#(I remember you listing all the languages you had mastered and planned to master in the near future)

[justagalwhowrites]

Halcyon - Ch. 19: Did You Mean That?

Joel confronts your shared past and potential future. A continuation of Halcyon from the prologue through Ch. 18, a modern no outbreak AU TLOU fic found on Tumblr here.

Pairing: Joel Miller x Female Reader

Warnings: Angst. Modern No Outbreak AU, No use of Y/N, Slow burn, 18+ only, Minors DNI

Length: 6.6k

AO3 | Main Master List | Prologue | Previous Chapter

Joel was frozen for longer than he was proud of, staring at the place you’d left him. 

I fucking heard you. 

What the fuck did that even mean? Heard what? 

He looked back toward Sarah’s room. He shouldn’t just leave her here by herself but he considered it all the same. He’d just… he’d go after you, make you talk to him like he should have done all those years ago. He wasn’t going to just let you disappear again, not this time. 

Instead, he called you, still standing on his front stoop, still considering chasing after you. It rang twice but then you sent him to voicemail. 

“Fuck!” 

His grip got tight on the phone but he resisted the urge to hurl the phone at the brick of his house. 

“Dad?” Sarah peered at him from around the doorway, her eyes somehow seeming especially wide. 

He sighed. 

“Yes, baby girl.” 

“You and Aunt Goldie were really in a fight, huh.” 

He sighed again, looking at his daughter even though it only made him feel worse. She loved you so much, you were the closest thing she’d ever had to a mother and Joel had fucked that up, too. 

“It’s… it’s complicated, baby girl,” he said. “C’mon, let’s go inside, it’s getting late, you should get ready for bed…” 

“But,” she huffed. “Dad, it’s Goldie. You can’t just let her leave, she’s family!” 

“I know,” he said, a hand on her back as he guided her back inside. “Not gonna just let her go, don’t worry. I just… need to figure out what to do first, OK?” 

“Promise you’re not going to just not talk again for years?” She asked, looking up at him. “Because - sorry, Dad - that was bullshit.” 

“Hey,” he said. “Language.” 

“Dad.” 

“Yeah,” he said. “Yeah, you’re right. It was bullshit.” 

He texted you while Sarah got ready for bed but you left him on read and he ground his teeth. He read his daughter a chapter from a book and resisted her begging to have him read another one before tucking her in, thankful that she still wanted him to do this at all. 

“Hey Dad?” She said as he went to leave. 

“Yes, baby girl?” 

“You’re going to talk to her, right?” 

He sighed. She sounded so hopeful. 

“I’ll fix it,” he said. “Promise. Love you.” 

“Love you too,” she said, sounding more relaxed. 

He closed the door behind him and went to the living room, pacing for a moment. 

I fucking heard you. 

He tried to remember the conversation with Ricky all those years ago, not something he’d really thought about in so long. 

Other things from that small window of time had dominated Joel’s memory. He remembered trying to find the words to talk to you, trying to come up with a plan for every possible outcome. If you wanted him, too, then he would figure out a way to be there for Tommy and his mom from afar and go with you. If, heaven forbid, you were pregnant, he would do everything to make sure you could still go to school and still be everything you were meant to be while he took care of the rest. If you wanted nothing to do with him… that had been the one scenario he hadn’t come up with a solution for. Of course, that had been the one he’d been left to reckon with. 

He remembered how he felt then, how desperate he’d been. But he couldn’t remember exactly what he’d said to fucking Ricky, something that had apparently stuck out in your mind so much that you’d moved across the country without a fucking word. He went over it again and again but couldn’t remember it, even though it felt like his fucking life depended on it. 

Eventually he tried to call you again but it only rang once before you sent him to voicemail. 

He listened to your outgoing message, bright and cheery, flexing his hand again and again as he waited, impatiently, for the beep. 

“Goldie,” he said when it finally let him record a message. “Not letting you walk out, I’m gonna keep calling. Just… pick up, baby. Please.” 

He hung up and immediately called again. Two rings, then voicemail. He called again. 

The fourth time, you finally answered, your voice sharp and harsh. 

“What!” You snapped. “What more do you want from me?” 

“I want to talk to you,” he said, straining to keep calm. “I don’t know what you mean, I don’t remember what the fuck you’re talking about, I…” 

You laughed once, derisively. 

“Of course you don’t,” you said. “You wouldn’t, would you? Because I was always just another girl to you, wasn’t I? Why would you remember…” 

“No,” he cut you off. “No, that’s not…” 

“I need some space, Joel,” you said. 

“I’m not losing you again, Goldie,” he said, harsher than he really meant to. “Please, let me just…” 

“If you don’t want to lose me then do what I’m asking you to do,” you said. “I need space, OK? I can’t just do this with you, I can’t… just don’t call me or text me or whatever, just give me some time.” 

“Goldie…” 

“I mean it, Joel,” you said. “I need space.” 

He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. 

“Fine,” he said. “I…I can do that.” 

“Thank you,” you said. “I’ll talk to later.” 

“Will you?” He asked, probably rougher than he should have. 

“Eventually,” you said. “Yeah.” 

“Yeah,” he said, his voice thick. “Yeah, OK.” 

You hung up and he sighed, sinking onto the couch and cradling his head in his hands for a moment. 

He was on the edge of losing you again, he could feel it. He couldn’t let it happen, not this time. He started thinking again, just like he had all those years ago, trying to think up contingency plans and ways to work through this without you leaving but, really, that’s what it always came back to. He’d do anything - he’d never touch you again, he’d tolerate your shitbag husband, he’d watch you live a life he was agonizingly separate from - if it just meant that you stayed. 

Joel got himself a drink, which quickly became two and then three, staring at the ceiling, wondering just how long he was supposed to stay away from you this time before he passed out on the couch. 

