#(Cora!Law you suck for planning to let her take the fall)

[ikkaku-of-heart]

Friend? Perhaps for another woman, one who wasn’t so fanatically loyal as Ikkaku, such a banal word would be heartbreaking. And yet, she took it as the declaration of her immense value to him, for it was so much more than a subordinate. A friend was someone he trusted, listened to, cared for. Certainly he never called any of his whores his “friends” for they simply weren’t worthy. Didn’t have her devotion. Didn’t love him like she did.

Yes, she was his friend, and she hoped to someday prove to him that she could be more than that.

Leaning into his palm, she sighed happily. It appeared she had read the situation correctly - her perfect Corazon was cutting himself free from Joker’s wretched strings. Finally, he’d come to realize what she’d always believed, that he was superior to some false king.

And on top of that, he was entrusting her with what sounded like a massively important task. Her heart swelled in her chest with pride. Further proof that he loved her more than that harpy Monet or any of his other flings. They couldn’t be trusted like she could. None of them had her brains or her experience with laboratories. Truly, she was something special to him.

“I’d be delighted,” she whispered back, eyelids dropping to half-mast as she envisioned the glorious future before them. A future where Law sat on a bloody, golden throne, bodies at his feet and her standing beside him. Perhaps after Doflamingo was gone, they could take out the World Government. Law had seemed restless at how unchanged this new era had been so far, so why settle for breaking one gear in the machine? They should shatter all of them!

Arching her head back, she relished the feeling of his fingers in her hair and the sensation of his breath fanning over her cheeks. It was so tempting to lean in and kiss him, but she stopped herself. He’d been angry at her mere minutes before - would he even be in the mood for her affection?

No, it was best to let him take the lead. To be in control. If he wanted something, he’d take it and she’d gladly let him.

“I’ll find every weakness and advantage for you, Law,” she promised, daring to reach up and press her hand against his chest, right over his heart. “After all, it’s for the good of the kingdom, right? I’d simply hate for something terrible to happen to the factory due to some oversight.”

ikkaku-of-heart​:

A silent sigh of relief escaped her lips when Law’s grip around her arm eased, the pain fading slightly. There would surely be a bruise later, but if that was the worst he inflicted on her, she’d take it and be grateful. Almost as grateful as she was for the blessing of the soft, charming smile he graced her with. A smile just for her. Her heart fluttered at the thought.

It was nearly enough to distract her from his words, but years of training had taught her to absorb everything he said, especially his orders. Something didn’t add up, though. Of course he’d want her to keep quiet about what he was doing – information like this was valuable, and dangerous to the Family if such weaknesses got out. Hell, she could even understand not wanting her to say anything to the other executives, as they might become angry that Law had been entrusted to fix their mistakes.

But even Joker wasn’t to be told? Not that she had any desire to so much as speak to him, but hadn’t this investigation been his orders? Or had Law noticed these issues on his own and had chosen to quietly correct them? But then why would he be so angry that she’d seen the plans?

Obsidian eyes widened as another possibility hit her. One that seemed too good to be true. Her heart pounded in her chest as she carefully analyzed the situation. If she was wrong, she’d be horribly punished for even daring to think Law might betray Doflamingo.

But if she was right, her beloved Corazon had at last seen what she’d always known and was finally attempting to break from Doflamingo’s chains.

“You can always trust me,” she affirmed, gazing up at him in adoration, daring to hope her dream was coming true. That Law would, in fact, not sacrifice himself for that wretched false god and be taken from her. “I owe you everything. Whatever you need, its yours. My help, my silence, my body, my life, it’s all been yours since you first took me under your wing.” Even if she didn’t live to see Law’s ascension to his rightful place as leader of this wretched organization, she’d die happy so long as he was no longer under the boot of a lesser man.

Doflamingo might have been a devious puppeteer, but he still paled in comparison to the true godlike brilliance and power of Trafalgar Law.

Biting her lip and raising her hand to touch the back of his reverently. Many called her crazy. Fanatical. Broken. But she wasn’t stupid, and thus, Ikkaku chose her next words carefully. “Law…just so you know, whether or not you choose to tell Joker about these weaknesses…I certainly wouldn’t say a word to him about it. For any reason. My loyalty to you is absolute. Should anything ever happen to you…well, I don’t think I could ever bring myself to follow anyone else.”

   He can see the gears working in her mind. Sometimes this particular tool is too smart for her own good. Law does love it when his subordinates are so in tune with him that they can practically sense what he desires from them, but it is in moments like these when he worries that familiarity is a double edged sword. Those dark eyes widen, a realisation blooming inside her. Yet, he sees no shock or hatred. He sees adoration, elation, and even relief. The devotion of one who sees him as greater than all other men, including his own master.

   Perhaps he should attempt to cut her strings. After all, Trafalgar Law already owns Ikkaku’s heart. Does that not make his hold far greater than the puppet master’s?

   A rush of affirmation, more than necessary for a simple order. Cold eyes watch her, drinking in her words that drip with her fidelity. He knows all of this, knows that his engineer would give him everything he asked. He could flay the skin from her bones and she’d thank him for it. It is an intoxicating thing, knowing he has so much power of her entire being. It sends a chill through him.

   “Such devotion,” he sighs, smile slipping back onto cold features. “How lucky I am to have such a loyal and willing … friend.”

   Not a truth. She is more toy than friend, more tool than person in his eyes, but he knows such familiarity is something she would long to hear. Just as she is so careful not to outwardly say what she seems to suspect, Law is careful to maintain and cultivate this love she holds. He’s already constructing ways to turn this to his advantage. Give this task to Ikkaku and if something goes wrong he can claim he had nothing to do with it. Make her his patsy, his scapegoat. She has never been shy about proclaiming how superior to Doflamingo he is, even if Law has warned her to keep such opinions to herself. It’d be easy to convince she acted on her own fanaticism.

   “Just maybe you can do far more for me than keep this secret,” he continues, a hand rising to cup Ikkaku’s cheek. Fingers slip into her hair and he leans forwards, words becoming an intimate whisper. “How would you like to use your wonderful brain to find every weakness in the SMILE factory for me?”

[fire-fist-ann]

enough is enough

This is a piece for @rosiinante for their OC Acacia x Cora i hope you enjoy! 

Law could feel the waves of disgust hitting him , sure he was only 10 but these so called adults around him were being so gross they way his stupid adoptive father would stammer and trip every time acacia came around was just pathic at this point  , he had tried to be subtle pushing them toward each other and yet they were either to stupid or to oblivious to realize that they were being gross

law had enough today was the day once and all for this to end it was simple really all they had to do was kiss right? and that should fix everything so he set his plan in motion “ oi Cora-ya! i want to go to the bookstore” h-huuh okay just let grab my coat!” he said jumping up only to trip over the air crashing into the rug he sat up “ I'm okay hah!” la was mentally praying for this to pay off 

Corazon held laws hand ,,,well tried to before he yanked it away “ isn't that Acacia over there” Corazon jolted “ HUH , WHERE?!” he said turning bright red with a lopsided smile as he caught a glance  of the pink haired beauty with a stack of books which she seemed to be struggling with “ should you help her or something ?” law said matter of fact dead panning almost “ your right!” he yelled “ Acacia!” Corazon yelled before he ran over only to trip into the poor girl knocking books everywhere as the two fell with Corazon landing on top of her. law face palmed this wasn't going to plan at all!

