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theclockworkmonk · 3 years

Text

Out of the Mouths of Babes — Ch 6

AO3 | FFN

Previous chapter on Tumblr

Written for Hinny Ficfest 2021

Prompt: “Uncle Ron said something about Harry knocking Ginny up, but I don’t know what he means,” Teddy said.

Special thanks to @deadwoodpecker for beta reading this chapter

********

It was Molly’s turn to catch Arthur as he swayed on his feet and nearly fainted into her lap.

Hermione’s trembling hands were clapped firmly over her mouth, her eyes bulging to the size of saucers and darting around the room, unsure of who to start questioning, lecturing, or comforting first.

Ron was standing comfortably looking very pleased with himself, taking his turn to give Hermione his best “I told you so” look.

Fleur was silently beaming.

George’s face was turning red and his lips were pressed together so tightly they were turning white, he was trying so hard to keep his flippant comments to himself.

Percy had an intense, focused look on his face like he was trying to solve a maths problem or get a joke.

Bill and Charlie were glaring at Harry with a renewed quiet venom that was more intimidating than the unrestrained threats of a few minutes earlier.

But Harry wasn’t even close to caring, because his brain was too busy with listing to him all of the reasons why he was a terrible person and how he had ruined Ginny’s life and how he had no business being responsible for a tiny helpless human. With the deathly silence of the kitchen, he could perfectly hear his pulse pounding in his ears.

Ginny was still just staring at the blue potion with a completely blank expression. Finally, she was the one who broke the silence.

“...Huh.”

That sound was like a dam breaking, and the entire family erupted into a new flood of noise, all shouting over each other.

“Okay, okay, nobody panic!” Hermione shrieked, flapping her hands and clearly panicking, “We can handle this, I’ll help Ginny make a plan! I’ll start a baby binder!”

Molly darted across the kitchen and tackled her still-stunned daughter into a crushing hug.

“Remember Ginny dear, this is a good thing and we’re all happy for you, even though I’m so sorry I failed you as a mother,” she cried.

“By that she means you both are always accepted by this family and we’ll help any way we can,” said Arthur seriously.

“Yes, feel free to floo over if you ever start feeling sick, dear,” wept Molly, clasping onto Ginny’s hands for dear life, “and I know you starve yourself for your team, but you need to eat whatever you have a craving for as soon as you crave it, even if those trainers don’t like it. I’ll be happy to cook it for you. In fact, I’ll just start coming over every day to make sure you have everything.”

Behind her, Fleur was silently fist-pumping in victory at the new target for Molly Weasley’s doting.

“Not that anybody cares,” said Ron pointedly, staring up at the ceiling with his arms crossed, “But I’m still waiting for my apology.”

That was enough to shake Ginny out of her trance and she actually chuckled. “Ronald, it’s going to take a lot more than the immediate vindication of the wanker things you say for that to happen.”

Bill and Charlie’s faces had turned a shade of purple that reminded Harry entirely too much of Uncle Vernon.

“The rising star junior Auror can’t handle rudimentary contraception magic?” Charlie growled through clenched teeth.

Harry gulped loudly enough to be heard over the cacophony. “No! This potion batch is just a dud, we’re always safe!”

Ginny gasped and grabbed Harry by the sleeve. She pulled him close and whispered, as if there were a chance everyone wouldn’t hear. “Wait, Harry, you did remember to do the Charm...erm….that time, right?” She glanced sideways at Ron and Hermione. “That time...you know...at that thing? That thing three weeks ago?”

Harry’s insides felt like they had been frozen. Apparently the look on his face betrayed him, because Ginny looked to be going through the same revelation as him.

“I….I thought you had,” he mumbled weakly.

Ginny winced and closed her eyes. “Noooooooo,” she moaned, “Harry, we established this, the one who initiates it needs to do the Charm!”

“Exactly!” said Harry, “You were the one who grabbed me and dragged me to the bathroom!”

“Only because you hadn’t taken your hand off my thigh the entire bloody dinner!” said Ginny frantically, “What was I supposed to do, just keep eating cake?”

“Wait!” said Ron loudly, and Harry and Ginny froze like trapped rabbits.

Ron glared back and forth between the two of them, the gears in his head working. “Dinner? Cake? Three weeks?”

“Oh, you have got to be kidding me!” Hermione seethed dangerously. “Seriously? At our engagement party!?”

Harry shrank away from her like a child caught in the sweets jar. “Er….would you believe that we got caught up in the romance of the moment? You know, because you two are so in love, it’s inspiring?”

“Exactly!” said Ginny, “Really, you should take this as a compliment.”

Ron had his hands over his ears and his eyes clenched shut. “Welp. I can never use that bathroom again. We have to move flats. Better yet, let’s just burn down the building.”

“So what is the Harpies’ maternity plan?” Percy asked studiously, as if this were simply a bureaucratic issue, “how soon do you plan on going on leave? Assuming, of course, you...you know….intend to go through with it”

Tense silence fell, as the misunderstanding that caused all this chaos was suddenly relevant again. Every face was looking toward Harry and Ginny with baited breath.

Ginny swallowed and cleared her throat.

“That,” she said forcefully, crossing her arms, “is none of your business. None of this is any of your business. So if you’ll excuse us, the only people whose opinions matter right now will discuss this alone.”

Without waiting for a retort, Ginny grabbed Harry by the hand and led him up the stairs. After they entered Ginny’s old bedroom and Harry closed the door behind him, she paced back and forth several times before turning to face him.

“Did you put a ward on the door?” she asked.

“And several more on our way up the stairs,” answered Harry. “We should have a while before an Extendable Ear sneaks in here.”

“Good. Very good. Cool. Coolcoolcoolcoolcool.”

An uncomfortable silence fell over them, both hesitant to look the other in the eye. Harry wanted to hug her and start reassuring her, but he also didn’t want this conversation to start, because he wasn’t sure if he was strong enough to hear what he suspected Ginny would say.

Even though he was completely panicking and sure he would find a way to spectacularly mess up raising a child, there was no doubt in his mind about at least trying his best at it. But he knew how dedicated Ginny was to her career, and how difficult this could be for her. He was sure what she was going to say, but he wasn’t sure he could withstand hearing it.

Ginny was chewing her lip, but finally broke the silence. “Look, Harry….this is a lot to take in. Neither of us planned on this happening so soon, obviously. I understand if you want to focus on your job—”

“What?” Harry couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re a professional athlete who has another human growing inside you, and it’s my job we need to worry about?”

Ginny shrugged. “Well, I could keep playing for the next few months. The team healers put a ward around your abdomen for bludgers. I would have to take a break eventually, but I’m on contract now, so I’m secured in my roster spot while on maternity leave, and they always give players a chance to earn their starting spot back.”

“Oh,” said Harry, surprised. “Well that’s….that’s good. I thought it would be more cutthroat.”

“Well, the Harpies’ whole brand is having the very best female players in Britain,” said Ginny proudly, “and having a reputation for the best maternity plan in the league makes them pretty attractive to all their prospects. It’s hard to build a core team if you permanently lose a player every time someone gets pregnant.

“So…” she said assertively, looking him in the eye. “I feel like...we can do this. I want to keep this baby. But ultimately I feel like it’s both of our decisions. I’ll understand no matter how you feel. So….what are you thinking?”

Harry felt like he was in a tug of war, between exploding from happiness or imploding from terrifying nerves. Dementors, dragons, Death Eaters, nothing was as scary as this, but he also didn’t have to think about his answer, even for a second.

His hand drifted into his pocket and he toyed with what was inside. This wasn’t how he imagined doing this, but she asked him what he was thinking, and this night had already flipped all their plans upside-down, what was a bit more?

Harry focused on Ginny’s brown eyes, still earnestly waiting for his answer, and he found the courage he always found there.

“Here’s what I’m thinking,” he said bracingly.

He dropped down to one knee.

Ginny made a high-pitched squeak and her eyes widened in shock. Harry smiled at himself, pleased that he could still catch her completely off-guard.

“I wasn’t planning on doing this soon. I was afraid you would think I was being pushy. Was going to wait a few years. Or maybe a few months. Okay, I was probably close to cracking already. And in the meantime, it still felt good to have this on me, as a good luck charm I suppose.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the small black box he had bought weeks earlier.

“Harry….” Ginny whispered, her eyes welling with tears.

“Ginny,” Harry answered. He opened the box to reveal the ring. “Will you mar—guh!”

He was cut off by a crazed redhead tackling him to the ground, grabbing his face and kissing him hard enough to knock the wind out of him. Harry’s head was spinning, but he reluctantly pushed her back.

“Gin — Gin!” he grunted between kisses. Finally, Ginny pulled back, frowning at him.

“There’s kind of a part you forgot?” Harry said pointedly, raising his eyebrows.

Ginny looked lost for a moment, then rolled her eyes. “Oh, yeah. Yes. Obviously yes, you idiot.”

She kissed him again, and he lost track of time. Eventually, his back started to get sore on the wood floor, and he pushed himself up and pulled them both to their feet.

“We can finish our own celebration later,” said Harry, smiling so wide his face was sore, “but we should probably put your family’s worries to rest. And I can’t wait to show the world your hand with this on it.” He slid the ring onto her finger, and Ginny bounced on her feet like she was eleven years old again, practicing signing the name “Ginny Potter” in a diary.

Then, her smile slipped and she groaned loudly. “Ugh, this will make my mum even more of a nightmare now. I thought she was bad in the lead-up to Bill’s wedding, she’ll be even worse since she has to be the mother to both of us.”

“Well, Bill’s wedding was nice, wasn’t it?” said Harry diplomatically.

“I mean, I guess,” Ginny shrugged, “but not nearly nice enough to be worth all the hassle. The months of my mother stressing over everything and making sure I know my part. And I was just a bridesmaid! Being the center of attention of a hundred people while wearing a cumbersome dress might be Fleur’s dream, but it sounds like the worst day of my life.”

She wrapped her arms around Harry’s waist and pulled him close. “I just care if I’m the center of your attention.”

Harry smiled even wider. “Well don’t worry, you could be wearing a burlap sack and I still won’t be able to take my eyes off you.”

“So you don’t mind backing me up when Mum breaks out the bridal magazines?” Ginny asked pleadingly. “I was never one of those girls that fantasize about an extravagant wedding; in fact, the smaller the better. We’ve never really talked about it, but I know you, so I assume you would be okay with that?”

Harry laughed loudly. “Are you kidding? Yes, absolutely. You know I’m not exactly a social butterfly. As far as I’m concerned, we could jusy floo over to the Ministry and take care of it right now.”

They both erupted into a fresh round of laughter, holding each other and clutching their sides at how funny and ridiculous the idea was.

Then, their eyes met, and their laughter faltered, growing more and more quiet until tense silence descended on the room. Their smiles dropped, and their suddenly serious eyes held a wordless conversation.

Finally, both their mouths crept back up into wide smiles, this time being full of mischief.

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ladyartemesia · 4 years

Text

OREOs... and Electroshock Couples Therapy

You and infuriating precinct playboy Jeon Jungkook go undercover to lure out a killer targeting engaged couples. Literally nothing goes according to plan...

Genre: Fluff/Comedy/Suspense

Pairing: Jungkook x Reader

Trope: Enemies/Rivals to Lovers ~ Fake Dating

AU Type: Loosely Brooklyn 99 (with a hint of Smallville) Police Detectives AU

Word Count: 3315

Rating/Warnings: (PG-15) kidnapping with threat of harm (not graphic) ~ mature themes and innuendo ~ light/implied smut

“Your delusions have run away with you again.”

“My delusions? Now I know it was you. You’re even more insufferably pretentious when you’re trying to hide something.”

Jungkook grinned.

“Brilliant theory, Detective. Shame there’s no way to prove it.”

“You could confess,” you fumed tightly.

His grin became positively gleeful. You were this close to tasing him.

“Do you genuinely expect me to confess that I ate your last Oreo?”

“It was a violation of human decency.”

“Yes, and when we find the culprit, I’ll be sure to tar and feather him.”

“You’re not taking this seriously, Jeon.”

“Now, whatever gave you that idea?” Jungkook asked as he folded an arrest report into a paper airplane.

You were saved from responding when Captain Kim barked both your names across the precinct.

“Detectives _______ and Jeon. My office. Now.”

Namjoon sighed as he watched the two of you bicker all the way to the door.

It’s like having extra children.

“We’ve got a case. Commissioner marked it top priority and you two are taking lead as of right now.”

Your forehead wrinkled in confusion and Jungkook raised a single curious brow.

“But Jimin is my –”

“Why not Hoseok?”

Namjoon raised a hand to silence you both. You weren’t teaming with your regular partners. Questions were to be expected.

“Jimin’s staying on that trafficking case while you work with Jeon. We need to draw out a perp targeting engaged couples. Thus far, all of his victims have been a male and a female, mid-to-late twenties. You two fit the profile, so...” he grinned, “congratulations on your engagement.”

🕵🏻‍♀️👰🏻🤵🏻🕵🏻‍♂️

As special cases went, this one was … truly bizarre.

The victims always disappeared a few weeks before their wedding. Some couples were abducted, then later returned to their homes or vehicles with no memory of the previous 48 hours.

Others turned up dead in alleyways.

Ligature marks and burns on the bodies indicated the use of restraints and electrocution. After some digging, you discovered that all five couples visited the same jeweler and the same bakery in the process of planning their wedding.

Jungkook nibbled the tip of his pen, absently tugging his curls as he scanned the case files.

It wasn’t sexy.

It wasn’t.

“Looks like this is the best lead we have. Even though some of them ended up choosing other bakeries and jewelers – they all came through those shops.” He tossed the pen across his desk and stretched back in his chair – causing his shirt to strain over his chest.

You gulped.

Is it, like, hot in here? -your eyes lingered momentarily on his biceps- Why is maintenance messing with the thermostat right now? People are trying to work-

“Hello? Earth to Detective Space Cadet.” Jungkook waved a tattooed hand in your face. “Are we going with my idea?”

He had an idea? I must have missed it during that brief bout of thirstiness hot flash.

“I – uh – was analyzing some of the victim profiles …-in my head-” you paused to loosen your collar – which was suddenly strangling you, “-so could you just run it by me once more?”

Detective Jeon raised a single eyebrow.

“Daydreaming about me again?”

Yes.

“No. I was actually daydreaming about my last Oreo,” you leaned forward with an eyebrow raise of your own. “Really, it meant so much more to me than you do.”

He laughed and you felt yourself smiling (against your better judgement).

“Always so cold, Detective. I think you may have hurt my feelings.”

“Impossible,” you sighed airily, “we both know you don’t have feelings.”

“Says who?”

“Gina from Forensics.”

“Fine. Who else?”

“Wendy from Missing Persons.”

“Doesn’t count. I was very drunk.”

“Jimin’s sister.”

Jungkook winced.

“Is he still sore about that?”

“I wouldn’t accept food or beverages from him any time in the next decade.”

“That’s fair.”

It was your turn to laugh and Detective Jeon had the decency to blush. He recovered quickly, however.

“As I recall, there was a lot of feeling between those lovely ladies and myself.”

You rolled your eyes.

“Spare me Jeon. If I want to learn about baboon mating habits, I’ll watch Animal Planet.”

Jungkook hissed in feigned pain and clasped his hand over his heart.

“Ouch. Direct hit.”

“I am the top marksmen in the precinct.”

“Hey” he sat up – abruptly serious, “We’re tied.”

“For now.”

“Until I beat you.”

“Until you are beaten by me.”

He bit his lip and grinned – crinkling his nose in a way that was unfairly adorable.

“Kinky.”

“Oh-KAY,” you swiveled away in your wheelie chair and threw a paper clip at him (which he caught handily). “You were telling me about your plan?”

“Yes. While you were daydreaming about me-” (you snorted at that, but he pretended not to hear) “-I suggested we couple up and head to those shops. Maybe our perp will take the bait.”

You shrugged, “Sounds good.”

Gathering your coat and bag, you tossed a quick glance over your shoulder - already halfway out the door.

“I’ll swing by my locker and change into a dress or something. Meet me by the front gate in 10 minutes.”

Jungkook followed after you - catching up as you entered the elevator.

“I noticed you never denied being kinky.”

His grin was seven different types of sinful and if you were even the tiniest bit weaker, you would have cuffed him to the lift rail and addressed his statement explicitly.

You, however, were no Gina from Forensics.

Instead, your features twisted into a knowing smirk as you steered yet another moment between yourself and the delicious infuriating Jeon Jungkook into safe and familiar territory.

“Impressive,” you drawled cheekily as the doors began to close, “I can see why they made you a detective.”

🕵🏻‍♀️👰🏻🤵🏻🕵🏻‍♂️

The bakery was a famous family-owned establishment near the center of town. Its current owner, Kim Seokjin, had been crowned the city’s most eligible bachelor for 5 years running.

The man in question was, at the moment, personally campaigning for your vote.

“Now open wide,” he murmured as he slipped a sumptuous square of Seokjin’s Signature Red Velvet ™ between your parted lips.

Your eyes rolled back into your head. “Oh, that’s delicious,” you moaned.

Seokjin chuckled. “Thank you. I always hope customers can taste my passion in every bite.” The seemingly innocuous words sounded positively lewd dripping from his luscious mouth. You briefly forgot how to exhale.

The baker leaned in a bit closer and brought up his thumb to wipe away non-existent crumbs from your lips, “I find it really helps me connect with them,” he whispered intimately.

You were literal seconds from licking icing directly off Seokjin’s finger when-

“Okay. That’s enough of that.”

There was a firm tug on your elbow and you collided hard with Jungkook’s chest. It took a moment to regain your bearings (you were still slightly dazed from looking directly into Seokjin’s eyes), but suddenly Jungkook and Seokjin were staring each other down over a plate of cupcakes and all of Jungkook’s limbs were entangled with your own.

His legs rested on either side of your hips, his left hand latched around your back and torso - pinning you to him from chest to knee caps, and his right hand -

A surprised squeak slipped past your lips as he fully palmed your backside.

Mouth agape, your gaze shot up to meet his, but Jungkook was still glaring stoically at Kim Seokjin. He didn’t even flinch when you pinched him under the arm.

Frankly, you had not envisioned a scenario like this when you reported for duty this morning. Your mind struggled to process a reality where you were plastered all over Jeon Jungkook - surrounded on all sides by pastries and angry beautiful men - and oh my gosh that hand was still on your-

“Find what you were looking for, babe?” his familiar voice snapped with an extra edge of possessiveness that you absolutely - definitely - for sure - totally hated and did not make you shiver involuntarily.

Lies, lies, lies...

Seokjin’s eyes narrowed. A cool smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“I think the lady was very satisfied with what I had to offer.”

Jungkook’s jaw twitched.

Oh boy…

You learned long ago to dread that jaw twitch.

It was the jaw twitch of I-will-win-this-even-if-I-have-to-break-every-bone-in-my-body-and-burn-down-a-building-in-the-process.

Visions of flying muffins and bloodshed danced behind your eyes.

Not to mention Jungkook would likely wreck Seokjin’s face and that would be a travesty.

Time for some drastic measures.

Thinking quickly, you slid your hands up over his chest to bury your fingers in his hair and yanked his face close to yours.

“Baby,” you purred, letting your lips brush ever so slightly over his, “I wanna go look at rings now.”

Jungkook’s eyes darkened immediately. Tension thrummed in the space between you. Your body suddenly seemed to poised to ignite as you pleaded prettily with him.

“Won’t you take me, love?”

The was a sharp flare of something in his gaze and the next thing you knew Jungkook was sweeping you toward the exit - right hand still firmly planted on your-

“I look forward to seeing you again soon,” Seokjin called out - in a tone more suited to a bedroom than a bakery.

Jungkook froze. His jaw twitched again, but you were out of patience.

“Come along now, Poodle,” you growled before dragging him out the door.

🕵🏻‍♀️👰🏻🤵🏻🕵🏻‍♂️

“What was that?!” you hissed after walking a suitable distance from the bakery.

“I was about to ask you the same question. I can’t believe you called me Poodle!”

“You're lucky that’s all I did. Between the butt grabbing and the chest beating, I was tempted to bash both your heads in with the complimentary tea tray.”

He snorted.

“I was just maintaining my cover - unlike you.”

“Excuse me?!”

“You’re my fiancé, Muffin. Drooling all over Kim Seokjin’s goodies while he touches your mouth doesn’t exactly scream ‘I’m in a committed relationship’.”

Your jaw dropped and you sputtered out a noise that was equal parts guilt and exasperation.

“I was probing for information!”

“And he was about to probe right back,” Jungkook muttered.

“What was that?” you snapped.

“I said the jeweler is on the corner of 5th and Womack.”

🕵🏻‍♀️👰🏻🤵🏻🕵🏻‍♂️

The tension between you and your ‘fiancé’ was palpable by the time you finally entered the jewelry store.

“What kind of ring were you looking for, Precious?” Jungkook gushed with nauseating sweetness.

“The biggest and most expensive we can find, Cupcake!” you cooed through clenched teeth.

For several minutes you wandered aimlessly through the store playing the role of a hard to please couple (employing increasingly more obnoxious pet names with each exchange).

The clerk, a tight featured man with tiny glasses, kept shooting disapproving looks and sniffing loudly whenever you asked to see anything. After a few minutes of irritable huffing, Jungkook lost patience.

“I’m surprised this place is still in business, Cuddles.”

You snorted, equally put off by the jeweler’s brisk demeanor.

“I think we’re done here, Kookie Bear. I parked the car in the garage by Maxwell Market. If we get back in ten minutes, we won’t be charged for another hour.”

The last thing you remembered before completely blacking out was a sharp pain in your neck.

Then you opened your eyes to very real trouble.

🕵🏻‍♀️👰🏻🤵🏻🕵🏻‍♂️

It felt like there was a knife in your forehead - probably a side effect of whatever drug was used to knock you out.

As your eyes slowly adjusted to the dim lighting, you became aware of several things at once.

You and Jungkook were strapped to chairs facing one another in (what appeared to be) someone’s basement. Electrical stimulators simmered menacingly over various contact points on both your bodies.

...ligature marks and burns on the bodies indicated the use of restraints and electrocution…

Your gaze traveled cautiously over your partner. There was a cut near his temple - probably caused when he fell after being drugged - other than that he looked unharmed, but his eyes were still closed and his breathing seemed labored.

“Jungkook,” you whimpered. Your voice sounded cracked and raw.

How long were we out?

After a moment his eyes opened and his panicked gaze darted frantically before landing on you.

It suddenly occurred to you that his face might be the last thing you ever saw. The thought prompted a strange sort of comfort as well as a powerful surge of emotion.

A single tear slid slowly down your cheek.

Your head wasn’t entirely clear yet, but you could vaguely hear the jeweler rambling on about how he was going to save you both from the pain he suffered.

“What ...pain?” Jungkook’s voice sounded as rough as yours. He was still fighting off the effects of sedation.

“The pain of lies,” your captor hissed. “My wife’s lies destroyed me. I lost everything. I never would have married her if I’d known-”

His unhinged monologue continued in that manner for several uncomfortable minutes, but he did finally get around to mentioning why you were chained up in his cellar.

“-to find the truth. If you want to save each other, you must tell the truth.”

Your eyes fell to your fingers, already knowing what you’d find there.

“Lie detectors?” Jungkook whispered incredulously.

“To know for sure if you truly care. Your lies hurt the one you love. Down here, your lies will kill her.”

“What are you saying?” Jungkook snarled. His voice dripped with real menace.

“I’m saying, if you lie, this will happen.” He pushed a button on the small remote in his hand and excruciating pain suddenly tore through your entire body.

You screamed.

“Stop!” Jungkook shouted. His body jerked against the chains and the chair creaked precariously beneath him. “I will kill you, you bastard!”

“No! You’ll thank me for sparing you the pain of heartbreak.”

“We aren’t engaged!” you gasped, still shaking from the aftershock. “This was a ruse - to - to draw you out. We can’t pass it-”

But the jeweler ignored you and cranked up the voltage on his machine.

“First question to the groom. Are you hiding anything from her?”

Jungkook swore and yanked against his chains again.

“Answer the question or I’ll do it,” the jeweler warned. “Your silence can deceive as well.”

You whimpered in terror and Jungkook howled with rage.

“Yes. I am,” he bit out tightly.

The voltage cranked again and another tear drifted quietly down the side of your face.

“What are you hiding?”

Jungkook’s eyes dropped in shame, but he didn’t hesitate. He couldn’t.

“I do eat your last Oreo. Every time. The first one was an accident. I thought they were Jimin’s... I don’t even like Oreos that much... But I make sure I always get to yours.”

You couldn’t stop a pathetic cough of laughter. “You’re confessing to the Oreos? ...Really?” Your body shook as more silent tears tracked down your face. “Jeon Jungkook you’re so strange,” you whispered softly - almost tenderly.

The jeweler’s eyes narrowed.

“There has to be more than that!” He cranked the voltage again. “Tell her what you’re really hiding!”

Jungkook’s jaw clenched.

“She comes to see me when the Oreos disappear. I work mostly homicide and she’s narcotics. We were paired together on a task force a couple months ago and since then I...”

His eyes squeezed shut as he fought for the right words. When they opened again, he was speaking only to you.

“Our paths don’t often cross, but when you find me to yell about the Oreos... it’s the best part of my day.”

His gaze dropped as he continued, “There hasn’t been anyone else since the moment we met…” He heard your quiet gasp and his mouth tilted into a small tender smile.

“There’s only you,” he whispered.

The harsh scrape of a lever being pulled caused you both to jump. Jungkook grunted in pain. He passed the test, but the charge was live on his body now.

It was your turn to face the truth.

“Tell me,” the psychotic jeweler snapped - clearly disappointed that no one had died yet, “do you love this man?”

Your eyes widened and Jungkook’s head shot up. Your gazes locked significantly and you felt your heart wrench.

“It’s ok,” Jungkook whispered. “Just tell the truth.”

His beautiful face was filled with trust and understanding.

You knew what he expected your answer to be.

You knew what you’d say if his life wasn’t on the line.

But only the truth would keep him safe.

“Yes,” -your eyes fluttered shut - it was too much to face him when everything you buried deep down was now laid bare between you- “I do.”

You saw him flinch - as if he expected the pain to come.

But it never did.

For a moment there was only excruciating silence... then the barest whisper of your name passing breathlessly over his lips.

“NYPD! HANDS WHERE I CAN SEE THEM!”

You had never been so happy to hear Sergeant Min’s voice in your entire life.

But he’d come too late to spare either of you a confrontation with the truth.

🕵🏻‍♀️👰🏻🤵🏻🕵🏻‍♂️

The next several hours passed in a blur. You were separated from Jungkook almost immediately. You caught one final glimpse of him as you were both loaded into ambulances.

His gaze stayed fixed on you as the doors closed.

You vaguely recall giving statements and Namjoon yelling - a lot - like he always does when he’s worried.

He hugged you so tightly.

At some point you started to cry.

There was a constant stream of doctors and psychologists...

Then they sent you home.

Mandatory Crisis Leave.

Loud banging startled you off the couch and onto the floor of your apartment. It was only the second day of leave, but someone was already interrupting.

In hindsight, you should have known exactly who it was.

“Jungkook ... ”

He looked so wonderful it almost hurt. You savagely beat back the urge to slam the door in his face and bury yourself underneath a pile of blankets.

“I’m... really tired of eating those Oreos.”

His jaw worked reflexively. After a moment, his eyes crept up to meet yours.

You nodded.

It was literally all you were capable of doing.

“I want to talk to you every day,” he said with a little more confidence.

Tears began to prick the back of your eyes. You nodded again and he stepped slightly closer.

“I want to hold you. And not just when we’re undercover.”

You laughed. Tears began to fall in earnest.

Jungkook’s hand rose cautiously toward your face and you leaned forward ever so slightly, allowing his thumb to soothe away the wetness on your cheek.

“I am in love with you... and- and I have no idea what I’m doing,” he lowered his forehead to rest gently against yours, "but from now on... I want to do whatever it is with you.”

Pure burning joy bubbled up from your chest as you surged forward - finally pressing your lips to his.

There was laughter and more crying as you stumbled together into your apartment, shutting the door on the outside world to lose yourself in each other.

As you lay in his arms several hours later with the echoes of his touch still humming over your body and your mouth still swollen from his kiss, you realized that what you’d been running from all those months was nothing more than your own fears.

Here - next to him - was where you were meant to be all along.

Ask My Muse: Have a question for the characters in this work? Send it to my ask box and hear their side of the story.

Endnote: This is an extensive rework of a piece I originally wrote for another fandom (if you see it elsewhere - but with Reylo - it’s me - I promise). It is based heavily on the plot of one of my favorite episodes of Smallvile (I was a huge Smallville fangirl back in the day). The dynamics are inspired by one of the greatest shows of all time - Brooklyn 99. I haven’t written much for the BTS fandom, but I would really love to hear what you think! (Let me know what you thought pretty please?) Much like Jimin I survive primarily on takeout and praise.

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faulty-writes · 4 years

Text

Warning: Self esteem issues, Negative thoughts.

