#// yeah boat than hood sounds good to me

[mr-tony-stark]

Tony had expected Clint to try and sneak out of bed and leave him there. The fact he'd been woken to a kiss was a treat he hadn't been expecting. It made him feel a little hopeful that the two wouldn't just go back to not talking again.

The hope is quickly shot down. Clint doesn't call Tony and Tony, wanting to give Clint his space, doesn't call Clint either.

Tony's caught up with things with Amanda. That is going well. Sometimes Tony does feel like he's trying to win her love. He's just self aware enough to recognize he's doing it, but not quite able to stop himself. Thankfully Amanda does genuinely seem to care about him. Within a week of knowing her, Tony is calling her mom. And just over two weeks he offers her a job at Stark Unlimited.

Pepper just about has an aneurism when he tells her. She's absolutely sure that Amanda is taking him for a ride. But Tony feels confident that this is fine. Plus he wants Amanda there. He wants her to be his next of kin. He wants a mom and if she is there with him, he can have one.

He settles her in when they get back and it's only a couple of days when his life is just back to being Avengers and Iron Man, and trying to keep the business going. He has Clint paged to one big thing, but the archer didn't show up. He's a little disappointed. He'd hoped Clint might take it as a low pressure chance to be with his friends, even if it was fighting rampaging AI.

He leaves it a little longer. There's still some hope. They were both adult men with their own lives. Just because they went to England together for a couple of days didn't mean they were now best friends who called each other all the time. It didn't mean they were dating.

There's a day that's a little more quiet for Tony when he decides enough is enough. He places the call.

Clint sounds nervous or guilty - or maybe both.

"No worse than normal," he said. "All the organs are where they're supposed to be. You hear about what happened? Now all the AI's want autonomy and rights. FRIDAY has her own body. She said -" he paused and sighed. The fact FRIDAY had felt like she'd been tortured when she'd been in control of the suit really bothered him. Not that he didn't believe her or feel that her feelings weren't valid. He'd made AI to be like people but the fact he had never realized that being a person made you a person made him feel like shit. Especially considering he was technically AI in a flesh suit now. "Never mind. We're sorting it out. And I go kidnapped by a Skrull for two days. The skrull kept me in a box made of skrull. That was really fucking weird. But boring. I was so bored. I do not recommend it. Mom's good. We spent a couple of weeks getting to know each other and trying to figure out how we fitted in. Now she works here. We're looking for a house for her."

Tony rushed that last bit. He had gotten such an earful from Pepper about it and he didn't want to hear it from anyone else. He'd made his decision and he was sticking to it. "How are you? Too busy for the page? You got time to do boat things?"

In the coming morning, he's tucked against Tony in a way that makes it hard to untangle without disturbing him. Legs tangled, head against his neck, an arm wedged underneath Tony. He knew he'd be waking him up anyways as it were when it came time to leave. The other man hadn't woken when his phone began to vibrate at the silent alarm he had already set.

The position, closeness to Tony, and everything they've talked about whether it's there angry confessions at their ropes end or not, kind of hits him at once. There's some guilt and than the desire to wash away everything cause they don't do this; they haven't been this close of friends in years and now he's gone to complicste it, ruin it.

Yet in the stillness before he knows he'll be going. He turns his head lay kissed at Tony's throat, perhaps his way of apologizing for the disaster that he's become.

It's hours later on the plane, after he had left and they were separate now that he does let himself sigh out the biggest fuck in realization of how much he's made a mess of things. He can't call him, can he? Even when he does arrive home and pick up Lucky, and he's walking through the city. He's okay for the day, still caught up in the previous night of fun and passion.

Part of him wonders if he should torture himself; call Bobbi or Jessica either of them would give it to him straight about how much he's screwing up. Natasha could as well, but she didn't get hurt by him like they had. Yet that would be revealing how stupid he's been and talking to Kate would be a mistake.

He texts Kate a picture of Lucky on a walk to show signs of life, the pup meeting another pup. He does the same with Tony, a picture of him and Lucky sitting in central park to prove that he's fine. Even though he wasn't as the week went on and he's suiting up as Hawkeye every night and cleaning up after he drinks.

He thinks that Tony may have been back in the city after two and half weeks, when he thinks his avengers buzzer goes off and that pro ably had to have reached him. Clint doesn't respond because he doesn't think he's needed, confection he certain he wasn't and he doesn't bother watching the news to find out.

That night he busts The Hood and watches him get carted off by local law enforcement. He'll have to appear for the man's charges and sentencing, but that feels good. Thinking he's getting trouble off the streets even as he's realized now that New York has changed in his absence from a few years ago. The Fantastic Four aren't even in the Baxter Building anymore.

There are moments when he strays in thought, thinking to ask Tony for help. The air conditioner thing has long been forgotten and the damn things broken again. Another thought is when he's recovering from a concussion one night and he's lonely. He's taken to staying out of hospitals, going to the local and underground night nurses like Linda Carter when he gets hurt.

Its been a short time since London, only those two and a half weeks, to which clint had tried to avoid spiraling, unraveling like he had been but London hadn't been the start of that.

When a call from Tony surprises him, his heart races, mostly from the guilt and maybe other feelings too. ❝ Hey, how'd- how was Amanda and uh, I saw there was, uh, work. Avenger stuff. It's hard to tell, but uh, didn't get too banged up in the suit, did you? ❞

Why was he calling? Logically, in the back of his mind, he does remember that Tony said he cared. That this could be that or even trying to organize the boat day. Telling him he's back in the city and what does that mean?

[ronearoundblindly]

♟ and Jake Jensen (shocking I knoe)

Arts and Crafts

No warnings. Pure fluff. WC ~700

Record-setting torrential downpours for days. It feels like it’s been raining for weeks, months even. You are starting to hate what used to be one of your favorite things.

You can’t nap anymore. You’ve run out of books to read (and listen to). You are trapped inside and ready to start pulling your hair out for the fun of it.

Although a gamer and techie who regularly sits in a dark room staring at a computer for twelve-hour stretches, Jake is also going stir-crazy and loudly announced that he was “fucking done” this morning before disappearing into his office.

You give up staring out the window by 9 AM, knocking on his open door in time with the scratching sound of the 3-D printer.

“Whatcha doing?” you ask in that cute way he likes.

Jake spins in the chair, a huge smile on his face, the kind that lifts his glasses with his cheeks.

“Nothing,” he lies, a mischievous glint flickering over the lenses.

You know better. “You’re bored, Jensen, and up to something.”

Your boyfriend opens his arms as you saunter over and perch in his lap, eyeing his screen over his shoulder. His feet shuffle to turn you both around.

“Is that some sort of longboat?” you guess. “Like the Vikings? Trying to get in touch with your roots, huh, Mister Frosted Tips?”

Jake chuckles while you play with his hair a bit, then he snuggles you closer.

“Actually,” he pushes at the bridge piece over his nose, “that is a Maori waka. Similar, but they made war canoes…and technically the Vikings had longships.”

You hum.

“Dork.”

Jake snorts and sags in the chair, resting his forehead on your shoulder. You simply card your fingers through his short hair some more.

“So why are you building yourself an ultra-tiny canoe?”

“Just an idea,” he mumbles, “and I think I’ve just had another.”

He starts clicking through schematics and typing a new search. After landing on his intended target, he wiggles you—nicely—off of him to load more material into the printer.

Bouncing with new-found purpose, Jake grabbing string and a drill bit has you a smidge worried.

“Hey, pretty lady, you wanna play in the mud?”

Why you two even bothered to put on raincoats, you’ll never know.

Less than ten minutes into your epic boat race on the raging creek in the backyard, you’re both soaked through and still beaming. The strings make sure you don’t lose your vessels either down the current or to the now invisible bottom.

You keep trying to clothesline Jake while your noticeably faster vessel tugs you past him. He’s hurtled over you a couple of times, hoping for best two-out-of-three or first to ten.

“Face it, Jensen! I am owning your W.A.S.P.y ass with a flightless bird.”

Although enjoying your delighted smugness, he takes a short break to shake droplets off of his eyewear. “Oh yeah,” he practically wheezes, “you’re not competitive at all.”

You stick your tongue out as you pass back to the starting point at the edge of the property.

He jogs, following. “Ready to eat your words?” Jake lines up the boat in the water, his longer arm placing him right by your ear. “It’s go time.”

You release your grip and start running, screaming behind you. “I’m sorry. Did you want a pushover?”

“Absolutely—duck—“ he vaults over you just as your knees hit the squishy silt shore “—not.”

It’s a good show, but he gloats when finally his longship overtakes your waka, dancing in victory and shouting into the traitorous weather. Once he reels in the little boat on its line, Jake plops down in the mud, huffing beneath his dripping hood.

He watches you carefully retrieve the christened ‘Kiwi’ and join him in the rain.

He elbows your side. “Thanks for letting me win one.”

“I can only whoop your Anglo-Saxon ass so much, babe.”

“Love you, too,” Jake squeaks, gently tackling you to rub his goatee on your cheek. Once you stop squirming, he pulls back to wiggle his eyebrows over foggy, wet glasses. “You wanna print a tanker and try to sink it with Roman candles?”

Rain becomes one of your favorite things again.

from this game of "Comfort My Characters"

Thank you for asking!

Skipping the taglist because this is two in one day and hopefully one each day until I'm done, so yeah, just check back for comfort fics!

[Main Masterlist; Light Masterlist; Ko-Fi]

[sansypansy]

"I feel lost without you."

Damian stood on the docks of Metropolis, staring quietly at the gentle waves as his hood and cape fluttered in the breeze. He was waiting for a boat to Lazarus Island - to his base - after a mission where Jon had needed his help.

It was good to see his best friend again. To work as a duo...just like old times.

His chest ached.

"You're leaving already?"

Damian's head perked up a little at the familiar voice. He didn't need to turn around to know Jon had that usual kicked puppy expression whenever they parted ways.

"Yes, back to my island," he replied. "It has been my new home for quite some time now. I've welcomed and connected with new people...people like me."

"Oh...I see." Jon sounded so incredibly sad that it stabbed into Damian's heart like a sharp, cruel knife.

It hurt worse than Heretic's sword.

He turned around at last, looking at the boy he no longer recognized but missed so dearly. Jon's sky blue eyes were downcast as he stood in front of Damian with his fists clenched. Even with the proximity, it felt like there were distances between them.

Damian took a deep breath and forced the words out. "It was great seeing you again, Jon. I always enjoy our time together."

He wanted to say more, wanted his best friend to know despite their individual paths, he always thought of Jon. That even if they weren't side by side, Damian's heart would always belong to him. It has been since they were kids, not knowing what falling in love was.

Damian couldn't be selfish.

But...if Jon asked him to stay, he didn't think he had enough willpower not to give in.

"Yeah, me too," the half-Kryptonian said with a small smile. "We always work best as partners."

Silence fell as they stared at each other, capes flying in the wind. Jon opened his mouth to say something, then hesitated. The hope inside Damian died when nothing came out and the loud horn of a boatship ruined the moment.

"Yo, Robin!" XXL called out with a grin. "You called for a ride?"

Damian turned and saw the boy standing beside his cousin Mara. "Yes, we will be leaving immediately."

"Hurry up, man! We're having a feast back at the island! Everybody's waiting for our favorite leader!"

The young Bat glanced back at Jon whose expression looked heartbroken. Damian tugged his hood down further over his mask in a poor attempt to mask his own sorrow.

He boarded the ship, feeling a heavy lump in his throat. Not once did Jon spoke up and stopped him from leaving.

"Until next time, Jonathan."

-----

The warm bonfires and the shared laughters during the feast did little to lift Damian's mood.

He spent the evening brooding around, giving short and half-hearted conversations. His mind still hadn't left the docks where Jon stood alone, watching him leave as if he'd just abandoned him.

"You are disheartened," Mara said pensively beside him. "Is it because of the young Superman in Metropolis?"

Damian sighed. "Observant as ever, cousin. Parting ways becomes harder everytime I see him. It's...painful."

He stared into the crackling fire, heart aching with longing and regret. He'd promised himself once he wouldn't suffer because of love. But Talia only loved once and passionately still, and Damian was his mother's son.

It was expected. In this line of work, love wasn't easy. Especially when things - terrible things - had happened to both of them. Damian had already accepted that the world would always need Superman more than he needed Jon. He was used to sacrifice.

His heart ached again.

"Don't despair, cousin. I have a feeling your Superman won't give up that easily." Mara hummed.

"What are you talking about?" Damian frowned. "We have different lives now. We've made our choices."

She gave him a meaningful glance as she sipped on her drink. Suddenly, Connor Hawke's voice called out from a distance.

"Robin! Someone is here to see you."

Damian stilled. He turned to where Connor waved at him and pointed to a lone figure on the beach. He walked forward in a trance when he recognized the familiar blue and red, then broke into a light jog until he came face to face with his best friend.

"Hey." Jon smiled tiredly as he dropped his backpack on the sand. "I heard Lazarus Island is a sanctuary for those who are lost in life."

"It is," Damian breathed out, still in shock that the half-Kryptonian had followed him all the way here.

"Well, I always feel lost without you, so...here I am." He shrugged. "I don't like being away from you. It hurts, and...I'm not myself when you're away."

It sounded suspiciously like a confession. Damian shouldn't get his hopes up. He shouldn't.

Jon's blue eyes held such a deep emotion that made his breath hitch.

"So...can I stay with you?"

The shorter teen was aware of the audience watching them from afar, how they were witnessing a more vulnerable side of Robin they never knew. But the only thing he could focus on right now was the racing heartbeat inside his chest, and from the hope in Jon's gaze Damian knew he could hear it too.

His lips parted slightly, eyes becoming slightly wet. "I miss the people we used to be."

Jon walked closer until they were inches apart and slowly took his hand. At this proximity, he was so much taller and though Damian should feel threatened...he didn't.

"Me too," his best friend whispered. "I miss us. I miss you."

"Then don't leave again," Damian said through the lump in his throat.

"Never again. I promise."

Jon's arms came up around him and Damian couldn't resist returning the embrace, clutching tightly at the bright red cape. He buried his face into that strong, firm chest and finally felt the constant ache in his heart melt away.

They clinged to each other desperately until a loud wolf whistle interrupted the moment. "Now kiss!"

The pair broke apart, faces red and bashful as Connor chastished XXL and Black Swan. Jon cleared his throat, picked up his backpack and smiled sheepishly.

"You gonna introduce me to your new friends?"

"Of course, Hayseed."

Damian's own lips curved upwards as he held Jon's hand, intertwining their fingers.

[wyrmst]

No Vacancy (Part Five)

M Merfolk x M Orc Reader

PREVIOUS || STORY TAG || NEXT

Wordcount: 3028

Content Warnings: Smoking, References to Sex Work

This segment was emotionally exhausting to write (complimentary)

“Eat.” 

Rosing all but slams the bowl down in front of you, where you’ve been sitting in your cabin staring out the porthole, lost in thought. 

You’ve been so distracted with your agenda and the calculations you've been scratching out that you didn’t even notice that she must have started cooking when she entered the galley a while ago. But now, it’s hard to miss the warm, spiced scent of curry when it’s sitting right under your nose.

You’d been avoiding taking meals in general; you’ve had no appetite with the pit of worry occupying your gut. But this scent is almost enticing enough to make you forget about that for a few minutes…

You know better than to waste food she’s served you, so you do start to dig in. While you start pretty unenthusiastically, her cooking is too good to not end up eating voraciously before you know it.

“You can’t hide in your cabin forever.” The kobold woman scolds you unabashedly as she takes her own meal. She sighs. “Moping over a boy.”

Despite the chiding from someone less than half your size, having the company feels good after sequestering yourself lately. 

“I don’t plan on it.” You say, rubbing the back of your neck with your free hand. “After we drop these tourists off at the island, I’m going to make a small detour on the way back, but it might delay our arrival at port for a bit."

"Because of his issue?"

You did tell Rosing a good bit about what happened - she's just too good at extracting information from you, basically being your family at this point. You just tried to stay mindful of which specific details you shared, for Noa's sake.

"Yeah. It'll probably only take half a day. But I know you like to take your leave in port, so I wanted to make sure that was okay with you before committing to this plan.”

“Doesn’t bother me, if it’s what you need to do. Dancehall will still be there.”

That’s a pretty glowing endorsement from her, so you’re pleased to have the support.

The day after next, you've arrived at your destination and anchored your boat. Unsurprisingly, it’s begun to languidly drizzle while you’ve made your preparations. 

You pull on your raincoat and say your goodbye to Rosing. Then, you board your captain's gig and lower yourself into the water with the winch.

It's difficult to not second guess yourself, when it's just you and the sound of the outboard motor and the raindrops smattering loudly against the rubber hood covering your head. 

You are technically going against his wishes by getting involved, but… You know you can help him. You have the ability to easily solve his problem- how could you claim to love someone and sit idly by while they suffer? You certainly can't.

The rain is persistent the entirety of the short trip towards the other, looming ship, to the point of you wondering if the small dinghy will completely sink while you're gone as you secure it. …A risk you're willing to take, you decide as you climb out of it.

It’s been a long time since you’ve been on a working ship; a vessel that isn’t completely spotless as to not offend tourist sensibility, but one that exists in a constant state of semi-grime. Still, it’s far less disgusting than the deep permeating filth of a fishing boat - at least the rain is giving it a good wash.

It doesn’t take much time between someone spotting you as out of place, and you being escorted to the captain’s cabin. The cabin itself is pretty cluttered and dingy, but it isn’t its state of cleanliness that puts you at unease, so much as the poor lighting exacerbated by the weather. Every corner is coated in thick shadow, like a spectral hand could reach out and grab you if you get too close. You take off your raincoat and hang it on a nearby coat rack.

“Well, fancy seeing you here.” Uttar actually has a flash of surprise visible on his face before it swiftly vanishes underneath his hardened features. He motions to the ratty velvet padded chair across from him. “Folks tend to get lost.”

"Hello, nice ship you have here.” You take a seat and say, meaning it for the most part- you've been on much, much worse, after all. As far as fishing boats and pirate ships go, there isn't that much difference besides decor.

"My line a’work has it's perks. Better than breaking my back haulin' fish all day. But I’m sure you know all about that, yerself.” Uttar grins as he pulls a cigar box from his desk drawer. 

“True.” You have to question just how similar your work is now, but you can at least agree on that point…

"Now, what brings ya to my neck of the seas?" He slowly selects a cigar, and motions to offer you one. You decline with a subtle hand movement, so he puts the box away and proceeds to light his own. “Can’t imagine a little social call in this sort a’downpour.”

“No, this is more of a business matter, I suppose.” You chuckle, trying to break up the undercurrent of slowly building tension in the conversation. "It's regarding… a mutual friend."

"Well now, that does sound interestin'. I was under the impression that we didn't have many a’those left these days."

“Oh, I wouldn’t go so far as to say that. You seemed to enjoy yourself the other day, at least?”

“Didn’t say I didn’t, but I haven’t seen head or tail of you in near’a decade and then I see ya twice in a fortnight? Things don’t just go’n spring up like that without reason, as it were.”

