#new post dropping right after this too so keep on the lookout :) | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

xxatinyminionxx · 10 months

Text

ZB1 Reaction - You Say Their Name

Genre: Reaction, fluff, a pinch or two of crack

Background: You have been around him for some time but never really used his name to speak to him until now.

Warning: Yujin + Jiwoong’s are a little longer sorry I took a break while writing this 😭

A/N: Happy ZB1 debut day!!! At this point I haven’t seen the comeback yet. This reaction is a call back to Say My Name era on Boys Planet in a unique way! 🫶

Zhang Hao

He saw you as the more distant person among his acquaintances and didn’t bother you as much because of it. He respects your space and if you’re not comfortable enough to talk to him, he’d rather not push you.

One day you found a really funny meme and decide to show him. “Zhang Hao, look at this!”

“Hm?” He’ll ask with raised eyebrows, his heart moved by your attention to him after all this time.

You hold your phone out to him, meeting him by his side to watch his reaction. You get the cutest giggle out of him.

“Oh, then I have something to show you too.” He adds before searching for a funny post he recently liked that he thought catered to your humor.

You two bond over your sense of humor and exchange phone numbers before his schedule whisks him away.

Sung Hanbin

You took one of his classes when you were on the lookout for a new hobby. You had such a good time even though tutting isn’t easy.

Swamped with work again, it takes you awhile to sign up for another one of his classes. In the midst of your busy schedule, you think you see him in a store you frequently go to.

“Sung Hanbin?” You ask carefully hoping you’re right and didn’t make a fool out of yourself.

He turns his attention away from a display and smiles politely. “Yes?”

That’s when it clicks. He probably has no idea who you are. A lot of students attended the tutting class.

“Ah, I’m Y/N. I took your tutting class at your studio. I guess I wanted to come say hi and thank you for leading such an engaging class. Dancing is my new hobby.” You ramble on but manage to say everything you meant to say.

He smiles and nods through your immense gratitude for him, his eyebrows furrowing at particular parts that he thinks praise him too highly. Our humble king. “Ah, you’re lovely. I remember watching you try to perfect every hand movement in the mirror. I’m glad I could provide you with a new hobby! Will I be seeing you in class again?”

“Of course!”

Seok Matthew

Matthew was the saint that was always there when you were having a hard time. He held the elevator for you who was sprinting to make it inside, offered you a ride home when it was pouring outside, listened to your advice and opinions on things when others weren’t, and called you his friend when you least expected that title.

The difference this time was that you were going to take him by surprise for a change. That’s what his kind gestures have led up to. While you were used to saying “thank you”, you never really addressed him by his name. It was nameless appreciation.

But when he takes some of the items you were clearly having a hard time juggling to hold in your arms…

“Thank you, Matthew.” Is what you say.

As if his dream came true, his face brightens up and he gifts you with one of his shy smiles.

“Haha no problem Y/N.” He responds lightly trying to keep calm though he’s screaming on the inside.

Ricky

An extremely handsome guy enters your cafe during work hours and he takes you ABACK with his aura. You’re suddenly so glad someone traded shifts with you. Your somehow unphased co-worker takes this man’s order before handing it off to you to make.

You feel his gaze on you for a moment—until it drops to his phone to check something on it. With his head down, you can hardly take your eyes off him as you prepare his order. Unfortunately you may never see him again, which is why you call his name with the utmost enthusiasm.

“Ricky?!”

He peers up at you and greets you with a cute smile before grabbing his order. “Thank you~”

Your eyes remain locked on each other a couple seconds too long for just a meaningless encounter.

“Y/N.” You point to your name tag assuming he wanted to know your name.

He hums and nods. “Y/N, thank you. Have a good day.”

Little did you know he would become a regular just for you <3

Park Gunwook

You had been window shopping today and came across a busking event as you walked around the city. Music along with someone’s talented rapping voice echoes down the street.

You approach the crowd to get a closer look. That’s when you catch a glimpse of a guy you frequently sat next to in school one year. You talked sometimes, but you weren’t really on a first name basis.

You decide to cheer along with the crowd, remembering his name as it used to appear on his school uniform. “Park Gunwook!”

The sudden unique cheer throws him off and he looks over in your general direction. You can tell he’s flustered in the face when he spots you but he keeps going until the end of his verse.

Once his performances are over, he rushes to come see you before you decide to leave. “Y/N!!”

You smile at each other and applaud him again for his charismatic performance. “By the way, did I scream a little too loud?”

He shakes his head all giggly, flashing you his big smile. “I remembered your voice, plus I don’t go by Park Gunwook when I rap.”

“Then what do you go by?”

“TopGunz.”

You can tell he’s not joking.

Kim Taerae

You went to a gathering that people you knew were going to be at. You really were not enthusiastic about going, but you were curious and felt guilty since you had a track record of skipping events like this.

To your surprise, you have a good time up until the host initiates a game of truth or dare.

Sitting in a circle that looks more like an oval, you’re eventually the next person to ask.

“Y/N, truth or dare?”

You scan the room but it’s no use. No one gives away what they’re thinking through their facial expressions. This was a 50/50 question.

“Um…dare.” You choose.

“I dare you to hold hands with someone for the rest of the night. Who will it be?” The host instigates with the help of an online list of dares.

“Kim Taerae.” You say in almost the same second that the question into the air to be ‘oooh’ed at.

The called-out young man perks up not expecting you to call his name one bit. “Me?” He can’t stop smiling as he gets up to be beside you.

When your fingers lace together, you notice his hand is warm, some callouses adding to the nature of his hand.

“You’re allowed to switch hands, but you can never let go of each other.”

You two would never let each other go. A lifelong dare meant to stand the test of time.

Kim Gyuvin

You were sitting on the bench at a bus stop when a familiar acquaintance sat on the other end of it. You end up locking eyes and you laugh in unison.

“Hello.”

“Hello~”

Minutes go by and without delay, the bus arrives. You two get up to board it and end up sitting in rows across from each other.

The ride is quiet besides the couples of people to the front of you and behind you having their own conversations.

The bus stops at some photoshoot place and the tall male gets up to leave the bus, accidentally leaving his jacket behind on the seat beside where he was.

“Gyuvin!”

He turns around in shock at the sound of your voice.

“You forgot your jacket.” You get up, scooping up his leather jacket and handing it over to him.

He gives you a sheepish grin and bows politely. “Thank you, Y/N. I’ll um see you again sometime?”

Kim Jiwoong

As a staff on the set of a drama, not only do you get to service the actors, but you also get to peek in at the production occasionally.

The scene being filmed today requires several touch-ups to the actors’ makeup, so you have a closer look at the acting on set.

You make sure to run up to Jiwoong, your assigned actor, to reapply makeup as requested by the director between takes.

He is nice and friendly to everyone apart of the project while his character unironically contrasts so much in front of the camera. His character is cold, confident, and assertive.

Still not completely out of the emotions of the character, he has a somewhat tense look on his face.

“Relax your face for me, Jiwoong. You’re doing great.” You sneak in a compliment being thoroughly amazed by his dedication to the drama.

He gifts you with a small smile before relaxing. “Thank you Y/N, I have to work hard because you work hard too.” He responds in a similar tone as his on-camera character, which makes you hot and flustered inside.

“Still in-character?”

“A little~” He whispers cooly and it takes everything in you not to bolt out of the set area.

“Wow, you’re crazy Mr. Jiwoong...” You tease as you finish up his makeup and take a step back.

He winks at you before taking his place and resuming filming again.

Han Yujin

There is an internet cafe that you frequent since it’s merely a 5-10 minute walk from your house. You’re embarrassed to admit it but almost everyday, you come over to the pc room to play an online game that’s had you hooked.

The game is popular enough that you can easily play with others local to you. While you may have thought that was cool at surface level, you never really gave it a second thought.

You grow fond of a few players and “friend” them on your gaming account. You all start coordinating times to play as a result.

One day, you sit down to meet your online friends in-game using a mic and headset as usual. When you are successful at a specific mission that had you and your friends stumped, you can hear loud cheering from next to you.

There is a small delay between what you hear in your headphones and what you’re hearing beside you. You could’ve sworn you heard your gamer tag being uttered from both, saying the same thing.

“Ohhh! Amazing! Wow, you totally carried us, (your gamer tag)!” Seems to echo in-game and in real life.

The outburst, or outbursts, take you off guard and you push your left headphone off your ear wondering if you were just hearing things.

“Guys guys, let’s go heal up! I took a lot of damage.” The guy beside you says grinning ear to ear, eyes glued to a screen running the same game as yours.

“Wait…Yujin?!?!” You say overwhelmed with shock and kind of excitement. You poke his shoulder repeatedly and of course you scare the life out of him—he’s screaming bloody murder over voice chat.

He soon recovers and it’s clear that you’re the only one who has put two and two together given his bewildered expression.

“I’m (your gamer tag)!” You clear up quickly before he thinks a crazy person suddenly spawned in real life.

His eyes go wide as he recognizes who you are from your computer screen. He then leans far back in his chair letting out a heavy sigh. “Wahhh! It’s really you?!”

You laugh along with the rest of your friends—who are absolutely dying of laughter listening in online—and nod at Yujin.

“Sorry for startling you, you startled me! Don’t worry, I’ll buy you a meal.” You say to Yujin while the others “ooooh” over voice chat.

—

#minion works #zb1 taerae #zb1 gunwook #zb1 hanbin #zb1 matthew #zb1 zhang hao #zb1 ricky #zb1 gyuvin #zb1 jiwoong #zb1 yujin #zb1 fluff #zb1 reactions #zb1 scenarios #zb1 imagines #zerobaseone #zb1 #zb1 x reader #kpop

448 notes · View notes

thegeminisage · 10 months

Text

long ass post major spoilers tldr i beat it

ok, i've got an hour, time to get started on the end of this game 😤

first straight to lookout landing to introduce purah and mineru.......

or no wait since im here and havent done it in awhile ill swing by the great fairy. if theres any armor i can possibly upgrade i really need to do that lol

okay there isn't really. lol. after pikmin 4 i am gonna need to farm so many materials......

okay, i cooked some food but i dont actually have anything useful so most of it is just atk up/def up/health refills. only a few anti-gloom foods, which is sure to get my ass kicked...

now i guess i just........dive in...................................

im nervous.

i dont have a lot of weapons and bows rn either but whatever ig!!! surely nintendo will provide. i have the master sword fused with one of the light dragon parts so she can fight with me in every possible way!!! also i think the durability wont be affected when it's in its glow mode which it will be down there

thunderstorm as i walk up to the castle lol. classic

alright. WELL. geronimo.

wow that really is. a long way down. okay.

okay hold on wait there's a spot missing on my map. do i get a fucking lightroot down here? i just check. it is so high up. probably unclimbable. do i need to dive again? i'm diving again. fast traveling to the shrine above this time

the bg ambience down here is fucking freaky btw

ok, i got it this time. whew.

back down i go. yeesh.

my neighbors pick NOW to mow their lawn. fuck me sideways

oh im already one heart lost. this floor is COVERED in gloom...

THE FIGHT MUSIC THO...damn

ugh, four hearts down and only two recovery items...yikes. i'm gonna get my ass beat fr but i don't have time to go farm sundelions nor do i want to rn

i can't figure out where to go. i went down a hole with monsters bc that seemed like the only route but now i can't find a way to proceed

did my sword just RING at me??????

fi girl what is going on

oh fuck me there's a gloom lynel

okay yeah no. this isn't gonna work. i need to fucking go farm fucking sundelions. UGH im so mad about it

okay. farmed. going to cook. jesus fuck

COOKED. warping back to the lightroot. bet that mf lynel refilled its stupid health

it did.

I GOT HIM.......ohhh it broke my sword to do it :( i didnt know it could break when it was powered up like that. but i got him...

but now where do i...?

this doesn't feel right. i feel like i'm just heading back into the depths. probably fought that lynel for no reason at all. but i'm scared to look up a walkthru bc of spoilers :(

ok, i did find a guide and i think this is the right way? im scrolling down like one line at a time lol

THE POWER OF A SAGE CANNOT REACH YOU??? OH THIS IS DEFINITELY THE RIGHT WAY

it was way too crowded with all of them but now i feel verrry alone

I FOUND HANDS................

ohhhh i do not want to fight phantom ganon in this gloom covered arena. i do not want to

but with no sages...i can't get across without engaging...

OKAY. THE GOOD NEWS. KILLED THE HANDS. THE BAD NEWS. PHANTOM GANON CHASED ME UP TO THIS HIGH SPOT

GOT HIS ASS!!!! gibdo bone arrows you motherFUCKER

ok, i got across the room...

wait. this looks familiar

THE MUSIC!!!! THIS IS IT THIS IS WHERE I STARTED..................

GLOOM REDEADS!!!!! not today motherfuckers. im not getting jumped im NOT getting jumped

the murals...i can blow up the rocks now

OH MY GODDD.....

the imprisoning war, zelda healing the sword, and becoming a dragon...she WALKED RIGHT PAST THESE with her ALREADY HAVING DONE IT in the past, not knowing she was about to do it again in her own future...oh my god im gonna be SICK

oh that is a big hole.

WAIT...THIS IS THE HOLE SHE FELL DOWN........

WHY IS THE MUSIC DOING THIS...im scared someone come hold my hand

oh my god. the torch zelda dropped is at the bottom of this hole.

im picking it up and im fucking giving it back to her

it JUST keeps going down....

oh god another big jump. OKAAAYYYYY

what IS that..............

DEMON ARMY??? BY MYSELF?????

OH MY GODDDDDDD MY BESTIES!!!! THE GANG IS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! fuck me im welling up. ive never been more glad for a crowded screen

got my master sword back. fused with zelda's horn. refilled my health. THIS IS ITTTTTT

ROUND TWO!!!!!! IM NOT AFRAID OF ANYTHINGGGG

round three is redeads. i am afraid of some things actually

im not getting jumped. i am NOT getting jumped. ive been playing this game for 200 hours and they havent got close enough to jump me yet i AM NOT GETTING JUMPED.

oh my god this music is AMAZINGGGG

AND I DIDN'T GET JUMPED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ROUND FOUR!!!!! bring it bring it bring it

BOSS RUSH?

oh my god no...NOOOO my besties.........

i'm alone again :( and with seven minutes until my sword recharges...

ah. i can't save here

oh my god THERE HE IS!!!!!!

the music...

dehydrated voice is so much better

OHHHH MY GOD HE DRANK SOME WATER.....THIS IS FROM THE TRAILERS........

does he have black nail polish on his fingers AND TOES? get it girl

THEY REVIVIED MY MASTER SWORD.......

zelda's with me 😭😭😭 this one's for you babygirl

this music is so quiet and sinister wtf...........

is he. IS HE FLURRY RUSHING ME??

THAT'S MY TRICK, YOU CAN'T DO THAT.........

phase one DOWN. eat gibdo bone my guy

DEMISE FORM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IM ABSOLUTELY WAILING THEYRE PLAYING THE OOT GANONDORF MUSIC LIKE IM GENUINELY WELLING UP

HIS HEALTH BAR?????????????????????????????????????????

TULIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! right as the botw theme plays omg

YUNOBOOOOOO

SIDON AND RIJU.........ONE MORE

AND MINERU!!!! there she IS!!!!! six on one babey

HALFWAY THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! cutscene reward

no no no not my besties again

DID HE JUST BREAK MY HEARTS FR???

ohhh the calamity ganon theme!!!

hylian shield badly damaged. GREAT.

i can't get him with my sword. he always does that slowmo thing backwards. but i CAN get him with my lynel bow and gibdo arrows >:)

she died as she lived: running away from the bad guy and shooting at him over her shoulder

GOT HIS ASS!!!!!

OHHHH HE'S GONNA SWALLOW IT...........

i knew this was coming bc of spoilers but it's still incredible. that man just put his whole fist down his throat 😳

compare that to the dainty way zelda swallowed hers lol...

DID THIS MF JUST EAT ME???

wait...his dragon form...is just the calamity???

TIME?? LOOP??????????????

the tune from the trailers........

oh my god okay he's a normal dragon. i was about to start having heart palpitations

i just STRAIGHT UP. for real burst into tears. i have to pause

zelda came to help me................................you go 200 hours thinking she doesn't know or remember you but she RESCUED me she CAUGHT ME.........she's so little compared to him oh god.......

AM I CONTROLLING HER?? WE'RE FLYING TOGETHER...........

accidentally jumped off.

THE MUSIC. THE SAXOPHONE. I'D GIVEN UP ON EVER SEEING IT AGAIN THAT'S GOTTA BE MY MF BINGO

i'm literally crying too much to fight him rn

oh man landing on his back hurts me...how tf am i supposed to get him

one weak spot down. three to go. she literally catches me...literally there's saxophone...

two more! every time she catches me i start bawling again. this is so embarrassing like there are literally tears on my face as i play this. i didn't know she was gonna do that. i knew he turned into a dragon but i didn't know she was gonna help me

she is literally still in there after 10,000 years. her 100 in hyrule castle must feel like nothing in comparison

man and him in the ouroboros position every time...

BLOOD MOON????

RIGHT INTO HIS FOREHEAD JUST LIKE WIND WAKER

bro i am FUCKING sobbing

dark beast ganon theme.

HOLY SHIT...THE EXPLOSION....IS EVERYBODY OKAY??????

oh my god oh my GOD...THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE HER

ARE GONNA CHANGE HER BACK

his arm..............

I CAUGHT HER.......FINALLY.......CATHARSIS...................

IN HIS AAAAAARMS

OH GOD FI......

quest status find princess zelda: complete. i'm losing it. i found her. fucking found her.

she's HOME.

CREDITS ROLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! im trying to collect myself during this time. when i say i am fucking sobbing i am not exaggerating. i am boohoo wailing with tears rolling down my fucking face. legend of zelda tears of ME because of this GAME!!!!!!!

i dont even care that they broke the lore. ok i do care a lot actually but whatever. whatever.

THE CREDITS ARE SO GOOD..........all the shots of link touching people's hands!!!!!!!!!!

AND THEIR HANDS FIXING ZELDA.....

AND CATCHING HERRRRRRRRR

the end...........

OH POST CREDITS CUTSCENE.......

mineru....there goes mom #4, twice

NOOOO IF SHE CRIES IM GONNA GET STARTED AGAIN

oh my god. that was amazing

this is my first time seeing the title screen. i haven't closed the game once since may 12

oh my god that was AMAZING. i am sitting here in total awe!!!!!!!

NOW i can finally enjoy zeldatube again.....i can hear all the theories........i can pirate this mf SOUNDTRACK HOLY SHIT. but first i gotta update my bingo board

wow. what a game

#personal #loz blogging #totk lb #totk spoilers #i can't remember the last time i cried that hard over a video game. i'm exhausted

9 notes · View notes

soraenun-archive · 2 years

Note

Like you said before, we are besties (4 lyfe) 💗 and what are besties for if not to help you when you're not feeling your best? I'll always manage to squeeze in a 5 minute hug session for you 😘 I'm gonna be on the lookout for any eat reblog from now so I can run to the rescue 💞

From what I've seen, you are FAR from being wrong. Also, we both know you know who I truly am. This game is more for fun than anything else ❤

Krystal & Suzy are definitely both my ults. Have been for a while now <3 Honestly, I could talk to you about them for hours. It's like when someone says their name, this particular part of my brain gets triggered and I can't help but overshare about them. However, I'm feeling a little tired rn so I'll let it slide for now. If you ever want to know a little more about them, please let me know and I'll gladly prepare a 150 slide presentation about them 💞 So sad they both decided to quit music (well, more like only krystal but suzy only drops new music once every 45 years 💔 but if that's what makes them happy then I'm happy too) because their voices are beautiful :(

Once again, you are absolutely correct! I do post a lot of red velvet, especially yeri & joy (bias line) 💓 I mean their music is fantastic and the girls are all beautiful. Now that you've told me, I think nct and shinee are the only boygroups I really like. Wait! I kinda fell into the txt hole last year. I won't say I'm a fan, more of a casual listener. I do enjoy some of their music. Apart from those, I don't listen to a lot of boygroups. Although, I did listen to be mine because you held me at gunpoint 🔫 literally! When I listened to it on spotify, I realized I already listened to kb's be free and enjoyed the song a lot! The only thing I know about both songs is they're sung by members of ooo but I don't know anything about the group so if you want to recommend some songs, I would love to listen to them. On a side note, will each member of the group release a solo song until the new album? Or is it some kind of side project?

To answer the ziont question, I associate you with the song 💖 the instrumental kinda fits the vibe of what I feel whenever I come here to talk to you 💟

Now that I've added a few details to your answers, here's the second round of questions! Are you excited?

Question #4: What is my mother language? I think you guessed it already but I figured I'll ask.

Question #5: What is my favorite rv song? (I have a few so you have a wide range of answers)

Question #6: What is my favorite color? (I know it's unfair but I choose to give you hard questions as well so this game can be fun :D)

Alright folks! That's all we have for today. I hope you enjoyed today's show. Stay tuned for another one next week :)

PLEASEEE you’re so sweet thank you i love you :( and i’m just glad i wasn’t wrong and i have been spared the embarrassment! but you’re right i really enjoy these fun little messages so you we can just keep it a secret for a bit longer <3

i know a little bit about suzy! i have seen a few of her dramas and there’s a few miss a songs that i like but i’m sure there’s a lot more you could tell me about her! same with kyrstal i never was a huge fan of f(x) so i don’t know her that well so i’d love to hear whatever you want to tell me about her too! 💕 i’m sorry they both don’t really make music anymore but i hope they’re still doing lots of other cool things so that you still get to see them and support them!

saying red velvet was probably cheating since we have already talked about them quite a bit but i needed to make sure i had at least one thing right! ah the txt hole… i’m familiar! i honestly never intended on being a fan of enhypen or txt but after hearing a couple of their songs i really started to like them (though enha’s lastest stuff hasn’t been my favourite if i’m honest) but txt have some really great songs and they’re a really fun group too!

YOU LISTENED TO BE MINE BECAUSE OF ME??? i am honoured! honestly i’m pretty new to ooo as well i became a fan of them through vianey (@haramie) so if you want to know more about them she is ur girl! and sorry if this is way too many but if i could recommend some ooo songs i would say savanna, dora maar, sage, designer and angel! their latest album was really good too i would recommend pretty much every song on there (yes even skinz she’s controversial and not for everyone but i love her) and yes!! every member is gonna release a solo and then hopefully they will release a new group album! they’re such a sweet group and make really good music so i’m glad they seem to be gaining a bit more popularity these days! <3

AWWW no thats so cute :(( okay i love that actually! i wouldn’t have expected the song for some reason like i feel like it’s fun and upbeat i wouldn’t expect people to associate that with me but the fact u did and your reasoning is so sweet i love it 🥺💗

ooo i’m pretty sure it’s french? i could be wrong but i’m fairly confident on this one! i think you have mentioned it before or maybe i guessed it i’m not sure but yeah i think it’s french final answer

oh nooo red velvets discography is hugeee there’s so many songs that could be your favourites! i remember when we were talking about the new album you really liked bamboleo but just saying that is probably cheating so based on that i think some similar songs you might like would be cool hot sweet love, something kinda crazy, ladies night, so good or body talk! hopefully naming that many isn’t cheating and at least one of those is a favourite of yours <3

i could be way off here but i want to say it’s blue? i noticed you have had blue themes pretty often so that’s why i’m guessing blue but i’m not totally sure! but if it is then that’s something else we have in common so i hope i’m right! 🥰

these questions were a little bit tougher i hope they dont get much harder because i need to win!! but thank you i had lots of fun playing this round! see u on the next episode hehe take care bestie!!! 💞💓

#anonymous #💌#🐘💌

1 note · View note

pianoandcookiedoughlover · 2 years

Text

hi everyone!!! :D

i'm so sorry i've been gone, it's probably been months now but life has just been so hectic for me with college apps and senior year that i just didn't get on here as much.

i've finished all my apps now (whoop whoop) so i'm definitely going to be hopping on here more frequently AND writing more of skam colorado s2! i'm on episode 8 right now so i'll be working away at that so i can do more edits and get feedback before i release it :)

i hope you're all doing really well, i'd love to chat and catch up if you'd like to dm me but of course no pressure either way <3

#i feel like i always go on these hiatuses #because i can't manage my time #and then end up with piles of work #also so many things have happened with shows??#like cancellations and renewals (very few in comparison)#so yeah lot's to talk about #new post dropping right after this too so keep on the lookout :)

2 notes · View notes

waiting4inspiration · 3 years

Text

Be Silenced (Marvel long one-shot)

A/n: So, I've been thinking about this for a while now and thought that I'd put it down and see what you guys think. This is about THIS post from yesterday and this is just a small bit about what came to mind over the past 24 hours. Let me know what you guys think!! Also, I couldn't find a gif that I had in my mind, so I just decided to use this one. It's a bit longer than I expected and of course I am willing to do a part 2 if anyone wants one...

This does come with a warning though...

Warning: dark themes, death, mentions of concentration camps, mistreating people, complete disregard of human rights, please proceed with caution because it is a bit dark...

They all thought HYDRA was bad until the next mission came along. This new organization takes human experimentation to the next level. Levels that make the entire team cringe or make their rage rise. The last they have heard of anything like this was in World War II.

The place is like a concentration camp and they can't bear to think if the living conditions for these human experiments are similar to that of those unfortunate souls that suffered in the past, or if it's at least slightly better.

After their cover is blown, they know that this is no better than what they were hoping for because, after a few shouts, there are multiple gunshots and screams. The team knows that they have to move fast if they want to save any lives.

When things have calmed down, the team is disappointed to realize that they failed. "You can't win them all," Steve says, but everyone knows he's just as angry that they didn't win this fight as they all are.

It's even worse to go through the slaughter, the attempt to hide what this new organization had been doing. Multiple bodies lie dead in their cramped beds, blood soaking the floor. It's a sight that no one wants to see.

Whatever kind of experiments these people were doing, they obviously had their favorites. In the inner circle of the camp, the bunkers aren't so cramped with unfortunate souls. But they weren't too precious to be spared.

Bucky looks around the one bunker, one of the better ones, one that has only four beds, and he swallows past the hard lump in his throat. At the foot of the door is the soldier he had shot dead, hoping to spare those inside this bunker. But it looks like he failed that.

Steve walks up behind him, breathes out a long, burdened sigh, and drops his head between his shoulder. "No survivors here," he speaks into the earpiece. Even though there's silence over the comms, both Bucky and Steve can hear the heartbreak from the team.

Before the two supersoldiers leave, Bucky notices something. "Wait," he whispers, frowning at the one bed in the corner. "Steve," he calls, walking closer to the bed to take a closer look. "This bed is clean. Not a drop of blood on it."

But it looks like there's a body under the covers.

Steve, now seeing what Bucky's getting at, steps closer. Hope is in the air. Maybe there's a survivor after all.

Bucky pulls the covers away. The body had been made up of pillows and a bunch up sheet that would have covered the bed. The fact that there's no body makes Steve and Bucky share a look. Steve reaches up to his earpiece. "Keep a lookout. We might have an escaped survivor."

But Bucky shakes his head. He didn't see anyone leave after taking down the soldier at the door. They have to still be in this bunker. His eyes lift up, and he sees that there's a gap between the bed and the wall. A gap that none of the other beds have. They're all pushed flush against the wall.

Reaching down to the frame of the bed with his bionic arm, he pulls it further away from the wall. And sure as hell, there's a figure curled up in the corner.

