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wolfjackle-creates · 1 year

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Bring Me Home, Chapter 2 Part 1

First, Previous

Story Summary: Tim Drake and Danny Fenton meet online as precocious preteens with far too much internet freedom due to parents who are far too interested in their work to monitor what their kids are getting up to. They bond and don't bother keeping secrets from each other about their vigilante lives.

This chapter wasn't supposed to exist. I was supposed to end the first chapter with the last segment I shared then jump ahead to the point where Tim helps Danny escape. But I couldn't get the idea of Tim and the Young Justice team ending up in Amity. I mentioned the idea to @britcision who asked if I really couldn't find a way to fit it in. And that was followed up by a night of insomnia due to bad life decisions regarding caffeine. And thus I figured out how to make it work.

This is going to be a longer segment! I've been wanting to share something a bit longer for a week or two and then I hit the 250 follower mark, so now I have an excuse to do so! (I totally would've shared regardless of a notable follower milestone.)

Word Count: 4.8k

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Tim was in the pilot seat of the plane, but had it set with autopilot and was facing the back where Conner and Bart were arguing over what to have for dinner. He and Cassie exchanged grins and he pulled out his phone to text her and ask if she was up for sushi just to throw a third option out there and make the argument worse when the computers all started beeping as the plane wobbled.

Dropping his phone, he turned back to the controls. The computers had failed and the plane was losing altitude fast. Tim pulled up on the steering, trying to keep the plane from nosediving into the ground.

“What’s going on?” shouted Conner.

“I don’t know!” Tim grit his teeth. “Plane failure, we’re going down!” he warned. Examining the landscape before them—mostly open plains thankfully—he held the steering steady as he aimed for land empty of buildings and roads.

“I’ll break the door,” called Conner.

“Superboy, lock the steering in this position!” ordered Tim.

“Done!”

Tim abandoned his seat and ran to the door, reaching it just as Conner tore it open. Without hesitation, Tim jumped out, Conner’s arms around him a moment later holding him in the air.

Next to them, Cassie had hold of Bart who was grinning as he showed off the bags he’d rescued before their escape.

From their place in the air, they watched as the plane crashed in a fiery disaster.

“Do we check it out or do we run in the opposite direction?” asked Cassie.

Tim wanted to run without leaving any trace of who’d been flying the plane. But… “We have to make sure the fire doesn’t spread. And make sure there’s nothing incriminating in the crash. But I want you or Wonder Girl on recon and we’re out of there as soon as first responders get close.”

“You’ve got it,” said Conner in his ear.

And a few moments later, they were on the ground facing the wreckage that was their plane.

“You know,” said Bart, “We probably didn’t have to steal the plane when we left. Had anyone tried to use it to escape, they wouldn’t have gotten very far.” He tossed one of the bags their way and Conner caught it. “But look at what I saved!”

Tim leaned over to see as Conner opened the bag. Right on top was the cellphone he’d dropped when the plane started to fail. He laughed and grabbed it. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t turn on for some reason. Deciding to deal with it later, he looked at what else was in the bag: his and Conner’s civvies. “You’re the best, Impulse!”

Bart held out a second bag to him. “And this is as much of the evidence I could get to. The last bag has mine and Wonder Girl’s belongings.”

Tim pulled him into a hug. “I don’t know what we’d do without you.” Letting him go, he turned to the burning plane. “Now, let’s take care of this.”

Over the next hour, they managed to contain the wreckage and put out any fires. No local authorities ever came out to investigate the site.

“Where the hell even are we if there’s no one around?” asked Conner. “Even back at Ma and Pa’s someone would’ve been here in, like, ten minutes.”

Tim just shrugged. “I’ve no idea. Somewhere in Illinois. But I don’t like this. Let’s see if we can find the nearest town. Make sure everything’s okay. Wasn’t there a highway just south of here? Impulse, mind checking it out and seeing if you can see any signs pointing us to a local town or city?”

“You’ve got it, Rob!” said Bart with a salute before disappearing.

Tim had barely opened the last bag to see what else Bart had saved before he was back.

“You’re right about Illinois! Saw a sign. A town called Elmerton is east of us and a town called Amity Park west.”

Tim froze. “Amity?” he asked. His mind already spinning away. Danny had mentioned tech sometimes went wonky near Amity due to the interference of ectoplasm. Could that be what had happened to the plane? And Danny had mentioned their town was so small they didn’t have much of a police force. A large explosion would probably be assumed to be a ghost and be left to Phantom or the Fentons…

“Yeah. Do you know it?”

Tim laughed. “Yep! I’m friends with the local hero. He knows both of my identities. Let’s go pay him a visit. Civvies will be best. I’ve told him more about you as my friends than my teammates.”

The others exchanged hesitant glances. Cassie was the one to speak. “You talk about us to him? Why haven’t you mentioned him?”

Tim shrugged. “He and I don’t really keep secrets from each other. And I’m sure I’ve mentioned him. Remember when we were trying to settle on a movie last week? I suggested the reboot Star Trek movies because Danny had been going on about them for ages and I wanted to see what had him so worked up.”

“Okay, what the fuck, Rob,” said Conner. “You need to be more obvious with these things. We thought you meant someone from your school or something. Not a fellow hero!”

Bart nodded his agreement. “Also, won’t he be mad you’re just telling us his identity?”

“Danny’s an idiot,” Tim stated. “He’s worse at keeping a secret identity than Kon.”

“Hey!” protested Conner.

“Rob’s got a point,” said Cassie as she elbowed Conner with a grin. “But, Robin, if we’re going as civilians, how will we explain the lack of transportation?”

“Easy. According to Danny, tech acts weird around Amity. Probably why the plane went down and our phones don’t work. So we’ll just say our car broke down and ask if Danny can fix it. He’s good with machinery.”

“Why haven’t you brought him into the League if the two of you are such good friends?” asked Conner, arms crossed.

Tim just shrugged. “He doesn’t want to join. The local threats he takes care of are constant enough that he can’t leave for more than a day or two. Besides, his parents don’t know and he can’t explain absences that are longer than a single night where he pretends to be at one of his friends’ places.”

“His parents don’t know?” Cassie shook her head. “I couldn’t imagine doing this without Mom’s support.”

Tim nodded. “Yeah. I’m honestly kinda worried about his living situation. So the chance to go check on him in person is something I can’t bring myself to give up. You guys don’t have to come if you don’t want to, but Danny and I’ve known each other for four years and things have been rough for him this past year since he’s gotten his powers. I need to make sure he’s okay.”

“Wait, four years?” asked Conner.

“He predates Robin?” Bart’s mouth was all but hanging open.

“I did exist before the suit, you know.” Tim stood a little taller. Usually he liked being Robin more than Tim, but he did have a life outside of the suit.

Cassie rolled her eyes. “That’s not what he meant and you know it. It’s just… You don’t talk about your pre-Robin life very often.” She grinned and Tim suddenly felt uneasy. “We are so asking him all sorts of questions about what you were like.”

“I mean… I wasn’t all that different to the current me.”

“Oh, we’ll be the judge of that,” she promised with a wicked gleam in her eye. This was going to be a disaster, wasn’t it?

“So what’s got you so worried about Danny?” asked Bart.

Tim sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “So, the deal with Amity Park is that his parents built a portal to the Ghost Zone in his basement. In the process of getting it to work, there was a lab accident and Danny got ghost powers. Don’t ask him or his friends about it. Now ghosts come through and try to attack the town and Danny stops them. Bad enough, right? But the reason his parents were building the portal is because they’re ghost hunters. They see a ghost, they pull a weapon on it and try to, and I quote, ‘tear it apart molecule by molecule.’ I don’t like the idea of Danny living there when he has ghost powers but he’s refusing to leave and I don’t have any way of kidnapping him and keeping him away.”

“You know that’s a spot on your ‘how close is Robin to going supervillain on us’ bingo card, right?” asked Cassie.

Conner elbowed her. “Not the point right now, Wonder Girl.” Then, in a whisper just loud enough for Tim to hear, he added, “Though this gets me close!” Back in his normal voice, he said, “Robin we’ll absolutely go check on your friend with you. Is there anything else we need to know?”

Tim tilted his head but decided not to address the teasing. “Don’t eat any food cooked in his house or stored in the main fridge. And try to avoid mentioning the word ‘ghost’ around his parents. They apparently will take that as an excuse to literally talk for multiple hours on the topic. It should go without saying, but his hero identity must be kept secret from his parents at all costs. His best friends and sister are the only humans who know. Though all the other ghosts know.”

“So…” start Bart, “You’re telling us that his rogues all know his identity but his parents don’t. That’s a bit of a role reversal.”

Tim laughed. “Yeah. Weirded me out when he told me, too. But he’s not concerned about the ghosts knowing. Just human ghost hunters.”

“Like his parents,” Cassie said.

“Like his parents,” Tim confirmed.

“Well fuck.” As always, Conner knew how to sum up everyone’s thoughts.

“So, do you know his address?” asked Bart.

“Nope,” Tim said, popping the P. “But we won’t need it. His house is obvious from a mile away based on what Danny’s said.”

Cassie shook her head. “Every word out of your mouth makes me more concerned and more curious.”

Tim laughed. “That about sums him up. He’s got some stories that could rival ours for ridiculous and crazy. Now, Wonder Girl, Superboy, what do you say about flying us closer to town? Then we can change and walk the rest of the way in.”

“You’ve got it Boss-man!” Conner shouldered the bag of their belongings and hugged Tim close before launching them in the air.

Cassie did the same with Bart who pointed in the direction of Amity. It wasn’t long before they could see the town.

The group landed in a small grove of trees to change out of uniform before walking along the side of the highway towards Amity.

As they were walking, Bart asked, “So why shouldn’t we eat any of the food at Danny’s? I’m hungry.”

“We’ll go and get far too many burgers and snacks on B’s dime. The food at Danny’s house isn’t safe to eat or even be around, just trust me.”

“Hey, Tim,” said Conner, “What the fuck does that mean?”

Tim just shrugged. “Look, his parents would fit in at Arkham. The rest… well, we’ll see when we get there. I only have second hand information myself and I don’t know if I fully believe what Danny says.”

“You didn’t crash the plane on purpose, did you?” asked Bart who was now walking backwards in front of him.

“Yeah, Tim,” agreed Cassie, “Sounds like you’ve been wanting to come here for a while. Convenient, isn’t it? You could’ve just asked us if we were interested in a road trip!”

Tim flushed. “Are you guys seriously accusing me of deliberately destroying evidence in a plane crash? Me?”

“Don’t worry, Tim!” Conner slung an arm around his shoulders and leaned into him. “I believe you. If you wanted to concoct an excuse to get us here, it’d be much more subtle.”

Cassie and Bart laughed as Tim grumbled about traitorous friends. Louder, he said, “Oi, watch what you say. We’re in everyday clothes.”

“Of course. And you’re not just saying that because we’re right.” Bart stuck his tongue out at him.

Tim ducked under Conner’s arm and threw a punch which Bart easily dodged. “Remember I know where you sleep!” he called out.

“Right back atcha!” replied Bart. Cassie and Conner laughed at them.

It only took them about twenty minutes to come to the outermost buildings of the town and within forty, they were in the town proper.

“Now, seriously, Tim, where’re we going?” asked Cassie looking around.

The people who were around kept giving them odd looks and Tim had no idea what they were doing to stick out so obviously.

As if echoing his thoughts, Cassie muttered under her breath, “Is it just me or are we being stared at?”

Conner replied just as quietly. “I can hear them whisper; they know we’re outsiders. What sort of town is this, Tim?”

“Amity’s been through a lot the past few months. It might be a more active hot spot than Gotham, actually. I don’t think they trust strangers right now.”

“Worse than Gotham?” asked Cassie. “Timmy, bestie, you are totally keeping secrets from us again! Not cool.”

“I’m not!” Tim protested. “Look, we just need to find Danny’s house and hope there isn’t a ghost attack before we do.”

“How often do these ghost attacks happen?” asked Bart.

“From what Danny says, something usually happens most days. But they’re generally small. Big attacks… maybe once a week? But those can take a few days to fully resolve.”

“Dude, that is worse than Gotham,” said Bart, awe in his voice. “And the local hero just takes care of it all himself?”

“Yeah. Danny Phantom seems to be pretty competent. At least against ghosts.”

Cassie let out a low whistle but decided to change the subject. “So, if your friend’s house is so distinct, what are we looking for?”

Before Tim could reply, the roar of an engine drowned him out and a giant silver-and-green monstrosity turned the corner so fast only two wheels remained on the ground. A woman in a blue jumpsuit leaned out the window holding a gun bigger than herself as she screamed about ghosts.

Around them, people took one look and ran into any door they could, slamming them shut. Conner, Cassie, and Bart fell into defensive stances.

Tim just grinned and relaxed as he watched to see what street the GAV turned down. It really was as ridiculous as Danny had said.

As soon as the noise of the Fenton’s illegal tank died down, Tim answered Cassie’s question. “We go down the same street as that vehicle. Those were Danny’s parents.”

“Are we going to the lair of super villains?” asked Conner.

“Nah, just mad scientists.”

“Tim, is this really the best idea?” Cassie had pulled out her phone and was uselessly trying to turn it on.

“We’ll need to if you want your phone fixed.”

Around them, people were starting to cautiously open doors and look out to make sure it was safe. Tim pretended not to notice the looks his friends were exchanging.

“Come on, what happened to grilling Danny about what I was like before Bruce took me in?” He really hoped the potential for embarrassing stories, of which there obviously weren’t any, would get them to stop second guessing him.

Cassie did hum consideringly. “Well, it’s not like we haven’t faced weirder. And we can hold our own against mad scientists if needed. Even without any form of communication device. Which… Tim, on a scale of an elephant noticing an ant to about to start world war three, how likely is it that your family has noticed something happened and how totally normal will their reaction be?”

Tim groaned. “Look, I’ll see if Danny can fix my phone first before we get dinner. If it doesn’t take too long, it won’t be an issue. We probably have a few hours before B does anything irreversible.”

“I have no idea how you put up with someone always in your business like that,” commented Conner.

Tim shrugged as he finally got the others to start moving in the direction the tank took. “I mean, I keep track of you guys about as closely as Bruce follows me.”

Bart laughed. “Whelp, that’s another box checked on the ‘Tim is going to grow up to be a supervillain’ bingo card!

Tim stuck his tongue out at his friends and sped up so he was walking a few feet ahead of them. Around them, pedestrian traffic started picking up again as people decided it was safe to come out again.

Bart ran up until he was walking backwards in front of Tim. “Do you really think you can outrun me?”

“I’m not trying to out run you. Just walk ahead of you. I’m the one who knows what I’m looking for.” They reached the turn and Bart kept walking straight so Tim grabbed his arm. “Like, for example, the fact that we need to turn down this road.”

A quick glance down the street proved this had to be the right place. The giant Fenton Works sign hung off one of the buildings and the monstrosity Danny referred to as the Ops Center sat precariously on the roof.

“In fact, that building that’s probably breaking every building code ever imagined is our destination. Come on! The sooner we get there, the sooner Danny can fix my phone, and the sooner we can eat.”

“He’s totally taking us to the lair of some evil mad scientists, isn’t he?” Cassie muttered.

Tim pretended he couldn’t hear her. Or Conner’s reply of “Oh, definitely. One more square and I’ve got bingo.”

“I think we need to change the rules of the game. We have winners too often. First person to a full card wins, not the first person to connect a line.”

“I hate you guys. You’re fired as my best friends. It’ll just be me and Danny from now on. I’ll run away and move here and hide in his attic and never talk to any of you ever again.”

Bart hooked their arms together. “Then we’ll just come and drag you back. Evil scientists and ghosts and creepy town or not.”

Conner walked up until he could bump his shoulder against Tim’s and Cassie ruffled his hair.

“Yep. You’re stuck with us for life at this point. No firing allowed,” she said.

Tim hid a smile as they walked the last half block to Danny’s house. And then the group just stared at the building for a minute.

“You know, after seeing this place, I don’t think I needed the warning about the food,” commented Cassie. “I’m not going to trust a single thing they try to give us.”

“If it comes from Danny or his sister, it’ll be fine. From their parents? Decline.” Tim took a breath and walked up the steps and rang the doorbell.

Voices could be heard from inside and a moment later, the door opened to reveal the largest human Tim had ever seen. And the orange jumpsuit he was wearing was so bright even Tim, used as he was to Robin colors, had to hold back a wince. Jack Fenton was smiling broadly at them.

“Welcome to Fenton Works! Who might you lot be? Would you like some fudge?” And even though his hands had been empty a moment before, he managed to pull a tray of fudge from…somewhere.

