#nothing good though

[torse]

quick sloppy edit

original below cut:

[redjayson]

More six spanners pls when u have time. maybe how jason deals with being alive? like idk some mentally toll on him bc he was dead and then the pit happened

the pit screws with your mind, right? it blunts empathy, makes you angrier. probably has some more insidious side effects thrown in there, as well – and that’s just when you’re tossed in there to fix something that’s wrong with your body.

jason was thrown in to fix something in his mind.

(sometimes, when he thinks about that, he’s scared by it. but those thoughts mostly only come later.)

it’s been three or four years since the pit. jason was alive when talia tossed him in there; it wasn’t like it had actually raised him from the dead. it had just been used to heal whatever the joker had broken and his resurrection hadn’t fixed. he wasn’t in there for that long – 

(it can’t have had that much of an effect, right?)

he thinks about the so-called “pit madness”. jason doesn’t feel mad. he feels rightfully angry. he feels like he’s doing the only thing that he can. his father batman betrayed him and there’s a monster still roaming the earth. he’s going to take care of it.

talia’s a little frightened of him. he can see it in her eyes. he thinks she regrets bringing him all the way back. that’s why she keeps sending him to teacher after teacher, even if she says that it’s because she wants him to be as prepared as possible when he finally goes back to confront bruce and kill the joker.

fair enough. part of that might even be true, and jason agrees with it. he does want to be prepared.

(he wants the nightmares to stop. he wakes up screaming some nights, back under that crowbar, or choking under a fall of dirt, or drowning in green waters, or–

he’s grateful for the days when he’s worked hard enough under his different teachers that he doesn’t dream.)

being back in gotham is – it’s strange. it takes some adjusting. he’s busy, so busy running around and starting up all the things that he needs to do. but even when he’s busy becoming a crime lord and spinning webs of plans to get what he really wants, he still ends up in crime alley.

and he starts helping the people there. 

it’s a little cold at first, the way that he interacts with them. maybe he’s just not used to interacting with civilians anymore, especially gotham civilians. but eventually he starts adjusting, thawing, being better about how he deals with people. and then he starts meeting the kids who creep around the edges of everything.

jason remembers being a street kid. he remembers it twice, almost. it’s hazy, but something sparked when talia mentioned that she pulled him off the streets of gotham, sometime after he – woke up. (he wishes he didn’t remember the coffin so well. he doesn’t know why he does, but that part’s not as hazy as however long he spent on the streets, and god, he really wishes it were.)

he knows exactly how to interact with street kids. and he keeps at it through the months until they’re his kids and he somehow ends up taking six of them home with him and never giving them back to gotham’s streets.

the nightmares have died down since he was dumped in the pit. it’s been years, so maybe it’s just that he’s healed from the trauma somewhat. maybe aftereffects of the pit were dredging up the memories, using them to make him more on edge and unstable, angry, but now they’ve finally worn off.

(maybe it’s the fact that he has people around him again. finally people that care about him and he cares about them back, and he can lean on that.)

even so, gotham isn’t really a good place for his mental health. it’s his hometown, where he was born and raised, and he loves it desperately, despite all the filth and the cruelty and the way it chewed him up and spat out his bones. gotham is dark and he does dark things to clean up her streets and sometimes everything presses down on him so that he can’t breathe

after the joker dies (after he kills the joker), he comes back to his safe house. the kids are all curled up in their nest, layers and layers of pillows and blankets all over the floor and the couch. a few of them had obviously tried to stay awake, waiting for him to come back, but they had fallen asleep anyway. jason shifts them to more comfortable positions and pulls blankets over them.

he doesn’t sleep that night. 

the kids all hug him when they wake up in the morning. jason makes breakfast for them all. he pokes at his own food while they eat. he thought he’d be happier about this, but he feels–

he doesn’t know how he feels.

he tells the kids that the joker’s dead. 

“we figured,” lucy says, the unofficial spokesperson.

“are you going to kick us out now? since he’s gone?” eleven-year-old maria asks. 

jason – hadn’t even really thought about that. he’d spent the whole night awake, trying to wrestle with what it meant that the joker was finally dead, and he hadn’t even thought about the kids and what was going to happen with them (what he was going to do with them).

jason sets down his silverware. “you’re not my prisoners,” he says. “if you want to leave, you can. but if you wanted to keep staying with me…i guess that’d be okay, too.” he tries for a smile, to soften the edge of his words and try to hide just how much he wants for them to say yes. he doesn’t want anything to happen to these kids, and somehow, over the past week, this has become a home. this is what he wants his future to involve.

his future, without the joker in it.

(without bruce in it.)

the kids unanimously want to stay.

jason screams himself awake that night. he didn’t go out on patrol; he needed at least one night to adjust, one night to center himself, one night to make plans about what he was going to do about anyone who figured out it was him that killed the joker. 

it’s a dream, a nightmare, that the joker’s back. that he didn’t die, or that he crawled out of his grave the way that jason did, all bloody grinning wreck of a face and dirt covered purple jacket. he pulls the kris out of his heart and stabs jason through his. 

batman stands to the side, impassively, and watches. 

jason grabs the knife he keeps under his pillow and rolls out of his bed, tangled sheets grabbing his legs and keeping him from standing, from getting away, from protecting himself, and his heart is pounding so hard in his chest he thinks he must be dying again – 

he’s dead, he’s dead, he has to be dead, is the only thought that can make it through his head. he has to be!

“jason?” comes a tentative voice from his bedroom doorway, breaking through the endless circling thoughts, the gasping breaths as he curls in on himself.

it takes jason a wild, disoriented minute to place it. 

lucy.

jason makes himself take deep, slow breaths. 

it was just a dream, he tells himself. you’ve had panic attacks before. you’re not dying again. it was just a dream. he’s dead. he’s dead.

(i should have set that bastard’s body on fire, some part thinks.)

“yeah,” jason says, after a few moments. his voice is rough. he makes himself stand up and go to the door.

lucy is standing cautiously on the other side. “you were screaming,” she whispers. 

if she’s awake, the other kids are probably awake, too. jason rubs at his eyes with one hand. he still hasn’t let go of the knife in his other.

“i know,” he says. “i know. sorry.”

“you were screaming for batman,” lucy says. she drops her eyes to the floor, obviously unsure if she should be saying this. if jason will get angry at her for saying it.

jason closes his eyes. yeah. he probably was screaming for bruce. half the time, whenever his nightmares involve screaming instead of silence, he’s still hoping, begging, praying for batman to save him.

“go back to sleep, if you can,” jason says. lucy nods hesitantly and returns to the couch. 

jason’s not going back to sleep tonight.  

[josiesparklelove]

"You Belong to ME! - Tennoji"

Okay. So..... I did a thing. And I blame it all on my twin letstalklikefangirls fault. She thought she was being oh so clever to give me a Tennoji prompt... and then this happened. 

Oh and funnygirlwithakeyboard and otomequeen are mentioned so here ya go.