He’s not asking the question directly, but it’s there all the same.

"The reason is Noa." You say, cutting through the niceties to the heart of the issue.

You dig a hand into the breast pocket of your kurta and set a neatly packed case of thin, flat traveler's gold bars on the desk.

Uttar takes a long drag from his cigar and rubs his wiry beard in thought, probably to avoid looking like a salivating hound upon seeing that much gold presented to him.

“Didn’t think ya the type of man that needed to buy himself whores.” Uttar sneers in a teasing, infuriatingly chummy tone. “Old charm not what it use’ta be?”

“Oh no, I do fine for myself in that area.” You keep your tone even and a smile on your face, even if the language choices he’s making really make you want to reach across the desk and throttle him yourself. “And to be as clear as possible, this isn’t for any service of his. It’d be to pay off his debt in full.”

“Surely ye understand why lettin’ ya just waltz in here and purchase one o’ me gold makin’ assets out from under me is a bad business decision.” He draws a long inhale of smoke, and lets it filter out through his nostrils, dubious. “Interest is the whole point of lendin’.”

“I thought you might say that… If it’s not enough, I can make up the remainder."

"A whole lot to spend on a ship with a broken mast, that." He mutters derisively. “Yer outta yer mind.”

“I feel quite sound of mind, actually.” You chuckle politely and unclench your jaw. You’re not sure exactly what he’s getting at, but the implication that Noa is broken angers you, regardless. “But thanks for your concern.”

Calm. Deep breath. You just have to get through this without trying to kill him, and it’s almost over.

"Oi… Fine. It's a deal." Uttar extends his free hand over the table for you to shake after a few more moments of deliberation. "But only because we got history, aye?"

"I appreciate it." You shake his extended hand.

The cabin settles into a somewhat tense, but not unwelcome silence while Uttar double-counts the gold tablets and scribbles some notes down in his own records as he goes.

But something that's been on your mind for a while just won't vacate the space. You know it'd be better to ask Noa directly, but you haven't exactly had the opportunity…

"I do have a question, if you don't mind me asking."

"Aye?"

"Do you know what his debt was for?"

"Dunno. Investigatin' sordid history ain't in my job description." Uttar shakes his head, knocking some ash into the overfilled tray. "These contracts don't track that sorta detail, anyhow. I can tell ya I bought his debt off a pleasure boat eastern like. So that leaves ya with what? Drinkin' or druggin', or gamblin', or fuckin' to excess - then tryin’a stiff the tab."

"That doesn't really sound like him..." 

"Oi? Didn't realize yer boy toy would come with some pricy habit or another?" Uttar laughs, making a show of pressing the stamp into the vermilion ink and then onto the paper. When he lifts the stamp, a bright red rectangle containing the Orcish characters for 'paid' remains, emblazoned across the section containing his information. "They always do. But we already shook on it all proper-like already, so no refunds!"

He slides the paper across to you.

You take the parchment. It feels strangely light, for how much weight it's been causing Noa to carry for who knows how long.

While scanning the information to make sure it's correct, you notice you overpaid by a considerable amount. But that's fine -  You can always refill your savings. What's important is the relief you're feeling on Noa's behalf. And honestly, you expected to be stiffed when you came here, so you're not exactly surprised. 

"Her Ladyship pick up her special cargo yet? …" Uttar speaks into the receiver he’s picked up from his desk. "Good. Bring 'im here." 

It doesn't take long for the cabin door to be thrown open and Noa to be thrust through it.

"Ugh, you don't have to be so rough, asshole! I know where-"

Then he sees you, and freezes in his tracks. He stands motionless as the cabin door closes behind him. 

"There he is!" Uttar coos facetiously and curls a thick finger at him. "C'mere."

"...Why?" Noa sneers in suspicion at Uttar, but is looking directly at you when he says it- as if he's questioning you as well, for entirely different reasons. 

"Just c'mere, you obstinate shit! Spirits, I don't know if I'll miss ya or be chuffed to be rid o’ya!"

"Rid of me?" Noa says incredulously, eyes still locked on you, before they settle on the paperwork and gold still strewn on the table. A panicked look crashes over his features as he puts the visual clues together.

But Noa still complies, moving to stand next to Uttar and spinning around when he motions to. 

Uttar produces a short, wooden wand from the pen cup on his desk; one carved with uniform runes, typical of the preloaded varieties you can buy in most magic shops, that are easily usable by non-magi. He presses it to the top of Noa’s back, right between the shoulder blades.

There is a small fizzle of magic at work, followed by a shimmering, nearly imperceptible shattering of something unseen. Noa raises his hand over his shoulder to rub the affected area, and when his hand moves, the small marking on his skin is gone too.

"There ya go," Uttar says with an almost bored air of finality as he waves his hand. "We’re all square. Trackin’ rune's gone. He's your problem now."

Even though he’s visibly mad at you and you definitely have more pressing matters that require attention, you can’t help but be struck with just how gorgeous you think he is. And you’re simply so pleased to see him again after how things were left, it’s hard to think straight with your heart hammering in your chest.

But to his credit, you’d be mad if you were left in the dark like this, too. You just have to get somewhere you can have a calm, rational conversation, and you’re sure that he’ll understand why you chose to do this.

You rise from the chair, rolling up the contract.

“You heard him.” Noa shakes his head in disapproval and shrugs his shoulders, voice dripping with simmering resentment. “I’m your problem now.”

“I know this looks bad-” You begin to at least start some verbal damage control on the way out.

“It doesn’t matter how it looks. I don’t get a say in it, right?”

“That’s not the case at all-”

"This is all real sweet love reunion ‘n all. Real cute. But I’ve got things to do.” Uttar interrupts, kicking back in his chair and puffing his cigar with a shit-eating grin plastered on his face, reminding you that you are indeed having this quarrel with an audience. “So unless one of ya is gonna suck my cock, get off'a my fuckin' ship."

Noa doesn’t need to be told twice, or even very long to process the words - instead jumping at the offer to no longer be present. He storms out of the cabin, leaving you to hastily pull your raincoat back on and chase after him.

“Noa, wait-” You try to call after him to get him to slow his pace so you can speak, but he’s already out of earshot.

By time you get yourself together and get outside, you hear a tellingly large splash down below. You get back to the gig as fast as you can without risking your boots slipping on the wet surface of the deck, and get yourself into it. Luckily, it’s still floating, and you don’t need to spend any time bailing it out.

“Noa! Noa-” You shout at the water’s surface fruitlessly, knowing your voice won’t carry far underwater or through this wall of rain- let alone both. “Will you just give me a chance to explain?”

“Explain what?” Noa snaps in rage after his head crests the water near the side of the dinghy, water flinging off of his braids in a fine spray as he whips around to face you. "Was this the plan the whole time? You just wanted to buy me too?"

“I wasn’t buying you! I wouldn’t want that-”

“Oh yeah? Because that’s sure what it looked like!” Noa grips the side of the boat as he shouts, slightly rocking it to one side, his dark blue fin spines flaring straight out in anger. “I should’ve known when that sleazy bastard was cozying up on your ship that you were just as bad!”

Admittedly, that stings quite a bit.

“I’m not- you know that’s not true. I wanted to help you!”

“What do you not get?! I don’t want to owe you like that!”

“But you don’t owe me anything!”

“You say that now! But there’s always the expectation attached! It always comes back up! You think I want to try to go on with that always hanging over… whatever this is?! It will absolutely ruin it-”

“Noa, It was your gold!”

“...What?”

“It was your gold. You paid for it.”

“You’re lying- That doesn’t make any sense!”

“I’ve always hated taking gold from you for your room, ever since we became friendly. And especially when we got involved.” You struggle to explain, your voice starting to grow hoarse from straining to be audible over the heavy rain. “I meant it when I said it was on the house. But you were so stubborn about paying anyway…”

It’s a strange sight to see. Noa is dumbstruck, completely silent and nearly motionless in the water, despite the fact you know his tail must still be working to keep him afloat under the surface. Rivers of rainwater run down the slopes of his face and body, which he seems to be completely unaffected by, aside from the hazy nictitating membrane that slides horizontally across his eyes every now and then.

“...I had already set it aside. I wasn’t sure what to do with it. I have a big enough margin even without that room, and the ship didn’t need any pressing maintenance. I thought I’d just end up giving it back to you sooner or later anyway…” You continue, slightly unnerved by the sudden silence and the intense, unrelenting stare. “Then when I found out how badly you actually needed it- it seemed like the best use for it there could be.” 

The longer you try to explain yourself, the more you begin to doubt your decision - but when you think about what the alternative would’ve been, you just can’t bring yourself to regret it. Even if Noa never forgives you for your overstep, at least he’s free now.

“And you just… made all of these decisions on my behalf. Without even consulting me.” Noa cuts in, sounding more distraught than angry at this point. That’s still some small progress, you think?

“Noa… We both know you would’ve refused to let me help." 

Another pause. In this case though, it’s because you know that he can’t argue with you on that point. He would’ve never accepted the gold. He’s just too proud; too convinced that he can handle anything by himself.

“Stupid.” He says bitterly, so quiet now that you can barely make it out over the noise. “I didn’t ask for this. So why?”

Honestly, you can’t really argue with him that you haven’t been stupid; at least not about the way you’ve done things, if not the reason behind it. Sitting here in this dinghy that’s threatening to sink with the cacophony of rain pelting down on your head is making you rethink every single decision you’ve made along the way.

You should’ve just said something earlier - been clearer, or more direct in getting your feelings across.

No time like the present to change that, you decide, Orcish cultural taboo be damned.

“I love you,” You pull the now slightly soggy roll of parchment out of your pocket and hold it out towards him. “And I want you to be able to choose me, if that’s what you want.”

>> ✨ MASTERLIST

[adelalovesmadara]

Continuation? 🍤💀

"That's why... That's why it's fine the way it is! Right, Naruto-kun? ... And ― and ― the children, they, Boruto and Himawari, your family! ... I am your family..."

"Yeah. Family ― blood." He thins his lips. "Blood doesn't define 'family'." Naruto exhales. He bows his head. "At least to me."

"What?!" exclaims Hinata, for once looking properly indignant. She soon bites her lower lip and exhales. "No! You're not doing this, you're not planning to rock the boat away from us! No way... There's just no way...! You're kind, Naruto-kun, I know you wouldn't do that to me ― to us... You, of all people, can't..." Hinata's breath hitches. Her husband, Naruto doesn't utter a single word as Hinata gazes at him pleadingly. "Naruto-kun, please! I love you!" Her voice sounds hoarse as she yells out those words.

Naruto doesn't flinch. "You say you love me, Hinata, but I think... I think my happiness isn't your priority, just like yours isn't to me."

"Of course... Of course I want Naruto-kun's happiness! There shouldn't be a doubt ― any doubt about that! I love you so so much... There shouldn't be..." Hinata breathes and for a moment allows the situation to pause. "Are... Are you not happy with m-me?" A blink and she clears her throat. "I-I'll do anything to fix that, Naruto-kun! I will never going back on my words... That's our shared ninja way!"

"These years..." Naruto clenches his fists, finally showing a sign of emotion. "All these fucking years... Do you think I've been happy?"

Hinata almost flinches at his unnecessary rude language but she readies herself. "Of course ― our wedding day... our children's births... your inauguration..." She grows smaller, finally noting that she can't remember ever seeing her husband smiling that day.

Naruto chuckles, "Can't recall any more?"

Breath caught at the back of her throat, Hinata's eyes glaze over with unwanted realisation. Her husband's face throughout the years comes flashing through her mind. They all have one thing in common: forced smiles that are awkwardly flat. Stricken, Hinata chokes out, "But... But Naruto-kun..." she is frozen numb, unable to counteract her beloved husband's nonchalant attitude to this dire situation. She wants to yell that she was ― is happy, can't be anymore happier that Naruto-kun is hers and that life is just perfect, so logically Naruto-kun should be feeling the same, right? They were and are the perfect married couple after all... or so she tries to convince herself all these years but she'd never dare think badly about anything related to Naruto-kun, ever... she can't allow herself or anything to crush this... this perfect dream of hers.

"You seem... I don't know," Naruto says, trying to find the word. "Oblivious whether I am happy or not ― or you just... don't care." He grimaces. "Or like me, you're good at pretending, dunno which one is worse, but..."

Hinata shuts her eyes tightly. This is worst than any of her nightmares combined. "No, Naruto-kun, please. I-I truly love you with everything I have... even... even more than..." She soon swallows what would have been a terribly cold declaration. She inhales, "I ― all these years, we're all happy that we're together, right?" She forgoes the confirmation that Naruto hasn't been happy because she knows it's a lie, she just knows. "I love you... Believe me that I love you the most, and then we can be the way we are supposed to be, the way we're destined to be...!"

"That's the problem. I don't... I think I never have." Naruto palms his lower face, eyes hooded. "I mean, loved you, that is."

"N-no," says Hinata, head and hands shaking as if to chase away those words away from her. "Lies! Take it back! Take it all back!"

Trying to write NH divorce fic🥐(x.x)

"... Morning." Naruto doesn't have the energy to say 'I'm home'.

"Naruto-kun! Welcome home."

"Yeah." Is Naruto really going to do this? He, who doesn't like unnecessary conflicts? He, who makes it an art to ignore the glaringly nonexistent bond that is between him and his own wife? He, who has come to think that it's better to endure in silence because 'a ninja endures'? He, who prefers fake serenity and this stale bread of a marriage because it's 'easy' to go on like this, because it's what's expected of him?

It's laughable. It's repulsive. A disgusting coward is what Naruto has become. It makes his entire being want to tear and crawl away from the prison that is his own skin.

"Here."

Hinata delicately receives the folder. "Ah, are you staying today, Naruto-kun? I'd cook you a feast tonight if you are."

The prospect of a feast isn't all that exciting when it's not with the person he treasures the most.

"Naruto-kun?"

"... Open the folder."

"Um, Naruto-kun? You're acting quite strange..."

"Just open it."

Hinata moves to open it and gets a glimpse of the word divorce, so without thinking, she promptly loses grip of it. "Ah ― I'm sorry!" She hurriedly picks it up and scans it again, biting her lip, teeth chattering with dread. "... Who is this for?"

"I think you know."

Losing grip of it again, Hinata staggers backwards, as if receiving an invisible chakra-powered blow to her person. "N-no!" she exclaims in horror. "Naruto-kun!"

Naruto sighs and picks it up. He offers it to her. "Please sign it with your personalised stamp."

"W-what...? What is this? ... Naruto-kun...?" Hinata feels sweats rolling down her forehead. "Naruto-kun!"

"I want a divorce."

Losing the feeling of her legs, Hinata falls to the ground with her bum meeting the floor first. "I... I..." Her breath stutters, as she tries to find anything to say. "D-divorce?"

Naruto crouches and places the folder in front of her. "I know this is sudden for you, but... Please sign these papers," he says.

"These papers... No! No, this can't be true..." Hinata doesn't allow herself to blink, her eyes are glued on the words 'Official Divorce Registration Papers'. She develops veins around her eyes as she does. "This must be a mistake or... Or... You must be an impostor! Naruto-kun would never bring me such a thing to me... He'd never do this to me..."

After a shake of his head, Naruto showcases a rasengan on his bandaged right hand. "I'm myself and... I'm bringing this to you so we don't have to keep pretending that all is well and good in this household."

Hinata stares, white eyes round in distress. "But everything is good, everything's perfect ― it's always been perfect! And, and...! There has never been a complaint and I ― You ― I ― you know I love you, Naruto-kun!"

"I don't really know," Naruto listlessly says, face as flat as the look of his eyes. "Why do you love me?"

Eyes widened, Hinata's lips tremble. "W-why...? After all this time, you, Naruto-kun, ask me why." She exhales. "I'll tell you, then! It's because... Because! You've saved me from myself countless times...! The things that have made you strong also inspired me to go on, your smile, your...!"

"And?"

"W-what?"

"What have made me strong?"

"Your spirit! Your ninja way! The way that... You proudly stand tall despite being called a failure... You're proud to be a failure, that's why I can also be proud and... Thanks to you, I even learned to like myself... Because of you, I was saved! I've only made it this far because you saved me...!"

She's wrong, not even a little bit wrong, but Naruto spares her from the reasons.

"... No. I'd automatically deny that I was once what you call 'a failure' anytime someone asks me of my story," admits Naruto bluntly.

Hinata droops and mumbles out, "... W-what?"

"Just... Forget it. Just sign this please."

Hinata shakes her head. "No! Listen, Naruto-kun, we've been a married couple for thirteen years now ―" Seeing him not reacting, she tries to glare. "ARE YOU THROWING THOSE YEARS A-AWAY?!" She gasps the end, taken aback by her own yelling.

"And I've been neglecting you ever since." Though Hinata never seems to mind ― perhaps thinking that's what a 'dutiful wife' should think and behave for her 'hard-working husband'. Or it's the way she is wired, Naruto can't really tell ― all these years of being in a marriage with her feels like ― at best ― a chore.

"You... No, Naruto-kun! You have your duties! As your wife and the mother of your children ― though it pained me ― I completely understand why you can't be with your family all the time!"

Not when it comes to Sasuke. Only for him Naruto would put a hold to everything, including his duties to the village and to the world.

Seems Naruto doesn't want 'an understanding wife' and... Well, the truth is that he never wanted her in the first place.

Does Hinata know that?

xxxxxxxx

[lilblueprint]

Snow On The Beach

And it’s like snow on the beach

Weird but fucking beautiful

Flying in a dream, stars by the pocketful

You wanting me tonight, feels impossible

One night during a drug bust, you and Jason get high on each other.

TW: Jason uses guns (big surprise lol), mention of drugs, nightmares

Jason woke with a ragged gasp, tearing himself from the nightmare. It circled his head once before trotting off into the night. He searched for the source that had aroused him from his slumbers, realizing his communicator had gone off at his bedside.

“H’lo?”

“Littlewing–just got–report–Black Mask has–shipment coming in.” 

He winced at the crackles splitting Dick’s words and popping in his ears, shaking his hair out of his face. Tiny specks of light danced briefly before his eyes as he rolled out of bed, clicking the comm into his ear where it sat snugly. Gooseflesh erupted across his naked torso as he grabbed his helmet.

“When’s it comin’?” 

“Now!”

Well, that was one way to get him going.

-

Soon, Jason was watching Black Mask’s men slip from warehouse to ship, working in tandem to unload the illegal cargo. He could see crates being carried from the boat and experienced an unwelcome flashback to his dream. 

Catherine Todd, lying rigid in the bathroom of a dying house. White all around them as Jason cried and life came crashing down around him.

He growled, trying to push away the memory. Because one thing usually led to others, and he had so many dominoes waiting to fall. 

“Yeah, not gonna happen,” he breathed, robotic tinge creeping into his tone. 

He glared at the shadowy Gotham docks, watching the first crate coming closer and closer. And waited for the warehouse doors to betray their signature dragging creaks. 

Screech.

On cue, he vaulted over the edge of the roof, guns out and blazing. The first clip sank into the crates at the front, the shouts of men lifting his cover. He heard more footsteps echoing from the depths of the warehouse and slammed the doors back shut. They would be open again in a matter of seconds, but that was all he needed.