Acacia turned a nice cherry red “ah Corazon fancy seeing you here” she squeaked out “oh right!” he said as they both sat up at once hitting their heads together both letting out cries of man

law sucked in a deep breath “ are you kidding me?” he mumbled as he watched those idiots fall and hurt themselves over the books. once they finally got up acacia smiled at law “ hello law are you having a good day today?” the wheels started turning in his heads “ i want to go to the beach “ Corazon paused tilting his head “ dont you hate the beach?” law huffed and crossed his arm glaring “i never said that!, you should come “ he said looking right at acacia “ law! dont listen to him” Cora said laughing nervously 

acacia smiled “ i,m free actually i would love to” she said smiling widely at them, finally things were working out in laws favor “”a-alright then lets go to the beach Corazon said before he leaned down to law “ you little shit “ law smirked “ you cant prove a thing”

The three of them made it to the beach walking along the sand while acacia and Corazon were chatting law groaned they were taking to long ,they've been here all day and neither of them had made a move . Screw being subtle he snuck up behind Corazon and pushed him into the ocean acacia jolted “ Cora!” she jumped after him ad pulled him out he was coughing she had is face in his hands : are you okay!” your beautiful” he blurted out 

Acacia whole face turned scarlet “ so are you, you big dummy” she mumbled as she pressed a chaste kiss on his lips “ finally now are you two going stop being gross” they turned their heads to law “ haha no not at all were going be more from now on “ ughh!” law cried out throwing his hands in the air storming off “ so how about i take you on a real date without water next time?” Corazon said 

“ i would like that” she said beaming  

[eadanga]

Mending Hearts Part 5 (NSFW)

MC stood in the living room of her sister’s apartment packing her things for her weekend with Chris. Her sister Yazmin came into the room with her clothes “Hey got some of your stuff”

“Thanks Yaz” MC takes the clothes from her hands and packs them

“I can’t believe a hot guy is taking you away for the weekend”

“I can’t believe it either”

“But isn’t it too soon? I mean you guys just met”

“I know but I just feel…I don’t know a connection with him haven’t felt it with any other guy before”

Yasmin smiles “Well I’m just glad you’re getting back out there since Ryan left you it’s a shame that being a scumbag isn’t against the law I’m glad you kicked his ass”

MC giggles then mumbles “Me too”

****

3 years ago…

MC sat on the couch waiting for Ryan to get back. She had been busy at work lately and wanted to make it up it him. She had a romantic dinner planned for just the two of them. She stood up quickly when she heard his car pull up she fixed her hair and watched as he opened the door.

“Hey babe” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek “How was your day?”

“Long and hard what’s all this?”

“Oh I just wanted to show you some love so let’s eat dinner and then…” She smirks “We can have dessert” Ryan looks away she looks at him with concern “Did I say something wrong?”

“No you didn’t I just need to tell you something”

“What is it?”

“I…” he trails off “I’m sorry MC but I can’t do this anymore”

“Can’t do what anymore?”

“Us I don’t want to marry you anymore”

“What are you saying right now?” MC takes a step back her eyes wide with shock “Did I do something wrong? I…I don’t understand”

“No it’s not you MC I…” He bites his lip “I have feelings for someone else”

MC crosses her arms and tilts her head to the side “You have feelings for someone else? Who?”

“Her name is Sarah I met her at my job”

“How long have you been seeing her?”

Ryan nervously runs his hands through his hair “6 months”

MC clenched her jaw and looks at the floor. She felt the tears welling up but she refused to cry in front of him.

Ryan tries to reach for her “MC please I’m sorry but-” he is cut off by MC’s fist hitting his face. He falls to the ground blood spilling out of his nose.

“Piece of shit!” She kicks him hard in his chest as he groans with pain. She walks to the bedroom and packs her things as she walks to the door Ryan is still on the floor groaning. She drops her suitcases and takes her engagement ring off her finger “I don’t want your trash anymore” She throws it at him and walks out.

****

“Earth to MC” MC looks up and sees Yazmin staring at her “You ok? You zoned out there”

“Yeah I’m fine just remembering something”

Amanda comes running into the room “Hi mommy!”

“Hey sweetie”

“Are you going somewhere?”

“No Aunty MC is going away for a while”

Amanda runs up to MC hugging her “Gonna miss you Aunty MC”

MC hugs her “I’ll miss you too baby”

The doorbell rings and Yasmin goes to answer it “Hi you must be Chris”

“That’s me and you’re MC’s sister?”

“Yes I’m Yazmin” He shakes her hand and she lets him in

“Uncle Chris!” Amanda runs to him and he lifts her off the ground

“Hi there princess” He kisses her on the cheek and sets her down “I’ve got something for you” He reaches into a gift bag and pulls out a tiara “Every princess needs a crown” He places it on her head

Amanda grins widely “Look mommy I’m a princess!”

“Yes you are now what do you say?”

“Thank you”

“Your welcome” Chris bows “Your highness”

They laugh as they watch Amanda dance around the room.

MC zips up her suitcase and stands. Chris smiles “Ready?”

“Yeah” She turns to Yazmin “See you later”

“Have a good trip”

Amanda waves “Bye bye!”

They smile and walk out the door. They get into Chris’s car and drive for miles in silence till MC breaks “So are you ever gonna tell me where were going?”

“Nope”

“Oh come on”

He chuckles “You’re not getting anything out of me”

“Alright” She smirks “I’ll make you talk one of these days”

“And I would love to see you try…here we are” Chris pulls into a hotel on the beach.

MC gets out the car and her eyes marvel “Wow this place is nice Chris I love it”

“Had a feeling you might” He gets their suitcases out the car and they head in to check in.

They walk to their room MC smiles as she looks around the luxury suite. Then she runs out onto the balcony admiring the view “Wow Chris this is amazing”

“I’m glad you like it” He wraps his arms around her “I’ve got a few things to take care of meet me down on the beach”

“Where are you going?”

Chris smirks and walks to the door “I don’t think you know what the word surprise means”

He closes the door as MC laughs. She changes into her bikini and runs down to the beach. She finds Chris waiting for her he turns and his eyes go wide as he circles her “This is your bathing suit?”

“Yeah you like it?”

He smirks “Are you allowed to be this sexy at the beach?  I think you’re in violation of the dress code”

She giggles as she blushes “There is no dress code you made that up”

He chuckles “Alright you got me still I don’t want any guy’s eyes on you you’re mine”

She raises an eyebrow “Yours huh? You’ll have to catch me first!”

