#[She needs to switch houses or she'll go insane.]

[daybr43ks-lam8]

I need , , to go Im .,... getting out of this fucking house . .

[sunnyie-eve]

9. For One Night

Fandom: House of the Dragon

Series: Devious Opportunity

Pairing: (Aegon II Targaryen x Cousin! OFC Targaryen!)

Word Count: 1.5k

Notes: Incest, Aemond being an ass, talk about sex

| MASTERLIST |

For the family dinner, it was quite awkward in the beginning before Viserys joined them. The table was split when it came to talking to each other. The greens talked only to themselves like the blacks were. When Viserys came in everyone stood at their chairs before sitting. Luckily for Aegon and Celeste they sat next to each other because Jace switched spots with her.  They just knew they had to act a bit so Alicent and Otto wouldn't do or say anything.

"How good it is... to see you all tonight... together." Viserys says looking at everyone at the table.

After praying they toast to the celebration of the boys and girls being betrothed and Luke being future Lord of the Tides. "Jace, you do know how the act is done, I assume? If not you can ask either of us." Aegon decides to joke leaning across Celeste, "I can teach you how to get her moa-," 

Celeste smacks his leg under the table, "Knock it off." She gives him a look.

"I'm just having fun."

"I don't need to hear about you two. I really don't." Jace whispers back to him and Aegon laughs.

Celeste still gives him a look as he tries to stop his laughing, "You are so childish." She shakes his head at him trying not to smile.

Viserys starts to stand up so everyone looks at him, "It both gladdens my heart and fills me with sorrow to see these faces around the table. The faces most dear to me in all the world... yet grown so distant from each other... in the years past." He sighs so Aegon takes Celeste's hand under the table. "My own face...is no longer a handsome one... if indeed it ever was. But tonight, I wish you to see me as I am. Not just a king but your father. Your brother. Your husband... Your uncle and your grandsire." Viserys says then adds for them to please just get along for his sake.

Rhaenyra stands up next to raise her cup to Alicent for taking care of Viserys after all this time and apologizes. Alicent thanks her and says they have more in common than they think. She then stands up raising her cup telling her she'll make a fine queen.

Everyone drinks and Otto keeps his eyes on the two he wants to keep apart from each other, "I want to tell my father." Aegon whispers turning his head slightly towards Celeste. 

She chokes on her drink a bit, "Are you insane?" She asks and Jace sees Otto and Aemond looking at the two so he stands up to raise his glass to get their attention off them. 

"To Prince Aegon and Prince Aemond. We have not seen each other in years, but I have fond memories of our shared youth. And as men, I hope we may yet be friends and allies. To you and your family's good health, dear uncles."

Next to stand was Helaena with a little toast to the ones betrothed saying it's not bad because in her case Aegon ignores her but she knows theirs will be better. "And to Celeste, I hope our daughters can become close in time." She smiles then sits back down. 

Aegon stands up with his cup looking around, "To my nephews, I wish the best for you both in your marriages and futures. I at times think back to the memories we share. And to Celeste, " He looks at her so she looks up at him, "I'm glad to see you are doing well. It feels like just yesterday you were getting on me for being a pain in your ass. I wish you and your daughters the best." He drinks.

Once the music starts Jace gets up asking Helaena to dance and she accepts. On the way to the center of the room, she stops going to grab Celeste to join them. As the three playfully dance around Aegon turns around to look at them, well mostly Celeste. She sees him so she smiles over at him making he turn around to see Otto looking at him. 

Celeste leaves the two walking over to Aegon putting her hand out to him, "Don't embarrass me now." She smiles so he gets up taking her hand spinning her around.

"What happened to not wanting me to get in trouble with them?" He asks as they dance.

"I think we can get away with it since the King wants us all to get along." 

"You know, you are right." He smiles picking her up and spinning around.

As the two continue to dance and chat, Alicent looks over at them feeling guilty for making Aegon unhappy all this time. While watching, a handmaid walks in with the girls saying Dahlia had been screaming for her mother which made Astraea start to cry. Celeste takes them and her, Jace, Aegon and Helaena play with the two of them.

Suddenly it hits Alicent as she watches them all. If Jace wasn't the father who was? Celeste wasn't married to anyone or betrothed. That meant the twins were bastards and they were Aegon's daughters. The way he looked at them was completely different from the way he looked at Jaehaera. 

At the same time, Viserys was looking around just happy to have his family with him. As his eyes landed on Celeste dancing with Dahlia and Aegon danced with Astraea. Yesterday she came by introducing the girls to him and he thought they were the cutest things. And now seeing the way how his son looked at them he knew the truth. It's the same look he had given Rhaenyra many many years ago when she was born. 

Not feeling very well the guards help Viserys out of the room but he asks for Aegon first outside the room, "Don't lose her again...Don't let them go. For your dear old father...be happy with them." He says before leaving Aegon alone.

He looks over at Celeste going to take a seat at the table with the girls but Dahlia leaves her lap going to Luke wanting to be held. As Aegon takes his seat, Astraea, on her mothers lap, tugs on his sleeve. As he looks at her way he sees Luke chuckle at the pig on the table thinking back and it pisses Aemond off.

"Final tribute. To the health of my nephews: Jace... Luke... and Joffrey. Each of them...handsome, wise..." He paused and a few knew where he was going with it, "Strong."

"Aemond," Alicent says his name.

"Let us drain our cups to these three..." He raises his cup and Aegon raises his cup too but then puts it down with the next part, "Strong boys." He smiles, "And Celeste," He looks at her then at Aegon, "Luckily little Dahlia and Astraea will never know their drunk father truly."

That makes all hers, Aegon's, Rhaenyra's, Daemon's, and Alicent's jaws drop surprised he brought the twins into this as well now.

"I dare you to say that again." Jace speaks up, "And leave her daughters out of it." 

"Why? Twas only a compliment. And I can toast to my little," Jace punches Aemond causing Luke to jump up passing Dahlia to Rhaena but Aegon jumps up to stop him holding him back. 

"That's enough!" Alicent yells as Celeste rushes over to Dahlia, who starts to cry and Astraea starts as well, due to the sudden commotion.

The guards step in holding Jace and Luke back while Aegon moves to check on Dahlia. She moves from her mother to Aegon holding onto his leg slowing her crying down.

"Though it seems my nephews aren't quite as proud of theirs. Nor do they want the truth out about Dahlia and Astraea." Aemond turns to face the others.

Jace tries to rush at him and Celeste does the same after giving Aegon Astraea to hold, "Keep their names out of your mouth!" She shouts at him.

"You learned from the best." He smiles at her so she slaps him across the face and Daemon moves her back. She walks back over taking Astraea back as she reaches for her.

Rhaenyra tells everyone to go to their chambers so they leave and Aegon picks up Dahlia helping Celeste out. Otto rolls his eyes as they leave then Alicent walks over to Rhaenyra. "I think it's best if we get back to Dragonstone."

"You've only just arrived." Alicent takes her hand. Rhaenyra says let her take the children home then will come back alone on dragon back. "It's true, right? The girls being Aegon's?"

Rhaenyra nods her head, "He had snuck away to see her and they had a night together before she told him to move on." She tells her the truth, "You son loves my cousin, Alicent. I wish you could have seen that years ago." It was Alicent's turn to nod her head before Rhaenyra walks off.

[hotxcheeto]

Hey girl, how are you?, I would like to ask for an fluff Headcanon on how Shane from The L Word would have a crush on the (G/N)reader, sort of how she would act with the reader and how she would declare herself to the reader, only do this if you feel comfortable , W love <3

━ 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀 𝐂𝐑𝐔𝐒𝐇 𝐎𝐍 𝐘𝐎𝐔

𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜(𝙨) - Shane McCutcheon x G/N!Reader

𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 - Cursing, slight angst?, pretty much all fluff

𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 ? - Yeah/Nope

𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧'𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙚 - so sorry this look so longgggg!!! threw me back into my L Word phase though lmfaooo watching it as I write this.. much love!! &lt;3

Shane has a reputation, let's begin with that

you’re friends so I mean you already knew that part, you didn't have to friends with her to know that either, but it's also what kind of worried you about your growing crush on the girl

It's also what made you keep your feelings at bay, even going so far as to outright ignore them but what you didn't know is that Shane also had them

She isn't clear when her feelings began to arise though, just that the day your ex cheated on you was the day that something changed, obviously, but it didn't have to do just with your breakup

She realized how seeing you talk about your crappy ex and complain after she brought over every breakup remedy she could find to your house made her feel

It made her feel like she could do better because you deserved so much better, you were an amazing friend to her and you were always there and ready to comfort her when she needed

You were so amazing.. and a beautiful person.. and awesome... and oh shit she's attracted you

Like really attracted, and it's pretty obvious to everyone but you

It's like a switch is flipped and suddenly she can't stop staring at you, admiring you, smiling all cheesy when you do something mundane but she just thinks it's so adorable

Imagine folding laundry while Shane eyes you from the other couch while talking, yeah, she's down that bad

You and Dana are probably the only two that can't hear Alice screeching, always the last to know

Smiles so much around you it's insane, and Shane already kind of has this resting smirk face but with you it's not a smirk... it's a corny, wide grin that makes her cheeks hurt

She usually doesn't smile like that either

God it makes her feel dumb

Alice knows and so does Tina who randomly starts pushing you towards romance and trying a bit too hard to figure your type

Alice even made a questionnaire for you to get you back into dating but everyone shut it down as soon as the first three questions came out

Shane is also naturally touchy, but with you it's like it rises to a thousand

If you all ever sit down, she's sitting beside you even if she's gotta pull up a chair, making an excuse that she doesn't feel like walking around the table

The excuse is for you, everyone just raises their eyebrow

Shane will then probably put her hand on your leg whether it be your knee or thigh, doesn't matter and she does it sweetly without a second thought

Or maybe there's a million thoughts and she's internally panicking to read your reactions and glancing over at Alice a thousand times who only shrugged

You acted normally, Shane felt defeated, like a fucking toy soldier, or at least that's how it was described to the rest of the ladies

She also sits extremely close to you, like shoulders hitting each other type of close but that's just because she likes seeing you get flustered and giggle when she whispers shit to you to tease you or make fun of someone in public

She'll even talk to you before her morning shot, that's when you know it's serious

Shane also likes to pay for you, kind of forces it on you if we're being honest, she just throws the money on the table and grabs you to leave while your not even sure what's happening until you're out the door

She just wants to take care of you, you're her sweet, pretty, thoughtful friend after all, mind as well make sure you're well taken care of

You sure take care of her when she's having girl troubles, which makes it even harder for her to tell you

Besides she likes seeing you get fake angry about her always covering the bill

Will platonically hold your hand, because y'know, you're besties, everyone in the group does it, obviously you guys would do it too

But something happens during all the hand holding and hang outs and Shane starts getting closer, testing the waters if you will, she's confident

But she's also terrified of fucking up your friendship cause y'know, she adores you

Taking a chance though is something she specializes in and so she does, getting more romantic and breaking away with the platonic friendship bullcrap

Kissing your cheek when leaving, always having an arm around you ( more than usual ), giving you little kisses on your forehead or neck while laying in bed while just 'hanging out'

It was a small affectionate habit but becomes more frequent and you definitely notice but much to Shane's displeasure you don't say a thing

At first you think it's just Shane being Shane until the other ladies start asking if you guys are a thing and you just think they're being ridiculous, Shane acts like she has a thing for everyone

Doesn't help you both are so close all the time but that's because you're best friends

It makes you really confused and you even start to accidentally distance yourself from her to try and help to feelings ease

Whatever feelings those are because you're still not entirely sure what you're feeling

So Shane does what Shane thinks she should do

Panics and calls the entire group together because who the fuck else is gonna tell her to shut up and get her act together

She wants to ask you out but let's be honest, it's you and not some random hook up that went too far, you're her best friend and if this gets screwed up...