Your head snaps up to them, your eyes wide, and your body shaking. And yet, there's not a trace of fear on your face. You have your arms wrapped around your legs and you stare up at the two men standing in front of you.

The sight of you isn't what Steve and Bucky were expecting even after everything they had seen today. From the muzzle wrapped tightly around your mouth to the feeding tube running into your nose, they know they can't begin to imagine what you've been through.

Bucky steps forward, kneels down in front of you, and slowly holds out his hand to you. He can't think of anything he can say to you now to make you feel better because, truth be told, you look worse than he's ever looked while with HYDRA. Not to mention that with the muzzle on your face, he knows you can't say anything in return. All he can do is offer you a smile.

And it's enough for you to place your hand in his and allow him to pick you up off the floor.

#one shot #bucky barnes #steve rogers #marvel #bucky barnes x reader #steve rogers x reader #bucky barnes one shot #steve rogers one shot #enhanced reader

372 notes · View notes

ramzawrites · 3 years

Text

A Painful Reminder - Dad!Schlatt and Reader - Part 2

Pairings: none

Characters included: Quackity, Philza, Fundy, Tubbo, (mentioned) Schlatt

Warnings: mention of past self harm (ripping off horns), mention of blood, abandonment, cursing

Series: A part 2 after multiple people asked for it (thank you)

Summary: Quackity found Y/N bleeding next to the river. Now he frantically tries to figure out how to help them in more ways than one.

Words count: 3243

Authors Note: Here it is! Thank you for all the nice messages on part 1! It took longer than I had hoped and I apologize but also thank you all for the messages that cheered me up :D I’ll be honest I was a bit intimidated by all this and I hope that you guys enjoy this fic nontheless 💙 Also I usually like to put the fics right beneath the asks but since I got so many messages I decided to answer some of them, I hope that is alright. Or tell me if I should do it differntly after all haha

NO GUARANTEE BUT I MADE THIS POST THAT YOU CAN INTERACT WITH IN CASE YOU WANT TO GET TAGGED FOR A PART 3, no guarantee I will actually sit down in the near future for it but HERE

Reposted as a test to see if it will appear in the tags

“See. It’s already working.”

These words continued to echo through Quackity’s mind as he carried the unconscious Y/N in his arms, not worried about the blood that was soaking into his blue jacket. If anything he was more worried that dirt from his clothes was getting into the fresh wounds.

“Anyone? I need a doctor! Healing potions! Anything!” once again he yelled out hoping somebody was around L’Manberg.

Even though Y/N was knocked out cold their expression displayed pain. Quackity could only imagine how they did this to themself but he tried not to think too hard about it. The wounds looked gruesome even without the exact knowledge of how this came to be.

How desperate must they have been to hurt themself like that?

How long have they suffered that this was their reaction?

How will he live with the knowledge that he was partially at fault?

“Quackity? What’s wrong?”

Said man turned around to see a worried looking Tubbo and Fundy standing behind him. As soon he did though both their expression turned from worried to shock.

Fundy’s eyes widened as he saw Y/N laying limp in Quackity’s arms “What the- For the love of Ender what happened! Their horns!”

“I don’t know but I found them like this. Can you- Do you know-“ Quackity was struggling to find the rights words but Tubbo knew what he meant.

Once again his expression changed. Now looking more serious and determined but the worry was still clear through his body language “Let’s go to Phil. He has some brewery stands and I’m sure he will let us use his.”

Fundy nodded “I’m sure grandpa will help us.”

Quackity didn’t hesitate, he immediately begun making his way towards Phil’s house, still making sure that Y/N’s head isn’t moving around too much. Scared that he might hurt them even more.

All the while Tubbo made sure to stay a few steps ahead. As if he was keeping lookout for any possible dangers or to make sure that the way was free for them so the group could reach Phil’s place as fast as possible.

Fundy walked side by side with Quackity on the other hand. His eyes always darting to Y/N’s head. Staring at the place where their dark horns used to be. Queasy with all of this he grabbed his tail with his own hands.

Luckily it indeed didn’t take long for them to reach Phil’s place. Tubbo knocked hastily against the wooden door as Quackity readjusted Y/N in his arms.

The door opened and a somewhat tired looking Phil stood in front of them. His eyes first landed on Tubbo and slowly wandered towards Quackity with Y/N “What the- What is going on?”

Fundy stepped forward, still nervously holding onto his tail “We need your help, grandpa. Y/N is hurt and we need potions for them.”

Before he even ended the sentence Phil was already making space for the small group to walk in “Yes, of course. You can put them down on my bed there. I have some ingredients for potions in some of the chests. Tubbo, Fundy you know how to make healing and regeneration pots?”

“We do.” Tubbo answered sternly.

“Okay, then I’ll clean the wounds while you both make them.”

Quackity laid Y/N carefully down on the soft bed. A few whimpers escaped their mouth as he let go off them. Their face was still stained with their own tears. Blood covering the sides of their face as well as their hands. Their clothes dirty and wet.

Phil immediately moved in with fresh water and a clean rag, slowly cleaning up the wounds where Y/N’s horns used to be.

Tubbo and Fundy ran around from chest to chest, collecting all the ingredients for the potions. The only sound in the room came from the glass bottles and the brewery stands as well as the occasional painful groan from Y/N.

No one was saying it but all of them felt sick to their stomach. Seeing them without their horns felt so wrong. A part of their body just gone. Especially for fellow Hybrids this was a gruesome thought.

“So, what exactly happened?” Philza dunked the rag back into the water.

Quackity was just pacing around the room as he asked that question. He didn’t know anything about how to heal Y/N and was instead battling the increasing guilt that was building up in him.

He took a deep breath in “I don’t know. I heard some crying and when I investigated I found them by the river laying in the grass like this. I asked them what happened but they just babbled something on the lines of that they freed themself so we all can live in peace.”

Tubbo gasped “Don’t tell me- Don’t tell me they did this to themself! But this doesn’t make any sense!”

“Really? I think it makes a lot of sense!” Quackity snapped at Tubbo “Everyone has been avoiding them ever since fucking Schlatt’s death and they are not stupid! They realize we left them alone because of their relation to him! I know for a fact that you too saw their horns and had to think of him! You left them alone just how I did. How everyone did! This is our fault!”

“Quackity-“ Fundy wanted to calm the other man down but he was way too angry.

Too angry at everyone and himself.

“No! There is nothing else to say! We fucked up!”

The young president just stared at Quackity. Surprised with his reaction but he couldn’t fault him for it. He spoke the truth. It was an open secret after all. Something everyone knew but no one dared to talk about. No one thought of the consequences.

Fundy frowned and stared at the ground, mumbling something no one could understand.

Quackity still agitated turned towards him “What did you say?”

The Fox Hybrid looked up, his frown still present, showing his fangs “We were hurting as well! We all needed time to heal!”

“On the expense of Y/N?”

“What were we supposed to do!?”

Phil let out an annoyed groan “Can you two shut the fuck up? We can deal with this later! Right now the priority should be healing Y/N.”

After that no one dared to say anything. Tubbo and Fundy stood each at a brewing stand and stared intently at the glass bottles while Quackity decided to stand close to Phil and Y/N.

Schlatt’s rule was a horrible time. During that time Y/N and he bonded. Trying to keep each other’s spirit up as Schlatt destroyed everything in his wake. Including his relationships with his own child and him. Hence why he felt this increased sense of having to make sure that they were alright. It was the least he could do after screwing up so bad before.

“See, it’s already working” The sentence Y/N spoke just before they passed out snuck into his thoughts again. They were right. It hurt, because they were right.

Suddenly he had an idea “Phil, could regenerations potions, um, make them regrow? The horns, I mean.”

Philza stopped moving. His eyebrows pulled down in thought as he slowly shook his head “No, Regeneration Potions just increase the body’s ability to heal itself. Horns don’t regrow. If you lose them, they are gone forever.”

This stung. There was this slight hope in him that maybe, maybe they all could make it up. Correct all of their mistakes but instead he was left with even more guilt. Now they might not see the horns that would remind them of Schlatt but instead they would be met with a constant reminder of their own fault and guilt.

Suddenly Tubbo took a bottle out of the brewery in his hand while Fundy gave him a different one. He handed both of them to Phil who got out new rags and put one of the potions on it which he then used on the wound. Luckily the bleeding slowly did indeed stop more and more.

“Okay, the regeneration one they have to drink. It should help them with any general pain and should increase their healing but for that they have to wake up.” A weary sigh left his lips as he began cleaning up.

Phil put some of the rags in a chest only to pull out some bandages and threw them towards Quackity who struggled for a second but managed to catch them after all “Bandage them up, will ya?”

Quackity nodded and sat down on the bed next to Y/N. Their wounds still looked bad but at least their face was clean now and the bleeding stopped as well. Carefully he propped them up on his lap so he had an easier time to wrap their head.

He wasn’t the best at it but he did a good enough job that Philza didn’t feel the need to jump in.

Tubbo and Fundy were now standing on opposite sides of the room. Both had their arms in front of their chest. While Tubbo looked more worried, Fundy still had his frown on.

He understood where Quackity was coming from but to him there was no other way. If he forced himself to hang out with them then Y/N would have noticed it. He was sure of it. It was unfair to say that all of them were at fault for this. Yes, this was bad. This was quite frankly horrifying what happened but to say that all of them were at fault? That didn’t sit right with him.

Maybe he was too scared to accept the guilt.

Once Quackity finished wrapping up Y/N and just as he slowly dropped their head back on the bloody pillow, they begun groaning.

Everyone’s but Phil’s eyes widened as their gazes immediately snapped towards Y/N.

They slowly opened up one of their eyes and begun to sit up, without missing a beat Phil walked away from the chest he was rummaging about and instead grabbed the regeneration potion, pushing it into Y/N’s hands “Drink.”

Still groggy from their ordeal they just nodded and chugged the whole bottle down before setting the empty bottle down next to them. One of their still dirty hands flew towards their forehead, wincing in pain.

“Y/N?” Quackity tried to gain their attention but Y/N was busy trying to understand what was going on.

Suddenly their eyes grew wide and the other hand flew up to the head. Slowly they begun feeling around the rough bandages, inching more and more towards the place where their horns used to be connected with their head.

Letting out a pained gasp as soon as they arrived at the wound. Tears welling up in their eyes.

“It wasn’t a dream.” Y/N rasped out.

Tubbo looked like he was standing on hot coals with how much he danced around on the spot “I’m sorry, Y/N. We-“

But he interrupted himself as Y/N let out a dry laugh. It was a laugh mixed with relief, pain and shock. A laugh that set the pain inside Quackity’s and the other’s chest ablaze again. Even Fundy’s frown disappeared into one of disbelief. Like it just hit him what has happened.

Quackity was too busy with gauging everyone’s reaction that he didn’t notice how Y/N was now silently crying. They tried their best to suppress it via wiping away any tears that dared to escape but it was a futile effort.

“Where- Where am I?”

“In my place. Quackity carried you over here with Tubbo and Fundy.” Philza explained. He never really interacted with Y/N as well. He arrived in L’Manberg and was forced to kill his own son. Blaming the system and people of this city, so once he found out Y/N was Schlatt’s child, who was one of the main reasons Wilbur fell to his own paranoia? No, he didn’t feel incredibly comfortable trying to do small talk with them.

Sure, he felt bad for them but not guilty. No, the people who already knew them should feel guilty. If anything he felt sorry for them and saw them as another victim to the people similar like his son. A bit ironic if you really thought about it. The child of Schlatt and his own child both fell victim to L’Manberg.

Y/N nodded, their head felt so much lighter it was almost an uncomfortable feeling “I’ll get home then. I apologize for the trouble and thank you for the help.”

The nature of the stares has changed. A small part in them was almost ecstatic that this wasn’t in vain. No more stares of hostility but rather sympathy. Y/N could work with that, right? So, why did they still feel so conflicted? Why was the pain in their chest still there?

Throwing away the blanket, Y/N tried to stand up but Quackity pushed them back down with a stern expression.

“Hey, Hey! What do you think you are doing?” surprisingly it was Fundy speaking up and it shocked Y/N.

Fundy noticed the pang of fear on their face and relaxed his features “I’m- I’m sorry. Just, you can’t walk around like this. You are seriously hurt, besides-“ He stopped himself.

Tubbo looked at Fundy only to switch back to Y/N “Besides, if what we think what happened, there is no way we can leave you alone like this.”

“No, No- I- No. No. I did that- I-“ Y/N was frantically stumbling across their words, letting their tears now freely running and yet they still put on a smile and looked Tubbo in the eyes “I’ll be fine. Thank you for patching me up. From here on out I’ll be fine.”

Phil sighed “Just accept their help. That’s why you did this in the first place, didn’t you? Ripping your horns off your head, so they would stop avoiding you.” Seeing all of them stumbling across their words he decided to just rip the band aid off.

When Y/N just stared at their lap and didn’t dare to look up as a response Quackity put one of his hands on their shoulder, blood still smeared on them from when he inspected the wounds.

“It’s true, isn’t it? What he said, it’s the truth. You realized we avoided you because your horns reminded us of Schlatt, right?”

It wasn’t really a question, since he knew the answer but he needed to hear it from them himself. He needed definitive proof that they did feel indeed desperate enough because of everyone’s actions to do this. To literally rip their horns off their body.

Y/N gulped. Their mouth opening and closing but no words came out. They took a deep breath in, squinted their eyes shut and softly nodded, muttering an almost inaudible “Yes.”

Now they couldn’t hold back anymore, breaking down into loud sobs and hiccups.

“This is bull shit!” Fundy exclaimed angrily. Quackity wanted to yell at Fundy, saying why in the world would he still act like that only to see tears now welling up in the Fox Hybrids eyes as well.

Tubbo had a shocked expression on his face, clasping his hands in front of his mouth.

Phil had his eyes closed, his arms crossed in front of his chest. Brows in a frown as he was deep in thought.

Tentatively Quackity put his other hand on the other shoulder of Y/N, slowly and softly pulling on them. They didn’t react at first but after a few moments they seemed to relax and lean in. Falling into Quackity’s chest.

Now sobbing and crying while he was slowly rubbing their back in an effort to console them.

He put his head on theirs, hoping it wouldn’t hurt them too much and whispered apologies.

“I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry we did this to you. You made an effort to talk to us and we noticed but we still chose to just abandon you.”

Their cries increased. Letting out their pent up pain as Quackity held them securely in their arms. Feeling some kind of love and affection for the first time since forever.

Fundy slowly stepped towards Y/N, placing one of his hands on their back “I’m sorry as well. We fucked up. None of this is on you but on us.”

“And I’m sorry as well! I- I don’t know what I was thinking. It was horrible of us.” Tubbo added.

“I feel sorry for you Y/N that’s all I can say. To the others, now saying you are sorry isn’t enough. You need to prove it. Got it?” Phil lectured the group.

Tubbo nodded “Yes. For starters we can make sure they heal up well.”

It took a few minutes until Y/N seemed to slowly calm down again. They were still sobbing but their cries weren’t as loud anymore.

Quackity pushed them away from him and looked them into their eyes “Stay at my place. I’ll make sure you’ll be okay. It will take time and I know it will be work to earn your trust again but will you at least give us this last chance? Hell, you have probably given more chances for us than we will ever realize but still, will you let me, uh, us, do this? It’s okay if you don’t want to, or if you want someone else to help.”

It took Y/N a moment to realize what was happening and what he was proposing. Not only were all of them worried for their wellbeing but they apologized. They had to admit that they didn’t expect this. Honestly they just hoped that their horns would go and all was well. People would finally talk with them and not ask too many questions. Y/N would probably be able to come up with an excuse. Probably.

But to hear that this wasn’t their fault? That the others avoided them wasn’t their fault? Realistically they always knew it but they never really believed it a hundred percent, so to hear this was like someone lifted a huge weight off of their heart.

The other’s recognized that they were hurting. Their feelings wasn’t something they somehow made up. This was real. This was happening and the others acknowledged it.

“… Okay.”

Quackity and the other seemed to relax at that. He let go off them and Tubbo used this chance to give Y/N a short hug as well which made Y/N break down into cries again. Fundy cautiously sat down on the bed as well and wrapped one of his arms and tail around the two.

The group noticed pretty fast that this was something Y/N needed. A physical proof that they cared for them. Not just words, now they had to show action. This also meant to inform all of the others on the situation. Make sure they learned what has happened but only with Y/N’s consent and in a way they were okay with it.

But before all of that, they will make sure they were healing, physically and mentally. Something will probably never fully leave or heal but they will find a way. They had to.

Quackity was incredibly glad they took him up on the offer. After all they two went together through the same bull shit from Schlatt and he saw them once as family, so he felt it was his responsibility, now that Schlatt was gone, to take care of them.

“Thank you, Y/N for giving us this chance. We don’t deserve it but we will try our hardest.”

“I know, Quackity.”

#mcyt x reader #mcyt reader insert #mcyt fanfiction #mcyt x Y/N #dream smp reader insert #dream smp fanfiction #dream smp x reader #dsmp reader insert #dsmp fanfiction #dsmp x reader #fundy dsmp #itsfundy #quackity dsmp #quackity #tubbo #tubbo dsmp #philza #philza dsmp

980 notes · View notes

lovelykhaleesiii · 3 years

Text

Newcomer: Chapter 2

Pairing: Rafe Cameron x fem!Reader

Words: 2.3k

Summary: The Outer Banks was a place you’d only heard of until recently. The unfolding changes in your life had led you to this very moment, and it appears you still have much to learn...

Warnings: swearing, (***) minor time jumps

A/N - sorry for the delay, had a huge assignment due and work <3 I know this is a slow ass start to the series, but trust I’m trying to build momentum LMAO

It had been just over a week, and seemingly still trying to settle in. Majority of your belongings, clothes and other sentiments have now been unpacked and neatly placed away in their new space, although you felt the hardest part wasn’t over just yet. Yourself, Caleb and Anya still struggled to find your way around town, mostly succumbing to the help of Topper, who despite initially being ever so welcoming, had grown slightly agitated from the coercion of having to always help. He’d be dragged out of whatever event or plans he had made, just to help out, especially during the grueling days of the unpacking stages of moving. Not to mention the not so discrete argument you’d overheard, just a few days ago, that he had with his mother, complaining about not being able to enjoy his own summer break.

You couldn’t deny that your presence did somewhat impede on his break, therefore, the guilt was there. You knew you’d have to start taking on some accountability, with or without Topper’s help.

“Y/N, can we just run to the store real quick, I need to grab a few things and you know how hopeless I am with directions…Please, come with, or else I’ll have to get Topper and we both know how much he loves-”

“Yeah, yeah-”

With a reluctant sigh, you tagged the page you’d just turned over in your book and propped yourself off the bed, adjusting your midi skirt before nodding in agreement.

One of the most convenient things about the Outer Banks was that nearly everything was within walking distance. It gave you a chance to explore the scenic landscape and water front, and perhaps even chat with a few of the locals you hadn’t yet properly met.

“So, how are things looking with that JJ guy? He seems pretty cute,” You intrigued, nudging your sister’s shoulder into conversation.

“Yeah he’s great actually, he's a really funny guy. He, uhm, he wants to meet but-”

“But what, Anya? That’s exciting! We sure could do with someone else’s company that isn’t Topper.”

“Yeah, I know but, I, well we, don’t really know him that well. Who’s to say he isn’t some sociopath, Y/N.”

“I highly doubt anyone around here is a psychopath, Anya. Look around, this is a place people come around to relax or retire.”

“Don’t speak too soon, Y/N…”

For some odd reason, you hesitated in a response. Anya was right, you had no familiarity with the people of Outer Banks, although it just seemed like an outrageous place for crime. Ever since arriving, you felt some unexplainable ease here.

“But I mean yeah sure. I’ll probably meet up with JJ some time… In public though, and you need to promise me that you’ll be on the lookout. Not like you’re busy with any plans at the moment, huh,” Anya remarks, as you appeasingly roll your eyes: God she could be so paranoid.

“Yeah, yeah. I promise. Think we turn right up ahead-”

Continuing right on the pathway, you could just faintly decipher the movement of people bustling in and out of the stores, and with that a wave of relief settled over you. Seemed like you knew your way around after all, having doubts along each turn of the walk.

“Make this quick, Anya, the sun’s starting to set, okay.”

“Whatever, Mum!” Anya quips, before rushing off into the convenience store, leaving your lonesome self outside waiting.

You watched the crowd across the street at the diner, enjoying their dinner, as you observed the locals in action, contemplating who was who, as you heard Evelyn exchange many names with your father over endless dinner conversations.

One name that stuck by you was “Cameron.”

Evelyn mentioned it countless of times, although you’d simply assumed they were one of the many well-known families that had established themselves in town. There wasn’t much else you knew, or wanted to know. You hardly met anyone else outside of the house, nor were you in any rush to.

“Hey!-”

Instantly snapping from your extensive thoughts, the familiar voice dragged you back to reality, as you turned your sight to its direction.

“It’s Y/N, right? Anya’s sister! It’s me, JJ, the waiter-”

“Yeah, of course, I remember you-”

As formal and proper as your manners from childhood were, just as you’d gone in for a handshake, JJ wrapped his arms around you, pulling you in warmly for a friendly embrace, before letting you go.

It had caught you off-guard, although not at all in a distasteful way.

“How are you? How’s Anya?” He asked, folding his arms as he leant against the wooden post of the front deck.

“Yeah we’re good! I’m sure Anya’s kept you posted, we’ve pretty much moved in now. How about you? I haven't seen you around.”

“Yeah, I’ve been pretty good! Oh that’s great to hear, that would mean you guys are free to come to the Boneyard tonight!”

“The what?”

“The Boneyard? Where we have this party with a kegger, Topper didn’t tell you?”

By the puzzled expression reeked across your face, JJ knew to take that as an immediate no, not questioning it any further.

“Well if you’d like, I could meet with you guys later and escort you there myself. There’s a few friends of mine I’d like to introduce you guys to.”

“Yeah, sure. That would be lovely, JJ-”

And as perfect as the timing could get, Anya returned from her little store run, stunned by JJ’s unexpected presence.

“Anya- I was just telling Y/N, I’d love to take you guys out tonight to the Boneyard, I was going to text you about it before, but something with my Dad-”

“That’s fine, but we just don’t know where exactly the Boneyard is.”

“That’s okay, JJ’s got us covered,” You exclaimed, before exchanging a friendly wink to JJ who just managed to catch it.

***

“You texted JJ our address right?” You persisted, growing anxious by the thought that perhaps JJ might’ve forgotten about you two.

“Yes, for the last time Y/N could you just relax. He should be here any minute now!”

And just on cue, in the close distance, the roaring sound of an old engine with dull headlights belonging to one of those old, retro “hippie” vans had pulled up through your drive-way. JJ’s head popped out excitedly by the window, waving for you guys to join, and immediately you both walked over.

It was difficult to convince your father of going out tonight, in fact, he’d been pestering you both to get out and mingle. As soon as you’d both approached him with the idea of heading out to some party, he leaped with relief, and encouraged you both to take up the offer. He was easy going like that, trusted you both knowing how well he’d raised you both. Of course, he covered some basic ground-rules: no drinking, no drugs, no smoking.

By the time you’d both arrived to the van, you could just make out the silhouettes of some figures inside the van through the grimey windows. JJ was out of the van, as the courteous man that he was, pulling the side door right open.

“John B-” Pointing to the boy on the driver’s seat, who gave you a friendly wave, made himself known.

“Kie-” A lovely, young girl, exchanged a gracious smile and nod to both Anya and yourself, before JJ finally introduced “And this is Pope-”, a young, pleasant man sat beside Kie.

“Guys this is Anya, and her older sister Y/N. They just moved here like a week ago.”

“Nice to meet you all, thanks for letting us join you guys tonight-” You warmly proclaimed, before gesturing Anya into the van with you following her behind.

As JJ was carefully closing the door behind you, John B mentioned how JJ spoke of you two, confessing you to be the “mystery newcomers” before kindly welcoming you to the Outer Banks.

You felt Kie’s over gaze fall between yourself and Anya, and felt somewhat intimidated, although it there was no threatening intent to it, however more of a protective sentiment.

“So you guys are Kooks, huh?” Kie blatantly questioned, before Pope nudged his elbow into her, as though to signal her to stop whatever interrogation she had planned.

“Sorry, what?”- Anya questioned in response, frowning as she looked around the van, back to you.

“Kie, stop. They don’t know about any of that stuff. Just drop it, okay!” JJ insisted, as he ran his fingers through his blonde locks, almost in frustration.

“We really have no idea what this whole Pogue-Kook business is, but perhaps you could enlighten us one day, Kie-” You suggested, as amiable as possible, not wanting to already cross the line with the few locals you’d just met.

“I sure will, I just can’t believe you guys live with Topper. He’s such an-”

“Ass?-” Anya intervened, finishing off Kie’s sentence precisely the way she intended, making Kie smile in agreement.

“Yeah, I don’t think he likes us very much,” Anya confessed, and as much as you hated “gossiping”, you couldn’t deny this one.

“Well Kie, you’re on to talk… What about your Kook year?” John B laughingly mocked, as Kie infuriatingly shoved his shoulder.

“S-So what exactly is the difference between a Pogue and a Kook?” You intriguingly questioned, shifting your gaze from Kie to Pope.

“Well, to put it short, Pogues live on the Cut, which I assume Topper would rather die than enter. Whereas yourselves and our Kie here, live on Figure 8,” Pope answered.

“So it’s just a social class thing?” You quipped, being reminded again of how very unprogressive things were around the Outer Banks.

“Exactly!-” Kie shouted, a hint of relief, as though finally finding someone who’d shared mutual understanding with her cause.

“I mean there’s more to it-” JJ added.

“But it’s best if you guys don’t get as involved, your only just new here-” He calmly reassured.

“Just keep an eye out for the Kooks, they usually come to these sort of events anyways for the booze they can’t afford-” Kie ridiculed.

“Yeah, especially Rafe-” Pope uttered, his tone reeking of bitterness to the name.

“Wait-Who exactly is that? The name just sounds familiar-” You brush off, not wanting to vex Pope any further.

“Good God, he’s the worst of the worst-” Pope scorned.

“An asshole-” Kie provoked.

“He’s the older brother of Sarah Cameron, I’m sure you’ve met her. She’s Topper’s girlfriend,” John B confessed.

“HA! Topper has a girlfriend, since when?!” Anya broke out mockingly laughing: as Kie and JJ chuckled to her comedic outburst.

“He must be that bad, huh?” You uttered, as the rest began to settle themselves.

“He’s a terrible person, Y/N. If I was you guys, I’d avoid him at all costs,-” Pope insisted, although by the seriousness of his voice, it seemed more of a warning than anything.

***

The Boneyard was a secluded location of the island, where the ashy white trunks of dead logs were arranged in a way to accompany large crowds, and rowdy parties far from the complaints of the adults. As you’d all arrived, kegs ready at the hand, the party had already commenced, as people from which John B described had consisted of Pogues, Kook and tourists. Regardless, all strangers to you.

As you finally eased yourself into that party mood, you found yourself enjoying the company of the Pogues, they were quite the friendly bunch. And it seemed ANya was letting loose as well, no thanks to her new-found companions: it always seemed like an impossible mission for Anya to enjoy herself, although witnessing her from the standpoint of a bystander, you felt comforted.

“I’m just going to go grab myself a drink-” You assured John B, as he nodded in agreement.

As you crammed yourself through the crowd, you felt a tight grip pulling on your elbow, making you topple in the direction of whomever it was that grabbed you.

“Topper, what the fuck?”