She takes off running she doesn’t make it far before Chris’s arms are around her waist. They laugh as Chris rests his forehead against hers “Got you”

“Are you The Flash? How did you do that?”

“Not telling all my secrets”

MC playfully rolls her eyes “Well I am true to my word” She wraps her arms around his neck “What are you gonna do with me?”

“Oh many things” MC closes her eyes as he leans in. Then he pulls away smirking “But it’ll have to wait till later”

“You tease!” She tackles him in the sand and climbs on top of him they both burst out laughing MC stares into his eyes he smiles tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear. She kisses him deeply as his arms go around her pulling her closer. She pulls back smiling and kisses his neck “I want you Chris” She gives him a squeeze as he groans.

Chris nods and they walk back to their room stumbling in kissing. He kisses her deeply tightening his arms around her. They walk blindly to the bed and MC pushes him down and climbs on top of him. She kisses him as he runs his fingers through her hair. Chris flips her over and kisses her neck. He unties her bikini top and pulls the bottom down. He stands pulls down his swim trunks and climbs on top of her. He sucks on her nipples as she sighs with pleasure. His fingers go in between her legs “Fuck you’re so wet” He massages her clit then sticks his fingers in pumping in and out of her as she moans.

“Chris…”

“Shhh…” He kisses her deeply as she comes. Chris enters inside of her as she arches off the bed. Her cries of pleasure getting louder

“Chris…oh my god you’re gonna make me cum”

He felt her getting close and he thrusts harder and faster “Yes baby come for me”

She comes screaming his name he continues to thrust till he finds his release. He lays his head on her chest both of them breathing heavily. He pulls out of her and rolls to the side

MC smiles and wraps her arms around his neck “That was awesome Chris”

“Oh yeah” He trails kisses on her neck “Wanna make this official?”

MC nods “Yeah”

Chris grins and pulls her closer “So your officially my girl I like the sound of that”

“Me too”

The next day Chris awakens to the sound of his phone ringing “Ugh who is that?” He turns and grabs it off the table “Hello?” He frowns “You gotta be fucking kidding me…Why the hell should I?! That’s your own fault!” He grumbles “Fine” He angrily hangs up waking MC.

“Chris? What wrong?”

“I gotta go bail Becca out of jail”

MC sits up “She’s in jail? Why?”

“DUI”

Tags: @hopefulmoonobject @the-soot-sprite @emerald-bijou @annekebbphotography @indiacater @cora-nova @choices97 @heatherfilliez

[ryik-the-writer]

Fic: The Lawyer’s Lunch Hour For Rumbelle: Order in the Court

A03 Link

-,-,-,

“I don’t care if she’s old money, I am not taking this case!” Rumford Gold rolled his eyes as his firm partner, Cruella de Vil, went on and on about the benefits of taking such a high-profile case.

Cora Mills was a socialite who was better known for sleeping her way up the totem pole to get what, and where, she wanted. She was currently in the media due to her husband, the father of her second child, had finally summoned the gall to divorce her and she was trying to suck his resources dry in retaliation.

Gold had dealt with Mrs. Mills on several occasions, all of which had been at high-profile parties where she tried to seduce him, usually with her husband in hearing distance. For those who were willing to look past Cora Mill’s scandalous reputation, they could clearly see a charming woman with poise and culture and understand how those foolish enough to fly into her web remained forever entangled.

However, Gold was not one to be ensnared by anyone, and resisted her attempts to woo him. Now she was divorcing her devoted husband who had raised her first daughter as his own, and was requesting Gold as her lawyer. Rumford knew that there was a double agenda behind her request and refused to even sit down and discuss it with her.

“If you want this case so bad, you defend her, or get Glass on it! I don’t give a damn!” He slammed the phone down before anything more could be said, feeling his blood pressure bubble under his skin.

He turned to the two photos on his desk, the only objects that could calm him down when he got this agitated.

One was of his wedding of his beautiful and unbelievably amazing wife Belle. She had been de Vil’s secretary when they first met, awkward and unsteady in her “office heels” as de Vil called them. She also was prone to get lost in a good book and not get her work done on time, something that amused him and irritated de Vil only slightly.

“Why did you hire her if she’s no good at her job?” Rumford had asked de Vil one day at lunch.

His firm partner grinned, her expression glowing with mischief. “Well, I couldn’t hook you two up if she was your secretary, now could I?”

This led to him asking Belle for coffee, then to several dates afterwards, and finally to a simple but beautiful wedding with a sobbing de Vil in attendance.

Gold smiled and picked up the second photo of his two sons. His oldest, Baelfire, was from his first marriage, which had failed before it really began. He had been ten when he and Belle had married and just in love with her as he was. He had been just as in love with his little brother when he was born.

Gideon was a beautiful combination of both his parents, having his father’s eyes and Belle’s glowing smile. He had recently turned four and started school, something Belle was still adjusting to. She had taken a job as the law firm’s librarian to fill the hours, but even Belle could not find joy in reading ledgers and old cases.

He was glad she was so nearby, however. They had lunch sometimes, the very few occasions they had without the boys. They hadn’t been able to recently with the cases and the meetings and he missed her like he hadn’t seen her in years.

A knock at the door jolted Rumford from his bliss and he swore collateral damage on the soul who walked through his door.

“Come in!” he called out, not bother to mask the irritation in his voice.

A giggle filtered through the room as the door opened every ounce of irritation and banished.

“Hello Love.” he greeted his wife as he stood, kissing her cheek and inhaling both her scent and the smell from the takeout bag in her hands.

“I could sense your lunch-time breakdown all the way from downstairs and thought I should assist.” She said as she strode through his office.

Gold watched in appreciation as she bent over the desk to lay out the lunch. Her legs were firm and strong from years of office heels, her balance now steady and graceful. This trait came in handy often when she was balancing their hyperactive 4-year-old.

“And just how…” Gold eased out his rolling chair from under the desk and wheeled to Belle’s side, guiding her into his lap, “do you plan to assist me?”

Belle bit her lower lip as their pelvises pressed together, sighing airily as heat warmed the lace of her knickers.

“I have an idea or two.” She purred as she breathed along the shell of his ear, causing her husband to suck in a shaky breath and press her more firmly into his. Belle turned her head and captured his lips in a searing kiss, moaning as he bunched up her skirt around her waist.

“Although, we will have to keep it short.” She pouted when they came up for air. “Ariel had an emergency, so I only have a thirty-minute lunch hour.”

“Did you lock the door?”

Belle smirked. “How many times have we done this now?”

Gold trailed little pecks along the side of her neck. “Too many, and each and every time,” he paused to suck in some of her flesh, releasing it when he was satisfied that he had left a mark, “you leave the door unlocked and we get interrupted. Remember a certain incident two weeks ago?”