“Let’s get to it, boys.”

Shots rang out, the steady ratatatata of a clip quickly being overridden by the next like ocean waves crashing over one another. Crates fell and smashed, torn plastic and white powder peeking out from between splintered wooden slats. 

Jason ducked as a crate was thrown at his head, and it flew over him, crashing into the poor goon that had opened the doors. He went down, and more men streamed out around him, trying to surround Jason. Never one to back into corners, he retaliated by charging them point blank range. He continued pumping the trigger without hesitation, rubber bullets wouldn’t kill any of these men anytime soon. Not in his hands, at least. 

But they still served a purpose in subjugating these lowlifes, he mused. Delivering a final pistol-whip to the last man standing, he stepped over their unconscious forms to bag evidence. 

He toed at a crate with its side busted open, and shot it open for good measure as he crouched down to better observe the contents.

“Why’s it always cocaine, huh?” He muttered, tugging the plastic away to take a sample. Making sure not to leave a single grain clinging to his gloves. His head began to pulse dully the longer he stared at the substance. Jason scoffed and left the warehouse, trundling out towards the pier. His comm buzzed back to life as he tuned into Dick’s frequency.

“Hey, Littlewing.” Nightwing’s voice greeted him, the sound quality running much more smoothly than it had previously. “How’d the drug bust go?”

“Got it covered, Dickhead,” he grunted back.

“Aw, look who’s being grumpy. Is it because she’s not back yet?”

“Eh.”

“Hood, she just left yesterday. Gotham’s villains are in for a tough week if you’re already this mopey,” Dick teased. Then he wisely added, “Why don’t you call her?” before Jason could snap at him.

“I will,” Jason grumbled. He shot one last bullet, sending cocaine exploding across the concrete. Then he turned and grappled up.

-

Click.

“Hello?” 

Jason released a silent groan at your lovely voice, soft and undone. It must be late for you as well. He was on the roof again, well out of sight from anyone walking below. His mask was the only thing that covered his face, helmet resting in the space between his crossed legs. 

“Did I wake you, princess?” He asked quietly. 

“No, I was just about to go to bed. What’s up?” 

He hesitated, not wanting to burden you after your flight. You always complained about jet lag, though it was something he’d been hearing less of after Bruce had started letting you borrow his aircrafts.

“Nothin’ much. Just wanted to hear your voice,” he sighed. The glare of a lone streetlight shone on the drug-strewn ground below his dangling feet. The police would be here soon, but he wanted this post-patrol silence to last him a few more moments with you. “How was your flight?”

“It wasn’t great, but you know how it is. I still wish you were with me, though.” Your words made him want to curl into the phone, anything to hold you after a night of physical and mental exertion. 

“You should come back early,” he suggested, momentarily forgetting that you’d only just left the day before. He couldn’t help it–time spent apart from you felt elongated by nights spent in your absence.

“As much as I want to, I can’t, Jay.” He could almost hear your sad smile over the phone. “But I promise I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“Bring me something?”

“Is that all you were after?” You gasped in mock affontation. “Maybe I’ll have to extend the trip–”

“Please don’t,” Jason said hurriedly. You’d never spent so much time apart before, your rekindled relationship only having lasted a few months now. But it felt like there were eternal gaps in the timeline, and Jason couldn’t help but feel an ache in the spaces when you weren’t together. 

“What did you get up to tonight?” You asked, and he pulled out of his longing to answer. 

“Drug bust. Roman thought it was a good night for it, apparently.”

“You must be tired,” you replied sweetly. “Get some rest, Jay. For me.”

“Only if you do, too,” he insisted stubbornly. You rewarded him with a soft laugh, the sound tickling his ears.

“I will. Sleep well, my love.”

Silence settled in the night as his “I love you” faded into the air.

[outerbankies]

You know how teenager rafe is gonna just be spiralling over reader going to prom with someone else? I’m going to cry cause like he’s a baby and he doesn’t know why he has these feeling for this one person that he’s always kind of orbited around?? And he knows she’s it for him but only deep down cause he’s trying to figure so much out and how could you know who you’re going to end up with at the age of 17 let alone 10 or 12 but he’s always known and aaaaah imagine that kind of love

an angsty little pre-series prom blurb partially inspired by this ^ ask that made me spiralll. thanks anon i hope u like this!

—

new light blurb: before we knew — rafe cameron

new light series masterlist

obv takes place pre-series in high school! referenced in part 1

warnings: underage drinking

“Top, it’s not fucking funny.”

“It’s kinda fucking funny, Y/n/n. Like, way more than a little.”

Rafe had ditched the last fifteen minutes of statistics when he finished his test early today, and he’d been messing around on his phone for ten minutes waiting for the rest of you to come and get in Topper’s Jeep so you could all go to lunch off-campus today.

Rafe stands up straight from where he’d been leaning against the hood when he hears your voice approaching, his smile matching yours once you see him. “Hey, Rafe. How did your stats test go?”

“Good, hey, Y/n. What’s not funny?” he asks, opening the passenger side door for you before sliding into the backseat behind you.

“Oh, get this, Rafe,” Topper says, laughing. You just groan again, clicking your seatbelt on. “Griffin is gonna ask Y/n to prom. Tomorrow.”

Rafe blanches. “Griffin?”

He knew Griffin thought you were hot. Certainly had to hear it enough times in the pool at practice every day. Rafe always found himself biting back a remark—well, almost always. As captain, Rafe was able to tell everyone to run another play whenever he felt like it. The extra exertion in the pool was nothing compared to having to tread water and hear his teammate talk about you like that.

But even after all of that, he still had no idea Griffin had the balls to actually make a move on you. Because Rafe could tell you’d seriously rather die than ever give Griffin the time of day. And Griffin had been pursuing you without luck for months, even though you’d been trying to gently show you weren’t interested. Half of the time, Rafe wished you'd just tell him to fuck off.

The other half of the time, Rafe was considering just doing it for you.

Rafe clears his throat after his outburst, a finger digging into a hole in his jeans. “How do you know?”

“He just told me in PE,” Topper says. “He said he has this huge banner, and speakers, and he’s gonna do it at lunch right in the middle of the quad—”

“Topper.” You cut him off a bit more seriously this time; Rafe can hear the shift in your tone. You've always hated being anywhere close to the center of attention, getting embarrassed by the smallest things others wouldn’t even think about. If Griffin actually knew anything about you the way Rafe does, he’d know you wouldn’t like something big and flashy. “Can you stop?”

“Hey, cut it out, Top,” Rafe is saying immediately. Topper just rolls his eyes, but Rafe doesn’t care. “You okay?”

“Yeah, Rafe,” you say, smiling over your shoulder at him. “M’fine.”

“Do you want me to tell Griffin to—”

Topper laughs from the driver’s seat, clearing his throat to cover it up when you look over at him. You look back at Rafe, and his heart breaks at the worry in your face. “Don’t, Rafe.”

“Are you gonna say yes?”

“No,” you immediately laugh, looking at him like the idea is preposterous.

“Oh c’mon, Y/n/n. Can’t say no to him in front of all those people,” Topper teases. “And where the fuck is Kelce? I’m starving.”

“You’re right,” you sigh. “I don’t wanna embarrass him. I’ll just find him after school today and tell him I’m going with Kelce.”

Topper’s eyes widen, Rafe catches it in the rearview mirror before he hurriedly looks away. Rafe clears his throat, settling back into his seat from where he’d been leaning into the front space to talk with you. “You—uh, are you actually going with Kelce?”

“Yeah,” you nod, distracted by your phone. “We said we’d go together if we didn’t find dates. Kelce didn’t really wanna ask anyone after what happened last summer. And after nearly being set up with Top last night, I’m about ready to throw in the towel.“

Rafe looks to his friend that sits in the driver’s seat, who's looking straight at his lap, the back of his neck bright red. “Wait, you two?”

“It was just our parents, dude. Went to dinner at the club last night and our moms brought it up,” Topper mumbles. You giggle at the idea, completely unaware of the energy in the car right now.

“Yeah, sorry, Thornton. But no thanks. You and Emily should be really cute, though,” you say earnestly, patting his shoulder.

Topper just stares straight ahead. “Thanks, Y/n/n.”

“And then this thing with Griffin—I’m just so over the idea of finding an actual date at this point,” you sigh. “Plus, I know Kelce won’t put up a fight about the color scheme. I’m thinking like, aqua. Or maybe pink? I don't think I'd look good in gold.”

You'll look good in absolutely anything, and Rafe will just have to watch you from across the floor of the Island Club, while Kelce twirls you around the dance floor or holds you close during a slow dance.

The guy in question opens the car door and slides into the backseat next to Rafe right then, sighing as he slides his backpack off. “Sorry guys, coach stopped me in the hall. Where are we eating?”

Rafe glares at him.

“I want a smoothie,” you declare from the front seat.

“Fine with me,” Topper nods, pulling out of his parking spot. “Guys?”

“Can we go to that place with the deli next door? I’m so hungry,” Kelce says.

“Yeah, I like their açaí bowls,” you say, twisting around to look at Rafe one more time. He must not be able to hide his emotions as much as he thought, because your smile drops when you see him. “Rafe? Does that sound good?”

He turns his body to look out the window, eyes flicking back to yours one last time. “Not hungry.”

—

Rafe meets Topper and Kelce at the dock later that night, the three of them intending to get drunk and maybe take Topper’s boat out if they felt like it.

Kelce is already there by the time Rafe pulls up, drinking a beer with Topper while they laugh at something on his phone.

And Rafe paces right down the dock, snatches Kelce’s phone out of his hand, and pushes him off the platform and into the water.

“Rafe, dude,” Topper says, immediately pushing him back by his chest.

“What the fuck?” Kelce sputters, spitting out water as he surfaces and climbs the ladder back up. “What is your fucking problem?”

“You couldn’t ask literally fucking anyone else? It had to be Y/n?” Rafe says, laughing indignantly. He looks down at where Topper is still keeping them separated. “And you—what the fuck—”

“I told you, man. It was just our moms. We didn’t even consider it,” Topper says, rolling his eyes.

“You both lied to me,” Rafe accuses. “Because you knew I’d be mad.”

“And why’s that, Rafe?” Kelce spits, reaching around Topper to try and push at his chest. “Why are you mad? Not like you were gonna ask her.”

“No,” Rafe says immediately. And he isn’t even lying; it’d never crossed his mind as a possibility. Which is why he can’t even begin to try and work out why he’s this upset about it. He didn’t do anything to stop this, but it’s still happening, and it’s making him crazy. “You know my dad’s making me take Reagan since we’re both on prom court.”

“That’s what I thought,” Kelce grumbles. “I was gonna tell you.”

“When?”

“Soon, I just—we made the plan so long ago, bro. Neither of us wanted to worry about dates… but I gave it time because I thought you might—I dunno,” Kelce trails off, shrugging. “I dunno.”

“Thought I might what?”

“Figure your shit out and ask her yourself,” Topper says, coming back from the boathouse with a towel that he passes to Kelce.

“Even if I could, Y/n/n would never say yes to me,” Rafe scoffs, shaking his head and reaching for the six-pack they were working through.

Topper scoffs back. “Oh, yeah ri—”

“Guess we’ll never know,” Kelce says, cutting him off while he dumps the water out of his shoes. He sighs at his soaked clothes before he looks back up at Rafe. “You know I’m not into her right? We’re just going as friends. It’s senior prom.”

“Why would I care what you’re going as?” Rafe says, shifting in discomfort, hand clutching his already-half-empty beer can a little tighter. “None of it even matters.”

“Whatever you wanna tell yourself, bro,” Kelce sighs, grabbing his phone out of Rafe’s hand and pushing past him to go change.

—

“Nice taste, Y/l/n.”

You whirl around from where you’d been adjusting Kelce’s boutonnière (you’d only pricked him twice, which was a personal record for you) at the sound of Rafe’s voice, plastering on a smile before you face him. Your eyes drop to his attire immediately. “Oh shit, Rafe. We match.”

“I know,” he laughs. “My step-mom wants a picture.”

You furrow your eyebrows, shifting in your heels, the tule of your dress suddenly itchy against your legs. “Um. Shouldn’t you take one with Reagan?”

“We already took a million. From every angle. With every possible fucking pose,” Rafe sighs. “C’mon, please? Before the limo comes.”

Rafe grabs your hand and you look back at Kelce who just nods, downing some champagne. “Take care of my date, Cameron.”

You can see Rafe just shake his head where you trail behind him, leading you back to where Rose is talking to one of the other moms. “There you are. Your dress is beautiful! I wish we'd found one like that for Reagan. It looks great with Rafe's tuxedo.”

“Uh, yeah. It's nice to see you, Mrs. Cameron,” you say politely, ignoring the last half of what she said completely. She pulls up her phone and Rafe’s bringing you into his side, his hand resting in the middle of your back.

“This okay?” he murmurs, his breath fanning over your neck as he leans down.

“Yep,” you say quickly, but you can’t help but look around and catch multiple of your friends watching you, including Reagan, who promptly rolls her eyes once you make eye contact with her.

“Y/n, sweetie, just a few pictures for the newsletter,” Rose says, reminding you of your purpose right now.

“Right, sorry,” you say.

“Hey,” Rafe whispers. You look up at him, feeling his hand bring you closer to his body. “Take this a little more seriously, Y/l/n. Don’t you know that the next issue of the Island Club newsletter will be completely ruined without this one specific photo, that will probably be squished into the corner of a terribly- edited collage?”

You laugh in surprise, hitting him on his chest for joking about his step-mom right in front of her. “Rafe. Be nice.”

He just grins down at you, before straightening up and turning back to the camera. “If I’m nice, will you save a dance for me later tonight?”

You’re glad he’s not looking at you anymore, because then he’d see the way your smile faltered before you turn back to the camera as well. “Sure.”

—

“How is my flask empty?” Kelce groans, tipping it over and shaking it out for emphasis.

“That’s what happens when you drink it all, bud,” you laugh, patting his shoulder. He rolls his eyes at you, linking his arm in yours as you both pass through the crowd to find Topper and his date, Emily. You all watch Rafe up on stage, waiting to inevitably be crowned prom king.

He was a shoo-in anyway, but you’d definitely distracted your English teacher with a conversation about the 1984 essay you just turned in while Topper and Kelce stuffed the ballot box he was meant to be guarding.

Rafe seemed like he couldn’t care less about stuff like prom court, just shaking his head when his name was announced over the speaker as a nominee three weeks ago at lunch.

And he’d dragged his feet through finding a date, just shrugging whenever you brought it up to him, prying partially for your own sake.

You couldn’t figure out why he seemed so averse to the entire event, but you supposed that was better than having to hear him go on and on about Reagan and how he asked her and what corsage he bought for her and if he was bringing her to after-prom—or anything else that would’ve dragged up some feelings you thought you’d firmly buried at this point, telling yourself for years that you never stood a chance with Rafe.

But the closer graduation got, the more you’ve been realizing that things with your friends would never be the same. Things with Rafe would never be the same.

“Kildare Academy, your prom king is Rafe Cameron,” the DJ says, snapping you out of your thoughts. Kelce and Topper cheer obnoxiously while you laugh, a little grateful they’re both drunk and distracted—so happy their plan worked (Rafe subtly flips them off behind his back as he’s crowned) that they can’t notice the way your shoulders slump as Rafe leads Reagan, just crowned queen, out to the middle of the dance floor while some Ed Sheeran song starts playing through the speakers. You’d roll your eyes at the terrible music selection if that was what you could focus on.

All you could focus on was wondering if Rafe would even remember that you promised him a dance tonight.

Kelce is dramatically bringing you into his arms as the prom court dance takes place, subtly turning you around so your back faces the stage and the court, smiling as he holds your waist. “C’mon, dance with me.”

—

Rafe’s letting go of Reagan as soon as the song ends and everybody cheers, dashing off to the DJ booth after telling her he’d be back in a bit. She merely shrugged before adjusting her crown and going off to some friends.

“Hey man, can I pull some prom king privilege right now?” he says, leaning in to speak into the guys’ ear. “I have a song request.”

“Playlist is set, approved by the school,” he says dismissively.

“Thought you might say that,” Rafe grumbles, reaching into his breast pocket before he can take the time to wonder if he’s really going to do this—if he’s really going to bribe the DJ to play a song by your favorite band before he goes to cash in on that dance together that you’d promised.

He hands him a crisp hundred.

The DJ sighs, snatching it out of his hand and pocketing it while Rafe smirks in victory. “Alright, what song, country club?”

And then it's practically a race to find you before the Kid Cudi remix currently playing ends. Rafe heads off in the direction where Topper and Kelce had been yelling when he was on stage, evening his pace when he spots you jumping around with Kelce, your dress fanning around you while you laugh, the string lights illuminating your face.

You’re smiling so big that it stops Rafe in his tracks.

Guys had always shown interest in you, and you turned most of them down. Not all of them; Rafe still had to see you with guys who absolutely did not deserve you giving them the time of day, sometimes at parties or maybe at the Club. Rafe could usually lie to himself, write off these feelings as some protectiveness over you, a nice girl who’d been a good friend to him his entire life. Rafe was protective of all the people he held close in his life, why wouldn’t he look out for you, too?

But something must have changed, because now—now Rafe’s looking at you, and he knows time is running out before you both set off on your futures. He has three weeks of school left with you, then a summer of seeing you around. And then... that's it.

And now he’s looking at you, those feelings less and less ignorable with every single second closer Rafe gets to not having you around him every day anymore.

Those feelings are crowding every corner of his mind, finally coming to the surface after all of the drama with prom dates had forced Rafe to wonder why he couldn’t stand you going with Griffin or Topper or Kelce. Couldn’t stand thinking about you ever being with someone that wasn’t him—a reality he knows he’d have to get used to you a lot quicker than it took him to even realize he’d fallen for you.

Because the future’s coming, and maybe in the future you actually end up with someone like Griffin, or Mateo, or that guy from the party that one time, or that touron from New England that your parents tried to set you up with, some hotshot you brought home from California after a semester, or Kelce—even Topper. Your parents would love that one. And one day in this future, you’re running into Rafe on the soccer field; your kids play for the same team together. Rafe ended up settling for someone he could never like half as much as he loved you, and he sees you across the field with a sweater tied around your shoulders, chatting with all of the other moms. The lucky asshole you finally chose just watches you the way Rafe always had, the way he is now as you dance with his best friend, the way Rafe will probably never be able to stop himself from doing.

Or maybe there's another future without you, where you move away to somewhere that suits you; the Outer Banks had never good enough for you, in his mind. Maybe you stay in California after school. And you bring home that hotshot that’s perfectly matched for you, who gets to hold you and kiss you and have you. Rafe only gets to see you every once in a while, when you decide to grace the Outer Banks with your presence for the holidays or for Midsummers. Maybe in this scenario, Rafe was never able to find someone else, maybe he shows up solo while you flash your engagement ring when the old crew gets together for drinks—no, you wouldn’t do that. You’d be absolutely smitten with whoever won your heart, showing the ring he got you to your girl friends with an embarrassed little smile pulling at your lips while they all gush over it. And maybe one of your friends jokes about how Rafe used to have a crush on you. You'll just laugh and shrug it off, nodding—because you knew all along. Of course you knew, everyone had to know at this point. And Rafe can picture you merely laughing at his feelings for you as the other guy gets to pull you closer on his lap.

