#((and emily gets up to check on the twins; and instead of finding two sleeping babies; she finds a pair of sleeping pups!))

[theheadlessgroom]

@beatingheart-bride

"We...we were."

Susannah was very surprised to hear he was envious of her friendship with Doreen growing up: In many ways, she expected he'd have a host of friends by his side, that he'd never been lonely a day in his life, unlike her...to hear that that wasn't the case, that he'd never had as close a friendship, a bond as she did with Doreen...it was so strange to think about. Frankly, she couldn't understand why-even in just this short time she'd spent in his presence, she really was enjoying his company! It seemed just...odd to think someone so warm could be so lonely, in some ways.

For a moment, she felt herself relax, and for the briefest of moments, she toyed with asking if he'd be interested in being friends with her...

...only to discard that notion as quickly as it came. Sure, he was being nice tonight, he was being polite now, but would he feel the same way in the daylight hours? Would he want to be seen with the likes of her? Not likely. No one else did; why should he be any different?

She tried to ignore that nasty feeling swirling around in her gut as she fidgeted with her fingers for a moment, a little unsure of what to say now. A part of her was greatly curious to know more about him, to get to know him further, but she also resisted out of shyness. Instead, she replied, "I'm...I'm just glad to hear Doreen is doing well. I-Is Belle, the head maid, i-is she still working for the Gracey's?" She was always very maternal towards Susannah, just as much as she was Doreen...

[zivazivc]

Pinocchio AU

Okay people want the explanation for this comic so here it goes. It’s long and complicated and MESSED UP because of course it is, this is me. I’m going to write in points because my small tired brain can’t handle good english atm but basically to sum up the Adrien was a sentimonster theory or Pinocchio AU as I like to call it:

Young married Emilie and Gabriel can’t have kids. Gabriel reluctantly accepts this fate and even brings up adoption as a possibility once, but Emilie doesn’t want to hear any of that. She’s a bit of a Marinette in the sense that she pictures this romanticized ideal life for herself and a child—her flesh and blood—HAS to be in it.

They keep trying to get a baby while other young families Emilie knows keep growing. She feels left out and hurt and depressed, then her newlywed twin sister announces she’s expecting a baby too and something within Emilie just unhinges.

She eventually lies to some of her friends, who she was out for coffee with, that she’s pregnant too. She mostly does it just to see their reaction and feel what it would be like but it quickly spirals out of control where she just starts pretending she’s pregnant until you can’t even tell if she believes it herself.

Gabriel is confused at first because he hears the news second hand (a friend/family member congratulating him) so he’s apprehensive when he approaches his wife but she convinces him that they really are getting a baby and Gabriel is ecstatic.

It’s only later at a doctor’s check up that Gabriel learns that she indeed is not pregnant. The doctor even speaks to him alone explaining that his wife is in denial and that he should make sure she goes to see a psychiatrist, something she definitely wouldn’t do alone.

Gabriel is unsuccessful with that because he’s not entirely persistent, doesn’t want to be the guy with the crazy wife having to tell everyone she lied about being pregnant, and hopelessly believes she’ll just get over it eventually.

That is until her “pregnancy is near due”—her sister already had Félix in England a few months ago—and he stumbles on her transformed with her peacock miraculous (they already have both of them) creating a sentimonster newborn.

They have a huge fight about it but because Emilie refuses to destroy it, won’t tell Gabriel where the amok is, and Gabriel can’t just hurt the baby with his hands, Emilie just… wins. Fucked up, yeah?

Now she tried creating kids before this one, using her imagination to try and blend her and Gabriel’s looks but it just wasn’t working. So she decided to copy of photos of baby Félix because he already looked almost like a copy of his mother, and Amélie and Emilie already looked alike so it’s not so weird?—is what her mind was telling her.

She didn’t dare alter his looks but she decided to give the baby Gabriel’s eye color to include the “father” in some way. (Yes in that comic I made I gave Adrien a mix of green and gray but that was mainly to get the point across to the perceptive readers)

Now we got Adrien, a normal baby boy to the whole world except for Gabriel who’s forced into his wife’s fantasy through social expectations.

Why are we only at this point and this post is already so long AAAAAAAA!!!

Adrien physically basically grows in a way where Emilie just keeps changing his appearance to match what Félix looked like a few months prior.

Mentally he’s like a robot just taking in information without really needing to learn it. So Emilie decides when he says his first word, she decides when he learns to walk,… He knows how to walk, he just wasn’t given the command to do so yet.

But even so he does develop a personality over time, just slower, because unlike a normal child who’s always testing his boundaries, how far they’re allowed to go until they’re in real trouble, Adrien just can’t misbehave. At all.

But he does have his favorite foods and favorite toys, and jokes that make him laugh the most. The problem is just that Emilie could just decide that his favorite food is strawberries and he’d just start acting accordingly, rewiring his belief. 

He also isn’t allowed to argue or be mean to others which is why Félix thinks he’s a goody two-shoes weirdo while Chloé the brat adores him.

This behavior isn’t so hard to hide with a toddler who’s fickle but it’s harder and harder as the kid grows. Which is why the family becomes very secluded over time.

Gabriel always keeps distance with his “son”. He’s not Dad, he’s Father, he doesn’t do hugs and cuddles, he doesn’t say I love you. But Adrien knows he loves him because his mom told him so and he loves him back unconditionally because Mom said that’s what families do.

Now even though Gabriel is traumatized by this whole ordeal and knowing Adrien “isn’t real” freaks him out he does soften a bit over time. I’m going to give an awful example but like someone who hates cats softening for a cat that their partner/roommate decided to get/had from before. Continuing with this example: But still becoming appalled when the cat starts acting odd/unusually.

Okay I think you get the gist. Let’s move on…

Emilie loves her son more and more as he grows and his sentimonster behaviours start bothering her more and more too. She hates being reminded that he’s not a real boy by people mentioning he looks young for his age because Emilie forgot to make him grow for a while. She hates when he does everything like he’s told. She hates that he has no real friends because they’re afraid to expose him to the outside too much and without supervision. She hates to think about his future.

Her desire for him to be real keeps growing and is what drives her to search for a solution in the miraculous spellbook.

She cracks the script after years, when Adrien is nearly a teen, and finds a way to transfer the creators soul into a sentimonster.

It’s a long process that takes time and while she falls ill to everyone around her, Adrien becomes more real.

Gabriel starts realizing what’s happening when he notices Adrien hesitate for a second when he’s playing a video game and Gabriel wants him to do something, groan when he gets bothered watching TV, huff, complain, have slightly opposing opinions to his and Emilie’s, when he argues with his mother when she tells him she’s feeling fine; when he notices his son’s eyes are greener. Or is it all in his head?

He confronts his wife too late, when she’s extremely ill already, her normally vibrant eyes dulled match Adrien’s bluish gray, and he pieces together in his head what she’s doing.

Before Gabriel could properly think what to do to stop the love of his life from turning into a lifeless doll, in a fit of panic he tries to take her wedding band (where he knows Adrien’s amok is) to get rid of Adrien instead, but is unsuccessful in getting it off her so he snatches her peacock brooch instead (which she needs to complete the spell obvs) and breaks it. (Heyoo! broken peacock miraculous. things are coming together)

Because the spell was almost complete anyway it’s Emilie who falls unconscious. But she doesn’t disappear because she’s not a real sentimonster, she just becomes dormant like one.

This is the point in the story where Gabriel makes it seem like Emilie ran away or something like that—basically disappear. Now he’s living knowing he has an almost sentimonster wife in the basement, knowing he almost killed his son (or her), and having to care for a son that suddenly became much more alive, questioning, arguing, angry, screaming, not accepting, crying, grieving, staring at him with Emilie’s eyes.

Instead of becoming a real parent, Gabriel shuts him out.

Soon Adrien evolves desires for socializing, company, getting away from the suffocating home which eventually leads to him going to a public school.

He slowly starts to live life freely without the restrictions that were put around his thoughts.

Gabriel has an even stranger relationship with Adrien now because he still loves him in a way but also holds resentment toward him. But mostly he sees him as something valuable.

The show happens here…  And now finally we get to the comic…

Gabriel gets a hold of the ladybug and black cat miraculouses. (There’s no epic fight in his lair as you see there’s no Ladybug in the comic but that’s not really important)

What’s important is that Gabriel had deciphered the miraculous spellbook with the help of Emilie’s notes and had decided to use the unification’s “wish” power to awaken Emilie.

He’s aware he’ll need to sacrifice something for the wish to come true and he’s certain Adrien should be enough because the soul inside him is literally the one thing Emilie is missing.

✨Adrien (poor boy just lost his miraculous) is taken to Gabriel’s lair, where he finds out his father is Hawk Moth, sees his mother, learns he’s a sentimonster, and that he’s going to become a sacrifice ✨

Of course the last part is not what happens. It’s Gabriel who ends up being sacrificed.

I can’t decide if Gabriel ends up sacrificing himself because he changed his mind in the last moment while Adrien was screaming for him to stop, OR  because he didn’t love Adrien enough for him to be considered an equal exchange for his wife… O.O

But anyhow…

Emilie wakes up with Gabriel’s soul within her (hence the bluish gray eyes in the comic).

Adrien is traumatized for life.

This took me hours to write… I knew there was a reason why I didn’t want to do it. I hope I didn’t forget anything and my brain made sense of it all

Well there you have it, peeps. The Pinocchio AU. It’s as messed up as my sleep schedule. Good night. 

[differentkettleoffishalltogether]

Shut Me Up

A/N: Here’s another smutty one-shot. I felt like something a little cliche so here it is. This was so fun to write! I’m still finding my footing in this fandom as a writer but I think I wanna start taking requests, the next fic I have coming out will be a request and I’m having fun with it so shoot me a message if there’s something you wanna see. I’ve just put together my Masterlist so you can check out my other fics there :)

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Fem!Reader

Summary: Spencer and Y/N don’t exactly get on well. Will they be able to work out some of their frustration when they’re forced to share a room for the night?

Category: Pure smut baby

Warnings/Includes: smut, graphic descriptions of sex, dirty talk, oral (female receiving), penetrative sex, name calling, light choking, hair pulling, scratching, please let me know if there’s anything I’ve missed!

Word count: 3850 words

The hotel is somehow worse than usual. It’s got so few rooms that they just narrowly grab enough for the whole team. But few enough that they have to bunk. Y/N didn't love sharing a room but it was better than having nowhere to sleep at all.

Prentiss tosses her a key, “That’s you and Reid” she says it so nonchalant that Y/N almost doesn’t notice it. Once in clicks in her head though she races down the hall.

“Hey, hey wait!” She calls out, a little too desperate, “Emily you can’t put me with Reid. We’ll kill each other.”

She laughs at that, it was on open secret amongst the team that Y/N and Spencer had something of a rivalry going. Bitter sworn enemies apparently. No one really bought it though. People who really truly hated each other would be a lot better at avoiding one another. But Y/N and Spencer could never seem to keep apart for very long.

“I’m sure you’ll be able to put your differences aside for a night.” she waves Y/N off as she heads into her own room, leaving her stranded in the hallway. Contemplating if the reception area might let her crash on the couch, she could even spend the night in one of the SUVs, the seats reclined far enough.

But that was stupid, why should she be the one who had to be uncomfortable, why not Spencer.

When she arrived at the door of her own room Spencer was slumped up against it, he stood up straight once he saw her coming.

“Took you long enough” he spat, reaching to take the key from her but she pulled it back before he had the chance.

“I was on the hunt for alternative sleeping arrangements” she huffs, unlocking the door.

“To no avail I presume?” he jokes but he’s just met with an eye roll.

“I’m taking the bed by the window” she stakes her claim before they even get through the door. Once they’re inside he lets out a chuckle.

“You’re welcome to the side of the bed by the window?” he jokes.

This was infinitely worse than she thought it was going to be. Where there were usually two generally uncomfortable twin beds in these standard small-town motels, instead there was a queen sized bed, staring at them as they stood at the foot of it.

“I get the bed” she says like she’s calling shotgun.

“Bullshit you get the bed, there’s nowhere else to sleep!” he complains.

She takes a second to scan the room, no sofa, no arm chair, the floor is a scratchy carpet. There’s no real option here. “You can sleep on the desk?” she suggests, and she’s not serious about it, but she wouldn’t say no if he agreed.

“Are you kidding me?” he almost shouts.

“Soft mattresses are bad for your back! Maybe it’ll sort out your posture?” she adds.

“There’s nothing wrong with my posture” he groans, massaging his temple.

“Okay sure, you tell yourself that”

They don’t say anything more about it as they unpack. Showering and changing for bed in silence. When Y/N comes out from he bathroom, Spencer is sitting up on one side of the bed, reading through case files by the light of the bedside lamp.

“Are you serious?” she whines.

“Look, we both need rest, just shut up and get over yourself” he says it without looking up from the file in his hand, his finger running over the lines at speed.

She doesn’t respond, she just climbs in on the other side, keeping herself as close to the edge of the mattress as possible to keep the distance in between them.

She lies like that for about 45 minutes but sleep’s just not coming.

“Are you ever gonna turn off that fucking light, I thought we ‘needed rest’” she mocks, turning over to look at him, still combing through the files, mumbling to himself every once in a while.

“We’ll both be useless tomorrow if we don’t get any sleep” she tries to convince him with a slightly more sincere tone.

This case wasn’t easy, the unsub had been abducting victims he’d met in online BDSM chatrooms. Bodies had been turning up murdered in ways that the victims had previously expressed were turn-ons. Suffocated, whipped, tied up in peculiar ways. There wasn’t much information to go on now, they just had to wait for the next body to turn up but that didn’t keep Spencer from pouring over everything a hundred times.

When he wasn’t being purposefully irritating Y/N honestly admired his work ethic. Just not when it was interfering with her much needed sleep.

“The bare minimum of sleep most humans need to live is just 4 hours in a 24 hour period” he blurts out, still not looking up.

“Well I’m not most humans, so knock it off”

He finally concedes, chucking his files onto the bedside table and shutting off the lamp. It’s now eerily quiet, and all she can hear is the steady breathing coming from the other side of the bed.

Enough time passes that she really should be asleep but it’s still not happening. So she’s already beyond irritated when she feels a slight shove against her shoulder.

“Hey, you still awake?” he sounds mischievous, she knows that tone of his voice and she doesn't like it.

“God! I am now! What do you want?” she mumbles into her pillow.

“I’ve just got a question” he says defensively.

She hums and rolls over to face him, he’s wide awake, “Well? Out with it” she encourages, the sooner this is over with the better.

His mouth twists into a smirk as he takes a minute to study her face, “What turns you on?” he asks it sincere, and she has no idea what to do with that.

Rolling her eyes on instinct she groans, “Ugh, are you serious? I was so close to getting to sleep, goodnight asshole.” she turns back around to end the conversation but he can’t leave it there.

“I’m serious actually, just all the talk about it earlier, I wanna know”

She doesn’t move as she speaks, remaining with her back to him in a bid not to engage, “You couldn’t handle that information.” She deadpans.

“Try me” he antagonizes, and that’s enough to set her off. He just didn’t know when to quit.

This could be a fun new way to tease him, is her first thought. Turn him on, leave him wanting, yet another game to add to their repertoire of spite.

“Fine I’ll give.” she turns back to him, staring intently this time, “Here’s one, I really get off on having my hair pulled” she scoots closer so she can lean in and whisper the next part, “like when I’m getting fucked from behind, or I’ve got someone’s cock down my throat. I love having my hair pulled, just the short sharp pain of it.” she sort of moans the last little bit right by his ear before settling back on her own pillow.

“That good enough?” she asks, and she can practically see his breath catch in his chest.

He takes a steady gulp, “Yeah, that was, informative” he breathes.

“And what about you?” she poses, he’s not getting out of this one so easy. He looks shocked, like he didn’t see this coming a mile off.

“Me? Uh—” he stutters, “My back, I get really— I get turned on when someone digs their nails into my back, like scratching and marking” something about seeing him flustered like this is almost endearing.

“I guess we’re both suckers for pain” she winks as she says it, making a move to turn around again in a bid to let the conversation die but he doesn’t give her the chance.

“Tell me another” he pleads, and she’s not sure what his expression means but she might just draw this out, see how far she can can tease this.

“Hmm, nosy aren't we?” she smirks, he doesn't respond, just waits for an answer. She thinks for a moment, “Have you ever choked anyone Dr. Reid?”

His breath hitches, and he shakes his head. She likes this new Spencer, the one that doesn’t seem to have some quip for her every two seconds.

“Well I think you might like it, you’ve got nice strong hands, long fingers too. I feel like they might make it the whole way round my neck if you tried?” her voice is soft like velvet as she speaks. He lets out a short pant, and she can see his eyes flicker down to her exposed throat before quickly coming back to her eyes.

“Does the idea of that turn you on Doc?” she teases.

“I— um—” he’s at a loss for words yet again.

“That’s not an answer now is it?” She taunts him, and moves to turn around once again. Feeling accomplished in her goal, finally about to get some sleep. But she’s barely closed her eyes when she can feel him move. He’s so close behind her that she can feel the heat radiating from him. His hand slowly reaches around and grasps her throat gently, she moves herself further into his grip on instinct and he runs with it. Using the leverage to pull himself right up behind her, and she can feel it. He’s hard, and she can feel him pushing himself right up against her ass.

“Is this a satisfactory answer?” he moves in close and whispers against her ear. She’s changed her mind, maybe this is her favorite Spencer.

“Mmhmm” she hums in response, and his fingers tighten around her neck. She pushes her ass further back, moving it up and down slightly to create some friction and she can feel him twitching through the thin layer of her nightdress. He starts to move with her, grinding against her, his other hand resting on her hip, fingertips digging in so that he can pull her closer.

She tries to moan when she feels his nails dig into her but it gets stifled in her throat.

“You sound pathetic” he whispers, “I’ve barely even touched you and you’re whining like a little slut” her hips buck involuntarily at that. “You like it when I call you names?” he teases.

The hand on her hip starts to pull at her nightdress, inching it up higher and higher until his fingers are on her bare skin. He digs his nails in just slightly and drags them around her thigh, letting them settle right at the hem of her panties.

“I bet if I put my fingers in here I’d find you soaking wet for me already?” When she doesn’t answer he tightens the hand around her throat so that it’s almost cutting off the air supply, then loosens immediately. “Answer me” he demands.

“Yes! Yes!” she moans, anything to get his hands to move where she wanted them.

“That’s what I thought” he laughs and lets go of her completely. Her dress hiked up, breathing ragged. She snaps back around to look at him and he’s already curled up on his side of the bed as though nothing’s happened. Left in shock she sits upright, crossing her arms across her chest.

“What the fuck was that?” she has to stop herself from outright shouting at him.

He turns back to look at her, taking in her sullen expression, “Disappointed are we?” he teases with a smirk. And that look makes her want to kill him.

“You’re such a dick” she huffs, and he sits upright next to her.

“You say that like I didn’t just beat you at your own game?” he tries to fight back.

“You didn’t beat me!” she protests

“Oh really, and how’s that?”

“I could feel you, you were rock hard before you even touched me” she spits it out, because if she turned him on first then somehow this didn’t feel as embarrassing.

“Yeah! Because you were teasing me!” he looks frustrated now,

“Exactly! Because I was teasing you, and you fucking liked it” he just rolls his eyes at that, pretending like it’s somehow not true.

“Shut the fuck up” he groans, running his hands through his hair and letting his head fall back against the headboard.

She quirks an eyebrow and looks straight into his sleepy eyes, “Make me.”

In less than a second his hands are on her again, grabbing and pulling her into his lap. One hand is firmly on her back, holding her tight against his chest, the other is tangled in her hair already. Grabbing fistfuls as their lips work against each other.

It’s heated, and ferocious, full of pent up aggression, or tension, or both.

As his tongue works against hers, she lets her own hands wander over him, finally coming to rest at the back of his head, tangling in his curls. When she grinds down into his lap she can feel his cock still hard beneath her, straining against the fabric of his boxers. She thought it was impossible but it felt harder than it had been earlier.

He breaks apart the kiss and they both take in wrecked breaths, chests heaving. He pulls at the hem of her nightdress, pushing it further up her thighs, grabbing a rough handful of her ass as his hands find the exposed skin there.

“We gotta get this off” he whispers, and she nods, pulling it off over her head so that she’s exposed now. Perched in his lap in nothing but her panties. “Fuck” he moans at the sight. His hands come straight up to grab her tits, rough and exited for a moment before easing up, kneading them, getting used to the weight of them in his hands. He brings his mouth down, leaning in so that he can place sloppy open mouthed kisses along her neck and collar bones, trailing down to the valley between her breasts. He takes one of her nipples in his mouth, sucking on it gently then teasing the bud with his teeth. When he releases it and looks up at her his eyes almost look glazed over, dreamy.

“I’ve always had a thing for your tits” he confesses, his lips coming down to repeat the action on the other nipple.

“Your turn to take your shirt off” she whines as he removes his lips, the cold air hardening her nipples now that he’d teased them. He drags his eyes away from her for a second so that he can peel his shirt off over his head.

On pure instinct she rakes her nails across his now bare chest, leaning in close to place kisses into the crook of his neck, moving up painfully slow, kissing along the column of his throat, landing on the soft skin beneath his ear. She can feel the moans rippling in his throat against her lips. While he’s stilled beneath her she takes the opportunity to tuck her hands in behind him, digging her nails into his back and dragging them across the skin with force. Certainly leaving harsh red lines in their wake. The noises that escape him might be the best thing she’s ever heard.

“You like it when I mark you up?” she moans into his ear, “When I make you mine?” she can feel wetness pooling between her own legs as she says the words. The very thought of it turning her on more than she ever thought it could.

Clearly he feels the same, something erupts in him and the hands that had been resting on her hips were now lifting her up and laying her down on the bed. He was on top of her now, his hair framing his face as he looked down at her, and she was biting her fucking lip in anticipation.

He almost can’t even look directly at her so he snakes down her body, littering her torso with kisses and licks. Once he lands at her hips he takes the elastic of her panties between his teeth, pulling it up and letting it go so that it snaps against her stomach. She lets out a low moan.

“Let’s see if I was right earlier, how wet are you for me?” his voice is low as he places small kisses over the cotton, making his way right in between her legs. He pulls back for a second to inspect the fabric, there’s a damp patch covering the majority of the area, as if he didn't know already. “You’re fucking soaked Y/N” he groans and presses his fingers right up against it, forcing the fabric between her folds so that it soaks up even more, “Such a needy little thing aren’t you?”

She can only let out a small whine in response, her teeth biting into her lip so hard she was afraid she might start bleeding.

“Better get rid of these, don’t you think?” he hooks his fingers into either side of her panties, sliding them down her legs. He takes them and places them on his pillow before returning to his position between her legs.

He’s slow and deliberate in his actions, teasing painfully as he places sloppy kisses on the delicate skin inside of her thighs. Stopping right at the top to nip and suck enough to leave a bruise. Taking the time to stop and leave a matching bruise on the other thigh.

She was starting to grow restless, she felt like she was literally aching for any stimulation at all.

“Spencer” she whines, “Please, I’m so fucking turned on already”. She can feel him chuckle, his exhale sends a burst of cold air right against her pussy.

“So impatient” he chastises, but gives in anyway. Laying his tongue flat against her, taking a moment to taste her before he starts to move. Licking deft strokes along her folds, alternating with sucking softly on her clit.

“Spencer, fuck, oh my god” is all she can muster as her back arches up off the bed, her hips squirming as he pins them down. “You feel so fucking good”

He takes the encouragement and brings a finger to her entrance, pushing it in at an agonizing pace, curling it upwards against her once it’s fully inside. “You’re so fucking tight Y/N, do you think you could even handle another finger?” he has to take his mouth off of her to speak but it’s worth it for the downright filthy sounds she makes in response. He takes that as a yes and slowly pushes two fingers in this time. Bringing his lips back down to wrap around her clit and suck.

Her hands fly down to his curls as he works his fingers in and out of her at a relentless pace. She grabs handfuls of his hair and pulls them harshly, not knowing where else to put the energy. “Fuck Spencer, feels so good, don’t stop” she mutters between gasps.

He continues his ministrations and he would be lying if he said the feeling of her hands pulling at his hair weren’t doing something for him.

A moment later and she’s barely able to control her movements, thrashing in the bed as he continues to work his fingers in and out of her, relishing the feeling of her walls tightening around him. Once she’s relaxed again he takes his fingers out, bringing them up to her lips, without telling her to she opens her mouth, taking the two fingers in, letting her tongue move around them to taste herself.

It’s one of the many memories from tonight he knows he wont forget anytime soon. Or ever.

“I can see why you like it” he says, leaning over her, talking into the crook of her neck, “having your hair pulled, feels fucking amazing” she lets out a weak laugh, regaining her strength.

“Told you you liked pain” she reaches down between them, grabbing his cock through his boxers, “You must’ve really liked it” she teases, squeezing as his eyes flutter shut and he nods.

