#{{ Promise I didn't forget this! I got tied up in some stuff. }}

[chaoticbard]

@fortune-feather

Alaara had just finished playing a set; it was time to take a break from the limelight and grab something to eat, something to drink, and to potentially cause a bit of lighthearted, good-natured mischief within camp. She went to the cook pot and bowled a portion of hearty stew for herself. She then grabbed a goblet and filled it with- well she really wasn't sure what she'd grabbed and she didn't really care. Alcohol was alcohol and she wasn't picky.

She was just about to head to a spare log to hunch over her meal when she nearly collided with the tiefling. Her stew managed to stay in its bowl but her wine did not. "I'd ask who you're wearing tonight but it seems that wine is the designer of choice."

"Sorry. I didn't see you. I- I don't think I saw you in the grove either. I'd remember a face like yours." She vigorously nodded her head once instead of attempting to hold out her hand. No sense in losing anything else. "Alaara. Group leader, bard, and general troublemaker. Well met. I suggest you get something to eat before it's all gone. You're going to need all the energy you can get to make it to Baldur's Gate. Hell of a long way from here yet."

[lucy90712]

Can you please make a hector fort fic where he spends all his time with his friends and spends barely time with her. Then they were supposed to go on a date together and she waits for him to pick her up, she waits for 2 hours and goes to social media to see if he has posted anything and sees on his story a picture of him and her girl bestfriend having fun playing games. So she leaves the house with her stuff. When hector comes home he realises what he has done and tries to get back in contact with her but he fails. They don't see each other for a while but he notices her walking on a busy street and tries to talk to her. (ending with fluff please)

You: good morning amor hope training goes well don't forget about our plans tonight I'll be waiting for you 

Hector: have fun in class and don't worry I'll be there at 7 as promised 

You: love you 

That was the last I heard from Hector and now it's 8:32pm and he's still not here to pick me up. He promised he promised me he'd be here and that he'd make up for us not spending any time together. I should've seen it coming as he's been doing this for weeks he's promised time and time again that he will come over or we'll go on a date and then he never shows up. When I can finally get hold of him he always has an excuse either he was busy or with friends and lost track of time but whatever it is it hurts. I've done so much for Hector I've been there for him since we were kids and I've been there for every good and bad moment of his football career but he can't even manage to show up for one day or just to see me for an hour. 

We made the jump from being friends to being a couple just over a year ago and for the longest time he was the best boyfriend ever he treated me so well was super attentive and really made an effort to be romantic and take me on dates. I don't remember exactly when it changed I think it happened slowly over time but ever since he's started playing with the first team more he's been busier with training and matches which I understand but what I don't understand is spending every evening with his teammates who he sees all day when he could see me. It might sound selfish but I just miss my boyfriend he's already missed so much like he wasn't here when I was stressed over my big exams and he wasn't here when I got the results and he wasn't here when I needed him most when my mum went into hospital and I was scared and panicking. Just a few months ago he'd never dream of leaving my side during any of those times but now he barely knows they even happened. 

I text him once then twice then three times then I called multiple times but they all went unanswered. My last resort was to message him on Instagram as I know he won't have turned the notifications off for that but I didn't need to message him Instagram gave me my answer straight away. He had posted on his story showing him out with his friends and my best friend was with them too which was a whole other level of pain. My best friend knows all about my troubles with Hector yet she went out with him and his friends anyway and didn't even bother to tell me. That was the final straw I'm not dealing with this anymore I deserve better I deserve someone who will be there for me, not break promises and definitely not someone who makes me feel like this. 

My mind was racing but I quickly worked out what I wanted to do so I grabbed my keys and got in my car. Seeing as Hector wasn't in I decided now is the perfect time to go and get all the things I have at his place and leave the spare key I have that he gave me ages ago because I won't be needing it anymore. When I opened the door I immediately saw all the little things of mine there are that makes Hector's place feel just like my own some of my books are on his coffee table and my hair ties on the sideboard by the door. I spent some time grabbing all my things while trying not to cry that I was losing my boyfriend who I thought was the love of my life. Before I left I found a piece of paper and a pen and wrote Hector a note to tell him his I felt and why I was leaving and then put my key with it. Closing the door I felt like I was closing a chapter in my life a chapter I never wanted to close and one that's going to stay with me for a long time but it has to be done. 

Hector's POV

As soon as I opened the door to my apartment it felt weirdly empty like was something wrong but the door was locked and nothing looked like it has been stolen. Still I had a quick look around and then I noticed a piece of paper on the kitchen counter. Next to it was a key and that's when I realised what was wrong all of y/n's things were gone her books, her hair ties and all of the little things she leaves here were gone and this is her key that's now in my hand not with her like it should be. I knew the note would be from her but I didn't need to read it to know what was going on and what I'd done. I had promised to see her tonight as I've forgotten about the last few dates we've planned but I did it again my friends dragged me out after training and then I got carried away and forgot about the most important part of my day proving to y/n that I will do better. I really didn't want to read the note but I knew I had to I owe her that at the very least.

Dear Hector, 

I have left my key and taken my things because I'm done. I'm done because tonight we were supposed to go out you promised you'd pick me up at 7 and you promised you wouldn't forget like you have been for the last few months but you did. Instead of trying to prove to me that you love me and that the last few months have just been an anomaly you went out with your friends and my best friend leaving me waiting for you, calling and texting you until I saw your story. I can't do this anymore I love you but I can't let you treat me like this so I'm calling it here. I've really enjoyed the last year or so we've spent together but it's time for us to move on as clearly we aren't meant to be. 

I love you and probably will for the rest of my life but this is goodbye. 

Y/n xx

Those words hurt to read. I already knew I fucked up but to see the words written in front of me made it truly hit me how much I'd hurt her. She was the best thing that ever happened to me she was always there for everything no matter what she's been by my side through every up and down and I truly thought she'd be there for everything for the rest of our lives. I wanted her there for every achievement in my career and I wanted to be there for all of her achievements too. She was the one I didn't need anyone else I didn't want anyone else but now she's left me and I don't have my person anymore and I may never have her again. 

After the initial shock I tried to text her to see if I could apologise but she had already blocked me so I tried Instagram but she had blocked me on there too. I should've seen it coming but it upset me that I wouldn't be able to reach out to her and try and make things right or at least tell her how sorry I am for fucking this all up so badly. She's gone and it's all my fault that's what hurts the most if I hadn't been such an idiot then we'd still be together but no I had to go and ruin things with the best woman in the world. 

A few weeks later

Life has been hell for the last few weeks I've really missed y/n I've missed having her sat in the stands during matches and I've definitely missed seeing her. She's been in my life for the longest time not just as my girlfriend but as my friend so not having her in my life anymore and so suddenly as well has been really hard. I've definitely not been myself all of the guys keep asking if I'm ok and I tell them I am but we all know it's a lie they know how much I love y/n and they can see how it's destroyed me to lose her. I've tried time and time again to reach out to her but of course I'm still blocked I even text her best friend to get her to talk to y/n but she says she hasn't seen her or had any of her texts answered either so I have no way of telling her that I'm sorry. 

Everyone keeps telling me I need to try and move on and they're right it's just hard everything reminds me of y/n whenever I go anywhere I see places that we've been on dates to or just places we have memories at. Today I'm going to stop myself from moping about and go for a walk to clear my head as that's what I think I need to be able to move on or at least start to. I decided to go to the nearest park and walk around as it's relaxing and it should be quiet there which is what I need. 

The park was pretty empty there was a few people around; one couple with their baby an older couple feeding the birds and a girl who was sat on a bench with a book. The girl reminded me of y/n her hair was the same colour and reading in the park is something she loved to do. As I walked closer I realised that it actually was y/n she had headphones in and the book she'd been reading in her hands like she so often did when I went to see her. Seeing her made me stop in my tracks I didn't know whether to go and talk to her or just leave her be but then I realised this is my chance to talk to her and get closure at the very least. 

Your POV

Being without Hector has been hard I've missed feeling his touch and having him next to me when I sleep. So many times I've wanted to take it all back and run back to him but I know I can't or he'll think he can treat me like that again or someone else and I can't let that happen. Today is Wednesday which is the day that I had free from classes and usually I would spend all day with Hector so I've been sat at home all day thinking about him but I can't keep doing that so I needed to get outside. To give me something to do I walked to the park with my book. I found a bench with a nice view of the trees and the little pond with a few ducks and let myself forget about the real world. 

I was so in my own world that I didn't notice when someone sat next to me to start with until they sighed which brought me out of my trance. When I looked to my side I think I turned as white as a ghost because Hector was sat next to me with a look of pure sadness on his face. It took a few seconds for my brain to begin functioning again but when it did I leapt up and tried to run away. I'm not ready to face him again not when I've been trying so hard to forget about him and move on I blocked him and separated myself from him so I wouldn't have to do this. Before I could get more than a few steps away Hector placed a hand on my arm he didn't pull me back he didn't even hold my arm tightly but having his hand on me stopped me dead in my tracks. He encouraged me to sit back down so I did and I watched as his hand moved off my arm down to my hand which he held tightly in his grasp so I couldn't run again. 

"Hector" I started to say 

"No please let me talk" he interrupted 

"Ok but you have five minutes then I'm leaving" I said

"I'm sorry and I know move said that a lot recently but I really mean it when I got home and saw the note you left it broke me having all of your stuff gone from my apartment made it feel empty and not being able to see or talk to you has killed me I've missed you so much and I'll do anything to make it up to you" he said 

"How do I know that you actually mean it and that you'll actually change I told you how disappointed I was a million times and every time you told me you wouldn't forget the next time and then you always did it's like I wasn't important to you anymore how do I know that'll change" I said 

"I know I was an awful boyfriend but losing you has taught me a lot I know I can't treat you like that and I'd never dream of doing it again this might seem to much but you are truly the one for me I don't want to ever be with anyone else so please give me a another chance and I promise I'll do better and if I don't I'll let you go" he said 

"Ok but this is your last chance if you miss any date or anything without telling me and giving me a valid reason we're done" I said 

"I'll never miss a date ever again don't worry" he said 

"I can't lie I'm glad to have you back I've missed you so much it really hurt to walk away" I said

"And you'll never have to walk away again I'm here to stay" he said 

He pulled me into his side and leant down to kiss my lips which felt so good as I've missed having him by my side and I've definitely missed kissing him. He let me sit and finish the chapter I was reading before we left the park and went back to his place as he wanted to make things up to me straight away by having a movie date at home which he knows are my favourite. He's definitely off to a good start at making things up to me but honestly I'm just happy to have him back by my side. 

[aviradasa]

Eu Hi, I saw that you were open to requests. I really need to satisfy my desire for Juuzou headcanons.... I need to read something about my husband.....(well, it could be random headcanons)🍰🤍

no, thank you for enabling my ideas, lol. I am so happy to write to him. This is my first time, and I had absolutely no idea what to do, but I'll get better. i promise. This is a little short and late so I apologize in advance!!

Juuzou x reader Hc

Ok, starting off. A lot of people think he wouldn't like to be touched. But i think it's the opposite.

He is extremely touchy. Not it that kinda way he just likes to give you lots of hugs and stuff along those lines

Hand holding,slinging an arm over your shoulder, linking his pinkie with yours-

He just really loves stuff like that.

But he does it a lot in public, and he doesn't understand the concept of PDA being frowned upon.

Well actually your not sure it he's actually confused or just doesn't care.

But that's the fun part you never know with him.

Another thing he adores is doing your hair. And he's surprisingly good at it.

He knows how to do a bunch of intricate hairstyles, and it's one of the few times you get to see him truly focused besides when he's touching us his stitches or trying to draw.

Speaking of stitches.

He would probably want to give you some to match his. And if you agree, he gets really excited.

If not, he will drop it for a little bit . I will probably ask you again every once in a while.

You just gotta hold your ground.

Switching gears a bit tho.

People alot of the time do forget juuzo is really smart

Just cause he acts a bit childish does not mean he's clueless.

And he really likes to make you remember this. It's his favorite thing to watch you look at him in a bit of shock when he says something smart as hell.

You could be confused about something, and he will just pop up behind you, give you an answer, and run off with a laugh and a smile.

On the other hand, though, he gets more confused when it comes to social interactions.

You do a lot of the talking.

If you didn't, there would be a lot more drama surrounding yall cause juuzou has zero filter.

And this can be an issue cause..

Yall gossip to damn much

Come home from a long day at work, and either he's waiting for you to tell him the tea, or he's got the most jaw-dropping shit to tell you.

Apparently, they are messy as hell at the CCG 😭.

And it's perfect because people tend to get the impression that he's not listening to what's going on around him when he spaces out.

Yeah he is listening to EVERYTHING.

You two are like that couple who are just best friends, honestly.

Always together, always on the same page. It's lowkey adorable. Sometimes a little creepy. But it's whatever.

I will say this

Personality wise, if you are a calmer person it's really nice cause you balance him out a bit, and your personality mix together a little so he might chill a bit more and you might gain some of his energy, which makes life a bit easier for everyone including you guys.

But if your just as hyper it's a whole thing. You guys are crazy together. Lowkey be enabling each other into doing dumb shit on the daily, and that can get a bit dangerous as juuzou has a high pain tolerance, so 1. If you dare him to do something stupid and he gets really hurt, he might not notice right away, and it could cause issues. Or 2. He dares you to do something, not aware of how painful it should be, and you end up getting hurt.

Either way, somebody is injured.

It's ok though at least yall are happy together. 😭

Being dead serious, yall surprisingly have a pretty stable relationship.

Like it's lowkey healthy and it surprises people. Like nobody expects someone like him to be able to even find someone let alone keep a partner around. So when he does and you don't go anywhere people are kinda like

🤔🤔🤔

Scratching their chins like "if they can do it why the hell can't i." You know.

But yeah that's about it. I hope you enjoyed again this was my first time writing for him so I'm trying to get a feel for the character. Have faith i will get better 😭 i love you all have a lovely day/night

[astrophileous]

Love Bugs (Pt. 04)

Pairing: Derek Mogran x Female Reader

Synopsis: You and Derek Morgan have an arrangement. At work, your relationship is strictly business. Under the sheets, it's all about pleasure. Nothing more, nothing less. Until, of course, your feelings start to get involved. Your situation is complicated enough without the unexpexted predicament that suddenly befalls upon you. But with a maniac serial killer on the loose, will you ever get the chance to make everything right?

Warning(s): kidnapping, stalker/psychopathic behaviors, reader is being held captive, curse words (? - idk if there are any in this part but just in case), violent use of knife, tell me if I miss anything xx

Word Count: 1900-ish

Tag(s): @camilaheroine

Author's Note: I KNOW it seems like the chapters are getting shorter and shorter but I promise you it's because these last two ones are essentially mood-setters for the next big, prominent parts in the series. Sooo hang in there and I promise you'll get some juicy stuff on the new part on Thursday ;) meanwhile, don't forget to LIKE+COMMENT+REBLOG to fuel me into making more chapters (especially if you reblog or comment 💞)

Love Bugs Masterlist / Criminal Minds Masterlist

Last night, Derek was finally able to sleep for the first time in what felt like an eternity.

He had lost count of the many nights he spent tossing and turning, reaching for his phone with the intention of calling your number just to fling the device across the room before his thumb could press the call button. He would trick himself into thinking that whatever he needed to say could wait until the next day at work, only to be tongue-tied any time both of your paths would cross.

Derek Morgan had always been a courageous man. He had even proven that he would gladly give his life to hold the hand of someone sitting on top of a bomb if it meant that person wouldn't leave this world alone.

But when it came to you, Derek was an utterly, foolishly, shameful piece of coward.

"Good morning, everyone." Hotch's greeting broke Derek out of his stupor. "Let's start the day, shall we?"

"(Y/N) isn't here yet," Emily spoke up from beside him. At the mention of your name, Derek's ears instantly perked up. "Should I call her?"

Hotch stared at the empty chair where you were supposed to sit, seemingly deep in his thoughts before answering, "It's alright, I'll catch her up later myself. Shall we begin?"

The first to present their findings were JJ and Emily.

"We found something interesting while talking to the second victim's roommate yesterday," JJ began. "Apparently, the victim had been seeing some guy for the past few weeks before she disappeared."

"Why wasn't this information in our files?" Hotch frowned.

"Because our victim only disclosed this once to one of her friends at school that we didn't get to interview the first time around," Emily answered. "The roommate only just found out after they bumped into each other a couple of weeks ago."

"That's good. It's definitely a start. Gather everything you know about the date and send the information to Garcia. Maybe she can give us a list of potential suspects from there," Hotch ordered.

"Already done." JJ nodded.

"Okay, next. Reid, did you--"

"Sir?"

The sound from the doorway interrupted Hotch before he could even begin to voice his question out loud. Every head in that room turned towards Penelope standing in the doorway, a panic-stricken expression decorating her usually cheery face.

"What's up, Garcia?" Hotch questioned.

"Another package just arrived, sir," she informed nervously. "It's our UnSub."

Hotch abruptly got up from his seat. "Did you get a chance to take a look at the video yet?"