Before Tim could reply, Maddie Fenton was there, too. “Jack, let the kids speak! Welcome. Are you here for Jazz or Danny?”

Tim put on his gala-smile. “Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Fenton. I’m Tim, Danny’s penpal from Gotham and these are some of my friends. We are on a road trip and were passing by and I decided I wanted to stop by to see Danny. Is he home?”

The words were barely out of Tim’s mouth before Jack was shouting with a voice loud enough to shake the windows. “Dan-o! Your friends are here!”

Maddie’s reaction was more interesting. Her brow furrowed and she seemed to mumble to herself, “Penpal? Has Danny mentioned a penpal before?” Louder, she said, “Please come on in. Danny will be right down.”

As his friends shuffled past him, they each poked or prodded Tim in some way to let him know how crazy they found the situation. Maddie shut the door behind them and the click of the door had no right to sound as ominous as a lock turning in a cell in a supervillain’s lair.

True to Maddie’s predictions, footsteps echoed on the floor above them and then down the stairs. Danny froze on the steps, though, as soon as he saw exactly who was in his living room.

Tim raised a hand and grinned. “Hey, Danny! Surprise?”

“Tim? What the—” Danny cut off the phrase with a glance at his parents. “Secrets! We’ve talked about surprises like this! What are you doing here?” And then he was running the rest of the way down the stairs and hugging Tim tightly.

Tim’s surprise lasted just a moment before he was hugging Danny back. “I don’t actually think we have had a conversation about the proper way for me to show up at your place when I ended up stranded in the area by accident with a non-working phone. I blame you, by the way.”

They pulled apart, but Danny stayed close enough that their arms brushed against each other at the slighted movement. “I can fix that for you. It’ll take about twenty minutes.” He glanced at Tim’s friends. “Each, I’m afraid.”

Cassie waved off his apology. “Fix Tim’s first. His family is the one that’ll freak out if he’s out of communication too long. It’s nice to meet you Danny, I’m—“

But Danny cut her off. “Cassie, right? Tim’s told me a lot about you. It’s great to finally meetcha! And you two must be Conner and Bart!” As he said their names, he correctly pointed at each boy.

“You’ve got it in one,” agreed Conner. “Though I’d like to open by saying anything Tim said is probably a lie.”

Danny laughed. “Even the part where he called you the coolest person he knows after Dick? Because I got that message just—”

Tim slammed his hand over Danny’s mouth. “No need to go into that right now.” He ignored the way he felt his face heating.

To his relief, Danny’s dad butted into the conversation. “Well we’re thrilled to have you kids here! Will you stay for dinner? My snoockums will be making the best chicken you’ve ever had!”

“Actually, Mr. Fenton,” said Tim before anyone else could, “Danny and I have this ongoing debate over which is better: Batburger or Nasty Burger. It’s been going on for years and I need to try Nasty Burger so he can’t use the excuse that I don’t know what I’m talking about when I insist Batburger is better.”

“Oh you are so going to eat your words,” Danny said shrugging out from under Tim’s arm. Looking to his friends, Danny asked, “Have all of you had batburger?”

Bart grinned. “Sure have! We’ll be sure to give our unbiased opinions!”

Danny laughed. “Great, because Tim sure won’t. He’ll refuse to admit how he’s completely wrong and Nasty Burger is the absolute best ever.”

Cassie shook her head. “Is it really called Nasty Burger? Why would they do that?”

“Oh someone vandalized the sign years ago and the restaurant decided to lean into it. Now, come on, I’ll fix Tim’s phone and then we can get dinner.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to eat here?” asked Maddie again.

“Yeah, mom, we’re sure.”

“How long’ll you kids be in town for?” asked Jack. “Do you have a place to stay?”

Tim shrugged. “My foster dad gave me a credit card for us to use for lodgings, food, and gas on the trip. We were just gonna find a hotel or something in town.”

“Now that just won’t do!” Maddie even covered her mouth with her hand, eyes wide in disbelief. “Neither the hotel nor the motel has any ghost shields to speak of. What if there’s an attack? No. You must stay here. Our house is the safest place in town, dontcha know.”

“Exactly!” boomed Jack. “In fact, let me show you!” He reached over and flipped what looked like a light switch, but instead of a light turning on, a siren sounded and glowing-green metal slammed over the windows. At least five hidden compartments on every wall opened revealing lasers and guns. Each of which made their own noises.

Danny tensed next to him as about a third of the weapons pointed to him and a robotic voice said, “Ghost threat detected.”

Then a girl appeared on the stairs shouting at the adults. “I’m trying to study!” It was amazing how she was able to shout over the noise of the alarm systems. “Who activated the home defense system?” And that’s when she noticed Tim and his friends.

As soon as her daughter appeared, Maddie flipped the switch back off and the weapons disappeared back into the walls, the metal retreated from the windows, and the alarms fell quiet leaving behind a normal-looking living room once again.

Behind him, Tim heard Cassie mutter, “What the fuck?”

“Who are you?” Jazz asked as soon as it was quiet.

Jack answered for everyone. “These are Danny’s friends! Tim and… sorry, I don’t think I caught the rest of your names.”

“Dad!” Danny shook his head. “Come on down, Jazz. I’ve mentioned Tim a ton. He’s my online penpal Secrets. And these are his friends: Cassie, Bart, and Conner.”

“Oh! Secrets!” She ran the rest of the way down the stairs. “It’s so great to meet you. Danny didn’t mention you coming to visit.” She shook Tim’s hand with a friendly smile.

Tim couldn’t help but smile back. “Glad to meet you, too. Danny talks about you all the time.”

And his friends were done being quiet because Bart decided to take over explanations. “Our visit was unscheduled. We were in the area and our transport and phones stopped working. Saw the sign for Amity and Tim brought us here.”

Jazz nodded in understanding. “Yeah, that happens around here. But Danny can fix your phones and car so you won’t be stranded long.”

“Yep! That’s just what I was about to do. Fix Tim’s phone then take them to Nasty Burger. I’ll take care of everyone else’s after we eat.”

Jazz nodded. “Bring me back a milkshake? I have a bit more studying to do. But, Tim! I want to get to know you better. After all, you’ve been such a large part of Danny’s life these past few years. So I’ll pull out some board and card games and we can just hang out for a bit while Danny fixes your phones.”

Tim felt his face flush again. Did Danny really talk about him that much? “Uh, yeah. Sure. That sounds great.”

“Oh. My. God. Jazz! You’re not allowed to interrogate my friends.” Danny took Tim’s hand and dragged him towards the stairs. “Come on, let’s go up to my room where I can work on your phones.”

Tim heard snickering from at least one of his friends as they followed them. But really, most of his focus was on how Danny’s hand felt cool but solid in his own.

Jazz just rolled her eyes. “It’s not interrogating, Danny. It’s getting to know someone. That involves questions!”

“Don’t worry about it,” said Conner. “No one is worse at interrogation than Tim’s dad.”

“Not my dad!” protested Tim automatically.

“Foster Dad, whatever! You know who I mean.”

Danny didn’t let go of his hand until they were in his bedroom. And once everyone, except Jazz, was in the room, he shut the door.

“Great, now that we have some privacy, let’s have proper introductions! Glad to meet you all. Do you want anything? Jazz and I have water bottles and pop cans hidden up here that are safe. And I’ve got, like, seven flavors of pringles.”

“What flavors of pop?” asked Conner.

“Coke, ginger ale, sprite, and fanta,” replied Danny.

“Can I have a sprite?”

“I’ll take a coke if it’s okay,” said Cassie.

“Fanta for me!” called Bart.

“You guys got it. Tim?”

“I’ll just have water for now.”

Danny nodded. “Give me just a sec. The fridge is hidden in Jazz’s room.”

And then the Young Justice team was left alone.

Cassie hissed, “What the fuck, Tim!”

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And there you have it! Tim and Danny's first in-person meeting. And the Young Justice's introduction to Amity and the Fentons.

If anyone has any fics, meta analyses, or whatever that focuses on the Young Justice characters, I'd love some recommendations! I've read less on them than the bats and they're shaping up to have a big part in this fic.

Tag List:

@gremlin-bot, @bonebrokebuddy, @britcision, @lady-time-lord-, @welcometosasakiworld, @akikkobara, @phoenixdemonqueen, @dolfay, @skulld3mort-1fan, @we-ezer, @markus209, @sjrose1216, @onyxlightdragon, @dragonsrequiem, @jesus-camp-the-sequel, @spidey29phangirl, @kyrianclawraith, @evilminji, @introvert-even-on-the-internet, @emergentpanda-blog, @lexdamo, @v-inari, @idontgetpaidenoughforthisshit, @longlivethefallen, @undead-essence, @xye-chan, @liandrin, @seraphinedemort, @kisatamao, @schalensitzbucket, @caelestisdreamer, @runfromthemedic, @nutcase8691

#dpxdc #bring me home #tim drake #danny fenton #cassie sandsmark #bart allen #conner kent #tim's supervillain bingo card #he thinks his friends are overreacting

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lord-of-the-muses · 1 year

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Cold Shot of Jealousy

Pairings: Wednesday Addams X Enid Sinclair x Femme Reader (Y/N)

Wednesday sat at the bar of the local watering hole, nursing a drink and watching Enid and Y/N as they laughed and chatted with a shapeshifting boy named Robin. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but something about the way he was interacting with her girlfriends made her uneasy.

As she watched, she noticed that Robin seemed to be flirting with both Enid and Y/N, and she could feel a twinge of jealousy beginning to build inside of her. She had never felt this way before, and she wasn't quite sure what to make of it.

Despite her uncertainty, Wednesday couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about Robin. She decided to take matters into her own hands and approached the group.

"Hey," she said, trying to keep her tone light and casual. "What's going on here?"

Enid and Y/N looked up at her and smiled, but Robin's expression remained guarded.

"Oh, just hanging out," Enid said, sipping her drink. "Robin here was just telling us about his travels. He's quite the shapeshifter and mindbender."

Wednesday's jealousy flared even hotter at the mention of Robin's abilities. She knew that Enid and Y/N were drawn to powerful and mysterious men, but she couldn't shake the feeling that Robin was just trying to use those abilities to charm her girlfriends.

"Well, I'm sure he's very interesting," Wednesday said through gritted teeth. "But I think it's time for us to head home. Enid and Y/N have a big day tomorrow, and they need their rest."

Enid and Y/N looked at each other, clearly disappointed that their fun was being cut short, but they nodded and said their goodbyes to Robin.

As they walked home, Wednesday could feel the tension building between her and her girlfriends. She knew she was being possessive and jealous, but she couldn't help it. She didn't want to share Enid and Y/N with anyone else.

"Is everything okay, Wednesday?" Enid asked, looking up at her. "You've been acting kind of strange tonight."

"I'm fine," Wednesday said, trying to shake off her feelings. "I just didn't like the way that Robin was flirting with you both. He seemed like a shady character to me."

"Robin is a nice guy," Y/N said, defending the shapeshifter. "I thought he was just trying to be friendly."

"I'm sure he was," Wednesday said, trying to hide the jealousy in her voice. "I just don't want anyone to take advantage of you two."

Enid and Y/N exchanged a knowing look, and Wednesday knew she had overstepped her boundaries. She couldn't help but feel guilty for ruining their night, but she couldn't shake the feeling that Robin was not to be trusted.

The next day, Wednesday decided to take matters into her own hands and investigate Robin. She couldn't stand the thought of him being around her girlfriends, so she needed to find something that would make him leave town.

Using her skills she did some digging and discovered that Robin had a criminal past. He had been arrested for theft and fraud, and had even served time in prison. Wednesday knew she had found the leverage she needed to get rid of him.

Feeling satisfied with her findings, Wednesday went to Enid and Y/N and told them what she had discovered about Robin. She could see the shock and disappointment on their faces, and she knew she had made the right decision

As soon as Wednesday had the evidence, she knew she had to act fast. She waited for the right moment, biding her time until she saw Robin trying to flirt with Y/N and Enid again. This time, however, he had taken it a step further and had started to make physical advances towards them.

Wednesday knew she couldn't just sit back and watch this happen. Without hesitation, she marched over to Robin and pulled him aside.

"We need to talk," she said firmly.

Robin looked at her with confusion, clearly unaware of what was going on.

"I know all about your past," Wednesday continued, her voice cold and steady. "I know about the theft and fraud charges, and I know that you have served time in prison."

Robin's face paled, and he knew he had been caught. He stammered and stuttered, trying to come up with an excuse, but Wednesday was not interested in hearing his lies.

"I'm going to make this very simple for you," she said, her voice low and dangerous. "You are going to leave town and never come back. If you try to contact Enid or Y/N, or if I ever see you around here again, I will go to the authorities with the information I have on you. Do you understand?"

Robin nodded, clearly frightened by Wednesday's threats. He knew he had been outmaneuvered and had no choice but to do as she said. Without another word, he gathered his things and quickly left the bar.

As Wednesday watched him go, she couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. She had protected her girlfriends and kept them safe from someone who would have harmed them. Enid and Y/N came to her and thanked her for her actions and they went home together.

Wednesday knew that she had done the right thing, even if it meant going against her usual silent and reserved nature. She knew that sometimes, in order to protect the ones you love, you have to take matters into your own hands. And she would do it again in a heartbeat, if it meant keeping Enid and Y/N safe and happy.

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jelzorz · 5 months

Text

164.

As per @raayllum's request. Takes place/makes references to the fruit (~7 years post-series end, aka everyone is a fully consenting adult) which is not required reading but does explain what Rayla is talking about and is my justification for the existence of this ship.

"It's weird."

"No, it isn't."

"It is."

"Callum." Rayla lets out a breath. She likes to think she's been pretty patient about this, but it's been a long couple of months, and she's growing bored of managing Callum's expectations for him. To an extent, she understands: first Claudia had come home, and rather than be sentenced for her crimes, Ez had pardoned her, and then, somehow, had started courting her, and Rayla had thought that was weird too at first, but the fit Callum had thrown was pointless at best, and stupid and immature at worst. Rayla is his partner, his wife now, before she is anything else, and she's defended him in the past for his poor decision making and his poorer behaviour, but she will not defend him for his spat with Ez.

He has, thankfully, grown past it, but the reason he put his head back on straight is the new thing he can't get past, and they're not even dressed for dinner yet but Rayla is already exhausted by his inability to process the unexpected.

He pouts at her, helpless, confused, but Rayla would have more sympathy for him if he hadn't spent the last few months in a cold war with Ezran. She will not forgive him if he has another one with Soren and Opeli.

"What's the problem, exactly?" she demands, her patience well and truly wearing thin. "Is there something wrong with them being together?"

"I just—" Callum sputters, his brain obviously stuck on the word together like it's hammer caught between the gears of his brain. "It's—Soren—"

"You had no issues when Soren was dating Corvus."

"No, it's not—" He huffs. "With Opeli?"

"Yes. With Opeli. And?"

He flounders for a moment longer, looking more and more a like a fish gasping for air. "It's... I dunno, Rayla, the thought that they—they—"

"Oh, it's the sex, is it?"

Callum slams his mouth shut and goes so red that it takes all of Rayla's willpower not to dissolve into hysterics right there and then. Admittedly, she'd had the fortune of being told straight—by Opeli, when she'd gone investigating after the tension between all her friends had begun to piss her off. Callum and Ez were already refusing to talk to each other last spring, and when Opeli and Soren started to avoid each other too, Rayla had put her foot down and ambushed her in her office before the situation could grow anymore out of hand.

Then... Well. This summer hasn't been easy for them. She will not let Callum make it worse.

"Don't say it like that." Callum squeezes his eyes shut and rubs at his temples. "It's—Opeli's like a mom, y'know?"

Rayla snorts at him. "Mums have sex, Callum."

"And Soren is like—he's like one of us. It's—it's kind of—" He grimaces, and for what it's worth, looks genuinely frustrated at himself for not being able to reconcile it. Rayla gives him some grace for that. "Look, I don't want you to think I'm not, like, happy for them? It's just... Opeli's been High Cleric my whole life, and she's been looking out for us since we were teenagers, and she's so much older that—"

Rayla stops him there with a scowl. "Is there something wrong with ageing women, Callum?"

"What? No! That's not—"

"Is she not allowed want things, Callum?"

"I didn't mean it like that!"

"Is Soren not allowed to think she's attractive just because she's older?"

