Your oc looks so cute! Tell me more?

Sokone Hiden (飛電底値, Hiden Sokone)

It's kind of long oops ^-^

Backstory:

Following the events of Metsuboujinrai.net defeat, a secret underground organization attempts to continue ZAIA’s corrupt weaponry, starting with reviving Azu to bring back the Ark. Fortunately AIMS seizes their progress before properly rebooting her and takes the Humagear, as well as all the members of the organization into custody. Two of these members however were Sokone’s biological parents who planned to use her as a test subject for their goal of cyborg creations. Luckily she was instead taken away from these terrible people and was admitted to a hospital to ensure she was in healthy condition. After finding no leads to extending members of Sokone’s family, Yua decided to put her up for adoption but a certain CEO took interest in the child before she could make the proper arrangements. As Yua accompanied Sokone as they ran her vitals, Aruto was in the hospital along with Izu to visit Isamu after the whole debacle that went down. Yua weighed out the options and agreed to having Aruto have custody of the child.

Sokone was given her name by Aruto since she never received one from her previous parents. They just referred to her as “Test Subject-01” in regards to the files from their experiments. Aruto doesn’t have much experience with children especially since he himself practically is still one. However he does have the help of his fellow Humagear compatriots to assist in taking care of his new daughter.

Few months go by and Sokone has grown up to the point where she can crawl around leaving Aruto to question whether his living space is big enough to fully raise his child. It is also around this time that Isamu finally wakes from his coma much to everyone’s relief. During Aruto’s next visit to the hospital, he decides to bring Sokone along to meet him for the first time. Without proper context, Isamu is thoroughly baffled at the idea of Aruto having a child but after explaining the situation to him he calms down. When Isamu is finally released from the hospital, he offers to help take care of Sokone since he is still jobless and won’t have anything else to do. Aruto agrees and they work out a schedule together which Izu points out that this is a common thing responsible parents do.

Due to the concern Aruto has for the size of the living space, he seeks help from Sumida Smile, the real estate agent Humagear, to find a suitable house. Once she found a place that fit his requirements, Aruto moved into the new space setting up Sokone’s own room as well as his own. Also due to Isamu’s frequent visits and assistance with Sokone and the moving process, Aruto offered him the space as well. Isamu was skeptical about it at first, but he figured it was better than living alone; and if it’ll help out the already busy president he couldn’t say no. Although sharing a home and taking care of a child with someone sounded a lot more domestic than the situation actually was. Or so he thought.

Over the next six years, some unsaid feelings were brought to light between the two men after a panicked Isamu told one of Aruto’s jokes to Sokone in an attempt to make her laugh when she was crying. The joke seemingly worked as they both laughed together while Aruto watched the interaction from afar. Some confessing on Isamu’s part later, and their relationship further developed overtime. Then one fateful Christmas night, a purchased custom made ring sealed the deal for the both of them. Now their daughter is grown, attending kindergarten. Their house is full of Sokone’s intricate drawings with one being neatly framed on Aruto’s office desk. Sokone frequently visits her dad’s office space especially after getting picked up by him. When Aruto is occupied with something, she rants to Izu about her day and Izu listens to every word. Then when night falls, Isamu takes Sokone home to get ready for bed. He’s also responsible for taking her to school in the morning when Aruto can’t. Then on some days, Yua takes her out for a girls day which Sokone always enjoys especially when they get to eat a lot of desserts. Her life is filled with all the joys that her previous parents were going to deprive her of. So she’s very grateful to have been raised by her new family and thankful for everything they’ve done.

Personality:

Sokone’s personality resembles Aruto’s in many ways. She always wants to see the good in everyone including the Humagears her dad is fond of. She’s also very talkative and is only quiet when focusing on her drawings which consist of the people she loves and butterflies. Sokone has really grown to like butterflies after hearing a story about them being able to cross between the real world and the afterlife. She believes that butterflies are reborn humans sent to pass messages to their loved ones. Acknowledging her love of them, Isamu bought her hair ties adorned with butterfly wings which she fell in love with instantly and immediately demanded that they be put in her hair. Although her personality does resemble Aruto more, things take a turn when Sokone decides to throw a tantrum. She gets a bit violent with her trashing and may have broken a few things around the house. Aruto has to be the one to deal with the aggressive child before she starts getting into a fistfight with his husband. Luckily her temper is resolved with the help of some juice and terrible jokes.

Relationships:

Sokone’s biological parents:

She has no recollection of them other than knowing that they’re being held in captivity after being a part of a dangerous organization.

Aruto Hiden:

Having been taking care of her for 6 years, he learned a thing or two on how to keep her spirits up when he notices her mood drop. He also had to learn about her violent side whenever she got too agitated. He still wonders where she got all this strength from. His work unfortunately limits the time he gets to spend with Sokone, so he cherishes all the moments he’s had with her whether it’s just letting her help cook dinner, or their visit to a zoo so she could see all the different breeds of butterflies. Although Sokone finds joy in just spending time in his office and having idle chatter with her dad. Sokone really likes Aruto’s cooking especially when he prepares her lunch for school. Her classmates seem to be envious of these homemade meals. She also enjoys hearing his lame jokes which makes him filled with glee and makes their home erupt with laughter after a simple telling of one. 

Isamu Fuwa:

Initially he thought he wouldn’t get along with Sokone due to his nature but she actually grew quite fond of him. Mostly because he unknowingly spoils her with toys. He doesn’t really know how to tame a rampaging child however and retaliates against Sokone which leads to a stern lecture from a very upset Aruto which he rather avoids. The butterfly hair ties he bought also became one of Sokone’s most precious possessions which made him happy so he learned different ways of tying her hair with the bands. Isamu is also very protective of her when it comes to the press since she is the daughter of a CEO and often gets bugged by reporteres at times which Isamu does not appreciate. Since he’s responsible for taking her home and putting her to bed, he often sings a small melody which eases her right to sleep.

Yua Yaiba:

Sokone gets taken to the amusement park a lot by Yua and they end up buying a bunch of food together. She enjoys spending her girls day with Yua and sees her as a cool aunty. Yua likes that title and wears it with pride. She also picks up Sokone from school depending on the circumstances and even showed her the AIMS headquarters once which Sokone marveled at the different types of technology there as compared to Hiden Intelligence. Yua is also responsible for the purchasing of Sokone’s outfits since she knows Aruto and Isamu’s taste in fashion, which is no taste.

Izu:

Sokone really likes talking with Izu since she can pick up every detail from her spiel. She’s also good company to have when her dad is busy with work. Izu sometimes also fetches Sokone from school at times giving Sokone more opportunities to talk with the Humagear whether it’s simple conversation or Sokone’s limitless list of questions.

Gai Amatsu:

Sokone once called him grandpa and he never recovered since.

Are you going to write anymore fanfics? I didn't realize you were the one that wrote "unsaid" best fic of Vile/Zero fic 🥺❤️

AHHH y-yes that was me... 😭 thank you for such kind words about the fic!!

as for writing more, i am!! it's just been A Process...

the tl;dr: yes, i am in fact working on more fics!

the backstory: "unsaid" was written during the COVID lockdowns in my area. around that time, i was also laid off from my previous job. as such, i had LOADS of free time and nothing to do. it was relatively easy for me to bang out nearly 38K of words at that time, esp since i was depressed for being stuck inside and not having a job (i need socialization of some sort to function lol)

in the past, i have NEVER been able to complete a chaptered fic, especially not one of that length. it's not for lack of trying; i have tons of unused outlines in my drafts that were all set-ups for various fic storylines from many different fandoms that never came to fruition. it's partially my ADHD and partially my perfectionism; i have a very "get it done right the first time" mentality and it's actually a detriment to me when it comes to creating almost anything lmao.

ALL THAT BEING SAID, i am indeed working on further v/z fics! two of which are smut-oriented (oops) and almost completed, and the other is actually a continuation of "unsaid." the continuation is hung up at the moment because i'm still working out the storyline progression kinks. since i am now employed (and have been for a few years since the lockdowns actually), it takes more time to sit down and work on stuff, sadly. i want to make the continuation better than the first part and i really struck lightning with the plot of that one; it just sort of unfolded organically for me.

at the very least, if i'm unable to do a direct continuation of "unsaid," i'll definitely write smth for them again anyway! this year is packed and busy for me wrt work and my social obligations (mostly weddings... kill me), so i try to sneak in some writing whenever i can. i really have more to explore within the "unsaid" setting, so one way or another, i'm gonna keep going! 😤 it just may take some time...

ANYWAY SORRY FOR THAT HUGE EXPLANATION LMAO and thank you for the interest/support of the fic! 🥺❤️

Hii Rose 🥺🌹 here (now non-anon, but i'm keeping the name because you gave it to me)

Yeahh, I was just binge-listening to mama taylor... hope you're having as much fun as i am (tho really i'm crying because midnights got to me)

and i do love college aus for these vroom vroom boys, time for them to get education

SPOILERS below the rose line

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

• "i guess lestappen took over a bit…. oops? not oops? sorry not sorry?" <- ahahahah fun for me • "He really doesn’t mind that there is an older man making eye contact with him every once in a while." <- oh i do love the notion of eye fucking with someone as you grind against someone else (gives too much sexual tension and the words unsaid/jealousy/lust between it all), and eye fucking with dan?! and he'd just give you this smirk that turns into a huge smile • love the very healthy agreement between max and charles btw, agreements that are just strictly business, that's new, usually feelings always get in the way so this has been welcome (despite my lestappen heart aching reading this/joke) • “Have fun,” Charles says. “Text me if you leave or if there’s something wrong?” “Always,” Charles answers, “But I do not think you will have time to check it.” <- oh they are actually besties in this one. i love the dynamics • "the way Charles has been glancing at some dude with a patchy beard and no mustache. " <- PIERRE? this is pierre right? hii Pierre!!

"“I’d ask if I was reading you right, but seeing as you came I think it is obvious.” <- you can read me and my book says [redacted]

"His invitation causes Daniel to kiss him deeply, and god does he know how to use that tongue. Max whimpers when Daniel bites on his bottom lip and slowly moves down to his neck, where he starts leaving hickeys. All the while they grind, they touch and one time when Max opens his eyes, he catches Charles staring. He winks before he playfully taps Daniel’s chin and pulls him in for another kiss. " <- !!!! HOT !!! • actually, it's very okay to leave it at that because lord knows the thoughts that will form involving max, dan, mirrors, the bathroom counter thingy, the bathroom stall doors that are dirty but somehow still sets the mood, and max and dan and MIRRORS • tho i guess the tags has double meaning ...

liked the way you set the mood between these characters!! also, no worries about the length. just sending you hugs. hope you have a great day!!

roses for you!!

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

-Rose 🥺🌹 (still signing off as Rose 🥺🌹)

Hmm, I'm a bit 50/50 on midnights. on one hand, i love each song but at the same time, nothing stands out to me. like, i played the 3 am version on my drive home from work, which was like an hour due to the traffic, and I could listen to the whole cd. and during that whole hour there was not a single song i skipped, but also not much that stood out to me? like it all became one blur; nothing was unique. sometimes i had to look on my phone to see if a song stopped in the first place. so like. they're good. as background music. and i really like a lot of the lyrics.

please. being held by one while eye fucked by another. the dream.

also i love playing around with the tags. it's so much fun

thanks sweety!! hope you will continue to enjoy the last few fics too <33 (when. i do write them, that is ehehe.)

Out of my League [Part 5]

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Single mom!Reader

Word count: 4.1k

Summary: A night out with the team leaves you and Spencer with so much unsaid, despite how much he spills to you while you’re drunk and half asleep. 

Warning(s): Mentions of past addiction, alcohol consumption, some swear words, mentions of past bullying, EXTREME PINING

Author’s Note: I told yall this chapter wouldn’t take 10 years. just like... a week and a half. I promise I’ll do better lmao also enjoy the fluff cuz uh,, yall are gonna hate me next chapter oops

[Previous Part] [Series Masterlist]

Washington D.C., 2009

(Reader POV)

Rossi’s dinner party would not be the last time Spencer had to drive your drunk ass home. It happened two or three in the two years since that night. Dave meant it when he said you were one of them. Whenever they went out for drinks after a case, you would get a text from one of the girls asking if you wanted to come. Your mom living a few blocks away from you was helpful because you just needed to drop Jamie off and head over to O’Keefe’s. You very rarely went overboard because you normally had to drive home, but tonight was not one of those nights.

