#but I’ll be darned if I say I didn’t at least put it out. | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

thebeast-dennis-etcetera · 4 months

Text

Tipsy and Turned On

Gibbs X Reader One-Shot

Prompt: You attend an NCIS Ceremony and get a little too tipsy around your boss.

Part 2

Mentions: Drinking

>>>>

You smoothed your tight dress over for the hundredth time in the last 20 minutes as Bishop ran around the little hotel room you two shared, looking for her earrings.

“They were literally on the sink just a second ago,” she cried out, exasperated. You looked at your watch, noting that you only had about 40 minutes before the ceremony started.

“Check by the mini fridge. Maybe you set them down them when you stuffed your face with the bag of peanut m+m’s.”

You checked your makeup in the bathroom mirror and put a thin coat of lipstick on before you heard Bishop’s triumphant squawk.

“Got em!”

Walking out, you saw her putting the earrings in while munching on something which you assumed was the m+m’s she was finishing. A loud obnoxious knock sounded at the door before it opened a second afterwards and Tony walked in.

“What the hell DiNozzo? You don’t just walk into our room like that. We could’ve been naked!”

“Darn, should have knocked 30 minutes ago,” he teased, making you roll your eyes.

“Are you guys ready? The ceremony starts in like a half an hour,” you heard McGee’s voice announce from the hallway. At least he had the decency to stay outside.

“Oh relax McFidget. It’s literally 3 floors beneath us. We’ve got plenty of time to grab a drink and meet some newly promoted probies.”

You spritzed a little perfume, grabbed your clutch, and walked out of the room, making sure to smack Tony on the way out. Abby and Palmer were already down in the lobby when you guys stepped off the elevator.

“Oh my gosh, your dresses are so beautiful!” she gushed while running over in her Doc Martens.

You returned Abby’s excited hug and smiled anxiously, which she caught onto.

“Nervous?”

“Yeah. The entirety of NCIS is here. Including SecNav.”

“Well let’s get you a drink then. Soften those nerves.”

The boys went to find your assigned table while you Abby and Bishop went over to the bar, each ordering a cocktail. After a couple long sips, you took a breath and tried relaxing. Crowds were never a problem for you as long as they didn’t include a bunch of higher ranking officials and their bosses walking around. You scanned the massive dining hall and spotted Vance conversing with some other man in a suit you assumed was important but wasn’t expecting to see the third individual in the conversation as well.

“Since when did Gibbs come to NCIS ceremonies?” you asked, as Abby and Bishop turned to look.

“Oh, I heard Vance is forcing him to be here since we’re suppose to be receiving an award,” Bishop explained.

So that’s why he looking exceptionally handsome in his full black and navy suit. He even wore a tie. The man definitely cleaned up well and you actually had a hard time taking your eyes off of him.

Ever since you started working with the team, you had been…intrigued by Gibbs but it never got past the point of checking him out a few times or shooting some harmless cheesy flirts that everyone would just roll their eyes at. He never gave any indication of being intrigued as well, let alone attracted to you in the time that you’ve known him.

“Alright. One shot and let’s go join the others,” you heard Abby say.

You turned to her and saw her sliding over two shot glasses for you and Bishop. Now that Bishop just told you that you were going to have to get up on stage, you needed a shot more than ever.

“Abby, you’re a mind reader.”

She just winked and clinked your glass before throwing the shot back. You and Bishop followed suit, both grimacing from the liquid flames pouring down your throats and followed her towards your reserved table.

“Looks like you 3 found the bar just fine,” Tony pointed out as you took a seat.

“Don’t you have some naive agent to be bugging?” you retorted. He smiled and gave a nod to some young woman across the way, proving your point.

“Actually, she’s a file clerk and I’ll be right back.”

He left the table in the direction of the blonde haired woman as you all shook our heads and laughed. A few minutes later you saw Gibbs walk over.

“Didn’t think you were coming Gibbs. You don’t usually like these types of events,” McGee pointed out as he took Tony’s spot beside you. Instinctively, you took a long sip of your drink.

“Vance wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

As if on cue, the lights dimmed and the SecNav walked onto the little stage area holding a microphone.

“Thank you all for attending our little get together. We have a few announcements and presentations so let’s get started. Firstly, let’s honor those that we’ve lost in our battle for justice. Agent Simmons….

We all listened quietly, occasionally nodding or clapping for different reasons but the thought of having to get up on stage soon was driving you crazy. You hadn’t even known your leg was shaking under the table until I you felt a warm hand still your movements. Looking over, Gibbs gave you a small reassuring nod calming and exciting you at the same time.

His hand had left but the warmth was still there, leaving your skin with goosebumps.

“So these awards go to Special Agent Gibbs and his dedicated team, if they could make their way over,” Vance’s voice spoke too quickly. Part of you just moved in autopilot, getting up and following behind Gibbs with the rest of the team following behind in a line. You could feel everyone’s eyes on you, judging you.

Luckily, the little bit of alcohol you had was kicking in, dulling the sense of anxiety but you knew you looked at your hands, they’d be shaking.

On stage, Vance adorned your necks with medals and shook everyone’s hands before dismissing you. It was simple and quick and you would’ve ran off the stage at top speed had you remembered how to act at such formal events.

>>>>

The hardest part was over and now was time to relax, as you sat on the floor of your hotel room, doing your 3rd shot with Bishop and Abby.

McGee had left early with Delilah and who knows what pants DiNozzo got himself in but you, Abby and Bishop were having the time of your lives.

“You should try it, you never know, you might enjoy it,” Abby suggested from the couch.

“I’m not sleeping in a coffin Abbs! I’m already claustrophobic!”

“You know what you should do. Pretend to get lost in the hotel and end up at Gibbs’s door.”

Both Abby’s and my mouth dropped open at Bishop’s comment and she laughed. She was the only one I told about my slight attraction to our boss and now Abby knew too.

“Bishop, I can’t believe you said that! I thought we had a secret together!”

“Oh don’t worry Y/N. I knew something was going with you and Gibbs wayy before Bishop told me anything.”

“What?! There’s nothing going on! And Bishop shouldn’t have said shit.”

They both laughed at the horror in your face and you prepared yourself another shot.

“You should do it though. I overheard heard him talking with Ducky about you. He didn’t say it exactly but he thinks you’re interesting. And for Gibbs to say that, that isn’t normal.”

“But I don’t even know what room is his.”

“202. Right down the hall,” Abby stated, already ready for your excuse.

“No one is saying go in there and force him to have sex with you. Just go and see what he does. If he escorts you back to your room, maybe he’s not interested. But if he invites you in..”

“What about Rule 13?”

“You know how many times we’ve broken that rule? It’s almost funny that we still have it. Come on, hurry before your buzz goes away and you chicken out.”

The both of them practically pulled you up and dragged you over to the door.

“Here are your shoes,” Bishop said, putting my heels in my hand and pushing me out.

“Wait, you guys can’t just kick me out of my own hotel room-

Your statement was cut short as they shut the door in your face, both could be heard giggling on the other side. Looking down at the heels in your hand, you decided against putting them on for fear you would faceplant if you tried walking in them and slowly made your way down the hall.

198, 200, 201..

You stood in front of 202, seriously wondering why you befriended those two. Well, it was now or never you thought as you knocked softly 3 times. A few seconds went by, you swaying slightly as the tequila did its job before the door opened up.

You were genuinely surprised at seeing Gibbs answer the door in nothing but a white tee and boxer briefs, you almost forgot the line you had planned.

“Oh. Is this not my room? I could’ve swore it was..” you probably slurred at him.

“Do you normally knock on your own door Agent L/N?”

Shit. He knew. Maybe. Maybe not.

“Do you know what time it is Y/N?”

You made a move as if to look at your watch, which you didn’t have and heard him sigh.

“It’s 2 in the morning. Have you been at the bar all night?”

Holy shit, it was that late? You were for sure going to have the worst headache the next morning.

“Yes.” Your answer was short, but your tone was almost a question. You don’t know what you were saying anymore, you honestly forgot what he asked you.

“Can I come in?” You blurted, hoping he wouldn’t turn you down. He rubbed his face in exasperation and opened the door wider for you to step in. Holy shit. Holy shit. You did not think you were gonna get this far.

You stepped into his room, noticing that all of his lights were still on and the tv played softly.

“Have you been up all this time too?” you asked, setting your heels down on the little loveseat.

“Just going over the case.” He closed the door and walked over into the bathroom. You looked around, seeing the case file spread across the little desk and the queen bed beside that looked untouched.

You weren’t sure what to do now. You do know that this tight dress you’ve been wearing for hours was starting to become very uncomfortable and this plan was looking dumber and dumber by the second.

Gibbs came back out of the bathroom and grabbed a water from the mini fridge before offering it to you along with some pills you assumed were aspirin. “Drink.”

You listened obediently and gave the bottle back to him, the both of you staring into each others the entire time. Then for whatever reason, you walked over to his bed and plopped down on it, practically moaning at how nice it was.

You almost fell asleep right then and there but then felt something drop onto you. Opening your eyes and looking down, you saw a pair of sweats and a faded USMC shirt lying on the bed.

“You’re not gonna escort me back to my room?” you asked him curiously.

“Do you remember your room number?”

You thought about it before answering honestly.

“No.”

“Then I can’t escort you back to your room. Go change.”

Whether it was the liquor that made you do it or just something deep down inside that gave you the courage, you got up from the bed and pulled your dress zipper down your back, pulling your arms out of the sleeves and letting the dress fall to the floor.

Turning around, you brought your eyes to meet his and watched his icy blue ones stare right back. “What are you doing Agent L/N?”

“I don’t know.”

You took a couple steps closer to him, the cool air making you shiver slightly and just stood there. He didn’t move an inch but you watched him slowly look over you, his mouth moving to slowly lick his lips, sparking something in you.

Taking a chance, you put your arms around his neck and brought your body close to his, noticing how his hands immediately found your hips and his head dipped to meet yours in a deep kiss.

It was better than you ever imagined and between his mouth moving against yours, his hands gripping your skin tighter and the way he pulled you in closer was giving you enough endorphins to pass out.

When you both pulled away for a breath, you smiled. “I’ve wanted to do that for a while.”

“Oh really?” His voice was husky and lower than usual, making you close your eyes.

He nuzzled your neck and wrapped his arms around your torso but made no attempt to bring you to bed.

“As much as I’d like to continue this further, I want it to be on a different occasion,” he spoke in your ear, kissing just below and releasing his grip on you.

Bringing your arms back down, you looked away and stepped back. He was quick to pull your chin back up to look at him.

“What about dinner at my place tomorrow?”

You just nodded and he gave a small smile, leaning down to kiss you again, making your head spin.

“You change. I’m going to take a shower,” he said, pulling back and heading into the bathroom.

You took a huge breath, letting out all the tension and multitude of emotions. You changed into the clothes and just sat on the edge of bed, absent mindedly watching whatever movie was playing.

A few minutes went by and you felt your eyes getting heavy, the alcohol and everything that happened in the day suddenly making you very tired. Knowing you weren’t going anywhere, you crawled across the bed and slipped under the covers.

“Y/N. Wake up.”

You opened your eyes to see Gibbs sitting on the bed beside you, now dressed in sweats and the same t-shirt but his hair was wet from the shower so you couldn’t have been asleep for longer than 20 minutes.

“Chug this, then you can go to sleep,” he said, handing you a small bottle of water. You smiled at his kindness and sat up. As you drank, he turned all the lights off, only the tv illuminating the room and joined you under the covers. You placed the now empty bottle on the bedside and scooted a little closer to his warm body. You weren’t sure how much intimacy to give but you were perfectly content when he moved his arm so that it rested under your head and pulled you closer.

You thought about how the nights progression went on and decided you’d actually have to thank Bishop and Abby.

#gibbs x reader #leroy jethro gibbs #ncis #ncis fanfiction #agent gibbs

129 notes · View notes

melancholic-hues · 14 days

Text

the hectic way of things (take a break)

posted on AO3

fandom - honkai: star rail

rating - general audiences

warning - no warnings apply

category - f/m

pairings - boothill/robin ; robin & sunday ; boothill & robin ; boothill & robin

tags - written before version 2.2 ; alternate universe

word count - 7848 words

chapters - 1/?

She is just about done with her makeup, about to move onto her wig, when she hears her balcony door lock get picked. Then comes the distinctive sound of the door sliding open, and the clacking of heels against tiled floors.

“Boothill!” Robin shoots up and runs over as the cyborg opens his arms wide. She crashes into him, her landing against his metal chest softened by the vest he’s wearing, and he twirls her around, his cold, metal hand in her own soft, warm ones. “You came!” she beams, expression genuine and sincere.

“Wouldn’t miss a second of you for the world, darlin’,” he drawls, accent all western and sweet, leaning down to kiss her. “‘sides, I did promise I would come, didn’t I?”

“You did,” she smiles, giving him another peck on the lips. “Through my balcony.”

“Aye, cut me some slack. I at least picked the lock. If it were one of my targets, I would’ve blown the darn thing to pieces,” Boothill grins, his smile sharp and charming and all the reasons why she fell for him in the first place.

“You could’ve come through the door, you know?” she says, grabbing a light trench coat and leading him over to her vanity, where a blonde wig sat atop a bust. They’re going to an amusement park just to have fun, so she has to wear a disguise. Thankfully, she’s done this before with ease — get a disguise, she means. She hasn’t been to an amusement park in a while.

Boothill trots over, footsteps soft, leaning on the wall, next to her vanity. He says, “didn’t want your freak of a brother to stare at me. Climbin’ through windows are more my style.”

“He’s the one driving us there, so you might as well have given him a proper hello,” Robin hums a light and happy tune, carefully tucking her blue hair under the wig cap. “Don’t stare at me like this, I’m practically bald right now.”

“And I’d still love you all the same,” Boothill reassures, “with hair or no hair.”

Even though it’s meant as a simple and silly sentence, Robin blushes. “Thank you,” she mutters, carefully putting the blonde wig on. She hates using wig glue, and, since this is only for a short while, clips will suffice. While she is snapping the clips together, she looks over at Boothill’s appearance.

It’s not often you get to see a cyborg, especially one who is a Galaxy Ranger and, well, pretty, like Boothill. He looks the same: a worn, black leather jacket and similar-looking pants; a belt full of ammo, his revolver, and a coil of lasso; and, of course, a wide-brimmed cowboy hat.

“Ay, quit staring,” Boothill teases, throwing her a wink.

Robin giggles. “Alright, alright. Aren’t you going to do anything about that belt? Pretty sure you can’t bring that to the amusement park. Which, might I remind you, is in the public. Also, you’re notoriously well-known around here.”

“Can’t help it if the people recognize this absolute perfection of a face and this machine of a body,” Boothill sighs, popping his hip out, all cold, metal plates. She agrees; his face is absolute perfection, and she would be lying if she said she doesn’t often think about the machine of a body that he has. “I’ll just swallow my gun and bullets.”

“We can keep your stuff in Sunday’s car. Most likely, he’s just going to sit around and work.” Work, work, work. That’s all there is, these days.