"Rayla." He bows his head, resigned, exhausted, ashamed. "There's nothing wrong with them being together," he concedes. "Like. They're both adults. It's their decision. And after everything they've both done, and after what happened this summer... If they're happy, that's all that matters. My brain just... needs time, I guess." Then, quietly, and perhaps a little pathetically, he adds, "Sorry."

Rayla blinks at him, pleasantly surprised by his maturity after the months without it. "I get it," she says at last. "It threw me for a loop too, but at the end of the day, it doesn't change anything. They're still our friends. Our family. We'd still do anything for them, right?"

Callum nods childishly, and Rayla offers him a smile at last and pats his cheek. "Let's go have dinner with them. Think you can do that without having an aneurysm?"

He gives her a look. "Give me some credit."

Rayla laughs at that, loops her arm through his, and presses a kiss into his cheek. "Good," she says with a chuckle, "because Soren's been bugging me about this double date for weeks. Let's just have a good time with our friends, okay?"

Callum takes a breath but he smiles, if a little nervously, and nods. "Yeah. Sounds good."

#rayllum #sorpeli #callum not being able to process sorpeli or claudiez is the funniest part of both of these crackships #once again i will fight everyone for this ship #ageing 👏 women 👏 can 👏 be 👏 desirable 👏 too 👏#in anticipation

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blue-rose-soul · 2 months

Note

Wait then for raised together au: what would be alastor reaction when he learn about Lilith's deal with the angels ?

Then again it still in theories.

That's a hard question to answer, since, as you said, we don't really have much information to go on. I have fun speculating but I don't like to assume mine or anyone else's theories are true with any amount of certainty until we have on screen confirmation. All we really know is that Lilith had some kind of deal with someone in Heaven, and that deal involved Adam.

With that being all the information I have, that's all the information I'm allowing Alastor to have in this AU.

Even in the scenario where Lucifer rescued young Alastor and brought him home, Alastor doesn't really see Lilith as a mother-figure. Things are pretty awkward between them early on, with him being a result of her husband's drunken indiscretion. But she doesn't resent Alastor for it. She's a tad cold towards him at times, but she seems to genuinely care* for the people of Hell, including this child. And there's a bit of solidarity between them, since they both became demons without dying.

Before Lilith disappeared for seven years, Alastor had some idea that she had her own plans in the works. He saw her actively working to better the lot of the people in Hell while Lucifer shut himself away. Saw her be an actual leader. But he wasn't brought in on her plan and so he was suspicious about what, exactly, she was doing. If he found out she had some kind of deal with the angels, that suspicion would grow with him starting to question whether or not she actually has Hell's best interests at heart. While he doesn't care too much about the sinners at large, he does care about Charlie and, over time, the hotel. While this version of Alastor is softer than his canon counterpart, having grown up under very different circumstances, he is still willing to step in to make hard decisions that he sees Charlie as unwilling or unable to make. And he knows how much Charlie cares about the people of Hell.

Alastor gets himself comfortable with the idea of seeing his mentor as an enemy, and prepares to take drastic action to stop her plans if they put Charlie's in jeopardy. But! He won't act until he's done some investigating and knows with certainty what Lilith's plans are. After all, she's still Charlie's mother.

(*I do enjoy portrayals of Lilith as a villain or a sinister figure, but that's not the interpretation I'm going with in the case of this scenario specifically. She's just sketchy.)

#ask #anonymous #Hazbin Hotel #the Devil's Bastard AU #Raised Together AU #Alastor #Lilith Morningstar #Charlie Morningstar #if you've ever seen Ouran High School Host Club #just picture Charlie as Tamaki and Alastor as Kyouya #only without the homoeroticism #and with more murder

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changeling-fae · 2 months

Text

Gave my unicorn Tav, Iluatria (Lua for short), an update. I'm a The Last Unicorn hoe.

Her lore:

Lua was a unicorn who lived on the coast before an old dying wizard made a deal with a sea hag to capture her so he could force her into healing him and giving him more life.

He went to the local sea hag and had her help him capture and transform Lua (wild unicorns are notoriously difficult to capture otherwise). It worked obviously, but he betrayed the hag and killed her (who cursed him to be killed by his own folly soon enough, aka Lua).

He basically had her captured Calliope style in the Sandman, trying to persuade/intimidate/force her to give him power but she refused because it’s not something that can be taken. He gets drunk one night and tries to take it by force (by sawing her horn off which would kill her) and she instead impales him with her horn.

She then returns to where her sisters and brothers are like “hey, help me turn back” but then they said they can’t and that’s when Selûne is like “actually I’m going to need you to investigate Moonrise/the Absolute cult that’s forming and then I can turn you back”, so then Lua is forced to investigate which is then when she gets captured and tadpoled.

Since the gods were already sending their clerics and agents to check out what’s happening, Selûne would be like “actually this works in our favor for a bit” and is taking advantage of the situation.

I imagine Lua got nerfed a bit when she was transformed, then the tadpole nerfed her the rest of the way.

She knows she’s a unicorn (horn makes it obvious) but her memories of her life as a unicorn are starting to fade and the more connections she makes in her new form, the more she loses her old self. I’m using it as a form of meta too, since Tav is such a blank slate and feels like they didn’t exist before the events of the game, this is my meta of her literally being a new person.

She’s old, like older than Raphael old, but since I’m stealing so much from TLU, to quote Prince Lir, “she has a newness”.

She was a unicorn under the service of Selûne specifically, and she helped guide sailors and lost souls home along the coast. Keeping with the sea and navigation themes.

She’s not only trying to remove the tadpole but also trying to return to form before she “loses herself” forever. But of course she makes connections and once she and Astarion fall for each other, it’s when she has to make a decision. His spawn route is him deciding to try living again with his old self dead and buried, and with her it’ll be deciding to let her old self die as well.

She doesn't get on with Gale at first because she thinks wizards are selfish and power hungry but over time they become friends and they have interesting discussions around magic.

Right now her goal is “yes, I want to go back, this form is unnatural and torture” but she’ll start to develop an independent sense of self that starts to overtake her old self.

She’ll always have natural grace and beauty, but that ethereal otherworldliness will disappear over time.

While she's in this form she can feel her immortality and old self fade and it horrifies her but once she falls in love with Astarion she eventually comes to accept her new life. My end goal is at the end of the game, she chooses to use what's left of her powerful unicorn healing magic to cure Astarion of his vampirism. Her horn disappears and she's made fully mortal (as an elf) and they live their new lives together.

It's a cheesy idea but Selûne takes their souls (since Corellon won’t have him), and then they get reincarnated as unicorns. They’re essentially new people again, the way reborn souls are, but they find each other again and mate for life once more. And now he gets to be a unicorn; wild beauty, grace, and never again tamed too.

It’s super romantic and cheesy but sometimes I be a sucker for that.

And I do like the idea that Astarion, (who he himself and most people see as used, dirty, and corrupted), is actually seen as worthy enough and loved by a being in universe as pure as they come. And there’s an innocence in his passion for life that would attract her.

#bg3 #bg3 tav #astarion #oc: iluatria #she's unfortunately probably going to be one of my few tav's who kills raphael rip

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akiology · 8 months

Text

In the Dead of the Night || Part 3

You are married to two of the most infamous information brokers in Tokyo.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

Word Count: 1.1k Pairing: Akira Kurusu x Reader x Goro Akechi Note: THIS IS AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE!! this chapter focuses more on akechi's history! also i am still not sure how long this is gonna be so you might see me gradually add parts to the links haha

The thought of never being born delights Akechi. And it's not just because of his self loathing, although it plays a part, but he genuinely thinks that his mother's life would be so much better if he was never born. His mother was definitely not the best, but she tried. That is what Akechi experienced and believed.

He didn't know much about his mother's life before she had him, but he knows her life would have been so much better. When she chose the active decision to keep him, is when her misery started. Many people shunned and judged his mother for having a child out of wedlock. She had lesser job opportunities, and thus she resorted to being a nightclub worker.

He was not dumb, he knew the kind of work his mother does. When his mother brings someone home she would give him some spare change and send him to the bathhouse. But regardless, he wishes to grow up fast so that he can work instead and get his mother out of that hellhole.

Until... that day.

"Mama! I am home!"

"Mama?"

".... Mama? What happened to you?"

Perhaps if he wasn't born, then maybe her mother would have had a stable job, and married to a man who will actually take care of her. Maybe if he wasn't born, then maybe she would not have to work herself to the bone, to the point where she could not recognize the person in the mirror. Maybe if he wasn't born, then maybe... she would actually be happy.

But he was born, and there's nothing he could do to change that. But what he can do is become stronger, powerful, to the point of untouchable, so that he and all the people he loves will no longer be resorted to the kind of pain he felt as a kid. And to make Masayoshi Shido, his asshole of a father, pay. The thought of him groveling pathetically while on his knees and at his complete mercy... Akechi smiles at thought.

/./

"You know... you seem a little too young," A man clad in an expensive suit looks over Akechi's resume. He is incredibly smart yes, but he is just a college student.

"I am more than qualified for the job regardless of my age," Akechi confidently answers, and flashed the guy a big smile.

The man seemed to mull it over. While Akechi is young, all they needed was a scapegoat. Currently, news of illegal activities has been circling around their company. The higher-ups needed someone to eventually take the blame, a fall guy, but they put it under the guise of looking for a new secretary.

"Alright, kid."

Little did they know, Akechi knew. And underestimating him was what caused their downfall.

/./

"Boss?" Akechi one day approached his office, with a folder filled with business documents in hand.

"Yes, Akechi-san? I am very busy, so I am going to need for you to make this quick," he was dismissive.

Akechi sighs, "I got a call earlier this morning. I am apparently under investigation?"

"Ah yes. Be sure to be on your best behavior." He looked away from Akechi and focused on the documents he had on the table.

"That's it? That's all you have to say?" Akechi was surprised.

"Hm? What else do you expect me to say?"

Akechi's expression greatly darkened. "Don't play dumb with me, old man. I could just turn you in to the police right now."

"Ha! Don't get cocky, kid. Nobody will believe you."

"That's true, whatever will I do?" Akechi laughed, but it was dry. "I have detailed documents and evidences of the illegal shit you do around here. I also have a few anonymous people that are willing to turn in their testimonies."

"Oh? And you think that's enough? I have more power and influence over you. Just throw some money their way and they will shut up."

"Have you no shame?"

"That is nothing. It is a dog-eat-dog world. The weak are weeded out. I am merely cutting down costs, and allocating more funds for the betterment of the company."

"They were going directly to your pockets."

"Well, I am the head of the company so I think it is well-deserved!" He laughed boisterously.

Akechi brought out his phone, clearly showing their conversation was recorded. "With just the press of a button, I could send this to the police right now."

"You! You wouldn't."

"I won't if you give me what I want."

"And what is that?"

"A bar."

/./

The old man stayed true to his word, and Akechi found himself being the owner of a bar in Kichijoji. After he established himself and his bar gaining enough profit to sustain himself, he decided to take care of the only link he has that could destroy him.

"Are you Goro Akechi?"

"Yes I am," Akechi was seated in front of a certain Sae Nijima. She was a prosecutor who was chasing down his previous boss, but did not have enough evidence to warrant an arrest, much less an investigation.

"I was told that you could help me with one of my cases."

"Jin Fukuhara, my previous boss. I have detailed evidences of his corruption, and how he silenced any employees that go against him. He also has ties to some shady dealings with the yakuza," Akechi handed a portfolio filled with the information, and raised a pouch. "Inside this is a USB device with his confession, and the testimonies of his workers."

"You... this... This could be good for my career!" Sae gawked at the papers in her hand, but then narrowed her eyes at Akechi. "What do you want in exchange for this?"

"Just keep my name out of this, and remove any connections my bar, Jazz Jin, has with him. I will rebrand."

"That..."

"This is good you know? My bar is known to attract customers who may have valuable information that could help you in future cases..."

And so Jazz Jin became The Jazz Bar. Jin Fukuhara was sentenced to prison time. Sae Nijima found herself with an unlikely consultant who did not want to be named in her operations. That's fine, she gets all the credits for her cases so it's a win-win.

/./

"Where are we going, Akira?" Akechi grumbled, feeling perturbed especially since they left you behind.

"We have a client, they want to meet at somewhere near Shibuya." Akira was just as displeased, but they it is not like they can easily turn their backs on their jobs. It would have been even more dangerous if they did.

"What about the bar?"

"I've asked Ryuji and Yusuke to take care of it."

Akechi sighed, resigning himself to the job. "Who's our client?"

"Someone named Kaneshiro."

#persona x reader #akira x reader #fanfic #goro akechi #akira kurusu #ren amamiya #akira kurusu x reader #goro akechi x reader #goro x reader #reader-insert #reader insert

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andydrysdalerogers · 6 months

Text

Sliding Into Home ~ The One with the World Series

Pairing: MLB!Frank Adler x Abigail Hernandez (OFC)

Synopsis:

After a trade from Boston to Los Angeles, first baseman Frank Adler would seem to have it all. Money, women, an amazing niece, yes Frank should have it all. Except for one thing. One thing that left after a mistake five years ago. Los Angeles should be the chance to start over. Except she is supposed to be in Boston. Not his new medical director.

* A Frank Adler AU x Major League Baseball Story**

Warning: ANGST (i can't stress this enough), second chances, cheating, S~M~U~T!!, slow burn, drug use, abandonment issues, betrayal, domestic violence (i may have missed some), flashbacks

Dividers by me

I do NOT give permission for my work to be translated or reposted on here or any other site, even if you give me credit. DO NOT REPOST MY FICS. Reblogs, comments, likes, and feedback ALWAYS appreciated

Previous: Trial by Fire

Sliding Into Home Master List Main Masterlist

Two weeks later...

“I want to know.”

“So do I.”

“So why can’t we?”

“Because It’s too early for it to show up.”

“That seems stupid. Why are we here? You’re perfect.”

“I’m a mess.”

A chuckle. “But you’re my mess.”

“Thanks, I think.”

Frank kissed the top of Abby’s head. “You’re beautiful Cricket.”

“I don’t feel like it.”

“You’re twelve weeks pregnant, Cricket.” Frank took her hand. “You’ve been nauseous every day for the last two weeks. Plus, the stress from the hearing wasn’t helping.”

“And you’re leaving,” she mumbled.

“Sweetheart, you know I don’t want to leave you. I have to go to work.”

“Stupid playoffs.”

Frank chuckled. Abby had always hated when the playoffs started because he would have to be on the road for five days at any time during the current series. They were starting in LA, the Dodgers having the best record in the West, facing off against Arizona. “Cricket, it’s gonna be fine. Marco and Scott will be home to help. Please, just take it easy, ok?”

Abby sighed. She knew this but it didn’t stop her anxiety. She thought back on the last couple of weeks.

Mike had been officially charged with kidnapping and endangerment since there were drugs found in his house. He was fighting it, of course, but now Frank and Abby had a protection order against him. He went back to Boston in custody, his bail revoked.

Diane pled no contest to her charges of assault and battery. The deal she made was to allow her to stay in treatment in Boston as long as she had no contact with Abby or Mike. She asked for a letter to be delivered before she accepted. Abby read the letter, Diane’s apologies all over it. Abby closed that chapter in her heart, grateful her friend had found peace and recovery.

Bobby Fuller was suspended pending a full investigation for his involvement with Frank’s incident in Vegas as well as helping Mike with the kidnapping. He made a statement, saying he was not going to fight any charges or decisions made by the league. He had earned what would happen to him after everything had concluded and offered his apologies to the Adler family.

Now, she was dealing with the playoffs and the push for Los Angeles to make it to the World Series once again. She came out of her thoughts as her doctor entered the room. “Hello Dr. Adler.”

“Hey Dr. Montgomery.”

“Mr. Adler,” she shook Frank’s hand. “Ready to start the playoffs?

“Absolutely Doc.” Frank flashed her a smile. “Game one tomorrow.”

“You better bring that trophy home,” she replied. “Now Abby, how are you feeling?”

“Nauseous and thirsty at the same time. Kinda weird.”

“Yeah, that happens. Any drowsiness, bloating, cravings?”

“A little bit of everything.” Abby smiled. “Just generally tired. Had back to back surgeries yesterday and then Mary decided it was time to learn a new hobby.” She gave Frank a pointed look.

“How did I know she wanted to learn the drums? She said she wanted to play an instrument.” Frank shrugged and gave his best boyish grin.

Dr. Montgomery chuckled. “Yeah, I can understand that. Well, your blood work came back great, your weight is on track for twelve weeks.”

“When will I pop?” Abby placed a hand over her belly. “Right now, I just feel big but Frank says I look the same.”

“No, I said you look beautiful,” Frank argued.

“Whatever.”

