#“Welcome to our fucked-up family. I guess were brothers now.”

[delilahsturns]

— ୨୧ getting older . . . m.s

in which . . . two childhood best friends bump into each other after drifting apart.

warnings . . . resolved angst, fluff toward end.

a/n 💌 : based off of real life experiences lol, it’s been a while since i’ve written angst so i hope you like it!

written by @delilahsturniolo. do not copy, steal, or modify my works. if you are taking any inspiration from this, please ask me first before posting and credit me in your description. happy reading! :)

The coffee shop in boston, massachusetts smelled exactly the same as it always did. a nostalgic and sweet blend of cinnamon and espresso that floated around the air. you had been avoiding this cafe for quite some time now, considering that you had just moved back to boston around a year ago to be closer to your family and friends. too many memories were wrapped up in this place—so much laughter, whispered secrets, and mostly of all…him.

you sighed heavily, adjusting the strap of the bag slung on your shoulder as you waited in line, scrolling mindlessly through your phone. suddenly, you heard a voice call out your name. a warm, and familiar voice you hadn’t heard in nearly eight years.

“y/n?” the voice asked softly. your heart stalled, something in your mind clicked. fuck, this couldn’t be, this had to be some sort of illusion, hallucination. but it wasn’t. you slowly turned around, and there he was.

matt sturniolo. the only man you’d ever been in love with.

he looked older, of course. his shoulders looked broader, his hair was a little messier as it fell effortlessly over his forehead. but his blue eyes—those hadn’t changed one bit. they still held the same welcoming expression and warmth you remembered, the same warmth that persuaded you to believe that you and matt could have been something more. but that wasn’t possible, not in this lifetime at least.

you lightly swallowed, your eyes darting in different directions as your breathing grew slightly quicker. “matt.” you spoke, emptiness present in your tone. it felt…odd. the way you interacted with him felt nothing like when you and matt were kids, running around recklessly in his backyard. all the stupid arguments over mario kart, and so much more. nothing felt the same, and you were sure it wouldn’t ever feel the same ever again.

silence. complete silence. that was, until matt spoke. “you still drink caramel lattes?” he asked, nodding at the menu as he stepped closed to you, now standing next to you in the line. you blinked, caught off guard. “you still drink black coffee and pretend to like it?” you grinned. matt chuckled, running a hand through his hair. “yeah, some things never change i guess.” matt turned his head to look at you, giving you a somewhat smile.

but, things do change.

all you could think about was your past with matt. how you both talked every single day, how you once knew everything about each other—your fears, your dreams. the way you and matt were absolutely inseparable, everyone in both of your families knew it, and so did you. however, your lives changed. college and matt’s career drove the both of you in different directions. you and matt promised to stay in touch no matter what, but that quickly faded into distance, and silence.

“you live here again?” matt asked, shifting on his feet. you quickly nodded. “mhm, moved back here last year after i finished college, you?”

“y’know, me and my brothers are just visiting our parents for the weekend, then we’re gonna head back to LA.” matt said, glancing down at the ground as if he was unsure of what to say to you next. then, with a hesitant smile he finally spoke up. “do you maybe wanna…sit down and talk for a minute? it’d be nice to catch up.” matt asked. you hesitated. it would be easier to make an excuse, to walk away and let the past stay where it was. but, something in matt’s expression—the way his eyes softened as if he was pleading, made you nod.

the both of you ordered and collected your drinks, finding a small table by a window. and for the first time in years, you both talked, it felt genuine this time. you both talked and laughed about life, catching each other up on what had been going on with your lives for the past few years. somewhere between the occasional stolen glances and laughter, you had realized something. even though time had pulled the both of you apart, with matt smiling at you the way he used to, it didn’t feel so much like the end anymore.

after all, it felt like your friendship was just beginning again.

© delilahsturniolo do not copy, re use, or modify any of my works.

[shipmistress9]

For Onyx Storm, it is not exactly the last line as it was in Fourth Wing and Iron Flame.

But still, the book once again ended on a note of welcoming brothers.

And that scares me.

[f1amour]

˖ ࣪ 𖥔 BED CHEM

pairing | charles leclerc x singer!reader

face claim | olivia rodrigo

content warnings | some social media au, birthday sex, unprotected sex, oral, fingering, praise kink, soft dom!charles, edging, dirty talk, public sex, restroom sex, car sex —18+ only, minors do not interact

authors note | another belated birthday story but hope you guys enjoy!! maybe this’ll bring good luck for todays race :))

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liked by charles_leclerc, arthur_leclerc, lilymhe, and 1,938,733 others

yourusername my everything. my world. all in one. i will always be thankful to be so lucky that i have found a love that will last a lifetime. meeting you was like listening to a song for the first time and knowing it would be my favorite. it’s you today and tomorrow, forever and always, in another world and universe; it’ll always be you. happiest of birthdays my charlie. i love you. 💌🧸

view commmets below…

user1 your honor i love them

user2 “meeting you was like listening to a song for the first time knowing it would be my favorite.” FUCK I WANT A LOVE LIKE THEIRS

charles_leclerc mon amour. mon soleil. ma lune. mon étoile. merci de m'aimer et d'être mon meilleur ami. tu es le meilleur cadeau que je puisse jamais avoir. je t'aime maintenant et dans tous les univers. [my love. my sun. my moon. my star. thank you for loving me and being my best friend. you are the best gift i could ever have. i love you now and in every universe.]

yourusername charlie🥹🥹 i love you so bad, baby. (thank you google translate🤞🏼)

user3 the best gift i could ever have…i aspire to have someone love me like this one day

arthur_leclerc you guy make me sick.

yourusername applications open someone please date my brother in law so he could stop third wheeling with us!!

arthur_leclerc fuck you i got 200 message requests now because of this🖕🏼

yourusername ur welcome 😙

user4 the relationship she has with his family is so cute and hilarious😭 the fact she calls them in laws🥹

lilymhe alex is crying after seeing your post.

yourusername mission accomplished 🫡 thank you and alex_albon for setting us up 🫶🏼

alex_albon okay so when is the wedding?

charles_leclerc soon😉

yourusername YOU HAVENT EVEN ASKED ME?!

charles_leclerc i know but soon…i know you’ll be my wife

lilymhe great he’s crying again

user4 i can’t believe they’ve been dating four years now it’s CRAZY

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yourusername posted three stories!

slide 1/3 surprise!! my new single bed chem is out now dedicated to my favorite libra

slide 2/3 bed chem music video out at midnight, can you guess who the special guest is?

slide 3/3 the day that we met he was wearing this white jacket and now four years later he wore it once again for the music video…hope you guys enjoy it as much as i did ;)

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AUSTIN, TEXAS. 2024.

“what if someone hears us?” you breathe out shakily while charles’ lips are attached to your neck. his hands digging into your hips giving it a soft squeeze before he spins your around almost bending you over the counter and facing the mirror.

“has that ever stopped us? come on, baby. it is my birthday after all and you said i can have whatever i want. what i want is you,” his fingers slip under your skirt, pushing your panties to the side, “i think you want it too. you’re soaked for me.” charles kisses your shoulders as he adds two fingers, slowly stretching you out with your eyes connected to his through the mirror.

“remember our first date? you were practically begging for me to fuck you on the table right there in front of everyone. but only i get to ever see you like this, a mess for me,” he taunts, fingers moving deep inside of you, curling against your g-spot as he pushes your face to the side pulling you in for a deep kiss until you were both gasping for air.

“charlie, wanna cum…please,” you choke out, already feeling close with your walls fluttering around him. you push yourself against him already feeling his cock through his pants, you needed him.

"uh uh, baby," he purrs, "tonight is my night so i want you to cum all over my cock. before that i wanna come in your pretty mouth. on your knees, cherie.” he slowly pulls his fingers out and you moan at the loss of fullness before he’s tapping your ass signaling to kneel on the cold tiles.

charles’ eyes grow darker as you sink down on your knees and pull his pants down, his cock springs free. without notice you wrap your lips around the tip of him and his pre-cum coats your tongue as you take him further.

“mon dieu bébé, ta bouche est tellement parfaite. merde,” his hand tangle in your hair and around the back of your neck. your hand wraps around whatever doesn’t fit in your mouth and you speed up your movements, “shit. ‘m gonna cum mon amour.” he groans as you hollow your cheeks around him.

with just a few more strokes before thick ropes of cum fill your mouth, charles’ head thrown back in pleasure catching his breath before helping you up. he wipes the tears off your face gives you a sweet kiss teeth clashing as you both smile, “i love you so much.” laughter now fills the restroom as you jinx each other with the sentence.

his hand intertwined with yours after fixing each other’s appearance you walk out of the restroom and go back to sit down at the dinner where some of the other drivers and their partners were seated.

“fucking finally! you filthy whores we’ve been waiting 20 minutes for you guys. couldn’t you wait until after dessert!” max curses at the two of you and you give him the finger before sitting next to charles and lily right beside you,

“i got my dessert already.” you chuckle leaning your head on charles, his hand resting on your thigh. the rest of the group doesn’t mind, seeing the two of you with a smitten smile obviously enjoying yourselves but their faces turn sour at max’s next comment, “yeah, a salty one.”

“max!”

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after dinner you all headed out to your own cars and to the club where the real birthday celebrations would start for charles. however, you had one small wish to make on your behalf despite it not being your day. “don’t pout at me, baby. what’s wrong?” charles rubbed his thumb on your knee as he drove to the next destination.

“what’s wrong? you didn’t let me cum! i gave you a fucking blowjob with my knees on a filthy floor and i don’t get to cum? it’s your birthday but…i’m mad. i gave you a song, an entire album this year, i gave you leo, and what do i get? nothing!” you cross your arms and push his hand away.

“my love, is that why you’re upset? fine,” he takes a quick turn into an empty parking lot and you look at him confused because this certainly wasn’t the club you had booked. “charles, this isn’t the—.” you stop when he undoes your seatbelt and places you on his lap.

“have your way with me, ma chérie,” he leans in pulling you into a kiss, his hands on your face as you deepen the kiss and roll your hips against his causing him to let out a groan. clothes are quickly shrugged off to where your aching pussy rubs against his hardened cock.

his cock slipping in as you let yourself moan as he stretches you, “you take me so well," he grunts. "that’s my girl, just relax for me. gonna give you exactly what you want.”

now fully seated on charles, cock deep inside of you as he holds your face in his hands, “j'aime toujours à quel point tu es jolie quand je t'ai comme ça. [always love how pretty you look when i have you like this].” he grunts letting you rock your hips against him.

“still don’t know what you’re saying but i love how you talk to me in french,” you press your lips to his as he squeezes your hips. he thrusts up meeting your movements as well causing you both to let out loud moans as the car shakes, “tu me prends si bien, chérie. [you take me so well, sweetheart.]”

"don't stop, please, don't stop." you whimper feeling one of his hands pull away from your hip but gasp when it goes to your clit adding pressure to it, “charlie,” your moans coming out loud and needy, grabbing onto his shoulder and fucking yourself harder on him.

charles can’t help but let out a string of curse words mixed in french and italian. you have no idea what he is saying other than his usual pet names for you but it has you close to your orgasm and he could tell, “that’s it, baby. taking my cock so well give me a little more and you can cum.” he grabs you close to him your chest pressed against his as he forces himself up into you hitting your sweet spot with every thrust.

“cum with me, pretty girl.” a small nod and you capture his lips in yours letting out a moan against his soft lips as you reach your orgasm. a loud groan escapes his chest as he empties himself inside you.

you let a few minutes pass as you both catch your breaths and share a few sweet kisses, “best birthday ever, from my favorite gift ever. i love you,” charles smiles at you, his cock still buried deep inside you making the moment much more intimate for you, “i you, charlie.” you kiss his nose which makes him let out a low chuckle.

“we should probably get going before—.” as charles speaks up about heading to the club some bright car lights shine in your faces causing you to wince. you jump up startled when you hear a knock on the window, “fuck! mon amour…still inside you,” charles groans feeling your walls clench around his cock.

“you guys have been gone for an hour! we get it you like to fuck but we couldn’t get into the club until you arrived. i need a fucking drink!” max yells through the window stressed as if you had missed an importat meeting. in his eyes, you did.

however, his little tantrum caused the two of you to throw yourselves into a fit of giggles as he curses in dutch the only words you can understand are gin & tonic. “best birthday.” charles repeats, his loving smile directed at you. his best gift ever.

[astonmartingf]

THIS IS NOT OUT OF THE BLUE ; YT22

yuki tsunoda x gasly!reader . . . in big brother fashion, pierre wants you to go on a date with yuki to convince him to move closer to milan. however, yuki already lives in milan, and pierre is still not putting the pieces together

amgf see this is what yuki brainrot gets you, i love this omg one of my best works yet, i might come back to this type of format because i am not writing pt2s anymore!!!!!! (lovingly ofc) just like always, enjoy 👍 @viennakarma it's done 🫡

yourusername

liked by pierregasly, francisca.cgomes, and 12 others

yourusername i get why my brother likes him so much now. he's a fucking child! feels like another day spent with pierre.

view comments...

francisca.cgomes awww they're bonding look pierregasly

pierregasly you had me in the first half, wym a child he's older than you

yourusername doesn't seem like it, seeing how you act, understandable

charles_leclerc oh chérie, what is your brother up to?

yourusername he's up to no good as usual, but if he's constantly yapping to you then you must know what he's up to

charles_leclerc i'm more surprised that you agreed to this?

yourusername he threatened to throw me back to university for a master's degree this time FFS

charles_leclerc well, if it's a master's degree or a date... understandable

yourusername control him please, i can't be the victim of his antics no more

pierregasly he said he had fun!!!

pierregasly now go on another date with him 🫣

yourusername ???? what is actually wrong with you

pierregasly you're acting like you didn't have fun, you even posted it for the whole family to see

yourusername get off my back pierre, my account my rules

pierregasly yeah you constantly yapping to your 20 followers which half are our family members

yourusername i'm blocking you next

pierregasly try me bitch

yourusername oh i will, you are no longer welcome in my account, get out

yourusername uploaded a new story

[he's taking me somewhere... i hope i come out alive ��]

pierregasly replied to your story

oh my gosh, is this progress?

apparently he's in milan, and now we're on the coast so... i guess

wym he's in milan?

he's here?

he's with me atm but yeah

i saw him earlier and he asked if i was free

did he say ask about me?

sorry pierre 😐

non no, it's fine

i'm a bit sad he didn't contact me but i'm glad you're together

francisca.cgomes replied to your story

a boat date 🥰

it's not a date...

we're just hanging out

uh huh... cool

that's it?

wym?

that's it? you're just letting me off the hook like that? no teasing about being yuki's future lover or smth?

you want me to tease you about it?

non, not really i was just thinking about it

you're thinking about being yuki's future lover?

shut up kika, you know i didn't mean it that way

yeah yeah, sure 😏

you're absolutely telling this to pierre huh?

you know, i'm on your side for this one

your secret's safe with me 😉

what secret?

oh yn, for someone older than me you're a bit out of it but it's okay you'll get it one day 😊

get what?

kika?

what are you talking about?

yukitsunoda511 replied to your story

wow, you don't trust me one bit

i thought we had something going on

yeah right, shut up yuki

am i your boyfriend?

🥺🥹😭

yes

good girl 😊

yourusername uploaded a new story

[it's him again... annoying asf]

yukitsunoda0511 replied to your story

why would you lie to your audience like that?

because it's way more fun this way

duh???

everyday i'm reminded that you are pierre's sister when you pull shit like this

excuse me?

are you calling my soft launching methods shit 😕

i'm just kidding

you totally aren't

you're right, i am not

it's just i didn't think he'd be that dense about it

i'm sure i told him we were dating

he's forgetful like that

don't start talking, you didn't even tell him about us

i did!

uh huh....

well, it's funny to me because look, he's so desperately trying to get us together because we're so perfect for each other (ikr) and if he would've just listened like a year ago he would've known about us already

i mean, even alex knows what's up and she's seen us like twice already

alex has seen us a couple of times, even kika but pierre...

he'll figure it out, it's like he's been waiting so long for us to date, i don't know when he'll realize it

let's pray for him

praying for pierre 🙏

yourusername

liked by yukitsunoda0511, charles_leclerc, and 13 others

yourusername road trip with 💋 + we met alex on her field trip, it's a win 😊

view comments...

alexandrasaintmleux it's nice to see you two ❤️ have fun on your road trip

yourusername ahhhh thank you, we'll see you soonest 😠

charles_leclerc come visit us next time ^^

pierregasly are you in monaco? hello? who is that person 🤨 where are you going? you said to update me? where are my updates?

yourusername i told you where we're going dumbass, check your messages be for fucking real

pierregasly oh you did send me updates

yourusername 🙄

pierregasly OWAH? YUKI IN THE LIKES? liked by yukitsunoda0511!!!!! we're winning today

yourusername what is actually wrong with you?

yourusername

liked by pierregasly, yukitsunoda0511, and 22 others

yourusername milan. my man.

view comments...

pierregasly can't believe i'm finding out through an instagram post and not IRL, fake sister 👎

yourusername is it our fault if you didn't listen?

pierregasly i was already shipping you in my head with yuki, i thought of it first

yourusername okay and? doesn't change the fact that we've been mentioning it for a long time already

yukitsunoda0511 i mean yn is right, i did tell you as well

pierregasly okay everyone is ganging up on pierre for not knowing blah blah blah

francisca.cgomes i mean babe, you are the only one who didn't catch up

alexandrasaintmleux it was clear as daylight, they're not only dating but they're clearly fucking you're so dumb in your own delusions to see

pierregasly okay wow, i'm going to ignore the last few texts but first it was my sister, next my teammate, then my girlfriend, next my friend's girlfriend okay charles i know you're with me here buddy defend me please 🙏

charles_leclerc do you want me to add more salt to the wound? because i agree with all of them...

yourusername see? this didn't just happen out of nowhere, it was already happening and you were just too invested to see the truth

yukitsunoda0511 i look good there, next time i'm posting 😊

yourusername noooo i want to gatekeep you 😠 no no non

yukitsunoda0511 okay, whatever you say goes 🫡

yukitsunoda0511 can i soft launch?

yourusername yes 🥰

[tip-top-cloud-surfer]

The Danger Zone (Part 12) - Hangman

Pairing: Hangman / Fem!Bradshaw!Reader | OC

Word Count: 4.3k

This work, all my works, and my entire blog are 18+ ONLY. MINORS ARE NOT WELCOME HERE

Warnings: Unplanned Pregnancy; Military Inaccuracies; Brief and Not Really Explicit Sexual Content; Excessive Fluff; Use of "You," No Use of Y/N, No Set Physical Description

Summary: You and Jake take a new step in your relationship.