The team had just gotten back from a local case in Bethesda, so Emily offered to pick you up on her way back. Hotch gave them all the rest of the night off after they made the arrest, but Spencer, always the workaholic, still wanted to finish up his paperwork before going out. 

Your mom came to get Jamie and take him back to her house, so you were free to get all dressed up for a night on the town with your friends. You didn’t want to look too formal since most of them were still going to be in their work clothes, so you got out a cute green button-down blouse and tucked it into some high-waisted jeans. You put on your favorite locket and let your hair down. You went with a light makeup look, just brows, cheeks, and lashes. You were all set by the time Emily pulled up in front of your place. You strapped up your wedges and grabbed your purse, heading out the door, excited to see everyone after they’d been so busy.

“Hey! You look nice!”

“And you’re not so bad for fresh off a crime scene.”

“Should’ve seen me catch the guy, I looked amazing.”

“I’m sure you did, Em.”

Emily told you about the case, or rather just the ending. You only liked to hear her stories when they had happy endings. This one was pleasant enough, but you had a feeling that she was leaving some details out since it was apparently so bad that even Spencer would be tagging along for drinks.

When you got to the bar, Derek and Penelope were already sitting at a booth in the back with Aaron and Dave. Penelope hopped up from her seat to give you a hug as soon as you approached the table. 

“Hey, there she is,” Morgan smiled over his beer.

“Reid’s not driving tonight?” Aaron asked.

“He texted me, he’s on his way, he wanted to finish his paperwork back at the precinct.” 

“So what I’m hearing is you finally have time to tell us stories about Reid in high school,” Dave said with a smirk.

“No, come on, he’ll kill me,” you settled into the booth.

Emily snorted, “I’d be surprised if he even found it in him to be mad at you.”

“Oh, it’s happened before.” Your face scrunched up at the memory of what happened that day on the football field.

“Really?” Penelope seemed shocked.

“Yeah I’d… Rather not talk about it.” You didn’t know if Spencer had told the team about the Alexa Lisbon incident, so you didn’t want to talk about how he had been so angry with you for babying him. 

“Oh, come on, the kid was in love with you,” Derek prodded, “What’d you do?”

You elected to ignore his comment, “No, it was just stupid.” You could still talk about Kyle, though. The team knew the story of how you’d met Spencer, they just didn’t know about how upset he was when he found out you got back together with Kyle just a few months after you dumped him.

“We love hearing about the stupid things you did!” Garcia squealed.

You stared at the table and fiddled with a napkin to avoid eye contact as you said, “I dated one of his bullies.”

Dave was the first to break the silence, “But Reid said you broke up with him when you found out.”

You bit your lip and hesitated before owning up to it, “Did he tell you that Kyle is Jamie’s dad?”

Emily gasped, “No way!”

“We barely spoke outside of tutoring after that between him being scared of Kyle and basketball season. We were both busy with our teams.”

“Reid played basketball?” Aaron asked, amused.

“He was the coach.” You managed to crack a slight smile, “Budget cuts. But, hey, it was for the best, that was our best season in years.”

“Hard to believe he could focus on strategy with you cheering from the sidelines.” Derek wiggled his eyebrows and took another sip of his beer.

You were quick to change the subject, “So is JJ coming?”

Emily shook her head, “She went home after the case cuz she missed Henry.”

“Oh that boy is the sweetest little thing, I miss when Jamie was that little.”

Aaron sipped his whiskey, “How old is he again?”

“Ten. I’m old, don’t remind me, it’s fucking me up.”

“Ah! Language, bella.”

“Sorry Dave. But speaking of getting effed up, I’ll go get the next round.” You stood and took everyone’s drink orders: Dave and Aaron were sharing an expensive bottle that Dave had already paid for, Emily wanted a martini, Derek just asked for another beer, while Penelope ordered the most elaborate cocktail on the menu, but luckily it was her usual, so you had it pretty much memorized by now. 

You strolled up to the bar and gave the bartender the order, which he got right on. He started with giving you Derek’s beer, then Em’s martini, then your rum and coke, before getting to work on Penelope’s ridiculously fruity drink. An older man stalked into your field of view with a beer in his hand, grinning dumbly. 

“What’s a girl like you doing in a place like this?”

You snorted, “Has that line ever worked?”

“Truth be told, I’ve never used it.”

“Well you don’t have a great success rate right now, bud.” You looked over the man’s shoulder and made eye contact with Penelope, who turned to Derek and gave him a heads up.

“Well let me buy you a drink, maybe it’ll work better the second time around.”

“Oh, no, thank y—”

“No, come on, what’s one drink?”

You grabbed the tray with everyone’s drinks and started to pass him, “I should really get back to my friends.”

“Hey, I won’t keep you long,” He caught you by the arm and the last thing you saw before he turned you to face him again was Penelope leaping up from her seat to let Derek through, “what are you drinking?”

“Babygirl, how long does a beer take?” Derek stepped up behind you and placed a delicate hand on the small of your back, “This guy bothering you, doll?”

The man dropped his hand from your arm, “We were just talking.”

“Really? ‘Cuz to me it seems like you were trying to put the moves on my girl.”

“Babe, it’s fine,” you caught on quickly, placing a hand on Derek’s chest to keep up the ruse of holding him back, “I’m just waiting for Pen’s drink.”

“Get the hell out of here, man.” Derek glares and the other man leaves reluctantly. “You okay?”

You nodded, “Thank you.”

“Hey, no problem, sweetheart.” He withdrew his hand from the small of your back, “Wouldn’t want Pretty Boy to get jealous.”

You felt your face heat up as your eyebrows knit together, feigning confusion.

“Oh, come on, Y/N, you can’t seriously tell me you don’t see it.”

You played dumb, “See what?”

He sips his beer, “You don’t need to be a profiler to see the way he looks at you, Y/N.”

“Oh, god, first my mother, now you too?”

“I’m serious, I’ve only seen him like this one other time.”

“When?”

“On a case a few years ago. There was this actress we were helping out, Lila Archer.”

“Lila Archer? The Lila Archer?”

“Yeah, she had a little crush on Reid for a bit. They made out once.”

“They what?”

He laughed, “What’re ya jealous?”

“No!” Maybe? “It just seems so unprofessional, I wouldn’t have pegged him for a guy who would--”

“Hook up with a movie star? Yeah, I didn’t think so either. It didn’t work out with them, obviously, he said she only felt that way about him because he saved her life.”

“What does this have to do with me?”

“Ever thought about how you protecting him his whole life may have had a similar effect?”

“Showing him basic human decency didn’t make him fall in love with me, Derek.”

“No, but saving his life did.”

“What do you mean?”

“I think that’s more of a question for Pretty Boy himself.” Derek nodded his chin over your shoulder. You followed his gaze and saw Spencer coming up behind you, grinning as he neared the bar.

“Hey.”

“Hey, haircut! Lookin’ good!” Your fingers laced through his shaggy locks and messed up his new boy band-esque style.

 A faint blush spread across his cheeks as he fixed his hair, “T-Thanks.”

“When you lovebirds feel like talking to the rest of us, I’ll be at the table with the rest of the team.”

You roll your eyes and turn back to the lanky boy next to you, “Lemme buy you a drink, Spence.” 

“Oh, no thank you. I’m driving. And also did you know--”

“You can just say you don’t want it.”

“No, I do. That’s the problem.”

Your face contorted with confusion until it suddenly clicked, “Oh… Has that ever been a problem for you before?”

“Not anymore, and not alcohol, but yeah.”

“Wait, Spence, why didn’t you tell me? I-I’m not mad, it’s your choice, obviously, but I could have helped.”

“You did.”

“I did?”

“Remember that one time I was too sick to talk on our Saturday call?”

“Yeah?”

“I had just gotten back from a case in New Orleans. Remember Ethan from school?”

You nodded, holding onto every word.

“He’s in a jazz band down there now. He talked me into getting help. When you called, I was at the lowest point of withdrawals, shaking so hard I couldn’t sleep, and completely alone. I almost didn’t pick up, but I knew you wouldn’t accept that,” he laughed nervously, “and when I heard your voice…”

He trailed off, finally meeting your eyes.

“When I said I wasn’t feeling well, you said ‘I’m putting Jamie down for the night, wanna hear his bedtime story?’”

You both found yourselves smiling slightly at the memory. 

“Not once, during any book I’ve read, had I fallen asleep so easily as I did when you read me The Very Hungry Caterpillar.”

He took a deep breath, almost shuddering, “It was the first time I slept without nightmares since Tobias Hankle.”

You remembered that name. He’d come up in conversations from time to time but you never heard anything about his case. He was always a touchy subject for the team, and now you knew why.

“How long ago was this?”

“Almost three years ago.” He didn’t even have to think about it.

“Spence, you could have told me. You can tell me anything.”

“Anything?” He gulped.

You reached for his hand on the bar and felt it tense under your touch. You’d think after how long you’d known him his touch aversion wouldn’t be an issue with you anymore, but apparently not. Feeling your cheeks heat up, you withdrew your hand as if you burnt your hand on a hot stove and let out an awkward scoff, turning away to look back at your friends, who tried and failed miserably at making it look like they weren’t watching you and Spencer. 

“We should…”

“Yeah… w-we should.” Spencer passed you and sat down next to Derek in the booth, leaving you in your usual spot next to Emily with your first of many drinks that night.

            3 Hours Later

(Spencer’s POV)

I helped her into my car and buckled her up after she couldn’t find the seatbelt. When I got into the driver’s seat, I glanced at her to see if she was still conscious, only to see her dopey smile directed at me.

“What?” I laughed nervously.

“Nothing,” she slurred, dragging out the ‘ing’ and turning her head towards the window.

“You okay?”

She nodded and leaned her head against the glass as I pulled out of the parking lot. She was quiet for the most part during the drive, so I assumed she was asleep, so imagine my shock when she piped up as soon as I parked in front of her place.

“Can you walk me in?” she asked as if I could say no to her.

“Of course.” I was going to regardless. I helped her out of the car and she stood on wobbly legs. She groaned and looked at her feet. 

“Hold this.” She shoved her purse into my arms and placed a hand on my shoulder and hopped up to take off one of her heels, tossing it onto her seat before repeating her actions on her other shoe. She grabbed the pair and marched up the path to her front door. I trailed close behind, just in case she stumbled, which she did. 

She fumbled for her key when she suddenly remembered that I had her purse. I dug through the pockets and fished it out, tossing it to her once I got close enough. She instantly giggled as soon as I met her eyes.

“What’s so funny now?”

“Nothing, Spence,” she failed to stifle a smile as she tried to open the door, “You have nothing to worry about.”

I stepped in beside her, “Well you’ve been awfully quiet since we left and now you’re laughing at me!”

“I’m just thinking!”

“That can’t be good,” I joked, prompting her to lightly slap my arm, “Kidding! What are you thinking about?”

“Don’t worry about it!”

“No, now I’m curious!”

“Just something stupid Derek said before you came tonight.”

“Oh jeez, now I have to know.” She climbed up the staircase and down the hallway in front of her bedroom. She twisted the knob and pushed open the door. I stepped in after her and placed her purse down on the dresser. She flopped down on the bed, shuffling under the covers, not even bothering to change out of the clothes she wore to the bar. I grinned down at her. She looked like an angel snuggled up in the sheets.

“Comfy?”

“Very.”

“Good. Call me if you need anything, Y/N,” I started to walk towards the door.

“Did you have a crush on me in high school?”

I paused.

“W-Where’d you get that from?” Nice job, genius, that doesn’t sound guilty at all.

“That’s what Derek said.” She was now sitting up in bed.

Okay, but how did he know that?

“How did this come up exactly?”

She explained how the team was trying to get her to tell them embarrassing stories about me as a kid (sidenote: not cool, guys) and my dear old friend Kyle came up. She said that Morgan brought up transference, where a person experiences something traumatic and associates their “hero” with safety and feelings of relief after being helped.

“He said one girl you helped in a case had feelings for you and the way you explained transference to Derek sounded like you were speaking from experience.”

Great. This is what I get for only having friends on the team. My best guy friend is also a profiler who can read me like a book. Awesome.

I let out a deep sigh and sat down in the chair next to her bed, “I was.”

“Speaking from experience?”