“Usually, moms pop their bellies closer to 15 or 16 weeks. Like I mentioned, your weight is great for twelve weeks. Now, are we ready to see baby?” Abby nodded. “Ok, scoot down, shirt under your breast and pants down a little. Sorry, this is a little cold.” She squirted gel onto Abby, grabbed the wand and rolled over her skin. Frank and Abby stared at the screen, just a mix of black, white and gray, until...

“There it is.” A little peanut shaped blob appeared. It was different from the first scan where it was just a blip of something. This time, a head was clearly taking shape. “That’s your baby.”

“It’s like a little peanut alien,” Frank said.

“Frankie,” Abby whined.

“What? Cricket, it’s a peanut. It's our...” he stopped as Dr. Montgomery turned on the sound and a rapid noise echoed in the room. “Is that...”

“Baby’s heartbeat. Its nice and strong, about 150 beats per minute, which is perfect.”

“They are perfect,” Abby breathed. A tear ran down her face.

“Cricket, what’s wrong?”

“I just thought with the stress, that I did something to the baby.”

Dr. Montgomery cleaned Abby up. “Abby, you are doing everything right. I know that the hearing was stressful, but everything is perfect. I don’t think you need an amniocentesis, so I would relax and enjoy.”

Abby nodded as Frank said, “thanks Doc.”

“Pictures will be up front, and I want to see you in four weeks. Good luck, Frank.”

As Abby and Frank made their way up, they started to talk about baby names. “I like Emily for a girl or Steven for a boy,” Abby said.

“I’m ok with Emily but Steven? Steve Adler?” Frank twisted his mouth in disgust.

“It sounds good.”

“No Cricket it doesn’t. How about Daniel?”

“Dan Adler? I mean, its ok.”

Frank sighed. “We have time right?”

“Yes, we do.” Abby leaned into him. “When are we going to announce this?”

“Let’s do it after the playoffs. You won’t be showing for a few more weeks, and we have the box, so you’ll be hidden.”

“Ok, now if we can only guarantee that Mary will keep her mouth shut,” Abby muses.

“That’s like asking Johnny not to call himself the ‘Human Torch’. Just impossible,” Frank smiled and kissed her head. “But keep dreaming.”

The Dodgers make it through the Wild Card and Division series, defeating The San Diego Padres and the Chicago Cub, respectively. Johnny had pitched a no hitter in the first game against the New York Mets, but a rouge bounce made Frank miss a ground ball in game two, letting the Mets win that game. Fortunately, the Dodgers held themselves together for games three and four and were sitting on the verge of their 13th World Series appearance.

Frank was pumped. He was already a two time World Series winner with Boston and he wanted to make his new team proud. They were away in New York, but it was Saturday, so his family and Abby’s parents were able to make the game.

Abby: No matter what, Mary, peanut and I love you so much Frankie. Good luck baby!

Frank smiled as he finished dressing. Johnny was also looking at his phone, smiling like a goofball. “What has gotten into you? Or should I say who?”

Johnny dropped his phone. He scrambled to pick it up. “Nothing, no one, what, wait, huh?”

Frank grabbed his chest and laughed so hard it brought attention from the entire team. “What is so funny Adler?” Mookie Betts asked.

“Johnny Storm, our own Human Torch, has a girl!” Frank said through gasps of air. “Pay up losers!”

Over half the team grumbled as they pulled out their wallets with Frank and a couple of others holding out their hands. “What the actual fuck is going on?” Johnny asked.

“I told the guys you were going to be infatuated with a girl. Thanks for this,” Frank holds up his hand holding up a few bills.

“You bet on me meeting a girl?”

“No, that’s a stupid bet. I bet you would fall for a girl. Told them I introduced you to one and said I think this is the one for him and Betts said there wasn’t a chance in hell and others agreed so we made a small yet rather fruitful wager.”

“You couldn’t have waited until the end of the season, could your Torch?” Betts slapped his back.

Johnny tried to be angry but instead smiled. “Hell no. Have you see her?” He showed off a picture of him and Katie together by the beach. “She is smart, gorgeous...”

“And should have no business with you,” Kershaw said. “She is smoking.”

“She likes baseball, hangs out with Mary and likes it and she...” he stopped himself. “Never mind. All I’m saying is that I hit the jackpot with my girl so you all can fuck off now.” He turned back to his locker to finish getting ready.

“$100 says he’s engaged if we win the World Series,” Kershaw says.

“No bet. I think he’ll do it at Christmas. More romantic,” Frank says. Johnny just flips them the bird and the team laughs.

The game is tense, but Johnny manages to throw only one hit the entire game. Mookie hits a grand slam and seals the Dodgers fate to another World Series. After the celebration in the locker room, Frank showers and heads out. He sees his wife, daughter and best friend in the family room, Mary asleep in her grandfather’s arms, Abby leaning against Scott and Susie in Marco’s lap. Johnny walked in right after and saw his sister. Before Johnny could say anything, Frank covered his mouth. “Shut up,” he whispered.

“That’s my sister,” Johnny pointed.

“Have you not noticed she been dating my brother in law?” Frank hissed. “Since the All Star game.”

“Seriously? I thought she was with that nerd Reed.”

Frank sighed and ran a hand over his face. “According to Abby, Reed said he didn’t have time to date because of some crap project about a cloud in space, who the fuck knows. Anyway, when everyone was trying to find Mary, I guess Susie broke down in the backyard and Marco comforted her. One thing led to another, and they started seeing each other in LA.”

Johnny looked at his sister. “Why didn’t she tell me?”

“Geez, I wonder,” Frank deadpanned.

“Yeah, alright, you don’t have to be a dick about it. Let’s take them to the hotel and get some sleep before we fly home.” He took another look at his sister. “She’s happy, and he’s a good guy?”

“I couldn’t trust anyone better to protect this family.”

The Dodger has two days off before they have to start their series with Boston. The irony was not lost on Frank. Playing the team that had traded him after missing the playoffs last year would either be glorious or gut-wrenching. They are starting on the road this time and Frank is nervous. Not for the game, but for the fact that Abby had now been dealing with a streak of morning sickness that left her pale, dehydrated and bedridden.

“Cricket, maybe I can miss the first game? Just until I know you are better.” He smoothed her hair away from her clammy forehead.

“Frankie, you can’t miss. Susie said she would stay with me and Nugget and Marco. Scottie and Steve are going to go and support. If I feel better, I’ll fly out with Mary for game two.”

“But...”

“No, Frank, this is your job. Win this, babe, and come home and finish it for me here in LA. I promise, if something is wrong, we will call. Your baby just likes to test me is all.”

Frank ran a hand through his hair. “The minute something is wrong?”

“You’ll be the first call, ok? I love you.”

He knelt next to the side of the bed. “I love you Peanut. Be nice to momma, ok?” He kissed her stomach and then kissed her forehead. “I love you, Cricket. So very much.” One last kiss, he grabbed his suitcase and was out the door.

Mary, Susie and Abby watched their boys play in Boston. They took game one with ease, Frank making a spectacular dive in the fourth for a double play. Johnny hit two homers in the ninth securing the win. Game two was a different story. Boston came to play, outscoring Los Angeles by ten. Abby flipped off the TV at the end of the game, tugging on Mary’s ponytail. “At least Frank hit it.”

“But they lost.”

“I know, but you have to look at the positives, Nugget. I’m sure Dad would appreciate it if we kept to the positives. It’ll make flying home easier.”

“I guess.” Mary shrugged. “I don’t remember Boston being that good.”

“Me neither.”

Frank and the rest of the team came home in a dejected state. Losing that hard took its toll but it just made the Dodgers want to work that much harder. He hadn’t mentioned it to Abby, but a couple of the Boston guys jeered at him when his was on base. Fans did too, during game two. It had messed with his head a little bit. Johnny had heard it and reminded Frank that he hadn’t chosen to leave Boston. It still stung.

The next three games were at home and the Dodgers took the lead after five, with spectacular performances from Kershaw and Storm. Betts hit homers in every game and Frank had two RBIs. Abby had been feeling better to attend the games, making Frank feel better knowing his girl was at the stadium with him.

Game six and the teams were back in Boston. It had been a close game, but Frank fouled up in the ninth allowing the winning run on base. But former Dodger Justin Turner would not be denied. He had come over during Frank’s trade and had something to prove. He launched a walk off rocket off a fast ball from Joe Kelly that went right over the famous Green Monster wall. Joe and the rest of the team walked off of the field with the crowd going absolutely wild in the background.

As Frank woke up on the day of game seven, he stared at the ceiling. This was the last day to prove to everyone that, despite the year of chaos he had, he was still the best at this game. He turned and looked at his beautiful wife. Abby’s hair cascaded down her naked back, finding comfort of no clothes during her fourteenth week of pregnancy. Frank moved a piece of hair that had fallen over her face back. Winning her back, completing his mission to marry the love of his life, he knew he had already won the year.

Abby curled more into his side and Frank wrapped his arm firmly around her. He could snooze for a few more before the chaos of the day began.

The game was tight and scoreless. Both teams were playing with no errors. It was the top of the ninth and Frank was on second, having a lucky bounce allowing him to get the double. Johnny was now at bat and had a two count. Frank took a small lead of the base and could see a fastball would be delivered. Johnny read it perfectly and it bounced in left field. Frank ran for third and the third base coach waved him through to home. Frank slid and beat the throw home.

Dodgers –1 – Boston – 0.

The next batter strikes out, but the damage has been done. It's up to the defense to hold off Boston for the next half of the inning. Johnny came in as relief to Kershaw and has been on his game all night. He quickly dispatches a batter but walked the next and now it's do or die for Boston. And Justin Turner is at bat.

Johnny settles, a shake of his head, then a nod, and let go of his patented fast ball. Strike. He gets the ball back and takes a breath. He looks at Frank, who gives him a reassuring nod and he turns back. Another nod and Johnny threw his change-up, leaving Turner swinging.

One more.

Johnny sets, rears back and lets go of the ball.

It's perfect.

Until the crack of the bat sounds.

And Frank watches as it sails over the right field wall.

Boston has won the World Series.

I'm sorry, don't kill me...

Taglist

@patzammit

@texmexdarling

@slutforchrisjamalevans

@firephotogrl74

@before-we-get-started

@tinkerbelle67

@bunnyforhim

@peaceinourtime82

#andy's hea #andy's shenanigans #chris evans fanfiction #frank adler #frank adler au #mlb au #dodger au #ofc abigail hernandez #sliding into home #chris evans #mike weiss #johnny storm #baseball au #frank adler smut #slow burn #chris evans au #cliffhanger queen

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gamma-rae-bursts · 1 year

Text

Home is Where the Heart Is

Yn is a former BAU agent, currently working at Georgetown. She met Alex whilst working for the FBI and is navigating her life with her and their son, Ethan.

Pairing: Alex Blake x Reader

Content Warnings: kind of CM case talk

Word Count: 1800+

Genre: Family Fluff

A/N: I'm going to stand by the fact that Alex Blake is the softest of the soft people, hence this needed to happen. I also hate how little recognition Ethan got in the show so I'm gonna give my boy what he deserves here. I'm thinking of making this into a series of one shots, different Blake Fam x Reader scenarios (may include some angst, knowing me it will) so please let me know what you think of this <3)

Joining the BAU was a dream come true, your way of making the world a safer, better place. And it just so happened to come with many other advantages. Although the beginnings were a little rough for you, feeling very out of place while being surrounded with FBI’s finest agents, soon enough they made you feel like a part of the family, like you truly belonged with them. And throughout the years you got to be a part of the team you’ve formed some of the best friendships with people that you knew you could trust with your life. But there was this one agent you held especially close to your heart, Alex Blake. Ever since she joined the team, the two of you were inseparable. One evening she finally asked you out on a date, to which you have immediately agreed. Falling in love with Alex was easy. Loving her even more so. Months went by and with that your relationship grew, soon enough you were introduced to her son, Ethan. The most precious little boy to ever exist. Not so long after that you moved in together and just a few months in Alex asked you to marry her. And this was your life now, you’ve never been happier.

But there were some definite downsides of the job. After all, there is only so much a human can take, the BAU knew it better than anyone else. There is only so much evil you can be exposed to before it starts consuming you from the inside out. You used to hold onto the last string of hope in each investigation, the hope that the last missing person would be found alive and there would be a somehow happy ending to this story. But at some point, even that was not enough. Over the years you’ve seen some of the worst horrors this world had to offer, you were met with death and misery at every step of your days. You’ve seen families torn apart, lives snatched away prematurely, unnecessary pain inflicted onto so many individuals. You’ve seen enough. You’ve had enough.

Making the decision to leave the team was not easy. You’ve spent countless hours contemplating whether or not to make that step before even mentioning anything to Alex. And after weeks of thinking, weeks of constant arguments in your head, making lists of pros and cons to both options, you finally decided that your time with the team has come to an end.

Breaking the news to the team was easier said than done. You made a detailed plan how to tell each and every one of them personally, but when the time to put the words into action came you came up with a much better idea. Hotch was the first one, after all he was the person you handed your resignation letter to. Penelope was the second in line (or so she thought), you couldn’t stop yourself from making fun of her for the last time. In reality, you told the whole team that you were leaving and what your plan was, except for her. You knew the blonde woman could not hold a secret in for the life of her, so you all made bets on how long it will take her to spill the tea. When you broke the news to her, one on one, you talked about it as if you didn’t want the rest of the team to know. It took her a whole hour and thirty-four minutes to break, telling everything you told her to Morgan and Spencer.

That was it. You were no longer an agent working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Just a short few weeks after leaving you managed to secure yourself a nice position as a lecturer at Georgetown University, finally putting your PhD in Biological Sciences to use.

***

Working at Georgetown was peaceful, the change you so desperately needed. There wasn’t much going on, your days mostly consisted of teaching, going over the material for your classes and marking your students’ papers. To some it might seem a little too boring, but you loved the newly found routine.

After finishing marking of the last papers, you’ve had for the day it was time to go home. Alex was away on a case for the past few days and you’d be lying if you said you didn’t hope for a phone call from her, telling you that they’re on their way back.

Just as you got into your car the sound of your ringtone filled the space, getting rid of the silence that previously surrounded you. You smiled to yourself as you read the name that popped up on your screen.

“Hi honey.” the soft voice on the phone spoke, “I think I might have some good news for you.” Alex added, you could tell she was smiling from the way her voice sounded.

“Please tell me you’re coming home; I don’t think anything else would classify as good news at this point.” you replied to the brunette, hopeful you got it right.

“I am, indeed, we’re wrapping up at the station and we’re going to head straight to the jet.” your fiancé said with the usual for her calmness, you, on the other hand, could not contain our excitement. “I’ll see you in a few hours?”

“I can’t wait! I’ve missed you so much baby, so did Ethan” you stated, your voice filled with excitement. “He’s been begging me to do crosswords with him at least five times a day and you know how much I suck at them”

“Oh, come on, you’re not that bad” Alex chuckled, “I’m sure you’ve got at least one of the words right.”

You rolled your eyes and chuckled at your fiancés’ words, the bar for you was set really low, yet somehow you still managed to underperform. “Nope, not a single one, I don’t think Ethan will ever stop making fun of me for that.” Alex laughed as the words left your mouth, “but what can I say, I’d like to see either of you in my lab”

“I think putting me there would be a major safety hazard and you know that” the linguist added, still laughing at your previous statements. “I’m gonna have to go now but see you in a few hours, I love you sweetheart”

“I love you too, Lex.” you assured, after which Alex finished the call.

On your way home you made a few brief stops to run some errands, you also picked up some of Alex’s favourite takeaway. Cooking wasn’t your strong side, but baking was, and your fiancé was completely aware of that. You usually opted for ordering food when it was your turn to make dinner, another effective tactic you’ve developed over the months was trading your cooking turns by agreeing to make some of Alex’s and Ethan’s favourite desserts.

The last stop you had to make on your way home was the little boy’s school.

“Hi Mama!” the squeaky voice roamed through the space in your car as Ethan entered it, making himself comfortable in his car seat.

“Hi honey, make sure to fasten your seatbelt” you replied to him softly. Ethan was a complete copy of Alex, dark, somewhat curly hair forming beautiful waves, big hazel eyes, contrasting with his pale skin, which was covered in light freckles, a precious addition to his face. “How was your day at school?”

“It was okay!” the little boy cheered to you, “Is mommy coming back home tonight? I really miss her.”

“She is actually! I’ve just talked to her and she should be back in the next few hours,” Ethan’s eyes lit up at your words, “don’t you worry you won’t have to do crosswords with me again” you added chuckling.