Fandom: My Hero Academia

Pairing: BirthdayBoy!Tenya Iida x Reader

[ Hello, it’s your favorite writer here with some Tenya Iida comfort! I wrote this because of a little drama tiff I had with a roleplay server. I will never understand why some people get so angry with honesty. But, when life gives you lemons...write a fic. Anyways. I hope you enjoy, I love Tenya Iida and I couldn’t believe I forgot his birthday. So this is my contribution to his birthday as well as a comfort fic! Happy late birthday, Tenya! Love you. At some point, I must write another Tensei fic. ]

[ When Tenya said he was going to visit his family for his birthday, you got a little upset considering you had, with Izuku’s help, planned a special birthday surprise for him. But, as of late, you had been second-guessing your relationship with Tenya. More specifically if you deserved him or not, these thoughts seemed to hit you hard on Tenya’s birthday and much like your friends, you tried to push him away. But Tenya, will not have it. ]

Tenya didn’t think much of birthdays, especially his. He didn’t favor the idea of getting presents, for he believed it was better to be happy with what you already had. However, he wasn’t ungrateful by any means, no. He loved being able to spend a celebratory day with his friends and family. In fact, he had just gotten back from the Iida Estate. His family insisted he spend the day with them, though Tenya was rather upset about it seeing as he would have rather spent his birthday with not only his friends but you.

For you were the light of his life, his muse, the one he could not live without. He was pleasantly surprised upon arriving at the student dorm and was greeted with decorations and the friendly cheers of Class A. With your help, Izuku had planned a surprise party and while Tenya was rather grateful for the cake and small pile of presents, he couldn’t help but wonder where you were. “Y/n?” Uraraka repeated and Tenya nodded, “Yes!” he said, enthusiastically chopping his hand through the air.

“I would very much like to see them! For they are always in my thoughts and I quite missed them, even though I was happy to see my family. Y/n is the one I desire to spend time with the most.” he shared and a soft swoon of “Aw’s” filled the room, a few of the girls thought his small proclamation of love was adorable. While some of the boys merely gagged or laughed at his words, something that Tenya didn’t appreciate. However, he remained quiet and focused his attention on Uraraka and Izuku, his two dearest friends who sat with him on the couch.

Izuku looked at Uraraka a moment before turning back to Tenya, “Iida-kun, I’m not sure what happened. But Y/n’s been cooped up in their room since school ended.” he shared, earning a concerned yet surprised expression from Tenya. “Did something happen?” he questioned, though he resisted the urge to activate his quirk and run to you. Uraraka shrugged, “All I know is they left in a hurry, I didn’t even get a chance to talk to them when class ended. They were already out the door.” she explained with a hand to her chest.

Tenya pressed his lips together and his heart seemed to sink in his chest, the feeling of worry beginning to make his stomach twist. In one fluent movement, he rose from the couch. His sudden action caused his friends to gasp, but he quickly raised his hand as if to silence them. “Rest assured, I am alright. I simply feel the need to check on Y/n.” he said, “Perhaps I could see what is wrong,” Uraraka glanced to the side before grabbing Tenya’s arm.

“Wait, Iida, if you’re going I have something that might help,” she said, pulling a cheerful grin before she bounced off to the kitchen. Tenya looked at her strangely before his gaze shifted to Izuku who shrugged. “Hm.” Tenya placed his hands on his hips, almost impatiently waiting for Uraraka to return. However, he didn’t expect to be handed a plate with two pieces of birthday cake. “There!” she declared as she clasped her hands together, her cheeks rosy red. “This will break the ice for sure, no one can say no to sweet treats!” Tenya looked at the cake with a raised eyebrow as Uraraka giggled.

“Well, I...I do suppose that is quite a valid point…” he said before taking a deep breath, “Thank you for the birthday party Midoriya-kun, it was well organized. Please inform everyone that I am most thankful for their presents as well, perhaps I’ll open them later.” he gave a nod before he started down the hall, he knew where your dorm room was by heart. Though in such a small living space, it only made logical sense he knew where your room was. Still, he found himself feeling nervous. The way Uraraka and Izuku made it sound, it was almost as though you were upset about something.

Too ashamed to show your face for the moment or was it that he had upset you? He knew that you wanted to spend his special day together, yet he had informed you that he had other plans. That is spending the free portion of his birthday after school with his family, perhaps he should have made an effort to invite you. After all, he wasn’t ashamed of his relationship with you. Quite the opposite, he loved spending time with you, he loved talking about you. The fact you brought a new meaning to his otherwise dull life was beyond any word of praise.

He tightened his grip on the plate as he stood in front of your door, part of him hoped Uraraka was correct when she stated the sweets would help ease tension. Hesitantly Tenya reached out, folding his hand into a fist before knocking three times. The sound echoed through the hall and Tenya brought his hand to rest at his side. “Y/n? It’s Tenya, will you please open the door? I brought you something I do hope you’ll enjoy!” he called, but got no response. He lowered his eyebrows, “Strange.” you never shut him out, even though he understood at times there were things you wanted to keep to yourself.

He would never push or force anything out of you, but your lack of an answer only caused him more worry. He swallowed and knocked once more, “Y/n, please...my love, open the door so I can see your face.” Tenya’s voice was soft, though there was a hint of anxiety hidden within it. Something the normally calm and collected boy didn’t show. Yet, he continued to get no response. He stared at the door a moment before reaching for the handle, surprised to find it was unlocked. He carefully opened it, however, it gave a loud creak and Tenya was worried he might have startled you because of it.

In actuality, you were laying on your bed with the blanket draped over you. The lights were off, casting the room in a dark shadow which made it tricky for Tenya to navigate. But regardless, he stepped inside and shut the door behind him. He could faintly see your outline, which honestly just looked like a lump on the bed. “Y/n?” he whispered as he carefully walked over, one hand held out in case he bumped into anything while the other continued to hold onto that plate for dear life. He hated messes and it would be a shame if cake stained the floor.

Once he got close, he carefully placed the plate onto your nightstand and slowly reached his hand out to you. “Y/n…” he repeated as he gently touched your back, but you seemed to shy away from his touch. “Mm…” Tenya grew cross, almost tempted to rip that blanket off. But he knew that would be too hasty, surely not the action of a proper boyfriend. So instead, he took a breath and proceeded to sit on the bed. It dipped and the springs created an eerie sound, adjusting to the added weight.

“Are you well? I’ve returned from visiting my family and I…” he lifted his hand, wanting to touch you again. “I’m afraid I must apologize, for I...I did not have much of a choice in the matter. I would have much rather spent my birthday celebration with you.” honestly, you weren’t upset you couldn’t spend the day with Tenya. Well, maybe a little. You did want to make his birthday special, you had planned the surprise party with Izuku but when Tenya gave you the news he’d be spending the better half of his day with his family.

It hurt, you knew it wasn’t Tenya’s fault. He came from a very rich and heroic family, with standards you couldn’t possibly understand. He seemed downright proud and prideful of his family, the way he spoke about the Iida’s accomplishments throughout the generations was...incredible to say the least. Maybe that’s what was truly upsetting you, the fact that compared to Tenya...you were really nothing. You didn’t come from a rich family, much like Uraraka your family seemed to struggle financially. Your quirk wasn’t as impressive as the other students and you seemed to be lacking in your academic studies.

In other words, you were poor with no heroic lineage whatsoever, and despite being with Tenya. One of the most intelligent students in the class, your grades were slipping. Even Mineta had managed to rise in the ranks above you. It was pathetic. Maybe the best birthday gift you could give Tenya was space, it was a defeating feeling. Something that had been plaguing your mind the whole day and by the end, you wanted to hide away. Maybe it wasn’t right, keeping all this to yourself. You should be open and honest with Tenya and your friends, you knew they cared about you.

But, what if they laughed? Would they think your problems were silly? You knew Tenya took such things very seriously, he wouldn’t rest when he knew someone he cared about was in pain. He’d do whatever it took as a future Pro Hero to make sure everyone, especially those he cared for, were safe and that they had a reason to smile again. Still, you couldn’t help but tighten your hands around the blanket. Knuckles turning white and slightly trembling. “W-Why?” you finally spoke from underneath the covers, taking Tenya by surprise. His eyes slightly wide and he leaned back, confused.

“Why?” he repeated, was the answer not obvious? Perhaps he wasn’t clear, with that in mind. He leaned over, estimating where your head and more specifically your ear was. He gently draped his arm around you and pressed his lips against your ear, though he would have preferred direct contact. The blanket was the only thing separating you from him. He took a deep breath, your scent lingered on the bed covers which he found settled his nerves.

“My love...you are the chaos to my order, the sun to my moon, the one whom I have adored and admired for far too long. The one I cherish with all my heart and want with every fiber of my being. I would gladly reschedule any date or day to spend it with you. Do you not realize that? You mean a great deal to me, for without you. I am afraid I would be lost, forever asking why I must suffer in this life alone. For you are the one that fills my heart and gives me a greater sense of purpose.” he said before proceeding to lean against you, something that caused you to give a soft grunt.

Tenya wasn’t heavy, but his added weight certainly didn’t help you. Still, Tenya nestled his head against yours and you could feel those muscular arms close around you. “I love you and as such, I want to spend every waking moment making you the happiest person on Earth.” the words were whispered softly and you clenched your jaw, eyes squeezing shut. Why did Tenya have to say such meaningful words? In a way it made you angry, it was almost as if he were praising you when you weren't worthy of such a thing.

A deep growl came from your throat, something that caused Tenya to lift his head. “Hm?” he looked at you before your arm shot toward him and your hand pressed against his chest. It had come unexpected and caused him to cry out. His own arms came out, swirling in circles as he proceeded to fall off the bed. A loud thud sounded as he hit the floor and part of the blanket draped over his legs as you finally sat up on the bed. Tenya’s eyes widened and a fearful look spread across his face as he took note of your appearance, how your eyes were puffy and red.

Had you been crying? He frowned, perhaps he made a bigger mistake than he thought. “Y/n...what happened-” another growl sounded and your arms came up, hands curled into tight fists that shook. “Shut up!” you snapped, making Tenya jump from his position on the floor. His frown deepened, “I…I apologize did I-” his sentence came to a halt as a pillow collided with his face, he didn’t quite appreciate that. But he remained quiet as he readjusted his glasses. Feeling a little annoyed at your antics, “Was that truly an appropriate way to communicate what’s troubling you?” he questioned and you sigh before dropping your head, hands coming to hide your face.

Tenya blinked before slowly sitting on his knees, “Y/n…” he said and part of you couldn’t stand it, the gentle way he always spoke your name. “J-Just stop it Tenya…” you said, your voice weak and soft. It made Tenya’s heart sink and he carefully crawled to the edge of the bed, placing his hands on the mattress. “I...I’m afraid I do not understand-” his words came to another abrupt stop when you lowered your hands and slammed them against the bed, though the cushioning softened the blow. You felt your eyes tear up once more, but they stung from the previous amount of crying you had done.

You couldn’t even bring yourself to look at Tenya, though part of you almost felt amused. How many other boys could you get on their knees before you? But Tenya did it because he cared, he wasn’t going to run away. That much you knew, so why did it make you feel guilty? Did you have Tenya under your spell so badly he would continue to push and break the walls you had built? You took a deep breath, wiping your nose before speaking, “Why do you...always put me on a pedestal, why do you always act like I’m some great prize, Tenya?!” you snapped, feeling a few tears begin to slide down your cheeks.

Tenya’s lips parted, a clear look of concerned confusion in his eyes. “I...I do not think you a great prize for you are not an object of personal gain or a trophy I wish to show off, you are...someone I love, very dearly. Someone I find to be beautiful and courageous and wonderful in their efforts.” he explained, his tone turning into that of a more serious nature. He thought his positive words would make you at ease, but they seemed to have the opposite effect as more tears came. He frowned and reached up, having the desire to wipe them away.

But you smacked his hand away, though it didn’t physically hurt him. He felt his heart sink, rejection from a stranger was one thing. But from the one you loved? It stung more than Tenya wanted to admit, he was utterly defenseless against you. He took every word and action to heart, yet that wouldn’t stop him from continuing in his own efforts to figure out what was wrong. It appeared as though you were having doubts about his love for you and he wondered if he had done anything to cause it. Surely he didn’t speak rudely to you or hurt your feelings, so what brought such a reaction about?

“Tenya…I...I am not beautiful or wonderful in any shape or form. I don’t have an impressive flashy quirk, my grades are low and you...you’re this incredible person with heroic lineage and so intelligent and-” you gasped when Tenya pushed off the floor, wrapping his arms around you tightly. Your face was pressed against one of his biceps and though it was comforting. Your hands remained by your sides, but you could feel Tenya press his face into the crook of your neck. His lips tickling your skin as he spoke, “Is this why you are upset? Did my absence bring this on?” he questioned, then again.

You had been acting a tad distant lately, even during training. Those silent cheers you two created between each other were gone. Perhaps he should have seen it sooner, were you feeling insecure? His arms tightened around you, he’d have to fix that. “Forgive me, I believe I may already know the answer,” he said before pulling away, he gently cupped your face. Though you looked away, stray tears still came and your cheeks were dusted red. It was funny, on top of everything else, you felt embarrassed.

You should have known Tenya would jump to conclusions, which at times were correct. “Will you look at me, please?” you could hear the hurt tone in his voice, but even so, you couldn’t bring yourself to look at him...not yet. It was stupid, feeling this way because you were so vulnerable to someone. You knew Tenya wouldn’t hurt you and maybe it was silly to think so low of yourself, but you couldn’t help it. Negative thoughts often consumed one’s mind, despite the positive ones trying to fight back. You heard Tenya sigh and his thumbs slid across your cheeks to collect those tear droplets. “I see…” he whispered before his eyes narrowed, “Look at me!” he demanded, something that caught you off guard and caused you to jump.

Though with Tenya’s hands still holding your face, there was very little movement to be had. Your eyes though holding some fear, finally shifted to Tenya and you watched as his features softened. “Please, my love. Listen well, you know I would not lie to you nor anyone. I find honesty to be the best application in conversations and meanings of the heart.” he explained before leaning close, a soft gasp escaped when you felt his warm lips press against your forehead. He pulled back before reaching down to take hold of your hands.

In his gentle embrace, he stroked his thumbs over your knuckles before bringing each hand to his lips. A soft kiss was pressed to the back of each hand before he cradled them to his chest, right above his heart. “That being said, I’m afraid I must voice my rather strict opinion on your thought process and outlook you hold of yourself,” he said, once more sporting a serious look and it somehow made you shrink. When Tenya was serious about something, he made sure you damn well knew it. “I do not care where you come from, your financial status, your grades, or anything else that may persuade others from loving you,” he said, his fingers tightening around your hands.

“My heart, though I did not know it...chose you for a reason. For I see beyond just petty words and appearances, I know you, Y/n. Inside and out, I find nothing but a shining beauty, a wonderfully bright soul, one truly worthy of becoming a hero. That is what I find most appealing about one’s character, the strength and kindness of their heart, and the true colors of their soul.” you shook your head, no...that wasn’t true. Tenya frowned, “Do not shake your head,” he softly demanded and proceeded to rest his forehead against yours.

“Please.” he added quietly, “Grades do not determine one’s placement in life, you were born to be a hero. Meant to help others, to do anything you must to protect them. While UA is indeed a heroic school, a classroom cannot necessarily teach one how to be a decent human being and you are far beyond that. You are and always shall be, the most incredible, beautifully spoken, intelligent human being I have ever met, and no force or quirk on this Earth will change my mind.” he said, though you began trembling and your fingers tightened around his hands.

Such a thing didn’t go unnoticed by Tenya and he leaned back, his eyes scanning you. “My love...you don’t have to tremble, are you cold?” he questioned, he could be clueless at times. Often trying to find the most logical answer, a struggled chuckle left your lips. "N-No," you said quietly before leaning forward, resting your head against his shoulder. “Hm...well, if I may continue,” he said before gently releasing your hands but you only fisted them into his shirt. Tenya's fingers grazed your cheeks before cupping them, he then guided your head up and off his shoulder.

Your tears had ceased, though your eyes still appeared irritated. “I suppose you may call me selfish for this, but I do not wish to lose you for you are the most precious person in my life, even my brother Tensei does not compare to how much I care for you. So, please do not think so negatively of yourself. Though I can confidently argue you down, I do not wish for you to be sad. I do not wish to be without you, especially not on my birthday.” he said, giving a soft smile.

“Tenya I…” you wanted to apologize, despite being relieved he hadn’t laughed at you for what you had said. “I-I’m sorry...maybe I was...I’m so stupid…” you wanted to bury your face into his chest, hide away from the world again. Yet, you didn’t want to break away from his touch, “I believe I said I would not allow you to think so negatively of yourself. You are not stupid, you are beautiful and intelligent. If I may be so daring as to state breathtaking as well.” you swallowed, feeling how your heart twisted in your chest. But, his next words caught you by surprise.

“I would like to celebrate the hours that remain of my birthday here with you, I want to hold you close and whisper positive affirmations into your ear and I will not rest until you believe you are truly loved, wanted and that I desire no one else.” your heart skipped a beat, the lengths this man would go were almost incredible. You opened your mouth to speak, but Tenya spoke first, “May I tell you what I wish for my birthday? I do understand the superstition of wishes ceasing to come true if spoken out loud, but I am afraid I do not believe in such things.” he said and you chuckled softly, yeah...Tenya was more logical and down to reality.

Still, you nodded as you were a little curious to what your boyfriend could possibly wish for. Tenya smiled once again and closed the distance between himself and you, pressing his lips against yours for a brief moment. He pulled back, hands still caressing your cheeks. “My only wish and desire for my birthday is to see you smile.” his words came out soft and it was something you cherished. Still, just as he wished. A smile began to tug at your lips before you jumped and wrapped your arms around him. Yet again, catching him off guard as he fell back.

Luckily this time, he was caught by the mattress and landed softly. Though he looked slightly bewildered, he loosely wrapped his arms around you. “It’s a deal,” you said before folding your arms against his chest, looking him in the eye. “You know what my wish is?” you questioned as you reached up to remove his glasses, even though Tenya was rather protective over his eyewear. He allowed you to remove them, you thought Tenya was handsome with or without his glasses, but without them. His eyes stood out and you found them to be beautiful, almost hypnotizing.

You loved staring into them, even if it embarrassed Tenya. “I um...I do not believe I know what your wish is,” he replied and you chuckled. You reached over, allowing your fingers to caress his cheek. You slipped his glasses back on, though he naturally reached up to adjust them as you suddenly leaned up. Turning your head to see the plate with the two pieces of cake sitting on your nightstand. Your mind suddenly thought of something a little mischievous and you reached over, grabbing the plate carefully.

You took note there were no napkins or forks, which made your little mischievous idea all the better. “I want to see you eat this cake with me,” you said as Tenya sat up and you proceeded to shove the plate toward him. However, he held his hands up. Such an action was a clear indication of Tenya’s need to avoid making a mess, “N-No thank you! I…” he stopped when he noticed the lack of napkins and forks, had he been that careless?

“I do not believe we have the correct plasticware to eat it with,” he began as he rose from the bed, “I’ll go to the kitchen and-” he stumbled back when you pulled his arm, “Tenya…” you said, keeping hold of his arm as you stood up. “It’s your birthday and your birthday is not complete without cake.” you insisted as you once more held the plate up and Tenya turned his head as if the dessert offended him.

“B-But it will make a mess and we do not have any napkins and-” you quickly silenced him with your hand, covering his mouth so the rest of his words became muffled. “Tenya...it won’t kill you and we can always wash our hands after, please...for me?” you said as you removed your hand and reached over to grab a piece of cake carelessly and Tenya shivered as he watched the icing smear your fingers. “I want to do something with you to celebrate your birthday…” you said and Tenya sighed.

“F-Fine, I suppose such a thing is only fair. I did state I wish to spend the remainder of my birthday with you and celebrating with cake is well...I suppose traditional.” he said as he hesitantly picked up the remaining piece of cake, however, he held it like it were glass and away from his body. It was almost funny to witness, but you happily took a bite of yours before stepping close to Tenya. You stood on your tippy-toes to kiss his cheek, which had him stumbling back. “Y-You have icing on your lips!” he snapped, but you only shook your head. “Happy birthday, Tenya,” you said with a playful wink before taking another bite of cake.

#tenya iida #tenya x reader #iida x reader

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suntara · 3 years

Text

farewell midnight (suicide tw)

11.46PM my world seems to slowly rest their eyes those eyes have laid their talons across every crevice of the universe they really haven't seen what they want to see and have traumatized themselves beyond beyond the point of normality it's been accepted like a pandemic a butterfly hatches from their cocooning hearts with patterns shaped like an iron slap and wings so delicate that even letting go is considered their end . 12.55AM that really special place between the last minutes of night and the first few of midnight, don't mean much here some drunk students with ruffled uniforms forget all that's after, polaroid's shift like movies if they squint hard enough when they go to collect their shoes and wallets other students hole themselves in a wall of novels and research papers and make paintings from the tears of crestfallen corpses of summery daydreams and the red wine staining the white carpet . 01.04AM what's true isn't the same as what is right, what is right isn't the same as what's good dreams whistle with the wind and tie themselves into knots around red brick apartments and warm yellow lamps some parents fight endlessly about the dishes or another poker game lost and some tire their feet from searching for their teenagers or from dancing to the soft trills of moonlight leather coats are heavier during warm forget-me-not laced nights . 02.13AM there's a slight shift in earth at this time, every imaginary friend with a child to protect slowly loses their grasp on their child's hand loses their bright colour just a little, really, the trains are always early at this time Nobody but business men with missions better than this travel on forth the stars try their best to fill those hollow gaps in their bones, trying to give those men more of a meaning, instead their rough edges leave scratches of an impolite demeanor and a thought more painful than golden shackles . 03.22AM the countryside passes by in emerald flashes the men worked their stop away in a cotton purse is a farewell letter that forgot to find it's way to it's recipient With a stolen sticker from a fallen dove, a poem about appreciation, a forget-me-not that never remembered the date more important than the first and a bottle of red pills, pills that guarantee protection from what the world wants to see, but they won't tell them that. the pills that guarantee a painless end to pain, but forget to mention that after death hurts alot more than death, even if they knew they won't tell them that . 04.31AM that one fairytale about the princess who saw someone else in her reflection and aimed so many arrows in the direction of mirrors and lakes that the arrows flew right back to her that slowly, she killed herself comes to my mind as I step off the train, businessmen drunk off their pain following I wonder how much more pain will the world need to take, just for the sake of meaning and seeing more before it decides to crack, will our spines shatter? or will Atlas break? not knowing how to live without a weight on his shoulders . 05.40AM it's far too late for a farewell now, isn't it? my leather coat lays heavier on my shoulders as I step into my childhood bedroom it's wall plastered with baby pink paint baby pictures, baby birds and a baby want to hurt like everyone else does perhaps my mothers swollen belly was touched by the sun themselves, not the moon the thud of my purse falling follows me to my bedroom window fairy lights and hanging plants snake around the grills and rose thorns cut into my skin but the cuts don't ache, they tell me something . 06.51AM a fistful of traffic light pills clasped in my trembling fingers slowly leave my hold turn into little scarred butterflies and flutter away. the roses hold my hands with their petals and their thorns; they tell me that they don't know if it will ever be okay my blessing is a curse, they know that much they tell me that the people never continue living for their pains, but for those tiny little things that they make a difference for like petting cats or listening to the birds new song there's more to the story than the ending it's not a mid night of farewell no more Who would water them when I go? . 07.02AM the vines leave me then, the pills flutter away students make their way to school with their friends, parents make their little loves blossom, the businessmen build a world of their own. My mother calls my name Waffles waft (aha!) through the air not hurting while everyone else hurts, Hurts too, maybe even more but maybe, just maybe midnight is more than a farewell today I'll stay on, just a bit longer does it need to be worth it? I don't know do I have a reason? I don't know but maybe, I won't go Maybe not today, I'll hold on it all matters, we will see it soon I hope so . . -aureatemoonshine

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spaceskam · 4 years

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Follow up to this ❤️ special thanks to ul1tsa on ao3 for idea!

ao3

Warnings: talk Jesse and his bullshit & bombs

Michael waited a few weeks before he got drunk and lost that thing in his brain that kept him from doing dumb shit.

He went to the cabin and unlocked the door with his key. He didn't usually use keys, he had one in his brain, but there was something about having a key to Alex's place that felt special. Besides, he needed to make sure that's actually what it was. He pushed the door open and tried the light switches. The bulb on the porch was out. He'd need to get a new one.

He slowly navigated around the space, making a list of tiny things that were bothersome. He didn't even know if he was welcome here... But why else would Alex give him a key?

It was a two bedroom and had a bathroom that connected the two rooms. The kitchen was small and it didn't have a washing machine or dryer. The living room was old. None of it looked like Alex. What exactly would Alex's space even look like? He'd figure it out.

He went back outside to the wrap around porch, walking around it slowly and holding onto the rail. There were a few old boards that could stand being replaced. There was a window unit in each bedroom. He didn't figure it'd be too hard to change that for a central air system.

Michael went back inside and towards the kitchen. The refrigerator was unplugged, so he moved it to plug it back in. The cabinets were empty aside from some old canned beans and a single pan. He went back to the living room.

The couch was even more uncomfortable than he remembered, hard and a little dusty. He sat down anyway and rubbed his hand over it. When he laid down and breathed in, it didn't smell like Alex. It was unfair. Cruel, even.

He laid there anyway, lulling himself to sleep with the memory of Alex's skin.

It became a thing.

When his mind got chaotic and he needed something to do with his hands, he'd go to the cabin. He replaced boards, cleaned, hooked up a washing machine and dryer. After a couple months, he bought a comfier couch from an old lady who was selling it. He took down the hunting memoribillia and tried to find things that Alex might like. A couple trinkets bought during a trip to the nearby reservation, a painting bought from an artist who showed her work at the renaissance festival, and a hand-woven blanket from an older lady who traveled all the way from the Navajo Nation to sell the two she made a month at the market–and then vowed that he would never pay that much money for anything ever again.

He started spending more time there than he spent at his airstream and, after passing out on the couch after spending his entire day off trying to set up a central air system, he decided it might be worth buying food. So he did. He bought a few things, added three extra locks to the front and back doors, and brought his thrifted silverware and dishes from the airstream to set up a place for himself there.

It was slowly coming together. It felt like a home. He bought a broom.

He didn't tell Isobel or Max about any of this, they didn't need to know about Alex. Instead, Michael kept it to himself and spun lies about where he was whenever they asked questions. Usually they didn't. He was Michael, after all, it wasn't that odd for him to drop off the map.

He eventually started fixing up the bedrooms which were a little harder. It looked too much like a middle aged man stayed there and that was absolutely not the look he was going for. He got new bedspreads and sheets from a discount store and matching bedside tables from the dump that only needed some sanding and some finish to make nice. A new showerhead made out of things he found around the junkyard fit nice too. He played with the water heater until it stopped needing to be manually reset every 60 gallons, sanded and put finish on the dresser, built a new bed frame and headboard out of scrap wood, and fixed the janky doorknob of the closet. It looked livable now.

Alex's birthday came around and he didn't have a number to reach him, so Michael did something a little stupid and a little sentimental and found himself at a thrift store. He bought a set of two identical rocking chairs for the back porch. He almost threw them out three times, but he decided on leaving them there and just ignoring them until he stopped feeling like they were too much.

There was something about the cabin as it came together that both felt like home and like it was far too sacred to make a mess of. He kept it cleaner than he'd ever kept a place before. The dishes were always done, his dirty clothes always ended up in the laundry basket, never let himself get drunk enough that he'd be compelled to make a mess, and he swept and mopped every Sunday. His shampoo and body wash didn't leave rings in the bathtub.

It was nice.

It was about a year into renovating and six months into practically moving in when he found a broken telecision in the junkyard that someone had dropped.off. Curiosity got the best of him and he found himself trying to make it work in his free time. There was a strange sense of pride when he plugged it in and it turned on, the picture only slightly tinted blue and the sound as perfect as the speakers would allow. He wrapped it up in a couple blankets and loaded it into his truck, stopping by a thrift store on the way to the cabin to buy a few interesting DVDs for 50¢ a piece. He couldn't remember the last time he actively sat down to watch a movie for fun.

It took about thirty minutes to mount it above the fireplace, but eventually it was up and he found himself smiling as he put in a shitty mid-2000s straight-to-DVD teen movie. It played easily and he smiled wider. If there was one thing fixing up the cabin did, it was make him smile. It felt good to fix things up.

Michael grabbed a beer that was beside the leftovers in the fridge and settled on the couch, kicking his shoes off and pulling a blanket onto his lap. His phone was on the coffee table and charging with an alarm queued up to wake him up for work in the morning .It was the most normal he'd ever felt and he never wanted to give it back.

And it seemed like he wouldn't have to until the door creaked open.

Michael shot to his feet, standing like he was caught red handed as Alex stepped inside. He was still in uniform, a duffle bag hanging off his shoulder. His eyes were wide with wonder, though, as he looked around at all the shit Michael had done. It was the first time he regretted it.

"I'm sorry," Michael blurred out, catching Alex's attention, "I should've asked. I shouldn't have changed shit and I shouldn't have stayed here, I'm sorry, I'll go."

"Guerin, relax," Alex said, smiling in a pure way that Michael hadn't seen since they were seventeen, "I knew you were staying here."

"You did?" Michael asked skeptically.

"Yeah," he said, carefully putting down the duffle bag and closing the door, "Electric bill?"

Michael's eyes widened. "Oh, fuck, I forgot about that, I'm so sorry."

"Guerin," Alex laughed, "Stop. I'm happy you're staying here. I don't mind, really."

Michael swallowed and tried to believe him when he said he was happy. Because Michael was happy. Happy to be here, happy to see Alex, happy to see where tonight led. He tapped his hands against his thighs as Alex took another look around.

"I didn't expect all this, though," Alex breathed.

"It's, uh, not all of it. I can show you around?" Michael offered awkward. Alex smiled wider and nodded.