"I-It's not a video tape, sir."

"What is it, Garcia?" Rossi asked.

"It's a flashdrive." She cleared her throat. "I, uh, did a routine check to make sure that it didn't contain any viruses. Not like it matters. I probably could still access the files if he had used the common accessible viruses in the market. Thankfully, though, there wasn't a single virus in it. Which, of course, made my job a whole lot easier--"

"Garcia," Hotch warned.

"Yes? Right, right. I'm sorry, sir. What I meant to say is that the flashdrive didn't have any kinds of virus." Garcia started playing with her fingers, a physical tell which Derek knew could only mean that she was feeling anxious. "But I think you guys should see this."

Everyone scrambled from their seats to follow Garcia out of the conference room. In the middle of the bullpen, a large projector had been set up, its large screen covering the vast area of one of the walls.

"Garcia," Hotch called in confusion. "You said that it wasn't a video tape."

"It's not, sir," Garcia choked out. Her glasses-rimmed eyes taking in the sight of the hunched figure on the screen, seated on a chair in what looked like an abandoned building similar to the one they found in the first video. "This is streaming live."

"What?" Emily muttered in shock.

"This is right now?" Hotch asked, to which Garcia answered with a series of rapid nods.

"He's finally chosen his next victim," Reid commented under his breath.

"Wait, look. She's waking up," JJ pointed out.

Every pair of eyes in the room watched as the figure started to stir. When she finally lifted her head, the entire universe seemed to stand still.

Somewhere in the room, Derek heard somebody gasp.

"No."

Derek shook his head in denial. His eyes blinking rapidly to clear the fog that had started to gather in his vision. For a second there, Derek had hoped that maybe he was just seeing things. Maybe the guilt he had continuously hoarded over the past few weeks had at last caught up to him, playing cruel tricks to his mind that made him believe he was seeing things that weren't real.

When he managed to open his eyes again, Derek realized that the scene in front of him was not the product of his overly heinous imagination.

Because the figure being tied down on the chair in that video was, in fact, you.

"That's... That's not--"

"That's (Y/N)," Reid uttered in disbelief, finishing the sentence that Derek couldn't get out due to the strangled air in his throat.

Derek's legs gave out underneath him. Before he could fall helplessly to the ground, the desk behind him caught most of his body weight, ensuring that he would stay standing despite the paralysis that had begun attacking his entire limbs.

His worst nightmare had just come true.

And Derek, for the first time in his life, finally knew what a pure, unadulterated terror felt like.

The insufferable pain was the first thing you registered when you opened your eyes.

Chronic migraines were a condition that had always run in your family. Your mother had them when she was alive. You started having them when you were in high school. At their worst, the migraines you had to endure were unbearable. They became insanely painful at times that you didn't even have the capacity to get out of bed.

But this headache was definitely worse. So much worse.

You blinked your eyes once, twice, three times in an attempt to clear the white threads in your vision. When your eyes had refocused enough for you to see without feeling like you were about to topple over, you began to take in your surroundings.

The room was humid and dark. The small ventilations to your right told you that the sun was already up, meaning that you were passed out all night long. With a few hours had passed since you were last conscious to the moment you woke up, there was no way to estimate the exact location to which your captor had taken you.

As your eyes swept over the large expanse of moldy dark concrete, they caught sight of a device being mounted on the wall.

A camera.

He was watching you.

The dread was quick to sink in your stomach. The camera meant that your captor had been watching your every move. And if he truly had, it was only a matter of time before he would pay a visit after learning that you had regained your consciousness.

As if he had been rummaging through your mind himself, you heard the sound of a metal door opening barely a few minutes later.

His presence reeked of atrocity. The sound of his heavy footsteps echoed to the background sound of malice, promising all things devilish to anyone who ever caught a wind of it. You watched him appear from the darkness. All black attire--complete with a black ski mask--to cover his true identity. But even with nearly his whole face hidden, the cruel promise in his eyes alone was enough to make you shiver in place.

"Good morning, Agent (Y/L/N). You were asleep a lot longer than I thought you'd be."

You unconsciously tugged at the restrains that bound you to the chair.

"I saw your message for me, Agent. Did you like my gift?"

"The video tape. That was you?"

His eyes crinkled in the corner as if he was elated at the idea of you receiving the so-called gift he had prepared.

"You liked it?" he almost purred. "I knew you would. I knew you were different from the others. I saw you up there and I just knew that you were the one I was looking for."

"Of course. Thank you so much for such a special gift."

You knew the profile had stated that the UnSub loved attention, meaning that he also seeked validation and compliance from his victims. Trying to fight him would only result in catastrophe. Especially after considering that the video tape he sent showed apparent signs of unpredictable devolving from his organized self. He was intelligent enough to know if you ever tried to trick him, so your best bet at that moment was to play along with his fantasy and hoped that it would give you additional time to figure out a more elaborated plan of action.

"You already know my name, but I still don't know yours. What should I call you?"

The UnSub pondered your curiosity in the silence. "You don't remember me?"

His question baffled you.

His reaction implied that you must have crossed paths with him, somewhere, somehow, during the weeks that had passed since the press conference.

That knowledge alone had dread stirring higher in your gut.

"I'm sorry." You quickly tried to rectify the situation. "It's dark in here, and you're wearing that mask. A-and my head, it's throbbing really bad. Kinda makes it difficult to see or recognize anything. Or anyone."

Thankfully, he seemed to find your excuse acceptable. "You can call me Darling."

"Darling?" You hid the instant repulsion in your voice at the nickname. "Is that really your name?"

Booming laughter filled the room, chilling your bones and activating every fight or flight response in your body. The mirth in his eyes caused you to feel as if you had just delivered the biggest joke of the century by asking him that last question.

"No, it's not my real name," he let out after seemingly pleased by your accidental jab in humor. "Darling is what we are to each other. You'll be my Darling and I'll be yours. Forever."

Forever.

You ignored how that one single word ignited a massive turbulence in your bloodstream.

"Is that why you took all of those women?" you asked cautiously. "You were looking for your Darling?"

"Yes. But let's not worry about that anymore. I've got you, now." He stalked over to you then, taking your chin between his fingers and forcing you to stare into his eyes. "None of the others are as worthy as you, Darling. We are going to have so much fun together."

You inwardly cringed while imagining what exactly the type of "fun" he might have meant.

"I have a surprise waiting for us to commemorate our first day together," he suddenly told you.

"A surprise? What kind of surprise?"

He reached around his back before pulling out a dagger that he began to twirl in his hand. The sharp point of its metallic blade blinded you as your captor moved around your tied up body, stalking at every angle as if you were a prey he wanted to shred to pieces.

Eventually, his steps halted behind the chair you were tied to, rooting you in place with one hand on your shoulder while the other pressed the tip of the dagger to your jaw.

"Smile at the camera, Darling," he whispered behind your ear. "We have an audience."

"What are you talking about?"

"Your team is watching," he informed between his dark snickers. "Let's make sure the show is worth their time, shall we?"

[astro-naut9]

WELL GUYS, here's an introduction methinks. Characters and who/what their roles are!

Sean: He's like Ford, in a way. He makes a deal with Bill, anything to be the greatest, right? So, he agrees to make a deal in exchange for a portal. Sean then asks Shadow for help (he's an engineer in this au). I mean, freshly graduated from college and he's already making big plans! Surely the world will reward him with something great.

Shadow: Sean's old roommate. Doesn't really like making/inventing stuff, but Sean did promise to pay him great and he needs the money (he is very poor). Anyway, some incident happened (no portal incident like Fidds. Im still thinking what) and he tricked Sean into making a memory gun. He didn't tell Sean its purpose, just lies to him and all that, but he uses it to himself to get out of embarrassing situations or to forget his hallucinations (they are real).

Robert: Childhood best friend of Sean's, basically like family to him. Sean cut off ties with him after high school and then years later (after Shadow quit), he got a letter and went to Sean. Got into a fight with him, nothing too physical, and they accidentally activated the "unfinished" portal and it pulled Sean, who was close, in. Robert tried to reactivate it and it didn't work. He then tried for more months, or years, and eventually made himself a home and a scam shop in Sean's house.

Kim: He worked for Robert because he looked lonely. And he doesn't mind whatever he does. They got really comfortable with each other that all Kim does is annoy him. Anyway, Kim then knew about the portal and offered to help Robert in rebuilding it.

Journals? More like stacks of blueprints and crazed notes from Sean, talking about a triangle.

--thinking of making Ryan and Kiply to take the mystery twins' roles. they moved to the place and found out that Robert was hiring and it looked easy enough and fun so they signed up. Kiply absolutely scams the shit out of people and Ryan studies the binded notes from Sean, discovering supernatural stuff.

ANYWAY, will probably change some stuff.... dunno.

[aylacavebear]

The Curse That Changed Your Life - Part 2 Chapter 6

With the witch taken care of, your hopes of being human gone, and dealing with sensations and emotions you hadn't before, life didn't seem like it was going to get much better. How would he look at you in the morning after what you'd said to him? What would you do after this? What would the next month hold, and how much like a cat were you? There were far too many questions you didn't have answers to and didn't want to ask. Would you find any answers in the month to come? Only time would tell.

Pairing: Dean Winchester x OC Reader/You

Word Count: 4774

Warnings: Charlie being a good friend, Dealing with cycle, reader being hard on herself, Fluff, Dean being a Sweetheart. Not really much for this one.

----------------------------------------- Chapter 6

Over the next couple of days, Charlie visited you often, bringing you meals which mostly consisted of red meat or chicken. She did include some of that healthy stuff that you didn’t like very much but ate it anyway. At least she would let you have some sweets, although not much. Charlie also made sure to bring you meds to keep the pain at a dull roar with the help of the heating pad. Eileen didn’t visit often, knowing that there was a possibility that you might smell Sam on her, so she kept her distance.

On day three, you got a text from Dean, which surprised you, but it made you smile a tiny bit. 

“Hey Sweetheart, feeling any better?”

“Still crampy, and the pills Charlie gives me make me sleepy. I’m craving bacon right now, but Charlie says it’s not a meal.”

“I’ll cook some up for you, make her take it to you.”

You had to chuckle at that, and you couldn’t help the smile his words brought. At least he was talking to you, even if it was through texts.

“You made my mouth water. Let me know if she caves. I’m really hungry now.”

“I will. She’ll cave, promise.”

You pictured him smirking, sitting in the library or kitchen, leaning his arms on the table as he texted you. The heating pad on your abdomen clicked off, as it tended to do after a couple of hours or if it got to the temperature. Sighing, you flipped it over and turned it back on, glancing down at your phone.

Why does it hurt when I talk to him, or think about him? 

It was a question you’d been wondering about for longer than your cycle, and the fog of the first day hadn’t helped. The meds weren’t helping either. 

“Can we talk, after  you cook?”

You sent the text before you could decide against it.

“Sure.”

For a minute, you just stared at his response, then turned your phone off, forgetting what you’d asked about the bacon. At the moment, your thoughts were of Dean and how things had gone between the two of you over the last couple of months since that night at the club. It had been a rollercoaster for sure, and you weren’t surprised you felt depressed. The downside of thinking about it all, the cramps only got worse. You hated how they were tied to your emotional state since the curse. 

Within about thirty minutes, there was a very annoyed-looking Charlie standing in your doorway with a plate full of bacon, probably an entire package worth. For the first time in what felt like weeks, you couldn’t help but chuckle, almost laugh at her expression.

“I am not happy about this. Bacon is not a meal,” she told you, fairly annoyed as she sat down on the bed next to you, holding the plate out of your reach.

“Come on, I was craving it,” you begged, attempting to reach for the plate, even though you knew with how your cramps were, there was no way you’d get it. You were just hoping that, looking as pitiful as you did, she’d just give in.

Charlie rolled her eyes before handing over the plate, groaning, “You’re lucky I find you cute when you pout, and that you’re family.”

“Thanks, Charlie,” you replied with a mouthful of bacon, purring again at the way it made every tastebud melt into bliss.

“You’re welcome,” she half whined, half smiled, seeing how happy you were, even if it was due to the bacon. 

Dean was indeed a fantastic cook. You’d told him that before, but there was something different with the food during this cycle, and you weren’t quite able to put your finger on what. Charlie couldn’t sit there and watch you eat nothing but bacon, so she went back out, to where you weren’t sure. 

Halfway through the plate, you picked up your phone after licking your fingers clean and sent a thank-you text to Dean. You’d finally managed to find a mostly comfortable position, half laying on your side and half propped up on the several pillows that were on the bed. With your phone on the bed next to your plate, and the heating pad on your abdomen, you began relaxing.

“Glad you enjoyed it. Charlie put up a good argument, but, I won.”

You giggled, picturing that winning smirk on him as he typed that. “You made my night.”

“What did you want to talk about?”

For a moment, you just stared at his question, wondering if it was even worth bringing up during your cycle. 

“I wish we could talk face to face.”

“I’d suggest a video call, but Charlie said this is the only way I’m allowed to talk to you.”

A pout found its way to your lips, and you quickly made it go away with another bite of bacon. “Should I still keep my distance, after my cycle?” It was the best way to ask what had been running through your mind, but you weren’t prepared for his answer.

“Things will be different after your cycle. You’ll see. I’m not supposed to tell you anything, though. Charlie swore me to secrecy.”

“Not fair…” you grumbled out loud, pouting again. Stupid hormones.

“Fine. I guess I’ll just have to wait, then. I’m bored, though, and I don’t want to watch another movie or sleep. I know Charlie is gonna bring me more meds soon, and I’m gonna fall asleep. I hate sleeping so much.”

“You need the sleep. I’m glad the meds are helping. It just means you’ll feel better after your cycle is over.”

Too bad there's no inflection on tone in text. I wonder why I’m not allowed to see him.

“Fine. I hate being treated like a five-year-old, or like I can’t take care of myself.”

“Everyone cares about you. You’re family now. Let us take care of you. We wouldn’t do it if we didn’t care.”

You grumbled a little at that and tried really hard not to let it bother you, but in a way, it did. It was all hormone issues, though. If it had been any other time, you would have understood what he meant.

“Thanks again for the bacon. I guess we can always chat again sometime.”

“Get some rest, Sweetheart.”

After that last text from him, you turned your phone off and then went back to the bacon, which was nearly gone now. The cramps were getting stronger again, making you shift positions, as that one was no longer comfortable. But now, nothing was comfortable. There were four slices left on the plate, but you couldn’t eat with how the cramps were getting, so you pushed it to the far side of the bed. Just when you were about to lay down all the way to curl into a ball, Charlie showed up, meds in hand, with more water. You quickly took the pills, squirming slightly in pain as you tried to lie down on your side. Charlie knew there was nothing she could do to help, so she just tucked the blankets around you.

You whimpered as the cramps sent waves of sharp pains from your abdomen up and down your body, feeling as though they hit every nerve and muscle along the way. Tears slipped from your eyes of their own accord as your body shook a little. 

For some reason, the meds began working faster than you thought they should, but that was when you realized Cas was in your room, his first two fingers on your forehead, and a light warmth spread through your body. Then, everything went dark.

—--------------

When you woke up, you had no idea what time it was or what day it was, but you did notice the cramps were gone, and your brain didn’t feel so foggy. The heating pad was on the opposite side of the bed, and you were under the blankets. Turning toward the nightstand, you found your phone.

I slept for two days?

You set your phone back down and turned on the light, groaning as you sat up. Your entire body was sore, and you desperately wanted a shower. Grabbing the set of clothes off the desk, you forced your body to the bathroom. It wasn’t nearly as bad or as sore as last time, but every muscle still hurt. 

The shower helped, but you didn’t want to crawl back into that bed. As you made your way back over to the bed, you grabbed your phone, choosing to sit on the side of the bed that had been left entirely untouched. Then, texted Charlie. Although, you were surprised that she hadn’t shown up at your room yet.

“I’m up and showered, but I don’t want to walk to my room alone.”

It was after ten, so you figured she and the others were or at least had to be awake. Just as you were about to wonder if they were even home, your phone went off.

“Be right there.”

You smiled a little and turned your phone off, trying to remember everything that had happened over the last almost week. Charlie had said so much to you, but half of it was still lost in the fog that was now gone. Your cycle was the one main thing you hated the most since the curse. 

“Hey. Feeling better?” Charlie asked, popping into the room.

“Mostly. I don’t remember a whole lot, though,” you answered, looking up at her.

“Well, you look better at least. I kept you mostly drugged for the pain, but Cas had to put you to sleep two days ago. The meds stopped working,” she explained, sitting next to you.

The day I talked to Dean…

“I’m blaming it on eating bacon as a meal with nothing else with it. Nothing else was different that I can think of,” she added.

“I, uh, I talked to Dean, through text. I hadn’t done that before then,” you told her, quietly, almost feeling guilty for it.

“That explains a lot. Okay,” she said as if all the pieces clicked into place for her, but you were still mostly clueless. “I’ll walk with you back to your room if you want. Then me and Eileen will take care of the stuff in here.”

