i am hitting them with a stick (x)

'86 Dallas [Part 1]

☆ Dmitri Antonov x fem!Reader

☆ Warnings: age gap (12 years apart), slight pain

☆ Word Count: 2016

☆ Summary: Dmitri is granted political asylum in America, rather than take him to Hawkins, Hopper drops him off in Dallas, Texas. The remaining daughter of Hopper's friend who died in combat, you told Hopper that if he needs a favor, to just ask. At the behest of you, you certainly weren't expecting your Uncle Jim to drop off an ex-Russian guard turned prisoner

☆ A/N: Yeehaw! This fic diverges from the original request. The original request was sent way before Vol 2 of ST Season 4. This fic also diverges from the canon.

“Jim?! The hell are you doing in Alaska?” I asked. His laughter fogged through the phone.

“Ah jeez it’s a long story. Listen, I have a big favor to ask of you. I figured it’s time to cash in on that promise,” He said. “I’ll explain more when I come down, but I really need you to keep an open mind,”

You watched a black helicopter land on an empty part of your plot, the dust blowing, shielding your eyes from the onslaught of debris. When it finally settled, your Uncle Jim came out and hugged you. “Wow you look like shit,”

He ruffled your hair, you looked past to see Joyce and Murray. They came and hugged you, telling you how much you’ve grown. To be honest, you barely remember them. You moved away from Hawkins, Indiana, your father’s hometown at a young age. You settled down South with your grandparents and your mother.

“How’s your mom?” Joyce asked. You gave her a sad look. “Oh honey I’m so so sorry,”

“It’s okay Joyce. It’s been years. I’ve got all this land now,” I told them. You noticed a man in a heavy coat, behind them alongside a woman with cropped hair.

Hopper noticed and patted your shoulder. “This is En- I mean Dmitri,” He said. “He’s the guy I was talking about,” You nodded. He gave a small wave.

“Should we take this inside?” The woman spoke up. You led them to the back entrance of your home. It was a sizable ranch, overlooking the land and the animals. “This place is isolated enough,” She said looking around.

“So what’s this about?” You asked. The woman, who you later learned was an agent, looked over at Jim.

He sat down with the others, right next to you. “I need you to house Dmitri for a while. Just until things calm down and he’s given the proper paperwork. Maybe for a few months up to a couple of months. We aren’t sure,”

Hopper later explained the prison and who Dmitri was. It was hard for you to extend your hand to your neighbors, much less a stranger from a different country. You’ve lost so many people, it was hard to be inviting. “A couple of months?!” I asked. Hopper nodded.

“Listen you don’t need to. We can always find someplace else, but I trust him with my life. He helped me! I am asking you, (f/n), to put some trust into me. If not him then at least trust me,” You thought about it for a while. Hopper offered financial compensation, but you declined. You knew Jim wasn’t a bad man who would put you in a compromising situation. Even when finances were tough in Hawkins, he lended a hand. And you were especially indebted to him after your father died.

“Okay, he can stay,” You glanced over at him. “If he tries anything, he’s out,” You paused. “Not just kicked out either,”

“Thank you,” Dmitri said, finally speaking up.

You both watched them take off in the helicopter, waving your hand to your dad’s old friends. You gestured for Dmitri to come inside, with him following close behind. “Have you eaten anything?”

“No I haven’t, don’t worry about it,” He said. You gave him a look and he quietly sat down. “I’m not even hungry,” He said before you heard his stomach growl. You laughed.

“Just keep your ass sat. I’ll make you something,” You told him. Dmitri watched as you took Tupperware from the fridge, preparing something with such concentration. He looked around at the family photos. Most of them with your grandparents who seemed to be long gone. Some photos of your mother and barely any photos of you with your father. You noticed him looking at the walls, serving him a plate of biscuits and gravy. “My dad had me during his junior year of high school,” You told him. “Then he went and served, never came back home,”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” He said solemnly.

“It’s okay,” You told him. “Just eat up,”

A day turned into a week and a week turned into a month. You didn’t trust him at first, you still didn’t. You didn’t like strangers. Yet still, you didn’t believe in leaving people hungry. You kept him fed and gave him some responsibilities around the ranch. He kept the horses clean, the goats fed, and picked the eggs from the coop. Your work days are much shorter now and he comes home dirty, but he always sank into the hot bath you ran for him.

He asked a lot of questions, to try to get to know you. He learned you absolutely adored romance novels, like peaches, and you once had a cat named Whiskey. On weekends you sold goat cheese and goat milk at the farmer’s market. Despite going so often, you’re there for business and keep to yourself. Apparently the ranch you now own used to be a place for children to learn how to ride horses, but it’s just a regular ranch now. You also loved photography.

“I don’t know, I guess, I just enjoy capturing things. I never know when I can’t see them again,” You said, glancing at the lack of photos with your mom and dad.

After that, Dmitri began taking up odd jobs outside of the paid work around the house. He told you about the neighbors you forgot about. And while you weren’t exactly at that place yet to introduce yourself to them after all these years, Dmitri told you that they would love to meet you. It was a friendly, mutually beneficial relationship between the two of you…until…it became something…more?

One day, a heavy knock interrupted your reading time. You set the book down, brushed out your nightgown, and opened the door to see an old man in a cowboy hat. “Hello, sorry to bother you tonight. I’m your neighbor over by the east. The name is Gael, nice to meet you,” He said, sticking a hand out. You shook it, giving him a small smile. “Does Dmitri live here?”

“Yes he is staying here,” I said. “Do you need him?”

He shook his hand, his hand waving wildly. “Oh no no no,” He exclaimed. “I wanted to give him this,” Gesturing to the box in his hand. “I have something in here for you. The gift to you was actually Dmitri’s idea but don’t tell him I said that!” He said cheekily. You looked down at the box of apples.

“Oh well that’s very kind of you,” You said. You looked out at the horizon, the sun was setting, you didn’t realize how late it was getting. “It’s still supper time…would you like to join us Gael?”

“I can’t intrude on both of y’all’s dinner,” He said. “I can get going,”

“No no…it’s okay. A friend of Dmitri’s is welcome in my home,” You said.

“Why thank you Miss. Let me go mount Delora, is it okay if I do right by that post over there?” You nodded your head and told him he can let himself inside afterwards. You put the other gift box on the table and rushed over to Dmitri’s room.

Knocking on the door, you called out to him, telling him that his friend Gael was here. After no answer, you knocked again. You turned the knob and when you opened the door, Dmitri was in the doorway of the connected bathroom. He was shirtless, hair wet, wearing jeans and a western belt. “Oh! I’m so sorry,” You said, covering your eyes.

“It’s okay! I'm not naked or anything,” That’s not the problem! You blushed harder, slowly closing the door.

“Gael will be joining us for dinner by the way,” You said quickly going back to the kitchen. You set out the special plates and utensils. Dmitri came back out, both of you avoiding each other’s gaze. He went out to check on his brisket, coming back in just as Gael came into the dining room.

“Hahaha! Look at you!” Gael said. “The grill master!” Dmitri laughed, hugging him.

“I can’t have you here, this is my first time trying your brisket recipe,” He joked. “What if it tastes bad?”

He patted his shoulders. “Can’t be worse than the time you lost my cows,” They both looked at you. Gael’s face dropped. “Oh shit you don’t know?”

You gave an exasperated look at Dmitri. “I got it back!” He said. “It took me all night but I got them back!”

You all ate dinner at your little round table, happy to hear the stories Gael was telling. Most of them involved Dmitri and all the mishaps. Dmitri has never smiled this hard, it was nice to hear him laugh. You had never heard him laugh before. “You know, it’s nice to meet you. I know the folks down at the market would love to see you more!” He said to you. “Dmitri over here says you’re very kind and offered him a home. Don’t be a stranger to the rest of us!”

“I would like to meet everyone. It’s just been a bit hard…”

Gael gave a soft pat, “And this too shall pass. You know we have a little get together at my farm every Friday. You and Dmitri can swing on down! You can bring that-“ Gesturing to the box of apples. “Mean ass apple pie. D told me you make some good apple pie,”

“I’ll think about it Gael,”

It didn’t take you a lot of convincing to go down to Gael’s farm. Every Friday, a neighbourhood potluck style dinner was held at Gael’s. Everyone seemed to be acquainted with Dmitri already but even though you were in this neighbourhood since childhood, it really felt like the first time meeting new people. He checked on you every so often, never leaving your side. Despite the many people wanting to talk to him, he always made sure you were included. After that, most days would consist of finishing farm work early and being able to go into town, and sometimes in the cities. You would eat together, have picnics, and do all kinds of stuff. Maybe you were starting to like him, but Dmitri fell for you a long time ago.

“Do I look silly?” He said one day. You gave him a confused look, thinking he meant the black cowboy hat Gael made for him.

“What do you mean?” I asked him.

“Do I belong here?” He said. It seemed like this was bothering him for some time. “I got a call from Murray, he said I’m welcome into Indiana if I want to go there. My time here is almost over. My paperwork is being finalized,”

Your heart shattered, you liked having him around. It felt nice to have a companion — were you afraid to be alone?

“Oh well. I don’t think you stick out. You made great friends here and the people love you. If you want to go to Hawkins you can,” You said solemnly. “This was just temporary after all,”

Dmitri didn’t want to hear that. He wanted to hear some sort of gesture that this was his home. His new home. Especially from you, he didn’t know why it mattered so much. He was glad that everyone liked him, but he wanted to be here with you. “Murray says that he could see me in Indiana. I don’t know how true that is, but I’m not sure if I want to give it a shot,”

You laughed. “I’m not sure if you’re a midwestern guy. Hawkins is great, I mean it’s my hometown, but I don’t know if it fits you,”

Dmitri smiled. “And what about Dallas? Do I belong here in Dallas?” You dropped your head, not wanting to give too much away.

“I think you do,” You said. “I like that you’re here with me,”

“I like being here with you too,” He moved closer. “If you don’t mind?”

“I don’t,” You replied quietly. “Stay for as long as you like,”

Dmitri Tag List: @druigswh0ree @h3k3t @milfodyssey @lucilexe @wolfstcr

Bonds Like Tree’s Roots- Kelvin x Female Reader – P1

Prompt: A warm reunion of two ex soldiers can be the start of something else.

Tags: Fluff af because I love fluffy Kelvin uwu

A long jaded yawn crossed your body while you stretched your muscles long, in that boring noon. It was the least active time in the city, not to mention there, in that average library where you were temporarily working with your cousin. You were extremely bored, there had been no customers in hours and you had already put all the books in their place, so there was little else to do, other than perhaps reading to kill time, again.

You lazily rubbed the back of your neck, looking at the books on that particular shelf, in the foolish hope that something would catch your eye. You liked to read, but not enough to run to find a specific one, so your eyes wandered over the back of the books, while you absently hummed the instrumental version of The Sound Of Silence that was playing softly in the background. It was a library, slow instrumental tunes were the only kind of music they played, and while it was nice, it bored you sometimes.

A soft “Excuse me” sounded behind you, so you turned, looking for a moment at this man standing nearby, wearing a black leather jacket, in tune with a motorcycle outfit, black pants with pockets on the sides, military tone boots. It took you a couple of seconds to register his face, the brown hair, that pair of smiling brown eyes, before taking a short, surprised breath and saying a happy “Kelviiiiiiiin!” so hard that it made your cousin smile from the desk in the hall.

You immediately shortened the little space that was left, to hug him tightly, your arms chained around his neck, listening to him give a laughing "Hello", hugging you.

You almost couldn't believe you were looking at Kelvin, not after all. That soldier who had been seriously injured, deaf and mute, by your side, during those months of extreme survival on that dangerous secret island. The one who had sat next to you when you had been rescued after several months stranded. The one you could barely see again in the hospital, while he was recovering from his injuries. The one you lost track of when you lay off the service as a soldier, since you were from a different platoon and district than his. The one you hadn't seen since then, almost a year ago, and whom you thought you'd never see again.

You squeezed him even harder. The affection you had taken for that man, on the island, had been monumental, and you were completely sure that nothing had changed on your side. You still remembered, embarrassed, how at the time you had suggested to him to become "closer", being that you both were alone on an island, and how he, somewhat uncomfortable, had written you a "I'm sorry. Engaged” that left you internally ridiculed to even now.

You had remained very good friends, companions and mutual guardians, you had put your life in his hands, just as he had done with you, until life itself had separated you. But there he was, after so many months.

You released him gently, to see him better, still absurdly close to him, touching his shoulders. It would have been weird, unless he had never refused your physical closeness, neither before nor after your mini confession. You two had gotten used to it, and he was, secretly, a hard cuddly.

"God... Look at you, Mr. Style" You laughed, patting his chest "Jeez... So long... What the hell are you doing here?" You looked at his kind eyes and his beard from a couple of days.

"What? Can't I visit whom I owe my life to?” He smiled, patting your side.

"Sounds like I'm your mother." You laughed.

"With what you took care of me when I was half dead... almost" He shook his head softly, looking you up and down "You haven't changed a thing"

"You do" You looked at him better "I almost didn't recognize you... What the hell?"

"What are you taking about?" He frowned. "I look the same."

"Visually, yes... But I'm talking about..." You pointed randomly "I don't know, your presence, your way of speaking..."

"Maybe what you're noticing is that I don't have intracranial hemorrhage, total hearing loss, and a verbal difficulty," He admitted. "I'm basically the same as before the accident, silly... But I understand you, you got to know me better when I was half brainless, it's normal."

“Right…” You gently cupped his cheeks, as you used to do when you wanted to check his head back on the island, looking at him with a concerned air “How are you? Have you healed well? Tell me you don't have serious sequelae"

“I'm fine, calm down” He smiled, touched by your constant concern “I can't hear high-pitched sounds well, I have frequent migraines, PTSD, and I developed a strange taste for boiled eggs, but nothing serious. I am medicated, very medicated"

"Thank God." You sighed, relieved. "Are you still on duty?"

"No way. Even though they hadn't let me continue, they gave me medical sick leave."

You were going to speak, but your cousin's voice crossed the library, shouting a "Do me a favor and talk somewhere else, this is not a bar!"

You gently covered Kelvin's ears with your hands, so as not to strain his ears with loud sounds, and raised your voice to answer him with "It's work time!"

"Sure! Because, as you can see, there are a lot of customers!” Your cousin laughed "Get out of here, I'll see you tomorrow!"

"Thank you! I'll tell you later!" You let go of your partner's head and looked at him “Do you have time for a coffee or do you have to go now?

"I have time, don't worry" He hesitated for a moment "If it can be in a quiet place, better... The crowds now make me a little anxious"

"Mmmm" You thought, walking through the shelves to where your backpack of things was, turning slightly to see him while you put it on "We won't find it quieter than in my house"

"Sounds good to me" He nodded, taking a pair of fabulous aviator-style sunglasses from his pocket, putting them on "I'll take you"

You smiled slightly, he looked seductively cool, with much more style than you used to see in that area. You said a quick goodbye to your cousin, who followed Kelvin with his eyes, sure that he would later ask you questions about your friend, and you left the library, with him following close behind.

You saw him go ahead and approach a good-sized black motorcycle that was parked on the sidewalk, and as soon as you got closer, he put his black military-style helmet directly on your head.

“Is it too tight or too loose?” He asked, checking your head, seeing your “ok” sign.

Kelvin got on his motorcycle, with great agility, starting the engine, which purred like a giant cat, looking at you and gesturing for you to get on.

Smiling to yourself, you climbed behind. It wasn't the first time you'd been on one of those machines, on the contrary, when you were young you were the first to get on whatever had two wheels, and in your years in service, you did everything possible to get into a motorized squad. You loved motorcycles, you had always dreamed of having one for yourself and spending a whole month just on the road, seeing the landscapes on top of an iron horse.

But now it was also Kelvin who would be driving. You were going to hold on to his waist as if you were terrified of life, just to feel him a little.

"You're going to have to tell me where and when to turn" He mentioned, looking at you out of the corner of his eye as he felt your arms hold him tightly, which made him believe that you didn't feel safe getting on one of those "Lord... I'm sorry, are you too scared to go back there? Would you rather we walk?"

"Noooo" You laughed, looking at him "I love motorcycles, I'm just being a little clingy, sorry"

"Ah" He laughed "Would you rather go fast or enjoy the engine?"

“I have no interest in breaking my neck under a truck, I prefer to go slow and enjoy the ride”

"That's my girl" He smiled, looking straight ahead again and pulling away.

Your face turned various shades of red as you felt yourself move. Still, you enjoyed the ride, a soft purr through the city streets, holding onto Kelvin's firm body, feeling his warmth slowly intoxicating you.

P2

I Said No (Wanda x R): Pt 4

Pt 1, Pt 2, Pt 3

Summary: You try to be friends with Wanda. Frankly, you could try a little harder. (Ice cream date, but it’s not really a date, but like it is but it’s not)

PS: There are like three swear words, mentions of exercise, and you eat a lot of pancakes but that’s cause you’re hungry. It’s not a problem. Also, if you are actually athletic, are fit, or like to exercise, you aren’t and you don’t. Not in this house.

You wake up the next morning with a sore neck. As you sit up, you see Nat standing beside the couch looking at you over her coffee cup scaring the life out of you. 

“So, how’d you sleep?” she asks.

“Like a princess,” you sarcastically reply. Stretching, you hear your body popping in all different places. Maybe you will take Pietro up on his offer.

“I know what will help. Some exercise. Get ready. We’re going on a hike.”

You finally take in Nat’s appearance and see her sporting the attire for a hike. 

You groan. “You say hike, but I know you really mean running at an incline.”

“Come on. Don’t be a baby. Exercise is good for you. When’s the last time you got any?”

You want to make a joke because of how she worded it, but your mischievous smile gives you away.

“Exercise, Y/N. When’s the last time you got any exercise,” she clarifies.

“The last time you asked me that.”

“A year ago?” 

“And my body is still sore. Ask me again in a few months,” you go to lie down again but she throws a couch cushion at your head. “Okay, okay. Jeez, woman. I’m up.”

When you return from your hike, you are heaving. You don’t ever really think about how unfit you are, which makes sense when you don’t spare 5 minutes to do any kind of exercise, but a hike with Nat will surely remind you. You are sweating buckets and just want to pass out when you enter the house. Everyone is awake presumably having breakfast. You can smell the pancakes from the living room. Your stomach growls. You want to eat but even chewing sounds like too exhausting at the moment. You just want to knock out. You head over to your sleeping quarters for the week, but before you collapse on the couch, your cousin says, “I don’t want any sweat on my couch, Y/N.”

“Ugh,” you complain but comply and go to take a shower. There is no warm water. You assume all the guests had probably had their turn while you were out. You don’t mind it too much. The cold water wakes you up and you feel refreshed. Soon you are sitting with everyone else making plans for the day, but unlike everyone else at the table you are scarfing down pancake after pancake, hardly chewing between each swallow. The conversation dies down as everyone starts to look your way. You’d be embarrassed at your table manners but honestly you’re too famished to care. 

“Woah, slow your roll there, Y/N. Where was this energy on our hike?” You hear Nat’s voice come up behind you. You don’t bother looking at her, showing her the middle finger behind your back so the kids won’t see. She chuckles as she sits on the empty seat beside you. 

“You might be faster than me,” Pietro comments.

“You know it’s not gentleman-like commenting on the way a woman eats,” you answer, mouth full and all. 

“It’s also not lady-like to speak with your mouth full of food,” Laura reprimands you.

“Cooper doesn’t care. Right, Cooper?” you turn to the kid in question still chewing on your food.

He answers you with a mouth full of food as well, “Right!”

Your cousin sighs as you reach over to give Cooper a fist bump. Wanda laughs at the interaction from beside Cooper. You give her a quick wink before settling back in your seat. She just rolls her eyes.

They all go back to their conversation and you go back to eating your delicious pancakes in peace. Once you are satisfied, you sink back in your chair letting out a happy sigh.

“Are you sure you don’t want another one? You hardly ate anything, Y/N,” Nat sarcastically says.

You roll your eyes in good nature. “Honestly, I do want another one but my stomach might explode. I’m going to be dreaming of these pancakes tonight. I’d wed whoever made these bad boys but sorry, cousin,” you turn to Laura, “you’ve got a husband and kids, and I just can’t tear a family apart.”

“Also, she’s your cousin,” Nat emphasizes.

“Obviously that was implied, Natasha,” you say her full name obnoxiously.

“I’d love to take all the credit, but Wanda actually made breakfast. So if you’re marrying anyone for the pancakes, it’s Wanda,” Laura says. 

“You hear that, Wanda? I’m going to make an honest woman out of you.” You wiggled your eyebrows her way.

“If anything, it’s the other way around, Y/N,” your cousin teases.

“Don’t egg Y/N on, Laura,” Clint quips.

“But then who is going to make me pancakes like these, Barton?” You pout.

“I can,” Pietro pipes up. “I’ll even bring them to you for breakfast in bed.” He winks as Nat and Clint wrinkle their noses in distaste and Wanda stifles a laugh.

“What?” Pietro asks his sister.

“Pietro, you can’t boil an egg.”

“Yes, I can. I can make many things. I even helped you with this breakfast,” Pietro insists.

Everyone watches the siblings squabble in amusement, especially when Wanda turns to you to stage whisper, “He burnt two pancakes.”

“I did not!”

“Ask Peter. He had one,” Wanda says in turn. Peter shifts uncomfortably in his seat.

“It was a little crunchy,” Peter says after much hesitation. Sam pats his shoulder, shaking his head. “Poor kid. No one should have to eat crunchy pancakes.”

After breakfast the kids decide they want to play basketball with the hoop Clint had placed over the barn doors. You break into teams of 3. It’s you, Lila, and Peter versus Sam, Cooper, and Pietro. Nat and Wanda sit on the sidelines watching and cheering. Your team is not doing so great. If it wasn’t for Peter pulling the team, you would cry in embarrassment. The guys on the opposing team start to get cocky. Sam rubbing the score in your team’s face, Cooper repeating whatever Sam says, and Pietro begins making flirty remarks about teaching you one on one and so on. You want to ignore his remarks but you kind of also want to wipe the smirk off his face. You do just that a few minutes later when you finally make a shot after Peter screens him allowing you to shoot. You look to see if Wanda saw but frown when you notice she’s not there anymore. You play for a few more minutes but you are quickly getting tired.

Laura comes up beside Nat and yells over to you, “Y/N, I need you to run to the store for me.”

“Oh, thank god.” You sigh in relief as you go over to your cousin and take the list she holds out to you. “Nat, sub me in?”

“Gladly.” She walks confidently over to take your place. You hear Sam and Pietro whine behind you when they realize Nat is playing in your place.

You chuckle as you read the list. “Are we having hamburgers tonight?”

“Gosh, you really were not paying attention while eating those pancakes. Clint wants to grill tonight.”

“Can you blame me? I’m getting that pancake recipe,” you say with complete determination. “Speaking of, have you seen Wanda?”

“Y/N.” Your cousin gives you a look.

“What?” You say innocently, knowing exactly what that look means.

“Clint told me about that little talk he and Nat had with you.”

“So, what now? I can’t be her friend?” you scoff.

“Friend. Mhmm, sure,” she laughs in disbelief and shakes her head. Why does no one in this damn house believe you?

“Mhmm,” you repeat as you are walking back to the house.

“Check the guest room,” Laura says last minute. Well, at least your cousin’s got your back. You give her a thumbs up in thanks.

Sure enough, Wanda is in the guest bedroom. She’s sitting in bed with a book in her hand. You softly knock on the door. She looks up, notices it’s you, frowns, and goes back to reading. You tilt your head wondering what has her in a mood. Is she back to thinking about her ex? Maybe you can help distract her as a good friend would do.

You walk over to the bed before deciding to sit in front of her cross-legged, elbows on knees, chin on the palm of one hand. “Whatcha got there?”

“A book. Ever heard of one?” she replies without bothering to look up.

Sheesh. “Oh, my god. Is it real? Can I, like, touch it? I’ve always heard about books but I’ve never seen one in person,” you say sarcastically, hoping to get some positive reaction from her. You see a slight upturn on the corner of her lips before it disappears. Though it was miniscule, it was a step forward no less. You sit there for a minute staring at her and thinking of how to proceed. You don’t want to worsen her mood with one of your dumb jokes.

Wanda can feel your eyes searching for some kind of sign from her. She gives up trying to read her book, having been repeating the same paragraph over and over again. She puts the book down and huffs. “Can I help you?” 

“Actually, you can,” you say. “I’m going into town to get some stuff for the hamburgers and I was wondering if you wanted to come?”

Maybe you are simply confusing Wanda’s boredom for an unpleasant attitude. 

“Didn’t you ask Piet? There’s no way he refused going with you.”

 Or not. 

Her sardonic tone is not lost on you. So, it’s about the brother and not the ex. You want to scream. This is why you have the twin rule. Though you want to bang your head on a wall for not listening to your own rules, you keep your composure as you stand to leave the room. Before you go, you tell Wanda, “I haven’t asked Pietro. I thought of you first, but if you’re not feeling it, I’m sure he would say yes like you say.”

You turn and head out to the hallway dejectedly, but you perk up when you hear Wanda stop you. “Wait! Let me put on my shoes.”

You wait for her in the hallway, smiling to yourself in part because you would not have to spend hours with Pietro’s constant advances but mostly because you got to spend time with Wanda without supervision. You are a grown ass adult, eh, not really, but legally you were an adult. You don’t need to be supervised. It’s not like you needed someone to watch you else you throw yourself at Wanda. Sure, you like to tease here and there but it’s not bothersome. Is it? Oh, god, were you annoying Wanda?

Those thoughts are quickly dispelled when Wanda meets you with a smile. “Ready.”

No, Wanda wouldn’t have agreed to go with you if you were really a bother. You’re sure of it.

It’s a 20 minute ride into town. With Wanda’s mood having done a full 180, you find yourself enjoying your time with her as she recounts a slight hiccup on Steve’s behalf on a mission. Soon enough you are driving up the main street looking for a parking spot. Luckily you find a spot not too far from the store. You head inside and grab a cart. You and Wanda wander around the aisles looking for what you need. Wanda takes over cart duty when you keep bumping into things because you’re distracted with either looking over the list or looking over at her. You say a quick hello to a few people you recognize.

“Well aren’t you popular,” Wanda comments as you both turn into the frozen food aisle to look for hamburger patties. 

“Yeah, that’s not always a good thing,” you say when you spot a woman you know in the same aisle. You move to walk real close behind Wanda, trying to hide your face. 

“What are you doing?” Wanda asks when she feels your forehead resting between her shoulder blades.

“Shhh, just keep walking,” you command without any explanation. Your really sad attempt at hiding was all for naught when you hear your name.

“Y/N? Is that you?” 

You take a deep breath, plaster a fake smile, and leave Wanda’s space. “Hi, Mrs. Townsend. How’s it going?”

“I thought that was you. You can’t hide from me, you know. Not that you were ever any good at it,” she says knowingly. You cringe at the memory of her finding you in her daughter’s closet. This woman disliked you from start to finish, which made sense given that her daughter had broken up with her boyfriend for you only for you to break things off a few weeks later.

“Yeah, I know,” you smile sheepishly. She looks over your shoulder at Wanda. She looks curious but not in the best way.  “And who is this?”

Wanda introduces herself with a polite smile. “Hello, I’m Wanda. Pleasure to meet you.”

“You look familiar. Have we met before?” Mrs. Townsend asks.

“No, I guess I just have that face,” Wanda responds with no hesitation having practiced that line so many times on missions. Mrs. Townsend’s stare weighs heavy and Wanda begins to feel uncomfortable.

“A very pretty one at that. Y/N sure knows how to pick them. Is that an accent I hear? Where are you from, dear?” Mrs. Townsend asks, with faux intrigue. Now you’re uncomfortable too. 

You know you shouldn’t speak for Wanda but you don’t want to subject her to be in this woman’s presence any longer. “Actually, she’s just a friend visiting from New York. She and a few others are staying with Laura. And actually, she’s expecting us to return soon. So, have a good day, Mrs. Townsend. Come on, Wanda. Let’s go.”

You lead Wanda away by pulling the cart behind you. When you’re nearly clear of the aisle, Wanda stops and reminds you that you never got the patties. You tell her to go ahead and get in line to pay while you go back for the patties, them being the last thing to get from the list. Mrs. Townsend is still in the aisle now talking on the phone very displeased. “Yes, she was right here and with another girl-” she cuts herself off when you’re in her vision reaching to get what you need. 

You give her a sarcastic smile. As you pass by her for the last time, you smirk and lean in to say, “Tell Abby I say hi.” Then you wink, leaving Mrs. Townsend very angry, and head over to the checkout area where Wanda is waiting. Wanda doesn’t say anything other than “Well, she was lovely” to which you laughed. Apart from that, she stays quiet at the checkout and as you put the items in the car. Before she has a chance to open the door to get in the passenger seat, you stand in front of the door blocking the handle. 