“Yeah. Because that’s where it all started for me. A pretty girl told off one of my bullies and showed me basic human decency--”

“Aw, Spence, you thought I was pretty?” She teased, eliciting a chuckle from me.

“Of course I did. Y/N, you were the head cheerleader that came to me for help with chemistry and tousled my hair and bought me McDonald’s whenever our study sessions ran late. To twelve-year-old Spencer you were this perfect, unattainable princess--”

“Princess?” She giggled and it was the most beautiful sound I’d ever heard, “I like that.”

“Yep.” I laughed with her, “A princess who lived in a beautiful castle with posters on the walls and sparkly beads on the curtains and Doctor Who playing on the TV and a mom that always invited me to stay for dinner and I’m rambling again but that’s perfectly fine with you because you actually cared about what I had to say, especially when I would talk about Shakespeare because A Midsummer Night’s Dream was your favorite assigned reading and--” I stopped myself before it slipped out. 

I love you. I’ve said it a million times to her in a million different ways but I knew at that moment that if I said the actual words that I wouldn’t be able to take them back, not that I would ever want to, I just want her to be present when I told her the first time. If I said it now it would be the first time she’d hear it from me and she wouldn’t even remember it when she woke up.

“And what?” She still smiled at me so brightly that the dimly lit room was lit up by the gleam in her eyes.

I smiled back, “You’re my best friend.”

Her grin somehow grew wider, her eyes scrunching up, but the sparkle was still there, “You’re my best friend too.”

If I hadn’t already decided against it, I would have said it then. I would have repeated those words over and over again until the words lost all meaning, only they never would because they felt like they meant the world to me. But I wouldn’t let myself start. Instead, I just looked at her like she was the moon and stars and all the space in between and said, “Goodnight, Y/N.”

“Spence, wait,” she murmured, further burying herself in her covers.

“What now?” I whined, the smile still present on my face.

“I think you’re pretty too.” 

It had never been harder for me to resist the urge to kiss her than in that moment. Every fiber of my being screamed to sit back down, lean over her pillow, take her face in my hands, and crash my lips to hers. And for a split second, I thought I would. I almost did. I almost gave myself everything I had ever wanted for sixteen years, four months, and eleven days, but I couldn’t.

“And I think you’re drunk.”

“Spencer Reid!” She squealed, “Just cuz I’m drunk does not mean that you aren’t pretty!”

“Oh really?”

“Yep! ‘Cuz guess what, genius?”

“What?”

“I think you’re pretty when I’m sober, too.”

If I didn’t know any better I’d say she was trying to drive me insane. And you know what?

It was working.

While I was lost in my thoughts, no doubt staring at her, she let out a tiny yawn and snuggled deeper into her pillow. A piece of hair fell in front of her eyes, hooded yet still shining. I brushed the hair out of her face and told her to get some rest.

“Good idea. I’m sleepy,” she dragged out the e and yawned again, “Goodnight, Pretty Boy.”

“Goodnight, princess.” I chuckled softly. My fingers still lingered just behind her ear, so I stroked her hair once more and pressed a small kiss to her forehead once I was sure she was asleep. Her cheeks twitched in a barely conscious smile, making me grateful for my eidetic memory again. I went to the kitchen and took a glass from the cabinet, filling it up in the sink and placing it on the nightstand with some aspirin.

I took a sheet of some stationery and scrawled out a note for her in the morning:

Make sure you stay hydrated. There’s more aspirin in your cabinet but wait a few hours to take it. Call me if you need anything. -S.R.

            The Next Morning

(Reader’s POV)

The coffee machine made too much noise. Your head was pounding despite the fact you took an aspirin a few minutes ago. Now you played the waiting game, hoping it would kick in soon. When the pot was finally done, you poured yourself a cup, hoping it would help wake you up. You normally wouldn’t drink coffee this late, but you needed it. Just as you took your first sip, your mom came through the front door with Jamie in tow carrying his pajamas in a shopping bag. He said good morning to you and ran upstairs to his room.

“Did you just wake up?” 

“Yes.”

“Y/N, it’s almost noon.” You could hear the judgment in her voice.

You took a sip of coffee, “It’s 11:05.”

“I take it you had fun at O’Keefe’s last night?”

“Yeah,” you grumbled, rubbing your eyes.

“How’d you get home?”

“Spence drove me.”

Her eyes widened, excited. She lowered her voice to ask, “Is he still here?”

“Mom!” You whisper-yelled.

“I was just checking!”

“No, he’s not, he dropped me off and went home.” You decided to leave out the whole “putting you to bed” part.

“How’s your hangover?”

“Better with aspirin.”

“Have you been drinking water?”

“A little,” you lied.

“No more coffee until you finish a glass.” She took your mug and dumped its contents down the drain.

“Wh—” You start, “Mom, I’m not a kid.”

“Just drink your damn water.”

“Jesus,” you groan, still making your way to the stairs and heading up to your room, where your water had been put on your nightstand the night before. Under the glass was a note that you didn’t notice when you first woke up. You recognized the chicken scratch handwriting immediately: Spencer.

“Make sure you stay hydrated. There’s more aspirin in your cabinet but wait a few hours to take it. Call me if you need anything. -S.R.”

You smiled as you read the words over and over. You put the note down and took a sip from the glass. You reached over to your phone on the nightstand and dialed his number. It rang twice before Spencer’s voice crackled over the speaker, “Hey, how’re you feeling?”

“Better, thank you.”

“Of course. Did you drink the water I gave you last night?”

“Some of it.”

“Good, did you eat?”

“No.”

“I’m going on my lunch break in a bit, wanna meet up?”

Your heart fluttered at the offer, a small grin tugging at your lips. You nodded, unable to find words enthusiastic enough to express how much you’d like that, before settling on “Yeah! Sounds good!”

“Perfect! There’s a new thai place downtown I’ve been meaning to check out, how about there?”

“Sure! I’ll meet you at Quantico?”

“See you then!”

“Bye,” you all but sighed into the receiver before snapping out of it. You always tried to keep that part of you beneath the surface, but it wasn’t as easy as it used to be. You didn’t remember much from last night, but you did remember calling him pretty boy and making him blush. You remember him tucking you in and calling you princess and brushing your hair out of your eyes. You remembered how your chest swelled with light as he pressed his lips to your forehead, and the soft chuckle he let out seeing you smile against your pillow. 

You hopped in the shower and got dressed, fixing yourself just enough to pass for a functioning adult who did not get sloppy drunk in front of her best friend’s coworkers last night. You told your mom you were going out for lunch, and she happily agreed to babysit for a few hours while you were with Spencer. 

“Have fun on your date!”

“Not a date!” You almost couldn’t tell who you were talking to, her or you.

You got to Quantico about a half-hour later and were met by Dave in the bullpen.

“Oh, look who’s joined the land of the living!”

“Oh, come on, I wasn’t that bad last night. I could have been Penelope.”

“That is true, bella, but it was still a Thursday,” Dave chuckled, “The kid’s in Aaron’s office, he’ll be out in a sec.”

“Thank you,” you said and walked over to Spencer’s desk, sitting down in his chair and making small talk with Emily while you waited. A few minutes later, you saw him walk out of the office, eyes immediately landing on you.

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what would ppls reaction (Nero, darkdoom) to raven bringing home her gf be? (also lesbian raven rights!!!)

Wow, I am honored anyone would think I have the authority to comment on raven and her big lesbian energy but thank you i'll try:

Raven can't bring her girlfriend to HIVE. It's nothing personal but obviously if you can't bring spouses to HIVE then girlfriends are just out of the question

And obviously if you're the world's deadliest assassin who works at a secret school for villains you can't just TELL THAT to a girl, even if she is very pretty, but raven wants to be a truther, so she is elusive, problematically so

This is backstory because the subject of Raven's family has put some strain on her relationship with her girlfriend because so much is unknown and unsaid

But Diabolus Darkdoom has a house and would love to know the ins and outs of Raven's personal business

So he says, bring your girlfriend over for dinner!!! We'll break out the cloth napkins!

Raven says, "my family wants to have you over for dinner" and her girlfriend, let's call her hudson, is like, "????? I thought they were in prison?" And raven says "well that was only one time"

So they go

Raven pulls up to diabolus darkdoom's house and is like, "just so you know, if anything unexpected happens i will protect you but i don't want you to panic." And Hudson is like "oh man i did not realize i was signing up to be your coming out story, rip me" but hudson isn't a quitter and also she's super ripped, just a natural gym rat, so she figures she can take them in a fight if worse comes to worst

Raven rings the doorbell and Diabolus answers and he is in a suit, because he is a classy and generally handsome guy, and raven and hudson both wore t-shirts with flannel shirts over them, oops, and he says, "HUDSON HELLO, we have heard so much about you. The food is not ready but please make yourself at home"

And dr. Nero is in the sitting room and gets up and shakes Hudson's hand and is polite as anything, offering her a seat on the sofa and a cup of coffee

(Diabolus Darkdoom is loaded so they are just hanging out until the kitchen staff is ready to serve the meal)

Raven says, "hudson, this is diabolus and max" and hudson says, "hi"

And Diabolus is like, "how was your drive in? Have you visited this tourist attraction or that one? Oh i had the most fantastic coffee up seventh the other day, and natalya they're ethically sourced and i was wondering if you knew anything about the state of animal husbandry around the equator because i am thinking of making some investments and i would like some insider opinions"

And nero is like " SO.... hudson. Where did you go to school? Oxford, really? That one's all right. And how do you spend your time? A lawyer, my goodness, that's very impressive. What do you specialize in?"

Hudson at this point does not understand a) what raven's relationship to either of these men is, b) why raven would know anything about equatorial animal husbandry, or c) why she suddenly feels like she's in a job interview

Nero is apologetic when he gets a phone call and is like, "i'm so sorry this is so rude but i have to take this call"

Darkdoom elects to go check on the food

Alone, hudson is like.... "so, is max your...... dad?"

"No," raven replies

Raven takes a very long sip of coffee here and is not making eye contact, much like a black lab when you are trying to get him into his crate but he is so busy looking at the wall like 😔😑 i am looking away, i do not see it

Lunch is tomato bisque, lentil bread, a hearty mushroom-and-potato roast for the main meal, and cheesecake for dessert (hudson is a vegetarian)

"So, you're a schoolteacher?" Asks hudson. "That sounds rewarding"

Dr. Nero assures her that it very much is, and that is will always be surprised by the ingenuity and power of young minds; hudson talks about her own work with children and everyone is very impressed with the story of how she once was late to a jury trial after one of her young charges had a severe allergic reaction to eating a shrimp

Raven ultimately decides they should leave and comes up with a contrived excuse for why this is so

While Raven is putting on her shoes Nero eyes Hudson in a way that is not altogether menacing but certainly neighbors with that particular emotion and she says, "are you going to warn me not to break her heart?" And nero says, "she can take care of herself. I only hope that you know how to take care of yourself, as well"

Hudson does not know what this means but it don't feel great

But they are all very friendly as they wave goodbye and diabolus invites hudson back; "maybe we could see you for christmas!"

Hudson makes a comment that acknowledges this will be a soft plan at best

In the car, Raven apologizes right away. "I know they can be very intense. It's just how things are in my family."

"If they aren't your parents... how are they related to you?"

"We're... close. It's a long story"

Things seem like they are on a worse foot than before! Red alert! How can we resolve this romantic crisis quickly and authentically???

"We aren't related by blood but i love them," raven says. "And the nature of our work is dangerous, and i know that is unsatisfying but i would prefer you unsatisfied to dead. But they are important. And you are also important. So it matters to me that they know about us."

"max seemed very intense about you," hudson comments

"What did he DO"

"He said he hoped i could take care of myself?"

They go home and later, hudson hears raven having a very stern conversation over the phone behind a closed door

But yes, they do ultimately go back for Christmas

Tom wanting to admit his feelings for you but it’s the end of filming and you’re both so busy as actors he knows it wouldn’t work long distance. He’s got you for one more day and he’s devastated by the end of the day because being with you is so perfect, and he knows he can’t have you. 🥺🥺 ANGST! Lol

I think I wrote this slightly different to the ask and I got very carried away so I’m sorry but I hope it’s still good. 

WC: 1.7k (oops) Warnings: ANGST (but also fluff cause I couldn’t help it), very rough unedited writing, a teeny tiny bit of implied smut but nothing explicit.

When Tom had been given the script for a rom-com movie, he had been hesitant. He prefered action roles but Harry had convinced him to give it a go and so he had gone for the screen test. And that’s where he met you. 

