Junjou sweep

wingman ~ yungblud

word count: 1476

request?: yes!

“can you do a one shot where colson sets up his little sister (the reader) with dom? like maybe she’s had a crush on him but he was with halsey and never wanted to get between that.”

description: who knew that your best wingman would be your own brother? and his main objective: setting you up with his best friend

pairing: yungblud x female!reader

warnings: swearing

masterlist (one, two)

The minute I walked into Colson’s house I knew something was going to happen. I didn’t know what exactly, but I just had a feeling that there was something going to happen. Call it sibling intuition or whatever.

It wasn’t uncommon for Colson to randomly invite me over to his place. We had always been close, so whenever he had time off he’d ask me to come visit him and Casie. I figured that’s what this invitation was for, but once I walked through the door, I wasn’t so sure.

“Colson?” I called.

Instead of my brother’s voice, a thick British accent responded, “(Y/N)!”

Dom came out from the living room and lifted me into his arms. I laughed through the shock I was feeling. I had no idea that Dom was even in town. I wondered if this was the weird feeling I was having.

“Good to see you, love!” Dom said. “I didn’t know you were coming today.”

“I didn’t know you were in town,” I responded.

“Yeah! I landed today actually. I haven’t been here long.”

“That’s awesome! Hey, let’s continue the catch up in a second. Is Colson here?”

My big brother was in the kitchen making sandwiches for himself and Dom. He looked up and smiled when I walked in. “Hey, you hungry?”

“I’m good, thanks. Did, um, did you invite me over because Dom is in town?”

“What? No, not at all.”

I raised an eyebrow at him. “You’re a terrible liar.”

He chuckled and walked away from me. I followed him out of the kitchen, realizing the conversation would be put on hold for now.

I sat next to Dom in the living room as he and Colson talked for a while. Every now and then he would ask me a question or two to catch up, but I was too awkward to really keep a conversation going.

As cliché as it is to say, I’ve had a crush on Dom for years. Ever since Colson introduced us, I’ve had some small feelings for him. Ironically, Colson was super supportive over these feelings. He always said how Dom was a great guy and that he thought we’d be a perfect match for one another. We did have the same type of energy, I had to agree with Colson there.

The big downside, though? Dom was in a relationship when we first met. With a friend of Colson’s, actually; Ashley, better known as Halsey.

So I just became one of those cliché, unrequited love stories. I tried to go on dates with other people to get rid of those feelings for Dom, but all my efforts proved to be void. There was just no one that made me feel the way that Dom did, which sucked because he wasn’t single.

After a bit of silence following another failed attempted to strike up a conversation, Colson looked at his phone and rose from his seat. “Oh, Emma just texted me asking if I could pick Casie up from school.”

“Oh, can I do it?” I asked, seeing a way to get out of this super awkward situation. “I feel like I haven’t seen Casie in forever.”

“I’d rather do it myself. I’ll bring her right back so she can see both of you.”

He left before I could protest anymore, leaving me alone with Dom. This was no doubt also a part of whatever plan he had in mind.

We were left in silence yet again. I tried to think of something to say to pick up the conversation but found myself at a loss for words. I never was good at talking to Dom when it was just the two of us.

“How long are you gonna be in town for?” I finally asked.

“A few weeks I think. Kells and I are gonna work on some new songs. We have like two or three already written, so we’re considering doing an entire album together, with Travis too.”

“Man, that would be the album of the year if you did. Everything you and Colson have done together has been absolute bangers.”

Dom chuckled. “So I’ve been told. I think he’s my favorite person to collaborate with, too. He just brings out a good side in me when it comes to writing songs.”

“I would’ve thought Ash would be your favorite person to collaborate with.”

I regretted it immediately after the words came out of my mouth, even though they were meant to be light hearted and in a joking manner.

Dom nodded, suddenly not as smiley as he had been before. “She was, but uh...we broke up a while ago so...no more collaborations I think.”

The news shocked me. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t heard it before now. Why hadn’t Colson told me? Or how hadn’t I seen the news online?

“Shit, I’m sorry,” I said. “I had no idea.”

“It’s alright. We kept the breakup pretty lowkey, actually. We weren’t even really public with our relationship, so we decided to keep the breakup the same way.”

How do I follow up from this? I wondered. Man, I’ve effectively killed this conversation.

“(Y/N), have you ever had a steady partner?” he asked suddenly. Before I could respond he added, “That sounds terrible now that I think about it. I don’t mean to say you bounce from person to person, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen you with anyone, or heard Colson talking about you dating anyone.”

“That’s because I haven’t really had a serious relationship,” I responded. “I’ve gone on numerous dates, but none of them have really worked out. I just don’t...feel a spark with anyone I’ve been with. I think...I think it’s because I have feelings for someone else.”

I tried not to look at Dom, as if he’d be able to decipher what that meant just by looking into my eyes.

“Why aren’t you with them, then?” he asked. “Don’t tell me whoever this daft bloke is turned you down.”

I chuckled and shook my head. “No, that’s not it. He’s a...friend of Colson’s, actually. He’s been in a relationship for a while and I don’t want to come between that. But it seems like my heart is set on him, so I’m having trouble trying to move on from those feelings.”

“That’s awful,” Dom said. “If this guy ever became single, do you think you’d try to tell him how you felt?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. I’d like to think I would, but then again he’s one of Colson’s best friends. I’d never want to fuck that over for either of them if the relationship didn’t work out.”

“You’re assuming there’s a high chance of that happening.”

“I’m assuming a firm 50/50 chance, as with all relationships. Besides, what if it doesn’t even reach that stage? What if I tell him and he doesn’t have feelings for me?”

“But what if he does? You’ll never know until you try.”

I looked at Dom and found myself caught in his eyes. He was looking at me so intently I was trying not to shift around in my seat, but I just couldn’t tear my eyes away from his.

“(Y/N)?” he said.

“Yeah Dom?”

His response came in the form of his lips against mine. I was shocked at first, pulling away just out of reflex. His face turned a bright shade of red almost immediately as he moved away from me.

“Sorry, I...I must’ve read the situation wrong. I thought - ”

Before he could finish his sentence, I quickly leaned forward and kissed him again. One of his hands cupped my cheek while were running through his messy mop of hair. I had dreamt of this moment many times, but nothing could’ve prepared me for the electricity I was feeling as I kissed Dom.

We were so lost in the kiss that neither one of us heard the door open, or heard Casie come running into the room. It was her voice exclaiming, “Oh, gross!” that brought the two of us out of our trance.

I quickly pulled away from Dom, sitting on the other side of the couch as I looked up to see Casie and Colson stood in the doorway of the living room. I tried to keep my embarrassment from showing, but the feeling of heat creeping up my neck informed me that that was going to be nearly impossible.

“I was coming to say hi and both of you guys are just sucking face!” Casie said. “That’s so gross!”

She raced up to her bedroom while Colson laughed at her reaction. The two of us waited for him to say something, anything, about what he had just walked into. Instead, he just smiled at us and said, “I guess my plan worked.”

I hope you feel better soon! When you're feeling better would you be able to write something about jealous Strife? That ask made me curious

“Do you really have to go?”

From your seat at the vanity, you heave an exasperated sigh and set down your lipstick, swivelling around in the chair to face the Horseman who stands sulking at your bedroom door.

“Strife,” you begin patiently, “I'm afraid my answer still hasn't changed since you asked me ten minutes ago.”

“Yeah, I know. It's just -” Averting his gaze, he crosses his arms and grumbles, “I thought we were gonna hang out tonight.”

“And I told you two weeks ago that I wouldn't be around tonight.”

You can't see his expression, hidden as it is behind the silver helm he wears, but you're fairly confident in guessing that there's a pout on his lips.

“And besides,” you add, “We hang out all the time. You practically live here. Hell, you've already turned my spare bedroom into your own personal den.”

'Den' is an understatement. Your spare room is now less of a bedroom more of an Earth museum, filled from floor to ceiling with all of the things that Strife has picked up simply because they took his fancy. For the most part, it's all junk. There's an obsolete gaming console that no longer works, a skateboard, a horse figurine made of glass, no less than three Nerf guns and not a foam dart between them...

Honestly, you're loathe to tell him to get rid of any of it, though you fear you might have to soon if you don't want the mess spilling out into the rest of your house.

Giving your head an exasperated shake, you check the time on your phone and stand up, throwing your bag over a shoulder. “Listen, it's just one evening with an old friend who I haven't seen since before the apocalypse. We can hang out tomorrow, I promise. But now, I really need to dash, he'll be here to pick me up any minute.”

Pausing to stuff your phone into the pocket of your trousers, you head towards the door, hardly noticing that the Horseman is still standing in front of it with his arms folded neatly across a broad, armoured chest. It's only because you glance up right at the last second that you manage to avoid a painful collision. “Um...Strife?” you ask, halting in your tracks, “... Move?”

In response, he simply leans back against your door and begins to inspect the claws on one of his gauntlets. “Nah... I'd rather hear about this friend of yours. You've never mentioned him.” Pausing, he shoots you a sly smirk that you can sense more than see, his golden eyes flashing, “You guys close?”

With a roll of your eyes, you mimic his posture, crossing your arms and giving him a glare that would make Death proud. “Strife, what's gotten into you? I just said I'm going to be late for my friend.”

“Yeah, I get that,” he returns coolly, “Just wanna know that my friend isn't walking into a trap.”

“Oh wow – a trap? Really? Of all the-” You cut yourself off and raise a hand, massaging at your temple. “Okay. Now you're just being ridiculous. It's not a trap.”

“Why don't you let me come with you, just in case?”

“Because!” you cry, throwing your arms up, “It'll be awkward! You remember what I taught you about third-wheeling?”

He remembers it well, in fact. Just like he remembers everything you teach him, committing the moments to memories that he'll carry with him until the day he snuffs it. He only has you for less than a hundred years, after all, and he's determined to remember every last bit of it. The Universe must have thought itself pretty hilarious when it placed you in his life. Of all the creatures in all the realms, the one he ends up caring about most just so happens to be the one with the shortest lifespan. It makes him want to hunt down the Creator and shoot a hole where a heart might be.

Shoving down his contempt for the omnipotent bastard, Strife returns his attention to you and lifts his shoulders in a shrug. “I don't mind tagging along. You know, just in case I have to watch your back.”

Your response hits him harder than a crack from Fury's whip. “I don't need you to watch my back every second of every day! Stop being so paranoid.”

The Horseman is too proud and obstinate to ever let the stab of hurt show in his eyes, but he can't ignore its presence in his chest.

He is not being paranoid... He's being a good friend - watching your back, looking out for you, all the things a friend is supposed to do. Not that he's had much experience being friends with a human. Or anyone, for that matter, who isn't a horse or his siblings. It's been a learning curve for both of you, though more-so for him, and so far, the most prominent challenge he's faced is balancing the line between being a friend and being an overprotective nuisance.

It perhaps hasn't helped that, ever since humanity was resurrected, the pair of you have been nigh inseparable. He's grown used to your presence – is dependant upon in, according to Death; a fact that Strife had vehemently tried to deny, at least until he learned that you'd made plans. Plans with someone else. Plans that didn't involve him.

It was only once he'd taken some time to reflect and found that he had indeed been glued to your side for months, that he realised the awful truth.

His older brother was right, after all. The smug ass.

A shudder rolls over the Horseman's body and he blinks, realising that in the few seconds he's been lost in thought, you've managed to reach around him to push open your bedroom door.

“Hey!” he complains as you all but shove past, and he – being the soft-touch that he is – simply allows himself to be moved aside. Grumbling, he follows you across the landing and down your sweeping staircase until you reach the front door and stop beside it.

From outside, the thunderous roar of an approaching, automobile's engine thrums in his ears.

“That's him!” you chirp, and Strife hates the way your face lights up at the mention of whoever 'he' is.

Throwing open your door, you head outside and try to pull it shut behind you, yet find your efforts abruptly halted by the Horseman sticking close to your heels. He ducks through the low doorframe and moves to stand beside you, his viciously keen gaze raking over the vehicle that idles at the end of your driveway.

By his own admission, Strife has always had a weakness for those 'motor bikes' the humans like to ride, with their shiny gaskets and noisy engines. But this one – the one upon whom sits a tall, lanky human – Strife does not care for.

“Anton!” you call out, flying down the driveway, splaying your arms out wide in anticipation of a hug.

'Anton' laughs brightly and kicks down the bike's stand as he leaps from the seat, his own arms only just opening in time to receive you when you crash into him with a whoop of delight.

As soon as those long, stringy arms wrap around your shoulders, the Horseman's hackles raise like a feral beast's and the sudden presence of Anarchy begins to claw at the confines of his ribcage. For a few moments, he wrestles with himself, weighing the pros and cons of letting his most primal form take over for a while, but after envisioning the disapproving frown that's sure to adorn your face should he pull such a stunt, he bitterly shoves a reluctant Anarchy back down and settles upon prowling down the gravel drive after you, glaring hard at the stranger the entire way. Admittedly, he is a little surprised at himself for the animosity. On the whole, he's always maintained a good rapport with other humans. He likes the species, a lot. So to suddenly be filled with such a strong disliking for this particular human strikes him as odd and out of character.

Then, Anton's hands slide down to your lower back and another bout of indignant fury flares up in the Horseman's belly. After what he thinks is, quite frankly, an obscene amount of time, the stranger releases you, holding onto your shoulders and leaning back to get a better look at your face.

“God, it's good to see you, Y/n,” he drawls, eyeing you from head to toe in a way that makes the Horseman's skin crawl, “I can't believe it! You've changed so much!”

Grinning shyly up at him, you tuck a strand of hair behind your ear and reply, “Hopefully for the better?”

His own smile widens. “You were always at your best, even before the apocalypse. Still, being Humanity's Hero seems to be really suiting you, huh?”

At once, your expression falls and you pull a face, extracting yourself from his grasp. “Oh god, don't call me that. I've told the media till I'm blue in the face - the Horsemen are the ones who deserve to be called heroes. Oh, speaking of whom...” You turn to face the looming presence at your side and gesture up to Strife. “I'd like to introduce you to a friend of mine.”

Anton's gaze leaves you long enough to flick over towards the Horseman and you watch as he does a very comical double-take, his eyes bulging for a moment before he manages to compose himself again and lifts his hand in greeting. “Hey! You must be one of those Horseman guys. Death, right?”

Noticing that the Nephilim's hands curl suddenly into tight fists, you interject, “Uh, actually, this is Strife, Tones.”

“Tones?” He really does try to keep the disdain from his voice when he switches his burning, golden glare between you and the other human. “I thought you said his name was Anton?”

How many other friends do you have?

“It's a nickname, Strife,” you reassure him quickly, “This is Anton.”

A nickname... Of course. The Horseman's stomach twists itself into a knot and he can't stop himself from blurting out, “How come you've never given me a nickname?”

The human concept surrounding abbreviated names was a fairly easy one for him to grasp when he first learned of them. They're terms of endearment, meant to signify familiarity and friendship.

He's your friend. He's familiar. Why doesn't he have a nickname too?

"Ugh, I'm sorry. We'll brainstorm nicknames when I get back," you huff, "But the restaurant will give our table away if we don't hurry. So -"

Turning to usher Anton onto the bike, you hardly manage to take one step before a large, metal hand is sliding around your forearm and tugging you gently to a halt. Biting back a groan, you glance over your shoulder, ready to scold him, but one look at his slouched stance and averted gaze stops you in your tracks.

"Uh. Hey, Tones?" you call, never taking your eyes off the Horseman's mask, "Can you give us a sec?"

The human behind you is careful to check that Strife isn't looking when he rolls his eyes and grunts in acknowledgement before he turns and saunters over to his bike, leaning up against it and pulling out his phone.

Once Anton has turned his attention elsewhere, you raise a brow at the Horseman and wait, patient, expectant. After working his jaw for a moment or two, he finally looks at you properly and tightens his grip on your arm, not until it's painful, but enough that you understand what he's trying to convey in the gesture.

He really doesn't want you to go.

"Strife?" you prod.

Reluctantly, he lets out a rough exhale.

Although he's far better at it than his siblings, watching Strife try to openly express emotion isn't unlike watching someone pull their own teeth out with a pair of pliers. The process is slow, and it's best to sit back and listen to him rather than try to encourage him to speak. So, that's what you do, and eventually, your patience is rewarded when after another few seconds of silence, he offers a strained chuckle and says, "This guy isn't my replacement, is he? I know the bike is cool, and all, but..."

"Your replacement?" you laugh, incredulous, "Strife. I don't know how it worked with Nephilim, but for humans, having another friend doesn't cancel out any existing ones."

He knows that. He's not some whelp who never learned how to share. Frustrated with himself, the Horseman huffs and turns his head to the side, glaring hard at nothing in particular.

"Hey..." An old habit kicks in, and before you can stop yourself, you reach up to trace your fingertips along the underside of Strife's helm, tipping it back towards you and smiling at the bewildered look in his yellow eyes. Confident that he's paying proper attention, you pull your hand away again and state, "I could search the whole universe from top to bottom for the next hundred, thousand years, and I'd never find a friend who could replace you, okay? So stop worrying. Your ranking as 'my best friend' is not under threat."

"M'not worrying," he grumbles, but inside, his heart is aglow with the warmth of your words. At the back of his mind, Anarchy rumbles happily. You said best!... He's your best friend? He tries to recall you ever calling him that before. Then he realises that, no, you can't have done. He wouldn't forget a moment like that. Not in a million years. Just like he won't forget how he feels right now after hearing those two words.

Oblivious to the fate you've just sealed for yourself, you clap your hands together, bringing the conversation to what you hope is an easy conclusion. "Good. In that case, will you please let me go with Anton now?"

The Horseman's mood sours almost immediately, but at least he peels his fingers off your arm.

"Hey, kid?" he address Anton, packing his voice with all the menace and threat that he can muster, "If I find out she gets hurt on your watch, I'll introduce you to a couple'a friends of mine..." His hands fall less-than subtly to his holsters, where the silver handles of Mercy and Redemption glint in the sunlight.

Anton's face pales upon seeing the Horseman's legendary pistols.

"Stop that," you scold him, smacking the back of your hand against the armoured chest plate before turning to your other friend and calling, "Come on, Tones, let's go."

Anton all but throws himself onto his bike, kicking the stand back and jamming his keys into the ignition whilst you climb on behind him, albeit far more gracefully. The man tosses you a helmet and you shove it onto your head.

Strife's eyes remain settled upon your hands that wrap snugly around Anton's waist and it takes everything in him not to grab you, haul you off the bike, drag you back to your home and lock you inside.

“I'll be back late tonight,” you call over the roar of the engine as you begin to pull away, “There's food in the fridge if you want to eat! And my Netflix is still logged in! I'll see you later, okay!?”

Strife doesn't respond, not because he can't think of what to say, but because there would be no point. Anton has already peeled away and pushed the bike to a reckless speed. All the Horseman can do is stand there at the end of your driveway, his shoulders drooping dejectedly.

After you're nothing more than a dot on the far horizon, he tears his eyes off you and lets them fall to the tarmac near his boots.

He never notices you looking back.

perfectly wrong | thirteen

summary: there were rules that had to be followed: no one could know about you two, there was no ‘getting to know each other,’ and there was absolutely no emotional attachment allowed. if this could be done, there should be no complications. but somehow, the rules always get bended.

pairing: reader x fuckboy!kth

genre: college au | fluff, angst, smut

words: 2.3k

chapter warnings: cussing, soft tae

notes: down to 2 chapters left! i will most likely do some drabbles every now and then for this, but not right away because i’ll be working on my new fic: acquainted. will let you know when this goes live, but pls check it out. it’s gonna be messy and filthy as hell, im sorry lmao

tags: @soulstaes​ @apollukee​ @imluckybitches​ @btsis7okay​ @ppangiiroo​ @gee-nee​ @enchantaeduniverse​ @miinoongi​ @thedarkwinterrose​ @levrantae​ @somewhereofftheglobe​ @jwlmnbt​ @symmetricaleyeliner​ @bluesharksandfish​ (pls msg me if you would like to be added to the taglist!)

