Sorry I procrastinated so much on finishing this anyways clone high extended theme song lyrics go hard

I’m going to dream about you. It’s always you.

Avengers: Engame (2019) dir. Anthony and Joe Russo

I’m here.

Baby Steps (Nero x Reader) (+Nico)

Request: @carina-rv

Word Count: 3195

WARNINGS: none

Enjoy… if you can… nneehh…

Nero was home from the hospital and things weren’t much better. We drove him back in the van and he didn’t say a word the entire way. Not even when we changed the music to something he usually expressed disdain for. He sat in the back in the sitting area while Nico and I took the front. Every few minutes I would turn back to see how he was doing. All he did was look out the window with a melancholy look on his face. I frowned and then turned back to face forward again. Nico turned her eyes from the road and gave me a sullen look before subtly shaking her head. There was no use badgering him if he didn’t want to talk. 

The next few days took some major adjusting…

Nero needed help with just about everything despite aggressively insisting he didn’t need any. Only to scowl and mope in defeat when he finally asked for assistance. From putting on his clothes, to moving larger things around, any job that required two hands suddenly took considerably more effort. Though Nero’s frustration didn’t boil over until one day he was helping Nico in the garage. 

I had been inside doing research and keeping tabs on the phone in case anyone called with a job for us. Nico was out working on the van again with Nero. Despite it being cleaned up days ago it was still a little chilling seeing the red stain on the garage floor that would never quite wash out. I was worried about Nero out there, hoping he wouldn’t get too worked up with the reminder of the event. Still I kept part of my focus on listening to the two of them bicker and argue. I was just about done with my notes when I hear a large crash. Followed by a splash of metal hitting concrete and some really loud cursing. 

I jumped from my seat and rush to the door to the garage. Before I could even make contact with the knob the door burst open and Nero stormed past me without even a second glance. He was cursing to himself and his breathing was ragged and uneven. I could hear him hissing through his clenched teeth as he stomped to his room and closing the door. Well, smashing it against the frame is a more appropriate description. After waiting a few seconds, I quietly padded over to his door and lightly pressed my ear against the wood.  

My heart broke as I heard Nero’s frustrated breaths and sobs from inside the room. I could hear him pacing the floor and even heard a few things being knocked off of shelves. Then I heard him finally plop down on the floor and felt the door strain as he leaned against it. I stayed there for a moment listening to him cry and damn himself. It made me want to cry too. 

I cautiously reached for the doorknob before pausing and ultimately pulling my hand back. 

He needs time to himself, I thought. We’ve been helping him with everything since he’s been home. Of course, he would be frustrated. 

After prying myself away from his door and started towards the garage to help Nico. 

I walked through the still open door and found her crouched in the floor shoveling miscellaneous items into a box that had been turned on its side. Without a word I went over and helped her pickup the various spark plugs and wrenches and put them back where they were. I looked at her through her red frames and without any prompting she said, “He was only tryin’ to help, but… I kept telling him I didn’t need any. He dropped the box and got real mad. I tried to tell ‘im to take it easy but he was just so frustrated, I think this was just the last straw for ‘im.” 

I nodded as we continued cleaning up the mess. 

“Where is he?” Asked Nico as she slid the now full box onto a low shelf under her work table. 

“In his room,” I replied sullenly, “I heard him crying… but don’t tell him I told you that.”

Nico have a quick exhale through her nose and gave me a smirk, only for it to quickly fall. 

“You need any help out here?” I asked, “I finished the notes for this next case so I’m not too busy…”

“Thanks, darlin’,” she said turning back to her work, “but this new project’ll get done faster if it’s just me.” 

I nodded. “What are you working on?” I asked. 

“It’s in its early stages now. I’ll tell you when it’s further down the line.” 

With that I turned to head back inside. Before I could I hear Nico say my name. 

“Y/N?”

“Yeah,” I replied. 

Nico turned so we were facing each other again. 

