#‘he’s my responsibility�� liam sweetie that wasn’t the question

[allisonjamaica]

you can’t tell me this isn’t how that scene went

[sincerelyella]

Infinity & Beyond

Book: The Royal Romance/Heir (AU)

Pairings: Liam x MC (Ella)

All characters belong to Pixelberry except for Ella Brooks Rys who belongs to yours truly 🌺

Summary: Liam is even more protective than usual.

A/N: I’d like to thank @gkittylove99 and @sfb123 for your softness prompt requests. I hope y’all enjoy! Prompts will be in bold.

To my nakie twin/soul sister @burnsoslow -> I love you for not complaining when I send you these things and reading them 🥺💜 I love you a butt ton!

Warnings: Adult language, descriptions of body injury, fluff

Words: 1169

Every couple of minutes, Liam would wander into his bedroom and peek at his wife taking a nap. After he was satisfied that Ella was getting some rest, he would make his way outside onto the large balcony connected to their quarters.

���Why do you keep going over there to stare at her?” Drake asked as he flipped a burger on the grill.

“I don’t stare,” Liam bent down to pick up Malia and kissed her cheek.

“Daddy was looking at Mommy!”

“Smart kid,” Drake kissed the hand that his niece offered to him and she squealed in delight. “You hungry Lia?”

Malia raised her arms in the air. “I want pizza, Unka Dwake!”

Drake furrowed his brow and stuck out his bottom lip in pretend hurt. “Not burgers?”

“Party is hereeeeee!” Maxwell barged onto the balcony with bags in his arms. Olivia followed him out with a disdained look on her face.

“You’re always so … cheerful,” she brushed an invisible piece of lint from her red shirt.

“Auntie Liiiiiv!” Malia screeched and squirmed in her father’s arms until he put her down.

Drake nodded toward Olivia and Malia, now chattering away about how Lia wanted red hair like her favorite aunt. “That’s the woman’s way, Li,” he added slices of cheese to the almost cooked meat patties. “They abandon you when someone else catches their attention.”

Liam cringed when he heard Olivia tell his daughter she would dye her hair red when Lia was older. “Okay, I’m going to … check on Ella.”

“You don’t stare my ass,” Drake mumbled as he shook his head.

Liam walked towards his bedroom just like he had every ten minutes for the last hour. He peeked through the door that was cracked open and saw Ella drinking the tea he brought her a little bit ago. He pushed the door open all the way and shoved his hands in the pockets of his green sweater. “Love? You’re supposed to be resting.”

“I am resting, and drinking tea,” Ella lifted her mug in the air with a smile. “What kind is this?”

Liam bit his bottom lip as he let his eyes rove over her. Her pajama shirt hung off one shoulder, exposing her soft skin and her hair was tousled from sleep. The white bandage wrapped around her head contrasted her bronze skin. "I knew you wouldn't go to sleep willingly, so I brought you some chamomile tea and a blanket. Twenty minutes of shut-eye, okay?"

Ella pouted. “I slept already.”

“That wasn’t even an hour!”

She rolled her eyes. “Well, maybe if my husband wasn’t opening and closing the door every ten minutes, staring at me, I’d be able to sleep longer.”

Liam walked into the large bedroom and sat across from his wife with a stern expression. “You fainted walking around downtown,” he clenched his jaw at the memory. “You hit your head on the concrete and have a concussion. You’ve been doing entirely too much, Ella.”

She flinched at him saying her name. He must be really mad. “I was just-”

“Doing too much,” he finished for her. “You’re going to rest and you’re not going to do a damn thing until you’re cleared by the doctor.”

“He cleared me!”

Liam arched his brow at her. “He said don’t overdo it, don’t overexert yourself or do any exercise. Which is the entire reason why we aren’t having sex!”

“That was your doing not mine,” she mumbled and he narrowed his eyes in response.

“Love, you scared the shit out of all of us,” he took her small hands in his and ran his thumbs over her knuckles. “Maxwell wouldn’t stop screaming on the phone and Drake had to carry you to the ER. Even Olivia, of all people, was trembling when I got to the hospital! I thought you had died.”

“But I … I’m …” Ella reached up and felt her bandage, remembering part of that day, the blood, the screams, then someone lifting her easily and running. To where she had no idea. Then, everything went black. Ella was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease which meant her heart rate was always too high and she lost weight at an alarming rate. When she does too much, she notices she gets really short of breath and dizzy. She never told Liam about it because Lord knows what he would put in place so she didn’t go anywhere alone. Her fainting just ruined everything and now he was acutely aware of all of her symptoms.

Liam walking back and forth to check on her to make sure she didn’t die in her sleep was something she should have expected. Add on the fact that she was six weeks pregnant, and that equals super protective Liam. He wasn’t there with them downtown, he was at the palace in a meeting with the French ambassador. He’s never going to let me go anywhere by myself again. “Okay,” she whispered.

Liam cupped her cheeks with his hands. “Please,” he whispered back. “I need you, our daughter needs you, our friends, our little one ...” he looked down at her abdomen and back up to her face. “Just, stay here and rest.”

Ella nodded. “Promise. Now, what’s that?” She pointed to a large pink bag behind him by one of the closet doors.

Liam turned and followed her finger, then turned back to face her. “Oh! I found this in the mall, I figured it might be something you like.”

Her eyes widened in surprise. “You … went to the mall?”

“Drake wanted to get some high-powered thing for the BBQ grill, Max and I tagged along. Each store has a theme?” Liam gave her a confused look. “Is that the rule? Because some stores had random things that didn’t make sense. Why did book store have candy in them?”

“Those are … questions for another time, sweetie,” Ella cackled. “Can I have my gift now?”

Liam stood to grab the bag and set it on the bed in between them. Ella pulled out all the pink tissue paper and reached in to pull out a stuffed animal. “Ohmigod!” She squished it against her chest in a hug. “It’s Grogu!”

“After we watched The Mandalorian I wanted to get something for you,” he pressed his finger to her nose. “Boop!”

“Mommy!” Malia ran in and hugged Ella. “Wow! Pretty, mine!” She pulled Grogu into her arms and walked out into the hall, yelling for Uncle Max.

“What … just happened?” Ella looked from the door to her husband, who was trying his best not to laugh.

“Our daughter is just like you, taking everything that isn’t hers.”

Ella shrugged. “What wasn’t mine that I took, Your Majesty?”

Liam counted out everything on his fingers. “My sweaters, shirts, basketball shorts? Ring a bell?”

“What’s yours is mine …” she prompted, waiting for him to finish the sentence.

He rolled his eyes. “And what’s mine is yours. Fine, you win. I love you.”

“I know,” Ella grinned.

“A Star Wars reference? I see what you did there. Okay, my turn,” he cleared his throat. “I love you … to infinity and beyond!” He smirked, thinking he won until Ella let out a loud laugh.

“That’s Toy Story, not Star Wars!”

“Oh shit,” Liam shrugged. “Well, same difference.”

[scabopolis]

the gift of gab, the gift of you

Here it is @thisonesatellite! your 2020 CS Secret Santa gift. It was a complete and total delight to get to be your gift giver this year. That is not hyperbole - you are a gosh dang delight! Each of your message responses left me in stitches and while I will NEVER try and convince you a movie you think is bunk is good, I am delighted at the opportunity to recommend rom coms that don’t make you want to gouge your eyes out. 

This fic is heavily inspired by your love of coffee shops AUs (except...you know, a pub), your travel stories (which I shamelessly incorporated into the fic) and I believe rates about a 4 on the reindeer scale of Christmas cheer.  You’re a total eagle eye, so I just need to say I am well aware that Colin O’Donoghue’s accent in no way resembles an accent from Cork, but I just need that to be ignored, please and thank you.

Also, I’ve decided we’re fandom friends now. Okay? Okay! Finally, thank you to @cssecretsanta2020 for organizing this exchange and being the actual best and most patient fandom soul. 

*** Title: the gift of gab, the gift of you

Summary: Emma needs an Irish man. Wait! No! It’s not what it sounds like. And then the universe just has to go and provide her with the world’s chattiest, flirtiest, blue-eyesiest Irish man in existence. 

Available on AO3. ***

Emma is in no position to complain. From where she sits both literally – (perched upon a comfy barstool in the world’s coziest pub) – as well as existentially – (traveling abroad for the first time in her life) — she is fortunate and blessed. 

It’s just – 

It’s just it would be easier to enjoy it all if she didn’t have to deal with a rather annoying request from her rather annoyingly persistent mother. 

Her headphones are in but Emma still takes great care to speak in hushed tones over video chat. There’s nothing she wants less than to be the loud American who shares her private conversation with an entire establishment. The pub she found is at the end of a quiet lane off of Cork’s high street. The customers within the pub appear to be locals well known by the staff who tend the pub. In truth, she wouldn’t even be having this conversation if it wasn’t for —

“Who have you talked to today?” her mother asks. 

“Uh, I’m pretty sure I thanked the barista who made my coffee. And I ordered a pint in this pub.” 

“That’s not talking.” 

“It is by definition talking.” 

“That’s not what I meant. How else are you going to get to know the city?” Her mom interrupts before Emma can properly formulate a snarky reply. “And don’t you dare say ‘guidebooks.’ Your father and I raised you better than that.”

“Mom, please don’t make me do this.” 

“You said I could have anything I wanted as a souvenir.”  

“What about a mug? I bought Grandma Ruth one with a big fat sheep on it.” 

“Sounds lovely, sweetie, but no.” 

“Mom.” Emma realizes that as a twenty-six year old woman it is probably unbecoming to whine, but her mother is being absolutely ridiculous. Where is her dad when she needs him to rescue her? All he requested was a bottle of whiskey. What a sensible person!

“No. It’s fine. If you don’t want to get your mother the one thing she asked for on this trip that’s okay. I won’t say one word about paying for this celebration trip, or paying for graduate school, or —” 

“Shit, mom. Did you take a Guilt Trip 101 class or just Google how to?”

“Oh, this is natural talent. My present, please.” 

“Fine.” There’s a group of bearded men, the ones she pegged as locals, tucked into one corner of the pub. They’re probably her best bet, but she just arrived last night, and the combination of jet lag and travel nerves make her feel not yet up for that. Which leaves the staff working the bar. 

One of the two men she’s seen pouring pints and serving up food has gone missing. Besides, Emma wouldn’t trust herself in her sleep-deprived state to not say something utterly absurd to the blue-eyed, dark-haired, scruffy bartender. Probably a good thing he’s gone. Much safer is the other man working the bar – the one who refused to serve her Guinness but was very kind about it. While arguably attractive, he is a decidedly less intimidating sort of handsome. Unfortunately, he is in the midst of a heated discussion with one of the patrons, the two of them gesticulating to something happening with a football match on the screen. Which leaves the blonde haired woman currently polishing glasses. 

Emma lightly clears her throat. “Excuse me, ma’am?” When the woman turns to look at her, Emma smiles, and signals her over. She sets aside the pint glasses and tucks the polishing rag into her apron. Her mother, on the other end of the video call, is not satisfied. 

“Did you say ma’am?” 

“Mom,” Emma whispers.

“I said an Irish man, Emma Blanchard Nolan. Man.”

“No. You said person.” 

“The man was implied.” 

“Then you should have been more specific.” 

“Ready for another?” the woman at the bar asks. 

Emma looks down at her half-full pint. “Not quite.” She frowns. “And, uh, you’re not Irish, are you?” 

“No. Canadian.” 

“Ah. Okay.” Emma lowers her voice again and looks at her phone screen. Her mother remains unimpressed. “That’s foreign. Technically she’s a foreigner.” 

The sternness of Mary-Margaret’s expression is evident even over the video call. “Emmaline —” 

“Not my name, mother.” 

“Emmaline Blanchard Nolan, you promised me.” 

“I’ll find an Irish person tomorrow.” It’s about this time Emma realizes she’s rudely ignoring the very kind and apparently Canadian bartender. The one she asked to speak with. What’s more, the very kind and apparently Canadian bartender has been joined by the curly haired bartender. Both of whom peer at her with matching expressions of amused befuddlement. Emma removes her headphones and addresses the man. “You’re Irish, right?” 

“Well, miss,” and the gentle brogue of his accent, even with those two short words, is quite evident, “you are in Ireland.” 

“Excellent! Can you talk to my mom?” She detaches the headphones from her phone and turns the camera around to face the man and woman. “My mom wants to have a conversation with an Irish person.” 

“Irish man,” her mother corrects.

“An Irish man. Out in the wild.” The bartenders stare at her, nonplussed. “It’s her souvenir.” 

The woman presses her lips together – an obvious attempt to stifle a laugh. 

“Well, uh, aye.” The man tugs at his ear. “I guess I could —” He’s interrupted from his stuttering by the return of the blue-eyed, stubbly bartender, hauling a new keg into the back of the bar. 

“Actually,” the woman cuts in. “My husband,” she hip checks the curly-haired man, “needs to replace the keg.” 

“I do?” he asks. 

“He does?” This from tall, dark, and holy hell! also possesses an Irish accent. 

“But Killian is in the middle—”

“Shh,” the blonde woman interrupts her husband. 

“Yeah. Killian is—”

She goes on to shush the man Emma now knows to be Killian. 

“Oh no,” Mary Margaret whispers over the video call, “there’s two of them.” 

“What is happening?” Emma’s not sure which of the two men asked, this whole interaction spinning rather absurdly out of control. 

“I don’t know,” Emma says.

The woman ignores all of them. “I’m Elsa, this is Liam, and that,” she points to Killian, frozen with a hand on the keg like he’s uncertain what to do, “is my very single, very Irish brother-in-law.” And all at once it becomes clear what Elsa’s intentions are. “Killian, can you come over here and help our lovely patron and her lovely mother?” 

“Oh, Emma, Killian even sounds like an Irish name.” 

“Mom!” Originally she found her mother’s request to be silly but harmless. The more people who become involved, however, the quicker it approaches mortifying. Emma watches as Elsa whispers something to her brother-in-law, likely explaining the unconventional request. 

“I’m very friendly,” Mary-Margaret reassures anyone who might be listening. 

“You are a flirt, is what you are,” Emma scolds. “And what would dad say if he found out about this?”

“He asked for whiskey. I asked for this.” 

“Come on, lass. Don’t deprive me of a dashing rescue.” Killian leans across the bar, his hand reaching out for her phone. All that stubble and the blue-eyes and the accent are worse when directed directly at her. “Besides, your mum sounds like a woman after my own heart.” 

“If you’re sure—?”

“Absolutely.”

To her abject horror, the moment she hands Killian the phone, he walks away with it in hand. 

“As requested, milady,” he says to the screen, “one genuine Irish man.”

Her mother’s delighted giggle is embarrassing for all Americans everywhere but it seems to delight Killian. She can just makeout her mother’s question about where he grew up when he rounds the corner, out of her hearing. 

“Where is he going?” Emma asks, craning her neck. “Where is he taking my phone?” 

“If I know Killian, your mum is probably about to get the most thorough oral history of Irish pubs she could have asked for,” Liam says, tossing a towel over his shoulder. 

“Oh. Okay.” She drums her fingertips on her glass. “I’m sorry about all the trouble.” 

“Nonsense,” he waves her off. “This is the most exciting thing to happen in our pub since Seamus and Willy hosted their wedding reception here.” He jerks his chin towards the group of bearded men she noticed earlier, though which one is Seamus and which is Willy she can’t be certain. 

After another fifteen minutes, Emma has finished her pint and Killian still has possession of her phone. He crossed through the room once, merrily chatting with her mother as he regaled  her with the story of how he got the scar on his cheek. 

Elsa is filling a series of pint glasses for a group of women standing at the bar, and Emma feels the need to apologize again. “This isn’t what I expected,” she explains. 

“What’s that?” Elsa asks. 

“I was kind of thinking, best case scenario, there’d be an exchange of hellos and that would be that.” 

Elsa nods, hands the pints off to the women, and then fills one more. “Are you familiar with the legend of the Blarney stone?” 

Emma nods. She has absolutely no intention of kissing the dang thing (her research indicates local teens do all manner of ungodly things to the stone, knowing that tourists intend to kiss it), but it’s on her list to go see. 

“Well, Jones family legend —”

“I take it your husband and his brother are Jones’?” 

“And me by marriage. Jones family legend has it that Killian must have been birthed upon the stone because never has there been a man more endowed with the gift of gab.” Elsa finishes pouring the pint and sets it in front of her. 

“Oh, I didn’t order this.” Right at that moment, Liam returns to the bar and sets a turkey sandwich in front of her. “Or this,” Emma says. 

“Knowing my brother, you might be here a while,” Liam explains. 

“Gift of gab?” 

He nods, pleased that the Jones family lore has reached her. “Gift of gab.”

Liam proves to be correct, which means Emma has ample time to get to know both Elsa and Liam. The two of them are freakishly adept at juggling bartending, interacting with their customers, and keeping up a steady flow of conversation with her. The highlight is hearing the full story of Seamus and Willy (she is able to identify them by their matching navy sweaters – sweaters which Willy apparently handknits for the both of them), two men who worked on the same fishing boat for decades before realizing they were in love. 

“Once they sorted that bit out, they got married three weeks later,” Elsa says. 

“So which one of them is the designated driver?” Emma asks. 

“That whole lot lives down the street.” Liam raises his voice so the group can hear them. “And they do nothing but hassle me every day of my life!” The group all raise their pint glasses and cheer, indicating this kind of teasing is something central to the pub’s dynamic. 

Killian returns from wherever it was he was busy flirting with her mother and sets her phone on the bartop. She looks down at the display only to find it blank.

“Uh, your mum had to run to the market, but she indicated she’ll call you later.” 

“She didn’t even say goodbye? Unbelievable.” As Emma gears herself up for peak mom-annoyance, she gets a text message. “Speak of the devil.” 

4:38 PM - Mom to Emma hubba hubba

“Ah, geez, mom,” she grumbles. 

“What’d she say about me?” Killian asks. 

“What makes you think that text was about you?” 

“Because you have roses in your cheeks.” Emma frowns. She what? “You’re blushing,” Killian says. 

“No I’m not.” 

“It’s getting deeper, I’m afraid.” He takes away her empty pint glass. “Another?” 

“Yes, please.” 

He sets another pint of Murphy’s in front of her (Liam was the one to inform her that one drinks Murphy’s when one is in Cork). “Your mother is lovely.” 

“Yeah, she’s something alright.” She sips the beer and licks the foam off her lip. “What were the two of you talking about for so long?”

“Oh, just having a chat. She wanted to know about the pub and how Elsa and Liam met.” 

“The gift of gab.” 

“Ah,” he says, “Elsa told you of that, then?” 

“Like my mom didn’t tell you anything about me?” 

“It was all good, Emma.” 

She snorts. “Yeah, I’m sure.” 

“Why a conversation with an Irish man?” Emma frowns at Killian, not quite certain of what he’s asking. “For a souvenir. That’s truly all your mum wanted?” 

“Oh, that. In between flirting, did she tell you anything about her and my dad?” Killian shakes his head. “It’s kind of a long story.” 

As if waiting for his cue, Liam comes up behind Killian and slings an arm around his brother’s shoulder. “My dear little brother has time.” 

“Younger brother,” Killian corrects. 

“Shorter brother.” Liam bumps Killian towards the other side of the bar. “Why don’t you keep Emma company?” 

“I have another three hours on my shift.” 

“I think Elsa and I can handle it until Will arrives.” 

“Liam.” 

“Don’t make me fire you.” 

“You can’t fire me. We’re co-owners.” 

“Fine. Don’t make me quit.” 

Killian rolls his eyes but slides out from under Liam’s arm. He crosses to the other side of the bar and sits beside Emma. “I’ll take a pint, then.” He raps his knuckles on the bartop. “And make it quick.” 

Emma hides her smile in her pint glass. Both Liam and Elsa have been so lovely. There’s no reason to switch allegiances at this point. Regardless of how much she might be tempted by the stubbly-faced, blue-eyed flirty Irish man sitting beside her. 

“Between the two of them and my mother,” Emma says. 

