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kbtbb-soryu · 1 year

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Queen of Ice [Ryota x OC] Chapter 9

A/N: Not that I’ve been posting that much lately anyway, but this will probably be my last story update until after my exams in June. Hopefully I’ll update a bit more regularly again after that.

I spent every spare moment cramming math into my brain. Give up? Like hell. It was the weekend before my midterm. It was mere days away and I was nervous.

“Is there anything else I can do before the test?” I asked.

“Go over the problems you’ve been reviewing up till now,” Mr Mochizuki said.

“Is that it? I don’t feel like it’s enough. I’m so nervous I feel like I might throw up. And it isn’t even the day of the test.”

“Well, in that case…” He took a moment to think things over and then nodded thoughtfully. “If you really want to be ready, you need to get used to the testing environment. If you’ve got the stomach for it, we can spend the whole day doing practice exams.”

I nodded. “Let’s do it.”

Mr Mochizuki grinned. “First solve all the problems within fourty minutes. We’ll work on picking up your speed.” I nodded. “Begin.” He produced a stopwatch and tapped his thumb over it. I threw myself into the equations before me. First, look at all the problems and decide which order I’d solve them in. Next, decide how long I’d spend on each question. Then, start from the problems I knew I could solve. God, I hoped all this time I spent studying paid off. It had to.

Mr Mochizuki and I chatted as we looked over all the practice tests of the day. I almost couldn’t believe my progress.

“Everything you got wrong was just a careless mistake. All your hard work really paid off,” he told me. “The one thing you’re missing is confidence, which you can get through repetition.”

“My confidence isn’t that great when it comes to math, I admit.”

“Only those with confidence to spare truly succeed at test-taking. You can do this. Trust in yourself and the time you’ve invested.”

“I believe you. Thanks. You’re the reason I came to this point.”

“Me? I didn’t do anything. This was all you. You’re the one who got up early, who spent all her free time studying. You worked really hard. You deserve to get into that medical course.” I was surprised to realise he’d been paying such close attention to me.

“You, uh… You knew about that, huh?”

“Duh. We live in the same house.” I shrugged. “Let’s do one more test tonight, and then I’ll cook you whatever you want tonight?”

“Anything I want? Then, I—”

“Want hamburgers?”

“You know me so well,” I said jokingly. “I’ll help.”

“No, this is my treat for a long day of studying.”

“Finished that last test.” I put my pencil down.

“It was close, but you made the cut-off. A ninety. Congrats.”

“Thank you for helping me today.”

“A whole day off spent working… Someone deserves a reward.”

“Another one?” I arched an eyebrow.

“I’m gonna run to the convenience store really quick.”

“So by ‘someone’ you meant you.”

“Who else?”

“The person who did the actual studying.” I pointed towards myself.

“You got your hamburgers.”

“So? Maybe I want something else.”

“Fine, fine. But just this once.”

I grinned.

It was just a few minutes’ walk to the convenience store from Mr Mochizuki’s. This area was so quiet, it was just us on the street. I kept stealing glances at him, trying to keep my growing smile in tone.

“What are you gonna get at the store?” he asked.

“Hmm… dunno. Depends on what they’re stocked with. I’ll decide when I get there.”

“You know this is on my dime, right? Don’t go too crazy.”

“Oh, you don’t have to worry about that. I’ll pay for my own stuff. Oh, and we’ve got to get some of those limited-edition chocolate puffs, too.”

“They have those? If you see some, you make sure to let me know, okay?”

“I will.”

“You’re an honest one, huh,” he muttered. I looked at him. “With that honesty, you can accept anything, head-on.”

“You really think that?” No one had ever said anything like that to me before.

“I do. Normally, I’d say that honesty comes from not seeing enough of the world, but… I think it’s just one of your many inherent strengths.” His eyes took on a melancholy I’d never seen from him before. I stitched my brows together. “Today, and just today, I’m gonna let you buy whatever you want.”

“I told you, I can pay for it myself.”

“Stop arguing. Buy anything you want. It’s on me.”

I sighed. “You’re going to regret that.”

“Well, you deserve it. You put up with a lot of studying.”

“I know, but I did that for my benefit. Not so you’d buy me stuff.”

“I said stop arguing.”

“You know for someone who calls me stubborn, you take the cake.”

That night, we threw ourselves a junk food party.

On Monday, I was about to leave after club practice when I saw a note stuffed into my shoe locker.

“Ooh, is that a looove letter?” Yuka asked playfully behind me. I turned a sour look on her.

“A love letter? To you? Doubt it,” Tsukishiro said, having shown up.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Eito snapped at him.

“It’s okay, Eito,” I turned a smirk on Tsukishiro. “Tell me, why do you think it’s unlikely for me to get a love letter?”

“Well, you have kind of an off-putting personality...” he avoided my eyes. An off-putting personality... and yet these two idiots insist on involving themselves with me.

I barked a laugh. “You really think guys ask me out because they like my personality? That is just adorable, really,” I mocked him.

“She’s the prime minister’s daughter, genius. It doesn’t have anything to do with whether they actually like her or not,” Eito said, leaning against his locker with his bag slung over one shoulder.

“Seriously?” Tsukishiro asked.

“Uh-huh,” I replied.

“That’s so shallow,” Yuka said.

I arched an eyebrow at her. “Why are you mad about it? I’m the one dealing with it.”

“It still pisses me off,” she said. I didn’t get it.

My eyes fell back on Tsukishiro. “Are you telling me if you asked me out, it wouldn’t have anything to do with who my parents are?”

“Exactly.” My eyes widened at his response. He meant it.

“That’s...”

“Adorable?” he asked.

“Admirable. But don’t expect other guys to be as sincere as you,” I replied as I opened the note. Tomorrow, after school, meet me in the A.V. room.

“You’re not actually gonna go, are you?” Tsukishiro asked.

I shrugged. “Probably not.”

That night I was unpacking my bag in the living room, trying to fish out my math books for our tutoring session when the letter from earlier slipped out.

“What’s that? A letter?” Mr Mochizuki asked.

“Not what I’d consider a letter but you could call it that.” I shrugged.

“A love letter?” Having seen what was on it, an eyebrow arched on his forehead. “Who’s it from?”

I waved the letter in front of him. “You see a name on this thing? Cause I don’t.”

“A love letter from a mystery admirer.” He placed a few fingers to his forehead, thinking something over. “You going to go?”

“I’m curious about who it’s from.” The opposite of what I told my classmates, mostly because Eito was there. He had this ridiculous notion that he had to deal with these annoyances on my behalf which was in and of itself, also an annoyance.

“Anyone you’re hoping to see there?” Mr Mochizuki asked. You? I smiled wryly.

“Not particularly. But whoever it is is going to be in for a nasty surprise.” I waved the piece of paper in front of his face again. “I don’t take well to these things.”

“Love letters?” he asked.

“No, orders. This thing doesn’t even have a ‘please’ in it.”

Mr Mochizuki’s eyes widened. “That’s why you’re going to go?”

“Why else would I go? It’s not like I care about any of this.” I crumbled up the piece of paper and threw it. It landed in the trashcan a few feet away.

“Pretty good aim.” Something in his voice sounded almost relieved. I raised an eyebrow.

“I should hope so. I am in the archery club.”

“Let’s get back to the practice tests. While I’m correcting your last one, you can go ahead and solve these here.” He was back to being the stern teacher I’d come to know and love, and I turned my attention back to the tests.

After school, I made my way to the A.V. room. I didn’t know who sent the letter but I wasn’t particularly surprised when Sato turned up a few seconds after I did.

“You came,” he said.

“You wrote me that letter,” I muttered.

“Uh-huh. I’ve liked you for a really, really long time now, Haruka. Would you wanna go out with me? Be my girlfriend.” There was zero preamble in his words. I almost grimaced. If I was being completely honest, Sato creeped me out.

“I looked him straight in the eyes. “Sorry, Sato. I like someone else.” I gave him a formal bow and attempted to walk past him on my way out. He grabbed me by the arm and pushed me up against a desk. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?!”

“I love you. Can’t you see that? What do I need to do to make you understand? Maybe a kiss could show you?”

“You’re insane.”

“Just a peck, nothing big.” I shoved him off me, but he grabbed both my arms, pinning me. “Haruka...”

Alright, if he was willing to go this far, there was only one thing I could do. I rammed my knee hard between his legs. He cried out in pain and stumbled back. A normal girl would have run at this point. But I wasn’t normal. I grabbed his hair and shoved his head down to my knee. I could hear the crack of bone breaking as I shoved him against the black board. Grabbing him by the collar, I launched my fist. I missed, hitting the board right beside his face. His eyes widened.

“You ever pull a stunt like this again, I promise you, I won’t miss.” Keeping my fist against the board, I let go of his shirt and watched as he ran from the classroom.

“Haru!” I heard Eito’s voice just as the sound of Sato’s receding footsteps began to fade.

I shook my fist and turned around. “Hey, what are you doing here?” I knew he’d show up.

“I heard fighting,” Eito said, stepping into the classroom.

“I wouldn’t call this a fight,” I replied nonchalantly.

Eito’s eyes fell on the drawing board where my fist had left a rather large dent. He looked at my hand as I hopped onto one of the desks.

“Your hand...”

“It’s fine, it doesn’t hurt.”

“It looks broken.” He took my hand and applied pressure to my knuckles. “Can you feel that?”

“Of course I can feel it.”

“But it doesn’t hurt.”

“No.”

“Does this hurt?” He pressed down on my knuckles harder.

“No. For god’s sake, Eito, how many more times do I have to tell you? I don’t feel pain.”

Eito dropped my hand. “Right. That’s the only reason you survived, right?”

My eyes widened as I was taken back to the day I uttered those words. “You heard me say that?”

“Yeah.” I didn’t respond. Eito slammed the back of his fist against the board. “Dammit, Haruka!”

“Eito...” I frowned.

“You are always so quick to throw yourself under the bus for us. Sacrificing yourself. Is that why you did it? Because you knew that no matter what they did to you, you wouldn’t feel it?”

“No,” I answered, my voice hoarse.

“Then why?”

“I wanted to protect you.”

“Then is it really that hard to believe that sometimes I want to protect you too?! You’re my cousin and my best friend. Stop being a martyr for once and let someone else in!” I had nothing to say in response. He’d figured out why I really came: so he wouldn’t be able to get involved. I’d never seen him get this emotional before. He sighed. “Get that looked at. Just because you can’t feel it, doesn’t mean it isn’t broken.” I nodded, avoiding my cousin’s gaze as he left.

I sighed and walked over to the window. “You can come in, you know. No use lurking in the hallway.”

“You knew I was there?” I heard the clack of Mr Mochizuki’s shoes against the tiles as he came into the classroom, closing the door behind him.

“Yeah.”

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“I don’t believe you.” I heard him approach me. He pulled me towards him, his hand on the back of my head. My eyes widened as I heard his heart pound against my ear. I was in his embrace, held in his arms.

“Are you alright?” he asked again. A quiet question, spoken in a pained whisper. His arms tightened around me.

After a long moment of silence, I said, “No.” I pulled myself away, looking down.

“I’m here. Everything’s okay now.” I nodded, stepping back. “What happened?” I nodded my head in the direction of the drawing board. “You did that?”

I held my injured hand up with a wry smile. “Congenital pain insensitivity. It’s a genetic mutation that makes the person unable to feel pain.”

Mr Mochizuki’s eyes widened. “You have it?”

I nodded. “You want to know about that conversation between me and Eito just now...” I said matter-of-factly.

“You don’t have to say anything.” I nodded again. “So, was Eito...”

“The person who sent me that letter? No. It was Sato. I rejected him and he forced himself on me.” I gave a wry chuckle. “I may have gone a little overboard with the self-defense. Then Eito showed up and we had an argument.” I heaved a long sigh. “I’d better get this looked at.” I left.

I had texted Pierre that I’d be late to work today. Aunt Ran only gave me an exasperated look when I showed up at the hospital. She didn’t bother asking questions, only told me to be more careful as she patched me up. After work, Mr Mochizuki stopped by to walk me home.

“Thanks for coming all the way out here,” I said. Kei couldn’t pick me up today; he was busy investigating my stalker. Although after what happened today, I had a pretty good idea of who it could be.

“Of course… I’d never forgive myself if anything happened to you. About Sato… I never realised he’d be this dogged.”

“He’s the least of my problems right now,” I said.

“I know you’re going through a lot right now and I don’t want to freak you out even more, but… You need to be careful of him.”

“I think I’ve proven I can take care of myself,” I gave him a cheeky smile, to which he laughed.

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#ryota mochizuki #Our Private Homeroom #fanfiction #romance #action #teacherxstudent #love #hishikura #crossover #voltage inc #otome

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reallyromealone · 6 months

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Can I request sephiroth x male reader with their triplets sons in their teenage years attending a homeroom meeting

Absolutely

Sephiroth x male reader

Omegaverse, fluff, implied mpreg

Class meetings

(name) was going through the mail when he stopped at a letter from the school "a homeroom meeting?" (Name) mumbled confused as Sephiroth drank his coffee, their sons getting to sleep in as they had no club activities and it being the weekend "it's that time already?" The silver haired man mumbled, hair in a bun and wearing a matching housecoat as (name) "it's on (date), do we have plans then?" (Name) asked softly and Sephiroth looked at the calender on the large chrome fridge covered in magnets from vacations amongst various clutter "we are surprisingly all free that day" Sephiroth mumbled and wrote it on the calendar.

(Name) smiled as Sephiroth kissed him gently "now let's go get dressed, we have a day to complete" (name) sat up and took the others have hand and the two walked through the large home and upstairs to get dressed.

The week went by fast, between feeding four alphas who ate a small towns worth of food and doing his daily tasks and before they knew it, it was parents night.

"I'm so excited to see how our pups are doing" (name) said happily as he held onto his mates arm, Sephiroth leading his mate around dutifully as he quietly listened to his mates chatter "it will be good to see how their progressing" his voice deep and quiet as he smiled softly at (name)s cheerful attitude.

Everyone knew of (name) and Sephiroth, both incredibly attractive and their apposing personalities deemed charming and sweet as Sephiroth went along with his mates ideas and (name) in turn making Sephiroth the happiest alpha known to man.

So it was no Wonder everyone glanced at them as they walked through the doors of the private school, looks of curiosity and envy as they walked to administration "hello, we are the Hojo family, here for the homeroom meetings?" (Name) spoke up as Sephiroth just stared at the beta admin who tried not oggling at the two "here are your visitor passes, they're home room is 207" he said meekly and (name) smiled and thanked him.

The two removed their outer jackets and clipped the badges to their shirts, Sephiroth taking (name)s jacket to hold as they walked to their sons homeroom, Sephiroth keeping a hand on the small of (name)s back as they walked. "There you three are..!" (Name) gently held each of their faces as they looked embarrassed "come on... Dad our friends are here..!" Loz grumbled embarrassed as (name) fretted over Yazoos hair and Sephiroth took his mates hands "we have all the time to embarrass them after the meetings"

(Name) let his sons lead him and Sephiroth around, showing their projects they were working on and other things "Yazzy! What a coincidence to see you here!" A short Omega boy said cheerfully as he walked to the long haired Alpha who in turn tilted his head slightly as (name) poked his head out curiously, hand gently on his middle sons arm as the sons were equally protective of their dam, knowing how dangerous it could be for an Omega.

"Whose this Zuzu?" (Name) asked sweetly, excited to meet some of his boys friends and the thing about omegas is that due to genetics, they look fairly young for a very long time till suddenly they look elderly.

So it wasn't a suprise that the other Omega couldn't figure out that this was Infact the triplets Dam, after all they basically took fully after their sire.

"I'm Yazzy's bestest friend!" They proclaimed and looked (name) up and down, (name) in turn caught on to this immediately.

He knew his sons were handsome young men, they were his pups after all! So he knew there would be people like this with them.

After all, Yazoos best friend was that sweet beta (friends name) whose over all the time.

"I'm Yazoo, Kadaj and Loz's Dam, (name)" he said sweetly, watching as the other looked stunned and fumbled a bit "n-nice to met you" the omegas tone changed immediately and (name) just kept a polite smile "yes, well we best continue before the meetings start, yes?"

The triplets snickered as Sephiroth just watched quietly, knowing his mate could hold hold his own.

"Hojo family?" The teacher called from a spare room and the five turned look at the teacher.

Kadaj was first as he sat between his parents, (name) greeting the teacher happily and Sephiroth more formally "so let's get into it, academically he's doing wonderfully, he's at the top of his class and his club activities are doing well"

"But..?"

"He's known to be quite cold and passive with his classmates, though we do believe it could be due to hormones" the teacher said and (name) nodded "his father is the same way, a deadpan stare of the occasion smirk" he pointed to the elder alpha "they're basically identical though Kaj is far more outspoken" (name) watched as his son looked slightly embarrassed as he looked away.

"Zu, you're turn" Kadaj said as the middle son stood up, a few admirers pouting as he got up and walked into the room and sat between his dad's "now, Yazoo is also doing well in his academics but there is the problem of him getting distracted in class, he's often seen passing notes and flirting with other students"

(Name) looked at his son unimpressed as Sephiroth sighed "school is more important than some flings, young man!" (Name) said seriously "my grades are good though..."

"That may be the case but I don't want you coming home saying "dad I got someone pregnant" he warned and Yazoo nodded "who are the class pets in your class?" (Name) asked the teacher who looked confused "because I want you to put him between them"

"You can flirt on on your free time, you better be treating them well though, if I find out you're two timing I will ground you till next year young man" though he knew Yazoo would never, he was flirty yes but never one to do something like that.

🩷

"I don't mean to flirt, it's the other students flirting with me... They just can't take a hint" he said softly and the teacher looked confused "that's now what we see"

"Seeing and experiencing are very different, I already have a partner... Are we talking about my love life or my school life?" He rolled his eyes and (name) looked at him as to say 'behave' before looking at the teacher "he's right though, we aren't here for gossip" though he wanted to here about this person his sons seeing.

"Loz has done much better compared to last semester, bud tutoring lessons seem to be paying off slowly but surely, he's thriving in gym class and even joined the mechanics club" (name) was proud of their youngest, he struggled a lot in school and it was good to see him achieve his goals.

"He has no issues making friends and has been seen as a protector of sorts to the omegas in his grade"

Sephiroth looked slightly proud of his son, though internally he was absolutely over the moon, his sons learning how to respect omegas well "as expected of my son"

"And we believe if he keeps this up he would be expected to graduate with his class"

"Hi Yazoos dad's!" (Friends name) said as the families walked out into the night air, the beta teen very excitable and high energy compared to Yazoo and (name) greeted him kindly and Sephiroth greeted him calmly, everyone halting when (friends name) kissed Yazoos cheek and everyone halted "well that explains the sleep overs" (name) said awkwardly "those aren't happening with closed doors anymore, well at least it's someone who will treat you nice" (name) was exhausted after all this "are you still coming for dinner sweety?" He asked the beta who smiled "yes sir! My mom's having me bring a cake!"

"Oh that's so sweet, tell her I say hi alright?"

When they got into the SUV, Sephiroth looked from the rearview mirror "you all did well, I'm proud of you" he never hid the fact he was proud of his sons because he was and the teens pretended they didn't care but Yazoos tiny smile let it slip.

"Now why didn't you tell us you were dating Zuzu! I feel silly calling him your friend!"

"It slipped my mind..."

"Well I'm glad you found a respectable young man"

The triplets didn't say anything as they knew (friends name) was chaos incarnate but he wasn't a bad guy at least.

#ff7 x male reader #ff7 x reader #final fantasy 7 x male reader #final fantasy 7 x reader #sephiroth x male reader #sephiroth x reader #male reader #omegaverse #omega male reader #fluff #anime x male reader #anime x reader

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aplaceforyourhearttorest · 5 months

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Add One More ୨୧ James Hetfield

The screeches of gleeful and partially muted laughter reverberate through your underprepared eardrums as you exit your car, the anxiousness pulsating through you causing your expression to come off as unnecessarily guarded and closed off. Dry California air scuffles its way up to you and caresses your bare calves as you slowly make your way forward, the large estate of the private elementary school in front of you coming off as far more intimidating than you had originally hoped for with each step you take.

You tightly clutch onto the folded files in your slightly trembling grasp, the repetitive sound and rhythm of your heels making loud contact with the uneven terrain of concrete underneath you somehow helps ground you, as you make your way to the top of the walkway. Before you could even test the doorknob or raise your hand to notify the office to the left of you of your presence, the door slams open, and nearly collides with you.

"Sorry, sorry!" A youthful voice shouts out, as a clumsy hand grabs onto your shoulder, immediately halting the process of you beginning to stumble back in shock. A dark and widened pair of brown eyes stare back at you unblinkingly, wild and curly hair hiding half of his face as he waits for your reaction. "In a rush, y'know. Part of the cool uncle duties." You allow a small and hesitant smile to grace your face at his words, and an empathetic feeling rushes through you as the man no more than a few years older than you lets out a sigh of relief and rests his head against the now closed and heavy wooden door.

"Thank you for not spitting on me." He says in a dramatic tone, causing your eyebrows to raise in bewilderment as he lets you go. "And why in the world would I want to do that?" You ask him, feeling incredulous as the man in front of you sarcastically grins in response and lets out a weighted laugh. He wordlessly gestures down to his outfit, causing you to feel even more confused as you obligatorily take in his attire.

"Nice, you like rock music. But that doesn't answer my question." You muse, before nervously glancing through the nearest window to look at the clock. You straighten up as a monotonous warning bell rings out, signifying that you've got less than ten minutes to prepare yourself for your very first day of teaching and your very first class. "My type of clothing doesn't really blend in and mesh well in this part of town, especially with the parents that can afford this type of school. Usually I'd dapper up, but we were in a rush. Her dad and I and the rest of our band just got back from the last leg of our tour, and we all wanted to see her as soon as possible."

You take in his words with all-intent listening ears and full attention, despite the risk of you running late. "Seems to me like you all really care for her, which means a whole lot more to me than what you wear," you state, before reaching over to grab ahold of the other doorknob nearest to you. Your arm and upper back protest as you strain and tense to keep it agape, the stray tendrils of hair falling out of your bun from the wind tickling the nape of your neck as you turn to give him a quick and meaningful glance. "And if anyone gives you slack for how you dress instead of how you are as a person and how involved you are in your friend's child's life, then maybe they shouldn't feel welcome around here instead of you."