“You take care of that boy better than anyone. If he’s gonna get through this, it’s gonna be with your help…”

“He needs yours too. No matter how much you tease and insult him. We’re a team here. We’re practically a family. We need to look out for each other… even if we want to rip each other’s heads off sometimes…” I said. 

“Or arms,” Nico said with her cheeky smile. 

“NICO!” 

“Sorry, you’re right, too soon,” she said chuckling softly. 

I threw the lightest object in my reach at her, which turned out to be a roll of duct tape and couldn’t help but laugh along with her as it ricocheted off her table and into a shelf. 

With that I turned and went back inside. 

I went back to Nero’s room. Again, pressing my ear to the wood grain. I couldn’t hear anything so this time I knocked gingerly. Rapping my knuckle against the door and listening carefully. I heard a faint shuffling before a low yet sharp “go away.”

“Nero?” I asked but received no response, “could you please let me in?”

There was a pregnant pause. 

“Please… I want to help…”

There was a sigh that was muffled by the door before he continued.

“You can’t alright. You… you just don’t… ugh!!” 

“Nero… please…”

I waited and stepped back when I hear the door unlock and it creek open. But only a little bit. Nero peered through the open crack his face half obscured by the door and he hugged it close to him with his arm, almost like a child who was clinging anxiously to their parent. He looked down at me his face showing discomfort and worry. I gently pushed on the door urging him to open it forward. And reluctantly he did. He stepped aside and let me enter his dark dwelling. I saw his floor littered with laundry and other random objects. His bed looked well slept in and unmade. His lights were off, but I could still make out the pictures of the three of us that he normally kept on his desk had been turned over face down against its surface. 

I turned back to him as he slowly shut the door, only to then cradle what was left of his right arm to his chest in embarrassment and what looked like shame. 

I closed the distance between us in three strides, now we stood only an inch and a half apart. I slowly and gingerly ran my hand up his left arm until my elbow rested on his shoulder. I repeated this for his right side and was sent with a flinch and a slight jerk of his arm. I slowly pulled him into an embrace which he quickly returned. I felt him bury his head in my neck and scrunch up his face in frustration. I let my hand fall from his shoulder and began to rub his back comfortingly. He squeezed me tighter to him as if he was afraid I’ll disappear if he let go. 

“I just feel so useless now…” he said, “I can’t do anything right anymore.”

“Nero, baby…” I started as I began to pull away from him. I moved my hands from his back to his face, stroking his cheeks with my thumb as I watched his eyes begin to redden and water in the dark. “You’re not useless. Don’t say that about yourself. What happened then was horrible and I wish so much that we could just go back and prevent it. But I know that you’re strong and smart enough to get through this. And you’re not alone. You have me, and you have Nico. We’re here for you 100% no matter how many times she calls you an asshole.”

Nero gave a shaky laugh and then raised his own hand to hold mine still cupping his face. 

“Do you understand? We want to help you, we want to help you through this. I know things are frustrating and harder for you now but you’re not going to master life like this overnight. That’s what we’re here for. And I’m sorry that we baby you sometimes, but we just want to help because we love you… I love you.” 

I pull him down so our foreheads are flushed together. He cries a little more before looking into my eyes. Even in the dark I can his eyes are red, blood shot, and sore. He nods, but only a little so not to break eye contact. 

“I love you too, (Y/N),” he said. 

I pull him in for one more loving embrace before pulling away and regarding him with a smile. 

“So… you want pizza or Chinese tonight?” I ask. 

He giggled softly at the sudden change in tone and topic before wiping his face with the back of his hand. 

“I’m in the mood for Chinese,” he said with a smile. 

I nodded before turning towards the door. Right before stepping out I turned back to him. 

“Oh, by the way,” I said, “it’s movie night and you get to pick.” 

I have him a wink before leaving to go order dinner for everyone. 

 Nico, Nero, and I all sat together on the old couch in the living room. On the coffee table before us was a feast of Chinese takeout boxes and in front of our banquet was the tv, playing some cheap horror movie Nero selected. The screams of scantily clad college girls rang out from the speakers as we all chowed down on our dinner.