“Hey,” you begin, but Wanda is looking at her shoes, her hands fiddling with the rings on her fingers. You take her hand to shake her arm in an attempt to get her to look up. “Look at me.” 

You wish you hadn’t asked that of her because when she does look at you, it tears you apart. If you did not think your presence was needed more here, you could storm right back into that store and give Mrs. Townsend a piece of your mind. 

“Mrs. Townsend is an asshole. You should never take what an asshole says to heart cause it’s all shit,” you say in all seriousness. Wanda giggles and raises her free hand to rub her face. You pull it away from her face. Holding both her hands you continue, “She’s just a grumpy lady holding a grudge over something I did like two years ago. It’s nothing to do with you and all to do with me. So don’t listen to anything she says, okay?”

It takes a moment but she finally nods. “There we are.” You pull her into a hug, one she accepts easily, hoping to give further comfort. You can’t help but think how nice it is to hold her, moreso, when she hugs you tighter. 

“So, she was lying when she said I was pretty?” Wanda tries to joke, adopting your method of lightening the mood.

“Oh, absolutely,” you answer. She quickly pulls back from your hold but you don’t let her go too far, holding onto her elbows. “Cause you are breathtakingly gorgeous,” you finish.

She smiles and a blush takes over her face. You decide to add, “In fact, I can’t even breathe right now standing so close to your beauty.” You dramatically gasp for air making Wanda laugh and smack you. 

“Ow, if this is how you Avenger women treat your adoring fans, I’d hate to see how you take down the bad guys.”

“Oh, so you’re a fan?” Wanda asks adorning a sly smile.

“Mhmm, since day one.”

“Is that so? Because from what I remember you called me Crimson Witch just yesterday,” she teases you.

“And I stand by what I said,” you respond. You cut her off when she opens her mouth to argue. “But if I have offended you, let me make it up to you.”

She narrows her eyes, looking at you skeptically as if you were up to no good making you want to laugh. “How?” She asks warily.

You lean into her space once more to say, “I know a place.” You wink and without allowing her to respond, you take her hand dragging her along behind you. “Come on.” 

Your destination is just two blocks away. Wanda speeds up to walk beside you but she never lets your hand go. Not that you mind it in the least. You stop her when you arrive and reluctantly let her hand go to make a grandiose gesture with your arms. “Ta-Da!”

“An ice-cream shop?” she asks you, clearly unimpressed.

“Not just any ice-cream shop. The Ice Cream Shop!” You can’t help but say enthusiastically. Wanda on the other hand does not look enthused. You can’t believe she’s not excited for ice cream. “Oh, come on, Wanda. Don’t tell me you don’t like ice cream. The only excuse I’ll take is that you’re lactose intolerant or vegan. Just don’t tell me you prefer frozen yogurt. Oh, god. You do, don’t you?” You gasp dramatically, your hand clutching your chest. 

She shakes her head and rolls her eyes in a light hearted manner at your antics. “You’ve made your point. Just open the door.”

“Bossy,” you laugh, but do as she wishes though you make a show out of opening the door. You bow and motion for her to enter as you hold the door open. “After you, m’lady.”

She sighs. Passing through the door, she mumbles, “I could be in bed reading right now.”

“Ah, but then you would’ve missed the opportunity to hang out with someone as cool as me,” you say as you and Wanda go to stand behind the group of teenage girls ordering their ice cream.

“Oh, are they meeting us after? Do you think they’ll buy me frozen yogurt?” she retorts, amusement shining through her eyes. You generally find quick witted remarks annoying. Mostly because you’ve always been surrounded by smart-alecks all your life. Your cousin is one. Then she married one who had one as a best friend. Somehow, you find the same quality in Wanda kind of attractive. Oh god. This can’t be happening.

“Quit being so grumpy. You’re gonna thank me when you try it. It’s only the best there is.”

“You should listen to her, but hey, I may be a little biased,” the woman working at the counter backs you up. The teenage girls are long gone.

“Thank you, Tanya,” you reply, stepping forward to the middle aged woman you know to be the owner of the shop. She was actually the one to give you your first job at this very same ice cream shop. Maybe you were also a little biased. 

“I wasn’t expecting you to be in town so early, Y/N.”

“Well, I just missed you so much, I couldn’t wait to get here,” you explain.

“Uh, huh. I’m sure that’s it.” Her voice is full of disbelief. You laugh.

“Actually, I got here yesterday. I wanted to come earlier to help out Laura now that she’s phwwt,” you whistle and make a belly bump gesture like it’s a scandalous secret.

“She’s married and this is baby number three, Y/N. You can say pregnant,” your old boss laughs.

“But that’s no fun,” you pout.

“And who is this little thing?” She turns to Wanda, who timidly smiles still two steps behind you.

“Come on, I don’t bite, hun.” Tanya gives her a sincere smile, one much different from Mrs. Townsend’s. Wanda slowly approaches after you wave her over encouragingly. When she is close enough, you hold her forearm to introduce her to Tanya, trying to ease her nerves. It seems to work. You feel her relax and lean into your side as she says, “Hi, I’m Wanda.” 

“Pleasure to meet you dear. I’m Tanya. See, no need to be shy.”

“She’s not usually like this as far as I can tell. She’s actually quite chatty. Sometimes I don’t know how to get her to stop talking,” you joke. Wanda scoffs and bumps your hip with hers.

“Whenever Y/N begins to annoy you, just put on some earphones and hide them with your hair. It works wonders. She can talk to herself for hours,” your old boss advises Wanda.

“I’ll have to keep that in mind.”

“Hey!” You interject. “Tanya, where is your loyalty? So quick to team up against me.”

Wanda giggles beside you. You turn your head to playfully glare at her, missing the way Tanya smiles at the interaction in front of her. 

“So how’d you two meet? I don’t think I’ve seen you in town before, Wanda.”

“She’s a friend and um, coworker of Clint and Natasha. She’s here for the week.” You hope Tanya didn’t catch your little hiccup there. However, you miss the implication of her question. Tanya tries to remember who Nat is.

“Natasha. Is she the intimidating red head always wearing tight jeans?” You and Wanda laugh. You affirm with a finger to your nose. “Didn’t you date her sister?”

You let go of Wanda’s arm to throw your head into your hands. “Ugh, how could you possibly know that?”

“Small town. Word gets around fast. People are probably already talking about you two, especially when you’ve got someone as beautiful as Wanda with you.”

Wanda blushes at the insinuation. “There’s nothing to talk about,” you tell Tanya. 

Tanya raises an eyebrow, “You mean, you’re not dating?”

“Please, Wanda here is way out of my league. I mean, funny, polite, pleasant, and gorgeous. Maybe even a little pretentious. I caught her reading a book… for fun. Who does that? Ow!” Wanda smacks your arm and Tanya laughs. “Did I mention violent?”

The bell above the entrance door chimes informing you three that other customers are coming in. “Okay, so what can I get you?” Tanya asks, moving this along.

“I’d like two scoops of rainbow sherbert on a cone, please.”

“And for you, hun?” Tanya asks Wanda after handing you your cone. 

“Um, may I have two scoops of strawberry, please?”

“Of course, you’d get red,” you taunt.

“Here you are.” Tanya hands Wanda her cone. You take out a ten dollar bill from your pocket to pay but Tanya won’t have it. “My treat, ladies.” 

“But this is sort of an apology cone I promised Wanda,” you try again.

“Y/N! Apologizing with a three dollar ice cream cone is not a real apology. You can do better.”

“It’s like you read my mind, Tanya,” Wanda says. You want to laugh at the irony.

“It wasn’t for anything serious,” you try to argue.

“Whatever it was, you can treat her to something nicer,” Tanya reprimands you.

“Well, what am I supposed to do?”

“The fair is in town. Take her to that. Now shoo, I’ve got customers waiting. Nice meeting you, Wanda,” she says.

“You too. Thanks.”

You exit first, holding the door open for Wanda without thinking about it. She smiles and loops her arm through yours as you both head back to the car at a leisurely pace. You look to see if Wanda likes her ice cream. There is no doubt about it as she begins to hum in happiness. You want to say something like “ I told you so” but she warns you before you have the chance to open your mouth. “Don’t.”

You smirk and turn to your ice cream. You try to savour it, but you demolish that ice cream. You pout when you see it all gone. Wanda still has half of hers.

“Quit being so grumpy,” she says, throwing your words from earlier back at your face. “Here, you can have some of mine.”

She lifts her cone to your mouth. You happily go to take a bite when Wanda shoves the rest of her cone in your face. It wasn’t much but you can smell the damn strawberry ice cream as it drips from your nose. You’re too shocked to move for a minute. She laughs as you try to process what just happened. You hear the shutter noise of a camera. You see Wanda holding her phone up. That snaps you out of your daze. Wanda takes off running the second she sees the look that settles on your face. She doesn’t have to be a telepath to know what that look means. You chase after her. 

She gets to the car before you but can’t open the door. She turns around, hands out in front of her body which is shaking from nervous laughter. “Wait, Y/N. I’m sor-”

You pull her into a hug and shove your ice cream riddled nose to her neck smearing the strawberry flavored dessert on her. “Stop, okay. I’m sorry. Stop, that tickles!” She bursts out laughing. You take pity and let her go, but your feet stay planted where they are. You both quickly sober up when you see how close you are. You feel the tension from yesterday return. You know what you want to do but you know you shouldn’t. Wanda is not making it easy looking at you the same way. Before either of you make a decision, your phone rings ruining whatever that was. You awkwardly clear your throat and back away. You give Wanda a smile before reaching for your phone. You answer it without looking at the name of whoever is calling. It’s Laura asking if you are on your way. You tell her you’ll be there soon. 

You unlock the car and open the passenger door for Wanda. She gives you a quiet thanks. The drive to the house is awkward to say the least, a total contrast to the ride into town. The music in the background does nothing to alleviate your discomfort. In fact, you think it might have made it worse. 

You let out a little sigh of relief once the barn enters your line of sight. Wanda on the other hand can’t take it anymore. She turns off the radio and turns to you expectantly. You take a deep breath knowing what was coming. Having a feeling this conversation could get loud, you slow down the car to a stop before you could pull up to the barn. You’d rather not let anyone overhear knowing how nosy they all are.

“What was that back there?”

“You started it, shoving the ice cream in my face.” You play naive.

“Don’t do that.”

You don’t know why you thought you could get away with lying to her when you know she can literally read minds.

“I’m sorry. I wanted to. I did. I do.”

“Well, I do too,” Wanda says.

“You do?” you ask. You don’t know why you sound so shocked. You had a gut feeling already, but it surprises you hearing her say it aloud anyway.

“You know I do. So what’s the problem?”

The problem is you can’t. The problem is you promised Nat, Clint, and yourself you wouldn’t. The problem is what Nat said at dinner struck a chord with you. Sure she could have been a little nicer about it and maybe not say it in front of everybody, but she was right nonetheless. The problem is your habit of touch and go, the one you never wanted to admit you had, only hurts people. You are the problem and you‘ve decided to fix it, starting with Wanda. You won’t allow yourself the chance to break Wanda’s heart. You don’t think she deserves that.

“You don’t get to decide what I deserve. Neither does Nat. Neither does Clint. I get to make that decision for myself. If I put it all on the line and end up heartbroken, then that’s on me. I make that choice.”

You nod, “You’re right. That is your choice and I can respect that. But it’s also my choice to decide I can’t be the one to break your heart. Can you respect that?”

A heavy silence settles in the car, but you have said all you needed to say so you wait for Wanda to respond. When she realizes your mind is set, she nods. After another minute of silence, she asks, “What now, then?”

“Cliché, but friends?” you suggest. When Wanda scoffs in disbelief, you have to ask, “What?”

“You and me?” Wanda asks as if for clarification.

“Well, I don’t see anyone else in the car. Yes, Wanda. You and me.”

“Have you ever been just friends with anyone before?” Wanda asks, placing no kind of faith in your ability to maintain platonic relationships.

“Are you asking if I can keep it in my pants? Not to bruise your ego, but I can be in a room with you without wanting to jump your bones, Maximoff. I have plenty of strictly platonic friends. Like... Nat.”

She laughs at the choice you made for an example. “That’s only because Natasha doesn’t want to sleep with you.”

“So, what you’re saying is this friendship won’t work because you can’t keep it in your pants?” you counter and watch with amusement Wanda’s face flush and her try to defend herself.

“N-no,” she stutters weakly.

“Great,” you say cheerily. “It’s settled then. We can be friends.”

“There are rules though,” Wanda warns you as you start driving toward the house again.

“Already? Had I known this friendship came with terms and conditions, I might have never suggested it. Fine, lay them on me.”

“No more flirting with my brother.”

“I have never flirted with your-” you start to deny, but when she gives you a knowing look you quickly agree. “Okay, but if he’s putting in all the work, who am I to keep him from living out his dreams?” You jest. She punches your arm.

“Alright, new rule! No more hitting me.”

“No.”

“Okay.”

You were beginning to see the rules to this friendship were not going to be in your favor.

_____________________________________________________________________

So, I lied when I said this was going to be most likely 5 chapters. It turns out I really like dialogue. I'm hoping max is 8 chapters.

Your assignment in preparation for the next chapter: pick a nice outfit cause you're going to the county fair.

Extra Credit: Name the county. (I'm prob going to pick one from the comments)

taglist: @madamevirgo @marvels-writings @gayarchnemessis @myperfectlovepoem @purplemeetsblue @magicallymaximoff @b0mbdotc0m @helloalycia @ironscarletwidowsoilder

I read your Grian and Zed oneshot and could I pretty please get another one (maybe a sequel, maybe not) with Worm man, Poultry man, and EX? We need the sidekick boi here too ;3

I’m so sorry this is so late! I’ve had a rough couple of days and this one ended up being a lot longer than I expected lol but anyway, here we are! Hope it’s good!

…

  Sitting on top of the billboard in the shopping district are Hermitcraft’s two superheroes, keeping an eye on the goings on. It seems to be a fairly quiet day, however; the last person either of them saw was Scar disappearing into the town hall over an hour ago. But the two are just having fun hanging out up here, so they continue keeping watch over the district, while munching on the half stack of golden carrots Grian brought with him.

  “Soo… which one of us is the sidekick?” asks Grian out of the blue. 

  Zedaph shoots him an amused look. “Why does one of us have to be the sidekick? Can’t we be partners?”

  “I mean, yeah, true. But if one of us HAD to be the sidekick, which one would it be?”

  “Probably you, cuz I’ve been a superhero a season longer than you.”

  Grian pauses. “Honestly, that’s not the answer I was expecting but it does make sense.”

  Zedaph gives a laugh. “Good. Trust me, we don’t need a sidekick. If I was on my own, maybe I’d consider getting another one, but a partner is even better than a sidekick.”

  In the ensuing pause, Zedaph realises what he said. Unfortunately, Grian has also picked up on it. “Another one? What do you mean?”

  “Ah…” Zedaph clears his throat. “Doesn’t matter.”

  “No, I wanna hear this. You had a sidekick?”

  Zedaph searches his brain for either an excuse to not reply or a false explanation that Grian will buy. When he finds neither, he gives a quiet sigh. “Yeah, but it didn’t end well. Or start well. Or go well for that matter.”

  “Oh, jeez.” Grian frowns sympathetically. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “Look, let’s just say I was naive and I thought he was good but he wasn’t. I came out of it looking and feeling very stupid, so I’d rather not have a repeat of that.” After a moment, he gives a smile. “That’s why I’m glad I have a partner who I already know and trust.” 

  “Aww.” Grian nudges him with his elbow. “Do you mean me?”

  Zedaph snickers. “Nope, sorry, I mean Professor Beak. Best partner I’ve ever had.”

  Grian exaggerates a pout and gently strokes the parrot sitting on his shoulder. “Wow.”

  But as he starts to say something else, he spots a familiar figure walking through the shopping district. His face lights up. “Oh, look who it is! Zed, c’mon, I gotta introduce you to this guy.”

  He jumps down from their perch and rushes towards the person, followed closely by a curious Zedaph. “Hey! Hey, EX!”

  The figure turns and that’s when Zedaph recognises them with a jolt. That name, coupled with that familiar red helmet… It can’t be… can it…?

  He quickly scoots behind a tree as Grian stops in front of the person, beaming. “Hey! It’s been a long time!”

  Evil Xisuma, now going by the name EX, smiles at him. “Hey, Grian. Yeah, it’s been a while.” 

  “Grian? I see no Grian here,” says Grian innocently.

  EX chuckles. “Oh yeah. Sorry, Mr Poultry Man. You out here patrolling?”

  “Yup! Keeping watch over the server with my new partner!” Grian turns to introduce Zedaph to EX but frowns as he realises Zedaph is gone. “Uh… Zed? Where’d you go?”

  “Wait…” EX freezes as they recognise the name. “Zedaph…?”

  Grian spots his friend hiding behind a tree a few blocks down the path. “Zed, what are you doing?”

  Realising he can’t hide any longer, Zedaph slowly emerges from behind the tree and approaches the two, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. “Hello.”

  Grian frowns, sensing the tension between them. “You know EX already?” he asks slowly.

  Zedaph holds EX’s gaze for a moment but has to turn away. “Yeah. I knew him a long time ago.”

  EX shifts their feet awkwardly, causing Grian to step forwards, clearing his throat. “EX goes by they/them pronouns now.”

  Zedaph glances at EX, who looks away from him. He wonders whether EX was too scared to correct him themself. Has it really been so long that EX can’t be as open around him as they used to be? 

  Finally, he turns back to Grian. “They used to be my friend but that was a long time ago.” 

  “It WAS a long time ago, wasn’t it?” EX says quietly.

  “Just over three years. Since we last teamed up, anyway.”

  EX sighs quietly. “Listen, I’m sorry I left you. I was just feeling so guilty that you believed I was a good person and I couldn’t continue that lie, but I couldn’t exactly tell you the truth either, could I?” 

  “I only believed you were a good person because that’s what you told me,” Zedaph retorts. “But it doesn’t matter. I’m not angry at you anymore, I’m angry at myself. For being so stupid as to not realise why you were able to break me out of that prison so easily.”

  “Oh.” EX hesitates, realising now why Zedaph is being so careful around them. “When did you find out?”

  Zedaph’s shoulders slump. “After X banned you. I begged and begged him to reconsider but he refused. You have no idea how long I cried, how many sleepless nights I had, when X told me the truth about you. My friends got hurt because I was too naive to realise that the person I was calling my sidekick was actually a villain.”

  “Zedaph, you- you have every right to be angry at me for that,” EX says quietly. “But I’ve changed now, I promise.”

  “I can vouch for them,” Grian chimes in. “They’ve been helping me with building projects on and off for a couple of weeks. During that time, they told me a bit about their past and I can tell they’re not who they used to be.” 

  Zedaph gives his friend a look. “Did they tell you about their shared past with me?”

  “No, they only-.” 

  Grian breaks off, glancing from Zedaph to EX, as the penny finally drops. “Oh… EX is the former sidekick you were referring to, aren’t they?” 

  Zedaph and EX both nod slowly. 

  “I was a far better sidekick than I was a villain, honestly,” admits EX quietly. “I feel like I took to being good much quicker than I did to being evil.”

  “You did,” Zedaph agrees. “But that still didn’t stop you from getting yourself banned.”

  “I-I’ve made some mistakes, that much is true. In fact, a LOT of mistakes. But that’s exactly what I’m back here to do: I’m here to prove to myself, Xisuma, and the rest of the server that I can be a good person.” They clasp their hands together in an anxious gesture that Zedaph recognises from when they worked together. “And I want to prove it to you too, Zedaph.”

  Zedaph hesitates, watching his old friend with a conflicted look. 

  At that moment, however, Grian and Zedaph’s communicators go off with three messages in quick succession. 

<Xisuma> trapped by Wither!!!

<Xisuma> one heart no food left!!!!

<Xisuma> help!!!!!

  “Looks like this is your chance to prove yourself,” Grian says, patting EX on the shoulder. “Xisuma needs our help and we’re gonna go save him. Coming?”

  EX doesn’t even hesitate. “Yes, I’m coming. Let’s go.”

…

  The group follow X’s given coordinates to an underground tunnel in a remote part of the server. As they get closer, they can hear menacing sounds, followed almost immediately by a loud explosion.

  “Uh oh!” Grian picks up speed. “Quickly, guys!”

  They burst through an opening in the tunnel, only to find themselves immediately confronted by a half-health wither. 

  “Move!” Zedaph screeches.

  He shoves EX to one side and Grian dives to the other as the wither fires a burst of exploding skulls at them. 

  As EX scrambles to their feet, they spot Xisuma squished into a small gap in the wall, clutching a clearly cracked shield in his hand. His eyes widen visibly as he spots his evil counterpart. 

  EX winces. They’re not supposed to be here; they were banned several months ago, and Xisuma knows that. He is the one who banned EX. 

  But before they can interact with their counterpart, they’re forced to duck under another burst of skulls and scramble for a safe nook on the other side of the cave.

  Meanwhile, Grian and Zedaph are hacking away at the wither, but they’re making slow progress; the wither keeps attacking back, forcing them to retreat to avoid getting hit. 

  “X, get outta here, quickly!” Grian yells. 

  Xisuma hurriedly squeezes himself out of the crevice and dashes for the exit to the cave. However, because of his low health, he knows he has to be careful on the uneven rocky ground.

  Just as he gets to the cave mouth, his foot drops into a small gap created by one of the wither explosions and his ankle rolls, causing him to pitch forwards with a yelp. 

  “Xisuma!” Zedaph screeches, as he and Grian are forced to retreat to avoid a barrage of skulls. 

  Unexpectedly, the wither twists mid-air and fires off three skulls. The first two sail over Xisuma’s head but the third is heading straight for him.

  A split second before it hits him, EX dives in front of him and takes the skull to the back, propelling them past Xisuma and into the stone wall of the cave. 

  “EX!” Zedaph screeches. 

  “Zed, look up!” Grian yells suddenly. 

  Zedaph does so, just in time to see Grian tossing his sword back to him. Taking a deep breath, he leaps up and forward, catching his sword mid-air, and brings the weapon down on the wither. The critical hit takes the last bit of its health. 

  He lands neatly on the ground and uses EX’s fallen shield to protect himself and Xisuma as the wither explodes in a burst of light. 

  As Grian rushes over to help Xisuma, Zedaph dashes to EX’s side. The wither effect has worn off but EX is clearly still in pain; even though Zedaph can’t see their face, their muscles are visibly tense. 

  “EX, can you hear me?” Zedaph asks worriedly. “Are you alright?” 

  For one horrifying moment, there is silence. Then:

  “‘M fine.”

  Zedaph breathes out in relief. “Jeez, you scared me. What were you thinking? You could’ve died and we both know you won’t respawn.”

  “I-I wasn’t thinking.” EX sits up, with Zedaph’s help. “I just… acted.”

  “Well, you saved me from a painful death,” says Xisuma, giving his counterpart a sympathetic look. “I just don’t understand why you would save me, after our history.”

  “I, um…” EX hesitates. “I was inspired to be a better person recently, and when I saw you were in trouble, I just… didn’t let myself hesitate.”

  “Really?” asks Xisuma in surprise. “Who inspired you?”

  EX gives a small smile. “Two friends who mean a lot to me. But…” They pause, taking in a deep breath. “I know I’m not actually meant to be back here, so I do completely understand if you ban me again.”

  To their surprise, Xisuma immediately shakes his head. “I’m not going to do that. For one thing, you just saved my life. But more importantly, I sensed a change in you the second I saw you today, Exy. A very positive change. If these friends of yours on Hermitcraft caused that change, then there’s no way I’m gonna stop you from being around them. But I WILL be keeping a close eye on you, of course.”

  “O-Of course.” EX covers their visor with their hands, eliminating any chance that the others might notice the tears that have sprung to their eyes. “Thank you, Xisuma.”

  Xisuma places his hand on his counterpart’s shoulder. “No, thank YOU, Exy.” 

  He glances at Grian and Zedaph, who are watching together a few blocks away. “You two superheroes better get back up there and change before someone notices you’re missing.”

  “I want EX to come with us,” Zedaph responds. “Please.”

  Xisuma watches him steadily for a moment before nodding. “Okay. I just need to do some admin things to make sure their code isn’t still recognised as being banned, so they’re able to respawn in this world if they die.”

  “Thanks,” says Zedaph gratefully. “Could you also let the server know of the situation?”

  “Will do. Careful on your way back.”

  The three make their way back up towards the surface, leaving Xisuma behind in the raggedly destroyed hole. 

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” asks Zedaph, noticing EX shivering. 

  EX nods. “I’m fine. Just leftover wither effect, that’s all. I’m used to floating around in the void, not having the life sucked out of me.” 

  To their surprise, Grian chuckles. “Being back on Hermitcraft, you’re gonna have to get used to all kinds of effects. But hey, don’t worry: we’ll be here to help you through it.”

  “All of it,” adds Zedaph warmly, slinging his arm over EX’s shoulder. 

  A smile slowly spreads over EX’s face as they feel the warmth of being enveloped on either side by two friends. For the first time, they feel safe and cared for. They’re about to start their new life on Hermitcraft. 

  And there’s no two people he would rather start it with. 

Galra Lance

Lance is a galra, and Ex-Mamourian (He was kicked out because he was suicidal and kept getting attention to try to make Zarkon afraid which was the opposite of what mamoura wanted so Lance is a rebel doing his own thing, bounty hunting stealing, raiding and above all about to steal a red Lion on the ship hailed under Sendak and he’s going to get a boatloud of it. Then a cocky kid in a red suit slashes in claiming it’s his lion. Lance wonders if any of this was even worth it?

1 Flash to mind meld plus suspicion lances memories of him in water with mermaids and pre-galran.

2 Flash to “surprise, not a galra.” Lance is exposed and returned and nervous.

3 His father is Blatyz the previous blue Paladin and his other father the Galra whom Blatyz married. (Wait how were you born?) Pidge asked and Lance grinned his tail flickering back like a cats (I was a test tube baby)

4 Keiths initiation Lance returns to the Mamoura.

5 they take down Zarkon then realise his son appears and find out it was hagger when plot twist the whole family were puppets a chaotic energy anti quintescence gains a form and almost possesed the galra but some (Maourans) Resisted and the galra were so soft, so easily corruptable they fight that thing with Fusiontron. They save Honerva and Lotor and they find a planet and make it habitable and release everyone from enslavment but some planets are merged some want the Galra gone and some need their galra to remain so Allura and Lotor try to fix things. Lance goes to his planet which is hidden and Allura gasps to see Alteans, Mermainians and Galra there in hiding in a warped hole.

On a spacecraft floating on the edge of an arus solar system, an abandoned Galra named Lance, was taking a pit stop.

His ship consisted of junk, the pilot hanger cluttered making even hoarders feel disgusted open drinks and snack bars littered here and there and Lance had to squeeze in just to get to the pilots chair, the craft only had one room and a bathroom that stopped working. And his room was the only place that was clean it had an assortment of guns, rifles, snipers, you name it, along with a discarded blade that has seen no use in years with a strange symbol on the hilt.

Lance had music blasting from his speakers some album he bought from an alien shop, the album was called ‘Queen.’ And so far Lance was a fan.

He was flickering through a data pad as many reports scrolled past with anflick of his finger. Galra operations, cargo shipments, military vessels, open channels with radio chatter that Lance ignored. He was looking for something easy.

The life of a thief had its perks, steal medical supplies and weapons and give them to a rebellion and make a profit. Usually he sold to both sides just to live more dangerously. A recommendation opened up and Lance smirked behind his mask with the three circles on the front.

A vessel captioned by Sendek was hovering outside Arus, sliding the panel right and lots of data began to download at lighting speed , appeared and Lance’s smirk grew.

It had some precious cargo on it, a Lion of Voltron to be exact.

Lance was having the time of his life knocking out guards ninja style was just so easy, he had the red lion in his sights.

“Well hello gorgeous, mind dropping down that barrier and getting out of here?”

Suddenly he heard a nose and hid behind a pillar in the shadows, just as more galra guardsran into the hanger.

Lance turned and frowned to see a boy in red and white armour (like thats not inconspicuous) and took them down, Lance grew more suspicious this kid fought like a galra. But he didn’t wear mamorian armour or any rebel armour that he knew. Could be a threat.

Until the kid went to the barrier “Alright open up.”

…it did nothing, the boy growled in frustration “Ugh-we don’t have time for this! It’s me keith! You’re I AM YOUR PALADIN!”

Lance couldn’t help it he laughed, more like busted a gut.

The kid whipped around activating a weapon, a sword.

“Stay back!” Lance shook his head “No, wait,” he was still chuckling holding up his hands “I’m not-”

Suddenly more guards made themselves known and the two found themselves with their hands full.