He maneuvers a little so that he can take off his boxers, and finally she gets to see it. It’s perfect, bigger than she expected, it looks painfully hard, precum leaking from the tip. He moves back to hover over her, lingering for a minute to take her in. She thinks there might be something almost sweet behind his expression.

“Just fuck me already” she smirks up at him and he rolls his eyes without even meaning to.

“Will you ever stop antagonizing me?”

“If you fuck me maybe?”

With that he leans down to capture her lips in a heated kiss, she can taste herself on his tongue as it tangles with hers. She can feel him push up against her, the head of his cock just teasing at her entrance before sinking in so slowly she was almost angry.

“Fuck Y/N, you feel so good, so fucking tight, so fucking wet for me” he’s whispering right into her hear and she can barely string together a sentence.

“Spencer, you’re so big, fill me up so good with your fingers, with your cock, fuck” as he starts to move they both start to lose it, her hands digging into his back, her nails sinking into his shoulders leaving small half-moons in his skin. He finally starts to build a steady rhythm, thrusting in and out of her, filling the room with the pornographic sounds of skin on skin, coupled with their moans.

Once she can feel the familiar feeling building within her again she starts to lose control completely, her nails scratching marks into the expanse of Spencer’s back, hearing the little breathy gasps he lets out each time she does might be enough to make her cum all on their own.

“I’m close” she mewls, letting her head fall back against the pillow, exposing her neck, eyes screwing shut.

“Fuck, me too” he takes the opportunity presented to him, and wraps one of his hands around her neck, squeezing ever so slightly.

“Ahh, fuck” she breathes out with the little air that she has, “gonna cum” and she does, he can feel her tighten around his cock, her body writhing beneath his and arching up off he bed as he continues to fuck into her.

He’s following behind just a second later, spilling into her as he collapses back down, releasing his grip on her throat completely and settling on her chest.

They both take a moment. Melting into one another, steading out their breathing.

It’s Y/N who breaks the silence, “So you’ve always had a thing for my tits then?”

He cranes his neck up to look at her, “Shut up” he breathes, laying his head back down on her chest. She cards her fingers through his hair, smoothing it back down.

“Now you know how to make me.”

Masterlist

[fortheloveoffanfic]

Behind Closed Doors

Keanu Reeves x OFC (A/n- I hate these moodboards sm)

Masterlist. Behind Closed Doors Masterlist

Warnings- Angst, medical emergency, sexual tension

Chapter 3 Taking Blame

One month later After they'd gotten engaged, Keanu had been politely adamant in insisting that Miranda get to know Matt and Poppy better; take them out, spend time with them after their tutors left for the day and drive them to swim and ballet occasionally. As expected, she'd been reluctant, and even when Miranda did begrudgingly agree, Emma had been asked, or rather persistently urged, to join her. Of course, Miranda had dismissed Keanu when he protested that the entire purpose of her taking them was to spend time with the twins alone, arguing insistently that it was Emma's job to take care of them.

That had been nearly a month ago, and after one trip to the mall, two swim meets, three weekly ballet practices, spent with Emma trailing three paces behind Miranda, holding the children's hands along with whatever bags they had, Miranda had finally agreed to watch the children on her own and Keanu had let Emma have some time off.

Using her time liberally, Emma had gone to lunch with a couple old college friends, and then for a few drinks after. It was past seven when she finally returned, and from the minute she walked through the side door from Keanu's huge garage, the strong aroma of baked goods washed her senses, peaking Emma's curiosity, drawing her towards the kitchen. She didn't think Zelda had stayed that late.

Much to her surprise though, it wasn't the older woman in the kitchen, instead, it was Miranda standing amid the mess, a tray of grayish brownish cookies laid out on the the breakfast bar, dressed casually in white lounge pants and loose lace blouse, some of her hair pined away from her face. Surrounding the tray, was an assortment of ingredients, most of them looking like they'd been bought at a high end organic food shop. "Miranda?" Emma said slowly, beckoning the older woman's attention.

"Emily!" She spun on the absent heel of her ballet pump, and Emma gnawed on her lip to quell her annoyance. It was still extremely irritating when Miranda got her name wrong, but she'd given up on correcting her, deciding that she was more than likely doing it on purpose. "You're home, finally. Zora left….." she trailed off, waving her hand dismissively, "Some time ago, but thankfully you're here to clean up. Try one, they're peanut butter cookies. Totally organic," she shoved the tray closer to Emma.

"Okay," she cringed, wondering how bad organic desserts could be. She'd heard the stories, how they tasted like cardboard, grass and other things that most people wouldn't readily put in their mouths. Miranda stared at her intently, clearly waiting for Emma to take a bite and so, deciding that a cardboard cookie might be easier to endure than her boss's fiancée whining, she nibbled to the edge, just enough to get a taste. Eyes widening in surprise, she went in for a bigger bite, humming at the surprisingly good taste, "This is actually……"

"It's good right? Apparently Keanu thinks you baking is the gold standard or whatever," and once again, Emma wasn't sure if Miranda's compliment was actually a compliment.

Stammering, she just nodded, "It is good, you made them for the kids, do they like them?"

"Mhm!" With a triumphant grin, Miranda started walking out of the kitchen, reaching the mouth of the hall, "They’re in the playroom, and since you're here you can take over now!"

Not even bothering to respond, Emma just shook her head, shrugging off her leather jacket, draping it over a chair at the kitchen table, knowing the sooner she got to work, the better. The first thing she did was start clearing the remaining ingredients from the counter, barely glancing at names and labels until something caught her eye, "Miranda!" Emma yelled, panicked, not caring how upset she'd get, "Miranda!"

Seconds later, she came hustling into the room, muttering about how rude and incompetent hired help could be. "What do you want now?" She spoke through gritted teeth.

"Did you put this in the cookies?" Hastily, she held up a bag half filled with wheat flour, the plastic packing clutched tightly in her fist. Her heart was probably beating a mile as Emma anticipated a response.

"Yeah," Miranda scrunched her nose, still upset by Emma's scolding tone, "So what, it's good-"

"Didn't you read the list?" Already she was dropping the flour, not caring if it spilled, making a bigger mess than before, lunging for her handbag and rummaging for her keys, "Matty, Pop!"

"What list?"

"The fucking allergy list!" Emma sneered, too jolted to stop and worry about Mirada's precious feelings, "It's right there on the fridge,” she pointed hurriedly, and just as she was about to call for the kids again, Matt came running into the room, his face pulled with fright.

“Emma!” He ran past Miranda and straight for her, grabbing her thigh to get Emma's attention, “Come quick, something’s wrong with Poppy! She started coughing and-” He was on the verge of tears and there was an anxious bounce in his stance.

“Hey, sweetie, it’s okay,” Emma quickly kissed his hair, standing again to go get Poppy, “Everything’s gonna be okay, but I need you to be a big boy and wait by the car for me,” after that mishap, there was absolutely no way in hell that Emma was leaving Matt alone with Miranda, not when she was pretty sure she had a case of anaphylaxis on her hands, “I’m gonna go get Pop, okay?”

Nodding he ran off, and Emma went in the other direction, choking a sob when she reached the playroom, finding Poppy on the floor, gasping for breath, angry red patches on her skin. Without thinking twice, her instincts took over and she scooped the girl up in her arms, laying her head on her shoulder. Cradling Poppy’s head, she ran out to the garage, almost slipping on the tiles in the process, “It’s gonna be okay baby, I’m not gonna let anything happen to you, okay?” Tears were hot on her cheeks, but Emma knew that she had other things to worry about, her own emotions could be seen to after.

“What should I do?” Miranda came to stand beside her, wringing her hands as Emma got Matt into the car seat. “I swear I didn’t know that she was allergic-”

“Look I don’t have time for this,” not even realizing that she wasn’t wearing a jacket, Emma was already in the driver’s seat, getting the posh SUV started. Ideally, she should have taken Miranda with her to keep a check on Poppy while they drove to the nearest hospital, but she couldn’t bring herself to deal with the woman while she was also trying to keep Matt calm and his sister alive. Not without starting a fight at least. “Just call Keanu, lock up the house and then meet us at the hospital.”

The automatic door started reeling upwards, and Emma was backing out, “Are you sure I can’t-”

“You’ve done enough Miranda,” She backed out, “We’ll be at L.A General,” and with that, Emma backed into the street, shifting gears and then speeding off, hoping that she’d get to the E.R before it was too late.

Curled up next to Emma in the pale green sofa of the pediatric waiting room, was Matt, fast asleep. It was just past eight, and if they were at home, she knew he’d still be bouncing off walls, nowhere near ready for bedtime, but Emma had passed his tire off as a consequence of the hustle and trauma, it was certainly enough to have her eyes heavy. But Emma couldn’t sleep, not when the doctors hadn't yet come to update her on Poppy’s condition. By then, in just about an hour, she cried, hyperventilated quietly and almost screamed several times. All she could think of was how Poppy having that life threatening reaction was all her fault. She shouldn’t have left Miranda alone with them, she should have told her to read the list, checked on them instead of stalling in the kitchen. Something, anything.

Sitting across from her, on one of the single seats was Miranda herself, worried, though not half as frenzied as Emma. Maybe she was just good at keeping it at bay. They hadn’t spoken since she’d gotten there, instead, Miranda had opted to anxiously flip through magazines provided while Emma had struggled through trying to get Matt to have a sandwich from the cafeteria and a little carton of milk for dinner, almost losing her mind when he fought her, but eventually getting him to have some of it. And like she couldn’t bare to sleep, she was also too sick to her stomach with guilt to eat.

Her thoughts had left her sinking, and when Matt had succumbed to slumber, Emma had let the rest of the room fade to nothing, one mantra playing on loop in her mind, ‘just let that sweet little girl be okay.’ Keanu had been unreachable, so they'd left several voicemails, and Emma vaguely remembered that he’d mentioned that he had a meeting about a movie he'd worked on as a producer and then another with his agent, though, when he came though the white double doors, motorcycle helmet in hand, his eyes were red, his hair a mess there was an urgency in this long strides. “What the hell happened?” Were the first words that tumbled out of his mouth as he looked between Emma and Miranda, who both stood at his entrance.

Immediately, Miranda rushed to his side, sinking into his side and letting his arm go around her waist. Before Emma could process his question, Miranda was the one speaking, “I have no idea,” she shot Emma an unreadable look, though at the last second, there was devilish glimmer in her green eyes, “Emma came home and made them snacks, and next thing I know Poppy’s having a reaction.” Figures that out of all times, Miranda would remember her name, it would be then.

Her jaw hung slack and for the longest minute, Emma was at a complete loss for words. Though, her mind came up with a long list of the things she wanted to say, what the fuck? Being at the very top. “I….” She stuttered, wanting to instantly clear her name. But then, in a rush, Zelda’s words came back to her, Miranda always gets what she wants and stay out of her way. “I…” Even if she did tell the truth, Miranda was Keanu’s fiancée, who would he believe anyway? The hired help or the woman who he wanted to be the mother of his children. Emma was pretty sure she already knew the answer, best not to fight it, especially since she was clearly already on Miranda’s bad side. “I’m sorry,” fighting tears was hard, and the anger that heated up Keanu’s face was frightening, “I didn’t mean to- to- I just-”

Cutting off her stammering, moving his hand from Miranda’s waist, tossing his helmet to a chair and finally running both his hands through his hair. “How could you be so careless?” He hissed loud and venomously, “You could have killed my daughter,” the only reason he wasn’t full on yelling was because Matt was sleeping nearby, but Emma could tell that it was barely holding Keanu back and the low tone didn’t make his words sting less. “There’s a list for a reason, you know that. But now, my daughter is in the hospital because you were careless! What do you have to say for yourself?”

“I am so, so sorry Keanu,” hot tears streamed down her face, from tired burning eyes. Her hiccupped breaths made Emma feel like a child being scolded at recess and all she wanted to do was have a fissure in the floor open up and swallow her. “I would never hurt Poppy, not intentionally, and I swear, as soon as it happened-”

“She came and told me,” Miranda interjected, intent on only making the situation worse, a hint of a smirk threatening to twist her lips, “And I told her that she had to take the children to the hospital immediately. Poppy could have died, for God’s sakes!”

A strangled sob threatened to wake Matt, and Emma had to clasp her hand over her mouth. How could someone be so outrightly vicious, going as far as shoving the blame on another person. “Maybe hiring you was a mistake,” Keanu determined, and Emma’s eyes went wide, definitely not prepared for what came next, “Maybe we need to reconsider you as their nanny.”

“What?” Emma swallowed thickly, that couldn't be it. From the minute they met she knew that Miranda hadn’t liked her, but fired? Never seeing the twins again or Keanu, she didn’t think it would go that far. “Please don’t-”

“I think you’ve said enough,” Keanu raised his hand, motioning for Emma to stop, passing it over his face before turning away.

Emma needed that job, and she adored those kids. Hell, she might have even been falling for Keanu, but she was not prepared to be humiliated even further. And maybe, if Miranda was going to be a permanent part of the Reeves household, it was better that she didn’t stick around. She could put up with a lot, but being someone for an entitled celebrity to cast undue blame on wasn’t one of them. Passive aggressive insults, snide remakes, being a bag holding mouse and walked all over, she could take. But being humiliated in public, for something she hadn’t done? Being treated like she was an inept child and not worthy of having an explanation or a chance to clear her name? That was where she drew the line.

“You know what Keanu,” Emma felt around her bag, eventually pulling out the keys for the SUV that she used to drive around the kids, “Miranda,” she hissed vehemently, “Maybe I should save you both some time,” finding a spot of courage, she strode up to him, Emma shoved the keys to Keanu’s chest, not caring if he got a hold of them or not, “Cause I quit.”

From the minute he held the keys in his grasp, feeling her fingers brush his and subsequently watching Emma walking out of the waiting room, Keanu knew he’d made a mistake. Emma couldn’t just leave, his children adored her, he…...well, he wasn’t too sure about what he felt for her, but he did know that he didn’t want to lose her. The whole firing quip had been an empty threat, fueled by stress and anger. “Shit,” he muttered under his breath, “Mandy, you stay here,” he started walking off, hoping to catch Emma before she could leave the hospital.

“Where are you going?” She grabbed his bicep, “You can’t just leave me here with him,” Miranda gestured to Matt, still curled up sleeping, not knowing that the nanny that he’d started looking up to had just walked out on them, and it was all his father’s fault. “Besides,” she reasoned, tone even and cool, “If she wants to leave, you should let her. She’s lazy and irresponsible.”

“Wha- no,” Keanu shook off Miranda's grip and by extension, her words, “Emma is not lazy, she works her ass off for my kids, and irresponsible? It was a mistake,” in an instant, his mind was changing and Keanu was regretting the way he’d handled things with Emma. She was obviously devastated knowing that she’d put Poppy at risk, and he had just made it worse, “Allergies happen, she has to learn. And I do too. I'm sorry,” he began the walk to the doors, “But I have to go find her.”

Keanu hadn’t meant for things to go awry, or to force Emma to quit, but he had just been so upset; worry and fear morphing into anger, causing him to lash out. In her three months with their family, that was the first time that she’d made any sort of mistake. Emma had probably committed the list memory and believing that she could make such a careless mistake was becoming increasingly hard. It just didn’t make sense. Emma treated his kids like they were her own, and that was only one of the many reasons why Keanu couldn’t lose her.

Thankfully though, he was able to catch up to her just as she was headed for the curb, arms wrapped around herself to combat the night’s chill, her sleeveless cotton shirt, with a little knot over her navel not really doing her any favors. “Em!” He jogged up to her, speeding up when she walked faster, “Emma, please, just wait.”

“What?” She turned, olive cheeks tear stained and taking on a reddish tint, illuminated by the street laps lining the parking lot, rage and hurt intermingling, “What do you want?” She heaved, and Keanu hated that he’d made her cry. She didn’t deserve to cry, she didn’t deserve anything he’s given her back there. Emma was a marvelous person, who was exceptional at her job.

“I’m sorry,” Keanu breathed, shaking his head, stepping closer, “You’re the best nanny Matt and Poppy have ever had; they love you, they listen to you and they’d miss you a damn lot if you left. I’d miss you,” his features softened, his eyes pleading, “I shouldn’t have flipped out on you like that, I wasn’t even there and mistakes happen. I know that you wouldn’t put either of my kids in danger,” he slumped his shoulders, and Emma looked away, swiping at her eyes. She was fighting shivers too, Keanu could see it; it had rained earlier that day, and a distinct dampness along with an uncharacteristic chill still hung in the air. Not thinking much of it, just not wanting her to catch a cold, Keanu shrugged off his riding jacket, stepping closer and reaching around Emma to drape it over her slender shoulders, taking the opportunity to grip them after, “Please don’t leave us Em. I'm begging you.”

“I’ll stay,” she clenched her jaw, wiggling out of Keanu’s grip, “But not for you, I’m staying for those kids. And next time you want to accuse me of trying to kill one of your children, maybe you should dig a little deeper first."

“What?” Knitting his brows, Keanu watched as she started towards the hospital’s entrance, his coat swallowing up her frame, not even offering one backwards glass before going through the automatic doors.

Three Days Later The house had been exceptionally quiet since they’d returned from the hospital, Keanu had asked Emma to tell the tutors to take the rest of the week off, and Poppy had been recovering with her brother almost constantly at her side. The doctor warned them that Poppy’s allergy to wheat could have been deadly if they hadn’t gotten there sooner, and when Keanu had hugged Miranda in relief, while Emma was still wearing his jacket, she had to pretend it didn’t sting.

As a direct, though relieving side effect though, Miranda had been actively avoiding her, and Emma could tell that Keanu was too. That was, until late one evening, after Emma had put the kids down for an early bedtime and had resigned to her own room, getting into comfortable shorts and a loose camisole after her hot shower, deciding that a glass of wine and a movie on her laptop would be the perfect end to an easy Friday. The knock on her door and been soft, lacking urgency, and when she pulled it open, seeing Keanu on the other side, she was actually surprised, “Keanu?”

“Hey,” he smiled sheepishly, dressed like he’d just come home, still in his jacket and everything. The same one he’d lent her back at the hospital. She wondered if he’d washed it, or if he had let the fading scent of her favorite perfume linger against his skin.

Before he spoke again, Keanu faltered, almost losing himself as he drank her in, tiny cotton shorts boasting her smooth, toned legs, the fabric of her top stretched across her chest and Emma's long, drying tresses swept over one shoulder, leaving the slender column of her neck exposed. A wedding band that hung on a thin gold necklace settled against her skin, Keanu knew it was her father's, she'd mentioned when he asked if it belonged to someone else, someone like a husband. Remembering himself, Keanu took in a breath, trying to pull himself out of the trance that he'd fallen into, “Can I come in?”

Nodding, Emma stepped back, pulling the door open a little more, “Your house, your bedroom,” she tried to return his smile, still feeling the tension between them, not sure if it was a good tense or a bad one.

“It’s your room,” Keanu countered, serious, though not harsh, “As long as you’re here with us, its your home too, and your room.” Stuffing his hands into his pockets, he bent his head, dark mane curtaining his handsome face, smile fading. “I think I owe you an apology,” he shuffled his feet awkwardly, “No, I know I owe you an apology.”

“Keanu-” Emma tried to stop him, though he cut her off, not the way he had the last time, that night, it was softer, as he pleaded with her to just hear him out.

“I really need to say this,” Keanu raised his head, his whiskey gaze meeting her hazel orbs, and he tentatively toed a step closer, “What I said the other night at the hospital, I was way out of line,” he sighed, going slow so so he wouldn’t fumble over his words, “What I’m trying to say now is; I know it wasn’t you that caused the reaction.”

“What?” Baffled, and immensely relieved, Emma felt a mountain of stress that she hadn’t known was there, rolling off her shoulders, “How?”

Chuckling dryly, Keanu shook his head, moistening his lips, “When I came home, and saw those cookies, I knew it couldn’t have been you. I mean, you bake, but not with organic peanut butter and almond milk. I had my suspicions back at the hospital, you probably know that list better than the back of your hand,” he raked his nails through his beard, “And then I asked Matt, and he told me that it was Miranda that made the cookies. So I'm really, really sorry, about all of that.”

“Oh,” the soft exhale left Emma’s parted lips, and truly, she couldn’t believe that she was actually getting an apology from her boss. Not sure of how to proceed, she gnawed on her lip for a second, “What’re you gonna do?”

Huffing, Keanu smirked, “Nothing. Knowing Mandy, she’d just deny it anyway. Besides, it was an accident,” If Emma wasn’t mistaken, she could have sworn he sounded a little bitter.

“Thank you,” Emma smiled, happy when Keanu returned the gesture, “I know you didn’t have to apologize, but it means a lot to me that you did.”

“Uh, yeah,” grinning breathlessly, they lingered like that for a moment, until the air grew flustered, and Keanu noticed her wine glass on the nightstand and computer on the made bed, mumbling about how he should get out of her hair.

Though, when he was on his way out of Emma’s room, he absently grabbed his right shoulder, rubbing and rolling the joint, “You okay?” She halted him, “That looks like it hurts.”

“Yeah,” he winced, trying to downplay it, even if Emma could see right through his façade, “Went to the gym this morning, now I’m starting to think that my trainer was right when she said I’ve stayed away for too long. Nothing to worry about though, just a little sore.”

“Maybe I can help,” she had no idea where the suggestion came from, or why she hadn’t tried harder to keep it inside, but there was really no going back anyway. Clearing her throat, Emma blushed, “Why don’t you take off your jacket, and sit on the bed?”

Just as flustered, Keanu inhaled deeply, wanting to oblige, but not sure if he should, “You don’t have to-”

“I want too,” taking initiative, Emma approached him, leaning up on her toes, her eye line barely meeting the back of his neck as she urged his jacket off, folding it in half and draping it over the arm of an accent chair. His biceps strained against the sleeves and Emma swallowed the little flirtatious comment that sat at the tip of her tongue. “Sit, please. I insist.”

Nodding, Keanu went over to bed, sitting on the edge as instructed and then watching intently as Emma crawled up behind him. Her bare knees grazed him as she adjusted herself, and it wasn’t long before he felt her small hands on his shoulders, kneading slowly. Her fingers applied the perfect amount of pressure, and when she rubbed the base of her palms over them, the sensation was close to orgasmic, “Shit, Em…..” Keanu groaned, feeling the tension start dribbling away, “That is…..amazing.”

Giggling musically, she just carried on. The muscles beneath his t-shirt were far firmer than what she expected from someone his age, and touching him like that, seemed more intimate than Emma had intended. “That’s good, cause you are so tense. You’ve gotta take it easy Keanu,” she chuckled.

“I know, its just….I’ve got a lot on my plate,” he voice dropped lower as he closed his eyes, submitting to the pleasure. It had been a long time since he’d let someone take care of him like that, since someone even offered to take care of him like that, and not even Miranda’s touch felt that way, so warm and soothing. Keanu would be lying if he said he was okay with it ending. “I’m just glad I have you though.”

“Oh?” Emma slowed down, leaning forward so her unrestrained breasts were pressed against Keanu’s back when her face reached the side of his. By the time he turned to face her, their lips were a mere inch apart, and it wouldn’t have taken much for her to just kiss him. “Well I’m glad I’m here for you,” she whispered, her hot breath fanning his face.

“I need to ask you something,” Emma could have sworn that Keanu was leaning in, and his eyes searched hers, longing reflected.

Mesmerized, Emma barely registered his words, only anticipating what she thought might come next, “Okay.”

“I uh….” his gaze fell on her perfect, plump lips, “I was just wondering, would you go to Paris with me?” Her heart leapt and while it wasn’t the question she’d been hoping for, Emma was already excited, “With me and the kids I mean.” Suddenly, as fast as it was created, the moment was gone, and embarrassed, Emma pulled away, trying to refocus her attention of Keanu’s stiff shoulders, “I have to be there by next month for a premiere, and since I’m gonna be spending my birthday there, I thought I’d take Matt and Poppy too. Obviously, if you have other obligations here, I wouldn’t want you to leave them.”

Disappointed and confused, Emma’s response was void of enthusiasm, “No, no I don’t,” swallowing tightly, she tried not to cry, hoping her shame wasn’t audible, “I’d love to go, part of the job, right?”

Keanu took a minute before he responded, though, when he did, his somber tone seemed to reflected hers, “Yeah, I guess so.”

*****

Tagging- @harrisongslimited @magnificentclodpiebanana @keandrews @greenmanalishi @rdjloverxxx @danceoftwowolves @planetkt @wheretheriversrunintothesea

[a-sketchy-a-day]

Made another dragon Beetlejuice drawing. With the added bonus of Lydia, and a dragon Barbara and Adam!

Read below the cut for an entire AU.