“Yeah, not the most subtle lot.” Liam shoots Killian a glare as he sets the pint down to which Killian responds with the cheekiest grin Emma has ever seen. The interaction has older and baby brother written all over it. “So, your mom and Irishmen. Go.” 

“Oh, that.” Unlike her mother, and even her father, Emma holds the details of her life close to her chest. She’s made the mistake in the past of sharing too much too fast. When people leave her, either by choice or circumstance, it physically pains her to know there are people out in the world with knowledge of her worries, fears and dreams. But maybe it’s the sandwich sitting warm in her stomach, or the jet lag, or simply the buzz of international travel, because she feels inclined to share at least a few details of her life with Killian. 

“My mom and dad both took a gap year after high school and met while backpacking across Europe. They met at the Roman Colosseum, decided to match up their itineraries, and by the time they arrived in Budapest five months later they were in love and my mom was pregnant.” 

“And they’ve been together ever since?” 

“Almost 27 years.”

“That’s quite the story.” 

She nods. “They cut their year of travel short, and went to live with my Grandma Ruth, my dad’s mom. They always talked about returning to Europe, finishing their trip at some point, but by the time I was old enough to leave behind with my grandma, dad was in vet school, mom was teaching, and they were running a wildlife rescue from the family farm. They kept making new plans to travel but they just kept getting pushed back and back and back. Until, one day, they decided to put all that money towards sending me on my first trip instead. So, as much as I fight every silly request she has of me, I would do anything if it made her smile.”

“Your mum and dad never made it to Ireland?” 

“Nope.”

“Thus the strange request.” 

“Thus the strange request.” 

“Well, it gave me a reason to chat with the lovely lass at the bar, so for that I’ll be forever grateful.” 

Her Grandma Ruth, Aunt Ruby, and frankly everyone who knows her parents well, routinely comment on the resemblance between Emma and her dad. Apparently in temperament and affectation they are almost identical. But maybe she’s more like her mom than anyone knows because the conversation between her and Killian flows fast and easy. Easy enough that she barely notices when she and Killian finish their pints and Elsa slides new glasses in front of them. Emma’s head is feeling a little buzzy, and that turkey sandwich was more than a couple hours ago. Maybe she can hint at Killian that she wants to go to the Christmas market. Hint even more specifically that she wouldn’t hate if he went with her. 

No, she can’t do that. To even think such a thing would be ridiculous. 

She can’t possibly ask a practical stranger to walk up and down the stalls of the festive market with her. She can’t expect him to want to sample all the baked goods and food they can handle. Or to hold her hand while they drink spiked apple cider. That kind of thinking is romantic, and hopeful, and not at all her brand. 

“This is really your first trip out of the states?” Killian asks.

“I mean, Canada, but that’s so close to home it doesn’t count.” Emma catches herself, eyes darting to Elsa. “Don’t tell your sister.” 

“Your secret’s safe with me.” Killian angles his body on the stool to face her more directly. Without Emma realizing it, they’ve drifted close enough together over the past hour or so that the move makes it so their knees knock together. Emma could move away, put some distance between them, but everything is foggy and hazy in that delicious way, and she can’t bring herself to move. “What does that make me, then? The ruggedly handsome foreigner you intend to seduce as a notch on your bedpost?” 

“Who said anything about seduction?”

“You’re giving me bedroom eyes.” 

“I do not make eyes of any kind. Especially bedroom eyes.” 

Elsa jumps in, setting glasses of water down for each of them. “Yeah, but Killian does. And he needs to put them away.”

Emma tries to react quickly enough to Elsa’s teasing to evade Killian’s detection, to turn away and hide her smile in her shoulder so he can’t see, but the gentle tug on the end of her braid indicates he caught her. 

“Think that’s funny, do you?” 

“You and my mom ganged up against me. I deserve to join with your family against you.” 

“Your mum is great.” He shrugs. “Well, based on the little I know.”  

“I know she can be a little intense. I hope she didn’t—”

“She was as lovely as her daughter.” Before his words can fully sink in, perhaps bringing that blush back to her cheeks, he’s moved on. “You’ll have to bring her with you when you return.” 

She rests her chin on palm, blinking up at him. Okay, maybe she sometimes makes eyes. “What makes you think I have any plans to come back?”

“Ireland gets in your blood. You’ll be back.” 

This time they’re interrupted by Liam. He swipes away the pint glasses in front of them, remaining beer and all. “That’s about all I can stomach of that.”

“What do you mean?” Killian asks. 

“You’ve been flirting with the kind tourist long enough. Time to go.” 

Oh. Emma looks down at her boots. A surge of deep embarrassment heating her cheeks and causing her stomach to churn. “Sorry,” she says quietly, her eyes turned down. “I didn’t mean to—”

“No!” The twin cries from both Liam and Killian startle her. She’s not sure which one appears more stricken by her announcement she intended to leave.   

“Apologies, Emma, I wasn’t clear,” Liam says. He extends his hand to Killian. “Apron.” It takes Killian a moment to react but when Liam stays in his place, his hand extended, Killian removes his apron and hands it to him. “See you tomorrow, little brother.” 

“Younger.”

“Dumber.” 

“Stubborner.”

“Not a word.” Liam stalks back over to Elsa who is shaking her head at the whole display. “They’re both idiots,” Liam says, and Emma is just going to pretend she didn’t hear that, thank you very much. 

“Have you been to the Christmas market yet, Emma?” Killian’s voice brings her back to the pub, and this particular bar stool, with this particular man. This particular man who has somehow intuited the secret desire of her heart to go to the town’s Christmas market with him. 

“No. No. Not yet.” 

Killian jumps down from his seat and extends a hand to Emma to help her down. “Come on, love. Let’s sail away.” 

There’s 100 ways Emma could respond to that. She could tell Killian she isn’t his love. She could jump down from the stool on her own. She could insist she’s fine going to the market by herself. But she tries to channel a little magic, that particular magic which for her mom and dad turned one day in Rome into a lifetime, and chooses differently. 

(Not that she’s saying she expects—)

She takes Killian’s offered hand and his answering grin is all the confirmation she needs she made the right decision. 

And so they go to the Christmas market, and at Killian’s insistence she tries mulled wine but quickly trades it in for a cup of boozy cider. They ride the ferris wheel, the cold stinging her cheeks from the top, the lights of Cork spread out before her, and that thrum of love for this place beats loudly in her veins. Suddenly every travel story her parents have ever told her makes sense and maybe Killian is right  – maybe Ireland is in her blood. 

They walk together side-by-side and at a point Emma can’t remember – somewhere between sampling whiskey, buying several bottles for her dad, and licking salt and malt vinegar from hot chips off her fingers – they transition to walking hand-in-hand. The heat of Killian’s skin, even through two layers of gloves, is what she blames for the fact that she actually starts humming along to Christmas carols. Where’s that deep cynicism she has been committed to for her life when she needs it? 

“Told you,” Killian says after the two of them step away from a stall with handmade ornaments. She must have been channeling her mom because she couldn’t stop herself from striking up a conversation with the vendor. Somehow by the end of the interaction she’d agreed to join him and his wife for their annual holiday pub crawl the following night. 

“Told me what?” 

“That you would fall for Ireland.” 

“You get the honor and privilege of keeping me company on my first full night on my first real trip out of the country and all you can say is ‘I told you so’?” 

“I believe what I am trying to say, love, is you appear very much at home here.” 

The sentiment makes everything in Emma buzz, but she does what she does best and works to diffuse it. “Well, uh, I don’t know. Does it ever snow here?” 

“Eh, we get about 50 mm every year?” At her look of confusion Killian smiles. “Not much.” 

“Have you ever had a white Christmas?” 

“Can’t say I have. They’re pretty rare in Ireland.” 

“In that case, I think this means you should come to Maine. We do a great white Christmas.” 

“Maybe I will.” 

“Great. Next year sound good?” 

Killian laughs and squeezes her hand. “Sounds great.”

She hears the faint echo of advice her dad once gave her. It was right when she was fresh off her heartbreak with Neal and wasn’t sure she had it in her to apply for grad school. He said something to her about moments. About the need to notice good moments even in the midst of bad ones. 

Standing here hand-in-hand with a man she met only five hours ago, the glow of Christmas lights dancing in technicolor hues against his cheeks and hair, Emma is absolutely certain this is a good moment. 

“Emma?” 

She answers Killian’s question by rising up on her toes and kissing him. It’s quick and fleeting, barely a brush of her lips against his, but the look on his face as she pulls away, all bright eyed-wonder, deserves to be classified as a good moment all on its own. 

It takes self-control Emma wasn’t aware she possessed to not drop their shopping bags to the ground, grip him by the lapels of his jacket, and kiss the crap out of him. Instead she loops her arm in his. 

“It’s getting late,” she says. “Want to walk me back to my hotel?” 

He swallows, that poleaxed expression still on his face. “Aye.” 

The next morning, Emma is woken up by the sound of her video call alert and boy it was a mistake to not extend her do not disturb until noon. She reaches out and blindly bats at the bedside table until she makes contact with her phone. As soon as she swipes up on her mom’s call, she squeezes her eyes shut again. 

“Hello?”

“Oh, sweetie. Are you still jet lagged?” 

“And a little hungover.”

“Sounds like you had a very eventful night.”

Killian grumbles from somewhere behind her. “What time is it?” he asks.

It’s right about this moment Emma realizes her error. Her mom goes quiet and Emma considers taking the opportunity to end the call. And then maybe ignore every call thereafter for the next five days. 

“Emma Nolan. Is there a man in bed with you?” 

“No,” Emma answers, though it’s perfunctory and not at all convincing. 

Killian presses closer to her, and shifts so his chin rests on her shoulder. “Hello again, Mrs. Nolan. And this must be Mr. Nolan.” 

That gets Emma’s attention and she opens her eyes enough to see her mom and dad sitting beside one another on the couch. While her mom is positively gleeful, her dad looks as though he wishes he could melt into the couch cushions and disappear. 

“There are certain things I don’t care to see,” her dad says. “Certain things I don’t care to know.” 

Emma rotates in bed and onto her back, holding the phone above her head so both she and Killian are still in view of the camera. “Oh hush, Dad, you and mom did it the first night you met.” 

“You told her that?” 

In response, her mom shrugs. “She asked.” 

“And not that it matters, but Killian and I didn’t have sex.” 

Though it didn’t stop them from trading long, slow kisses that left her dizzy and wanting more, more, and more. Killian must have felt the same because it took little to no convincing to get him to stay the night. Perhaps most remarkably, after extending the invitation, Emma had no desire to retract it or pretend it didn’t mean anything. 

“Your daughter was far too drunk to have sex.” Emma turns her head so fast in Killian’s direction she hears something crack. 

“That, for instance, is one of the things I don't want to know about,” her dad says.  

Killian cheerfully waves at the camera, ignoring both her father’s indignation and her glare. “I’m Killian, by the way. Happy to meet your acquaintance, Mr. Nolan.” 

Emma elbows Killian. The man is a total menace. “I’ll call you guys back when I’ve had coffee,” 

“I want details,” her mom says. 

“And I want no details.” 

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Emma hangs up the phone and tosses it in the direction of the foot of the bed. She flips over onto her side and Killian mirrors her, reaching out to trace the freckles on the bridge of her nose. “So that was my dad.” 

“He seems a charming fellow.” 

“Don’t let the responsible tough guy act fool you,” she says, and snuggles closer to Killian. He responds just as she hoped, by wrapping his arms tight around her. “He once spent all his money on a cross country train ride and stole oyster crackers from the dining car for food. And during a California road trip, my mom almost froze to death sleeping in her wet bathing suit on the side of the road.” 

Killian chuckles, the vibrations of his laugh making her feel even warmer. “You’re saying they can deal with a half naked man in their daughter’s hotel room?”  

“Yeah, they can deal.” After a moment’s hesitation, Emma slips her hands up and under Killian’s shirt. It’s the one he wore to work, and she can still smell the faint aromas of beer and fried food that linger. She presses her palms against his back and bunches the shirt up, up, and then over his head. 

“Emma?” 

A girl could get used to the way his voice moves over the syllables of her name. “They might have a problem with a fully naked one, though.” She kisses his bare shoulder.

Killian’s hands move under her shirt to span her waist. Goosebumps breakout across her skin. By the slight twist of his lips, Killian notices. “So you’re saying—?” 

“I’m saying you should quit gabbing and kiss me before they call again.” 

“As you wish.”

And a week later, when she is back in Maine celebrating Christmas with her family and Killian is in Ireland with his, Emma convinces herself she imagined it. She must have. She must have imagined how safe she felt in the presence of another person. Imagined the comfort she felt as he joined her for a quick road trip to Dublin. Imagined that it could feel like your heart was split in two, half residing in the chest of a person you just met. 

But the week of New Year’s Eve, when he arrives in Maine to celebrate with her, she’s startled to find it was all real. 

The morning after Killian arrives, she sits with her mom in her parents’ breakfast nook, the two of them sipping coffee as Killian and her dad make waffles. 

“Not such a dumb souvenir after all, huh?” her mom whispers.

Emma shakes her head, too happy to even react to her mom’s shameless gloating. “No. Not so dumb.” 

[msjr0119]

Why me? Part 9- Coming back

Riley is forced out of Cordonia unknowingly to her friends, and moves back to New York.

She is later faced with her past from Cordonia and is hiding a few new secrets. With the help from her New York friends and friends from Cordonia will she escape her current situation and find her happy ever after?

Tags- @of-course-i-went-to-hartfeld @burnsoslow @drakesensworld @ladyangel70 @kingliam2019 @bbrandy2002 @choiceslover-24-7 @butindeed @bascmve01 @drakewalker04 @pedudley @captain-kingliamsqueen @duchessemersynwalker @insideamirage @carabeth @annekebbphotography

******

After her phone call with Maxwell, Riley insisted that both her and Daniel stay at Lola’s for a while. She didn’t want to give an explanation as to why- just said it was for their own safety. However Daniel insisted....

“Ri, what is going on?”

“Nate... he.... he hurt me yesterday. Really hurt me. Emotionally and physically.... for a while we need to stay elsewhere until he gets bored of bothering me. I don’t want you to get in the middle of it.”

“Ri! I can’t believe this! You should have called 911 or called me at least! I’m sorry both myself and Lola pushed you on to him.”

“Dan, it was my fuck up. You’re not to blame and neither is Lo. Just please ask her if it’s fine?”

Daniel had asked Lola if Riley’s proposal would be okay- as she was still in California, she didn’t mind. Lola would do anything for her friends, they could move in forever for all she cared, she loved them both. Her response to Daniel was; “OMG! Yes! Of course... you know what this means? SHOTS AND A MOVING IN PARTY! See you soon baby!”

Riley went to work that night even after the argument with Nate. Her heart was jumping out of her chest every time she saw a man in suit, worrying all night in case he showed up there- thankfully he didn’t. At the end of her shift she asked her manager for three weeks ‘compassionate leave’- lying saying her mother was very ill.

Let’s hope he doesn’t have a hobby of visiting graveyards. He would see that my mother isn’t even alive- then what excuse could I use?

Her manager was understanding, even though she felt guilty for being untruthful. It was the only excuse she could use to get time off work to go back to Cordonia for a visit- she needed those weeks to clear her name for once and for all. And to clear the air with Drake, to fix the relationship she had abandoned.

Nate kept trying to contact Riley, apologising for his disgusting behaviour admitting he was in the wrong -no shit Sherlock. She didn’t care. She was done with him. All the flowers and gifts he had sent to the apartment were immediately thrown into the trash bin. The flight to Cordonia was in a few days- she needed to face her fears and see the people she cared for.

****

Bertrand was at the park with Savannah and Bartie. It was a beautiful sunny day. There was silence between them both after Savannah misunderstood the whole situation regarding Riley, they were both as stubborn as each other. Neither wanting to apologise first.

“Lady Riley, good to hear from you. Are you okay?”

“Bertrand, I’m coming back to Cordonia in 3 days. I lied to my boss and got 3 weeks off- I’d rather not talk about why I thought it was acceptable to be dishonest. But I’m coming back for two weeks, will two weeks be enough to clear my name?”

“Why are you wanting to clear your name? You already have in a way, everyone that is important to you knows the truth.”

“Bertrand, having a crappy text message from Tariq doesn’t prove anything. I’m still getting blamed for Liam abruptly calling off his engagement. The press still have a negative impression on me and hate me - to them I’m stereotyped as ‘Liam’s mistress’ and a homewrecker. The truth, the whole truth needs to be in the open. I need you to help me- you said in New York you would. Please?”

“Riley, I will help you. But is everything okay?”

“I’ll tell you in 3 days. See ya soon, love you.”

*****

Three days later, the brothers were waiting for Riley’s flight to land, they had arranged to pick her up but she insisted on hiring a car and driving. Both the men were curious about the change of heart- was the reason about clearing her name a red herring? Was Drake the real reason she was returning? Only they knew she was coming back today, Olivia and Hana knew she was coming back at some point but they didn’t know when exactly that would be.

The brothers were pacing near the entrance of the palace. Her flight had landed two hours ago and she hadn’t answered her phone. They started to worry about her, it was only a twenty minute drive from the airport. Just then, the royal guard Glen walked passed them. Drake and Savannah followed shortly behind him.

“Glen my man.... quick question. Is the King Father still held in the cells?”

“Yes, Lord Maxwell. Why do you ask?”

“Oo no reason. Thanks!”

Drake and Savannah watched the Beaumont brothers whispering to each other.. they were both intrigued as what they were ‘hiding��� this time as the brothers had never acted this secretive before.

Bertrand, I only asked him because I panicked - thinking that he had been released and that is what why Riley is delayed.

She will be here soon Maxwell. Don’t worry.

They were disturbed and stopped their conversation when Savannah came over towards them questioning what they were talking about, leaving Drake stood in the corner scowling at everyone. The front door opened, both men snapped their head towards the door.

“Riley?.... Oo Hey Li. You’re back early?”

“Hi Maxwell. As far as I’m aware, my name isn’t Riley.”

He laughed at his friend, before turning to Drake who looked like he hadn’t slept in days.

“Talking about Riley, Drake are you fit to fly? Have you packed?”

“Packed? Where are you both going? You can’t leave now...Ri....”

“Maxwell, I arranged to go to New York to find Riley with Drake and Bastien once I returned.”

“Li, I’m not going anywhere! We don’t need to see her. She’s happy in New York, new job, new boyfriend! Just ask the Beaumont’s- they saw her a few days ago!”

Liam looked over towards the brothers direction, glaring at the both of them, crossing his arms.

“New boyfriend? No that’s Daniel. And he’s not her boyfriend- he’s the waiter that ditched her in the bar at Liam’s bachelor party. Thank god he did because we’d have never met her. And...... he’s got a girlfriend called Lola- who is bossy. Her and Olivia could pass off as sisters.”

I know who Daniel is Maxwell, you moron!

Liam couldn’t process all the information being thrown towards him. His brain felt like it was close to exploding. He started to regret coming back early- but he knew how eager both him and Drake was to find her.

“What on earth has been going off? I’ve only been gone a few days!”

“You wouldn’t believe what has been going off Liam, you know how drama likes to follow me around....”

Riley interrupted as she walked through the Palace front doors. She was stood at the door entrance and overheard the whole conversation- waiting for the right opportunity to interrupt. The way Drake has spoken about his assumptions regarding her life in NYC, hurt her. It killed her, why would he assume Nate was her boyfriend? It was going to take time for her to convince him that his assumptions were incorrect. All she wanted now, was to fix her mistakes and get Drake back in her life. She knew she had fucked up- but she is stubborn and certainly wasn’t making the first move right now. Maxwell and Bertrand ran up to her, both giving her a tight hug.

“Blossom! I was so worried about you. We tried to call you - you didn’t answer. I thought old Connie had done something again?”

“I went for a drive. Did you want me to get arrested for answering the phone whilst driving Max? It was nice to just take my time, at home I’m always rushing in the subway, attempting to not walk into someone. I was taking in the quiet beautiful scenery, rather than the smog and pollution what I’m used to. I’m sorry. And regarding King Father, he wouldn’t dare Max! Come on we have business to do....”