There was a time, far before, when her brother wasn’t so caught up in work and professionalism. When he was actually, you know, her brother. When he was just Sunday, not the leader of the Oak Family. Not the head of Penacony. They used to escape their lives all the time when they were younger: she, standing on a box and singing; he, sitting on the ground and being her first and most loyal fan.

Now, they barely get twenty minutes of face-to-face time with each other a day.

Hopefully, this day trip to the amusement park can change that. Even for a day. She’s willing to give up her entire singing career for a good, solid week with her brother.

“…you alright?” Boothill asks slowly, leaning down to check on her, hands stuffed casually in his pockets. “Robin?”

Robin nods, smoothing out the fabric of her knee-length dress and shrugging on the coat to hide her wings. “I was thinking. Sunday wasn’t always this obsessed with work.” After pausing for a second, she continues, “I’m worried about him, Boothill. What if he’s overworking himself? I feel like he’s a ticking time bomb, just about to blow.” She stares at her reflection in the vanity mirror. The crease in her brows shouldn’t be there. She has to be happy.

“Your brother, ah,” Boothill sucks in air through his sharp teeth, “as much as we don’t like each other, and don’t tell him I said this, but he can handle this. He’s a tough one. Takes more than that to crack him.”

“But everyone has a limit.” Robin takes a deep breath, the tears retreating. She puts on a smile. Her reflection does the same. It’s a practiced expression, one too often used. “What if we take him along? Invite him to go on some rides with us? He’s probably already donning a disguise. Might as well put it to good use instead of wasting it, sitting at a table and creepily watching me.”

Boothill stares at her, incredulous in his target-shaped eyes. “Your brother? In an amusement park, actually going on the rides with us? I’m sorry princess, but the chances of that happenin’ ain’t somethin’ I’d bet my best revolver on.”

She rakes a hand through the wig, smoothing out its strands. “Maybe. I don’t know. I want him to stop working for more than an hour straight in a time when he isn’t sleeping.”

“Well, you sure as hell can try. For goodness sake, you’re his sister. He’ll listen to you more than any of us,” Boothill shrugs, the sunlight from the balcony behind glinting off the metal pieces of his jacket.

Robin looks down at her vanity, various cosmetics spread across the surface, and wrings her hands together. She looks away from Boothill for a moment, her shoulders tensed in worry.

Boothill strides over, his metal hands on Robin’s soft shoulders. She looks at both their reflections in the mirror and thinks, kind of wryly amused, of how different yet how compatible they are. She has never known a day of hard, arduous labor underneath a scorching sun, chasing an elusive target; Boothill has never had anyone to fret, to worry over him, almost to the point of overprotectiveness.

“Hey, now,” Boothill softly coaxes, mechanical voice husky yet calming, “you’re the Robin. You’re magnificent, darlin’. Now, you don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise, ‘cause you ain’t nothing less than wonderful. If you really set your mind to it, I’m sure your brother will understand and do whatever you want. Hell, maybe he’ll even give the head position to someone else if you ask hard enough. Got it?”

Robin’s shoulders drop. They lock eyes in the mirror reflection, and she gives him a genuine smile, her hands holding onto Boothill’s and her wings softly fluttering. There’s something about his words that, even though she’s heard them hundreds of times before from other people, makes her actually believe him. “Got it.”

“Great, now get out there and wow us all, sweetie,” Boothill urges, jutting his chin toward the door. He extends a hand toward Robin.

In moments like these, she finds it all the more lucky that Boothill is here. Underneath that cold, beautiful exterior is a soft, gentle person looking for a purpose. She’s glad he gave her a chance.

Robin takes his hand, and he leads her up, pulling her close. Robin lets out a gasp of surprise, one hand braced on where his collarbone would be and mouth an “o” as he spins her to the door. They stop in front of it, and Boothill bends into a low bow.

“After you,” he says, hat hiding most of his face from view.

Robin opens her door and walks through, Boothill following. “I’m sorry for dumping all of that on you. This is supposed to be a happy day. You didn’t even ask for it,” Robin mumbles, walking down the long hallway, toward the stairways. The expensive statues and paintings that they walk past only further remind her of her duty to be perfect and focus on Penacony and work first and foremost. It fills her with a heavy sense of guilt.

“‘s fine,” Boothill simply says. “You oughta have someone to confide in. No good keepin’ this all for yourself, you know?”

Robin looks at their intertwined hands. She nods.

“Wow. Look at those pretentious brats.” Boothill snickers at the portrait of a former head of the Oak Family. Back straight, wings unfurled and radiating pure power, expression powerful yet patronizing.

Now that she thinks about it… “you’re right,” she agrees. The subject does look quite stuffy and stuck-up. Probably never had enough friends. She laughs. “I’ve never seen it that way before.”

“Now you do.” Robin notes how Boothill’s sharp smile disappears when he looks over the railing of the stairs.

She peeks over the railing to see what caused it, and someone is standing there.

Sunday.

He has an unpleasant look on his face, one of disgust and disdain. It’s directed at Boothill, right next to Robin and holding her hand, but she can’t help but feel it’s all toward her.

“Good morning, Robin,” Sunday says, eyes pinned on Boothill as they make their way down the stairs. Boothill’s heels clack on the marble, the sound ringing loud and clear, with each step. Sunday’s voice is cold.

“Good morning, brother.” She tries her best to remain upfront and cheerful. Sunday has changed out of his professional clothes, settling into a light blue hoodie and jeans. They still must be designer clothes, because can you imagine Sunday wearing cheap street clothes? But they’re, well, actually casual. She was so sure Sunday had no idea what the term ‘casual’ meant since all she saw him wear were suits. But she’s been proven wrong.

Sunday nods, acknowledging her greeting, but he hasn’t taken his eyes off Boothill, no, not even once. Boothill levels Sunday’s stare, his smile not at all friendly. Robin feels trapped between them, her gaze warrily going from Sunday to her partner.

She watches Sunday take a deep breath, shoulders rising then falling, then his gaze softens as he finally looks at her. “Well, Robin, are you ready to go? I see you’ve got quite the disguise already.”

Robin is so, so glad for the change of tone. “Shouldn’t we be talking about you? You’re finally out of that suit, for once.” She tries not to let the wistfulness and sadness bleed into her voice. She wishes Sunday (her brother, maybe? Eventually, or is she holding onto an unlikely future?) could dress like this every day.

“Well, I’ll be going to the park with you, so it’s only fitting that I stay undercover. I have upset a lot of people to attend this with you,” Sunday says. “You look beautiful, as always.”

Robin holds onto Boothill’s hand tighter. He squeezes back. ‘Attend’ as in business matters. This is still Sunday, the head of the Oak Family, and not her brother. Never her brother, it seems. “Thank you,” she replies.

Sunday opens the door for her. He lets her walk through, and she pulls Boothill through before Sunday can intentionally close the door after him.

The air outside is warm. Perfect for a trip like this.

“Isn’t the weather wonderful today, Boothill?” Robin asks. She can feel Sunday’s glare on Boothill’s back. She can tell Boothill can feel it too.

“Yeah, darlin’, it’s wonderful,” Boothill answers, voice and posture stiff. A fancy car — always extravagant, always over the top —is sitting in the driveway, and Sunday takes out a key from his pocket. Unlocks the car.

Boothill reaches forward and pulls open the passenger seat door, tipping his hat low and winking at her. “You first.” He guides her into the car’s back seat like a princess to a carriage, their hands never separating. Sunday must be having several strokes just watching them.

She so desperately wants him to accept her relationship with Boothill and actually see Boothill as a person (cyborg?), not just as barbaric, western scum that’s beneath him. She wants Sunday to listen to her just once, without having to assert his own decisions and feelings into it.

But today is not one to spend wishing for miracles. She’s going to an amusement park! The amusement park in Penacony! Where people go to have fun and relax and forget about their problems for a short while! Robin is desperate for even a minute away from her troubles.

“Everyone has their belongings, yes?” Sunday asks when he slams the driver door, inserting the key into the ignition. Boothill pulls the car door closed behind him, his cowboy hat taken off and leaning against his legs.

“Yes. Is it okay if, uh, Boothill leaves his belt in your car?” Robin asks when they’ve pulled out from the driveway. “We can’t bring it into the amusement park.”

Sunday glances at her. “Why didn’t he leave it home?”

“He’s right here, you can ask him,” Robin suggests. The reflection of Sunday in the rearview mirror’s eyes widens and Boothill stills, next to her. She sits there smiling innocently. These two are going to talk to each other, whether they like it or not. Well, this is the perfect opportunity. She’s trapped them. Either they talk, or they risk leaving Robin upset.

Sunday caves. “Well, erm, Boothill.”

Robin beams in encouragement.

“You can leave your… supplies, uh, in the car,” Sunday hastily finishes.

“Where are your manners, Boothill?” Robin chides softly.

“Thank you, Mister, uhm, Sunday,” Boothill thanks through clenched teeth.

“That wasn’t so difficult, now, was it?” Robin asks.

Sunday looks straight forward, and Boothill looks out the window. “No,” they both say at the same time. Sunday’s look is intense; Boothill looks pained. Robin hides her smile with her free hand — the other is still in Boothill’s grasp, and dear Xipe is he clutching it for dear life.

“There, there,” Robin soothes, tucking a strand of Boothill’s hair — a mix of snow white and charcoal gray — behind his ear, careful not to touch the ammo-shaped earring. She pats his cheek, one of the only remaining parts of his organic body and flesh. His stiff posture loosens by a bit.

“Robin, how are your concert performances?” Sunday interrupts.

“They’re going well! My newest album was well received by my fans and the critics. The next concert isn’t for another two system weeks,” Robin idly comments, yawning. She got up early out of pure excitement for the day, and she’s definitely regretting it.

“Tired?” Sunday glances at her through the rearview mirror.

“A bit,” Robin confirms. “Woke up too early.”

Sunday hums, “take more care of yourself.”

“Pot meets kettle, brother.” She totally doesn’t place a huge emphasis on the last word. “You got me there,” Sunday smiles.

Robin puts her and Boothill’s intertwined hands on his thigh, head leaning on his shoulder. Her eyes are drifting shut. “I can’t wait. How much longer until we get there?”

“Two and a half hours. Enough for you to get some sleep in.” Sunday’s voice is tender, reminding her of a kinder time.

“Okay.” She yawns. “Boothill?”

“Yes?” He moves to make her more comfortable on his metal body.

“Don’t start with Sunday while I’m sleeping, okay? You too, Sunday. Don’t argue with Boothill when I’m sleeping,” she murmurs.

Her eyes drift shut before they can respond.

—

Sunday watches Robin’s shoulders gradually rise and fall, her head on Boothill’s shoulders, through the rearview mirror. Boothill is looking down, quite fondly, at his sister and smiling. Their hands are intertwined, carefully placed on the cyborg’s machine thigh.

Boothill.

He has a million questions about Boothill and Robin. Where does he even start? Just how, oh how, did his sister, sweet and kind, pick up a man as bloodthirsty and crazed as Boothill? They are not compatible, no, not even in the slightest. Galaxy Rangers are dangerous, and Boothill has an enormous bounty on his head, placed by the IPC. Boothill will only ever hurt Robin.

Sunday presses his lips into a tight white line, fuming. Now that Robin’s asleep, the atmosphere changes without her bright, calming presence. He can tell Boothill doesn’t like him, but he’s Robin’s older brother, so that son of a Memory Zone Meme can take his opinion and shove it up his cogs. Aeons, he’d gladly fight Boothill if it isn’t for Robin.

No, no, that’s wrong. He can’t fight Boothill; no, that’d be stooping to his level, and Sunday is way more dignified than a ruthless, rowdy cowboy who makes a living killing others. Having a job that requires killing is never a good sign.

But Robin is an adult. She doesn’t need that much fawning over, right? That’s why Sunday doesn’t forbid her from seeing Boothill. Someone had to keep her company. Sunday can’t anymore.

His grip on the wheel tightens, skin around his knuckles turning white. Work, work, work. That’s all there is, these days. Things in Penacony have calmed, but the rebuilding effort takes so much thinking and the public needs so much reassuring and everyone is so Aeon-damned incompetent that he has to deal with everything himself.

He curses the entire Bloodhound Family, that bartender fraud, the gambler from the IPC, the arrogant doctor, Boothill.

He takes a deep breath. May Xipe and the Harmony help them all. Save him, please.

Boothill combs through Robin’s wig, stupidly smiling. Sunday is so distracted by the action that he realizes the car in front of them has slowed.

He slams the brakes, sending them all leaning forward.

Sunday’s back hits the car seat again, and his next inhales are audible. Boothill lets loose a string of swears. Sunday is saying them in his mind, two totally different things. He does not have anything in common with Boothill except for their care for Robin.

After Boothill has repositioned Robin, who slept through the whole ordeal, on his lap, Sunday snaps: “you kiss my sister with that mouth?” Thinking and actually saying these swears are two completely different things, remember? They have nothing in common!

Boothill’s expression hardens. He doesn’t back down.

“Yeah,” he bites out. “And she seems to like me perfectly fine that way.”

Sunday can’t argue with that. Robin seems content with Boothill, and he’s trying to not think about the last time she was at peace like this with him. It’s all the work piling up, he tells himself. It’s not him.

“You don’t have bad intentions with her?” Sunday asks.

Boothill considers him for a moment, wary in his piercing, target eyes, then looks back down at Robin. “No. Why would I?”

“You’re a Galaxy Ranger. You could easily use her celebrity status to your advantage. Galaxy Rangers are dangerous, you are aware of that, aren’t you?” Sunday states, savoring the moment Boothill’s cold expression wavers. Doubt. He doesn’t even need the Harmony’s powers to sense it.

“I am well aware of what I do,” Boothill responds. But his voice doesn’t have the same confidence and surety as before. Sunday subtly smirks. “And I be darned if I bring much trouble to Robin.”

“Hm? What if you do? How can I trust that you won’t go back on your promise?”

“I may not be as refined and elegant as you, Mister Sunday, but I sure as hell don’t go back on my word.” He’s being sincere. But sincerity alone isn’t enough. There needs to be more control. Sunday knows what it’s like.

“Swear it, then,” Sunday demands, voice calm but threatening. “Surely the best cyborg Galaxy Ranger out there, who hasn’t shot a single stray bullet in his career, doesn’t need to hesitate when doing so? Since you have so much pride in your occupation, surely this is but another trivial matter?” He expertly weaves the Harmony into his words, the gentle hum of its power buzzing in the back of his mind as he taps his gloved fingertips on the wheel.

Boothill’s eyes are full of fury when he declares, “I swear it. On my life.”

“Good. Because I’ll take you apart, piece by piece and cog by damn cog if I have to, if she gets hurt while in your care,” Sunday smiles and totally doesn’t think about all the ways he can take Boothill’s body apart — painfully, preferably. “The Harmony will remember this. Thank you for swearing it on your life.”

Boothill glares at him. He looks away and mutters. Something something Robin’s words.

‘Don’t start with Boothill.’

The car falls into silence, the effect of the Harmony wearing off.

A memory resurfaces.

***

They were finally alone one night, when the sun had long dipped below the horizon and the stars were brightly twinkling in the night sky. Both unable to sleep, Sunday finally decided to confront Robin about her relationship with Boothill.