“I kinda was hoping to move around a little more. I feel sore, mostly from being in bed for as long as I was,” you explained, but also felt almost anxious about being around all of them again.

“We can do that,” she told you with that sunshine smile she always seemed to have. Then she sent a quick text to someone before standing up, waiting for you.

You gave her a small smile, getting yourself up. The walk out to the library was rough and slow going, but Charlie never left your side. She even let you lean on her a few times when the wall wasn’t enough. You missed being able to pace and wander when you had your cycles, but here, that was a little impossible. 

By the time you reached the war room, your muscles didn’t feel nearly as sore, and they didn’t hurt as much as they had been. There was an aroma in the air, and it smelled delicious. Charlie couldn’t hide the smile as you made it into the library.

The other four were standing there, looking happy and nervous, but at least you didn’t feel alone in that regard. “We talked, a lot over the last few days. You’re family, and we want you to feel that way,” Charlie told you, giving you a hug.

“Thanks, this means a lot to me,” you whispered to her, returning the hug.

One by one, they each came over to you and hugged you. Sam and Eileen said you were like a little sister to them, which you found endearing. When Cas hugged you, he said he loved how much like a cat you were, but also that he liked your personality. You couldn’t help but laugh a little at that one.

Dean waited till last, and he looked the most nervous as he approached you. The others slowly moved into the library, leaving the two of you in the archway. He gently wrapped his arms around you and held you close. 

“I’m sorry, for being so stupid before. If- if you can forgive me, I’d still like to go out with you,” he whispered as you wrapped your arms around his waist.

What the hell happened during my cycle?

You wanted to instantly just say yes, but you also wanted more information. Something clearly happened that you weren’t aware of. You nibbled on your bottom lip as you thought about what he said.

Fuck it. Why not. What could possibly go wrong by going out with him?

“We can at least try it and see how it goes,” you replied quietly, feeling somewhat unsure of how different things felt. 

Dean gave you a gentle squeeze before setting his hand on your lower back and leading you over to one of the library tables. They all looked like they were in a good mood, at least, and you realized that the sweet smell was a candle on the table. As you sat down, he sat next to you. Everything felt so… odd.

“Since you’re up and moving around, I’m guessing the fog is gone,” Charlie began, to which you nodded, so she continued. “I did some research on cats. Cas also took a peak at your anatomy to help out with things. You’re a lot more cat-like on the inside than even you probably know.”

You weren’t quite sure what to think. On the one hand, you were appreciative, but on the other, you wondered what the details were. “Could I possibly have some coffee? This is, a lot,” you asked, keeping your emotions in check as best you could. At least your hormones were finally leveling back out.

Dean reached over and gently began rubbing your back while Cas went to the kitchen. Something about the contact from Dean was comforting, on more than just that regular human level. Cas returned, setting a cup of hot, steaming coffee in front of you before returning to his seat.

As you sipped it, Charlie continued, “So, there are all sorts of scientific mumbo jumbo terms that you probably wouldn’t understand at the moment. I’ll try to keep it simple without dredging up too much. Depression in cats causes all sorts of problems. We all know how sad you got when we found out we couldn’t break the curse. Add how you felt about, well, all of us, in different ways, and you had almost all the symptoms cats get when they’re depressed.”

You tilted your head a bit, fairly curious at this point. It was something you hadn’t ever considered might affect you. You also weren’t aware that animals went through those sorts of things, never having pets growing up or as an adult. 

“Cats tend to pick their families. You chose us. I know that sounds weird with how things happened, but it’s just how the cat part of you is wired. Since we didn’t know how cat-like you really are, we didn’t know the little things you needed from us,” Charlie explained, seeing your mild confusion and curiosity.

The longer Charlie spoke, things were somewhat making sense. You had done a lot of research on cats but had ignored a lot as well. Dean kept rubbing your back gently, and you found yourself relaxing as your tail began swaying lazily to your side. 

Sam cleared his throat, causing you to look over at him, “We want to include you in things, if you want to stay here. None of us want to see you go back to doing something you don’t want to. So, if you’re up for it, we want to teach you about hunting.”

“Really?” you asked, surprised.

“Yup. And I’ll teach you some hand-to-hand stuff,” Dean added with a smirk you knew meant he was looking forward to it.

You couldn’t help the small smile that played along your lips. Family wasn’t something you’d had in a long time. “Now for the part you might feel weird about,” Charlie pipped in, pulling your attention to her. “Your cycles. I did drug you. It was mostly to let you sleep through this cycle while I figured other stuff out. When you told me that you had only texted with Dean, all the pieces made sense. This might sound weird, but, well, he’s your human.”

Your face went blank as you stared at her. It was something you’d read about: cats choosing their person. A light blush also found its way to your cheeks. It did explain a lot as to why Dean staying away from you had bothered you so much. Part of you also felt bad for it. 

Looking away from Charlie and down at your cup as your ears drooped a little, you mumbled, “I’m sorry.”

Dean wasted no time, pulling you closer to him and nuzzling his cheek just behind your ear, “Would you stop apologizing already,” he told you, somewhat playfully.

The contact surprised you, but it also comforted you in a way you hadn’t felt before. Relief washed through you as you let your body lean into his.

“As long as Dean doesn’t do something stupid,” Charlie continued, giving Dean a warning glare, “you’ll be okay. You also need to be eating more red meat and chicken or some other sort of bird. It’s a high-protein diet. I would add fish, too, if you aren’t allergic to it. Your system was out of whack. That was also making your cycles harder. You and Dean have at least three weeks to figure things out. On your next cycle, it’ll just be the two of you here in the bunker.”

That one made your blush so deep, you swore you were the color of a tomato. When Dean chuckled, you felt it rumble from deep in his chest. “I promise, I won’t hurt you, not on purpose,” he whispered, and you could hear the soft smile in his words.

“Thanks, just nervous, I guess,” you mumbled.

“With all that out of the way,” Charlied piped in again, causing you to pull away from Dean so you could see her better. “Your cat side needs more physical contact. You’ve starved it since the curse happened, and that’s another reason your cycles were so bad, your emotions were all over the place, and your hormone levels are, or at least were, way off. Cas also healed you, but you have to keep up on things.” 

Sometimes you just loved listening to her talk with how expressive she was. It was like when she talked, she put everything into it. What she said made sense. You had pushed a lot away since the curse, and being around them had brought a lot out that you weren’t prepared for. You’d dealt with the curse and, recently, the fact that it couldn’t be broken. Now, it was time to deal with all of what you were. Which was apparently far more cat-like than you ever considered.

Dean kept contact with you; right now, it was his hand on your lower back, rubbing gentle circles against your shirt with his thumb. Charlie’s words helped put other pieces into place. Cas had healed you, completely. That was why things felt different. Your body chemistry was finally like it was supposed to be, which it never had been before.

“We typically aren’t physically affectionate people,” Sam added with a softness you weren’t used to, “but we can work on that. If you need a hug, don’t feel like you need to ask. That’s all I’m saying. Just keep all that other stuff to you and Dean.”

The last part made you giggle a little, something you hadn’t done in what felt like far too long. “Thanks. I can’t say that enough, to all of you,” it was really all you could say. “Come on, I’ll get you something to eat,” Dean told you, kissing the top of your head before he headed in that direction.

You hadn’t even thought about food, not with everything Charlie had been talking about, even if she had brought up meat, and bacon. Curiously, you grabbed your cup and followed Dean while the others did their best not to snicker as you walked away. Your ears and tail twitched with a curiosity that you hadn’t felt before, not like this anyway. Sure, you got curious in the past, but this felt different; everything did. 

Dean was already standing at the stove, heating a pan. You filled your cup again before hoisting yourself up on the island to watch him. Yes, you enjoyed sitting on surfaces that weren’t technically meant for sitting. Although, you weren’t sure if that was a cat thing or just a weird human thing. You did make sure to keep your tail on the left side of your body since Dean was also using part of the island for cooking items.

For a while, neither of you spoke. You just watched him cook, gently swaying your feet. The food did smell amazing, and just when he turned to look at you, you were licking your lips.

“Smell good?” he asked with an amused smirk.

“Let’s just say I didn’t realize I was hungry till I smelled it,” you replied, smiling happily. “Yes, it does smell good,” you decided to add, not wanting him to feel as though you didn’t want to actually answer him. 

“You know, you really are adorable,” he chuckled, shaking his head slightly in amusement as he went back to cooking. 

Your ears twitched with your tail, giving away just how good you were feeling and how good his words made you feel. It wasn’t like you could hide that sort of thing. “And you’re sweet,” you told him, and you were fairly surprised at how easily it was to feel as relaxed as you were. “Be right back,” you quickly stated, then hopped off the island.

Heading back to the library, you found Cas and hugged him, even though he was sitting down. “I can’t thank you enough, Cas. I don’t think I ever felt this good after I got cursed.” Then, you went over and hugged Charlie, now purring. “You too. Thank you, Charlie, for caring like you did, and do.”

Charlie actually blushed, but she returned the hug. Cas was still somewhat confused but smiling nonetheless. Feeling better now that you had thanked them again, you went back into the kitchen. You somehow just knew that it was those two who had done most of the work. You slid onto one of the seats at the table, just watching Dean again. You rested your head in your palms as your elbows were on the table. 

Dean plated the steak, eggs, and toast and brought it over to you, sitting down across from you. “Hope you’re hungry,” he smirked.

Licking your lips at the meal before you, “Starving.”

He chuckled at your response but sat there while you ate. You hadn’t ever looked this happy, relaxed, and playful since you’d moved in. He didn’t want to hope, but seeing you now, that hope grew within him. Charlie had given him quite the earful the day before your cycle started, and she was far harder on him than he’d ever been on himself. You were more than a person, you were also a lot like a cat. She had explained that a relationship with a person is different. Break-ups can be healed, and people can move on. When it comes to animals, though, the moving on part doesn’t always happen, and that some animals can die from depression. Dean realized quickly, thanks to Charlie, that not being with you would be far more harmful than if he chose to be, and that was just with the living situation. 

He was lost in his thoughts, watching you and figuring out just what came next for the two of you. Dean had already gone through the range of things in his thoughts. Everything from slow and gentle to fucking the brat out of you, and he was still struggling with how to even pursue a first real kiss with you at the moment.

“Whatcha thinkin’ about?” you asked, mouthful of a bite of steak and egg, without looking up at him.

“What makes you think I’m thinking about anything?” he asked, raising an eyebrow, fairly curious at this point.

“Your scent changes,” you replied, then swallowed the bite in your mouth, looking up at him.

Dean blushed, but attempted to smirk and recover, “Good change or bad change?” 

“Depends. What were you thinking about?” you replied, this time tilting your head, just a bit, curiously.

“Kissing you,” he answered, his smirk turning to more of a smile.

“Then it would be a good change, and now I know,” you giggled, going back to your meal.

His entire expression went to utter confusion for a moment due to your response. You didn’t say anything about him wanting to kiss you, just that the scent he gave off was good. He made a mental note to ask Charlie about that later since she’d become somewhat of an expert.

You were able to think back on other times he had that scent, and it definitely made sense. Now, at least, you knew what the change meant. It was hard to focus, though. Between the delicious meal he’d made you and the scent coming off of him, your mind was thinking about all sorts of things.

I wonder if that scent gets stronger if he thinks more intimate thoughts?

It was more curiosity than anything at this point. Popping the last bite of steak in your mouth, you purred, smiling happily. 

“I love it when you do that,” Dean chuckled, taking your plate to the sink and beginning to clean up.

That wouldn’t do for you, though, so quickly got to your feet, and got between him and the sink before he could make it there. You looked up at him, wishing you could truly express what you felt, but couldn’t find the words.

“You cooked. I can clean up,” you told him sincerely. It was the only thing you could think of, other than how close the two of you were, again.

Dean leaned a little closer, sliding the plate into the sink behind you, then set his hands on your hips, “You’re quicker than you look.”

“That? That was nothing,” you replied, but the moment you looked into his eyes, your lips parted, and your mind went blank. You’d wanted to say something else, but for the life of you, whatever it was, it was gone with how he was looking at you.

He licked his lips, and your eyes caught the movement, now watching his tongue slide between his lips before it disappeared behind them again. Slowly, you looked back up into those beautiful green eyes of his, and you could have sworn they were a shade darker. 

Your entire body went through anticipation of what he’d do next, of the what if he kissed you.

Does he even know what he does to me when he looks at me like that? Yeah, probably. 

The moment you opened your mouth to say something else, he leaned down and placed those wonderful, plump, soft pink lips of his against yours. He reached one of his hands up, gently holding your cheek. It almost felt like a dream, but your body made it clear that it was anything but. 

It was slow and intimate, and you had no control over the purring it brought on. You felt Dean smirk against your lips as he deepened the kiss, ever so slightly. Those sweet butterfly kisses you had dreamed about. Everything but the two of you was nonexistent the moment he slipped his tongue between your lips, which you let him, inhaling deeply and pressing your body closer to his. 

If it wasn’t for Cas just showing up in the kitchen, you weren’t sure how long that kiss would have lasted.

“Damnit, Cas, we talked about this,” Dean growled, annoyed, making you giggle as you calmed your breathing.

“Sorry, Dean, but we have a problem. Let me take her to her room,” Cas said in a way that made your heart pound harder against your chest.

----------------------------------------- A/N: Part 3 is on hold for now while I try to finish Soulmates. I hope I can get back to this one and get part 3 written and up for you guys.

Series Master List Part 1 Master List Part 2 Master List Past 3 Master List (On Hold) Main Master List

A/N: As always, if you'd like to be tagged, let me know in a comment. And if I missed your request to be tagged, please let me know. I know not everyone is interested in everything an author writes, so don't mind doing different tag lists for each piece of writing. I just get a lot of requests sometimes.

Tag List: @roseblue373 @zaratahir @jc-winchester @suckitands33 @n-o-p-e-never

@nancymcl @deans-spinster-witch @kindollss @flamencodiva @reignsboy19

@stillhere197 @kr804573 @hobby27 @megs-gadom

[foxett]

Hey guys did you know im clinically insane and have multiple OMORI AUs not just swingset? Yapping below! (Spoilers for canon game sometimes i guess)

Swingset AU / SSAU / TRTT (two ropes tied together)(fic name abbreviation) wasn't even the first au I've made.

The first one i really created was ODS (Omori didn't succumb) but the original concept of that whole au is completely different to what it ended up. Originally it was Sunny surviving the bad ending but I changed it to him just remaining as a ghost that can sorta turn physical at will. No I will not make a fic of this.

The next au i can remember making (after swingset) was Kanpekikel (which i completely forgot existed until a few days ago) which is just your average hikikel au with a side of horrible parenting and lots of Kel angst. No, again, I will not write anything of this. I'm pretty sure Kanpekikel was a really early version of Daburumori without the whole double isolation for the kiddos thing.

Like a few days after i got the general idea of Wasurerumori which basically. Everyone forgets Mari and Sunny ever existed and Sunny has to navigate his new reality of "whoops guess nothing ever happened then! My friends don't know me" - again nothing planned to be written

I don't know when but i had a conversation with my friend which led to RWmori being created. Rain world/Omori au where everyone is a slugcat (but anthro. Clothes and stuff!) and deals with the Omori plot with bonus spice (Sunny is Hunter from rain world, a character that literally is terminally ill. Whoops. Sorry Sunter (the name)). I don't plan to write a fic of this one BUT I did start an animatic of it. Might finish it. We'll see.

Daburumori is my second most fleshed out au. I have some (outdated) reference sheets for the main gang (+headspace vers for Kel and Sunny) just check out the tag i guess. I will probably not write anything of it as the plot isn't really cohesive. Might make little comics though!

The next au(?) is basically more of a fic idea. I called it Fire And Ice and i might write it alongside swingset but without the usual once per week updates. It's basically just suntan with some royalty, magic and transgendering. You know me, i love suntan!

I promise not all of these aus are suntan. I PROMISE. (I might be in denial) (Sorry i love suntan sorry sorry AugghhHHHHH)

The last au i have is sporemori which is a big mess of media i like. Infections, mushrooms that really like growing in your bodies, elements from the ghibli movie 'Nausicaa and the valley of the wind' (I don't remember the name please don't attack me) and a whole lot of body horror! I've actually drawn sunny for this au but since i haven't finished anyone else's designs i won't post it unless i randomly get possessed and finish them all. I MIGHT write something for it. No promises. I tried to write something but it got a bit too messy 2k words in (and it was just like. Before the plot?)

Edit! I somehow forgot the existence of headspaced au. It's not that big of an au and it'd work more as a mod. But i cannot mod. Which is why i refuse to associate myself with this au because it's hell on earth to try to explain the lore. /Hj

Fox out ! Yay seeya

[agentleem]

Leviathan Company: First session

So, I decided to catalogue what happened in the Leviathan Company.

