme trouble opening a jam jar, so he brings it around to his human slaves for assistance, the humans aren’t much help.

...this is why Ladybug is the brains of the operation. She’s much more creative.

Adrien glares down at the paper, his hands in fists.

Maybe...maybe if he glares hard enough an idea will pop into his head.

When Marinette comes back, he still hasn’t gotten any other ideas.

She slides into the seat next to him, a bit close, but far enough away to still allow him some personal space. She’s so considerate!

A small giggle breaks him from his angry glare and he looks to its source. Marinette has her hand over her mouth, clamped hard, her cheeks pink, looking at his list of ideas.

...is there a way for the ground to open up and swallow him whole (hole)? Plagg, he’d do that.

...maybe, depends on the amount of cheese he’d get. How much cheese does he have in storage? 5kg? 10? He has no clue, but maybe if he promises the little glutton all of it he’d do the deed.

“They’re not bad, a bit silly though.” Her words, soft but amused, break him from his thoughts.

“Huh?” he asks dumbly, shaking his head.

“I mean,” she says, darting her eyes to his, then back down at the paper, her checks tinting an adorable shade of pink, “I-I mean they aren’t bad ideas. They’re fun and silly! Definitely a good way to relieve some stress.” She looks up into his confused gaze. “N-not that I think you’re stressed! You could be stressed, but I have no way to know if you are or not, you’re so calm and kind and perfect—” She cuts herself off, her breath hitching, her eyes going wide and cheeks going even pinker.

She swallows. Opens her mouth, closes it again. Swallows one more time before squeaking out: “perfectly well mannered.” She hangs her head a bit, her eyes downcast.

Adrien tilts his head a bit. What was she going to say before? Was she going to reveal just how “perfect” she thinks he is? Does she still not trust him after the Gum Incident?

“Marinette…” He reaches out, longing to rest his hand on her shoulder, provide some level of comfort beyond words. But...if she’s uncomfortable around him, he’ll give her the space she needs. So, he drops his hand to the table. “Thank you, but I’m not all the well mannered all the time. Heh, you should see me at home when Father isn’t home.”

This makes Marinette look up at him with curiosity burning in her eyes. He leans in, expression guarded in mock reluctance and secrecy, but in reality, he’s hiding a huge grin. “When no one is home, I turn on Jagged Stone and belt out all the lyrics.” He looks to her face, and fights against that ever growing grin threatening to show. “Thing is, I cannot sing.”

This makes her smile a bit. Her eyes gaining a small glitter of amusement.

“ That , is you not having perfect manners?” Marinette scoffs, raising an eyebrow. “Bet you’ve never chugged an entire jug of milk.”

This shocks Adrien. Why would anyone drink milk straight from the jug?! Cups exist for a reason—

Oh, he gets it.

And, by the victorious look on her face, Marinette knows she’s got him on that.

He narrows his eyes.

“I sneak out of my room on a daily basis.”

“I do too, you aren’t special.”

Adrien huffs. “I escape the Gorilla as much as possible.”

“And how often is that?” Marinette asks, her eyebrows raised in challenge.

“Plenty of times!”

“Name one time that wasn’t that one time I was mistaken as your girlfriend.”

Yesterday, for the akuma , is his immediate thought, and he almost says it, but clamps his mouth shut and thinks about how often he escapes from his bodyguard.

“When I tried to go to school on the first day of school.”

“That eager, huh?”

“Well, when you’re homeschool you’re whole life, you tend to be excited for things that others aren’t as excited for.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re having fun! You did name one other time, so I’ll let it slide.”

They fall into a companionable silence, both with smiles on their faces. One could argue that Adrien’s was bigger, Marinette showed him a side of herself that’s he’s been wanting to get to know, longing to get to know. The timid side was the only one she showed around him, yet she was like this, bantering, arguing, having fun with everyone else. It feels like he’s getting to know the full her.

And it couldn’t be better.

After a second, Marinette looks to him, opens her mouth, then closes it as her eyes widen. This concerns Adrien a bit, what did he do? They were having fun!

Then, a glint lights up her eyes, and it calms Adrien. He knows that look. He’s seen it in her eyes many times. It’s a sign that she has a plan.

If he’s being honest, it reminds him of Ladybug. Marinette and Ladybug both get a similar glint in their eyes when a plan forms.

But Marinette isn’t Ladybug, he knows that for a fact. Marinette—Multimouse—and Ladybug were in the same place at the same time. There’s no way she could be Ladybug.

Marinette turns to her paper and starts writing.

Adrien leans back, out of her space (when had he invaded her personal space? They were just talking!), he knows better than to get in the way of a girl with a plan.

But he wants to know what this plan is.

But he shouldn’t interrupt her.

But he wants to know.

But she is writing furiously.

But he wants to know .

In the end, his curiosity wins out. He blames Plagg and the bleeding skill sets and abilities for the insatiable curiosity.

“What are you writing?” he asks, leaning over a little bit.

Marinette startles, and whips around to look at him, her eyes wide in that deer-in-headlights way, a way he knows all too well. Back to square one.

“O-oh, I was just...” Marinette trails off a bit as she looks back at the paper, her cheeks pinking. Then she takes a deep breath and looks back into his eyes, the fear is still there, but determination is burning behind it. “I was just thinking, maybe it could be a story about how a kid misunderstands something and almost jeopardizes a friendship, but because of the other’s kindness and determination, they cleared things up?”

Adrien raises his eyebrows, a smile slowly spreading across his lips. “Like how we became friends!”

“Yeah.” Marinette replies timidly, tone soft and admiring, averting her gaze.

Friends really are the best, aren’t they?

Yes, yes they are.

“Let’s do it!”

Marinette looks up to his eyes again, and the fear has mostly gone away, a happy sparkle replacing it. “Okay, let's do it.”

“Marinette~!” An overly sweet voice rings out, and Adrien immediately perks to attention. Lila , he almost growls. He whips around, just in time to see Lila coming toward Marinette. Oh no, oh, no she does not . He can see it in her eyes, the malice, the hate, the anger. She’s a manipulative liar, and she’s good at it, but Adrien has been in the modeling industry for a very long time, he knows how to see people’s true intentions, he knows how to see through a mask.

And Lila does not want to play nice.

So, he shoots from his chair, and leans on Marinette’s, capturing her attention immediately. “Hey, do you want to go work on our project? I should have time to get it fleshed out a bit more.”

By the look in her eyes, the slump of her shoulders, he’s guessing that she very much appreciates the distraction. “Yeah, I should be able to.”

“Awesome!”

As Marinette starts packing her things, Adrien slides his gaze over to Lila, half way to Marinette, her eyes narrowed slightly. He narrows his right back at her, channeling as much of his father as he can.

Judging by the shock in Lila’s eyes, he’s assuming he did it just right. So he smirks, and turns back around to pick up his bag, then turns back to look at Lila, sending her another icy glare. She will not touch Marinette. Not when he’s here. She’s hurt the people he cares about too much already.

He and Marinette walk out, and as they walk through the door frame, Adrien sends another warning glare at Lila.

“Bro, what’s up with you?”

The voice startles Adrien out of his glare at the back of Lila’s head, across the school yard, making him jump a few centimeters, and whips around to find the his best friend, looking at him with his arms crossed and eyebrows raised.

“What?” Adrien replies, calming a bit, and returning his gaze to the back of Lila’s head, surrounded by most of his classmates.

“Dude, you’ve been glaring at Lila all day.” Nino says.

“And?” Adrien prompts, not turning away from Lila.

“And you’ve been glaring at her for a week now.”

This makes Adrien furrows his brows, looking to Nino. A week? Surely it hasn’t been that long. “A week?”

“Yes, a week. It’s bugging the crap out of me.” Nino looks positively done with him.

“I... didn’t realize it was so long.” Adrien turns away from him, going right back to glaring at Lila.

“Dude, it’s freakin’ me out. It’s freakin’ everyone out. People are kinda scared of you.”

“Why are they scared of me?”

“You hissed at Lila two days ago.”

Adrien opens his mouth to reply, but no words are coming out. When he was with Marinette, working on the project, Lila had come by, and Marinette had tensed up considerably. So, he got Lila to leave and got back to the project. But Marinette was pale, her heart rate was moderately high, and she was starting to have some slight problems breathing.

So, he had set the project aside, and turned to her, tilting his head, and reached out to her.

She had flinched, and he hastily retracted his hand.

He learned many things that day. Like when she’s freaking out, people touching her doesn’t help out all that much, it actually makes it a bit worse. He also learned more about Lila.