> series masterlist <

Taehyung slouched on his couch, tv on whatever the hell channel it was on. He scrolled through his phone aimlessly, but it wasn't long before he huffed and threw his phone aside. He wasn't feeling himself, or anything for that matter, and was tired of being in this funk. He felt terrible about how everything went down and he couldn't really forgive himself for the shit he said to you. He didn't mean the things he said, but he was also the one who didn't know how to properly process feelings. He always acted on impulse and how he felt at that moment, rather than thinking about the situation rationally. Plus yeah, he had a temper. Shit didn't mix.

"Ayo." He hears Jimin's voice at the door, followed by three soft knocks.

"It's unlocked." Tae says. Jimin welcomes himself in and kicks his shoes aside. He smiles at him, holding something in his hands as he walks into the kitchen. "What's up?"

"Uh, found these at your door." He holds up the prints Tae bought from you. He sighs and shakes his head, almost dismissing it entirely.

"Keep it."

"Um, no? You bought these for a reason, so you should keep them."

"Not anymore." Taehyung lays his head back against the couch and shuts his eyes.

"You're so dramatic. I'm leaving these here."

"Whatever."

"What's wrong with you now, princess?"

"I'm just not in the mood."

"You haven't been in the mood.." Jimin sits on the other end of the couch. "And quite frankly, it's pretty annoying. You know what you did wrong, so why don't you just fix it?"

"It's not that easy."

"Says who? You?" Jimin scoffs. "Look, I know our track record isn't the best, but I know you genuinely care about Y/N. I know she means more to you than what you put out there, so why can't you just take it for what it is? Why do you have to make it so complicated?"

"Because I'm sure by now she hates me and wants nothing to do with me. It's exactly one of the things I'm afraid about the most. What if she gives up or realizes she doesn't want me the way I want her?"

"Do you think she's worth it?"

"I just-"

"Yes or no?" Taehyung looks at him as he leans over onto his knees.

"Yes, I do."

"Then none of that shit should matter. I'm positive she cares about you just as much as you do for her. If she's worth it, then you'd be willing to go through these ups and downs with her and do this ride with her."

"She's not going to want this after what I did, Jimin."

"You're full of excuses." Jimin shakes his head. "Then you do what you can to fix this and show her how you'll change, rather than just saying you'll do this and that."

"I don't know." Is all Taehyung can say. "I was pretty hurtful."

"You're also human. It's okay to make mistakes, but you should really work on processing your feelings better and communicating. Plus, your temper, dude. Tone that shit down."

"It's been so long since I've done this." Believe it or not, Taehyung was the complete opposite before. His last, serious relationship a couple of years ago made him flip the switch. He gave his ex everything, and was always willing to put his life down for her. He gave and gave, even if he felt like he couldn't anymore. He did all this just to get fucked over in the end, which is why he ultimately didn't believe relationships were worth the energy anymore.

"Y/N is not your ex. Stop comparing it to that. No experience will be the exact same."

"Ughhhh, I fucked this all up." Tae groaned, tilting his head back and covering it with his hat.

"I'm just saying, you could still try and fix this. Even in the end you two don't get together or whatever, you can at least say you tried. I'm tired of you moping around like you can't do shit to make it better. You know what she means to you."

"I'm not moping."

"Yes, you are! Look at you, looking like a sorry ass." Jimin threw his crumpled napkin at him. "Don't pass up on a good girl like that."

"Okay, I get it."

"No, I don't think you do." Tae looked at him. "Look, if this was any other girl, I probably wouldn't care much. But Y/N is genuinely different and I see how you both look at each other. It's really obvious how much you two ended up caring for each other."

"She is different. God, she's.." Tae sighs as he runs his hand through his hair. "She's beautiful and sweet, with just the right amount of mean. She's creative and her voice has always been so soothing. I want her around me all the time, even when she gets frustrating as hell." Jimin smiles.

"If you pass on her, she's mine." Jimin teased, knowing it would rub Taehyung the wrong way.

"Fuck you." Taehyung spat. "I should still beat your ass for the shit you pulled at the club."

"It was harmless." Jimin laughed. "So are you fixing this or what?"

"If I fix this, you need to stay 10 ft away from her." Jimin laughed out loud and held his stomach.

"Cry baby. I'm not gonna do anything." Jimin came and patted him on the back. "I'm sure everything will be just fine." And so, Taehyung gets himself up to go and fix this. He knew it wasn't going to be easy but he needed to right his wrongs.

Taehyung sat in his car and gathered himself together before he made his way up to the apartment. He gave off three knocks before he waited patiently for the door to swing open.

"I have to be honest, it's taking everything in me to stop myself from fucking you up right now." Jungkook sighed and stepped aside to let him in.

"That's fair."

"So, what's up? Why did you need to come here to talk to me?"

"I just wanted to apologize for how things went down at Jin's party."

"I appreciate it, but it still doesn't change the fact that you disrespected Y/N and talked down on her the way you did."

"I know, and I didn't mean any of it. I just wasn't thinking. If I'm being completely honest, I was pretty jealous of your relationship with her."

"What is this, high school?" Jungkook stopped himself from taking it any further because he could say a lot more to his face, but he wasn't going to since Taehyung made the effort to come here and apologize in person.

"Okay, I get it, it's childish."

"At least you're aware." Jungkook paused before shaking his head. "Look, not that it should even matter or anything, but all I knew growing up was Y/N and Jin hyung and vice versa. I didn't have any siblings or any cousins that could relate to me. I moved a lot before I finally settled with my family. I didn't get along with people easily, which is why when I met Y/N, we got really close and I stuck by her. We were similar, but different. It's always been that way, and quite frankly, it's not going to change." Taehyung nodded. "She doesn't have her family by her side, so me, hyung, Yoongi and Hoseok became that for her."

"I know, I'm sorry. I just kept thinking you two had it for each other like that and I couldn't understand why it was making me so upset."

"I love Y/N, I really do. But at the end of the day, she's her own person and she decides how to live her life. It's her life and I'm only in it." Jungkook shrugs. "I want nothing more than for Y/N to be happy with someone who can give her the world and cherish her for who she is. She has so much to offer and she brings life to everything around her."

"I-" Taehyung paused. "I really care about her. And I know this probably sounds stupid coming from me, but I want to do things differently with her."

"I just have to ask - are you even sure of your own feelings? You're not doing all of this cause you're lonely and have no one else to go to?"

"No, of course I'm sure of my feelings." Jungkook shrugged.

"You've been messing around with so many girls for some time now, though."

"Yeah and I also stopped doing that for awhile now."

"It's just hard to believe because I'd hate for her to have to go through it if you go back to your old ways."

"I won't."

"But that's easy for you to say, isn't it?" Kook shot him a look. All of a sudden, this conversation felt more like an interview but Jungkook had to do what he had to do. He knew what Taehyung was capable of, and he would hate for you to go through it again.

"Yeah it is, but she makes me want to be a better man." Jungkook sighed. He saw the look in Taehyung's face and he couldn't completely say it was all bullshit. He had never seen this kind of soft expression come from someone like Taehyung. "I haven't felt this way in a really long time, and it's scary for me. But she's worth it."

"I get that." Jungkook nods. "She cares about you a lot, you know? She may not say it but I saw how beat up she was over this entire thing."

"I want to fix this."

"I have to be honest, I'm a little wary. You really have to keep your word about doing better and not slipping up. She doesn't deserve it." Taehyung nods.

"I hear you." Taehyung pauses. "How is she?" Jungkook shrugs.

"Fine, except for the fact that she's sick right now." Taehyung's eyes widen.

"Is she alright?"

"Yeah. If you haven't figured it out already, Y/N isn't the type to back down." Taehyung chuckled.

"Yeah, I got that much."

"Hey," Jungkook tilted his head to look at him once more. "I really do respect the fact that you came here to talk to me in person. I know we don't know much about each other, but I know Y/N can see good in you." Taehyung nodded silently.

"Only trying to right my wrongs here. I don't want to slip up and lose her already."

"So, have you talked to hyung yet?" Taehyung looked at him and shook his head.

"No, but that's where I was headed after this." Kook nods silently. The two talk for a bit more, making sure they were on the right page, enough to put the past behind them and move on from the petty, unnecessary drama that had went down. When Taehyung had felt satisfied tackling one of the biggest hurdles, he made his way over to the cafe to tackle the last one. Not gonna lie, Taehyung was scared for this encounter because he knew Jin would lay his life down for you. Luckily for him, Jin was a wise man and never held grudges. Of course he didn't appreciate how Taehyung handled himself and this whole thing, but it wasn't entirely his fault and Jin always thought holding onto negativity was a waste of energy.

Jin happily greeted him, like his usual self, and brought him to the back so they could talk. Taehyung was sweating bullets, but he knew if he wanted to be in your life, he'd have to make it right with Jin. For Aiko, for the things he said and the things he's done to hurt you, everything. And so he sympathetically apologizes as he sits in front of Jin. Apologizes for the way things went down at the party, for Aiko, for having hurt anyone in this situation. Jin gave off a small, toothless smile and told Taehyung how he appreciated him for coming by. Quite frankly, he wanted to kill him as soon as you had told him about everything that had gone done between the both of you, including finding out about Aiko. Although the whole thing with Aiko was unfortunate, he couldn't really be mad because she was never his to begin with. The only thing he was really worried about was you, his baby cousin. Baby sister. Taehyung confessed that he had been feeling pretty lost because he believed you wouldn't want anything to do with him after that night. Jin reassures him and does a damn good job of it, telling him that you would never completely shut someone out, especially if you cared about them. Jin could tell how much you ended up caring for the guy and he wasn't going to make you change your mind about it because you were grown, and you could make your own decisions. He would only be there to support you and reassure you if times got tough. He didn't know Taehyung enough to immediately label him as a bad guy and right now, he was only showing he had some good in him.

They continued to talk for a bit [while Jin still had the time, at least], with Jin trying his best to coach him about how to best proceed with this situation. Of course, it was entirely up to Taehyung how he wanted to do this, but Jin could afford to sprinkle in a little bit of help.

"You're really sure about this, right? I don't want her to get hurt again. Y/N deserves all the best, and if a man were to ever come into her life, I'd want him to take good care of her and spoil her without her having to ask for it. I'd want him to be sure of her and to never make her question her worth." Taehyung nodded.

"I hear you, and I'm sure. It's scary, but I want to do this with her."

Heartless - pt. 8

A/N: This is turning out so good. 

XX

“Finally.” you breathed out, closing the door behind you as you threw your heels off your feet and felt the softness of the rug beneath you. 

You were leaning on the door, quietly, just trying to wrap your head around Sirius, around Marcus, around your family, around your back that continued to scorch your whole spine after the fall. It was killing you- you barely even walked in your heels when you were with Marcus but now it was over. This night can finally be over. 

“I’m home!” you shouted at the living room but it was empty... empty and quiet. “Hello?” you walked into the kitchen, looked through the window on the balcony and left upstairs. You checked your parent’s bedroom but nobody was there. “Where is everybody?” you asked yourself and left to James’ room, knocking on the door and opening it slightly. “James?” 

You stopped when you saw him sitting next to Sirius, who was holding an ice pack on his eye, getting more blue and purple by the minute.

“What the hell?” you asked, taking a few more steps in. 

Sirius looked at you with an empty look in his eyes; guilty? Remorseful? Sorry?

James was glaring at you, only you with resentment, with hate, with rage and with anything that would make him explode at you... and that made you scared. 

It didn’t take you to put two and two together.

“You told him?” you looked at Sirius with disbelief, feeling shame and anger mix together in you. 

“Of course, he told me!” James exploded, storming his way to you and stopping an inch away. “WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?!!”

“WHAT THE HELL WAS I THINKING?! HE KISSED ME!!”

“YOU’RE SMARTER THAN THAT! YOU KNEW THAT IF DAD AND MUM FOUND OUT THEY WOULD KICK HIM OUT!”

“THEY WOULDN’T FIND OUT! YOU WOULDN’T LET IT! I WOULDN’T!”

“THEY COULD! HE CAME UP TO ME WITH BLOODY HANDS! BLOODY KNUCKLES! WHAT DO THEY THINK IT WAS?! Oh, sure. Sirius just punched a bloody tree because you broke his heart-”

“Hey-” Sirius stood up but James turned sharply to him and pointed his finger at him.

“You shut up, you bloody traitor! She’s my sister! MY SISTER! MY TWIN SISTER and YOU  couldn’t keep it in your pants!” 

“It was not like that!” Sirius shouted back, whether that as from anger or guilt. 

“You both fucking betrayed me-”

“Fuck you, James! If anyone here betrayed me, it was you!” you pushed your finger at him, once, twice, maybe a few more. “Constantly over the years! So what if I snogged your best friend!? What are you gonna do? Punch me too? Give me a blue eye?”

“I wish I could but you know I would never!”

“Can’t share your best friend, James? Huh? It’s not like I had to share you and my whole family and friends with him because of you?!”

“And I had to share my whole bloody life with you! I just wanted something mine! My life is mine! My best friend is mine! Sirius is mine and not your friend! I had to share Marcus and Nina and all of our childhood friends with you! I had to share my room, my toys, my food, everywhere we went as kids, you had to be there! It was annoying! When I met Sirius! He was mine! Remus and Peter are my friends! They are in my life and you don’t get to have that, (y/n)! I want at least a little bit of life that is mine and not ours! Is that so much to ask without you having to be jealous of it!”

“JEALOUS!?!” you scoffed. “Do you know how selfish you sound, right now?! They weren’t your friends, Marcus and Nina and the others! They were our friends! We met them together! We were friends together! And I’m sorry that I was sorted in your house! I’m sorry I was born one bloody second after you! I am sorry that all my bloody life I HAD TO SHARE MY LIFE WITH YOU TOO BUT THE DIFFERENCE IS JAMES THAT I LOVED SHARING MY LIFE WITH YOU!” your voice started to get raspy and loud by every word you spoke, tears filling your eyes. “You’re my fucking brother, James! Siblings are supposed to be there for each other but you left the moment you met that asshole and you pretended like I didn’t even exist- and the moment- THE MOMENT I MET LILY YOU HAD TO TAKE HER AWAY FROM ME! SO DON’T TELL ME YOU WANTED A LITTLE BIT OF LIFE THAT’S YOURS WHEN YOU TOOK MINE!” tears started to pour from your eyes as sobs escaped your mouth. You turned around because you didn’t want to face him after saying that, not when you looked such a mess and Merlin! The pain was so high in your lower back that you wanted to lay down but how could you lay down after such a heated argument.

“No. You don’t get to cry because of that. You risked Sirius with that- now I get Sirius to do this but you? You, (y/n)? I thought you were smarter than that.”

“I am smarter, you fucking twat.” you turned around, glaring at him. “I took care of your drunk arse when you came home last night! I cover for you, every single time meanwhile you don’t give me a single think in return. Because let’s be honest here, James. If it wasn’t Sirius, you’d snitch on me the moment mom and dad would come home!”

“No, I wouldn’t.”

“Yes, you would!” you pointed your finger at him. “That’s why I don’t tell you stuff. That’s why I don’t trust you at all. That’s why none of you knew about me! I was like a ghost here! I was depressed for a year! A year of dark thoughts! A year of just wanting to end my life- you all didn’t even care to see! I slept throughout the day and you called me lazy! I ate too much and you all started insulting my weight. I didn’t eat at all and you didn’t even see. I cried every bloody night for a year because I hated my life and YOU WEREN’T THERE! YOU WEREN’T THERE JAMES BECAUSE YOU WERE TOO SELFISH BEING YOU!” you shouted again. “You didn’t help me when I needed you. When I asked you to help me with my grades that were dropping, you blew me off. When I asked you to help me- you didn’t even listen. You didn’t even give me the chance and then I stopped asking you! But Marcus was there-” you now looked at Sirius, glaring at him. “That summer Marcus noticed! He was the only one who noticed and to me he wasn’t just some guy! He was the person who saved me from myself! And he wasn’t some guy! He put an effort into writing me every week to check up on me and he made me happy-” you looked back at James, who was watching you with a questionable look.

“You weren’t depressed. I would notice.”

“Well, you didn’t. Just like you never do.” you let out a laugh. “You know, it was funny to me when Sirius fucking noticed that I was taking more pills than I should. He even noticed that I was getting to my bad habits of taking pills to numb not only my back pains but to sleep through the days because I didn’t want to live them- and then Marcus finally came to England and I was happy. I was so happy because he just knew and he took care of me when nobody else could.”

“You’re not a kid, (y/n)...” he tried to find more excuses but it all came out weaker and quieter. 

“I was a kid.” you said, putting your hand into your purse and pulling out a pack of pills, throwing them at James and letting them spill on the floor. “I was a kid who ate those to fall asleep faster and harder but you didn’t notice. You didn’t know. Nobody knew. Nobody knew what was going on with me. You knew about Sirius though. You knew what was bugging him and Remus and Peter and half of the Quidditch team but you never bothered to to check on me.”

“You looked well! I never worried about you because I know you’re strong!”

“WELL, I WASN’T JAMES! Some days I just wasn’t strong! Some days I just wanted to die!

“Then why didn’t you tell me!”

“BECAUSE YOU AVOIDED ME! For your life that I was “stealing” away from you! The one that we had to share!”

“That isn’t fair.”

“No. It really isn’t, James. I listened to you whine all the time and I’m sick of it.” you felt another stabbing pain in your lower back, up your spine and to your head until you felt your head spin. “FUCK!” you let out a groan, holding to your hips. 

“What’s wrong?” Sirius and James both tried to walk to you but you managed to keep yourself up and sober.

“Nothing.” you hissed at them. “Leave me alone- I’m going to Nina’s for tonight.” you said and left the room. You made your way to the bathroom, grabbed two of your dad’s painkillers and threw them into your mouth. 

With that taken, you took a few more just in case and made your way out of the house. 

You weren’t sad anymore. You weren’t angry either. You were just a storm of so many emotions in one small body. You forgot your jacket, you were in crocks with no socks and no purse- you were just storming away into the unknown. Not to Nina’s because Nina was in Cuba with her family, but you couldn’t go to Marcus either because of tonight, so instead you just walked with extreme back pain and cold wind on blowing against you. 

“Hey, there pretty lady!” you heard someone behind you but you only started to walk faster.

Great. One more thing you needed was catcallers and men out on the pull. 

“Oh, where are you going so angry so fast.” he ran to you but you sneaked away from him.

“Leave me alone.” you grumbled, your lips trembling from the cold. 

“Ah- come on.” one pulled you by the arm, meanwhile his friend appeared next to him. But as he did pull you, you only slapped his cheek, hard.

“I said leave me alone, you freaks!” you shouted, shoving him away and trying to wriggle your wrist out of his hold. 

“Oh, she’s a feisty one, John.” his friend smiled behind him. 

“We like them feisty, don’t we Will?” the other, John, said pulling you closer to him, where you could smell his reeking breath. 

“If you don’t let me go now, you will regret it.” you seethed, taking a hold of your wand and gripping it tight around its core. 

The two men laughed hard and you could feel the man’s grip tighten around you but when you did, you immediately pulled out your wand and stupefied him- both of them until they were passed out on the ground. 

Blowing out a strand of your hair that fell, you walked towards them and looked down on their pathetic passed out faces. “Only weak men pray on women.” you kicked one of them with your crock and made your way to where you were going. 

By now, you already knew where to go. You would just make a round down the field until you would come back to the nets your dad hung a few days ago. You’d maybe sleep there for the night- not sleep. Just be there and think in peace, without anybody knowing or disturbing you. It would be just you and the sky and the tree. Maybe a few mosquitos to give you company. 

Your back sent you another jolt of pain, up your spine to your head. You had to stop at the edge of the woods, holding yourself against the tree trunk. You grabbed the bottle of pills and tried to pull it out but jolt after jolt it kept entering your head, making the night go darker and blurrier. The next thing you knew, your hand slipped from the trunk and you were on the ground, falling, tumbling amongst the trees and the branches. One scratched your face, thorns dug deep into your stomach. You tried to stop but everything hurt and you couldn’t stop tumbling down. Lights, stars, trees and the last thing you saw was the tree trunk you were approaching with extreme force. 