You send him a soft smile before taking a deep breath and moving forward, wincing as the door shuts harshly behind you due to a rough gust of wind, the sound culminating the attention of everyone in the office with a resounding whack! Multiple pairs of eyes focus in on you at once, causing the already uncomfortable long sleeve you're wearing to begin to feel even more suffocating. You go to open your mouth and say a greeting, before pausing as an indignant huff filters throughout the room instead.

"You cannot just come in here minutes before the homeroom bell, especially when you already missed the welcoming assembly yesterday." You hear an elderly woman scold, causing you to turn around to find the source of the harsh tone. The awkward smile you had resting on your face quickly turns into a frown as you take in the clearly displeased child in front of you, their expression filled with distaste and their right leg beginning to bounce off the ground with unhidden agitation and impatience. You instinctively move forward before you could give yourself the chance and the time to second guess it, making your way into the large gap between the two and kneeling before the younger. Bright blue eyes stare up at you as you place your weight onto the tips of your heels and make way into her line of vision, the lace on the bottom of your skirt raising itself up to rest against the tops of your now reddened kneecaps.

"Well, if that isn't the prettiest bow I've ever seen," you start, making sure to maintain eye contact with her as you raise a hand to tap it against the top of your head. "I usually wear one of my own, but I didn't think it'd go so well with the lack of pants and this super long blouse." The distasted look on the blonde's face slowly melts into mild interest as she keeps her gaze on you, before finally letting out a drawn-out breath and reaching down to grab ahold of her multicolored and embellished school bag. You tune in with slight relief as you watch the uneasy expression on her face slowly turn into a look of determination, as she searches through the now jumbled contents of her bag.

The older woman behind you lets out an exhausted exhalation, and you slowly begin to relax your body as you hear her start to make her descent away.

"Here," the young girl offers, her hand shyly holding out an identical looking accessory, the new and improved attitude behind her action much softer and more welcoming than before. You widen your eyes in an obvious dramatization, and you grin to yourself as she lets out an animated giggle, before twisting around to face the front desk and placing your hands on your legs to stabilize your balance.

"Would you be so kind to do the honors?" You ask in a faux serious voice, helpfully tilting your head back as you hear a small shuffle behind you. An amused hum follows the sound of movement, and you feel accomplished and proud as the bow is placed crookedly in your mane. You tilt your head side to side to make sure it's secure, and reassuringly nod to the receptionist as she sends you a hesitant and inquisitive look from behind a pile of unfinished paperwork.

"Thank you so much, princess!" You cheerfully gush out, turning back to face her with a genuine smile adorning your lips. Your chest tightens as you watch her eyes fill up with newfound happiness at the nickname, her uneven and endearing smile making you feel warm. "Eden." She announces, the ends of her hair smacking against the middle of her back as she kicks herself off of the chair and onto the carpeted floor with unconcealed vigor.

"Eden." You mimic back softly, reaching down to gently squeeze her hand in a comforting manner before fully standing back up once again. You glance out the window once you hand over your identification and grin as your eyes latch onto another familiar looking pair.

The young man from before sends you a grateful and beaming smile, before pointing down to Eden and giving you a thumbs up as he begins to walk backwards in an attempt of the moon walk. Eden lets out an amused chortle at his antics, before whispering out a still fairly loud farewell. "G'bye, Uncle Kirk!"

You make sure to repeat the name back to yourself quietly as you're handed a directory and the official bell begins to ring.

"Hey!" You look down as Eden comes over to stand beside you, her insistent fist finding purchase on your crumpled skirt as she tugs at it for your attention. The young girl seems to freeze in place as she tries to find the words to show her gratitude. Finally, she lets go and sends you a heartwarming smile, her hands gripping onto her backpack's straps with an excited haste. You continue to look down in her doe eyes as she seems to find her words, and you send her an amused look as she opens her mouth to speak intentionally slow. Instead of a proper full-length sentence, she instead playfully just says, "Thanks for everything."

"Don't even mention it, kiddo. And thanks for the new sick bow. Maybe it'll even give me some actual street cred and my fist graders might show me some real respect." Eden lets out a sound filled with mirth as she follows you out of the main office and into the now packed and frenzied hallway.

"Yeah, maybe. See you later, miss!" She yells out, the now loosening bow scrambling against the neckline of her oversized vest as she runs forward to her friends, her hands thrown up in the air, one waving back at you fervently. You watch her filter into the crowd, before turning around and carefully following the directions messily written on the top of the map in your hands, on a bright and highlighted sticky note. Looking up as the children in front of you giggle and smile and hug each other, the anxiety you felt earlier on your way on in becomes easily forgotten and long gone.

If the children are truly as happy as they seem and are as half as decent and sweet as Eden is, then you think you'll end up being just fine.

Dozens of feet excitedly pitter out of the classroom as the last bell of the day rings with finality. You groan out as you lie back on the hardwood floor beneath you, refusing to acknowledge the learning numbers blocks digging in the base of your spine. You hear a chuckle come from the doorway, causing you to twist your neck to the side and pop open a bleary eye.

"Still bouncing around with all that new teacher energy, I see." The woman you saw earlier from across the hall muses as she makes her way inside of the messy room, her feet expertly avoiding the toys on the ground without even having to look down. You let out an exhausted sound before slowly inching your way back up into a sitting position, your sore back from bending down all day cracking out loud in a painful protest. "I am the pinnacle of health and vitality, and I love my job." You deadpan, a laugh rumbling out of the two of you as you watch her catch onto the obvious, fake monotonous tone with matching energy and amusement.

"I think the only thing that makes the first day of teaching tolerable is the parent-teacher conference at the end of the day," she starts, her heavily ringed fingers reaching down to haphazardly toss the small and surrounding toys into the nearest bucket. You smile at her gratefully before standing up to do the same, and within minutes, the floor begins to look brand new. "The amount of fine, single rich men that send their children to this overpriced castle should be illegal."

You shake your head in humor-filled disbelief as she fans herself, before briefly leaning against you as another round of laughter runs through her trembling upper body.

"Anyone catch your eye yet?" You ask as you make your way around the classroom, your fingertips neatly rearranging the name cards on each of the assigned desks. "James Hetfield, man is all legs and fine and a half. Has a crazy daughter that likes to speak her mind and run about, but that doesn't deter me," you hum halfheartedly as you only half listen, your hands grabbing onto your files and unworn jacket over your already clean desk. "Her name is Eden, chaotic little thing. Runs around the entire school like it's her own home." The fellow teacher scoffs out, her voice still lighthearted but her expression showing a small bout of hostility and irritation. A fierce and unrelenting amount of annoyance runs through you as the younger girl's smiling face paints itself behind your eyelids, the strange protectiveness that pulses through you shocks you at the fact that you feel so strongly for a little girl you barely even know.

"Children are supposed to be excitable and energetic, that's how you know they come from a happy home." You defend, making sure to keep your tone neutral as you turn off the lights and allow her to walk out of the classroom first. She lets out a sound of acknowledgment as she walks past you but doesn't verbally answer you or care to elaborate. You let out a muted sigh as you follow her down the now secluded and empty hallways. Awkwardness begins to surround the two of you as you travel in silence, before a sudden and loud cheer echoes its way down the corridor as the auditorium's doors are pushed wide open.

"This way." She announces, her flat covered feet obnoxiously smacking against the linoleum as she quickens up her already hurried strides. You let out a puff of exalted air as you stop to take a break, your chest nearly heaving as you finally get to and enter the overly lit room. Multiple lines of cushioned chairs greet you and snugly fit around your hips as you make your way through the overcrowded pit of teachers and students and parents, your eyes widening as you lose the teacher from earlier in the crowd.

"Shit." You whisper out, your fingers wrapping around the cuffs of your long sleeves as your eyes frantically search for any familiar looking faces. Relief floods through you in a heavy wave as your eyes pick up a wild mane of curly hair in your peripheral vision, and you make your way over to Kirk on autopilot, your sweaty palms cloying against the irritating silk of your shirt. "Kirk, right?" You ask, your voice coming out as soft and anxious ridden as his head snaps your way at the sound of his name. Kirk's eyes light up as he recognizes you, and you sigh out as he gently yanks you forward and toward a much quieter and less crowded part of the room.

"Good to see you! You look about ten seconds away from shitting yourself." He greets, his tone welcoming but borderline teasing. You send him an exasperated smile as you take in his new outfit. "And you look like a brand new man! Trying to fit into the overbearing stereotypes around here, huh?" Kirk grins, welcoming in the much-deserved snark with open arms, before turning around to lightly push two other men forward. "These two hot messes are Lars and Jason, drummer and bassist of our very new and upcoming band," The man introduced as Lars sarcastically rolls his eyes before greeting you with a sly grin and a raised cup. Jason gives you a heartwarming smile and an excited wave, before bending down and going on to talk animatedly with a just as invested looking little boy. "Our frontman is around here somewhere, probably getting swarmed by a bunch of middle-aged married women, with more artificial estrogen packed up inside of them than an obgyn's office." A rough petal of laughter bursts from in between your lips at the unexpected jab, and you flush as unknown and judgmental eyes dance their way over to you and spectate.

Before you could fret over it, a small bound of energy collides into you, causing you to let out a punched-out breath as Eden grins up at you. "Miss, you're here!" An unfightable smile makes its way onto your face as you feel her jump against you in excitement, the crown of her head barely brushing above your bellybutton and one of flapping hands smacking against your inner elbow. "Hi there," you coo down at her, your hands instinctually coming up to flatten and rearrange her now messy and windblown hair. "Been having fun, haven't you?" You ask, mirth filling your tone as she nods against your palms. You pause in place as a throat clears itself near you, and your breath catches in your chest as you look up and lock eyes with a clearly handsome and attractive man making his way over to the two of you.

"Daddy!" Eden all but screams out as she looks over at her father, who is too busy staring at you. Deep ocean blue eyes catapult themselves into your own as you stare up at the frontman in front of you, your eyes becoming heavy and lidded as he looks into yours with enormous expression. James begrudgingly breaks the eye contact as his daughter calls out for him once again, and a smile creeps on his face as he takes in her content and happy body language and attitude. "Hi, my little bug!" He exclaims, laughter ringing out from the both of them as he lunges forward and brings her into a joyous hug. You place your now hanging hands on the top of your stomach as you gulp in a deep breath of much needed air, your heart pounding in your chest as you watch the two of them lovingly greet each other with butterflies raging in your middle.

"This is the teacher I told you about earlier," Kirk says once James has Eden cuddled up in his arms, said daughter with her head resting on his broad shoulder and a dopey grin encapsulating her entire face. "Calmed the little terror down faster than I've ever even seen you do it." James' eyes flicker over to yours once again, and you exhale shakily as his gaze slowly takes in the entirety of you and your figure.

"We even match with bows now, daddy." Eden says against his brown and fur-lined jacket, her voice now lilted and tinged with slowly creeping up exhaustion. You shyly smile before absentmindedly reaching up to touch the accessory with unsteady fingertips, trying terribly hard to fight back the blush trying to break out on your already heating up cheeks.

"Looks beautiful." James responds, the timbre in his voice causing a shiver to caress itself down your spine, and you have to look away from the duo to catch your bearings. You send Kirk a halfhearted glare as he beams back at you with a knowing and shit eating grin. Lars raises an eyebrow at your look of fluster, before returning his attention back to the woman hovering close next to him.

Before anyone else could speak up, a loud static-filled sound blares out from a nearby speaker, causing you to flinch and for Eden to jolt up and let out a shocked cry. James lets out a curse and glares toward the apologetic looking principal holding a microphone, who then ushers everyone to sit down as the lights begin to lessen and dim. You purse your lips as you look around in worry, you quickly noticing that all of the chairs surrounding you were currently filled. Before you could back away and find a seat elsewhere, James suddenly stands up and beckons for you to come over. He sends you a gentle smile and shakes his head as he takes in your hesitant expression, shifting his now relaxed and once again nearly sleeping daughter on his hip as he lowers himself to sit on the ground near your feet.

"I can't let you sit on the ground, especially with Eden in your arms." You protest quietly, leaning downward as you watch her eyes fully close. "I'm not letting you do anything, doll. I'm simply volunteering." James rebuts, the teasing grin on his lips causing you to bite your own to hide a smile from the spontaneous term of endearment, and his eyes follow the movement before jumping back up to yours. The air seems to dense and thicken as you two continue to look at each other, and you begin to feel overwhelmed as a variety of want and need and interest paints itself of James' face as he stares up at you in the now barely lit room. His body warmth purges against you with how close he is, and you have to stop yourself from jolting as Jason faces him and starts up a brand-new conversation, the bassist unknown of the tension in between the two of you and what he just broke.

James sends you a barely concealed wink before resting back against the front of your legs and turning his head to join in on the quiet conversation with Jason, who's sat next to him with a hand comfortingly rubbing small circles into his niece's relaxed back.

You try to focus in on what the principal is droning on about, but the effort turns futile as your legs begin to vibrate from the father's answering laughter and your eyes keep compulsively checking up on the now sleeping young girl, who's quickly beginning to grow on you, her father and his bandmates included. Smiling tiredly at the thought, you fight back a yawn as you feel James place some of his weight on the tops of your knees, the strangely comforting addition and gesture making the urge to close your eyes too strong to resist as time goes on.

A large and loud collection of relieved sighs echo out around the room and land beside you in a cacophony of noise, causing you to open your eyes and slowly readjust to your surroundings. You wince as the light in the auditorium begins to brighten once again, and you furrow your eyebrows as you realize you're unable to use and move your legs to fully sit back up. Looking down, a smile begins to grow on your lips as you take in the sight before you. James' head lies and rests back on your kneecaps, his lips partially open as he steadily breathes in and out, with his left arm and hand wrapped protectively around Eden, who's still asleep on his shoulder and chest.

You shift over to try and nudge Kirk to share the view with him of the father and daughter duo but have to end up holding in a laugh instead, as soon as you see him sprawled out and deeply asleep in the seat next to you. Lars sends you a gentle smile as he makes eye contact with you, before nodding down at your lower half.

"It's been a long week for all of us, especially James. Damn near tried kicking his own ass when he wasn't able to be the one to drop her off on her first day." He whispers, his accent soothing in the low tone and his eyes softening as he watches his bandmate and close friend sleep. You look down at the man's face resting against you and feel sympathy as you take in the slight bags underneath his eyes, fighting back the urge to run your fingers through his long hair sprawled out against your hips and thighs.

You hold in a gasp as you feel his fingertips twitch against your ankle, his right hand seemingly wrapped around your limb in a subconscious embrace the entire time the both of you had drifted off and slept.

"I probably shouldn't tell you this, and I'll most definitely blame this on the vodka I snuck in here about three hours ago, but," your eyes widen in shock as the drummer grins at you tipsily, before shrugging carelessly and continuing. "They've had a rough last couple of years, with the band blowing up and us having to leave intermittently to go on tour states away and overseas. They both get attached real easily, and Eed is getting to that age where she's starting to question why people stop showing up at their doorstep. I know you're just a teacher at her school, and not even specifically her own, but if you're going to just hang around for a little while and then end up leaving in the end, I recommend you do it now. She's already lost a mother figure, and she doesn't need the other one to be fully gone off after another woman leaves again either."

You try to blink away the sting enveloping in your eyes as Lars' tone of voice becomes more weighted and serious, the drastic change in conversation and topic making you feel uncomfortable and on edge. "Where is this coming from? I don't understand." You trail off, the lighthearted feeling in your chest now gone as your hands reach up to wrap around your forearms in much needed self-comfort.

"I'm not saying this with any ill intention. I think it's great that you've been able to bond with the kid so quickly and easily, and I genuinely like you. But you're new, and you're the youngest teacher who's been accepted to teach here in the past few years we've been visiting. Getting too close to a student so fast and having their father be so attracted to you on the jump isn't the smartest and best thing for you to get yourself involved in. And it won't be easy either, so if this isn't what you're prepared to sign up for, it's your time to leave."

"I don't think that's your place to say, man." Jason adds in from below, his face set in a grimace as he looks up and sees the carefully placed neutral look on your face. You take in a deep inhalation and send them both a fictious smile, before gently tapping the father on his back to wake him up.

James sits up straight as you come into view, and confusion immediately sets in as he sees the downtrodden and uncharacteristic expression on your face. "What's going on?" He asks you, looking down at Eden and letting out a relieved breath as soon as his eyes land on her still sleeping form. "Excuse me." You whisper out, before hastily standing up and trying to make your way through the crowd.

Lars lets out a scoff as he watches your retreating figure disappear in the pit of people, ignoring the feeling of his heart dropping in his chest as his eyes catch sight of your hiccupping and rising and falling shoulders. "Figures." He grits out, hiding his dismay and disappointment behind his raised cup as he finishes the rest of its contents. Kirk groans as he stretches out his tense joints, his eyes immediately darting to your now empty and cold chair. "Where'd she go?" He asks innocently, his question going unanswered as James' sight zeroes in on his abnormally quiet and fidgety bandmate.

"What the hell did you do?" James asks the drummer, now wide awake and glaring at his guilty looking, long time best friend. Jason reaches forward to carefully detach his niece from his friend's shoulders, and places her in his arms instead. Kirk perks up as the bassist cocks his head to the side, insinuating for them to move and make some distance from their other bandmates. "Lars said some shit to the new teacher that he shouldn't have. It was way too soon." Jason explains, saving the man beside him the wasted breath of asking what was going on again.

Kirk sends Lars an exasperated look, the drummer catching it and looking down at his feet as James berates him from only a handful of feet away. Letting out a sigh and leaning against the tiled wall behind him, Kirk sighs out and glances at your empty seat once again.

"What else is new."

James lets his shoulders slump down in automatic reassurance at the sight of you alone, the relief hitting him full swing as he finds you outside and not already running for the hills.

"He didn't have the right to say all of that to you." James says in greeting, making sure to maintain a few feet of distance in between the two of you as he watches you tense up and only partially glance his way. "He's just looking out for you, I get that. The harshness of his tone is what got to me, is all." you breathe out through a forced, shuttering laugh. The frontman's eyes widen as he takes in your tear tracked and stained cheeks.

"He saw me break down after Eden's mom left, and he's been overprotective of me ever since." You shake your head and send him a small smile, before lifting yourself up to sit on the freezing cold brick wall behind you. "You don't have to explain yourself to me, James. You don't owe me anything." James fights back a shudder as he hears you say him name for the first time, the calming and stabilizing tone giving him enough bravery to step forward and closer to you.

"I do owe you, a few things, actually. This morning I was stuck in a meeting, almost close to tearing my own hair out while talking about the next album release and feeling like absolute shit at having to beg my clearly exhausted bandmate to take my daughter to school, because I couldn't. The very same bandmate of mine who feels like he's always being judged when he comes over to this side of town. So, while I'm stressed out and pacing around and hoping to God that my daughter makes it on time to her first day of the new school year, I get a call from one of my best friend's and immediately start to feel better."

You listen to him vehemently, unable to hold his intense eye contact as he stops only a few inches away from you. James has to physically stop himself back from reaching out and holding onto you and pleading for you to look up at him.

"Kirk tells me that he meets an amazing girl, pretty close to us in age range. And not only does she make him feel welcomed and understood within the first few minutes of him meeting and speaking to her, but she's also able to easily calm down my clearly distraught and upset daughter, who just wants to stay at home and spend some time with her irresponsible dad."

You let out an airy gasp as he places his left hand on top of yours and interlaces your fingers together. You look up in his eyes and remain that way until he begins to speak again, and even after that.

"And then I make my way over here once classes are done. And I'm stressed out and running all around the school looking for my little girl, who I just so happen to find in your arms and looking up at you like you just stole the sun and handed it to her on a silver platter. I haven't seen Eden look so relaxed and content with anyone who isn't part of the band or an immediate family member. And then I see the way you look at her, all unassuming and caring and understanding. So, when Lars said I'm attracted to you, he wasn't wrong with that. I think you're beautiful, but not just in the physical sense. I think you're light, and I think you're the positivity that the both of us may just need."

James moves forward until his chest is pressed against yours, and you blink back tears as you stare into his honest eyes. You take in a deep breath before you begin to speak, your heart pounding just from the close proximity.

"I think you're a pretty good dad," You start, letting out a wet laugh as James' eyebrows furrow at your words. "Let me finish. I think you're too hard on yourself, and I think if I went up and asked anyone who knows or knew you, they'd immediately agree. Your eyes lit up as soon as you saw Eden, who then met with you halfway with so much enthusiasm and glee. If you were an absent or poor parent, she wouldn't have reacted that way towards you. I've been around enough bad parents to know that, at the very least. You care so much about her education and her being on time for her first day of school, that you sent Kirk over to take her, even though you knew that you would feel guilty after by just having him drop her off." You place a light fingertip on the bottom of his chin as he looks back at you with wide, encapsulating eyes. You hold back a smile as the stubble of his facial hair tickles the tip of your finger.

"I think you need to give yourself some more credit. Because you barely know me, and yet you're standing out in the middle of the freezing cold with me in the pitch black, making sure that I'm okay." James grins at you softly and shakes his head to ground himself and to remind himself that this moment is real, before reaching up to encircle his large and calloused hand around your wrist. He presses a warm and reassuring kiss on your fingertip and watches intently as a bright flush makes its way up to the apples of your cheeks.

"I'm not sure where pursuing this is going to take me, but I hope it takes me somewhere with you. From the moment I heard about you, I was interested. But from the moment I saw you, I was completely fucked," you laugh loudly at the vulgarity of his words, causing James' smile to increase tenfold and his dimpled cheeks to become sore from the stretch. "So, if you would allow me, I'd like to kiss the ever-living shit out of you, and then get my daughter and go get us some dinner."

"You're going to take your daughter out to dinner and leave me here alone? A table for two?" You tease, letting out a shocked inhalation as he loops his fingers inside of your skirt's belt notches to yank you forward.

"Add one more." James murmurs, before grabbing onto your waist and leaning forward to attach his smile to yours. Warmth fills you as the hands gripping your waist slide around your middle and envelop you into a tight hug, your lips parting as his tongue sneakily peeks out to taste the bare skin of your bottom lip. James slides his tongue against yours and groans at the taste of you, before letting out a guttural moan against your mouth as you intertwine your fingers in the strands of his slightly curled hair and yank. You smirk against him before slowly leaning back, feeling triumphant as you take in the drunken and swept away look on his face.

"So, where are you taking us to dinner?" You breathe out cheekily, watching with humor-filled eyes as the man in front of you has to visibly collect himself. "Wherever you want and whatever you want, just so long as I can experience that again."