In her mind it's make or break

Alice leads the entire conversation by telling Shane to just ask you out because the worst you could say was no

So there Shane goes, ready to knock on your door with an entire speech made up in her head but as soon as you open it she just blanks

Completely forgets what Tina and Bette told her to say, all of Dana and Alice's advice and every detail Kit had added to sweeten it up

Blushed when you laughed and invited her in and then it all just comes out like a mess of words

You're just nodding along until the weight of what she was saying really fell on you and you just go silent

It was an entire declaration wrapped up in a few seconds before you both just stared at each other wide-eyed

You don't talk about either, it just kind of turns into a really messy make-out session that ends in a fit of giggles and a small chat about her little hype sesh before she got there

Let's just say you found that amusing

[fxchild]

The Switch

Miles Fairchild x fem!reader

Chapter five: apology accepted

Miles pov

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I'm laying on my bed with my lamp light on wide awake. It's 12:30 in the morning which means only another hour until Y/n gets home. I've had a bad feeling in my gut all morning and I think it's trying to tell me something. I honestly don't even know why I'm THIS concerned. I've never even talked to girls and all of the sudden she has my full attention. I think what I need is another get away, maybe she'll be gone by then and I won't have to be breathing down her neck.

My thoughts were interrupted by the phone ringing. Hoping it was Y/n calling I ran to pick it up. "Hello?" I say eager to hear the voice on the other line.

"Miles?" I hear a girl's voice slurred with a lot of loud voices in the back. "Can you hear me alright?" She asked sounding scared.

"Yeah I can hear you fine, what's going on?" Can she stop asking dumbass questions and get to the point?

"Yeah um, I need you to pick me up. The party is getting bad and I can't drive and there are a bunch of creepy people here and I'm really scared-" she is spiraling at this point so I cut her off.

"Jesus are you serious Y/n? Give me the address, I'll write it down and I'll be there, how long does it take to get there?" I assure and ask her.

"About an hour and 15. The address is 1127 Plymouth drive." She replies as I write it down.

"I'll be there just don't talk to anyone and sit in front of the house or something." I tell her while putting my shoes and jacket on over my red sweater. We disconnect on the phone and I leave to go find a cab. I was lucky there was some around especially the fact it was so late.

I arrived at the house and she wasn't lying, the party was fucking insane. If I wasn't here to pick her up I would have partied now. I looked around the yard to see Y/n almost passed out on the front steps leaning against the railing.

"Y/n!" I shouted to her and her eyes immediately burst open looking for me. She gets up and almost falls down the steps walking crookedly towards me. I catch her as she almost falls. "What the hell happened to you?" I ask, surprised she would be this irresponsible. She doesn't answer just slurs a little and we go to find her car. She may have lost almost all consciousness but at least she didn't lose her keys. I put her in the back seat so she can get some sleep while we're driving. I'm kind of nervous because I have only got a few driving lessons but we make it back home safe. Nice to say I'm NEVER driving again.

I lift her out of the back seat and I can smell all sorts of alcohol on her breath. She is mumbling but I can sort of understand what she is saying. It's along the lines of, "puke, hair, hold, and-" fuck. She started vomiting everywhere and it smelled like shit. I held her hair and looked away while she gagged everything up on the grass. She started sobbing uncontrollably and hugged me with a tight grip.

Her legs started to get weak so I helped her up and walked her back to her room. I let her get changed while I stood outside her room. She walks up to the door and starts to talk with a little slur.

"Thank you, Miles. I know you don't know how to be social, but I really appreciate it." She says starting to cry again. I smile to myself just a little bit not letting her words sink in too much. I sit outside her door for a little while just in case she needs to throw up again. Though I really don't think she can because it looked like she hurled all of Thanksgiving dinner. She kept me awake with her loud throaty sobs but soon enough she fell asleep.

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Your pov

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I woke up at 6am with my head pounding like crazy. I tried to remember what happened last night but all I remember was taking shots. I get up to go to the bathroom to brush my teeth because it reeks like throw up.

Walking out of my room I see from the corner of my eye a sleeping Miles up against the wall next to my door. I don't want to disturb his sleep now with my nasty breath so I go to the bathroom to brush my teeth. When I'm heading back to my room I see Miles is no longer there. I don't think about it too much cause I'm too hung over to care about anything right now. I stay in my pajamas because who really cares what I wear?

I go downstairs to see if Miles is with Flora but I see no sign of him. He probably went back to his room to sleep and I don't blame him. Flora is finishing up her paper I assigned her from the book I gave her yesterday while I'm reading books trying to figure out how to get rid of a hangover.

It's been over an hour and Miles still hasn't come down to watch Flora. I'm in the middle of reading her paper and I can't focus because I'm wondering if I did something wrong. I don't think I said anything to him when I came back but I honestly can't believe I drove home drunk and I'm not dead. Maybe I got a ride from Erick or something and I said a snarky comment when I came back into the house?

It's been another half hour and Miles finally comes down like it could've taken him any fucking longer. As soon as I heard footsteps to the room entrance I turned my head so quickly it almost snapped. Miles doesn't look mad, which is good because I really don't want him mad. I'm sitting at a table with Flora who is next to me while Miles is behind me his hands gripping the back of my chair.

"Morning Flora, Y/n." He says groggily.

I didn't say anything because I was really close to passing out and didn't even think I could get another word out of my mouth. Flora on the other hand, is jumping for joy when she sees him because she hated doing the paperwork I assigned. By the time Flora finished her work it was 11:30 am and she had the rest of the day to do whatever she wanted. I, myself didn't have any work to do either so I decided I was going to go upstairs and sleep until dinner. I told Miles I was going to be in my room doing school work and only come get me if it is very urgent. He just nodded his head and I went to my room giddy for my sleep.

I woke up around 5pm because I had a bad dream. I don't understand why I had a nightmare because I hadn't had one for a few days and now I'm suddenly getting them again? It wasn't crazy bad but honestly I'd rather not have a dream at all.

I head to the dining room for dinner and I see Flora and Ms. Grose there but no Miles. He comes 2 minutes after I do and we have dinner. It's kind of awkward because to Ms. Grose and Miles it's obvious I had a rough night last night and I'm probably not gonna be allowed for another, "family function" until the day I die.

After dinner I followed Miles to his room to ask about last night. "Hey," I said knocking on his door, "can I come in?" I ask. "Yeah, sure." He replies back.

"So I don't know what happened last night, if I did anything wrong but I feel like there's been tension all day between us and I really wanna know if I did something bad." I blurted out really fast because I'm nervous about his reaction.

"Okay, well," he starts, with eyebrows raised kind of amused, "at almost one in the morning, you call me, drunk, telling you to pick you up from some party because you are scared and can't drive home. Then when I pick you up I have to drive back, which I didn't know how to do. Finally when we got home you puked everywhere and cried yourself to sleep. So yeah, I'd say you were a little irresponsible." He says in a, "I told you, you shouldn't have gone to that party" tone. I look at him with pure shock and embarrassment. I honestly can't believe I did all that but now it's starting to come back to me.

"Oh fuck, Miles I'm really sorry about that. If I could make it up to you please tell me how." I said feeling really guilty.

He pauses for a moment looking at my eyes, lips, then to the floor. He curls his lips into a smile but doesn't say anything. Finally he looks at me and says, "Doesn't matter anyways, I'm probably going to be leaving again for a little bit soon. Need to clear my head, you know?"

I scoff at him. "Seriously?" I ask. "You just came back less than a week ago and you already want to leave?" I say annoyed, crossing my arms.

"Does it matter?" He spurts back.

"Well I mean a little." I say. "Flora loves you and when you leave, I'm not gonna hear the last of it. She'll be really upset. And I was just starting to get to know you, I just think you should think about it a little bit." I say walking out of the room.

I'm not gonna lie, Miles is cute. Really cute, nevermind, Miles is fucking hot. I really don't want him to leave or else I'll lose my mind. I'm not sure if he finds me attractive but maybe tomorrow I'll try to convince him another way to stick around for a little longer..

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Hi guys, sorry I was supposed to post this a few days ago but I've been super busy ! I hope you liked this chapter and I wanted to say tysm for the support ! It means a lot to me and I hope we continue to grow as this series goes on. Again tysm n bye 🩷🩷

[imaginedreamwrite]

Can we get a lil update on scientist Frank and his defective siren? Maybe he figured out a way to give her legs or she could naturally switch and now he's playing house with her. Jokes on him, she likes it because him being all smitten for her is as close as she'll get to lure people to death

“These are magical, aren’t they?” Frank bites his tongue, unable to disturb you as you hold your legs above you and wiggle your toes. “Feet. Feeeeeet.”

You’ve descended from the pond, your legs naturally coming to you instead of your tail now that you’ve left. Whenever you want to return so will your tail, a phenomenon that’s proven imperative to the survival of sirens and mermaids alike.

“They’re so wiggly, I’ve never really used my feet before.” He watches you, obsessively of course, since you can’t kill people due to some alteration to your charismatic and natural abilities.

Instead you produce obsession in men and women alike, almost to the point of insanity, but Frank hasn’t succumbed. He hadn’t lost his mind to your abilities, rather he has become determined to play house and domesticity with you.

He is the father, the husband of the house, and you are his wife and mother. You are here, bound to him and unwilling to let go, and Frank is eager to possess you.

