#|| on week she hurries Martin

[courcgecus]

Saturday being a day for family, friday is the day the entire house is dusted from floor to roof by everyone. That way, the rest of the week requires only maintenance and everyone can focus at gathering/ work /studies...

If mrs Brisby is out on the day, which usually is the case as a bread winner, Auntie Shrew takes the lead if it's time for a bigger clean up (Seasonal, holidays...). Organized routines bring security to her, and everyone knows what to do. Even when she is absent. Also tidy home, clear mind.

The kids are familiar with the routine, so they will start from their beds and belongings, preparing indgredients for dinner / baking. Their current house (or apartment depending AU) is small, whole family sharing a bed chamber. then living space with kitchen corner, so the task isn't too great.

[fastandcarlos]

The Chosen One : ̗̀➛ Charles LeClerc

summary: as part of the f1 media team you get to meet a lot of the drivers, however there’s one driver who seems to take an extra special liking to you

˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

liked by lancestroll, carlossainz55 and 79,302 others

ynusername: another fun week at the paddock, look out for some AM content coming your way on race day 🏎️💚

13,382 comments

username1: we love new yn content!! 🫶🏻

lancestroll: thank you for being the perfect partner to have with us this weekend!

ynusername: @/lancestroll it was awesome to spend some time with you 💚

carlossainz55: excuse me come and film some ferrari content asap

username2: cannot wait, i've been dying to see you in the aston martin garage 🤩

username3: now this i just know is going to be hilarious

lewishamilton: you're such a traitor...last week you were all over mercedes 🙄

username4: i always thought that green was your colour yn hahah

danielricciardo: it's been too long, come back and film with me kiddo 😭

ynusername: @/danielricciardo gimme a time and a date and i'm there

username5: the queen is back 👑

charles_leclerc: still waiting for you to hurry up and come and visit ferrari

ynusername: @/charles_leclerc blame my bosses not me

username6: everyone spam f1 until they let yn and go and film with c2 pls

˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

liked by leclercgirl101, ferrarifan7 and 1,482 others

f1content: rumours continue to swirl as charles and yn are spotted enjoying their downtime together in the miami heat ☀️

796 comments

username7: if this is true i swear i'll throw a party and everyone is invited 🙏🏻

username8: surely i can't be the only one thinking they look so well suited together

username9: is this why yn's been avoiding the ferrari garage??? 🤔

username10: two people do not colour coordinate for no reason fyi

username11: peep how comfortable they look to be together 🥺

username12: i refuse to accept that these two gorgeous humans are not dating

username13: yn is the only person i will give charles up for ngl 😂

username14: it's about time yn found happiness...praying charles is the man

username15: yn isn't even working this weekend and she's there, charles must be hella important to do that 🥺

username16: if this isn't true prepare for the sound of my heart breaking

˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

liked by pierregasly, estebanocon and 89,301 others

ynusername: another week = another garage. thanks to alpine for a great couple of days 🥺

13,694 comments

username17: my favourite creator and my favourite team, thank you f1 gods 🙏🏻

landonorris: fuming!! remember when you told me mclaren was your favourite team

estebanocon: don't think i've laughed like that for a long time, you're the best!! 😂

ynusername: @/estebanocon all thanks to the talented driver who joined me

georgerussell63: i swear these days you're more popular online then the actual drivers

username18: another week of impatiently waiting for yn to film with ferrari 🙄

charles_leclerc: EXCUSE ME WHAT ABOUT ME!?!? 🤯

username19: poor charles is gonna have a breakdown if yn doesn't appear soon

pierregasly: can't believe you refused to take the alpine shirt that i gave you 🙂‍↔️

ynusername: @/pierregasly do you know how many drivers would never speak to me again if i accepted???

username20: i wish the drivers adored me as much as they adore yn ngl

lancestroll: heartbroken that you've already left aston martin for the opposition

username21: how can one person be wanted by so many teams??

carlossainz55: i'll give you a million dollars to come and save my teammate 😂

username22: not charles being publicly thirsty for yn omg

˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

liked by charles_leclerc, olliebearman and 89,492 others

ynusername: apparently this is the only garage im allowed in these days 🤷🏻‍♀️

21,706 comments

username23: according to who yn wtf??? please tell me this is charles' doing 🙏🏻

carlossainz55: i always thought that red was your colour anyway

oscarpiastri: btw papaya definitely looks better than that!! 🧡

lancestroll: no way, green is definitely more your style yn! 💚

maxverstappen1: excuse me no one can compete with yn in navy blue thank you 💙

username24: not all the boys fighting over yn like she belongs to any of them

username25: clearly no one has ever seen yn in baby pink *chefs kiss* 🩷

charles_leclerc: it's about time you finally listened to me...

ynusername: @/charles_leclerc i'm yet to be fully convinced...

username26: the mic in hand...does that mean...content?? 🎤

username27: yn in red and charles in red seem like the perfect pair ngl

danielricciardo: just ignore them all and come and interview me instead, we'll have the best time 🥺

ynusername: @/danielricciardo omw now 🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️

˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

liked by carlossainz55, landonorris and 101,486 others

ynusername: the interview you’ve all been waiting for, see what I got up to with the men in red during race weeekend 🏎️❤️

27,492 comments

carlossainz55: the best time with you, we love you yn!! 🫶🏻🫶🏻

username28: about time i can't believe it

landonorris: as much as i hate to admit it, you three are a pretty funny trio 😂

ynusername: @/landonorris i'll take that as a compliment coming from you!

username29: now THIS is the content that we've all been waiting for

username30: my heart just stopped for a moment to make sure that this is true 🥺

danielricciardo: i still confidently argue that we'd have a better time

username31: not me watching this on repeat for the whole weekend

charles_leclerc: my belly still hurts from laughing so hard...i hope you're proud of yourself 😂😂

ynusername: @/charles_leclerc ngl feelin' pretty smug rn

username32: screw the race, this is the content we came to see

arthur_leclerc: don't tell charles but he's not stopped talking about how great you are since this interview 🤭

charles_leclerc: @/arthur_leclerc you know this is a public comments section, right??

username33: do you know how long i've been waiting to see a post like this??

username34: all my christmasses just came at once

˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

liked by pierregasly, ynusername and 2,593,706 others

charles_leclerc: KING OF MONACO 👑🏎️

103,584 comments

username35: we're so proud of you charles congratulations! ❤️❤️

ynusername: such an awesome drive, couldn't be happier for you 🏎️🏁

charles_leclerc: @/ynusername thank you for coming to cheer me on!!

username36: about time...bow down to the king 👑

maxverstappen1: congrats brother, i'll catch you next time

landonorris: i can see how hard you you're trying not to cry here hahah

username37: you deserve this more than anyone else in the world 💕💕

oscarpiastri: no one deserved to win more than you today, thrilled for you bro

username38: enjoy the celebrations, they're so well deserved king 💞💞

carlossainz55: the only time i'll ever say that i'm happy to lose to my teammate hahah

charles_leclerc: @/carlossainz55 just call me the smooth operator lol

username39: someone please stop the tears from falling now 😭

georgerussell63: damn that was a pretty good drive charle

username40: i've never been so on the edge of my seat in my life

lewishamilton: enjoy the monaco celebrations tonight!! 🍾

username41: i'm not even driving yet i feel like all my dreams have come true

pierregasly: we're all so proud of you, all the hard work was worth it my friend

˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

liked by charles4life, ferrarifanforever and 1,707 others

f1wags: is this the proof that we needed? during the summer break charles and yn have been seen lapping up the french sun on a local private yacht 🤔🏎️

username42: nobody speak to me i am officially deceased 😭

username43: surely no one can argue with this now

username44: thank you f1 gods for listening to my prayers 🙏🏻

username45: look at those smiles, they're perfect for each other

username46: obsessed obsessed obsessed 🤩🤩🤩🤩

username47: it doesn't feel right to be so happy for two people who don't know who i am

username48: i hope they know just how happy all us fans are for them

username49: my heart is so happy rn ❤️❤️❤️

username50: just hope that all the fans can get behind them and help them see how adorable they are

username51: it's my birthday today, and now my wish has come true!!

382 comments

˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

liked by ynusername, lewishamilton and 3,592,103 others

charles_leclerc: shout-out to my biggest fan, thank you for always cheering me on 🫶🏻💕

193,605 comments

username52: not charles coming at us with the hard launch like this ❤️❤️

landonorris: at least now i'm not the only one who has to listen to you gush about yn

username53: i was not prepared for such an adorable set of photos 🥺

pierregasly: oh you have a girlfriend?? you should've mentioned it hahah 🙄

username54: how did these two ever think we wouldn't find out about their relationship

georgerussell63: excuse me, double date is when? 🤔

carmenmmundt: i second what george just said 🫡

ynusername: @/carmenmmundt i'm all yours whenever you want me

ynusername: couldn't be prouder of you...you never fail to blow me away 🩷🩷

charles_leclerc: @/ynusername i try my best just for you my love

username55: did i mention how obsessed with these two i am yet?

username56: my heart is racing a thousand miles an hour seeing these

carlossainz55: can't believe you tried to pretend that you two weren't dating to the whole team, as if it's not horrifically obvious?? 🙄🙄

username57: i'm so happy to see charles with someone whose rooting for him like yn does

username58: btw if there was a competition for cutest couple these two would definitely win 💯

˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

liked by charles_leclerc, oscarpiastri and 104,684 others

ynusername: I could get used to all this romance stuff with you 🥺💞

21,597 comments

˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

˗ˏˋ 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 ! ´ˎ˗

[missnxthingg]

𝑳𝑶𝑽𝑬, 𝑭𝑹𝑶𝑴 𝑨𝑳𝑳 𝑭𝑶𝑼𝑹 𝑪𝑶𝑹𝑵𝑬𝑹𝑺 𝑶𝑭 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑾𝑶𝑹𝑳𝑫 . (𝑺𝑴𝑨𝑼 𝑽𝑬𝑹𝑺𝑰𝑶𝑵) - 𝑇𝐻𝑅𝐸𝐸

𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓'𝒔 𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒆 - Little throwback to Lando's win in Miami for the sake of the story. I think we all Lando girlies need to relieve this for a moment 🧡 raise a hand if you miss this moment (bc I surely do).

original chapter | series masterlist | main masterlist | taglist

yourusername

London, England

yourusername Enjoying some time with my best friend at home 💖

landonorris wonder who gave her that dollhouse 🤔

landonorris my pretty girls, i miss you

↪ yourusername stop whinning and go enjoy ur trip, dickhead (we miss u too) ↪ landofan4 friendship goals fr

ln4stan Ollie is the cutest omg

yourmomusername What lovely ladies! I love you

↪ yourusername we love you, momma

username1 we need to see this duo with lando again

f1gossip

f1gossip Lando Norris is enjoying King's Day with his friend, Martin Garrix, in Amsterdam, and ended up getting his nose injured. What do you think happened?

username1 did he get into a fight????

username2 for fuck sake, we have a race in a week!

username3 omg bless y/n so she can try making his image better for the media in miami

username4 i NEED to know what happened with him

username5 @.yourusername mother, feed us with info, please! 🥺

yourusername added to their stories

Caption: He's well and alive, might kill him later for the scare (just a glass cut, no fighting)

landonorris added to their stories

Caption: This is an apology for making her so concerned about a nose cut

landopriv added to their stories

Caption: Gave her the scare of her life @.yourusername and made up to her after a cuddling afternoon, brunch, NBA game and tomorrow the beach

↪ yourusername replied to your story: all forgiven after the pampering 💘 ↪ landopriv: love you, idiot

yourusername added to their stories

Caption: Who let this idiot bring a camera along with him? Keep him away from me. Every time I blink: FLASH!

↪ landonorris: you're no fun 🙄

yourusername

Miami, Florida

yourusername Miami on film 🏖

landonorris you're as hot as miami, baby

↪ username1 OH MY FUCKING GOD ↪ username2 boy is down bad for her 🥵 ↪ username3 Lando can't even pretend he isn't in love with her anymore ↪ yourusername police he has escaped again

username4 do you guys think he took the photos or that she stole his camera?

