Reblog If You Feel Fat All The Time

That’s the problem when it comes to loving someone, you’d let them stab you if that’s what the wanted. The worst part is, you would be the one to hand them the knife.

How to get away with murder: fall in love (via written-scars)

Ray of Sunshine - Tsu'tey X Emma Sully (slow burn)

Emma Sully - 20.

Tsutey is alive. Neteyam is alive.

Post Metkayina battle.

-

What does one do when the Earth is dying making resources scarce and the everyday basic needs hard to meet? Certainly not choose to have a baby late in life! However two people didn't seem to get that memo, those two people being Camille and Damin Sully.

Baby Emma only met her older twin brothers a few times, she was not even a year old before Tom died and Jake left in a big rocket never to return.

-

Emma Sully grew up on stories of her older brothers; the heroic Jake as a Noble Marine and the overachiever Tom with his many PHD's but they were her mother's versions of course, who could tell what was real when she couldn't ask either brother. She had only met them a few times, she had photographic evidence of it at least because she had been only a few months old when they both broke off contact with their mother to go their own ways

She didn't blame them, their mother was pretty much a loose cannon most days and then the drinking got worse, and worse until it finally killed her when Emma was just ten. From there she bounced from overcrowded foster home to overcrowded foster home until she aged out of the system. She immediately tested for the Marines hoping to be just like her big brother Jake but unfortunately her Colour Blindness was a fault they could not look pass, the did put her on a list however which was somehow more humiliating than just being denied outright.

It seemed like a sign when she had the RDA knock on her sharehouse shortly after her twenty second birthday. A summons from Big Brother himself, what luck!

The RDA spent a lot of time explaining what she would need to do, the creation of an avatar body and the intense neural mapping of her brain would mean her memories and thoughts would be directly transferred to the blue alien body that would be grown with her DNA. Jake wanted her with him, they were family after all! She had agreed heartily and was slapped on a rocket bound for Pandora where she underwent the process of being uploaded to the body en route.

She had been played, what a silly fool.

The RDS kept her as a backup, after the first try and failure of bringing down the Na'vi they had wanted a failsafe. They let Quaritch have his second attempt and when he finally crawled back bloody and beaten they were ready to deploy Emma as their secret weapon however they should have counted on not having it easy with a Sully, by the time they got to the underground bunker where Emma had been held for the past year she was already gone and deep in the jungle.

One.

The trees were so tall they seemed to stretch to that unknown place above the clouds and undoubtedly held dozens of creatures and if Jake's Logs had been right there should be Na'vi watching her at that very moment and if they were then they needed to get out because she was running out of time, the sky was growing darker by the minute and she did not want to be out in the open with minimal weapons and no shelter in the dark.

She hadn't been able to take much when she left the bunker, the backpack snapped to her body held all her worldly possessions and a few stolen goodies but she didn't have any large weapons like guns or a tent to sleep in. It was probably a deterrent if she were to escape her room but not for her, not for a Sully. Somewhere on this planet was her Brother, from what she'd overheard he even had a wife and kids now! Perhaps he'd even have a place for her but if not hopefully he'd help her acclimate and fine her a place in this new world.

A year she had been awake and it was pretty wild in all fairness, she had been shoved in a fancy cell and told she had to quarantine before going out into the wild world above but the quarantine period didn't seem to end. One of the guards was a bit kinder and he let her watch her brother's logs he had made before he went to live as a Full Time Na'vi, it gave her a sort of perspective on who he was and what he might have been feeling all alone up here before he met her, the beautiful Neytiri of course.

As time went on Emma began to listen at the small vent near her door, overhearing dozens of conversations about what the RDA really was up to and why she was here instead of with Jake. She had been lied to, that had been a hard pill to swallow but her survival was now priority and if she happened to reunite with Jake it would be a nice little reward.

She had to plan it out perfectly, she had the same six live-in guards since the start and already knew them quite well so she could use that to her advantage. She had to get out, something big was happening.

What really ignited her plan was the news that a Recom soldier named Quaritch had attacked Jake and nearly killed one of his sons, casualties had been at an all time high on the RDA side meaning their next plan had to be to use her. She wouldn't allow it.

In the chaos over the battle near an ocean community called Awa'atlu the plan came into full effect, all systems go.

First was to get out of her room, simple enough? Wrong. She had to seduce one of the guards, one who had always used his position to try and get handsy. Disgusting. He had been the first to die when she rather beautifully acted like she was about to make all his lewd dreams come true and choked him out enough to grab his knife. Getting his security card pass had been easy after that, he was the first Na'vi she had killed and wouldn't be the last in her escape.

The RDA obviously hoped that she would be on their side which is why they also uploaded the entire Na'vi language both formal and informal along with her memories and thoughts. Her regular training gave her combat skills, as a relatively healthy earth woman she had faced a disturbingly high amount of assault so she always felt the urge to be on guard and it was paying off!

Back to her escape, she was able to use the security card to get into the supply room where she retrieved her personal things such as her resin preserved photographs and her dog tags from the locker with her name on it before looting the food and water stored in the shelves and crammed it all in a military backpack. The other four were easy to take out, with her gun she was able to kill two without them even turning around.

They assumed her footsteps were their coworker's and that was their fatal mistake. One she strangled near the emergency beacon with the lanyard of his security tag and the last one she almost lost it all too. He was huge even by Na'vi standards but even the mighty must fall and she managed to get one over him by sinking her new fangs into his throat and biting hard, ripping through flesh and sinew until blood poured down and his body stopped twitching.

The last thing to do was rip out the tracker under her skin on her shoulder much like a birth control implant, it stung but she pushed through and tossed it onto the corpse of the final soldier she had killed, let them find this and know that they had failed, she wouldn't be used again.

Two.

Emma had run for the forest hoping she had at least twenty four hours before any alarm was raised, if she minimised sleep then she could be a good distance away. She had an imaging device that could geolocate most Na'vi communities that had been entered into the database and since the conflict at Awa'atlu it had been added so she had a heading at the very least.

Slowing down as night approached was a choice she had to make but it made her actually look at what was around her. The plants were so much more alive here, they had colours that she had never seen before with her human eyes and they interacted with her touch. Some plants shrunk away from her and others had strange little feelers that tickled her palm. No wonder why Grace,Tom and Jake had been so in love with the place.

She followed the geolocation device exactly, trudging through a river up to her neck so that she stayed on course which left her shivering and cursing her stupidity and she had been right, she was being watched but the Na'vi were watching wondering who this person was and what their purpose might be. Word was sent by fliers to let the communities ahead of Emma that she was on her way and for all to be on guard while she rather blissfully trudged on admiring the plants along the path.

Much further away a flier arrived at Awa'atlu near daybreak with news. "I speak for warning, we've spotted a Recom in our lands heading this way. It's a woman with a little talking box that is telling her to come here to you" the Rider reported to an immediately on guard Tonowari and Jake, "Have they made any attempts to harm your people?" Tonowari asked but the rider confirmed that was not the case, this recom was simply walking where the box was telling her to go. "We will wait for them, if it's just one they won't be much of a fight" Jake muttered through gritted teeth thinking of how his family had only just recovered from the last attack.

Tonowari, Jake and Tsu'tey gathered in the Marui after the rider left to discuss options, if they had any really other than striking first. "Why send one?" Was all Tonowari could wonder, it was too strange after the mass assault they had so recently endured to try so little. "Perhaps they only send one ahead then while we try to attack or talk to them, they send the rest around the other way" Tsu'tey suggested with a tilt of his head as he looked at the rough map on the table, "We won't know until we go and meet them. Tonowari can I count on you to remain here and take care of everyone?" Jake asked, already knowing the answer.

This led to Tsu'tey and Jake riding out to meet this stranger before midday with an irate Neytiri left behind with Tonowari to be on guard if things went badly. "What do you think will happen?" Tsu'tey asked as they landed their Ikrans in the trees and began to scan the surrounding woodland for movement. It wasn't until nearly nightfall that Emma stumbled through the trees with her geolocation device held high and grumbling irritably as it beeped every few steps.