Okay, so it takes place in a universe where dragons exist (...obviously). There are drakes, wolfhound to horse sized wingless dragons that are quite common pets. Then there’s the rider dragons, which can only be owned by members of certain special guilds and orders. And then there’s the monster dragons, vicious, untameable, and told to poses powers.

Lydia is the child of a dragon rider, and thus she had a right to get a dragon of her own. So her mother, Emily, helps her pick out the egg of her future dragon and instructs her how to take care of it. But one day while out flying, Emily's dragon Sunny got struck during a lightning storm, killing them both.

Lydia devoutly continues to take care of the egg, but weeks after it was supposed to hatch, there is still no movement. When they get to the guild to get it checked out they find the hatchling had died just a month into development.

They instantly see it as a bad omen, that first her mother and then her dragon would die. Surely it is too mean that death will follow the child everywhere. Because if this they are seriously considering to banish the grieving girl.

Charles and his new partner Delia come to her defence though, the later insisting that maybe the dragon’s death means that she was never meant to have a common dragon. After all the first riders and some great heroes found their dragons in the wilderness. So with that, Lydia is sent to the forrest, not to return until she finds herself her ‘destined' dragon.

But, having lost her mother, having her father replace her, and with the last connection he had to her gone, Lydia has already lost her will to live. Instead, she has set path for the cliffs of a mountain nearby.

Barely the second day into her journey she meets two drakes, a copper brown one and a teal one, who instantly seem to get attached to her. They accompany her on her travels, hunt for her, make sure she stays warm at night. And honestly, Lydia is glad to have friends on her last few days. She calls the teal, female dragon Barb (because her spines point in the wrong direction), and the male Adem (��Add ‘em’ because of his extra pair of limbs). While camping out in a cave to hide from another thunderstorm, they hear a threatening rumble. Out of the darkness slowly crawls a monstrous dragon with a fiery red mane and jaw, gleaming green eyes, and twin striped tails. Both Barb and Adem crawl back and curl up in fright, trying to pull Lydia with them, but she simply stands there staring at the beast thinking: "Hu, guess this is how I die than.” It blinks at her a few times, confused that she isn’t running, before making a lunges at her. Still no reaction. He towers over her, paws at the ground around her, snarls and snaps his jaws, but she doesn’t even flinch at the flames from his nostrils, and the deep roar that sends saliva flying at her simply get’s a dry: “Gross…" And as Lydia stares at the brute with a: ‘You gonna kill me yet or what?’ look on her face, it suddenly flops down, mane turning green in a flash, and only one single mantra going through the monster’s head: ‘New best friend, new best friend, new best friend, new best friiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeend!’ And thus the party became four.

At first Lydia tries not to care, but it’s annoying how the giant dragon just keeps following and ‘purposely badly hiding every time they turn around to look’. He doesn’t even seem to mind Lydia’s gloomy mood, and takes every frustrated scream and smack she gives him a delighted grin. But the times she apologises for her outbursts or plays with his mane, he looks downright over the moon. Eventually Lydia reaches the cliffs. She looks down over the edge, causing Adem to nervously takes her dress between his teeth so she won’t fall. She backs up again, making the drake let go, she takes a few steps away…and makes a running leap into the deep. This is it, this is what she came here for. She can hear Adem and Barb’s frightened cries behind her, but they’ll be okay. Dad and Delia will figure it out, maybe they’ll have a kid of their own, and they’ll be non the wiser about what happened to her. And she’ll be okay too. Wherever her mom is, she’ll be there soon too. And then a pair of red claws wrap around her, thunderous wingbeats in her ears. At first Lydia is furious that, whatever she tries, BJ (Big Jerk) won’t let her die. Anytime she jumps, he catches her. Anything deadly she tries to attract he scares away. Venomous plant spotted? Oh, it’s on fire now. But then it sorta becomes a game, and honestly she’s mostly just challenging him now. She tries to deprive herself of sleep, but he just curls his tail around her to keep her still and despite being dirty and smelling weird, his mane is supper soft and warm. Hard to stay awake under those conditions. At one point when they sit down to eat, Lydia hesitates, puts the roasted rabbit back down, and gives BJ a smug look. Next thing she knows she blinks back to consciousness, fat and meat juices smeared across her face and hands, Adem and Barb looking at her with wide, horrified eyes, and BJ giving her an equally smug look back.

One day another rider flies over the spot where they are resting. Lydia stares after them with wistful eyes. Suddenly she is snatched up by the back of her dress and plopped down to grab hold of think green fur. There is a moment of calm while Barb and Adem get plopped down between the larger dragon’s shoulders too. And then they launch into the air. Lydia used to fly with her mom now and then. It never failed to make her laugh, to lift her spirits. Sometimes they’d fly to close over another rider’s head to give them a good scare. Sometimes her mom would take her hands off the leads with a loud ‘Don’t wanna fly anymore’, so Lydia could take over and try it out. Those were some of the few places or times that felt like she belonged. Sure, BJ isn’t Sunny, neither Barb nor Adem is her mom, but for the first time since that fateful storm, she feels a tiny bit closer to home again. So she gently spurs BJ on and pulls his mane, and the curious dragon lets himself be steered right on top over the other rider. They notice the dark shadow appearing over their head, despite the clear skies. They darn near soil themselves when they notice the giant predator hovering over them. Lydia can’t stop laughing at the reaction, and ‘BFFFF forever!' keep echoing progressively louder through BJ’s head. Deciding that maybe continuing to live isn’t too bad after all, Lydia steers BJ back into the direction of her village.

When they return, at first the council is disappointed to see Lydia walk in with two drakes. It doesn’t last long though, as a gargantuan form follows on her heels. Because you know, the monster dragon she brought with her is a Striped Demon. They posses great powers, even to twist the world around them to their wishes. Only the cruelest and strictest of men had ever attempted to tame them. Needless to say, the only people who ever managed to ride one quickly became dark lords. And most of them didn’t live very long. Now, with one of those legendary dark beasts happily doing as she asked, they fear that that dark omen from before is less ‘bad fortune will strike those around her’, and more ’next dark queen’. (Which way it will go depend on whether you’re a ’step on me dark lady’ lesbian, or a cottage-core one.)

[90spumkin]

Unexpected Switch (Part Four)

Summary: Reader starts building relationships with the team members... except JJ.

A/N: I feel like this part is kind of boring but it is all very necessary. I hope you all enjoy.

https://90spumkin.tumblr.com/post/631510673272274944/summary-yn-struggles-with-the-memories-of-the

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Fem! Reader

Warnings: slight swearing, panic attack, talk of mental health, criminal minds talk

Word Count: 2487

Spencer stood in the doorway to Emily’s office watching y/n sleep. She looked so peaceful lying there with her hair splayed out around her, and her soft snores feeling the room. He had his head laid against the wall lost in thought. He probably looked creepy to anyone passing by, but he had to come check on her as soon as he got to work. Emily had sent out a text late last night informing the team that her and y/n would be staying there for the night, but that the team needed to be at work no later than 7 am for a debriefing of the new information Garcia had found.

Someone clearing their throat behind him made Spencer jump and hit is head on the wall with a loud thump. He turned to see that it was Luke who was giving him an implying smirk. Spencer went to scold him when he heard movement coming from y/n. She had sat up and was rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. She smiled at Spencer and he felt his heart stop for a split second. Why does she have this effect on me?

She stood up and stretched, her shirt raising enough for a strip of skin above the waistband of her pants to show. Luke cleared his throat again snapping Spencer out of his thoughts once again.

Y/n smiled again, “Good morning boys.” Both men smiled back and muttered a ‘good morning’. Spencer cleared his own throat trying to gather himself before he said, “We have 20 minutes before we all have to gather to go over everything if you want to use the showers in the gym beforehand. Emily left and brought you back some fresh clothes.”

While he was telling her all this Luke handed her the bag Emily had instructed him to give her. “Here you go. I’m going to run a few things by Garcia and try not to get on her bad side first thing this morning. I trust you’re in good hands with Spencer.” He gave y/n another smile and Spencer a knowing look as he passed him going out the door.

Spencer chose to ignore Luke and instead told y/n, “Follow me.”.

The walk to the gym was a trip made in mostly silence. Spencer could not help but to glance at y/n every few seconds trying to get the courage to start a conversation.

Y/n saw him of course, “Go ahead and ask me whatever it is you are wanting to ask.”

Spencer could only wonder how she is so calm, no anxious twitch or sudden burst of tears. Emily had said the first thing she did was ask to sleep after receiving the new information from Garcia. Instead he asked, “Do you need to make a phone call to anyone? I’m sure someone is worried about you.”

Y/n just laughed but her laugh was full of sadness, “No one is worried about me. I have no home do to losing my job because some asshat though trying to put his hand up my skirt was a good idea, both my degrees going down the drain. The friends I have been staying with are drunk constantly and barely have a clue I’m there to begin with. My adoptive parents died in a car accident two years ago, and my twin sister I didn’t know existed is a murdering psychopath. So, I think I will pass on that phone call.”

Spencer stopped which made y/n stop. He placed his hand lightly on her shoulder, the germs there only an afterthought, “Y/n, you do not have get so defensive not with me. I can only imagine what you are going through, but I would like to be your friend because you are going to need one to get through this.”

Y/n looked a little shocked at Spencer’s kindness but nodded and gave him a small smile. Spencer nodded back and began walking again. Once they had reached the showers Spencer said, ‘I’ll be right here. And don’t worry they can wait a few minutes for us to get back.”

Y/n nodded once more and started to walk towards the showers when she stopped and turned and said, “Thank you Dr. Reid.”

He was caught off guard by the sweetness in her voice where anger had been not but minutes before. He gathered his thoughts and instead of a traditional response he said, “Please call me Spencer.”

She smiled and turned and began to walk away, but not before he heard her whispers, “Thank you Spencer.” And he would think about the way his name sounded coming from her lips the rest of the day.

-------

I stood looking in the mirror after showering and changing. Making it through without a panic attack was a relief. The woman that stared back at me was looking less and less like myself every day.

“Y/n, you okay in there? Emily just texted they are ready for us.” Spencer’s voice rung out through the room. He always has such a stern way about him since I met him, but something about they way he smiles softly and often tells me he hasn’t always been that way. Instead of answering I throw my old clothes away and make my way out the door.

Spencer clears his throat and begins the trot back towards the bullpen. Emily and I are pretty much the same build, so her black pants and red blouse hug my body in all the right places. I’m pretty sure Spencer noticed too by the blush that rose up his neck and into his cheeks. I chuckle and begin to walk behind him, enjoying my view I might add.

-------

Once we reach what Spencer called the round table room, I took a seat between Spencer and Luke and accepted the cup of coffee Garcia offered me. Not long after Emily and another woman who I had not met yet came in. The newcomer had lovely dark skin and hair that matched. She sat across from me between Matt and JJ. Emily took her place with Garcia at the front of the room and started the debriefing, “Okay so I got approval for y/n to be a consultant on this case considering she has worked in the justice system and has the psychology certifications. However, anything in the field is off limits unless I see fit otherwise, is that clear?”

There were nods and sounds of agreement from everyone around the table. Emily then took her seat at the table allowing Garcia to go over the major points of the case and the information she had found on my biological family.

“Okay you lovely crime fighters. So, what I found on sweet y/n family is nothing but sad. They were on their way home from the hospital only a week after y/n and her sister were born, when a drunk driver lost control and hit them. Almost identical to what happened to her adoptive parents. Only ones to survive were the two babies which local PD said it was nothing short of a miracle. Now the official police report can be found in the files on your tablets saved for our Boy Genius.” Garcia took a breath meeting my eyes to see if I was okay in which I gave her a swift nod before she continued. “Now about y/n’s sister. They were both put in the foster system with no next of kin able to take them in. Y/n was 3 years old when she was adopted, and well her sister grew up out of the system. That is where her trail goes cold except the paperwork, she had done to get her name changed.”

I finally say something when I asked, “Garcia what was her name and what is it now?” I wasn’t ready to look at file in depth.

She gave me a soft small before saying, “Oh it was Sarah Jones and now it is Tessa Delarosa, but we’re pretty sure she has used alias over the past few years which is why she has no paper trail.”

Emily spoke up next, “Okay Garcia, pull up everything we have so far on the murders.”

Penelope nodded towards her boss and pulled up the picture of all 14 victims. Rossi glanced my way and said, “Y/n I hate to be the one to say this, but it looks as if the victims are surrogates for you.” The new comer who I have yet to learn her name kept on with the profile, “There could be many reasons behind that but the fact that these victims show signs of over kill I have to say there’s anger behind her reasoning.”

JJ was next to speak, “She probably feels anger for being left behind in the system or for being forgotten by her sister. There’s many things that could play into this.”

Luke added the next part of the profile,” Her jumping state lines and killing within different races shows she smart it kept the police off her trail this long, but it looks like she was making her way to Massachusetts so that plays back into y/n being the ultimate target.”

Emily ended the briefing with, “Okay Spencer I need you to work on a geographical profile since we know she what her end game is we just need to figure out where her next stop is. Garcia, I need you to work on finding out her alias and any other information you can dig up. JJ and Rossi, I want you to get on the phone with corner and have them send over the report and then compare them to the other victims. Tara, Matt, and Luke I need you guys to talk to the families of the victims see if anything had changed the last couple of days involving the victims. I’ll be in my office talking to the foster home the girls were in.”

Once the team dispersed to do their jobs, I felt a hand on my should, it was the lovely newcomer. She stuck out her hand which I took in a firm handshake, “Hi I’m Dr. Tara Lewis, but please call me Tara.” I smiled and nodded not trusting myself to speak after hearing all I did for the second time. She continued on with sitting in the chair Spencer occupied moments ago, “I can’t imagine what you are going through, but I just want to offer you a listening ear if you find yourself need to let anything go. I know I’d have a few choice words to say in this situation.” I let out a small laugh and thanked her. She squeezed my shoulder as she took her leave to go do the job Emily directed her to do.

------

I sat for a while watching Spencer work on the maps trying to pinpoint the area my sister would kill next. For most of the time I would zone out trying to remember Tessa from a young age but all I get is blanks. How could I have serial killer as a sister? Could I have prevented this? Is this my fault?

I couldn’t breathe again, my vision started going dark, but before the abyss took me fully, I felt a hand on my knee and soothing voice telling me ‘to breathe’.

I look to find Spencer in the same position as he had been on the plane. I lay my hand over his where it’s still on my knee and say, “Thank you. I am sorry you keep having to pull me from the edge like that. I keep getting trapped in my own thoughts.”

He gave me a sad smile and said, “Y/n don’t ever apologies for this. It is not something you can control, and I will never be upset for being able to help you escape the abyss.” Does this man know what his words does to me?

I squeezed his hand and we stayed like that for a few minutes before Emily came in, “Hey Spence did you- oh I’m sorry I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

Spencer stood up quickly and walked back over to his maps. I looked up at Emily and told her, “Oh hey Emily. I was wondering if I could speak to you about a few things. Something about the profile seems off and sense I’m not a profiler I wanted to run it by you.”

She gave me a nod and said, “Yeah sure thing I need to discuss somethings with you also, just meet me at my office I need to speak with Dr. Reid a moment.”

I took my leave and made my way to Emily’s office getting an eye roll of JJ as I passed.

------

Spencer watched y/n leave, worry clearly written all over his face. He wished there were some way to save her from having so many panic attacks. Emily cleared her throat and Spencer was brought out of his thoughts.

“So, you have a thing for troubled pretty woman or something?” Emily asked him with a smirk.

Spencer just scoffed at her, “I have no clue what you’re talking about. What did you need to speak to me about?”

Emily went on to ask about the geographical profile, but not without teasing Spencer a few more times before she left. He couldn’t help but let his mind wonder, could he have feelings for y/n so quickly?

------

Once Emily came back to her office, I was pacing the length of her desk lost thought once again.

“Y/n you okay? I’ve said your name like 5 times.” Emily said while taking her seat behind her desk.

“Oh yeah sorry keeping zoning out. Anyways what I was wanting to ask you is that is there anyway the reasoning behind Tessa’s murders jealousy and not just anger? The way the bodies where discovered it was almost in a humiliation type of way.” I sat down across from her bouncing my leg trying to channel my nervous energy.

She nodded, “Yes actually it is a big part of it. I spoke to the foster home you both stayed at. Tessa was not a nice child and your foster parents said she was an envious little girl all the way up until she left.” I nodded taking in everything she was saying. “Now y/n I want to take a long shot and conduct another cognitive interview but this time focusing on when you were younger.”

I looked at her with panic clear in my eyes. I do not want to have two panic attacks in less that 10 minutes of each other. “Is that even possible?”

She gave a slight shrug, “It’s difficult and not as reliable in court, but in this case, it is worth trying.”

I took a shaky breath and said, “Okay let’s dig up some memories.”

*

*

*

@criminalmindzjunkie​ @brooklynxnicole​ @hendersonsshadow​ @misschil3​ 

[aswallowssong]

Whumptober (Sickfic) Day 7 - Break

Patron Saint AU (@themetaphorgirl‘s sandbox, in which I love to play)

Read on AO3

-----

James Blake would confidently say he could handle most situations.

This was not most situations.

He ran a hand down his face, very much done with the day even though it was barely three in the afternoon, and spoke without opening his eyes. “Al, I swear to god, if you don’t sit down I’m going to make you sit down.”

“I told you, James-”

“And I told you, Alex. Last I checked, Spencer wasn’t the only one that looked like they were going to keel over at any moment.”

Alex was sitting on the floor against the wall, one hand rubbing furiously at her eyes while the other was latched around her middle. “But Spencer-”

“Is fine,” James interrupted again, gesturing to where JJ was sitting on the bed with Spencer laying in between her legs, his head on her stomach while she gently ran her fingers through his hair. Just like she’d watched Alex do. “You on the other hand need to take a break. Whatever virus you three picked up at the playground can only work itself out of your system if you slow down.”

He gestured over to where Hotch was sleeping, quite literally slumped against Alex’s side. He was pale, and trembling slightly, and he had been fighting with James until he fell asleep mid point, stumbling and slurring through a sentence that was half formed and made no sense. 

Alex glared up at him with glassy eyes, but he could see her resolve crumbling. She growled quietly before shaking her head. “I’m okay, Jamie, he needs me.”

“He needs you to kick this so you can help him kick it, but that’ll only work if you slow down for a second. Look at Hotchner, he literally worked himself up so bad he passed out.”

Alex rolled her eyes, glancing at Hotch before mumbling, “That’s not what it’s like when he passes out.”

“What?”

“Nothing, James, I told you, I’m okay, I just- I need to stay with Spencer.”

“And I’m telling you that I need you to go take care of you and Hotch. JJ and I can worry about Spencer for a few hours.”

“No,” Alex huffed, pulling her other arm around her chest and squinting up at him with a challenge in her fever bright eyes. 

James sighed, rubbing at the back of his neck and trying to think of a way to get Alex to back down. He looked between Alex and Hotch, the “Wonder Twins” as Emily liked to call them, and an idea started to form. But she was stubborn, the most stubborn person he knew, and he didn’t know if he was going to be able to pull it off.

“Wake up Hotch.”

“Huh?” She asked, blinking at his sudden shift. James sat down on the floor across from her. “Wake up Hotch.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Why? He’s sick.”

“He is?” James said, feigning surprise. “I don’t know, he looks okay to me. Better than you do. Wake him up.”

Alex clearly was unsure of what James was playing at, but he watched her brain try to focus on it before she shook her head, shaking gently at Hotch’s shoulder. “Bubba, wake up.”

“Hmm?” Hotch hummed, eyebrows furrowing as a shudder ran up his spine. James sighed unhappily as he started to pay closer attention, noting the flush across both their cheeks.

“Wake up,” she said again, giving him another shake.

He started to sit up. “I’m awake,” he mumbled, before turning and coughing sharply into the elbow of his hoodie. Alex turned on James. “See, Jamie? I told you. Why did you have me wake him up?”

“Is Spencer okay?” Hotch asked, not quite latching onto their conversation, but with his eyes locked on Spencer and JJ. “Does he need me?”

“No,” James said quickly, “He’s okay. I just need a favor.”

Hotch took a moment before blinking up at James slowly, emotion very clear on his face. Hotch kept his feelings bottled up tight, but James and Alex had seen with time that if he had a fever, it was all over.

“What favor?”

“I just want to take your temperature,” James said gently, and Hotch looked between the two seniors before nodding. “Okay.”

James stood up and walked the length of the room, picking the thermometer off the bedside table before shooting a nervous look at JJ. She shrugged, giving him a lackluster thumbs up, and he let out his breath with a humorless chuckle.

He settled himself back on the ground across from Alex, nodding at Hotch before reaching forward and sticking the sensor in his ear. He pulled it back a few seconds later when it beeped, and turned it so Alex could see it. 

101.2

She frowned, immediately grabbing for Hotch and trailing her fingers at the nape of his neck. “I didn’t think you felt that warm, Bub,” she mumbled, and Hotch sighed before nuzzling his face into Alex’s shoulder.

She rounded on James. “So what did that prove? That I was right?”

“No,” James said. “That you’re wrong. Turn your head.”

She furrowed her brow at him, looking down at Hotch before looking back up and saying, “Why would I do that?”

“So I can take yours. You said you’re okay, right? So it should be a perfect 98.6, and you can go sit with Spencer.”

They were at a stalemate, Alex’s glassy, unfocused eyes meeting James’s calm, still ones. It was almost an entire minute before she nodded. “Fine.”

“Fine,” James said back, gesturing towards her ear. She swallowed and turned her head for him to place the sensor. When it beeped, he glanced at it before humming, turning the screen to show her.

101.1

“Shit,” she breathed, “I… I didn’t think-”

“I know,” James said quietly, putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder and rubbing his thumb across her too-warm skin. “Hey, JJ?”

“Yeah,” she called quietly, eyes coming up from Spencer’s face to lock on James.

“I’m going to go put these two somewhere they’ll actually rest. You guys good?”

JJ nodded, looking back down at Spencer as she raked her dainty fingers through his bangs. “Yeah, we’re good.”

“Okay,” James said, rising to his feet, “Good. Come on, you two.”

He helped pull Alex to her feet, then Hotch. Both looked small and frazzled - Hotch from being awoken, and Alex from the discovery that she was not okay like she anticipated. He sighed, walking over to the closet and pulling Hotch’s spare blanket down before turning towards the bed to find another. 

“Don’t bother,” JJ said, “They’re going to do that thing they always do, where Alex is asleep on the arm rest, and Hotch has his face in her belly.”

James sighed, but nodded. He hated the word belly. “Right,” he mumbled, “Right. I’ll be right back.”

Surprisingly, Alex and Hotch quietly followed without a fight. Hotch seemed to be concerned with not crying, his eyes flooding with unshed tears when he stole a glance back at Spencer. Alex was staring down at her feet with one hand protectively gripped around Hotch’s forearm, as if she was afraid he was going to drop to the ground at any second.

He got them into the common room, laughing quietly when Alex sat down on the couch first, swinging her legs up and letting Hotch curl into her side with his head on her stomach. James draped the blanket over the two of them, shaking his head, but smiling.

“You two are going to run yourselves into the ground, you know that?”

Alex shook her head slowly, a hand already carting through Hotch’s bangs. “No we’re not.”

“What do you call this?” James asked, gesturing vaguely to their prone forms. Alex shrugged. “Collateral damage?” she offered, but James just frowned, fidgeting with the blanket he’d draped over them.

Alex reached out a hand, letting her fingers wrap around James’s wrist gently. “Thank you,” she said quietly.

James looked at her, eyes softening. “For what?”

“For taking care of us when we won’t take care of ourselves. We get so distracted with Spencer. He’s our whole world.”

James chuckled, pulling his wrist out of her grasp and instead squeezing her hand. “I know.”

“We’re teen parents.”

“I know,” he said again, “but parents take breaks too.”

She stared at him for a moment before she nodded, squeezing his hand with finality before she said, “You’ll come get me if he’s crying for me, right? If he wants either of us, I want you to come get us. No exceptions.”

“No exceptions,” he assured, stroking the back of her hand with his thumb before pulling away and straightening up. “Get some sleep, Al.”

He watched as she nodded gently, closing her eyes and visibly relaxing, before he left them to rest.