“I don’t get it. Him, of all people?” Sunday asked, brows creased in worry. “He isn’t threatening you to do anything for him, right?” Fear clawed at his heart at the possibility of his sweet, dear sister being forced into doing anything. No one should have control over her — not even Sunday. He was merely suggesting what she should do as her older brother, which wasn’t ‘control.’

Robin gave him a concerned look as if questioning his sanity because, well, who didn’t love a bloodthirsty lunatic–cyborg who travels the universe to chase other targets while simultaneously having a bounty on his head? That was sarcasm. “No, brother, I love him. Truly. It’s of my own accord.”

“Are you sure? What do you even find in him?” Sunday reached for Robin’s hands. He took them in his own. “I don’t want you to get hurt, you know?”

Robin squeezed their hands. “I won’t. I can handle myself, and Boothill can protect me if I can’t myself. As for what I find in him…” she blushes, pink coating her cheeks.

Sunday waits for her response, head tilted, the wings by his head slowly flapping.

“It’s like, uhm, whenever I see him,” Robin explained, the blush reddening, “I just feel like there are butterflies in my stomach, you know? When your bones melt and suddenly, all you want to do is stare at their face. Boothill has a very pretty face.” Sunday would not refute that. By all definitions, Boothill’s face was physically attractive — physically. It’s whether one was attracted to him that matters. He wanted Robin’s response regarding that.

“I feel like he understands me,” she had finally said. “He just knows what I want. And he’s giving it to me.”

Sunday’s eyes widened. “And, uh, what do you want?” Aeons. He might be sick. Was his sister — ?

Robin seemed to realize what he was thinking too. She quickly shakes her head, and the blush spreads. “No!” she hastily corrected. “No! No. That’s, ugh, Sunday! Mind out of the gutter! No. I want someone who can look past the superstar status of me. I want a break, if you understand what it’s like to take a break.”

“I take plenty of breaks,” Sunday defended. It was a lie. There was simply not enough time in his hectic schedule to afford the ever-elusive luxury of rest.

Robin rolled her eyes. “Sure. Anyway, Boothill’s kind and honest. I’m in very good hands, brother. I promise you that.”

“I just want you to be happy.” Sunday sighed. “I don’t like him.”

“Well, I do.” Robin’s face was set and determined, an absolute, take-nothing-else gleam in her eye. Something about her willingness to compromise had changed. Sunday wondered when it had, and how he hadn’t noticed. “And I love him, Sunday.

“Can you accept that?”

***

Can he accept that, huh?

Sunday rests his cheek on his fist, elbow propped against the windowsill with one hand on the wheel. He glances out the window at Penacony’s bustling metropolis, with its towering skyscrapers, bustling streets, and diverse culture brought together from hundreds of different cultures around the universe. The more populated cities have been spared of damage, thank Xipe, so their primary rebuilding focuses are the agricultural and suburban areas affected.

Penacony has always been one of his greatest loves from the start. He will stop at nothing to make sure it is a planet whose name is passed around the universe like a legend, a paradise so far and so unreachable that you can only read of its honor in fairy tales and books.

He’ll just have to figure out a way to deal with Penacony’s ruined reputation among the public and interstellar organizations.

Only if he was better.

His gaze drifts over to Robin and Boothill again. Boothill must be keeping Robin company when Sunday couldn’t, and that was almost always. Well, that settles it. Robin loves Boothill dearly, and Boothill loves her right back, swearing it on his life to protect her. Fine. If that’s what it is, then he’ll have to accept that. However begrudgingly. For Robin’s sake.

Where is the damn SoulGlad when you need it?

—

Boothill drags a hand down his face, cursing this machine body and the eleven bullets he swallowed earlier.

He knows he loves Robin. He knows he’s willing to lay out his life for him. But there was something about swearing his life for her in this Aeonforsaken car and in front of her brother, no less, that he couldn’t help but feel suspicious about. Now, he ain’t the brightest gun in the rack. However, that doesn’t mean he’s gullible and easily manipulated.

Reignbow Arbiter’s piercing arrow shoot through him now. Boothill mouths a swear, upper teeth digging into his lower lip, and glares out the window. Robin is still sound asleep.

Sunday reaches over to turn on the radio, and an upbeat, funky tune fills the car. He turns the volume down, head bopping to the rhythm of the bass drums.

How the hell this man looks so calm after threatening Boothill with dismemberment, he has no damn clue.

Two hours pass, and Boothill is about to dismember himself out of boredom.

Finally, finally, the amusement park comes into view. He recognizes the color and shapes of some of the coaster tracks of the attractions Robin was showing him a few days prior. There’s a ride that shoots its riders up the nearly straight-up track then plummets them right down.

The parking lot is almost empty when they pull through. Robin insisted on getting there a bit before the park opened so they wouldn’t be stuck waiting in lines, but she already brought speed passes for everyone, so does it really matter when they get there since they could just skip the lines?

Boothill gives Robin a slight shake in the shoulder. “Darlin’,” he whispers, adamant not to look up because Sunday will be glaring at him.

Robin’s eyes flutter open.

Boothill smiles. “Mornin’.”

“Morning,” Robin says as he leans back so she can sit up. “Are we there?”

“Right at the gates,” he confirms.

Robin stretches, yawning. “Nice."

Sunday stops the car. “We’re here.”

Boothill opens the door and gets out. He offers a hand to Robin. She takes it and steps out of the car, all celebrity and princess-like.

He produces a bottle of sunscreen from his pocket and squeezes some onto his fingertips. “Look up ‘n close your eyes,” he instructs. Robin does, and he carefully applies the sunscreen over her face, neck, and shoulders. He gives the rest of the bottle to Robin for her to lather the rest on her arms and legs and wipes the rest of the sunscreen on his fingers onto his pants.

After she’s done with that, he places his hat on her head.

“To protect you from the sun,” he says when she lifts the brim to peer at him. Robin returns with a smile and they follow Sunday, who has his hood pulled up and a mask on and is probably sweating like crazy. “Oh, and this.” He snaps off his belt and leaves it in the car, but not before opening up a capsule on the right side of his waist and tucking his gun in. He stores some of the bullets in his arm and pops another four in his mouth, leaving one to chew on.

Robin watches him with fascination sparkling in her ocean eyes. Boothill smirks, the sole bullet remaining held between his teeth.

They get into the express lane (Boothill tries not to look too smug at the lines of people waiting in the slow lane or pay much mind to the way they’re gawking at all three of them — what can he say? They’re all gorgeous. Especially Robin and himself) as Sunday checks them in. The attendant, thankfully, does not look too closely at any of them and tells them to place any baggage on the bins to be inspected.

Boothill and Sunday have nothing on them except their phones. Robin drops her purse in the bin as it rolls toward the staff members. It goes through a scan in a large, black box before getting returned to Robin. She thanks the staff and wishes them a nice day, catching up to Boothill a few steps ahead.

They enter the amusement park, some of the rides already opening up and functioning. Robin grabs a map of the park from a nearby directory board and unfolds it. She stops, and Boothill leans over her, chin on her head, to look at the map with her. Sunday is looking at the digital map on the board.

“I want to hit up the mild rides first, then we can progress onto the thrill rides,” Robin informs them, one perfectly manicured nail tracing their would-be path through the park.

“Ain’t nothin’ that looks ‘mild’ about this place ‘sides the kids’ rides,” Boothill grumbles.

Robin laughs, tucking the paper map in her purse. “Are you scared, Boothill?”

“What? No way,” Boothill rolls his eyes. He has nothing to fear here. He swallows the chewed bullet. There’s no way he can use that one after all the bite marks on it.

“Let’s save the grandest ride for last,” Robin looks up and points to the ride that shoots straight up, “the King of the Jungle.”

He snorts. “Corny — freakin’ — name.” He frowns. Right. Someone (he’ll find the bastard and force them to change it back) tinkered with his Synesthesia Beacon, so he can’t say words aloud. ‘Freedom of speech’ his bullets.

Robin covers her mouth with her hand, failing at hiding her smile. “I forgot that your Synesthesia Beacon does that.”

He sighs deeply. “Well, it ain’t fun either.”

“Alright,” she closes the map and tucks it in her purse. “What about Clockie’s Twisted Coaster? It’s right here.”

The coaster in question is, indeed, right in front of them. Penacony’s signature mascot, Clockie, is plastered all over the ride: its face is square and center on the ride’s tracks, the ride name in script next to it, the entire ride’s colors are all ones found on Clockie, and the stupid music blasting out of the speakers is Clockie’s theme song or whatever it’s called.

The ride itself isn’t very long — the cart, with seats for four people, two on each side, hangs below the track and progresses up, swinging the cart, and drops down a series of curves, rotating the cart 360-degrees. The ride continues like this in an ‘s’ shape but with more exaggerated bends before coming to a stop.

Pretty mild, it seems.

“Let’s go,” Robin says. “Sunday?”

The man shakes his head. “I don’t do roller coasters. Here, let me take your purse.”

Robin is visibly disappointed, but she nods in understanding. She hands her purse over to Sunday, who tosses it over his hood carefully. “Your flash passes,” Sunday continues, taking out two cards from his pocket. He walks over, handing one to Robin. Boothill takes his when Sunday offers it to him, but the man’s gloved hand grips the card tight.

Boothill is so ready for a fight.

It doesn’t come.

Sunday lets go, looks him in the eye, and tells him, “make sure she has fun, okay?”

It takes him by surprise. He blinks, arm still extended and holding the card.

Sunday nods and turns back to Robin, who’s now practically glowing with happiness. “Go. Have fun.”

“I definitely will, brother,” Robin throws her arms around Sunday. “Thank you thank you thank you!” She backs away, takes Boothill’s hand, and tugs him to the flash pass entrance of the ride. Boothill lets himself be dragged along.

—

What? What!

Robin is so excited. Have you seen Sunday? Did you see him hand over the flash pass to Boothill? Do you know how long she’s been wanting Sunday to finally talk to Boothill without being openly hostile?

She’s practically buzzing with relief and joy, her previous disappointment from Sunday’s rejection to joining them on the ride temporarily forgotten, when she and Boothill show their flash passes to the staff and enter through the gates.

“He handed you the card, Boothill!” Robin says, just shy of jumping up and down like a child. “Wow. I can’t believe it.”

Boothill leans down to kiss her on her forehead. “Me neither. Your brother was lookin’ really unwilling. Thought he’d be out for me for at least a while. He probably still will.” He tucks the flash pass into the back pocket of his pants.

When she thinks of Sunday offering an olive branch to Boothill, or the other way around, she thought it’d be in more intimate, private settings. Like the living room in their giant mansion, way too big for just the two (occasionally three, but Boothill sleeps in her bed) of them, or in the kitchen after Robin left to use the bathroom or wherever. Not in public, not when they’re surrounded by innocent bystanders. She’s not complaining. The amusement park works too.

“This ride looks, ah, weird,” Boothill mumbles into her ear.

“Hmm? This one’s a classic,” Robin tells him. “We’re next!”

“I’m gonna regret swallowing those darn bullets,” he grimaces as the attendant opens their gate, directing them to the open cart. Boothill places his hat on the rack they have for loose items, and they get on, Robin on the inside and Boothill on the outside. They can’t hold hands through the safety seats. Well, they technically can, but Robin’s body is primarily flesh and bones so it’d be really uncomfortable for her.

“You got this!” Robin encourages, swinging her legs. The attendant starts the ride, and they move forward.

***

“Holy Aeons and all of Lan’s arrows,” Boothill says, one arm slung around her shoulder and mostly relying on Robin for support (don’t underestimate her strength and endurance — she’s a singer, remember?), “I’m gonna throw up all my bullets.”

“Hey, at least you didn’t scream,” Robin teases, giving Boothill the time to recover and stand on his own.

“Now, I was just sayin’ that ride was too loop-de-loop,” Boothill manages, wincing, “not that it was scary. I ain’t even feelin’ nauseous. It’s, ah, the rattle of these parts, per se. Aeons, what the heck. Everyday I discover somethin’ new ‘bout this helluva body.”

“Mhm,” Robin reassures, waving to Sunday.

“How was the first ride?” Sunday asks her, hands crossed behind his back and posture ever so regal for an amusement park. He must be smiling underneath that mask — his eyes crinkle. He doesn’t ask both of him; no, just Robin. That’s okay. Baby steps, baby steps.

“It was wonderful,” she declares, “Boothill wanted to throw up his bullets,” and doesn’t elaborate further. She loops her arm through Boothill’s. “Which rides next?” She tilts her head at Boothill, repeatedly poking at his cheek.

Boothill catches her finger between his teeth, bite gentle. Robin pulls her finger back. “Wherever you go, I’ll follow,” he tells her, eyes twinkling with mirth, tucking an exposed strand of her baby blue hair behind her ear, patting down her wig.

“Okay. Drop of doom next!”

Boothill’s expression drops, like the ride they’re gonna go on next.

***

Robin steps out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house. It was actually a roller coaster with a whole cinema and, of course, Clockie theme. She turns around, her wig blowing around her in a gentle breeze, and extends a hand toward Boothill, her smile wide on her face.

Boothill shakes his hair, the dual-color strands whipping around his face, and puts on his hat. He takes her hand. “Where do you wanna go next?” he asks, trailing behind her on the steps leading up to ground level. Sunday starts toward them the moment he sees Robin emerge from the exit.

“Can we stop for food?” she announces. All of the walking around and getting on the rides and general cheery atmosphere has her hungry.

“Sure,” Sunday agrees, looking at the map on his phone. “There’s a food court that’s not so far away from here. Follow me.” He starts toward a sunset retro-styled house in the distance, surrounded by palm trees and synth-pop blasting out of its speakers. It reminds her of the sunsets on Punklorde, a planet filled with cyberware and hackers. Isn’t there that one Stellaron Hunter girl from Punklorde?

“The style of that food court reminds me of you,” she comments, “don’t you think?”

“Ehh,” Boothill squints at the design, scrutinizing it, “not really. Run-down saloons and bars and the kind are more my type. But I can see myself hangin’ ‘round ‘ere, poppin’ down to the bar and orderin’ myself some booze. Bet they sell real darn booze too.”

Robin giggles at his accent. “You talk so funny.”

“Oh, really? And how do I talk, princess?” Boothill challenges, one hand on his hip.

“Like this,” Robin clears her throat, voice imitating a low, country drawl, “howdy. Name’s Boothill, darlin’s. I’m the best Ranger out there you can find. One shot from my gun, BAM BAM BAM — ” she mocks a gun with her left hand, shooting it — “and the enemy drops dead in less than a second, you hear me? There ain’t a single stray bullet in my entire career.”

Boothill rolls his eyes. “I do not talk like that.”

“Yes, you do!”

“No, I do not!”

“Yuh uh!”

“Nuh uh!”

“Pfft,” Robin exaggerates her exasperated sigh. “Fine. I suppose you don’t actually talk like that.”

“That’s right,” Boothill nods, a satisfied look on his face.

“What do you want to eat?” Sunday stops. Oh. They’ve already reached the place. She didn’t even notice.