When he woke up the next day, time seemed to crawl. He couldn’t just ignore you.  You were in everything, it seemed. Sarah showed him the books you’d gotten her, excited about reading them. He reviewed his business plan again and again, looking at your notes in the margins. He put on a Longhorns t-shirt and remembered you sitting at his kitchen table, building out your syllabus for the year. 

Even Tommy noticed a difference when he was at work on Tuesday, seemingly short tempered and impatient. 

“You gonna tell me who pissed in your Cheerios or you gonna leave that a mystery?” Tommy asked as they leaned against his truck during a coffee break. 

“What do you mean?” Joel frowned, staring down at the paper cup and thinking about how you took your coffee and wondering what was he supposed to do with that knowledge if you were just gone now.

“I mean you’ve been biting people’s heads off all week,” Tommy said. “I mean, you’re always an asshole but you’ve been in rare form man.” 

“Tommy…” 

“Don’t feed me some bullshit, either,” he interrupted him. “Know you too well for that.” 

Joel looked at Tommy for a moment before he sighed and it all came spilling out of him - prom night, what had been happening between the two of you the last few months, the moment in his kitchen, what you’d yelled at him over the weekend, all of it. 

“Jesus,” Tommy said when he was done, just blinking at him, dumbfounded. “I… fuck, man. I always thought there was something between you two but… holy shit.” 

“I don’t know what the fuck it is she’s talking about,” Joel said. “I talked with Ricky back then but fuck if I can remember what it was about, that was more than a decade ago, what the fuck am I supposed to do?” 

“I mean… do you know how she feels?” Tommy asked, taking a sip of coffee.

“Yeah,” Joel scoffed. “Yeah, I think she’s made that perfectly fuckin’ clear.” 

“Has she?” Tommy said. “Because - and maybe you just didn’t mention it - but I don’t think you actually talked about it. Ever. Not once.” 

Joel frowned, looking at the ground, going over everything in his mind. 

That couldn’t be right, could it? 

It sure seemed like you’d talked about it. Maybe not explicitly, but everything you’d said pointed to you seeing him as a friend. You said you wanted to be with someone you could love and that wasn’t him. The first time he’d slept with you again, you asked him not to call you baby and he’d all but begged you to let him. He’d had to fucking comfort you the morning after the concert, tell you that it didn’t mean anything so you didn’t panic because being with him freaked you out that much. You’d never said it, not in so many words, but you didn’t need to. 

“Maybe you should ask her,” Tommy said when Joel had been quiet for too long. 

“Tommy,” Joel groaned, rolling his eyes. “I can’t just…” 

“Can’t you?” Tommy said. “I mean… shit, man. You already blew it all up, what else you got to lose?” 

Tommy’s words were still in Joel’s mind when he left the job site that afternoon, going home to get cleaned up before going to the bank for his business loan appointment. 

What did he really have to lose? He could at least tell you how he felt, a thought that made his chest tight but brought a sense of relief, too. He’d been holding this in for so long now. It seemed like loving you had become a part of him, one that he was used to keeping to himself but one he didn’t want to hide anymore.

He’d told himself for years that he’d loved you quietly because it’s what you wanted. You weren’t interested, it was unfair to put his feelings on you. Even when you were a country away and not speaking with him, he found it strangely comforting to know that while it might be because he’d caved to his baser instincts and slept with you, it wasn’t because he’d pushed his feelings on you. He had regrets - he’d have given anything to take back that night if it meant you’d just talk to him again - but at least he knew how he felt about you hadn’t been the thing that had driven you away. 

Could it really be possible that not telling you had been the thing that sent you running from him? Had he really wasted years of his life not having you all because he’d been too afraid of actually fucking saying it? 

He put on his best clothes - wishing he had a suit for the first time in his life - and took a deep breath, looking at himself in the mirror. It felt like his whole life was riding on this, everything he could have sitting there, just out of reach. 

He’d never been worthy of you before. Back when he met you, he was barely passing his classes, going nowhere fast. Doomed to spend his life in his hometown, doing some job to get by while trying to keep his kid brother’s nose clean. He hadn’t gotten much better since, staying in the first job he could get, doing his best to raise the child he’d made by accident, trying to make something of himself as he could. It was nothing compared to you. But if he could manage this, actually do something real and tangible, maybe he’d feel worthwhile. 

Joel drummed his hands on the steering wheel as he drove, one of the Taylor Swift songs from the concert he’d gone to with you and Sarah coming on the radio and he remembered looking at you that night, remembered how much he wanted to kiss you in a way that actually meant something. He had to do this. He had to. 

His stomach was in knots as he sat in the bank waiting room, one foot bouncing as he tried not to crinkle his presentation and application in his hands. He wished you were here. Why was he doing this on his own? What made him think he was even fucking capable of this without you? 

After what felt like a small eternity, a woman named Audrey brought him back to her office and Joel took a deep breath before walking her through his business plan. 

His heart was pounding the entire time and there was something perverse about talking through a future that you weren’t somehow a part of. He walked Audrey through the financial plans, what the next five years would look like and there was the nagging thought at the back of his mind that he should have talked with you about all of this. How money would be tight for a while, how he’d be extra busy, how much he appreciated the way you’d supported him through all of this so far. He never could have done this without you pushing him, encouraging him, helping him navigate the business world. It felt like your success, too, when Audrey set his presentation down on her desk, nodding. 

“Well, Joel,” she said, looking at him with a smile. “I think we have everything we need. Congratulations, you’re getting your loan!” 

Joel just laughed for a second, looking next to him quickly before remembering that you weren’t by his side. 

“Thank you,” he said. “This is… thank you very much.” 

“Looking forward to doing business with you,” she smiled. “Give me just a minute and I’ll be back with some papers so we can get things going.” 