So Michael gave him a tour of his own house. He showed him the kitchen, the bathroom, the bedroom, and how the locks on the doors worked. Alex put the duffle bag in the closet and gently touched Michael's shirt that was hanging in there like he didn't believe it was actually there. Michael stood with his hands clasped behind his back and rocked up on his toes as Alex felt over the headboard he made and the blanket on the bed. He shook his head, looking over at Michael.

"I can't... I can't believe you did all of this," Alex said, looking at him. He wasn't smiling anymore. Instead, he looked like he was about to cry.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to–"

"Michael," he cut him, laughing softly as he came closer. He touched his arm, his hand sliding up as he moved in closer and draped his arms around Michael's neck. Michael rested his hands on his hips. "I love it so much. But it's so much. How much did you spend? Let me pay you back."

"No, don't. Most of it's stuff I fixed from broken stuff or I got for super cheap, I barely spent $300 over the last year," he said. He purposefully left out what he spent on the more decorative things, those could simply be gifts from all the birthdays he missed.

"Still," Alex said, swallowing hard as he reached out and touched Michael's cheek. Michael leaned into it. He hadn't realized how successful he'd been at distracting himself from missing Alex until then. "This is all so nice. I-I don't even know what to say. I didn't expect this at all."

"I mean... I just didn't like that it looked like an angry old man lived here, I get enough of that with Sanders," Michael said. He was struggling to see what about the dumb little things made Alex emotional. In fact, they were selfish. He wanted to pretend Alex wasn't a million miles away. That was as selfish as it got. But Alex laughed and kissed him and Michael stopped feeling guilty.

"Thank you," Alex gushed against his lips, "Thank you, thank you, thank you."

Everything about this was completely contrary to Alex's last visit home. It wasn't confusing or blurry and he felt safe. He felt loved. He clung to Alex and kissed him hard, trying to quench the desperate, overwhelming feeling in his stomach.

"I gotta take a shower, I'm gross from that fucking plane and I need to be clean for the things I wanna do to you," Alex breathed, pulling away just a little. Michael nodded, going in for another kiss anyway. Alex giggled and leaned back. "It'll be quick, I promise."

"I worked all day, I need one too, so let me join?" Michael asked. Pleaded, really. He didn't want to let go.

"Good idea," Alex said, "Do you have a security system set up?"

"It's next on my list," Michael said honestly. Alex grinned, cupping his cheek in his hand and slowly starting to pull him to the bathroom.

"Good boy."

"Can I tell you something?"

"Anything and you know it."

Alex huffed a laugh and rolled his eyes, staring up at the ceiling. Michael loved seeing him like that. His hair was slightly past regulation, laying on his forehead and smashed against the pillow. After a long shower and stumbling into bed, they'd finally wore themselves out. Now they were in bed in Alex's house.

Their house.

Alex shifted to face him, face a little too serious consider the circumstances. Michael slowly faded to seriousness to fit it. Alex reached out, fingers grazing Michael's cheek and down his neck, over his shoulder, down to his torn up hand. Michael very quickly got serious and watched him pull his hand up to his lips.

"It's embarassing," Alex said.

"Since when have I been known to judge you?" Michael asked, stretching his leg out to wedge between Alex's. Alex parted his knees just enough to lock their legs together.

"I just... I've been thinking about my dad," Alex whispered.

"Uh oh," Michael said, trying to lighten the mood. Alex rolled his eyes.

"I've been trying to work through all my issues, I guess, since I realized you were staying here. I want this to work, you know?" Alex said and Michael was all ears, "And I think I didn't realize he was a bad guy until I saw him do this."

"What do you mean?" Michael said before he could process if that was a smart thing to ask.

"Like, I spent so many years thinking that my mom was the bad one because she left and at least my dad was there. It didn't matter if he beat me as long as he was there," Alex explained. Michael didn't really understand, but, with all the things they felt that overlapped, it was fine if he didn't understand that one thing. "And I... Even when I rebelled, I just wanted his approval. Part of me still does. I think I always will. Which is stupid because all the attention he gives me is solely on his terms, especially when it's positive."

"He's not worth it."

"I know," Alex said, smiling slightly before he kissed his hand again, "Logically, I know. But illogically... I'm still trying to remind myself he's a bad guy. It just took me so long to see it."

Michael didn't say anything, simply nodded and let Alex touch him as he needed to keep himself calm. Whatever kept him in bed, kept him in their space. He didn't know how long Alex was going to be home and he was too scared to ask, so he didn't.

"But, I'm trying," Alex sighed, looking at him in the eyes. He was so intense with every look and sometimes Michael felt compelled to look away, but not in moments like this. Never in moments like this. "I don't want to mess this up by trying to please him."

"I don't wanna fuck up either."

"I think we're on a good track, though," Alex smiled, tightening his legs and tugging Michael impossibly close. Just where he wanted to be. "Off topic, but I'm hungry."

Michael laughed softly and was incredibly thankful for a subject change. "I have leftover pasta in the fridge if you want that."

Alex smiled ridiculously wide for something as meaningless as day old pasta.

"Leftovers," Alex repeated in a whimsical tone, "You're gonna make a good little househusband."

"Shut the fuck up," Michael laughed, shoving his shoulder. Alex laughed right back and moved to get up. Michael followed suit without question. There was no way he was leaving his side.

"Let's eat."

Michael woke up to his alarm and an empty bed.

Panic struck him and he thought about calling out for Alex, but his voice wouldn't work as if subconsciously knowing the answer. Terrified, even. He slowly pushed himself out of bed, pulling on a pair of jeans. Dread continued to pool in him as he tiptoed out of the room and into the empty living room. But it smelled like coffee which was definitely a good sign.

It took him only a few seconds to see that Alex was out on the back porch in one of the rocking chairs. His heart seemed to skip a beat or two or four. The sun hit his shirtless body perfectly and he seemed to fucking glow. Michael had to take a few deep breaths before he stepped outside.

""Morning," Alex hummed, looking over at him. His hair was still a mess, but he looked better rested than Michael had seen him in a long time.

"I thought you left," he said stupidly. Alex shook his head.

"I can't really sleep in anymore and I didn't wanna wake you up. Sorry if I scared you."

"It's okay," he said. And it really, really was. This was the perfect sight to see in the morning and it made him angry at Sanders for employing him. "I, uh, I have to go to work. I can call in, though."

"Don't," Alex said with a warm smile, "I'll be here when you get home."

Michael felt his whole body heat up at that. Home. Alex would be here. He wasn't sure he would actually believe it until he saw it.

"Yeah, uh," Michael said, clearing his throat, "How-how, like, how long are you..."

"Michael," Alex said, standing up and walking closer. Michael was going to melt if he kept saying his name. Alex kept his mug firmly in one hand and touched his cheek with the other. "I'm home for a month."

"A month," Michael breathed. Alex smiled and nodded, leaning forward to kiss him. It sounded like a short period of time, but it would be longest consecutive time they'd ever spent together. Ever. It sounded fake.

"So, go to work. I'm not going anywhere," he promised. It was hard to listen, but he did.

And you know what? Alex was home when he got there that afternoon.

"Where the fuxk are you living?"

"Airstream."

Michael spoke casually as Isobel stood by his feet as he worked on the car. He knew it was wrong to lie to her about something like this, but, fuck, he was barely sure this was real himself. He'd woken up to Alex for three whole weeks and he only had one left. He wasn't wasting that time and he wasn't bursting his domestic bubble.

"Stop lying to me! You haven't lived at the airstream for months now," Isobel argued, "You're never here at night and if I call you, it takes you for fucking ever to get to my house. Where are you staying?"

He sighed, trying to ignore her more and more. It didn't work very well as she stood her ground and basically decided she would follow him when he left work if he didn't tell her.

"It's a cabin outside of town, okay?" he caved, deciding on a half-truth. He didn't need to say it was Alex's.

"A cabin?" Isobel asked skeptically, "And you just haven't told me or shown me? What if something happens? I need to know where to find you, Michael."

"Fine, fine, okay?" he sighed, "Just, give me a week. It's a fucking wreck."

"You promise?" she asked. He nodded. "Good."

If he couldn't keep his home a secret, he could at least keep Alex to himself for a little while. He could deal with that later. In a week, his house would be empty. In a week, his bed would be empty.

He could deal with her then.

The bed was a lot of colder than he remembered.

January 30th, 2017 at 21:45.

Or, at least that's when Michael found out. The actual event happened on the 26th, a bombing injuring 30 Airmen and killing 3. There wasn't an article about it and he didn't receive a call. Instead, when he was stalking one of the mothers of a guy in Alex's group, he saw she posted about the bombing and saying her son was one of the lucky ones and thanking God. Michael nearly had a breakdown.

He spent the next hour calling Alex and when that didn't work, he started calling down a list of military hospitals. He found him eventually at Landstuhl and had to lie about being his brother to get him on the phone along with a warning about him being drugged up. But at least he was alive.

"Alex?" Michael whispered. Once again, he found him scared that Alex wouldn't answer. But he's spent an hour panicking and he wasn't about to just not talk.

"Huh?" Alex said, voice hoarse. Michael closed his eyes, bowing his head. It was small, but it was something.

"Hey," Michael croaked, doing his best not to cry. He wanted to go see him. He couldn't. It didn't work that way. As nice as it was when they pretended they didn't have a care in they world, they did have a care. His name was Jesse Manes. Not to mention the giant alien hole he hadn't even told Alex about... "You scared me."

"Sorry," Alex said. Michael breathed in deep.

"No, it's okay. How are you feeling?"

"Tired," he whined, "I wanna see you "

Michael looked up, blinking away tears as quick as he could. It was difficult, but he managed it. He could cry later.

"I know, I wanna see you too. Maybe you can come home soon and I can," Michael suggested. Alex hummed a noncommittal tune. "So, uh, what all happened? Did you get, um, get burned or something?"

"A little," Alex said. Michael swallowed harshly. "Hey, you know what they did? They took my leg."

Michael's breath caught in his throat.

"What?"

"My leg," Alex repeated, that sort of dazed tone in his voice, "Couldn't save it, had to go."

Michael didn't know what to say. He didn't know how he was supposed to react to this. There wasn't a handbook. Instead of letting himself react like he was the one who lost something, he fed off of Alex's tone.

"How do you feel about that?" Michael asked. Alex hummed.

"My foot itched all day and there was nothing to scratch."

Michael huffed a laugh, rubbing the hell of his hand beneath his eyes to try to get rid of the tears.

"Well, if that's the worst of it, sounds like you're doing good."

"They gave me so many drugs," Alex told him, yawning halfway through. Michael smiled and nodded even though he couldn't see him. "I'm tired."

"Do you want me to let you go to sleep?" Michael asked. Alex didn't answer and that felt like an answer enough. "I'll call you tomorrow, okay?"

"Mhm."

"I love you so much," Michael said. He didn't think about it, he just said it. It needed to be said.

"Mhm."

Michael huffed another laugh again, "Goodnight, Alex."

He ended the call and looked around the house that he'd spent over a year of his life renovating. He tried to picture Alex in it again, a version of Alex who might need accessibilities he didn't think of when he did things the first time around.

And now he had new projects.

Turns out it was pretty easy to widen doorways.

It took Michael about two days to widen one Interior door, ripping off the door frame and sawing through the wall itself. He widened them all from 30" to 38" in width and felt thankful that the exterior doors were all double doors. He didn't even know if Alex would be using a wheelchair, but it felt like a safe option regardless.

He ripped out the tub from the bathroom, replacing it with one with a little more traction on the bottom. He installed bars all around the bathroom and a wooden seat that was attached to the wall so it could fold up or down when he needed it.

Again, he found himself taking a lap around the porch to check for any loose boards or nails. He fixed any that even might've been questionable. It gave him the idea to add ramps beside the steps to the porch. He built them and jumped on them as hard as he could go make sure they didn't break.

It helped when he got angry–ngry at something, angry at nothing, angry at everything–to put things back together again. It made him feel useful even when phone calls consisted of Alex being short with him and hanging up. He was focusing on PT and learning how to use a prosthetic and Michael knew it was frustrating. He could hear it in his voice even when he refused to talk about it. He always refused to talk about it. Some days he refused to talk at all.

He refused to let it out distance between them.

On extra bad days, Michael would drink and Google random accessibility ideas. He knew Alex. As sweet as he thought his renovating for him was, he knew Alex would be too stubborn to ask him for help on anything. He wanted to make it so he didn't have to as much as possible. Open spaces, all but gluing the rug down, a bench at the foot of the bed, a chair in the bathroom, a stool with wheels in the kitchen, sanding down the sharp edges of the kitchen table, dumb shit that might help maybe once.

He was trying because Alex was trying. They still wanted to make this work.

And they were going to no matter what.

#malex #malex fic #alex manes #michael guerin #rnm fic #my fic #verse: just one normal night

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imaginethathaikyuu · 4 years

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another dono request for @karlitabi-rrito! thank you for donating and letting me write this for you in return! it was super fun and i really hope you enjoy it :)

if you would like a personal scenario, headcanon or a match up, please visit this post for information on charity donation requests

daichi sawamura x fem reader (who is asahi’s sister) (characters are aged up to be in college cuz thats the age range i prefer writing abt but it hardly matters) word count: 2845

When you had something to hide, it was always easy to keep it hidden.

Well, until it wasn’t.

You remembered the day your brother introduced you to his best friends like it was yesterday - which, let’s be clear, it was not. It was two years ago when you were surrounded by a group of boys, most of them looming over you in stature, while your brother guarded you like he was your watch dog.

To be fair, Asahi Azumane was a great brother and an even better friend, and you were the only one who got to see both of those sides of him. When it came to you, his prized sister, he was observant and protective. He saw the look you gave to one of his greatest friends - the one with the number one on his chest and the kindest eyes you had ever seen. And that was when he had to set some guidelines.

Tanaka and Nishinoya were already frothing at the mouth over you, so Asahi had every right to stand between you and the group of college boys and give all of them their own personal glare.

“Off limits. She’s my sister, and she’s off limits. Respect that.”

But maybe that was a bit too harsh. He saw their scared faces - especially on the first years - and he automatically felt bad.

“...Please.”

Your giggle could be heard by the entire team, and the only one you could see from behind Asahi - Number One - smiled at you. It was kind and knowing and pretty, and for some reason, you couldn’t look away from it.

“Well,” the boy said, finally breaking your staring contest to look at Asahi instead. “Could you at least let us introduce ourselves? It would be rude not to.”

“Oh. Yeah. Right.” He was feeling nervous, you could tell. He definitely wasn’t one for public speaking - and speaking to his entire volleyball team was classified as public to him. “I forgot to mention this, but the whole reason she’s here is to give us some management help. She’s basically going to be a team manager, I guess, since the upperclassmen are now finished. Uh… so, yeah, this is Y/N.”

He stepped to the side and tried to stop feeling awkward, and you only laughed at how awkward he looked. And the team was far too nervous to greet you, which only made it worse.

Well, most of the team. Just like you suspected, Number One was the first to step forward.

“It’s nice to meet you, Y/N - I’m Sawamura Daichi, the team’s new Captain.”

He said it with a genuine smile and he held his hand out to shake yours; when you took it, his other hand clasped over yours for the warmest handshake you’d ever had.

“It’s nice to meet you, Captain,” you said with a light laugh - you didn’t miss when his brow raised.

“Please - call me Daichi.”

You figure the exchange should have been awkward - what, with your brother watching over you - but it wasn’t. Daichi was as friendly as his eyes looked and as warm as the handshake he had given you. It made it hard to feel awkward around him.

You learned that more and more the months that followed. Daichi was warm in every sense of the word, and he was far too easy to get close to for there to be any preset boundaries between you. He made it easy to overlook them. He made it too simple to step over the line.

Being a manager for the team he was the captain of meant the two of you got to spend a lot of time together, and it was normal for a captain and a team manager to be close. He often met with you after practice so you could communicate things from the coach or anything you noticed about how they were playing, and both of you were always early so you could plan out the needs of the day. But that time was spent with blushing cheeks and lingering touches, knowing looks and bated breath, blurring lines and growing feelings.

It started when Daichi began asking you about your day before asking about practice. It started when you offered him your number “for emergencies.” It started when he walked you to your dorm, meaning for it to be a one time thing but making it a habit.

Goodnight messages turned into good morning texts. Accidental touches turned purposeful. Secret glances turned into meaningful looks.

All without your brother’s knowledge.

A quiet evening in the gym would be the setting for the night that set the standard for what your future relationship with Daichi would look like.

You had wandered to the middle of the room and sat down in the center, just for fun, and Daichi joined you. He was freshly showered and rightfully exhausted from practice, but he’d rather stay with you than turn in early.

You sat across from each other, sitting close enough to send your brother into a panic attack. That thought was always in the back of your mind during moments like this.

Daichi’s hand slid into yours, and you immediately felt warm. He was always so warm.

“...Asahi would kill me if he saw this. If he knew…”

You hung onto his every word. “If he knew what?”

He shook his head and squeezed your hand, trying to find a way to speak through the lump in his throat. “About my feelings for you.” He avoided looking at you until he got the words out, and when his eyes found yours he couldn’t look away. “This… is probably wrong. I shouldn’t -”

“He’s only my brother,” you argued. “He doesn’t own me. What he doesn’t know… won’t hurt him.”

Daichi nodded, speechless. Nervous.

You moved even closer to him. Your faces were inches apart. “This isn’t wrong,” you said. “My feelings for you… aren’t wrong.”

“So it wouldn’t be wrong to kiss you?”

Instead of answering, you pressed your lips to his.

The kiss was as special as most first kisses are, but when it ended, a condition was to be made.

“He can’t find out,” Daichi said without thinking, and you agreed just the same.

That was two years ago. Back then, two of you weren’t even in your fourth year, though you were just about to be.

Now, you had graduated from university. Daichi and Asahi’s college volleyball careers were over. You shared an apartment with your brother. And your relationship with his best friend was still a secret to him.

Even worse, the relationship was blossoming right under his nose. Every time Daichi came to visit Asahi, the two of you snuck kisses when he went to the other room. You had even snuck Daichi in from the fire escape more than once.

And you weren’t just hiding from Asahi - you were keeping it from everyone. For your brother to not find out, it meant no one could find out. No friends. No family. No one.

It was hard to only be in a relationship when others weren’t looking. It didn’t do a good job at making the two of you feel valid in your endeavors, and while sneaking around was fun and exciting at night, the awkward guilt ridden mornings weren’t worth it. Having to pretend you don’t know everything about Daichi for the sake of keeping up the act wasn’t worth it. Having to watch him pretend to be interested in other girls when the guys were around and asking him about his love life wasn’t worth it.

Keeping the love of your life a secret wasn’t worth it.

But, like most bad things, you ignored it because it was easier that way. You’d rather have a secret relationship with Daichi than none at all; you’d rather your brother keep his best friend than find out he’d been betrayed by him for two years; you’d rather keep it behind closed doors for his sake, because you couldn’t handle hurting your own brother.

Except, you were starting to slip up. Small mistakes, like making comments about Daichi you shouldn’t be making; letting Asahi see the photo of you and Daichi that was your phone’s wallpaper; accidentally calling him babe while your brother was in earshot.

They were rookie mistakes. You knew better than to slip like that. And you and Daichi had multiple conversations about it - you were going to be more careful.

Well, you would have been more careful. If you had the chance to.

Your brother was away on a business trip for work and wouldn’t be home for the weekend - that gave you and Daichi the chance to play house for a few days. Being lovers of cliches, you were currently laying on his chest on the couch while a cheesy movie played in the background. It was peaceful and loving and warm, just like every moment spent with Daichi. He was safe and secure and yours; he was your happy place embodied.

You were savoring it, because moments like these didn’t come often.

Until the apartment door opened.

You knew only one person would be walking into your apartment. Hell, you hoped it was someone trying to rob you and not the person you actually knew it was - surely Daichi could scare a thief off, but there was no way in hell he’d scare away your equally scary-when-mad brother.

You sat up fast, shaking Daichi to wake him up, but it was too late. The moment the door opened it was too late. There was only a short hallway separating the living room from the foyer, and you had to cross that hallway to get to your bedroom, so hiding Daichi there was out of the question.

There was nowhere to hide when your brother walked into the living room to see you straddling his best friend on the couch. You didn’t even have the chance to tell Daichi what happened, but Asahi’s booming voice cleared things up for him.

“What… in the world… are the two of you doing?”

He didn’t even sound mad - he was nothing but shocked. At first.

“That better be someone who looks like Daichi,” he said to you, “because if it isn’t a look alike, I’m going to freak out.”

“Asahi,” you tried, stumbling to your feet and approaching him like you’d approach an angry bear - which your brother was resembling at the moment. “Don’t get mad.”

And he completely ignored you, walking around you to face Daichi, who had stood up with you.

“Sawamura. What part of off limits don’t you get?!”

Daichi said nothing, and you said nothing, and Asahi was looking back and forth between you two waiting for something.

“I’m sorry,” you said, but it was no use. You knew what was coming.

“You know, I expected it from Nishinoya or Tanaka - hell, maybe even Sugawara! But you? Daichi - you?”

You saw Daichi break then. You watched any resolve he had crumble to nothing. He still had nothing to say. That wasn’t like him.

Instead, he just let Asahi ramble. He took the brunt of it trying his best to look Asahi in the eye out of respect, but at some point his eyes were cast to the floor and he looked as if he couldn’t keep listening.

“And you!” Asahi exclaimed, turning to give you a piece of his mind. “My best friend?! You went after my best friend? Out of all the guys in this city, you choose the one I don’t want you to date?!”

His words hit you like a slap to the face, and you were about to argue when Daichi spoke.

“Don’t - it’s not her fault, don’t blame her. This was all my fault, I knew better but I still pursued her and I’m sorry, Asahi, I’m so sorry. I never meant for this to happen.”

“How long?” Asahi asked, and when he got no answer he asked again. “How long has this been going on?”

Both of you stuttered out, “two years,” making Asahi groan loud.

“Dammit. Goddammit.”

He didn’t curse often, especially in front of you, so you were expecting something awful to come after that.

“What?” you asked, pressing him to just get it over with.

“Now I have to let you stay together!”

Daichi pressed him this time. “...What?”

“If this was just some stupid fling I could make you stop,” Asahi replied, now pacing back and forth and seeming to be talking to himself. “But no - two years?! What the hell?!”

“We’re sorry -”

“Save it,” he snapped, and though his tone was harsh the look he gave to you wasn’t. “Two years. You’ve been sneaking around for two whole years?”

“...Yeah.”

“Yep.”

“God. I should have known when I saw you guys together so much in university. I swear I saw this coming. Dammit.”

The room fell to silence, with you watching Daichi and Daichi staring at the floor and Asahi pacing back and forth like he had gone mad. Neither you nor Daichi knew what to do, but Daichi had a feeling he’d be forced to leave if he didn’t go himself.

“Okay, well… I - I apologize again, Asahi, but I understand if you don’t forgive me for this. I’ll see myself out -”

“Don’t you dare - you’re not just going to leave my sister, are you?!”

Daichi was completely taken aback and froze in place - Asahi was being far too brave and it was nothing short of abnormal and scary.

“I - I just thought -”

“So now that I find out about this relationship you’ve got going on, you’re just going to leave her? Do you want me to be pissed off?!”

“I - no, I don’t -”

And you had to step in and save your boyfriend. “Asahi.”

“If you think I’m going to force you guys to break up, you’re wrong. Honestly, I’m offended you think that. Is that why you hid it from me?”

No answer.

“What do you guys think of me, anyway? I would never force you apart. Well, maybe I would, but… not after two years of a relationship.”

Though his words were reassuring, he was still looking at Daichi with a hard stare, and Daichi was still on edge.

“We can talk about this more tomorrow. I need to go to bed.”

Obviously, Asahi just wanted to escape the situation. He’d probably just realized the weight of it all, and now a pit of anxiety was forming in his stomach. But you were glad to see him leave to his bedroom - he needed to calm down, and you needed to make sure your boyfriend was okay.

Even after your brother left, Daichi didn’t speak. He didn’t even look at you. You had to approach him yourself.

“Are you okay?” you whispered, hardly confident in your voice.

Daichi shook his head. “I’m a terrible friend,” he replied.

“Yeah, and I’m a terrible sister. We’re in the same boat, babe.”

He didn’t reply and it worried you, and you were sure this was the end. Daichi obviously felt bad for betraying his friend’s trust - was he going to break up with you as a way to attempt to make it all better?

You stood there waiting, but he didn’t make the wait long. His hand soon slid into yours, and it was as nervously as the first time he held your hand. But it was just as warm, too.

“We’re okay,” he stated - he sounded as if he’d just decided it. “Everything… is okay. Right?”

“Seems like it,” you mumbled. “We’re still standing. He didn’t do what we thought he’d do…”

“I don’t even know why we thought that…” Daichi sighed. “We’ll have to make it up to him.”

Making it up to Asahi consisted of breakfast the next morning, as well as a lengthy conversation explaining your reasoning for sneaking around. And Asahi listened. He understood. He even told you that he thought you were a cute couple.

It made you realize you had been taking your brother for granted all this time; instead of seeing his caring, understanding nature, you only saw your own fear and anxiety. You’d spent so long skirting around him and trying to present something that wasn’t real to him that you hardly knew how to be honest with him.

And that did hurt him. He did feel betrayed by Daichi and lied to by you - even so, it was okay. You were both family. You both love him, and you two loving each other was only a plus. And he would be okay as long as the two of you were, too.

While a part of you would always miss the thrill of sneaking around, there was nothing better than proudly being with Daichi, and now that your relationship wasn’t so weighed down, you could finally grow together.

But it wasn’t all great, because you had found a new weight on your shoulders no sooner than you had lost the previous one.

Asahi had just finished his breakfast when he looked up at the two of you. “Well, since it’s been two years,” he said, “when’s the wedding?”

Daichi looked more afraid than when Asahi caught the two of you together.

“We’ll talk about it.”

#dono req #sawamura daichi x reader #daichi x reader #haikyuu imagines #haikyuu x reader #scenario #fluff

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bangtanmythology · 4 years

Text

In The Name Of Song. The Pack

Part five: The Pack:

Seokjin discovers he isn’t the only one who knows who you are and maybe you’re the key to fixing his sick pack mate.

Words: 1.4K

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“Where is Y/N?” Seokjin’s voice was quiet, hurt, as he stared into your parents face, the bed where you had been just a few days before was left empty, untouched, thin sheets splayed across the floor, a small note on the bed.

Dear werewolves,

I took Y/N, she’ll be back when she’s ready to come back to this world,

Tell your werewolf friend that she’s transitioning,

She isn’t hurt, I’m keeping her safe,

Do NOT look for her,

Kindly,

Min Yoongi.

He knew who that was. He knew that Yoongi was the devil that cared for the 7th reality, supernatural creatures would go there for training, to continue the cycle that had been there for years. They had to kill those who committed sins in this world. He had gone there a few years ago, when he had left you all those years, he had known about it, an older werewolf who had been in his father’s pack had told him. He assumed you didn’t know about it, since you hadn’t told him about it. He wasn’t here. That was the problem, he had been gone. He wasn’t even in the pool house, where he’d usually be at the time. He was helping the youngest of the pack, Jungkook, he had been unwell for a while. At first, they had thought that he was going through heat, despite him having gone through several heats before, none had been like that one he was experiencing. Hoseok was convinced that it was because his mate had been nearby, that he could sense this and needed her company. Taehyung was more convinced that it was an actual sickness, perhaps a flu that just hit the werewolf too hard. Being a vampire, Taehyung clearly didn’t realise that werewolves didn’t simply catch colds.

Namjoon, their alpha was away, leaving Seokjin to tend to the younger wolf.

“When you came back from the 7th reality, you didn’t age as you have there, you came back at a normal age, the age you would have been if you had stayed here,” Your mum was staring at him, a small frown on her lips, “Do you think Y/N can do the same?” She asked, hopeful eyes staring through him.

“Well, I highly doubt that, I made a deal with a witch, she agreed with me that if I stayed for longer than I was supposed to, I could return back to my original age that I would have been in the real world. I spent a total of 3 years away from this world, do you know how I survived? When I began to get too old, she’d have a fallen angel bring me back to when I was 18 and then when she didn’t need me anymore, she returned me to this world, aged 18. I know and have done so many horrible things. She had me do her dirty work for her and if I was of use, she had me do everything. I was there as her muscle as she liked to put it. Y/N wouldn’t do that, she’ll come out in a few years, she’ll be older.” Seokjin was gripping the note hard in his hand.

“So, if it was only 3 years where were you for the other 3, when you didn’t come back until Y/N had turned 14?” Your father was glaring at the werewolf, eyes stone cold.

“Werewolves cannot survive on their own, they need a pack, I left for a year to find a pack, I hunted down two werewolves, they were sticking together, an alpha and an omega, their Salutary was away, disappeared and they were trying to hunt him down. That Salutary was discovered by me and the two of them almost a year and a half later. He was with a vampire, a vampire who had been strangely raised by werewolves who had then become the sentinel of the pack. We established our pack and I became the Beta of the pack, second in command. It took us another six months to vacate the cabin in the woods not far from here, the Omega had requested water nearby so we had to take down that cabin to ensure no predators could lurk and in the six months we built our own new cabin,” Seokjin seemed to have his whole life figured out, everything was in place for him.

“So, were you the one who’s been watching over Y/N in that werewolf for the last year then?” Your mums face was drawn into a sour pout, lips wrinkled around the edges and tired hollowed eyes staring over the younger man’s head. His eyes creased into a confused expression, his brain leaping from conclusion to conclusion.