“No, no, no, no, no.” you dug your nails into the dirt, trying to stop yourself from colliding, pulling out the grass by its roots but it didn’t help because the next thing you knew was a strog force to your chest and then... it was dark.

Home

Prompt: Secret Revealed TMNT verse: 2012 Characters: Karai, Splinter, Leonardo, Raphael (brief appearance), Michelangelo (brief appearance), Donatello (brief appearance), Shredder (mentioned) Relationships: No romantic relationships. Family feels - Karai & Splinter & Leo & Donnie & Raph & Mikey AO3 Link: Here

Very light angst, mostly in talk about a sad past but the story is focused on a more hopeful future. Mostly comfort. Vent fic.

Summary: After her first few days of living in the lair, Karai thinks about what it means to finally be home. Set during S2E21, "Vengeance is Mine"

Other Notes:  I'm not going to lie, this fic isn't that great and the writing is pretty weak compared to my other work. The ideas are all over the place and yeah... but I wrote it after something shitty happened in my own life and it was me attempting to get my own thoughts into focus. But vent fics can be awful I decided because this is really personal to me. This also only vaguely pertains to the prompt but it inspired it, even if I strayed a lot from my initial idea. The secret revealed was Karai's real identity of being Splinter's daughter. Honestly tho this is not very “bad things happen” but oh well. I already wrote it 

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When Karai was young, she always wished for a beautiful future.

She never would have admitted it; no, dreams of hope and light were scoffed upon in the Foot, dismissed as childish fantasies by all (and Karai had never been a child). So when asked what she wanted in the future, Karai always stated the same thing: she wanted her father to rule. A perfect future would be ruling as his second in command, watching the Foot dominate the planet after they had finally gotten their revenge on the man who ruined their lives... Hamato Yoshi. That was her vision for the future.

But privately, she dreamed.

She dreamed of a day her father would stop pushing and forcing her ahead, when he would be proud of the woman she had become. He would settle down, take a break from his plans for revenge (if he couldn't retire completely) and he would breathe too. They would start to live, and her father would listen to her for once. Of course, they would never leave the Foot Clan—she loved it too much for that—but maybe, just maybe, they could stop searching for revenge and could experience life too. Maybe her father would listen to her when she swore this obsession would get them all killed... and maybe he would trust her word as much as she trusted him.

She dreamed of a chance for peace. She dreamed of hope, of family, and of trust.

But never in a million years had she dreamed of finally finding it in the sewers of New York City.

"Haha! Got you, Donnie, I got you good." Mikey taunted a now soaking Donnie, the shredded remains of a pink water balloon still covering his skin. Karai grinned as she watched Michelangelo dance around him, reaching out to poke his nose. "You can't beat Doctor Prankenstein, son!"

Donnie slapped his hand away, glaring. "That's the third time today, Mikey! Where are you even getting these? You- Hmmph!"

Cutting off his words, Mikey slapped a hand over Donnie's mouth, shushing him insistently. A glance behind her told Karai what had caught the young turtle's eye—Raphael had just returned home and was heading into the dojo. Mikey grinned towards Donnie, letting go of him to pull out another water balloon from behind his back.

"Don't say a word!"

Donnie sighed and rolled his eyes, already turning around to head back to his lab. "It's your funeral," He called over his shoulder as the mischievous grin grew across Mikey's face. 

And Karai leaned back on her hands, watching as the turtle ran from the room to find Raphael. Watching the turtles had become a favorite, and most amusing, pastime of Karai's since she'd moved into the lair a few days before, after Leo and his team had saved her from her so-called "father". Without the rigorous training and missions of the Foot, she had found that she had a lot more free time on her hands. Since she hadn't had the chance to develop much as far as "hobbies" go, she'd taken to simply observing the lair and the people in it. And in that time spent observing, she had discovered a few very interesting things.

The turtles were a true family. They acted like it in private too, and it had never been an act to try to draw her in like she had supposed at one point. They truly acted like the brothers they were to each other.

"Your brothers," A quiet voice in her mind reminded her, "They're your family too."

And it was true. Since first stepping foot into their lair, Karai had felt more at home than ever before, and the family had welcomed her into their fold without question. All of them had. Even Raphael, who Karai had been sure still hated her, was making an effort to treat her as his sister. He struggled, sure, and all of them were still a little unsure of where she fit into their little puzzle, but they were trying as hard as they could. And even better? They were happy about it. The change to their family was a positive one.

And Karai felt safe for the first time in her life.

"You watching the show?"

Karai looked up to see Leo approaching her, a friendly smile on his face. She frowned ever so slightly in confusion. "Show?" She asked, looking towards the blank TV screen.

"The Raph and Mikey show," Leo clarified. "I saw Mikey head in there with that water balloon. Any second now, he'll be running out here screaming with Raph right behind him."

Karai laughed, "I wasn't planning on it, but that does sound fun. Sure, I'm here for the show-"

"MIKEY!!"

No sooner had the words left her mouth did the event happen. Mikey ran out of the dojo yelling with a soaked and angry Raphael following right behind, the two running circles around the main room without a care to mask the sound of their steps. They ran and ran, getting closer to being caught and shoving the other off before running even faster. Eventually, they retreated into the kitchen, still yelling and screaming the whole way.

Karai and Leo shared a look before they dissolved into laughter.

"This what you expected?" Leo asked her. Karai paused.

"Not really," She admitted, "It's definitely... different from the families I'm used to. But it's a nice surprise."

"Different?"

"Not many people were really a family in the Foot," Karai said, "Sure, every once in a while there were a pair of new recruits who were siblings, or a mother who brought her son into the clan. And, of course, me and..." She let those words trail off, not entirely sure how to refer to the man she had thought was her father for so many long years. He was the Shredder, of course, but referring to him in the context of 'families in the Foot' didn't feel right anymore. She shook her head. "But no one actually acted like it. No one cared for the others as much as everyone does here."

A gentle silence drifted over the lair, and Leo looked down with a slight frown. The hesitance on his face was obvious as he considered his next words, unsure how to ask whatever it was he wanted to say. Karai raised one brow.

"What?" She prompted. Leo avoided her eyes.

"Was it off-putting?" He asked slowly, "Just... it sounds like a big change, I guess, and a lot to take in after a life with Shredder. Was it hard to deal with all at once?"

Was it a big change? Yes, of course, but not in the way Karai had expected. When she escaped that prison the Shredder had locked her in, she expected it to be like a bandage being ripped off. Harsh, painful, and burning before the pain subsided to reveal healed skin. While it would hurt, it'd be worth it in the end, and the relief of living in a place she was finally loved in would hit her like a tsunami and wash her away into a brand new life.

But it wasn't like that at all.

The change was big, but it was so gentle and soft, she almost hadn't noticed it. One day, she was in a cold cell being lied to that she was loved by the parent who locked her out in the cold. The next, she was in warmth and care and comfort. She was surrounded by those who were willing to put in the effort to love her and she was happy. The change wasn't a tsunami washing away the pain at all... No, it was a warm blanket being pulled up to her chest that wrapped her in love so slowly that she wasn't sure how she ever could have ever survived without it.

"It wasn't off-putting at all," She said, turning towards her younger brother and smiling. "I promise. You guys have made the change easy."

Leo grinned, relieved. "Good." He said, before both of the two jumped at the crash heard from the kitchen.

"Raph! It was funny!"

"What have I told you?!"

Leo grimaced, glancing towards the kitchen and sighing. "I better go deal with that," He said, standing up. "But after patrol tonight, we're bunking out here to watch a couple of movies. If it goes well, I mean. You should come too."

"This is where I've been sleeping anyways, do I really have a choice?" Karai teased. Leo blanked, looking five seconds away from blabbing an apology, so Karai rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I was just messing with you. I'll be there, Don't worry."

"Oh, good, that's great!" Leo grinned, "Then-"

"DOCTOR PRANKENSTEIN STRIKES AGAIN!"

"YOU HAD ANOTHER ONE?! I'M GONNA-"

Leo groaned and sped off towards the kitchen, already shouting the two's names. Karai rose to her feet, but otherwise stayed where she was, just watching and running over the plans for later that night in her head. Patrol would be nice, but she'd be lying if she said she wasn't excited to come back afterward to watch a movie. She never did that in the Foot, but here in the lair, she could. Right after she came home-

Karai froze.

Home. She had called the lair home.

Because this place really did feel like home, safer than anywhere she had lived before in her life. Even as a child with who she had thought was her family, something was always out of place, something was always wrong.

But here... it all just clicked into place. She fit in instantly in ways the Shredder had told her she never would.

Almost everything was perfect. Everything was fitting into place.

"Miwa?"

And all that was left was just one simple problem she had.

"Father," Karai turned around to face Splinter, looking up to see his smiling face, full of acceptance and pride, filling her heart with warmth in a way she never had known was possible. To think, she had hated him for all of these years because of the lies someone else had told her.

She almost hated herself for it. Sometimes she really did.

"You look troubled, my child," Her father frowned. "What is the matter?"

"I"m not troubled, I'm just..." Karai sighed, looking down. "I'm mad, I guess, at what we lost."

"We may have lost many battles, yes, but we have not lost the war. In fact-"

"No, no, not that," Karai shook her head, gesturing blindly with her hands. Was the war with the Foot and Kraang important? Of course, and she'd spent many long hours thinking about it. But that wasn't what was bothering her this time. "Not lost battles, but..." She hesitated. She'd lost so much... Lost family, lost truths, lost homes... How could she sum those billions of feelings up in only a few words? Words could only get you so far, and the tornado of thoughts in her mind could never be tamed long enough to escape her head—not properly, anyway. 

"What do you mean, then?" Splinter gently pressed, "What have we lost?"

A moment of hesitance, and then a soft sigh. "Lost time," Karai finally said, "With us, I mean."

Splinter didn't reply at first, the seconds easing into minutes and hastening into what felt like decades. Karai understood why; how were you supposed to reply to something like that? How were you supposed to take that, when your own daughter was taken by someone else, fed lies about you her entire life, and taught to hate you? 

"I mourn our lost time together as well," Splinter finally replied, "I wish I could have seen you grow up. But what's past is past. What matters is here and now, and that we are together again today. We must not neglect the present in grief over the past."

"I just feel so stupid," Karai said, shaking her head. "There were so many obvious signs he was lying and that he was the bad guy. But I missed all of them and I- I hated you, Father. I didn't believe you when you tried to tell me the truth either. I ignored you and fought you, but you were right all along."

The self-hatred hit her all at once, and she sunk back down to the ground in defeat. When she spoke again, her words came out in a broken whisper.

"How could you ever forgive me?"

"You were a child, Miwa," Splinter leaned forward, eyes darkening in anger. Not at her, that much was clear, but a distantly directed anger towards Oroku Saki. "What happened was not your fault, and you must never blame yourself. You were lied to and manipulated. But you, my daughter, never had a choice, even when you were told you were the one in control. This is not your doing."

"But-"

"It is not your fault," Splinter stared at her sadly, "You couldn't have known."

"But what if I had?" Karai pressed, "The hints were there. If I had figured it out, maybe all these years wouldn't have been wasted. We could have been together for more. Then maybe I wouldn't have been-"

A leader in the Foot Clan. A talented manipulator. A vengeful warrior. A twisted mind. An ugly heart.

"...Wouldn't have turned out the way I did," She finished lamely, eyes cast downwards. "I"m not Miwa, Father. I'm not who you wanted to raise me to be."

With that shameful admittance, Karai let the room drift into silence, frozen in fear. If she had said something that disrespectful to the Shredder, told her old father she wasn't who he wanted her to be, she would have been punished. Beaten, bruised, forced to train until her fingers bled... but through all of that, there was comfort in knowing what to expect. There were very few surprises the Shredder could inflict on her that she didn't already know the pain of.

But what would her true father do?

"Karai,"

Her eyes shot up to him in shock. 

"When you were first born, I will admit I did have a very different picture of your future in mind," Her father chuckled, "But I never wanted to decide who you were. That is something no one but you can decide, and it is your choice and your choice alone what kind of person you will be. You were taught many cruel things, but that is part of growing up. You must take what you learned and decide for yourself what you will keep and what you will get rid of. But, my daughter, you must understand this."

He set both hands on her shoulders, meeting her eyes directly. There was nothing but pure sincerity in his words.

"You, as you are now, are wonderful. I would not trade you for anyone else. You are my daughter, Karai, and I am very proud."

The tears started to well up in her eyes and Karai sucked in a deep breath, desperately trying to hold them at bay. To break was dishonorable, but to cry in front of another individual was beyond even that. It was a horribly punishable offense that she, in her 16 years of living, had never once broken. She couldn't now. She had been taught better than that.

But then Splinter opened his arms and her breath hitched.

The Shredder had taught her many things, but acceptance and love were not one of them. Maybe her real father was right. Maybe she could throw away some of the things he had taught her without getting rid of herself, because she could decide for herself what was right and what was wrong.

That teaching, she decided, she would throw out for good. A tear ran down her cheek.

"It is okay," Splinter whispered as she fell into his arms, hugging him tightly for dear life. He held her right back. "It is okay, my daughter, you are safe here."

And she was.

She was home.

Name (Todoroki x Reader)

Pairing: Todoroki x fem!Reader

Anon asked: “suggestion for Todoroki angst : he got in an arranged marriage with S/O because of his dad who offered a large amount of money to her family for this. Indeed it’s not what they are both looking for but Todoroki really acts cold, is sharp, openly criticizes her (a bit OOC ik) ... S/O is hurt but is still trying to be a good wife around the house to make the best of the situation and hide her insecurities. It’s just an idea, if it does not inspire you I hope you will find something better!! xx

Genre: Angst. Just...angst. I’m so sorry in advance plz don’t hate me

Warnings: Grab your tissues, this is a long roller coaster that’s only going downhill OH GOD I’M SO SORRY

Word count: 3,059

Tags:  @yuki-osaki​ @liviitehe​ @iamsoftsodonttoucheume-blog​ 

a/n: (Submission 1/3 for my post asking for todo angst ideas!  Thanks for the ask anon!)

Um. This is...depressing.  Really depressing and really intense.  I didn’t expect it would turn out this way.  But it did.  I had 2 other endings, but I instinctively wrote this one.  I actually had to stop and cry for a few minutes because it was just really painful I mean, I know I said I was ready to but I didn’t actually mEAn it

I tried a different style for this, but I think it suits the story well.  It’s 3rd person limited because I wanted you to experience everyone’s feelings in this (gotta maximize on the angst yknow) and half past tense bc of reasons you’ll find out.

God I’m afraid to post this. Is it bad that I love it, I honestly spent so much time writing this, but it hurts sO mUch?? Y’all are gonna hate me, you’re gonna kill me, oh no, just read the thing already, I’m hiding.

Buy me a coffee?

Shoto didn't know how to react to the news.  It's not that he had his eye on anyone in particular, or that he was even interested in marriage for that matter.  But because he proposed it, the man who had spent his entire childhood controlling every aspect of his life, he refused to accept any other intrusions from the man he should call "father."

The strange man across from his father spoke those words so casually.  "So Endeavor, when are these two tying the knot?"

At first, he thought he had misheard or misunderstood.  And then his father responded just as casually, "The date is set for next month."

The normally calm and collected boy almost burst the entire room into flames.  He clenched the silverware so hard his knuckles turned white and his teeth ground together, but he couldn't say anything in front of his father's guest and his daughter for fear of shaming himself.  The girl across from him offered a sympathetic look, but he turned away, already preparing the earful he's going to give his father.

-

"I want nothing to do with this!" he whirled on Endeavor as soon as they were home.  "You've made my life a living hell controlling every single thing!  And now you even want to control my marriage?!"

"I'm doing this for you!" Endeavor bellowed right back.  "For the Todoroki name!  For your future!"

"This is all for you!  I want no part-!"

"If you don't agree, you'll never see your mother or the siblings again."

The calm threat was enough to drench Shoto's wrath into submissive fear.  The flaming monster in front of him proved once again that he hasn't an ounce of sympathy for his blood.  He's learned that family is the only thing keeping his son under his thumb and he still actively exploits that weakness.

All the boy can do is swallow and walk away, retreating to the outside world to escape his bitter reality even temporarily.  Shoto doesn't have outbursts often, but there are times when the straw finally breaks the camel's back, and this is one of them.  All he can do is run until he can't run anymore, reaching somewhere secluded enough where he can burst out in flames and ice without hurting anyone, finally getting to a forest where he can do exactly that and scream to his heart's content.  It's the only thing he can do that is under his own control.

In the month that followed up to the wedding, Shoto barely spoke a word to anyone, choosing to isolate himself.  He only came out when he absolutely had to show his face at functions to the bride's family and look presentable.  His mind was always absent, the time flying in a blur of colors and white.  Thankfully, his father did the preparations, so all he had to do was go along with everything.  Shoto was simply playing a role in a play or movie, he was an actor who deserved an award for being in character for a month.

The night of the wedding, he and his newly-wedded wife were whisked away to their new home, being alone for the first time together.  He didn't even know what she looked like nor did he care.  As soon as they walked through the door of their already-furnished house, he released a heavy breath, brushed past her, unbuttoned his tuxedo, and - cold as his ice quirk - instructed, "I'm going to bed.  Don't come up tonight."  It was the first time he had ever spoken directly to her.

His wife, through this entire ordeal, was patient with him.  She didn't want this arrangement either, but she figured they could at least talk and come to a mutual agreement.  The entire month, she never pushed him to speak to her.  She anticipated that he would be rational about this, as she was told by her family, and that they would be able to talk things over when they were finally alone.  Just as she was going to speak her mind the way she had rehearsed it many times, he dismissed her.  She was hurt, but she understood.  He's exhausted after a whole month of stress and preparations, she rationalized, He just wants to rest.  I wouldn't want to talk to a stranger after all that either.

Resolving to try again tomorrow morning, she undressed (with great difficulty), crept into the master bedroom for her clothes while Shoto showers, retrieved her pajamas quietly, and retreated back to the living room.  The girl searched all the closets for a thick enough blanket and settles down to sleep on a couch, the exhaustion putting her right to sleep.

The next morning, the new Mrs. Todoroki woke up bright and early to make breakfast for her husband as an olive branch.  She toiled away in the kitchen, somewhat making a racket even though she wanted to stay quiet so Shoto can sleep.  Just as she finished setting the table and had to face the question of how to wake him, the boy padded down from the room.

"Oh, morning!" she smiled brightly at him.

He murmured a greeting back only to be polite, his face devoid of any real emotions other than coldness.  He sat as far away from her a possible, thanking her for the meal halfheartedly and digging in without another word.

After waiting a few moments to let him satisfy his hunger, she cleared her throat.  "So, um-"

"Your tamagoyaki needs more soy sauce and butter," he stated bluntly.

She blinked at the harsh comment.  It was shocking he said anything to her at all, and the first thing he said was an insult.

"And the miso has no flavor," he continued in the same tone.

The girl finally gathered her wits.  "I'll do better tomorrow.  Thanks for the feedback, I guess?" she laughed nervously, trying to erase the immense tension Shoto bled into the atmosphere.  When he didn't respond, she tried again.  "I know this isn't something either of us wanted, but that doesn't mean we have to live here like enemies.  We could be friends, or even just roommates!"

"I'd rather be strangers," he interjected harshly.

It felt like a stab in the heart.  Here she was, trying to make their lives somewhat bearable together through their common misfortune, and all he wanted to do was live like ghosts in the same house.

Shoto placed his chopsticks down firmly, glaring her straight in the eyes with the iciest hatred she's ever seen.  "Just to be clear, I want no part of you.  You live your life and I live mine.  You can have the bedroom to sleep at night if you want, but it's mine when I come home to shower and prepare for bed.  We will not sleep, talk, or breathe near each other as long as we are in this house."

She dipped her head in defeat, unable to bear the weight of his stare.  "C-Can we at least have our meals together?" she asked feebly.

It's something he respected, coming from family values no matter how broken.  It's the only exception he made to their less-than relationship.