Series Master List

Master List

Jake sat across from Javy out on Javy’s back porch. Phoenix, you, and Emma were out together doing something that Jake was sure had to do with the baby, and leaving Jake and Javy to have a quiet afternoon to catch up between themselves. 

“You still don’t know the baby’s gender then?” Javy asked, causing Jake to nod. 

“She wanted to wait, and I didn’t mind.”

“But you have an idea, don’t you?” Javy prodded, knowing Jake as he did. 

“Yeah, I think that the baby will be healthy and happy.” Tapping his fingers on the table, Jake added, “But I sort of—and you cannot tell her this—want it to be a girl.”

“You want a girl?” Javy repeated, not looking surprised. 

“I’d be very happy with a boy. But I feel like a girl, who takes after her mom and looks like her mom, that’s what I keep picturing in my head.” Scratching his chin, Jake looked over at Javy. “The more that kid takes after their mom, the better.”

“How is the future Mrs. Seresin doing anyway?” Javy teased, leaning back in his seat. 

“She’s glowing these days, Javy. I swear. She’s absolutely glowing. And she says that the baby is getting more active. Nothing that I can feel yet, but they’re moving around in there. Mostly at night, which I can tell is going to annoy her eventually, but she’s just so happy every time she can feel the baby. And I mean I can see her bump getting bigger every week. I started taking photos of her so that we can track her growth. And I don’t know what it is but when I’m right next to her, I just feel the need to touch her bump and hold it and just be there.”

“Look at you,” Javy chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re smiling more than ever. You’ve got a photo from the ultrasound in your cockpit and in your locker. You spend almost every lunch break calling her. You’re always rushing home to see her.” Javy laughed to himself again. “You’ve gone soft, Jake.” 

“Fuck off, Javy,” Jake sighed without malice. 

“It’s a good look for you,” Javy defended himself. “I mean, you’re the guy who got his callsign for being selfish, Jake.”

“Yeah, thanks to my kid’s uncle.”

“He’s still not over it?” Javy guessed, reaching for his beer bottle. 

“He’ll never get over it,” Jake scoffed with a sense of finality. “Because he’s an idiot who thinks that I took advantage of her and that I’ll do something to hurt or upset her and the baby soon.” Rolling his eyes, Jake added, “He’d probably celebrate if we broke up.”

“I don’t think he’d celebrate . . . in front of her,” Javy added after a moment of thought. 

“He can fuck off for all I care. He’s not getting in between the two of us or our family. If he actually cares about his sister, he’d back off.”

“Has he at least reduced his attitude?”

“He never says anything in front of her. I’m pretty sure that Emma and or Penny would actually drop kick him if he did. And he’s not a complete moron. He doesn’t want to stress her out.” Jake took a sip of his beer. “So, he’s just an asshole when she’s not around.”

“I guess that’s an improvement.”

“Barely. I’m not going to deal with this shit when the baby’s old enough to hear his bullshit and sense the tension between the two of us. I mean, what if the baby overheard him saying shit about me? I’d fucking kill him, Javy, I’m telling you that right now. If he wants to be an uncle to my kid, he’s going to have to get over whatever stick is lodged up his ass.”

“Have you talked to her about it?”

“No. I don’t want to stress her out or pick a fight. It’s going really well right now, Javy, and I’ll never forgive myself if I fuck it up over her idiot brother.”

“She’s aware of it, I’m sure. Her and Nat talk about it, I think. And Emma.” Javy rubbed his cheek as an amused smirk tugged at his lips. “My money’s on Penny to kick his ass honestly.”

“I’d pay to see that.”

“So, you guys are talking about the future?”

“Every day,” Jake agreed. “She wants everything sorted out—or as much as possible—before she gets too far into her third trimester.”

“What do you mean by everything?”

“Getting things put in both of our names so that if something happens to one of us, the other can take care of everything and the baby. Getting our wills updated. Discussing who would take care of the baby if her family’s history repeats itself.”

“And how is that going?”

“We were looking for a house because with the cheaper loans I would get, it just makes more financial sense, and we’ll need the space. And as for the baby, it’s a little more complicated right now because we’re not married, but we’re working on it.”

“Can I make an observation?”

“Sure.”

“Why aren’t you guys just getting married?” Javy asked, causing Jake to pause. “Because a lot of this work would be done if you just signed a piece of paper at town hall. And you’d get benefits, she’d save a shit ton on medical expenses, and there’s no big fight in the hospital if something happens to one of you.” Javy added after a moment, “A huge part of why Nat and I got married was so that if a bird strike or G-LOC situation happened again, the other could actually get information from the hospital and make decisions.”

“I know,” Jake sighed, rubbing his face. “I was thinking about that.”

“I mean, I get it’s a huge commitment, but you’re already having a baby together. Getting married can’t be a bigger commitment than that.”

“Yeah, it’s not,” Jake agreed, leaning back in his seat. “I’ve been thinking about bringing it up to her.”

“Well, did you at least tell her about your family?”

“Javy—”

“—Jake, you’ve got to tell her.”

“I’m just trying to protect her.”

“Leaving her without all of the information is not protecting her, Jake, it’s setting her up for failure. At least tell her about your mother.”  

“Why my mother?”

“Because it explains a lot about you, Jake,” Javy stated, causing him to look down. “And she likes you, for some reason.” 

“Fuck off,” Jake sighed, reaching for his beer. Taking a long sip, he set the bottle down and rotated it around, lost in thought for a moment. “I’ll tell her about it. When the time’s right.”

~~~~~

You woke late on Saturday. You were never an early riser before but pregnancy made waking up early on the weekend impossible. Picking your head off of your pregnancy pillow, which Jake bought for you, you turned to see that Jake was gone, as usual. 

But when you saw a note on his pillow, you sat up. You picked it up and unfolded the paper, smiling to yourself when you saw Jake’s handwriting.

Get your rest because I made plans for us tonight. I still owe you that first date. 

- J

Practically beaming with joy, you laid back down, thinking to yourself about what Jake could have had planned for tonight. You assumed dinner, at least, but he hadn’t mentioned anything to you about where he would take you on a date. As you were rereading the note, you heard the front door open and Jake step inside. You waited for him to walk into the bedroom and smiled at him. 

“Morning. How was your run?”

“Fine. Took a new route through the park,” Jake replied, kneeling on the bed and leaning over to press a kiss to your lips. Moving your shirt out of the way, he pressed another kiss to your bump. “Any movement this morning?”

“Not yet,” you replied, running a hand through Jake’s hair as you smiled softly m. “They only start to move when it’s inconvenient for me.”

“Yeah, that’s my baby in there,” Jake joked, causing you to shake your head at him. 

“So, what are we doing later then?”

“It’s a surprise,” Jake stated, getting off of the bed. “I was thinking that we should leave here around five.”

“You’re not going to tell me anything about it?”

“Dress nicely but nothing crazy. And just make sure that you’re comfortable.”

“That doesn’t narrow it down,” you called after him as he walked into the bathroom to shower. 

“It wasn’t supposed to.”

You scoffed at his words as he closed the door. Laying down, you decided to stay in bed a little longer as Jake showered. But you sat up when you felt your baby start to move right over your bladder. It started as a little bit of a tickle and then some more discomfort and then you were shifting around, trying to find some sort of relief, and then you were frantically knocking on the door to the bathroom and letting yourself in. 

Jake turned his neck, staring at you with concern and a question on the tip of his tongue. But when he saw you making a beeline for the toilet, he had the audacity to smirk a bit. You shot him a look right back.

“The baby’s moving?” he guessed, letting the hot spray of the shower hit his chest. 

“Don’t look at me like that. I’m trying to concentrate.”

~~~~~

You checked your appearance one last time in the mirror before you grabbed your phone and walked out of the bathroom. Jake was sitting on the couch, waiting patiently for you, dressed in a nice button down tee shirt and a pair of black pants. When you stepped around the corner, he looked up and you instantly felt your cheeks warm as his expression changed and his sharp green eyes studied your figure. 

“Does the dress make my boobs pop out too much?” you asked, adjusting the strap a bit subconsciously. “Or is it too nice? Or not nice enough?”

“You look perfect,” Jake told you, standing up and sliding his phone into his back pocket. He walked over to you and grabbed your hands, pressing a soft kiss to your lips. “Ready to go?”

You nodded and Jake led you down to the car. Jake drove your car when the two of you were going somewhere because it was easier for you to get into compared to his truck. And he insisted that it was safer for you to sit in the passenger seat. 

“Where are we going?” you asked Jake, who smiled at you before turning back to the road. 

“It’s a surprise.”

“How far is it?” you asked, shifting in your seat. 

“It’s not too far.”

Jake drove a few more minutes before pulling into a long driveway. And even though you recognized the name at the entrance to the driveway, it still took you a moment to process it. 

“Why did you bring me to the place where Bradley and Emma’s wedding reception was?” you asked softly, more surprised than anything else. 

“Well, when it’s not just for hosting weddings. There’s a regular restaurant attached to it.” Jake pulled into a spot before turning off the car. “And this is where we met for the first time.” Pulling the keys out of the ignition, he turned back to you. “Is that okay?”

“Of course, it is,” you reassured him, resting a hand on his arm. “I was just surprised, that’s all.”

“You sure?”

“Yes, let’s go,” you insisted, grabbing your purse. 

The two of you walked inside and were led to your table, which just happened to be on the back patio. You could see the outdoor bar where you and Jake met for the first time from your seat. Had anyone told you that little conversation on those two stools was going to change your life forever, you never would have believed them. 

“You know, I’ve already made a list of everything I want to eat or drink after I have the baby,” you stated, flipping through the menu. 

“What are the top three?”

“Beer, salmon rolls, and pepperoni,” you listed off quickly, causing Jake to snort. 

“All in one sitting?”

“We’ll see how I’m feeling,” you mused, reaching for your water. The waiter came over and took your orders before walking off again. “Emma called me today and mentioned something about throwing a baby shower for us next month. Or a little after that.”

“Do the dads go to that?” Jake asked, causing you to shrug your shoulders. 

“I think we can just do whatever we want. I know that when one of the Kazansky kids had their baby shower, the guys went out and did something together but then they came back and everyone ate together.”

“Whatever you want, we’ll do,” Jake offered, causing you to smile. 

“Thank you. But Emma and Phoenix seem like they’ve got it handled. They said it’s returning the favor for me being their maid of honor. And I kind of agreed to let them make it all a surprise.”

“We’re not doing some crazy gender reveal thing, right?” Jake deadpanned. 

“No, I told them to not do that,” you chuckled, leaning back in your seat. Folding your hands in front of your bump, you asked, “But you’re okay with waiting still? To find out?”

“The baby’s healthy and you’re healthy and that’s all I care about,” Jake stated seriously. “And it’s not like we can control it either.”

“No, we can’t,” you agreed, nodding slowly. “But what do you think? Are we having a boy or a girl?”

“I haven’t really thought about it,” Jake lied, earning a look from you. “Alright, alright, I have. But what do you think we’re having?”

“No, because you’re just going to copy me to try and make me happy, even though I don’t care because we’re just guessing at this point and no one can do anything to change it and it doesn’t even matter at the end of the day.” Leaning forward, you added with a smile, “Just tell me, Jake.”

“I think we’re having a girl,” Jake stated quietly after a moment of thought. 

“I thought we were too, but then the obstetrician moved the monitor during the ultrasound and now I think that we’re having a boy,” you explained, causing Jake to think about it more. “Like she saw something there and moved it away before it was too obvious.”

“Maybe,” Jake agreed. “But I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.”

He took a sip of his drink before leaning forward with a teasing smile. You cocked an eyebrow as you buttered your slice of bread, shooting him a look right back. 

“How are you feeling now? Feel the need to walk in on me in the shower again? Because next time, you can just join me. No need to put on a show about it.”

You scoffed and tossed the crumpled up straw wrapper at Jake in retaliation. A smirk tugged at your lips as you leaned forward and lowered your voice. 

“Says the man who’s been glancing down at my chest ever since I stepped out of our bedroom.”

“I’m looking at your bump where our child is growing,” Jake insisted seriously, causing your smirk to fade and a sheepish expression to come over your face. “But, my eyes have been taking a pit stop between your bump and your eyes because that dress does make your breasts look perfect.”

You lightly kicked him under the table in retaliation, causing him to laugh. The two of you enjoyed your dinner together and talked all about your plans for the future and the baby. It was a first date on paper, but it was obvious to anyone who looked over at you that there was a long history and strong understanding between the two of you. Jake paid the tab—though you tried to grab it from him—before the two of you got up and walked out to the parking lot. 

“So, what do you think?” Jake asked as the two of you threaded your fingers together and slowly swung your hands back and forth. “Will I get a second date?”

“I’ll think about it,” you joked, leaning on Jake as you walked. 

“You’ll think about it?” Jake repeated as the two of you got closer to your car. 

“Well, it’s only the first date,” you added, shrugging your shoulders and laughing to yourself when you saw Jake’s offended look. “Maybe if you’re a decent kisser, I’ll think about it a little more.”

“Is that a challenge?” Jake asked, gently reaching up to cup your cheek. 

“It could be.”

Jake leaned down and tilted your chin up, bringing you in for a soft kiss. He started slowly, teasing you like you teased him a moment ago. And when you started to press against him, deepening the kiss, you could practically feel Jake’s smirk against your lips. Pulling back from your lips, and leaving you wanting more, Jake took a step back. 

“And my chances now?”

“I guess I can give you a second date,” you replied before grabbing Jake by the front of his shirt. 

Your lips met again and Jake rested his hand on your hips, gently backing you up against your car. He rubbed his hand over the front of your bump before raising it to cup your cheek, purposefully brushing his fingertips against the sensitive skin of the valley between your breasts. And feeling you suck in a breath and press against him further, Jake pulled your lips apart and rested his forehead against your own. 

“Any chance that we can continue this back at the apartment?” Jake whispered against your lips. 

“I’d love to,” you replied softly, before smirking to yourself. “But I can’t.”

“Why not?” Jake asked, sounding concerned.

“I have this rule,” you teased, leaning back against your car, “that I can’t sleep with a guy after the first date. It’s nothing personal, just one of my rules.”

“And if the guy already got you pregnant? Can you make an exception?”

“Hmm,” you hummed, running a hand down his chest. 

You held him in suspense for a moment, even though you honestly wouldn’t have minded if he slid your underwear to the side and done it against your car right then and there. And even though you enjoyed teasing him, you wanted him. You needed him. 

Placing your hand over his own, you offered him a genuine, loving smile. You leaned up and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. 

“Take me to bed, Jake,” you whispered to him. 

“Yes, ma’am.”

When the two of you eventually got back to your shared apartment, you let Jake pull you down the hall and into your bedroom. The two of you gently undressed each other before Jake helped you up and onto the bed. 

“You’re not going to be comfortable on your back, are you?” Jake asked as you sat back on your heels. 

“Probably not for long,” you agreed as Jake climbed up onto the bed too.

“Then come here,” Jake coaxed, laying on his back. 

You crawled over and Jake grabbed your hips, lining the two of you up. Your bump, which wasn’t so small anymore, rested against Jake’s strong chest. 

“Tell me if anything hurts or isn’t comfortable and we’ll stop, okay?” he assured you. 

“Okay.”

You let out a shaky gasp as Jake pulled your hips down. His hands were strong on your hips and he welcomed the rock of your hips against him. You were a bit worried about suffocating Jake and tried to hold up your weight, but he didn’t slow down until you practically collapsed against his chest. 

Jake gently rolled you onto your side and laid down beside you, gently running his fingers down your cheek. You looked up at him through your eyelashes and offered him a giddy smile. 

“Are you alright?” he asked softly. 

“Yeah, Jake,” you giggled, “I’m better than alright.”

“I haven’t lost my touch then?” 

“Not yet,” you mused, pressing a romantic kiss to his lips. 

After taking a moment to recover, you sat up and climbed onto his lap. Jake rested his back against the headboard, letting you set your own pace with his hands there to support you. As your rhythm started to slow until you could only rock your hips, Jake gently rotated the two of you so that your bump rested against a pillow and your weight rested on your hands and knees before he sat up behind you.  

“Tell me if it’s too much,” Jake told you. 

“It’s not enough right now,” you practically whined, pushing back against him. 

Jake rolled his hips forward as his lips pressed a searing kiss against your neck, causing you to moan. The two of you quickly lost yourselves in each other until your body tensed up again. You buried your face into the comforter as your body shook. Jake kept moving above you for a few more moments before he let out a low noise and rolled over beside you.

You smiled at him as he laid down and caught his breath. Your eyes fluttered softly in the dim lighting as curled your body into Jake’s warm chest. He could see that you were exhausted and were probably about to fall asleep. Jake leaned forward, pressing a kiss to your forehead.

“You should go to the bathroom first before you fall asleep,” Jake suggested, causing you to open your eyes and look up at him. “I can clean up otherwise.”

“Let my legs recover for a second, Seresin. Unless, you want a Bambi on ice situation.”