[tabloidtoc]

OK, March 15

You can buy a copy of this issue for your very own at my eBay store: https://www.ebay.com/str/bradentonbooks

Cover: Britney Spears' revenge

Page 1: Big Pic -- Melissa and Joe Gorga during a beach day in Miami

Page 2: Contents

Page 3: Contents

Page 4: Tiger Woods on the mend -- Tiger is counting his blessings as he recovers from a terrifying car crash

Page 6: Queen Elizabeth announced in a statement that her grandson Prince Harry and his pregnant wife Meghan Markle wouldn't be returning as working royals, noting that it was no longer possible for them to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service, and almost immediately, Harry and Meghan shot back with a seemingly rude reply, saying we can all live a life of service and service is universal -- no one was more disappointed in Harry's response than his brother Prince William and William finds this behavior both baffling and sickening and he can't get his head around it and William feels the family has been understanding and fair while Harry and Meghan continue to sit on their high horse flinging insults and from William's perspective there is simply no excuse for snide and ego-driven swipes made towards the queen -- especially right now, since three days prior to Her Majesty's statement, Prince Philip was rushed to a London hospital and the queen's been worried sick about her husband and should not be dealing with this added stress -- the whole situation has left William feeling hopeless and he fears Harry is too wrapped up in his own self-importance to see the hurt he's caused and that is unforgivable in William's eyes

Page 7: As Soleil Moon Frye's messy divorce drags on, a loyal pal from the past is providing a shoulder to cry on in Brian Austin Green who she reconnected with while shooting her upcoming documentary Kid 90 -- Brian can feel her pain because he's still hashing out his split from Megan Fox so he knows exactly what Soleil is going through -- they've been friends for more than 30 years and they're going to see each other through this tough time

* Tom Cruise got all pumped up for Mission: Impossible 7, but now that filming has wrapped, he's desperate to stay in fighting shape for the next installment -- Tom was thrown for a loop when the studio postponed filming M:I 8 instead of shooting the movies back-to-back so now he's putting himself through the wringer doing crunches, pullups, squats and weights but Tom's brutal, military-style workouts have friends and loved ones, including his rumored new girlfriend, M:I7 costar Hayley Atwell, worried that he could be pushing himself to the breaking point and everyone wants him to take it down a notch, but he won't listen -- physically, Tom still thinks he's invincible, but the fact is he'll be turning 60 in less than two years and if he keeps going at this pace, there's a big change he's going to do some serious damage

* Life has been twice as nice for Christine Quinn since she found out she was expecting -- the Selling Sunset star, who's pregnant with her and businessman husband Christian Richard's first child, isn't holding back when it comes to treating herself -- the famously free-spending realtor has been splurging on designer maternity clothes and lingerie to lounge around in at her L.A. mansion and she has flowers delivered daily for every room in the house

Page 10: Red Hot on the Red Carpet -- stars rock statement-making halter dresses -- Lili Reinhart, Camila Morrone, Brie Larson

Page 11: Chrishell Stause, Naomi Campbell, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Page 12: Who Wore It Better? Uzo Aduba vs. Drew Barrymore, Charlize Theron vs. Kaia Gerber, Bella Hadid vs. Naomi Scott

Page 14: News in Photos -- Steve Martin did what he does best while filming scenes of his upcoming mystery-comedy series Only Murders in the Building in NYC

Page 16: Nicole Scherzinger stepped out for lunch with beau Thom Evans in West Hollywood, a casually dressed Reese Witherspoon matched her shirt to her Draper James canvas tote while boarding a private plane in L.A., Paris Hilton and Carter Reum

Page 17: Rebel Wilson stopped by the gas station to fill up her car in L.A., Mariska Hargitay took a selfie while shooting Law & Order: Organized Crime in NYC

Page 18: Sarah Jessica Parker assisted customers at her eponymous shoe line's store in NYC, Chrissy Teigen at lunch at Wolfgang Puck in L.A., Naomi Osaka with her trophy for winning the Australian Open in Melbourne

Page 20: The Masked Singer panelist Jenny McCarthy in a golden tiara and caped dress before taping a new episode, for a recent date night Outer Banks stars Chase Stokes and Madelyn Cline whipped up a cozy plant-based dinner in L.A., Jason Sudeikis filled up on a sandwich on the set of Ted Lasso

Page 22: Bella Hadid strutting around Manhattan, Helena Christensen and her dog Kuma in NYC

Page 23: In partnership with Ziploc Janel Parrish created the Hot Mess Makeup Line in Vancouver, Cara Delevingne in Puma's new eco-friendly line

Page 24: Usher stopped by the dry cleaners West Hollywood, Padma Lakshmi and her pooch braved the cold weather in stylish jackets in NYC

Page 25: Tia Mowry for Late July Tortilla chips, four days before filing for divorce from her husband Kanye West of nearly seven years Kim Kardashian looked somber while out and about in L.A., during a stroll Busy Philipps stopped to check out something on her phone in NYC

Page 26: Scott Disick matched his 'do to his drink at the Sugar Factory in Miami, Justin Long stocked up on groceries in L.A., new couple Mod Sun and Avril Lavigne were inseparable after a date night in L.A.

Page 28: Inside My Home -- Claire Holt's airy abode

Page 30: Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott have taken the next step in their almost two-year relationship: they've secretly tied the knot -- they've been talking about getting married for about a year and just decided to go for it and the intimate ceremony took place in front of a few family members at Jonathan's Las Vegas home on Valentine's Day and it was spur of the moment, but that's how Zooey likes to do things and now Jonathan too and they put it together in a matter of days and everyone got a verbal invite to come -- Zooey wore a Bohemian-inspired gown and flowers in her hair while Jonathan wore an all-white suit and Zooey serenaded Jonathan with a love song she had written -- guests including Jonathan's twin brother Drew Scott and sister-in-law Linda Phan were treated to a gourmet buffet and video and arcade games -- now the couple's eager to grow their family and Jonathan will be a great stepdad to Zooey's children Elsie and Charlie but he's been saying for months that he can't wait to have kids of his own and they've already started trying

Page 31: Blake Lively and husband Ryan Reynolds are one of the most charitable couples in Hollywood and now the big-hearted duo are ready to take the next step by adopting a baby in need -- Blake and Ryan who share daughters James, Inez and Betty have donated millions of dollars to organizations working to protect the rights of immigrant children separated from their families and awaiting deportation -- day by day they've been warming up to the idea of providing an orphan with a forever home -- Ryan jokes that Blake is a baby machine who would have no trouble getting pregnant again, but their hearts really go out to these kids

* Ever since Bridgerton became a monster hit, the sizzling chemistry between Rege-Jean Page and costar Phoebe Dynevor has fans convinced that they're an offscreen item as well, but Rege-Jean's girlfriend Emily Brown is fed up with keeping their real-life romance under wraps and she's starting to feel like Rege's dirty little secret -- Emily has been dating Rege for two years and shares a home with him in East London -- the show's producers have been happy to let the rumors about Rege and Phoebe fly because it made their steamy sex scenes that much more believable -- Emily, a part-time soccer player and copywriter from Manchester, loves to go to pubs and party, which she and Rege used to do before the show came out -- Rege insists that keeping their relationship on the down-low is no big deal, but Emily wants everyone to know that the hunky Duke of Hastings is spoken for

* Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher have got the parenting thing down pat, and they're ready to share their know-how by penning a how-to manual -- their friends have been begging them for advice for years and Mila and Ashton make having kids look like a fun adventure and for them, it really is -- now that Ashton has wrapped up shooting his new thriller Vengeance, he and Mila finally have a little downtime and the handbook will include the duo's dos and don'ts for raising their children Wyatt and Dimitri like they never argue in front of the kids and make sure to treat them equally -- Mila's the stricter one and Ashton's the softie, but it's a team effort and it works and they admit it can get a bit chaotic, but they don't sweat the small stuff

Page 32: New parents Kit Harington and Rose Leslie may be in baby heaven, but they're dealing with the home renovation from hell -- the Game of Thrones alums, who recently welcomed their first child, have been up to their ears fixing up their 15th-century country manor, which is turning out to be a huge money pit -- Kit and Rose bought the $2.4 million spread shortly before tying the knot in 2018 and had no idea what they were getting into and the couple got hit by sticker shock when they finally got their plans approved to put in a new kitchen, master bath, pipes and flooring and it's going to cost them an extra half a million at least -- they still think it's the perfect place to raise a family, but overseeing an army of builders and designers with a newborn at home is leading to some serious sleep deprivation

* As Olivia Wilde and Harry Styles' romance heats up, the couple is planning a heart-to-heart with her ex-fiance Jason Sudeikis -- after filming wrapped on their movie Don't Worry (for the love of all that's holy, please put in a comma) Darling, the lovebirds flew to London to meet with Jason, who's been on the set of Ted Lasso in England because Olivia, who shares two kids with Jason, wants to clear the air and have a calm conversation about how everyone moves forward from here, and she wants Jason to realize that Harry is here to stay and Olivia needs Jason to understand this is a serious relationship, whether he likes it or not

* Baby Boom -- these celebs recently welcomed little ones -- Wilmer Valderrama and fiancee Amanda Pacheco welcomed a baby girl, Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahones and fiancee Brittany Matthews welcomed a daughter named Sterling Skye, Mandy Moore and Taylor Goldsmith welcomed a son named August Harrison

Page 34: Cover Story -- Britney Spears fights back -- she is ready to reclaim her life and she's looking to take down anyone who stands in her way, starting with her father, Jamie Spears

Page 36: In the wake of the #FreeBritney movement, Justin Timberlake who dated Britney Spears from 1999-2002, and publicly insinuated her cheating ruined their relationship, took to Instagram to offer a mea culpa, saying he wanted to apologize to Britney who he cares for and respects and he knows he failed -- he also contacted Britney directly to express his regrets over how he handled their breakup because he wanted to do the right thing and Britney accepted his apology and she was touched by the gesture and thought it was absolutely sincere and they had a nice little chat and it made Justin feel better knowing that Britney didn't hold any grudges

Page 38: They're So Grown Up -- the kids of some of Hollywood's biggest celebs are striking out on their own -- Ava Sambora is the daughter of Heather Locklear and Richie Sambora, Maya Hawke is the daughter of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, Damian Hurley is the son of Elizabeth Hurley and Steve Bing

Page 39: Lily Sheen is the daughter of Kate Beckinsale and Michael Sheen, Jack Depp is the son of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis, Lola Consuelos is the daughter of Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos

Page 40: Interview -- Dwayne Johnson -- with a new TV sitcom based on his early years, The Rock reveals all about his rollicking adventures growing up

Page 42: Slim Down for Spring -- how these stars got their best bodies ever just in time for the warmer weather

Page 46: Style Week -- Sara Sampaio is fronting Michael Kors' new campaign for its latest perfume, Gorgeous

Page 48: What's Hot Right Now -- break a sweat stylishly in LoveShackFancy X Beach Riot's limited-edition collection -- Nina Agdal

Page 49: Preppy Tennis Fashion -- Lele Sadoughi turns to '70s and '80s country club looks for its spring/summer 21 accessories

Page 50: Gift Guide -- self-care session -- pampering gifts that benefit body and mind because, hey, there's never been a better time to treat yourself -- Miranda Kerr

Page 52: Chrissy Teigen is a fan of affordable de-puffing and brightening holographic foil eye masks

Page 58: Buzz -- costars reunited -- Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay for Law & Order: Organized Crime, 13 Going on 30's Mark Ruffalo and Jennifer Garner reconnected on the set of their upcoming movie The Adam Project

Page 59: Rachel Bilson shared a snap of herself with O.C. costar Melinda Clarke, Ben Savage and Danielle Fishel who played a beloved couple on Boy Meets World starred in Panera Bread's new commercial for Valentine's Day, Rebel Wilson and Adam Devine of Pitch Perfect met up during Super Bowl LV game in early February

Page 60: Sound Bites -- Jennifer Love Hewitt on her night out with Betty White, Henry Golding on expecting his first child, Drew Barrymore on never going under the knife, Salma Hayek discussing billionaire husband Francois-Henri Pinault

Page 61: Tiffany Haddish on taking a chill day, Colin Jost on letting Scarlett Johansson plan their wedding, Cameron Diaz on whether she plans to return to Hollywood, Kehlani on feeling sexier as a mom

Page 62: Horoscope -- Pisces Connie Britton turned 54 on March 6

Page 64: By the Numbers -- Ana de Armas

[crazycat-88]

Male Orc Raum x Female Reader Part 1 (SFW)

Here’s my second contribution to the OkCryptid Collab, created by the amazing @thetravelerwrites.

Its the third story in my series Modern Monsters: In the City. Since its Orctober I wanted to do a story featuring an orc.

Wordcount: 2,665

Please enjoy!

You had download the monster/human dating app, OkCryptid, months ago. You’d spoken to some nice people and had gone on a few dates; The first was with a great big Minotaur, who was only interested in a fling. The second was with another human, who also wasn’t interested in anything serious. And the third and last, was with a fae, who was a total pompous ass. You had returned home from that date, very unhappy and swearing off all men for the foreseeable future.

You hadn’t however deleted the app from your phone. Despite your experience with the app so far, you still had hope that you would eventually meet someone with the same desire to be in an actual relationship.

You wake up one morning with a notification from OkCryptid, you have a match and a message from a user named Raum. Opening up the app, you see that it’s a relatively high match, and go to check his profile before reading the message.

Straight away you see that Raum is an orc, his profile picture is a picture of his face, and he’s wearing a great big grin. He’s light green in colour, with big brown eyes and brown shoulder length hair which is braided with lots of beads. His twin tusks are relatively short for an orc, decorated with a gold ring on each, and you see that he has them capped. He looks very handsome, you think to yourself.

You’re disappointed to find he doesn’t have any other pictures and reading his bio, you find it short. He claims to love children and dogs and it also says that he’s looking for someone to settle down with. Sounds like your kind of man. Checking your messages you see that he’s sent you a greeting and asks if you would like to chat. Deciding you do, you fire off a response.

You: Hi, Raum. I’d definitely like to chat! How are you this morning?

Needing to get ready for work, you leave your phone on your bed and go shower. Upon returning, you find that Raum has replied to your message.

Raum: I’m really good thanks! Happy to hear back from you… How are you today?

You: I’m okay, getting ready to go to work, so could be better haha.

Getting dressed, you hurry and grab some breakfast, before running out the door. While you don’t hate your job, it's not what you really want to do, just a means to an end. Work drags, but once your on your lunch break, you’re pleased to see another message from Raum.

Raum: Ah well… I hope you have a good day. I’ve got to get to work myself but message me tonight?

You wonder what he does for a job, but decide to wait until tonight to message him. Once you get home that evening you feel exhausted, deciding to order take-out instead of cooking something, you get out your phone to order online. That done, you open the Okcryptid app to message Raum.

You: Evening. That’s me home. Did you have a good day at work?

Waiting for his reply, you throw your head back closing your eyes, feeling like all you want to do is sleep. It’s not long before you hear you phone buzz, struggling to open your eyes, you see a message from Raum.

Raum: I did, thank you. Did you?

You: It was alright, tiring… So, what do you for work?

Raum: I work in a nursery, for three-four year old children. Tiring but really fun :-) What about you?

You spend the rest of the night chatting to Raum about your jobs, you tell him what you’d rather be doing and he encourages you to follow your heart. He tells you that he only started working with children the year before, when he got his qualifications, and before that he worked as a doorman at a bar. He says it was always his dream to work with children though, as an older brother and cousin, he would look after all the younger orcs and he found he enjoyed it so much he wanted to do it for a living.

Over the next two weeks, you and Raum send messages back and forth, chatting daily. Some days it’s just to say good morning, sending funny memes and saying goodnight, other days you chat at length, about a variety of topics. While you’re really happy he’s taking his time getting to know you, it’s got to the point where you really want to meet him. Deciding to make the first move, you send a message asking if he would like to meet up for a drink and he replies almost immediately.

Raum: I would love that! Have anywhere specific in mind?

You: I know of a great bar called The Bears Den, if that suits?

Raum: Haha! I know it too and if you don’t mind, I'd rather not meet you there... Not only am I a former employee but my two little cousins work there and we’d never get any peace…

You: Ah… fair enough, haha. Where would you recommend then?

Eventually you arrange to meet that evening at a smaller bar called The Boneyard Bar. You thought it had a bit of a strange name but if Raum recommended it, you assumed it must be good. Just to be safe, you text your best friend the name and address of the bar and she tells you to stay safe.

That evening the weather is warm and the sun is still shining, so you decide to walk to the bar. Your feeling relatively calm you think as you gaze around the streets, watching all the different types of non-humans walk by. You were expecting to feel anxious about meeting him when you first asked, but you’re actually just really excited about meeting him in person finally.

As you’re approaching the bar, you see an orc standing waiting outside, who you assume must be Raum. Turning his head your way, he spots you and grins widely waving. He looks really good you think, wearing tight black jeans and a t-shirt with a band logo, you don’t recognise. You see that he’s shorter than most orcs you’ve seen, standing at around six foot. He looks lean and fit but not as muscular as those you’ve seen down the gym. You’re happily surprised by this and return his wide grin with one of your own.

‘‘Hi, Raum,’’ you say, ‘It’s nice to meet you in person.’’

‘‘Hey, likewise,’’ he replies. You watch as he scans you head to toe and swallows thickly. ‘‘You look beautiful.’’

‘‘Thank you. You look really good too,’’ you smirk. ‘‘Shall we go in?’’

Nodding, he opens the door and holds it open for you, indicating for you to go ahead. When you enter the bar, you see that it’s quiet with only a few patrons. The atmosphere is really nice though and the bar has clearly been decorated by someone who has good taste. Serving behind the bar is a vampire, who likes he’s just walked out of the eighteenth century and a gnoll that has a rip in his ear.

The gnoll greets Raum by name and swiftly gets your order. Finding a table, you sit down and smile a Raum.

‘‘So… Come here often?’’ You say, laughing.

Laughing, he replies, ‘‘Only about once a week, they have a quiz night here every Friday, before the karaoke.’’

‘‘Do you sing?’’ You ask questionly, sipping at your drink.

‘‘Oh no, not me. I can’t sing, a few of my mates do though and they’re really good,’’ he replies. ‘‘You should come join us one night.’’

‘‘I don’t know... it sounds a bit like a boys night.’’

‘‘Not at all,’’ he exclaims, his nose scrunching up in a way you find adorable. ‘‘There's usually five of us in our group and two of those are women,’’ he adds.

‘‘Well alright then, maybe I will one night,’’ you chuckle.

You spend the evening chatting, he tells you about the children he works with and how they make it laugh. Then about his dog buster, a great big dobermann, who thinks he’s a lapdog. You tell him about your work and about the people you work with. The night goes really well and it’s undoubtedly the best date you’ve been on in a long time.

The first date soon leads into a second, where you go to the beach and then a third date where he takes you to see a theatre show. Soon you’re on the fourth date, for which he’s asked if you would like to go to the quiz night at the bar and meet his friends. You agree and tell him you’ll meet him there.

When you get to the bar, you see Raum is already sitting at a table and beside him is the gnoll you recognise as the barman you saw on your first date and another orc, this one a girl. It looks to you, like their having an intense conversation as Raum is leaning over the table, scowling at the female orc and pointing at her. Your a bit taken aback by this, as you’ve never seen Raum with a scowl on his face. Walking over to join them, Raum looks up and when he notices you, he gives you a huge grin.

Standing when you reach the table, he pulls you into a hug and kisses your cheek, one of his tusks scraping your ear slightly. Sitting on a chair beside him, he introduces you to the two at the table. The gnoll is called Kert and he explains he’s just on his break and that he’s the one who will be quizzing you all. The orc is called Britt and she introduces herself as Raum’s cousin, which surprises you as Raum never mentioned anything about meeting a family member.

You’re soon joined by the rest of the group, a friendly satyre who introduces himself as Ixi, a fully transformed werewolf who hugs you straight away, giggling and introducing herself as Emily and finally a demon with six eyes and four arms, who appears more reserved, introducing himself as Pepin. They make an interesting looking group you think to yourself.

You all make light conversation until Kert gets up and says that he has to get back to work, warning you all that the quiz will start in five minutes. Britt suddenly points to you and says that she hopes you’re good at quizzes, you make a so-so gesture and she huffs. You find the orc a bit intimidating to be honest, she’s twice the size of Raum and looks a lot tougher too.

‘‘Don’t mind her,’’ Emily laughs, ‘‘She just really likes winning and we hardly ever do. The group of gargoyles over there, pretty much always win,’’ she says, pointing over to the group in the corner. Looking to where she pointed you see a group of eight gargoyles.

‘‘I really hate those guys,’’ Britt exclaims scowling with her fist clenched. You smile seeing Pepin rolling is six eyes at her.

‘‘Isn’t there a limit to how many can be in a group?’’ You ask, you see Ixi shaking his head but it’s Raum who explains.

’’No. You can play along with any number of people, it’s really not that serious, prize is a free drink for every member in the group.’’

’’It’s time guys,’’ Emily says, sitting up straighter. You hear a hush comes over the bar and looking over to the stage you see Kert up there fiddling with the microphone.

‘‘Alright folks, hope you have your pens and paper ready because it’s time to start… First question; Which sign of the zodiac is represented by the scales?’’ He asks.

A brief discussion and then Ixi, who has control of the pen, is writing down the answer. There’s twenty questions in total, a mix of easy and difficult ones but your team has got an answer for each noted down. You even manage to answer a few of the questions, when the others get stuck. At the end, Kert goes around all the tables collecting the answer sheets.

‘‘I’m glad you joined us tonight,’’ Emily says, looking at you. ‘‘You were a big help.’’

‘‘Thanks,’’ you say, smiling as Raum half hugs you and gives you a grin.

Your team ends up losing to the gargoyles by one point, and the group groans. Britt swears and bangs her fist on the table.

‘‘Calm down,’’ Emily giggles nervously, ‘‘It’s just a game.’’

Soon the karaoke starts and Ixi is the first one up on the stage, as with most of the satyres you’ve encountered he’s really talented and holds a note well. Emily and Britt join him up on stage for the second song, and Britt surprises you with how good she is. Raum leans down to tell you that Britts’ always been gifted musically and is the lead singer of her band.

Britt and Ixi sing the next one together, some slow ballad, and Raum pulls you up to dance. As you’re swaying along to the song, you laugh as Raum leans down to nuzzle at your neck, lifting you slightly, so that your feet aren’t even on the floor. Out of the corner of your eye, you catch Pepin watching you both with a sad smile and you make a mental note to mention it to Raum later.

As the night comes to a close, Raum says he’ll walk you home. Pepin has already left but you say goodnight to the others, getting another hug from Emily. Outside it’s dark and cold, and as you shiver, Raum tucks you into his side with his arm around your shoulder.

‘‘Did you have a good night?’’ He asks.

‘‘I did, I really like your friends,’’ you say, hoping that they really liked you too. ‘‘I wasn’t expecting to meet your cousin though.’’

‘‘Oh… yeah. Sorry about that,’’ he replies, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. ‘‘I probably should've warned you about that eh?’’ You just nod and he continues, ‘‘I think she really likes you though.’’

‘‘Really?’’ you say dubiously, ‘‘She spent most of night scowling at me.’’

‘‘That’s just her resting face,’’ he chuckles. ‘‘Seriously, she likes you for sure and I think you even managed to impress her.’’

You chuckle in response, then remember the quiet demon. Looking up at Raum, you ask, ‘‘What was up with Pepin? He was really quiet and seemed sad half the night.’’

‘‘He’s always quiet, but he’s been having a difficult time recently. Him and his partner broke up a couple of weeks ago,’’ he says sadly.

‘‘Oh… that’s a shame.’’

Raum nods and squeezes you tighter to his side. ‘‘So… I was thinking… and you can say it’s too soon but I have to go home next weekend, it’s my brothers eighteenth… and I was wondering if you wanted to... come with me?’’ he says nervously, looking somewhere over your shoulder.

You consider it for a moment. It is rather soon to be meeting his family, but you really do like him and it means you’ll get to spend the whole weekend with him.

‘‘I’d like that, sure.’’ you say.

‘‘Really? You’ll come with me?’’ he says, looking at you, grinning in surprise.

‘‘Yeah, sounds like fun,’’ you smile. Reaching your front door, you turn to say goodnight. You see Raum is still looking surprised at your willingness to go away with him. ‘‘I had a really good time tonight, thanks for inviting me,’’ you say.

‘‘That’s good, I’m really glad you came and that you had a good time,’’ he smiles.

Stretching up to give him a kiss, you wish him a good night and say you’ll see him soon. He gives you a crushing hug and kisses you again. Telling you to sleep well, you watch as he turns around and heads home.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this, don’t forget to reblog. Likes/Comments are also appreciated. 

My Masterlist

[unfortunate-stranger-losers]

All Those Things They Couldn’t Say - A Runaway Baudelaires AU

{ao3} {tumblr} {masterlist}

Chapter Twenty - New Allies at Prufrock

“So you’re transferring from… Wade Academy?” 

Violet smiled, wishing quietly that Klaus hadn’t chosen a real school he could check up on. “Yes, sir. Our papers should have arrived last week. Perhaps they’re in your desk?” 

“Perhaps they’re in my desk! Well, I will check my desk.” 

Violet and Klaus shared exasperated looks as the Vice Principal bent over, rifling through the drawers that Violet had shoved their forged papers into several hours before. It hadn’t taken long for Klaus to get them into the school under assumed identities- this time, Emily and Liam Sonnenfeld- but fuck if dealing with the shitty Vice Principal wasn’t the hardest part. Violet swore she was a few minutes away from just stabbing him and calling it a day. 