“no-“

There was a large gap before any more words were said, Seokjin’s brain found the only possible conclusion that made sense. Jungkook.

“I’ll be back, I know who it was!”

And with those final words Seokjin was leaping up from your bed, running through the house and down the streets, towards the forest. His feet stumbling and tripping as he rid himself of layers of clothing, the late hour allowing him to comfortably do so. His ankles twisted, bones cracked and popped out of their sockets. A horrifying crack and creak of breaking bones echoed throughout the empty streets and then a beautiful brown wolf with Golden sunshine eyes leapt through the concrete streets that slowly became leaf covered dirt and the crunching beneath his paws soon reached the ears of 4 supernatural beings that resided deep in the forest. His paws halted all movement as they reached the large cabin, The Alpha was stood in the doorway, strict, cold eyes staring at the older wolf.

“Seokjin, why didn’t you fetch me?” His voice was cold and tired, a hunt had clearly gone badly for him, his tight expression told Seokjin so much as his bones returned to normal. His naked body shook as he adjusted back to his human state.

“I’ve had a lot on my mind Namjoon, the girl I lo- “

“Our pack comes first!”

The voice boomed across the expanse of the forest, skating over the length of the large lake and bouncing through the walls of the cabin, two younger men came bounding through the door, one of pale dead complexion and one with a completely puzzled look on his face. The Alpha’s eyes were glowing red, a threat sitting low in his throat, a growl emitting from him that had the Beta lowering his head and clasping his hands together in front of him.

“Well, I also helped that girl,” Hobi’s voice was low and shy, unwilling to meet the eyes of the Alpha and Beta, the younger next to him sucked in a deep breath.

“Man, werewolves are so stupid,” His voice was full of laughter, a joke to lighten the dark atmosphere that had taken over the late afternoon.

“Who is this special girl? How important is she that you both prioritised her over Jungkook!?” His voice began calm but by the end Namjoon was raising his voice loud enough to make the three men flinch.

“I don’t know her, Yoongi asked me for help, you know I assist him in the 7th reality every so often, she had just transitioned for the first time! Her legs were all cut up and she was in pain, she couldn’t move, I had to help her, you know my good werewolf nature mixed with my motherly instinct from my jaguar side makes me good at caring for others,” He was enthusiastically putting together a case to protect himself, once again using his breeds to his advantage.

“Hobi, I wish you’d stop blaming your idiocy on your mixed breed heritage,” Namjoon mumbled, eyes darting straight to Seokjin.

“Okay, first, Hobi what the fuck! Why did not tell me! That girl, that’s- My- That-“ His head was reeling at this information, Y/N was hurt, she really did need him and he didn’t help her, instead, his dumb were jaguar pack mate.

“That’s Y/N, my little Y/N, my own little sister, the person who I was supposed to protect with my life and yet, you-, you did more for her than I could,” Seokjin was truly dejected, a pang of guilt hitting him straight through the heart.

“so what? This girl is the reason you wanted to be close to this god-awful town?” Namjoon was sighing, eyes returning to normal as he watched the older male nod his head.

“her name is Y/N, she’s a mermaid, something is wrong with her, she needs to be with me, by my side, she’s my mate, I need her, you need to get her out of that reality, bring her back here.”

The voice was weak and exhausted, a slight pant accentuating each word, his body heaving with the efforts of having moved from his bed. A small shirt was gripped into his tight fist, a familiar scent overtaking Seokjin’s nose. A wet cloth sat snug on Jungkook’s forehead, ragged hair sticking to the material, droplets of sweat working their way down his exposed torso.

“Jungkook, you couldn’t even move before, did Hobi- “

“I didn’t do anything, it’s the shirt, it’s Y/Ns, I happened to have it with me in my bag, I completely forgot about it but I pulled it out when I was helping Jungkook, and he turned into some feral beast, he attacked me and ripped it from my hands,” Hobi was waving his arms as he spoke, exaggerating every word with a movement of his wrist. Taehyung was nodding along to everything,

“It’s true Namjoon, his eyes were glowing red, they were so scary, he became a different person, he just snatched the shirt and sniffed it and then he seemed to get better, it was like magic, of course, magic isn’t real be-“

“enough!” Namjoon was once again making all the boys flinch, all except Jungkook who remained stoic as his body shook with fever.

“Seokjin did you know about this?” Namjoon was rubbing his hands over his face, anger filling his every pore. Seokjin shook his head,

“I didn’t but that’s why I came over, I had a feeling, I knew something wasn’t right, Jungkook has been switching in to his werewolf form involuntarily for the past few days, he always leaves for hours but comes back every time slightly better than when he left, I think his wolf has been taking him to see her,” Seokjin was now sitting on the steps of the cabin, a dressing gown pulled snug over his body that Taehyung had put over him a few minutes prior.

“then, we need to cut her training short and bring her here,”

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yume-fanfare · 4 years

Text

Aiming towards the heroine, Suzumi Hiyori

this is a translation of one of the four short stories HoneyWorks posted at the beginning of the pandemic! it’s written by Kosaka Mari, you can read it in japanese here. this was translated from this spanish translation by mieltrabajos.

Other stories:

The whereabouts of the roast beef

Two people at the school festival

Who is the owner?

Aiming towards the heroine, Suzumi Hiyori!

Walking towards the studio with the popular high school idols was LIPxLIP's manager in practice, Suzumi Hiyori. That day they'd be taking photos for a magazine. Although she was used to working, she was nervous when they took those kinds of jobs. Plus, that day they'd be with someone whom Hiyori admired, Narumi Sena.

When she stopped her amongst the staff, Hiyori gasped.

“Narumi Sena is so cute!"

She had been modeling since she was in middle school, so she'd always had a great figure. Her waist was slim and her legs were long and slender. Her egg-shaped face was small and her eyes and lips stood out.

“Hiyori-chan, hand this out to everyone,” a woman from the staff called out, and Hiyori nodded.

They gave her a tray with cups of both tea and coffee, and she offered them to the people around her, which included Sena.

(You can’t fail today!)

I’ve done hard work before.

It’s very important I don’t spill tea or coffee on Sena’s clothes like last time.

“Excuse me…,” she nervously called out to Sena, who was checking her phone. When she turned towards her, Hiyori offered: “Drink these, please!”

The model smiles and giggles, taking the cup.

“Thank you.”

(Phew~)

Even if Hiyori was just a staff member, she had thanked her properly.

Having forgotten her duty, Hiyori zoned out staring at Sena. The more she looked at her, the prettier she seemed.

(She’s totally different from us~)

Sena, bringing the cup to her lips, noticed Hiyori’s stare and met her eyes.

“Uh! Narumi, you’re a senpai in Sakuragaoka…”

“Ah, yes. That’s right. Could it be… you too?”

“Yes!” Hiyori nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling.

“So, you’re in the same year as those two…”

“Yes…”

Standing a few meters away from them, Aizou and Yuujirou were talking to a staff member.

They returned her gaze, so Hiyori quickly averted it.

“Oh, so you guys are my kouhais, how nice.” Sena smiled, drinking tea, and then asked Hiyori: “Do you like school?”

“Yes, though it can be difficult…”

The boys casually glanced back at her with a clear question in their eyes: “What are you doing?”

“I see... I’ll cheer you on!”

Maybe it was just because of the situation, but the words brightened her mood.

“I’ll do my best!”

“That’s the spirit!” Sena answered. “Oh, and thank you for this!” She gave her cup back to Hiyori, who left to put it away.

“She’s so cute… Narumi-san.”

Hiyori then got serious and declared:

“I think I’ll be able to make it if I work hard!”

“Nah, that’s impossible.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

From right behind her, Aizou and Yuujirou smirked while saying those words.

(Oh, go away!)

“I don’t know what to do with you two!” She turned away, puffing her cheeks.

---

The next day, after school, Hiyori was in club practice.

“Let’s fight!”

The other club members observed her determined look as they stretched.

Hiyori was in the track and field club. She had been invited by the club’s supervisor. Ever since she left her hometown for the city and chose to attend Sakuragaoka, she knew she would join the track and field club.

When she had work as manager in training, she was asked to leave school early, but besides that, she mostly spent her time doing club activities, even if she had to put them aside sometimes.

She really wanted to focus on club activities, but she was living alone so she really needed to earn money for living expenses.

This too, is to live.

It was a secret to everyone in her class and department that she worked part-time as a manager. There would be many jealous people if one were to say they work as an idol manager in training. Though she was already used to the occasional threatening look.

Plus, those two are completely different to what people think they are.

(I’ll get my revenge!)

Remembering their prideful faces made her sick. She raised her eyebrows, angry.

“Suzumi~! You can take a break now!”

“Teacher, I’ll run around some more another time!” she said, jumping to the ground and racing towards the main gate.

(Absolutely, absolutely… I’ll be like Narumi-san!)

“See you later, Aizou, Yuujirou!”

At the gate, Aizou and Yuujirou were waving to some yelling girls.

A refreshing smile was painted on their faces, very different to the gloomy faces she saw at work. Walking as fast as they could, they tried to get into their manager’s car before looking back one last time.

Hiyori got on her bicycle and raised her fist.

“Let’s do this!”

---

Hiyori, who had voluntarily been running even after club activities, got back to the clubroom, tired.

She had gotten back much later than the other members, when they were already changing back into their uniforms.

“I ran too much,” she sighed, opening the door

Hina, her senpai, approached her.

“Hiyori-chan! I was worried since you were taking so long. How far did you run?”

“I’m sorry, Setoguchi-senpai, sorry!” She quickly bowed her head and then laughed, putting a hand behind her neck. “I was running laps, and I lost track of time.”

Hina smiled.

“Ahh, you can’t help it.”

“What’s the matter? I rush things. It’s a good thing, right? I just…”

“What is it?”

“I want to improve my figure.” She pressed her index fingers together, blushing.

Hina rolled her eyes.

“Your figure…” she answered.

“Like Sena-chan!” she answered with a serious look.

Hina laughed.

“That’s why you ran so much?”

“Setoguchi-senpai, I want to tell everyone!” she exclaimed, getting red and fussy.

“I’m not saying it’s a bad thing but… Hiyori-chan, are you feeling okay?”

“Of course, Setoguchi-senpai, I guarantee you.”

Hiyori sighed.

“I won’t butt in then. But… I can understand your feelings a bit. I wish I was more like her,” Hina admitted shyly, tapping her chin with her finger.

(Well, Setoguchi-senpai is really cute the way she is…)

Her pigtails look cute too.

“Oh, you should change clothes quickly. I have to close up soon!” Hina pulled out the key to the clubroom and smiled.

“Oh, wait for me~!” Hiyori quickly took off her jersey and pulled out her uniform from the locker.

---

When she got back to her apartment, she stared at the poster in the wall and started.

“... 97, 98, 99…”

Sit-ups.

When she got to a hundred, she let herself drop on the floor, exhausted. She looked at the ceiling, breathing heavily and let out a long sigh.

When she closed her eyes, she out imagine a thick steak and a cream-filled crêpe floating behind her eyelids.

“To be a heroine… right?”

She was working hard every day to be like Sena.

“That’s right, even those two…”

Remembering the ones who laughed at her in her face, Hiyori frowned.

(Agh, they’ll see, you’re working very hard).

“I won’t lose!” She got up and started doing push-ups. “1, 2, 3, 4…”

(I can do it… I can do it… I’ll turn into a heroine from today on!!!)

---

Hiyori was in front of the starting line. She did a small jump and then got into the starting position.

Today’s club activity was a short-distance run.

When an upperclassman blew the whistle, she immediately started running towards the finishing line.

The man holding the timer said:

“Wow, Suzumi-san, we’re going to have to update your best score!”

Hiyori didn’t stop, screaming:

“Let’s do it!”

Her voice carried over to the soccer and baseball teams, who were practicing.

Enomoto Kotarou, who was on the soccer team, turned around, surprised.

“What…?!”

Some other members who were practicing forgot to keep kicking the ball too and turned to look at Hiyori run.

“That must be the star of Sakuragaoka’s track and field club!”

The club president smiled with satisfaction, nodding as he watched her go.

“How far are you running, Hiyori-chan?!” Hina, who had just taken a break, said in a hurried and worried tone.

Suddenly, Hiyori fell face first on the floor and did not get up.

“Hey, Hiyori-chan!” Hina shook her rushedly. Her eyes were completely white.

---

Hiyori hummed and opened her eyes, feeling rested.

“Where am I?”

Looking around, she found herself in a quiet forest, surrounded by trees. She was wearing a red dress.

“This is…!” she exclaimed, surprised, and turned around to see it better. “Um… I really am a heroine!!” She lifter the hem of the skirt and confirmed that she was wearing matching red heels. “Finally, I turned into a heroine too!”

She raised her hands and jumped, happy.

(Maybe I’ll meet a charming prince soon!)

She clasped her hands together as she daydreamed. Then, coming from somewhere, she heard a voice singing.

From behind the shade of a tree, she saw a shining cape.

“That…! Maybe it’s my prince…!” Hiyori gasped, covering her mouth with both hands.

When she looked closer, she saw that what the cape covered was a thick meat steak. On its side was a sticker that read: “5% off”.

“It’s a special beefsteak!”

But Hiyori tripped, lost to her own selfishness.

The cape-wearing beefsteak slipped away, singing as it escaped to a deeper part of the forest.

“Wait, no! My steak!”

---

“Steak…! A good steak… singing… don’t leave, please…!” Hiyori suddenly woke up, blinking. “I’m right here…”

She got up and looked around. She was in a bed in the school infirmary. The sun was setting and the room was dyed in orange.

“I’m glad you woke up!” a girl who wore the track and field club shirt met her gaze.

“Setoguchi-senpai!”

When Hiyori looked at herself, she saw she was still wearing the club clothes.

(It was a dream…)

Hiyori sighed, disappointed to find out she wasn’t a heroine yet.

“You always say you can do it, right?”

“I’m sorry!” Hiyori pressed her hands together in an apology.

(I worried Setoguchi-senpai again!)

She closed her eyes and her stomach growled.

Looks like just a rice ball hadn’t been enough lunch.

(Aaahhh, that’s embarrassing! In front of Setoguchi-senpai…!)

Hiyori blushed, holding her stomach.

“I have a discount coupon from a ramen place my brother gave me…” Hina fidgeted with her hands. “Would you like to go?”

(Setoguchi-senpai and ramen…!)

Hiyori’s face brightened.

“Yes, I want to go!”

“Then let’s change clothes.”

“Yes!” she answered happily, getting up from the bed and leaving the infirmary with Hina.

(I’ll turn into a heroine… starting from tomorrow!)

---

Aizou and Yuujirou were waiting for the manager’s car to arrive, as usual, when they saw Hiyori leaving through the main gate and discreetly followed her.

Seems like she didn’t have part-time work today. She was laughing and talking about ramen with another girl.

“That girl, what is she aiming for?”

“Well, isn’t she a strong girl?”

While they talked, the manager’s car appeared in front of them.

They laughed in unison and got into the car.

#honeyworks #lipxlip #suzumi hiyori #HER #LOVING HIYORI HOURS #and sena and hina.....................#it's been a while since i last talked abt hina but i love her sm #and hnghhhhhhhh admiring sena hours #this feels like watching sports anime in the sense that it gets you all pumped up to do things but you're just. sitting at home lskjdklsjd #though!!!#this is the energy i want to be carrying into the next schoolyear!!!#which is starting. next week i think.#aaaa.#mar's translations #anyway that was the last one!!!#hworks #hw links

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bellatrixobsessed1 · 4 years

Text

Kissing Dead Pearls (Part 22)

They have trouble getting him to eat, anything they feed him seems to come back up again until they settle for giving him liquid food in small amounts; apple sauces and oatmeals with a fair amount of tube feeding. She doesn’t like the sight of it.

They tell her that she doesn’t need to be here, that she is well enough to go back to the hotel so long as she takes it easy. But she remains at the hospital, at least during visiting hours.

“No one has claimed him yet?” She hears one nurse ask.

“No, not yet.” Says the other.

“And no ID?”

“All of his IDs and paperwork are probably on the ocean floor with his boat.”

The pair enter, a stout man with a clean shaven beard and a fleshy face and a woman, just as stout but rather petite. The man checks over the feeding tubes while the nurse checks over the patient himself.

“Has he woken up at all?” The woman asks.

“Not while I’ve been here.” Azula replies.

Deciding that everything is in order, the doctors step out once more. She looks at the time, she ought to be heading out herself. She waits another few moments before pulling out her phone, it rings several times before Zuzu answers. “Why are you answering father’s phone?”

“He and Jet went for a swim.” Zuko replies. “Do you need me to tell him something?”

She hears the boy stir in his bed. She lowers the phone for a moment before replying. “Just tell him that the sailor is waking up, so I might be here for a little while longer.” She doesn’t wait for a reply before she stuffs her phone back into her purse.

She wanders over to the bed. The boy squeezes his eyes tighter before opening them. They are tired and gentle and a very vivid blue. Azula swallows, they are a very familiar vivid blue. She takes his hand, wondering how it had taken her this long to recognize him.

“Gee…” he speaks, his voice hoarse and weak. “Guess the town motto is true, ‘all waves lead to Port Tui-La.’” He tries to laugh but his mouth is too dry.

She hands him a cup of water and waits for him to swallow before saying, “we’re not at Port Tui-La.” She wants to hug him with a tightness that will assure her that he won’t leave again. Even if she had both of her arms free to use, she worries about pressing on his sores the wrong way.

“Then where are we?”

“A small resort island called, Su Oku.”

“You think that I could get a pina colada with this hospital banquet.” He gestures to the oatmeal.

“I think that you couldn’t keep a pina colada down if they gave one to you.” She replies. It is unfathomably amazing to hear his voice again. To hear those stupid and poorly timed jokes.

“What happened to your arm?” He asks.

“It happened while I was saving you. You ass.”

“Now that’s no way to treat a guy in a hospital bed. That’s not how you…” he pauses for another drink. “Greet someone that you haven’t seen in months either.”

“It’s a perfect way to treat an imbecile who promised to take you out for a birthday dinner and stood you up for months.”

He makes a gesture as if to slap his forehead but thinks better of it at the last moment, “Ah shit, I forgot your birthday.”

Azula could slap him. “We thought that you were dead, Sokka.” She whispers after the humor fades. And suddenly it is overwhelming. The notion that she is going to have to speak with Jet crosses her mind and mixes strangely with joy and relief.

She feels his hand brush against her cheek, a rough and calloused hand. “Why are you crying?”

“I’m not.” She wipes at her eyes.

“Of course not.” He chuckles.

How is she going to tell him about Jet? How is she going to tell Jet about him? But he’s alive, goodness he’s alive. She carefully cups her hand over his. “What happened to your ship and how did you survive?”

“It’s a long story.” He replies, she can tell that he is going to fade out again. “Visit tomorrow and you might get to hear it.”

“Might?!”

He is already out again. She finds herself laughing. Of course he will leave her unanswered. It dawns upon her, as the nurse enters that she probably should have let them know that he was awake.

.oOo.

She finds herself terribly anxious the closer they draw to the hotel. The walk from the hospital isn’t terribly long, she almost wishes that it could be longer. It is a nice day, in the storm’s wake there is a cooler edge to the day. For once her skin isn’t slick with sweat from the walk and jasmine dances within the breeze. “You’re quiet.” Zuko remarks.

“Enjoy your break.” Azula mutters.

“Did something happen to the sailor?”

She shakes her head. “Nothing bad.”

“But something happened.”

“He woke up.”

“And.”

She bunches her hands in her pockets. She isn’t sure why she is so hesitant to tell him. Perhaps it is because she doesn’t want him to slip and tell Jet before she can. “It’s Sokka.”

Zuko comes to a full halt. “What? How?”

She shrugs. She had imagined it time and time again, a reunion, telling Katara that her brother is alive. And perhaps it is because she had truly expected it to be anything but a reality, that it is so hard for her to process that her daydreams have become truth. Truth be told, she isn’t quite ready. “I don’t know, Zuzu. I didn’t that we would actually find him.”

“Well aren’t you, I don’t know, elated?”

She knows that she should be. She should be happy, excited, grateful. And she is, but she is also nervous. It has been so long. He doesn’t know about father, he doesn’t know about Jet, about...she traces the length of the scar on her arm, rather she traces the parts of it that aren’t tucked into the sling. “I am.” She says. “I’m just trying to figure out what to tell Jet.”

“Fuck off, is a good option.”

She elbows him. “I know that you don’t like him but he treats me well.” They pass a merchant selling bundles of hibiscus and bamboos sticks. With the storm well and past, the island is lively again. She spies several bikers and a couple with a picnic basket. There is a child with an armful of shells and a missing sandal, an exasperated woman holds that sandal. Colorful umbrellas are propped open all along the beach that runs parallel with the road. A road that is scattered with palm fronds, branches, clusters of flowers, and other things that the storm had thrown about. She can hear the hum of cicadas and the chatter of birds, mostly seagulls. “I suppose that I should just tell him outright.” That is how she would have wanted it if Jet had fallen for someone else.

“That’s what I meant when I said tell him to fuck off.”

Azula rolls her eyes. “I’m sure it is.” But that doesn’t make it any less daunting, knowing that she has so much to fill Sokka in on. Though she supposes it is, at the end of the day, fair. He has a long story for her and she has a rather long one for him. If he will hear the rest of it after finding out about her fling with Jet. She decides that she will get to that part after talking about how increasingly difficult and lonely things had gotten. She will answer the why’s before sharing what they had led to.

She enters the hotel and holds the door open just long enough for Zuko to get his hopes up before letting it slam in his face. He cusses and she chuckles. It has been a while since she’d got him like that.

“See if I hold it open for you next time!”

She fixes him with a faux pout. “You mean you’d slam the door on your handicapped little sister?”

“I sure would.” He replies.

They reach the hotel room at the same time as her father and Jet. She watches Jet rub his hair with his towel.

“They left you by yourself?” Azula asks.

Katara shrugs. “I could use the quiet time. How was your visit?”

“It was…” she can’t keep the smile from her face. “Surreal.”

“Surreal?”

“He’s alive, Katara. That sailor is…”

“Sokka?” She asks softly.

Azula nods. She has made Katara cry several times throughout childhood, and once as a pre-teen when she’d decided that she was too cool to hang out with the girl anymore. But she had never made her cry with joy and relief.

“You sure that it’s him?”

“He asked me for a pina colada.”

“That’s him alright.” Ozai grumbles. He slings his towel onto one of the racks and makes his way into the bathroom.

“Hey!” Jet calls. “We agreed that I get the first shower!”

“You have things to discuss with my daughter.” Ozai shrugs. “I’ll take an extra long one to make sure that she can cover all of the details.” With that, the door closes and she hears the lock pop into place.

“He’s alive, Zuko!” Katara springs up and throws her arms around him. “My brother is alive!” She lets go of Zuko and turns to Azula. “You saved him…”

Azula nods. “He better treat me extra special or I’ll throw him right back out there.” She folds her good arm against the other.

“Do you need us to…?” Zuko gestures towards the door.

Azula nods. She waits for the door to shut once more before taking a seat on the bed.

Jet sighs and rubs the back of his head. “I take it, there’s nothing I can do to make you choose me.”

She hesitates before shaking her head. “There’s nothing.”

He blows out through his lips, “the ride home is going to be mighty awkward.”

“It doesn’t have to be.” She answers despite being well aware that she has a solid track record for being awkward as hell.

“Does he know yet?”

“No.” She says. “He will tomorrow.” She just hopes that that will go well.

“Were you using me as a rebound?” Jet asks.

“No.” She says again. “I was trying to move on…”

“Which is why you went out on a sailing trip to find your boyfriend?”

“I didn’t anticipate anything coming from it.”

He nods, clasps his hands together and presses them to his lips. “Then why do I feel like I got used.”

“I didn’t use you.” She insists. “If I had I would have asked for a lot more cash.”

This elicits a humored snort. “I’m going to go back to the pool.” He stands. She doesn’t stop him. The soft slam of a door, shut slightly too hard, rebounds around the room. She supposes that he needs to process things. She needs to process things. Good news or not, her head still spins and she finds herself feeling notably drained. She falls back onto the mattress and stares at the ceiling.

#Avatar The Last Airbender #Azula #Sokka #Sokkla #Zuko #Katara #Zutara #Ozai #Jet #Jetzula #Fanfiction

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iamartemisday · 4 years

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Merry Christmas, Ms Foster! Day Seven

It turned out, everyone got a gift on Christmas Eve.

Jomungandr flipped through a book about Andy Warhol while Sif kissed the life out of Thor for her new pair of personalized boxing gloves. Darcy, who even Ian would’ve admitted was hard to shop for, seemed perfectly content with a thousand dollar gift card signed by Loki. Hela had already printed out two dozen photos on her new printer, one of which Fenrir stepped on as he flew his drone around the cabin. Frigga and Odin admired the keepsake boxes the triplets had made for them. Off to the side by the mirror, Jane helped Bucky into the new winter coat she’d bought him.

“How much did you spend on this?” he asked.

“No more than I spent on anyone else,” she said. “So what did you get me?”

“Remember back when all you wanted was a scientist Barbie for Christmas and your dad forgot to buy it?”

“Yeah.”

“Turns out, they don’t make those anymore.”

Jane rolled her eyes as he laughed and pulled her into a hug. They rejoined the party, Jane finding a spot by the fireplace to watch the kids play. So far, no one had started any fights, though if Fenrir ran over Hela’s pictures one more time, he might just get that drone thrown in his face. Someone had jazzy Christmas music playing on the flat screen. Jane tapped her foot to the beat, scanning the room for any sign of Loki.

She hadn’t seen him since the first present was opened.

Her trip into town had taken longer than she’d hoped. First a deer jumped in front of their car. Jane’s heart was still racing from that one. Then it took three separate stops to find exactly what she was looking for. Hallmark movies, among other things, had lied through their teeth about small mountain towns. All they had here were apathetic store owners tired from the holiday rush and a Starbucks. Finally the last owner tried to upcharge her twenty percent, and it was only Jane’s staunch refusal to be cheat that saved her from losing money. Bucky standing right behind her glaring at the guy might’ve also helped a little.

But that was all over and she had what she needed. Now she just had to find her giftee.

She checked the kitchen first. That seemed to be his sanctuary whenever Thor got especially exuberant or if he just wanted a moment alone. When he wasn’t in there, she headed downstairs. The pool was empty, as was the gym. He wasn’t in his bedroom either, though his keys were still on the nightstand.

Now she wandered back into the party. Thor and Sif had the kids together in a game of blind man’s bluff, laughing as a blindfolded Darcy snatched at the air a foot above Fenrir’s head.

“Your echolocation sucks,” he said, sidestepping another fruitless thrash of Darcy’s arm.

“Keep talking, kid, I’ll knock all your Santa hunting gear out the window!”

The chase continued as Jane’s eyes moved to the back window. A shadow on the trees made her look closer. It was Loki, standing in the middle of the snow, arms crossed, staring into the night like a watchman guarding against invaders. Jane kept him in her line of sight as she took her coat off the rack and walked outside. Wind slapped her across the face and sent her hair flying. She wrapped her arms around herself and kept walking.

Loki didn’t turn around. “Don’t you want to enjoy the festivities?”

She stood beside him. “Don’t you?”

“I will,” he said. He blew out a mouthful of air. “Sometimes I wish to be alone to think.”

“Alone outside in the middle of winter.”

“Yes,” he said. “I’m glad you understand.”

Jane chuckled. She wasn’t as cold as she was a moment ago. It was like he radiated warmth. “Did you like your present?”

She had given him a crochet scarf. Knowing that he was a billionaire and could easily by a hundred of whatever she got him, Jane had tossed aside all feelings of insecurity and bought him something she’d got for any male friend(?). He wore it now around his neck, tucked into his coat. That had to be a good sign.

“It is very useful,” he said. “You chose well.”

If that was the closest she’d get to a ‘thank you’ she’d take it. “Good, because I have one more thing for you.”

Loki turned his head as Jane reached into her pocket. “I thought we all agreed one present each.”

“This isn’t for Christmas,” she said, taking out a small wrapped box with a bow on top. For once, she was proud of her wrapping skills. “Happy Birthday.”

Loki eyed her, like he thought this was a trap and she’d pull a gun out any second. He took the box was some token hesitation and slid his finger through the tape. All the paper fell away, revealing a red and white box with a Christmas tree design. Inside the window, a larger cat cuddled with three kittens. All four wore green and red hats, scarves, and mittens. It was hard to tell inside a box, but a button on the back played a tinkling lullaby rendition of Silent Night.

“It was a tradition for my parents,” Jane said. “Every year, they’d give each other a new ornament for the tree. Mom said it was because they were each other’s most special person.”

He looked at her. “Are you trying to imply something?”

She shrugged. “Not really. I know we’ve only known each other for a few months and… well, we did get off to a rocky start, but you are someone very special, Loki. Your whole family is. And I’m glad I get to spend Christmas with you guys. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

Loki swallowed. He opened the box and held the ornament to the light. One of the kittens sat on the father cat’s head while the other two cuddled close. All of them wore peaceful smiles. They were together and nothing else mattered.

“I know you’re wondering why I didn’t tell you,” he said.

“Hela told me you said you would,” Jane replied.

He nodded. “I did consider it, don’t think I didn’t. There are just things about my life you don’t know. Things I may decide to tell you one day, but for now… well, in truth, I’ve never liked to think about the day of my birth.”