You bite your bottom lip and grin widely at him, glancing away from James as the opening of the main doors momentarily steals your attention. Jason makes his way out first, his expression turning hopeful as he takes in the happy looks on your faces, Eden slowly coming back to in his arms and letting out a quiet yawn against his jacket. Kirk comes out next and hot on his tail, his face lifting as he looks in between the two of you, before suddenly turning smug. "I knew leaving the two of them alone would be a good idea." He announces into the cold and frigid air, his adorable and crooked smile a contrasting brightness in the night's dark.

"And none of this would have even happened if it wasn't for me and my inability to keep my fucking mouth shut," Lars nearly shouts, looking over at you with an apologetic and small smile as the door behind him slams shut. "Sorry about that, by the way." You wave a hand at him and gently guide him out of the way as other attendees tiredly make their way out, and you hold back a laugh as the teacher from earlier gapes at the position you two relax in.

"See you on Monday!" You say to her as a farewell, quiet and unmanageable laughter jostling you to the core as you watch her nearly stumble as she shakes her head, before walking forward with a disbelieving grin on her lips.

Eden beams at you once you come into her line of view, after she fully raises her head and looks around. She hurriedly taps on Jason's shoulder to be let down, nearly running over to the two of you before her feet are able to fully hit the ground. You lift her up to sit her on the brick wall beside you and quickly place her hands in the large pocket of your coat nearest to her. "Warm enough?" You ask her, a seemingly permanent contentment filling you to the brim as she smiles up at you and nods enthusiastically.

The other men all quickly say their goodbyes in order of who they're closest to and turn to run towards the SUV they made their way over in, while you encircle your arms around the younger as the three of you hastily make your way over to your car. You quietly thank James by placing a kiss on his cheek as he takes Eden from your arms and guides her into the back seat. You smile widely as the man before you turns bright red, before hopping into the driver's sides seat as the wind begins to pick up.

"So, where are you taking us to dinner?" James mimics you from earlier, causing you to let out a huff of laughter as you turn the temperature dials to the right to blast the heat. You look in the rearview mirror and smile to yourself as you watch Eden strap herself in and make herself comfortable. You lean over to place a meaningful kiss on James' lips as a response once you're sure the younger isn't looking and find complete and utter fulfillment in the look of bliss on your handsome man's face.

Wherever the two of you will and may be, just add one more.

#metallica #james hetfield #james hetfield fluff #james hetfield smut #james hetfield x reader #kirk hammett #jason newsted #lars ulrich #metallica x reader #metallica imagines #metallica smut

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klausinamarink · 9 months

Text

One Kid Gone, Another Up and Vanished (part 3)

Part 1 Part 2 jfc you guys are hungry next: Part 4

Eddie’s not at school. He’s been marked absent since homeroom started according to the secretary.

“For the seventh time, Mr. Munson. He won’t even graduate if this continues.” The lady adds.

Anger brews slow in Wayne’s blood. The shimmering kind, like you think the pot is safe until you touch it. But none of that is aimed at Eddie. Never.

He doesn’t leave after politely thanking the secretary. He racks his brain for a moment and asks if it’s possible for Jeff Endes to come down and speak to him.

It takes few minutes longer though. The secretary tells Principal Higgins, who asks him what he even wants from a seemingly random student. Wayne gives a small lie about Eddie being sick and needing some homework from one of his friends.

They raise their eyebrows with subdued judgement, but Higgins offers a small staff room for Wayne to wait in private.

Jeff is soon brought in, his face drawn with confusion. “Mr. Munson?”

“Told ya kids to just call me Wayne, I ain’t married.” He jokes, mostly to try lighten his own mood. It barely works, but it makes Jeff crack a smile.

“Sorry, but what’s going on?” Jeff sits down opposite from him, glancing at the now-closed door. “Is Eddie okay?”

Wayne closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. He sees the van behind the lids and the bloodstained wheel and Eddie running through the woods from Lord knows what.

He opens his eyes and instead asks, “Did Eddie stay after school for that band practice?”

Jeff’s eyes narrow slightly but he nods. “Yeah. Entire time aside from couple breaks.” Then quickly, “I played the trombone.”

“Did anything happen during then? Anyone gave him a hard time?”

“Nope. He got left alone. There was one guy flipping his knife like a show off after practice ended and Eddie wanted to try. Cut his wrist by accident, but it was a little scratch.”

“And after? When the practice was done?”

“He got to his van and left the parking lot. He said he was going home.” Jeff’s eyes narrow again. “Did he?”

Wayne rubs the front of the temple with his thumb. “No.” He says quietly. “That’s been worrying me.”

The teen straightens, the worry reflecting him. “Wait, he didn’t?”

“That’s why I thought to ask you. If you know any place that I don’t on where Eddie might’ve gone. I haven’t checked the entire town yet but…”

Jeff is already taking out a notebook from his bag, flipping to a blank page. “Yeah, yeah, I know a few of his spots! I think he might go to the Hideout first-”

“That edge of town bar?” Wayne frowns. He’s been there himself once or twice. Good drinks and music, little seedy. Not really his place to frequent. But if his nephew went there instead of home last night, then Wayne is going to drag him back grounded.

“We performed there a couple times as our own band. I think the folks like our music, even if they’re just covers.” Jeff rubs the back of his neck sheepishly. “Please don’t tell my parents I’ve been there.”

“Can’t promise that.” Wayne says lightly. Jeff finishes writing and rips the paper out, giving it to him.

“I added some directions the best I can for a couple of them, in case you’ll miss them. Like Skull Rock is deep in the woods and some students go there for, um, stuff.”

Wayne skims over the list and folds the paper. He’ll check these locations soon, but he has to be sure if Eddie is somewhere in Main Street. “Thank you, Jeff. I cannot thank you enough.”

As he gets up, Jeff says, “You didn’t answer my question. About Eddie being okay. Is he okay?”

Is he?

“If he is, he’s grounded until graduation.” Wayne tells him. Then he leaves the room and out of the school.

—

The trailer park comes into view, thank god. But just like the woods, it’s covered in vines. What also frightens Eddie is that it’s devoid of people. There are cars, stuck and swallowed by the vines, but no passengers inside. Even the trailer homes themselves, when he peeks through the dusty windows and sees their items and furniture but nobody using them.

The lack of lights - at least ones that don’t shine pale from the streetlights - don’t help either.

Yet he can hear them.

He hears Mr and Mrs Caroline starting another argument, the shot firing of Mr. Meier’s car, the four year LaChance twins shrieking at their sandbox, and Josephine the collie barking.

Eddie looks at Little Byers, wondering if he’s already gone crazy. But the kid nods and says, “I hear them too. You can hear everyone but not see them.”

He doesn’t know if he should let relief or misery win over him.

As they walk to the Munson trailer, he picks lightly at his bandaged wrist, where the blood stopped flowing out at some point. Thinking.

He’s thinking a lot, even more than during the boring classes at schools. Mostly about Wayne and if he’s doing okay and if he had noticed Eddie didn’t leave out his breakfast note. Also about if Jeff and Frankie and the rest of Hellfire noticed either. About their campaign that he would miss if he could find some way out of here. And how admittedly cool this viney nightscape is. The Vale of Shadows, Little Byers calls it.

At least his new companion plays D&D.

“Why did you call me Little Byers?”

“Huh?” He shakes out of stupor and looks down at the boy beside him. They haven’t really spoken to each other since they started walking. He knows twelve year olds are weird creatures in a state between kids and teenagers, but this boy is tiny. Probably because of the bright vest almost engulfing his frame.

”You called me Little Byers earlier?” He scrunches his nose. “Is that supposed to be a dumb insult?”

”Oh, of course not! It’s just that, you know, some people refer to others by their last names. And there’s your brother at school who’s a Byers and you’re-” Eddie lamely gestures at him. “-the little Byers. I promise it makes more sense in my head.”

Little Byers blinks before smiling softly. “You can just call me Will.”

“Or that. Yeah, Will sounds better. Because that’s actually your name.” Eddie squeezes his hand. “You can just call me Eddie. No weird names required, unless you get bored.”

Will snorts.

They get to the front porch of his trailer. There’s a vine close to the knob which Eddie very much ignores and hopes isn’t locked. Thankfully it’s not, but it takes longer to get the door open. After another shove by his shoulder, it bursts open.

There’s a faint musky smell but otherwise, nothing appears unchanged. Except for the vines and snowflakes everywhere, of course. Though Eddie has a sneaking suspicion that they might be more ash than snow.

“Woah…” Little Byers - Will, Eddie keeps his promises - release his grip from Eddie’s hand as he stares around the living room in wonder. He giggles as he points at Wayne’s proud mug collection. “One of them is Garfield!”

“Wayne!” Eddie calls out, giving no time to comment back. He goes around the living room, tripping over a couple vines. He keeps calling as he goes to his bedroom. “Wayne! Can you hear me?! Uncle Wayne!”

Silence.

Okay, don’t freak out. Don’t freak out. DO NOT freak out.

He quickly runs back to Will, who’s moved to the couch. “You said I could talk to him, right? How do I do it? How did it work for your mom?”

He says it too fast that he’s not sure Will could understand him. But the kid’s face lights up and answers, “I used the lights!”

Eddie stares.

“I mean, it’s kind of a project in progress?” Will says sheepishly. “But I swear my mom knows it’s me! I know she’s trying hard to understand and I’m trying my best too.”

“…use the lights how?”

Will looks around and shuffles to the lamp besides the couch. “It’s a bit harder because I think it’s daytime right now and the lights are off.” His hands hover around the lamp with a concreted stare. Eddie watches with a drop in his gut as absolutely nothing happens.

Will glances back, the sheepish smile back on his face. “I’m sorry. But it might be better to wait for your uncle to come home. We can try it together!”

Eddie nods numbly. He’s been in the Vale of Shadows no longer than Will and he’s already losing hope.

Fuck.

His stomach growls. So does Will’s.

Ah right. That’s another problem.

Eddie gets up and walks to the kitchen. The fridge and cabinets are unsurprisingly webbed with vines. He checks the top cabinets, opening them hard enough that the thinner vines fall off.

“Oh thank you, baby Jesus.” He practically weeps on the spot when he sees the canned soups and cereal. He grabs the soups because this Vale of Shadows is cold as shit and a warm breakfast is what he and Will needs right now.

“Good news, there’s chicken soup ready to be heated up and devoured.” Eddie calls out with a grin. A couple cans tumble out, but he catches them before they hit the floor.

Wills runs in, his eyes widening as if he dug up treasure. To him, canned soup might as well be.

“Now it would be extra lucky for a nat 20 right now…” Eddie mutters as he digs into the drawers, cringing when his hand touches some vines. Ew ew, they’re slimy. His hand clenches around the familiar utensil and brings it up to the air. “Can opener!”

Will claps, giddy with excitement. Eddie crouches down next to him as he starts cutting open the first can. Please make it edible and not rotten looking please please-

When he gets the lid off, he and Will share a sigh of relief at the sight of normal chicken soup.

“Okay, Little Byers, do me a favour and turn the stove on.” Will nods and does so, although he has to climb on the counter. Eddie grabs another can and starts opening it as well.

“Uh, Eddie?”

“Yeah?”

“The stove isn’t working.”

He stops. “What?”

“I-I thought it’s just at my house but-”

Eddie stands up and turns the power dial on the stove around. The light indicator stays dark. He does it again, hearing the click repeatedly but feeling no heat.

He looks at Will, who looks back helplessly.

“You said- you said the lights…” Eddie starts and then stops himself.

Will’s eyes are shining with tears. “It’s just the lights. I’m really sorry. I didn’t know about the power.”

Eddie slides down to the floor, canned soup abandoned in his hand. Then he curls himself up, trying to feel his own fading body heat as he quietly breaks.

- -

Taglist: @unclewaynemunson @steves-strapcollection @hellion-child @sidekick-hero @mmmmwaffles94 @demolitionjetstar @hbyrde36 @princessstevemunson @sirsnacksalot @tartarusknight @lyriclight @kodaik97 @plsdontdrinkmylavalamp @wuttttttttttt

#eddie and will in the upside down au #yes that’s most creative au name i could come up with leave me alone #klaus writes #wayne munson #jeff stranger things #eddie munson #will byers #stranger things

154 notes · View notes

tayshifts · 1 month

Text

Extra things I scripted into my MHA DR

Some are safety related and some are for my convenience as i was worried about them

Mosquitoes, lice, ticks, fleas, cockroaches, silverfish, and bed bugs don’t exist.

There is no rape in my DR.

There is no racism or racial prejudice.

There is no homophobia and no transphobia. There are no surgical requirements for transgender people to be able to change their gender legally. No ban on same sex marriage or same sex adoption. Equal fucking rights. LOVE IS LOVE BITCH

I take Mineta’s place in Class 1-A. Mineta is not in my DR.

UA has always had the dorms.

I have enough money to always live comfortably. UA provides all students with stipends

No one in my Class or Class B will die.

Midnight will not die

Present Mic will not die

All Might will not die

Eraserhead will not die

There is no hero licensing exam. We are given our licenses at the discretion of our teachers at our school, based on when they think we are ready for them. Class 1-A and 1-B all receive hero licenses after the events at the Training Camp and Kamino.

TikTok exists in my DR, younger heroes often have their own TikTok accounts to gain popularity.

Current music exists in my DR

We speak English at school but everyone is fluent in both english and japanese

I cannot be expelled

The Hero Support course develops a fabric for Hagakure so that she can wear something during hero work and still retain her invisibility. AKA used her hair as a base like they did for Mirio

Hagakure can also control when she is invisible and since her hero quirk will be similar to Mirio’s in concept, it will turn invisible with her

I do not know the plot as it will play out beyond where I enter my DR. For example, I will not know about the attack on the Camp prior to the attack starting

There is no Covid-19 in my DR

We have the same homeroom teacher for all three years at UA.

UA has professional therapists to help hero students cope with stress and emotions that come with hero training. These therapists can make sure students in need of mental health counseling and medication receive the proper care. (Amajiki)

UA is a college and all students are 20 upon entering their first year at UA, no matter the program.

Eri is not aged up, despite all other characters being aged up. She is still a child.

I will always remember my classmates and their hero names

Spotify Premium is just how spotify works in my DR, for free

UA gives students access to all streaming platforms. Netflix, Disney, HBO, Hulu, etc

Squishmallows has ProHero squishmallows

Sir Nighteye doesn’t die. He is injured but he and All Might will reconcile and All Might will finally explain why he couldn’t give the quirk to Mirio

The War Arc doesn’t happen, there is a better solution

Instead of the Licensing Exam, we do interschool training exercises to promote working together in the future and being exposed to other future heroes, not just our class or school’s.

I have the right adaptors/chargers/etc for outlets used in Japan

The zombie ova doesn’t happen

I understand the metric system

I understand the yen to US dollar conversion and my banking is set up when I arrive, so I don’t need to worry about it

We have the same dorm building all three years, they just change the signage to signify what year we’re in

Each dorm room has its own private bathroom. There are still the communal baths

Fatphobia is a no <3

Hidden cameras in public and nonpublic spaces aren't a thing.

The toilets are like the ones in America

ADHD/stimulant drugs are legal. I have no issues getting any of my needed medications in Japan and can get them easily from local pharmacies

Stronger Western deodorants are available in Japan, easy to find

#reality shifting #shifters #shifting #shiftblr #quantum jumping #shifting realities #shifting community #shifting to mha #mha shifter

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avatar-anna · 2 years

Text

Better Off

(Part 2)

summary: Harry and Y/n are parents at a private school, and they do NOT like each other

words: 9-10k

Series Masterlist

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

February

“Y/n!”

I was walking back to my car with Maddison after school when I heard my name being called. Hoping that there was another person with my name walking around nearby, I kept going to my car. Maddie had ballet class today and she didn’t like to be late.

“Y/n! Y/n Y/l/n!”

Looks like they were calling me. I turned around to find a blonde woman who looked to be in her early forties walking with purpose in my and Maddison’s direction. Leaning down to Maddie, I whispered in her ear. “Do we know this woman?”

“That’s Delaney’s mom. At the Christmas concert, you said her highlights looked as fake as her—”

“Okay, thank you my little parrot. I remember her now,” I said hurriedly, putting my hand over my daughter’s mouth. Good timing too because Delaney’s mother finally reached us.

“Goodness, you walk fast,” she breathed, laughing lightly at her own joke.

I gave her a weak smile. “Well, you know, people to see, places to go and all that.”

“Right, right. I won’t keep you long,” Delaney’s mom said. I really needed to be better with names. “So, as you know, I’m our classroom’s Room Mom.”

I did not know that. “Right! Of course. You’re Delaney’s mom, right?”

She seemed a little put off that I didn’t know her by name, but I didn’t spend a lot of time around the school outside of picking up and dropping Maddison off. She recovered quickly, though, and her smile returned to her face with ease. “Yes, I’m Molly. I actually came to talk to you about your participation and involvement in our school’s activities.”

Participation and involvement in our school’s activities? I went to school already, now it was my kid’s turn. Why would I have to participate? But I knew that answer wouldn’t fly with the likes of Molly, so I smiled and apologized.

“Sorry about that. I just have the craziest work hours.” True. “I keep looking for opportunities, but I’m always working on a case.” Half true. I was typically always on a case, but that didn’t mean I was looking for opportunities to help out around school.

“Yes well, you see, all of our parents are required to help out with at least one school sanctioned event each year, and somehow you managed to avoid doing so last year.” As she said the last part, she gave me a pointed glance. “I’ve been working on rounding up you and a couple of other parents from our homeroom who still haven’t signed up to volunteer.”

What kind of school was this? “Oh. Well, If you just send me an email or something, I’m sure we can work something out.”

I had no intention of participating in any school sanctioned events, but I found it easier to rebuff someone over email than in person. But it seemed Molly saw right through me.

“Oh, but we’re right here aren’t we? And I have the perfect opportunity for you. It can be a bonding experience for you and your daughter.”

And that’s how I got roped into working a bake sale at a Valentine’s Day carnival.

I didn’t even know why the first grade parents were in charge of the Valentine’s Day event. My kid was six. She wasn’t the targeted demographic for this holiday. I tried to voice my opinion to Molly, who had been on my ass all week to ensure that I actually showed up today, but she wasn’t having it. So here I was, in the school’s gymnasium on a Friday afternoon, which I had to take off work for, selling all sorts of baked goods to students and parents alike.

I was told there was supposed to be one other parent helping me, but they hadn’t shown up yet, which was making me mad. If I had to be here, then so did this other person. Slipping the little flask I’d brought with me out of my purse, I ducked behind the table and took a sip. I wasn’t typically a day drinker, but I’d already had to put up with parents complaining about the prices of the baked goods on the table before me, and I was not going to go through this by myself. Jose Cuervo was here to keep me company.

“I’m no expert on elementary school rules, but I’m pretty sure drinking on campus isn’t allowed.”

I froze, my hands stilling as they twisted the cap back on. Of all the people to help with the bake sale today, it had to be him. I was bad with names, but I unfortunately had no issue remembering his. I had said it numerous times on Halloween, after all. As much as I wanted to forget that night, my mind circled back to it more than I cared to admit.

After a full day of nursing my hangover, my night with Harry slowly came back to me. I finished the drink he offered to pay for, but when it was done, I surprised the both of us by telling him to stay. The drinks I’d consumed before I saw him had loosened me up a little, and I was less inclined to smack him, which apparently also meant I wanted his company at the bar. Sadie, Harry, and I talked for hours, laughing and drinking like we were college students and not adults with actual responsibilities.

And of course, because I became a total flirt when I had a couple drinks, my hand started to land on Harry’s arm, I gave him looks that were a little more than friendly, spurred on by the fact that he seemed pleased by my actions. Eventually, I stood up and declared that I wanted to dance. Sadie, who knew exactly where I was headed with that declaration, feigned tiredness and claimed she had to be up early the next morning. Harry didn’t even question it, standing up with me and waving to the bartender to close out his tab before moving to the dance floor in the next room over. While he did that, I quickly thanked Sadie and told her she was right. “I do need to let loose a little,” I’d said, hugging her as she collected her things.

“You absolutely do. Just be safe, alright? No buns in the oven a couple of weeks from now,” she’d replied, and after I assured her that my night with Harry would end after some dancing and possibly sucking him off in the bathroom, she was off.

Despite my promise to Sadie, and myself, really, I went home with Harry without question. He had been almost as intoxicating as the alcohol I’d consumed that night, so when he called an Uber for the both of us to bring us back to his place, I was all for it.

We’d hardly made it into the entryway of his house before we were all over each other. The second he turned to face me after locking the front door, I was on him, kissing him feverishly and like my life depended on it. The noises he made as I kissed his neck and jaw, as I gripped him through the sparkly fabric of his costume, only spurred me on, made me feel on top of the world.

“This doesn’t change anything,” I’d panted, helping him out of his costume. “I still hate you.”

“Yeah? You hate me? Is that why you’re about to get on your knees for me?” he replied. His smirk was so cocky and yet so alluring. It made me want to smack it right off of him and let him do whatever he damn pleased with me.

And the way he spoke to me had grated on my nerves in the best way, too. At home and at work, I was in charge and there weren’t very many people that I answered to. I took pride in my power, in being confident, in having a commanding presence when I needed it. And yet Harry’s words lit a fire inside of me just as much as pissing off stuffy old lawyers who underestimated me did. And by the way his smile grew, he knew it too. I knew then before we’d even really done anything that I was in for it, that the man in front of me, who I had loathed for months now, was going to ruin me, and I didn’t even care. As long as it was one night, I didn’t see the harm.

So for the last four months now, I’d been avoiding him like the plague. It was actually easier than I thought, seeing as I rarely saw him picking up or dropping off his son, which was fine by me. I never breathed a word of what happened on Halloween to anyone except Sadie, who got an earful from me when I made her tell me what the hell she was thinking for leaving me alone with Harry that night.

“I was thinking you needed to get laid and he’s hot,” she said, like that was all she needed to say.

“Sadie, you know I don’t like him, why on earth would I ever—”

“You actually liked him quite a bit last night.” Her smug grin made me blush. I knew I had a habit of flirting after having a few drinks, but I’ve always been able to control myself. What the hell was in those margaritas? “And, not that you’ll like, care or anything, but he’s actually quite nice.”

I opened my mouth to tell her about his shitty attitude in Principal Stevens’ office and every interaction I’d had with him afterwards, but she beat me to it. “I know, I know, he was an ass. That’s why I never said anything. But I didn’t see any harm in him taking you home. Sex with someone you hate can be really hot.”

And boy was it ever. By the time I woke up (again) in my own bed that morning after Halloween, everything had come back to me. Just thinking about that night made me blush—the things he did, the things I did, every dirty little comment he whispered in my ear. How the hell was I supposed to get through a whole afternoon with him when just looking at him caused flashes of our night together to flood my mind?