Riley looked over, avoiding staring at Drake and Liam but instead towards Savannah- Bertrand told her over the phone about Savannah’s stunt accusing him of having an affair with her.

“Savannah? I’m sorry for the misunderstanding by the way- my heart lies with one man and that most certainly isn’t someone who is like my older brother. Next time ask, so you don’t show yourself up sweetie. Excuse us!”

Riley smirked as she gracefully walked away with the Beaumont’s.

[askbiggrey-xx]

You Are The Reason || Self Para [Ft. Zola]

 “Hey Zozo, you’re still up?” Meredith questions as she walks through the doorway, into Zola’s room, closing the distance to her daughter’s bed. She usually kissed Zola goodnight first, knowing she would read a few pages of a book and then put herself to sleep. By the time she would have tucked in Liv and put Liam to sleep, Zola would be fast asleep. But for some reason, she was still up and Meredith wondered why, for it was unusual. Zola was very up with her routine, always had been. Sitting down on the edge of her bed, Meredith slightly frowns as she turns to her and asks, “Is everything ok?” 

Zola stares at her a moment and nods, but then she sighs. “I was thinking about George...” Hearing that name coming from her lips gave Meredith chills. She could not help but remember her long time friend every time she heard that name, which had made the adoption of this little boy all the more special when they had found out his name. It felt like a sign. But now it hurt thinking about that sweet boy that was supposed to come home to them and now, never would. “Ok...” Meredith first mutters, swallowing as she looks down. And moving a hand to rest on the covers on top of Zola’s legs, she rubs them nicely and mutters, “Do you want to talk about it?”

Her daughter remains quiet for a moment until she locks gaze with her and nods. “I was just thinking... I mean, I was like him one day. When I was a baby, I was in a place like he is now...waiting for my family. For you and Daddy.” she nods and her little head tilts to the side. Meredith is instantly struck at how mature she was for her age, at how blunt her words were, how she was able to talk about this when she herself still had trouble talking about her past and she was the parent. But for Zola, it was just a part of her story that she did not remember much of. It was a fact, no more no less. Swallowing, Meredith nods in response, remaining quiet. “I got lucky. I got to come home with you and Daddy. But he didn’t.” Meredith stares at her a moment before shaking her head helplessly, swallowing. “No... he didn’t.” she mutters, heart heavy. Zola nods to her response and thinks for a moment. “Why?” She asks, her little head tilting some more and Meredith frowns. “Why what, sweetie...?” Meredith questions, unsure of how to even begin to respond to whatever her daughter intended with that why. “Why did I get to come home to you and Daddy and he didn’t?” 

The question of the hour. Meredith sits there in total silence for a moment, unable to come up with anything. And she feels like she is failing because as a mother, she should find a way to come up with some kind of answer to try and soothe her daughter’s concerns but truth be told, she had no idea why. She kept asking herself that very same question, over and over again ever since Derek had told her about that phone call he had received, calling off the whole thing. She knew it had to do with the circumstances, but the question was far more bigger than that. It all came down to : why did life keep that little boy from coming home to them, them who were supposed to be his family for his entire lifetime? 

“I don’t know, Lovebug...” Meredith sighs and shakes her head, her hand rubbing her daughter’s leg again from over the covers, shrugging. “Sometimes, things happen and we don’t really understand why they do, but they do... It wasn’t meant to be, I guess...” It was not the answer she wanted to give her. In fact, she hated that answer. It was a lame answer, but it was all the answer she had. “Where will he go now?” Zola asks, and Meredith’s eyes lock with her daughter. Why was she so clever? Again, the very same second question she had been asking herself, what would happen of him? Swallowing, she shrugs. “I don’t know.” She could lie, or without lying, just put up a story to help her sleep better and not worry, but she had always been all about truth. She had always been honest about things with her children, especially Zola who understood so much so quickly. Besides, the truth was, she had no idea. 

“So what now?” Zola asks, looking up at her mother with her eyebrow raised up, as though waiting for a normal answer. But what was she waiting for exactly? Meredith stares back at her, the frown drawing up on her face again. “What do you mean?” She questions, unsure. “Well, are we going to have another baby?” Zola asks, and Meredith swallows. Looking down for a moment, she wonders what kind of response she should give her. After all, she had not even decided with Derek where they stood on this. Last time they had talked about it, she had made him understand that she was not sure she could handle this again, or that she was still on board with the project in these circumstances. They surely would not be able to adopt internationally for quite some time given all that was going on, so she did not even know what was possible at this point unless they adopted within the States, and even then. So many questions, so little answers. But bottom line was, did she want to do it at all anymore. Meredith’s eyes eventually move up and lock with Zola’s again, and staring at her daughter, she breathes in and then out, swallowing. “Daddy and I have not decided if we are going to move forward with the agency, yet.” 

“What?” Zola reacts instantly, frowning, and then adds, “But you have to!” She was reactive, a lot more than Meredith could have anticipated and therefore she is left confronted, frowning. “Zola...” She mutters, wanting to explain how much more complex it was, but Zola cuts her off before she even opens her mouth again. “But Mommy,” she begins, sitting up straight in her bed, her small hands falling over the covers as though they were hitting a table with strength. “You can’t stop now! There is a baby out there that needs us!” Staring at her, frowning still, Meredith grows silent. “A baby like baby George who doesn’t have a family and is just waiting for one, like I was!” Though she knew it, hearing it coming from Zola’s mouth put this whole entire thing into a whole different perspective. Thinking back of their sweet Zola as a baby, the little one that they had first held at the hospital, and now looking at her sitting before her, literally lecturing her on not quitting adoption... it was both troubling and exactly what she needed right now. To be brought back to the reason why they were doing it. Zola. She was the reason.

“You and Daddy found me, and another baby somewhere in the world can be lucky like me, you can’t give up, Mommy! You can’t not give that little baby a chance to have a family, we have to look for them and give them a home, ok?We have to. They’re too tiny and they can’t speak and I will speak for them, we have to keep looking for them, ok Mommy?” Zola insists, and the lump in Meredith’s throat just grows by each word coming out of her nearly nine years of age daughter, but a hundred years old soul. Tears well up in her eyes as she looks at her. So strong and willing, so caring and determined. Reaching out to gently cup her daughter’s face, Meredith swallows and bends a little to lower her face to Zola’s height, her eyes locking with her daughter’s. “Hey... hey...” she mutters, then swallows before saying, “Ok.” Zola grows quiet and she feels her calming down, her breathing slowing down, her shoulders sinking. Meredith swallows before nodding her head. “We’re going to keep looking.” And saying it, her words slowly start sinking in and she swallows once again, staring into her daughter’s eyes. “If you promise to help us find them, we’ll keep looking together.” Meredith pauses, and though she gets emotional, she speaks up anyway. “Your daddy and I got so lucky to find you, and if there is another little Lovebug just like you out there waiting for us, then we will fight for them like we would fight the Earth for you.” 

Zola breathes out and instantly smiles up at her, and Meredith nods. And right away, Zola pulls herself up and throws herself in Meredith’s arms, wrapping her tiny arms around her mother’s waist, holding her so tight. A little surprised, but at the same time so relieved somehow, Meredith wraps her arms around her daughter, very tight. She holds her for a moment before bending her head and pressing her lips on her daughter’s head, nodding to herself. “We’re going to find that baby and give it a home.” She swallows and nods again before muttering in a broken voice, “I promise.”

[jaybeaulieuxo-blog]

Carrier Chapter One

Alex's POV

The sun was shining brightly through my window, the light breeze making it's way into my room. It was a beautiful day in London. I was in the middle of packing when my brother, Liam, came into my room. Planting himself on my bed, he started petting my dog Max, running his fingers through his fur.

"Dad wants you to come down for lunch before we head out." Liam says. I nodded in response as I quickly shoved one last item in my suitcase. Done. "Alright lets go." I sighed. He got off my bed and made his way out of my room, me following behind, closing my door on the way out.  

We walked into the kitchen, my mom was laying out the dishes while dad was cooking. Leah was sitting at the island, a book in hand. "Hey kids," Mom greeted with a smile "lunch is almost done." 

"What are we having dad?" Liam asked.

I took a seat beside Leah, she looked up at me and shot me a quick smile before going back to her book. I swear this girl loves books. 

"We are having French toast" Dad replied to Liam proudly, making mom and I chuckle and Liam rolling his eyes. Leah sighed lightly whilst turning a page in her book and going back to reading. 

"Alex sweetie," Dad said "can you go next door and ask Mallory or Tommy to watch Max while we're away?" 

"Can it wait till after lunch?" I asked pleadingly. I wanted to eat I was starved. "French toast will still be fresh when you get back," he laughed "now go on." he said waving the spatula around playfully. I rolled my eyes before getting up and heading out the front door. 

I made my way to the Jones' house, knocking lightly. I waited until Tommy opened the door. I gulped when I noticed he was shirtless. Snap out of it Alex!

"Tommy, hi." I greeted awkwardly.

"Alex" He said, his voice deep and raspy. "What's up?" 

"My dad wanted my to come by and ask if you or your mom can watch Max while we're away?" I didn't even know if he understood a word I said because of how fast the words came out. But lucky for me he did.

"Sure, I can watch the little mutt for-" he paused for a few seconds before saying "wait, how long are you going away for?"

"Few weeks, maybe more" I simply replied. 

"Ahh"

"It's okay if you don't want to, it's just that my parents don't want to ask the Kelly's cause last time they-"

"Yeah I'll watch him." He said cutting me off. 

"Really?" I didn't even realize how excited I sounded.

"Yeah, that shouldn't be a problem." He smiled.

"Okay thanks so much." I smiled back "Well I'll leave the spare key in the flower plant by the back door, just pick him whenever you can and his stuff will be under the sink in the kitchen. And since you don't have a doggy door in your house I would suggest taking some dog pads with you in case you don't make it in time to let him out of your house" I explained. He nodded, letting me know he understood. "I got to head back, French toast awaits" I said, causing us both to laugh. 

We said our goodbyes before he closed his door and I headed back to my house. 

After eating lunch and double checking if we had everything, we all jumped into the van and took off. Dad was driving and mom was in the passenger, texting aunt Helen and letting her know we would be heading to the airport. Leah and I sat in the middle, she was still reading while I had my headphones in. Liam was in the back, headphones also in his ears. He was rocking his head back and forth, jamming out to whatever he was listening too. I quickly texted on of my closest friends, Britt, letting her know I would be seeing her soon and that I was sorry for not dropping by her place and saying our goodbyes. 

Two hours had passed since we left the house and we were now stuck in traffic. So far I had managed to take an hour nap and beat a level of this game I had on my phone. Our flight would be leaving at five and it was already passed three. My parents were talking about something but I couldn't make out what they were saying cause the headphones that were planted in my ears. I finally took them out, hearing multiple horns honking like crazy. I looked around, seeing that more vehicles had build up in traffic in the last few hours we were stuck.

"I can't get a signal." Dad said referring to the radio as he turned the small knob to try find a radio station. "What the hell is wrong with this damn radio?"

"Give it anther try honey, you'll find a station soon." Mom said, putting a hand on dads shoulder and giving it a light squeeze. 

I tilted my head upward a bit, trying to get a glance of the sky as I heard what sounded like a helicopter going by. To my surprise, there was one going by. I sighed, confused as to what was going on. Dad kept playing with the little knob, finally giving up when he realized he wasn't going to get a signal. More and more honks can be heard, another helicopter flying by. 

Than, a bomb went off. More horns can be heard. Yelling. Screaming. People were panicking. Vehicles in front of us started moving forward. Dad than started the van, putting it on drive and taking off. People were running all over the streets. Glancing around, I witnessed two vehicles collide into each other, front ends damaged. "Holy shit." I heard Liam whispered. I looked back, seeing him look around. I turned to Leah, who looked frighten and worried. "It's okay Leah" I said lightly squeezing my baby sister's shoulder. She looked at me and nodded, but I knew she was scared. Hell I was too. I watched as dozens of people were running and screaming. People were attacking others. Dad was swerving on the streets while trying not to hit into anyone. Mom dropped her cell just as it started ringing. "Shit." she mumbled. She reached in between her and dads seats, trying to reach for her phone as it continued to ring. I turned my attention back to the chaos outside the moving van. More and more people were attacking each other. I seen one person banging their head on a window repeatedly until the glass finally broke. I watched as a person took a bite into someone else, watching the other person crying and screaming in pain. What the fuck was happening?

"George watch out!" Mom yelled. It was too late for dad to hit brakes. I felt the van collide into another vehicle. I felt my head hit dads seat hard. My ears were ringing and my eye sight was blurry. "Everyone okay?" I heard dad ask.

"Alex?" 

"Alex?"

My sight came back to normal and ringing in my ears had stopped. I looked around seeing that Leah was coughing and Liam was rubbing his head, a small amount of blood coming from the cut that was now on his forehead. Mom and dad both jumped out of the van, opening the sliding doors, and rushing us out. Liam had injured his leg causing him to limp. We starting running through the chaos, people pushing each other out of the way while they ran. I looked around, it was like hell broke loose. 

"Get to the truck!" Dad yelled, pointing out to the black four door truck. Mom nodded before signaling us to go ahead of her. We quickly made it to the truck. Surprised that the drivers seat was unlocked I hit the button to unlock the other doors. I jumped in along with the twins, finding the keys in the ignition. I turned the key as the truck came to life. "George!" I heard mom cry out. I turned to see dad getting taken down by one of those things. "No!" I cried out "DAD!" I felt the tears build up. He was crying out in pain, trying to pry the monster off him. 

"Go Lydia!" He shouted "Go!" I watched as his body started shaking uncontrollably, I seen his eyes change from brown to pure white in seconds. Mom was still standing in the same spot crying as dad turned. I quickly rolled down my window, yelling out to her "mom, lets go!" She snapped out of it and was about to run when two of those things attacked her. I felt more tears forming. I heard Liam and Leah crying out as they watched what was happening in front of them. I felt a bang on the truck that brought me back to reality. I looked in front of me seeing one of the crazies on top the hood of the truck, banging their head repeatedly on the window. I was putting the truck on drive when I felt the most painful thing ever. I looked to my right seeing that one of them had their teeth wrapped around my arm, biting down as hard as they could. I pressed on the gas peddle, making the truck move forward. I started swerving around on the street, trying to get this crazy, unhuman, this thing, whatever you wanted to call it, off my arm. Hitting a few buses and vehicles the thing finally released my arm from its hold and falling back, along with the other one that was on the hood. I hissed in pain, looking down and seeing teeth marks on my arm and the blood oozing out of it. 

"Alex?" It was Liam. "Are you going to be okay?"

"I don't know." I replied sighing. I was bit. Why hadn't I turn. Dad turned. Mom. Everyone else who was bit turned. I looked through the review mirror, Leah had tears coming down her face and Liam was just staring out the window in shock. I continued on driving for another thirty minutes when I saw the airport in sight. I sped up a bit as I watched people running inside and planes were taking off. I parked in front of airport not bothering to look for a parking spot. "Let's go." I demanded the two of them. They nodded before jumping out of the truck. I didn't bother taking the keys with me either. Before I walked in I looked back at the city, the flames can be seen in all different directions. More and more vehicle were coming towards here. I was about to walk in when my reflection on the glass doors caught my attention. I seen a tired sixteen year old girl. Dry tears stained her face. Mascara and eyeliner were smeared. I looked down at the bite on my arm. The throbbing pain coming back. So many questions ran through my head. 

How did this happen?

How did it start?

Was Tommy alright?

Was Max alright?

Was I going to be okay?

What happens now?

I let a tear fall as I watched the city that was once my home become nothing but hell. London was my home for over ten years. And not it's gone. Just like that. I turned away as I walked into the airport... only to be greeted by soldiers who held their guns to my head.

Author's Note: Before you assume, no this is not a Harry Styles fanfiction, nor is it about Harry Styles. But I am using Harry for the character, Tommy Jones, you will be getting more of Tommy as the story continues on. Lily Collins also plays Alex Carter.

[fallforcs]

Stay

Art by: @sailingcaptainswan

Author: @singingisfun

Summary: Emma never thought the drunk she found passed out in The Rabbit Hole would change her life.

Rating: T

Trigger warnings: None

Thanks so much to @hookedmom for her patience with me.  You’re an incredible beta, sweetie!  I loved getting to know you!

Part 1

Pausing on the threshold of The Rabbit Hole, Emma gave her eyes a moment to adjust to the dim light.  As soon as they had, she made a cursory glance around the room and her brow furrowed in irritation.

“So? Where is he?” she called to the man behind the bar.

“Over there,” Leroy replied, waving his hand toward the back booth and coming around the bar to meet her at the table.

“Yeah, he looks like a real menace to society,” Emma commented once the man in question was in view.  He was passed out cold, his head lying on the table and one arm drooping limply off the side.

“He’s taking up space in my bar,” Leroy grouched, “I need to make room for paying customers.”

Emma looked around the nearly empty room and turned back with one eyebrow raised.

“So what? I still don’t want him using my bar as a hotel.”

She had to admit he had a point. “Have you even tried to wake him?”

“Of course, I have.”

“And?”

“And he didn’t even flicker an eye.”

Resigned, Emma turned back to the unconscious heap.  “What’s his name?”

“I didn’t ask and he didn’t say.”

“You mean to tell me you served him enough to pass out cold and you didn’t even check his ID?”

“I didn’t serve him a drop,” Leroy huffed.

Emma turned, surprised.  “You mean he came in like this?”

“No, he seemed fine when he came in.”

“So how did he get this way?”

“Got me, sister,” he replied, shrugging and turning to go back to the bar.

Emma stared a hole into his back as he walked away, irritated but not surprised at his brusqueness.

Releasing a sigh, she turned back to the man in the booth.  He didn’t look homeless.  His scruff was neatly trimmed and his hair was clean.  The clothes looked worn but not ragged and there was a black leather jacket flung carelessly in the seat next to him.  Tilting her head to the side, she noted long eyelashes that fell on his cheeks and a strong jaw under that scruff.  Handsome, she idly thought, and oddly vulnerable.  There was a wisp of hair falling across his forehead and she had an overwhelming urge to brush it away.  Annoyed by the impulse, she lifted her arm and snapped her fingers right next to his ear instead.

No response.

“Hey.” She poked his shoulder.

Still nothing.

Dammit.

How the hell was she supposed to get him out of here?  There was no way she’d be able to lug him out to the car alone.

After a glance around the room to ensure no one was watching, she gave him a hearty shove.  “Wake up!”

There was a low groan but that was the only response she got.

Fuck.

Resigned, she pulled out her phone and called David.

*****

Something was poking Killian in the back and his neck ached.  He tried to reposition himself and heard the low grind of squeaky bedsprings.  Confused, he opened his eyes and immediately squinted at the bright florescent lights above him.  Foggy realization started to penetrate.  He wasn’t in his bed.  He wasn’t on his couch.  And considering how scratchy and rough the blanket covering him was, there was only one logical explanation.

Bloody hell.

Stifling a groan, he cautiously sat up.  The air smelled strongly of coffee and his stomach clenched.

“Morning,” a female voice said from a few feet away.

“Morning,” he grumbled in return.

“You want some coffee?”

Trying to swallow the cotton in his mouth, he cautiously opened his eyes again.  “No, but water would be greatly appreciated.”

He had a quick glimpse of blond hair and a red covered shoulder shrugging before he clamped his eyes shut again.  Did have to be so bloody bright in this cell?

A metallic tapping on the bars made him open his eyes once more, relieved when he saw the cool bottle of water.  He took it immediately and pressed it to his aching head.

“Thank you, lass.”

The woman gave no response but stayed next to the cell door while he opened the bottle and drank deep.

“How’s the head?”

“Still on my shoulders.  Although, considering how it’s pounding, I might be better off if it weren’t.”

“I figured.  Here.” Her arm came through the bars again to reveal two small pills in her hand. “Ibuprofen.”

He downed them with the rest of the water and when he opened his eyes, there was a fresh water bottle in front of him.

“You need to hydrate.”

“Thanks,” he replied, taking the second bottle.