Joel took his phone out and stared at his text message conversation with you, the last thing he sent still “I’m sorry.” He wanted to tell you that he’d done it. He was a business owner, he was going to be something, he was becoming someone that Sarah was going to be proud of and it was all because you’d come back into his life. You were who he wanted to share this with and he couldn’t. 

Audrey gave him the paperwork and he went through it page by page, more than a little reminded of when he got his mortgage and felt like he was signing his life away but with more optimism about his future this time. 

About halfway through the paperwork, though, the pen started skipping. He tried wetting the tip of it, scratching on a corner of the paper but he couldn’t get it to write smoothly again. 

“Do you got another one of these?” Joel asked, holding the pen up. “Can’t get it to work…” 

“Oh yeah, sorry about that,” Audrey said, looking around her desk, including at an empty pen cup. “Let me just…” 

She opened a desk drawer and took a few things out, piling things on her desk - a purse, water bottle, a book. 

Joel cocked his head at the book, the spine of it familiar. So familiar that he couldn’t help but laugh. Of course you’d be here, too. 

“What?” She asked as she found a plain, white box and pulled out a handful of pens with the bank’s logo on the side. She dropped them into the pen cup and held one out to Joel. 

“Oh, nothin’,” he said, taking the pen and nodding at the novel. “Just… my friend, she wrote that book. Funny seeing someone read it.” 

“Wait, really?” She asked, her face lighting up as she held up your book. “You know who wrote this?” 

“Yeah,” Joel nodded. “Yeah, she’s my best friend, known her since we were 15. She’s… she’s amazing. She teaches now, over at UT.” 

Audrey set the book down, leaning over the desk with her arms folded in front of her like she was going to tell Joel some kind of secret. 

“OK can I ask something?” She asked. “Sorry, this is probably hugely unprofessional but I am obsessed with this book, I can’t put it down and my book club is going crazy. Is any of it true? The falling in love and things ending like that? It seems like it has to be at least somewhat based on her life, I don’t see how someone could write this without knowing it, you know?” 

“Oh, uh,” Joel cupped the back of his neck awkwardly. “I actually… haven’t read it?” 

“Oh,” she said, sitting back a little, looking let down. 

“Sorry,” Joel said. “I’ve tried and I know it’ll be amazing but it’s just too weird for me…” 

“No, I’m sorry,” she laughed a little. “I overstepped, I shouldn’t have assumed…” 

“I should read it,” Joel said quickly. “I got it at home, maybe I’ll give it another go now.” 

“You should,” Audrey said. “It’s really, really good.” 

The new pen worked and Joel finished the paperwork, staring at his signature on the last page a  little too long. He handed the pen and papers back to Audrey. 

“You can keep the pen,” she smiled, taking the pages. “Let me make copies of these for your records but otherwise, congratulations, owner of Miller Brothers Construction and Contracting!” 

Joel had a bubble of pride in his chest as he drove home, one that seemed too big to keep contained and, against his better judgement, he called you. 

He wasn’t entirely sure what he expected, if he thought you were going to send him to voicemail, if you were going to answer and let him actually say something to you or what. 

What he didn’t expect was Gale. 

“Hello?” 

Joel just blinked for a second, recognizing the man’s pompous voice even from just the one word. 

“Is this Joel?” Gale - fucking BRAD - said. He took his silence as a yes and laughed. “Was wondering if I’d hear from you. Don’t worry, she’s with me, back where she belongs. Thanks for looking after her while I was gone, though. Appreciate it.” 

“Lemme talk to her,” Joel said through clenched teeth. 

“I don’t see why that’s necessary,” he said. “Seems like she doesn’t want much to do with you these days. Think you blew it. Thanks for that, too, by the way.” 

“We’re just…” 

“You’re just nothing,” Gale cut him off. “You were nothing but a childish distraction for her. She went running back here when things got hard - which I take my part of the blame for - and she needed a project to keep herself busy but she doesn’t need you anymore. So go back to the little life you’re meant for and leave us be. She was always too much for you and this place, anyway.” 

“No,” Joel said sharply. “No, you put her on the phone, put her on the phone right now!” 

“Can’t do that,” Gale said. “But I’ll tell her you called. Take care.” 

The line went dead and Joel threw his phone against the dash so hard the screen cracked. 

“Fuck!” He yelled, smacking his hands against the steering wheel. He wasn’t going to lose you, not again, not like this. 

He ignored Gale. Instead, he drove to your house, pounding sharply on the door, panting for breath as he did but you never answered. 

So he went to Anna’s next. He only needed to knock for a minute before she opened the door, Ellie’s beaming, chubby face happy in her arms. 

“Hey Joel,” Anna smiled at him. “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes! Here to see this one?” 

Ellie squirmed in Anna’s arms, cooing and reaching for Joel and he laughed once, he couldn’t help it, before holding his arms out for her. Anna handed him her daughter and Ellie giggled, immediately reaching to tangle her tiny fingers in his curls. He smiled at her for a moment, marveling at the little girl who’d brought you and him together in the way it felt like you were always meant to be.

“Is she here?” Joel asked, bouncing a little with Ellie, watching her smile, her little body a grounding force that eased his racing heart. 

“Oh,” Anna frowned, her eyebrows knitting together. “No, sorry, she’s not here too often anymore, just a few times a week… She moved back home, I thought you knew that?” 

“No, I did,” Joel said quickly, looking to Anna and offering a finger to Ellie for her to gum at. “She just… wasn’t there, tried callin’ her but…” 

“Oh,” Anna pulled her phone out, looking at the time. “She might still be at the school, I can call her for you…” 

“No,” Joel said quickly, not wanting to get your sister involved in the mess of whatever the fuck was going on between the two of you. “Don’t… Don’t worry about it, sure I’ll talk to her eventually.” 

“OK,” Anna said, still frowning. “Look… It’s not my business but… Is there something going on with you two?” 