“Tom, this is Y/n L/N she’ll be your leading lady.” 

He swore his heart stopped when he saw you and took your hand to shake it. “Hi, I’m Tom.”

You smiled the brightest smile that could have put the stars to shame and nodded. “I know I’m a big Marvel fan.”

“Me too.” He laughed and a pink tint appeared on his cheeks. Tom wasn’t one for blushing but he couldn’t seem to help it around you. 

The screen test went off without a hitch and the producers could see the chemistry as much as Tom could feel it. Within a matter of weeks he was on set filming the movie with you and as the romance flowed between your characters, he could feel himself wanting what they had. 

The shooting was the most fun he’d had on a movie set. You would constantly make him laugh between takes and you’d even go to each other’s trailers after a long day, ordering takeout and watching Netflix. 

All too soon it was nearing the end of shooting. Tom could feel the time slipping away from him. You were both busy actors and besides the press tour, there was little chance you’d spend this much time together again. Tom just wanted to be around you and tell you how he felt but he knew long distance wouldn’t work with your schedules. You’d also told him how you had sworn off of dating actors after your last messy breakup. So Tom kept his feelings to himself, no matter how much it hurt. 

“I love her. There’s no other way to put it.” 

You paused as you walked closer, both of your starbucks orders in hand. Tom was on the phone, looking intense and almost sad as he spoke. You wondered who he was speaking about. It was clear he had been distracted lately but you didn’t know he was in love. 

You brushed it off and sneaked closer, noticing Tom’s back was turned to you. You bit back a giggle, about to scare him before Tom sighed and spoke again, making your whole body freeze. 

“I love Y/n and I can’t even tell her.” Tom ran a hand down his face before turning around, his eyes widening as he came face to face with you. 

Your heart was beating loudly in your chest, echoing in your ears as you held out the coffee towards him with a shaky smile. 

Tom quickly hung up the phone and took the coffee, his hand shaking and cheeks flushed red. An awkward silence passed between the both of you and just as Tom was about to speak, the director loudly called you back onto set. 

The next day that followed was full of awkward tension, neither of you wanting to admit how you felt or talk about what had happened. Everyone could tell that something felt off that day in the way that Tom and you hardly spent any time together away from the camera. 

You decided to use the time to pack up your trailer since it would soon be your last day. Your heart felt heavy as you moved around the small space, thoughts of how soon you would be filming a new TV show on the other side of the country. 

A loud knock on your door pulled you away from your thoughts. You assumed it was one of the on set assistants but instead you opened the door to find Tom. 

“Oh hi.” You shuffled nervously on your feet as you met his gaze. He looked at you unsurely as if he wasn’t sure what he was doing there. 

“Hi. Can I come in?” 

You nodded and stepped aside so Tom could enter, suddenly wishing you had cleaned up more. You were just about to apologise as you closed the door before Tom turned to you and kissed you.

You let out a gasp in surprise and stepped back. Your heart was thudding loudly, all the feelings you had tried to push away floating back to the surface. 

“I-I’m sorry, I just- tomorrow is the last day and-”

You could barely register Tom’s rambles as he spoke. Your head was reeling from the short kiss, lips still tingling from Tom’s touch and you knew you needed to feel his lips again, screw everything else. You wanted him. 

It was Tom’s turn to gasp this time as you kissed him with a smile. He seemed stunned for a moment before quickly relaxing into the kiss and kissing you back, his hands cupping your face and pulling you closer. 

The rest of your feelings left unsaid as you kissed each other, tongues brushing against each other as you both tried to pour everything into it. When you parted for air, Tom rested his forehead against yours and smiled wide. 

“Wow.” 

You giggled and bit your swollen lip, nodding in agreement. “Yeah.” 

You stayed like that for a while before you both had to go back to set for the last bit of shooting for the day. Both of your spirits felt lifted as you got to kiss again as your characters and be just how you wished you could be, together. 

Tom invited you back to his rented apartment whilst he was filming and you happily accepted. He held your hand the whole way there and as soon as you were behind closed doors once more, he kissed you like his life depended on that one moment. 

Everything felt just like you had both imagined and you felt like you were floating on cloud nine and that’s how it stayed until it came to your last day together. 

You woke up in Tom’s arms, wrapped up in his warmth as the sun gently woke you up. He snuggled closer to you as he slowly stirred awake, kissing your head. You smiled and let yourself bask in the morning’s afterglow before your alarm reminded you that it was your last day on set which meant that whatever this was wouldn’t last long. 

You let yourself enjoy Tom’s warmth for as long as you could before getting up, giggling slightly at Tom’s sleepy protests. You got dressed and threw his shirt at him so he would follow your lead. 

It wasn’t until the director reminded him that after today, the film would be over. His heart sank to the pits of his stomach as he looked over at you. He knew today would be rough but he wanted to hang onto every moment with you that he could.

Tom didn’t leave your side for most of the day and it made you smile because you never wanted the day to end. He stole kisses cheekily when he could and cuddled with you in your trailer at lunch. Neither of you were sure what it was between you but you knew that you didn’t want it to end so soon before you had a chance to figure it out. 

The cast had arranged a dinner to celebrate the end of filming, full of champagne and laughs. It was a fun night that took your mind off your sadness for a little while. You ended up back at Tom’s apartment like you usually did, cuddled up in his arms. 

“This feels like a one-night stand.” You gave a slight laugh, rubbing Tom’s arms as they wrapped around your waist. 

Tom turned to you in surprise and sighed. “It’s not. I don’t want it to be.” He shook his head quickly and took your hand. You smiled sadly and squeezed his hand before turning in his arms to face him, hands still linked.

“Tom, you know this can’t work.” 

He sighed again and looked down at your hands, interlinking his fingers with yours. “I know. It’s just being with you these past few weeks has been perfect and I-I don’t want it to end.” 

You sniffled and nodded silently, squeezing his hand to let him know you felt the same. He caught one of your tears with his thumb before kissing you softly, letting it linger on your lips. 

“I lo-”

“Don’t say it.” You quickly cut him off, voice shaky as were your hands. “It will only make things harder.” 

Tom nodded and kissed your cheek before holding you close, savouring every last minute he could. You could tell you were both trying your best to not cry that night even as you snuggled under the covers later that night, both slightly out of breath from your previous activities.  

The words you were dying to say left unsaid on both of your tongues as you smiled at each other, trying to cover up the pain you felt as your heart started to break. 

When Tom woke in the morning, his arms were empty and the bed felt colder without your presence. He felt his emotions crumble as he laid there before hearing something in the kitchen. He got out of bed and smiled wide as he saw you in the kitchen, cooking pancakes. 

His arms were around you in an instant, kissing your cheek and neck. “I thought you’d left.” 

“Without saying goodbye? Of course not Tommy.” You smiled and served up the pancakes, pulling Tom to sit with you as you ate. Both of you enjoying the little bit of domestic bliss before you would have to go to the airport. 

Tom was with you every step of the way until they called your flight for boarding. He hugged you tightly, allowing himself to finally cry before kissing you without a care of who saw. You cried with him and smiled before finally pulling away.

“I’m gonna see you again I promise.” 

You cupped his face and wiped away the tears before leaving one last lingering kiss on his lips. Tom watched you walk away, feeling numb before he felt his phone buzz in his pocket. He quickly pulled it out and saw a text from you, a hopeful smile spreading onto his face. 

I love you

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Sometimes, You Need Help Standing Back Up

Before I get into what this post now is, let me explain what it was. Similar to posts I’ve made, this was gonna be either a tragedy or thought masked in imagery/gaming/song references. I don’t think this is a shock to anyone, especially to a anyone that knows me. It was gonna be a quote that led into being a “gray rock” with some but not all context provided. This would be looped back around into using a pebble in Bloodborne to kill an enemy. Going through the long grueling process of doing that so I can be like, hey, I did it. Here’s the problem. It stems from an issue I have, an issue that some kind of outside validation is needed. Like hey, I did the thing. Crazy, given I try so hard to be a pillar of hope and inspiring to others. People don’t see what I deal with though inside and I’m tired. Very, very tired. So, this post will go in a different direction. To point at the only person there is to blame for all this. Me.

I have an addiction to toxic relationships. It’s true. Or maybe to fixing others. Is there a term for this? Call me crazy if you will but it is the truth. It’s not drinking, it’s not drugs, it’s not whatever else we commonly speak of…but I promise it is as real as it gets. I read this before making this post. Somehow...it doesn't make me feel better. This is without therapy. These are my thoughts of where it all stems from and why I cling to it whether it be in regard to friends, family, or partners. I will be bringing this up next session and seeing what I can do about it because I need help. Badly. More than Red Warrior needing food. Because my thought is always, I can see that in me. I too am not perfect. I can fix it! No…I fucking can’t.

When I entered a certain period in high school, I was slipping in both the relationship I had at the time by taking on a damaged partner and really dropping the ball on my grades. Said partner was always picked on. I get that since I too was mostly an outcast at school and not one of the "cool kids" as I say to this day. Before someone gets the wrong idea, let’s drop a hint. I got with this unnamed person which apparently held me back from many others I could have pursued, or so I was told. Oops. It wasn’t a crucial relationship in my life by any means, but I wish you peace…wherever you are. I knew I COULD do good and get the grades. My mind just needed to be right. I asked my parents for help. I specifically said the following and I verified this to make sure I didn't remember this incorrectly:

“I think I need help”

They only saw the report card and were like, hey, let’s get him a math tutor. That isn’t the help I was seeking. I asked a few more times, providing more and more context each time. It wasn’t long before I realized I wasn’t being taken seriously. I folded. These are patterns that continued on and on. Over and over again. I would see a math tutor for months. Bless her heart, I wouldn’t have passed math without her. I was slipping in other subjects as well. I worked hard senior year just to graduate. To prove I could. That I was “good enough” to my parents. Looking back, did school really matter? That’s a whole other conversation. Always having to look good for someone. That is technically what school teaches you. To be a good employee. Not an entrepreneur. To take orders.

Is this why it all occurs as it does and I carried it over to every aspect of my life? I don't know. It is my theory. I'll be talking about this with my therapist. In the later years, before Dad's passing, he started to understand why I was defiant at times. Did things differently. Still got jobs done even if not the way he said for the family business. Got zero complaints running the business in his absence. Told you I could do it. He understood. Miss the hell out of you Dad.

The thing is all of this led to me never at any point in time opening up enough to lay out boundaries. This was my mistake time and time again. Any attempt at showing emotion I would shut myself down. My Dad never caved and I'm in a spanish family. Gotta be a MAN! Can't go showing emotion and shit. What an old concept. I'm glad we're starting to change the narrative on that in the world. At times when I would try to make my feelings and/or attempts at boundaries in relationships that lasted long enough for this to matter, it would be shut down in favor or what was going on in their lives. That's fair. Let's ride this wave together. But then my scenario got overlooked. Constantly. Before the no contact suggestion comes, while I get it, it still doesn't solve the me mystery. I seek answers.

This all was my fault. If someone gets mad upon setting a boundary or opening up about feelings, that is probably a sign they were benefitting from you not having one. But how is one to know if it was never stated? I tried more than once but eventually caved, like I did back in high school. I'd brush it off and be like this is fine because I believed in the potential (another mistake) of insert any relationship here. Some didn't last long enough for this to matter but the ones that did took their toll. I could have done better. I'm trying to in the last few months and results have been quite telling. Regardless of what I discover with others, I still need to fix me.

What else is there to say? Not much. So how do we cope? We laugh. We acknowledge. We even make fun our ourselves. I used this before. I found my kirby.

I might lose some people after making this public. The thing of all this is the details don't matter and there is so much that will likely forever go unsaid. I've got a support group for that. The signs were there in each scenario and I stayed. The hard part is still wanting to care and also not letting the scenarios convert to hate and being jaded...and it is really...fucking...hard. I felt myself shifting towards hate so I needed to pull back. I'm scheduling my next appointment soon because I can focus on me without outside scenarios. If I haven't lost you, thanks. This is the most vulnerable post I've made on here. Possibly ever. We shall see. Intent matters, sure. But sometimes, you too, can be the toxic one.

If the healer dies, the raid goes to shit. Time to heal myself and get my shit together. Again.

Crush - Chapter 19. The Ainsworth Project

Pairing: Eric/OC *Abbey* Fandom: Divergent Rating: M - slight trigger warning.