Jake snorted in reply, causing you to smile.

~~~~~

When Jake got called into Cyclone’s office after completing his training exercises, Jake knew that meant two things—he either fucked up or he did something incredibly amazing. And he couldn’t think of anything that he fucked up lately, so he was hoping that the latter was true. 

“Sir,” he greeted Cyclone, standing at attention. 

“At ease, Hangman. Please, sit,” Cyclone stated, gesturing to the seat in front of his desk.

Jake sat down and stared at Cyclone, who seemed relatively at ease. He shifted a few papers around his desk before picking up a folder. Cyclone held it out to Jake, who immediately flipped it open, reading through the documents enclosed. 

“Congratulations, Lieutenant Commander Seresin,” Cyclone replied, causing Jake to look up from the paperwork. His expression didn’t give away any emotion, but internally Jake was swelling with pride and joy. “It’s well deserved and I’m sure that you’ll do well in your new role.” 

“And I’m to remain here?” Jake asked, looking quickly through the papers. “In Miramar?”

“Yes, you will,” Cyclone replied, allowing Jake to relax for a moment. But only for one moment. “Though, I should warn you that your chance of being deployed in the next few months has slightly increased.” 

“How slight?” 

“I would say guaranteed at some point within the next six months,” Cyclone answered honestly, causing Jake’s joy to disappear in a flash. “Not that it would be for an extended deployment, but you’ll certainly be on a short list, Hangman.” 

“I understand, sir,” he stated, looking down at his paperwork. 

A note of silence passed between them and Cyclone leaned back in his seat, folding his hands in front of him. Glancing at photos of his own family, Cyclone turned back to Hangman, who was reading through the paperwork in front of him. 

“Hondo tells me that your girlfriend is expecting,” Cyclone continued, causing Jake to nod in confirmation, though he kept his gaze focused on the paperwork. “Congratulations.” 

“Thank you, sir.” 

“I wish that I could offer you a guarantee, Hangman. Any sort of guarantee.”

“That’s not the industry that we’re in, sir,” Jake replied simply, picking his head up. “I understand that. She understands that.” 

“The promotion ceremony is in two weeks. Saturday,” Cyclone responded after a few moments. “I look forward to meeting her then.” 

“Yes, sir.” 

~~~~~

You walked into your and Jake’s apartment building, and stopped to grab your mail. Unlocking the small mailbox, you pulled the door open and grabbed the small batch of envelopes. You walked over to the elevator as you flipped through them, mentally organizing them. 

Bill. Spam. Spam. Bill. More spam. Even more spam. And . . .

You paused, looking at the last envelope. It was blue and shaped like a card, though it wasn’t close to either of your birthdays. Flipping it over, you paused when you saw that the return address was in Texas. And the name Georgia Seresin had to be Jake’s mom’s name, wouldn’t it? 

Jake got a card from his mom. 

Though you thought it was weird, especially because Jake swore up and down that he didn’t talk to his parents, you brushed it off. It wasn’t addressed to you, so it wasn’t yours to open. You would just tell Jake about it when he got home. 

Taking the elevator up, you headed into your apartment. Setting the mail down in the corner, you walked over to the couch and flopped down, exhausted from your day. Turning on the fan that Jake set up on the coffee table for you, you laid down and scrolled through your phone. 

And then promptly fell asleep a minute later.

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[xylianasblog]

Is it possible to request Ao’nung disliking a human living in his village, but not understanding why his sister is nice to her… then starts getting jealous for some reason that Rotxo is being nice too.. 👉��👈🏻 and it ends in smut?

Unbothered?

Pair: Agedup! Aonung x FemHuman Reader

Summary: He didn’t understand what everyone else saw in you, but maybe he did he just needs you to help him understand.

Warnings: MDNI, size difference, mutual pining, jealousy, belly bulge, fingering, handjob. Lemme know if I missed anything.

A/n: it’s kinda proof read but not really! I hope this is up to your expectations anon! Enjoy babes. 🥺

꒦꒷❀꒷꒦ ❀✿❀꒦꒷❀꒷꒦MDNI ꒦꒷❀꒷꒦❀✿❀ ꒦꒷❀꒷꒦

Ao’nung paced back and forth along the beach in his favorite spot, first the Sully family had to come and disrupt his home. Fucking everything up with their wars, why couldn’t they have stayed away? And second here you come, waltzing right in as if it was okay! As if you belonged here on his planet, in his home. Invading his space with your presence, he was furious.

A family of visitors was enough but to have humans invading his home was troublesome. Aonung couldn’t fathom why no one else was upset at having a couple of vrrteps in his home. The stench of human and their sterile vile smells contaminating the air of every where they walked. It was infuriating to smell them, to smell you, your stench was different. More forest smelling like those of the Sully family, however still human.

As the days passed Ao’nung watched as his own sister jokes around with you. Pulling you off into different directions to do girly things. She tested you as if you were a regular member of the clan, as if you belonged and just didn’t understand. You couldn’t even make tsaheylu with the ilu, how could someone as small as you even be welcomed into the clan.

“Why must you be with that vrrtep as if she is one of us?” Ao’nung questioned Tsireya the moment he caught her alone. He watched as his sister scoffed at his question, as if he were the one being unreasonable.

“Y/n is part of the people despite them being a tawtute, brother. You’d realize that if you spoke to her or even spent time with her.” Tsireya remarked. “She is nice and she pulls her weight. Just as much as the Sully family.”

“Did you forget that I did not like the Sully family sister? Bringing their problems to our home, but now that the problems are over they bring their pets?” Ao’nung replied. Tsireya stayed silent meaning she was finished with the conversation, decided not to hear any more of her brother’s nonsense and Aonung simply huffed before leaving. What was so special about you that his sister could simply say you are “part of the people.?”

It wasn’t until Aonung caught Rotxo speaking to you and hanging out with you on various occasions that he felt jealousy begin to brew in the pit of his stomach. It was bad enough his sister hung around you continuously now his best friend is doing so?

“Rotxo you speak to this vrrtep as well? What is so special about her?” The distaste was heavy on his tongue as he spoke, however Rotxo couldn’t answer. To him you were nice and easy to get along with. You had no foul intentions like the other demons he had encountered, you were different very different. “She is different Ao’nung. You will just have to see.” Rotxo concluded and Ao’nung knew that was as much as he’d get out of his friend.

Each day he saw you with someone else he couldn’t shake the jealousy that clawed at his insides. Everyone else but him? What was so special about you? If you were as nice as everyone claimed then why hadn’t you tried to be nice to him? Ao’nung racked his brain on what to do and before he could second guess himself he picked up the first thing he saw, which just happened to be a clam. His annoyance was high as he made his way over to your small body, you sat alone by the shore staring out into the distance. The closer he got his annoyance slowly boiled over into a fit of rage. His steps were heavy in the sand and once he was close enough he stood before you with a frown on his face.

“Here vrrtep.” He muttered as he crouched down and grabbed ahold of your wrist to roughly place the clam in your hand. He didn’t wait to see the confusion on your face as you held the large clam in your small hands. He had hoped that would be enough for you to seek him out and speak with him but as the days pass you never did. And that left Aonung feeling more confused especially as he saw you still hanging around with everyone but him.

Ao’nung saw you alone again, and this time he was more determined to get to the bottom of why you refuse to speak to him. He made his way over this time calming any negative emotions he had as well as making sure he had a more appropriate gift for you. He sat beside you on the sand, and for a moment he was silent.

“You do not like me?” His asked. His question was simple and straight to the point, he wanted to know. It was silent and this caused his ears to perk up before he turned to face you. His eyes taking in every single detail just as you did him. “I do like you.” You replied back your voice was soft and this had his eyes widening, the first time he’s spoken to you despite him always watching you from afar.

“You do not approach me vrrtep. You refuse to acknowledge me.” He stated, to aonung it felt as if you were playing a joke on him, a very unfunny joke.

He watched as you covered your mouth to hide your giggle, you found the big intimidating male to be funny and a little less intimidating. “No Ao��nung you are just scary to approach, I like you a lot actually.” Without a thought in his mind Ao’nung leaned in and pressed his lips to yours. His hands wrapping around your waist as he pulled you into his lap, deepening the kiss as he finally put his feelings into order.

The kiss grew heavy as Ao’nung lost himself in the feel of your body against his, the clothing of the navi looked good on you. He could easily feel the curve of your body and the heat of yours against his cool skin. His hands slipped between both of your bodies, fingers teasing at your clothed cunt. He rubbed your clit through your bottoms feeling the way you began to soak through your panties. The scent of your arousal invaded his senses and all he could focus on was the sound of your soft whimpers and the smell of you.

Soon his digits find themselves stuffed into your sopping wet cunt, thrusting in and out of you slowly as he worked to stretch you out. He groaned at the feeling of your tight cunt gripping greedily into his fingers as he fucked into you. Ao’nung groaned as you broke the kiss to cry out from the pleasure, watching the way your face scrunched up as you bounced yourself on his fingers.

Ao’nung hadn’t expected the way your small hands pulled him free from his loincloth, blindly working your hands up and down along his throbbing length. He hissed softly but let you continue your exploration of his cock.

He felt himself getting close to his release and he quickly pulled his fingers free from your drenched cunt, brow bones furrowed as she adjusted your body over his throbbing length. “I need to fill you up vrrtep.” Aonung grumbled and without another word he lowered you onto his dick slowly, he had to hold back the urge to thrust up into you. The way your cunt clung to the tip of his cock nearly had him releasing into you in that moment. “You’re so tight.” He gasped out. All Ao’nung could focus on was the feeling of your sopping wet cunt fluttering around him as he finally bottomed out inside of you.

The bulge of his cock against your lower stomach indicating just how deep he had him pulling your body up half way just so he could lower you back down. His eyes glued to the way he could see himself moving in and out of you. “Ngh.. we should have meeting like this everyday vrrtep, I’m sure we could learn to resolve our issues.” Ao’nung teased as he began to fuck into you.Maybe he wasn’t so unbothered by you as he had assumed.

꒦꒷❀꒷꒦༻❀✿❀༺꒦꒷❀꒷꒦༻❀✿❀༺ ꒦꒷❀꒷꒦

Taglist: @pandoraslxna @neteyamsoare @sunfyresrider @neteyamsyawntu @headsincloud9 @etherialblackrose @blue-slxt @justcaptiannoodles @neteyamyawne @oakbuggy @eywaite @luvv4j4ybe11 @quicktosimp @cardi-bre91 @torukmaktoskxawng @rivatar @thepeonysbackup @tallulah477 @anemonelovesfiction @erenjaegerwifee

[themultifandomgal]

Shelby Sister- Troublesome Twins Pt2

I was asked to do a part 2. So here it is!

Since Finn getting shot, YNs brothers have been even more protective than normal. She's finding it harder to see her boyfriend since Tommy has basically put her on house arrest. YN had been sneaking out during the night to meet Isaiah under the bridge by the cut. Then one day Isaiah asked YN to marry him, she of course said yes, but there's no way her brothers would allow that. So they made the decision to run off, with the help of Finn since he's the only one not to try and control YN's life. Now they're returning home, YN hoping her brothers don't go mad and Isaiah hoping her brothers don't kill him.

"There they are" Finn smiles walking over to them as the get off the train "the happy couple. Welcome back" Finn envelopes his twin before shaking Isaiah's hand

"So how bad will it be?"

"Well Arthur probably will shout, Tommy might have both your heads and Ada well she'll find all of this hilarious" Finn says pulling away

"Looking forward to it" Isaiah sighs

"Just don't tell 'em that your havin a kid because I think that will give 'em a heart attack"

"Well I'm not not for a while"

"Good. You hear that Isaiah. I may approve of you and my sister but no babies us till your like 30" this makes Isaiah and I laugh.

We arrive at the Garrison where I know Finn has gathered everyone

"You ok?" Isaiah asks before we step foot into the pub

"Should be asking you that" I chuckle taking Isaiah's hand in mine "but yes. May as well get this over and done with" I take a deep breath and open the doors immediately seeing it empty apart from my family sat at a large table. Everyone looks at us walking in

"Where the fuck have you been YN?" Arthur yells slamming his drink down

"Let the girl sit down first" Ada says, I give her a little smile in reply. I drag Isaiah over to the table and take a seat next to Polly. Tommy just stares at me while Arthur drinks. Michael sits smoking a cigarette looking between Tommy and I

“So” tommy finally speaks “want to tell us where you were?”

“Errm ok so” I play with my ring nervously under the table “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but I knew you would go mad”

“Spit it out” Arthur grunts

“Isaiah and I got married” I quickly say

“You bloody what?!” Arthur yells

“Finn did you know?”

“Yes, but Tom….”

“You went behind my back”

“I warned you Tommy. I told you Isaiah and I would get married one day with or without your permission”

“Are your pregnant?” Micheal asks

“No I’m not bloody pregnant”

“Then why marry so young”

“Maybe because they love each other” Ada says in my defence, but Tommy scoffs

“They’re kids”

“I’m 21 Tommy. I’m an adult I know what I’m doing” I yell at my brother

“No you don’t YN! What if he fucks another woman? What if he hurts you? He’s going to break your heart. Fuck YN I know what men his age do, hell men my age fuck around while married”

“Just ‘cause you all cheated on your wife’s doesn’t mean Isaiah will”

“Ok I think we need to calm down” aunt Polly tries

“No you know what this was a mistake. Maybe we should have stayed in London maybe I should have made you think I was dead because clearly you’d prefer that than me being married and happy!” I yell one last time “come on Is we’re going” I stand up pulling Isaiah with me. We begin walking out when Isaiah stops, turning around to face my brothers

“You know, I actually really love YN. I respect her as a person, she’s my equal and I will do everything in my power to keep her safe and provide for her and hopefully our kids in the future. I know YN will want you all apart of that, but I guess it’s your choice” Isaiah places his arm around my waist as we walk out of the garrison

“Thank you Is”

“Always”

I groan getting out of bed after hearing multiple knocks on the door and Polly shouting for me. Isaiah and I have been staying with Polly before we try and find our own home. I wrap my dressing gown around my body and make my way downstairs when I see Tommy and Arthur stood at the door

“What do you want?” I ask folding my arms

“You were right” I raise my eyebrows at Tommy. He never apologises

“Continue”

“You told me you would marry him”

“We’re just worried about you” Arthur finally says “we don’t want you hurt. Your our little sister. The baby of the family”

“I’m not a baby anymore. Neither is Finn. I appreciate that you want to keep me safe but I can handle myself and now I have Isaiah, well I guess I’ve always had him. I’m happy and I promise if Isaiah ever does anything to hurt me I will tell you”

“Can we come in?” Tommy asks

“Best ask Poll. I’ll go and get dressed and get Isaiah up”

“Just promise me 1 thing… no babies yet. I don’t think I can handle that as well”

“Ok” I chuckle responding to Tommy.

[ateez-himari]

Hi bb!!! How have you been!!! I've been busy with exams but i still have 4 to go, anywayssssss I'm back for more questionssss because I'm nosy🤭🤭

1-has hima ever gotten into scandalous scandals(lol) cause they're some crazy scandals in the industry, especially concerning female idols

2-how is hima's relationship with the other members' families, ik woo's younger brother would love her

3-during her career has anyone spoken badly about mimi, cause the industry thinks it's funny to always look down on ateez and steal their whole concept 🤦🤦

4-this might be weird so feel free to not answer it, butt have mingri ever been called out for their acts, especially during their tours cause I'm guessing they now share a room tgthr

5-what was himari's reaction to THIS

HE SHOULD'VE GAVE US A WARNING DAMN IT

Love you bb take care mwahh💓💓

Hi sweet!! I've been under a lot of stress but overall I'm okay! I only have 2 more exams to go so I'm feeling somewhat relieved. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR QUESTIONS I LOOK FORWARD TO THEM EACH TIME!! 🥰

• One of the biggest scandals came during 'Kingdom : Legendary War' because her scars were visible (not by choice) and people were claiming that she was promoting SH, even though most were aware that these were from the accident. The most recent scandal was actually not that long ago; people were calling her rude for cursing at one of the BTS antis that set up the funeral wreaths outside of the HYBE building, but obviously Atiny could not care less. (One of the antis started taunting her seeing that Himari was shaken by the wreaths - this girl literally almost lost her brother several times - so she walked over to them and said "how about you get a fucking job instead of obsessing over someone that will never know your name ? go home and get a life bitch")

The rest were mainly dating scandals (especially with Jungkook which made the two of them laugh so hard), scandals about how close she is with the members or even about how she started wearing clothes that are 'too feminine' and 'too sexy' (she used to insist on wearing the same clothes as the members but when she got comfortable with her femininity she started wearing more feminine clothing)

• The members' parents are so glad that there's a girl in their life to keep them in check, but after learning about her past they've all taken on some sort of parental role in her life as well (she's very close to Mingi & San's parents). Hima is really close to Haneul since she only has brothers, so having a sister figure is a welcome change. Getting close to Kyungmin was a little more difficult seeing as she's afraid of being around young children (an irrational fear developed through her childhood trauma) but the boy took to her so quickly that she had no choice but to accept - now he thinks of her as an older sister. She's not actually that close with the other siblings but they're close enough to be called friends

• So many people, especially variety/talk show hosts since being the only girl in an all male group makes her an easy target for jokes such as "you're living with 8 hot men and you haven't slept with any of them" or even questions about how she got into the group in the first place - even though the survival show demonstrates the grueling effort se put into obtaining that spot

Many of those people used Yoongi as an insult, saying that she was probably copying his production style or getting tracks from him, etc., even going as far as accusing her of plagiarizing smaller artists (that they conveniently did not name). So many claims were made about her talent, her dancing, her stage presence, image, etc., but nowadays she's beginning to snap back at them (the first that took hits was "Sun" from My Teenage Girl, she was so pissed that she stated "maybe i should have given the producers the original demo tracks, i bet they would have loved to copy that too since they're so unphased about taking the chorus. what else do they want ? our music show wins ?" when people defended the song saying it was a sample error she showed the instrumental to prove it was all from scratch

• So many times that at some point gossip sites were having field days, especially now that they've gone public since as we know there are always going to be people who refuse to accept idol relationships. People were finding it 'inappropriate' that she would so casually sit on his lap during lives, that they kissed so publicly, etc. A lot of 'fans' even criticized them for most likely being intimate while they were sharing the same hotel room - which at some point Mingi had enough of and simply said "yeah, so what ? how do you think my verse in 'man on fire' was written?"

• Hima has seen Mingi in much less clothing many times over their relationship but these pictures had her going absolutely FERAL, she practically jumped his bones the second they were uploaded. She didn't even say anything, just dragged him into his room and the other members knew it was time to leave. This woman was practically drooling over them, she squealed so hard into the couch cushions that he came rushing out of the shower

HE REALLY SHOULD HAVE, I WAS HALF ASLEEP AND THE SECOND I OPEN MY PHONE THIS POPS UP ?? THIS IS MADNESS, HE WANTS US DEAD

Love you too Mina!! Good luck on your exams and take good care of yourself! Mwahhh 😘❤️

[skoulsons]

“Ah! The newbies! Tommy said his brother was in town! What’s the name?”

Joel’s mouth turned into half a smirk at the elation in the voice of the man welcoming them to the Tipsy Bison. “Joel.” He said, motioning his hand that was not occupied with Ellie’s in her direction, “this is Ellie.”

