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On the surface Hakkai is the calming oil on the turbulent seas that regularly flooded the jeep and would have sent lesser men running for high ground. But, deep inside him lurks the demon he awoke when he bathed triumphantly in the blood of those that stole his eternal love.

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Wade pushed away from the table with a satisfied smile. He burped softly then dabbed his lips with a paper napkin. Another taco Tuesday accomplished.

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Steve stepped into the main living room at the tower, his eyes slowing scanning the room as he took in the multiple tv sets, each with a game system connected to it. He turned to Tony who was flipping through the stack of cases on the coffee table. "I pictured something different when you said game night. He shifted the box under his arm, looking as awkward as he no doubt felt.

"Whatcha got there, Cap?" Clint sauntered over from where he had been filling a plate with snacks.

"Nothing." Steve shifted the box behind him, turning as he felt it slide from his hands.

"Clue." There was amusement and warmth in Natasha's voice. "I haven't played this in a very long time."

"I want to be Colonel Mustard." Clint grinned, using his fake sophisticated accent. "Bruce, you're Mr. Green." He grinned, pulling a soft chuckle from Bruce.

The coffee table was quickly cleared and the box emptied as Steve explained the rules to Thor. Thousands of dollars of electronic equipment sat, ignored for colorful plastic and pressed cardboard.

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"Lucifer, this isn't a game, its a crime scene! Show some respect."

"I beg to differ, Detective." Lucifer gestured to the red and white chest board that the victim was draped over and had bled out on. "This poor chap lost all of his pieces."

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Donald leaned back on his heels, to admire his handiwork, and swiped a hand across his forehead leaving a streak of dirt behind. The flowers, Timothy's favorites, were all planted and despite the warmer than anticipated temperatures they seemed to be thriving.

All that was left was to even out the soil on in the planter and then water everything down. Ten, fifteen minutes tops of work left before he could plop down in his hammock and take a well earned snooze.

In front of him a highball glass filled with ice cubes and a dark liquid materialized into view reminding him how thirsty he was.

"I thought you might like some tea." Timothy handed over the glass, smiling down as Donald finished off half of it in one long drink. "The flowers look beautiful. Thank you."

Donald tilted his head back, smiling then handed the now empty glass back. "Thank you. That hit the spot."

"Why don't you go take a shower and cool off? There is a full pitcher of tea in the refrigerator."

Donald eased himself up to his feet then leaned in for a kiss. "Why don't you get the hose while I even up the soil then we can share a shower and that pitcher of tea."

Timothy smiled back, his hand cupping Donald's cheek for the space of a heartbeat. "I like that even better."

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The sound of the storm woke Quatre from a shallow sleep. For a moment he lay in the dark, heart pounding, his disoriented brain trying to make sense of the contrasting sound of artillery shelling and a warm, soft, bed.

Slowly, breath by breath he forced himself to take stock of his surroundings. As the dream receded, taking the panic and fear with it he remembered that the war was over. What he had taken for munitions exploding was just a heavy rain pounding on the skylight over his bed.

The flashes of light were lightning not mobile suits firing at him.

"I'm safe. We're all safe. The war is over. No one is dying." He said the words aloud so he could hear them through his ears as well as in his head. He'd learned through painful experience that it made them more real. Something out in the world not just a figment of his muddled brain.

He could feel himself start to relax, the tension in his shoulders starting to fade away as he moved from the terror of war to his love of nature and the way the world felt clean and new after a good rain.

"'m safe." He mumbled, eyes slipping closed as he drifted back into more peaceful dreams.

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"The sun and water make a beautiful person more beautiful." Tamaki looked hopefully at Mori, his blue eyes shimmering with hope and underlying despair. Around them the sounds of the rest of the host club splashing in the water and laughing filled the air with a holiday sound. "Just five minutes. Please." Tamaki gave the word a few more syllables than it normally contained.

"Work then play." Mori eyes didn't lift from where he was carefully demonstrating the math that Tamaki was struggling with.

"But Takashi..." Tamaki attempted his best Honey wheedle.

"No."

Tamaki sighed, Somehow Kyouya had found the one tutor that was completely immune to his refreshing charms. Maybe it was time to just buckle down and get the work done so he could go protect his poor innocent daughter.

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Natasha picked up the tiny glass pair of ballet slippers that had somehow just magically appeared on her packed duffel. The sentiment was sweet in the most awkward way possible, but times like this she really wished Clint would forget her drunken confession that she had dreamed of being a ballet dancer back before she was recruited. Even in her head recruited had quotes around it.

For whatever reason Clint had it in his head that she wanted to be surrounded by ballet themed trinkets and souvenirs of their missions together. Normally he could read her better than anyone, but on this one thing his normal laser vision was blocked by blinders. If it was anyone else she would just put a knife to their throat and set them straight.

But Clint was another story. He was the closest thing she had to a friend which is why she had let her guard down with him in the first place. The thought of making him sad or hurting him gave her an unfamiliar twinge in her gut.

She sighed and tucked the little piece of pink glass into the pocket of her jeans. It was time to consult an expert and Coulson should be in office by the time she got there.

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The trap door looked old and heavy, not to mention out of place in the center of the third music room. It hadn't been there the day before when they had gone their own ways after the host club. Halloween wasn't for another few months yet just looking at it gave Tamaki chills all the way down into the pit of his soul.

He could swear there was music emanating from it at a volume he just hear but not make out though no one else seemed to be aware of it at all. But, it was the hint of a slightly manic laugh underlying it that made him sure that something evil this way came.

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"I wanna see!" Harry tugged excitedly at the pocket of Louis' shorts.

"Ssshhh!" Louis put a finger to his lips in an exaggeration. "It's a secret."

"I like secrets!" Zayn bounced in excitement. A handful of crayons sticking out of his shirt pocket. If there was ever a coloring emergency he would be ready.

Louis pulled his hand part way out of his pocket and opened it slightly to reveal a brand new Captain American toy.

"Mr. Cowell said no toys from home." Liam leaned forward to stare at the forbidden bit of plastic, his eyes wide. "I can spell Captain American." He announced to rest of the group. My daddy taught me."

"He's my favorite! Niall cut in, making a grab for the toy and missing completely. "Can I play with him? Does he have a shield? Do you have Iron Man too?"

"Teacher is gonna take him away." Harry looked around nervously as if saying the t word would make Mr. Cowell suddenly appear.

"That's why its a secret and you can't tell!" Louis looked at his friends who returned his gaze solemnly, aware that this was the first very important moment in their young lives.

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"Come on, Q, don't fail me buddy." Duo grinned, hopeful.

Quatre smiled and shook his head. "Sorry. Did you check with Wufei?"

"Some weird health food that is supposed to sustain the body and mind."

"How about Heero?"

"Sesame crackers and seaweed."

"Trowa?"

"Apples. I swear he has an unhealthy attachment to apples."

Quatre chuckled, amusement clear on his face. "I really don't have anything, but we're supposed to meet up with Rashid in an hour and he always has chocolate."