Jane took his hand. It happened involuntarily, but even after she came to her senses, she couldn’t let go. She didn’t really want to. “Even if you don’t, your kids love you so much. Your family loves you. I think even Bucky might almost be okay with you now.”

“The feeling is not mutual,” he said, but with a faint half-smile.

“What I mean is, even if you don’t want to celebrate your birthday, you deserve the recognition,” Jane said. “You’re a great father, and not too bad a person either.”

They shared a long, lingering look (‘this is the part where sappy music plays and the kiss happens you know…’). Loki’s other hand came to rest on top their clasped ones. Jane bit her lip. He appeared to be staring at them, but then he glanced at a patch of bushes by the treeline

“Did you know that’s a mistletoe plant?”

Jane started to laugh, but he did not. “Wait, seriously?”

“It would be a strange thing to lie about if I was,” he said. If Jane didn’t know better, she’d think he was getting closer.

“Well, it sounds like you meant to pick that and nail it to the ceiling,” she said, leaning in just a bit. “You know that’s how it’s supposed to work.”

“It must have slipped my mind.” He lowered his head.

“I guess so,” Jane could feel his breath on her face. “We both have a lot to think about.”

Her eyes fluttered. If there was ever a time to stop it was now. Everything was so warm…

“DAD!”

They jumped apart. Jormungandr ran through the snow, tripping twice, but never stopping.

“What is it, son?” Loki stopped to fix his hair before Jormungandr grabbed him.

“We did it! We did it, Dad! We found Santa!”

He dragged Loki inside, Jane following close behind. Hela and Fenrir were at their stations. Their equipment was alive with lights and alarm bells. On the screen, Santa soared across the sky in a red sleigh, eight Reindeer running on air, guiding him through the night. With a mighty ‘Ho-ho-ho’, Santa sped out of view, but the minute of footage the children had gotten was enough for them.

“We did it!” Hela jumped into Jane’s arms and hugged her around the neck. “We did it! We did it!”

“You did,” Jane said, hugging her back. “I’m so proud of you guys.”

They danced around the room, pulling the adults into the festivities. Even Fenrir was on his feet, pulling Darcy into a spin. Jane put Hela down so she could hug her grandma next, then gave Loki a smirk.

“So did you pay a guy to dress a plane up like a sleigh,” she asked, “or was some kind of hologram?”

Loki smirked right back. “I don’t know what you mean, dear Jane. It’s like you don’t believe in Christmas miracles.”

Someone else might’ve wanted to slap him for that. Jane got up on tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. “Merry Christmas, Loki.”

He turned his head abruptly. Their lips brushed. “Merry Christmas, Jane.”

In the morning, Jane was up before anyone else. She walked into the living room, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Presents were piled under the tree for the kids and adults alike to devour. A multitude of decorations glittered in the early sun, including one new decoration settled right under the silver star.

Jane reached up carefully and pressed the button. Silent Night played as she stood back, watching the little cats sleep.

“So this is how my Christmas special goes,” Jane murmured, smiling at Loki’s door. “I think it’s been pretty good.”

#Lokane #Loki #Jane Foster #Lokane Week #Lokane Week Holiday Celebration

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vitanes · 5 years

Text

this one is for @miss-pulet i’m sorry for such a delay but i got a little bit carried away n ended up with over 7k words ifjisjf i hope u will like it!

a little bit of you and me

Lucas hates everything soulmates stand for, especially the lack of choice and how fake it seems to be. Don’t even get him started on how weird his mark is. He definitely never wants to meet his soulmate.

But the universe? It always finds a way to fuck him over.

(Or, the one with a zoo, Eliott and some difficult dilemmas.)

At the age of six, Lucas had only a vague sense of understanding what exactly soulmates were. Being more invested in cartoons and his toys, he didn’t pay much attention to the mark over his heart. Unlike some kids around him, he didn’t observe the way it’d started changing its shape to something more than a dark blob that could have been easily mistaken for a mole.

Perhaps, that’s why when one day he was taking a shower and he noticed half of his chest was covered by dark shapes, he freaked out.

It took his parents over half an hour to calm him down and then another thirty minutes to convince him that his mark wasn’t ugly or weird.

Being twenty-one, Lucas still thinks his mark is bizarre. Of course, It’s gotten smoother over the years, more realistic. It doesn’t look like a pre-schooler doodled it.

But–

Some people have flowers, flames. Normally paired up animals. He, on the contrary, has got a hedgehog and a raccoon intertwined together. With no way of knowing the meaning behind it. Especially since he’s not very keen on meeting his soulmate.

Don’t get him wrong, good for all the people that have found their destined ones, but he’d rather stay out of this business. He can go on his whole life without meeting the person that made the strange duo form on his chest.

Soulmates are overrated.

***

The first day of Lucas’ summer internship at the local zoo would have been going pretty well if not for one tiny detail. Or well, not that tiny since Lucas is shorter, but. But, another intern keeps being very distracting through the whole day. From the second the guy anxiously introduced himself as Eliott, Lucas couldn’t have been able to stay calm. It doesn’t matter how hard he tries not to pay attention to him, he gives in to throwing glances now and then anyway.

The worst thing is that Eliott isn’t even doing anything special. He works with the animals, the same way Lucas or Imane and Manon do. Yet, all Lucas can do, is agonise in silence over how gentle and cute Eliott is with those they are supposed to take care of. It’s only day one, how Lucas is going to handle the next weeks is beyond him.

Having issues with being gay, but also being gay is a little bit problematic for Lucas. That’s why he hopes Eliott won’t get near him. That way Lucas will get his staring without any consequences. Besides, what business would Eliott have in talking to him?

Well, in Lucas’ opinion none.

***

Lucas is feeding the dolphins. Not having any prior experience with those animals, he was slightly hesitant the few first times, but eventually, he found out it’s not scarier than dealing with a chimpanzee.

The fish in the bucket are moist and Lucas’ face scrunches up each time he reaches out for one. In order not to have one sliding out of his grasp, he needs to properly hold it and it gets harder with each one. His palms are already fully covered in mucus.

The smell is going to cling to him for days to come. But he’s there for all of the animals, isn’t he? He’s going to face even worse things, the last thing he should be unhappy about is throwing some fish into the water. Some would say it’s even relaxing. He doesn’t need to use much of his brain for this task.

With that in mind, he lets his arms do the work while he tunes out. Next thing he’ll have to do is help with cleaning up some cages. That surely is going to be plenty of fun.

Well, he must have been naïve if he had thought he’d be spending all his time there playing with animals. The kid in him jumped out and the adult forgot about all of the awaiting responsibilities.

“How’s the first day going?”

Lucas jumps, snapped out of his daze. He nearly drops the bucket with the fish, but someone grabs it in the last moment and moves it back towards his hands.

His fingers clasp around the handle. Ignoring his wildly beating heart, he looks up at the intruder.

And oh boy, if it’s not the God himself. The smile that Lucas is on the receiving end of physically pains him. It’s wide and makes Eliott’s eyes crinkle up.

Lucas is sure he probably resembles the fish very well now. With the gaping and all.

They keep staring at each other, Lucas clutching the bucket against his stomach and Eliott standing there, his hair messy and cheekbones so sharp they could cut a bitch. His gaze seems piercing through Lucas who has yet to take a breath if he doesn’t want to suffocate and fall into the water to become dolphins’ dinner.

Pretty sure dolphins don’t eat humans, but that’s beyond the point.

Eliott’s lips move, but Lucas is too out of it. He doesn’t really register anything besides how nice the timbre of Eliott’s voice is. How pleasant.

He shakes his head.

“What?”

“I was repeating my question,” Eliott says, amused and Lucas nods slowly.

Oh, yeah. A question. He can’t make Eliott utter it for the third time. He needs to remind himself what exactly scared him.

Lucas hums, dumbly, searching his mind for clues, all the while Eliott’s eyes don’t leave his face. To say it’s unnerving wouldn’t be enough. He can’t focus. Until.

“Not bad,” Lucas stutters, casually throwing yet another fish into the water. “What about you?” he adds. If he shows how chill he is with the situation, maybe Eliott will forget whatever has just happened.

“I’m having fun. I love these little guys,” Eliott says, slightly tilting forward.

Lucas’ first instinct is to stop him from potentially falling into the water and ruining his perfectly styled hair, but he refrains. They are strangers, he’s not about to cross some boundaries and potentially touch him.

“Yeah? That means you haven’t dealt with enormous dump yet.” Oh, back with the complaining.

Eliott snorts and takes one of the fish out of Lucas’ basket. He doesn’t throw it to the animals but shoves it in front of Lucas’ face. Lucas steps back from it, puzzled but doesn’t say anything. He needs to play along even if he could end up with a mouthful of raw fish. He has no idea what Eliott is capable of after all.

“A little poop has never killed anyone,” Eliott says in a deep voice, while his fingers move the fish’s mouth as to imitate talking. That’s something Lucas did not expect. But maybe he should have. Given the context, there aren’t many things Eliott could have done with the fish.

Seeing that Eliott is not some mysterious enigma makes Lucas somehow less intimidated and he rolls his eyes, sighing. He wrings the fish out of Eliott’s hands before he tosses it into the water, careful not to touch Eliott’s skin. Boundaries, right.

“You’re weird. Don’t play with food,” Lucas retorts, but a little smile appears on his face anyway. He just can’t help himself. Sue him.

“You think I’m weird?” Eliott teases, nudging Lucas in the ribs. Well, as it seems, not everyone cares about boundaries. “Well, get ready because it’s going to get only weirder from now on.” There’s a promise in Eliott’s voice, accompanied by a wicked grin and eyes full of sparks.

Lucas’ heart skips a beat.

***

Lucas wasn’t all that keen on being friendly with Eliott, since Eliott is a very very cute boy. But what can one do when someone keeps on reaching out? And chatting them up? He can’t force Eliott to fuck off, he isn’t an asshole. Also, it’s not like he’s oh, so very bothered by it. Or, if he is, it’s not in the sense he ought to be.

It’s been, what, two weeks? Since Lucas has started working there. And so far Eliott has managed to work alongside him more often than not, entertaining Lucas with how he impersonates some animals or making the most mundane things sound interesting. They exchanged social media, followed each other on Instagram. Eliott has a tendency to send voice notes whenever anything out of ordinary happens. They’ve fallen into a habit of sending each other memes.

Just bro things.

Long story short, Eliott must have decided they should not only be co-workers but friends as well.

And if Lucas’ blush is from a prolonged eye-contact and not caused by physically dragging an animal from one place to another, well then, sucks to be him.

***

“So, what do you think about soulmates?” Eliott asks one day when they are eating lunch. They are both sitting at a small, tiny table with very little room between them.

Lucas swallows down his cheese and ham sandwich and shrugs.

“They exist,” he says, unbothered. He hears Eliott huff.

“Elaborate, maybe? Have you met yours? Are you excited to meet them?”

“Not really. I haven’t met them, but even if I had, I wouldn’t care.” Lucas turns to Eliott just to be met with a confused gaze. He smiles meekly. “I think it’s forced. You are expected to jump on some stranger just because your marks match? That’s bullshit. You don’t know them. Very shallow. And it’s like, what, if you fall for someone who isn’t your soulmate, it’s less valid? You have to leave them if you eventually meet that soulmate? Thank you very much. I don’t believe in its profoundness,” Lucas explains, his fingers idly playing with the sandwich.

Anyone who’s ever met him knows his opinion on the topic. He’s got many reactions whenever he spoke his mind; pity, skepticism or even understanding. But no one has ever been as baffled as Eliott is in this moment. Like he can’t quite grasp the meaning of Lucas’ words, as if this whole way of approaching the subject was unbelievable for him.

“And you?” Lucas eventually mutters, putting his sandwich down on the table. After playing with it for too long, it doesn’t look edible. And Lucas’ fingers are sticky from butter.

The tips of Eliott’s ears are pink when he admits, “Thinking about my soulmate kind of helps me get through.”

Oh.

Eliott looks down and then to the side, his teeth biting down on his bottom lip. “It’s kind of reassuring, knowing there’s someone that will get me. Accept all of me. I feel less alone. I see your point, though. I just think that you’re bound to eventually get to know them. Being soulmates makes the connection stronger, I guess.” He looks back at Lucas, something inexplicably sad hiding in his eyes. Despite that, he still smiles softly.

“Why do you think someone who’s not your soulmate wouldn’t accept you wholly?” Lucas asks, curious. He can’t imagine a universe in which someone could dismiss Eliott.

“Let’s just say I can be hard to love,” Eliott whispers, fingers tapping an uneven rhythm on the surface of the table.

Lucas wants to disagree, but he fears he could sound foolish. After all, he barely knows Eliott.

(Deeply, Lucas disagrees anyway. Eliott must have been told that he’s hard to love by all the wrong people. The people like Lucas’ dad who made his mother believe the same.)

***

Taking a walk back home with Eliott isn’t something unusual, but it sure makes Lucas aware of many things each time their shoulders brush.

They’ve been leaving the zoo together ever since they found out they don’t live far away from each other. Things feel completely different in the late evening and instead of being nervous around Eliott, Lucas finds himself getting relaxed. They don’t need to use words, especially when they pretty much use them up during the day. Sometimes they keep completely quiet right up until they part in front of Lucas’ building.

There’s a lake they pass by on their way there and that’s where they currently are at. The air around them is warm, with only a slight breeze blowing through their hair. There are still traces of the setting sun all over the sky, with its edges painted warm red. An occasional chatter coming from random passers-by’s. It’s that time of the day when the bugs start their concert. The atmosphere is peaceful, romantic even.

Lucas throws a glance towards Eliott and sees him closing his eyes, exhaling. The day was tiring and it shows on Eliott’s face just how worn out he is. But still, there’s something beautiful about him that Lucas can’t find a name for.

Eliott opens his eyes lazily as if he’s sensed he’s been watched and they look at each other for a few seconds too long. Eliott smiles at him and the back of his palm knocks against Lucas’ fingers.

Lucas feels like he could stay in this moment forever.

***

Lucas should have known that a bored Eliott holding a hose would be a dangerous combination.

It hits him just how dangerous when he’s minding his business, cleaning up the cage with his own hose just to suddenly have the back of his shirt drenched in a matter of seconds. He doesn’t even have time to escape the attack.

He can hear loud cackles and after turning around, ready to throw hands, he’s faced with Eliott who’s doubling over from how hard he’s laughing.

“That’s funny to you?” Lucas asks, exasperation audible in his voice.

Eliott fans himself with his hands, visibly trying to contain his laughter, but fails horribly. What’s worse, his laughter turns into loud snorts. Lucas’ chest is filled with fondness and he can’t have that.

That’s why he raises his hose up and points it directly at Eliott’s scrunched up face. The laughter dies down immediately and Lucas can’t help, but feel smug. After seeing how ridiculously adorable Eliott looks like, it’s Lucas’ turn to crack-up. He thinks he got his point across, his revenge if you will. That’s why he’s completely caught off guard when Eliott mercilessly covers the rest of Lucas’ body in water.

It’s needless to say things can only escalate from this point on and soon enough they are having a full on fight. The only sounds audible over the stream of water are their chuckles. They get so into it that Lucas ends up in Eliott’s headlock, having the water poured down his head. His face is squished against Eliott’s chest and if they weren’t in the middle of a war, Lucas would have panicked.

But as it is, he’s way too competitive and too into it as of now. He tries to wring out of Eliott’s hold. To no avail, sadly. He only manages to pull away slightly, far enough to open his eyes.

Far enough to have his heart stutter in his chest when he sees Eliott’s skin under his soaked shirt. It’s so wet it’s become see-through and to Lucas’ horror, he’s mere centimeters from a mark he knows all too well. That isn’t on his skin.

He stops fighting against Eliott and just stares at the weird combination of animals displayed over Eliott’s heart. It’s exactly the same as Lucas’ and he looks down on himself to check whether his own mark stands out as proudly as Eliott’s.

He lets out a sigh of relief upon noticing it’s still covered.

“Please, don’t tell me I damaged you with that water,” Eliott says next to Lucas’ ear and Lucas looks up into his eyes, panicked. He must have spaced out, if the worried look on Eliott’s face is anything to go by. Their hoses have been turned off and there are tentative arms supporting Lucas’ weight against Eliott’s body.

It’s then that he realises how weak in the knees he is.

He straightens up and puts some distance between their bodies, a reassuring smile stretching his lips.

“I’m fine,” he says, his voice sounding foreign even to his ears. Eliott must catch onto something as well because he doesn’t look convinced. “Really, I’m all good,” Lucas insists and gives Eliotts a thumbs up to emphasise.

He’s far from feeling good, but he needs to leave freaking out for later. He can’t let Eliott know what he’s just found out.

Lucas nudges Eliott in the shoulder and looks around.

“We made more mess than there was, to begin with,” he says, pleased with how calm he appears. “Come on, let’s get changed and try to fix it up,” he adds.

Eliott nods, his lips pursed, and follows Lucas to the lockers. Completely unaware of all the emotional turmoil going through Lucas’ mind.

***

No, no, no. Nononononono.

No.

Eliott can’t be Lucas’ soulmate. He just can’t. It’s not allowed. Maybe his eyes played some tricks on him.

Lucas is standing in the bathroom, getting ready for another day of work. He hasn’t moved for the past few minutes, though, his eyes glued to his reflection in the mirror. More precisely, to the mark on his chest. He’s never spent as much time studying the image as now. He’s trying to find any detail that would tell him his mark and Eliott’s are not the same.

Because they can’t be, shit.

Lucas has been feeling so fucking good around Eliott. Might have even started to like him. Like, the instant connection between them made him feel exhilarated. Big ‘fuck you’ to everyone claiming you can’t have an honest bond with someone that isn’t your soulmate. And sure they haven’t known each other long enough to have that depth, yet. But Lucas swears there was a potential of something grand.

Now it turns out all of that was a scam. They don’t like each other for who they are, but because the universe is telling them.

That’s the last thing Lucas wished for. This choice to make, that he was robbed off. Yet another one. If he was forced to be in a dysfunctional family, with sexuality that people were killed for, he could at least be free to choose who he wanted to love.

And it’s a shame, because Eliott is someone Lucas could see himself easily falling for.

He sighs deeply with resignation and pulls a shirt over his head. Even covering the mark doesn’t make him feel any better.

***

Lucas is inclined to putting some distance between himself and Eliott, but he wants to be subtle about it. Eliott is a smart guy and if Lucas stopped whatever they have going on out of the blue, he’d get suspicious. And Lucas is pretty determined in avoiding the outcome where Eliott finds out the truth.

It’s not easy, the distance thing. For more reasons than one. They work together, Eliott is a pretty affectionate guy and a part of Lucas doesn’t want to be away from him. But what has to be done, has to be done. So Lucas throws himself into the work. It’s reasonable for him to focus on it than on messing around with his co-worker.

Eliott seems to buy it.

It gets less subtle as time passes. They still work side by side, but most of the time Lucas is left alone. He tries not to appear cold or bothered when Eliott chats him up during lunch breaks, but he also doesn’t put as much effort as before. Using his phone while Eliott talks to him may be rude, but at the very least it makes Eliott take the memo and after a couple of days, his attempts to make a conversation are very few. Eliott stops walking Lucas home and eventually, their relationship turns into one between two people that work at the same place and may not even be very fond of each other.

No lingering stares, no accidental touches and no relaxing silences.

Well, it may be cruel, but Lucas would rather have Eliott not liking him than knowing they are soulmates.

The internship will end at some point and they won’t have to see each other ever again anyway. That’s what Lucas tells himself every time he wants to reach out to Eliott.

Everything goes on like that for quite some time and Lucas makes peace with it. He convinces himself that he stopped the storm before it properly started. Everything is good up until Manon suggests they all should grab dinner together, hang out a little bit since they’ve gotten familiar enough with the whole staff working at the zoo. No one seems to be against the idea.

For a moment Lucas tries to come up with an excuse not to come, but he quickly talks himself out of it. With nearly everyone participating, there will be a pretty big crowd. Just because he’s avoiding Eliott, it doesn’t mean he has to shut himself off completely. The chances are, they won’t even run into each other. Right?

***

It’s only Lucas’ luck that he ends up sandwiched between Imane and Manon all the while Eliott is sitting right across him. And he’d have to be stupid not to notice the expectant looks Eliott keeps throwing his way.

He pretends he’s stupid, though, and with his head hanging low, he tries to seem as engrossed in his food as he can.

The fact everyone’s talking amongst each other and they don’t pay much attention to him besides asking him to pass them something is good. The fact he’s hyper aware of Eliott at any second not so much, though.

The girls are having a discussion over his head that more people start joining in and Lucas wishes he could participate, act normally, but he hasn’t slept much lately and his mind is too full. All he craves is some quiet.

Someone kicks him under the table. Not hard, giving him a way to brush it off as an accident. And that’s how he knows it’s Eliott.

Lucas is tired. Tired of the avoiding, of how he screwed up the friendship that has started blossoming between them. All because he’s a stuck-up bitch who denies himself good things in life because of reasons. Even if they are soulmates it doesn’t have to mean everything between them will be completely fake.

He doesn’t want to deny Eliott any longer.

That’s why he looks up.

He’s met with an anxious smile tugging at Eliott’s lips, but determination lighting up his eyes.

“Want to leave?” he mouths, tilting his head towards the exit.

Lucas doesn’t hesitate before nodding.

The first minutes after they’ve left, they are just walking aimlessly around, not uttering a single world. And it’s not the same comfortable silence they shared before. Lucas knows it’s his fault for creating that gap between them.

They were fast to go from strangers to friends to strangers again.

“The weather is nice tonight,” Eliott breaks the quiet and Lucas needs a moment to process. It’s weird to hear Eliott speaking to him so casually all of sudden.

“The weather? Really?” Lucas retorts, hoping he doesn’t sound hostile.

“Why not? It’s better than nothing.” Lucas sees Eliott shrugging out of the corner of his eye.

Lucas sighs and moves a hand over his face. “I’m sorry for acting so weird lately,” he says, glancing at Eliott.

“It’s okay, we’re all a little weird from time to time,” Eliott’s voice is calm when he speaks, but there’s something hidden underneath it. “You know, sometimes I feel like leaving everything behind and starting over. Sometimes I do things that normally I wouldn’t. We all have our demons.”

Lucas bites down on his lip. Eliott is sharing something personal with him to make Lucas feel more comfortable. To justify the way he’s behaved. Lucas isn’t sure how to feel about it.

“I shouldn’t have acted like a dick, though,” he says, frowning and Eliott’s gaze lays on him.

“You shouldn’t have,” he agrees, his voice full of emotion. Lucas feels like there’s more Eliott wants to add, but he only settles on a soft, “Are you better now?”

Lucas stops walking and Eliott does the same. He turns towards Lucas so they are facing each other and Lucas can’t stop his heart from beating faster when he meets Eliott’s eyes. When he realises how close they are after weeks of distance.

They stare at each other, both searching and expectant. The evening air around them is thick with anticipation.

Lucas tilts his chin up. “Yeah, I am,” he whispers and gets the brightest smile in return.

***

There’s more between them now than there was before. The looks are growing bolder and gestures are going way beyond friendly. Their feet are pressed together during their breaks and there are smiles reserved solely for each other. There’s an unspoken what are we every time they get too close. Eliott pulls Lucas in and Lucas doesn’t resist. He doesn’t want to resist even if it’s against everything he believes in. Everything is the same, but at the same things have changed dramatically.

For example, now, Eliott invited Lucas to come over. He’s never done that. Besides the dinner and their walks after work, they’ve never hung out outside the zoo.

They’ve ordered pizza and have been drinking beer, the atmosphere relaxing and soothing. They are sitting next to each other on the couch, their knees brushing against each other. They’ve eaten almost everything and Lucas feels heavy. Tired. Like he could fall asleep in seconds. The fact he’s surrounded by warmth makes him even lazier.

He turns his head and he looks at Eliott. He doesn’t even flinch when Eliott notices and stares at him back. Lucas lets himself watch. He marvels at how the light reflects in Eliott’s eyes, how soft his hair seems to be and how inviting his parted lips are. There mere centimeters keeping them apart feel like they are kilometer long, but at the same time like there’s no space left for air between them.

It’d be so easy to kiss Eliott in this moment. And maybe Eliott would kiss him back.

Lucas stands up before he inches closer and changes things even more.

He can feel Eliott’s eyes on his back when he takes his steps further away from the couch. He takes a look at Eliott’s face and he seems to be asking why do you keep running away? to which Lucas’ only answer would be I’m scared.

The territory they are currently crossing is as tempting as it is dangerous. Considering everything Lucas’ knows about their supposed bond, he doesn’t dare to take the leap towards his destiny.

What if all he feels towards Eliott is only caused by the soulmate thing? It’s killing him, the lack of knowledge about his own matters of the heart. What part of all of this is genuine and how much of it is just a cunning ploy designed by the universe? What if none of it is truly real?

His eyes land on a drawing of a raccoon. The blood drains from his face and his breath hitches in his throat.

“What is this?” He points at the image, feigning nonchalance.

Eliott moves from the couch and comes to a stop directly behind Lucas. His front is almost touching Lucas’ back and he rests his chin on Lucas’ shoulder. His exhale tickles the side of Lucas’ neck, raising goosebumps over his skin.

“It’s me,” he says.

Lucas scoffs and turns his head slightly to the side to get a proper look at Eliott’s face. “Huh?”

“Like a spirit animal?” Eliott offers sheepishly.

Lucas stares at him, partly amused and partly baffled.

“So, like your fursona?” he asks, his tone teasing and Eliott’s eyes widen.

“I don’t think that’s what a spirit animal is,” he mutters, his cheeks growing redder with each passing second.

“Spirit animals are like in Native American’s culture, though. I believe you are just a regular furry, buddy,” Lucas retorts and reaches behind to pat Eliott sympathetically on the shoulder.

“This is embarrassing,” Eliott mumbles and hides his face in Lucas’ neck. Only then does Lucas realise how close they are. Despite the fact that he moved away earlier just to avoid something exactly like that happening.

“It’s okay,” he says meekly and clears his throat. “I accept you,” Lucas adds, letting out a chuckle right after.

Eliott buries his face deeper in the place where Lucas’ neck and shoulder connect. Eliott is clearly ashamed. “I’m not a furry,” he insists, his lips moving against Lucas’ skin and sending a shiver down his spine. They stay like that for what feels like forever and then, “You’d be a hedgehog.”

***

“How’s the internship going?” Yann asks while Lucas is taking a sip from his bottle.

Seeing how they all have been busy both with preparations for the uni to start and their jobs, it’s amazing that Lucas, Yann, and Arthur managed to find one evening when they were free and could chill together. Lucas has to admit he’s missed his friends and how he doesn’t have to worry about anything around them. Besides, it’s nice to escape the conflicting Eliott-feelings for at least a few hours. They’ve been so close ever since they reconciled that at times it gets overwhelming. Lucas wonders if it’s this intense because they are soulmates.

He wipes his mouth with the back of his palm and puts his beer down.

“It’s okay. Tiring,” he says, crossing his arms over his chest.

“You reek of animals,” Arthur chimes in and Lucas huffs.

“I do not,” he retorts. Lucas can admit, the smell was hard at the very beginning, but he’s been taking two showers a day and he’s bought shower gels that are supposed to be efficient. So he does not reek.

Unless he’s just got very used to that animal fragrance.

“You kinda do, dude,” Yann adds, kicking Lucas’ ankle. Arthur snorts and the two of them high five each other.

He needs new friends.

“Anyways, guys! I have news. I met my soulmate,” Arthur announces proudly, his grin blinding.

Lucas rolls his eyes. Amazing news. Really. Ten out of ten.

Yann congratulates Arthur, of course, and that’s when it hits Lucas and he sits up straighter.

“Didn’t you have a boyfriend?” he asks and is surprised at how harsh he sounds.

Arthur tilts his head to the side, his eyes narrowed. “Yeah? So?”

“So you just broke up with him?”

That’s fucking why Lucas hates soulmates. They ruin everything. Whichever higher power decided this concept was okay, must have been really fucked up–

“I didn’t?” Arthur looks between Yann and Lucas, baffled. “Why would I?”

“Because you met your soulmate?”

“So? We hit it off, sure, but there aren’t any other feelings between us? I like her as a friend, but I love my boyfriend. And she’s a lesbian. So any feelings beyond platonic are impossible,” Arthur explains, his tone edging on being defensive, but at the same staying composed.

“I don’t understand. Isn’t a soulmate supposed to be the love of your life? Written in the stars and all that shit?” Lucas asks, feeling more and more stupid after receiving puzzled looks from Arthur and Yann.

“Sure it happens, but mostly when the people like, fall for each other, you know? The stars aren’t in control of your feelings, though. Your soulmate is just a person you vibe with. Can be romantic, can be platonic. Hell, some people hate each other’s guts but are soulmates. Being soulmates with someone just means you two get each other on some deeper level. The connection is stronger. But developing romantic feelings for them? Or any at all? That’s all just chemicals in your brain,” Arthur explains, his index finger pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

“Yeah, and some people are convinced that soulmates are solely romantic and get together with them the second they meet. Later on, they realise they have no romantic feelings for the person and puff,” Yann adds and Arthur nods at his words.

Lucas feels as if his whole world has shifted off its axis.

Wow. His mind? Blown.

This honestly changes the perspective.

“You okay, Lucas?” Yann asks, watching him like he’s grown a second head.

“Yeah, I’m just processing,” he mumbles, staring down at his lap.

So, his whole life has been a lie. How does one just recover from that? Why has no one ever told him all of that? Now what? He can let himself… feel? Without second thoughts and always stepping back?