I don't own the male character's Voltage does! ^_^

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It was a normal day in the MPD 2nd Unit work room. All of the members were present except for Asano and Tennoji who were coming back from a subject interview. But even with fewer people, the office was still as lively as ever.

Kirisawa: "Sparkle! When you get a chance, can you go make some fresh coffee?"

Hanai: "Sparkle, I need some copies of this presentation done, think you can manage it?"

Asano: "Sparkle, I need -"

Josie: "Oi! What do I look like your secretary?" Josie finally bellowed out.

Kyobashi: "Not at all, my secretary would be in a short skirt and a - "

Kirisawa: "Settle down, Kyobashi."

Yachigusa: "It's okay, Josie. I understand. They made me do all the errands before you came. The not-so-glamorous life of the Rookie, I suppose."

Josie: "Yeah, I guess. But I mean, I've been here for almost 10 months, don't you think they'd lay off a little?"

Yachigusa scratched the back of his neck and spoke through a smile. "Who knows. Haha. Let me know if you need any help though, okay?"

"Sure." Josie said with a little dejected sigh as she went to perform the duties asked of her.  Once everyone had settled down and got to work, Josie took a deep breath and sat down at her own desk to begin working on her own activities, when the door opened with a bang.

"Ahh. What a day." Tennoji said loudly, his voice dripping with happiness. 

"What's with that creepy grin?" Hanai asked. "Something happen with your baseball team or you finally got a girlfriend or something."

Tennoji: "Haha. Yeah. 's great. And the Tiger's won their game."

Yachigusa: "Wait. Yutaka... you have a girlfriend and this is the first I'm hearing of it."

Tennoji: "Oh? Yeah, man. Don't worry about it." He shot a quick glance towards Josie who had ignored him completely, trying to focus on her work.

Yachigusa: "Wow! That's awesome. Tell us about her? Is she pretty? Does she have any single friends?"

Tennoji: "Nah. I'm a gentleman, I don't kiss an' tell."

Josie nearly choked on her drink. Gentleman, pfft.

Kirisawa: "Oh? Sparkle, are you okay?"

Josie: "Yeah, fine. Just went down the wrong pipe. Don't worry."

Kyobashi: "Well, did you hear? Tennoji here has a girlfriend. What do you think?" A smirk appearing on his face.

Josie: "Hmm? Oh. Whatever he does with his 'little guy' is of no interest to me." She said coldly without looking up.

Tennoji: "Woah! Sparkle, you wanna go?! Who you callin' little?"

Josie: "What?"

Tennoji: "That ain't what you said- ACK!" He dodged as a stapler went flying towards his face. "What was that- ?" He looked towards Josie who was sending him a death glare. "Well, just so ya know, it ain't little."

"What's not little Tennoji?" Nomura said as he entered the room.

"The list of suspects for this case that we're currently working on." Kyobashi said smoothing over the previous conversation.

Nomura: "Well, that means you boys need to get to work. Hirochi you letting them slack off?"

Kirisawa: "No more than you." he grinned.

Nomura: "Ow. That hurts." He said in an overdramatic fashion. "I'll need someone to check on me to make sure I'm not dying. I'll need a very thorough nurse…." He slid next to Josie. "How about it? Do you want to come over and look after me tonight?"

Josie: "Not particularly."

Tennoji grinned.That's my girl. She ain't gonna take that crap from that sleezeball.

Nomura: "W-What?! How mean, Josie.  And after I was already emotionally vulnerable. Come on, you're not seeing anyone, right? Hang out with me for one night. I'll make you very happy."

Josie: "But I'd be happy if you weren't there. Plus no dating collegues, right? So I guess I'll have to decline."

Nomura: "You keep turning me down. Or are you seeing someone? And that's only in your own division, we're in the clear."

Josie: "I don't see how that's relevant."

Nomura: "Well, even if you were, I don't see an engagement ring on your finger." Nomura took Josie's left hand in his and brought it close to his lips. "So it's fair game, right?"

A ring? Tennoji thought to himself as he walked back out of the office and towards the break room to think.

Right before he could kiss her hand she yanked it away. "I'm not really interested in getting married."

Hanai: "Haha. You wouldn't be able to find a man to marry you anyway, Sparkle. Don't look so down."

Yachigusa: "Speaking of marriages, did you hear that the woman from SVU is getting married soon?"

Kyobashi: "Oh, the pretty one with the dark hair?"

Yachigusa: "Yeah. That's the one."

Kirisawa: "Too bad. She was a good detective."

Yachigusa: "Yup. Well, she won't be here for much longer now."

Josie: "Why not? She's just getting married. Not a death sentence."

Hanai: "Yeah, but it's normal that once a woman get's married, no matter how much she expects to continue working, pretty soon she quits so she can be a house-wife and take care of the kids."

Josie: "You guys are just saying that. It's not true in all cases."

Nomura: "No. They're right. In my time here, most of the women who get married end up leaving within the year if not just a few months."

Josie: "That's just silly."

Kirisawa: "Well, Sparkle, once you find yourself a man, maybe you'll understand."

Kyobashi: "However, until that day, you can wait on me hand and foot, wife."

Josie: "You know, Kyobashi, in your next life, you should be a comedian."

Kyobashi: "You're not the first to say that. Perhaps I will."

Josie: "Oh, good. I'll help you get started." She approached him.

Kyobashi: "Hm?"

Josie: "Well, we have to end this life first, right? Don't worry, I'll make it quick and painless."

Hannai: "Okay, you two, let's get back to work."

Josie: "Next time." She left the hacker's side and walked back to her desk to find a stack of papers. "W-What?"

Asano: "We need it sorted and summarized."

Josie: "WHAT?!"

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

Later that night at Aiko's apartment, the three sisters were having dinner.

Aiko: "Rough day at work, Josie?"

Josie: "Hmm? Eh. Just work. Nothing new."

Aiko: "Oh? That's too bad. Mamoru didn't say anything."

Josie: "Yeah, well, Ashtray and I aren't exactly on the same department, so he wouldn't know."

Mel: "Speaking of boyfriends, Josie, I've met Sis's boy toy, when are we going to meet yours? You've been seeing him for a while right?"

Josie: "Yeah. Probably like.. 8-9 months."

Mel: "Wow! Getting pretty serious, huh?"

Josie: "No, I wouldn't say that."

Mel: "C'mon! That's while especially for you to stay with one guy. You think he's the one?"

Josie: "The one? Stop being silly, Mel. I'm not all romantic like you two."

Aiko: "Well, I'd be excited for you to finally find some guy and settle down. Working as a cop has always worried me."

Josie: "Yeah, but even if... and that's a big if... I got married, it's not like I'm going to quit working."

Mel: "That's right, sis, be independent!"

Josie: "It's not about that. I like working. It gives me a sense of purpose. But anyway, do we really have to talk about my love life now?"

A younger girl walked into the dining room at that time and abruptly stopped. "If we're talking about Auntie's love life, I'm not hungry anymore."

Mel: "Hiya Maia!" Mel yipped.