Show time.

Three.

Tsu'tey had his Ikran land directly in front of Emma, her shock making her fall backwards and then quickly scrambling back onto her feet to face him. Her hand that didn't have the Geo Device held her knife in a strong hold and she faced the warrior with her head high. "I'm looking for Jake Sully, he lives with the people in Awa'atlu and I'm trying to find my way" she said slowly with her hands now raised slightly to show her non-aggressive intention despite holding a weapon.

"Why?" Tsu'tey demanded in a gruff tone that had Emma scowling, "He is my brother, my name is Emma" she replied with an equal amount of sass. Jake almost fell off his Ikran, he'd not thought about Emma for so long that he was actually swamped with guilt but how was she here? Why was she here?

Jake landed Bob and lept off, heart pounding as he searched Emma's face for any familiarity but the last time he had seen her was as a human newborn, she could be anyone. "I can prove it" Emma said looking between Tsu'tey and Jake before carefully sliding off her backpack and opening it to show her belongings. She stepped back and nodded at it, "Take a look" she urged and Tsu'tey leaned down and swiped her bag, pawing through its contents until he got to the pile of photos secured with a rubber band. The photo on top was newborn Emma with both Jake and Tom, the following photos were Emma as she grew up going to school and normal things.

Tsu'tey wordlessly flipped through the photos for Jake to make his decision with both seeing the photos of Emma's life. Photos of her graduation, her marine training photos, her trauma counsellor graduation ceremony, the photo of her first pet, first home, first girlfriend, first boyfriend. It was all there for them to see, the photos weren't lying.

Jake looked between the photo of a smiling Emma at her house on Earth to the Na'vi in front of him and his heart broke, it was her, she was Emma. "The RDA are out for your blood Jake, they lied to me to get me here and into this body but kept me hostage until they thought they could use me. They'll know I've escaped by now so I'll go so I don't bring it on you but you need to be on alert" Emma urged as a single tear slipped down her cheek, this wasn't how she wanted it to go but she had found him and he knew he was still in danger.

"You are my sister, you can't just go" Jake said softly, his ears dipping a little as he spoke. "I can't put them in more danger, you have a family now" Emma replied sadly but Jake simply shook his head and closed the space between them to engulf her in a crushing hug, "You are my family too" he said with such finality she accepted it and dropped both her knife and her Geo Device to put her arms around him for the first real hug they had ever had. They were reunited at long last.

Three.

Jake and Tsu'tey returned to Awa'atlu with Emma riding behind Jake on Bob. Her delight with being up close to the Ikran was so similar to her brother's initial reaction to them that it made Tsu'tey smile just a little, perhaps Jake would take his sister to claim one of her own like he'd done with his sons.

"Who is this you've brought back?" Tonowari demanded suspiciously once he realised they weren't alone, "This is my sister Emma, she has escaped from the RDA so they couldn't use her against me" Jake explained and the Chief seemed to accept this but his wife, the Tsahik Ronal, was less eager to allow it. "Let me see her" she requested and Jake immediately grimaced at the thought of the interrogation that was inbound. He could not deny her however and he nodded to Emma was by his side, he'd only just got her back and now would have to watch while Ronal tore her apart.

Ronal led Emma to her Marui first, "Lie down" she instructed, pointing at a woven rush mat on the floor. Emma complied quickly but instantly regretted it when she saw Ronal pull a blade out of a seashell around her neck. "Close your eyes, we will see what plan Eywa has for you, if she has any at all" Ronal then said with such disdain it made Emma cringe but she let her eyes fall shut and tried to keep her mind as empty as possible which was quite hard when there was an irritated pregnant woman with a tiny blade leaning over you.

Ronal tore open Emma's shirt and she had to fight to keep still even when she felt the blade make a shallow slice in her now exposed chest. The air on the cut made it sting slightly as the blood bubbled to the surface but the cut did not appeal to Ronal now, the woman was moving on. She wiped a few drops of a fragrant water onto Emma's wrists, ankles and navel before poking those same points with some sort of pointy stick, it felt like a pin almost but wasn't entirely unpleasant if not shocking.

"Eat this" Ronal ordered and began pushing something into Emma's mouth. It had no real flavour but the spongy, powdery texture of mushrooms so she swallowed it down and waited for the next instruction but Ronal had begun singing. It was the most hauntingly perfect thing she had ever heard, it actually made Emma think of sirens and their alluring ballads in the myths of earth.

"Go through the veil now, return enlightened" Ronal said but her voice was like a hollow sort of echo and Emma had the strangest sensation of falling, spinning into the dark towards something like a nebula in space.

Five

Emma woke with Jake by her side and a blanket over her body. "Are you alright?" Jake asked full of concern and Emma groaned feeling her head begin to think wickedly. "You could have warned me I was going to be tripping balls, I hope I didn't offend anyone" she muttered as she sat up, the blanket falling away from her bare body which made her squeak and snatch it back up to wrap around her like a Grecian robe. "I didn't know! You were actually really scary talking and singing in Na'vi" he replied apologetically, "Of course I can speak Na'vi, I was uploaded with Grace's dictionary" she snapped looking at him irritably but immediately sighed, how would he know?

Their conversation was cut short by the arrival of Ronal and Tonowari who both looked very stern and serious. "Your journey revealed much to me, it was interesting to say the least" Ronal said addressing Emma directly, "Thank you?" Emma replied uncertainly but Ronal wasn't finished. "Eywa has shown me that you are part of her people, our people. You have bonds already with The People and so as an adult you must complete your rites of passage and be seen in your completion before us all"

"I will do anything I need to do so that I can be with my family" Emma replied with a serious face which made Tonowari smile, "You must go and meet them then, they are all waiting for you" he said kindly offering her a hand up. "I dressed you in the ways of our people, your brother will teach you how we live" Ronal then stated before she and her husband left. "Let's go and meet your nieces and nephews!" Jake said with such excitement that it was contagious and she smiled broadly which revealed her left cheek dimple that she had gotten from their mother. Jake took her hand and led her out to the beach where he had his family waiting, he hoped they would get along

Emma paused just before they got there and looked up at her big brother, she never imagined such an instance occuring and she so very desperately wanted this all to work. "Jake, I want to speak only in Na'vi. If that's alright with you. It's the language of the people and if I want to be one of them then I need to adapt" she said quietly and Jake chuckled, giving her a scruff of the head before agreeing. It would be easier for her to adapt this way without a language barrier.

"This is my wife, Neytiri" he said proudly and she stepped forward and greeted Emma formally with them both clasping forearms respectfully. "I'm pleased to meet you" Emma said giving her a smile that was cautiously returned. Next the children were introduced, Neteyam and Lo'ak who greeted her with the traditional gesture of touching the forehead which Emma repeated back to them and then Kiri who seemed rather disinterested and wishing to be elsewhere so Emma simply gave a simple hello and did not push her. Last was the baby of the family; little Tuktirey who was a bundle of excitement and nearly bowled Emma over in a hug. "I've never had an Aunt before" she said looking up at Emma with such sweetness that it melted Emma into a puddle, this is what family was.

Of course there were others to meet, Tsu'tey also offered the traditional gesture while the Chief's children gave more informal Hello's. It seemed everyone was settled in this beautiful village, people were at work or play and seemed to enjoy their lives wholeheartedly. The water was pristine, the Ilu were so friendly and the food was utterly mouthwatering. What more could anyone want?

It was an exhaustive day of being shown around the village, feeding the Ilu with Tuk, cooking with Neytiri, marvelling at the underwater life with Kiri with the aid of a Gill Mantle and hunting part of the evening meal with Jake and his boys. Her aim with the bow brought in four good sized fish which seemed to earn the respect of her nephews at least and some pride from Jake; she felt sore all over and was ready for sleep when Jake showed her to a Marui that was divided into four parts, one of which was occupied by Tsu'tey and was known around the village as the Single Adults Marui. There were many more full of single adults but Tsu'tey had chosen that Marui to be close to the Sully family.