“What’s on the menu?” Robin walks up to the menu boards above the counter, making sure to stay away from the ordering line. Her eyes scan the lines of options, mentally coming up with a list. It’s all junk food, as expected. She’s been craving some junk food anyway. Let’s hope Sunday actually lets her eat those ‘artificial foods injected with junk and bacteria.’

“I want three double cheeseburgers with two sides of fries and a SoulGlad,” Boothill announces.

Robin blinks up at him. “What?”

“Three deluxe double cheeseburgers, two servings of curly fries, and a SoulGlad,” he repeats.

“No, no, I, uh, heard you the first time. Are you sure you want that much?” It’s more than enough for one person; then again, Boothill’s a cyborg.

“I can eat a whole lot more,” Boothill shrugs. “Whadda ‘bout you?”

Robin hums. “I’ll take chicken tenders, a blueberry milkshake, and a pretzel. I hope the pretzels here have salt on them the size of dice.” She pats around for her purse, then remembers Sunday has it and he’s paying. “Sunday! We’re ready to order!”

Sunday gets up from the table he’s sitting at, meeting them at the end of the line“What would you like?”

“Three deluxe double cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, two servings of curly fries, one blueberry milkshake, one SoulGlad, and one pretzel,” Robin recites and looks at Boothill. “I didn’t forget anything, did I?”

Boothill shakes his head. “Naw.”

Sunday nods, the pleasant smile on his face he uses when he’s holding back a scathing remark. Ah, well. “I’ll go pay. You two can wait at the table.”

“Thanks!” Robin hurries over to the table before someone else can take it. It’s one of those metal wire mesh tables with benches attached and an umbrella over, taking on an obnoxious shade of orange the same color as the SoulGlad drinks. Boothill takes off his hat and tosses it on the table, letting out a sigh.

“Ain’t your brother dyin’ from the heat?” Boothill runs a hand through his hair. The weather is fair, not hot, but still warm enough to make you sweat after a few minutes basking under the sun.

Robin stares at Sunday, at the counter and talking to the cashier. “Maybe?”

“Are you sure you don’t want Sunday to go on an attraction with you?”

Robin’s smile wavers. “Well, I’m not going to force him onto anything he doesn’t want to.”

“You should. What’s a man doing, out here in a park, having no fun? Take him on a ride, darlin’. Gotta shake him up a lil’,” Boothill urges.

“After we eat,” Robin says. “I’ll ask again if we can go on Hanu’s Great Escape.”

“When I said to shake him up, I ain’t talking ‘bout takin’ him to one that, but whatever calms your horse.”

Robin beams at him. Hanu’s Great Escape is known for being exhilarating and scary. She wants to go on it with someone. The lines are typically very long, up to nearly an hour of waiting in line, but they have flash passes, and she is determined to bring Sunday on one of those rides at least once today.

“This is, ah, a lot,” Sunday says when he sets down a plastic tray with everything on the tabletop. He sits down opposite to Robin and Boothill, taking his share of the food — just a cup of soda and a sandwich — off the tray and leaving the rest to them. “I think it was somewhere around 200 credits?”

Boothill grabs Robin’s food for her, setting down the box of chicken tenders and fries while ripping open the packaging of a fancy plastic straw, sticking it in the milkshake. He takes his share of the food, unwrapping the aluminum foil of one of the cheeseburgers and flipping off the cap of the SoulGlad bottle.

“I can pay you back,” Robin opens up her phone to her money transferring app.

Sunday brushes it off. “You don’t have to. We’re family, there’s no ‘owing’ here.”

Sometimes, Robin wants to excuse all of Sunday’s overprotectiveness and his strict rules because of how nice he is to her, the softness in his voice lulling her into a false sense of trust and security. But nice doesn’t mean kind, and Sunday isn’t exactly kind. Perhaps the only person Sunday is truly kind to is Robin, and even that has its occasional exceptions. Sunday is a control freak, more or less and however much she condemns it.

She bites into a chicken tender a bit too harshly, the meat soft and the food warm and her teeth clacking. It isn’t healthy to keep on bringing up sad topics. Today is a happy day, and she will make the most of it by shutting up and having fun. How many times has she said that now?

Boothill bites down on the burger, taking half of it as he chews and swallows. Watching him eat has always intrigued her. How does the food, organic and soft, dissolve in his mechanical insides? How does the food get processed without the chemicals and cells and nerves found in a typical human body?

“You’re starin’ again,” Boothill warmly points out, tapping her on the tip of her nose.

“How does the food work in your body?” Robin has asked this before, and not once has she gotten a coherent response.

“Do you think I’d be a ranger if I knew? ‘Cause boy, does this body need a lot of engineerin’,” Boothill groused, “this thing’s almost more trouble than what it is worth.” He takes a swig of the SoulGlad, orange dribbling out the corner of his mouth. Robin extracted a handkerchief from her purse, on top of Boothill’s hat, and dabbed at it.

“There.” She folded the handkerchief into a neat square, placing it on the table.

“I’m waterproof, hon. For the most part,” Boothill deadpans.

“Isn’t it cute, though?” Robin counters playfully, leaning in to peck him on his nose.

Sunday, with his mask pulled down, very loudly sips his drink. Third wheeling must be sad.

“Sorry,” Robin apologizes, not really meaning it. She leans away, pressing close to Boothill, knocking their ankles together under the table. She grabs a curly fry from his box, munching on it. This place really loves their salt, huh? They’re in luck since she does too.

“No, that’s alright,” Sunday passive-aggressively says, finishing his sandwich. Boothill moves onto his third cheeseburger.

“Is that all you wanted?” Robin asks, pulling over her box of chicken tenders. Granted, there are only three left, but they can make it work. “We can share this.”

Sunday waves his hands, dismissing her offer. “It’s fine. Save some for yourself.”

“Oh, please, I have Boothill’s shares if I’m really that hungry,” Robin then makes a show out of it, grabbing a handful of Boothill’s curly fries. She likes the fries. Or anything with a copious amount of sodium in it, which, unfortunately, may be every junk food. Boothill shows no sign of objection, he’s almost done with his cheeseburger. It’s honestly kind of impressive.

“That’s fine, but I’m not hungry anymore. You know me. I never had that much of an appetite,” Sunday offhandedly mentions, casting a side-eye at Boothill. Boothill crumples up the aluminum foil of all three cheeseburgers into one giant ball.

“Okay.” Robin takes back the chicken tender, grabbing one and dropping it in Boothill’s box of fries. “For the curly fries,” she explains and moves back to eating her chicken tenders.

Boothill pecks her on the forehead. Robin giggles.

They gradually finish the rest of the food, and Sunday goes to return the tray and throw out their trash. Robin uses this opportunity to ask Boothill whether she should ask Sunday to go on Hanu’s Great Escape with her.

Boothill crunches down on a bullet. Where did he get that from? “Go for it,” he says simply.

“Really?” Robin asks.

Boothill pats her head. “Of course.”

“Okay.” Robin shuts up as Sunday returns to their table. Here goes nothing.

#melancholic-hues #writing-hues #robinhill #robin x boothill #boothill x robin #hsr robin #hsr boothill #hsr sunday

46 notes · View notes

silverbladexyz · 1 year

Note

HIHIHI

your writing is very good. i was wondering if you could do a post about how the flags would react to their partner wearing their clothes :)

HIHIHI THANK YOU ANON 🤞 and bro I wanna wear Lippmann's clothes now they must be so comfy since he's so rich.

The image does not belong to me. It belongs to @angolicious.

TW: Mentions of injuries, blood, slightly suggestive and sarcasm in Pianoman’s section aka me ranting but it’s funny lol

The Flags reacting to their S/O wearing their clothes

Pianoman:

-We all know how elegant and fancy he is. Which means that HE HAS A BILLION THINGS THAT HE WEARS THAT ARE SO ODDLY SPECIFIC AND HARD TO GET BECAUSE HE DECIDED TO BE EXTRA AND FOR WHAT- ahem ahem basically his outfit is complicated and it took me months to find all the cosplay parts

-You're lucky though because he has spares of those waistcoats and ties and gloves and those sash-belt things and whatnot. Gosh Pianoman we all love you but why must you be so extra with your outfit??? /hj you look gorgeous keep slaying

-So let’s say you were bored and decided to hunt around in the wardrobe for a bit to see what types of clothing was in that tinyyyy space. And ta-daaaah you found a lot of his clothes that he used for his Mafia work! Actually they were just extras of what he wears but shhh

-After taking like a bajillion minutes just to get that darn sash-belt on, you look at yourself in the mirror, and hey you actually look quite good! Pianoman has great taste in clothing, even when it’s so hard to put on smh. But bro literally tell me where he gets his clothes because I’ll yeet all the way to the store he buys them from

-Anyways you’re so immersed in admiring yourself in the mirror and you don’t notice a person walking up behind you. It’s when you hear his chuckle that you turn around and become flustered

-Pianoman secretly was not expecting this at all, but it was a nice surprise. You looked so smexy in his clothes that he just had to tease you about it. He even feels a bit proud that you were the only one who got to wear his clothes

-Tells you to keep it on because it looked so good on you. The thing is he’s wearing like I dunno three layers and it’s super duper hot so you’re basically overheating. I don’t know about you but I wouldn’t keep it on for another second

-If you’re shy about it, Pianoman would smirk, but he’d wrap his arms around you while whispering in your ear how great you looked in his clothes. Maybe even incorporate a kiss into it. Be careful on how you reply because one thing might lead to another and you might not be able to walk the next day ;)

-Also complain to him on how his clothes took so long to put on for me, will ya? I swear everybody in the Mafia just has it in their blood to be rich and extra (Pixyys if you know, you know xD) but they fine af

Albatross:

-His clothing style is actually quite casual and decent, unlike a certain mafioso that likes to be extra *cough cough*

-You were trying to pick something to wear to your shopping trip, but you didn’t really have any clothes apart from your Mafia formal wear. You made a mental note to go shopping for casual clothes, but now wasn’t the time since the store was about to close

-And an idea popped into your mind. Why not borrow your lover’s clothes for a while? At least with Albatross, his outfit wasn’t really complicated and fancy lmao I’m sorry Pianoman so it wouldn’t attract a lot of stares

-Just pop on his sleeveless leather jacket, a long-sleeved shirt and ragged pants and then you’re done. Bonus points if you wear glasses and earrings too. And I would recommend to wear those black gloves because they look so damn nice

-The shopping trip was great and nobody stared at you because that’s how casual Albatross’s outfit was. Which is a good thing because you don’t want to attract attention even though you were just out on a shopping trip

-When you arrive home, Albatross is immediately running up to greet you, but he stops when he sees what you were wearing seemed... familiar

-His face breaks out into a huge smile and he teases you, saying how cute you looked wearing his outfit. And Albatross is the king of teases so you’re going to be very flustered

-But he compliments you on the outfit, saying how much it fits you. Definitely asks you to wear it more often, and even brags about how great you looked in his clothes to the Flags

-Wear matching outfits with him! Maybe not the entire outfit, but put on something that mostly resembles his clothes and make it the opposite colour, and Albatross would have stars in his eyes as he admires the both of you

Doc:

-His clothes are quite simple since he is a doctor and spends a lot of his time at the infirmary. So if you need an outfit that you can just chill at home in, go and rob his clothes just make sure that they’re clean

-You also have some medical knowledge yourself, so you spent your time at the infirmary sometimes as well. Although you weren’t as good at medicine as your partner, you have saved a few people a number of times

-So let’s say one day there was an emergency casualty at the infirmary. The Boss ordered you to treat them immediately, but the thing is you didn’t have any doctor clothes to wear. Thinking quickly, you put on some of Doc’s spare clothes and hurried to the infirmary. Luckily, you managed to save the patient, but the clothes you had were dirty now

-You went back home to change your clothes, but you didn’t expect to bump into your boyfriend. Doc raises his eyebrow when he sees you in bloodied clothes; his clothes nonetheless

-He does ask why you were wearing them, but he is lowkey proud. Doc loves the sight of you in his clothes, and would also want you to wear them more often. He doesn’t say it out loud though because he’s secretly shy

-Okay but he needs some new clothes because the ones he’s wearing are old. Take him out to the next shopping trip please

Iceman:

-His outfit just screams chill. Most of the stuff he wears is big and comfortable, not to mention it’s simple and easy to move in. I bet he got it for 50% off too okay he actually didn’t I’m sorry

-Iceman’s clothes looked so comfortable that you decided to give them a go one day. When you were home alone, you grabbed his overcoat, vest, slacks, necktie, suit, gloves and his scarf okay I lied his outfit isn’t simple at all

-But despite all that complicated-ness, his outfit was actually quite comfortable! Iceman tell me your secret bro where do you get all of these nice clothes??!! Anyways, the clothes smell just like him with a tinge of coffee and smoke, which actually isn’t that unpleasant

-Iceman is a very good assassin, which means you don’t even hear him walking up behind you. It’s when you glance at the mirror and see who’s behind you that you startle a little

-He doesn’t show that much of a reaction when he sees you wearing his clothes. Iceman is so quiet that you think he’s mad at you dw he’s just secretly admiring you in his outfit

-If you were feeling embarrassed, Iceman wouldn’t really understand, but he’d still comfort you anyways. Once you’ve calmed down a little, he’d ask you why you were wearing his clothes

-He thinks it’s cute when you wear his clothes, and he even buys you an exact copy of his outfit except that it was your size so you two could match ❤️

Lippmann:

-Pretty boy is pretty rich, so I bet his clothes must be top quality and very comfortable to wear. They’re all made from the best silk and material. In other words, Lippmann’s clothing >>>

-So let’s say you were picking out clothing to go to a party, but you didn’t really have anything that you wanted to wear. After turning your wardrobe inside out, you were about to give up when you decided to see if Lippmann had any suitable clothing from his acting careers

-And he did! There were all types of clothing, from basic jeans to fancy leather coats, and the colours mix perfectly. Damn Lippmann, you didn’t bother telling your S/O about all the clothes you have in your wardrobe?

-So after finding which clothes you liked, you tried them on and admired yourself in the mirror. A lot of them had his scent on it, which made them feel a lot nicer on you. And did I mention that he has the best taste in clothes?

-Lippmann came back and actually walked in on you while you were still looking in the mirror, and you could say that he was pleasantly surprised. A smile is on his face as he gently teases you, saying how good you looked in his clothes, but he is actually going to his wardrobe and picking out another outfit that looks even better on you

-Also dress up with him on some days! I never see him wear anything else apart from those same old vest and coat, so make him pop on a leather jacket and jeans and you’ll have yourself a very cool Lippmann

@pixyys @pianotross @chuuyas-beloved @angolicious @nekokinax @sariel626 @dazaiyohane @scarletta-ruan @yuugen-benni @arisu-chan4646 @lakeside-paradise @catzlivedforbsd

#bsd x reader #bungou stray dogs x reader #bsd flags x reader #piano man x reader #albatross x reader #doc x reader #bsd iceman x reader #iceman x reader #lippmann x reader #silverbladexyz

97 notes · View notes

lafrexniere · 9 months

Text

Old Times and New Guys

Summer in Michigan Series

Warning: mentions of the incident in previous parts

Note: The drama begins Hehe, also the parts are going to start getting longer

____________________________________________

“Y/N!” Your best friend from college exclaimed.