↪ username5 he definitely took them! we saw him carrying the camera everywhere and they were at the beach earlier

f1

f1 LANDO NORRIS WINS HIS FIRST GRAND PRIX

landofan HE DID IT GUYS!

mclarengirly OMG I CAN'T BELIEVE

ln4bitch oh man we just know he's gonna party HARD

yourusername I've never been more proud 🥺

↪papayafan y/n please tell lando we love him! 🧡 ↪lanfan4 give him the biggest kiss and the tighest hug for me

landonorris

landonorris WWE FUCKIJG DID IT. P1

username1 WE DID IT LANDO!

username2 Longest time coming! Congratulations, Lan 🧡

username3 My man!!! LFG

yourusername I AM THE PROUDEST

yourusername love you so much, you idiot. P FUCKING ONE! 🧡

↪landonorris i love you more, muppet ❤ ↪username4 your honor, i love them ↪username5 MOM AND DAD ARE GIVING PDA

f1gossip

f1gossip Lando Norris and his best friend, Y/N L/N, partying together in Miami after his win. Some people that were at the party reported on our DMs that they didn't keep away from each other all night and were missing from the party for a while. Do you think they celebrated it in a more special way? 💋👀

username1 Lord, I'm ready for them to be a couple

username2 i saw they leaving the club hand in hand last night, guys! they were alone and very much in a hurry to get out of there

↪username3 how do you know if you're telling the truth? ↪username2 you can check my profile, i was at the paddock today and after the gp, my friend and i followed them around town to party too!

username4 i saw this dude that swore they were kissing in the back of the club ln, but it's not something i can 100% confirm

↪username5 Can we please stop speculating on their friendship? They both have expressed they hate when people start forcing a relationship onto them.

username6 at this point, i'm just waiting for y/n's special post for lando on insta

yourusername

Miami, Florida

yourusername I knew you were special on the first time I saw your muppet face in my office. I've been your biggest fan ever since; rooting and praying for this day to finally come. I've never been so proud of you, Lan. Longest time coming to this moment. I love you so much, my grand prix winner – even though you got me so drunk we missed our flight today. Now enjoy some podium pics I took yesterday + a cute one from the hottest duo in Miami last night.

tagged: landonorris

landonorris I love you so much! Can't imagine life without my partner in crime. You being there made everything even more special

↪yourusername Stop or I'll cry again ↪landonorris Will be an honour to make you cry for me twice 😂

username1 GUYS WAKE UP Y/N POSTED ABOUT LAST NIGHT

username2 name a prettier friend duo, i'll wait

↪landonorris me too ↪yourusername me three

yourmotherusername Olivia has been non stop since the finish line! She can't wait to see her favourite uncle ❤ Congratulations, Lando

↪landonorris thank you so much, mrs l/n ❤ and tell ollie uncle lan loves her very very much ↪username3 now we're gonna have to wait until ollie and lando reunion after miami 😭 ↪yourusername promise to come back with pictures

⋘ 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 // 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 ⋙

[cevansbrat0007]

New In Town

Summary: Introducing Chapter One of my Sweet Renegades Series. Sparks fly when you accidentally find yourself sitting next to Bounty Hunter, Ari Levinson.

Warnings: Mature Themes, Ari Being A Menace, Mentions of Death and Grief, Mentions of Book Boyfriends, Allusions to Disordered Eating, Cursing, Minors DNI

A/N: Major thanks to @curls-and-eyeliner for helping me plot out this chapter. This story is part of my Sweet Renegades Series. Not beta'd. All mistakes are my own. Likes, comments, and reblogs are appreciated. Thanks for reading!

It was happening again. You could feel him doing it. You knew without turning your head that the bastard had gone back to staring.

At you.

Gritting your teeth, you make a point of adjusting the skirt of your dress before returning your focus to Reverend Turner at the pulpit. Trying your best to ignore the hum of electricity in your veins, you find yourself wishing that you’d opted to stay home today. After all, you hadn’t been to church in ages. 

So what on earth possessed you to return today?

It’s not like you were concerned for your immortal soul or anything. On the contrary, you and God were good. You were even on speaking terms again – now that you’d finally forgiven him for calling your Uncle Leon home before you were ready to let him go.

That had been nearly three years ago.

These days, your grief has taken a backseat in favor of running the town’s only bookshop, Baubles & Quills. Once owned by your Uncle, the store had become your sanctuary as you’d struggled to cope with the loss of the only family you’d ever had. 

And now that you’d deemed life worth living again you’d apparently decided that attending Calvary Baptist Church’s Sunday morning service was a good idea. But the one thing you hadn’t counted on when you’d politely – and strategically – taken a seat in the pew closest to the door was that you’d end up sharing it with the likes of him.    

That bounty hunter fella that you’d been hearing about for the last week. His arrival had practically sent your little town into a regular feeding frenzy. Word on the street was that he was investigating something that had to do with your old high school pal, Martin Westbrook.

At least that’s what Charline Marshall had said when she’d stopped by your shop to return a book she’d purchased because she didn’t care for the ending. While you weren’t usually one for gossip, you’d been intrigued by her, ah, description of the handsome stranger that had taken up residence just a few blocks south of where you lived.

Two Days Ago…

“His name is Ari Levinson. Kinda strange, right?” She’d whispered conspiratorially, running a hand through her copper colored tresses . “But he’s a tall drink of water with the prettiest blue eyes I‘ve ever seen.”

“Oh really?” You’d mumbled, frowning at the crease that adorned the spine of the paperback book in your hands. Another one for the discount rack.

“Mhm. He’s handsome all over.” Charline had continued, picking up one of your more elaborate looking bookmarks and pretending to study it before using it to fan herself. “And not only that, but…” She’d leaned in then, allowing her freshly manicured nails lightly graze your arm. “I think he likes me.”

“Oh? Has he come out and said that?” Your eyes had gone wide with feigned interest. Because of course the man would be into Charline Anne Marshall. Who wouldn’t be? The woman was beautiful and, what’s more, she knew it.  

“Well, I mean…not yet.” The woman had let out a disappointed little sigh. “But I’m almost certain he will. I’m just giving him time to get settled in, you know?” She’d said, her perfectly painted lips curving into a smile as she held out a hand for her change. 

“How kind of you.” Good Lord how you wished you could hurry things along so you could go back to enjoying your peace and quiet. 

“Ari has already interviewed me twice. He even gave me his number, just in case I happen to remember anything else.” She’d tucked the cash from her return into her purse. “I think I might call him up and tell him that my memory works best after a couple of drinks. Think that’ll work?”

“I guess you’ll never know if you don’t try.” Even though you were annoyed, you’d pasted on a fake smile and closed the register, hoping that might be enough to convince her to end the conversation and move on already.

“Why, I think you just might be right.” Your unwanted guest held up the bookmark that was still in her grasp, her unspoken question left hanging in the air. “And this?”

“It’s on the house, Charline.” You’d patiently replied, bracing your elbows on the counter. “Best of luck landing your bounty hunter beau.”

“Well, aren’t you just a gem?” She’d all but squealed, sounding positively giddy as she took a step back. “You know, I bet if you spent a little more time out in the real world instead of holed-up in here with all these books, you’d probably be able to land a man too. You’d be awful pretty if you’d just put in a little bit of effort into it. I mean –” 

“No thanks.” You’d simply shrugged, unable to summon up enough energy to be outraged by the dig. 

It wasn’t worth the breath you would've wasted trying to explain why you were better off keeping the company of your book boyfriends. A real man required too much care and feeding for your tastes. 

“If you say so, sugar. But–” She’d responded as she strode towards the door. “Oh! You should come to my next party. We’ll let Mary Kay sponsor your makeover.”   

'No offense, Charline, but I’d rather put a campfire out with my face than attend your next Mary Kay get-together featuring you and ten of your mother’s closest friends.' You'd thought to yourself.

“Uh, maybe. We’ll see.” You’d hedged before turning on your heel and heading in the direction of the stockroom. “Enjoy the bookmark!” God, you’d never been so happy to hear someone exit your shop than you were at that moment.

Which brought you back to the present. You’re startled out of your reverie when the congregation erupts into thunderous applause, signaling the end of Reverend Turner’s sermon.  You knew you were going to have to move quickly if you wanted to avoid any unwanted attention from other members of the flock. 

Or worse yet: be forced into making small talk with Ari Levinson. Assuming that beast of a man actually possessed enough brain cells to actually string together a sentence or two. Which was a shame because he really was easy on the eyes. 

Unfortunately for you, you don’t realize that now you’re the one who’s staring until you notice the corner of his mouth tilt up in a smirk. Shit. The cocky lawman nods his head in your direction before having the audacity to mouth the word: “howdy”. It almost makes you wonder what his voice would sound like. 

Would his southern drawl be thick and rough, or smooth and easygoing? Assuming he was southern, that is.

Feeling your cheeks heat, you make fast work of grabbing your things before scooting out of the pew, doing your best to sneak out of the service before everyone is formally dismissed. The absolute last thing you needed was to have this man thinking you were like every other woman in this town who was willing to practically trip over herself just to get a good look at him. 

On your way out you brush past Sister Mary Jo Winans, who is all too eager to follow you out the door and halfway down the front stairs.

So much for making a clean getaway.

“You’re not staying for the potluck?” She wheezes, gripping the railing as she struggles to catch her breath. 

“Afraid not, Sister Winans.” You tell her while digging through your purse for your keys. “I’ve gotta go home and change so I can head over to the shop.”

“But it’s Sunday, honey.” The matronly woman huffs, adjusting the angle of her wide-brim church hat. “This is the day that the Lord has made. We are to rejoice and be glad in it. It’s all right there in the good Book.”

“Be that as it may, Sister, I’m afraid I can’t stay. Plus I wouldn’t feel right about eating when I didn’t bring a dish to contribute, so…” You offer up a one-armed shrug. “Next time.” 

You also weren’t a fan of eating in front of people. You were always self-conscious about whatever you put on your plate, convinced that you were being judged for your choices. Your stomach growls at the mention of food, reminding you that you’d left some cottage cheese and fruit behind at the shop. That would just have to do until you found the wherewithal to make it to the grocery store.   

“But–”

“Next time. I promise.” You kindly interrupt, hoping that she would just let the issue drop. “By the way, I set aside a copy of Joyce Meyer’s latest book for you.”

“You did?”

“Yep.” You confirm as you begin walking backwards towards the nearby parking lot. “Stop by anytime. We’ll consider it an early birthday present, alright?” Smiling when she nods, you toss her a little wave before speed walking the rest of the way to your car. 

Unlocking it, you climb in the driver’s seat and slam the door before gunning the engine. Finally free, you peel out of the lot and turn onto the empty street. Needing to focus on something other than your thoughts about a certain bounty hunter, you decide to turn up the radio, praying for your traitorous brain to cooperate. 

Yeah, no such luck. 

“Fuck you, Levinson.” You spit, wishing that he was close enough to hear you right then. Because the way you saw it, the sooner he packed his shit and moved on, the better off you and everyone else in this godforsaken town would be. And if he knew what was good for him, he’d stay far away from you.

He’d have more luck getting information out of a drunk Charline than he would trying to get you to spill your guts. And the moment he threatened you, you were planning to call Bell’s Creek PD to let them deal with it. Until then, you had some empty shelves to stock. But first…

You were gonna need to find someone to cut you out of these damned spanx.

END 

Unofficial Tag List

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[octuscle]

Student Fare

"According to my system, you have booked a ticket for economy class in the student fare… And it says Mason and not Martin Harper. I'm sorry, but I'll have to make a few adjustments." Annoyed was not an expression for what Martin felt. He had had a successful, but also very exhausting week. And he was now looking forward to a quiet flight to Chicago. Not in economy class. In business class. And he certainly hadn't booked a student fare. Well, not him anyway. His secretary normally took care of the bookings. But she was on vacation. And the replacement was clearly incompetent. And she would be fired on Monday morning.

"Give me your luggage, please. Actually, I should send you to an economy class counter. But I'll make an exception," said the ground staff lady. Martin wanted to reach for his suitcase. But instead of the expensive aluminum suitcase from Rimowa, there was an old, worn sports bag. Martin was about to call the police when the lady told him that it was okay, she had had to adjust the luggage because of his fare. Martin nodded understandingly, but inwardly wondered what was going on. Did he have hand luggage? Martin wanted to reach for his laptop bag. But there was only a rucksack. Completely irritated, he held it up and the lady smiled, gave him his boarding pass and wished him a good flight. But he should hurry, the queue at security was long. Martin replied that he could use the fast lane. The lady smiled wryly and just said "Student fare!"

Martin picked up his rucksack and, cursing inwardly, headed towards the security checkpoints. When was the last time he hadn't used the fast lane? He had probably really been a student then. He hated crowds. He loved flying primarily because his money and his success allowed him to travel privileged and away from the crowds. It was no fun that way. It was crowded, the people around him were sweating, pushing and shoving. Martin took off his jacket. He wanted to loosen his tie knot. But apart from his cool necklace with the pendant he'd brought back from spring break in Acapulco, there was nothing there. Shit, that was hot. Matin took off his cap and wiped his forehead. His hair was soaked with sweat. Even though it looked silly, he tied his jacket around his hips. He rolled up his sleeves. His hairy, muscular forearms were also glistening with sweat. The various bracelets he wore looked cool, but they were a nuisance in this sweltering heat. Masin smelled his wrist. Shit, the bracelets really stank to high heaven.