Belle eased back just enough to get to the buttons of his shirt. “Cruella really didn’t mind.” She placed a kiss on his sparsely chest, taking a deep whiff of the cologne he had dabbed there. “She even let us finish.”

Mr. Gold growled and hoisted Belle further up his lap, leaning down just enough to push his papers, pens and their lunch aside so that Belle wouldn’t sit on anything when he dropped her carefully on the desk. She giggled and locked onto his lips again, running her fingers through his hair and scratching lightly at his scalp the way he liked.

He pulled back again and undid the buttons on her blouse, licking his lips at the sight of her creamy orbs barely contained in her lacy black bra. The reflection of one of the glass photo caught his eye. He pulled away from Belle long enough to grab the picture and put it in a drawer.

“Sorry boys.”

Belle laughed at his quip, arching her neck back so that he could continue kissing down it to her breasts again.

She sighed in pleasure and open her eyes, falling on the hastily shoved stack of papers. The words ‘Mills’ and ‘divorce contract’ immediately stood out to her pleasure-buzzed brain. As her husband nibbled at the flesh of her breasts, she reached out for the sheet of paper, skimming over it and grasping the details while Gold grasped her thighs.

“Are you taking the Mills case?” she inquired.

Gold stopped his ministrations, glancing nervously into his wife’s unimaginably blue eyes. They weren’t full of disapproval or even hurt; even though Belle hated to be the last to find out anything.

“I’m not sure.” He relayed as his thumbs grazed her hips, the mood dampened but not completely gone.

“Why not? It’s a great opportunity for the firm. If anyone can handle Cora Mills, it’s you.”

Gold smiled lovingly at her. Her confidence in him and his ability as a ruthless yet fair lawyer never seized to amaze me. She always supported him in his cases, even the more grueling ones that kept him from home for hours or even days on end. Milah hadn’t been as tolerant which led to their divorce. Belle was much more patient, finding simple pleasures like reading and playing with their sons to fill the hours. He was grateful for it, but sometimes had that twinge of fear that one day he’d return home and the perfect little life he loved so much would be shattered.

“It’s not my ability I’m worried about, Love.” He confided. “It’s Cora Mills. She wants me to side with her.”

Belle’s eyes widened slightly, but she nodded her head in understandment. She knew of his “relationship” with the Mills matriarch, and new that it was nonexistent. She had met the woman only once and knew by the way that she glared at her husband that she hadn’t gotten quite what she wanted.

“That’s unfortunate.” Belle said. “Henry Mills is a good man, too good for that cheating hussy.”

Mr. Gold chortled at his wife’s slur. She was not one to insult anyone regardless of their faults unless it was well-deserved. And for Cora Mills, it certainly was.

“Does he have a lawyer yet?”

“I believe Spencer, but nothing’s set in stone until I say yay or nay.”

Belle kissed his cheek, slightly scruffy from skipping a shave. “Why don’t you want to do it? Is it because of Mr. Mills or me?”

Gold sighed. True, Henry was a good man and didn’t deserve to have his livelihood stripped away him by his unfaithful spouse. But it wasn’t his pity for him that kept him from taking the case.

“Cora and I have…history Belle.”

“I know.” Belle confirmed with a shrug. “And I don’t care. I know your past was littered with filth and darkness, that you weren’t Mr. Perfect. All I care about is how you are in the future.”

She kissed him hard before he could respond and pressed herself into his lap.

“Go defend the bitch, take mace or a crucifix or whatever you need to keep her at bay, but go with a clean conscious.”

“But-”

“It doesn’t matter where you go or who with. I always know that you’re coming home to us.”

Gold nodded in agreement. “It’s what I look forward to the most, coming home from all this and seeing you and the boys.”

Belle slipped her hands under the silk of his shirt and rubbed his shoulders. “What else do you look forward to when you come home?”          

Gold licked his lips, his mood resurfacing as his hands crept under her skirt. “Oh you know, your cooking, pillows that are actually soft…”

Belle giggled and gave him a rough nibble on the neck. “What else do you miss?”

Gold pressed herself against her crotch again, deciding to give her what his wife wanted once and for all.

“I miss screwing you in our bed until you go hoarse.”

Belle moaned as he ground against her, the buckle of his belt and a delicious sort of friction. “Yeah?”

“I think about it during my meetings or when I’m with an insufferable client. I think about holding your hips down and licking you out until you’re twitching and begging me to stop. I think about your breasts bouncing as you ride me. I think about all those times I’ve had to put my cock in your mouth when you got too loud—”

“N-ah!”

Gold smirked as his wife moaned and trembled in ecstasy from her mild orgasm.

“In…inside me. Now!” she demanded as soon as she calmed.

“Aren’t you pressed for time?” He teased.

Belle’s hands attacked his belt. “I have ten minutes left on my break. I want you in me for nine of those minutes or so help me I will invite Cruella and Ursula to dinner.”

Gold had both their underthings off in under ten seconds.

“Yes!” Belle cried as he sunk into her warm depths. “Don’t stop!”

“I’ll never stop.” He husked, thrusting in over and over again.

Belle buried her face in the crook of is neck, her coos and moans reverberating through her husband’s skin and causing his head to go fuzzy with pleasure.

“Eight minutes left.” Belle teased breathlessly.

Gold grabbed her hips and picked up speed. Cruella had made the off-hand comment once that if a woman could talk during sex, a man wasn’t doing his job right. Belle argued that talking during the act made it much more intimate (and no, she argued, that excludes dirty talk, thank you Cruella).

Still, if he could render Belle mute and senseless, neither one of them complained.

His mouth trailed down her neck to her breasts and took in an erect nipple, nibbling it before soothing it with his lips, palming the other one. Belle clutched his graying locks, recently cut short for convenience. She wrapped legs around his waist and Gold nearly passed out from the pleasurable sensation of her heels digging into his lower back.

“Oh! There…almost there!” she gasped.

“Me too, hold on Love.” He lifted her leg to readjust the angle and Belle threw her head back.

“Right there! I’m-I’m—”

Gold felt her release, his ears ringing with her cries. With a shaky gasp he followed, her spasming walls gently massaging his pleasure from him.

Belle groaned as he pulled out, cupping her to prevent his seed from leaking all over the desk.

“If I do recall,” Gold sighed as his and his wife’s breathing evened, “our son was conceived in this very fashion.”

Belle giggled and grabbed a few tissues from the box on the floor. “Can you imagine, another baby?”

Gold noted the whimsical tone of her voice. Since Gideon had started school, Belle had been dealing with borderline-empty nest. Even with her new job, she hadn’t quite adjusted to not being home with her sons, being there when they returned and doing all her motherly tasks.

As soon as the couple redressed, Gold wrapped his arms around her waist. “Maybe we’ll get a girl this time?”