“Alex,” you ran over to him. He scooped you up in a hug.

“I’ve missed you so much,” he said putting you down.

“I’ve missed you too,” you smiled.

“Why did no one say Y/N was coming?” Alex said placing a hand on his hip, his arm remaining around your shoulders. Trevor and Jack both looked at your brother, he looked embarrassed.

“I assumed you would figure it out,” Cole said shrugging.

“Cole how could you have left out Alex,” you shook your head. Jack put your things down by the door as Trevor and Cole went upstairs to pick a room. He nodded at you and Alex then left you two alone to catch up, he looked a little disappointed but seemed to brush it off after you heard him laughing with Cole and Trevor upstairs.

“Is Owen coming too?” you asked Alex as you moved into a sitting area.

“He might, he said he would check, but then just never answered,” he frowned.

“Darn I wanted a reunion,” you snapped your fingers in a cheesy manner.

“Speaking of reunion, what do you want to do, it’s been a little while since we’ve seen each other,” he laughed.

“A little? It’s been like three years, Alex,” you shook your head.

“Okay yeah, it’s been a while,” he elbowed you. There was then an awkward pause, the two of you looked at each other wanting someone to say something.

“You doing okay Y/N/N, you disappeared for a bit,” he said looking concerned.

“Yeah, I broke up with Aiden, wasn’t feeling the best,” you fiddled with your hands in your lap.

“Oh how come, if you don’t mind me asking, but I have to know I’m your best friend after all,” Alex tried lightening the mood.

“I don’t like talking about it, I didn’t want to but I had to, ya know?” you said leaving out the very important details of your black eye.

“Did he do something to you because you know I’ll beat his ass,” he put on his tough guy look.

“He punched me while drunk, he was arguing with someone and I tried to stop him from doing something dumb, he didn’t even see if I was okay, he just kept going, figured the feelings were gone,” your eyes began to water thinking about the memory.

“I’m really sorry Y/N,” Alex said opening his arms for a hug. You fell into the open arms and cried into his chest thinking about how many stupid things and mistakes you made for Aiden. Alex began to rub the back of your head assuring you that you were in fact okay and that your feelings were justified. You finally pulled yourself together and fell into your mopey state again. You picked your head up from his chest and wiped the remaining tears from your eyes.

“I think I’m gonna head upstairs, pick my room,” you said not looking at him.

“At least let me help you bring your things up,” he said rushing over to your things before you could say no.

“Al please, I got it myself,” you were too late. He made his way to the stairs with you following behind him.

“I think you will like this room, It’s not the biggest, but it’s just you staying here so I figured you wouldn’t need a ton of room, It has the best view in the house,” he smiled putting your things down. You loved the view, a beautiful sky with a beautiful landscape underneath it. You sighed and flopped on the bed.

“What you don’t like it? Cause you can always sleep with the spiders in the attic,” Alex grinned.

“No it’s great,” you finally turned and looked at him. He was smiling that same Alex smile you remembered from those years ago.

“Come on Y/N let’s go do something,” he said.

“Don’t feel like it.”

“Y/N please, literally just a walk down to the dock.”

“Fine,” you said slowly getting up. The two of you went downstairs and found Trevor, Jack, and Cole with two other boys you recognized.

“Where are you two going?” your brother asked.

“The dock, showing Y/N/N the lake,” he smiled pulling you into a side hug. Jack and Trevor both looked appalled at that. It didn’t mean anything, and why would they care, you had only been with them a day.

The two of you went out and made your way to the dock, sitting at the edge.

“It’s really great seeing you Y/N, I missed my best friend,” he smiled staring at you.

“I missed you too Alex, like a lot,” you smiled, “I bet you didn’t miss this though,” you said punching his shoulder.

“Ow geez chill,” he said shoving you back.

“No, I don’t think I will,” you said shoving him again. You continued to mess around with each other until Alex splashed you with lake water. You looked at him with a straight face as you splashed way more water back at him, getting his shorts wet.

“You did not just do that,” he said giving the same look back to you.

“Oh yes I did,” you said doing it again. You stood up and ran off the dock back towards the house.

“Get back here Y/N,” he shouted as he began to follow you. You didn’t answer and just kept running but he had caught up to you. He picked you up from behind holding you in a tight grip, attempting to carry your squirming body back to the lake so you could get splashed.

“Alex put me down,” you yelled. You continued to flail your limbs until the boy finally gave in.

“Just like old times Y/N.”

“Yup, like you never left,” you smiled before the two of you went inside. The group of boys was now staring at the two of you.

“Oh my god chill, she’s my best friend,” Alex said to the group.

“Yeah okay,” a boy with red hair said. You approached the group as Alex headed towards the stairs.

“Where’s he going,” another boy chimed in.

“He had a little accident,” you giggled. The group laughed, as you got comfortable and introduced to them.

As more time passed the day was already making you feel way better than you would have been at home for the whole summer. It began to get late and you were feeling a little tired, you didn’t want the same situation as what happened the night before with Jack so you figured you’d head to bed before it was too late.

“I’m going to bed guys, See you all tomorrow,” you yawned.

“Good night,”

“See ya Y/N,”

“Good night sis,” your brother smiled. The good nights continued until an unusual response came from the crowd.

“I’ll walk you up,” it was Trevor. The two of you went upstairs and made your way to the bathroom.

“You didn’t have to do that,” you said as you both stood at the double sink.

“Yeah, but I wanted to,” he smiled.

“Well thanks,” you said gazing into his eyes, You didn’t know why but your heart was racing. You felt your face heating as you continued your eye contact. You cleared your throat and snapped out of the state you were in breaking eye contact, seeing the visible red on your face in the mirror.

“Good night Y/N,” he said kissing your cheek, before leaving and going downstairs. You moved your hand up to your cheek smiling. You got ready for bed with many thoughts occupying your mind keeping you awake. You knew one thing for sure, this summer in Michigan would be interesting.

#hockey boys #hockey fan fiction #nhl fan fiction #hockey fanfiction #hockey imagine #nhl x reader #hockey #ice hockey #college hockey #alex turcotte #trevor zegras #jack hughes #cole caufield

43 notes · View notes

stardustprompts · 2 years

Text

supermassive game’s the quarry sentence starters change tenses/pronouns as needed !! some lines have been edited for clarity / length / ease of roleplaying tw : alcohol mention , nsfw , death , language , violence

‘why’d you kill the music?’

‘we’re just in geographic flux.’

‘put that in your pipe and smoke it.’

‘I really f’d this car up.’

‘oh fuck! oh my god, my heart just exploded!’

‘seriously, do I look like a ma’am to you?! I have at least twenty years before I’m a ma’am.’

(name), don’t be a dick.’

‘what doesn’t kill you will make you stronger.’

‘I’ll be right back! I’m going to get some help!’

‘you’ve seen the evil dead, right?’

‘I mean, you must be exhausted. I know I am.’

‘I mean you never know ... the universe has a kinda way of, er, working these things out.’

‘you’re a bad person!’

‘a.) it was (name’s) idea and 2.) it was really funny.’

‘oh! boring!’

‘okay wow. the fumes of jealousy are just stifling over here.’

‘you’re a real charmer, you know that?’

‘okay, not gonna miss ya (name).’

‘one more night out in the great outdoors might actually kill me.’

‘freaks. I’m surrounded by freaks.’

‘okay, lets all put out little dicks away and get this show on the road.’

‘oh my god, relax! it’s not like we killed someone.’

‘in a way, ‘faking it’ is just being yourself but louder.’

‘uh oh, i’m not fired am I?’

‘them’s the rules, you noob.’

‘I need you to trust me. like I’m trusting you.’

‘it seems like the stars have aligned for us.’

‘high five! touch my hand, (name).’

‘and for the record your analogies are very hurtful.’

‘beep, beep, beep ... uh ... it’s my beerdar. helps me ‘dar’ for beers.’

‘how am I just noticing how super lame you are?’

‘look if you’re trying to scare me it’s not gonna work.’

‘booty? oh, it means like ... um, treasure. or butts.’

‘you’re trying not to laugh right now because it kinda sounds like boner, aren’t you?’

‘your wit knows no bounds.’

‘I knew that there was a secret sex dungeon around here somewhere.’

‘what can I do for you on this darn - tootin’ - doozy of a day?’

‘maybe we should stop touching stuff.’

‘it’s like my mom always said, if you wanna party you’ve gotta bring protection.’

‘I’m not gonna fuck a bear.’

‘I beefed it.’

‘to be fair, bigfoot is not a conspiracy.’

‘whatever happens is what’s meant to happen.’

‘not everyone knows what they’re capable of.’

‘you know I just realized we may never see each other after tonight.’

‘nice! but we’ve already done that joke.’

‘the main party’s not gonna die just because you’re off on a little side quest.’

‘we all get performance anxiety sometimes. you just better make your move before a real man swoops in.’

‘disqualified for being a dumbass.’

‘oh ‘it was just a game!’ yeah, the fuck it was, man!’

‘you never really get to kiss who you really want in these dumb games anyway.’

‘so I’m saying that I like you, too, or whatever.’

‘sneaking down here was a little more fun when we thought we could get caught, huh?’

‘you just love having an audience, huh?’

‘you really love fucking with me, huh?’

‘lighten up, sourpuss, please.’

‘I don’t want this to end.’

‘do I look like a doctor?’

‘are you trying to piss me off?’

‘I’m gonna carpe this diem so damn hard it won’t know what hit it!’

‘I’m just desperate to stay afloat in a world where everyone wants to be different.’

‘time makes fools of us all.’

‘you mean ‘911?’ who says ninety - one - one?’

‘do you have to specifically ask for an ambulance or can you just say ‘help, help!’?’

‘maybe that’s just what they want you to think, man.’

‘why does everyone blame everything on bears?’

‘don’t write a check that your ass can’t cash.’

‘you ran away.’

‘hey ... I’m kinda pouring my heart out here.’

‘didn’t think I was that boring.’

‘technology ... it giveth and it taketh.’

‘I’m sorry if it’s not up to your standards, okay? but I’ve been putting in a lot of TLC.’

‘well, if you like, I could show you the ropes.’

‘sign me up, teach!’

‘S.O.S. this is an emergency ... save our ship ... come on down ... please help us.’

‘why didn’t you tell me there was something out there?’

‘fuck! it’s spreading!’

‘that was a bad idea.’

‘I’m okay, I mean... I’m not but ... it doesn’t hurt.’

‘you’re in shock.’

‘you left me back there you asshole!’

‘you don’t have to be a dick about literally everything.’

‘I’m not going to suddenly fall in love with you because you’re my knight in shining armor.’

‘can we please not do this right now, seriously! I literally came looking for you as soon as I heard there was something out here.’

‘I don’t know what’s going on with you right now but I liked the old (name) better.’

‘I only hung out with you because you seemed so desperate. poor, pathetic (name) willing to throw herself at the first guy who came along.’

‘you don’t like me at all, do you?’

‘we officially suck as counselors.’

‘you just stepped in some grade a, double prime, go ahead and kill yourself, cosmic type shit.’

‘your only option is to buckle the fuck up and do what I say.’

‘I feel like I'm going crazy!’

‘I’m kinda all mixed up but ... more or less intact.’

‘watch it man, I bruise easily.’

‘you have nothing to bargain with.’

‘sometimes things just don’t make sense. what then?’

‘you know you can talk to me about anything, right?’

‘I’m just saying, maybe there was a slight chance that it was a werewolf.’

‘that’s not really a plan though, that’s just like saying ‘let’s escape’ but with a bunch more words.’

‘you’re not going to believe it until you see it for yourself.’

‘let’s see how smart you really are.’

‘it wasn’t you. I know it wasn’t you.’

‘we don’t have much time.’

‘please let me go! I didn’t mean for any of this to happen!’

‘this isn’t a ghost story, it’s a creature feature.’

‘wow, are you flirting with me?’

‘how long do you have?’

‘this doesn’t feel right. I think you’re up to something.’

‘why are you like this?’

‘if I let my conscience slow me down now, everything gets a lot worse for everyone.’

‘jesus, mary and jazz hands!’

‘stop being weird.’

‘look whose finding their funny bone!’

‘I don’t fit into the right box, is that what you’re saying?’

‘trauma can bring people together.’

‘just because you’re using ‘logic’ to ‘make sense’ doesn’t mean that I’m into it.’

‘okay, fuck you man! I’m trying to help.’

‘I wish I could take it all back. I wish I could take it all back but I can’t.’

‘nobody’s ever gonna treat me the same.’

‘I guess I just don’t like to see other people sad.’

‘maybe I just like to make people laugh.’

‘well, fuck this night, huh?’

‘you stole my knife!’

‘pick on someone your own size.’

‘how bad is it?’

‘I keep trying to fix it ... whatever this is ... but people keep getting hurt.’

‘uh, you’re not the boss of me.’

‘am I dying?’

‘you’ve lost a lot of blood.’

‘are we gonna end up in a documentary?’

‘you actually saved my life. for realsies.’

‘I just can’t wait to see who they choose. y’know, to play me ... in the movie about how brave I am.’

‘I’m not leaving you!’

‘thanks ... for uh ... not killing me.’

‘you think this is over? this isn’t over.’

‘why the hell should I trust you?’

‘I’m not asking you to trust me. I’m telling you we can end this.’

‘this doesn’t mean I forgive you for what you did to me.’

‘I wanted to spend one more night with you ... you know together ... like before.’

‘we’re not good together. we’re just not.’

‘I am sorry. even if it means you’re never gonna talk to me again. I just ... I want you to know that.’

‘it’s not long before sunrise. all we have to do it wait it out.’

‘we can still come out on top. the past is the past.’

‘can’t get much worse than it already is.’

‘we have enough on our plates already. stop discovering shit.’

‘you changed me. I will never, ever be the same because of you.’

‘you’re the one who has to live with what he’s done.’

‘what we’ve up against is my only chance to end this thing for good.’

‘god damn this place has got some uncool vibes.’

‘I bet you think you’ve got it all figured out. I bet you think you’re fucking clever.’

‘stop doing a podcast, no one’s listening!’

#rp memes #rp sentence starters #sentence starters #video game prompts #video game sentence starters #the quarry sentence starters #the quarry prompts #do not let this flop this was so much work

215 notes · View notes

cardcaptorsakura96 · 8 months

Text

Unwitting Rescue-Chapter 2

Fandom: Supergirl

Relationships: Kara Danvers/Lena Luthor

Characters: Kara Danvers, Lena Luthor, Rose Zen (Original Character), Marigold Zen (Original Character), Violet Zen (Original Character), J'onn J'onzz, Winn Schott, John Stewart

Summary: Kara Danvers finds a box of kittens on her way to work. Things don't go according to plan.

Chapter 2/?

“Darn it I am going to be late. Miss Grant is going to kill me if I don’t hurry” Kara said while wincing.

She looked at the time and tapped on the counter impatiently.

I already got Ms. Grant in a good mood with the article on the Luthor Children’s Hospital. I don’t want to get out of her good graces by being late again, thought Kara.