He heard shuffling and the scrape of a chair against the floor, looking up only long enough to see a vague figure sit down just on the other side of the bars before shading his eyes again.

“So, where did you come from Mr…?”

“New York,” he replied, intentionally not giving his name.

“Doesn’t sound like New York.”

“What?”

“Your accent.”

“I was born in London.”

“Where are you staying?”

“I… I’m not sure yet.”

“How did you get here?”

“I drove.”

Killian expected another rapid-fire question but she paused instead.

“Huh,” was her response.

“Huh, what?” he asked, finally feeling well enough to raise his head and look at her.

“You just cost me 20 bucks.”

It took him a moment, her solemn green eyes catching his attention and nearly mesmerizing him – even though those same green eyes were watching him with incredulity and a touch of derision.

“How’s that?” he finally managed.

“Well, you see, there’s a slick new Maserati parked on Main Street and my partner, David, and I had a bet on whether it was yours. I thought Doc had finally broken down and bought his dream car.  But, since it’s the only car around here I don’t recognize, it must be yours?”

“It is.”

“Which means you just cost me 20 bucks.”

Her irritated tone had his lips curving.  He wasn’t really sure why.  She was making it clear she’d thought he was some wandering vagabond who wouldn’t be able to afford such a car – or any car at all for that matter – but he couldn’t stop them.  “Sorry?” he ventured.

Her look was anything but amused, in fact, she looked even more annoyed. “So, what brings you to Storybrooke, Mr…?”

“Family business,” he replied, stubbornly ignoring again the implied question of his name.  The woman was getting under his skin with her sneering looks and rapid-fire questions.  And it was none of her bloody business what he was doing here.  All she could possibly charge him with was public intoxication and that had nothing to do with his reason for being in this one-stoplight town.  This town he’d sworn never to return to.  This town that held so many unhappy memories.

But she still wasn’t done.  “What sort of family business?”

“The private kind,” he returned, matching her tone.

That got her hackles up enough that she stood.  “Look, Mr. Whoever-the-fuck-you-are, this is my town.  And it’s my job to keep it safe.  And if you’re going to be drinking yourself into more stupors like the one last night and getting behind the wheel of that death machine, I want to know now.”

They were both frozen in place, caught at an impasse of sorts.  So they both stared, him sitting up straight on the rickety cot and her standing tall with her arms folded in front of her.  He was thankful for it.  Even though her eyes shot daggers at him, he was thankful for the few heartbeats of silence if only so that he could take time to study her.

His system spiked at the flash in her eyes – and he was honest enough with himself to admit that it wasn’t all temper.  In fact, very little of it was temper.  Most of it was want.  Pure, keen and intense want.  She was magnificent.  All that fire and verve exuding out of a delectable package of blond hair and green eyes.  It caught him by surprise with its intensity, enough so that his breath caught in his chest.  But it was an even bigger surprise when that want softened into something else, something that filled his chest with warmth.

Suddenly, he wanted to tell her the truth.  To tell her everything.  Somehow knowing that the proud beauty in the red leather jacket would understand.

*******

Emma saw the change in his features.  The anger faded – Emma Swan knew the look of anger – but the emotion it was replaced by wasn’t as easily read.  What she did know was that the change made her uneasy.  Not in a weird way, but more in a why-the-hell-am-I-harrassing-a-guy-for-a-single-night-of-getting-plastered way.  Because, honestly, he seemed harmless.  And the longer she watched him, the more uncomfortable she became with how she’d interrogated him.

His eyes were blue, an intense blue that held her frozen as he considered her, and for some reason, her breath wanted to hitch.  There was something deeply personal about his stare, like he was unlocking every secret she had without her having to say a word.  It was unnerving but not entirely uncomfortable.  She got caught in those eyes for several heartbeats, so much so that when he spoke it nearly made her jolt.

“It’s a funeral,” he said softly.  “I’m in town for a funeral.”

Emma’s stomach dropped.  If she’d felt guilty before, it was nothing compared to how she felt now.

“I’m sorry, I – ”

“It’s alright, lass.  It’s just that it’s a… difficult situation.”

It clicked then, and she didn’t know why it hadn’t clicked before.  She should have put it together the moment she’d heard his accent.

“You’re Liam’s brother.  Brennan’s son.”

“Ah, so you’ve heard of me.”

She ignored the swagger in his voice and cleared her throat.  “Uh, yeah.  Liam’s a friend of mine.  He… talks about you sometimes.”

That had the cockiness fading and he looked away.  “All bad, I imagine.”

Recalling the few times Liam had mentioned his brother, Emma was a little surprised Killian would think that.  Liam always spoke of him with pride.  Yes, there had been some frustration when Killian had refused to put out the effort to reunite with their father, but Liam was always quick to point out that Brennan was just as stubborn.  Liam had tried unsuccessfully to reunite them several times over the years but he didn’t lay blame at either of their feet.  Or, more accurately, he laid equal blame to both of them.

But more often than not, Liam would tell her of Killian’s successes.  Like Liam, Killian loved to sail, but while it was a hobby for Liam, Killian did it professionally.  He’d won several yacht races, including leading his team to victory in last year’s America’s Cup (which had had Liam smiling for weeks).  In addition, he’d designed and patented a new lift system for boats a while back and then worked a deal with some boat manufacturer.  Emma didn’t know all the details, but from what little she did know it must have been a hefty settlement.

Shortly after Killian had won the America’s Cup, a shiny new sailboat had showed up in Storybrooke harbor and Liam had confided in her that it had been a gift from his brother.  Then, just last week, right after she’d heard the news of Brennan’s death, she’d made a visit to Liam to check on him.  During the course of the visit she’d gone to the kitchen to make him some tea and there, right next to the stove was a check written by one Killian Jones to Liam Jones, a check large enough to cover all Brennan’s medical and funeral expenses.  Liam had caught her looking at it and quietly told her that Killian had been sending money home for years.  Liam had tried to refuse at first, but Killian wouldn’t hear of it.  To Killian’s mind, Liam had gotten stuck with taking care of their father and the least Killian could do was help with the financial side of it.

Bringing herself back to the present, she noted the way Killian’s eyes were downcast with his shoulders slumped.  It softened her even more, so her voice was quiet when she replied, “He’s never said a word against you.”

His eyes snapped back to hers, a wrinkle of confusion and incredulity appearing on his forehead.  After a moment though, the confusion was eclipsed by a much stronger emotion, relief maybe, but he turned his face away again before she could be sure.

To give him a moment, she walked over to the desk and grabbed the keys, then crossed back and unlocked the cell.

“You’re free to go.  I won’t file any charges as long as you promise not to pass out at The Rabbit Hole again.  Leroy isn’t the easiest to deal with.”

He only nodded in response, obviously still struggling with his emotions as he slowly stood.  To give him more time, she walked back over to the desk and picked up his flask.

“We found this in the seat next to you when we picked you up.”

“Thank you,” he said, taking the flask without meeting her eyes.

“You didn’t have a phone or any identification on you but your jacket is over there on the coat stand.”

He glanced over to the stand next to the door but didn’t make a move to leave.

“Look, Ms…?”

“Swan. Emma Swan.”

“I just want you to know I don’t make a habit out of passing out in bars.  It’s just…”

“I understand.  You don’t have to say anything else.”

“You understand?”

“Yeah.  Like I said, Liam’s a friend of mine and, well, this is a small town.  People talk.”

“Yes, they certainly do.” There was a touch of bitterness in his voice.  “And I’m sure my return will be grist for the gossip mill.  The prodigal son and all that.”

“Yeah, I’m sure it will be,” she replied, then added, “but they won’t hear it from me.”

He nodded and gave her a small smile of appreciation, shuffling nervously.

“Do you want to use the phone?  Call Liam?  I’m sure he’s worried about you.”

“No, mine is in the car.  And Liam doesn’t know I’m here yet.  I wasn’t supposed to get in ‘til today but I was… restless so I drove in last night.  Once I got here… Well, it was a bit late and I wasn’t sure…” He trailed off and shuffled on his feet again.  “Anyway, I stopped for a drink and the rest you already know.”

“Well, if you need anything while you’re here, don’t hesitate to ask.”

He opened his mouth to reply, then stopped and simply nodded.  But when he turned to go, she couldn’t stop herself from adding:

“Mr. Jones?”

He turned back to her.

“Welcome home.”

He hesitated for a half-second as though struggling with something then, making the decision, took a step in her direction.  “There is something you could do for me.”

“What’s that?”

“Have dinner with me tonight?”

The question caught her off guard, but the look he gave her was even more surprising.  His eyes were a mix of hope and apprehension, making her heart stumble in her chest.  “I…  I don’t think that’s a good idea.”  The hope drained from his eyes and she hurried on.  “It’s not that I don’t want to.  It’s just…”

How to explain it? she wondered.  How could she tell him, this man she’d just met, (that she’d lugged out of a bar last night, for Christ’s sakes) that she was already falling for him?  It didn’t make any sense.  It wasn’t rational.  But she felt it anyway.  She knew it in her bones.  How could she tell him she was already dreading the moment he would leave?  Because she was.  She was dreading it with a ferocity that had her gut clenching even now.

It would never work.  He was only here for his father’s funeral.  He wasn’t going to stay.  And why would he?  He was a jet-setting millionaire who could go wherever he pleased.  She, on the other hand, was a small-town sheriff and her roots were deep in Storybrooke.  She’d be the one left with a broken heart while he jetted off to who knows where.

Mortifyingly, that had tears stinging her eyes. “I…”

She was saved from utter humiliation when the front door of the station flew open and Emma’s son, Henry, came barreling through, followed by his father, Neal.

“Hey Mom, I left my history book here yester…” He skidded to a stop. “Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

The atmosphere in the room changed abruptly, the spell broken.  Killian’s eyes widened for an instant, his gaze flicking between Henry and Neal as Emma stepped over to her son.

“It’s okay,” Emma said, propping her arm on Henry’s shoulders.  “This is Killian Jones.  Liam’s brother.” She turned to Killian, “Killian, this is my son Henry.”

Their eyes met over Henry’s head and she saw him swallow hard even as Henry perked up excitedly. “You’re Liam’s brother?  Wow, this is so cool! You won the America’s Cup last year!  Liam told me all about it.  He’s been teaching me to sail.  He’s got a 33-foot sloop and we take it out every Saturday as long as the weather’s good.  Hey, while you’re in town, maybe you could come out with us!  We’re going on Sunday this week because Saturday he’s got to go to his father’s – ”  His eyes widened and his mouth snapped shut. “Sorry, I…”

“Don’t apologize,” Killian cut in, “It’s fine.  And, yes, I’d be happy to come out with you, if Liam agrees.”

“Uh, great.”

There was a moment of awkward silence after that and Emma noticed Killian’s eyes roam back to Neal.  Before she could make the introduction, though, Killian stepped toward him with his hand extended.  “Killian Jones,” he said with formality and, surprisingly, a touch of reluctance.

“Neal Cassidy,” Neal replied, shaking his hand.

She may have imagined it, but Emma thought she saw relief flicker across Killian’s face when he heard Neal’s last name.  “Pleasure to meet you.”

“You, too.  I was sorry to hear about your dad.”

“Thank you.”

More silence.

“Well, we should go or I’ll be late for school,” Henry piped up.  “It was nice to meet you Mr. Jones.”

“Killian,” Killian replied.

Henry’s face split into a delighted grin.  “Killian,” he agreed with a nod, then turned to his father. “Come on, Dad.”

Neal gave a short wave as he followed Henry out.

“Your son is a little spitfire,” Killian commented as soon as the door shut behind the pair.

“Yes, he is.  You know you don’t have to go sailing with them.  It was nice of you but – ”

“If I didn’t want to, I would have said so, but the fact of the matter is it’s been too many years since Liam and I went sailing together.  I’ve missed it.  I was actually hoping he’d have time while I’m here.”

He wasn’t lying, Emma was sure of it, his eyes clear and direct on hers before they flicked to the closed door and back.  “So, Neal…?”

She could hear uncertainty and, if she wasn’t imagining it, even a bit of envy in the question.  And, for an instant, she was tempted to let him believe that she and Neal were more than what they really were – but she couldn’t.  One, this was a small town, so there was every chance he’d find out from someone else, but more than that she didn’t want to lie to him.  “He’s, uh,” she cleared her suddenly dry throat, “I mean we…  We’re not… together.  He’s engaged to another woman.  He’s a good father.  And we’ve got a good relationship.  But it hasn’t been romantic in a long time.  We were very young when Henry was born.  And we thought we were in love but, well…” How much should she tell him?  “…things happened,” she finished and left it at that.

Clear relief washed over his face as she spoke, enough that she had to concentrate not to shift nervously.  Once again annoyed by her reaction to him, she straightened her back and crossed her arms.

“About dinner…  Like I said, I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

He seemed undeterred by her determined stance and, if anything, it bolstered his confidence.  His eyebrow winged up knowingly, and her belly swooped as she realized he saw right through her act.  She had to give him points for perception.   Her breath nearly caught when a slow smile formed on his lips and he took two steps in her direction.  He stopped just shy of invading her personal space and hooked a thumb in his belt loop.

She wanted to step back but didn’t.

His voice dropped to a purr and he cocked his head to the side.  “Why is that, love?”

Rather than answer, she squared her shoulders.  “How long are you going to be in town?”

“A couple of weeks, give or take.”

“That’s why,” she replied.  “I’m not in the market for a quick fling.”

Something flickered in his eyes but he didn’t move.  “It’s just dinner, Swan.”

She didn’t respond, letting silence answer for her.  They both knew it wouldn’t be just dinner.

“Perhaps you’re right,” he conceded after a time and Emma drew in a deep breath of relief.  But the relief was short-lived as he took the last step between them, his eyes focused on her mouth.  “But fair warning, darling, I intend to do whatever it takes to change your mind.”

In self-defense (and self-preservation), she crossed her arms over her chest.  “It would take longer than two weeks to change my mind.”

His eyes rose back to hers, and in them she saw the flair of determination at the challenge.

“We’ll have to see about that, won’t we, love?” 

[eversincenashville-blog]

Say You Love Me

Last part of this first little series (i guess??) of my masterlist! I’ve got different stories and series’ in the works right now! If you haven’t read Parts 1 & 2 of this story then… go and read them?? Thanks! Xx

P.S. this contains some smut so if you’re not comfortable please skip this part.

*1 week later Friday evening*

“Sweetie, are you sure this is what you want to do?” Anne questioned as she took a seat on the sofa next to her handsome, and rather nervous, son.

“Yes, mum. We’ve gone over this a thousand times. I’m a man for god’s sake. I can do this.” his voice sounded a little shaky and his right leg bounced up and down nervously. Anne smiled softly knowing Harry was a nervous wreck, but she didn’t say another word about his feelings.

“She will be her in five minutes.” Anne whispered. At that, Harry’s face lost a bit of color and he tried to swallow back the lump that was forming in his throat.

“Lad, it’s all going to be okay. You have good intentions and you know that what happened that night in America was not your fault.” Robin spoke up from the chair opposite of where Anne and Harry were sat.

As the small talk died down, the one sound that made Harry’s stomach churn was the ding of the doorbell.

“Oh, dear god.” Harry mumbled to himself. He looked over to his mother before rising from the couch to go and answer the door. The person on the other side making the chills race up his spin.

His hand clutched the doorknob and he took in a deep breath. “You can do this, Harold.” he whispered before opening the door.

His eyes widened at the sight of her. Her long, dark hair flowing down her shoulders in loose curls. Jeans fitting comfortably on her hips showing off her beautiful curves, just like Harry remembered. Her makeup was light, yet she was gorgeous.

His eyes scanned her body up and down a few times before he let her inside.

“Hi Harry,” Y/n whispered with a soft smile.

Harry was baffled. He hadn’t laid eyes on her in person for three whole weeks. The only time he had seen her was through instagram pictures when she would go out with her friends. He had been stalking her, in a sense, but for his sake Y/n didn’t need to know that.

“You look nice,” Y/n smiled, pursing her lips in a thin line.

“Oh! Oh, uh, thank you. S-so do you. Please, come in.” Harry stuttered. He stepped aside slightly, opening the door wider in the process. As Y/n stepped inside, Anne rose to her feet.

“Hello my dear, it’s so lovely to see you!” she smiled, coming around the sofa she had been sitting on to greet her properly. When Anne reached Y/n she pulled her in softly for a hug.

“It’s wonderful to see you too Anne.” Y/n smiled. She peeked over Anne’s shoulder and waved to Robin who remained sitting in the chair, nursing a cup of tea.

“I don’t mean to be rude, but the coffee shop closes at 8 and it’s already 7:15…” Harry smiled.

“Oh, yes! You two should be going! Stay bundled up, yeah? Don’t want either of you getting sick now do we?” Anne smirked. She lightly nudged Harry and Y/n out the door in hopes of helping Harry get going with his date.

“We will be back later mum,” Harry called, looking back at his mother who was standing in the doorway of the entrance to the house. She smiled and waved back in response, sending him a wink in the process.

***

“Two cups of peppermint tea and blueberry cake?” the young girl working in the coffee shop carefully set the cups of tea down in front of Harry and Y/n along with the slice of cake in the middle.

“Enjoy,” she smiled as she placed two forks down beside them and left them alone.

“So,” Harry broke the awkward silence that had engulfed them from the moment they had sat down in the booth.

“So, are you going to share with me what happened on tour? Or are we just going to sit here awkwardly drinking peppermint tea and eating blueberry cake like everything is okay?” Y/n retorted.

Harry looked up from the piece of cake and set his fork down. He intertwined his fingers together and cleared his throat.

“Yes,”

“Then fire away Styles,”

Harry let out a shaky breath as his mind began to gather all of his thoughts and the things he wanted to say. He was nervous. How could he not be. He was at every bit of Y/n’s mercy. He could spill out every single detail and if she didn’t want to give him another chance, then she had the power to easily do so.

“We were in San Diego, and Niall and Louis wanted to go out to a bar down the street from our hotel to have a few drinks. So, since Liam wanted to stay in that night, I decided to go out with them,” Harry took in a deep breath to gather himself a little more for the rest of the story, “as the night went on, we had had a few too many drinks and somehow I had gotten separated from the boys. In the process of me trying to find them, this girl approached me. She looked similar to you and, honestly, my vision was a bit blurry…”

Harry went on to tell Y/n about how Katie had come on to Harry that night. He told her about how even being intoxicated, he tried to push her away and tell her what they were doing wasn’t right. He told her about how she insisted she take him home.

“I don’t remember much after us leaving the bar together…” Harry whispered. He kept his stare down on the piece of half eaten blueberry cake as he heard Y/n’s sniffles and soft cries.

“H-how did her underwear get into your laundry?” Y/n choked out.

“I-I don’t know, baby. I guess, when I woke up the next morning and scrambled out of her apartment, it was bundled up in my hoodie and I didn’t know it.” he whispered.

Harry looked down at his watch, seeing that the coffee shop was close to locking its doors for the evening.

“Do you mind if we continue this in the car back to my house?” he asked. Y/n nodded, and Harry helped her up out of the booth and out of the coffee shop.

He opened the car door for Y/n and helped her get settled before scurrying around to the other side for him to get in. As soon as he turned the car on, the heat blasted through the vents warming them both up instantly.

And on the way home the conversation continued.

***

It was two -thirty in the morning and Harry just couldn’t sleep. He quietly got up out of the bed and tiptoed down the hall to the spare bedroom where Anne had insisted Y/n stay for the night.

Quietly, he turned the knob of the door and slightly pushed it open. Praying to god that it would creak too loud. Through the darkness of the bedroom, he could barely make out Y/n’s figure in the bed before him.

His feet stepped lightly onto the soft carpet as he made his way deeper into the room. He shut the door, quietly, behind him and proceeded into the dark bedroom. He reached the empty side of the bed and slowly sat down on the edge.

With the dip he caused in the mattress, Y/n began to stir.

“Harry?”

“Shh. Love, it’s okay. Was just checking on you.” he whispered.

“Come here?” she rasped out. Harry crawled onto the bed next to her hesitantly.

“Hold me,” she whispered.

Harry wrapped his arms around Y/n as she situated herself in his arms, resting her head on his bare chest.