“Okay, I admit, that was a bit freaky.” He’d hoped that the cat tendencies wouldn’t bleed through too, but he’s found that he hisses when mad, and purrs when content, happy, or in pain. When he hissed at Lila, he was incredibly freaked out, but he couldn’t let it show, not around Lila.

“’A bit freaky’? A bit freaky?! Dude, everyone is too scared to be around you when Lila’s in the same room!” Nino’s voice wavers a bit.

Adrien looks at Nino. He’s looking at Adrien with fear in his eyes, clutching his arms, and his legs are shaking ever so slightly.

Dang it Plagg, he scared his best friend due to the freaky cat tendencies bleeding through the miraculous!

Adrien breaths out a huff and stands up from his crouch, turning to fully face his friend. “Nino,” he starts, softening his tone. “I’m sorry. I learned something about Lila recently, and I just... I’m trying to look out for the people I care about. I’m sorry I scared you.”

The fear subsides a bit, but confusion takes its place. “What did you learn?”

Adrien sighs. “She’s a compulsive, manipulative liar.”

“Adrien...” Nino says, something in his tone that Adrien can’t discern. “She—”

“No, she is, I can’t tell you what she did to Marinette, but I know what she does.” Adrien cuts him off, ice creeping into his tone.

“How do you know?” Nino asks—no, challenges .

Adrien takes a deep breath. “When Lila first came to school, I found a book and was looking through it, it seemed like it had something to do with the miraculous. When Lila found me and saw the book, she immediately started telling me how she’s great friends with Ladybug and how she’s a miraculous wielder. When Ladybug called her out on it, Lila got pissed, and eventually got akumatized into Volpina.”

“She lied to Nathalie about my grades just so she could get into my house. She took the picture of her kissing my cheek against my will, then, without telling me, sent it to everyone but me.” Adrien looks into Nino’s eyes, his urge to protect Marinette manifesting into anger toward Lila, which was directed at his friend, making Nino duck his head to avoid the burning glare. “She lied about Marinette taking the test answers, then lied about Marinette stealing from her and planted the ‘stolen’ necklace in her locker, getting Marinette expelled . So forgive me, Nino, if I’m a bit pissed at Lila.”

Nino backs away from Adrien, his eyes wide, his arms half extended to Adrien, his body turned sideways. He opens and closes his mouth a few times, trying to get words out, but his breath keeps getting hitched.

It hits Adrien right then that Nino is scared of him, borderline terrified, and Adrien forces calming breaths. Nino isn’t Lila. He didn’t know she was lying. Nino isn’t Lila, He repeats the mantra until his anger ebbs. “Sorry Nino, that was uncalled for, I’m sorry I scared you. It’s just that...I’ve sat back and done nothing about what Lila was doing, and she ended up hurting Marinette a great deal. I shouldn’t have taken my anger at her and myself out on you, or the other classmates.” He offers his best friend a reassuring smile, hoping that Nino trusts him still.

“Okay...” Nino takes a shaky breath. “Okay, t-thanks for letting me know about Lila. I-I’ll keep what you said about her in mind.” Nino turns to leave, but Adrien reaches out to brush his hand against his shoulder. He doesn’t want him to leave with the fear.

“Nino, I’m sorry. I’m mad at Lila and myself. And while, yes, everyone could have done something to realize sooner, I don’t blame anyone but...but Lila and myself. I didn’t mean to snap.” Nino looks into his eyes, and the fear fades away slightly, replaced by compassion.

“Bro, you shouldn’t blame yourself.” Nino places his hands on Adrien’s shoulders, squeezing. “Yeah, maybe you advised her to do something that didn’t work out in the end, but you gave her that advice because of who you are. You are trusting, maybe a bit too trusting, and you always look for the best in people you meet. For you to be this angry at Lila... dude, I can’t believe for a single second that you’re lying about any of this. I believe what you said Lila did. I’ll stay with you ‘til the end. I just... gotta go process things. And... maybe think about how I can help Alya believe you too.” Nino’s eyes still hold some fear in them, but there is nothing that indicates that he was lying.

“Thank you, Nino, so much.”

Nino takes back his hands, and point finger guns at Adrien. “You know it!”

The final bell rings, and kids all around scramble to pack up their things, or are running to or through the door, the instructor giving those students the stink eye. Adrien turns to Nino, but he’s already walking with Alya, deep in conversation. Dang it, when Nino’s with Alya, nothing can distract him from her. Guess that leaves just one other person to ask to hang out with. He turns to Marinette, but pauses.

Marinette is staring at him, her eyes slightly glazed, cheeks pinked, and mouth open ever so slightly, the sun rays from the window reflect off her hair making it shine a deep, raven blue. The same rays come into contact with her skin, making it glow. Her lips look plump and soft, and yet, he can see that they’ve seen war with her teeth, and many a healing balm.

Adrien swallows the sudden lump in his throat. “Hey, Marinette?”

The girl in question squeaks and startles, her arms flailing and face flushing before she locks onto his face. Almost immediately, her seemingly soft lips curl into a bright smile, her eyes conveying warmth and affection, the redness receding. “Adrien! Did you ask for me?”

This makes him smile. “Yeah, I did.”

“...Well, what did you want?” She quirks an eyebrow at him, putting her chin in her hand, leaning against the table.

“Oh, I was just wondering if you’d like to hang out? My schedule is free, and Father approved already.”

Marinette’s eyes brighten, and her smile turns seductive. “Oh, I want to do more than ‘hang out’ with you Adrien.” She slides forward, her eyebrows raising.

His brain malfunctions. “H-Huh?”

Marinette huffs and leans back. “Fine, I’ll just show you~” Her smile turns into something more than seductive, and it does something to Adrien’s insides. She crosses her arms across her abdomen, hands resting on the hem of her shirt, her biceps framing her-

“Ewwwwwwwwww!” A voice suddenly cuts through and everything suddenly goes black.

“Ewwwwwwwwww! Cover up, man!” A tiny paw slaps his cheek. Five tiny pinpricks of pain accompany it, snapping Adrien from his dream.

“What the hel—” Adrien gets slapped again, by another tiny paw, in the same place—what are the odds of that happening?— sans the claws.

“I’m a benevolent, ancient, immortal representation of Destruction and Death, I do not want to see your teenage ‘urges’!”

With confusion written across his face, Adrien stares at Plagg. A second later, it clicks and Adrien groans, flopping back down onto his pillow. He takes some small measure of joy in Plagg’s indignant Squawk and “That makes it worse! ”

Adriens dealt with this plenty of times, but it’s always been Ladybug before.

...now that he thinks about it, Marinette has been replacing Ladybug in his dreams as of late. But it never got to this level.

...crap, he’s screwed.

“Plagg...” he whispers to the ceiling.

The only response is an annoyed huff.

“Plagg, I’m so screwed...” he admits.

Plagg snorts.

“You remember Marinette, right?”

Another snort. “What’s pigtails gotta do with your...oh.”

“Yeah.” Adrien sighs.

“ Oh . Oh! ”

Then Plagg burst out laughing.

Adrien groans.

Plagg only laughs harder.

Plagg cackles for hours, the only things disrupting the maniacal laughter is: “‘She’s just a friend!’” in a mocking, overly macho tone.

Adrien doesn’t get anymore sleep that night. Nor can he get that last image of Marinette out of his head.

A week after his revelation, Adrien finds himself staring at the board in complete incomprehension. “Free period?” What the living god of cats is that?!

Nino side eyes him, quirking an eyebrow. “Dude, you don’t know what free period is?”

Sheepish, Adrien rubs the back of his neck, ducking his head. “Not really...”

Nino rolls his eyes a bit, but it doesn’t convey anger, just exasperation. “Well, free period gives the class time to do whatever they like. Homework, projects, goof off, anything.”

“I doubt they’d let you do anything , but okay, I think I get it. I do need to catch up on what I missed yesterday.” Because of course Father scheduled a photo shoot during his history class, on the day they did a review. One he needed, because Mothman—awk Moth—doesn’t want him to sleep .

Nino raises his eyebrows in question. “You, Adrien Agreste, perfect boy of Gabriel Agreste, straight-A student, needs to catch up? Dude, I thought you were ahead of us!”

“I was, but Nathalie has me focus on things that the school curriculum didn’t think was important, so I ended up wasting three weeks memorizing Ancient Greece, only to find that we had the most basic of quizzes on Ancient Greece and moved right on to Ancient Rome. I’ve been scrambling.”

Nino purses his lips, and looks behind him, to Alya, and then briefly to Marinette before he looks to Adrien again; a smile forming. “I think I know just who can help you.”