We start with 4 figures assembling for a job posted by the King: Sir Ivan, Anakiir, Zeta, and Lily. Local bandits were harassing a local village, and the King didn't want any of that. Upon arriving to the fear-stricken village, the party's immediate first act is to break into one grumpy dude's home, and just start chilling. Then, the bandits arrived. Ivan convinced the bandits to leave, then as they were leaving, Lily started attacking one, thus making starting the first fight of the campaign.

Now, I'd love to tell you how we won the fight, how we taught this good-for-nothing bandits what's up. Unfortunately, I can't, because we didn't win the fight. We were all level 1, there were lots of bandits, and we rolled very poorly. so, the bandits tied us up and brought us to their leader. So, what else were we to do? Why, we bullshitted our way out. We pretended to be members of a bigger, stronger, much more terrifying clan of bandits called . . . "The Futt Buckerson clan." We said that this clan can, and would wipe these from existence for kidnapping us. However, the gang would forget this, if we were released and they promised to leave the village alone. We rolled well to deceive here, so we were let go.

So we returned, having fulfilled the job after failing. There is only one problem: the DM had only planned that much for the session, so he had to improvise. When we got back, we were met by an aristrocrat named Duke VonDuke, who hired us to protect him at Baron VonBaron's party.

So, the BVB's party happened, we met some wealthy locals, stuff like that, and then the next morning, it was revealed that Baron VonBaron was MURDERED!!!! And that was the session.

[writer-zie]

HOW WOULD OTHER BORDERLAND CHARACTERS GET MIRA KANO-ED IN THE Q❤️ GAME? SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!!!!!

(By Mira Kano-ed I mean like all the hallucination and manipulation crap that Arisu and Usagi had to go through)

WARNINGS: not-so-bad derealization, mentions of pills, child neglect.

Characters:

Niragi, Chishiya, and Shinrai (OC)

.▒█▒█▒█▒█▒█▒█▒ ❤️ ▒█▒█▒█▒█▒█▒█▒.

NIRAGI

(honestly I doubt he could have made it to the rooftop without bleeding out or just collapsing and dying cus he was dying for like half the season and coughing up blood and then he literally got shot but IF HE COULD—)

It says on the wiki that he was a game designer, and I took that and ran with it.

He definitely would be a tough one to break, seeing as he got burned, fell off a roof, burned again, and shot in the stomach.

That would be something he would be unable to forget, ever (because he's covered in 3rd degree burns, and has a hole in his stomach)

But experiences can be simulated, and so can pain.

He was a game designer, correct?

Well, his company had started to delve into virtual reality, and he was the first tester for the new VR lenses.

This one wasn't a headset, no, these were lenses, that were put into your eyes like contacts.

But it worked too well. The lenses latched onto nerves in his brain, and would not release him until the game was finished. (neuroscientists don't come for me TvT)

Borders? That's something that occurs in videogames, right? Lasers that come from the sky? That couldn't happen in any place other than a videogame.

*cue visual of lenses being taken out of the eyes*

Mira was one of the people in management at the company, and was working to remove the lenses. She was also the creator of the game, which she called "B🂡RDERLAND".

*cue Niragi realising he's in the "real" world again, but tied to a chair*

Mira tells him that they fear the experience may have altered some of his brain functions, and he needs to take these pills to end the games.

Niragi's always been suspicious of taking pills or consuming stuff that he doesn't fully know the effects of, or just taking consumables from people.

(because he got bullied)

So, he asks what the pills do, while trying to get out of the restraints, as they bring back bad memories, and Mira just keeps telling him they end the games.

He slowly begins to remember that the rules for the game were play 3 rounds and don't quit, and as he struggles against the restraints, and Mira just keeps telling him the pills stop the games,

*cue ripping sound effect*

As the restraints on his arms tear off, he finds himself back in Borderland again.

(we all know that in reality he would have tried to shoot her, and since he's not that rational, probably would shoot her, thus dooming himself (and everyone else I think), but for the sake of this let's give him some rationality.)

CHISHIYA

(just remembered that he's also bleeding out but he was barely fazed by that)

We all know this man wouldn't be affected by Mira's words and would probably manipulate her into letting him win.

Or it'd be a standoff manipulation battle between the two.

Ok, but let's think about what she could to to try (and fail) to get him to quit.

The one thing we've seen Chishiya be even slightly perturbed about was that one scene in the hospital where they had to give the heart to a guy who had made lots of donations to the hospital instead of this little boy whose mother he had promised her son would get better.

She'd probably start on about how the decision haunted him and he'd immediately say "um, no it didn't, sure, I was kinda upset about it, but like, all that taught me is that life is unfair and choices are cruel. Anyway let's play croquet I want this to be over."

Mira would immediately try and find some other memory, but Chishiya hasn't had much stuff to faze him. Like ever.

This man has only been mildly amused or slightly shocked at literally everything in his life.

Mira has nothing to go on here, so all she can do is stall, and keep trying to scan for trauma, but she's got nothing on him.

His mind isn't an iron fortress, it's just plains, with nothing on them. No spikes for hurt memories, no blood for pain, no holes for grief, no.

(If you cover spikes with dirt, it appears as normal ground.)

But anyway. Mira is, for once in her life, stumped.

However, when there is no trauma to prey on, you have to create it yourself.

She scans his mind for anything that could be used against him, friends, family,

All Chishiya's friends are people who he knows are safe, and his family? All his memories of them are locked in stone.

But even if she did find anything, he's fully aware of his situation now, and he's just sitting there at the tea table, grin on his face.

"Let's play croquet, shall we?"

(honestly, if I was Mira, I would be stumped too, because how do you hurt someone when you have nothing to hurt them with?)

SHINRAI (OC)

(I had a dream this morning about her backstory, and I just had to, if you don't want OC content, don't read. Also, TW: Child Neglect, because Shinrai is somewhere between the ages of 9 and 11 (no that's not meant to be a joke), um, yeah that's it, enjoy.)

Quick Before-The-Content:

Kid who ended up in the Borderlands, and has mainly survived because she is a child, and her very high IQ.

Partnered up with Chishiya for some time in phase two, they are kinda alike in personality and intelligence.

Despite being so young, Shinrai is extremely mature, but in the wrong ways, (as in she only got to be a child for 5-6 years before getting put into foster care, she has adult perception of the world, but is a kid inside, so all her emotion and interaction receptors are way massed up), she feels the world is cruel due to having terrible foster parents, who completely neglected her, except for basic needs.

However, one day they got a massive bonus from the company they worked for, and splashed out on expensive clothes and most importantly, a holiday overseas. Also, so she wouldn't complain, they bought her a crapton of toys.

Left for their holiday, leaving Shinrai alone in Tokyo, BOOM! Borderlands time!

OK THE CONTENT STARTS NOW

Shinrai wouldn't be a tough one to convince, as she has a hell of a lot of trauma for Mira to use.

Once the manipulation started, Shinrai would be back in her room, the one in her foster parents' house, surrounded by toys which she didn't have much need for, but had become pretty much her only source of entertainment.

She had built a Lego wall around the front of her room, and within that wall were numerous amounts of dolls.

A handmade doll with dark curly hair and dungarees. A boy in a plushy cat costume.

Herself, Chishiya.

A boy with spiky hair in blue and white clothes. A girl in mountain climbing gear.

Arisu, Usagi.

A strongman and another doll, which had partially melted, due to being stuck behind a radiator and catching fire.

Aguni, Niragi.

A girl in spy gear, and one in a swimsuit.

Ann, Kuina.

An ornate doll with long black hair and a twinkly black dress.

Mira.

Slowly, but surely, she began to realise. All these toys represented people she had met during her time here.

Even Mira.

All her life, her imagination had been hyperactive, creating wild worlds in her head, so was it possible, that this whole experience was something she'd created?

No. Surely not.

The Mira-doll spoke up.

"Your foster carers left you here, and didn't come back from their holiday. Food was running out, and you don't have keys. So, you distracted yourself with these toys."

"You created a whole world in your head. All of this is your doing. You even put yourself in the world." she said, hand moving towards the Shinrai-doll.

Shinrai would probably go into immense shock from this, because, well, it sounded plausible.

But that meant all her friends, all the relationships she'd built, they were fabricated?

"You don't want to live a false life, do you?" said the Mira-doll, eyebrow raising.

"N-No?"

The doll hopped off her pedestal, walk across the floor, and exit the wall through a Lego archway that didn't seem to be there before.

"All you have to do is step out." it said, extending a porcelain hand.

This would be it. Mira would win, and Borderland would continue until everyone's visas ran out.

A hand grabbed onto her trouser leg. She looked back. The plastic hand of the boy with spiky hair.

"Shinrai? Hey, it's me, Arisu! We're all real! Don't listen to her!"

The mountain climber girl came next.

"Yeah! Shinrai it's Usagi! You remember us? We're real!"

The girl in a swimsuit.

"You think all of this is fake? Hell no! Don't go, Shinrai?"

And finally, the boy in the cat costume.

"You think you could have fabricated someone as complex as me? Don't listen to her."

And finally, the illusion would end with Shinrai turning around to the masses of dolls looking up at her with determined eyes, and saying,

"No thanks. I'm staying with my friends."

(I hope you enjoyed this! Kinda got carried away, but I loved writing it, and I hope you liked reading it! Have a blessed day folks!)

[fandom-imagines-for-days]

Pairing: Peter Parker (Tom) x Reader(Zee)

Warnings: Amnesia, crying, the big sad, Spoilers for No Way Home, that's about it.

Summary: Peter needs to say goodbye to his girlfriend Zee, Dr Strange only gave him so much time to do it, but at the moment she's too busy. He shows up later to explain the situation after telling some drunk guys to back off, promising to make her remember.

Request: Yes, @ethqnholic

________________________________

Peter said goodbye to Dr. Strange. Calling him Steve felt just as strange as calling Mr. Stark: Tony. It was wrong, and in a small way it stung. He knew it probably wouldn't happen again, since they were all going to forget him. All the love, memories, moments of joy and laughter and success would just be sucked out of the universe and destroyed. Like it never even happened. And he would be the only person to remember it. The idea alone felt like hell. Everything was falling apart at the seams, he had to do this, he needed to. It was his job as a Superhero. All this happened because everyone knew him, so… he needed to remedy that.

Unfortunately that remedy meant the people closest to him were going to look at him as a stranger. Their memories of his utter existence would be wiped from their minds faster than they could blink. In an instant their relationships would shatter.

Peter steeled himself for the inevitable. It had to be done. He put on a straight face and got to swinging across the city. A route he had travelled many times by now; nearly everyday he would go to Merlin's cafe. It was on the west end, a quiet little coffee shop that his wonderful girlfriend managed. She loved her job and he loved her. They'd been dating for three years already. The time they spent together was magical. She had Wednesdays and Fridays off, but that meant she had to work Saturdays. She didn't mind. Zee was a beautiful woman and an even better employee. Peter would come in everyday she worked and when she didn't, he would be with her at their shared apartment, making breakfast together and laughing, playing some music and dancing along playfully. Their relationship was like a breath of fresh air, a breeze on a hot day. Everything you never knew you needed until it showed up and then you couldn't live without it.

Peter's heart was heavy with emotion. He knew he didn't have long, which was why he needed to be quick. He dropped in front of the Cafe, nearly sprinting inside. He saw his stunning partner, dressed in her black uniform top and form fitting jeans, the black sneakers he had gotten her for her birthday were on. Along her golden skin were lines of jewellery, you name it she wore it. Rings, necklaces, all of it. She loved the style, it made her feel comfortable and unique, and she was. Zee was everything Peter needed. Which is why this would be so fucking hard to do.

Zee's long black hair was tied up in a messy bun, a pen stuck into it for when she needed to write notes for some customers' orders.

Unfortunately she was swamped at the moment. It felt like everybody in New York needed a bloody cup of coffee right now!

Peter hurried to the counter where she was busy making a coffee for a short haired man in a plaid shirt.

"Anything else Sir?" She asked politely. The man added a doughnut to his order.

"Zee." She turned her head to see Peter and flashed him a smile, a smile so full of love and compassion. "Afternoon Peter, I know things are super hectic right now, I can't talk, I'm sorry."

"Listen Zee this is actually really important, if I could just-"

"I'm sorry Pete, I love you, my boss will have my head if I get too behind."

"Okay, then can I please get a cup of coffee?" Zee gave him a look, one of those soft, loving expressions he was going to miss more than anything.

"Babe you cut the line, I really can't take your order, I'm so sorry. I love you, I'll be all yours when I get off okay?" Peter felt his heart break.

He needed to move all of his stuff out of the apartment before she got there. He needed to find a place to stay. And he wouldn't have any friends in the city to help him. Shit.

"I love you." He said, like a promise.

Peter left the coffee shop.

Peter Parker spent the next three hours moving all of his stuff into a storage unit a block away from their apartment… her apartment. He never thought he'd need to move out. Despite them never breaking up, this felt awfully like a goodbye. He sighed heavily and got his things secured. Once that was settled, he allowed himself the space to cry.

He climbed to the tallest building in New York, collapsed to the floor and started sobbing. Tears streamed his face as he thought about everything. He didn't have time to say goodbye to Ned, or MJ. Two of his most important friends. He cried for them, grieving their loss despite them being very much alive. He let his heart break for Ned, having his Death Star Lego ship sit on his shelf, the one that he couldn't remember who he built it with.

MJ knew something was missing when she walked out of the coffee shop that afternoon, but for the life of her, she couldn't remember what it was.

He didn't even get the chance to say goodbye to Happy either.

He felt like such a bad person. Peter tried to reason with himself that he couldn't be that bad if no one remembered who he was.

Somehow that thought just made everything worse. He cried. He sobbed and wept and held himself in a ball as he let everything he felt, the reality of the situation fully hit him.

Emptiness didn't come close to the hollow feeling he had in his chest. Words weren't good enough for that feeling, or lack thereof. He made a mental list of everything he needed to do now.

He needed to make Ned remember him. He needed to remind MJ of their friendship. And most importantly, he needed Zee to remember. Her forgetting forever just wasn't an option. She needed to remember him.

With a new plan in motion, Peter didn't feel as hopeless. He checked his phone. It was about the time that Zee would be walking home. He couldn't waste his chance. He immediately leapt off the building to find her.

Zee locked the doors of the coffee shop, making sure everything was closed, lights were off, machines were clean. Satisfied her job was done, she made her way home.

Something felt off today. Zee couldn't quite remember what it was, but it was like a number she had memorised had suddenly been smudged. A person was missing from her camera roll. It was something on the tip of her tongue that she couldn't remember.

What was she missing?

Zee followed the route she took home everyday. To her shared apartment… no that's wrong, she told herself. To her apartment, she corrected. Yeah her one, that she didn't share with anyone, because she was single.

Yeah that made sense.

Zee walked calmly but with a long stride, wanting to get home soon. Something about today made her feel awfully tired, so all she wanted to do was fall into bed and sleep until her next shift.

About ten minutes into her walk, she was stopped by the sound of a loud wolf whistle and two men shouting at her.

"Aye Mami! Can you turn around for me?" Followed by a laugh.

Zee cringed internally. She did the safest thing she could in the moment, with the sun already setting and ignored them, walking just a little bit faster to hopefully bypass them. Unfortunately they weren't taking the silence as an answer.

"Aye! You can't ignore me bitch!" He continued to yell. She heard footsteps following her. She was nearly running, terror having taken hold of her body. She needed to get home. This wasn't a good situation. They tried again, yelling more obscenities. "You think you're better than me?"

They were closer now, and she could smell the alcohol that surrounded them like a putrid cloud. She coughed at the scent and finally stopped.

"No, I don't, I just want to go home okay? I've had a long day. I'm sorry." She said, hoping this would be good enough. The men stalked in closer and Zee got ready to bolt the moment they got any closer.

Except. She didn't have to, for a man ran up from behind her and wrapped his arm around her in a protective fashion. "Hey! What are you guys doing talking to my girlfriend?" He said, loudly and firmly, taking charge of the situation. Zee felt like the statement was right but wasn't sure why.

"There you are babe, I was hoping you'd catch me here." Zee said, playing along instantly. The guys took a step back. "Yeah, leave us be." He told them, turning her around and walking with her in the direction of her apartment.

"Hey, you okay?" He asked, looking back to make sure the guys had buggered off somewhere else. Zee nodded gratefully.

"Yes, I am thank you. My-" She faltered. She was about to say:

'My boyfriend normally walks me home' but had to pause. She was single.

"Thank you." She said again, clarifying. The man nodded. He was awfully attractive, short curly brown hair that seemed to fit him perfectly. His face had gentle features that accentuated the soft caramel eyes he had. Seeing him made her smile. Made her feel safe. Why?

Peter had been watching her walk home, hoping to get up enough courage to just show up and speak to her. When those two drunk guys started harassing her, he didn't have a choice. Peter couldn't just watch, he needed to protect his life partner.

She seemed comfortable around him, despite the fact that he was now a stranger in her eyes.

He made sure she was okay.

"Do I know you?" She asked, a playful smile tugging at her lips. God Peter missed that smile.

"Yeah, you did." He said. She faltered. Shit. That was the wrong thing to say.