“Say you love me…”

“I love you, petal. I love you so much. More than you will ever know.”

“Do you mean it?”

“Absolutely sweetheart,”

Y/n sat up to face Harry. Taking in all of his tattoos and the slight glimpse of his face through the dim light of the moon peeking through the window.

“Show me. Please? Show me you mean it. Show me I’m better than her, Harry. Show me you love me.”

Harry immediately crashed his lips against Y/n’s. His hands pushing her onto her back, pinning her against the mattress. Y/n’s arms wrapped around Harry’s neck as her fingers raked through his hair on the back of his head.

He situated his body on top of Y/n’s comfortably, kissing up and down her neck and earning soft moans from her lips. His hands wandered down her body, stopping when they found the waistband of her panties.

“Let’s take these off, love.” He whispered thickly into her neck.

“Mmm, please do.” she moaned. Harry slid the thin fabric down her legs and threw them aimlessly behind him.

“And this,” he said pulling the shirt that was covering Y/n’s body up and over her head and tossing it to the side, hearing it land somewhere on the floor.

As Y/n laid there completely naked, Harry drank up the sight in front of him.

“Oh, petal,” he breathed. “So beautiful,”

“Take those off,” Y/n whispered, pointing to his boxers.

Harry nodded and slid his boxers down his legs and kicked them off and onto the floor.

“God, baby, I’ve missed this.” harry breathed, crashing his lips back to hers.

“ ‘m gonna take care of you sweetheart. ‘M gonna make you feel so good.”

“Do it. Please.” Y/n begged.

Harry’s tip grazed the opening of her heat.

“Look at me, petal.” Harry grunted as he slowly slid his hardened member into her.

Y/n’s vision went blurry for a second as the burning feeling of him stretching her out took over her body. A single tear breaking through and running down her cheek.

“Shh, baby, I’m right here. I know it hurts, but I’ve got you. You take me so good yeah?” Harry cooed, knowing the pain she was enduring would soon pass.

“Go.” she whispered. And with that, Harry began to slowly move his hips back and forth.

Harry ducked his head into the crook of Y/n’s neck letting out a deep grunt. One that formed deep within his gut.

“Mmm, Harry,”

“Not too loud petal- mmmgh- got to stay quiet, yeah?”

“Faster,” she breathed, “please go faster,”

Harry sped up his thrusts, trying to fight back the grunts and moans that wanted to leave his body. “Mmm, pet.”

“Harry, ‘m close.”

“Me too petal, we will come together yeah?”

“Mhmm.”

Harry continued to grope and suck and lick every part of Y/n’s body. Y/n wrapped her legs tighter around Harry’s body, raking her nails up and down his back.

Suddenly, white hot euphoria engulfed both of them as they both rode out their highs. Harry collapsed his sweaty body on top of Y/n’s as they laid there panting and trying to recover.

“I love you, so much. And I will never ever love anybody else the way I love you. Nobody else will ever compare to you, my love. You have my heart for eternity. I am deeply sorry. I will fight every single day for you, love.” he breathed, pushing back damp strands of hair from her forehead. “You will always be my girl.”

“Say you love me,” he whispered, pressing a soft kiss to her lips.

“I love you, Harry Styles.”

[alphameral]

Pack Mom: Never Tickle a Sleeping Wolf (Part 2)

Request: Liam is having night terrors and is turning up to the pack meetings really tired. So Y/N tells him that he is to stay over her house to get some rest and she will look after him keeping safe and giving him lots of cuddles letting him know he is safe and getting him relaxed for bedtime.

Pairing: Liam Dunbar x Female!Reader (Platonic) Peter Hale x Female!Reader, Derek x Stiles, Scott x Malia

Author’s Note: ......does the wolf part of them actually has a name? Or are they also called by their human name? Eh idk lol. Y/N - Your Name, Y/E/C - Your Eyes Color

Part 1

"Do you remember the first few nights I made you my beta, Scott?"

Scott looked thoughtful for a moment at Peter's sudden question, his mind revisiting the scene of him going to bed as he normally wound, but somehow always woke up with strange dirt and stains on his body. "You mean when I was asleep but my wolf self was out wandering?"

"Exactly. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what happening here." Peter pointed his thumb over to Liam -  like a curator showing off an exquisite artpiece - who was sitting on Isaac's hips, low growling at the frightened face under him. "Exhibit A: Sleeping Beau Liam Dunbar and the Wandering Wolf.”

Y/N listened to Peter’s explanation, humming in understanding after a few moments. The bizarre situation now made sense to her. "So that's why he's not responding to 'Liam', because technically our wolves don't have names. You have to call him the wolf way, Scott. The alpha way."

"The alpha way?" Scott asked quietly, eyes shifting from Peter to the two betas on the floor. "But what if he gets violent? I remember my wolf got violent when Peter tried to control it."

Peter opened his mouth like he wanted to say something, but ended up closing it when he realized he didn’t really have an argument to counter Scott’s concern. "Well that's uh...a fair point. Let’s not do that then. We certainly don’t need any violence in the house." He crossed his arms, looking away from his former beta. "Uh, anyone have better ideas?"

There were murmurs of no's and nope's from the pack, and then there was a strangled shriek from Isaac.

"You guys better think of something fast, I-I think he's legit trying to- oh GOD, he's drooling on me!"

Y/N’s head snapped towards them, and surely enough, Liam's face was merely inches away from Isaac's, and he was....sniffing him? He had his head dipped down and the tip of his fangs grazed along Isaac's jaw, almost nipping on the skin.

It could honestly be an intimidating sight if he wasn't drooling all over.

"Let me try something."

Y/N circled the table and walked over to the pups on the floor, getting in a position where she was facing Liam. Once she was in his line of sight, she squatted down to his level and closed her eyes for a second. When she opened them again, her Y/E/C orbs had become red.

She intended to growl lightly just to get his attention, but surprisingly, Liam looked up.

"Must've sensed another wolf in the room." Stiles commented at the response.

The yellow eyes met the red, and the beta immediately shrunk under the alpha's gaze. Y/N took the opportunity to have the upper hand on the situation. She kept her eyes locked on the pup, keeping her shoulders square to assert more dominance. "Now, that's not very nice, Liam. We don't attack our brothers like that."

Her voice was gentle, but it had the combined weight of an alpha's command and a mother's advice to it that Liam couldn't just ignore. He looked conflicted for a moment, like he wanted to disagree but at the same time didn't want to disobey either.

So he settled on a pitiful whine. He started it.

"I know." Y/N took a step closer. "But he was only trying to wake you up. He didn't mean any harm."

Liam let out another whine. But mom, I was trying to rest!

"I know that too. So if you leave him alone and come with me, you can go back to resting okay?" Y/N offered, holding a hand out towards him. "You wanna be a good boy and come with mommy, sweetie?"

Questioning looks were exchanged between the pack members - one because they couldn't hear what Liam was saying to Y/N, and two, Y/N just addressed herself as mommy to Liam. But no one dared to say anything, in fear that Liam would take offend to it and target them as his next chew toy.

Meanwhile, Liam seemed to ponder on the offer. But he caved in at her kind words, because a baby beta just doesn’t refuse the pack mom's offer to be a good boy, after all. He moved away from straddling Isaac and walked on all fours to Y/N, throwing himself into the awaiting arms.

"There we go, that's my good pup." Y/N cooed at the baby beta curled up in her arms, hugging him closer even though his claws were digging into her skin. Liam made a contented noise and nuzzled Y/N's jaw, a gesture of submission from a beta to an alpha. Or, in this case, the pack mom.

"Aw, thank you sweetheart." Y/N chuckled at the expression, letting Liam did it a couple more times before eventually settling his head on her chest. The tension in the air seemed to dissolve a little when Liam finally appeared to be calming down. He was still in his werewolf form, but he looked a lot more docile than when he was trying to bite Isaac's face off.

"Wow, Y/N..I don't know how you did that. I mean, words don't usually work on Liam but you did it." Stiles muttered, eyes still on the boy in Y/N's lap.

"I think it's more than just her words." Peter suggested, cautiously approaching his mate and the wolf in her embrace. "It's the bond. Something we call a pack mother bond. It's when the youngest member of the pack feels some sort of attachment to the female alpha of the pack, or to the mate of their alpha."

"Shouldn't he have the bond with me then?" Malia pointed to herself. "Technically I'm his alpha's mate."

"Well, yeah. I don't know why it's not you he chose but I'm glad he didn't. I'm too young to be a grandpa, Mal."

Malia rolled her eyes at Peter's corny answer, but it made Y/N smiled. Peter smirked and winked at her.

"But why is he still in his wolf form, though?" Isaac - who was now off the floor - pointed out, ignoring the little family moment that happened.

"Well, he needs to go back to sleep to change back." Y/N looked down at the beta in her arms, who was eyeing the room silently while still clinging onto her for dear life. Gently, she cupped his cheek with her free hand to get his attention. "You don't want to go back to sleep, sweetie?"

Liam looked up at her and blinked a couple of times, but didn't response to her question.

Y/N's concern grew. "What is it?"

Scared. Liam answered her with a whimper.

"Hm? What are you scared of?" Y/N brushed his bangs away from his face, trying to read more from the yellow eyes.

Liam shifted on her lap, pressing himself closer to her body. What if they come again when I'm sleeping?

Y/N frowned at his reply, glancing up at Peter, and then Scott, before returning her attention back to Liam. "No one's coming at you while I'm here, okay? You're safe."

Promise?

"Yes, I promise. Now close your eyes. Go on." Y/N encouraged when Liam seemed to hesitate. But the lack of sleep from the past few days had really crept in even on his wolf, and he eventually gave in to the awaiting slumber. Y/N saw his eyes returning back to their usual icy blue before fluttering close, the claws resting on her chest retracting back into his fingers, and the fangs protruding past his lips were no longer there.

"Glad to have you back, sweetheart." Y/N exhaled a breath of relief, and the pack followed suit. Peter came forward to help move Liam to the couch, and soon the adjourned meeting was resumed. The conversation about the previous plan continued, and Stiles was now trying to convince Theo to do something illegal, but Y/N wasn't tuning into the discussion anymore. She couldn't stop thinking about what Liam said right before he fell asleep.

"He said something to you, didn't he?" Peter noticed the disturbed look on his mate's face.

Y/N sighed, deciding she couldn't keep it forever - and definitely not from Peter. "Yeah. He said he was scared that 'they' will come again when he sleeps. I don't know who 'they' are, but I have a feeling he's not talking about the pack."

"Scared? Was that his exact word?"

Y/N nodded. "And from the way he said it, he seemed pretty terrified of these...things. He didn't want to sleep until I promised him he's safe with us."

"Then I'm pretty sure it's not the pack." Peter concluded. "A wolf shouldn't be scared of the pack disturbing his beauty sleep. Annoyed, yes. Scared to the point where he refused to sleep? I don't think so."

"Um, Y/N? Peter?" Mason came from behind them, speaking in a quiet voice - careful not to draw the pack's attention to him. "I really think that this should come from Liam himself, but...." He paused, doubting his decision for a second but quickly pushed the thought aside. "I don't want him to hurt himself or anyone, should something like that happen again."

Y/N and Peter both turned around in a heartbeat, giving him their full attention. "Tell us everything you know."

[thiamlife]

Hi, I was wondering if it’s okay to request prompts? And if so do you think you could do something for thiam with “I never stood a chance, did I?” and “That’s the sad part - you did once.” Please break my heart and maybe put it back together if you’re feeling generous, I love your writings very much 💕

Prompt: “I never stood a chance, did I?” and “That’s the sadpart - you did once.”

Read below or read on ao3

~~~~~~~ 

Theo stood there with sticky crimson blood dripping down hisarms, to his fingers, and pooling on the floor at his sides. He didn’t feel thewounds that it was leaking from, only felt the subtle burn from the invisible knivesthat were currently lodged in his back and his heart. He lifted his head slowlyand took in the spotless boy standing down the hall in front of him. His iceblue eyes wide with shock and mouth hanging open with the words that had yet toescape. They had stood like this for about ten minutes now, neither of themwilling to break the thick silence that had stretched between them.

He watched as Liam opened and closed his mouth a few times,furrowing his brow, and shaking his head at himself trying to find the rightwords. Theo was done, he turned and began to walk away in the other direction.

“Theo.” Liam called out halting his next footstep. The knifein his heart twisted at the sound of desperation but the one in his back burnedhotter reminding him of all that the owner of that voice had done to him.

“What?” He snarled still facing away, refusing to give Liamhis eyes and attention.

He heard Liam step forward and his body tensed. “Don’t Liam,not another fucking step.”

“Theo don’t be like that. You know-” Oh he so better notfinish that sentence. Theo whipped around and stalked angrily towards himmaking Liam start to back up on instinct.

“Know what Liam? Know that you ‘had no choice’, know that ‘itcouldn’t be avoided’, know that it was YOUR idea? Hmm? What do I know? Pleaseenlighten me.” Theo snapped, now standing no more than a foot away from him,staring deeply into his eyes and daring him to break the eye contact. Liamlooked shocked, yeah Theo had heard the whole conversation the McCall pack had.The one in which they planned to send him back, but only after they used him asa killing machine against the latest big bad. But that wasn’t the worst part.No, the worst part was how it had all been Liam’s idea.

“I did it for you.” Liam said quietly as a pained expressionsplattered across his face.

Theo let out a humorless laugh. “Explain how any of thisbenefits me.”

“I thought that maybe if they saw you helping they wouldn’twant to send you away anymore. They would see that you’ve changed.” Liampleaded looking up at him. Theo shook his head.

“No Liam, you did this so that you and your little friendswouldn’t have anymore more blood on your hands. Well you were wrong.” Theo’shand snatched Liam’s and wiped the beta’s hands up and down his bloody arms. “Nowyou’ve got my blood on your hands, hope you’re happy.” Theo turned to walk awayagain.

He made it down two hallways before he heard Liam’s feetpounding after him. He could smell the beta’s distress and normally it wouldhave made him feel panicked, feel obligated to help him. But now nothing wasgetting passed the sharp sensation of the two knives twisting in him.

“Theo wait, please!” Liam finally caught up to him andgrabbed his shoulder to make him stop. Theo shook it off and kept walking. Liamsnatched his arm and this time and Theo growled, countering the act andthrowing him against the wall.

“You wanted me gone, I’m leaving.” Theo gave him one more hardshove making Liam’s head hit the wall.

“You can’t leave.” Liam whispered, a single tear rolling downhis face.

“So your little pack can put me back in the ground, nothanks.” Theo sneered and stepped back, taking his blood soaked hands off him.Liam shook his head, not in response to what he said but in something thatlooked like disbelief. 

“You can’t leave.” He repeated.

“Why, Liam?” He questioned sharply getting very sick of thisgame. Liam slowly dropped his eyes and then his head, refusing to look at himand Theo narrowed his eyes.

“Because I lo-” Theo slammed his fist in to the wall besidehis head not allowing him to finish his statement.

“Don’t you fucking dare say that to me. Not now, not ever.” Theo’svoice was low and gravelly, full of the rage of his animals.

Liam’s head shot up, anger swirling his irises replacing theanguish that had previously been there.

“I never stood achance, did I?” He snapped. Theo pursed his lips. Had Liam said this to himyesterday he would have jumped for joy, howled to the moon, shouted from therooftops that the boy he loved had loved him back. But not now, not after thatvery same boy had used him in the worst way. Used him like he was nothing morethan the machine he had been raised to be. He closed his eyes and took a deepbreath before opening them again and staring into the eyes that had captivatedhim ever since the first time he saw them.

“That’s the sadpart - you did once.” He murmuredsadly and then turned to continue his path out of the hospital. Liam didn’tfollow this time.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

One day had passed, then three and ten. Before he knew it ithad been a month since Theo had left him standing broken hearted in a destroyedhospital. Yes, he had used him, but he wasn’t actually planning on letting thepack send Theo back to hell. Over his dead body would that happen. In fact, noone knew that he had actually hidden the sword pieces from everyone so it wasn’tlike they could even try. But Theo never gave him a chance to explain and everyoneknew he was never good with his words.

He had been going through the motions and the whole pack hadnoticed. Which is why he was now currently sitting on the couch in his livingroom as everyone stood in various locations fully ready to begin with hisintervention.

“Liam, sweetie… why didn’t you tell us you had feelings forTheo?” Lydia was the first one to speak, breaking the awkward silence that hadfilled the room for the past fifteen minutes. 

He was numb but answered anyways. “Right, like you guys wouldhave been accepting of that.” He said with almost zero emotion in his voice. Itsounded cold, even to his ears.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Malia retorted, earning awarning look from Scott and Lydia.

“Okay so we may have been a little harsh when dealing withhim.” Mason winced.

“Speak for yourself, that kid’s middle name is harsh killer…he can handle it.” Stiles snorted, clearly the only one that wasn’t picking upon the gravity of the situation around him.

“I see what you mean now.” Scott said with a nod.

Liam sighed, he just wanted to go to bed. He didn’t care ifit was only 5pm. He just wanted to be alone.

“Look I appreciate your guys’ concern but I’m really tired. I’llsee you tomorrow.” He said quietly, standing and moving up the stairs towardshis room. He paused by the closed door that Theo used to dwell behind, debatingon whether or not he should go in, said ‘fuck it’ and opened the door. He ranhis fingers over the unused and disserted items that Theo had left behind. Hisdresser still full of the clothes his mom had bought him. Shoes perfectly linedup against the wall next to the closet and the bed made like always. He inhaledtrying to catch the fading scent of Theo and frowned when the room smelled morelike him than the missing chimera. He had come in here too much; the spicyscent being taken over by his minty one.

Liam flopped on the bed and hugged Theo’s pillow, dragging inthe last trace of his favorite aroma.

He heard the continuing mumbled conversation coming frombelow where his pack was still situated and fell asleep to the concernedvoices. ‘We broke him.’ ‘How did we not see it.’ ‘Theo was his anchor and weruined the bond.’

He woke up to a strong scent wafting in up through his noseand slowly opened his eyes meeting two green ones that were laying across fromhim. He sighed and smiled lightly.

“I love when you visit in dreams.” He said sleepily. A lookof confusion fitted across Theo’s face quickly before it was gone, making Liamwonder if it even happened at all.

“Do I visit often?” The chimera asked quietly and he shookhis head sadly.

“You did at first, but now it’s like you’re fading away. Justlike your scent.” He pouted. Dream Theo didn’t say anything just stared at him.

So they laid there, just staring at one another. Liam triedsoaking up his presence as much as possible so that when he woke for real hewould be able to keep it with him until the next dream. Which had been far andfew in between the past two weeks.

“Did you mean it?” Theo’s soft voice rang out, ending thecomfortable silence that had blanketed them. Liam knew what he was asking, hehad asked him this a couple times before in past dreams. The first time Liamcouldn’t answer, only nodded his head, and then he was waking up with tears onhis cheeks. But now he knew the more he talked, the longer dream Theo stayed sohe opened his mouth to tell the boy across from just how much he loved him.

“I love you so much it hurts sometimes. Like the flower lovesthe sun and a moth loves a flame.” He heard Theo’s gasp and watched as heclosed his eyes, his long eyelashes resting on his cheeks and hair spilling onto his forehead.

“You were, ARE, my anchor Theo. I’m tethered to you in thebest way. Because no matter how far away you’re dragged from me… I know thatyou’ll always be a part of me. Even if I sink, you’ll be there at the bottomwaiting for me.” He took a shaky breath before continuing. “I know I fucked up,but you have to know I would never have sent you back to hell. I would haveclimbed down there with you. I hid the sword before we made the plan, no onebut me will ever be able to find it. I just wanted to show them that you werehere for us. You were here to help us, regardless if that meant getting yourhands dirty. You got your hands dirty for us, FOR ME.”

He didn’t realize that he had started crying until he feltTheo’s rough hand gently thumb away the wet trails making their way down hisface.

“I’m sorry I left.” Theo rasped, sounding close to tearshimself. Liam hiccupped and let out a small sobbed laugh.

“I pushed you away, I always push everyone away. But at leastI get to see you in dreams.” He smiled sadly and felt a fresh wave of tears bubbleup. Theo was sweet in this dream, Liam wanted to commit this to memory forever.

“Liam you’re not dreaming, I’m really here.”

Another hiccup-sob. “That’s what you always say… and then Iwake up and you’re gone.” Theo’s hand ran through his hair and he closed hiseyes at the soothing feeling.

“I’m serious Liam… You’re not sleeping.”

Liam sighed. “Please, I don’t want to fight with you. Nothere, not when I only get to see you for a little bit.”

Theo got up from the bed grumbling about ‘god damn stubbornbaby wolves’ and stomped his way to Liam side of the bed.

Theo put his face right in his, eyes glowing amber andcanines peeking through his lips, and then he roared. Loudly. Right in Liam’sear. Liam jumped back and knocked his head against the wooden headboard.

“Ow what the hell Theo!”

“Oh look at that, you’re not dreaming. Weird.”

Theo’s door was thrown open and there stood Lisa and DavidGeyer, sleep marred confusion and worry on their faces until they spotted Theo.Liam’s mom rushed forward and threw her arms around him before pulling back andslapping upside the head.

“DO YOU KNOW HOW WORRIED I’VE BEEN!?” She screamed, soundinga lot like one of those letters Ron had received from his mother in the HarryPotter movies.

Theo winced at the shrill tone of her voice. “Sorry.”

“Sorry… sorry… You’ve been gone for a month with no texts orcalls and all you can say to me is sorry!?” She pointed at Liam, “He’s been agosh darn depressed zombie,” she pointed at Dr. Geyer, “he wouldn’t stop sayingthat ‘kids will be kids and you’ll come back’ in his annoying doctor voice” andthen motioned towards herself, “and not to mention ME who’s been worried sickabout you and has had to cook dinner by myself because these two idiots somehowmanage to burn water.”

“Alright Lisa, it’s late. We can discuss his life choices inthe morning… right now I think Liam and Theo have some things to sort outbefore they get some sleep.” Dr. Geyer picked up Mrs. Geyer from behind anddragged her slowly out of the room while she pointed at him with narrowed eyesthe whole time.

Liam couldn’t help but sit in the bed, switching between staringwide eyed at the door and back to Theo. But then he was scrambling off the bedand he launched himself at the chimera making them both fall to floor. Theo letout an ‘oomf’ but wrapped his arms around Liam and absorbed the impact fromhitting the floor.

“You’re here!” Liam whispered and buried his face in hisneck. They sat like that for a few minutes, Liam taking in the scent and warmththat Theo provided.

Again Theo was the one to break the silence. “Did you meanit?” He asked again, repeating the words he had said while Liam thought he wasdreaming.

Liam picked his head up and stared deeply in to his eyes andnodded. “Every word.” His face inching closer and closer to Theo’s, both pairsof eyes flicking between lips and eye contact. Liam could feel Theo’s breath onhis face, could almost taste Theo, when the door busted open again making himdrop his forehead to Theo’s chin and groan in frustration.

“And if you think that you’re not in the dog house justbecause you’re my favorite future son-in-law you are seriously wrong TheodoreRaeken!”

“LISA!” Dr. Geyer exclaimed stomping back down the hall tograb his wife. “Sorry boys, she’s a slippery one.”

Theo just chuckled and placed a light kiss to Liam’s hair andstood, picking them both up off the floor. He laid Liam back down on his sideof the bed and scooted into his. Again the comfortable silence surrounded themwhile they laid there looking at each other, soaking in the other’s presence.

And again Theo was the one to break the silence. “I love you.”He said so low that only someone supernatural would be able to hear. Liamblushed and closed the distance between them, tucking his head below Theo’schin and throwing a leg over his. He pressed a light kiss to Theo’s softcollarbone and whispered “I love you” back.