Adrien furrows his brows in confusion for a second before things click and Adrien flushes, trying to stop Nino from standing, but he’s already up and slipping around the desk behind them and talking to Marinette, who’s face morphs into shock, amusement, concern, confusion, and embarrassment. She looks from Nino to Adrien, her eyes wide, cheeks tinting pink slightly. Adrien haunches his shoulders and gives a small wave. Marinette tilts her head, a small smile playing on her lips. She waves back.

Oh holy cheese lord, he’s going to die.

He can’t help but watch as she packs up her stuff, her limbs moving with purpose and grace, her lips, those gosh darn lips, moving in a hushed conversation with Alya and Nino, then she’s slipping around the desk and right next to him.

“Okay, so, I heard you needed help?” Marinette says, her eyebrows quirking in amusement. Lips curling into a hidden smile that just makes them look even more appealing and kiss-

“Y-yeah, spent a bit too much time on Ancient Cheese—Greece, Greece, I meant Greece, and need a bit of help getting caught up on Rome.” He stumbles out, cheeks and ears flushed red in embarrassment.

Marinette’s smile only grows, making her face, no, her being glow. “Okay, let's start by marking the important bits, I’ll show you where they are.”

She turns around to take out her things, and Adrien breathe’s a silent sigh of relief, turning to grab a highlighter. ‘Mark the important bits.’ For some reason, those words won’t leave his head.

When he turns back around, he has to grip his knee so hard he hears a “creak”, because Marinette is hunched over her paper, and a stand of hair has fallen from her braid, of which he is only now realizing she doesn’t have her hair in the usual pigtail ensamble. It hangs just by her temple, looking so soft and smooth and it looks like it would be annoying, hanging just out of eyesight, teasing your attention until you snap. Surely it isn’t good for studying.

Without giving it a second thought, he reaches out and stifles a gasp at how soft and smooth her hair is. If Adrien’s hair is soft, her hair is made of the freaking clouds . He slowly, gently, tucks the strand of hair behind her ear, his heart thumping against his ribs so hard he’s certain everyone can hear it, nervous system spiking at every brush of his fingers against her check, her temple, her ear.

His hand lingers longer than it should, and suddenly, reality snaps back into motion and he realizes that the classroom is silent. He snaps his hand back, ignoring Marinette’s red cheeks and wide eyes and frozen posture.

“S-Sorry,” he stammers our, resolutely looking at his own paper. “I-I just thought that it- the hair- w-would be distracting a-and—” his breath hitches as she rests a hand on his hands, his cheeks aflame.

“Thank you.” She says, her voice wavering slightly, but it’s genuine.

“Okay...the important bits, right?” Smooth Agreste, smooth. He doesn’t look at her.

“Yeah, the important bits. Let’s start at—” The rest of her words are drowned out by his mind latching onto ‘the important bits’.

He looks to his highlighter. ‘Let's start by marking the important bits.’

Yes, let's do that.

He picks up the highlighter, uncaps it and turns to Marinette. Whatever she was saying trails off as she looks into his eyes.

He raises the highlighter, and marks her nose. In doing so, her eyes go, much to his joy, adorably cross-eyed. Even after he’s recapped the highlighter, she’s still staring at her nose.

“What? You said to highlight the important things.”

#ml secret santa #miraculous ladybug

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commie-eschatology · 3 years

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“The Bi-Weekly Full Camp Supply Meeting”

Bodhan mediates a full camp meeting.

“From a Certain Point of View”: https://archiveofourown.org/works/29293188/chapters/71935464

“Welcome to our bi-weekly full camp supply meeting,” Bodhan says to the assembled party around the fire, “as always, tell me and the boy what you’ll be needing, and we’ll be sure to stock it. Within two to three weeks of course.”

“Enchantment!” Sandal confirms. He prepares his notebook. His son is quite helpful for the business. A bit unorthodox sure, but quite good at keeping inventory and of course weirdly skilled at enchanting. He’s asked the boy how he got so good at it, but all he ever gets is “enchantment!”

Bodham has seen some very odd things in this world, that’ll happen when your job is raiding the Deep Roads. The ragtag group in front of him though is a new degree of strange, a mismatch of formidable folks across Thedas. Alistair and Leliana sit giggling together at the edge of the fire. They’re ostensibly the normal ones, but he’s heard that Alistair is the heir to the throne and Leliana was an assassin? The Qunari soldier, Sten, glares at them both as he has since Lothering, maybe it’s personal or maybe his face is just permanently stuck. Wynne seems eager to begin the meeting, she’s nice enough but apparently she’s possessed. Then there’s the actual golem, Bodhan thought they were just a myth made up by the Assembly, who seems to hold a very particular hatred towards pigeons, not exactly what he expected.

Oh and the Antivan assassin who apparently tried to kill the Wardens before recruitment. It’s not Bodahn’s job to question, but that seems like not the smartest choice. Morrigan loiters at the edge of the group, yellow eyes glowing in the dark. Bodhan fears her the most, he’d rather not be turned into a toad. The Warden is missing this particular bi-weekly full camp supply meeting, off saving the world or something.

“We need more of that Orlesian cheese you had last month,” says Alistair, “because someone decided to eat it all.” The mabari hound barks in acknowledgment, unashamed and undeterred.

“I have a craving for those frilly cakes they make in the Val Royeaux bakery. Perhaps you can procure those,” requests Leliana. Frilly cakes, Sandal writes, flavor not specified.

“Has it escaped your notice that we are at war? We have no time for such frivolous things. Weapons and armor will be enough, dwarf,” says Sten. Actually Bodhan can do frivolous or not frivolous, really he doesn’t judge at all. “And some cookie dough for Sten,” Leliana giggles. The Qunari does not object. Swords and things. Cookie dough?, Sandal writes.

Zevran pipes up. “I believe it is my turn then. I would like Antivan brandy, Bastion chocolate, a new pair of leather boots, a white steel dagger, a good bottle of olive oil, some red wine,” Sandal scribbles as quickly as possible, “ah and some of those frilly cakes from Val Royeaux would do quite nicely. Along with some personal items I will write you a list for.”

Morrigan rolls her eyes, Bodhan braces himself. “If you all are quite finished, I require better lyrium potions. Tis essential I do not choke on whatever it is you provide while I cast.”

“Afraid I can’t do that. Since Orzammar’s closed and the Circle is overrun by demons, the mages collective is the only lyrium seller left.” There are of course other avenues, but Bodhan stays out of the drug trade, profitable but a bit too nasty.

The Witch scowls. “Do not play coy with me, dwarf. Get me another kind of lyrium.”

“I’m…” Bodhan gulps, “not that kind of dwarf.”

“I could assist you in sourcing lyrium. I still have some contacts,” says Leliana. Bodhan wonders, how is this unassuming Chantry girl involved in the drug trade? Mage sympathizer would be his guess. On second thought he doesn’t want to know, he’s stayed alive this long by knowing when not to ask questions.

“Ah so the Chantry girl is involved in the sale of lyrium,” mocks Morrigan, “fascinating that one can have so many quirks and yet continue to be completely uninteresting.”

“Do you ever tire of being the oversexed, spiteful witch, Morrigan? It must be an exhausting archetype to always embody.” Leliana snaps back.

“Yeah I’m just gonna, uh, get going then,” Bodhan and the boy slip away from the campfire as the bickering continues to escalate. As always, they barely notice. He takes the list from Sandal and starts to get to work.

#dragonage #dragon age #dragon age origins #fanfic #bodhan #alistair #morrigan #leliana #sten #from a certain point of view

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theresnosafeharbor4myships · 4 years

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Caryl fic war. Come at me!

Held (also on 9L)

Carol stared at the window as the dawn slowly took over the night. She wished she could feel the same inside of her, that something light could eradicate the cover of darkness she wore. But it was her own doing.

Her husband’s arm lay draped over her hip as he slept, a weighty attachment she wanted to discard, wanted to walk away from. But she didn’t know how.

Only in these rare moments, when her emotions sliced at her from the inside, cutting through their prison of flesh to nick and eat away at her raw nerves, a myriad of paper cuts bleeding out her veins, could she admit deceiving herself.

She felt his arm like a handcuff around her, recognizing the prison because she’d lived this before, this cover of the good wife, the pleasing partner, the accommodating spouse. She swore she’d never do that again, but the heat of him behind her, the possessiveness his position exuded even in sleep, made her skin crawl because it reminded her of someone she thought she’d grown out of, someone she’d never wanted to be again.

He had no blame in this, not like the last one. But all the same, she felt trapped, held back, restrained by who he was—and who she’d become to stay here.

She hated it. Hated that she’d chosen to remain—again—for a child at the detriment of herself. Hated how easily she could slip in and out of characters, whatever they needed her to be. Hated herself—at least like this—if she were being honest. And this morning she was.

