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redphlox · 3 years

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Tenko's tears; Touya's wounded inner child

As I've mentioned before, crying serves various purposes, two of which include emotional regulation and forming social connections. Tears signal "I'm sad and I need help" and usually elicit concern from others. But, for Touya and Tenko, tears didn't fulfill these needs. When Tenko cried, the adults around him tried to distract him from his pain or change how he responded to his abuse instead of defending him or confronting his father Kotaro. They meant well, but in the end it didn't help Tenko and he felt alone. No one validated his pain; he was seen, but he wasn't helped. The same thing happened to Touya, who was seen crying, and crying, and crying, but his parents refused to acknowledge the root cause of his pain because it would mean facing their own mistakes. His tears, his cries for help, never got him the help he needed and never made him feel better.

Even as adults, Dabi and Shigaraki weren't listened to because they didn't display socially acceptable feelings such as sorrow or regret, and they weren't dealing with their trauma in a socially acceptable way, like crying. Shigaraki told Endeavor, in front of Deku and Bakugo, that heroes only hurt their families, but it wasn't until Deku saw a glimpse of Tenko that Deku decided Shigaraki was worth saving because little Tenko’s tears humanized him and made him relatable.

While this is a turning point in the manga, the way it came about insinuates that certain unspoken conditions exist that need to be filled before victimhood can be validated or someone is deemed worthy of help. Not everyone is equal, and not everyone's pain will be good enough in hero society. This warrants the questions the League of Villains keep asking: who are heroes here to save? Who is it that needs saving? Where do you draw the line? Are villains not people too?

This new plot point of Deku being moved by Tenko’s tears also brings into light how isolating and demonizing it is for Dabi not being physically able to cry. He compensates for this – because remember, crying regulates your emotions, and if you can’t cry you turn to other coping mechanisms for self-soothing – by telling himself and others that he doesn’t care about anything or anyone. He copes with his emotions by smiling and grinning, by not getting too attached. He takes an offensive approach through keeping a distance from people by insulting them and being rude. However, his quirk’s link to his emotions betrays him and exposes his true feelings: his flames became hotter after Twice died and his flames turned white while confronting Endeavor. Dabi, despite everything, still cares and feels deeply.

So, how is Dabi supposed to be seen and understood and saved if he can’t prove that he has feelings if he can't cry? Why would he even want to cry, since crying never helped him? All Touya did from the age of four was cry for help, literally, and yet he was ignored and neglected. It wasn't Shigaraki's words that moved Deku, it was the unintended display of emotion through crying, which is something Dabi can't do even if he wanted because his tear ducts are burnt as a result of being so heartbroken over his father not showing up to Sekoto Peak. The irony is ugly and upsetting to witness – overwhelming feelings of abandonment and worthlessness almost killed Dabi ten years ago and now, when the story implies he desperately needs to cry to be seen, he can't, and therefore he's still alone and will continue to be alone.

But wait – he cries tears of blood, doesn’t he?

I think that if he’s caught in a vulnerable place, if the right people (Natsuo) meet him or if he is finally validated and seen and understood (Shouto), those tears of blood would come out and he’d finally be eligible (as gross as that sounds) for salvation, for understanding, for sympathy like Shigaraki. Feelings serve as evidence to society that villains are human too, and Dabi must first be considered a human. It seems that salvation, like the attention Touya received from his father, is conditional. Touya's wounded inner child and status as an abuse survivor will be the ticket to his redemption IF he can be vulnerable and express his pain physically to the younger generation of heroes, because talking about his past hasn't helped and won't help. Even now, as noted in 304, people still weren't sure why he became a villain even though he literally explained why in his pre-recorded broadcast. Dabi, or his inner child, has to show evidence he is still emotionally suffering because his words won't suffice for society or heroes. Honestly, this framing is personally distressing and frustrating because it pushes a bad victim vs good victim mentality, especially in light of Rei commenting that Shouto, who she burnt and forgave her nonetheless, is their family's hero.

Don't get me wrong. Shouto has done nothing wrong to warrant this suffering, and I think it's great that Deku is determined to save everyone within his reach. This makes sense as his role as protagonist. With that said, it's unsettling to me how drastically different he's reacting to Shigaraki compared to how he responded to Dabi by comparing him to Endeavor and implying Dabi is worse for not trying to be better. Before anyone jumps down my throat, I know Deku intervened because he was worried about Shouto, and that Deku is 16 and young. My point is that the narrative and the writing is setting up a problematic view of victims by having the main character nitpick who deserves to be saved based on this societal construct that people must first qualify or prove themselves. Shigaraki shouldn't have had to show his trauma receipts or be relatable for Deku to want to save him. Shigaraki didn’t even expose his inner child on purpose – Deku caught a glimpse of that without Shigaraki’s intention.

Let me say this another way. Imagine if you had to present yourself as sympathetic to a firefighter, an ambulance worker, or a doctor before receiving their help. It would be unprofessional and highly unethical for these professionals to turn you down because you don't fit the image of someone who needs help, someone who's not "sick" enough, whose house isn't burning hot enough, whose injuries aren't "bad" enough. So why do heroes, as a group of public servants, have these unwritten rules and preconceived notions about what a victim looks like? I understand that people are more likely to provide services if you're nice to them (you catch more flies with honey, etc) and that everyone has biases etc, but this isn't a core value of the helping professions or public servants. It's unethical to discriminate and assign varying levels of care based on how someone treats you or others around them. People in need are people in need, and that's that.

As of now, it seems like the manga is on route to support the League's complaints by supplying evidence that their disillusionment with society isn't unfounded - even Twice, who died crying at the hands of a hero part of the older generation, was not considered a person before he was considered a villain. But maybe if he had come across a hero from the younger generation, someone who recognized his tears as human despite his criminal record, he wouldn't have met the fate he did. It seems that the older generation of heroes don't take tears or emotions into account, which is why Tenko and Touya were shrugged off. But the younger generation will go out of their way to help anyone who needs help, but only if they prove themselves or make themselves sympathetic.

#bnha #dabi #touya todoroki #shigaraki tomura #tenko shimura #my meta #Bnha 305 #Bnha 306 #Bnha spoilers #Twice #jin bubaigawara #My meta #Green lad

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ramudamemura · 3 years

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Alright guys I’m rating the new hypmic outfits please don’t get mad at me and here’s an image for reference

ichiro— not digging the oversized thing for some reason even tho I normally do? Nothing glaringly wrong with it tho like it’s not that bad. I’m glad his pants are black/gray (?) tho because idk I think it would’ve looked cluttered with any other colors

i will say (and this is probably only valid for me but) black and red are my schools colors and I’m having flashbacks to spirit wear days which is slightly upsetting JCJSJDNSNNSHS Ichiro would never go to my school if he were real tho he’s too good for a place like this 💔

jiro— his shirt is so plain couldn’t he have used a more interesting font 😭 spice it up a bit,,,,BUT it’s not that bad either I actually really like him with glasses so that’s good! hmm I don’t really like the hat tho. Overall it’s ok

saburo— at least his hair doesn’t look like it did with that one other outfit 😭 you know the one . I can’t tell if his pants are jeans or sweatpants tho. Also like I said before idk why but I’m not loving Ichiros oversized shirt but I DO like the fit of saburos

actually I checked again right before I posted this and I’m pretty sure they’re jeans

**hey just realized buster bros are all wearing the same shoes in different colors so good for them ig**

samatoki— well 😭 his outfit kinda gives off art h*e vibes which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but I feel like HE would view it as bad and wouldnt like that. Also so much of it is unbuttoned and I can’t stop laughing. I kinda wish there wasn’t so much white in the outfit tho I mean what do I know I’m no designer but! Idk

jyuto— idk. idk WHAT to say. I am really not a fan of this sorry jyuto I just. What were you trying to accomplish here 😭 why are the sleeves of his jacket so long what’s going on. Where am I what is this

rio— I mean. It’s just an oversized green t shirt and baggy green sweatpants 😭 neither of them have any design on it so it’s kinda boring? green is my favorite color tho so I can’t be too harsh on him also I like the shoes but not necessarily with this outfit. But like I don’t understand like why is his outfit just. A t shirt and sweatpants with literally like nothing else 😭 is it supposed to be a minimalist thing??? Because I mean. Listen. LISTEN. This is not the way to go about it

ramuda— ok so I kinda like the general style like I like the shirt and shorts a bit but not the colors 💔 but it’s not that I don’t like that it’s colorful it’s just I don’t like the.colors they used ig 😭 idk but it’s kinda cool to see him with a middle part ig although I do like his normal hair better I think. Either way I expected better from him he’s supposed to be a designer like come on dude

gentaro— actually I like his a lot! It’s not too flashy and it looks nice and elegant and it fits his usual style!! Also it shows his arms and I cannot remember ever seeing them before so that’s interesting! I also like his hair but again I like his regular hair much better

dice— BRAID BRAID BRAID BRAID!!!! If I try hard enough I can pretend it’s not a mullet underneath the braid so that’s nice!! As for the outfit it’s meh idk. The print is too in your face in my opinion and idk I don’t really like it like idk what it is about it but I find it kinda :/ yknow and I also feel like it doesn’t really suit him like it doesn’t scream “dice”

jakurai— :////// Jakurai what the heck 💔 what is this I don’t like it at all like wh. That’s all im gonna say I think cuz I don’t wanna be mean since technically someone put a lot of work into these

hifumi— he kinda looks like a tourist idk man I feel like if I went to the beach I’d see someone with that exact outfit 😭 but I mean he pulls it off decently! I don’t think he should’ve worn dress shoes or whatever you call those tho I think he could’ve done better with a pair of sneakers but NOT like big clunky sneakers just regular ones

actually idk why but I have this really specific floral design in mind that wouldve kept the colors of his current jacket including being mostly black in the background that I think wouldve looked nicer but I can’t draw rn so

doppo— well I like this color!!! So that’s good!!!!! Not really sure what’s going on here tho I feel like they should’ve done a little to break up the shirt from the pants 😭

kuko— again I do like green a lot so he gets points for that!! But idk i actually don’t have much of a problem with this I just don’t know if green is his color but I like the pants! So! like they’re a good length idk I actually do like his I think

jyushi— I really like the like laced up bits by the shoulder!!! Also it’s super cool to see his hair in a ponytail or whatever that is!! If I close my eyes I can pretend he doesn’t have a mullet 💚

hitoya— idk what it is about this outfit but I keep laughing at him 😭 sorry hitoya

sasara— clown clown clown clown clown

anyway I know the colors are SUPPOSED to clash a bit but it still bothers me JDJSJDJJSS other than that tho the outfits ok but I do wish the pants were higher waisted!!! His shirt looks like umm the uniform for this one restaurant I’ve been to so that’s fun

rosho— I miss his glasses put them back please please they look good! I guess we got to see Jiro with them at the expense of Rosho???? Also I’m gonna assume he’s wearing contacts cuz. Anyways the outfit is? Idk? I’m not sure what’s going on here I don’t really know like I’m a little confused but at least it has a fairly simple color palette (and not TOO simple like Rio)

rei— now what the heck is this outfit what is going on here I don’t know what to think. I don’t. If he was gonna wear a cowboy hat why didn’t he make the rest of his outfit fit that? Why did he then decide to dress vaguely like a librarian and then unbutton his shirt??

**DISCLAIMER: any time I said “it’s not THAT bad ig” or anything along the lines of that it probably means I don’t actually like the outfit but I’m trying not to be offensive

#it was really hot out guys 😭 sorry if I sound like a crazy person I don’t have the energy to reread this #also I was kinda mean so my apologies #hypmic #hypnosis mic

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jaigeye · 3 years

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16 with finn!

30 multipurpose prompts. ( finn & cere junda. ) 'small birds, dry grass.' | read on ao3.

One day, Finn stands in the torrential rain and watches a figure in a cloak come trudging over the mountain.

He sits her down in the shelter of the temple with warm tea and a fresh blanket.

She is old, wrinkles carving rivers into her face, and her gray-white hair is a shock against the warmth of her brown skin. She is tired. Her name is Cere Junda, and she came alone from far away.

"What brought you here?" He asks. She doesn't look threatening, not in the least, but his guard is still up because this is a temple, and there are children and friends here who trust him. "Do you know what this place is? What we- what's done here?"

"It's a Jedi temple," she says matter-of-factly. "A place to stay in the winter when the weather gets bad elsewhere."

He squints. "And how do you know that?"

She shrugs and slurps her tea loudly. "I stayed in the room with the blue window frame."

His room. She stayed in his room. Finn reels, closes his eyes, and regains his composure in the overwhelming span of ten seconds before accosting her with more questions. "You're a.. a.."

"It's nice out," she interrupts. "Why aren't the students training out front?"

He swallows. "They're down by the sea. Learning to swim."

"What's your name?"

"Finn."

Cere looks appraisingly at him over the edge of her cup before setting it back down on the saucer with a sigh. "Why aren't you down there with them, Finn?"

"I already know how." He swallows, his mouth suddenly very dry. "Learned it in basic training."

This gives her pause. "You're a soldier?"

Finn swallows down the fear that lodges itself in his throat. He's not a liar and he's not an imposter. His past, he has long since decided, is better left known to everyone lest they feel betrayed upon learning what he was. Finn doesn't like to break people's hearts, so he's outright with the truth.

"I was a stormtrooper once."

She looks halfway to suspicious before she just looks sad. "I was a Jedi."

"I want to be a Jedi." Finn considers her use of the past tense. "Do you want to be a Jedi again?"

Cere grasps her fist with her hand and twists the spinning ring she wears on her thumb. "Mostly, I just want to do well by other people."

Holding out his hand like an offering, a peace treaty, Finn smiles and says; "Why don't you stay here with us for a while?"

She accepts the offering very calmly. If she's half as alone as she looks and sounds, Finn is sure that the relief of shelter and company meant more than she let on.

Cere minds the children with sincerity and patience. Poe thinks she's funny; Cere seems surprisingly at ease with his antics, taking every joke in elegant stride. She tells Finn that she knew someone a little like him once. She regards Rey with respect, shaking her hand ever-so-firmly and gently correcting her stance, her statements, her lessons. The input is taken with a mixture of indignance and gratitude.

Rey asks one day why Cere doesn't join her in teaching the younglings; surely she would make a much better teacher to them, seeing as she's classically trained- but Cere turns the offer down very firmly.

She asks very few questions about his time in the First Order, but he tells her freely what spurred his defection. Cere clasps his hands, says he is brave, and disappears for hours.

Halfway to two weeks of her living there, Finn finds her doing her morning stretches in a grassy field and decides to ask her the question that's been weighing him down for years.

Little birds hop across the expanse of dry grass. Spring will be coming soon. "Would you train me?"

"Your friend is a Jedi," she replies smoothly. "You've got other resources to turn to."

" One resource." He points this out with a slightly upturned nose, because Finn has earned some pride of his own. "If I have choices available to me then I want to choose."

This draws her attention. She stops walking and turns to him, pushing her long gray locs out of her face to regard him. "I suppose it wouldn't be…. entirely out of the question."

Finn's heart soars for a second, overzealous with glee, before the cold stone of reality drags him back to earth. Dejected, he watches a bird peck at an insect.

"But Rey says that Jedi are meant to be trained from when they're really young." He thinks about the sounds of endless laughter, as well as the chant they cry while training. He clears his throat. "Children. They're all children."

Cere sighs. "Yes. Most are taught from just after they learn to walk."

"I'm- how old do you think I am?" he scoffs in mock offense, looking her up and down.

"Too old!" She claps him firmly on the shoulder and he rocks from the strength of it. Graying or not, she's made of sterner stuff than looks would betray. He wants to laugh, but then a distant look washes over her. "But I-- well. My first padawan was classically trained, and it ended in pain for both of us. Maybe it's better that this time be different."

"I can do different," he declares, trailing behind her as she leads them to two boulders at equal distance. He complies when she gestures that they sit. "Is that a yes, then?"

Cere tucks her legs up beneath her and rests her hands on her knees. It's hard not to gawk; in his eyes, she cuts the perfect image of what a Jedi should be.

"Tell me why you won't let your friend train you."

"I-- uh-" This particular question leaves him a little distraught. He can see a knowing glint in Cere's eye as she watches him rifle through viable responses, chewing on his thoughts til he can't think straight anymore. "Hm."

Finn clears his throat and his mind and exhales slowly through his nose.

Whenever Finn pictures Rey in his mind, she is always walking the other direction. He only ever sees her back. Broad, strong, her lightsaber staff slung across it, off to see the stars with Rose, or tending to her many loving students. Far away from him.

It's not her fault. They love one another, but this is how he sees her, and one cannot take tutelage from someone who is always going away from you. She's off to see the stars. He's still on the ground just trying to make sense of them.

"I can't train with her because we're too close," he finally manages. "She's like my sister but she's distant, too. It's not bad. I just.. I want to rely on someone who.. who's done more than me."

"She's your equal in every way." Cere concludes. "You want someone who can guide you, whose focus won't stray from what you want to learn, is that right?"

Finn feels his heart wrench and shrink in his chest. "Is that bad?"

"No." The response is immediate. Cere's expression is unflinching. "There's no fault in wanting something for yourself."

He takes from that what he will, nodding, before turning the table again. "Tell me why you won't train me."

They sit in amicable silence for several seconds. The wind blows softly through Cere's hair, the beads in her locs clicking softly together.

Cere Junda looks at him with a sincere earnestness in her tone and says, "I have done a terrible thing."

And Finn, who lived in a world of plastoid and fear just nods. "I have, as well."

"But you refused to kill anyone," she refutes, "in the village where you strayed."

He thinks about the blood on his helmet for a second. Sometimes when he touches his face at night he can still feel that handprint there like a brand on his soul.

"I didn't have to kill anyone to do something terrible." Finn looks at his palms, calloused and worn, and admits what he has told very few. "I believed in it once."

When he says it, he means it - the Empire, the ideology, the First Order and all the beliefs its cruelty required.

Again, Cere is awash with the distant, sad look that so often clouds her eyes and keeps her quiet. "It's not your fault, Finn."

He blinks. When did he start crying? Finn gently shoos away the little bird hopping around him and inspecting his shoes. Warmth burns behind his eyes and makes his head feel heavy; his eyes water until some tears slip free. He nods and wipes at his eyes.

Cere- warm, kind, remorseful Cere, so close to the end of her own life, leans forward to grasp his hands and give him her presence in her final years. "I'll do it, Finn. You're strong in the Force, and you're so good. You don't even have to think about it. Goodness just comes to you. Will you be my Padawan, Finn? Will you trust me?"

He squeezes her hands tightly in his own. "I will. I'll make you proud."

"You already have."

#cere junda #finn #writing #ask games #THANK YOU!!#sorry i changed it lol but i desperately wanted to write these 2 #and an idea came to me #<33

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brandyllyn · 3 years

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In our own image... (03)

Chapter 3

(Poe Dameron x OFC)

Other chapters... My Masterlist

Word count: 1700. Read it on AO3.

Rating: Teen & Up (PG) language?

Poe ran a hand through his hair, looking at himself in the small shaving mirror. He tilted his head back and forth, finally letting out a short curse. He’d messed up his sideburns this morning. One of them was noticeably higher than the other. It would grow back within a couple of days but today was the day he was supposed to retrieve BB-8 from the Droidsmith. He had kind of hoped that he would look good for it.

He leaned back, trying to see as much of himself as he could. He undid one of the buttons on his shirt and then quickly shook his head and did it back up. There was no reason the woman needed to see his nipples just yet. Anxiously, he pulled the sleeves of his shirt down, buttoning the cuffs in brisk movements. Then he hooked his thumbs into his belt, settling his weight back on one foot.

"Hey," he told his reflection, raising one eyebrow. The man in the mirror did the same and Poe groaned. He looked like an idiot. Scrubbing a hand across his face he grabbed his blaster belt and buckled it on, leaving before he spent the next hour trying to figure out how he could make a curl fall across his forehead just right. His hair was always doing that. Always almost in his eyes. But not today. Of course not. Today it was sticking up in seven different directions and no amount of cursing or trying to flatten it down with water had helped.

Pushing aside the cloth he used for a door, Poe nearly ran head first into Snap. The older man stepped back and Poe caught himself before falling on his face.

"Whoa there," Snap muttered, "what’s got you in knots this morning?"

"Nothing," Poe said quickly. Too quickly.

Snap raised an eyebrow, "Nothing eh? Does this nothing have something to do with finally getting your little droid back today?"

Poe released a breath. Oh, Snap thought he was anxious because he missed BB-8. He was, and he did. It was valid. "Yeah," he smiles at the older man, "that’s it."

"Come have breakfast first," Snap told him, falling into step beside Poe. They had to duck under the nose of Black One. Like every pilot on base, Poe slept within twenty feet of his ship. "If you don’t you’re going to be so caught up petting that little guy that you’ll forget to eat and then I’ll have to deal with hungry Dameron the rest of the morning."

Snap gave a dramatic shudder and Poe punched him lightly on the arm. "I’m not that bad."

"Who’s not that bad?" Pava asked, intercepting them as they passed Black Three.

"Dameron when he’s hungry," Snap informed her before Poe could say anything.

"Oh Gods no," Pava took a step to the side. "Is he hungry now? Are we going to get food? We can fix this Commander, hold on."

Poe gritted his teeth, glaring between the two of them. "I’m not that bad," he repeated.

Pava gave him a sympathetic look. "No caf and no food? Dameron, we’re all that bad."

Grunting, Poe undid his cuffs, rolling his sleeves up past his elbows as he shouldered past them. "Insubordination," he muttered but neither of them seemed to pay any mind. They had gotten into a discussion about what food they missed most and Poe felt his own stomach grumble. Maybe stopping for breakfast first wasn’t the worst idea. Fainting from hunger in front of the Droidsmith probably wasn’t going to make a great second impression - and considering how… mediocre the first one had gone he was really hoping to be charming this time around.

By the time he was done eating and had gone through his morning briefing with the Squadron Poe was sweating. The humidity on this part of Ajan Kloss was never something to be sneered at, and today the air was still and hot to go with it. There was a storm coming, if not today then certainly tomorrow. He made a mental note to remind everyone to be sure their lightning rods were up. The last thing they needed was to lose a ship to electrical repairs.

Maybe he should go do that right now in fact. BB-8 could wait a bit, there was no need to… Poe shook his head, squaring his shoulders. The fact that there was finally someone on base who he was both interested in and could in good conscience pursue was secondary to the fact that he needed to get his astromech back. Flying yesterday with R2-D2 had been fine, but it wasn’t the same as having his little buddy onboard.