Nero pulled out some papers, his brow furrowing as he scanned them. “Yes, these seem right…” he muttered. “Though I can’t quite remember contacting your previous school.” 

Violet quickly smiled and said, “Well, I’m sure a genius like you has more important things to worry about than some boring transfer students. Like your violin practice.” 

“Yes, indeed.” Vice Principal Nero nodded, smugness creeping across his face. “It’s nice to be appreciated. The last transfers- these two annoying orphans- wouldn’t stop bothering me. We’re not quadruplets, we’re twins. Why do we have to go to a shack? Such ungrateful children.” 

“Such ungrateful children.” Klaus echoed, looking like he wanted to die and also like he wasn’t paying much attention. 

“Now, I see your parents have signed here, and we luckily do have free rooms in the dorms. Boys is to the immediate right of the gym field, girls is to the immediate right of that. Emily, you will be studying with Mr Remora in Room One, while Liam, you will be with Ms Bass in Room Two.” 

“We can remember that, thank you.” Klaus said. 

“Were you told the rules of the school before you transferred?” 

“We are aware.” Violet sighed, remembering the list she’d managed to slip from the desk. “And we look forward to your recital tonight.” 

“You should! It’ll be six hours of pure delight.” 

“Absolutely.” Klaus nodded. “Thank you, Vice Principal, we’ll head to our dorms now.” 

“Yes. Liam, you will be rooming with…” Nero looked down at the list in front of him, as if he had no idea what student he was talking about. “Chase… something-or-other, I’m sure he’ll tell you. Emily, you will be rooming with Carmelita Spats.” 

Fuck. Roommates. Well, they’d figure something out. “Thank you, sir.” Violet said. “We’ll head out now, so you may get back to practicing.” 

“Yes, do.” 

Nero pulled out his violin as the children left, their plastic smiles falling once their backs were turned. They could hear his horrible playing even after they closed the door, and Violet said, “Do you remember what Father said, that one time we spent your birthday sleeping in the orchestra pit?” 

Klaus nodded, and then recited, “Children, there is no worse sound in the world than somebody who cannot play the violin who insists on doing so anyway.” 

“We’re skipping that recital.” 

“Hell yeah.” 

“Let’s check on Sunny.” 

“Good idea.” 

They knelt by the edge of the hall, and Klaus pulled his bag off, flipping it open. “How tight are you in there, sunshine?” 

Sunny glanced up at him, huffing a little. She did not like the fact she had to hide, as Prufrock did not admit toddlers. “Amygdala,” she said, which meant something akin to, “It’s quite claustrophobic.” 

“Well, you’re alive. And you can keep biting that can.” Violet sighed. “Just stay quiet, okay? We’ll find out which of our roommates is cooler and then let you out.” 

“Ugh.” Sunny groaned. 

“It’s this or live in that weird shack by the cafeteria.” Klaus said, before closing his bag again. 

The siblings stood up, and Violet said, “Alright, to the dorms. We’ll find our way there, then… should we skip class? Our teachers won’t actually have our names down for attendance.” 

“Yeah, fuck that.” 

“Fuck that.” 

They went to Violet’s dorm first, managing to find the right room after swiping some fruit from some bowls in the hall and occasionally stuffing something small and expensive-looking into their jacket pockets. Violet slid the door open, walking in and making a face. “This room’s awful.” 

“Those windows don’t seem to lock.” Klaus observed, shaking his head. 

“Closet is fucking tiny.” Violet said. “Where are you supposed to hide?” 

Klaus knelt by a bed, flipping the blanket up. “No room under here.” 

“These plants look fake.” Violet moved to the sidetable, lifting a leaf. “Oh, yeah. Plastic. Wonder what this dirt is made of.” She stuck a hand in. “Oh my God, Klaus, I think this is coffee.” 

“Holy shit.” Klaus started to giggle. “That sounds like a dream, though. Secret coffee.” 

“You don’t like coffee.” 

“Yeah but it’s still fun. Secret coffee.” 

“Secret coffee.” Violet giggled. 

Before they could do more, the door opened, and a girl skipped in. She stopped dead in her tracks, her tap shoes slamming onto the ground. 

“What are you cakesniffers doing in my room?” 

Violet sighed, sharing a glance with Klaus, the two of them considering. Then she smiled and turned back to the girl- she looked about the same age as her brother. “Hello. I’m Emily Sonnenfeld, I’m your new roommate.” 

“No!” the girl dropped her bright schoolbag on the ground and then stomped in frustration. “I don’t need a roommate! And I need the second bed for mid-day naps! What the hell? I told Vice Principal Nero that I didn’t need anyone else!” 

Violet and Klaus both watched each other as she continued to rant, silently communicating different ideas. Finally, Violet walked in front of the girl and said, “Carmelita, right?” 

“Of course. Only the smartest, prettiest, humblest girl in the whole wide school.” 

“I’m sure you’re right about that.” Violet smiled. “Now, listen. You’ve made it clear you don’t want a roommate.” 

“Uh, yeah! I’m going to go straight to Vice-” 

“No need for that.” Violet smiled, and patted her on the shoulder. “Listen, that’ll just be a whole thing, he’ll have to rearrange shit, and that gives him less time to practice the violin. He gets so angry when he’s interrupted.” 

Carmelita paused, something flashing across her face, and then she crossed her arms and huffed. “But I don’t want you here!” 

“Well, how about a deal?” Violet pulled her hair back, and smiled down at her. “It turns out, I would much prefer to room with my brother Liam. We don’t like being separated, because we know too many secrets about each other. So how about you let me know where we can find an empty room, and I pretend we’re roommates so none of us get in trouble?” 

Carmelita narrowed her eyes, looking the girl up and down. Then she said, “You won’t bother me?” 

“Only if you bother me first.” 

“Deal, Em. Follow me, there’s an empty room near the storage closet. Drafty, but I sometimes practice dance in there. Guess I can practice in here instead.” 

“Don’t worry, Carm, sweetie.” Violet smiled, before smirking at Klaus. “We’re not staying long.” 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” 

“We’re only here til our parents are back from their trip. Then we’re out of your hair.” 

“Good. Less cakesniffers in this school.” 

“What does ‘cakesniffer’ mean?” Klaus asked. 

“It means you’re stupid cakesniffers.” Carmelita huffed. Then she marched out of the room and said, “It’s this way, come on.” 

“I don’t think ‘cakesniffers’ is a compliment.” Klaus muttered. 

“Yeah, no shit.” 

Carmelita shoved them towards the empty room and then skipped back to her room, grumbling about stupid new kids. Violet strolled in, smiling at the empty space; a few pillows and blankets were shoved into the corner, and there were some dark blinds over the window, but aside from that, the room was bare. 

“We can sleep right here, by the door.” Violet said, swishing her foot across the space she indicated. “I can block it. As for the window…” she pulled her ribbon out, tying her hair back excitedly. “I can make us a break-in alarm. A string and a bell, shouldn’t be too hard. We’ll have knives under our pillows if someone gets in- not you, Sunny, you’ll sleep inbetween us.” 

Klaus was pulling the infant from his backpack, finally releasing her onto the floor. She huffed and crawled over to the window, biting on the edge of a blind. 

Violet pulled on her ribbon and said, “I saw a stairwell to the roof. We can camp out there and watch for our parents- or, well, other pursuers. There looked like a library building, Klaus, so you can swipe books from there to keep you and Sunny entertained.” 

“What about you?” 

“I’ll find something to invent, don’t worry. Or I can just be the one keeping watch.” 

“No, you’re gonna swap out with us cause we’re a family and we work together.” 

“No, we’re a family and I’m in charge.” 

“Violet, come on-” 

“Gac!” Sunny shouted, pointing out the window. 

Violet ran over, lifting up her sister and immediately retreating a few steps. Klaus ran to the window, lifting up the blinds to see what Sunny had noticed. 

“There’s a couple kids.” he said. “They’re… going towards that old shack. Probably won’t stay long.” 

“That reminds me, what do you think’s in there?” 

Klaus shrugged. “Supplies?” 

“Why don’t we find out?” Violet slid Sunny onto the floor. 

“Violet, come on-” 

“We wanna know every inch of this place, right? And if there’s weapons in there, we wanna know about it.” 

“What sorta school would store weapons-” 

“Don’t you remember what Mother said? Anything could be a weapon. And if they’ve got supplies- shovels, wrenches, odd tools-” 

“Alright, I get it.” 

“Sunshine, stay here.” Violet said, looking over at her sister. “Guard our shit. If someone comes in, either hide in the pile of blankets or bite their toes off.” 

Sunny saluted her. “Aye-aye!” 

“Should we really leave her-” 

“We can’t take her outside. Do you want to stay with her while I investigate?” 

Klaus hesitated, looking between his sisters. Sunny looked up at him and said, “Nef,” meaning something like, “I’ll be fine, Klaus. I’ll scream if I need help, you’re only a few feet away.” 

“If you’re sure-” 

“Ye!” 

“Okay… be careful.” 

Sunny nodded, and Violet opened the window, jumping out. “Come on, Klaus.” 

He followed her out, sliding to the ground while she waited for him, bouncing on her feet. When he landed, she said, “Hey, race you to the shack.” 

“We’re not babies, Violet.” 

“Yeah, but-” 

“Readysetgo!” 

Klaus laughed and took off, and Violet froze in shock and indignation a moment, before shouting, “You little cheater, get back here!” 

She tore across the lawn, trying to catch up to his head start. Klaus was never the most athletic Baudelaire, but even he could run pretty well and pretty fast, mainly due to their parents making sure all their kids could survive well enough alone. Still, Violet managed to catch up just before they reached the shack, though she did smile and slow herself a little so Klaus could hit the side. It creaked slightly, and he laughed. “I win!” 

“Only cause you cheated.” 

“It’s not cheating, it’s strategy.” 

“You little shit.” 

“Hey, you owe me, I got hypnotized.” 

“Fine, fine, you win. Now let’s see what we’ve got in here-” 

Violet opened the shack door, and then stared, absolutely astonished. 

The shack had fungus dripping from the ceiling, as well as crabs scuttling across the floor. It also had two piles of hay, upon which were sitting the two kids who’d passed by before. A small photo was tacked to the wall, looking like it’d been clipped from a newspaper, and schoolbags were tossed haphazardly onto the floor. The shack barely looked big enough for both children, who were now sitting up and staring in bewilderment at the girl standing in front of them. 

Violet stared a moment, and then said, “Uh, Klaus? I think this is a dorm.” 

“What?” Klaus looked in the doorway, and then stepped back. “What the fuck? Is this some kind of… what was that movie we saw? Where the bad kids had to sleep in the creepy basement?” 

“This isn’t a basement, Klaus, it’s a health and safety hazard.” 

“Excuse me?” the boy said, sitting up straighter and rubbing his eyes. “Who are you?” 

“New kids.” Violet sighed, leaning against the doorway. “What are you doing in this deathtrap?” 

“It’s our shack.” the girl said. 

“What do you mean, it’s ‘your shack?’” 

“We mean it’s the Orphans Shack and we have to live here.” 

“What the actual shit?” 

“Okay, listen,” Klaus said, stepping away from the doorway. “Get out here. We can’t talk to you while you’re sitting in there.” 

Carefully, the two students walked out, very confused. Violet bit her lip to keep from asking why they left their schoolbags in there, and instead slammed the door and said, “Okay, explain. What’s this shit?” 

“Who the hell are you?” the girl snapped. 

“Emily and Liam Sonnenfeld.” Violet said, gesturing between them. 

“You just called him ‘Klaus.’” the boy said. 

Violet shut her eyes, stifling a groan, while Klaus started rapidfire swearing under his breath. 

“Look. Tell us who you are and about your shack, and we’ll tell you our shit, okay?” Klaus said. 

The two students glanced at each other; in the light, the Baudelaires realized that they must be siblings, as they were pretty much identical, the only difference being the girl having longer hair and the boy having a green notebook instead of a black in his pocket. Eventually, the girl turned back to them and said, “Isadora Quagmire. This is my brother, Duncan. We’re in the Orphans Shack because we’re orphans.” 

“I don’t follow.” Violet said. 

“Your parent or legal guardian needs to sign a permission slip for you to sleep in the dorms.” Duncan said, glaring at the ground. “And we don’t have parents, and the executor of our parents’ estate dumped us here cause orphans aren’t In, so we have to sleep out here.” 

“Well that is absolute pigshit.” Violet said. She kicked the side of the shack and said, “There’s plenty of empty rooms in the dorms.” 

“There is?” Isadora asked, a spark of anger in her eyes. 

“Yeah.” Violet shrugged. “We just found an empty room to ourselves so we don’t have to split up.” 

“Son of a…” Duncan muttered. 

“I’m going to kill Nero.” Isadora said. “That bastard’s days are at their end / He won’t last til next weekend.” 

Klaus hesitated, and then tugged Violet’s sleeve. Let me try something. “You said you were orphans?” 

“Yeah.” Isadora sighed. 

She fell silent, so Duncan was the one who eventually said, “We lost our parents in a terrible fire.” 

Violet and Klaus exchanged a look. “VFD bullshit?” Violet said. 

“VFD bullshit.” 

“You guys say the word ‘shit’ a lot.” Duncan noted. 

“What’s VFD?” Isadora asked. 

“Long story.” 

Isadora hesitated, then reached into her pocket, and pulled something out. “Does it have something to do with this?” 

She held out, to their astonishment, half of a VFD spyglass. The Eye was etched into the front, and she pointed to it, saying, “Those initials are kinda… there.” 

Violet and Klaus exchanged a look. “Do you think-” 

“It was the last place our parents told us to go.” 

“Makes sense to gather possible recruits together.” 

“Should we lead a jailbreak?” 

“That’ll just get them grabbed faster. Not everyone can last on the streets, and if their parents-” 

“And they leave orphans outside where they can get grabbed.” 

“We’re going to have to do double lookout.” 

“No sleep for us, then.” 

“Our main goal is to protect Sunny. And-” 

“What the fuck are you two talking about?” Isadora snapped. 

The Baudelaires paused, having been lost in their plans. They turned back, scanning the kids over. 

“Definite targets.” Violet said. 

“Definite.” 

“So we’re gonna wanna jailbreak them first.” 

“Yeah, we can do that.” 

“Come with us, Quagmires.” Violet said, gesturing for them to follow. “You can sleep in our dorm. The more the merrier.” 

“Excuse me, what?” Duncan said. 

“We’ll explain in there.” Klaus said. “Get your bags and your stuff.” 

“What the-” 

“We’ll explain everything there.” Violet said. She reached out, putting a hand on Isadora’s shoulder. “Promise. But you’re going to have to come with us. Also, you’re going to have to not talk to anyone about us at all.” 

“What?” 

“Hurry up.” 

The Quagmires glanced at each other, and then Duncan said, “Can we trust you?” 

Klaus, in response, pulled Josephine’s spyglass from his jacket pocket. 

The Quagmires stared at it, and then Isadora said, “I’ll get our bags.” 

“So, let me get this straight.” Duncan said. 

He flipped his commonplace book back a page or two, where’d he’d taken notes on the Baudelaires’ explanation. The children had split the pile of blankets and pillows between each other and now had them all in a circle, sitting at the edge to face each other. Sunny, who had taken an immediate shine to the newcomers, had crawled onto Isadora’s lap and now was chewing on her jacket. Thankfully, Isadora didn’t seem to mind, and in fact was currently fixing Sunny’s ponytail. Violet rocked back-and-forth slightly, hugging her bag, while Klaus fiddled with his shirt and glanced between the Quagmires. 

“Oh, buddy,” Violet sighed, “You’re not getting anything straight with us.” 

“Same.” Isadora smirked. 

“So, your parents were in a cult that has these spyglasses. So, apparently, that means our parents were in the cult, too.” 

“Seems like it.” 

“They tried to leave and got framed for a crime- except they did commit the crime so it wasn’t framing, technically.” 

“Technically.” Klaus nodded. 

“You all have been on the run your whole lives, except now your parents were kidnapped by this Olaf guy, and he wants to kidnap you so he can torture and kill you in front of your parents.” 

“Pretty much.” 

“And you’ve been jumping from place-to-place waiting for them to escape on their own, and you forged papers to get in here and hide out.” 

“That’s it.” 

“Olaf and his troupe can and will kill anyone near you.” 

“Yeah.” 

“So we’re in danger.” Isadora said. 

“Well, yeah.” Klaus said. “Which is an issue. But consider, would we rather keep you near us until we can find out how to break you outta here, or leave you alone in a shack to inevitably get kidnapped by a cult?” 

“That does seem reasonable.” Duncan said. 

“No, it doesn’t!” Isadora said. “Duncan, I’d rather not be hunted by a psycho!” 

“And I’d rather not be grabbed a cult.” 

“Look, maybe- maybe it’s different, if Mother and Father were there-” 

“Would explain why they were gone all the time.” 

“Seriously? You’re going to doubt them?” 

“I’m not going to join a cult just because of them, no!” 

“And I’m not losing another brother!” 

Violet and Klaus scooted back, a little startled. Sunny paused her biting, staring up at Isadora in confusion. Duncan gasped a little, and then he slid his commonplace book into his pocket, fighting back tears. 

“Bro?” Sunny asked. 

Isadora swallowed, taking slow breaths and trying to calm herself down. Then she nodded. “We- we’re triplets.” 

“Our brother, Quigley, died in the fire.” Duncan said. 

Violet’s eyes widened in sympathy, and then she moved over, taking Duncan’s hand. “I’m so sorry.” 

“That must be horrible.” Klaus said. He looked over at Sunny, who crawled off of Isadora’s lap and over to him, lifting her arms so he could pick her up. He did, cradling her close. “I can’t imagine losing a sibling.” 

“It’s- it’s bad enough being separated from our family.” Violet shivered. “But… dead…” 

Isadora stared hard at the ground, and Duncan slowly leaned over, putting his head on Violet’s shoulder. She wrapped an arm around him, and Klaus scooted over to Isadora, holding out his hand for her. 

Isadora, however, said, “You recognized we were VFD before you saw the spyglass. It was when we said our house burned down.” 

Klaus hesitated. “Uh-” 

“Did the fire- did that have something to do with it?” Isadora looked over at him, pleading with her eyes. “What about the fire tipped you off?” 

Klaus and Violet exchanged another look. Be careful. “Houses burning down and orphaning children are… common. In VFD.” Violet said. 

“When Firestarters find out where Volunteers live.” Klaus said. “Or… or in some, some extreme cases… when Volunteers won’t give up their children…” 

Duncan and Isadora looked up sharply, and then stared at each other. “So…” Isadora said, her voice breaking, “So it was their fault?” 

“I- it’s probable-” 

“Then they could kill Duncan, too.” Isadora shivered. 

“Well, I mean-” Violet stumbled. “Probably not intentionally, you know? But like- I won’t lie-” 

“Why did you tell us this?” Isadora looked sharply at her. “Why would you tell us all of this? Why do you trust us?” 

Violet opened her mouth to answer, and then paused. Why had she trusted them so quickly? Did she just want a connection? Was she just full of righteous fury at seeing them in a shack? Was she just so desperate to talk to somebody about what was going on…? 

She looked up at them again, and then her eyes flickered to the half-spyglass in Isadora’s hands, and then she realized. 

“I guess I just would rather have you with us,” she said, “Then leave you alone to suffer with no preparation. I…” 

She looked to Klaus for help, and he nodded, understanding. He edged Sunny off of his lap, and then leaned forwards, grabbing a hand from each triplet. 

“Our Mother told us once,” he said, “That if you’re in danger, it’s better to know you are so you can prepare. If you don’t know, then it hits you by surprise. It might be a better buildup, because you’re not living in fear, but then when it happens, you have less a chance of getting out alive. And the most important thing is to stay alive. Live to fight another day, because…” 

“Spero.” Sunny said. 

Klaus smiled, and translated. “Because if you live another day, that day might be the one that makes things better.” 

Duncan and Isadora both stared down at his hands, and then Duncan started to cry, followed quickly by his sister. 

“Besides,” Violet added, hoping to lighten the mood, “I’d rather you be in here than dying in a shack.” 

“Yeah.” Isadora nodded, smiling slightly as tears rolled down her cheeks. “Yeah, I- I would’ve done the same- the same thing-” 

“Quigley would’ve done the same, too.” Duncan muttered. 

Violet held out her arms, and everyone scrambled into a group hug.

[pixelatedrose]

A Rose For A Valentine

Part 1/Part 2/Part 3/???

Word Count: 1504

Cast:

Lochesis Lodgick (logic). Lo, Lochy, Sisi for nicknames

Pandora Morralitie (morality) Panda, Pan, Dora, Pancake for nicknames

Rose Kreativve (creativity) Ro, Princess for nicknames

Valentine Anxxiatie (anxiety) Val, Valen for nicknames

Dahlia Desceat (deceit) Dahl, Di, Dahli for nicknames

Ruby Kreativve (Remus/intrusive thoughts) Ru, Ruru for nicknames

Riley Sleapp (Sleep) Riy, Lili for nicknames

Emily Picani (Emile) Em, Emmy for nicknames

Trigger warnings: Verbally fighting, Breakdowns, mentions of sex, uncensored swearing, fake friends

Chapter 3

  Rose walked out of the classroom, knowing Pandora would be calling her later to ask why she'd lied.

  Rose didn't ride the bus home.

  She never had.

  She just didn't want that stupid emo nightmare trying to talk to her, no matter what the reason.

  "Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid…!" Rose muttered to herself as she stormed out of the building. So much for a good first day of school…

  What had happened at lunch was a nightmare that wouldn't be easily forgiven, regardless of the fact that Valentine wouldn't have had any way of knowing.

~~•~~

  "It's none of your business who Pandora is friends with!" Valentine shouted. "And who's to say that maybe she'd rather be friends with someone who's deeper than a puddle on the sidewalk!"

  Rose's mind jumped into action. This emo was starting to cross over the line of things Rose was willing to put up with.

  "Are you calling me shallow?!" Rose yelled, holding a hand up to her chest dramatically on instinct, having her friend's joke and tease with her about the subject in the past. This was different.

  "If by shallow you mean that I wouldn't get my feet wet if I stepped in you with no shoes on then yes."

  Rose was furious now. "Bitch!! Who the hell are you to tell me who I am?!"

  "I don't have to; it's written all over your everything!"

  "At least I try and be friendly instead of hiding in the back of the classroom and sulking like someone just killed my dog!!"

  "Well at least I know my friends want to be my friends!!!"

  Rose stopped and fell back on her fears.

  They're just sticking around out of pity.

  They're not real friends.

  They'll all leave eventually.

  They don't really want to be around you.

  Rose didn't hear the emo try and keep the fight going, she just turned and walked off, unable to get a grip on her emotions. She clenched her fists and held her breath, fighting down her bitter thoughts.

  Lochesis finally caught Rose's shoulder, snapping the redhead back to reality.

  "Rose, hold on-" Lochesis started but was cut off when she saw Rose fighting back her tears.

  "What if she's right though…!" Rose finally choked out, her voice just barely a squeak.

  Lochesis didn't hesitate in embracing the golden eyed girl, letting her friend take a few shaky and choked sobs into her shirt. The tall girl lead Rose over to the stairwell a few steps away and say her friend down on the bottom steps, soothing her long-time childhood friend with coos and quiet shushs.

  Pandora jogged up to the pair and struck Rose with a soft and tight hug, comforting the girl back into reality.

  "I'm okay now…" Rose said, swallowing down her tears.

  As her distress fell away, anger quickly rose to replace it.

  Rose clenched her fists again. "That stupid bitch is gonna get what's coming to her, just you wait. I'll-"

  Pandora quickly jumped up. "NO!!" She shouted. Seeing Rose and Lochesis startle, she calmed her voice. "No. Listen I know Val hurt your feelings, but she didn't know that, A, you have self esteem issues, and, B, that it would hurt you that much." Pandora's big blue eyes pleaded from behind her glasses. "Please give her at least a chance? She's been my best friend since I was like two years old and she's got no other friends. And if you two ended up fighting, well…" Pandora paused, thinking about the situation and shook her head as if clearing it of unkind thoughts. "It'd be sad!!" She stated plainly.

  Rose slouched her shoulders. "Did you even hear what she said?" Her eyes glared down at the tiled floor. "And I don't think she'd be one to actually even want to make up with me." Rose gestured down the hallway back to the cafeteria. "I mean look at her!! She looks like Tim Burton hand crafted her and through some satanic experiment brought her to life!!"

  Lochesis looked at Rose curiously. "Didn't you mention this morning how much you love Nightmare Before Christmas?"

  Rose waved a hand at her friend. "Shut up, just...shuuu."

  Pandora pouted. "You're not even gonna try?" She asked dejectedly.

  Rose looked down and picked at the holes in her jeans. She finally stood up, throwing her hands over her head. "Fine!" She huffed. Pandora started clapping her hands before Rose pointed at her. "But I'm still not talking to her today! It'll have to wait till tomorrow or something."