Joel just looked at Anna for a moment, wondering if he should tell her, too, because fuck it, why not just let the whole world know how much he’d fucked up with you.  

But she beat him to it, going from a frown to an absolutely glowing smile in no time at all. 

“Oh my God.” 

“What?” He asked, adjusting his hold on Ellie. 

“You love her!” She sounded practically giddy. “Oh my GOD I knew it! You LOVE her! Have you told her? Does she know? Oh my GOD, JOEL!” 

“I… I haven’t exactly said it,” Joel said, his cheeks getting hot. “I don’t want to make it her problem, I don’t want to get in the way of her being happy, I just… I want to be there for it.”

Anna just looked at him for a moment before shaking her head a little. 

“Is… Is she happy with him?” Joel asked, watching your sister closely. “Is he what she wants? I didn’t know her when they were really together, I just… it seems like he holds her back and that he’s bad for her and…” 

“Joel, did you read her book?” Anna cut him off. 

He frowned. 

“What? What does that…” 

“You wanted to know if he’s what she wants,” Anna said. “She’s never going to actually say it, you know that. At least not to you or to me, she’s always going to try to seem like she’s OK and handle it herself until she can’t and even then she’s not going to actually fucking say it, Joel, but she will write it. She always writes it. Read the book, Joel.” 

He gave Ellie back to Anna and went home, trying to focus as he made Sarah dinner and helped her with her homework. 

Read the book. Just read the fucking book. Was that all it would take? Could he even do that? If fucking Brad really was what you wanted, could he really sit and read hundreds of pages about how much better your life had been when he wasn’t in it? 

He’d never been able to manage it and it wasn’t because he didn’t want to know you through your words and it wasn’t because he didn’t like your writing. It was because he didn’t know if he could stomach reading something you wrote while you were in love with someone else. 

But… Anna was right. He knew that. If he wanted to know the truth of any of it, he’d have to read it. So, after he tucked Sarah into bed, he sat on the floor, staring at the box in his closet that held the two copies of your book like it was daring him to actually confront his feelings for a change. Because that had always worked out so well for him in the past, not like every fucking time he’d resolved to actually talk to you he hadn’t found you loving someone else. 

“Fuck it,” he muttered, opening the box and pulling out the books. This time, though, he picked the signed copy, the one he’d never tried to read before. There was something different about holding this copy, knowing that you had once, too. He ran his hands over the cover and the spine reverently for a moment before he leaned his back against the wall of the closet and opened the book. 

Joel had to force himself to read past the first few paragraphs, his stomach in knots the entire time, but, after a while, he fell into it - to the point that he almost forgot that he was reading your book. 

He’d known, from what little he’d managed to read in the past, that the book started in Austin, he just hadn’t expected the story to linger there.

But it did, the narrative following a girl named Cressida. She started out as a quiet, introspective high schooler who had become unlikely friends with a football player named Eli, a friendship that felt so like his with yours. They knew each other, understood each other, their worlds seem to revolve around each other. It seemed natural that it led to them sleeping together. But instead of the immediate implosion that had ended your relationship in real life, theirs devolved over time. Cressida came back to him again and again, the two of them winding up loosely connected every time a relationship of Eli’s fizzled out, her clinging to a heart wrenching longing that hurt to read, one that her friend seemed shockingly oblivious to.

Eventually, though, things came crashing down. This was different too, though, because it ended not with her vanishing but him, a car accident claiming Eli’s life when Cressida had finally resolved to tell him how she felt. They buried him in a sunny corner of the graveyard just before graduation and Cressida, it seemed, never really moved past it.

The other three-quarters of the book followed her as she tried – desperately, devastatingly – to live again, to get over the love she’d never really had to begin with, to find some place to root herself outside of that sun-drenched grave in her hometown.

She never really managed it, the ending almost painfully unsatisfying but feeling true. She’d become something – Cressida delving into the business world instead of the creative one as you had – and she found success away from home but her mind kept going back to that place and that person. She’d had relationships but, when her last boyfriend had proposed, she couldn’t bring herself to say yes. It had felt like a lie, to tell someone she would love him above all others when she’d never love him more than the memory of the boy who had been gone for years. He’d died at the worst time, the part of her life that would always be on a pedestal no matter what she did. Nothing and no one would ever compare and she was stuck, still going back to him again and again even though he was cold in the ground.

The last chapter closed with her bringing home a man who reminded her of her friend, something charming about him that took her back to that brighter place for a while. But when he fell asleep next to her, she had to confront that hollow feeling in her chest. In the last moment of the story, she bought a plane ticket to go back to that sunny grave site, something about the calm that fell over her when she decided to go back making it seem like that grave was her resting place, too.

Joel just stared at the book when he read the final words, the last pages flopping over, revealing your picture on the inside flap of the dust jacket. That knowing smile and piercing gaze gutted him then, no longer the taunt and temptation of knowledge they had once been.

Was Anna right, was this the truth of it? Did you write out your real feelings? Had he really gotten everything this fucking wrong? Had he really spent years wishing things with you were different when they’d been different all along?

He got out his phone and ignored the fact that it was 4:30 in the morning and called you. You didn’t answer. It didn’t even go to voicemail, the phone ringing once before he got some message saying the number was unavailable.

“Fuck,” he sighed, closing his eyes and leaning his head back against the wall. He wasn’t positive but, based on his experience trying to track down Sarah’s mom years ago, that meant you’d blocked his number. It’d be just his fucking luck that he thought - hoped? - that, maybe, you felt the way he did at the same time he lost you for good.

He sat there with his eyes closed in the glow of his closet light, next to the box made up of the history of you, trying to pick through his memory from all those years ago, searching for some sort of guarantee that the book was based on what happened between the two of you back then.  