It took a little convincing to get Ms. Grant to want to do an article on the Luthor Children’s Hospital. Kara had to promise Ms. Grant that Lena would give her an exclusive on the new technology being used to help the children to sell her on the idea. Kara’s finger tapping at the counter nearly made an indent on it before the barista came back with her order. She quickly thanked the barista and exited the cafe.

She almost made it back to Catco in record time, but she noticed a box moving out of the corner of her eye. She stopped by it to peak inside and found three kittens. The two black kittens appeared to be asleep, but the slightly bigger orange one was awake and looking directly at her with its huge green round shaped eyes.

“Aww poor kitties. Who would abandon you like this?”

Kara kneeled down and petted the kitten which purred graciously. It was the first bright spot for her in days. Lena had been doing better since their talk, but she could tell that she was still feeling out of sorts about the adoption. Kara had to work on mellowing out her anger because she doesn’t understand why people can see Lena for who she really is. However, seeing the kittens made those emotions melt away a little bit. Then, she smiled at the idea forming in her mind.

“I’ll take you guys home with me, and you can meet my lovely wife. After we get you fed and cleaned up, we can see about finding you a home.”

Kara knew that this wouldn’t solve everything. However, she knew that Lena liked animals as much as her, especially cats. She was hoping that that they will at least bring a smile to her face.

Kara looked down at the kitten and said, “Does that sound like a plan?”

Kara smiled when the kitten licked her hand like it was in agreement of their arrangement. Kara picked up the box and carried it along with her belongings into the Catco building. She quickly went into the break room to get the kittens some food and then headed to her office grateful that Miss Grant didn’t notice she was late. She placed the bowl of milk in the middle of the box and then went to work on her story.

After a while, she heard a voice say, “Thank you so much for helping us.”

Kara looked up startled. However, when she looked around, all she saw were all three kittens were now on her desk staring directly at her.

Kara smiled and said, “Aww. You got out of the box. Let me put you back.”

“Actually, we would like to stay out of the box,” said the orange cat.

Kara eyes grew wide and asked, “You can talk?”

The orange cat smiled and said, “My name is Princess Rose Zen from the planet Nar. These are my siblings Marigold and Violet. My siblings and I have been kidnapped, and we need help getting back to our home. Can you help us?”

All the kittens were looking at her with sad round eyes.

Kara leaned back into her chair and sighed.

“What have I gotten myself into now?” thought Kara while rubbing the back of her neck.

All three kittens continued to stare at her with such intensity with their sad eyes. Kara chuckled to herself thinking of all the times she pouted to get her way.

Kara smiled and said, “I will help you get back home.”

“Thank you so much! I promise you that you will receive great compensation for your trouble,” said Rose smiling.

“Oh, you don’t have to worry about compensating me. I just want to make sure you guys get home safe and sound.”

“Great! Do you have a ship to take us home?”

“I will be able to get a ship, but I think a little investigating is in order before we go anywhere.”

Rose stared quizzically at Kara and asked, “What do you mean?”

Kara stood up and went behind her desk to the box the kittens were in. She used her x-ray vision to examine the box and was surprised at what she found.

“Out of curiosity, do you all remember how you got on Earth?”

All of the kittens looked at each other confused and shook their heads.

Rose stared back at Kara and said softly, “The last thing I remember was that my siblings and I were being read a bedtime story by our favorite nanny. We fell asleep and then woke up here.”

“Hmmm”… said Kara as she continued to look at the box.

Rose’s eyes started to tear up as Kara continued to stare at the box.

“Do you not believe our claim?”

Kara shook her head and said, “It is not that I don’t believe you have been taken from your home. However, I wonder if it was a kidnapping.”

“Isn’t being taken and kidnapped the same thing?” asked Rose sarcastically.

“Not necessarily. They are several tings that I wonder about all of this. Where is the kidnapper? Better yet, why did they leave you in a box where anyone can find you?”

“I didn’t say that the kidnapper was competent,” muttered Rose.

Kara chuckled as she removed the blanket the kittens were siting on it the box and saw an envelope that had written on it Instructions For Care.

She held up the envelope to the kittens who stared back at it dumbfounded.

“What is that supposed to mean?” asked Rose baffled.

Kara opened the letter and found only a usb flash drive inside. She groaned when she realized that it wouldn’t fit into her computer which only supported usb c.

“It means we have a mystery on our hands. This could be a simple kidnapping that went wrong or something else. However, we will find out soon enough.”

Rose cocked her head to the side and asked, “How?”

“We are going to see some friends that can help us. If you guys can get back into the box, and we will head off.”

The kittens hurried back into the box. Kara quickly grabbed her stuff and exited her office.

Read the rest on AO3

10 notes · View notes

kimwexlers-brownhair · 1 year

Text

Tagged by the fabulous @cauldronofmorning for eight shows to get to know me! Thanks so much for the tag!

1) Twin Peaks. Agreeing with Char on this one. One of my friends calls it “Pacific Northwest Gothic” and I couldn’t agree more, especially as a girl named Laura from the PNW. Thankfully my life is far more blessed than Laura Palmer’s. It’s really one of the most influential shows of all time. All of the procedurals or dramedies that came after, especially ones with weird avant-garde feels to them, might not exist without Twin Peaks. One such show that has Twin Peaks all overs its DNA is:

2) Yellowjackets. It’s a young show that I’ve only recently become obsessed with, but it’s like somebody put all my favorite narrative choices in a blender in a way that doesn’t feel pandering.

3) Succession. It’s pretty enthralling, innit? The comedy-drama line is a very tricky tightrope, and damn if Jesse and co. don’t knock it out of the park every time. We really get under the skin of these terrible, terrible people, and you find yourself empathizing at least once with every major character.

4) Columbo. As for shows that might have influenced Twin Peaks, I wonder if Columbo was one. They have surprisingly similar vibes, at least sometimes. Columbo himself is a more slovenly, seemingly absent-minded precursor to Dale Cooper. They’re both unconventional weirdos with hearts of gold who present the opposite to the standard cynical TV sleuth -- not to mention they wear the same raincoat, only Coop’s is crisp and clean next to Columbo’s...less crisp and clean coat. There’s also that kind of groovy, mellow ‘70s vibe that can get very unsettling very quickly. I never get tired of watching Columbo.

5) Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul. I’m grouping them together in one because BCS wouldn’t exist without BrBa, and they both do scratch many of the same itches for me. Magnetic casts and writing that transcend the genre -- again, and this might seem like a stretch, I see the DNA footprints Twin Peaks left behind in that the tropes get flipped upside down. Sometimes you’ll start the show on a little boy capturing a tarantula or a closeup of ants devouring a dropped ice cream cone. Pure Lynch.

6) The Simpsons, I’d say about the first eight seasons. It first aired when I was close to two years old, so I don’t remember a time in my life without it. My dad was at first a little nervous about letting me and my sister watch because of how intense Itchy and Scratchy was, but darn it, he wanted to watch it and he rightly knew we would have been little nightmares to deal with if he didn’t include us. It shaped my sense of humor, while also ruining a lot of good kids fare at the time. If you’re raised on The Simpsons, Sesame Street probably won’t do it for you. I do kind of regret that, I think The Simpsons probably made me a bit of an insufferable kid. I still don’t know who I’d be without it in those formative years, though! Too bad it’s now the bloated corpse of what it once was, and I stopped watching years and years ago. It was a sad day when I realized there are now far more bad seasons than good.

7) Mystery Science Theater 3000. Another one that shaped my humor early in life, although not as consistently as The Simpsons. I actually don’t remember seeing it at all apart from my early years until my teens, when the Sci-Fi channel started airing them. I’ll always be a Crow girl, I am not original in that regard.

8) It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. I hate a lot of their choices especially in the early seasons, and I won’t defend those choices. But I do see growth in how they choose to satirize the world without falling into the trap of appearing to endorse it. (Most of the time). It’s the funniest cast on Earth with the funniest writing on Earth. Little green ghouls, man.

Tagging: @georgeromerosanalcavity, @thewildwestpyro, @kimberly-wexler, @bluestockingbaby, @tinylilvalery

#sad that 30 rock and bob's burgers and adventure time didn't make the cut but it's a tough life #cauldronofmorning #twin peaks #yellowjackets #succession #columbo #breaking bad #better call saul #the simpsons #mystery science theater 3000 #It's always sunny in philadelphia #brba #bcs #mst3k #iasip

10 notes · View notes

pokeexehasstoppedworking · 1 year

Text

A Champion Time For The Heart Ch36 The Galarian Star Tournament

(Just for the sake of keeping track, Leon is wearing the outfit he wears when he becomes the Chairman in cannon and reader is wearing the dress above. Neither images mine,etc. I also don't know Peony's wife's name and just giving her one for the story, Petunia.

Leon's outfit

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/768637861420889653/

Your Outfit

https://www.deviantart.com/scarlett-knight/art/Outfit-Adoptable-49-CLOSED-544835395)

Getting to know Oleana was cuffed and taken away finally by Officer Jenny filled you with joy. And Leon had to struggle to get your form away from the scene..before just giving up, picking you up bridal style, and walking away with Sonia right behind him. That finally made you freeze up and stop from you being carried away like a princess. When you were finally put down he convinced you to just let Kabu and Officer Jenny handle things and have lunch with them before the day was out. His treat. Oh. ..Well since he was offering- You accepted and then there after went back to the hotel and your room. You had something important to do. Once in your room you finally let lose Silver from his pokeball. A smile gracing your face as the shiny inteleon made his way out...before you had to look up at Silver. The inteleon shook his head before blinking and looking down at you and for a moment both of you were silent. ...before Silver brought his hand up to his head's height and going straight across until he stopped above your head and stared between his white hand and your head to compare his now obviously taller height. He certainly was taller. He looked even taller than Leon and Raihan did. ...And then he chuckled at how small YOU were now compared to him.

"HEY!" You frowned when he patted your head and you pushed his hand away. "Don't try that with me! Just because you're tall now that doesn't mean I'm not boss anymore." In a very human fashion Silver held up his hands still chuckling and you crossed your arms. "Well...I guess you are taller. That part's true enough."

"Inta?" He cocked his head at you.

"What? Are you waiting me to praise you?" He nodded and you sighed before chuckling yourself. "Alright." Your hand reached over to pat his shoulder. "You did do good out there. Really good. Wasn't expecting -" Your other hand gestured to him. "-this but I'll take it. But at least I won't have to carry your butt through crowds anymore. My poor arms couldn't take it any longer." Silver have an undignified grunt and you chuckled at his response. Yep. Still the same Silver. "Just kidding." You then stopped and paused for a second ...before throwing up your hands in frustration and yelled out startling Silver and made Zen raise a brow. YOU FORGOT TO TALK TO LEON DURING LUNCH!! You were so shocked and made over seeing Oleana again it completely slipped your mind! "ARCEUS DARN IT!!!"

To say it was an interesting rest of the week was an understatement. Day by day went by and you did a few things. Mostly hanging out with Sonia when she offered or the guys when they weren't busy as they had a lot to tell you and fill you in on. Of course they were stopped by people. Like..A LOT of people who asked for pictures, autographs, questions, to talk- And it just reminded you just how popular they had gotten. Good for them. They deserved their titles as heroes and gym leaders/professors in training. It was nice to be able to just do domestic small things together like the old traveling days. Including a cute little shoppe that sold pokemon themed items and in the end you walked out clutching a cute sobble plushie to your chest with a small bag of trinkets. Silver didn't cause trouble and Zen seemed to not be as agressive as the zangoose articles you've read stated. Soon the days lead up to the weekend and you were woken up by the same thing. Lots of commotion early in the morning and you raced to take a shower and look presentable. Today's the day. The day of the Galarian Star Tournament. The same thing happened when you were all heading towards Rose Tower. A massive crowd in the front of hotel when you (followed by Silver and Zen) followed everyone out to the front of the hotel and plenty of taxies to take you all to the Wyndon Stadium. This time you managed to catch a ride with Gordie, Raihan, and Marnie. Marnie sitting beside you and the boys sitting across from you three. Gordie certainly seemed surprised to see a giant Inteleon and Zangoose sitting casually in the seat in front of him, but didn't say anything when you all took off. You excitedly looking at them with a smile.

"So you're going to be battling today huh?"

Raihan nodded. "Yep. Dunno who with though." At this you gave a confused look at him. "Oh. Right. You aren't battling so the officials didn't tell you. We're going to be paired up with a partner for the battles and double battle against two other people."

"Really?" Well that was news to you. "You should be good at this then since you're an expert at these kinds of battles. Do you know who you're partnered with?"

He shrugged. "Dunno. The match ups were all picked at random by the Chairwoman herself so I could be paired up with anyone from Leon to one of your friends. We should know by the time we get there."

It felt like an eternity when in reality it might've only been twenty to thirty minutes for you all to arrive at the stadium. And the first thing that hit you other than the sounds of the corviknight's wings and the whooshing air was the fact that there seemed to be the faint sound of something you've grown familiar too now. The sound of a GIANT crowd. Ah. You knew that all too well. One look out the window confirmed the same looking scenario that greeted you at the Champion Cup with the cheering crowds and there was Wyndon Stadium in all it's giant Pink glory. Ah. Such fond memories along with one involving the Chairman you had hoped to forget. Landing in front of the building you all got out and along with everyone filed on towards the entrance and into the stadium and into the same room you recognized from the last time you were here with a league staff behind the desk in the middle of the room and guess who was right there waiting for you all? LEON! Well him and a few others you had never seen before. One was an elderly man about Opal's age in a green jacket and long white eyebrows and copper-brown eyes. A girl with bubble gum pink hair and a bow in her hair that looked like a butterfly. ...But it was two that really made you freeze in your tracks. The first one was a blonde man with glasses with what must've been THE biggest top hat you had ever seen but that wasn't the strangest bit. What really caught your attention was the six or seven pokeballs that perfectly floated around his head without falling...HOW WAS HE DOING THAT!? But the most thing that caught your attention was the fourth person who was chatting with Leon with a big smile.

.....

IT WAS CHAIRMAN ROSE!!

Or at least..it seemed so at first. He certainly looked similar to Mr. Rose but upon further staring there was complete differences. This man was a bit thinner around the stomach than Mr. Rose, his mustache and beard was a different style, and he had a complete buzzcut. But the biggest difference was his voice. His voice sounded completely different compared to Mr. Rose. Which is why this couldn't be Mr. Rose. You ended up sighing in relief before Leon turned his head and noticed you before smiling and waving.

"Hey, Y/n! I was expecting to see you here soon!"

You gave him a small polite smile. Maybe you FINALLY you'd be able to talk to him. "Uh..Yeah."..before silently pointing at the man next to him. "Who's your friend?"

His face lit up. "That's right. You never met before." He also gestured to the smiling older man. "Y/n, this is Mr. Peony. He was the Steel Type Gym Leader before he retired and it was changed to the new Poison Type Gym." His smile grew wider. "He was also Champion once."

Your eyes widened before looking back at the smile man who chuckled at your reaction and smiled at you. "Yep! 'Steel Peony' is what they called me! Nice to meet 'cha!"