That settled, Poe strode confidently between the trees towards the Mu shuttle. The Droidsmith was in the front portion of her workshop today, her back to him, sitting at one of the tables and working on the R4 unit.

He coughed, not wanting to scare her. After a moment, he coughed again, louder.

Still no response.

He was getting ready to cough a third time when the little translator droid rolled out from under her stool. "Hi hi," it said, tilting up to look at him.

"Hi K-0," he greeted it. "Can you tell…" Shit. He’d forgotten to get her name. He could feel his eyes bugging out as he struggled to finish the sentence. "Her that I’m here for BB-8?"

K-0 flashed a red light at him. "No. Go. No. Not here."

Poe dropped to one knee, propping an arm on it as he tried to meet K-0 at its level. "What do you mean not here?"

"Bad droid," K-0 said fiercely. "Go. No come back. Bad."

"K-0-" Poe started but the droid raced off, running a circle around the Droidsmith’s stool and looking at him from behind her feet.

"No. Go. No."

The Droidsmith finally seemed to notice something was going on, pushing herself away from the table so the stool was leaning back on two legs. She looked down at the droid and then turned, raising an eyebrow at him.

Shit, he was still kneeling. He rose quickly, dusting the knees of his pants off and smiling at her as she settled the stool back onto all four legs. She was prettier than he remembered, if that was even possible.

"Hi," he said and K-0 beeped, echoing him.

She gave a dubious whistle and K-0 translated, "Hello." Then another whistle and a tsking sound with her tongue. "What you do K-0?"

Poe blinked, then looked down at the droid. "I didn’t do anything to K-0 - I was just looking for BB-8."

K-0 translated for him and Poe saw her eyebrows draw together and then she relaxed, rolling her eyes and looking down at the little droid. A series of whistles happened, interspersed with clicks of her tongue. He couldn’t understand her, but could pick up K-0’s side of the conversation in Binary.

"BB-8 is bad droid. Want replace K-0."

A low whistle from the Droidsmith and a fond smile.

"Bad droid. Bad man."

She snorted and looked over at him and he held his hands up in his most non-threatening pose. More whistling.

"Bad man keep bad droid."

Poe didn’t want to interrupt but did feel the need to defend his own honor. "Look, BB-8 might be my droid but he’s got a mind of his own. Whatever he did, don’t blame me. I’m just here to keep him from setting himself on fire."

K-0 translated his words into Binary as he talked and the Droidsmith winked at him. Maker, she winked at him and he felt heat flash along his body that had absolutely nothing to do with the burning Ajan Kloss sun. She whistled and K-0 turned to him with what Poe could only call smugness.

"Bad droid not here."

Poe blinked, "Yeah, you said that before. What do you mean he’s not here?"

The Droidsmith furrowed her brow before replying. "Rey take bad droid."

"Rey," Poe muttered, looking down at K-0 as it translated. "Rey took BB-8? Where?"

More whistling. "Rey say take you."

Poe grunted. "When?"

"Morning," K-0 replied, not needing to wait for the Droidsmith.

So Rey had been by this morning and left with BB-8. The Jedi often took BB-8 out with her when she was training. It just meant… Poe had spent the night before thinking of several topics for conversation that he could have with the Droidsmith today. But they all had kind of relied on having BB-8 there as he was the focus of most of them.

"Oh, okay," he fumbled, trying to think of something else to say. This was harder than he’d thought it would be. The language barrier, coupled with only getting garbled sentences back from K-0 made conversing difficult.

"Need more bad man?" K-0 asked after a gentle prompt from the Droidsmith. Those deep brown eyes were on him and he swallowed, gaze dropping to her pursed lips before snapping back to more appropriate locations. Poe looked at her workbench, at the pieces of droid strewn across it. She obviously had work to get back to.

"No, no," he backed away, tripping slightly when the workshop ground covering gave way to dirt. "I’ll just…"

He wouldn’t say he ran away. But he did walk quickly. If someone wanted to be very particular perhaps he jogged. But he definitely didn’t run - Poe Dameron didn’t run from things.

After a minute of walking quickly he slowed, then stopped. Raising a hand he rubbed his temples with his thumb and forefinger. That had… that had not gone well. Maker had it really been that long since he had flirted with purpose and not just for the sake of flirting? Long enough that he was a bumbling mess about it?

It was the translation problem. That was it. Nothing to do with him. If she understood Basic or he understood… whatever it was that she was speaking… this would all be going a lot smoother. Maybe he could bring Threepio next time. While the protocol droid could be annoying, he’d at least translate full sentences without color commentary - something K-0 did not seem to be capable of.

Yeah, that was it. He’d bring Threepio by next time. Then they could have a nice conversation. Just him, Threepio and….

Well shit. He still hadn’t gotten her name.

Chpt 4

#in our own image #poe dameron #poe dameron x ofc #star wars #star wars sequels #star wars fanfiction #writing

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hydrangeasimagination · 4 years

Text

Loosely, Gently

Pairing(s): Todoroki Enji / Endeavor X Gender Neutral! Reader

Summary: It was something he hadn't considered before, even the years of being so close to you all the time. How easily you were able to push past him defenses, step into line with him without being deterred by his arrogance or pride. Before the fall of All Might, you were nothing more than someone in passing... Afterwards, he wasn't sure what you were...

Warnings: Slight manga spoilers! Mentions of Abuse. Blood Mention?

A/N: I’ve never actually written for him until now since I wanted to get the anime to get caught up with the manga and some of ya’ll aren’t believers in Endeavor’s redemption. I hated him too at one point. Only to become neutral after seeing how he behaved after Toshinori’s retirement. Which again changed to akin to understanding as the manga progressed. Horikoshi handles this issue well and I commemorate how he tackles everything.

I can only hope I can attempt and handle such issues with as much grace as he does.

You do not have to read this. Nor do you have to come in and begin an argument, just remain civil and move along.

I do not condone what Enji has done.

But I think he’s beginning to make up for it.

By showing his remorse, by reflecting that he is sorry based upon his actions as opposed to his words because we know how bad he is with those.

Drawing on my experience and the experience I’ve seen own loved ones go through. I stand by what I’ve said; no one has to forgive their abuser.

Written with TBT in mind and by association and an original character specifically... IDK if Beacon can float tho since this was supposed to be a little bit of a surprise. But it coincidentally also happened to be their creator’s birthday!

So birthday wishes to @starchaser-the-prophet !

Happy day of birth fam ❤️

Images were something that had always appealed to Todoroki Enji, something he's held onto tightly, like a vice.

Whether it be his own or the thoughts floating in his head.

There was always a plan after he became number two.

"Surpass the number one, surpass All Might!"

It consumed him in the end.

Wrapped him and his...

Family...

He didn't deserve to call them as such.

Wrapped them all in an entangled web of pain, of trauma....

Of abuse.

Everything that he had done, was all for naught.

The shattering of those that he should have loved, should have protected!

Cherished.

But what is he to do now?

The overwhelming pressure in his chest never lessened.

Even after the scar on his face healed, after he had given Rei and his children a new home as he lived in the cold residence of the Todoroki manor.

Even while he signed the divorce papers.

It just grew.

Tighter.

Flooding his mind with the images — the godforsaken images — of the sobbing and terrified faces of his family.

The feeling of guilt was never so stifling.

But he deserved this.

He did this to them.

So many horrible and awful things.

So many deplorable and...

His thoughts were screaming.

... He didn't expect their forgiveness.

He shouldn't expect their forgiveness

His pain is nothing compared to their's.

The dried stains of their blood on his hands is a testament to that.

These images will never stop, the images of the damage inflicted on his family.

... But as of late, something else had been occupying his mind.

"Oh, Enji, it's nice to see you again!"

Baked pastries and sugary treats suddenly flooded his senses, the warmth he felt was unmatched to his flames.

A pair of glimmering gems peered at him betwixt snow caught lashes, a sunny smile close to melting it all away.

Close, but not too close, floating on the chilled air.

You.

He really shouldn't have been staring, your radiance was something unimportant not too long ago. It was unfair of him to believe that it was appropriate in any shape or form as he’d treated you not too differently from the other heroes that had attempted to strike up a friendship with him.

He’d recently made you cry too, over the scar on his face no less.

It was truly hard not to allow his gaze to linger as you were nothing short of breath-taking, you always had been.

Enji was unfortunately just blind to it for the longest time.

Distracted by chasing titles and old flames.

Since you were starting out.

He spoke your last name with hesitation, head bowed in respect.

It makes the words of his youngest son’s significant other ring in his ears.

"Oh, come on, I've told you already!" The huff of vapor from your mouth dissipated quickly, timed with the downturn of your lips. "Just call me by my given name, we've known each other for nearly a decade now."

His mouth tightening into a thin line, the flames licking up the sides of his face doing well in covering the color flooding his cheeks, eyes narrowing as his back tensed.

He didn’t deserve this either.

Any bystander watching would have assumed that you’d upset him, that you had incurred the wrath of Endeavor. That you'd soon be someone that'd be losing their job and credibility.

The ruthlessness of his reputation plagued him, the eyes on his back never stopped.

So he was thankful when the smile returned to your features, thankful that you could read him. Even if he was to deny everything you had ever told him about himself in the past, a habit that also came in the present.

These thoughts in the back of his head became less glaring, though lingered in the reaches of his skull.

"Like I said, it's fine."

Quieter still at the sound of your sweet voice.

Soundlessly, your feet touched the floor and you held up the bag, steaming and smelling divinely despite the sour taste that lodged itself in the back of his throat.

"Cream bread?"

He felt his shoulders slowly fall, even if it is just slightly.

His expression changed.

Crystals of snow melted into drops before they had the chance to reach him, his warmth unchanged to the weather.

Sapphires hues gazed at you, a softness that was seen to few.

The curl of his lips, stretching of his scar nearly unseen...

It was such a serene expression.

Your heart gently beats against your sternum, only quickening as his impossibly warm, large hand dropped low.

Lower.

Images were something that had always appealed to Todoroki Enji, something he's held onto tightly, like a vice...

He no longer wants to be suffocating.

So he holds this new image as though it’s able to slip through his fingers.

As you look at him, with wonder and flushed features, he feels like he's doing something right.

Delicate fingers lock his in place, the pressure in his chest lessens.

While that same smile that had been unnoticed for nearly 10 years catches his attention again.

"Lead the way." His voice is low.

The squeeze of pressure around his palm in his wipes his doubts in this, tugging him along the snowy sidewalk.

All the while, your hands never part, holding one another's.

Loosely, gently.

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jokertrap-ran · 4 years

Photo

[Stand My Heroes] 花ざかりのSwallow tail (Swallow Tail in Full Bloom) Event Story: Investigation ⑤ Translations

*Master-list will be created In the future *MC name is retained default Izumi Rei *Scenerio Writer: @benihara_k (紅原香)

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6

Investigation 5: Chapter 1

Rei: (Uhh, I suppose I should first start off by clearing away the empty plates...)

I removed the plates that had been emptied of food and placed it upon the serving card I was pushing along. Still, this is quite a bit of work, all things considered.

Hiyama: What are you doing, Izumi?

Rei: I’m cleaning things up since I was asked to.

Hiyama: I see. Allow me to help out.

He silently cleared the empty plates set out before him. Even despite how casual he was being, I couldn’t help but to be entranced by how smart his every action was.

Hiyama: Seems like that’s all there is.

Rei: Yes, thank you so much! That was of great help!!

Hiyama: I’m glad to be of help.

Hiyama: Although, I must say, you do look pretty picturesque dressed as a butler.

Rei: Thank you. You look brilliant in it too!

Hiyama: Indeed. It turned out better than I thought. Also…

Hiyama: Who would’ve thought that there would be such a surprise hidden within the wax seals; what an interesting turn of events.

Hiyama: And the decorations on the swallow-tail coats are also tailored to fit each individual’s motif.

Hiyama: I’m impressed by how much dedication and effort has been put into each and every one.

Miyase: Here’s some freshly-made lasagna, right out from the oven. Would the two of you like to try it?

Rei: Huh? Wow, that looks mouthwatering...Wait, Miyase-san!?

Hiyama: You’re the star of the party today, aren’t you? So why are you doing the serving?

Miyase: I couldn’t really sit still and do nothing. It seems like I’m the type who has to always be on their feet doing something.

Hiyama: I see. Come to think of it, this entire garden’s being managed by you, right?

Hiyama: I’d always wanted to talk to the person who was caring for this stunning garden.

Miyase: Thank you. That’s very kind of you.

Hiyama: This garden’s always refreshing to look at.

Hiyama: And the plants and fauna are always growing prosperously,

Hiyama: regardless of how different they are from each other, attaining a strange balance whilst expressing their own individualities.

Hiyama: It’s doing so well that even I’m tempted to ask you what your gardening secrets are.

Miyase: I don’t have a secret or anything like that. But, I suppose if I do have one…

Miyase: I suppose it would be to listen closely to what the flowers are saying…?

Rei: The voices of the flowers...

Hiyama: Oh? And how, exactly, do we do that?

Miyase: You get up close to them, turn your gaze to it and listen intently.

Miyase: You’ll naturally come to hear it if you do that.

Hiyama: I see. I’ll try doing that.

Rei: (He managed to understand him just from that alone? ...Wow, that’s amazing...)

Miyase: Plus, this garden was something that’s been entrusted to me, so…

Miyase: I try not to let the blooms in this garden run out to prevent anyone who gazes out at this garden from ever getting bored of the magnificent sight it presents.

Hiyama: I see. I feel like I’ve finally managed to understand your gardening secrets. Thanks.

Shindou: Sorry for being late. The treatment of my last patient on the list took way more time than I expected.

Miyase: Good work, Shindou-san.

Shindou: There’s no way I’d fail to turn up for a banquet held in your name.

Miyase: You’d do that for someone like me…? Thank you so much.

Shindou: “like you”? I’m taking time out just to participate in this because it is “for you”.

Shindou: You’d do well to remember.

Miyase: ! ...Of course.

The expression on Miyase-san’s face at that moment in time- Was one of absolute joy. Although, he did seem a little as if he was about to cry.

That was how he looked.

☆⋅⋆ …⋅─────────────────────────────────────────⋅…⋆⋅☆

Investigation 5: Chapter 2

The servers at the serving venue seemed to have calmed down from their frantic scramble earlier.

Rei: (Standing for as long as this really does take a toll on your feet.)

Kaname-kun had said “You can just do whatever’s within your means and you don’t have to do it all too seriously either.” Or so, he told me. However, I still ended up going around serving and clearing plates because I just couldn’t help but to be concerned.

Rei: (There’s just a little more left anyway so this is the last spurt.)

Asagiri: Rei-san.

Rei: Yes?

Asagiri: Have you seen Natsuki anywhere? He was together with me a while ago, but now he’s upped and gone off to god knows where.

Rei: I’ve not seen him around here, but we could search for him together if you’d like.

Asagiri: Please, if you will. I’m here today to keep an eye out for him after all.

Asagiri: Let’s start from that area over there.

He sped-walked towards the table-seating area. Following after him, I soon spotted a familiar face coming in my direction.

Sugano: Oh, Rei~! Where did you run off to?

Rei: Sugano-kun!? Huh? Wait, weren’t you missing?

Sugano: Huh? But I’ve been here all this time!

Rei: Asagiri-san? What’s this supposed to be about…?

Asagiri: You’d have been stuck serving over there for an eternity if I didn’t say something like that to draw you away.

Rei: ! You were looking?

Asagiri: Of course. Running around to and fro like that; I couldn’t have missed it even if I’d wanted to.

Asagiri: I don’t know the reasoning behind your actions, but,

Asagiri: What I do know, is that it isn’t the Kujo Family’s intention to make a guest run around doing errands without even partaking in the food that’s being served here either.

Rei: ……!

Asagiri: Here, take a seat. It’s also part of the guest’s job to enjoy the party.

He elegantly pulled out a chair.

Rei: I’ll take you up for your word then.

Asagiri: I’ll bring you some food so just wait here for a while.

He headed to the table where all the food was laid out, took a plate without hesitation, and started loading food onto it.

Asagiri: Here you go.

Rei: That’s a lot…!

Asagiri: You haven’t eaten anything at all, haven’t you?

Rei: Thank you so much. I won't hold back then.

Asagiri: That Margherita pizza has been baked pretty well. I recommend it.

Rei: I’ll try eating this first then!

Crunch

Rei: ! It’s crispy and really delicious!

Asagiri: It is. It comes close to my favoured Domingo’s Pizza.

Rei: And, uh...thank you, for looking out for me.

Rei: And thank you so much, for everything as always.

Asagiri: Why are you repeating yourself?

Rei: I thought that I’d go around thanking people for their daily efforts since it also coincided with the theme of this party.

Asagiri: You’re putting too much effort into trivial things again, I see.

Asagiri: ...But I’m also thankful for you.

Rei: Huh!?

Asagiri: I can’t say that I agree with your recklessness, but I did end up being saved by you in the end, most of the time.

Rei: ……!

Rei: (To think that the day would come that I’d hear that Asagiri-san speak such words...)

Asagiri: What? Why do you look like a pigeon who's been shot by a peashooter?

Rei: No, I thought that maybe I was dreaming and...

Asagiri: ...Are you half-asleep?

Rei: I’m awake, right and proper!

☆⋅⋆ …⋅─────────────────────────────────────────⋅…⋆⋅☆

Investigation 5: Chapter 3

Things had finally calmed down after I had finished eating all the food that Asagiri-san had brought me.

Rei: (I’m actually more tired than I initially thought I was. I guess I was only a step short to an accident back there...)

Rei: (I really have to thank Asagiri-san for pulling me out of there.)

Sucking in a breath, I turned to look around. People were still avidly engaged in chatter with each other all around.

Rei: (They all look like they’re having fun. This is really a magnificent party.)

Kaname: Oh, big sis. So here you were.

Rei: Kaname-kun! Is there something you’d like for me to help you with again?

Kaname: Yeah. I think this should be the last one so it’d be of great help if you could.

Rei: Of course.

Kaname: Come with me then. It’s something pretty huge so be prepared.

Rei: (H-Huge? I wonder what it is…?)

─────────────────────────⋅…⋆⋅☆

I headed to the catering table together with Kaname-kun. And there, stood Imaoji-san; alone.

Rei: T-This is…

Imaoji: Rei-san. I’m glad you’re here.

Imaoji: I thought that I’d help Kaname-kun out since he seemed like he was having trouble, but…

Imaoji: It doesn’t seem like we can handle this ourselves even if we tried.

In front of us stood a gigantic, no- a gargantuan cake.

Rei: (It’s also three-tiered to boot...It seems like someone went a little overboard with this.)

Rei: (Plus, it’s also decorated by lots of macarons with Miyase-san’s face printed onto them.)

Kaname: Amazing, isn’t it?

Rei: It’s certainly impactful.

Kaname: It turned out like this on Koya-kun’s suggestion. Seems like he wanted to express his feelings for Miyase-san based on the size of it.

Kaname: He’s the kind of person who thinks that the bigger the better, after all.

Rei: That sounds just like him.

Kaname: By the way, the Macaron’s were Kiyoshi-san’s idea.

Rei: Huh? It was his idea!?

Kaname: Yup. He was present when we met up to decide on the cake, but…

─────────────────────────⋅…⋆⋅☆

Kaname: Then it’s decided that the last dessert will be cake.

Kirishima: It’s not gonna be any normal cake, even if it is just cake!

Kirishima: In short, just make it a humongous one! And then, we’ll put Miyase’s face on it!

Kaname: ...I’m pretty sure there’s a limit to this so let’s try keeping it within more realistic means.

Kujo: ...Wait. I’ve noticed something alarmingly important.

Kirishima: What is it!?

Kujo: Let me make sure of this first. Everyone’s going to be eating that, yes?

Kaname: Yes, that’s the plan.

Kujo: If so, then...what do you think would happen to Miyase’s face if we were to cut it?

Kirishima: Tha-...That’ll be bad; really bad!!

Kaname: Now that you mention it…

Kujo: ……

Kirishima: Damnit! What should we do…

Shindou: ...I’ve got a suggestion.

Shindou: How about printing the image on Macarons instead?

Kirishima: You can do something like that!?

Shindou: Yes. There are specialized stores out there for that. Or I could place the order for you if you’d like.

Kaname: There’d be no need to cut it then. I think that’s a brilliant idea.

Kirishima: Now we’re talking, Shindou!

Kujo: Then it’s decided. I’ll be leaving it to you then.

─────────────────────────⋅…⋆⋅☆

Rei: I see...

Kaname: I was surprised since I never thought that Kiyoshi-san of all people would suggest something like that.

Imaoji: That’s a really good suggestion though.

Rei: Yeah, I think it’s great too. These Macarons really express everyone’s feelings towards him.

Kaname: ...It’s just a tad overwhelming, I’d say.

Kaname: In any case, I’d like for you to help us carry this.

Rei: Alright. This is a huge responsibility, isn’t it?

Kaname: Yup. I do need an extra pair of hands to help out here but I thought that maybe throwing a flower into the fray might help soften the awkward image of two men carrying a cake.

Rei: No, no, I’m nothing akin to the flower you’re seeking for. Actually, I’m pretty sure there must be other candidates out there if you’d like…

Kaname: I called you because you’re you.

Rei: ……!

Imaoji: I think you’re the right person for the job too.

Rei: (When two men blessed with good looks tell me that...)

Kaname: Well, let’s hurry and get started. Be careful not to lose your balance.

Rei: Okay. Slowly, carefully…

─────────────────────────⋅…⋆⋅☆

We moved the cake from the serving cart it was set on onto the catering table with utmost caution. It was quite difficult carrying the cake while making sure that it’s three-tiers remained intact throughout.

☆⋅⋆ …⋅─────────────────────────────────────────⋅…⋆⋅☆

Investigation 5: Chapter 4

Rei: There we go…

Kirishima: OKAY, HERE COMES THE BOOMING VOICE--!!

Kirishima: BACK TO YOUR SEATS, EVERYONE! THE TEA PARTY’S GOING TO START NOW!!

Everyone started to gather in the center courtyard where the tables were set out in response to his call.

Kirishima: ‘right! Everyone’s here. All that’s left would be…

Miyase: Sorry for being late!

Kirishima: Oh, there you are. You’ll be sitting over here, Miyase.

Miyase: But isn’t this seat the head of the table…?

Kirishima: Just sit down already. You’re the star of the party today, aren’t you?

Miyase: ...Alright. Pardon me then.

Kaname: I’ll be cutting everyone’s share of the cake then.

I brandished a knife and started slicing the cake along with him.

Hinata: Wow...that’s one gargantuan cake right there.

Shindou: (Who would’ve thought that those printed Macarons would be made by the same maker who made Rilagoma...)