"Jake? How soon will I complete my trial?" She asked as she set down a mat that had been rolled up by the wall. "I will have Tsu'tey take you to the Ikran when you are ready, he took me and has chaperoned many other trials. Tonowari will chaperone your trial and bond with the Tulkan as is the way of the Metkayina, they will return soon so I believe that will be when you will do that" Jake answered honestly which Emma appreciated. "Goodnight Jake" she said and he gave her a one armed hug before blowing out the light and leaving to his own home.

She closed her eyes and listened to the waves gently caress the shore, the soft steps of people coming home to rest and the breaths of those already asleep. This would be a place of peace, a place her heart could relax. She was sure of it.

Six.

She woke the next morning early and sat outside to watch the sun rise in a spectacular display of colour while swirling her feet in the water that was warming gradually to the perfect temperature. It was shortly after this that she felt eyes on her, piercing into her like arrows. She turned her head and saw Tsu'tey in the doorway, "Good morning Tsu'tey, how are you?" She asked politely and he seemed a little offput by her question, "I am well. I will observe you today to see if you are fit for your trial. When would you like to begin?" He asked and she quickly stood, "right away!" She replied with a grin.

Tsu'tey had his work cut out for him with Jake, he'd been a cocky moron to begin with but under direct and careful tutelage bloomed into the warrior he was today, working with Emma was the opposite. When he told her to draw her bow, she did it with the correct stance and perfect aim. When he asked her to perform a necessary kill and give the soul of the creature on to Eywa, she did with grace and a gentle voice.

She did not need much correction and when it was called for, she did what was asked quickly and with tact.

One particular correction was when she was performing her archery and he asked her to draw back and noted her posture was off by just a bit, enough that it would make her arrow slightly skew before hitting its target. Instinctively he stepped behind her with his chest flush against her back and put his arms around her so that his hands were over hers. He puppeted her into drawing the bow again but this time with a deeper breath. Once she had the posture he wanted, he let go of the bow and pressed one hand onto her stomach to show her how taut it was, how deep she needed to breathe in order to maintain the bullseye she wanted. "Breathe until you have this, always like this" he instructed with his hand pressed to her skin, it was only when he heard her breath shudder ever so slightly that he looked down and into her eyes noting their cryptic energy that held him prisoner for a long moment.

"You alright Tsu'tey?" She asked with that sweet mouth. She was just like Sully, sweeping in and taking no prisoners. Was it their demon blood that made them so alluring? She even smelt good, wild.. delicious.

He had ended their lesson satisfied that Emma was ready, she had so many uploaded memories that her body recognised even though they weren't her own making her quite formidable. He had a good feeling about her trial and they would make the journey once he had spoken to Jake about it all and gotten his opinion.

Time seemed to pass quickly with Emma happily engaging in work with the Metkayina people and finding joy in every single day. Tuk was thrilled to have another person to play with and Emma was practically inexhaustible, she would go from preparing food to hunting to playing with the children all within the day without a complaint. Tonowari and Ronal were also pleased with her, Ronal went as far as saying Emma was like a Sun's Ray; full of warmth and light. Whether that had anything to do with the vision she had with Emma when she first arrived was unknown.

Six.

The trek to the Mons Veritous would be a long one but Jake been told to have Emma go alone with Tsu'tey to complete her trial with him as her chaperone and having Mo'at give a blessing as any other Omatikaya would receive as it would be an unfair advantage for her to come with him as he was Toruk Makto. The family were displeased at being denied the opportunity to cheer their Aunt on but Jake stood firm and knew the decision had not been made by Tarsem lightly, the other Omatikaya would also be journeying to the Ikran nests with their chaperone and would not need more people there to spectate.

Emma bowed her head and received an affectionate kiss on the top of her hair from Jake and a warm embrace from Neytiri and the children all gave a crushing hug pile wishing luck and ease for her trial.

Tonowari and Ronal also came to say goodbye and Ronal handed Emma something very special, an armband made of woven flax fibre and beads that replicated the waves as they come to shore in varying shades of blue and white. Emma immediately put it on and thanked the couple profusely but Ronal simply said it was a gift, every Metkayina trying to pass their trial received one for luck.

They set off with Tsu'tey riding his ikran and Emma seated behind him, her hands cinched around his waist and her feet carefully placed for maximum hold. The view from ocean to forest from above was breathtaking and Emma made a rather quaint point of pointing things out such as a herd of wild direhorses crossing the hills and a pack of viperewolves clearly on a hunt. It was strange seeing things from her perspective, he knew these things were in the forest of course but the way Emma spoke about things made them seem special for some reason.

They arrived in High Camp a day later after spending an awkward night sleeping side by side on tree boughs. Emma had been worried she'd tumble off and fall to her death while Tsu'tey simply couldn't quiet his mind. They were greeted by the new Chief Tarsem and Tsahik Mo'at, Neytiri's mother. News of her discovery had spread like wildfire so Mo'at had been expecting her.

"I see you Chief Tarsem and Tsahik Mo'at, I ask for permission to attend your Iknimaya as an adult of both Omatikaya and Metkayina as my brother has done. I have brought before you my chaperone, Tsu'tey, who will vouch for me" Emma said touching her forehead lightly and giving and slight nod to each of them. Tarsem seemed to be taking quite a long time thinking it over but once he looked at Tsu'tey over her shoulder he nodded and opened his arms to enter. With Tsu'tey behind her she felt better, stronger even. He was a fantastic warrior and HE believed in her so that had to count as something.

She was ready.

The Iknimaya.

The morning of the Iknimaya saw her up before the sun to meditate and calm her nerves, she had her bow which she had borrowed from Jake and her knife which she had traded away for one made of obsidian sea glass with a wrapped fish leather handle but hopefully neither would be required today.

Tsu'tey came to her as the sun found its first position in the sky and they made their way to the village centre where several other pairings waited. The tension was thick, everyone was buzzing with it like angry wasps and Emma felt rather nauseas for a solid moment before swallowing it down, she was doing this for herself.

"Seat yourselves and be still, your chaperone will affix your rider's mask and apply your paint as is the way of your ancestors" Mo'at said with a wonderfully throaty voice, her hands spread wide to the open space before her with twelve or so paint bowls already on the floor waiting for them. Emma sat cross legged on the cold stone and adjusted her posture as if she were drawing a bow before she looked at Tsu'tey who was kneeling opposite her. She had worked hard on her rider's mask by carefully refining the delicate visor screens late into the night until she was satisfied, her new family prepared the mask as was the way of the Omatikaya but this would be the first time she would see the final product and the anticipation was bursting inside her like a bottle of carbonated drink.

Tsu'tey had a small parcel in his hand and she watched as he very carefully peeled back the layers to reveal her rider's mask and it was simply stunning. The beadwork was like a sky with a rising sun and there were pearl embellishments added to the earpieces. "It's beautiful" she breathed gently while reaching out to touch it; aside from the armband, this was the most personal and beautiful item she had ever owned and she made an instant promise to cherish it.

As the ceremony proceeded she lowered her head to Tsu'tey and he rose above her to affix the rider's mask, he was very careful to tuck her ears through the holes and place it down firmly before tying it behind her head. He knelt back down and admired her work, turning her head to the left and right to ensure it's fit while she watched him through her lashes and wondered if she looked silly but she wouldn't be able to see until the ceremony was complete.

Next, of course, was the paint. The chaperones had to dip their fingers or hands into it in order to paint it onto their Ward's skin, she knew this beforehand but it didn't help her prepare for the way her skin shivered when Tsu'tey made the first mark on her. He worked solidly, viewing her as a canvas rather than a Na'vi and when he was done he used his thumb and placed the imprint on her chest and then used his smallest finger to make little dots around it like a child might draw a sun. Emma meant sunshine, everyone said it so she should wear this sort of pride into her trial.

Finally they were able to stand and Emma looked at herself in the pool of water to her right and didn't recognise the woman staring back at her, THIS woman was fierce and strong just how Emma had always wanted to feel. "You look like he did when it was his turn for Iknimaya" Tsu'tey commented without much further detail so she decided to take it as a compliment; after all Jake had managed to complete his Iknimaya and become Toruk Makto so she had to have some sort of chance, even just a tiny bit.