“I love you mama but you’re really not good and them.” E.T. teased, a cheeky smile plastered on his face.

You laughed in response to the dark-haired boy’s words. The rest of the drive home was peaceful, Ethan told you some more details about how his day at school went, talking about some of the friends he made, the teachers and what new things he learned that day. It wasn’t long until you reached your final destination, you took the food out of the car and the two of you started heading towards your apartment.

When you opened your front door a lovely smell of your favourite dish filled your nostrils, that’s when you knew Alex, was already home.

“Alex?” you questioned as you and Ethan started taking your shoes and coats off

“In the kitchen!” the woman exclaimed, you knew she had a habit of giving you the wrong time when she planned to come back home, wanting to let you know she was coming back yet still wanting to somewhat surprise you.

“MOMMY!” Ethan called as he ran to the kitchen, filled with joy and excitement to finally have his best crossword buddy back in the house. “I’ve missed you so much!”

“Aw I’ve missed you too love bug,” she said as she gave the little boy the biggest hug she could, simultaneously picking him up. “And you, I missed you too” the dark-haired woman smiled as she directed her gaze your way.

“You said you’d be home late in the evening!” you jokingly snarled as you took a few more steps towards her, letting her place a soft kiss to your cheek.

“You can’t blame me for wanting to surprise two of my favourite humans with a nice meal, can you?” she giggles as she put her son down.

“I see we’ve had the same plans Doctor Blake” you smiled as you put the bag with Alex’s favourite takeout on the kitchen island, at which Alex laughed and proceeded to place anther soft kiss, this time on your forehead.

The evening went by peacefully, filled with laughter and Ethan’s snarky remarks regarding your crossword skills. You decided to have Alex’s pasta for dinner, saving the takeaway for the next day, or a midnight snack. Etty was delighted to finally be able to do some crosswords with someone qualified and you just enjoyed watching the two people you loved most. The three of you ended the evening snuggled up on the couch of your living room, Alex in the middle so both you and Ethan would get equal amounts of hugs that you so dearly missed. You decided to watch one of Ethan’s favourite disney films, Frozen. As much as you didn’t want to admit that in front of Alex, it was one of your favourites too. The little boy ended up falling asleep halfway through the movie, snoring gently as he was curled up, wrapping his arms around Alex. When the film finished, you carefully took him to his room, tucking him in his bed, leaving a gentle kiss on his forehead. You joined Alex in your bedroom, wrapping your arms around her in an attempt to hold her as close to you as possible until both of you drifted off to sleep.

This was your happy place. Your found family. Your home.

Taglist:

@nightmarish-fae

Join my taglist here!

#alex blake x reader #Alex Blake #reader insert #Ethan Blake #family fluff #domestic fluff #soft Alex Blake #criminal minds #bau team #criminal minds fic #criminal minds fluff #y/n fics #ssa Alex Blake #dr alex blake

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fogoversouthpark · 4 months

Text

Before the Fog: Investigation

Fanfiction makes reference to murder and vehicle accidents. Please read at your own discretion.

Detective Harrison Yates entered the interrogation room, taking his seat across from the blonde woman who had been waiting patiently, staring at the table in front of her. She looked up at him, calm and measured, but her face was flushed and her eyes were bloodshot. The bandages covering her body were starting to seep with blood.

He sighed, leaning on the table. “Mrs. Henrietta Ellis.”

She blinked, seeming to take a moment to process what he had said. “Oh, I prefer Biggle.”

“How about we just stick with Henrietta, then?” Harrison offered.

She nodded slowly. “Sure.”

Detective Yates took the folder from under his arm and opened it. “I know tonight has been rough. And I do want to give you my condolences. It can’t be easy losing your spouse. It’s a miracle your injuries were so minor, physically speaking.”

“It’s fine, detective. Can we just…Get into it? I would rather be at home when I have my breakdown.”

“Of course. We’re just trying to figure out what might have happened?” He looked down at the preliminary report they had. “You and your husband, Jeffery, were in a car crash, correct?”

“Yes, earlier tonight. We were supposed to be going out. He said it was a surprise where we were headed. I was just happy to go out. But, then when we were on the highway, he was speeding, he likes to speed. Liked…He didn’t see the police car, the speed trap.

Henrietta paused, taking a moment to breathe and calm down the tears threatening to spill down her cheeks.

“The police car, it pulled out, but when he went to stop, to pull over, I don’t know. He said something about the breaks, and then he started yelling, and…I don’t remember what happened after that. I’m assuming that he must have lost control, he panics-panicked very easily and that would lead him to making some dangerous decisions…I’m sorry, I wish I knew more.” She rubbed at her watery eyes, wincing when her raw palms pressed against them.

“Did you notice anything about the car before?” Harrison asked, leaning forward.

“Before? It didn’t seem like anything was wrong. The car stuttered a bit when he was shifting gear, but that didn’t stand out to me.”

The detective hummed. “Did it do that for you when you drove?”

“I’m sorry?”

“Your house only had one car, correct? So, what was it like when you drove?”

Henrietta chuckled softly, “I wasn’t allowed to drive.”

“You don’t have a license?”

“No, I do. Jeffery was a very, let’s say, traditional man. He wouldn’t allow me to drive the car. He had the only key, and he kept the garage door locked at all times. If something was wrong with the car in the days leading up to it, he didn’t mention anything to me.”

Harrison cleared his throat, feeling awkward. “I…I see. Well, alright then. I suppose that’s all the questions we have for you tonight. Do you have anyone available to take you home?”

“Do you mind if I get my phone out?”

Harrison waved a hand at her. “By all means, go ahead.”

Henrietta reached into the pocket of her jacket, accidentally ripping the tear in the sleeve larger as she did so. She clicked the cracked screen on and smiled softly at the screen. “Yes, my friends are waiting outside for me.”

Harrison stood, closing the folder and tucking it under his arm. “Then let me walk you out.”

Henrietta stood, smoothing out her dirty dress. “Thank you, officer.”

The detective walked the blonde out to the front steps and watched as she joined the four men outside. He watched as the tallest one, a man with curly hair and a prosthetic leg leaning on a cane, handed her the unlit cigarette in his hand and a second, with neon green tips, flipped open a lighter and lit it for her. The shorter two men wrapped her in a hug and helped her into the back seat of their car. He smiled at the group, thankful to see the new widow seemed to have a support system to help her through the grieving process. The car pulled away and the detective went inside to finish the paperwork.

Inside the car, the group waited until they were a few miles from the police station before Michael looked up at Henrietta in the rearview mirror.

“Well?”

Henrietta smirked at him. “Bought it. Hook, line, and sinker. I should be an actress.”

Karen popped up from where she had been waiting in the trunk. “Success!”

“Atta girl.” Pete shook her shoulder happily.

Firkle rolled down the window to let out the smoke from her cigarette when he started to cough slightly. She grabbed his inhaler from Pete and passed it over to him.

Mike sighed heavily, slumping down in the passenger seat. “This is definitely the most stressful thing you all have roped me into.”

“But we got our Dove back.” Michael said, choking a bit on his words as he took one hand off the wheel to squeeze Mike’s.

“We did.”

Henrietta laughed, running a hand through her hair. “Thank you, boys. Now, let’s go home.”

Pete reached out, twirling a strand of blonde around his finger. “We’ve got the dye and better clothes than this pink nightmare ready for you.”

“This isn’t over yet.” Firkle reminded them all. “There’s still the funeral.”

“I can be a grieving widow and still look like my real self. Everyone was well-fucking-aware of how I looked and dressed before my fucking parents forced me into marrying that abusive asshole.”

Pete nodded. “Besides, sudden trauma is known to cause people to make ‘drastic’ changes in an attempt to cope. And it really was lucky that you got out of the crash without more severe injuries.”

“We did our research, baby bat.” Michael said.

“I know, I helped.” Firkle crossed his arms with a pout.

Karen reached out and patted his back. “We all did! And we got to commit homicide!”

Pete turned in his seat, ruffling her hair. “Couldn’t have done it without our little starling helping us with the car.”

The young teen giggled, pushing him away. “It wasn’t that impressive. And Kevin and Kenny taught me how to do it. I’m just happy to see Henrietta again.”

Firkle nodded, speaking quietly. “We would have been able to get you back sooner if that ass hadn’t kept you from us for so long.”

“But it worked out. And it’s going to keep working, so long as we remember our story.” Henrietta comforted, leaning over to press a bright red kiss to his cheek.

Firkle groaned, scrubbing his cheek. “Gross, Mother Morticia.”

“You love me.”

“I killed for you.”

“Exactly.”

#the fog over south park #south park #tfosp #before the fog #sp goth kids #sp pete #sp karen #sp michael #sp henrietta #sp mike #sp firkle #firkle smith #karen mccormick #henrietta biggle #pete thelman #fanfic #sp fanfiction #polygoths #the goths and their pet vamp

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an-autistic-with-personhood · 5 months

Note

PLEASE tell me about your littlest pet shop town that you made with your sister omg i’m on the edge of my seat

Oh my god oh my god ok

So we used to play with them with a semi-normal town setup, with the animals as pretty normal modern townsfolk. Our town had a king (as you do when you're eight years old), most of the animals had families, and the many, many children left over stayed in an orphanage run by a Miss Hannigan from Annie-esque cat. I'll just list the ways it devolved from there. Relevant quotes attached.

The dog king got divorced every time we found a prettier dog wife for him (his first wife Daisy was an absolute bitch)

Jessica the orphanage caretaker hates kids and only works there because she's serving community service. We never explored what got her there.

Whenever we got new animals, we'd welcome them to town with a hazing-but-not-really-hazing ceremony (They'd very menacingly tell them they'd give them a "Nice. Warm. Welcome." But then it'd be the most wholesome cutesy song)

During our NCIS phase, we killed off a cat so we could do a murder investigation episode. She dangled from a makeshift noose in the corner for a few years before we brought her back

Some of the children from the orphanage ran away to live in the dump. They sell spiked lemonade. "The feral trash children spiked the lemonade!"

Somewhere down the line, a campsite went up with a pair of manipulative elephants hoarding the biggest campfire for themselves

The cat that ran the orphanage (Jessica) divorced her husband, and he got a redemption arc (and a bad haircut) out of it. I think one of the things that solidified his decision was when she spent the children's food money on a spa day. "Chad, I NEED this!!"

Accidental Krampus Christmas Special. "Saaanta's waaatching..."

Horror Christmas Special with children-eating snow bunnies. "🎵Frosty the Snow Bunny🎵 is gonna eat you now!"

Strained marriage between a husky and her idiot golden retriever husband (he loved her so much but he was just such a himbo that she sometimes couldn't take it)

Several character deaths after our family dogs chewed on the toys

I came home once to find my sister and cousin had been basically playing Survivor. Yet another cat was hanging from the bannister by a noose

Himbo golden retriever saw a lady bug (Carlos) for the first time and dubbed him the "chosen one", essentially starting a cult. Carlos was just the adopted son of the local cat polycule, but ce la vie

We have an au fanfiction somewhere of the himbo entering the town for the first time. au town was named Larpeville, pronounced "larpay villay". He met a vegan lion named Leoche (the "che" was silent) and nearly crashed a scooter into the town's new leaders. "*Sister making 'putputput' motor noises* *screaming*"

Triplet horse sisters (Sandy, Brownie, and Snowy) fell in love with a zebra, but all took different strategies to win his heart. Sandy took a pretty normal "get to know you" route. Snowy was the blondest of blondes and just blurted whatever. Brownie went full stalker. "My name is Snowy, but my friends call me Tanya"

The zebra befriended the orphans and talked to them on his morning runs. Pretty normal, but I had to mention my sister's genius improv when she blurted out Carlos's line, "I don't live here!!!"

The last time we played was exactly a year ago. My sister was 25, I was 24, and our cousin was 21. We made a playboy kink mansion. The himbo and his wife were trying out a sex therapist and she suggested they explore said playboy mansion.

Co-signed by my sister and my cousin - they just read the post and added some ridiculousness I'd forgotten

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theoddcatlady · 5 months

Text

Instructions on How to Become a Clown

Found this journal in an old storage locker I had taken possession of. It’s dated in the summer of 1985, and the pages are curled, smelling faintly of popcorn. As for the contents… well, go ahead and start reading.

June 1

Infiltrating Funtasia’s Dreamscape Circus was easier than I thought it was going to be. All I did was walk up to the ringmaster and he called me Petey, scolded me for showing up a day late, handed me a uniform, and told me to start mucking the animal cages. Whoever this Petey was, I’ll apologize at a later time for taking his job. I can just say I was confused since my real name is close enough to ‘Petey’.

This has to be where Janice Meyers ended up. The circus was in town the weekend she disappeared, and the friend of hers I interviewed said she had decided to go back on Saturday night. Her parents did admit there was an argument that night about their daughter’s grades, but insisted that Janice would never have run away of her own free will. But then again, fifteen year olds aren’t known for their soundest decisions.

Most circuses that have fallen into my line of investigation are closed communities- any outside questioning is shut off. I’ll have to spend a few days assuring these people I’m just like any of them. I just have to last long enough to determine if any of these people are Janice.

June 5

This is the easiest investigation I’ve ever had to conduct. Not only have the circus people been more than welcoming, I think I’ve figured out which one of the clowns is Janice.

Running away with the circus was a childhood dream of mine, and it seems she’s one of the people who pursued that dream. She says her name is Jenny, but her face shape is similar enough to to Janice’s. I just need to catch her out of make up- she goes everywhere with her face painted white and red hearts painted on her cheeks, so I’ve been yet to see if she has that beauty mark on her cheek. I’d like to catch her alone too, but she always hangs out with the fellow teenagers. It even appears she has a boyfriend, one of the acrobats named James.

What happened seemed straightforward at least. Girl falls in love with a boy, runs off to be with him, it’s the oldest story in the book. Once I confirm her identity, I’ll let her parents know posthaste. After, of course, I find the nearest police station and let them know that one of the clowns is a runaway girl.

June 8

Today was the first performance I was lucky enough to catch. This may be the most fun job I’ve taken in a long time. Most of the time, being a private investigator means I’m following unfaithful spouses or checking to see if someone’s scamming their insurance. Those drain at your sanity after a few years.

Today the ringmaster, Jacob Tanner, pulled me aside and told me to take a seat with the rest of the guests. I’ve worked hard, I deserve a breather.

The performances here are fantastic. The clowns are hilarious, the acrobats are graceful, and the animals are as gentle as your average pet dog or cat. Thanks to working here, I get free snacks too. I don’t know how it’s special, but the pink lemonade here is to die for. I’d drink it all day if my stomach wouldn’t explode.

Everything went off without a hitch, we’ll be on the road in the morning. I imagine I’ll confirm if Janice is Jenny for once and for all now that she’ll no doubt be out of costume. Such a shame too. I think she’s really enjoying her time here. But she is a child, and she needs to go back home.

June 15

Janice is Jenny. I caught her out of make up before she went on for her act, and she has the beauty mark. But there’s something stopping me from letting the police know.

There was an accident that happened tonight.

The act unfolded as normal, least I figure as much. A strongman named Louis Wicker was the base of a stack of clowns, at the top was young Janice. Five people stacked on one another, it was an unbelievable sight.

So unbelievable that it felt like a dream when Louis stumbled and the clown on his shoulders lost his balance. They all came crashing down like bowling pins. It certainly was not part of the act, judging by Janice’s terrified scream as she plummeted to the ground. I heard something crack and her body went limp.

A comical looking mini ambulance was driven out by more clowns as the ringmaster assured us all that everything was fine. The fake clown doctors tossed the clowns that were knocked unconscious by the fall into the ambulance with as much care as you’d throw a bag of flour. The conscious clowns and Louis were escorted off to the side.

I’ve tried to find the injured clowns after the performance, but they’re gone. I don’t know where they’re being kept. After a fall like that the extent of their injuries must be horrific. Tomorrow I’m going to the police to report this incident, as I didn’t see any real ambulances or any sign they were taken to a proper hospital. And without a doubt, Janice needs emergency care.

June 16

Now I’m just confused.

Janice is fine. Somehow completely, totally fine, as are the rest of the clowns and Louis. I saw her this morning at breakfast, just as energetic and happy as ever. She and James were sharing a plate of muffins and a bag of cotton candy… yes, for breakfast. Teenagers, what can you do. I’m not any better, I’m having pink lemonade with every meal, between them too. I may have to ask for the recipe, it’s genuinely the best lemonade I’ve ever had.

I did manage to question Janice about the fall and she brushed it off, saying that the clowns here have taken worse falls and bounced back even quicker. She mostly felt bad for Louis, she confided, as he blamed himself.