“Feet. Feet. Feet.” You tap your ankles together and a soft chuckle falls from his lips, his light blue eyes are rimmed with a more intense shade and Frank is well aware that you’re using your abilities to lure him in.

“My little siren,” Frank calls for you and you shift on the couch, dropping your feet to the floor, “are you hungry for some fruit?”

“Cranky Frankie,” you croon and step forward on shaky legs, stumbling like a newborn deer, “the scientist who stole me-”

“Stole? Starfish,” he meets you halfway, helping you balance on your legs, “I didn’t steal you.”

“Yes you did.” He feels you turn into him, his primordial need to posses, protect and keep you in his life surges. “You didn’t want anyone else to have me-”

“That’s right,” he cups your chin making you hold his gaze, “you’re mine, yes?”

“Yes, Cranky Frankie.” You beam, batting your eyelashes at him. “I’m yours and you are mine.”

“You can’t kill me like your sisters, little siren.” Frank growled hungrily, yanking you against him as lust coursed through him. “But fuck…you’ve got me in your hold.”

“Good.” You we’re proud of it, proud of having him in your grip. “That’s what I want.”

[kiss-my-freckle]

If Bonnie had as much for Caroline to envy as Elena does she'd treat her as badly. Found it odd how in 1x09 Caroline told Bonnie that she views her more as her best friend adding she knows Elena can hear. Elena is closer to Bonnie but wouldn't speak of Caroline like that in earshot. Also why do you think Caroline told Elena that Bonnie didn't want to see her in 3x15. If Elena told Caroline that after she killed Bonnie's crush fans would hate her.

Bonnie genuinely doesn't wanna see Elena in 3x15 because she knows why her mother was turned into a vampire. She doesn't blame Elena or hate her for it, she just needs time to mourn her mother as Elena mourns herself in 4x2 because she's technically dead. She's not human anymore. An insane number of people pay because Elena is loved and hated and even needed by various characters. Elena is closer to Bonnie, which I felt even in the pilot episode. Caroline insults the crap out of Elena, but I often see her shaking it off. Season 4 is fun to watch because that's when she's completely done with it. Elena literally died to save everyone else, so everyone else needs to just let her be happy. She'll no longer ignore how Caroline insults Damon or cave when Caroline pressures her to fix things with Stefan. She has Caroline causing a scene at their Miss Mystic pageant and tossing her out of the Salvatore boarding house during their girls night. 4x16 is still my favorite because she sees everything Damon saw while pretending he flipped his switch. Their soundtrack is true to her character, but Caroline's comment is everything. "Yes, this is all very bad, but doesn't she make you just want to let go?" Elena let go of the girl that was supposed to die with her parents.

[knockyasocksoff2022]

Naomi??? Mum? Anyone?

1,481 Words

When I get upstairs I hear a humming noise, a soft melody, and giggling.

Naomi.

What is she doing in there?

The shock is so foreign to me. Of course, she's in there. She's always in my room, I never lock the door. I always let her in. Why am I so scared suddenly, there's nothing incriminating in there, so why do I want her gone so bad?

She turns when I enter . . . my tablet is in her hand, the messaging app open. I freeze.

"Ooh, Junichi's been a bad boy!" she sings, skipping around me.

"What? No, I haven't! I-"

"Juncihi had a boy over~" She paces, reminding me of those big cats from the nature channel. A shiver runs down my spine.

"He was Outside- wait, were you watching?"

"Oh, Juni, you should know by now that I'm always watching." She whispers the words, sliding he hand up and down my back.

"I didn't break any of the rules!"

"We're supposed to even split out screen time, and you've been texting for 30 minutes, and with a total stranger."

"He's not a-"

"I am so telling mummy everything~!"

When did I become afraid of her? Have I always been? Or is this sick feeling in my stomach something else?

"What!? No, you can't. You know she'd freak!"

"Exactly. I'm only trying to look out for my dearest brother's safety."

"No, please!"

"But Juniii." she drags my name out for an uncomfortably long time, "I have to,"

"You don't. I won't . . ." I stop because not texting him again is a promise I can't make. "Stop!"

She smiles, scrolling. I feel my breath start to speed up. What's happening to me? Why is everything blurry? I didn't know this room could spin. I can only try not to fall over as she puts the ringing phone up to her ear. Am I . . . sick? How?

I can't worry about that now.

"Stop it!" She doesn't. I can't let her. I don't want to worry my mother because of a perfectly innocent friendship (I think). "Go away."

"No." Her piercing blue gaze is firm.

My panic increases 10 fold. "I said Go away. Just stop! Go away. Go away . . ." when she makes no move and the ringing stops, signaling an answer, something changes, like a switch has just been flipped. "GO AWAY!!!"

She does. But she doesn't walk out she . . . disappears. Like evaporation, or a fading hologram from Star Trek, or a vanishing patronus from Harry Potter. Gone, just gone. I blink, vision tunneling. I can see the phone on the floor, the screen cracked. Marred forever after being kept carefully for so long. The tears come quickly, taking out what remains of my vision. 

I think Mum is yelling for me from the other end of the line, but all I can hear is the thump when I hit the floor.

—

I wake up to Mum's worried face over me.

"Juni! Juni wake up, wake up baby please."

I sit up, sore, from the fall I think. "M-mum? What time is it?"

"Oh, never mind that, what happened? I came as quickly as I could."

I still don't know, all I see is Naomi fading away, a shower of green sparks that almost resembled . . . snow.

"I don't know." It's only half a lie, but still, it leaves a sick-ish feeling in my stomach. I've never lied to Mum before. But I can hardly tell her what I think happened, what I would swear on my life happened, she'd have me sent to the hospital for sudden onset schizophraenia. I can't tell her because there's no possible way it's true. I must've dreamed it all up, which leaves only one other possibility, and I'm not sure which one is scarier. 

Either I dreamt the whole thing with new neighbours to Naomi disappearing up, or I have a fever.

"Did you fall? Where's your sister, where's Naomi?"

Gone.

"I don't know."

She shakes her head. I know I can't tell her that I don't know again. She needs answers or she'll spiral into anxiety. I need to get in front of this before Naomi tells her (I say as if Naomi is still here, because of course, she is, anything else is impossible).

I stare at the window, trying to figure out what to say, to bend the truth around the facts in a way that won't make me look insane. I try to see Tachihara's house, but I'm at a bad angle from my place on the floor and can barely see over the window sill.

Is it better she thinks I'm sick than crazy?

"I-I remember feeling lightheaded, and then my vision going and I woke up on the floor just now."

"Oh, honey. It must be too hot in here, I'll turn the air-con on. It's almost summer isn't it?"

Was that the wrong thing to say? I see her going into panic mode, pretending that it was the climate even though I'm always cold to avoid the fact that for the first time in my life I could actually be sick. I've never been sick before, how would I know if I was? Is this what it feels like?

"Mum, I'm alright, I just didn't get enough sleep last night. I was tired so I went back to bed and was disoriented when I got up, that's why I fell."

I can't tell if she believes me, I know she wants to. Have I always lied so easily? I don't think so. This thought makes me even sicker to my stomach.

I'm getting dizzy again, can barely make out what Mum's saying. "If you're not sleeping well, you might be . . . I'm sure you're fine, honey. I'll just take your temperature, just to make sure." 

She doesn't sound sure, and her sad smile is the last thing I see before I empty the minimal contents of my stomach onto the floor. I skipped breakfast in favour of more watching out the window, thinking the neighbours would have to appear sometimes and I was right (was I?). Mum definitely noticed, a seemingly harmless action at the time, it now only adds to her worry.

I don't see her face, but she must be shocked because she gasps. I keep my eyes closed as she puts the thermometer in my ear. I don't what it reads, but she sucks in a breath.

"Only half a degree. There could be lots of reasons for that. He's fine, he's fine, he's fine." she mutters to herself, then louder, "Come on, honey, let's get you cleaned up."

I let her pull me up, into the bathroom and clean my face with a wet cloth like I'm seven instead of 17.

-

I'm so exhausted that I don't mind being tucked into bed. I imagine Naomi is in her room right where she's supposed to be (because why wouldn't she be, right?) so I can fall asleep without throwing up again. Mum stays home with me, waking me gently every 5 minutes to check my vitals. I'm glad for it though, that she cares so much for me, and that I don't get into a deep sleep and start to dream of Naomi again.

In my light sleep, I can still hear Mum pacing around the house. Is she looking for Naomi, I hope to god she finds her. (Of course she will.)

Mum stays with me for the next two weeks moving from checking my vitals every 5 minutes to every 10 minutes, and so on until it's every hour again, like normal. I try to pretend anything can be normal after that. I want it to be, but it's more trouble than I would've thought. 

Naomi hasn't left my side either. Mum told me she found her sobbing in the attic a bit after I went to bed.

With all the attention I don't get to text Tachihara again after making sure to delete the thread before Mum can see it. I don't even get to check if he's texted me, which is probably a good thing. I hope he hasn't and that he has at the same time. It'd be better for both of us if he didn't. I think Naomi would've told Mum if he'd texted again. I almost don't want to believe that he ever existed at all, because that would mean that Naomi really . . .

No, I fever dreamt that up, I must have.

After two weeks, Mum resumes her usual schedule. I know she just used all of her vacation days on me, but she shushes me when I apologise.

"It's not you're fault honey, and they weren't "wasted" on you. You are my son, nothing I ever do is wasted on you."

I smile and let her comfort me like she did when I was younger. All this lying has made me feel miles away from her, it feels like coming home to be in her arms again, even though I never left. It's not a lie to hide my dreams.

EVERYTHING EVERY THING ~ tachizaki

Jun's mother hides him and his sister away from the world. When a new neighbour arrives his life starts to unravel and he starts to question why things are how they are in the first place. (Abilities exist in this AU)

[komotionlessqueenmm]

One man's trash, is another man's treasure.

(3-4)

Short story # 6

2,216 - Words

Fandom - House of Wax (2005)

Pairing - Bo Sinclair X Reader

Summary - The reader finds herself & her 4 month old son stranded in Ambrose. While Bo finds himself enamored with the woman, wanting nothing more than to protect and provide for the two of them.

Warnings - Some dark topics, talk of abusive relationships, eventual blood & death, eventual smut. (I'm not sure what else tbh)

Notes - At this point both Bo and (Y/n) are really feeling that connection between them.