Belle smiled in appreciation for him musing her little fantasy. In reality,  she knew now was not quite the time to have another baby. Her husband’s firm had been taking on more cases in the last few months, with certainly more to follow.  He would miss out on the important pregnancy moments and Belle didn’t want to risk him missing the birth. Best to wait another year at least.

A knock on the door broke the couple from their post-coital bliss. Before Gold could give an okay, the door flew open and Cruella de Vil strode in all her black and white glory.

She gave the couple a brutal all-knowing smirk. “Hello Darlings, having lunch I see.”

Belle hid her small smile as she picked up Gold’s papers from the floor.

“Do you have any respect for privacy?” Gold snarled.

“Oh hush short-stuff.” Cruella teased as she straightened Gold’s crooked tie. “I was just coming to personally persuade you to take the Mills case but…” she survey the recovery process of Gold’s office and Belle’s mis-buttoned blouse. “Looks like Belle got to you first.”

“She did.” Gold agreed, prying de Vil’s sharp, red nails from the delicate silk of his tie. “And she’s persuaded me to take the case.”

Cruella clapped her hands in ghoulish delight. “The power of sex never seizes to amaze me!”

Gold glowered at his co-worker while Belle only giggled.

“I’m two minutes over my break. I have to go now.” Belle said regretfully, one of the take-out bags rolled up in her hand.

Gold instantly felt guilted that he hadn’t allowed her to eat. “I’ll call you to let you know if you should go home without me.” He promised.

Belle nodded and kissed his lips, “At least now you have a new memory to take with you on your case. Get her arse, honey.” She whispered, winking at Cruella as she sauntered out.

“You had something to do with this, didn’t you?” Gold inquired as soon as the office door closed.

Cruella leaned casually against the edge of the desk, looking much too proud of herself. “Did I suggest earlier today that your wife join you for lunch? Yes. Did I suggest she sex you so hard you’d comply with everything I say?” she sent a look over her shoulder at the disarrayed desk. “I may have undertoned it.”

Gold rolled his eyes, putting pens back in the cup on his desk. Though he’d forever be grateful to his unstable colleague for steering Belle into his life, it made him uncomfortable just how much she knew of their personal life.

“I’m taking this case Cruella, but on one condition.”

Cruella’s boney smile straightened. “State your demands then.”

“After this, no matter how long it takes, I want to be able to pick and choose the cases I take. I can’t keep spending all these nights away from home. I need to be with my family, Cruella.”

Cruella nodded, not entirely unsympathetic. “Deal.”

They shook hands and she excused herself after a few more minutes of casual banter.

Alone now, Gold finished straightening up, smiling as he pulled his family photos from the drawer. He sometimes missed his wife and children so much he ached, but hoped now that it would all change. He would face Mills, avoid whatever advances she had planned and do whatever he had to in order to fairly settle her divorce so that he would get back to his family ASAP.

With his new-found courage intact, he picked up the phone and dialed Cora Mills.

-,-,-,-

Not the most exciting fic, but I tried :p

[teenwolfficrec]

What I Did On My Summer Vacation (by grimm):

There’s something weird about Beacon Hills that Stiles can’t quite put his finger on. The way everyone in town knows his name the day he arrives. The way they insist the melancholic howling that echoes through the forest every night is just a dog. The way his dad denies getting a dog, even though Stiles comes home to find one sprawled across his bed, some big black thing whose eyes gleam red in the right light. The way that massive oak tree out in the woods vibrates under his touch, pulsing with sickly life.

There’s something weird going on in this town, and Stiles is determined to get to the bottom of it.

🌲🌳🌾🌿🍂🍁🍃🌰

The One With The Mail-Order Brides and A/B/O Dynamics (by Stoney):

Wolves aren’t meant to be alone. Laura tells Derek this repeatedly. Which… is why Derek knows he’s losing his mind, as Laura has been dead for more than six years. Wolves aren’t meant to be alone.

And so he sends away for a companion. JUST for a companion, not for a mate. The universe, however, has a different plan in store for him.

🌲🌳🌾🌿🍂🍁🍃🌰

how sharp are your teeth (by Bontaque):

Stiles mistakenly visits Derek whilst he is in heat.

🌲🌳🌾🌿🍂🍁🍃🌰

tide pulls from the moon (by paintedrecs):

When Derek left Beacon Hills, finally ripping the tether free and remembering how to breathe, how to live again, it was Stiles who came after him. Stiles, who showed up at his door with blazing eyes, looking like he wanted to punch him in the face, but wrapping his arms around him instead, making him grunt in surprise at the raw strength of his embrace.

“You asshole,” Stiles said, slapping him heartily on the back as he extricated himself, his voice rough under his bright smile. “You couldn’t have made yourself harder to find, could you?”

🌲🌳🌾🌿🍂🍁🍃🌰

Alone Together (by asocialfauxpas):

Derek has lost his pack. Stiles has lost his pod. They find each other on the high seas.

🌲🌳🌾🌿🍂🍁🍃🌰

These Iron Bars Can’t Hold My Soul In (by voidnogitsune):

“Derek, we, uh. We found something.” Scott says over the phone, and if it weren’t for the fear in his voice and the panic seeping through the bond, Derek wouldn’t have acted as quickly.

When the pack arrives, Scott is knelt down beside an amber-colored wolf, hand stroking through the fur in smooth movements. It’s barely breathing, chest rising and falling with obvious effort. There’s a chain collar wrapped around its throat, silver spikes digging into skin and fur.

Derek stalks up to the body and scents the air around the he-wolf, trying to decipher whose pack he belongs to, but all he can smell is fire and ash.

Or the one where Stiles is a werewolf from another pack and Derek’s pack takes him in as their own.

🌲🌳🌾🌿🍂🍁🍃🌰

omnis cellula e cellula (by twnkwlf):

“You put the diaper on backwards,” Derek says.

🌲🌳🌾🌿🍂🍁🍃🌰

say my name, say my name (by crossroadswrite):

In werewolf lore there is a tale, passed down through generations, about the sanctity of the mate bond and how only your mate can bring you back from the brink of madness by naming you.

Derek always knew names were power for creatures like him, he just never knew someone calling his could change his world.

🌲🌳🌾🌿🍂🍁🍃🌰

I’ll be the Jane to Your Tarzan (by Laluna92):

The wolf man moves down to Stiles’ chest, frowning at the offending clothing that is blocking his way to more of Stiles’ skin. He brings his clawed finger down the front of Stiles’ shirt and rips it straight down the middle. Stiles starts to protest but he’s cut off by a threatening growl. He proceeds to rub his stubble across Stiles’ chest making his nipples harden at the rough feel of his jaw. Once the man is satisfied with his work, he moves his clawed fingers down Stiles’ stomach to remove the jeans from his body.

Stiles wrenches away from his touch and glares, “No. I’ve let you have your fun but there is no way your clawed fingers are going anywhere near my dick, dude.” The wolf man tilts his head and his eyes narrow in anger. Suddenly, his wolf face transforms into one of a young man in his early twenties and holy fuck this guy is hot.