At some point, when he was swallowed by his memory of you, he fell asleep. Maybe it was the book, maybe it was the fact that he’d been sifting through ancient history when exhaustion finally caught up with him, maybe it was your words still ringing in his ears, but he remembered then. 

In his dream, he was back under the bleachers with Ricky, pacing to work out his nerves. He talked to his friend - the one who was more experienced, the one who wasn’t reckless, the one who would understand exactly why he was so afraid of what he might have just done to you. 

But, most importantly, he remembered exactly how that conversation had ended. 

It’s Goldie. I wish it were anyone else. It’d be better if it were anyone else.

“Dad!” 

Joel jerked awake, the book still open in his hands, your signature there for him to see. 

I fucking heard you. 

Sarah pounded on his bedroom door again. 

“Dad, come on!” She yelled. “I’m gonna be late!” 

“Shit,” he rubbed the sleep from his eyes and checked the time before calling to his daughter. “Two minutes, baby girl!” 

He got up as quickly as he could, his legs tingling from his awkward sleeping position on the floor of the fucking closet. 

Joel got changed quickly, barely paying attention to what he was putting on.

He’d had the answers sitting there for years, he’d just been too afraid to look it in the face but he had and now he knew. He knew how you felt - how you must have felt, why else would his misunderstood words have driven you away? - he knew how much time he’d already fucking wasted by being a coward, he knew it all now. 

He just didn’t know what the fuck to do about it. 

Joel got Sarah out the door quickly, barely paying attention on his drive to the school. He couldn’t just give up. He already refused to lose you, not again, but now it would be impossible. You were so close, everything he’d ever wanted there in front of him but just out of reach. Even if you’d moved on now, even if you were happier with fucking Brad, he had to tell you. He owed both of you that much. 

“Bye Dad!” Sarah poked her head between the two front seats and gave him a peck on the cheek. 

“What was that for?” He frowned, turning to look at her. 

She just shrugged and smiled. 

“Just seemed like you needed it,” she said. “Love you!” 

“Love you too!” He called after her as she hopped down from the truck and slammed the door behind her with a little too much force, waving behind her as she ran to the building. 

“Alright,” he took a deep breath, looking at the clock on his dashboard. Just after 8 a.m. He’d start at your place because he wasn’t sure what time you went to campus this semester. But he was going to talk to you. He was going to talk to you and he was going to tell you how he felt and he was going to do it today. “I’m comin’, Goldie.” 

You weren’t at your place when he got there. He tried not to think about if it was because you’d spent the night with fucking Brad, if you’d gone to his hotel and had never even been here. Instead, he went to campus. He wasn’t sure where you’d be teaching right now but he was pretty sure you wouldn’t be in your office. You always had morning classes with a break in the afternoon. 

“Excuse me,” he said to a random passing college student. “I’m lookin’ for… shit, probably creative writing? Or literature? What buildings are those?” 

“Oh, um,” the girl looked around quickly. “I’m a physics major but I know I had an English class in that building over there last semester? You could start there?” 

She pointed to a building in the distance and Joel kept his groan to himself. He forgot how fucking huge college campuses were. 

But he couldn’t just sit and wait. He needed to find you and he needed to do it now. 

“Thanks,” he said, giving her a wave and already starting to jog for the building. “Appreciate it!” 

But you didn’t have a class in that building. At least not at that time of day. He knew because he looked in all the lecture halls. You weren’t there. 

He tried two other buildings after asking for directions - no luck - before checking his watch. If your schedule was anything like it had been the semesters before, you’d be in your office soon. That, at least, he knew how to find. 

He jogged there, resisting the urge to run because that would probably make him look utterly insane, and threw his arm out to catch the elevator on its way up. 

“Floor 10, please,” he said to one of the college girls looking at him funny as he panted for breath. She did as he asked, though, and he marveled, for a moment, at just how fucking young college kids seemed to him now.

He closed his eyes and focused for a second, trying to figure out exactly what to say to you, but hearing your name pulled him out of his head. 

“I don’t think they’re still like… together together, though,” the girl who’d pushed the button said. “Like I know they were married but she said he was visiting. He’d live here if they were married, right? Besides, I really don’t think her husband would be asking for my number with his wife there, would he?” 

“I dunno,” the other girl shrugged. “He’s just… isn’t he old? Like old old, not hot old.” 

“I like them old,” the first girl giggled. “They know what they’re doing then.” 

The elevator chimed and the girls got off and Joel’s heart was beating so hard he could feel the blood in his body. You’d brought fucking Brad here and he’d hit on one of your fucking students - one who looked so young Joel never would have looked twice at her if he saw her on the street. Right in front of you, from the sounds of it. That’s who you’d chosen, that’s who you’d felt like you deserved because he hadn’t opened his fucking mouth years earlier. 

When the elevator made it to floor 10, he squeezed out of the doors, not willing to wait for them to open all the way, and ran to your office. 

“Excuse me,” the girl behind the front desk said as he went past her. “You can’t just…” 

“It’s fine,” he said, catching the door as someone came out of the hall where your office was. 

“No, wait!” She called after him but he ignored her. 

He ducked around other professors, dodging them and their questions until he was at your door. 

It was closed but he didn’t bother to knock, throwing the door open to find you there, standing in front of your desk in the arms of your fucking husband as he kissed you. 

Joel moved so fast that neither you nor Gale had noticed he was there but he couldn’t just stand there and watch that fucking guy kiss you, not like that. 

Without really thinking about it, he ripped him away from you, just catching a glimpse of the shock on your face as he punched Gale in the head, sending him sprawling into your desk. 

“Joel!” You yelled before grabbing his arm and pulling him back before he could hit your goddamn husband again. “What the fuck are you doing!” 

“Sorry, baby,” he said, shaking the feel of the punch out of his hand, his knuckles raw. “I couldn’t just watch that fucking guy touch you like that.” 