~~~~~~~~~ 

Okay wow… this turned into a full chapter. Hope you like itNonnie!

XOXO - K

[allthingsteenwolf20]

Lisp - Pack Mom (Part Four)

The couple were up bright and early the next morning. Y/N busied herself with chores around the loft as Derek went out to fit in a quick session at the gym before the rest of the pack joined them later. Y/N decided to let Liam have a lie in after yesterday's outburst. It got to 10:30am and she decided to wake him and get him some breakfast. She headed upstairs to the spare room and quietly walked in sitting on the bed beside him. Liam was curled up on the end of the bed lightly snoring. Y/N couldn't help but smile at how innocent he looked asleep. He was just a broken little boy who needed the love and affection of a mother. She gently ran her fingers through his soft sandy brown hair and leaned forward to press a kiss to his cheek.

"Liam, sweetie. It's time to wake up now. Come on, sweetheart." Y/N cooed gently. Liam whined at his sleep being disturbed.

"I know, honey. I know but I can't let you sleep the day away. Come on, let's get you freshened up and have some breakfast." She told him.

"Mornin' momma." Liam yawned looking up at her.

"Good morning, sweetheart. Did you sleep ok?" Y/N asked him gently stroking his cheek with the pad of her thumb.

"Mmm hmm." Liam replied giving her a nod.

"Are you hungry, sweetie?" Y/N asked him and as if on que Liam's stomach began to grumble. Y/N couldn't help but chuckle.

"Come on, sweetie. Go freshen up and then I'll get you some breakfast." Y/N told him again.

"But am so comfy, momma." Liam replied yawning.

"I know honey but I want you to have breakfast. Come on, I'll make you whatever you like." Y/N attempted to bribe him.

"Pancakes wiff chocowate sywup?" Liam asked. Y/N chuckled and nodded.

"Ok sweetie." She smiled pressing a kiss to his cheek. Liam nodded and got out of bed heading to the bathroom as Y/N exited the room.

In the kitchen, Y/N was making pancakes when Derek entered.

"Morning babe, mmm those smell great!" Derek commented as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed a kiss to her cheek. Liam trudged into the kitchen to see the sweet sight before him. Scott had told him that Derek was never one to show any affection but with Y/N he always had a smile on his face. Liam couldn't help with smile at the love that radiated from them. It was the most he had ever seen. He usually awoke to either a cold empty household or to his parents fighting.

"Morning pup, did you sleep ok?" Derek asked the young beta as he ruffled his hair.

"Yeah, t'anks for havin' me." Liam smiled up at him shyly.

"You're always welcome here, pup." Derek replied with a flashy smile.

"Why don't you join your momma for breakfast? I'm going to take a quick shower and I'll join you guys after ok?" Derek told him.

"You don' wan' us to wait for you?" Liam asked.

"No of course not, pup. I don't want your breakfast to go cold, go eat it's ok. I'll be down in a few minutes." Derek smiled and pressed a kiss to his forehead.

Y/N couldn't help but smile at the sweet interaction. She knew Derek would make a good father and it looked like he was starting to. She saw how much he cared about Liam the moment he set foot into the loft. He warmed up to the older alpha and herself more than anyone else.

"Good morning honey." Y/N smiled and gave him a hug pressing a kiss to his head as the young beta wrapped his arms around her. Liam sat at the table and dug into his breakfast.

"Mmm..." He replied contently.

"Is it good, sweetie?" Y/N asked smiling as Liam dug into his food.

"I neber had pancakes before, I jus' get ceweal at home." Liam told her.

"You're welcome here any time and whenever you come over, I'll make you whatever you want for breakfast." Y/N smiled. Liam blushed at her words and nodded. He took another forkful of pancakes and the chocolate syrup dribbled down his chin.

"You're so messy, baby." Y/N cooed grabbing a tissue. She gently held Liam's chin and wiped away the chocolate syrup and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

"You're so cute." She cooed.

"Momma..." Liam whined blushing hiding his face. Y/N couldn't help but chuckle and press another kiss to his cheek. Liam finished his breakfast and watched Y/N work around the kitchen. She poured a mug of coffee for Derek and set out his plate.

"There are my two favourite people." Derek replied. He pressed a loving kiss to Y/N's lips.

"My beautiful wife and my new little wolf pup." Derek replied as he ruffled Liam's hair.

"Heeeeey" Liam giggled.

"Momma, can I go watch cartoon pwease?" Liam asked.

"Yeah of course, sweetie. I'll join you in just a second." Y/N smiled. Liam nodded and headed into the living room putting the TV on and watching episodes of Spongebob.

Y/N peered into the living room watching Liam giggle at the TV balled up on the couch with the blanket.

"He's a sweet kid." Derek told her pulling her from her thoughts as he sat at the table to dig into his breakfast.

"He's the sweetest. I love him so much." Y/N told him.

"He loves you too. So much in fact that he's started calling you his momma." Derek pointed out.

"You're just jealous he hasn't started calling you dad yet." Y/N retorted jokingly. Derek chuckled put his hands up in defence.

"Alright alright, he's a great kid." Derek smiled.

"Babe, Liam told me he's been having trouble at home with his parents." Y/N began.

"And you had a thought didn't you?" Derek asked her knowing his wife so well. Y/N nodded.

"If and I mean if fingers crossed it doesn't happen but if things got worse for him at home, could have a place to stay here with us?" Y/N asked him not knowing how he would react. Derek put down his cup of coffee and looked up at her.

"I think that's a great idea, babe." Derek simply replied. Y/N smiled and pressed a kiss to his lips.

"I love you, Derek Hale." she smiled.

(Timeskip to the pack arriving)

Noon arrived faster than they thought. The pack gathered in the living room. Even though Liam understood that the pack were his new family, he couldn't help but feel slightly egdy with some of them around but that didn't matter as long as he had Y/N and Derek with him.

"Ok so before we begin, I want to start off by asking Stiles for an apology." Y/N began.

"For what?" Stiles asked slightly confused.

"For what you did to Liam yesterday." Y/N told him. Liam rest his head against Y/N's shoulder.

"Oh." Stiles replied blankly.

"She's right Stiles. What you did wasn't right. It's not fair to pick on him for something he doesn't have control over." Scott told him.

"Oh come on, it's his fault for talking like baby." Stiles retorted.

"Hey, watch it, Stilinski." Derek warned him.

"Momma, I don' wanna be here." Liam told Y/N as he began to get upset.

Y/N pulled him onto her lap and hushed him pressing a kiss to his forehead.

"Urgh, why does he have to act like such a baby?" Stiles retorted.

"Stiles..." Y/N warned him knowing he was about to start with Liam again.

"No seriously, why does he act like such a baby?" Stiles repeated.

"Stiles, that's enough. Liam's been with us for nearly 2 days and you're already making him feel uncomfortable. What's got into you?" Y/N asked him.

"Momma..." Liam whined as he closed his eyes. Y/N could see his eyes flickering amber underneath his eyelids. Oh god.

"Sssh, I'm here. You're ok. Just listen to my heartbeat, honey. I'm here." She cooed knowing that the more Stiles upset Liam the more likely he was to shift.

"Shhh close your eyes sweetie and listen to my heartbeat." Y/N cooed running her fingers through his hair. Y/N looked up at Derek for help who immediately jumped in. He approached her and crouched down so Liam could see him. He put his hand on his knee.

"It's ok, pup. We're here. Just think about your breathing and listen to your momma's heartbeat. We've got you." Derek reassured him. Liam opened his eyed to look at the former alpha and nodded.

"Thanks....dad." Liam almost whispered. If Derek wasn't a werewolf his hearing definitely would not have picked that up. The older alpha couldn't help but smile and pat Liam on the knee.

"Ok seriously?!" Stiles voice boomed.

Liam whinced at the loudness of his voice.

"Stiles, if you say another word I will rip your throat out with my teeth." Derek threatened him getting impatient with his stupid remarks.

"Stiles, where's that apology?" Y/N asked getting impatient.

"He's not getting one." The human sassed back to which Derek let out a growl.

"Then get out." Y/N told him. Stiles froze for a second.

"But Y/N.." he began but the female alpha shook her head and ordered him out. Stiles huffed but listened and left anyway.

"Was that necessary?" Lydia asked.

"Did you want Liam to shift like last time?" Derek asked her. Lydia got the hint and backed down shaking her head.

"Maybe I should calm him down?" Scott asked kneeling in front of Liam as Derek did but Liam shook his head and turned away from him.

"Come on, bud. You have to give me a chance?" Scott asked him.

"Give the kid some time." Derek told him.

"Easy for you to say, he already likes you." Scott huffed.

"Maybe try helping him out then see?" Derek sassed. Scott sighed and nodded.

The remaining members dispersed throughout the loft.

"You know, if he doesn't get his act together this pack meeting isn't going to end." Y/N told her husband who nodded in agreement.

"What is it about Liam that provokes him?" Y/N questioned.

"Anything by the looks it." Derek responded. Y/N huffed at his response. She looked down at Liam in her arms. He had a fistful of her shirt in his hand and kept his eyes closed and appeared to be still concentrating.

"That's my good boy." Y/N cooed.

"Open your eyes, sweetheart. Show momma your beautiful blue eyes?" Y/N asked him as she gently stroked his cheek lovingly with the pad of her thumb. Liam took a deep breath and slowly opened his eyes which returned to their usual crystalline baby blue orbs. Y/N smiled and kissed his forehead.

"Good job, sweetheart." She cooed with a smile and pressed a kiss to his forehead. Liam sighed and rest in her arms. It was becoming more and more difficult to control his shift but the second Y/N and Derek stepped he felt himself calming down. He didn't know what it was but he needed them more than anything.

[ssfoc]

Hey sweetie ! Asking for your opinion on this. I'm not sure I understand why people say Louis is the leader of 1D and that he made what 1D is/was today. Is it because he wrote most of the songs on the last album ? (Liam did too). Like I saw some posts saying that it's partially thanks to Louis that Harry, Niall and Liam are "free" today. In interview I definitely saw that he was kind if a leader for the boys. But how come it is too for business.

Hi there!

We know from several sources that the boys were supposed to have individual, preconceived images that distinguished them as archetypes of a boyband (similar to how the Spice Girls each had a “handle”).

The Sony hack basically confirmed these shallow, idealized, patronizing images that included a description of Harry as “adorably slow.”

https://waitingforthatday.tumblr.com/post/160988626422/remember-how-sony-designed-and-implemented-these

The consensus is that Louis, being the oldest, and the member w/ the most experience in the entertainment industry, had influence over the boys in their dealings with management. After 2011, it was increasingly clear that Simon Cowell had a vision of One Direction as a typical boy band that would 1. never evolve musically, and 2. never develop an audience outside of their base.

This is not a crazy fan theory. It was confirmed by Ross Golan’s interview of Savan Kotecha, who co-wrote WMYB.

https://ssfoc.tumblr.com/post/159522363780/and-the-writer-iswith-ross-golan-by-big-deal

http://bulletproofhalo.tumblr.com/post/157865630236/savanmy-dude

The interview, which came out earlier this year, confirmed a lot of fan theories about the restrictions the boys had in their musical creativity, and their conflicts with the songwriters hired to write their music.

I discuss it further here, if you’re interested.

https://ssfoc.tumblr.com/post/157937777410/hi-anon-here-thnkyou-for-your-kind-response

https://ssfoc.tumblr.com/post/159574630970/reflections-on-one-direction-harry-styles-and

https://ssfoc.tumblr.com/post/157917630515/so-this-is-a-long-rants-maybe-dont-publish

So the upshot is that Savan Kotecha lost his job because he could no longer argue against Louis Tomlinson. Many of the writers subsequently had to deal with a more empowered One Direction because of this struggle.

Personally, I believe that what we learned about the boys’ creative struggle is a “canary in the coal mine” about their interactions with management.

Louis is outspoken, not easily intimated, and not afraid of conflict. The other boys, in contrast, do not engage well with conflict. You see how, in interviews, they shy away from questions that are at all challenging, and their body language reflects their unease. Sometimes it can be detected in written interviews too.

Harry has dealt with this by seeking new management and breaking old ties as soon as he was able to. Liam and Niall went to different labels. Zayn also went to a different imprint (RCA) under Sony.

The impact of the loss of Simon’s Syco empire cannot be overstated. It wasn’t just that he lost control to Sony but that the value of the company dropped when it lost One Direction, and failed to develop another comparable act.

Louis’ signing with Syco is not any different than signing with Sony. Syco is majority-owned by Sony.

What Louis has been going through professionally since July 2015 (which was when Syco’s shares were sold to Sony) is a coordinated effort to destroy his career by 1DHQ. It’s revenge.

What 1D-related media (The DM, The Sun) print about the boys is also very telling. These stories paint Louis as a negligent father, a bad friend, a low-classed, talentless hack, etc. Their agenda is to destroy Louis Tomlinson’s career.

Louis is, as you point out, the 1D member with the most songwriting credits.

The influence of 1DHQ is fading, in my opinion. Louis is making new music. There’s evidence that he has written with the best songwriters at Warner Chappell and elsewhere. Outside of any reputation of “being difficult to work with” (he has strong opinions about songwriting, I have no doubt), Louis is a $multi-million brand. Industry bigwigs are not going to ignore him; they’re not going to turn down a chance to work with him, if he is free and available. He has a ready-made fanbase, and his songs are going to sell, no matter what, just like his band mates’.

One other thing: John Ryan still works for U.K. X-Factor. It’s a source of good income for him. Interpret that how you will.

Here’s to hoping for happier days.

Hope that helps.

Sea

[avengerdragoness]

Dislocations Gone Right [Jason Todd x Reader]

A/N: Hey guys! Sorry this took an extra day to get up. I’m up to my eyeballs in homework and responsibilities. But here is the figure skater fic FINALL! I really hope you all love it! It’s a longer one so fair warning lol. I tried my hardest to use correct terminology and did quite a bit of research for it. I really hope you guys enjoy this! (I appreciate any feedback <33) Love you guys!

[Fd/n] - Friend Name

_______

If there was one thing you love, it’s figure skating. It’s been something you’ve done since you were a child. Always striding to get to that next step, complete that next turn, land that next jump. In the winter you could be found at a frozen pond behind your home, in the summer it was at the ice rink. Your parents watched you grow as their child and an athlete. Everyone in your family found your skating captivating whenever they got the chance to watch you. Family friends would often end up finding you on the pond and end up watching you as well.

You are born for this. It’s what you were put on this earth to do, and nothing was going to stop you. And nothing did. Continuing to grow in your skating, winning contest after contest. First place ribbons were your wallpaper. Winning at nearly every level. Though you had one step to overcome, and that’s to get into the Olympics. One day you’d represent everyone in your country on the ice. You know that day will come, it has too. It just has too.

So despite multiple concerns expressed by your coach and family you train day after day. Constantly being told not to strain yourself. How were you supposed to slow down when you’re this close?!

It wasn’t until a childhood friend asked if you would stop by to see her at one of the ice skating classes she would teach. Saying how the minute she expressed the both of you are friends her students begged for you to come and visit them. You had training to do, but how could you turn this down? You’d always wanted to help someone learn. Guest teaching a whole class would be an honor. So, you accepted the offer.

You were walking toward the ice rink your friend worked at. Hair pulled back with your bag hanging loosely on your shoulder. Though you weren’t paying attention to your surroundings while reading some texts from your coach. He was once again scolding you over not having taken any breaks since you were told you’re eligible participate in preliminary rounds.

This is kind of a break, right?

Walking in you accidentally bumped into someone, mumbling an apology before making your way inside. Not taking in the faces of the two men you bumped into.

Walking into the area of the rink you heard laughing and squealing. Obviously it was the young class warming up. Tucking your phone away, smiling at the sight of the young skaters.

Leaning against the barrier you just stared through the glass for a while. Watching the kids warm up and your friend making sure everyone was doing it correctly, you weren’t pulled away until you heard a small voice gasp.

Seeing a small girl with black locks and a pair of sparkling green eyes. “Y-you’re [F/n] [L/n]” she smiled pointing to you. Smiling with a small laugh you kneeled to her eye level, “I am, what’s your name sweetie?”

She smiled widely, “Lian!” exclaiming happily. “Well it’s a pleasure to meet you Lian.” holding your hand out to her. She took it, still beaming. “But excuse me if I’m wrong, shouldn’t you be warming up with your class?” noticing the pair of skates on her feet. She nodded before waving to you and running to the door of the rink. You were about to yell for her not to run in her skates but she was already gone and on the rink.