  Pandora still bounced a little. "Yay~!! I'm glad you're not giving up on my strange dark daughter!!"

  "What even-" Lochesis started to question before Rose's huffing interrupted her.

  "God what a shitty day this is turning out to be…" Rose groaned.

  Pandora gasped and stood on her tiptoes to cover her girlfriend's ears. "GASP!! Watch your language, Rose! We don't want the human computer learning it, you don't know WHO she'll start repeating it to!"

  Lochesis pulled the honey haired girl's hands off the side of her head, settling for them draping over her shoulders. "I'm not a child, Pandora, I know swear words," she leaned her head back to smile at the short girl. "But thank you for worrying, darling." She winked and Pandora nearly fell over herself.

  Rose rolled her eyes, smiling widely. "You two are sickeningly adorable." They laughed together as the bell rung and they parted ways.

  As soon as her friend's were out of sight, the bright smile faded from Rose's face entirely.

  "Well at least I know my friends want to be my friends!!!"

  Was Valentine right?

  Rose couldn't help but feel that maybe she was.

~~•~~

  Rose waited outside the school thinking about the day. Rose had only grown more upset when she'd found out that the emo was in her chemistry class as well.

  Rose shook herself and stood straighter. C'mon, I bet she's not that bad. She's just a little prickly, that’s all. We can make up tomorrow and then everything will be fine! She told herself.

  "Ro-ro!!" A girl that looked strikingly similar to Rose ran up to her. "Guess What?!"

  Rose have an exasperated sigh and rolled her eyes. "Please don't tell me you damaged my reputation again, Ruby…"

  Ruby giggled and shook her head. "Oh no, I do that on the daily, I don't have to try to do that!" Rose made an offended noise before Ruby had to dodge a playful battering from her sister. "I got a GIRLFRIEND!!" She shouted gleefully.

  Rose stood shocked in the middle of the walkway as she watched her sister. "You What?!" She nearly shrieked.

  Ruby nodded up and down. "Yep!! You heard me right! Duchess Trash-Bitch landed herself a date with only the most suave girl in school!!"

  Rose snorted. "Pah-lease, Ruby, I don't think that's possible seeing as we're sisters, so go check your facts."

  Ruby pushed Rose so hard she fell into a bush. "You think you're so high and mighty but whatever. Besides, Dahlia is way cuter than you'd ever hope to be, loser."

  Rose stopped. "Dahlia? As in stage director Dahlia?" Rose thought to their student director for last year's winter play. She had known that Ruby and her had become good friends after that year, but she didn't know they'd become that close.

  Ruby nodded happily. "Yep!! That's my girl!!" Ruby sighed happily. "Heheh...Imma fuck her so-"

  "GROSS, RUBY!!!" Rose shouted, shoving her sister. "I don't wanna hear about your gross fantasies!! Keep them to yourself, will ya?!"

  Ruby cackled maniacally. "I was kidding!! Mostly…" She added the last part a bit quieter.

  "In any case I still don't want to hear about your gross sex fantasies! Keep those and whatever other disgusting thoughts you have to your self!" Rose said.

  Rose and Ruby were twin sisters, the only thing telling them apart being a small mole under Ruby's left eye and Ruby's slight height difference, Rose being just a tad shorter. They were best friends- partners in crime! Ruby was always the one to mature up and console Rose after failed auditions and fights, and Rose would always sit there listening to Ruby’s bad days and grievances. They were as close as two sisters could be. A team.

  As Ruby went on and on about how wonderful Dahlia was, Rose was finding it harder and harder to keep up her smile.

  First Lochy and Panda, now Ruby and Dahlia… Rose thought. Everyone seems to have someone in their lives but me...I wonder who else will beat me to the stage of romance…

  The two girls finally got home where Ruby very excitedly and loudly announced her new girlfriend to their parents, who delightfully listened to her rant about her day till dinner was done.

  Rose picked at her food and got up before it was finished. "I'm gonna go take a shower."

  "Don't drown!!" Ruby called after her sister.

  Rose turned on the water and stepped inside before curling up and hugging her knees to her chest.

  She thought of the entire day and what Valentine had said.

  And Rose began to cry, letting the sound of the water mask her sobs as she let the day wash over her and down the drain.

  Hey y’all, sorry this is so late! It’s a short chapter I know, but I hope you liked it! I don’t really have much of an excuse for having this out so late, I just kinda had life catch up to me and lost a ton of motivation. despite that, I had fun writing this in the last hour-ish or so! Hope you liked it!!

  Okay so I just edited this and wow there were a lot of things I messed up. In my defense, I wrote and posted this at like midnight. In any case I fixed it, so I hope you find this version a bit better!

  And one last thing before I go; I drew all of the main cast for A Rose For A Valentine (Valentine, Rose, Pandora, Lochesis) Would all of you like to see them all?

  Okay that’s it, love you all byyee~!!

[chuffyfan87]

Growing Pains. Part 8c

"We treat addicts every day but you just don't think it's gunna happen to one of your own kids."

“Hmm.”

"After everything that's happened this evening I'm almost scared to call Millie's mum in case I find out that the twins have done a bunk instead of being at a sleepover there..!" She grimaced.

Charlie laughed, “Or there’s one child sleeping soundly and the other has gone awol.” He joked.

"Tilly!" Duffy giggled.

Emily wriggled and stretched on her mum's lap her eyelids fluttering open. "Daddy?" She mumbled.

“Hello gorgeous. Are you okay?” He stroked her hair.

"Yeh." Emily's tummy rumbled loudly.

“Are you hungry? When was the last time you ate something?”

Emily nodded, mumbling her reply to her dad's second question.

He stroked her cheek. “Is my princess ok?”

Emily glanced up at her mum and nodded.

"Given time I think you will be." Duffy encouraged.

“Do you want something to eat?” Charlie asked.

"Please." Emily replied. Though there was still a lot of things whirling around in her head she felt a little calmer after seeing Beth and talking to her mum.

“What would you like, Princess?”

"A sandwich?"

"I can get you one Em. You go be with Louis." Duffy told Charlie.

“Are you sure?”

“Is he ok?” Emily sat up rubbing her eyes.

"Yeh, Louis needs you." Duffy replied.

“I didn’t expect all this to happen.” Emily spoke in a barely a whisper.

"Emmy?" Duffy prompted gently. "Did you know what Louis was doing?"

Emily chewed her lower lip. “Promise you won’t get angry? Either of you?”

"I promise." Duffy replied, anxious to know what Emily knew.

“I know he’s smoked weed a few times. Just weed, nothing else.”

The realisation hit Duffy instantly. "That's what you were trying to tell me about that time!" She gasped.

Emily smiled sadly, “I promised I kinda wouldn’t say anything. I didn’t think it was such a big problem.”

"Its ok, its not your fault." Duffy soothed her daughter, looking pointedly at Charlie who had so far remained silent.

“It’s not your fault sweetheart.” Charlie kissed Emily's forehead.

"When Jake and Krystal dragged him through the door earlier I was so scared." Emily admitted.

“I would’ve been scared too. But I’m so proud of you for calling an ambulance and making sure he was ok.” Charlie praised his daughter.

"Peter just suddenly arrived. Is he OK? He seemed really upset."

“He’s got a lot on his mind too. I think he’ll be ok.”

"Will Louis be OK?" Emily asked nervously.

Charlie nodded, “He will be. When we get him the help he needs.”

"Let's get you a sandwich princess." Duffy prompted. "I'll call Krystal's parents." She told Charlie. "You go be with Louis."

Charlie kissed Duffy’s forehead and then Emily’s before getting up off the floor.

Louis was still in resus waiting for a bed upstairs to become available so he could be transferred.

Charlie returned to Resus and sat down beside Louis’ bed. He stroked his thumb over the back of Louis' hand.

The teenager was lucky to be alive.

Charlie sighed, where did he go wrong again? Everything seemed to be falling apart, quickly spiralling out of control. He moved and kissed Louis’ forward before sitting back down again.

Various staff wandered in and out of the room going about their daily routine but Charlie barely noticed them. He was too preoccupied with trying to take in all that had happened this evening with his children. So much had happened in such a short space of time.

He took small comfort in the fact that his youngest children seemed to be ok and happy.

A while later Duffy came into resus. "The kids are sleeping in your office." She told her husband quietly. "How is he?"

“Still asleep and lucky to be alive.”

"What made him do it?" She sighed. "I think Peter and Jake will both have a hell of a hangover in the morning."

“I don’t know. He’s got a lot on his mind by the sounds of things. I just wish he could have come and talked to me.”

"Maybe he will. Maybe this will have given him enough of a fright."

“I hope so.”

She grabbed a chair and sat down next to him, fidgeting with edge of the cast on her wrist.

“How’s your wrist?” He asked gently.

"Itchy." She frowned. "I feel like such an idiot walking around with it on."

“Accidents happen. Least it didn’t break using those handcuffs of ours. It could be worse.”

"I would have died having to explain that to Zoe." She cringed.

“It’s Zoe. She’s probably a secret kinky one too.” He smirked.

"I'll tell her you said that!"

A period of silence descended over them before Duffy sighed. "We're gunna have to deal with Sarah's parents again aren't we? What's the bet they end up making it all out to be Peter's fault?" She grumbled.

He shrugged, “It takes two to tango and Sarah was just as willing by the sounds of things.”

"Oh was she now? How would you know?!"

“He was talking to me. A while ago, when it happened. Said it just happened. They went outside the pub to talk and they ended up you know, shagging.” He paused, “It was probably then.”

"Of all the stupid, irresponsible..!"

“Pot kettle...” He raised an eyebrow.

"They're supposed to learn from our lapses in judgement, not repeat them!"

“I know.”

"I really thought he was finally getting his life together. That he'd settle down with Holly. Don't get me wrong, I've always liked Sarah but she's caused him so much pain."

“It might not even be Peter’s.” Charlie replied without thinking.

"What?!" Duffy gasped, her eyes wide.

“Sarah has a boyfriend.”

"Oh... Oh!"

Charlie shrugged, “Maybe Peter’s just doing what he thinks is right?”

"I swear if she's lied to him..!" Duffy's temper was bubbling.

“Hey. We don’t know if she has.” He reassured.

"She's been determined to trap him for years and she's finally succeeded." Duffy was close to tears, the evening's events were starting to overwhelm her.

Charlie pulled her into a hug and rubbed her lower back, “Ssh babe. You’re getting yourself all worked up.”

Feeling his arms around her she finally gave in and let the tears begin to fall.

He held her tightly as she cried on him.

After a few minutes Duffy pulled back, wiping at her damp cheeks. "I'm sorry. Here I am crying when it's your son who nearly died this evening. You must think I'm so selfish."

“No I don’t.” He kissed the top of her head, “It’s been hard for us both. He’s your son too.”

"Not as far as he's concerned." She sighed.

He sighed. “He does love you, Duffy.”

"I wish I believed you."

“He does. I just think sometimes that scares him.” Charlie said sadly.

"He still blames me. He always will."

“Blames you for what?”

"His mum."

“His mum dying?”

"You and her splitting up, moving to Canada, her death, being made to come back... All of it." She sighed.

“Has he told you that?” Charlie asked gently with a sad smile.

"He tends to save the worst of his outbursts for when you're at work."

“I think he’s confused and doesn’t know what to do. Or feel.” He frowned, “He’s never hurt you, has he?”

"Not physically. Though I can't say it doesn't hurt when he repeatedly yells 'you can't tell me what the fuck to do, your not my mum!' at me in front of his younger brothers. That has raised some difficult questions."

“I’m sorry.” Charlie kissed her cheek. Just as Louis stirred, beginning to wake.

The teenager's eyes were glazed and unfocused.

“Louis?” Charlie touched his arm.

Though Louis was awake it was clear that his body was struggling with the come down.

Charlie sighed, “It’s okay son.”

Louis roared, lashing out to throw his father's hand off his arm. His glazed eyes scanned the room, why was he here? Where was here? He was hot and shaking.

“Louis, it’s dad. You’re in hospital.” Charlie moved closer to Louis, hoping his voice could calm him.

Louis tried to get up. He needed to get out of here. He needed to find his friends.

“You can’t go anywhere Louis, you need to stay here.”

"No!" Louis managed to get off the bed and stumbled across to the counter pushing things around, clearly searching for something.

“Son, please. You need help.” Charlie begged.

"Louis, please, listen to your dad!" Duffy begged.

"Bitch!" Louis screamed, picking up the sharps box and launching it at his stepmother.

Charlie stood in front of Duffy, “You don’t want to hurt her, Louis. You’re just scared and confused.”

"Get me what I need." Louis demanded though his words were stuttered and somewhat jumbled.

“You don’t need it. You’re trying to escape something, what is it? Why are you using?”

"Fuck. You." Louis replied, his rage increasing.

“Talk to me? Please? You used to tell me everything.”

"Then you chose her." Louis slumped to the floor, the shaking getting rapidly worse.

“We’ve been through this.” Charlie sat on the floor and grabbed the blanket, wrapping it around Louis. “There’s something upsetting you, what is it?”

"Wish she was dead. Not mum." Louis mumbled.

“You miss your mum, it’s only natural.”

"I've tried my best Louis. I know I can never replace your mum." Duffy replied sadly.

Louis shook his head but didn’t verbally reply.

Duffy sighed. "I'm going to go check on the others. Me being here clearly isn't helping."

Once again, Louis didn’t speak. His body was shaking a lot by now.

"I'm going to get Dylan." Duffy added as she left resus.

“Thank you.”

After finding Dylan and sending him to help Charlie Duffy was surprised to find Peter awake as she entered her office.

“My head hurts.” He mumbled, rubbing his forehead.

"I'm not surprised." Duffy sighed, taking a bottle of water from her handbag and handing it to him.

“Why do you always have water in your handbag?” He asked with a smile.

"Hydration is important." She shrugged.

[soul-music-is-life]

👋🏼, I was wondering if you could do a prompt where Alison and Emily finding out that this time around they’re having a boy? I love all of your prompts, thank you for writing them 💞☺️💛❤️🐢

It’s been a while since I’vedone a prompt (ie, I’m out of practice with them). But I have a lot of nice asks in my inbox, and this one has been asked more than once. These prompts have been in my inbox for a long time. I’m pretty sure they’ve been sitting in my asks since before “The Perfectionists” aired. All my AU family prompts take place in a universe in which Alison did not go to Beacon Heights. If you want a refresher on where my AU Liars are with their families, check out THIS prompt or THIS one. But this one can be a stand-alone.

***

Family was everything to Alison DiLaurentis-Fields. She’d spent so much of her youth trapped behind fake smiles that hid tumultuous secrets. She’d been suffocated by the pressure of existing in a picture perfect family, unable to tell her friends that behind all the jewels and riches there was a twisted sinister world in her household.

It had taken her years to build up the trust to let people love her. But when she finally found her chosen family in her childhood best friend, Emily, she realized that even broken children could become whole again. Their love story was anything but textbook. They’d been through hell together. But they managed to come out the other end.

The circumstances behind the conception of their twins sent both girls careening into a dark place. It had been the most trying time in their lives. But when the girls were born they loved them.

Grace and Lily were conceived in the dark, but they were raised in the light. They knew the strength of family. And Alison loved that family. Extending the family, however, was more than a little nerve-wracking. Yet, that’s exactly what they were doing.

“That’s definitely a penis.”Grace stared at one of her mother’s ultrasound photos.

“That’s a finger, Grace.” Lilyrolled her eyes. “You see the other four just like it?”

They were studying all of theultrasound photos of their new baby sibling to try and make their decisions aboutthe sex before the gender reveal party their moms were having that afternoon.Grace looked at the photo again.

“Maybe he’s an alien and he’s gotfive little willies.”

“This explains why you’re failingBio.”

“Excuse me, what?” Alisonpeered in through the kitchen doorway.

“Oh, shit.” Grace jumped, knockingover her books. She glared at her sister. “You woke the sleeping dragon.”

Alison walked into the room. Shehadn’t gained a ton of pregnancy weight yet, but she was already showing,though it was mostly in her face and chest. Her stomach was a rounded pouch.She was carrying high. If she wore loose fitting clothing no one could tellthat she was pregnant. Though her mood swings rivaled that of a hormonalteenage girl. When she lost her cool she was like a volcanic eruption, leavingdisaster and disarray in her wake.

“Grace, what have we told you aboutthat mouth of yours?”

“I’m going to stand really stilland hope it doesn’t see me.” Grace muttered through her teeth. She had animpish grin on her face.

“You’re hilarious,” Alison saidflatly. She pointed to a container on the counter. “Swear jar.”

“She said ‘damn’ earlier, too.”Lily smirked.

Grace whipped her head over towardsher sister, fire in her eyes.

“Lily, why?”

“Cuz I’m bored.” Lily shrugged.“And it’s funny when she gets mad at you.”

“You’re like the worst sister ever.I hope it is a boy. And I hope he pees on you every time you change hisdiaper.” Grace gave her sister a nasty look as she walked towards a jar on thekitchen counter.

She muttered under her breath asshe pulled a crumpled up dollar bill from her pocket and shoved it into thejar.

“What’s this about you failingBio?” Alison gave her daughter a disapproving look.

“I’m not failing exactly.” Grace replied. She had a sheepish expression onher face. Sometimes she felt a little inferior to her sister. Everything cameso easy to Lily. Grace wondered if the new baby would be as smart asher sister. It wasn’t really a big deal, but she did act out because of it. “Ijust got a few points knocked off of my grade for getting in trouble in class.”

“Why? What did you do?”

Lily snickered from where she wassitting at the kitchen table. Grace shot her a dirty look.

“Grace, I’m not going to ask youagain.” Alison glared at her.

“I glued boobs on the anatomymodel.”

Lily’s little snickers turned intofull blown cackles. Alison’s mouth dropped open, but she didn’t say anything.She was conflicted between being pissed off or laughing at the situation.

“Lily dared me.” Grace pointed anaccusatory finger at her sister.

“How…” Alison wasn’t sure shewanted to know the details. “What did you even use for…just…how?”

“I found this humongous bra in thelost and found. I cut out the pads and filled it with ziplock baggies full ofpudding and then glued the backs closed and stuck some pepperoni on the centeron each side.”

Alison wanted to be mad, but shewas impressed with her child’s ingenuity. If she only applied herself in otherareas she could be running the world…

“I…may or may not have given ademonstration on lactating women with your pump…”

“You took my pump to do this?” Alison exclaimed. “That was brand new!”

“It’s only slightly used now.”Grace shrugged.

“Yeah, with a hint of stalepepperoni smell.” Lily added with a laugh.

“You’re not helping.” Gracefrowned.

“Not trying to.”

Grace cut her eyes at Lily. Shegrabbed another dollar from her pocket and shoved it into the jar beforelooking at Lily and proclaiming,

“Bitch, I will cut you.”

“Keep talking. I’d love to go onvacation on your dime.” Lily grinned.

Alison looked at her two bickeringgirls and realized that she and Emily were officially certifiable for wantingto bring another child into their lives. Alison rolled her eyes and walked overto where Grace’s books had landed on the floor.

Lily and Grace hustled to get themup before Alison could lean down to grab them. They’d been overly protectiveabout her pregnancy.

“I can lift a two pound book,girls.” Alison frowned in annoyance.

“Totally.” Lily nodded. “We justdidn’t want you to see what’s in them.”

“Banned books haven’t been a thingsince the 1980s.”

“Not true. I read a news storyabout how To Kill a Mockingbird and Harry Potter were both banned this year.”

“Why would anyone ban Harry Potter?” Grace questioned. “It’s amagical journey of friendship and love.” She thought about it for a second.“Dumbledore was kind of a dick, though.”

“Grace…jar.” Alison pointed.

“Crap.” Grace muttered.

“You’re not wrong though.” Alisonnodded. “He was a dick.”

“Hey, how come you can say it, butI can’t?”

“Because I’m your mother. Do as Isay. Not as I do.”

“Can I write my English paper on Harry Potter and quote you on Dumbledorebeing…uh…that part of the male anatomy?” Grace asked.

“As long as you use the propercitations.” No child of hers was going to get points deducted for not doing herworks cited page right.

Lily put Grace’s books on the tableand then looked at her mother.

“Seriously, don’t look in these.The boobs were nothing in comparison to what’s in these things. We don’t wantto warp the baby’s fragile little mind.”

“You’re the baby’s sisters. This kid doesn’t stand a chance.”

“You’re the one that raised us.”Grace smarted back.

“Grace Estella DiLaurentis-Fields…”

“Grace, don’t taunt your mother.”Emily walked into the kitchen with a water bottle in her hand.

Her brow was lined with sweat andher cheeks were bright red. She’d been running on the treadmill for nearly halfan hour.

“Why? Is it bad for the baby?”

“No. It’s just that I have to deal with the hormones.”

“I’m going to kill every single oneof you in your sleep.” Alison glared at her family.

“You see? You see what you’ve done?”Lily looked at Grace and then motioned towards their very agitated mother.

“So? We’ll just feed her somechocolate and let her be for a while.”

“Go get ready for the genderreveal.” Emily lightly smacked Grace on the back of the head. Grace smiled ather mom before she walked out of the room. Emily looked at their otherdaughter. “You too, Lily.”

Lily grabbed her things andfollowed her sister.

“Everyone is going to be here atfour.” Emily put her water bottle down. “Hanna has the supplies and Aria ispicking up the cake.”

Alison walked over to where Emilywas standing. Emily grabbed a glass and filled it up with water. Alison assumedEmily was going to drink it, but instead the brunette gave it to her.

“How was your nap?” Emily asked.

Alison had been taking a lot ofpower naps, because she didn’t sleep well at night. She had indigestion and hadto pee almost every thirty minutes. And when she did sleep she had weirddreams.

“Short.” Alison took a sip ofwater. She put the glass down on the counter and reached up and rubbed herneck. “Our little darlings weresniping at one another loud enough to wake the dead.”

Emily gently put her hand againstAlison’s neck and slipped her fingers against her shoulder. She could feel themuscle tension in Alison’s neck. She gently started to massage a knot shefound. Emily rubbed her shoulder, trying to work out the kink in her neck.

“Everything okay? You’re really tense. And you seem a littlejittery.”

“I’m fine. It’s just…I can’tbelieve we’re really doing this.” Alison moved her neck to give Emily betteraccess.

“I know they’re kind of tacky, but they’re apparently all the rage…”

“No, not the reveal.” Alison cut Emily off. “This.” She motioned to her stomach. “Wealready have two little Tasmanian devils we can’t control. Why did we think weneeded a third?”

“How can we have a three-ring circus if we don’t have a trioof children?” Emily quipped.

Alison couldn’t help but laugh.

“I have no doubt that Grace would be front and centerleading the show.” She looked over her shoulder to face Emily. “Do you have anyidea what your child did at school?”

“Oh, she’s mychild when she’s in trouble?” Emily chuckled

“I still maintain that the reason she’s such a ham isbecause you encouraged her bad behavior when she was a baby.”

“How?” Emily scoffed.

“Did you or did you not laugh until you cried every time shedumped food on her head or slung it at Lily?”

“Okay. That’s fair.” Emily didn’t disagree. “But come on…a baby covered in spaghetti? Who doesn’t laugh at that?”

“The parent who has to pick noodles out of the bathtub drain.” Alison replied dryly. “Did you know she’s acting out in school now?”

“What? You mean the boob thing?”

“You knew?”

“Yeah, the school called me.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I haven’t had a chance yet. It just happenedyesterday. Grace and I had a conversation last night. I’m handling it. I wasgoing to talk to you about it tonight after the party.”

“What are we going to do with her?” Alison shook her head.She felt a flutter in her stomach. The baby was moving. She moved her hand toher stomach. She smiled. “What if this one is just like her?”

“We would be so lucky.” Emily moved her hand down next toAlison’s, waiting to feel their little one move again. “Maybe the third timewill be the charm.” Emily leaned down and pressed a kiss against her hot skin.

“You know we could have just borrowed one of our friend’skids if we were desperate enough. Finn is still young and cute.”

“Aria says he bit Ezra the other day.”

“Another reason to love him.” Alison laughed.

They both felt the baby kick, drawing their eyesight downtowards Alison’s belly. Emily smiled.

“So, are you thinking boy or girl?” Emily asked.

“Is it bad that I hope it’s a boy? I just don’t know if Ican handle any more estrogen in this house. So that probably means it will be agirl.” She peered at Emily. “What about you? What do you think?”

“Wouldn’t it be something if it was twins again?”

“Emily Catherine DiLaurentis-Fields, I will smother you witha pillow…”

Emily laughed softly. She kept her palm against Alison’sstomach. She was silent for a few seconds.

“I think no matter what the sex is, this baby is going to bebeautiful, just like its mama.”

Alison felt blood rush to her cheeks. She shook her head.

“No, you don’t get to get out of the question that easily.The whole point of this gender reveal nonsense is that we get to lord it overpeople when we’re right.”