Lance wasted no time shooting the Galra, even took care of the kids blindspots, this jlb was bigger than he thought maybe if he helped the kid out they can split the money fifty fifty.

That was until.

“You’re not getting this lion!”

Keith slammed his hand against the panel, and opened up the interlock, the vacum

Shot the galra forward and Keith was barely gripping onto the panel.

Lance cursed then used his grappling hooks to latch onto a structure beam.

Suddenly Keith’s slipped and he was pulled into space.

Lance acted on instinct he unlatched grapplings and shot out of space after the teen. He easily grabbed him stopping them both from slinning.

“Let go!”

“Shut up, I’m trying to save your life.” Until the kid screamed Lance turned in time to see big metal jaws clamp shut around them.

Both screamed as they tumbled along the inner corridors, Lance was usually could at improvising- but this was going so far out of left field!

He had no clue what was even going on anymore.

Both were on their hands and knees panting from the sudden death experience, until Lance heard a high pitched sound and turned his head slowly.

Keith held his red sword against his face. Lance could only stare- oh well, stare in his mask and ex-Mamourian armour as much as he could.

“Who are you?” Keith growled. Lance knew he could knock the kid out and take the lion. But he’d have no idea if it’ll even respond to him, and Keith is a fighter and wouldn’t let this thing go, heck heleaped out of an airlock for this thing.

A crash outside saved his interrogation. “A rebel, against the Galra,” he rushed out (which was sorta true)

“Honestly I would tell you more but we don't have time!”

….It turns out Lance got involved in something much bigger than him.

This...this was Voltron.

His childhood stories, the one his dad told him about. The universe’s last hope before Alfor hid them away.

They returned!

Kinda, with one blue lion shot, it just sat there with it’s barrier up. Useless. Not doing a thing….sounded like his type of girl. Chilling alone while the whole universe wasn’t in chaos.

But even with four lions they were able to take down a fighter craft, one with Sendek attached as it crashed onto the planet before him. Colour Lance impressed.

Keith wasn’t too bad either during the battle. He was an excellent pilot and a fighter, but he had a very bad habit.

“Green is wide open,” Lance said with a sigh as he watched how obvious it was that the green Lion had three fighters on their ass.

“Help them out.” Dumbass, he left unsaid.

Keith seemed to hear it.

“I know-” keith instantly covered them and Lance saw fighter ships approach from the main craft. “Your right-” Keith barely managed to dodge.

“Will you quit back seat driving!?”

Lance almost stopped until he saw the black paladin was in distress “The Black lion-”

Keith was moving before he even finished. Keith was good, just had to see the bigger picture.

Once they defended Arus and went planet side, Lance had already made a decision, as he left the red lion trailing behind Keith he saw the others landed beside them.

A woman appeared out of the castle looking relieved, until her eyes clocked his and Lance almost ran back up the mouth of the lion.

“Who is he?”

Allura demanded once all the pilots had landed.

Lance brightened behind his mask, his lilac tail flicking back and forth as he descended the mouth of the lion and held his hand out.

“Oh hello, I’m Lance.” He over exagirated his movements the more big and dumb he looked the more trusting, Allura took his hand tentively.

“You can’t tell with the mask, but I’m winking.”

Allura pulled her hand away still suspicious. “Keith!”

Keith glanced at him curiously. “He was with the red lion,”

With no warning, Lance felt Allura grab his arm and twist him around onto his knees, Lance yelped.

“Ow, ow ow- that hurts lady- ow!” His hand was trembling and clenching as Allura dug her palm into his shoulder.

“What were your intentions with the red lion?”

“I was planning on stealing it,”

Allura looked very alarmed, until Lance gasped on. “But now? wouldn’t dream of it!” Allura growled “Why should we trust you?”

“My dad told me about Voltron,” Lance wheezed god this lady was tough.

Allura let him go surprised and Lance fell over with a yelp just barely catching himself, he turned and pointed at her with a scowl (That she didn’t see)

“Look I know what this looks like but I know that, this,” he gestured at the lions as he stood up ”This isn’t some collectors item, this is VOLTRON! The people’s hope, if anyone found out I-” Here he slapped a hand to his chest “-was responsible for sabotaging Voltron I’ll be doing the Galra a favour, Which is the opposite of what I want to do.”

Allura and the others who looked defensive, straightened once Lance said his piece.

“Is there anyone out there fighting Zarkon?” She asked, Lance placed a hands on his hips “Still? Jeez Lady where have you been? There is no more fighting, Its just surviving at this point.” He flapped his hand lazily “I already gave up on that freedom pipedream long ago, but yes other rebels are trying. Chances are if you make a dent in Zarkons oppressive system the rebels will come flocking.” And if the Mamoura catched wind of Voltron Lance wanted to be out of there ASAP.

He waved at them taking a step back “Good luck to you,” He patted the barrier of the blue lion and continued to walk away, hoping he could get enough of a signal to his ship to get him as far away from this planet.

Until the barrier collapsed with a swish.

He stopped walking as the others gasped. No.

Lance turned to see the others gape at the lion (Now free) then their gazes turned towards him.

Coran came to himself before the others. “It seems we have found our blue paladin.”

Lance looked around then back at them, wait they meant him?

Oh Gaia, no.

Can you do please please please do a part two on the smut piece you wrote about the "You're next" movie? thank you so much!!

Aww yes! I loved that movie so much and it makes me sad there aren’t fanfics with them. I mean, come on! Look at them. They are so badass.

Animal Masked Killers x Reader- New Deal

Warning: NSFW

You weren't a disgusting and selfish person, but at this very moment, you felt so, knowing that tonight your ex-husband will die. How do you know? Well, you're the one who hired three former army men, specialized in combat and weaponry.

At first, you doubted that it will work, but seeing so many possibilities of getting rid of that scumbag, it made you realize that it was a good option, after all the stalking and humiliation he put you through when you were together and even after the divorce, you had enough.

Sitting on the couch, your eyes moved to the digital clock, seeing that it would be just a few minutes until they will start. You poured yourself a glass of wine to ease the tension, all kinds of thoughts running through your head.

When the police will find the body will they think of you as a suspect? No. You managed to have an alibi and just one hour ago you had two of your friends over for a movie, not to mention you just face-timed your mother a few moments ago.

Still, there was an uncertainness there. Where you that low for hiring hitmen to do the dirty job?

You took a sip of your wine and swallowed down, the time ticking and wondering if his death was quick or slowly. Part of you hoped he suffered, but the more humanity part hoped it was just a shot to the head, nothing more.

All these thoughts made you lost track of time and you heard a knock, the time showing it was well past midnight. Putting the empty glass of wine on the coffee table you got up and opened the door, eyes widening as you saw the three masked men.

"What are you doing here?" you asked in a whisper.

The man with the fox mask tilted his head, his crossbow on his back.

"We are here for half the money. Don't you remember? Half before and half after." he said in a deep voice.

You nodded and let them enter, making sure there was none that could find all of this suspicious. Walking into the living room, you pulled out an envelope from a drawer, handing it to the leader for what you presume.

"I hope it's enough." you said in an emotionless voice, looking down.

The fox man nodded, seemed satisfied with their pay. One of the other two, the one with the tiger mask tilted his head at your not satisfied face.

"First time?" he asked, making you look up at him.

"What are you talking about?" you asked, brows furrowing.

"First time paying someone to kill?" he asked again and you bite on your lower lip, nodding, shame washing over you.

"You shouldn't feel so. He was just dirt." the leader, the one with the fox mask said.

"I know, but I don't feel any higher than he was, maybe I am worse than him." you said, feeling like crying, the alcohol makes you feel like confessing all of your inner turmoils.

You were pulled out of our thinking when a gloved hand touched your shoulder, stroking the tense muscles there. It was the one with the lamb mask. Glassy eyes looking up at him with curiosity.

"We saw a lot in our lives, princess. Don't let garbage let you feel down." the lamb mask told you, patting your shoulder.

They moved away from you, ready to take their leave, that's when you felt something deep inside you like something wasn't done.

"Wait! Um.....Maybe would you like to stay for a drink?" you asked, cursing yourself.

What were you thinking? Inviting paid killers for a glass of wine?

They looked at each other and shrugged, nodding your way. Why not? It's been a long night and they could use it. The three moved into the living room, tiger and lamb mask sitting down on the couch, while the fox mask sat on the armchair. You came back shortly with a glass for everyone and two bottles of wine.

You poured a glass of wine for each of them, then refilled yours. Your eyes looked at their masked faces and wondered if they would take them off.

The first to do so was the fox mask, his face revealed, he had blue eyes, short brown hair, and a medium-length beard. He was quite handsome. The other two followed suit and unmasked themselves. Both of them were good-looking, just like their leader.

Fox mask took his glass of wine and took a big gulp of the red drink, humming to himself.

"So? Any reason you invited us in?" Fox mask asked with a raised eyebrow.

Looking down at your glass you shrugged.

"Do I need one? I am living almost in the middle of nowhere, with no neighbors. Does that make any sense?" you said with an acidic tone.

"You must be lonely." Tiger mask said, sipping on his wine, his eyes looking deeply at you.

Yes, after the divorce you accepted that it was better to be alone. At first, it seemed like an easy deal, but after three months, it was too much, coming home after work with an empty house, none to support you emotionally or give you a huge. It made you feel like crumbling down.

"Shut up, asshole." Fox mask glared at Tiger, who put his hand in surrender, giving you an apologetic look.

"No. He's right. I've been alone for almost a year with none." you assured them, not feeling like been pitied.

You were sitting between Tiger and Lamb, then someone put their arm around your shoulder in a comforting way. It was Lamb.

"Hey. That's a look that doesn't suit you, sweetcheeks." he told you, feeling your cheeks heat up at his pet name for you.

His arm around your shoulder moved to your waist, his gloved fingers stroking your skin through the shirt, making you lean more into his body. You weren't easy prey, but one year without any form of touch or affection can make some crave a lot. Before you realized it, you were nuzzling your face into his chest, taking in his warmness and that faint smell of wood and male cologne.

"Bro, she seems to like you." Tiger joked, smirking at Lamb who reciprocated his friend smirk with one of his own, shrugging.

Lamb looked down at you, his lips moving closer, brushing against your own, half-lidded eyes looking at him with longing, begging him to make the first move and he did so. His lips were chapped from the cold outside, but they still felt good, the taste of wine and cigarettes from him was addicting. A chorus of 'ohhs' resounded from the other two, watching their friend kiss you, not just simple kiss, because it turned into a full make-out session, your tongue running over his, then he pulled away, breathing against your wet lips.

His hazel eyes looked at Tiger, then back at you, his hands on your hips and you just realized that you moved onto his lap. You wanted to apologize, the reality hitting you what you just did, but he stopped you.

"I think my bro here is feeling a little jealous." Lamb chuckled, Tiger, glaring at his smugness, ready to tell his friend to fuck off, but he was even more surprised when you moved from Lamb's lap over his.

You didn't know what you were doing if this was right, but you wanted this, that was for sure because it felt good. Your lips moved to kiss Tiger, tiny hands moving over his broad chest, a groan pulling from him when you nibbled on his bottom lip.

Before he could deepen the kiss more, you pulled away only to kiss down his neck, his hips grounding into yours, making you feel how much he enjoyed your attention.

"God guys, she feels so good." Tiger breathed out, his covered hands squeezing your buttcheeks, making you arch into his touches.

You pulled away from Tiger's neck and looked at the three, biting your lip, feeling a little insecure as their eyes looked intensely at you.

"I-I....I've never..." you wanted to say, blushing darkly.

"Do you want to?" Fox mask finally asked after he was silent for so long.

Wondering if this was right, after all, they were killers, they murdered your ex-husband, but the hell with it.

"Yes." You decided.

Lamb got off the couch and moved behind you, his hands on the hem of your shirt, tugging it up and you let him. You cursed yourself for not wearing a bra, but the men didn't seem to mind, because next Tigers hands groped your breasts, squeezing the flesh.

Lamb helped you get undressed and started to undress himself, but you stopped him.

"I-I want you all dressed.....with your masks on."

You didn't knew where that come from.

"Kinky. I like it." Tiger murmured, the three putting on their masks on.

There was just something about them like that, that made your blood boil with lust. Lamb moved his hand between your legs, two of his fingers rubbing on your heat, wetness soaking into his gloves.

"Jeez....She's already so wet." Lamb groaned, pushing two digits inside, preparing you for what was to come. You moaned, pushing your chest into Tigers, your hands gripping his broad shoulders.

One of Tigers hands moved to accompany Lambs, his thumb rubbing on your clit, your hips grinding on their hands.

"Yes, please!" you moaned out, looking over your shoulder at Lamb, Fox just watching the show, his cock already free as he stroked it.

"Who do you want first?" Lamb asked, curling his fingers inside you.

Your only response was a whimper because you didn't know what to answer. Hearing the sound of a zipper lowering you saw Tiger pull out his hard cock, positioning it at your entrance.

"If none goes first I will. Ready, doll?" Tiger asked, pushing in slowly, lowering you on his length. He was thick and it made your legs shake. It's really been a long time.

"Fuck, she's tight, guys." Tiger groaned, starting to thrust inside you, whines leaving your lips.

Lamb pulled his cock out too, stroking it and rubbing his tip on the skin of your buttcheeks.

"Bro. I cannot wait to be inside her too." Lamb panted out, making the man inside you chuckle.

"Then come in. I don't mind." Tiger told Lamb, making you look at him with a confused expression until you felt the man behind you push his cock inside your pussy, trying to accompany Tiger.

"Oh fuck...." you breathed out, feeling both men thrust inside you.

You never had two cocks inside your pussy at the same time, but the sensation was so delicious, you started to bounce on their lengths. Their hands moved to pinch your nipples, rub your clit and grasp your throat. The sounds their cocks made as they pushed inside you was so humiliating, but also so intoxicating, then just like that they pulled out.

You wanted to ask them what was wrong, but your hair was fisted tightly by Fox. He tugged you inside the kitchen and bend you over the kitchen counter. You looked behind to see the three of them stroke their cocks, the first one was Lamb, pushing inside you and pounding vigorously until you felt your climax hit you hard, next following his own, cumming deep inside you.

He pulled out and you squeaked as Tiger replaced him, not even giving you a break as he filled your pussy, the cum of his partner running down your inner thighs.

"Oh God.." you moaned you, hearing the men chuckle.

"That's right, princess. You're ours now. Better get that through your head." Tiger groaned out, his gloved hand giving your ass a harsh spank, the skin turning red. He pounded you hard, feeling how you tighten around him.

"Gonna cum again?" he asked, his thumb rubbing on your clit firmly, giving you the second orgasm of the night as he filled you up, his hips grinding into yours as he emptied himself. Pulling out, he made space for the last one, Fox.

You turned your head with a red face and tears at the corner of your eyes.

"T-Too much...." you breathed out, feeling your lower regions tingle.

Fox moved between your legs, his hand running down your spine, and stroking your shoulder, his mask brushed against your neck.

"One last round, princess. I'm going to be gentle." he whispered, then slowly slide in, making you whine.

He did as he promised, his thrusts all going slow, taking his time, but your over-sensitivity was too much because you felt the third orgasm approach.

"C-Close..." you breathed out, Fox nodding as his pace quickened, his hips slamming against you, a loud moan escaping you as you came, followed by him.

As he finished he pulled out, a mess between your legs, the three looking at your tiered form. Tiger picked you up, your half-closed eyes just making out the way to your bathroom, then the sound of water running.

Next, you were pulled into the bathtub, the warm water making you sigh in content.

"Thank you." you whispered, seeing them look at you.

"Do you have anything to eat?" Lamb asked.

"Yeah, I have some lasagna, but why?" you asked, running your hands over your shoulders.

"Well, if we're gonna stay here I need to eat something. I'm starving." Lamb told you, walking out and downstairs to the kitchen.

You gave the other two a confused look, not understanding what they meant.

"You're ours now. Better get used to us." Fox told you with his arms crossed.

Tiger pulled his glove off and stroked your cheek.

"You told us you wanted to get rid of the loneliness. Say hi to your new husbands." Tiger told you with an amused voice.

Eyes wide open, you wondered.....What have you gotten yourself into?

Dive | Part 7 | jjk

<MASTERLIST>

Pairings: Jungkook x y/n, Yoongi x oc

Word Count: 4.1k

Series Description:   Camping with your ex, sounds horrible right? The camping trip was   planned and payed for long before y/n’s shitty boyfriend broke up with   her. Her best friend Abby, Yoongi, Taehyung, Jimin, and Jungkook are   there to make sure she has an amazing time. However, sharing a tent with   a smoke show like Jungkook is bound to lead to some complications.

Chapter Description: Just friends, hmm? After getting a new promotion the crew takes you out for drinks. Will you ever stop having feelings for him? Will he  finally tell you how he really feels?

Warnings:Language, drinking, jungkook being a frickin teaseeeeeee, a leetle drunken confession? 

✨✨⭐️✨✨⭐️✨✨⭐️✨✨⭐️✨✨⭐️ 

Your heels click on the uneven sidewalk as you head to the bar that Abby invited you to. You had been so focused on work and getting a promotion that when you finally did Abby demanded that you celebrate. You couldn’t think of a reason to tell her no, so here you were. Bella’s Bar, a hole in the wall gem. They usually had Karaoke or a band playing, and drinks were affordable. It isn’t until you’re reaching for the rusted handle that you remember the last time you were here. You were with Ben. It was the date you went on just after agreeing to date him. You face scrunches into a disgusted one thinking about that memory.

You walk inside and you’re instantly drawn towards the tall boy with flailing arms, Tae. You widen your eyes and laugh softly to yourself as you walk towards them. Tae pulling you into the tightest hug from behind. You giggle as Jimin squishes you from the front. Both of them telling you how much you deserved your promotion and congratulations.

“Alright… alright jeez. Can I have my best friend please?” Abby groans, pulling Jimin off of you. Tae lets go, but not before leaving a wet kiss on your cheek.

You laugh eyeing them down and taking your best friend into your arms, “How drunk are they?”

“They’ve had a few, but I think they just really like you.” Abby giggles hugging you tight before telling the boys that she was stealing you to go to the ladies’ room.

Once the door closes behind you, Abby’s face turns serious, “Yoongi is on his way with… uhm… Jungkook.” She starts to wash her hands, “That’s okay right?”

Ignoring how your heartbeat quickens, you nod, “Of course, that’s fine. I told you Abby, we’re friends.”

“Yeah, I know that’s what you said but…” She starts to explain, “You still have feelings for him right?”

You cross your arms looking anywhere but at her, “I mean… I guess. But we talked about it. It’s fine.”

Her brows raise and the corner of her mouth starts to lift, “If you say so.”

You shake your head, “I told you about the conversation we had when he took me home. If he flirts, It’s fine. It’s all good, don’t worry about us.”

“Kay, but if you feel awkward let me know and we can get out of here.” She takes your hand squeezing it. You both check your reflection in the mirror, your short black peplum skirt and crop top accentuated the best parts of you. Your hair in loose waves falling over your shoulder and black heels for the cherry on top. It had been so long since you’d dressed up and you felt good.

You walk back towards the table, instantly recognizing the tattooed arm leaning on the table next to Jimin. He looked so fucking good. Classic black skinny jeans never seemed to work against him. The emerald green button up tucked into his pants to show his figure. The sleeve rolled up to show off his tattoos and sculpted forearms. You start to whisper words of encouragement to yourself. Keeping things friendly with him in general was hard, but with the way he looked tonight, you knew it was going to be nearly impossible for you not to flirt.

He turns slowly to face you as you both approach the table, almost in slow motion as his eyes connect with yours. You suck your lip into your teeth trying to suppress the huge grin tugging at the corners of your mouth. His eyes coast over your body, making your legs feel like jelly under his gaze. Finally, close enough for the two of you to embrace, you hold your arms out telling him that you want a hug. When his arms are crossing behind you, you have a moment to realize that everyone at the table was watching your embrace. Pulling back, you look up at him while reaching to grip both of his biceps.

“Congratulations on your promotion, you deserved it.” He says quietly for only you to hear. You scrunch your nose, feeling the blush take over your cheeks.

“I’m glad you came,” you tell him, just as quiet as he was. You giggle and pull away when you feel his muscles tighten underneath your touch.

“Let’s drink!” You yell to the group, smacking your hand on the table. Overly aware that Jungkook’s eyes still haven’t left you, and clearly you were still hyper aware of his every move. It was impossible not to be. Tae immediately calls over the server, ordering a bucket of beers and a round of tequila shots.

Who knows how many shots later the alcohol was doing a nice job of making everyone very comfortable. Jimin and Tae were owning the pool table and you were a giggling mess watching them absolutely dominate Abby and Yoongi.

“Yep that means you buy the next round!” Tae sings as he hangs up his pool stick. Jimin follows his lead smiling from ear to ear. Too drunk to even understand how impressive his pool skills were.

“Dammit Yoongi, you used to be good at pool!” Abby whines as she and Yoongi walk away from the pool table and towards the bar to buy the shots. Tae and Jimin follow the arguing couple to rub it in their faces a little more.

You slowly turn in your seat, leaning in to sip the few remaining sips from your drink. Jungkook is leaning over the table watching you, propping his head up with his hand. The chair squeaks at you turn it slowly to look at him.

“What’s on your mind?” You giggle, fishing a piece of ice from your drink to suck on.

“You probably don’t realize this but, I remember the last time we were all here.”

You pause, chewing on the ice. Wondering if he’s referring to the last and only time you had been there before.

“You were sitting over there,” He says calmly pointing to the table next to the bar, “We were all back here, but you were with Ben.”

You start to chew on your lip, realizing that he’s remembering the night that was supposed to be romantic for you. You were supposed to celebrate being a new couple, but instead he brought you to a bar and got upset every time you tried to leave his group to hang out with your best friend. You can see now why he acted that way.

“I remember being so pissed off,” He looks away a quiet laugh leaving his lips, “I couldn’t understand why he wasn’t giving you attention. Abby came back over and was telling us how he wanted you to stay by him but… he wasn’t even fucking talking to you.”

You were speechless hearing his confession. Wondering what the right thing to say was, since there were so many possible responses running through your hazy mind.

“That’s probably creepy huh?” He raises his eyebrows clearly thinking he said something wrong with your silence.

You giggle, reaching out to rest your hand on his thigh, “I can’t believe you remember that. Why didn’t you try to rescue me?” You bite your lip scrunching your eyes tight almost as if to scold him jokingly. You were kidding but at the same time you wondered why he would have so much courage saying the things he said to Ben on the camping trip, but no courage when it came to you being ‘mistreated’.

“Honestly?” He asks clearing his throat, “I think by now you know that when it comes to Ben, it’s hard for me to think clearly. I’m truly not the type of guy to steal another guys girl, no matter who it is.” He takes a sip from his dark liquor, “You were honestly the first girl he dated that made me a little… jealous. I couldn’t figure out why a girl like you wanted someone like him.”

You nod taking his words in slowly hoping that the small part of your brain that was sober would remember it all.

“I think I blew up on the camping trip because I was scared of him taking you back. Deep down I knew that was a possibility, and it wouldn’t be the first time he had done it. He’s always been better than me at everything and I just couldn’t live with the thought that you might go back to him.”

Your chest locks up when his glossy eyes meet yours. You reach up to lightly cup his cheek before leaning to press your lips to it.

“Thank you for telling me that…” You whisper into his ear, “And for the record… so far you’re wayyyyy better than him at most things.”

You pull away, winking. He looks down as he starts to blush. Like a saving grace the rest of the group returns to your table. Abby’s raised brows speak for themselves; you widen your eyes telling her that you would update her later.

“Alright you two want to be our next victims?” Jimin slurs patting the green felt top of the pool table.

Jungkook gets off the bar stool and takes your hand, “Help me kick their asses?”

You nod, hoping down from the stool. After picking out a pool stick and rubbing the cube of chalk on the tip, Tae breaks and sinks in a solid ball and misses his next shot.

Jungkook goes next sinking in two striped ones, you give him a hive five and he laces his fingers in yours. Jimin fails to sink any, leaving it to be your turn.

You lean over the pool table, trying to find the grip that works for you.

“Take your time sweetheart,” Tae teases as him and Jimin sip on their drinks.

You look up rolling your eyes and flipping them off before leaning back down.

“Here,” Jungkook moves over to where you are leaning behind your body, “Put your fingers like this,” He places your fingers in the right position then reaches over you to put his hand around yours helping your grip the end of the pool stick. “You need to hit it right here,” He points to the spot on the cue ball and starts to help you move. “You got it babe?”

The nickname makes you swallow hard, you nod, and he backs away. You know that everyone is giving him the stare down, but you ignore it. You follow his direction and you sink the ball you were aimed at. Everyone yells in excitement, even Tae and Jimin.

You turn around and your wrap your arms around Jungkook’s waist and he hugs you tight, “See you got it baby girl.” He looks down at you and you have to stop yourself from kissing him.

You lean back down to the table sinking one more, then another after that. Finally, your turn comes to an end and Jungkook comes up behind you wrapping his arms around your waist. The bar is loud and crowded now so he leans down so you can hear him, “Did you even need my help, y/n?” He giggles.

The heat from his breath makes your spine tingle when he asks you the simple question, “Mm, not really.” You confess letting your head fall to the side.

“Ah, I think I’m catching on,” He murmurs before leaving a feather light kiss to the spot just below your ear. He backs away, his eyebrows rising for just a moment while a sinful grin takes over. You inhale deeply, stepping back while he goes to take his turn.

The rest of the game is a breeze, considering Jimin and Tae are far too drunk to be accurate anymore. Once you finally beat them, the bar is packed. You had switched to water over an hour ago, sipping on a beer every once in a while. Not trying to have a repeat of the camping trip incident, you’ll never drink that much again. You walk to the bar to get another water, when you someone’s hand lightly pinches at the back of your arm to get your attention, “Y/N?”

You turn and your met with the sparkling eyes of the one and only Kim Namjoon. Namjoon was head of the department you had just gotten promoted to. You had had a few short conversations prior but never hung out outside of work. “Oh my gosh! What are you doing here?” You ask while reaching out for a hug. He hugs back and you silently praise yourself for deciding to switch to water, this could have been a disaster.

“Oh, I’m here with some buddies, do you come here a lot? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you here before?” He asks leaning into the bar so you can hear him clearly.

“I’ve been here a few times, but I’m here celebrating the promotion with my friends actually!” You smile and nod to your group.

“Is that water?” He nods to the clear liquid in your hand.

“It is, didn’t want to get too crazy.” You giggle and he playfully scowls at you.

“We don’t have work tomorrow, let me buy you a drink and introduce you to some of the guys in the department! Were excited to have you!” He smiles and you obviously can’t tell him no.

He buys you a drink and you follow him over as he introduces you to your new coworkers. As each of them insist on hugging you, you wonder if a certain boy has his eyes on you.

✨✨⭐️✨✨⭐️✨✨⭐️✨✨⭐️✨✨⭐️

Jungkook’s perspective:

“I don’t know who they are, maybe she works with them?” Abby answers my burning question. I know hearing that she potentially works with them should calm my jealousy but now I’m jealous for another reason. If these are the men, she’s spending every day with, how long before she finds one of them more suited for her than me?

“Drink up, looks like you need it.” Yoongi hands me a glass of the syrupy brown liquid. I pull my eyes away from her to lift the drink to my lips, wincing when it burns my throat. The way the alcohol temporarily made me forget was exactly what I needed. I down the rest of the drink and head to the bar to get another. Then another after that. It helped distract me for awhile but eventually it only made my jealousy worse.

“What’s wrong?” Jimin asks sitting at the table next to me. I raise my brows and shake my head hoping he would leave it alone.

“You’re literally moping right now, obviously you’re mad she’s talking to other guys.”

“She’s free to talk to whoever she wants. We’re just friends remember?” I respond sounding harsher than I intended, maybe that was the booze talking.

“Well I think if you’re gonna act like this every time she talks to another guy, you clearly aren’t okay being just friends.”

“What the fuck am I supposed to do, Jimin?” I turn in my chair to face him.

“Tell her how you feel.”

Tae walks over to the table carrying three shots of tequila, I take mine quickly and Jimin passes his to me.

“Are you trying to get me drunk?” I ask him, sucking on the lemon to take away the burn of the alcohol.

“I mean, maybe I know that when you get really drunk you tend to confess your feelings,” He says with a devilish grin, “I might also think that you and y/n are perfect for each other and I’m really exhausted watching you too pretend like you’re not in love.”

I roll my eyes, but I can’t say that I disagree with him. It was time for me to tell her that I want her to be more than a friend. She has to at least know that.

“I’m also just a whore for the dramatics,” Jimin whispers as he walks away.