Finally, the security checkpoint was in sight. It was just as well, boarding started in half an hour. Masin threw his rucksack into the plastic tray, added his belt and cap and had himself x-rayed. Although nothing had beeped, the crisp security officer demanded that Masin be checked. It was probably no accident that he was able to get right up to his nipples through the large sleeve holes of Masin's tank top. Masin had to restrain himself from reflexively grabbing the bulge of the Latino in uniform. "Hey, college boy, is that your backpack?" Shit, the weed, Mason thought to himself. The face of the officer standing at the security checkpoint with his backpack looked menacing. "My bro is clean, let him pass!" the Latino shouted to his colleague. Shit, he really deserved a firm grip on his cock, Mason thought to himself and blew the Latino a kiss.

Boarding had already started. Nevertheless, Mason urgently needed to take a piss before boarding. Fortunately, there was a toilet right opposite the gate. The businessman in the navy blue suit at the urinal next to him looked at Mason's cheesy uncircumcised cock with a mixture of disgust and lust. Mason didn't miss it. He hinted at a wank. The guy next to him immediately started too. Mason laughed. What a pathetic faggot. He lifted his right arm, tensed his biceps and let the guy inhale the smell of his wet armpits. Normally Mason took ten dollars for that. Or at least an invitation to a beer. Shit, beer! He had to get supplies for the flight!

"Last and urgent call for Mason Harper, booked on American Airlines Flight 241 to Chicago," Mason quickened his pace a tiny bit. Beer and protein bars in his backpack. Whichever poor devil was sitting next to him was either going to have a lot of fun or none at all. The young man at the boarding pass control was playing fate. "I'm afraid we're overbooked," he apologized. The only seat available is in Business Class. Would you mind? Business Class! Bloody hell, Mason had never had that before. He boarded the plane. In the seat next to the last available seat was a businessman in a navy blue suit. Mason stowed his rucksack in the overhead compartment, took out two bottles of beer and sat down. This could be a fun three hours.

[bumblesimagines]

Tara Carpenter

how've you been since we last spoke?

can we take this outside?

can we take this outside?

how've you been since we last spoke?

Pronouns: He/Him/His, Male!Reader

Love that when Melissa and Jenna leave they're suddenly more than happy to pay Neve what she's worth. Smh.

You absentmindedly listened to the girl dressed up as a Nurse from Silent Hill babble and whine on and on about her classes and sorority sisters, occasionally reaching out to stabilize her when she stumbled over her heels. You'd long replaced the alcohol in her cup with water - not that she'd even noticed in her inebriated state - and wearily watched her until your friend could swoop in and finally take her roommate back home. 

Peering over your shoulder, you searched for your friend until you found the familiar Kara Zor-El you'd watched her excitedly work on for weeks. Lucy still looked deep in conversation with her ex-girlfriend, irritation beginning to seep into her features the longer she spent talking with Anika. She'd seemingly had enough and rolled her eyes, turning her back to Anika and stomping her way back to you. 

"Seems like that went well, huh?" You chuckled, a soft hiss leaving you right after when she slapped your forearm. Lucy scowled, grumbling under her breath as she took her roommate's cup and tossed the contents into the sink. Her roommate began whining about it but her protests and groaning went in one ear and out the other. 

"I can't wait to see her little girlfriend's face when she gets dumped too. I mean, what type of nickname is 'Mindy', anyway? For Melinda? Go with Mel or Linda like every other sane person." Lucy huffed, shoving her hand in her purse and searching around for her keys. The small grin on your face immediately dropped and you straightened up, looking back in the direction of Anika and, sure enough, spotting Mindy Meeks-Martin staring right back at you wide-eyed. 

"Oh, fuck." You murmured. The blonde beside you glanced up at you questioningly, her hand still in her purse and shuffling around the various makeup sticks, folded papers, mints, and gum packets. If only you'd listened to your gut and driven to the party instead of hitching a ride with them. "Could you hurry up?"

"I'm looking, (Y/N). What's the big deal?" Lucy questioned, lifting her purse closer to her face and squinting through the dim lighting of the kitchen. Her roommate had taken to leaning on the counter, her head leaned back against the fridge, and her eyes beginning to flutter close. Part of you wanted to snatch the purse from Lucy's hands and search for the damn keys yourself but you resorted to tapping your foot impatiently. 

By the time you heard the familiar jingle of her charm clinking with her keys, a hand had already landed on your wrist and squeezed lightly. Rolling your lips into your mouth and inhaling deeply through your nose, you released it in a heavy sigh and turned around to face your ex, Tara Carpenter. She stared up at you, her big doe eyes widening with surprise and her maroon-colored lips surprisingly spreading into a wide smile. She hadn't changed in the slightest, despite everything she'd gone through back in Woodsboro. 

"Found it!" Lucy thrusted her keys up into the air with a victory laugh that quickly fell short when she noticed Tara. Her brows furrowed and she tilted her head, her gaze flickering between you and the brunette. 

"Wait for me in the car." You told her, and after a beat of hesitation, she nodded and wrapped her arm around her roommate's waist before making their way through the sea of students. You watched them disappear into the crowd and tugged your wrist free from Tara's hold, offering the shorter girl a forced smile. 

"Can we take this outside?" She asked over the music and you reluctantly nodded, allowing her to take your hand into hers and lead you through the frat house. Tara stepped out into the backyard, briefly eyeing the people skinny-dipping in the pool before she turned around to face you again. 

"So, uh... how've you been since we last spoke?" 

"Shitty considering I almost died."

"Yeah, fair. I... I don't know why I asked." You winced, raising your hand to rub the back of your neck and ease the tension forming there. Seeing Tara again after everything only brought up past feelings you'd rather long forget about, as well as trickles of guilt. Tara pursed her lips, crossed her arms over her chest and cleared her throat, lifting her hand to toy with her necklaces. 

"You didn't call. Or text. Or anything. It was all over the news and my ex-boyfriend who I dated for almost three years never once bothered reaching out to check on me." Tara's nails lightly dug into her forearm as she spoke, a frown forming on her face. "I waited. I-I waited to hear from you, (Y/N). And you never called."

"What'd you want me to do, Tara? Call and be like 'sorry the girl you dumped me for right before my graduation tried killing you and your buddies'? I didn't even know if you or Sam or any of them wanted to hear from me. They were always your friends, not mine. Hell, I bet they didn't know I was coming to Blackmore until now. I bet you didn't even know."

"I..." Tara trailed off, her bitterness that'd briefly passed over her features fading. She swallowed and nodded, her gaze dropping down onto the ground. "I knew you were coming to New York. I just... I didn't think you'd be coming here. I honestly... I thought that maybe we'd cross paths eventually but not at a party in a frat house of all places."

Sighing softly, you let your hand fall limp at your side. "For what it's worth I'm glad you're okay, Tara. I'm sorry you lost Wes and Liv. And... I hope we can be friends again, Tara."

[sourcherryandsprinkles]

hi! i was wondering if you could do prompt 8 “is that my shirt?” from your scream prompt list with chad meeks-martin?

To go through my list of requests a little faster, I decided to do shorter blurbs (-0.5k words)

my taglists are here  + you can requests here at any time

—

Ethan let you in, informing you that Chad was in the shower. Had his roommate not been there, maybe you would have joined him, but you also had a class in two hours and that shower would make you late.

So you sat on their couch and watched Ethan’s video game character getting chased by zombies on the TV and almost dying five times.

‘’No!’’ Ethan shouted at the TV, getting bit by one of the zombies and losing the game.

Amusement bubbled from your lips, laughing at his terrible video game skills. ‘’Why didn’t you shoot at the zombies? You could have gone...two minutes longer.’’

He kindly flipped your off and grumbled, still sour that he lost.

Down the hallway, the bathroom door opened and Chad emerged with a towel wrapped around his waist. 

‘’I’m late, I know, but I’m almost ready,’’ he explained as he came to the living area, leaving drops of water in his trail. ‘’Training was longer than intended. I just have to get dressed and grab my wallet and then we can—’’ His eyes caught on the shirt you were wearing and he interrupted himself. ‘’Is that my shirt?’’

You looked down at your blue tee shirt, then back at Chad, and shrugged innocently. ‘’I don’t know. Maybe. I found it in my dresser.‘’

It was the truth.

What you omitted to say was that you had stolen it from his dresser before thanksgiving weekend because it was soft and smelled like him and you were going to miss him while he was in Woodsboro with his family.

Chad gave you a knowing look, holding your stare. He knew the shirt was his. ‘’It is mine! Mindy got it for me because she accidentally ruined one of my shirts in the wash and felt bad. I’ve been looking for it for the past three weeks.’’ 

‘’Finder’s keeper,’’ you said with a grin, having no intentions of giving it back. ‘’Now, hurry and get dressed or I’m getting lunch without you.’’ 

—

Scream taglist: @misfityanii @beautybyfire @iluvscream191 @mariposa555 @bella7866 @o638 @lulubelle14 @luvvtxinityy @frasersgf  @Eddiefrickenmunson @jasperr-the-friendly-ghost @ghostf4cee @thesebitcheslovesosadotcom @wandaswigglywoos @xjennyx2 @jennasslut @thatonesblog 

All and more taglist: @spiokybirdstarfish @kenqki @liidiaaag @hawkegfs  @gillybear17  @areaderinlove @acornacreacure @black-rose-29 @fudge13 @cece05 @rosie-cameron @Caxddce @laylasbunbunny @gemofthenight @beautyb1ade  @hi-bored-as-fcuk-rn  @lovelyy-moonlight @mellabella101 @vxnity713  @marzipaanz

[r4ikkonen]

Can I request a Fernando x driver!reader where

- they’re teammates and he’s developed feelings for her over the years but was scared of saying anything bcuz he didn’t want to be unprofessional

- Now, she’s retiring from racing and in Abu Dhabi, he DNFs and finally confesses to her over team radio as she crosses the finish line, where it turns out she feels the same way

- she ends up running into Fernando’s arms and they have their first kiss in part ferme🥹

FERNANDO ALONSO X DRIVER/READER

A/N: OMG i love this so much thank you for requesting i hope you will like it. 🤍

tw: Swearing

y/n has been racing for 10 years now and she has decided that it’s time to settle down and start a family, enjoy some time at home.10 years of traveling every week, 10 years of racing,10 years of friendships.A lot of stuff had happened in that time including meeting her best friend Fernando Alonso.They first met back in the Renault when they used to be teammates and now they got to be teammates once again.Ever since the first day that they met they kind of clicked, but both of them felt that dating each other would just seem too unprofessional and they didn’t want to risk it.Abu Dhabi is y/n’s last race, she will be racing for Aston Martin and so is Fernando.

GARAGE

y/n was getting ready to get into the car when she saw Nando sitting across from her.

“Jesus I can’t believe it’s your last race.”Fernando said with a sad smile on his face.He new that he will indeed miss her.Thinking that he will never get a chance to tell her how he’s feeling about her.

“Me too it feels unreal, Feels like yesterday when I first joined Toro Rosso” (y/n’s first F1 team) y/n was tying her shoe laces while answering to Nando.

“Do you think th-“ Fernando was cut off by the Aston Martin mechanic who was in a hurry.

“C’mon guys let’s get moving we need to be on the grid in a minute let’s go!” The mechanic shouted scaring y/n off.Nando just rolled his eyes to this.

RACE

the commentator - “Aaand this evening we have gathered around to witness another Formula 1 race!We are very excited and so is y/n as we have heard!The young female driver would be retiring this season!

Abu Dhabi has a very sketchy circuit which makes it even harder to drive.For some strange reason y/n was very nervous about this race.Maybe it was because it was her last one but maybe it’s just stage fright.The race looked like a circus it was crazy, drivers were fighting over the place.A safety car has been brought in.This circuit was a mess!As y/n was crossing the finish line getting a P2 she heard her engineer shouting in joy.

“LETS GOOOO GUYS GOOD JOB EVERYONE” y/n yelled

“Very well y/n you did amazing!” The engineer said over the radio

“Hey.. hey can you hear me?” y/n asked

“Yes y/n we can hear you good job once again!” the engineer said

“Where is Nando?” y/n asked in panic

“Uhm.. *radio kept lagging* he’s having issues unfortunately he DNF.

“Oh my god is he okay??” y/n said shakingly

“Yes he’s perfectly fine but however the car is a mess” Engineer said

FERNANDO’s POV

I was keeping my distance when Hamilton suddenly crashed right into me which pulled me off the road.Crashing the car into the barrier.

“FUCKING HELL HAMILTON” Nando barked in anger.

“Fernando can you hear me?..” Engineer kept asking

“Yes uhm I’ve crashed, i’m okay but the car is fucked up” Fernando said just sitting in his car

“Alright the team is coming to help you out.”Engineer said

“Where’s y/n?Did she finish?” Fernando asked hopping that the engineer heard him

“Yes y/n is P2!” - Engineer

“Oh that’s great,uhm there’s another thing i’d like to say..” Fernando said almost stuttering

“I know this is being recorded so.. Uhm y/n ever since we first met in the Renault I had this thing for you.I think you’re an amazing person and i’m very glad that I’ve met you.Now when you are retiring and I hope it won’t seem too unprofessional but.. wo- would you be my girlfriend?” Fernando said being sick of himself and the things he had just mumbled.