As if on cue, his phone vibrates in his pocket. He pulls it out and there’s a notification staring back at him. A message from Eliott. He hesitates for a moment before he clicks on it.

see you tomorrow at the zoo gate at 9pm

Lucas clutches the phone to his chest and looks up at the ceiling, disbelieving.

***

He didn’t get more information from Eliott, but supposing Eliott didn’t cancel, they’re still on. Lucas has no idea what Eliott could have planned, especially there out of all places. After everything Lucas has found out the day before, he doesn’t care that much. He’s just excited to meet up with Eliott and finally stop holding back.

Funny how he needed to be told that his feelings for Eliott aren’t caused solely on the fact they are soulmates. Although, considering his aversion towards the whole concept and his past experiences, it’s not surprising that he couldn’t believe it earlier.

Now, he can finally breathe freely. He’s glad he didn’t fuck up their relationship to the point of no return. He’s glad they haven’t parted their ways yet before anything could happen. Maybe it’s high time Lucas forgave the universe. At least partly.

It’s dark outside and he’s thankful for the fact the zoo management spends so much money on keeping the area around lit up. Otherwise, he’d have been spooked.

Waiting at the gate, Lucas wonders when Eliott is going to arrive. There are still a couple of minutes left and Lucas is sure Eliott wouldn’t be late – he tends to be anxiously early when it comes to the job. So there’s no need to worry about having to wait too long. Unless Eliott stands him up. But he wouldn’t, would he? God, Lucas should have texted him something more besides an okay.

“Hey, hey,” someone is whisper-shouting and Lucas turns around to face the gate that has now been slightly opened. He sees Eliott waving at him to come in and without a single thought, Lucas complies.

After that, Eliott shuts the gate closed again and smiles widely at Lucas.

“What are we doing?” Lucas asks in a hushed voice.

“We are having a date,” Eliott answers, his tone solemn. Lucas can feel the heat creeping up his neck after hearing those words.

A date. They are having a date a day after Lucas realised that whatever they have is real. The fate isn’t fucking around, huh.

But there’s something gnawing at his conscience.

“What about the guards? The cameras? We could be fired for it,” Lucas states, getting antsy at the mere thought.

“A little birdie told me which place is almost never checked and well, let’s say the security will be looking away from certain monitors tonight, if you know what I mean.” Eliott winks at him.

The realisation dawns on Lucas and he opens his mouth. “You didn’t. You know bribing is illegal?”

“Worth it,” Eliott says and shrugs, still beaming at Lucas. “Also, the internships are almost over so not much to lose. Come on.” He tugs on Lucas’ sleeve and drags him in an unknown direction. Lucas lets Eliott guide him without any objections.

They end up by the hippo exhibit and Lucas stops in his tracks. It’s not the place that shocks him, but the blanket laying on the ground with food waiting on it and all the candles carefully placed all over the area. It’s probably unsafe, but everything be damned no one has ever prepared something like that for him.

Eliott has sat down and is fidgeting in place, looking everywhere, but at Lucas. It’s endearing, really.

“I hope I didn’t overdo it,” he admits quietly, his fingers playing with the sleeves of his hoodie.

Lucas comes closer, wary not to knock any of the candles over. He crouches in front of Eliott and grabs both of his hands.

“It’s perfect. Really,” he murmurs, a soft smile tugging at the corners of his lips and Eliott visibly relaxes.

After that Lucas sits down, reluctantly letting go of Eliott’s palms, and they start eating. An easy banter flows between the two of them and Lucas feels truly content. If someone had told him he’d be on a date with Eliott a few weeks ago, he’d have wholeheartedly disagreed with them. Now, it’s like everything is finding its place.

Funny how fast things change. How they don’t need many words to navigate that fragile thing between them. Lucas just feels like he belongs right there, with Eliott. And he hopes Eliott feels the same.

There’s some fear in Lucas, though. Fear of how Eliott could start acting if only he found out about who they were to each other. Because well, Lucas knows what he feels right now. With or without the soulmate aspect, he’d have fallen for Eliott. And Eliott seems to like him as well, but Lucas knows how Eliott is about soulmates. How important it’s for him. What if he goes overboard once he learns the truth?

“Are we dating now?”

Lucas looks up from his nearly empty plate at Eliott, snapped out of his thoughts. Eliott seems shy and uncertain.

“Do you want us to?” Lucas asks, his heart beating fast and loud.

Eliott shifts closer to Lucas, kneeling in front of him and Lucas straightens up.

Eliott’s voice is shaky when he speaks. “Can I confess something?”

Lucas only nods in response.

Eliott reaches out for Lucas’ hand and before saying whatever he wants to say, he puts Lucas’ palm over his heart. Presses it against his chest. If Lucas focuses hard enough, he can feel the quick thump thump thump under his fingertips. The gesture is even grander for him since he knows just what exactly rests on the skin he’s touching through the material.

Eliott doesn’t let go. He closes his eyes and exhales harshly through the nose, bracing himself. Then, he looks deeply into Lucas’ eyes. “I’m bipolar, Lucas. I think you should know that,” he pauses to take a deep breath before continuing, “and a lot of people tried to convince me that anything I feel is a delusion caused by my illness. But I know that what I’m feeling right now, with you, is true,” he admits, his gaze unwavering.

“And what are you feeling?” Lucas asks, his voice barely above a whisper.

“That you are the only one I want,” Eliott answers like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

“Yeah?” Lucas inches closer, up until he’s on Eliott’s eye level. His fingers curl up over Eliott’s heart.

“Yeah,” Eliott breathes out against Lucas’ mouth.

They stare at each other for a few more seconds before Lucas captures Eliott’s lips in a kiss. It’s desperate and messy at first, but they quickly find their rhythm. And despite them having never kissed before, it feels they’ve already done it over a thousand times. It’s familiar.

Like coming home.

***

He’s going to tell Eliott. Lucas needs to do so or else it’ll kill him.

It’s been almost two weeks since their zoo date(no one was captured and candles didn’t burn anything down, much to Lucas’ surprise) and they’ve been together ever since. It’s been amazing. Lucas has never felt happier if he’s being completely honest. One can take whatever they want from it. The point is, that despite things going well, there hasn’t been a day when Lucas didn’t think about the soulmate secret.

Eliott deserves to know. And not when they end up being shirtless together. No, Lucas needs to be honest with him. Eliott told him things about himself despite his fears. So Lucas owes him. And there’s no better occasion to spill his guts than during their next date.

They are at an amusement park. The summer is about to end and Eliott was adamant on going there. Said there’s no better way to celebrate going back to adult life than getting in touch with their inner younger selves. Lucas couldn’t argue with that, especially when Eliott looked at him with those eyes.

Now they are walking hand in hand, munching on some candy floss and thinking of where to go next. Lucas can’t find the right moment to reveal the truth to Eliott and it’s awful.

“Can I ask you something personal?” Eliott asks, grabbing one of Lucas’s hands and swaying it back and forth.

Lucas hums.

“I know we’ve talked about soulmates before.” Oh, fuck, oh, shit he’s seen right through Lucas and is about to call him out, isn’t he? “You told me why you hate the phenomenon. But I was wondering if something happened for you to be so against it?” So Eliott is only curious about it? That’s great.

No need to stress it.

“My parents were married for years, but then my dad met his soulmate and left in an instant,” Lucas says and feels Eliott squeezing his palm. Something warm spreads through his chest. “I wish my tragic backstory was more interesting. But you know what?”

“Hmm?”

“I’ve been kind of warming up to this whole thing. I talked to some people. And yeah,” he finishes lamely and glances briefly at Eliott. Who for some reason, is grinning.

“Maybe let’s go there,” Lucas suggests, pointing towards a giant roller coaster.

He hears Eliott huff and then saying in a gentle tone, “Sure.”

Soon enough they are buckled up and holding each other’s hands like their life depended on it. The moment they are moving, Lucas regrets ever thinking it was a good idea.

He closes his eyes against the wind and he’s sure his fingernails are going to leave half-moon shaped marks all over the back of Eliott’s palm.

At some point, they come to a stop and Lucas opens his eyes, relieved it’s the end just to find out they are very fucking high. About to drop. God fucking save him.

“Hey, Lucas!” Eliott shouts and Lucas turns towards him. Seeing him relaxed and smiling grounds Lucas, no matter how cheesy it sounds.

“What?”

Eliott sobers up in a matter of seconds. “Remember that time we had this water fight? And we went to change?” Lucas nods. Of course, he remembers. Everything has been turned upside down since then. “I saw you changing your shirt,” he says, a meaningful look over his face.

Lucas squints at him, his brain not quite catching up with what he’s just heard. Eliott squeezes his hand again today and Lucas gapes when he realises what kind of bomb Eliott has dropped on him. He wants to say something, but before he has a chance to, they are falling down.

And despite that, the only thing he sees is Eliott.

#elu #elu fic #skam france #skam france fic #lucas x eliott #lucas lallemant #eliott demaury

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celestialxmoons-blog · 5 years

Text

happy birthday

summary: It’s your birthday and as a surprise, your friends in Mystic Falls throw you a surprise birthday party. But soon after you arrive, your friends must leave to go off and rescue Elena Gilbert from a dangerous situation, leaving you all alone on your special night. But a handsome Mikaelson walks in and rescues you from your loneliness.

part two: x

warnings: none

word count: 1,626

Balloons were tied to the back of chairs; their colors vibrant with bold letters such as Happy Birthday and the ever so unoriginal Birthday Girl as if you were still five years old. Gold and white streamers were taped to the ceiling and confetti had been spread around the table tops. A table full of food was off in the corner, untouched and getting cold. The birthday cake was small and frosted white with the words Happy Birthday Y/N scribbled on top. Though it had been a nice gesture, it felt forced.

You sat at a table, your fingers picking at the confetti absentmindedly. Your friends, Caroline and Bonnie, had assured you they spent hours decorating the place but to you, it seemed it had been last minute as if they had forgot it was your birthday all together and rushed to make you feel special. But you weren’t ungrateful, you were appreciative to have friends who would surprise you like this. You were just disappointed.

At first walking into the Grill and being surprised by all your friends had put a smile on your face, it had warmed your heart. You had spent the first hour dancing with Caroline to some pop music blaring from the speakers while everyone else chatted happily together. But things fell apart. Elena had called in a panic and of course, everyone dropped everything and ran off to her aid, not that it bothered you.

Elena was your friend, you cared about her. But sometimes, it was always about her, the attention was always on her. At times, it felt like everyone else in the world was invisible when it came to her. Right now, you felt invisible.

Now instead of celebrating your birthday, you were sitting all alone with a plate of half eaten curly fries at your side. You had decided not to run off to save Elena, there wasn’t much you could have done anyway. You’d only feel in the way. You didn’t have magic, you weren’t a vampire, and you definitely weren’t a werewolf. You were just ordinary, not that that bothered you. You’d rather not be all caught up in the supernatural world.

The door chimed but you paid no attention, your thoughts wandering off in all different directions. You were a daydreamer, creative and imaginative. You enjoyed fantasizing about wild adventures and a passionate romance. You were always one to get lost in your own thoughts.

“Y/N,” The familiar voice calling to you snapped you out of your own mind almost immediately. The softness of his voice had cut through your thoughts like a sharpened knife.

“Elijah,” You murmured as your eyes found his, a lazy smile tugging at the corner of your lips. “Why are you here?”

As usual, he was dressed so sharp and handsome. He definitely looked out of place standing here in the middle of the Mystic Grill especially since you were just wearing a blouse and a pair of denim jeans. The suit he wore was fitted to perfection and a navy blue, it looked beautiful on him.

Elijah had raised an eyebrow, glancing around the place with confusion. “It’s your birthday. Caroline invited me,” He answered, obviously wondering why no one else was here. “I didn’t think I was this late.”

“You’re not late, the party started an hour ago.” You informed with a quiet laugh, watching as his attention turned back to you. The moment his shimmering brown eyes fell upon your face, your heart seemed to skip a beat. “Everyone had to leave.”

Elijah was quiet but he was looking at you as if waiting for you to explain why everyone had just up and left. You brushed a few strands of your hair out of your face and let out a soft breath. You had always been nervous around Elijah, finding yourself stumbling over words and laughing obnoxiously at things he’d say. Your crush on him certainly was blinding.

“Elena was in some sort of trouble. Actually, come to think of it, I think it was because of your brother,” You told him, another laugh erupting from your throat.

“Ah, Niklaus. I’m not at all surprised with that,” Elijah had finally taken a seat across from you before reaching into his suit jacket and pulling out a small velvet box. It was tied with a pink ribbon causing your stomach to knot. “Forgive me for my brother’s behavior, he doesn’t know how to act. I apologize that he ruined your birthday.”

You shook your head, your eyes glancing towards the box he had yet to mention. Was that for you? Did Elijah Mikaelson actually buy you a present for your birthday? You didn’t think you were that special at least not to him.

“It’s okay,” Lie. You were lying. You were devastated that Niklaus ruined your birthday. All you had wanted was to spend the night with friends; having fun, drinking, and dancing. But that wouldn’t happen. “I understand, it’s Mystic Falls, something always happens.”

Elijah had cracked a smile, seeming rather surprised that instead of being upset and throwing some dramatic temper tantrum that Caroline would have, you were understanding and quiet.

“After all, I have a birthday every year. I’m sure Caroline will make it up to me,” You added, your hands becoming clammy as you watched his smile grow with your words.

His smile was charming, breathtaking. Watching him, you wanted nothing more than to grab his face and kiss him. You weren’t that courageous unfortunately but that didn’t stop you from daydreaming about it. You could stare at him all day, it was like Elijah Mikaelson had been sculpted out of clay by the Gods himself.

“I enjoy your optimism.” He complimented before pushing the little box towards you, his eyes watching you carefully. “This is for you.”

You stared at the little box, your heart beginning to pound against your chest. You began to wonder if he could hear it, that made you even more nervous.

“You didn’t have to get me anything,” You were quick to say but you didn’t stop yourself from picking it up and pulling the ribbon off the top.

Your curiosity was getting the best of you. Elijah had actually went out and bought you something, that must have meant he had been thinking about you. Knowing that you crossed his mind caused butterflies to erupt in the pit of you stomach, your cheeks burning with a faint blush. Maybe Elijah did think of you as more than a friend.

You shook your head just as that thought came into your mind. Don’t be ridiculous, he’s just being nice, you told yourself.

“I wanted to. Everyone should have something a little special for their birthday,” He told you, his voice had become soft.

He was sweet like honey; kind and affectionate. He was so unlike his brother; he was calm and grounded. He wasn’t one to blow up in anger and cause massive havoc across the town. He reminded you of the men people would write about in novels. He was someone who went out of his way to treat those he cared about with the highest respect. Buying you a present, even if it was small, obviously meant that he cared about you.

As you opened the box, you gasped, your eyes becoming wide with surprise at the necklace that was inside. It was a locket, the same silver locket you had been wanting for the past year. You had always walked into the antique store just to stare at it and the beautiful floral designs engraved into it. It was an antique, owned by a woman long ago which made it too far out of your price range.

“The first night we met was in that antique shop. I walked in and saw you with Caroline, you were standing over the locket gushing about it. I remember seeing you smile as you expressed how much you loved it,” Elijah whispered, watching as tears brimmed your eyes and threatened to fall. “You were telling Caroline how beautiful it was an-’

You looked away from the necklace to stare at him, your hand beginning to tremble. “And you introduced yourself to us and told us about the woman who owned this locket a hundred years ago,” You finished for him, a single tear escaping the corner of your eye.

He remembered. You would have never thought that Elijah would have remembered such a small detail as that. The two of you had met almost a year ago. Knowing that it was something he kept in his mind all this time made you happy. Actually it made you more than happy but there was not a word that could describe the way you felt in this moment.

“I can’t accept this,” You muttered after a moment of silence, shaking your head. “This locket was expensive.”

“Money means nothing to me,” Elijah assured reaching across the table and laying his hand across your trembling one. A blush appeared on your face once more from his comforting touch. “Please take it, I would be offended if you didn’t.”

You swallowed hard, glancing away from him and looking back down at the locket. Maybe this birthday wasn’t so bad after all.

“Thank you,” You whispered, carefully pulling your hand out from under his and taking the locket from the box.

It was heavy in your hand and glistened when the light hit it just right. He watched you with a smile as you clasped it around your neck, your fingers brushing over the pendant itself. It was cool against your skin.

“It looks beautiful on you, it suits you.” He whispered, grinning gleefully, “Happy birthday, Y/N.”

#the originals #the originals one shot #the vampire diaries #elijah mikaelson #elijah mikaelson x reader #elijah mikaelson one shot #elijah mikaelson imagine #elijah mikaelson fanfic #one shot #the originals x reader

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heyyyharry · 6 years

Text

Open Book

(from the Flatmate!Harry Series)

…in which Y/N meets a stranger in the library, and Harry’s got new problems to face.

Warning: mostly fluff and a bit of naughty texting, also this is the longest chapter so far I think so probably there’s a bunch of mistakes in here because I was too frustrated to edit. 😂

(I wanted to update my other series In Another Life before this but I accidentally deleted half of the third chapter of that series so yeah I’m just gonna update this first. This chapter is really long, I hope it’s not too confusing because it’s hard to write when the main characters are in two different locations and timezones. This motivates me to bring Harry home sooner (or maybe bring Y/N to Harry?). Anyway, enjoy and drag me if you must, my inbox is open!)

Y/N is one of the few people left in the library tonight. There’s an exam coming up so she plans to stay here until closing hour. Despite trying to focus on her text book, Y/N can’t help but notice the guy sitting two tables away has been staring at her ever since she sat down. He looks away whenever their eyes meet, it’s very obvious, but Y/N doesn’t care. She just wants to finish this chapter then comes home to call Harry.

It’s 8PM now, the library is closed so Y/N has to leave. She makes her way to the bus stop on her own, subconsciously thinking about Harry like she always does, until her thoughts are interrupted by the sound of someone else’s footsteps.

She’s not alone.

There’s this middle-aged man walking behind her. She speeds up, he speeds up, she slows down, he slows down. Y/N’s first thought is maybe she should call Harry, but then she remembers he’s living on the other side of the world now, he cannot be here to save her.

“Y/N!”

Y/N spins around immediately. Her eyes flicker with a light of hope when she sees the boy in the library walking towards her. The middle-aged man notices as well, then ends up quickly walking away. He cannot do anything to her now that a tall and strong young man suddenly appears.

“Are you okay?”

“I don’t know who you are and how you know my name but thank you for saving my life,” she says quickly in one breath, which makes the guy laugh in response.

“You left your notebook behind, your name was on it,” he tells her with a gentle smile and returns the notebook to its rightful owner. “That man was such a creep. Why are you walking home alone at night?”

“It’s okay, I do it all the time,” she assures him, but he shakes his head to disagree.

“You shouldn’t. To be honest I used the notebook as an excuse to talk to you but I’m glad I’d showed up before anything bad happened.“

Y/N is rooted to her spot for a brief moment, eyes wide, mouth agape, astounded. She’s not sure what to say after hearing that, being flirted with by a stranger is never her speciality.

“I—um…I’ve got a boyfriend,” she blurts out. The look on his face after that makes her cheeks turn red. “God, I’m sorry, I can’t believe I just assumed you were flirting I—”

“I was.”

“Sorry?”

“I was,” he repeats with a slight chuckle at her cute reaction. “But don’t worry, I respect that. I can’t say I’m not disappointed but it’s fine if you’re taken.”

“Thanks.” Thanks? Y/N’s inner self rolls her eyes, wondering why the hell would she even say something so dumb. “I should get going now.”

“Where do you live? I’ll drive you home.”

Y/N gives the boy a funny look as she reaches out to put a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t offer a stranger a ride! I could be a psychopath!”

“Well.” He shrugs. “What are the chances that we’re both psychopaths?”

“You expect me to get in the same car with you after that?” She squints her eyes at him, smiling a little bit.

As if just waiting for that, the guy takes out his ID from his wallet then hands it to her, trying not to laugh when he sees how surprised she is.

“You can take a photo of my ID and send it to any of your friends, maybe your boyfriend, so if something happens to you I’ll take full responsibility.”

“Wow, okay, I believe you, Ethan.” She reads the information on the card before putting it into the pocket of her jacket. “But…I’m keeping this until I get home safe.”

“Alright miss.” Ethan’s radiant smile is soon to reappear. “Shall we go?”

...

Harry’s whole face lights up when his girlfriend appears on the laptop screen.

“Hi baby!” he says while rubbing the sleep from his eyes and asks her where she’s been.

“I told you I was studying at the library.” Y/N knows it’s wrong to tell your boyfriend only half of the story when she’s promised to never hide anything from him. But things are different now that he’s not here anymore, she can’t just tell him she was in danger when the guy who had been checking her out in the library came to save her and drove her home! He would freak out then spend the whole day worrying for sure!

“I forgot. Ugh, I’m so forgetful these days.” Harry furrows his eyebrows in frustration and it's upsetting for her to see how stressed he is.

“I know you’ve been working hard but don’t push your limits, H.”

Harry gives her an assuring smile. “I’m fine, baby. No need to worry about me.”

Harry actually loves his job and the fact that he’s learnt a lot in the past week working in the new environment. Everything is just great, well — almost everything.

“Let’s not talk about my job for now. Let’s talk about you.”

“About me?”

“Layla told me you wouldn’t come to her birthday party this weekend. She was so disappointed.” Harry scrunches up his face. “That’s Layla we’re talking about! I’ve been gone for only a week but I feel like I’ve missed a whole lot.”

Y/N giggles. “We’ve spent a lot of time together. She even called me her ‘friend’ by accident the other day! Isn’t it crazy?!”

“So why aren’t you going to her birthday party?”

“You know I get anxious around strangers.”

“But Layla’s gonna be there with you and Niall as well. Maybe you’ll have fun.”

“I just think that—“ Before Y/N can finish her sentence, the laptop shuts down immediately, along with all the electricity devices in Harry’s flat. This is the third time this week his power is cut off, and Harry can’t take it anymore. He decides to come banging on the door of the flat in front of his.

It takes a little while until his neighbor Hana shows up at the door, wearing only her dark blue bathrobe and nothing else underneath, probably just got out of bed. Her black hair is tied up in a bun and she’s got no make-up on but her skin is glowing. She looks radiant for someone who just woke up, in the meantime he probably looks like a walking dead.

“Harry!”

Hana’s face lights up and Harry’s expression hardens when he snaps back to reality. Then he decides to just go straight to the point. “Why is there a power-cut in my flat?”

“Why are you asking me?"

“Because your family owns this building or is it another one of your lies?”

“Here we go again...” Hana rolls her eyes, leaning her shoulder against the doorframe as she studies the stern look on his face. “I guess you’re still mad at me.”

“I only get mad at those I care about.”

“Ouch.” She furrows her eyebrows, resting one hand on her hip and watches his face contort. “Not telling the whole truth isn’t the same as lying, Harry.”

“Oh really?” Harry exhales a heavy laugh, which is not at all for humor. “Then why did you tell me you were still in university?”

“I told you I moved back here for university, I never said I was still in university. You just assumed that because I looked younger!”

Harry purses his lips, maybe this one is really his fault, not hers. Still who would’ve thought someone with a face like that could be five years older than him? ‘Asian beauty secrets keep me young,’ he remembers her saying that.

“Okay so you might not have lied about your age!” Harry shrugs, but this isn’t over yet. “However, you did kiss me without my consent, even when you knew you're not only the executive assistant for the firm I’m working for but also my assigned instructor!”

Hana facepalms herself. He had been ignoring her since he found out who she was. She tried to talk to him yet he refused unless it was work-related. So when Harry showed up at her door today, Hana thought it could be a good sign for their relationship, but apparently she was wrong.

“Alright, for the hundredth time,” Hana heaves a sigh as she clasps both hands together in front of her chest. “I apologize. When we kissed I didn’t realize you were that intern from London. Never would’ve done it had I known.”

Hana takes Harry’s silence as a sign to continue.

“And I’m sorry you’re stuck with me. The boss asked me to find you a place to stay, and my family just happened to have an empty flat available.”

“You expect me to say thank you or something?”

“No, I just want us to put this behind and be good neighbors.” She curves her lips into a smile and offers her hand as a friendly gesture.

Though Harry’s still a bit irritated, he’s now less angry than before. So he decides to give her a chance and shakes her hand to get this over with.

"Now could you just have someone turn the power back on for me?” Harry pleads, but Hana gives him a shrug.

“Sorry it’s been like that for months now. You’re just gonna have to wait an hour or so.”

“Fuck!”

“You’re being grumpy, Harry. You could use that city tour I offered.” She puts a hand on his shoulder but he shrugs it right off.

“No thank you,” he repeats the exact same thing he told her the last time. “I would like to keep our relationship strictly business.”

“Is your girlfriend back home jealous or something?”

“Don’t bring my girlfriend into this.”

“So you do have a girlfriend.” Hana slightly chuckles, but Harry keeps a straight face still. “Don’t worry, I’m not flirting with you. Well—“ she suddenly pauses and tilts her head slightly to one side “—from now on.”

Harry wants to ask her what that’s supposed to mean, but before he’s got a chance, Hana shuts the door right in front of his face.

…

“Y/N!” Layla shouts from the library entrance the moment she spots her friend. She ignores the grumpy librarian telling her to shush and just hurries toward the desk where Y/N’s sitting next to her new friend Ethan.

“Emergency!” She slams her hand down on the table in front of the startled pair, immediately gaining attention from everyone nearby and a warning dead glare from the librarian. Layla mumbles an apology then lowers her voice. “Niall’s coming to my fucking birthday party! So you’re going as well, no matter you like it or not!”

“Layla, I told you, pool parties just aren’t my thing.” Well, any kind of parties...

“I bet you said the same thing about Harry but now you’re fucking him.”

Y/N’s cheeks turn red as she looks down and Ethan just awkwardly rubs the back of his head. That’s when Layla finally notice his presence.

“Who’s your new friend?”

“This is Ethan, the one I told you about. Ethan, this is Layla.”

“Oh the guy who saved you the other night!” Layla exclaims but Y/N gives her a look as a warning not to go too far with her jokes.

“Sweet Ethan, would you like to come to my party?” Layla bends over the table and rests her elbows on it, her chin on her knuckles, blinking her eyes teasingly at the confused guy. “Maybe Y/N would come if you do.”

Y/N opens her mouth to speak but Layla shuts her up right away. “You told me you didn’t want to be lonely there, so I got you someone, now you have to go.”

“You’re being manipulative, Layla.”

“Thanks.” Layla smirks before turning her attention back to the new boy. “I’ll leave you to think about it, but I’m counting on ya to convince her.”

“Layla—” Y/N sighs but her girl friend ignores that and just walks away from the desk without looking back. After Layla’s out of the library, Y/N turns back to Ethan and gives him an apologetic smile.

“Sorry about that, she can be a bit...overwhelming sometimes.”

“It’s okay.” Ethan chuckles. “If you want to go, I can go with you.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Why not?”

“I—” Y/N leaves her mouth open for two seconds as she tries to think of a better reason to avoid another social event. “I don’t think I’ll fit in. I...I tend to get anxious when I’m surrounded by many people I don’t know.”

“What about Layla?” Ethan raises an eyebrow at the girl whose eyes are on the text book in front of her. “Because she was practically begging for you to show up.”

“Layla—Well...I don’t know...I think she’s only hanging out with me because I help her with something, maybe she doesn’t actually like me.”

“So you’re afraid she’s only using you?”

“No...Uhm...Maybe? I honestly don’t know who to trust anymore, you won’t get it.”

Ethan lets out a slight laugh, then closes the novel in his hand and taps on the cover to get her attention.

“This is you,” he says, making her smile in confusion.

“A book?”

“A closed book!” Ethan raises a finger as he corrects her and Y/N immediately asks what he actually means by saying so.

“You want people to know your story but you refuse to let them read you, because what if they don’t like you, right? What if they wrinkle the pages and tear the covers? So you stay on the shelf instead, watching other books get borrowed and become best sellers while wishing you were them.”

Y/N just stares at him with widened eyes. She’s not saying anything, not because she thinks he’s talking nonsense, but because the comparison is so spot on that it shocks her more than just a bit.

Ethan presses his lips to form a gentle smile as he continues, “Y/N, you want to make new friends, hang out with people like Layla, at the same time you hold yourself back because you think you’re too boring for anyone to like, which is wrong by the way. You’ve got to believe in yourself, love. How do you know you’re gonna fail if you don’t try?”

For that one second, Y/N swears she sees Harry in Ethan.

“Y/N,” he calls her name and she blinks a couple of times to snap back to reality.

“Yes Ha—uh Ethan?”

“I’ll go with you if you change your mind.” Ethan smiles at her, and she smiles back, before turning her eyes to the book under his palm.

...

It’s 10PM and Harry’s still at the office, trying to finish proofreading these contracts and planning the executive’s meeting schedules for tomorrow. He’s not sure if it’s anything he said to Hana the last time he was at her door but she’s been a bit harsh on him ever since. She gave him extra tasks and didn’t try to talk to him like she normally would. It’s hard to admit but Harry kind of misses her constantly annoying him.

Ding. The notification on Harry’s phone gets his attention immediately. His girlfriend just sent him a new photo so he doesn’t hesitate to open the text. Harry almost chokes on air when he sees the photo of Y/N wearing a tight spaghetti-strap dress, which is so unlike her, and he doesn’t mean that in a bad way because she’s looking smoking hot. The message that goes with the photo is: Gonna be wearing this to Layla’s birthday :) x

Harry drops everything he’s doing to pick up the phone with both hands and types down a reply immediately:

Is that a new dress???