"Uh, I'd like if we could get to know each other." He corrected himself. She smiled again. "Okay." Zee spoke, "What's your name then?"

"Peter, Peter Parker." He told her, feeling an awful sense of Deja Vu.

"Zee, it's lovely to meet you Peter." She shared in return. He smiled back.

"Can I walk you home?" He offered, hoping against all hope she would accept. Without hesitation she agreed. "That would be lovely Peter, thank you." He felt relief flood every single part of him. Hopefully this will go well.

"I promise you Zee, I'll make you remember me." He said.

The woman tilted her head to look at him. "Remember you?"

"You'll know Zee," he started, praying to any gods out there that this would work out the way he needed it to.

"When it happens you'll know." He finished, ushering her forward to keep walking home.

_________

Thank you so much for the request! I hope I did it justice!

If you have any comments, questions, or requests, feel free to inbox or message me!

Thank you for reading!❤️✨️

[mimisempai]

I’ll be home for Christmas

Summary

Mycroft's work prevents him from spending Christmas with Greg. But sometimes Christmas miracles happen...

Notes

8th December Prompt : "You can't be alone on Christmas eve!"

On Ao3

Rating G - 700 words

"What do you mean you won't be able to be there?" asked Greg to Mycroft on the phone.

"Well, diplomatic crises don't stop at Christmas unfortunately and I'm really needed here. I'm sorry, I was really looking forward to spending Christmas Eve with you; but I promise I'll be there in the morning," Mycroft replied.

The disappointment was clearly perceptible in his voice and sounded genuine, which mitigated Greg's annoyance considerably.

He said softly, hiding the disappointment in his voice as much as possible, "You have no choice, Mycroft, I know that. I'm more sorry for you. And..."

He couldn't keep the frustration out of his voice, "It's really not fair! You can't be alone on christmas eve!"

Mycroft sighed into the phone, "I know."

Greg pulled himself together and said in a soothing tone, "Don't worry, you know I won't be alone so, you, take good care of yourself and don't overdo it either."

"I promise."

"Mycroft?"

"Yes, I'm still here."

"I love you."

Mycroft sighed again, "You're not making this easy for me."

Greg chuckled softly, "That's so you don't forget."

"I love you too. I promise, I'll try to come as soon as I'm done."

"I'd rather you come later and in good condition than too early and be reckless driving or harass the driver...."

"Thank you for being so understanding, my love. I'm hanging up now. See you soon, I promise!" 

Greg sighed when he was sure that Mycroft wouldn't hear him. Of course he was disappointed, it was their first Christmas together or rather their first Christmas at 221B as a couple, but he also knew that it was weighing on Mycroft, so he certainly wasn't going to add to it.

A few hours later, after making sure he had all the presents with him, he left their apartment and headed for his car.

Suddenly, he heard a screech, followed by a thud beside him. He turned his head to see Mycroft walking around the car he had just arrived in.

He said to him with a bright smile, "Hey handsome, can I give you a lift somewhere?"

"Mycroft! But... what... how... ?"

Greg was stunned.

"We'll call it a Christmas miracle," Mycroft replied as he stepped closer, "I've decided that nothing is more important than spending Christmas with you." 

"But..." stammered Greg, "What about your work, I mean your diplomatic stuff."

Mycroft winked at Greg, "It'll still be here tomorrow. And to tell you, now that I'm here, it doesn't matter."

Greg hugged him and buried his face in his neck, a little uncomfortable because of their winter coats, "It's great that you're here, I know some people who are going to be really happy."

Mycroft pulled back a little and, brushing Greg's hair back, he said teasingly, "I hope you're feeling great too."

Greg laughed, shaking his head, " Idiot, like you don't know that."

Then he took a step back and, taking his lover's hand, he said, "Come on, let's go."

But Mycroft didn't move and Greg turned to him, "What?"

"You forgot something." 

Mycroft raised his finger to the sky. Greg looked up and saw a branch of Mistletoe hanging from a lamp post.

Mycroft took Greg's face in his hands and gently pressed his lips to Greg's, kissing him tenderly. Greg's arms wrapped around Mycroft's waist, pulling him even closer as he deepened the kiss. When they parted, Greg rested his forehead against Mycroft's and whispered against his lips, "Merry Christmas, my love."

Mycroft kissed him again, then moving back a little, he pulled Greg toward the car he had arrived in.

"Let's go now!"

Greg looked at him, puzzled, "I thought we were taking my car."

Mycroft shook his head, a teasing smile on his lips, "The good thing about this one is that it's got a driver, so we'll have our hands free."

"Hands free for what?"

Mycroft tied his hands around Greg's neck and whispered against his lips, "Hands free for this." before pressing another kiss to his lover's lips.

When the car pulled up a few moments later in front of 221B Baker Street, Greg and Mycroft thought to themselves that the drive had never seemed so short.

_________

Still not beta'd

Still not my native language

Still hoping you'll enjoy this story  🥰

Still thanking you for bearing with me 😝

Mystrade masterlist here

"Advent Calendar" : here

[kyukicho]

He was right, of course. It wasn't a big deal, but everything sure was seeming like one right about now. Scurrying in she thanked him for the door and headed back towards the changing rooms to hop into her gym clothes. Giving him a little wave as she went. "I know Waka!" She called out behind her. "You and Benkei always got my back!" It was true of course. Ever since she was young they were always just a supportive of her as Takeomi was. She'd never forget their kindness.

She didn't immediately answer his last questions. Ducking into the small girl's area which was usually only her ever using it. Senju let out a long sigh and chose her customary locker to put her stuff to change into. She definitely needed to calm down, Wakasa was getting suspicious of her weird actions and she couldn't blame him for it. She was acting strange in her own mind too. Hopefully some time in the ring would calm her nerves.

"Nope, I'm fine!" She peeked out her head and came trotting back into the main area of the gym. Hair tied up and gym clothes donned. "No fever here, promise."

"Brothers are supposed to be good at getting under your skin. Siblings gotta annoy you at least once a day at minumum." He snickered, shrugging as they walked. "Sorry? What're you sayin' sorry for? It isn't a big deal. Got some fresh air out of it so not like it was really an inconvenience or anything."

Once they had gotten to the gym, he pulled open the door and propped it open with his foot to allow her to enter in first. "Something on your mind? Your brother get to you that badly? Something you need to talk about? It's not like you don't know you can always come to me or Benkei for whatever ends up eatin' at ya." It was a simple reminder but he wanted to make sure she never forgot that.

"You sure you feelin' okay? Your cheeks are getting a little red. You ain't got a fever or somethin' and just ain't telling me, right?"

[study-coffee-chicago]

The Lake (A Halstead Brothers + Halstead Sister imagine)

A/N: As always, thank you for reading, and don't forget to reblog and comment!

Also tagging @allthosedarlings for the #HalloweenSpooktacularFanfictionBingo2022. I know it’s not a woodland, it’s a pond, but there’s trees and fall themes involved. Sort of a dark academia vibe (at least that’s what I listened to when I wrote this). So, hopefully it still counts as the woodland category.

Anyway, enjoy!

"We going to the lake today?" you asked excitedly when Jay put a waffle on your plate.

Today was Saturday. Last night Kim came over and watched you while Jay and Will went out. They weren't going to tell you, but it was your dad's birthday last night. Since you were only three and a half when he died, you didn't really remember him that much. Sure, you'd ask where he was from time to time after he first died and asked why you were always with Jay or Will, but that was it. Of course, you cried at the funeral, but that was because you were confused and scared for your dad. Why were they putting him in the ground?

Jay had promised that the two of you would go to the lake near your house today and get some pretty leaves to do leaf rubbing with. And, you were going to hold them to that.

"How long until you tell her it's actually a pond?" Will asked.

"It's a body of water, isn't it?" Jay shot back. "And, we'll leave after you eat and get ready," he answered. You reached for the syrup and he quickly grabbed it. "I'll do it. We don't want a repeat of last Saturday."

"What happened last week?" Will asked.

"Someone tipped over the syrup bottle," Jay answered as he finished putting syrup on your waffles and then quickly closed the bottle.

"It was so sticky!" you exclaimed.

"I bet," Will agreed with a laugh. Then, he looked at Jay. "Bet you had a great time cleaning that up, didn't you?"

"Don't even start with me or I'll make you do her hair."

Will put his hands up in a sign of surrender. "Okay, okay. Need help cutting your waffles, kiddo?"

"Yes, please," you answered.

Will took your plate from in front of you and quickly cut up your waffles as Jay put three on a plate for himself.

"You want some, man?" he asked.

"Nah, I'm good. I ate before I came. Grabbed one of those bagel sandwiches that you always go crazy for."

"And you didn't bring me one? I'm offended."

Will rolled his eyes. "Do you have any coffee?"

"What kind of a dog do you think I am?" Will just shrugged in response to Jay's question. "It's on the counter. Knock yourself out."

***

"You said I can carry all the leafs!" you told Jay when the two of you got to the pond.

"I did, but I have to get some stuff out of the truck first. And, it's leaves, with a v."

"V-v-v V," you said, saying the letter's sound.

"Right. Leaves," Jay repeated, drawing out the V sound.

"Leaf- Leaves," you repeated with some trouble.

"Good job!" Jay exclaimed and then crouched down to give you a high five.

"Unless you're talking about the hockey team, then it's still--"

"Don't confuse her!" Jay scolded.

You furrowed your eyebrows in concentration--which almost always made Jay have to hold back his laughter--and looked at your oldest brother. "Huh?"

"Will's just being silly," Jay told you. "Now, take your sweatshirt just in case you get cold, okay?"

He held your red sweatshirt out to you and you took it and tied it around your waist like Jay and Will had taught you.

"You're such a mom, you know that?" Will said to Jay.

"Well someone has to be, because it's definitely not you," Jay shot back.

Jay rolled his eyes and then threw the water bottles and a few snacks into the backpack he had brought with him. He closed the truck doors and locked them and then turned to you.

"Alright, let's go!"

***

Your bag was practically full of brightly colored fall leaves within an hour. You were convinced each one was prettier than the last, but Will and Jay were convinced you were just picking up the first ones that you saw on the ground.

You had made it around the pond three times now, and you didn't think there were any more pretty leaves left!

"Can we go on the grass now?" you asked.

"Yup," Jay said.

"And feed the duckies?" you asked.

"Not today."

"But why not?" you pouted.

"How many duckies are there?"

You looked out at the pond. There was only one big one walking at the edge of it. "Oh. Where are they? Did they go bye-bye?"

"Yeah," Jay answered.

"Why?"

Jay looked to Will for help explaining science concepts to a kindergartener.

"You know when it gets cold and me and Jay tell you to stay inside and if you go outside to put on a coat?"

"And my mittens?" you asked.

Will smiled. "And your mittens. Exactly. Well, the ducks don't have all the big coats, so they have to fly somewhere warmer."

"Oh. They come back?"

"Yes, they'll come back near your birthday."

"And then we feed the duckies?" you asked hopefully.

"And then we feed the duckies," Will confirmed.

"What about the big one?" you asked and pointed to the goose near the edge of the pond.

"That's a goose," Jay answered bluntly.

"That's what bit Jay Jay!" you exclaimed.

"How did she...?" Will trailed off.

"In one of her books I sometimes read her before bed, there's a goose and she likes to remind me every time that one bit me," Jay explained.

"She wasn't even a thought in Mom and Dad's mind when that happened."

"She was never a thought in Mom and Dad's mind," Jay said, referring to the fact that you were an oopsie baby.

"True," Will agreed.

As the two of them were talking, you were busy looking for pretty leaves. And there was a really pretty red one a bit away from you next to a blonde girl sitting on the grass.

You took off running and Jay and Will didn't notice until you were next to her.

"Can I have this?" you asked and pointed to the leaf.

The girl looked up at you.

"Sure," she said.

"Thank you!"

Just as you were about to run back to Jay and Will, you felt yourself being lifted off the ground.

"Y/N, what did we say about talking to strangers?" Jay asked after you were securely in his arms.

"Not to," you answered. "But there was a really pretty leaf!"

"We understand that," Will began, "but next time, tell one of us so we can come with you."

"Okay. I'm sorry!"

"It's okay, sweetheart," Jay said. "Now, what do you say we leave the nice lady alone?"

"Okay." Then you turned your attention to the blonde woman. "Thank you for the leaf!"

"You're very welcome," she answered.

Jay was still holding you as he, you, and Will started walking back. With the way you were being held, you were looking behind Will and Jay, so you were still looking at the mystery girl.

Then, you saw something.

"Jay Jay!" you exclaimed, causing both Jay and Will to stop in their tracks (and Jay to wince at your loud voice in his ear). "She has a badge just like you! You know her?"

Jay scanned the scene once more, this time more carefully. Sure enough, there was a badge sticking out from under her shirt, clipped onto her dark wash jeans.

"I don't think so," Jay answered. "Remember what I told you, there are lots of different units."

"And units are like my classes. There's different ones like math and reading!" you answered.

"That's right," he confirmed.

"Wow, Jay. Didn't know you'd be able to explain it so easily that Y/N would be able to understand it," Will quipped.

Jay resisted the urge to whack Will on the arm with his free hand.

"You go talk to her," you told Jay.

Jay stared down at you with an incredulous look on his face. "Me? Why?"

"Because you said to make friends. Don't you make friends, Jay Jay?"

"Yeah, Jay, go make friends," Will agreed with a smirk.

Jay just sighed and rolled his eyes and handed you over to Will. He didn't need you chasing after him and telling this girl all his secrets.

"She is hot," Will whispered when Jay handed you over to him.

And to that, Jay just replied by scratching his face with his middle finger up. That way, you wouldn't see it and ask questions, but he knew for a fact that Will had seen it.

Then, he walked off toward this mystery woman who you had pointed out was a cop.

"Hey," Jay said when he got closer to her. She turned around. "I just wanted to apologize one more time for my little sister. She typically doesn't run off like that."

She set down her pencil and then waved her hand. "No big deal. Like I said, I didn't need the leaf." She smiled.

"She uh, she also saw your badge and told me I should talk to you."

This, got her attention and she stood up. "You a felon or something?"

"No, god no! Far from it actually." Jay lifted his shirt slightly to reveal his badge. Then, he put it back down and stuck out his hand. "Detective Jay Halstead, Intelligence Unit."

She smiled and shook his hand. "Detective Hailey Upton, Robbery Homicide."

"So, do you come here often?" Then, he looked down and shook his head, and chuckled to himself. "I'm sorry. I say really stupid things when beautiful women talk to me."

Hailey laughed, but only because she was slightly uncomfortable. "I bet that line works with a lot of girls, huh?"

"What? No! I've never used that as a pickup line."

"Sorry to burst your bubble, but I'm not looking for a relationship right now." Then, she sat back down and picked up her pencil and canvas. "Maybe I'll work a case with you one day, though."

"Yeah, maybe. Have a good day, Detective Upton."

"You too, Detective Halstead."

***

"You make a new friend?" you asked sweetly as you dumped your leaves out on the kitchen table, which Jay and Will had covered with trash bags.

"Yeah, Jay," Will laughed. "Did you make a new friend?"

"Uh, yeah," Jay lied to you. He couldn't exactly explain the intricacies of pick-up lines and how women have to constantly be wary of their surroundings to a six-year-old. "Me and Hailey are friends. He mouthed later to Will and then quickly changed the subject and set down a big box of crayons on the table. "What color should I do? Do you want to pick my colors for me?"

Your face lit up. "Yes!" You excitedly grabbed the box of crayons and started pulling out colors and explaining your decisions as you went. "Green because it's your favorite color...purple because it's pretty...and orange because leafs are orange!"

"Leaves," Will corrected.

"Leafs."

"Leaves."

"You know what, Y/N," Jay quickly interjected. "I think you should pick out Will's colors, too."

"Okay!"

***

A few weeks later

Jay was interrupted from listening to Voight when he heard a voice. He knew that voice...But who was it? It was vaguely familiar.

"I need you outside to move the yellow tape back fifty yards, and roll in the crime lab."

It was the woman you had told him to make friends with.

Hailey turned back to Voight. "Detective Upton. Robbery homicide."

"Hank Voight, Intelligence," Voight answered.

"Well, I appreciate the help, sergeant, but as of now, this is my scene."

"My team saved a woman's life and recovered evidence. We're running point," Voight told Hailey.

"And I've been tracking this crew for three weeks."

"Then explain to me why we got to the scene first."

"I'm from robbery homicide. There's been a robbery and a homicide here. So I'd appreciate it if you vacated my crime scene."

"Who's your sergeant?"

Hailey shot Jay a look.

Jay knew what this felt like. To be tracking a crew and then not see it through. He wondered what would've happened a year ago with Derek Keyes if his team wasn't on it.

"I know her. She's good police," Jay said.

"You should've led with that Halstead. How do you know her?" Voight asked.

"Met on a case in my patrol days. Stayed in touch," he lied.

"And you vouch for her?"

"I already told you, she's good police."

"Okay, I'll talk to your sergeant. See if we can have you on the case. You've got the background information on this crew and we might need you," Voight said to Hailey. "But you let us run point, got it?"