A memory from Eric’s past plays tricks on him. And it’s all about the girl, Abbey Ainsworth.

A/N: Okay, so this is the second to last chapter, guys. The last will be half the size of the norm, if that. Eeeppp. Thank you for reading.

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Eric reads through the status report of the conditions of the Mess Hall. It's not an important job, nor urgent, but it still needs to be done. Now that they are back at Dauntless for the time being, he takes the opportunity to delete tedious tasks.

That is why he sits up against the headboard of his bed, one leg thrown out of the sheets as he smiles to the paper, wondering what Abbey's getting up to. He can't concentrate.

"Whatever the fuck you're doing down there, stop." He can just see the top of Abbey's head appear from the end of the bed as she tries to keep low, grunting as she does.

One line on the report annoys him more than the rest. "The seating arrangement?" he says exasperatedly. "A suggestion to rearrange the seating arrangement in the Mess Hall… Can you believe this shit?" He flicks the paper agitatedly and also annoyed Abbey still hasn't joined him back at his side.

Slowly she begins rising from the floor, a stern look on her face, dressed in his jacket. "Can you believe this shit!" she tries to mock his voice, failing miserably.

"What the…" Eric loses his trail of thought completely. "What the fuck are you doing?"

"What are you doing, initiate?" She begins smiling, but it soon drops when his face doesn't change and she shrugs almost apologetically. "C'mon, it's funny. I'm being you."

"Well, that wasn't obvious."

Abbey grabs the opening to his jacket, pulling it further open to expose her breasts to him. "Oops." She turns around, flashing her ass from underneath it. "Oops. I guess Eric didn't put on his underwear tod-"

Eric's fast, jumping up to grab the back of his jacket and pull her down. "It's disturbingly pleasant," he hisses. "Stop it."

"You like it." She bites her lip, staring up at him from her wrong-way, upside-down angle. She looks goofy like this. "Admit it that it thrills you."

Eric rolls his eyes as he sits back in the same position as before, picking up the papers. "Go play dolls or something." He huffs when she begins straddling him, still wearing his jacket. "Abbey-"

"Play with me." His eyes flicker up past the sheets in his hand, trying to keep his cool. He's read the same line twice. "This little free hand here…" She takes it, manipulating his fingers to move down the inside of her leg. Eric furiously tries to keep reading. "…likes to keep warm, right, about, there…" She's right, she is delightfully warm and sticky as she presses his fingers to her clit, grinding herself along it until his tips slick across her hole. She pulls his hand back, bringing it up to her mouth, and sucks on his finger.

Eric loses the will to read. He drops the paper to one side, pulling her down until she's completely horizontal across his lap with her ass sticking up in the air. He grabs an ass cheek, pushing his fingers inside her. She arches up, looking up at him through her hair. This thrills him way more than her stupid little games; the control he feels, and her vulnerability.

Abbey's hips begin to jump but he pushes heavily down on her lower back to keep her in place, rather enjoying himself and getting carried away with the sounds she's making. He alternates between fast and slow, sometimes pulling his fingers completely out and palming her. With his own burning arousal pricking up painfully against her body across him, he loses the will to not fuck her.

Eric rolls her off and she begins opening her mouth to complain until he looms over her from behind, ripping the jacket frantically from her body in an utter state of emergency. Her legs part, the plump ass arching back up for him. The first thrust into an anticipating pussy was always the most satisfying. She mewls, and he shuts her up by pushing her head into the covers, using her hair to yank it back up. She begins giggling. "Fuck you," he tells her. "I have work to do."

"You're a busy man." With Eric's lips running across her shoulder blades at his set rhythm, it begins slowing to something far more loving. She can hear his breath leisurely change to a pleasant groan, a hand snaking around her to grab her breast. They weren't playing or just fucking, he was making love to her now – heavy-handed love, and she relished in it, in the same way he worshiped her body.

An eternity would never be long enough with him. Abbey smiles on the thought briefly, then lets her mind go, giving herself to him.

Max watches Eric and Abbey approach, hand in hand, in a humorous conversation by the looks of things as she swings their arms, her head falling back in laughter. Eric only acknowledges his waiting presence outside the Mess Hall when they get within a few feet.

"Hey, Maxy."

Max just frowns at Abbey, glancing at Eric in an unsaid 'Can we talk alone?' and a half 'What the fuck?'

"Hey, Ab's, why don't you go in ahead and I'll catch you up. I got some stuff to run through with… Maxy." Eric smirks at him.

"Sure. But I have to say, you look really well, Max." Max can't help but lift his cheeks as she gives him a blossoming smile before leaving him and Eric alone.

When she's entered the Mess Hall, Max punches Eric's upper arm. "Maxy?"

"I don't know, old man."

"Listen, I did manage to get some insight on Jeanine like you asked. Apparently, her sister's daughter is diabetic and I can bet that Jeanine has every intention of trying to rectify that, hence her interest. But at the same time, this is Jeanine we're talking about. Fuck knows what goes through her mind."

Eric scoffs to himself. "Seems like everyone around here has got hidden weaknesses." His tone is almost suggestive about what he and Abbey saw back at the barn. He still hadn't mentioned it yet. It really wasn't that much of a surprise. But Johanna… Oh, Johanna, he was going to make her sweat.

Max's eyes narrow only slightly. "Yeah, seems it. You still going to Erudite… without Abbey?"

Eric purses his lips, looking back to the Mess Hall doors as he shifts closer, lowering his voice. "I was going to go and kick up a shit storm. But, for once in my life, I don't want to lie… not to Abbey. If I go there and don't tell her and she finds out…"

"She'll think you'll be sabotaging," Max nods in understanding. "It's a sensitive issue, man. I wish I was wise to give you something useful, but I'm not."

"I know Jeanine is going to try and class Abbey as Divergent. She just fed her a bunch of lies about disproving it so she gets what she wants and then has something over me."

"I wouldn't worry about that. You have plenty of people here who would stand up and testify the obvious that she ain't." Max puts a hand on Eric's shoulder, motioning for them to go into the Mess Hall.

"Makes you think though, doesn't it?" Eric suddenly states, confliction etching onto his face. "What if everything we've known is wrong?"

"This is deep, man."

"What if there were people exactly like Abbey and I killed them?"

"You have to learn to live with the blood on your hands." Max shrugs, "I have."

Eric gnaws his cheek, not saying anymore as they share a small moment wordlessly. Eventually, he gives up the brain ache and follows Max into the Mess Hall. Abbey's sitting with Lauren, talking between themselves and he sits down next to her, watching as Abbey attentively listens to Lauren giving a complete rundown of Luka's embarrassing behavior. They eat together relatively content and then leave as a group.

"You're a bastard, you know," Lauren thumps Eric's arm. "I could have done without Mess Hall inquiries."

Abbey begins smiling, talking as if she was to a child. "Did you pass that to Lauren?"She implicates him completely.

"It might've fallen out of my folder when strolling by your office at some point today." His eyes glint mischievously.

"Well, no more accidental on purpose work. I got old shit I'm still covering from the wall. That's where half my afternoon is going." Lauren rolls her eyes.

"Are you telling me what to-"

Lauren interrupts him, shifting attitude into her hip. "Damn right, I'm telling you…" Everything on her drops as she glances over his shoulder. "Erm…"

Abbey's wandered over to a woman and small girl of possibly five or six. She's crouched down to the girl's level and it looks like she has been crying as she rubs her eyes and nods to something Abbey says. When Eric gets there, the little girl shrinks away.

"Oh no, don't be afraid. This is Eric. He is my husband." The little girl thinks over what Abbey said. Eventually, she steps forward and twirls a piece of Abbey's hair in her hand. "What is your name?"

"Sum-mer."

"You are very pretty, Summer." Abbey peers up to the woman standing next to her. "Just like your Mommy."

The lady scoffs. "I'm not her mother."

"Oh, sorry."

"Summer doesn't have parent's." The bluntness of her approach to the subject shocks Abbey to stand. "She's been orphaned for a few years now."

"Does she stay with you?" Abbey asks, feeling Eric touch her waist gently from behind her.

"No, at the small institution for children in similar circumstances like Summer. We have about a hundred children at the moment between newborn to ten, then from there they board at the education center."

"That's terrible. At Amity, the children join other families."

The lady laughs. "We are not Amity. Our influx varies year to year, depending if some of the mothers would like their children back after certain positions."

"I-I don't understand."

"Children aren't convenient."

Abbey's almost speechless. "I… I was told population is key. How can they be inconvenient?" She looks at Eric accusingly as if he already knew this. But he knew nothing and keeps his face passive.

"Maybe to the other factions. Especially to Amity. But here in Dauntless, we are a warrior faction. This is what people choose when they join this faction. They risk their lives… and sometimes those people don't come home. Other instances would be unwanted children. Life moves fast here."

"How can you…" Abbey peers down to the little girl's face. "How can you say that in front of her?"

"Summer already knows her parents are not coming back for her. Most of the children know the deal."

Abbey frowns harshly. "The deal?" Eric places a hand on her shoulder, trying to pull her back. "Please, don't tell me you know anything about this, Eric."

"I don't have the faintest. It's not something I deal with. And it's time we left so they can get on, Abbey." As he pulls her away, Abbey looks longingly over her shoulder, the same time the little girl does before they disappear down one of the countless Dauntless tunnels.

Abbey's not the same for a few days after. Eric notices the considerate expression whenever she thought she wasn't being watched; her eyebrows pulled together and the way her top lip would ever so slightly pout further than the bottom when she was really lost.

Abbey sent off a sample of blood works to Erudite under one of Eric's conditions that he didn't want Jeanine's poison messing with her mind again. Her protection laid in Dauntless. She was better here with him. But when she doesn't find the humor in him pulling out her ponytail one night, he begins to feel dejected.

She hadn't even slept with him since.

"Ab's, why don't you come to the training room with me tonight?" he suggests, kind of missing her stupid and sometimes irritating company.

"No thanks. I'm just going to take a shower and go to bed in a bit." Eric doesn't bother pestering or asking again, only double-taking on his hoodie swamping her frame and the way she knots her hair in some sort of bun on her head.

He knows though, when she's ready, she'll talk.

A week passes. Eric comes home to Abbey lying on the bed with a book in hand, and he throws down a blue folder next to her.

"What's this?" Her name is on the front when she turns it over and she peers between it and Eric for a moment.

"Your results." Eric stands in the same position, waiting patiently. He didn't know how she was going to react having been so quiet lately and seemingly troubled. It actually made his heart flutter slightly with nerves and his palms feeling sticky.

"Did you… read it?" She tilts her head. "Or is that a silly question?"

Eric sits on the bed next to her, sighing as he does. "Ab's, listen-"

Abbey scoffs, "It didn't work, did it?" She picks at her hoodie, pulling the strings on the front tighter, shaking her head disappointedly.

"In basic terms, the serums do work on you but your body flushes it from your system much faster than an average person before letting any of its productive effects take place. The same reaction your body has to medications and… other imbalances. But it can't cure, not genetic or natural illnesses." He reaches over and cups her face, leaning to kiss her quickly, feeling the small tremble within her lips. "You're a first. Maybe that would explain your extreme hangovers…" Eric smiles at her. "And if it makes you feel better, you're still special to me." His tone is playful, trying to lighten the mood.

"So, does this make me Divergent?"

Eric sighs. "Jeanine will think so."

Abbey stands up from the bed, moving towards the window while hugging her arms to herself. "You want to shoot me now or later?"

"That's just Jeanine, Ab's. There's confliction because your effects can be temporarily passed on, unlike Divergents… It's not even in the same league."

"I was valuable to her when she thought that I'd be able to help her find stupid cures. Now I'm not, I'm labeled as something that could have me killed."

"Nobody is going to touch you," Eric tries to comfort her, walking up slowly behind her as she turns towards him.

"I guess that means I can forget Jeanine helping us?" Eric looks to the ground under her scrutiny. "Good."

A frown begins forming along Eric's brows and he studies her quickly, completely confused. "You've lost me, Ab's."

"I understand now. I believe, Eric."

Eric thinks she's suddenly lost her mind. "If this is going to be some Amity bullshit-"

"Just listen." She takes his hands, leading him back towards the bed and the book she was studying, along with a notepad he'd overlooked. "Everything that has happened, has led me back here. I'm fighting nature, nature who is trying to point me towards something. And I believe I've found it."