Months passed and she kept her end of the bargain through a suffocating routine.  At first, the girl was kind, trying to get him to open up to her somehow without overstepping her boundaries.  She made excuses for him constantly.  He's just tired.  The least I can do is leave him alone.  I can't comfort him anyway, I'm a stranger.  He's still upset about the whole thing, he'll come around.  She even begged her boss to let her leave a little early every day to make sure she had ample amount of time to get home, shower, and prepare dinner before Shoto returned.  When he did, he wordlessly showered, sat down to dinner, nitpicked at her cooking, finished eating, and went to sleep on the living room couch, all without even sparing her a glance.

But as every day passed, she grew more weary and worn in her efforts to please him.  She tried to fix every little complaint Shoto had about her cooking or the cleanliness of the house or the laundry, but nothing seemed to satisfy him.  She tried to hold onto the silver lining.  At least he never touched me wrong or took advantage of me, she would think bitterly.  He has the decency not to take his anger out on me.

Then the dark thoughts closed in as he continued ignoring her. Surely, Shoto's only disgusted with his father, he doesn't harbor hatred for her personally.  Then she would remember the hate and disgust in his mismatched eyes the first day of their marriage.  She realized no matter how desperately she tried, he wouldn't show her any signs of warmth or appreciation.  No more did she try to make conversation with him during meals or greet him when he came home.  There were days she thought, Why should I even try?  He wouldn't like it either way.  What's the point of getting up today?  Maybe he'll even criticize how I sleep.  But she still rose out of bed every morning and carried out her routine because it could always be worse.

A sliver of hope came in the form of Shoto's birthday.  The girl figured if she did something just a little special, he would acknowledge her even the tiniest bit.  She spent days beforehand researching and testing out the perfect cold soba recipe because she knew it was his favorite.  She lit some candles on the table and bought a small cake for them to share.

When he came home, she was sure he would notice and say something, but he didn't; he went straight up to the bathroom as he usually did without a word.  Though she felt the glimmer lessen in her heart, she didn't give up.  For the first time in a while, she verbalized her thoughts to him.

"I made your favorite for your birthday!" she chirped as he sat down, setting the plate and a cup of dipping sauce in front of him.  She was so eager for him to try it because she was confident she'd gotten it right this time.  If she were a dog, her tail would've wagged in anticipation as he slurped the noodles into his mouth.  She waited patiently for his feedback, leaning forward in excitement as he swallowed.

"The noodles are slightly overcooked.  And the dipping sauce is too strong, you didn't add enough water."

Her hopes came crashing to a halt.  She couldn't even muster anything else to say as he hastily finished his dinner and rose to leave.

She stood up, heart hammering in her chest.  "What about the cake?"  Anything, something!

"I don't want it."  He turned his back to her.

"I got it for you!"  It was the first time she explicitly stated her intentions, the first time she made herself vulnerable.

"You shouldn't have gotten it at all.  It was a waste of time.  Why did you even try?"  The calm and cold words stung her as he got up and left her in the dining room alone.

His words echoed against the empty walls of the dining room.  She looked down at the cake he disregarded, feeling cold and dizzy.  She took a shaky breath in and out before resting her head on the cold glass table to stabilize herself.  The voice stabs through her even as she closed her eyes to block them out.

It was then she felt bluntly in her mind.  He hates me.  

-

The girl feels nothing but numbing cold, both on her face and inside.  Rolling up to sit, her neck and back cry out in soreness from sleeping on the table, pale light greeting her from the nearby window.  Her face feels strange, and she trudges to the bathroom mirror to check why.  She knows she should be preparing for work, but what's the point?  Her reflection reveals lines across her cheek, probably from sleeping on the edge of the table.  She shuffles to the kitchen because she should probably start breakfast, but why should she?  Leaning against the counter, she can't bring herself to move anywhere.  Her brain buffers as she tries to force herself to think of what to do now.  She doesn't feel sick, but there's a dull, cool feeling in her limbs that she can't face.

The phone rings, catching her off guard.  Glancing at the number, she doesn't hesitate to answer.  "Hello?"

"Hi, baby.  It's me."

Her eyebrows relax, appreciating the sound of a familiar voice.  "Hey, Mom.  What's up?"  She knows her voice sounds weak, she's hoping the woman can't hear it.

"I'm just checking in, you haven't called in a while.  Is something up?  You don't sound good."

"I'm...fine," she stumbles over the word.  "How's dad?"

"He's doing well.  You sure you're not sick, sweetie?"

"I'm not."  She leans her back on the counter.

"Is Shoto there?  How is he?"

And just like that, she feels something dislodge in her throat.  "He's going to work, he probably left early."  She doesn't know, there hasn't been any rustling in the house.

Her mom is silent for a while.  "Tell me the truth.  What happened?"

The sound of her mother's stern voice moves something in her chest.  "It's nothing, I just made a mistake."

"Doing what?"

"I tried making Shoto's favorite dish for his birthday yesterday.  I put so much time and energy into perfecting it for him to enjoy it, but I fell short again."  She laughs bitterly, tears starting to fill her eyes.  "He didn't even want the cake I got for him, he said it was a waste.  I shouldn't have bothered with it."  She blinks and a tear slides down her face.  "I don't know why I was expecting something different to happen, I'm so stupid."

"Honey, where is this coming from?  What's going on?"

She wipes her face, but more spill out of her eyes as she slides down the cabinet onto the cold floor.  "It's just a little frustrating when you're sharing a house with someone you're married to and they barely acknowledge you.  I mean, I expected there to be problems at first given the circumstances, but I didn't expect this."  Her voice shakes with every word.  "God, what did I do to deserve this?  I've lived in this house for 5 months, and never has he even said 'thank you' to me.  Hasn't breathed a word of appreciation to me.  I do so much for him.  I've bent over backwards for him just to make everything done the way he wants it, I've worked my entire routine, my entire life in this house to cater to him, but all he does is complain!"  She sobs into the phone, curling up into a ball as tremors wrack through her body.  "I'm just so tired.  I don't know how much more I can take.  I've made so many excuses for him, but I just can't do anything right.  Why am I even still here?"

Her mother is silent on the other line.  "My baby, if I knew this would happen, I wouldn't have allowed this marriage.  I can't believe you're going through this."

The girl can't formulate words or think anything coherent.  She drops the phone out of her hand, wrapping her legs to her chest as the tremors continue in waves, muffled whimpers the only thing escaping her lips because she's afraid to cry out loud despite being in an empty, lonely house.

-

Shoto heard something he probably shouldn't have, but he definitely needed to hear.  It bothered him for the rest of the day.  It was a sobering slap in the face that made him feel shame and regret, a hard-to-swallow pill that sat in his stomach the entire day.

On his way back home, the sound of her sobs echoes in his mind.  He curses his behavior from the past few months.  At the very least, he made a lady cry, and at the most, he's been a complete asshole.  It's all his fault, that is something he's completely aware of and is ready to take full responsibility for.  All this time, he was stupidly neglecting her out of spite for his father, but he broke her in the process.  He's angry that he had to hear her crying to realize that.  The only thing he can do now is hurry home to profusely apologize for what he's done and hope they can start over new and she forgives him, which he's prepared for her not to do.

Honestly, he deserves all the hate from her that he's shown her.  After everything she's done for him and all the effort she's put into their imbalanced relationship, he wouldn't be surprised if she yelled at him and called him all sorts of names.

Shoto walks through the door, the atmosphere different.  The house is quiet as usual, but it's more eerie than he remembers, as if that means anything with how aloof he was.  He slips into the bedroom and changes quickly, returning back to the quiet dining room where his dinner waits for him at his place.

He tentatively sits and spares a quick glance at the girl who's supposed to be his wife.  Her eyes are still puffy and she's tugging at her sleeves.  It seems she's avoiding him and he was avoiding her before.  He questions how things should start.   When is the right time to speak his piece.  Would she listen to him now?  He decides to take a bite first and chews slowly.  I guess a 'thank you' is a good place to start-

"We're getting a divorce."

He stops suddenly, almost choking.

"You don't owe me anything, and I don't want anything from you."  She isn't looking at him, voice calm and collected.  "Besides, it's better this way since it's what you wanted."  She rises from her seat smoothly.  "I've already packed for the next few nights.  I'll have some workers come in the following weeks to clear out the rest, and the papers will be delivered promptly."  Her footsteps recede from the room.

Shoto turns around to call out to her, and his minds comes up blank.

He never even bothered to remember her name.

~

Sequel?

Sequel!

Luz’s mother really doesn’t want to send Luz to camp. She knows once she leaves, there is no going back. But Luz has a knack for getting into trouble, and one day she stumbles into the same type of people her mother would have preferred she avoided. After helping Luz dissolve her high school bully into dust, Eda and Lilith know right away that this kid is just like them - a child of the gods. So Luz hops on a Pegasus and heads to Camp Half-blood, where she embarks on a dangerous quest that makes her both friends and enemies... and she might even save Olympus along the way.

Chapter Twenty-Four: We Help Out Willow’s Big Brother

Luz’s legs were burning.

She was pretty sure she’d never had to walk this far in her entire life. She’d been hiking a couple of times with her Tia Rosa when she was younger, but she definitely hadn’t enjoyed it. And it definitely hadn’t been more than an hour.

The walk down the highway hadn’t been that bad. They’d stayed off to the side of the road, and even been picked up by a nice mom in a minivan at one point. They’d told her that Gus’ dad had a fishing house along Turquoise Lake, and she’d dropped them off right at the edge of the highway. That had probably cut them about an hour of walking, but it was still slow and brutal.

Eventually, the highway had ended and a dirt road took its place. That’s when they started to move uphill. Luz could handle the straight line, but she was wearing vans and wasn’t at all interested in uphill climbing in flat shoes.

After about an hour and a half of moving along this uphill climb, Luz doubled over, clutching her stomach.

“Can we take a quick break? I’m dying here.”

Willow was more than happy to agree with Luz, dropping into a squat right next to her. “Sure, I’m beat.”

“I don’t know guys,” Amity said with a frown. Somehow, throughout the entire hike, she didn’t look even the slightest bit tired. She was sweating a little along her brow but otherwise looked unfazed. “We shouldn’t stop here. We’re exposed.”

“Don’t you guys think it’s a little strange we haven’t run into a single monster?” Gus added. He also looked a little worse for wear, he had shed his button-up and was now just in a t-shirt and jeans. But he was worrying his lower lip, looking around like they would be ambushed at any second. “I mean, we’re four demigods walking in a group, closing in on Mount Pelion. We couldn’t be bigger targets if we tried.”

“Don’t jinx us,” Willow deadpanned, taking a huge swig of water from one of the bottles they’d bought in Leadville. “I really don’t have the energy to fight a monster right now. We’ve been hiking for two and a half hours.”

“If we’re going to take a break, I think we should at least do it in the trees and out of sight,” Amity suggested, and Luz nodded, straightening back up.

“That’s fine with me, any break is a good break.”

They walked off the dirt road and down a little trail until they ended up a creek. Finding a good spot to sit along some rocks, Willow handed everybody a protein bar. Luz collapsed pretty ungracefully along a rock and closed her eyes.

“This is brutal,” she groaned, “and it’s only going to get more intense the higher up we get.”

“It depends actually,” Amity added with a shrug. “We might have to make our way around the mountain in a spiral. Lots of trails don’t go straight up.”

“How do you know all that?” Willow asks, and Amity tucks her arms around her knees.

“I live in the area, remember? My siblings and I go on hikes all the time during the school year.”

“So do you know the trail up Mt. Elbert?” Gus asks, and Amity shakes her head.

“No, we’re not allowed to go near Mount Pelion. I’ve done Mt. Evans a couple of times though.”

“Well that explains how you’re like, not even out of breath at all,” Luz says with a teasing smile. “You’ve got some superhuman hiking strength.”

Amity blushes, rubbing the back of her neck. “It just takes practice. Eventually, you stop noticing the burn in your calves.”

“Ugh, I wish,” Gus groans. “Mine feel like I’ve just run a marathon.

“Do you think we’re going to make it up the mountain before dark?” Willow asks, and Amity immediately shakes her head.

“We shouldn’t, even if we are in a hurry. The higher we get, the more brutal the winds are going to be. It’s just after noon, so we should hike a little longer before we take a break and look for camp.”

“Ok, then let’s get moving,” Luz said, and when she stood up, every muscle in her legs protested. “The sooner we get there the sooner we can stop.”

They started to make their way back to the dirt road, walking in pairs. Amity was leading the charge with Gus next to her, and Luz and Willow hung back, their feet dragging a little more than they would have cared to admit.

They were almost back at the dirt trail when Amity suddenly stopped cold, and Luz wasn’t really paying attention, so she just slammed into her back. Amity stumbled, but Luz reached forward and caught her arm, pulling her back.

“Sorry,” Luz mumbled, but Amity just held up her hand. It was so unlike Amity that Luz quieted immediately, as did Willow and Gus, who were now looking around the clearing with nervous eyes.

“Did you hear that?” Amity whispered, stiffening up.

Luz was quiet, listening to her surroundings as her friends did the same. At first, there was nothing. Just the rush of the creek and the swaying of the trees. But then…

RHEEEEEEEEE!

Luz was so startled by the cry, she jumped right back into Willow, who held her shoulders and kept her steady. Gus and Amity called out their shields, holding a protective barrier in front of them, but it wasn’t needed. The cry had come from somewhere deeper in the trees, and following that right away was another cry, this one human.

A very angry human, cussing so badly her Mami would have washed their mouth out with soap.

Then, another cry from whatever had made that noise.

“Someone’s in trouble!” Willow exclaimed, and all four demigods summoned their weapons. Aletheia spun into a sword, and Luz caught it, and charged through the forest with her friends, her previous exhaustion forgotten.

“What kind of monster is that?” Luz cried out as they sprinted through the trees. There was no doubt it was something from their world. No bear or wolf made a noise like that.

“I have a couple of ideas!” Gus offered, doing his best to keep up and not trip on the rocky ground. “None of them good!”

“Sounds about right,” Luz groaned, before deciding to just focus on running.

Amity eventually skidded to a complete stop right as they broke through a clearing in the trees, and Luz stopped a lot more dramatically next to her, her dominant foot slipping and resulting in Aletheia being held up against her face protectively. When Luz looked past Amity’s shoulder at what was making the sound, she gawked.

In the middle of the clearing, there was a gorgeous white and blue farmhouse, with a huge porch. Luz could make out a clothesline hanging from the top of the porch, and a couple of wicker sitting chairs. There was a variety of hanging plants in the garden, and a huge wreath over the door. And the clearing? It was huge.

In fact, the clearing wasn’t a clearing at all. It was more like a twenty-acre farmers' field, just sitting off the dirt road in mountain country. Luscious green vegetables were growing in the fields, along with potatoes, corn, beans, an orchid of apples, and there was even a gods forsaken red barn smack in the center of it with a couple of animals milling about. The enough was enough to shock Luz since she was pretty sure the soil quality up here couldn’t be great. They looked like they could be in Missouri, not Colorado.

But the biggest shock wasn’t the farm. It was the farmer standing just away from the front porch. The farmer’s huge hands were clasping a boar by the tusks, stopping it from charging. He grunted with effort, gritting his teeth and digging his boots in the dirt, his muscles rippling under a green flannel button up.

Luz had never seen a boar before, but she was pretty sure they were supposed to be that big. It was easily the size of a sedan, with massive beady eyes, and it was doing everything in its power to push against the farmer. It’s feet stamped into the ground furiously as it pushed, and Luz saw the farmer tense as he was pushed back an inch in the dirt, and all the shock drained from her body.

“We have to help him!”

Luz charged forward, her friends at her heels. She approached the boar with a furious yell, and with a quick swing, she managed to take the boar by surprise and cut one of the tusks off sending it spinning into the dirt. The boar was now moving off-balance, diverting away from the farmer and charging in another direction. The farmer stumbled and dropped to one knee.

Gus and Amity charged at the boar with their weapons and shields, keeping it away from the crops. Willow had already leaned down to help up the farmer.

“Are you alright?”

He took her hand and stood, brushing his hands down his dirty jeans. “Thanks, kid,” he said to Willow, his voice gruff and heavy with a deep southern drawl. “I’ll be just fine. But we better go help your friends, cuz’ they ain't’ gonna be fine for long.”

Luz spun around, and her eyes widened in horror. The boar had turned on Gus now and had knocked his shield out of his hand with it’s one good tusk and sent it spinning into the dirt. He stabbed forward with his spear, managing to turn the boar away from him, but now it had focused on Amity, rearing back to charge.

“Amity!”

Luz ran forward, but there was no way she could outrun the boar. Amity didn’t seem to need her help though, because as it charged she sidestepped, managing to graze the side of it with her sword. It wasn’t nearly enough to send it running, but it did squeal and give Luz, Willow, and the farmer enough time to make it to the other two demigods.

They readied their weapons, the five of them standing together and watching the boar murderously. Seeming to realize it was outnumbered, the boar huffed in anger, before turning tail and fleeing, exiting through the trees and out of sight.

Luz exhaled, turning to her friends in terror.

“What was that thing?”

“The Crommyonian Sow,” Gus said, his voice very small as he retracted his spear and picked up his sword. “The mother to the Calydonian Boar. It terrorized the village Crommyon and was later killed by Theseus.”

“Theseus?” Luz asked, her voice quickly rising in anger. “That can’t be a coincidence.”

“It’s not, Luz,” Amity said, and Luz’s gaze flickered up to look at her. Her eyes were wide, but not because of the run-in with the boar. “Your dream!”

Luz paled, and Willow and Gus turned to look at her in confusion.

“What dream?” Willow asked, and Luz recalled the dream she’d had of the mountain, from the fight between Theseus and Achilles, Belos’ order, and the Death Mist. When she’d finished, they both had gone pale as well.

“His exact words were ‘stop them before they find us’?” Gus repeated, fidgeting uncomfortably. “That can’t be good.”

“The Sow started showin’ up today, but it’s come back roun’ here three times lookin’ for trouble,” the farmer said, and Luz jumped, forgetting he was standing there. When Luz and her friends turned to look at him, he stuck his hands in his jean pockets, giving them a white smile.

Luz wasn’t sure how old he was, maybe somewhere in his early thirties? He had curly dark hair and a scruffy beard that made him look like a lot of the dads that dropped their kids off at Luz’s school in the morning. He had a deep tan, and his eyes were a dark green, that twinkled in a way that Luz pegged right away as not human.

Though she should have figured that out already based on the way he held back a boar with his bare hands.                                                                                

“I’m Demophon,” he said with a little smile. “Why don’t you kids come inside for some lemonade.”

Demophon’s house was really homely. It was an old farm style, with a lot of wooden furniture, and the décor was mainly light greens and blues. In the living room next to a couple of couches was a huge brick fireplace, sitting barren and unused. They sat down at the kitchen table that overlooked the farm fields, and Demophon returned from the kitchen with two pitchers of lemonade and plates of snacks: cookies, fresh veggies and fruit, and sandwiches.

They probably should have been more cautious, considering they didn’t really know anything about Demophon, but they were so hungry they couldn’t care less. Luz’s stomach grumbled in delight as she dug into a little tuna sandwich, washing it down so quickly with lemonade she barely tasted it.

“Thank you so much for the food, Mr. Demophon,” Amity said between bites, and he just shook his head.

“Demophon is fine, Amity. It’s my pleasure to help you kids on your quest.”

The four of them perked up, now looking at him with surprise. The farmer chuckled, but Luz noticed a slight lift in her shoulders. She did the same thing when she was worried about something.

“Yes, I know all about your quest. My mother sent me a message earlier this month lettin’ me know you migh’ be stopping by… and that you were on your way to free Lady Hestia.” For a moment, his nerves disappeared as he turned to Willow, his green eyes twinkling in pleasure. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, little sister.”

Willow dropped her sandwich on the plate, looking up at him in shock. Luz felt her mouth drop open and saw Amity and Gus tense next to her. Willow, eventually, was able to reply.

“You’re my brother?”

Demophon hummed, taking a seat next to them. He crossed his huge calloused hands together on the table and smiled. “Well, in a sense. Demeter is more of my adopted mother. But over the many centuries I’ve been alive, I have come to grow fond of her.”

“You’re Triptolemus’ brother,” Gus said, his voice lowering in realization. Demophon chuckled.

“Trip is my older brother yes. Though he rarely visits. He has many other duties to attend to.”