Normally, she could ignore it, the way she really felt about this life she’d decided to live. She’d become an expert at brushing things aside, shoving emotions down into the core of her soul where only a few would recognize her. It shook her to think that at times she didn’t even recognize her. And the few who would lived out of reach.

Her son would leave them soon, had talked about it for a while, and she wondered what she’d do then, who’d she become. Would she stay? Could she?

She doubted it. Even now, after so many years of hiding, the façade she’d crafted and worn so well was slipping. She knew it. And the man behind her knew it too, no matter how badly he ached to keep her with him.

She felt him stirring, and his arm slipped away from her as he rolled onto his back. Sadly, she didn’t miss the warmth, instead felt a moment of freedom from the confines of a marriage she’d never again choose, no matter how much she loved her son.

Briefly peering over her shoulder at him as he blinked awake, she eased herself out of bed, the start of another loveless, royal day.

********************

Carol squinted her eyes against the early rays of light seeping into the room as she came awake. She fluffed the pillow under her head and pulled the covers tighter around her, snuggling into their warmth, but after a few moments she knew she’d already lost the cause.

She let her eyes get used to the daylight before fluttering them open, enjoying the slow ease into the day. It hadn’t been too long ago that sleep seemed more a commodity than a necessity. Now that the Whisperers had been silenced, the urgency of life had slowed down a bit, and she felt more than ready to enjoy these small pockets of pleasure.

Quiet voices sounded out in the hallway before they moved away from the door, and a few moments later she heard the front door close. Michonne no doubt ushering the kids to their studies in the small schoolhouse a few blocks away.

A smile played across her face. She hadn’t felt entirely confident that she could find her place again amongst the Alexandrians, but they’d all proven her wrong. It helped that she lived with Michonne, Judith, and RJ, Lydia and Daryl.

She’d only felt at home two places in her life. One had been a prison, surrounded by people who made her feel alive, valued, worthy, and loved. The other was here, in a community where she didn’t have to hide and her skills—survival, fighting, fierceness, and stealth—were prized and needed. Where she fit in. Where a few of those same people who’d known her—the real her—from before welcomed her back instantly and openly.

Like the man with his arm draped over her hip.

Daryl’s breath feathered her hair with each of his sleeping exhales, and she reveled in the warmth of him behind her, the weight of his arm around her making her feel wanted, even as he slept.

He’d never know how freeing it was to lie next to him, unashamed of who she’d become, to wake up beside him, wanting him still closer and more intimately than anyone she’d ever slept next to before. How the warmth of his arm against her, his hand on her tummy made her feel cherished and special, unlike anything she’d experienced before.

She felt him stirring behind her, and she sighed contentedly as he kissed her shoulder.

“Morning,” he greeted in a sultry, gravelly voice.

With his hand against her belly, he urged her to turn onto her back, and she did so willingly, smiling up at him as he rubbed his hand back and forth across her midriff, his touch feathery and teasing.

“Morning,” she replied lazily as he leaned down to kiss her.

His hand slipped under her tank top and he teased his way up her torso to her breast. She moaned into his mouth, an invitation to continue that he readily complied with. She felt a satisfied smile cross his lips as she arched towards him.

There’s nowhere else she’d ever choose to be than here, held in his arms, wrapped in his love.

Forever tag list: @billhadecr @madwomanlexie @mel-loves-all @queenohair187 @memcjo @watashi-no-kitsunegari @archersqueen @suellenalmeida @chey1995 @itsmymeaningoflife Message me to be added or removed.

#caryl fic war #caryl #caryl fanfiction #carol x daryl #daryl x carol #caryl fanfic #my writing #personal #held

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choicesaddictionwriting · 5 years

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Lose | Ramsey x MC

a/n: Did I stay up until midnight to finish this? Yeah, but I’m not mad. I hope you enjoy this mess. WARNING: Includes discussions about death, deadly illnesses and mentions suicide (alludes to but not explicitly stated)

Oh and @perriewinklenerdie asked to be tagged. I hope you enjoy this!

SUMMARY: After Kendall loses her first patient on the job, Ethan tries to figure out her unusual reaction to the loss and in the process learns something new about his favourite intern.

Lose | Ramsey x MC (Kendall Archer)

“Time of death, 14:26, June 14th, 2019,” Kendall announced, sombrely, glancing at both the watch on her wrist and the clock on the wall.

Express Sympathy? No need, they weren't any family in the room. She has to do that in a minute.

Listen for Heart Sounds? Done.

Watch for Breathing? Done.

Stethoscope on the heart? Done in one.

Felt for a Pulse? There wasn’t one.

Kendall quickly went through the mental checklist one more time,just in case she had missed something, even though the nurses who surrounded you had already begun to gently pull out the intravenous lines that had once run fluids into her veins and, one by one, removed the stickers on her chest that had recorded her heartbeat.

You’ve done everything right Ken, she told herself.

She was in fact dead.

My first dead patient…

Kendal glanced over the now deceased woman in front of her. Elizabeth Kane was her name, thirty-seven years old, mother of one. Had come in a week ago suffering from aspiration pneumonia, her careers had caught it a little too late associating it with the seizures she suffered. The stress of the ordeal had caused additional stress. Her blood pressure had already been high, she’d already had a heart attack last month. She hadn’t survived her second.

Elizabeth Kane by all accounts had been a normal woman. She worked until she couldn’t, was happy until the end and very much involved in her daughter's life until it became impractical. She has been very good at pretending nothing was wrong for a very long time and if you didn’t know then you probably wouldn't have thought anything was. But what struck Kendall was no matter how pleasant their interaction was over the week Kendall treated as was the pain in her eyes. Ms Kane would smile the best she could all day long. But it never met her eyes. They were always so dull, exhausted but well hidden.

But Kendall always noticed them.

Perhaps because she knew to look.

“You did everything you could, Dr Archer. Good job,” A nurse complimented sympathetically, pulling Kendall out of her thoughts, as she began to detach Elizabeth’s body from the machines that had once kept her alive.

“Thanks,” Kendall smiled, tuning out the irrelevant conversation that had begun between the nurses over Ms Kane.

She took one last glance at Ms Kane before turning away silently and heading down the hall with a strange feeling of ease as she headed to break the news to the patient's Mother and Daughter who she knew were waiting in the visitor's room.

Waiting patiently for visiting times to start.

Dr Ethan Ramsey never found it hard to find Dr Archer. Her presence was naturally very apparent, you knew when she was around. She also often got lost so it wasn’t rare for him to find her walking aimlessly down corridors from time to time, even now after a few months. She blames it on the fact that all the hallways look the same, Ethan blamed it on her hopeless sense of direction. Also, he could always page her to him.

But today was different. As her Attending Physician, he had heard about what happened with her patient. And even though Ethan made it a point never to interact with Interns out what was necessary he had always made it a point to be aware of when his Interns lost there first patients, Remembering how much his first loss had affected him and how little support he had been given. He never wanted the same for them. Everyone else in the group had experienced it beside Dr Archer.

He knew the day was coming and here it was.

But she was different. He didn’t like the idea of just summing her to his office and chatting. It felt too impersonal after all they had shared and how he felt about her in particular. So he decided to seek her out but it seemed like she didn't want to be found. And he couldn't spend all day looking for her.

For the most part, everything seemed normal. Which unsettled Ethan even more as he had expected more. Kendall, by all means, was very unashamed of the fact that she wore her heart on her sleeve, incessantly and to Ethan excruciatingly positive. An optimist, who believed she could change the world. He didn’t expect a complete meltdown but he expected more. This was the girl who he’d seen be invited to patients weddings after knowing them for an hour in the ER. But there was nothing. There were discussions about it but no mention that she was acting anything but normal.

And he didn’t know why that troubled him.

He did see her later that day. He was on his way to a Board Meeting and he passed her in the hallway. If he could have stopped, he would have, but he couldn't stop. So he offered her a stern nod as she passed, chatting with a surgical intern. She smiled as their eyes met and stuck her tongue out at him.

But the smile didn’t meet her eyes like they usually did.

Something was wrong.

He saw her again a few hours later. Sitting by herself in the cafeteria seemingly on the phone to someone, tucked neatly out of sight from the other lunch tables, including a table full of other interns. He would have gone to talk to her but he once again pulled away.

It was hours after that when he finally found himself free. Shifts had been over for over an hour at that point. He wasn’t quite ready to leave yet so he decided to take a quick round the hospital to clear his head as he often did before getting back to work. He was making his way across the hospital's courtyard, located right in-between the four main buildings of the hospital when he stumbled across Dr Archer in the otherwise deserted courtyard.