The opening chords of your song snap him out of his reverie. He can see the exact moment you realize what song it is.

Rafe beelines for you, holding his hand out as soon as he’s in your vicinity, fully pretending he hadn’t just realized he’s fallen for one of his closest friends in the middle of prom. Like he hadn't realized that he wasn't just into you, didn't just think you were cute or like the way you made him feel when you remembered his stats tests or wore his shirt to his water polo games. Like he hadn't just realized that no matter how many times he'd told himself it didn't bother him that much that you'd never come close to giving him the time of day, that he'd never forget what it felt like to not even be on your radar.

“You promised me a dance, Y/n.”

You look at him and his outstretched hand and smile, then look back to Kelce, who's quickly letting you out of his arms, casting an accusatory glance at Rafe. But then he smiles a little. “I'm gonna hit the restrooms.”

“Too bad our one dance is gonna be to a song by a band you hate,” you laugh, accepting Rafe's hand. Rafe’s on autopilot, his hands resting on your lower back while yours move to his chest, swaying the two of you in little circles. The song is already through with the first verse.

“I don’t hate this band,” he lies. But maybe it’s not a lie—how could he hate anything you loved?

“Okay, prom king,” you laugh, fiddling with his pocket square a little, the one that matches your dress. “Still can’t believe we ended up matching.”

“Great minds, Y/l/n,” he shrugs, eyes trained on your face. Your hands slip up around his shoulders, and you nudge the plastic crown on his head before leaving your arms to rest there, fingers locked behind his neck. Rafe pulls you closer. The second chorus was already starting up. Time was running out.

“I’m not sure what the optics are of our matching and you leaving the prom queen to come dance with your friend,” you say, your small smile turning into a frown. “Reagan already seemed pissed earlier.”

“Don’t worry about her,” Rafe says. “It’s just you and me right now.”

“When we go off to college, I think I might just miss you, Cameron,” you say, smiling.

And Rafe might not ever get to tell you how he feels, or ever be with you the way he wants to, but at least he got to dance with you at his senior prom.

“I know I'm gonna miss you.”

—

@moniamaybank @downbytheouterbanks @littlementalpolaroids @fangirlvoice @chicagoblackhawkslover96 @pogueslandia @loveylangdon @oopsiedoopsie23 @sodasback @rafeseggplant @cooper8224 @rafeyybabyy @lemur46 @cameronsrafe @theepoguelandia @judayyyw @irlpadfoot @synonymforlame @tinawhynot @mildkleptomaniac @ilymarkchan @sofiatheseconf @hockeyshmockey @supersouthy @coffeeandcrimeshows @emptyloverofmine @infinitleyethereal @nerdypartytrashpsychic @mrs-cameron @tcmhollnd @nicavass @sakikos @catonthesideoftheroad @jemimah-b99 @serrendipiity @depressinq @svechnibrock @julianakawaja @ctrlcherries @lostaurorax @wildflower98 @babygirl2022 @lieswithoutfairytales @painlesslies @messagesinthesky @orrsoared @destourtereaux @sammywilscn @tylernagle @anonymousobxfan @lilacsandwhiskey @raphaelcameron @mardema @princesspogue @alwaysclassyeagle @brittlehe-art @drewswrld

[marauderundercover]

Taking Chances Ch. 23: Stealing the Batmobile (Alt Prompt Driving)

AO3

Prev

Marinette looks at her little brother with an amused expression before asking:

“He really stole the Batmobile?” 

“Yup. Claimed he was a better driver than me.” Dick says with a snort. Marinette winces. 

“To be fair, he’s probably right. You’re kind of an awful driver.” She says with an apologetic smile. Dick clutches his heart and sniffles loudly. 

“My own flesh and blood!” He cries dramatically. Damian scoffs. 

“Tt. She is on my side, Grayson. As she should be since she is <i>my<i> flesh and blood.” He says with a scowl. 

“The pain!” Dick cries, throwing himself off the couch and onto the ground. Jason just sighs and shakes his head, while Tim looks on tiredly. The five of them had decided to hang out at the manor together earlier, which had somehow shifted into telling stories about each other and funny things that had happened. Marinette loved hearing stories about her brothers from when they were younger. 

“Out of all of us, I am likely the most competent driver.” Damian says, glancing at Marinette before nodding once. “And I assume Marinette would be the second most competent.” He adds. Marinette’s face instantly turns red- she’d never driven before. Her little brother (who was two years younger) was already a great driver. And she…..was not. 

“Oh, uh, I’ve actually never driven before.” She admits. Damian frowns. 

“Wait, you’re almost fifteen and you’ve never driven before?” Jason asks, leaning forward. “Like, ever” 

“Well, no. You can’t get a license in France until you’re eighteen. So no one in their right mind is going to let a fourteen year old drive around the city.” She explains. She watches as a thoughtful look crosses Damian’s face before settling back into a neutral mask. 

“I require your assistance with something. Follow me.” He says, standing and walking out of the room. 

“Er, okay.” She says, furrowing her eyebrows. “We’ll be right back.” She reassures her other brothers. She walks quicker, trying to catch up with Damian who was practically running at this point. He glances at her and raises an eyebrow. 

“Did the others act as if they would follow?” He asks. She frowns, but shakes her head. “Excellent.” He says, opening one of the entrances to the Batcave. She follows him, but freezes as they walk in and she sees where he’s heading. 

“Damian, we’d get into so much trouble.” She says, planting her feet and freezing in place. 

“Not if we aren’t caught. Which we will be if we don’t leave soon.” He says, rushing into the changing room. She stays where she is, glancing down at Tikki peeking out of her purse. 

“Marinette, your father would not like this.” She warns. Marinette bites her lip. 

“I know, but Damian seemed so excited.” She counters, with a small smile. Tikki gives her an unimpressed look. Marinette watches as her little brother walks back out, dressed in his uniform. He nods at her once and then climbs into the driver’s side. She hesitates, weighing her options. She could go with and attempt to drive the Batmobile, or she could watch her little brother drive away and know that no one knew where he was. Crap. Pushing away every instinct telling her this is a horrible idea, she rushes after Damian and hops into the car, calling her transformation as she does. She grins at her brother, her Ladybird suit had started giving her more confidence than her Ladybug suit. It was odd, but she loved it. He immediately slams on the gas, driving out of the cave and into Gotham.

“Ukht, will you be driving as well?” He asks and she hesitates before nodding. It was the Batmobile, what could go wrong?

---

Okay apparently a lot could go wrong, she thinks, watching as the Batmobile slides into the Gotham river. 

“How the fuck did you guys manage that?” A voice asks. She whirls around, wincing when she sees Jason, as Red Hood. She can’t see his face but she can just imagine the look he’s giving them. 

“In my defense, we were left unsupervised.” She says. He scoffs. 

“You little shits left us!” He reminds her. 

“Ladybird had never had the chance to drive before. It made sense to make sure that she could drive and to train her in case she ever needs to utilize a vehicle on patrol.” Damian reasons. And yeah, the reasons are sound. But the Batmobile slowly sinking into the river kind of makes his reasons weak. Just a bit. 

“And driving into the river was, what, to see if she could drive a boat?” Jason asks, crossing his arms. 

“Don’t be ridiculous, Hood. That’s a car.” She says, the words tumbling out of her mouth. She regrets it, but only for a second because then she hears Damian snort. Score! Every time she was able to make her angriest brother laugh, she gave herself a point. She was so close to double digits.

“Well B’s gonna be ready to go on patrol in less than an hour. Either of you two geniuses have any ideas on how to get the car out of the river and back to the cave?” Jason asks, pulling Marinette from her silent celebration. 

“We could call a tow truck.” She suggests. 

“Tt. That is unwise. The Batmobile is not a regular car.” Damian argues and she huffs. 

“Okay well, last I checked you didn’t have any bright ideas either.” She quips, annoyed with him again. They were good at that. Laughing one minute, then annoying each other the next. She figured it just meant they were doing something right as siblings. 

“Ladybird might actually have a good idea, Robin. Unless you want to call Superman here and have him rat you out to B.” Jason says. A devious smirk stretches onto Damian’s face and Marinette suppresses a shudder. She was definitely glad the kid was on her side. Most of the time, anyway. 

“Excellent point, Hood.” He says, clearing his throat slightly before yelling. Well, not really yelling. Just talking slightly louder than normal. “Jon. I require your assistance.” A few moments later a boy flies down and lands in front of Damian. If she didn’t know any better, Marinette would assume the boy was another of her dad’s kids. Dark hair, blue eyes. But this kid had a huge smile stretched across his face. So maybe not. 

“Hey Robin! I haven’t seen you in ages!” The boy says cheerfully before waving at Red Hood. He turns to her and his smile falters slightly before it’s back full blast. He sticks out his hand. “Nice to meet you! I’m Superboy.” He says. Marinette grins, shaking his hand back. 

“Ladybird, and likewise.” She says. 

“So what-” Jon (Superboy?) starts, glancing at the river, eyes widening at the car. “Did you steal the Batmobile again!?” He yelps, obviously shocked. And concerned. Which she understood. It’s not everyday you see the Batmobile slowly sinking into the Gotham river. 

“Er, temporarily misappropriated.” Marinette says, glaring at Jason who snorts at her response. 

“No, they definitely stole it. And Ladybird here decided she’d try to drive for the first time. What I’m not understanding is why you knuckleheads thought it’d be smart to drive so close to the river?” He says. 

“Obviously I wasn’t thinking clearly, Hood. Can we please just focus on getting the car out of the river before I’m murdered by Batman?” Marinette rambles, looking pleadingly at Jon. It was odd, begging a little kid to drag her superhero dad’s super car out of a river, but it had to be done. 

“Oh, yeah, of course!” Jon says, his earlier shock replaced with a wide smile once again. He flies over and grabs the car, gently pulling it up and placing it back on the road. Marinette winces at the water pouring out of the car. She was so grounded. 

---

Walking into the Batcave, Bruce frowns at the lack of Batmobile. He’d passed Tim and Dick on his way to the Cave, so he knew they didn’t have it. Which left his two most mischievous sons and the daughter they had so easily corrupted. Hopefully they were just getting fast food or something again. Hopefully nothing bad was happening. He winces. That was unlikely with his children. He rushes over to the computer, tracking the Batmobile and accessing the cameras near the car. The image in front of him makes him pinch the bridge of his nose and grit his teeth. 

“Just one day, one day is all I ask.” He mumbles under his breath. Because of course traffic cameras would catch Superboy lifting the Batmobile out of the river. Of course. He sits in his chair and watches as the kids argue for a few minutes before getting in the car and driving off. He tracks them all the way until they’re past cameras, and then he waits. Knowing it’ll only be moments until they’re in the Cave. He sits, silent as they get out of the car. 

“No, seriously, he’s gonna know.” Marinette is saying, obviously looking nervous. 

“Then beg Tikki to take all the water out or something. It’ll be fine, Pix.” Jason says. 

“She’s gonna be so mad at me though. She warned me that it was a bad idea.” Marinette says, and Bruce decides to speak up. 

“She was right.” He says, turning his chair to face them. 

“SHIT! Goddamn you Bruce, why the hell would you sneak up on us like that?” Jason huffs out, glaring at him. 

“Perhaps it’s the same reason that you three thought it was a good idea to steal the Batmobile.” Bruce says, crossing his arms. 

“Uh, fuck that. I wasn’t in on it. I went out to try and find the little shits when I realized they were gone.” Jason argues, crossing his arms too. 

“Ukht had never driven before. I believed it was a useful skill that she could utilize on future missions or patrols.” Damian says simply, his calm demeanor the complete opposite of Marinette’s current demeanor. She’s obviously panicked and anxious, avoiding looking at him. He feels his former resolve soften slightly. No one was hurt, they obviously felt bad. And Marinette obviously felt bad about it. But still….

“You’re benched for the night. Both of you.” He instructs. Damian grits his teeth but nods, while Marinette looks confused. 

“But I’m not even-” She starts to say, stopping as Jason throws a hand over her mouth. “Well, well, look at the time. I’ll take them upstairs and tuck ‘em in before patrol.” Jason says, rushing away with Marinette and leaving Damian behind. Damian turns to Bruce and frowns. 

“It did not go unnoticed by me, Father, that you benched the one child you do not allow to patrol. You may have done this in an attempt to not punish Marinette, but make no mistake she will remember this. And she will be on patrol later this week. After all, you only benched her for tonight.” Damian says, nodding at his father before walking away. Bruce sighs. He hadn’t thought this one through.

---

“What was that for?” Marinette asks, frowning at her brother as he drags her to the house. She drops her transformation as they walk, wincing slightly at the ‘we’ll talk later’ look from Tikki. Oh yeah, she was definitely getting lectured. 

“He just benched you for tonight, right?” Jason asks, a smirk on his face. Marinette huffs. 

“Yeah, but I’m not even technically allowed on patrols.” She reminds him. 

“Except now, you’re technically allowed to come tomorrow. He said you were ‘benched for the night’.” Jason points out. Marinette opens her mouth to argue, then closes it. She blinks before a wide smile stretches across her face. Was she really gonna get to go back on patrol on a technicality? Suddenly, she no longer regretted driving the Batmobile into the river.

Next

Tag list: @maribat-bdbwm @vixen-uchiha @stainedglassm @liquid-luck-00 @laurcad123 @waiting247 @jayjayspixiepop @mizzy-pop @jjmjjktth @trippingovermyfeet @queenz-z @thepaceperson @iloontjeboontje @toodaloo-kangaroo @ritacrow-blog @deathssilentapproach-blog @kittenmywaythrulife @nerd-nowandforever @tazanna-blythe @jaybird-and-co @jumpingjoy82 @lady-bee-fechin @corporeal-terrestrial

[prettyboybarzal]

Captain

A/N: I am not apologizing. Enjoy (and please let me know what you think)! Also, I recognize that I’ve been writing a lot of smut recently. It’s just cause they’re quick to churn out for me. BUT, I have some other projects I’ve been working on that have more plot and some fluffiness. Promise! :-)

Word Count: 1.8k

Warnings: Smut, choking, mention of weed

Part One // Masterlist

Nolan wasn’t talking to you and it was your fault. 

If you let your friends run their mouths without letting it get to you, you wouldn’t be in this situation, but you were just trying to get them off your back. They were all suspicious of you and Nolan, having noticed how close the two of you seemed to have gotten after your move to Philly, and they wanted to get the details out of you desperately. 

“You two should just kiss already.”

The suggestion floored you, but Nolan took it in stride, looking up at you with a smile while watching you squirm. 

“Us? Kiss? I could never kiss him.” Nolan’s eyebrows rose. “Never ever.”

The emphasis on the word ‘never’ was unnecessary, you realized that now, but you couldn’t take it back, not when all your friends were giggling like it was all in good fun and Nolan was storming off to the next room. So, now he wasn’t talking to you and you were left entertaining yourself without him by your side which meant you ended up in the pantry for a snack a little before midnight. 

Everyone was in the living room playing a drinking game when you slipped away, so when the door to the pantry opened, you glanced over to greet whoever it might be, only to see Nolan stepping inside. You smiled at him, but it wasn’t returned and he curled his body around your instead, hand pressed flat against your stomach as he pulled your ass against him.

“Come with me,” he whispered. He watched the goosebumps appear on your arms and smiled to himself for the first time in hours.  “Docks.”

“Now?”

He stepped away with a quick nod and slipped out the backdoor without checking to see that you follow. He didn’t need to. He knew you’d be hot on his heels and that was confirmed when your fingers laced with his halfway down to the boats.

“Pat?” Rather than answer, he raised an eyebrow in your direction. “Are you mad at me?”

“I’m fine.”

He pulled his hand away to climb over the side of the boat at the end of the dock, turning to help you over it before walking to sit in the captain’s seat. He sat, legs spread, and stared at you.

“Get undressed.”

His voice was dark, eyes hooded as they drank you in. You could feel your pussy getting wetter, the butterflies in your stomach losing it at the sight of him. But, always cautious, your eyes flickered back to the house before landing back on him, arms crossing over your chest. 

“Nolan, anyone can come out here.”

“No one is coming out here,” he spoke. He leaned forward, one long arm grabbing your wrist to pull you between his thighs. He placed his bottle down on the table beside him and curled his hands around both your hips before sliding them beneath your shirt and pulling the fabric over your head. 

He began leaving open mouth kisses along the skin of your breasts as his hand snaked around to your back to unclasp your bra and toss it to the floor. His lips found your nipple moments later, sucking and nipping at the sensitive spot, filling the air with your tiny gasps of pleasure. Nolan’s hands made quick work of your jeans as he left kisses along your breasts, and soon you were standing completely naked in front of him. 

“That’s better,” he noted, leaning back to stare at you. His hands made their way back to your waist and he guided you to straddle his lap. “Ride me.”

“You’ve been giving me the silent treatment all night and now you want me to ride you?” you asked, brow raised in a challenge. His hand brushed over your cheek and down to your throat where his fingers curled around the base of it. 

“Don’t you think I deserve it after what you said tonight?”

“Nolan, you know I didn’t mean it like that,” you whined with a pout. His expression was unreadable, but you leaned in to kiss him hoping that it would get him to cheer up a bit. Instead, his grip tightened around your throat just enough to momentarily cut off your air supply. He could feel you swallow thickly beneath his palm and felt his cock straining against his jeans at the power he held over you.

“You don’t get to kiss me tonight,” he spoke tersely. You moaned as best you could beneath his grip. And then he dropped his hand from your throat and grabbed the captain’s hat from the table beside him and put it on his head. “Now, ride me.”

Your fingers danced along his belt buckle and then the zipper of his jeans and he watched you hungrily, bringing the beer to his lips every few moments for a sip. You freed his cock, shuffling his jeans down just enough to pull it out, and he sighed softly as your fingers curled around it. 

You aligned yourself with him, teasing your entrance gently with the tip of his cock as he watched, bottom lip between his teeth. When you sunk down on his length, your head fell back with a moan. 

When you started to ride him, you braced your hands against his shoulders. One of his rested on your waist while the other held his beer bottle. He wasn’t doing a thing, making you do all the work, and you hated to admit how hot it was to be under his watchful eye. 

He couldn’t tear his eyes off your body if he wanted to. Your nipples were hard from the nip in the summer breeze and your pussy was wet and warm and he kept watching his cock disappear into it, smirking to himself each time you moaned louder when he filled you up. You were taking your time, moving with the ripple of the water beneath the boat.

“You can go faster than this, angel.”

“I can’t go faster, I’ll cum too soon.”

“No,” he barked. “You’ll cum when I say you can cum.”

“Fuck,” you whispered, shocked by his dominant side. Throughout the past few months, you’d seen a bit of it, but this was a whole different type of dominant. You did as he requested and began riding him faster. He hummed happily, relaxing back into the seat before lifting his beer back to his lips for another sip.