Pt. 1 ~ Pt. 2 ~ Pt. 3 ~ Pt. 4

----

By the end of the day (Y/n)'s jeep was all fixed up, but with as late in the evening as it was she decided to stay another night, with some encouragement from Bo of course. While (Y/n) and Von slept soundly in the guest bedroom, Bo met his brothers down at the garage, discussing what they should do, and if they should do anything in the first place. "I don't know Bo, her ex tried killing her because she was pregnant... She'll be running her whole life from a man like that." Lester sighed, not wanting anything to happen to (Y/n). "So we let her stay here, we can protect her from him easily." Bo shrugged. "What about when she realizes what happened to the people here? Or she finds out about Vincent's projects." Lester argued. "We'll explain it, make her understand." Bo countered. "How?" Lester asked feeling a little concerned. "I don't know yet." Bo admitted with a sigh. "I think we should start by introducing her to Vincent." He continued his thought, glancing to his twin, who made an almost concerned groan. "If she can accept him, I'm sure she'll accept the rest." Bo lit a new cigarette after finishing his statement. "And if she doesn't?" Lester asked. "That's not an option." Bo's smirk made worry spark in Lester's heart. Despite this however he chose to keep his mouth shut, and allowed his older brother to do whatever he had in mind.

When morning came, (Y/n) woke up early and cooked breakfast. "Morning." Bo murmured with a sleepy smile on his face, having been woken from the smell of bacon. "Morning Bo, I hope you don't mind." (Y/n) smiled sheepishly as she looked to what all she had cooked. "Not at all." Bo shook his head, happily accepting the cup of coffee she handed him. "Great." (Y/n) smiled brightly, the pair of them taking a seat beside eachother, eating their breakfast in a comfortable silence. Excluding the occasional hum of approval Bo gave when he bit into something new. And by the time they finished Von began crying from upstairs, cueing (Y/n) to fetch him to begin his morning routine.

"Hey I was going to do those." (Y/n) pouted playfully when she entered the kitchen, finding Bo working on the dishes. "Eh don't worry about it, you cooked I'll clean up." Bo winked making (Y/n) blush as she sat at the counter, adjusting herself to feed a fussy Von. "My brother wants to meet you before you leave." Bo stated casually. "Really?" (Y/n) smiled softly. "Mhm." Bo nodded his head with a hum. "I'd love to meet him." (Y/n)'s grin widened a little, feeling honored that he'd want to meet her. "We'll meet him up at the house of wax in an hour." Bo confirmed as he finished up the last dish. "Sounds fun, I've never been to a house of wax before." She hummed as she propped Von onto her shoulder, burping him. "I'm gonna go take a quick shower, let me know when you're ready." Bo insisted casually as he moved to wipe the spit up off of Von's chin. "Okay will do." (Y/n) smiled with appreciation, hopping up from her seat to get herself and Von dressed.

Once inside of the wax Museum (Y/n)'s attention was drawn to just about everything within sight, making Bo chuckle as he watched her ogle everything. "I take it you like it?" Bo mused with a grin. "I'm a little obsessed, is everything in here really made of wax?" She asked turning to look Bo in the eye. "Just about everything, most of its wax, but some of it isn't." Bo shrugged a little. "The vase?" (Y/n) asked as she pointed to the large decorative vase. "Wax." Bo nodded. "The couch?" She pointed to the couch two wax figures sat upon. "Wax." He chuckled. "How about the...." (Y/n) looked around before realization struck her. "The building?" She turned her attention to Bo, her eyes widening when he nodded his head yes. "Wow that's insane." (Y/n) chuckled with astonishment. "But you like it yeah?" Bo asked. "I love it! I can't imagine how long this must have taken to craft all of this, but it's very impressive." (Y/n) beamed making Bo chuckle softly. "Vincent will be happy to hear that you like his work." Bo mused. "Wait he did all of this?" (Y/n)'s eyes widened. "Not all of it, but a lot of it." Bo explained. "Wow I wish I had that kinda talent." (Y/n) chucked softly, jumping when a statue in the back moved. "Alright no need to scare her." Bo chuckled with a shake of his head, the once statue approaching the pair. "I was not expecting you to move, I really thought you were a statue." (Y/n) chuckled nervously.

"(Y/n) this is my brother Vincent." Bo introduced the two, the masked brother timidity offering (Y/n) his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you." (Y/n) smiled looking at his mask with curiosity. "Is your prosthetic made of wax?" She asked without thought, but he only tilted his head to the side. "Your mask." She clarified, smiling when he nodded his head yes. "That's very cool, did you make it yourself?" (Y/n) asked chuckling when he nodded his head again. "You don't talk much huh?" She tilted her own head a little. "He can't." Bo clarified unknowingly making (Y/n) suddenly feel guilty. "Oh I didn't know, I'm sorry." (Y/n) ducked her head down, feeling stupid for opening her mouth. "Vincent do you wanna show her?" Bo asked his brother, who hesitated for a moment before nodding his head in agreement. (Y/n) picked her head up, watching in amazement as Vincent removed his mask. "Wow." She muttered under her breath, taking in the sight of his face, frowning a little when he looked away from her. "What happened?" (Y/n) turned to Bo. "We were born as Siamese twins, and our daddy was an unorthodoxed doctor. He was able to separate us as infants." Bo explained suddenly feeling subconscious himself. "Wow... That's incredible." (Y/n) murmured softly. "You're both incredible." She chuckled softly looking back to Vincent, who smiled back at her before putting his mask back on.

--Later that day--

Having decided on stay one more day (Y/n) sat with Bo in his living room talking about this and that, and joking about nearly everything. "(Y/N)!" A voice yelled from outside, cutting off (Y/n)'s laughter, a look of terror filling her eyes in an instant. "(Y/N)!" The man yelled from outside for a second time. "It's him... It's Trent, he's come for me!" (Y/n) panicked, explaining to Bo why she suddenly got so fearful. "(Y/N) I KNOW YOU'RE HERE!" Trent yelled, sounding a bit closer to Bo's house now. "I'll keep you safe." Bo promised before he rose to his feet, grabbing the shotgun he kept near the front door. "Wait he's dangerous." (Y/n) rushed to follow Bo outside, leaving Von in his crib asleep. "COME OUT COME OUT COME OUT!" Trent taunted from the center of town, his attention turning to a pissed off Bo Sinclair. "Found yourself a gullible local huh?" Trent sneered at (Y/n) who ignored her fear and continued following Bo. "I suggest you get outta here and forget about (Y/n)." Bo warned, resting his shotgun on his shoulder, standing about eight feet from Trent, who only scoffed at his threat. "How about you go fuck your sister, and leave me to my business." Trent hissed, his words only fueling the hatred Bo felt for this man. "Your business best consist of you getting outta my town." Bo glared Trent down, who only chuckled. "Sure I'll get outta your town, once I have her." Trent pointed to (Y/n), but Bo only pushed (Y/n) to stand back a little.

"That ain't gonna happen." Bo shook his head with a mocking grin on his face. "How did you even find me!?" (Y/n) asked the question that had been plaguing her mind. "Remember my buddy Stan? I had him bug your car with a GPS tracker." Trent mocked as he flashed them the receiver of the tracker. "Now get over here." He growled as he pulled a pistol from the back of his belt. As Trent trained the pistol, Bo stepped in front of (Y/n) training his shotgun on Trent. "I'll only warn you one more time." Bo hissed, resisting the urge to just blow the motherfucker away. "Fuck you, you fucking redneck." Trent taunted before he pulled the trigger, but his gun jammed and Bo smirked. "Nah fuck you." Bo retorted before pulling the trigger, blowing open Trent's chest. (Y/n) screamed at the sound, her heart racing in her chest. Almost like everything was moving in slow motion, (Y/n) watched Trent's body hit the ground with a thud, dead as dead gets. Bo was quick to spin on his heel, gently setting the gun on the ground he scooped (Y/n)'s shaking form into his arms. "Sh darling it's alright, I've got you. You're safe now darling, I've got you." He murmured against the crown of her head, carrying her back into his house. "It's okay (Y/n), rest now. I'll take care of everything, I'll take care of you." Bo promised as he laid her down on the couch, lovingly stroking her hair, before he kissed her temple. The events suddenly flipping a highly protective and tender switch within Bo, not that (Y/n) was complaining in the slightest, taking great comfort in his words and actions.

A few hours passed and in that time, (Y/n) had calmed down, and thought about a lot of things. Bo had dealt with the body and come back to (Y/n)'s side within the first hour, allowing her to cuddle into his side and think. "Bo what is this place?" (Y/n) asked with worry laced in her voice. "What?" Bo frowned his brows, a confused smile on his face. "Please don't lie to me anymore, please tell me what this place is. This town its just not right, in all the time I've been here I've only seen you Lester and Vincent." (Y/n) explained, suddenly feeling concerned for her baby's well being. "I want to tell you, I've wanted to tell you for a while now... But I don't want to scare you away." Bo hung his head. "Not telling me is scaring me, Bo please tell me." She insisted. "You know I would never hurt you or Von right?" Bo asked, his eyes the tiniest bit glossy. "Of course I know that." (Y/n) licked her lips, ignoring the worry bubbling at the back of her mind. "The town been abandoned for a decade, me and my brothers took it over a few years ago." Bo began. "Brothers?" (Y/n) asked having caught the plural. "Lester is mine and Vincent's younger brother." Bo explained frowning a little when (Y/n)'s eyes filled with worry.

"Lester convinces people to come to Ambrose, and me and Vincent kill them." Bo revealed, his confession making (Y/n)'s breath hitch in her throat. "Lester called me after he dropped you off at the gas station, and he told me to help you out, he insisted that we spared you." Bo licked his lips nervously. "I wasn't going to listen to him, but when you didn't snoop around town like everyone else, I was curious about you... Then I seen you, and your baby, and any dark thought I had washed away in an instant. The more we talked, the more I was intrigued with you... The more I wanted to protect you, especially when you told me about your ex." Bo admitted, his words surprisingly soothing (Y/n). "I'm sorry..." Bo muttered under his breath. "I forgive you." (Y/n) smiled softly, sitting up she adjusted herself to straddle Bo's lap. "I forgive you." She repeated herself as she took his face between her hands. "You've been better to me than most people in my life, and while the knowledge of what you and Vincent do... Is almost heartbreaking... I forgive you. I know you won't harm me or Von, to proved yourself to me today when you saved me from Trent." (Y/n) leaned in and gently kissed Bo's lips, pulling away all to soon. "I don't want to leave, I want to stay here with you... To love you despite the things you do, to love you despite the monster you can be... I want you for who you are, darkness and all." (Y/n) confessed, making Bo's mind go hazy with adoration. "Please stay." He muttered subconsciously. "I am." (Y/n) rest her forehead against his, smiling when he wrapped his arms around her waist.

----

Part three is complete!!!!

Part four will hopefully be posted tomorrow evening.