Something’s not right here. I’m going to stick around for a bit longer, as Janice is in perfectly good health and in no immediate danger. James seems like a solid boy, as does the other friends she’s picked up while she’s been here. We’re pulling into another town tonight.

June 18

We’re leaving tonight. We’re not spending the whole week here.

I’ve gotten quite used to the schedule already, especially because my job’s quite easy now that my muscles have adapted to the labor. So last night when I was roused and ordered to get the animals ready for travel, I was more than a little confused.

I managed to hitch a ride with James, Janice, and a juggler named Charlie. I grabbed a seat in front seat of the cab of their truck with Janice and Charlie. James was in the backseat with a girl I’d never seen before.

Teenager, not much older than Janice, with a blanket over her shoulders and face puffy and red with tears. I think she’s another runaway. James was very gentle with her, giving her water and pink lemonade to drink while stroking her hair. I’ve never met such a sensitive teenage boy, I can see why Janice is so taken with him.

Speaking of which- she’s not exactly happy with this new development. Ah, young love, truly so fickle. This might work out though, if Janice just wants to leave, then I’ll simply reveal my identity and take her home to her parents. It’s not like they can hold us here.

June 19

The kids spent their time coming up with a new name for the girl in the truck. Whatever her name was previously, she doesn’t want anything to do with it anymore. I don’t know much about her backstory, only that she was in a bad place and needed to get out.

After many ideas and more than a little bickering, James suggested the name Dixie, and that’s the name she’s going with. I think it’s rather cute, and it certainly suits her. Janice is managing to be polite, but I can already tell she’s seething with jealousy.

Something about that performance gone wrong is still nagging at me, and there is the fact that Dixie is likely another runaway child. But unlike Janice, I don’t think Dixie has a good home to return to, with parents that worry about her safety. She’s tense, flinches at loud voices and is constantly apologizing for just taking up space.

You won’t find me reporting her. That’s not my concern. My concern is Janice and no one else.

June 22

Last night’s show went well, Dixie’s yet to perform but according to James she’s currently training. Janice is sulky but refuses to tell James what’s on her mind, at least as far as I know. I think my plan of just waiting it out is actually going to pay off.

But then again, maybe I should spend more time second guessing my judgment.

It was after the show, I was heading back to the truck when I heard what I knew could only be one thing- drunk show goers. This wouldn’t be such a problem, except I was taking a shortcut through where the animals were kept after the show.

I made haste to the source and sure enough, these three idiots were sticking their hands in the cage, just for moments at a time to taunt the tigress that was in there. Obviously Lovely Belle, or just ‘Belle’ for short, was less than impressed.

I broke into a run when I saw that one of the idiots actually managed to get the cage door to unlock. It swung open and Belle trotted out, her ears pressed flat against her head as she growled. I expected one of the idiots to become mincemeat as I saw her raise her paw.

Only Charlie seemingly appeared out of nowhere and body slammed her target out of the way, saving him from his deserved fate of being a cat toy. The tiger raked its claws down Charlie’s back and he screeched before he tumbled to the ground, huddling into a little ball.

His yellow clown suit was soaked in blood by the time I got there. The idiots bolted, screaming their heads off, while Belle flopped down on the ground and licked clean her claws. In the dark it was nearly impossible to see how bad the wounds were, and before I could get him into the light the fellow circus people flooded around Charlie. Someone threw a blanket on him and the Wicker Brothers gathered him up and carried him into a trailer. Of course I told someone to call an ambulance, and I was assured that he’d be given proper medical care.

This morning though, Charlie’s back to… well, being Charlie. Little bastard put a tack on my seat and I didn’t notice it until I’d sat my full weight on it. He’s acting like nothing happened last night and assured me that it looked far worse than it was. He even demonstrated by taking off his shirt and gesturing to his back, which had only a few bandages on it- nothing like what you’d need if you were attacked by a tiger.

I keep telling myself that I really must have overreacted last night, that my brain is exaggerating the details. But as many times as I run the incident over and over again in my head… the more I’m certain that there’s no way in hell that Charlie should be okay right now.

June 25

Well, it finally happened. I’m taking Janice home.

I was talking with the clearly sullen girl, being as subtle as I could about her going home, when Dixie emerged from a tent. I’d not seen her since she was given her new name, I was starting to wonder where the girl had gotten off to, and here she was. She had pinned her hair up into twin pigtails and although her clown make up made her look like she was crying, she was clearly grinning from ear to ear. Dixie had become a clown, and I think that is the life that will suit her the best.

Charlie gaped like a fish and even James seemed taken off guard. “Already?” he croaked out, staring at the girl.

Dixie nodded and spun around. “I’m one of the clowns! Put away your frowns! I’ve taken them all, no more will I fall, for I am a clown!” she said before cartwheeling over to the table and using the flower pinned to her sweater to squirt me in the face with what smelled like really strong rose perfume.

Charlie clapped while James sprung to his feet, picking Dixie up and spinning her around and around. It might have gone a little over my head, but the three seemed really happy… until Janice slammed her fist into the table.

The girl had gone red with rage, getting to her feet and screaming, “Liar! Liar! It takes weeks to become a clown! You’re a fraud! A fake! A phony! Everything about you, from your name to… to you, is so disgusting and fake!”

It was so awkward. I desperately tried not to cringe, but I don’t think I quite managed. Dixie was surprised for a moment, before her bottom lip trembled. Now those tears going down her cheeks were real as she began to sob. Charlie got up to try to comfort her but she took off, running right back into the tent she had been training in.

James watched Dixie go before turning to Janice. To his credit, he seemed mostly calm, but his fists were balled up so tightly I was afraid I’d have to get between the lovebirds to prevent a brawl. He just gestured her to follow him and the pair went off.

I did my best to attempt to listen in on the argument, but I only got bits and pieces- enough to know that James called Janice for being way out of line and that although he really cared about her, he wasn’t really feeling the spark anymore. Janice accused him of leading her on and called Dixie a lot of names I won’t be writing down, as I don’t care for putting those kinds of words to paper, and she was the one that ended up trying to knock James’ block off. That’s when I intervened and separated the fighting teenagers.

While James blew off some steam with the knife throwers, I laid my cards on the table- I told Janice everything, that her parents sent me to find her, that they were really worried, and that it was time for her to come home. Maybe it’s a bit low to spring this offer on her when she was so emotionally raw, but it was my chance. And it worked.

We’ll be leaving Saturday night. One more performance, and then we’ll go when everyone’s packing up to go. I will miss my time at the circus. But I’m glad I’m going home.

June 30?

Everything’s fucked.

I don’t know what went wrong. Let me start from the beginning. Just in case I don’t make it out of here. Or maybe if I do. I’m so fucked.

Leaving went off without a hitch. Janice left a note for James, telling him goodbye and good luck with Dixie, and we took off in my car. No one even noticed we left, at least at the time. I wish someone did, someone stopped us before we went too far.

The drive was smooth, Janice badmouthed Dixie which I mostly ignored, I was already mentally making plans for how I was going to relax in the upcoming weeks… and then the cramps started.

It was just small twinges in my stomach at first. I figured my circus diet was finally catching up with me. I may have been in the best shape of my life, but you can only eat corndogs and circus peanuts for so long before something gives.

Janice rubbed her neck, muttering about being sore. The last thing I said was that I was pretty sure that the ibuprofen was in the glovebox when my gut erupted in pain. I nearly doubled over, going stiff as I wrapped a hand around my middle. I couldn’t speak, the pain was so bad. I tried to tell Janice that I needed to pull over because I was going to be sick, but the moment I opened my mouth all I could do was scream.

I looked up to see Janice’s face had gone white. Blood first only dripped from her nose, then it began to pour, spouting red all over the front of her shirt and the dashboard. I heard a snap, a crackle, and Janice’s arm was bent in three different ways, white shards of bone stabbing out of her skin.

I jerked the steering wheel and we went into the ditch, I banged my head off the dash but at least we had stopped. I bit my tongue and tried to unbuckle myself but the damn buckle locked, so I was just struggling uselessly while Janice’s body continued to break.

She cried, slumping against the car door as I heard more snaps and pops. Her leg twisted the wrong way around. The way she’d flinch made me think of when I saw someone trying to nurse broken ribs. Any twitch or movement looked agonizing.

Janice looked at me once last time.

“Help me-”

Her neck abruptly snapped to the side, her eyes rolled back, and just like that Janice Meyers was dead.

I finally got loose from the goddamn seatbuckle and threw open the car door, stumbling out as it felt like something was trying to rip its way out of my gut. I collapsed on my hands and knees, the world spinning around me before I heard an audible gurgle from my stomach.

I vomited all over the ground beneath me before I collapsed. The world spun circles around me, round and round like a carousel, and all I could really remember before it all went black was that my vomit was bright pink and smelled of lemonade.

I woke up here. I don’t know where I am. The cement walls hang with circus posters from years past, stretching back to the 1920’s.The lights are sometimes on. They’re usually off. I’m hurrying my writing because I don’t know when they’ll turn off again. Curtains hang from the ceiling, dirty, old, and I swear they change positions whenever the lights come back on. I don’t know. I can’t be sure.

They beat me. Charlie, James. For being teenagers they’re much stronger than they look. James was the instigator, Charlie mostly just shoved me back whenever I tried to make for the door. I think James was supposed to use this paddle the entire time, but he dropped it in favor of his fists, and he didn’t hold back. The lights went on and off, on and off, I must have lost unconsciousness by the time they left. I can’t find the door anymore. I don’t know if it was even there to begin with.

What did I get into

why is Janice dead

what have I done

. . .

I can’t tell if it’s night or day. I found the door again, it was just hiding behind the blue curtain. It’s locked, and I can’t make it budge when I throw myself against it, it must be locked from the outside. I need to conserve my strength.

There’s no food offered. Just fucking. Bottles of pink lemonade lined by the door. They’re mocking me. I’m not going to drink it. It might be poisoned anyway.

I have to get out of here and I can’t brute force it. I have to wait until the door opens again.

. . .

Throat’s so dry. No one’s come through the door.

They’ve left me to die down here haven’t they? Because of the car accident. That’s had to be what happened. A body doesn’t crumple. I must have swerved to avoid something and crashed the car. I’m sorry James. If you read this after I die I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt Janice. I swear. You may have not been in love with Janice but I know she meant a lot to you. I’m sorry to you too Charlie.

Please let me out of here.

. . .

The lemonade’s so refreshing. I had to drink it. It’s so hot in here. There’s no ventilation. I need to keep writing. I don’t know why they didn’t take my journal but it might be my only way to stay sane.

I can’t remember the accident still. I can’t tell if there was one or if really something else did happen in that car. All I recall is Janice’s body looking like a trainwreck.

They have to come in sooner or later. That’s when I can escape.

. . .

No escape. They made the door go away again.

It was James. And Jacob Tanner. And someone else. A magician, maybe? The door disappeared, they were there, and they began my training.

Jacob said they need someone to take Janice’s place. They’re down a clown now, and since it was my fault because I took her too far from the circus, they want me to become a clown.

No shit I told them no. I’m not going to be a fucking clown. I’m a detective. I told them that. Which in response James put a stupid hat on my head and declared me a clown detective before laughing like he told the best joke in the world.

This ‘training’ is just an excuse to torture me. They hand me balls to juggle, whenever I refuse to juggle or dropped them I’d get cuffed in the back of the head or whacked with a paddle. The last time I dropped to the ground I closed my eyes for just a second before I woke back up and everyone was gone.

I keep checking behind every curtain. I can’t find the door. All four walls are blank. I don’t know how but they made the door go away.

They left me a bag of popcorn too. It’s stale as fuck but I needed to eat something.

. . .

I keep begging for their forgiveness. I’ve stopped fighting back. I just want to go home. I won’t tell a soul. No one would believe me anyway.

They just hand me a knife and tell me if I don’t hit the bullseye this time they’re going to break my fingers.

. . .

Am I really alone in here?

Sometimes I think the curtains are hiding someone. I keep sweeping them out of the way, but there’s no one there when I do it. Maybe it’s like the door that keeps disappearing.

When I’m trained, I see them talk to this person sometimes. They turn their head and ask something, I can’t ever really hear it, but they call this person the ringmaster… even Jacob calls him the Ringmaster. I flipped back to check my memory, James is the ringmaster… or maybe he isn’t?

I don’t know anymore. My brain is swimming. They keep calling me Petey. My name is Paul. I’m Paul. Not… not Petey.

Or maybe not Paul anymore. Maybe not.

. . .

The Ringmaster has always been here. Behind the only curtain that’s never torn, she’s watching me. I can’t see her except for her silhouette, where she lounges to overlook my training. I’m too scared to move it, now that I see this room for what it really is.

I’m in a tent. I’m in a circus tent, and my face is smeared with white paint that I don’t think I put on. I’m not sure. I didn’t put in my journal that I put it on. I definitely didn’t keep this stupid detective hat on.

I’m now back in the cement room, but it only looks like that. I know the truth.

I need to pull back her curtain.

. . .

Dixie came to visit me.

She’s such a sweet girl. She yelled at James and told him to be nice to me. She cradled my head and soothed me while I cried in her arms. I told her I wanted to go home, that my name isn’t Petey and it won’t be Petey, and that I won’t be a clown detective.

She told me a story of a girl who no one loved. That no one saw as a girl, but as a thing. An embarrassment, an inconvenience. And how she had climbed to the tippy top of a tall building, all to end her life when she saw the circus lights. She figured, why not spend the last few hours she had on earth at a place that was truly happy?

She told me… that the circus wanted her, and it wants me too. It’s always wanted me. It’s why it let me in. Nothing was accidental.

Dixie left me with a cup of pink lemonade and a spam sandwich with the crusts cut off. The nostalgic taste made me cry.

The curtain needs to go. I need to know why the circus wants me.

Please tell me why I have to stay.

. . .

ha ha

well the time has come

to go where the air smells like popcorn and bubblegum

where the tents reach the sky

and we no longer need to cry

this is how I have become a clown

this is how you become a clown

come to the circus that’s here in town

when all you’ve known has burned down

there you will meet an Acrobat, a Juggler, and a Crying Girl

they’ll help you give it a whirl

you’ll be given pink lemonade and all sorts of delights

you’ll begin your training that very night

be sure not to sob when it hurts

you’re just getting your just desserts

to be a clown is to be forever

as long as the circus endeavors

pull back the curtain and meet the Ringmaster

A beauty with skin of alabaster

with cheeks redder than apples candied

she smiles at you and offers you a glass, brandied

you take it, you don’t say no to a woman like that

once you sip, she will give your head a pat

“You’re alone in the world, aren’t you?”

She’ll say, knowing that it’s true

you’ll nod, you don’t attempt to deny

that all this time you’ve just stood by

this world has not been kind

to those who don’t fit into average humankind

“You’ve always been one of us,” she told me

“That girl who died was too carefree,

She never understood what it meant to be a clown

how you should build up, not cut down

that in this circus you’ll never feel harm

that here, you’re always meant to charm

but once you leave, you will be pained

from that, you cannot be unchained

sad that Janice had to die

but come now, you have had your cry

it’s time for you to smile

you have finally passed your trial!

It’s time to become a clown

to your knees and bow down

you are now one of mine

in fact, you have become one of my bloodline!”

I knelt before my Ringmaster, taking her hand

this circus is a family that will never disband

and just like that I’ve become a clown

never again to frown

I hope that you’ll see these tents one day

and come on through the doorway

if you want to become a clown, here’s a tip

get some pink lemonade, have a sip

run away with the circus

and like that, you’ll be one of us!

Ha ha

ha ha

never again to frown

I have become a clown

ha ha ha

ha hah ha hahaha

hahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaa

#my stories

15 notes · View notes

chairteeth · 2 months

Text

So uhhh here's a handful of things I wrote in like twenty minutes for wip Wednesday, no beta we die like [REDACTED]. For the @magireco-minibang ofc! Tw for. Vague-ish discussion Ib!Nemu's unconventional coping mechanisms, I guess, since none of it is depicted and the SA officers think was SA, wasn't really. But they do convict Mitsuru of that so yeah expect Troubled Teenage Years.

Project partner: @karinmisono

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Nemu sat where she’d been told to and watched the officers shuffle about. She’d given them Alexandra’s number when they’d picked her up, and it had been some time since then. Evidently, seeing as Futatsugi and Yukuni were not exactly five minutes away and it was the dead of night, she had expected the tardiness.

“Miss Hiiragi, your guardian is here for you,” a female officer spoke softly to her. “Don’t worry, it’ll be okay.”