Sugano: I’ll help too. Do you still have another knife to spare?

Kyosuke: I’ll bring the cake around to the others then.

Asagiri: I’ll help with serving too.

Hinata: I’ll go fetch the plates.

Hiyama: There are still some plates left over here.

Thanks to everyone pitching in to help out, the cake was cut and shared with everyone present in just a moment and we were all finally able to take our seats.

Kirishima: Now then, I’ll leave the rest of the stuff to Kujo-san!

Kujo: Of course. Pardon me while I serve the tea.

He moved gracefully with fluid movements as he poured tea into the cups of everyone seated at the table. After everyone had been served a cup, he stopped in front of Miyase-san and placed a tea cup before him.

Miyase: ! Kujo-san, you can’t!

Kujo: Why?

Miyase: Because...Isn’t this part of the antique tableware set you treasure all so dearly?

Miyase: I’ve been told that only a few sets of it exist in this world and that it is something that’s extremely rare!

Miyase: Serving tea to a servant like me...that’s something that can never measure up to it’s worth.

Kujo: Go, I’m sure you’re also aware that there’s no meaning to tableware if it’s simply being kept on display.

Kujo: It is also valued because it can only be used by those who are worthy enough.

Kujo: I had decided that this would only be used by those who are important to me.

Miyase: …..! Thank you so much!

He picked up the tea cup and took a sip of the tea he was served.

Miyase: This is…

Kujo: It’s Rose Tea; something that I had ordered just for today.

Kujo: Go. This tea is also something that’s only yours.

Miyase: ...It’s very delicious.

───⋅𝕿𝖎𝖑𝖑 𝖓𝖊𝖝𝖙 𝖙𝖎𝖒𝖊…⋆⋅☆

#Stand My Heroes #スタンドマイヒーローズ #スタマイ #Sutamai #Translations #Otome #花ざかりのSwallow tail #Swallow Tail in Full Bloom #Kujo Soma #Miyase Go #Hiyama Takaomi #Tsuduki Kyosuke #Sugano Natsuki #Kirishima Koya #Yamazaki Kaname #Asagiri Tsukasa #Shindou Kiyoshi #Imaoji Shun #Hinata Shion

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azwriting · 5 years

Text

Another Life (Forget Me Not, Kylo Ren x Reader) - Chapter Ten

Hi everyone! Here’s chapter ten! It seems Kylo and the reader are getting closer.... Anyways I hope you all enjoy! Let me know if you want to be added to the taglist!

Summary: (Y/N) continues to get flashes of her memories from her prior life. Which continue to draw her closer to Kylo.

Warning(s): Sexual references, a bunch of fluff really

Word Count: 3923

(Y/N)’s hand stayed intertwined with Kylo’s as they continued to eat breakfast. An energy flowing between them. The energy had always been there, since they were children, but (Y/N) was only now beginning to feel it once more. Her returned past not only bringing back her memories, but reviving the connection she had to the Force. She was attuned once again to the energy that flowed through every living thing. Especially the energy flowing through the man across from her.

Kylo and her were silent, only stealing glances at one another every so often. She did not fully understand the complete shift in her, this sudden need to be near him. The agony of two lives seemed to be subsiding with his proximity and as much as (Y/N) wanted to credit that as to why she wanted him close, she knew it would only be a lie. Yes, he was the Supreme Leader of the First Order, the person she was supposed to see as her enemy. Yet, the man across from her in simple dark clothing only resembled the boy who used to watch sunsets with her. The feelings (Y/N) (Y/L/N) had were too strong to fight. The connection the two shared through the Force, only fueled the pull, the allure, the current that (Y/N) attempted to fight against. And whether or not she liked it, she needed his help to find herself again. Eating the last bite of her strudel, (Y/N) glanced up to Kylo, who’s reddened face held onto their hands. She watched his black waves slipped down in front of his eyes, a vision resurfacing.

Two medium length braids fell down (Y/N)’s shoulders as she sat in her small hut, meditating. She was not one to brag but she was the best meditator in class. Master Luke had accredited her ability to great uncle, a man known for his dedication to the Living Force. (Y/N) could feel everything, the vitality that surrounded her, the temple, and especially the incoming strong vigor. Not a second later, Ben came running in, his aura emitting nothing but pure elation. “What?” She prompted not opening an eye.

The boy was a little breathless as he delivered the good news, “Master Luke is allowing for us to go to Hanna for the ball!” (Y/N)’s eyes opened at that, turning to the grinning boy. Sweat made his hair cling to his face, its usual fluffiness matted down.

“Really?” She could not deny the joy that flooded her at the idea of returning home for the first time in years. Ben only nodded coming to sit beside her on the floor. “I thought you didn’t want to go?” (Y/N) questioned, nudging his shoulder.

Ben only shook his head, “The ball no, I don’t wish to go to that, but I would like to see my parents.” She nodded at that, she wanted to see them too.

“When do we leave?” Ben looked up to her, an unreadable look in his eyes as he watched her intently. For the past two years, something had begun to form between them. Something more than just childhood friends, something more powerful.

“In an hour.” Ben stood once again, pulling her up with him. He stood close, his warm breath fanning across her face. (Y/N) would almost be distracted by his presence, by the constant energy flowing between them, but instead she wrinkled her nose.

“Did you have your private lesson again? You smell worse than a Wookie! You better go freshen up, I’m not flying anywhere with you smelling like that!”

Ripping her hand from his, (Y/N) stumbled up and out of her chair in alarm. Her hands flew up to her forehead pushing hair out of her face. Kylo stood in alarm too, “What’s wrong?” (Y/N) ignored him, her thoughts racing faster than what it took to make the Kessel Run. Her content with the Supreme Leader seemed to grow, leaving her jittery. Her emotions and senses were out of control, every surfacing memory only leading her to feel more drawn to Kylo. The very man before her, trying to snap her back to reality.

“What happened? What’s wrong?” Kylo reiterated, his hands cupping around her face. He could not read her thoughts they were too cluttered, like the morning he gave her her memories back.

“I keep getting these… flashes of moments, memories from before.” She answered finally, eyes glazed over.

“What did you see?” Kylo spoke gently rubbing soothing circles on her upper cheeks.

“It was us, before we went to the ball on Hanna.” (Y/N) whispered, peering up at his concerned eyes… he had always been so worried about her. “You had just come back from your lesson and you were so sweaty, you smelled-”

“Worse than a Wookie.” Kylo finished, letting out a quiet laugh, and recalling the moment himself.

(Y/N) let a small smile grace her lips, before she turned serious again. “Why does this keep happening?” He let out a deep sigh pondering momentarily.

“You’re still processing everything. I’m assuming once you’ve accepted everything, it will stop.” (Y/N) groaned slightly, she was hoping she was past reliving everything. She could not handle the torment, but then again she did not feel like she had that morning everything returned. No, she felt strangely secure with the warm hands pressed against her skin. “It will be okay, it will subside soon.” Kylo reassured her, his baritone voice laced with tenderness. He made it difficult to pretend to despise him.

Suddenly his hands fell from her face, (Y/N) waking from a daze. Stars, she was puddy in his hands already… This was dangerous. “I’ll clean up and you go get ready for the day. Perhaps we could go on a walk? Some fresh air may help with the overwhelming senses.”

(Y/N) beamed, “Yes that sounds lovely actually.” She turned to leave, but a sudden urge erupted inside of her and she turned back to his observing stature. Her hands shakingly rose to his cheeks, her thumb gently falling over his scar. “Thank you for breakfast.” She wanted to say more: to thank him for helping, for returning the lost pieces of her soul, for always being there for her. Instead her hands slipped down and she turned to the hallway, her heart hammering in her chest. Oh yes, this was very dangerous.

Kylo stood hunched over the kitchen sink watching the warm breeze float through the endless greenery. He could hear the faint sound of the water running down the hall, but his mind was too fogged to focus on it. A warm flush worked its way onto his skin, a feeling he always credited to being around (Y/N), his light. He was still processing all the physical contact she had been bestowing upon him. It had been over a decade since he had felt pure, kind, bonded physical contact with someone. Rey and him had had a moment months ago, but that was different. That was two broken people finding temporary solace within each other, but the scavenger had let him down just as everyone else had.

(Y/N) was different though, she never let him down. It was all so overpowering, she was overpowering. Not to mention her thoughts, her thoughts of him. He could sense the part of her that wanted to open up to him, that was beginning to see him in a new light. He wondered if she could sense his internal battle, the light winning at the moment. He did not care if she did, he did care that it was there. There was no Snoke to punish him for it anymore, he was liberated from his cruelty. Yet, he was not freed from the constant wavering of his darkness and light. All Kylo wanted was her by his side forever, they could get into the messier details another time. He moved to put the last clean dish away when a strange unfamiliar feeling washed over him. It was like a cloud had enveloped around him in the Force, transporting him elsewhere. This was entirely new, something he had never experienced before.

Kylo was abruptly back in the master bedroom. It was cleaner: the sheets neatly made on top of the bed, a changing divider placed in the corner where the lightsaber slashes once were, and the frames depicting many different things were cleaned and placed upright on the dresser. Kylo was now in entirely different clothing, dark brown robes now adorned his towering figure. Something was not right… A sweet laugh came from his left and Kylo turned instinctively to find (Y/N) emerging from the bathroom. Her clothes were covered in splotches of water, soaking her. A gem gleaming on a significant finger as she brushed away her loose hair, sitting down on the edge of the bed with a huff.

“Bathtime is always such a hassle.” Kylo chuckled in unison with her as a small child exited the bathroom. It was a girl, no older than four, with wet black ringlets, soft brown eyes, and a beauty mark on her left cheek.

“Were you splashing again?” Kylo bent down to the little girl’s level, watching the sneaky grin work its way onto her sweet young face.

“It was an accident!” She giggled out, her voice angelic.

“Well you know what that means.” Kylo stated simply, mocking a serious tone. The little girl shook her head, those killer brown eyes widening. “I’m just going to have to tickle you.”

The girl gasped immediately, “No Papa!” But Kylo already swept up her and onto the purple sheets, tickling the sides of her pale green nightgown endlessly. “Mamma!” The girl breathed out between her hysterical giggles, “Help me!” (Y/N) only laughed from the side coming to the rescue.

Porcelain shattering across the floor woke Kylo from his trance, the man now back in the kitchen. What was that? He had never felt something so… real. This was something he had never been educated in, something he did not know existed. Had he simply just conjured up the image himself? No, it was not possible. He could not fabricate a delusion so strong, so beautiful. That was the worst thing swirling through his mind right now, the longing for it to have been true. Too caught up in his own confusion, Kylo did not hear the water shut off or the door opening down the hall.

“D-Did you see it too?” Kylo’s eyes focused to find (Y/N) with a towel sloppily wrapped around her frame, soap still lathered in her hair. He could only nod, staring back at her half-crazed eyes. He wondered what he looked like. She let out a sigh of relief, “I thought I was going crazy. It was nothing like the other flashes, it felt so real like…” She trailed off searching for the correct term.

“Another life.” Kylo finished her thought, finding his voice. The two shared a grim expression, still suspended in a state of shock. (Y/N) and Kylo could sense it in one another, the gaping hole the illusion left in its wake, the yearning too. It was not real, it could never happen. Could it? No, Kylo shook away his hope, war was no place for a child. “G-Go finish getting ready and then we’ll go on that walk?” His statement came out as more of a question, but (Y/N) nodded nonetheless. She disappeared back into her room as Kylo outstretched his hand. His focus was shaken as he tried to collect all the shards of the broken plate, before he dumped it all into a waste bin. The child’s sweet laugh haunting him.

(Y/N) walked side by side with Kylo, both remaining silent, too stunned to talk. She watched him trudge alongside her, his eyes hardened as he was lost deep in thought. She wondered in what, could he be thinking of the illusion as well?(Y/N) contemplated reading his thoughts, but no matter how hard she practiced as a padawan it never truly worked well for her. Kylo had always been gifted when it came to reading thoughts. It made her a bit flustered to think he heard everything she thought, every thought of him. (Y/N) let her head fall back to absorb the warm sun, the pure energy. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, walking blindly. She reached out, seeking guidance and reassurance from the Force, asking for a sign. A signal on how to proceed with life, on where to go from here, on why she was here. (Y/N) opened her eyes and the sun instantly blinded her for a second. Blinking the colorful speckles in her vision away, an image flashing forward.

He was young, thirteen, running through the quiet meadows with hot tears being wind whipped against his flushed skin. Ben stumbled and dropped down into the grass, sobbing loudly. He bent down and cradled his face in his hands, down in the grass. A gentle hand was soon placed on his back, automatically rubbing soothing circles. He knew exactly who it was, he had no fear, there was only one person who would chase after him. “It’s okay Ben.” (Y/N) comforted.

“N-No it’s not, Kol’s right! I’m never going to be good enough.” Ben’s head lifted from his hands, looking utterly distraught. Ben did not have a firm grasp on his emotions yet, which presented itself in moments during his training. A fact the young padawan was ashamed of.

(Y/N) scoffed, “Yes you will! You’re the strongest Force user here!”Ben glanced over at her, tears messily smeared across his face. “But I’ll never be my uncle or grandfather!”

(Y/N) sighed, shifting to sit on her knees, trying to be imposing.“You’re right.” She stated blandly and Ben sunk into himself, dejected by her words. “You’ll be better.” He only shook his head in disbelief, tears still falling. He did not believe he would amount to anything. “You’re more than you think of yourself. You’re everything to me.”

Ben’s sobs hitched at that, “I am?”

She only smiled and moved to wipe away his tears. “Yes, you’re all I have Ben, but sometimes you need to realize that being Ben Solo is the greatest thing you’ll ever do. “ Ben sniffled and nodded slowly, her words calming him. He moved to place his hands over hers that still rested on his face. (Y/N) winced lightly attempting to play it off as a smile, but Ben saw through her lie and yanked her hands away from his face. Her dominant hand was red, the knuckles bloody and bruised.

“What happened?” Ben hiccuped.

“I may have punched Kol… Master Luke won’t be pleased, but it was worth it.”

(Y/N) returned to the sunny scenery to find Kylo standing in front of her, patiently waiting and watching. “What did you see this time?” He questioned, eyes searching hers.

“You can’t tell?”

Kylo shook his head, “No you’re not exactly thinking of these moments, they’re just resurfacing in your mind. All I hear or see is your emotions.”

“How did I feel?” Kylo was silent, his hand coming up to catch a stray teardrop that threatened to fall from her eye.

“I felt sympathy and sadness, but also gratitude and content.” (Y/N) nodded, observing Kylo who only prompted her for more.

“It was us in the meadow after I punched Kol.” Kylo stiffened at her words, remembering his vulnerability, remembering her words of comfort. The words he had strayed so far from. The two stared at each other intently, eyes both conveying feelings they could not admit, not yet. “You’re everything to me.” (Y/N) unexpectedly launched herself onto Kylo, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck as she began to cry softly into his shoulder. Kylo hastily returned her hug, his strong arms locking her against him. They were flushed against each other, their auras blending together as they wept. There had been so much heartache interwoven into their lives, tearing them apart, but they had found a way back to each other. Or at the very least, the beginning of the way. (Y/N) felt the will of the Force answering her. This was her sign, they would need to save each other, end all of this. This was their destiny.

After dinner, the two sat on opposite ends of the couch, anxiety lingering in the air between them. Both unsure how to continue, so instead they both silently read. “I’m so sorry about the Strykers on Hosnian, I want you to know I had nothing to do with that.” Kylo spoke suddenly tearing (Y/N)’s pretend focus away from her book. She could not read, not with her spiraling thoughts of him. (Y/N) gulped, she knew Snoke had been in command when the Cataclysm of the system occurred. She could not blame his apprentice, not when he was apologizing. She placed her book down onto the glass table before her and turned to face Kylo. He did the same, his eyes holding a look of pure regret.

“There’s nothing you could’ve done.” She whispered.

Kylo let out a deep sigh, “I know, but I keep envisioning you on there when it happened and I would’ve lost you again without ever knowing.” (Y/N) shifted closer, she could not control herself anymore. Every ounce of the Resistance fighter inside her soul gone.

“But I wasn’t, I’m right here with you.” Kylo nodded glumly, pulling her closer until she knelt right beside him, facing him.

“I don’t deserve you, I never have.” (Y/N) silenced him by pressing her finger to his lips, moving to rest her cheek against his. They remained quiet, basking in each other’s warmth. Until (Y/N) began to yawn.

“Do you wish to sleep in the master bedroom again tonight? I can sleep on the floor if it makes you more comfortable. I would have done so last night, but you kind of locked me down.” Kylo rambled out nervously. (Y/N) smiled to herself and pulled back to face him once more.

“Ah yes the most powerful Force user of his generation was secured down by a sleep deprived me.” She teased and watched as his face flushed in embarrassment.

“Surprising isn't?” (Y/N) laughed and stood from the couch, pulling Kylo up with her. “I’ll take that as a yes.” He whispered down to her and she agreed with a smirk.

“Yes I’ll go change.” She moved towards the hall before throwing, “And I’m sure we can handle sleeping in the same bed again” over her shoulder. Oh she hoped she could.

Knocking on the white door before entering, (Y/N) was greeted with Kylo in a simple black shirt sitting up in bed. He was on the far side of the bed, the open spot next to him awaiting her. His eyes nervously racked down her figure covered by a medium length gray nightgown. Her hair wild and free, framing her beautiful face. ``Hi.” She mumbled fiddling with the fabric of her nightgown.

“Hi.” His deep baritone voice radiated warmth through her, pushing her onward. (Y/N) pulled back the dark purple sheets and awkwardly slipped into bed beside him. She moved around for a bit finding comfort on her side facing away from him. “Are you settled?” Kylo questioned, his stare burning through her head.

“Yes, thank you.” The dim light illuminating the room disappeared, the darkness consuming everything.

(Y/N) in her white flowery dress jumped out of the X-Wing, Ben following suit. The two dashed across the Jedi grounds, heading for her hut. It was still dark, everyone asleep, and unaware of their departure only hours ago. But morning would soon break and they needed to appear as if they never left. “Can you unlace me?” (Y/N) asked once inside her hut. Ben’s fingers hurriedly unlaced the white ribbon on the back of her dress as she removed her crown of flowers.

“Done.” Ben announced and (Y/N) quickly slipped out of the fabric, leaving her bare to his eyes. “It’s a shame daylight is so soon.” His voice was huskier, inviting. (Y/N) only laughed placing a kiss to her newly betrothed lips.

She pulled off her ring and handed it to him, “Instead of getting all worked up, how about you find a way for us to secretly wear these, hmm?” Ben groaned in annoyance, accepting her ring. He sat down on the floor next to her small tray and began to thread black leather strips through their rings, fastening them into necklaces. (Y/N) came back to his side, wearing brown robes and her hair braided tightly.

“For you my wife.” Ben handed her her necklace, the silver band secured at the bottom.

“Thank you, my husband.” She grinned and slid the necklace over her head, hiding it underneath her tunic perfectly. He did the same as he stood back to his towering height. “There now nobody will know.” A joyful laugh fell from (Y/N)’s lips, she was still full of bliss and love. They captured each other’s lips in a kiss once more, the sun beginning to rise on the horizon.

“This will prove to be the longest trying day of my life,” Ben complained, “but once it is through, I will make love to you until the stars align.” (Y/N)’s cheeks turned a deep crimson, her words failing her, so she simply pressed a feverish kiss to her husband’s lips as the morning bells began to toll.

(Y/N) was back in the dark bedroom, her body warm and tingling. She felt Kylo shift closer, his fingers crazing her bare arm. “What did you see?” Her cheeks blazed from his question and her memory, silently thankful for the darkness.

“Um… my father and I running around the farmhouse in Nayli.” She lied, too embarrassed to reveal the truth. She did not feel like disclosing how she saw the hours after their wedding, the promises of later, while lying in bed next to him.

“That would make sense. I felt love and compassion.” (Y/N) only nodded in the dark, her words failing her.

She was not sure why it popped back in her mind, perhaps the memory of their sex life surfacing , but the illusion of the child resurfaced as well. “She looked like you.” (Y/N) whispered in the night.

“Who?” Kylo asked, eyebrows furrowing at the shift in topic. She rolled around to face him, finding Kylo on his side already facing her. The pale moonlight outside illuminating the room just enough that she could make out his eyes. Oh his sweet eyes, the eyes she had seen reflected in the child.

“The little girl, our little girl.” Kylo was mute as he gaped at her, anguish flickering like hot coals in his eyes. He eventually nodded, mouth still pressed into a solid line. “What was that?” Kylo released his lips, a rough exhale sounding with it.

“I’m not entirely sure. It wasn’t a premonition, it’s not something I’ve ever heard of. And the fact that we both saw it collectively, I-I just don’t know.” (Y/N) let out a faint noise as a response. “The Force works in mysterious ways.” They shared a knowing look, before she turned to lie on her back.

For her next words, she could not look him in the eye and say. “It-It would have been nice… that other life.” She confided. (Y/N) felt his hand find hers beneath the covers, holding it tightly.

“It would’ve been.” Hands still clasped together, the two shifted closer into each other’s embrace, soothing each other into a peaceful sleep.

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kl4us4 · 5 years

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MELODRAMA

CHAPTER NINE: HARD FEELINGS / LOVELESS

Summary: Three lifelong friends - Poe, Finn, and Ben - encounter a new transfer to the base. You. And it isn’t long before you and Ben become closer than anyone had expected.

masterlist / melodrama masterlist

Go back and tell it. Remember it all. Refresh it in your mind. Ben left. He left you here alone. He left all his friends and he broke your heart. You wish you could be upset at him for it. You also wish that when he decided to leave that’d he’d stay gone. As you see Poe approaching you, you hold back a sigh. You guess wishes just don’t come true.

“Surprised to see you here.” He remarks honestly, his voice loud over the blasting music.

“Surprised to be here.” You admit, gesturing for him to sit beside you on the couch, “Haven’t been to a party... in ages.”

Poe gives you a sad smile. It isn’t lost on him that the last time you were sat on this couch, it was Ben that was beside you. “I know.” He continues in a laugh, putting the bottle up to his lips before he speaks, “I’ve been to every single one.”

You force a smile, knowing Poe still has hope for things to go back to normal. But it won’t be. Not after everything that happened last night. You can’t stop going over it all in your head.

“You’re forgetting me.” Ben had told you. Why is that a bad thing? Isn’t that what everyone was supposed to do since he left without saying goodbye?