“Well, it’s really not your business how he touches me!” You snapped, shoving him back. “You don’t get to just come in here and hit people because you’re not getting your way anymore!” 

“That ain’t what this is,” he said, taking you by the shoulders, something grounding in the fact that could feel you again. “Baby, I read your book…” 

“Congratulations!” You snapped. “What, do you want a cookie because you finally got around to supporting me?” 

“No,” he shook his head. “Did you mean that? What you wrote, was that…” 

“What does it matter!” You asked, your eyes searching his face. “Why do you care! It’s ancient history, it doesn’t…” 

“It does matter!” He held you tight, wanting to kiss you more than he ever had before. “It matters because I love you, I love you so much, I’ve loved you since we were fucking kids, I love you so much that I think it might kill me if you don’t let me just say that to you at least this once and if you feel that way, too…” 

“You need to leave,” Gale - who Joel had all but forgotten about - said, trying to position himself between you and Joel. “And take your hands off my wife.” 

“Oh I haven’t even fuckin’ started with you,” Joel said, rounding on him. “You’re a fucking predator, chasing after her fuckin’ students while you’re here with her? Doing with them what you did with her, that it? Lucky I don’t beat the shit out of you…” 

“Joel, I…” you began, but you didn’t get the chance to finish, Gale pulling you back from Joel and going to hit him. 

Joel didn’t give him the chance, shoving him away from you before punching him again. Gale fell, landing on your desk again with a sharp crack. 

“Joel!” You yelled. 

He didn’t get a chance to respond. Instead, he got pulled back, security guards dragging him into the hall and away from you before he knew if he had a shot at really having you for the first time in his life.

A/N: FUCK YOU GALE!

Sorry, I've been picturing that moment since I first thought up the fic. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!

Taglist: @kaseyconnour

[cuckoo-on-a-string]

Hello, Mr. Monster 8

Summary: Eros and Psyche inspired Soulmate!AU, Morpheus x female OC/reader

Master list

Chapter Warnings: SMUT A/N: So... I did a sneaky in this chapter. First one to guess correctly gets a 500 word Sandman drabble (you can give me a prompt or let me go wild - your choice). This is the biggest tender!fuck I've ever seen. Like damn. It's an important beat between chapter arcs, and there are some themes/hints ya'll should really take note of. For reasons. All I want for my birthday are comments, my dears! <3 Thank you for your ongoing support.

8. Seal

What happened?

Creeping out of the fog, she swept together the distant pieces of her waking mind, looking for a thought, or a plan, or…

What happened?

She’d had a wonderful dream. Safe. Warm. Happy. If she could fall back asleep and drop back into that place – those arms – she would, but a sleeping mind never followed the same course. She was waking, and it was over.

But she didn’t remember going to bed.

That was all right. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d gotten drunk or collapsed after days without sleep. Not a problem.

But –

She hadn’t set her wards.

Her eyes snapped open, and her hand sprang out, reaching for the bag of black salt she always kept near her bed in the van. Anything could come, anything could already be there. As she jerked to consciousness, full of half-remembered terror – the mirror, the unseelie, her skin, the dress – long fingers caught her flailing hand. They wove seamlessly between her own, pulling her attention down to starry eyes. Soft lips pressed to her knuckles, calling her back from the brink of delirium.

“All is well.” Morpheus’ thumb rubbed along her throbbing pulse, distracting her from her panic with tactile affection. He read the beat as her memory settled, as she recalled where she was and what they’d shared. He must have felt the spiking rhythm, too, judging by his smirk.

He was beautiful. And definitely naked under the grey silk sheets that gathered over his waist.

She licked her lips, at a loss for words as the butterflies she thought she’d banished sprang back to life in her stomach.

“Hello.”

Yes. Excellent. Definitely the most romantic greeting after waking up for the first time in a lover’s bed. In her fucking eldritch soulmate’s apparent love nest, actually. So far as she could tell, they weren’t even in a room. She could see him easily, but beyond the place where they were lying, she could only see vague, bushy shapes that could’ve been clouds or trees. Lights flickered in them. Maybe stars. Possibly fireflies.

No visible exits. Not even a floor, in fact.

Though it wasn’t like she was in a rush to leave.

“Hello.”

Following his gentle tug, she sank back to rest on her side, facing him.

He was so beautiful. She’d already thought it, but damn if it wasn’t worth thinking twice. With his disheveled raven hair and self-satisfied expression, he looked at least half as debauched as she felt.

Which reminded her.

Oh shit.

She was naked, too.

Her free hand moved towards the sheets that had fallen all the way to her thighs when she sat up, but his disapproving pout made her second guess herself.

Covering bare skin was instinctual. Especially after everything she’d suffered in –

No, no. Not thinking of that. She physically shook her head to banish the flashes of pain and fear trying to manifest.

She was safe. She was happy. Her Dream was real, and she could be vulnerable with him in this world apart. Nothing would hunt her here. Nothing would dare. He would avenge and protect her.

Carefully, consciously, she let her hand drift from the sheets, and Morpheus smiled in the wake of her decision.

“My love,” he purred, looping an arm around her waist, pulling her flush against him, “I want you.”

He nuzzled into her neck, kissing under her ear and finding new places her blood pounded under her skin. She found herself trying to remember language, how to speak in anything but sighs. Prince of Stories. Right. Whatever. Prince of Carnal Brainmelt more like. He made it impossible to think, working little bites over her flesh as he continued his eager assault, leaving her squirming, and desperate, and tongue-tied.

Even though she couldn’t see his eyes, she felt them burning far below her skin. Below flesh and bone. Stars were only cold because of their distance, and she was much too close to see them as anything but suns. She knew it was reckless to look, to stare back and let the heat blind her, but…

She couldn’t pull away now, even if she wanted to. He didn’t need prison bars and pansies to trap her.