“How the hell did you get here, let alone find out about this?” He exclaimed, by the faint smell of the beer oozing with each breath, you could tell he was slowly becoming intoxicated.

“No thanks to you-” You snapped, before jolting your arm out of his strained grip.

“Seriously, Y/N. Does your Dad even know you’re here?”

Before you could even respond, some sort of internal sixth sense, felt an intense pair of eyes on you. As you shifted your gaze, to a bunch of people standing behind Topper, you’d immediately recognised his face.

For some odd reason you felt a shiver crawl down your spine, as though in fright of seeing some ghostly figure. His intense, blue eyes just fixated on you and only you, as he took sips of his drink, with one hand snugged away in a front pocket. It seemed he was in conversation with a bunch of other guys, all dressed quite similarly to one another in their polo shirts and summer shorts, and yet he was not at all engaged... Only to you.

“Earth to Y/N!” Topper loudly interjected, stirring you to snap back, as you fixed your view on him.

“Y-Yes, yes he does. Now could you just let me be?”

And before you knew it, you instinctively stormed off, before Topper had the chance to drunkenly question you any longer. As you disappeared into the crowd, heading for the kegger, your mind persisted in contemplation.

That was Rafe, surely. You vividly remembered the whole, minor incident during your first encounter with him.

After what the Pogues had confessed about him, and by his looming nature, you’d never felt so unnerved by someone, you’d in fact, never even met.

But why?

TAGLIST - @juliep7654 @foggybanditgardenprune

108 notes · View notes

teshamerkel · 3 years

Photo

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Seekers of Soul

[Chapter 25] (31 Pages)

<< First | < Previous | Next >

The fire, and the aftermath.

He’s found another one.

Tobias curses and weaves through the fiery wreckage of the building, hurrying over to the unconscious sandile he’s spotted half-buried in rubble. He makes quick work of digging the ground type out from under the debris, sending a silent prayer up to—well, to someone as he pulls them free and leans in close, pressing a hand to the Pokemon’s chest. He breathes a sigh of relief when the sandile’s ribs rise and fall under his palm. They’re still alive, even if their breathing is raspy from smoke and burns litter their scales. They’re lucky they’re half ground type, resistant to the flames growing ever-hotter around them.

Tobias hefts the sandile into his arms, stumbling under their weight before righting himself. They’re the third Pokemon he’s stumbled across since running into the fire, and after two previous trips in and out of the building he’s starting to wear down. The heat and smoke are less dangerous to him since he’s a fire type, but along with the scrapes and bruises he’s accumulated, his stamina is slowly running low.

Tobias tries to shove away his looming exhaustion, turning to squint at his fiery surroundings before deciding on the least dangerous-looking path and moving outward towards safety. He doesn’t know how long he’s been in here, finding Pokemon who didn’t make it out of the building before it started to come down, raining fire and rock and choking the air with smoke, but he still catches occasional glimpses of other Seekers darting in and out of the flames, also looking for more injured Pokemon.

He’s starting to worry they won’t be able to find everyone in time. Not all Pokemon can withstand flames and smoke like this, not to mention the ceiling slowly caving in above them.

Some part of Tobias can’t help worrying if they’ve found Junie yet.

He may not like the rookidee much, but that doesn’t mean he wants her to die. He’d gone back into the flames partially with her in mind, after all, knowing she got caught up in the crowd and separated from him and Nia.

Tobias rounds a bend in the fiery shambles, sharp eyes on the lookout for anyone else trapped in the rubble. A flicker of movement catches his eye, and he glances over as a typhlosion rushes past him with three or four small Pokémon laid out across her back, her movements confident in a way that only an experienced rescuer could be. Tobias scans the unconscious Pokemon, but no, she’s not carrying a rookidee. The typhlosion hesitates at the sight of him, but he jerks his head in a “Go on, I’ve got this” motion, trying to seem calm and strong even if his legs feel like they might give out at any second. She looks uncertain, but glances back at her charges before nodding and racing forwards again, presumably to an exit.

Tobias takes a bracing breath of smoky air and follows her.

Finally, he makes it back to one of the huge gaps in the wall of the building, stumbling through into fresh night air that feels almost cold against his heated skin. He blinks hard as he passes by Seekers and fire rescue Pokemon, eyes slowly adjusting after the dazzling light of the flames. He finds one of the medical teams that have set up post around the perimeter and drops the sandile off there, relieved to see the ground type still taking rattling gulps of air.

He’s supposed to report back each time he returns from a trip inside the building, but Keegan is nowhere to be seen and Tobias isn’t sure who else he could notify. Instead of worrying about it, he takes a moment to breathe and recuperate, wandering back towards where he’d left Nia to see if she has any news on Junie. Maybe one of the other Seekers found the rookidee and already brought her out to safety.

Tobias scans the Pokemon around him for Nia, tuning out the shouts of the Seekers and the murmuring of the civilians gathered around the blazing building. He slowly makes it back to what used to be the front of the structure, looking for a familiar blue and black pelt in the low light. He frowns when he doesn’t see her, turning slowly and cursing the confusing combination of darkness alongside the orange wash of flames—it makes it hard to find anyone in this mess.

He looks once again for his partner.

And looks.

By the fourth time Tobias has searched the crowd around him and found no riolu, something in his chest is tight. Maybe she’s at one of the medical stations with Junie?

His heartbeat grows louder in his ears as he moves his search to the nearest medical tent, asking for a riolu and maybe a rookidee. Nothing, so he moves on to the next. And the next.

“Where are you, you idiot?” He mumbles, ignoring the way his voice shakes. Something like dread twists in his gut, and he ignores that too. He glances at the burning building, but then resolutely looks away again, back out at the endless storm of Pokemon rushing around and yelling and watching and crying.

Surely she didn’t—

“Have you seen a riolu around?” Tobias asks the first Seeker he finds, trying to sound calm and confident.

The flareon’s brow furrows, and he shakes his head. “No, sorry. Were they inside the building?”

“Not when I went in, but now I can’t find her,” Tobias responds, glancing again at the fire. Another chunk of the ceiling caves in, crashing loudly into the flaming wreckage, and the flareon’s ears twitch.

“I’ll keep an eye out for her,” The flareon says, sympathetic. His dark gaze flicks down to Tobias’ scarf, and then further down to the scrapes and soot littering his skin. “For now, go to one of the medical stations and get those wounds checked out.”

“Right,” Tobias mumbles, turning and slipping away to not do that. He can worry about his bumps and bruises later. Right now, it’s more important that he finds Nia, makes sure she didn’t do something stupid like—

He shakes his head and moves on, still scanning the crowd and feeling worse with each passing second that he doesn’t see his partner. Nobody has, until he talks to a lycanroc that comes stumbling out of the wreckage.

“A riolu?” The rock type asks, blue eyes teary and squinted as he coughs. Then his ears perk and he lifts his head. “Yeah, my partner and I saw ‘em a bit ago.”

Tobias barely stops himself from grabbing the lycanroc by the scruff and shaking him. “Where?”

“She ran into the fire,” The lycanroc says, head tilting. “She had a Seeker scarf on and looked like she knew what she was doing so we didn’t try to stop her.”

The rock type is saying something else, but Tobias’ doesn’t hear him. A cold wash of fear runs through his body, leaving his stinging cuts and aching bruises feeling numb. Slowly, he turns his head to look again at the fiery shell of the building, at the flames licking higher into the dark sky. Another part of the wall crumbles, and the foundation shakes.

No. Nia can be naïve but she’s not stupid, she would know better than to go running into that, she—

For just a moment Tobias thinks of lying on a mossy dungeon floor, on the brink of consciousness, and a trembling riolu stepping in front of him, branch held at the ready to defend him from a pack of feral Pokemon.

A stupid, stupid, stupid bleeding-heart riolu.

Without another thought, Tobias races away from the lycanroc and his yelled questions, past other Seekers and into the flames yet again. He stumbles over the rubble, cutting open another spot on his foot, but pays it no mind as he looks around, desperately hoping that Nia will magically appear right in front of him. But no, nothing. Just flames and wreckage and smoke—

(She has no protection from the fire, what if she’s already unconscious and buried under rubble where no one will find her?)

“Nia!” Tobias yells, cupping his hands around his mouth as if that’ll make his raspy voice loud enough to be heard over the roar of the flames. No response.

Tobias pushes deeper into the shell of the building, moving more carelessly than he had earlier and getting a few new injuries for it. He shouts Nia’s name again, panting hard as he listens for a response.

The roar of the flames around him is loud, the crackling and snapping accompanied by an occasional ground-shaking rumble as another part of the structure falls. The flames are starting to lick at even Tobias’ skin, starting to make him feel itchy and hot, the smoke weighing heavy and unnatural in his lungs.

But he can’t just leave Nia.

Something shifts on the edge of Tobias’ vision, and he whips around, expecting it to be the debris settling, hoping for it to be his partner.

Instead, an arcanine stands atop the rubble.

Tobias’ breath catches in his throat.

Memories try to surface, only adding to his panic.

Bright plumes of flame lighting up cave walls, throwing harsh shadows as snarls ring out. A bright orange pelt, jagged black stripes, bristling cream fur. Sharp fangs and hot breath, a heavy paw on his chest, holding him down, blunt claws digging into his throat, a scar across the arcanine’s eye leading to a shredded ear—

Tobias forces himself to take deep, shaking breaths even as he feels like he’s going to throw up. He stares at the arcanine, putting all his willpower into shoving the memories away and staying on his feet instead of collapsing. The arcanine is too far away to get a good look at his face in the flickering light of the flames, and Tobias knows how unlikely it would be for the outlaw to just be here by chance, but…

But the fire itself shouldn’t have ever started. Shouldn’t have spread so quickly. And the arcanine is just staring at Tobias. Watching him, no visible scarf or sash marking him as a Seeker or fire rescue member.

Then, suddenly, the arcanine turns and bounds away, vanishing into the flames.

“Wait!” Tobias yells, forcing his legs to move and stumbling after the larger fire type.

He pants hard as he follows, knowing how hopeless it is trying to catch the outlaw. Still, he chases after him blindly, a nauseous blend of fear and fury making something hot crawl in his gut. He trips and slams into more debris, another gash opening up his side and bruising his ribs. He ignores it and staggers forward again, looking around wildly.

There! The arcanine is watching him from afar, completely calm and still. An angry snarl rips from Tobias’ throat as he lunges after him. He doesn’t know what he’ll do when he reaches the outlaw, but he—he has to. He finally has one of the trio he’s been hunting down right here in front of him! He can’t just waste this chance!

Once again, the arcanine turns and leaps away, vanishing behind a large pile of debris. Tobias races after him, vaulting over a flaming wooden support beam, blinking at the dazzling brightness of embers it throws into the air. From there, the arcanine is nowhere to be seen. Tobias curses and spins, looking desperately for that dazzling orange pelt.

The low, creaking rumble of another structure falling sets him on edge. He reluctantly pauses his search for the arcanine to instead scan the ceiling above him. It’s caving in again, and close. Tobias steps back, squinting at the ceiling—half flaming structure and half open sky—and finally, he sees it. Smaller bits of fiery stone and wood are already beginning to rain down where the heavy ceiling is buckling under its own weight.

Tobias absently notes not to go in that direction, gaze flicking down, only to freeze. Directly below the crumbling ceiling are two familiar figures. Their usual black and blue colors are nearly red in the firelight.

Nia and Junie.

No.

Junie is saying something, weakly trying to flap into the air, but her leg is pinned to the ground by rubble. Nia is just shaking her head, slumped over like she’s barely able to hold herself up.

The ceiling groans, and Tobias’ head snaps up to watch, horrified, as it finally starts to cave. He’s moving before he realizes it, sprinting for them and feeling wreckage and rubble trip him up, tear at his skin. He won’t be fast enough.

“Nia!”

Nia’s head lifts and turns—slow, too slow. In the span of a heartbeat he sees her notice him, sees her expression flicker from something he’s never seen on the riolu’s face, something hopeless and dull, to a painful amount of relief. But then he sees her confusion, sees her follow his gaze up to the ceiling. Sees terror pin her ears flat.

It all happens so fast that Tobias isn’t even sure he sees it at all. The ceiling falls, raining boulder-sized debris onto the two of them with enough weight to crush and maim and kill, and Nia throws herself over Junie.

And in the landscape of heat and flame, a flash of bright blue energy lashes out from the riolu, pushes out like a bubble or a dome around Nia and Junie, like—

A shield.

The wreckage falls on top of them with enough force to shake the ground, burying the blue with soot and flame and rock.

Tobias chokes and runs faster, terror flooding his veins and making his heart thud hard against his ribs. No. No no no, this wasn’t supposed to happen, this can’t happen, he didn’t just watch Nia die right in front of him, he can’t do this again!

(“Vivi? Vivi, c’mon, w-wake up!”)

The rubble is still settling when Tobias reaches it. He knows exactly where Nia and Junie had been, and he starts digging, uncaring of how splinters and stone slice at his hands and tear his skin. Entei, he needs help, he isn’t fast enough on his own! Where are the other Seekers?!

Most of the rubble has broken down enough for him pick it up and chuck it away, or to put his body weight into it and shove it aside, but the strain is already taking its toll. His breaths are painful and ragged in his chest, his own body temperature rising dangerously high. But that doesn’t matter. He has to keep going. He has to find them. Even if he knows they had to have been crushed.

Tobias shoves aside another rock, and there’s a flash of soft, sooty blue. His heart jumps, then sinks as he realizes that it’s Junie’s feathers, not Nia’s fur. He should be gentler than he is, but panic makes him yank the painfully light flying type out with rough movements.

As he lifts her body free, Junie’s eyes crack open, glassy with pain. “Nia?”

Tobias just stares in response. Because a large portion of the ceiling just fell on top of Junie, and there’s no way the weightless flying type should even be alive right now, let alone able to talk. She should be a feathery pancake in the dirt.

But he did see Nia dive on top of the rookidee, taking the brunt of the blow. And he saw that strange flash of blue, too. Her aura? Could that have saved them somehow? She was nowhere near the level of making a full-body shield last he’d seen, she’d only just started figuring out how to solidify her aura at all, but…

Tobias sets Junie against a piece of stone and begins digging with renewed energy. Nia has to be here too.

Or her body, at least.

Tobias grits his teeth and ignores that thought the best he can. Just like he’s ignoring the heat under his skin and the blur in his vision, the pain screaming from his bloody hands and cracked, torn claws. Junie’s alive somehow. Nia has to be too.

Another stone upturned, and Tobias stops, seeing a patch of dirty blue fur. Hope threatens to choke him, and he frantically digs through the rest of the rubble to unearth his partner. As soon as he has her head and torso and most of her legs visible, he loops his arms under her and tugs, pulling the riolu free of the debris and staggering back.

Nia doesn’t stir like Junie did, eyes closed and face peaceful save for smudges of ash and patches of raw, burned skin. There’s a trickle of blood coming from her nose. At the very least, her body is miraculously uncrushed, with no obvious displaced bones or flattened limbs. But she’s not moving, not making a sound, bruised and battered and for a moment all Tobias can see is a little orange face so like his own, too still, and he feels his stomach heave with nausea. She can’t die, she can’t be dead, he can’t do this again he can’t handle losing Nia too when she was right there—

Tobias turns his head to lay flat against Nia’s chest, listening for breathing, for a heartbeat. C’mon, c’mon!

There. It’s faint, but her heart thumps once, twice under his ear. A shallow rise and fall of her chest follows. Tobias’ body melts, feeling the solid, living warmth beneath him, and he lets out a shaky breath into Nia’s fur. She’s alive.

“Toby?” Junie rasps from his side, voice wavering with fear.

Tobias lifts his head, suddenly remembering that they’re still in the middle of the fiery building, that they’re still in danger. Even if they can get out of here, Nia and Junie need to see a medic as soon as possible—the two of them have to be overheated and suffering from smoke inhalation at the very least.

The rookidee has settled beside him, feathers ruffled, ruby eyes wide and scared. Her leg is crooked and held out at an awkward angle. Tobias looks at her for a moment, and then down to Nia. He might be able to make it out with the riolu on his back, but even he’s starting to feel the heat and the pain of his wounds. He’s fatigued and can’t guarantee he’ll reach safety in time, and he doesn’t want to risk that. He swallows hard, tries to summon up his calm medic voice, and looks at Junie.

“Can you fly?” He asks.

Junie tentatively stretches out her wings, blinking at them as if she isn’t sure herself. She flaps them, and lifts into the air in a jerky hover, leg still dangling oddly. Must be broken. The rookidee looks back to him, almost as if for confirmation.

Tobias swallows hard, looking at the shaky bird as dread opens a pit in his stomach. Junie’s scared of heights, but it’s very possible they won’t make it out of here without her.

“I need you to fly, Junie, okay?” Tobias says, trying to sound like he’s in control of the situation, like he’s confident that she can do this. He has a feeling he’s still too sharp, too wild-eyed. “I need you to fly up through the roof and get help from the other Seekers. Tell them to come get us.”

Junie shakes her head, tears bubbling up in her eyes. “I-I can’t! I can’t, what—“

“Junie.”

The rookidee quiets, still flapping in jerky motions and visibly shaking.

Tobias swallows hard, grabbing at Nia’s fur under his claws. His eyes never leave the flying type. “I wouldn’t ask this if it wasn’t important. I know you’re scared, but Nia could die if we don’t get her out of here. We need help.”

For a moment, Tobias thinks he’s broken through to her, that she’ll face her fear and soar into the sky. But the rookidee is injured and frightened, and when she furiously shakes her head she almost knocks herself over.

“I-I can’t!” Junie wails, immediately falling into a hacking fit and dropping back to the ground.

Tobias can’t even find it in himself to be angry, too afraid and exhausted to channel anything else. Instead, he focuses on how they’ll get out of here if they can’t get Junie to send for help. He’s still running on adrenaline alone, and he can feel it start to flag, feel his fatigue start to creep in alongside the pain of his wounds. But they have to leave now—the whole place is coming down and going up in flames all at once, and Nia needs to get checked out as soon as possible.

There’s a sharp crack nearby and Tobias is back on alert, looking around and jumping as more chunks of the ceiling fall to the ground not ten feet away. Tobias snags Junie and pulls her close, covering both her and Nia from the resulting cloud of splintered wood and embers as best he can, hissing as if he could scare away the encroaching flames.

He can’t protect these two on his own. Not here. He wants to wait for help—he’s not even sure if he can pick Nia up in his state, and he shouldn’t even be moving her in case she has a serious injury—but the fire is moving closer and the rest of the building will cave in soon enough.

“We’ve gotta move,” Tobias decides.

Junie doesn’t answer, and Tobias looks down to find that the rookidee has passed out entirely. He must’ve jarred her leg when grabbing her and the spike of pain was too much.

“Anything else want to go wrong?” He grumbles, fighting back a fresh surge of panic. Okay, fine. Now Junie’s passed out too. Great. At least she’s light.

Something crashes to the ground nearby, and Tobias moves into action. He leans down and draws one of Nia’s arms over his shoulder, and then the other. He pulls himself to his feet, stumbling under Nia’s deadweight before managing to haul her forward and onto his back. He’s panting already, dizziness finally starting to spot his vision, but he hops to settle her higher before staggering forward. Nia’s head flops lifelessly onto his shoulder, and something in Tobias’ chest aches at the reminder of their flight to Ghatha not even a day ago. Nia had been so excited for this stupid trip.

Tobias grits his teeth and crouches to awkwardly tuck Junie under his arm. He barely manages to stand, looking around and desperately trying to figure out where they are and how to find the nearest exit. He pushes forward in a random direction, hoping against hope that it’ll lead them to safety.

He’s not sure how long he walks like that, with Nia against his back, his breaths tearing through his chest like an open wound, Junie a limp ball of feathers under his arm. His adrenaline finally drains away, and exhaustion takes its place as spots dapple his vision. His limbs are so heavy. Every step feels like a monumental movement. His hands hurt from the digging, and cuts and bruises litter his body.

The charmander trips over something and crashes to the ground, barely managing to shove Junie out from under him at the last second. He tries to push himself up, Nia a heavy weight on his back, before flopping back into the dirt. He’ll catch his breath. Just a second, a minute to catch his breath, and then he’ll get to his feet again and keep walking. He will. He blinks heavy eyes at the blurred landscape of bright flame and jagged, crumbling silhouettes.

It’s endless, this world of fire and smoke and heat. There’s no escaping it. But he has to. He has to.

For a moment, just as he’s on the edge of consciousness, he swears he sees paws stop in front of his face. Huge paws, with sleek orange fur and blunt claws that have haunted his nightmares for years.

And then everything is dark and still.

__________________________________________________

There’s music.

The melody itself is foreign to him, something soft and hopeful, but the voice singing it is as familiar as his own skin. It’s sung lullabies to him since the day he was born.

Tobias lifts his head, only to find himself in his nest with Vivi. The smaller charmander is curled up against his side, her breathing peaceful and her tail flame a steady flicker.

“It’s late, Toby,” A voice rumbles from his other side, deep and comforting.

The singing doesn’t stop, coming from somewhere out of sight, closer to the entrance of the cave.

Tobias blinks heavy eyes and looks around, relaxing at the familiar sight of their dark cave, lit only by the warm glow of three tail flames. Tobias knows the rocky walls are decorated with colorful children’s paintings, but he can only catch a glimpse of them in the low light.

Shifting to get a bit more comfortable in the nest, Tobias looks over at his Papa, curled up in his own bed with his wings tucked loosely against his back, head lifted and looking towards the entrance to the cave. The charizard is huge, but that only makes Tobias feel safer. His Papa’s a big softie anyways.

“Why’s Mama singing so late?” Tobias asks, voice hushed so he doesn’t wake Vivi. His sister can be a little monster if she’s woken up before sunrise.

“Is it keeping you up?” Papa asks, not looking at Tobias.

The charmander shakes his head. “No. I like Mama’s singing. She always sings in the morning, though.”

For a moment, Papa doesn’t answer. Then, quietly, he says, “It’s too cloudy to see the stars tonight.”

Tobias blinks up at the shadowed form of his Papa, not quite sure how that answers his question. Usually Mama and Papa say things so they make sense to him and then he can explain them to Vivi, if she’s still confused. But every once in a while they say something that he doesn’t understand.

Tobias tries to crane his head around his father to see his mother, silhouetted against the night sky, but he can’t quite manage it. After a moment he gives up and settles back down into his nest.

“So Mama’s singing…because the stars are gone?”

Papa hums a thoughtful noise, but Tobias thinks it means yes, sort of.

After a moment, Tobias asks, “Will her singing bring the stars back?”

“...No. No, it won’t.”

Tobias frowns. He doesn’t understand why Mama’s singing then, if it won’t do anything to fix the problem. He opens his mouth to ask, but Papa cuts him off.

“Go to sleep, Toby,” Papa murmurs. He unfolds a giant, warm wing to rest gently over Tobias and his sister, dimming the world even further.

Tobias huffs but lies down again, breathing in his Papa’s scent. He isn’t happy about Papa dodging his questions, but he is tired, and his Mama’s voice is the perfect sound to lull him back to sleep.

So he lets it take him under.

__________________________________________________

Tobias wakes up slowly, a cotton-like fuzz blurring his thoughts. He’s...lying in something, but it’s not his straw nest. It’s quiet, save for the soft murmur of a voice, humming the same song from his dream, but the light is bright, brighter than it ever is at dawn when he usually wakes up, in his family’s cave or in the alcove at the guild. Where is he? And why does his body hurt so much? His hands and claws especially—

The pain in his fingers makes it hard to dig, but he can’t stop, so he jams his hands deeper into the rubble and debris, ignoring sharp edges of cutting stone—

Tobias jerks, forcing his heavy eyes awake. A blanket tangles around him, and it’s too hot, too much, it’s suffocating him so he rips it off.

The humming cuts off. “Charmander, you’re fine, you’re safe, all right? Can you look at me?”

Tobias stills and stares up at the source of the voice, panting, his panicked thoughts stalling. It’s a slowbro, his expression concerned and his hands held out in a calming gesture.

Tobias finally takes stock of where he is, eyes darting around the room. It’s sunny and bright and clean, with tan wooden floors and walls, cheery green plants, and medical charts on the walls. Tobias catches sight of a familiar blue, metallic Pokemon asleep in a nearby nest, a bandage over his eye. Seiji? There are a few other Pokémon curled up in similar nests around the walls of the room, all bandaged up or smeared with poultices.

Are they at...a medical station? A hospital?

Tobias blinks down at his stinging, aching hands, bewildered to find them wrapped in a thick layer of gauze and medical tape. He can barely move his fingers, and when he tries, he hisses with pain.

“Don’t move your fingers,” The slowbro advises, voice low and soothing. “You damaged your hands quite a bit. Fractured bones and pulled claws, mostly. A few breaks. We couldn’t rely too much on healing moves with how delicate the bones are in your fingers, so I’m afraid you’re going to have to heal a bit on the slower side.”

Tobias blinks at his hands some more, and then up at the slowbro, trying to process what happened.

The pink Pokémon gives him a sympathetic look. “Having trouble remembering?”

Tobias wants to get angry at the patronizing tone, but he’s exhausted and can’t quite manage it. Instead, he flexes his claws despite the pain and tries to remember what exactly he’d done to wreck his hands. He remembers...fire. And heat. Digging? And—

Nia and Junie, buried in rubble.

Tobias bolts upright in his nest. “Nia!”

Cool, gentle hands land on Tobias’ shoulders, keeping him down. The slowbro meets his eyes with a steady expression that Tobias recognizes from his own medic training.

“Is Nia the riolu you were with?”

Tobias swallows hard and nods. “My partner. There was a rookidee with us too.”

The slowbro’s eyes soften. “Both of them are fine. The riolu was in bad shape when she came in, but she’ll recover. Would you like to see either of them?”

The worst of Tobias’ panic falls away at the reassurance. Nia’s fine. She’ll recover. Junie even made it out okay. Without the tension holding him up, he slumps, exhausted. He really wants to roll over and go back to sleep.

But instead he nods and rasps, “I wanna see Nia.” He still needs to check on her himself. Just to make sure.

The slowbro hums and releases Tobias. “You are still quite battered yourself, so move carefully. No running.” Then, the water type turns and pads out into the hallway, a beckoning hand over his shoulder.

Tobias hurries to follow, wincing at his aching cuts and bruises. Ugh, he has bandages and poultices everywhere. He didn’t even think he was that hurt.

The slowbro leads him down the hall, past one or two Pokémon who give Tobias a sympathetic smile that he dutifully ignores. When they stop in front of a door, the slowbro turns to him.

“Now, Riolu is going to be fine, but she’s still recovering. She was in bad shape when she got here. So don’t wake her, all right?”

“I was a medic,” Tobias snaps, impatient, “I know.”

The slowbro opens the door, and Tobias steps past him. This room is smaller and dimmer than the one he came from, windows covered by bamboo shades, and it’s almost silent save for soft, raspy breathing. There are only a few Pokemon in here, likely kept in the same space due to similar states of injury. Tobias catches sight of a familiar form in the low light.

Nia.

He moves forward cautiously and crouches at her side. She’s resting in a nest similar to his own, curled neatly onto her side. That’s not right. She always sleeps with her limbs thrown every which way, a ridiculous heap, like she just fell into her nest and conked out that way. This just looks...wrong.

She’s covered in bandages and shiny ointments that slick back her fur and cover burns, too. At least the blood and soot has been washed away. Her soft breaths are audible, painfully raspy and rattling in her chest. Nia and Tobias are roughly the same size, but somehow she looks too small curled up here with her fur plastered to her body.