“Where‘s Finn?” You wonder, changing the subject and changing your mind. But before Poe can reply, there comes a blaring alarm. It ripples through the bar, making people fret and rush around. It’s a little ways off the base but the alarm sounds deafeningly loud in the quiet of the night. You recognise the sound of the alarm from your training. “Is this a drill?” You frown, looking to Poe urgently.

He doesn’t answer, just meets your eyes, stands, and you follow him. Straight to his x-wing, that’s where you go. Then he speeds to the base, along with others. You can’t believe your eyes when the base comes into view. It burns to look at the brightness of it all, the absolute fire that engulfs more than half of the base. Not even the sight of thousands of rebels congregating, safe from the flames, can bring you relief.

A familiar ship rolls from the bay, you can see it as Poe angles his ship down. The Millenium Falcon. You haven’t seen it fly since... since Ben left. “No, land closer.” You order Poe, not taking your eyes off of the black ship starting its bright engine.

“But-”

“Just do it.” You shout, heart practically beating out of your chest. You can’t let that piece of shit go into hyperspace or you’ll never see it again. When the x-wing has landed and you rush from it, you hear Poe‘s footsteps following you with urgency.

“General Organa.” You greet her, meeting her sad eyes as she stands outside of the dropship. “What happened here?”

She sucks in a shallow breath, “Y/N, you’re not sanctioned to know the details-”

“No, but I am.” Poe interrupts, “What happened?”

Leia swallows the lump in her throat, looking towards the burning base as she stands at the edged of the Falcon. “Snoke.”

That name makes you freeze. You hadn’t heard it in so long. Ben doesn’t need the force connection to tell him you’re close... he can hear your voice outside.

“He attacked the base?” Poe wonders, furrowing his eyebrows. Leia tears her eyes from you, looking to her trusted friend as he continues to speak, “How did he find our coordinates?”

Unable to tell him the whole truth, Leia just shrugs. “I’m not sure, Poe. We’ll figure it out. Now, the best thing is for everyone to evacuate. Follow emergency plan 8. Spread the word.”

Poe nods, giving you a glance before he rushes off, already ordering his troops like a good soldier. You’re not sure why Leia hasn’t sent you away, cursed you from being in her sight... but she just gives you a sad glance.

“You know more than you led on.” It comes from your mouth as a sort of question... a query, not a statement. “Is that why you didn’t want me around... because I’m connected to him?”

Leia places a hand on your shoulder, “There are so many things you don’t understand, Y/N. And I hate to be the one to drag you into this mess.”

“But?” You continue for her, looking into her brown eyes and wondering what the hell is going on. She takes her hand from you.

Ben stands on the other side of the door and his mother knows this. She looks to you, wondering if you’re skilled enough to tell when Ben is around. Can you feel him there? Or can you not tell the difference between real life and the force?

"Snoke didn’t just guess our location. He tracked us.” The General advises you, “He used the connection that you and Ben have.” The conversation rushes to your memory.

“Why are you doing this to me?”

“Y/N… I’m not doing this.” Ben painfully responded to you.

“Then how?” You asked back, awaiting his reply.

“We’re connected. Haven’t we always been?”

“No.” You mutter, head tilting back to your burning home, “I... I did this? I took part in this... Last night, I-”

“I know.” She interrupts you, “Ben told me.”

Your head is reeling and you can’t stop the guilt from feeding itself into your chest. Ben was right, then. He really did leave to stop people from getting hurt. Your only job was to let him. Your only job was to let him go. And now look. Look at what’s happened. The base is burning. Your home... everyone’s home is vanishing before their eyes. Because you couldn’t let go... you couldn’t just let Ben Solo get up and leave peacefully.

Stars, you wish you could ask her where Ben is. And how Ben is. And if he’s still here and if he said anything about you, or if he wants to see you, or if you can talk to him but you can barely breathe, you can barely breathe, you can barely

“Breathe.”

A harsh voice startles you from your spiral. Looking up, your eyes are filled with hot tears. You see the blurry vision of someone you only had a glimpse the night Ben left. Luke Skywalker. His piercing blue eyes lock onto yours.

“Do not go in your mind where your body is not. Snoke did this.” He states forcefully, “This is what he does. This is what war does. Y/N, this is what he wanted all along. It’s why he got a hold on Ben and it’s why he tried to seduce you to the dark side too.”

“He... Snoke... Snoke couldn’t have done this without me!” You breathe, feeling guilt run through you like a fever. Your hands shake. Anger courses through you and even Ben can feel it from his hiding position in the Falcon. You tear your eyes from Luke. “This is my fault...” You admit, knowing that the Supreme Leader was after you through Ben. “I never should’ve been in Bens room. It was so stupid of me.” Running your hands through your hair, you wonder what Poe and Finn will think once they find out. Stars, how could you be so foolish?

“Stop. In no way is this your fault.” Leia pushes.

You just look up at her and you see the red fires reflected in her eyes. “How can you say that to me while everything you worked for is burning?” You turn to the burning buildings, seeing rebels emerging covered in rubble. You see Poe and Rey stand by one another as they sit Finn up.

“Because,” Leia pauses, taking a breath. You can’t handle looking at her. “Because if it’s your fault then it’s my son's fault. And I can’t bear the thought of that.”

Luke’s voice. “Ben.”

Now you turn. There he is. At the foot of the Falcon, Ben’s brown eyes are wide as he looks to his mother, seeing her slumped shoulders and her defeated expression.

“This was our fault.” He confirms, eyes flicking to yours for the split of a second, “Look around, the Resistance is burning and our friends are covered in dust.”

Hearing Ben agree with you but barely even look at you makes you feel as though you’re not even there. Turning to his nephew, Luke begins to whisper things to Ben; no doubt trying to convince him that he should be guilt free. But now, Ben can’t tear his eyes away from you. Walking around Luke without a second thought or glance, he comes to face you. He looks tired... like he’s barely slept. He looks the same as he did four months ago. Maybe even worse as tears compile in his eyes freely.

It’s quiet for a sad moment. “I don’t know what to say to you.” You admit, wiping tears from underneath your eyes, “Last night... did you know this was going to happen?”

Ben just watches you closely, the black tone of his garments contrasting his skin and making him look even more pale than usual. “You think I’d allow like this?”

“I don’t know.” You swallow the lump in your throat.

“I knew as much as you did,” Ben tells you honestly, wanting to touch you but not knowing if it’s okay. So he stands still. You watch him, wishing he would hug you and tell you it’s all fine and tell you that you’re both still the good guys even though it doesn’t seem that way right now. When he looks at you, Ben can’t see past the guilt and anger you’re emitting.

I knew Snoke before you did.

Your voice. He raises his eyebrows, eyes focused on your lips. Bens head is filled with images of your lip along with a single thought. Ben’s eyes are filled with fury, he takes a step away from you. “Ben?” You reach out for him but he just pushes you away.

“I can’t believe you!” Ben exclaims back, not wanting to lose his temper but unable to comprehend your betrayal, “You were Snoke's apprentice long before you started working for the Rebellion!”

Narrowing your eyes, you give him a confused glare. “Ben, what the hell are you talking about?”

“Don’t act like-”

“Like what?!”

“Like the victim of all this!”

“Both of you, enough!” Leia shouts, her scream drawing attention from your friends who make their way over to the unfolding scene.

“No!” Ben shouts, looking around the group at his family and friends and you, “You all think it’s me you have to be afraid of... but she,” he points a finger to you, “she‘s the reason all of this happened. Tell them, why don’t you!”

You shake your head, “What’s gotten into you?”

He just laughs, gritting his teeth together. “You’re a good actress, I’ll give you that. So all this was fake, right? Just something Snoke put you up to?”

All you can do is shake your head, “Ben, I have nothing to do with Snoke.”

“Leia, I’m sorry but your son is...” You stop, not knowing how your feelings for Ben turned to such hatred. You don’t even know how you got to this point. What is going on?

“Is what?” Ben asks, taking a step towards you. His eyes pierce yours, “Finish your sentence. Your son is...”

You just pause, a breath caught in the middle of your throat. You lick your lips before you mumble, “Not your son anymore.”

“Oh, yeah?” Ben asks, a vicious smile on his features as he leans towards you, his hand raised. You can’t help but flinch and cower away. Rey frowns stoically, the buzzing sound of the blue lightsaber igniting rapidly. Bens eyes widen as if snapping out of his daze. His lips part, not knowing what to say or how he got in this position. His glance travels to his raised hand, his raised and shaking hand. And then he looks at you. “I...” He can’t say a single sentence, it seems.

“This is lunacy,” Luke states, placing a hand on Bens' chest and pushing him away from you before he speaks. Rey puts the lightsaber away and it clings to her side. Ben just looks at his hand, wondering who the hell took control of him... but he doesn’t really have to wonder for long. “Listen, everyone needs to calm down. Snoke’s presence, I can feel it.” Looking between the two of you, Luke gives you both a sad expression, “He’s still controlling you, Ben... manipulating your auditory senses... your feelings, your actions, everything.”

You clench your jaw, feeling raw anger make your body shiver. Ben’s hand now by his side, he approaches you with an apologetic expression. “Take another step towards her and it’ll be your last,” Rey promises. Ben turns, wanting to just run back into the ship and fly away and never hurt anyone ever again.

“Don’t walk away from this.” Comes Poe‘s voice. You can’t help but look at him, all your anger and irrational thoughts dissipating, though they prod at your mind, “If Luke can feel him, then he isn’t far. We need everyone here on base.”

“What base?” Ben inquires, turning his head slightly. Poe gives his friend a heartbroken look. Poe doesn’t answer. “You need protectors. All I do is... burn everything.”

Shaking his head, Poe walks up to the man who he’s known his entire life. “Not true.” He begins, “Remember when we were 11?”

“Oh, god.” Ben sighs, looking to the far off sky filled with clouds of smoke.

“You remember?” Poe persists.

“Yes,” Ben answers, turning to face him.

“That stupid group of kids wouldn’t let us hang out at Summerfort even though we were there first. And one day they pushed me and I scraped my knee.” Poe gives Ben a small smile, “And you got so mad you pushed that kid into the lake.”

“And then...” Finn coughs, shakily standing by Rey’s side, “Then you felt bad so you helped him out.”

“And all three of you became best friends. Remember?” Poe finishes the story, looking between Finn and Ben.

“Yes.” Ben answers seriously this time, “I remember.”

Pressing a finger to Ben’s chest, Poe looks his brother in the eyes. “That,” he says, “That is who you are.”

Ben shuts his eyes for a second before opening them upon seeing your face when he closed them. It was the look of horror laced on your face after you flinched away from him. He‘s not sure he can come back from that... from almost hurting you with his bare hands. He whispers to his friend, answering his claim, “I’m not so sure anymore.”

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roguelibrarian · 5 years

Text

Runs in the Family

prompt: broken limb ( @badthingshappenbingo)

fandom: Star Wars Rebels

AO3 link

This fic is a bonus sequel fic to Break Your Chains. Warning for: broken bones; references to past child abuse; abuse victim’s fear of becoming an abuser

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Rey’s scream split the air and Ezra immediately dropped the wooden staff he was using as a training saber to the ground. Rey was sitting up where she had fallen, her left arm clutched against her side. Tears were streaming down her cheeks as she bit down on her lower lip. Ezra rushed to her side and knelt down next to her.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

Rey began nodding, then stopped and shook her head. Ezra gently drew the ten-year-old’s arm away from her side and examined it. Her wrist was one large, dark purple bruise, swollen enough that Ezra knew on sight that she wouldn’t be able to move her hand.

“It’s okay,” Ezra said. “You’ll be okay.”

He carefully gathered Rey into his arms. With her good arm, she clung to him, now sobbing into his shoulder. It was a clear sign of just how much pain she was in that she let him carry her, rather than insisting on walking by herself.

Ezra carried her up the lowered ramp of the Ghost, which was set down next to the Gauntlet. As he set Rey down on a crate in the cargo bay, she still clutched at his shirt with her uninjured hand.

“It’s okay,” Ezra said again, gently prying her hand away. “I just don’t want you trying to climb the ladder with your arm like that.”

“I can do it,” Rey said, sniffling quietly.

“Just stay here,” Ezra said, tucking a lock of Rey’s hair that had fallen out of her braid behind her ear. “I’ll be right back.”

Rey nodded and Ezra hurried to the ladder, scaling it quickly and rushing to the galley to find the medkit.

He knew that Hera wouldn’t mind him borrowing the bone-knitter, but as he retrieved it, he wondered if he should get ahold of one to keep on the Gauntlet. He didn’t know how often it was normal for kids to break bones, but he didn’t want to be caught without one if it happened again. So far, they’d been lucky, and Rey hadn’t suffered any major injuries, but he didn’t want to push that luck any farther than he already had.

Grabbing a bottle of mild painkillers, Ezra left the galley and headed back toward the cargo bay. As he slid down the ladder, he saw Rey waiting right where he’d left her, her arm pulled close to her chest. When she saw him, she quickly wiped her eyes with the back of her good hand. A sharp pang shot through Ezra’s chest at the sight of it as he frantically tried to think of what he’d done to make her feel like she couldn’t cry in front of him.

“Here,” Ezra said, opening the bottle of painkillers and removing a single pill, holding it out to Rey. “Take this.”

Rey took the pill from his hand and stared at it for a second before swallowing it. She’d come a long way from her early days as Ezra’s padawan, when she’d refused to take painkillers, both out of pride and fear of “wasting” them.

“This will help your arm heal,” Ezra said, sitting down on the crate beside Rey and placing the bone-knitter against her arm.

Rey’s eyes widened slightly as he switched the bone-knitter on, but she didn’t pull away.

“It feels weird,” she said, staring down at the small electrodes stuck to her arm.

“I know,” Ezra said. “But it’s faster than waiting for it to heal on its own.”

“So I can get back to training sooner?” Rey asked, managing a small smile in spite of the pain.

“You’ll need to rest your arm for a while,” Ezra said. “So no sparring.”

Rey’s shoulders slumped and she winced as she jostled her arm. Ezra forced himself not to look away; forced himself to keep looking at the damage. Damage that he’d caused. He’d broken his padawan’s arm. She trusted him and he’d hurt her.

“Rey,” he said, a slight break in his voice. “I am so, so sorry. It was an accident.”

“It’s okay,” Rey said with a small shrug.

Ezra couldn’t help but wince at her words. It was the farthest thing from okay. He’d sworn that he would never let something like this happen, that he would never become like Maul, and now his own apprentice was trying not to cry in front him after being injured by his hand.

Looking down at the bruising on Rey’s arm, the image flashed through his mind of Maul standing over him as he lay in a heap on the floor of the cell, his broken wrist clutched against his chest. He winced as a dull ache shot through his arm. His own wrist had long since healed, but echoes of the pain from his injury still plagued him when he was faced with a reminder of that month in the cell with Maul.

“Are you okay?”

Rey’s voice jolted Ezra out of his thoughts, a painful knot of guilt forming in his stomach. He should be focusing on her, and she was asking him if he was okay.

“I’m fine,” he said. “It’s nothing.”

Rey blinked slowly as she looked up at him, the corner of her mouth twitching slightly.

“No, it’s not,” she said. “Something’s wrong.”

“You don’t need to worry about me,” Ezra said, forcing himself to smile. “Here. This should be okay by now.”

He switched off the bone-knitter and carefully removed the electrodes from Rey’s arm. Rey slowly flexed her fingers, a small, satisfied smile crossing her face when she was able to move them without difficulty.

“Why don’t you go take a break?” Ezra said. “I think we’re done with training for today.”

Rey stayed where she was for a moment, looking up at him with concern before sliding off of the crate and bolting toward the ladder. Ezra was relieved to see that she was careful as she scaled it, probably heading off toward Sabine’s room.

Ezra braced his hands on his knees for a moment, drawing in a long, shaking breath as he stared down at the floor. He swallowed nervously before standing up and walking back down the ramp out of the cargo bay. Some air would help him clear his head. He hoped.

As he wandered away from the ship, he sent a soft mental nudge across his bond with Rey, letting her know that he was leaving. She sent her own nudge back toward him, acknowledging his wordless message.

He hadn’t gone far when he felt another mental nudge, this one from his bond with Kanan. He shrank away from his master’s mental touch, only for a familiar warmth to flow across the bond and with it, a feeling like the mental equivalent of a hand on his shoulder. Kanan knew something was wrong, and was trying to reassure him that whatever it was, Ezra could talk to him.

Ezra hesitated for a moment, wondering if this was even something he should talk to Kanan about. But wouldn’t keeping it to himself be worse? He’d spent more than half his life keeping things from Kanan, never wanting to tell him any more about what Maul had done to him than was absolutely necessary. And if something like this happened again, someone should know that it had happened before. Someone had to be ready to do something if he ever hurt Rey again.

Ezra reached out through the Force and walked deeper into the woods, following his sense of where Kanan was. It wasn’t long before he found his master seated on a fallen log.

“What are you doing all the way out here?” Ezra asked. He could tell that Kanan wasn’t meditating.

“It’s easier to get a sense of what a place looks like when I’m alone,” Kanan said.

“Should I –”

“No,” Kanan said before Ezra could ask if he should leave. “It’s alright. What happened?”

Ezra hesitated once more, then sank onto the log beside Kanan. He was surprised to find that on some level, he was actually relieved that Kanan had told him to stay. He didn’t want to be alone with his thoughts and his guilt right now.

“I – I hurt Rey,” Ezra said, his voice breaking. Now that he’d said it, he couldn’t hold back, and the words began tumbling from his mouth so fast he could barely keep up with them. “We were training and I – I didn’t even see what happened really, it was so fast, but she – her arm – I broke her kriffing arm.”

He drew in a sharp breath, his hands curling into fists in his lap, his nails biting into his skin.

“Is she okay?” Kanan asked.

“Yeah,” Ezra said, squeezing his eyes shut as he nodded. “I used the bone-knitter and she – I think she’ll be fine, but I…”

He trailed off, his vision slipping out of focus as he stared down at the ground in front of him.

“It was an accident,” he said, the words coming out as barely more than a whisper. “But I – I hurt her, Kanan. I swore I never would, and I –”

Kanan’s hand closed around Ezra’s in a grip tight enough to pull him out of his own head before he began to spiral.

“Ezra,” Kanan said. “It was an accident. And Rey is fine.”

“I know, but –” Ezra’s voice broke off as he pulled his hand out of Kanan’s grip and hugged his arms around himself. “I – I’m –”

He couldn’t make himself say it. Giving voice to it made it too real. But he had to. He couldn’t just hide from this.

“I’m scared,” he said. “I don’t want to be like him.”

“You’re not,” Kanan said. “You didn’t mean to hurt Rey. It was an accident. You didn’t do it to be cruel.”

“Why does that matter?” Ezra asked. “She still got hurt. It was still my fault. She’s my padawan and I’m supposed to keep her safe and I did this to her.”

“Did you do it because you wanted to teach her a lesson?” Kanan asked.

“No,” Ezra said. “Of course not.”

“And did you do it to punish her for something?”

“No,” Ezra said again.

“Did you do it because you were angry at her?”

“No.”

“Then you aren’t like him,” Kanan said. He hesitated for a moment before gently squeezing his shoulder. “And I’m sure that you know that, even if you can't see it right now.”

Ezra shrugged Kanan’s hand off of his shoulder. He hadn’t come here to be comforted. He’d come here to make sure someone knew what he’d done, to make sure someone would stop it from happening again if he couldn’t stop himself, and Kanan either couldn’t or wouldn’t understand that.

“Ezra, I’ve seen you with Maul,” Kanan said. “I’ve seen the way he treated you, and what it did to you. And I’ve seen you with Rey, too. You and Maul…you couldn’t be more different.”

“Maybe not yet,” Ezra muttered. “But what if…one day…”

He trailed off, his shoulders slumping. It had been more than a year now, and the same fears that he’d had when he first took Rey in still haunted him. Fears that becoming Rey’s teacher would bring something out in him, that this would be what made him become like Maul, even if he hadn’t been before. Fears that everything he’d learned from Kanan wouldn’t matter in the end, that what he’d been raised as would always win.

“I’m scared,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper now. “But I – I know it was an accident, so I don’t understand why I’m scared. I just know that I am and I don’t want to hurt her.”

“You said it yourself, Ezra,” Kanan said. “It was an accident. I know that you’re afraid, and I understand why. But what Maul did to you won’t turn you into him.”

Ezra didn’t respond. He didn’t know what he could say. He wanted to believe Kanan, and on some level, he almost did. But the sound of Rey’s scream echoed in his ears, drowning out his common sense, dragging memories of his own screams of pain and terror to the surface. He hadn’t sensed fear from her, only shock and pain and even anger directed at no one in particular. But that didn’t stop him from worrying about that nebulous someday when she might look at him and he would sense the same fear he’d lived with for so long.

“You’re a good teacher, Ezra,” Kanan said. “I wish you could see what I see. And what she does.”

“Thanks, Dad,” Ezra said, forcing the words out even though he still wasn’t convinced.

He shifted nervously where he sat, suddenly feeling almost embarrassed. He should have just told Kanan what had happened and been done with it.

“I should go,” Ezra said, standing up abruptly. “I – I need to check on Rey.”

“Ezra –”

Before Kanan could say another word, Ezra was already walking away.

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Rey looked up at the sound of familiar footsteps entering the common room on the Ghost. She set aside the datapad she was using to work on her educational sim and looked up at Ezra. The moment she did, she sensed something that almost felt like a mental flinch inside her master’s head.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Yeah,” Rey said. “It doesn’t even hurt that much anymore.”

“Good,” Ezra said, though he didn’t seem all that happy. “We should talk.”

“Is something wrong?” she asked.

Ezra crossed the room and sat down beside her, staring down at his hands as he rested them on the table.

“I’m so sorry about what happened,” he said. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“You said that already,” Rey said, looking over at him in confusion.

“I know,” Ezra said. “I just wanted to make sure you know.”

Silence fell between them for a moment and Rey could sense a whirlwind of feelings she didn’t know the names of. It was the same thing she’d felt through their bond when he’d let her know he was leaving the ship.

“Ezra,” she said quietly. “What’s wrong?”

She felt that mental flinch once again as Ezra hesitated.

“I can handle it,” she said. “I’m not a little kid. My arm was an accident, so why were you so upset?”

Ezra sighed, finally lifting his gaze from his hands to face her.

“I’ve told you about my master,” he said. “The one before Kanan.”

Now it was Rey’s turn to look away, running her finger along the edge of the table as she did so. Ezra hadn’t told her much, saying that he would explain more when she was older, but he’d told her enough to explain his nightmares and those moments when he seemed to disappear inside his own head.

“The one who hurt you,” she said, keeping her gaze on the table. It made her angrier than she knew how to put words to. Ezra was her teacher. He was her family, and someone had hurt him badly enough that some nights he woke up crying, trying to hide it from her before she could see.