“Joel and Ellie Miller. Nice to meet you folks!”

Ellie’s eyes grew wide. Ellie Miller.

Williams? Miller. Miller? Ellie Williams… Ellie Miller.

The voices of the conversing men were drowned out now, Ellie taken completely captive by her thoughts. Joel’s last name. My last name. Our last name. But… we’re not family. We can’t, can we? It’s his name, it’s not mine. I shouldn’t be called that. I shouldn’t be but I… want to be? Do I? Fuck, of course I do. Official shit? I’d get to be a Miller? Joel’s…

“-lie?”

She was back, her thoughts pushed somewhat back. “Hm?”

He faced her, her hand still in his. “Hey, you okay? You were out of it there for a minute,” he asked, voice unmistakably soft.

“Yup, perfect,” she said, trying to brush it off. It’s a name. Chill.

“Alright,” he said, not pushing it.

The chefs cooked up burgers for them that night and Joel nearly died and went to Heaven having a burger again. Ellie wasn’t as impressed, but seeing Joel eat with the biggest grin on his face and spew some pre-outbreak junk about how delicious a good homemade burger on the grill was made it worth it to her.

But even through dinner, the thoughts in Ellie’s head didn’t leave. They weren’t bad… just curious. Miller. Ellie Miller. It’s just a simple hope. It would never happen; stop making a big deal out of it.

Even after dinner and their walk home, Joel could feel a difference. Silent communication to feeling a difference in them through… the others scent? The way they walk? How their head hung? He couldn’t tell. But there was… something there that was different about her.

They both kicked off their shoes, Ellie moving to the couch immediately to plop into the weary leather.

He asked again. “You okay?”

“Yeah. Fine.”

He stood by the door, eyebrows raised and hands alarmingly close to sitting on his hips.

She sighed, throwing her head against the back of the couch. “Nothing bad, I swear. Just… some thoughts.”

“Baby, from what I’ve seen, majority of your thoughts are bad.”

“Wow, helpful,” she said, letting out an exasperated sigh. “But you’re right. But I swear, they’re not bad. Just dumb.”

Joel sat on the other end of the couch to face her. He didn’t speak, but he did want to hear from her. Poking and prodding about her dumb thoughts would shut her down. Her dumb thoughts would still overtake her in a number of ways and he wanted her to talk about them, no matter how dumb she said or thought they were.

He sat and waited patiently for her to start.

“What the guy said earlier at dinner.”

“What, specifically?”

She half groaned, annoyed with how such dumb thoughts were making her feel. “When we first got there. You introduced us and he said Joel and Ellie Miller…”

Joel turned his head to the side, a few lightbulbs going off.

“I just… didn’t know how to feel about it, I guess. But, it’s dumb. I’m sure sleeping on it will be fine.”

“Ellie,” he started, cautiously approaching the question, “what was your reaction to it? Did you hate it or was there…”

“Interest,” Ellie continued for him. “Interest, I think? I don’t know, it’s not like I go by Ellie Williams everywhere I go. But… Miller is your name. It’s Tommy’s, it’s Maria’s. It’s not… mine. But…” she trailed off slightly, pulling at her fingers as she glanced up at him. “I kept saying it as my last name in my head and it felt… good, almost. But I’m not a part of the family and using it as my last name seems really official and we’re not official and I’m not related to you guys so it feels wrong to want something when-“

“Hey,” he interrupted, grabbing her hand from across the couch. “My last name does not define whether you’re in the family or not, got it?”

Ellie sniffed and swallowed, forcing the lump in her throat down. “Still… it feels weird.”

“Tell you what,” he grabbed her hand with his other, holding it tight. “We try it on for size for a little while? If you want. There’s a lot of families we haven’t met. Plenty of kids your age, adults my age. They know I’m Tommy’s brother, so they’re going to assume you’re related, too. If you want, when introducing yourself, you can use Miller to see how it sounds.” He smiled at her. Ellie Miller. Fuck, he’d love it. “If you end up hatin’ it, you don’t have to use it. Okay?”

She nodded in agreement, “Okay.” She looked up at him again, noting those familiar creases at the corners of his eyes. “Do you… like how it sounds?”

His smile grew as he brought her enveloped hand up to his lips, adjusting his grip on her so he could kiss her knuckles briefly, the feel of his stubble causing her to reflexively flex her fingers at the feeling. “Course I do,” he said, grabbing hold of her hand again. “But I’m not gonna ask you to use it if you end up hating it.”

She smiled, nodding in understanding. She wouldn’t hate it. It’s his last name. If this is as official as they can get, she wants it.

They stayed on the couch, Ellie eventually changing positions to laying her head on his thigh as he told her Miller Family Stories, per her request. The majority of them were embarrassing stories of Tommy in his youth, stories Joel supposedly was made to swear would never leave the immediate family.

But Ellie was a part of the immediate family now, and she’s definitely going to use her newfound knowledge against her uncle.

[bitchiswild]

More goon central! More goon central! More goon central! 😸

More goon central? 😏

Lemme tell you the story of how the twins don't really like their younger brother Bart. 😒🙄

It all started when Lila @lilacura introduced Bartholomew to me saying how this was now our son and how she gave birth to him (of course i agreed) . During this moment she had also sent the pic to Jade @jade-jini and Keer @keervah oh my god they did NAWTTT like him and called him uglyyy😭 (LIKE DAMN LEAVE THE BABY ALONEEEEEEE HE DID NOTHINGGGGGGG). Everytime Lila and I bring up bart the twins were always like "ugh i thought you forgot about him" or "ugh he's not my brother" LIKEEEEEEE 🥲 ITS OUR BABY WHY WOULD WE FORGETTTTT AND WHY R U SO MEANNNNNNN!!! LIke they gotta learn to love him but they dont wanna CAUSE HE'S UGLY??????? LIKE BFFR. BUT GUESS WHATTTTT THEY ARE FINALLY GETTING USED TO HIM ( they still dont like him) BUT WE ARE FINALLY GETTING SOMEWHEREEEEE!!!!! jade is just being nice cause she wants fortnite things AND KEERRRR THE #1 BART HATER FINALLY COUNTS HIM AS ONE OF LILA'S AND I'S KIDS!!!!! (she was calculating how many kids lila and I have now and she was like 3) GUYSSSS WE ARE GETTING SOMEWHEREEEEEEEEEE🤪🥳🎉 but lila and I welcomed another baby a fur baby (the family pet) named riri :3 and shes is a little flirttttttt 😭 but lila and i love her cs she talks like us 😭. and when Lila and I were telling Jade and keer about their new sibling they were like ??????? ARE YOU A FURRY (like okay. what the actual fuck.) WE WERE GONNA ASK JADE AND KEER TO NAME RIRI BUT NooooOoOOoOOOoo THEY WANNA BE RUDE. so we asked sienna!! @kittyl1z she was no help at first, wanting us to name riri stephen curry🧍‍♀️like okay. no. BUT SHE GAVE US THE NAME RIRI SO WE TOOK IT AND RAN WITH ITTTT (we were gonna name riri Liyuh "Leah" but riri was too iconic and too good) But yesssssss lila and I now have 4 kidsssss. :3

I hope this was a fun goon central storyyyy!!!

^ this is riri SHES SOOOO CUTIE PATOOTIEEEEE🤭

[evita-shelby]

Plus One

Inspired by @justrainandcoffee Wandering Jew series.

Aka an excuse to write rolfie and teva in the same universe

Gif by @crackshipandcrap

(2019)

“Who won’t text you back?” Eva asked noticing the rather forlorn way he looks at the message.

She knows he’d been seeing someone, and yet while he knows about her disastrous sex life, Eva doesn’t know jack shit about his beyond Grace the Barmaid, Lizzie and several other women Eva may or may not have also fucked.

“None of your business, Smith.” Tommy glared and she pouted.

It had been a bad idea to ask her out again, the drinks had been fine and she thought him a gentleman when he didn’t take her up on her suggestion of staying over at her place.

“I told you about my ex marrying my cousin and my ex who fucked all my friends, c’mon, Tommy tell me who’s the broad who’s place I need to trash.” The brunette reminds him.

They were friends now.

Eva was enjoying being single after her ex decided Franco was who she loved and Tommy had been in a relationship with someone whom he had hardly ever mentioned.

“Not a she, and no, you’re not committing a felony for me, Evie, but thanks anyway.” He said with annoyance and shoved his phone into his pocket.

“Ah so we’re more similar than I thought. So your guy broke up with you, then?” the witchy young woman guessed correctly going by the stony look he gets as he orders another drink.

“Yes, and before you ask. It was me not him.” The dark haired man loathed speaking about things like these and yet he willingly shared this with her, progress. “Won’t forgive me and I know you’d agree with him.”

“You got me there. If it makes you feel better, I’ve been there before. At least your ex is still alive to hate you.” Eva regrets her words the moment she said them.

She never told anyone about Leopoldo, nor how him learning about her and Antonia seeing each other behind his back led to the car accident that killed him.

She’d been displayed as his grieving girlfriend. Given flowers, comforted along with his family and crushed by the guilt of knowing she hadn’t truly loved him.

“Lucky me.” He grumbled bitterly and raised his whiskey in a toast. “Here’s to our shit luck, Evie.”

It is spring 2020 when Tommy and Eva elope to Cancun and welcome the pandemic as the newly elected representative of the Birmingham Hall Green.

Their exes remain unnamed and neither Shelby aware of how little the world is.

Its 2023 when two identical invitations arrived addressed to the both of them.

“I didn’t know you knew Alfie as well.” Eva mentions as he played with little Gabriel on the rug.

The look on his face says it all.

Alfie was the guy who dumped him for being a cheating asshole.

Same Alfie who was Aunt Florence’s baby brother.

There had been no malicious intent.

This is what Rose tells herself when Alfie learns she hadn’t removed Tommy Shelby from the guest list.

She had met him in passing once, when she found more than just a nice holiday at the Wandering Jew.

Then she came to know Tommy had been the heartless bastard who’d broken Alfie’s heart. Having disliked him from the start, knowing how awful he was had made her hate him.

Now she was seeing him in the profile picture of Alfie’s ‘niece’ Eva Smith-Riley who had sent her congratulations through Instagram.

Rose had met through zoom calls and FaceTime and once in person when Eva came to give them her good news.

‘Is it okay if I bring my plus one?’

It was then Rose had seen who the man she was married to was.

Then the bride to be did what everyone has done since the invention of social media has done.

She looked at every single photo of him in Eva’s profile, Facebook page, twitter and some tabloids that sprung up under her name.

They’d met at Birmingham U, they dated for approximately five months, married on the first of March in a lovely beach in Mexico and had a baby named Gabriel.

“Are you jealous of Evie, sweetheart?” Alfie Asks seeing the picture of Eva hanging out with some celebrity at a charity thing.

“No. It’s not that. Why didn’t you tell me Tommy’s her husband?” she shows him the next picture, Tommy Shelby smiling through the pain holding his one-year-old son next to Eva.

After the way he fucked things up with Alfie, Tommy resolved himself to be a better man.

“Because I didn’t know about it until she married the fucker and then I didn’t want to ruin things for her. He’s changed, or so it seems.” the burly man admitted knowing the hell that was going to be unleashed.

“For a man in love he looks like he’s in agony.” Rose points out thinking the worst of Thomas Shelby.

“That’s just his face, love, he can’t help it.”

And he had, not once has he strayed and while that took much work on his account, it had rewarded him with a woman he loves and a family he hadn’t thought he could have.

He should’ve told her about his past with Alfie, but he was afraid, not sure of what, but he was afraid.

Eva wouldn’t have judged him about it, not after she told him about Leopoldo, but Alfie was her friend.

And yet here they lay beside each other as the baby slept curled up between them.

“You should’ve told me, Tom.” She’s not angry, there is a hint of disappointment about her, but nothing has changed as he feared he would. “We don’t have to go, if you don’t want to.”

“He’s your friend, sort of relative too. I don’t want you to miss it on account of me.” He could invent an excuse to stay, claim Gabe is too little for a sitter.

“Alfie is your friend too, we’ll hire a sitter for Gabe and you will come with me. I already told Alfie I’d be bringing you anyways.” She points out reaching to caress his face, a contrast to his words.

December rolls around, and Tommy finds himself fixing the black satin bowtie that matches Eva’s black evening gown exactly.

“Are you ready?” she asks softly, knowing how big of a step this is for him.

“Yeah, ready as I’ll ever be, Mrs. Shelby.”

[venactricisfics]

Bucking Tradition: A Yellowstone Fanfic

Chapter Twenty

“Why’s Jamie walking around like someone just killed his dog?” I leaned against Beth’s doorframe, watching her prepare to take on the world.

“Well, little sister,” Beth began, her voice laced with bitterness, “the brother you think is so fucking perfect just sold our father out.”

“What do you mean? Jamie wouldn’t do that,” I responded quickly, trying to defend him. I knew Jamie was angry with Dad for pushing him out of political office, but this was different.

“You’ve always had your blinders on for him,” Beth snapped, her eyes narrowing. “Jamie did what Jamie always does—he put himself before this family.”

“He’s Dad’s lawyer,” I argued, shaking my head. “Anything he could’ve said would’ve been protected by what’s it called... confidentiality.”

“Jamie was smart enough to only share what wouldn’t get him disbarred,” Beth said, “not enough to start an inferno but he sure as fuck lit the match.”

I frowned, crossing my arms. “So what happens now?”

Beth smirked at me through the mirror, swiping on her lipstick like she was preparing for battle. “Now? Now, we make sure Jamie learns that being a turncoat doesn’t come without consequences.”

I exhaled sharply, glancing toward the hallway where I’d last seen Jamie slinking around like a kicked dog. “Beth, are we sure he really—”

“Yes.” She snapped the lipstick cap back on with a decisive click. “Don’t start making excuses for him.”

I wanted to argue, wanted to believe Jamie wasn’t as selfish as Beth made him out to be. But deep down, I knew better.

“Goddamn it,” I muttered.

Beth turned to face me fully, one perfectly sculpted brow arched. “Welcome to the party, little sister. Now, you wanna help me burn his world down, or you gonna keep standing in my doorway, looking like a lost puppy?”

“I’m not, I'm just not as eager to destroy him as you are,” I responded, “What did Dad say?”

“Dad is gonna let Jamie, Jamie his way out of it, like he always does,” she stared at me.

“What are you gonna do?” I asked. 

Beth’s smirk widened, but there was no humor in it—just sharp, cold calculation. “Oh, don’t you worry, little sister. I’ll do what needs to be done.”

I sighed, shaking my head. “Beth—”

“No.” She cut me off, stepping forward until we were nearly toe to toe. “Don’t start with the ‘but he’s our brother’ bullshit. I’m fresh out of sympathy for Jamie. He made his bed.”

I studied her face, searching for even the smallest crack in her armor. But Beth was a fortress—walls high, gates locked, cannons already aimed.

“What do you want from me?” I asked finally.

Beth leaned in, lowering her voice to a near whisper. “I want you to open your damn eyes. Jamie isn’t who you want him to be. He never was.”

I swallowed hard, not because I didn’t believe her—but because a part of me already knew she was right.

—--

I couldn’t face my brother yet, I didn’t want to, I knew he would try to convince me he did it because he wanted to save the ranch. But deep down, I knew Jamie did it for Jamie. 

Instead, I found myself heading toward the stables, seeking the kind of solace that only came from the steady rhythm of hooves against dirt and the quiet understanding of a horse that didn’t ask questions. Denim flicked his ears as I approached, sensing my mood before I even reached him.

“Hey, boy,” I murmured, running a hand down his strong neck. “At least I can count on you to be honest.”

He huffed softly, nudging at my pocket for treats. I gave a small chuckle, pulling out a sugar cube and letting him take it from my palm.

“You and me both, sweetheart,” a voice drawled from behind me.

I turned to find Rip leaning against the stall door, arms crossed, watching me the way he always did—like he could see straight through the walls I put up.

“Let me guess,” he said. “You came out here ‘cause you didn’t wanna hear whatever bullshit Jamie’s about to feed you?”

I sighed, rubbing my temples. “I just… I don’t have it in me to hear him lie to my face right now.”

Rip nodded, stepping inside the stall and resting a hand on Denim’s back. “Yeah, well, he’s got a talent for that.”

Silence settled between us for a moment, the sounds of the barn filling the space where words weren’t needed.

“What would you do?” I finally asked, glancing up at him. “If it were you?”

Rip exhaled slowly, considering. “If I were you? I’d stop wastin’ energy tryin’ to see somethin’ in Jamie that ain’t there. The man picks himself every time. Always has, always will.”

I swallowed hard, my chest tightening at the truth of it. “And if he’s really done something that screws us all?”

Rip met my gaze, his voice low and firm. “Then you gotta decide, are you gonna be a Dutton—or are you gonna be Jamie’s sister?”

I never thought I’d have to be one or the other. But if I had to choose, one brother over the other, over my sister and our father. There wasn’t really a choice to make. 

“When did you become so fucking wise?” I asked him. Almost seeing that wild teenage boy who came to the ranch a lifetime ago staring back at me. 

“I’ve always been wise. You haven’t been paying attention,” he responded. 

I huffed a laugh, shaking my head. “Yeah, that’s it. I just missed all your pearls of wisdom over the years.”

Rip smirked, but something was knowing in his gaze. “You always saw what you wanted to see, Alex. Even when we were kids.”

Maybe he was right. Maybe I had spent too much time trying to find something redeemable in Jamie when, deep down, I always knew he’d never put us first. That was the difference between him and the rest of us—he was born into this family, but he never really chose it.

I glanced back at Denim, running my hand down his nose, grounding myself in the familiar. “I don’t know how Dad lets it slide. How he can keep forgiving him.”

Rip’s jaw tightened. “Because deep down, your old man still wants to believe Jamie’s worth it. Just like you do.”

I let out a slow breath, feeling the weight of the truth settle over me. “Not anymore.”

Rip gave a small nod, as if he’d been waiting for me to say it. “Good.”

It was just one word, but it felt like a shift—like something in me had settled. I wasn’t gonna be blind to who Jamie really was anymore. And if it ever came down to it, I knew exactly where I stood.

With my family. With the ones who chose the ranch, chose us, every damn time.

I felt a bit more at ease as I stepped out of the barn, spotting the blacksmith arriving to replace our horses' shoes. I knew better than to stick around—if I did, Denim would put on a show. The process didn’t hurt him, but my spoiled, rotten horse had a knack for dramatics, and he’d milk it for all it was worth if he thought it might get me to call it off.