I can’t help but laugh, feeling the warmth take over my stomach.  All of the alcohol I’ve drank in the last hour finally catching up to me. Everything in me, even drunk, was pulled to her. I want so desperately to be able to give her the space and time she needs, to understand that maybe in the end she won’t be mine. The thought alone made me want to throw up.

I can’t wrap my head around the fact that less than 30 minutes ago my arms were around he waist. I kissed her neck and she practically melted. Maybe there wasn’t a reason for me to be jealous, but I can’t help it.

I find her in the crowd, the group of men around her clearly enchanted by everything that she was. Obviously, why wouldn’t they be? She’s perfect. Everything about her is all that I could ever need. I have to tell her.

  ✨✨⭐️✨✨⭐️✨✨⭐️✨✨⭐️✨✨⭐️

The bartender calls out last call and with that you hug Namjoon, and you tell everyone it was nice to meet them. You look at your phone, gasping when you realize you had spent over an hour talking to them. You tried leaving a few times once you realized they were hitting on you, but you didn’t want to be rude. Namjoon was kind though, you didn’t get any creepy vibes from him thankfully.

Approaching the table, your eyes meet a very red faced Jungkook. He immediately straightens up but the smile he gives you is a sad one. Everyone starts to gather their things after paying their tab at the bar. You overhear Tae and Jimin discuss which bar to head to next, while Abby and Yoongi tell them they’re going home.

“Come on Kook, we can drop you off.” Yoongi announces patting him as he walks behind him.

He starts to stand up, until Jimin interrupts them, “Wait why don’t you go with y/n, Kook? That way she doesn’t have to be alone.”

Jungkook looks at Jimin with wide eyes, and Jimin nods in my direction.

“I was going to Uber… you ca- “I start but I’m instantly cut off by and oblivious yet helpful Yoongi.

“We can drop you both off, lets go.” He tells you and starts to head towards the door.

You all stand there for a moment looking at each other before following Yoongi to the car. You give Tae and Jimin a hug before they head to the next bar. You can’t help but notice Jimin giving Jungkook something that seems like a pep talk.

Sliding into the back seat, Jungkook follows you. Each of you sitting near a window leaving a space between you. Abby and Yoongi are distracted by their own conversation in the front seat. Jungkook is being suspiciously quiet and you wonder if its because of the alcohol. You suddenly feel something brushing your pinky finger, as you look down, he laces his fingers with yours. You tense at first, until you look at him. His head leaning back against the seat, but his eyes are on you. You give him a soft smile before relaxing your fingers in his.

“I’m drunk,” He whispers before he smiles at you.

You widen your eyes, and fake being surprised, “I had no idea.” You whisper sarcastically earning a giggle from the drunk boy. As quickly as the smile took over his features, it was gone just as fast. His face hardened as he focused in on you again.

“You’re perfect. You know that?” He murmurs lifting his hand to your face. Lightly brushing his thumb along your jawline until he can tuck your hair behind your ear.

“And you’re drunk,” You giggle trying to brush it off, “you know that?”

It takes him a second, but the dopey grin comes back, “mhm, but I still think you’re perfect.”

You reach up for his hand and lace his fingers in yours again, “I’m not perfect Kook, far from it.”

His expression hardened and Yoongi interrupts telling you that you were at Jungkook’s place. You both freeze for a moment, he looks at you with need. You know that there’s something on his mind and part of you really needs to know what that is.

“You need help getting inside?” You ask him before squeezing his fingers in yours. He gulps, then nods. He didn’t need help; you both knew that. You tell Yoongi you’ll get an Uber home, and thank him for the ride. The walk to his front door is quiet and slow, both of you feeling the need to say something but neither of you finding the words to say.

He fumbles with his key, so you step in and open the door. Once you’re in, the awkwardness only intensifies. He walks over to the couch and falls onto it. You take it upon yourself to find a cup and fill it with water. You have ibuprofen in your purse, so you get that out. Sitting next to him on the couch you hold out your hand for him to take the pills. He sits up just enough to drink the water and take the medicine. He leans back again staring at the ceiling.

“Okay, well I’m gonna have the Uber come get me. Are you good?” Your voice is quiet and unsure, did you read him all wrong? Suddenly he sits up straight, tucking his leg in so that he’s facing you.

“Can you stay a little longer?” He says finally after looking for the words to say.

You bite your lip and nod, “Is everything okay?”

He bites his lip and lets out a long sigh, “I need to tell you something.”

Cocking your head to the side you reach out to grab his hand, he meets your hand with both of his. He takes a minute letting his thumbs slowly brush the top of your hand. You giggle and he looks up, smiling at your response.

“It was hard to see you with those guys tonight,” he starts, pausing to see your reaction. When your face remains calm, he continues, “I know I’m the reason there isn’t anything between us right now but I feel like you need to know that…” He stops taking another deep breath, “that I don’t think I’ll ever be over you.”

You nearly choke on your spit. You knew he had something to tell you but you never would have thought those words would come from his lips. You try to formulate a response, but nothing comes.

“I just… I understand why you need time and space. I get it, I fucked up. You just have to know that no matter what I’m always going to want to be with you. I’m always going to be jealous when I see you with someone that isn’t me. Like I said I know I fucked up I ju-“  He drags on his drunken confession until you cut him off.

“Kookie, of course I was upset hearing you say all of that stuff… but let me be clear,” You pause wondering if he’s too far gone to even comprehend what you’re saying, “The reason I don’t want anything serious is because… of me, not you. You understand that right?”

He nods his head aggressively, “I know, I just want to show you I can be better.”

You start to chuckle at how desperate he’s coming across; you wonder what this confession would sound like if he was sober. Would he say anything to you at all if he was sober?

“I really love hearing that, Kook,” you reach out to comb your fingers through his messy hair, He instantly relaxes into your touch and it makes your chest tighten. You pull away knowing right now he’s vulnerable, and you are too. Hearing his confession makes you feel a million different emotions all at once.

“Do you think being friends is too much for us right now?” you ask quietly. You know if you were going to get a genuine answer it would be while he was drunk.

“It’s not too much, I can do it.” He admits forcing a tight-lipped smile in hopes of convincing you, “The only reason I didn’t say something when we talked about it was because I didn’t want to lose you completely or scare you away.”

You nod, everything making a little more sense now.  “Those guys are my new co-workers,” You say quietly, scooting yourself over so that you can lay your head on his shoulder.

“So, you’ll see them every day?” he asks, the smell of alcohol and minty gum filling your nose as he breathes.

“I mean, for the most part.” You sit up so you can look at him, “Is that why you got so drunk?”

He looks away, “I might have started drinking a lot to keep me from doing something stupid.”

You start to laugh lightly, “You can’t do that Kook,” you start, taking his tattooed hand in yours, pr

essing a soft kiss to his knuckles, “Listen, I’m obviously still very much into you. I don’t know when I’ll be ready but, when I am you’ll be the first to know.”

“You promise?” He reaches up to brush your bottom lip with his thumb, you can see it in his eyes how badly he wants to kiss you.

“I promise, but you have to patient, okay? And no more getting jealous!” You murmur in a serious tone.

“I’ll try not to get jealous, and I can be patient for you, anything for you.”

✨✨⭐️✨✨⭐️✨✨⭐️✨✨⭐️✨✨⭐️

A/N: These two are getting somewhere I promise ;) Let me know what you think and what you want to see happen!

✨✨⭐️✨✨⭐️✨✨⭐️✨✨⭐️✨✨⭐️

Taglist:

@cainami @carolsummerlove @zeharilisharaban @jikooksgirl19 @fallen-for-luke @madygswich @sugalarity @lofikoo​ @ggukkieeee @peachy-bhun @megs58298 @kawaiiayasan @ jeonchan26  @ambersaesthetics​ @hopekookies​

Time spent together

Part 6:

The narrator returns

Apollo and Lit are very, very close to Artemis’ place now. Apollo looks splotchy and nervous. I don’t like it. Clashes too much with his outfit. Lit, on the other hand looks cool and calm. That’s weird. Probably a façade.

Apollo finally makes a turn, and pulls into a driveway in this really nice neighborhood. I’d consider living here, if I could… live, you know? He parks the car and just sits there, like an idiot. I’m sure Lit notices because he punches Apollo lightly in the arm, and steps out. Apollo follows soon after, and Lit moves to the backseat to get his bag, but the former flaps at his arms in impatience. Boi does he not look the epitome of grace today.

Lit shoots him a look, and shoulders his bag anyway.

They both make their way to the front door of the pretty, baby blue house. It looks quaint, and cozy, and not really someplace I’d imagine Apollo’s cool sister Artemis living, but maybe she’s into the whole cottagecore thing. I wouldn’t know. I’m supposed to keep focused on Apollo and Lit.

Speaking of, Apollo is trying to look collected and nonchalant as he knocks on the door, but it’s (incredibly) clear that he isn’t. Lit inches just a little bit closer, trying to offer his support, but of course Apollo doesn’t notice. At least not at first. Then Lit’s hand brushes against his own, and, I kid you not, his eyes spark. His breath hitches in his chest, and he goes completely still. Simp.

The door bangs open to reveal a silver woman. No seriously, she’s silvery all over. Her hair and eyebrows have been dyed a most mesmerizing silvery-white, her skin glows in places (silver highlighter methinks), and all the delicate silver jewelry over the lacy, dark green tank top and gray shorts makes her look ethereal and fairylike. DAMN she is really taking the Artemis thing seriously.

“Big brother!”

“We’re twins, and you’re unoriginal”, Apollo says resignedly. Like he’s had this exact conversation before. He probably has. Artemis simply smiles.

“Aw don’t be like that!”

She turns toward Lit, who’s been standing there awkwardly, and offers him her hand. Palm facing down, snowy white fingers curled, like she expects him to kiss it.

Lit looks like he’s visibly restraining himself from turning to Apollo in bewilderment.

“Aren’t you going to take my hand?” Artemis asks, with a fake pout.

Lit reaches out and takes it, completely unsure of what to do next. He just holds it like it’s an unwanted bug someone’s placed in his hand.

“Must all your dates be so rude, Apollo?” Artemis questions, with a huff.

“Must you always act like a twat that doesn’t know what century it is, Artemis?” he replies, turning to Lit. “She’s just playing with you”.

Artemis laughs, and walks away. It’s a normal laugh, no tinkling wind chimes, or tumbling rivers. I don’t even know if that’s humanly possible. Stephanie must have been on something.

“Something tells me it’s best if I play along”, Lit says, following Apollo through the door.

“Definitely. Oh, and leave your shoes here.”

Two of the girls Artemis lives with are insanely pretty. (But then, all humans look insanely pretty to me… oh to have a physical form). And they look like polar opposites. The bigger one is wearing a flowy summer dress that perfectly complements her wheatish skin, her pink and brown hair in a neatly curled high pony, winged eyeliner on point. The other one has her orange-red hair hanging about her face, some of it still fixed in the messiest messy bun I’ve ever seen. She stays seated on the sofa, in her dull grey sweats, and simply turns to wave at the boys when they walk in, eyes still on the tv.

“Hi! I’m Arson”, says they pink-haired one, “And that’s Claire. She’s normally the active one, but it’s shark week so she’ll just lie there like that all day, useless”. She (they?) swiftly catches they pillow that’s been chucked at them, and grins. “Oh and Thalia’ll be out in a sec”.

“Your name’s Arson?” Lit asks, politely trying not to sound shocked or confused.

“Heh yeah. Of all the non-binary names someone like me could have picked, right?” They say, with a short laugh. “It was a close call between this, and Twig.”

“Her pronouns are she and they, btw”, Apollo says walking up from where he’d been talking to his sister, to envelop Arson in a hug, “Hey Ari!”

“Ah jeez. The hugging still isn’t over?” A raven haired girl says, walking into the now slightly crowded living room. “Well I’m Thalia. Do no touch me”. That last part was spit at Apollo. Her tone is menacing, but her little smirk shows otherwise.

“Hey Thalia”, Apollo says, reaching over to pat the red-head, Claire, on the shoulder, and ruffle her already ruffled hair. Please somebody comb it already!

“This is Lit, Apollo’s newest fling”, Artemis says, gesturing to the boy who looks like he can’t decide whether he wants to live here, or run away. He gives the room a shy smile. (Aww)

“Great! Now that we all know each other,” Get out of Pridelands? Sorry sorry. Just couldn’t miss out the opportunity to quote Lion King: Simba’s Pride. Artemis simply continues on with something about lunch and rotisserie chicken.

It’s been quite an uneventful couple hours, but oh, how could that possibly last? In a room full of people, half with names with mythological roots, and the one named after a crime? There’s bound to be some drama. No, calm down, there isn’t going to be a fire. Unless it’s Lit’s heart flaming for Apollo, or vice versa. ANYWAY I’m going way off script.

“So Lit, how’d you guys meet?” Claire asks around a mouthful of veggies, feet nestled comfortably on Arson’s lap. I’m starting to think they might be more than friends, but what do I know?

“Oh we had to do a project together. Obviously, we’d seen each other around before then, but yeah… that’s the first time we really interacted”, Lit answered, awkwardly trailing off at end, as if he thought he’d said to much. Seriously Lit? That was barely anything.

“And how long ago was that?” Arson asked.

“Uh-”

“About a month ago”, Apollo supplied, lacing his fingers through Lit’s, their hands clearly visible from the sofa they were seated on.

Lit’s adam’s apple bobbed, and he shifted slightly in his seat, but managed to keep calm, even lifting their conjoined hands into his lap.

“Huh. How long have you guys been together, then?” Thalia asked, staring to look interested.

“A couple weeks.” Apollo’s voice was calm, at startling odds with the red of his face.

“Oh?” Artemis said finally, her eyes moving from their linked hands, to Apollo’s face. “You move awfully fast brother.”

“Well, we both wanted it”, Lit tried to cut in. The sudden tension between the twins is so thick, even oblivious Lit notices.

Artemis ignores him and continues, “Don’t you remember what happened last time you moved this quickly?”

“Artemis, please”, Apollo says, starting to sound irritated, “You wanted me to stop fucking around, and I did. You seem to have a problem with everything I do.”

“Oh is that why you’re dating him? Because of me?” Oh shit… we’re getting awfully close to the truth now, huh?

“No. No, of course not”, Apollo lies quietly. Lit manages to discreetly untangle their fingers and pull away, looking a little hurt. “I like Lit”. So not all lies then? If only Lit knew that, then he’d stop looking like a kicked puppy.

“Just make sure he isn’t another Daphne”, Artemis says, a challenging look in her eyes.

“That was a mistake and you know it! When are you going to stop bringing it up?” Apollo spits angrily, before he gets up and walks out the front door.

Lit sits there in shock for a second, before deciding that an angry Apollo was easier to deal with that a room full of upset and curious people, and follows behind him. Damnit! I wanted to stay behind and listen to the gossip. Would you mind terribly if I did that?

Yea, I suppose you would.

Lit is leaning against the wall of the house, hands in his pockets, while Apollo leans over the porch railing, and stares at his car.

“So who’s Daphne?”

Apollo sighs in defeat, before saying, “My ex. One of my only two exes”. Then he turns around before almost hastily adding, “Exes being people I’ve actually dated, that is. Not just people I’ve slept with”.

“Of course. Of course you still care about your reputation as a fuckboy”, Lit says, sounding disappointed more than anything else. Look, I’m a sucker for drama, but what the hell is this?! I don’t like this.

“What? No”. Apollo sounds... scared? “No I’m just trying to be as clear as possible.”

Lit doesn’t say anything.

“Besides, why are you even mad? It’s not like we’re actually dating”.

“No.” Lit whispers, “We’re not”.

“Hey”, Apollo pleads, “I can’t handle you being mad at me too, Lit. I’m sorry you got dragged into this shit”.

Lit waves the apology away. “Why is Artemis so mad about Daphne?” If I were even a little less intuitive, I would’ve missed the hopeful tone of that question.

“Oh. Um- Daphne was one of Artemis’ best friends. That’s how we got close in the first place. Sometime last year, we started seeing each other, and eventually became official. We’d moved really quickly, and honestly didn’t have much in common except Artemis” And divinely good looks, if Apollo’s many flings are anything to go by. “But everything went great, nonetheless. Better than great, even. I started to think I loved her. Until it didn’t. Around the three month mark, things started to go sour. We’d disagree about pretty much everything, and we’d fight and argue all the time. Then it started to get monotonous and boring and we were just going through the motions. I couldn’t take it anymore, so I broke up with her, and…” That’s the one place he hesitates. “Left. I just left for college, and Artemis had to deal with Daphne, who apparently took it hard. I didn’t speak to her at all until just a few months ago.

We’re okay now, by the way. She says that I’m a better friend that boyfriend, and I can’t say I disagree. Lucky for you that we’re just faking it, right?” I notice the slight hitch in his voice, but Lit apparently doesn’t. He lets out a dry chuckle. “Artemis, on the other hand, is still obviously pissed. I don’t blame her. She said that Daphne only dated me at all because I seduced her. At first, I thought that was ridiculous, but if all the hoes on campus are anything to go by, it seems that was entirely possible”, he finishes bitterly. Well... that was quite a speech.

“I don’t know whether to be impressed or exasperated by your unwavering level of self-confidence”, Lit says tiredly, after a brief pause. “Well that wasn’t as bad as I expected”.

“Yea, Artemis has been known to overreact”.

“I think her reaction was warranted”. Lit himself looks surprised at having defended Artemis.

“Maybe it was”, Apollo amends, eager to get back on Lit’s good side, I suppose. “You’re not still mad, are you?”

“I’m not mad at you, no” comes the curt reply, suggesting that he is still mad at something. This whole situation, probably. This trip was supposed to be romantic for God’s sake!

“Good, because we have a little party to attend this evening”.

Chapter 27 - Wonder whose arms will hold you good and tight (when it’s exactly twelve o’clock that night) [part 3]

Birds Of a Feather

(In the previous chapters: after a wild match of a new game called I Have a Ball, the gang can finally start the party; among the guests there are Chris and Matt of Soundgarden, Layne and his girlfriend Demri and a couple of Mudhoney guys; to avoid an embarrassing situation, Sara suggests a game of Never Have I Ever which, despite Stone’s objection, is endorsed by several guests: now they can finally get to the heart of the party)