"Yes, sir."

***

"Molly's?" Ruzek asked Jay as he packed up his stuff after they had caught the bank robbery crew.

Jay looked at his watch. It was 6:00. "Not tonight. If I leave now, I can still do bedtime with Y/N. Haven't been able to do that in two days since we got this case."

"Go be with her. She's a cute kid, Jay."

Jay laughed. "Not when she doesn't get to bed on time. Then she's a little demon."

Adam laughed and shook his head. "Upton, you in? Comin' to Molly's with us?"

"No, sorry, guys. I've gotta go fill in my sergeant tomorrow morning. So, I have to double-check my paperwork. I'll be here another half hour probably."

"Alright, suit yourself."

The rest of the team—minus Voight—walked downstairs, leaving the bullpen to just Jay and Hailey.

"Need help on that paperwork?" Jay asked.

Hailey waved her hand. "No, go home, Jay. Go see Y/N." Then, she had a thought. And she knew if she didn't say in now, she'd chicken out in a few seconds. "If you want, I can grab some beer after I'm done and stop over?"

Jay smiled. "That sounds great...if you don't mind reading a few bedtime stories to Y/N with me. And, uh, she thinks we're friends by the way."

"I don't mind. And, uh, after the case, I wouldn't say she's wrong. About the friend thing."

"I'll text you my address. See you soon...friend."

"You, too, friend," Hailey agreed.

Then, Jay left the bullpen and Hailey went back to checking over her paperwork.

***

"Jay Jay!" you exclaimed and jumped off your chair where you were eating dinner when you saw Jay walk inside.

"Hey, kiddo!" He quickly dropped his duffle bag and crouched down to your height, allowing you to give him a hug.

You pulled away. "I missed you this much!" Then, you spread your arms as far as they could go.

"Oh yeah? Well, I missed you this much!" He spread his arms out as well.

"You win! But it's just be- because you are bigger then me."

"Than," Jay corrected.

"Then."

Th-an," he repeated.

"The- than."

"Good job! Now, can you go finish your food so I can talk to Stacy?"

"Uh-huh."

You went back over and started eating dinner while your babysitter, Stacy, told Jay about how you were good for her that day and that you two worked on reading and she helped you with some math--which you didn't like and struggled with your addition problems--and then that the two of you did more leaf rubbings and started to play tea party with your stuffed animals. And then dinner was ready and now Jay was home.

Jay reached up to the top cupboard and took out a box of cookies with pink frosting. Then, he walked over to the table.

"I think that since you were such a good girl today with Stacy, you can have this." He set the cookie on the napkin next to your plate and you quickly reached for it. "Nope. Finish your dinner first."

You huffed and crossed your arms.

"Hey, now. You're almost done."

"You eat, too?" you asked.

"I'll eat, too," Jay confirmed and scooped some spaghetti onto his plate and then some broccoli and put it in the microwave. Once that was finished he came back to the table and sat down across from you with his plate of food.

"You gotta eat all your broccolis," you told him sternly, which caused Jay to chuckle silently to himself and then take a bite of his broccoli. "You gotta eat all- all of them. Because you are bigger then me."

Jay resisted the urge to correct you once again on how it was than and not then. "Who told you that?" he asked instead.

"Will telled me."

"It's told," he corrected. "Will told me."

"Oh." You paused. "Why?"

"It just...it just is told. When did Will tell you that I have to eat more than you because I'm bigger, hmmm?"

"I ask-ed him why grown-ups eat vege-tables because he was eating lots of salad. And he telled me it's because grown-ups need lots and lots of veggies to grow big and strong."

Jay figured that was enough grammar lessons for today. Anyway, you'd learn with time as all kids did.

"He's right! We do need lots of veggies to grow big and strong, but so do you."

"Big and strong like you!"

"That's right! Big and strong like me, kiddo. Now, eat your food before it gets cold, okay?"

"And then I can have my cookie?" you asked excitedly.

Jay smiled. "And then you can have your cookie."

***

"What story are we reading tonight?" Jay asked. Hailey had texted him half an hour ago to say that she was leaving the district, and he asked if she could wait half an hour before she came over here so that he could do bath time and get you in your pajamas.

"A fall one!" you told him.

"A fall one. Did you learn about fall today in school?" Jay asked.

You nodded. "Uh-huh. We learned about the seasons in science! There's fall, winter, spring, and summer! And we learn how the birdies go to warm places when it's winter here because- because it's cold!"

"Wow! You're learning so much! You might be smarter than me!"

You laughed. "I'm not smarter than you, Jay Jay! I'm only six!" Then, the doorbell rang. "Is Will here? Or Kim and Adam?" Kim would sometimes come babysit you when Jay had to leave and Stacy couldn't babysit you. And sometimes she would bring Adam and Adam would always bring you a treat like a pint of ice cream that he'd share with you or a fancy cupcake.

"It's not them," Jay answered.

"Then who is it?" you asked and looked at him curiously as he stood up.

"Come with me and find out," he told you and reached out his hand and you took it. The doorbell rang once more. "Coming!" he yelled out. But, he had to walk slower so that you could keep up with him.

Jay made a show of looking through the peephole to set an example for you and then opened the door.

"Hey, Hailey," he said. "C'mon in."

"You from the lake!" you exclaimed. "You Jay Jay's friend!"

Hailey laughed. "I am!" She crouched down to your height. "I'm Hailey. And you must be Y/N."

"Yeah! How you know my name?"

"I told her, kiddo," Jay said. "She works with me. Remember how she has a badge, too?"

"Uh-huh. Do I still gotta go to bed?"

Maybe since there was someone else you stay up late!

"Yeah, you do, kiddo." You opened your mouth to protest, but Jay beat you to it. "But, we can read two books tonight. Do you want Hailey to read them to you, too?"

"Hailey and you!"

"Hailey and me, okay."

"C'mon!" Then, you ran ahead of Hailey and Jay toward your room to pick out your books.

***

After reading you Pinkalicious: Apples, Apples, Apples and It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, and then tucking you in, Jay and Hailey were sitting on the couch, each drinking a beer.

"She's a cute kid," Hailey said.

"She really is. She's not cute when she throws a temper tantrum when she doesn't get her way, though," Jay said.

"Oh, I bet."

The two fell into comfortable silence until Jay finally broke it.

"Why'd you want to come over here?"

"To celebrate a bust." Hailey shrugged.

"You and I both know there's more to it than that, Hailey."

She sighed. "Why'd you back me?"

"What?"

"That's why I came over. I wanted to know why you vouched for me with Voight. We only met that one time at the pond. Why'd you vouch for me?"

Now it was Jay's turn to shrug. "Gut feeling I guess."

Hailey raised an eyebrow. "Gut feeling?"

"Yeah. I'm a detective. I trust my instincts. Same as you do."

"That's it?"

"That and I figured you should get to see it through since you'd been the one tracking the crew for three weeks."

"Okay then." She raised her beer. "To gut feelings."

"To gut feelings," Jay agreed and raised his beer.

***

Ten Years Later

Jay grumbled when he felt Hailey getting up from the couch where she was lying against him. (He was half asleep.)

"Where you going?" he yawned. "Tomorrow's our RDO."

"I know. Just gonna go make some tea, babe. Go back to sleep," she told her husband gently.

"Mhm, okay," he mumbled and closed his eyes again.

Hailey made her way to the kitchen, but instead of pulling out tea bags, she pulled out packets of hot chocolate. She filled the kettle with water and put it on the stove, waiting for it to finish. Then, she pulled her phone out of the pocket of her hoodie.

Making hot chocolate. T-minus ten mins. Jay's in and out on the couch. DON'T COME OUT. I'LL COME TO YOU she texted.

Your phone dinged in your hand and you threw your covers off of you. You quickly texted Hailey a thumbs-up emoji. Then, you slowly got out of bed and turned on the fairy lights above your bed, and then you fixed your bed and laid your throw blankets out nicely.

You then went to your closet and grabbed the bag of snacks you had hidden there last night.

You set them on your bed and waited for Hailey while checking the time.

11:54.

Six minutes until Taylor Swift's new album dropped...well, it was as long as two albums. They could be bought separately, but you and Hailey bought the combination album since you were such huge fans.

She was the one who introduced you to Taylor Swift when you were eight years old. The two of you had danced around the living room singing Love Story and then for Christmas, you had asked for her new Speak Now album.

A year later, when you were nine, Jay proposed to Hailey after two years of dating. (They had been working together and had known each other for three years at that point.)

Two minutes later, at 11:56, Hailey entered your room, carrying a tray that held her laptop and two cups of hot chocolate complete with whipped cream and a caramel drizzle on top.

"Oooh, fancy," you said as she handed you a mug of hot chocolate.

"Thank you," she said and took a seat next to you up against one of your pillows.

Then, she set her mug on one of your bedside tables and opened her laptop.

"Snacks are in the bag," you told her. "I grabbed them yesterday after school because I can't let Jay know we're doing this. He'd kill me for being up until 2 am on a school night."

"He'd kill me for allowing it!" Hailey joked as she pulled up Spotify.

"He loves you! He wouldn't kill you!"

"Well, in that case, he wouldn't kill you either. He'd probably just ground you. But, he's asleep on the couch, so hopefully, he'll stay that way."

"Hopefully."

11:59.

"One minute!" you exclaimed.

"I'm so excited!" She opened a candy bar and you opened a bag of chips.

A minute later, Hailey refreshed her Spotify and clicked on the album.

And then, the 1 floated through her laptop speakers.

***

"The Lakes is like our pond!" you exclaimed after the song was over.

"Shhh!" Hailey hissed. Do you want Jay to wake up?"

Then, there was a knock at your bedroom door.

"Shit, shit, shit. Jay's up. He's gonna kill me."

The door opened. "You are so right, young lady. You are not skipping school tomorrow, so I'd recommend you go bed now— wait. Hailey?"

Hailey stood up from your bed and walked over to Jay. "Babe, Taylor Swift's new album came out tonight. She's got study hall for first class, maybe she could just skip it?"

This was the first time you were hearing about that.

"Absolutely not. It was your choice to—"

"Please, Jay," you pleaded. If Hailey backed you on this, you had some leverage. It wasn't much, but it was something. "I finished all my homework, I don't have any teachers I need to meet with. I'd literally just be watching Netflix or YouTube for over an hour. Please can I miss it? Please?"

Jay sighed. "Show me your planner. So I can make sure you aren't lying to me."

You grabbed your backpack and handed the entire thing to him. "You can go through all of it if you want."

And he did. He went through your entire backpack...and wasn't above reading the crumpled-up notes you had shoved in there.

"I better not see any detention slips in here," Jay warned.

"You won't." All that was at the bottom were sticky notes with things you needed to remember...and then you never took them out.

Once Jay was thoroughly done searching your bag, he leaned against the wall and took a long look at Hailey. "You agreed to this?"

"Well, yeah," Hailey said. "If I didn't, I'd be in bed right now."

"So, that tea you were gonna make, I'm assuming it was for you and Y/N?"

"It was hot chocolate, but yeah."

Jay looked down at laughed.

You looked at Hailey and then back at Jay. You didn't see what was funny in you maybe having to go to school on little sleep...and possibly being grounded. But, Jay hadn't mentioned the g-word yet, so you might be okay on that front.

"What?" you asked.

"You two," Jay started, "are going to be the death of me. How much longer do you two have on the album?"

Hailey scrolled through the tracklist. "Fifteen, twenty minutes."

Jay nodded and then looked at you sternly. "When I come check on you in half an hour, you better be laying in bed. I better not see you on your phone. If I see you scrolling through your phone, you are going to your first class. Got me?"

"Only if you see me, got it," you said and Hailey whacked you gently on the shoulder.

"I can take back the deal. Make you get up in, what is it? Five-ish hours?"

"No!" you exclaimed. "After the album's done, I'll go to bed! No phone except to set my alarm, I promise!"

"Good." Then he pointed to your empty mugs. "You two done with those?"

"Yeah," Hailey answered. "Thanks, babe."

Jay picked up the mugs and then left the room.

"Hopefully the next time an album comes out, you'll be in college," Hailey said.

"Why? So that I can skip my morning classes?"

"No, so that you can have some energy drinks on deck."

"I heard that, you two!" Jay yelled from down the hallway.

You grimaced and then hit play on Hailey's laptop. You were not going to risk your extra sleep the one time Jay actually gave in to you.

***

"You're up early," Jay remarked the next morning when he was drinking coffee and saw Hailey walk out of their bedroom.

"Perks of having insomnia, I guess. When I don't get enough sleep, it's almost like a normal day for me."

Jay frowned. "I'm sorry, Hails."

She waved her hand and then reached into the cabinet for a mug. "Don't be sorry. When I went the bed after we listened to the album, I went straight to sleep. I actually slept good for the amount of time I slept."

"Well, I guess that's good."

Hailey poured her coffee and then sat down. She was just about to enjoy a peaceful fifteen minutes with her husband by chatting and drinking coffee when both of their phones buzzed.

"Voight," Hailey said. "Says we got called in. Doesn't say much except for the location. River in Cicero and that the victim was a teenage girl."

Jay wiped a hand down his face. He hated these cases. They always reminded him that life was short and you could be ripped out of his and Will's lives in an instant.

Hailey placed a hand on Jay's shoulder. "I know. But, what does Voight always say? These are the cases that need to be solved."

"Yeah," Jay confirmed. "That's it. I, um, I'm gonna go check on Y/N. You can have the bathroom first."

***

Fifteen minutes later, Jay was making Hailey a bagel to eat on their way to the district and Hailey was just stepping out of the shower when Jay's phone binged. He picked it up. It was an email from your school.

He had called you in as absent for the first class ten minutes ago, stating you had an appointment--they didn't need to know it was an appointment with your bed--so it couldn't have been that. Plus, the school day didn't start for another twenty minutes, so attendance hadn't even been taken.

When he read the subject line of the email, though, his heart dropped.

Urgent news regarding a student.

He opened his email.

It is with great sadness that I write this email. I have just been told that one of our students has tragically passed away. At this time, I cannot release the student's name or cause of death. But, if your son or daughter needs to take the day off, for this reason, it will not be counted as an unexcused absence. If your son or daughter needs to talk to someone, we will have grief counselors at the school for the rest of the week.

Scott Falure, principal.

"Jay?" Hailey asked gently. She walked over to him dressed in her work clothes, her hair wrapped in a towel. She placed a hand on his lower back. "Jay? You okay?"

Jay set his phone down next to the bagel that he had never finished spreading cream cheese on for Hailey.

"I just got an email from Y/N's school. It says a kid tragically passed away."

"Did they give a name?" Hailey asked.

Jay shook his head. "Here. You can read the email."

Her eyes scanned the screen and her eyebrows furrowed in concentration as she started piecing together information.

"You don't think this could be related to the case we got called in on, do you?"

Jay would be lying if he said it hadn't crossed his mind the minute he saw the subject line.

"God, I hope not. Voight didn't send more info, did he?" Maybe he missed the notification when he was reading the email.

Hailey shook her head. "No. All we have is a teenage girl and to go to the address which is on a river in Cicero."

"Alright. Uh, so Y/N. What do you think?"

"What do you mean?"

"Do we just send her to school? Let her walk into this blind?"

"I dunno, Jay. It's probably what most of the kids are doing this morning. And, we don't even know what kid it was. It's probably not even related to the case, forget I even mentioned that. Could've been a freak accident, alcohol poisoning, cancer. They didn't release who it is, so she might not even know this girl. Y/N's a junior and for all we know, this girl could be a freshman. I say we have her go, and if she texts or calls you, go get her."

"Okay," Jay practically whispered. "I love you, you know that?"

"I love you, too." He leaned in for a kiss, but Hailey pushed him away. "I just brushed my teeth and we both know you have horrible morning breath, mister!"

Jay rolled his eyes, changed directions, and kissed her on the cheek. "Guess you don't want that bagel then?"

"I'll eat it at the district...and I'll put more cream cheese on it."

"Of course, you will. I'm gonna go brush my teeth. We'll leave in fifteen minutes tops."

Jay and Hailey didn't know how they did it. They went from talking about murder and tragic deaths of children to joking about morning breath. It came with the territory of their jobs, but they'd be lying if it scared them sometimes. That was one thing one of them never wanted, to become desensitized to the violence they witnessed every day.

***

"Sarah Owens," Voight said once everyone was at the crime scene. "Seventeen. A junior at Central Chicago High School. Techs say COD was blood loss due to stab wounds."

Jay and Hailey looked at the body. She had no clothes on.

Jay closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Then, he asked, "Before or after?"

"Before," Voight answered.

Jay sighed. This girl's last few hours of life were spent in fear.

"You said she was a junior?" Jay asked.

"Yeah."

"Y/N might know her."

"She doesn't need to be brought down for any questions unless we find something, Jay."

"I know. I know that. I just need you to know that if she calls me and she needs to come home--"

"You're free to leave," Voight cut him off. "If she knows this girl, well, this was a hell of a way to die."