(Or Stiles gets lost in the woods and comes across a feral wolf man who claims Stiles as his own.)

🌲🌳🌾🌿🍂🍁🍃🌰

Thirty Messages (by Julibean19):

“Look. I think my friend is obsessed with you… or your cell phone at the very least. And if your stupid fucking voice saying the same two words is all he’s ever gonna have of you, then you have to let him go. You don’t let him get attached and you don’t drag it out. If you hurt him, or lead him on, even just a little bit, I swear to God I will kill you. So call him back, and end it.”

In which Derek leaves town with Cora, and Stiles thinks he might be going insane… because no one would leave this many rambling voicemails for someone they weren’t even dating… right?

🌲🌳🌾🌿🍂🍁🍃🌰

Lost (On the Road to Self-Destruction) (by bluerib):

When word reaches the Beacon Hills Sheriff Department of an illegal, underground, full-shift pit fight Deputy Stiles Stilinski is the first to volunteer for the raid. He expects the usual: wounded wolves, pissed off owners and enough violence to fuel the world if it could be bottled and sold. What he gets isn’t all that different; except for that black wolf with red eyes that has the judgiest wolf-face ever. Stiles is instantly smitten, it all goes down hill from there

Let's Get Lost (by gottalovev):

Tragedy strikes and Derek would do anything to help Stiles get better. If that means leaving town together with no specific destination in mind? So be it.

🌲🌳🌾🌿🍂🍁🍃🌰

lick me, lave me, love me (by tryslora):

It’s not the first time he’s woken like this, a huge paw pressed against his chest, holding him in place. Derek likes to groom him in the morning, likes to let the wolf explore Stiles, taste him.

🌲🌳🌾🌿🍂🍁🍃🌰

Shadow And Flame (by Zeepacna):

“Time and death walk side by side.” The banshee told him with a small smile on her face “Save them.” She said, with a plea in her eyes.

Stiles only had a moment to feel confused before the banshee was unleashing the combined force of all the screams she had been holding back directly in his face.

Lydia somehow managed to send Stiles back in time. Now he has to save his pack, a pack that doesn't even exist yet, let alone trust each other.

🌲🌳🌾🌿🍂🍁🍃🌰

Stiles, the Human Incubator/ Submarine (if He Goes Underwater) (by orphan_account):

Stiles thought Deaton was joking about the cool looking plant that could 'go against the laws of the universe'. He wasn't.

or

Stiles is newly, accidentally pregnant and emotional, and Derek is the sweetest, most over protective mate that ever existed.

🌲🌳🌾🌿🍂🍁🍃🌰

Hide (by dr_girlfriend):

Stiles has been rejected so many times that it doesn't really surprise him when it happens again. Hurts, yeah, because dammit — he'd thought Derek was the one. Heartbreak sucks, and he's not so sure he's going to get over it this time.

🌲🌳🌾🌿🍂🍁🍃🌰

(The Time Derek Had To) Pick a Fucking Anchor (by cheshirecat101):

Derek's Wolf form has only one thought: Stiles.

🌲🌳🌾🌿🍂🍁🍃🌰

Source of the art: x

[faithandfairies]

OUAT 6x18 Thoughts

So, this was a wild ride of an episode.

I’m kind of speechless. The thing that stood out for me the most is how bad I feel for Zelena.

On the one hand, I’m thinking that to Regina she’s just the other woman, just another person who’s tried to ruin her life. And I don’t blame Regina.

It’s sad because Zelena’s really trying to be a good person and do the right thing, she wants to keep her promise to their mother, to be a real sister to Regina, one who’s loyal and kind and always there. But I don’t think she can do it with Regina. Because she blew it at the start. And let’s be honest, once you blow it with Regina it’s hard to gain any kind of real ground with her.

I believe the reason Emma’s and Regina’s relationship survived after the breaking of trust by Emma is because originally Regina was the Zelena in their relationship. She was the one who hurt Emma without even knowing her, she was the one who had to make amends. Emma was the one who chose to forgive. And I think Emma did originally because of the kind of mother Regina had been to their son and the amazing kid Henry had become because of her. And then by the time Emma did break Regina’s trust Regina already knew the kind of person Emma was. There was good history between them through their shared son, despite the bad, a foundation of quite bit of loyalty and trust that was hard to deplete completely, even with the hits it took.

But Regina, she’s not that forgiving. And when you start with nothing, no foundation, not much good history between you and then take from that, it’s hard. And again, I don’t hold it against her. But that does not work in Zelena’s favor. 

The thing that got to me the most is that Regina stood by as Zelena gave up her magic. And it didn’t sit well with me when Regina suddenly, supposedly “forgave” Zelena and then hugged her after she basically did what Regina wanted. It made me think of Cora telling Regina she was proud of her once Regina was doing everything her mother wanted, only she was completely unhappy. And Zelena saying she felt weak made me think of Cora’s “love is weakness” as well. Love isn’t supposed to be weakness. It’s supposed to be strength. 

It’s baffling to me, because all I could think is that Regina wouldn’t have gone along with the plan so easily had it been Emma, or Henry. Hell, she didn’t when that was the case. She would have exhausted every possibility first before she would even suggest Emma giving up her magic. Hell, she would give up her own first. It would have to be a life or death, do or die situation. Like Emma becoming a Dark One. And even there it wasn’t her choice. Hell, she actually made it completely clear that she was against it. Regina would rather die than have Emma or Henry get hurt in any way. That is literally how much she loves them.

And that’s the thing, isn’t it? For Regina, Emma and Henry are her first priority. To her any moment they waste is one that brings Emma closer to death, one that takes her and Henry one step closer to losing Emma. And so I’m pretty sure she doesn’t care what needs to happen to ensure Emma and Henry’s safety. For a woman who would give up her own life to protect the two people she considers family above any other, sacrificing the magic of the blood sister who has caused her nothing but grief and whose magical actions may get Emma killed faster might not even rank on the list of things Regina is willing to give up to save Emma and Henry. And it makes me feel bad for Zelena. 

But after the relationship Emma and Regina have built over time and their personal investment in their son’s safety over everything else not to mention practically being the only two people capable of ensuring it, their “’til the wheels fall off” mentality when it comes to each other, I’m not surprised. I’m not surprised at all.

Which brings me to another thing, baby Robyn. I almost laughed at Regina and Emma promising to take care of her if something were to happen to Zelena. To be fair, I wouldn’t leave my baby with them if they were the last people on earth. Well, I mean, I would have to but you know. The thing is, with kids, you either need to have a natural motherly protective instinct toward all kids, a personal investment in the kid in question, it’s your kid or there’s some kind of familial bond, some kind of connection to the person whose kid it is or you need to really want one and once you find one completely be there, in it with them.

The last one is what Regina did with Henry. For Emma, with Henry it’s the second one I believe.