“That’s why I was – why I reacted like that,” Ezra said. “When you got hurt, it reminded me of how he used to hurt me. I’m scared of hurting you the same way.”

“But you didn’t,” Rey said, tearing her gaze away from the table to look up at him, now even more confused than she had been before. “It was an accident.”

“I know,” Ezra said. “And I’m glad you know that, too.”

Once again, everything was silent, but Rey could feel Ezra’s mind at work, trying to figure out how to say what he was thinking.

“Rey,” he said, his voice quiet as he gently rested a hand on her shoulder. “If you ever feel scared by something I do, you can tell me. I want you to tell me.”

“I’m not scared,” Rey said quickly. Her shoulders slumped as she dropped her gaze back to the table.

“Not of that,” she muttered.

“But there’s something you’re scared of,” Ezra said. It wasn’t a question.

“I don’t want you to stop teaching me just because you’re scared,” Rey said, a small tremor working its way into her voice even as she tried to force it out.

Ezra’s arm slid around Rey’s shoulders and Rey scooted closer to him, leaning against his side. It wasn’t often she let anyone touch her like this, and Ezra was the one who got to do it the most.

“I won’t,” Ezra said. “I’d never just leave you like that.”

“Promise?” Rey asked.

“Promise.”

Rey curled up against Ezra’s side, trying to let herself take comfort in the warmth of his arm around her shoulders and the soft pulse of reassurance that was flowing across their bond.

“Dad,” she said. She felt Ezra stiffen up beside her as she spoke. “I’m not scared of you. I know it was an accident.”

“Good,” Ezra said, pulling her into a tighter hug. His voice was cracking slightly and Rey didn’t know why. “I’m glad.”

“You’re squishing me,” Rey said, smiling as she buried her face in Ezra’s shoulder.

“I know.”

#swr #star wars rebels #bad things happen bingo

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celosia-starfall · 5 years

Text

A Chance Encounter (Part 6 & 7)

Here’s the fourth part of the fanfic that I’m posting for the fifth day of the Hetalia Extravaganza by @weekofhetalia !!!

AO3 LINK

AU: Futuristic Fantasy

Pairing: Romano x Canada

Summary: In a world where magic and technology are at odds with each other, Lovino is a fire faery that has escaped from an American laboratory that had been holding him captive in order to experiment on him. After escaping, he managed to flee across the border into Canada, where Matthew finds him nearly unconscious in the cold and carries him home in order for Lovino to heal.

Chapter 6

Lovino was placing the dirty dishes in the sink when he heard the first soft strains of the tune. His eyes widened slightly as he felt a shiver run down his spine. He sat down the knife he'd been about to clean and made his way out to the greenhouse, feeling like he was being pulled by an unseen force. He quietly made his way over toward the blonde violinist, his wings unfurling as he walked. He could feel the faint magic spilling into the music causing the insects to dance through the air in recognition.

He stopped beside one of the trees surrounding the pond, his wings glimmering slightly from a sudden surge of energy he was sure was caused by the Canadian. Several fireflies made there way to lazily swirl around him, encouraging him to dance. He almost gave in. Almost. There was a small part of him that realized the music would stop if he joined.

Matthew's lips tugged upwards into a smile as he watched the butterflies and fireflies dancing around the moonlit pond. He hummed quietly, closing his eyes as he continued to play the tune. After a few more moments, Matthew took a deep breath, relaxing as his mind started to drift slightly, a familiar yet foreign set of words forming in his thoughts.

And then...he began to sing. "Toue rei zue kuroa ryou toue zue. Kuroa ryou zue toue ryou rei neu ryou zue. Va rei zue toue neu toue ryou toue kuroa. Ryou rei kuroa ryou zue rei va zue rei. Va nue va rei va nue va zue rei. Kuroa ryou kuroa neu toue rei kuroa ryou zue rei va. Rei va neu kuroa toue rei rei," he finished, drawing out the last note on the violin as it resonated throughout the greenhouse.

Blinking open his eyes, Matthew shook his head, snapping out of the trance-like state he had been in while playing. Dropping his hands to his sides, the violin and bow still in his grip, he stared at the moon's reflection for a moment before walking over to the bench and sitting down, returning the instrument to its case. Resting his arms against his knees, he watched as the butterflies and fireflies returned to their previous activities before the music began, several of the butterflies fluttering over to the Canadian and landing briefly on his fingers before returning to their sleeping spots.

Matthew let out a soft chuckle when one landed on his nose before fluttering off, causing a small smile to appear on the blonde's face as he tilted his head back, staring at the moon through the frosted glass roof of the greenhouse.

Lovino's skin was tingling slightly from the residual magic in the air. He watched the Canadian with awe, having realized just what it was that made the animals flock to him. He stepped out of the shadows of the trees, his wings shimmering faint pinks and golds in the moonlight. His voice was a bit respectful as he spoke. "That was beautiful." He moved to stand beside the bench Matthew was sitting on.

Matthew's eyes widened as he looked up at the Italian, his face flushing darkly. Covering his face with one of his hands, he looked down at his lap. "U-Umm, m-merci. I didn't know you were listening," he murmured, dropping his hands to his lap as he fiddled with the edge of his shirt. Swallowing, he said quietly, "I'm...glad you liked it..." The blonde glanced over at Lovino, smiling sheepishly.

Lovino tilted his head to the side. "I was right when I said you had a bit of magic earlier." He carefully sat on the bench beside the Canadian so as not to crumble his wings any. He rested his elbows on his knees. "You can't feel it though, can you? If you could, you wouldn't use it so carelessly…” His wings fluttered lightly of their own will. "I didn't change back on my own... You pulled my wings out with the magic. I don't think you meant to though." He rubbed the back of his neck lightly as he tried to find the right words to explain what he meant. "It's old magic. Not many people have it. You must have either a mage or fae somewhere in your family tree though. It's extremely strong for being unnoticeable."

Matthew glanced at the wings that were now visible on the Italian's back. He slowly shook his head. "I didn't even know I had magic...or that what I was doing was magic... I just...play music... The butterflies like it, and I've read that music helps plants grow...so I've just been doing this everyday for years..." He looked into Lovino's eyes, his gaze flickering over his wings briefly. "So I'm basically able to cause fae to reveal their true forms..." he trailed off in thought, his brows furrowing in concern. "Lovino...if magic is inherited, then...what would be the odds of my twin brother having the same or similar abilities?"

Lovino shrugged. "I'm not really sure if you only powers involve causing us to reveal ourselves." He murmured. "I could have probably fought the change of I had wanted to." He rolled his shoulders slightly. "You're right about your music making the plants grow though..." He pointed to a few blossoms that had opened in the tree branches above. "The butterflies and fireflies don't really seem to mind though. They were thoroughly celebrating you." He smirked. "Then again, if I lived on flower nectar, I probably would too. Your music opened enough blossoms for every one of the bees, fireflies, and butterflies around here to get drunk on nectar." He watched a firefly move lazily through the air in large looping circles. “As for your twin, he could have abilities, or just be another human. Magic is strange like that. It selects some and ignores others."

Matthew chuckled softly, looking up at the blossoms that Lovino was referring to. A small smile appeared on his face as he rested his elbows on his knees. Pressing his palms against his eyes, he let out a relieved sigh. "Okay. That makes me feel a little better. He...works for one of the American labs across the border..." He chewed on his bottom lip. "Possibly the one that you were...being held at... But anyways...if he had abilities like mine, then...the people at the lab could end up using him to help locate and capture fae...or use him for their experiments... I don't know..." The Canadian let out a tired sigh, crossing his arms across his knees as he rested his forehead against his arms. "And my life just got a hell lot more complicated than I thought it was," he chuckled, closing his eyes.

Lovino shrugged, "Life sucks sometimes. Believe me, I know." He thought for a moment. "Does your twin look like you? Or is it just fraternal?" He couldn't shake the feeling that Matthew looked more familiar than he should have now that he studied the young man sitting beside him. "What's your last name, by the way..."

Leaning back against the bench, he stretched out his arms and legs in front of him. "We're identical twins...except that he has blue eyes and our hair is different. Dieu, that stupid cowlick of his..." He shook his head, his blonde curls bouncing slightly. Turning on the bench, he sat cross-legged, facing the Italian. "I go by my mother's maiden name of Williams, but...it technically should be Jones. That's the last name that Alfred uses, at least." He rubbed the back of his neck, looking down with a light blush on his face. "But yeah...mine is Williams."

Lovino groaned softly as the image and name fell into place in his mind. "Medical Specialist Jones...." He tipped his head back and stared up at the moon. "If it helps any, your fratello was actually one of the nicer humans at the lab. He never did anything.... Unorthodox... and always treated any injuries we got from the other technicians..." He huffed softly. "I guess what they say about it being a small fucking world is true though, hm?"

Matthew sighed. "I guess that makes me feel a bit better but..." He shook his head, letting out a small laugh. "Yeah, I suppose that you're right though. A really small world." Matthew tilted his head to the side as he looked up at the Italian. He smiled as he placed his hand on the other's shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. "But...I'm really glad that we got to meet each other," he murmured as he dropped his hand to his lap. The Canadian watched the faery for a few moments, the dappled moonlight shining on them through the trees, before he turned his attention to the pond.

The Italian nodded and stared out across the moonlit pond as well. "Si. You're not half bad for a human, even if you're a mage." He leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. "This place you have here is nice..." He mumbled. "I don't think I'll be too irritated staying here a while."

Matthew laughed softly. "I'll take that as a compliment," he murmured, resting his arms on the back of the bench. Laying his head down on top of his arms, he closed his eyes with a quiet sigh. A small yawn escaped his lips as he nuzzled closer against his arms. "I'm...glad that you're staying... I hope you enjoy your time here..." he murmured, trailing off with another yawn.

Lovino smirked slightly. "You look like you're about to fall asleep. You should head to bed. I'll come inside in a few minutes." It had been a while since Lovino had just sat peacefully with nature and he wanted to have a moment to himself, no humans involved.

"I'm not...tired... It's just the warmth is...making me drowsy... But if you insist..." he murmured, covering his mouth as a much larger yawn escaped. Standing up, he patted the Italian's head. "G'Night, Lovi. Don't forget to put your wings away," he said quietly, walking back into the house with his violin in tow. Once he reached his bedroom, he collapsed on the bed, not bothering to close the door or turn off the light as he fell asleep almost immediately.

Lovino huffed softly at the comment on his wings. "Yeah, whatever. Buonanotte."

As soon as the Canadian was back in the house, the Italian stood up from the bench and walked over to the edge of the pond. It had been a while since he'd had a good chance to stretch his wings properly. Most humans thought it was strange that a fairy the size of a human could fly with just thin looking wings, but the fact was, most of Lovi's bones were hollow, like a bird's, when he was in his full fae form. He gave his wings a tentative flap to test their strength before beating them with a bit more force and hovering.

Immediately, the flock of fireflies in the area came swarming around him and he smirked as he understood what they wanted. The game of tag was on.

A little while later, a thoroughly exhausted Italian, sans wings, made his way inside. He sighed as he passed Matthew's room and saw the blonde sprawled across the bed. He stepped inside the Canadian's room and tugged a blanket over the man before flicking of the light and carefully closing the door. It wasn't long before he was snuggled in his own bed, snoring softly.

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Chapter 7

Matthew groaned as the first light of morning shined through the cracks in the curtain and into his eyes. His head was pounding as he pulled the blanket up over his head, nestling deeper into the dark warmth. The Canadian quickly drifted back to sleep. It wasn't until a good three hours later at nearly ten o'clock that the blonde forced himself out of bed, making a small mental note of how he hadn't had a blanket on him when he fell asleep last night. He trudged down the hallway, rubbing his eyes as he entered the kitchen. Matthew grabbed an apple from the bowl of fruit he had set out yesterday morning, leaning heavily against the counter as he took a bite of the obtained fruit.

Lovino had gotten up a little earlier and had been out in the greenhouse, enjoying his breakfast of fresh tomatoes. He had picked a few that might have gotten too ripe if left on the vine and was bringing them into the house. He tilted his head at the rather tired looking Canadian. "Morning, Matthew..." He couldn't help but wonder if the man wasn't a morning person.

Matthew blinked blearily, looking in the direction of the voice. It took a few seconds to focus on the person whom had spoken, and when Matthew recognized said person, a wide grin appeared on his face. "Good morning, Lovino," he murmured. "How are you?" he added with a grin, tilting his head to the side as he took another bite of his apple.

Lovino crossed his arms and frowned. "Apparently a lot better off than you." He marched over and pressed the back of his hand against the Canadian's forehead. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but humans aren't supposed to be as warm as you are, are they?"

Matthew stared at the Italian for a few moments before blinking and taking a step back. He winced slightly when the edge of the counter dug into his back. "I-I just have a headache. I'll be fine," he murmured, unable to prevent a small shiver from passing through his body. He tiredly rubbed at his eyes. "I should probably stop staying up so late," he murmured.

Lovino's frown deepened. He could tell the Canadian didn't feel well. "You should go back to sleep for a bit. Maybe that will help your headache." He huffed softly and pulled a kitchen knife out to start slicing the tomatoes he'd brought in.

Matthew looked at the Italian for a few more moments before stretching, his back popping quietly as he did so. He nodded at Lovino. "Alright...I guess..." he murmured, heading toward the hallway. He stopped at the doorway, looking back at the faery one more time before heading down the hallway.

Matthew paused briefly to turn the thermostat heater to ten degrees warmer before going to his room and laying down in his bed, snuggling under several thick blankets before drifting off to sleep again.

Lovino sighed. He had a small idea as to why the Canadian was sick. He couldn't help but somewhat remember the feeling of being wrapped in a warm coat when he hovered on the edge of consciousness as Matthew had brought him home. He put the tomatoes in a pot of water to boil for a bit. If Matthew was sick, the least he could do was make the blonde some soup.

Matthew shivered as he curled up tighter into a ball under the blankets. He hadn't managed to stay asleep for very long apparently. It was either because he was feeling too cold or he smelled something being cooked. Either way, the Canadian was unable to return to sleep, his thoughts drifting constantly in his state of semi-wakefulness. The blonde eventually became vaguely aware of another presence within the room with him. Blinking open his eyes, Matthew noticed that the Italian was there with him.

Lovino had just entered the room a moment before, a bowl of steaming soup in his hands. He sat it on the Canadian's nightstand and looked down slightly. "Sorry for waking you up..." He rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

Matthew shook his head, sitting up slightly. "You didn't wake me up," he murmured, a small smile on his face. Another shiver passed through his body as he pulled the blankets up closer around him. "That smells really good, by the way," he added quietly, nodding toward the bowl.

Lovino nodded. "Of course it smells good. It's tomato soup." He smirked a bit. "I thought it would help cure whatever's giving you a damn headache." He held up a spoon. "You feel up to eating?"

Matthew chuckled softly, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards into a slight grin. "I might be..." he murmured. He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "And...it might be more than just a headache...." He scooted over slightly on the bed before patting the spot next to him. "Sit with me?"

Lovino huffed softly and sat on the edge of the bed. He picked the bowl of soup of the nightstand and offered it to the Canadian, making sure it wasn't actually hot enough to burn the blonde. "Glad to see you finally admitting it." He murmured. "I would offer to cure you, but knowing my luck, I'd just make you worse."

Matthew felt the heat rise to his cheeks that had nothing to do with his fever. "Y-Yeah, well I...I didn't want to worry you..." he murmured, taking the bowl from the Italian. "Merci." He held the warm bowl close to him, closing his eyes as the warmth began to seep into his body, some of the chill he had felt beginning to dissipate.

Lovino shrugged. "It's my fault you got sick, right? Making you feel better is the least I can do." He pulled his legs up on the bed and leaned back against the headboard.

Matthew smiled slightly. "Having you around makes me feel better," he murmured, mostly to himself as he stared into the soup. "It doesn't matter if it was your fault or not. It wasn't intentional," he added, stirring the soup with the spoon before leaning back against the headboard next to the Italian. He hummed quietly, eating the soup.

Lovino blushed slightly at the Canadian's words. He fell into his habit of playing with a small flame on his fingertips. He tilted his head slightly after a moment. "Is the soup good?"

Matthew paused mid-bite before continuing the spoon's path to his mouth. He turned his head to the side, nodding. "It's excellent. The best that I've had in...years at least." He smiled gently at the other before eating another spoonful.

Lovino smiled faintly. He enjoyed when others praised his cooking. "You'd better not be lying. Tell me the truth if it sucks." He continued to dance the tiny bit of flame around his fingertips as if it was a toy.

Matthew shook his head slightly, wincing a bit when his headache worsened from the movement. "I'm not lying. It's really, really good," he murmured, smiling at the Italian. After a few moments, his smile faded slightly as he raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying that you haven't tasted it?" he asked, before holding up a spoonful toward the brunette.

Lovino blushed brightly and crossed his arms over his chest defensively, the flame vanishing. He huffed slightly. "Of course I've tasted it. I'm just biased to my own damn cooking. It tasted good to me, but I know humans have strange taste in food sometimes."

Matthew blushed, lowering the spoonful back into the bowl. "Sorry. I didn't mean to upset you..." he murmured, swallowing thickly. He stirred the spoon around in the already three-quarters empty bowl. The Canadian stayed silent as he continued to eat, keeping his gaze averted from the Italian.

Lovino stared randomly around the room, his cheeks still a faint pink. After a few more moments, he tilted his head. "Do you want me to bring you any... medicine... For your cold?" He paused a moment trying to remember the proper word for what he was offering to go find. "It might help you some, right?" The fae had absolutely no idea how human medicine worked, but knew that it helped humans hel faster, much like being spells helped the fae.

Matthew shook his head slightly. "I don't like it," he murmured, staring into the remains of the soup. "I've tried to take it before, but I'm allergic to one of the ingredients or something. So I ended up worse than before I took the medicine." The Canadian frowned, remembering the incident. "Herbal remedies are healthier anyways. And they work better in my opinion, too, rather than the manufactured, synthetic shit that the government makes." He wrinkled up his nose before finishing off the soup and setting the empty bowl on his lap.

Lovino shrugged slightly. "Oh. That makes things a hell of a lot less complicated for me at least." He reached over to take the bowl. "I'll bring you some mint tea of something later then. That always seems to help mio fratellino."

Matthew nodded, picking up the bowl and handing it to the Italian, his face heating up as their fingers brushed together. He turned his head away as he coughed lightly, clearing his throat as he withdrew his hand. "That sounds really good. Merci, Lovi," he murmured, pulling the blankets up around his shoulders as his eyelids drooped slightly, a shiver running through his body.

Lovino stood up from the bed. "Yeah, whatever... Just get some more sleep. I'll come back later with the damn mint." He carried the bowl to the kitchen, pausing slightly in the blonde's bedroom door as he left the room to glance back at the sick Canadian.

A small smile appeared on the Canadian's face as he layed back down in bed. A long yawn escaped his lips. Curling up on his side, he pulled the multiple layers of blankets up over his shivering form. Almost as soon as his head hit the pillows, he fell into a deep sleep.

Lovino came back to the Canadian's room about an hour later. He held two ceramic mugs of steaming water with a few mint leaves floating in each. The scent of mint was surrounding him as he quietly made his way to the blonde's beside. He sat the mugs on the nightstand and gently pressed his hand to Matthew's forehead. He sighed as he realized that the man was still much too warm.

Matthew stretched his legs under the covers. Sniffing, he brought his hand up to his forehead, blinking his eyes open in confusion when his hand pressed against something else that was really warm. Another wave of shivers passed through his body as his eyes closed once again, pulling the warm object closer to his body. A small content sigh escaped his lips as he nuzzled closer to the warmth that the object produced.

Lovino blushed brightly as the Canadian snuggled his hand. He was half tempted to pull away, but sighed as he realized that Matthew was shivering. He huffed softly and sat down on the bed. He knew how horrible it was to feel cold. It was one of the most unpleasant sensations in his personal experience. He sighed softly and shifted so that he was laid out on the bed beside Matthew and let his body change just enough so that he had his natural fire faery's body temperature. The mugs of mint tea could cool for all he cared. He could easily heat them again later.

Matthew subconsciously let out a soft sigh when he felt the warmth. Letting go of Lovino's hand, he moved closer toward him. Draping an arm across the fae's torso, he unconsciously cuddled against him, resting his head against the Italian's chest. "Warm..." he mumbled in his sleep before letting out a deep shaky breath as his body began to relax, his shivers gradually dissipating.

Lovino felt his cheeks heat up quite a bit as he was snuggled like a body pillow. He wasn’t used to being touched affectionately in any way by anyone other than his overly clingy little brother. He let a faint smile ghost across his lips as Matthew relaxed, the way the Canadian mumbled softly reminding him a little of his brother back in Italy. The Italian sighed softly and decided he might as well enjoy a bit of a siesta while he had a good chance.

#HetaliaExtravaganza2k19 #APH Canada #aph romano #aph south italy #canmano #romacan #romanada #hetalia #magic #fairies #fantasy #a chance encounter fanfic #fiction #fanfic

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nitewrighter · 5 years

Text

Dragonback Pt. 4

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

AO3

----

The crack of shotgun fire echoed through the forest and sent nightbirds fluttering up from their perches in fear.

Both Genji and Hanzo were up instantly with the sound of the shot. “Rei!” Genji said his daughter’s name as a knee-jerk reaction and then looked to her empty sleeping bag.

“Oh no…”

“The clone—Aedan’s gone as well,” said Hanzo, already grabbing his arrow and getting low.

“Oh they’re going to be in so much trouble when we find them,” muttered Genji.

“They’re probably already in trouble now,” said Hanzo. His eyes flicked to the trees in the distance where he could barely make out the red glow of Talon tactical goggles against the darkness of Shirakami-Sanchi.

“Strike team,” said Genji, strapping on Ryū-Ichimonji and his wakizashi.

“Target practice,” said Hanzo, stringing his bow.

Genji’s eyes flicked to the two tanto next to Rei’s sleeping bag.

“Find Rei and get her her weapons,” said Hanzo, “I can keep them more than busy.”

—-

The tall woman in the mask and goggles brought up her shotgun again.

“Okay, I think there’s been some misunderstanding—” Aedan started before fading away just as she fired another blast at him. Rei lunged at her immediately with a cry after she made the shot but the woman turned on her heels and blocked Rei’s flying axe-kick with the barrel of the gun before seizing Rei by the ankle and throwing her hard. Rei smacked hard into a tree, and dropped to the ground with a grunt.

“Rei—!” Aedan moved to go after her but stopped and faded again as the woman fired another blast at him.