“But how… how are you alive?” Gus said in awe, and Luz realized that Willow and Amity were leaning in, desperate to hear his story. Luz really needed to brush up on her Greek mythology. Maybe she’d take it as her elective when she went back to school.

“What do you mean how is he alive?” Luz asked, blinking. “He’s a god, obviously.”

“No, Luz Noceda,” Demophon said with a shake of his head. He settled his warm green eyes on Luz with a smile. “I am no god. But I am immortal.”

Luz’s brow furrowed. “How is that different?”

“Demeter is the goddess of the harvest, but also fertility,” Demophon explained, nodding his head to Willow. “My birth parents were favored by my mother, just as Willow’s fathers were. In exchange for their adoration, Demeter sought to make me a god in their honor. She is the mother of the Olympians and worked with Hestia to have me stoked on their fires and made immortal. But halfway through the process, my birth mother found me on the fire and screamed, rippin’ me off the flames. The process was never finished, but it was too late to turn back. I was made immortal, but due to my… imperfection… I was never accepted into the Greek pantheon. So, mother let me have this farm here near Mount Pelion, and that’s where I’ve stayed.”

“Why weren’t you accepted?” Amity asked in shock when he finished. She was looking Demophon up and down. “You look godly to me. You held back that sow with your bare hands, and you certainly haven’t aged over the centuries.”

“There is more to being a god than just strength and immortality,” Demophon answered, his voice turning wistful as he talked. “You need drive: godly essence that comes from owning and having. You need to stand for something and have mortals who respect and favor you. Mortals don’t see me as a person who can grant them good fortune and prosperity, and I have no claim over any aspect of humanity.”

“Because the legends said you died in the fire when your mother found you,” Willow said, her mouth open wide with shock and realization. Demophon shrugged.

“Mortals rarely get the full story, and so they fill in the gaps with what they want to see. Complex situations confuse em’. I think you know what I mean, little sister.”

Willow flushed, and Luz realized that maybe Demophon had a point. Willow was teased for being “half a half-blood”, but she was one of the strongest demigods Luz knew. The more Luz looked at Demophon, the more sympathy she felt for him. It must be incredibly lonely, living for this long and never being accepted into the mortal world or the godly one.

“I’m sorry we brought the monster to your farm,” Luz said slowly, and Demophon looked over at her with the tiniest hints of a smile.

“Now, now of that, Luz. I’m no fool, and unless you’re the man that sent that beast, I have no quarrel with you. But you kids ain’t safe heading up the mountain until that monster’s been taken care of.”

Demophon stood up and went into the kitchen, but came back relatively quickly. He had a cloth package in his hands, which he handed to Willow.

“These are some of my mother’s apples. She has me grow them here in case harvest on Olympus is poor. It never is, so I always have plenty. When you need a boost, take a bite. Hopefully, it helps you on your quest.”

Willow held the package so gently in her hands, it was like she was afraid they would disappear. She looked up at Demophon in awe.

“These apples… they haven’t been trusted to mortals in centuries. Why would you give us something like this?”

Demophon’s face suddenly went dark.

“I want Belos gone just as much as the Olympians do. Hestia is the reason I’m here, able to tend to my farm and my livestock. She’s always been kind to me… kind to all who cross her path and say hello.”

He looked over at the huge fireplace in his living room, which was completely dark. His eyes were fixated on it, like the sight of it alone physically pained him.

“My fire hasn’t lit since she was taken,” he said, his voice breaking slightly on those last few words. “Without her, all the love and light and happiness that we know will fade from existence. Somebody needs to stop him, and get her back. If I were not bound to this farm, I would go up the mountain myself. I will do anything I can to help you.”

Demophon sat back down at the table and went back to cradling his calloused hands in his lap. Luz was suddenly struck with a pang of homesickness. Demophon did the same thing with his hands her Mami did when she was worrying herself sick about something. He was just as scared about the success of the quest as they were.

“You seem to admire Hestia a lot,” Luz said quietly, so quietly she wasn’t sure anybody would hear her. But Demophon looked up, and so did her friends, turning to look at Luz. She glanced at Amity, for only half a second, and realized that she was watching Luz with a careful expression.

Had she overstepped?

Demophon met Luz’s gaze, and that’s when Luz saw it. It was the same look Amity gave her when she was grappling with a decision. To tell or not to tell.

“I’ve had so few people I could truly call a friend while I’ve worked this farm,” he eventually said, glancing over at the fire. “I could always rely on Hestia to show whenever I lit that fire and passed on my offerings. There are so few certainties in a life as long as mine. If you were in my place, would you be happy with that changing in the blink of an eye?”

“No,” Luz said immediately. She couldn’t imagine just sitting at her Mami’s apartment while her friends were in danger. She’d do anything to protect Willow and Gus. She’d do anything to protect Amity.

She’d move the entire mountain by herself if she had to.

She opened her mouth to reply, to assure Demophon that they would do everything they could to save her, but she didn’t get the opportunity to. Because Amity spoke next, swallowing hard before shaking her head.

“I’ll get her back,” Amity said, leaning in to look Demophon in the eye.

It was so surprising Luz couldn’t help but turn and look at Amity out of the corner of her eye. Amity’s expression was startling. Her face looked exactly like how Luz was feeling.

“I’ll break her out of the cage and make Belos pay no matter what happens. I swear it on the River Styx.”

Outside, thunder rumbled. The temperature in the room seemed to drop. Willow and Gus were looking at Amity with a mixture of shock and horror on their faces. Luz didn’t really know what was happening, but judging by the equally as awed look Demophon was giving her, whatever she’d done was pretty serious.

“You don’t know what you’re promising me, kid,” Demophon tried, but Amity shook her head, leaning in again with such a ferocity Luz couldn’t look away no matter how hard she tried.

“I do know,” she insisted, reaching forward and gently resting her hand over his. “I know that nobody deserves to have someone taken from them. Being around the people you love makes life worth living.”

Willow cracked a small smile, nodding her head and leaning forward to rest her hand on top of Amity’s.

“She’s right. I’ll help too.”

“Me too!” Gus added, reaching forward to put his own hand on top of Willows.

Luz broke into a grin, nodding and adding her own hand to the now growing pile. “Obviously I’m in too. We’ll free Hestia, even if Theseus throws a hundred more stupid pig-boars at us.”

“Let’s hope he doesn’t,” Amity deadpanned, and Luz laughed, hard enough that everyone at the table cracked into smiles. Even Demophon, who was looking so grateful Luz thought he might start crying.

“Thank you, kids,” he said, wiping at his face. “You have no idea what this means to me.”

“We do know. That’s why we want to help,” Luz insisted, her whole body vibrating with adrenaline at what they were about to do. “Now let’s go make some pork chops.”

Nightingale’s Song -10

Anna moved off of Steve’s lap so she sat beside him instead and linked her hands together in her lap as she leaned forward. Steve placed his hand on her back as he quieted everyone down. “Okay. Everyone let her breathe. One question at a time.”

“Why act like you couldn’t speak when you clearly can? Why lie?” Tony looked almost offended at the deception.

She shook it off, she barely knew these people. “Don’t take it personally, Tony. I haven’t spoken to anyone since sometime in 1957.”

“That’s not possible. Your vocal cords would be useless if that were the case,” Bruce piped up.

Anna gave a little smile. “I heal. Everything. I was never ‘on ice’ as you put it. I’ve been awake and aware for every single day of Hydra’s tender loving care.”

“But you haven’t aged a day since I last saw you,” Steve argued. “I was in stasis, but you weren’t. You should at least have a gray hair or something.”

“Aging is the body’s weaknesses as it grows older. I heal them. Don’t be surprised if you don’t age normally either. You or Buck. I’ve had a lot of time to think about it.”

“About this healing—” Dr. Banner started and Steve held up a hand to cut him off.

“What do you mean that Bucky’s alive, Anna? He can’t be. I watched him die, remember?” The pain in Steve’s eyes nearly broke her heart all over again.

“You watched him fall, Steve. I’ve seen him, touched him, healed him. He remembered me once. What they did to him after…” She shook her head and wiped a tear from her eye. “I didn’t help him remember any more.”

“Remember?” Banner asked.

Anna ran a hand down her face in an effort to wipe away the fatigue. She licked her lips and a bottle of water appeared in her vision. She glanced up in surprise to find Clint smiling down at her. “Thanks.” She took a long swallow. “They erase him. I don’t know how else to describe it. The last time I saw him there wasn’t anything of my Bucky left in him, but I have to believe we can get him back.”

The red-headed assassin who had introduced herself as Natasha held up a hand. “I’m sorry, but who is Bucky exactly?”

Anna glanced at Steve. He looked a little shell-shocked if she was honest. “My best friend. And her fiancé. He was part of the Commandos and fell off a train in the mountains during a mission. Naturally, he was presumed dead.”

“As you do when someone falls off a train in the mountains,” Tony added with the lift of one brow. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. You seem real nice and all and Cap obviously knows you but doesn’t this seem a little out there, even for us?”

Everyone shared glances, unsure of what to say as Steve and Tony started arguing. Anna shifted her gaze to Natasha. “To them he’s the asset. You know him as the Winter Soldier.”

Her eyes went wide and she shot to her feet. The bickering men went silent and turned their attention to her. “We need to talk. Now.”

***

Banner led Anna back to the medical lab claiming he wanted to run some new tests now that he knew her age. She saw it for what it was—an excuse to remove her from the conversation. She didn’t bother mentioning she would be able to hear them anyway. So, she listened to the doctor and answered his questions while listening to the rest of them argue on the floor above her.

Natasha was vehemently against even attempting to find Bucky. Steve, of course, wanted to leave immediately. Everyone else was more or less just trying to figure out what was going on. “Your friends aren’t very bright.”

Bruce gaped at her. “Excuse me?”

“They’re arguing about someone they don’t know. Neither Steve nor Natasha want to admit that there might be more to him than what they know. Steve wants to believe that Bucky is the same man that always had his back. And Natasha wants to believe he is nothing but the weapon they have made him into. It seems to me that the conversation would best be had with the woman that has known both aspects of him. Instead they send me here to get me out of the way.”

His gaze narrowed. “Well, Steve may know you, but the rest of us don’t. You can’t just expect us to take your word for much of anything at this point. And they may be discussing something else entirely by this point. Open please.”

Anna dutifully opened her mouth and Bruce swabbed the inside of her cheek. When he stepped away she gave him a small smile. “Natasha just told Steve that she wasn’t going to die due to his misplaced sense of nostalgia. And Steve told her that she didn’t have to go but he owes Bucky, and me, to see if what I say is true.”

The doctor frowned. “How could you possibly know that?”

She tapped just below her ear. “I can hear them.”

“Jarvis?”

“Ms. Nightingale is accurate in her repetition of the argument occurring upstairs.”

“It’s Charles.”

Bruce’s wide-eyed gaze took her in, but his brow furrowed in confusion.

“My name. Florence Anna Charles to be precise but Anna will do.”

He nodded once and licked his lips. “Jarvis connect me to the common area.”

A screen on a nearby wall displayed the rest of the Avengers in midargument. They stopped as Jarvis announced Banner wished to speak with them.

“Not the best time, Bruce,” Steve snapped. His gaze shifted to Anna and softened.

“You might as well include her in the conversation. She can hear you,” Bruce offered.

“What do you mean she can hear us?” Tony asked.

“Just what I said Tony. Whatever they did to her apparently gave her more than just healing.”

Anna shook her head. “The healing’s mine. They just enhanced it.”

“Do you shoot lasers out of your eyes or anything?” Clint asked.

“Not last time I checked, Barton,” she replied with a small smile.

His wife elbowed his side. He jumped a bit and rubbed his ribs. “What? It’s Hydra. I was just checking.”

“Nightingale, was it?” the woman said. “Would you care to join us?”

“Anna,” Steve corrected. “Her name’s Anna.”

“Good. We have enough birds around here as it is,” Tony added before the screen went dark.

Anna made her way back to the others, Bruce following right behind.

***

Upon her arrival upstairs, Anna suggested that perhaps a brief recap of the last 70 years would be beneficial before anyone made any decisions. Everyone listened attentively, only interrupting with the occasional question. “As of last week, Bucky was in the facility in Siberia along with two other assets.”

“Other assets?” Natasha asked.

Anna hummed. “Siblings. The boy is fast. The girl can apparently manipulate thoughts or something similar. I’m not entirely sure. I do know that most of the men feared her.”

“I thought we took out the facility in Siberia six months ago?” Tony asked.

“Different facility. This one is underground. More secure.”

“How do you know all of this? How do we know this isn’t a trap?” Natasha questioned.

“Watch it,” Steve all but growled.

Anna patted his leg. It was nice having her protective friend back. “I listen. Hydra had no idea that I could hear anything beyond my own cell. Once they thought I couldn’t speak, they said more in front of me than they should have anyway. And I watched when they took me from my cell to run their tests or what not. They didn’t think I was ever going anywhere so what did they care if I saw maps or plans?”

Seeing Natasha was still wary, Anna sighed. “Listen, I’m going after Bucky. It would be easier with your help, especially since I don’t own a plane, but I can’t leave him in there. If there is even the smallest chance I could rescue him, I have to try.”

“And if he’s not Bucky anymore?” the assassin asked.

Anna huffed a laugh. “The last time I saw James Barnes, he slit my throat and left me for dead. I still think I can get him back. But if I can’t, then I can at least put him out of his misery. He doesn’t deserve the life he’s been forced to live.”

“You gonna let her do that?” Tony asked Steve.

He looked Anna over, those piercing blue eyes seeing straight through her. Finally, he nodded. “It’s her call.”

Silence stretched as everyone contemplated her words and what their next action should be. Finally, Tony clapped his hands together. “Well, if we’re going to do this, I think we better call in some reinforcements.”

924

Do you have a taste in your mouth right now? What of? Just the faint taste of coffee since I have a cup at the moment but haven’t drunk from it in the last few minutes. Which is your least favourite day of the week? I’ve lost the concept of the days of the week for a few months now, man. Back when we used to do things, though, I hated Sundays as I felt loneliest on that day. It was always an automatic thing too so I had little control over it. If told to clean the house, would you be more inclined to clean one room really well or clean all of the rooms with hardly any effort? Clean all rooms with maximum effort. I’d be really bugged if I didn’t strive to be perfect with the whole place lol. Do you put glue on the object you're sticking down or on the paper? Object, so that the amount of glue I’m putting would be accurate. What was your last dream about? I don’t remember the details anymore but at the very least, I know it was very vivid since I remembered it throughout the morning. I’ve been having very detailed dreams lately – it’s the depression for sure. 

What is your favourite part of the last movie you watched? Haven’t seen a movie in a while but the last thing I watched in full was The Crown; Vanessa Kirby as Princess Margaret really shone through in the last episode I saw. Have you stuck any stickers to the computer you're using? I put all my stickers onto my laptop case but not the laptop itself. I haven’t had the case on for a while now though, since I’m always just at home now. Do you ever write or talk to yourself in your head when you're bored? Yes or when I’m feeling upset, as long as I’m alone. I’ve found that talking to myself is a healthy way to address and deal with my emotions. What interests you the most about other people? What I find interesting always varies. I have friends who I find interesting for their music tastes; some others for their knowledge of random trivia; some for their jobs, etc. It’s always different. Do you ever take random pictures out of boredom? What of? Not really. If I take photos it’s because I want to remember a moment or because I find something cute or funny. Basically anything that elicits a strong emotion out of me, I’m bound to take a picture of. Do you prefer listening to things through headphones or speakers? Headphones. How many siblings do you have? Do you get on with them? I have two siblings. I only get along with my sister; I have not talked to my brother since last year and have no desire to again. Would you rather live in a log cabin or a brick house? Mmm I’d take the brick house. Log cabin would be nice for a quick getaway, but I wouldn’t want it to be my permanent home. There’s a psychological factor in there and I just think that staying in a log cabin would make me feel suffocated eventually, haha. Do you have a calendar up for this year? I have a ‘Job Applications’ calendar that I’m currently monitoring, and it tracks the applications I’ve sent out to different companies and how long I’ve been waiting for a response from each of them. Really needing some positive vibes and energy since I actually just got my first rejection notice today. Other than that this year has been pretty fucking boring and there’s been little need to keep an active calendar. What was the very first CD you bought? The first CD I remember asking my parents to buy for me was like the High School Musical official soundtrack. I was big on Disney as a kid and wasn’t a big fan of any solo acts or bands up until I was around 10. Do you keep things like old train tickets, etc? Yessssssss. Do you like your smile? Why (not)? I like it; I find my smile friendly and warm. I just hate smiling with my teeth at the present since one of my front teeth protrudes. Can’t wait to get braces again. Would you rather be able to sing or dance? Why? Dance. Dancers are super hot, lmao. What was your favourite colour when you were a kid? Do you still like it? It was purple/violet and it was mostly influenced by my great-grandma who lovedddd the color and had it everywhere in her home. When she passed away, my love for the color slowly faded away and I don’t think too much of it now. Have you ever said 'lol' in real life? Haha yeah sometimes. I pronounce it as ‘lohl’ and never ‘el oh el’ though. Do you like your friend's parents? I like most of their parents, though I’m aware that some have abusive tendencies. Most of the parents are super nice, though. JM’s mom cooked a big lunch for us once and his dad buys like four party-sized boxes of pizza every time we come over, Angela’s parents treat me like their own kid, Gab’s mom constantly tells me she loves me...it’s in the little things. How many times have you moved? I can remember just the two times, but I know that we moved several times more when I was an infant. Have you ever refused to try a certain food? Which? Most stuff with fruits, hah. Sometimes it’s unavoidable, like when a sushi roll has mango or if I’m having banoffee pie, but I almost always refuse a meal with some kind of fruit in it. What's your favourite type of soup? Not really big on soup. I just like miso. Very occasionally I’ll have mushroom soup too. What is your favourite candle scent? I don’t buy candles nor do I know people who regularly get them, so I’m not very familiar with the different scents. Does the sight of blood make you feel ill? In real life, it would. I always have to look away whenever Gabie gets a nosebleed ha. But I have no problem watching bloody wrestling matches and I actually enjoy the bloodier ones. Super weird quirk of mine. What do you call it when you're sick anyways? (Sick, ill, not well, etc) If I’m referring to a fever I call it sick/ill/not feeling well. If I feel like throwing up I say I’m getting dizzy/need to vomit. I’ve never referred to puking as ‘getting sick,’ and it took me a very long time to realize that it was a common American saying, haha. Did you ever really believe in the tooth fairy? I did, and I felt super betrayed when I put my tooth under my pillow only to see it again the next morning. If you had to appear in a movie, which genre would you choose? Coming of age. What do you do with unwanted gifts? I keep them, since I still appreciate the effort of the gift-giver. Are there any clothes you haven't worn in ages, that you've suddenly started wearing again? HAHA yes. There will be rare instances where I get to go out and I always take the time to look stylish as all fuck, even though I’m only running an errand and wearing flashier pieces would be so unnecessary. I just miss dressing up and looking cute, man. Do any keys on your keyboard stick? Like, if they’re sticky? No. Would you rather own a laptop or a computer? Laptop. Love it when things are portable. Do you think you'll look at old photos of yourself and be embarrassed? My teenage years are definitely bad especially with regard to my fashion choices lol, but so are everyone else’s so I’m not super embarrassed. I cringe at the photos but I wouldn’t mind if my friends poked fun at them because chances are I’d join in too. What was the worst hairstyle you ever had? I always hated it whenever my mom took me to the salon to have my hair rebonded. That kind of look has never worked with my face shape and so I usually did everything for my hair to start curling up quicker and go back to its original form. Do you like t-shirts with sayings on them? Why (not)? Not really. It’s just not a personal preference. I like plain or slightly printed pieces. Do you click on the adverts at the side of the screen? No. Have you ever coughed and sneezed at the same time? I’m sure it’s happened before. Are you embarrassed to show people your ID photo? Nah. Whatever dude. Have / would you ever become a cheerleader? I haven’t, but I would have loved to. We don’t have a cheerleading club or varsity in my old school though so I was never able to hone my skills, if ever. What's the longest you've gone without eating? Maybe a little more than 24 hours. What is one of your biggest irrational fears? Commercials airing at night. I find jingles and graphic effects unsettling by a certain hour lol. What comes up when you press Ctrl + V? “I reeeeally miss seeing you and your purple things and seeing you give glares to people who deserve it. what a lodi <333” omg aw. It’s Jane’s birthday today and I copied that bit of my greeting to move it to another paragraph so that my message would flow better. Out of the bands you listen to, were most of them around before or after you were born? After. When did you last jump out of fright? I don’t remember. Are you currently waiting on something? What? For a company to take me in. Does time pass slowly or quickly when you're on the internet? Usually it’s quickly, but now that I feel more and more useless around the house, time’s been more slow and for the first time the distractions of the internet haven’t been working. What about when you're at school / work? Depended on the amount of stuff I had to do and whether I’m enthusiastic about them or not. Does the thought of being pregnant gross you out? The thought of giving birth does, but not pregnancy. What was the last thing you made with your hands? I mean I made myself a cup of coffee tonight, but the coffee mix itself was already pre-packaged. I just mixed it with hot water. Are you good at making shadow puppets? I’d say no. Are you more hungry or thirsty right now? Neither. I’ve been so anxious and depressed these days I’m actually skipping every single meal except dinner, and even then I eat very little. I don’t even do it on purpose; my anxiety has simply stopped me from feeling hungry. No idea what the weighing scale’s gonna tell me the next time I check, sigh. Someone hire me plz. God it really sucks being a fresh grad in this current state of the world. Are you prone to headaches? No. They only come out during hectic schedules and stressful weeks. Do you forget things easily? The little and everyday things, like forgetting my school ID at home or where I placed my keys. But I don’t forget things that are more bigger-picture, like birthdays or faces or memories. Do you enjoy going out to dinner? I enjoy it and I terribly miss being able to do it. Would you ever go on a cruise ship holiday? I would and I have. Lots of fun. Would do again and again. What's your favourite sea animal? Dolphins and whales. Do you get coughs or colds more? Coughs.