I pulled my jacket tighter around me as the crisp Montana air bit at my skin. Leaning against the arena fence, I watched as Lloyd, Jimmy, and Jake gathered around one of the two-year-olds—one that hadn’t quite learned to tolerate a rider yet.

This should be interesting.

“When you do this at the rodeo,” Lloyd said, catching my attention. My ears perked up—that was my domain. “There ain’t no saddle, just you, your rigging, and the horse.”

And just like that, this went from interesting to potentially the worst idea Jimmy had ever had.

I’d been paying attention—Jimmy was strapped for cash. And while I had the means to help him, I knew better. It wasn’t my place to bail him out. Some lessons had to be learned the hard way.

Still, I chewed my lip, watching him, torn between letting him make his own mistakes and stepping in before this one left him broken.

Rip exhaled sharply, his expression unreadable as he watched Jimmy bask in his brief triumph.

“Eight seconds,” Jimmy repeated, practically beaming. “That’s a real score, right?”

“It’s something,” Rip replied, still unimpressed.

I bit the inside of my cheek, debating whether to be encouraging or realistic. Finally, I settled on, “Awesome. I know you got the brains for bronc riding.”

Jimmy, oblivious to the sarcasm, grinned wider.

Rip leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. “Why is he on that rank bastard?”

“He needs to earn some extra money,” Lloyd answered.

Rip sighed, shaking his head. “Jesus Christ.”

Jimmy, still high on adrenaline, had no idea he was making a deal with the devil—because rodeo didn’t just take your money. It took your time, your pride, and sometimes, the use of your damn legs.

“Hey Jimmy,” Rip called, “you know why you never met any old rodeo cowboys?” Jimmy gave him a look, “Cause there ain’t any.”

Jimmy laughed, but Rip didn’t.

That should’ve been his first clue.

Lloyd chuckled, shaking his head. “Hell, I was young and dumb once too.”

“You’re still dumb,” I teased, nudging his arm.

He smirked. “And you’re still mouthy.”

“Yeah, well, I ain’t the one lettin’ Jimmy think he’s invincible,” I shot back, watching as Jimmy straightened up, still caught in the rush of his eight-second ride.

“I won’t die, I promise,” Jimmy insisted, full of that dangerous kind of confidence only rookies had.

Rip tilted his head, eyeing him in that way that made most men second-guess their entire life’s choices. “I’ll hold you to that,” he said flatly, then turned and walked off.

Jimmy might’ve thought he was getting into the rodeo for the money, but he was about to learn the hard way—bronc riding in the rodeo always cost more than it paid.

I couldn't judge Jimmy’s newfound passion too harshly—there were dangers in every sport. My father’s biggest worry when I was learning was that I’d fall and crack my neck. That fear didn’t stop me.

I’d hit the dirt more times than I could count, bruised ribs, twisted ankles, and once, a concussion that had me seeing double for two days. But quitting was never an option.

Jimmy had that same fire in his eyes, that reckless determination that made a person get back on the horse, no matter how many times they got thrown. I understood it. Hell, I respected it.

But rodeo had a way of humbling even the toughest riders. And something told me Jimmy was about to find that out the hard way.

I didn’t say anything as Lloyd took Jimmy to the fairground to try in a bucking chute. I stayed behind, watching Rip’s expression, which told me everything I needed to know. He wasn’t thrilled. He’d learned to live with my decision to rodeo—maybe, with time, he’d be okay with Jimmy’s too.

“Lloyd will take care of him,” I said, crossing my arms. “Just hope it’s enough.”

Rip exhaled through his nose, running a hand down the side of his horse. “Yeah,” he muttered.

There was a weight in his voice, something unspoken. He’d seen too many men get hurt, too many good cowboys take one bad fall that changed everything. Jimmy had heart, no doubt, but heart didn’t mean a damn thing when a bronc was twisting in midair, determined to put you in the dirt.

Still, I hoped Jimmy would prove him wrong.

I ran my hand down Rip’s horse’s face, letting him nuzzle into my jacket for the rest of my treats. 

“Don’t go spoiling my horse too, he’s gotta work,” Rip chuckled. 

“Yeah, yeah,” I ignored him. 

Jamie walked up, his face twisted. I felt the old me tug wanting to help my brother out of whatever he’d gotten us into. 

“What happened?” I asked. Jamie didn’t look at me. He stared at Rip.

“Jamie, what happened?” Rip asked. We followed Jamie to his SUV and he slowly opened the back. I blinked in horror at the dead woman who was lying in the back. 

“I don’t know what happened– it just all went wrong,” Jamie was on the verge of tears. “What do we do?”

“We talk to your father,” Rip looked at me, I’d seen more than I should have. More than what I was supposed to be responsible for. But it was too late now. I knew the weight of this place, the bodies that were buried to keep it going. But knowing and seeing are two entirely different things.

“No, Rip, no,” Jamie pleaded clinging to Rip’s jacket. 

“I don’t work for you,” Rip pushed Jamie away.

“Yeah,” Jamie held up his hand in surrender, “If you tell him, then he’s an accessory to murder.”

“What do you think you just made, her?” Rip cut his eyes to me and then back to Jamie. 

“Right now, the only accountable person is me,” Jamie said, “We need to keep it that way. Rip, please. I’ve always treated you as a friend.”

I knelt on the ground, burying my face in my hands. I wanted to cry, but I didn’t have the energy to dedicate my tears to Jamie, not now. 

Rip’s jaw clenched so tight I thought his teeth might crack. He looked at Jamie, then at me, then back at the body in the SUV.

“You don’t got friends, Jamie,” Rip said, his voice flat. “You got people who tolerate you.”

Jamie swallowed hard, his hands shaking as he dragged them through his hair. “I didn’t mean for this to happen. I didn’t—”

“But it did,” I cut him off, finally looking up from where I’d buried my face in my hands. “And now it’s our problem.”

Rip let out a slow, measured breath. “I’ll handle it.”

Jamie looked like he might collapse in relief, but I wasn’t relieved. I was sick. The weight of this place had never felt heavier.

I pushed to my feet, staring at Jamie like I didn’t even know him anymore. “Tell me the truth,” I said quietly. “Did you do this?”

His head snapped up, eyes wild. “No! I swear to you, Alex, I didn’t mean to... But if we don’t do something—”

I shook my head. “You already did something, Jamie. That’s why we’re standing here.”

Rip turned to me. “Go inside.”

I hesitated, my stomach twisting, but I nodded. I didn’t need to see what came next.

As I walked back toward the house, I couldn’t shake the feeling that a line had just been crossed. Not for Jamie—he was already too far gone.

For me.

So, I did what I always did when the weight of this place got too damn heavy—I saddled up.

Denim could sense my mood, shifting beneath me as I led him out of the barn. The cool Montana night wrapped around me like a vice, but I welcomed it. I needed the silence, the space, the distance from the house where my brother was pacing, probably rehearsing his next lie.

I didn’t want to be under the same roof as Jamie. If I could arrange it, I didn’t want to be in the same fucking state. But that wasn’t an option.

Not yet.

So, I rode. Through the open fields, past the tree line where the stars stretched wide and far, into the places where no one could reach me. Denim’s hooves pounded against the earth, steady and sure, drowning out the storm in my head.

I didn’t know what scared me more—what Jamie had done, or the fact that I wasn’t sure if I could keep looking at him without seeing the body in the back of his SUV.

It was late when I got back in the barn. My head a little clearer. I knew Rip took care of it, like he takes care of all the ranch’s dirty work. 

“What did you do with her?” I asked Rip when I got back to the barn.

“Don’t go poking your nose where it don’t belong,” he told me, “it didn’t happen, understand.” 

I nodded, but I didn’t feel better about it. 

“You gonna rat me out if I crash here tonight?” I nodded my head toward the bunkhouse. 

“You should know by now, Alex,” he told me, “I always keep your secrets.” 

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Rip always had a way of making things seem simple, even when they weren’t.

The weight in my chest didn’t lift, but at least out here, away from the house, away from Jamie, I could breathe.

“I appreciate it,” I said, meaning it.

Rip just gave me a look, the kind that said he understood more than I wanted him to. “Get some sleep,” he said gruffly, turning back to his horse.

I made my way to the bunkhouse, slipping inside quietly. A few of the guys were still up, playing cards, laughing like nothing was wrong in the world. Like there wasn’t a body buried somewhere on this land.

“Jimmy make it back from the rodeo?” I asked Ethan who was shuffling a deck of cards. 

“They just pulled in a bit ago,” Ethan never one for many words. Cool and quiet. I guess he’d be more concerned if Jimmy didn’t make it back from the rodeo. 

Jake rushed through the door, looking like he was about to explode. I guess that was literal.

“Ate too much chili at the rodeo,” he shoved past me and rushed into the bathroom. Sending Ryan and Colby rushing out, in their towels. 

I wrinkled my nose as the bathroom door slammed shut behind Jake.

“Christ, Jake,” Ryan groaned, shaking his head as he ran a towel through his damp hair.

Colby looked downright traumatized. “I think my shower just got cut short.”

“You think?” Ryan shot back. “I barely got the soap out of my hair before he came barreling in like the damn rodeo bull.”

Ethan chuckled, still shuffling his cards. “That’s what he gets for eating fairground chili.”

I smirked, shaking my head. “That boy never learns.”

Just then, a muffled groan came from the bathroom. 

I stayed put, sipping my beer, listening to the chaos unfold.

It was nice, for a moment, to pretend like this was the biggest problem of the night.

Jimmy and Lloyd strode in the door.

“You lived,” I gave him a smile, maybe Jimmy’s rodeo experience would lighten the dark mood I found myself in. 

Jimmy strutted in, his chest puffed out, clearly riding high on the adrenaline of the night. “Hell yeah, I lived. And then some,” he said, flashing the gold buckle like it was the most prized possession he’d ever earned. He was practically glowing with pride.

“You won that?” I asked, leaning back in my chair. My voice was a mix of amusement and genuine surprise. He hadn’t exactly been the most graceful on that bucking horse earlier, but apparently, he had it in him when it counted.

“You better believe it,” Jimmy grinned, his voice laced with confidence. 

Ryan gave him an enthusiastic thumbs-up as he tossed his towel onto the nearby bed and started dressing, not even looking up from the task. His approval was casual but genuine. He had a way of making things feel effortless, even when they weren't.

I forced my eyes to stay on Jimmy, and not on my cowboy just feet away from me, wearing nothing but a towel. 

“You can look if you want to, baby. Ain’t nothing you haven’t seen before,” Ryan chuckled. 

“She ain’t seen my junk,” Colby said, “otherwise she might pick a whole new cowboy to cuddle up with.” 

“I am trying to be a gentleman,” I called over to them, “your junk notwithstanding, I think I’ll take my chances and not be traumatized again tonight.” 

Ryan shot me a smirk, clearly enjoying the banter. “You sure? Cause I’m more than happy to give you a front-row seat to the show,” he teased, leaning against the wall as if it were no big deal. His confidence was almost enough to make me crack a smile.

Colby chimed in, a grin on his face. “Come on, Alex, you know you’re curious.”

“Curious, sure. Traumatized? Not so much,” I shot back, rolling my eyes. “I’ve got better things to focus on—like not getting distracted by your ridiculousness.”

Ryan chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re no fun, sweetheart. You can’t handle this level of cowboy charm?”

“I can handle plenty, but I’ve already been around enough to know when to look, and when to save myself the headache,” I said with a smirk, narrowing my eyes playfully at the pair.

As if on cue, Jimmy stepped up, showing off that gold buckle again, bringing the focus back to him. “I think I’m gonna need a drink to celebrate this one,” he said, oblivious to the ongoing teasing.

“Atta boy,” Ryan nodded. “You earned it.”

I just shook my head with a smile. Maybe I had a lot on my mind, but a good laugh with these guys was the kind of distraction I needed right now.

“Where’s Avery?” Jimmy asked. “I wanna show her.” 

“She left,” Ryan answered. 

“Where to?” Jimmy asked again.

“Didn’t say,” Ryan responded, “Just grabbed her shit and left.” 

“Guess being around y’all every day is enough to drive any sane woman away,” I said. I was disappointed by the news, if I were honest with myself. It was nice to have another woman around that wasn’t my sister. That kind of got it. That got me. 

“And yet you’re still here,” Colby responded. 

“Who said I was sane?” 

Jake emerged from the bathroom, “I wouldn’t go in there for 10-15 minutes if I was y’all.” 

“You’re even walking different,” Ryan remarked. 

“He lost ten pounds,” Lloyd said. 

I couldn’t help but snicker at the exchange, shaking my head as I leaned back in my seat.

 “Seems like the chili didn’t just settle in your stomach, huh, Jake?” I teased, giving him a playful side-eye.

Jake gave a half-hearted shrug, his face already flushed from the embarrassment. “Tasted good at the time…” he muttered, clearly regretting it. “Should’ve known better.”

“Well, we’re all learning something new today,” Colby said with a grin, glancing between Jake and Ryan. “Next time, maybe don’t challenge the chili at the rodeo.”

Walker strode in picking up his saddle bag and guitar case, “Adios, assholes,” he said as he headed for the door.

“Jesus boys, looks like leaving this place is getting contagious, huh?” Colby commented. 

I glanced up at Walker, I knew what I knew about the brand. “Where you headed?”

“Don’t know yet, Rip’s dropping me at the train station and I’ll figure it out from there. I’d like to say I’ll see you around, but I never want to see this place again,” he responded. 

And just like that my stomach was in knots again.  

I watched Walker leave, the sound of his boots fading as he walked out the door. There was a weird kind of finality in the air, a sense that this was it—that was the last time I’d see him, or maybe it just felt that way because I wasn’t ready for it. I wasn't sure why it hit me harder than I expected. Maybe it was the way he said it, like he'd finally given up on this place and all the ghosts that came with it.

I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding, the weight of everything that had happened on the ranch pressing down on me. There were things I couldn’t share, burdens I couldn’t unload, and it was all getting to be too much.

I needed a distraction. My gaze automatically flicked over to Ryan as he slipped on his boxers, and I couldn’t help but smirk. "Damn, now that’s a show worth watching," I teased, trying to mask the tension inside me with humor.

Ryan glanced over at me with a knowing smile, clearly enjoying my attention. "You’re not shy about it, baby," he replied, his voice low and playful. There was always this spark between us, but today, it felt different.

“Maybe I just like what I see,” I shot back, my pulse quickening as I met his eyes. He slipped into a pair of old sweatpants, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips.

“Why don’t you come over here and take a closer look?” he smirked, his voice low, teasing.

I rolled my eyes, laughing softly as I stood up from my seat and started making my way to the corner of the bunkhouse. “Coby, your junk better be covered when I come over there,” I called over my shoulder, already anticipating his response.

He didn’t disappoint, chuckling under his breath. “I’m always fully covered, sweetheart. But I wouldn’t mind showing you a little more.”

“Two cowboy fantasy was not on my bingo card today,” I teased, my voice low as I stepped closer to Ryan, wrapping my arms around his waist. “But I like my hands full with this one.” I let my hands slide a little further down, feeling the warmth of his body under my touch.

Ryan smirked, his grip tightening around me as he leaned in closer. “You always know how to keep things interesting, don’t you?” His breath brushed against my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.

I met his eyes, the playful banter between us fading into something more electric, the tension hanging thick in the air. “I aim to please,” I replied, my smile never fading.

Ryan’s lips hovered just next to my ear, his warm breath sending a shiver down my spine. “You staying?” he asked, his voice low and inviting.

“If you’re offering to share your bunk with me, cowboy,” I replied, my breath hitching as he pulled me tighter against him, the heat between us building.

“You’ve always got an open invitation, baby,” he murmured. I bit my lip, trying to lose myself in the feel of his lips on my skin.

I wanted to let Ryan help me forget what happened today with my brother, the body, what was likely happening to Walker now. But the thoughts wouldn’t go away. 

Ryan felt the shift and locked his eyes with mine, “You ok?”

I shook my head, I was not OK, “Would you be ok if we just slept?” 

Ryan’s hand gently cupped my cheek as he brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. His gaze softened, understanding the turmoil that was swirling in my mind. "We don’t have to do anything, Alex. Whatever you need."

“I just need you to hold me,” I said. Gently he guided me to the edge of the bunk and leaned down to help me off with my boots. I lifted my hips and slid my jeans off.

“Come here,” he said pulling me into his arms. His warmth was a comfort, and for a moment, I allowed myself to forget the chaos. His steady breathing beside me was soothing, and the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest reminded me that, for tonight at least, I didn’t have to face it all alone.

The quiet of the bunkhouse surrounded us, the weight of the day’s events lifting just a little as I drifted into sleep, safe in the presence of the one person who seemed to understand without needing words.

Ryan’s arms tightened around me, pulling me closer as if he could shield me from everything I was trying to escape. His steady presence was a balm, calming the storm inside me. The world outside faded, leaving only the quiet comfort of the bunkhouse and the soft rhythm of his breathing.

I nestled into him, my fingers tracing the lines of his chest, grounding myself in the moment. Everything felt a little more bearable with him here, and for once, I allowed myself to relax, even if just for tonight.

“Everything will be okay,” Ryan whispered, his voice low and soothing. I didn’t respond, but I didn’t need to. His words were a promise, one I could hold onto, if only for now.

As sleep finally began to pull me under, I let go of the worries that had gripped me all day. Tomorrow would come with its challenges, but for tonight, I was safe. And that was enough.

[txemrn]

Déjà Vu

Chapter 4

New? Check out the first THREE chapters HERE! (Go ahead; we'll be here. 😉)

Series Summary: After an unforgettable night with a stranger, Princess Eleanor finds herself caught in a secret love triangle between a noble and a commoner.

Chapter Summary: Drake heads to Club Core with Leo; he unexpectedly meets a young woman that reminds him of a past life.

Pairing(s): mention of Liam x Riley; Drake x Riley (former)

Word Count: ~4970

Warning: 🔞 Mature Audiences Only 🔞 language (tons; it's Drake); sexual references (crude); mention of excessive drinking; drug-use reference; brief violence

A/N: Welcome to my Crack Fic! If you are new, hi! Thank you for joining us! This story takes place approximately 2 decades after TRR/TRH. I have made some canonical changes (they will be mentioned). Although this is from my crazy mind, it takes a village! Huge thanks to my sweet writing buddies for helping me figure out various parts! Love y'all! Characters and some plots belong to our friends at Pixelberry! This was not Beta'd; please excuse my errors.