Aiko: "Hey Maia. Welcome home. We're done talking about Josie, don't worry."

Josie: "Hey, trouble. Good day at school?"

Maia: "I guess. I had to learn about geometry and calculations. That's boring, when would I need that in the real world."

Josie: "I use it all the time." Josie returned.

Maia: "You do not. That's just something as an adult you have to say so that I won't lose interest in my school work."

Josie: "Have you ever known me to sugar-coat things?"

Maia: "You have a point."

Josie: "Right, so. Like when shooting a moving target, you have to calculate the trajectory and shoot now where the subject is, but where they will be when the bullet reaches them."

Maia: "I never thought of it like that."

Josie stuck her chest out in pride.

Maia: "I guess you're useful after all, Auntie."

Josie: "After all? You brat!"

Maia: "Wah! Mom, put a muzzle on your sister!"

Aiko: "Can we have one normal meal?"

Other three: "Nope."

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Josie runs into the office, barely making it on time, from her disheveled state, she has been running.

Josie: "Made... it..." Josie huffed and puffed.

Yachigusa: "Wow, Josie, did you run the whole way here?"

Hanai: "Sparkle, you look terrible."

Josie: "Go... screw... yourself..."

Kyobashi: "Well, I do have an opening on Wednesday, I could pencil you in."

Josie's blue eyes narrowed as they looked at Kyobashi.

Asano: "Scary look, Sparkle."

Josie: "Yeah. Anyway..."

Yachigusa: "Did you oversleep?"

Josie: "No, I couldn't find my ring."

Boys: "Ring?" A sound of papers being loudly shuffled from Tennoji's direction.

Josie: "Yeah, the ring my grandmother gave me? I always wear it on my left ring finger, I couldn't find it this morning."

Boys: "...."

Josie: "Are you guys really Detectives? I've worn that every day since you've known me."

Boys: "..."

Josie: "Well anyway, I leave it in the same place every day, and when I woke up this morning it was gone."

Yachigusa: "Think someone could have stolen it?"

Josie: "No that couldn't be it. It was just me last night."

Kyobashi sent a unnoticed knowing look towards the red-headed detective. "I bet it will turn up sooner or later. Mayhaps you just misplaced it."

Josie: "No. I keep it in the same place each night. I wouldn't have done anything else with it. The other rings were there too, just that one is missing."

Kirisawa: "Well, worry about it later, we've got work to do."

All: "Yes, Sir."

The next day, Josie found the ring in the exact place she always leaves it. Weird.  But she shrugged it off and kept going on as normal.

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

One night when she was over at Tennoji's while he was finishing up watching a game. Josie was bored as she didn't typically like watching games, but there was enough things she could do to keep busy. While seated next to him on the couch, during one particular play, Tennoji jumped up knocking the drink that was in Josie's hand causing it to spill all over her clothes.

Josie: "Damn it, Yutaka!"

Tennoji: "GO GO GO!!"

Josie: "Ah. You ass." She stood up shaking the excess liquid off of her.  "Damn. I'm gonna grab one of your shirts."

Tennoji was completely engrossed in the game he didn't even look up. "Uh Yeah sure. Go for it. Top drawer."

With a roll of her eyes she stripped off her shirt to her bra while still walking to the bedroom. Tennoji, of course, did not witness this display as his team was currently making a run in.

While in the bedroom, Josie threw the wet shirt into the hamper and went to the drawers. Upon opening it, she rummaged around looking for one of his smaller shirts so that it didn't appear she was in a tent, when her hand hit something solid.

Josie: "Hmm? What's this?"

Her hand clasped around the object which felt like a cube. Then brought it out into the open. It was a small felt box and when Josie saw it, her blood ran cold. With slow motions she reached out her other hand and pulled back the top of the box and inside... was an engagement ring.

Now it wasn't all that flashy. Just a simple single stone set in a silver band. Simple but elegant.  She took a moment just to gaze at the ring while a million thoughts crossed her mind. When a loud yell from the living room brought her from her daze.

Tennoji: "Hell yeah! Tigers win!!"

Josie quickly shut the box and shoved it as far back into the drawer as possible and grabbed the closest shirt and threw it over her head. Which was just in time as Tennoji came running and picked her up as he celebrated.

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

[Lets get dinner tonight. Dress up a bit. I'll drop by around 8. - Yutaka]

That's all the text said when Josie was leaving the office.

Shit.There's only one thing this can mean.

Dragging herself back to her building as she passed by the second to last door, it opened.

Aiko : "Hey Josie. Just getting home? It's pretty early for you." Aiko asked.

Josie: "Yeah. But I gotta get ready to go out to dinner apparently."

Aiko: "With your boyfriend?"

Josie: "Yeah. He invited me and told me to dress up."

Aiko: "Really? That sounds exciting. Well, I was going to invite you to have dinner with Mamoru and I, but your plans sound more fun."

Josie: "Poking my eyes out with hot spikes sounds more fun than dinner with Chimney Stack."

Aiko: "Can you give up on the nicknames?"

Josie: "No. Not until I find the perfect one."

Aiko rolled her eyes. "Well, I want to hear all about it when you get home. ... or maybe tomorrow since that might be when I see you next." The older sister teased.

Now it was Josie's turn to roll her eyes. "Yeah Yeah."

Aiko waved cheerfully. "Have fun!"

Josie waved back and went to the last door on the hallway and used her key to unlock the door. Once inside she leaned against the closed door and slid down it until she was seated on the floor. After a moment of silence her eyes drifted to a clock which read 7:18pm.

Groaning, she picked herself up and dredged her way to the bedroom to change.

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

True to his nature, right at 8:00, Josie's doorbell rang. She shuffled over and opened it to find a nervous looking Tennoji standing there with a small bunch of yellow flowers. He was wearing nice slacks and a suit jacket. It wasn't a tux or anything, but it made him look very handsome.  He even tried to do something with that wild hair of his, making him look very distinguished.

Josie: "The hell is this for?" Josie asked. She stood in the door opening in a simple black dress adorned with a pink ribbon.

Tennoji sighed dejectedly as he held the bouquet out to her and walked into the apartment. "You sure you're a girl, Josie?"

Josie: "Last I checked." She took the flowers and turned to walk back to the kitchen for a vase. "Plus shouldn't you know by now?"

Tennoji: "Haha. Damn right I know." The sound of Josie looking for a vase came from the kitchen. Tennoji patted his jacket pocket once and felt the ring box. Contented he sighed.

Josie: "Well, they won't die right away." Josie commented as she came out of the kitchen with the filled vase and placed it on the coffee table. Taking a step back she took in the whole scene. Not bad. "But I couldn't figure out why you chose yellow."

Tennoji: "'Cause it's your favorite color." He said with sound assurance in his answer.

Josie: "I thought pink was my favorite color."

Tennoji: "Nah. I'm sure it was yellow." A moment of silence passed as Tennoji looked around the room and saw many pink items including the pink in her outfit. "Ah. Well, anyway. We gotta head out, got reservations tonight."

Josie: "Reservations? Where?"