This is a long, personal, 3 in the morning kind of ramble. Writing as if I'm explaining things to others tends to help me get my feelings out. Don't feel obligated to read this, but you're welcome to. I'm mostly just thinking out loud here. I'm on mobile, so sorry if this gets long. I don't know if Keep Reading cuts are possible on the app, and if they are I havent learned how to insert them. I'll probably delete this later so whatevs.

I think this topic could apply to a lot of selfless people out there, so I think putting some things into words might be helpful to others.

Anyways, I've thought about this before, and I'm not sure if I've ever talked about it, but I'm pretty sure I've pinpointed a pretty massive reason why I feel lonely and incredibly dissatisfied all the time:

I've always felt that I was considerate to a fault. I'd never put my needs ahead of the needs of others. To this day, I still have lots of difficulty when it comes to looking after numero uno. I learned early on that I needed to keep others appeased in order to feel safe. My siblings frequently butted heads growing up, and one of them often had these big fights with my dad. Lots of tears, yelling, a rare hole in the wall, that kinda thing. It fell on me to keep tempers from flaring. Ultimately, I became the kid my dad always called when he needed help with yardwork. I became the kid who would hand my mom a soda after a heated phone call with a high-maintenance sibling, and I'd sit and let her vent to me. I became the kid who would unload the dishwasher or take out the trash without being asked to do so. Whenever things got heated, I would shift into the role of family de-escalator. Point is, I've always lived for others, and no, this isnt one of those posts talking about living for yourself, yadda yadda yadda. I'm thinking in a different direction, but it'll wrap back around.

Recently I've been trying to think of this in a positive light. As shitty as things might have been, I've grown up to be incredibly considerate. It's one of my better qualities, the beginning and end of my list of good things I can confidently say about myself as a person. It was always out of necessity or fear. It was always pretty damn unappreciated. It always kind of felt like I was everyone's bitch. But it was good of me all the same.

Now that I'm my own person, I've realized two things. Firstly, I love helping out. I love knowing that someone is better off for having me by their side. It's kind of why I loved proofreading in my college English courses. I loved being thanked and feeling valued and wanted for my efforts. I loved the gratification of knowing that someone's story or essay received better marks thanks in very small part to my help. I love knowing I made a mark in someone's life for the better in some way. My personal golden rule is essentially to ask yourself at every turn if there's some little thing you can do to ease another person's burden. If the answer is yes, and the means are within reason and your comfort zone, do it.

The second thing I realized was something that is said a lot: relationships flow both ways. Nobody in my life— not my 2 or 3 superficial friends, not my family, literally nobody— has deserved the amount of effort I have spent for their sakes. I'm burnt out. I'm dissatisfied with my life because everything I do for the sake of another person feels like a chore. I am constantly taken for granted, and the only reason I still bother is because it's even tougher to go against my nature and do nothing. It's not like I'm asking for recognition, but just once I'd like to hear sincerity when someone thanks me. Even better, I'd like someone to legitimately care enough to look into my eyes for a change, see how not-okay I am, and ask themselves if theres anything they could do.

I can only think of one time that has ever happened, and the circumstances are still a trigger of mine so I'm gonna keep the story brief.

(TW Death & Animal Death. Skip this next paragraph if you need to)

My senior year of high school, a freshman was found dead in the school swimming pool. No foul play suspected, people just didn't see him go under during or between gym class. Real tragic. So the school goes on lockdown while they look into things, and then they cancel the rest of the day. I go home, and I find my dog dead. She was old and losing vision, and she fell into our backyard swimming pool. It was partially drained for the winter, so she didnt drown, we think falling down four or five feet onto the concrete of the shallow end while blind may have just been a massive shock. Heart attack, or she hit her head or something. Who knows. Anyways, my mind connected the two events. Two pool-related deaths on the same day. For the first class on the following day, my teacher arranged the desks in a big circle and it was honestly a really good hour-long discussion about loss and grief, but it hit me so hard that people thought I knew the freshman student. The teacher, and a friend of mine both came up to me after class, I told them what happened, got a hug from the friend, and sent home for the day by the teacher.

(/End TW)

That was the only time in memory where someone has ever looked at me and knew I wasn't alright, and I imagine it must have been very obviously written on my face. Now, back to the point. The amount of times I've seen the troubled faces and heard the troubled voices of those I care about and did any little thing to help is severely disproportionate to the amount of reciprocation. It's like I actively look to see if people need me, but they never even care enough to consider looking if I need them.

So, here are my takeaways:

I'm dissatisfied with life because I'm tired of bending over backwards for people who don't even deserve to have me, and that's basically all I'm doing with my life.

I'm lonely because that covers literally everyone I know personally.

So fuck 'em.

I feel like I have some kind of void inside me, and don't think I'll ever have true fulfillment in this regard unless life throws me a cheesy series of events that results in me finding my soulmate or at least something mutual. (Lmao, yeah right. Press X to doubt).

People often say "live for yourself" or "you dont need others to be whole" in regards to this kind of thing. While that's generally sound advice, people do have different natures. Living for others is how I live. There's no way around that, it's who I am, so my interpretation of "living for myself" is choosing for myself who to live for.

Last Breath-Damon Salvatore Imagine

Requested: No

Warnings: angst and a death scene

Gif is not mine, all credit goes to the original creator

   I want to die...I want to die right now! my mind screamed, but all that came out of my mouth was another groan.

   Chills swept over my body as well as another wave of heat. For vampires, the werewolf bite was the equivalent of getting the flu and tuberculosis in the same day. For hours, I had been vomitting, shaking, groaning, and----my least favorite----hallucinating. If I had an ounce of strength, I would have ended all of it as soon as that idiot, Tyler, sunk his teeth into my neck. His shocked brown eyes were permanently imprinted in my mind. If he had a choice, I didn’t think that he would have bitten me since we were cordial, but it was his fault that he fell under Klaus’ spell. 

   Klaus.

   I gritted my teeth merely at the thought of the psychopathic hybrid that had been terrorizing me for decades. However, he moved onto my friends since he came to Mystic Falls and while I did my best to protect them, the smirking dolt had centuries on me. The best part of the whole situation is he is the only one who can cure me, but he would never do anything to help me. 

  “I like watching you writhe,” he once whispered in my ear, “like a mouse caught in a trap, desperately clawing for freedom, but never quite getting there.” 

   Sadistic piece of----

   Damon burst into the bedroom in a blur and was at my side in seconds. He would have looked normal if his short, dark hair was not messier than usual and his black button-down was not so haphazardly buttoned. His ice blue eyes darted around the room for a moment before focusing on me.

   “Feeling any better? I guess that’s a stupid question,” he muttered.

   “So stupid.” 

   No one in Mystic Falls would believe that the eldest Salvatore was actually a big softie once one got to him. Though, there was not a doubt in my mind he would rather be downing a bourbon bottle than trying to find another way to help get rid of the venom coursing through my veins because I know I wanted the same. 

    “I’m going to assume that all efforts to procure the cure were fruitless,” I breathed.

   “Caroline is still working on Klaus, Elena is trying to get Rebekah to help, Bonnie and Stefan are researching, and I am trying to find any other hybrids who could help.” Damon pressed his lips together.

    “That answers my question.” I tried to roll over to face him better, but Damon put his hand on my back and assisted.

   He sat down next to me and moved the y/h/c hair away from my clammy face. Despite my situation, I was vain and did not want one of the most gorgeous men alive to see my dying form. I tried to pull away, but he pulled me in closer.

    “You don’t get to try to run away from me, not now,” he said. 

    He looked down at me with so much concern and sadness. Damon had to know that I was not going to make it out of this one and it was awful because I didn’t want to leave him. We had been through some of the worst moments of modern day history together and I couldn’t truly imagine life without him and I guessed that he felt the same.

   “I’ve never run away from you, Damon, but I still have pride in the way I look and I would rather you not see me like this.” 

   “You are such a southern belle,” Damon teased. “And I don’t care about how you look; I’m spending as much time with you as possible.”

   I smiled at the warm feeling pooling at the pit of my stomach and cuddled into Damon’s arms. “That’s sweet, but you avoided the question.”

  “Did not.”

  “Did too.”

  “Did not.”

  “Did too.” 

   “Did not.”

  “Damon, I will win this argument anyway, so it is better for you to admit while you’re ahead.”

   Damon rolled his eyes but looked down at me. “Y/N, I’ve always thought you were beautiful and no situation could ever change that, but you are so much more than that. You’ve put up with me for sixty years, and with Stefan even longer. Sometimes, I don’t know how you kill the people that we have become friends with, but I know it’s because that you are a good person----the best person I have ever known.” 

   His words immediately sliced through my heart like a knife. Damon could be so sincere sometimes that it put Stefan’s diary confessions to shame. I wanted to stay with him, feel his arms around me, kiss him, but I also wanted the pain to end. If Damon knew that I wanted to die, it would break him, and I could never forgive myself for hurting the man I loved most. So, I had to keep smiling through it because if I broke, Damon would as well.

   I cupped his face with my hands. “Why do you have to be so sweet now?” I pecked his lips, moved to pull away, but Damon held me there. He kissed me back harder and gently pushed me further onto the bed. I kissed back and nipped his bottom lip as I pulled away. “I love you, Damon Salvatore, and you are not a terrible person. You are incredibly loyal, strong, and caring, you only need to let more people in.” 

   “I don’t want to.”

   “You need to.” I kissed him again and let him cuddle me. As I stared in the direction of the window, I was stunned to see a familiar face. 

   He was tall, slim, and wearing a dark suit that could only be found in a history museum. His hair was clean and y/e/c eyes as shiny as ever, but his expression was stiff.

   “Michael?” I whispered. “What are you doing here?”

   “You’ll be coming with me soon,” he drawled. “Didn’t want to startle you too much.”

    “Y/N?” Damon asked.

     Tears brimmed my eyes and I felt my throat begin to constrict. “Michael, I am so sorry. I know those words aren’t enough to even begin to apologize.”

     “Y/N.”

     Michael walked closer, his expression hardening more. “You’re right, Y/N, it isn’t enough. I have been watching you galavant around the world and kill other people for one hundred and twenty-three years. I have been waitin’ for this moment and it will be sweeter than Mama’s cherry pie.”

    I shook my head. “Michael, I didn’t wanna hurt you, honest, and I know I probably deserve every bit of revenge you wanna wreak on me, but you must know that not a day goes by where I would kill to go back and keep you safe?”

    “It’s funny hearing you say that, but as soon as you cross, I’ll be waitin’ for ya, and your little abilities ain’t gonna mean a thing here.”

    Michael slowly began to fade away and I wanted to grab him, but thanks to the venom and Damon’s grasp, I couldn’t move. I watched the life fade out of my brother for a second time and it made me want to die even more.

    “Michael,” I whispered. “Michael, come back, please!” 

    Damon pulled me into his chest and I cried, shoulders shaking. I couldn’t get the image of Michael’s face paling as I continued drinking from him. If I had any control over myself in that moment, I certainly wouldn’t have done it.

    “There you go, darling,” Kol whispered, “that’s a good girl.” 

    It was another dark night in New Orleans and while most of the people were in clubs, the upper crust of society was attending some congressman’s wife’s autumn gala. The waning noise of the trumpet still rang in my ears as I kept my brother quiet, putting one hand over his mouth, and drinking the life from him. His blood was warm and rich, probably due to the fact that Mama and Father insisted on him having a bloody steak for dinner every night. 

    No one would have believed that I, Y/N Y/L/N, daughter of Mr. Y/F/N and Mrs. Y/M/N Y/L/N, the socialite, would kill her beloved little brother. But there I was, in the dark forest that accentuated the hundreds of acres the congressman owned, making sure my brother died so that I could live. My inner self was screaming at me to stop, but the new vampire side of me was hungrier than ever. When I stopped, Michael was as white as a sheet. He leaned against the grand oak tree like a ventriloquist doll, waiting for someone to start using him as a puppet. I stared at Michael in awe and shock, but at the same time, I was a zombie under Kol’s spell. Kol, the Mikaelson brother I found so charming and sweet. The one I was considering allowing to court me. He was standing next to me, looking incredibly proud of his work.

   “Leave him and come with me. You will not worry about anything that has happened here,” Kol said.

   And I didn’t worry for a long time.

   “Y/N!” Damon yelled.

    I broke out of the flashback and stared up at his concerned gaze. “Michael, he was right there.” 

    “You have a bad fever, but you’ll be okay.” 

    “What time is it?”     Damon hesitated. “Don’t worry about that.” 

    “Must be close then.” I winced as more chills and pain ran through me. “Klaus is not gonna give me any kind of cure, no matter what Caroline offers.” 

    “No, it’s possible---” 

    “No, it isn’t.” I took a deep breath. “Damon, I never told you this, but Klaus has every reason to let me die.”

   “What are you talking about?” 

   “A few years after Kol turned me, I lived with the Mikaelsons and I knew everything to know about them, including how to kill them or paralyze them for awhile. All of those siblings had white oak stakes to symbolize their union as well as the fact that they were equally threatening to each other.” I hissed as another tremor of pain ran up my spine. “I lived a pretty decent life with them: nice clothes, fresh blood, high society parties and it was nice for a while. One day, I overheard Klaus telling Kol to get rid of me, that I was too much of a liability. Of course, Kol agreed with his older brother but wanted to take me out in his own way. I was foolish enough to think we were friends.”

   “What did you do?” 

   “I left them as quickly as I could and stole Kol’s white oak stake. That night, I killed this young woman Klaus was seeing at the time while she slept and woke him up by stabbing him through the heart with Kol’s stake.” I sighed. “Of course, I did not let Kol get off easy either, and I took one of Klaus’ silver stakes and ran it through him. He probably thought it was Klaus’ doing since he went through a phase of paralyzing his siblings whenever he was having a mood.”

   “You killed Klaus?” Damon whispered.

   “Technically, but of course, he couldn’t stay dead. When he came back, I knew he was going to get revenge on me somehow and Klaus always loved being dramatic in his cruelty.” 

   Suddenly, I started coughing violently and Damon’s grip tightened around me. When I pulled away, I realized black blood covered my hands.

   “I’ll kill him,” Damon swore.

   “That is sweet, but you will have to get in line. Klaus has about a dozen enemies for each year that he’s lived.” I brushed my finger along Damon’s cheek. “But I am grateful for the Mikaelsons since if they had not turned me, I would have never met you in New York all those years ago.” 

   Damon smirked. “That was a good night, wasn’t it?”

   “Yeah, until you almost got us thrown out of the bar for that fight.” 

   “The guy deserved it.”

   We spent a long time simply talking about old memories and I think it was to help Damon cope more than me. On the other hand, talking about the past was a decent distraction from the pain. As the sky grew darker, I was feeling weaker, but the last thing I wanted was for Damon to sense this. 

   “I am so sorry, Y/N,” Stefan said as he walked into the room with Bonnie trailing behind him. 

   “The only thing we could find was a spell that may help you live a few hours longer,” Bonnie admitted with the smallest of smiles.

   “May? So, it could kill her for all you know?” Damon snapped.

   I placed my hand on Damon’s chest and shushed him. “They did their best, Damon.” 

   Bonnie walked over and sat next to me. “I’m going to miss you so much, you made everyone and everything sane.” 

   “You all will be fine,” I said, squeezing her hand gently. 

   “Damon, we need to talk,” Stefan said gently.

   “We can talk here.”

   “Not about this.”

   “Oh, go talk to your brother, I’ll still be here when you get back.” 

   Damon didn’t look convinced, but kissed the top of my head before reluctantly following Stefan out of the room. I turned to Bonnie and smiled. 

   “I’ll never forget the first day we met,” Bonnie said.

   “I don’t think I will either; you and Elena thought that I was with Stefan and didn’t believe me until Damon showed up and declared that I was his girlfriend.” I cringed slightly at the memory, making Bonnie laugh. “But I do remember that I sensed that magic in you before you sensed it yourself, not to sound cheesy or anything. You are a skilled witch, Bonnie, and you need to stick around the group because they need you so much more than they’ll admit right now.” 

   Tears welled up in Bonnie’s round brown eyes. “Why do you have to be so nice as you’re dying?”

   “You say that as though I wasn’t nice when I was alive,” I teased. 

   “Damon’s going to go insane without you.”

   “No, he’s not, because you are going to keep him in check, it’ll be a team effort but I think you’ll help the most.” 

   It was a terrible kind of funny how people did not recognize their worth and someone else had to tell them. Bonnie was going to be the most important part of the group even though she had always been; she was simply unappreciated. Caroline would definitely prove that she was more than a pretty blonde because she had so much more intelligence than she let on. Then, there was Stefan, who wanted to do so much better than Damon and be so much better than he used to be. Something told me that somewhere along the way, the two brothers’ roles would reverse and the only one who could help pick up those pieces was Elena.

   Elena.

   There was so much strife surrounding her and it extended to anyone who was near her. I hoped that she would stop playing the damsel in distress and take ownership of her life. Even though they are immortal, Stefan and Damon could not always be there for her.

   Somewhere along the line, I entered a fog with Bonnie and the whole room seemed cloudy, as though I was just waking up from a long sleep and my eyes had not adjusted to the room. I could not tell whether or not I had told Bonnie all my thoughts or kept them to myself.

  Then, someone else entered the room and they were wearing a lot of perfume.

  “You have a vistor,” Stefan said.

   “My, my, Y/N, you look bloody awful.” I blinked and saw the hazy outline of straight blonde hair.

   “Rebekah, what are you doing here?”

   “Leave us, I want to have a final talk with her.” 

   “It’s fine,” I said when no one started moving.

   Rebekah refused to speak until the door closed behind the last person. “How long did you think Nik was going to let you live after the stunt you pulled?”

  “There is no telling with him,” I said. 

  “I must say, your actions towards my brothers were heinous and I hate you for what you did to them.”

  “I only did what you could not.”

  “Excuse me?” Rebekah hissed.

  “You would always threaten them, but never act, I acted because my life was in danger, but you’re their sister, the worst they would have done is paralyze you, but bring you back. Now, I am lying here, slowly losing my vision and my life.” 

  “It was your own doing.”

  “Did you come to see me just put more salt on the wound?” 