“Yeah, well, when you want a sip after dealing with these parents, don’t come crying to me,” I told Harry, doing my best to pretend that nothing had ever happened between us.

Despite how much I might have wanted to stay hiding underneath the bake sale table, I knew I couldn’t. I stood up and turned around to face him.

He looked good, like really good. He was dressed casually in another pair of jeans and a cardigan, but this one was a patchwork of colors and patterns. I looked down at what I was wearing, a pair of jeans and a hoodie I’d had since college, and my birks over socks with little pink hearts on them. I might have been a little underdressed for this stupid thing, but I didn’t want to be here, and I didn’t really care that parents and school staff were giving me disapproving looks, or if a few people asked if I was enjoying my time in college.

When my eyes flicked back to the man in front of me, I could tell he wanted to say something about Halloween, I could see it in his eyes. But I was going to pretend like it didn’t happen until I was blue in the face, so I spoke before he got the chance.

“So, those are fifty cents, those seventy-five, those a dollar, and those a buck fifty. Easy enough to remember. The cash box doesn’t like to open, but if you just kind of, like, pound the top of it with your fist, it gives a little.”

Harry was grinning, but I couldn’t understand why. I certainly had no desire to be here. The only thing keeping me going at this point was that Maddie and I were going to have a girls night tonight. She was around here somewhere with my brother Javi, playing games and winning prizes while I worked the bake sale table, which was not very popular, if sales were anything to go by.

It was silent for a few minutes while a kid who looked about ten came up to the table, stared at the table, and walked away from it without buying anything. Afterwards, Harry blew out a low whistle.

“This sucks,” he stated.

He was preaching to the choir. “Try actually being here on time.”

“Sorry about that,” Harry said, and he sounded genuine. “I got a call that couldn’t wait as I was leaving my house. Would’ve rather been here, believe me.”

I considered his words, and found them to be true. While I tried to be on time to everything, I knew that life got in the way. Lord knows I’d had Sadie take Maddison home on a few occasions because I was held up at work. “It’s fine, I guess,” I said, a little snark in my tone to let him know that it didn’t actually bother me that he was late.

More silence, which was fine with me. Because if we weren’t speaking, there was less of a chance he’d bring up anything that had happened between us four months ago.

For the next hour or so, Harry and I switched off helping out the few people who walked up to our table. He seemed to know most of them, and I half-listened as he talked about one thing or another with a parent. I also didn’t miss the way that the longer Harry had been here, the more people started to come up to our table, the more women started coming up to our table. It was a little creepy how they batted their eyelashes and laughed at the things he said that weren’t funny, but part of me begrudgingly admired the way some of them shamelessly flirted with him.

When the last one walked away with a little wave over her shoulder, I reached into my purse and pulled out my flask to give to him. “Here. You earned it.”

“Thanks,” he said, surprising me by how easily he took it from my hands to take a swig.

He passed it back, and I took a small sip myself before screwing the cap back on and stashing it back in my purse. “Now I know why Molly had you on bake sale duty. You’re great for sales.”

Harry chuckled lightly. “She’s quite persistent, isn’t she?”

I nodded in agreement and grabbed one of the brownies off the table. Tearing off a piece, I popped it in my mouth, only to grab a napkin and spit it right back out. “Holy shit, that was awful! Who made that?”

“Um, I think I did, actually,” Harry said, his voice sheepish. Giving him a funny look, he continued. “My ex, Devon’s mother. She said she’d take care of it.”

“Well, she sucks at baking,” I told him, tossing the wadded up napkin in the trash. “She should’ve done us all a favor and bought something from the store.”

Once again, Harry took me by surprise by throwing his head back and laughing. It was a cute laugh, I thought, but I quickly shook it away.

“Well, then, what did you make?” he asked when he sobered up.

“Those,” I said, pointing to frosted sugar cookies cut into the shape of hearts. “I wanted to do anatomically correct hearts, but Maddie said it would scare the children.”

“She might’ve been onto something,” Harry agreed.

“Yes, well, she’s the smart one in our mother-daughter duo. I just drive her from place to place.”

It was quiet between us again as more women walked up to our table, and I sat back and let Harry handle the housewives, seeing as they were there for him and not the baked goods. I was pretty sure some of them were even here before. Like I said, shameless. When they all flocked away again, I fished out the flask.

“Hold onto it. Something tells me they’ll be back,” I said while he took a couple more sips.

“Are you trying to get me drunk?” Harry asked. Then, getting close enough so that only I could hear him, he whispered in my ear. “Because you don’t need to do that if you’re trying to get me to take you home again.”

My eyes nearly bugged out of my head, panic and excitement warring inside me. He had no business having a voice that low or gravelly.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, trying to feign cluelessness, but my voice was a little higher pitched than usual.

“I think you do,” Harry sing-songed. “And I think you enjoyed it as much as I did.”

I gulped, hating the way his voice alone was having an effect on me. Where were the housewives when I needed them? I chanced a look at his face, and we were practically nose to nose. He grinned, and that infuriatingly cute dimple indented his cheek.

“I’m going to the bathroom,” I blurted, standing up from the stool behind our table. I didn’t even have to go, but I needed to get away from Harry. He was entirely too charming, his smile a little too smug. I hated him. Hated him. I repeated this over and over and over again as I walked around looking for a restroom. Finding one, I slipped inside and leaned my hands against one of the sinks.

“Pull it together, Y/n,” I said, scolding my reflection. “He’s a cocky asshole with a nightmare son. That’s all.”

I turned on the faucet and splashed some cold water on my face, hoping that the thoughts of kissing Harry again that had popped up again would go away. Just as I was drying my face with a couple paper towels, the bathroom door quickly opened and shut, and I heard the lock click before I saw Harry through the reflection in the mirror.

“What are you doing in here?” I hissed, my eyes widening as he closed the space between us.

“I thought—Well, I thought…”

“Well you thought wrong!” I whisper-shouted. “We are at our kids’ elementary school, there are children and parents everywhere, and I…hate you,” I finished lamely.

Harry had looked sheepish until that point. That cocky grin of his that I was regrettably familiar with taking over his face. “You hate me? I feel like I’ve heard that before,” he said, his nose pressing against my cheek as he pressed a tiny kiss to my jaw.

He was referring to that night. Halloween. I kept saying that I hated him, but it only seemed to spur him on. I would never admit it to Sadie, but she was right. Sex with someone you hated was thrilling, to say the least.

But he was using his gravelly voice again, the one that both grated on my nerves and sent chills down my spine. Not trusting my voice, I just nodded.

Harry didn’t seem to be swayed by the fact that I nodded. In fact, it only seemed to spur him on, and I hated how thrilled I was by that fact. He stepped closer until there was only an inch between us. “Then I’m very lucky to be hated by you.”

He leaned in so that his lips brushed right up against my ear, and I had to fight off the shiver that was desperately trying to wrack through me. “You wanna know why?”

I gulped again, unable to help my head from bobbing up and down. I felt his hands reach up to my waist and under my hoodie, his thumbs caressing small circles into my skin. My breath hitched in my throat as he spoke again.

“I’ve never been fucked so good in my life. So thank you for hating me.”

His words made me lose all my resolve. Threading my hands through his hair, I brought his lips to mine. It was rushed and hungry, nothing but tongue and teeth as Harry nipped and tugged at my bottom lip.

I absolutely despised how much I enjoyed it, but his lips were too soft, his hands a little too familiar with my body. My eyes fluttered shut as he moved down to my jaw, then the spot just below my ear. Unable to help myself, I gripped his hair harder, and he moaned against my skin. He actually moaned.

His hands reached higher and came dangerously close to my bra when I started to come to my senses again. We were in an elementary school bathroom, for God’s sake. Fuck, my daughter was around here somewhere.

“Harry,” I tried to say, but it sounded breathless.

I felt him grin against my neck. “Yeah, sweetheart?”

“Harry, we—fuck—we have to stop.”

He stayed where he was, his tongue soothing over where his teeth were and his hands splayed against my ribcage for a couple more seconds, but he eventually pulled away. Both of us were panting, lips swollen and red. I cleared my throat, feeling awkward all of a sudden now that we’d stopped.

“I’m, um, I’m gonna go before Molly kills one of us. Probably me,” I said, not making eye contact with him once. Quickly brushing past him, I reached for the door.

Harry had the common sense to wait a few minutes before returning back to the table. While I was alone at the bake sale, I pulled my hair out of my ponytail and combed through it the best I could with my fingers, trying to cover up the mark I knew was now on my neck.

I was not this person. The kind of person who made out in gymnasium bathrooms at a Valentine’s Day carnival for school children. Maybe that’s what it is, I thought. I’m feeling subconsciously lonely because it’s Valentine’s Day. Whatever the case, it needed to end. I needed to go back to ignoring Harry and keeping him in the back of my mind and focus on being the best mom I could be for Madison.

“Mommy!”

I turned around to see Maddison running towards me, Javi not far behind her. She came around the back of the table to where I was sitting and gave me a big hug. I peppered her face with kisses, holding her tighter when she tried to squirm away from me. She finally wiggled enough to the point where I had to let her go, but she stayed close to my side.

“How’d you do, mija? Win any prizes?”

I humored my daughter for a few minutes while she showed me what she won. It was all stuff I’d probably throw away within the next two days, but in the moment I was happy that she was happy. When she was done, I pointed to the table that still had baked goods on it.

“Guess what, Maddie,” I said, pushing her braids behind her shoulders.

“What?”

“The cookies we baked were a hit. Almost all of them are gone,” I told her proudly, pointing to where there were only two left on the little platter we brought.

Maddison’s face broke out into an even bigger smile than the one she was sporting before, and I smiled back at her. I didn’t really want to be here today, but seeing that smile made almost anything worthwhile. My brother gave me a funny look but didn’t say anything to me, probably clocking the way I was still a little red in the face. Instead, he slipped Maddison a dollar so she could buy something from the table.

“Don’t get those brownies over there. Absolutely dreadful, I hear.” I turned my head to find Harry taking his place back at my side. His face wasn’t flushed anymore, but his lips still looked a little swollen, and I prayed I at least looked better off than he did.

I think he was expecting Maddie to laugh or something, but she just tilted her head as she peered up at him. “You’re Devon’s dad.”

It was like a small bomb had been dropped, and I suddenly felt even worse about sleeping with Harry on Halloween and kissing him in the bathroom just now. To his credit, Harry looked embarrassed as well as he scratched the back of his neck. But his next words took me by surprise.

“Yeah, I am. He’s kind of a little shit isn’t he?” My jaw dropped as Maddison giggled. My brother nudged my shoulder, bringing me out of my stupor.

“Harry! You—You can’t say that,” I stuttered. I mean, I agreed, but that didn’t mean he had to swear in front of my daughter. Not to mention that was his kid he was talking about. Harry merely shrugged, and I felt a little sorry for him. I didn’t know what his situation was like, or what kind of relationship he had with his son, but he clearly didn’t like the way Devon was being raised and couldn’t do anything about it. At least that’s what I assumed from the little I’d heard about his ex and the way he talked about her.

“I gave him a stern talking to a few months ago, and I told him he needed to apologize for all of the trouble he’s been giving you. Did he?”

I knew that for as smart as Maddison was, she, like all six year olds, had a short memory span. She’d moved on fairly quickly, coming home from school with a skip in her step and no more tears because the boy who used to pull the bows out of her hair didn’t anymore. I thought back to Halloween, when I dropped off Maddison at school, and Harry had tried to talk to me then. Maybe he was trying to explain what he was telling Maddie now.

Maddie looked at me, a silent question in her eyes. “Go on,” I told her. Taking my hand in hers, Maddison nodded.

“He did. And he said he liked my backpack too,” she said, her voice shy as she spoke to Harry.

“You never told me that, mija,” I said to her. There was rarely a detail Maddison left out about her day, so why she didn’t tell me about Devon apologizing was beyond me.

“You always call Devon by the wrong name. I didn’t want to confuse you,” Maddie said simply.

“I don’t always say his name wrong,” I muttered, not once looking in Harry’s direction, but I could hear him chuckling quietly to my left.

“Yes you do. Even I noticed,” Javi said, and I cut him a glare for piping up.

Before I could say anything else, Harry and my replacement volunteers came to relieve us. Having recognized them, Harry stayed to talk, but I just grabbed my things, took Maddie’s hand, and started walking with Javi to the car.

As we walked, I asked Maddison what she wanted to watch tonight. It was time to go through the lengthy process of taking her braids out, which was never easy because Maddison always cried and I hated to see her in pain. So I started making a night of it. Anytime I had to take them out, we would watch her favorite movie, eat her favorite foods, and I let her stay up a little past her bedtime.

While Maddison’s father was as white as they came, she took after me in nearly every aspect, especially when it came to looks. Her complexion, while not quite as dark as mine, was still dark, her hair was curly like mine and my mother’s, and she had the prettiest hazel eyes like my father. She was beautiful and she was mine, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Y/n, wait up,” I turned to see Harry rushing to catch up to us, and it occurred to me that this was starting to be a pattern. Harry had jogged over to Maddie, Javi, and me, his hair bouncing up and down with each step. “You were going to leave without saying goodbye?”

I looked at him funny. “Um, yes?” I asked like it was obvious, because I thought it was.

Harry frowned, and I could tell he was thinking about our little moment in the bathroom. And while I could admit that he was an excellent kisser, I knew something like that couldn’t happen again. My hands were full with work and with Maddison (in the best way possible). I didn’t have time for entertaining or flirting with men in my spare time, no matter how attractive or good at kissing they were.

To Harry’s credit, he didn’t give up as easily as I thought he would. “Oh, well, I just came over to say that I’d love to, um, you know, like, get…coffee or something sometime.”

I looked over at my brother, who wiggled his eyebrows at me, and then I looked at Maddie. She watched my exchange with Harry with curious eyes, not quite sure why Devon’s dad wanted to get coffee with me, and quite frankly I wasn’t sure either. I was under the impression that what happened on Halloween was a one time thing, save for the one minor slip up in the gym bathroom today. There was also the fact that his son picked on Maddison the first month of school. It seemed like she and Devon had moved on somewhat, which I would have to ask Sadie and my daughter about later, but I still remembered the way Principal Stevens looked down her nose at me, how furious Harry seemed when I suggested that perhaps his son wasn’t totally innocent. Both of those boys were trouble, and I, and Maddie for that matter, didn’t need trouble.

I decided to let him down easy, and if he still didn’t take the hint, then I’d be more blunt. “That’s nice of you, but with Maddison and work, I hardly have time—”

“She’s free in a couple weeks,” Javi cut in. I whipped my head around to glare at my brother, but he just shrugged his shoulders. “Our parents are taking Maddison out for the day, so Y/n’s free.”

Harry’s brows rose, intrigued by this new bit of information. When he saw that I wasn’t arguing this fact, he grinned. Why did his grin always look so smug? Yet another reason to dislike Harry, more fuel to the fire. “Really? Well, I should probably get your number then, so I can call you about this coffee date of ours.”

“It’s not a date,” I said immediately, but it only made him grin even more.

I walked away from Harry after giving him my phone number. It wasn’t a big deal, I told myself. You can always brush him off over text. Or ignore his calls. Javi thankfully kept quiet as we all piled into his car, but I knew his questions would come later when Maddison wasn’t around. I knew for certain that he had picked up on the fact that something went down between Harry and me. As Javi pulled out of the school parking lot, Maddie piped up from the backseat.

“Mommy, why did Devon’s dad ask you to get coffee? Are you going on a playdate?”

These were the kinds of things I wanted to avoid. In the six years that Maddie had been alive, I kept my dating life, if I could even call it that, separate from her. I knew that none of the few guys I went out for drinks with were permanent, so I didn’t see the point of ever introducing them to her, and Harry was no different. We hooked up, that was it. It’s just that I typically didn’t have to worry about seeing a one night stand again in the pick–up line at Maddison’s school.

“He was putting the moves on your mom,” Javi said when I didn’t answer Maddie’s question. I punched his arm at a stoplight, but he just continued on laughing.

“The moves?” Maddison asked, sounding confused.

“Don’t listen to your uncle, Maddison. He’s being silly. And yeah, I guess you could call it a playdate. Is that okay with you?”

I had no intention of taking Harry up on his offer, but I was curious to know her answer. Part of me still didn’t want to have anything to do with Harry or his son because of Maddie, but she was much better at letting go of things than I was. Through the rearview mirror, I could see her playing with the sleeves of her shirt as she considered my question.

“I think so. Devon’s not really mean to me anymore, and you always say we have to be kind to the people around us right?”

“I do say that, don’t I?” I mused. “You’ve got a point, Maddie mine. Always so wise and mature.”

Maddie grinned, pleased by my words. “And Delaney said he has a pool at his house. Maybe if you go on playdates with his dad I can come too.”

Annnd there it was. Unable to help myself, I laughed, and Maddie joined in too. “You might be onto something, kid. We’ll see if we can do something about getting you into that pool.”

I didn’t want to get her hopes up, but after today, I didn’t plan on seeing Harry except occasionally in the parking lot at school. I didn’t like the way he looked so sure of himself when I gave him my number, like he thought it was some big victory. He could have my number, I had no problem with that, but that didn’t mean I was going to answer any of his calls.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

March

“You’ve been avoiding me.”

I nearly jumped out of my skin when I heard Harry’s voice so close to my ear. Looking over my shoulder, I saw him leaning over the little desk he was sitting in behind me. I didn’t see him when I came into the classroom twenty minutes ago, so he must’ve gotten here sometime during Sadie’s presentation. “Jesus, you scared the shit out of me.”

A parent to my left glared at me through her glasses, and I mouthed a quiet sorry to her before facing forward again. Now that I knew he was behind me, I could feel his stare burning holes in the back of my head. I fought the urge to turn around and focused as Sadie gave all the parents an update on what our kids were learning at school. I knew that I didn’t really have to come, Sadie could’ve just given me an update outside of this parent-teacher meeting. But Maddie was excited for me to see all her work and projects displayed in her classroom, so I rushed out the building I worked at and sped over here to make it on time.

“Am I going to have to resort to passing you notes? I think I have some paper somewhere,” Harry whispered, but his voice wasn’t as close as it was before.

Turning in my own desk, I glared at him. “I am trying to listen. Leave me alone.”

Harry only grinned, having finally gotten my attention. He was dressed similarly to when I first met him in the principal’s office, not a full suit, but dress pants and a button up. I wonder what he did for a living.

“Why are you ignoring my calls?” he asked, his voice staying hushed so that we wouldn’t distract the other parents.

I narrowed my eyes at him. “I am not talking about this right now.”

To my surprise, he looked a little pissed. “When then? You’re a very hard person to get a hold of, Y/n.”

I hated how much I liked the way he said my name. It brought back memories of Halloween when I was underneath him and he whispered it under the cover of night. Shaking my head, I turned back around before he could see what I was thinking about in my eyes.

Trying my best to focus on Sadie at the front of the classroom, I leaned forward on my desk and as far away from Harry as I could get. Harry thankfully didn’t bother me the rest of the meeting, and when it was over I quickly got up from my seat. He looked like he wanted to follow, but as I predicted, one mom, then two, came up to talk to him. Without a second glance in his direction, I walked towards Sadie.

“Excellent presentation, Ms. Larson,” I said, my voice overly formal. “You had me on the edge of my seat,” I told her proudly, coming to lean against her desk. Looking at the heels I was wearing, I could physically feel how long I’d been on my feet, and was definitely ready to get home and tuck Maddison in for the night and sit in bed while taking one last look at some of my work. Hopefully I could get away without Harry noticing so I could do that.

“Ha. I definitely wasn’t what had you on the edge of your seat. Don’t think I didn’t see you talking to Harry. What did he want?”

I blushed at being caught, but I was glad Sadie didn’t call us out on it during her presentation like we were actual students. “He wants to know why I haven’t answered his calls.”

“Funnily enough, so do I,” Sadie said, tilting her head to the side. “I don’t see the harm in humoring him. It’s one coffee date.”

I sighed, fighting the urge to run a hand through my hair. It was cooperating today and I had no desire to mess it up. I glanced over to where multiple women were vying for his attention. I didn’t blame them, he was a hot young dad who could afford to send his son to private school. And he has tattoos, my mind supplied unhelpfully. If it wasn’t for the way we’d met, maybe I could give him a chance, but I also didn’t need to be public enemy number one with all those mothers, either.

“Look at them, Sadie,” I said, my eyes flicking back to the way they all laughed a little too loudly at something Harry said. “You know how fast gossip travels among these people. If they heard something, I’d have a scarlet letter on my chest. I don’t want that kind of drama for my kid.”

I started helping Sadie pack up her things, not wanting to talk about me or Harry anymore. She could tell I was done talking, and left it at that. While she gathered her stuff, she told me how well Maddison was doing in reading and math, and I couldn’t help the proud smile that erupted on my face. Eventually, though, a couple came up to ask Sadie a question, and I let her be. Picking up my purse and hauling it over my shoulder, I started fishing for my keys so I could head home to Maddie. From the corner of my eye, I could see a pair of shiny black boots walk up and stop right in front of me.

“Done entertaining the bored housewives?” I asked, not even looking up from where I was rooting around my purse. Where were my keys?

“Looking for these?” he fired back, ignoring my jab. Picking my head up, I saw my car keys dangling from Harry's finger. “And before you make some wild accusation about me stealing them so you had to talk to me, it should be known that in your haste to get away from me, they fell out of your bag.”

I tried not to blush because that was exactly what I was going to do. I reached out to take them from Harry, but he pulled them back. I raised a brow at him. “Can I have my keys back?”

“Can you say please?” he asked, that same smug grin on his face. He was enjoying this, I thought. He liked that he had a little power over me. When I didn’t say please like he’d asked, just crossed my arms to show that my patience was wearing thin, he leaned over. “Come on, you’ve said it for me before. Begged for me even.”

My eyes widened. Harry had absolutely no shame. Blushing furiously, I pushed past him and stalked off. I didn’t care if he still had my keys, I’d get a ride home with Sadie, I’d call an Uber. What I wasn’t going to do was let him stand in front of me looking pleased with himself. I meant it when I said that I wasn’t the type of person to kiss some guy I hardly knew in elementary school bathrooms, and I certainly wasn’t the type to make flirtatious remarks or talk about a one night stand in my daughter’s first grade classroom. His comment was disrespectful and out of line, and I wasn’t going to put up with it.

I also didn’t need any of these parents knowing my business. I didn't miss the way the same mothers who had been talking to Harry earlier were watching our interaction like hawks. Harry was definitely more trouble than he was worth. Pulling my phone out of my purse, I started ordering an Uber. I heard the sound of footsteps echoing down the hallway, but I ignored them and kept walking.