No it’s Layla’s, she wanted me to wear it to her party. What do you think?

You look so sexy baby but I demand a photo with the dress off!

I’m on the bus!

I don’t mind getting you off in public ;)

I hate you!

But I love you and I miss you and I’m horny and I need to touch you aaaaaah! I would fuck you while you’re in that dress, then again when you’re out of it.

A smirk displays on Harry’s face as he rubs his bottom lip with his forefinger, thinking about how red her face must be as she’s typing down a reply then deleting it because she’s embarrassed. She always gets so flushed and shy when he says stuff like that and that’s what turns him on.

It takes a moment, but finally, her text arrives:

I wish you were here.

Just by reading that one simple sentence, Harry almost wants to book a plane ticket and fly home with her instantly. He knew what he signed up for when he accepted the internship offer, he just didn’t think a long distance relationship would be this hard.

Harry came to this foreign country on his own, not knowing anyone nor the language, then got an annoying neighbor who’s also his superior and probably hates him now. His first week in Japan has been wild. Nevertheless, none of those problems come close to the fact that she’s not here. The person he used to be would always manage to have fun no matter where he was or who he was with. The person he is now just can’t stop thinking about this one girl who’s got his whole heart in the palm of her hand.

I’m getting off the bus now, text you later?

Have a great day baby :) I love you

I love you more :)

Harry reads her last text then tosses his head back and blows air through his mouth in frustration. Fuck. Now he hates everything, well, everything except for her.

It’s getting late so Harry packs up to leave, the thought of Y/N has never left his mind. He turns the lights off then walks out of the office, assuming he’s the only one here, but apparently not. The lights in the meeting room are still on.

He stops at the door to find Hana sitting alone by the desk, crying. She looks at him with her eyes all smudged then hastily wipes her tears away.

“What happened? Are you alright?” Harry asks in concern as he enters the room then stands in front of Hana on the other side of the desk.

“I’m fine. Don’t mind me,” replies the older girl while she’s staring at her lap. It seems like she expects him to walk away right after she told him so, which is why Hana is surprised to see him still standing there.

“You know...” he begins. The corners of his mouth turn up when she finally holds his eye-contact. “I think it’s not too late for that city tour.”

...

Y/N arrives at Layla’s birthday party, with Ethan as her companion. At first she was having doubts about the dress. She thought it was too much and would get people to pay attention to her, which was the opposite of what she wanted. Even so she couldn’t wear something else because she had given Layla her word.

“Don’t worry, you look great,” Ethan whispers into her ear when they spot Layla and her group drinking by the pool. The birthday girl is more than excited to see Y/N.

“You're here!” To Y/N’s surprise, Layla runs towards her and violently attacks her with a tight hug.

“Layla, you’re drunk already!”

“A bit, yeah. I need alcohol to do this.” She nods quickly then turns to Ethan. “I can’t thank you enough for dragging her ass to my party!”

“You’re welcome,” he replies with a small smile then tells the girls he’ll go get drinks for Y/N and himself.

“Bye sweetie!” Layla drunkenly waves at Ethan as he walks away, then quickly turns back to Y/N, holding both of her arms, looking utterly frantic.

“I saw Niall but I can’t do it!”

“Yes, you can!” Y/N holds Layla’s face between her palms then looks straight into her green eyes. “You’re going to get your shit together, go find him, then tell him how you feel, just like we’ve discussed!”

“Okay, what if he says no?”

“How do you know you’re gonna fail if you don’t try?” Y/N repeats the same words Ethan said the other day. Layla quickly nods her head then pulls Y/N into another hug, this one lasts longer than the previous one.

“Thank you,” she mumbles before pulling away, holding Y/N’s shoulders firmly. “I’ll be right back, hopefully with good news!”

“Yes! You go girl!” Y/N flashes her a smile then watches the birthday girl flee away.

...

Everything has been going well for Y/N. She’s been laughing and dancing and chatting with Ethan and the others, and for the first time since Harry left she’s actually having a good time. She’s proud of herself, and she’s happy, but it’s been an hour already and Layla hasn’t come back with her good news. Y/N tries to not think too much about it, until she runs into Niall...and his date.

“Hey, Niall!” Y/N smiles at him but her eyebrows are furrowed as she’s confused by the other girl’s presence.

“Oh hey Y/N!” Niall replies cheerfully then grabs the brunette behind him by the hand, slightly pulling her to the front. “This is Harry’s girlfriend Y/N. Y/N, this is my girlfriend—”

Niall tells Y/N the girl’s name but Y/N can’t make out anything else after that word. Her eyes almost pop out of her head when she repeats it one more time in tone of a question.

“Girlfriend?!”

“Yeah, we just made it official yesterday.”

“Oh God...”

“What is it?”

“No nothing.” YN shakes her head in response to a puzzled Niall then asks him, “does Layla know?”

“Yeah, we ran into Layla, Liam, and Louis a moment ago.”

Y/N groans into the palms of her hands then turns to Ethan, telling him to give her a minute before excusing herself to leave quickly. As she pushes her way through the crowd, Y/N hears Niall calling after her asking what’s going on but she ignores him completely and steals two bottles of wine on her way.

If I was a birthday girl with a broken heart, where would I go? Y/N asks herself, though she’s already got the answer. That’s how she ends up here, in the toilets and finds Layla sobbing in one of the stalls.

“Layla?” Y/N slightly knocks on the door and receives a soft hum as a reply. “Hey, it’s Y/N, let me—”

The door swings open and Layla walks out before Y/N can even finish that sentence.

“Are you okay?” Y/N’s question comes out almost as a whisper. This is the first time she’s ever seen Layla cry.

“I haven’t told him. He brought her here, they’re dating,” the poor girl breaks the news to Y/N, whose face scrunches up immediately. She can relate to how Layla’s feeling right now in a way, because before her Harry’s been with plenty of other girls. However she guesses this is different, Harry was just fooling around with those girls whereas Niall’s actually in a relationship now.

Y/N sighs then raises the two wine bottles in the air, making Layla turn away from the mirror to look at her with a broken smile. “I don’t normally drink but if you want to get wasted, let’s do it.”

“Harry’s taught you well,” Layla jokes as she accepts one bottle from the girl without hesitation. She’s never said no to alcohol, and right now, she thinks she needs it more than ever.

...

The night ends with Layla dragging Y/N’s body from the lift, all the way to the flat she shares with Harry then to her bed.

“Be carefully!” Layla shouts, but it’s already too late.

Y/N knocks over the lamp on her nightstand as both of them fall down onto her bed. Layla groans in pain while Y/N is just laughing hysterically for no reason. Layla leaves Y/N lying on her back and sits up on the edge, staring down at her tipsy friend.

“Next time don’t drink more than you can, you idiot,” Layla speaks under her breath but she can’t hide the smile on her face.

The silence in the room is torn down by Y/N’s ringtone. While Y/N’s groaning and giggling like a madwoman, Layla reaches for the phone and finds the screen light up with Harry’s name on it.

“Your boyfriend’s calling.”

“My boyfriend?!”

Y/N immediately gets up on her knees on the bed and yanks the phone away from Layla’s hand to answer it herself. Just before she can say hello, Harry’s already the first to speak.

“Y/N, are you home yet? I tried to call you but you had your phone turned off!”

“Baby! Baby! I just drank a lot of wine! A whole lot! Now I’m feeling great!!!” she happily tells him, sitting down with her legs crossed and her free hand holding one foot.

“Jesus you sound hella drunk. Are you home yet?”

“Yessssssss! Ethan drove me home!”

“Who’s Ethan?”

Layla almost chokes on air and she immediately grabs the phone away from Y/N before the drunk girl says something stupid that’d make Harry explode.

“It’s fine, I came home with her,” she assures Harry, receiving a pout from Y/N whose conversation with her boyfriend was rudely interrupted.

“Layla? You two are at our flat right?”

“Yes, we’re safe, calm your tits Styles.” Layla giggles, yet Harry doesn’t sound like he’s more at ease.

“Who the fuck is Ethan?”

“Oh he’s just Y/N’s new friend.”

“Why hasn’t anyone told me about this new friend?”

“Give me back my Harry!” Y/N attempts to take the phone, so Layla pushes her back down on the bed and stands up to continue the conversation.

“Don’t worry, he’s just a friend. He actually saved your girl a few nights ago.”

“Again, what the fuck?!”

“She was walking home alone and some guy followed her but Ethan showed up just in time. He took her home.” Layla grins. The truth is she finds jealous Harry quite entertaining. If Y/N wasn’t drunk she would’ve stopped her from doing this. However, since Y/N is drunk, Layla cannot pass this opportunity.

“Okay, so my girlfriend was in danger and nobody wanted to tell me?”

“If we’d told you, you would’ve bought a fucking plane ticket and showed up here the next morning. Relax, he’s a nice guy.” Layla almost mentions him flirting with Y/N but then she thinks again and decides not to. Harry would probably fly all the way back just to murder that poor guy.

“I trust Y/N but I don’t trust him. Do you know how easy it is for people to like Y/N once they’ve got to know her?”

“I’m starting to,” says Layla as she gives Y/N a smile and receives one back in return though Y/N has no idea what’s going on.

“Did you get my happy birthday text though?”

“Yes, it’s nice. Thank you.”

There’s a long pause on Harry’s side before he asks Layla another question, “Is there anything you want to tell me?”

“Like, why I’m being nice to Y/N?”

“No. I mean...sure, I want to know the reason for that, but I feel like what you actually want to tell me has nothing to do with Y/N.”

“Nope. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Layla sticks out her bottom lip and shrugs as she denies to tell the truth. However, for a second there, she did consider.

“I hope you’re okay.”

Layla stays quiet. She doesn’t want to ask what he means by saying that, at the same time, Harry doesn’t push her to give him a confirmation.

“Could you put me back on the phone with Y/N?” he asks, and Layla does as she’s told, telling Y/N she’ll be right back then leaves the room.

“Baby, ya there?”

“I’m here!”

Harry sighs happily when he hears his girlfriend’s voice again.

“Harry come home, I miss you.”

“If I could right now, you know I would. How are you love?”

“Uhm...a bit dizzy...I threw up on the way back. Ethan and Layla helped me from falling down the stairs!”

Ugh fucking Ethan, Harry thinks to himself, but he keeps his calm while speaking to her.

“Baby, does Ethan know about me?”

“Yes, he was flirting with me and—”

“He was what now?”

“Don’t you worry, I told him I’d got a boyfriend!” Y/N giggles and Harry feels a bit relieved.

“I didn’t tell him you weren’t in London though, he figured it out by himself! He said if I had a boyfriend and still had to walk home alone, my boyfriend were either and asshole or not living near me, and he didn’t think I would’ve dated an asshole so he assumed it was the later!”

Harry sighs, clearly not okay with the thought of another guy looking after his girlfriend because he could not. Moreover, he’s angry, not at Y/N, not at Ethan (well maybe yes at Ethan, for flirting with his girl), but (mostly) at himself for not being there for her.

“Y/N, are you still there?”

“I’m hereeee!”

“Baby, next time you can’t walk home alone at night, okay? It’s not safe. If you have to, just call Niall or any of my friends to come with you.” Definitely not Ethan for sure. “Just don’t put yourself in danger, I’ll be very worried.”

“Yes sir!”

“Good girl, now I’m going to hang up so you can sleep, yeah?”

“Okaaaaaay...do you love me though?”

“I do,” he answers without pause. “More than anything.”

“I love you this much!” She swings her arms open wide to illustrate the amount of love she has for him. He can imagine her doing so from the other side of the world, and it makes him truly happy.

“I can’t see you but I guess it means you love me a lot?”

“I do love you a lot.” Y/N lays her head down on the pillow, shutting her eyes but the beam stays on her face when her thumb starts rubbing his promise ring. Even though she’s not in her clear mind, she’s still sane when it comes to him.

“Let’s get married someday,” she suggests out of the blue. It doesn’t matter to him if she really means it or it’s just the alcohol talking, just hearing her say that sends him over the fucking moon.

“Of course love, whenever you’d like,” he speaks in a heavy whispery tone which calms her and sends her closer to sleep. “Good night, angel.”

“Good night, baby,” she mumbles before ending the call.

When Layla returns with a glass of water and some clothes for Y/N to change, she finds her friend already asleep in bed, the phone’s still in her hand.

Meanwhile, in Tokyo, Harry opens his text messages and sends a quick one to his best friend Niall after ending the call with Y/N.

Layla’s safe. She’s with Y/N.

It doesn’t take longer than one second for Niall to reply: Thanks mate x.

Harry sighs after reading that, then tosses his phone aside on the sofa.

His girl is safe and sound now, but he's burning with anxiety, and it’d be a lie to say this has nothing to do with this new friend of hers named Ethan. Harry's aware that he’s jealous too often but he always has a good reason for it. His guts feelings are never wrong because he knows Y/N’s effects on people. It’s hard to not fall for someone like her if one gets to know her enough. Now it troubles him more knowing they stay friends after Ethan tried flirting with Y/N.

From Harry’s experience, if he approached a hot girl and she told him she was taken he would stay as far away as possible. You can’t just stop being physically attracted to someone just right after you find out they’re not single. One way or another, sooner or later, Ethan is going to make a move. What Harry’s afraid of isn’t Y/N cheating on him, but her leaving him to be with someone she believes can treat her better. These thoughts (or the lack of sleep) make his head hurt.

“Harry?”

Harry turns his head to his bedroom door and sees Hana standing there in his t-shirt which is too big for her delicate frame so it looks like a dress.

“Sleep well?” he asks, yet she ignores his concern.

“Did we—”

“No!” Harry shakes his head quickly. “You showed me around the city then we went to this pub and you got super drunk so I took you back. We couldn’t find your key that’s why I let you stay here.”

“Did you change my clothes?”

“No. I gave you my shirt and then left so you could do it yourself, don’t worry.”

“Okay…” Hana sighs while putting one hand on the top of her head. “And did I overshare anything when I was drunk?”

“Nope, or you did spill all of your secrets but since you were shouting at me in Japanese, I didn’t understand.”

What he said makes Hana giggle and he ends up laughing as well.

“But do you want to talk about why you were crying?”

“No,” Hana answers quickly then turns away to leave. Harry doesn’t try to stop her and beg for the truth because he respects her not wanting to share it with him. However, something makes the girl come back to the door.

“Oh Harry?”

“Hmm?”

“Thank you for not leaving me alone last night.”

“Oh…” His mouth forms a circle and he’s frozen for a second or two when she sends him a soft smile. “Okay…No problem.”

...

Y/N wakes up the next morning with a terrible headache. Her memory after finishing half a bottle last night is now very blurry. However, she still remembers getting into Ethan’s car with Layla then Layla helping her into bed and part of her phone call with Harry. If her brain isn’t wrong she might have told him about Ethan, she thinks. It’s just she cannot remember his reaction.

It takes Y/N a couple seconds later to realize she’s not alone in bed. Layla’s still asleep next to her. Just like Y/N, the poor girl is still in her party dress from last night, apparently too exhausted to even get changed before dozing off.

Y/N grabs her phone to check the time and happens to see a new message from Harry.

Good morning love! Call me when you wake up! Drink lots of water and don’t skip breakfast! I love you :)

She smiles and hurriedly types down a reply.

Got it :) Love you, hope you’ve had a great day! Can’t wait to tell you about my crazy night with Layla!

She means to put her phone away after pressing ‘send’, but then comes another text, it’s just not from Harry. This time it’s Ethan’s.

Good morning! Does it feel nice to finally get off the shelf? ;)

The message makes Y/N snort. She turns to look at Layla, who’s mumbling in her sleep something that makes no sense at all. Well, Y/N thinks while grinning to herself. Maybe someone does like her story after all.

#flatmate!harry #boyfriend!harry #bestfriend!harry #harry styles series #harry styles writing #harry styles blurb #harry styles fluff #harry styles angst #harry styles fanfic #harry styles fanfics #harry styles fanfiction #harry styles imagine

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dondake · 5 years

Text

[dohifu] love at nth sight

rating: t summary: The power of suggestion compels you! Or at least, it compels Hifumi to reconsider Doppo. Ao3 Link

[=]

It was one of those nights where the champagne was flowing and a new woman cycled in like clockwork to replace one who finished her session - in other words, it was a busy night such that the manager did not mind if Doppo sat in Hifumi’s corner and drank sullenly. Most of his regulars were familiar with Doppo, who dropped by now and then when he wasn’t saddled with overtime, if not by sight but by reputation. The ever professional Hifumi would never speak at length about someone besides his dearest, sweetest customers, but most everyone had heard of his Roommate whom he’d mention at least once a night. His faithful regulars saw too that whenever Doppo was there, peering bleakly into his beer and offering weary responses to any question directed to him, Hifumi tended to perk up, smiled a little wider and gestured a little more enthusiastically. While the club’s manager making the rounds seldom made Hifumi change his behavior, he was noticeably chipper with his childhood friend around. It was speculated that this was why the manager tolerated Doppo’s presence in spite of his gloomy disposition. “Darlings!” Hifumi cried, clasping his hands together. He was addressing his rapt audience of three women and Doppo, staring on his third beer. “I hope you all are having fun! I am...and it would be a shame if you couldn’t share this happiness with me…!”

His antics made the women squeal, the loudest waving her wallet in the air to summon a waiter for more bubbly. Hifumi made a vapid toast after which they all tapped their flute glasses. Doppo was getting tipsy; Hifumi could tell because his shoulders were starting to slack, the tension leaving his naturally strung-up posture. His face was turning slightly pink. It did Hifumi’s heart good to see that his best friend was finally able to relax somewhat after a long day at work. He sat on the arm of the chair Doppo had taken ownership of, tapping Doppo’s knee affectionately to show that he was happy. Doppo responded in kind, sliding his hand up the small of Hifumi’s back and rubbing gently, soothingly. Hifumi was technically not allowed to chat with non-paying customers (Doppo’s beers were mysteriously scrubbed from the ledger, but Hifumi was one of the highest earning hosts so eyes could be turned away), but this was their way of communicating without Hifumi looking away from his girls.

It was because he was looking at them that he noticed the girls sitting closest to Doppo eyeing the way they were touching. He smiled at them, his most charming one, and the closest girl simpered and looked away; but her friend, bolder, matched his grin. “You guys are so close,” she gushed. “Honestly, it’s an inspiration! I can only hope to have friends for life.”

“Yeah, well! It’s hard to not be close when you’ve watched someone through thick and thin! Me, I’ve seen Doppo-chin through so much...like when he ran his first errand for his dad and when his voice changed and when he had his first wet dream and came to me all worried that something was wrong with him…!” Doppo groaned, the perfect straight man to Hifumi’s antics, and the women giggled at his expense. “But it’s okay! Because it’s hard being so handsome....he’s really good at washing my hair!”

Doppo groaned again. “You’re going to run my hands raw with two conditioners on top of your fancy shampoo...I don’t get paid enough for this...I ought to take care of my hands, my manager won’t take it as an excuse if I bleed all over my keyboard…” Still, his fingers rubbed over Hifumi’s spine, through his suit jacket, as if to ground him as he spiralled.

“If only I could find a man so dedicated to me!” one of the girls exclaimed. Before Hifumi could offer himself, she gushed on. “Hifumi-chan! What would you do if Doppo-kun liked you? Like...in that way!”

Doppo’s fingers skidded to a stop, pressed against Hifumi’s back. Likewise, Hifumi was struck dumb for a moment, though he figured it wasn’t a serious point of discussion by the way the girls laughed again, pushing each other by the sheer cheek of the suggestion. Doppo was his most cherished friend since they were both young. Certainly, their friendship waxed and waned over the years, not the lovely, stalwart example of loyalty and good will as the girls insisted, but Doppo - in love with him? The thought was absurd. “Oh! That would never happen...don’t you know how cliche that is? Childhood friends? This isn’t your afternoon soap, or a popular anime!”

“But isn’t that the reason why it would be such a good relationship? Since you two know each other’s faults and bad habits but you’ve gotten past it and stick with each other?” The girls began chatting amongst themselves on which permutation of themselves would be the ideal coupling, but the one closest to them turned to Doppo. “What do you think, Doppo-kun?”

“What do I think about what?”

“Hifumi-chan, obviously!”

Hifumi glanced over, also curious of the answer. Doppo had withdrawn his hand and was now wringing his hands, uncomfortable at being the subject of attention. He settled on rubbing his temples, frowning slightly. “Well...even in such a scenario, I don’t have time to date, much less take care of my own health. No one will want a man who gets stress migraines and sometimes has to be reminded to eat...no, I’m not a desirable bachelor at all. No one would even consider to ask me to be a candidate for their single daughters. Of course, this is completely expected, I’m just a lackluster employee.”

Hifumi laughed, suddenly resisting the urge to reach over and take Doppo’s hands away from his face before they rubbed a bruise. Normally, he’d talk Doppo down from the funk he was threatening to settle into, but somehow he felt too open, too observed. The girl pressed on. “Hypothetically, though...don’t you think Hifumi is a perfect man? Your soulmate?”

“Ooh, yes! Your soulmate!” The word in his mouth made Hifumi’s stomach flip. What a concept! Doppo, his spiritual other half? He had to shove him out of bed some mornings and put up with doing some things by himself on the weekends when Jakurai wasn’t available because Doppo was asleep. He had to take the phone sometimes when Doppo had dissolved into regular apologizing even to his parents because he hadn’t had time to visit. Doppo was hardly the prince in shining armor that Hifumi considered a soulmate to be, something grand and elevated. “Don’t you think I’m soulmate-worthy?”

“Of course you are,” Doppo said, in the same tone of voice a parent might use with their child upon asking if their dreams were possible. “I have no doubt you’ll make someone very happy.”

“That someone could be you,” Hifumi purred, transitioning smoothly back to host as he turned and clasped the woman’s hands. Properly distracted, she forgot about Doppo and accepted Hifumi’s offer for another drink. After four more long hours, the host club closed. Doppo had since gone home to turn in early and after a closing meeting to go over logistics, Hifumi headed home too.

Waiting for him, though cold, was a fast meal that Doppo had prepared before he went to bed. There was no note, no cutesy catchphrase that Hifumi liked to put into Doppo’s packed lunches; it was a simple affair, ready to be reheated. The apartment was deathly quiet, and Hifumi tiptoed around although he knew Doppo could be the heaviest sleeper. Doppo’s bedroom door was closed and there was no sliver of light underneath the door. Hifumi ate his food, exfoliated, and settled into his own bed. It was normal for roommates to look out for each other like that. Doppo cooking for him, on the rare occasions where Hifumi did not make meals for them both, was completely normal. It didn’t mean anything like Doppo was harboring intense romantic feelings for him. In fact, just because he packed Doppo’s lunches and mended his shirts and cleaned the house was nothing special either - his schedule just allowed for it. It would be flattering, obviously, to be liked, but that just wasn’t what it was. Wasn’t it?

Well - no matter. The customers at the club could say strange things sometimes. Hifumi never let it get to him, and this time would be no different.

A few days later, when Doppo stumbled through the door grumbling under his breath and following the sound of running bath water that Hifumi had set up for him, dropping his shoes and socks and coat and briefcase and disappearing into the bathroom, Hifumi put his shoes away, hung up his coat, and fished out his lunchbox to wash for the next day. The box was heavy in his hands, and when Hifumi opened it, the food he had packed the night before was still there. Doppo came out of the bathroom, hair damp and looking only mildly refreshed, to find Hifumi pouting at him over the kitchen table, arms crossed sullenly. “Care to explain?”

Doppo looked down at the still full bento. “Oh.”

“Just because you’re busy doesn’t mean that you can skip lunch. I thought we moved past this! If you’re hitting a busy patch, just tell me; I can make something easier to eat, like onigiri or sandwiches. When you don’t eat, it doesn’t hurt just you, but me, for having put the effort to make things I know you’ll like and will give you the energy to go through the day, and--”

Doppo held a hand up, bringing Hifumi’s monologue to a screeching stop. “No, I did eat today. I was just put on this big contract...working with the procurement department at a hospital that’s going to open on the other side of the district in a few months. They’re a completely new client so we’ve got to win them over...so I went out to lunch with them. Sorry. I should have told you. Even if my manager hadn’t dropped this on me out of the blue, I should have known...should have put one and one together about this new site...sorry, Hifumi. I wouldn’t just leave your food for no reason. I like your cooking.”

Hifumi opened his mouth and found that he suddenly had nothing to say. His face started to prickle and he could feel it turning red, like when a woman walked in before he had put his suit jacket on - but instead of terror, it was a similar feeling of having his feet swept out from underneath him. Doppo had complimented his cooking before; he had never reacted in such a physical way in the past. But before, maybe he hadn’t considered why Doppo would reiterate the sentiment; the Doctor had praised his boxed lunches on their fishing trips before, but he had really only mentioned it once and Hifumi knew his subsequent lunches were equally good. “You like it?” Hifumi found himself saying, his voice pitched unnaturally high. He had to say something - Doppo, who had been expecting more of a lecture, was starting to frown.

“Yeah...like you said, you know what I like and you can make the things I don’t like to eat tolerable. I’d probably be seeing Doc more often if you didn’t keep me on my diet.” If Doppo was concerned about Hifumi squirming and whimpering, he didn’t show it. “Sorry. Really. I didn’t know it was going to make you so upset.”

“That’s not what I’m upset about!” He wasn’t upset to begin with - but he wasn’t sure what he was, at the moment. He decided to change the subject. “Er...but handling a contract? I thought your manager kept saying that you...that he didn’t think...that he didn’t want you handling clients directly.”

Doppo sighed, hanging his head. “That’s what I thought too. But I guess everyone else is also juggling a ton of projects and I was what was left. I mean, serves me right. Bottom of the barrel, last one picked...I need to do my best so the client doesn’t realize this...that they were assigned the runt of the litter, the leftovers, the hand-me-downs…” Right then, Hifumi was there, patting Doppo’s wet hair and rubbing circles between his shoulders. Doppo was still grumbling, but he was now doing it leaning into the crook between Hifumi’s shoulder and neck and going slack. It was not the first time Hifumi felt Doppo’s body heat against him, but it sent another thrill up his spine. Doppo was something of a misanthrope, convinced that he contributed the bare minimum to society, so for him to be so accepting of Hifumi’s affection - surely he liked it? Perhaps even enjoyed it? Hifumi didn’t have many points of reference, so he wasn’t sure if this sort of dynamic was ordinary for old friends.

“Well...for now, let’s just eat dinner so you can go to sleep with a full stomach. Should we warm up your lunch? And then eat some of the side dishes I made along with it.”

Doppo gave a wane smile. “I’d like that,” he said, honestly, without a hint of deprecation. Hifumi stumbled over a chair to get to the microwave before Doppo could see how he was going all fluffy again.

But it was not the last time he suddenly got self conscious of his best friend, though it was so subtle each time that it hadn’t really hit him until he realized he’d gone from worrying about Doppo eating and taking a break to remember to work to live, not live to work - to fretting about whether Doppo had taken offense to an off-handed remark he’d said or whether his aftershave had always smelled so good. Doppo threatened not infrequently to find his own place and to stop being on speed dial whenever Hifumi was being particularly enthusiastic, but lately it troubled Hifumi to hear it. He knew Doppo would never make good on that promise, but the thought of living in the apartment alone without Doppo’s things and the smell of generic drugstore brand soap or the dish set that Doppo had bought in secret as a housewarming gift...well, it made his stomach tied up in knots. Hifumi decided to take a brisk walk to try and clear his mind.

But no matter what he tried to think about to take his mind off the recurring loop of Doppo, Doppo, Doppo, Hifumi was forced to consider that he ought to admit he had a problem. He didn’t think of himself as a simple, impressionable boy, and he was an adult for that matter so not malleable like he was in middle school. Still, the idea that his customer from weeks ago - he’d already lost count, he couldn’t even say a date if pressed - had fully taken root. It would be disingenuous to say he had never considered it; they’d certainly been together for so long it would be expected to be sick of each other. But the passing thoughts of Doppo’s rare smile being charming or the comfortable weight of their hands together whenever one of them was going through a mood were just that: passing thoughts. He’d never given them weight or power. There was just no need to. It was true, that saying that one who fancied you would make it known, and Doppo had never shown any intent of overture. Though, suppose that woman had been right, and he had just not interpreted the signs right, and he had willfully placed Doppo as a friend when he’d wanted to be something else--

“Hey! Don’t short circuit your tiny brain thinking too hard!” It was Ramuda. Hifumi could recognize that bright, bubblegum pink hair anywhere. He was approaching now, quickly, before Hifumi could react. There was a curious grin on his face.

“What are you doing in Shinjuku?” Hifumi asked.

“It’s none of your business what I get up to, is it?” Hifumi could almost hear the hearts and sparkles dripping from Ramuda’s inflections. Matenrou was not a group with the leisure time to enforce turf boundaries, but it was still unusual for a member of another division to be just around. “What are you thinking oh-so-hard about?” Ramuda pouted, as if he sympathized. “Your head was in the clouds! I didn’t even think you would hear me call out to you!”

“My head was not,” Hifumi protested.

“Mmm, well, no one could be surprised if it was. Not like there’s anything in there heavy enough to keep it on the ground!” Ramuda gave a zero calorie smile.

He was getting nowhere with Ramuda. Though childish, Hifumi took out his phone to tell on him. “Well, if you’re really up to nothing, it wouldn’t be a problem to tell Doc that you’re here, huh?”