You watched his lips curl around the mouth and shuddered, yearning to feel his lips on yours. You whimpered causing him to raise an eyebrow in question. When he pulled the bottle away from his lips, you could see the remnants of beer on his lips. You wanted to lean in and lick the beer from it before slipping your tongue into his mouth. You’d never wanted to kiss him as bad as you did in that moment.

“Nols, can I please kiss you?”

“No.”

“Nolan, please,” you whined. “I need it.”

You saw the hesitation in his face. He wanted to do it just as badly, you could tell by the way his eyes kept flickering to your lips. He wet his own lips and, for just a moment, you thought you were going to get what you want. He leaned in, inches from you, but instead of placing a peck to your lips, he repeated your words from earlier, “Never, ever.”

When he leaned back this time, both hands landed on your hips and he began to roll his hips up to meet yours, cock hitting even deeper than it had been before. With each thrust, you moaned louder, toes curling at the sensation. Your breathing faltered as you spoke his name, collapsing against his chest with one of your hands in his hair. The other snaked down between your bodies as you rode him to stimulate your clit. 

“Patty?” a voice called from the back door of the house. You stilled, eyes wild and frantic as they found Nolan’s easy gaze. “Yo! Are you out there?”

“Yeah, bud!” he yelled back, thrusting up into you. “I’ll be inside in a bit.” His voice dropped to a whisper as his hands guided you to continue riding him, “Come on, baby, you’re so close.”

“Nolan, he’s going to see us,” you whispered back. 

“We’re fine,” he grunted. “Don’t you want to cum?”

“Please,” you begged. “So badly.”

“Then keep going.”

You could hear the back door of the house slide open again and the sound of hushed voices. Your hips slowed again, but Nolan’s hands were on them immediately to keep you going. He rolled your hips faster and fucked up into you desperately as the sound of the voices started to get closer.

“Fuck, Nolan, I can’t. I need to cum, please.”

“You think you deserve it?”

“Yes, please, I’ve been so good,” you begged. “I haven’t even tried to kiss you.”

He held you in place as your body shook and he thrust up into you slowly, still hitting deep within you. You shut your eyes tight, trying to stave off your orgasm as much as possible, palms braced against his chest. 

He smiled at you, looking like a mess on top of him, and finally commanded, “Cum for me.”

You dropped your face into the crook of his neck and bit down on his skin, desperate to keep your screams from falling on the ears of your friends who were on their way down to the boat. He continued fucking you, chasing his own orgasm and, just as it began, he turned his face and pressed his lips to yours in an open-mouthed kiss that was all tongue and teeth and moans.

He came inside you, thrusting up twice more after finishing to make sure you were full of him. When you pulled yourself off, he stared at the cum dripping down your thighs with a smile. 

You scrambled for your clothes as you heard the group reach the end of the dock. Nolan fastened the belt on his jeans as you dressed yourself before dropping onto the seats behind him.

“What are you guys doing out here?” one of the boys asked upon reaching the boat. Nolan reached into his pocket and grabbed a lighter, then reached into the pocket on his hoodie and pulled out a bag of weed. “And no invites? You two suck.”

“Didn’t think you’d wanna join us this time,” Nolan mumbled. 

They all piled onto the boat, some going as far as to hang their arms over your shoulders as they settled onto the seats. Nolan glanced at you sidelong as he rolled this joint with a cocky smirk on his lips and your entire body felt like it was on fire. 

[sm-baby]

The Empress' offer

Ok ok, hear me out. I haven't stopped thinking abt the siblings, I've been listening to a remix of Tokio Drift's soundtrack (just so you know I've never watched the movie) and now I just can't stop picturing Amethyst going on a race for some dumb reason and meeting them. Hope it's ok...

Amethyst has this thing for adopting people.

------

The race was about to begin, the participants walked into the start line, the ravager seemed just woken up from a nap. The child on top holding tightly on to it's reins looked to the side lines, spooting her brother amongst the crowd, nodding to her. Then she turned to her oponent, a cloaked figure, they had a witche's hat and a quiver on their back, with them there was a weird contraption. The child had a hard time figuring who or what they were, but nontheless, turned to focus on the race. 

"Good luck." They suddenly spoke. 

It startled her a bit, she kept quiet. 

Then a witch stepped in front of them, she held a cloth and started the countdown. They both stood ready, the ravager standing threathenly and hitting it's hoves on the ground. They were finally given the go, and her oponent suddenly darted ahead as the ravager galloped, it was then the young pillager realized, the contraption had an elitra. 

It wasn't flying, but it seemed to sail through the grass, the board where her oponent stood making it easy to surf through the land. The circuit was a bit long, they had to go through a lot of the desert and a bit of savannah, but they still had a strategy, so she stuck to it. While side by side with their oponent, the beast tried to bash into the other competitor, who skillfully dodged. The child kept trying to get the beast to hold back, which more often than not she managed. 

It was getting to the savannah part of the race, it had many more obstacles than the desert, the pillager saw the other slowing, dodging the trees and animals, while at the same time looking out for short branches. The pillager noticed it, reaching inside a few of the sattle pockets, she threw a few of the wood and stones on the way. The other dodged fast, but lost a lot of ground. 

In the process, the other also lost their hat, the hood fell back and, revealing a human face with completely blue eyes. The pillager gasped softly, turning and focusing on the race ahead.

Once out of the savannah again and into the desert, there was the sound of fireworks, the pillager turned to see the other racer catching up, speed catching up. The young one lowered herself on the sattle, prompting her steed to run more. They could see the finish line, the ravager and the other racer were neck to neck.

But then there were more fireworks and the other racer was boosted ahead, finishing ahead of the ravager rider. There were cheers as the pillager dismounted and more at the winner, who had jumped from their contraption, stumbling onto the ground breathing heavily. The siblings watched as the other was crouded, they still hid themselves beneath the hood as they accepted the prize.

Inside there was quite a bit of loot, it had food and valuable minerals. Grabbing hold of the ravager reins, the brother started guiding his sister and beast away. Once a bit further away from the leaving participants, they heard something coming. Veering around, they saw the winner of the race coming, they stopped in front of them. 

Throwing her head back, they saw her locks fall down, her purely blue eyes and dark brown skin, her lips tinted with red dye. She had a smile, one of seeming friendlyness. 

"It was a good race!" She greeted. 

"What do you want?!" The brother barked, the ravager also standing defensively. The human merely took the prize won, handing it to them. "Yeah! We got it! You won!"

"No! No! This is for you! I don't want it!" The human explained. Both siblings looked at each other, completely confused. "I don't need this much food, I have plenty back home, plus, I'd say you could use it more!"

The brother took it, examining it carefully as to verefy there weren't anything wrong done to the items, sure enough, there seemed not to be. With a mistrustfull look, he turned to her, "Thank you."

"My pleasure!" She smiled. The human turned her back on them, but just as she walked off towards the river, she turned back around. "Oh! By the way. If you want anywhere to stay a bit more comfortable than abandoned villages..." She pulled a piece of embroidered cloth, handing it to the brother. "There's a tower not too far from here, towards the south. If you follow the stream just take the left in the only bifurcation and follow the stream. If you need a place to stay the night show this to the pillagers there and say the Empress showed you the place. If all else fails, call for Amethyst." 

With that, the human smilled, patting the brother's shoulder and placing a boat down on the water. She sailed downstream, leaving both siblings stunned, they looked at each other, but kept going back to their current village. If she was telling the truth, what would that mean?

_________________________________________

AMETHYST LETS GOO!!!

Amethyst pspsps come get your babies, Ames, come get em!

Amethyst you so niceee,, thank you for feeding the kids they appreciate it TwT...

[general-kenobi357]

Someday Soon-Chapter 10

Pairing: JJ Maybank x Fem!OC

Summary: The Pogues work together to get John B off the island, a difficult task to complete when everything seems to be falling apart all around them.

Note: The last chapter of season 1, exciting but also sad. I probably won't be updating this series until after season 2 comes out so that I have it as a base but I do have a few oneshots I have been working on that I might post in the meantime. I hope you enjoyed my spin on the first season!

Word Count: 4.1k

🔅🔆🔅

I paced around the Wreck waiting for the others to wake up. JJ stood on the opposite side of the room clicking a lighter on and off. We hadn’t spoken to each other since last night and every time he caught my eye I would quickly look away.

I saw Pope starting to wake up before he made his way to where JJ stood watching police cars drive by.

“He's pinched for sure, man.” JJ said to Pope as I continued to pace while I listened to their conversation.

“No. They wouldn't still be patrolling if they caught him.” Pope reasoned.

“Let's hope.” JJ spoke defeatedly.

“You know, we were in that car. They're probably looking for us, too.” Kie spoke up, alerting us all that she had woken up.

“Well, if we're gonna be outlaws, we might as well help John B.” Pope addressed us all.

“So, find him before they do?” JJ asked while we watched Pope grab the keys to JJ’s bike and make his way towards where I had stopped near the door. “Pope?”

“I'm gonna get gas for the boat.” He explained before turning to me. “You coming?”

“Uh, yeah.” I answered unsure, I figured it was better than staying here with Kie and JJ.

“Hey, you be careful.” Kie told Pope. “Okay?”

“Meet us at the dock at three. Don't be late.” Pope reminded the pair we were leaving behind before we made our way outside.

“Okay, what is your problem?” Kie asked Pope, I didn’t even hear what had happened between the two and I was pretty sure I knew what his problem was.

“No problem, Officer. I'm just doing my job.” Pope answered as we got onto the bike.

“Look, I'm sorry that I hurt your feelings.” Kie tried to tell him as he started up the bike and revved up the engine.

“What was that?” He asked as if he had no control over the sounds of the bike.

“Look, I didn't mean to.” Kie tried again.

“Sorry, I can't hear you. What was that?” Pope kept taunting.

“Pope let’s go.” I told him, getting impatient with the game he was playing.

“Pope, I'm being serious…” Kie yelled as Pope lifted his feet off the ground as we started to drive away. “I'm trying to talk to you!”

I looked back as Pope drove off and locked eyes with JJ, his face was painted with concern and it looked like he wanted to say something but we were already too far away. I turned my head back around and gazed at the road over Pope’s shoulder. My grip tightened around his waist, in all the excitement of Kie and Pope’s argument, I hadn’t had time to rethink if I really wanted to get on the back of this death trap with a newly sober Pope driving.

“Are you good to drive?'' I called to him over the sound of the engine.

“Yeah I’m fine.” He reassured me, I supposed I would have to trust him as I didn’t really have any other options at the moment.

🔅🔆🔅

Once we arrived at Heyward’s we found a couple of empty gas canisters that we carried over to the gas pump out front. As we waited for the first one to fill up I tapped my foot on the ground, anxious to get back to the others. Even if we were fighting it was better to all stay together than to get split up.

“So.” I started unsure if I should continue or just keep my mouth shut. Pope was my only friend that was not on the run or not speaking to me at the moment. “You and Kie?”

“You and JJ?” Pope countered clearly not wanting to talk. I chuckled at his response to me.

“No, if yesterday proved anything it was that there is no me and JJ.” I explained.

“Yeah well that sounds about the same for me and Kie.” He finally said to me.

As much as the situation we were in sucked it was almost comforting to know that I wasn’t the only one feeling this way.

We were quiet again as he switched the tanks and I put the cap back onto the now full one.

“Look at you two.” I heard a deep voice say from behind me. Turning around I found Heyward standing a few feet away, arms crossed over his chest. “Like some damn street hoods out here stealing gas from me. Isabella, I thought your mama raised you better than that and my own blood, I don’t know which one disappoints me more.”

“We're not stealing.” Pope tried to explain, I shook my head at him knowing it would be better if we stopped talking.

“Stop lyin'. I saw it in your damn hand.”

“Our friend is in trouble, and we need to help him.” I tried to defend, figuring it was too late to not get into trouble.

“John B did not kill anybody.” Pope added.

“Says who?” Heyward challenged.

“Says me.”

“I'm supposed to believe you?” Heyward continued. “After you ran out on your interview? Shit, boy, get in the house.”

“No.” Pope said staring right at him. I didn’t like where this was going.

“Oh, you a man now? Huh?” Heyward continued to push. “You wanna have a go at it with me? Is that it?”

“I'm taking these cans. You’re not gettin' in my way.” Pope said going to grab the gas canisters.

“Oh, I'm gettin' in your way.” Heyward said, walking past me to stand right in front of Pope. “And one day, you might be able to whoop my ass, but it ain't today.”

“That right?” Pope asked, getting angrier with every word.

“Yeah.” Heyward concluded just as Pope threw a punch at him. I stumbled back shocked that he had actually done it.

“Pope stop!” I tried to yell but it came out as a whisper.

“Oh, yeah! It's gonna take a little more than that. Try again.” Heyward challenged again after recovering from the first blow. Come on. You wanna hit your daddy? Try again. Hm? You want to hit me?”

I put a hand on Pope’s shoulder and as he turned it was like he realized what he had just done.

“I don't have time for this. I gotta help my friend.” Pope said as he turned away from his father.

We both grabbed a gas canister and tied them to the sides of the bike. I could see the tears streaming down Pope’s face as we climbed onto the bike.

“Yeah, yeah, you just go ahead. Yeah, you take everything, son. And Isabella don’t think I’m not telling your mama about this!” I heard Heyward continue to yell at us as Pope started up the bike. “You're an ungrateful son of a bitch, Pope.”

“It’s okay Pope. It’s gonna be okay.” I tried to comfort him as we drove off and Heyward’s threats faded.

🔅🔆🔅

As we pulled up to the garage that held The Phantom we heard yelling and clattering from inside.

“What the hell?” I asked Pope who looked just as confused.

I noticed two dirt bikes parked near the door as I pointed to them Pope nodded to confirm he saw them too. We rushed towards the door and Pope grabbed some old pipes on the way.

“Be careful.” I said as he passed me one of the pipes.

As we ran inside I wasn’t sure what to look at. Kie was being screamed at by some blond whose face I couldn’t see and JJ was one the ground being punched by Barry, the guy who had tried to take the gold from us.

“Hey! Don't touch her!” I heard Pope scream as he began to bash the blond’s back.

I moved towards where Barry was and hit him with the pipe in my hand. It didn’t seem to do much damage but it was enough to distract him and give JJ time to punch him square in the jaw. After we got the gun out of his hand JJ essentially beat Barry to a pulp.

As Barry laid out on the ground groaning in pain we moved to where Kie stood watching as Pope began to strangle the blond who I now recognized as Rafe Cameron.

“Pope.” Kie called to him as we watched him continue to beat on Rafe. “Pope, that's good! Stop!”

“He's had enough, dude.” JJ added trying to get Pope to stop.

“Snap out of it, Pope!” I said as JJ tried to pull them apart.

“Okay, we gotta go.” Kie reminded us as Pope finally let go of Rafe.

JJ and Kie rushed away to finish hooking up the boat but I stayed standing next to Pope as he looked at me terrified.

“It’s okay Pope. You’re fine.” I tried to tell him but I felt just as shocked as he looked.

“Stay off the cut.” Pope threatened Rafe who laid at our feet half conscious.

“Pope. Iz. We gotta go.” Kie called as she got into the car.

“Let’s go.” I said to Pope, taking his arm and guiding him towards the car.

As we drove away I noticed Pope staring at his hands as if they didn’t belong to him. I took both of them so he would stop and as we got further from the garage I continued to try and reassure him that he was fine.

🔅🔆🔅

Once we had arrived at the boat launch we had all silently begun to silently load up the boat after getting it into the water. Kie and Pope were standing watch as I packed the last of the food into compartments and behind me JJ checked the engine over. Once I was done I turned leaning on one of the seats as JJ checked various switches.

“A 1983 Formula 402 SR1.” JJ marveled at the boat.

“Mm-hm. The first boat to make the run to Bermuda in under 16 hours.” I added, with the number of times he had told me about this boat, I would never forget the speech he made every time he saw it. “Forty years old! And still the fastest thing that Kildare's ever seen.”

“Huh, seems like you’ve heard about her before.” JJ mused as he stood up to face me.

“Yeah once or twice.” I teased him, the smile on my face grew as he moved closer to me. I thought he was leaning in closer to my face when Pope interrupted us.

“Dude, where is he?” Pope asked worriedly. JJ cleared his throat as he turned away from me to address Pope.

“Give him a second. He'll be here. He's coming. He'll be fine.” JJ reassured us all.

“Shit.” I muttered as I spotted the lights of a cop car approaching us.

“Hey, yeah. Get back on the boat.” Kie told Pope as she moved to start untying it from the dock.

“Wait.” JJ stopped us all as we turned to see someone getting out of the cop car.

“No way.” I mumbled with a smile as I recognized John B closing the door behind him.

“No effing way.” Pope added.

“I'm sorry. You've gotta be kidding me.” Kie continued laughing.

“Shoupe let me take it for a spin.” John B explained as he walked towards the boat.

“Okay. That's believable. I'll buy that for now.” Kie said, she hugged John B before he hopped onto the deck of the Phantom where JJ and I stood.

“It wasn't easy, bro, but I got the Phantom for you, and she runs like she was made yesterday.” JJ told John B, handing the keys over. “You ready to go?”

“Where's Sarah?” John B asked, noticing she was absent from the group.

“She's not with you?” Kie asked him.

“No, we got separated in the swamp.” John B explained his worry growing. “She said she'd meet me here.”

“No, we haven't seen her.” I told him.

“Okay, well, I'm not leaving without her.” John B concluded.

“John B, look at me.” JJ started to say. “I know you feel bad for leaving, but there's no time, man. You've got plenty of gas, plenty of food. Once you get around that point, it's a straight shot across the sound to Dismal Swamp, okay? Once you get there, lay low, all right? Hang out for a couple of weeks and then go overland, cross the border at Brownsville, you got that? Brownsville. You... Hey! You got that?”

“Yeah, yeah. Brownsville.” John B confirmed only half paying attention to what JJ was telling him.

“All right. Saddle her up, saltwater cowboy. Let's do this.” JJ said, hopping over the side of the boat onto the dock.

“Hey, John B.” I said, pulling him into a bone crushing hug. “I love you.”

“Yeah. I love you too.” He mumbled back to me. I felt like I was losing my brother as we pulled apart and I jumped down onto the dock. John B paused for a moment as he looked at us all. “Hey. I'm sorry for basically... throwing us off a cliff with this whole treasure hunt thing.”

“John B, we were bound to run off a cliff at some point, right?” JJ said, as we all laughed at his statement.

“Yeah.” He confirmed.

“At least we did it together, though.” I told him with a sad smile.

“Pogue style.” Pope said.

“Pogue style.” We all repeated.

“Get out of here! Please. Now.” Kie told John B, reminding us all we were running out of time.

“We'll see you in two months, down in Mexico.” Pope reassured John B as we started to untie ropes.

“Hey, wait... wait a second.” John B stopped us before we could push the boat out. “Tell Sarah I said goodbye, okay?”

We all nodded our head confirming that we would find her for him.

“Don't forget. Cross the border at Brownsville, okay?” JJ reminded one last time.