~🖤~

Drake

What the fuck was I thinking? I hate large crowds and eardrum-piercing music. I hate being around people who can't hold their liquor, not to mention I hate dancing. But even worse, I hate Leonardo Anselm Phineas Rys. Old thorn in my side. What in the actual fuck made me agree to hang out with blondie in the first place? At a club? On opening night?

Because you're lonely, and he offered free booze…

My twisted expression relaxes as I shrug my shoulders. Meh. I guess it could be worse.

"Okay, baby… I'll be home later… yes… I'll tell Liam you said, 'hello'..." Leo gives an obnoxious kissing sound before disconnecting his call with the touch of a button. He lets out a sigh, taking a hit of his vape pen. "Dahlia," he answers to the question I never asked. He glances at me, sucking in his bottom lip before giving me a slow flutter of a wink.  "She's a bit clingy."

I nod, drumming my fingers against the leather interior, playing it cool like I care. "Is… she your–?"

"Friend."

Ah. Okay. 'Friend.'  The term just glides off of his tongue. Nonchalant. Sweet and syrupy, almost as if he believes the bullshit he's feeding this poor girl that's waiting at home for him. 

And she thinks what now? That he's coming over after an evening with his brother's family which, no doubt, she has never met. And judging by that brief interaction with goldie locks here, she doesn’t seem to have the intellectual capacity to wonder why she wasn't invited to the dinner in the first place.

Side-piece. Booty-call. Friend. It's all just semantics to douchebags like Leo Rys.

I fidget with the navy collar to the button-down shirt Leo loaned me. I could barely fit my broad shoulders into the lean cut of his tailored threads. The guy has a rock hard physique, but tough, manual labor creates a different kind of body. A strong one. Like mine.

The buttons pull slightly across my chest as I flash a glance in the car visor mirror. I look like a fucking tool. I'm not used to my stubble brushing up against starched cotton; I'm usually wearing a tee, my work denim and my steel-toes. I mean, unless I'm meeting with a client or going out to dinner where you have a waiter and utensils. But, other than that, I am a fish out of water: this shirt is uncomfortable. And I have a feeling this is just a prelude of what's to come.

At least Leo approved of my jeans and Tecovas. He tried throwing my trusty chambray shirt in the trash.  "No one has worn this for at least twenty years… and they weren't even wearing it then."

Fuck off.

We pull up to this club, and I swear everyone in Cordonia has turned out for this spectacle. The moment Rys steps out of his 'I didn't want anything too flashy' red Ferrari, the paps were on him like white on rice. Flashes of light rain from every direction as reporters flood him with curious questions about his Gucci loafers and gray Brioni blazer. 

Lucky for me, I'm a nobody, and the press quickly discovers that the moment I step out onto the red carpet. Dropping their cameras and microphones in disappointment, they instantly turn their attention elsewhere.  I don't know if I should be grateful… or offended, to be honest. At least confuse me for Leo's new lover… bunch of dickwads.

I push past the commotion, combing my hair out of my eyes as I look around the red carpet. This place is pretty snazzy, but holy fuck, they didn't spare with any expenses. It’s like a fucking fortress: a tall, wrought iron fence encased with stone surrounds the perimeter. Armed security in black tie a la James Bond swarm the space.

Now, the entrance? This wasn't just any ol’ red carpet; oh, fuck no, that wouldn't do for such a prestigious guest list. Contortionists and acrobats on pedestals perform sultry poses and maneuvers, leaving the crowd bewildered and amazed. 

Scantily clad women tend to the average Joe commoners waiting in line. They serve hors d'oeuvres and complimentary spirits, fooling them into thinking they're still important even though they're on the outskirts of the main event, and truth be told: they'll never get in.

Taking it all in, I suddenly feel a massive clap against my back before an arm hugs tightly around my neck.

"Ready, Walker?" Leo pops his gum in between his smarmy grin. "Let's get our dicks wet."

—

Fucking. A. I'm pretty sure I just entered the third level of hell.

"Hey-yo, Walker!" 

Make that the fourth level…

I glance back at Rys who is now flocked with an entourage of, and I quote, ‘aspiring models,’ all with their fake tits falling out of their tops, their overly-injected blow-job lips, and lashes so thick, you can't tell if they're sleeping or having a stroke.  He flashes those pearly whites as he dangles a small, gram-size plastic bag of white powder.

Now, I'm not against tokin' up or getting obliterated with alcohol, but cocaine isn't my style… not to mention, if we got caught–no doubt, Leo knows people that could bail us out, but if Liam and Riley were to hear about this? They'd kick me to the curb in an instant, especially with their kid around. They’d label me as a bad influence, and Liam would give me that fatherly disappointment glare.

"What do you think, Walker?" Leo nods with eager anticipation. "Wanna join… all of us?" He lets out a knowing laugh, winking at the women around him. They take his cue and begin to giggle, as if he was the funniest, most charming man they've ever met.

And my IQ just dropped two points.

"I think… I'm going to… " I notice a large bar area, quickly throwing a hitched thumb back at it. "...I'll check out the bar," 

"Suit yourself." The women practically swallow him whole with their arms. "Don't forget: give 'em my name. Drinks on me!"  

The drove of venereal diseases buzzes off with their king, and a sense of relief washes over me. Would I rather be at home? Absolutely, but since I'm already here…

I make my way toward the crowded bar area, ducking between drunken cat fights and groping couples. Finding a stool, I plant my ass down, and despite how busy it is, the bartender tends to me quickly–probably because I'm a 45- year-old man alone in a club. Translation: I have money, I know what I want, and chances are, what I order doesn't require my rim being bedazzled with seasonings, flowers, or fruit.

"What can I get ya?"

Oh, shit, I haven't heard that distinct nasally Portavira accent in so long. My God…

"Um… Larceny. Neat."

"Double?"

My man… I nod as I watch him pull out the bottle and a clean tumbler.

"Do you have a tab started, sir?"

I reach for my wallet, but I abruptly stop, remembering Leo's words. 'Give 'em my name. Drinks on me!'

"I do. It's under Rys," I smirk, "and actually, do you have Macallan?"

The bartender stops, giving me a glance over when finally a Cheshire grin creeps across his face as if he just struck oil. "We sure do, Mr. Rys." He extends his hand to fist bump me before reaching to the top shelf for a new bottle of the liquid gold. Before I knew it, he's twirling the tumbler across the bar. "Enjoy, Mr. Rys."

Taking a sip, I give him a wink as a thank you as I bask in the much needed woodsy burn of clove on my tongue. Damn, that's tasty.

Feeling more relaxed, I glance out onto the dance floor as other club-goers get lost in the hypnotic buzz of the ethanol electrifying their veins. The tantric beat of the music and the flashing swirl of multicolored lights feeds the adrenaline and raging hormones as people grab and grope one another.

I am way too old for this scene.

I grab my glass to take another pull when out of the corner of my eye, I see a familiar face at the bar. Turning my head to get a better look, I suddenly swallow my whiskey down the wrong pipe, causing me to fall into a fit of coughs. Smooth, Walker, real smooth. 

Blinking back the tears, I sniff into a napkin before looking back at the beautiful face. Shit. She's absolutely…wow. Gorgeous dark, silky waves, porcelain skin, that pouty mouth with those big, doe eyes… She's the spitting image of… Riley. 

"Fuck," I growl at myself before rubbing the shit out of my eyes. No way, it can't be. I look up again, and instantly I can feel my jeans begin to tighten. 

You're just wanting to see her. You're just wanting it to be her, especially with what happened back at the palace.

I down the rest of my drink before allowing my attention to be completely saturated by this girl. 

It's not Riley. It's not…

See? Her nose appears more prominent from the side, and-and her neck. Her neck seems longer, slender. And her eyes. They're gorgeous and big… they aren't Riley's navy blues, but damn, that sparkle–

"Would you like another–?"

"Please," I grumble as I stare at this Riley look-alike. I just… can't tear my eyes away. Her presence feels so real, so intimate. Now, judging from this woman's creamy, velvet skin, she's young. Maybe early 20s. Way out of my league… but still that face. It's like looking into a past life, a life I once loved.

—

(Two decades ago…)

"Brooks," Drake whispers loudly, "come on!"

"Shhhh!" Riley presses a finger to her lips, stifling her giggles as she looks down from her palace window. "Are you trying to wake everyone up? You're going to get me into trouble."

"You are trouble, lady."

Riley looks back at the commoner, the glint of mischief in his eyes making her adrenaline pump faster through her veins. "Now are you sure about this?" She bites her lip, "you'll catch me if–"

"For the hundredth time, yes," Drake rolls his eyes, holding his arms out wide. 

Since Drake's confession to Riley at Applewood, the two of them have been enjoying each other's company, especially after hours. They flirt with danger, sharing in kisses that they swear will never happen again for obvious reasons: she is there to pursue Liam and his hand in marriage; Drake is his best friend.

After watching Liam share a kiss with Riley, a dam of excruciating jealousy broke in Drake's heart. He already shared with Riley before that he was developing feelings for her, but now, it was… something else. Something more.

During dinner, the commoner passed her a note, asking her to meet him outside her window after midnight because they needed to talk.

Riley is staying in the guest quarters off the West Wing with the other suitors. She's only on the second floor, but still, a jump from that high could be dangerous. So, Drake helped the brunette construct a climbing rope with her top sheet. 

"I've got ya. Just… ease yourself over."

Riley takes one step at a time, following Drake's directions; but when she gets close to the ground, she looks back at Drake, raising an eyebrow, then jumps. 

"Whoa!" Drake stumbles as Riley crashes into his chest, his arms quickly cradling her close. "What the fuck are you doing?"

Riley giggles, combing her fingers through Drake's thick hair. "Sometimes a girl just wants to be caught."

Their eyes lock on one another, Drake's hand finding her cheek. He gently rubs his thumb across her soft skin, her eyes fluttering closed as she leans into his touch.

"Come with me," he whispers softly while grabbing her hand.

"Wait… I thought we were going to talk–"

"I want to show you something." Riley gives him a curious glare. "It's a surprise," he smirks, pulling her to follow him.

They walk silently, hand-in-hand across the grounds, playfully gazing back-and-forth at one another–that is, until all a sudden a bright flashlight skims over where they are walking.

"Who goes there?" A palace guard bellows.

"Brooks, take off your flip-flops," Drake commands under his breath, watching the guard in the distance.

"What? Why?"

"Just trust me," he squeezes her fingers. 

Riley quickly kicks them off, holding them in her hands. "Okay… now what?"

Drake grabs her hand again, his grip tight. "Run!" Giving her a warning tug, they both take off across the wet lawn, Riley following Drake's lead.

"Where… are we… going?" She pants, laughter bubbling from her chest.

"You'll see," Drake chuckles, "but we have to lose Barney Fife first!"

Dodging the glow of the searching lights, Drake and Riley finally make it to a large wall of greenery. Finding an entry, they pass through the walkway and hide behind the vines and leaves.

Drake looks to see if they finally lost the guards, but Riley takes a moment to look around the thicket they just entered. 

"Whoa," her eyes widen as she looks at the well-manicured covert. "Where… where are we?"

"It's… a maze. A hedge maze that we used to play in as kids."

"Are you serious?" She meanders down a corridor, looking around a corner. "It's so dark. Did you ever get lost?"

Drake chuckles, reaching into his pocket. "Plenty of times." He saunters closer to Riley, pulling out a flashlight and handing it to her. The air crackles around them as the charm of the blue moon ignites the twinkle in their eyes. Drake lowers his voice into a deep gravel. "Come get lost with me, Riley Brooks."

With that, he smiles and takes off jogging, Riley staying close behind. "Hey, not so fast Drake." She turns a corner and notices his denim shirt discarded on the grass. "You lost your shirt."

"Did I now?" He snickers. "Can you bring it to me?"

Riley scoffs into a giggle as she continues through the maze at the sound of his voice. "Maybe if you'd stop running away–"

"Maybe if you weren't so slow–"

"Hey!" Riley chides, "I just jumped out of a window–" she falls silent as finds Drake's belt tossed on the ground.  She collects it in her hand, biting her bottom lip. "Drake?"

"You're getting warm," he teases. Riley stumbles through another corner, turning left, then right. The sounds of her toes in the grass compliment her heavy breathing as she stops again to the cooing of his voice. "Warmer, Brooks." 

She continues until suddenly, she notices a warm glow just up ahead. Her steps quicken until finally she reaches a small clearing in the maze that opens to a stunning backdrop of the star-filled sky. Gas-lit sconces illuminate the garden, revealing tapestries of vines and flowers fixed to wooden lattice work amongst the bushes.

"Wow," Riley gasps, her eyes glowing with the wonder all around her. "This is beautiful." She feels Drake's warm touch on her hand, their fingers lacing together. 

"Cmon," he tugs on her, "I want to show you something."

"There's more?" She giggles, following his lead. They walk a short, pebbled path until they are standing in front of a large gray-stoned well. Riley presses her fingertips to the cold marbled edges before looking down into the dark abyss. Her eyes shift to Drake, "Is this where you murder me?" He chuckles, shaking his head as she turns back to the well opening. "Hello!" She shouts, the echoes welcoming each other back and forth.  

"I'll be honest, Brooks." Riley looks back at Drake. "I'm kinda shocked Liam hasn't already brought you here. It's one of his favorite places to show off in the entire estate."

"Oh," Riley's eyebrows knit together with a pained expression. 

"Hey," Drake nudges her playfully. "What's with the long face?"

Riley snickers into a scoff before finally succumbing to tears. "I'm just exhausted," she pulls her hands to her face.

"Brooks," he pulls her into his comforting arms.

"This social season bullshit is just … it's really screwing with my head," she sniffles. "I've never been more insecure in all my life, and what for?" She wipes her eyes with the back of her hand, clearing her throat. "I wish I knew where I stood. I wish the competition was over. I wish–"

Drake reaches into his pocket, pulling out a couple of worn copper coins. He offers them to a confused Riley.

"Pennies?" She sniffles.

"Yeah," he chuckles, "I forgot to get rid of them when we were in New York. They're worthless here. No conversion."

Riley's lips begin to curl. "Then why keep them?"

Drake starts inspecting the coins in his hand, allowing them to softly clang together in his palm. "I read a book once–"

"--picture books don't count as reading."

"Ha. Ha." He smirks, feigning annoyance as he starts to jingle the coins in his hand. "I read that in ancient civilizations, finding random metals was a sign or a blessing from the gods."

"You see them everywhere back home. The streets, sidewalks," she snickers, "a whole cent. How generous of the gods."

"What? A penny isn't enough for you?" Drake playfully growls, slowly leaning closer to Riley.  She coyly bats her lashes, a soft titter in her throat. "Here." He puts a coin in her hand.

"What's this for?" Riley studies the trinket.

"For something bigger, citizens would offer the metal back to the gods, like a payment.  So they would say a silent prayer, then toss it–"

"--into a well," Riley softly finishes.

Drake nods over his shoulder to the stoned well. "Let's make your wishes count."

One by one, Drake and Riley silently take pennies, casting them into the well with unspoken hopes and dreams until every last coin was gone. Feeling his close proximity, Riley stares up into his dark eyes, getting lost into a charming stillness.

"What did you wish for?" She whispers.

Drake slowly shakes his head. "Nothing."

"Nothing?"

He offers a crooked grin. Combing his fingers into Riley's dark, espresso waves, his hand gently grips the back of her neck, pulling her closer. "All my wishes have already come true, Brooks."  He closes the space between them, their lips grazing one another. The feather-light touch instantly ignites a hunger, one they both feel and crave. Drake pulls back, chuckling under his breath as he fidgets with the hem of Riley's shirt. "So... why didn't you take off any clothes?"

Riley bites her bottom lip. "Maybe... because... I wanted my wish to come true." She pauses, her fingers tucking into the front pocket of Drake's jeans, pulling his hips flush against hers.

He swallows thickly. "Which is?"

"Take them off for me, Walker."

—

(Present)

Damnit.  I adjust myself in my jeans, but my cock always hardens at the memory of Riley and me that night. We fucked. A lot. But that night, our first night together, it was more than just sex. We made love.

I take a swig of my new drink that the bartender must've dropped off while I was taking a stroll down the boulevard of broken dreams when my eyes dart to my Riley look-alike.

And I feel my dick shrink.

She's with someone, some blond tool, probably named Chad, with a tool haircut that shops at Tools-R-Us with a matching trust fund. 

I sigh to myself, polishing the rest of my drink before staring at my empty glass. 

He is pretty hot; I don't blame her.

I glance at them one more time, kissing my own dirty fantasy away when I notice something odd. His hand is sternly gripped around her wrist, staring at her like she's his next meal. 

But her face tells a different story. She seems to be struggling, trying to tear her arm away from him. Those big, doe eyes are panicked, large as table saucers as she frantically looks for help. 

I sigh. Goddamnit...

I wipe a napkin across my mouth as I stand, my glare fixed on this commotion transpiring before me. I shrug my shoulders, loosening the tight fabric off my back as I stretch my muscles. Just in case.

I hurry my way through the dense crowd of patrons gathered around the bar. I flex my fingers, bending my wrist as I get closer.

Ah, shit. This is the part I'm bad at. What do I say first? 'Stop that!' No, that's lame. I need something clever, like maybe, 'Is there a problem here?' How about–

My clenched fist meets his jaw, knocking the asshole in one swing into a bartop table before he crashes down onto the floor.  He's so disoriented; he's trying to get up, but he keeps slipping on shards of glass, falling back into the pathetic rumple he calls his life.

Fuck. My hand. I know it will hurt like a bitch in a few minutes when my body depletes of adrenaline, but for right now, I'm basking in the moment. 

A smirk grows on my mouth, but it doesn't last for long. The young woman. I turn to the Riley look-alike, her terrified stare already fixed on me. Instinctively, I carefully put my hand on her shoulder. She's shaking.

"Excuse me, miss. Are you alright?"

Ho.ly. Fuuuuuuck. 