Tennoji: "Just be surprised for once, Okay." He grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the apartment, stopping only when she needed to grab her purse.

Once outside, Tennoji opened the passenger side door and held it for Josie as she sat down, then gently closed it behind her. From the second floor, Aiko smiled as she watched the scene play out from her window.

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

At the restaurant, just as the dinner was nearing it's end, Tennoji finally spoke up. "Okay, here goes." He took a deep breath. "Josie-"

Josie: "Can I ask a question?" She interrupted him.

Taken by surprise from being cut off he looked at her through anxious eyes. "Uh... sure."

Josie: "Are you trying to propose right now?"

Tennoji: "W-Wha..."

Josie: "Because you've been fidgeting with something in your pocket all night."

Tennoji: He nervously laughed. "Hah. Wow. Way to ruin the moment, Sparkle." His surprise found out he brought the box out and set it in front of her. "Guess I can't hide nothing from you."

Josie: "No."

Tennoji: "I know. Hiding stuff from you isn't good.. blah blah."

Josie: "No. I mean, 'No' to your proposal."

Tennoji: "Huh?"

Josie: "I don't want to get married."

Tennoji: "You're turning me down?"

Josie: "I guess. But-"

Tennoji: "What you don't love me or somethin'?"

Josie: "Not at all. I just-"

Tennoji: "Is there someone else?"

Josie: "Absolutely not."

Tennoji: "So there something wrong with me or my family you don't wanna marry or some shit?"

Josie: "Please calm down, we're at a rest-"

Tennoji: "Ah. Damn it." He lamented and hit his hand on the table with a thud. The sound of silverware hitting the plate rang out. "What's the big deal?"

Josie: "There's nothing wrong, I'm just not ready."

A sense of relief passed over him. "Oh 's that all? That's okay we don't gotta have the ceremony or anything real soon. You can take all your time planning it out. When we get back to work we'll start handing off your projects to the guys."

Josie: "Excuse me?"

Tennoji: "Well, what kinda man would I be if I made my wife work?"

Josie: "The kind that respected his wife's opinions."

Tennoji: "Plus we gotta look at gettin' a new place since my apartment's too small for both of us."

Josie: "What are you talking about?"

Tennoji: "Well, we're going to live together of course. Gotta find a big house for all the kids."

Josie: "Kids?"

Tennoji: "Sure. A bunch of 'em. I want enough to make my own baseball team."

Josie: "Were you going to discuss this with me?"

Tennoji: "You like kids, I've seen you talk to the ones that come by the precinct."

Josie was too flabbergasted to even speak as Tennoji kept excitedly going on and on. Eventually Josie grabbed her purse and took out some money from her wallet, placing it on the table on top of the ring box.

Tennoji: "What's that for? Don't worry-"

Josie: "No. I can't do this."

Tennoji: "Josie haven't we talked about this? I'm paying for dinner for us."

Joise: "There's no 'us'. My answer is no." With that said she turned on her heel and walked out of the restaurant.

Tennoji sat there in utter disbelief. Did she really just... What happened?

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

That same night, a knock sounded at Aiko's door. She ran to it and opened to reveal her blond sister standing there looking concerned. "Josie? What's up?" Aiko asked as she ushered Josie inside, where her purse fell on the table, spilling it's contents. Her phone fell and skidded behind a potted plant. In the living room, Mamoru sat by the window letting the smoke from his cigarette drift outside.

Aiko: "I thought you were on a date! What happened?"

Josie: "I got proposed to." she said flatly.

Aiko: "What?! You did! That's great! Let me see!" Taken by the excitement of the moment, she reached out and grabbed Josie's left hand, bringing it up to reveal her normal rings...

Mamoru: "Was it that red-headed guy in your division?" Mamoru asked as he snubbed out his cigarette.

Josie: "Yeah." not trying to hide the fact anymore.

Aiko "I knew it was someone at work! Why didn't you tell me sooner! Is he going to get you a ring later?"

Josie: "No. he had a ring. I said 'No'."

Aiko: "What? Are you okay?"

Josie: "I'm fine. I'm just not ready, that's all."

Aiko "That's fine. I'm sure he would understand."

Mamoru: "Knowing that guy. Probably not. Pretty thick-headed."

There was a moment of silence before Mamoru spoke up again. "What? No comment from the peanut gallery?"

Josie: "Don't really feel like it."

Mamoru: "Damn. Musta been a real knock-out."

Aiko: "Do you need anything, Josie?" trying her best not to run over and hug her as her nature, but knowing well enough that Josie did not really like hugs even at a time like this.

Josie: "No. I just wanted to let you know. I'm heading to sleep."

Aiko: "Are you sure? I can come over-"

Mamoru: "Don't bother her. She already said no." He stood and placed his hand on Aiko's shoulders to hold her back.

Aiko: "Come and get me if you need anything. Okay?"

Josie: "Yeah. Sorry to disrupt your evening." In an absent voice, Josie said her goodbyes and returned to her apartment next door.

Mamoru slung his arm over Aiko's small frame and pulled her close. "Don't worry too much. She's too stubborn to let this affect her too much. Although we should probably take her gun away from her..."

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

The next morning at the office was the same as always, the boys coming and going passing off small things to Josie who took them with fewer complaints than normal.  The one thing that was off was the fumes coming off of Tennoji as he stared down his computer. The tension in the office was thick enough that it was suffocating.

Yachigusa: "Josie? Nomura says he needs you up in his office to pick up some files."

Josie rolled her eyes but left the office to run the errand. Tennoji's eyes followed her every move like a predator stalking it's prey.

Kyobashi: "Perhaps you should take a picture if you want to look at Sparkle that much."

Tennoji: "Hey. Shut up, four eyes."

Kyobashi: "You're insults are terrible. Did you learn them from a kindergartner?"

Tennoji: "Oi! You wanna say that to my face?" He jumped up and faced Kyobashi as if to grab him.

Suddenly the door opened and Mamoru Kishi was standing there with an unlit cigarette handing off of his lip. "Hey. This Sparkle's division?"

All the men of the 2nd unit stopped what they were doing and faced Kishi. It was Kirisawa who finally broke the ice.

Kirisawa: "Detective Kishi, right? Yup. Sparkle works here. Can I help you?"

Mamoru: "Nah'." He lazily scanned the room until he saw Tennoji standing there and sized him up for a moment before returning his attention to Kirisawa. "She just left this at the apartment last night. Thought it'd be important. Here." Out of his pocket he pulled out Josie's phone and placed it in Kirisawa hand and readily started walking away.

Kirisawa: "Thanks, I'll-" He was cut off since he had no one to respond to anymore. The chief shook his head then placed the phone on Josie's desk before returning back to his own.

"My this has been an interesting morning." Kyobashi finally said.

Tennoji: "Who the hell was that?"

Kirisawa: "Kishi. He was the one that bust that love cult case a while back."

Yachigusa: "Oh I remember hearing about that one. So that's the guy? I didn't think he'd be Josie's type."