"So, this is what you've been up to."

"Not at first, I couldn't think straight after that awful woman and Summer. And then it dawned on me. I've been studying the effects of long-term damage of parentless children…" As she talks, Eric watches her face light up, the way her features come to life, the flutter of her eyelashes as she skims through her notes. "The damage is lasting, creating significant problems through teens making most not follow their aptitude test and staying on at Dauntless regardless of what it says… Half of which these problems pass onto adulthood, creating a whole circle of reoccurring events of unstable homes… And this is just Dauntless alone."

"That's life," Eric says bluntly.

"No, baby, it's not." Abbey stands while shaking her head, beginning to pace in front of him. "My whole life in Amity I've nourished. I'm a florist. It's what I do. I've been granted an issue that affects me having my own children. I bump into you, two weeks before I'm due to marry someone else. I end up marrying you and being here at Dauntless. It's-"

"Fate," Eric mumbles.

"What?"

"Just something I thought of." Eric tries to brush it off.

"And then you ask me to rethink my job role so I can be at Dauntless." She hits the side of her hand against her other palm, sitting back down next to him almost breathless. "I know what I want to do."

"Abbey, have you really thought long enough over this? This isn't an 'in the moment' thing?"

"No, Eric. I'm one hundred percent certain." She takes his hand in hers. "Here's me saying I will never have any children of my own, but the fact is, the more I can help here, the more I affect their lives positively, the more children I've given my heart to is more than I can give to any single child alone. To me, that's being a mother."

"Careful, your Erudite is showing."

Abbey's nose scrunches up. "Did you know Johanna originated from Dauntless?"

Eric shakes his head, snorting. "You got all this information from Max." But to be fair, he had guessed her origin before just from the small flame the old wench held.

"He's a retired leader. He knew more than you because he was one of those children."

Eric kicks his boots off, scooting further onto the bed to lie back. "Tell me everything." As she begins her run-down, Eric pulls out his phone while she's deep in her explanation, texting Four his already typed message.

'Printouts of all Abbey's medical records brought to me. Wipe all knowledge and block Erudite from accessing Abbey's files.' Better safe than sorry.

The Mess Hall is a rambunctious place at the best of times but filled with Eric and Abbey and their friends placed around them, it makes it a hundred times worse.

"Eric just kicked my ass for ten weeks. I was sure he absolutely despised the ground I walked on," Luka explains.

"Erm, he did," Lauren begins laughing as Luka throws lettuce at her, nudging Eric who smiles to himself.

"Still do."

"Ah, c'mon, after everything I've done for you?" Luka holds his hands out wide at Eric's provoking.

Abbey stops eating, resting on her arm and speaks politely. "So how did you reverse this unexplained hatred?" Only for a second Abbey catches Eric's eye, her gentle smile warm as she played along.

"I told him the best joke ever, half way between him scolding me at ever approaching him and Lauren. By the way, Lauren liked me at this point."

Lauren shrugs at everyone, focussing on Abbey for the emphasis. "He could down a shot."

"Eric was the touchy one…" Luka's still talking as a Dauntless guard rushes into the Mess Hall, locating Eric quickly.

Abbey is pulled from the conversation just by the urgency and the sudden furious look flashing on Eric's face as he glances at her. He stands abruptly, the same as Lauren and the others like they all knew the drill, and they follow Eric out.

It seems the rest of Dauntless also wanted to see what was going on, The Pit dropping deadly quiet, and Abbey only picks up pieces of the conversation Eric has already jumped full ship on. "Who let you in? Why are you here?" she hears him ask. She can barely hear Jeanine's voice while pushing through the bodies, eventually catching up with Lauren and the thick-skulled twins on the edge of the man-made crowd that's gathered.

Jeanine addresses the crowd, a small group of her own guards standing around her. "I have a request for an arrest under the circumstances of possible Divergence."

Abbey steps forward even though Lauren tries to stop her. "Abbey, wait!" But she's too quick and Jeanine's eyes latch onto her instantly.

"The tests, that I volunteered for, prove the serums work on me, I just can't tolerate them. You're confusing the attributes of Divergence." Eventually, she comes to stand beside Eric while he sighs, obviously wishing she stayed hidden. But she had had enough of hiding. "You want me for nothing more than to experiment on, on an already outlandish hope you can cure your niece, and that has already been proved that I can't. So, the next viable thing to do is kill what you don't know." Abbey puts her hand in Eric's, speaking more to him than anything now. "We don't do that anymore."

Jeanine's face drops. "Perhaps you might want to put a leash on your little lapdog, Eric. She's showing you up." She looks to the tip of his boot and back, but he doesn't move, and she shifts uneasily in his threatening silence. Dauntless watch her with hungry eyes.

Taking an exaggerated inhale of breath, Eric pouts at Jeanine. "You know, I don't know how much clearer I can make things to you. As if my blatant ignorance wasn't enough, or the fact I haven't replied to any of your exponential reports for weeks, what's it going to take for you to realize that Dauntless don't take orders from Erudite."

"You're infringing on the laws, Eric. You will lose your position for deliberately disregarding the rules, especially to a member of authority like myself."

Eric smirks dangerously at Jeanine. "I'm infringing on nothing. This arrest is for an inaptly selfish reason, proved by your own studies that she isn't Divergent."

"The arrest still stands. And you can say goodbye to Leadership should you defy me further."

Eric kisses his teeth. "You see, that threat doesn't sit well with me. In fact, your entire presence in front of me, accusing my wife, in front of my faction, standing there like you have every right to, doesn't sit well with me, at all."

"Try and intimidate me all you like, but she's under arrest until we've completed our investigation," Jeanine says smugly. "A bunch of bloods is far from the real thing. I need a full body exam. And also without the threat of the details being blocked, Eric."

"You are such a liar!" Abbey's words echo, expressed simply but innocently, and Eric puts his arm out to push her back. "She gave false hope. She told me herself she didn't think I was. Why? Why are you doing this?"

"You are a threat to society. We don't fully understand what this is or what this means. You are dangerous." Jeanine turns to the Dauntless watching. "We let one slip through and this is what happens. Anarchy."

"Cut your bullshit, Jeanine," Eric spits. "She isn't going anywhere. Now show yourselves out before I kick you out myself."

"If she wasn't a pretty face, able to hop into your bed, would we be right here, right now? Or would she already be long dead the moment you found out?" Jeanine brings up an electronic pad, beginning to skim through it idly. "Perhaps we should just wait until you get bored." She tilts her head mockingly, eyes still glued to the device in her hand. "You and I both know your bloodline is going to end with her and your patience is thin."

Eric sees Abbey step forward, but Jeanine doesn't. She lands a perfect fist to Jeanine's nose, everything she knew taught by Eric himself. His grin only widens while he crosses his arms, even when her guards raise their weapons and the Dauntless raise theirs in return. It's a total showdown, but Eric's more fascinated at the ferocity of Abbey. It must have hurt, she hides it well.

Jeanine pants in shock as drops of her blood leave her nose, staining her white blouse between her jacket, dripping to the points of her stilettos. "You incessant little bitch!"

"That is for preying on people's weaknesses!"

"I've ordered for you to arrest her! Arrest her, now!" Jeanine points to Abbey hysterically, but nobody moves. Somebody laughs. Eric guessed it was Luka. "I'll arrest her myself!" Jeanine grabs Abbey's wrist, pulling her forward. This was probably her sense of pride taking over her logic, a little trait him and Abbey still shared even now from their Erudite days.

Jeanine doesn't get to pull her far, Abbey throws back her arm, releasing her hold and making Jeanine stumble. "You are the one who is dangerous!" Abbey tells her sternly.

"Give it up, Jeanine. Your showcase of power ends here. And I think it's about time you scampered back to Erudite." Eric tries in vain to hide his humor.

"You'll regret this."

Regret. The cataclysmic bunch of words Eric held deep within him that played fruitfully through his vast relationship with Abbey. But this time, it was different. He wasn't going to regret anything. They knew the truth. He knew Jeanine just wanted leverage over him, her theatrics in Dauntless only to try and gain back something she lost from Dauntless months ago when they hid away and complained when the factionless was so close to shattering Dauntless. Maybe she would've even rejoiced it now if that did happen by the look on her face.

"Oh, I don't think I will." He directs a sharp glare to her guards. "Put your Dauntless assembled guns down, or be shot." Then he's back on Jeanine, a glint of utter repugnance slipping across his smile. "Take your briefly trained Dauntless guards back to Erudite. Read through your notes on divergence to remind yourself. And prepare for a long and lengthy debate on whether Dauntless will ever be prepared to cooperate with Erudite again. We will be waiting with anticipation for our monthly medical supplies as arranged, and if you shall falter, don't think we won't take what we need. After all, we are the muscle of this society."

"Are you… are you threatening me?" Jeanine asks incredulously.

"I think you have forgotten who you are talking to. I am Eric Coulter. The leader of the Warrior faction. The leader of Dauntless. And she…" he looks to Abbey. "Is my wife. Write that in your fucking notes." He snaps from the calm façade, grabbing Jeanine's jacket and dragging her across The Pit to the entrance. "You fuck with her, you fuck with me," he hisses only to her. "And that stands for anything related to us. It would be in your best interests to abide by my rules." The doors of the entrance are opened for them, one of the guards saluting Jeanine with a 'Good day, Ma'am.'

"Am I making myself clear?" Eric demands rather than asks as Jeanine clutters outside the doors, regaining her composure, haughtily pulling her jacket back over her shoulders.

Jeanine looks between the multiple faces watching her, every one of them scowling directly at her. She could almost hear the ghostly growl of the faction reverberating in utter loathing of her presence, feeling like the walls of Dauntless were beginning to close in on around her.

But most of all, she notices Abbey come to stand by Eric, crossing her arms with an eyebrow raised in question. Her warm and living supply of antidote to the serums, so close, but now completely untouchable. The work she had tried to conclude on her blood works was now lost. Her new discovery will never be claimed or known. All of those thoughts flashed in front of her eyes, and she blinks them away. After all, she was Erudite, and they were supposed to be smart.

"Yes."

The infirmary nurse wraps Abbey's bruised hand, getting the all clear she hadn't done any major damage. Eric enters the room when the nurse leaves, coming to stand directly in front of her as she sat on the edge of the cot. "Abbey-"

"What Jeanine said, hasn't affected me," she shakes her head with the words, peering down to her lap. "Don't worry."

"That's… that's not quite what I was going to say. I was just wondering if one night you, maybe, wanted to do a few rounds with me? Because that was seriously-"

She thumps him with her good hand. "You are so full of shit."

"My wife hit Jeanine and cracked her face. No man in their right mind wouldn't find that even a little arousing."

"You were great," she smiles up at him, brushing off his advances.

"I was great? She chats shit and threatens to arrest you and I was great? Plus, I'm kind of trying to hit on you under these difficult circumstances if you haven't noticed."

"You always had great timing. And your attempts are terrible. I noticed but didn't want to encourage." She grins up at him but it falters when he slips a hand over her cheek and cups her face.

"Perhaps I should be blunter?" He smirks.

She tries to shrug nonchalantly. "Perhaps…"

"Let me take you home so you can sit on my dick, Abbey."

"That's blunt… but no details. My interest is only half sparked." Eric begins leaning in closer, her head falling back in his hands.

Eric licks his lips and her eyes follow him. "You want me to go into details?"

"Right now, I just want you to kiss me because you look beautiful like this."

He chuckles at her airy voice. "Mood killer."

Eric likes their new arrangement better than he thought he would. At night they would now cook together after he got back from work. He would usually cook – remembering back to the burnt bacon and eggs she once did for him as kids.

On the side next to him, Abbey would sit on the counter, rambling away, eating the food before it was ready or adding spice as they went. Sometimes they would talk about his work, sometimes they would talk about hers. Sometimes he couldn't even remember what they had spoken about. Sometimes he burnt the food because they got a little distracted. - Her fault.

But he knew more than he let on, making sure to keep an eye on her productivity and her piqued interest, acting like he didn't know.

"There's no technical name for it yet. Amity is pretty interested in finding a polite term to call it." What Abbey was talking about, was the children being fostered to families in the wide-open space of Amity, to have a fitting childhood rather than kept by blunt women in the back of the dark tunnels of Dauntless – the main thing she despised. They have their aptitude the same as everybody else at sixteen, and chose with a free mind at eighteen, encouraged and uninfluenced as possible by whatever faction. It was their choice.