Brooks? Seeing her up close is almost painful; I can feel my balls beginning to ache.  This woman is hauntingly stunning: the subtle freckles on her nose, the curve of the bow to her top lip, even the flounce of her long, flirty eyelashes. She's beautiful; she's… like somebody I used to know…

The young woman shyly nods, but she's trembling. She's clearly not alright. 

And I suddenly possess this overwhelming need to take her in my arms, hold her tight and let her know she's safe. 

Calm down, Walker. 

"Let's get you away from this." I look up, noticing an open lounge-type area near the dance floor with large, plush couches. Offering my arm, she holds on tightly as we escape through the debris of the nightmare that just happened. Placing a reassuring hand on her back, I encourage her to sit. 

I, on the other hand, keep an eye on douche canoe who is being helped up by security and his friends. But, I don't think he'll be a problem for us anymore tonight.  He never got a good look at me, and even if he had, something tells me his ego would keep him away from telling the truth of who made him taste his own blood.

Turning towards the young woman, I notice she is anxiously looking around, her body on edge.  I tilt myself to her ear, shouting over the blaring music, "Are you here with anyone?" 

She nods, "B-but it's okay," she yells back, waving her hands. "I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

She fakes a smile, and my God, it knocks me back. Stunning.

Focus on her words, Walker...

"I don't exactly want to…" 

I don't quite understand the rest of her statement, her words lost in the heavy beat of the music. I give her an inquisitive look, causing her to careen towards my ear, her hand brushing across my shoulder.

And my cock twitches. Breathe, buddy…

"I said… I don't want to interrupt their fun." She motions aimlessly to the dance floor. Got it.

"Can I call someone for you? Family perhaps?"

Her eyes widen. "What? No, no." 

She grins, but it's clearly hiding her true feelings. Which is fine. I'm a complete stranger. Shit, she probably thinks I'm some creepy old man, hitting on her at the bar. And sure, maybe on a night where she wasn't assaulted, maybe I would've bought her a drink, asked for her number.

But the fact of the matter is this: I really don't feel comfortable leaving this girl alone. She  just got into a physical altercation with… whoever that guy was. Her boyfriend? Oh shit, husband? I look at her hand; I don't see a ring, but that doesn't mean anything. You never know these days. Still, she doesn't need to be by herself right now. She really doesn't need to be here, but again, who am I but another creep at the bar.

I run my fingers through my hair. Oh, what the hell. "Do you mind if I sit with you?"

A hint of fear crosses her expression as she looks me over. 

I hold up my hands in defense before leaning over her shoulder. "I don't feel comfortable leaving you alone in a place like this," I shout, "especially with what happened with your boyfriend."

She takes a deep breath. She flashes those big, brown eyes at me before finally nodding in agreement. 

And my heart melts. 

I offer my hand. "Drake."

The corners of her lips curl as she takes my hand, leaning towards my ear. "Jake?" She yells.

I shake my head, facing her ear more directly. "Drake!" I holler over the deep thrumming of the bass.

She raises an eyebrow. "Jake?" 

Eh, close enough. I smile in agreement.

"I'm Nora," she smiles, already more relaxed.

"Nora?" I repeat, ensuring I heard her correctly. At least one of us should be called by our real names this evening. 

She nods innocently, a beautiful rosy pink painting her cheeks. "Oh, and, um… he's not my boyfriend."  A piece of her hair falls like liquid silk into her eyes as she looks down at her lap. She quickly shoos the wisp away, chasing it behind her ear before looking back at me, trying to figure out my angle. Am I here to hurt her? Flirt with her? Invite her home for a messy, drunken fuck?

Don't worry, sweetie, you're safe with me.

"American?"

She catches me off guard with that one. "Uh, yeah. How did you–?"

She points to her mouth, her lips perfectly rounded and plump, painted a deep crimson. Oh, duh. My watered-down accent. Toto, we're not in Texas anymore. It's hard to believe that at one point in my life, I actually sounded like these people. Every once in a while, the Cordonian beast pounces, but these days, I sound like the typical American mutt.

"Are you on vacation?" Nora asks.

I smirk, shaking my head. "I… moved here for work."

"To Cordonia?" She snickers. "Of all places?"

"Fair," I chuckle under my breath as I feel the heat rise up my neck. "I… grew up here, so I have… connections, friends and family. It makes for an easy transition. How about you?"

Her eyes brighten, like a pageant contestant being asked about world peace. "Cordonian. Born and raised."

"That's unfortunate," I joke. Sorta.

"Hey," she giggles, scrunching up her nose playfully.  She swats the back of her hand against my shoulder. The touch sends a shockwave of familiarity, robbing me of my breath. "I love Cordonia–"

"Spoken like a true Cordonian."

"And… what's wrong with that?"

Drake guffaws. "What isn't wrong with that?"

"Your tone is suggesting that there's something wrong with having pride in your country–"

"It's egotistical–"

"The only thing egotistical is thinking that your opinion about Cordonia is the only opinion to be had." She furrows her brows. "If you hate it so much, why did you come back?"

Shit. She's feisty. And this conversation has gone completely off the rails.  I can't tell if she's really pissed… or if I'm just really turned on and wanting a sparring match. 

Fuck. You just had to be a jackass…

"Okay, truth?" I offer, even though I'm sure she wants to toss a drink in my face at this point.

She turns to face me, tucking her leg underneath her. "Please."

"I had a rough time fitting in here. Except for my best friend. He's–" I grin thinking about Liam and I, growing up together, how perfect and inseparable we were. "--as Cordonian as you can get. Well, except… I mean, his mom… nevermind," I shake my head. "He's the nicest person I've ever met in my life. I needed some help after a bad business deal, and… he was there and… now I'm here."

"Huh." She sits back, crossing her arms as she takes me in. She raises an eyebrow, the corner of her lips curling. She's clearly unsure of me, and I don't blame her. 

"Drinks?" A cocktail waitress dressed in a skimpy, leather skirt interrupts us.

Rubbing the back of my neck nervously, I turn to Nora. I have a feeling that this might be the end of the night for us, especially if I don't offer her a cocktail.

I stare at the sparkling flecks of bronze in her eyes. There's something about this girl, more than just the memories she stirs up in me. I can't explain it… shit, then again, maybe I'm fooling myself, wanting something to be there that never was. Still… I clear my throat… you never know unless you try.

 "Would… you like one? A drink?"

She narrows her eyes in thought… and fucking hell, she's so goddamn beautiful. Like Riley incarnate. The mannerisms, some of her expressions. Watching her literally robs me of speech and air, and I am dying to spend more time with her. Hell, who knows where the night will take us. 

I really hope she agrees to this drink. I can tell I haven't exactly won her over in the past twenty minutes, but if she would just agree to one more drink, just a few more minutes with me, maybe history could repeat itself. Maybe I could experience the woman of my dreams in a different way. Now, I could never tell Nora this; she could never find out. I mean, I am attracted to her, it's just…

"Sure," Nora interrupts my thoughts, her lips curling. "I'll take a drink."

~🖤~

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[calliope-nash]

The Little Nash: Buddie's Girl

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Callie: So, guess who is back in my life.

Dazja: I thought he lived in Texas. When did he move and why is he a firefighter. Not that I am complaining about that. Wait, are you going to connect both books?

Callie: I think so. Plus, it would make life easier for me. Though Eddie found out I wrote some spicy scenes, and he wasn’t happy. But that other guy who I was thinking about making the other love interest, seemed to calm Eddie down. He is totally cool with a love interest. 

Dazja: Just be careful. Don’t get feelings like you did last time.

After that I didn’t respond to her. Eddie had been someone I was close to, but feelings were something I never accounted for. I was normally good at keeping myself at arm’s length from those I was working with. Eddie just broke through so many walls I held up, but I couldn't start anything. Luckily at the time he was married, and I didn’t worry about that. Now I have no idea if those feelings will return or if Buck will be the new person they will go too. I pray for neither or hell even both. 

I got up for the day and started to look for my old files on Eddie. I made it a mission to learn everything I can about the people I write about to make it seem more real and less like interviews. It helped to humanize some of the soldiers who didn’t have much of a personality except that they needed to protect others. 

I found the file I was looking for, the one about his wife Shannon. I figured that I needed to update the file seeing as if Eddie was in LA, she was too. I looked up her name and LA in a search bar. What I learned saddened me. She died. Eddie must have been devastated. I decided to look up the case file from her death. I needed to get access to that. 

As if someone knew I was doing research, there was a knock on my door. Okay no one knew where I lived yet. But when I opened the door, there was my brother and a woman I wasn’t sure who she was. I let them in and asked if they wanted anything.

“Callie, this is my wife, Athena.”

“You got married again?”

Bobby only nodded. I didn’t waste anytime and hugged her and welcomed her to our weird ass family. She seemed surprised by how okay I was with them not inviting me to the wedding. I had no issue with it mostly because I was too busy writing my novel at the time I wasn’t really talking to anyone except my editor.

Bobby promised that the three of us would get together and have dinner. I agreed as long as he didn’t mind, I used it as an interview for my new book. Athena looked at me with confusion. I told her about my new idea and how the two male love interests were going to be based on Buck and Eddie. Which was the first Bobby heard about.

“No.”

“My book, my rules. Besides, Buck already agreed, and Eddie has given me permission to use his likeness and or his personality in any novel I write.”

Athena just gave Bobby a look, which I read as ‘your sister is sassy, and I like her.’.  I high fived her for her support. We all sat down to have some breakfast before Bobby’s shift started. As we ate, I was glad to have a sister-in-law who didn’t take any of Bobby’s shit. At one point Bobby went to the restroom and I got a chance to talk to Athena alone.

“How the hell did my brother get to be with an amazing woman? Like seriously, he has no game at all, and the man has some fucking issues.”

“It just happened. We decided to give it a shot after an interesting call about a man on a motorcycle. Besides that, everything about us has been good. Your brother is a good man who has been through hell and back.”

“I know he is. He just worries about me sometimes. We didn’t talk for a long time after I left to work as a journalist who wrote about overseas missions. That’s how I know Eddie. I was embedded with his team on his last tour.”

“Bobby told me about that. I read some of your articles from your time there. You never used anyone’s name. Why?”

“Its their story to tell, if they want to put their name on it that’s not my decision to make.”

Before I could say anything else, Bobby came back. I told her we would talk later. Athena just laughed. Bobby told me that if I planned on going in today, that I should get ready before he left and he would drive me to the firehouse. I told him to just go on without me. I had to do something first. Athena asked what I needed to do. Grabbing my laptop, I showed them my google search about Shannon. Bobby was the first to speak up. He told me not to talk about her around Eddie. Like I was planning on bringing more trauma to his life than he has already been through. 

After talking to them about what I needed to know about Shannon’s death, I was glad I never mentioned that Diego, the character based on Eddie, had a wife. I had written about a son, but never a wife. Which I can easily explain in this new book. My heart broke for Eddie, he was a good man who had more love to give than he was given. The few times I talked to Shannon without Eddie’s knowledge; I hated her. Though I understood what she was the way she was about Christopher. She had no clue what it was like to have a child with a disability.

I walked the two of them out. Before I could get dressed, I started crying. Eddie needed someone in his life who could be not only his rock but also good with Christopher. Though I knew that crying for a man who didn’t want to talk to me right now was pathetic, I cared about him. I got myself composed and got ready to be in interview mode.

Getting to the fire house wasn’t that hard, but getting out of my car was. Just as I was going to open my door, I saw Eddie’s truck. Taking a few deep breaths, I opened my door and walked toward him. 

“Eddie?”

“Calliope.”

“Okay I deserve that. Listen, I promise I never meant to keep those scenes from you. It just never felt like the right time to bring them up. After everything that happened to us in Afghanistan, I figured that you didn’t want to talk about anything relating to your time there. I promise to try and make this up to you. The first step for that is informing you that the next book will be a sequel which makes the series into a why choose romance. Diego will still be there, but Stella, the female lead, will have another male who takes interest in her. He will be based on Buck.”

“WHAT?! First you write scenes with basically you and me. Now its going to be you and Buck?”

Before I could explain anything, Eddie walked away, leaving me standing there like an idiot. Slowly, I walked to the lobby to check in with Bobby. Almost immediately he knew something was wrong. I just shook my head and told him to drop it. As I started setting up in one of the spare offices, Buck entered. He looked like he wanted to apologize for something.

“Eddie’s response to what the plans are for my novels are valid for him. Though he didn’t let me explain that it wasn’t just scenes that he thinks I am going to write. The character that is going to be based on you will be having some sex scenes that are with my female lead. Eddie thinks it means something more than it is.”

Buck tried to help me understand where Eddie was coming from. Though I suspect it has more to do with not wanting his teammate in a foul mood at a scene. I thanked him for listening and asked when we could do our first interview session. The word session messed with Buck a little. He seemed annoyed by it. I just laughed at his face.

“Guessing you don’t like the thought of therapy? That is kind of what interviews are though. At least in my experience.”

“Just don’t want people to see me in the wrong light.”

“Buck, the interview is just for me. Its to help me pick details for your character. I might even show you the first one I did with Eddie some day. With his permission of course. Consent is sexy.”

My final sentence made Buck laugh. We talked for a bit and got to work on scheduling his first interview. Learning about Buck was nice. He had a good heart and I was hoping to reflect it in the novel. The bell rang and they all went out. Eddie was the man behind for the first half of the shift. Which was just fantastic. 

I distanced myself from him and started working on an outline for the story. We weren’t going to be talking anytime soon with his attitude the way it was, but I still held hope that he would let me explain. 

Around lunch, once the team had returned, Bobby made burgers. He asked me and Buck to help make some sides. I worked on making fries, regular and sweet potato ones, while Buck made macaroni and potato salads. 

“Why do people eat those? Mayonnaise is disgusting except in a few circumstances.”

“You don’t like mayonnaise? How are you Bobby’s sister?”

“You have no idea how many times I was asked that growing up. Minnesota is brutal when it comes to their salads. Though I think it has something to do with my mom being from Oregon. She was a character.”

Buck grabbed the salads as we walked to the table. He apologized if talking about my mother was difficult. Shrugging was my response. It wasn't hard to talk about her, it was more living with the memories of her and the ones i won't be able to share with her.

We got the table all set up just as Bobby finished the last of the burgers. I waited until everyone else had gotten their food before getting mine. Figuring I wasn't welcome to sit with the 118 family, I started to walk back to the office I was set up in. 

Bobby asked me where I was heading. Gesturing to the office, he told me to sit down. Buck waved me over and I sat next to him. Eddie was on his other side. I thanked whichever god was watching over that Buck didn’t make me sit between the two of them. Lunch was a nice change of pace. Howard, who told me to call him Chim or Chimney, asked what the plans were for my time here.

“Well, once I have enough information from all of you guys, I'll probably leave until the book is done. No distractions. Though that is just the plan as of right now.”

“You'll leave like always” Eddie’s voice held a venom i wasn't surprised by.

“Edmundo, do we need to have a private conversation now, or wait until we schedule a time for an interview?”

“You are going to interview me again?”

“Yes, you have changed. Why wouldn't I want to know what has changed and what is the same.”

My comment shuts Eddie up for the time being. Buck lightly squeezes my hand under the table. The gesture was welcomed, but surprising. I tried to ignore the looks Bobby and Buck were giving me. But Bobby was the one I was more worried about. He never wanted me to date a firefighter. 

I stopped talking after my staring contest with my brother. There was nothing worse than when Bobby got over protective. Especially after what happened in Minnesota. 

After lunch, I went back to the office I was set up in, to work on setting up a schedule for who is doing interviews when as well as when I wouldl be shadowing the team to better understand what they do on calls. Bobby used to try and tell me, but I was bored most of the time. Never felt the need to know. 

After roughly twenty minutes, Athena came to the door. She informed me that Bobby had asked her to check on me. Rolling my eyes, I shook my head.

“He wants to know what Eddie meant at lunch. I don’t want to talk about it. Besides, Eddie can’t say anything about my leaving when he was the one to… Nevermind, it’s in the past.”

“Eddie lead you on?”

“No, I got romantically invested, and I needed space. I think he thought I wanted to leave before their mission was finished. Which was not the case at all. The longer I was with them, the harder it was going to be for me to leave. Honestly I would have gone to Texas with him.”

Athena understood what I was impling with my confession. “Have you ever told him?”

I shook my head. He was married and I wasn’t going to be a homewrecker. Looking back now, Eddie always asking me about my personal life just as much as I was asking about his. Before I could tell her anything else, Buck walked in. I realize everyone was back. I thank Athena for listening. She gave Buck a pat on the shoulder as she left. 

“I don’t want to talk about it. Eddie and I are a complicated friendship.”

“Good, because I asked Bobby a question. Now I am going to ask you one.”

“Buck?”

“Have dinner with me tonight?”

[that-one-weeb-buts-its-the-main]

The Initiative Project| Javik

✧▬ ▬▭▬ ▬▭▬ ▬▭▬ ▬▭▬ ▬▭▬ ▬▭▬ ▬✧

Reader: female | pre-established relationship

Warnings: Detailed Smut is very much not present but very much eluded too

Notes: Hi, Im on spring break. Enjoy me being back for like a week :)

✧▬ ▬▭▬ ▬▭▬ ▬▭▬ ▬▭▬ ▬▭▬ ▬▭▬ ▬✧

"Hey."

"What?"

"Damn, who pissed in your cereal?" Y/n laughed, hands in her pockets as she casually mosied along the high arc of the Citadel with one hand tucked away in her pocket, the other holding a flashlight, neither were meant to be up there, "Garrus recommended you this place?"

"Yes," Javik answered, Y/n smiling small as she took a spot next to him.

"Light generator's busted," Y/n responded, standing next to the Prothean, turning off her flashlight "One hell of a view."

Light pollution usually took such a view away; but now? With the light gone, and nothing but natural light from candles, the beauty of the dark took over, the sky showing its true colors, star dust glowed and burned bright purples and blues, reds and oranges at the center.

"I am positive Andormena will likely be the same." Was his only response, causing Y/n to roll her shoulders.

"Yeah...maybe," Y/n chuckled, "I think we all deserve a long nap after what we've been through; but six hundred years...what will you do?"

"What I have always done," Javik answered.

"Survive?"

"Precisely."

Y/n nodded, "Good plan..."

"Then...I will take my leave." Javik spoke, turning himself to leave.

"You don't have to you know," Y/n told, stopping the Prothean in his tracks; "I...It's..."

"What?"

"Please?" Y/n asked, "Just...for a little while more?"