“Okay we’ll get through her” - Engineer

Y/N’s POV

“y/n did you hear this?” The engineer asked me making sure i’ve just heard every single word of Fernando’s confession.

“Oh.. oh my God.. uh Nando yes NANDO YES I’d love to be your girlfriend!” y/n shouted being incredibly happy right now.

I was looking for him everywhere in the park ferme.He was nowhere to be found.And then I saw a tall figure in a green suit in the back.I ran up to him feeling so happy that he had finally asked me to be his girlfriend.This all felt like a dream, like a beautiful dream.

“FERNANDO!!” Y/n shouted catching the other driver’s attention as she ran up to him.

“Y/n I’m so proud of you!!You did it!You did it!!”Fernando said lifting me in the air.

“Nando.. Nando I love you” Y/n Said hopping that he would kiss her now

“I do so too cariño” Fernando said lowering his voice slowly putting y/n down but grabbing her by her waist to pull her into a kiss.Her eyes went wide, she never felt better.When both of them pulled a part they pressed their foreheads against each other which made them smile.Later on the team had a celebration for y/n’s last race and getting P2.

[spamsmcgee]

Hey. Could I request Zhou dating a paramedic student. Anything you can come up at for that please. Only when you get some free time though 😊🫶🏻

Thank you thank you, first request! Anon you hold a special place in my heart. 💕

I went ahead with a paramedic candidate, I have a second idea for this as well, so it may end up being a two for the price of one type thing, stand by.

I apologize for the hold Chicago Fire has on me.

Fc: Hanako Greensmith, who plays Violet in Chicago Fire, please watch it. 😐

Also, Chicago gp early in the season instead of the Vegas gp later, using the Chicago street track.

ynbaybee • Private account

Liked by lilymhe, zhouguanyu24 and others

Ynbaybee Shout out to the man’s for the shots 🫡🫡

Tagged: zhouguanyu24

yourbestieee I tried for three years. A man did it in a week.

zhouguanyu24 I work fast

yourbestieee not fast enough mr. barely p10

ynbaybee That’s too far yourbestieee

lilymhe So been looking forward to catching up 😭😭

ynbaybee Me too bb. You still in town?

zhouguanyu24 🤌🤌

ynbaybee You have such a way with words

Tuesday Morning rolled around. A hectic shift change later and you were on the road back to your apartment. Your PIC’s voice steady through your speakers, detailing every high and low in your performance throughout the past 24 hours.

“Really, you did great,” she said, her soft voice full of the kind of confidence you could draw from.

“Thanks Burkhart,” You said, focused a little more on pulling in to your parking spot, right next to a dark green Aston Martin.

A sore thumb next to your cute little baby blue Hyundai.

The two of you said your goodbyes before hanging up and leaving you to hurry on into your apartment.

“Zhou”

“L/N”

Guanyu had made himself at home, a still warm breakfast on the stove and coffee brewing. It filled your home with a kind of sweet and comfy scent that you would miss once Guanyu hit the road again.

“I have a flight at four tomorrow morning,” he organized two plates as he spoke. Low, but energized. “I wanted to spend some more time with you before I left.”

The two of you settled in to your couch, tucked off into a corner adjacent to your TV, ready with Netflix pulled up.

zhouguanyu24

Liked by pierregasly, ynbaybee and others

zhouguanyu24 points in Chicago, off to Barcelona 🙏🙏

ynbaybee gg brah

zhouguanyu24 you got to watch??

ynbaybee life it uhhh finds a way

f1fannn Zhou soft launch???

Liked by ynbaybee

formulawhat Ayo????

valtteribotas When are you bringing her to a race?

ynbaybee Once I’m not a probie anymore I’m making time 🫡🫡

You woke up with Guanyu, 2:30 in the morning. Too early for breakfast, plenty early for a Redbull.

“I love you, but next time maybe don’t.”

Guanyu rolled his eyes, ever the morning person to your slow moving night owl.

His hand found your waist as the two of you left the apartment, checking pockets for his belongings. You ran through his checklist again before waving your hand for him to get moving again.

The drive to the airport was quiet. While you could never fall asleep too easy in a car, it was still too early to be too talkative. You shifted your attention from the road ahead, to Guanyu. One hand in yours, the other steering.

He stayed just as quiet, not taking his eyes off of the road. Even after full minutes passed I’d you staring as him.

You held his hand in both of yours, running your thumb along his wrist.

“What are you thinking about?” He asked, shooting you a glance.

“Next shift we’re having a meeting to determine wether or not I’m staying at the firehouse,” you said, “I’m pretty confident, but still nervous.”

Guanyu had pulled into a parking spot, next to where his team had just arrived moments earlier. He pulled your hands into his.

“They love you,” he squeezed your hands, “Chief Gonzales wouldn’t let you go if he wanted to.”

“Sometimes I think they like you more.”

“They like anyone who will feed them”

The two of you had drifted closer together, everything outside of the car drifted further away. Your hand found itself rested on his cheek, his on your arm.

“I love you,” his voice barely hit a whisper before his lips were on yours. The kind of soft, tame kiss that would never hold you over until his next visit, but it would have to do.

The next kiss just a quick peck, followed by an exchange of “good luck” and Guanyu jumping out of the car and running to catch up with his team. Leaving you alone to make your way back to your apartment. Hopefully to recover some sleep.

zhouguanyu24

Liked by ynbaybee, chicagofirehouse83 and others

zhouguanyu24 my love made it out of her probationary period, definitely Chicago’s finest. 😌😌

formulawhat A Y O??

f1fann Zhou can you fight?

ynbaybee I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am.

fyrefyghter Always knew you were what’s missing zhouguanyu24

zhouguanyu24 what do you want me to bring next time?

fyrefyghter Just your handsome self 🫡

ynbaybee Cruz. Don’t make me get the hose

logansargeant We love our first responders

ynbaybee of course we do. Yee yee lookin

logansargeant cmon I’m being nice

lilymhe For once.

valtteribotas Time for you to start on making that race

ynbaybee Yessir 🫡

[haddonfieldwhore]

nightmare - chad meeks-martin

❤️🔪 no spoilers for scream 6 🔪❤️

warnings: angst, reader has a nightmare, ptsd?, mentions of death / almost dying, scream 5 spoilers, mentions of scars (not sh)

racing through the kitchen, you reached the patio door and hurried outside, running through the large, unfamiliar backyard before you stopped; chad was still inside. you couldn’t leave him behind, so you turned back and ran towards the door. as you pulled on the handle of the sliding glass door, you realized to your horror that it was locked. it was dark inside the house, and you peered through the glass, trying to see anything.

the lights flickered on, revealing ghostface standing at the other end of the room by the light switch. you screamed, backing away from the door slightly. just as you saw chad coming down the hallway, unable to see the killer around the corner, the light went out again. the music inside the house was loud enough to drown out you cries, screaming at the top of your lungs for chad to look out- that the killer was right there. the room stayed pitch black for a moment before the lights flickered back on to reveal the killer stood back by the light switch- wiping blood of their knife.

your eyes landed on chad, who lay on the floor, bleeding from what looked like a dozen stab wounds, and you screamed louder. tears streamed down your face as you punched and kicked the glass door trying to get to him, before you felt someone….grab your arms?

“hey, hey you’re okay, i’m here. wake up,” your eyes opened at the sound of chads voice, and you realized you had been dreaming. you were not in a backyard, you were in your bed, and chad was hovering over you, pinning your arms to your chest. “baby, you’re okay. was it another nightmare?” he asked, noticing the tears on your face. you broke down crying as you nodded, and he laid down next you, pulling you into his chest. his arms held you close to him as you cried.

“you.. you di- died,” you stuttered, hiccupping as your sobs caught in your throat, your tears leaving a wet mark on chads t-shirt.

“i’m right here, i’m okay.”

“you almost weren’t though,” you said, thinking back to how you had almost lost chad back in woodsboro; in fact you had both almost died. you had been stabbed in the back, and if the knife had gone an inch deeper, the doctors said it would’ve killed you. it had been 2 months since you graduated high school and moved out to new york for both you and chad to go to college with mindy, sam and tara, even sharing an apartment with the two sisters.

the events of those three days had brought the five of you closer than ever before. they had also left you with haunting nightmares, waking you up in the middle of the night at least once a week.

“i know. i know, baby.” he shushed you, kissing the top of your head. he was silent for a moment, before he spoke again. “it’s my fault you got hurt, i’m so sorry.” he mumbled, and you looked up at him in disbelief.

“don’t you dare say that, chad,” you said sternly. his brown eyes looked into yours.

“if you weren’t with me, you wouldn’t have been a target,” he said, his hand sliding under your shirt to let his fingers gently trace the scar on you back that the knife had left behind.

“stop,” you shook your head. “just because you knew amber first doesn’t mean it’s your fault she stabbed me; half the school was at that party, okay?” you asked, looking into his eyes as your gently held the side of his face.

“okay,” he sighed, leaning into your touch. you leaned down to place a soft kiss on his lips, before you settled back into his arms, your head on his chest. “you were kicking and punching like crazy- who were you fighting?” he asked playfully.

“a sliding glass door-“ you admitted.

“oh yeah? were you winning?” he teased. you appreciated that no matter the circumstances chad was always able to make you laugh, and you smiled, playfully hitting his chest. your smile dropped as you spoke again.

“no; i couldn’t get to you in time.” you admitted, and he squeezed you tighter. “i can’t lose you chad.” you slid you hand under his shirt to feel the scars on his abdomen where he had been stabbed 7 times. it was a miracle that he had survived. he shivered slightly at the feeling of your cold fingertips on his skin, but relaxed soon after.

“i’m not going anywhere, i promise.” chad replied, serious again. “you’re not getting rid of me anytime soon. we’re a team, remember?” you sighed in response, relaxing into his embrace.

“i love you,” you hummed.

“i love you more.” he challenged, kissing you gently. you smiled sleepily, feeling safe in his embrace as you drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

[marytunno]

-read below-

THE WOODS HER ONLY HOME

Hot Pie was practising the bird calls Kurtz had taught him before, before he had left them too, the wound on his shoulder taking him in a fever.

- Shut it!- grunted Gendry, he had been helping Lommy walk since a lance had broken and pierced his leg.

- I’m a blackbird…- explained the boy trying to keep up 

- Well, you just sound stupid!- said Arry, the little crying girl following him like a shadow.

Hot Pie bit his tongue and kept going, he didn’t want to fight with Gendry or Arry, they were the only ones that hadn’t left him or Lommy behind.

 In those brief moments when they forgot about their quite tragic situation it was almost nice being together. If they had met before leaving Kingslanding they could have been friends, he would even have given some of his mother’s pies to them… he didn’t even remember how those tasted like… the only taste in his mouth the foul one of acorn paste… 

A sound through the woods. 

- That was a good one, Pie! Were you trying to be a thunder?- spoke Lommy, his dirty hair sticking to his pale forehead

Hot Pie blushed.

- It was his stomach, stupid…- explained Arry

- Well, I’m hungry! If only you listened to me… we will die if we keep walking circles in the woods, if we go on the road maybe…- 

-No!- said together Gendry and Arry, sometimes it seemed they thought with the same one brain.

- But why? We did nothing wrong…- started Lommy - If only Yoren had yielded to the guards nothing bad would have happened! If we ask for help they will give us food or maybe…- 

Gendry stopped for a moment and looked at his blonde deadweight

- Maybe they kill us - he said more tired than actually annoyed 

- But my leg hurts and we are starving, there are wolves everywhere and we are probably lost!- continued the blonde boy

- We are not lost!- Arry turned around and looked straight at the others

- And if you are so hungry you could eat some bugs or worms, I could dig them up for you!-

Lommy made a disgusted noise, there was no way he would have eaten one of those disgusting little things.

- You can keep those for yourself wormbreath… we should look for an inn where they can make us real food! Ouch…- 

Lommy now sat with his ass on the ground.

- Why did you do that, Bull?- cried the boy 

-I’m tired and you are getting heavy…- spat Gendry 

- Maybe we can stop for a while to rest…- tried Hot Pie ready to let his body fall to the ground, he saw Arry and Gendry look at each other, one of their silent conversations.

- Fine…- said Arry - But we’ll have to walk some more before nightfall…- 

The sun was still high in the sky, its light piercing through the leaves turning the ground into a constellation of lights and shadows. Lommy had closed his eyes but kept complaining in his sleep, Hot Pie had placed a hand on his friend’s forehead, it was burning like an oven, that wasn’t good. 

- Where are you going?- asked Gendry, his eyes on Arry

- I’ll be back in a second…- he explained with an annoyed tone

- What about the little girl…- 

- Well she is not crying now… and she is distracted playing with that rock… she’ll survive a second without me!- said Arry hurrying away

- Where do you think he is going?- sked Hot Pie

Gendy had a weird expression on his face, he probably was thinking about something, he always made that face when he was thinking. 