（＾_＾）

[onebangtanstan]

Power Style - Chapter Three : The panic

I stare at my phone. I just got a text from Kim Taehyung. The fact that I met him just a few hours ago is already insane to me, but the fact that he has my number is unthinkable.

Wait how did he get it? Nevermind, I actually don't give a fuck because he wants to see me.

I think about what to answer, but I can't think too long, he knows I've seen the text. Fucking iPhones.

I quickly type "That sounds good! Do you have something in mind? Gina Douglas"

I throw my phone away. Why is this so hard for me? I always do this with my clients, meet with them for drinks or whatever throughout the whole process. They always open up more outside of meetings.

My phone dings again. I go pick it up from my desk, realizing just now that I had been pacing around my office.

I look at the screen. I can't believe I'm texting Taehyung. "I was thinking you could come to my place, I would feel more comfortable."

Breathe. You've just been invited to his house. No big deal. AS IF! Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God! What does this mean, what does his house look like, what am I going to...WHAT AM I GONNA WEAR!!

Another bing from my phone stops the panicked stream of thoughts. Him again "How about 8? I'll send a car for you, just send me your address."

I quickly type in my address. Wow, I'm being picked up by a car, I feel so fancy.

I go back to my panic mode in less than 3 seconds. Ok, I meeting Taehyung in the evening at his place, to discuss a project we work together on.

I almost want to laugh at how ridiculous that sounds. No way I would've ever believed something like this would happen to me.

I try as hard as I can to keep working for the rest of the day, even though I can't stop thinking about tonight. I anxiously wait for my clock to read 4:30 so I can finally leave and go into panic mode at home.

I get back to my place in less than 10 minutes. It's usually a 20 minute walk from work to home. While I'm on the lift, I scroll in my phone, looking for Sarah. Sarah is my foster sister. We grew up together, she my only family to this day. Hell, she's my only friend.

It's 3:30 am in Philly, she'll definitely be awake. I press call, and hear her quirky voice after 2 ringtones.

"Baaaaaabe, how are you?"

"No time for that!" I shoot back. I'm happy to hear her voice, but I need her for something way more important than that. "Ok so my new clients, the K-Pop Idols BTS, Taehyung the beautiful one, you know right? Ok so he -"

"Wow wow wow, slow down babe! I didn't understand a single word"

"Sorry" I try to calm down as I'm getting out of the elevator, towards my apartment door. I explain the situation to her while I look for my keys in my bag. "Ok so, I have new clients at work, BTS. Fila are partnering up with them for a collection and sponsoring their tour. I'm in charge of the account, and met with them this morning."

"Babe that's amazing! Your first account as Director! And BTS, I've heard about them, their quite huge, right?"

"I guess so, but anyway. This one member, Taehyung, I've kind of crushed on him since I've seen him pretty much everywhere here in Seoul. Every magazine, all over social media and all that shit, right. After the meeting he texted me, and long story short, I'm going to his house tonight to discuss the campaign."

"Ooookay, just a sec'" She answers "Oh fuck, he is beautiful" I figure she was looking him up while I was talking. "You are one lucky girl!"

"Yeah maybe, I don't know but whatever! I'm calling because I don't know what to wear." I learned everything I know about fashion from her.

"I got you girl. But first, what vibe are we going for? What are your plans for tonight?"

"It's only a business meeting dude." I'm lying. I really want it to be more.

We spend an hour on the phone, switching to Facetime, and we finally have the outfit. A high-waisted teal pair of trousers, with detailed pockets, suited with a loose blouse in the same teal tones with dashes of white and soft pink. Very professional but also cosy. Very ME. I'll pair the outfit with my black boots. The short heal they have will keep the comfortable feel of the look. I'll of course be wearing a coat. It's the end winter, and it can get quite cold here in Seoul.

Gina’s outfit for the night

I get ready slowly. I know I have time, and don't want to be stressed about the stupid things I could face.

I pour myself a glass of white wine to help my nerves. I finish it at the same time as my makeup. I look at the clock. 7:30pm. The car should be here any minute.

As I was putting my makeup away, my phone rang.

"Hello, Gina Douglas?"

"Ms Douglas, this is the driver that M. Kim has sent for you. I have just arrived."

"I'll be right down!" I throw my coat on, grab my purse, and am out the door.

When I get downstairs, the driver opens the backdoor for me. I feel myself blushing, I'm not used to luxury.

We drive for about 20 minutes towards the fancier part of Seoul. I'm not surprised. The car stops at the bottom of a huge building. I'm dizzy just looking up.

I get even more uncomfortable as I realize that I am expected by the staff.  They guide me towards the elevator and press the highest button once I get in. Obviously, he has the penthouse.

The doors open to a hallway, with just one apartment. I ring the bell, and to my surprise, Yoongi opens the door.

[raindrop-on-a-spiderweb]

Equilibrium

Bonus chapter centering on if Patience had the wrong man's baby.

***

There was always that small chance.

One percent out of a hundred. Fifty. Eighty. No matter how you explained the dates away. Some complex medical explanation, overlong expectancy, miscalculation.

One small chance. Needle in a haystack.

***

When the baby came out--wrapped in a caul that Wendy had to break with a scalpel--it was perfectly formed, small and weak, with a full head of black hair. Holding the small thing in her arms as it commenced the first, healthy wail of a newborn, Wendy felt something cold creep over her back.

Mr. Borghese was standing there, arms held out and a plaintive smile on his face, "Can I see her?"

Wendy was frozen, the baby dangling from her arms, and Borghese took a domineering step forward and reached for the covering it was swaddled in.

Wendy could pinpoint the moment in which he realised the child wasn't his. The hair was too dark to be the chestnut bay of its mother. His face was frozen in the warm anticipation of a father holding his child, still like a mirror image. His eyes were a bottomless swamp.

"Perhaps could I hold her?" His voice broke into her ears.

"No," said Wendy almost immediately. She clutched the baby tight. "It needs to--be weighed and checked first."

***

Today was Borghese's last speech, but he didn't show up. He made no comment as Nizzola dropped put of the race. Garland City was lost and confused.

Wendy watched it at home, listening to her son bustling around in the kitchen. Buster was a good boy, taking over the house duties without a complaint when his father died. He had high marks in school and wanted to join the Marines. She was proud of him

Watching the flustered commentary of Borghese's campaign manager, she wondered how he was feeling. She remembered the serpent look on his face as he rounded on her--if they both die, you both die--and then the dead look as he beheld the nameless child. She felt a sudden wave of fear come over her.

"Buster?"

"Yes, ma?"

"I'm going in for another shift at the hospital tonight. Keep an eye on the house and don't stay up too late."

She clocked in in the middle of the night and made her way to the baby's ward. The emptoness of the halls was familiar but strangely strangely unnerving. She went to check the baby ward.

Wendy felt an immediate prickle on the back of her neck as she approached. The ward was usually empty, save for this sole child. The lights were switched off, as they should be. As she passed, she noticed a shadowy figure standing over the one occupied crib.

Her heart went into overdrive. She hurriedly switched the light on and rushed in. Some heightened part of her wanted to attack the figure, but instead she hurried to the baby's side and swept it up. "What are you doing here so late? It's time for the baby to... to get her checkup."

She was expecting him to see right through her hurried excuse, but his eyes were far away. He stared quietly at the baby in her arms. He looked disheveled. "I just wanted to hold her."

"You can, after we--we take her blood pressure We'll bring her right back," she lied.

Wendy clutched the wailing baby to her chest, feeling the blank, penetrating gaze on her back. She felt like she was turning her back on a lion. The baby had been pressed against the pillows face-down. The babies were never put down like that. It could lead to... suffocation.

She could imagine his eyes, blue as a shattered robins egg, as he pressed the child's sleeping face into the soft, smothering pillow, his eyes showing that certain blank, and yet concentrated sanity.

It had no birth certificate. Borghese refused to sign it. If it died tonight, there would be no record. No evidence of its existence save for a young woman's body torn open in another room.

Some primal mother instinct made Wendy clutch the child tight. She stayed by its side during the whole night, performing meaningless tests and keeping it warm and fed, making sure she watched over it each and every second. She snipped off the shrivelled umbilical cord and changed its diaper and swaddled it. It became clear to her that it was a girl. Out of a fear to not let it vanish if it disappeared the next morning, she took out a birth certificate and noted a name on it, the name the girl who had given birth to it had groaned out.

Darla.

***

The next day she delivered it into the arms of its mother. The woman was young--she looked all of fourteen, and Wendy desperately hoped she wasn't. Her pale face lit up when her black-haired daughter was placed into her arms. "Here's your little girl."

"Darla," the girl whispered, holding the infant to her small breast. She really was so young, wasn't she? The baby had to nose until it found the nipples. The girl's face was relaxed in the vacant, blissful post-birth way many mothers were. Then something dawned on her.

The fear that crept over the girl's pale freckled face was slow, dead, like a shadow falling across her face. She looked down at her newborn daugher like she was looking at a dying animal nestled on her arm, then looked up at Wendy.

Her eyes were filled with tears.

"No," she said.

Wendy didn't know what to say.

The girl was shaking hard, her voice trembling like she had a gun to her head. Her eyes dripped tears of fear.

The girl wasn't speaking. Her breakdown was entirely internal. She held her daughter tight to her chest, her eyes dripping tears down her nose as her body trembled like she was bejng electrocuted.

"Do you need formula?" Asked Wendy gently. "Do you want to be alone? We can take your daughter--"

"No!" She was on the verge of screaming. "No, please, no, don't take her away--not my--no. No." She was on the verge of hysterics.

Wendy wanted to reassure her that she was safe, but she would be lying and the girl would know it. Sooner or later Borghese would come back. And after that. And after that...

Wendy did not know who she was to him. But the fact that he was the mayor, and she was a young woman who she knew nothing about, did not bode well. There was something dark lurking behind them, something she wasn't comfortable digging into for the sake of her safety and her son's.

***

"I'm a cousin," said the man.

One look and Wendy knew who he was. The pitch-black hair was one thing. The virulent, insanely PERSONAL fury behind his facade was another. The man could not hide it. His fingernails bit into the ceramic tae, his eyes black and bloodshot and livid.

For a moment she wondered whether she should send him back. But while his overwhelming, hot anger was one thing--it burned, was overwhelmingly emotional. Borghese's didn't. Borghese's anger was cold and methodical, and scared her more than anything she had ever seen.

"She's in room 42," she told the father of the child softly. The man stood up, tall and wiry and furious with a paranoid bonfire in his eyes. Wendy stood at the desk for too long, until her legs hurt, tense and waiting to hear a high scream for help.