“Got it.” John B confirmed as he started the motor up.

We all stood huddled together as we watched him fade from view as he picked up speed. I knew we would see him again but it felt like we were saying goodbye forever.

🔅🔆🔅

John B was long gone, hopefully far enough away that everyone looking for him couldn’t find him but I still stood on the dock looking at the sun set. Further down the dock Kie and Pope stood together, I couldn't hear what they were saying as they were talking quietly but I saw them hug. I smiled slightly, happy that the pair had made up.

But then my eyebrows knitted together in confusion as I watched the pair kiss, how could Kie warn me not to do something then turn around and do the thing she warned me against. I felt frustrated with her, I knew better, I knew I shouldn’t take it so personally but I still couldn’t help but feel my annoyance towards her grow.

That was until I felt a pair of hands settled on my hips and as I turned my head I saw JJ resting his head on my shoulder. I smiled at the action as I leaned into him content to just stand and watch the sunset as my worries faded further away.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you the other night when I said we weren’t together.” JJ finally spoke after a minute. “I didn’t mean that I didn’t want us to be together just that we weren’t yet. After all, you haven’t even asked me out.”

I turned around to face him and saw a huge grin on his face, his hands which were still wrapped around my waist loosened slightly. There was a mischievous look in his eyes as I rested my hands on his shoulders.

“JJ Maybank.” I started to say dramatically. “Will you go out with me?”

“Hmm, I’m not sure.” He began pretending to think about it. “Where are you gonna take me?”

“I don’t know, I'm sure we can sort out the details later.” I smiled.

“Well I’d like to know now so that I can figure out if it's worth it. Plus I mean I’ll have to find the right outfit.” He began to ramble, I playfully rolled my eyes at him.

“How about you worry about your outfit later and right now you just kiss me?” I interrupted him with my bold statement.

He stopped talking after that and began to lean closer to me. As I was about to lean in as well I stopped and looked into his eyes.

“Hey, don’t run away this time.” I playfully threatened him.

“Never again Sweetheart.” He replied before closing the gap between us and capturing my lips in his.

We were cut off after a moment though due to the sound of police sirens which I could tell were growing closer as they sounded louder with every passing second.

“Hey, guys, I'm sorry to ruin the party, but, uh, we gotta go right now.” JJ called to the others as his arms dropped from around me. “Come on!”

But it was too late as the cars pulled up surrounding the four of us, we had no other option than to stay put and listen to them.

“Hands up! Hands up!” The cops all called as they began to climb out of their cars.

“Pope, hands.” Kie reminded him as we all lifted our hands in surrender.

“We're too late. He's gone. God damn it!” A bald man yelled out as he ran to the end of the dock.

“Bratcher, have your guys stand down. Let me talk to these kids.” Deputy Shoupe called out before approaching us. “All right, where the hell is he? Where the hell is he?”

We all stayed silent as he tried to figure out where John B had gone. We all knew vaguely where he was headed but in all honesty none of us could have pointed to his location on a map, we had no idea how far he had gotten.

“JJ? I see you're livin' up to your name.” Shoupe began to single us out. “Pope, how about you? This isn't a fucking game! You can do the right thing now! Where'd he go?”

None of us answered his questions and before long he gave up, ushering JJ and Pope into the back of one car and Kie and I into another. I didn’t want us to be split up but I knew we didn’t have a choice, we were probably all being taken to the same place.

🔅🔆🔅

We sat in silence for a few minutes as I looked out the window until I noticed that Kie had tears streaming down her cheeks as she quietly cried.

“Hey, hey.” I whispered to her not wanting to get into more trouble. I shuffled closer to her, holding out a hand which she took. “It’s gonna be okay, we’re all going to be fine.” I tried to reassure her but in all honesty I had no idea if it were true.

“I’m sorry.” She muttered to me as she leant her head on my shoulder. “I’ve been awful to you lately.”

“No it’s okay. I was being just as terrible.” I whispered back to her. “I’m sorry, I know you were just trying to keep the Pogues together.”

“Yeah a lot of good that did.” She said defeatedly.

“Yeah well those boys always know how to mess everything up.” I tried to joke. I saw the hint of a smile playing on her lips before I pulled her into a hug.

“I just want to be friends again.”

“Me too.” I sighed. “I mean come on we’re the two that never fight with each other.”

We pulled apart with sad smiles as the car parked. I was nice to know that we were all friends again even if everything else had fallen apart.

🔅🔆🔅

The door opened to reveal Shoupe on the other side ushering us out. Once I stepped onto the ground I spotted JJ and Pope standing a few feet away, we were all directed into a tent with a table in the center and rows of chairs on either side. I sat down between JJ and Kie and Pope was sitting on the other side of Kie.

“Sit down. Don't move. We got a lot to talk about.” Shoupe said to all of us before turning to a couple of armed guards. “Keep an eye on these kids.”

We all watched as Shoupe left the tent. A silence fell over us as we listened to everyone around us talking, hoping to hear that John B was okay and that he had gotten away safely.

My hands found both JJ’s and Kie’s hands and I held onto them for dear life. Right now it felt like we only had each other and I sure as hell wasn’t going to lose anyone else.

“It’s gonna be okay. He’ll be fine.” JJ muttered under his breath as his thumb rubbed circles on the back of my hand.

My knee began to bounce as we all anxiously waited for any news they would give us.

🔅🔆🔅

Sirens continued to wail as people shouted to each other. The storm was only getting worse and all we could do was hope that John B had outrun it or found somewhere safe to wait it out.

After what felt like forever Shoupe finally returned but by the look on his face he didn’t have anything good to say.

“Did you find them?” Pope asked hopefully as we all stood up.

“No.” Shoupe responded bluntly.

“So, they got away?” Kie asked

“We, uh... we lost them.” Shoupe replied vaguely. “I'm sorry.”

“You lost them?” I asked in disbelief. “What do you mean you lost them? Like, they're gone?”

“What are you talking about?” Pope added to my questions.

“They took an open boat into a tropical depression, Pope.” Shoupe tried to explain.

“So, they're dead?” Kie asked as tears began to cloud my vision.

“We don't know.” Shoupe tried to defend himself.

“You drove them straight through the storm, man!” JJ snapped. “Are you kidding me? Come here! I'm gonna kill you!”

“JJ, stop!” Kie tried to tell him.

“I'm gonna kill you, you bastard! You killed him!” JJ said before trying to take a swing at Shoupe. Another cop grabbed JJ before he could continue. I moved to his side trying to get him to calm down, from behind me I could hear Pope start to yell.

“He didn't kill anyone, and you know it!” Pope cried.

“We're still looking for him, all right?” Shoupe tried to explain.

“Pope. Pope, just stop.” Kie said to him. “Please, stop.”

Kie fell silent for a moment and I turned to see what had happened. I followed her gaze to the other end of the tent to see all our parents walking towards us and at the end of the line little Emmy stood next to my Mom in her bright red raincoat.

As soon as she spotted me she let go of my Mom’s hand and ran towards me. I leant down wrapping her in a giant hug. The tears that stung my eyes fell down my cheeks as I held her tightly.

After a minute I picked her up and turned around to look for where my Mom had gone. I spotted her behind me holding onto JJ as he sobbed into her shoulder, my heart broke even more when I realized that JJ’s dad hadn’t even bothered to show up. I walked a few steps forward to wrap my free arm around JJ. We all stood holding each other, after a moment Kie and Pope joined our group as we all huddled together.

We were all a little broken without John B but we knew we had each other and for now that was enough.

🔅🔆🔅

[the-broken-truth]

Broken-Style Remix: The Red Hood & Shadow Hunter (Jason Todd & Bellatrix Todd)

Broken: So, I happened to read one of @anxiousnerdwritings's works about Jason Todd and Damian's Twin sister being a team and going against Bruce and the Bat-Family who want Damian's twin sister with them. This idea came to mind and I thought you would like it. Let the words weave and enjoy!

@anxiousnerdwritings's version: LINK

Quick Note: Bellatrix's Name is Shadow Hunter - Her Armor is like Jason's but it is more wolf-like (My personal touch) and has a bit more tech to it.

Blue eyes forced through the magnifying glasses on the face of the Eldest Wayne Heir, yet the one who cast the name aside for one that better understood her and a family that would better understand her than the Dark Knight or his gaggle of infants ever could. She sat in the darkroom - well, not entirely dark; the sparks from the tools in her hand made occasional lights that illuminated the room every now and then, plus there was the desk lamp on the workbench - shining light on the hand & forearm model and the gadget in the making that Bellatrix was working on. It was an attachment to her suit - Claws that gave a lightning discharge. She could use it to knock someone out or remove them completely with enough voltage but she won't do that - she won't live on the Al Ghul Blood, she won't be like Talia Al Ghul or the boy she once called brother.

Speaking of brothers.

"Another all-nighter?" A familiar voice called out, causing Bellatrix to turn off the tools, placed them down, and turn in her seat while lifting the goggles off her face to look at the man in the doorway with a cup of coffee in his hand.

"Yeah, I wanna make sure the claws are ready for our next patrol." Bellatrix explained as she pulled the goggles off her head and placed them on the table before getting up and walking over to Jason, who gave her the coffee cup once she was in front of him. "Thanks." She said as she took a sip.

"No problem, what are brothers for?" Jason asked with a smirk.

"Other than entering their little sister's workroom without knocking?" Bellatrix asked with a raised eyebrow.

"As your brother, I have a right to invade your privacy for the greater good." Jason said with a smirk.

"And to be nosy." Bellatrix added as she walked past him.

"And to be..." He stopped when he realized what he was gonna say, "Hey! I'm not nosy!" He yelled as he followed behind her to the kitchen where breakfast was waiting.

[Later That Night]

Shadow Huntress secured her clawed boots shut before standing to look at the modified claws before sliding them on and latching them closed. She then positioned her right hand as if she was going to strike with her claws and smiled as the light blue electric current waves ran flowed from the bottom of her forearm to the tip of her claws; the tried with her other arm and everything was perfect. She grabbed her sword in one hand and her mask in the other before heading out to see what Hood was doing.

"Anything?" Huntress asked.

"They're still moving - I think they might be hiding to the abandoned warehouse on the edge of town; you know, the one near the waterfront." Red Hood said.

"I think that's where they are heading. Look." Huntress hits some keys on the supercomputer and the cameras in that area showed the factory. "See those boats? They're new, no one has been in that district and it's the only place to do a deal uninterrupted because the cops don't patrol that area anymore." Huntress explained.

"Then, we have our place. Let's move out." Red Hood said as he placed on his helmet and Huntress did the same - both masks locked into place and the two of them were out of there.

[Gotham Rooftops]

Red Hood soared through the open spaces of the backstreets of Gothan while the Shadow Huntress ran across the roofs with the speed and prowess of a wolf on the hunt. She leaped for a high roof and used her claws to climb to the top before running and jumping to the next one while Red Hood attached his rope to another point and began to swing.

The two of them landed on the roof at the same time - a vantage point that showed the trucks driving into the warehouse and the men that stood out to keep watch; not seeing the two hunters crouching on the roof, waiting and watching.

"What do we got?" Red Hood asked. Huntress placed her fingers on the control pad of her mask's visor to activate heat-vision mode - seeing the heat signatures in the building.

"There's about 25 of them - not counting the ones that are waiting outside." Huntress explained.

"What do you think we should do about it?" Red asked.

"We take out the guys outside, then we find the generator and cut the power; under the cover of darkness, we take them out - one by one." Huntress explained.

"What if they see us or hear the noise?" Red asked.

"Then we beat the hell out of them." Huntress said as the two of them rose to their feet and jumped down.

Everything was going good until Jason decided the throw someone through the window, everyone was high alert - it was ass-kicking time.

Red Hood and Shadow Huntress were knocking thugs down left and right, showing the combos that brother and sister made together. Huntress saw one of the thugs pointing his gun at Red Hood and jumped in the way, taking the bullet in the side but she still stood. She cracked her hand in the claw formation and the lightning came to life, causing her to pounce on the thugs, knocking them out through electrical waves while Red just beat the hell out of them.

When the last thug fell, Huntress grunted as she held the bleeding hole in her side, causing Red to run to her.

"Huntress, you alright?" He asked.

"I'll be fine. Let's get out of here and we can get it patched up." Huntress said as she rose to her feet and the 2 of them jumped through the window. They scaled the wall of the roof to stop and breathe for a moment while Jason removed the bullet that got stuck and clean the wound before wrapping it. They were waiting when Huntress's Robotic Wolf Ears shot up at the sound of footsteps - 4 pairs of them, she groaned.

"They're here." Huntress groaned and just when she said that 4 Figures landed on the roof in front of them.

The Dark Knight - Batman, a.k.a Bruce Wayne; Bellatrix's Father.

The Latest Robin - Damian Wayne; Bellatrix's Womb Mate.

Nightwing - Dick Grayson.

Batgirl - Barbara Gordon; the Police Commissioner's Daughter.

"What the hell do you 4 want?" Red Hood said as he rose to his feet.

"We received reports about gunfire in this region, we came to investigate." Batman said to Jason, but his eyes remained on Bellatrix, who just glared at him.

"There was a Firearms Deal going on and we put a stop to it before it could have even begun." Huntress said as she rose to her feet and stood beside Red Hood; Nightwing looked over the edge and whistled.

"They put a stop to it alright - everyone is laid out." He said.

"Laid out? You killed them?" Batgirl asked.

"We're not above killing but we try not to, per Huntress's request." Red Hood said as he gestured at his sister.

"You don't kill but you partner yourself with a killer? How backward you are, Bellatrix." Damian said.

"It is no business of yours, Wayne." Huntress growled.

"You're my sister, so it is my business, and you're a Wayne too; as well as an Al Ghul." Damian countered but Bellatrix scoffed.

"I've never been an Al Ghul, that's why you and your mother cast me aside; the only one who saw any worth in me in that family was my grandfather. Just like you wiped your hands of me back then, I wiped my hands of you - you're nothing to me but a stranger I happen to share my blood with." Huntress said.

"Bellatrix, that's enough." Bruce said.

"You have no say over me, Bat-Boy; I don't have to listen to you." She said.

"I am your father, you need to listen to me." Bruce said.

"I may have your blood but I damn sure don't have to listen to a damn thing you have to say because I don't live with you, nor do I work with you." Huntress said.

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about. Bellatrix, you've been hanging around Jason for too long, it's making you reckless and dangerous. I think it's time you came to live with me, with us, with your family. There is a room waiting for you at Wayne Manor and we can talk about patrols and missions once you get settled in but you need to be with us now; Todd is a bad influence on you." Bruce said.

"You're joking." She said.

"No, Father is right - you've been living with this brute for too long. You're a Wayne and an Al Ghul, it's time you started acting like one." Damian said.

"Let me tell you something: I stopped being an Al Ghul when I left that hell you called home, and I never accepted to be a Wayne. Last time I checked, my last name is Todd and I want nothing to do with you...and of you." She glared at all of them. "Let's go, Bro. I'm done with this." Huntress began to walk away with Jason at her side.

Jason was her brother.

Jason was her family.

Bellatrix was a Todd and there was nothing anyone could do it change that.

[mxndoscyarika]

Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice (Sam Wilson x fem!Reader) | Chapter 2: Apple Pie

Summary: Being best friends with Sarah Wilson was simultaneously the easiest and hardest thing you’ve ever experienced. You felt at home with the Wilsons, and helped raise Sarah’s children after her divorce and the Snap. But harboring feelings for her brother, Sam, and not being able to do anything about it hurt more than it should. When he comes back home between leads on Karli Morgenthau, with Bucky in tow, you can’t help but feel a spark of hope.

Ao3

Like my writing? Here’s my masterlist.

Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice masterlist

Author’s note: It’s been a bit of a wait, but it’s here! I love writing the reader and Sam’s dynamic, and how they fit together so well. Just one more chapter to go after this one, and their story will be complete 🥺 Enjoy!

Warnings: food, mutual pining, smut (semi-public, unprotected) - 18+ ONLY

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Sunlight streamed through the windows, golden beams striping across the counter where you and Sam stood, preparing apples for a pie. You had wanted to try out a new pie crust recipe, and had picked up more apples than you’d intended at the farmer’s market. It was funny how life worked out like that sometimes, like the universe was telling you to do what you love.

Sam’s arm brushed against yours as he placed a peeled apple onto your cutting board, the touch sending electricity up your arm. You weren’t sure why he was standing so close when there was plenty of space, but you didn’t want to complain. After all, this was the closest you’d ever get to being with him. Even if it had to end, you couldn’t help but imagine an alternate timeline where you and he were baking together because you loved each other.

“Those apples are gonna cook if you keep staring that hard,” Sam teased, bringing you out of your reverie. “What are you thinking about?”

You shrugged, trying to ignore the heat rushing to your face. “Nothing important.”

“It didn’t seem like it was nothing important,” he said softly, glancing at you. His breath caught as the light graced your face just right, highlighting your features with gold. “You know you can tell me anything, right?”

You nodded, adding the sliced apples to a bowl. There was something you wished you could tell him, but it wasn’t just anything. It could ruin everything. “I know.”

With Sam and Bucky around, it was getting harder to hide your feelings. You knew that, Sarah knew that, and maybe even Bucky knew. Bucky was sweet, a gentleman at his core. He knew how to flirt around, but you weren’t quite enamored enough to fall for him. The man beside you was your perfect match, or so you hoped.

The sound of footsteps approached from behind.

“Whatcha making there, sweetheart?” Bucky asked, leaning into the small space between you and Sam. His broad frame nudged Sam out of the way, making the other man frown. “Anything I can help with?”

“No,” Sam said bluntly.

“We’re just making an apple pie for later tonight,” you answered, giving him a small smile. But as much as you liked the warm feeling of being close to another person, you already missed Sam. “And no, Sam and I should be able to get everything done ourselves. It’s just a couple more steps and then we’ll bake it.”

Bucky hummed in understanding, walking around to your other side, which allowed Sam to begrudgingly settle back next to you. “Are you sure? I’m pretty good with my hands…”

You let out a huff of laughter, shaking your head. “I’m sure you are, but we have everything under control here. Besides, you’re a guest.”

At last, Bucky relented and backed away, watching Sam amusedly. “Don’t have too much fun without me, kids.”

When Sam sighed in relief,  you looked over. “You alright, Sam?”

He chuckled softly, bracing his arms on the counter. “Yeah, I just find it funny how the abominable snowman comes to Louisiana and woos all the women in my life. I should’ve known that was gonna happen.”

Although he had a fond smile on his face, the spark was missing from his voice. He sounded almost sad.

Before you could stop yourself, you leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Don’t worry, you’re still my favorite.”

Sam froze, dumbfounded. But then, beaming, he turned and pulled you into a tight hug. His strong arms wrapped around you and held you close as he swayed back and forth, laughing softly with you. You couldn’t help but wrap your arms tightly around his waist, resting your cheek against his chest. “I better be your favorite,” he teased. You thought you felt a gentle pressure against your temple, but you were too caught up in his scent of seawater and oranges to care. “I knew you first.”