The hairs on the back of Tennoji's neck stood straight up.

Kyobashi: "Yes, I would have thought she would have gone for the more wholesome type."

Tennoji: "There's no way." he mumbled.

Hanai: "Well, they say that opposites attract. Probably why you two could never get a long. Haha."

Yachigusa: "Yeah. You two fight all the time. You're both so stubborn."

Kirisawa: "That's true. I thought we were going to have to replace the door last time you fought. She nearly shoved you right through it. "

Tennoji: "Oi! I told you that I tripped, it wasn't that ditzy blondes-"

All of the other men were looking towards the door.

Tennoji: "She's right there isn't she?"

Josie calmly walked by him not uttering a word, as she passed, Tennoji instinctively flinched, from past experience this is when she should have punched him in the gut. But nothing happened.

Hmmm?

Once back to her desk she saw her phone placed there. "Where did-"

Kirisawa: "Oh, Detective Kishi stopped by with this."

Josie: He what?!" She grabbed the phone anxiously and sent a glare towards the door. "Damn it." Shu muttered under her breath. "I told him not to show up here."

Kyobashi: "Oh? Trying to keep your romantic life away from your work life?"

Josie: "As if." She stashed the phone in her pocket and ran off to give that cigarette sucking detective a piece of her mind. As she ran out, she nearly collided with Nomura who was making his way inside.

Nomura: "W-Woah!" he shouted as the bonde blur rushed past. "What's up with Josie? There some shoe sale?"

The remaining men all stood dumbfounded for a moment.

Nomura: "What's with you lot? Did I miss something fun?"

Kyobashi: "Well, something interesting to state the least."

Nomura: " Hmm?"

Yachigusa: "Well, Detective Kishi came here to deliver Josie's phone which he said was left at her apartment last night."

Nomura: "Kishi? ... Really?"

Hanai: "Well, her personal life doesn't mean anything for us. Now, lets get back to work."

Kirisawa: "So, Nomura, did you come here for something?".

Nomura: "Well,with Josie's heart belonging to another, I guess not. Oh well. As the bigger man, I guess I'll have to graciously back down."

Tennoji tightly clenched his fists. The only way to to express his impending anger without drawing too much attention.

Kirisawa: "As if anything you've ever done was graceful." He chuckled.

Nomura: "Now, now. As a true man, if I know I have lost my chance, then I should back down for her sake."

Kyobashi: "Hmm? I would have thought you would be the one to fight back."

Nomura: "Well the heart wants what the heart wants. It seems she's made her choice."

No longer able to hold back Tennoji hit his fist against the desk and stalked out of the office.

Nomura looked with surprise as the fuming red-head walked past. Once he had left and the door had finally come to a close, Nomura turned back to the other. "Did I say something?"

Kyobashi smirked a bit. "Seems a little paradise hit a bit of reality."

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

A little ways away from the 2nd Unit's office Josie finally caught up with Mamoru in the courtyard in between buildings.

Josie: "Hey! Ashtray, I've been calling you."

Slowly, Mamoru turned to face the woman. "Whatdya want? You got your phone. You don't gotta thank me or nothin'."

Josie: "That's not the point. What were you doing in my office in the first place?"

Mamo: "You left your phone like a ditz in Aiko's apartment. She told me to give it to ya. Gotta problem?"

Josie: "Yeah. I gotta problem. I told you not to show up in my office."

Mamo: "I just brought your phone. Don't get all pissy."

Josie: "Of course I'm pissy. All the crap I deal with at work and then the thing with.... with... ugh!" She struggled to hide her sobs, but her wall was breaking down. "How... how could you understand?"

Mamo: "'Course I can't understand with you bawlin' like a baby." With a heavy sigh, he reached out and placed hand on her shoulder. Josie tried to smack it away in between sobs. "Look, kid. I ain't doin' this for you. If your sister catches wind I made ya cry I'll be in the doghouse. Now c'mon we're gonna go sit on the bench over there until you calm down." She was too distracted to fight him so she allowed him to lead her away. From the window a little ways away, Tennoji viewed the scene with disgust. His teeth gritting and four crescent scars each forming on the palms of his hands.

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

That afternoon, the air in the office was almost at an unbearable rate. You could practically feel the fury being emitted by Tennoji. And now Josie was unusually solemn. The others did their best to avoid their corner of the office at all possible. What finally broke the silence was the phone ringing at Kirisawa's desk. After a brief conversation, he spoke to his team.

Kirisawa: "Alright, that was the call we were waiting for. We need to move out. Sparkle. Tennoji. You're up."

Tennoji shot up from his seat and grabbed his keys and headed for the door silently.  Josie followed suit but more reserved. She did her best to keep her head up, but her eyes were glued to the ground as she left the office and closed the door.

Hanai: "Chief, you sure it's okay for those two to go out together like this?"

Kirisawa: "Whatever they're fighting about, they need to work it out between themselves."

Yachigusa: "Yeah, but I wonder what t could be. They're not like themselves."

Kyobashi: "Well, knowing those two, Tennoji probably scuffed her shoes and she said something about his precious baseball team."

Kirisawa: "Either way, they're adults. And we're not interfering. Now back to work. "

Others: "Yes, Sir."

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

Inside the patrol car, you could hear a pin drop. Josie's eyes kept trained to the paperwork in the passenger seat. and with each of her breath, Tennoji became more and more irritated.

Josie: “Left.” she said almost meekly.Her voice was tired from the tears she had shed earlier, with no spunk left in her to fight otherwise.

Tennoji flinched at her voice. Finally reaching a point where his blood wanted to boil over.

Tennoji: “The hell you say?”

Josie suspiciously looked towards her partner whose grip on the steering wheel was dangerous and strong.

Josie: “Are you okay? Do you need me to-”

Tennoji: “I don’t need you for nothin’, Sparkle. Let’s just get through this case and get the bad guy, okay?”

Josie: “That’s fine, but you missed the turn back there.”

Tennoji took a second to look at the road to verify he did miss his turn. “Shit.” He muttered and hit the steering wheel with his hand.

Josie: “You sure you’re okay?” she asked with a hint of worry in her voice.

Tennoji: “What does it matter to you anymore? Huh? I’m fine.” At the next light he made a dangerous u-turn in the road, slamming Josie into the door as they turned.

Josie: “Hey! Watch what you’re doing! You trying to hurt people or something?!” She grabbed her shoulder which was thrown into the car and rubbed it trying to take away the sting.

Tennoji: “Well, if you’re hurt just go find your Detective friend Kishi to make you feel better, huh?” His eyes trained on the road as he weaved through traffic.

Josie: “What did you say? Kishi? What the hell are you talking about? What does he have to do with anything.”

Tennoji: “I dunno. Sparkle. What does he have to do with anything? Ain’t he the guy you love?”

Josie: “W-what?! The hell are you talking about, Yutaka? Kishi is just-”

Tennoji: “You know what, I don’t care anymore. Do whatever you want, Sparkle. Ain’t my problem anymore.”