There were a few lights illuminating the paths as well as the lights from the hospital rooms but you could have easily missed her. She was lying on the grass, headphones in her ears as she stared up at the unsurprisingly empty Boston sky.

He walked up to her cautiously. Remaining on the path but leaning over so he could look down at her face.

Her eyes were closed but they fluttered open, most likely sensing she was no longer alone. He worried that he had frightened her but she beamed at him immediately and pulled her earphones out.

“Rookie, why is that always find you in the middle of doing something stupid?” He questioned, sternly, attempting to make his disapproval clear but for Kendall that was overshadowed by his evident concern.

“Well, Dr Ramsey,” She continues to grin, “I tend to do stupid things when I’m alone and you always come looking when I’m alone,”

“And what are you doing exactly, Dr Archer?” He demanded, folding his arms across his c

“Stargazing,” She smiled, pointing up to the sky.

He looked up sceptically to the sky himself.

“It’s a bit cloudy for that isn’t it?” He pondered.

“You can see a few if you look really hard, nothing like back home but they are there,” She shrugged the best she could lie down, “Though I will admit I’ve mistaken a couple of aeroplanes for shooting stars,”

“And I still bet you made a wish anyway,” He half-smirked.

“I shall not confirm or deny that claim,” She stated, attempting to control her smile.

He let himself laugh along with her for a second as a comfortable silence fell over them both as they looked up at the same patch of a cloudy sky. He glanced back down at her and sucked in a sharp breath as she continued to seem mesmerised by the dark sky.

“What are you doing here, Rookie?” He finally asked, his voice low, as quiet as their surroundings, “It’s past midnight and your shift ended what over an hour ago?.”

“So did yours,” She pointed out, tilting her head back to look at him for second before looking back up at the sky.

“I have paperwork,” He offered, coldly, “Now why aren’t you at home?”

“Why do you want me to leave so badly?” She distracted, her voice straining, “I’m not disturbing anyone am I?”

“Well, besides some patients view of the courtyard,” He quipped.

“They can’t see me,” She dismissed before pausing, “Can they? Because I might have been singing,”

“Well, luckily the windows don’t open,” He informed, amused before sighing, “Is there any particular reason you don’t want to go home?”

“Dr Ramsey, I’m fine. I just wanted to be alone,” She reassured, confidently, almost convincingly but not enough for him to be satisfied.

“This is…is about what happened isn’t it?” He introduced gently before changing his mind and asking rather bluntly because he knew how much she hated being alone, “Rookie, do you want to talk about what happened?”

“No, but it seems like you want too,” Kendall responded, watching him closely as he seemed to get more agitated by her words.

“No, I want to know if you want to talk about it,” He repeated, sternly.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” She stated, wondering is she could make it any clearer.

“Then I want to talk about why you don’t want to talk about it,” He demanded.

“Why?” She countered.

“Because this isn’t like you, Kendall,” He sighed, the concern evident as his face contorted in annoyance, running his hand shakily through his hair, before shrugging off his lab coat and placing it on a nearby bench before walking to her side and sitting down beside her. “You’re clearly not okay with what happened,”

“Dr Ramsey…” She questioned confused, propping herself up onto her elbows to look at him.

“Dr Ramsey, I’m fine,” She reassured, reaching out and placing a hand on his arm to reassure him.

“But you shouldn't be,” He breathed.

“What do you want from me? Do want me to cry my eyes out?” She questioned, “Will that make you feel better?”

“Rookie, it’s not about making me feel better. I know you quite well and this isn’t how you would react…”

“Do you? Do you know me, Doctor Ramsey? What do you know about me beyond my resume?” She interrogated, as the tension building between them worsened.

“I know…” He breathed, his mind racing through all the little details he’s picked up about her after all the time they had shared, unable to help a small smile that formed on his lips, Kendall was a talker and even though he usually would filter it all that he had always been unable to help the fact that he remembered everything he knew about her. He paused for a second before proceeding as he knew she needed to hear it, “You smile at everyone you meet and make sure you find something to compliment them on because you never know who needs to feel loved even by a stranger. You make a point to remember the small details that people tell you so they feel listened too. You like to sing or more appropriately hum to help you concentrate and settle your nerves when you’re working. And often those songs remind you of the people you are with. And yes I am very offended that the song you sing around me is Mr Know it All by Kelly Clarkson. Your favourite part about this job is meeting them and hearing about their lives. You don’t subscribe to the belief that having feeling and being open about it makes you weak, because your Dad once told you that you shouldn't ever feel sorry for loving in the way your heart knows to be true. You know you’re the smartest intern here but you don’t like to make a show it. You have an older brother, your Father is from another country, though you haven't said which one, yet. You played soccer and the piano as a kid but you stopped playing the piano when you were ten, you never said why. You bring your own lunch with you every day except for Tuesdays because they make cookies on Tuesdays and you like to buy extra to sneak up to some of the kids. Oh, and you think Aliens are real which is absolutely ridiculous.”

Kendall stared back at Ethan her eyes slightly wider than before, even sitting up to look at him directly.

“I only know all that though because you love oversharing,” He attempted to excuse, feeling the heat rising in his cheeks.

Kendall smiled at him shyly, “You only know about Tuesdays because that’s the only day we have the same Lunch-break,”

“The kids told me actually,” He corrected, still blushing.

“I guess you do know me a little better than I thought,” She gave in, breathing softly.

“There is something I don’t know about you though,” Ethan continued.

“Oh yeah? What’s that?” She questioned playfully, doing a bad job at hiding her surprise that the Dr Ethan Ramsey had decided to stargaze with her in the abounded hospital courtyard, as she laid back down.

“Why you aren’t upset about it,” He revealed, moving to lie cautiously be her side, a safe distance between them, “You aren’t avoiding everyone because you’re upset. You’re avoiding everyone because you aren’t and you don’t want to come off cold or perhaps even more likely explain why you aren’t sadder about it,’

Kendall shifted uncomfortably. She knew Ethan was looking at her but she kept her eyes trained on the sky.

“When the others lost their first patients,” She finally said, breaking the silence, “Everyone else made an effort to cheer them up because they were upset about it. So can’t go home because I can’t pretend to be upset by what happened to my patient. So I figured, I’d just stay away for a bit,”

“But it’s different for you?”

“It’s just that over the past week I got to know Ms Kane, you know?” She finally confessed, letting out a relaxed breath, her thoughts tumbling out of her mouth in what felt in an incoherent manner,“She knew she was going to die. So she made the most of the time she had. She made it mean something. She spent time with people she loved, made a difference. But when she arrived here, she had already accepted she wouldn't be leaving. She loved life but she was done the fighting. She was ready, the pain was becoming too much for her. So how can I be upset? When I know wherever she is, she is happier than she was here,”

“You believe that?”

“Wholeheartedly,” She insisted.

“But there is more too it isn’t there?”

Kendall snapped her head into his direction and for the first time they face each other directly, as they lay there on the cold grass.

“I…I…” She stuttered, unable to speak under the blue gaze and the realisation of how close they actually were.

“You were subtle about it but I noticed how you would brace yourself before you walked into her room,” Ethan revealed, remembering how he had seen her pause before entering Ms Kane’s room on a couple occasions over the past few weeks, “And how relieved you looked whenever you left the room,”

“At least I wasn’t obvious,” She commented.

“Listen I don’t mean to pry, Rookie,” Ethan finally said, wondering if he was crossing a line, he had never cared about someones else’s feelings or state of mind this much, especially interns.

But she wasn’t just an intern anymore and that was his fault. There was something more, something unspoken between them. They hadn’t discussed what happened in Miami in detail besides agreeing never to speak about it. Kendall had seemingly taken it in stride, finding it very easy to settle back into their roles as superior and subordinate. While he struggled to not think about the kiss they shared and the lines he had crossed with her whenever he looked at her. The only reason he was here, was because he had feelings for her, feelings he couldn't admit as they more than what an attending should feel for there intern. But they were there, his feelings for her, they were always there. When they were together when they were apart.

They remained. His constant.

He knew he wasn’t acting like himself and yet in the moment he didn’t care because he knew she was hurting and that was all that mattered to him.

“If you’re okay, we don’t have to talk about it. I’ll leave you alone,”

“No,” Kendall stated, immediately and much to his surprise, grasping his hand tightly.

He stiffened, as they laced their finger together but made no attempt to untangle them.

He nodded before, resting his back on the grass.

Waiting.

“You know how you like to ask me why I’m so optimistic and positive all the time when you get annoyed?” She asked in all serious but her tone was slightly teasing as if shows trying to keep the mood light between them.