---

“Sam?” you called, stepping onto the boat. In your hands was a tupperware with a slice of pie, the ice cream half melted and pooling at the bottom. After helping out, he’d gone to the docks to keep working on the family boat; he’d mentioned something about the engine needing to be fixed. So, you figured that you’d surprise him with his favorite dessert.

“Over here!” he replied, coming back up to meet you. The sleeves of his shirt were pushed up to his elbows, drawing your eyes to his muscular forearms and strong hands. “What do you have there?”

It took you a moment to realize that he asked you a question, making heat rush to your face. “Dessert. Well, a snack for you. You’ve been working all evening, so I wanted to make sure you had something to eat.”

You settled in the cockpit of the boat, basking in the familiar room.

“Okay, miss fairy god-baker,” he said, sitting down next to you. “Why don’t you take the first bite? You deserve it, of all people.”

Knowing he wouldn’t relent until you took a bite, you scooped up some of the crust, soft apples, and ice cream and slipped the fork into your mouth. The pie was still slightly warm, the apples spiced with cinnamon and a hint of molasses from the brown sugar and the ice cream cool and light on your tongue. The crust was just right, not too crumbly and not too sweet. You hummed in satisfaction, smiling sheepishly as you realized you’d just made a sound.

“How is it, baby?”

“It’s sweet,” you answered, assembling a bite for him. “Do you want to try some?”

You didn’t pay much attention to his low hum of affirmation until you glanced at him and saw he was watching you with a small smile.

The next few seconds were a blur as he leaned in and kissed you, lips melding against yours.

He tasted sweet, and you couldn’t help but set down the container so you could scoot closer. A shiver ran down your spine as his arms wrapped around your waist and held you. The warmth from his body surrounded you, bringing with it a peacefulness that you never knew you missed. It felt...right. Like your missing puzzle piece had finally clicked into place. Like you had found your home.

When you finally parted for air, Sam let out a chuckle. “You’re right. You’re very sweet.”

“I-I don’t understand-”

“It’s you,” he murmured, cupping your cheeks and kissing you sweetly. “It’s always been you. I’m tired of waiting and doubting myself. Doubting us.”

“I’ve wanted this for a very long time, Sam,” you began, your words soft between the kisses. “I’ve wanted you for a very long time.”

You often wondered what your life would’ve been like if you’d faced your feelings earlier. Would you be married? Would you and Sam have had a family? So much time had passed, it wasn’t hard to imagine the different ways your life could’ve gone.

A wave of anxiety washed over you. What if he didn’t really want you? What if you were just a distraction from his work? Part of you screamed to control yourself and consider the consequences, but another part of you told you to give it a chance. After all, it was Sam; he cared deeply and saw the best in everything. Maybe you could do the same, for once.

You had waited long enough. He had waited long enough.

“I want you too, honey,” he said, hands slipping down to guide your hips towards him. “Come up, baby.”

Your face burned as you realized what he wanted, but you couldn’t help shuffling closer. There was no doubt that he was strong; years of physical training had done him well. But nonetheless, you didn’t want to make him uncomfortable. “I-I don’t want to squish you-”

“You won’t, baby,” he replied, groaning as you kissed him deeply. “I want you on top of me. Let me hold you...please.”

Unable to resist, you climbed onto his lap. Your arms went around his neck so you wouldn’t slide off; not that you were going to. Sam’s hands rested respectfully on your waist, pressing gently to keep you close. You never quite realized how big they were until then; those were the same hands that tickled you back in high school, held yours during dances, and saved the world.

His lips were as soft as you imagined, the years of holding out and waiting poured into each movement. Your hips involuntarily started shifting against him, making him groan softly. A soft laugh escaped your lips as he encouraged your movements. It wasn’t long until you felt him pressed against your core. Though, you’d have been lying if you said you weren’t affected yourself. Every movement stoked the flame in your lower belly, reminding you of just how long you’d been dreaming for this moment.

“I need you,” you gasped, shuddering as his lips trailed down your neck. “Sam…”

“I know, baby,” he soothed, his fingers tracing the top of your pants. “I need you, too. Do you want this? I need to hear you say it, sweetheart.”

“Yes,” you answered, tugging at his hands so he would take them off faster. “I want you inside me. I want to feel you.”

“I want you, too,” he said, his voice like velvet. “I’ve dreamt of you for so long.”

You were glad there was no one around as you stepped out of your pants and pulled off your shirt and bra. The change in temperature made you shiver, along with the sight of Sam undressing himself.

“Fuck, you’re so beautiful,” he mused, watching with hooded eyes as you straddled his hips. Your hips fit against his perfectly, nestled against him. Without the barrier of clothing, you could feel everything, from his soft skin to his rippling muscles. The only way that it could’ve been better was if he was inside of you.

You reached down and stroked his length slowly, rubbing your thumb across the tip. A soft laugh left your lips as he gasped your name and bucked his hips into your hand, clear fluid beading at the tip. If you weren’t on a boat, you would’ve taken more time to taste him. But that could be saved for later, when you and Sam were home.

“You’re beautiful,” you murmured, leaning in for a kiss. Once you felt his lips against yours, you knew you were done for. No one could take you away from him. “Are you ready?”

“I think a better question is, are you ready?” he mused, slipping his hand down to rub slow circles on your bundle of nerves. A smirk appeared on his face as he found you slick and pliant, the tips of his fingers shining with your arousal. “Next time, I’m gonna make it up to you. We have years to make up for, babe.”

A gasp left your lips as the head of his cock slipped into you; it was thicker than you’d expected. You could tell he was going to fill you perfectly, grinding against all the areas that made you moan.

The touch of his thumb against your clit made sliding down on him easier, each flutter of your walls letting him go deeper. By the time he was seated fully inside you, you were a mess. Your breaths were shallow and your hands roamed his chest.

Your breath caught in your throat as you started moving, lifting your hips before sinking back down.

Sam couldn’t seem to get enough of you, his hands roaming your body and squeezing and caressing until you felt like you were going to combust.

“Sam, please,” you moaned, bouncing on his cock. Every time you sank down, he ground against that sensitive area inside you. You dripped down his length as you slowly lost control, your arousal collecting at the base until it looked like he was leaking out of you.

You moved against each other with an indulgent drag, as if everything was going to turn to dust again. The life you shared was a gift, one that you no longer wanted to waste. You wanted to spend the rest of your years with him, wanted to have his children. Just the thought of him filling you made you clench so tightly that you had to stop, hovering on the precipice of ecstasy.

As you sank back down, you were pushed over the edge.

Sam’s name left your lips as you came, swirling your hips for more friction. Beneath you, Sam reached his peak as well, pulling you down so he stayed buried deep inside. Hot ropes of his seed painted your walls, filling you with a warmth that you’d never felt before.

He kissed your neck as you both shuddered in each other’s arms.

Eventually the sharp burn of pleasure settled into a soothing glow, as if everything was right in the world. You stayed on top of him for a few minutes, savoring his warmth and the fullness inside you. Soft murmurs of his name left your lips as Sam kissed down your neck and mouthed at your tits. “Sam, baby…”

“You’re so amazing,” he said, voice soft. Trailing kisses back up until he reached your lips, he murmured, “I love you so much.”

Those three words made your heart skip a beat. You never thought you’d get to hear those words, much less say them in return. They were always a late night fantasy, a makeshift reality that you could fall asleep to.

You no longer needed to fantasize.

Tears pricked at your eyes. “I love you, too. I have for a very long time.” You kissed your boyfriend deeply, committing his touch to memory. “Let’s go home.”

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[dreamypeaches]

good to love | jj maybank x reader x pope heyward

summary: you and jj decided to show pope what he’s been missing

warnings: SMUT, literal pure filth, cursing

word count: 3.8k (and it’s pretty much all dirty)

a/n: this might be one of my favorite and filthiest things i’ve ever written. jj x reader x pope is my new fave and it’s all i want to write for the rest of my life.

To say your relationship with Pope and JJ had changed would be a lie. Not much had changed at all really. You were still the best of friends, there was just a lot more kissing involved. Like, a lot more kissing. And it was fantastic. Despite both you and JJ being pretty experienced sexually, it never went beyond heavy making out. Neither of you wanted to rush Pope into anything since he was completely inexperienced, and you also didn’t want to leave him out. So most nights together, after a heavy make-out session where some clothes might be shed, the three of you ended up cuddled up on the bed, none of you meeting your release.

You and JJ discussed the potential in the bedroom as you waited for Pope to finish up a delivery. His hand rested on your thigh, rubbing smooth circles into the bare skin as he spoke.

“I mean, it’s gonna be fucking hot,” JJ comments, smirking at the idea of having you and Pope at the same time. You roll your eyes.

“Of course it’s going to be hot, J, but I don’t want to rush him. You know how he gets when he’s overwhelmed.”

“Well then we’ll help calm him down,” He says, a childish grin on his face as he holds up his newly rolled joint. You slap his chest, sending him a glare. He puts on an innocent face, giving the back of your hand a kiss in apology.

“Sunshine, I think you’re the one getting overwhelmed. It’s Pope, let’s just talk to him about it.”

“Talk to me about what?”

You and JJ’s heads snap up. Pope’s voice floated down from where he stood above you on the dock.

“Um…um, you know, we were talking about-” You start to stutter, only for JJ to save you.

“We were talking about sex. With you. We want to have sex with you but we don’t want to make you feel like you have to if you're not ready.”

Dropping your hands into your lap, you sigh, nodding in agreement while refusing to meet Pope’s eyes. There were times where you were thankful for JJ’s blunt nature. When Rafe Cameron tried flirting with you at a kegger and JJ told him to fuck off. When Pope was freaking out about not being smart enough to get into college and JJ told him how much of an idiot he was being. These were all great times for JJ’s bluntness. Now was not one of those times.

The silence cut through you like a knife, neither of the boys speaking up and your voice seemed to be stuck in your throat. You weren’t sure why exactly this was so difficult for you. The three of you could always talk about anything. You’d even told them about the first time you got your period back in middle school. But you loved Pope with all of your heart, and so did JJ, and you just wanted everything to be perfect.

“Okay.”

You’re heart suddenly lifts, along with your head as you gaze into Pope’s beautiful eyes.

“What?” You mumble, looking back at JJ who wore his signature smirk, excitement glowing in his eyes.

“I want to have sex. With you. I want to have sex with both of you and I am ready,” Pope says with a sly smile as he echos JJ’s words. He hops down into the boat, flopping down beside you and JJ. Scratching his neck, his nervous smile makes your stomach flutter.

“I’ve thought about it a lot, and I know you two are a lot more experienced than me, but I don’t care. I love you both and I want to be with you and I trust you to…to take care of me. God that sounds weird,” Pope chuckles and you take his hand. Pressing your lips to his, you can feel him smile against your own smiling lips. JJ pulls you away, moving in to take your place, giving Pope a deep kiss, pressing a hand to the back of his head. Kissing JJ’s cheek, and force the two boys apart, giving them a fake stern look.

“Save it for tonight, boys.”

The rest of the day was filled with an air of anticipation. Teasing touches, hungry kisses, there were a few moments where you thought everything would happen right then and there. Luckily, you spent the day just the three of you, Kie and John B off working, so they didn’t have to suffer through your disgusting PDA. By the time you got back to your apartment (that Pope and JJ practically lived at), you were ready to rip their clothes off. Judging by the way they grabbed you the moment the door was closed, the boys were ready to explode just as much as you were.

JJ’s lips are on your neck while yours caress Pope’s, feeling his blood pound through his veins as you do. One hand moves down his front, dipping below the waistband to palm his half-hard cock through his underwear. The moan that leaves his mouth is heavenly.

“I can’t believe this is happening,” Pope groans. JJ nips at your next one last time before pulling away, resting his chin on your shoulder, eyeing Pope with a smirk.

“Well believe it, baby. You’re getting your dick wet tonight.” He says, forcing a giggle to spill from you. You move away from the door, pulling both of the boys with you down the hall and into the bedroom as you begin to shed your clothes. By the time you fall onto the bed, you’re down to your underwear, bra halfway off, while both boys are stripped down to their boxers. Pope hovers over you, helping you remove the offensive piece of clothing. The groan that leaves his mouth when he sees you bare for the first time makes you blush.

“So beautiful,” Pope exhales, a single finger dragging up your sternum and circling around your breasts. His breathing starts to pick up, movements hesitant as his hands hover over your nipples.

“Don’t be nervous, bubba, just do what feels right,” JJ says. He’s lying on his side next to you, eyes dark as he watches Pope slowly lower his hand down to squeeze your boob. He starts to gently massage it, making you moan at the soft touch.

“That’s it, now touch her nipple. Watch me.” JJ pinches your nipple between his thumb and forefinger, twisting it lightly. You moan at the feeling, the sound becoming louder as Pope copies the action on your other breast.

“Fuck…” he muttered, eyes focused on his actions, trying to get that sound to leave your pretty mouth again, and succeeding. JJ continues to work your nipple, encouraging Pope to copy his movements, leaving you a needy mess beneath them. As much as you loved what they were doing, you were ready for much, much more.

“Pope…JJ…please, I need more.” Pope groans at your neediness, not used to having a girl begging for his touch. The way you whispered his name like a prayer made his already hard member stiffen even more, almost painful against the fabric of his boxers. JJ leans down, nipping at your perky nipple, smirking at the yelp that you make. He shoves Pope lightly, mouth leaving your nipple with a pop.

“You gonna give her what she needs?” JJ says. Pope’s eyes suddenly widen, glancing between JJ’s smirking face and your hooded, needy eyes. Noticing his panicked look, JJ patted his shoulder.

“Don’t worry, bubs, I’ll tell you what to do. Come here, sunshine.” The second part is directed at you, situating himself on the bed so his back is against the headboard as he pulls your back against him. Pushing on your thighs, JJ spreads your legs for Pope, revealing your soaked panties covering your pussy.

“Look how wet she is for us. Doesn’t she look fucking delicious?”

“Fuuuck, yeah she does,” The low tone of Pope’s voice sends a shiver down your spine, eyes meeting his hungry ones. The thought of him absolutely devouring you makes your heart pound. The hunger in his eyes goes right down your core. JJ’s finger trailed down there too. Pushing the cloth to the side, he slides his fingertip through your folds, gathering your wetness before holding his finger out towards Pope.

“Taste her,” JJ demands. Pope follows through, lips wrapping around his wet digit, eyes never leaving yours as he licks your wetness from JJ’s fingers. You can hear JJ’s breathing quicken, the air hitting the back of your ear. His pardon is pressing against your rear as he holds you against his chest, lips exploring your neck.

Pope’s lips meet yours and you taste yourself against his tongue. Your moan vibrates across his lips, making him moan.

“You taste so good,” He mutters against your mouth. You smirk, squirming against JJ’s arm, trying to get closer to Pope.

“Why don’t you taste some more,” You whisper back seductively. In response, Pope’s lips trail down your jaw, moving down the other side of your neck that wasn’t been marked by JJ. He reaches your breasts, taking a nipple in your mouth, giving it some tender care with his tongue before moving to the next one and doing the same. He continues to trail down your body until he reaches the waistband of your underwear. Pope’s fingers hook under it, pulling the clothing down your legs, throwing them somewhere in the room. Leaning down on his stomach, he gazes at your dripping center in awe. JJ’s lips detach from your neck, cheek resting against you as he looks down at Pope.

“Start slow, lick up her cunt a few times. Tease her a little bit.”

Pope does as he says, tongue sticking out to taste you. He moves up and down slowly, a long, breathy moan leaving your lips as he does. You bucked against his face, wanting more, only for JJ to press harder against your waist, biting against your shoulder as he squeezes your throat tighter for a moment.

“We don’t want to rush him do we?” JJ growls. You start to shake your head, Pope’s tongue delving between your folds making you interrupt with a moan. JJ’s hand grasps your neck, squeezing lightly as his mouth presses close to your ear. “Use your words, sunshine.”

“No, we don’t,” you mutter. Pope pulls away from you, peppering kisses to your inner thigh.

“I want to take my time with you. Been waiting for this for too damn long,”

“That’s right, bubba, take your time. This is all for you, she’ll get to cum when we let her. Now, work her clit. Just barely flick against it. I wanna feel her squirm.”

This little lesson continues on for what feels like hours. You do exactly as JJ wanted, squirming against his grip as he instructs Pope on all the best ways to explore your pussy. He purposely makes Pope avoid your clit, only allowing him to touch your sensitive bud every few minutes, just enough to keep you wanting and desperate against him.

You scream out as JJ orders Pope to move to your clit again. JJ chuckles darkly beside you, the vibrations of his laugh moving against your back.

“Please, please, I need to cum! Let me cum against your lips, Pope!” You whimper out.

Pope groans against your cunt, pulling away to look up at JJ, almost asking permission with his eyes.

“What do you think, Pope? Should we give her what she wants?”

“I don’t know, I’m having a lot of fun. But I wanna feel her cum.”

“I bet she looks so beautiful when she cum. I want her to scream your name. You hear that, sunshine, you’re gonna scream his name when he makes you cum. Then it’s my turn with you.” JJ bites at your ear lobe before instructing Pope to start using his fingers. He teases your entrance with the tip of one before slowly pushing it in, an elongated moan falling from your lips as he does. He pumps slowly, reveling in the feeling of your warm walls against him. He starts to pick up the pace as JJ tells him to, adding another finger and curling them against your special spot, your moans growing in volume as he does.

“Fuck, yes, Pope, right there!” you exclaim, head falling back against JJ’s shoulder as one of his hands grasps your breasts, rolling your nipple between his fingers.

“Suck on her clit,” JJ demands, the other hand moving to copy his actions on the other breast. You shout out as Pope does as he’s told, the combination of JJ’s hands on your breasts, Pope’s fingers pumping into you, and his mouth working your clit makes you see stars, fireworks going off in your body as you orgasm.

“Fuck, Pope!” You scream in pleasure. He removes his fingers, lapping up your juices like you were an oasis in the desert he was on the verge of dying from dehydration. Pope sits back on his heels, hand moving up to wipe his shining chin before JJ stops him. Gripping his wrist, JJ pulls Pope towards him, crashing his lips onto his in a heated kiss. He moans as he tastes you on Pope’s tongue, pulling away and gripping your jaw, turning your face to him, and attacking your mouth with his own. He shoves your face away, pushing you onto your stomach and sitting up on his knees.

He grips your hips, pulling your ass back against his bulging member before gripping your jaw again, pulling your back against him. Squishing your cheeks between his finger and thumb, he smiles over at Pope.

“Are you ready for your first blow job, Pope? I bet her pretty lips will feel so good around your cock.”

Pope nods enthusiastically, pulling off his boxers and tossing them to the side. His large dick springs free, the size of it makes both you and JJ’s jaw’s drop.

“Fuck, Pope,” You groan out. Pope’s cheeks heat up as JJ chuckles.

“You’re going to take his cock so well, sunshine.” He pushes you down on your hands and knees, pulling his own boxers down and slapping his dick against your ass. “Mine may not be as big, but I know exactly how to use it. Now open your mouth and take that dick.”