Nico took the right side of the couch, lounging with one leg hanging off and her elbows supporting her on the arm as she scarfed down her food. 

Nero and I took the left side. Nero laid against the arm as I snuggled up to him, my back against his chest. His right arm hung off the arm of the sofa and his other draped lazy around my shoulder. Occasionally he would tap my arm and I would reach up to pop some food into his mouth. 

It was quiet. Aside from the TV no one said a word. Out of my peripheral vision I caught Nico gazing at us smiling. I craned my head to look up at Nero who was intently paying attention to the movie. His face was neutral, occasionally he would laugh as he watched a college girl in a crop top and booty shorts run straight into the serial killer’s weapon. I couldn’t help but smile at him. It was the first time I had seen him content. Not scowling, not hiding himself away, even if no one was talking, we were all together and there were no quips, arguments, or conversations. Just all of us together. 

Nero at last realized I had been staring at him and turned his gaze down towards me. Realizing I had been staring at him for longer than I thought I gave him a smile and reached up to pull his head down. I have him a quick cheek kiss before we were both rained down upon with rice that Nico was throwing at us from the other side of the couch.  

“Get a room you two, Jesus! I’m trying to eat here,” she said. 

I picked a piece of rice off my shoulder and threw it back at her. We all laugh when we saw it was stuck to one of her lenses. Even Nero was laughing, which sent a warm sensation to my heart. 

Eventually the movies ended and there was nothing left to put in the fridge for later. Nico stood from the couch, stretching and yawning before turning to us.

“Welp, I’m headin’ off to bed. Y’all can stay out here if ya want, but I’m hittin’ the hay,” she said as she began to leave the living room.

“Goodnight, Nico,” I called after her.

“Night, darlin. Night, asshole.”

Nero and I still laid on the couch, the room was quiet with the tv off and Nico had hit the lights as she left, leaving us in the dark. I felt Nero’s arm snake around me and pull me tighter against his chest. He pressed his lips against the top of my head and whispered into my hair, “Thank you.”

I smiled, pulling away from his embrace and sitting up to better face him. The blanket that was wrapped around us both fell into our laps, out combined body heat still radiating from it.

I looked at him, our eyes level this time.

“For what?” I asked.

“Not giving up on me. Even when I’ve been a huge jerk to you and Nico.”

I reached over and smoothed out some of his soft silvery hair by his temple. He gently leaned his head into my hand and looked at me lovingly. I cradled his check in my hand, stroking my thumb across his cheek.

“We’d never give up on you, Nero.”

Nero smiled softly and leaned his face closer to mine. I closed the distance between us, our lips locked together. It started out chaste, innocent. Until I sensed Nero’s eagerness. His arm coiled around my middle again pulling us together until our chests touched. His lips moved against mine as his hand traveled from my waist and up to the back of my neck.

The kiss became deeper and more intense as time went on. I could hear Nero’s breathing become more ragged and needier. I could feel his heart beating rapidly against my chest.

I brought my hand to his right shoulder gently squeezing his muscles as my hand traveled down his arm. Nero suddenly pulled away from me completely as my fingers brushed against the end of his arm. We were both still breathing heavily as we sat apart. Nero looked at me before cradling his right arm against his chest, trying to hide it away.

“Nero,” I said after a few seconds of silence, “I’m sorry, I didn’t-.”

“No…” he said, not making eye contact with me, “It’s okay, it’ll… just take some time to get used to.”

I smiled at him gently before pulling him in for another kiss, this one was quick but still just as loving. We pulled away content this time and agreed it was time to head to bed ourselves.

We walked together until we stopped in front of the door to Nero’s bedroom door. We wished each other goodnight with one more sweet kiss, followed by a tight and warm hug. I felt a little pang of disappointment as he released me from his arms. However, that feeling was completely squashed when he placed his lips on my forehead and gave me a quiet yet clear,

“I love you.”