Josie wanted to fight back, but what was the use? She knew he was stubborn and in no mood to listen, and frankly…. she was exhausted. There was nothing else she could do right now.

Luckily they were able to resolve they’re case relatively easily. Tennoji even got to beat the perp up a bit, which made him feel at least a little better.

Once back at the precinct, Josie took a moment to privately talk to Kirisawa as Tennojji was leading the perp down to Processing.

The next morning with the team all gathered, Kirisawa began the meeting.

Kirisawa: “Okay. Good job on the closed case, guys. But now’s not the time to celebrate when we’ve got a few more to tackle. But we’re going to stir things up a bit. Tennoji, you’re with Kyobashi. Asano with Yachigusa, and Hanai with Sparkle.”

Kyobashi: “Oh. A team shift? What’s brought this on?”

Yachigusa: “Awww. I wanted to be with Josie this time!”

Kirisawa: “It seemed like a good time to switch things up a bit. It’s only temporary, but I will not tolerate any squabbles among the teams.

Tennoji: “Fine by me.”

Asano: “Mmm.”

Hanai: “Guess I’ll have to re-train Sparkle.” he said with a sigh.

The others all stayed quiet waiting for her eventual retaliation.

Josie: “I look forward to what you can teach me.”

Another awkward silence followed.

Kirisawa: “Anyway. That’s the new teams. Don’t disappointment me.”

All: “Yes. Sir.”

Tennoji’s eyes glanced toward his now ex partner who’s eyes were glued to her desk lost in thought. He would have expected some sort of reaction from the sudden change - unless, of course, she was the one to suggest it. That thought made his eye twitch with anger.

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

The next day at the MPD building, the main office line rang. Kirisawa picked it up.

Kirisawa: “2nd Unit, this is Kirisawa… Yeah. … Uh-huh. … Sparkle?... Okay. On the way.”

At the mention of her name, Josie lifted her eyes away from her paperwork.

Kirisawa: “Sparkle, someone’s here to see you down in the lobby.”

Josie: “Someone… Oh! I told them to wait. Thanks. I’ll be right back.” She dashed out of the office, nearly running into Yachigusa on the way out.

Yachigusa: “Josie seems like she’s in a hurry.”

Hanai: “She has a visitor in the lobby.”

Yachigusa: “Visitor? Do you think it’s her boyfriend?! I wanna go see!”

Kirisawa: “Yachigusa. Have you finished compiling your perp list?”

Yachigusa: “But Boss! This could be a once in a life-time chance to see-”

Tennoji stood and started walking towards the door. “Got an interview at 3, Chief.”

Kirisawa: “Good luck.”

Yachigusa: “Yutaka, be sure to go by the lobby and tell us what he looks like okay?”

Tennoji ignored the request outwardly, but that was exactly what he was going to do.

As he rounded the corner, he tried to calm his breaths so as to not draw any attention to his presence.

Maia: “Well, you didn’t exactly say NOT to come see you at the precinct.”

Josie: “Really, Maia? You’re lucky I’m even here. What would you have done if I was out investigating?”

Maia: “Just bug Dad.” Tennoji could feel his body twitch at the word. “You know he’s just hiding somewhere smoking a cigarette slacking off.”

Josie: “Even if it were true-”

Mamo: “What’s true?” he asked as he walked from the opposite direction into the lobby.

Josie: “We were saying how you smoke too much.”

Maia: “Yeah. Mom thinks you should cut down.”

Mamo: “I’ve heard that before, kiddo.” He reached out to ruffle Maia’s hair.

Josie: “Hold up, she’s not your kid yet.” the blond swat at his arm.

Maia: “Yeah. Daaaaaad.” the teenager exaggerated the word for full effect.

Josie: “Anyway. I’m sending you home.” she referred to Maia. “Are you coming for dinner tonight again?” she asked Mamo.

Though before he could hear the answer, Tennoji had stalked away hearing far too much more than he ever wanted to.

Back in the lobby.

Mamo: “Eh. Tell Aiko I’ve got a stake-out tonight so I can’t make it.”

Maia: “Mom’s gonna be so sad. Maybe she’ll make me cookies!”

Josie: “Shut it, trouble. Let’s go.” grabbing Maia’s arm she started towards the doors.

Maia: “Bye, Old Man.”

Mamo: “See ya, Kiddo.”

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

A few days since the partner swap had occurred, the teams were running smoothly for the most part. Except for one…

Hanai: “Sparkle, where are the phone transcripts?”

Josie: “I don’t have them yet.”

Hanai: “Why not? I told you to get them over an hour ago.”

Josie: “I’ll get them right away.” With a dejected sigh, she furiously typed away at her keyboard.

Yachigusa: “Hey, Josie? When you get a moment, we’re going to need paper in the printers soon.”

Kirisawa: “Hey, anyone seen Sparkle?” he asked as he walked in the office.

Asano: “Coffee.”

Josie: “Okay. Give me a minute.”

Hanai: “Sparkle. Transcripts.”

Josie: “Okay!” she said a little louder as she bared down and tried to push through with all the of requests and demands coming left and right.

From the other side of the office, Tennoji looked over the scene as he pretended to scan through a document in his hands.

Kyobashi: “Seems Sparkle’s as in demand as ever.”

Tennoji: “Yeah. I guess.” he muttered in reply, then stopped. “Not that I was paying attention to her or anything.”

Kyobashi: “Right, of course.” his signature smirk across his face. “Well, seems that we need to get going to our interview. I’ll meet you in the car.”

Tennoji: “Yeah. Sure.”

So said, Kyobashi gathered his materials and made his way out of the office. Tennoji trailed not too far behind. As he was staring at his phone screen, he quickly got up from his desk and ran into Josie who was carrying a stack of papers in her hand. The papers fell to the ground, thankfully they didn’t scatter too far.

Tennoji: “Woah!” On reflex, Tennoji stooped down to help out. “Sparkle, gotta watch where you’re going, Ditzy Blonde.” When he looked up from his joke, he saw a very solemn look on Josie’s face. And he could have sworn her lip was quivering and the sides of her eyes were beginning to look moist.

Josie: “I’ve got it.” she whispered.

Tennoji: “What?”

Josie: “I said. I’ve got it. I don’t need your help.” She snapped a little louder as she snatched the papers from his grasp and stood up sharply, and stomped away.

Tennoji: “Wha-”

Kyobashi’s voice rang from the hallway. “Let’s go, Tennoji.” The red-headed detective stood up, his eyes still trained on the woman’s back. With another yell from the hacker outside, he made his way out of the office.

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

Two weeks later in the parking garage of the MPD building, Tennoji and Kyobashi were making their way from the car back to the elevator. The quietness of the garage was interrupted by a man’s voice yelling.

Hanai: “Sparkle! Let’s go. Did you get the papers?”

Josie: “Yes. Got it.”  she sighed.