In between times, Abbey was working in the education center with the older children that were there, and some agreed to try Amity. The ones that didn't, or couldn't because of health or complicated family matters, she visited every day.

It had filled a hole for them both…

But Summer was her favorite, she spoke about her often. And the day she went to Amity, Abbey cried openly in front of him after work, literally. She had stumbled in, stared at him for a moment, and then walked into his chest and stayed there until she was calm enough to explain.

"What about, 'for the love of Abbey'?" Eric suggests, smiling, and she hits him, grabbing the spoon and dipping into the tomato sauce to try it. "Ok, flower girl? Flower power?"

"You're not helping." She sips from the spoon. "This is good, Eric. Can you hurry it up though, I'm starving."

"Patience is a virtue, Abbey Coulter."

"It'll be Ainsworth soon after I divorce your ass for not feeding me."

The thought hits him. "Why don't you call it the Ainsworth project? Or act, or movement, scheme, whatever?"

"It's a little self-indulgent don't you think?"

"No other fucker did it. No other fucked cared," he shrugs, yanking the spoon back off her to stir the sauce.

"Not Coulter?" she asks meekly. "You don't want to be recognized?"

"Ainsworth has more of a ring to it. Plus, it's the Ainsworth in you that's gone ahead and done this. Only someone like you would."

"Like me?" she questions, and it stops him, turning to frown at her.

"You want me to spill some gushing poem lyrics or something that's sickly sweet?" She scrunches her nose up and pretends to gag. Thank god she didn't say yes, he knew none. "Okay then, just accept you're special." He pats the top of her head sarcastically, but she doesn't detest.

"The Ainsworth project…" she murmurs under her breath, getting a feel for the words. "Yeah, I like that…"

Chapter Six: Ineptitude

All Because Of A Car Cinder’s life revolved around the garage, working as a mechanic, until that one male student came in looking for a Mercedes and changed her life… AU AH Kaider story. Enjoy!

"How do you feel about helping me fly a kite?"

Cinder blinks, wondering if she'd heard that correctly.

"How do I feel about what?"

Kai shifts nervously, his hands behind his back. "I, um, recently acquired a kite and I was, uh, wondering if you'd like to help me fly it?"

Cinder pauses, then shakes her head in amusement. Unfortunately, Kai seems to take this the wrong way and his face drops, his smile faltering as he awkwardly coughs, "Of course, you're busy. Sorry, I shouldn't have-"

"Hey, hey," Cinder says urgently, trying to stop him from walking away, "I didn't say no."

Even though his expression stays doubtful, Kai's eyes light up and he stops edging backwards as if trying to escape the confusion by literally leaving the room. Cinder can't help but hope that his eyes always stay just as bright and he keeps –

She cuts her own thoughts off, shaking her head once again. When Kai bites his lip, Cinder internally curses, knowing that she isn't helping the situation. She almost trips over her own words as she says, "No, no, sorry again! I was just- well, I was thinking, but that doesn't really matter. Uh, I would love to fly your kite with you."

She half expects him to wince at her awkward attempt at an answer but he smiles widely, his dimples sending her mind into a frenzy of adorable overload – something she's never experienced because of a… a boy.

She realises that she's totally missed his question while thinking about his cheek indents so she just nods, hoping that he hadn't asked her to kill the queen or something.

Kai laughs, "You didn't hear a word of that, did you?"

Deciding not to shake her head because of all the trouble it causes earlier, she opts for words: "How could you tell?"

Kai winks. "I know how to recognise someone lost in their own thoughts. Besides, nobody in their right mind would agree to let me dye their hair glittery gold so…"

Somehow, his humour overpowers her embarrassment and she ends up laughing, almost slipping on the water under their feet, which she makes a mental note to clean up later.

"You never know, it might suit me." Cinder chuckles.

"I think your hair is beautiful as it is," Kai says, then his eyes widen as he bites his tongue.

Cinder opens her mouth and closes it a few times before the two of them are saved from their palpable awkwardness by someone walking into the workshop.

"Cinder, do you have the keys to the- oh hello, who are you?" the girl asks, raising her eyebrows.

Cinder glares at the girl, but not in an unkind way. "Don't do that."

"Do what?"

"The whole intimidation routine."

"Why not?"

"Because."

"Because what?"

"I already know him," Cinder sighs, exasperated already.

"Something you're not telling me?" the girl gasps dramatically.

"I was going to…"

"What, after the wedding?"

Cinder groans, rolling her eyes.

"So there is going to be a wedding?"

"Really?"

"This is what you get for not telling me about him." The girl folds her arms accusingly.

"I barely know him!" Cinder argues.

"You just said you already know him!"

"Technically!"

The girl narrows her eyes. "That's not a good explanation; I need details! All the details!"

"I can't give you any if I don't have them in the first place!"

"You must have his name at least!"

Abruptly, Cinder remembers that Kai is still in the room.

She swears under her breath and turns back to see him absently playing with a Rubik's cube, almost immersed in the turning coloured squares.

"Oops," the girl giggles.

"Kai?" Cinder asks.

His head snaps up and he pockets the cube, instantly smiling. "Yeah?"

"Sorry."

Kai cocks his head, as if asking what she's done that needs an apology.

"She means sorry for having a conversation about you over your head," the girl clarifies.

Kai waves a hand. "Not a problem."

"Really?" the girl asks before turning to Cinder, "I like this one."

Cinder groans again, wanting nothing more than to bang her head against the wall. Instead, she asks: "Where do you need the keys to?"

The girl ignores Cinder, instead walking to Kai and holding out her hand.

"I'm Iko."

Kai smiles and shakes her hand. "Nice to meet you, Iko."

Iko raises an inquisitive eyebrow and Kai gasps as her unsaid question dawns on him, "Oh, sorry! I'm Kai."

Iko laughs, then grins at him. "Now that I know your name, I can greet you properly."

Before anyone can blink, Iko throws her arms around Kai and hugs him as tightly as she possibly can. Kai freezes for a solid three seconds but then relaxes and returns the gesture, laughing. The two of them pull away and Iko flicks her blue locks over one shoulder as she turns to Cinder.

Cinder lets out a sigh of relief, half wanting to murder her best friend but half relieved that she approves of Kai as a person, and a friend.

"See? That's the correct response to a hug." Iko's voice is almost a whine as she pouts. "You never do that!"

"Iko…" Cinder's smiling as she rolls her eyes.

"Kai gets it," Iko whispers, crossing her arms again.

"Which keys?" Cinder asks, already walking over to the cabinet.

"Workshop… wait, which one is this?"

"Three," Kai supplies.

"Gotcha. So… Number six then," Iko declares, catching the keys as Cinder throws them over her shoulder.

"Catch you later!" Iko winks before sashaying out of the workshop, twirling the keys around her finger as she goes.

The two of them hear a small clink, a larger thud, the unmistakable sound of people crashing into each other, and an assortment of muffled exclamations, before Iko yells, "Everything's fine!"

"That seems unlikely," Kai mutters with a smile.

"It will be fine once she buys the pizza next dinner night to make up for it." She pauses. "Your kite?"

Kai nods. "How does Saturday sound?"

"Sounds great."

"Oh, and I also have to 'report' the car's repair progress," Kai admits, his air quotes suggesting that he didn't choose that task.

Cinder laughs. "Not much, I'm afraid, the main work starts after the weekend once we get the right replacement parts."

Kai nods. "Thanks."

The two of them wait before both going to ask something at the same time:

"Do you-"

"How do you-"

They both stop, internally groaning at themselves and sheepishly grinning. Kai gestures for Cinder to speak so she nods.

"Do you work today?" she blurts, instead of asking what she'd originally intended.

Kai blinks, slightly shocked. "At the café from the other day?"

"Where else?" Cinder asks, but realises that he might have another job or something.

"No, I only work there every other day," Kai answers.

"Right." Cinder frowns. "So, do you like coffee?"

Kai shrugs. "It's tolerable."

"So you're not a coffee person?"

"Not particularly..."

Before Cinder can ask yet another unnecessary question, Kai blurts his.

"Have you ever tried apple strudel?"

Cinder thinks for a moment. "No?"

Kai nods. "Do you want to?" he waves his hands before continuing, "I know a place not far from here that makes the best ones. Do you want to….?"

"Now?" Cinder asks, instead of replying to his question with a yes or no; apparently, she's more than capable of doing illogical and awkward things.

"If you'd like?"

"Yeah, of course." Cinder smiles. "I should, uh, grab a jacket."

"Good plan." Kai grins at her, and she decides that maybe their communicative ineptitude was worth the look of joy on his face and the sparkle in his eyes.

Once she grabs her jacket, the two of them walk back to the entrance, passing Iko – who rather conspicuously gapes at them – before Cinder hangs her keys up and Kai hold the door open for her with a grin.

As the two of them walk, Cinder starts to wonder what on earth apple strudel is.

like/reblog but don’t repost, thanks!

Into The Future/Afterlife Freestyle Creative Fiction Series episode Five-Start of Creative Fiction Career Stories by Stella Carrier

oops I needed to remember to put her name which I used the name generator  to come up with naomi newman