Together with the others, Emma and Tsu'tey climbed the mountains by swinging onto the thick vines and leaping across gaps. It was stunning, an artist would have been over the moon to have been able to capture the view. Once they reached the Ikran nest Tarsem took control and organised those seeking Iknimaya into a single line in the order he seemed to think most beneficial. Emma was second last of twelve.

The day was not going well, of the ten who had already attempted their Iknimaya only four had succeeded in claiming an Ikran and it was making Emma jittery with nerves. The Na'vi before her had failed after nearly tumbling down the cliffs, so much had gone wrong and Emma was beginning to hear whispering behind her that wasn't so friendly. "The demon is scaring them with her foreign scent" one Na'vi growled and sadly it appeared the idea of Emma being the cause of the bad luck was growing in popularity.

Ikran

It was Emma's turn, after waiting for so long she felt a surge of energy as she scanned the rocky space filled with writhing bodies of Ikran. There was every colour imaginable and some Ikran only a year or so old, this was their home and she felt honoured to be in it for even a short while.

With a nod from Tsu'tey, she stepped down into the space and began to approach the cluster of Ikran. Some flew off immediately which made the others waiting behind her laugh a little too loudly.

"They are confused by her! They do not like her smell!" One of the Na'vi who had failed shouted gleefully, "Her blood does not interest them" another added with a chorus of laughter rising in pitch until it was a toar in her ears. Tsu'tey snarled at them to be silent and have respect for the Iknimaya while Tarsem also reprimanded them for their rudeness but the damage was done and Emma was furious.

"You say my blood does not interest them? Then let's see for sure" she shouted yanking her beautiful knife from the holder on her chest and making a cut on her arm that welled with blood and spilled down her skin. "Emma!" Tsu'tey shouted with a note of horror but he was held back by Tarsem, he was not to interfere.

Emma slid her knife back into her holder and turned to face the Ikran, her teeth bared as she challenged the creatures until they either turned away or flew off. Then a shadow passed over them, an Ikran had come who was not previously in the nest. The Ikran landed roughly and hissed at Emma, it's eyes focussed on her wound like a starved beast. This was the one. This was hers. She hissed at the Ikran and lunged forward entering into the deadly dance which would end with either a bond or death, her movements were followed by Tsu'tey somewhat anxiously shouting tips but they were not needed. Emma had wrapped the sticky vine around the ikran's mouth and clamped her legs around it's midsection which freed up her hands to align her queue and the ikran's to form her very first Tsaheylu.

Her eyes closed as she felt the bond burst into being, she could feel the ikran's heart beating steadily in sync with it's breathing. Her heat beat alongside, they were linked now. She heard a cheer erupt from the spectators and looked up to see Tsu'tey punching the air and whooping loudly. "Go! Fly Emma!" He shouted motioning toward the cliffs and Emma took a breath, emptied her mind and thought one single word - Fly.

When she opened her eyes she was in the air, her Ikran was soaring above the clouds and she felt her hair lift off her shoulders in the wind. Through her bond she was able to direct her Ikran to dive down and bank around the floating mountains where a rush of water splashed onto her face and chest. She felt alive, so very alive. After a short while she spotted an Ikran approaching and realised Tsu'tey had joined her. "Come, I'll race you!" He challenged and she rose to his bait, they seemed to be rather equal in speed however Tsu'tey obviously had much more experience which he used to get through tight corners with ease.

Tsu'tey indicated they should land and she pulled up beside him with her Ikran clinging to the cliffside, "You have done well Emma, once you receive your blessing from Mo'at you will be an Omatikaya adult" he said with a smile she had never seen before, "I can't believe it! I feel like I can really breathe up here" she gushed excitedly while stroking her ikran's neck. "What will you call her? Tarsem said she has been a mother to many young ones claimed this year" Tsu'tey then asked which made Emma think, her ikran's wings were dark with silvery blue circles and crescents like the phases of Earth's moon. "Lunaris, I will call her Lunaris" she said confidently and Tsu'tey grinned again, seeming to approve of her choice. Lunaris did too and gave an odd chittering purr of happiness.

They returned to High Camp near nightfall where Emma made her way to Mo'at and knelt before her, "You have succeeded in your Iknimaya, you have made your People proud today. Rose now Emma, sister of Toruk Makto as an adult among The People" Mo'at announced before pressing her hand over the wound Emma had inflicted during her Iknimaya, "You are brave Emma, I see such light in your path that I am happy to give you this rite" she continued once Emma had stood, an Adult of the Omatikaya. Those others who also completed their Iknimaya also revived similar blessings and the People of High Camp let out roars of happiness.

"Let us feast!" Tarsem declared as Na'vi began beating drums, dancing and singing. Emma was seated with the other new adults and their chaperones with Tsu'tey beside her. The meat was tender and the fruit juicy and sweet, the water was cool and the music hypnotic. "Tomorrow you return as an Adult, your brother will be proud" Tsu'tey commented between bites of meat, "That's all I've ever wanted, someone to be proud of me" she replied a little sadly despite the positive atmosphere of the feast.

"Come and dance with me, noble chaperone" she said suddenly and when Tsu'tey did not move she simply pulled him up and to the dance floor. She was in high spirits, dancing with anyone and everyone; even leading a small group of young children in a round ring style dance from Earth. Tsu'tey didn't want to admit he enjoyed dancing with her, she was a lot of fun and liked to put her hands on him to move him around her and he could still feel the tingling warmth of her hands on his shoulders.

Tsu'tey wasn't oblivious to the attention Emma was receiving, she danced with men and women equally with no particular motive but that didn't stop the men watching after her practically slobbering like a pack of viperwolves. Even Tarsem had fallen for her charm and seemed to watch her every move, unacceptable.

The evening wore on until late when Emma managed to excuse herself from the dancing and flop down next to him; "I'm exhausted, I'm going to go to sleep ok?" She said before scooting back so that she was propped against the cushioned walls of the fire pit, "sleep well Tsu'tey" she wished and closed her eyes and falling asleep fast. Tsu'tey didn't move from his place and when he woke he found Emma had slid over to rest her head on his shoulder, asleep with such peace that he felt it within himself. It was almost like it had been with Sylwanin; she too had been a light for anyone around her but she had died far too early leaving him alone, until now.

Home.

Emma and Tsu'tey returned to Awa'atlu victorious, her new armband from Tarsem was a testament to her achievement. Jake was waiting for them and his face was glowing with pride as it had been when his own children completed their Iknimaya although Emma had been able to be presented as an adult due to her age. "You did it!" He shouted before she even dismounted, "She did very well" Tsu'tey confirmed and Emma beamed, bathing in the praise that she so craved.

Emma's ears flattened when she smiled and she would always rock on her feet as if she simply couldn't contain her energy, she was lively and sweet and interesting and all the wonderful things. Tsu'tey was in over his head. Emma had her claws in deep and she didn't even need to try.

"What did you name her?" Kiri asked, petting the Ikran gently and looking up at her aunt. "I named her Lunaris because her wings looked like earth moon phases" she replied with a proud smile. "She's so pretty! Will you take me for a ride?" Tuk asked breathlessly having run from the Marui to the beach in order to greet Emma. "Thank you Lovely! I'll take you when I've done some more training and your parents say it's alright" she replied and Tuk looked eagerly at Neytiri who gave a small nod but made no promises.

Emma was happy, really happy. Jake had been proud of her and they'd even had a lovely meal all together but now as she lay down alone in her room she felt more alone than ever. She fought with her feelings for hours while tossing and turning, why did she feel hollow? Was she simply trying too hard? Masking her depression with overbearing false acts of happiness that were so believable that she even believed them for a while?

Her thoughts became sharp, prickly and nonsensical. They piled up until she felt like she was about to burst so she ran, or flew rather. She took Lunaris to the Cove of the Ancestors where she sat on the soft sands and let her tears come, it was always tears first and then the anger followed. She was furious for no physical reason save for the fact her brain simply wouldn't allow her to be happy in any given moment.