Hanai: “Come on, Sparkle. We don’t have all day.” With a slam of the door, Hanai walked off fast towards the elevator. Josie, hurriedly tried to catch up as she stumbled past, grabbing the few things that fell from her arms.  She felt more like an errand-girl than a full fledge Detective, but you weren’t going to hear her complain. She was going to do her best to earn her way…

Kyobashi and Tennoji continued walking a ways away witnessing the entire scene unfold.

Kyobashi: “Well, she seems quite different don’t you think?”

Tennoji: “Yeah.”

Kyobashi: “She was quite the little fire-cracker when it was you two together. Always quite loud…”

Tennoji: “Well… ain’t my problem anymore.”

Kyobashi: “Of course. But I do miss the old Josie. This new depressed Josie is not my cup-of-tea.”

Tennoji: “You know she’d punch you if she heard you say that.”

Kyobashi: “Not like she is now… watch.”

Kyobashi picked up his speed a bit just in time to get on to the elevator with Hanai and Josie, Tennoji followed behind.

Kyobashi: “Ah. Good we caught up with you. Wouldn’t want to wait for the next car.”

Hanai: “Sure. No problem.”

Kyobashi: “Just back from an interview.”

Hanai: “Well, we would have been back sooner, if the files weren’t so messy.” a heated glare was sent towards Josie, who stood motionless.  Tennoji had to stop his instincts from jumping down his throat right then and there. If there was someone who knew exactly how to push his buttons it was Hanai.

Kyobashi: “Don’t let it get you down, Sparkle. If you need someone to cheer you up later tonight, I don’t mind cancelling my current Thursday company to make room for you.~”

Josie: “No. I’ve got work to do.”

Kyobashi: “Hmm? Then shall I stay and work some overtime with you?”

Josie: “No. I’m fine.”  She was saved from any other questions when the elevator ding-ed and she stepped out into the 2nd floor.

Hanai: “You’ve got 20 mins to be back in the office, Sparkle.”

Josie: “Got it.” She replied without turning back.

The other three continued their ascent in silence.

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

That night in Josie’s apartment. She sat in front of her desk listless. As much as she wanted to push through and get ahead on the case… at least that’s what Hanai said she should be doing… she could not find the motivation to do so. It was getting late, close to 10 pm, when her front door flew open. It took her more than a moment to turn and her hands went towards her belt where her holster stood empty.

Aiko: “Woah! It’s just me! Don’t shoot!”

After a moment to calm down, Josie tried to calm her breaths.

Josie: “Damn. Aiko. I’ve told you a million times to knock first.”

Aiko: “I did knock! I’ve been knocking for the past 5 minutes. I even tried calling you but you didn’t answer.”

Josie: “Oh. Sorry… guess I was distracted.”

Aiko: “Well, you’ve been distracted for a couple of weeks now. Seriously, what’s up?”

Josie: “Nothing.”

Aiko: “Like hell it’s nothing. Now. I’ve been patient and waiting for you to come and tell me what’s wrong, but I can’t sit by and wait anymore. What is going on?”

Josie turned away from her sister and sat back down at the desk. “Seriously. Nothing. You’re just worrying too much.”

Aiko: “Well, it’s my job to worry. But you’re not making it easy.” A moment of silence between them. “Look. I know that you like to see yourself as the protector of this family so you have to be so guarded, but this is me. Josie. Something’s going on.”

Josie sat there frozen. Honestly, she didn’t want to bring her own selfish thoughts into the situation. What was wrong with her? She couldn’t do anything right at work. Always getting treated like some second-class citizen even when she works her ass off. Then of course, the whole thing with Yutaka.  Was she a terrible person not to want to get married? She didn’t mean for them to break up. She just couldn’t seem to communicate at all lately.

Aiko: “I mean, it’s gotten so bad that even Mamoru has said something.”

To that Josie rolled her eyes.

Josie: “Honestly, It’s nothing much. Just... having some problems at work….”

Aiko: “Is that all?”

Josie sighed.

Aiko: “What about your boyfriend? The one that proposed?”

Josie: “... we’re not together anymore.”

Aiko: “Ah. Sorry, Josie. That’s terrible.”

Josie: “No… It’s my fault. I’m just… not ready to get married… and then he started talking about kids and needing to quit my job….”

Aiko: “Well, did you talk to him about it?”

Josie: “No.. He won’t talk to me anymore.”

Aiko: “Didn’t you say you worked with him?”

Josie: “... Yeah.”

Aiko: “Ouch.”

Josie: “ Yeah…”

Aiko: “Is that your problem at work?”

Josie: “No. That was going on before-hand.”

Aiko: “Something you can talk about?”

Just then Josie’s phone went off and Hanai’s name popped up on the screen.

Josie: “Sorry. It’s work. I’ve gotta go.” The blonde grabbed her phone and necessities from the desk and rushed out of the door, knocking over the wastebasket next her desk over.

After leaving the room, Aiko was alone in her sister’s apartment. She took a moment to look around the room. Although it was brightly decorated, it seemed dark and dismal - a reflection of it’s owner’s inner turmoil. The brunette rolled her eyes at the mess that her sister left in her wake, something that had never changed in all the years they knew each other.

But one piece in the trash caught her eye. It was a photograph, and if there was anything that she knew that Josie would never throw away it was a photograph. Her hand instinctively reached out towards the photo to take a peek, though she stopped short. She knew she shouldn't spy on her sister’s trash. That would be against her privacy. After a few moments of thinking it over, she quickly took the photo and glanced at it.

Inside she saw something that she doesn’t normally see. Her sister was in the picture - which was a feat in and of itself - but she was smiling with a tall red-headed man. This must be the guy. She thought to herself.

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

Hanai and Josie were hiding in a small alley. Josie was fumbling with her gun checking the cartridge making sure it was ready. Hanai was talking on his phone.

Hanai: “Alright. Got it. We’ll keep you updated. Just send back-up. Right. 10 minutes.” After hanging up the phone, he looked over to Josie who seemed to be blankly looking at her gun.

Hanai: “Sparkle. You ready.”

Josie: “Yeah. Sorry. Just -”

Hanai: “No excuses, Sparkle. We’ve gotta get inside the building to see if the perp’s are inside. I’m gonna need you ready. Got it.”

Josie nodded. “Got it.”

With both of their guns drawn, they quietly snuck into building without being seen by the guards. Hearing voices, they dipped behind a crate and waited for the people to pass by. Josie held her breath and checked her gun again. She could feel her heart beating out of her chest. She looked over to Hanai, when their eyes met, he signaled to stay low.

Crouching down they slipped from crate to crate as quietly as possible in order to remain unseen.  Soon they heard another group of voices, and to their luck, it was their perp. Hanai checked his watch, and signaled to Josie. “2 minutes.” Back-up would be there in two minutes. They just needed to make sure they got the evidence they needed.

The two hidden detectives looked around from their vantage point to see if they could see anything. Josie was too caught up in looking around that she never noticed that Hanai had snuck away to scout a different area.

By the time Josie looked back to where Hanai was seated, he was already gone. She tried not to panic and gripped her gun tighter.