“Y/n, wait—” he started, but I was suddenly tired of this cat and mouse thing we kept doing. Turning around, I laid into him.

“Am I a joke to you?” I asked.

Harry looked surprised that I turned to face him, but that was quickly replaced by confusion. “What? No, of course not.”

“I don’t know what makes you think you can make comments like that when there are other people around. People who would very much like to hear it and spread that shit around like it’s everyone’s business. This is where my daughter goes to school. Her education, and my reputation, for that matter, is important to me.

“Do you know how many parents here think so little of me because I’m a single mother at my age? The last thing I need is for you to add more fuel to their fire, so what happened between you and me?” I told him, gesturing between the two of us. “It has no business being talked about in public where it could somehow reach my daughter’s ears. In fact, let’s just say it never happened. So do us both a favor and hand me my keys, and leave me the fuck alone.”

He looked startled by my outburst, but he didn’t hesitate in doing as I asked. Taking them from his hand, I turned on my heel and walked out the school’s front doors.

My heart was pounding, my anger levels steadily rising. The audacity of this man, I thought repeatedly. It didn’t matter if people might have heard what Harry said or not, that kind of stuff was private, and he obviously didn’t have to worry about being so cavalier about his sex life. The way the two of us were treated by the other parents at this school, despite us both being young single parents, spoke volumes. I saw the way some parents looked at me when I dropped Maddison off at school, knew exactly what they thought of me. There was clearly a luxury of behaving a certain way that Harry had and I didn’t. If that’s who he was, then fine, but it wasn’t me. That couldn’t be me.

Harry might’ve thought he was being cute or flirtatious, but I couldn’t afford to be scrutinized even more than I already was by the parents at this school. Not to mention the fact that it was wildly inappropriate and rude.

I felt a little bad for snapping at him, but I got the feeling that he was the type of person that if you weren’t absolutely clear about these types of things, he wouldn’t get it. I’d been giving him a little slack because I thought he was cute and he seemed like a decent enough guy, but I didn’t have time for games or decent enough guys. I had Maddison, and she was my whole world. And that world did not involve Harry.

***

A few weeks had passed and they were thankfully peaceful.

I had seen Harry pick up his son on occasion, but he kept his distance. Every time we made eye contact and he quickly looked away, I felt a little bad, but it was for the best. I could only imagine how much messier things would get if Harry had his way and we’d started seeing each other.

It had become a little difficult, though, because after everything that happened, Maddison and Devon had become friends.

It started with Maddie coming home and telling me she and Devon shared the toy cars he'd brought to school. I was happy that they’d come so far since September and that they could play together without any more issues or calls to the principal’s office. But as the days went by and she talked about him more—how they played tag at recess together, or when he showed her his new Black Panther watch—I knew that it was only a matter of time before she asked for a playdate.

Maddie had obviously been on playdates and gone to birthday parties for kids in her class, but I also hadn’t slept or fought with any of their parents. After the little parent-teacher meeting her school hosted a few weeks ago, and Harry and I steered clear of each other, I really didn’t want to have to make that phone call.

I ended up not having to make any calls because Maddison’s birthday rolled around, and she told me she wanted a Marvel themed birthday party and that all her classmates were to be invited. She looked so excited when she came to me about it that I couldn’t say no, even though I knew it would lead to some sort of interaction with Harry. I did my best to keep things as distant as possible, sending Maddison to school with invitations to put in each kids’ cubby for them to take home to their parents.

This was kind of a big deal for both of us. It was Maddie’s first big birthday party with all her classmates, and it was the first time I would have people over at our house. I didn’t mind the fact that Maddison and I lived with my older brother. In fact, I loved it, and I knew she did too. I just knew for a fact that these parents didn’t share a small one story home with their relatives, and I couldn’t help but feel a little insecure about it.

Pushing those thoughts aside, I focused on making this the best birthday party a first grader had ever been to. I bought party favors with the Avengers and Spiderman and other Marvel superheroes on them after work and before I had to pick up Maddison, I ordered a Black Panther themed birthday cake during one of my lunch breaks, and I even had some of my coworkers in my office sign a card for Maddison.

Before she was in school, I often brought Maddie with me to work, handing her off to some of my friends while I was in meetings and putting her down for a nap by reading cases aloud in my office. Because this immigration law office was the first one to take me in after I graduated, she’d grown up a lot there, and the people I worked with had watched her do all that growing up. They were even a little sad when she stopped coming in with me and started going to school instead. I still brought Maddison in from time to time on the days where I had to work and she didn’t have school. The small office and the people in it were like a second family for us, and I knew Maddie would appreciate the card and little goodies my coworkers got for her.

On Saturday afternoon, I got Maddie dressed up in the Dora Milaje costume she wanted and I couldn’t resist buying while Javi helped me put up the rest of the decorations in our backyard, most of which we spent yesterday setting up. Maddie’s friends were due any minute, and I still had to get ready. I just wanted everything to be perfect for her. She deserved the world.

“Mommy, don’t you have to get ready too?” Maddison asked while I straightened out her costume. When she came to me with her birthday party idea, she insisted that it be a costume party, so that’s what we were going to do.

“Yeah, baby, but the birthday girl comes first,” I told her, fixing the two buns on the top of her head. “Annnd done. Now give Mom a kiss and ask Uncle Javi if he needs help.” Maddison gave me a kiss on the cheek and scampered off to find her uncle.

Between working, getting ready for this birthday party, and taking Maddison from place to place on time, I didn’t have time to put a costume together for myself. It was on the warmer side today, so I settled for a blue Captain America t–shirt tucked into a pair of denim shorts, my hair pulled up into a ponytail. As I left our bedroom, I heard the doorbell ring. Time for the chaos to begin.

***

Maddison’s birthday party was fantastic. Every one of her classmates that she invited came, and some of the parents even offered to stay and help keep all the six and seven year olds in line. I was taken aback, to say the least. For most of my time at Maddison’s school, I felt like an outsider, but after spending some time with a girl’s father and another boy’s mother while the kids played pretend in the backyard, I felt like I had made some friends of my own.

One thing that unsettled me was Devon. Not Devon himself, who, after being on his best behavior the whole party, I came to like quite a lot. The weird thing was how he got dropped off. A woman about my age, his mother, I assumed, came to the front door.

Her hair was the perfect shade of blond and styled to perfection. She was tan, but judging by the very subtle lighter tone of her face, it wasn’t natural. Her eyes were hidden behind a pair of obnoxiously large sunglasses that I could see my reflection in, and even though I knew we were probably about the same age, I looked like a teenager compared to her. In her jeans that I’m sure cost more than what I paid to put Maddie’s birthday party together and a white tank top tucked into them with an expensive looking jacket over it, a part of me wondered what she or Harry did for a living.

I couldn’t dwell on that, though. Not when she quickly said she’d be back in a couple of hours, and walked off without so much as a glance at Devon, her heels clip-clopping down the front porch of my brother’s house and leaving her son and me alone.

Devon had looked more than slightly uncomfortable, and in that interaction alone, I could see where him acting out at school came from. It didn’t make his behavior okay, but as a mother, my heart went out to him. Bending down, I took the little gift bag clutched in his hand and brought him inside and towards the backyard where some of the other kids were already playing.

“I love your costume. Is Iron Man your favorite superhero?” I asked him. Devon nodded, but he still looked sullen. I leaned down to whisper in his ear. “Don’t tell Maddie, but he’s my favorite too.”

Devon had the ghost of a grin on his face, and I hoped that once he started running around with his classmates, he would be smiling from ear to ear.

And he did. He laughed, he played with Maddison and the other kids there, and was incredibly polite to me, Javi, and the two parents that stayed to help out. Once I saw that Devon was having a good time, any feelings about his mom were forgotten for the time being, I focused on Maddison. From what I could tell, she had a blast—playing the games I planned beforehand, opening presents, and wiping cake frosting on my cheek after everyone sang her happy birthday.

When it came time for everyone to go home, it didn’t come as a surprise when Devon was the last kid to be picked up. I asked him if his mom said anything about when she was coming, but he just shrugged his shoulders and began to look like he did when he first arrived. Not wanting him to feel bad, I quickly moved on, bringing him and Maddie inside to watch a movie. After everyone else had left and Javi went out for drinks with a couple of his friends, it was just me and the two kids.

“Do you have anything on underneath your costume, bud? Maybe get comfortable until Mom comes to get you?”

Devon nodded, and I sent Maddie to our room to go get changed while I helped our last remaining guest out of his Iron Man suit.

“You and Maddie share a room?” he asked as I helped him with his zipper.

I was quiet for a moment while I held him steady so he could step out of his costume. “Yeah, we do,” I answered honestly. “We live in a bit of a smaller house, so we sleep in the same room. Like roommates.”

Devon blinked, long eyelashes framing bright blue eyes. “I kind of like that. My bedroom is on the other side of our house.”

I knew kids had a penchant for telling the honest truth like nobody’s business, but I didn’t expect him to say that. The few times I heard Harry refer to Devon’s mom, he called her his ex, and from that I had to guess that they didn’t live together, so I wondered where Devon fit in this equation. I didn’t want to ask out of respect for Harry’s and Devon’s privacy, but I was incredibly curious.

A few minutes later, Maddison came out of our room, bounding over to me in her gray sweatpants and the university hoodie I’d gotten for her last year. I put on a movie for the two of them in the living room while I figured out dinner for the three of us. While I considered ordering in or making dinner, my phone chimed.

Unknown: Hey, this is Harry. I’m so sorry. I know the party ended a while ago. I’ll be there within the hour.

After Harry and I exchanged numbers, I never saved his to my phone. It was easier to ignore his calls or texts when it came from someone that wasn’t in my contact list. Now though, I saved it and sent him a text back.

Me: No worries. We’re just hanging out.

I didn’t want to worry him, not when I had gotten a small glimpse at Devon’s situation at home. Obviously I didn’t understand everything, but I knew enough to be sympathetic. Going into the living room, I relayed the information Harry gave to me. Devon didn’t seem to mind, content to play with Maddison and watch their movie. I finally decided that I’d spent enough money on Maddie’s birthday party, so I got started on making rice, beans, and chicken.

“Maddison! Come help me set the table for us and our guest please,” I shouted from the kitchen when I was almost finished, and I heard her shout something back.

I brought plates of food over as Maddison put forks on the table. Devon was still sitting on the couch, but he was watching Maddie and I work with wide eyes. Grinning, I bumped my hip with Maddison’s and called out to him. “Come sit, kiddo. Dinner’s ready.”

Devon grinned and bounded over to where Maddison and I were getting ready to sit down around the dinner table. Sitting down with us, it looked like he’d never had a home cooked meal in his life. I was a little unsure at first about making dinner because I knew kids could be picky, but Devon picked up his fork and happily ate what was in front of him. Halfway through dinner, the doorbell rang.

“Sit tight, you guys,” I said, standing up to answer the door.

When I opened it, Harry was there, looking more frazzled than I’d ever seen him. Even though it was Saturday afternoon, he was dressed in a pair of dark green dress pants and white button down, much in the same way I’d seen him a few weeks ago. The minute I opened the door, he started rambling through an apology and something about being at a work event and it wasn’t his turn to have Devon this weekend and so on.

“It’s fine, Harry,” I told him, opening the door a little wider. “Would you like to come in? Devon’s finishing up dinner, hope that’s okay.”

He stopped his rambling and just stood on my front porch for a few seconds. He looked confused, I thought. I suppose after our last interaction, the way I was acting now might have been cause for confusion. But we were both parents, and young ones at that, I could understand running late for pickup, especially now that I knew a little more about their situation. It also made me feel a little bad for the shit I’d given Harry a few months ago, but that apology would come later.

I led him towards the kitchen where Maddison and Devon were still eating. “Hey, Devon, look who’s here.”

Devon lifted his head and beamed when he saw his father standing next to me. He ran over and hugged his dad, and I had to admit it was a very cute sight to behold. Walking over to Maddie, I leaned down to press a kiss to the top of her head and whispered for her to help me clean up the table. Maddison nodded and got up from the table, picking up the empty cups while I took care of the plates. Taking the cups from her and setting everything by the sink, I walked with her back to the kitchen.

“Well, we won’t keep you,” Harry said, his initial panic having worn off. But now I noticed he seemed tentative while speaking to me.

Devon frowned. “Can we stay a little longer? The movie’s almost finished.”

Harry sighed, rubbing a hand over his tired face. I wouldn’t have minded if they stayed, but it was clear Harry had had a long day today and probably wanted to leave. Not to mention the fact that Harry looked the tiniest bit afraid of me, which I kind of liked but mostly didn’t.

“You’ve had a long day, kiddo,” I told Devon gently. “And you know what? This movie will still be here the next time you come over, okay? Maybe you can bring over the lego set you were telling Maddie about too.”

He nodded and grinned a little, the dimple he got from his dad indenting his cheek.

Maddie and I walked Harry and Devon out. When we reached the door, I told Maddie and Devon to go play on the front lawn for a few minutes while I talked to Harry. They ran off, playing a game that only they seemed to know.

Harry turned to me, his face a mix of emotions. “Thank you,” he said when I handed Devon’s costume over. “And I mean for everything. I’m sorry it took so long to get here. Taylor was supposed to pick him up, but she bailed again, and I was on the other side of town—”

“It’s okay,” I cut in. “It happens, and Devon’s great.”

“Really?” Harry asked, like he couldn’t quite believe that those words were coming from me.

I nodded. “Yeah. I’m not going to pretend to know what’s going on at home, but I know now that he was probably just acting out a few months ago.”

Harry’s shoulders slumped and nodded a little, and I could physically see the way that their situation weighed heavily on him. Playing with his lower lip, he looked me in the eye. “Look, I’m sorry. About the Parent Night at school. You were right, I shouldn’t have said those things, I wasn’t thinking.”

“No, you weren't,” I agreed. “But thank you for apologizing.”

“Seems like I do a lot of that around you,” he said, laughing a little but it sounded weak.

“I mean, in fairness, I probably owe you an apology as well. My kid did punch your kid.”

Harry’s laugh was a little fuller this time, and I grinned with him. Looking at where Maddison and Devon were playing on the front lawn now, I was glad they’d made up; it looked like he needed a friend, and maybe so did his dad.

“I think we got off on the wrong foot,” I said, making him look at me.

“That’s a nice way of putting it,” Harry joked. “But yes, I would agree.”

I stuck out my hand for him to shake. “I say we start over. Clean slate and all that.”

Harry grinned, grasping my hand in his. “I'm Harry.

“Nice to meet you, Harry. I’m Y/n.”

#harry styles #harry styles au #single dad!harry #single mom!reader #harry styles blurb #harry styles x reader #harry styles imagine #harry styles fanfic #harry styles oneshot #harry styles fanfiction #harry styles x you #harry styles fluff #harry styles writing

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dark-night-hero · 2 years

Text

Imagine a modern! Kamisato Ayato first time meeting his significant other.

Imagine him siting behind his desk, having a normal boring day of reading, approving, and rejecting paperwork in his office inside the office of the vice-chairman when suddenly his phone rang, not the business one but the private one where only a little list of people got a hold of his number.

"Hi! Good afternoon, is this Mr. Kamisato am I speaking to?" He could tell that the person seems to be a little bit hesitant. "Yes, this is Kamisato Ayato speaking, to whom am I speaking?" "Ah yes, I'm sorry I am Ayaka's homeroom teacher, (First name)(Lastname). I'm sorry, I tried calling and reaching out to her parents but they seems unavailable at the moment, Ayaka gave me her brother's phone number instead.." "It's fine, our parents were busier than me. Did something happened to Ayaka?" personally, he thinks he is busier than his parents whom was the chairman of the board but us currently on a paid vacation.

Imagine him suddenly sitting straight, did something happened to his sister? And before so many thoughts went through his head. "Well you see, Ayaka got into a fight with her fellow classmate and well.. I could tell you the details sir, when you arrive in here." ".. what?" "Huh? Ayaka got-" "No no, I get it. I'll be there as soon as I can." "Ah yes. Thank you."

Imagine as soon as the phone call ended, Ayato let out a laugh of disbelief, shaking his head with a smile on his face. He can't really imagine why is cute obedient little sister would cause such trouble to the point of her guardian being called out but this seems interesting. So he reach out for the telephone on his table, calling his secretary outside to cancel out his meetings for the rest of the day.

Imagine not even 15 minutes later he arrived in front of the school, leading towards the unfamiliar building he rarely went into, maybe a couple PTA meetings where his parents were to busy to attend. Anyways, he started walking towards the direction of the room is adorable little sister.

Imagine as he entered the already open door of the room, the first thing that came on scene was you kneeling in front of the three children, his sister being one of them alongside with a blonde boy and purple haired girl. He watched as you hold on into their little hands, talking to them in the most caring and soft voice he have ever heard in his life

Imagine as he stood there for almost five minutes, not daring to move in place as he just watch you interact with the children in which seems you're good at and right when you're done solving the matters among the children only then did you notice him when your (eye color) iris met his pair of light purple ones.

"Apologies sir, I did not notice you in there.. Mr.?" "Ayato, Kamisato Ayato." He spoke, accepting the hand you're holding out for a handshake, realizing how soft it is afterwards. "Ah, I should have recognized you were her guardian upon look, please sit this way sir. I'm very sorry but we would have to wait with the other parents of Aether and Keqing." You spoke, pointing out on of the two children at the back of the room alongside his sister whom was all currently playing side by side.

Imagine him nodding, the sight of him sitting on his little sister desk seems quite funny but he doesn't really mind at all, not when he got this view of you behind your desk, going through what it seems like were assignments on the children as you would once in awhile glance at the children playing joyfully at the back and even at him, giving him a smile before going back to your works.

Imagine how he giggle, not only him but the other parents of the children to upon hearing the reason why they were called. It was indeed a silly reason, what just make the matter worst is that a physical fight happened between Ayaka and Keqing, pulling each other hair and maybe a little bit scratch here and there, Aether having to be the reason of their quarrel.

Imagine how everything ends well, the kids have been in a good terms with each other after all even before they came, all thanks to you giving them a bit of scolding and the same time making them realize their mistakes and making them genuinely apologize to each other.

Imagine the genuine smile on your face by the end of the meeting, as the children once again apologize to each other, little Aether just standing in there blinking in the arms of his parents. The way you look lovingly at the children, he have seen it all.

Imagine as the rest of the parent and children go home, you happened to go out on the same time as the pair of brother and sister. "Be careful on your way home Ayaka, Mr. Kamisato." You spoke, giving them smile as the three of you walked out of the door, locking it behind you. "Well then, have a nice day. If you'll excuse me." You bow, walking in the way of the parking lot.

Imagine in the middle of your way towards the parking lot, you heard someone calling out your name, making you turn around only to see Ayato alongside Ayaka walking after you making you blink.

"Is there anything else you would like to ask me Mr. Kamisato?" You smile at him. "I.. Well, can I offer you a ride?" He asked politely as possible, not wanting to sound rude or anything, holding the hand of his little sister.

Imagine the taken a back expression on your face only to be followed by laughter. "Apologies Mr. Kamisato, but I do have my own car today so I would have to turn down your offer, I'm grateful though, truly." You smile, showing of your car keys, for a moment he felt disappointment in which he quickly brush off.

"Well then, I'll get going Mr. Kamisato, Ayaka." You wave at his little sister which does the same. "Wait." This time as he spoke, you turn around, brows raised his time that he almost chicken out.

Imagine letting go of his sister, walking towards you as he reach out his calling card. "Here, take this." And you did with a look of amusement at him. "Call me or at least text me, this time not using the school telephone." He spoke, making you laugh and shake your head. "Only when needed, Mr. Kamisato."

Imagine the urge to correct you from calling him, wanting to know how his actual name not his surname roll of your lips but manage to suppress it. So as both of them, him and Ayaka whom now back on his side holding his hand, headed towards his car.

"Isn't my homeroom teacher lovely?" Ayaka giggle as if knowing the reason behind his older brother moves.

Imagine as he securely place a seat belt around his sister, he smile. Going on the driver's seat, as he start his car, he faced his little sister with a helpless look on his face as if he couldn't agree anymore less. "You're right, I've never seen such lovely person before." He chuckle as if he couldn't help it.

[ⓒdark-night-hero] 2022°

#modern #genshin impact #genshin imagines #ayato x you #kamisato ayato x reader #ayato x reader #ayato kamisato x reader #modern genshin impact #modern genshin au #modern ayato imagined #holy sh!t I got carried away lmao

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kamyru · 2 years

Text

Forget about "the sunshine one and the grumpy one" trope, they are in an "I'm Mr. White Christmas. I'm high on crack" type of relationship:

Toshiaki Kijima x Shunichiro Tachibana

Toshiaki Kijima x Yukihisa Maki

MC x Jin Namba

MC x Takaomi Tsugaru

Takeru Momose x Takaomi Tsugaru

Ayumu Shinonome x Toru Kurosawa

MC x Ukyo Senkawa

MC x Kunihiro Kasai

Munechika Takado x MC

Toshiki Kasumi x MC

MC x Yosuke Sagara

Kiyohito Shirakami x Shun Randoh

Ryota Mochizuki x MC

Shuya Komaki x MC

MC x Nozomu Fuse

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thecameronchronicles · 2 years

Text

Homeroom

TW: semi-public fingering and palming. Language. Smut.

SUMMARY: The fact Rafe can't keep his fingers to himself brings you to reciprocate against him…

WORD COUNT: 1300

*Requested*

Homeroom

The second you felt his fingers brush your knee, you were well aware of his intentions. And yet, despite the fact your mind pulled at you to correct him and focus on the lesson at hand, you would contradict your morals by opening your legs wider for him.

"Good girl…" He whispered into your ear as your eyes rolled for his words, your body shifting in the uncomfortable stiffness necessary to keep from being revealed to peers or the mentor now turned towards the class in a continuation of his lesson.

"So wet I don't even have to suck on my fingers…" You offered a silent nod to counter the need to moan in approval while he pushed against your clothed clit, well aware just how desperate you were for his touch. The excitement of the moment only intensified by just how brazen he had been while also testing detection.

"Do you think he knows you aren't paying attention to anything but my fingers? Rubbing against you…making you desperate?" He asked against your ear.

"Mister Cameron? Is there something you want to share with the class?" He shot a mischievous smile, not faltering his motions for even a second, as he apologized, before returning his focus to you.

"Better behave, pet…." He called you this for the fact he saw you as innocent as you were. Perfect grades and an even more pristine reputation that he basked in knowing only he had tainted-even more more with how willing you were to let him. At any kook party, when he slipped into your room when you were supposed to be sleeping, in the library when you should have been studying, and now, in biology with his fingers curled between your thighs with his thumb in slow motions to your clit.