But these two have proven that the only kid they are invested in and would protect with their lives, always, is Henry. He’s one lucky kid, but so far he has been the only one who has been that lucky when it comes to them.

These two have never gotten invested in any other kids ever. I don’t think all of Regina has ever even picked baby Robyn up. She’s certainly never lifted a substantial finger to protect her. Not even when Robin was alive. And again, I’m not judging. The circumstances of her coming into existence and who she comes from were complicated and hurtful so if Regina hates baby Robyn by default or it’s hard for her to be around her, I get it.

For Emma, she was there for all of it, she loves Regina so if she feels the same way about the kid by extension, again, I get it.

Then there’s Emma’s little brother, whom Emma also has no connection to whatsoever. Hell, she handed the kid she was meant to protect with her life to Elsa’s sister Anna almost the second she met her, without even knowing her.

What I’m saying is that I feel that Emma and Regina both probably harbor quite a bit of resentment toward the babies that are currently in their lives. Which, again, I don’t blame them. Given what those babies probably represent to them and remind them of.

And I think the only way these two would get invested in any other kid aside from Henry would be if one of them had another kid/took a kid in/adopted a kid/ gave birth to a kid and the other promised to be there for that kid. Or they had another one together. I think that’s the only way.

As it stands, that’s not the case.

But I did like that sweet little heartwarming moment between Emma and Regina where Emma also promised to be there for baby Robyn, basically because she’s Regina’s blood. And I almost feel like she’d actually keep that promise moreso than she would keep one related to taking care of her own brother. Regina looked so proud and grateful and I just can’t. It really shows how much they truly mean to each other.

Poor Stannum (Is that how you spell his name?). His ARC reminds me of that of Frederick, Abigail’s/Katherine’s/Midas’daughter’s true love. But asking an old friend you haven’t seen in years to give up her magic for you is a bit much, no? I feel like that’s not a thing you should ever ask anyone, let alone a friend or family member. 

And Zelena’s magic getting sucked out of her reminded me of the Sorcerer’s hat and the wraith.

I liked the squabbles between Regina and Zelena. What are they, five? Zelena’s supposed to be older, but every time I watch their dynamic Zelena is like the pain in the butt little sister that Regina doesn’t want anyone to pick on but her.

But the most important reveal of all, in my opinion, Zelena’s magic can restore life. As in, she can bring dead things/people? back from the dead. Something magic isn’t supposed to be able to do. It’s getting more likely by the second that someone will end up dying soon. And I’m guessing the heart filled with all of Zelena’s magic might be able to bring them back?

Or, if Zelena’s magic can do that, can’t the magic of true love? I mean, David came back, right?

I just realized that Zelena’s magic being able to restore life makes the second law of magic Zelena has been able to break. The first one being making a time travel spell work. Things only true love is supposed to be able to do, since that seems to be the only magic strong enough to break or override all the rules.

So is it possible Zelena was born out of true love and that’s why her magic can do that, dark or not? Also, did she bring Regina back from the dead entirely when they were children?

Also, I wonder what secret the Black Fairy has, the reason for giving Rumple up.

The only one that really stands out to me is if he was a child born of rape. There’s a lot of implied sexual assault on this show. There’s even speculation that that may be how Henry was conceived. There’s that baby Belle had in the season 4 AU that suddenly appeared, in a world where no one was themselves nor had the right memories and therefore could probably not consent. Yet Belle and Rumple were “very much in love”. So I wonder.

Also, a lion, really? So far we’ve had leopard print, Tiger Lily, Jasmine who canonically has a pet tiger named Rajah and now a real life lion? And the lion gets hurt. He looked disoriented or blinded by the magic. Hmm.

Also, Regina in Swan Mills Family colors. She was basically Henry’s walking scarf. I love it. She looked good.

And A+ to Emma supporting the wife in an argument and the wife being appreciative.

I also loved Charming and Snow being at odds with each other over wedding planning. Dissatisfied David might be my favorite. For a second I thought holding hands with Regina over their shared love and worry for Emma in the last episode made him wake up from the curse a bit more. 

[pink-earmuffs]