“Ooh! You’re threatening me? Okay, go ahead. Call him!” Ramuda really was bad news. For Ramuda to go out of his way to visit meant that there was trouble brewing. Hifumi reached his other hand for his mic, but before he could even begin to prepare for a fight, his phone chirped. It was Doppo.

[Won’t be home for dinner, eating out with the client after work. Sorry. Will make it up to you with your favorite cherry tart from that one cafe.]

“Ughh, what’s wrong with you! You have such a gross look on your face.” For a second, Hifumi had completely forgotten Ramuda was there. Before he could stop him, Ramuda had sidled up to him and was reading the message on his phone. “Wha-a-t! Ew! There’s really got to be something wrong with you to fall for that gloomy, old guy!”

“Doppo’s not old! Or...well, his gloominess is because he cares too much sometimes!”

Ramuda looked at him like a piece of discarded gum on the bottom of his boot. “So you are in love with him. Here I was wondering what kind of interesting people Jakurai had decided to surround himself with now. So this is it. That makes me feel like chopped liver. Like, give me back my time when he was obsessed with me, am I right!”

“Love?” Hifumi sputtered. “I’m not...in love with Doppo-chin!”

“Uh-huh,” Ramuda said, sounding unconvinced. “But just a message from him made you look like one of the pretty big sisters who would do anything for me. Hmm. Sure. Well, I don’t care when you decide to figure that out, but if you’re going to be no fun, then I’ll just leave! I was just wondering what kind of pretty ladies were out here...but if they’re charmed by you I might as well go home!” Contrary to his declaration, Ramuda did not turn heel and return to where he came. Jakurai would surely scold him for letting a high profile public enemy off the hook, but there was nothing he could do against Ramuda once the hellion had decided on something. He tried again to draw Ramuda’s attention, to do battle -

“I’m not in love with him. He’s my best friend.”

Ramuda spared him a single, disbelieving look over his shoulder. “Okay then! Enjoy that cherry tart, cherry boy!”

He would, he decided, just to spite Ramuda. When Doppo finally came home, eyes half closed, Hifumi greeted him with a beaming smile, a thousand watts, and took the tart from his hands. Leaning forward, he smelled the buttery scent of the pastry and a whiff of flowery perfume. He put tea on while Doppo changed and he ignored the way his insides felt icy cold. As Doppo sat down to a slice of tart, already dressed in his ratty bedtime sweater so he could go to sleep after the snack, Hifumi carefully studied his face and his neck for telltale signs that he hadn’t been working after all.

“This project is going to kill me,” Doppo groaned.

“Oh? Why?”

“The client org is just full of upbeat, chipper people...I can’t handle the pressure of their smiles. Especially Yamamoto...always saying, ‘We have time, please work at your own pace and give it your all, Doppo-kun!’. Doesn’t she know that only makes me feel less like I can work at my own pace?”

“Ooh~? She’s calling you by your first name already?”

Doppo grumbled in response, a wordless affirmation, and when Hifumi did not immediately begin chirping off more questions about his day, he opened his eyes bleakly. Hifumi still had that unbreakable smile on his face. “What?”

“What, what?” Hifumi singsonged back.

“Hifumi…” Doppo put his fork down, resting against the extra cream he didn’t eat. He had talked lately about eating less sugar, worrying that it was ruining his aging metabolism. “You’re upset.”

“Me? No way! I’m not upset.” To prove it, Hifumi started eating his slice with gusto.

Doppo was always in some state of frown, but it seemed to deepen a little as he watched Hifumi. “Well, if you don’t want to talk about it...do you want to sleep in my bed? That always makes you feel better.” It’s skinship, Hifumi had said years back when they started living together and Doppo had practically screamed in the middle of the night when his roommate slid under the covers with him. It’s how friends become closer! The offer was on the table, accommodating and unaffected.

“No, no, no, no. I can feel better in my bed too! I’m just tired.” Doppo shrugged, as if to say, suit yourself.

Unlike Doppo, Jakurai was less deterred by Hifumi’s insistences. “I insist,” he said, with Hifumi in tow after the blonde offered to help him run errands on a day off. “You say you are fine, but you’ve been awfully clumsy as of late. Sometimes you are so distracted, it takes me some time to catch your attention. Is it another stalker? Please, Hifumi, you know you can tell me your troubles.”

“It’s nothing! Seriously! What would make you think little ol’ Hifumin is troubled?”

“If you are having an argument with Doppo, I encourage you to reconcile. You two have been friends for too long to not settle your issues between yourselves. When we were planning out our material for our next battle, I noticed that you were holding back on sharing your thoughts on Doppo’s suggestions when you normally are freely offering feedback to try and have him - what do you usually say - lighten up.”

“Ah~! Doctor, I can’t believe you’re watching me so much! But don’t worry, there’s nothing wrong with us at all~!”

“Hifumi, you must know that you aren’t convincing anyone with that smile of yours...ah, speak of the devil. There’s Doppo himself.” Jakurai gestured across the street. Doppo was sitting outside having lunch with a pretty woman wearing an equally professional ensemble of a delicate blouse and black pencil skirt. Even on a sunny day, Doppo had the ability to look impossibly frazzled, elbow deep in paperwork. The woman laughed, reaching over to brush his arm with her hand. “I must say, it’s always amazing to watch him conduct business. You would never think, with the way he talks after work, that he has it together to...ah, Hifumi, if you walk so fast, I can’t keep up.”

About a block of Jakurai walking faster than he’d liked, Hifumi turned around with all the indignation of a man scorned. “I’m in love with him!” he declared, his eyes swimming. The words free, the dam broke and Hifumi began utterly bawling in the middle of the street.

“Ah, there, there.” Jakurai pulled him in, his formidable doctor’s coat assuring alarmed strangers on the sidewalk with them that all was taken care of. He patted Hifumi’s back soothingly as Hifumi hiccuped into his chest. “I see. Why don’t we head back to my office and you can explain further.”

Hifumi woke, with the vague horror in his chest that he’d had a minor breakdown in front of Jakurai. How embarrassing, a man his age making a fuss in public. His eyes felt puffy and he felt a strange sense of tranquil calm. Jakurai had listened to him blubber and had no doubt let him wear himself out on the couch next to his desk. Had he even made any sense? Hifumi blinked, making out Jakurai sitting at his desk working quietly before Doppo swam into view.

“He’s awake, Doctor.”

Jakurai turned. “Ah, good morning again, Hifumi. You’ve been sleeping for an hour. I called Doppo to come escort you home; you were in no state for me to feel comfortable letting you go alone and I am simply unable to leave my post here.”

“Mm fine,” Hifumi mumbled, sitting up quickly. Jakurai firmly believed in letting sleeping dogs lie, but he couldn’t help wondering if he’d told Doppo the reason for Hifumi’s sudden outburst. “You have work...I can go home by myself…”

“I already told my manager that my roommate was sick and I had to make sure he was doing okay first,” Doppo said. “Do you want me to go back to the office and say I was lying? He’d have me skinned first. Let’s just go home; don’t bother the Doctor any more today. He’s got a ton of work, probably...just like me…”

Carefully avoiding both Jakurai and Doppo’s eyes, Hifumi went to gather his jacket, which Jakurai had kindly hung up after he’d sobbed to high heaven. “No, just go back. I’ll go...I’ve got a few errands still and…”

Doppo grabbed his wrist. “Don’t be difficult. Do you know how worried I was when the Doctor called me? I thought you’d been caught without your jacket and...I’m sorry, Doctor, we’re making a fuss still. I’m sorry. I’ll bring him home, don’t worry.”

“No! I don’t want to go with you!” He knew he was whining; he could feel his bottom lip trembling. Doppo signed and pulled him along. They took the longer way to the apartment so Doppo could drop something work-related off in the mailbox, and when they stepped over the threshold, Hifumi had gathered quite a bit of emotional energy again.

“Let’s get you comfortable,” Doppo said, taking Hifumi’s jacket off for him. This was ironic, because it was usually Hifumi pampering Doppo after a long day of work. Speaking of work, Doppo would have to return to the office again after this extended break - that was, if Hifumi was lucky. Maybe Doppo would go out on another out-of-office meeting with Yamamoto.

“Don’t like anyone other than me,” he blurted.

Doppo only blinked at him in response, used to Hifumi’s sudden declarations to take them all in stride. “Well...that’s going to be tough, considering I like Doctor...I mean, it’s hard to be in a group together and hate each other, right?”

“No, I mean...I mean at work.”

“I don’t think you need to worry about that at all. If it’s between being stuck with you all day or being in the office all day, I think it’s pretty obvious which one I’d pick.”

“No! I mean! That woman!” Doppo startled at the way Hifumi was near tears again, but hesitated when Hifumi started thrashing around. “She’s totally into you, it’s so obvious. Well, I like you too! I bet I like you more!” Hifumi groaned and sank down in a despairing squat. “I love you, Doppo. I don’t want you to go off and marry that client woman.”

There was a long silence in the foyer. “I’m not going to date a client,” Doppo said finally. “That’s professional suicide. Or anyone in the office, for that matter. I don’t shit where I eat.” Hifumi groaned again into his hands. “Now come on. Don’t be difficult; let’s get you into the living room, if not your bed. Crying really wears you out.” Doppo sounded exhausted himself, as if speaking from experience.

He felt Doppo’s hand on his shoulder, lightly, and flung himself away. “What’s with you!” he cried. “Acting like nothing’s the matter...was that really so shocking and bad that you have to pretend I didn’t say anything?”

Doppo was squatting too, and now he was sighing, a note of frustration clearer than before. “Hifumi,” he said, curt like the way his voice cut during late nights when he had to take work home and fielded a call from a colleague, “I’m not going to treat you any different just because you have feelings for me. I’ve always treated you like I like you since way before.” When Hifumi gaped at him, wide-eyed, he scratched his chin. “...I’ve liked you since we moved in together. I don’t think I would have chosen to live with you if I didn’t more than tolerate you.”

Hifumi flung himself at him, and Doppo went slack, letting the momentum take them both to the floor. “You idiot!” But Hifumi was laughing now, weakly. “Why didn’t you say anything before? Leaving me to look like the fool.”

“Why would I burden you with how I felt? You obviously didn’t notice at all this whole time, and I’m not going to force you to respond to them. Do I really seem that inconsiderate to you?”

Hifumi gave him a long, sweet Hollywood kiss. It was just as good as all the sugary things he’d say to his own clients. Doppo kissed back, a hand loosely flung over the small of his back. “I have to go back to work,” Doppo said. He sounded disappointed, the minute difference in his voice practically unnoticeable to anyone who wasn’t Hifumi. “We’ll talk about this later, okay?”

Hifumi let Doppo roll him off. “That woman likes you,” he said doggedly. “Push her away, okay? Tell her that you’ve got me and you’re not interested at all.”

“She doesn’t really like me. She’s just flattering me to get the contract done her way.”

“Why wouldn’t she like you? I like you, so she could too.”

“Not everyone has bad taste like you do.” Hifumi let Doppo lead him into their living room and fetch him a cup of water. “Okay, I’ve really got to go. Call me if anything comes up. Don’t call me to talk about how much you love me. I’m not going to answer.” Doppo really knew him too well. “Hifumi...I’m happy. Really. I can almost go back to the office and feel like I can finish the day.” He hesitated, almost vibrating with the exertion of confessing, and scrambled out the door. Hifumi watched him, failing to resist his smile despite the crash of the door slamming shut behind Doppo.

Doppo and Jakurai told him to rest, but now he felt like doing anything but. He could make their shared favorite dishes for dinner, along with auspicious red rice. He knew Doppo had a dress shirt with a spot close to a tear he could mend, now with red thread against the white fabric to show that it was love. He could go out and buy them matching couples plates and mugs, to Doppo’s assured horror. He could call Jakurai and tell him that everything had been resolved and not to take it personally if they flirted during practice. Maybe he could post something on Instagram, knowing the other crews tended to keep tabs on each other, so Ramuda would know he was stupid and wrong. Suddenly it all felt so overwhelming that he settled back into the couch, the bumpy middle cushion slotting into his back. It didn’t matter what he did next. They had time. They had so much time.

#hifumi izanami #doppo kannonzaka #hypnosis mic #hypmic #dohifu #canadino fic

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funkymeihem-fiction · 5 years

Text

Special Delivery- Chapter 4

“Sooooo, can we? It’s all working out just how I planned! This is heaps good!”

“Absolutely not.”

“Darl, you’re killin’ me here! Just give it a chance!”

“I am not going to give it any sort of chance.”

“Fockin’ hell, woman! All you gotta do is sit there for a while, while I do all the hard stuff. You get some sort of sick delight in makin’ things more difficult than they gotta be?!”

Mei narrowed her eyes at him behind her glasses. “You are actually asking for my permission to keep me captive? And you expect me to give it to you?”

“Well when you put it like that, of course it’s gonna sound a bit off,” Rat grumbled, bony shoulders hunching as he folded his arms in his most petulant manner. “So let me put it in a much better way for you. You’ve got blokes what are still looking for you, the kind who want to kill me and Hog and take you to the Big Boss who wanted you in the first place. Now, neither of us want that to happen, do we? Of course we don’t! So why don’t you just sit tight here at Junkrat’s Bed and Breakfast for just a while longer, and once the air’s cleared a bit and there aren’t so many eyes trying to find you, we’ll sneak you out somewhere safer. We’ll get you to a city, and you show up as pretty as you are right now, and then you go on your merry whilst yours truly collects the reward! Easy peasy!”

“There is nothing easy or peasy about that!” Mei shot back, pointing to the chain still shackled to her leg. “And what were you talking about before? What other junkers? What’s a Big Boss?”

He scratched at his sparsely-haired head, and she tried not to wince when his locks actually crunched under his fingertips. They must have been so filthy with soot and dirty that they stood almost straight out. With a shrug, he leaned back on both arms and regarded her curiously. “You mean you really dunno? You can’t remember anything?”

She hugged herself again. “No. I remember being on a side street in Sydney and realizing someone was following me. I don’t know how many there were, because I turned around to face them, but there was another one, and then I must have blacked out. I think they drugged me? And then I wake up here with a chain around my leg and…I thought you…”

Junkrat sucked on a tooth, giving her a look that resembled pity, or at least the most pity that was to be had from a junker. “Well no wonder you’ve been nattering nonsense, then! Poor little pookie, had no idea what was going on. Lookit, sometimes the higher-ups in Junkertown get a taste for something fancy. So they’ll send out some boys to hit the cities for whatever they want. Sounds to me like the Big Boss decided he wanted himself a certain type of lady. And I know the bloke you were meant for, darl. Not someone who would’ve done you any good, none at all!”

“You mean they would have-”

“Uh huh.”

She averted her gaze, pulling her blanket tighter around herself. “How did you find me?”

“Let’s just call that a ‘happy accident’, yeah? I just happened to intercept the caravan what was carrying their special delivery. Didn’t know the delivery was you, of course. Was ransacking the lorries and found you tied up in the trunk. Completely in the nuddy, crammed in there like a wrapped up parcel. Might have seen a bit of red when I realized what was going on. So me and Hog took care of them all, right then and there. Like I said, killed them all to the last man.” His strange eyes swerved back to her expectantly, clearly wanting praise again.

Mei thinned her lips, unsure whether to be happy with that news or not. Generally she abhorred killing of any sort. But it was hard to get upset over the deaths of men who would do such heinous things. She just nodded meekly and let him talk. He seemed to like talking.

“Knew the Big Boss would be out scouring every corner of the Outback, looking for you and looking for the ones what killed his boys and took everything from him. Left him a false trail, and then Hog and I went roundabout and took you to my home sweet home. Tried to get you some pants, honest I did. But--” he gestured to his exceedingly scrawny waist, wrapping both hands around it so his fingers touched— “nothing doing, measurements wise. Work in progress, no worries. I’ll get you something comfy.”

“And you’re sure the chain was really necessary?”

“I should bloody well say so, since the first thing you did when you slipped it was to run off and near kill yourself. After all the trouble I went through? Too dangerous for you to go scampering about. Maybe if you behave, we can talk about your Casa de Junkrat privileges. But until then, you can only go on walkies when I’m with you. Can’t let the other junkers spy you out.”

She gave him a dirty look, but took a deep breath and remained calm. This new information changed things. “Listen, Junkrat. I believe you when you say you rescued me from those men. I’m thankful. I really am. But if you can just get me a communication signal, I can contact my, um…associates? If I can’t, you’re going to have a lot more complicated things to deal with than just other junkers.”

“Oi, that a threat? Really?”

“No! I’m not trying to threaten you. I’m just saying, I have friends who might get the wrong impression if they’re able to track me down and find me chained to a wall in whatever this place is. And I don’t want you to get hurt if things go bad.”

His eyes went gooey again, leaning towards her. “Ya do care!”

“I don’t want you or anyone to get hurt, is what I meant!” she clarified quickly, setting her jaw and scooting away. “This is all just a big misunderstanding. So, if you just let me call them, I can just have them pick me up.”

“Now now now, what about the money? They’re not the ones offering the reward for your return, are they?”

“Money? I’m not sure they can… I mean, I can ask them when I call--”

“AH HA!” He pointed at her suddenly with a screaming laugh, his filthy finger almost in her face and making her reel back so hard that she nearly fell over. “Trying to give ol’ Junkrat the slip, are we? Well I’m onto you. ‘Not sure’ if they got the money or not. And if they don’t, they’re gonna come here and rescue you and blow my cover. And then I’m left with no reward and a Big Boss and his Boys after my hide! Hard pass, darl. Hard pass.”

“Junkrat, you can’t just--”

“Nope! Sorry, love, but seeing as I’m the brains of our special little trio here, we’re going to do things my way. Don’t fret your beautiful little head, Mei. You’ll still be getting out, and I’ll still be getting a fat stack of credits for your safe return. I mean, that is, unless you decide you want to stay here.” He leaned towards her and clasped his hands together, metal digits clicking on his mechanical one. “We can skip the whole thing, if you want. If you wanna stay.”

There was that wounded and lovesick puppy expression on his face again, but she turned him away as primly as she had before. “Listen, Mr. Rat-”

“Heh! Hehehehe! Mr. Rat! I like that! You’re funny, Mei. I like ‘em funny. Junkrat’s just my esteemed moniker. Real name’s Jamison Fawkes, the Third, Esquire, Junior, and some other things I forgot. You like it?” He crammed himself closer to her again.

Savior or not, she was getting very close to physically shoving him about now. Trying to rein in her temper, Mei took a deep breath and held up a hand to keep him at bay. “Okay. Mr. Fawkes. If you would please stop interrupting me every other — ”

"Word? See! We’re finishing each other’s sentences already!”

“Mr. Fawk— ”

“You can call me Jamison! Or Jamie. Or Mr. Fawkes. Or Junkrat. Or Mr. Rat. Or you can make up any ol’ pet name for me that you like.”

“Mr.—”

“How about Pooky Bear?”

Mei just put her face in her hands and gave up, sighing through her fingers.

She couldn’t tell someone like him about Overwatch. Winston had offered her a place among them, but Overwatch as an entity had been made illegal and the world had changed so much in nine years that it felt like she was starting all over again. She’d taken it upon herself to head back out into a world that had left her behind, trying to catch up on everything she had missed. The environment summit in Sydney was supposed to be the start of her getting her career back on track. And like everything else in her life, it had gone completely off the rails.

At least one of theme seemed excited about this whole mess. Junkrat picked up her dirty meal tray, scraping a stray piece of egg away with his fingers and sucking them clean. It looked like he also sucked a healthy amount of dirt off the tips of them, and they came away slightly less gray than before. Mei wrinkled her nose at him, and he grinned back at her.

“Now I can understand that you got concerns, but it won’t be all bad. You can watch the telly whenever you like, I’ll get you some of Hog’s books, get you something proper to wear, and whatever else you want. Think of it as an impromptu vacation?” His long spine creaked as he leapt up off the ground, tossing the dirty tray into the dry basin of his makeshift sink. “Or a junker style sleepover! S’gonna get dark soon. You know, you’re lucky you’re not in with Roadhog. The sounds he makes when he snores, you’d think he was dyin’. You don’t snore, do you?”

“No. I don’t snore.” Mei glumly propped her chin atop her knees. She couldn’t be too terse with a man who, though annoying, seemed to have at least decent intentions towards her. She would still need to press the issue about getting a call out to her friends, but maybe one night would satisfy Junkrat’s savior complex and she could talk some sense into him later.

Maybe.

***

He’d talked her into it! The poor little not-doctor had just been confused this whole time, that was all. She’d been afraid that he was one of the blokes out to do her harm. But now she finally understood that he was the furthest thing from it, and a proper gent. Probably was still a bit shellshocked from it all, but he’d convinced her to see things his way for now. Still needed to keep an eye on her while she settled in, of course. She probably still thought she might get a signal out to someone, and unwittingly bring ruin upon them both. But he could talk some sense into her later.

Junkrat was sure of it.

What poor Mei needed now was to relax and de-stress. Frankly, he could use a de-stresser himself. It had been a hell of a day for them both. At least his balls had stopped aching, although his throat was going to be in a state for a while yet. But she’d just been scared and hadn’t meant it, so he could forgive her, of course.

He thought that maybe offering her a massage was the ticket, because nothing was more soothing than being all rubbed up on by someone who didn’t want to kill you. But for reasons he didn’t entirely understand, she still looked a little upset. At least she still wasn’t cringing away from him like before, but even though she was safe and she was fed and had a place to rest, she looked unhappy. Maybe it was just some sort of fancy lady problems that men like him would never understand. He would just have to try harder.

“Junkrat?” she said.

His heart had grown little wings which fluttered every time she said his name. Even when she called him ‘Mr. Rat’, which was still hilarious, he still loved any way she addressed him. Anything that fell out of those soft little pink lips could be nothing less than perfection.

Until she finished with “I’d like to be alone, please. Sorry.”

Scratch that. That was less than perfection, right there. He felt his heart sink, but quickly reminded himself that of course she was still all mixed up and scared. Fancy ladies were delicate things, after all, and she needed time to acclimate. Probably best to nix the massage and give her some space. So he brightened and nodded. “Of course, of course! Sure you got a lot on your mind, heh. Promise you, it’ll all look brighter in the morning. Gotta go talk shop with Hog anyway, but I’ll be back soon. Uh…You need anything?”

“No, thank you. I just…I just need to think. Sorry.”

Frowning, he rubbed awkwardly at one arm and suddenly wasn’t sure what to do with his hands. He eventually settled on shoving them into his torn pockets and nodding as he slouched on out the door. “Arright, arright. Guess it’s not much good for thinking if I’m yammering away. I’ll be back soon, though. So you just…think? Uh…Yeah.”

There was no answer and she wasn’t looking at him, and he couldn’t help feeling disheartened as he shut the door and locked her in.

Traipsing across the dusty yard, kicking an empty tin can along the way, he made his way to Roadhog’s side of the compound, in the much larger garage and farmhouse that the old bikie called home. Rapping loudly on the door beforehand, he took the liberty to invite himself in as he always did. Roadhog had given up on breaking him of that habit ages ago.

Hog was bereft of his mask, though somehow the dim lighting always seemed the conceal the man’s face anyway. He stood before his cookstove, the blue and red flames throwing odd shadows across features marred with scar tissue and the bristles of a white beard. The smell of something frying was heavy in the air, and Junkrat’s stomach promptly forgot that he had just eaten and growled for more.

“Oi, Roadie.” Rat scraped a chair out from the table, slumping down onto it. Sighing dramatically for attention, he leaned back and propped both peg and boot up onto the table.

“Guess she didn’t manage to kill you, then.” Hog remained on-task, not bothering to look his way.

“Nah, mate! Me and her, we had a real sit down together, talked it out, explained the rules to her. Uh…updates to that whole situation, actually. Did ya know she’s someone important?” Rat said, balancing his chair carefully on two legs just to keep himself busy.

Roadhog just grunted, giving his cookpan a shake.

Rat still jittered with nervous energy, continuing on. “Her name’s Mei, by the by. Mei-Ling Zhou. She’s a doctor, but not the right type of one so it don’t really matter. She’s got really pretty eyes. I know because that’s where I’ve been looking instead of her tits. See, I know how to be a gent. And it turns out she’s worth money, Roadie.”

“How much money?” Hog sprinkled sesame seeds onto the saucy chicken and fried noodles. Grumbling to himself, he pulled a smaller plate from the shelf nearby, slopping some of the cooking onto it before dumping the rest into a large mixing bowl, bringing both to the table and sliding the small portion over to his employer. Then he promptly shoved the younger man’s legs off his table and sent him tumbling onto the floor.

Rat landed with a crashing yelp and a rattle of spare parts and metal limbs. Leaping back upright and brushing himself off in a very offended way, he shot Hog a very brief glare before sitting at the table in the right way. Grabbing up a fork and shoveling noodles into his mouth, he spoke around his food. “Forget, but there was plenty of zeroes in it. There’s a reward for her return, see? I’ve already laid it out for her, and she’s game. We just got to keep her safe and quiet for a bit while the heat’s still on, and then we break for Sydney and come back with stacks of credits, and nobody in town the wiser.”

“All right,” Hog said, opening scarred lips to nibble with more delicate precision at a sliced chicken breast.

“So no splattering her pretty bits out on the sand!” Rat snapped, spraying soy sauce from his mouth in his haste. “She’s a fancy thing, really soft and delicate-like. Ya gotta be real gentle, can’t accidentally kill her or anything.”

“Hmm.”

“You got a lot of experience with fancy ladies, mate?”

“Hmm?”

“What do I gotta do to impress a fancy lady type? You know, to get her to like me?”

“…You?” Hog paused with his fork halfway to his mouth, looking his younger cohort up and down. Then he began laughing so hard that his entire body shoot, immense belly wobbling against the table. “Bwwwwrrahaaa-ha-ha-haaa!”

“Fuck you Hog! Fuck you!” Rat shrilled, hurling his fork and an empty cup at him. They bounced harmlessly off his gut. “You don’t know nothing about nothing! I can figure it out on my own!”

Hog reined in his laughter with a wet snort. “Warned you not to get attached to your new pet. Last time I saw you two, she’d choked you out in the shit heap and busted your balls open.”

“That was just a misunderstanding, an accident. That’s all. She didn’t mean it. She might still give it a go with me! You dunno anything!”

“Calm down, Rat. That’s the first thing you gotta do.”

Junkrat perked up both ears, leaning forward eagerly. Unfortunately, Hog took his time and devoured several more mouthfuls of noodles and chicken before saying anything more. Grumbling, Rat rapped his knuckles on the table. “Okay! Yeah! Calm down, that makes sense. Fancy ladies are easily spooked. Like a horse or one of those faintin’ goats on the videos. S’hilarious. You ever see a goat faint, Hog? Or a—”

“Don’t compare them to horses or goats.”

“Right, right, right! Okay, what else? Give me something good. We aren’t exactly startin’ off on a great foot here to begin with. Uh, she’s not too fond of me chaining her to a wall, and having no pants on, and some of the finer details.”

Roadhog uttered a massive sigh. “Why bother? Just turn her in for the money.”

Looking conflicted, Rat busied himself by shoving the last of his noodle slop into his bottomless stomach before wiping at his stained chin with one arm. “I dunno. I mean, I know we’re gonna put her up for the reward. But s’just…ya know? We got some time until then. And she’s not a junker so…I dunno. Maybe she don’t know who I am yet, so she won’t laugh me off right away? Like maybe there’s still a tiny chance. I’m still at least half a blue-blooded bloke, I still got the parts what matter. Maybe she won’t notice the bad bits? Maybe she… I dunno.”

Hog eyed him a little more carefully, frowning at something he must have said. “Hm. Rat—”

“And have you seen her tits? Fucking amazing. She’s an absolute beaut.”

“Other shoe always drops,” Hog sighed. “First, get her something to wear. Make her comfortable. And try not to overwhelm the girl with…you.”

“Okay, yeah! Pants first. I mean, she’s gotta wear pants before I can get in them, ya know what I’m saaaayin’?” Rat leaned to the side, jabbing his mate in the side with one uncomfortably pointy elbow. “Ya hear?”

Hog just sighed again.

“Yeah, yeah, okay. Just reel myself in maybe a little bit. Make sure she’s comfy while she’s here. Make sure those bludgers don’t come and try to get her back. Rip ‘em to shreds if they do, every last one of ‘em.”

“They better not even know she’s here,” Roadhog rumbled dangerously. “Keep her quiet. Can’t fight a whole army.”

“Quiet as a mouse, promise. Pile on those creature comforts until she’s happy here. Oh! Right, uh, you got any broccoli?”

“…Broccoli?”

“She said she won’t eat meat. Fuckin’ weirdest thing I’ve heard all day, but arright. Vegetarian. Vegetarians love broccoli, don’t they?”

“…You’re trying. I’ll get something.”

“Thanks, mate!”

Rat chattered away the hours while Hog mostly ignored him and focused on other things, and interrupted him only to point out that the sun was down and he had a guest to tend to. Scrambling back out the door with a wave and a renewed sense of hope, Junkrat went strutting back to his own side of the yard, sliding his keys into the proper locks in the proper order. He just had to keep his head, that was all. Keep things under control, and impress her, and she’d be begging for kisses and more by the end of the week.

Flinging open the door, he barreled through happily, crowing aloud. “I’m hooome! Mei? Mei! What’re you— OH FOR FUCK’S SAKE!”

#meihem #junkmei #meirat #mei #junkrat #mei-ling zhou #jamison fawkes #roadhog #mako rutledge #fanfiction #writing

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