Wendy went back and shuffled her files, ears pricked. What if the girl was being strangled to death, her face choked and blue? What if he wasn't the father at all? Wendy made up her mind, she would go back there--

Finally, she heard the click of leather shoes, a soft gait where it had previously been heavy. The black-haired man emerged from the hall, carefully cradling the small bundle of a newborn on his hands.

The change in his posture was evident. It was as if the fury, the terrifying tenseness, had been washed away. He stared down with a half-startled, half-adoring look on his face, the child wrapped securely in his arms. The baby was wiggling, not used to being away from its mother. Wendy felt a sudden pang of worry, and didn't want to let them leave. Her motherly instinct had come back full force when she saw little Darla, and she didn't want to let her out of her sight.

"She's too young. Sir, you should put her back."

The man started, then looked at her. "She'll be fine. My mother had three children--she'll know what to do. My Darla will be fine."

Against her worrying, he gently carried what had to be his daughter out of the building. Every molecule of "nurse" in Wendy's body wanted to chase him. Down, but something more cautious and dark made her hold back. Perhaps the primeval female sense that had kept young safe for hundreds of years. A sixth sense, one more informed by the innate mistrust of the blond man who everyone seemed to trust.

Wendy gave the man on Room 5 his lunch, checked his IV, and scheduled release for him tomorrow. The man in Room 31 was near death from a bullet wound, and she did a quick packing up his belongings to prepare for his passing.

She visited the girl to bring her dinner, and she was curled up on the side of her bed, arms loosely wrapped around her body. Her eyes were dry, and her eyes staring into space.

The girl didn't react to Wendy's gentle pleas for her to eat. She didn't respond at all, not a blink or a twitch. All she did was look into space, her eyes glazed and blank.

Wendy left the tray there and left for the door. In the doorway she heard a small whisper. "Please, Mrs. Ledbettter."

Wendy stopped, one hand on the side of the door.

"Please say it died," she said. "When he asks--please. Please say it died."

***

The next day the door to the hospital swung open and a well-groomed man with a million dollar smile and his blond hair slicked back came in. "Buongiorno, Mrs. Ledbetter. How have things been since I've been gone?"

He had given his delayed speech over the radio to millions of cheers. Wendy had shut it off as soon as she heard it come on the radio.

The calmness of his voice sent her mind into a peculiar spiral. She felt helpless letting him in the hospital, knowing whatever he did she could not prevent. "Mr. Borghese, I have some bad news."

His dark eyes flicked up as he jotted his name down, and his pen stilled. "Is she alright?" His voice was quiet, but his eyes fixed on her with pitch-black pupils, unwaveringly blank.

"The girl is... the baby isn't."

"Oh, dear. What happened to the poor thing?"

"Ahh, it had a... breathing problem, and it... didn't survive." Wendy thought of the frail girl in the back, and then the dark-haired man with her child in his arms. Wendy's eyes became blurry, and she blinked some tears away. Please be safe, Darla.

Leonardo was looking at her closely, and as a trickle of a tear wormed its way down her cheek, he appeared mollified. "How awful. The mother must be disconsolate."

"She's not taking it well. I'm afraid she needs to be alone, for the duration of the birth, to prevent infection. Perhaps in a few weeks--"

"Women in my country give birth and are working in the fields the next day. A woman's body is very durable." He finished and snapped the visitor's log closed. "I'm sure she'll need comfort and support during this trying time."

Wendy could do nothing but watch him pass her toward the main hall of the hospital

He paused in the doorway. "Incidentally, I don't want any interruptions. No matter what you hear. Stay out of her room until I leave."

With his last words, all she heard heard was the click of his polished shoes on the linoleum. She stared at the visitor's log book, at the loopy, calligraphic signature on the bottom of the page, then she closed the book and went into the back room and put her head in her hands, and did not get up even when a high, shrill wail began to echo through the hospital.

[punkscowardschampions]