“Hmm,” He encouraged, taking everything in.

“It’s because I refuse to live a single day and not have it mean something. Even if it’s something small like making someone smile. It’s small but it means something,” She confessed, breathing heavily, “It’s the only way that I can handle it,”

“The guilt,”

“Of what?”

“Of not having the same defect in chromosome 4 that my mom had, that my brother has, that Ms Kane had” She breathed, “For some reason, I won a genetic lottery and I can’t take that for granted and waste my life by not doing anything with it.”

Ethan involuntarily clutched her hand tighter and moved to rest it on his chest, right above his heart.

“I’m sorry,”

“Don’t be,” She dismissed, “It was just really hard to see what I could have had if my Mom had loved me enough to want to fight through it even just for a few more years instead of ending it without even trying. So yeah it would have been difficult to explain to everyone that I don’t feel sad about my dead patient but my dead mother. Nobody really knows about my Mom or my families history with Huntington’s disease here at least. Well besides you now,”

“I won’t say a word,” He promised, sniffing after he spoke.

“Ethan?” She asked quietly, sitting up so she could look down at him, “Are you alright?”

He nodded, keeping there captured hands close to his chest as he sat up with her.

“I was just thinking about how glad I…we are…the hospital I mean,” He quickly corrected as he spoke before starting again, stating firmly, “How glad I am that I don’t have to lose you or watch you lose yourself,”

“I’m not going anywhere,” She reassured, wiping a stray tear and leaning in slightly, “You’re stuck with me,”

Ethan likes to tell himself it was the fact that he knew that no one could see him that he let her hug him but he knew that wasn’t true. Even if had known someone was watching them, he still would tightly embraced her, as they continued to whisper quietly to each other about how exponentially fragile life was all while Ethan thanked a god he didn’t even believe in for sparing her from a disease that would have taken every part of who she was before taking her away completely…from him.

After everything, everyone he had lost before her.

He had to thank someone for the mercy he’d finally been shown.

So no, at that moment he didn't care if the whole world saw them.

In that moment, Ethan was willing to lose it all for her.

#ethan ramsey #ethan ramsey x mc #ethan x mc #ethan x kendall #ethan ramsey op #choices #choices fanfiction #playchoices #play choices #playchoices fanfic #open heart #open heart fan fiction

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rahullkohli · 5 years

Note

okay, so, for the headcanon thing and because i'm too lazy to write this myself, BUT, consider: they get dave to the modern timeline through Plot Convenience, and he and Klaus attend pride, which is simply Mindblowing to Dave, this sweet guy coming from such a place of social prejudice and homophobia, who's seeing all this overwhelming positivity and support and love out there in public in all its colours, and is just... shocked. essentially, dave crying from joy & holding klaus' hands a lot

i am so sorry this took me a while to get to, but i think about this scenario a lot, and i have to put this under a cut because it turned into 1.3k words of dave experiencing a whole new world.

okay i know that i am completelyminority here, but i don't feel like klaus is the kind of guy whoneeds to flaunt his sexuality. tbh i don't even think he even thinksabout it. i think he mostly just gets with whoever he is attracted to(or can offer him a warm bed or a couch for some time) regardless ofgender. so to me klaus doesn't go to pride for the community, or forthe social aspect. whenever klaus has gone to pride it has been tofill his needs for alcohol, drugs, sex and because pride is fuckingloud.

but then dave is there in the moderntimeline with him, and even though klaus is like ”this is dave,he's my guy, we're a thing, you shut up” to his siblings, dave isstill closeted. dave has been closeted his whole life because heliterally didn't have a choice. and the changes from his timeline toklaus' are an extreme culture shock. klaus' wardrobe alone is enoughto make him need a stiff drink and a moment to clear his head. davewasn't exactly a hippie back in the sixties, and he never really hadmuch to do with them back then. and it's confusing, and he is havinga really hard time. and klaus isn't the most evolved when it comes totalking about feelings, because who the hell would have taught himthat? old reggie? i think not! he's done it in rehab, and grouptherapy in prison, but he always followed up with sarcastic remarks,and he is not about to do that to dave. so instead klaus sits withhim, tells him he doesn't have to be out until he feels like it'sright, and that it all comes down what dave needs. but he also tellsdave about all the good progress the lgbt community has seen sincethe 60s. and then he tells dave about pride – how we have an entiremonth to raise awareness and remember our history. he tells daveabout how pride is a place where nobody cares, where everyone ishappy, and even closeted people get to be themselves for at least acouple of hours because at pride eveeryone is themselves. and klausshows dave pictures and videos from pride, videos of drag queensperforming, and boys kissing boys, and girls kissing girls. picturesof colorful floats and huge, hairy guys in thongs and colorful boasaround their necks.

so they decide to go. dave hesitant,and klaus promises that they don't have to do anything, they can justwatch from the sidelines. klaus even wears pants and a full lengtht-shirt with sleeves and everything to make dave feel as neutral aspossible as they're on the bus to the nearest big city where thefestivities are going down.

and when they arrive it's big, andpompous, and it's colorful. and it's so happy! the energy is booming,and there are so many smiles. big men are making out, unashamed, inthe middle of the city square. women with buzzcuts are holding handsand looking each other in the eyes like they're seeing the sun forthe first time. drag queens taller than dave are dancing in thehighest heels he has ever seen, and teenagers whose genders davecan't even figure out are laughing so hard they can barely stand.there are so many people, and literally every one of them is lookinghappy, and content, and excited.

the air is exploding with love, and forthe first time in the entire time they have known each other, klausfeels dave carefully lace their fingers together in front of otherpeople. and he can't stop grinning, and he so want a drink right now,but he also wants to keep his head clear in case dave getsoverwhelmed. but as a float marked gay soldiers do it better filledwith ripped guys in army pants passed them, dave inches closer tohim, and when klaus looks at him he sees tears in his boyfriend'seyes. so klaus squeezes his hand and dares to move closer.

”everyone is just so happy. andopen,” dave says, but he can't pull his eyes away, and klaus isn'tabout to be the one to break the spell for him. so instead he juststands there, letting dave digest it all, take it all in as much ashe can handle. klaus never considered himself closeted, and he neverfelt like he had to come out to anyone either. it wasn't like hisfamily even cared whether he was alive or dead, so why should hebother to feel like he owed them that part of himself? but it was abig deal to dave, and klaus was not about to take that away from him.

so they spend the whole day in the citysquare. klaus meets former drinking buddies and people he used to domolly with. he meets at least eight different people he has sleptwith, and dave is overwhelmed by how klaus isn't gay or straight butsomething entirely different. but dave is polite and greets everyone,even if he doesn't like the idea of anyone else having ever touchedklaus the way he gets to. he watches klaus dance with other people,and listens to him have conversations that he knows are in englishbut doesn't make the tiniest bit of sense to him. but he doesn'tmind; dave enjoys seeing klaus having a good time, and he likes to beon the sideline to observe without having to put himself in themiddle of it, and he tries not to blush whenever klaus proudlyintroduces him to whoever comes their way, or whenever other mencalls him cute in front of other men. so he holds klaus' hand, andevery time klaus has been wandering off and comes back, he pullsklaus just a little bit closer than he previously has allowed himselfin public.

and they stay the whole day, over theevening, and even though dave's head is pounding from all the loudmusic and the sun baking down on them for hours, he wouldn't want itany other way. his heart has been feeling like it was going to poundright out of his chest the entire day, and he has been scared todeath since before they even left the house, but now that it's darkand the music is transitioning to slower beats, there's no place davewould rather be.

slowly he gathers up his courage to lethis arms wrap around klaus, even though they are surrounded bystrangers. but everyone seems focused on their own moment, and withcouples dancing around them dave tells himself that this is as good amoment as any, and with klaus' arms softly around him he starts tosway, letting them blend in with the other couples moving to the softtunes. and when klaus rest his cheek on his shoulder, dave's stomachdoes a small jump, but he doesn't fight it, and allows his own torest against klaus' messy curls as they are swaying in place.

it's terrifying, and dave is constantlyexpecting someone to come attack them, but then he watches the othercouples around them, and reminds himself to breathe. so he squeezesklaus tighter and takes his hand, dancing like the slow dances he didwith girls in high school, where he used to close his eyes andimagine it was a cute boy, but he never would have imagined that hewould actually get to have a dance like that with someone thatactually made his heart flutter like klaus does. but here he is;fireworks popping over their heads, and a sweet pop song playing overthe biggest speakers he has seen in his life. and he's with klaus. sonothing else matters.

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e350tb · 5 years

Text

Steven Universe: Marooned Together - Chapter 22

(special thanks to @real-fakedoors for proofreading!)