His smile and body language was very positive and honestly helped to relax you more. You didn't get the strange feeling from him whenever you spoke to Mr. Rose. "Really?!"

The man, Peony, nodded. "Yep! ...Well that was before I retired from that position too. Because of that the old Champion before me had to come back out of retirement as well to take over the position before Leon defeated him."

"And that would be Mustard." Leon again pointed over and you turned to see where he pointed at. It was the other, much older man who Gloria was excitedly talking too and seemed to be introducing Kabu too. ..Wait. THAT was Mustard?! The one Leon said was the former Champion and who helped to train Gloria?? "He owns the training dojo over on the Isle of Armor. It's been a big help to train the new gym leaders and help Glory grow out of her shell!"

..You silently pointed towards them before looking back at Leon surprised. "So wait. You somehow got two ex-champions one of which is also an ex-gym leader, and two other new gym leaders here as the guest fighters??"

Leon nodded. "Yep! And Hop too!"..He then paused and hummed looking down a bit. "And well there's...two other uh...'surprise' guests too but they haven't shown up yet." He then coughed and went back to smiling as if he didn't look nervous beforehand. "But yes! The Battle Tower was to show Prince Lear how strong the future leaders of Galar can be, now he gets to see the power of the past and present all together!"

You smiled. "Hey! I think that's a great idea! I can't wait to see you guys out there!" You guessed that blonde man and the pink haired woman who you saw earlier must've been the new gym leaders Leon mentioned before since he said two guests were late which couldn't be the others you saw since they were already here when you showed up. "But who's the other guys?"

Leon grimaced instantly and he didn't answer you at first...but you would soon very, very, VERY much regret even asking that question. Because the question answered itself with a voice.

"Well, well, well,~" A voice behind you made you completely freeze up upon instantly recognizing it. And in front of you Leon gave you the most guilty, apologetic look he could ever give to you.

No.

NO!!

ABSOLUTELY NOT!! IT COULDN'T BE!! IT JUST COULD NOT!!..Wincing with a grimace you slowly looked over your shoulder and instantly wished you had just excused yourself, pretended you didn't hear them, and went off to hide behind Raihan. Because standing there were two brothers. In red and blue suits. With weird hair shaped like a sword and shield.

OH NO!!

"If it isn't Ms. Y/n. It seems your talents have only grown greater since we last met. I would expect no less from one whom we ourselves call a celebrity," the man in the blue suit spoke with a large smile before dramatically placing a hand to his chest. "It is I, Sordward!"

"And I, Shielbert," his brother added.

...You shot a glare at Leon who guiltily looked away. What were THEY doing here!? Well they answered your thoughts when they both bowed.

"A dandy duo of celebrities, former royalty, and as so it happens the sponsors of the Galarian Star Tournament! Just so it's clear, being a sponsor means paying a jaw dropping sum of money. The truth is we have both been assisting in getting this tournament off the ground for quite some time now."

"This is how we seek to atone for the terrible troubles we've caused for the people of Galar. And naturally we'll be participating in the tournament too of course. Though it's hardly surprising you did not notice us, Ms. Y/n. We always lose in a first match for whatever reason."

And they both laughed standing back up, and you again shot a glare at Leon who smiled nervously at you. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING LETTING THESE TWO COMPETE!?

"However it's getting to the point where I would like to at least have some victories to speak of!"

"If all we do is lose what was the point of using our considerable clout as sponsors to join in?"

You gave them the most deadpanned look you could muster. Screw your life. First Olena then a Mr. Rose scare and now these guys. This couldn't possibly get any worse.

"So seeing as that is the situation-" You nearly shouted as Sordward had the audacity to grab your hand and hold it with a smile. "You and I together are sure to be able to reach new heights of glory, Ms. Y/n."

TAKE THAT BACK!! NOW IT COULDN'T GET ANY WORSE!! You flinched as Shielbert grabbed your other hand sending a strained annoyed smile at his brother.

"Forgive me but I must disagree, Brother. It is I who shall share the victor's stand with Ms. Y/n."

"Hmm. I see, Dear Brother."

"Hmm. Indeed, Dear Brother."

SCRATCH THAT TOO!! SCRATCH!! THAT!! T O O!!! THIS WAS WAY WORSE THAN YOU EVER THOUGHT IT WAS!! In your panicked mind you shouted one thing that you hoped would save your sorry butt.

"I-I'M NOT COMPETING!!" The loud tone of your voice clearly caught the two off guard as they blinked at you as did a couple others....And all of sudden you felt a waft of angry daggers shooting into your side as gold eyes widened. And then narrowed at you. "I-I'm just here to watch everyone else b-battle! S-So no match up pairs with either of you two!"

"That's right," Leon added with a small frown. And you jumped when two hands suddenly grabbed your shoudlers, with that same strained smile you saw him have earlier that week he gently but firmly moved you a few steps back making your hands slip from theirs. What was with that look?, "And you're forgetting you two are already paired up with someone else by the Chairwoman."

After a silent moment the two of them looked at one another silently.

"Oh. Well I guess that does change things a bit, but it certainly doesn't lessen our joy at seeing you again. Doesn't it, Brother?"

"Indeed, Younger Brother! We're very glad to be in your prescence yet again.~"

You scrunched up your face and thought you'd die from cringe at this point. Arceus! If you were real too just like Silver now, PLEASE SAVE ME FROM THIS!!

"Oh hey! There's Hoppy!"

"Gah!?"

You yelped as Leon suddenly literally picked you up before turning and placing you back down in Hop's direction still with a strained smile. "I don't think you two have talked today. Why don't you go over and say hi while I escort these two gentlemen to join the others?"

Thank you, Leon! Taking the chance to leave while Leon distracted the troublesome two, you took the chance to leap away and scramble through people towards your way towards Hop. Thankful to be away from THAT mess! ...But STILL frustrated you missed another chance to talk to him about your problem! UGH!! But you also didn't want to be around those brothers so you'd wait for an opening for now. You went right up to Hop and who was happy to start a conversation with you and you definitely didn't want them to have an excuse to talk to you again. You were just talking to him when someone else walked up you two from behind and you stiffened at first dreading it was one of the troublemakers.

"*ahem* Forgive me for interrupting when you two seem so intent on leaving the rest of us out." And then the man revealed himself as he stopped beside you and Hop...and you sighed seeing it wasn't Sordward or Shielbert. It was that blonde with the tall top hat and magic flying pokeballs. "But I don't believe I introduced myself yet. I'm making it a habit to introduce myself to everyone here if they are to be my fellow gym leaders."

A flash of realization flashed in Hop's golden eyes. "Hey. You're Avery right? From the Master Dojo?"

"As I would expect from one related to the Champion. You clearly have an elegant mind and formidable memory," the man, Avery, complimented Hop with a smile.

"An elegant...what?"

"I have redoubled my training efforts since my last defeat at Gloria's hands you see. And my efforts were rewarded gloriously!" He proudly pressed a hand to his chest in a Bede-ish fashion. "You are looking at the chosen leader of the Psychic Gym!"

Psychic gym? Galar didn't have- OH! He must've been one of the two new gym leaders. "Congratulations." You offered him with a small smile.

He chuckled. "Well our gym is still in the minor division and the Chairwoman is still working on creating the designs for our gym badges, but you can feel free to praise me some more. It's perfectly deserved of course."

"That really is amazing. I hope you keep working your way to the major division."

"Hop, rest assured that I will bring my best performance to this competition. I will be a fearsome challenger to face down."

"Suddenly I'm feeling all fired up for this. If everyone's taking it that seriously, I don't want to be the one to lose!"

"Just what I like to hear! I look forward to battling both with and against you dear Hop!" he then turned his gaze to you..and blinked confused for a moment. "Oh. Pardon me. I don't think I've met you yet. Are you one of the other gym leaders or trainers perhaps?"

You shook your head. "Neither. I'm just here to watch." At that he looked surprised. "A couple of my friends are competing and I was invited by Leon. I don't think I'd be good in battles anyways. I wouldn't want to subject Silver to that. He's already been through that earlier this week. You can call me Y/n."

"Oh, I see." ...Avery then smiled and bowed to you, his hand reaching up to tip his unseemly large hat towards you. The pokeballs still bobbing around like a beach ball in the water. "Well then it's a pleasure to make the acquaintance of an elegant lady such as yourself. I do hope you enjoy the show."

"Thank you." The way he complimented you might've been considered 'flirty' but he didn't come off like that. Unlike the dunderhead duo and Prince 'Charming', Avery seemed to just ..talk. If that made sense. He also complimented Hop no problem so you didn't mind too much. "Good luck out there."

"All right, Everyone! Sorry to keep you all waiting!" Leon's voice shouted over everyone and you all looked over towards the Champion who smiled hands on his hips. "Now that everyone's acquainted I believe it's time we get to the important announcements out of the way. First thing's first. I want to say a quick thank you to all of you for coming running when I called. I really wanted to explain this in person because I wanted to be sure I could get across to you all how great this idea is. We hope to represent Galar to it's fullest potential! Not just to Pasio but for everyone around the world!" His smile widened more as he cleared his throat. "That being said the Chairwoman is entertaining his majesty now with everyone's families in the V.I.P. balconies." his hand pointed upwards. "Therefore I'll be the one to read off the listed pairs she decided to write up herself." In a moment the staff member next to him held up a piece of paper to him which Leon took. "Thank you!" His golden eyes happily glanced over the paper. "Now as for everyone's paired partners. ...Milo! You'll be battling out there with Nessa! Kabu will be with Peony. Bea and Gordie. Melony with Allister. Piers! You'll be with Marnie! Raihan's with me. Mustard will battle with Opal. Avery with Klara! Gloria shall be with Bede-" Leon looked up briefly hearing Hop yell another what from somewhere to the left of him. "*ahem* Hop. You'll be with Victor. And finally Sordward and Shielbert shall be with one another. Any questions?" He was met with silence so he nodded and handed the list back to the staff member. "Now then. We have ten minutes before we put on the show. I suggest everyone head to the locker rooms and prepare before we meet back with our partners. The announcer's going to be telling who battles who as the rounds go on. Good luck and let's all give the audience a Champion Time!"

With that everyone split to head towards the locker rooms except for you obviously since you weren't battling and instead decided to walk back up to Silver and pry him away from the poor staff member trying to shoo the inteleon off of his remanding breakfast. And someone approached you again. You felt him before you saw him. Whipping your head around and sighing in relief when none other than Leon stood there looking at you. And you smiled. Phew. It was just him. Unfortunately..those weren't the only eyes you felt on yourself because when you looked past Leon, your stomach dropped. Great. The weirdo duo were staring at you again. Looking like they wanted to talk. Great. These guys would just NOT give up! Arceus what would make them go-..You paused..before looking at Leon who seemed confused at your reaction. You looked between the three men for a moment before an idea dawned on you..that made your face flush a deep pink. Ooohh no. No. No! You couldn't do that- But it was either that or deal with whatever 'courting' they tried to spring on you. Seeing your expression he turned his head to look behind himself only to snap back around when you grabbed his arm. His eyebrows rocketing up as you stared at him.

"Leon." Soft hands grabbed his cheeks and he froze as you stared directly into his eyes. "Win for me will you?"

And then you leaned up standing on your tiptoes, and Leon felt his eyes bulge out of his head when your lips met his cheek in a kiss. A very quick kiss that only lasted a second before you stepped back and released his face. Red flooding your cheeks as silence set in and the two of you stood there until a cough made both of you jump and turn to a Staff memeber who looked between the two of you awkwardly.

"Well...Now that I have your attention." the man cleared his throat awkwardly before gesturing towards you. "I was told to escort the young lady up to the V.I.P balconies there. If we don't leave we'll be late to the battles."

Leon opened his mouth, looked at you, closed it, put a hand on his cheek where you kissed him with his face going red, then gave that confident smile, nodded, turned around and slowly began to follow after the others. You however refused to look back at anyone. Only grabbing Silver by the arm and pulling him along after the staff member who showed you into the elevator and up you all went followed by Zen. You were expecting to see that room with the windows you were in when the Gym Challenge was present but you were surprised when he didn't. Instead leading you a level higher than that and rose a brow before he lead you through a door finally to the outside..and your brows rose in awe. This wasn't just a balcony. THIS WAS AN ENTIRE FLOOR!! Empty except for a few seats/tables and a long table with more fancy looking food along with so many people. On second glance you noticed that they all must've been the gym leader's families because Mrs. G and Mrs. L was there along with Hop's grandparents. All of Gordie's younger siblings. All three of Raihan's triplets. Felix..and four other people you've never seen before. Two women with what must've been their children. One with reddish-brown hair and blue eyes wearing emerald earring, green shirt, and white pants. Next to her was a small boy with the same hair and eyes no older than nine or ten years old on a phone. The other mother and child pair were right across from then with the mothers talking. The other lady had sandy-blonde hair with a red shirt and jeans and green eyes. Next to her was a girl Hop's age who looked bored. Same green eyes as her mother and sandy-blonde hair that faded to a bright pink hear the end. They must've been some of the guest star's family. You busied yourself by following Silver and grabbing yourself some food from the table before Mrs. L ended up noticing you and inviting you to sit down at the table with them which you happily accepted. It was nice to be able to sit down and talk to familiar people and try to take your mind off the kiss earlier. Oh boy. You'd have to apologize to Piers later for that one later and explain your actions. From where you and Silver were sitting you finally saw the Prince. He was sitting with the Chairwoman at a table closest to the barred off edge and his chair was pointed to where he had a perfect view of the field and giant stadium TV below without standing or straining his neck to look down. Food in front of him, a fancy glass in his hand, his body guards standing on either side of him, his own..Waiter!? A man in a waiter uniform was right there already hurrying to replace anything the prince finished as the Chairwoman calmly sat in front of him. Guess she really did go all out to please the prince. You did pause when Prince Lear looked up from his drink over to your table and it took you staring at him for just a little bit to realize he was staring directly at YOU. Which made you pink in embarrassment. Prince Lear giving an amused smile before holding up his glass to you and taking a drink. You used the excuse of eating and Mrs. L talking to you to look away from him. Maybe Leon would get another kiss sooner than you thought. Five more minutes passed and you were about to get up to get another drink when a high pitch speaker noise sounded out amongst the crowd noises below you and the announcer's voice piped up.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN AND PEOPLE OF ALL AGES! WELCOME TO THE OPENING OF THE FIRST EVER GALARIAN STAR TOURNAMENT!!" The crowd cheered. Faces turned towards the field. And attention was FINALLY away from you. It was enough to make you cry in relief. "THE DAY HAS ARRIVED AND THE EXCITEMENT IS IN THE AIR!! PAIRS OF TWO SHALL BATTLE AGAINST EACH OTHER BUT ONLY ONE CAN COME OUT ON TOP!! WHO WILL IT BE!? LET'S FIND OUT BY GETTING THE FIRST ROUND MATCH STARTED!!" Oh? The first match already? Guess they didn't want to keep Prince Lear waiting too long because he was fully focused on the field now. "THE FIRST MATCH OF ROUND ONE WILL BE OUR OWN TOP GYM LEADER AND CHAMPION AGAINST SPECIAL GUEST STARS SORDWARD AND SHIELBERT!!" It was then a smile crept up onto your lips. Oh you were FULLY going to enjoy this. The crowd cheered and Leon and Raihan walked right on out to challenge the weird hair duo who also showed up.