“There is no misunderstanding,” said the woman, cocking her shotgun, “You are Subject Six, which means you are a failure, a defector, and a liability of Talon. I’m tasked with your elimination.” She gave a small glance to a beeping object on her hip before turning on her heel and firing again, Aedan ducked down mid-re-materialization as the wood of a tree he was running past shattered and splintered with the shot.

Rei grunted, pushing herself up to her hands and knees. Okay so, Talon girl could really hit. That was something to keep in mind for the future. Rei had to get rid of her gun, then that would let her and Aedan overpower her fairly easily.

Rei glanced up to see tree trunks splintering and leaves being kicked up as Aedan desperately faded away from shot after shot.

“Leave him alone!” Rei rushed at the woman from behind, heading into a slide and pivoting to swipe the mysterious woman’s legs with her own, only to have her own leg phase through black smoke.

“Nanites—” Aedan started as the woman reformed facing Rei.

“So Talon’s making more Reaper knock-offs,” said Rei before rolling out of the way of Andrea’s fist slamming into the ground where her head previously was.

“Are nanites supposed to make people this strong!?” shouted Rei as she seized the barrel of the shotgun and tried to grapple it away from the woman.

“You think I’d be running away from her like this if I could fight like her?” said Aedan, leaping up and turning his biotic rig to ‘Sap’ as he tried to headlock the woman from behind while Rei kept her arms busy. Andrea could feel the strength flowing from her nanites. She grunted and, still keeping a hold on her gun, suddenly ran backwards, slamming Aedan hard, back-first into a tree. Rei’s eyes broke up from the gun to Aedan with fear for a moment.

“I’m fine--” Aedan started before being slammed into the tree again, still keeping his hand sapping the life from her, “Get the--” he got slammed into the tree again, “Gun---”

Rei let out a cry and tightened her grip on the gun barrel, shoving it upward and clipping the would-be assassin on the chin on the way up before Rei kneed her hard in the stomach and finally wrenched the gun from her arms, stumbling back several steps and throwing the gun hard into the pond. Rei gave a little huff of relief before the woman let out a snarling cry of frustration that sounded vaguely familiar when muffled by her mask and kicked Rei hard enough in the ribs to send her tumbling across the forest ground.

“Andrea, your weapon’s indicator light just--” Aedan heard a voice in the woman’s earpiece before she snarled.

“I’ve got this!” Andrea snapped before ramming Aedan into the tree one more time. Aedan felt a crunch against his back and knew it was the central node of his biotic rig. It would have been his ribs, otherwise.

“Shi--” he started before Andrea suddenly reached behind herself, seized him by the straps of his biotic rig and threw him over her head, sending him hurtling into Rei who was staggering to her feet after the force of Andrea’s last kick. Rei was knocked flat on her back again by Aedan being thrown into her and they both grunted.

Rei stumbled to her feet and Aedan had to smack his own wrist a few times as his biotic rig managed to send out a plume of yellow light with the back node still sparking. He couldn’t form an orb to heal them both, but Rei rolled her shoulders and assumed a ready position in front of him, some of her aches from the fight eased.

“Project Orphan,” said Andrea, drawing a tactical knife, “Stand aside.”

“No,” said Rei.

“Your inactivity since the Urdr incident indicates either mental or physical unfitness for combat,” said Andrea.

“I think I’m doing pretty okay,” said Rei, she rolled her knuckles slightly, keeping herself between Andrea and Aedan, “Talon messed up your head, didn’t they? Like they tried to do to me.” Something loosened up in Rei’s stance and something softened in her face. What would her mom do? “You don’t have to kill him,” said Rei, “You don’t have to kill for them. They probably hurt you a lot to make you kill for them, but that’s okay. You’re not the first--”

“My head is not ‘messed up,’” said Andrea, “They did not hurt me. They made me to end this fight. To end Overwatch.”

“Oh god... you’re like me,” Aedan’s voice was hushed.

“I’m better than you,” Andrea brought up her tactical knife, “That’s the point.”

She faded and rushed past Rei and Aedan could only fade to escape her in response.

---

“Feet down,” said Faustine, shooting a glare at the Talon pilot.

The pilot grumbled and brought their feet down from the Vaquita’s dashboard and Faustine turned her attention back to the thermal imaging map of the forest below.

“Figured the kid wouldn’t be alone,” muttered the pilot, “You sure Soldier Girl can handle it?”

“A miscalculation was made,” said Faustine, watching as a single ‘hostile’ dot managed to keep four ‘friendly’ dots at bay on the thermal imaging, “The target had been working under Zhou for a while,” she gestured vaguely, “’Examining climatologically induced mutations or some such nonsense.’ This is a world heritage site. It was assumed that his presence and any accompaniment he had out here out here would be scientific--not one prepared for combat.” Faustine frowned at a single red dot rushing towards the two red dots engaging Andrea’s icon on the screen. Her brow furrowed.

“Three-on-one hardly seems fair, does it?” she said, putting a hand on the dashboard and letting the wires run out from underneath her fingers, feeding into the controls. She closed her eyes for a moment and opened them again, the ocular nodes of her neuroprostheses making her pupils show up red like in an old polaroid. She looked at the pilot, “Engage weapons systems,” she ordered.

---

Genji was sprinting towards the pond, Rei’s tantos in one hand. He wasn’t sure if she was at the pond, but he figured it had been a spot of enough frustration for Rei that there weren’t many other places she could be.

Okay, simple enough. Just reach your daughter. Your daughter who was definitely not off doing inappropriate things with the clone of your wife’s worst nemesis. Just reach your daughter and give her her swords because there are people in this forest trying to kill all of you. This is normal. This is a normal thing and you can worry about the trauma later---

A hail of bullets suddenly struck the earth in front of Genji, sending up bursts of dirt. “Really!?” he said looking up through the canopy to see a red and black talon vehicle hovering.

----

“Really,” said Faustine, firing another round on him.

---

“Kuso--” Genji was running as the bullets shattered through the branches of the trees above him, the Talon vehicle hovering after him. He darted left and right as tree trunks burst into splinters and limbs and bullet-shredded leaves rained down on him from overhead. He could deflect, but with the limited visual on the vehicle itself through the canopy, he could be pumped full of holes while only delivering a fraction of the bullets back to their sender. He had to get higher.

Genji’s eyes flicked to a tree trunk as he sprinted and suddenly he half-ran-half-climbed up its length, bounding off of a limb to another tree as that tree was pulped by bullets behind him. He darted in a serpentine pattern from branch to branch as fast as he could, many of the limbs being shattered by gunfire behind him until he pushed off hard from one last limb and broke through the top of the canopy in a flurry of leaves. At the apex of his leap, he brought up Rei’s tantos in both hands and deflected the oncoming hail of bullets that greeted him.

On the interior of the Vaquita, Faustine recognized the green visor and the flurry of blades that managed to miraculously meet and deflect the shots from the vaquita’s turrets.

“Missiles?!” the Talon pilot next to her said, seeing the Vishkar photon shielding shatter off of their windshield with the force of the deflected bullets. Faustine ignored him. Missiles would take too long to load, and what little shielding the vaquita had left couldn’t handle it if he deflected those. She let the vaquita reload another salvo. He had already reached the apex of his leap and was falling, she could pump him full of holes before he hit the ground.

Genji summoned the dragon in a fluid motion, the green light rippling between blade and cybernetic arm and bullet as he deflected in his descent. His eyes flicked to the two guns beneath the vaquita’s sleek short wings. Shuriken sure as hell weren’t going to do much against it. Without a second thought he threw both of Rei’s tantos, in a fan-like motion, with the dragon flaring around both of his arms. He felt three bullets bite into him, one at the hip, one sparking against his prosthetic forearm, and one at that same shoulder. But the dragon dulled the pain and the tantos made impact.

The vaquita bucked as the guns burst loose from their riggings, tumbling down to the forest below along with Rei’s tantos. And Genji was tumbling too, only barely managing to grab a tree limb to stop his fall. Pain seared up his prosthetic and his other hand went to the wound in his side, no searing pain of an exit wound, but tearing too deep to call it a graze.

“Nngh!” Faustine’s shoulders bunched up in pain but she kept both hands on the dash as the ship restablilized. Her eyes flicked open. “Weapons systems disabled.”

“...does him hurting the ship hurt you, princess?” the Talon pilot arched an eyebrow at her.

Faustine just shot another glare at him and the pilot suddenly flinched back from his own controls as they sparked at him.

“Jeez.. touchy...” muttered the pilot.

“Andrea,” Faustine put a hand to her ear, “Air artillery is shot. The Vaquita will need to disengage if we want to make evac. Can you still dispatch the target?”

---

“Yes,” said Andrea, blocking a punch from Rei to her head. The next part of their fight was a dizzying flurry of punches, kicks and grapples. Andrea clearly had advantage of size, strength, and stamina, and training that allowed for some fairly brutal counters, but Rei was faster, and was more inclined to use the environment against her, running up trees and rebounding off of them, dropping down from above. Andrea only lost visual on Rei for a moment in time for Rei to seize her knife-bearing hand, use Andrea’s own momentum to wrench it behind her back, grab the knife and toss it into the bushes. The hard part was keeping Andrea’s focus on her, since Aedan was clearly the actual target here.

“Come on---” Aedan was rewiring the back node of his biotic rig, trying to get it to function close to properly again. He strapped it back onto his back when Andrea dissolved into smoke away from Rei and rushed him.

“Shit--!” he faded away from her and Rei jumped her from behind, catching her in a headlock as she came out of her wraith form. Andrea looked at Aedan only to get a face-full of healthsap from Aedan’s biotic rig.

“Yes!” Aedan shouted out of reflex, well aware that any celebration was premature and frankly just thrilled he could get it working again.

Andrea clawed and flailed with Rei on her back. She couldn’t go into Wraith form with Rei keeping that much pressure on her neck because her body was starving for oxygen and Wraith form was really only possible when the body had a healthy air supply, so she suddenly leapt backwards and body-slammed Rei back-first on the ground, the shock of the impact forcing Rei’s arms loose and letting her get a breath in to fade away from her and put some distance between them.

“You’ve maintained some competence,” said Andrea regaining her breath and watching Rei get back up to her feet, “Despite two years of non-combat.”

“Stunt,” said Rei with a shrug, “This is the first time in two years I’ve been able to punch someone for real. And I can’t tell you how bad I’ve wanted to punch something this whole trip.”

Rei rushed toward Andrea but found herself leaping through smoke, she turned in mid-air to see Andrea’s fist hurtling toward her, brought up her forearms to block it as Aedan flanked Andrea with a biotic orb and the grip of his biotic rig’s healthsap fixed on Andrea.

“I’ve got this! Get somewhere safe!” Rei shouted at him.

“I’m not leaving you with a Reaper Clone!” Aedan snapped back.

Andrea swung at him and he ducked out of the way, trying to keep as much distance as he could while still sapping Andrea’s energy. The level of endurance on her was virtually inhuman.

Like Reaper would be if he weren’t falling apart, thought Aedan.

The biotic rig was slowing Andrea down though, Rei could keep the pressure on her with blow after blow while Aedan whittled down her stamina. They had this. They actually had this.

“Rei--!” Genji stumbled through the brush to see both Rei and Aedan engaged with a dark-haired woman in Talon gear. The skirmish between both Rei and Andrea paused only briefly as they looked at him, and thankfully in those fractions of a second Rei was able to easily distinguish “Dad: Not a threat” and suddenly roundhouse kick Andrea hard in the face, cracking her mask and stunning her hard enough to knock her onto her side with a grunt.

“You’re bleeding,” said Aedan.

“Oh?” Genji glanced down to see the graze in his side.

“Dad!” Rei rushed over and nearly hugged him but instead quickly turned around to keep an eye on Andrea. Andrea stirred on the ground, rubbing at her face. Half of her mask fell off and she peeled off the other half from her cheek with a grunt before pushing off the ground, pulling off her now-cracked goggles and standing at full height to look at all three of them while gripping her side.

“She’s like me,” Aedan was stammering as he used his biotic rig to heal Genji, “Amnio-tank. Made, not born.”

Something tightened in Genji’s stomach as he looked at the woman in the moonlight. Furrowed brow, large, tired eyes, medium brown skin, thin lips and a strong jaw. For a brief second, he was back in the factory in Volskaya, well before Rei was born, seeing Angela bleeding on the ground amid the shards of a bone-white mask as a figure in a dark hood looked at him.

“Reyes,” the name fell out of him but that didn’t feel right either. Her eyes were wrong. Steely blue, not soft and inquisitive and silvery like Angela’s but hard, calm to the point of cold.

“Wait--so the Reaper clone’s a reaper clone?” said Rei.

“...Not just Reaper,” said Genji, handing her his wakizashi as he drew Ryū Ichimonji from his back.

Rei took the wakizashi and assumed a ready position, Aedan noted that the wound in Genji’s side had stopped bleeding with the biotics and then extended his hands toward Andrea.

Andrea’s eyes flicked across the three of them. She took a sharp inhale from her nostrils and suddenly disappeared in a puff of smoke.

“Kuso,” Genji swore, turning on his heel, listening for any sound from the bushes, “I really hate that shadow step.”

“Keep close to Aedan,” said Rei, as they backed toward the pond for better lighting, “He’s the one she’s after.”

A short ways away, Andrea rematerialized hidden in a thicket and took a knee, trying to catch her breath. She brought a finger to her ear.

“Controller. Where’s my backup?” Andrea said quietly.

“Two dead from arrows, and I’ve got a pretty good mind as to who fired them,” Faustine spoke in her ear, “The other four pinned down and attempting to lay down cover fire to get to you.”

“That’s unacceptable,” said Andrea.

“Andrea, this strike team was put together to deal with scientists, not Shimadas. If we had known Hanzo alone was in these woods we would have sent a hell of a lot more than a strike team of six! I’ve put a pickup point for Evac on your HUD. We’re scrubbing the mission.”

“No,” said Andrea.

“I’m not permitting you to engage them further. As controller I’m ordering you to--”

Andrea clicked her comm off. “I don’t fail,” she said flatly. She rifled at her belt and pulled off a small object. No gun, no time to find the tactical knife. This was all she had left. She had to make it count. She took another deep breath and phased into Wraith form.

Genji and Rei stayed close to Aedan at the edge of the pond.

“Where’s Uncle?” said Rei, keeping the wakizashi at the ready.

“Holding back the rest of the strike team,” said Genji.

“This is my fault,” said Aedan, “They’re here because of me.”

“We’re lucky it’s you they’re here for, if they’re here at all,” said Genji, “If they were here for me or Hanzo, it would probably be a lot worse.”

“I don’t know if I should be insulted by that,” said Aedan.

“There are assassination attempts on Overwatch members all the time! If anything, this means you’re definitely part of the team now!” said Genji.

“Dad!” Rei said, irritated.

“Look, when you’ve been doing this as long as me, you have to find the silver--”

Something small hit the ground in front of the three of them. It was about the size of an apple and beeping rapidly.

“...linings.” said Genji.

Aedan faded. Genji ran. Rei leapt for the pond. The grenade exploded and two of them were sent flying.

---

Rei felt herself hit the water, but the sensation of wetness itself was muted and dulled by the daze from the explosion. The urge to breathe was briefly overridden by the shock going through her whole body, and further dulled by the mammalian diving reflex. There was pain on pain on pain.

Wake up. Wake up, you stupid useless-- They’re in trouble. They’re all here because you wanted your stupid dragon back and they’re in trouble.

She felt herself sinking beneath the water, her eyes opened to search for the moonlight at the surface, and in the blur of dark water, she found a distant bluish white light. Feeling her lungs aching for air, she willed energy back into her aching limbs, weakly kicking her legs and clawing her arms toward that bluish white light. After a few seconds of swimming, she realized she should have broken the surface by now, and then her eyes flicked toward a silvery glint of metal. It was her father’s wakizashi, floating in the direction she was swimming.

But it was metal. It shouldn’t be floating.

...It wasn’t floating.

She turned her head towards the light source she was swimming toward, then turned around to see the moon distorted by the ripples of the surface, then turned around again to see a bluish white light beneath her.

She realized she wasn’t swimming toward the moonlight. Not the moonlight at the surface, anyway.

“Oh,” she thought, seeing the light below.

Aedan rematerialized to catch his breath, then looked and saw Genji flat on the ground about 10 feet away.

“No--” his breath caught in his throat, and then he looked at the still-rippling pond, some bubbles breaking the surface. “Rei!” He moved to dive in but he was suddenly clotheslined hard by Andrea.

He faded out of her grip and got a few seconds of healthsapping in with his biotic rig before she closed the distance between them again. He had to fight. Heel palm strike to stun--Okay she caught that. Go for the shins--Okay she just swept his legs out from underneath him. He faded to regain his footing and disorient her briefly, managed to elbow her hard in the side before she caught him in a hard arm lock and brought a brutal elbow strike down on his shoulder blade. He felt a rib crack and the wind get knocked out of him. but he faded backwards between her legs and dealt a kick to her side. Rather than making contact with her though, he ended up smashing what looked like an old GPS at her hip. She let out a furious cry, seized him by the ankle and swung him hard. He managed to fade again before making impact with the tree she threw him at. Still a cloud of nanites, he moved to rush towards the pond again. He had to get Rei out of there-- but then suddenly Andrea went into Wraith form and full-on tackled him, nanite against nanite, a wraith against a cloud, and Aedan was forced to reform. She didn’t waste any time. She caught him by the throat and slammed him against the tree.

Andrea tilted her head at him as he choked and struggled under her grip. “You’ve never had a problem you couldn’t fade from, have you?” she said quietly, “It was cruel of O’Deorain to make you feel fear.”

He desperately clawed out a hand for her face, but she caught his wrist and gripped it hard. She was only applying so much pressure with her thumb, he knew, she could snap it.

“You’re... scared... too,” Aedan managed through gritted teeth. Andrea’s eyes flicked up from his flailing legs to his face, nanite secretions running black from his eyes and one of his nostrils, the nanites in his body struggling to repair him.

“Psy-ops don’t work on me,” said Andrea flatly.

“You’re scared of what I mean,” said Aedan. She released his wrist and his hand instinctively went to hers on his throat, still trying to pry at her fingers, “I mean they can make a better you. They can make a better you and she’ll get rid of you. Like you’re getting rid of me.” Andrea squeezed harder at his neck at his words, her face contorting with a dull rage that was only barely tamped back by Talon’s brainwashing. Aedan coughed, feeling his vision dim and swim. “Neither of us are ever going to be good enough,” he choked, “Neither of us are ever going to be real.” A fierce light flickered in his eyes, even as his voice was closing off in his throat, “But I stopped letting them tell me what ‘real’ was. And that terrifies--”

Andrea let her free arm turn to smoke and suddenly plunged it into his chest, the strain of partially decomposing herself causing her grip on his throat to loosen. He made a choked sucking sound as he glanced down and looked at her arm phased into his chest, he was straining too hard to breathe to fade.

“You talk too much,” said Andrea, before rematerializing her arm.

Aedan felt the bones of his ribs buckle and crack in an instant. He felt his lungs rip, his eyes were wide as Andrea ripped her arm out of him, covered in black and red. He slumped to the ground. Every nanite in him was screaming, struggling with the shock. Black dripped down from his eyes, his nose, his mouth. He coughed up black nanites, feeling like he was drowning. Every cell in him was an aggressive survivor, and every cell was panicking as they sensed death approaching all of them like an inescapable tidal wave.

Genji’s mind was straining against unconsciousness, a dark flurry of memories and images trying to make sense of the situation and force his will back into his limbs. Rei--Sunshine. The blast--Not London. It’s not London again. She’s here. Can’t lose her again. Angela, I promise you, we won’t lose her again---Get up. Get up. Get up. Get--

Genji felt a warm sensation wrapping around his arm, spreading to his shoulder, the countless nattering pains keeping his body down giving way to warmth and a low chiming sound. He managed to open his eyes to see ribbons of yellow light wrapping around his arm. Biotics? “Angela...?” he slurred, his voice muffled into the dirt before he lifted his head to see Rei, sopping wet, her hair floating as if she were still underwater, looking down at him, his wakizashi gripped in her hand. Her eyes were yellow light. The dragon coiled around her torso, its foreclaws on her shoulder as it snarled, lighting up the forest in gold light. Rei broke her sight away from Genji to look at Andrea, staring at her, to look at Aedan, a bloody hole in his chest, slumped against the tree, coughing up nanite secretions and blood.

“You’ve got this,” said Genji, “Go help him.”

Andrea only just barely turned on her heel to look at her when she caught a dragon-wrapped fist to the face and then felt something scorch across her torso. A blade encased in yellow light. The force of the blow knocked her right off of her feet and sent her bouncing across the forest floor. several feet away from the tree where Aedan was slumped. Andrea stumbled to her hands and knees then looked down, put a hand to her torso, and brought it back wet and red. A deep diagonal gash ran from the bottom left side of her ribcage to her right shoulder. Rei was still walking toward her, wakizashi gripped in her hand, dragon roiling around her shoulders. Eyes were glowing yellow. Inhuman. Andrea stumbled to her feet.

“Go,” said Rei.

Andrea was frozen in the spot, staring as the dragon roiled around Rei and Rei assumed a combative position with the wakizashi. She gave another bewildered glance down to the wound across her torso, still amazed that this girl got that kind of hit in.

“GO!” Rei cried out and the dragon roared on her shoulder at the same time, yellow light flaring off of them. Andrea’s eyes flicked past her. The target was damaged enough. There was no saving him. She disappeared in a column of smoke. Rei turned around and rushed back to Aedan as Genji kept close watch in case Andrea returned.

---

Andrea reformed much further away, breathing hard. It was harder to enter in and out of wraith form with an injury like this. She was still bleeding. She huffed and brought a finger to her ear, turning her comm back on.

“THERE YOU ARE!” Faustine barked in her ear, “YOU HAVE SOME NERVE CUTTING ME OUT AND IGNORING A DIRECT ORD--Oh god your vitals.”

“I need a biotic drop,” said Andrea.

“You need an evac and an on-base medic,” said Faustine.

“There are still hostiles,” said Andrea.

“Which are not your mission,” said Faustine.

“I can still---” Andrea started.

“Andrea, you represent entirely too much of Talon’s time, resources, and money to throw yourself away in a fight we weren’t properly equipped for to begin with,” said Faustine.

“Talon won’t replace me because I’m not good enough?” Andrea’s voice was quiet.

“Who in the hell gave you that idea!?” Faustine sounded insulted, “I said we were partners, didn’t I!? Do you think I would let that happen!?”