“Ruby?!”

Stevonnie stared, dumbstruck, at the familiar figure. It was definitely their Ruby, no question about it - the headband confirmed that it could be no other. She was a bit dirty and muddy - under her cloak, she wore a rather spartan dark-red jumpsuit with a small, lighter-coloured star in the middle. Her eyes betrayed a hundred emotions - weariness, solitude, despair and hope.

At last, Stevonnie leapt forward, pulling the small Ruby into a hug.

“I thought you were dead!” they exclaimed.

“I thought you were dead!” replied Ruby, laughing.

“Hey, hey!” said Amethyst, stepping forward, “Save some Roob for me, huh?”

Stevonnie put down Ruby and she instantly pulled Amethyst into her own hug. Next to them, Peridot was practically vibrating in place, stars in her eyes - her old admiration for ‘the Garnet’, Stevonnie thought, must be returning to the fore. For Lapis’ part, she seemed surprised, but her reaction seemed understated, as if she was still processing the little red gem’s presence.

“Ame!” Ruby exclaimed, “Oh, it’s so good to see you! I’m so happy I could fuse with you!”

“Yes, how about you don’t do that,” Peridot said defensively.

“Wait, speaking of fusion,” Stevonnie looked around for anyone else on the swamp, but saw nobody. “Where’s Sapphire?”

“Sapphire.”

There was a long pause, and Ruby stared at her feet.

“Oh… Ruby, I’m so…”

Amethyst’s words were cut off by a snort from the small red gem.

“Heh, I had you goin’ there, didn’t I?” laughed Ruby, crossing her arms, “No, Sapphy’s all fine.”

“Y… Ruby, you… argh!” Amethyst kicked up some mud into Ruby’s face in frustration.

“Sapphire’s alive?” gasped Peridot, “Then… then Garnet still… oh, thank the stars, for moment there I was terrified…”

Ruby giggled a little more before pointing over her shoulder.

“She’s back at our hut,” she said, “Come on, come on, you gotta meet her!”

She began to trudge through the mud, excitedly gesturing back to them as she did.

“Follow me, you should!” she said eagerly, “See Sapphire, you will!”

Amethyst glanced at Stevonnie.

“Is it just me, or she a little more…”

“Eccentric?”

“I was gonna say nuts, but that works too.”

They left Vidalia and the Curator at the ship, following Ruby deep into the swampy jungle. It was not a pleasant place - the air, which had once been humid and thick but otherwise negligible to the senses, turned increasingly unpalatable and sulfurous the deeper they journeyed. Strange noises constantly emerged from the brown-green trees; gurgles and groans that wouldn’t have been out of place in a cheap horror movie. It was about as far from the island as you could get, and Lapis wondered why anyone would try to make a home here.

Oh yeah, she thought, marooned.

She reminded herself that they had gotten extremely lucky. Not only had they landed on a much nicer world, but Stevonnie and Lapis had landed on the same planet. How unlikely was that, she wondered. Was it simply coincidence, or had some sort of fate brought them together?

Nah, she decided, fate wasn’t real. It was just an enormous stroke of luck.

The hut was tiny, constructed from thick, slimy branches with a roof thatched from reeds. The building absolutely reeked of soggy wood and mud, but beggars could not be choosers, and it seemed it was all there was. There wasn’t even a door - Ruby simply walked through a gap between branches.

“Honey, I’m home!” she called, “And take a look at who I found!”

Getting through the door was hard - it was clearly built for a person of Ruby’s height, not Lapis’ and certainly not Stevonnie’s. The room beyond was tiny, and Lapis felt decidedly claustrophobic as she squatted to avoid hitting her head on the ceiling.

Sapphire was standing on the opposite side of the room - she had gone deathly quiet. She still wore a dress, although mud was caked along the bottom - it was much simpler, the shoulder pads gone, a little star on the ribbon around the waist. Her body language was inscrutable - was she in shock? Was she calm? Excited? Displeased? Her face remained stoic, and without seeing her eye, Lapis honestly couldn’t tell.

At last, she spoke.

“Stevonnie… Amethyst… Peridot…”

Her voice cracked with each syllable.

“Hey Sapph,” said Amethyst, smiling gently, “Surprised?”

Sapphire threw herself forward, pulling her fellow Crystal Gems into a tight hug, tears flowing freely from her eye. As she watched Ruby join the hug, all of them breaking down into unashamed sobbing, she felt… empty. She should be happy, shouldn’t she? Why did she feel so…

...right, she realised - this wasn’t her family, not really. It was a family she could have had, but it was clear that ship had long sailed. And for the first time, Lapis realised just how deeply she regretted that.

“So, we’ve only just arrived and you’ve decided to leave with us?” asked Peridot.

“Peri, let’s be real, this planet is a shithole,” replied Amethyst.

“Amethyst, don’t use that language in front of Stevonnie,” said Sapphire.

“I… they’re like thirty, Sapphire!”

“Oh yes. I… forgot. Sorry.”

Lapis stood next to a tree (she didn’t dare sit - the muck was bubbling ominously), watching the group prepare to leave. Stevonnie was animatedly explaining New Earth and the Island and the battle with Blue Diamond, Ruby listening in rapt attention. Occasionally, Sapphire would glance towards her.

Then, without fanfare, she wandered over. The others didn’t notice - Stevonnie had gotten to the fight with the Amethysts on Blue Diamond’s ship.

“Lapis.”

“Mmm.”

Lapis felt something against her hand. She looked down - Sapphire had gently touched it and was looking up at her, a small smile on her face.

“What’re you…”

“I’ve been looking at some of your futures, Lapis.”

“Yeah, well, that’s kind of an invasion of privacy, you know?” grunted Lapis.

“I can’t help it,” Sapphire chuckled, “I’m a Sapphire.”

“Oh,” grumbled Lapis, “Good.”

They stood in silence for some time.

“I know,” she said.

“Know what?” asked Lapis.

“How you feel.”

“So what?” replied Lapis, “It’s not my family. It’s my own stupid fault, I can’t turn back time. I…”

“That’s not what I mean.”

Sapphire glanced meaningfully towards Stevonnie, who was gesticulating wildly as they described the heart exploding. Lapis gazed from them to Sapphire and back.

“Uh… yeah, we’re friends, I don’t… I don’t know what…”

“Come with me.”

Sapphire grabbed her hand again, slowly but firmly pulling her behind a pile of reeds. She sat on a big log and motioned for Lapis to sit with her - hesitantly, she did, wincing as she heard a loud squelch as she did so.

“You like them,” said Sapphire simply.

“Yeah, duh, I live with them!” exclaimed Lapis, “I…”

“No,” replied Sapphire, “The more I heard from Stevonnie, the more I could see your relationship. It’s… unexpected, it’s new, it’s…”

She turned around, putting a hand on her shoulder.

“You love them,” she said.

“I… I mean, I… I don’t want to…”

Lapis sighed.

“I don’t know,” she said at last, “I mean, yeah, I do love them, but… is it… I mean…”

“Well, what does your gem tell you?” asked Sapphire, “What do you feel deep within your being when you look into their eyes?”

“I…”

“Do you feel like you’d be shattered for them?” Sapphire continued, “That everything you ever were, everything you ever did, led you to where you are now? Do you feel like they’re a part of you, like a limb you never knew you had?”

“Sapphire, I…”

“Do you want to hold onto them,” Sapphire finished dramatically, “And never let go?”

Lapis paused, jaw dropped slightly.

“I… yes,” admitted Lapis.

“That’s how I feel when I’m with Ruby,” said Sapphire.

Lapis paused again, eyes wide as she tried to force something, anything out of her mouth. Eventually she have up, burying her head in her hands.

“It doesn’t matter,” she said at last, “They don’t feel the same way. I don’t… I can’t ruin this by telling them stupid things like…”

“How do you know that they don’t?”

Lapis had no reply. She stammered quietly for a moment, then shrugged.

“I just don’t want to risk it,” she said quietly.

Sapphire nodded sympathetically.

“It’ll be hard,” she agreed, “But sometimes, you just have to take a leap of faith.”

She stood up, smiling at the other blue gem.

“Come on,” she said, “I think it’s time we left this planet behind.”

“...yeah, we’re gonna have to tell Lenny,” the Curator was saying as they returned to the ship, “They’ve stuffed a car in there. 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom II - you can’t say old Blue doesn’t have taste… ooh, do you think we could make it work?”

“Uh-huh, and where are you going to drive it?”

“I dunno, around?”

“Around what? There’s no roads!”

“There’s a path.”