Sick of the tears, she dove under the water and headed for the sacred tree where she used her queue to tap into the spiritual guidance she so desperately needed.

She felt warm like a toasty blanket on a chilly day and the songs grew louder although she couldn't make out what they were saying. "Your sister awaits you" she heard in a feminine voice and then she opened her eyes, her chest constructing as she realised she needed air immediately. She kicked for the surface and took in a gulp of air, it burned in her throat and made her skin tingle slightly but she felt better somehow, lighter almost.

She swam for the shore and dried off before mounting Lunaris and heading home where a certain Na'vi was awake and waiting in the doorway with a scowl on his face that would send children running.

Marui.

"Where did you go? I was wondering if you were alright?" He demanded the second her foot neared the Marui, "I just needed some time to think, it's been a big few days and it got a bit too much" she tried to explain but Tsu'tey wasn't having any of it.

"You do not care about how others are feeling? Do you enjoy having us worry over you?" He continued with a voice that was rising into a pitch that Emma didn't like at all. "I didn't ask you to worry, I'm a grown woman!" She retorted with a growl, her nose scrunched with irritation.

"You didn't have to! It's just what you do!" He snarled, stepping closer until they were almost face to face. The energy between them was electric, fizzling and sparking dangerously and then she acted.

She reached forward and grabbed his cumberband and dragged him closer and used her other hand to cup the back of his head and pull him down to her height. Her lips were on his before she even thought it through, his lips were softer than she had expected and she let her tongue flick out to tease him. His mouth opened in surprise and she was able to deepen their kiss. His arms were around her now, digging into her hips as he tried to establish some dominance but was failing, Emma was the top dog here and she was going to have him submit.

Unfortunately there was an intrusion, Jake had come to see what Emma and Tsu'tey were arguing about and had shouted her name from the doorway making them jump apart like a pair of criminals. "What is this Tsu'tey? You're mated with my sister? Is this to get back at me for Neytiri?" Jake shouted with a snarl, his eyes dark and dangerous. Fuck.

It took Neytiri and Tonowari to calm Jake down, it wasn't that Emma was doing something wrong, it's more that Jake hadn't expected it. "Jake, I know I just came back into your life but you aren't my dad. If I want Tsu'tey then I will have Tsu'tey. For that matter, I could have Tarsem or one of the Metkayina girls and it wouldn't be any of your business!" She declared but Jake was not about to hear it, "That's not how we do things, if you don't understand that then you need to leave" he snapped turning his back.

Her heart ached, "is that what you want?" She asked and Jake growled, "You can't just sleep around! Na'vi take one mate for life! How would it look to my children to see you do that? No, I can't have them exposed to it" he said with a devastating finality. "Goodbye Jake" she said softly and left the Marui.

By the time Jake had calmed down, Emma was gone. All the things he had given her were left behind and all that she had really taken was Lunaris and her rider's mask. He hadn't meant to send her away, he was confused and under a lot of pressure but that was no excuse. He had spoken too harshly and even Tsu'tey had left because of it. He assumed Emma would go to the Omatikaya as she was a member of the clan but when he checked in with High Camp a few days later Norm revealed that Tsu'tey was there but Emma wasn't.

It was as if she had vanished into thin air.

http://iglovequotes.net/

Talk Shit, Get Hit

prompt: ( requested ) your high school bully picks the wrong day to taunt you and it's up to an equally hotheaded Billy to calm you down. call it irony.

pairing: Billy Hargrove x female!reader characters are ALL aged 18 years old

fandom masterlist: Stranger Things

word count: 5.4k+

note: the reader is aggressive. the reader is violent. the reader’s hands are rated ‘E’ for Everyone.

warnings: you know the drill: author projects instead of going to therapy and uses personal experience as details. there's physical violence, aggressive reader, depiction of shitty home life / toxic family, (somewhat severe) abusive alcoholic parent, parental abandonment, cursing, bullying, Jason Carver's sister is the bully, injury and blood. cursing, threats, brief cigarette and illicit material use (marijuana / weed), i guess this is hurt and comfort, angst, we talk about Billy's abuse with Neil, too, and kinda abrupt ending.

PLEASE NOTE -

this fic will depict parental abuse, both emotional and physical. this fic will discuss an alcoholic parent. this fic will detail physical violence BY the reader.

DO NOT engage if any of these topics potentially trigger you. you will miss nothing if you decide to skip. author implores readers to value and prioritize their own comfort and mental health.

Of all the days Brittany Carver could've chosen, she picked the worst day imaginable to bully you - being akin to a ticking time bomb. To your immense surprise, she'd laid off that entire week, focused on the "big" cheerleading competition she was leading Hawkins High to victory in. It left her no energy to engage in her favorite past time of tormenting you; figuring that after 6 years of her brutal behavior, she had grown up and lost interest. You weren't someone who people bullied easily, but this thing with Brittany, it was some kind of twisted pissing contest; competition brewing in elementary school that boiled over during middle school and now lasted into high school.

However, God seemed to have a sick sense of humor because on the week your bully had temporarily forgotten your existence, things at home had escalated to a new height not previously known. It was true what they said: if it wasn't one thing, it was another.

The entire week, your mother had only been sober for - well - none of it. She was found morning, noon, and night slumped over in various locations around your home with different bottles of liquor in her grip. The house grew messier each day, a direct result of a checked-out parent refusing to do any chore and destructive little monsters that took form as your twin little brothers. You couldn't keep up, playing mother, sister, housewife, personal maid, and full-time student all at once; pushing your stress levels higher, making you bitter and short tempered. The times your mother was conscious, which was typically to find a new bottle of alcohol, she was a right nasty fuck.

Her bark matched her bite; not only yelling at you, belittling you, and gaslighting you - but also using physical aggression to "teach you a lesson" for being "disorderly" or "a waste of semen" - and yes, that is a direct quote. Her hands were dainty from malnourishment, bulging veins prominent, and despite your father abandoning the family ages go, she still wore her diamond wedding ring that left small cuts wherever she struck you. The times she wasn't sober enough to really "get" you, she put out cigarettes on your arms and thighs; leaving tiny, circular burn scars you coated in Neosporin. She’s been known to break a few wooden cooking spoons over your head, steal the money made from babysitting, even cashed-in your inheritance - pawning all of your dead grandmother’s jewelry. There were plenty of other examples, but dwelling on those instances wouldn't change the past or alter your future, so you stuffed them way deep down in your soul.

Naturally, you didn't say a Goddamn thing; under the impression that everyone had shitty family members they tolerated and that your home life was normal enough to not report to the police. You didn't know any better, you didn't know that your mother downing fifths of alcohol daily was cause for concern. You didn't know that abuse wasn't the standard - emotional or physical. It took years for you to learn that love wasn't supposed to hurt, that love wasn't supposed to scare you, that love wasn't selfish, that your mother didn't actually love you. It took years to convince yourself that you were worthy of love and acceptance, never receiving it from your mother - not knowing you could get it from anyone else.

And then, William fucking Hargrove - or Billy - breezed into your small hometown with a sweet denim-clad ass, golden, curly mullet, and a bad fucking attitude that rivaled your own.

It was a match made in heaven. Or hell.

You both suffered at the hands of your parental figures, turning abrasive and foul-mouthed as defense mechanisms. You and Billy developed hardened exteriors in an effort to protect your soft insides, and when you met officially, it was as if you two could see past that hard shell - straight through the bullshit. You recognized much of the same in one another - like looking in a mirror - and grew impossibly close in an incredibly short amount of time; grateful to have a second half who understood without ever needing explanation.

He just got you. Able to identify common threads between you. Billy understood you, having more empathy than you thought he could muster. He protected you. He loved you. He took care of you - and you did the exact same, considering you two were cut from the same cloth; wanting to assure him he was just as worthy of love as you.