Tobias sits back. Half of him feels soothed by seeing the riolu in one piece, alive and breathing. The other half is more uneasy than he thought he’d be. He’s never liked seeing Pokémon hurt, especially ones he knows. It’s part of the reason he was Maggie’s assistant medic for so long.

The slowbro pads up behind him, voice soft. “You two are a Seeker team, yes?”

Tobias nods. He feels the strange urge to touch Nia, just to make sure she’s actually here, but keeps his hands firmly in his lap.

“Would you like to know her condition?”

Ah, right. Seeker partners get as many patient rights as actual family members do. Tobias nods again, gaze never leaving Nia’s face as she sleeps.

The slowbro takes a step away to read the chart hanging near Nia’s nest. “Well, we healed some of her injuries, but we were limited since we couldn’t afford to exhaust her further. I don’t know if she overworked her body or if something else is at play, but she’s suffering from severe physical fatigue. Do you know if she overused her moves?”

Tobias frowns. Definitely not. Nia still can’t even use her moves, let alone to the point of harming her own body. Then again…

A flash of bright blue flickers through his memory, stark against the fiery red of the flames. It was the same color as Nia’s aura, but Tobias knows Nia wasn’t able to form anything even close to a full-body shield with her aura before yesterday.

The only other option Tobias can think of is a move he’d witnessed once before: protect.

But Nia shouldn’t have access to that kind of move, especially when she can’t even use her more basic ones. So what exactly happened? The more Tobias plays that split-second back in his mind, the more convinced he is that the riolu had indeed thrown up some sort of shield around her and Junie, regardless of the facts. There’s no other way the two of them could have survived debris of that size and weight falling onto them from that height. They should have been crushed. Killed.

Tobias swallows hard and shrugs at the slowbro still waiting for an answer. “Dunno. We were separated during the fire.”

Separated. Ha. He went running in on his own when he should’ve known his idiot partner would follow him into the flames, especially with Junie missing. Entei’s fire, he’s so stupid! He should’ve made a Seeker take her somewhere else. Or at least taken her with him. Anything else but shoving her away only to find her half-dead and buried in rubble.

He kind of hates himself right now. More than usual.

“Well,” the slowbro continues, reluctant. He must suspect Tobias knows more than he’s saying. “The exhaustion is the most worrying thing at the moment. She’s suffering from first and second-degree burns and smoke inhalation, but as long as she can rest, she should pull through without long-term complications.”

Tobias nods, still staring at Nia. Just. Making sure she’s breathing. There’s a few particularly nasty burns across her body that will probably scar, or at least leave a ruffle or two in her fur. Tobias takes a deep, calming breath.

There’s a moment of silence, and then the slowbro sighs. “Would you like to stay with her?”

Tobias finally turns to blink up at the slowbro, still a little too out of it to stay on top of the conversation.

“I’d rather you just stay here than try to sneak out of your own room later on,” the slowbro drawls, with enough exasperation that Tobias knows it’s happened before.

Tobias looks back at Nia and thinks about going back to his own nest in the other room. His comfy, spacious nest, where he can’t keep an eye on her and make sure she’s still breathing.

“I’ll stay,” he says.

The slowbro hums and waddles away. “I’ll get you some extra bedding.”

Soon enough the slowbro has helped him add another lump of soft straw and moss and blankets right beside Nia’s nest. The slowbro tells Tobias that nurses will likely be in to check on them later and to bring him food, but until then he should rest.

For once, Tobias doesn’t fight it. As soon as the slowbro is gone, Tobias pushes his nest a bit closer to Nia and curls up beside her, keeping her face in his sight. After a moment of hesitation, he flicks his tail around to curl over her wrist, so he can just barely feel her pulse under the flickering light of his tail flame.

He falls asleep like that, despite the brightness leaking into the room from the edges of the blinds and the rattling breaths of the injured Pokemon around him.

He wakes in the evening, if the dim blue light coming in through the blinds is any gauge. The creak of the door must’ve been what woke him, because quiet footsteps enter the room right after. Tobias assumes it’s the slowbro or one of the nurses and doesn’t bother looking up until he hears the newcomers speak.

“I still can’t believe this happened,” A voice whispers, sounding on the edge of tears. “So many were hurt.”

“I know. We’re looking into it—I know your troupe’s reputation. Before I let the blame fall to you, I want to make sure there wasn’t any outside interference with your show.”

Tobias recognizes those voices. Despite the pounding in his head, Tobias lifts it to squint at the visitors. It’s Keegan, the second-in-command of the Ghatha guild, and Hugo, the delphox ringleader of the magic show. Keegan’s expression is somber, and Hugo seems absolutely devastated as he looks around at the injured patients in the room.

Keegan notices Tobias first, ears pricking up as he smiles. “Tobias. Good to see you awake.”

“Wish I could say it’s good to be awake,” Tobias grumbles, shifting so he can talk to the ninetales without having to sit up entirely. He winces as the movement pulls at his injuries. “What’re you two doing here?”

“I always check in on the injured after a disaster like this,” Keegan says, his tails flicking in a nonchalant gesture. “Hugo—"

“I’m so so sorry that this happened,” Hugo cuts in, rushing over to Tobias’ side with his ears pinned back. He wrings his paws, sounding like an entirely different Pokemon from the confident, theatrical ringleader they’d seen onstage. “We’ve been doing shows for over a decade and nothing like this has ever happened before a-and I just don’t know how—”

“Breathe,” Keegan says, not unkindly.

While the delphox gasps in a breath, Tobias turns narrowed eyes onto Keegan. “You said something about interference.”

The ninetales’ carefully relaxed expression falls. “Ah. You heard that, then. While we don’t have any proof necessarily of tampering, it’s just…unheard of, for a troupe this experienced to have an accident like this. Something about it isn’t sitting right with me, so I thought I’d look into it.”

“We’re always very careful with our preparations,” Hugo says quietly, not looking at them. He sounds insistent—not as if he’s trying to lie his way out of consequences, but as if stating the facts with enough conviction will undo this entire mess. “We water any nearby foliage before the show. And we keep a psychic barrier up around the stage so our fire will never harm the audience or the surroundings. We’ve done shows at that very auditorium, w-we—”

The delphox cuts himself off, and finally looks at Tobias.

“I’m sorry that you were injured.” His eyes flick over to Nia and back. “You and your friend. Our troupe made it out relatively unscathed thanks to our psychic members but we never even thought of creating an emergency evacuation plan for something like this. If we had, maybe we could have—we could have helped more Pokemon get out sooner.”

Tobias doesn’t really know what to say in response to that, especially in his current state. Comforting platitudes have never been his thing and they certainly aren’t now, less than a day after they’d almost died.

“Why don’t you step outside for a minute?” Keegan suggests to Hugo, voice soft.

The delphox hesitates, but then nods. He gives Tobias one more apologetic bow before hurrying out of the room, on the brink of tears.

For a moment, there’s silence. Keegan sits and heaves a tired sigh, rubbing at his eyes with a paw. Eventually, he asks, “How’re you feeling?”

Tobias snorts, feeling as exhausted as the ninetales looks. “Great.”

Keegan huffs a laugh, shaking his head. “How’s Nia?”

Tobias follows his gaze and looks at the riolu still sleeping in the nest beside him, too small and too still. He watches her until he can see her chest rise and fall in a breath. “Doctor said she’ll be all right,” He finally answers.

“Good, good,” Keegan sighs. There’s another beat of silence, and then the ninetales adds, “By the way, I know this probably isn’t that important to you right now, but I thought I’d let you know so I don’t forget in all the chaos.”

Tobias frowns and returns his attention to the other fire type.

“First, I have your satchel back in my office. Nia must’ve left it in the plaza, because one of my Seekers brought it to me. I’ll bring that over in the next day or two.”

Oh. Tobias blinks. With everything that happened, he hadn’t even given their bag any thought. It just didn’t seem important at the time, but it’s good that they’ll be getting it back. They have their money in there.

“And second,” Keegan says, “I’m moving your team up from E rank to D rank.”

At that, Tobias straightens, ignoring the pull of his injuries. “What?”

“You two were thrown into a situation that, frankly, you shouldn’t have been allowed to help with yet. But after speaking with the Seekers under my care and seeing how willingly you and Nia dove into the situation, saving multiple Pokemon in the process, I’d say you’ve earned enough points from this mess to warrant a rank upgrade. So I’m bumping you up from E to D.”

Tobias just stares at Keegan, unsure of how to feel. He’d always expected that he’d be excited and triumphant when they final got enough Seeker points to advance in rank, but…this isn’t how he wanted to do it. Not by almost dying. Not by almost losing his partner.

“We aren’t in your guild,” Tobias rasps. “Can you even do that?”

Keegan laughs. “Sure can! Seeker points are universal, including guild authority over the matter. Unless you have a problem with it, I’m planning on upgrading you two when I return to the guild this evening. Arceus knows we need all of the competent Seekers we can get right now.”

Tobias doesn’t answer, instead looking down at his bandaged hands and feeling oddly detached from the whole situation. Maybe he’ll be more excited once Nia wakes up.

“How did we get out, anyways?” Tobias asks, quiet as one of the other injured Pokemon shifts in their nest. “I collapsed before we made it outside.”

Keegan nods. “Someone must have carried you out without checking in with me properly. Unfortunately, while we try to keep everything in an orderly system, sometimes in a crisis the tedium just isn’t as important as saving lives.”

Tobias nods, frowning. He…thinks he remembers seeing something right before he passed out. Was it important? He can’t remember.

“You’ll keep us in the loop about your investigation?” Tobias asks, looking back at Keegan with narrowed eyes. “I think we’ve earned the right after getting caught up in the middle of it.”

Keegan sighs. “We’ll try, but some things may have to stay classified, depending on what we find. Anything we can tell you, we will, but there’s a chance certain information could be sensitive to the investigation.”

Tobias scrunches up his nose, not quite happy with that answer but accepting that it’s probably the best he’s going to get. For now. “Fine. Thanks.”

Keegan nods, glancing at the door as Hugo starts a muted conversation out in the hallway with someone. Even through the wood, Tobias can tell the delphox is getting emotional again.

“I’d better go check on him,” Keegan says, giving Tobias another smile. “It’s good to see you and Nia will be all right. I’ll try to check back in a few days. Rest up—you did good.”

The ninetales leaves, quietly shutting the door behind him, and Tobias slowly relaxes back into his nest. There are so many things to think about—Nia’s recovery, possible suspicious activity with the fire, their rank upgrade…but he’s just too tired to deal with it right now.

Shifting closer to Nia, Tobias lets the fatigue lapping at his consciousness take him under.

When he wakes again it’s night. The room is dark, and he’s still drowsy. The air around him reeks of fresh medicinal ointments, but Tobias ignores the unpleasant scent and curls up to go back to sleep. He listens for Nia’s raspy breathing and searches for her pulse with his tail, the flame at its tip small and bright against her fur. Once he finds it, he feels relieved exhaustion pull at him almost immediately.

He’s almost back to sleep when there’s a quiet scratching at the door. He tries to bury his head in his bedding, hoping it’ll shut up and go away on its own. Unfortunately, the scratching only grows more harried, and then something pulls the door open an inch. Stops. Jolts it open an inch more. Tobias finally lifts his head, just in time to see a familiar little shape flutters in through the gap, panting hard. Junie. Tobias can’t help feeling relieved to see her alive, even if she is insufferable.

The rookidee struggles to close the door again behind her, pushing it closed with her entire body. She heaves a relieved sigh and turns, immediately catching sight of Tobias’s tail flame.

“Toby!” She chirps, all quiet excitement. There are a few shiny smears of healing ointment spread over her feathers and burns, and a bandage around her head, but she seems to be moving around okay. She flits over to where he and Nia are, landing in an awkward position with her little leg—encased in a cast—held stiffly to the side. Definitely broken.

“You’re both okay?” Junie whispers, voice hoarse from the smoke. Her ruby eyes skim Tobias’ bandaged hands before looking at Nia. “What about Nia?”

“They said she’ll be fine,” Tobias rasps, lying his head down again. “She’s got some burns and bruises, some smoke inhalation, but otherwise her body’s just exhausted.”

Junie chirps a quiet, relieved noise, and then falls into a coughing fit. Tobias feels his eyes slip closed. He’s still so tired.

When the coughing quiets, Junie speaks up again, hesitant. “Um. I know you’re trying to sleep, but I wanted to say thank you before I lose my nerve.”

Tobias opens his eyes again, looking irritably at Junie. “What?”

“Thank you,” the rookidee repeats, looking away with clear embarrassment. “For saving me.”

Tobias snorts. “I didn’t save you. Nia did.”

Junie meets his eyes with a furrowed brow. “You both did. You dug me out, right? A-And you tried to carry us to safety. Even though all I do is pick on you, you…didn’t leave me.”

Tobias can sense a whole mushy conversation behind that last point and sidesteps it by drawling, “Don’t mention it.”

Junie doesn’t push the point, thankfully, and instead hops closer to Nia’s head, fluffing out her feathers before settling down in the riolu’s nest herself. Tobias doesn’t have it in him to argue about that—Junie’s one more set of eyes that can make sure Nia doesn’t suddenly die on him.

But first…

Tobias lifts his head, ignoring how it feels heavier than a gigalith. He needs to know. “Did you see what happened right before the ceiling caved in?”

Junie stills from where she’s preening through her feathers. “...Oh. Did you see it too? That blue energy?”

Tobias sighs, relieved he’s not the only one who saw the impossible. “It looked like a move called protect, but there’s no way Nia should know how to use it. She doesn’t even know how to use regular moves.”

Junie’s staring at him now in the near darkness. “It looked like...wasn’t it the same color as—“

“Her aura.”

“Yeah.”

The two of them are silent for a moment, listening to Nia’s soft, raspy breaths between them.

“Whatever it was, it saved us, didn’t it?” Junie asks, a tremor in her voice.

Tobias doesn’t bother to sugarcoat it, finally resting his head down again. “Yeah. There’s no way you would have survived otherwise.”

Junie shudders and burrows closer to Nia, not quite touching but probably close enough to feel the riolu’s body heat. “Well, then whatever it was I’m glad it happened.”

Tobias’ tail curls tighter around Nia’s wrist, and if he shifts a bit closer to her, then Junie doesn’t call him out on it.

As much as he doesn’t want to, Tobias can’t help thinking about what would have happened had that last-second protection not popped up. Nia would probably be dead. Gone. He’d be in an empty nest with the guilt of another lost life on his shoulders. Two, actually. Maggie would be devastated. Andyn and Xander would never forgive him, not that he’d ask them to. He’d never forgive himself, either. Azami and Val and August would be so disappointed in him, failing to protect his partner.

And he’d be alone again.

Nia’s the closest thing he has to a friend, nowadays.

Tobias pushes that thought down. They’re not friends, even if he knows some part of him would miss Nia’s stupidly bright smiles and the increasingly easy way they move together on the battlefield. Her lighthearted chatter and naive optimism, how stupidly kind she is to everyone—even him.

Tobias doesn’t like to think about it, but losing his family all those years ago nearly broke him. He’s not sure he could handle another loss when he’s not even over the first one.

Nia snuffles a quiet, pained noise in her sleep, and Tobias takes solace in the sound. She’s hurt, but she’s alive. And for now, that’s more than enough.

#pmd #pokemon mystery dungeon #pokemon #charmander #riolu #rookidee #pmd seekers of soul #fire tw #fire #tesha draws #tesha writes

156 notes · View notes

inquisitoracorn · 2 years

Text

WIP woops I'm a day late sorry

Sooo I had this idea - I forget where from, I think I watched something and it made me picture this very cinematically - I pictured the entire route a message from Gavario's workshop would have to take all the way to Ostwick. A visual, dynamic scene to represent the time the gang takes to go back to Ostwick. After writing it down though, I'm not sure whether what I imagined translates very well on paper. Cinema works quite differently after all :)))

Hope you enjoy and at least get what I was trying to do. Cut for length.

Also tagging: @blarrghe, @johaeryslavellan and @hollyand-writes if you're working on anything and wish to share! I'm really sorry if I missed anyone's past messages, I've been busy and lost track :))

The bookkeeper folds the letter neatly and with practiced ease, edges perfectly aligned, wax seal perfectly centred. Despite his shaking hands, he wasn't going to let this message reach Ostwick anything other than perfectly pristine.

The letter is passed on to the bird keeper, who stuffs it into a tube with little regard for its neatness. He adds a note from Master Gavario, as instructed, and sends their best raven on its way.

Since Nevarra City is the only line of communication the jeweller keeps from his workshop, the message will first make a detour towards the capital, headed for his mansion at the heart of the city. Right where one of Gavario's assistants is eagerly waiting.

The assistant will melt the wax seal very, very gently until it releases the page with no blemishes. He, too, does this with practiced ease. After checking the contents for anything defamatory, he will deem it fit for travel, reattach the seal, and employ another raven to take it further to their contacts in Cumberland. He will notice the seal and think, how droll, a raven on a raven.

The message will land in the public rookery near Cumberland's post office, where workers are on the lookout for everything that comes and goes. For a few terrifying seconds, it will sit among notes and orders and letters of the most common sort, among orders for goods and overblown news of the Qunari invasion, just inconspicuous enough that anyone might pick it up. But no one will.

Those who have worked there for long enough will learn to recognise certain things - a band, a discoloured feather, a small line of gold painted on a raven's beak. Even though the message bears an unfamiliar seal, the bird is none other than one of Master Zethias Gavario's estate. The clerk knows exactly who to pass this on to.

The contact knows all post from Gavario is to be checked, but her heavy purse has prevented that from happening for many years now. There's a note meant for her bearing Gavario's seal - the real one, she made sure - informing her that all orders and payments for raw ore will be made to an address in the Free Marches. The same address on the letter that isn't meant for her. Curiosity gnaws at her, but caution always wins. She's worried that it might not, one of these days.

She drafts the first order, encloses some shipment instructions and the welcoming message she sends to all new suppliers. She writes a bill of exchange in advance - remember to make templates - and seals the order with Gavario's seal. She then switches the tube with an embossed leather container and crams the papers inside.

The messenger wakes before the crack of dawn. He lives close to the docks, so thankfully it isn't much effort to get the mail there on time for the first departures. He greets the sunny morning with a deep breath and gets on with it. After dropping the mail bags onto their respective ship, he gets himself some coffee as reward. The day has just started.

The bosun looks into the bag as he does every time. He isn't interested in the whos and whats, the whens and wheres, not that he knows how to read anyway. No, what he is interested in is the silver seal used by one of the richer houses. The silk ribbon weaved carefully around the letter, to mark a lover's favour. The clumsy child's drawing in the corner of an envelope. Today, he gets to run his calloused fingers over the ridges of the finest leather and gold, not knowing who it comes from or what purpose it serves, and not caring in the least. Not many get to hold something so precious in their hands. And he wouldn't get to do that for long.

He gives the bag to his captain, who throws it in the locked mail box built into his cabin desk. He also doesn't know, doesn't care to know, and often gets paid handsomely for the trouble.

Four days on the sea from Cumberland to Ostwick normally. Five this time, to maintain a generous distance from Kirkwall.

The ship docks in Ostwick's port, much more a settlement now than a centre for trade. Dozens of curious eyes and pairs of hands eager to work line themselves up on the deck of any ship come ashore, offering their skills for a meagre sum of money. The captain always dismisses them, saying this was a cargo ship, not a cruise.

A youth in guard's uniform approaches and demands an inspection. No one gets on or off the ship until he's done.

The messenger fights through the crowd of disgruntled sailors half an hour later to get the bag of mail. Whispers drift over to her as she eyes a safe corner near the walls. They caught the clan. Not all, just those at the Theatre. Too little, too late. Six more disappearances since.

She straps the bag to her back and checks her dagger before climbing in the saddle. She rides, but not before checking around once more, wary of anyone watching. She almost tramples someone over while trying to ignore the eyes she knows are on her. Just another day on the job.

Eyes are indeed watching, and after the messenger passes through Ostwick's massive gates, the watcher fades into the crowd. An empty storage room, a trap door, a tunnel and several locked gates later, she comes up near the Central Market. She travels quicker than the serpentine of narrow streets the messenger has to brave through.

She always ignores the looks she gets at the post. She lets herself in and heads right to the head office, finding the postmaster staring at Gavario's seal with clear intent. Just in time. She snatches the tube from his hands, and pays the toll that was agreed upon even if she feels reluctant to do so now. She'll have to raise this issue with Lady Nadia.

After confirming there are no other messages from Nevarra for the Trevelyan household, Reyna rushes back to the Collar, enters Lady Nadia's locked office, and places the letter on her desk. She quells down her anxiety as she waits, resisting the urge to be the first to find out how Master Jonathan and Lady Demuth were faring. She'd find out soon enough.

#btv wip wednesday #wip wednesday #but on a thursday of course #this is a little long and hard to follow in writing #but it's a good experiment and I thought I'd share :)))#tsts #acorn writes #dragon age fanfic #trevelyan origin #we're back babehhhh #what has the city been up to ah yes being horribly unsafe as usual

15 notes · View notes

descendantofthesparrow · 3 years

Text

Huma x reader (mainly showing Harry x reader) - slowburn oneshot - brand new

wattpad version (smut included)

Ao3 version (smut included)

-This is a smut oneshot(edit; turned into a slow burn oneshot that goes into smut cuz I can edit2.0; this tumblr version doesn’t have smut in it, it is hinted at but otherwise its not written but I will link to the AO3 and Wattpad versions that will have the smut posted) because im trying to practice writing it and (y/n) is written with she/her pronouns and has female body parts because, again, im still practicing on smut and want to get used to writing my own…body type before I branch out to attempt to write any other type anyways LETS GET TO IT-

Your leg bounced as you stared at the wooden swing doors of Ursula's chip shop. Harry had left to do some errands two hours ago, and usually he got those particular errands, collecting payment for the protection of shops and territory, done within two hours.

But it had been a whole two hours, you glanced at the clock again, and two minutes. Something burned in your gut, telling you something was wrong. You wouldn’t dare voice your concern in front of the crew and the chip shop customers, you would be cackled at for even entertaining the idea of worrying about someone, even if it was Harry.

You and Harry weren't close, you were just a simple crew member on Uma’s crew, you had joined after their adventure to the isle of the doomed so you didn’t have the bond that the crew had after going through something life-threatening. You were pretty sure Harry didn’t even know your name!

But that never stopped the butterflies in your head and stomach when you heard him laugh, never stopped the heat creeping up your neck when he smirked, never stopped the fuzzy feeling in your head when his ever so bright ocean blue eyes lined with black liner scanned the crew, never once locking onto you but that didn’t stop your heart from beating faster than a hummingbirds wings…whatever hummingbirds were but Gil had rambled about them one day after he found a bird fact book and that particular fact stuck in your head.

Besides, Harry practically had every vk at his feet, hell you were pretty sure Uma liked him too, and he liked her, with how they looked at each other it was a wonder that the entire isle didn’t ‘gossip’ about them.

And you were nothing compared to Uma, who in all honesty, was fucking gorgeous, so you could never blame Harry if he chose her out of all his “suitors” because who were you compared to Uma? You were just the daughter of simple thieves who had unfortunately been sent to the isle.

You looked at the clock again and frowned, it had only been another two minutes but that didn’t stop the pit in your stomach from growing. If Harry wasn’t back by 8:30, which was a bit less than a half-hour from now, then you would go looking for him…well if Uma didn’t send anyone out to look for him first, but she trusted him so she might not send anyone out at all.

But like you, Uma nervously glanced at the doors and clock every few minutes, like you, she also felt something was wrong but had to keep her usual calm demeanor in front of the crew.

You made eye contact with her after looking away from the clock again, Uma raising her brow in curiosity as you felt your ears burn and you looked to the doors quickly.

You counted down the minutes to 8:30, your fingers tapping rapidly against your tray of food and the heel of your boot hitting the leg of your stool in time.

It had been two and a half hours after Harry left for his errands, and you had finally had enough, you made eye contact with Uma as you stood and she nodded, glancing towards the doors then the sword check then back at you.

You somehow understood each other and you nodded back, heading towards the doors quickly as you snatched your cutlass from the sword check and raced out the chip shop in search of Harry.

You hopped over a rusted metal fence and landed on your toes; your eyes wide with caution. you were now just along the lines of territory a rival gang that had been attempting to take Uma’s territory for the past couple months. After you had gone to all the areas that Harry was supposed to go for his collecting route, Dizzy, bless her little heart, had nervously told you about Dylan, Clayton’s son, and his gang had ambushed Harry just a bit after he had finished up at Dizzy’s and kidnapped him and stole all the money he had just collected.

So you went to go collect the pirate and the money they had stolen, they were probably going to keep him for ransom against Uma, but what ransom would they have if there was no pirate or money?

You may have been the daughter of two ‘simple’ thieves but….then again, they were simple on the isle, not in Auradon.

Your lip twitched as a bout of cruel laughter echoed out from the building, you sprinted forward silently as you noticed one of the gang members on lookout duty starting to come around the corner to your right. You took a leaping step, catching yourself on an open window ledge and pulling yourself up swiftly, jumping up the three feet gaps between the windows as the guard passed below you not even knowing you had been where he was walking just a moment ago.

You thanked whatever god was out there for your (dad/mom) teaching you how to free run when you were younger. You peeked into one of the dark floors of the building, pursing your lips a bit as you remembered that their gang site was in an abandoned parking lot. Not much room for error, or hiding places.

You hopped through the window and landed silently on your feet, stopping as another bout of laughter echoed below you.

They kept to the lower floors then, which was good to know, it also meant both an easier and harder escape once you had Harry. Easier because less distance between Harry and the exit, harder because less distance between the exit and the gang.

You ran over to the stairwell; glad you had decided to wear your shoes with no heel as it made running quietly much easier. You grinned as you stepped into the stairwell, no door. hopefully, the other floors didn’t have them either, or else if they squeaked both you and Harry would be in for some shit.

You glanced at the faded number on the wall.

The seventh floor, wow you had climbed quite a bit, hadn't you? You shook away the thought, swiftly yet carefully climbing down the stairs, scanning each floor as you arrived to check for the gang.

Finally, you arrived on the third floor, the only floor with any light coming from it. You moved to stand flush against the wall next to the doorway of the floor, peering in as best you could without anyone seeing you, glancing every now and then to the stairway for any other gang members.

You huffed quietly as Dylan pushed at Harry's limp head, cackling and muttering to himself as he circled Harry like a bloodthirsty shark. You grit your teeth as you got a good look at Harry in the dimly lit area he was in. he was tied to both a structural beam and a folding chair, blood dripped from the side of his head down to his jaw and off his chin, he was starting to bruise on his face, neck, and possibly his torso and wrists, but those weren’t visible at the moment so you settled for guessing his injuries.

His right ankle was also at a VERY worrying angle…you might have to take some drastic measures to get Harry out of this parking garage.

Dylan was muttering something about how Uma would bow to him when she found her ‘precious’ first mate all bloody and beaten, and how he would finally have command of the wharfs.

“not on my watch” you muttered, quickly coming up with a plan and digging into your thigh bag, pulling out a handful of mini smoke bombs that your (dad/mom) had made forever ago in case one of the three of you needed them. You took out your lighter and lit the fuses, chucking them into the room and smirking as they landed right beside the gang members, luck seemed to be on your side today.

“what the hell-HOLY-“ Dylan let out a high-pitched screech as smoke burst from the nozzle of the smoke bombs and quickly filled the room, for being the size of ping pong balls they sure packed a wallop of smoke.