“Right, great, so you’re gonna explain to Jeff why you bounced a Peridot off the hood…”

Amethyst waded over to the ramp of the Crystal Avenger, turning around to call to Vidalia and the Curator when she reached the metal surface. She gestured with one arm.

“You two coming?!”

Vidalia nodded, waving back.

“One more crate!” she called back.

“Cool!”

Stevonnie turned to Ruby and Sapphire, their face set into a curious frown.

“There’s one thing I don’t get,” they asked, “Why aren’t you still Garnet?”

Ruby and Sapphire glanced at each other.

“We, uh, we stayed Garnet for about a year,” replied Ruby, “But it was…”

“...lonely,” finished Sapphire, “In a sense. Of course, we were never alone, but… after a time, we felt like we began to lose ourselves. There was no one to talk to; we had the choice to continue to talk to ourselves, or talk to each other. It felt… right, this way. We needed each other, to talk together, to touch and hold each other, laugh and cry and grow together… we needed each other, not ourselves, at least for a little while.”

“How did a little while turn into twelve years?” asked Amethyst.

Ruby took Sapphire’s hands, smiling as she looked into her wife’s eyes.

“Well,” she said, “I think we were just waiting for the right moment.”

Sapphire giggled.

“Alright!”

Vidalia stepped onto the ramp, effortlessly carting a crate behind her. (On the other side, the Curator was visibly struggling with his end, wheezing and moaning as he staggered onwards.)

“That’s everything,” she said, “You guys ready to head back to New Earth?”

“Well, what do you say, Sapphy?” asked Ruby, “You ready to get back to the world?”

“Hmm… not just yet,” replied Sapphire.

She pulled Ruby into a kiss, spinning her around as she did so. Their bodies glowed a brilliant white, flowing into a single, unified form - tall, square hair, a shining visor over three eyes.

Garnet grinned, hugging herself.

“Now I’m ready.”

#steven universe #marooned together #stevonnie #lapis lazuli #amethyst #peridot #ruby #amedot #rupphire #vidalia

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diveronarpg · 5 years

Photo

Congratulations, KASS! You’ve been accepted for the role of HORATION. Admin Kaitlin: Kass!!! I was so flippin stoked when I saw that you decided to reapply for my favorite resident of the soft squad, even if they’re not exactly full soft. There’s just something about your version of Horatio that I have always been in love with, and I think you do a fabulous job of really getting across all of those unabashed emotions that plague him. I cannot wait to see them back on the dash!! Please read over the checklist and send in your blog within 24 hours.

WELCOME TO THE MOB.

Out of Character

Alias | Kass

Age | 23

Preferred Pronouns | they/them

Activity Level | i’m currently in the process of moving so things are a little crazy right now, but i can usually be on a few times a week for replies !

Timezone | est

Current/Past RP Accounts | this one baybee

In Character

Character | Horatio, Hector Rivera

What drew you to this character? The way he loves and feels things so strongly, and is so unashamed of those feelings, is something that drew me in to the character. There was also a lot of things regarding his past I felt like I could play with in his present relationships, and is something I’m excited to write out. Also the way his loyalty in the mob would so easily falter were Hassan to switch sides, making him fundamentally unloyal to just about everyone else, I think would be an interesting dynamic in a group like this. Where loyalties are what comes at the forefront of most characters’ minds.

What is a future plot idea you have in mind for the character? |

I think while a part of him feels a closeness with Roman, I do think another part of him is jealous too. He isn’t as close to Hassan as he is, of course, but they have their own jokes, have their own relationship outside of him. He doesn’t feel on the outside often when he’s around Hassan, but when he does, it’s when all three of them are together. I want something between them to blow up.

His relationship with Orion I see exploding. Hector isn’t good at controlling his feelings, he has always followed his heart over his head. I think at one point, Orion will push him too far, and Hector will snap. But immediately after, he’ll regret it, and potentially some bond there could form.

I would like for him and Genevieve to get closer, for her to show him what it’s like to have a mother who can actually love, and, when things get bad, when it’s revealed what has happened to Hassan’s father, he has to choose between a love that runs deeper than his blood, or the love of the mother he never really had.

I think seeing Hassan get so lost in himself is going to eventually drive him a little mad. He gives so much of himself to other people, to Hassan specifically, and feels peoples pain as though it is his own. He’s always there to keep him grounded, and on occasion, the favor is returned, but what happens when he gets so lost in himself and his own impossible task that Hector has to take the burden for all that has happened? All that will happen? He feels things inwardly as to not let it bother other people, this is especially the case for Hassan, especially since his father died. I think slowly but surely, his emotions will start to eat him alive. I’m not sure what that looks like yet.

Are you comfortable with killing off your character? Yes

In Depth

In-Character Para Sample:

cw: alcoholism mention

Sitting by his bed, counting the bottles, watching him as he mumbled in his sleep, it was all he could do at times like this. His heart sunk to his stomach, his arms wrapped around it tightly as though it would help keep him together. As if taking his arms away from himself would mean he would completely unravel. He had to know what this did to him, he had to. The smell, the mumbles, the occasional groan, it was all too familiar, and it brought him back to a time he wished he could forget, his stomach once again twisting at the thought.

The countless days and nights he would watch his mother float through the house after the death of his father, walking around as if she had nowhere to go, no son to take care of. She would sit, and look out at nothing, then stand back up and continue walking, as if she had something else to do in the chair across the room. Hector would spend hours watching her moving back and forth, and back and forth, all while holding whatever her drink of choice was for the day. She would go hide in the bathroom whenever she did anything else.

He would sit by her bed at night, just like this, making sure that she didn’t go off too far, reaching over to see if he could still feel her breathing on the back of his palm. His father always said he felt as deeply as she did, loved as fiercely when things were still good between all of them, when they were still a family. It is still something his carries with pride, for this version of his mother was not the mother he knew. Was not the one he remembered now that she was gone. His mother was kind, and loving, and gave all of herself to people. That was who his mother was, and he had lost her long ago. So, when she died, when her body finally gave out on her, he didn’t go through the grieving process he should have. If anything, he felt relief. Relief that he could say goodbye to the pain that came with seeing a once great woman withering before him.

But that was not what he wanted for Hassan, that would not be Hassan’s fate.

He got into bed, when he was still fast asleep, and curled up in a ball beside him, leaning on the headboard and looking over at him, watching his chest move up, and down, and back up again, putting the back of his hand over his mouth, just to be sure, then rested it back on his knees. He knew, if he were to wake up, he would tell him he wouldn’t have to stay, that he could go home if he wanted, that all he had needed was someone to bring him home. But Hector wouldn’t ever dream of leaving him there on his own. And he imagined Hassan knew that about him by now. Knew that the oath they made when they were younger to always take care of each other was stronger now than it ever was before.

Every slight movement, even in his sleep, felt calculated. The way he would turn, but only when Hector looked away, or mumble something that made him worry, done with an indescribable grace and poise that Hector would recognize from miles away. It was what drew him to him in the first place. He reached down to run his fingers through his hair, something he could only do on certain occasions, most of them being when they were alone. It was moments like this, moments when he looked so small, that Hector wished he could take his pain away, give it to himself. And it was moments like this where he saw him as the broken man he hid from everyone else, that Hector wished he knew how to piece him back together again. But more so, that he felt an irreplaceable feeling of complete and total devotion, something that, for him, was more than love. He would do anything to ease his pain, his worry, his doubt. Anything. Even if it meant erasing himself completely.

Extras: Pinterest board here! (Blood tw) https://www.pinterest.com.mx/kassharoun/ch-hector/

HCs:

Hector’s always loved to draw, and usually would in the corner of his notebooks. Now, he’s taken to carrying a small, leather-bound notebook with him. Something to help him pass the time, and get out whatever emotion he’s been holding in.

He’s a particularly skilled fighter, but is much more talented when it comes to not leaving behind a trace. He’s learned to walk around people, to make himself invisible. He knows people and he knows what they want to hear. And he uses that to his advantage.

He has intense separation anxiety. Something about losing his parents the way he did makes him fear he’ll lose other people he cares for too. At night, it’s all he can think about. It completely encompasses him and stops him from being able to sleep.

When he was a kid, and he would have to spend nights alone, he would go out on his roof and look out at the stars, and pretend that he had a family like the ones he saw on TV. And that his mom would come in and yell at him, like a mom should, and his dad would tell him he needed to be more careful and listen to his mother, like a dad should. It never happened, of course, but those are some of his most cherished moments.

A lot of people like him, because it’s so easy for him to mold himself based on who he’s around. Sometimes, depending on the person, he feels like he completely loses himself. There are very few people in his life who he has ever felt like himself around.

#accepted #accepted: horatio

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