Panting, she finally strung together an answer. “I want you, too.”

Her words brought him back to her lips, and he wasted no time licking into her mouth, sharing his heated groans. One hand slipped around to cradle her head. The one he’d used to reel her in crept down, brushing along her waist, squeezing her hip, and settling on her thigh. Strong fingers pulled her leg over his hip, and she groaned back into their kiss as his clear desire brushed her clit.

He didn’t press, only dragging himself through her folds as he explored her mouth. When she stopped for breath, he kissed under her chin, palm flexing just over her knee. She writhed with his slow strokes, enjoying the moment but far from satisfied.

“I need you.” Kissing his brow, his cheek, his lips, she sang her yearning. “I need you, Morpheus.”

Her words found him and burned the way his eyes flamed in her soul. She saw them kindling in his gaze as he pulled away to watch her face, swallowing every flicker of expression as he teased her entrance. And pushed inside.

The world hummed.

It was all beginnings and endings and discoveries. Dream was himself, and she was with him.

He moved so slowly, and she clung tight, shaking as the pleasure built with the inexorable pace of sunrise. Clutching his shoulder, his back, she fought to keep breathing, to keep her head above water as he pushed and pulled inside. Gods. He’d drown her, and she’d gladly find death here in his arms.

“You asked what I want.” He wasn’t as helpless to his physical manifestation as she was to her human body, but his rough voice proved how she affected him, and a sunburst of pride glowed in her breast. “Perhaps I was dishonest with myself. I want the measure of your dreams and your waking hours, too.”

He hunted for her fear, waiting for the golden moment to snap under the weight of his confession. His searching eyes flicked over hers, desperate but guarded. She didn’t know what to say. If she could say anything. But she wasn’t afraid. He wasn’t threatening her – this was an invitation. And she could only invite him back, let him feel the truths she couldn’t name yet.

Her hands settled on his face, trying to soothe the needles of anxiety, his anticipated despair. She offered more kisses, pulling at his lips, welcoming and reciprocating each touch in an effort to reach deeper. Too feel even more.

His grip on her thigh tightened, and he rolled half over her, leaving his sedate, almost drowsy lovemaking behind. Still tender, but openly needy, he picked up speed, using the new angle to his advantage.

She thought she’d been breathless before – fuck.

“I want… a life. A story. You.” He was begging. Commanding. On the cusp of claiming his own dream.

He didn’t take. He shared. They gave and met in true union, tasting elements beyond bodies to melt through time embrace destiny. A snare of their wyrds. A welcome loss wrapped in discovery.

Her heart would burst. There wasn’t enough of her to hold the love for something so vast as her monster, her Morpheus, and as he hiked her leg even higher on his waist, she grabbed him by the hair. She needed him. She needed his kiss, his breath, or she’d fall apart. He obliged, but she knew she’d go to pieces regardless.

As his thrusts grew more erratic, she broke.

The most exquisite destruction.

He pushed as deep as he could reach as she pulled out his own end, but he didn’t give her space to breathe. Rolling again so she was half draped – entirely boneless – over his chest, he kept his defiantly hard length inside. She’d have rest, but no peace.

Stroking her hair, he murmured into the crown of her head, “Stay, my love. I’m not ready to let you go.”

[writing-blog-iguess]

Online Matchup 7

Summery: It’s Jason’s first gala since he came back to Gotham. As expected, he’s n a little nervous. But don’t worry, you’re there to help him get through it.

Warning: fluff, swearing

Words: 4.2 k

A/N: So, here's the long awaited gala scene. Feedback is always welcome and Enjoy!

Taglist: @xoxoyourdoll @teapartydreams

ao3

Series master list

————

October 29

Jason (10:30 am) *sent a picture of the two of you cuddling on your couch*

Y/N When the fuck did you take that?

Jason Such language And so early in the day

Y/N First of all, you swear just as much as I do so shut And second of all, answer the question Jason

Jason But you know the answer We fell asleep on the couch last week

Y/N But we didn’t cuddle We were on the opposite sides of the couch!

Jason You’re right But somewhere in the night That happened

Y/N I do not remember that

Jason Because I got off the couch before you woke up Didn’t want you to be embarrassed

Y/N Sir, I call bullshit You love making me flustered

Jason That maybe so, but I needed the bathroom I tried to wake you up But man, you sleep like the dead

Y/N I’m very proud

Jason No kidding So, what are you up to today?

Y/N Homework, probably Clean the apartment Been slacking with that lately And with the party that’s happening on Tuesday, I need to make sure things are put away before they can break

Jason You don’t strike me as a party person

Y/N I am not My friend loves to throw Halloween parties And it’s usually at my place

Jason And you're okay with it?

Y/N We have a deal I let her throw it at my place She has to clean it up the day after

Jason But Halloween is on a Tuesday Don’t you guys have classes the next day?

Y/N Yup and she knows that I take great pleasure in seeing her clean while hungover She’s going to do a shit job cause she’ll be rushing But she wanted it on Halloween

Jason You’re a bit of a sadist aren’t you?

Y/N Only with my friends and they do that themselves I wanted to hold it yesterday But noooooo, it has to be on Halloween

Jason Your friends sound lovely

Y/N Don’t get me wrong They are but sometimes it feels like I have all the brain cells

Jason That’s hard to believe Sometimes I think you don’t have any

Y/N Wow WOW Guess you’re not invited to the party anymore

Jason That’s okay I probably couldn’t make it

Y/N Helping your brothers again?

Jason I plead the fifth

Y/N You ain’t slick I see you

Jason (3:40 am) Finished everything you wanted to get done today?

Y/N Cleaning, yes Homework, no

Jason How come you're always doing homework?