  Rebekah hesitated. “No, I came to tell you that I admired what you did all those years ago, that foolish courage that I never thought could come from a southern debutante. In another life, perhaps we could have been friends.”  

  “Perhaps, but you Mikaelsons typically travel light.”

  “We make exceptions. You know, I did quite enjoy you for those few hundred years as did Kol.”

   “Thank you, but Kol enjoys anyone who will kill with him.”

   “Goodbye, Y/N.”

   “Goodbye, Rebekah.”

   When she left, Damon came back in and knelt at my side. “You can’t see anymore?”

   “No, but I don’t think it matters too much.” I sighed. “Midnight is coming faster than I thought it would.”

   “There is still time to get the cure,” Damon said. 

    “Even if I were to get it, Klaus will not stop until he thinks he has gotten revenge on me and hurt me as much as he believes I hurt him.”

   “I don’t want you to go,” Damon muttered, framing my face with his hands. “I love you.” 

   “I love you too and I would stay if I could, but I can’t.” I felt tears burning, itching to come out, but I forced myself to remain calm. “Promise me that you won’t let yourself fall into a dark place again, I need you to be happy, you can live without me, you’ve done it before.”

   “That was different, I didn’t care about anyone but myself, but then you came along and...and you made me feel human again. I was so happy and now, the one thing that makes me feel human and sane is being taken away from me.”

   “Promise me, Damon, I need you to promise me.”

   “I promise.” He kissed me. 

   “When the veil thins, I will be here to visit you, everyone, really.” 

   “You better.” 

    As the time drew closer, I kept having more immersive memories. At one point, I was back in Florence with Kol and we were taking turns ferociously drinking from bar maids. At another point, I was dancing in Miami in the 1940s with some girls I’d met. Then, I was sent back to when I was six and learning how to horseback ride in the fields with my brother, my father, and Timothy, the instructor my parents had hired. Every time I came back to reality, I felt sicker and sicker. Bonnie, Stefan, and Elena hung around the room, but Damon was the only one who stayed inside. I could hear them murmuring about me and speculating what Caroline could be up to at that moment, but I did not care about the cure. I wanted to die, I wanted the suffering to end, but I knew that if I did it on my own accord, it would damage everyone else around me and I did not want to hurt them in my last moments.

   “What time is it?” I asked.

   “Five minutes to midnight,” Damon whispered, holding me against his chest. 

   “We had a good run, didn’t we?”

   “Yes, but I will get you back as soon as possible.” 

   “I do not think that is a possibility for me.” 

   I kissed him one last time as my vision grew darker, tasting the saltiness from his tears on my lips. When I pulled away, my vision was fully restored and I was in a crowded bar in Manhattan. Little Richard was blaring from a jukebox and everyone was dressed to the nines. I looked down and saw that I was wearing my favorite white cap-sleeved dress with red cherries on it. I pushed my way past the droves of people and sat down at the bar. The bartender leaned over to me.

   “I’d like a gin and tonic please,” I said.

   “Comin’ right up, sugar.” 

   “Nice dress,” someone said behind me.

   I turned and came face to face with the most startling blue eyes I’d ever seen. When I blinked, I saw that they wre perfectly suited for the owner’s chiseled face. Instead of being slicked back, his short dark hair was falling into his eyes. He wore a black leather jacket and black jeans, but not like a greaser, more like Elvis but cooler.

   “You like cherries?”

   “Only when they’re on that dress, on you.”    I smirked. “How many times have you used that line?”

   “Just once on you.” The stranger sat next to me.

   “I did not say that you could sit next to me.”

   “How else am I supposed to get to know the pretty girl in the pretty dress?”

   “You think you are quite smooth.”

    “So they tell me.”

    “Here’s your gin and tonic,” the bartender said as he slid the glass in front of me.

   “Put it on my tab, along with whatever else she drinks tonight,” he smirked at me.

    “Thank you...”

    “Damon.”

    “Y/N.”

     While I usually did not entertain flirtations like this, there was something about this handsome stranger that told me this was something quite different. 

      When Y/N’s body went cold and limp, Damon could hardly keep it together. The light was no longer in those y/e/c eyes that could see through everything anad everyone. The color was drained from her y/s/c face and would not come back unless they figured something out. At the very least, Y/N looked peaceful and Damon could have sworn that he saw a smile on her y/m/s lips. Tears freely flowed down his face and all he wanted to do was scream, yell, and kill someone, but that’s not what Y/N would have wanted. After a long time, Damon managed to compose himself and tuck Y/N into the bed they shared. He walked out of the room and faced his brother and his brother’s friends.

    “She’s gone,” he muttered.

    “I’m so sorry, Damon,” Stefan said as he patted his shoulder.

    “Not as sorry as Klaus will be when I get my hands on him.”

    “We’ll worry about Klaus some other time, it’s okay to grieve,” Bonnie said.

    Damon nodded absentmindedly and went downstairs to the bar to pour himself a drink. The others followed and spread themselves out throughout the living room, observing his actions carefully. The silence was heavy and awkward since no one knew exactly what to say.

    “I can’t believe she’s really gone,” Elena whispered and allowed Stefan to wrap his arm around her shoulders.

    Suddenly, Caroline burst through the door, eyes searching the room until they landed on her friends. “There you are! Why haven’t you guys been answering your phones? I have good news.”

    “Not now, Care,” Bonnie said.

    “What do you mean? I finally got Klaus to give up the cure.” Caroline held up the vial of blood as though it was a badge of honor instead of a badge of tragedy.

|| Voice of Treason|| Chapter 6

[DABI X OC]

Summary: Hanako Yamada is tired of living in her brother’s shadow, so when an old friend comes back into her life, she can’t help but take a chance and make a new name for herself alongside the League of Villains.

Chapter: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

A/N: Hey Guys! Writing for this has been awesome. I don’t have an entirely specific plot for this piece but as I go along pieces go together. I have an idea on how I want this to end but I’m struggling getting there. I also realize these first few chapters are more centered around my OC and her development than her relationship with Dabi. But please don’t fret! Big things are coming!! Also I wanted to put my own twist on this and have some Villain!Bakugou so this is a chapter leading up to that. But here’s some more Hana development and soft Bakugou. Enjoy! Please give me some feedback!

Reblog to be put on tag list

Tags: @fridgesbestfriend @princedabi @nightkidd-hd @gaylemonsmutfluff @dark-eyed-dream @sweetycue @aarinisreading

It was complete and utter chaos when the leauge finally made their messy getaway. With Bakugo in tow they had accomplished their goal but now came the hard part. Getting him to join.

They locked him in the cellar downstairs and were going to deal with him tomorrow. Hana couldn’t seem to shake the feeling that if they waited he wouldn’t join. Right now he was alone and vulnerable and she was going to take advantage of that.

After the team had gone to sleep, Hana snuck downstairs to talk to the hotheaded teenager. She still wore her uniform and the clicking of her boots against the cement floor caught Bakugo‘s attention.

Hana didn’t know this boy well at all, but she had seen him during the sports festival so she knew what he could do.

“What the fuck do you want.”

“Look I just want to talk. I’m not gonna hurt you or anything. I come in peace kiddo.” Hana had brought a chair down with her and sat straddling the seat while leaning on the back of the chair with her arms crossed.

“So... what’s your story?” Hana’s tone was kind and curious. She wanted to get to know Bakugo before trying to get him to join.

“I don’t have to tell you shit. Let me go you sick bitch.” Bakugo was angry but he was too tired to put much effort into his insults. His hands were handcuffed behind him so he couldn’t really fight.

“Okay I get it. The Leauge kidnapped you. But there’s no need to call me a bitch. I didn’t kidnap you, they did.” Hana pretended to look hurt.

“Whatever.”

“Listen. I just wanna get to know you. I wanna know your story. How about we make a deal. I’ll tell you who I am and what my story is first, and then you tell me yours. Deal?”

Katsuki thought it over for a moment. He could tell Hana wasn’t a threat but he could also tell she was stubborn. She wasn’t gonna budge and she was gonna keep asking no matter how many times he cursed at her or spit in her face. After a long day of training and over exerting his powers, for the first time in a while, Bakugo wasn’t in the mood to argue.

“Whatever. Deal.” He rolled his eyes as the raven haired girl infront of him smiled enthusiastically.

“Awesome! Let’s get started, oh um, where should I start? Um, hi, my name is Hanako Yamada. My friends call me Hana, um-“

“Wait, you’re- you’re the missing girl. You’re Present Mic’s little sister aren’t you?” Bakugo couldn’t help but interrupt.

“Yeah. Sadly that’s me. Um anyway-” Hana nervously fiddled with her fingers, spinning the promise ring that Touya gave her senior year around in circles.

“Why sadly? Your brother is a hero? Aren’t you proud?” Bakugo was confused at why Hana didn’t enjoy having a pro hero older brother.

“I was proud when he was still my brother. Before he went pro. Before he went pro he was actually there for me. Hizashi is almost 8 years older than me but he always took care of me. When he graduated and went pro, he -he wasn’t my brother anymore. He was Present Mic, the magnificent Pro-Hero. He would call every once in a while but he was never there for me.”

Bakugo understood completely. He knew what it was like to have someone who didn’t act like the person they needed them to be. His mother never really acted like a mother. She wasn’t caring or nurturing like everyone else’s mom. She yelled a lot and was never really there for him when he needed his mom.

“Um.. Anyway.. I didnt go to UA for school but growing up everyone knew me as Hizashi’s little sister. He was loud and outgoing and I was the opposite. I kept to myself and didn’t have very many friends which was fine with me. I would have gone to college but I lost someone really close to me when I turned 20. My best friend disappeared. Me and Touya had big plans for life but after he disappeared I didn’t know what to do with myself. I moved out and got a job at the coffee bar down the street and that was my new life. I lived alone and sad. Hizashi would text me occasionally but he wasn’t there for me like I needed him to be.” Hana ran her fingers through her long black locks and played with the dead ends.

“I know the feeling.. I don’t have any siblings but I can relate because of my mom.. My mom doesn’t really act like my mom. She’s got a firecracker personality and it’s where I get mine from but she’s cold, and harsh, and she blows up at me more than she says she loves me. She doesn’t care for me like other kids moms. That’s one reason why I hate Deku... his home life is so much better than mine and he takes it for granted. You have no idea how much I would give to be able to hear my mom say she was proud of me for once...” Bakugo’s voice wavered as he talked and Hana knew this must be a hard topic for him.

“Hey kiddo it’s gonna be okay. I’m sorry your mom isn’t much of a mom..” Hana didn’t really know what to say to the blonde but she she couldn’t help but feel resentful towards his mother. Hana couldn’t understand why someone wouldn’t care for their child like a proper human being. Hana didn’t care for kids that much but she knew they needed love and positive encouragement.

“I’m sorry your brother isn’t much of a brother.” Bakugo couldn’t help but mimic the woman infront of him. He wished that his mother had conversations like this with him. Bakugo didn’t have an outlet to let talk to anyone or let out his emotions and this time with Hana was something he was really enjoying. But he would never admit that to her. Without realizing it, Bakugo had let his walls down and it felt good.

That night Hana and Bakugo spilled secrets, told jokes, shared stories and they both let their walls down and just.. talked. Which was something new for the both of them. They both had more fun than they would like to admit and enjoyed each others company. Hana had started to care for the boy and if he needed a mother figure, she was gonna do her best to be that for him.

— The Next Morning —

Bakugo woke to the loud slam of the wooden door against the concrete wall.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU LET HIM GO-Oh he’s right here. Oh you meant. Oh.” Dabi rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment. He didn’t realize when you told him that you let him go, you meant you untied his restraints.

“Sorry to wake you hun. I’m about to make breakfast. I’ll bring you some in a bit.” Hana rubbed her fingers through Bakugo’s messy blonde hair. He nodded to Hana and rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

“What just happened? Why are you making him breakfast and not me??” Dabi was baffled by the interaction he just watched. He couldn’t believe that his girlfriend was making a prisoner breakfast instead of her boyfriend.

“I stayed up last night and talked to the boy. Got to know him and we talked about stuff. He’s got some issues with a parental figure that’s lacking and I figured that if I give him what he needs he can help us get what we want. Plus he’s a really good kid Dabi, he trusts me.” Hana worked her way around the kitchen as she spoke. Making bacon and eggs for the firecracker in the basement.

“Update Shigaraki on the situation so he doesn’t go prodding in places he isn’t needed. I’m so close to getting a forward answer from him on joining.” Hana couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Bakago joining their little ring of misfits. So far he hadnt tried to escape and he seemed to trust her and if he didn’t then he was a hell of a good actor.

Hana entered the basement with the hot breakfast and a glass of orange juice. Bakugo’s mouth pratically watered at the sight. “Here you go hun, if you need anything else let me know.” Bakugo hummed in response as he dug into food and started shoveling. 

“Katsuki i need to talk to you. I know you are probably hesitant about all of this but i wanted to know if you’ll join us..” Hana couldn’t help but fiddle with her fingers in anticipation for the boys answer. she was very anxious about asking him but thats what Shigaraki wanted.

Bakugo was silent. He knew this was coming but he didn’t realize it would be so soon.

“You won’t have to stay with us if you don’t want to. You can stay at UA and be our informant. You won’t be technically a part of the league of villains but you will assist us. I can train you. You’re already amazing and at the top of your class but you could be so much more Katsuki..” Hana started rambling to fill the awkward silence..

“Shut up fuckstick. Stop rambling. I- I’ll-“

Before he could answer the bulding shook as a huge explosion went off. The building shook so hard that it knocked Hana off her feet. She fell forward into the teen and he caught her effortlessly.

Hana mumbled several curses under her breath as she pulled herself together. She knew exactly who was here and she was pissed. Dabi lit ablaze in self defense and Hana was so ready to scream.

“Watch the kid. I have someone to deal with.” Hana rushes out of the room before either of the boys could protest.

Hana silently prayed that her least favorite person wasn’t here but then she heard it.

“LETS GET READY TO RUMBLE. GIVE ME BACK MY SISTER! YA DIG?!”

Present Mic’s booming voice could be heard from miles away.

“Fuck.”

DIAMOND (CEO AU Baekhyun Series) Part 13

Also on AFF

Diamond Mini Masterlist

Photo not mine, found it on Google.

Author: @julietsoddeye​ AU: CEO!Baekhyun Genre: Angst | Smut | Romance Pairing: Baekhyun x Lee Soojin (You/OC) [Written as if the reader is the OC] Trigger Warning: Slight smut??? Word Count: 2,082

Plot: After 10 years of exile to another country, you are finally back home and you were surprised to find out that you are engaged to the son of your father’s long-time friend and business partner.

On this Chapter:

“Goodnight, Hisako.”

Chanyeol whispers, leading her to shift ever so slightly to her side. Hisako palms his chest and laid her head on it. He wraps his arm around her shoulder protectively and fell right asleep, dreaming about the possibility of falling in love with her.

It didn’t take long for you and Hisako to talk out your little fuss. You know she’s just looking out for you. She has always look out for both you and Yanmei. Hisako is like the loving aunt every family has, except your actual family doesn’t have one. Your mother was the only female among three elder siblings, while the aunts you have on your Father’s side of the family are just a bunch of highbrowed snobby pants and they never gave you the time of the day because they were all busy bathing in the riches they never worked hard for. Just handed to them by your grandfather.

Having to meet Hisako in your lifetime is refreshing and feels like a blessing. And Yanmei feels the same. That’s why when arguments as petty as this one comes up, (which is not always) it breaks your heart.

“Trust me Hisa, please. I know my limits. And I will stop when I know when to.”

You smiled at her reassuringly. She just huffs out a sigh and slumps her back on the bench underneath her.

“You too, Yanmei. Know when to stop, okay?”

“What? Jongdae is a good guy.”

Yanmei’s lower lip puckers up in a pout, crossing her arms over her chest.

“I’m not talking about him. I’m talking about you! I know Jongdae is head over heels for you.”

“What the hell, Hisa? You think I’ll do that to Jongdae?”

“No. But with your newfound freedom, I don’t know… Just— Just behave!”

Hisako hisses at Yanmei.

“Newfound freedom?”

Yanmei questions.

“I barely have freedom. I have responsibilities back at home.”

She added with a stressed-out expression just thinking about her life. She loves her family, but her wage is just enough to make ends meet and that’s what’s stressing her. She wants to give her sister the best life she can offer.

“With the amount Junmyeon-ssi offered you on that job, you’ll be able to afford to move your family here in Seoul.”

Hisako said in a matter-of-fact tone. You bob your head up and down, actually agreeing with what Hisako is saying. You can see Yanmei furrowing her eyebrows together, thinking about all the possibilities of whatever decision she will choose.

“Whatever, Hisako! Mom told me we’ll talk about it when we get home in 2 weeks.”

Ugh! Two weeks. In two weeks your actual ‘CEO training’ will start. In two weeks your best friends will go back home without you. They will continue their lives peacefully and you’ll be left here in Seoul, alone without your girlfriend’s to back you up. Well, you have Mia… And Baekhyun. Baekhyun, hmm, could you trust him already? Your heart and mind are still debating. A little more convincing from him and your brain will finally agree with your heart.

Baekhyun’s familiar whiny voice can be heard from the distance and echoes throughout the garden, the three of you cast your attention to where the three guys were walking from. Each one of them is holding 2 ice cream products on their hands.

“Yaaaay Ice cream!” Yanmei stood up from the bench and ran towards Jongdae, who immediately lights up at the sight of Yanmei approaching him with so much gusto.

*  *  *  *  *

With nothing planned to do the coming weekdays, you and Baekhyun decided to extend your stay in the hotel. With both your hormones running wild since sleeping together for the first time last night, you know you’ll just end up spending the week with your limbs entangled with Baekhyun’s  You still haven’t told your friends about your prolonged stay-cation, but you’re sure they would understand. You can always ask Mia to bring them back home.

“Aaaaaah fuck! Fuck!!!”

Yanmei is all scream as you all drunkenly play Jenga in Baekhyun’s suite.

“It’s gonna fall, be careful babe!!!”

Jongdae’s arms are extended wide as if it’s gonna help not make the large blocks fall. Chanyeol blowing the large Jenga blocks with his mouth air.

“You’re so dumb, Chanyeol!”

You say as you laugh at his effort. Hisako’s just silently giggling in one corner, sipping her glass of wine.

“All of you are dumb!”

Baekhyun teases, pouring more wine on his glass.

As Yanmei pulls the single brick she was working on, the rest fell and Jongdae blocks it so that Yanmei won’t get hit by the avalanche of wooden blocks.

“FUUUUUUU—”

Before Yanmei can even curse out loud, Jongdae crashes his lips on his girlfriend’s open mouth, making you smile wide. You feel Baekhyun’s nimble finger caress your cheeks and you crane your attention to his face. He beams at you lovingly when you glanced at him.

“What?”

You whisper to him, making sure only the two of you can hear. Chanyeol’s laughter, Yanmei’s whining, and the background music are loud enough, you’re sure only Baekhyun heard your little murmur.

“Nothing, you’re just really beautiful.”

You try your hardest not to grin with what Baekhyun said, but you can’t help the one side of lips from curling ever so slightly.

“Stop it, Baek.”

You sigh out, tugging and smoothing the collar of the polo shirt he was wearing with your palm. Grabbing your hand, Baekhyun intertwined his fingers with yours and kissing it lovingly. He rubs your hand on his face like a puppy wanting love and attention.

“What, I can’t tell my fiancé she’s beautiful?”

You finally gave in and extend your lips in a wide smile and slowly dips your head to give his lips a quick peck. Baekhyun immediately melts under you. His once tensed body relaxed on the couch pillows. You can feel his lips smirk on yours, both of you not moving from the prolonged peck.

“Ohohohohohooooo~”

You pull away immediately when you heard Chanyeol’s annoying teasing cheers.

“Chanyeol, you ass!”

Baekhyun spat, throwing a pillow Chanyeol’s way, hitting Jongdae on the back of his head. Causing everyone, even Yanmei, to laugh.

“Baekhyun, you ass!”

It was now Jongdae’s turn to whine, wailing his arms and legs on the floor like a bratty and petulant child.

The boys keep ordering wine and snacks as the night progresses. Baekhyun was the first to knock out, excusing himself to go to the bathroom, but you found him 20 minutes later, drooling and snoring on the bed.