At this point the guests had basically split in three groups: some of them were stuffing their faces in the kitchen, others were dancing and listening to the music and some were taking their seats in a circle in the middle of the living room to play the game. “I can’t believe I’m doing this!” whined Stone as he sat down on the carpet “What did you plan for midnight? Musical chairs or broom dance?” “Stop complaining Gossard, nobody forces you to play if you don’t want to!” Cornell retorted to him and then went on “And actually I planned something great for midnight… you’ll see” “Should we be scared?” Layla wondered aloud as she noticed the devilish grin on Chris’s face. “Not much more than usual” Mike shrugged as he sat on the couch between her and Lukin. “Anyway, there’s no children games or grown up games: a game is a game, then it depends on how you play it” the girl explained then turned around immediately when she heard someone beside her open his mouth. “Yeeeah, and it depends on how much play you get” Elias spoke like he came out of thin air. “Elias?? Where have you been?” “When you grow up, I’ll tell you all about it, my darling one” the guy gave her a blatant wink “Let’s just say that it involved physical activity with a blonde bombshell…” “I didn’t know that indoor plants could be blondes...” “What do you mean, Mr. Cameron?” “I mean that, apparently, you have a thing for ficus plants and you also find ‘em incredibly blonde; I saw you sprawled between them half an hour ago, but I never took you for a-fuck, what’s the name?” “... Dendrophiliac?”  “Yes, exactly! Thanks, Layla, you’re an angel” the drummer flashed at Layla one of his sunny grins, while Elias began to whine. “Matt, what a low blow! I expected that from everybody in this room – except you and Ed, and look where my admiration for you has led me!” “... What kind of hippie freak are you, O’Reilly? Hell, going at it with a vegetable?! And it wasn’t even a carrot or a pickle, what is your damag-” Jeff had looked at him all perplexed, but he was fortunately interrupted by loud coughs made by Layla. “Soooo, everybody here knows the rules?” the girl asked, but was met by skeptical looks “Jeez, what kind of adolescence did y’all have?” “One that didn’t include fun, apparently” Elias shrugged, still licking his wounds after his previous skirmish with Matt. “Ok, I get it: first of all, grab the poison of your choice” and, as she said it, she filled herself a glass of tequila that had been previously hoarded in the middle of the circle with many other kinds of booze. Soon after Sara had shrugged and grabbed a bottle of beer, while Demri helped herself to a glass of sangria and then, one by one, everybody followed their example and was having something alcoholic clenched in their hands. “Very good” Layla cleared her throat “One by one, each one of us begins their sentence with ‘Never have I ever’ and then proceeds to say something they have never done; if you did the thing that has just been said, you have to take a sip of your drink” “Milady, you had my curiosity, but now you have my attention” Lukin declared, a hand upon his heart. “Now, this is the most important rule, so pay attention: you have to remember that the winners are the ones who have their glasses at their fullest” “... Layla, are you telling us that having a life as interesting as a sloth’s is the key to success?” Cornell scratched his temple, glancing at her in a perplexed way.  “I think she is” “Well, I have a question” Stone, unexpectedly, raised his hand “You talked about glasses, but many of us have chosen bottles, so it would take ‘em more time to empty that instead of a glass, right? Doesn’t that sound like a huge advantage to any of you?” “... he’s right, they have more booze to drink, that’s unfair!” Mike chimed in, pouting and waving his glass of whiskey in the face of everybody. “That’s not what I meant, Cready, lemm-” “But you can always grab another glass after you emptied the first, man! That’s what I’m gonna do” Lukin patted Mike on the shoulder, showing him his own glass of gin, and the guitarist returned to being his usual cheerful self. “Ok, so, who starts?” Layla asked, rolling her eyes. “Well, since you suggested the game in the first place, it’s only fair that you’re the one who goes first” Eddie answered gently. <The fact I’m also eager to know the things you did and didn’t do has got nothing to do with it, of course> “Oh, ok so ne-” the girl was answering but was immediately cut off by Stone. “Err-Ed, it was actually Sara who suggested it. Or the mysterious person she heard it from” “Huh? Oh yeah, you’re right, you go first, Sara” the singer admitted and mentally counted how many rounds were there before Layla’s turn. “Yeah, Sara, you can start” Layla winked at her friend and everybody else agreed but someone else chimed in again. “I have an idea. Why don’t we all drink a glass of something and the one who empties it faster starts?” McCready suggested.  “That’s what I call starting with a boom, I’m in, man! So 3… 2… 1-” Lukin immediately went along with him and brought his glass close to his mouth. “Nuh-huh, we’re gonna take it slow, it’s less funny if we all get drunk before the start” Layla innocently explained. “Now that’s not exactly true, miss” Lukin addressed the girl in a contrived way. “Everybody shut up! Sara will begin, end of the story” Stone took over and everybody simply agreed without further questioning. <Haha, I got the power> “Well, well, well” Sara tapped the bottle of beer against her lips “Never have I ever…” she stopped and looked Jeff directly in the eye “... got a love letter” Layla promptly gulped a sip of tequila, leaving Ed lost in his thoughts: he couldn’t believe that the Boston piece of shit could be able to make such a significant gesture. “Mikey, what the fuck are you doin’?” “Taking a sip, obviously” “... who wrote you a love letter? When did that happen?!” “My love life isn’t any concern of yours, Stoney” and, that said, McCready finally drank a bit of his whiskey, then turned to a pouty Lukin “Dude, why that sad face??” “...”  Lukin didn’t open his mouth because he was already near the stage of an alcohol-fueled coma, but Mike perceived his silence as a sign of possible discomfort and shame. “Don’t tell me that nobody ever wrote you a love letter!” he added, shocked “That is outrageous! But you don’t have to cry about it, if you want I’ll write you one” “... Elias, put that glass down; nobody’s gonna believe you” Stone changed his victim, who rolled his eyes but did as he had said. In the middle of all that noise, Demri and Layne shared a glance full of complicity and drank almost at the same time, while Chris and Matt clinked their glasses and unironically did the same. “Nobody specified if it had to be sincere or a bet would suffice as well, so…” Cornell smirked, then looked at Eddie, who hadn’t moved a muscle “Ed, you’re not drinking?” “Yeah, I-I’m usually the one who writes ‘em” the singer let out a nervous chuckle, then turned to the girl who was sitting next to him and that was muttering something under her breath “Everything ok, Sara?” The young woman’s gaze at Jeff was literal lava, ready to boil all over him. “That piece of shit… he doesn’t even have the balls to admit it, fuckin’ unbelievable” she snorted, then added in a loud voice “Somebody in this room is so full of shit it’s not even funny” When Jeff gave her a perplexed glance, she went on: “Yeah, I’m talking about you” “Man, what does she mean with that?” Elias went near the bassist in order to satisfy his curiosity, but the guy just shrugged. “She must have forgotten to take her medicine, you’ll get used to it” Jeff reassured him as he kept eye contact with Sara. <So what? Only because I’m lucky with girls, it doesn’t mean I gotta receive stupid love letters every day… And since when is this any of her business? Is she jealous? She fuckin’ hates me, how can she be jealous? And why does she fucking hate me anyway? Can’t we just have fun without problems for once?> Seeing the vein pulsing on her temple, Eddie put a hand on the girl’s arm: “Don’t mind him, you know how he is” he paused a second, then beamed with enthusiasm “Now it’s my turn!” “Who said that?” Stone asked after gazing from Sara to Jeff during their exchange like the spectator of a tennis match. “Well, we’re following the order…” Eddie explained pointing at Sara sitting next to him, then at himself, then towards Lukin and the other people sitting on the couch. “Who decided it’s counterclockwise?” Mike wondered. “How can you say cun- cou- caunt- county- oh fuck, how can you say that fuckin’ word when drunk?” Lukin tried to make a point. “Sadly not drunk enough, my friend” Mike wiped invisible tears from under his eyes while the bass player patted him on the leg. “Who cares if it’s clockwise or not, let’s go on!” Jeff huffed at Stone and flailed his arms, anxious to go on with the game, mostly to shift the attention on something else. “So – cough, cough! – can I?” Eddie hesitantly demanded. “Yeah, sure!” everybody prompted him to go on. “Ok so… uhm… never have I ever… got back with an ex” he said looking intently at the carpet beneath his feet. Some people drank, some people didn’t. Mike drank from his glass as Layla left hers untouched and gave him a puzzled look.  “Really, Mike?”  “What can I say? The soul is willing but the flesh is weak”  Layla nodded embarrassed and when she looked at Eddie, he looked down again pretending not to be staring at her, now acting preoccupied with his fingernails. <So she didn’t. But she wanted to. Does she still? She would be back with him already if it  wasn’t for the snow. It’s just a matter of time anyway… Shit, I should have asked ‘Never have I ever WANTED to get back with an ex’. I’ll wait for my next round... Will it be too obvious?> “Guess it’s my turn now” Lukin shrugged then stood up from the couch for no reason. “You don’t have to stand up to say the thing, Matt” McCready reminded him but he acted like he didn’t hear him. “Never have I ever… lied to a friend to avoid a greater evil” he stated then plopped back down on the couch with a burp. “Wait... this is a normal question” Jeff frowned as he, like everybody else, was expecting some senseless stuff. “Isn’t it alright?” Lukin asked and was about to stand up again, not without any effort, but Layla promptly pulled him down right away. “It’s alright, Matt, the question is perfect” she said and proceeded to drink from her glass. Steve, who hadn’t drunk in the first two rounds, did the same, just like Sara, Mike and literally everybody else. “Mikey, you basically did everything” Layne joked. <Yeah, finally something I actually did for real> the guitarist pondered and smiled. “Well, once I said I had troubles at home with my family and couldn’t make it to rehearsal. But I actually went to a party and got shitfaced” “YOU DID WHAT?” Stone and Jeff attacked him almost at the same time while the others just laughed. “You liar! And I was even worried about you” Stone shook his head. “You were worried only because you had paid to book the practising space in advance!” the other guitarist retorted, sticking his tongue out at him. “Do it again and I’ll bust your head wide open” Ament threatened pointing his finger at him. “You’re one to talk! Did you forget when you came late to soundcheck at the Off Ramp and said it was because of a jammed brake pad in your truck you had to check?” Mikey ironically asked “But what you actually had to check out was instead that girl from 7-Eleven?”  “YOU WHAT? GUYS, I’M SERIOUSLY DISAPPOINTED” Stone folded his arms and gave them both a scolding look. “Well yeah, I can understand Mike, but I thought you were more focused on art, honestly” Eddie chimed in with a shitty grin on his face. “Huh, not you too, please!” “What does it mean you can understand me? I’m focused on my art too” the guitarist acted offended “Sometimes you just need a break, you know?” “Come on, give Jeff a break! And you’re right Mike, don’t listen to them! It’s your turn now” Layla tried to bring peace in the gang and asked him to go on with the game. “Thank you, Four Eyes! It’s your turn, Judas” Jeff looked up at the girl, then stared at Mike with narrowed eyes. “Ok, so… uhm… never have I ever flown on a dragon” he said as he brought up his glass as if he was making a toast.  “Hahaha, shut up! That’s not valid, man” Elias blurted out laughing at the guitarist’s face, just like anybody else in the circle. “Why not? You shut up” “Err, Mikey, actually… I think Elias is right in this particular circumstance: you can’t make unreal statements” Layla scratched her head and tried to convince him without irritating him. “Oh sorry, Miss Boulais, I didn’t know this rule. I’ll come up with something else” McCready reassured her and Layla sighed with relief “Never have I ever… been to Mongolia” Everybody giggled and Layla facepalmed. Of course nobody drank. “Mike, the aim of the game is not drinking, you know that, right?” Layla whispered into his ear. “Don’t worry, I’ve got my strategy!” he winked at her and then asked the group before taking the umpteenth sip “So? Nobody? Ok, looks like I gotta drink then” “You seem to ignore other rules too though, did you know that?” Lukin broke the silence right when Layla was thinking about her statement. “Which rules?”  “Once you said your Never have I ever, you can’t actually change it… unless you take a penalty” Matt went on to explain and for a moment Eddie detached from the situation and observed the scene as an external spectator. <Two drunk grown men debating about the rules of Never have I ever, and it’s not even midnight> “He had to change it because it wasn’t valid, not because he wanted to change it himself” Chris pointed out. “Right, Chris, thank you! I love you man, did I ever tell you? Oh, and what was this penalty supposed to be anyway?” “Easy. You had to drink all player’s cups. But since you didn’t want to change it yourself…” Lukin shrugged and Mike suddenly sat straight up on the couch. “OH, BUT I WANTED TO!” “Haha, but you just said-” Layne chuckled at him while Demri muttered to herself she was expecting this comeback. “FORGET WHAT I SAID” “But Chris just said-” Cameron wanted to join in the fun too. “FORGET WHAT HE SAID, FUCK CHRIS, OK??”  “And he said he loved me!” Chris pretended to cry on his drummer’s shoulder and Matt patted his head. “Stop being an animal, Cready, and let Layla speak. It’s her turn” Gossard reproached him and Mike sulked like a child. “Ok so… mmm…” Layla collected her thoughts and then spoke in one single breath “Never have I ever led anyone to believe I liked them whereas I actually had a crush on their best friend and so was just leading this person on to get to their friend”  “This is… very specific, El” Sara squinted at her, trying to understand what her friend was up to. “It’s just an average game question” Layla shrugged but didn’t convince the other girl. <She’s a worse liar than Mike> Only Stone and Jeff drank, therefore getting a reproach from Layla herself. Ed didn’t drink and this was a sort of answer to Layla’s little suspects about him and her roommate. She smiled at him but was almost more shocked about someone else not drinking. “... Mike?” “Yes, babe?” “You didn’t drink” “Sure I didn’t. I’d never be such a jerk to a woman!” he replied with a disgusted face making everybody laugh, whereas Layla beamed and kissed him on the cheek. “Your kindness is stronger than your thirst, I’m impressed” “My turn now!” Elias yelled and everyone focused on him “Never have I ever… thought a friend’s mom, ehm, a friend’s parent was hot”  “Wow, a dirty question, who would have thought!” Sara rolled her eyes but also drank soon after.  “What??” her roommate was sincerely surprised.  “Well, that was really unexpected… color me impressed!” Steve grinned at her, raising his glass high in her honor. “Some dads are really something else, you can’t deny that” Sara justified herself and high fived Demri, who had just taken a sip as well “Let’s just say that this particular man made me re-evaluate the role of hideous Speedo swimsuits in society” “Amen, sister” Demri let out a loud cheer and patted her on the shoulder. “Are you really drinking?” Cameron gave Cornell a weird look. “Don’t you remember the story about Kevin’s mom?” the singer clarified. “Haha right, I forgot”  Mike drank but nobody was surprised. “Oh for fuck’s sake, Jeffrey!” Stone reacted sadly at Ament drinking from his cup. “You’re such a bigot” the bass player grinned broadly. “I’ll never let you anywhere near my house and my mother again”  “It’s not your mom that I find hot, don’t worry” Jeff tried to reassure him but got an unexpected reaction. “Why? What’s wrong with my mom?” “N-nothing, it’s just-”  “So you think my mom is ugly?”  “Not at all, Mary Carolyn is such a nice woman”  “Oh, so now you’re on a first name basis! Do you think you have a connection or something?” “No, you just said that-” “Keep your dirty hands off my mother!” “You’re all making it up. I only meant that-” “Jeff, you’re stuck in a vicious circle. The only way out is to drop the subject and make your Never have I ever statement, since it’s your turn. Trust me” Steve gave precious advice to Jeff, who nodded and focused on what to say.  “Never have I ever burnt bridges with somebody without any reason and without giving them the chance to explain themselves” “... Damn, Ames, you take no prisoners” Chris let out a low whistle, and the bassist shrugged, waiting for the inevitable glasses raised, but they never came. “Fancini, you ain’t thirsty?” he raised an eyebrow and received a middle finger as a reply. <Yeah, there was absolutely no fuckin’ need to hear ya explaining why the fuck you acted like an utter piece of shit – the reasons were all there, so you can put this bottle up your ass!> the girl thought, trying to ignore him. “Seems like nobody’s gonna drink this round, so… BOTTOMS UP!” Layne clapped his hands while Jeff stood up and emptied his cup. “I swear I wanted to say the exact same thing, I had it on the tip of my tongue!” Mike whined – he hadn’t taken a sip because he hadn’t totally understood what the hell his bandmate had said, but if that question had allowed him to gulp down his drink, then he was sure that it had to be something brilliant. “Well… seems like it’s your turn, Stoney!” Layla chirped, a bit in high spirits but with her hands steady, now intent on refilling Ament’s glass.  “Never have I ever avoided to face something important until the problems became bigger and uglier, so I regretted not doing anything about it before” Stone laid it out as simple as that without losing the smirk on his face, looking left and right at the bunch of friends. <That was pretty easy…> Gossard thought <This is not a New Year’s party, it’s a reunion of the Unfinished Business Club... Well, am I the one to talk?> When Stone and Layla made eye contact, the girl thought the question was directed right at her. Everybody knew about her ex boyfriend by now. What they didn’t know was that their relationship was over before the “Eddiegate” and way before she put an actual end to that. She’d always been aware that things weren’t good, that she was just too attached and insecure to let him go. <I chose an allegedly perfect boyfriend who was never actually there over dealing with actual people and the whole process of getting to know each other. I was so scared, and still am, that I’d rather not risk it and preferred a relationship that didn’t make sense anymore> At the same time Layla instinctively looked at her left towards Eddie and stole a quick glance of him knitting his eyebrows as if he was pondering something. He didn’t seem someone who would avoid obstacles to her, she couldn’t imagine him running away from problems, she liked him for being honest and straightforward. <Yeah, I do like him> she said as she figured out she had two reasons to drink and took a sip from her cup. As Stone spoke, for some reason Eddie’s mind immediately went to the mixtape he had sent over to them a few months earlier. All his feelings about his family, his mom, his dad, his stepdad, everything he had kept bottled up for so long and suddenly came out all at once. At times he thought it was too bad or too late, some other times he even believed there was still hope for him. It was always either black or white for him, nothing in between. And he started to think that maybe if he had addressed his issues before, his life wouldn’t be the rollercoaster of emotions it was.  <Thinking about roller coasters…> he said to himself as he looked towards the right and saw Layla drinking. Eddie saw the situation very clear for a minute. How could he blame her for trying to get in touch with her boyfriend again, when he did absolutely nothing about her in the meantime? He had never told her anything or asked her out, except for the failed attempt to go to the movies with her alone. Was it too late for that too or was there any hope left? In doubt, he drank from his glass too. Next to Stone, Jeff had let out a huge sigh and rolled his eyes: leave it to his best friend to pour some lemon and salt over the wound, then worsen the situation by twisting a rusted knife inside of it and letting it fester. He suddenly felt a great wave of fatigue washing all over him, and pinched the bridge of his nose because he had the feeling that a headache was behind the corner; it didn’t matter how many miles he had tried to put between himself and the first half of that particular year they were about to say goodbye to: the past had its ways to come back and bite you in the ass, and his nights spent by mulling over years and years of regrets and lost chances could prove it. Just thinking about Andy was still able to give him nausea, because his mind inevitably drifted to the last time he had seen him – hooked up to the machines, an unrecognizable empty shell where once had stood a bright young man, full of hopes and dreams bigger than his own life. Andy’s addiction had always been the notorious elephant in the room: everybody knew it was there, but nobody acknowledged its existence. They had tried to make him understand how serious his situation was – how jeopardizing it would have been for their careers – and, for a while, it had seemed to work: he had been sober for a few months and was positive about their future, confident about their imminent success. In the morning of that goddamn day he was supposed to go to the gym with him, but instead had called him to say that he didn’t feel good; his voice had been kinda scratchy, but Jeff had thought nothing of it – he was sick and didn’t need a nanny around, the day after he would have been good as new, that’s what he had told himself… that’s also what he had repeated to himself when he had stepped inside the hospital that same evening, cursing himself because he should have understood that something was wrong in his voice and it hadn’t been the sickness talking, but the heroin. He had also cursed Andy for throwing their jobs out the window, then cursed again himself for being a shitty human being who in that moment could only think of financial stability and not the fact that his friend wasn’t there anymore and that the lifeless corpse lying on the bed was a reminder of how nobody – not even the brightest fellows – in the end can save themselves. Now his thoughts drifted to the last New Year’s Eve party he had attended, where Andy had been gushing nonstop over The Miracle by Queen: he had been sober for a while and his eyes were literally sparkling while he talked about the English band’s latest single and eponymous album. Nobody could compete with the level of enthusiasm that Andy always showed when he talked about Queen – nobody, except maybe one person. Jeff raised his head and looked in front of him, where a pale-faced Sara was sitting with her legs crossed: even from his place he could see how in this moment her dark lipstick and metallic eyeshadow stood out on her face. <Avoided to face something important until the problems became bigger and uglier… regretted not doing anything about it before…> Stone had been a direct witness of how messed up he had become five years before, when he had spent a whole week being dead worried and then it had only taken Sara a few minutes to make his world crumble around him, but he didn’t think his friend would be capable of using that piece of information to gain some advantage in a stupid game… right? Unless Stone had suddenly developed some serious telepathic skills, it would have been simply impossible: after all, it was a conclusion he had come to just in the last few weeks, so the deliberate jab at him had to be ruled out. After more than five years, Jeff had finally convinced himself that yes, that infamous day he could have indeed done something more; he could have persisted, insisted to talk to her and demanded some explanations after she had told him to leave her alone forever because, apparently, he had ruined her life and there was nothing he could do to fix it. She had clearly been in distress and he had obviously noticed it but, foolish as he was, he had preferred to indulge her instead of pushing the subject further on and trying to understand how he could help her. Sara had always been a reserved person – one could say that she resembled a vault – but maybe, with the right words and intentions, he would have been able to breach her notorious armor of stubbornness and pride, and she wouldn’t have disappeared for so many years, or at least they wouldn’t have been in those horrible terms. Maybe. He let out a sigh and drank from his glass and, in that exact moment, the girl fixed her gaze on him and noticed that he was already staring at her; she wrinkled her nose and turned her face away, as to avoid his inquisitive gaze: the last thing she needed was someone trying to understand what was going on in her mind. <Fuckin’ Gossrad and his disturbed competitiveness…> He was referring to that goddamn July of 1985, she was sure of it; he hadn’t been there when the outburst had taken place but he surely had comforted Jeff after it: that’s how those two rolled, talking shit about each other but always rushing to the aid of the other one whenever something – someone – terrible had happened to him. And that’s what she had been for Jeff: something terrible – something terribly weird, irritating, plain stupid like only a teenager can be; something to laugh about with his friends, to parade around like a shitty trophy, to forget as soon as the game had ceased to be funny, along with his old fake-ass personality and behavior, and never again to be talked about. It didn’t matter if her heart clenched whenever he laughed because he still got wrinkles around the corners of his eyes, like he used to do… she had to bury that annoying buzz deeper, alongside their old selves – fake or not – that they had so meticulously killed.  No laughter or smile could carry the same meaning of five years before. She couldn’t be fooled: she was the first one whose eyes couldn’t smile anymore, no matter how broad the grins she displayed were. She also couldn’t care less if anybody – her aunt Liliana, Leo, even Eddie – told her that she needed help, that she couldn’t go on like this, always internalizing, always stifling what she really felt, always thinking she had to face everything on her own… they could keep on babbling, she was still the one who in the end got to make the decisions. <Ok, my whole life has been a perpetual avoidance of every fuckin’ problem until it has all become a majestic mess, and there isn’t a single day that passes without me thinking I could have done something better with my life… so what? Does this give everybody the right to tell me how I should or should not live? Don’t think so> The girl finally ended her internal monologue with a scoff and emptied her glass, without the slightest intention of making eye contact with anybody. 

To Hell and Back

Chapter 17

Summary: Wels basically tries to kill Tango.

Characters: Wels, Tango, Beef mentions

TW: Hella violent chapter, includes blood and pain

———————

Even a couple days later after his little dispute with Beef, Wels was still quite annoyed. For those couple days he decided to just stay around his base, careful not to wander over into Beef’s territory. The butcher was now the last person he wanted to see right now and he was fine with staying home alone if it meant he didn’t.

But inevitably, he’d have to leave for some particular reason at some point. Today was that day and he was going to have to meet with Tango. He already rejected the offers to visit or receive visitors from other Hermits, but suspicion was bound to rise if he continued to reject the many invitations. Especially since he started in the series so late. The others wanted to see him again.

That being said, he laid in bed wondering if he could come up with some kind of excuse. He had to breed cows for hours, his portal needed some recalibration, he needed to grind for new stuff because he lost all of it again, something like that. It would be believable but Beef was bound to chatter off to someone.

Not that Wels thought anything was wrong. He was still the same old chivalrous knight he was for years beforehand, Beef was just overreacting. But if the butcher happened to tell Xisuma what he thought, the admin would definitely ask some questions.

While he thought, his communicator buzzed a few times. Kicking off his blanket with a groan- despite being only noon- he saw that Tango was persistent in making sure Wels left his house. There were at least ten new messages pestering him to come over.

Mostly with bribes for good trading which Wels knew he probably wouldn’t be able to turn down if he tried. He needed some stuff that Tango was willing to trade for a lower price than the shops in the shopping district. The buzzing continued.

<TangoTek> Helloooooo

<TangoTek> Wels

<TangoTek> I’ll give you a bunch of iron

<TangoTek> Gunpowder?

<Keralis> I’ll take some

<TangoTek> :(

<TangoTek> I can see you reading my messages

<TangoTek> Please come over

<MumboJumbo> What on earth is going on?

Wels rolled his eyes. Desperate much? He winced at the thought. No, no, Tango had a point. He’d never call him desperate just for wanting to see him again. Actually that was odd. Wels was not the type to ignore everyone.

Was that what Beef meant? Of course not, Wels felt fine. Great, in fact. He hadn’t felt this good in ages, just a little more irritable than usual, he supposed. Maybe he was just stressed from continually trying to avoid everyone. He really did probably need to see someone.

And that someone would be Tango, he guessed. Might as well. His communicator kept buzzing repeatedly. With a sigh, he finally replied.

<TangoTek> WWWEEEEEELLLSS

<Welsknight> I’m coming over

He threw it back into his pocket and left his bed for the first time in probably at least 24 hours. Stretching his legs felt odd after being still for so long when he was used to walking around every day. Still, he threw on his armor and elytra, not immediately noticing how grey his feathered wings looked than usual.

Wels assumed he wouldn’t be gone for long so food wasn’t necessary- not that Tango wouldn’t lend him some if it became a problem. However, he still kept his sword on his hip if there were any….complications. Unknowingly, he snickered at the thought. With a last look in the mirror, he decided that he was fully ready to leave, completely disregarding his feathers’ new color.

As he walked out the front door, his head turned to the general direction of Beef’s village. An intense scowl crossed his face but before he could think further, he fired off his rockets. He had no time to keep thinking about that lying little butcher.

He winced at the thought again. He didn’t like Beef much now, but that was a bit harsh. Either way, Beef was going to start drama if this continued and Wels wasn’t a fan of being in the middle of one huge argument, especially something having to do with Helsknight of all people. The dark knight was also one of the last people he wanted to see either. He was almost too glad that Evil Xisuma kept him so far away from Wels.

Though, he was beginning to not like Ex either, to be honest. Avoiding the other hermits for three days left more time to think and most of his thoughts consisted of recalling different memories of other evil hermits who threatened to destroy something they loved. Evil Xisuma was certainly one of them.

The counterpart thankfully lost most of his power over the last couple of years. Ever since he decided to move back into the Overworld, he wasn’t granted as many abilities by Xisuma as he had when he lived freely off of the powers given to him by ‘The Lord of Darkness’.

But Wels was getting sidetracked. He plastered on a grin and kept his pace, soon eyeing the colorful asymmetrical buildings on the horizon. The sight always brought on a chuckle from the knight and the grin quickly softened into a more genuine expression. Despite his previous thoughts, he was beginning to grow more excited to see his demon friend.

He opted to land on one of the rooftops and pulled out his communicator. Wels didn’t immediately type in any messages in case Tango was somewhere nearby or flying around while he waited for Wels to arrive. That assumption seemed to be correct when the bat winged figure came into view about a hundred feet away and quickly made its way over.

When Tango landed, the knight was pulled into a spine crushing hug followed by some pats on the back. Awkwardly, Wels just lightly patted the other on the back, not really reciprocating the hug as enthusiastically as Tango probably would’ve liked.

The demon pulled back but kept a hold on the knight’s shoulders which Wels gladly showed some disdain towards. “Jeez, where have you been, man?! Nobody’s heard from you for a couple days now!” At the uncomfortable expression from Wels briefly glancing at his hands, he pulled them away.

“Just needed to be away from people for a while, ya know? I had some personal stuff going on.” He picked something dirt off his shoulder and flicked it away absentmindedly as if Tango dirtied his shirt sleeve.

“Oh, anything you wanna talk about?”

Wels shook his head. “No, no, just Helsknight stuff.” He clapped his hands together. “Anyways! You had some trades in mind? I’m really running out of iron and I’ve got beacon pyramids to build.”

Abandoning his previous worry, the demon lit up with a snort. “I may know a guy….” Tango eyed Wels with a grin. “Iron shop sells a stack of blocks for a diamond, I’ll give you two stacks for a diamond. Or, if you can provide me with a ton of concrete, we can work something out there.”

The knight thought for a second, considering the offer. “Hm, that sounds like one hell of a deal. I’ll think about that while we discuss some other deals.” Wels brushed his fingers over the hilt of his sword absentmindedly. “Heard from the grapevine that you have a creeper farm too.”

Tango eyed the hilt curiously. His eyes followed back up to Wels. “There’s a TNT and rocket shop in the shopping district, but if you want to be fully self-sufficient, I’ll just let you use the farm whenever if there’s something you can offer of equal value.”

“Awesome, one more thing. Obsidian, tons of it, just tons of obsidian. It’ll make sense in a couple months, but I can’t say what it’s for right now.”

Tango raised a brow. “Tons like….a hundred stacks? Or….”

“About four hundred stacks.”

The demon’s jaw practically fell to the floor. “F- Four hundred?” He rubbed at his neck and whistled for emphasize the amount. “That’s….a lot. And a LOT of hours. Even with efficiency and insta-mine, that many stacks is still days worth of mining.” He sighed. “I’d love to help with that but I’m not exactly made of diamonds or have that much time on my hands. It’s not exactly something that can be automated like iron or gunpowder.”

Wels rolled his eyes which Tango made a confused face to.

“Fine, fine,” Wels began with huff. “I’ll find someone else then. Make it four stacks of iron blocks for a diamond and I’ll give you half my loot from the end for the creeper farm.”

Tango stuttered at the utterly ridiculous proposal (though some shulker boxes would be nice, but Wels didn’t visit The End often). “Wha- four stacks of iron blocks?! For a diamond?!”

The confusion didn’t phase Wels in the slightest. “Yes, that is what I said.” His gaze hardened on Tango, fingers tightening around the hilt of his sword. “Is there a problem with that?”

“Is there a proble- Wels that’s the worst deal I’ve ever heard of! I mean I guess a few shulkers would be nice for the creeper farm but you rarely visit the end!”

“Four stacks.”

“Two.”

“Three.”

Slowly, the sword was being pulled from its sheath. Tango noticed instantly.

“Put the sword away, Wels. You’re better than that,” he gulped. His voice wavered ever so slightly which Wels merely smirked at. This wasn’t like him….

“Four stacks, Tango. Or we’ll have a better form of negotiation.”

Tango lifted his hands defensively, moving one to the hilt of his own sword. “Okay, please tell me that you’re Hels in disguise or something. You’re not actually going to try to threaten me into a deal here, right?”

That seemed to set off something in Wels’s mind when Tango saw the familiar bright blue eyes bring on a redder hue.

And that in itself was already more concerning. Almost too quickly, the knight lost his previously colder stare and lashed out.

“Argh!” The knight unsheathed his sword. “Why do you guys keep saying that?! I’m fine! I feel fine! I-“ Wels swung once at Tango. “-Don’t-“ The demon drew his own sword to block the hit with wide eyes. “-Want-“ The knight swung again. “-Anything-“ Swing. “-To do-“ He lifted it above his head. “-With that-“ He threw an intense glare at Tango. “-Stupid knight!” He brought the sword down, only narrowly missing Tango’s left.

Frantically pulling up his inventory, the demon threw on his armor. He ducked and hopped around and leaned away from each swing of the blade. Each time, he tried to persuade the knight into calming down but evidently to no avail while the other spewed curses at him.

“Wels- Wels stop! I’m not fighting!” Tango took some rockets and flew away, Wels only just on his tail. “What’s gotten into you?!” He shouted. He felt the blade just barely nick his boot. “I’m sorry I said that-!” He turned and took his own swing at Wels, grazing his shoulder. “We can talk about this!”

“I don’t need to talk! I’m not-“ Wels swung again. “I’m not anything like him!”

Only now while the knight struggled to balance himself out after the swing did Tango notice how dark his feathers were. Were they that grey before? The sun was shining right on them earlier, they seemed so light before. With a closer look, the demon could see feathers falling to the earth with each frantic flap, revealing patches of dark skin underneath.

“Okay, okay! You’re not but will you stop trying to kill me?!” Using a kick to the other’s chest, he boosted himself away from Wels. Wels on the other hand only kept struggling. Flying wasn’t his strong suit, Tango knew, and he’d use that to his advantage.

Using another couple of rockets, he tried to get as far away from Wels as possible. Mostly, he flew in circles around him to keep an eye on what he was trying to do. Wels mostly just sent glares in his direction because he knew that he wouldn’t maneuver his way towards Tango that quickly. That in itself only angered him further.

While he flew each lap around him, he took the chance to talk at least some sense into him.

“Wels, what’s going on? Did something happen?” He asked from afar. Wels didn’t answer, still giving him the death glare. Tango spoke again, this time touching on something a bit more personal. “What did Hels do?”

The knight’s hands balled into harder fists around the sword. “I don’t need to tell you anything!”

Tango sighed. He was running out of rockets. “Okay, you don’t, but whatever you’re going through doesn’t justify trying to kill your friend!”

“You-“ Wels growled “- are not my friend!”

As Tango circled by too close this time, Wels swung once more, slicing a straight line across his side and into his right wing. With an audible gasp, the demon was sent flying with now broken elytra into the direction of the towers. The familiar blue concrete came into view quickly and he already knew how much the impact was going to hurt from previous experiences. God, how much he hated respawning. He was almost certain he was going to die the second he made contact with the roof.

But that didn’t happen. Instead, he initially felt his face slam into the cold concrete roof but in a panic, he took his wings to shield himself from further impact. It was a pathetic attempt at not injuring himself more than he already was. His armor shattered and disappeared in a wisp of blue and purple, leaving room for scraping his arms and legs.

His bad wing burned when it tore further and when he finally landed, he laid on his side and curled in on himself with heaving breaths. It hurt, everything was hurting and he hated that he wasn’t dead already. His sword flew off somewhere else but he assumed Wels would just put him out of his misery.

Wels landed and practically stomped towards the demon, sword still in hand. Tango could only watch as blood- his blood- dripped down the blade disturbingly. On the bright side, he wouldn’t be awake for much longer, he was out of it. He coughed meekly.

“N-nngh….hh….” he muttered out. He couldn’t speak. It hurt to move anything in his face. He simply opted for closing his eyes. Hopefully, someone would come and see what happened. Wels needed some serious help.

And as if his prayers were answered, he heard an all too familiar deep voiced, robotic accent.

Duty [4/12]

CHAPTER 4: Getting Dolled Up

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Word Count: another 2.3k (next week is longer, promise!)

Warnings: A mouthy Sam, groping and a smooch or two

Series Summary: Ex-army doctor, and now on-mission-for-the-Avengers doctor, Major (Y/n) (Y/l/n), had prepared herself for anything. That was, of course, until she met a devastatingly charming Sergeant from Brooklyn with a quick wit and a kind smile. I wonder what will happen.

Series Masterlist

Chapter 3

You always liked to think that you were pretty prepared for anything that might be thrown your way, you had, however, not considered James Buchanan Barnes in an all-black velvet suit. Good god that man did things to you.

“Might want to close your mouth there, Doc,” he smirked at you, “You’ll catch flies.”

You shut your mouth quickly and swallowed, ignoring his smug look.

The team had been summoned by the New York mayor to oversee a gala at an art gallery. Intel suggested that there was going to be an art thief operating that evening, trying to steal one of the pieces of artwork, named “The Power of Reciprocity”, in a more concealed room down a corridor outside of the main room, and the thief would be using the gala as a cover to steal a piece. On the floor would be Tony, posing as himself, and then you and Bucky as undercover guests. In a van nearby would be Sam and Nat, as Steve was currently in New Jersey scoping out a newly reformed gang.

This was how you found yourself eating a bowl of Lucky Charms (because these events only ever have canapés, and you’ll be damned if you were going to go hungry), with half of your make-up on, wearing sweats and trying very hard not to obviously drool over Bucky Barnes as he stood there in his full suited glory.

You placed your now empty bowl in the dishwasher and turned back to Bucky, “I’ll admit, you scrub up nicely Barnes.” This was a small understatement, he did a lot more than scrub up nicely, he might actually be perfect, but there was no way he’d hear you say that. You walked up to Bucky, and continued, “Best I go get dressed and show you up before your head gets so big it needs external support.” You patted him on the chest, partly to satisfy the itch your fingers had to run themselves over every part of him, but also for effect as you walked towards your room.

Nat had tasked herself with finding you the perfect outfit, her reasoning being that she knows what can kill a man, both figuratively and literally. Per Nat’s styling advice, your hair was in a delicate up-do with a few strands framing your face, Wanda had done your makeup to bring out your eyes and the dress you pulled from some vastly expensive shop did wonders for your figure. In the end, you had both agreed on a floor length royal blue dress with jewelled detailing around the waist and the neckline. Nat had also supplied you with a knife thigh holster, as a gun would be too obvious in the dress. She had also bequeathed you one of her favourite knives, but not before adding a quick, “If you lose this, I will end you and everything you care about.” You also had on some heels that were a little too high for you, but you were just there to look pretty, so had thought why not?

You knew you looked good from the bolstering that the girls had given you, but that didn’t remove the butterflies that fluttered gently in your stomach. Ignoring them, you walked out into the kitchen, swaying your hips a little more than usual. The click of your shoes caught the attention of the team gathered there, and silence fell immediately.

“You ready boys?” You called out to them winking at Nat, as she chuckled at everyone eyeballing you. Bucky wandered over to you and gave you a not-so-subtle once over, and then a twice over.

He offered his arm, “Shall we?”

“Lead the way, Robocop.”

You took his arm and walked out with what had been becoming a permanent smile across your face.

“Hey lovebirds, give us a smile!” You heard Nat shout,

You and Bucky turned your heads at the same time before the undeniable ‘click’ of a camera. You turned back shaking your head, Bucky laughed gently beside you. You gave them all the bird as you both walked away, and they eventually made a move to follow you.

-

You perched your elbows on one of the high tables skirting the side-lines, waiting for someone to get hurt. What a great job you have. The champagne flute you held managed to stop you wringing your hands nervously.

“Hi, sweetheart,” A louche voice breathed in your ear as a hand moved far lower than you appreciated, following your curves. You were not in the mood to be dealing with this tonight. You grabbed the hand, twisting it and slamming it on the table. You looked up to the man.

“Do that to me again sweetheart,” you mimicked, “and I’m going to shove your balls so far up your ass that they’ll hang either side of your tongue instead.”