"Let's put up a fight worthy of showing to Ms. Y/n."

"It goes without staying, Older Brother! Such is our noble duty."

Leon's smile strained again and his hands gripped the pokeball in his hands increased. Raihan picked up on this and gave his friend a look.

"Hey. Are you alright?"

"Mm hm. *INHALE* Never better! Let's just give everyone watching a Champion time!"

"PLEASE TAKE YOUR PLACES!! POKEMON READY!! SET! GO!!"

It wasn't surprising that the weirdos lost to them which made you as pleased as punch as the rest of Round One flew by. Avery and Klara vs Melony and Allister. Avery and Klara won. Bea and Gordie vs Gloria and Bede. Gloria and Bede won. Milo and Nessa vs Piers and Marnie. You perked up..and were nearly jaw dropped at the ferocity Piers shown against the others. Piers and Marnie won. Mustard and Opal vs Kabu and Peony. Mustard and Opal won. Hop and Victor got an automatic win since they didn't have anyone else to battle against. With a small break between each battle to repair the fields.

"THERE WILL BE A TWENTY MINUTE BREAK FOR FIELD REPAIRS AND TO ROSTER THE NEXT FIGHTING PAIRS!! FOR THE MOMENT PLEASE STAND BY!" Twenty minutes passed by fast before the fields were repaired and the second round started. "THE SECOND ROUND OF THE TOURNAMENT IS ABOUT TO BEGIN!! THE FIRST MATCH OF ROUND TWO WILL BE BETWEEN PIERS AND MARNIE AGAINST AVERY AND KLARA!! PLEASE TAKE YOUR PLACES ON THE FIELD!!"

Both fighting pairs met each other on the field. Both looked at one another. Avery before Marnie and Piers before Klara.

"POKEMON READY!! LET'S GO!!" And thus the second round went underway. Avery and Klara vs Piers and Marnie... Piers/Marnie won. Raihan and Leon vs Mustard and Opal. Raihan and Leon won. Gloria and Bede vs Victor and Hop. Victor and Hop won. "THAT'S IT FOR ROUND TWO!! THERE WILL BE ANOTHER BREAK BEFORE WE START UP ROUND THREE!!" Well another twenty minutes went by fast as you got yourself some more food and chatted more with the ladies at the table. "ALRIGHT FOLKS!! ROUND THREE SHALL NOW BEGIN!! BATTLERS TO YOUR STATIONS!! GET SET!! GO!!" Piers and Marnie vs Raihan and Leon. Raihan and Leon won. You did feel bad for Piers and Marnie, but they had made it all the way to the second to last round which was great compared to everyone else. Victor and Hop had another Automatic win considering there was no one else for them to battle against either, which means Hop would finally be able to have a chance to battle against his brother just like he wanted. So that was good. "THAT'S IT FOR ROUND THREE!! THE FINAL ROUND SHALL BEGIN AFTER THE BREAK!! WILL THE CHAMPION AND TOP GYM LEADER BE DETHRONED FROM THEIR PLACES OR WILL THEY SUCCEED IN KEEPING THEIR TITLES!! WE'LL BE BACK AFTER THE BREAK!!" Amazing how fast another twenty minutes could fly by. By now it was nearly dark as the sun pushed through the skies. "THE FINAL ROUND WILL NOW TAKE PLACE!! PLEASE GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR OUR CONTESTANTS!!" An uproar of cheers sounded out as the last four battlers walked out onto the field. "READY YOUR POKEMON! BATTLE SET!! BATTLE BEGIN!!" Victor and Hop vs Raihan and leon.... Leon and Raihan won. Not that you were surprised but you did feel a little bad for the boys. "MATCH OVER!! LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!! THE WINNERS OF THE GALARIAN STAR TOURNAMENT ARE THE UNBEATABLE CHAMPION AND THE STRONGEST LEADER IN THE STADIUM CIRCUIT!!"

THE. CROWD. ROARED!! Cheering and clapping for the two strongest trainers in all of Galar as the two men waved to the crowds in their victory. Even Prince Lear was slowly clapping his hands to their success but something was on your mind. You stood up and Silver and Zen followed you as you slowly stood up, excused yourself, and left the balcony. You wanted to see Leon, and you found him after nearly twenty minutes of waiting, walking right into the lobby beaming ear to ear and happily chatting with Raihan before he stopped noticing you were standing there smiling at him. The next thing you knew he was beaming ear to ear happier than a rapidash with a bunch of sugarcubes and you were being picked up and swung around like you weighed nothing. What met you when he placed yourself back down was a smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes.

"I won for you! See? I kept my promise!"

You shook your head from the sudden spin he gave you and blinked. "Uh. Yeah! You sure did! Congratulations. But uh...You didn't really promise me anything."

"Maybe not but I did meet up with what you asked!"

You smiled. "Um..Y-Yeah. Speaking of which I also wanted to ask you something else. Do you think we can talk for a-"

"Leon." Both of you looked behind you and talk about bad timing. Behind you was both the Prince with his body guards and the Chairwoman who gestured for Leon to follow her. "Would you please follow me? I have something I want to discuss with you."

Leon nodded before looking to you with a smile. "Hey. Don't worry! We can talk later ok? I promise we can when I pick you up for the after party! Just wait for me at the hotel!"

"But-" He patted your shoulder and walked around you towards the others leaving you standing there watching as they left, before you groaned out in frustration. NOT AGAIN!!

Your flight back to your hotel room from the stadium felt like a blur and before you knew it you were already ordering room service, having dinner, showering, then falling down on your bed and letting the Sandman take you to dream land. It was late-ish into next morning when you woke up groggily and began the morning routine of getting up and making yourself look presentable and throwing on some comfy clothes before relaxing and kicking back on the bed and switching on the tv mounted on the wall. You had hours to wait until Leon picked you up so you could relax or try to relax your nerves until then and just watch TV. You had settled on some action movie Silver excitedly pointed at and the both of you just sat on the bed having ordered breakfast watching the movie as Zen curled up at your feet. It couldn't have been more than an hour when a knock came at your door. It was in the middle of a big chase scene between the protagonist and police when you heard the bangs and had turned to the door confused. ..Who could that be? A glance to the clock showed you it was five thirty seven, not even time yet. Too early for it to have been Leon. Maybe he wanted to talk to you before the party? ..Oh Arceus you hoped it wasn't those weird hair duo. Oh! It was probably room service here to collect your breakfast dishes. If that was the case you had better let the maid come in and collect the dishes. Getting up from your spot on the bed, you walked over to the door and opened it expecting one of the staff members but instead met with two familiar faces instead. There was two women before you. One with orange hair and the other with dark hair with blue highlights...It was Sonia and Nessa. Sonia had paused with her hand up clearly being the one who knocked on the door the three of you stood there in silence for a moment before you spoke.

"Sonia?"

"Uh..Y/n." She lowered her hand blinking. "Hi. Um..You're not Raihan."

"Last time I checked I wasn't." You rose a brow. "Why?"

"O-Oh.." She awkwardly reached a hand up to her neck in a Leon like fashion. "I uh was hoping he'd lend me some of his Goodra's goo to take back home and study before everyone left but I guess I must've gotten the wrong room. S-Sorry about that. My bad totally."

"It's alright." You then turned to Nessa. "But what are you doing here?"

"I'm helping Sonia actually. She's great with science but not so much with make up," Nessa said rather bluntly which earnt her a glare from Sonia.

"Hey! I made my smokey eye look like a fire's ashes one time!"

Nessa chose to ignore her friend's comment and instead spoke to you. "I also never got to thank you for the save earlier this week. Victor would've been defeated on the second round if you hadn't lent us a hand."

"It's no problem," you confirmed as Nessa rose a brow and looked you up and down, "Silver's really strong now so it's no big deal-"

"What are you wearing?" You blinked at Nessa as she gestured towards your clothing. "Those look like something you'd wear to a picnic with your grandma."

"Oh." You looked down at your comfy pants and the shirt with a pikachu print on the front. You didn't think you looked that bad. "My...clothes?" Both looked at you. "What?''

"Aren't you supposed to be going with Leon tonight to the Prince's farewell banquet?"

"Um. Yeah actually but that's not for a couple hours still. Why?"

"Are you serious? This is as important as a Gala or a wedding," Nessa insisted frowning, "You're telling me you're planning on wearing lazy day clothes to that? With Leon?"

You opened your mouth before looking down to yourself again before back up at them. "Well it's not like I have much choice. I don't have any fancy clothes."

Both stared at you for a long moment before looking at one another silently as if talking to each other telepathically, before Sonia nodded and both looked back to you. You didn't like those looks.

"You have the nemuk?"

"You know a model never goes anywhere without it."

"...Nemuk?"

"Nessa's Emergency Make Up Kit. She never leaves home without it. Luckily for you we're here to help you."

"....What- GAH!?"

In an instant two sets of arms pulled you from your doorway and you were pushed back inside. It was all a blur as you were sat down in a chair and they pounced at you like a cat to a mouse. You managed to shout a hey before Sonia pulled your hair from the lazy bun it was set in before Nessa placed down what must've been a massive pink suitcase on your bed next to you before opening it up revealing a make up crew's DREAM of make up, brushes, nail polish, and products that'd put a salon to shame. As Sonia wrestled to pull a brush through your locks Nessa quickly left before soon returning from her room down the hall, returning with a few outfits in her arms. By then Sonia had already prepped your head for any styling they might do to it before you were pushed back up onto your feet and turned to face the two. You only got a 'What the' out before a sparkling green dress was held up in front of your body to which they both scrunched up their faces at before shaking their heads no. Repeated two other times before a flash of purple was held up and smiles were beamed at your worried looking form. Fast forward fifthteen minutes later and there you were. Squeezed into a purple sparkling ballgown with white heels with a purple gem necklace slapped over your neck to complete the look. Your hair slightly curled and framing your face in a way it wouldn't without a proper stylists' touch. And you were staring at nothing as Sonia attached some kind of fancy purple bedazzled hair clip to your hair and Nessa with the precision of Leonardo Da Vinci started putting on make up on your face. Which you struggled to hold still for.

"Ah!" Nessa sternly held up a mascara brush to you. "Hold still. I need your lashes not your eyeball."

You groaned. "How much longer until you're done?" You mumbled through the lip stick.

"Just one lash away if you'll hold still for one moment. AAAAnnnnddd THERE!!" She pulled away from your eye as you blinked lowering the mascara and smiling. "I'm all finished." She beamed and they both stepped back looking at you as you looked at them from the bed. Even Silver was blinking at how different you looked now.

"You look so pretty, Y/n!," Sonia gushed, "You're gonna knock Lee dead!"

"I doubt that," you mumbled. !?

Nessa had grabbed your arm again pulling you up and already pushing you towards a mirror on the wall. Stumbling to follow her in your heels. "Well look for yourself!" She said before pushing you in front of said mirror and you froze as soon as your f/c eyes hit the reflection.

Staring back at you wasn't you..At least not the you you were used to seeing. Soft hair framed your beautiful face as the bedazzled hair clip sparkled from the light. The purple dress you were wearing sparkled and looked beautiful with the little lace and design on the side of the waist. If it wasn't for the fact you knew this was a mirror, you would've thought someone else was staring back at you. You still stared at the reflection before looking around to the two women behind you and a pattern ensued. Of you opening and closing your mouth like a fish and looking between the mirror and them as if any second the Cinderella in the mirror would disappear. You repeated this process so many times you feeling dizzy. Until there was another loud knock at the door. Making you yelp and jump and stagger, almost falling over on the heels Nessa insisted on you wearing before you stared back at the door along with everyone else. You stood there for a moment before the knocking picked up again but louder. Your eyes snapped over to the clock on the wall and your eyes widened. It was seven o' eight in the afternoon. KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK!! And you felt your stomach drop. There could only be one person who that could be.

"Crap!," you hissed to yourself. Tap, tap, tap. "Crap. Crap. Crap, crap, crap!" You staggered towards the door still trying not to fall over in heels with your arms out for balance. Again the door knocked a little bit louder than the first two times. "COMING!! Coming!" You shouted finally getting to the door, reaching out, taking a breath, grabbing the doorknob...and then slowly opening it.

The door opened with a loud CCCCRRREEEEAAAAKKK noise from how slowly you opened it and once you peeked out you were hit with the over powering smell of...Roses?? Yep! As soon as you opened the door you face was attacked by a giant bouquet of roses. Purple roses- Wait- You looked up and you froze. Because staring back wide eyed and slack jawed at you, and you also stared back Leon was wearing a long red coat with a black collar and white tie with shiny gold buttons on the front along with tanish-white pants and polish black boots. But what really surprised you was the fact that he wasn't wearing his signiture hat at all letting you see him without it for the first time without it.

ABSOLUTELY HANDSOME.

You both continued to stare at one another before Sonia coughed behind you making the two of you flinch and Leon finally react. "Beautiful- AH! I M-MEAN-" Your face flushed and he cleared his throat seeming nervous all of a sudden before attempting (and failing-) to compose his own red face as he spoke. "I mean you look great! T-That dress really brings out your eyes!" The roses were held out to you. "H-Here. I got you these."

You blinked...before slowly taking the roses from him. "Oh..I-.." You stared at them before shaking your head and giving a friendly smile. "T-Thank you! They're beautiful! I-I didn't know they came in bouquets this big...Or in this color. I didn't know roses could be purple."

He coughed and averted his eyes before nodded and reached a hand up to rub his neck. "Yeah. There's this flower shop around the corner Melony told me about who specializes in personal bouquets for their customers. I figured it was only proper to get you an official bouquet. After all this is our f-f-f-first y-yknow?" Was he nervous. He certainly looked it with how red he was and a few beads of sweat formed on his forehead. "B-But i-if you don't like the roses I-I can take them back and g-get you a different color instead! I j-j-just got m-my favorite color in instinct!!"

"N-No! It's ok! I love them! They're lovely." You coughed and turned your eyes down red faced as well. "T-Thanks. You look...beautiful too- AH!! HANDSOME!! H-HANDSOME!! Y-You look really handsome!!"

"T-Thank you."

''Y-yeah."

You both continued to stand there awkwardly for a long time without eye contact. Before Leon eventually coughed and offered his arm to you. "So should we head out?"

"Uh..Sure. L-Let's go."

You turned really quick and threw the roses towards Sonia who caught it for you. Silver perked up before standing up and followed after you as you half walked half staggered your way out the door with Leon who walked off in your direction. Zen grumbled before slinking off the bed and waddling after you all. As soon as the two of you disappeared Sonia turned back to Nessa.

"Well I don't know about you but I think that went well."

"Oh good." Nessa turned back to Sonia. "Then it's my turn to make you look beautiful for tonight."

"Sure-...Wait. What?"

#reader #reader x leon #pokemon reader #pokemon reader x leon #leon #leon x reader #pokemon leon x reader #pokemon leon #pokemon shield #pokemon sword #pokemon sword and shield #pokemon swsh

8 notes · View notes