You bowed your head and leaned against your hand to try and conceal your expressions as the rush of pleasure was almost too much. It would have consumed you completely if not for the way he'd edged you and repeated this climb and descent.

"Rafe…" You whimpered as he moved back to your ear.

"I want you to leave yourself on that stool…So fucking hot to know that I made you come right here…"

"Then let me…" You commanded in your counter as he quickened the motions of his thumb and left his fingers in that bend for pressure as you turned towards him but still remained unnoticed by the majority. For those who noticed, they'd blush and turn away or simply judge you silently, but you didn't care, all you wanted was the release closing in on you. And without being edged this time, you would finally be granted it. The sound of a pencil snapping in your fingers had caused your peers to look at you with curiosity as Rafe smiled with pride.

When everyone resumed back to the white board, he took his fingers between his lips.

"My pet's so sweet. Mmm…" He moaned as your eyes lowered in fatigue. You would wait a handful of minutes for recovery before your hand inched up his leg.

"You wanna be bad for me, baby?" He asked as you nodded.

"Gonna let me finish in your hand?" You nodded as you leaned in to him.

"This time…" You teased back as he wrapped an unkind grip around your wrist.

"You're gonna be so fucking sore once I get you alone…"

"How are you gonna do that when I make you come so hard you won't have anything left?" And this is why he adores you. Angelic features always prepared for such devilish words, all of which made him willing to please you by any means. In public. In private. Any hour of the day or night. And you relished in it.

"Jesus christ-"

"And how religion affects our lesson, Mister Cameron?" He was asked as his expression came out louder than he anticipated. His cheeks blushed as your expression widened in pride as you slowed your fingers but not the pressure, teasing the slit of his cock as you could feel it cry for you.

"You keep this shit up and I'll take you on my lap-"

"Oh? And what would your dad think when you have to explain why you got suspended for fucking me in the middle or class?" You spoke carefully to ensure you weren't overheard by anyone.

"Think I'm joking?"

"I'm still just sitting here, making you desperate to cry out for me…my hand against your hard-" With your wrist in one hand and his textbook concealing his cock, he pulled you from the classroom and into the bathroom that suddenly seemed too far away. Careless to lock the door, he had you against the counter, facing the mirror.

"Let me see what's mine…" He spoke while lifting your skirt and rubbing your ass interrupted with that lace, soaked from your previous release.

"You know the deal…If I make 'em wet, they're mine…" You nodded, allowing him to pull them from your hips before they fell to your ankles. He lowered to retrieve them as you bent yourself over the sink for him, until he pulled you back against him.

"Aren't you all mine?" You nodded.

"I said…show me what's mine…" Your eyes remained to his as you looked towards the direction of the door before disregarding it and refocusing on him as the buttons of your blouse came loose.

"I love you in this fucking uniform. But I love fucking you out of it…" He growled into your ear as you were now left in only your bra.

"That's my pet…" You nodded, his hand around your throat as your fingers traced his forearm and came to a grip around his wrist. His secondary hand brought his grip to your breasts as he basked in how your face altered in pleasure before him.

"I could make you come just by doing this, couldn't I?" You nodded as he tessed your nipples, making you moan as he suddenly turned you to face him.

"Maybe next time…Right now, I need to he inside of you-"

You nodded as you were lifted onto the counter and whipped you around him before feeling his cock's expected penetrstion. Crying out for him, he held your mouth in a grip before taking you against his lips.

"You feel so good baby, letting me fuck you in public…needing my cock so badly, and you're only bad for me…" And nodded to each of his phrases as he quickened into you.

"So fucking perfect for me…So goddamn tight and wet-"

"Rafe!"

"Gonna come again? Already?"

"You feel so good!"

"Yeah?"

"Yeah…." You breathed deeply as he smirked.

"Then tell me what I wanna hear baby…"

"Nobody fucks me like you, Rafe…you're all I need-" He pulled your hair back and kissed down your throat before rising back to your lips.

"You know what good girls get?" You nodded.

"Then tell me…" He added.

"To come."

"That's right. And you've been a good girl for me, haven't you? Bad in all the good ways?" You nodded.

"So come for me…come on then…" He almost patronized as your fingers ate into his arms as you wrapped him around you.

"With me…come with me…" He nodded, pulling you tightly before your tremors set his own in motion.

"Fuck, pet…"

"Shit…" You gasped as he withdrew from you, his cock wearing your release as be motioned.

"You know what to do…" And so, you moved onto your knees, cleaning him of both of your excess before he turned you back towards the mirror.

"My dirty little girl’s so good for them but always always bad for me, right?"

"For you, Rafe…"

"Good. Now get back to class and be the good little teacher's pet you are…While I think of how to make you come next…"

Taglist: @hopebaker @iovdrew @penny4yourthoughts @magnificantmermaid @pickingviolets @lovedetlost @trikigirl271 @maybankslover @slut4starkey @slvtherinseeker @obxiskewl @obxxrxfes @bluesongbird @slut-era @ailee-celeste @rafesbae

#rafecameron x reader #rafecameronfanfiction #rafecameron #rafe cameron #rafe cameron smut #rafe cameron x reader #rafe outer banks #rafe smut #outerbanks #obx #outer banks smut #obxsmut #obx fanfiction #outer banks

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joyce-stick · 6 months

Text

Lost Judgment's Lost Plot | joyce-stick

Didn't like the "detective boys punch school bullying revenge janitor" plot.

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Previous video essay/transcript: Suzume Isn't Gay, But We Liked It Anyway

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Essay transcript:

All right, before we get started, here's the plot of Lost Judgment without all the twists. Oops, all spoilers! Oh, and also, quick note that this story deals with… or rather, invokes, the topics of bullying, suicide, bereavement, sexual assault, and of course, murder. We're gonna talk about some tropes, some themes, some ethics, and of course some casual sexism, too. Fun stuff! So. Here we go.

It’s 2008, and a student, Mitsuru Kusumoto, is being bullied at Kurokawa Academy, a Japanese private high school. His bullying is reported to his homeroom teacher, Yu Kitakata, by a classmate, Yoko Sawa. Kitakata, in order to collect evidence of the bullying, places a hidden camera in the classroom, and from this, obtains footage of several of his students bullying Mitsuru. The same day as this footage is recorded, Mitsuru attempts suicide. The suicide attempt fails and he falls into a coma which goes on to last thirteen years. Kitakata is fired as a result of this incident and later goes off the grid, changing his name and identity to “Jin Kuwana,” and branding himself as a local Yokohama handyman. Feeling guilty about having neglected to intervene in time, Kuwana subsequently plots to go about exacting his idea of justice on all the bullies who pushed their classmates to suicide. He approaches the parents asking if they’d like to get some real justice for their children, and then goes and kidnaps the former bully, and encourages the parent of the bullied child to murder them. The first such murder victim is Shinya Kawai, the one who bullied Mitsuru, and the first such murderer is Reiko Kusumoto, his mother and the Vice Minister of Health in Japan. He continues doing this for five years, amassing seven victims. To do this, Kuwana enlists the criminal accompliceship of Mitsuru’s other former bullies using the video that he recorded as blackmail material, and preserves Kawai’s body on ice to use as further leverage over them. In 2018, Akihiro Ehara sues Seiryo High School over the suicide of his son, Toshiro, who was bullied by Hiro Mikoshiba, a classmate of his. No substantive evidence turns up on account of tampering and obfuscation by the school board, and the perjurious testimony of Yoko Sawa, now a teacher at Seiryo, who is pressured into keeping quiet about the truth. As such, the case is dismissed. In 2021, Kuwana helps Ehara exact revenge on Mikoshiba. Ehara and Kuwana hatch a plot to make a public mockery of the Japanese justice system’s failures, which involves Kuwana posing as Ehara and staging a sexual harassment incident with the help of Yui Mamiya, one of Kuwana’s blackmailed ex-students, in order to furnish Ehara with an alibi for the murder of Mikoshiba. Ehara’s sexual assault case is taken on by defense attorney Saori Shirosaki, and two months later, the court declares Ehara guilty and gives him a six month sentence. As he receives his sentence, Ehara cryptically reveals the identity and location of Mikoshiba’s corpse. Shirosaki finds this suspicious, and contacts Takayuki Yagami, the protagonist of the Judgment games, asking him to sus out what in the heck is going on. Yagami and his colleagues deduce and uncover all this, with their detective skills. There is a conspiracy with a gang, Reiko Kusumoto’s political rivals, and a bunch of other people who they confront, indict, and/or beat up.

Ultimately, Yagami brings the truth about these murders to light, confronts Kuwana and beats him in a fight, and the story ends.

*cough cough cough*

Okay, um, now I don’t have to play along with this fucking Like an Ace Dragon Attorney twisty ass bullshit. I can now talk about the game without recapping the important stuff. That’s great. I think.

So, if you couldn’t tell, Lost Judgment’s plot is a tad unhinged.

Okay so one minor note before we start: Lost Judgment has a little story DLC, called The Kaito Files, which could be very quite good, but it doesn’t look worth fifty (actually thirty) dollars. This video is not about that DLC. If I ever play the DLC, maybe I’ll make a follow-up video. If you think you might want that, back the Patreon, and maybe I’ll do it. Now then…

The first Judgment, developed by Yakuza series creators Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and released in Japan in 2018 and elsewhere in the world in 2019, is a game that I quite enjoyed. It’s a Yakuza game, meaning it has the various trappings of Yakuza games that you might’ve heard about, from the distinctive free roam town slash real time action combat random battle gameplay to the wealth of activities and diversions you can do speckled all about, and also the plot, which is still at its core the sort of wildly implausible thrilling criminal conspiracy that you’ll be used to if you’ve seen any of these games to the credits.

But it’s also a detective-themed game and a sendup of the mystery genre, meaning that its story is structured as a murder mystery, and there’s also some more detective-like flourishes in the gameplay loop, like interrogating witnesses or snooping around for clues. The story is fun, the detective stuff is fun, the game is fun. It’s also, quite notably for our purposes today, reasonably thematically cohesive.

If you’ve played any Ace Attorney game, you’ve seen this game’s basic thematic thrust: the justice system turns out skewed and often unjust results by imperfect people who make mistakes despite the best of intentions, as well as those in power trying to protect their good name, and it’s up to the law-dealing, truth-seeking protagonists to apply the law fairly and bring the truth to light. It’s Ace Attorney through a Yakuza lens, and that’s just a hell of a lot of fun. While there are some clumsily executed minor story beats, and some fumbled talking points, those don’t drag the game down significantly, and it is, nonetheless, a good time.

While I would overall recommend Lost Judgment to RGG veterans and anyone who really liked the first Judgment, I’d say that recommendation comes with reservations, because, oh gosh, that plot. It is much clumsier than the first game’s, much more thematically complicated, and rhetorically baffling. It’s also probably the most messed up scenario I’ve ever encountered in an RGG game, and that’s unfortunately not to its benefit, because the game really isn’t interested in engaging fully with the implications of this plot, and I think that’s pretty disappointing.

But before this story gets into the weeds, we do a cold open on a run-of-the-mill case for Yagami and his colleagues where you do a regular old Yakuza games tutorial, get to meet the characters, the parkour and stealth mechanics that this game introduces, and of course, the cats. This game is full of cats. Then we’re whisked away by the plot to do a first chapter case, where Yagami and Kaito are enlisted to help by their buds up in Yokohama who’ve been contracted to deal with a case of alleged bullying. Obviously the bullying is real, they help stop it, they all pat themselves on the back— and then the chapter ends with Yagami getting that call from friendly lawyer girl Shirosaki.

Before I continue, it’s important to note that the bullying of which this game’s story speaks is very much a real problem that plagues real life Japanese schools, and also that I don’t know shit about it. I am not Japanese, I have never been a student in a Japanese school, and I have no connections to anyone who ever has been. I’m a 24 year old transgender plural lesbian otaku failwoman from the US of A. I wasn’t even a student in any American schools, bar a few specific limited circumstances, as I was homeschooled. As such I’m pretty far removed from the cultural context and life experiences that might make this game’s story ring very differently to a Japanese player, or to anyone who’s been a victim of school bullying. So, I can only authoritatively comment on the topic of school bullying insofar as how much its invocation affected my enjoyment of this video game. In short, do your own research! Or, if you don’t, then just, assume that everything I say is true and don’t fact check any of it.

School bullying in Japan is infamously traumatizing, and often has tragically violent outcomes, the most well-known and oft-discussed of which is suicide. This is often chalked up to a few specific factors, namely the stifling routine and workload of school life, the cultural pressure to achieve harmony and not rock the boat, and school boards who have a vested interest in sweeping potential scandals under the rug.

sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

It’s a pretty serious social issue, to put it mildly, and one that, like all social issues, has naturally come to attract satire. My favorite examples of such satire are the erotic horror visual novel Wonderful Everyday, or Subahibi, and the manga/anime series Sangatsu no Lion (March Comes in Like a Lion in English, but let’s just call it Sangatsu), each of which have a bullying arc.

Subahibi’s bullying arc is oriented as a revenge fantasy where the victims fight back against the bullies, presenting this violent resistance as a necessary and natural outcome of the cruelty of the antagonists and the impotency of the teachers (although, to avoid misrepresenting Subahibi, I should clarify that this subplot is a relatively short section of the game, and there is a lot more going on in it that is far beyond the scope of this video).

Meanwhile, Sangatsu takes a more down-to-earth approach that frankly discusses the nuances of the issue and has everyone involved more peacefully (and probably more realistically) confront the social causes at play. Both these works each focus effectively on one of these two angles, and do them well in their own ways, but Lost Judgment sort of awkwardly marries the realistic social commentary and the revenge plot, to the murder mystery, legal drama, to what I feel results in the detriment of both. Sangatsu and Subahibi, along with numerous other examples, are in my opinion far better at discussing this topic than Lost Judgment- though, once again, it bears reminding that I am saying this as a media critic, and not a sociologist. Do not believe me!

So, anyway, the first chapter of this game is a pretty straightforward case of solving bullying, and I have to say, I don’t really like it. If I had to put it in about a sentence, this opening chapter plot feels like all the parts of Persona 5 that people claimed to like, albeit forced into the framework of a Yakuza game.

If you’re wondering why I think this, well, RGG Studio and Atlus are both divisions of the game development branch of our beloved SEGA, itself a subsidiary of Sega Sammy Holdings, their friendly megacorp pachinko-churning parent company that they merged with in 2003, shortly after discontinuing the Dreamcast and leaving the console market, a thing no one mentions because it obviously didn’t affect anything because everyone still likes the video games! Mostly.

I’d hazard a guess that the different people making these games probably talk to each other. (I’m very certain that there was, at some point, an interview with an RGG developer that said this, but I cannot find this interview anymore (gosh damn, did I try), because advertising has gone on to make search engines worse. Or maybe I dreamed that interview up.) And given how Sega frequently boasts at the end of each fiscal period that their sales figures have been bolstered by both Yakuza and Persona, whose audiences definitely overlap (at least internationally), it only stands to reason that they would think that Yakuza can make some more of that Persona money by borrowing elements from the latter.

Whatever the case may be, this first chapter doesn’t work very well for me.

Firstly, it just makes me feel really uncomfortable, what with how Yagami and company go about placing hidden cameras and listening devices to spy on teenagers, something I find ethically suspect. The story never stops to consider if this is the most correct or appropriate thing to do, because we’re supposed to be on Yagami’s side since we know he’s got a good reason for it! There’s a girl who confronts him about it, Kyoko Amasawa the schoolgirl detective— literally the best character in the game, voiced by Xanthe Huynh, literally the best dub actress, in English. Amasawa is great, it's wonderful to hear Xanthe say such lines as

"This is your Reichenbach Falls Moment!"

But this conversation is just, she thinks Yagami is doing something malicious or perverted, she's wrong, he proves she's wrong, and the game never asks the question of, "okay, but, is it really fine to spy on teenagers even if one does truly have good and pure intentions in doing so?" I don't think it is, so, yeah, this whole plot point just makes me really uneasy. Like, I would not trust any adult with technology designed to invade the private lives of the children under their charge in the name of ensuring their safety. More often than not, that sort of practice is used to rob children of their personal freedoms, a thing that we as a society really like doing to children in the name of protecting them! In general! But that’s a whole other video.

Anyway, that’s ultimately only a minor issue I have with the story, it doesn’t matter that much, and it’s done and over with quickly, so we can ignore it. Mostly. The bigger and more enduring issue is how the story goes about talking about bullying.

There’s two things that this game attributes bullying to, and those two things are hormone fluctuations and the bystander effect. Early on in chapter one, we get this dialogue about the hormones thing:

Tsukumo: Research shows that boys at that age experience a sudden spike in testosterone. This leads to outbursts to assert dominance, compounded by the irrationality of an immature brain. Scientifically, this potent mix of impulses often manifests as bullying. Kaito: Yeah, I call that puberty. Yagami: But that would apply specifically to boys, right? You're getting cases with girls involved too, aren't you? Tsukumo: Ah. With girls it's more likely rooted in oxytocin, a brain hormone that also has links to bullying.

So, I don’t know if this is true, and if so, to what extent. I did try to do some cursory research, but didn’t find any definitive answers. However, I am fairly suspicious of how this dialogue uses the scientific argument of the impact of oxytocin and testosterone on social behaviors to suggest that bullying is basically human nature, and especially in how it genders the two. “Oxytocin and testosterone make girls and boys, respectively, be mean” sounds like a rationale that is at best very reductive and at worst outright pseudo-scientific.

But, let’s just assume for the sake of argument, that it’s true. Alright, well, what about all the other reasons why bullying happens? Like, I don’t know, social and cultural pressures? For example, one character who appears in this game is Akane, y’know, the girl, who is in on the bullying for…

I don’t know why, actually. I don’t really know why any of these kids are bullying Koda. I mean, I do know why, they do tell Yagami what started the bullying, but I feel that that's a thing that's explained to further the plot, rather than a part of the story that is told. I don't have a great sense of what their social dynamic is, or why they all decided to bully Koda together, or, that they have any individuality really, beyond just... "Mean Kids 1 through 4."

But, given that Akane is like, the one girl in this group, I feel like there must be an interesting reason for that. Maybe she’s the leader of this clique who rallied all these guys to her cause, or maybe she joined them because she used to be Koda’s friend but felt like if she didn’t bully Koda with them, she might become a potential target. Maybe there’s some other reason! Maybe there’s other external reasons for all these kids to be bullying this girl. Maybe they just want her money, maybe they have a petty grudge against her, maybe they have an abusive home life, or maybe they’re just stressed and lookin' for someone to take it out on. Maybe it's all of these things between all of these kids. There could be all sorts of issues at play here, and I think it’s a huge missed opportunity that basically all the game has to say about it is:

Kaito: Hormones are f**ked up, huh?

This isn’t a strict requirement for me to enjoy this plot, or find its perspective worthwhile. Like, you don’t need to empathize with antagonists. Sometimes you just want people to be mean so that you can feel good about them getting kicked in the face. That is basically the point of Subahibi’s bullying subplot, particularly the branch where Zakuro and Kimika fight back against Megu and Satoko and their, um, bullying friends—

Kimika: Looking at it from afar, I had to think... why should the person who's suffering die while they get to go on with their lives like nothing happened? I couldn't stand it. If it's so bad that I would kill myself, I might as well kill them instead... that's the conclusion I came to.

(they do A LOT WORSE than bullying in the other branch. I can’t show you, it’s YouTube illegal and kinda disgusting)

I think that plot works precisely because it doesn’t justify the actions of their bullies. It doesn’t say that they’ve got the bullying hormones, it doesn’t try to make them sympathetic in any way, they’re just a bunch of mean bitches and we’re supposed to be happy when Kimika fights back against them. Similarly, in Lost Judgment, if they wanted to make these characters just mean, they could’ve just not said anything about the hormones! They could’ve just said these people are bullies, and left it at that! I mean, the Yakuza games up till this point have been doing just fine letting you kick random gangbangers in the face without telling you they’ve got the criminal hormones, and that was fun and we all had a good time!

But, because this game doesn’t go into any further detail about why bullies are bullies, it comes off pretty much like that. These kids have the bullying hormone. Is that their fault? I don’t know, but they’re pulling a knife on Yagami, so it’s fine to beat them up, I guess. The story does come back around to make the bullies sympathetic, when they decide to stop being bullies, apologize to Koda, and help Yagami, and that’s nice and cool and everything, and something that can also work without the hormones thing— like, for example, how it works in Sangatsu! Hinata’s bullies apologize, there’s a mutually amicable and peaceful resolution, and the story discusses and sympathizes with the broader social circumstances that pushed them to bullying, without condoning or excusing their actions. Like, maybe teenagers are just dumbasses who don’t always foresee their actions having consequences, or are afraid to change even if they do, and most people are just trying to do good at heart and will come around when they realize that their bad actions have negative consequences. I don’t know. It’s just a thought that there is!

Anyway, the story hasn’t got anything to say about the social conditions that might have led these kids to start bullying. It does, however, have a bit to say about the conditions that lead others to allow bullying to continue, and in this, the bystander syndrome is cited.

And this isn’t wrong! Although, I feel they don’t adequately address the potential social causes of this phenomenon. Like, for example, the cultural pressures to not do anything when you, y’know, have a life, and standing up to bullies might get you in actual trouble beyond just being embarrassed. Everyone we’ve talked to who’s either stood up to bullies in their time, or known someone who has, has spoken of being met with discipline or even expulsion even though they were the ones being aggressed. And in other contexts, standing up and speaking when you see a wrong being done could be met with violence or losing employment or legal repercussions or what have you.

So, it goes beyond simple embarrassment, to say the least. We could probably, as a society, I imagine, be doing more to encourage people to not ignore injustices beyond just appealing to their moral sense. But that’s, also, a different video. Overall, I feel like this entire plot ignores the bulk of the actual systemic problems at play in favor of armchair psychology, which, hey, I guess I’m doing armchair sociology about a social issue that, while obviously not unheard of in my country, is very different from how it is in Japan. So it’s not as if I’m not guilty of talking shit about something I know nothing about.

Ultimately, this first chapter is just, like. Fine. It has a weird bit with spying on teenagers. It has a cheesy feel-good Hallmark Channel drama ending. There’s not much of a message to take from it, besides “well, it sure is good to stand up for others” which is very true, but also a rather shallow moral. With regards to how much it seems to borrow from Persona 5, I’d say that Persona 5 was at least very specific in explaining the social ills at play, how it affected the teachers, the students, the parents, the concrete reasons why it's easier for all these groups to stand by and do nothing, and was by no means above naming and shaming the individuals in power responsible for allowing the crimes to proceed. Sure, it goes about it in a very straightforward and teenage manner, without offering much more meaningful systemic analysis to speak of, but it does do it!