Pulling up your bandana to prevent any smoke inhalation you dashed into the room, running towards Harry but was stopped as a foot came arching your way. You held up your arms in front of your face and blocked the kick, stepping back quickly as the gang member started swinging at you, grunting with effort as you dodged and misdirected his punches.

“WHO THE HELL IS THAT?!” Dylan yelled, you smirked under your bandana, you weren’t really a known member of Uma’s crew, liking to keep to the shadows and out of sight.

You took the moment of disorientation from Dylan’s yell that caused the gang member to slip up and ducked under his next swing, one arm grappling around his next ant clasping with your other hand, your right foot going behind his ankle and pulling him forward flipping him over and slamming him into the ground with a loud crack.

He was out for the count, now, you looked up and around you, through the smoke you could see maybe 9 members left, including Dylan. Should be easy enough, you glanced at Harry, frowning slightly as he started to cough, but you would have to work quickly so Harry didn’t get all the smoke in the garage in his lungs.

You threw yourself back as another lackey of Dylan’s threw a punch at you, you decided to make quick work of them and grabbed their wrist, pulling it up and back towards them, smirking at the sickening pop that sounded from their shoulder. They screamed and dropped to the ground in agony, yelping as you leaned back from a sweeping air kick and slammed your hands onto the floor, using the momentum and lifting your legs back with you.

Your foot slammed into the next lackey's chin and he fell back, his skull slamming against the floor with a crack. You rolled back into a summersault and stood on your feet, catching the leg that was aimed at your chest and pulling the lackey towards you, kicking them twice in the stomach then throwing them over your shoulder with a twist of your torso and a spin of your feet.

They crashed to the floor just next to Harry, who was just barely coming to consciousness and jumped at the loud noise. He squinted through the smoke and dimly lit area, eyes widening as he spotted the spray panted symbol of Uma’s crew plain on your jacket sleeve.

Dylan watched in shock as you easily took out his gang members, and when the final one fell, he could feel the smug grin you had when you turned to face him.

Dylan let out an intelligible yell and rushed at you, only for his world to go black as you stepped to the side, grabbed his arm, turned your back to his chest, and swung him over you using his momentum.

Dylan and his gang were out for the count. And with Dylan knocked out the smoke finally cleared and all that was left was the dimly lit floor, the unconscious bodies of the gang, and an injured Harry.

You let out a soft sigh and pushed down your bandana, walking towards Harry and flipping out your pocket knife, kneeling next to Harry and cutting the ropes around his wrists and legs, then the ones around his torso keeping him to the beam. “woah-“ you pressed your hands against Harry's chest gently as he tried to rush out of the chair. “-hold up, you’re really hurt” Harry looked down at you, and you winced as you saw his swelling eye and bleeding nose for the first time, his lip was busted too.

“who-“ Harry slurred, trying to ask for your name or your rank in the crew but was unable to get the words out still being very much out of it from being jumped and beaten.

“im (y/n), im a regular ol’ crew member, and I got worried about you and came looking, come on, there are still some members on guard duty and we need to skedaddle before they come up” Harry gave a slow nod and with your help got to his feet, letting out a yelp as he put too much pressure on his broken ankle.

“um, okay” you quickly thought up a plan and had Harry lean on you almost completely, cursing Dylan for making the main part of his hideout on the third floor, now you had to get Harry down three flights of stairs just to get him to the doors. You and Harry froze at the sound of heavy footsteps running up the stairs, you let go of Harry's hand and lowered him to the ground, quickly jumping into a fighting stance and glaring at the stairwell doorway.

You felt Harry's eyes on you as did so, but you did your best to ignore him and the butterflies that swarmed in your stomach. You slumped as Gil’s concerned face popped above the stairs, his eyes widening as he looked at Harry “holy heck, what happened?” Gil asked, walking over to Harry and checking him over.

“Dylan wanted him for ransom for the captain's territory, I took care of it” Gil gave you a look, you were never one to take initiative in the crew, well he didn’t either but you always stayed in the background, always seeming too scared to do anything about…well anything.

So for you to go out of your way to save Harry made Gil want to scratch his head. It clicked for him a moment later when he remembered how you always stared at Harry, with a look he could never put his finger on. Yes, Harry was the first mate and any of the crew members should put their life on the line to rescue him if needed but you didn’t do this as a crew member, you did this out of your personal feelings.

Gil, for once, didn’t think aloud, just hoisted Harry into his arms, ignoring Harry's protests and light smacks against his shoulder, and walked down the stairwell, you taking a moment to collect Harry hook that had been attached to one of the lackeys and running after them.

You stood awkwardly at the door frame of Harry's room as Gil set the injured pirate on his bed, you had never seen his room before, it was…a decent size, but you forced yourself not to memorize it for…reasons.

“I’ll tell Uma” you muttered aloud, walking away from Harry's room as you saw Gil nod, not seeing Harry strain his body in an attempt to keep his eyes on you.

When you arrived back at the chip shop and quietly informed Uma of the situation, she cursed and looked to the clock, she wasn’t off till midnight and it was only 9:15, she had another two hours and forty-five minutes before she was off and then she still had to clean!

“just-have Gil take care of him” she muttered back, pushing you back towards the chip shop doors “there's a medical kit in my quarters, under the board just left to the door, it'll jiggle when you step on it, give that to Gil and he’ll know what to do” you nodded and ran back to the ship, not wanting Harry to suffer for any longer than he was.

You went to Uma’s quarters, whistling a bit at the size of the room, and turned to the left, flipping up the loose board and taking out the large duffle bah with the red plus symbol on the side. “this has to be it” you muttered, standing and walking out of the room, closing the door behind you and making your way to Harry's room. you peeked into the room, frowning at the sight of Harry's very swollen turning very red and dark purple ankle. You knocked on the door frame and stepped into the room, handing the duffle bag to Gil.

The boys seemed to realize exactly where the bag was from and looked at you apprehensively, gosh sometimes you forgot how protective of Uma they were, even if it was a simple item. “she gave me permission to get that, I'll be out of your hair now” you spun on your heel and speed-walked out of the room, ignoring the butterflies in your gut as you felt Harry's eyes on you again.

It took Harry almost two months to heal from his injuries, his ankle still had ways to go so he was forced to be on the bench for crew activities and his usual errands until he could walk without his ankle being at a weird angle or him wincing in pain every time he took a step or shifted his ankle.

Gonzo and Bonnie took over his usual errands as Gil took over as temp-first mate until Harry was all healed up.

During those two months, you had noticed something….new.

Harry and Uma had taken to staring at you…a lot…like a lot a lot.

At first, you thought you were imagining things, the feeling of eyes constantly on you, then you thought that maybe some of Dylan's gang members had found out you were the one to sabotage his plan and were spying on you.

Those thoughts went out the window when one day you turned to look over your shoulder and saw Harry and Uma staring directly at you, Uma leaning on the long table on her elbows as Harry covered his mouth and some of his nose with his chin resting in his palm. You snapped your head back around and curled in on yourself, willing the heat growing up your neck to go away.

The next odd thing to happen was Uma beginning to actually…use you for crew things? Usually you just kinda…sat back and watched as everyone else did stuff, not of your own violation or laziness, it's just that Uma and Harry never seemed to…have anything to do for you?

But now it seemed like Uma was actually trying to include you in pirate activities, even once assigning you to her when the ship needed some maintenance on its ropes. She also started to either keep close to you as you trained in combat with the crew or sometimes even training you herself.

Which led to some…situations, you see, while you were pretty much an expert in hand to hand combat you fucking sucked with swords so once in a while you fumbled with your sword and…Uma while not being a PDA person, well unless it was Harry but even then, would walk toward you and correct your grip, stance, your free hand for balance, and even lead you in some sort of weird dance to help you learn your footwork.

It was like she was…sizing you up, if that was the best word, always keeping her eye on you, asking you random questions, making you help out in the chip shop, and just…having you be around her more than you used to.

Then there was Harry, after two months of just staring at you, he started talking to you, first “thanking” you for saving his ass from Dylan, aka he made you a bracelet and tossed it in front of you with a nod and a mutter of “thanks”. Gil had muttered next to you that Harry liked to make people stuff as a way to thank them, and held up his own bracelet that Harry made for him when they were younger “it's just one of the ways he shows appreciation!”

Then it moved to small conversations about random things, they weren’t long, just…small talk when you ended up in the same place as each other or when you were both on nightshift guard duty. The staring hadn't stopped, but you didn’t mind it as much as you used to, knowing it was Harry and Uma keeping their eyes on you, for whatever reason, but it made you feel….safe? you didn’t know the feeling that came with them watching you but you knew it wasn’t scared or threatened.

One day Harry asked you to practice some knots with him, setting up two crates and making you sit across from him. As you worked on learning how to make a round turn and two half-hitches knot, Harry stared at you, watching you ever so carefully, drifting his gaze from your concentrated face to your swift and calloused fingers as you successfully pulled the knot together, looking up at him with a shy grin, seeking his approval.

He smirked and nodded, patting your knee and beginning to instruct you on how to do other knots, in a softer voice than before. Next, is something that took you a pretty long time to notice but, they started to get physically closer to you when they could. Like when the crew crowded around the table for mealtime at the chip shop. In the beginning, you always sat at the farthest end of the table, always keeping to yourself and trying not to bother anybody.

But as time went on, you were slowly being pushed towards the middle of the table where Uma, Harry, and Gil always sat, or sometimes you would sit in your usual seat and Harry or Uma would be away from their seats and closer to you. You didn’t notice any of this until your shoulder was in line with Harry’s, his jacket brushing against your arms and legs knocking into yours.

They both seemed to also attempt to get you into conversations more, Uma’s hands ending up on your arms or shoulder when she talked to the crew if they weren’t on Harry's shoulder, Harry leaning in close to you when you had your little conversations, Uma staring intently as you trained with the crew.

Most of this you didn’t notice, being the oblivious and overthinker person you were, you brushed off the thought of a possible connection with the two and thought they were just doing what captain and first mate did, have a good relationship with a crew member was essential.

What you didn’t see was the crew smirking as Harry stared at you, snickering when Uma rested her hand on your shoulder, whispering to themselves as their eyes always flashed over to you when you walked through the doors, gossiping when Harry sneaked his own food onto your plate.

Even Gil, who was admittedly a bit airheaded, could see what was going through the minds of his two oldest friends. He just grinned and leaned back, knowing he had started it all when he had told Uma of his “theory” of you possibly having feelings for her first mate/kinda boyfriend.

She at first just wanted to size you up, to see if you were “worthy” of her best friend, she and Harry had an open relationship, if either of the others wanted to get with someone else as long as they talked it through and got consent it wasn’t a problem. Uma just wanted to see if you wouldn’t hurt Harry.

She didn’t expect to catch feelings for you. It was something that boiled beneath the surface of her skin as it developed, she didn’t even notice it happened. The feeling of sparks dancing across her fingertips when her hand touched yours when she fixed your grip on your sword, the burst of warmth beneath her skin when she locked eyes with you, the flutter in her gut when you laughed at one of Gil’s stupid jokes or Harry’s dumb stunts.

It was all the same feelings she got when she was around Harry, but it took only one moment for her to realize she had fallen for you. It was just supposed to be a regular Sunday on the isle, it was her day off so she decided to spend it with you meandering around the marketplace, not particularly looking for anything just browsing.

Their time at the market had been shortened by the arrival of Dylan, taunting Uma and getting in her face. “come on shrimpy!” he snickered, his gang behind him cackling loudly “too scared to go against me-GUk” Uma snapped her head around to look at Dylan as he suddenly gasped for breath and her eyes widened in shock. Dylan was on his back, holding his gut as you stood in front of Uma, tilting your head dangerously as the gang took a step back.

“not a good idea to disrespect the captain, Dylan” you growled, sending a shiver down Uma’s spine, you weren’t much a talker, and when you did it was soft, but now? There was a thick tension to your voice, almost reminiscent of Harry's low growly tone when he got angry.

Dylan slowly sat up and glared at you, eyes widening as he realized who you were “you’re-you’re the bitch that” he paled at the smirk on your face.

“that kicked your asses? All on her own? Yeah, I’m that bitch, now back the fuck up before I snap your teeth with my boot” Uma swallowed around the rising heat in her neck, rolling her shoulders to get rid of the uncomfortable tension that was growing inside her.

Dylan let out a snarl and snapped his fingers, three of his lackeys running towards you, all yelping as you took them down with ease. Uma smirked as the lackeys landed next to Dylan, who then stood quickly and bolted the other way.

Dylan stood and looked behind him, freezing as he noticed almost all his gang had abandoned him, the only one left was his right-hand man, who stared at you with wide fearful eyes. Dylan slowly turned as he heard you crack your knuckles and squeaked as you gave a sharp smirk “this is the part where you run away~” you giggled, holding in a loud laugh as Dylan and his last lackey turned and ran with their tails between their legs.

You rolled your shoulders with a sigh and turned back to Uma, feeling your cheeks burn as she stared at you with wide eyes “uh…captain?” Uma snapped out of her trance and smirked at you.

“and here I thought Harry lied to me about your fighting skills~” her smirk softened as you tugged at your shirt. “come on, let's finish up here”

It was only when you returned to the ship and Uma got a moment to herself, that she realized what those feelings were in the market, they were the same feelings she got when she looks at Harry.

She liked you…a lot. Uma let out a low groan and sunk into her chair in her quarters, now she had to deal with feelings for her chaotic dumbass first mate and the oblivious yet badass crew member.

She went from just checking you out to make sure you were good for Harry to now fucking liking you…what a trope huh?

Harry on the other hand, had realized his feelings from the start, they were very small to start with, he hadn't even known your name before the fateful day when you saved him from Dylan.

It felt like his heart was jumpstarted as he locked eyes with you as you flipped Dylan over your back, sparks running across his skin when you undid the ropes around his wrists.

First, he was impressed, you had gone out of your way to save him and then took down almost an entire gang, some of the members easily overtaking you in size and strength but you took them down as if they were nothing. Then you had been so protective of him as you tried to make your way out of the parking garage with him, even getting ready to fight Gil before you knew it was Gil.

As you walked out of Harry's room after giving Gil the medical pack, he had asked Gil what your position on the crew was. As Gil told him about you, he remembered when you told him your name and he quietly muttered it, smiling slightly as he decided it fit you perfectly

Then he was amused, you were much shyer than he thought you would be, you were always by yourself in a corner, keeping to yourself and never talking to anyone. As he moved closer to you during meal times, he enjoyed the little sarcastic comments you muttered to yourself as you listened to whatever the crew was talking about. He giggled to himself at the look on your face when he dropped the ‘thank you’ bracelet in front of you, mentally dancing in excitement when he saw you wearing it the next day and then never take it off, he didn’t know why he mentally danced in excitement but he brushed away the implications of it.

Then he and Uma started to attempt to get closer to you, well Uma was doing…her own thing while Harry was trying to get closer. First, he started with having you learn and help him tie the ropes around the ship, watching you as you at first fumbled with any type of rope he attempted teaching you, his heart fluttering when you finally got it and looked up at him for approval, a shy grin on your face.

He watched enraptured as you trained with Uma, chucking as he could imagine the steam coming off your face as Uma placed her hands on your hips and hands and corrected your stance. He cackled when you knocked Gil to the floor on a hand-to-hand combat training day, falling to his side as you leaned over Gil's dizzy self with your hands moving about unsure of what to do.

He watched you interacted during the quiet moments of the night when you would both be on night shift watching the ship, your shy nature seeming to melt away under the cloudy black sky as you rambled about whatever you were thinking about. He never really noticed himself leaning ever so close as you talked, only able to focus on you.

He noticed the crew teasing him and Uma pretty early on, though they were easily silenced when either him or Uma glared at the crew.

One day, he realized he was smitten with you. The crack of your voice when you got nervous, when you fidgeted with your rings, the smirk on your face when you flipped one of the crew members over your back, the laugh that spilled from your lips when you finally got the hang of using your sword, when you rubbed your thumb against your lips as you zoned out, it all made him feel warm inside, the same feelings he got around Uma.

He had to tell Uma about his feelings for you, they were in an open relationship but he wanted to make sure she was alright with you before he pursued anything with you.

One night after Uma finished up at the chip shop, she arrived to her quarters to see Harry sitting on her bed, playing with the curve of his hook as he waited for her. “Harry?” Uma groggily asked, she was exhausted but Harry never seeked her out after midnight, so something was up “what's going on, what do you need?” she closed the door to her room with her foot and slipped off her boots and hat, walking over to harry and flopping down on the bed next to him. “um-“ Harry stuttered, the red in his ears creeping down to his cheeks “yeh know (y/n)?” Uma perked up at that, pushing herself up with her hands and staring hard at Harry.

“yeah?” Uma’s heart sped up at the mention of the girl she had fallen for, god she hoped Harry wasn’t going to say he didn’t like her, and then Uma would feel like shit and she’d never be able to kiss the shit out of you till either of you couldn't see straight. “what about her?”

“I-um…I-…I like ‘er…like I like yeh” Harry’s face was almost crimson now, staring down at his lap as he played with the loose threads on his pants. “and-and I was wonderin’ if I-I could…um, invite ‘er into our relationship?” Harry's voice cracked at the end, oh so nervous and scared for what Uma was going to say.

“thank fuck I thought I was the only one” Harry snapped his head around to look at Uma, his mouth dropping open slightly “god fuck isn’t she so fucking pretty?!”

Harry let out a small sigh of relief and fully turned to look at Uma, sitting up on his knees “YES! Fuck she so pretty I just wanna smoother her in fucking i-gaaah ya know?!” he lifted his hands in front of his face and clenched them in an odd motion of frustration from (y/n)s prettiness. Uma laughed and nodded, grabbing onto Harry's hands and gripping them tightly.

“I do know, and I would be a hundred percent down for inviting her into our relationship, but!” Uma held up her hand as Harry gave her a wide grin, he deflated a bit and tilted his head “we need to make sure she's gonna be okay with this” Uma motioned between her and Harry “hell we don’t even know if she has feelings for us” Harry looked hurt at that, just wanting to drag you into bed with him and Uma already so he could smother you with cuddles and whatever couples did with their adorable significant others “I know, but we need to play this safe, I don’t want to scare her off”

Harry gave a slow nod, he wanted to do what he always did, rush into an idea with no real plan and just hope he didn’t die. But he would listen to Uma on this, she was a lot better with relationships then he was…well the logical part of them, he was better at feelings and physical stuff.

So the two talked into the night, deciding in the early morning that they would tell (y/n) about their decision on Sunday when Uma was off work.

Their talk happened on Wednesday, by Saturday afternoon Uma was off the isle, having dived through the barrier just before it closed and swimming to Auradon in search of revenge on Mal and to free the vks still on the isle.

It was only after she left that you realized you had fallen for Uma alongside Harry. The piercing feeling in your chest and gut every time you thought about your captain or even just being on the ship or chip shop slapped you in the face as you realized you fucking missed Uma, more than you should have.

You knew Harry missed Uma too, he had shut himself in his room soon after Uma disappeared at cotillion and refused to come out even when Gil asked. It wasn’t till his sister Harriet stormed onto the ship and dragged him out of his room that he seemed to be a little more like his usual self, he also started to hang around you more often and on the nights where you were on night guard duty he would join you, even when he didn’t have to anymore now that he was captain until Uma’s return.

Your mind was a maze, just trying to maneuver your feelings for both Uma and Harry, the feelings you had for Harry had multiplied for Uma, and now you couldn’t even think about either of them without heat rushing up your neck or butterflies rushing around your stomach.

Great, you had a crush/probably in love on the two people who were already “dating” each other, and both of them were so.damn.pretty. You groaned to yourself, covering your face and sinking to the ground in a crouch. Yeah, you had no fucking chance.

On the bright side, it did seem you were getting closer to Harry? So unrequited love aside at least you were getting a friendship out of it? The two of you started hanging out together more often than not, as you had mentioned before Harry joined you on night guard shifts, the two of you continued rope tying practice, started hand to hand combat training, he took Uma’s spot in teaching you how to use a sword, and sometimes the two of you would just…chill, hanging out in the bird’s nest drinking and eating whatever snack or food Harry had found, you leaning against his legs in the cramped space.

About five months after Uma had left the isle, the crew, aka Bonnie and Drey, decided to have a “bonding” night, forcing everyone into the chip shop after closing time, surrounded by rum and leftover food from the day to play truth or dare/seven minutes in heaven.

The rules were if you didn’t want to tell the truth or accept the dare, you had to spin the bottle and play seven minutes in heaven with whoever it landed on, and if you refused to play that, you'd have to take a shot of Desiree’s strongest liquor.

Bonnie, being the one who made the rules, went first, pointing to Gil and asking him truth or dare.

“Truth!” Gil chirped, already halfway through on his fries. Bonnie hummed for a moment and tapped her bottle of beer, trying to think of something good since Gil did tend to blurt out everything.

“who do you have a crush on?” Bonnie finally asked with a teasing smirk, laughing a bit as he pointed at Harry. “yeah, okay we knew that”

Harry blew a kiss towards Gil and Gil grinned and caught it, smacking it on his cheek and going back to his food as the crew burst into laughter. Gil tossed a fish stick into his mouth and looked around the group, pointing at Gonzo.

“truth or dare Gonzo” Gonzo let out a low hum and shrugged.

“dare” he muttered, thinking that Gil wouldn't be able to think of anything that bad. Oh, boy was he wrong.

Gil gave a nasty grin and stood, walking over to the kitchen and rummaging in the fridge for a few moments “oi what the hell are you doing?” Harry yelled, pouting as Gil didn’t answer.

Gil returned with something in his fist, his other hand keeping the unknown object hidden from sight. He stood in front of Gonzo and opened his hands, showing a snake egg. “eat up!”

“OH HELL NO” Gonzo yelped, smacking the egg out of Gil's hand, Drey and Jonas screeching as it smashed against the floor and black goo spread from the destroyed egg. Half the crew scrambled back from the egg, its rancid smell already beginning to spread around the chip shop

“ah Gonzo come on!” Emanuel complained, diving behind Gabe, the two pushing each other away and towards the egg in desperation to get away from it and doom the other to the smell.

You covered your mouth as you held in your laughter, falling to your side a bit and your head hitting Harry's shoulder as he cackled. “okay okay Gil, clean it up, Gonzo, either spin the bottle or drink” Gil begrudgingly cleaned up as Gonzo pouted at Harry.

Bonnie held up the empty rum bottle and wiggled her brows at Gonzo. He glared at her and snatched a shot glass from Desiree and took the shot, gaging a bit as it went down his throat “holy shit that’s strong” he shivered, the rest of the crew booing as he handed the shot glass back to Desiree.

Since Gonzo had forfeited the dare and seven minutes in heaven, Gil went again, this time picking Drey and the girl chose to do truth. “Ummm okay…uh, ever give a blowjob?” the crew whistled and hollered at the speedy turn towards the sexual end of questions and Drey snickered, shaking her head and holding up her hand to her mouth, only her pointer and middle finger around her lips as she winked and stuck her tongue through. “I’ll take that as a no” Gil laughed, taking a sip of his rum and leaning back on his elbows.

“your turn Drey” Bonnie called, stealing a crab cake from Zhao and laying halfway down on the floor, resting her chin in her palm. Drey tapped her chin, looking around the crew before her eyes landed on Yamato, who quickly leaned behind Gabe but was too late.

“Yamato, truth or dare” he kept behind Gabe for a moment longer before he sighed and leaned back to sit straight and looked at Drey in surrender.

“dare” he muttered, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees and chin in his hands. Drey gave a wicked grin and looked around, trying to find something that would best work on Yamato.

“oh! I got it…lick Gabe's foot” the crew yelled out in disgust as Gabe laughed and pulled off his boot, shoving it towards the disgusted Yamato.

“NOPE gimme the bottle, GIMME THE BOTTLE ID RATHER MAKE OUT WITH ANYONE ELSE THAN LICK HIS FOOT GABE GET THAT AWAY FROM ME OR WE WILL THROW HANDS” Yamato shoved Gabe away from him, the cackling pirate falling on his back holding his chest.

Bonnie cackled and pushed the empty bottle of rum into the middle of the circle, Yamato sighed and leaned over to spin it, sitting cross-legged as everyone stared at the bottle in both excitement and anxiety.

Finally, the bottle slowed and landed on Zhao, the crew cheered and the two boys laughed, Zhao biting his bottom lip, squinting his eyes, and raising his brows.

“Alright come on Zhao les make out!” Bonnie stood and ran over to the closet that she had declared “heaven” the two boys joining hands and swinging them as they walked into the closet and Bonnie closed the door after them.

“have fun~ Gonzo set the timer!” Gonzo leaned over the took the timer/stop watch from where Bonnie was sitting and set it for seven minutes “im so glad that thing is basically soundproof I do not need to hear Yamato moaning” the crew snickered at that, Harry rolling his eyes and leaning towards you.

“five bucks Zhao gives Yamato a handy” you felt your cheeks burn at his low-toned voice and laughed a bit, nodding as he grinned at you.

“you’re on” you whispered, biting your lip as Harry patted your thigh and sat up straight again.

“who’s next?” Jonas asked, taking a swig of his rum and glancing about the room.

“I’ll just go again and when Yamato comes out hell go” Drey waved it off and looked around the room, pointing at Gabe “Gabe truth or dare!”

“Dare” Gabe snickered, falling off balance a bit as Drey pointed at Gil.

“sit in Gil's lap till someone picks you again” Gabe sighed and stood, plopping in Gil's lap and crossing his arms.

Gil didn’t seem to mind, reaching his arm over Gabe's waist to grab his food tray. “all right, Gonzo truth or dare!” Gonzo groaned, having only gone a couple of turns before but chose truth this time “have you ever given head before, doesn’t matter girl or boy just head” Gonzo tilted his head then nodded. the crew, minus you and Harry, wolf-whistled “yooo who!?” Gonzo grinned and shook his head.

“hey, I only had to answer if I have given it before not to who” Gabe pouted and leaned back into Gil.

“party pooper” Gonzo perked up and looked around the group, eyes landing on you, smirking as you shrunk into yourself in an attempt to make yourself invisible

“(y/n) truth or dare” you tugged at your shirt, trying to decide what to do, go with truth, and possibly reveal your crush on Harry and Uma? Be dared to do something embarrassing? Play spin the bottle? Or take a shot?

“um, truth” you squeaked out, Gonzo looking up at the ceiling as he tried to figure out what to ask you. Finally, he snapped his fingers as he looked back at you, having found the perfect question.

“Have you ever had sex? Or been with anyone for that matter?” you shook your head, you were a virgin through and through, you haven't even kissed anyone before. “huh, all right your turn”

You looked around the group, finally landing your eyes on Desiree who had been untouched the entire game “Desiree” she looked up at you, mid-sip on her rum “truth or dare?”

“Dare” she answered immediately, smirking as the crew ‘oooh’d at her. “gimme your best shot (nickname)”

“umm” you had never really…dared anyone to do anything before…this was gonna be tough. “lick the bottom of Bonnies boot” the crew stared at you for a moment as Desiree looked between you and Bonnie wide-eyed “what?”

“holy shit I thought you were gonna like, I don’t know, make me eat twenty crackers or something! But I’ll do it” the crew cheered and Gabe leaned over to give you a high five.

Bonnie lifted her boot into the air and cackled as Desiree just went for it, going sole to toe “AHHHH” Bonnie cackled, falling backward and holding her leg in the air. Desiree backed into her spot again and shook her head, hanging her tongue out of her mouth as she made gagging noises.