Out of curiosity, she had to ask one question.

“What will happen to the woman I was with?”

The officer’s expression hardened. “You don’t have to worry about that. She won’t be able to hurt you anymore. We’re sending her away for a long, long time.”

“… I wish she had told me she was being investigated. I didn’t mean to get her arrested. Then again, she did neglect to ask my age.”

“Nemu!”

Nemu stood up and tolerated Alexandra’s hug for all of one second. “Yes, I’m fine. I had not planned for this to happen. I apologize that they had to wake you up.”

Alexandra sighed. “It’s okay, I was up talking to Rabi anyway. The car is outside.” She looked over at the officer. “Is there anything else you need from me?”

“No, ma’am. You are free to go.”

Alexandra and Nemu hurried out of the police department at a brisk pace they knew the officers wouldn’t question. During the car ride, it was time to talk.

“So, what happened to the woman? Her name was… Inami?”

“Mitsuru Inami,” Alexandra confirmed. “She’s been charged with assault. I don’t think you’ll be seeing her again. Honestly… Could you wait until you’re eighteen before you go around bedding women over twenty?”

Nemu raised an eyebrow. “How old are you, exactly?”

“… never mind. But please, be more careful. I was so anxious when they asked me for proof of guardianship…”

“Did they request anything besides the court order I forged?”

“No, but it’s pretty ballsy to hand over a forged document like that to an officer with a straight face. Oh, did you want me to drive you back to Kamihama? I don’t use the car that often, I might need to turn on the GPS for that.”

That would probably be bad. Nemu weighed her options and swiftly came to a decision. It wasn’t that she was particularly itching to go back to her parents, but Alexandra’s strange intentions could not be encouraged.

“Yes. I will make my way home from the school, no need to find my family’s house.”

“In Sankyo Ward?”

“Correct.”

Nemu hoped Alexandra wouldn’t ask anything more. They’d only known each other for a year and she already knew she hated questions. Among other things, one of the reasons Nemu had agreed to an arrangement with her was that she could keep a secret.

“You are so unromantic~”

“I told you what my intentions were from the very beginning. Take it or leave it.”

The woman gave her a pouty look, then turned her eyes back to the road. “And if I ask you why, you’re going to deflect, aren’t you?”

“Indeed.”

Ultimately, Alexandra sighed and drove on, at first in silence, later humming along to the radio.

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‘You should hang out with friends more!’ Karin Misono had said. ‘You’ll have fun, I’m sure!’ Karin Misono had said. Nemu was starting to wonder how Alina was psychologically able to withstand her endless pushing.

And so, there the three of them sat inside the police station. Nemu hadn’t seen the place before, always doing her utmost to remain undetected by law enforcement whenever she did something not-quite-lawful. Her eyes dragged over each of the adults sitting by her. Chika’s reason to be there was simply that it’d been her cabin that they’d been staying the night at, mostly playing card games after a day out in nature—Chika had initially suggested a camping trip, but for numerous headache-related reasons, Nemu had disagreed, and Sasha had a different compromise the following morning. Sasha’s reason to be there was likely unknown to Chika and Asahi, given that they’d been surprised when they saw she and Nemu already knew each other. Nemu assumed Asahi wouldn’t face any charges.

Her answer came in the form of Asahi and an officer walking towards them, the former’s face dark with guilt.

“With your testimonies, ladies, we’ve decided that Miss Miura acted in self-defense, and she has provided a permit for her hunting rifle. She will not be charged, you can rest easy. The other girl… She hasn’t identified herself and has continued to speak mostly incoherently. All we’ve been able to decipher is she’s looking for you, Miss Hiiragi.”

Nemu sighed deeply. Thankfully, she and Sasha had already started the process to get a restraining order.

Sasha put a hand on her shoulder and spoke for her. “This girl has been stalking Nemu for months, officer. I wouldn’t feel safe letting her near.”

“Do you have any hard evidence?” the officer asked, taking out a notepad.

“Her phone. She always brings it with her to take pictures.” Nemu glanced at Sasha, subtly removing her hand. “I hope she gets the hint… The less time we spend here, the better. I wish people would not get so attached… I don’t lead them on, I always tell them upfront that if they do see me again, I will pretend not to know them unless they want another go…”

“Breaking and entering and stalking. Understood. We’ll order a psychological evaluation for her. It may be wise to pursue a restraining order in the meantime.”

A middle-aged man walked out of where they were holding the stalker and approached the group. “Listen, I’m so sorry about my daughter, she’s never- wait, you’re…”

Nemu tensed, nails digging into her palms. The last thing she wanted was to draw undue attention. If this man was in any way knowledgeable about the martial arts scene in Kamihama, he would recognize her, and the risk that he may spread what had happened was not lost on Nemu.

“You’ve been highly ranked in the last city-wide kendo and karate competitions, haven’t you? I’ve seen you at the karate one with my daughter.”

“We train at the same dojo, sir.”

He frowned sadly and bowed. “I’m genuinely sorry for the distress she has caused you. I never realized she was so… disturbed.”

Nemu seized her chance. “Please, don’t worry about it. If I could ask something of you, it would be that you don’t talk about what happened to anyone else.”

“Of course. I will make sure to keep a closer eye on my daughter from now on.”

Asahi clearly wanted to apologize as well, but stopped herself when Chika tugged on her sleeve and shook her head. After a few more exchanges, the group was allowed to leave, and Nemu went off on her own as soon as she was able to. Her phone vibrated in her pocket.

Alexandra Kurusu: ‘At least tell me you got home safe.’

Nemu doubted she would be going home, tired gaze scanning the streets. ‘I told you to do away with those feelings of yours,’ she texted back, trying not to feel annoyed about the existence of romantic attraction. She’d thought her peers were faking it at first. That it was only real in stories. Apparently not.

Alexandra Kurusu: ‘I can’t worry about a friend’s safety?’

‘Friends is a rather generous term.’ A pause. Then, ‘I will let you know when I have a roof over my head.’

For some reason, Sasha cared. She couldn’t fathom why. Sasha had given up on any aspirations of romance, if her trying to set her up with one of her friends was any indication. Or maybe that wasn’t how it worked. Nemu wouldn’t know.

She reconsidered Sasha’s role in her life. Beyond being part of her therapist’s least favorite of her coping mechanisms, Nemu would be hard-pressed to deny that Sasha knew more about her than even Alina, Karin, Hotaru, or anyone else she could consider slightly more than an acquaintance. After a deep breath, she texted the half-Russian one last time.

‘Apologies. The inconvenience I cause you is likely more significant than the benefits.’

Alexandra Kurusu: ‘Well, it would be nice if you could reduce the amount of times you get detained every year… But I do enjoy having you around.’

‘My ego does not require a boost, Alexandra. I know where my skill lies.’

Alexandra Kurusu: ‘You talk like you consider yourself a tool.’

‘My body is.’

Alexandra Kurusu: ‘It’s not.’

Nemu considered leaving her on read. Unfortunately for her desire to stop discussing this particular topic, Sasha had more to say.

Alexandra Kurusu: ‘You told me my singing was nice.’

She frowned. ‘When did that happen?’

Alexandra Kurusu: ‘You say and do things when you’re sleepy in the mornings, and you make faces when your breakfast citrus fruit juice is too acidic.’

‘What does that have to do with anything?’

Alexandra Kurusu: ‘I’m telling you that no matter how hard you try to keep yourself at arm’s length from the people around you, those of us who care about you pay attention. If you need to talk, my door is always open.’

It was true that Sasha had bothered to learn more about her in two years than her parents had in sixteen. Still, led by instinct, she deflected.

‘I already have a key to your apartment.’

Alexandra Kurusu: ‘Nemu. You know what I mean.’

‘Yes, that you remain happy with our arrangement. Good to know. Go home, Alexandra.’

Nemu caught sight of a lone high schooler shifting nervously outside a pub she recognized. “This place is a common meeting spot… At this hour, they must have stood her up. Perfect.”

Target acquired. She turned off her phone and shoved it into her pocket.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“AGGRAVATED ASSAULT MY ASS! She was creeping on my friend!”

“Miss Oba, settle down-”

The handcuffs around the woman’s wrists rattled as she struggled against the restraints and glared at Nemu. Nemu made a show of flinching. Two Futatsugi officers who remembered her from a few years prior pulled the boxer back by the shoulders, and Nemu discreetly elbowed Sasha next to her to speak up.

“L-look, Nemu has had a very hard time recovering from what happened, and older women being aggressive towards her make her panic.”

Sasha was fantastically adept at lying through her teeth, Nemu knew that much. The only reason she’d stuttered was that Miss Oba had wiped the floor with someone she knew to be a relatively skilled martial artist. How much of that had been intentional, Sasha was not privy to. Nemu would’ve preferred to sustain less injuries. Had she known the blue-haired woman she’d seen standing near the station all by herself had a friend who would sock her in the face first and ask questions later, she would’ve simply refrained from interacting at all—that or the woman could’ve used her words and said no. She had a feeling she was going to, had Miss Oba’s fist not arrived first.

“Panic? She nearly broke my arm!”

“Juri,” a stern officer called. “You’ve been here enough times. You know it’ll be worse if you keep acting like this. We’ll have to see if Miss Hiiragi wants to press battery charges.”

Nemu thought about bringing up her medical history. Wanting to avoid conflict, she decided against it, and made sure the officers saw her pretending to fidget with Sasha’s sleeve. “… Miss Oba. I had no intent to harm your friend. Had she turned me down, I would have left without another word.”

“You expect me to believe that?”

She sighed. Again. “I have told you the truth. It’s up to you whether or not you choose to take it as such. However, I understand you acted out of a desire to protect your friend. I will not be pressing battery charges.”

Juri Oba kept glaring at her. They stayed quiet under watch until a blonde woman came by to talk to the officers in Juri’s stead, with the blue-haired one from before following after her. Soon after, the officers let Nemu and Sasha go. Blessed with not having to pretend-cower anymore, Nemu was content to doze in Sasha’s car, later collapsing into the older woman’s sofa.

“You’re staying over?”

“If I have to listen to my mother’s concerned barrage of questions and my father belittling me for losing a fight today, I might tear a door off its hinges and throw it at them. Although, I doubt either of us would enjoy ourselves very much tonight with the state I’m in… I will understand if you want me to leave.”

Sasha absentmindedly draped a blanket over her as she passed by the sofa. “No, not really. I have things to do around the apartment for a bit, and I have to practice later, but I don’t mind you staying. Do you have enough enzymes for the day?”

“… I do. Thank you, Sasha.”

Quite possibly due to being referred to aloud by her nickname for the first time, she beamed. “That’s what friends are for~”

#absolutely not putting this on the main tag lmao #also I hope you understand how traumatized this idiot is #last time I showed you a tidbit of Touka and now it's Nemu's turn #writing #fanfic #fanfiction #minibang24

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bestfriend491 · 1 year

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You can deny it all you want

|Request Number 2.

Okoye x Reader

Summary: You bring a stray home, and Okoye isn't pleased. Her initial feelings don't last long, however.

Domestic Fluff,

Warnings: None

The sound of rummaging and rattling woke Okoye up from her light sleep, causing her to get out of bed to investigate further.

She smiled as she approached the entrance of your home, having heard your voice whispering. She had missed seeing you earlier as you'd left far too early in the morning so she was eager to greet you.

"Sthandwa sam, ubuyile? (My love, you have returned?)" she questioned out into the open.

"Ewe. (Yes)" Your voice responded as you grunted, trying to lift the heavy thing you had brought home.

The smile on Okoye's face and the sweet tone of her voice faded as soon as she saw you in full form, with a big animal in your arms.

"Y/n..." She stated plainly pointing her head down, a clear form of non-verbal communication that told you that you had less than 10 seconds to explain yourself. "It's a dog." You chuckled out guiltily, stating the clearly obvious fact to her. Okoye folded her arms at you with her brows raised.

"I can see that." She breathed out. "Why is it in my house, Y/n?" She asked you, not approaching you but rather making herself stand taller for intimidation.

"Well, that is a great question…" you kept looking between her and the dog. "-a question that I would prefer not to answer so late at night." You finished nervously. It was approaching midnight, and you were trying to use that to your defence, knowing that when Okoye was tired she argued with your foolishness a lot less.

With another large sigh, she tried to make her feelings clear to you again. "Y/n… get that thing out of my house."

"It's our house, Okoye; and no. She's ours now." You declared seriously but also quite happily.

"She's ours? By who's request?" She asked, starting to grow more annoyed with you.

You moved yourself to the chair that sat nearby, sitting down with the sleeping dog still in your arms.

Now as Okoye inspected the area, she saw that there were at least 10 bags full of stuff on the floor, all with the logo of a nearby pet supply store plastered on them. You had clearly spent both your time and money on this new companion of yours.

This made her begin to feel dread coming from her stomach. A pit was forming.

"At my own request. We found her abandoned in the mountains on our mission today. She protected us quite heavily and scared off a lot of the intruders, but she got hurt and since there was no owner that we could find, M'Baku said I could keep her. As a gift from Jabari-Land." You explained, hoping that this would loosen her up to the idea.

All it did was make her curse to herself. M'Baku and his bright ideas that always encouraged your impulsive thoughts were getting on her nerves.

Out of all the days for the Jabari to have a random stray dog roaming at the bottom of the mountains ready to be taken in by some random sweetheart, it had to be the day that her sweetheart was on patrol. She just couldn't believe it.

"Were you going to consult me before making such a big decision?" She asked, eyeing the dog down in displeasure.

"I was. I am. Right now." You said smiling shamelessly. Before she could say anything else, you went to one of the bags that you had and took out a huge dog bed to lay the dog in.

"Come on, my love. Look at her. She is going to fit right into our family. You've had animals before."

"I have. But they were rhinos. And they didn't require much maintenance, not to mention they didn't live in my house with me. Take it back." She demanded as she finally approached you now that the dog was not on you.

"Okoye, I can't do that. I've already bought all of this stuff and she still needs to heal up. Look at her leg." You said, prompting her to go closer to the animal to see that she looked quite beaten up and had thick bandaging around one leg.

Seeing the animal made Okoye feel more sympathetic towards her, but she wasn't about to allow you to bring her in permanently.

"She can stay until she's healed." She bargained. You gave her your token eyes of desperation, silently pleading for her to relent. She rolled her eyes at you and let out a groan.

"Fine, do what you want with it, sthandwa. But don't expect me to help you with taking care of them. And keep it out of my space." She demanded, rolling her eyes as you hugged and thanked her in excitement.

She went back to bed once you had calmed down, far too tired to dwell on the details at such an hour.

Her glaring at the dog from the kitchen counter was the first thing you woke up to the next morning.

You laughed at how intensely she was staring her down, despite the dog not reciprocating the same energy, rather looking at her with a very friendly expression.

"I have a feeling you and Zoba are going to like each other." You said as you walked behind Okoye giving her a kiss on the cheek in passing.

"Me and who?" She asked, now looking toward you instead of the dog.

"You and Zoba. The dog. I decided on a name before I went to sleep yesterday. I'm going to call her Zoba." You explained. She laughed out sarcastically.

Then she said, "Okay, I see you're trying to be funny. That thing and I are never going to be friends. I'm only tolerating her presence because I love you." You rolled your eyes at her exaggeration, knowing that she didn't really mean it, but either way you were going to keep an eye on her for Zoba's sake.

"We'll see about that." You whispered.

On the Saturday of that very week, you could already see Okoye softening to the adorable canine. It was subtle. Something that wasn't really anything at all. But you knew that for Okoye it was a big deal.

She had gone every morning since you had arrived with Zoba greeting you by saying " My love." kissing you, and then glaring at Zoba before saying "My love's dog." to her, furthermore going on with her day.

But this day, she changed it up. She walked in and kissed you as usual. "My love." She said, smiling at you.

Then she looked over at the dog, and gave her a nod instead of a scowl.

"Zoba." She said as she passed the dog. You sharply turned your head when you heard her say that, never having heard her utter those words before.

"Did you just call her Zoba?" You asked with a smug grin creeping onto your face. She rolled her eyes dismissively, seeing that you had noticed the subtle change.

"Yes. That's her name, isn't it. I didn't do anything special, I just called her by the name you gave her." She defended herself very strongly, almost a bit too strongly though.

You put up your arms in surrender, "Okay, I'm sorry. I'll back off." You said before whispering to yourself. "It was just an observation."

She heard what you said, but was not going to give you the satisfaction of a response so she left with just a sigh.

You looked over at the dog that laid on her bed, looking towards Okoye as she left the house for training.