- Probably needs some quiet and peace before having to deal with you all again…- he said flatly 

- But he is going to be back, right?- 

Gendry scowled and rolled his blue eyes.

- Of course… Arry doesn’t leave anyone behind… but if you keep talking I will and you’ll have to help Lommy walk yourself!- 

Hot Pied swallowed his next question and stretched himself on the ground for a moment, waiting for Arry to return.

Arya went back to the other as quickly as she could, a smile on her lips. 

- Fucking finally!- grunted Gendry, he seemed a little distressed holding the little girl from the ground, Arya almost laughed, it was clear he had never been around babies much during his life.

- She was eating dirt again…- he explained holding the girl toward her direction as if to say that now that was Arya’s problem.

Arya smiled as softly as she could at the little one, she must have felt so confused and scared, so young without her mother… 

Arya made the little girl spit on the ground what had been in her mouth, some dirt, a leaf, the rock she had been playing with before.

- Like that, little one…- she said, using her hand to clean the small face… The girl complained a little bit but in the end she left Arya clean her up. 

- You are good at this…- Gendry was now looking at them 

- I mean with babies and…- he continued his trail of thoughts out loud 

- I’m good at a lot of things…- answered Arya meeting his gaze, the sounds of the woods the only thing around them for a moment. 

- And you!- Arya went back to focus on the young girl - You can eat only what I give to you! No more dirt!- the baby just made a little shriek and hugged Arya as she often did. 

- You are being so loud! I need to rest!- complained Lommy, his face so pale he hardly looked alive. Arya felt too sorry for the boy to talk back at him… she had no idea what she would have done if she had got hurt… wounded wolves rarely survived for long.

- I have good news if you care to hear it…- she said catching everyone’s attention 

- Not much from here I found some trees… they had crabapples on them… if we go there we can have some…-  

Hot Pie jumped on his feet, the weariness from the long walk forgotten.

- You sure it’s not dangerous? Could be part of a farm or something…- started Gendry 

- I say we go!- stated Lommy 

- I saw no one there and there wasn’t a wall around the trees… sometimes the seeds just travel in the wind… I think it’s safe. - 

Gendry nodded, some food would have been good for them, it was worth the risk.

Arry had climbed barefoot on the tree making the green fruits fall to them, they were sour and in some they found some worms but for a moment they had felt like kings before a banquet. 

Gendry had helped Arry down from the tree, not because the small boy needed his help but like, he did it just to do something nice. Arry finding some food had been the first good thing happening to them in a long time.

- What?- Arry’s voice woke Gendry from his thoughts, he had been looking at the small boy cutting a crabapple in smaller pieces to help the little girl eat.

Gendry looked at him confused.

- You were looking at me…- he said, his grey eyes waiting for an answer, not many people had grey eyes in KingsLanding

- And? Is it forbidden?- he joked taking a bite from his crabapple, sour but still good. 

Arry just blinked and then shrugged.

- I just thought you wanted to ask me something, I don’t know…- the conversation died there.

Lommy knew a cool trick where he could catch a piece of fruit after he had thrown it into the air, Arya had tried to do the same but her crabapple had fallen on the ground instead… she had eaten it anyway and the little girl had laughed at it… it was nice… the sound of laughter… 

- You think she had a name?- asked Arya after a while looking at her little friend jump around the roots of the tree

- Maybe…- said Hot Pie 

- Her mum died without telling us tough…- continued the boy, some sadness in his small eyes 

Arya sighed, she knew that look, she missed her mum too… 

- We should give her a name…- proposed Arya thinking about the way Sansa had been so good at naming her dolls… Arya knew good names too… she had learned most of them from old Nan’s stories… 

- Why?- asked Gendry

- Well, she is not crying anymore… we can’t keep calling her crying girl…- explained Arya as if it had been obvious 

- To me, she looks like a little weasel, we should call her that…- said Lommy, his leg was now resting slightly raised on a stone

Arya frowned 

- That’s unkind! She looks nothing like a weasel!- 

- I can see it...- 

- Shut up Hot Pie!- continued Arya, she wondered if the little girl understood what they were talking about, it had hurt being called Lumpyhead or Wormbreath by Lommy…

- Hey Weasel, come here! I can give you an apple!- continued Lommy catching the girls attention 

- I think she likes it…- he said 

-Am I right Weasel?- smiled Lommy giving her the crabapple, she started sucking on the peel all happy

Gendry noticed Arya’s pout, she had been biting her lip too 

- Can you think of a better name?- he asked

Arya’s mind for a moment filled of names, names she had loved, names she missed, names she wanted to call again… 

-Err…- she started

-Then Weasel it is…- Gendry ended the discussion and then moved a bit on his right to leave some place for Arya to sit with her back to the tree trunk.

- Fine…- she said sitting close to him, Weasel was better than “crying girl” anyway.

After a while Arya felt Gendry’s eyes on her again, she gave him a questioning look.

He sighed and then whispered under his breath 

- I can’t keep carrying Lommy…- he seemed almost sorry about it.

- But, you are strong… you can! You are saying this just because he is annoying you!- whispered back Arya keeping an eye on Weasel walking toward them with some grass between her small fingers

-I’m not… at first he could at least walk a bit… carry his own weight… but now it’s getting worse…- 

Arya looked at him for a long moment 

- What are you saying? That we should leave him behind?- she scolded him 

- If he keeps complaining maybe we should…- answered Gendry, he wasn’t serious, Arya was sure he was just tired. 

- There has to be a way! We are not leaving him!- 

Gendry sighed, of course Arry was being stubborn about it, whoever had called Gendry bullheaded had never met Arry. 

- Why do you care? He called you mean names and he is never useful…- he said looking at Arry 

- Please! It’s just the right thing to do… Yoren would have wanted us to stick together… It wouldn’t be right to leave someone behind, he needs our help… don’t you think I know I would reach my… I’d be faster on my own? But we have to stitch together!- 

Gendry nodded at those words and looked at the trees around them 

- We could make a stretcher with what we find around… carry him like that… - he finally said, it would have been easier with someone helping him

Arry smiled so nicely and for a second a weird thought crossed Gendry’s mind.

The idea of the stretcher had been a good one and the next day they carried Lommy in turns, always walking north, under the sun during the day listening to the wolves howl at night. Sometimes they fought and felt hopeless but sometimes things could be good and in those moments they could let themselves hope that there was a good ending to their journey: that Lommy wasn’t going to die as Yoren and Kurts and too many had died before, that Hot Pie was going to taste his mum’s pies again, that little Weasel was going to grow up safe and with people that cared for her…

But it didn’t last for long, and now Lommy lied dead, his blood staining the grass, Arya, Hot Pie, Gendry walked toward death, a hopeless march under banners painted with dogs… and little Weasel ran, ran and kept running, the woods her only home.

Some missing moments with the gang... I love so much the way Arya protects little Weasel in the books and I really hope she is still alive somewhere being the little feral dirt eater we all love so much<3<3

[tjwritesfanfics]

Universe Eleven *Newness*

Pairing: Paul/Reader

Summary: Being new parents isn’t easy, but there is no one else Paul would rather be doing it with.

Rating: Slightly sad, but nothing big

Words: 906

Every Universe Masterlist | Main Masterlist

Love is two people who don’t give up on eachother.

When you found out you were pregnant you were over the moon. You and your husband, Paul, had been trying for the past few months and you were scared it would never take, but after seeing the positive lines on the pregnancy test you couldn’t stop the tears.

Paul has been the best father ever.

When you were pregnant he would go out and get you everything you were craving. He would read every single book on pregnancy, giving birth, and being a new parent. If it involved you and your little baby girl, Paul read it.

Every doctor's appointment, Paul would be there. Hell even when you started your lamaze classes, he would make sure he was there. He may have almost fainted at the videos they were showing about childbirth, but it was sweet that he was there.

Then came the day your little girl was born. It was a Wednesday and you called Paul at work, sending him into a panic when you told him your water broke. He rushed back home, the to-go bag already packed and by the door since you both knew it could be soon, and hurried you into his car.

It was a crazy next few hours, but eventually you gave birth to your baby Laila.

“You did so good, baby.” Paul kissed your forehead while the nurses tended to your baby. “I am so proud of you.”

“Here you go dad.”

Paul turned to the nurse to see they were handing him Laila. He weakly smiled, arms open for his daughter. “Hi Laila. You are so beautiful. Look babe, she’s got your eyes.”

Paul brought Laila over to you, love pouring out of every inch of him. You laugh weakly. “No silly. She definitely has your eyes.”

“I promise you. I am going to take such good care of my girls. I love you. Both of you.”

And at first he made good on his promise. Not complaining when Laila cried at night and when it was his turn. Always happy to change her dirty diaper. Helping around the house, making sure you were comfortable, taking care of Laila.

Paul really did want to go all in on being a new dad, but even he was only human. Over time he slowly stopped being as caring. Groaning loudly when Laila cried, trying to get out of his turn to check on her, passing her to you whenever she used her diaper, and not being around as much.

It was almost as if he stopped caring.

This went on for a few weeks before you confronted him about it.

After putting Laila to bed, you sat in the living room, waiting for him to come home. You were waiting a good thirty minutes before he finally came through the door.

“You’re late.” Paul frowned as he shut the door. “You said you would be home to put Laila to bed. Paul, you promised.”

“I was just out with the guys. Martin was telling us about some date he went on with this girl. He wanted to celebrate.”

You knew Paul was close to Martin, seeing him as his own brother, but when he promised you thought he would actually follow through on this one.

“But you promised.”

Paul groaned and ran his hands through his hair, obviously agitated, but not wanting to start anything big.

“Okay I’m sorry. I promised, but I’ll be better next time, okay? Better?”

“What’s going on with you Paul?” You stood from your place on the couch and walked over to him. You could tell when he was getting tired and overwhelmed. If he was getting tired of being the sole driving force of taking care of your daughter all he had to do was talk to you, but instead he was just driving himself away from you. You took his hands out of his hair, holding them at your sides while you rubbed your thumb over the back of it. “Talk to me. Please.”

Paul knew he couldn’t hide his feelings from you for much longer. Honestly he didn’t know why he didn’t just talk to you in the first place. You were the most understanding person he’s ever known and it wasn’t like you wouldn’t listen to him.

Taking a deep breath, he rested his head on yours. “I’m tired.”

“About?” You hum, happy he was finally letting it out. “You can tell me.”

“Since Laila was born I feel like I’ve been running myself into the ground. I know I promised I would take care of your girls, but I’m tired.”

You lift your head to kiss his cheek, his nose, and finally his lips, making sure to pour all of your love into every press against his skin.

“Paul. My sweet sweet Paul. You have been so good to me and Laila, but you are only human, baby. You also need some rest.” You look him in the eyes, wiping away the tears that were forming in his eyes. “I don’t mind helping more, you know I don’t. You don’t have to take everything onto yourself.”

Paul nodded. “Okay.”

Paul wrapped you into his arms, squeezing you tight against his chest. You were right. You always were. Being a new parent was hard, but the last thing he wanted to do was navigate these waters with anyone but you.

[daniwritessometimes]

I am determined to finish a story this year and work toward publishing!!

Anyway, here's the prologue:

Athena Osborne-Jones sat in the middle of the room as everyone milled about. Her black clothes and maternity corset hid her growing belly. No one was told officially yet other than her twin Alec and her dear friend Charles Seymore-Windham. Charlie.

She looked across the room where Charlie and Alec stood together chatting with one of Martin's brothers. He was the defacto heir until the baby was born. If it was a boy, that is. If she had a girl, the land and all titles went to Michael. She would still get a house in London, as would the child, boy or girl.

Charlie squinted around the room. He was mostly blind, but he could see enough to spot where he and Alec had left her. He touched Alec's arm and said something to him before slowly making his way toward where she sat.

"Do you need anything?" Charlie asked softly.

She shook her head.

"It's a little dark in this corner, Thee, I can't see getsures well."

"I don't need anything, Charlie." She took hold of his sleeve. "Just sit here a moment, please."

He took the chair she guided him toward and leaned closer. "Your brother-in-law is already talking about what he wants to change."

Athena sighed. "Of course he is. He never liked how I decorated the house. Nor that Martin allowed me to do so in the first place."

"I don't like him."

She snorted a soft laugh and then started sobbing again. "This is the worst thing that could have ever happened."

He reached out a hand to pat her arm, but missed and his hand touched her stomach.

She let out a soft sound and he pulled his hand away quickly. "Apologies, my lady," Charlie said softly.

"Don't do that," Athena scolded. She wiped at her eyes. "I need to be alone." She got up and walked quickly out of the room.

--

Charlie listened as her feet hurried out of the room and up the stairs. No doubt to her room. Would everyone still be here much longer? The immediate family had been here for the last several days and planned to stay for another week as Athena settled in. Alec promised to stay as long as Athena needed. He had brought with him all the legal documents they needed to go over.