Rio & Buster

Rio: Are you back safely? Rio: and when can you come back home Buster: I was just about to message you saying I was Buster: Great minds, babe Buster: I'll be back at the end of the month for that reading week bullshit I told you about Rio: Good Rio: I mean, still sad but glad you're back Rio: that's not too bad Rio: I can do that Buster: I'm not sure I can Buster: I miss you already Buster: Even though I feel like I can also still feel you Rio: Trying to be brave, like Rio: I feel it too Rio: everything still smells of you, it's so nice Buster: My clothes do so I'm wearing them again, like Buster: Don't judge me if you see me, dad Rio: Baby Rio: Did you have a good time Buster: You know I had the best time Buster: With you Rio: Me too Rio: I'm glad we got to be alone, most of the time, like Buster: Me too Buster: I'm sure my mum ain't, but I don't care Rio: You did your nephew duties and saw the kid Rio: she want you on the night shift, like? Buster: She probably wanted me not to be quite so brazen about how much I missed you Buster: And what I was really home for Buster: I'm not sorry though Rio: Probably Rio: but I liked it Rio: a lot Buster: Yeah? Rio: You know I did Rio: or you need to come back so I can show you again Buster: I reckon I need to come back Buster: Right now Rio: Mmm Rio: Just avoid your mum and we'll be fine Buster: Easy Rio: you reckon? Rio: pretty dedicated to getting you to behave Buster: So are you Rio: Yeah Rio: don't want me coming for her 👑 Buster: I want you more than anything though Rio: I know Rio: You got me baby Buster: It wasn't enough time Rio: It never is Buster: Everything we did I need to do it more Rio: I need to do it all the time Buster: I love you Rio: I love you more Rio: can it be May already Rio: please Buster: Seriously Buster: I'm gonna go insane before then Rio: No you're not Rio: I won't let you Rio: you're gonna ace all your exams Buster: I can join my sister, twinning in therapy Buster: This house is so empty right now and it's such a waste Buster: You could be here, you should be Rio: Ooh, family therapy Rio: That'd be a moment Rio: I wish I was Rio: no fun coming back to an empty home if you can't make the most of it Buster: Imagine my fucking parents in a shrink's office Buster: Hilarious Buster: We can make the most of it still, just not exactly how I want Rio: The therapist would need therapy their self Rio: Fucking hell Rio: Yeah? Well that's something Buster: Nance is probably the only one of us who can handle it Buster: And she reckons she needs it most Rio: It's a good thing, right Rio: gotta want the help for it to work Buster: Yeah Buster: I just want her to be happy Buster: Like I am Rio: Yeah Rio: She will be baby Buster: You're happy too, yeah? Buster: Even though you don't have a flat yet Buster: And I'm gone again Rio: Of course I am Rio: I'm so happy it doesn't seem possible sometimes Buster: Good Buster: 'Cause you know you can tell me if there's anything Buster: I know shit's still in a state there Buster: And Edie isn't back Rio joined the chat 32 hours ago Rio: You can't make her come back Rio: no one can Rio: she will when she's ready Buster joined the chat 32 hours ago Buster: I know Buster: But I could talk to her again or some shit Buster: There's always things I can do, babe Rio: You reckon you're that convincing, yeah? Buster: 'Course Buster: You know I am Rio: You're cute Buster: 😏 Buster: Can I make you come back? Buster: That's all I want Rio: Hmm idk Rio: I remain unconvinced as of yet so Buster: [sends pics in his empty gaff] Buster: Yeah? Rio: Stop 😖 Rio: Tryna play hard to get here Buster: Why play hard to get when you can get on a plane for me, baby? Rio: I really wish I could Buster: You can Rio: Can I now? Buster: Please Rio: What was that, babe Buster: Rio Buster: Please Rio: 🤤 Rio: Jesus Buster: Say yes Rio: Yes Buster: See, it doesn't have to be hard Buster: We can play so nice Rio: How nice are we talking? Buster: Book a flight and find out Rio: Indie's taking the piss so hard Buster: Bring her Buster: It's not like we haven't been there before Rio: Nah, she finally staying in School Rio: and she loves the baby so she good Buster: Typical Buster: I bet Ro don't love the enthusiasm but I'm here for it Rio: Nah, but that's what she needs is people who won't take no for an answer otherwise she's gonna be weird about it Rio: s'why my mum was a good choice, plus Ro knows she can do it Rio: least that bit, once we get a personality she fucked it up obvs Buster: Yeah exactly Buster: Is Indie gonna stay there or with you lot still? Rio: I think here Rio: she's still not buzzin' off the idea of living with Ro Rio: who can blame her Buster: Not me Buster: I know Nance toyed with the idea but even she ain't that much of a martyr for the cause, like Buster: I'm flat hunting for you now, Indie'll be buzzing about that at least Rio: I don't think it's a good idea, the faster it gets back to normal the faster she'll get used to it Rio: if she wants 24hr care she knows what to do, like Rio: Well now I have to come Buster: Agreed, on all counts Buster: [sends some flat details] is this too far from Indie's comfort zone of the 24? Rio: I reckon she's ready for better Rio: it's really nice Rio: I need to work out how much I can afford pcm before we properly look though Buster: Maybe I should look nearer Ro's since she loves the kid so much Buster: Babe, you know I got you Rio: Yeah, that'd be nice for her actually Rio: assuming Drew sorts his shit, he'll also wanna be around there right Rio: big assumption but you never know Rio: and you aren't paying my rent, don't be stupid Buster: Where do you wanna live, baby? That's what matters to me Buster: And yeah I can, 'Cause then I get to move in Buster: Selfish always, remember Rio: Then you can pay your half, no more Rio: nearer actual Dublin Rio: it's only half an hour but it'll make a difference Buster: Yeah Buster: Do you like this one? [Another listing] it's a bit small but Rio: How many people you planning on moving in? 😂 Buster: I'm not trying to live in a shoe box Buster: You know how many clothes I own, yeah? Rio: Such a diva 😏 Buster: You love me Rio: Good thing too Buster: Are you not gonna say it? Rude Rio: Find a better flat and I might 😉 Buster: So high maintenance Buster: But fine Buster: I actually like this one [A good flat] Rio: That's a good one Rio: I should go see that Rio: it's so difficult to get places in town you have to move fast, like Buster: I'll call 'em now Buster: Use my posh voice Rio: Bit rude insinuating you got more clout than me 'cos I'm common but okay Buster: Shut up Buster: If you wanna seduce an old lady to get a decent home then go ahead Buster: I know when my heroics aren't wanted Rio: Awh baby Rio: Please Rio: you know I love you Buster: Yeah yeah Rio: 💔 Rio: boo Buster: Shh I'm on the phone Buster: So busy and important Rio: 😣 Fine Rio: Be like that Buster: 😂 Buster: Tell me you love me again Rio: Only if you love me back Buster: Baby Buster: I adore you Rio: Good Rio: 'cos I love you too Buster: The woman is gonna phone you tomorrow about when you can view the flat so let me know, like Rio: I'm excited Buster: Take pics for me Rio: Of course Rio: Oh shit Rio: are we allowed pets Buster: It didn't say anywhere that you weren't, which I feel like she would have mad a big deal of if not? Rio: Let's hope so Rio: it's pretty well-trained Rio: better than Indie lbr Buster: I'm glad you said it Rio: Don't be mean now Buster: How I am being mean, you said it, I'm just agreeing, like Rio: Shh Rio: I'm allowed Rio: you're the one that reckons you can live with her 😏 Buster: That's just how much I wanna live with you Rio: Yeah? Buster: Yeah Rio: I wanna live with you too Rio: a lot Buster: I'm just saying it so we don't have to meet my mum on the stairs Buster: Though that'll be good Rio: Yeah, anything I can do to not be her least favourite person, like Buster: You're not her least fave person Buster: That's Drew and then Ro Rio: Coming in 3rd is not okay Rio: go big or go home Rio: rather be off the list, like Buster: Come on Buster: You're not on the list Buster: Chlo is but not you Rio: Well Rio: that's even worse Buster: Do you want her to hate you? Rio: I'm mad she's thinking about Chloe more than me Rio: Offensive Buster: I'm not getting you pregnant so you can switch places on the list Rio: Shut up Buster: I didn't reckon that needed to be said but here we are Rio: You're an idiot Buster: And you miss me Rio: Not that much Rio: don't worry Buster: Good to know Rio: Only so many scandals before the inevitable intervention Buster: There should be a list of people in this fam who need one before we do, like Rio: Yeah but you know Rio: we the oldest, gotta set a good example Buster: Technically Nance is older than me Rio: You reckon we off the hook then? Rio: Soz, babe 🤷 Buster: If only Buster: I have so much homework to do and I can feel my mum's judgement from Dublin Rio: Poor boy Rio: Gotta let you focus then Buster: Don't Buster: I won't be able to stop thinking about you if we aren't talking Rio: Okay, I'll have to come at you with facts Rio: walking encyclopedia Buster: You're such a cute nerd Rio: Oi Rio: Don't get distracted Buster: It's not my fault you're adorable Rio: Shh or I'll whip out my serious face Buster: Yeah? Buster: I wouldn't be mad about it Rio: [Dorky selfie] Rio: I warned you Buster: I'm keeping that forever Rio: Of all the pictures Buster: Well, I can't show most of them to anyone else Buster: But that one I can Rio: 😒 BABE Buster: 😂 Rio: So mean Rio: I look so stupid you better not Buster: [Takes own ridiculous selfie] Buster: We're even now Rio: You're so fair Rio: and cute Rio: I miss you Buster: I love you Rio: I love you Rio: It'd be amazing if we had a place for when you come back end of the month Buster: That's my plan, babe Buster: Then we can be as loud as we want Rio: Good Rio: we're gonna need to Buster: I know Buster: No interruptions except Indie's cute dog Rio: Hey Rio: I want all your attention though 😔 Buster: Poor baby Buster: I promise you've got it Rio: I better Rio: or I gotta work harder Buster: Believe me, I'm so focused on you right now I've read the same page like 5 times Rio: I don't know how you get anything done forreal Buster: You motivate me as well as distract me Buster: You know it Rio: I hope so Buster: You do Buster: Everything I'm doing now is for us later Rio: You're going to be so good at your job Buster: I'm gonna be so good for you too Buster: Everything's gonna work out perfect Rio: I know Rio: and I'm having some ideas too Rio: for what I'm gonna do long term Buster: Yeah? Buster: Tell me Rio: Well, it was talking to your sister that gave me the idea Rio: and all the time I been spending at the gay clubs Rio: obviously I'll have to work out the logistics, start small and make all the connections along the way Rio: but there's no big company like the pornhub people, who make like Rio: actual decent stuff, for everyone, with all kinds of different people in it Rio: I wanna do something like that, and maybe have a IRL club too, similar vibe Buster: Fuck Buster: That's such a good idea, Rio Rio: You think so? Rio: I've been thinking on it for a while, like why not, there's a huge gap in the market, especially for women, like so many girls don't like porn because half of it is lowkey so abusive towards the women like Rio: they don't wanna see that Buster: You're so right Buster: And so smart Rio: I'm gonna try and make it happen Rio: why not me, yeah? Rio: the pornhub guy was just some kid, mark zuckerberg, whatever Buster: Exactly Buster: And you know I'll help you Buster: Whatever you need Rio: Thanks, baby Rio: I know it'll take time but I already know lots of other camgirls and pole dancers and all sorts Rio: Maybe they'll be into it Buster: And you got time Buster: No half measures, yeah? Buster: If you're gonna do it, do it well Rio: Definitely Rio: Let's be real, I make enough from my streaming alone, never mind with a club job too Rio: I just wanna be doing more, making it into something Buster: Yeah Buster: You know I fucking love money but you gotta do something you give a shit about too Buster: Everything with passion, like Buster: Or why bother Rio: Exactly Rio: I knew you'd understand Rio: I know some people won't like it but just the people that already don't like what I do Rio: so Buster: Fuck them Buster: You can do this and if you wanna you will Buster: You don't even need me for it but you got me Rio: I love you Rio: you get me Buster: I always have and I always will, babe Buster: On both counts Rio: I'm so happy Rio: I know I'm ignoring so much shit but Rio: it ain't mine so sorry everyone Buster: You're allowed Buster: You've literally spent so long taking on theirs too Rio: It's not like I don't care but Rio: it's exhausting, everyone is burning out Rio: that's why I'm glad Nance is doing something about it, for her Rio: we are too, just different Buster: Yeah me too Buster: Uni will help Nance as well 'cause I reckon she'll go further afield like Buster: New people and new shit is what she needs Rio: Yeah, definitely Rio: School is just shit, and really shit for some people Rio: she'll thrive when everyone on her course is nerding on the same stuff, it's how it is Buster: Exactly Rio: like my baby Buster: You're cute Rio: I'm serious Rio: Imagine having friends actually on your level Rio: well, nearly Buster: I was gonna say Buster: You're the only one on my level, babe Rio: Too right Rio: only so much room at the top lads Buster: You're making me miss you so much Rio: I know Rio: but I can't come see you now, gotta get us our place baby Buster: I really hope you like it Buster: Then I'll make it happen for us Rio: As long as it's got two rooms and isn't in a shithole, like Rio: doing better than I was so Rio: but I'll make sure it's worth the price Buster: I know you will Buster: You got this Rio: I can't believe we get to have all this Buster: I can't believe I get to be with you Buster: Everything else is just a bonus, like Rio: I know Rio: it's the best Buster: I'm gonna marry you and we're gonna have our own house Buster: So soon Buster: But as stepping stones go, this is such a good one Rio: Yeah Rio: Agreed Rio: but now I'm too excited to do anything useful with the rest of my day Rio: oops Buster: Feel free to distract me Buster: I won't tell my mum Buster: That's always very useful to me Rio: 😏 Rio: Glad to know you've got the bragging under control, babe Buster: Less of a brag more of a death wish if I go chatting to her Buster: But cheers Rio: Best not then Rio: need you to stick around, like Buster: I'm not going anywhere Rio: Promise Buster: On the life you want me to keep living Rio: I hope that doesn't cancel it out Rio: got my maths brain worried but good Buster: There's nothing to worry about Buster: Everything's going good for us, babe Rio: Yeah Rio: suspect but not gonna question it Buster: Good Buster: Don't Rio: 🤐 Rio: see? Buster: You're not planning to keep quiet on anything else, are you? Rio: Not unless you want me to Rio: but then you gotta make me like so Buster: That's not what I want Rio: Then I won't Buster: I want you to be loud enough that I forget I'm alone here Rio: Sure between us we can make that happen Buster: Call me Rio: [Call] Buster: I'm speechless now Rio: Yeah, fuck Rio: at least you can concentrate 'cos imma need a minute Buster: I'm gonna need a while too Buster: Jesus Rio: How'd you get so good Buster: Take your share of the credit Buster: Not just for teaching me how to kiss, like Rio: Happily Rio: I love you baby Buster: I love you too Buster: Do you reckon there'll ever be a time when we don't crave each other like this? Are we gonna turn into one of those couples who just sit on their phones or read in bed together or some shit? Rio: Nah Rio: that ain't ever gonna be us Rio: not that I don't like just being with you but even then I wanna be WITH you, like you holding me and stuff Rio: or what's the point Buster: Good 'cause same Buster: I wanna kiss you all the time never mind anything else Rio: There'd be something wrong if you didn't Rio: everything I do is so you'll want me Rio: not gonna just give up one day, not that bitch Buster: Me either Buster: Never Rio: That's alright then Rio: Not saying I'd be serving you papers for bed death but well Rio: have to take up knitting or something and fuck that Buster: 😂 Buster: You can only serve me papers if I lose my hair Buster: 'Cause you know Rio: Priorities Rio: Why else would I be with ya? Buster: Obviously Buster: That and this body, which you know, also could go Rio: Nah, totally impartial to a dad bod 😜 Buster: Good to know Rio: 😂 Rio: Go on then Rio: what's my side of the bargain, what have I gotta keep up or go, like Buster: Just don't let your little sister straighten your hair, ever Buster: Leave it to my sister to be her guinea pig, like Rio: Right, do my best to avoid her advances Rio: shouldn't be too hard 😏 Buster: That's all I ask Buster: You don't look like you and I love you so Rio: Babe Rio: You're too sweet for words Buster: Shh Buster: You're too beautiful for words Rio: You shh Rio: Silly Buster: I'm honest and smart, excuse you Rio: Buster McKenna, in his own words, everyone 😋 Buster: Nah, if I was summing myself up I could do way better Buster: I'm just saying I'm right about how stunning you are Rio: Don't let me stop you, babe Rio: Be there with the applause and everything Buster: Behave Rio: Can't make me Buster: Well, we both know THAT'S not true, babe Rio: 😣 Buster: Poor baby Rio: Be nice to me Buster: Say please Rio: 😠 Don't wanna Rio: don't you remember how nice I was to you on that call Buster: Of course I do Buster: I want you to keep being nice to me Buster: That's all Buster: I'll say it first Buster: Please Rio: I'm just playing baby Rio: I always wanna be nice Rio: please please please Buster: You don't always have to Buster: But okay Rio: I know Rio: I just like being nice to you Buster: Me too Rio: Feels good Rio: doesn't it Buster: Very Rio: How's it possible that I feel so rested when we barely got any sleep whilst you were here? Buster: I know what you mean Buster: Maybe it's like you said, 'cause we sleep so much better when we're together Rio: Yeah Rio: it's gonna be hard tonight Buster: I'll call you again Buster: We can stay on the line together Rio: Yeah Rio: I'll just miss feeling you Rio: it's always worst when you've just gone Rio: not that it's ever that good but you know Buster: I know, baby Buster: I feel it too Buster: But we can do this Rio: We can Rio: it's gonna be so worth it Rio: we ain't gonna even remember this bullshit soon Rio: when we're together always Buster: Exactly Buster: And then anywhere I have to go you can come with me Buster: And vice versa Rio: Yeah Rio: and we're going to go everywhere, right? Buster: 'Course Rio: Starting this summer Rio: if I can ever narrow down my choices Buster: How long is the list? Rio: [Sends various links to places, one of being Brazil 'cos they should go to Brazil] Buster: I reckon that's doable Buster: I have a long summer, like Rio: 😏 World tour is it? Buster: Why not? Buster: Which place do you wanna get married in? Rio: I'm going to Milan with Nance, for one Rio: I don't know when she wants to go Rio: Are you serious? Buster: Get that scheduled in first, obviously Buster: She needs a holiday too Buster: I meant it when I said we should get married now and then again later, yeah Buster: And that I'd marry you anywhere in the world Rio: I mean Rio: It'd be special for me to do it in Brazil Buster: Then let's do it Rio: Yeah? Buster: Yeah Rio: There's gotta be a catch Buster: What? Rio: There's no way I can just get everything I want Rio: it's crazy Buster: You deserve it Buster: That's enough of a reason Rio: Baby Buster: Yeah? Rio: Nothing Rio: it just trips me out that this is my life Buster: It's not too much, right? Buster: It's not too much, right? Buster: We don't have to do this Rio: No, that's not what I'm saying Rio: it's perfect, it's everything Rio: I just can't believe it's real, still Buster: Good 'cause I'm really fucking happy about it all Rio: That's all I need to hear Rio: if you're happy I'm happy babe Buster: I mean, I'd be happier if we were together in this flat right now but Buster: Patience is a virtue, like Rio: 😇 Rio: Polish that halo, boy Buster: 😏 Rio: I can't wait for some actual privacy Rio: I forgot how constant this house is, always someone about, good and bad thing Buster: I can't believe I'm saying this but I can't wait to have people around Buster: Even if one of them is Indie Rio: You love her really Buster: 🤐 Buster: Saying nothing, like Buster: I don't want you to fight me Rio: Sure, that's what it is 😜 Buster: Shh Rio: The feeling's mutual, it's okay baby Buster: Well yeah Buster: I'm very loveable Rio: Not gonna argue, like Rio: can't Buster: I know Rio: 😏 Buster: Make me do this fucking essay 'cause you're an angel and I don't want to Rio: No problem Rio: How boring is it, scale 1-10 like, what am I up against here Buster: Like 7 Buster: But it's only 3500 word count Buster: I'm aware I could piss that out before you say but Rio: I'm not gonna say that baby Rio: Break it down into 500, that's 7 rewards you got coming your way Rio: every one will be better than the last, go go go, like Rio: Lemme send you something for motivation to get going Buster: I knew you'd be full of good ideas Rio: It's been known Rio: [Snap] Buster: Babe Rio: That doesn't count toward your word count, you know Buster: It should Rio: It counts toward making me miss you more Buster: I'll take that Rio: You done 500? Buster: 600 actually Rio: Damn Rio: get you Rio: now I'm behind in your rewarding, hold up Buster: Ready when you are, babe Rio: [Snap] Buster: Who could refuse an offer like that? Not me Rio: Good, cos I'm omw so Rio: kinda gutting if I'm working out for nothing 😜 Buster: Don't worry I'm already on 800 Buster: Easy when you find your focus, like Rio: Easy when you so smart Buster: Even easier when my girl is so sexy Rio: All for you daddy Buster: You're so generous, baby Rio: Nah, you earning it with every word you write, like Buster: You haven't read it, it might be shite Rio: Well, it won't 'cos you're incapable of being crap at anything, one Rio: but two, I ain't marking it, boy, just seeing you get it done Rio: that was my job Buster: Yeah yeah, you're the one getting graded this time, I know Buster: Scoring for making me blush with that compliment Rio: You know you're good baby Rio: and you know how good I think you are Buster: But do you know how good you are? Rio: Hmm, tell me again Buster: You're the best Buster: My angel Rio: 😻 Rio: Gonna shh with how you're making me feel 'cos not here to be distracting right now Buster: I just hit 1000 you can be as distracting as you want Buster: Tell me Rio: Fuck Rio: It's legitimately such a turn-on how hard you work, no playing Buster: Yeah? Rio: Seriously Rio: like, I want you to finish up so you can fuck me just as hard but also I just wanna support you whilst you do your thing Rio: so whipped Buster: Are you gonna be mad if I take a sec to think about that? Rio: No, you're allowed to take time to enjoy all your rewards Buster: Good 'cause the idea of fucking you in the gym right now is very rewarding Rio: Barely anyone is here, we so could Rio: afterwards, when we're all hot and sweaty and pumped up Buster: It could be full of people and I still would Rio: That's why I love you Rio: just thinking about you working out and I'm needy so if I actually had you here you'd have to fuck me no matter what Buster: I can't ever get over how much you want me Buster: Just thinking about how you're feeling is making me so turned on Rio: How could I not Rio: look at you you're perfect Rio: I'm glad no one is here because you can tell I'm horny just by looking at me Buster: You're perfect Buster: And I wish I was there Rio: Me too, maybe you could show me how to use some of these machines, so you could shamelessly check me out Buster: You know it Rio: but for now, I'll be here dreaming, you get back to writing Buster: Less dreaming more working out, babe Rio: 🤤 Rio: that's not helping Buster: You gotta work up a sweat for me one way or another Buster: And since I'm here being a busy nerd Rio: You're right Rio: I'm on it baby Buster: Yeah you are Buster: Thinking about that has me taking layers off Buster: In the kitchen topless again Rio: Oh God Rio: Daddy 😩 Rio: Thinking about that has me grinding up on this seat Buster: [Sends pics] Buster: I reckon you've earned these Rio: How do I earn more damn Buster: Keep doing what you're doing, babe Buster: 200 words until I reach my next target Rio: Then you're over half way Rio: 🙌 you get something special for that one Buster: Spoilers? Rio: Maybe I brought the toy and maybe I want you to use the app Rio: Get to have me here after-all Buster: Fuck Rio: and maybe when you finish you get to see the video so you know exactly how you had me Rio: sound good? Buster: So good Buster: You really do think of everything, yeah? Rio: I try Buster: You try so hard, baby Buster: I know it and I appreciate it Rio: 😊 Rio: You're so fucking nice and even that's turning me on right now I just need you, Buster Buster: I love you Buster: And don't worry 'cause I try too so we're at the necessary word count, baby Rio: Yay Rio: I knew you'd come through for me Buster: Always Rio: It was getting so hard to concentrate at the end there Buster: For me too Rio: So proud of you 😋 Buster: I'm prouder of you Buster: [Goes hard with this app 'cause no chill ever] Rio joined the chat 5 hours ago Rio: Well fuck Rio: I'm dead Buster: Poor baby Rio: You're not even a little bit sorry Buster: Should I be? Buster: I don't reckon so Rio: 😏 Rio: At least feel bad for me 'cos I've gotta somehow drive home now Rio: legs are so weak from how bad you got me shaking Buster: You know I'd come and get you if I could Rio: Yeah, you love carrying me Buster: Don't act like you don't love it too Rio: 👑 don't walk, babe Buster: Are you gonna offer to carry me then? 😏 Rio: Are YOU trying to kill us both? I'm sorry but you too big Rio: but you can be little spoon sometimes and I won't tell nobody Buster: 😂 Rio: Don't act like you don't love it, babe Rio: 😉 Buster: Being little spoon or you being the tiniest human ever? Rio: Both Rio: although I doubt and take offence to the latter statement, thank you Buster: You're so cute 👼 Buster: A tiny baby angel Rio: and you're my daddy, you make me feel so safe and protected and Buster: God, I miss you Buster: I wanna be with you not stuck in this kitchen with this boring essay Rio: I can't believe you only just left Rio: it feels forever Buster: Yeah Buster: Come get in my lap and kiss me Buster: That's all I want Rio: Me too Rio: Maybe I will if I've got good news to tell you 'bout the flat Buster: It'll be good news Buster: I feel it Rio: 🤞 Buster: 🍀 Rio: Thanks Buster: What for? Rio: Just being you Rio: that was lame Rio: but I felt it Buster: Are you trying to make me blush again? Rio: Is it working Rio: then yes Buster: [sends cute selfie as proof] Rio: 😲😍💀 Rio: Reaction, in order, bye Buster: 😂 Buster: I'll let you show that one around then Rio: It's just for me Rio: tryna 'cause chaos out here no Buster: You're funny Rio: You better not be showing your blushes 'round Rio: 😠 Buster: I'm only doing it around you so you better make sure we're alone Rio: That's the plan Buster: Good Buster: You know I like the way you think Rio: What else you like about me? Buster: Oh you want the list now, yeah? Rio: .. Rio: Please 😋 Buster: I like how well you can keep up with me and get me Buster: Especially as I approach 2k on this essay Buster: You're so much fun Buster: But also such a fucking adorable nerd Rio: I love you Rio: so fucking much Buster: How much? Buster: What are you gonna do for me as my next reward? Rio: Well, gotta wait 'til I get home Rio: and I'm stuck in traffic 🙄 Buster: I'll put my feet up then Buster: Or keep going and get double? Rio: Who are you if you don't try Buster: Nicely done, babe Buster: Alright Rio: [Snap] Rio: home again home again Buster: I don't know what to say Buster: You're so Rio: but you don't hate it, yeah? Buster: I love it, Rio Rio: Good Rio: I like having as many reminders of you as possible Buster: I love it too Buster: Maybe I should ask Indie who did her tattoo for her, like Rio: 😏 Yeah yeah Buster: You think I'm playing? Rio: Are you? Buster: Probably not gonna go to whoever Indie went to but Buster: I could always ask your mum to do it, yeah? Rio: God knows who tatted a 14 year old, but I don't think it is a recc or to their credit, like 😑 Rio: You could, depends what you want really Buster: Exactly Rio: Although I don't think I can let this happen Rio: you're already too hot, if you get tatted up I might not survive Buster: 😏 Buster: All the incentive I need Rio: Should I be worried? Rio: I'm meant to be pushing you off cliffs for the 💸 Buster: 😂