The voices behind her grew louder. Aparently they had been alerted to the police unit that was outside so they were scrambling around. Unfortunately for her, one of the men ran right past her to get away, thereby running into her.  She was unable to react fast enough.  He grabbed her arm and brought her from her hiding spot.

She had been captured and surrounded by several men with guns.

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

Back at the precinct, Tennoji was angrily going about his duties. No one dared confront him for fear that they would face his anger. Which suited Tennoji just fine. He didn’t want to talk to anyone anyway. Suddenly a knock on the door brought his attention forward. However, standing at the door was the last person he wanted to see…

Tennoji: “...Kishi.” he muttered under his breath.

Kirisawa: “What brings you, Kishi?”

Mamo: “Sparkle out?” he asked, glossing over the question.

Tennoji: “Why you wanna know?” he growled.

Mamo: “Personal question for her, kid. Don’t let it get your panties in a knot.”

Tennoji: “What did you say?” he slammed his fists on his desk.

Kirisawa: “Take it outside, Tennoji.”

Tennoji: “Fine.” When he got to the door he stood toe to toe with Mamo in an attempt to intimidate him.

Mamo: “You got somethin’ to say to me?” He asked not seeming to care the answer either way. “If ya do, talk an’ walk.” Without waiting for Tennoji’s response he started walking away.

Tennoji: “You really got some nerve to come to talk to me.”

Mamo: “Huh? You’re nothin’ special.”

Tennoji: “Oh? Am I not the ex-boyfriend of your fiance?”

Mamo: stopped and turned to look at the other man. “Huh?”

Tennoji: “I’m a detective too, ya know. It’s not hard to find out that you and Sparkle are together.”

Mamo nearly choked on the air around him. “Pfff. What?”

Tennoji: “No use hidin’ it either. I already seen ya’ flirting at work and showing off your kid…”

Mamo: “Woah. Woah. You have got some sort of misunderstandin’ here.”

Tennoji: “Nah. I saw, some kid with you two in the lobby calling you ‘Dad’ and her ‘Mom’.”

Mamo gave a sigh. “That kid is Maia and she ain’t exactly my kid or Sparkle’s. It’s her niece… sorta. She’s Aiko’s kid.”

Tennoji stood dumbfounded.

Mamo chuckled. “You tryin’ to tell me that you two were dating for that long and you don’t know about her sisters?”

Tennoji: “Sisters? I thought she lived alone.”

Mamo: “Well, sorta. Her sister Aiko lives next door with her kid, Maia. And Mel...well, she sorta lives where she wants to.”

Tennoji: “But the kid…. ‘Dad’....”

Mamo: “Well, I’m datin’ Sparkle’s sister, Aiko. So the kid like to be a little smart-ass sometimes… Guess it runs in the family.”

Tennoji: “Yeah, but I saw in the atrium one time when you two were hugging, and then you walked off.”

Mamo: “Oh, you mean when she was sittin’ there bawlin’ her eyes out cause of you?”

Tennoji: “....”

Mamo: “Guess you didn’t see the part when she punched me in the gut for lending my shoulder to her either. Gotta bruise and everything. She packs a punch.”

Tennoji hunched down to the ground and held his face. “But… if she’s not with you… then…. why?”

Mamo: “Why she not accept your proposal?”

Tennoji looked up, he was surprised the other detective had heard the story.

Mamo: “Look, I’m no expert to people’s emotions, specially not women. But as a Detective you know well as I that if ya got a question, you need to ask the source. Right? So if you wanna know, go talk to Sparkle.”

Tennoji: “Shes not gonna talk to me after I treated her like…”

Mamo: “Well, she’ll probably punch your lights out first, but one thing I learned about those sisters is that they all got big hearts.  Plus you might wanna bring like cookies or booze or somethin’.”

Tennoji: “You speakin’ from experience?”

Mamo: “Don’t ask.”

Tennoji stood up and straightened out his clothes. “Alright. I’m gonna go talk to Josie.”

Mamo: “Mmhmm.” he turned on his heel and started towards the break room. Tennoji rushed off towards 2nd Unit’s office with a big load off of his shoulders. However, the news he heard when he returned made his heart sink.

Before he could even think he found himself in his car heading out towards the group of buildings that Josie and Hanai had been keeping an eye on. As soon as he stepped foot in the office he heard that there were shots fired in that location with police on the scene. No word on the condition of the police.

His car sped along the road, sirens blazing. He had to get there. Even if she didn’t want to see him right now, he just had to make sure. They could laugh about him being too over-protective later.

As he got closer the red and blue lights from the multiple squad cars flickered through the air.

He threw the car door open and made his way into the fray of people not minding whether his door was closed or not. He just needed to make sure.

He wanted to just see her face even if she scowled at him. That scowl would mean he at least had a chance.

Though as he made his way closer, he realized there was an ambulance up ahead. He stopped one of the uniformed police.

Tennoji: “Yo. What’s going on.”

Police Officer: “Detective. We were able to capture the drug ring, but…”

Tennoji: “But?!”

Police Officer: “Seems like one of the first responders was caught in the line of fire.”

Tennoji could feel his blood run cold, his legs carried himself as fast as possible towards the ambulance. There he saw a familiar outline and breathed a small sigh of relief. Though, it was short lived.

Hanai was seated on the back of the ambulance with his shirt covered in blood and his arm in a sling. The look on his face was dishevled to say the least.

Tennoji: “Hanai…”

Hanai looked up at the call of his name, but when he saw the caller his eyes dropped back towards the ground.

Tennoji: “Hey. Where’s -”

Hanai: “Sorry.”

Tennoji: “What? Where’s Josie?”

Hanai’s voice cracked. “I’m so sorry.”

Tennoji: “Wha--”

Hanai: “I don’t know how it happened. I thought she was right behind me.”

Tennoji: “Wait.”

Hanai: “It happened so quick.”

Tennoji: “Where’s -”

Hanai: “Next thing I knew they took her as hostage. They tried to use her as leverage so that they could get away clean But something happened… a loud noise from behind us… and I guess they got spooked… So they shot.”

Tennoji: “Where’s Josie?”

Hanai: “She’s dead.”

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Well, there you have it. Jonnoji shippers. I've sunk your ship. 

Also this writing style is different from my other story. So gotta apologize for that. 

Sometimes you gotta write angsty stuff ya know? Sorry I sort of had to make all the guys into bad guys... Whoops.

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JosieSparkleLove’s Writing Masterlist

[gutsygills]

30 Day Monstergirl Challenge- Day 7- Plantgirl

See, I planned to take this seriously, but then I didn't

I still like this design but I'm going to come back for this and produce something of quality later.

The other one was a joke on all the plantgirls with clothing built onto their bodies as leaves, in the winter they'd be a free show.

As an apology allow me to share some other ideas I had: A tumbleweed girl, a pyromaniac eucalyptus dryad, a charcoal dryad, a scuba-"diving" lily pad girl who could hang from the water's surface, something based on propeller seeds.

[photonconductor]

bluedogdown replied to your post: is tmi tuesday over now

IDK YOU GOT MORE?

a few