“Oh? Is that whatthis is about? Not about celebrating bringing another life into the world?”Emily teased.

“Come on. Just make a call. Boy or girl. You have to.”

Emily moved down until her eyes were level with Alison’sstomach. She lifted her shirt and kissed her belly. The baby responded. Alisonwasn’t surprised. The baby always responded to Emily. Emily stood back up andtook Alison’s hands in hers.

“I think Grace should have hung a hotdog off of the anatomydoll instead of boobs.”

“So, you think it’s a boy?”

“I do.”

There was a beat of silence and then Alison grimaced.

“Shit. I don’t know anything about how to raise a boy.”

“Aria says it’s a lot like raising girls, but with more dirt,more wiggling, and more geysers of pee erupting like Old Faithful.”

“I think I’d prefer that to the hormones in this family.Grace is already testing my last nerve and Lily is moody as hell.”

“That’s because they’re growing up. Relax. We’ve got thisparenting thing down. They may get into trouble every now and then, but they’regood kids.”

But Emily was singing a different tune two hours later afterall of their friends and their kids showed up for the gender reveal party.

Theyhad refreshments and then went outside for the reveal, which Spencer and Hannahad set up with the help of their husbands and daughters.

Spencer had been in charge of the gender reveal, mostlybecause they knew Hanna couldn’t keep a secret if her life depended on it. Theyhad set up a large dart board with several opaque balloons filled with paint.There were darts on a tray near the patio.

Emily’s mother Pam gave a beautiful speech about the day sheand her late husband had found out that they were having a girl. Hanna told a similarstory about her daughter while her husband Caleb pinched their little girl’scheeks and annoyed her. Spencer talked about both of her girls while sharingloving glances with her husband Toby.

The kids fidgeted, because they were ready to get to thegames. It was Aria’s little boy Finn who drew the attention away from theadults.

“I didn’t grow in my mommy’s tummy,” Finn said quietly. He looked sad.

“Because you grew in her heart.” Lily tapped his nose.

“And that makes you more special than all of us.” Grace added, tousling his hair.

The shy little boy smiled at them and then hugged them. Hestayed attached to them until their mothers called for them.

Lily and Grace jogged over to where the adults were standingin front of the dart board.

“I don’t know if arming these two with darts is such a goodidea.” Emily frowned.

“Oh, but they’re goodkids, remember?” Alison shoved Emily with a teasing smile on her face.

“Don’t worry. I’ll behave.” Grace threw her hands up in theair, palms forward.

“You don’t know the meaning of the word.” Lily laughed.

“Would you be mad if I accidentally stabbed her?” Gracelooked at Alison.

“We want to see pink or blue. Not red.” Alison warned her.

“Sweet. Our blood is technically blue inside of our body because of our oxygen. Loophole.”

Alison glanced at Emily, impressed that Grace knew that. Perhaps she wasn’t doing as poorly in Biology as they thought.

Spencer handed them each a dart and then she gave one toEmily and one to Alison. They lined up next to one another and took aim at theboard.

“Ready?” Spencer asked. She glanced at everyone watching,making sure all the cameras were rolling. “Aim…”

“FIRE!” It was Grace who made the final call, and hers wasthe first dart to go sailing through the air. It landed a few inches next to aballoon.

Lily, Alison, and Emily threw their darts. Alison’sbounced off the side of the board. Emily’s dart landed right next to Grace’s.And Lily’s hit the top of the board. They all grabbed another dart and threwthem again. This time, two darts hit balloons. Grace’s and Emily’s. Blue paint splatteredall over the place.

Alison’s face brightened in joy. Emily threw her hands up inexcitement. Grace turned to Lily and exclaimed,

“I told you it wasa penis! IN YOUR FACE!!” She yelled.

Alison and Emily embraced one another and shared a kiss.They were so wrapped up in the fact that they were having a baby boy that theydidn’t notice that Hanna was handing their children water pistols.

“Hey, moms?” Grace called mischievously.

Alison and Emily faced the twins and saw them both aimingthe guns at them. Emily saw the huge grin on Hanna’s face and she knewimmediately that the guns were filled with paint.

“No. No, don’t you dare!” Emily ordered.

Lily and Grace looked at one another and then aimed theirweapons and pulled the trigger. A stream of blue paint shot out across the yardand splashed off of Emily, hitting Alison in the process. Alison made a noisebetween a squeal and a laugh. Emily looked down at the blue paint coating herclothes. Lily and Grace ran off, spraying one another with the pistols.

“This was your doing, wasn’t it?” Emily looked at her best friend.

“Consider it payback for helping Cami get her hands on those glitter bombs for my birthday. I’m still cleaning confetti out of my carpet.”

“Well, I guess we need to get used to messes again.” Emilychuckled.

She felt Hanna needling her side.

“Here.” Hanna handed Emily a pistol filled with paint. Shetossed one to Alison, too. “Go get ‘em.”

“What do you say?” Emily looked at Alison. “Just like oldtimes? We’ll tag-team them. I’ll take Grace. You take Lily.”

“No. Leave Grace to me.” Alison grinned. “She’s going to goto school looking like a smurf when I’m through with her.”

The two of them felt like children again as they sprintedafter their daughters.

The adults passed out paint guns to everyone. It became anall-out war. First it was parents against their children. Then it split up intoboys versus girls.

The backyard was filled with more laughter than they’d everheard. They had a ball. Hanna’s daughter Cami dive-bombed Spencer’s girlsBailey and Violet. Finn ran up to his dad and smeared paint all over him beforeEzra picked him up and tossed him over his shoulder, eliciting a loud squeal oflaughter. Caleb threw a balloon filled with paint at Hanna, but it accidentallyhit Toby. Toby retaliated with two balloons, painting Caleb blue.

Alison and Emily cornered their girls and all four ofthem doused each other in paint. Most of it managed to miss Lily. But Alison,Emily, and Grace all ran in at the same time and trapped her in a family hug,dousing her with the blue paint they were covered in.

Alison took a moment to pull away and look at the hugesmiles on their faces. After the party she started to feel better aboutparenting in general. She was excited about meeting their son.

Later that night when she was lying in bed with her wife shecouldn’t stop touching her stomach. Every little hiccup felt like an entirelydifferent experience.

She felt the bed shake and when she looked up she sawEmily leaning on her elbow, smiling at her. She still had a hint of blue in herhair. She wasn’t surprised. By the time they had finished the paint war the backyard had looked like the movie Avatar had exploded.Alison peered at the blue paint. She smiled when she thought about their son.

“We’re having a baby.” Alison smiled at her. “We did this.We’re doing this.”

“We are.” Emily rubbed Alison’s belly with a smile onher face. “Our baby boy.”

Alison thought about the pure joy she’d felt with her familywhen they were playing outside, and she realized what bliss it was to have themin her life. She couldn’t wait to bring her son into their lives. She couldn’twait to start making memories with him. Because family was everything to Alison DiLaurentis-Fields. And her family had her heart.

[lgbtfalloutwinterholiday]

[fic] Baby, We’re Really In Love (Arcade/Courier Six)

 Happy Holidays!

Here is @enclaveoilrig ‘s submission for @gaydeliverydriverunion.

Pairing: Arcade Gannon/Courier Six Summary: Prompt: “I think something sweet with Arcade and Courier six sort of having their own celebration of the new year together would be nice. they're away from their friends (a few months after an independent vegas ending i think) and sort of enjoying each others company. i think some sign of celebration in the distance would be cool. something sort of sappy would be really lovely” Word Count: 3.3K Rating: SFW Warnings: Alcohol usage

Within the glow of the Strip, Arcade works a late-night shift at the Mormon Fort. The power has gone out again, which is something almost all of Freeside has gotten used to by now. His collogues quickly adjust asking for portable lights or anything that gives off a glow. The patients do the same, a few making jokes to humor themselves. A couple of months ago he would have just grumbled under his breath about the unfairness of the NCR’s hold on Freeside, but now he briefly smiles. After all, the reason they even have a dedicated line of power in the first place brings back memories that have a sentimental attachment to them. Also, it’s their power, something they own, not the NCR’s or House’s.

Arcade isn’t tucked away in the corner of the Mormon Fort much anymore. Sometimes he misses that slower pace, but ever since New Vegas gained independence, the Followers have stretched all their resources to the maximum. He’s let himself take a bigger role within the Mormon Fort, too. His inspiration and motivation for this change stems from his experiences with Six and everything that comes with the other man. That ‘everything’ is a complex grab bag of unsaid words and feelings, but somehow between the two of them, there is an understanding that Arcade is grateful to have.

“It’s almost tranquil if it weren’t for the lack of good supplies, tents, and organization.” It’s Julie Farkas’ voice that pulls Arcade out of his inner monologue. “This is your third late night shift in a row, isn’t it, Arcade?”

“And your fourth,” he doesn’t say that to shut her down or purely point out her hypocrisy. It’s still a habit he has that makes him feel like he should deflect the conversation back on to the other person, especially if they’re following his behavior and actions more closely than others. “It’s fine. We need the all the people we have, and I doubt any new graduates from the Boneyard are lining up to be sent here.” It’s well known by now that the Followers have it tough out here, far tougher than before. Besides the NCR purposely making things more difficult for the Followers and anyone out in the Mojave, the aftermath of Hoover dam is overwhelming enough already.  

“I’ll stop putting off my vacation to San Francisco.” He’s heard that line from Julie before, and by now, it’s a running gag. It might have been possible for her to leave the Mormon Fort back in September or August, but not now.

“Eventually,” Arcade added, returning the humor.

“Of course.” The conversation between them feels comfortable, something Arcade did not often feel when talking to others until more recently. “I still have some time before the Shi celebrate their New Years; I want to see the blooming flowers that decorate the main gate into Shi-town.”

“It’s nice.” If he closes his eyes, he could envision the flower petals falling onto the ground. “So I’ve heard.” The second part of his statement comes after a delayed pause, but Julie doesn’t give him a strange look or say anything. Or maybe he just doesn’t notice as he’s distracted.

The sun will rise in a few hours, and Arcade’s age and fatigue are catching up to him. He could go back to the Lucky 38, but the place is like an Old World museum meets well preserved archeological gravesite. The only people who reside there these days are Six and him along with Six’s eyebot and cyberdog. Arcade knows the suite will be empty tonight and has been for a few days. If someone were to hypothetically correlate the fact Six being away and him staying these late night shifts, he would say correlation does not equal causation. Yet deep down, something Arcade doesn’t want to admit aloud, is that he doesn’t want to return to an empty room without Six when the whole place reminds him of the man.

Arcade finds himself back in the tent he used to spend most of his time in at the Mormon Fort. While it’s tucked away, the tent is open enough to let sunbeams pierce through. He’s not even sure when he went to sleep or how he ended up here. Those details don’t matter as he has a feeling he should have been awake hours ago to help.

He starts to get up, a hand feeling he has his glasses on already before running a hand through his hair. More than just his back aches right now and the pains of hunger and thirst are starting to weight on him. He wonders briefly how presentable he looks right now, and if it’s bad, he would either have to borrow another coat and shirt from one of the other Followers or drag himself up to the Lucky 38.

He catches his reflection and he doesn’t look like death walking. He actually appears softer around the edges most likely due to the fatigue. In his current level of sleep desperation, he might even be more personable and more passive to converse with. He knows within a minute or two of being outside the tent he’ll find something to do no matter how he looks. He’ll either be pulled to help with someone who got mugged or tugged to help a child with malnutrition.

Even before he fully leaves the tent, someone is calling out to him. It’s a familiar face, but one he isn’t expecting. It’s Emily Ortal, someone whose reassignment got approved and was moving to work closer to her hometown.

“Long night, huh? Well, Julie wants to pick up some supplies that came from Vault City through the Garett Twins.”

“So, she wants me to take a break.” Supply pickups aren’t the best use of his skills nor something he does that often. Sometimes doctors would volunteer to get a break from the Fort for half an hour or so.

“Pretty much. Take it easy, Arcade, and make sure the Buffout and Med-X aren’t watered down like the last time. You know how to tell, don’t you?” He just nods at Emily’s question, not wanting to really engage in anything further. “Oh, and happy New Year, Arcade. Don’t work through it unless you have to.” He continues nodding without realizing her exact words, muttering something along the lines of ‘you too’ or ‘same’.

He only realizes that it really is New Year’s Eve when he’s close to the Atomic Wrangler. There’s a good amount of people going in and out of the place. The atmosphere is even slightly different, more of a celebratory tone rather than a suffocating burying-one’s-trouble sort of feeling. He’s never been too fond of this place and what it does, but the Followers have become dependent on the Garett Twins for supplies now the NCR isn’t bringing as many traders and caravans.

When Arcade enters the Atomic Wrangler, a few of the locals recognize him and holler his name. He just waves back, feeling that too many eyes are staring right at him. Too much attention from others kicks in an instinct that he has to be careful, and that sort of instinct has paid off in the Mojave. Now if only he could cut down on the awkward rambling that causes others to look at him like he’s a brahmin with one head.

He notices that it’s Francine managing the front of the house instead of James; it is a relief in all honesty. He doesn’t even take a seat at the bar or have eye contact with her before she starts talking to him.

“The supplies came in early this morning.” Arcade gets a feeling she’s saying this to him to point out she’s waited a while. “It was supposed to come in a few days ago, but the caravaneer said something’s going on between Vault City and some neighboring town.”

“There’s always something going on.” If he were the overtalkative stage of fatigue right about now, he would have started a tangent on the injustice and corruption on Vault City. Luckily for the Francine, he’s either past that stage or not there yet.

“And we manage.” Francine cuts him off early, probably expecting Arcade to say more.

“We do.” A quick reply and Francine gestures to the staircase. In the back upstairs is where the supplies are kept, and once Arcade gets a quick look through for quality assurance, he’ll be hauling it back.

Checking supplies isn’t Arcade’s specialty, but he’s gotten a lot more practice now that the Followers and New Vegas as a whole doesn’t have the NCR to rely on. New Vegas is still rumbling and finding it’s groove with being independent. That means plenty of conmen and people willing to take advantage of the situation to make quick caps.

Even checking the supplies reminds him of Six, and he feels pitiful about this. Isn’t he old enough that seeing boxes of Buffout wouldn’t make him feel this way? Or maybe it is nostalgia from being his age. It’s so easy to get lost in that memory of when he first met Six, how the other asked him for some advice on Buffout and dosage level.

He doesn’t want to describe and assign how he’s feeling to emotions because if he does it’ll remind him that this isn’t some casual affair between him and Six. No, in fact, it’s something much deeper than the two of them have clumsily found themselves in. He never expected to form a relationship with Six in this way, beyond just feelings. They’ve been working together to help New Vegas rebuild and strengthen local governments. Six has given him the opportunity to actually help people rather philosophize and read Old World economic policies. That’s why he’s so grateful for Six in his life, that he truly brings out the best in Arcade.

Though, right now, Arcade doesn’t look so great and paler than usual (and that is saying something).

Arcade decides he really does need some rest, which means going back to the very empty and haunting Lucky 38 to get some proper sleep. He drops off the supplies at the Mormon Fort before walking towards The Strip. This time the supplies are mostly in good condition, only about five or six of the Med-X syringes are dysfunctional versus any major problems. Maybe Six’s talk with the caravaneers who go through Vault City paid off. Arcade’s talks with the Modoc caravaneers and the Klamath ones proved fruitful so far.

Entering the suite still is unsettling to Arcade, and part of hopes that Six will come up in the elevator after him. Yet a minute later, no one is there and no one has greeted him. He takes his coat off and anything that smells like it needs to be cleaned. He’ll get to them later he tells himself, just wanting to sleep.

He lies down on the bed he shares with Six, but the warmth of another isn’t there. The sheets are cold and the room isn’t filled with him talking. It’s too quiet, for a change, and Arcade wishes the silence could be filled. He could fill it himself, talking about supply-side economics, but it’s New Year’s Eve, so he’ll spare himself.

He does let his mind drift to a memory of Six and that lets him fall asleep a bit more easily.

“Arcade,” the first thing he feels is a warm breath around his neck. Then he feels a squeeze, arms wrapped around his torso.

He doesn’t have his glasses on this time when he wakes up, and from what he can tell, the room is almost pitch black anyway. His brain is telling him he should feel more alarmed, but his body feels relaxed. It’s not long after he realizes what’s going.

“Were you trying to wake me up?” Arcade knows Six’s presence and voice, and the laugh confirms it’s him.

“Maybe. Maybe not. What’s the best answer?” Arcade feels a soft kiss planted on his neck. “If I don’t want to upset you.”

“And makeup sex was so last month ago.” It’s easier to be the pleasant sort of sarcastic with Six here with him.

“What a shame. I guess I’ll have to find another way.”Arcade turns around to face Six, even if he can’t make out his face without having his glasses on. “More fun for me.” They share a kiss, and it’s still surprising Six can be this tender and affectionate. Especially with how Arcade first perceived and judged him.

“I’ll be patient.” He might not be able to see Six smiling, but he can somehow feel it. He can’t explain why or how but he just can.

“Good. I’ll make it worth your while.” Six buries his head in Arcade’s chest snuggling him. Arcade can’t make out the exact words he said, but it sounded like there was a ‘missed you’ and ‘I love you’ muttered into his chest. Arcade doesn’t say the words back but he feels the exact same way.

The two of they just lie together in bed for maybe ten minutes or so in silence. Six is always doing something or moving about, but occasionally in these intimate moments together, it’s like Six is just focused on him and time and the Mojave are waiting on them rather than vice versa. The two of them touching each other and feeling each other’s presence is enough, the sound of silence isn’t a distractor but something positive.  

“Happy New Year,” only now it feels like he can truly celebrate the new year with Six here. “For auld lang syne.” He isn’t sure, but he has a feeling Six has fallen asleep.  It’s a reflective moment Arcade wants to appreciate.

The two of them wake up again, and by then, The Strip’s lights seem brighter than usual. Activity on the Strip has picked up, Arcade watching people from the window. The Lucky 38’s penthouse is where most of the alcohol is stored, and Six suggested they go up here to get a better view, something the presidential suite lacks. Arcade hasn’t been here too much since everyone went their own way. It’s probably the most well-preserved parts of the hotel and thus the place that feels the most unsettling.

Six pours Arcade a drink while Six’s eyebot hovers over the both of them. Arcade’s gotten more comfortable with the robot, and they’ve even formed a kinship with each as they are both forgotten fragments of Enclave made anew to help New Vegas. It feels nice that Six is sitting next to him since he was gone for more than a week.

“You didn’t bring me up here just for drinks, did you?” Arcade takes the drink anyway, not waiting to hear Six’s response.

“I’m trying that whole, uh, what’s it called? Being ‘romantic’ thing.”

“Good luck with that one.” Arcade knows Six is really trying his best at being a good lover, something Six was honest with him about. Arcade knows he isn’t the easiest person to be with, and sometimes he believes the struggles outweigh the benefits.

“I need all the luck that I can get, but we are in a hotel called the Lucky 38, so…” Six pours himself a drink but just holds onto it for now. “You’ll tell me if I mess up or whatever won’t you?”

“I never exactly pictured you to be the type to recite Ovid’s Amores in perfect Latin, so you’re off the hook.” He watches Six make a face that’s he’s all too familiar with. “I am kidding. Please don’t do that. I might think that something in that Old World science laboratory finally got to you.”  

“Fine, fine. I was really going to see if I could find whatever you wanted me to recite.” Six seems eager and not ready to let this go.

“And recite it?”

“Well, first I’d want to see what it’s about before sacrificing a part of my dignity.” Six doesn’t seem embarrassed at all but instead seems to have embraced it.

“It would be a rather large chunk, and very not you.” He doesn’t want to have Six feel it’s something Arcade wants him to do. He prefers Six just be himself, so instead, he makes an offer. “If I find a copy, I’ll read it to you.”

“Really?” Six actually seems happy, something Arcade is surprised about.

“Having someone willing to listen to my attempt at making Latin poetry be entertaining? I think you’re the only one.” Arcade remembers nights in the Followers’ library when he was young where he would read as much Latin poetry as he could under Nicole’s portrait.

“Probably.” They both laugh.

“And also it’s not every day I’d sacrifice some of my dignity, but I’ll let that go as it’s for the cause of knowledge.” Arcade’s glad to have someone like Six to talk with like this, where he doesn’t feel like he has to hide or compartmentalize parts of himself for.

“Of course. That’s the only reason.” Six finally takes the shot he poured for himself earlier. “I love you, Arcade.”

“Because I am willing to sacrifice some of my dignity?” He knows that’s not the reason, but sarcasm as a deflection still is a habit he can’t break. Maybe in time, he’ll be able to say he loves Six back as easily as Six tells him.

“That and plenty of other stuff. Want me to start listing ‘em?” The one good thing about their relationship is that Six is pressuring him, just him.

“Not for tonight. We’ve have a few drinks in us and that might lead us into the dangerous territory of emotional dumping.” Drunkenly telling Six he loves him over and over isn’t how he wants to spend New Year.  

“Right, right.” Six points out to the landscape in front of them “Luckily for you I got something to show you, and it should be starting soon.”

Arcade stares out the window, looking at the dark night sky and the softening glow the Strip has on Freeside. The view of the Strips’ lights looks different from up here than from down below from the Mormon Fort. The darkness doesn’t last so long, as a loud, almost thunderous, popping explosion sound goes off. Bright lights fill the sky, and while non-big city Wastelanders might not know what this is, Arcade does.

“Muggy found a stash of fireworks and I thought I’d bring them back. I wasn’t sure what to exactly to with them, but Yes Man thought it’d be nice to celebrate the New Year with.”

“It’s very traditional.” It’s the first thing that popped into Arcade’s head, and he wishes he would have said something else

“Traditional…” Six looks a bit confused, not expecting that word.

“I mean, it’s something before bombs fell that families and couples did. Watching fireworks and spending time together…it’s all very sentimental and romantic.” Arcade tries to recover, hoping the conversation gets back on track.

“Well, at least I got the romantic part down.” Six grabs onto one of Arcade’s hands, spending this moment connected physically and emotionally with his lover.

“You did, and the fireworks are a nice touch.” Arcade kisses Six this time, the sound of fireworks being drowned out by ED-E playing Auld Lang Syne in the background on cue.

[sapphicscholar]

A/N: Before you yell at me, I ask you to remember that my lesbians *always* live and typically get a rather happy ending.

Chapter Text

“Excited to have two whole days off?” Maggie whispered, her fingers flitting beneath Alex’s sweater as she wrapped her arms around her.

“You have no idea,” Alex sighed. “Just need to make it through tonight’s high school reunion madness at the bar, then you have me all day for Thanksgiving.”

“Now when you say have you…” Maggie’s voice dropped in time with her hands, feeling more than hearing the way Alex’s breath hitched as Maggie’s fingers skimmed beneath the waistband of her jeans. “In what way do you mean?”

“Whatever way you want me.” And god, how true it was. Alex couldn't tell if it was the impending holiday season or the way Maggie had been so supportive of her work, listening as she talked about her research, asking questions, holding her hand when thinking about some of these projects being put into action just got to be too much, but she couldn't help but feel like something had shifted between them over the past couple of weeks. Sure, she'd felt something building, like there were emotions creeping in that went beyond the comfort of having someone who understood and the overwhelming attraction that exploded into some of the best sex she'd ever had on a fairly regular basis. But this—this was new. This felt an awful lot like the kind of relationship worth fighting for, even if she knew it had an expiration date come the end of this assignment.

“Across from me at the dinner table it is," Maggie teased, her laughter light and free as it rang through the air. She'd picked up ingredients to make mashed potatoes, cornbread, macaroni and cheese, and roasted veggies—everything they needed for a relatively stress-free, vegetarian-friendly Thanksgiving—and had plans to prepare everything while Alex was working at the bar that night, helping to make sure she didn't have any more work on her plate, though Alex volunteered to pick up a pie to bring home for dessert at the very least. Maggie had to admit, everything felt rather domestic, but unlike with Emily and the others, she found she didn't mind it—quite the opposite, in fact. She didn't dwell on the reasons for that change, though she found herself replaying Alex’s sleepily muttered confession in her mind before she fell asleep at night, when she let her thoughts wander in the shower, when they kissed goodbye and bit their lips and said nothing more than, "See you when you get home."

“Tease.”

“Mm, but you lo—like it.”

“On occasion.”

“Tell that to my next door neighbors.”

“Hush, they could use a little nighttime entertainment.”

“Didn't know you were such an exhibitionist, dear.”

“Out of the lab," Alex declared, shooing Maggie toward the door. "You're distracting me.”

“Just gonna keep pointing out that I don't normally hear you complaining...”

Shaking her head, Alex laughed. “I’ve got work to do. You know I told Sam I would get her something before our long weekend. I just want all four days to be left alone with you—no Sam or Victor or even the bar.”

“Mm, it does sound rather delightful, doesn't it?”