Into The Future/Afterlife Freestyle Creative Fiction Series episode Five-Start of Creative Fiction Career Stories by Stella CarrierJuly 19, 2018 Into The Future/Afterlife Freestyle Creative Fiction Series episode Five-Start of Creative Fiction Career Stories by Stella Carrier start time of mini story 841 pmcompletion time of mini story (counting gathering of resources and sharing on certain social media outlets) 1105pm It is the year 2141 on August 30th and I am a 30 year employee who just celebrated my 60th birthday last week. I work at the University of Heart at Restaurant City less than 2 miles between the University of Maryland College Park Campus and a newly build community college that was built by the year 2090 that is a special writing and food publicity teaching college. Some of the things I do involve baking goods, setting up for food orders at various music events sponsored at the campuses in the area, and I work with some of the restaurants that set up shop on the campus by the year 2139. Yes, you heard that right over 50 different private sector restaurants are set up side by side. I manage the baking goods and cook some of the meats in  2 of the restaurants. I Naomi Newman typically work from 7am to 6pm each day because some of my day to day work involves travel time to places both across the country and globe. For instance, 2 writing workshops less than a mile from here order their food from our company and the University of Maryland and our university has some shared restaurant/food mall agreements with other college and universities across the Maryland, Virginia, District of Columbia and abroad. For instance, a concert arena complete with its own 2 mile stretch of 50 supermarkets and restaurants was added to the area between this university and the University of Maryland by the year 2089. What this has to do with me and the 55000 other food employees is this; Panera Bread won a contract to do business with our college, the University of Maryland College Park campus, the 2 writing colleges and our sister campuses in Switzerland, Virginia, and Bethesda Maryland. What does this have to do with me you may ask; Well I have from 10 am to 3pm to travel to help give bread baking contest supplies to 42 other employees who are demonstrating in Arlington Virginia and 70 employees who are representing our school at a bread festival being held in Switzerland.  It is expected that I choose when to take my meal break as the trains that I travel on can easily take me all the way to Europe within an hour or less. By the year 2092 there were many eateries and other types of businesses built into underground train stations both across the U.S. and the globe and I could tell you stories just of that alone. When I say other types of businesses yes both the family friendly kind and the controversial kind. For instance, a place that I shall leave unnamed for good reasons gave me great massaging services and had been doing so for the past 10 years and this made this an easy decision to tip well for superb services rendered. However, halfway between my most recent massage session a female that I trusted handed me off to one of her male friends without asking me first. He was attractive and he heard about my reputation somehow as he told me during the session and despite the surprise I was almost about to tip him well until right as I thought he left the room I got up to put my clothes on and less than 60 seconds later he pounced on me and much to his surprise I got up and slammed him against the wall and advised him regardless of how slutty or sensual a female is  in her reputation that he needs to always make sure that she is in the mood. I have yet to go back to that business and I even gave another safer reason why I choose to avoid going when the female contacted me one day to politely ask me why I go to another massage business. I could easily bluntly tell her the deal yet the caveat is that the aggressive romeo I told you about is  her best friend's boyfriend and this best friend is related to one of my career mentors which is why I live by the rule that sometimes some things are better left unsaid andor carried into death. However, I Naomi Newman am filled with more joy/elation to share the following A recent sleeptime dream I had; I was helping 23 of multiple celebrities with portraying parts that I wrote a story script for yes I am a part time creative fiction writer. This was less than 2 months after the script was sold for movie rights.  2 of these celebrities invited me to hang out with them at the spiritual centers they are a part of. volunteering-I volunteer part time for a lottery headquarters that helps set up parties and organizes choice of food from the lottery winners. I also work as a DJ part time at a club called Monster which was founded by a fan of Lady Gaga. Volunteers to serve andor make food at various events affiliated with Busch Gardens Williamsburg on an occasional basis. more details to eventually cometherapy andor life coach-has 5 of them-a career psychic who is a lookalike of Kelly Rowland in the music video for Commander with David Guetta who is also a retired naval commander, an intuitive life and social relationship building coach who resembles Armin Van Buuren in the music video of Therapy feat. James Newman and who also works part time as a chef at a museum, a therapist resembling Brittany Murphy in the Faster video with Paul Oakenfold and who has even been invited for free to Paul Oakenfold tribute concerts, a law of attraction writing author storytelling coach who resembles the singer from Angel City in the Do You Know music video who also speaks and organizes many writing workshops both across the U.S. and abroad, upcoming plans for free time andor funany vacation goals-Going to dinner with an Amazon mall employee who she met at  a Pet Shop Boys concert during the Miracle music videospiritual beliefs of each character andor awareness of spirit guides/spirit alliessleeptime dreams that impacted me-has over 40 spirit guides with one of then named who worked as a cruise ship cook in his most recent earth life before he passed over by the year 2080.advice that came from my life coaches to help me build upon my wisdom further knowledge etc. the lookalike of Kelly Rowland recommends that I look at trends relating to both male and female success stories/male and female success stories to help strengthen my awareness that wisdom and spiritual evolution can continue to happen regardless of one's age. Even though  she is my career mentor she also explained to me why she was getting the feeling from one of her celestial spirit guides that I need to remember the concept of trains for a multiple number of my dream stories. resourceshttps://www.fantasynamegenerators.com/20th-century-english-names.php#.Wx8w1-4vycwsymbolism of restaurant city gamesome weird sleeptime dreams I had less than a year ago where I was at work where one of the work food stations at the University of Maryland College was built installed next to a Baskin Robbins-the harvest salad station and some Baskin Robbins vendor were directly next to each other and some blonde haired female that I truthfully do not recall having met before was joyfully working at the stand serving the customers. My late adoptive mother was Caucasian and she did color her hair blonde yet  I know that this female was not her because I easily recognize my late adoptive mother's energy  in my sleeptime dreams.  This female appears to not have even been born on earth yet and she seemed like a nice person and somehow I got the feeling from this sleeptime dream  I intuitively got the feeling that I may have been looking at something that is over 50 years into the future when I am easily at least 80-90 years old in my current earth lifetime andor after I have already passed on from the earth plane into the afterlife. During the same timeframe of this dream I was transported to another part of the work area where I spotted some  walking living potato having its way with some ambigous looking smaller living being happy to be taken away to be eaten (the size of the walking potato was of your normal looking potato and the ambiguous looking living being at least 3 times smaller than the potato).  I confess that even to this day I still have yet to decipher what my intuitive soul was trying to tell me with this sleeptime dream  because it unexpectedly popped up less than a month  after I had been praying for my destiny life long career life path  to be shown to me and I admit that so much was wandering in my head after i intuitively realized that I need to be clearer in my intent with the universe when deciphering my career life destiny. What I do know for sure; I did feel a sense of synchronicity with my soul and brave/confident in this strange sleeptime dream at least the part where I saw the baskin robbins part-it is not in my destiny cards to work at baskin robbins rather I sense my intuitive soul was trying to tell me something that some of the private sector eateries in the area may merge/combine with some of the eating establishments 50 years into the future-hopefully well after the 2060s andor later-the potato part I think might have just been some symbology of something my soul picked up on for me to figure out months from now and may only make more sense years from now. I'm aware that I continue to have so much to learn yet this is one clue where I can tell the difference between sleeptime dreams influenced by my human ego andor external influences compared to subliminally picking up sleeptime dreams influenced by the language of my intuitive soul/heaven influenced higher self/my celestial spirit ally team-the sleeptime dreams have a quality where I am feeling self confident andor with a sense of celestial divine life purpose andor a sense of mystical knowing/awareness from the sleeptime dream.volunteeringtherapy andor life coach psychic coachupcoming plans for free time andor funany vacation goalsspiritual beliefs of each character andor awareness of spirit guides/spirit alliessleeptime dreams that impacted meadvice that came from my life coaches to help me build upon my wisdom further knowledge etc. I preface sharing this freestyle story that I am doing as creative writing therapy both to show appreciation for all who look at my online writings yet to also make this clear; I am humbly and modestly touched at an online communication I received pertaining to someone who wants to become a career coach. However with both modest and brave intent, I must make it clear that I do not plan to become a career coach as I sense that I am destined for a career path(s) completely different from career coach. Rather, I am writing this for other reasons pertaining to wanting to be employed as a career coach one of the reasons I feel comfortable sharing  that my creative fiction genre freestyle writings are a form of creative writing therapy. Additionally, I notice that the more I write, the more my wiser parts of my logic and creative intuition are activated/increase for the benefit of the wisdom I seek for greater knowledge and application of that knowledge in various areas of my life both offline and online.With that out of the way, here is today’s mini story I Stella Carrier Humbly Call Upon What I Imagine To Be The Influence of Benevolent Spirits From the Heavenly Realms, my higher self, and my celestial spirit ally team for creativity in both my writings and all other areas of my life both present and future. I also welcome any and all forms of spiritual assistance and divine intervention in all areas of my life both present and future. I Stella Carrier give thanks for the blessing of a sweet and handsome husband who is supportive of my education and career goals for both present and future.I Stella Carrier feel blessed to be an American born woman who has the freedom to live wherever I desire within the United States regardless of my economic andor career situation.Every Day I Stella Carrier Become More Creative, Intuitive, and Imaginative.Each Day I Stella C songs for me to keep in mind; Faster Kill Pussycat by Paul Oakenfold feat. Brittany Murphy, Miracles by Pet Shop Boys, Close Your Eyes by Novaspace,Commander by David Guetta and Kelly Rowland, Monster by Lady Gaga, Fever by Adam Lambert, Do You Know by Angel City,Therapy by Armin Van Buuren feat. James Newman I admit that I find this lottery win story of sisters Sharon Calhoun and Juanita Simpson to be a feel good story as both women seem extremely happy from the photo. https://pilotonline.com/entertainment/lottery/article_8322e942-8b72-11e8-80e0-3f27cfc5c1e2.htmlVirginia Beach Sisters Win $10 Million From the Lottery by Robyn Siderskyhttps://pilotonline.com/entertainment/lottery/article_8322e942-8b72-11e8-80e0-3f27cfc5c1e2.html new idea added creative fiction storytelling at 1108 pm sisters celebrate lottery win at both Walt Disney World and certain other key places within the US and abroad The steak pictured in this Robb Report  Santa Monica California themed article looks delicious.https://robbreport.com/food-drink/dining/best-restaurants-santa-monica-venice-citrin-eg18-2807135/A Michelin Star Chef's Guide To Dining In Santa Monica and Venice by Jeremy Repanich about Josiah Citrinhttps://robbreport.com/food-drink/dining/best-restaurants-santa-monica-venice-citrin-eg18-2807135/new idea added creative fiction storytelling at 1110 pm-Some writers from Robb Report magazine team up to invest in some of the restaurants a year after some were written about with over ten times their return on investment added by 1106 pmhttps://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/dining/ new idea added creative fiction storytelling at 1111 pm a couple celebrating their 50 year wedding anniversary stop at Busch Gardens Williamsburg to have one of their renewal of vow ceremonies at one of the renewal of vow ceremonies added by the year 2100 unexpectedly popped up online tonight posted by 1107pmHarvard Extension Schoolhttps://www.extension.harvard.edu/harvard-education-designed-you?utm_source=quantcast&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=EXT&utm_content=people&utm_term=FY19&=8269304&=20585867&=4339983&=224821654&=422881367 new idea added creative fiction storytelling at 1114 pmA female entrepreneur of childrens snacks aged 48 obtains her bachelor degrees from Harvard on the same day that one of her companies make 3 times her original expected profit. popular women food businesses I strive to have an open mind about success stories by both men and women. However, the ambitious spirit in me indirectly influenced a positive feeling I have about sharing this inspirational story of 10 food brands founded by women. https://www.thedailymeal.com/eat/10-food-companies-you-didnt-know-were-founded-women-slideshow10 Food Companies You Didn't Know Were Found by Women by Slideshow by Daily Mealhttps://www.thedailymeal.com/eat/10-food-companies-you-didnt-know-were-founded-women-slideshow new idea added creative fiction storytelling at 1114 pm to 1115pmA workshop event is held in California that is almost like an oscar awards for business owners, an idea started by the year 2094

Day 22 | Kanda Myojin shrine

I knew I had to work on my assignments before I was officially screwed and crying on Wednesday night. But at the same time, I wanted to go to places - a matsuri in particular. Matsuri are Japanese festivals and they are often the lovely night ones you see on animes. Sadly, I missed out on a big one last week *clenches fist*. So I did some last minute googling and found the Daikoku festival.

It was nothing like what I imagined. Just the temple being slightly crowded on a Sunday morning 😨. Almost like 天后宫 on the second day of Chinese New Year? As I was leaving the house, my host mother came up to me and asked me what I was doing for the day as she took unconsented videos and pictures of me. She likes to report to my mother for no reason. I told her my plans for Kanda Myojin and she was surprised (but then she's always surprised when I go to places). Asked her whether she wanted to join and she said yes! She pulled a new guy from Brazil along too.

Reached the otemesashi(can't remember the name) station and got off. It was the same station I got off for Akiba the last time! Apparently it's just next to Akiba. All the districts are really close by and in walkable distances, which I love!

Our host mother was the navigator for the temple. We passed by a random temple and she suggested that we could go in as people usually pray for good studies in this temple. Also you can see both of them in front of me heh heh.

After that, we got out and walked a long distance ...just to realized that we came to a full circle and that Kanda Myojin was just located RIGHT behind the study temple! Oh well. We were not using google maps or any sort, just a paper map.

All shrines are beautiful, including this one! The Daikoku festival is basically a Japanese 财神 that blesses you on your business. Did the traditional thing where you wash your hands and rinse your mouth. Except I always swallow. You are not supposed to swallow, that's what she said ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°). I missed out on the fish slicing action for being too late! Kinda disappointed bc I was hoping to catch that. At least I caught some traditional dancing though.

There was also a horse next to the Daikoku god. My host mother kept stroking it and I found her so adorable. I realized that she was talking to this other older lady and I didn't want to interrupt them. Don't you just love how old people bond? It was until she was STILL with us at the exit that I asked, is that your friend? She stared at me and said, it's my cousin.

Awkward.

I told her that we should definitely invite her to lunch, especially after learning that she came ALL the way from Chiba just to meet my host mum at the Kanda Myojin temple. Apparently she did not pray as her husband passed away recently and it was against traditions to pray.

Guess where I went for lunch?

Ha! I was determined to leave without any regrets. Jokes, I already have half a luggage full of regrets, other half is filled with food. My first regret is not extending my stay 😅

in my defense mobile phone usage wasnt allowed in the shop (as written on the sign) so I couldnt take it from that angle :p I could only take a quick shot from where I was sitting!

VERDICT: For the price, it was pretty amazing. I only paid 480 yen for this! It wasn't mind blowingly amazing, or a must go place but I really loved it. The only place where I can think of and put 'mind blowing' to it is probably the Taiyaki place - oops not sure whether I covered this already or not! Spoiler: I'm writing all these posts in the future if you don't know already :p There was a line though, for all the cheap prices and I can say that I'm glad that I went. Headed to the library after that. Honestly, one day I would probably look back and regret not staying in Akihabara for the afternoon. Nevertheless, I had a productive three hours before heading home.

There are so many things undone, and so many words unsaid. You really feel this when you have to choose between two things (studying and basically travelling). Unfortunately you can't choose all story paths, you can only explore one future. Same concept for time traveling animes bruh, except they usually get to explore many. Thinking about this makes my brain hurt. Don't think about the endless possibilities - but by reading this you probably started thinking didn't you?

-wistful pancake