“tha’ wath stho groth” she gagged, grabbing a paper towel and scraping her tongue of the taste of Bonnie's boot. after a few moments of the crew laughing at her, along with the timer of Zhao and Yatamo’s seven minutes in heaven beeping, the two coming out of the closet with Messy hair, bruised lips and Zhao’s pants unbuttoned.

Harry pouted at you and took the five out of his wallet, placing it in your hand as you gave him a smug grin. “yeh won tha’ one lass” he laughed quietly, freezing as Desiree locked her eyes on him.

“Harry, truth or dare” Harry kept a staring contest with her, trying to predict what she was going to do.

Finally, he sighed “Dare” Desiree let out a cold cackle, Harry freezing again at it.

“let Gil give you a haircut” Harry immediately shook his head, Gil had cut his hair once before and he ended up with the worst patchy hair cut he had ever had, he only trusted two people with his hair, Uma, and Harriet. “alright then spin the bottle!” Harry sighed, he had a lot of work to do in the morning so drinking wasn’t the best idea so he took the bottle from Bonnie and spun it, mentally crossing his fingers that it would land on you.

You watched as the bottle spun around, pulling your knees to your chest and wrapping your arms around them. You did want the bottle to land on you but at the same time you hoped it wouldn’t land on anybody so you wouldn’t be going behind Uma’s back or so Harry wouldn’t be kissing someone other than you or Uma.

You felt the heat climb up your face as the tip of the bottle landed directly on you, the crew whistling and cheering as you buried your face in your knees. “wooooooo come on you two! Get to the closet.” Harry glanced at you and while he really wanted to go into the closet with you, he felt bad as you had completely turned into a ball of embarrassment.

“come on guys she obviously-OI” Gonzo and Jonas grabbed Harry's arms, carrying him to the closet and tossing him in, Drey and Desiree grabbing your hands and tugging you in after him.

They closed the door behind you, Bonnie going the extra mile and locking the door “Have fun~ seven minutes!” Bonnie’s muffled voice yelled through the door before it went silent.

You pressed yourself into the wall and sunk to the floor, holding your face in your hands and pulling your knees to your face. “(y/n)?” Harry quietly asked, kneeling in front of you and cupping your face with his hand, pushing your chin up to make you look at him “are yeh okay?”

“I-I just-“ you buried your face again, if you looked at him anymore you would throw your moral compass out the window and just kiss him silly.

“do yeh not like meh?” he asked, feeling a pit form in his chest at the thought of you not liking him in ‘that’ way, he blinked in surprise as you shook your head and looked back up at him.

“no-its, not that, it’s more…I like you…like a lot…more than I should, a lot” you whispered, biting your lip as Harry stared at you, not noticing him glancing at your lips “but you’re with Uma and I don’t want to ruin anything between the two of you even if it's just a dumb game and I don’t want to ruin our friendship with my dumb feelings even though I just blurted out every-“ you were stopped by a soft pair of plush lips, and in the dark of the closet you saw Harry very very close to your face, his eyes closed and hands gently cupping your jaw.

You decided to just let yourself enjoy the next seven minutes and closed your eyes, pressing back ever so gently back into Harry…your brain reminded you that Harry was your first kiss and you smiled, helluva first kiss if you did say so yourself.

Harry pulled back slowly and you fluttered open your eyes, biting your lip as Harry gave you a soft smile “yeh wouldn’t be ruining anything between Uma an’ I, we both like yeh and actually” Harry let out a nervous chuckle “we were goin’ ta ask yeh ta’ join our relationship a couple months ago but…Uma left before we could tell yeh…we were planning ta ask yeh the weekend that ended up filled with all the beasty boy stuff…” Harry hoped that you wouldn’t reject Uma, he loved both of you and he didn’t want to have to lose one to keep the other.

“I…Uma-“ you leaned forward, burying your face in Harry's shoulder “I like Uma too” you whispered into his shoulder, squeaking as Harry picked you up by your thighs and pushed you against the wall, his hips pressing into yours.

Harry smiled at you, pressing another kiss to your lips “good, we can have fun when she gets back okay?”

You whimpered into the kiss, nodding as he pulled back “okay” The two of you spent the next seven minutes exchanging kisses and feeling the room heat up as Harry continued to press his hips into yours.

You were soon interrupted by Bonnie yelling through the door “Times up you two!” Harry groaned and set you back on your feet, letting you hang on to him as you balanced on wobbly legs.

Harry knocked on the door, Bonnie quickly unlocked it at that and swung it open, giving the two of you a smug grin before her shoulders dropped

“oh come on it's like you didn’t do anything!” Harry rose his brow; he had bitten your neck and dry-humped you did it really seem like he did nothing? He turned to look at you, raising his brow as he realized you had quickly fixed yourself up and the only evidence to your heated time in the closet was your heated cheeks. “All right come on, Zhao’s on a dare right now and Gabe drank a shot”

You and Harry glanced at each other then back at the crew, walking out of the closet and taking your previous seats next to each other, Harry's arm now resting behind your back.

Things changed after that, the small conversations at night turned intimate, faces always close together and bodies touching, breath mingling, and Harry's lips pressing against your lips or neck every so often. Practicing knots went from sitting across from each other with Harry instructing you to you and Harry sitting so close your knees touched the inside of his thighs, his hands ever so gently guiding your fingers through the motions and his voice soft.

He started to pull you away at random moments to a hidden corner and curl himself around you, pressing his lips to yours with the others oblivious to your recent activities.

The two of you hadn't gotten to resume your session from the closet, leaving you frustrated and needy. You honestly just wanted Harry to ravish you until the sun came up.

What you didn’t know was that Harry was feeling the same way, frustration building in his body every time he looked at you, eyes burning into your lips and body, just wanting to drag you to his room and show you a whole new world. He thought of you every night, almost stomping to your room and taking you but holding himself back.

It was just getting too much for both of you, so one night, when Harry knew neither of you had anything to do the next day, snuck to your room and knocked gently on your door, not wanting any of the crew to hear knowing you wouldn’t want everyone to know your business.

“Harry?” you whispered, looking around the dark halls of the ship as Harry stared down at your lips, your body barely covered with only a loose shirt and some sweat pants “what's wrong? It's like, 2 am?” Harry leaned in and pressed his lips to yours passionately, curling his hands around your face and humming into it as you pressed back needingly.

He pulled back, just enough for your breath to mingle “darling” he purred, enjoying the way you squirmed at the tone of his voice “do yeh want to continue our little session from the closet?” he grinned as your eyes went wide and you nodded erratically. He pressed a quick kiss to your lips and grabbed your hand, pulling you out of your room and closing the door, the two of you sneaking back to his room.

That night was filled with heated kisses, whispered confessions, and bruised hips.

Everything changed again after that, the soft hidden kissed behind corners turned to heated make-outs, you still had soft kisses but more often than not it was passionate. You slept in Harry's room more often than not, not to have sex but simply because you liked being with him and him you. Your midnight talks being shoulder to shoulder turned to you being engulfed in Harry's arms and sitting between his legs as you talked about whatever you wanted. The practice tiring ropes became teasing, Harry sneaking kisses whenever he could

Harry went deeper into himself, and you learned almost everything from his favorite drink to his deepest fear, and he told you about Uma as well, letting you get to know her through another and you fell for both Uma and Harry more each day.

And you told him what you could, from your favorite color to your most embarrassing moment, it was…bliss, well as blissful a relationship could be on the isle.

About a year after the two of you got together, you watched as Harry and Gil dove through the barrier just as it was closing after the core four and Celia, messing with your bracelet nervously as you watched Gil and Harry fight with Carlos and Jay. Harry forced a blue gem out of Mal's hand and it soared over the water, Mal letting out a small scream before a turquoise tentacle reached up and caught it.

Your breath caught and you let a grin grow on your face “Uma” you whispered out, bouncing on your feet as Uma rose out the water, looking even more beautiful than the last time you saw her. Harry looked directly at you, the same feeling you had at seeing Uma swimming in his eyes.

Uma was back.

After Uma submerged into the water and sent a tunnel of water up and splashing the vks, she reappeared on the other side of the bridge, holding up the glowing gem Mal had been holding.

A few minutes of negotiating later, with Mal being stubborn as always, the vks were off to do whatever they were off to do, you didn’t know, the most you had heard was Mals muffled scream of ‘no’

Uma suddenly glanced back, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she looked at you. You gave her a grin and waved back, you guessed Harry had told her about the two of you and you hoped to hades that you would see them again and be able to kiss Uma finally.

Only a day later, in the early morning, Harry and Uma stepped into his room, Harry gesturing to his bed where you were sleeping curled up in one of his shirts and his blankets.

“aw,” Uma cooed, walking over to you and caressing your cheek, flinching back as your eyes snapped open and you sat up, a bright grin growing on your face as your vision refocused and you saw Uma.

“Uma~!” you squealed, launching yourself at her and tossing the two of you onto the ground, Uma chucking underneath you as her head was pinned to your shoulder. “you’re back!”

Harry smiled as you and Uma hugged on the floor “so Harry tells me you like both of us? And want to be with both of us?” Uma asked, sitting up with you in her lap.

Your face burned slightly but you nodded, smiling as Uma cupped your cheeks “good, but just so you know I will always choose sea ponies over both of you” you and Harry burst into laughter, a smile growing on Uma’s lips as she watched two of her three favorite people laugh.

“Harry already told me that part of the contract” you teased, leaning in and pecking Uma’s cheek, snickering as she froze and stared at you “what? I can’t kiss my girlfriend~?”

Harry chuckled and kneeled next to you and Uma, wrapping his arms around you and whispering in your ears “I think Uma’s bed is a bit better to fit all three of us eh?” you grinned, Uma’s face burning as she saw Harry wiggle his brows.

“I leave a virgin first mate and a shy oblivious crew member and come back to two horndogs…Christ remind me to never leave yall alone again”

“noted” you and Harry sang in unison, Uma laughing at it and shaking her head.

“Alright come on, let's go to my room.” you and Harry grinned, your arm going around Uma’s and grabbing onto her hand as Harry tossed his arm around her shoulder and the three of you walked into Uma’s room.

To which Uma was very VERY glad her room was soundproofed a long time ago.

-end-

side note with the smut, this was 50 pages and 15,676 words, without the smut its 32 pages and 9943 words which is still a lot but woza, like, 16 pages of the fic was dedicated to smut XD

permtaglist

@queer-cosette @sephiralorange (thank you for beta reading the smutty version don worry ill link the full version lol)

@lunanight2012 @daughter-of-the-stars11

@musicarose @rintheemolion

@jatp-rules-my-life @verboetoperee

@thecaptainsgingersnap @random-thoughts-003

@remembered-license @imtryingthisout

and because you asked me too since i used the crew names you created @askauradonprep

#Descendents #descendants #disney descendants #huma #huma x reader #smut implied #harry hook #harry hook descendants #harry hook x reader #harry hook imagine #uma descendants #lost revenge #lost revenge crew shinanigans

165 notes · View notes

writersrealmbts · 3 years

Text

A Natural: Part 6

Description: Hybrid!Taehyung x Reader: You’re a single mom, and your son is your entire world. When you take him to get his first hybrid, his choice is pretty bewildering, until you realize that he was picking out a dad.

Posted: 03/11/2021

Tags: Taehyung, Hybrid Taehyung, Human Reader

Wordcount: 5,024

A/N: It has not been a year, I’m still sorry. It just takes however much time it takes.

“No.”

“What do you mean, no?” You asked, leaning back into the chair, dumbfounded. “He was allowed to come in last time.”

“The laws changed,” The man answered carefully. “The hybrid laws.”

You gripped the arms of the chair. “What?”

He uneasily handed you a newspaper.

You scanned over it, anger boiling up in you. “What?”

He folded his hands together. “I’m not saying we agree with this, but we have to comply or we could find ourselves in legal trouble. It’s the same for your other friend.”

You froze, thinking of Seokjin, who was supposed to work today. “I need to warn him….” You scrambled for your phone, quickly dialing Seokjin’s number.

Yoongi answered, but you gave him a quick rundown and he said he would tell Jin.

After you did that, looking at the newspaper in your lap, you sighed. “This timing isn’t good.”

“I know. I’m very sorry. But I also need to talk to you about your son’s recovery.”

You froze, slowly returning your gaze to the man. “Okay.”

“We’ve noticed in his physical therapy that he gets disoriented very quickly when we’re working with the crutches. Any time he’s in a standing position. We want to run some tests to see if there’s a reason for it.”

You nodded slowly. “Alright.”

“We want to do another MRI,” he said carefully.

You shifted uncomfortably. “Oh.”

“I understand that you’re in a difficult situation, financially. But we don’t want to risk anything.”

You nodded. “We don’t. Whatever he needs. I’ll…I’ll figure it out. Do what you need to.”

He nodded as well. “I’ll get it scheduled and we’ll tell his physical therapy doctors to keep him still until we can figure out what’s been going on.”

“Thank you.”

“And…there’s still a certification program for hybrids….” He hinted carefully, pulling a pamphlet from his desk drawer and slipping it across the desk.

You took it and nodded. “Alright. Thank you.”

He dipped his head.

You exited the office, clutching the paper in your hand, and then went down to lean in the doorway of your baby’s room.

Theo was awake, talking quietly with Jimin over the homework Namjoon had dropped off. He looked tired, and not at all as happy as normal.

You went in, not interrupting as you climbed up to sit beside him carefully.

He leaned into your hold. “Mommy, everything hurts.”

You kissed his head, holding him as tightly as you dared without hurting him. “I know. Why don’t we work on your homework some other time?”

Jimin gathered it up when Theo only sighed and closed his eyes, leaning further into your arms. “Where’s…?”

You cut him off with a look, darting a glance at Theo.

But Theo was already asleep, so you took a deep breath. “The laws changed last night. Hybrids…their freedom. Gone. Long story. Warned Yoongi and Jin. I’ll tell Taehyung when I leave. For now I just told him to stay in the car. I can’t stay long because of it, though.”

Jimin nodded. “I’ve got the day off. I can stay with him. What else did the doctor say?”

“They want to do another MRI, he’s been getting disoriented when upright.”

He frowned. “I wondered. He was okay until the nurse and I helped him to the bathroom, then he seemed to be in a lot of pain.”

You sighed. “I might drop Taehyung off at home and come back.”

“Work?” He asked.

You sighed. “Audits. We’re not allowed at the office. That’s why Yoongi is home.”

“Audits?” His eyes widened. “That doesn’t sound good.”

“Well, it’s every section but mine and Yoongi’s so we’re the only ones with job security at the moment. If the company survives, that is.”

Jimin was quiet for a moment. “And if it doesn’t?”

“I’m going to have to find another way of paying these bills.” You smoothed Theo’s hair, studying the little frown on his face. He looked so frail to you. Sure, he was getting better. And he’d been in great spirits most of the time. He didn’t normally seem this frail. Maybe it was all in your head due to your conversation with the doctor.

“The nurse got permission to give him more painkiller before you went into the meeting with the doctor,” Jimin murmured, also looking at Theo.

You frowned. “He hasn’t had that very often. Only mild ones at night, to help him sleep better.”

Jimin nodded. “Thought so. Don’t like that.”

“Don’t like that at all,” You agreed, pressing another soft kiss to Theo’s forehead. “Stay close to him while I take Tae home?”

He nodded. “I’ll tell Theo you’ll be right back if he wakes up.”

“Thanks, Jimin. Everything quiet on your family front?”

He rolled his eyes. “Yeah. They’re quiet for now. The dna test shut them up pretty well. Haven’t heard a peep, especially since you shut that lawyer up.”

You nodded. “Let’s hope it stays that way for now.”

Jimin nodded as well. “He’s really out. Go. You’ll be back soon.”

“Right,” You agreed, reluctantly, carefully extricating yourself from your precious son and his hospital bed. “If the doctor comes by with paperwork for the MRI tell him I’ll be back shortly and tell him about this?”

“Of course. Go, y/n. The quicker you leave, the quicker you’ll be back. I’m going to call and check on Jin.”

You nodded and grabbed your purse, looking over your precious baby one more time before hurrying toward the stairs.

Taehyung was pouting and playing on the tablet that you had brought for yourself, but he perked up when he saw you.

“The laws changed last night,” You told him before you were even fully in the vehicle. “If you want to visit him at the hospital you’d have to become an aid-hybrid.”

He took the pamphlet, frowning. “But…I just want to see my pup. Why can’t I see him?”

“I wish I knew. I have to take you home, though, and then I need to come back because they want to do another MRI and I haven’t signed the paperwork for it yet. He’s having a bad day,” You murmured, sighing. “He had to have pain medicine. He hasn’t had pain medicine during the day in a while.”

Taehyung whimpered, leaning across the console to rest his forehead on your shoulder. “But I want to see him. I want to see him. I know I can’t, but I want to.”

“I know. We’ll figure it out.” You told him softly. “He’s alive. He’s alive, we’re together. And if we can ever get him fully healthy, he’ll come home and we’ll all be together there. And we’ll take him to school, and he’ll grow up, and be good. He’ll be so good.”

“Amazingly good, the best, he’ll be the best person in the world—I can smell it!”

You gave him a gentle smile and then started driving, because you needed to get back to the hospital before any sort of MRI took place. You wanted to be there if they found anything. Anything at all.

You had just pulled into the driveway, when your phone started ringing.

Taehyung had grabbed it while you put the car in park, but he handed it to you with wide eyes.

You snatched it. “Jimin?”

“They-they…he—” Jimin stuttered, then let out a sound while you were throwing the car into reverse and Taehyung was keeping lookout for you. “He just…started…and they…”

“Jimin, full sentences. What happened?” You demanded, racing back toward the hospital.

“He woke up, but he was crying, and he was in too much pain and I paged the nurse and then Theo was screaming because he was in pain, and he wet the bed and the nurse hit the emergency button and they rushed him to testing and—y/n….”

You barely got the car into park, letting Taehyung take care of the vehicle as you bolted to the stairs and took them two at a time.

Jimin met you in the hall, but he was still babbling more or less, absolutely terrified.

You dragged him down the hall to a nurse that seemed to be waiting for you.

“He had a spinal aneurysm that ruptured, he’s in surgery right now and we’re doing everything we can for him. We’ll let you know his condition as things progress.”

You nodded, wanting to snap out a response about not being informed last time, but too scared.

Hadn’t you already gotten too close to losing your baby once?

Jimin squeezed your hand tight and gently pulled you away. “Did you get Taehyung home?”

You shook your head. “We’d just pulled in when you called. He’s parking the car.”

“Okay. Yoongi’s on his way with Jin. Jin can drive Taehyung back to the house.”

“You called Yoongi?”

“I was on the phone with him when Theo woke up. He wanted to take Jin over to your house to be with Tae anyway. He said somebody sane should be here with us when he texted me later.”

“Well he’s not wrong,” You breathed, the feeling of being punched finally settling into your stomach and leaving you breathless. Your baby was in surgery. Again.

It was an age before Yoongi actually arrived, crouching in front of you. “Any news?”

“Ruptured spinal aneurysm. Surgery. Supposedly getting more updates,” You croaked out. You wished Taehyung was here to squeeze the life out of you, but you opted for crushing Jimin and Yoongi’s hands.

“Ok…ok…um…Jin is with Tae, we saw him in the parking lot. I told them to go back to your house, if that’s okay?”

You nodded. “They can’t come in. It’s best if they’re somewhere they can sit comfortably.”

“I almost texted Namjoon and Hoseok but then I figured they were at work and I didn’t want them being distracted for the rest of the day. Best to fill them in when we know more, right?” Yoongi kept talking in a calm tone that was doing wonders to stop your head from spinning. “Have you told Taehyung what you know so far?”

You shook your head.

“Alright, Jin has his phone if you want to call and talk to Taehyung.”

You nodded.

Yoongi pulled out his phone and dialed a number. “Hey, give the phone to Taehyung?”

You waited while Yoongi did, feeling nauseous.

“Hey, y/n wanted to talk to you,” Yoongi murmured, looking up and rubbing the back of your hand. “If she forgets, Theo is in surgery.”

You took the offered phone and got up, pacing away to find a place you could talk and break down without anyone around. “Tae?”

“Surgery?” Tae asked quietly.

“Um…ruptured…spinal aneurysm. They’re trying to fix him…but…they told me he was getting better. They told me….” You sat on the stairs and tried to breath.

“I know,” He whimpered. “I know. I wish I could be there. What can I do?”

“What can any of us do?” You asked in return. “Pray? Wish? Hope?”

“Hyung said we both needed to drink a glass of water,” Taehyung sniffled. “And I’ll do all of those things. Okay? We’re not giving up, not until we’re forced to. Both of us will go drink a big glass of water, try to calm down enough to not go crazy and rely on the others to help us through this.”

“Yeah…yeah, okay.”

“Call or text any new information?”

“I’ll give Yoongi that job since he’s the sane one.”

“That works. Y/n? You know that no matter what, you’ve still got me?”

You managed a bit of a smile. “I remember.”

“Love you.”

“Love you too.” You hung up and stumbled back to the other two, letting your head fall onto Jimin’s shoulder. “I’ve been told to drink lots of water.”

Yoongi nodded. “I’ll go get all of us some bottles of water. And some snacks. We don’t want to be able to see him and then have to leave because we’re hungry.”

“And can you text them the updates as we get them?”

“Of course. Leave it to me. Thank god we had the day off, huh?” Yoongi tried, attempting to lighten the mood a bit.

You managed to nod even if your face refused to acknowledge the twinge of amusement you felt.

Yoongi kissed the top of your head. “We’ve got you, y/n.”

Jimin nodded as he rested his head on top of yours.

Yoongi kissed Jimin’s head as well, then strolled off to the cafeteria.

A doctor was the one to come out and call for Theo’s family.

An uneasy feeling bloomed within you, but you followed him into the consultation room with Jimin in tow and Yoongi promising to be right outside.

“We’ve done everything we can to help him, but there was significant damage that could cause life-long problems—”

“He’ll live?” Jimin clarified.

The doctor nodded, smiling gently. “He’ll live, but he may be paralyzed or live with significant pain. There is a minimal chance of there being no paralysis.” He kept talking about conditions and things but you were stuck in what had already been said. The word paralyzed bouncing around and echoing in your mind and not leaving any room for anything else.

You knew Jimin was filling Yoongi in, but you just couldn’t focus.

Theo was out of it when he woke up, still drugged up, but you got him to take some ice chips, and then sung him to sleep.

Hoseok and Namjoon showed up a little earlier than you expected, even with their summer schedules, but they were there.

Almost everyone was there, but the one other person that mattered the most to you and Theo.

——

“This one wouldn’t reach the threshold,” Yoongi grumbled, then shook his head. “That’s it. I’ll make the ramps you need. Come on. Let’s go pick up the supplies.”

“Are you sure?” You asked, pushing the cart with supplies after him. The two of you were picking up everything you needed to make things accessible for Theo. You’d done extensive research, and talked to a couple different companies about making your house wheelchair friendly, but all of them were so exorbitantly expensive that after crunching the numbers with Yoongi and Namjoon’s help, it turned out cheaper to just do it yourself, and since Yoongi was also on paid leave for work with the audit continuing, he offered to help set up and install everything.

“I’m sure. I took a lot of woodshop and carpentry classes in high school. Ended up helping the teacher teach the class. And my dad taught me a lot of things as well. He had a construction company and during the summers I would help out on some of the sites for some cash.” Yoongi glanced at his watch. “The class finishes in forty minutes, then we can pick up Jin and Taehyung, head back to the house and get some work done before you have to go relieve Namjoon at the hospital. Even then, Hoseok said he could take the next shift because Theo said he wanted to do some school work.”

“I never thought I’d be grateful for extended paid vacation due to auditing that might put me out of a job,” You muttered, thinking about how crazy it would all be if you had been juggling work on top of all of the things going on.

Theo was paralyzed from the waist down, which meant he would be wheelchair bound, and which meant you had a lot of work to do in the house. You’d already rearranged his room to be more accessible for him, and you’d checked the height of the dining table with the chair and your neighbor, who actually installed tubs and showers for a living, basically gave you all of the bathroom things that would help Theo, and had them installed for you for free since you’d helped him figure out an accounting thing earlier that year that saved his company from hemorrhaging money. You’d found a sort of kitchen counter-like table that you had set up now that was at a good wheelchair height. But there were still things like ramps that needed to be put in and around the house, and things in his bedroom to help him get in and out of bed, and just…things to give him more independence as he got older. Yes, a lot of that would come in the form of physical therapy, but until then, you wanted to make your house as accessible as possible.

“Jin said the class was a joke. He’s been compiling more useful information from perusing the internet and different nursing books.” Yoongi grabbed different types and shapes of wood that made little sense to you, but you figured he knew what he was doing. “He’s practically written his own guide at this point and has been going through it with Taehyung. Jimin’s been helping them, too.”

“Have you heard about that town?” You asked.

He turned toward you and nodded slowly. “I have. Jin just about cried hearing that there was a town, or at least a company, that was trying to take care of the hybrids in it. These laws are ridiculous. No, they’re cruel. A death sentence. I’m glad someone found a way around it all.”

“What are you going to do if the company goes out of business?”

Yoongi sighed, leaning against the shelf. “I don’t know. Jimin’s mentioned maybe starting our own company, so that we could employ Jin, but none of us could come up with any ideas for the company.”

You nodded. “Well, if you do come up with one, let me know. I’m a good number cruncher.”

He chuckled. “I’ll keep that in mind. Alright, I think we just need some paint and some sand and we’ll be ready.”

“Paint and sand? Sand paper?”

“Nah, just sand.”

You followed after him, bewildered, but unable to find the words to ask what the sand was for.

“See, when I’m finishing the ramps, I’ll mix some sand into the paint for the tops of the ramps, and that will provide more grip for the wheels and for anyone who might be walking up the ramp as well. Less chance to slip and fall, but also still saving you money.”

You nodded, still a little lost, but trusting him anyway.

Jin and Taehyung were waiting on the bench outside the building, both talking animatedly, when you and Yoongi picked them up.

“This class is a joke,” Jin huffed. “We take the test tomorrow and we’ve learned nothing.”

“Except that the teacher doesn’t have any personal hygiene,” Taehyung added. “Hyung’s going to go over things that he saw in a nursing book with me instead. And Jimin’s going to bring some more books from the library when he gets out of work. I found more information about what might need doing from an article about trained service dogs.”

“Well, Theo will still have some independence, you know. So he won’t need as much as a service dog might provide, at least, not as much as far as we know. I’m still apprehensive about the other, other, other shoe dropping,” You muttered, rubbing your temples. “And at least it should be easy for you to get certified, even if that means you learn more at home. It will allow you to go to Theo’s school and such so it serves its purpose.”

“Yeah. I just…I think it’s a shame that this is all they’re teaching hybrids who are supposed to be helping people. I think we could do better,” Taehyung had a pout in his voice.

You opened your mouth, and closed it, turning slightly to look at Yoongi.

He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, catching your look and nodding slightly.

That was definitely an idea.

“It couldn’t be that hard to teach us things like, how to lift an injured person, or how to help a blind person, or heck, what you need to know to help anyone. Why not teach hybrids sign language? I know it takes time to learn things like that, but come on! At least get us started, or connected to classes,” Jin ranted. “If a nurse can teach a parent how to lift their injured child to help them, why can’t hybrids be taught that? Most hybrids are stronger by nature! And we can provide more tangible companionship than dogs, who get twice the training we do! No, five times!”