You put your glass down and strode away, trying to find Bucky to ease your mind, and hoped that he looked murderous enough that any glare he sent would put anyone who looked at you the wrong way off. Before you could find him, you heard Sam’s voice in your ear.

“Remind me never to get on your bad side.”

Nat also spoke up, her silky voice full of barely concealed laughter, “I fully endorse any form of violence you wish to inflict upon that man.”

You chuckled, feeling your anger dissipate, and whispered, “Tash, you’d endorse any form of violence no matter the context,”

There was laughter filling your ear, and a buzzing of agreement. You scanned the room, subconsciously checking if Bucky was still okay when he appeared beside you.

“You okay?” His eyes scanned your face, and you gave a smile, a breath you didn’t know you’d been holding was released.

“Yeah, I’m all good, Buck. I doubt that guy will ever try that again though,” you breathed out, a whisper of a laugh present. A scowl had formed on his face, and you knew he needed a distraction before he got too caught up in planning someone’s murder, “Come on, let’s dance.”

“Dance?” He questioned.

“Yeah, you know, you move your feet in time with music, maybe even smile?”

“A smile? Don’t get ahead of yourself Doc,” Sam’s voice filled your ear once more.

“Butt out, birdbrain,” Bucky growled.

“Come on Sarge, whaddya say? For recon purposes.” You grinned at him,

“For recon purposes? Well, I can’t say no to that.” he offered his hand to you, a bright smile lightened his features before he put his own glass down and pulled you onto the dancefloor. You were focussing intently on not rolling your ankle because your knees had gone a little wobbly at his warm hand and warmer gaze that had fixed intently upon you. What you didn’t know was that it had been on you the whole evening, and he couldn’t quite get himself to stop.

On the dancefloor, you were acutely aware of Bucky’s gloved hand on your waist and his thighs brushing against yours as he expertly led you around, weaving between the other guests. Wow, you needed to get your head out of the gutter. Tony caught your eye whilst he was talking to the mayor and winked. Why did he seem to always know what was going on? Trying to concentrate on what you were actually here for, and not the movement of Bucky’s shoulder under your hand, or the tickle of his breath on your neck.

“Uh, Buck?” He hummed against you, his chest vibrating against yours, “Is it normal for people to stare unblinkingly at us?” He froze, “There’s someone at your 7 o’clock, light blue suit.”

Bucky spun you both around slowly, and spoke quietly, “I think he might have recognised me, Sam, Nat? How should we proceed?”

Your ear filled with static and then Nat’s voice, “I think you know what to do, Barnes, think Cap Pre-Berlin 2014, the mall.”

You pulled back and glanced at Bucky, “What happened in 2014?”

Bucky’s face was completely unreadable, “Sorry about this Major.”

And suddenly his lips were on yours, his right hand had moved from holding yours to on your cheek, whilst his left squeezed your waist. Automatically your left hand moved to the nape of his neck, and your lips moved against his. His unique sandalwood scent, the scent of him, filled your senses and everywhere he touched you felt like it was on fire. Before you had fully processed the kiss, and far too early for your liking, he pulled away. His ears were a bit pink, and he looked at his shoes sheepishly. You opened your mouth to say something, but Sam interrupted.

“Think you put him off alright, put me off my damn soup, jeez! You’re paying for my therapy after that!” He gave a chuckle, “Stark and Barnes, you’re on. He's headed through the door to the painting.”

You looked back up at Bucky, “You got a bit of uh- “, you swiped your thumb over his lip, “Um, lipstick,” you clarified, trying not to stumble fully over your sentence

“Bad guy, Barnes, pick up your chin”

“Thanks, Tony,” grumbled Bucky, but he still didn’t move, his eyes not leaving your face and you could almost see the cogs whirring in his brain.

You whispered to him, pushing lightly on his chest, “Go catch the bad guy, Sarge, I’m not going anywhere.”

“Right, bad guy, yeah,” and he went to the door with purpose, and you had to prevent yourself from saying something else you might regret. You knew there was something between you, there was attraction (you had caught him looking more than once), but you’re scared if you begin to care a whole lot more, that it might break you when he got hurt. Maybe it would change the team dynamic, or you could be used as leverage and a ploy against him. There were many potential downfalls if you admitted your feelings. It also terrified you that someone might be able to see underneath your toughened exterior. He might be attracted to the idea of you, the person on the outside, without knowing what he's getting on the inside.

“Hey Doc,” Nat’s voice cut through your downward spiral, “Think they might need some help down in the side room.”

You walked as quickly as you could without arousing suspicion towards the corridor. As the noise of the main hall died down, the clicks of your heels felt obnoxiously loud, something was off.

“Bucky? Tony?” you called out down the corridor, wondering where they had gone. If only you had looked at the blueprints before, guess that’s karma for not paying attention during the briefing. Tony would have your ass later. A large forearm closed around your neck, crushing your windpipe, and you convulsed, trying to get some air into your lungs.

A deep voice rumbled behind you. "No time for that. " His voice reverberated through your body, making you shudder at its malice. As your vision started to tunnel, Nat’s voice was in your ear, saying something you couldn’t work out. It sounded like you were underwater. Nat. Her knife. You moved your hand to your holster and pulled out the knife, sharply jabbing it into the guys leg, aiming for any artery you could find. He yelled out in pain and dropped you. Falling to your knees you gasped for air, taking long deep breaths and trying to calm yourself. The guy was now lying next to you, twitching. You knew in a couple of minutes he would bleed out and die, but at this point you were too thankful to care. When he finally lay still, you reached over and pulled out the knife, trying not to look at his paled face and shocked eyes. You had never quite got used to taking a life, no matter how necessary, it was never a pleasant ordeal. You were in the business of saving them, felt upside down doing the opposite. As you stood up Bucky hurled around the corner.

“What happened? Are you okay? Who’s this guy? Natasha said you weren’t answering comms and we got scared. I thought something might have happened to you,” he stopped, looked at the bloody knife in your hands and his face moved slowly back to your face, more questioning now, “Where did that come from?”

“A woman never tells,” you winked, hiding your fear behind a façade of calm, and slowly slid the knife back into its place on your thigh. Tony rounded the corner.

“Bad guy won’t be getting away, that’s for sure,” he regarded the body at your feet with a look of surprise and mild amusement, “I’m going to tell Sam he really doesn’t want to mess with you.” He brushed past you and Bucky, before adding finally, “Cops are on their way, I’m going to enjoy the free booze!” And with a wave, he was out of sight.

You wrung your hands and said to Bucky, not quite looking at him, “I’m going to head home, you’re more than welcome to stay here though.”

“Nah, I’ve outdone my social interaction quota for the month, I’ll drive you.”

Once more, you heard Sam pipe up in your ear, “Anyone still bothering you Major? I can come in and kick their ass for you, I’ve been told I’m quite adept at it.”

“Just a one old man, around 6”2? 260lbs? He has a bionic arm, but I reckon I can handle him Wilson, thanks for the offer.”

“Yes ma’am,” came the reply.

Bucky feigned offense before taking your hand, squeezing it twice before wrapping his arm around your shoulder and helping you in the direction of the car. You leaned on his shoulder, thankful for the solidity of it and its ever-present stability for you. As he placed a soft kiss on the crown of your head you decided that your feelings for him were a problem for future you, present you was going to enjoy his company without feeling guilty.

New York Times

Art thief found tied upside down with his own trousers, is now threatening to sue the Avengers and well-known billionaire Tony Stark. More on page 4.

  Chapter 5

 tags (message me if you want to be added!!):

@broco8​ @nerd-without-a-cause​ @sebbbystaaan​ @mcubuckyandsteve @cutiepiemimi13 ​ @velvetwonderbucky​

Villain Rehab

                               Bakugou x (ex villain,fem)Reader

Warning: cutting, sad stuff, and at the end we get 13+ or 16+

Part 1?

Word count: 10,872

Here you were, in the office of UA’s principal. How did you get in here again? Oh yeah, after kidnapping bakugou they caught you and because you were 16 they decide to make you a deal. You wouldn’t go to prison and serve your sentence for death if you trained to become a hero. Your dumbass actually agreed to this. Now you were starting to regret it. You were sitting in the chair while Eraser Head was standing behind your arms crossed an all. You were spinning in the chair arms dangling waiting for the principal. “Stop that” Eraser head said clearly annoyed. You stopped. facing him you stuck your tough out and rolled your eyes before turning around. After a while, he finally entered. When he sat down in front of you he spoke. “Hello Mei Koharu, villain name Deadline how are you doing,” he asked putting the paper down. “Mind reading the rest of what’s on that paper, I wanna remember,” you said with a smirk. He picked up the paper and began reading. “16 years old, kill count 164. Sentance, death.” he read before putting it down. You nodded. “I’m good,” you said with a smile. “Glad to hear, anyways let’s get to the rules,” he said. You nodded looking to the side. “You are not allowed to use your quirk unless it’s training,” he said. “Yup,” you said with popping the p. “That’s why I have these bracelet things on right,” you said quirking an eyebrow. He nodded. “You can not leave campus unless you are with a trusted classmate or hero, When using your phone a student must be able to hear the phone call or read the message. You must be watched by a hero or classmate all the time until we can trust you.” he finished. You nodded as he spoke. “Sence your quirk is a hero worthy and is strong you will be in class 1-A,” he said. Your eyes widened. “What, why that class of all classes,” you remarked eyebrows furrowing. “Because I and one other person will be keeping an eye on you” Eraser head said bluntly. You groaned. “Here go change into this,” he said handing you a Uniform” you groaned again walking out of the room to the bathroom. There was no use trying to escape, you wouldn’t get away. As you were changing you started wondering who else was going to be keeping an eye on you. You blew the thought off finishing. You had the shirt unbuttoned one, the tie was hanging lose the shirt was half tucked in and you kept the retro combat boots you had on from before. You hadn’t worn stocking in a long time. You dint even bother putting on the stupid blazer thing, that was a bother you didn’t want to put up with. You folded your sleeves up to your elbows and slipped on your black and white gloves. Your hand managed to get them under the bracelets. You walked out of the bathroom and back to the office where you saw all too familiar wings. “Oh, shit,” you said loud enough for them to hear you. “Nice to see ya, again kid,” he said turning around to face you with a smirk on his face. “Can I get a hug?” he asked walking towards you. You figured it would be fine seeing as you did just disappear on him when you were 12. You gave him a hug. “Hm, still the two, I’m already late,” he said softie I know. Unbelievable how YOU could kill that many people” he said with his chin on your head. You hummed in his chest. “Well, I had my reasons,” you said, both of you pulling away. “Anyways your not even a little mad” you questioned quirking an eyebrow. “No” he answered. ‘But I do think you’re extremely stupid” he said flicking you on the head. “Heres your dorm key” Eraser head said tossing you a key. You caught it. “Let’s go you walking out of the room. You and kaigo started talking. “So you cut your hair,” he said picking up some of your light black hair. “Yeah, right on top of the shoulders, ya like it,” you said. He let it fall. “Looks nice,” he said before putting his hands in his pockets. You looked up at him with your eyes that faded from black to a whitish-gray “He’s doing fine don’t worry” you said looking up at him. “You can read me like a book,” he said ruffling your hair. After talking a bit more you guys had made it to the class door. You were then handed a black choker by Kaigo. “Here, you left it at my place the last time I saw you,” he said tossing it to you. It was a stretchy velvet so you had no problem putting it on. “Don’t call me eraser head call me Mr.Aizawa,” He said before opening the door. A sigh escaped your lips as all three of you walked in. The reason you didn’t really want to be in this class was that you knew 4 of them. That frog girl, gravity girl, todoroki, and bakugou. Hell, you had a major part in kidnapping the blond. You could hear whispers when you stepped in. Then a boom went off. “What the hell is she doing here” bakugou yelled slamming his hands on the desk with a small explosion. “I’ll get to that in a minute,” Mr.Aizawa said stopping as did you and kaigo. “Alright as some of you may have heard we are letting a villain join our class, Some of you might know her as the Deadline others might know her as the number 3 villain in there ranks. She is known for the murders of number 7 hero 4 years ago VIP” he said. VIP was the number 7 hero but you hand killed him, and also he was your dad. One of the reasons you became a villain in the first place. “W-wasn’t that h-her d-dad,” a green-haired boy asked. All eyes turned to you. “I wouldn’t call him my father, more of a major two-faced prick,” you said with a smile. Kaigo elbowed you on the side. “In other words yes.” he answered for you.  You saw the class tense and you smiled. Kaigo flicked on the head with a smirk. “Explain your quirk,” Mr.Aizawa said. You sighed. “My quirk is sanity, I can cause someone to lose all their sanity if I want and the more sanity they lose the more energy I get from them. So if they lost there complete sanity I would get their complete energy. Oh, I also black wings, I get them from my mom. I cna control weather i want them out or hiden.” you said casually. In all honesty, you were here because you didn’t want to die. You were different when it came to kaigo but with others, you were always so rude and difficult to handle. “Alright go take a seat,” Mr.Aizawa said turning to the board. You did as he said kaigo following behind. Jeez, the whispers from the class were really starting to get on your nerves. A lot of people wondered how you were such a strong villian with your quirk. Some thought your quirk was villian type but you only used sanity when you were toying with someone or you just want a show. Sometimes you killed with that if you wanted but because you trained with kiago for a while with your wings, you used them to kill.You heard learned to control each feather faster than he expected. At first, your wings were just supposed to help you fly but kaigo new you could use them for more. You had been sitting there with kaigo behind you messing with your hair checking the bracelets and just being bored. You were too. After a while, Mr.Aizawa said that the rest of the class was free time. Kaigo sighed when he said that. He hadn’t talked for so long, at least for him. “Finally” kaigo sighed of relief. You nodded putting your head down. He sat on the desk and patted your head. “What’s your mom doing,” he asked. “I don’t know, isn’t she still a hero,” you said rolling your eyes. “What are you talking about, I thought you had her or something,” he said getting off the desk. Your headshot up. “I haven’t see n her in 2 years,” you said worry on your face. “She disappeared a couple of weeks ago,” he said. You both looked at each other. Then you remembered something. “Oh shit glitch was serious,” you said pulling out your phone and showing him a picture. The picture was of your mom’s wings cut off but still alive. “Holy shit,” he said. “I thought it was photoshopped,” you said rubbing the back of your neck sheepishly. “Read the messages I sent,” you said putting your hands down. “Good job,” he read. “Kid, why,” he asked giving you your phone back. “ I didn’t think it was real so I just said that I didn’t know glitch was capable of that,” you said with a light laugh. He slapped the back of your head earning the attention of the class. “Report it next time,” he said. “Let’s hope she’s still alive,” you said rubbing the back of your head. “Adress,” he said. You told him all of glitches favorite kidnapping places. “What are 16-year-olds doing now a day.” he sighed. “Well I gotta go,” he said getting ready to fly. “Tell me if she’s dead,” you said leaning back in your chair with a laugh as he flew out of the room. “Kid” he wined. You just laughed at him. The class was looking at you, they seemed to want to know what that was about. “Moms probably dead by my best friends. Gotta problem” you said rolling your eyes. “Who’s y-your mom,” the green-haired boy asked. “Number 274 hero, rescue hero. Fly” you said rolling your eyes. “If shes dead so be it, if not then great.” you said putting your head down. You heard a certain whisper, not sure by who but it caught your attention. “Does she even love her” you heard a girl’s voice say. You looked up. “ Don’t get me wrong I love her, but she was never there for me when I need her so I’ve come to resent her a lot. WIch is why I don’t care if she’s dead or not.” you said putting your head back down with a sigh. “I know how that feels” you heard a monotone voice say. It seemed really close. You picked up your head to meet miss-match eyes. “Endeavors son. I’ve heard a lot about you from your brother.” you said sitting up straight. “My brother” he questioned. “Oh shit I said that out loud” you panicked. “Well you were going to find out one day.” you sighed. “Touya,” you said averting your eyes. You put your hands behind your head. “Big Bro” he whispered. You closed your eyes before speaking. “Yep, he’s still alive but” you tailed off with a sigh. “What!” he yelled. You opened one eye to see his face. He seemed surprised. “He’s a villian” you whispered loud enough for only him to hear. “What!?” he yelled. “Who is he I haven’t seen him,” he said grabbing you’re the collar of your shirt pulling you up. You put your hands up in defense. “One, he changed his look completely. And two I’m not qualified to tell you his villain name or anything. He would kill me if I did. Hell if he finds out I even told you he’s still alive I’m dead” you said with a smirk on your face. “Well that is if he can find me, for all he knows I’m dead,” you said with a laugh. “Tell me who he is” he shouted. “Damn, and he said you were usually so calm” you chuckled. “Tell me” he shouted. “Todoroki-Kun calm down,” the green-haired boy said. Putting a hand on his shoulder. He threw you down on your seat. “Have I seen him before?” he asked hands on your desk. “Mhm more than once I think, not really sure,” You said putting your hands behind your head closing your eyes again. “Also he’s my ex,” you said loud enough for both boys to hear. “But he’s like 20 and your 16,” he said. “Pfft, age doesn’t matter to villains, and plus I was more a toy to that bastard,” you said with a scoff. “He’s not like-” he was going to say. But you cut him off. “What can I say that bastard changed, When I asked him if it was true he said I was just a toy to him.” you said clearly annoyed. He wanted to say something but you spoke again. “Keep in mind it’s your dad’s fault he’s a villain anyway’s. More fuel for you to hate your dad right” you said with a laugh. “Todoroki, don’t believe her. You cant trust a villain like her.” a brown-haired girl said. “Yeah Todoroki, don’t believe me. Don’t believe the girl who worked with him for a good 2 years” you said sarcastically. All three of them walked away. Bakugou had watched the whole thing. You seemed like such a bitch to him when you kidnapped him and even now. What the fuck was your problem. You seemed so nice to hawks but it seems like you put your guard up when he left the room. What happened to you. He wanted to know for some reason. “Bakugou” he heard kirishima say snapping infront of his face. “What do you want shitty hair” he said loud enough for you to hear. You covered your mouth trying to hold a laugh in. “Are you ok” mina asked. “Im fine racoon eyes” he yelled. You weezed at the names. “Why are you looking a her” Kaminari asked. “Shut it dunce face” he yelled making small explosions in his hands. You cuoldnt help it, you laughed. It wasnt loud but enough for them to hear. “The hell are you laughing at” he yelled. “T-The n-names” you siad pointing a them. “Shitty hair, racoon eyes, dunce face. You’ve gotta be kidding me” you laughed. The nthe door opened. “Kid shes fine she wants to see you.” he said grabbing the back of your collier and dragging you out. “Tell your teacher were in the office kids” he said before closing the door. You stopped laughing when the door closed. He dragged you there knowing if he let you go you would go straight back to the class. He knew you didnt want to see her but he was gonna make you. When you guys got the office he opened the door and threw you in with ihm fallowing behind. He closed the door trapping you in. “oww that hurt” you said getting up. “You saw your mom with tears in her eyes. You pittyed her. A tear rolled down her face and you walked closer and wiped it off. “Dont cry over me. Im not worth it” you siad looking at her back. “There really gone” you whispered. “It was glitch right” you said moving behind her. You rubbed her back. “Wow,” was all you said. Her wings were only for flying she couldnt control the feathers or anyttihng wich is why she was a rescue hero. “You rubbed small circles on her back. She calmed down as she spoke. “Im sorry” she said. “Im sorry I wasnt there when you needed me, I was a bad mother” she said trying not to cry. You stepped infront of your mother with a smile. “I forgive you” you said before giving her a hug. She was surprised at first but she hugged you back and started crying. There was only three people you ever forgave that easy. Your mother, kaigo, and glitch. Everybody else had to work for it. If you ever saw glitch agin you wouldnt be mad at him at all. Honestly you were kind of proud. You let her cry for a while before pulling away. “Kid,” kaigo said catching your attention. You hummed. “Glich is coming to the school next week because he got the death sentence too” kaigo said. “Really” you said exited. “Yup” he said with a sigh. “But he’s the last one” he said. You didnt care you were just happy your bestfriend was coming. You, your mom, and kaigo were all talking for the rest of the day. You basically skipped the rest of your classes. When the principal said that your mom had to go and you had to go to the dorms. After saying your goodbyes you and kaigo were walking to the dorms. “Im surprised you didnt get mad or somthin’” kaigo said patting your head. “Yeah, I actually surprised myself” you said sheepishly. “How do you think glitch is gonna do here” he asked hands now in his pockets. “Well, as long as im with him I dont think hell hurt anyone.” you said. Glitch was his villian name, his real name was Yuuto, Touma. You sometimes called him yuu, but you usualy called him glitch or glitchy. He called you mei, deadline, or princess. You guys still used eachothers last names even though you both were fine using first you both felt more comfortable that way. He was the the number 4 villian in villain ranks. People hated how two 16 yearolds were so powerful. You guys had your own villan groups. You werent part of the league but more just a watcher for feedback. You had known the pros were coming so you tried to leave but was caught half way. You beat 3 pros but you hadnt noticed one of them behind you. Glitch tried to help but you told him to leave, You both argued before he finally gave in. Alot of other villans said you guys were dating but he was gay, and it annoyed the both of you. You looked up at kaigo feeling a bit guilty. He noticed. “Whats wrong kid” he asked. You looked down. “I feel bad that I used what you tought me to kill, I mean if people found out you knew me what would happen to you.” you said. “He knocked on your head. “Comon kid, you know I dont care about that. Or did you forget.” he said with a smile. “Yeah your right, but still” you said. “How about this, ill teach you more tricks if you promise to do good alright” he said. “Deal” you said with a smile of your own. He really didnt see the point of labels like villains and hero’s so when he found out you were a villan he didnt mind. Him and glich were the only one who knew about your past and what your dad did to you. You guys made it to the dorms when kaigo got a call about villans attacking near him. He told you he had to go so you were left to face your classmates alone. You walked into the dorms and was headed to the elevator beofre someone called out ot you. “U-uh deadline” you heared a familiar voice say. You turned to see the green-haired boy. “Whats up” you said with a smile. He looked to the his classmates that were pretendding not to look. Then he turned back to you. “I-I wanted to k-know more about your quirk” he said opening his notebook to a blank page. “Oh ok” you said with a smile. He seemed nice so you figured it wouldnt hurt to be a little nice. You both walked to the stepps to sit. His classmates were watching you closely not wanting you to hurt him. “SO can you you explain more about your quirk like all the spacifics” he asked. You then continued to explain your quirk to him and you swear his eyes had literal sparkles in them with everything you said. After he was done he was about to leave. “Hey uh, can i see what oyu have in that notebook of yours.” you asked. He looked down at it before handing it to you. “Sure, just give it back tomorrow” he said before walking away with a smile. You walked to the elevator reading the notebook as he sat down beside his friends. When you got to your dorm on the 4th floor you closed it and started looking for your dorm number. You found it and entered. There was a security camra in the corner of the room. You went ot the bathroom to see if there was any in there, luckly no. You threw yourself on the bed and started reading what was in the notebook again. After a while of reading you saw that he had started notes on toga and dabi. There wasnt much he knew so you figured he woulnt mind if you put down what you knew. You started writing on the notebook about there quirks and personality something you saw he did with the other pages. You put the notebook down and came out ot get something ot eat. You went to the kitchen and made yourself some ramen before going back to eat in your dorm. You were on your way up when you heard a voice. “Would you like to come down and eat with the rest of the class” you heard a soft sweet voice say. You turned back and saw a girl with a ponytail in light pink shorts and a white shirt. “Uh thnks but im fine, I dont think bakugou and todoroki would like me there. I mean I am a villain so I dont think alot of people would like me there” you siad with a nervous smile. “Oh ok. I dont want to pressure you” she said. “Thnak you momo” you said before walking up the stairs. You knew her name because of midoriya’s notebook. When you got back to your room you changed into a black tanktop with gray legings. Your food had cooled down and you started eating. They had let you keep any form of technology but they made sure all contact with other villains were cut off. You opened youtube and started watching random video’s when a notification popped up. Glitches channel had been uptated. Weird you though he was in custaty waiting to come to the school. “Going to UA for rehab in 6 days” the title read. You laughed clicking on the video. “Im going to UA, I would have taken the death sentence but a surtan birdy said my bestfiend was still alive and if I wanted to see her I would have to go to UA. I took the deal only because I want to see her. Prinsess im coming to the school in T minus 6 days. I would have taken the death but I dodnt because of her. Curse you dead line.” he spoke rasing a fist and looking up. You laughed at his boyish playfulness. “Anyways they finally caught us so we are technically no longer the number 3 and 4 top villains. Suckes to leave it behind honestly but all my other villains do us proud” he said before turning off the camra. It looked like he snuck his phone in based on were he was. You let out a sigh. Before hearing 3 sharp knockes on the door. Its was 6:30pm everybody should still be eating. You got up and opend the door. Your eyes met dark crimson ones. You jumped back reconizing who it was. “B-bakugou, what are you doing here” you asked stepping aside to let him in. He walked in with a plate of food and put it on your desk. “Eat” was all said before throwing his body on the bed laying on his back and putting his arms behind his head. He was dressed in a black tanktop with black sweats. You closed the door and sat down at your desk. “W-what are you doing here” you asked putting some food in your mouth. “Ponytail told me what you were eating, Shits not healthy. You need something with greens protean carbs and all that shit. So I made you food.” he said in his husky tone that only fit him. “Damn this is good” you said before shuvling more food on your mouth. “Damn right it is, I made it” he said clearly proud of himself. You replayed the video wanting to hear your bestfriends voice again. You let out a small laugh not wanting ot desterb the blond on your bed. “Who’s that” he asked eyes closed. “My bestfriend glitch, hes 16 and hes coming to UA in about a week” you said with a smile on your face. “Thats the kid Mr.Aizawa was telling us about then” he said. You hummed in response. “ I thought you were like really mad about the whole kidnapping thing,” you said lening back in your chair. He pulled it back making you fall. You let out a yelp. He moved his body laying on his stomach now looking down at you with a smirk. “I dont hold grudges dumbass” he said before getting the now clean plate before getting up. You had completely forgot that you didnt have the gloves on so when he held out a hand to help he saw them. He helped you up and when you were going to pick up your chair he grabbed your wrist pulled you up turned you around and flipped your arm over. You had no Idea what he was doing at first but when his eyes widend you looked down to see what he was looking at. Your eyes widend and you pulled your arm away picking up the chair and grabbing your gloves and putting them on. “You should leave” you said in a wisper. “Im not leaving without an explanation” he said putting hte plate down. You looked away. He sat down on your bed waiting for you to sit. You could see he was trying to cover up the fact that he really cared but you could see the general worry in his eyes. You sighed and sat down next to him throwing your back on the bed. “I guess lets start at the beginning.” you said with a sigh. “My mom and dad were pro heroes,um. They were gone most of the time so I was usually left alone. My dad abused me and my mother. When I was 9 he” you trailed off voice shaking and tears threatening to fall. “He rapped me” you siad voice low but he still heard. His eyes widend when you said that. “More than once, saying he needed to releve stress and that mama wasnt good enough.” you said a tear rolling down your face. You took a breath. “He did that to me alot to the point were I just stopped fighting him. I always did in the begining but soon gave up. I was 10 when I met hawks. He was the first person I told and even though he tried everything he could noone would believe him. Not even the cops. I dont know why thay just didnt.” you said getting up and wiping the tears. “I know I look weak right now. Especialy for someone who’s killed so many people” you said letting out a small laugh. “Hawks had me with him alot to get me out of that but it still happened, not as much as it always idd but it happend.” you sniffed. “When I was 12 I ran away and became a villain. Hawks had tought me how to use my wings for other things than flying so I used that alot.” you said looking down at your hands. The cloves were covering half of your palm. “Me and glitch met when I was 6, He knew about everything but he didnt have family that cared and of course noone believed us. We both became villains and after a year we were known as deadline and glitch the number 3 and 4 most powerful villains.” you said. He just listened in shock. “When people knew our names we decided it was time to kill my father. We killed him on live TV. We didnt hide our faces because we wanted people to know who we were, after that, then they belived me about everything he had done but it was to late. Last year I ‘dated’ a villan named dabi, the one who pulled you into the portal.” you said quietly. “It wasnt so much dating as I was a toy for his disiars.” you said more tears fooling down your face. “And that whole time that happend I didnt feel anything. I dodnt feel resentment, saro, anger, or anything. I just felt pity. Pity for the people who had to live through my crimes. I always felt broken. I felt not wanted. There are few people that I know actually care about me. And I dont know why you do if I hurt you” you said looking up at him tears rooling down your face. He didnt know what to do so he just pulled to his chest and wrapped his arms around you. You were surprised at first. Your hands were on his his chest and you could fell the tears wanting to spill out. “Go ahead” he said. Your lover lip quivered before all the tears you had been holding back all these years finally spilled out. Your gripped his shirt in your fists and buried your face in his chest crying and rambling. “Why did it have to be, why was I the one it happend to. What did I do wrong. Why did they hate me.” you yelled into his chest. He felt like crying himself but he held his tears back for your sake. What was this feeling. His heart was beeting fater and faster. Hes hand were getting sweaty his checks were dusted in a light pink and his stomack felt all tingly and weird. He felt guilty thats for sure but that other feeling was new to him. Yes he had noticed that the smile you gave was fake, hell he could see right through it. But he had no idea you were holding all this back. He didnt even know why he cared in the first place he just did. After a while you had fallen asleep in his arms. He put you under the covers before walking down to the common room. It was about 7:30pm and he needed to put the plate in the sink. He walked down with his shirt wrinkled and a bit wet. “There you are bakugou, we thought she killed you” kaminari said. In all reality he was saying what everybody was thinking. “Yeah bro what happend did she hurt you” kirishima asked. He was getting questions left and right but all he was thinking about was what had happend to you. He snapped out of it when he heared a remark uraraka made. “ She’s a villan, she cant change so ofcourse she did something” she said talking to midiriya. As soon as bakugou registered what she was saying he threw a blast at her that was inches away from her face. It flew by and hit the wall. That caused everybody to jump and for them to look at him. He turned to face her. “Shut your fucking mouth, You have no idea what she’s gone through” he said throwing the plate in the sink before walkin up to her and grabbing her by the collor. “You have no diea what just happend so shut your god damn mouth round face” he said before throwing her on the ground. Some of the girls rushed to help her. She wasnt hurt but she was surprised. “Bakugou what was that for and what are you talking about” tsu asked helping urarak up. “Yeah bakugou, that wasnt manly at all” kirishima said. “No” bakugou barked. “You know whats ‘unmanly’ judging someone based on what you’ve heard and not actually knowing them. Thats unmanly kirishima” All the talking stopped when they heared bakugou use his name and the nickname he had given him. Was it really that bad. Nobody knew what had happend but for bakugou to use to use someones name, then they knew he ment what he said. After they all calmed down and uraraku forgiving bakugou even though he didnt apolijze he went to bed as the others stayed behind for a while longer. Bakugou was still trying to figure out what that feeling he was having earlier was. He lied in bed for a while thinking about you for reasons unknown, here he was thinking he had it bad blaming himself for allmights retirement when there was someone else dealing with bigger pain. He always felt like he had to be stronger. Sence the kidnapping he had been deeling with anxiety and all that so to a surtan extent he knew somewhat how you felt. He felt horrible for thinking you were just a nobody villan. The only reason he had went up there was becuase if he knew anybody wasn’t eating the right thing he would of done that, even if it was damn deku. What if he hadent gone up there and stayed. He hadnt planned on it but something told him to. He was actually glad that he did. He had a new image of you in his head one that wasnt leaving.