Laughing to yourself you shook your head. “She reminds me of me” sitting in a chair to slip your own pair on. “[F/n]!” Turning your head to the voice of your friend. “[Fd/n]” you greeted, standing up on the blade without so much as a wobble. Giving her a quick hug before she led you to the rink. “Gosh how have you been?” she questioned.

“You know, a lot of training. Getting scolded by my coach for over training.” You laughed, as did she. “You never were one for taking breaks” commenting while stepping on to the ice. Following suit you shrugged, “Guilty is charged.”

“ALRIGHT EVERYONE LINE UP” [Fd/n] called as all of the kids came over and stopped in front of you both. They all stared at you in awe. You looked at the class of about 7, 5 being girls and 2 being boys. “Okay everyone this is my friend I was telling you about, [F/n] [L/n]” they all smiled at you. “Hi everyone it’s so great to meet you all” waving to the kids with a smile of your own.

Noticing as the girl you recognized as Lian leaned to one of the boys and whispered “Told ya she was pretty” as the boy just blushed. Allowing you a small chuckled.

“What do you all say we get started, with some forward swizzles?” [Fd/n] clapped her hands together smiling. The kids proceeded to do their moves, this one a simple movement of skating your feet apart and then back together while gliding forward. All while keeping both skates on the ice. You watched and helped the kids where you could.

They liked to ask you a lot of questions on what it was like to be at your level. Especially during their water breaks. You barely got any time to talk to [Fd/n] because of their questions, not that you minded them.

The water breaks fell between teaching the kids. The lesson consisted of swizzles, dips, two foot glides, and even some one foot glides. You were rather impressed with the kids, often remembering back to when you first started skating.

It was fun to help them. Relaxing even. You were sad when the lesson began to draw to a close, loving teaching these kids. Sharing the passion you have for the sport with them. Crossing your arms you watched as [Fd/n] talked about an upcoming youth competition. Though as soon as she finished Lian had her hand in the air, ready to ask a question. “Yes Lian?”

“Can [F/n] please please please show us how she skates?” she begged, the other children nodding in agreement. Though you were taken aback at the question, you looked between the kids and [Fd/n] before sputtering out a ‘yes.’

Gliding over you stopped in front of the kids. “What do you guys what to see me do?” you asked, swaying your hands at your sides. They just shrugged, looking over you saw parents beginning to arrive and decided it’d be best to keep this short. “How about a couple spins?” you questioned smiling. All of their faces lit up at the suggestion as they vigorously nodded their heads.

You glided away from the group, turning to the group and digging the blade of your skate into the ice to bring you to a stop, not noticing as someone else came into the facility.

“Ready?” Jason heard someone call. His attention immediately drawing to the center of the rink, seeing the same girl that had bumped into him and Roy earlier. Jason had gone with him because Roy asked him to pick up Lian, Roy wanted to make sure that there wouldn’t be any trouble with Jay getting her.

However, he recognized you from somewhere, but he just couldn’t place it. He watched as you stuck the pick of your skate into the ice. Having his attention he leaned against the barrier of the rink, watching your every move. He was completely captivated.

Witnessing as you pushed yourself forward, building momentum before pushing off and doing two full rotations, landing on one foot you used the momentum from landing to repeat the motion, and pushing off the third time you went into a double axel adding another half spin after the first two. All before landing graceful on one blade again and halting yourself.

“Whoa!” he heard the group of kids say in awe by you. But he had to admit, he was pretty in awe by you as well. He’d never seen anything so graceful, and he has an acrobat for a brother. Though he wasn’t expecting for you to look over. His blue eyes met with your [e/c] hues, and he couldn’t help but smile at you. Seeing a blush cross your face as you sheepishly smiled at the ice and skated over to the group.

His eyes didn’t come off of you, watching as you talked with Lian’s instructor. Finding your every move enchanting. It wasn’t until a certain ‘niece’ of his came running over.

“Uncle Jay! Uncle Jay!” she squealed running up to him. “Hey kiddo” he sweeped her up into a hug, missing the endearing look he was currently being given by you. “Did you have fun?”

“Yes! You have to meet Ms. [F/n] she’s so nice! And and she’s a professional ice skater! Can we please stay and watch her practice?” She begged, having heard your conversation with [Fd/n].

He simply smiled and nodded, Liam surprised she wouldn't have to give him puppy dog eyes.

And In fact Lian had heard you right. Like everyday, there is no time to take a break.

“You really shouldn’t overwork yourself like this.” [Fd/n] said watching you stretch your shoulders. Scoffing and rolling your eyes, “You sound like my mother.” A laugh escaping your throat. “If I can get this move mastered, there’s no way I won’t qualify!”

“What is this move?” She cocked an eyebrow at you, a curious look on her face. Turning to her on your skates, you stood proud before saying “A quadruple lutz spin.”

Her jaw dropped to the ice, “You would be the first woman to do that!”

“I know, that’s why I’ve been training so hard, I’m trying to master it!” Smiling at her, she let out a sigh. “Fine I won’t nag you but, be careful please. I have to go to my other job but the rink is yours”

“Thank you [Fd/n], let’s do this again” pulling her into a hug. She returned it smiling “Yeah, yeah, I’m the best” she muttered, making you laugh. After waving goodbye to her you set to work. Oblivious to the two sets of eyes watching you.

Jason and Lian were the only ones left in the area, Lian watched your every move. She watched as you would push off make a few rotations before hitting the ice again, half the time landing on your ass. Jason was impressed with your perseverance, after a calming breath or two you’d be back on your feet, ready to give it another go. It’s admirable. Though it was beginning to get late and Jason had to get Lian home to Roy before he got back from a mission he had with Oliver.

“Lian we should go soon” ruffling the girl’s black locks. “Noooo” she whined, whipping around to look at him. “Lian I have to get you home before your dad gets back” Jason reasoned. The girl simply crossed her arms and pouted, “We can stay a few more minutes” he gave in with a sigh.

Looking back over, he saw you going at it for another time. Though on the way down the pick of your skate got caught on the ice, watching as you tried to stop yourself with your arm before you fell full force on your wrist.

Hearing a dreadful popping noise, pain shot through your wrist and up your arm, “Son of a!” you yelled clutching it. Looking at your wrist, seeing it contorted in all the wrong ways. “Fucking fantastic” you mumbled laying your head back on the ice.

“Hey are you alright?!” a deeper voice yelled from the stands. Looking over you saw Lian and the man you locked eyes with earlier. “I-I don’t think so” calling back while sitting up and cradling your injured wrist. “Can you get out on your own?” he questioned again. Nodding you got to your feet before skating over to the door. The duo meeting you there and opening it for you.

Sitting down on a chair Jason kneeled in front of you. “Lian can you run and get some ice please?” she looked at him before nodding and running off toward the ice machine.

“Here let me see” holding his hand out, voice gentle. But he grimaced upon seeing it, examining the injury carefully. “What’s your name?” you asked, watching as his eyes trailed up to yous. “Jason Todd, you?”

“[F/n] [L/n]” smiling at him. Nodding his head, “Ah so you’re Miss [F/n].” Chuckling you answered “That I am” before he returned to your wrist, touching one spot making you jump from a jolt of pain ��ow!”

“Sorry, I just- I was seeing if it was dislocated. It’s dislocated.” meeting your eyes again. “You need to go to the hospital”

You let out a sigh, “Dammit” rubbing your face. “I’ll have to call a cab” looking around for your phone. “No it’s fine, Lian and I can take you.” Jason offered. “No, no, I couldn’t ask that of you” waving your uninjured hand in front of you.

“No I insist, you shouldn’t wait to get that checked out. I’ve seen my fair share of injuries and that’s not a pretty one”

He was standing in front of you now. Sighing you nodded, “Thank you” leaning down to untie your skates. Noticing as he ran over to your bag and grabbed your things before bringing them over. Throwing your skates in the bag before pulling on your tennis shoes. But realizing you couldn’t tie them with your hand.

Without a moment's hesitation Jason kneeled down and swiftly tied the laces. Leading you to thank him for what felt like the thousandth time. Finding him very sweet and caring, not to mention attractive. Just look at that jawline.

“I got the ice!” Lian yelled running over with the item, snapping you out of your thoughts. Smiling you took it from her, “and thank you Lian”

“Let's get you to the hospital.” Jason nodded his head toward the door, standing up you went to grab your bag. “No keep the ice on your wrist, I’ll carry that.” snatching up your bag before you could even respond. Lian giggled, “My Uncle Jay has good reflexes and is fast”

You smiled at her “Oh really?” She nodded smiling widely. Then going on to tell multiple stories about Jason, during the entire ride to the hospital. Jason couldn’t get a single word in, just chuckling at her constant talking.

When walking into the ER the nurse’s eyes widened at the sight of your wrist. She pushed you to the top of the list and got your paperwork done. Before you knew it, you were in a hospital room with Jason and Lian. Lian having fallen asleep in the chair in the corner.

“She’s a cutie” nodding to the girl. He chuckled, “Yeah, my friend sure can make’em”

“Thank you for all of this Jason, it means a lot” turning more to face him, keeping the ice on your wrist. “No problem, can’t just leave Lian’s hero to suffer from a dislocated wrist can I?” the smirk prevalent in his tone. “Guess not” you shrugged.

You went on chatting for a good while before the doctors returned with the results on your x-rays. Much to your luck and relief it wasn’t a serious dislocation. They would have to sedate you to put it back in place and you’d need a cast though. But they could start preparations to put you under as soon as possible.

Jason noticed your whole demeanor relax tremendously. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, I’m just really happy it’s not too serious. Man if it was my foot or something, who knows what would happen? Might have even jeopardized my Olympics chances” letting a sigh escape after the sentence. “You’re going to be in the Olympics?!” Jason’s eyes widened in disbelief. Giggling you answered, “I don’t know yet but I’m eligible, just need to qualify”

“That’s amazing, you’re amazing!” Losing control of his own mouth for a moment. The words making you both blush.

“Um, hey what do you say when you get the cast and I drop off Lian, we go get some dinner?” he offered with confidence but you could sense some meekness or nervousness in his demeanour. You smiled, feeling butterflies in your stomach “Yeah, I’d like that a lot.”

He beamed at you before nodding, both of you not having noticed Lian had awoken. “Uncle Jay is going on a date with Miss [F/n]!” she yelled excited, the both of your whipping around to see her bright eyed and bushy tailed.

You looked at each other before bursting out laughing. Perhaps Lian has a new aunt coming her way in the future.

[alphameral]

Pack Mom: Never Tickle A Sleeping Wolf (Part 1)

Request: Liam is having night terrors and is turning up to the pack meetings really tired. So Y/N tells him that he is to stay over her house to get some rest and she will look after him keeping safe and giving him lots of cuddles letting him know he is safe and getting him relaxed for bedtime. 

Pairing: Liam x Female!Reader (Platonic), Peter Hale x Female!Reader, Derek x Stiles, Scott x Malia, very very lightly hinted Liam x Kira

Author’s Notes: 

This turned out longer than I expected it to be, so I’m gonna be posting it in parts.

This takes place after the war, but in all honesty I haven’t finish watching 6B so things might not be accurate. I also included Isaac in here :)

…..this imagine is probably not what the anon had in mind when they requested it lol. I’m a terrible writer, but @allthingsteenwolf20 is an awesome one and has two fics with similar prompt here and here, and everyone should go read them!

Y/N - Your Name, Y/E/C - Your Eyes Color

Liam’s eyes shot open at the sudden ringing of a very familiar bell, straightening up almost immediately in his seat. He blinked once, twice, and glanced around in confusion as he tried to remember where he was. Teacher..homework..page three hundred and ninety four, Mason…

Oh, he was in school.

Stifling back a yawn, he pretended to listen to whatever last words his teacher was saying. In reality though, his mind had flown miles away from wherever it should be - even Liam himself didn’t know where that was. But one thing for sure was that it wasn’t there in his head. He packed his school supplies (it was just a notebook and a pen, really) and stuffed them into his bagpack, then got up and went to join Mason waiting at the classroom door.

“What’s with the sulky look, man? It’s Friday!” Mason greeted him with a pat on the back before guiding him into the packed hallway.

Liam let out a long sigh. “And you know what happens on Friday.”

For normal teenagers, Friday night usually meant party and fun. From grinding at the club, romantic dining for two, or simply just strolling under the stars holding hands - Friday night was supposed to be the time to unwind.

But unfortunately, for supernatural teenagers like Liam and his friends, Friday night meant pack meeting.

“What’s so bad about that? We have pack meeting every Friday. That doesn’t seem to spoil your mood before?”

“Yeah, but Derek will be there today. And Stiles.” He answered, emphasizing on the last name.

Since it was the first Friday of the month, it wasn’t just any pack meeting. It was pack meeting with Derek and his boyfriend, none other than the newly appointed Agent Stiles, who always seemed so excited to present his latest reports, evidence, and completely unrelated side stories of his life as an FBI agent.

Which meant it would be long.

Mason nodded in understanding. “Well, at least Y/N is gonna be there. Do you think she’ll bring those yummy cookies she always makes? What the thing called…marine? Merry?”

“Meringue. They’re meringue cookies.” Liam corrected him as they were walking towards Mason’s car. “I honestly hope she does. At least I have one thing to motivate me to be awake.”

Mason glanced at his friend in sympathy as Liam yawned again for the nth time that day. He contemplated on letting it slide, but his curiosity got the best of him. “That nightmare is still bothering you?”

Liam’s face fell at the question, and Mason almost regretted asking it. “Well, yeah. I tried not to think about it…but the more I ignore it, the more it haunts me in my sleep. Hell, sometimes I don’t even know if I’m sleeping or awake when it happened.”

The dark circles under Liam’s eyes were a clear evidence to his story, and Mason was quick to notice them. They weren’t apparent, but with Liam’s foul mood and sullen face, it was hard to not notice something was wrong with him. And if anyone just looked at him a little bit longer, they’ll definitely notice those dark contrasts on his pale skin. “Maybe you can try asking Peter about it? He seems to know his way around dreams and haunting. And supernatural creatures.”

Liam went silent for a moment, knowing Mason was right. But Peter was…well, he was a changed man after the war, but Liam still didn’t feel like walking up to Peter and randomly started to tell him about his nightly issues. “I’ll ask Y/N. Maybe she can ask Peter about it.”

———————–

The drive to Scott’s place was shorter than usual, or at least it felt that way to Liam. He was about to doze off while Mason was driving, and the next thing he saw when he opened his eyes was Kira’s grinning face pressed to his window.

“Come on in! Theo is finishing all the cookies!”

Liam couldn’t help but chuckled, Kira was always adorable with her random concerns. He didn’t care much about the cookies, but apparently Kira thought it was important that everyone got a piece.

And apparently, Mason was on the same page. His eyes went twice their normal size at her fair warning. “Did she say Theo is finishing all the cookies? Aw hell no! I swear to god I’m sending him back to hell, how dare he eats all the Marine cookies-”

“Meringue,” Liam corrected him in futile, shaking his head as Mason disappeared into the house with a giggly Kira trailing behind him.

When he stepped into the house, he was greeted with the sight of Mason trying to steal the cookie jar from Theo’s hand, and the chimera boy yelling about the extra cookies in the kitchen.

“Fuck off, Mason!”

“Watch your fucking language, Theodore.” A familiar, velvety female voice appeared from behind him, and Liam automatically smiled as he turned around.

“Y/N!”

Y/N is a female alpha from another town, and she is the mate of Peter Hale. The first time Peter introduced her to the pack, everyone thought he was joking because no one ever thought Peter freaking Hale would find a proper girlfriend, let alone a nice, beautiful and smart mate. Rumor started going around that she must’ve been as crazy as he was or that she must’ve had some sort of freaky thing Peter was drawn to. But as they got to know her better, the pack figured that Peter just got lucky, and Liam figured that he finally had a mother figure to look up to. (His own mother was never really there for him, Malia was more of a sister to him, and Stiles…well, he was just annoying.)

Y/N smiled at Liam, her beautiful Y/E/C eyes matched the beautiful smile on her face. She crouched down just a little to embrace her favorite beta in a big, comforting hug. And comfort was all that Liam needed at the moment, so he melted into her arms, feeling a sense of serenity blanketed him along with the warmth.

He almost didn’t catch it when she asked him about how he was doing lately.

“How are you doing, sweetie? How’s school?” She spoke softly, a total change of tone apparent in her voice as she talked to the pup in her arms.

Liam hummed in response, nuzzling her shoulder contentedly. “Am good. School’s tiring.”

“I can see that.” She agreed, pulling away from the embrace slightly to study his tired face. “Cut back on the late night study session, will you? I’ve seen your grades. You’re doing fine.” She kissed his forehead, hoping that the little kiss would be a reassuring reminder. Liam’s smile grew wider, nodding at her advice even though that wasn’t really why he hadn’t been sleeping. His issues could wait. Right then, he just wanted to bask in the sweet moment.

Sadly, the moment only lasted for about five seconds before Peter and Derek called everyone to gather around the living room. Y/N pulled away from her little pup, but kept an arm around his shoulder as they walked over to the couch. Liam wanted to sit next to Y/N, but she had untangled herself from him and went to see something Stiles was showing on his laptop. Liam frowned a little when she went away, and oh boy how much he wanted to just throw a tantrum to get her attention back on him, just so he’d get more of the kisses and hugs and snuggles he so badly needed at the moment.

But he reminded himself he was 16 and not 6. And so he refrained himself from starting a scene.

What he couldn’t refrain himself from doing though, was falling asleep.

Liam hadn’t been getting proper sleep for days. He didn’t know why, but everytime he managed to fall asleep, images of everything that ever terrorized him came rushing by. It was almost like he was watching a horror movie featuring himself. One moment he was running away from the beserkers, and then suddenly he was strapped in the dread doctor’s chair waiting to be experimented on.

And that wasn’t even half of the dream. Or vision, or whatever it was. Liam had no firm idea, but he did know it made him not want to sleep. Ever.

But there he was, in the middle of a pack meeting, curled up on an arm chair, sleeping soundly.

The rest of the pack was engaged in a rather heated discussion. “Well Liam is still in school, so maybe he could..” Stiles turned his head away from the group to find the beta, raising a brow when he did. “…..sleep there and ignore this discussion because no, it’s not important at all.”

Malia groaned at the sight, leaning forward to snap her fingers in front of Liam’s face. “Hey, small wolf. Wakey wakey.”

Liam scrunched up his face, but didn’t seem to be waking up.

“Liam come on, we need you here.” Kira tried, poking his arm to wake him but to no avail.

Y/N glanced at the sleeping beta, frowning when she noticed his dark circles - which had become more visible under the room’s lighting. “Leave him be. We can always come back to his part later.”

Kira and Malia obliged, but Isaac rolled his eyes.

“This is ridiculous. Why is he here if he only wants to sleep? Hey Liam, wake up!” The blonde teen went ahead and shoved Liam’s shoulder roughly, and what happened next startled everyone.

Liam didn’t just wake up. He woke up fully transformed.

In less than two seconds, Liam was on his feet in a half-crouch position with his claws out ready to attack. He had his fangs bared and his eyes were locked onto Isaac, anger flaming in the yellow orbs.

Isaac was rather confused, but backed away from the piercing gaze nonetheless. “O….kay? Wolfing out is.. a bit unnecessary, don’t you think?”

He was trying to be humorous, but it just seemed to anger Liam even more. He let out a low growl, taking a wide stride towards Isaac when he attempted to move away.

“Liam, stop! What are you doing?”

“Liam!”

Scott tried to control the situation, but Liam didn’t seem to response to it. He just pulled his lips back, exposing more of his sharp canines.

Derek reached forward to pull Liam back by the arm, but Liam lunged forward, tackling Isaac - who was twice his size - to the floor in one swift motion.

“Dunbar, come on! I’m sorry!”

“Scott, do something!”

“I’m trying but he’s ignoring me! Why is he ignoring me?”

The pack was in chaos, but Peter seemed oddly unaffected by the situation as he casually answered; “Because that’s not Liam there, Scott.”