Conversely, Lost Judgment acknowledges the systemic issues: the students and their clique behaviors, the teachers who turn a blind eye at best and actively contribute to the bullying at worst, the school boards who try to hush up potential scandals, and makes someone stop in the middle of grieving to say DID YOU KNOW THAT IN OUR COUNTRY THIS HAPPENS THIS OFTEN,

Sawa: In Japan, 300 children commit suicide every year, across all grades. Less than three percent are proven to be linked to bullying.

But while it points all of this out, it doesn’t analyze any of it beyond the most superficial of observations, and it certainly doesn’t take anyone to task. The tone it takes with all of that is more like, “well, who can blame them? Folks gotta keep their jobs.” It feels like it just doesn’t have the guts to blame anyone in specific, besides just “the system” and “human nature”, both things that are hard to get mad at, because, those things are the way they are! It doesn’t really have much of anything to say about why they are the way they are, or suggest those things could be changed, and thus no coherent solution is presented, besides encouraging individuals to lean into their better senses and just sorta going, “well, hopefully good people will make the system good.” …Which I suppose is, the same, thing that Persona 5 does… but… anyway… um, Sangatsu also does this part better

added interlude

Hi, editing Audrey here, and um. There’s one other probably sorta really significant critical difference I forgot to mention, and it’s that Lost Judgment’s plot focuses on the perspectives of adults.

Subahibi, Sangatsu, and Persona, in all their various plots about bullying and harassment, focus on the perspectives of victims. That is to say, the kids who are affected.

And, in what I originally wrote for this video, I spent a lot of time discussing how Lost Judgment is missing the perspective of the bullies, which it is, but I overlooked the perhaps even greater and more damning sidelining of the perspectives of the bullying victims. Like, we have Koda, who does get to say a small piece about how she just sorta put up with the bullying and then Yagami and company helped her realize how bad she had it, but then just talks about how she wants to play basketball, which is not something we care about, and then... is never really ever relevant, ever, again. Then we have Toshiro... who is already dead, and Mitsuru... who is also already dead (in a coma). And then we have seven other unknown bullying victims... five? Right. Yeah, five other unknown bullying victims... who Kuwana at some point took revenge for.

They're already dead!

And their voices are just not relevant, to the story, at all. Instead the story chooses to prioritize the voices of the people who, let’s not mince words, weren’t there for the kids when they should have been.

Not to say that the feelings of the teachers and parents aren’t worthwhile perspectives to include, but it does kind of brush aside their part of the fault for ignoring the bullying in the first place, and also doesn’t deign to inquire how the victims would feel, about an ex-teacher inciting their parents to Murderous Violent on their behalf. Unlike in Subahibi, where, the revenge is exacted by the actual victims of the bullying in direct self-defense against their immediate aggressors and then they stop once the bullies back off, in Lost Judgment it’s done long after the fact, by people who weren’t even the primary victims, and who really bear a lot more fault for not helping when they should have, and… really, that line of thinking puts this story in a really, really dark light.

Anyway I’m gonna just, stop now

end interlude

I appreciate the earnestness of this arc, the hopeful note that this concludes on. I think that the confidence and strength of this writing elevates this ending scene to the point where I at least don’t find it outwardly cringe. But overall, I genuinely just do not think that the Yakuza formula is equipped to deal with this kind of nuanced social issue where there’s specific problems and sides. We’ve seen this kind of fumbling before, in Yakuza 7 with illegal immigrants and sex work, in Yakuza 5 with idols, and now here, with bullying. The writers of these games seem to like gesturing at these sorts of things, and making a few genuinely salient statements, but ultimately their attempts to comment on these issues don’t work when they have to be crowbarred into the fantastic conspiracy plot in this manner. They just don’t have the sensitivity or sense or interest to write this sensibly with an eye towards actually acknowledging what the real issues and their causes are.

The events of the first chapter are relatively segregated from the main story, almost making it so that we’ve now had to play two prologues, and I’d imagine that it’s almost representative of this game trying to tell two completely different stories; the bullying drama, and the conspiracy drama, and the former doesn’t really get a chance to play out to its fullest and best, because it’s forcibly truncated by the game’s need to move onto the latter. Which I guess we may as well start doing ourselves, because gosh I’ve said entirely too much about this game’s first few hours. I hope y’all are prepared for me to list off everything that I do not like about this game that I do not like! Or, don’t like as much as I want to, at least. Maybe we’ll talk about that.

I think the role of Yoko Sawa, the teacher, in this game’s plot, is casually sexist to an exhausting degree. Big surprise, right? This is an RGG game, after all. Well, yeah, but more so than usual.

Sawa first meets Yagami when he's investigating Koda's bullying, and then gets to see a lot more of him when he keeps showing up at the school to investigate the main case. All throughout, she’s constantly telling Yagami to please stop talking to her.

I get that Yagami is a private detective and all, and he cares a fair bit more about solving this case and finding the truth than people liking him. He’s not a stalker or a criminal, he is a lawyer and he does to a point care about the law, but he’s also not the most straight-laced of characters, either, and he is willing to and does break a little law to achieve his goals, sometimes. To a certain point with him, the end justifies the means, so it makes logical sense that he would keep trying to get to Sawa-sensei, despite being told to fuck off, because Sawa-sensei is so frequently a lynchpin of the case. And, y’know, he does this with everyone! Yagami sure does do a lot of pressuring people into letting him interrogate them! So it’s not, like, out of character or anything.

With all that said— it really gets to me that Sawa is the person who Yagami ends up interrogating the most frequently, and thus the one who tells him to fuck off the most. At first, because she really doesn’t want to talk to him, and later because even though she’d maybe like to talk to him, she fears for her safety. And I’m just kind of like… okay… plot… why must Yagami go bother this poor woman again. She’s been through enough. Gosh.

It super doesn’t help that one of the first things said about Sawa is that she’s hot? Like, Kaito says that she's hot, makes a pass at her, and Yagami’s like, “bro shut up” but, oh boy, they really wanted you to know she’s hot. And unlike Kiryu, who is a remarkably sexless protagonist throughout most of the series, Yagami fucks. Or seems to anyway. So that first impression of being told that this woman is hot, gives an entirely different texture to these later meetings with Yagami, where he, y’know, a guy, is repeatedly showing up like “hey please talk to me” and she, a woman, is like, “uh, no.” Oh boy, I love gender~

Yagami: I think you have the key to that answer, even if you don't know that you're the one holding it. It's like a lock. And until I figure out how to get through it, I'm going to keep picking at it. Sawa: I told you. I'm late for a meeting. Yagami: I'll be here when you get back. Have a good meeting.

And then Sawa dies!

It’s a pointless, cruel, and meaningless death committed by a gang boss to send a message. And that’s the point of it, yeah. It’s a death of an innocent to raise the stakes and show the villains mean business and all. I get it. I also fucking hate it. Like, it’s obviously fridging, yeah, but y’know, I’ve seen fridging. What I’ve also seen is a pretty recurring trope in the Yakuza formula, where RGG Studio just needs to kill off a woman to advance their plot. And that wouldn’t be such a bad thing, if not for the fact that women aren’t allowed to do anything cool or interesting in these games! I could make a video talking about that. I did make a video talking about that, and I got rid of it because it was bad.

Anyway. This worked better in Yakuza 4, 5, and 6, because at least there, the dead women had, y’know, relationships with the relevant playable characters that I found believable and credible and were built up enough to make it hit hard when they get killed off. And 6 gets points for revealing that the woman being killed off was a fakeout, and she's fine, because the goon that was supposed to kill her had a conscience, that's funny~

But like, Yasuko, in 4, for example! Or Lily. Whatever. Yasuko gets killed off in a similar way for a similar purpose, but it kinda worked there because they at least gave us reasons to care. Yasuko gets to move the plot and have some interactions with Akiyama, Saejima, Kiryu, and Tanimura. It feels justified when they all pray together at her wake. And, like, Akiyama has a thing for Yasuko, but it fits his character and he’s not weird about it, and it seems like Yasuko might reciprocate if not for the criminal underworld at her back, so, yeah. It’s still not great, and it’s kind of egregiously uncomfortable that Yasuko isn’t actually physically shown doing any of the interesting things she’s said to have done that got the yakuza after her, before she dies. Still, it makes sense. It’s, y’know, good, so long as you accept the fridge and its chilly embrace.

Sawa and Yagami in Lost Judgment don’t have this factor for me. When Yagami later continuously brings her up, saying that the killing of bullies needs to stop lest more innocents come into the crossfire, I can’t help but think “bro. you didn’t know her. she kept telling you to go away. why are you being weird about this woman you didn’t have a relationship with. she wasn’t going to fuck you!”

*laughs* yeah. Yeah, okay, I realize this isn’t funny. But like, that’s all I can really think! I know that’s not textually why he was talking to her, but it really does feel like that! I don’t know, it just feels like that! I do not like it!

So, yeah, that’s that thing. Another thing that’s stupid about this game! Y’know how earlier I mentioned that the antagonists stage a groping to fabricate a murder alibi? Yeah, that’s a twist. We go through a huge chunk of this game thinking that Ehara, an ex-cop, harassed some poor woman on a train. Then it turns out that the sexual harassment was fake. That the woman who was supposedly victimized was in fact in on it. I don't have another word for it. That's just stupid!

They could’ve salvaged that if, perhaps, they’d wanted to explore how Yui Mamiya was victimized in the course of being forced to play a part in a murder alibi. Then maybe they could’ve swung it, made the throughline about her being victimized, like, cohesive, somehow. But they don’t do that, and in fact, Mamiya just kinda, does nothing, for most of the rest of the game, after the fakeness of her sexual harassment is exposed. She tells them about the conspiracy and its motive, and how they staged the incident, and that’s kind of it. It’s kinda made way worse by that before they find out, Saori and Yagami go to interrogate Mamiya about the supposed harassment, and Saori mostly says a bunch of platitudes about how good it is that she came forward.

Saori: No, what you did was both brave and inspirational. Many victims are afraid to come forward for any number of reasons. Your voice might give them courage to find their own.

“You’re such an inspiration! -oh, you were faking it, to cover up a murder.” This just feels deeply ill-advised, and, I imagine, like this particular game really wanted to work sexual assault into its plot to feel like it’s tuned into the zeitgeist, to make that Persona money, again. But Lost Judgment has nothing to say about the topic of sexual assault. It’s simply a prop in the murder mystery. This plot twist could’ve worked just as well with anything; Ehara and Kuwana could’ve faked any number of petty crimes to furnish him with an alibi, like, mugging, or shoplifting, or vandalism, or pulling a knife, or whatever else, and the writers chose this one.

And, adding to the absurdity of this plot twist is that Ehara is said to have been a cop, which, is never really relevant besides explaining away why he got such a slap on the wrist for the sexual harassment charge. But that's just hilarious, also, that the story exchanged "cop sexually assaults woman on train," a curiously specific and highly plausible chain of events, for "woman faked sexual assault to help cover up a murder," which is, of course, far less likely.

I’ve got a funny anecdote about this one, actually. In the mystery solving dialogue where Yagami draws this conclusion, you’re asked to select it from a dialogue wheel, and I looked at that and was like, “no. no. no. fuck noooo” and selected every other option. A friend of ours, who watched us play most of this game, commented that the various dialogues about the wrong answers made it feel like Yagami really didn’t want that to be the answer, to which I said, “yeah, I don’t want that to be the answer either!”

Another thing that bothers me about this part is that, when Yagami and company deduce that Mamiya is an accomplice, they also deduce the thing with Kuwana using the bullying footage to blackmail her. When they learn of this particular means by which Mamiya was victimized, they… use the bullying footage to blackmail her. This in itself wouldn’t be a bad thing, if it didn’t feel like the game twisting the knife on that they really don’t care how she’s been victimized.

I can’t help but feel a little sorry for Yui Mamiya, overall. This reads like an absolute nightmare scenario to me. You were mean to some other kids in high school, like a lot of kids are. Maybe you were pressured into the bullying, maybe you had a difficult life, maybe your parents abused or neglected you, maybe whatever. Your actions have some unforeseen negative consequences, but you get on with your life because you can’t let that guilt destroy you, and then almost a decade later, long after you’ve moved on, your old teacher shows up at your doorstep and blackmails you into becoming an accessory to murder.

There’s a lot of people in the past who we were mean to as a kid, as a teen, even, once or a time another, when we didn’t yet know any better, and like, the thought of something from that long ago, coming back to bite us? Someone showing up at our door to say they hate us for that, let alone trying to blackmail us over it? That’s fucking terrifying.

And the fact that the game doesn’t consider this entire plot development through the lens of Mamiya being a victim, and being retraumatized by Yagami making her go through this all over again, it’s… it feels like a pretty big narrative oversight.

The same can be said for her other classmates, as well, who are also being blackmailed by Kuwana in the same way, and similarly thrown under the bus by the story, albeit without the sexual assault thing. But, they have much less screen time than Mamiya— and they're all guys, so I naturally have less to say about them.

It just bugs me, in general, that like, the story never questions the notion that these people deserve some kind of comeuppance for bullying a child to suicide over a decade ago. Is encouraging a suicide tantamount to murder? Especially when the ones doing it are a bunch of teenage dumbasses? I don’t have any definitive answer to that question. Your own opinion will depends on your sense of ethics and perspective on the issues of bullying and suicide, and those could be radically different from mine. Legally, it’s a very muddled question that would be answered very differently in different courts at different times with different case contexts.

source: [7]

But personally, if I had to draw a line, I would say, no, bullying someone to suicide isn’t tantamount to murder. And the reason why is because, I think, if we were to say that that was the case, then where does that stop? How do we measure what actions caused someone’s suicide, and whomst of the actors are more guilty than others? Is the teacher responsible for their death, not having noticed or taken action on the bullying? Are the students who stood by and did nothing responsible? Does being a bit mean to someone who later kills themselves mean that you might’ve pushed them over the edge and could therefore be culpable? Or are we to say, no, none of that makes you guilty, and take the other extreme position, being that no one can be guilty of causing their suicide unless they physically coerced the victim to jump off of the roof? But even in that case, how do we decide that they really meant it?

I genuinely do not know, but I would say at some point after enough time has passed, it’s really not worth punishing anyone. I don’t know if y’all’ve noticed, but I consider myself pretty left-wing, and as a necessary result of that, I don’t particularly believe in punitive justice. I don’t think people should be sentenced to death, and I don’t think people should go to prison. This isn’t to say that I think that someone who bullied a child to suicide is blameless, or that they should face no consequences, but unfortunately our society isn’t particularly equipped to deal with this kind of thing in a healthy way, that would actually be meaningfully reparative. All that the system, and thus most people, can conceive of, is punishing individual wrongdoers.

Sugiura: “well, all you kids tormenting mitsuru looked pretty psychopathic to me” Mamiya: “oh, and YOU’RE so perfect? an angel who never once acted out of line? Never lashed out at someone weaker than you? Or sided with the group to shut someone out? Everyone does it! We were just ‘lucky’ enough to have some creep tape us picking on some kid who couldn’t take it! Why did this have to happen to me…?” Yagami: “I’d say it’s because bad things happen to bad people.”

At this point during my initial playthrough, I paused the cutscene, and let out a beleaguered and tired sigh.

Mamiya is obviously being a little hysterical and all, but like… she has a point. She isn’t wrong. As much as she and her friends did to hurt Mitsuru as teenagers, the chain of events she describes sounds horribly traumatic in itself. Her teacher, lying in wait with the evidence of bullying for nearly a decade, so that he could come around and hold that over her head. That’s legitimately fucked up. Did she deserve this? Does this fix anything? Sure, it doesn’t seem like she or any of the others particularly regret their actions, but even still— Is it worthwhile to punish her for the rest of her life for this, especially so long after the fact?

But the story just dismisses all of those questions with that line. Of course she deserves to get punished. She’s a bad person. And that’s it. The issue that the story ultimately takes is with Kuwana’s methods of blackmail and serial murder, and even then, it doesn’t say that it’s because it’s not effective, but rather because it’s outside of the justice system.

And that’s, y’know, kind of expected, given that this video game is, in part, a murder mystery pastiche, particularly of Ace Attorney. A game series that I like, despite the fact that every episode of that series necessarily ends with the true murderer being exposed in court, arrested, and sent to prison. Things that I necessarily do not agree with, because I disagree with the existence and function of the institutions of the courts, the police, and the prisons, but hey, you get what you sign up for when you wanna have a good time with the detective-lawyer game about exposing the real murderer and sending them to prison.

[https://twitter.com/headfallsoff/status/1051484419251425280]

That Lost Judgment goes so far as to say, whether deliberately or by oversight, that someone is still guilty of something they did thirteen years ago as a dumbass teen who wasn’t mature enough to foresee the consequences of their actions… it bugs me. So.

Anyway, the other thing I have to criticize, is just, Kuwana, or more specifically, the plan he has.

I just think it’s stupid. Both in the sense that obviously it doesn’t actually do anything to stop bullying, and also I don’t think I see what it actually illustrates about, y’know, the thing the game purports to be about. It’s not really bad exactly, I mean, obviously this game was going to revolve around catching a murderer, and Kuwana, sure is a murderer, or murder instigator if you wanna be technical, and he sure is a villain in this pulpy murder mystery conspiracy story.

I just don’t get why that story needed to be about bullying. I don’t get why it needed to be about sexual assault. It isn’t really about bullying or sexual assault, it just uses those topics as props in the murder mystery. By the time we find out what Kuwana’s motive is, the game has stopped being about bullying since about, like, between 15 and 30 hours ago, and it just feels, meh. For all the reasons I’ve kind of already said. I do kind of like how Kuwana is sort of positioned by the story as something of an anti-hero, and got hella charisma, I wanna like him. Given that I think both sides are wrong here, it’s. Y’know.

From then on the stuff that happens is just, yeah, conspiracy, fights, and then exposing the truth in court, and all of that’s entertaining and everything. All the normal things that I come to Yakuza games for. I mean, I also come to them for the thematically rich narrative wrapped around this hokey action crime plot, and that feels pretty thin in this game.

Again and again over the course of its 40 odd hour runtime, Lost Judgment loses the plot. Or rather, gives ultimate precedence to its plot, at great expense to its themes. All of the remotely worthwhile or interesting ideas that it hits on aren’t developed, all just kinda fall by the wayside in favor of these three rather trite, formulaic talking points: That the law isn’t perfect but people need to try their best to do the best they can with the system anyway, that vengeance is hollow, and that you should stand up for others. And, that’s what there was to take away from the first Judgment. And in that game, it was fine, because that story was mostly just a fun time and didn’t exhibit any significant aspirations to say anything else. It might have been fine in Lost Judgment, too, if not for that this story’s subject matter felt like it wanted something else. Something more specific and nuanced. But instead, its purported themes are left feeling like interchangeable plot devices, the fun core of this murder mystery muddled by the question of

“why? and what was the point?”

I mean obviously the point was for people to buy the game, but, other than that… who knows. who can say.

So, all the stuff I said is, genuinely, what I figure I probably believe. Probably. But, it bears clarifying, I still like this game. It wasn’t trying, necessarily, to be super deep or thought provoking or politically accurate. I’m sure the creators see it as a nice bonus if it’s seen as such, but its ultimate goal is to, y’know, be a game that’s fun to play with a story that’s fun. And I think it is! I think there’s a lot of things in it that are fun and good. There’s honestly too much that’s interesting and good about the optional content of this game, which, is the case with every Yakuza game, but that’d require a whole entire separate video, and, maybe we’ll make that video. I don’t know.

I don’t think borrowing from Persona is necessarily a bad thing. In fact, I think there’s a hell of a lot of potential for good in doing that! Like, Persona’s appeal, to a lot of people, is the exaggerated school life mystery thing, but it’s somewhat stymied by its need to be an SMT game, because it is. I’ve heard a lot of people say that they really don’t like how Persona 5 ends with them fighting the huge anime god, because that’s just such an absurd and nonsensical escalation of a plot that starts really serious and realistic.

The Yakuza games are very similar in structure to a JRPG like SMT or Persona, but their “huge anime god” is just “a regular guy who’s in charge of the conspiracy,” and that’s also an absurd power fantasy and all, but it’s a more realistic one that makes more sense with that kind of story. Y’know, if they want to focus on a high school setting again, maybe have a teenage delinquent as a protagonist— which, I guess they already sorta did in Kurohyou, but, y’know, if they wanna do that again. That could be cool.

So! Yeah! Lost Judgment's not totally wasted time just cause its main story is kinda weird and bad. It's at least hella interesting. And, with that, I want to talk about another way we could possibly look at the main story.

About two thirds or so of the way through the story, Yagami gets an audience with Reiko Kusumoto, the mother of Mitsuru, the bullied child whose suicide attempt started Kuwana’s murder instigation spree. She tells Yagami about the events that led up to her murder of Shinya Kawai, how he didn’t even recognize her or seem to regret anything he’d done, and that pushed her to kill him, a thing she states that she doesn’t regret in the slightest. And I wondered,

… shouldn’t she regret that?

I mean, basically, all the stuff I’ve already said. I’m not sure if this situation warrants murder, or furthermore, if it’s really realistic or interesting to depict the parent of a victim as desiring revenge like this. There’s a significant contingent of friends and families of murder victims whose murderers have been placed on death row who advocate against the death penalty, so I don’t figure it’s unthinkable to suppose maybe some parents of children who died to suicide don’t actually want revenge on the people who pushed them there. And maybe the story could’ve acknowledged that possibility, and that might’ve been something, but also, maybe that wouldn’t have gelled with what it was trying to do.

If someone is placed on death row for murder, the feelings of the victim’s families don’t matter. They can say they would rather not see the murderer killed, and the state will still execute them anyway. So, aren’t they, kind of, in the same position? Where they don’t get to have any meaningful hand in deciding what justice would be, and the state holds a legal monopoly on exacting violence, and choosing when and where it’s appropriate to do so?

I mean, I, as some sort of dumbass anarchist, would say the state is pretty definitionally illegitimate, and that the monopoly on violence they hold over the populace is unjust. As a general rule, I don’t like violence, but I’m also not a pacifist, and I’d say sometimes that violence is maybe necessary… although in a case such as what’s depicted in the game, I’d say that death is a pretty unjustified response, but.