A beautiful but broken girl.

When you woke up the next morning you felt well-rested, something you didn’t feel often. Maybe it was the fact that you were actually sleeping in a bed. You sat up and rubbed your eyes. You sat there for a couple of seconds before remembering what happened yesterday. You felt your cheeks go red when the thought of you crying on him came rushing back to your mind. You got out of bed and took a shower. The thought had your face pink the whole time. You changed into your uniform the same way it was yesterday, again not bothering to put on the blazer. You doubted you were ever going to put it on.  You pulled on the choker and slipped the gloves on again. You had spilled your life story to the boy you kidnapped and he actually cared. You were still surprised. You grabbed your phone plugged the earbuds in and put them on your ears and playing the playlist you had. One thing you hadn’t said about your quirk was that you needed music to trigger it. You just needed to listen to it but it became a habit for you to start singing. You grabbed your bag and walked out of your dorm humming to the song that was playing. When you saw midoriya in the common room you pulled out his notebook and took out one of your earbuds. “Midoriya,” you said walking up to the boy. “Here,” you said handing him the notebook. He thanked you and you put the earbud back in before walking to campus. You thought you were the early one but a guy named iida was first. He was a class rep. You just walked in and sat in your seat. You noticed that there was an empty seat next to yours but you figured it was for glitch so you paid no mind to it. You had fallen asleep and stayed asleep even when class began. So you missed the part were glitch entered the room. You only noticed when a 3 then 6 taps were on your shoulder. You woke up and rolled to the side. You took out your earbuds and looked up. “Damn you figured it out princess,” he said sarcastically with his arms open. He was wearing the uniform like you were but no cloves or choker.“You got up and jumped on him wrapping your legs around his torso and your arms around his neck. You got off of him and he walked to the front of the room. “You can call me glitch, my quirk is basically my name. I can make myself glitch so if you try to hit me its tenacity impossible. I can also make other thing’s glitch if they have my blood on them. I can make stuff that only I can touch it won’t do any damage to anybody and they can’t do any damage to my stuff. I can also create a glitch of myself or someone else again if they have my blood. Um, I can also create a glitch of someone’s quirk but that takes a lot of energy out of me. Wich is were deadline comes in, I don’t think she told you but she can also give energy” he said giving a knowing look. “Well, I didn’t see that as a necessity at the time. He rolled his eyes. The next thing you knew someone had flicked you on the head. It was glitch. “Oh yeah and the glitches of myself, they can hurt you but you can’t hurt them you’ll go right through,” he said with a smirk. “Arent you supposed to have these on,” you said raising your arms showing him the bracelets. As if on cue kaigo came rushing in with them in his hands. “Kid you have to put them on,” he said. “I said if only you could catch me,” he said crossing his arms. “Yuu,” you said sternly. He sighed. “Fine,” he said letting kaigo put them on him. He rolled his eyes. “Dam it birdy,” he said with a light laugh. Kaigo just smiled. “Go sit down,” kaigo said giving him a light push. He just smirked and did what he was told. Kaigo just went to the back of the classroom as he did yesterday waiting for this to over. “Alright, today we are going to be learning about the types of villans you will eventually face,” Mr.Aizawa said crossing his arms. “After that, you guys will be fighting deadline and glitch for training,” he said with a really creepy smile. The class looked at you guys. You and glitch were both just had small smiles on your faces. The class turned back to Aizawa. “Mei and Yuuto, what kind of villans are do you too think they are most likely to encounter. You both got up and you spoke first. “Well there are the blood type villans for sure.” you started. “Yup, those villains are the ones like stain and toga” he continued. “ “ Toga, By ingesting someone else's blood, she can transform to look like that person, her quirk is called transform.” he finished. “Yeah people with blood type quirks tend to be a little psycho, rarely will you find someone who isn’t. I know her personally and she’s a bit of a yandere. Midoriya I’m looking at you, try to stay away from her” you said with a smirk. “Now stain, Stain's Quirk is the ability to paralyze the person of whom's blood he licks. The length of how long they are paralyzed depends on the person's blood type, with blood type O having the shortest time. Midoriya” he said looking at the boy. “What other types.” Aizawa said. “There are also the ones with quirks that can burn things to ash or disintegrate things. Like shigaraki and dabi.” you said. “Shigaraki’s is Decay, Tomura's Quirk allows him to turn any solid object that is within his reach to dust. When he touches an object with his hands, it will disintegrate and turn into dust.” Glitch finished. “Dabi’s is Cremation, Dabi's Quirk grants him the ability to generate large amounts of highly destructive blue flames from his body. However, Dabi's body has a low tolerance for his own flames and he will get burned if he uses them for prolonged periods of time.” you said a little quickly rolling your eyes. “And then there are younger villains like us,” you both said walking in front of the class. Mr.Aizwa said stepping to the side to let you both speak. “See the younger they are the more crap they’ve been through and the more recent it was,” glitch said crossing his arms. “Yeah, so when you are fighting a villain or more like us remember that anything you say can trigger them and they will do their damn harvest to kill you, so don’t just go trash talking them like their nothing,” you said crossing your arms. Bakugou knew what your past was so he understood. “Yes there are some villains that just generally hate heros for random reasons that aren’t really that good of a reason to kill.” he said. “But most of the villains have been through some shit and others are just psychopaths,” you said with a shrug. “There are younger villains than us you know,” he said. You saw some people a little shocked. “Yeah I know shocking, of course, they are lower ranked ones and not may know them but they have their reasons for what they do. Of course, to heros those are just excuses” you said rolling your eyes. “But they make excuses when they kill us villans too but because were considered the bad guys it’s fine right,” he said. Kaigo just smiled at the both of you. “We really don’t see the reason for labels is what there trying to say,” kaigo said walking to the front of the room. “Now don’t get me, wrong kids, I’m not on the villain’s sides or the hero’s side at this point and neither are they.” he said standing with you guys. “Were on our own side here” glitch said. “Yeah, something the media failed to say was that most of our kills were villans about half of them were,” you said. “Take our kill counts, mine 127” glitch said. “And mine 164,” you said. “About half or more were villains and the rest either hero’s or abusive people,” you said. “The pros I killed were always made out to be the good guy but in behind the sense, they were bad people with bad intentions” glitch said. “ And before you say anything we aren’t off-topic, these are the types of villains you will encounter. They seem like normal civilians but you don’t know what goes on.” you added. “Trust me I’ve known these kids for a sense they were like 7, You may not understand know but you will soon,” he said patting your heads. “This is basically what a villans life is like and what goes through there head.” glitch said. “If you guys are always focused on their quirks that’s not going to get you anywhere.” kaigo said. “Try this, if a villian seems to be broken or hurt in someway talk to them and don’t automatically resort to fighting. If they can tell you’re being sincere then they will most licky give in. But that doesn’t mean slap the cuffs on them and then leave, no. let them cry in your arms for a while and if they’re in prison visit or something.” you said with a small smile and a shrug. That smile you hed made bakugou’s stomach do a flip. He knew that was a genuine smile right there. You both went back to your seats and sat down as kaigo listened to something in his earpiece. “Alright well I got a mission so ill probably be back in about 5 days at most,” he said before opening the door. “You too, don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone.” he said closing the door. After about 5 seconds he opened it again. “Oh and mei, Footage, room, talk. Heh, I’m talking to you later” he said before leaving again. Now you knew it was serious he never used your name unless he meant business. You gulped. Bakugou was able to connect the dots. He didn’t see the camera in your room. You saw glitch looking at you curiously. You just shook your head. You hadn’t noticed that he had cut his hair differently. It was an undercut with a part on the side, although the shorter side had grown out and it didn’t have jeel. He didn’t like in the first place so the longer part was more in his face, his hair was naturally wavy. He was a good looking guy. He had an eyebrow piercing and his eyes were like a golden light yellow. It matched great with his ash-blond hair. It reminded you of bakugou’s just a little bit darker. “Alright, let’s go to the training ground now.” Mr.Aizawa said opening the door.After you had all changed mr.aizawa took off the bracelets from you guys. You hadn’t used your quirk in like 1 week so you were exited. You had already told him about you needing music to use your quirk and he allowed it. “Actually weren’t you supposed to come in 5 more days or something,” you asked glitch while you guys were getting warmed up. “I was bugging and bugging them to bring me today, I was too impatient to wait,” he said with a light laugh. “And you changed your hair,” you said. “You notice that now!” he said a little offended. You just laughed. “I mean it looks good,” you said ruffling his hair. The only reason you did was that he was really tall and as of right now he was sitting down doing leg stretches. You being about 5’0 and him about 5’8 was a weird match. He got up and ruffled yours. You did your secret handshake that took a long time to perfect but you got it. It was kinda long and seemed tricky so you both enjoyed seeing the disbelief on some of your classmate’s faces. You both snickers before going to the fighting area. “Who’s that” glitch asked. “I think Uraraka, her quirk is zero gravity.It gives her the power to manipulate gravity, such as making objects weightless or making objects float. With this Quirk, she is also able to fly, though this ability is limited.” you said. “That sounded so professional,” he said. “I read it out of that the kid’s notebook. Hers and a few others I memorized what the page said” you said pointing at midoriya. He just nodded. “Alright, you two I want a fair fight don’t kill or do any major injury. Understood” Mr.aizawa said. “You guys kind of took that as an offense. What gave him the right to assume you guys were going to kill her. Rude. None the less you both nodded trying not to seem to annoy. “So she can make thing float if she touched it, so why don’t we do the thing,” He said with a smirk. You thought about it for a second before a smirk was plastered on your face and you nodded. “Alright, ill give you the go when to start.” mr.aizawa said holding what looked to be a stopwatch. All three of you started activating your quirks. You were going to just use a bit of the sanity to slow her down, your wings and glitch would do the rest. “GO!” you all heard mr.aizawa yell. “You brought out your wings letting you fly up a bit but you were sure to not go to high but jumping distance for glitch. You started draining her energy so she was starting to run slower and she seemed more twitchy as you put it. You figured that was enough and stopped. You used 4 feathers and shot them toward her. Glitch jumped and the feathers sharpened cutting him a bit. Not to deep but the feathers had his blood in the now. The feathers stayed sharp and shot down at her. You were sure to not cut her in any way so you just pinned her to the ground by her clothes. Two no her sleeves and the other two on her pants. She tried to move but was too weak. You gave her her energy back allowing her to move now. She went to make the feathers float put her hand went right through the feathers with a glitch of light blue dark blue pink green and red. She tried aging earning a light laugh from you guys. “The two-win,” he said stopping the watch. Glitch put blood on your hand allowing you to grab the feathers and pull them out. You really didn’t need to. They would come back by demand but you just wanted to brag. The feathers stopped glitching and they went back to your wings. You let out a small laugh before walking away. “How are your hands,” you asked glitch. “Fine, just like a paper cut,” he said with a smile. You pulled the earbuds out and wrapped them around you phone before sticking it in your pocket. “How did you do that” midoriya asked with uraraka behind. Both seemed so interested. Nobody had ever asked that really interested more or less out of fear of not getting out of that or something along those lines. A light blush covered both of your cheeks before speaking. “Well like glitch said if his blood is on something only he can touch it.” you said. “But how did you touch it,” urauraka said stepping in front of midoriya. “Oh, that because I had some of his blood on my hand. But in order for someone to touch them they have to have some of his blood and trust them” you said rubbing the back of your neck. Glitch just let out a small chuckle. “I know this seems weird but can I touch your wings” she asked. “Oh uh, sure i guess just dont pull them” you said. She nodded before both of them went behind you and started petting your wings. It felt good to the point were you actually let out a purr. You covered your mouth as a blush rose to your face. They both stopped. “That was so cute” glitch, urauraka, and modoriya said. You turned away. When you did your eyes met bakugou’s crimson ones. He was close enough to hear the purr along with ihs friend kirishima. Your blush deepend and you looked down still covering your mouth to stifle the purrs that threatened to come out from them petting your wings. “Im gonna pull it” glitch warned. “NO, NO, NO, dont you dare-” you cut your self off as he pulled on your wings earning a moan loud enough for some of the class to hear. Glitch laughed as the other two stopped, feces reddening along with yours, kirishima’s, bakugou’s, kamianri’s and mina’s. Your face reddened as you pulled away hiding your wings agin. “Glitch your so dead” you said cheeks as red as kirishima hair. “You wouldnt” he said with a smirk. “Damn it fine, but next time I will hurt you” you thretend. “You say that all the time” he said waving you off. Ok now that pissed you off. You kicked his thigh close to his more private area. He winced. “Next time it gonna be worse” you thretend. He knew what you were talking about and the next thing you knew he was like 15 feet away form you. Your face was still red but you had a smirk on your face. You turned to uraraka and midoriya. They both apoligized. “No, no, its fine. Thats why I said not pulling. Jeez that was embarrassing” you said. You were a little shorter than them but still, they both seemed so nice. “Dude that was so cool”  you heard a blond say. You turnd behind you to see bakugou, kirishima, kamianri, mina and sero there. “Oh thanks” you siad face still a bit red. Glitch was standing by you now. “Shes not a man but that really manly of you to not hurt her when you had her on the ground” kirishima said putting a fist up in the air. “Thanks, that was actually really hard to get it through the shirt and pants without hurting her” you said. You were a little confuse on why now everybody was being nice, it felt weird sence alot of people hated you. “You and glitch wanna eat lunch with us” sero added. “Yeah please im tired of being the only girl in the group. Mina said grobbing your hands. You looked up at glitch who was a bit surprised himself but he smiled at you. “Uh sure” you said. “I like your gloves were idd you get them” mina asked. Your eyes widened for a second. “Oh I made them myself actually” you said sheepishly. You looked at bakugou who seemed to tence. “Why do you wear them” she asked. You and bakugou tensed. “Oi, racoon eyes stop” you heard baugou yell. “Why” she asked turning around hands on her hips. “Because your voice is annoying” he said turnig to her. She just laughed. “Of course you’ed say that” she said with a sigh and a smile. You could feel glitches eyes on you and you tensed. You looked up at him and he seemed worried, now you felt guilty for not telling him. Bakugou grabbed the both of you buy the collor and pulled you guys out of view from the others. Bakugou and glitch were covering the view of you by standing infront of you. “Show him” bakugou said hands in his pockets. You looked up at glitch who still looked extremly worried. You already felt like you wanted to cry. You looked down at the gloves and slowly took them off reveling the cuts on both your wrists. His eyes widend when he saw the cuts. He grabbed your wrist and started counting. “12 on the right and 7 on the left” you heard him wisper under his breath. He couched down and he pulled you into a hug as a tear rolled down your face. Bakugou crouched dwon infront of you and wiped it away. He still had his normal scowl on his face but you could see in his eyes he did care, he had a light pink. He seemed so vilont all the time. He got up as glitch pulled back. Glitch stood up and you stood up straighter. He looked at bakugou. “Howed you find out” he asked the other blond. Bakugou explained the story from just a night ago. You felt better now that you had told someone how you felt, it felt like a weight had been lifted. You could finally breath. Your tars dried as all three of you walked back. Your small figure inbetween the two guys talking literally over you. Jeez you hated being short. It had its perks but still. When you guys had got back it was time for the second round with midoriya. That one was actually kind of hard for you guys. Yes you guys won in the end but his quirk was so strong, the way he moved, and everything he did was amazing. You and glitch were at some point getting kind of board and thats when you guys decided to just finish the damn fight that you swear went on for hours. You and glitch hated long fights. You guys were the finsih the job quik type, not really determand for 35 minuts straight kind of person midoriya was. His qurik was alot like allmight and quit franckly because you used to work under him you knew about the whole successor thing with one for all. You figured midoriya was the succer of all might. Your were planig on surprising th two by just saying it when there alone. Glitch knew alittle but you figured he probly figured it out. You guys saw the now retired hero standing there talking to the boy and you gave glitch a knowing look. He smirked and you both walked over to the guys. “Hey all might” you said with a wave. “Oh hello kids, how are you too licking it here” he asked. “Oh were fine” glitch said. “Hey midoriya, can you teach us some moves with one for all please” you asked. “OH sure-” he cut himself off when he realised what you jsut said. “Yeah isnt that what its called” glitched questinoed with a smirk. You 4 were alone so nobody heard. “How do you guys know” midoriya said panicked. “ I used to work under all for one and he kinda told me everything witch I told glitch about” you siad with a smile. He was still panicked as was the retired hero. “Dont worry we wont tell anyone, were not those kin of people” glitch said giving them a sencer smile. “Yeah people who do that honestly piss me off” you said crossing your arms. “How did you figure it out” he asked calming down a bit. “ I mean it was kind of a dead give away the way you use it and the similarity’s so we kind of conected the dots.” you said with a shrug. “But we promise we wont let this get out” glitch said as a reminder. “Yeah and we were serious can you tech us some thing” you asked. “Oh, uh. Sure” he said.  The rest of the day dragged on. Pretty boring with all the classes. And finally the end of the day came.

Its been about 5 weeks since you and glitch came to the school and now you both really want to be heroes. The bracelets that held your quirks back had been taken off 3 days ago. You both felt at home with the class. But there was something still bothering you. It was Bakugou, you had gotten to know him better but there was so much he was hiding behind all the yelling, cursing, insults and pride. You had noticed that when he felt like his opponent wasn’t going to there full extent he deemed himself unworthy of them he felt weak. It bothered you so when you two had to fight you never held back, although he didn’t say it you could tell he appreciated it. You had found out a lot of things about him that nobody knew. Nothing really big just the thing he enjoyed. Like how when you played with his hair he never complained he just let you, or when you rubbed circles in his back when your watching movies in the common room with the class, or how he likes resting his head on your lap, or bearing his face in your chest when he needs or wants something or just when he feels like it, Or how you give him a massage after training with Kirishima or just training in general. The list goes on and on. But even then, you could tell bakugou was hiding something. And you know because you’ve hidden your feeling before you know how it feels and he knows that but he still refuses to tell you. All you wanted was to help him but his pride always got in the way, yes he had a special place in your heart and you in his but there always that one thing that just wasn’t right. You cared for him a lot. You actually had a crush on this boy, the very angry boom boom boy that a lot of people didn’t like but that was because nobody ever really got to know him the way you did. “Hey bakugou,” you said as the blond lied in your lap as you played with his hair. “Hmm,” he grumbled about to fall asleep. “Nevermind,” you said. He wanted to know what you were going to say but he was so tired from the training Mr.aizawa put you guys through. He ended up falling asleep in your lap a while later. About 30 minutes after kaigo decided to pay you and glitch a visit. After about 2 weeks of keeping an eye on you and glitch, he was there less and less. Not that you guys minded. He opened the door to the dorms and walked in to see bakugou on your lap asleep and you scrolling through social media playing with his hair. You hadn’t noticed him there until you looked up to meet a smirking kaigo looking at you and then his eyes falling on glitch sleeping on Kirishima’s lap. He had already said he liked Kirishima and Kirishima told you he liked him so you worked your magic and got them together. It’s only been like 3 days since then but it seems like they’ve been dating for months. You told both boys you like bakugou but begged them not to tell, they both agreed and didn’t tell bakugou, as far as you knew. Your face grew a bit red as you stopped playing with the blonds hair earning a light grumble from him and him moving his head slightly telling you to continue. You did so keeping an eye on kaigo. Kirishima just let out a small laugh not wanting to wake glitch or bakugou. “So you got a boyfriend,” kaigo said with a sly smirk. You felt your face heat up. “No, but glitch did,” you said looking at Kirishima whos face was now red. “So you haven’t told him,” kaigo said. You had no idea how he knew but kaigo was a mysterious one. “No,” you said looking down at the blond. Kaigo, you and Kirishima had been talking before bakugou woke up about an hour later. The other classmates had already flooded the common room by now. Nobody questioned you or bakugou because they were already used to the site by now but that didn’t stop some of them from teasings once in a while. Bakugou got up from his position and looked to the side to see you looking at him with that smile that was only reserved for him. He’s liked you for a while now. After figuring out what that strange feeling was he knew he did. He blushed a little before patting your head and getting up to go to the kitchen. You looked back at the class and kaigo. They all motioned and moth for you to go. In other words, tell him you liked him in the kitchen. Hell, even Mineta. You bit your lip before a sigh escaped and you got up. You gave them all a nervous smile as they nodded. You went to catch up with bakugou he was already in the kitchen drinking water when he turned to see you. He drank a cup of water before speaking. “What,” he said putting the cup in the sink. You were about to speak when you heard a chuckle from him. He turned to face you, his cheeks were red and he started walking towards you. You started walking backward till your back hit the wall, he slammed his hands on the wall beside you making you jump a bit. He was so close to you. He moved his leg in between yours causing you to blush even more. He just smirked seeing your red face. He moved his hands down and grabbed you by the waist pulling your body against his. You could feel his warm breath. You leaned into him giving him permission to do what he was going to do. He took one hand off of your waist and tilted your chin up, he looked into your eyes asking for permission once more. When you gave him a small nod he leaned in and kissed your lips, he pulled away for a second before kissing you again passionately hand moving back down to your waist as his other trailed down under your leg. You lifted it up as he did the same with his other hand. Soon your legs were wrapped around his torso your back against the wall. You pulled apart to take a breath a string of saliva still connecting you two. He leaned over to your neck planting kisses on your skin. As if asking for more you tilted your head to the side allowing him more room. He took it. He kissed, licked, sucked, and bit the tender flesh. You had done this before but that was forced this wasn’t this felt right. “Your mine, nobody else’s understood,” he said before kissing your neck again. “Y-yes” you breathed out. He had given you about 3 to 4 hickeys by the time you both got back to the common room. Glitch and kaigo weren’t the happiest with what he had done but you both blew them off. “There’s no camera in my room anymore” you whispered in his ear. He blushed as he put you on his back and you both made it to your room. Kaigo and glitch would have to wait for now you guys were going to enjoy yourselves.

If you want a part to that would be NSFW tell me I have no problem making it. Thanks for reading hope you enjoyed it.

ex malo bonum

Chapter 3.

Word count: 3761 Warnings: self-harm tendencies, forced alcohol consumption (idk really how else to tag this), non-con attempt, blood, needles mention

Vince stared at the cracked ceiling.

The ceiling stared back, its cracks and spots like wrinkles and blemishes on an old face. Some more staring, and Vince would probably start seeing eyes.

His home – former home – was supposed to be somewhere above the ceiling. Somewhere up in the sky. No one knew for sure where it was, and now that Vince thought about it, he never knew where exactly it was located as well. It was just there, in him and far from him at the same time, but always at the arm’s length, always there when Vince needed it.

No. No, it wasn’t. For him, it had been there. It remained there still, yet out of Vince’s reach. Its calming, encouraging presence, constantly in the back of his mind before, was no longer there. It got lost among all those new thoughts and feelings, all products of his vessel’s weird, flawed human nature, but now also strangely personal to him too. In search of that presence, Vince delved deep into his mind, where he had never been before, and didn’t find anything.

Or rather, he did. Something he had never seen before; something so foreign and at the same time so his.

Vince yanked himself back to the reality, farther from those somethings. But having once seen them, he couldn’t pretend they weren’t there anymore.

So he decided to stare at the ceiling and focus on the pain in his shoulder. Pain was easy to understand; safe, in a way. Pain was punishing, and punishment was freeing. It was something Jesus had gone through. Maybe Vince was the next Jesus, and his cross was this blood-soaked bed, and his nails were humiliation and manhandling by those demons.

An angel would never have such a thought, something whispered to him faintly, bringing him back to reality. An angel, a true angel, would strive to become like Him, but never compare themselves to Him, because He is unreachable.

Vince shivered as though a trickle of cold, pure fear ran down his spine. He pressed his face into the pillow, trying to chafe half-healed scratches on his face, to wring more pain out of them, to have something else to focus on.

It only made matters worse. His pain mixed with his desperation, fear and unanswered questions, turning into delirium so dark, so deep Vince drowned in it, the reality, like sunlight in the water, was blacked out. He didn’t hear the door creaking, letting in a night visitor, he didn’t see his slim frame looming over the bed, and only when a hand grasped his shoulder and shook him roughly, his mind reluctantly rose to the surface.

Vince’s heart was racing, his forehead was covered in cold sweat, but relief washed over him once he saw that cracked ceiling again. Even if that was Nikki, even if he had come to do what he promised to do to him, it was still better than down there, in the dark. Vince squinted, trying to discern the visitor's face in the faint light from the street. He wouldn’t be able to tell apart Nikki and Tommy, who resembled each other like brothers, if not for the hair: Tommy’s bushy and curly, Nikki’s straight and thick.

The shadow was gangly, and the hair framing his face was messy and wavy. Tommy.

"Asleep, blondie?" Tommy confirmed Vince’s guess a second later and knelt beside the bed. He had something in his hand, but Vince didn't catch a glimpse of it.

"You know we don't sleep," Vince replied indifferently, doing his best to keep the quiver away from his voice, and after a quick glance at Tommy, moved his gaze back to the ceiling.

"Well, I dunno. You could have passed out."

Vince didn't answer. He shouldn't have done it the first time as well, but the question was so normal, so casual that for a second he forgot who was asking.

"Huh, too proud to talk to us, right?" Tommy said light-heartedly. "That's not for long." He reached up to Vince's handcuffed wrists and freed one of them, leaving his other wrist chained to the headboard.

"What are you doing?" he couldn’t help asking. Be that Nikki, he would have kept silent throughout the whole process, be that whatever had come to his perverted mind. But this wasn't Nikki.

“Fixing Nikki’s bullshit," Tommy replied shortly and reached to unbutton Vince's shirt.

That was when Vince, already baffled, couldn’t remain still. He pushed Tommy away with his free arm and rolled to the other side of the bed. He didn’t know how he had expected Tommy to react. Get angry, maybe. Drag him back. Hit him. Enchain his hand back to the headboard. There were so many options.

Tommy didn’t pick any of them. Instead, he burst into laughter. He did drag him back by his hurt arm then, making Vince hiss in pain. And kept laughing. The entire time.