“Curling up in sweatpants and watching old movies. Eating too much food and finding…inventive ways to work it off. Yeah, I think it sounds pretty amazing.”

With a nod, Maggie left Alex to her work. She'd found herself beyond impressed with just how driven Alex was, especially once she realized she would be able to bug the device at a structural level. The news that they might be able to eavesdrop on Lillian, get ears into the very heart of Cadmus, had left even J’onn and Kate celebrating together without sniping about their respective organizations—a true holiday miracle if Maggie had ever seen one.

Content with the results of her final round of testing, Alex sent a text to Sam letting her know that she would be able to get the prototype for Project Helios whenever she wanted it. The idea that they might finally fall one step ahead of Lillian, might finally get the jump on her instead of the other way around, left her exhilarated. After a quick stop by Maggie's office to give her a kiss goodbye and leave the prototype with her for Sam to pick up later that evening, Alex slung her bag over her shoulder, pulled on her gloves and helmet, and took off on her bike, shivering slightly at the brisk late autumn wind that whipped at her face as she turned into traffic.

One short stop at an absurdly crowded bakery later, Alex had her pie and finally made her way down to the bar, groaning at the sight of the packed tables and long lines. It came as an unpleasant shock, even though she knew ahead of time just how crowded the bar would be with everyone back from college and their first years in new careers and eager to escape their families and the bedrooms that either felt like shrines to their high school selves or had been converted into workout rooms and home offices, the tiny twin-sized air mattress crammed into the corner the only reminder that someone was meant to sleep there for the next few days.

"Cat!" Waverly called out to her, waving as she slung a round of beers down the bar. "Thank god you're here!" Nodding and waving back, Alex steeled herself for the night ahead.

Several long, taxing hours later, Alex and Waverly slumped down into one of the relatively clean booths. "That was insane. And who the hell was the chick that ended up taking shots on top of the bar?"

"Oh, Wynonna?"

“As in your big sister Wynonna?”

“The very one." Waverly bit at her lip and pushed her hair back from her face. "Sorry, I would've introduced you if we had a second—I kind of forget that there are people who don't know her yet. I'm sure she'll be by again before she leaves.”

“I'm sure,” Alex muttered, closing her eyes and imagining, just for a moment, that they didn't have at least half an hour of intensive cleaning in front of them. She was beyond grateful for the busboys in the back doing the dishes. If she still had to wash all those glasses… She shuddered at the thought.

“So, uh, how's, you know, everything," Waverly said with an exaggerated wink, "going for you and Maria?”

Gritting her teeth, Alex forced a smile. "Just fine, thanks.”

“Alright, well, you let Nicole and me know if you need any help."

“Mhm, of course." She had no intention of letting them any closer, but she tried to remember that Waverly was simply trying to be helpful, that she probably wasn't someone they needed to be particularly suspicious of, even if she and Nicole knew a bit more than she would have liked.

Eventually they pulled themselves up, grumbling about having to be back on their feet once more, and split up the tasks, finishing sooner than Alex had expected, though much later than she would have liked in an ideal world. After all, she had a pie to deliver and a woman to snuggle.

"Have a good night!" Alex yelled from the doorway, making sure Waverly was on her way out too. Just because she didn't necessarily want her working the case didn't mean that she didn't care about keeping her safe. Though after last week’s rather impressive display of physical strength, she supposed she didn’t have to worry too much about run of the mill intruders. Cadmus on the other hand…

Hustling to the door, Waverly took it from Alex, locking both the top and bottom and pulling it to check for good measure—things always got a bit crazy when everyone came back to town. "Happy Thanksgiving, Cat."

"You too. Send my best to Nicole."

Waverly nodded and with a wave she was off. Alex pulled her hat down a little further in an attempt to ward off the chill she could already feel seeping under her clothing as she fumbled with her bike lock. Throwing her bag over her shoulder and making sure the pie was as close to secure as it would get strapped to her rear rack, she kicked off and began her ride back home. Even with temperatures that felt much closer to wintry weather than she would have liked, she couldn't help the giddy smile that spread across her face at the knowledge that she was heading home to Maggie, getting ready to spend a holiday weekend curled up together, a temporary reprieve from the anxiety of their work and the need to be constantly vigilant, constantly not themselves.

Speeding down the hill and trying to focus on how nice it was not to be pedaling up it rather than on just how raw her face felt or the way her eyes watered painfully at the rush of cold wind, Alex barely noticed the driver's side door of the SUV parked on the side of the road fling open right in front of her, blocking the bike path. With only a moment's notice, the brakes barely even slowed her down before she went crashing into the inside of the door, bracing herself for the impact as her helmet slammed into the window and her body fell sideways, leaving her halfway inside the car.

"What the fuck!" Alex spat, anger rising quickly from somewhere deep inside of her. All she wanted was to get home to Maggie, to have one fucking day off. "Fucking look before you open the goddam door!" Alex yelled, finally managing to pull herself out of the vehicle and up onto legs that trembled with adrenaline and shock. "Sam?"

"Mm, sorry dear." She didn't sound sorry, and as she stepped out of the car and shoved a still shaken and confused Alex into the backseat, she definitely didn't look upset. "Need to borrow you for a moment."

"My bike! My pie!" Alex stammered uselessly, her head spinning and her thoughts fuzzy as she tried to figure out what exactly was going on. When Sam hit the gas and the engine roared to life, however, Alex snapped into focus. "Where the fuck are you taking me?" She scrambled for her bag, which Sam had thrown up into the front seat, before finding herself pushed back with an elbow to the chest.

"I need you to stay calm. You may come up to the front seat if you promise to behave."

"What. Is. Going. On." Alex asked, her voice firm and steely, even as her heart raced.

“I need you to help me with something in your lab.”

“Then come by during the day like a normal human," Alex huffed.

"”No one else can know."

“Why?"

Ignoring Cat's question, Sam regarded her in the rearview mirror. "Lillian was impressed by Project Helios."

“Great."

“You don't sound enthusiastic."

“I've just been kidnapped."

“Oh, Cat, don't be so dramatic. You're being borrowed for a few hours."

“Against my will."

“It's not as though you're being held at gunpoint."

“Ah yes, just thrown into a car door and shoved into your backseat. Definitely consensual."

“Lillian is ready for you to get started on the next project."

“Are you fucking kidding me? Is all this about a fucking project? I have a life! You people aren’t paying me!"

“Oh, but now that phase one can be completed, Lillian's happy enough to start bringing people on at a...higher level."

"What's phase one?" Alex asked, trying to keep her voice steady. Surely a defensive measure couldn't constitute an entire phase of an operation.

Sam waved off the question. "You sound suspicious."

"What? No."

"Are you sure? You certainly wouldn't be the first to...question her methods."

“Jesus fucking christ, I’ve more than proven myself to the fucking cause,” Alex growled, sick and tired of the sheer amount of effort she was being forced to put into joining a terrorist organization that wanted nothing more than to kill her baby sister and everyone like her.

“I’m not questioning your commitment, Cat. Merely…wondering if you have thoughts about Lillian.”

Alex thought back to the recordings from Sam’s home, to the few bitter phrases thrown out before all she and Maggie could hear were the grunts and moans that left them both cringing. Figuring it was worth taking a chance when she was already kidnapped, Alex shrugged. “I’m not really working for her. I’m working for a cause.”

Hiding her smile, Sam nodded. “Mhm.”

“I don’t know what you want me to say. I like working with you, isn’t that enough?”

“How much would you say you like working with me?”

Figuring it was better to sound off base in a more innocent way than to guess wrong in a direction that could actually put her in trouble, Alex glared. “I’m perfectly happy with Maria, and we’re not open to adding a third.”

Sam’s bark of laughter echoed in the car, chilling Alex in a way that no amount of threats had. “Luckily I’m not asking.”

“So what are you asking?”

“What are your thoughts on Project Hydra?”

Blinking rapidly, Alex tried to clear her thoughts; she suspected there was absolutely something she was missing—some hint as to what Sam was really getting at that her sleep-deprived and possibly mildly concussed brain wasn’t catching. She thought back to the brief conversations she’d had with Kate and J’onn, to the suspicions they’d had that Hydra might be for controlling Cadmus agents, rather than alien threats, and the way Sam had seemed less than enthusiastic when she first brought it to her. “I don’t know…seems odd that we’re looking for something for human hosts when the whole point is getting rid of aliens.” She hoped it sounded innocuous enough if Sam was only testing her loyalty.

The look on Sam’s face suggested she had just passed the first test. “Yes, this earth is for the humans, isn’t it? And what are we doing if not making it better for humans?”

“Yeah, exactly.” The thought turned Alex’s stomach.

“It does seem…odd that Lillian would put so much time and effort into a project that really doesn’t further our ends.”

Alex nodded in agreement, looking around in confusion when she realized that they were nearing the office.

“I have something I’d like you to test—then I promise, you can go and enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend.”

“Maria’s going to want to know where I am.” Sure, she had left the bar earlier than she expected to, so Maggie wouldn’t actually be nervous just yet, but she would wonder if Alex didn’t text soon.

Parking the car a block away from Maria’s office, Sam grabbed Cat’s bag, fishing in the front pocket for a phone. “I’ll let her know you’re okay.”

Alex grimaced as Sam held out the phone for her to unlock in, knowing she wasn’t in a position to deny her request and risk looking suspicious. If Sam were planning a coup, she’d want to know that everyone on her side was perfectly loyal. She tried to think about what their last texts were; she knew they were smart enough not to use real names, but she just hoped there wasn’t anything that could ring alarm bells.

“Maria texted you several times,” Sam noted, scrolling through what felt like an endless reel of notifications, her brow furrowing. “They are…explicit.”

Alex had never felt quite so grateful to have been caught sexting. “Well if there’s pictures, you don’t get to look.”

“Yes, yes, the jealousy of young love.” Shaking her head, Sam texted, “Be a little late. Picking up something from the lab.”

Alex prayed that Maggie would know her well enough to know something was up—hell, prayed she’d know her well enough to know she’d never just ignore a string of messages she assumed were all about the many filthy things Maggie wanted to do to her the second she got home.

Across town, Maggie furrowed her brows in confusion. Sure, she hadn’t expected the great American (erotic) novel in response, but she thought she might get a little something for telling Alex just how wet she was thinking about tasting her instead of a note with periods and all. And why the hell would she be going into the lab when she’d made such a point of wrapping up the project before she left? Clicking on the monitors, Maggie loaded the camera feeds, watching as Alex was led into the office, still wearing a helmet and her bike gear, Sam close behind her looking much too in control.

[becamitchill-archived]

oh won’t you be my livewire

so your heart is warm for ever more // pt. one

“She’s thinking about the way she feels warm when Emily sits close to her and practically leans over her to watch her try to mash up songs together for a setlist. How Emily likes to smudge up Beca’s laptop with her fingerprints due to excited suggestions. She’s thinking about the afternoon Emily found Beca cleaning off the smudges and apologized exactly nine times in less than ten minutes about it and promised not to do it again.

 Beca kind of doesn’t mind if Emily smudges up her screen again.”

a bemily series featuring ace spectrum!emily 

ao3 / ffn / the playlist 

Beca doesn’t really know Emily. 

The girl has only been a Bella for two weeks.

It’s not like she should be glancing at her phone like a teenager. She reasons that she knows Emily from the two bonding sleepovers Chloe’s been requiring since Emily’s recruitment. She reasons that she knows Emily from watching her practice and texting her minute details about impromptu practices and meetings; receiving a series of text when really just an ‘alright’ or an ‘okay’ would do.

 So really, she shouldn’t be letting her mind wander about Emily’s date tonight.

 She should be thinking about the messages she has from several people about hooking up or meeting up for food (if she’s going to think about something else other than how boring the movie is that the girls are watching, that is).

 But she isn’t.

 She’s thinking about Emily’s optimism, thinking about the way Emily’s eyes gleam with happiness, and how Emily’s voice enthralls her. She’s thinking about the way Emily says ‘oh my stars’ instead of swearing and the way her brow furrows as she rubs the top of the eraser on her pencil against her cheek when she’s thinking really hard.

 She’s thinking about the way she feels warm when Emily sits close to her and practically leans over her to watch her try to mash up songs together for a setlist. How Emily likes to smudge up Beca’s laptop with her fingerprints due to excited suggestions. She’s thinking about the afternoon Emily found Beca cleaning off the smudges and apologized exactly nine times in less than ten minutes about it and promised not to do it again.

Beca kind of doesn’t mind if Emily smudges up her screen again.

Feeling her phone buzz repeatedly, Beca’s hand searches out her phone before lifting it above her head to see what’s going on with her phone. Brow furrowed, Beca sits up from her spot and Stacie asks her who it is.

“It’s Emily.” Beca simply says before sliding her finger across the screen to answer it. “Hello?”

“Beca?” Emily’s voice sounds raw.

“Em what’s-” she puts her hand up at Ashley who’s quietly asking what’s going on “-what’s wrong?”

Beca notes Chloe pausing the movie and while Emily’s explanation comes in a jumbled mess of words, Beca pulls herself away from the girls and towards the front door to grab her jacket. “Where are you?”

“Outside the West Wing dorms.”

“Alright,” Beca checks her phone for an Uber, “can you go to an RA’s room? It’s like,” Beca looks at the time on her phone, “late.”

“I- I don’t know where they are. I’m not part of this dorm.” Right, Beca thinks, of course, Emily is in Baker Hall with all the other freshman.

Biting her lip, Beca puts her hand on the speaker and looks to the girls, “I’ll be back I’m going to pick up Emily.” Pressing the phone between her ear and her shoulder she asks Emily to go towards the entrance and go up the stairs on the left that lead to the desk where the RA’s usually hang out when they’re not in class. “Stay on the phone with me, alright?” When she gets a broken whimper for a response, Beca checks her phone to see if the driver is nearby and when she see’s the driver is close, she practically runs out the door.

By the time Beca gets Emily to the Bella’s house, she’s shifted from being upset to being absolutely exhausted. Beca doesn’t give the Bellas a chance to question what’s going on, she just gives them a half glare and they return to the movie with hesitance. She watches as Emily just looks through her, like she’s not all there and Beca ushers her up the stairs, following close behind. 

Beca opens her door, watching as Emily just flops down on her bed, face first. “Do you,” she taps her fingers against her palm, “wanna spend the night or, like, talk now?” Huffing a soft laugh at her own awkwardness, Beca adds, “Talk at all?” She’s worried and she’s not even sure what to do with herself other than to stand there by the door.  Waiting for a response.

When she does, several beats later, all she hears is a bunch of mumbled words. 

Smiling softly, Beca closes the door before walking over towards Emily and sitting down at the end of the bed, making sure to cause Emily to bounce a little from the force. “I didn’t catch that.”

Emily moves her head, her hair now covering her face, “I said I don’t know.” When she yawns, Beca makes a decision for her.

“Get some sleep.” Beca tilts her head as she tries to think of whether or not she should stay or return to the girls. Really, Emily’s safe now from whatever was going on, but Beca’s not even sure what Emily wants from her. Sure, the girl called her, but the Bellas have always called each other for various things and sometimes all they needed was someone to make sure they get home safe or have back up.

Emily moves to sit up with her hands in her lap and her head down, “My head hurts.”

“Do you want something for it?”

Emily nods, “And then can you,” she takes a breath, fiddling with her fingers, “stay with me?”

Beca offers Emily a tight lip smile and a nod, “Yeah. I’ll go let the girls-”

“Oh my stars.” Emily puts her hand to her forehead.

Beca’s eyes go wide, “What?”

“I interrupted your night with the them.” 

Beca has to bit her lip to hold back the bark of laughter try to escape her. She blinks, gathering her thoughts before smiling. “It’s totally fine. I don’t even like movies. Chloe jus-”

“You don’t like movies?” Emily looks at her incredulously.

“Nope.” Beca emphasizes the ‘p’, having gotten that look too many times.

Emily just bobs her head up and down along to a silent beat.

“I’m gonna go get something for your head.”

When Beca walks back down stairs, she’s immediately met with the girls looking to her for an explanation, but Beca doesn’t even have an answer for them. So instead of going over by the couch and saying anything at all, Beca goes straight into the kitchen to grab a glass of water before looking for pain meds. She can hear footsteps and when she turns around from the medicine cabinet, Beca’s met with none other than Stacie.

“What’s the heck's going on with Emily?” Stacie asks, hands on her hips.

Beca opens her mouth, but for a brief moment, nothing comes out and she furrows her brow, cocking her head to the side, “I don’t know.”

Stacie looks at her with a furrowed brow, crossing her arms, “How do you not know?”

“I - She’s tired and I don’t even know if she wants to talk.”

“When has Emily not wanted to talk?”

“Dude, she’s only been a part of the Bellas for a few weeks.”

Stacie just puts her hand out, her fingers sprawling out as if Beca’s supposed to understand something suddenly. “Exactly. Give her a chance to talk and she jumps at it.”

Beca frowns, “I- Look, I’ll find out, alright? She’s really tired from whatever happened.”

“You better update me, girl.” Stacie warns with a pointed finger, before walking away to probably go join the other girls.

“Don’t wait up for me!” Beca calls out, fishing out two pills before walking back to her room.

She’s met with Emily under the covers, staring up at the ceiling.

“You alright?” She asks, closing the door and setting the pills and water on the nightstand.

Emily simply shrugs with a short, exaggerated frown.

Beca twists her mouth to the side, unsure what to do with herself (yet again). Part of her wants to lay down next to Emily and get closer to her than she normally would with anyone. The other part of her just wants to run even though Emily had asked her to stay. Even after having her walls slowly broken down by just being with the Bellas and her year and half with Jesse, she’s still not great at comforting people. So she stands there for a moment, her hands up near her chest, nearly clamped shut except for her thumb rubbing against the inside of her ring finger.

“Can you come here?” Emily looks at her and Beca can see the distance in her eyes.

It makes Beca’s heart clench.

So she flips the duvet over and sits down next to Emily, letting one leg hang off the side so Emily has enough space on the twin bed. She puts her hand down behind Emily’s head and then other on her thigh. Emily turns her head towards Beca’s leg, her hand pushing herself off the bed so she can rest her head in Beca’s lap. It causes Beca’s hand behind her head to come up, unsure if she wants to put it on Emily’s head and run her fingers through her hair.

She’d liked to.

“Thanks for picking me up and staying with me.” Emily says softly.

“Of course.” She wants to say she’d do anything for Emily, but she bites her lip and forces the thought away.

She ends up putting her hand gently on Emily’s head.

Beca wakes up the next morning with her head nearly hanging off the bed and her legs scrunched up so she can fit her body across the bed horizontally. She feels something on her side, but hears someone getting up to move. Blinking to figure out what situation she is, Beca realizes Emily stayed the night.

“Did you figure out what happened to the Giraffe?” Beca has to keep herself from scrunching her nose at the nickname.

Beca strains her eyes to look at Fat Amy quietly getting ready. Not wanting to wake Emily, Beca just shakes her head.

“Well,” Amy starts, this time in a softer tone, “hope you figure it out. No one gets to make the Legacy cry except us.”  

Beca���s about to protest to that, but Amy’s already out the door. She feels Emily move a moment later and then hears her grumble something. Beca tries to move but Emily sort of has her trapped between the wall and her, so she waits until Emily finally sits up before she pushes herself up so she’s sitting on her knees. 

“Sorry.” Emily mumbles. 

“For what?” Beca asks, maneuvering so she can sit with her legs hanging off the bed.

“I made you sleep funny.”

A smile tugs at Beca’s lips, she wants to explain that she doesn’t mind.

“You probably have questions.” Emily rubs at her eyes with the heel of her palms.

“If you want to explain you can, if you don’t then that’s fine too.” Beca shrugs, “I don’t mind.”

She kind of doesn’t mind as long as it’s Emily.

Not that she’s going to say that.

Beca doesn’t really know Emily.

She wishes she did.

“I thought he would be different.” Emily pulls her knees up to her chest and wraps her arms around her legs, resting her chin on top of her knees. “I thought-” Emily’s voice breaks “-he would understand.” She clears her throat, “But he didn’t.”

Beca moves so she’s sitting next to Emily in the same position, but resting the side of her head on her knees so she can see Emily. 

“I told him who I was and he got so,” Emily shakes her head, her fingers flexing out, “angry. It scared me when he kept insisting and- and guilt tripped me about it; how we’ve know each other since high school so it should be fine, that I should want him the way he wants me. That I should-” Emily sighs and hides her face in her knees. 

Beca’s jaw clenches with frustration. She’s not entirely sure what Emily’s talking about, doesn’t want to make that assumption, but it’s there.

It’s in the back of her head.

“He kept,” Emily’s voice is slightly muffled, “trying to persuade me, so I stood my ground and said ‘no’ and pushed him away. He- He just stood up and he knocked over his desk chair and yelled at me. That’s when I left.” She fidgets with her fingers, ”I could hear him calling after to me, so I ran and then I called you. I have four texts from him saying he’s sorry he scared me. That he just couldn’t understand why I wouldn’t be with him even when we have,” Emily shrugs, “had,” she corrects, “a connection. He thinks that I’m afraid, but I’m not. I just don’t want,” Emily’s fingers flex again and she finally lifts her head up from her knees, “that.”

When Emily looks at her, Beca tries to school her features so she doesn’t look pissed. She tries to empathize with Emily instead. She can think about the ways to beat the guy up later. Right now she at least knows that she should focus on what Emily needs from her in this moment.

“I don’t think anyone’s out there for me anymore.” Emily’s eyes lower towards the duvet and Beca wants to tell Emily she’s wrong. “I mean maybe halfway across the country, but not here. And you can’t say I haven’t tried, I have, but when I explain this part of me, when I say I’m not interested in,” she trails off, “the conversations end and people lose interest.” Beca opens her mouth to say something, but Emily says one last thing that connects the pieces. “I didn’t ask to be ace or whatever, but here I am.” Emily laughs sadly.

“So, you’re,” Beca’s careful with the next word, “asexual?”

“I think,” Emily sounds frustrated, “on some level I am. I thought if I knew someone, someone like him, I would feel differently. Maybe we weren’t emotionally connected enough?” Emily puts her fingers to her temple, “I don’t know. I’m tired of thinking about it.”

“He’s a jerk for doing that to you, you know.” Beca bumps her shoulder against Emily’s. “Especially if he knew how you felt.”

Emily doesn’t say anything, she just stares at the duvet.

Beca blinks several times, trying to force something out of her mouth that will help, but she’s entirely sure there’s nothing she can say. Her chest hurts with the revelation that she’s thinking twice about her thoughts from last night.

Which is stupid because Beca doesn’t know Emily.

She shouldn’t really be affected so much. Especially since this isn’t high school. 

She’s feeling it anyway.

“Sorry.” Straightening out her legs, Emily tucks loose her hair behind her ears and looks sheepishly towards Beca. “This is probably too much, huh?” Beca watches as Emily tries to play it off with a soft chuckle and tight smile. But in the end, Emily ends up cringing and burying her face in her hands. “Who tells someone they practically just met all of this?” Emily groans.

“Hey,” Beca starts carefully, her hand which had been resting beside her moves towards Emily’s thigh,  “I’m here to listen to you, you know,” slowly her fingers brush against Emily’s jeans, “when you need to talk.” Beca straightens up and leans against the wall behind her, “I know you have your best friend Sophie, but I, uh, don’t mind listening to you. You can come to me with anything.” She offers Emily a genuine smile, ducking her head in hopes of catching Emily’s eyes.

“I’m still sorry.” Emily lifts her head and puts her hands in her lap.

“Why are you sorry?”

“Because I’m being so uncool,” Emily groans, “and you’re, like,” she gestures vaguely, wiggling her fingers at Beca, “cool.”

Beca snorts, “I’m not that cool. The girls practically made a list of why I’m not that cool by the end of the first year we lived in this house.”

“No way, I’ve seen the pictures.”

“What pictures?” Eyes wide, Beca tries to think of what pictures Emily’s possibly seen.

“The ones, you know,” Emily points her finger at her eyes, “with the makeup,” then gestures to ears with fingers spread out, “and the piercings.”

“Yeah, I had a lot more piercings. Aubrey kind of drilled the whole makeup thing out of me that summer.” She brushes her index finger against the bottom of her nose, briefly smiling at the memory. 

“You were a badass.” Emily explains simply, smiling after.

With a simple shake of her head, Beca smirks, “I guess I kind of was.”

They fall into an easy conversation about what they were like in high school. Emily mentions being holed up in music department most of the time and Beca talks about she was ‘one of the guys’ and how, really, Barden had changed her a lot. Beca asks what got her into songwriting and Emily offhandedly mentions about not relating the the boy crazy songs her friends were listening to.  

In turn, Beca makes a snarky comment about songs like that, Emily laughs, and Beca’s mesmerized at the sight.

Beca hopes she’s helping, but she doesn’t really know Emily.

But she’s going to work on that.