He stood and found his way out the back door and into the garden. He slowly walked around the path that led to the little rose garden in the middle. The bench was warm from the summer day. Charlie closed his eyes and lifted his face toward the sun.

Alec found him a short time later. "What did you say to her?"

"I accidentally touched her stomach. But I don't think that's what sent her off."

Alec sighed and sat down beside Charlie. "What bullshit, eh?"

Charlie looked toward him. "How long do you think you'll stay?"

"Through the end of her confinement at least." Alec swiped up Charlie's cane. "Will you stay, too?"

"I don't think Matthews and Andrews will allow both of us to be gone for the next several months."

Alec took the cane and ballanced it on his finger. "I'm not going to be here the whole time. I'll return for all the trials and for meetings. It's just an hour into London from here. But I won't leave her completely alone."

Charlie stood and tried to swipe the cane out of his hand. He missed and stumbled into the rosebush, slicing up his face on the thorns.

"Fuck!" Alec exclaimed, pulling him up out of the plant. "I'm sorry, Chip. Let's go get you cleaned up."

--

"What in the world were you doing?" Athena asked sharply as she cleaned out the cuts on Charlie's face.

"Alec stole my cane," Charlie said.

"I was bored," Alec protested.

"Right into my rosebushes." Athena finished. "At least it was enough to send the extras home when you came in bleeding all over my carpet."

"I didn't bleed that much," Charlie pointed out.

"There's a fair number of scratches, though." This came from his father Horace as he walked back into the drawing room followed by Audrey, Sarah, and Wulfric.

"I figured." Charlie looked to Athena. "Are you done yet?"

"Yes, I am, you baby." She picked up her things and headed out of the room.

"Talking of babies..." Sarah trailed off.

Athena nodded. "Yes. In about four months."

She walked out of the room to deposit the bloody cloths and her bag of medical supplies in the hall. She turned to find her mother and aunt standing there waiting for her. She motioned for them to follow and she turned to Martin's study.

Sarah wrapped her arms around her daughter and held her close.

Folded into her mother's arms, Athena started sobbing again. How could she still be crying? How could there still be tears? She's been doing so for over a week.

When she finally pulled away, Audrey handed her a cup of tea. "You are entering a very important club."

"But I don't want to be. Not without him. Life isn't fair. And I can't help but think..." She trailed off.

"About Charlie," Audrey finished for her.

Athena sipped her tea. "Is this punishment, do you think?"

Sarah squeezed her hand. "Audrey and I advised you toward this. If it is wrong, it's our fault. But we all worked out that Martin was the better choice at the time."

"And I broke Charlie's heart. I would never have broken Martin's." She put her tea cup down and walked toward the desk. She trailed her fingers over the papers left exactly how Martin had left them. "What would have happened if I had rejected Martin's offer?"

"He would have died alone. He would have had to give everything to his brother sooner. Just pray the baby is a boy and that Michael doesn't take everything from under you before then."

[brookewritesyk]

T h r e e

Warnings - none just make ups and kissing

───── 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐮𝐩𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐫 𝐒𝗺𝗼𝗼𝐭𝐡 ─────

𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐎𝐖, Jackie saw Jonny, Adam and Grandma Nellie on the driveway. Excited, Jackie called, "They're here. They're here!". Quickly, she hurried to the front door and cheerfully greeted, "Hi all!".

"Hold on Grandma. Hold on." Adam told his Grandma leaning over her.

"What's going on?" Jackie asked tilting her head walking over to the car.

"Hi Mum, Grandma's stuck," Adam explained looking away from Nellie.

"What?" Jackie asked again with a high-pitched voice.

"Her hair stuck," Adam repeated louder. "Just undo it!" Adam told Jonny and Jonny struggled: "I'm trying to but the door won't open."

"Mum?" Jackie asked worriedly.

"Hello, Jackie," Grandma greeted unfazed almost laughing.

"Undo the window!"

"What do you think I'm trying to do?" Jonny frustratedly asked getting annoyed.

"Hurry up!" Jackie yelled.

"Maybe if I-" Jonny thought out loud but was silenced by the car alarm went off.

"Great!" Adam said sarcastically throwing his hands in the air.

"Jonny!" Jackie whined.

"Is that the police?" Nellie asked confused.

Adam went around the back of the car and opened the driver's seat door going to turn off the car alarm whilst Jackie yelled at Jonny "Jonathan, open the window and turn that alarm off now!"

"I'm trying, I'm trying!"

Suddenly, the car alarm stopped and Grandma's hair was realised, a section of her hair sticking up.

"Oh, are you ok mum?" Jackie asked concerned putting her arm around her shoulders.

"Sorry, Grandma sorry." Jonny apologised, feeling guilty.

"You're such a dickhead." Adam told Jonny slamming the car door.

"Shut up."

"How's my hair?" Nellie asked Jackie.

"It's fine mum, its fine, come on." Jackie reassured leading her to the front door and asked whispering facing Jonny "How did you manage to get hair stuck in the window like that?"

"Cause he's a dick head that's how," Adam answered for Jonny.

"She must have lent in when I pressed the button or something." Jonny guessed.

"You know something?"

"What?" Jonny questioned confused.

"You are a dickhead." Jackie insulted eyeing him down and Jonny just looked at his brother in shock but Adam was just smiling.

Then they got into the hall Nellie immediately looked at her hair in the mirror, fiddling around with it.

"Ohh, your hair looks lovely, it's a lovely colour, isn't a lovely colour boys?" Jackie complimented her mother whilst asking the boys a question which they responded unenthusiastically, "Yeah."

"Thank you," Grandma appreciated "You should get your done too," Nellie suggested squinting her eyes at Jackie's hair.

Smile dropping, Jackie looked into the mirror and calmly informed: "I just had mine done."

"Have you?"

"Yes, mum," Jackie answered becoming offended.

"Did you do it over the bath?" Grandma smirked but being serious

"Brilliant," Jonny commented walking behind his mum to get into the kitchen.

Both of them carried on bickering until Jackie said excitedly to the boys "We've got something to show you."

"Really, what?" Adam asked.

"You'll see.." Jackie replied mysteriously

"Grandma's going to do a strip for us?"

"With dad?" Adam answered as Martin came out of the bathroom without a top like always.

"So no Charlie?" Martin asked closing the bathroom door.

"Uh, Dad remember we kind of got into an argument last week?"Jonny remained his dad sadly.

"Wait, you still haven't talked to her?" Jackie asked shocked.

"It's just it was a mistake but it also wasn't it, so it's a bit awkward," Jonny explained.

"Welll, I invited her over again," Jackie revealed.

"What?"

"What!"

"I assumed you talked to her so I asked her if she was coming and she said yes," Jackie explained.

"Oh, bad luck Pissface!" Adam told Jonny, aggressively ruffling his hair.

"Boys stop it, she's coming ok so behave!" Jackie angrily ordered.

"What's happening?" Nellie asked confused walking into the kitchen.

"Jonny's girlfriend is coming for dinner." The older brother deliberately misinformed.

"Oh, Allison!" Nellie said happily in realisation.

"No Allison and Jonny aren't together anymore," Jackie told, "Charlie-Rose is coming over to dinner, Jonny's old friend from high school."

"Oh ok, dolly," Nelle said walking back into the living room.

"This is going to be fun," Adam commented smiling sarcastically.

"Jesus," Jonny whined throwing his head back in annoyance.

"Just man up you simpleton!" Martin yelled to Jonny.

"Martin!" Jackie complained rolling her eyes.

Then the door went.

"Oh, God." Jonny realised that it was not going to be good.

"This is going to be amazing," Adam commented happily walking to the front door with a massive smile. Quickly, he opened the door and greeted "Well hello Charlie-Rose!".

Charlie was wearing high-waisted open jeans with a light pink sweater and holding a bouquet of white roses. "Hey, Pissface," She greeted giving Adam the flowers.

"Aww thank you, but don't you want to give these to Jonny?" Adam teased mischievous smile.

"Haha, very funny they're meant to apology for last week." You explained smiling slightly sad.

"Don't worry my brother can be a cock face."

"Yes, yes he can be." You smiled coming in and putting your coat in the rack.

"Adam, who is this, your girlfriend?" Nellie asked walking into the hallway.

"No, she's Jonny's girlfriend," Adam smirked.

"Oh yes, Charlie-Rose," Grandma remembered

"No I'm not Jonny's girlfriend but I am Charlie-Rose."

───── 𝐀𝐰𝐤𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 ─────

"Well hello, Bambina!" Martin greeted smiling.

"Hi, Martin," Charlie replied with the same amount of happiness.

"Sorry, my son is such a burk." Martin apologised looking at Jonny.

"How subtle."

"Yes very," Jackie nodded rolling her eyes.

"So what did you want to show us?" Jonny asked changing the subject.

"Oh yes, come through," Jackie told, guiding us to the living room.

They all walked in into the room not noticing any immediate changes. Charlie noticed Jackie was getting annoyed so she asked for a hint and she waved her arm backwards.

"Is it the curtains?" Charlie guessed unsurely.

"Finally!" Jackie exclaimed. "Also Jonny maybe you and Charlie should have a talk." She suggested forcefully smiling.

"Not awkward," Adam murmured.

"Oh great." Charlie thought.

"Thanks for that mum," Jonny sarcastically thanked them getting up and walking to the kitchen then Charlie followed.

"I'm sor-" They both started then nervously laughed and Charlie let him continue.

"Look I-I lied about Allison, way before you because I just didn't want mum to set me up with anyone, you know what's she's like." Jonny truthfully explained, ashamed. "I-I didn't mean to kiss you but, I also don't regret it."

"Really?" Charlie asked beyond shocked, she never thought in her wildest dreams that he actually liked her back.

"Yes 100% I don't regret it but I would regret not asking you out." Jonny smoothly asked.

"Alright Mr Smooth but you only have 1 shot." Charlie teased. Charlie just couldn't stop smiling.

"I won't mess it up I promise." Jonny told smiling. "How about another kiss?".

"Wow your are very slick tonight." Charlie replied going onto her tip-toes and leant into him.

"Indeed I am." Jonny smirked back and leant into kissing her as well.

"Yay!" Jackie shouted from the kitchen door.

"Oh my God, Pissface actually maned up." Adam taunted leaning against the door frame next to his mum.

"Jesus can we have some privacy." Jonny whined now facing them.

Sighing, Jackie left them Adam genuinely smiling left the room too.

"So where we're we?" Charlie asked.

"I think I was going to ask you on a date." Jonny yet again smoothly replied.

"Mr smooth is on his 'a' game tonight." Charlie complimented.

"Why thank you Paris, so the date. Mario's, 7?" Jonny suggested.

[butternuggets-blog]

FOR WANT OF A NAIL

@baldwin-montclair @adowobsessed @sylverdeclermont @nicki-mac-me @thereadersmuse @kynthiamoon @wheresthesunshinesblog @adowbaldwin @beautifulsoulsublime @lady-lazarus-declermont @adarafaelbarba-blog @dogblessyoutascha

Part Fourty-Eight

Summary:  Baldwin Montclair had a string of ex girlfriends, a single child, and a  lifetime longer than most people could dream of to make all kinds of  mistakes. His family knew one which kept coming out of the woodwork to  irritate him every other century

Also on AO3

'Come along!' Jaquob gestured for Yvette and the others to follow him as he walked down the dirt path towards the woods.

They had arranged the secret playdate weeks ago, carefully coordinating one another's schedules until everyone was available. The only other people who knew were Yvette and Jaquob's bodyguard Vincent, who had been tailing them, the other children's parents, Jaquob's mother Loyse, and Martin, who believed in fostering independence in his daughter.

'I hope that the apple tree you saw has fruit!' Honnorée was the youngest of seven, the daughter of weavers who had moved to Dôle in search of better prospects for their business. She had met Jaquob when he had come into her family's shop to buy a new basket as a birthday present for his mother, and the two nine-year-olds had become fast friends.

'I like apple with cheese' Porret's father was a watchmaker; he had made several clocks for Martin over the years, and his son had played with Yvette through many long business meetings.

'I hope there is blackberries!' Symonne was the daughter of a roofer and his wife, and had been introduced to Yvette when her father had taken a contract to make repairs to Martin's townhouse. 'I like blackberry jam.'

'They only grow in France' Yvette pat Symonne on the arm sympathetically as they stomped through the undergrowth.

'But we have blackberry jam at home!' Symonne looked at her friend, confused.

'Yes but it had to come from a long, long, long way away,' Yvette explained.

'I am not sure that is how food works' Symonne shook her head. Suddenly, they realised that the two of them and Porret had been slowly slipping behind, so the trio of four-year-olds linked hands and hurried after the older children.

****

The apple tree did have fruit on it, which they picked, and Honnorée had packed a sack of cheese and bread, so they settled down for a picnic in the middle of the clearing.

'I was introduced to Walraven yesterday' Honnorée said quietly.

'Walraven?!' Symonne, Yvette and Porret shrieked. Honnorée giggled at the look on their faces.

'Why did you not fetch me?!' Jaquob demanded.