Billy was known around Hawkins for being a womanizing jock with anger issues, and yet, when you finally agreed to go on a date with him, he never even looked at another girl twice. He felt as if dating his best friend, understanding that nobody else would truly understand him the way you do - so he did what he could to keep you.

He did his best to defend you, but there was only so many tangible things the star basketball player could protect you from. Gossip and petty cheerleaders, prime examples. Yet Billy still tried, even taking the liberty to confront Brittany's brother, Jason Carver, about leaving you alone. Unfortunately, it was as if Billy's concern spurred on the cheerleader's bullying, calling you pathetic for hiding behind a man and sending him to fight your battles. You told Billy to stay out of it, that you could handle the situation by yourself, that he would just make the situation much more sticky.

So he did. Billy backed off, letting you deal with the situation as best you deemed; offering his support in return, being a shoulder to cry on for the days your frustration peaked.

That entire week Brittany didn't bully you had been extraordinarily tiresome due to your mother's abuse, wanting to confide in Billy but refraining when you rationalized not bringing him into your bullshit. He had enough of his own. So, while, yes, it was a comfort to have him on your side, you never indulged Billy on the woes of your life. He was meant to be your escape, not your savior; the burden of shouldering your abuse while enduring his own feeling terribly unfair.

You kept quiet, even though you were silently begging for someone to save you. Yet you weren't a damsel, there was no Prince Charming, brave knight, chosen champion to slay the dragons terrorizing you.

However, your boyfriend was much more intuitive than you realized. You always prided yourself on your acting skills, convincing everyone around you that you were indifferent to your mother's temperament, even when showing up at school with a casted wrist, black eye, and split bottom lip. Turns out, parents in Hawkins gossiped much more than the kids, and soon, it felt like the entire town knew about your abusive alcoholic mother and runaway father. Nobody did anything to help you, they just tiptoed around the knowledge and stared at your injuries. Brittany Carver was the only person stupid enough to make the mistake of weaponizing your home situation.

It was a tepid spring afternoon, the sun peaking through the clouds and the first flowers sprouting from the thawing ground. The bell rang to dismiss for lunch, the hallways filled with mingling and milling students all grateful for the midday break. Some gathered in gaggles of friends, some headed directly for the cafeteria, and others, like you, utilized the time to exchange morning class books for afternoon materials. Your fractured wrist had long since healed, but there was a long, straight scar present as a result from the surgery you required; currently, a scabbing cut over your eyebrow, lips stinging from where the flesh split, with a collection of bruises turning different colors to represent various healing stages.

Today simply hadn't been your day.

After a week of constant alcohol-fueled battery, you felt your frustrations finally crescendo after being assigned 3 separate essays; doubling your stress, shortening your fuse, and creating heavy leaded dread as the minutes ticked by. Everyone else felt giddy for the spring-tastic weekend, wanting time to go faster so they could go home - but not you. You might've been the one teenager in the city - no, no, the county - no, wait! The state - WAIT, NO... The country, who didn't want to leave school. You didn't want the day to end and be forced out of your safety zone; anxiety twisting your stomach and prickling your skin at the thought of returning home.

Truthfully, you spent several nights a week at Billy's, being snuck in through his window; feeling unsafe in your own home and wanting to remain close without voicing your need for his proximity. You felt stronger with Billy, as if you could take on the world; as if your safety and wellbeing were (finally) a real priority. He took great pride in being that safe haven for you, thinking it a nice change of pace as he often never seized opportunities to prove himself compassionate and caring. Billy was known for being a brute, someone aggressive and commandeering; nobody associating "safety" with him - except you.

However, this wasn't one of those weekends you'd be able to sneak out, being forced into caring for your two wee brothers; them needing you, dependent on you, relying on the care and love you provide them.

As a result of your shitty week, you had been a right, foul bitch to those unfortunate enough to engage you. Being well aware of your attitude, you tried to avoid everyone, not wanting to lash out at innocent peers - labeling yourself a bitch because of your impeccable self-awareness. Though, no matter the labels you assigned, you simply couldn't rein your emotions into check given your anxiety over returning home overpowered your brain.

Knowing you'd be forced to defend yourself against your own mother set your teeth on edge, projecting your horrible mood onto anyone in your vicinity - making most keep their distance.

Keyword: most.

Much like her brother, captain of the basketball team, Jason Carver, Brittany Carver wasn't the brightest bulb of the bunch. She never picked up hints, she didn't bother reading the room or in-between any lines; she held little to no regard for those around her or their emotional state. Brittany just wanted to assert herself as Queen Bee and thought the best way to achieve that was by bullying those she deemed lesser then she. It gave her a power trip, made her feel swollen with importance, boosting her ego because in her mind, she'd rather be feared than loved.

Brittany was dressed in her pretty, pressed, and bright cheer uniform; her obnoxiously blonde hair tied in a high ponytail that swished dramatically with each step. She wore cherry flavored lip gloss, her make-up caked, skirt hiked higher than school regulation permitted because she suckled at the teat for attention - good or bad.

You heard the second bell ring and finished shoving books in your locker, trying to stuff notebooks in your bag when your locker was suddenly violently slammed shut. Flinching at the quick movement and aggressive bang, you glared at whoever dared interrupt you; a manicured hand flat on the metal to keep the locker closed.

"The fuck you want, Brittany?"

"Awh, someone's already got their panties in a twist," she mocked, two of her cronies giggling their support. "C'mon, babe, I was just stopping by to say hello - missed you this week!"

"Oh, for sure," you sneered in a sickly-sweet tone, "of course you missed me, your life is so much more boring without me in it, huh? Wow, seriously, Brittany, I'm flattered to be the main character in your life, too."

Her eyes rolled and one of the other cheerleaders at her flank, Jennifer, popped flavorless gum. "I'm surprised you still have this level of spunk and cheek to talk like that, would've thought Mommy Dearest beat it out of you by now - she hits you often enough, right? Doesn't she? Hmm, well, maybe she needs to hit you a little harder."

"Excuse me?" You snapped.

"You heard me!" She laughed. "Obviously your mom isn't teaching you any lessons since you still have this whole emo-attitude going on. But I can't say I blame her, you're such a bitch - I'd smack the shit outta you, too."

You nodded slowly, not realizing several students had paused themselves to watch the exchange; knowing this was a longtime coming and didn't want to miss the inevitable drama. Dropping your backpack, you asked, "You sure? You really wanna hit me?"

"Is it that hard to believe? I mean," she smirked, "your own mother does - of course, I do, too. Like, seriously, it's not a secret why she hits you - just look at you! No wonder she hates you, you're just a waste of space, resources, and money. Damn shame Billy doesn't see it yet, but don't worry, he will." She laughed again, "He'll get tired of reopening your lip every time you kiss. It's so pathetic and ugly, he'll start to crave what you can't offer. I mean, seriously, what guy with any self-respect wants to date a girl as broken as you?"

"Know what, Brittany?" You growled, balling your fists at your side. "I'll give you one free hit."

"Excuse me, what?"

"Yeah," your head nodded, "go ahead. One free, clean shot. Hit me if you want to so bad, but you'll only get just this one shot."

Her eyes rolled, "I don't need to, your mom's got that covered."

"Free hit, Brit," you taunted, gesturing, "c'mon, go 'head, lemme have it. Since I'm so insufferable, go right ahead - get your clean hit."

Jennifer and Jasmine shared strange looks, the latter nudging, "Just do it, Brittany, shut this stupid bitch the hell up."

"Yeah, Brittany, shut me the hell up."

She looked to her little goons with a smirk, shrugged and handing over her backpack. When Brittany turned again, she dramatically wound her arm back and used her full strength to swing her fist into your cheek; only making your head turn a fraction from impact. You hummed and nodded, the cheerleader laughing with her girls as if she had "shown you" - but her amusement died when she noticed you barely reacted.

You smirked, cracking your neck, "My turn!"

Your knuckle cracked the bridge of the cheerleader's nose - sick sound of a snap ringing in your ears and jolting the girl's head backwards; momentum forcing her to stumble. Brittany shrieked in pain, holding her nose, unable to defend herself as you launched your attack; first slamming her back into the lockers before jabbing your fist into any vulnerable spot you could.