Even in the dark, it was easy to see he didn't want to be there, yet he stayed, and stood, facing the Citdeals opening which framed the galaxy in front of them.

"Look I'm sorry-"

"Sorry? You do not get to be, sorry," He snapped, his footsteps coming closer till she realized he was clearly in her face, "You do not get to apologize, to be sorry, to be remorseful, you have no remorse, you have no sympathy, you have no mercy. You are selfish."

"Selfish?" Y/n defended, offended by such a remark, "Tell me what selfish, you're clearly the higher being, aren't you? You understand all and every primitive, then understand me."

"Running off to another galaxy! Six hundred years in stasis via cryo! Six hundred years dead!" Javik argued: "All so you can run away from your problems-"

"Problems?" Y/n questioned, "What problems- I have to have people to have problems; You just don't get it? My family in the world I helped survive which I come from does not want me! The family in that world? Does not want me! Thane- the only father I ever had- not even of my own blood dead- the closest thing I had to a brother? Kolyat!? Blames me! Mordin is dead! Miranda is dead! Shepard is dead! My best friend Leigon is dead! Garus and James? Dead! So is it so bad that I ask for one thing; one damn thing that guess what?"

Y/n backing up, already starting to leave; "Ends up being me doing shit for others though anyway! Welcome to our fucking cycle your majesty!"

Y/n turned the flashlight back on, leaving the Prothean alone; alone like he was before her, and alone like he'd be after.

"I need a fucking cigarette." He heard her argue to herself her boots clanking against the metal arch of the Citadel.

Sometime soon, the lights would turn back on, people rejoicing in the artical light, the artificual light that posioned the dark of space.

Y/n got her cigratte, shoved away in the back of Liam's apartments in the Initiative base.

"Let's slow down on the cigs, eh?" He spoke, grabbing the tin from in front of Y/n: "He stressed you out that bad love? I haven't seen you smoke in a few years, you know- since I almost arrested you for underaged smoking, then-"

He paused, Garrus had gotten her out of the situation, promising that if she stopped, he wouldn't rat to Thane or Kolyat.

"Yeah...."Y/n sighed, leaning back, half a lit cigratte in between her fingers.

"Sorry..." he apologized, Y/n nodded.

"It's cool." Y/n told.

She looked out the window in silence.

"you know," Liam started up, "what always gets me up when I'm down-"

"Beans on toast."

"Beans on toast!" Liam cheered, "Want to go get some?"

"Yeah sure why the fuck not, my relationship's ruined, why not ruin my stomach," Y/n responded getting up walking towards the door.

"Hey! It doesn't have to be beans on toast!" Liam laughed in his defense following Y/n into the hall quickly, "Could be avacado."

"We're leaving the galaxy in a what? Week and a half and you wanna eat beans and avacado on toast as your last meals?" Y/n spoke.

"Well, not together." He told, "What's better than toast with beans?"

"Litterally anything." Y/n told as they walked through the halls, "Mini wheats for one."

He gaged as they continued out of Initiative headquarters and to a food court, continuing to go back and forth between food choices. Liam grew up in Earth's British city of London, with the citadel sprinkled in for vast periods of time. Y/n, though born on Earth, never seen a damn day of it: her life was a duct rat: how she met Thane after all, no parents to claim her, so, in a way: Thane claimed her as his; felt responsible, one needed the other after all. Thane got his information, Y/n got her payment, usually settled in Diner food. After some time, it became a weekly thing, the drala'fa and the assassin at a diner, eating whatever was being served: breakfast lunch, or dinner.

It's how she joined the Normandy in the first place, she had gone missing; Thane had practically begged for assistance in finding her; she had disappeared with no trace; she had been caught, grabbed by smugglers and slavers, free product with high profit with no strings attached was ideal. With enough luck, and treats they found the cargo ship and Y/n within. At the crisp age of nineteen turning twenty within her first week there, she was on the Normandy; ready to fight, not to mention she gained an unofficial family. Kolyat had even joined the group for a small time: Y/n and him enjoying each other's company. Kolyat...right, in a fit of anger; perhaps resentment or just sadness he blamed her; it was her fault, it was her doing; she was there she could of stopped Cerberus; it was just one person, it was just one assassin, she knew better, she could of handled it.

"Hello! Citadel to Y/n!" A hand waved in front of her face.

"What?" Y/n asked.

"You were talking then you stop," Scott told.

"I was?"

"Yeah." Sara told, "You forget there was a salad in front of you too?"

Y/n looked down at her food before rubbing over her eyes with a groan.

"Are you good dude?" Scott questioned.

"I'm fine," Y/n told them.

"She's goin threw it; her 50k-year-old boyfriend just fucked her in the ass and left," Liam commented.

"Really Liam?"

"It's true, got her smokin' and everything," Liam told the Ryder twins.

"Damn that's gotta be rough," Sara started, "Sorry..."

"I don't get it." Scott spoke up, "You're 21 dating an old man, look at you; you could have anyone and you date a Prothean you helped unfreeze when the reapers attacked."

"Scott." Sara scolded hitting her twin in the chest.

"What? I'm being honest! Why him in the first place even?" He questioned; "he's an asshole! We all know it!"

"he's not an asshole."

"Right. He's a dick." Scott corrected himself.

"He's rough around the edges sometimes." Y/n defended, "I am leaving and never coming back, I just feel like maybe I should stay-"

"You're kidding me?" Sara asked.

"What?"

"After all you've done, and at your age: you wanna do something for someone else? Again?" Sara argued; "What has he done for you to make you stay?"

"Well-"

"Fucking you does not count," Sara defended.

Y/n was silent for a moment, what did Javik do for her?

Javik had her back, for better rather than worse; usually. After Thane's death, he was her vent mate; her rooms vent connecting right into his, the night crying he claimed was annoying; useless even.

'Crying will not bring back the dead.' He argued, sat on his cot.

'Sorry your royal fuck face that my dad just fucking died.' She snaped back.

'Rage was always one thing you humans got right,' He commented, 'I believing it's one of your...greatest inspirations, it is what has kept your people alive for so long."

'I'm not angry,' Y/n defended; 'I have to keep a cool head, I am not angry. It'll just get more people killed.'

'Not angry?" he laughed, 'Is that what the drell taught you? anger gets people killed? Anger fuels life. It is the chaos that keeps peace in balance, You're anger is not what gets people killed. it's the ignorance that is contained within your anger.'

Y/n was silent for a moment as she laid down on her cot, wipping her face with her sleeve.

'How do you know?' Y/n asked looking up at the ceiling.

'Its one damn thing I have learned in this cycle,' he told, 'I have also learned you're saying Ignorance is bliss, is quiet idiotic. It is what breeds your ignorant behavior in anger."

"He's had my back." Y/n spoke in Javik's defense, "More than once."

'You could have protected him!" Kolyat shouted, 'Why didn't you protect him!'

"I-"

'What?! You tried!?' Kolyat shouted, 'Tried isn't good enough! You're so busy fucking around that you couldn't even do what your fucking here for!'

'You will not talk to her in such a tone!' Javik shouted, pushing Kolyat back and out of her face, 'Speak to her on such a tone again, and it will entail a problem between me and you.'

Kolyat glared at him, 'Do I make myself clear?' Javik argued.

'Fuck you.' Kolyat snapped pushing passed Javik and walked away from the two of you.

'Kolyat-' y/n spoke, but he was already gone, 'Kolyat, please...'

'He will not bother you-'

Y/n had already crumbled, crying into her hands in the middle of the room he walking up to her.

'Do not waste tears on some so ignorant. You primatives-'

She hugged him in desperation, freezing Javik in place as she held onto him.

"Yeah. He's had my back." Y/n nodded to the group, "Just rough around the edges is all. Trust me."

"What we mean is." Liam spoke up, "We want you to be happy, live for you. You know? What do you want to do? For you? You've done a lot for others."

"I don't know what I want anymore." Y/n answer honestly.

"Well..." Liam spoke, "How do you want to feel?."

Y/n looked down at her food, "I don't know."

"Thats thw good thing about stoves." Liam told with a smile. "Things can go on the back burner to simmer."

Think about it. Just think, it didn't have to be immedate, just, think. Take time, and think.

"I feel full."

"You barely ate."

"Yeah I'll take it with me." Y/n told picking herself up and the container, leaving the group.

Gone from sight, she decided going to her initiative quaters was best, and on the way, she would drop her untouched meal off in front of a duct where it would be grabbed up quickly by one of the kids.

Maybe a nap would be best.

Making it to the halls of doors, each leading to onrs own room and office, she saw Javik leaning up against the wall, clearly waiting. She'd have to deal with it sooner rather than later.

"Hey."

He glanced her way, "Hello."

"You're...here..." Y/n spoke.

"I am."

Y/n looked towards the door, "Did you-"

"Here."

Y/n looked at the small bunch of flowers wrapped in paper and a string.

"Oh. Marigolds." She spoke, "my favorite."

"They were annoying me. Every time I passed that old human woman."

"So...you got them for me?"

"They annoyed me because they reminded me of you."

Y/n took them carefully, "thanks. Appreciate it..."

"The Krogan offered me work."

"Oh. Wrex?" Y/n spoke, looking down at the flowers," bounty work?"

"Land Work," Javik commented, "a farm."

Y/n looked up, "he offered you work as a farmer?"

"Amongst other opportunities."

"And farming? It? Caught one of your eyes or? Six?" She questioned.

"All of them." He commented: clearly not getting the joke.

Y/n chuckled under her breathe, "why uh. Why farm work?"

Javik was silent as Y/n looked at him awaiting his answer.

"You." Was his final answer, "I had discussed with Wrex while we were still together on the Normandy. You had...talked about it a lot with the fields."

"...the corn fields we saw in that colony," Y/n told him Javik nodded, "You remember that?"

"My memory may not be as sharp as a Drells, but it's still better than humans."

Y/n chuckled in response gently rubbing one of the leaves on the marigold's stem to keep her mind busy, hoping not to give away her bashfulness; "Thanks uh again for the flowers,"

Javik gave a curt nod as she smiled back, "I should get to filing some stuff then..."

With a put of a button, the door opened allowing Y/n to go through she sent him a small wave of the hand as she did. The door closed as she stood there, looking at the flowers in hand, before setting them on a shelf in an old ration can she had used for a vase. She looked at them sitting all pretty in an old can. A finger came up to her mouth as she chewed on the nail in debate. Y/n was quick to backtrack, opening the door once again; Javik still standing there seemingly having a debate himself as Y/n quickly kissed him, he quick to kiss back; hands grabbing her arms as he backed her up into her office, Y/n quickly flailed her hand around for the control panel to press the lock button, uncertain if she got it, she was already pushed back into the desk, being lifted up to sit ontop it.

"I don't think she's going with us," Sarah argued.

"She's going." Liam defended, "Trust me."

[millerbrick]

you're not real, you're just a spitting image

cowritten with @ramonachoi (Smith) and @masonxxbrick (Mason)

Brick Family Estate, January 105

His steps leaving his father’s home office were quick. There was no reason to linger. Miller was visiting because he had been summoned, and for a while now, that was the only reason he did. As he left the room, he reassured his father one last time of the grasp he had on his latest task—tying down some supply chain hiccups related to the armament designated for Peacekeeping troops in District 11.

Those quick steps carried him down the hall, headed in the direction of the front door. That was when he heard Smith’s voice coming from the main living room. “…probably broken from kissing dad’s ass so much. And that poison shit that got into him in the arena, too.” Mason’s voice followed. “I'm not, Smith. I thought about it but you're right, it's just our secret.” A pause, before a warning was added, “And you shouldn't say that.” Smith scoffed in response. “Okay, don’t get your dick in a twist.”

Miller gritted his teeth, but did not stop. It didn’t matter anymore what his brothers thought of him. Hadn’t he told himself that over and over again for a year and a half now?

He only slowed to a halt when he rounded the hallway and finally saw them, seated at one of the couches. Fighting some internal turmoil, Miller decided to address them. “You two doing alright?” Impassive tone, impassive question. They looked alright enough to him.

It was Mason who answered, warm as always. “We’re perfect.”

Smith, on the other hand, didn’t bother with pleasantries. He didn’t even bother answering the question, instead coming up with his own. “What are you doing here?”

Miller quirked a brow at the conspicuous challenge. “Do I have to have a reason? Am I not allowed in this house anymore, not allowed to freely visit?” It was the wrong thing to say. He knew it, too, knew better than to provoke Smith. Mason had been courteous enough that the boy didn’t deserve to be caught in an argument. But despite having convinced himself that their opinions of him did not matter, the rejection in Smith's voice had stung, and Miller could not quite help hitting back just a little.

“I don't think Smith meant anything bad by his question, Miller. I think he was genuinely wondering why you're here. Like a fun visit or work visit... or borrowing some toilet paper visit. It's been so long since you've been home, it's strange to see you here,” Mason quickly tried to mediate, nervously messing with his fingers. “I think we both just assumed you weren't coming back so he was just wondering. Right, Smith?”

But of course, Smith refused to back down. “Oh, I guess you didn’t hear.” His tone grew unstable, his gaze on Miller unwavering. “Yeah, we got rid of your old room. We figured that you didn’t need it seeing how you made yourself pretty comfortable up Snow’s ass. And, when you get bored of that, you can move onto the next Capitolite.”

Miller saw it all coming; Smith rising to meet his provocation, the scornful words in return. All his fault, too. He was supposed to be the mature one, the one holding himself to higher responsibility and expectations. And he knew too well how easy it was to get Smith riled up.

For some reason, it did not stop him this time around.

“Great. I’m not staying, so you’re welcome to do whatever the fuck you want.” A part of him knew better than to escalate the conflict, but the other part that was bruised by Smith’s taunt won out. Miller only spared Mason a quick, regretful glance, before his cold eyes returned to Smith. “You’ve always been jealous. Maybe it’s time you stop hiding behind your childish insults and admit to that.”

“Guys, please.” Mason began to beg, trailing off in audible desperation. “Dad can hear you guys, we don't want him coming in here, please stop. He's just joking, Miller, your bedroom is still the same as you left it. Smith, come on, please--”

“Shut up, Mason!” Smith snapped. It had Mason jumping in shock, but Smith continued, undeterred. “Say that again.” He pushed at Miller’s chest like kids at recess. “You’re a big man, Miller. Bullying your brothers, people beneath you, ‘cause you don’t have an ounce of control anywhere else in your life.”

It was flawed criticism, one Miller seethed to argue against. Wasn't it Smith shoving him by the chest, yelling at Mason to shut up? Who was bullying who? But he didn’t get a word in edgewise as Smith went on. “No, you just do what everyone tells you to do—like you always have and like you always will,” he spat out and pushed again, harder. “You’re nothing, man. You’re not even a real fucking person.”

The last part hit much closer to home than the bullying accusation. Too close.

He had told Smith to stop hiding behind childish insults and it looked like the boy had listened, because this was definitely no longer childish insults. Smith's words no longer bruised, they cut—with devastating accuracy and impact. Whether or not Miller wanted to admit it, Smith had only spoken the truth. The complete lack control, the helpless obedience; all of it true. Not a real person. Not even real to himself most of the time. Even after winning the Games, he still amounted to nothing more than a tool to his father. The only difference was that he was now the Capitol's plaything, too.

It happened quickly—it had to, of course. In order to end the conversation. Even then, he felt like he had barely any control of himself. Miller raised his fist and aimed it at Smith's face.

The fog lifted as soon as he made contact. He quickly reeled back, jaw clenched and eyes wide, staring back and forth between his two brothers who seemed just as shocked as he was.

There was blood running down Smith’s chin.

This was not like him. This was not supposed to be him. He wasn’t afraid often, but he knew when he was—and he was now. Not of Smith retaliating, which he expected and sorely deserved. Not even of their parents, who probably had heard the commotion. Instead, it was of the fact that he had only proven Smith right. The more Miller tried to prove himself to be nothing like their father, the more he seemed to grow into the man they all claimed to despise.

After a beat of frozen silence, Smith lunged at him. He reflexively went on the defensive, an arm thrown over his own face to protect against the brunt of the assault. Except it never came. Except Smith backed away, much to his surprise.

“Come on, Smith.” Mason cut in, grabbing the opportunity to try to talk Smith down. “I think it's time for Miller to go, anyway.” He sounded relieved that Smith had decided not to hit back. Perhaps Miller should be, too, but all he felt was shame.

Smith wasn’t done, though. Not quite. “Must be proud of yourself. Got so important that you don’t need to care about us anymore. Congratu-fucking-lations,” he said, his voice ragged hoarse. “Smith--” Mason tried to cut in again, but went unheard. Smith continued. “Since you don’t give a shit, you should know Mason’s volunteering. Hope you don’t mind not being dad’s favourite anymore.”

Miller’s response was immediate. Sharp. Spat out with venom to mask the fear. “Don’t fucking joke about that.” A chill ran down his spine, a thousand times colder and sharper than ever before. As much as he wanted to believe otherwise, he knew Smith wouldn’t joke about this—no matter how angry he was, not even as a taunt to Miller. His gaze drifted to Mason, who had his face in his hands. “No— Dad said—” Miller trailed off. “No. No, you’re not.” Was he arguing against his brothers or himself now? He didn’t know anymore.

Mason pulled his head up. “Dad said what? He said that Smith and I weren't going to have to volunteer?”

Not exactly. Not so straightforward. Their father was an accomplished strategist and negotiator, always a step ahead, always nimble with his words. Certain considerations had been promised, though. Considerations to spare Smith and Mason from the Games. Miller wouldn’t have stuck by his side otherwise.

Their father was an accomplished strategist and negotiator—who knew his sons well. He knew exactly what to say to keep Miller in line.

“Yeah, well, he lied,” Mason answered his own question, delivering the final nail.

He went on to recount what had happened; how he had landed himself in trouble for skipping training for days, that he was being forced to volunteer because of it, and what their father had said. But if there was anything meaningful to infer from all that, Miller did not hear it. The why seemed to matter little, given nothing could be done about the past. Given the reaping was only days away.

Mason’s voice grew more and more distant with every word. Smith might have also joined in, Miller wasn’t sure. The frigidness down his spine had extended to every bone and muscle, and now his own body weighed him down, lead-like. Soon enough, he could only hear two mangled pieces of what Smith and Mason had said, playing over and over again in his ears.

“Not even a real fucking person.”

“He lied.”