You do as you’re told, opening wide and sliding forward, slowly impaling yourself on Pope’s member. Pope groans at the foreign feeling, accidentally jutting forward, his tip hitting the back of your throat and making you gag. Pope pulls back quickly, palm caressing your cheek as worry overcomes him.

“I’m so sorry, are you okay?” He asks. You just giggle, nodding your head.

“It’s all good, Popey. Just relax, okay? I’m gonna make you feel good.” You move your mouth back onto his dick, taking it a few centimeters at a time. Swirling your tongue around his shaft, you moan as JJ slides the tip of his dick through your folds, running it open and down your wetness. Pope grips your hair harshly, eyes squeezing shut as he is washed in a brand new form of pleasure. JJ groans at the sight before him, your head bobbing on Pope’s dick as the other man’s head falls back in pleasure. JJ sinks into you, cursing as your warm walls surround his dick. JJ starts to thrust into you, rocking you against Pope’s cock as he does.

“How does that feel, bubs?” JJ asks.

“Like heaven,” Pope sighs, fingers gripping your hair harder as you take more of him down your throat. “Fuck I’m not gonna last very long.”

At Pope’s words, JJ suddenly pulls out of you, making you whine at the sudden emptiness. He pulls you off Pope’s cock

“You wanna feel heaven, man? Just wait till your balls deep in her pussy,” JJ promises. He instructs Pope to lay on his back, manhandling you onto his lap. You press your hands against Pope’s chest, leaning down to capture his lips with your own. Kissing up his jaw, you stop at his ear, smiling as you speak.

“I can’t wait to feel your cock inside me, Pope. You’re gonna fill me up so good. Want you to cum in me. Can you do that, Pope?”

He can only nod as you lean back, biting your lip as you meet his eyes. Unexpectedly, you yelp out in both pain and pleasure as JJ slaps your ass, rubbing the stinging skin. His fingers move over to circle your tight hole and you gasp in shock.

“Such a dirty mouth. You’re a dirty fucking girl, aren’t you, sunshine? Are you a little slut for us?” JJ growls. Your moan as he slaps you again, forehead falling against Pope’s.

“Yes, I’m your little slut.”

“Think you can take both of us like the slut you are?” His finger dances at the entrance of your asshole, lifting a pornographic moan from your throat.

“Fuck yes. I want you both.” The grin on JJ’s face is devilish as he smacks your ass again.

“We’ll let Pope have some time with you first. It’s his first time, after all, we want him to feel special.” With that, JJ grips Pope’s dick, giving it a few strokes before lining it up with your entrance and pushing you down onto him.

Curses leave Pope as you sink down onto his incredible length, chest heaving as you almost cry out from the unimaginable pleasure. JJ kisses down your neck as he moves off the bed.

“Ride him good, sunshine,” He says before slapping your ass again, forcing you to move while he goes to rummage through a door. Bouncing slowly on his cock, your palms press against his abs as you grind your hips. Pope’s hands grip your own hips assisting you in your languid movements. You start to rock faster, moans filling the room as you angle your hips so his dick hits your g-spot.

JJ stands beside the bed, stroking his dick lazily as he watched the pornographic scene. He grips something in his other hand, putting it down for a moment to lean down and kiss Pope deeply. He does the same to you, gripping your jaw in his hand as he does.

He suddenly pushes you down so your chest is pressed against Pope’s, ass presented to JJ. He picks up the bottle and you shiver as something cold hits your asshole. JJ’s fingers return to the entrance, gathering some lube before slowly pushing two digits into your tight hole. You hiss out at the new feeling, almost collapsing completely against Pope, who is now thrusting up into your core.

JJ’s fingers pump in and out of you, helping you adjust as he kisses your lower back. He adds another finger, starting to pump again before Pope groans out.

“I’m getting close. Fuck she feels so good!”

JJ pulls his fingers out and replaces them with his tip.

“Slow down, bubba. I want to be inside her with you.” JJ inches himself into your asshole, giving shallow thrusts as he does. You muffle your screams into Pope’s neck, the new sensation of JJ up your ass while also having two dicks at once overpowering you. You feel nothing else except for the pleasure each boy is giving you. You feel more connected to your boys than you ever had before. They develop a steady rhythm, moving together as one just like in everything else they do. Curses fall from your mouthing quick succession as you feel pressure build up in your gut. JJ’s fingers sweep around to your clit, rubbing harsh circles as he can tell you are getting close.

“Cum on his dick, sunshine,” JJ commands.

Pope grips your hair, pulling you up for a wild kiss as his hips start to stutter.

“Fuck, you’re so beautiful. You feel so good, I love you so fucking much,” Pope mutters against your mouth right before he comes, shouting your name into the air. You scream out as well, JJ putting extra pressure on your clit and forcing you over the edge. He slows down as you and Pope ride out your orgasms before pulling out of you and practically ripping you off Pop, pinning you onto your back. JJ stares down at your and Pope’s combined juices leaking out of you and lets out an animalistic groan. Gripping your throat, he slams into your pussy and you scream out. His pace is immediately brutal, the sound of skin slapping against skin echoing through the room.

“God, you take dick so well, sunshine. You did so well for Pope, made him feel good. Can you do the same for me? I want to fill you up with my cum. I want you to be filled to the brim with me and Pope.” JJ’s downright sinful words make your eyes roll into the back of your head.

Pope is suddenly laying beside you, his lips falling against your like a breath. The kiss is gentle and sweet, a stark contrast to JJ’s rough grip on your neck and hip as he slams into you. Pope’s fingers slide down your front until they meet your clit, rubbing soft circles onto it. He catches your moans and shouts as you approach your third orgasm. JJ’s thrusts are becoming sloppier, groans and curses sounding through the room.

It doesn’t take much longer for you to plummet into bliss, shouting incoherently against Pope’s mouth as you do. JJ isn’t far behind you, giving you a few more brutal, deep thrusts.

“I love you,” He proclaims right before he cums in you, filling you up just like he wanted. Giving you a few more shallow thrusts, he falls off to the side onto his back. The two of you are breathing heavily, Pope leaning over you to capture JJ’s lips, giving him a sweet kiss just as he gave you. He falls onto his back, taking your hand in his own. You take JJ’s and you swear you can feel the energy coursing through the three of you. It’s like a bond created by the universe, a string of fate connecting your hearts to each other that will be forever unbroken.

“So, how was it, Pope?” JJ questions. Pope just sighs before meeting JJ’s eyes across your body.

“Can we do it again?”

Both boys grin, but you just groan and laugh.

“I’m gonna need a break, boys. At least 3-7 business days to recover,” You say, arm falling over your eyes as exhaustion washes over you.

“Who said we needed you?” JJ says before rolling over you, bumping you to the side so he can hover over Pope, meeting him for a passionate kiss. The familiar feeling of arousal creeps into you as you watch the loves of your life share their love with each other. Fingers trailing down your torso, you start to play with your clit before a hand smacks it away. Pope’s eyes meet yours as he continues to make up with JJ, his fingers replacing your own, rubbing circles into the sensitive nub. Sighing in content, you throw your head back, preparing your mind and body for a long night.

taglist/moots: @jjmaybby @dontjinx-it @butgilinsky @rekrappeter @diverdcwn @rafecameron @prejudic3 @starlightstarkey @https-luna @sunnypogue @obxmxybxnk @jjmayybank @euphoricmalfoy @socialwriter @kindahavefeelingskindaheartless @peachydrews @outerbanksbro @wldflwrskyee @softstarkey @bricksatanakinswindow @mdlyncline @poguemackin @downbytheouterbanks @rae131415 @ptersparkers @prkerspogue @moldisgoodforyou @outrbanks @girlsru1eboysdroo1 @tempestuousjj @stargazingstarkey @anxietyandtacos @uwubonebabie @joshy-obx @sortagaysortahigh @overly-b @highondrew @madelynsclines @cherryobx @royalmerchant @wtfkie @toriswrites @stfukie @outerbankslut @teenagekook@ilovejjmaybank @broken-jj @vindictive-hearts  @fttayla @rafej-cambanks

[wastelandcth]

Lover - cth

part of love songs for calum, a love series. 

summary: a dazzling haze, a mysterious place about you dear.

author’s notes: i hope you enjoy this one. as always you can find the playlist to this series here (and you can add your own favorite love songs here!)

warnings: mentions of smut. 

masterlist || request

January brought cold weather and dark mornings. The Christmas lights were still twinkling in the morning fog and Calum watched them, wrapped up in a blanket and beanie as he waited for Duke to finish up his morning potty break. He'd been awake for most of the morning, his brain too busy to even try and get some rest. 

He'd been up long after you had gone to bed, your back pressed against his chest as you let soft huffs out during your dreams. 

Normally, Calum had no problems sleeping when you were at his side. He'd fall asleep before you and he'd snore the whole night long. But this time, he was caught in a haze where nothing made sense and the goosebumps from the cold air felt like they'd been there all night. He'd been running over the words you'd whispered into his ear last night before your eyes closed and you left him alone in the darkness. 

"I think I would marry you if you asked me. I'd say yes." 

At that moment, Calum felt like his entire world was in the palm of your hands. If you had told him to run out and jump into the icy water of the pool in the backyard, he would've done so. But as the night went on and the gloomy clouds let in a soft light into the bedroom you'd both been sharing for years now, Calum's heartbeat raced at the thought of being with you for the rest of his life. What if you got bored, what if he wasn't what you thought he was and he was suddenly left with a broken heart and broken vows?

And that's how Calum found himself on the foggy and rainy morning, watching his old dog sniff around the plants you'd insisted on planting for him while he had a crisis on whether or not the ring in his drawer would be enough for you. He knew the ring was good, it was his mother's ring, and she'd basically thrown it at Calum to give to you when he'd mentioned settling down with you a few months back when he went to Sydney. He'd hid it in that drawer the second he'd flown home and had pushed it to the back of his mind because he'd never even talked about marriage with you and the thought made his hands sweat. 

He'd been in love with you for three years now. He'd known you for longer but he was always busy touring, writing, or recording and it wasn't until life with the band had slowed down a bit that he'd had the chance to really sit down and think about his feelings for you. It wasn't until his own life was stable enough that he could see you more in a week than he had in the past few months that he realized how deeply in love he was with you. At first, he hadn't even noticed that it was love, he was just pissed off and it wasn't until you turned back to smile at him that he felt the warmth in him spread all over. 

Calum had the day he realized he loved you ingrained in his mind. You had both been at the grocery store, running errands with one another and catching up from the times Calum had been traveling around the world. Calum had been browsing the snack aisle, a giant pack of double stuffed Oreos calling his name when he heard your laugh. Usually hearing your laugh would bring butterflies to his stomach, but that day he looked over and saw you covering your mouth with your hand as you laughed at something a stranger said to you, he wanted to punch the man. He wasn't even that good looking, in Calum's mind, I mean who even wears khakis out to the grocery store on a Tuesday afternoon? It didn't make sense and the guy was definitely not your type at all. Calum scoffed and rolled his eyes as he had walked back over to you, eyeing the guy up before he wrapped his arm around her waist.

"You ready to go, hun?" Calum mumbled, his fist clenching by his side as he watched you and the man in the khakis both look over at him. 

Whenever Calum's mind became overwhelmed with thoughts of you, he'd turn to music. He'd always turned to music when life became too much and his brain felt flooded. He'd spend hours locked in the music room where scattered notebooks held unspoken words and where bass lines floated throughout the air. That night had been no different, you'd been off in a hotel with your bridesmaids, in a city full of temptation and lights, and Calum was at home reeling over what he'd say about you and the love he had for you in a few short weeks. 

The wedding vows had been on his mind the second he'd gotten down on one knee in front of you almost a year ago. He'd tried writing them time and time again, the piles of crumpled paper mixing with unheard lyrics and thoughts Calum wasn't sure who to tell. He'd tried writing them while you were sat next to him, while you watched tv and talked to him about whatever had happened this week at work. He tried writing them when you were asleep next to him when your soft breaths hit his shoulder with every rise and fall of your chest. He even tried writing them once in his head while your hands were pressed to his chest and the sound of your hips meeting was covered by the moans you were both letting out, but that was a bust; one of many that night. Every time Calum tried to write his vows, all he realized was that words he ever wrote for you would ever be good enough. 

How could Calum tell you in front of everyone you both loved and cherished how you were a magnetic force of a woman and he was in awe of the way you'd gone from a broken shell of a human, sobbing on the floor of Luke's living room to the person he knew now. To the one who wouldn't hesitate to tell Calum when he'd fucked up and that you loved him all in the same sentence. Calum's heart had been bruised before, he'd be in the same boat where he didn't think his heart would ever heal. Calum swore he'd never hurt you like you'd been hurt before even when both of you clashed and the dramatics were a bit too much. He swore that he was going to be there whenever you needed him, cheering you up with another joke he'd kept in his pockets for days when your mood was down and nothing could put a smile on your face. How would Calum ever put into words that he'd always save you a seat at whatever table you were sat at, no matter the occasion? No amount of words could ever amount to the love Calum had for you.

"Take me home?" you whispered in his ear that night, your hands sliding under the white button upon shirt he was wearing that night. The suit jacket he'd been wearing for most of the day had disappeared, lost in between the dancing and the few too many drinks you'd shared with family members. 

"Mmm, yeah?" Calum chuckled, his lips against your earlobe sent shivers down your spine, "And where shall I take my charming bride, to our home so we can make sure the neighborhood know who you married tonight, sweet girl?" 

"You are a man of many words, Hood." you whispered, "Let's see if those hold up just like those beautiful vows you gave today," you smirked, your warm hands traveling over the expanse of his chest. 

Calum, who was always a man of his word, made sure that your wedding night was one to remember. The candles and rose petals leading up to your room trailed behind the dress you'd been wearing for way too many hours. Calum's hand was in yours and as you both laid in bed, chests heaving as you both took a break from the wedding festivities. The sweat covering you both proof of the words he'd promised you earlier that night. 

"I panicked that night when you told me you would marry me if I asked. I must've stayed out with Duke for at least an hour, running over the thought that you wanted to marry me." Calum whispered, his fingers threading through your hair as he closed his eyes. 

"And then you still asked me?" you teased, pressing a kiss over his heart, "Finally realized you couldn't live without me?"

"Realized I wanted to love you every summer and winter and spring and fall." Calum chuckled, and smiled, "That you were the one I wanted to dramatic with and that the haze I felt with you was love. Want you and only you, lover." 

"I wouldn't want anyone else but you, lover." 

taglist:  @hoodhoran @finelliine @moonlightcriess @dinosaursandsocks @mxgyver @calpops @karajaynetoday @notlukehemmo @calumrose @devilatmydoor @lyss-xo @lowkeyflop​ @hemmo1996-5sosvevo​ @stollls @myloverboyash

[thorst]

SNOWFLAKES.

Thor Odinson & Sam Wilson • Earth 202 • Soft Season Challenge • Gen : no warnings. • Dedicated to @robb-stark, whose beautiful portrayal of Sam always inspires me <3

A note on Earth 202: Ragnarok unfolds a little differently to MCU canon and Infinity War/Endgame do not immediately follow.

"Don't you feel the cold?"

Thor had been standing in the open dark of the night, watching the snow fall. He turned to the sound of Sam's voice with that same easy smile he so often wore. His friend was rugged up in warm winter woollens and a festive season beanie (Thor smiled a little wider; it was the falcon-themed one he'd bought Sam in this year's Secret Santa), while Thor was dressed more moderately, in jeans and a tired old hoodie. His hood was down however, his short-cropped blond hair covered with a dusting of snowflakes. Somehow, Sam found that change more jarring than the eyepatch. "Not as you do, I think."

Sam nodded thoughtfully as he came to a stop beside Thor, his footsteps crunching in the snow. He eyed his tall companion with a sidelong smile. "Seems like that's the rule for you guys."

"I suppose so." There was a quiet in Thor that Sam wasn't used to; he supposed that was to be expected after all that had happened off-world. The big Asgardian tended to weather problems better than almost anyone else he'd known - which made sense when he considered the wide expanse of Thor's life - but he rather suspected that this was different. That maybe the quiet cheerfulness, this time, was not so completely sincere.

Thor was watching the stars, and he had been since before Sam had walked through the snow. He stuffed his gloved hands in the pockets of his coat and looked up in the direction Thor was gazing. "King of Asgard, hey." He gives his head a little shake. "Seems like a lot, man."

As Sam had expected, Thor's smile as he looks to him is a little forced. "It's what I was born to be. Trained my whole life for."

"Not like this though, right?" Sam supresses a shiver as a gust of wind and snow cuts through his warm winter clothes, watching Thor's face with care.

Thor sighs, looking down from the stars to the distant line of lights that marked the nearest human settlement to the Avengers Compound. When he looks back at Sam, his smile is decidedly forced. "No, not like this."

Sam had opened his mouth to speak, but Thor continued before he could. "I thought I'd feel ready." Thor spoke the word that he suddenly felt forbidden. "Worthy."

Thor turned to Sam again, and the smile he wore this time somehow carried the weight of his thousand-odd years of life with it. "I thought I wanted nothing else for most of my life. I saw it as another path to glory, I suppose, but I... Was a fool."

"Hmm," Sam considered, looking for an angle to approach this to better help his friend. For all that he and Thor were very different, if there was one thing he'd learned through the course of their friendship, it was that if you took the time to look a little deeper, it was easy to find that they weren't so different at all.

"My Pépé told me once-- that's my--"

"Grandfather, I remember." Thor offered a small smile, and Sam continued after returning a much larger one of his own.

"My Pépé, he told me once that sometimes to get good at something, you gotta be bad at it for a while. You have to do badly before you can learn to do well." Sam smiled, remembering Thor's earlier delight, years ago now, at the last time he'd shared some of his family's wisdoms.

Thor, though brighter, still looked apprehensive. "Even at being a king, do you think?"

Sam chuckled and put a hand on Thor's shoulder, ready with an answer. "At the time, I had just crashed the family boat into our dock. Maybe not the same scale as being king of a whole people, but my family did need it to eat."

Thor nodded thoughtfully, weighing Sam's words in his mind before he spoke again. "And did you learn to master the vessel?"

Sam made a small sound in the back of his throat. "Well, yeah, I got good eventually. But to be honest, I never got as good as Dad or Pépé. And that was okay, too."

"We cannot be the best at everything," Thor murmured, a small but genuinely felt smile on his lips as his gaze returned to the distant stars. They shone bright and clear in the cold of the night, and Thor felt closer to them than he often did when on Midgard. "Your ancestors were men of wisdom," Thor smiled, finally seeming to come back to himself as he took Sam's shoulder in hand. "And so are you. Thank you, Sam."

"Anytime, Thor." He glanced back to the warm golden light of the compound, then back to his friend's face. "Do you mind if we go inside? It's cold as hell out here."

------

Pépé is, I hope, Louisiana Creole for Grandpa. Urban Dictionary (the font of all knowledge on colloquialisms) suggests that Titi is Louisiana Creole for auntie, so I rolled with it; it seemed more consistent for Sam's character because than Papaw, which looked to be the other solidly Louisianan option, but not linked to Titi. I'm happy to be corrected, however!