Andrea heard a humming overhead and looked up to see the Vaquita hovering above the canopy overhead. A cable ladder dropped down from it, with Faustine holding onto it a few rungs from the bottom. It was the first time Andrea ever found herself looking up at Faustine.

“Come on soldier,” said Faustine, bringing a hand up under Andrea’s chin before climbing up the ladder, “We’re going home.”

Andrea climbed up after her.

----

“Aedan?” Rei propped Aedan up slightly and flinched back at the gush of blood and nanites that was rushing from the wound in his chest. He had stopped coughing.

“It’s okay,” Rei’s voice was shaking as she put a hand over the wound, “It heals--Remember? I told you it heals--” she closed her eyes and focused, the dragon spiraling around her arm as a light emanated from her palm. “It’s okay,” she said, trying to convince herself as bones knit back together and lungs closed back up. Rei opened her eyes and looked down to see a patch of exposed paile skin beneath a blood-stained fist-sized hole in his shirt at the center of his chest. She looked back up at Aedan’s face. His eyes were closed. He wasn’t breathing.

“Aedan?” Rei wiped some of the blood and nanites from beneath his mouth and nose. He didn’t respond.

“Hey, come on,” Rei whispered, pressing her forehead against his, “Stay with me, please.”

He was still and clammy against her. She pulled away slightly, staring at his face, streaked black and red with blood and nanites.

“Rei...” Genji spoke gently.

“No,” Rei said stiffly, her glowing yellow eyes glittering with tears, “No, he’s not--He can’t...” Something shuddered in her chest and she suddenly started shaking him. “You can’t! Aedan, you can’t! You saved me so I have to save you! I have to save you, you jerk! That’s how it works! That’s how it--!”

Aedan suddenly spasmed and coughed, splattering her in black, then coughed a few times more, black liquid running down his chin. His head lolled forward for a few seconds before he brought it up, hair hanging in his face. He really did need a haircut. She pushed his hair back and supported his head slightly as he rasped a few breaths.

“R-Rei?” his eyes opened at her. He brought up a hand to the side of her face his fingers trailing against her dark hair, “You’re... all glowy... did we win? Or... are we both dea--”

Rei cupped her hands to his face and kissed him, hard. He tasted metallic.

His eyes flicked wide at the feeling of her lips on his, then slowly closed. His limbs felt so weak it was all he could do to put his hand on her shoulder to keep himself steadied as she kissed him. She broke away and traced her fingers down the side of his face.

“It’s okay,” she said, hugging him close again, “You’re okay.”

“You got it back...” Aedan’s voice was muffled into her shoulder.

“Yeah...” said Rei, the yellow lights fading off of her, “Yeah, I got it back.”

#Reidan #follow for more Gency kid facts #moiraspawn

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wrestlingisfake · 5 years

Text

Fight for the Fallen preview

Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson vs. Cody Rhodes & Dustin Rhodes - The Jacksons are the Young Bucks, with a litany of tag team championships in over a dozen promotions. Cody and Dustin are the sons of Dustin Rhodes, who were only teamed together for a few years in WWE, albeit long enough to win tag team gold twice. After finally getting to do their epic brother vs. brother match in May, Dustin looked ready to retire but Cody delivered an emotional request for Dustin to partner with him here. It was a classic moment, but the Bucks have been mocking it on their “Being the Elite” show for weeks.

Cody and the Bucks are all nominally babyfaces (especially in AEW, where they’re all management guys and top attractions) but they all have a smarminess to them that makes them sound like assholes, even when they’re being sincere. That may make the heel/face dynamic in this one hard to chart, especially since I’m not sure any of them really believe heel/babyface dynamics matter in 2019. So they may flip-flop eight or nine times during the match. For Dustin’s part, he’s got the sympathy of an aging second-generation legend, but the psychology here will likely have him slowing down the pace and doing big power moves, which will likely get him booed. This could get interesting on a conceptual level, akin to some of the Elite vs. Elite matches last year in New Japan and ROH.

AEW has tried to push an image of having logical booking, so I tend to think the tag team specialists need to go over here. That’ll be Cody’s first defeat in the company, but he can take it. The priority here should be to protect the Bucks ahead of the upcoming tag team championship tournament.

Kenny Omega vs. CIMA - I gather that these two have a past together in Japan, although AEW hasn’t been very specific about it so I don’t know much about it. The main idea here is that Cima is on a roll after scoring his first AEW win over Christopher Daniels, and now he’s most likely being fed to Omega before the big Omega-Moxley match on August 31. This should be entertaining but there’s little doubt this will be a showcase for Omega, who will pick up the victory.

Hangman Page vs. Kip Sabian - At Double or Nothing, Sabian and Page both won prelim matches. Page’s win put him in line for a world title match in August, but before that he was in a four-way in June where the winner would advance to face Sabian here. I really don’t understand the booking here. In any event both guys are undefeated in AEW, so I suppose it sort of makes sense to pit them against one another. If Page wins, he’ll be headed into his title match at 3-0, a record that very few others will have. I expect that’s the plan, so Kip’s being fed to Page before Page is fed to Chris Jericho at All Out.

Brandi Rhodes vs. Allie - This is Brandi’s debut as a wrestler in AEW, although she’s been all over the women’s division as the on-screen/off-screen matchmaker who seems to passive-aggressively undermine all the other women. They’ve been building this like Brandi has a grudge against Allie without really getting into why, and I’m still not sure if they mean for her to be a heel. Allie scored a win over Leva Bates at Fyter Fest but it was a prelim match and I don’t get the sense that she’s in line for a big push. This feels like it’s Brandi’s time to shine, but I could also see her swerving us by not putting herself over

Pentagon, Jr. & Rey Fenix vs. Franke Kazarian & Scorpio Sky - Penta and Fenix are the Lucha Brothers; Kazarian and Sky are representing SCU. Even though the Lucha Brothers are two of the biggest names AEW has, they’re actually 0-2 in the promotion. Then again, I don’t believe they’re officially under contract with AEW, so it’s smart business to feed them to your locked-in guys. But it’s probably time for them to get a win, and SCU can afford to give them one.

Angelico & Jack Evans vs. Evil Uno & Stu Grayson vs. Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus - This is a three-way match, so the first man to score a fall on any opponent wins the match for his team. The winners advance to some sort of match at All Out on August 31, which will determine who gets a first-round bye in the upcoming tag team championship tournament.

Angelico and Evans appeared at Double or Nothing, but they’re still looking for their first AEW victory. Uno and Grayson (who have yet to compete in AEW) were the Super Smash Brothers, but I never understood what their gimmick has to do with the video game, so it’s just as well that they’re now the Dark Order. Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus have mainly been paired in comedy bits on “Being the Elite,” so as far as I know this is their first outing as a tag team. I think the Dark Order should be the favorites, but I could easily see anyone winning this.

MJF & Shawn Spears & Sammy Guevara vs. Joey Janella & Jimmy Havoc & Darby Allin - The biggest angle in this match is that Spears turned heel on Cody Rhodes by attacking right after the Cody vs. Darby time limit draw on June 29. MJF is a super deluxe douchey heel, but he’s trying to convince everyone he’s Cody’s best friend, and yet he’s been teamed with Spears for some reason. Guevara is just a non-aligned dick. Jimmy Havoc arguably has unfinished business with MJF, but in general this is a random six-man tag team match to get the midcard guys on the show. I’d have the MJF/Spears/Guevara team win, but I am starting to notice that Janella, Havoc, and Allin can’t seem to catch a break.

Sonny Kiss vs. Peter Avalon - This is scheduled for the pre-show. Kiss appeared at Double or Nothing in the battle royale, but this is his first one-on-one match. This is Avalon’s in-ring debut for AEW, but he’s made quite an impression as one of two people billed as The Librarian. Unfortunately that impression hasn’t been very good, and now the angle on “Being the Elite” is that the Young Bucks want to push the Librarians harder to parody out-of-touch management. I don’t know if the audience for this show is going to get the joke, let alone like it. My guess is that Kiss will get the win when Avalon and Leva Bates get in one another’s way to perpetuate their storyline.

Britt Baker & Riho vs. Bea Priestly & Shoko Nakajima - Another pre-show match. It had been feeling like AEW has two women’s divisions--one for the Japanese women and one for the westerners--so I like that they didn’t automatically put Riho and Nakajima on the same team here. Baker and Riho are undefeated in AEW, and this is the first match for Priestly and Nakajima. I’m not sure what to expect here, honestly. I could see a big win for the newcomers, but then again it feels like Baker and Riho are being groomed to headline the division, so anything is possible.

#aew #fight for the fallen #the young bucks #cody rhodes #dustin rhodes

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myaekingheart · 5 years

Text

50. Icha Icha Suspicion

read the scarecrow and the bell on ao3

index | from the beginning | < previous | next >

*** WARNING: SMUT AHEAD ***

[Read the SFW summary here]

Rei rubbed her eyes as she leaned against the checkout counter in Kaminoki. With Kakashi gone on a mission and no assignments for herself, she figured it would be better to stop in and help out rather than do nothing all day. Konoha had been trapped in a hazy heat, however, that made people wary of leaving their homes. As such, Kaminoki had seen next to no action all day. So much for keeping myself occupied.

As she waited around for something to happen, her mind wandered through strange valleys of thought. Most of them were about Kakashi. It had been a week since he introduced her to his students. After nearly three years of sneaking around and keeping their distance in public, it was strange now to think that the nature of their relationship had finally been brought to the fore. In a way, it felt as if they had started over completely and she was filled with so much uncertainty. What was Kakashi even like unrestrained? Was he now going to show her off proudly to everyone he met, or remain casual and unaffected? What effect would this have on the dynamic of their relationship? And what public obligations now stood before them?

Scarier than that was not how this would affect them as a couple but as individuals. For herself, Rei expected hardly any difference except perhaps an extra dose of Tenshi’s wrath but Kakashi was a separate situation altogether. He was a renowned ninja. Every day he risked losing everything he was openly associated with, anything that an enemy could use against him, including her. Her mind began to swirl with worst case scenarios of being kidnapped or tortured or, even worse, watching Kakashi die. Her muscles grew tense from the horror of it all, reaching a fever pitch at the sound of a bell signaling, finally, a customer.

“What?!” Rei shouted, snapped harshly from her thoughts. She was met with Sekkachi’s unaffected gaze, rolling her eyes.

“What are you doing here?” Sekkachi asked, arms crossed. “ANBU finally kick you out?”

“No” Rei replied mockingly, “It’s my day off so I figured I would make good use of my time and help out. Something you would know nothing about.”

Sekkachi swatted at the air dismissively. “The smartest people know putting in effort is only worth it when you’re helping yourself” she replied.

“Wow, so philosophical” Rei rolled her eyes. “Where’d you pick that one up? The book of social apathy?”

“Oh, shut up” the blue-haired kunoichi snapped. Rei reveled in watching her scan the shelves, trying so hard to look like she knew what she was doing but failing miserably.

“I have to admit” Rei finally spoke, “I’m shocked to see you in here. I didn’t think you read.”

“What? Are you calling me stupid, Carrots?” Sekkachi fired back. Rei stifled laughter. Sekkachi hadn’t called her that since their genin days, so she must have struck a sensitive nerve.

“Not at all” Rei said, raising her hands in surrender. She leapt across the counter and stood beside her old comrade, gazing up at the shelves and asking, “Can I help you find something?”

Sekkachi’s face went bright red and she frowned, turning away. She didn’t really want to do this. I knew I should’ve just waited until nightfall and broke in, she thought to herself. As terrible a crime as stealing was, it would’ve been far easier to manage than the confrontation she was now forced to endure. “I’m looking for this one book…” she said, trying to remain as cool and collected as possible. Maybe even a little too macho. “It’s stupid, really, and I doubt you even have it in stock, but it’s got, like, this pink cover with some nerdy chick on the front and—”

“You mean this one?” Rei asked, fishing the exact title off the Tutorials shelf. The cover read A Girl’s Feelings. Sekkachi’s eyes widened, not expecting such a quick answer, and lunged to snatch it out of Rei’s hands. Despite being nearly a foot shorter than her, however, Rei evaded her attack. She ducked out of the way and began thumbing through the pages scandalously.

“Ooh!” Rei teased. “Looks like someone has a crush!”

“What? No I don’t! Shut up!” Sekkachi shouted. She lunged for the book again but just like last time, Rei dodged her prying hands.

“So, who’s the lucky girl?” the redhead asked. “Do I know her? Are you in love?”

“I’m just picking it up for a friend, okay?!” Sekkachi shouted. Whipping her palm out, she shoved Rei’s face back to create distance and tugged the book out of her hands, hugging it close to her chest as if her opponent would attack again at any moment. ��Besides, you’re one to talk! All your boyfriend reads is porn!

Rei stumbled backwards and knocked over the display shelf of newly delivered Makeout Paradise books. She grimaced and shouted back, “That’s not true!” though deep down, she knew her argument likely didn’t stand a chance.

An unwavering confidence began to overwhelm Sekkachi as she now had the upper hand. “It’s such a mystery as to why Kakashi is so obsessed. Unless—” here, she gasped incredulously—“could little Rei Natsuki be a glitch in bed?”

“Sekkachi!” Rei shouted, slapping the kunoichi hard on the arm. Then, turning her nose up with crossed arms, she said matter-of-factly, “I don’t even understand what the big deal is, anyway. I’ve never even read the damn books.”

Sekkachi nearly burst out into hysterical laughter. The thought of Rei having no idea what she was up against was quite frankly the best thing she had heard all week. Once she finally composed herself, she picked one of the copies up off the floor and dangled it in front of the redhead’s face. “Aren’t you curious?” she teased.

“No!” Rei shouted, trying to swat the book away but Sekkachi wouldn’t budge.

“Don’t you want to know what kinds of images your boyfriend is filling his head with?” she continued. “They’re steamy as fuck! Anal, bondage, the works.”

Rei clapped her hands over her ears and frowned. “I don’t want to know!” she shouted. But deep down, the more Sekkachi teased her about it, the more she did, in fact, want to know. After all, she did have every right to, didn’t she? If her boyfriend was so addicted to them, she should be aware of what’s going on in his head, right? Or at the very least figure out what makes them so damn special. But maybe that was just Sekkachi’s ultimate goal, to flip her preconceived notions on their head and fuck her up. It certainly sounded like something she’d do. Finally, in a fit of rage, Rei slammed the Makeout Paradise book out of her face and ripped the romance tutorial from Sekkachi’s hands. The kunoichi gasped and reached for her book, but Rei simply leapt over the counter with it and began ringing it up. “That will be 700 yen, plus an extra 100 for all the trouble you’ve caused me” she said with a sickeningly sweet smile.

“Hey, you can’t just raise the price because of that!” Sekkachi argued.

“My bookstore, my rules” Rei chimed. “Besides, you wouldn’t want me to tell everyone about this little crush you’ve got, would you? I’m sure Naru would have a field day spreading that gossip!” Her comrade averted her eyes and grumbled beneath her breath as she handed Rei the money, knowing this wasn’t worth arguing anymore. Her reputation was far more important than the size of her wallet, especially on matters such as this. No one was allowed to know.

The rest of the afternoon crept by without another customer, and in the silence Rei was beginning to grow antsy. Her eyes kept shifting back to those stupid Makeout Paradise books. She hated admitting it, but Sekkachi’s words really bothered her. She began to wonder if her stance against them was because of her own beliefs, or just the projections of others. Her father had been so against them, and for good reason. He ran a respectable establishment, and they were just cheap smut. But if Grandma Teiko could convince him otherwise, meaning she approved, then could they really be that bad? A frustration began welling up inside of Rei the more she thought about it. It continued to escalate, more rapidly with every second, until finally boiling over. Rei looked around to ensure no one else was watching in the otherwise empty store, then picked up a copy and compulsively flipped to the first page.

The story started off rather expectedly, setting up the cliché frame of a freelance photographer travelling to a lavish resort island for inspiration and stumbling across a beautiful woman. Rei cringed at the thought of any of this being autobiographical. That was the other point of contention with these books: she was disgustingly hyperaware that the author was none other than Jiraiya, so she assumed she would have a hard time envisioning the protagonist as anyone but. The further she read, however, the more she had to admit that the sannin’s writing wasn’t actually half bad. A little basic compared to authors of literary fiction but overall, not the worst thing in the world. She delved deeper and deeper into the story until she had finally reached the true draw of the series: the sex.

Junko’s eyes quivered as Tadashi drew closer, a hungry look in his eyes. “I want you” he whispered, “right now.” His hand skated down to cup her ass, his cock pulsing against her thigh, and together they fell back onto the bed and began a passionate tango of love.

Master Jiraiya seemed to spare no expense as the two protagonists embarked on a wild sexual escapade, going to such great detail that at the end of it all Rei’s face was bright red and hot. She slammed the book shut and threw it across the room with a yelp, a shiver running down her spine. And all the while, her body had started to ache and plead. She supposed that was what had made Jiraiya’s books so successful. They certainly did their job.

Rei felt dirty and paranoid as she walked home that evening. The sun had nearly set but the air still hung heavy with sticky humidity. Faces passed by in a blur—she was sure she had seen them before, but she didn’t bother with identification. Right now, the only thing her mind could focus on was the hunger deep in her stomach. She wrapped her arms around her waist and tried to mute her body’s need for touch, but it was no use. Her thighs rubbed together as she ascended the stairs slowly, methodically. She unlocked the door to Kakashi’s apartment and sank down on the edge of the bed, waiting for his return.

It had been a long day, and Kakashi was absolutely exhausted. Ever since he introduced Rei to his students, she was all they ever asked him about. He at least wished he had gotten a picture of their faces when they realized she was the bookshop owner’s daughter that they had wanted to set him up with.

“I knew they would get along well!” Sakura said proudly.

“If she was already your girlfriend, then why didn’t you say anything?!” Naruto asked.

Kakashi shrugged and replied flippantly, “It didn’t seem important.” The rest of the afternoon had progressed in a similar fashion. The Copy Ninja tried to respond as coolly and casually as possible, but their offhand remarks and nagging inquiries were beginning to wear him down. Not everything needed to be publicized.

“So do you love her, Kakashi-sensei?” Sakura asked as they made their way back to the village. “Do you think you’ll marry her? I hope you invite us to the wedding! Well, maybe not Naruto, but I would love to come! And then you two can live happily ever after in a cute little house with lots of babies!”

Naruto scoffed. “Can you imagine Kakashi-sensei with babies?” he laughed.

“I think he would make a great father!” Sakura argued. If only they had known of the incident he and Rei faced a few weeks earlier, and how heavily the thought of a family had been weighing on his mind since.

“Alright, you two!” Kakashi stepped in, placing a hand on each of their shoulders. He needed to stop this in its tracks before they took things way too far. “I think it’s about time you both headed home. Sakura, I’m sure your parents won’t be happy if you’re late for dinner.”

“What about me?” Naruto asked. “I don’t have a home-cooked meal waiting for me.”

“Then you can have dinner at Sakura’s house!” Kakashi offered. The kunoichi’s face went deadpan. Before she could argue, Kakashi had already started walking back to his apartment. As he went, he overheard Sakura shouting at Naruto that he was an idiot and then the two of them further bemusing the dynamics of him and Rei’s relationship. What have I done?

Now that the day was over, all Kakashi really wanted was to perhaps order some food, read for a while with Rei, and then pass out before waking up to do it all over again tomorrow. As he trudged into his apartment, however, he was immediately aware that something was very different. Candles dotted the room, exuding a dim, flickering glow. The sweet smell of unadon wafted through the air. On the edge of the bed sat Rei in one of Kakashi’s shirts, oversized on her small frame so that the collar slumped down to reveal her shoulder.

Stricken, Kakashi lifted his headband up to reveal his sharingan and ensure he wasn’t hallucinating. His heart started to race when he realized this all was, in fact, real. He blinked and inched forward, setting his headband and other equipment down in the corner of the room. “Well, this is a surprise” he laughed, mildly nervous. He glanced to the calendar on his wall, trying to figure out if perhaps he had forgotten something special. Their anniversary was coming up, but that was a date he knew for certain had not slipped his mind.

Rei stood and approached him, leaning up on tiptoes and tugging his mask down to kiss him. “You’ve been working so hard” she started, unzipping his vest, “so I wanted to do something special.” All of the tension began to melt off of Kakashi’s shoulders at her touch and he sank down into the nearest chair.

“You cooked?” he asked, surveying the food in front of him. Rei nodded as she sat opposite him, drawing her legs up to sit cross-legged.

“That cookbook on your bookshelf is extremely helpful” she replied. Rei had never been a skilled chef so Kakashi was admittedly a little skeptical. He took a cautious bite, only to find that she had actually done a pretty good job. Not perfect, but good enough.

As they ate, they relaxed and chatted but all the while, the fear of having forgotten something weighed heavy on Kakashi’s mind. Rei felt a jolt of panic at his tired, stony expression and Sekkachi’s words suddenly came back to haunt her. Terrified, she decided her only choice would be to turn up the charm. Skirting around the table, she reached around to massage Kakashi’s shoulders and kiss down his neck gently. His back went rigid the moment her lips touched his skin. Tilting his head back, he chuckled and then finally asked, “What’s gotten into you, huh?”

Rei recoiled a moment, her heart pounding. “W-what do you mean?”

Kakashi rose from his seat and leaned back against the table. “Just that the dinner, the candles, the massages…is this a special occasion?”

Now her face was getting red, and she was starting to think perhaps this was a bad idea after all. Those stupid Makeout Paradise books got her all inspired to create some sort of romantic escapade. “I mean…does it have to be a special occasion for me to want to treat my boyfriend?” she asked.

“No, not at all” Kakashi replied. Now a smile was beginning to tug at the corner of his lips, and he began to inch closer. “I really needed this after today, Rei.” He brushed her bangs back out of her face and kissed her forehead tenderly, but as he did so his eyes landed on his copy of Makeout Paradise on the nightstand. He was positive he had put it back on the shelf—the sequel was tucked into his back pouch. He broke free of her, and she watched him approach the book with horror. Holding it up to her, he asked with amused suspicion, “What’s this doing out?”

All the color drained from Rei’s face as she stared back at him wide-eyed. She didn’t want to admit that after what she had read in Kaminoki that day, she came home wanting more. She had too much time to kill and her mind was racing and before she knew it, she was back in the throes of Junko and Tadashi’s sultry romance.

A few moments of silence passed before, finally, Rei broke down. “Alright, fine!” she shouted. “I was reading your stupid book! But only because Sekkachi got into my head saying shit like you’re so obsessed with them because I’m a glitch in bed and don’t satisfy you and—” She continued to ramble on frantically. It was a lot to process in thirty seconds but Kakashi had heard all he needed. He set the book down and walked toward her, placing his hands on her shoulders and planting his lips on hers to shut her up once and for all. “W-what was that for…?” she asked softly once he broke away, blinking up at him.