They had been eagerly anticipating the arrival of Honnorée's fiancé for months. Walraven's father and Honnorée's had originally been members of the same guild, and had kept in touch when Walraven's father moved to the County of Flanders.

The children had been introduced to each other as long-distance friends as a joke, but as their friendship blossomed their parents began to actually consider a lovematch. Honnorée's parents had been careful to stress, however, that she was in no way obligated to see the engagement through, and the wedding would not take place until the children were at least sixteen.

'What is he like?' Yvette asked.

'He is kind,' Honnorée beamed.

'Good.' Jaquob nodded.

'I hope I marry someone kind' Yvette poked the ground next to her.

'Will you marry a prince?' Symonne asked excitedly. 'I wish I could marry a prince.'

'You would have a lot of things to do if you marry a prince,' Porret chimed in.

'I would not mind as long as he was kind,' said Yvette.

________________________________________________________________

'ɸatīr?'

'Mm?'

'Am I engaged to be wed?'

Martin nearly choked on his dinner.

Coughing into his napkin, Martin shuffled his chair closer to Yvette.

'Where has this question come from, dereling?'

'Honnorée is engaged.'

Martin smiled.

Of course.

Yvette was gazing up at him, curiosity lighting her eyes. His daughter and her friends had talked of nothing but the boy's arrival for weeks; he really should have seen this sort of question coming.

Martin slid out of his chair and knelt beside his daughter so he could look her in the eye.

'No, you are not engaged. Nor do I have any plans to sell you off to the highest bidder.' Martin took Yvette's hands in his own.

'Your health and happiness comes before anything else. And when you marry, I want it to be out of love, not obligation or duty.'

'Really?' Yvette asked, surprised.

'Yes. I want a daughter, not a legacy.'

Author's Notes

Dôle was the capital of the Free County of Burgundy (Franche-Comté). It was bordered by the Duchy of Burgundy to the west, and the Kingdom of Arles to the east. It was part of the Holy Roman Empire, and during the reign of Philip the Bold Dôle served as the centre of the county's new council and parliament.

Arranged marriages were not typical for peasants, as there was really no great material benefit for either party. Land owners, lesser and upper nobility, and royalty, didn't have the luxury of marrying for love and so arranged marriages were considered quite normal.

Most European nobles married quite young (as early as 12 or 13), and there have been famous examples of pregnant mothers as young as 14 years old (Lady Margaret Beaufort, for example). However peasants often got married in their 20s, and many women remained unmarried, or worked before entering into a marriage and continued to work after they were wed.

The County of Flanders was part of the Low Countries, located along the Nort Sea. It is now known as Belgium.

ɸatīr = father

"Even so after many centuries of people eating with their hands and wiping them on anything that came to hand, a version of a fabric napkin did make its appearance in the Middle Ages. Only to disappear from many tables with the introduction of the fork from Italy in the 17th century which took the mess out of eating." Talking Tables UK

dereling = darling (I used a Middle English spelling, because I couldn't find a Proto-Celtic spelling)

Martin is still writing Baldwin letters he won't send.

[banisheed]

TIMING: recent LOCATION: the streets PARTIES: @banisheed & @lara-martins SUMMARY: Needing help for an injury, Siobhan turns to an unlikely aid: Lara. Who just happens to be there. CONTENT WARNINGS: N/A (though description of injury and medical care)

Siobhan wasn’t going to die. Fate was incapable of generosity in the way that things of nature were; eels to the wet grasp of Romantic notions. A storm didn’t carry anger, Death wasn’t possessed of cruelty, Fate didn’t forgive. It must’ve been a defect of evolution that people were desperate for their poetry; grasping at meaning through their untenable lives. Siobhan’s mother often said that only the cowardly thought Life was imbued with artistic value; those so eager for meaning in their mundanity to call a flower beautiful, as though it had evolved pink petals just for them. Siobhan stumbled, blood gushing through the fingers pressed to her stomach. Her other hand streaked red across the brick wall. The stone’s texture felt like pores on skin to her; the alley was a breathing thing. The concrete below yawned and sighed, occasionally whispering through the skittering of a rat. Above, the spreading dusk revealed the city’s small halo—a ring of light pollution to ward off the winking stars. A skyline could be worshiped, she thought, but it was the treeline she preferred: the tufts of leaves and pillars of dark wood that dissolved into the sort of darkness that laughed and beckoned. The world was beautiful and her cowardice was simply another fault to accept. 

Siobhan wasn’t going to die and so, it had felt like Fate blessed her just once, even as blasphemous as that was to think. It was another boon of Fate that her mother was incapable of reading minds and wholly uninterested in her daughter. Though, that last part was still a sore consideration. Siobhan wasn’t going to die—great—but now she needed to do the embarrassing thing. Living—yes—but worse than that: asking for help. No one was ever sexy asking for help and Siobhan’s own sexiness was of the utmost concern. Almost dying was very sexy; bleeding across a dark alley did have an appeal to it. She would’ve preferred if it wasn’t her, but perhaps next week she’d stab someone in an alley to balance the scales of sexy. For now, she was the one stumbling around, dribbling a line of blood, trying to remember which direction her stupid house was in. Considering that she lived on a farm and that her surroundings were solidly urban, she accepted that she was lost. 

Direction wasn’t the only thing lost to her: her vision was narrowing and each stumble was more difficult than the last to recover from. Siobhan needed help, which was a concession that she thought showed remarkable growth on her behalf, not that anyone would notice her gallant display of internal drama. Instead, they’d see the embarrassing part: the asking, the needing. Regan would probably laugh at her. Or worse, not laugh. Take it seriously. Call her a hag just once and not a dozen times. Administer proper medical care and not decorate her bandages with crude language. Fates, just thinking about it made her shiver. 

Siobhan wobbled onto the sidewalk, emerging from the alley. Thankfully, the person approaching wasn’t Regan. “Help,” she croaked. She tried to do her best impression of a distressed damsel but between her inability to accept damseling and the general murderous intent of mind, her impression fell short. Dimly, she was aware that she must at least look like a damsel: doey eyes, completely mauled, actively bleeding, objectively (to her) cute frown. What silly human could resist? “Help.” 

—

It was a clear, warm night and the streets were mostly empty. Up until a woman stumbled out from the alleyway onto the street, stopping Lara in her tracks. It was a fae woman, Lara knew almost immediately. She had one had clutched to her stomach, with blood spilling out. Blood was spilled out from underneath her hand, clutched to her stomach. Lara hurried over to the woman, offering a hand to hold her up. She wasn’t sure what to do in this situation, but that seemed like a good start. 

Lara gave the area around them a quick scan, looking down the alley where the woman had come from. There was no one running after the woman, as far as Lara could see or hear. Not yet. But better to get her out of here, if they could. The last thing Lara needed was to run into someone she knew, as they tried to kill this woman. 

Her first thought was to call an ambulance, and pack this woman off to the hospital. Lara could wipe her hands clean of this knowing someone else was taking care of it. But somewhere that specialized in human biology might not know what to do with a fae. 

“Is there… someone I can call for you?” Lara asked. “Someone I can take you to?” Did they have doctors? Healers? Or did they just hide somewhere and hope for the best? For someone who had grown up studying fae, it was something she knew nothing about. Wardens weren’t taught what to do with an injured fae, beyond ‘finish the job’. But she didn’t feel right of leaving this woman alone here, maybe to die. 

—

Someone to call. Siobhan wanted to laugh at that; the sound came out a choked, forceful cough instead. Did she have someone to call? Did she possess the privilege and embarrassment to call upon another at all? The answer either way was a resounding “no”. Staring at this woman—her savior, the woman she had to ask—she was stricken was an unusual vulnerability. “No,” she said, and she meant it as honestly as someone could. She could die by this woman’s hands. She could owe everything to this stranger. “There’s no one…” Siobhan coughed, sparking another splutter from the wound in her stomach: there was nowhere to turn, there was no one to ask, lest she risk exemplifying a weakness in herself that she was not keen to expose. 

“Could you…” She didn’t finish the thought. All she needed, she thought, was some basic care: stop the bleeding, loosely patch her up, send her on her way. She’d do it, if only her body contained the will. “Please.” She looked at this woman, to which she was hinging her livelihood. What sort of life had she lived? Who was she? What did she want? How did she begin to ask for something she couldn’t even disturb her friends for? 

“What’s your name?” Siobhan asked instead. “Who are you?” These questions, in this moment of slackening life, seemed to be of the utmost importance. All she needed was someone to pause the sputtering wound. “Leprechauns,” she said suddenly. “That’s what it was. There’s no one you can take me to. Please.” It was shameful to admit that another fae had done her in; but no one would care. No regular human would know what she meant or ponder its meaning. She hoped it was just enough to spur the woman into action; she didn’t dare hope for more.

—

“Could I what?” Lara prompted. “What do you need me to do?” Whatever this fae needed, Lara would do. She just had to tell Lara how to help her. What to do. Lara didn’t like being the only person this woman had, but from the sound of it, no one else would be coming to help.

Lara gave a quick nod at the mention of leprechauns, thinking. Of course, she knew about them, but had no idea what this woman had gotten into. If she’d stumbled onto treasure, gotten into a fight, or just happened to look at them wrong. It didn’t matter. At least if it was another fae, the wound wasn’t likely to be cold iron. 

“First, let’s get you out of here,” Lara said, trying to sound confident, like she knew what she was doing. “In case they followed you.” The attackers were still nowhere to be seen. Lara’s guess was they weren’t chasing this woman down, but she didn’t want to find out the hard way she was wrong. 

Lara tried to guide the fae to where her car was parked down the road. There was an old first aid kit in the glove compartment, but Lara had the helpless feeling it might not be up to an injury of this magnitude. She glanced where the woman still clutched her wound. Fae could bleed out, she knew that all too well, and Lara knew what getting gut stabbed usually meant. Nothing good. But she would try. The woman had pleaded, and Lara would try. “I’m Lara, don’t worry. I think you’re going to be fine,” Lara lied. “What’s your name?”

—

The human was shockingly eager to help. Her mother had said humans were selfish creatures and sure enough she had observed that selfishness more times than she was capable of counting. Humans were greedy, self-serving, cowardly, stupid. This human was helping her: was she uniquely kind, was there a defect in her assumptions about humans, was there something else she was missing about the human ability to aid? It could be that any human would stop to help a bleeding woman and that this one was no more special than any others and yet this was the one she had and by that merit alone, she seemed special. Siobhan hated that she was going to owe her. She didn’t have to—nothing about this moment said she had to—but she would; it was the principle. Give a dog a treat when it sits, and so on. 

“Where are you taking me?” Siobhan asked, stuck with a vision of the woman dragging her back into the alley to finish the job. But it wasn’t a true vision, just something her paranoid imagination conjured up. She already knew she wasn’t going to die but she was worried about being taken somewhere unbecoming, like public transportation. If this woman was going to drag her onto a bus, she’d rather crawl back into the alley. Then she saw the car and relaxed. The worst thing the woman could do was kidnap her, which—if she was being honest with herself—she almost wanted. She hadn’t been kidnapped in over six decades; she was beginning to think she was undesirable for kidnapping. Just almost, though—she wanted to be in a dingy basement as much as she wanted to be on a bus. 

Siobhan planted her bloody hand on the car’s trunk, smiling at the way her blood dripped down. “Siobhan,” she said, peering into the car’s interior as if she might unearth something interesting. Even bleeding—especially bleeding—her insatiable need for entertainment guided her actions. But she didn’t have to look, Lara provided enough entertainment with her silly words alone. Siobhan leaned against the car and cackled by way of wheezing coughs. “Don’t worry?” she repeated, grinning lopsidedly. “Worried? Me?” It was the woman that should be worried, she thought. Oh! If only this were some elaborate set up to kill her: lure her out, weaken her defenses, stab her artfully in the gut. There was a knife strapped to her thigh. 

Then, her mind chimed like a church bell, calling sense into her mind. What was wrong with her? What was written into her nature that spawned a constant itch for violence? Even someone helping her—especially someone helping her—she wanted to kill. Moments of calm always twisted this way; death was etched permanently into her thoughts. Siobhan turned her face away, her cheeks reddened as much as they could given she was naturally pale and passionately bleeding. It was silly to her that her body spared any blood at all to show her embarrassment off. “Just stymie the bleeding. Give me a bloody towel. Alcohol. Whatever.” It was because she was herself, not a fae, that ‘thank you’ was horribly difficult to say.    

—

Lara shot the woman beside her a concerned look. She was acting a little delirious already, which wasn’t a great sign. She opened the back seat of the car for her, as the woman left bloody handprints on the car. Lara had finally gotten the interior clean after the bugs, and now this. She still didn’t have a windshield either. That’s just how it went in this town, didn’t it?  