Similar to the movies, you held Brittany by her hair to keep her in place; wailing your punches repeatedly, each hit making Britt bang into the lockers. Jennifer and Jasmine tried to pull you away but both earned their own punches or elbows to the face for the interference. You focused on Brittany, instantly curating a flock of students all eager to watch.

"FIIIIIIGHT!"

"GIRL FIGHT!"

"BEAT HER ASS, Y/N!"

Brittany sobbed as blood dribbled down her front, staining her pretty uniform, but you were just getting started. The hallway turned noisy, a circle forming around you four as all three cheerleaders were staved off; you running on pure anger, adrenaline, and overflowing frustration that encouraged your foot to kick Britt's gut. You'd never admit it, but Brittany's mocking had hurt you past words, made you feel vulnerable, disarmed, as if you were damaged, undeserving goods. With each punch or kick or stomp, you remembered a different instance of your mother's abuse, seeing her face instead of Brittany's; spurring you on with unrestrained force.

In the parking lot, Billy was leaning on his car with a few teammates from the basketball team and enjoying a hearty nicotine-filled break. Though they'd never label it as such, the boys exchanged idle gossip; listening to Conrad Jones detail his latest conquest, sneering about how "easy" Kennedy Stephens was. They were interrupted when Kyle Lambert sprinted up to them, sneakers skidding over asphalt, panting dramatically, "Billy! Billy! Y-You gotta come see this, man! You gotta help!"

"What?" He asked, taking a drag from his cigarette.

"I-It's your girl - it's Y/N!"

He pushed off his car that was supporting his weight, demanding, "What about her?"

"You gotta come quick, man, you gotta see this! It's fucking wild! Brittany, Jennifer, and Jasmine tried jumping her - "

Billy was surging across the carpark instantly, tossing his cigarette away before yanking the school doors open. He was instantly greeted by the chaotic sight and sounds of a fight, peers gathered in a large circle; screaming their support and hollering encouragement.

"Billy! Oh, thank God!!" Chrissy Cunningham cried, waving him closer. "You have to help! You have to do something, it's 3-on-1!"

He didn't acknowledge the strawberry blonde, just started instantly shoving through the crowd to reach the edge of the fight. It wasn't the sight he was anticipating - fearing the worst, now pleasantly surprised (and a little turned on).

Blood was splattered on the linoleum floors, a single streak smeared on the lockers. Jennifer was left on the ground with her back against the metal, sporting a busted lip as Jasmine was trying to coax her to her feet - sporting a ruddy face and disheveled look. Left in the center, to the entertainment of the crowd, was you on top of Brittany Carver, heaving your fist time and again into her face.

"Shit," he breathed, intending to step forward to stop the fight but needing to shove Tommy H. out of his way when he stepped forward.

"C'mon, man! It's a girl fight! Don't break it up!" Tommy begged, but Billy bullied through.

"All right, that's enough," he grunted, wrapping his arms around your middle and heaving you up and back a step - needing to engage his core and arms when you wriggled in an effort to free yourself. "Hey, hey, hey - "

"Lemme go! This bitch needs put in the ground!"

"Jesus Christ, when did you get this strong?" He grunted, your feet slipping on blood but still being restrained by your boyfriend's impressive strength.

"Talk your shit again, bitch!" You barked at Brittany, who was sobbing in pain and curling into herself. "Lemme hear you say another Goddamn word, you'll need more than another nose job! Fake ass, plastic bitch!"

Jason joined the center and knelt at his sister's side, helping her sit up, glaring at you and Billy. Your boyfriend grit his teeth when Jason snarled, "You need to muzzle your bitch, Billy!"

"I'll fuck you up for talkin' about her like that, Carver, don't provoke me. Watch yourself," Billy snapped in warning, successfully managing to get you behind him.

However, you dodged around him with only enough time to spit hatefully on Brittany, warning, "You wanna talk shit, you'll get hit! Don't let me hear you again - don't you ever dare say another word about my mama! I'll put you in the ground, bitch, fucking try me! I dare you! Try me again, say shit about my mama, and see what the fuck I do!"

"All right, all right, you made your point," Billy stiffly told you, pulling you away by force to avoid you actually killing Brittany. He got a look at her injuries, thinking there must've been more than a broken nose from the way her uniform was stained and her entire face bloodied. "C'mon, we gotta get outta here, come with me - c'mon, baby, you can't touch her anymore, you made your point, you'll end up killin' her or some shit," he panted, shoving through the crowd and effectively ending the fight.

Billy didn't let go of your form until finally outside - letting you rip yourself away as your blood boiled, adrenaline making you much stronger. He watched you pace; huffing, puffing, seething, all but gnashing your teeth hatefully. "That fucking bitch had it coming, Bee, it was self defense!" You finally explained.

"Oh, yeah, princess, totally looked like it," he scoffed, blocking the doors in case you tried to go back. He lit another cigarette.

"It was, you condescending asshole!" You snapped, eyes ablaze and anger tangible. "She approached me, she ran her mouth, and she hit me first!"

"Well," he sighed, "whatever the reason, it's not worth jail time for beating her to death."

"Might be."

"Ain't nothing worth throwing your life away," he offered you the cigarette, but you refused. "Why don't you just tell me what happened? What'd she say?"

"It doesn't matter, Billy."

"I think it matters when she looks like she's gonna need a blood transfusion to replenish what she's lost."

"Whatever - let it be a lesson that you shouldn't throw stones if you're scared of a boulder."

Billy sighed, smoke blown from his mouth, "C'mon, doll, tell me what happened?"

"Doesn't matter, it's done, it's over, it's in the past."

"Baby, I can't help you if you don't talk to me."

"You can't help, period, Billy! There's nothing you can do!"

"Well, you're not even letting me try!"

"'Cause it's redundant!"

"Obviously not when you look like a raging bull!"

Your eyes rolled, head shaking, "I handled it."

"I saw," he scoffed. "So, 3-on-1? How'd that happen?"

"I told you, they approached me."

"Well, I'm gonna need a little more to go on. C'mon, pretty girl, the fuck just happened? You know you can get suspended!" This made you freeze, muscles clamming up, looking purely petrified as if the thought hadn't occurred to you. "I know you don't want that, but if you talk to me, maybe I can help lessen whatever punishment."

"Oh, whatever, like I care about being punished," you snipped, hands twisting together - telling Billy you were beginning to get anxious.

"I think you do, it'd put you in the house with your mom alone," he trailed, pushing away from the doors to approach you like a baby deer. "C'mon, I know you don't wanna get suspended, so just tell me what happened."

"I'm sure you'll hear all about it from your little basketball buddies."

"I don't fucking care!" He snapped with the cigarette trapped and bobbing between his lips, making you look at him in mild shock. "There's gonna be a hundred different rumors, whole fuckin' school watched you beat the shit outta those girls - but I only care about what you have to say."

"There's no point - "

"Oh, Jesus Christ," he growled, snatching the cig between his knuckles, "I just saw three bitches on the ground, all injured, beaten up, bleeding - so stop being so Goddamn stubborn and just tell me! I'm tryna help you!"

"You pulled me off of her, you've helped plenty."

"I'd like to understand how this happened."

"It won't change anything."

"No, it won't, but you have a side to the story. Tell me what went wrong? What happened?"

You sighed, no longer pacing, planting both hands on your hips. Your head shook as Billy tossed the filtered cigarette butt aside, muttering when he exhaled the last of the smoke, "It seems so stupid now."

"Hey," he soothed, crowding into your space and taking one of your hands in his. "Whatever it is, I'm sure it wasn't stupid. You're forgetting, I know well enough to understand you wouldn't throw a punch unless absolutely necessary. Whatever got you riled up like that ain't stupid, sweetheart."

Like a glazed donut, your eyes turned glassy. Billy frowned and took your other hand off your hip, forcing your attention on him. "I swear, I didn't start it," you whispered.

"Only matters that you finished it," he smirked. "Tell me, what the fuck was all that?"