"She likes you, Zoba." You declared confidently.

The next big thing that you noticed was Okoye actually taking care of her. It started off small, she would help you by feeding her, or letting her outside when she needed to go.

But soon it started becoming more of an affectionate thing.

One morning, you caught her helping rewrap Zoba's leg and putting on all of the ointments that she had for all of her other injuries. She whispered soft affirmations to the dog as she did so.

"This one looks better than last time, Zoba." She said looking at a healing wound on the back of her left side. Zoba made an excited sound at this, before looking in Okoye's direction and licking her face.

"Don't get too comfortable with licking me though. I still have my reservations." Okoye laughed, moving her face slightly away from her reach while wiping her face of the saliva.

You smiled at the interaction, choosing to let it be a kept secret because Okoye would deny it until her deathbed if you tried to get her to admit that she too was softening and finding love for the dog.

You waited for the interaction to finish, then you entered the premises, giving Zoba a happy caress before going to greet Okoye.

"My love." She said, kissing you.

"Aren't you late for training?" You asked her as you moved towards the cabinet to get a cup to make some tea.

She shook her head, taking a bite of whatever she had made while you were asleep.

"Training was cancelled for the week. Shuri is making improvements in the facilities and I thought that this gave us a good excuse to take a break." She explained. You looked at her questionably. "You? Taking a break?" You asked, having never seen Okoye willingly suggesting a break.

She let out a huff. "Okay,Ayo might have been the one to suggest it. I still approved it so that counts for something."

You lifted your head in understanding, the latter explanation sounding a lot more believable. "But I'm still going to stay active. We're all going on a walk in an hour."

"We?" You asked. "Me, you and Zoba." She clarified.

Now, you gasped, not having expected Zoba to get an invite.

"What?" Okoye asked worriedly.

"Sorry. I'm just shocked that you are tolerating Zoba enough to take her on one of your sacred walks." You remarked. Okoye rolled her eyes at this.

"She's not too bad I guess. And she needs the exercise now that she is no longer bandaged up so heavily." She tried to justify her decision but you waved her off dismissively.

"No need to explain Okoye. I already know that you've accepted her as your own and you love her to bits." You joked.

"Let's not rush to conclusions now. I merely said that she wasn't that bad."

"Sure. Whatever you say, General." You retorted, choosing to poke fun once again.

It took about 4 months for Okoye to fully admit that she liked Zoba, and as soon as she did it was like the two became inseparable.

Wherever Okoye was, Zoba wasn't very far away.

It wasn't even something only you noticed anymore. It was something that everyone noticed too.

Okoye would take Zoba with her into the city, out on random trips and she had even taken her back to the Border-Lands when you had to travel and she didn't want to leave her alone.

At some point it had become an obsession. Okoye would come home and greet Zoba for a full 20 minutes before saying anything to you.

You weren't angry at it, you were just very intrigued with the sudden change.

Zoba herself loved the attention, and she was a very sweet dog towards the people she trusted. Her leg had healed up well and she was running and playing normally again. She was also quite scary when she needed to be, scaring off unwelcome visitors on occasion.

Okoye had mentioned training her for guarding, seeing as you had found her because of her protection skills, and although you weren't opposed to it, you really didn't see the necessity for it.

Clearly Okoye did though, because weeks after that conversation took place, you walked into the new and improved facilities that opened to an outdoor training field to see your dog running with a few Dora Milaje in training, around an obstacle course of sorts.

You looked around to spot your wife, sparring with Ayo while a few other Dora's watched. Choosing to see more of what your dog was doing, being that she was supposed to be at your house at this time of day.

After 3 minutes of Zoba and the girls with her running laps, she spotted you and got distracted, going towards you. As she approached, you saw that she was wearing something red.

"Zoba!" You greeted her as she came in for a big dog hug, nearly tipping you over with her size.

You let her excitedly lick you and bark a few times, before allowing her to calm down.

When she got off you, you couldn't help but notice what she was wearing; now that she was closer.

You couldn't help but see the similarities between the Dora in training uniforms, and the clothes that Zoba was wearing. As you evaluated, you realised that they matched exactly.

"You're wearing a Dora Milaje uniform." You laughed out when it clicked, lifting her up slightly to see the detail in this item of clothing.

It was just a dog jacket, so it wasn't the full thing but the top itself was very detailed and custom made. Her collar even resembled that of a Kimoyo Necklace, until you looked closer and realised that it was a Kimoyo Necklace, specially made for a dog.

'When was this done?' You asked yourself, not having remembered seeing any of this or even discussing it with Okoye.

It was only the sound of footsteps approaching you that brought you out of your train of thought. You looked to the side to see Okoye approaching you.

"My love." She said out of breath, kissing you before giving Zoba a treat.

"Okoye?" You started. "What is all of this?"

"We're training. And Zoba is helping." She said, looking quite proud.

You couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all.

"What's funny?"

"Okoye, our dog is in full uniform, with a personalised Kimoyo Necklace attached to her." You tried to explain. All this did was fuel her excitement.

"So you like it?" She asked, smiling at you. "Shuri and I spent many nights designing the whole thing. She's going to be the greatest asset to Wakandan defence since Vibranium Spears."

You shook your head, laughing once again.

"You want to make our sweet dog a famous warrior?" You asked quite sarcastically.

However, Okoye nodded quite seriously.

"She already has so much to offer. I say we'll be in full action by the end of this spring season." She said excitedly. Zoba seemed to back this statement up by jumping up in a fit of excitement too.

You shrugged your shoulders, not sure what you could really say about this whole situation. Zoba looked absolutely adorable. And she seemed to like the job, so as long as nobody got hurt, you were just going to allow it to happen.

Now it was time for you to just let the jokes slip out.

You let Zoba get back to the girls, placing an arm around Okoye as you walked towards the others. You talked into her ear.

"So let me get this right. You went from hating her to loving her and now you have created a…" you let her wait for the punchline.

"Wardog." You laughed at your own joke, Okoye shaking her head in embarrassment for you. She still let out a laugh.

"Y/n I swear sometimes I just can't with you."

Author's Note:

Happy New Year Everyone. 🥳

I hope that you have entered the year with many goals and aspirations that make you feel warm and hopeful for new possibilities.

This is my entering 2023 fiction and I actually don't hate how it came out.

I can't say much more except thank you for being here and I hope you're all excited for all of the new fics coming out this year.

#okoye x reader #black panther #general okoye #okoye one shot #okoye #dora milaje #okoye fluff

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exquisitesimp · 1 year

Text

Caring for Kunikida after a tough day at work

A/N: Hello to everybody reading this! I'm back with a Bungo Stray Dogs short story for the Kunikida lovers (he's so underrated imo)! This time, the reader (F) is taking care of her favourite blond after a difficult and exhausting day of work at the agency. Sweet, with a hint of comedy. Thank you so much for reading and liking my post, it means a lot to me! Stay healthy, eat well and drink plenty of water! - Sam

Tags: Bungo Stray Dogs, Kunikida Doppo, Comfort, Fluff, SFW

Word Count: 2k approx.

Your relationship with Kunikida has been stable and secure since day one. It was obvious from the very beginning that he was taking what the two of you shared seriously, and making it last was something he truly wished for. And when he suggested that you moved in together, it became evident how much he wanted to keep you in his life.

Kunikida is one logical man, which is why you found it strange at first. He’s not the type of person to wear his heart on his sleeve and put such an idea forward just because he’s lovestruck. Besides, at the time, it seemed to you that your relationship was in a stage too early for this.

“Are you sure about this?”, you remember asking in uncertainty over lunch that day. “I mean, we’ve spent the night together many times, but actually living together… I don’t know, isn’t that quite a big step?”

“It’s a decision that would be beneficial to both of us”, the man replied, opening “The Ideals” and searching through his notes.

He then proceeded to read out a gigantic list of advantages, which he had prepared beforehand and took up a good amount of pages of the notebook. You didn’t need such…extensive reasoning to be convinced, but you found it endearing how much effort he put into it.

Many of his points made sense too, like cutting down on living expenses, helping each other out, keeping the home and the workplace separate, and most importantly, not being under the same roof as Dazai - he insisted that the latter would grant him a particular sense of relief.

You ended up moving together shortly after in an apartment close to the Armed Detective Agency. It’s been a couple of months now and things were great, just as you expected. Both of you lead busy lives - Kunikida more so than you, and you were each other’s support system on difficult days, and today was one of them.

You happened to leave work a little earlier than usual, so you decided to spend the rest of the afternoon cooking a nice meal for dinner. You dropped by the supermarket, bought all the ingredients you needed and headed straight home. It was just 18:00, which gave you some time to have a quick shower, change into your homewear and get some rest before hitting the kitchen.

You got some relaxing tunes playing, put your hair up with a hair clip and started cooking. Since you had the luxury to be home early, you decided to prepare a more traditional japanese dinner, which included a variety of smaller plates. While cooking, you softly swayed to the music, thinking to yourself that you couldn’t wait to treat your hard-working partner to some nice, warm food.

The hours passed. It was 21:40, dinner was almost ready, but Kunikida was not back and you were still alone. Slightly concerned, tired, and no longer in the happiest mood, you turned off the music. The sizzling of the pork cutlet in the frying pot was the only sound filling the silence of what felt like an empty home without him.

You respect his work immensely, and you understand that there are gonna be days he’ll be home late. His job is very difficult and dangerous after all, and he is especially responsible and serious about it. You tried to reassure yourself that it could be an emergency and that things like that happen all the time, but your worries got the best of you.

“He never comes home later than 20:30. Did something bad happen to him? What if the Agency is under attack? What if he got hurt as he was investigating? No, it can’t be… But if he’s fine, why hasn’t he texted or called at all? How do I know if he’s safe? If something bad happens to him I don’t know what I’m gonna do-”

Your inner paranoid monologue got interrupted as you heard footsteps from outside and the turning of keys in your door.

“Honey, I’m home”, you heard his deep, exhausted voice from across the hall.

You sighed, relieved that your love was finally back

“Welcome back, darling”, you shouted, trying to make yourself heard over the sound of the burning oil on the kitchen counter. “I’m so glad you’re back! It’s so late, you scared me to death! Is everything okay?”

There was no reply from him.

“Darling?”

It’s okay, perhaps the oil was louder after all and he couldn’t hear you.

“Dinner’s almost ready! Have a seat and I’ll serve you once it’s done”

Moments later, you felt his warm embrace softly surround you from behind.

“Darling, is everything okay-” you were about to ask, turning to face him, but he held you tighter.

“Can I hold you like this for a minute and not say much… please…?”, he whispered.

“Mhm” you nodded. It was the first time you saw Kunikida this tired.

You felt his chest gently press against your back in intervals as he took some slow, deep breaths. You lovingly caressed his forearms, which were tightly wrapped around your waist, while his chin rested on top of your head.

You cherished this sweet moment you two were sharing. Being held in his arms was so calming, it made you forget how late it was getting and how worried you were. Kunikida probably felt the same way, you noticed that his tense body was slowly relaxing.

“Thank you”, he said after a while, leaning his head down to kiss your cheek.

“Long day, darling?”, you asked.

“Mhm”

“Wanna talk about it?”

“Not before dinner”

“Alright then”

“Is that Tonkatsu you’re making?”

“Yup”

“It smells so good…”

“I’ve prepared may other side dishes as well”

“Perfect. I’m so hungry...”

“I can also prepare a warm bath for you while you’re eating”

“No thanks, let’s have dinner together. I’ll shower afterwards”

“As you wish”

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t do this. I’ve been wearing these clothes all day”, he said, relaxing his hold on your waist.

“Don’t worry about it”, you replied, turning around and untying the red ribbon on this collar. “Let me just… get you a little bit more comfortable…”, you added, undoing the buttons of his beige waistcoat and the ones on the collar of his black shirt.

“There you go”, you said with a soft smile.

“Thank you”,

“Now, take these off, have a seat, and I’ll join you with the food shortly, okay?”. You gently cupped his face with both your hands.

“Okay”, he replied, before turning to leave, then coming back to hold your shoulders and plant a small kiss on the back of your neck.

“You look beautiful with your hair on a claw clip”, he whispered, making you subtly blush at the spontaneity of the compliment.

“Thank you darling, I’ll be there shortly”

“How do you like it?”, you inquired.

“It’s delicious”, he responded with his mouth half-full. You quietly giggled, you found it so cute.

“So, how was work?”

"Difficult..."

"Why did you have to stay so late?"

“Dazai and I were responsible for arranging the agency’s archives for the new season. Tons of paperwork, basically…”

“Dazai’s not very good with that, is he?”

“Oh don’t get me started on HIM…”

“Was he the one that threw you off schedule?”

“Obviously… Half of the work was on paper; old cases, and very confidential ones that we couldn’t afford to reveal in case a hacker attacked the agency”

“Okay, and the other half was digital, right?”

“Exactly, that’s how we work with new cases now. We decided to split things like that and work at the same time to make the process faster. And Dazai insisted on taking the digital ones”

“Mhm”

“‘I pRoOoOoMiSe, KuNiKiDa-KuUuUuNnNn, I’ll gEt iT aAaAaAaLL DoNe, I wOn’T gEt DiStRacTed!’”

You laughed at the accuracy of that. It’s true, Kunikida is very good at making people’s impressions.

“That fool got zero work done. When I looked at his computer screen, I found exactly 67 open tabs”, he ranted, as he took out his notebook, “including, but not limited to:”

“Oh my god…” you mumbled, knowing you were about to hear some very ridiculous things.

“A reddit post on how to download Goat Simulator for free, an ugly picture of me in high school - I have no idea how he accessed it - , and - stop laughing, it gets worse - his newly set up dating profile on Tinder, with his bio stating that he is ‘looking for a beautiful lady to commit double suicide with’”

This was just too funny not to laugh at.

“Poor thing…” you said, actually feeling sorry for the fact that he has to put up with Dazai’s antics, but still laughing. “I do wonder what that picture looks like though”.

“As you can probably tell, I ended up doing everything by myself, which is why I came home so late”, masterfully avoiding the remark on the high school picture.

“Yeah I can tell… It must have been exhausting”

“Yes it was… It gave me a terrible headache, but I took some aspirin before leaving the agency, so I’m fine now”

“Okay, I’m glad to hear that…”, you said, reaching out for his hand and warming it in your palms. You locked your eyes in his, making sure that he listened to every word you were about to say.

“I want you to know that I am very proud of you and the effort you’re putting in. You are very responsible, and I really admire your dedication. Rough days are expected, I’m sure you know that better than I do. It’s on days like this that I’m gonna be here for you, no matter what, and do everything I can to make it easier”

Kunikida’s expression softened. His eyes and eyebrows were now relaxed, and a little smile appeared on his lips.

“Thank you so much… It’s very important to have someone during difficult times. You might make dinner for someone every day, but on a rough day, that dinner will matter a hundred times more. I’m so grateful for your care and everything you did for me tonight”, he responded sweetly, still holding his gentle gaze.

After finishing your meal, you went back to the kitchen to do the dishes, while Kunikida was taking a shower and getting ready to go to sleep. Once you were done and went to your shared bedroom, you found Kunikida waiting for you in the futon, reading some notes from his notebook.

“How long have you been waiting for me?”

“About a quarter”

“Why? You really need to rest. Tomorrow is a brand new day”

“There’s one thing you’re forgetting about”, he pointed out, taking off his glasses and leaving them on the floor next to him

You shook your head in confusion as you lay down next to him. You were tired too, something must have slipped your mind.

“Goodnight kiss. Seven seconds on the lips every night. Releases oxytocin and reinforces feelings of connection and bonding”

“Oh, that’s right. I thought we were skipping that because you’re exhausted”

“The rules are rules”, he proclaimed as he turned to face you and show you the importance of staying disciplined.

Kunikida merged your lips together in a slow, tender, loving kiss, which slightly exceeded its assigned duration. You found it incredibly sweet that he remembered it despite his fatigue.

“Thank you for everything once again. I’m so lucky to have you by my side”, he said, pecking your forehead.

“Goodnight honey”

“Sweet dreams darling”, you whispered, gently stroking his head. Just a few moment have passed, and Kunikida was already drifting to sleep.

“Darling?”

“Hm?”

“About this high school picture of yours…”

Blunt and expressionless, he didn’t even bother to open his eyes.

“Not happening.”

A/N: The image of Kunikida wearing his black shirt with its buttons undone (especially if it's all the way down) is fueling my dirty little mind, but I'll keep it for a future piece heheh

#bungo stray dogs #kunikida #kunikida doppo #bsd #anime #anime community #bsd imagines #fluff #sfw

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