“I don’t keep bloody towels on hand,” Lara said, raising an eyebrow at what she assumed was a joke. She tried to sound more relaxed than she felt. It would be easier for both of them that way. “But I’ll see what I can find.” Lara went to the front seat, and rummaged through the passenger side glove compartment, unearthing the first aid kit out from under insurance paperwork, maps, and a long forgotten iron knife. The metal cookie tin had the words FIRST AID scribbled hastily across the front in her cousin’s sloppy handwriting. Inherited along with the car. Lara hadn’t had much need to open the tin over the past few years. Perks of not hunting down fae. Ironic, wasn’t it? Pulling out the first aid kit for one now. 

Lara popped open the tin. She handed back the handful packs of alcohol wipes she found inside to the fae. Expired, but maybe they would still do some good. There was a roll of bandages inside too, next to a needle and generous spool of thread. Something Cíntia would stock, but nothing Lara was interested in going near. Lara couldn’t even sew a seam, let alone stitching a fae back together. They didn’t need to go there. Lara glanced back at the woman. Not yet anyway. Maybe they could patch her up with just the bandages. If it came to stitches, the woman might be better off at the ER, with some fast talking to get her out of any other treatments. 

“I found bandages,” Lara said to the woman. She left the open tin on the passenger seat, and moved back towards the woman, roll in hand. “Between that and the wipes, maybe it will do some good. Lift your shift, and I can wrap it for you.” She opened one of the wipes and started cleaning off her hands. She didn’t know much about medical care, beyond the basics, but it would be best to keep things clean. Or clean as was possible for backseat medical care 

—

“I don’t mean bloody as in—It was an…” What was the word for that again? An explosion? No, that wasn’t right. Siobhan grumbled again. She crawled into the backseat and bled happily over the woman’s car interior. Ah, Siobhan wished her car was painted with blood. Alas, the poor second hand hearse was only painted with mechanical trouble. “I’ll do one better.” She lifted her shirt completely off and threw it aside. She didn’t have the energy left to glamour herself. The woman would see the scars that lined her body at every angle and Siobhan would just have to accept it. On the other hand, what if she did kill her? Then there wouldn’t be some woman walking around who’d seen too much, known too much. First, she’d repay this favor in some way, as was polite, then she’d kill her. Soothing herself with the thought, she resolved that it didn’t matter at all what this woman saw. She could say whatever. Do whatever. “Your car is ugly,” she said, taking the wipes. 

The bleeding had slowed and Siobhan dabbed around the wound, numb to the stinging. In leprechaun fashion, they’d gotten her with an especially pointy rock—an embarrassing thing to be stabbed with. She wasn’t sure how they’d heard about what she did in Ireland. Unless they were the same ones but she wasn’t sure of that either. “You can look at my breasts but know that you’ll never see breasts this great again.” It was a curse in that way; no one who had looked upon her breasts would be the same. She discarded the used up alcohol wipes at her feet. Socializing was so much easier now that she’d convinced herself that she didn’t have to be nice. “You? Wrap me?” Siobhan laughed, as though the woman were incapable of basic functions. She liked being mean, that was all there was to it. The woman could be an accomplished medical doctor for all she knew, it didn’t matter. 

“Okay. Go ahead.” Siobhan lifted her hands up to make the job easier and also to write words in blood around the interior of Lara’s car. Mature words like “boob” and “butt”. She felt very fae in this moment, completely given to an inherent desire for chaos. She wanted to knock things over…maybe she was feeling more cat than fae. “Can I eat your hair?” she asked, not really wanting to but curious if a childish stream of nonsensical questions would annoy her. She wanted to annoy her. It didn’t occur to her that this woman would be helping her; Siobhan wasn’t one to fawn. “Why is your car so ugly? Are you poor?” 

—

The woman pulled off her shirt, showing old scars covering her body. Lara kept her face smooth. She reached for another wipe to finish cleaning up. This woman had been through something, many things before. Lara didn’t ask. If it were her, she wouldn’t want someone to mention it. She ignored Siobhan’s comment about her breasts. This was hardly the time for that sort of thing. Besides, her personality left something to be desired.

“No, you may not,” Lara said flatly, when the woman asked to eat her hair. Never let a good deed go unpunished. Sometimes fae seemed so human. In this moment, the woman was acting like a child. Lara resisted the urge to slap away her hands as she doodled in blood. It was too late for the seats now, and it felt like losing something to show the other woman that she was getting under Lara’s skin. Lara would clean her up well enough to send her on her way, and with luck, they would never see each other again. With more luck, peroxide would be all the fresh upholstery needed.

“Does it make you feel better to insult my car?” Lara asked, as she reached around Siobhan, to wrap the bandage around her torso tightly. Her car wasn’t the nicest to begin with. She could afford a better one now, but she couldn’t bring herself to get rid of it. At this point, it was a matter of time until something broke that couldn’t be fixed. Not to mention the missing windshield, with plastic taped over it. Nothing she was interested in explaining to Siobhan. 

She wrapped the bandage around Siobhan a few more times, until the roll ran out, before tying it off. “How are you feeling?” Lara asked. She was certainly talking a lot. At the least, she didn’t seem about to lose consciousness.

—

Lara wasn’t annoyed enough. It was the kind of exasperation of a mother on a playground: calm and absent-minded enough to let the words roll away, knowing a new annoyance would pop up at any moment. Siobhan looked up at her work. She’d written “bob” instead of “boob” one time. She huffed. “No, it doesn’t make me feel better.” She needed something personal to insult; Lara’s car was a mess and she didn’t seem to mind so it couldn’t be that. There was nothing personal here, nothing to pick at. No picture of a husband and three kids or a wife and two dogs or a sister or a father. Who was Lara? Who was this woman that agreed to help, took her insults, and continued to help? Siobhan poked at her new bandage. She could say it, those terrible two words. Thank, like thunk, which was what she wanted to do with Lara’s head. You, like Ew, which was what she felt. She could move her lips around those words and give them and if Lara took them that would be okay, because she was owed them. She could say it. She could— “You did a horrible job,” she said. “It looks like it was tied by…someone who’s bad at tying things.” 

No, she couldn’t say. Was her life saved? No, she wasn’t going to die. But the walk home would be easier and for that she was grateful, she did feel gratitude. Yet, to say so felt like she was admitting something terrible. Siobhan sighed. “I feel fine.” Would it really annoy Lara if she took her knife out and scratched up the seats? If she carved her name into the roof and everytime Lara sat in her shitty car she remembered that one time she tried to be nice and the woman was mean and the next time someone needed help, she wouldn’t help, and then some function of the world would be vindicated to Siobhan? Would that annoy her? “What do you want?” she asked. “Your boon. What do you want? Money? A better car?” She looked at Lara’s strange, unreadable face. “You didn’t seem so surprised when I said it was leprechauns.” Was that because she knew what they were or because she assumed it was the rambling of a bleeding woman? “Regardless, a boon. A treat. For being a good human. What do you want?” 

—

“I can take you to the hospital if you want better work,” Lara said. It was hard to be offended at the woman calling her bad at medical care she wasn’t trained in. “Or I can take you home.” Lara wasn’t eager to keep the fae in her car, but she didn’t feel right about sending her stumbling off with a wound like that.

“You seem a little delirious. Leprechauns are only the half of it,” Lara said, lying more out of habit than anything. She didn’t expect the woman to believe her when she had taken everything in stride. Tonight, she hadn’t tried to play the clueless human. The moment hadn’t called for it. 

“I don’t need anything from you,” Lara said, like it was nothing. “Your thanks is enough.” How very like a fae to offer something for a kindness done. How very like a warden to not be able to resist looking for the advance. It made her something of an asshole, and she knew it. The good deed was cheaper for it. She didn’t linger on the request, as she picked up the discarded wrappers. The woman would honor it or not. Lara hadn’t done it for the thanks, but she wouldn’t complain if she left with one, either. You never knew when it might be useful.

—

Siobhan frowned; the woman knew she didn’t want to go to the hospital, she’d said it before. Just as bitterness burst like a broken pipe (one eager to break), Lara’s next sentence plugged the hole. ‘Or I can take you home.’ It was an illogically kind—a tautology—gesture; everything about this was illogically kind. What was one more to add on to the pile of nonsense? An insult. A terrible, grinding insult. Nothing in Lara’s words suggested that she’d meant Siobhan was incapable of walking, or that she needed help but the rattling pipe of bitterness wanted to read it that way. If she could push someone capable of giving her such undeserved kindness—another tautology—and someone who seemed to be willing to give more kindness into someone who would take it all back, then she could… She could… Siobhan’s hands clenched into tight fists resting on her thighs. “I’ll walk. I’ve been stabbed, not dismembered. I’ll walk,” she said, wondering again if she ought to dissect her cruel impulses. 

“Yes,” she smiled, “delirious.” If the woman was lying, which it seemed she was, Siobhan didn’t care enough to press the issue. There were few humans—assuming she was human—that would truly know what a leprechaun was and as long as she wasn’t the type of human inclined to stab her—getting stabbed twice in one night wasn’t sexy—she didn’t care. Xóchitl had called them rocks, for all she knew, maybe that’s what Lara thought they were too. 

“You want…” Siobhan’s wound suddenly ached. “…My thanks?” It was Lara’s by rules of politeness; she had meant to offer it; this was a common phrase the humans said to appear humble. Did Lara know what she was asking for? Would she appreciate the gesture? Why did she want to be appreciated? She’d defiled her car and wanted Lara to appreciate her. If she’d wanted appreciation, she wouldn’t have said the things she said, wrote “bob” the way she did. But, the idea of any gratitude made her skin itch, especially the thought of it coming from this woman. And yet, her mind clanged like a bell again and she knew that she wanted it desperately. Look at how good she was, she was saying it: “Thank you, Lara.” Her voice was as calm, as steady and as sure as it could be. She thought she was the one offering the insipid human her dog-treat, but it was her that was begging for one. Any shred of attention, good or bad, anything that gave her something. Siobhan’s skin itched anyway. She ground her teeth, but she couldn’t take the words back, they were Lara’s by right. 

Siobhan popped the card door open and swung one long leg out, but her hand was still stuck on the handle; she didn’t move. Fates, she really was waiting for her treat. She really did want it. Maybe that was the impulse to dissect and remove. 

—

Lara raised her eyebrows. The woman seemed offended at the offer of a ride. Either she wasn’t that hurt, or she was a fool. Possibly both. “I’m not doubting your ability to walk home.” Not strictly true. Lara couldn’t help but wonder if Siobhan would be okay if she did. “Call it looking out for my peace of mind. I might lose a bit of sleep imagining you dying on your way home.” 

At the end of the day, that’s what it really was, wasn’t it? The woman was speaking fine. She probably could walk home just fine, for all Lara knew. This was about Lara, about the part of her that saw someone else entirely when she looked at this woman. That felt like if she did right by this fae, it would change things that couldn’t be changed.

“I’ll accept that,” Lara said. “You’re welcome”. The words tasted unfamiliar in her mouth. She rarely used them. Holding the woman’s thanks felt like safety, like power. She hated how much she liked that feeling. With luck for both of them, she’d never need it.

Siobhan hesitated at the door to the car. Maybe she wasn’t as fit to walk home as she was pretending to be. Lara went to the passenger seat, and stowed the tin back away in the glove compartment, before turning back to the woman. “If you’re second-guessing turning me down, you’ll have to move the front at least. I won’t be made an Uber driver.” A throwaway reason. It might give the fae another place to write blood on, but Lara could not in good conscience drive with her back to a fae.

—

“I won’t die.” Siobhan ground her teeth again, eventually working her tense features into a sharp smile. “Call it a promise, if you want. I won’t be dying today.” She could tell, after all. It might not offer ‘peace of mind’, as Lara put it, but she didn’t care much for her peace of mind anyway. Now for a piece of her mind, in the literal sense, well… Siobhan sagged against her seat. Her murderous urges really were her sexiest and least convenient habit. Siobhan grumbled, trying to shake the woman’s words off. “Don’t tell me I’m welcome; it’s not… never mind.” Her cheeks burned. 

She forced herself out of the ugly car and into the cool night, picking up her discarded shirt. “That’s alright. I’ve blessed you with too much of my presence for one night.” Siobhan leaned down, looking into the passenger window, regarding Lara in the driver’s seat. Again, she hesitated. What did she want? Why did it feel so wrong to leave? Even after her offering of gratitude, she felt like she owed more: more thanks, any sort of apology, an offer to fix up her wreck of a car. Siobhan squeezed her hand on the still-open side door. 

She couldn’t thank Lara again, she’d already taken the one with what she felt was inappropriate glee. She couldn’t apologize, that was embarrassing. And, honestly, there was no fixing this wretched metal thing. “I hope you don’t…” Siobhan said through clenched teeth. “…die prematurely in a boring way.” Which was as close to well wishes as she was capable of offering and even that turned her pink again. She slammed the door shut and sauntered off into the night, as though completely healthy… until she rounded the next corner and hunched over, taking the rest of her walk like a drunken hag, hoping Lara wouldn’t see all the while. 

She wished she had the strength to apologize.