“I love you too,” I said back, “Goodnight, Nero.”

“Night, (Y/N).”

With that we both turned and went into our respective rooms for the night.

End

(Bonus fluff below)

I didn’t wake up to my alarm clock like any other morning, instead a sweet and warm smell wafted through my room from the other side of the door. Yawning and stretching I pried myself out of bed and followed the smell out into the living room. In my groggy state I could hear two people arguing with each other from the kitchen. The delicious smell got stronger and the voices became clearer as I got closer.

“It’s gonna burn, flip it now!”

“I got it don’t worry its fine. Just let me do it.”

“I don’t think she’ll wanna eat disks of coal for breakfast. I sure as hell don’t.”

“All the other ones turned out fine. I got this, Nico.”

As I rounded the corner to the kitchen I saw Nico and Nero shoving each other to the side as they blocked the stove. Off to the left on the counter was a plate with a huge sack of pancakes teetering on it. Chocolate chip by the smell. The two seemed to be fighting for control over the stove, bumping and shoving each other away.

I cleared my throat, causing the two to stiffen and turn to face me.

“Morning, darlin,” Nico greeted.

“Morning, guys,” I replied, “What’s going on?”

“Our boy here wanted to do somethin’ special for us this mornin’,” Nico explained, placing the huge stack of pancakes in front of me as I sat down.

I looked over at Nero, who was blushing in the corner, awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck and adverted my gaze. I leaned over taking in a deep breath through my nose an letting the sweet smell invade my senses. I sat back again, this time catching Nero’s gaze.

“They smell delicious,” I said.

Nero didn’t say anything but Nico kindly chimed in.

“He made ‘em all by ‘imself too.”

“Well…” Nero started, “I tried-.”

“Oh, hush up. I badgered him a bunch, but he did ‘em all on his own.”

Nico approached Nero and flung her arm around his shoulders, shaking him a little encouragingly. A shy smile came across his face and his cheeks reddened some more.

I stood from the counter bar stool and made my way over to the cabinet near the stove, reaching up to grab three plates and lay them out on the counter, then moving to the silverware drawer and pull out some knives and forks. The two of them looked at me as I set three places on the counter top, with the platter of pancakes in the middle. I move back to sit at the counter and beckon for the two of them to sit with me.

“Well come on,” I said, “If Nero went to all the trouble to make us breakfast we better enjoy it together.”

They separated, and each took a seat beside me, taking their fair share of the pancakes. I leaned my head against Nero’s shoulder briefly before we dug in.

It was a perfect morning, me and my two favorite people, a good breakfast prepared by my boyfriend, a few jokes and quips here and there but overall, we were content. No earth shattering foe to deal with, no cataclysmic Armageddon, no frustrated Nero hurling random objects at the wall, no minor explosions coming from Nico’s workshop. Just a quiet morning… with pancakes.

A/N: I actually had to cut a lot of stuff out and I still don’t think this is good enough to warrant it’s length. I hope I got enough fluff and affection and a little bit of angst sprinkled in there. I honestly think its cringey at some points. Hope you guys enjoyed I got some more fic ideas for later. Thanks for reading!

Bonus, because his artwork is my artistical highlight:

Please don’t repost, edit or claim as your own. Thank you!

Please tell me these are NOT LIES.

３部ジョセフの髪型や髭は、遺跡の調査とかでずっと野宿してたら髭も髪も伸びてこんな風になったSPWのものを真似てたらいいなっていう願望からきた落書き。それにしてもこのSPW、ジョセフにしか見えないヾ(:3ﾉｼヾ)ﾉ゛

  SPW had mustaches temporarily because of camp for archaeological prospection, and Joseph saw it.So I wish Joseph in Stardust Crusaders impersonated him<3

in honor of today’s episode, here HAVE SOME MORE PAIN, you’ll never watch season 1 the same way again

eijun meets his upperclassmen