“Do you really think I read those books because our sex life is lacking?” he asked. Rei averted her eyes. With a sigh, Kakashi cupped her cheek and turned her head back to face him. “It hurts me that you’d think that, Rei. The Makeout books are just a series that make me happy, but you make me happy, too. Extremely happy.”

Rei blushed as a small smile began tugging on her lips. “Yeah?” she asked, voice gentle. “Do I?” Kakashi nodded and pressed his forehead against hers. Rei reached up to place her hand atop his on her cheek and closed her eyes with a soft sigh. She felt his opposite hand skate down to wrap around her waist and the fire in her belly returned with a raging force.

“So how much of Makeout Paradise did you read?” he then asked, voice low.

“Enough” Rei replied, opening her eyes to meet his gaze. “Got to the sex scene.”

Kakashi blinked a moment, then asked, “Which one?”

Rei froze. “…how many are there?”

“In the whole series, or just the first book?” Kakashi asked. Rei cocked a brow and it was then that he knew the technicalities didn’t matter. Now was not the time to show just how much of a geek he truly was. He swatted at the air dismissively and then pulled her close, gripping her shirt (his shirt? Their shirt) at her hip. “What did you think?” he asked.

“Do you want me to be honest?” she asked back. Kakashi nodded. Hooking her arm around his neck, she leaned up on tiptoes to whisper in his ear, “I’ve been horny as fuck all day.” A chill ran down Kakashi’s spine at her words. Before he could say anything else, she had snaked her hand down to the hem of his shirt and began sliding it up over his head. His heart pounded and a laugh almost rose up into his throat, though nothing about this was particularly funny. She threw his shirt to the floor and ran her hands down his toned chest, latching her fingers onto the waist of his pants. Meanwhile, he tangled his fingers in her auburn hair, loosening her ponytail in the process, and she could feel his dick growing harder against her lower stomach. She kissed down his chest slowly, methodically, pressing a hand against his progressing erection as a teaser for what was to come. The little moan that slipped past his lips only further ignited her determination.

As she unbuttoned his pants and began slowly tugging them down, he slipped her shirt off over her head revealing her bare breasts and casual panties. It was not unlike her to rip her bra off the minute she got home, most frequently through her sleeve which, admittedly, turned Kakashi on. It was like some sort of strange feminine jutsu requiring just enough dexterity and mischief, teasing without revealing too much. He gently took her chin between his thumb and forefinger and guided her back up toward him, pressing his lips hard against hers as he scooped her up by the ass. She wrapped her legs around his waist and worked her lips with his, their tongues mingling in one another’s mouths. Kakashi slowly headed backwards toward the bed, squeezing her ass and sighing as they kissed. He sank down onto the edge of the bed gently, holding Rei firm in his lap. His hands explored her body, massaging her breasts and nibbling her neck. As hot as it was outside, she was starting to get goosebumps from his touch and a chill blanketed her entire body. She released a shaky breath and her hips swerved against his hard dick. He hooked his grip into the waist of her panties and began tugging them down, the two of them rolling over in the process so that his body loomed over hers. And then there she was, completely naked in front of him.

Kakashi caressed her thighs, spreading her legs further apart, as she ran her hands down his chest. His fingers grazed over her clit and her body went rigid, a small gasp escaping her lips. He increased his pressure only slightly, then began working the spot with as much care and tenderness as he could manage. She bit her lip and squeezed her eyes shut tight, gripping the waist of his underpants before sliding them down. She began working his dick in her hand, and his entire body electrified. Her touch was just too good. He bucked his hips so that the wet tip just slid across her opening, teasing her, tempting her. She arched her back in desperation.

“K-Kakashi…” she whispered desperately. A smirk touched his face as he relieved her clit and guided his dick against her entrance. A part of him took pride in seeing her like this, in seeing her writhe and gasp and beg. Made him feel wanted, like he was doing his job right by pleasing her.

His heavy breath struck her collarbone, his lips grazing her skin, as he whispered, “How badly do you want it?” He looked up at her, and there was a satisfied hunger in his eyes. It was clear just how badly he wanted it, too. Rei reached down to grab his dick herself, resolving to take matters into her own hands—literally—but Kakashi redirected her arm with a breathy chuckle. He was more than willing to take full advantage of her arousal for as long as he could manage.

“Fuck!” she whispered, squirming beneath him. “I’ve wanted this all day” she said. “I’ve waited long enough. God dammit, fuck me, Kakashi.”

“Was that so hard?” he asked, planting soft kisses along her neck and collarbone. She shifted her hips and bit her lip as he eased his way inside of her, gradually opening her up. “That’s all I wanted to hear” he whispered and god, she was so, so weak.

He started off slow, shallow, but deepening his scope a little more with every thrust. Rei wrapped her thighs around his waist, an invitation for him to hook his arms beneath her knees. At this angle, he just about hit the spot that made her cry out in pleasure but it wasn’t good enough. He still hadn’t brought her to the edge. She frowned as he pulled out, dissatisfied, only for him to gently roll her onto her stomach. “I’m going to need you on your hands and knees” he leaned down and whispered, lifting her hips slightly and then guiding himself in from behind. A moan escaped her lips as he gripped her waist and began thrusting hard and fast. Rei bit down on the corner of the pillow, knowing it was the least she could do to avoid suspicion from the neighbors. These apartments, unfortunately, weren’t exactly soundproof. She could only do so much to muffle her cries of pleasure but Kakashi didn’t care. Her gasps and groans only further intensified his own pleasure. He reached his hand around to begin working her clit again, panting hard as he neared his own climax. Her body tightened and quivered, then went rigid as she gripped the edge of the mattress. A million little electrical signals fired in her body, and the most she could manage was a whimpered, “K-Kakashi…”

From inside her, the sensation was enough to push Kakashi over the edge. She felt so good and for a moment he was paralyzed. His dick pulsed and everything swelled inside of him before finally bursting with satisfaction. He barely pulled out in time, biting his lip as he came. That was a little too close for comfort, he thought to himself, collapsing beside her. He reached downand felt around the floor for his shirt, wiping away the warm, dripping mess he had left on her. She turned her head toward him and smiled at him sleepily, her entire body relaxing, and he couldn’t help but kiss her one more time.

“How do you feel?” he asked, breathless.

“Good” she sighed. “How about you?”

His fingers grazed her cheek before he pulled her close, her body fitting perfectly against his. “Good” he whispered back, wrapping his arms tight around her waist. Then, laughing a bit, he jested, “Maybe you should read Makeout Paradise more often.”

“Yeah” she laughed sleepily. She settled in and began drifting off to sleep. “I bet you’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

#kakashi hatake #rei natsuki #the scarecrow and the bell #naruto #naruto oc #fanfiction

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eleanor-writes-stuff · 5 years

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just a little of your love, baby (and i’ll try) [ficlet]

This is routine: taking separate cars to Ben’s place after work on Fridays, having the best sex of her life, and heading back to her own bed at the end of the night.

This is not routine: going to Ben’s place just to have dinner and fall asleep, waking up to find him cooking lunch for her, and realizing she could spend the rest of her life like this.

I’m still not quite back to normal, but here’s a little something I wrote to try and get past my writer’s block. Please enjoy yet another FWB-to-something more by yours truly, the trash master.

Also available on AO3.

“Come over tonight?”

It’s a discreet murmur, despite the relative privacy of the kitchenette and its closed doors. If not for the hand on the small of her back, no one would think twice of Ben standing right next to her as he reaches up for the secret stash of cookies he shares only with her and Leia.

Rey sighs as she comes to a reluctant decision. “Raincheck?” she pleads, turning to lean against the counter and watch Ben make coffee. “I want to, but it’s been such a long week that I’d probably fall asleep on you.” And isn’t that a thought, Ben emerging from between her legs only to find her snoring away? Best not to chance any embarrassing encounters and head straight for the comfort of her own bed tonight.

Ben shrugs, and Rey allows herself a small smile; of course he’d understand. But then he leans in, tucks a lock of hair behind her ear and says, “Come over anyway.”

“But…” She wants to, she really does, has been looking forward to this all week the way she’s been looking forward to weekends since she first went home with him two months ago–

“Look, Finn and Rose always wake you up first thing in the morning, right?” Ben points out as he turns his attention back to his coffee, missing the look of surprise on Rey’s face. She’d mentioned it in passing weeks ago, when she’d caught sight of the clock on his nightstand and groaned at the late hour, explaining to him that she’d most probably have to be up by seven the next morning thanks to her roommates and their habit of getting up at the crack of dawn on Saturdays to catch up on the week’s chores.

At the time she’d felt Ben’s careful eyes on her as she stumbled around in the darkness of his room looking for her clothes, and as Rey began to pull on her jeans she’d almost expected him to say something. But he’d remained silent save for a quiet goodnight at his door and the usual request to let him know when she got home safely, and that was that.

Now, though–

“I promise to let you sleep in,” Ben offers, and Rey’s resolve falters. “Won’t even try to wake you until noon, at the very earliest.”

Getting to actually catch up on sleep for once sounds heavenly, especially in Ben’s ridiculously comfortable bed, but Rey finds herself hesitant to accept the offer. They’ve never actually done this – arranged to spend time together for anything other than sex, agreed beforehand for her to stay the night. “Are you sure?” she asks, watching him carefully for a reaction. “I wouldn’t want to make things weird.”

“Weird?” Ben echoes with a laugh, offering her one of those smiles she’s starting to love; bright-eyed with the tiniest hint of teeth, it’s a far cry from the tight-lipped look she’d grown used to during their first few months working together. “Why would it be weird? We’ll just have dinner and go to bed, maybe watch some Netflix until we fall asleep. And I promise not to wake you up at sunrise with the vacuum.”

The picture he paints sounds oddly domestic to her, but Rey was gone as soon as he mentioned letting her sleep until noon. Whatever weirdness or awkwardness this evening brings, she’ll deal with it tomorrow – once she’s well-rested and capable of making smart choices again.

“All right, I’ll come over,” she decides, and can’t help but smile at the way Ben beams at her.

The apartment smells amazing, and Rey’s stomach growls the second Ben opens the door and ushers her in. Her first thought is that he must’ve gone ahead and ordered takeout for them, but then–

“–should be ready in a few minutes, but why don’t you go ahead and get some wine first?” Ben says as she follows him into the kitchen, only to be greeted by the sizzling sounds of stir-fry.

“You’re cooking,” she realizes out loud, standing stock-still as she takes in the sight of Ben actually making use of his kitchen for once. For her, Rey realizes, and quickly pushes that to the back of her mind by adding, “I didn’t realize you can.”

Ben shrugs without turning away from the stove. “I know just enough to not live on takeout,” he says, although the two other dishes on his countertop suggest otherwise.

“That’s still better than me,” Rey tells him, shaking off her daze to help herself to the bottle of wine he’s left out on the island. She pours him a glass as well, and something in her chest grows tight when Ben turns around and thanks her by brushing a kiss across her temple before motioning for her to sit down.

Whatever that odd feeling in her chest is, it remains in place throughout dinner. They talk about the past week, the rumors of an upcoming merger, the prank Poe pulled on Finn two days ago – normal things, the kind of things they’d usually discuss over lunch with the rest of their coworkers. Except they’re not with their coworkers, and they’re in Ben’s apartment, and a not-so-small part of Rey can’t help but compare this to a date.

After dinner she insists on doing the dishes, and eventually Ben gives in and disappears into his bathroom, calling first shower. She’s still exhausted, and the wine definitely hasn’t helped with her sleepiness, but the image of Ben in the shower almost makes her wish they were up to their usual Friday night activities.

But sleep calls to her even as she ambles into the bathroom for her turn, and when she emerges in a cloud of steam Ben’s already tucked in and setting up Netflix on the TV in his bedroom. Rey lingers by the bathroom door for a while, wondering how this works – does she just climb into bed with him? Is she supposed to turn off the lights first? Should she at least try to stay awake long enough to fool around? – until Ben spots her and pats her side of the bed invitingly.

He wraps an arm around her as soon as she’s settled in, and Rey allows her head to rest on his shoulder as Ben pulls up old episodes of The Office. His hair is still slightly damp, and the comfortingly familiar scent of his shampoo along with the warmth of his body conspire to weigh her eyelids down even as Ben laughs quietly at something onscreen and murmurs a comment against her hair.

Rey falls asleep within minutes.

In the morning, she vaguely registers warm lips brushing across her forehead and Ben saying something about water on his nightstand.

By the time she wakes up, though, the sun is high in the sky and the clock reads 12:37. She finds the promised glass of water on the nightstand, along with a note from Ben. Gone to get some things for lunch, back by noon. Go back to sleep.

The faint sound of Ben working in the kitchen pulls her out of bed, and after a quick detour to the bathroom Rey pads out on socked feet to find him cooking for her again.

“Morning,” she says, helpless against the smile that tugs on her lips and the warmth that blooms in her chest.

Ben turns around with a grin. “Hey,” he replies, momentarily abandoning the stove to drop a quick kiss on her lips. “Good afternoon, Sleeping Beauty. Did you sleep well?”

“Best night’s sleep in years,” Rey assures him, and it feels like the most natural thing in the world to wrap her arms around him when he turns back to the stove, to press her chest to his back and nuzzle the curve of his shoulder.

“Is this your evil masterplan?” she asks, pressing her cheek to his arm as she inspects what he’s making for lunch. “Lure me here with the promise of sleep and keep me forever with food?”

“Is it working?” Ben asks without pause, without hesitation, and it’s not lost on either of them that he doesn’t deny wanting to keep her.

Rey waits for that odd chest tightness from last night to reappear, and smiles when it doesn’t. “Maybe,” she shrugs, rising up on her tiptoes to press a kiss to Ben’s check before she lets go of him.

Lunch and the rest of the afternoon seem to go by in the blink of an eye, a haze of lazing about and more kisses than they’ve exchanged in the entirety of their acquaintance. It’s only when Ben mentions getting started on dinner that Rey realizes she’s probably overstayed her welcome.

“I should get going,” she says as they get up from the couch, keeping her eyes on the ground as Ben stretches out sleeping muscles, preparing herself for a casual dismissal and the usual I’ll walk you to the door.

“Or you could just stay another night.”

When she looks up, Rey finds Ben giving her the most earnest look she’s ever seen on him. “Ben,” she says carefully, watching the way a hint of wariness casts a shadow over his hopeful eyes. “We’ve been together for a full day now.”

“So?” he asks, looking utterly unbothered by the fact.

It takes a lot of effort to keep herself in check, to keep her hope from blinding her. “So… aren’t you sick of me yet?” she asks only half-jokingly.

“Rey,” Ben sighs, and then he’s reaching out and pulling her into his arms and his lips are brushing the sensitive skin of her ear as he whispers, “I could never get sick of you.”

Heart in her throat, Rey tentatively wraps her arms around him in return. “Was this… I mean… I’ve been here all day and we haven’t had sex. Not even once. That’s not normal for us, Ben.”

He draws back to look her in the eye. “It could be.”

“Ben,” she says, and gathers up all her courage to ask– “What is this?”

“This is what I want for us,” he tells her without a moment’s pause, without even the slightest hint of fear. “If you don’t mind, that is.”

Just twenty-four hours ago, the idea of her and Ben being anything more than a long-term hook-up would’ve knocked Rey off her feet. The mere suggestion of her spending the night had filled her with questions and concerns about their arrangement, so carefully crafted all those weeks ago to cater to their needs without overstepping any boundaries.

But now… now that she knows what it’s like to fall asleep in his arms, now that she’s familiar with the wave of affection that swells in her heart when she sees him cooking for her, now that she can picture them doing this every weekend for the rest of her life–

“Okay,” Rey agrees casually, even throws in a shrug.

“Okay?” Ben asks, his confident façade betrayed by the disbelief in his eyes.

“Whatever this is,” she tells him, waves around the apartment to indicate the past twenty-four hours, the glimpse of their future that he’s offered her, “I like it. I want it. So yes, Ben,” Rey says with a smile so wide it hurts, “okay.”

He blinks at her once, twice, and then– “Okay,” Ben declares with a bright smile of his own, and seals the deal with a kiss.

I don’t even know what this is, y’all. I know I say that a lot, but this one feels particularly rushed and half-assed to me. But hopefully I’ll get back into the swing of things soon!

Until then, thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed it. Please don’t hesitate to like/reblog/comment.

#reylo #rey x ben #kylo ren/rey #rey/kylo ren #rey/ben solo #star wars #rey #ben solo #ficlet: a little of your love #series: ao3 reblog #my fics #fic archive

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mtmagni5 · 6 years

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#NSFW-REYLO-WEEK-2018 Day 2: Sucking

In the grey room, Rey was standing in front of the mirror. Hair pulled tight. Underbust corset in black latex, red boning, with red laces, cinched to an exquisite 17 inches. Matching knee high boots. Nothing else, but the thin strip of leather around her neck accented by a shiny delicate silver ring.

Handing her a little metal cylinder, she pulled off the cap, twisting up slowly to reveal a deep red lipstick. The bullet was silky and the pigment rich. Gliding it against her full plumped lips ,she opened her mouth. Leaning forward slightly, deliberately pressing with enough pressure to push and manipulate the flesh, she looked back at him. She was all shadows and curves.

He sees me, and I see him. He knows me, every part of me, and I him. I know his pain, I feel it...and he feels mine. I know his shame, guilt, and loathing. I feel it too..... I give myself to him willingly. We give pleasure without embarrassment. There are no sins. I am bound to him, through love, through obedience, through pleasure, and through pain. I trust him, and I trust myself. I don't feel shame for loving the darkness. It is through the darkness that I can see the light. When he is inside me, when I submit to his will, it's the only time I am truly free. The past doesn't matter....the future is not a thought....just now...right now.....

"Are you ready." Ben said, his voice was low and emotionless.

"Yes, Master."

"On your knees."

Placing the lipstick on the floor, she carefully turned around to face him. Gently squatting down, she stretched her arms, reaching as her knees touched the cold grey floor.

"Crawl." His voice was not loud or overtly commanding, it was low and knowing.

Starting to crawl, he watched the light dance over the shiny black latex, focusing on the inhuman width of her waist and the curve of her hips. Everything about her body was rounder and more feminine.

"Kneel."

Sitting back on the 4 inch spikes, she lowered her eyes.

"You remember, you will not manipulate the force in any way?"

"Yes, master."

Dressed in his formal attire, he was an imposing figure in black. The color did little to minimize the broadness of his chest and the thickness of his arms. Removing his tunic as he stood over her, he assessed her.

"Take off my pants."

Without hesitation, she unbuttoned and unzipped, pulling and letting them drop to the floor. Every time she looked at him naked he made her gasp. His cock was erect and slightly bobbing in her face, with extraordinary girth and perfect shape.

"One of the most important lessons of all is how to suck my cock. Put your hand around the base."

Well, he isn't wasting any time.

For all of their debaucherous acts, this was one that she was unsure of. So much time and attention was given to understanding her body and her pleasure. He had never asked her, or commanded her to suck his cock, other than forcing her to swallow his cum. This was something different, intimate on a different level. She knew that there was something inside screaming to be released, that this level of intimacy had to be connected.

Wrapping her hand around the base, she looked up. The image of of her red lips, his cock in her face, and her eyes on fire was enough to make him cum without restraint, like an 18 year old.

"Ahhhhhh....open your mouth and let me see your tongue." He seemed nervous or slightly uncomfortable. A fine layer of sweat was collecting on his torso and his bottom lip was slightly trembling. "Now, wrap your mouth around my cock and slide the tip between your lips........use your tongue to circle it and make it wet........ Now work the tip back and forth...use your teeth lightly.........uuuuhhhh....and use your hand to work the base as you do it......now......I want you to suck down to the base......you will think about how I fuck you....and how it feels when my thick hard cock slides in and out of you...how I fuck you hard and then soft....slow and fluid....rough and painful... you will imagine your mouth is your pussy....but you have a tongue to lick it...and you have teeth to bite and rake it...you have spit to be sloppy...you have a voice to moan and let me know how it feels." His deep voice was so low that it felt like a hum. Talking her through it was a testimony to his composure and self control. This was a man that received torturous pleasure from controlling his own restraint. A sadist, and a masochist, a switch in denial.

Without inhibition she worshiped his cock with natural skill and enthusiasm. She was hungry for it and took his command to heart. In her mind she knew that he was in the palm of her hand and nothing gave her more pleasure than knowing he was on the brink of losing control.

He was completely enraptured. He admired her. She lived in the moment, pliable, fluid, and free. Every movement, every thought, her sole purpose was him. It was like a drug that was eating him alive.

"You were born to suck my cock....." His head dropped back, veins in his neck bulging, gripping the base of his cock as she took it down her throat, restraining her gag reflex. Starting to pump his hips, they moved together. "Ssssss...ahhh.. slow down." He hissed. Legs shaking, he was losing control of his body

She was relentless, so focused that she could not hear the loud sucking sounds of her mouth drawing the climax out of him.

"You mean slow down like this." Pulling his cock out of her mouth, dripping from her saliva, she used the tip to smear the red lipstick back and forth. She was messy, and wet, and on a mission to bring him to his knees.

Breathless, shaking, and moaning, Ben held on to her head to steady himself. Gritting his teeth the only words he could manage were," Rey....fInish it."

Grabbing his balls, she pulled and sucked with increasing pressure. With a flurry of working her head up and down, she could feel his muscles contract. Feeling the thumping of his heart beat through his cock, and the pulsing of his cum working its way up the shaft, she sucked deeply and slowly up the length, coaxing the hot squirt into her mouth.

You forced it down my throat before....this time I will do it my way.

Pulling it out of her mouth as the first stream shot out, she jerked it against her face letting it drip down to her breasts.

"Give it alllll to me....," Knowing this could get in her trouble, she said it anyway. It didn't matter to her, the punishment. Something inside of her was driving her to push him, even if was supposed to wrong. She liked it. She loved how it felt.

The stream of cum continued to spurt out as she pulled. Eyes wide, she had never felt him cum for this long. He fell to his knees and collapsed, leaning into her cum covered body. Shaking and trying to regain his breath, he looked at her. Slowly blinking, she took his hand and one of his fingers, tracing it over her wet nipple, and then brought it to her mouth adeptly sucking it clean. Smiling.

"How was that?"

Slowly regaining his breathing, he had an expression of disbelief and reverence.

"You didn't call me master."

She looked at him with shock.

"You know the rules. Bend over."

#nsfwreyloweek nsfw-reylo-week-2018

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