MULTI REVIEW POST BONFIRE - ARC via Netgalley READ: 8/19-22/17; RELEASED: 11/9/17 "Can you ever outrun your past? From actress, producer, and writer, Krysten Ritter, a psychological suspense novel about a woman forced to confront her past in the wake of small-town corruption. It has been ten years since Abby Williams left home and scrubbed away all visible evidence of her small town roots. Now working as an environmental lawyer in Chicago, she has a thriving career, a modern apartment, and her pick of meaningless one-night stands. But when a new case takes her back home to Barrens, Indiana, the life Abby painstakingly created begins to crack. Tasked with investigating Optimal Plastics, the town's most high-profile company and economic heart, Abby begins to find strange connections to Barrens’ biggest scandal from more than a decade ago involving the popular Kaycee Mitchell and her closest friends—just before Kaycee disappeared for good. Abby knows the key to solving any case lies in the weak spots, the unanswered questions. But as she tries desperately to find out what really happened to Kaycee, troubling memories begin to resurface and she begins to doubt her own observations. And when she unearths an even more disturbing secret—a ritual called “The Game,” it will threaten the reputations, and lives, of the community and risk exposing a darkness that may consume her. With tantalizing twists, slow-burning suspense, and a remote, rural town of just five claustrophobic miles,  Bonfire is a dark exploration of what happens when your past and present collide." Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this review copy in exchange for an honest review. I read the majority of this in hospitals and waiting rooms in the midst of being ill. Do I have any regrets? Nope. I originally requested this because I've been a fan of Krysten's for ages and was excited and then I read the summary and whoo boy. It's not a perfect debut (there were some parts that seemed more destined for the small or big screen instead of a novel especially the end reveal) but the story and the way Ritter manages to capture imagery and feeling within the pages makes it easy to see in your mind and get lost in the mystery and the intrigue of the world she's created. Very much looking forward to reading more from her. ------------------------------------------ THE PUNCH ESCROW - Paperback ARC READ: 8/3-5/17; RELEASED: 7/25/17 4.2/5 "Dubbed the “next Ready Player One,” by former Warner Brothers President Greg Silverman, and now in film development at Lionsgate. It's the year 2147. Advancements in nanotechnology have enabled us to control aging. We’ve genetically engineered mosquitoes to feast on carbon fumes instead of blood, ending air pollution. And teleportation has become the ideal mode of transportation, offered exclusively by International Transport―the world’s most powerful corporation, in a world controlled by corporations. Joel Byram spends his days training artificial-intelligence engines to act more human and trying to salvage his deteriorating marriage. He’s pretty much an everyday twenty-second century guy with everyday problems―until he’s accidentally duplicated while teleporting. Now Joel must outsmart the shadowy organization that controls teleportation, outrun the religious sect out to destroy it, and find a way to get back to the woman he loves in a world that now has two of him." Thank you to the publishers for this review copy in exchange for an honest review. This one was a nice surprise. I was contacted by the publisher and offered this one. I had to wait to get out my thoughts about it because of real life events that went beyond my control. So sorry this is late. I found the whole thing really interesting from the carbon sucking mosquitoes to the AI and the cloning that takes place. Not once did I find this to linger or be slow in the pace and I loved that the main character was an average "Everyman" with his own set of issues that just so happens to go on this journey. Add to the fact that I hope there's a sequel and I'll be completely looking forward to it. ------------------------------------------ ZERO REPEAT FOREVER - ARC via Netgalley READ: 8/1-2/17; RELEASED: 8/29/17 3.8/5 "The 5th Wave meets Beauty and the Beastin this fast-paced and heart-stopping novel about an invasion of murderous creatures and one girl fighting for her life at the end of the world. He has no voice or name, only a rank, Eighth. He doesn’t know the details of the mission, only the directives that hum in his mind. 
Dart the humans. Leave them where they fall.His job is to protect his Offside. Let her do the shooting. Until a human kills her… Sixteen-year-old Raven is at summer camp when the terrifying armored Nahx invade. Isolated in the wilderness, Raven and her fellow campers can only stay put. Await rescue. Raven doesn’t like feeling helpless, but what choice does she have? Then a Nahx kills her boyfriend. Thrown together in a violent, unfamiliar world, Eighth and Raven should feel only hate and fear. But when Raven is injured, and Eighth deserts his unit, their survival comes to depend on trusting each other…" Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this review copy in exchange for an honest review. The pitch for this is Beauty and the Beast meets The Fifth Wave. I liked one more than the other but was still an optimist about reading this because with life happening I needed a fun escape. I liked this take on aliens and mythology (I've read enough alien fiction in my teens since Roswell to have a grasp of what's new or not and what's been done before), that I hadn't considered and I liked the authors take on aliens for Nahx. Raven, the main character was a tad all over the place (maybe it was the pacing of the novel) but I did enjoy the originality of the novel and how it unfolded. I'll look forward to the second one because even though I wasn't shocked by the twist it's still a good novel. ------------------------------------------ CHRISTOPHER WILD - ARC via Netgalley READ: 8/9/17; RELEASE: 2017 "Three lives. One man.Christopher Marlowe was the first rock star poet, a spy, an atheist, a gay rebel whose controversial plays thrilled audiences and challenged the government. CHRISTOPHER WILD is Kathe Koja’s new novel, a daring remix of eras—the glitter and threat of Elizabethan England, a grimy mid-20th century, and a dark near-future of constant surveillance—as Marlowe loves and fights and writes his way through every life" Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this review copy in exchange for an honest review. Alright, time for the confession, I picked this up because I'm an English major and I got into TNT's now canceled show on Shakespeare. I wanted to like this but found myself struggling at times even if this novel is beautifully constructed. ------------------------------------------ THE WHISPERING ROOM - ARC via Netgalley READ: 8/10-12/17; RELEASE: 11/21/17 4.2/5 "Jane Hawk—fiction’s most relentless, resourceful, stunning new heroine—continues her battle against a murderous conspiracy in the riveting sequel to The Silent Corner."No time to delay. Do what you were born to do. Fame will be yours when you do this.”These are the words that ring in the mind of mild-mannered, beloved schoolteacher Cora Gundersun—just before she takes her own life, and many others’, in a shocking act of carnage. When the disturbing contents of her secret journal are discovered, it seems certain that she must have been insane. But Jane Hawk knows better. In the wake of her husband’s inexplicable suicide—and the equally mysterious deaths of scores of other exemplary individuals—Jane picks up the trail of a secret cabal of powerful players who think themselves above the law and beyond punishment. But the ruthless people bent on hijacking America’s future for their own monstrous ends never banked on a highly trained FBI agent willing to go rogue—and become the nation’s most wanted fugitive—in order to derail their insidious plans to gain absolute power with a terrifying technological breakthrough. Driven by love for her lost husband and by fear for the five-year-old son she has sent into hiding, Jane Hawk has become an unstoppable predator. Those she is hunting will have nowhere to run when her shadow falls across them." Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this review copy in exchange for an honest review. Alright, when we last left the characters I was excited for a sequel and found that I had more questions instead of answers. Kootnz still has a brilliant strong character in Jane and he doesn't falter here. The only complaint I had much like last time is that Koontz is still a bit wordy in his descriptions but even though that makes it longer it's still enjoyable even though the pace drags a slight bit in still itching to get my hands on the next novel to see where he takes Jane especially after that ending. ------------------------------------------ NOTES FROM THE UPSIDE DOWN - ARC via Netgalley "Jump inside the world of Stranger Thingsand discover everything you need to know about the hit TV show. Grab your Eggo waffles and get ready for a visit to Hawkins, Indiana—just don’t forget the fairy lights! If you devoured Stranger Things on Netflix and you’re looking to fill the demogorgon-sized hole in your life, then look no further than Notes from the Upside Down. Thisfan-tastic guide has every fact you could ever wish for—from insights into the origins of the show, including the mysterious Montauk Project conspiracy theory; a useful eighties playlist (because, of course); and much more. If you’ve ever wondered why Spielberg is such a huge influence, which Stephen King books you need to read (hint: pretty much all of them), or how State Trooper David O’Bannon earned his name, then this book is for you. Entertaining, informative, and perfect for fans of eighties pop culture, Notes from the Upside Down is the Big Mac of unofficial guides to Stranger Things—super-sized and special sauce included." Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this review copy in exchange for an honest review. I really, really fell in love with this show when it debuted and since then I've always looked for a book like this. I'm a casual fan but enjoy the little tiny backstories and what not from tv shows. Overall a great edition to companion books with a really bright and catchy cover. ---------------------------------------- BREAKING BAD 101 - ARC from Netgalley "AMC’s Breaking Bad is among the most beloved, critically acclaimed American television series of our time. Created by Vince Gilligan, the series charts the transformation of high school science teacher Walter White (played by Bryan Cranston) into a cold, calculating meth kingpin. Breaking Bad 101 collects esteemed critic Alan Sepinwall’s (Uproxx) popular Breaking Bad recaps in book form, featuring new, exclusive essays and completely revised and updated commentary—as well as insights from and interviews with the creative masterminds behind Breaking Bad. The ultimate critical companion for one of the greatest television dramas of all time, Breaking Bad 101 offers fans Sepinwall’s smart, funny, and incisive analysis of the psychology and filmmaking craft behind each episode and celebrates the series’ unique place in pop-culture history."   Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this review copy in exchange for an honest review. I liked this book. I'm a huge fan of the TV series and found this to be a nice walk down memory lane especially with the episode recaps and I like how they manage to tie in Better Call Saul as a nod to the shared universe that the characters all live in. A nice edition to companion books and fans of the show (even if the cover isn't very eye catching).