You sighed deeply, offering meekly, "Guess they had it comin'..."

"I know they did," Billy chuckled. "Nobody's that stupid to provoke you, except Brittany."

"I was at my locker... They approached and slammed it shut."

"Right, okay..."

"There were words exchanged, but Brittany, she - " You paused, swallowing thickly, "she started talkin' shit about my mom, about, you know, what she does..."

Billy understood instantly. "You fuckin' serious?" He growled, seeing you nod and fill him in on what was said - unable to look him in the eye as you relived your anger. By the end, you were trembling in emotion and adrenaline loss, Billy sighing deeply and yanking you into his chest for a tight embrace. "All right, yeah," he mumbled, "should've put them bitches in the ground."

"And now," you sniffled, "I'm gonna get suspended, forced to stay home with Ma all next week."

"We'll get you outta it."

"Can't, the school doesn't tolerate fighting on school grounds."

"You said she swung first?"

"Technically, yes. I might've - allegedly - prompted her into it."

"It's still selfdefense, toots, no matter what you or anyone said - if she swung first and hit you, you were only defending yourself."

You shrugged, resting on his chest, "You see the damage? Admin won't care who swung first - not when they're beat to shit."

"Yeah, there's my li'l hothead," he smirked, chuckling slightly before pecking the top of your head. "But you gotta admit, it's impressive how you took on all three."

"I guess, doesn't exactly feel like an accomplishment."

"Nah, princess, seriously," he pulled you back to look at him again, "that's fuckin' hot. I mean, they approached you and still got their asses handed to 'em. That's straight skill."

"Or just a lot of anger with nowhere to go," you frowned. "Think I should go find admin?"

"Nah, they'll probably find you - "

The doors opened and your name was called, the principal's secretary waving you to her. "Fuck," you whispered, releasing Billy.

"I'll come with you," he promised, lacing your fingers together when he took your hand. Billy had to admit, it was a little weird being in the principal's office but not being the one in trouble; waiting without patience in a fraying chair, picking at the exposed stuffing with his leg bouncing. He'd been there 45 minutes, skipping the last half of classes, just waiting as you were behind a closed door with the principal, vice principal, and the disciplinary officer.

He looked up when the school nurse lead Brittany, Jennifer, and Jasmine inside - glaring at them but admiring the scattering of cuts and bruises with dried blood on their precious uniforms. A few minutes later, you were exiting the office with a passive and neutral expression settled on your face. Your lip curled only slightly when you clocked the cheerleaders - hating how smug they all looked - approaching Billy instantly.

"You all right?" He checked, standing and adjusting his jeans.

"Mhm," you nodded, keeping your voice low as the principal called the three cheerleaders into his office. You waited until the door was closed, then informed with a smirk, "I'm not suspended."

"No?"

"Nope," you confirmed. "Apparently, they asked a couple other kids what happened and my story matches theirs. I was minding my business, they came up to me, they started mouthing off, and Brittany was the one who hit me first. So," you shrugged, "guess your idea of selfdefense held strong."

"See? That's good, huh?"

"Yeah," you sighed, nodding absently, "but he said the girls were gonna lose their spot on the cheer squad for this. Listen, I don't think I feel like goin' back to class - kinda just wanna take a nap."

Billy hiked up his jean jacket sleeve, consulting his watch for a moment. "Wanna head to mine? Neil's got the evening shift and Susan has bridge club for a few more hours - we'd be alone."

Your eyes rolled, "No offense, Bee, I don't feel like fucking right now."

"I'm not sayin' that, I'm sayin' let's go nap at mine," he chuckled, picking up your backpack that you forgot about. "We can come back to get your brothers but you know you're not gonna rest if you go home."

You gulped, sighing sadly, "Yeah, well, about that..."

"Something else happen?"

"Apparently... The school has an obligation to call the police if a student reports abuse."

"You reported your mom?"

"Not on purpose," you rushed in defense, "just that... I had to explain what Brittany said to me - so I had to admit what Ma did - or does."

Billy frowned, "Jesus."

"Yeah, so... Maybe going home isn't the smartest idea right now. I wouldn't wanna be there when they conduct their wellness check."

"You wanna stay at mine?" He offered.

"What about Neil?"

"He's a lot nicer with you around," he admitted. "Won't care too much if you stay the night. Plus Max has that club thing after school, then she's going to the arcade; so, she won't need a ride, we can just go."

"You know what? Sure, all right, I'll come to yours," you accepted, your lover boy whisking you away without a second thought. "Thank you, baby."

Your hands were stiff, and when you looked at them, noted split skin and stained blood as a reminder of your aggression... Wondering why the fuck people pushed you to these limits and acted surprised when you reacted? If they wanted a punching bag, they picked the wrong one - but you were willing to remind them.

When you got to the Hargrove residence, you were silent as the grave; stewing in your anger that rolled off you in projected waves. Billy was terribly disarmed, unsure how to properly comfort you - wondering how he would want to be comforted, realizing he'd want to be alone, not subject to anyone's bullshit advice. So, he did what he knew and after handing you a bag of frozen peas for your split knuckles, comfortably stripped and crashed in bed with the window cracked and a rolled joint between his fingers.

You rested on his bare chest, sighing deeply while watching the end of the spliff come to life in a smoldering ember. Billy took the first inhale to make sure it was lit and instantly handed it to you, his arm snug around you and the silence hanging in the air like the swirls of stale, exhaled smoke.

"I'm sorry it got to this point, pretty girl," He offered awkwardly, his other arm bending to prop under his head. Both of you stared off aimlessly, stereo filling the space dully in the background.

"Not your fault," You inhaled and held your breath, handing him the joint. He casually flicked the end in an ashtray resting on the window sill.

"No, but I could've done more."

You chuckled, smoke seeping through your lips and teeth, "Oh, yeah? How? You gonna beat up three girls?"

"Nah but I could beat the shit outta Jason."

"What good would that do?"

"If he didn't want a weekly black eye, Jason would control his sister."

"It's always about control with you, isn't it?"

"I'm just saying," he handed the joint back, lungs pinched to hold the smoke, "I could protect you."

"You already do, baby."

"Let me do more, princess."

"You can't fight every battle for me."

"You could let me try."

"You'd be fighting on two fronts," you frowned, exhaling slowly. "Can't fight for me when you're defending yourself against Neil."

"Might be easier to deal with your shit than my own," he chuckled without humor, accepting the spliff. "Look, I know you don't want me involved, but that's kinda what a boyfriend's supposed to do, right? Protect their woman?"

"I wouldn't know."

"Never had a boyfriend before?"

"Nobody was worth dating until you. Nobody could understand me the way you do so effortlessly."

"'Cause we're one and the same, baby girl. You don't have to do everything by yourself," he inhaled, handing the spliff over again, "don't always have t'be strong."

"Ain't no other choice."

"You could let me in more..."

"You're one to talk."

He sighed, smoke billowing. "You're right. Can't expect you to open up if I don't, so why don't we both try to let the other in more? Yeah, I get it, the shit we deal with ain't pretty but at least we understand each other, right? We're the best for each other to lean on."

"I don't wanna drag you into my bullshit, baby."

"I want you to drag me in, princess. I wanna help you."

You sighed, "Well, Brittany and her cronies are getting suspended and kicked off the cheer squad - they'll be looking for reason to take it out on me."

"Say the word, baby, and I'll beat Jason black-and-blue."

"You're so romantic."

"Only for you - so don't tell anyone. I got a reputation to protect."

You both snickered as the weed you indulged in took effect, lulling you two into a state of ease. Your knuckles had stopped burning, resting your injured hand under the frozen peas, reminding yourself to remain grateful in this turbulent period of life because now, you had someone on your team. Someone who wanted to help carry your baggage. Someone without alternate motives. Someone who was willing to withstand the storm in the hope of feeling the warmth of the sun again.

requesting rules and masterlist

Stranger Things masterlist

If your down with interracial couples. Reblog.💛

Love is always a beautiful thing. xo

Everyday

I’m broken and no one hears my cry for help