Abruptly, the room fell verbally silent. But the sound of rapid, frightened heartbeats were very, very loud.

[allthingsteenwolf20]

Lisp - Pack Mom (Part Two)

Dinner was set and the pack gathered around the dining table to dig in to the food.

"Oh my god, this is great, Y/N!" Stiles replied with a mouthful of lasagne.

"Yeah yeah, so good!" Everyone else responded.

"I'm glad you guys like it." Y/N smiled.

"Don't be afraid to ask for more ok, sweetie? Just help yourself to whatever you like ok?" Y/N told Liam who nodded at her response. She smiled and pressed a kiss to his forehead.

"That's a good boy." She cooed happily making Liam blush deeply. He couldn't help but smile at her comment. She made him feel happy and loved. Much more than his real mom did.

"Thanks mom." Liam absent-mindedly.

Suddenly the table froze and everyone grew silent at his response. Liam froze realising what he said.

"Seriously, Liam?" Stiles commented.

"I'm sowwy" Liam replied looking away.

"Stop picking on him, Stiles." Y/N scolded him.

"Hey, you don't have to apologise, sweetheart. You're a part of the pack now. It's perfectly ok, honey." Y/N reassured him bending down to his height. She smiled and ran her fingers through his soft brown hair gently brushing it to one side.

"You don't f'ink it's weird?" Liam asked her quietly.

"No sweetie, it's natural for you to feel like that. If you want to call me mom, momma, mommy...whatever you like. It's absolutely fine, I promise ok?" She reassured him pressing a kiss to his forehead. Liam smiled and gave her a small nod. He wrapped his arms around her neck giving her a small hug. She couldn't believe how much the sweet little beta has warmed up to her in just a few hours that he was already attaching himself to her.

Derek had already warned her that this could happen. The new beta being the youngest in the pack would be most likely to develop an attachment to the pack mother wanting to be cared, nurtured, protected and loved which Y/N was seeing already. 

During dinner, everything went smoothly. Everyone was digging into the hearty dinner Y/N had prepared as they all talked amongst themselves. Y/N asked Lydia to swap seats with her so she could sit next to Liam keeping an eye on him since Stiles had already tried to make a few digs at him.

Once dinner was finished, the girls helped Y/N in the kitchen as they cleared the table for her as the guys were still sat together talking.

"Come on Liam, just say it once." Stiles provoked Liam with a smirk on his face. Liam shook his head looking down into his lap.

"Come on, just once? Then I'll stop asking." Stiles pestered him.

"Stiles, stop." Derek warned him.

"Seriously Stiles, just stop." Scott told him. But the human ignored them and continued to pester the young  wolf.

"Come on, Liam!" Stiles asked again this time getting his camera ready to record the new beta's response knowing that he'd break soon. Liam sighed and nodded.

"So what is it, Liam?" Stiles asked him with a smirk on his face as he pointed to the almost empty tray of Lasagne.

"It's Wasagne." Liam responded as he blushed. Stiles burst out laughing almost falling off his chair.

"Got it!" He replied replaying the video of Liam. Liam blushed deeply and sat in his seat almost balled up.

The girls entered the kitchen to hear the video playing.

"What's that?" Lydia asked looking over Stiles' shoulder followed by the others.

"I'll show you. It's hilarious!" he began as he replayed it.

"Stiles..." Scott sighed shaking his head, disappointed.

"Why does he talk like a baby?" Malia asked as if the new beta wasn't in the room.

"Stiles, delete it!" Derek shouted at him.

"No way, man. This is pure gold!" Stiles chuckled.

Liam's eyes shifted from baby blue to a fierce amber and his fangs grew as he looked towards the human ready to pounce as a growl escaped his lips.

"Liam?" Lydia asked slightly scared.

"Erm...guys?" Stiles questioned slightly panicked.

"Now you've done it" Derek sighed and rolled his eyes as Scott leapt in front of his friend to stare down his beta.

"Liam, stop. This isn't you and you know it. Come on, bud. Calm down, it's ok. Stiles didn't mean any harm." Scott tried to help Liam calm down as he flashed his fiery red eyes at him.

Liam growled at his alpha, his chest still huffing and puffing as he took a step closer ready to claw at anyone in sight. It was no secret that Liam had IED - Intermittent Explosive Disorder and even though it didn't take much for him to explode, he couldn't help it. He didn't like it.

Y/N walked in from the kitchen carrying a tray of the chocolate caramel desserts she had prepared ready for everyone to dig in until she saw the scene before her.

"Oh my god, what the hell is going on?!" she asked slightly panicked seeing how Liam has tears running down his cheeks and had shifted into his wolf form.

"Stiles made him shift." Malia replied abruptly. Y/N put down the tray of hot drinks and stood silently in front of the new werewolf. 

"Scott get everyone into the living room now. Derek, I need you by my side" Y/N began instructing them.

"You heard her. Do as she says." Derek replied giving the others a nod. The girls made a hasty exit. Stiles got up but so did Liam ready to lunge at him.

"Liam, no!" Scott called. Stiles quickly followed the others leaving Y/N, Derek and his best friend to calm down the new beta.

"Don't say or do anything. Let me calm him down." She instructed them. Derek and Scott looked at each other and then gave her a reluctant nod.

Y/N approached the shifted beta and crouched down so she didn't pose as a threat.

"Liam, that wasn't very nice was it? I know you're upset honey but you could have come to me instead of shifting huh?" Y/N asked him. Liam's growl was replaced by a whine hearing the disappointment in her tone.

"I know, I know." She cooed in response.

"I'm not a baby!" Liam roared upset as tears streamed down his face.

"I know sweetie, I know. What Stiles did was wrong and he will be punished ok? I won't let anyone make fun of you ever again. I promise." Y/N told him. Liam stood there listening to her words.

"It'll be ok, I promise sweetheart. I need you to close your eyes and concentrate on your heartbeat. Can you do that for me, honey?" she asked him.

Liam obeyed her commands and did as she said.

"That's it, sweetheart. Good boy. It'll be ok, I promise. I'm right here, momma's right here." she cooed. Liam's eyes shot open hearing those words and he looked at her. His eyes faded to their usual baby blue and his werewolf features were replaced by those of an innocent yet broken young boy.

"Momma?" Liam's voice trembled and more tears ran down his cheeks.

"I'm right here, baby. I'm not going anywhere, I promise." She gave him a reassuring nod and held her arms out to engulf him in a big hug and that's exactly what she did. Liam ran into her arms and sobbed against her shoulder.

"Sssshhh it's ok, it's ok. I'm here. I promise I'll make everything right. Sssshhh momma's here." she cooed gently rubbing circles on his back.

Liam sobbed against her shoulder finally the love and comfort of a mother he had wanted for so long. Someone to hold him, love him and care for him as their own.

Derek and Scott smiled at the sweet scene before them and as soon as they were sure there was no danger, they exited the dining room giving the pack mother and her baby beta some space.

"Great job, babe." Derek smiled proudly as he leaned down and placed a kiss to his mate's forehead as he held the upset young beta in her arms. Y/N smiled up at him.

Once they were alone, Y/N sat on the floor with her legs crossed and pulled Liam onto her lap. She brushed his hair away from his face and pressed a kiss to his forehead as she wiped away his tears.

"There he is. There's my good boy." She cooed holding him in her arms.

"I know this is scary and you don't understand what's going on at the moment but regardless of that I promise I'm going to do everything I can to take care of you and protect you." She told him looking into his adorable baby blue eyes.

"Me too." Derek replied as he entered and took a seat next to his mate.

"And me." Scott added following behind. Liam turned away from his alpha.

"What is it?" Scott asked crouching down to Liam's level.

"You w'et him pick on me." Liam replied sadly playing with the curls of Y/N's long soft black hair.

"You did what?!" Y/N asked slightly annoyed looking at the true alpha.

"I'm sorry buddy, I should have done more. I'll talk to Stiles." Scott told him. Liam shrugged his shoulders.

"K" he replied blandly.

Scott sighed at his response.

This was going to be hard work.

"Why don't you come with me and we can talk it out between you?" Scott suggested. Liam shook his head and held onto to Y/N tight.

"Staying with momma." Liam told him.

"Scott, just give him time. Let me talk to him." Y/N told him. He didn't have a choice but to nod. Derek smiled and ruffled Liam's hair affectionately.

"We've got you, pup. You'll be ok." Derek reassured him. Liam nodded at him. Scott couldn't help but feel a little jealous that he was Liam's alpha and after that small fiasco, the kid was starting to trust him less. He left the dining room and headed back to the others.

TAGGED: @beaconhills17 @kelly27crickett

[allthingsteenwolf20]

What about me? - Pack mom

Request: Scott introduces Alec, a new young beta into the pack and the pack mom goes slightly overboard taking care of him but Liam sees all of this and gets upset thinking Y/N doesn't want him anymore.

Y/N stood in the centre of the living room in the loft looking around in deep thought at her mental checklist of chores. Room vacuumed ✅ Grocery shopping done ✅ Snacks set up ✅ Extra blankets and pillows put out ✅ Dinner prepped and in the oven ✅

What else was missing?

She looked around thinking about what else needed to be done but for a good solid five minutes nothing came to mind so she sighed and headed back into the kitchen where the pack's alpha and her mate, Derek Hale was checking on the roast chicken.

"It's looking good, babe." Derek commented with a sweet smile putting the oven gloves on the counter after he carefully closed the oven door letting the chicken cook just a little longer. He wrapped his arms around his mate and pressed a loving kiss to her forehead.

Earlier that day, Scott had called Y/N to tell her he was going to introduce a new pack member at the meeting tonight and so with their family continuing to grow, Y/N had offered to have everyone over at the loft mostly because their place was bigger than anyone elses in case they decided to stay over.

It was almost 4pm which meant everyone would be arriving soon. Y/N turned the heating up slightly so the room would warm up for the non werewolves including herself. Soon enough the loft door slid open and in came the majority of the pack members apart from Scott, Malia and the newcomer.

"Momma!" Liam chimed happily as he wrapped his arms around her waist and laid his head against her stomach.

"There's my favourite little wolf." she cooed pulling Liam into a hug before pressing a kiss to his forehead and holding him tight in her arms.

"I m'ssed you." Liam mumbled against her.

"I missed you too, baby." she cooed with a loving smile gently rubbing circles on his back.

"How's everyone else doing?" Y/N asked as the teens made their way into the living room and made themselves comfortable.

"Good, school's been tiring but we're getting through it." Lydia commented with a tired smile.

"Scott and Malia are with the new beta, Alec. They'll be joining us in a little bit. Scott didn't want to overwhelm him." Stiles told her to which Y/N nodded but in that moment her phone rang and it was the true alpha himself.

"Hey, is everything ok?" Y/N asked.

"Hey, yeah I just thought I'd let everyone settle down first before coming in. Alec's a little nervous so I didn't want to overwhelm him. We'll be coming in in a few minutes." Scott replied.

"Yeah of course, just take your time." Y/N replied.

"Thanks, see you in a little while." Scott answered and then put down the phone.

Y/N sat on the couch next to Liam who instantly leaned against her shoulder. Suddenly the loft door opened and Scott walked in followed by the newcomer who mostly hid behind the true alpha followed by his mate, Malia as everyone's eyes fell onto the newcomer.

"Ok everyone, I want you to meet Alec. He's a beta and he'll be joining our pack." Scott introduced. He slowly went around the pack introducing him to each of the  members.

"Firstly, I want you to introduce you to Y/N. She's the pack mom of the group. If you have any questions or problems about anything, ask her she can take care of it 90% of the time." Scott reassured him to which Alec nodded timidly.

"Welcome to our pack, sweetheart." Y/N replied with a warm loving smile.

"Would you like a hot drink, honey? It's freezing cold out there. How about a yummy hot chocolate?" she asked.

"Yes please," Alec nodded.

Y/N couldn't help but smile at his adorableness.

"Take a seat, honey." she instructed him as she headed into the kitchen.

"Welcome to the pack, pup." Derek replied with a small smile.

"This is Derek, Y/N's mate and also an alpha." Scott told him to which Alec nodded at his words. He went around the room introducing Alec to the rest of the pack members.

Y/N headed into the kitchen and made mugs of hot chocolate for  everyone, carrying all of them in on a tray setting it down on the coffee table.

"Here you go, sweetie. Be careful, it's hot." Y/N smiled putting it in front of him and sat down next to him. Smoothing his curly brown hair away from his face making him blush. Liam sat on the couch opposite her and frowned at her interaction with the pack's newest beta. She was his momma, not Alec's.

Liam pushed past the other members to get to the spare seat next to Y/N. He sat down next to her with a massive thud and wrapped his arms around her waist burying his face against her shoulder.

"Liam, what're you doing honey?" Y/N asked slightly surprised as she gently ruffled his hair.

"Sittin' wi'h you." Liam mumbled against.

"I see that honey but can you let go of me? Momma's seeing to Alec." she told him turning towards the new beta who blushed at all the attention he was getting. Liam however continued to frown and couldn't help but feel upset at her response. He took a deep breath trying not to cause a scene but this new kid had been here for less than an hour and he already had everyone's attention.

"Um...Y/N? Could I use your bathroom please?" Alec asked.

"Yes of course honey, it's straight up the stairs and the first door on your right." She told him getting up to walk him to the stairs. She took his hand and gave him a warm loving smile.

"I'll show you." she smiled leading him.

This was the last straw for Liam.

"No! She's my momma, not yours!" Liam growled at the newcomer, his calm icy blue eyes shifting to a fierce amber.

"Liam, what's gotten into you?" Y/N asked him turning around instantly to see how upset he was.

"Calm down pup, it's ok." Derek reassured him slowly approaching him with his hands up to show the beta he wasn't going to hurt him.

"No!" Liam continued to growl.

"Honey calm down, it's ok. Of course I'm your momma. I'll always be your momma." Y/N reassured him calmly.

"He doesn't belong here! We already have a pack!" Liam shouted causing Alec to look down at his feet sadly.

"Liam, stop it. You don't know anything about Alec or his past so you can't make assumptions like that." Y/N told him off. Liam growled and stormed past her pushing Alec aside harsh enough that his claws scraped his skin.

"Ow!" Alec cried yanking his arm back.

"Liam Anthony Dunbar!" She called him. Liam winced at hearing his full name being called knowing that his momma only ever called him that when he was in serious trouble. 

"Apologise right now." Y/N urged him sternly. Liam shook hid head at her.

"I'm going to count to 5. Do it."

1...2...do not make me get to five, young man." she warned him.

"Liam, do as your momma says." Derek told him but the young beta continued to shake his head and growl at his supernatural parents.

"Don't you dare growl at your momma," Derek replied sternly but angry little beta didn't listen and a terrifying growl escaped from his lips.

"Go to your room," Y/N instructed him to which Liam huffed and ran straight up the stairs. She had Derek go up and check the beta actually did as he was told whilst she turned around to see to the newcomer.

"It's ok, honey. It's just a scratch. It doesn't look like anything serious." Y/N told him seeing the scratch was already starting to heal.

"He doesn't like me, does he?" Alec asked her. Y/N sighed and shook her head.

"I'm sorry about Liam. He isn't always like that, once you get to know him he's the sweetest and most loving person in the world. I think he's just a little jealous that's all. I'll let him calm down and go speak to him." Y/N told him leading up the stairs to the bathroom. Whilst Alec was in there, she wanted to peer in to Liam's room to see how he was doing but she closed her eyes and sighed deeply shaking her head. No she had to be strong and let him calm down by himself. Once Alec had entered out of the bathroom, Y/N took him back downstairs to the living room where she had him sit back down by the fire and urged him to finish his hot drink.

"Drink your hot chocolate, sweetie." Y/N urged him pressing a kiss to his cheek making him blush as she pushed his cup closer to him.

Suddenly there was a loud thrashing noise coming from upstairs.

"Babe, I need you. Come quick!" Derek replied rushing up the stairs followed by his mate, Y/N and the true alpha. They walked into Liam's room to find him fully shifted destroying the room.

"Liam, stop this." Y/N replied sternly as she walked into the destruction of what used to be his bedroom.

"Liam, stop." Y/N repeated but the beta didn't listen, that was until the true alpha glowed his fiery red orbs and roared causing his beta to look down and whimper. 

"Liam, I don't know what's gotten into you lately but you need to explain yourself to us right now." Scott scolded him. Liam slowly shifted back to himself and his eyes began to fill with tears as he sniffled and shook his head at his alpha.

Y/N sighed. Now seeing that Liam had calmed down, she urged the other alphas to leave the room so she could speak to the beta herself. Scott and Derek were reluctant to leave her with him but they knew how much Liam loved Y/N, she was his mother for all intents and purposes and knew he wouldn't hurt her so they sighed and nodded going back into the living room to give them some room to talk.

Y/N sat down on the bed and patted the empty space next to her.

"Come sit down, Liam." She told him. This time the young beta obeyed her instruction and sat beside her but turned away from her.

"Liam, I need you to talk to me and tell me what's wrong, honey? The sweet little beta I know and have raised was not there in that room tonight. Tell momma what's wrong?" Y/N asked as she gently rubbed circles on his back. Liam couldn't take her sweet gesture and broke down sobbing.

"Sssshh, it's ok. I'm here, momma's here. Just tell me what's wrong, honey?" she repeated to him.

Liam turned around and looked up at her with red glossy eyes and wiped his sniffly nose with the back of his hand before speaking.

"You don't love me anymore, momma." Liam replied still snuffling as tears ran down his cheeks.

"Oh honey, where on earth did you get such a silly idea? Of course I love you. You're my baby, my one and only baby. I will always love you no matter what." She reassured him wrapping his arms around his waist and pulling him onto her lap. She held him tight in her arms and gently rocked him pressing a kiss to his forehead.

"I love you so much, I don't want you to ever think I don't." she reassured him.

"But...but what about Alec? You gave him hot chocolate, hugs and kisses too." Liam pointed out.

"That's true I did but you have to remember Alec is new and he's apart of our pack now and being the pack mom means I have to look out for everyone even our new members. Remember how you were when you were new too? Scott and Stiles had you duct taped in his bathroom and they panicked so they called me and I took care of everything which means you. Remember how scared and confused you were at the beginning and you just needed someone to explain to you that everything would be ok and you trusted me with that." she explained to him to which he slowly nodded at her words.

"It's the same with Alec, he's new. He doesn't understand. He needs someone to tell him it's going to be ok and that he isn't alone. Do you think you could help me with that? Show him you're going to help him fit in, for me?" Y/N asked her little beta in her arms. Liam sighed but nodded giving her a small smile.

"Yeah I suppose." Liam replied with another sigh. Y/N smiled and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

"That's my good boy." she praised him wrapping her around him tight.

"I suppose I should apologise to him too, for being so mean." Liam asked her.

"I'd appreciate that and I think he would too." Y/N told him brushing her fingers through his hair.

"Remember I'm always here for you no matter what. You will always have my undivided attention. You're my baby which means you're my number one priority. I'm sorry if you've felt like you haven't been for the past few days. I didn't mean to upset you, sweetheart." she apologised to him.

"I understand now, momma." Liam replied. Y/N pressed a loving kiss to his forehead.

"I love you so much." she cooed.

"I love you too, momma." Liam replied wrapping his arms around her neck and resting his head against her shoulder. Y/N smiled and pressed another kiss to his forehead as she continued to rock him in her arms as they sat together in silence for a few more minutes.

"Why don't we head back downstairs, baby?" Y/N asked him. Liam sighed but nodded. Liam got off from her lap and let her stand up. Y/N held her hand out for him to take to which the young beta did and followed her downstairs to the living room where it was just Derek, Scott, Malia and Alec. To Y/N's surprise, Alec was resting his head against Malia's chest as she held him lovingly.

"Is everything ok?" Y/N asked slightly surprised only because Malia wasn't much of an affectionate person.

"Yeah, he finished his hot chocolate and was dozing off. I sat next to him and he practically dozed off against me so I thought I'd make him a little more comfortable." Malia told her with a shrug. Y/N smiled and nodded. She sat on the couch next to Malia and pulled Liam onto her lap so he was facing Alec.