Hisako also didn’t take long before passing out as she’s a very light drinker. You were thankful for Chanyeol for letting her stay in his suite again just like last night. Yanmei and Jongdae also retreated back to their suite not too long after Chanyeol and Hisako left.

The moment Chanyeol sat Hisako down on the sofa of his suite, she wails her arms and legs in a drunken bewilderment.

“Give me more wiiiiiiine!”

Hisako cries out like a crabby child asking and whining for more tooth-decaying candies that will give it childhood diabetes. Her lips pouted like one too, face sours up as if she was crying. But the tears were absent.

“You can’t even walk properly without dwindling down like an infant, and you want more wine?”

“Please, please give me more wine. Please, mister?”

Chanyeol laughs in amazement as he sat beside Hisako, pausing for a break from leading her eight doors away from Baekhyun’s room. It wouldn’t be much for him, if not for Hisako’s drunken antics. Threatening on knocking and pushing the doorbell on every door suite they pass by. He has to literally put Hisako on a lockdown in his arms so she won’t cause trouble.

“Chanyeol,”

“Hmm…”

“Chan, Chanyeol…”

Hisako suddenly pauses like a statue. Her face fell stoic, no trace of any emotions.

“What now? If I only knew you’re like this when drunk, I wouldn’t suggest them to drink tonight.”

Chanyeol rolls his eyes.

“You’re so different when you’re drunk.”

He added.

“Chanyeol…”

“W—what?”

Hisako wipes her mouth with the back of her hand, licks her lips hungrily like a sex-deprived maniac and proceeded to crawl up towards Chanyeol. Scared by Hisako’s sudden advances, Chanyeol withdraws until the back of his head hits the armrest of the couch.

As Hisako nears Chanyeol’s hips, she hikes up her dress a little bit and mounts on top of his crotch, making sure he can feel the heat starting on her thinly clothed middle.

Hisako smirked when she felt Chanyeol already half hard when she straddled him.

“Mmm, you’re getting hard already…”

“Hisako, I—”

Before Chanyeol can even finish what he has to say, Hisako grabs his cheeks with her palms and smears the non-existent dirt on his lips. Chanyeol furrows his brows as he lets her do whatever it is that she was doing to him. He was trying really hard to behave himself, but the heat he feels on his crotch from her own is distracting him really badly.

Hisako is a very attractive woman, he’s not denying that and he wouldn’t mind sleeping with her.

“Don’t tell anyone, but I think Chanyeol is really, really, really cute. He’s kinda dumb too, but he’s really hot, you now?”

“What?”

“I said, Chanyeol’s— Whatever! You kinda look like him too.”

Hisako giggles, very drunkenly so, even hiccuping too as she covers her mouth when a burp suddenly bursts out.

“Oops~”

She laughs loudly this time and Chanyeol can’t help but get affected by it.

“Do you even know who I am?”

Chanyeol asks in the middle of their laughter.

“Who are you?”

Hisako’s eyes are half-lidded by now, the only thing supporting her up is her left arm extended down, hand flat against Chanyeol’s chest. He sighs loudly, pulls off a smile on his lips and sits up properly making Hisako’s butt slide off from his hips down to his lap.

“Come on let’s go to bed now.”

“Noooo, daddy! I wanna play some more!!!”

Hisako wails and fusses some more, bouncing up and down on his loins, hitting Chanyeol badly where it feels good the most.

“Fuck… Hisako, stop!”

Chanyeol grips both his hands on either side of Hisako’s hips to steady her. But she suddenly encircles her arms around his neck and bounces some more like the brat she is.

“Daddy, let’s play some more. Please.”

Chanyeol closes his eyes and gives off a frustrated hiss through his lips as she continues to ride his thighs.

“Hisako, my gosh, Hisako… I— Fuck.”

“Mister, why are you cursing? That’s bad!”

Chanyeol woke up from the inclination when Hisako cackles. He restraints her again by the hips, this time firmly.

“Hisako, let’s just… Let’s just sleep tonight okay?”

“Okay, goodnight.”

She simply said and lays her head on Chanyeol’s broad shoulder, his warmth immediately lulling her to a deep sleep.

Chanyeol sighs for the second time tonight, more frustrated than ever. But he’s glad she stopped thrusting her hips on his, or heaven knows what will happen if she didn’t. His self-control is shorter than usual because of the alcohol he consumed tonight.

He’d be lying if he said the kiss they shared on the night of Minseok’s wedding didn’t make his heart flutter, but he needs to make sure if he’s actually developing a liking for her or if those little reactions in his chest whenever he looks at her are only fleeting feelings that will eventually dissipate through time.

Hisako shuffles lightly in his embrace to position her head more comfortably on Chanyeol’s shoulder, nuzzling her face on the crook of his long and pleasantly warm neck.

Being careful not to wake her up, Chanyeol gently carried Hisako inside the room and softly lay her on the bed.

He removes her sandals and wraps her body in the duvet, quickly turning off the lights before silently crawling on the bed next to her.

“Goodnight, Hisako.”

Chanyeol whispers, leading her to shift ever so slightly to her side. Hisako palms his chest and laid her head on it. He wraps his arm around her shoulder protectively and fell right asleep, dreaming about the possibility of falling in love with her.

Pillow Talk

I friend of mine had a dream like this, so I turned it into a fic. Enjoy! 

Sometimes, Camilla hated being home alone. Sure, it gave her ample time to enjoy Nozomi’s extensive library of anime and manga, but it wasn’t very fun when Nozomi wasn’t there to enjoy it with her. She didn’t need to work, since Camilla’s family paid for all of their expenses, but Nozomi insisted on doing it anyway. Apparently she didn’t want to waste her degree, so she got herself a desk job. A job that seemed to suck the life out of her every passing day. It kept her out of the house and active, but sometimes she’d come back looking like she’d lost the will to live.

And today looked like it was one of those days.

Camilla was laying on the couch, as she usually did, curled up under a blanket and reading another volume of one of Nozomi’s recommended manga. She’d already read enough today, but right now the story was getting so good that she just couldn’t put it down. The heroes had finally reached the villain’s lair after a painfully long and treacherous journey, and the protagonist was currently at his mercy since he could stop time. It was truly gripping, and it felt like there was no way he was going to escape that barrage of knives that were floating mere inches away from his face. She froze on that page, too tense to turn it for fear of what would happen. Would he die? Of course he wouldn’t, but his best friend and their shaman had already been killed already, so there was a chance that he might meet his end here. It felt like time was slowing down for her as she turned the page, and there was absolutely nothing that could rip her away from such a gripping scene.

Ok, that was a lie. There was one thing, and that was the front door opening. And that meant that Nozomi was finally home. Camilla’s heart skipped a beat as she heard it swing open, and she closed the manga and looked up to see Nozomi walking into the kitchen.

“Welcome home, Nontan!” Camilla greeted her, putting the book down on the coffee table so she could give her girlfriend her full attention. Nozomi didn’t immediately respond, and that already made Camilla go from excited to a little bit concerned.

“Hey Cammy…” Nozomi groaned as she put her bag down, turning so that Camilla could see her very tired face, “How was your day?”

“Oh, it was alright. I did some reading, cleaned a little bit, it wasn’t very lively,” Camilla replied, keeping her energy up in hopes that the vibes she was giving off would help Nozomi’s mood improve, “And you?”

“I got swamped with so much stuff today…” Nozomi said, rubbing her forehead, “Mako-chan was out, so I had to cover for her, and… and it was just really exhaustin’, y’know?” Nozomi paused to yawn, and she cracked her neck in an effort to keep herself awake. Camilla nodded, assessing the situation. Nozomi wasn’t asking for it, but she certainly looked like she could use a little help.

“Well, sounds like you need yourself a little pick-me-up after the day you’ve had,” Camilla said, sitting up a bit, “Is there anything I can do for you, dear?”

Nozomi shook her head and looked down as she took her jacket off. “Nah, I’m good. You don’t have to do anything for me, really!”

Her rejection of her offer made Camilla frown. She hated how stubborn Nozomi could be when it came to accepting things. She was always ready to give and do things for her, so why couldn’t she just be the same with receiving? Perhaps she was going to need to try something else if she wanted to get her love to unwind.

“Are you sure~?” Camilla asked, adding a hint of seductiveness to her tone, “Because I think you might be hungry for something else…” She slid her blanket off and let it drop to the floor. Since she was just staying in the house and being a lazy fuck all day, Camilla had on her infamous Momma Bear hoodie with matching shorts, an outfit which, while incredibly hot, was also extremely comfortable for her to do nothing in. She flashed a sly, saucy smirk at the purple haired girl, arching her back out to display all that delicious, exposed tummy.

Nozomi, however, didn’t seem to care about it. She didn’t even blush. She just sighed and shook her head.

“Cammy… I’m fine, really,” She said, “Besides, we just had sex last night. I’m grateful for more, but I’m sated.”

Well damn, that was new. Camilla had never seen her reject tummy before. Usually that turned Nozomi into a horny blushing mess, and she’d jump across the room and tackle her so that she could enjoy her meal. But there she was, turning it down. It actually kind of stung, to be honest.

Defeated, Camilla slouched back down onto the couch and looked away, trying to hide an embarrassed blush. She felt like a fool. But she was a fool who was in love, and she wasn’t gonna let Nozomi go without some lovely rest and relaxation.

“Alright, I suppose you have a point,” Camilla murmured, “But I still think that you shouldn’t make dinner. At least, right now, anyway. You should take a breather instead of working yourself to the bone.”

“Cammy… I’m fine, alright?” Nozomi raised her voice as she tried to get her point across, “I don’t…. *yawn* I don’t need you to bend over backwards for me right now, alright?” The yawn made Camilla’s eyebrows raise, and she turned her head back to look Nozomi right in the face with a stern glare. “...Ok maybe I’m a little tired…” Nozomi admitted, yawning again.

“Indeed you are,” Camilla stated, “And it sounds like you really need a good nap.”

“Yeah, you’re right…” Nozomi said, letting Camilla win yet another small argument, “I think I’m gonna go upstairs and take one. We can order something later.”

“Absolutely not!” Camilla shouted, standing up from the couch. Her sudden raise in volume made Nozomi stop dead in her tracks, afraid that she had done something else to upset her.

“Did you want to make dinner instead?” Nozomi asked, turning to face Camilla as she leaned on the kitchen doorway.

“No, silly! Takeout is fine, but you’re staying down here if you want to take a nap!” Camilla went from stern to a little goofy there, but she was still giving orders, and Nozomi had no choice but to follow them, even if they didn’t make sense. After all, Camilla did know best for her.

“Um… ok?” Nozomi said, walking into the living room with a confused look on her face, “But why do you want me to sleep down here?”

Camilla didn’t say a word, she just sat back down on the couch and put a hand on her lap, patting her thigh a couple times as she looked at Nozomi with a tender smile. Nozomi wasn’t sure what she meant for a second, but then it clicked. And when it did, she smiled and giggled.

“Ahhh… that’s just like you, isn’t it?” Nozomi chuckled, walking over to the couch so she could take her nap. She got herself situated to lay there, and once she did, she put her head down on Camilla’s lap, facing away from her.

“Are you comfortable?” Camilla asked, looking down at her love, who was all cute and situated on her lap.

“Yeah…” She answered, picking the blanket off the floor and throwing it over herself, “Your thighs are really warm… and soft…” She sounded like she was starting to drift off already, and that made Camilla’s face burn from how adorable it was.

“I know, my siblings used to say the same thing whenever they’d do this,” Camilla replied, putting a hand on Nozomi’s head and stroking her hair softly, “Ahh… it’s been years since I’ve had somebody do this. It’s refreshing to finally have someone rest on me again, though.”

“Yeah, I guess it would be,” Nozomi replied, letting out another yawn. “Do you mind if I try a little something, though?”

“Not at all. If it makes you more comfortable, than go ahe-AHH!” Camilla let out a surprised gasp as Nozomi quickly shot up and pulled her onto the couch, with the two of them facing each other. She pulled Camilla down a bit by the legs before she put herself between them, curling up before she rested her head on Camilla’s exposed tummy.

“Ahhh… much better,” Nozomi sighed, shifting around to get more comfortable as her cheek rubbed up against Camilla’s belly. Camilla was speechless at first, but then she let out a giggle and just accepted it.

“I thought you said you’d had enough of my tummy?” She teased, lightly bopping Nozomi on the side of her head for being a liar.

“I did, in a sexual way. I might find your belly attractive, but I love it even more in a pure way! It’s the softest, squishiest, warmest, cutest tummy I know, and I love it to bits, hehe! But not as much as I love you, though...” Camilla couldn’t help but blush at that. She was humbled, and she honestly felt like she was going to get a bit teary eyed. This was simply too much!

“Well… I hope you know that I love you even more than you love me or my tummy,” Camilla replied, stroking Nozomi on the head again to help her drift off.

“I know…” Nozomi yawned, closing her eyes, and just like that, she was asleep.

“Sweet dreams, dear~” Camilla replied, getting comfortable on the couch so that she could watch her sleeping Nontan. 

Camilla hated being alone. But right now, she wasn’t. And she was content. 

FIN

Axl catching you and Steven making out

Pairing: Steven Adler x reader Words: 1491

@youcouldbeaxl  Can you write one where you're Axl's sister and he catches you making out with Steven and yeah..?😅😅

A/N: I decided to make this now bc i haven’t done anything about Steven yet. Hope you like this, girl.

I was walking outside, heading to Axl's apartment, he was my big brother, two years older than me. We had always had a warm friendship between each other, we had been best friends during our entire life basically. Other siblings were always fighting, but not us really. We were going to have a dinner together because we hadn't hang out together in a while. I was pretty sure the guys would be there as well, Axl hadn't directly mentioned that they would come too but they were hanging out together 90% of time. But Izzy, Duff, Slash and Steven were super cool, so i didn't mind at all. Okay, but truthfully when i went to spend time with Axl and his friends, mostly i just wanted to see Steven and get closer to him. I used every moment i got to talk to him and we always had fun together, but we never hang out together without others though. I knocked on Axl's door and soon i already saw Axl's smiling face. ”Heyy, you came! Just in time,” he greeted and hugged me quickly. I came in and closed the door after me, taking my shoes and jacket off. Then i went to the living room where all the guys were sitting on the couch. Well, three of them were on the sofa, Axl was standing and Izzy sitting on the floor because the couch was too small for everyone. They turned their heads when they saw me and wide smiles spread on their faces. ”Y/N you're here!” Steven exclaimed smiling and suddenly my heart started beating faster just by looking at him. The others greeted me as well and then Duff got up from his seat. ”Finally, i'm fuckin starving, can we go to eat now,” Duff groaned, but i just furrowed my brows when everybody were getting up from the couch. ”Wait, do i smell food here?” i asked confused. ”I already thought that i was meant to cook, because obviously everybody think that women belong to the kitchen,” i scoffed, but smiled very surprised. ”Hey, men can cook too,” Izzy stated seriously. ”And you're our guest and you've had a tough week at work anyway this week.” ”We failed the first attempt though,” Steven said carefully. ”Well, i'm sure it's still good,” i said nodding, being a bit unsure because they never make food. We walked to the kitchen where everything was ready. I was pretty impressed and flattered how much effort the boys had put on all of this just because of me. We sat at the kitchen table, me between Slash and Axl, Steven right in front of me. I looked what they had made, apparently the basic pasta, and took some on my plate. ”Damn, i'm surprised you didn't just order pizza,” i chuckled and Duff just huffed. ”Yeah well, i was trying to suggest that to them, but Steven and Axl wanted to put more effort on this,” he said rolling his eyes. I looked at Steven and saw him looking at me as well but then turned his gaze back to his plate. We chatted about random things like work, their new songs and everything. Although i was much more focused talking with Axl than the rest of them, but shared gazes with Steven once in a while through the whole dinner. I was almost finished my food when others were still eating, but when i was getting more food, i accidentally dropped a bit food on my white shirt. Fuuck, i thought. ”I'll go to bathroom quickly, i'll come back in a sec,” i told them and headed to the bathroom. I tried to wash my shirt clean but when i didn't manage to get it off, i went to Axl's room to get a new shirt. I had once left there a few clothes so i changed my shirt to a new one. The door opened just a few seconds after i had changed my shirt, Steven came into Axl's bedroom as well. ”Oh, you're here,” Steven said when he saw me. ”U-uhm yeah, i was just coming to change my shirt, i had left some of my clothes here just in case,” i said nervously. I couldn't understand why i had to be so nervous when i was around him without anyone else near. ”Oh yeah, uhm, i was coming to get some of my stuff from my bag as well,” Steven said carefully and looked at me for a moment. We both just stood there super awkwardly for a moment, until Steven walked towards me, cupped my face and attacked his lips on mine. The kiss wasn't long and i just stood there, shocked and looked at him in the eyes. Soon he took his hands off me and blushed, looking on the ground. ”I'm really sorry, Y/N, i shouldn't have done that,” Steven said shaking his head. ”It's just that, i like you. Like like you. A lot,” he told me nervously, talking faster than usually and scratched his neck. ”But you're Axl's sister so  i didn't know if i should tell you this or make any move anyway, but i couldn't just be near you and hide my feelings and –” he started again, but i interrupted him by cupping his face and pressing my lips on his. ”I like you too, Steven, for a long time already,” i whispered smiling and i saw the usual wide smile spreading on Steven's face as well. ”Well, in that case, Y/N  Y/L/N, would you by any chance, become my girlfriend?” Steven asked and grabbed me by my waist, pulling me closer to him. I pretended to be pondering his offer for a while. ”Hmm, i don't know about that, i might have to think about it,” i said and saw his face fell which made me chuckle. ”Of course i'm gonna be your girlfriend, silly.” He kissed me again and i put my arms around his neck. He put his tongue in my mouth and made the kiss more passionate. He pressed me against the wall with his body, but soon the door flew open. ”Hey, what the fuck is taking so long, we're already starting to eat dessert and –” Axl started, but when he saw the position i still was with Steven, his eyes widened and i could already see the fire in Axl's eyes. ”Look, i can explain –” Steven started, but Axl came to push Steven off me roughly, which made Steven almost fall on the floor. ”Why the fuck are you stuffing your tongue down my sister's throat?!” Axl yelled at him and punched Steven on the face. ”No, Axl, stop!” i yelled quickly and stopped him from hitting Steven again. ”Please, just calm down, okay,” i tried to say desperately. He turned his gaze towards me, he was still breathing heavily. ”How long has this been going on?” he asked, there was still deep anger in his voice. ”Uhm, like 5 minutes,” i answered carefully. Axl turned to look at Steven again, which made Steven to back up couple of steps. ”Of all women in the world, you decided to fuck my own little sister!” Axl screamed and started to approach Steven, but i put my hand on his shoulder. ”Axl, please, we really really like each other,” i told him and smiled, which made Axl to relax a bit. ”I don't wanna imagine you two having sex with each other,” he groaned. Steven came next to me and put his arm around me and i rested my head on his shoulder. ”I love her, Axl. I'd never hurt her in any way,” Steven said and planted a kiss on my hair. ”Yes, finally!” Duff exclaimed and high fived with Izzy. Me, Steven and Axl looked at them confused, furrowing our eyebrows. When they saw the expressions on our faces, Izzy decided to continue. ”When did you come there?” Steven asked and still held his nose which was bleeding a bit. ”We heard some screaming from here so decided to come check what was happening,” Duff said shrugging and laughed a bit. ”We bet on when this would be happening,” Izzy said. ”Slash didn't believe us so now he owes 10 bucks for both of us,” he laughed which Duff did as well. Slash was just shaking his head but still smirking when he saw me and Steven standing next to each other. ”Wait, what?” i asked even more confused. ”What happening?” ”It was obvious that you two had some chemistry between each other,” Duff said nodding, winked and pointed at me and Steven. We looked at each other and blushed. Axl just shook his head and chuckled. ”Fine, atleast you're much better than Y/N's former boyfriends,” Axl said, looking at Steven, then raising his eyebrows, becoming more serious again. ”But make sure to use condoms, otherwise i'm gonna decide your kids' names.”