***

It wasn't a normal school day. Far from it actually. You walked into school to students crying. When you went to sign yourself in and said your brother called, the secretary told you that there was grief counseling available for you if you needed it. You asked what she was talking about and she pulled you aside and explained the situation.

Sarah Owens was dead.

You didn't know the girl well, but you currently had two classes with her. You had been on the cross country team with her your freshman year (the one and only year you ran cross country). She was always a nice girl, a little boy crazy maybe, but she was never mean to you.

Why was the world so cruel to those that were good?

***

The day passed in a blur. You had cried because despite not knowing her that well, you knew her well enough to cry over her. You didn't eat much lunch due to the crying and the pit in your stomach. There were rumors that she had been murdered and raped. There were also rumors that she killed herself, that she went skinny dipping and jumped off a rock and hit her head, and was dead on impact. You didn't know what to believe and everything was making your head spin.

You drove to the district with puffy eyes and nausea ravaging your body.

"Buzz me up?" you asked Trudy when you walked in.

She nodded sadly. "Give me a second." She picked up the phone and called upstairs. "Hey, just a heads up, Y/N's here. Do with that what you will."

She waited a few seconds for whatever member of Intelligence was on the other side to respond and then hung up the phone and hit the button to unlock the gate.

You walked upstairs and immediately saw Jay standing there with a sad expression on his face.

You didn't say anything and just ran up to him as the tears started to stream down your face once more.

He enveloped you in a hug, despite your backpack making it hard for him to hug you.

"She- she's dead! I- I didn't know her that well, but I still knew her and- and--" You cut yourself off by bursting into another round of sobs.

"I know, I know. Let's go in the break room."

You pulled away from him and he led you into the break room with a comforting hand on your shoulder.

You shrugged off your backpack and collapsed onto the couch and put your head in your hands. "I shouldn't- I shouldn't even be this sad! I didn't even know- know her th-that well!"

"No," Jay told you. "You can feel what you want to feel. It was sudden...and horrible."

You looked up at him with tears still running down your face. "How do you know it was horrible?"

He figured the news was already out to the family, so it wouldn't be a problem telling you because the family knew so they were telling people. And, on the news tonight, it would just say that Sarah was murdered, nothing about a suspect. They couldn't let whoever did this to her know that they were after him.

"Y/N... Sarah, she was... she was murdered."

"What?"

Jay crouched down in front of you and grabbed your hand.

"Sarah Owens was murdered. I'm sorry, Y/N."

"Do- Do you know who did it?"

"No, not yet. But, if you know anything about her that you wanna tell me, it would help."

You nodded. "She was nice. Always did her- her homework. She drank sometimes, but that's just normal high school shit. She was boy crazy."

Jay wasn't gonna yell at you for swearing or tell you that you better not be drinking and that it shouldn't be normal for you.

"Can you tell me what you mean by boy crazy?" She was raped, so this might help them figure out if she knew the perp.

"She was always going to college parties. Would come to school hung over with a couple of hickeys on her neck that she always tried to hide. But that was it. She'd never mention much except that she was hung over. She wasn't a bad kid, Jay."

"I know, I know. And I'm not saying she is. This information is helpful. Thank you." He paused. "Now, have you eaten anything?" You shook your head. "Okay, well, if you want to stay here and take a nap so that you're not alone, I can go get you a blanket."

You nodded. "Please."

***

A few days had passed now and it was Friday. You were beginning to come to terms with what happened, but Jay was still taking necessary precautions and having you come to the district after school. He and the rest of the team had left about twenty minutes ago for something. You assumed it had something to do with the current case because whenever you came out of the breakroom, the team was walking on eggshells around you.

And, you were getting curious. You were in the same grade as Sarah, so maybe there was a commonality to be had. You knew you only had a limited amount of time before Intelligence came back, so you needed to make this quick.

You walked over to Jay's desk and flipped open the case file. There was another victim under Sarah Owens' picture. It was also a high school girl, this time a sophomore, and her body was also found in a river.

You looked at the sticky notes covering the inside cover of the file folder. They looked like they were notes on how the girls could've been connected, no doubt quickly scribbled down when Jay was on a phone call and couldn't get the attention of the team.

One caught your eye.

It was a dating app, along with what looked to be both of the murdered girls' usernames underneath.

You quickly snapped a picture of the sticky note and then went back into the breakroom.

Then, you put the name of the dating app in the app store and quickly made an account.

After spending a few minutes comparing who the girls were following, you thought you had finally found the match.

You screenshotted this as well and then made your profile.

You weren't stupid enough to put your picture up, so you just used a stock photo and put in some "fun facts" about yourself, which were super generic.

-Likes hockey

-Likes bad boys

The next part you typed made your skin crawl, but you did it anyway.

-18 and looking for a good time

Then, you added a winky face emoji for good measure.

Now, you just waited for the weirdos to roll in. And, if he didn't slide into your DMs by the time you went to bed tonight, then you'd just have to slide into his.

***

24 hours later

This dude moved fast. You hadn't really thought much of this through, but when he asked for a place to meet, you knew you needed to act. And you had to do so with no hesitation or else it would look suspicious.

So, you suggested a body of water near your house.

If this guy was the one, he wouldn't have a problem with it being cold out.

Meet me in two hours he messaged.

You figured by then Jay and Hailey might be home since they were stuck working the case, so it needed to be sooner than that.

How's an hour sound? you asked.

An hour's even better.

See you then.

Then, you shut down your phone and started getting ready. You also shoved a switchblade in your boot that Jay had gotten you in case of emergencies and put pepper spray in your sports bra.

Once you were ready, you scribbled a message on a sticky note and put it on the counter for Jay and Hailey.

Take me to the lakes where all the poets went to die.

~Y/N.

And then, you left.

***

"You ready to get out of here?" Hailey asked Jay.

"Oh, 100%."

They got up and put their coats on and Adam mentioned Molly's, and Hailey left the decision up to Jay. She knew how much these cases affected him.

"I'd rather be at home. With what this case is and Y/N and all."

"Understandable," Adam said. "Tell Y/N her favorite uncle says hi."

Jay rolled his eyes. "You are not her uncle, Adam."

"Whatever. Me, Kim, and Kev are going to Molly's to go make some bad decisions."

Just then, the gate buzzed and Trudy walked upstairs.

"I just got word from patrol that they pulled over your suspect for a traffic violation...and with the warrant, he's headed here now."

"Want us to stay, Sarge?" Jay asked.

"No, no," Voight said. "You guys go ahead. Me and Trudy will handle this one."

Jay knew enough to not ask questions, so then he and Hailey left the bullpen and the district and headed home.

***

"Weird," Jay remarked. "Y/N's car's not here."

"Jay, Arby's closes at 1:00. It's 12:30. She's probably there," Hailey said.

"You're right, you're right. But, with this case going on, I'm gonna go drive around."

"Jay--"

"Hailey, please. I'll be back in fifteen minutes tops. Earlier if she shows up here. If she shows up, just call me and I'll come back here and you can make fun of me about being overprotective all night."

"Fine. Go."

***

Half an hour had passed and Jay and Hailey were frantically trying to figure out where you were.

"Maybe she went to a party," Hailey suggested. "Normal, teenager things."

"Not with this going on. Hailey, she might be a teenager, but she's smarter than this." He walked up to the kitchen counter and leaned his elbows on it. He was deep in thought, but something caught his eye.

It was one of your sticky notes.

Take me to the lakes where all the poets went to die.

~Y/N.

"Hailey, call Voight now," Jay ordered.

"Why?" Hailey asked and then was at his side with her phone out.

"I think she's gonna die."

"What?"

Tears were now clouding Jay's vision. "She- She left this note, Hails."

He handed it to her and Hailey read it.

A lightbulb went off in her head.

"I know where she is."

"You do?"

"The other day when we were listening to that Taylor Swift album, she mentioned that the song The Lakes reminded her of the pond. That's a lyric from the song. She's at the pond, Jay."

Just then, Jay's phone rang. It was Voight.

"Let's go," Jay said and tossed his keys to Hailey, and then answered his phone.

"Sarge--"

"Halstead, shut up and listen. We got this guy to cop to the murders, but he said he was talking to another girl. Tech got into his phone and the email address linked to the account is your sister's. Is she at home?"

"No," Jay answered. "But me and Hailey have an idea where she might've gone. He's still in custody, right?"

"We got him. He'll be locked up for a long time. If you need any help, call me."

"Copy that."

***

You were starting to get anxious at this point. The dude hadn't shown up yet and it felt like a lot longer than an hour since you had contacted him. You were freezing and every noise you heard was making you jump.

You heard the noise of a car.

Then, you pulled out your phone and turned it back on.

Multiple missed calls from Jay and Hailey.

But, you didn't care right now. You'd get an earful from them over almost being murdered by the guy that was in that car.

You shoved your phone in your pocket and then started walking down the trail and then into the trees. It was better for you to be as far away from the parking lot as possible.

When you were far enough away that you felt like you were hidden but could still see the parking lot through the trees, you called Jay.

"Jay, I screwed up. I--"

"Y/N, we're at the pond. Are you there?" Jay asked without letting you finish.

"Yeah. Can- can you come get me. I'm- I'm scared, Jay. I was so stupid and--"

"Y/N, me and Hailey know what you did. Voight told us and we're here. The guy's in custody. Now, I'm gonna flash my lights at you and I need you to tell me if you can see them."

He flashed his brights. "Yeah."

"Can you tell me what direction they're coming from?"

"They're right across from me."

"Okay, good. Now, I want you to turn on your flashlight on your phone, and me and Hailey are gonna come to you, okay? Don't move."

"Okay. But, can you stay on the phone? Please?"

"Of course. Just stay where you are. We'll be there in a few minutes."

Not even two minutes later, you saw Jay and Hailey walking towards you from the light of Hailey's flashlight. You knew Jay had told you to stay put, but you couldn't. You took off running towards him.

Jay quickly pocketed his phone and jogged up to you and you crashed into him with full force and wrapped your arms around him.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I thought I'd help you so I looked at case notes and--"

"It's okay, it's okay," Jay soothed. "You're right it was stupid, so stupid. But, I'm just glad you're okay. We caught the guy and he's at the 21st." He pulled away. "Are you hurt anywhere?"

You shook your head. "Just cold."

Jay immediately took off his jacket and wrapped it around your shoulders.

"Okay, but we're still going over to Will's apartment and he's gonna check you out, okay?"

"Okay," you agreed.

"Y/N, next time you have an idea like this, just tell us," Hailey said once the three of you were in the warmth of the truck. "We could've had an officer go under and done something like this without you putting yourself in danger."

"Or better yet, don't look at my case notes," Jay told you.

"Hey, she's your sister, Jay. She might be an amateur detective."

"Don't even speak that into existence, Hails."

The three of you made your way to Will's house with Jay periodically glancing in the rearview mirror at you in the backseat. It never hit him until later when you were safe in your bed and he couldn't go to sleep that you did something that he would do, no matter how stupid it was.

That next morning, you woke up to a sticky note next to your phone. Jay told you that he and Hailey had to go in and finish some paperwork, but that the three of you plus Will, would get brunch later.

He ended the note with this:

That lake was the start of mine and Hailey's love life, and I'm glad it wasn't the end of yours. Don't you ever do anything like that again!

Love,

Jay.

A/N: Thank you for reading! I had started writing this before the announcement about JLS leaving came out, so sorry if the ending seemed a little rushed. I just wanted to get it out to you guys! Anyway, please don't forget to reblog and comment! As always, if you want to be added to my taglist, just tell me and I’ll add you!

Taglist:  @theambracer88 @virtualreader @kelelas-life @celyndavies @brookerz122493 @musicismyescape27 @anotherfan07 @thexplosivegirl @dreamingwithlens @xoxmariaxox @911ls-tarlos @iamasimpingh0e @i-like-sparkly-things @herecomesthewriterwitch @liampayne88 @glitterquadricorn @luvreading67 @smoothdogsgirl @afriendlyneighborhoodhufflepuff @actlikesummerr @lcothr523

[koffeekoko]

What is your take and opinion about the friendship between Inupi and Koko? Do you think it was toxic and Koko was still his best friend due to guilt and to have some tied connection to Akane? And Do you think Inupi took advantage of that and used Koko for his money?

You have such a good understanding of Koko, I am curious to know what your opinion is of their dynamic. Thank you

hello there, darling :) beware of a lot of talking ahead!

INCLUDES KOKO & INUPI BACKSTORY + TENJIKU ARC SPOILERS

mine is an unpopular opinion, i don't think their friendship was toxic at all. although, it does seem like akane was of greater importance for koko than inupi, she'll never surpass the bond that koko and inupi share as friends. inupi will always come first as a friend rather than 'the only thing keeping me connected with my deceased crush', before 'akane's brother' and 'someone that reminds me of her', inupi is a friend. i think many tend to forget that because of the kiss scene and simply erased inupi's identity as koko's friend, assigning him the identity of a kind of replacement for akane.

friendship and love (or any other romantic relationship) are two different bonds that cannot be compared. it's simply not alright to just be asked to balance out a 'more important' one between a best friend and a lover, take koko, inupi, and akane. though, akane was never a lover, koko holds a romantic view towards her, making the bond between the two a romantic one some way or another, so akane will always come before inupi in love, and inupi will always come before akane in friendship. (if that makes sense at all?)

koko wanting to save akane in the incident and not having inupi in mind at all doesn't mean inupi is any less than akane is, we can just say the heart is selfish, if you let it choose, it will always choose love before friendship. adding koko's promise to akane to always protect her and keep her safe, it's pretty reasonable why koko wanted to save her and not inupi. (and given the circumstances; koko was merely a kid, there's just not much he could've done. it's a miracle he managed to take one of them and himself back to safety)

regarding the kiss, it was out of frustration, bottled up feelings, and longing for akane, not inupi – inupi at that moment hold his last tiny bit of connection with her, he was at that moment a link for koko and akane. (again if that makes sense hahah) sadly, i've seen many viewing the kiss as something romantic between koko and inupi, something that kiss didn't hold at all. i see the kiss as koko giving closure to his feelings for akane, him whispering akane's name right after kissing inupi is like a kind of apology, for wanting to let go of her, and for having kissed someone he doesn't like (something she had told him not to do)

↑ it's also the reason why koko got mad when inupi mentioned about him not getting over akane because of his obsession with money during the tenjiku arc. he had already let go of her, but letting go of someone doesn't mean that the feelings are going to magically evaporate, which is why he saw akane again in inupi.

now with everything the both of them spat out at each other during the fight, koko realized he's made inupi live with the guilt of being the one saved when koko truly wanted to save akane and not him, he's made inupi feel guilty for simply living. all that and him not being able to stop himself from seeing akane in inupi has lead to him deciding to take different paths from inupi in order to avoid driving their friendship into toxicity.

and about inupi taking advantage of koko for his money, nope, not at all. if inupi was already his best friend before koko was all that 'money genius' stuff, then the bond continues to be the same after koko and his money glory. i think everything inupi has said and done is enough to prove that koko means so much more to him than just his money :)

koko and inupi's friendship isn't toxic, and i will always stand by that. what will be toxic between them is a romantic relationship, because for one, we all know that koko will be visioning inupi as akane, and two, we don't know if inupi holds any romantic feelings for koko, if he does, he won't be feeling the best because he knows koko loves akane and not him, and if he doesn't, there isn't anything to lead them into a romantic relationship.

hope this mess and rambling made sense at all!

thank you so much for this ask and for giving me an opportunity to talk about them, nonnie :) have a great day/night ♡

[whaleofatjme1920]

Second Letter To Tim. [Kayte was sent out on a solo mission. Someone managed to time travel and she has to put them out. Coincidently, it's one of those Zalgo's allies. Therefore, a danger to their existence. The letter was not written in her handwriting]

Dear love, I pray you are doing well. Have you eaten yet? Make sure to drink enough water and don't forget to take your pills! Haha, I worry about you too much don't I. Despite knowing you could take care of yourself. You know me, always overthinking...

Sorry, I didn't answer your letter as soon as you thought. The chocolate hearts were delicious <3, I saved some to eat them with you. Wildflowers? I guess I do get a little wild haha. You remember I have a flu problem. Remember that one time we got sick together after playing in the rain for too long? Haha, we were quarantined in the same room which gave us the advantage to spend time together longer.

To be honest, these few days have been...hectic. If you weren't informed by the Boss, I am currently on a solo mission. A stupid genius managed to...time travel. I am not sure how but I'm guessing Zalgo gave them the ability to do so.

I can't give you too much info, I'm sorry. ...... <3

Tim, take care of yourself hm? I haven't seen you in months. The damn Boss has been keeping you away from me. Maybe he's jealous that he's single hahaha. Or he doesn't want me to see you at all due to this mission I think. Also, I lost an arm. The dang guy just chopped it off with a knife. Now I am left with one arm, like a pirate! hahah.