“Did you want to attend the service dog training classes?” Yoongi asked, sounding serious.

That made Seokjin pause. “Wait, why?”

“Well, we could round out our company, and the world always needs more service animals and hybrids, plus then you’d have even more extensive training. Remember that abandoned building over on Fitzgerald road? It’s still in good condition and it’s probably big enough for multiple classes, and training. There’s probably more that we’ll have to look into, but getting certified might be a good first step.” Yoongi looked like he was already mentally crunching numbers.

You slowly started nodding. “Yeah. It would.”

Jin and Taehyung looked lost, but you weren’t really ready to expand as you started calculating an estimate of what it possibly could take to open a training center. Your savings would be shot when it came time to pay the medical bills in full.

Yoongi turned on music just as Taehyung started asking what the two of you had been talking about.

It appeared to be forgotten once at the house though.

By the end of the day, Yoongi had two ramps that were the perfect height and slope and fit over the steps beautifully. Only two more ramps were needed and he promised to have them done by the next day. Then the two of you were sitting with Jimin while the hybrids poured over a book Jimin had brought from the library.

“How much money would it cost to start up?” Jimin asked, looking at the list you and Yoongi had compiled after your research during lunch (you’d given Hoseok the go-ahead to take the next shift with Theo after a phone call with your baby that proved he was in good spirits and more than ready for some catch-up schoolwork).

You pushed the paper toward Jimin.

His eyes scanned it, then he leaned back with a “huh”.

“I can’t swing it with the medical bills,” You murmured, anxiously tapping the end of the pen on your hand.

“My parents want to pay for them. I say let them. And I can do this, like an investment,” Jimin said, shrugging. “Do it. I bet the shelters would love a way for more hybrids to be adopted, and it makes sense. We all still have our jobs, so it’s not like we’re going to risk too much right now. One of us will have to get certified, but I can do that since I’ve already taken some of the classes. And I bet we can work with some of the shelters. I think it’s feasible.”

Yoongi nodded. “I think so too, but Jimin, I can contribute to paying for it all.”

“Forget it, my parents settled their fortune on me after they got their heads out of their asses about Theo’s existence.” Jimin shrugged. “There was more to it than that, but after hours of arguing…let’s just say they’ll be quiet for now. I don’t promise there won’t be trouble in the future, but for now things should be okay. But back to business. Let’s start getting everything together, and working on whatever certifications we might need for this. If you guys want to contribute, you can do so in other ways, but for now it’s best if our money comes from a single source. You’re paying for the apartment right now, anyway, hyung. Think of it as the rent and groceries for the past four months.”

Yoongi was studying Jimin. “You caved and went to work with them, didn’t you? Is that where this job came from?”

“No, I negotiated and my job until I inherit is to manage updating our rental properties and everything that goes with them. It’s more basic than it sounds.” Jimin waved it away. “I’m happy with it, so I’m not complaining, and I can cover the start-up costs. I’ll probably want to work with all of you anyway, so we can just settle it with wages later. You guys do the brain-work, because it makes my head spin.”

“I don’t think I can let your parents pay for Theo. There are too many strings that could still be attached,” You said carefully.

“Look, I can’t explain everything right now, but the money they planned to use had been set aside for…my brother. Since my brother is dead, I convinced them it was only fair and right that his son inherit that. The eventual agreement was that it would be used to pay for his medical bills if he had any, and then college if he wanted to go. Otherwise he would inherit at thirty. There’s a lot more discussion they want to have. With a lawyer, and with you present, in regards to the money, but this was what we managed to come to for the time being. If you refuse, then I have to go back and argue with them for another three days. Please don’t make me argue with them for another three days.” Jimin flopped onto the table with a pout.

You weighed the options out, but kept staring at him. “The strings are attached to you, aren’t they?”

He sighed. “Why am I friends with people who are so suspicious? Yeah, sure. I mean, they made me promise that I would keep them updated on his health. Give them the highlights, like, “Oh, he won the school spelling be” or “he got straight A’s on his report card, again”. But I made them promise not to try and contact you or Theo except through me, and I have it in writing with several witnesses, including their lawyers and a lawyer friend of mine. Is that okay?”

You nodded slowly. “Okay. You can tell them they can pay his medical bills, only because our boss is an idiot that tried to embezzle and if he gets away with it me and Yoongi will be the first ones fired for reporting it.”

“Fair enough,” Jimin replied, smiling. “I’ll let them know. Now, any more objections?”

“I have an objection,” Taehyung huffed, folding his arms. “Don’t you think it’s a little rude to talk so secretively in front of other people?”

Seokjin looked nervous about Taehyung’s objection, fiddling with his flip phone.

Yoongi shrugged. “You two were reading, we were working.”

“Working?” Taehyung asked, coming over and plopping into the chair you pushed out for him.

Seokjin sat beside Jimin.

Yoongi started to talk, but the doorbell rang.

You paused, surprised, then hurried toward the door.

Namjoon held up the bags of food. “I brought dinner. Hoseok is on his way. The hospital had to do a security drill and wouldn’t let him back in because he went to the car to get his book while Theo was sleeping. He said he talked to Theo on the phone and Theo said it was okay for him to go. He still expects you later.”

You nodded. “Okay. Thanks for bringing food, I hadn’t even thought about it.”

“You aren’t going to close the door?”

“Hoseok’s pulling in, it’d be a little awkward,” You answered, glad when Jin came and took the bags from Namjoon because he looked about five seconds away from dropping all of the food onto the ground.

Hoseok hurried up to you. “I’m so—”

“Namjoon explained already. I’ll call Theo’s room and check on him, and I’ll head over as soon as we’re done eating. Come on, Yoongi was about to explain what our job-plan is for after we lose our current jobs.” You ushered him into the house and led the way back. “How’s your summer going so far?”

“I miss teaching already,” Hoseok complained.

After everyone had gotten a plate full of food, Yoongi went over the entire plan concisely. “If we can get this to work, then not only could you two work if you wanted, but we could also help other hybrids get adopted or help them get jobs when the laws change. Because there’s no way these laws are staying the same. It’s still going to be a process, but if we can get it to work….”

Namjoon nodded. “That would be cool. And I would totally be cool with teaching there too, especially in the summer.”

Hoseok nodded emphatically. “I mean, I wouldn’t want as crazy of a schedule as during the school year, but uh, income would be nice.”

“What, tutoring my baby so that he won’t be behind next school year isn’t enough for you?” You teased.

Hoseok rolled his eyes. “You’re paying me in edible food, remember?

“How did lessons go?” Taehyung asked, longing in his eyes.

Hoseok got quiet. “It…was slow. I can see his mind working, but he just can’t seem to find the answer even though I know he knows it and he knows that he knows it. I just think it will take a while for his brain to readjust. There’s a lot going on still, and he’s still getting it, it’s just taking him longer than it used to. He’ll get better at it as he gets physically stronger and things don’t tire him out as easily. He’s still a great speller. He spouts out words all the time.”

You nodded. “He’s been through a lot. He’s still bright and happy, and he’s…mentally active and able. That’s more than enough for me.”

Tae nodded, leaning to rest his head on your shoulder, gazing at nothing. Probably thinking about Theo.

You knew you were thinking about your son. You just wanted to bring him home.

Previous. Next.

Taehyung Masterpost. Masterlist.

Taglist (must comment on taglist to be tagged from now on, make sure you can be tagged)

Tagging: @alex–awesome–22 @missmoxxiesworld @bryvada @knjhe @i-dont-even-know-fck @forvever-ddaeng @ncttzuuy @briramirezalipio @givebuckysomelove @bunnyboyenthusiast @rosita7703 @veryuniquenamegoeshere @lottosehunnie @forevermoremagcon @kpopgirlbtssvt @0mysticx0 @littlewolfieposts @kerikaaria @hemmofluke

#single mom reader #hybrid au #taehyung #taehyung x reader #hybrid!taehyung #hybrid!au #bts #bts fic #reader x bts #reader x taehyung #dog hybrid!taehyung #single mom!reader #adoptedfather!taehyung #parent au

225 notes · View notes

ckneal · 3 years

Text

So, there’s this one angel story in the back of my head that I know I wont write. I wont write it, because it’s utter nonsense, with very little regard for the canonical timeline of Supernatural, and a willfully blurry view on what is and is not “in character.” It’s fluff. It’s all fluff, in the form of a bunch of smaller stories that gradually weave together, following the Love, Actually style of storytelling, but instead of problematic love stories, it’s all about angels playing hooky from Heaven after the Fall.

(Seriously, there is no substance here, I swear.)

Stories include Abner, living out the first half of the movie Family Man, struggling to figure out how to be a good father and house husband after he steps into the life of the raging alcoholic who agreed to be his vessel. There’s also a very minor story about Esther (not to be confused with Hester, who is not in this story because she never deserted her post in Heaven) learning to play the part of a little girl and navigating schoolyard politics, but kids can be mean and Esther learns the hard way that Michael’s approach to asserting dominance in Heaven does not translate well. There’s also Daniel and Adina, who both settle into vessels in the same movie theater where a romantic comedy is playing, and fall into a very innocent, play-acting sort of love after they leave the theatre—like little kids pretending to be in love, recreating the scenes from the movie, but at the same time not really understanding it. Balthazar, Gabriel, and Anael each trying to roll with the luxurious high roller life style, and awkwardly running into each other at VIP poker games, exclusive spas and clubs, and the occasional orgy that they promptly leave IMMEDATELY after running into a sibling (don’t give me weird looks, Balthazar and Gabriel canonically include that sort of thing in their definition of luxury, and the whole thing of their story is their siblings keep cramping their style). Tyrus is in there bowling, somewhere. Benjamin’s playing arcade games with his wife. And then there’s Thaddeus, my pet favorite minor angel character, realizing what’s happening as he’s falling with all the other faithful angels during the Fall and seizing the opportunity to abandon his life as a guard and torturer, settling into a pop star for his vessel—initially for the sake of the cushy lifestyle, but then gradually looking back, before the garden and Lucifer, before everyone was assigned a job in Heaven, like it or not, and the options were to adapt or to be smote, and remembering that back then, he could sing.

And of course, Michael and Adam get a story too—in which Michael lowkey gets into a pissing contest with death, as he and Adam travel the world, hitting up hospital after hospital to heal people. Because the first thing Adam wanted to do after getting out of the cage (okay, second thing—burgers came first) was go to the nearest medical center and start healing people left and right. And at first, they’re having a great time. Adam steals a white jacket he finds in the breakroom somewhere, and anytime someone says he looks a little young to be a doctor (Adam still looking nineteen years old, because I say so), Michael wipes the poor sap’s mind. But eventually—sometime after they’ve cleared out the children’s ward, the cancer ward, the cardiac ward—Billie shows up, sniping at them that they can’t just go around healing people who are destined to die, because there is an order to life and death that cannot be shoved aside. And Billie tries to make a show of it, as Terra did with Dean, by having several people who Adam had healed over the course of the day inadvertently cause several massive accidents. The news suddenly comes pouring out of the television, channels flipping as newscasters talk about tragedies occurring in several different parts of the city they’re currently in. The sound of approaching ambulance sirens fills the air, as in the hospital hallway, doctors and nurses begin hurrying to receive a rush of ER patients.

Adam’s horrified.

Michael does not take kindly to this. He snaps his fingers and makes it so that the carnage has never happened. Because he is the archangel Michael, only two steps away from being a god, and if he says that all of these people are going to live, then they are going to live, and he WILL NOT be intimidated, especially by an amateur reaper whose only qualification for her position was dying at the right time.

Billie in turn lands Michael with a cold stare, and points out that the order to life and death is beyond even God’s authority, let alone daddy’s blunt, sniveling instrument.

As Michael’s eyes start to glow, Adam steps in and says, “So, to be clear, you want us to stop healing people on the verge of death? We can do that.”

After Billie leaves, Michael is outraged, but Adam says, “No, Michael, THINK about it.”

We then cut to other stories, where newscasts in the background reveal that ailments that are not IMMIEDATELY fatal (AIDs, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, etc.) are mysteriously disappearing overnight, worldwide.

Billie is not amused, and tells her reapers to be on the lookout for an archangel at every major hospital in the world.

Cut to Michael throwing open the door of the bunker, muttering aloud to Adam that he’s going to do it, he’s going to bind Death, just like Lucifer did—how hard can it be? Sam and Dean see him as he goes stomping off toward the cabinet where they keep all of their magical dry goods, but Michael snaps his fingers and the two of them are abruptly half drunk in Dean’s man cave, sitting in front of Dean’s flat screen TV, watching some campy monster movie, because that’s lowkey what Michael and Adam assume they do all day.

As they’re raiding Sam and Dean’s supplies though, Adam says, “Wait, I have an idea.”

Cut to Abner looking up while pushing his vessel’s daughter in a park swing, and literally seeing Michael and Adam chasing an ambulance, so they can technically heal the person inside before reaching the hospital.

Yes, I’m aware that Abner was dead by the time Michael and Adam got out of the cage. But see, this story? This story is like when someone gifts you a goldfish unexpectedly, and you put it in a bowl, checking in to feed it a couple times a day, lowkey expecting it to die. But it doesn’t die, it gets bigger. And you’re not a cruel person, so you put it in a bigger tank, but it just gets bigger again, and you don’t really know what’s going on, but you know, you just kind of keep checking in, meeting the minimum requirements but not really getting in there as a guiding force because it’s a goldfish and it’s surely going to die any minute now—but then you look over and there’s giant tank taking up your living room, and you’re thawing out bloodworms twice a day, and looking into tankmates to keep Charles company, and realize that “Oh wow, I guess this is a thing now.”

In short, the story says we’re ignoring the timeline, and it’s calling the shots. I’m just keeping the tank clean.

The angels all eventually wind up running into each other. Abner and Esther happen upon one another in a park, where Esther is morosely realizing that she is terrible at being a human child but she does not want to go home to Heaven, and it just happens to be the same park where Abner goes with his “little nibblet” once a day to let her toddle around the playground while he chats with nannies and other house parents. Anael, Adina, and Daniel meet up when the latter two’s game has reached the point where they’ve decided to get married, and they apparently need to buy something new—preferably blue—as per this very important rhyme someone told them about. Esther and Gabriel run into each other in an ice cream parlor. Thaddeus gets recognized while doing an interview on TV that everyone sees. And, while out joyriding in a Lamborghini, on their way to meet up with the growing community of angels who decided to opt out of their responsibility to Heaven and their father’s legacy, Balthazar, Gabriel, and Anael are all startled to see Michael land on an ambulance stopped next to them at a red light.

Balthazar and Anael are both terrified, as if they’ve just been busted by a parent, because Michael, of course, is the guy who enforces the rules, and isn’t he supposed to be in Hell? They both shoot Gabriel looks as if to say ‘what the hell are you doing’ when Gabriel, watching as Michael climbs down and matter-of-factly wrenches the ambulance doors open, calls out, “Hey, Mike! Is that you?”

Michael looks over, freezes for a second—not prepared to be suddenly thrust into a social situation in the middle of his self-imposed mission to spite death—then his eyes flash and Adam takes over. “Oh hey, you’re Michael’s family? What a small world! I’m Adam, I’ve heard so much about you. Wait, hang on—”

The light starts to turn green, but Adam snaps his fingers and it promptly reverts to red.

Three jaws drop in the luxury car, and they don’t even hear Adam politely explain that he and Michael are in the middle of something, as he ducks into the ambulance, because Michael’s evidently letting a tiny human use his powers like it’s nothing, and what does that mean?

“Sweet dad in the unknown, Michael’s shagging a human. . .”

“Nooo!”

“HOW?”

“Hey, kid, you like weddings?”

At some point in the story, all the MIA angels are together, and Benjamin or someone comes running in saying, “Quick, they’re coming! Everyone hide!”

And everyone scatters, except for Michael, who stands in place, saying, “Gabriel, we’re archangels, two of the most powerful beings in existence. Why would we—”

And then Gabriel picks Adam up like a sack of potatoes and sprints off, calling back, “Trust me, you do NOT want to get involved with them!”

Being a projection, Michael is obligated to follow.

Team Free Will then walks by, looking constipated from whatever Big Awful Thing is currently threatening to destroy the world.

The story, of course, culminates in the wedding of Adina and Daniel, who still don’t quite understand what marriage is beyond promising to love each forever, which of course they will, after all, they are the very best of friends—which is about the same concept that most of the other angels present have. Adam is the first one to actually approach the big awkward question, upon finding out who the bride and groom are.

“Wait, aren’t they brother and sister?”

To which Serafina’s Adam, (who is of course there since Serafina was the original angel to play hooky) whose sons married his daughters, and all the angels, who do not understand what that has to do with anything, all cock their heads in unison and respond with, “So?”

Adam struggles to find words, looking into so many innocent faces. Then Benjamin’s wife puts a hand on his shoulder, whispering, “Shhh, let them have their fun.”

Benjamin’s wife and the two Adams wind up sitting at the venue’s bar, where they order nachos from a very confused bar tender, and watch as the angels go about setting up a wedding. But given that most angels haven’t been on earth regularly in roughly two thousand years, none of them have a clear grasp of what a human wedding entails.

“I heard it’s traditional for the father to give away the bride.”

“I think they’re supposed to kiss over bread.”

“Do humans still slaughter cows at these things?”

“I’m pretty sure someone is supposed to break a glass—”

Several angels promptly throw glassware on the floor.

At no point do the angels ask the humans for advice.

Occasionally, Gabriel knowingly throws out obscure details to keep the confusion going.

“You know, the groom needs to stand with the right arm to the aisle in case a sword fight breaks out.”

“Right! . . .How do we know which one’s the groom?”

At the bar, Adam open’s his mouth to say something, but the original Adam shushes him.

“No no, son, let them get there.”

The angels agree that being the better fighter, Adina should be the groom.

They’re nearly ready to start when Michael suddenly doubles over with his hand over his mouth. It coincides with the sound of Adam pounding the bar top, having just eaten a Carolina Reaper pepper on dare. Michael’s eyes quickly flash silver-blue as he straightens, and both he and Adam are abruptly fine—even if their eyes are still watering somewhat. But a different sort of damage has already been done, as Anael, Balthazar, and Gabriel all abruptly turn toward the triad of humans, having been reminded that the Michael walking around with them is actually a projection. In actuality, Michael is anchored to the human ex-college student sitting at the bar.

All three of them rush toward Adam, but Serafina gets there first, asking Adam if he’s ever tried mushroom tea.

Balthazar gets there next.

“Adam, was it? We didn’t get to talk in the car, let’s fix that. Are you over twenty-one? You know what, this is a family affair, don’t worry—CAN I GET TWO SHOTS OF DON JULIO OVER HERE?”

From that point on, any time Adam turns around, there’s one of Michael’s siblings, wanting to get to know him—by consuming some sort of beverage. Because Adam and Michael are sharing body—and that means they share a liver too. A bet ensues as to how much it will take to get God’s alleged favorite wasted.

Gabriel’s actually one of the first out, having been convinced that Michael would be a lightweight. Little does he suspect that Benjamin and his wife caught onto what was happening soon after Adam was fed his third long island iced tea and second jager bomb, and began quietly cleansing the alcohol from his system through casual shoulder pats and high fives.

Adam does not know what to make of any of this, but it’s Michael’s family and he wants to make a good impression, so he just goes with it.

Thaddeus, of course, is in charge of music, Gabriel and Esther consume the majority of the cake, and Michael catches the bouquet (he may have cheated after finding out what the bouquet toss is for).

#my thoughts #lowkey might be putting this idea out so it'll leave me alone #midam #supernatural angels #the divine shurley family

56 notes · View notes

beewolfwrites · 3 years

Text

An Iron Box - The Black Envelope

@cheshiya @tenseoyong @szallejhscorner @something-more-original-please @ofsunsetsandpoetries @nek0dzuken @allozaur @hiqhkey @serenzippity

Finally got an update for you all! It only took about a week :’) Hopefully this wasn’t too boring a chapter, but there’s Kuina content, so does that make up for it?

I will also update the master post too, I promise!

Here’s the AO3 Link.

Thanks for reading <3

----------------------------------------------------

The black envelope was nothing more than a pointless ritual created by Hatter to fuel his paranoia. But it was almost incredible seeing how many of the executives and militants still obeyed it. Niragi had suggested opening it right then and there, only Aguni refused and decided to leave it until the next day - an unusual choice for someone who should’ve been desperate to become number-one as quickly as possible.

Perhaps there was more between him and Hatter than he let on.

I’d invited the others to join me in my room to go over the plan, and as expected, Kuina was the first to arrive. From the moment she closed the door behind her and jumped onto my bed, it became apparent she still hadn’t let go of our conversation this morning.

‘You,’ she said pointedly. ‘Did you really think I’d have nothing to say about what you told me earlier?’

I sank into a chair by the window. ‘What I told you isn’t any of your business.’

‘Uh-uh. That’s bull and you know it. She’s our friend…well, she’s my friend, god only knows what she is to you. If you’re going to hurt her it’s absolutely my business.’

Hurt her? That simply wasn’t possible. If anything, nothing would ever change beyond what it is now, and the one who gets hurt wouldn’t be her. The thought made me smile.

‘I have no intention of it.’

Kuina drummed her fingers on her knee. ‘Why do I not believe you?’

‘I don’t care about romance,’ I replied. ‘And what she doesn’t know can’t hurt her.’

At this, Kuina’s fingers stilled. ‘You mean, you’re not going to tell her?’

‘Of course not.’

‘You can’t do that, Chishiya,’ she said. ‘You just can’t.’

‘And why not?’

She slapped her hand on the bed. ‘Because that is hurting her.’

That’s ridiculous. Telling her would only push her further away.

Before I could respond, the door cracked open. We had a guest. Arisu shyly stepped inside, Usagi and (name) shuffling in behind him.

‘Just in time.’ I gestured towards the chairs and the couch. Arisu and Usagi took two of the chairs, while (name) seated herself on the end of couch closest to my seat. ‘Kuina, make sure the door’s shut properly.’

‘It’s shut.’

Her voice was clipped, and the way she was pouting was simply childish. She could try and make a point all she wanted. What I had confessed to her would stay a secret, whether she liked it or not. I reached into the drawer of a side-table and pulled out the walkie talkies I had collected weeks ago.

‘I’m sure you’ve already guessed this, but Hatter didn’t come back from his last game.’ The statement was meant for Kuina, Usagi and (name), as Arisu had already witnessed the body, however nobody seemed shocked by the news. ‘The militants are saying that he was shot in his game, but his body was actually discovered floating in the river by one of the supply runners.’

‘Wait,’ Usagi cut in. ‘How do you know about his body?’

I could’ve done without her skepticism, but she was the key to Arisu’s cooperation. ‘The supply runner told An in secret after our meeting, and I just happened to be nearby. Either way, Hatter was ambushed and shot, and Aguni is now the Beach’s new leader.’

The room fell silent, until Arisu whispered, ‘It’s just like you predicted.’ He ran his fingers along his mouth, rocking gently in his seat. ‘This plan of yours, you’re thinking of doing it tonight, right?’

‘Tomorrow,’ I corrected him.

I passed the walkie talkies around one by one, savouring the warm brush of skin as I placed (name’s) in her palm. I could tell from the way she leaned in that she was struggling to keep up with the conversation, and though it was her own fault for not trying hard enough to study Japanese, I still found myself slowing down while talking.

‘The playing cards,’ I explained, ‘they’re kept in a safe hidden somewhere in the royal suite. Nobody knows the passcode except the current number-one. But because there’s always chance that the number-one could die in a game, the code is also kept in a black envelope. The black envelope is only opened when there’s a new number-one.’

Even if we used Arisu to find the location of the safe, we wouldn’t know whether the code was correct or not until the moment itself. I had a few theories about what the code was, but it all depended on Aguni’s reaction during the ceremony.

‘There’ll be a meeting tomorrow,’ I clarified, ‘and Aguni will open it in front of all the executives.’

‘It’s only read by the number-one, right?’ (name) asked.

‘That’s right. But as for the safe itself, Arisu will be the one to infiltrate the royal suite.’

Arisu sat forward, resting an elbow on his knees. ‘What about the passcode?’

Seeing how invested he was, I smiled. ‘I already have an idea about that. I’ll tell you when you’re in front of the safe.’

‘You really are cautious.’ His face twisted into a knowing grin - a little ironic, considering the circumstances. ‘Got it!’

And now for the others.

I glanced between the three of them, only (name) flinched and immediately lowered her head like an embarrassed teenager. The movement caught me by surprise, however I paid it no mind.

‘You three will be on the lookout.’

Usagi rolled the walkie talkie in her palm and hissed, ‘It’s too dangerous. If we’re found out, we’ll be killed.’

I would’ve said something more, but there was no need. Arisu, the ever-loyal puppy, jumped straight in to defend the plan he knew almost nothing about.

‘It’s fine Usagi,’ he said, echoing the same words I’d spoken during our rooftop conversation. ‘With Hatter dead, there’s no unity at the Beach. This is the only way.’

You only believe that because I told you it was the only way. You really are this gullible.

Knowing I had Arisu convinced was enough for me. Usagi would never be completely swayed, but that’s just who she was. She was far too loyal to Arisu to abandon him and the plan now. And besides, the militants would deal with her later.

I broke down everyone’s positions; me watching over the executives during Aguni’s speech, Arisu waiting at the end of the hall before heading inside the royal suite, Usagi standing guard outside, and the other two outside the elevator to the top floor.

It was straightforward enough, and if any of them were suspicious they didn’t show it. At this point, everyone was so desperate to abandon the Beach, they would try anything. Arisu and Usagi eventually left, whispering between themselves.

I waited for the Kuina and (name) to join them, except neither made a move. Kuina was combing through her braids and messing up my bed without a care in the world. The latter looked even more nervous than before, as though she had a question she was too embarrassed to ask. Some of the details had likely gotten lost in translation, and part of me enjoyed being able to control how much she understood. Another part hated how reliant she was.

‘Why don’t I go in the royal suite instead?’

A cold tension washed over me, as if the empty void I was so familiar with had suddenly dropped open. That wasn’t what I had expected at all. Kuina’s hand slipped out of her braids, her mouth parting.

‘No,’ I said firmly.

‘How come?’ She shifted forward in protest, ‘I want to help.’

‘If you want to help, you’ll keep out of the way while Arisu finds the safe.’

‘Chishiya.’ Kuina’s stern look reminded me of our earlier exchange. Her language skills may have been less practised than mine, but she was vaguely following along, at least enough to criticise me.

‘But what if I go in there with him?’ (name) suggested. ‘Two people searching are faster than one.’

Was this because I told her and Kuina to stay together? Silly girl. For someone usually so sharp, she was truly incapable of reading between the lines.

‘If the executives start heading back,’ I pointed out, ‘you won’t be able to understand the others quickly enough.’ It was the best excuse I could come up with. If only she would take it and be quiet.

Kuina slid off the bed and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. ‘It’s better this way, believe me. It’ll look more natural if you and I are together instead of just waiting around on our own. We can pretend we’re talking.’

(Name) pulled a face at how things had panned out. If she chose to go behind our backs and swap positions with Arisu there was little I could do to stop her, except perhaps cancelling the plan entirely. However that would raise more questions than it answered, and there wouldn’t be another chance like this.

Leaving no room for debate, I tried to explain to her that Arisu would be better for the job, but with Kuina’s gentle insistence, she gave up pestering me about it and finally accepted her place in the plan.