"You should have seen your face. You looked so frightened,” the demon explained once his laughter subdued. Vince was pretty sure he still had fear written across his face, made worse by Tommy’s following words.

“Lie still and it won't hurt as much," he promised, unbuttoning the last button on his shirt and pulling it down Vince’s torso. Seeing Vince’s eyes widen, he chuckled. "What, are you really that afraid of losing your virginity? It's not even a real thing. Just a social construct."

With increasing desperation Vince watched as Tommy climbed onto the bed and straddled his torso, pinning his injured arm to the mattress. For a couple of seconds he enjoyed the mix of fear and disgust on Vince’s face before finally announcing: "Relax. I ain't gonna fuck you. Right now, at least. Maybe later, after I'm finished with that," he poked Vince's shoulder right above the cut.

Vince blinked in confusion, completely taken aback. He had already been mentally preparing for humiliation and pain, the only things he expected from those demons. Had expected.

“Why would you do that?”

Tommy ignored his question. “Jeez,” he grinned at the sight of Vince wincing from hearing this word so distorted, “you’ve got a lot of blood in here.” He bent forward to take a closer look at the cut. His long fluffy hair tickled Vince’s nose and got covered in blood that was all over his shoulder. “Do you even have any left?”

“Does it matter?” Vince murmured, getting increasingly uncomfortable under Tommy’s fixed, serious stare that absolutely didn’t match his nonchalant tone.

“It fucking does!” Tommy flared up, making Vince flinch. He didn’t expect him to sound so serious; he didn’t expect him to even be capable of acting that way. “You think, immortality and shit, yeah? Threw myself off a building, woke up unharmed, now I can do whatever the fuck I want? Well, buddy, it ain’t gonna work like that anymore. Bodies are fragile. They break. And you won’t get a new one any time soon, if ever. You gotta be careful with yours from now on.”

“But can’t demons possess human bodies?”

“Yeah, they can. Those like Mick. I ain’t Mick, you ain’t Mick, and it’s gonna take us half a millennium at best to even try to compare ourselves to Mick. Didn’t you feel it? He’s… he’s…” Tommy trailed off. “Well, you get it.”

Vince nodded automatically, remembering the shudder that ran down his spine when he first looked in those clear blue eyes. He did get it.

“Well, back to business,” after a second of silence Tommy dropped onto the bed the things he was holding in his hand. They turned out to be a needle, a reel of black thread and a bottle of something with a very distinct smell. “I am no doctor, so it’s probably gonna be painful and sloppy. No, it’s definitely gonna be painful and sloppy. Sorry to spoil such a great vessel. Or not sorry.” He pinched Vince’s cheek, opened the bottle and took a gulp out of it.

“Here, have some.” Despite Vince’s frantic headshaking, Tommy pushed the bottle between his lips, and Vince, afraid of getting his teeth knocked out, gave in. Tommy upended the bottle, and acold, burning liquid went down Vince’s throat, choking him and sending him into a fit of coughing. Tommy watched him with such a smug grin, he was lucky to be sitting on Vince’s free hand.

“Whiskey,” he patted the bottle lovingly. “Another great invention of humankind, after sex and rock n’ roll. Or, rather, the reason for them.”

“Tastes like shit.” Vince spat out the remains of the drink, aiming at Tommy, but missing, and most of it ended up on his own chin. Tommy snickered and wiped it with his hand.

“That’s because it’s your first time drinkin’. You’ll get used to it.” Tommy spent good five minutes threading a needle and biting his lips in frustration when the thread didn’t want to go through the eye of the needle. Having finally done it through a great effort, he dipped the needle together with the thread into the remains of whiskey. “Also a good antiseptic.”

“Good what?”

Tommy looked at him in confusion for a second before smiling wide, realization on his face. “Damn, I forgot you’re fresh out of Heaven. Alcohol’s good not only for drinking but also for killing bacteria in your wounds so that the inflammation won’t spread to other parts of your body. If not treated, it can actually kill you.” Seeing Vince’s eyes widen, he burst into laughter. “Trashy, right? The cost for occupying a human vessel. They are a pain in the ass, so fragile and prone to illnesses. Even those occupied by us.” Tommy talked so quickly Vince couldn’t even get a word in edgeways. Great, just great, he thought grimly, now he would have to look after this sack of flesh as well. As though he didn’t have other problems in need of an urgent solution.

Tommy raised the needle up to his level, observed it critically and decided it was ready to use.

“Alright, now lie still. It’s gonna hurt anyway but even more, if you twitch.”

“Very reassuring,” Vince muttered, closing his eyes and resting his head against the pillow. At the mere thought of receiving more pain his body tensed up, and Vince knew that this way it was going to hurt even more. Still, he couldn’t relax.

Instead, he heard a chuckle. “Didn’t know anyone from up there could have a sense of humor.”

Then finally came the pain. Vince winced and breathed shallowly, trying not to make a sound, not to show how he was hurting,

Tommy was definitely no good at sewing. The skin on Vince’s shoulder was already bloody and swollen, and the whole process felt like sticking needles right into the wound. Vince hissed and screwed up his eyes so hard he could see colorful circles, breathing shallowly and biting his lips until they bled. It helped, though. He managed to hold back tears, for now, he concentrated on the lump in his throat so strongly the pain from the needle shifted to the back of his mind, still there, but definitely not as acute as before. Don’t cry, don’t cry, a voice in his hand kept repeating, with dull, unhuman intonations. Don’t lose your composure, it kept saying, and it sounded reasonable.

Vince pressed his lips together tightly, not letting out a single sob, a single tear. He wasn’t going to show Tommy how bad it was hurting, because hurting meant weakness, and weakness meant humiliation.

But God, was it hard.

The cut was narrow but deep, going through almost his entire shoulder. His blood on the needle was making it harder for Tommy to hold it, and it constantly slipped out of his fingers, sometimes while it was still in Vince’s skin. Vince never said a word, just bit down onto his lower lip, again and again, his saliva metallic-flavored.

“So quiet,” Tommy murmured upon pulling out the needle from Vince’s flesh once again. His hand slipped, and the needle sank even deeper in the wound. Vince held down a groan. “Don’t tell me it doesn’t hurt, I know it does. Stop that pretense, for fuck’s sake.”

“What do you want me to do, cry? Throw a fit?” With effort, he almost – almost – managed to sound calm, but the slight quivering of his voice had managed to leak through his already battered facade.

“No, but there’s absolutely no point in holding your emotions in some situations. For example, when you get a wound sewed up with no painkillers whatsoever,” Tommy huffed. “Listen, I couldn’t care less, play a tough one if you want. Just remember that’s not gonna work with Nikki.”

“What do you mean?” Something inside Vince’s chest froze in fear. He knew already what Tommy meant, but there was still a little bit of maybe I am wrong-

“I meant exactly what I said,” Tommy cut off, in a matter of seconds shifting from carelessness to seriousness and completely demolishing Vince’s last bit of hope. He poked Vince’s chest with so much force his finger left a red trace on the skin. “You know he will come here because he always keeps his promises, and when he does come, your stubbornness will only make it worse for you. He wants to get a certain reaction out of you, and if he doesn’t, he will do literally anything, and I mean anything, to get it. You will get out of it with less damage if you just play along.”

During Tommy’s short but convincing speech the silence of the room felt choking. A cold lump in Vince’s stomach grew twice as huge. If even a demon, an evil and wicked creature, tried to warn him about another demon - it was especially serious.

But Vince’s anger, flaring up in his chest, bright, fast and burning, drowned out this very reasonable thought. Somewhere in the back of his mind Vince was surprised at how easy it had risen, powerful and all-consuming.

“If he thinks he can make me do whatever he wants, he is fucking wrong,” Vince hissed. “Did he send you to prepare the ground? To scare me into obedience? Well, tell him he’s gotta put in a real effort to get what he wants!”

His last word was muffled by Tommy’s hand on his mouth.

“Be quiet, idiot!” he whispered, glancing cautiously onto the door. Vince tried to bite him in protest, but Tommy didn’t even let him open his mouth. “You’re gonna wake everyone up!”

Vince tried to shake his hand off, but it stayed firmly on his mouth, pressing his head deep into the pillow. He struggled some more, but his every movement was sending a jab of pain through his shoulder where the needle was still staying. The stitch loosened, and Vince could feel hot drops of blood oozing from the cut.

So after a few more weak jerks, he surrendered, breathing heavily, vision blurred with tears that he tried so hard to hold back and failed.

“Fucking dumbass,” Tommy sighed, examining the stitch. “Ruined all the hard work. I can finish it, but it won’t be half as effective.”

Just do the thing and piss off, Vince wanted to say. He felt so exhausted as though he had run a mile.

“Finish,” he managed to get out. Tommy pulled at the thread, tightening the stitch and eliciting a curse out of Vince, and resumed his work.

Now that Nikki’s name came up in the conversation, Vince’s mind shifted onto him. He was stabbed too, and even deeper than Vince, but he couldn’t remember it doing him any actual harm. When they had arrived to this apartment, his bleeding had already stopped. Vince’s bleeding, on the other hand, had been going on for the rest of the day and half a night. What the?..

“Nikki is a powerful demon,” Tommy had to explain hesitantly when Vince demanded the answer. “Not as powerful as Mick, of course, but definitely not of the weaker kind. He’s been around for a good century longer than me. Still ain’t got no brains, though,” he added with unexpected fondness.

“And you?” Vince asked quickly and regretted it at the very same moment. Tommy’s face, so lively and dynamic before, as though turned into a mask.

“What me?” he said, incomprehension in his voice too perfect to be genuine.

“How long have you been around?”

“How curious you are,” Tommy’s lips were still curved into a smile, but his eyes shifted from cheerful hazel to burnt wood. “Curiosity killed the cat, y’know.”

“What?” Vince blinked in confusion. What did this have to do with a cat? “Really? How?”

Tommy looked at him blankly for a second and then burst into laughter. This time it was sincere.

“Christ, I always forget you don’t know shit about Earth,” he said once he’d calmed down. “You’re gonna be so much fun. That’s just a local saying. Means that you have to pay a price for information. Especially that personal.” He leaned forward, so close to Vince their noses almost touched, looming over him. Vince later would swear he could smell burning wood for a second. “Are you ready to pay the price, blondie?”

“No,” Vince said maybe too quickly, already cursing his curiosity. “Forget it.” Tommy’s pupils were so dilated they took up almost his entire irises. His gaze was making Vince uneasy, and his heart was beating so fast he was sure Tommy could hear it too. When Vince tried to turn his head to avoid looking at those eyes anymore, Tommy grabbed his chin with his fingers, forcing him to stay still. Just like Nikki, Vince realized, a cold shiver running down his spine. Friendlier on the outside, but inside just as dark.

“I’m already done with this,” Tommy said, observing the stitch critically, and bit the rest of the thread off. “And I think I deserve an award.”

That was the last straw.

“That’s what you came for in the first place, right? Could have just gone for it right then and not play a good one,” Vince spit out. He had enough of being scared; now all his fear turned into anger, bitter, resentful anger. Just when he started to lose caution, to relax a little, to dampen his defense and believe not all demons were alike… Fucking asshole. Assholes, all of them. Shouldn’t have answered him the first time.

“Well, mostly,” Tommy grinned, putting away the needle and the reel and reaching for the bottle. “Wanna?”

“Fuck off.”

“All right, more for me,” Tommy downed the rest in one huge gulp. “Imagine how Nikki’s gonna be pissed when he learns he’s not the first,” he chuckled, baring his teeth in a wide smile, a smile that wilted slightly when he met Vince’s gaze. A little more of that, Vince thought with grim satisfaction, and he would learn to burn holes in human skin with his eyes.

Tommy leaned to the side of the bed to put the bottle under the bed and had to let go of Vince’s hand. When he sat up, Vince’s fist collided with his cheekbone. Tommy gasped and flinched back, and Vince couldn’t hold back a sneer.

The injured hand wasn’t capable of anything serious, though. It took Tommy mere few seconds to get over the punch and straighten up. A violent wave of pain swept through Vince’s entire arm, making him hiss in pain and drop his hand weakly onto the bed. He was defenseless - again.

Vince closed his eyes, expecting a response. A punch or, at the very least, a slap on the face. That was what Nikki would do. That was what Vince himself, if they swapped bodies, would do.

Tommy started laughing.

“Oh wow, you aggressive little shit! Did you just go round punching other angels in Heaven like that? Was that why they kicked you out?”

“Curiosity killed the cat,” Vince reminded coldly, which launched Tommy into another fit of laughter so strong he almost fell off the bed.

“No, you’re totally a lot of fun,” Tommy claimed once he calmed down enough to be able to speak. “Or maybe you’re trying to get me distracted till everyone wakes up? Huh, blondie, this ain’t gonna work. I mean, yeah, talking to you all night would be pretty cool, but, y’know, a man’s got his needs, and Nikki’s been pretty moody lately.”

Vince was hardly surprised. To believe that the demons who were constantly talking about it hadn’t done it with each other before was to be an utter and complete idiot.

What was the name for it besides hooking-up, by the way?

Resigned, Vince watched as Tommy settled between his thighs, unzipped his pants and pulled them down to his knees. Although the thin fabric hardly provided any protection, its absence brought a feeling of vulnerability so strong Vince couldn’t handle looking at Tommy and stared at the door instead.

“C’mon, that’s only scary until you get down to it,” Tommy said almost sheepishly. “Humans wouldn’t obsess over sex so much if it wasn’t enjoyable.”

I’m no human, Vince wanted to say, but the words stuck in his throat.

Tommy’s hands roamed around his hips and legs, then disappeared. Vince heard the zipper getting undone.

And then – footsteps behind the door.

Tommy jumped up, his eyes darting at the door, and Vince caught a glimpse of pure terror on his face before he disappeared in a puff of smoke. The very next moment the door opened, and Mick stepped inside.

“Aha,” he said only, quickly looking over Vince, his sloppily stitched shoulder, pants crumpled at the knees, the empty whiskey bottle sticking out from under the bed. Vince’s cheeks grew strangely hot, and he hopelessly reached out to pull up his pants – hopelessly, because they were out of his reach, but remaining like this, so open and defenseless under Mick’s piercing gaze, was somehow way worse.

When Mick stepped towards the bed, Vince’s hand dropped, and the urge to close his eyes, to escape this whole situation in the only way available was so strong he later wondered what had kept them open after all. Stubbornness, maybe. Or spite. Or both.

Mick stretched out his hand and hitched up Vince’s pants until he could freely reach them. Then he turned around and left the room. Physically, because contempt – or, far worse, pity, - in his icy gaze haunted Vince for the rest of the night.

Opposites. Rafael Barba

Rafael Barba Short Story

Part Two.

Part One Can Be Found Here.

Warnings: Swearing. Angst. Fluff! Words: 1,343

Translator: cariño- sweetie Tu estupido- You idiot Amado- Lover Está bien.- It’s okay No te culpo- I don’t blame you Eu te amo- I love you Te quiero mucho- I love you so much

2 Days passed and she never heard from Rafael. Not that she was expecting to get a call from him anytime soon. Charlotte knew she embarrassed him in front of his coworkers and his boss. But damn it, had he just respected the fact that she can have a regular conversation with men then they wouldn’t fight about the stupidest things. She loved that idiot, but she had to love herself as well. How can she stay with someone that has no faith in her? It was impossible. 

Her mother always told her, “Without trust, it’s only a matter of time before the relationship crumbles.”

Boy was she right. How can she trust Rafael with every fiber in her body. Yet he can’t seem to do the same. Was it because of the age? As if the 9-and-a-half-year age difference was that big of a deal. Maybe to his eyes, maybe to those who saw Lottie and thought she was younger. But, honestly? She never gave a crap. Especially when all he had to say to her was that she would grow tired of him and move on to someone younger. 

“Jesus Rafael! How many times to I have to say it to you!” Charlotte screamed as they were fighting after having come home from dinner. “I don’t want to be with someone else!”

Yet Rafael only rolled his eyes, pulling on his tie and loosening it up. “You could do so much better than me cariño...” was all he replied. He had watched the waiter try to flight with her the whole time. It was nerve wrecking. He just didn’t know why she insisted in being together when she could do so much better.

“Tu estupido! I don’t know why we keep having these fights!” she snapped and walked around him. Grabbing her purse and slipping her shoes back onto her feet.

Rafael just watched, “Where are you going?” he asked and crossed his arms over his chest. His suit jacket was thrown over the back of the couch and the sleeves to his button-down shirt were rolled up.

“Home. I’m going home, Rafael. I wanted a nice night with you. But obviously you want to fight. So, call me when you get over this idea that I should be with someone else.” Charlotte sighed and moved to the door. Freezing when she felt a hand on her wrist. But when no words were spoken, Charlotte fought the tears threatening to fall and left.

That happened two weeks before the gala and Lottie knew that things would be okay if he just talked to her.

➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶ 

Charlotte had been in the middle of rehearsal when she felt the vibration from her phone that she had in the pack pocket of her pants. Grabbing it, seeing as it wasn’t her part. Charlotte sighed, seeing it was from Rafael. 

Amado: Coffee? Reply: Sure. Usual spot? Amado: See you in 30.

Groaning, she turned to the theater director for a early break. Smiling when he allowed it, knowing about her little tiff with her boyfriend. So grabbing her bag and coat. Charlotte left the stage, assuring them she’ll be back soon and made her way to the exit. Heading for the busy streets of New York, Lottie turned right and headed to the coffee shop fifteen minutes away. Funny enough the Theater she was working on the next performance at and the courthouse were close to each other, so they always met in the middle. Only meeting when Rafael was done with court, like today it seemed.

Arriving and not seeing the man, Charlotte went to place their orders. His order being an Americano and Lottie got herself a Cappucino. Leaning against the counter after paying for their drinks. Charlotte turned towards the doors when it opened. Seeing Rafael, she let out a small breath of relief. 

“Hey, I didn’t pull you out of anything too important. Did I?” he asked, adding a small thanks when Charlotte handed him his coffee. Only to be shocked to see her once blonde hair, was now brown. “Your hair…” he pointed out.

“Nope, I would have asked you to go there if I couldn’t leave.” she smiled, and they walked to a table and sat down. “What?” Charlotte was confused at first then laughed. “Yeah, decided to go back to my natural roots… helps for the musical as well.” She shrugged and sipped at her coffee. “I’m really sorry Rafael... what I said the other night.” she looked down at her cup and chewed against the skin of her lip. 

Hearing him sigh, she didn’t bother to look up. “I deserved everything you said, Mi Amor.” he said and that’s when Charlotte looked up. “I’ve been... out of line lately. Olivia talked to me that night. I just, it took a few days to actually wrap my head around the fact that.” he said, and Charlotte watched him. “The fact that I have been completely out of line with you.” he leaned back with a sigh and rubbed at the back of his neck. 

Charlotte just listened to him and sipped at the coffee in her hands slowly. She knew where he was coming from. They had talked back in the beginning of the relationship. Charlotte knew his fears, that she would leave him for someone else. Or cheat on him like his ex, had done. It was why Rafael never dated again. He had his one night stands here and there, he was a man of course. He needed to get relief somewhere. But he never sought someone out, dated someone and agreed to be in a committed relationship with them like he and Charlotte were doing. So, yes. Charlotte knew what was going on in his mind.

Reaching over, she grabbed at his hand softly. “Rafi... Está bien. No te culpo. I know what your past is like. I can’t snap my finger and make you believe me. I doubt it’s easy to do when most men around can’t take the hint when I tell them I’m deeply in love with a Cuban ADA who for some reason doesn’t think he’s enough to be with me.” she eyed him playfully. Getting up and moving to sit next to him. Charlotte allowed her hand to softly cup his cheek. Smiling when he leaned his cheek into her hand. Lottie leaned forward and kissed at his lips.

“Eu te amo, Rafael. Remember that.” She added and the two sat there together drinking their coffee.

“Move in with me…” his words caught her off guard and instantly she started to cough when she let out a gasp while drinking the coffee.  The coffee obviously trying to go the wrong way thanks to that, Charlotte waved his hand as Rafael patted her back to help.

“Jeez… had to ask right when I was about to swallow the drink huh.” She tried to joke, rubbing the back of her head. Charlotte closed her eyes. “Are you sure? Moving in… it’s a BIG step Rafi.”

Watching him roll his eyes, Charlotte chuckled and waited. Only to raise both her eyebrows when he held up a key. “To my apartment. I want you to live with me. I want to sleep with you by my side, even if our hours make it so we don’t fall asleep together. I want to see you first thing I wake up. Te quiero mucho... “ he looked into her eyes and she nodded. “Okay… but I’m keeping my place. ONLY because of the theater and how much hours we put into the show. I don’t want you coming home to Ten strangers in the house singing.” She grinned and winked.

“I wouldn’t mind it…” he shrugged and the two shared a smile before kissing. That’s when Charlotte knew that they would be okay. Spending the next half hour chatting about his case that he won and her next play. They soon parted ways with a kiss and promised to see the other that night at home.

Hi! I had an idea about dumb M!Byleth x Shamir stuff where Shamir acts as a reluctant teaching assistant because Byleth recruited too many students and now all these kids are stuck with these emotionally distant and blunt ex-mercs for educators, I'm sorry, its just too cute and funny to me lol

Hey there, anon! First of all, I’m in LOVE with this request, and I’m gonna have a LOT of fun with this! And no need to apologize, it’s a great ask!

Alright, let’s get the fun going! Thanks for the ask anon, I hope you enjoy!

And honestly? I think you’re one of the only people I’ve seen that actually requested for Shamir in an ask. Props to ya for that!

————

Teacher’s Helper (FE: Three Houses Short Fic)

Byleth asks his dear Shamir to help out with teaching the children of his class.

She’s…less than thrilled to.

the things you do for love

Shamir pulled up a stool and sat down next to Catherine, throwing out a gold coin onto the counter.

“Ale, half ice please.” Shamir said, sighing.

“Jeez, had a fight with Byleth?”

She shook her head, turning to Catherine.

“Nothing like that. Byleth asked me to help teach the class tomorrow.”

Catherine almost dropped her drink, then laughed it off thinking she was joking. Shamir wasn’t smiling.

“…Oh, you’re serious? Well crap, that’s gonna be fun.”

Shamir and Catherine joined Byleth’s class as overseers a while back. Overtime they saw the class extend from the Black Eagles class to incorporating most of the Blue Lions and at least one girl from the Golden Deer. In other words, it was a very packed class. It’s no wonder Byleth needed help with it.

“So on that note, what are you doing here? Don’t think you should be hungover when you’re teaching his kids.”

“I’ll be fine. I’m just…kinda nervous is all.”

Shamir looked off to the side, slightly embarrassed that she admitted that.

“Hah, I’d be too, ya know! Byleth treats them as if they were his children! On that note, this’ll be good experience for you too! When you two have-”

Shamir punched Catherine in the arm, hard.

“Ack, sheesh! It’s a joke!”

“Ugh, what am I going to do…?”

She put her hands on her face, mumbling as she took a sip from her drink.

“Come on, this isn’t like you! How many times have we fought with them at this point? I’m sure you’ll do fine teaching!”

“I’m…not great with people, much less kids. You know that by now.”

“Tell ya what, I’ll do you a solid and help you out as well. How’s that sound?”

“…I’d appreciate that.” 

Catherine patted Shamir on the back and went back to her drink.

“Get some sleep, teach! You’re gonna need it!”

She grunted and left the bar.

Tomorrow was going to be a long day.

The Next Morning…

The students began pouring in as Shamir awkwardly made sure her clothing was fine and nothing stood too out of place.

“Hey, you alright?” Byleth asked as he was getting a paper of everyone’s name out.

“Y-Yeah…”

Byleth pecked her on the cheek smiling.

“You’ll do fine. Just try to relax.”

Shamir blushed for a moment trying not to be too visibly shocked by his smile.

(Dorothea) “Hey…why’s Shamir at the head of the class?”

Some of the students took notice and talked to each other about what might be happening.

(Sylvain) “Hey, they might be getting engaged!”

(Felix) “I seriously doubt the Professor would be too childish to announce that during class…”

(Caspar) “I dunno, he’s done weirder things before.”

Catherine took a seat near the front, a grin overtaking her face as she waved to Shamir who facepalmed.

(Bernadetta) “I-I’m afraid to even ask what’s going on…”

(Ashe) “Come on, Bernie! I’m sure it’ll be alright!”

Byleth loudly cleared his throat once the bell rang, and he had everyone’s attention.

“Today’s lecture is going to have to be split into two today, seeing how complicated the task would be if it were only me giving it. So, half the class is going with Shamir, while I’ll be teaching the rest. The people going with Shamir will be:

Catherine, Sylvain, Petra, Ashe, Bernadetta, Caspar, Mercedes, Ferdinand, and Marianne.

Please split off to the side of the room with your group, and we’ll begin today’s lecture. Today will be the only time the class will be split like this.

The students gathered over to Shamir’s side of the room and she cleared her throat.

‘Alright…how hard can this be?’ She thought to herself.

——–

“Alright, so here’s the battlefield and the type of infantry the enemy platoon has. What’s the best way to approach this?” She asked as she pointed to a chalkboard.

(Mercedes) “You’d approach from the forest using our reserve of spear fighters, right?”

(Shamir) “No, they’d get slaughtered. Lances are weak to axe units.”

(Caspar) “Er…no offense miss Shamir, but how does that make any sense?”

(Shamir) “I…Huh.”

She honestly didn’t know about that. That was one of the first things she learned as a mercenary. That fact never stood quite right to her either.

How did swords beat axes, lances beat swords, and axes beat lances?

She remained silent for a moment before carrying on.

(Caspar) “She didn’t answer my question…”

——–

“Ashe, as a sniper how would you go about taking out a foe in a fortress wearing heavy plate armor. Assume no friendly reinforcements would come in time to help. How do you occupy the fort before the enemy regroup?”

(Ashe) “Simple ma’am. Crit them so hard they explode.”

“…What?”

(Catherine) “Um, surely you’ve noticed right? How sometimes your bow and arrows just one shot a general?”

“…I suppose that’s correct.”

That was another thing she never understood. It would  explain that one time she saw a villager with a stick somehow kill an enemy bandit just by slapping him hard.

———-

“Ah, there’s your problem. Sorry to say, but that would’ve gotten your unit killed.”

(Marianne) “I-I see…”

She looked extremely troubled by the thought of that, which made Shamir flinch by her sheer depression.

She awkwardly walked over to Byleth and told him about the situation.

“…So she got sad is what you’re saying?”

“Yeah, sorry about that-”

Byleth kissed her on the lips and sighed.

“No worries, I can fix this. SOTHIS!”

“…W-Wha-”

[Ugh, are you seriously making me do this, Byleth?]

[Whatever…]

“Ah, there’s your proble-”

Byleth stepped in, tapping Shamir on the shoulder.

“You can go ahead and take a break, I got this for now, my side has been pretty quiet.”

“O-Oh alright.”

She took a deep breath as she walked outside the class to get a breath of fresh air. Catherine followed her out as Byleth was carefully explaining the mistakes to Marianne.

“It’s only been an hour and I’m already losing my mind…”

“That’s quitter talk! I think you’re doing a fine job, Shamir!”

“I appreciate it, Catherine but I don’t know how to properly talk to those kids. I think Byleth stopped me from doing so cause I might hurt someone’s feelings at this point.”

“That’s a bit dramatic, don’t you think?”

“Hmph.”

“Come on, it’s only a few more hours you have to deal with, I believe in you and so does Byleth!”

“At least that makes two of you…”

Few Hours later…

Classes had finally ended after what seemed like an eternity. Byleth stood confidently waving some students off. Meanwhile Shamir sat in Byleth’s chair and faceplanted onto the desk.

“S-Shamir? Are you okay?”

Catherine walked up and laughed heartily.

“She’ll be fine after a few drinks!”

“Ugh…”

Byleth smilled and gently held her hand.

“You did great today, Shamir. Thanks for the help.”

She got up and kissed him, rolling her eyes after.

“I…won’t be doing that again. That was just for you.”

Byleth hugged her, which made Shamir go dead quiet while Catherine watched the two with a smile.

“Come on, why don’t we enjoy ourselves for a little bit, it’ll be my treat for helping out!” Byleth said, putting away his papers.

“Come on you two, we’re drinking proper tonight!” Catherine shouted, wrapping her arms around both of them.

“I’m uh…underage…I think?” Byleth said.

“Like hell you are! You’re…actually what are you?”

Shamir raised an eyebrow and looked at Byleth as well.

“Yeah, you never told me that too. You certainly don’t look much older than the kids but…”

“Bah, let’s say you can! No one’s gonna question! Come on, love birds!”

She went ahead of them and Byleth awkwardly followed along, leaving Shamir behind smiling to herself.

“…Maybe kids won’t be so bad now that I had firsthand experience with em…Heh, that’s a fun thought.”

She joined in with the two, and they all went to drink out in town.