How are things? Do you miss me? I hope you dream of me...? Remember, I love you very much. Even my heart can't take it haha. I look forward to seeing you, darling! When you come back, we could go out maybe. Stay at home, bake, have cooking fights or just cuddle! Cheesy romantic couple stuff y'know. Also to eat the chocolate hearts with you!

I hate this. I hate not seeing you at all for days. I hate that I sleep and wake up alone. I hate this fate I am tied to. But it fades... After months of missing you, it feels normal to me.

I sometimes wonder how you could love me... But here we are, a happy long-distance couple. Even if we are apart, I doubt we would be forever.

Thank you, Love. Thank you very much.

[The letter was sent with the black dahlia ring that Kayte always wore and a polaroid picture of the both of them, "I love you ∞" written at the back. A note was also sent with it *he reads the note after composing a reply to her letter*]

Note: Tim, she didn't come back after three days as she promised. We're not sure what has happened to her. She probably...died. I can't be sure, none of us can. It worried us more when the letter was slightly bloodstained. I took a test and, unfortunately, it was hers. I'm sorry. [Her letter was in Japanese, we had Kage translate it. I wrote it back in English] She sent the letter using a pigeon. The pigeon died after 5 hours. I'm guessing it was from another time. The letter was received on the third day. It's been a week since the letter was received. There were no more letters until now. -EJ-

[Disclaimer: Letters To Those You Hold Dear (Valentine's Edition) is a special event I'm holding from February 13th - February 23rd 11:59 PM. Find the guidelines HERE so you can send a letter or two to those you hold dear <3.]

[AN: I genuinely... Did not know how to respond to this one? So this is a very special exception. No other letters will be answered in this manner.]

Tim has never known normal.

He wasn't born normal, far from it in fact. When Tim was brought into the world, kicking, screaming, praying to be anything but a life that was taking breath and a beating heart, he gained the attention of something old and ancient. An archaic being that hungered for power and control far beyond the comprehension of human minds, a being that wanted him for reasons that seemed frivolous to human standards.

He was a troubled child. His parents, ill equipped to deal with what they thought were mental health issues (which were only exacerbated by the pale man in a suit) locked him into an institution. He would scream at all hours of the night, and pray for the morning light to grace him.

A long, long time ago, when Tim was "brighter eyed" and in love with the world, and that notion in itself is a bit of a lie because the gods both above and below know much the world loved him in response, Tim was content with the normalcy afforded to him. He'd been getting better, healthier, he was in every sense, normal. He had a deep desire to fade into the background, stay being friends with Brian, and have a normal life.

When the tall suited man let Tim's presence slip slightly from his long, spindly fingers, Tim was almost happy. Almost pleased with his lot in life. And then everything went to hell. Jay just had to curious. Jay had to keep pushing the boundaries, and Alex was damn near unstoppable. Brian died for the first time. Amy was killed too, but Jessica? He hoped she was safe somewhere, far, far away from the mess that was their years after college and the twilight of what he considered normalcy.

Tim hasn't felt heart broken since he lost Jay.

The man in the suit picked him up shortly after that. He promised Tim the opportunity to bring back his very best friend as long as he was in service for him. Not wanting to be alone any longer, he accepted, practically sold his soul but he had Brian.

Brian was furious. He almost killed Tim for what he'd done, reanimating a body that was screaming it shouldn't be alive and that it was going against the laws of nature itself. But eventually, he calmed down. Hoodie took his place as Tim's right hand, and then came in Toby, and then Kate.

That was his new normal, and his new sense of how the world turns.

And then things changed again, as they always do. He met someone, another proxy, and her name was Kayte. And he loved Kayte as much as any proxy should love someone, is even capable of loving someone. His love for them was something soft, sweet, subtle but powerful. It was like how the sun would shine on the earth, bathing him in her light until he could spring back upwards, plants reaching sky high as a testament to how he longed so deeply to be close to her.

Proxies aren't afforded good things. That is a rule that has not changed in centuries. Proxies don't deserve good things. And for a long time, Tim would have subscribed to this idea. He messed up and decided to forego his strict following of this rule to give all of his love to Kayte, and with it came the pain of receiving letters. His eyes scanned over the material, reading it in a handwriting foreign to the one he was used to, his own heart racing like he'd been running miles without rest. That cold feeling of something twisting in his gut told him all he needed before he reached Jack's addendum.

He's thrown back into that same type of despair he felt losing Jay and what he felt when he lost Brian for that brief stint. It's a cold, clutching type of painful that refuses to leave him. It was buried for a while, and losing her was what caused it to resurface.

Proxies aren't afforded good things. Everyone knows this.

Tim doesn't, but Masky certainly does.

[boop-le-snoot]

PARTY FAVOURS I CHAPTER 34

💖 first time reader click here 💖

A little bit of plot, but mostly ironstrange x reader filthy porn. Bukkake stuff. Stephen finally opening up a lil bit, I mean... I've slept through a 1/3 of a hospital and lemme tell you, doctors are kinky bastards. On the same note, there's definitely going to be a chapter where all three men are involved after the plot shit is resolved.

There was something big brewing. I had a hunch... which was more like a strong sense of doom... hanging over me and the rest of the world. Peter also had noticed the sudden spike in anxiety, quoting the sudden disappearance of many low-tier mutants from the streets. Usually, Peter dealt with at least a few enhanced enemies during his patrols but the closer it got to Christmas, the less enhanced bothered with small-time crimes, the more intense the buzzing of his Spidey sense became.

Now that my immediate lack of income wasn't a problem anymore, I set business onto that damn mercenary. I was no spy, I was no SHIELD operative but... I could be very clever.

First things first, I had to make sure I would stay alive no matter what. A subdermal tracker was a good guarantee of security and I spent many hours making one - having to keep it a secret was incredibly hard, I hated lying to my loves and I hated avoiding Wanda even more - I was constantly on the edge around the telepath, hyperfocused on keeping up the pretense of normalcy.

I wouldn't be me if I couldn't successfully pull off a whole ass façade. Unfortunately, the continued failures of the people searching left and right for the mercenary only fueled my strength for the inevitable fuck-fest that I would have to create in order to make sure my people get the peace they fucking deserve. The web of lies grew in size every damn day.

Subdermal tracker, an implant that reports directly to Friday upon activation. It hurt like a bitch - I had cut myself open, an inch wide gash on the inside of my forearm - and put it in without any anesthesia in my own bathroom, not even thinking twice before making up a lie that I had been careless in the lab and hurt myself.

An antidote to common tranquilizers, creating it gave me a headache the size of Moscow but I'd been successful; Tony assembled the whole team when he found it out, offering me a ridiculous amount of money for the formula. It was weird. SHIELD was interested, too, and I had to witness Tony and Coulson argue. Apparently, the agency wanted to recruit me and Tony was adamantly against it, totally forgetting the promise Natasha had given me. In the end, the spy and Coulson shared a quiet conversation and the man left, respectfully complimenting my skills.

I sold the formula to Stark Industries, unable to get rid of the weirdness of the situation. I had to shake hands with my own boyfriend and his ex-girlfriend... In a business setting. What. Just what. Bucky and Stephen couldn't stop laughing at the face I made all throughout that day - and Clint even went as far as to bake me a gag cake, a cartooney handshake drawn in frosting on top of it. I hit him with a spatula, Loki smiled in his direction for the first time in, like, ever. It was a trip and Tony had way too much fun with the incident.

Perhaps, turning myself into a cyborg stew wasn't the best plan that was possible to think up in a few weeks' time but I've never claimed to be exceptionally intelligent; if anything, I've always considered myself to be a moderately educated idiot. It is common knowledge that there are two halves of a whole idiot: my second half was on his way from California, having had received my very detailed e-mail about the whole cursed box fiasco and the consequences that followed. I could barely contain my excitement at the prospect of seeing uncle Eddie and his symbiote again.

Tony wasn't even half as excited; if anything, he bordered on outright hostile, bickering, and sassing everybody left and right. It could have been the situation at hand finally getting on his last nerves. It could have been his jealousy, the same that appeared every time I paid extra attention to someone that wasn't him, Bruce or Stephen. Either way, Bruce was sighing all the time now and Stephen's remarks began to fill with poison once again.

Just like the good old times, I guess. I was forced to pull a Me over and over, interrupting their petty arguments with increasingly absurd remarks. I felt like everybody was laughing at me these days, which ended in only one way it could have...

"Brat," Stephen's patience was paper-thin and, being forcefully distracted from yelling at Tony, he directed his angst at the nearest person - me. "I oughta put you over my knee. I swear to Cosmos..."

"Blah, blah, blah. Don't you ever get tired of listening to yourself talk?" I raised my eyebrows, tone deceptively calm. "You're talking too much for someone who can't even..." I didn't get to finish my sentence, suddenly finding my mouth firmly glued shut. It was magic - the sensation was pulling, but not unpleasant. Reminded me of a ball gag Tony had used on me in the early days of our relationship.

"Now, Dumbledore, hold your horses..." Tony interjected looking none-too-happy. The engineer placed a warning arm on the sorcerer's bicep, their little spat seemingly forgotten.

"What, Tony? She's been nothing but a mouthy urchin the past few days, I can't stand it anymore," They shared a meaningful look; no matter how much Tony wanted to argue, he knew Stephen was right. What he didn't know was that there probably have been a magic versus science altercation... Or worse. Humiliation was a small price to pay for some (relative) peace.

I did what I do best. I annoyed them further, throwing up a juicy middle finger to the two men and turned around with a huff, mind set on finding Loki to undo the mute ban Stephen gave me. Needless to say, I didn't make it very far.

In mere seconds, I was sandwiched between the two men, Stephen's finger delicately holding my chin to force me to look into his eyes. Tony was holding onto my shoulders from behind me - I could feel the tension, my engineer was almost buzzing with it. I was pretty sure my eyes were laughing anyway because Stephen's frown slowly transformed into a coy smirk once his stormy blues focused on my face.

"Brat," He repeated once again. "She's doing this on purpose."

"I can't say I'm surprised," Tony's breath tickled the nape of my neck. "That does sound like our little Princess," Apparently, it took all of a 0.1 second for Tony to switch from annoyed to horny. Men, they were so easy to play. "Baby, if you wanted our attention you could have just said so," He chastised me, hands sliding down to my waist.

I hummed, and then aggressively hummed some more until Stephen removed the magical gag. "Not like you'd notice it, being occupied with tearing each other's hair out," I pouted.

The sorcerer briefly averted his eyes, leaning down to softly kiss my pout. It was very unlikely I'd get an actual apology but a kiss I won't be complaining about either. "So, your best tactic was to annoy us even more? How does that work out for you?"

I pulled on the tied fabric around his waist, bringing him closer to me. "Pretty good, if I'm being honest. You're exactly where I wanted you to be," Carelessly, I began untying the layers of silks and cotton I had become intimately familiar with over the course of the past few weeks. Most of the time Steph wore his wizard garbs and while figuring out how to undo them was a trip at first, I had gotten him desperate enough a few times, for him to show me a few tips and tricks for easier access.

Tony snorted somewhere behind me. "You just want us for our bodies," His hands wormed their way under my shirt, brushing the underside of my breasts. Bra? Hardly know her. "Our beautiful, sexy bodies." Yes Tony, very humble.

"When will you learn, people?" I asked rhetorically, simultaneously leaning into both Tony's and Stephen's touch. "Why fight each other when you could be fucking me into oblivion instead?"

Stephen snorted, still not completely used to the at times crude things that left my (and occasionally Tony's) mouth. I had a hunch the sorcerer was holding back somewhat - for whatever reason - and I was eagerly waiting for him to get comfortable enough to reveal that special part of himself. Whatever it was, I just knew it was delicious and sinful and-

"Do you really think I will be giving you what you want after your little... Stunt?" Steph went balls out; his voice dropped and the intensity of his stare left me breathless. The hand that was stroking my face wrapped around my throat as he had some sort of a silent conversation with Tony.

"Yeah," I emphasized the word with an inaudible 'duh' behind it but obediently trotted along as Stephen backed up towards the couch, leading me by the throat like a pet on a leash. I was steadily going into 'no thoughts, head empty' territory.

"I like it when you get all bossy," Tony remarked casually but he was close enough for me to hear the strain in his voice. Every time we fucked, Tony eagerly gave up the control to Stephen. I definitely saw the appeal. Stephen Strange demanded authority effortlessly, his stern but fair attitude simply demanded to kneel.

That's just what I did. As soon as Stephen made himself comfortable on the Italian leather couch, I dropped to my knees, looking up at the man with big round eyes. Just like Tony and Bruce, Stephen had his own weaknesses when it came to moi and I wasn't ashamed to exploit them. Steph's stroked my hair, carding careful fingers through it, slowly unbuttoning his pants with his other hand.

"If you insist on being mouthy, I have a better task for you," He husked, pulling me closer towards him. I called it his doctor voice. Honestly, I don't have a clue how his surgical team could be around him with their pants on back in the day... The man was a snack on a silver platter.

Steph's erection sprang free. I didn't hesitate to wrap my hand around it, stroking the underside of his glans just like he liked it, looking to the side where Tony landed on the couch next to Stephen, a curious look on his face. Yeah, Tony liked to watch. Me and Stephen or me and Bruce... Me and Stephen and Bruce? That's an idea for later.

"Don't mind little old me," Tony smirked his trademark Stark mischief, getting comfortable, ditching his oil-stained shirt and unbuttoning his pants to lazily palm himself through his boxers. "Carry on," The smirk only grew when Tony noticed both me and Steph eyeing him with amusement.

I hid my grin, nodding my head, before wrapping my lips around the tip of Stephen's cock, relaxing my throat to prepare for the intrusion. Sweet and salty, the slit on his cockhead was mercilessly teased by the tip of my tongue.

Stephen murmured encouragements under his breath as I began to bob up and down, him controlling the pace with a hand in my hair, just the right balance between cruel and gentle. The sorcerer was always too good to me, bringing me to the point of overstimulation and instantly soothing the ache afterward; "Fuck, darling, your mouth feels like heaven," He groaned as I snuck a look upwards to see his lips parted and a steady flush crawling up his neck.

"She knows how to work a man, doesn't she?" Tony's lust had him panting, hips moving into his own hand. He leaned closer to Stephen, brushing my hair behind my ear with a tender hand. "Merlin needs to share," Tony began pulling me in his direction. I reluctantly let go of Stephen's cock, keeping up the pace with my hand as I scooted closer to Tony to be able to mouth at his stiff erection.

Watching me suck cock always got Tony hard enough to pound nails with. I couldn't blame him, I knew what I could do and did well; by the time I made my way down his thick flesh, drool was dripping down my chin and the make-up around my eyes was surely smeared by tears. My engineer was much less gentle than Steph, pounding my face without reservations.

"I know you can take it, baby girl, fuck," My face was held in his strong grip, thumbs digging into my jaw. "Such a good girl," The two words went straight down to my pussy and I had to squirm and clench my thighs together, whining at the lack of friction.

The air was pierced by a low moan - Stephen was fisting his erection almost desperately now, almost as desperately as I was humping the air, whining like a bitch in heat at the taste of Tony's cock in my mouth. I knew neither of the men would last long, not with all that pent up tension running through their minds and bodies.

"Fuck, come here, baby girl," The engineer yanked me off his cock, gripping the base of it so forcefully his knuckles turned white. I was all but dragged into the space between them; still kneeling, barely seeing with snot and tears smeared all over my face, I couldn't hold in the broken moan as the realization set in.

"Keep your eyes open!" Steph instructed furiously, scooting to tower over me. Tony followed in his steps as I obediently lifted my eyes to their cocks and then their faces; nearly identical furrowed brow expressions stared back at me, lips moist and eyes wide. Both men stroked themselves with renewed vigor.

I hummed softly before sticking out my tongue; their reaction didn't let me wait long. Strings of pearly white cum landed in my hair, on my face; I felt the warmth on my skin and tasted their salt and musk on the tip of my tongue, reflexively swallowing each and every drop that landed in my mouth, savoring it just like I savored the sinful groans that left their mouths.

"Fuck, you're so good to us," Tony panted, gracelessly falling backward onto the couch.

Stephen, however, didn't hurry to catch his breath, giving me a thoughtful look. His fingers shook more than ever but he paid no mind to the discomfort, gathering the cum dripping down my face with two fingers and offering it to me, holding them up to my lips as I gently cleaned them off. And he did it again, and again, until Tony gave a weak moan of recognition, throwing an arm under his head.

"Be polite, Princess," Stephen's voice hadn't lost the lust in it just yet.

"Thank you, sir," I mumbled, utterly captivated by the way he was looking at me. Stormy blues radiated a strong sense of intensity, devotion perhaps, that I wasn't ready for.

Stephen smiled at me, almost coyly, before kneeling right next to me and bringing me over the edge with a few sharp, clever movements of his hand. I held onto his shoulders for dear life, barely noticing Tony's reaction - if there was one - my other lover seemed to be as surprised as I was, choosing to hang back and observe the unusual situation.

I had a feeling that whatever it was, it would make another appearance during our playtime. It wasn't just sex, it wasn't making love - it was... Something. I loved every second of it.

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