‘Fine, fine.’ She raised her hands in mock surrender and stood up wearily. ‘You guys win. I just… I don’t know. I’m kind of tired. I’ll see you both tomorrow, okay?’

Hearing those words did little to relieve the unease I was feeling. Kuina’s smile was too fake, and once the door had closed and (name) was out of earshot, I reminded her, ‘You shouldn’t make it too obvious. If she knows about Arisu, she’ll get in the way.’

She slid into the chair where Arisu had been sitting, and rubbed her fingers against her temple. ‘This is a nightmare.’

A funny choice of words.

‘We’re in a parallel world playing games to survive,’ I said. ‘This isn’t as easy as a nightmare.’

‘It’d be easier if you told her the truth.’

Kuina’s obsession was starting to get repetitive, and I was already bored of it. I got to my feet and pulled my hood over my head. The movement seemed to catch her attention, her head snapping up as I walked towards the door.

‘Hey,’ she called, ‘where are you going?’

Fishing my headphones out of my pockets, I considered dropping by a certain room, but after remembering the way she recoiled when I looked at her, I decided better of it. ‘Somewhere where I can get some quiet. Tomorrow, you should go to her room before we start. There’s a chance she could offer to trade places with him.’

Kuina started to object, but I didn’t care enough to listen. Her voice silenced as the door closed behind me. In times like this, when my head was crowded and the hollowness was clawing at my mind, all I craved was the silence of the roof.

----------------------------------------------

As the story went, Hatter had died purely in his game, despite how his body had never been cleaned up, nor the way it had been dumped without a care in the river. And now, the numbers had been re-shuffled, making Aguni the new number-one. At least, that’s what they intended to tell the residents. However, Aguni wasn’t officially number-one until he opened the black envelope.

One by one, the executives all filed into the meeting room, Niragi lazily stretched out in the seat across from me, and Last Boss leaning against the wall. The former number-two, Kuzuryu, was calm as usual, resting his laced fingers in front of him. He shared a look with Mira who only grinned in return, a little too interested in the ceremony.

My focus, however, was on the man at the head of the table.

From the corner of my eye, Aguni drew the envelope closer and pried open the bright red seal. Then he paused.

Well, isn’t this interesting?

There was a slight delay where his expression froze, taken aback by the paper before him. His brows drew together, then all at once, as if it had never happened, he folded up the sheet and slid it into the envelope once more.

Aguni wasn’t a man caught off guard so easily. Whatever he’d seen on the paper was the opposite of what he’d expected. Either the code was more complex than just a set of numbers, or the page contained something different entirely. It was when Aguni took Hatter’s ring and stamped it across the hot wax seal that everything suddenly clicked.

The wax hardened, leaving behind a mirrored embossing of the word “BOSS”. A mirrored embossing that resembled a set of numbers.

Hatter really was a paranoid man.

The passcode was 8022.

#alice in borderland #Imawa no Kuni no Arisu #aib #chishiya #chishiya shuntaro #Chishiya x reader #chishiya x oc #chishiya alice in Borderland

48 notes · View notes

theres-an-impulstor-among-us · 3 years

Note

Team ZITS mischief? >:D

Team ZIT mischief! AKA: what might have happened if Impulse and Xisuma weren’t so quick to solve their dispute over the height of Xisuma’s building.

(note: it was agreed via DM that the prompt has been changed to team ZIT instead of the full team ZITS)

Hope you enjoy! I had a lot of fun writing this ngl

Writing requests still open! Please read pinned post for details.

...

“This is a bad idea,” groans Impulse, clutching his sword as tight as he can. “Ooohhh, this is a REALLY bad idea.”

“Stop saying that,” Tango says from his spot atop a nearby tree. “You’ll be totally fine. I have total faith in your ability to be an acceptable decoy.”

“Acceptable?!” Impulse rolls his eyes. “All I gotta do is not die and I’m not even above “acceptable”? What’s a guy gotta do to graduate to “good”?”

“Let’s see you not die first, Bait Boy,” Tango teases. “Zed, you in position?”

Zedaph’s voice comes over their communication channel. “I am currently perched at the very top of Impulse’s tower in Aqua Town, nametags in hand. Dunno if this is where I’m supposed to be.”

“Yeah, that’s fine,”Tango snickers. “Just keep a lookout and be ready.”

“Eight ninety-two, good buddy.”

Tango frowns confusedly. “Uh… what?”

Despite his nerves, Impulse can’t help laughing. “Do you mean ten-four, Zed?”

“Probably? I dunno radio codes, dude; I’m just making up numbers.”

“Focus, guys,” Tango says tiredly, rubbing his bleary eyes. “It took us all night to find these stupid things so let’s not blow it now that we’re close to the end, alright? Anyway, Impulse, are you ready?”

Impulse takes a deep breath in and out. “Ready.”

Tango shoots an arrow at the pressure plate, activating the door. The ravager inside the makeshift trap immediately spots Impulse just a few blocks away and charges towards him. He backs up a few steps, before hopping onto the block above the minecart. “Goooood boy. Goooood ravager. Get in the minecart.”

Unfortunately, the ravager does not get in the minecart. Instead, it lunges upwards, attacking Impulse with its horns.

Impulse screams as he’s catapulted off the two-block-high pillar. He scrambles to his feet and takes off running, pursued by the ravager.

Tango winces as he watches them go. “Uh oh! Stuff’s gone wrong.”

“What’s gone wrong?” asks Zedaph’s voice in his ear.

“Ravager did not want to go for a nice minecart ride. Oh, and Impulse… Don’t look now but I think you’ve got more on your tail.”

Impulse looks.

Tango suspects that his best friend’s subsequent scream at finding out he now has three angry ravagers pursuing him can be heard all the way in Aqua Town.

“WHY DID I THINK IT WAS A GOOD IDEA TO PUT MY ELYTRA AWAY?!” Impulse shrieks.

Tango takes off using his own wings. He soars over Impulse and the ravagers, looking desperately for a way to save his friend.

Back in Aquatown, Zedaph glides over from the top of Impulse’s tower to the window ledge of Xisuma’s half-finished building, his eyes fixed on the place in the distance where his friends should soon appear.

“What’s going on?”

Zedaph involuntarily leaps to the side with fright, causing him to topple off his perch and tumble to the ground. Thankfully, he lands on the grassy verge, so his landing is softer than it could have been. He quickly grabs his dropped nametags.

Xisuma jumps down and lands neatly next to him. Even though the thick visor, Zedaph can see a raised eyebrow. “Why are there rails going into my new shop?”

“Um…” Zedaph pauses, giving himself as much time as he dares to think. “That’s a good question. We’re… um…”

“We?” repeats Xisuma. “Who else is here?”

Zedaph blinks, his mind racing to come up with something on the fly. “Um… G-Grian…? And… And… Etho?”

“Good job, bud,” comes Tango’s sardonic voice in his ear. “You’re killin’ it.”

Zedaph can tell from Xisuma’s expression that his friend isn’t buying his obvious lie. “Mmhmm. This wouldn’t have anything to do with my dispute with Impulse over the height of my building, would it?”

“What building?” asks Zedaph innocently.

Xisuma takes a step to the side. “The building you just fell off.”

“Oh.” Zedaph gapes at his friend in a panic, unable to think of a reply. “Um…”

“Gah, my elytra broke!” Tango yelps at that moment. “This cannot get any worse!”

“IT’S WORSE!” shrieks Impulse’s voice, not over the communication line but real, in the distance. “IT’S WORSE IT’S WORSE IT’S WORSE!”

Xisuma spins round to find Impulse rushing towards him, followed by three angry ravagers. He lets out a screech and goes to activate his elytra but it’s already too late.

Zedaph manages to nametag one of the ravagers before scrambling out of the way as the three beasts bear down on Xisuma, who is cowering in the doorway of his shop. Scrambling into the BOVE offices, Zedaph runs right into Impulse, knocking both of them down.

Seconds later, Tango appears and manages to slam the door shut before his foot catches on Impulse’s leg and he ends up joining the two in a heap on the floor.

The three lie on the ground in silence for a few minutes, gasping for breath and listening to the terrifying ravager sounds outside.

After a long time, a message flashes up on their communicators.

Xisuma was slain by You’ve Been Bove’d!

Impulse and Tango very slowly crane their necks to look at Zedaph, who is staring straight up at the sky with wide eyes, pretending not to notice his friends’ gazes.

Finally, the two simultaneously burst out laughing, and after only a moment, Zedaph joins in.

“I feel like I had an explanation for that name but now I don’t remember what it was,” Zedaph gasps out through his laughter. “It doesn’t even make any sense!”

Impulse reaches over to pat his friends on the shoulder. “It’s very Zedaph. Oh, boy… Well, that did not go according to plan.”

“It really did not,” Tango exhales. “But we kinda achieved our goal in the end anyway.”

“Xisuma’s gonna kill us, right?” asks Impulse.

Tango snorts. “Oh, absolutely. But I don’t have the energy to run anymore so I’m just gonna lie here, maybe take a nap, and hope he has mercy on me.”

“Oh, a nap sounds pretty nice right now, not gonna lie.” Yawning, Impulse tilts his head to rest on Tango’s shoulder and closes his eyes. “I’m so tired…”

Zedaph laughs quietly and leans his own head on Impulse’s shoulder. His eyelids are so heavy that he can hardly stay awake anymore…

And that is how, fifteen minutes later, Xisuma finds them when he finally manages to dispatch the last of the ravagers. He goes to push open the door but spots the three sleeping in a pile on the floor through the window, and he lets out a fond sigh, most of his annoyance already dissipating.

“I’ll deal with you three morons later.”

#hermitcraft #impulsesv #tangotek #zedaph #team zit #xisuma #Vaunna writes

73 notes · View notes

redhoodssweetheart · 3 years

Text

By the Sea Part Eight

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Fem!Mermaid!Reader

Requested: No (Requests are closed except for a few, see pinned post for details. I also no longer do taglists)

Word Count: 1.6K

Warnings: Angst, fluff, talks of being drunk

Description: Y/N is a mermaid that longs for the land. Her friend Natasha tells her that she knows a human who will take care of her and leads her there, she only has one rule: do not under any circumstances fall in love with a human. But Steve’s friend Bucky is drawing her in, in ways she hadn’t expected. Will Y/N be able to return to the ocean once her stay in the human realm is complete? And what happens when Natasha learns that Y/N is betrothed to be married to their king’s son? Will she drag her friend back or keep her hidden amongst the humans?

Y/N headed into the village, not bothering to wait for Bucky to join her. Steve had given her the key to her new shop and she wanted to get started on the cleaning that needed to be done. The boys were coming over later after they had finished nursing their hangovers to help her put up the shelves and tables, so she had a little time to collect herself and her thoughts before then.

She hadn’t been in the shop long, broom in hand as she absentmindedly swept the floor when the front door flew open and Bucky appeared. He was breathing heavily and Y/N arched an eyebrow, “Did you run all the way here?”

Bucky seemed flustered as he said, “Yes! You left without me and you seemed so upset this morning and I just… I had to make sure that you were okay and I promised to help you today.”

Y/N sighed, “Bucky, I told you that it was nothing. Would you please just drop it?”

He frowned slightly, “How can I drop it when I can clearly see you hurting over whatever it was that I said?”

Y/N turned and headed into the back room that would act as her storeroom for the extra flowers. She didn’t want to face him at the moment, still not having fully collected herself and knowing he could probably read her like a book. “Please just drop this, you were drunk and probably didn’t mean it.” The words ‘I love you’ were ringing in her head and she wondered if he had actually meant them or if he had only said it because he had been drunk.

Bucky was persistent though and he couldn’t stand the thought that Y/N was upset with him for whatever he had said or done while he was drunk. He had to make it up to her somehow. “Why are you lying to me? I just want to make whatever I did better.” He placed a hand on her shoulder and then tilted her chin up so that she was looking into his eyes. “Please,” he pleaded.

Y/N knew that he would never drop this topic and that she should just get it over with. Taking a steadying breath and still holding Bucky’s gaze she said, “You told me that you loved me.” His eyes widened and he could feel a blush staining his cheeks. “And I told you to tell me in the morning when you weren’t intoxicated. I know that when people get drunk they sometimes don’t remember all they said or did, but I was just hoping that maybe you meant the words.”

Bucky’s heart was hammering in his chest, that hadn’t been the way he wanted to tell her that he was falling for her and he cursed himself for making her feel as if it were just some drunken confession and not the truth. “Y/N--”

She shrugged off his hand and headed back out toward the front of the shop, “It’s okay, Bucky. I get it.”

He went after her, but the others had already shown up and Y/N was smiling brightly at them, though Steve and Bucky both could tell it was a fake smile. She delegated what she wanted each of the seven boys to do while she continued to clean and make sure everything was perfect. Steve watched as Bucky sent looks Y/N’s way, but how she studiously ignored him and spent most of her time joking with Clint instead.

Sam nudged Steve, “Is something going on between Bucky and Y/N? They seem a little more distant today than normal.”

Steve frowned, “I don’t know, but I’m planning to find out what’s going on.” Steve marched over to Bucky and grabbed his arm, “I need your help out back.” Bucky merely nodded and followed the older man outside. “What happened?”

Bucky knew exactly what he meant, “I apparently told Y/N that I loved her while I was drunk last night.”

“Bucky,” Steve hissed. He grabbed the younger man by the lapels of his jacket and dragged him closer, “What the hell were you thinking?!”

“Well I was drunk! And that certainly wasn’t how I had planned to tell her!” He shouted as he shoved Steve off of him. He straightened his jacket and then ran a hand through his hair. “I had planned to take her to the lookout a few nights from now and tell her then. The summer festival is only a few weeks away and I wanted her to go with me.”

Steve slowly loosened his grip on Bucky before letting his friend go, “So it wasn’t just some drunken mistake?”

“No! Of course not, it took me a bit to realize it, but I do love her. I love spending time with her in my studio and just having her around. Even on the days when we don’t do much talking I don’t mind because at least she’s there with me. I constantly find myself thinking about her and wondering how her day is going. I don’t know how but she’s become such an integral part of my life that I can’t see what it would be like without her in it anymore.”

“Then you need to tell her the truth and tell her quickly before she becomes even more heartbroken than she is now.”

Steve headed back inside to give Bucky a moment to collect his thoughts.

Bucky appeared in Y/N’s doorway that night. She was sitting on her bed staring out the window toward the ocean. Her thoughts had strayed to thoughts of going home and being with her friends again. Bucky cleared his throat and Y/N turned, her eyes widening at the sight of him standing there.

“Come with me,” he said as he stretched out his hand for her to take. “There’s something I want to show you.”

She narrowed her eyes at him, “I don’t feel like going out.”

He sighed and stepped further into the room, “Please?”

Y/N was trying to fight off her urge to go with him, but no matter what her mind tried to tell her heart, her heart wouldn’t listen. She got off the bed and took his hand. He beamed at her when she did and began pulling her from the room. Steve watched them leave the house and prayed all went well or else he knew Natasha would kill him.

Y/N didn’t ask questions as they wandered through the mainly empty streets of the village toward the lookout point he had shown her on one of her first few days in the village. Why was he taking her there? She had already seen it. Sure it had been in the daytime, but what made it so special at night?

Bucky brought her closer to the edge of the cliff and turned his face so that he was staring up at the stars. “Why are we here?” Y/N asked, her eyes on Bucky as he stared up at the stars.

He turned to her then and said, “There’s something that I need to tell you and I thought that this would be the perfect place to do so.” She waited for him to continue and he took in a deep breath to steady himself. “The other night when I was drunk, I meant what I said. I do love you, I can’t remember all of what I said, but I wasn’t lying when I said I loved you.”

Y/N stared up at him in shock, “Don’t play with me, Bucky. I’m in no mood for lies.”

“I’m not lying,” he urged. “Now tell me the truth, did you say it back?”

She considered telling him no that she hadn’t said it back, but she nodded her head. “I did, I love you too.”

Bucky picked her up and twirled her in a circle, taking her by surprise and causing her to make a startled noise. He set her back down on the ground and rested his forehead against hers, “I love you.”

Y/N felt as if her heart was about to burst out of her chest at his words, “I love you too.”

The two of them stayed on the cliffside for a little while longer, just holding one another and staring out over the sea. Y/N felt comfortable standing there in his warm embrace, so much so that she never wanted to leave, she wanted to stay in that little bubble for the rest of her life. Bucky told her that they should head back and that they would have more time to spend with one another later. Together they walked hand in hand back to Steve’s and when they reached the porch Bucky brushed a kiss against her forehead and promised to see her the following day.

Steve was waiting up for Y/N when she got home, he could see the happy smile from his seat on the couch and called out to her. She stopped and waved before he beckoned her over. “Did he tell you?”

She wasn’t surprised that Steve knew, “He did.”

“Did you say it back?” She nodded. “When are you going to tell him the truth?”

Y/N hesitated, “I don’t know. How do you think he’ll react?”

“If he truly loves you, which I believe he does, then he won’t care that you’re a mermaid. If he doesn’t then he’ll run screaming for the hills,” he meant the last part as a joke to help ease the tension, but he could tell that it hadn’t worked. “That was a joke, I promise he’s not going to go running for the hills. He’ll be all right with it, just do it soon.”

“I’m going to bed, I’ll see you in the morning,” she didn’t wait for his response as she made her way toward the stairs, thoughts of Bucky and her secret still swirling in her head.

#Bucky Barnes x Reader #Bucky Barnes x Mermaid!Reader #Bucky Barnes x Fem!Reader #Bucky Barnes x Reader fluff #Bucky Barnes x Reader angst #Bucky Barnes #Bucky Barnes fanfic #Bucky Barnes fanfiction #Bucky Barnes fluff #Bucky Barnes angst

31 notes · View notes

thejollywriter · 3 years

Photo

Lena Talbot thought she had a good thing going for her, running with Rance Barrron’s gang. But after a stagecoach robbery goes wrong and end with violence and abandonment, she’s left to die in the high Rockies. Unexpectedly saved by a trapper, Eliza, she recovers and is faced with a choice. Accept a new life with Eliza. Or hunt the bastards who shot her in the back.

It’s a good life in the Rockies. It’s hard, honest work. But Lena’s a hard-ass. And there’s inequity in her ledger. And she just can’t let it go.

This is a historical Western written by ME, AMELIA FISHER, UPDATING ON WATTPAD!

https://www.wattpad.com/1114347969-gallows-and-gold-chapter-one-paying-work

So here’s the whole first chapter!

***

Chapter One: Paying Work

Rance had me keep a lookout on the top floor of the brothel because he figured I’d be the only one not distracted by the dames. Me, bein’ Lena Talbot, didn’t figure a woman could be distracted by another woman.

Hadn’t the heart to correct him. Not that I minded. Mary sat on the bed behind me, legs crossed primly. The piano player wailed on the ivory downstairs, the sound trickled up to me on the third floor. In the rooms around us, I heard giggling, laughing, fucking. The work of a brothel.

Footsteps up and down the hallway. Clients, the Madame keeping an eye on things, girls moving back and forth.

Mary sighed. “When you’d paid, I figured it’d be work related, but we might still have some fun.”

“Rance catches me slacking, he’ll have my ass,” I said. This was a corner room, windows faced the north and the east. Had a great view of the main street below. The others were elsewhere, in their positions.

My job was to set off a firecracker when the target appeared. The pop would draw eyes, and surprise would be ours.

And then, functionally, I was to get down. Because whatever eyes we drew would lead to gunfire, I should think.

No sign of them yet.

Mary stood up. She wore a black corset, her linen shirt was pulled down past her shoulders and her nipples were barely hidden by the light, airy fabric.

“I’m sad now,” she said, and traced her fingers along the back of my arm. I pushed my hat back. I was in a vest, black slacks, sturdy boots, and a red shirt. Sleeves were rolled up, though, and my gun belt was black leather, too.

“I’m workin’,” I said, but I didn’t say it mean. I was leaned up against the wall. Antsy, waiting.

“Yeah but you gotta ignore me, too?”

“As opposed to what?”

She stood close to me now. Locks of dark hair hung in front of her eyes, she brushed a strand aside, pouted at me. I reached out, cupped her cheek, brushed a thumb over her lips.

“I’m workin’, darling.”

She sighed, looked out the window, I laid my arm around her waist. She had a hand on my chest, traced a finger down my front, idly.

If I kept my eyes out the window, I could touch her. Hike up her skirts, slip my fingers between her soft thighs, and find her pleasure. It’d be easy.

Up the street, I saw the wagon turn into view. I stiffened. She noticed, glanced at me, then up the road.

“It’s time?”

“Go on,” I said. “Keep your head down.”

“Alright.” She kissed my cheek. “Good luck.”

I watched her go, the door clicked closed softly, and I tugged the bandana around my neck into place over my nose. Hair tied up, hidden under my hat, all that could be seen were my eyes. And that wasn’t real telling.

I opened the window, pushed the drapes to one side, and held the firecracker in my hand, picked up a candle from the dresser to the side. Waited.

Across the way, on the rooftop of the general store, I saw Buck with his long gun.

If we got the surprise, no call for shooting.

Time.

I held the candle to the fuse, it caught and started to spark, I lobbed it out the open window, it popped in the air, I blew out the candle, and ducked.

People yelped, some surprised, the horses below whinnied in protest, but I heard running feet, a rolling wagon, and yelling voices.

The coach drivers hollered, reined their horses in to stop them crashing into the wagon Jimmy and Andy rolled to block the coach.

I mantled through the window, snagged my long gun, and stood up at the railing, rifle pointed down.

“Gentleman!” Rance called out and stepped into view. “Good morning! Let’s keep those hands to heaven! We’ve no interest in bloodshed but by God’s fiery right hand, if your palms touch iron we will fill you full’a holes.” Rance stood on top of the untethered wagon.

I aimed at the driver. The fella riding shotgun had a double-barrel in his hands, but there were eight people in the street surrounding the wagon, and he wasn’t stupid.

Two of ours moved up to the wagon doors.

“Gentleman, what you’re carrying is no longer yours to keep. Your job was deliver it to Leadville, and while I’m sure y’all had a different destination in mind, consider this your stepping-off point.”

“That gold don’t belong to you.” The driver said.

“Don’t belong to you neither, fella,” Rance said. “And while I’m sure your employers would love you to die for their cargo, it’s a foolish thing to do.”

“We got a job needs be done.” The driver said. “Move the wagon, let us get to it.”

“A bold idea, an idea I have to reject.” Rance said. “Who y’all carrying? Many guards inside?”

Our men moved to the door, the driver stared me down, and I think he was wondering just how fast he could pull his pistol and get a shot off.

Except he had nowhere to go. And if he tried to ram his horses through the wagon, it was as likely to get them killed and tip the wagon as it was to lead to freedom.

“I see ideas growing in that head, mister,” Rance said. “Eyes front, if you don’t mind.”

The driver looked at him. “You’ve got no idea what’s coming if you take this gold.”

The curtains were down in the wagon, the closest to the door had a sawn-off in hand and was pointed at the windows. He reached for the handle.

“Oh sure I do,” Rance said. “We’re gonna spend it, keep it in Leadville, see to it as many bellies as possible are filled. Your job was to take it to men who’ll hoard it.”

“Last warning.” The driver said.

A shot rang out ahead of me, I saw the smoke from Buck’s gun, the fella at shotgun pitched forward–

Our man opened the door, pointed the gun inside, a second shot fired and a cloud of gunsmoke billowed out into the street, Denny caught it square in the chest and jaw and it threw him down, blood misted the air with the smoke.

The driver went for his pistol, looked up at me, I fired before he cleared leather, his hat flew off behind him, Rance fired into his chest, and Buck fired again.

I jumped over the railing, dropped to the street below while the others focused fire into the wagon itself. Splinters flew off, gunsmoke hung thick in the air, thick and choking, people screamed and sprinted away from the street.

“Eyes west!” Rance yelled. “Buck, what do you see?”

“Sheriff’s runnin’ this way!” Buck was still up on the second floor of the general store and had his rifle to his shoulder. He fired at the lawmen, far away. The shots went wide, but it slowed them down while they took cover, began to return fire.

They’d flank around the side streets, and run up at us.

“We gotta be gone,” I said. “They’re gonna circle around and pin us!”

“Get my goddamn gold!” Rance roared. “Clear that fucking coach!”

I whipped around, approached the coach. I couldn’t see much inside, the curtains were tattered now, the interior was dark, I saw a couple of slumped forms, but not much else besides. A heavy case on the floor with several bolted locks on the front, metal hinges on the wooden case.

Everyone inside was dead.

I slung my rifle across my back, grabbed for the case, but I couldn’t move it alone.

“Buck, keep ‘em pinned down, everybody else here!” Rance called out, Skinny Jimmy appeared on the other side, he jumped into the coach, grabbed the other side of the case, and heaved.

It broke loose, he shimmied over and I backed up, we staggered away from the coach.

Nearby, Jesse came around the corner with a one-horse cart. We got the crate into the cart–

“Skinny, go on with the box! You too,” Rance pointed at me, I jumped up on the buck board, took my Winchester in my hands.

Jesse whipped the horse, it dug in and pulled away fast. He steered us into an alley, got off the main street, cut through the narrow space between two buildings, emerged on the next street.

Jimmy sat in the back with his rifle, half-sprawled on the crate.

“That’s a damn good time,” Jesse said. “A damn good goddamn time.”

Jesse was older, had rough stubble on his chin constantly, fewer teeth than most, old eyes. But he was great with horses and he could always round up a cart or two when we needed one.

I looked around for someone who wanted to shoot back, but there was no one.

“Slow down,” I said, as Jesse took another corner. I tugged my bandana down, “Skinny, sit up.”

“We’re not clear yet though!”

“Look around, look at all the other traffic.”

There were carts all over. Folks pulling all kinds of loads up and down Leadville. “Who are we amongst all’a them?” I asked. “Cool off, keep your gun down. We ain’t runnin’, we’re just out for a ride, right?”

“Sure thing,” Jesse said. “Just goin’ on a nice morning spin.”

“Exactly.” I laid my rifle across my knees, lowered the hammer. “We’re fine.”

I kept my eyes up, however. Looked for someone ready to holler.

But there was nothing.

We got to the edge of town, where the houses were spaced further apart. The thick mud of more populous Leadville gave way to drier ground, and grass near the barn we pulled up to.

I jumped out, grabbed the barn door, opened up. Jesse got the cart and the horse inside, and I watched, waited for the others.

I didn’t see them behind me, immediately, so I closed up. “Skinny, you know where I post up in that shack up the road?”

“Sure, only got the one window.”

“Head on over there. Whistle if you see lawmen.”

“Got it.” He grabbed his rifle, headed up the road.

Jesse sat on the bench, and sighed. “How much you think we snagged?”

“Client said it weighed a hundred pounds,” I said. “If that’s true, I’m the goddamn mayor.”

“Oh you know those city folk,” he said. “Can’t reckon the real weight of nothin’.”

“Sure.”

“You want some coffee?”

“I’m good. Keep your eyes out, if you’re gonna whip something up though.”

“We’re not gonna get ambushed here.” He said. “Because that’d require someone knowing where we were.”

“We know,” I said. “And the client knows. And I got no idea who might’ve been told beyond that circle. Which is, in my estimation, entirely too many folks.”

“Relax, kid.” Jesse said. “Trust ain’t a bad idea. And this ain’t that kinda gang.”

“Is it not?”

He shrugged, but had no other answer.

I watched the road. And waited.

End of Chapter One

#fiction #writing #writeblr #bookblr #wlw FICTION #historical fiction #lesbian fiction #westerns #the jolly writer speaks

17 notes · View notes