Is that something that matters to the families of the bullying victims? I don’t really know what it’s like to lose someone close to you to suicide. I especially don’t know what it’s like to lose a family member to suicide as a result of bullying this cruel. So, maybe some people who have experienced that would feel that that is justified, or at least fantasize about this sort of revenge. I mean, even despite my stated politics (you can correctly guess I oppose the death penalty), I can’t claim like I’ve never had thoughts like this. Statistically speaking, most people do!

I may not know people who’ve endured bullying specifically in Japan, but I do know people who’ve been bullied. Some of those people know, or knew, others who attempted suicide as a result of bullying and negligence by the school they went to. Some of those people, actually, a lot of those people, scratch that, all of those people, are queer. (Almost everyone in our social circle is queer.) If they’re angry at, and feel vengeful towards, those who’ve bullied them, or their friends, or just people who bully others to the point of suicide in general, then I don’t think I’ve got any right to criticize them for that. I believe their anger is justified, and I don’t think I’d be able to fairly criticize them for acting on that, or, thinking about acting on that.

And if nothing else, this story definitely does focus a lot of attention on the grief and anger that these game’s antagonists feel, and it cares a lot about portraying that effectively. It might be that this game is actually a really emotionally potent picture of that anger that resonates really well with people who’ve been in that situation and felt that way, and I’m just not one of those people.

So maybe in that sense, Lost Judgment is in its own way an emotionally honest depiction of how bullying in Japanese schools affects people that couldn't come from something more considered and careful in how it discusses these issues. And maybe that’s good. And I just don’t see it.

But my eyes aren’t the only ones.

Thanks for watching this, this was really hard to write, but, I guess I did it, so, yeah. I’d appreciate getting thrown a few dollars on patreon or ko-fi. And also subscribe or like or whatever, share the video to whatever social media platform you use. Anyway, the important names are:

Patreon credits: Ada. Just Ada - Anime Omelette - ASabitsukiFlow - Azu - ColorfulCast - dameDiadora - deeso - Duskpixie - Elvenoob - Emma R - Femboy Bebop - Good Civilization - Gwen Starlight - hev - Kaylee Smerbeck - Korin - L Tantivy - LaLaLacuna - Lilly - M - Mira Yeuden - Nik Gothic - Pigeon - Roger C Walker - RukaCollie - Sally - Saoirse Russell - Scimitar - SimplyAero - SleepySlug - Spiderrebelnews - Thijs - Trucy - Vile Lasagna

Aaaand bye.

#lost judgment #judgment #video essay #going to make this 'public' tomorrow morning #but in the meantime #it is unlisted #and I will just reblog it later #yakuza #ryu ga gotoku

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kbtbb-soryu · 2 years

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Queen of Ice [Ryota x OC] Chapter 7

I took a shower and sat myself down for our daily tutoring session. He’d done so much for me over the last few weeks. The least I could do was to pass that test and prove that our hard work meant something.

“We’re dealing with probability today,” he said.

“I bombed my probability test last year…” I got thirty for that test.

“You don’t just naturally come to like the things you hate.”

“Lecture-time, I see,” I retorted.

“I’m a teacher; lectures are my profession.”

I heaved an exaggerated sigh and waved a hand. “Fire away.”

“We must find tools in order to love that which we hate. For example, foods you dislike… You develop tricks to eat them, right?”

“I guess…”

“It’s the same principle.”

“Go on.” I nodded.

“For example, you’re dealing with probability… So associate something you like with it. Here we go: if you can get the problem right within the time limit, you can have yourself a chocolate puff. Treat yourself; that always works.”

I grimaced. “That sounds more like a punishment than a reward.” I made a show of shivering.

“Then treat yourself to whatever you like.”

“Is that what you used to do?” I asked as I took a sip of my second coffee for the night.

“If I could get all the problems right, I’d buy as much candy as I could at the store. That worked like a charm.”

“Sooo… what, after doing math you’d stuff yourself full of sugar and vomit all over your homework?” That would sure as hell happen to me if I did that.

Mr Mochizuki laughed. “Gross. Sure, I felt sick, but was I ever motivated. Is that a tempting offer?”

“Oh, sure,” I dragged the word out, “Cause I’d love to be sick to my stomach stuffed on sugar.” So this was how Mr Mochizuki studied. “I kind of assumed you were a natural born studier.”

“No way. It’s rare to find a student who actually enjoys studying.”

I leaned back on my palms. “To think of you as a normal student once upon a time…”

“What’d you think I was? I wasn’t so obsessed with math that I couldn’t get enough of it. But here I am, a math teacher. It’s all about your method.”

“Well, I’m willing to do anything to get over my hatred for math.”

“What’ll be your treat to yourself, Haruka?” he asked. I didn’t believe in an external locus of control. But since he asked, I might as well take advantage of the situation.

“There’s a firework show coming up. I’d like to see it with you.”

“Fireworks, huh?” That sounded like the beginning of a rejection. “Alright. You’ve got a deal.”

“Wait, seriously?”

“On one condition. We watch them from my place. You can see them pretty well from here, actually. If you get into that medical course, then we’ll watch them together. What d’you say?”

“Deal. I’m going to get into that course. Watch me.” I smiled confidently.

I was tired; dead tired. Between school, work, tutoring and everything else that had been going on, I didn’t get much sleep. One Saturday, it was past eleven and Mr Mochizuki was still not up. I knocked on Mr Mochizuki’s door, but no answer came. I knocked again, louder this time. Was he ill or something. I knocked again. Deciding not to waste any more time, I went inside. My eyebrow twitched at the mess in front of me.

I was met with piles of books and DVDs littering the floor. This was what his room looked like? It was a dump and enough to give my dad an aneurism if he ever saw this place. The last time I was in his room was the first morning I spent here and I didn’t take a look around. Mainly because I was focused and him being muscled and shirtless. I shook the image from my head.

“The final lap…” I saw him staring at his TV, game controller in hand. He had that crazy bedhead of his, but his look was new and improved with glasses. I looked at the TV. From the looks of it, he’d been occupied with playing a racing game. “Oh you son of a… Damn this guy’s tough. First place again. But if I can drift around this last corner, I’ll be able to shave off two seconds.” His eyes twitched back and forth between the race and the on-screen timer.

“Mr Mochizuki!” I shouted, causing him to startle, but he finally looked my way.

“What’re you doing in my room?” he asked.

“I’ve been pounding on your door for almost half an hour. I thought you were dead.” I crossed my arms.

“You did? Didn’t notice at all,” he said.

“Just how tuned out were you?” I asked.

“You’ve, um, seen my room, then?” he asked.

“Uh-huh.”

He took a shameful look around his room and released an uncharacteristic sigh. “You’re getting a firsthand look at all my faults.” I didn’t reply. “Don’t tell any of your friends, got it? Class’d fall into anarchy if they knew I was slob at home.” He tossed the controller onto the seat next to him, shoulders slumped.

“It’s not the end of the world,” I said.

“A student seeing their teacher be unprofessional? Trust me. It’s the end of the world.”

I sighed exasperatedly. “You’re blowing this completely out of proportion. It’s weirder if you acted like a teacher in your own home.”

“Huh?” he blurted out, apparently thrown by my comment.

“Everyone has their ‘off’ time. Conversely, we all have our ‘on’ time. This is your home. You should be able to let your hair down here. I won’t tell anyone about what I see here, so just, you know, be yourself.”

“You…” It almost looked like he was about to say something, but his mouth suddenly closed tight.

“You should probably clean your room, though.” The stacks of DVDs and books I first saw were merely the tip of this trash iceberg. Heaps of all sorts of junk were scattered across the room. “I mean, it’s your room, whatever… But these stacks look like they’re about to fall over. Some rearranging here and there would probably keep you from being buried alive.”

“No, they’re not gonna fall anytime soon – I’ve balanced my stacks just perfectly.” I raised an eyebrow. “But you may have a point. This place could do with some TLC. Let’s do this, then. Whoever loses a race gets to clean my room.”

“That sounds like it’s in your favour more than mine.”

“But if you win, I’ll make you anything you want for dinner tonight.”

“Alright.” I sat down next to him and took the controller he held out to me. “The graphics are really good.”

“Makes you feel like you’re right there, in the middle of it all, huh? Let’s start.” We gripped our controllers tightly and the battle began. It was over pretty fast.

“You beat me by a whole lap!” My head snapped to him. “You weren’t pulling your punches at all.”

“Oh trust me, I was.”

I wasn’t convinced, especially not after seeing him belly laugh like he did. “I don’t buy it. You were out to destroy me from the get-go.”

“Trust me, if I’d been going all out, you would’ve known.” I raised an eyebrow. “Does it matter? I won, you lost. Now clean my room. Make it sparkle.”

“You could barely handle the idea of me making you lunch. Now you want me to clean your room?”

He scratched ruefully at his neck. “You’ve already seen some of my worst sides, so there’s no point in trying to act cool anymore, right? Besides, I know you can keep a secret with the best of them.”

I smiled wryly. “I seem to be keeping a lot of your secrets.”

“Look, I can cook, but I can’t clean worth a damn. It’s just plain smart to ask others to help do what you can’t.”

I looked up at him, my face serious. “There’s no logic in that.”

“Look at you, comedy queen.”

“It’s hard to tell when you’re being sarcastic or not.” I’d never seen him without his ‘teacher’ guard up. It was kind of fun seeing him like this.

Without even fixing his messy hair, he made for the kitchen and made us breakfast.

“Okay, chop chop. Get to cleaning.”

After breakfast, we were back in his room and he was ordering me around.

“You’re going to lie in bed reading while I clean? You’re some kind of sick freak.”

“Hey. Remember this ‘sick freak’ made you lunch, lest we forget?”

“I didn’t realise you hated cleaning this much.”

“Hate is a strong word. It’s more like… I’m the type of person who can’t quit until the job’s absolutely perfect.”

“Then clean your room until it’s ‘absolutely perfect’.”

“Hm? What was that? Couldn’t hear you.” I rolled my eyes and got to work. Some perfectionist. Perfectionists didn’t leave their rooms looking like a children’s playroom.

I divided things into categories. The amount of games he had was staggering. He had more of them lying around than movies. I picked up a case, examining it to see in which pile it should go.

“Bouncy Bikini Boob Time?” I read the label and looked at him. “Seriously?”

His hand plucked it out of mine. “A friend left that here.”

“Better hurry and give it back to your ‘friend’ then.” I gave him a smirk that said I didn’t believe a word he was saying.

“I know, I know… But it’s such a pain to go down to the post office and sent it…”

“I would pay actual money to see you walk into the post office with this in hand.” I crossed my arms.

“Alright, that’s enough commentary from the peanut gallery. Back to cleaning!”

“How about a little help instead of bossing me around? This is your room, you know.”

“Fine.” Afraid of me finding any more ‘dirty’ secrets, he shuffled over.

“I’m putting the books on the bookshelf,” I said as I gathered several books lying on the floor.

“Go ahead.” As I put them back onto the shelf, I noticed one of them standing out. Mr Mochizuki’s middle school graduation essay. I opened it and found the page Mr Mochizuki wrote. I turned to him.

“I didn’t know you wanted to be a soccer player.”

“Huh? What the heck are you doing, looking at that!”

“This is the price you pay for a clean room. So? You didn’t want to be a teacher when you were in high school?”

“Yeah, well… It was a weird time in my life. I gave up on that dream,” he murmured, his eyes taking on a faraway look. I watched him for a moment until he noticed and smiled wryly. “Now I’ve got a new dream: to help all my students achieve their dreams. So you getting what you want will, by extension, give me what I want. Hear that? I’m counting on you to make my dreams come true.” His voice sounded determined, but I was pretty sure he was dodging the topic of his original dream.

After cleaning his room, I left for my afternoon shift at the cafe.

I sat on the sofa later that night. “Hey, so… Why did you give up on your dream of playing soccer?” My question received a chilly silence. Life drained from his eyes. He blinked, gaze frosting over.

“I forgot,” he said. I cocked my head to the side. “Students shouldn’t pry into their teachers’ private lives.” An iciness I’d almost forgotten settled over me. My blood ran cold. I forgot myself. I chuckled self-deprecatingly.

“You’re right.” I stood up and walked into my room. I closed the door behind me. We spoke a good deal when we were cleaning his room. I didn’t understand what was with his attitude just now, but he was right. I’d be better off keeping my distance from now on.

Previous Chapter Next Chapter

#hishikura #kbtbb #crossover #ryota mochizuki #teacherxstudent #Our Private Homeroom #fanfiction #romance #love #voltage inc

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yerevasunclair · 1 year

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An Awkward Meeting

What kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into, Rickon?

Catelyn contemplated, as she sat beside Ned on a private room past the kindergarten classrooms with Rickon’s teacher. Rickon was a wild 6 year old boy, but he was not of the sort to participate in bullying, or whatever matter it is that has summoned her and Ned into this Saturday meeting. Her children never had problems that required the school’s guidance counsel, but the brood etched on Ms. Tomlinson’s face has her overthinking.

“Mr. and Mrs. Stark. As Rickon’s homeroom adviser and substitute for Mrs. Blunt as counsellor, I have called for the both of you on this very confidential meeting for a very disconcerting reason.”

“Disconcerting reason?” Ned frowned. “What offence has my son committed, Ms. Tomlinson?”

“It’s not about his misbehavior.”, she emphasized clearly, “He is a very energetic and smart child but he’s never violent towards other kids. I’m afraid, however, that he is a witness of violence…” she stated the word violence with hesitance but marshalled her courage to be straightforward, “He has confessed to me an incident of abuse between his parents.”

“What?!” Ned bellowed in shock and turmoil.

“Is this true, Mrs. Stark?” Ms. Tomlinson turned her head to her.

“Abuse? No! Not at all! Wait, why on earth would Rickon think we’re abusing each other?”

“He approached me during lunch break yesterday and asked a lot of questions about how to defend someone from a bigger opponent and what a child should do if the parents that the child both love are hurting each other. I simply told him that it is wrong for Mummy and Daddy to fight but that it is not his full responsibility or power to stop or interfere with whatever problems Mummy and Daddy were having.”

“Ms. Tomlinson, I attest that my husband is not abusing me. We have a harmonious marriage and as parents, we unconditionally love our children with all our hearts.”

“Yet your child says otherwise. Rickon told me, it occurred on Thursday. Robb and Bran picked him up in his classroom and went home. His brothers had to pay a visit to their neighborhood friends to invite them to the park but he wanted to go home straight away to watch his favorite evening cartoons. Bran gave him the keys to the house and heard a noise from the entrance. He slowly opened the door and tracked where the slapping and crying noise was coming from. Then he saw you on the living room, Mr. Stark, pulling his mother’s hair. As for you, Mrs. Stark, you were underneath, struggling and groaning in pain. Rickon thinks you were trying to wrestle him so your husband would stop, but he’s shoved you harshly on the floor. He was worried you wouldn’t win against him, so he stood still. He wanted to fully see the situation for himself to help but his brother Robb came behind him, covered his mouth and carried him out of the house in fear. He asked his brother what was going on but your Robb has zipped his lip tight. Robb told him he will not say a thing and that the both of you are to answer to it.”

Oh fuck. Fuck. Fuuuuccckkk.

They got caught this second time around. Her erotic desires had soared so high and their determination to obtain privacy were frustratingly interrupted by the children quadruple times. First, was when Sansa and Arya started screaming at each other. Their high-pitched yells postponed their passionate kissing in the walk-in wardrobe and stopped Ned’s unbuttoning of her blouse and her unbuckling of his belt. Catelyn fixed herself and went down to the girls’ quarters. She arrived just in time to hamper them from pulling each other’s hairs for the reason that Arya borrowed some of Sansa’s clothes without Sansa’s permission. Catelyn could not discern how they got into such squabble, when in fact they were excessively spoiled by Ned and always got what they want. It turned out that Arya was only seeking attention, finding humor in taunting or provoking Sansa’s anger. As a resolve, Ned gave Arya an amount of money to buy clothes that were to her liking or similar to Sansa’s style on the condition that she will not borrow Sansa’s clothes anymore.

Second, was when the boys were the only ones at home. Sansa and Arya spent the whole weekend sleeping over on their respective group mate’s house to finish strenuous school project and paper works. On Sunday, the boys went out of the house and played rugby football for the whole afternoon. Ned still had to negotiate with his investors through lengthy business calls which made her impatient. When he came out of his study, he found her baking snacks for the boys. While the cookies waited in the oven, Ned hastily pushed her against the kitchen wall, nearly pulling her legs to surround his hips. All of a sudden, Robb and Bran raced into the house and sought for a rope to help Rickon out of the slippery pit. Rickon actually fell on a muddy excavation beyond an “under construction” signage as he ran backwards without watching to catch a rugby ball in the rain. After Rickon washed himself, he had a few scrapes on his knee and palms as he still tried to climb out while waiting for Ned and his brothers’ rescue.

The third and fourth was when one of the children had to knock on their bedroom because a close friend or distant relative paid an unexpected visit on the weekdays, as they dropped by before getting along with their itineraries in Europe.

The fifth time, was when the children had to be trained to take a walk or the public transport on their way home after their sports or choir practices. Ned fetched Catelyn from her workplace, as the both of them had finished work quite early. As soon as they arrived home, they had successfully got into two rounds, her, straddling him on the couch as he suckled her underneath her shirt before she was springing on him. The next, was when he tackled her to the floor and she positioned herself like an alpha female.

Her ‘Ohs’ and ‘Ahs’ echoed aloud as Ned ferociously pushed on her from behind and spanked her backside to urge her to move to the rhythm. The erogenous music rang in her diverted head, and she felt herself getting wet at the memory of it, while Ms. Tomlinson prated about how marital conflicts, physical maltreatment damage a child’s mental and emotional health.

“There is a misunderstanding. Ms. Tomlinson. We were not beating up each other. We were… we were…” Ned tried to clear his tightening, dry throat to buy time to hatch a stupid, nonsense excuse.

We got caught. No wonder why they altogether came home at 8:30 that night. Oh shit, Ned.

“It seems we were caught red-handed, Ms. Tomlinson.” Catelyn found an ambiguous word for it, much to Ned’s relief.

“Red-handed?” Ms. Tomlinson asked confounded, trying to figure out what specific wrong deed they committed.

“It seems quite a worrisome matter, Ms. Tomlinson. But the bottom line is no form of abuse has ever occurred or is occurring in our household. There is only a misunderstanding, a common misunderstanding that my husband and I can resolve by ourselves.” Catelyn said calmly while Ned nodded in agreement.

“Yes, it’s just a misunderstanding. We have planned to discuss it with them tonight so there’s truly nothing to worry about, Ms. Tomlinson. We love our children and their welfares are our principal priority.” Ned added with a supporting statement.

Ms. Tomlinson stared at the both of them for a long span of time, reading their facial expressions or body language and even their minds. The Stark couple were not giving away any suspicious signs.

“Alright, then. If that’s truly the case, then I trust your claims. You’ve been exemplary parents and role models as evidenced by your constant presence in the school’s activities and your children’s good personalities and aptitudes. So, this meeting is done. Thank you for your time, Mr. and Mrs. Stark.”

“You’re most welcome.” Ned said with a smile, pretending that he was fine.

“We’re grateful for your concern,” Catelyn said as they all stood up and shook hands with her. They were both glad it was all over sooner than expected and Ms. Tomlinson did not investigate more heavily regarding the specifics of that ‘misunderstanding’.

Ned led Catelyn out of the door first and after he closed the door behind them, he smirked and whispered,

“Red-handed. Good Riddance.”

“The groans, the hair pulling, floor shoving, the slapping? Several clues and she still could not figure it out? Is she that clueless?”

“Definitely..." Ned grinned.

"Or probably she reached that conclusion and didn’t know what to do about it so she dismissed us, hahaha.” Catelyn laughed with a hint of victory.

“Does Rickon know we were going to have this meeting with Ms. Tomlinson?”

“No, I didn’t tell him of course.”

“He doesn’t know it from us, Cat. But what about Ms. Tomlinson? What else has she been telling the poor boy? What other questions has Rickon been asking her that he’s afraid to ask us?”

“I don’t know, Ned.”

As they were briskly walking down the stairs to the school parking lot, Catelyn shortly reminisced to that day when she asked 14 year old Robb about school. Robb told his parents about his biology teacher showing them an educational, animated video about the reproductive system’s anatomy and physiology. Robb awkwardly and carelessly confessed for the first time that the video honestly reminded him of them and why he has so many siblings. Robb told them further in detail what his 6 year old eyes saw and that he walked quietly back to his room because he thought they were busy, just like with work. She was aghast while Ned nearly choked on his kidney pies. There was no more covering up or lying about it and they gave him the sex education that he needed because he was mature enough. The difference with Robb’s situation to Rickon’s was that Robb never told anyone while Rickon told Ms. Tomlinson.

“I should have been more careful. I’m so sorry.” Ned exasperated, feeling like he was the most terrible parent in the world.

“It’s neither our fault, Ned. We didn’t see it coming. We did not intend for it to happen.... Ned, that’s not our car, our car is 10 meters to the left side.” Cat grabbed his hand as he was going to the wrong direction. This was one of the few times Cat saw Ned being deeply worried and bothered.

“Cat, how do we explain it to Rickon? Should we explain it to him right away? What’s the right explanation? Or should we just ignore all of this and say nothing as if it didn’t happen at all? How can we handle this one better than we did before?” Ned went on and on as he searched for his keys in his pockets.

“Ned, please. Relax.” she clasped on his elbow to halt him.

“Look, I also don’t know what to do yet but we’ll figure it out, my love, okay?” she said facing him and taking his hand.

“I’m just as ashamed and regretful about all this mess but I still don’t regret what we did. Not a pinch. That two-week business trip felt like months to me. It may be absurd to you but it drove me a little bit nuts...”

He did not know his 2 week absence was enough to drive her crazy but the gaze of her bright blue eyes was enough to calm him down. He breathed in deeply for a while and caressed her dainty face.

“Oh, Cat... I missed you just as much but this is a lesson learned, we can’t do it anywhere at home at any time recklessly.”

“Then where else do you suggest we do it?” she asked him in a slightly seductive tone as Ned took strands of her auburn hair in his fingers, placed them behind her ear then whispered,

“Come with me if you wish to discover the mystery.”

The couple wasted no time, went inside the car and headed fast to the secret, romantic escapade he built for the two of them.

=END= for @ladycatofwinterfell

for @pattarainn @shining-m00nlight

#ned x catelyn #cat x ned #nedlyn #fanfic #just reposting an old fic with pictures #eddard x cat #eddard x catelyn #stark parents #modern au #game of thrones fanfic #eddard stark #catelyn stark #sean bean #michelle fairley

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