Y/N I don’t know if you’ve noticed But I’m in school And in order to pass and get my degree I need to hand in my assignments

Jason Lame

Y/N That’s just rude Why do you wanna know? Planning to have a sleepover again

Jason No Just curious

Y/N That’s a little sus babe

Jason I didn’t know we were up to pet names now

Y/N I retract the pet name If we started using pet names, I wouldn’t start with bade

Jason Looking forward to hearing what you’ll use

Y/N Mm, we’ll see

A series of knocking woke you up from your accidental nap. Blinking wearily, you tried to figure out what had woken you up.  The knocking started again, and you let your head lull in that direction. “Okay, okay. I’m coming, I’m coming,” you grumbled, as you slowly got off the couch. 

You pulled the blanket from the couch and wrapped it around your shoulders as you made your way to the door. Unlocking it, you pulled the door open and blinked at a very well-dressed Jason. 

“Was there a date we agreed to that I somehow forgot about?” you asked and moved out of the way when Jason let himself in. 

“What? No, why would you say that?” he asked, pacing around the living room. You closed the door and turned around, meekly gesturing to his outfit.  

“You’re in a tux.” 

“Huh?” he said and looked down. “Oh. Yeah no, this is for something else.” “Okay…? Can I help you with something then?” 

“So, there’s this gala tonight,” Jason said, going back to pacing, “and it’s the first one I’m attending. And Bruce has the idea of making a statement that I wasn’t actually dead.” 

“So, it’s the dead coming back to life thing,” you mused, “does Bruce have a story?” 

“Yup. He has everything planned but I-” 

“You’re not ready to be integrated back into society,” you finished and he merely nodded. “What me to come with? Act as your buffer?” That had stopped Jason’s pacing and he turned towards you in surprise. 

 “You’d do that?” he asked, shrugging. “You’ll be in front of cameras. You’ll meet my family for the first time.” 

“I know,” you said, hiding how nervous you were at the thought of meeting them for the time. “But you need help, and maybe someone in your corner.” 

“But you don’t know the full story.” 

“I don’t need it to help you.” 

“I could kiss you.” 

“I’ll count this as date two,” you said, smiling when he snorted. “What time do you need to be there?” 

Jason looked at his watch before answering. “Twenty minutes.”

“Give me ten.”

“There’s no way you’ll be ready in time,” Jason said, and you ignored him in favour of going to the bathroom. 

“We’ll see about that,” you muttered as you started the shower. 

Shower done, and hair dried, you wrapped a towel around you and quickly made your way to the bedroom. Jason had the decency of looking away when he saw you coming out of the bathroom.

If there was one thing about Jason, he was a gentleman and it was something you liked about him.

You closed the door behind you, and went through your closet until you found the dressing bag. Taking it out, you unzipped it, wanting to know if there was anything it needed before putting it on. To your relief, there wasn't.

Putting it on, you did one final check to make sure everything was good before going to the living room.

“Well, I stand corrected,” Jason said when he heard the bedroom door open. “That was less than-wow,” he breathed out when he looked up to see you standing there. “You look fantastic.”

Putting your hands behind your back, you swayed a little, looking a little shy. “You think so?”

“I know so,” he answered, giving you a smile. “Are you sure you want to do this? We can stay here and have a movie marathon. We don't have to.”

“Yeah, but you’ll be delaying the inevitable,” you said, making your way to him. Standing in front of him, you took his hands and squeezed. “I know you're not ready for it, and you probably never will. But I’ll be there with you the entire night. You just need to trust me that I will.”

Jason’s eyes softened and he cupped your face, thumb gently stroking your cheeks. “I do,” he whispered. You smiled and turned your head slightly and kissed his palm.

“Then let’s go make the best out of a shitty situation.”

The ride to the venue was a lot shorter than you had anticipated. But the drive was spent in silence as the both of you mentally prepared yourselves for the night.

You weren’t entirely sure what you were getting yourself into, but you planned to see this through.

Jason slowly made his way through the line and pulled the car in park when it was your turn to get out. Before you could reach for the handle, Jason’s hand tightened around yours, stopping you from moving.

Sitting back, you turned to Jason. “Everything okay?”

“Are you sure about this?” Jason asked, and your eyes softened. “I mean it, we can turn around and do something else.”

“I’m sure,” you said, leaning over slightly. “But if you're not ready, I’m sure Bruce would understand the situation.”

“It's not what I’m worried about,” he said, “the life of a Wayne can be pretty hectic. With being in the public, everyone’s eyes are on you. I don’t want you feeling uncomfortable when the media tries to find who you are. I…I don’t want you to leave because of them.”

“We’ll, it’s a good thing I don't care what people think,” you said, squeezing his hand. “I doubt they’ll follow you around. The tabloids are more interested in Bruce Wayne than they are of his kids. And when it’s focused on them, it’s usually at events like these or if they did something newsworthy.” You paused, biting your lip when you realized you might have gone too far. “Um, no offense.”

Jason laughed, shaking his head. “None taken. Ready?”

“Ready when you are,” you answered, squeezing his hand one more time. He gave it a kiss and told you to stay in the car for a moment. You watched as he left, and walked around the car only to open your door.

“My lady,” he teased, holding out his hand to you. You took it with a smile, and stepped out of the car, ignoring the shouts and the camera flashes.

“My good sir,” you teased back, linking your arm through his. Leaning over slightly to whisper in Jason’s ear, “do we need to stay for pictures?”

“No, we can just go in,” Jason answered and led the way. You tightened your grip on his arm as you followed and swallowed down your nerves. “Ready?”

“Never going to stop asking that tonight?” you asked, shooting him a teasing smile.

“When it comes to your well-being? Never.”

“My knight in shining armor.”

“I thought that would be Red Hood,” he questioned as the two of you walked through the doors. He laughed when you hit his chest, grumbling that you should have never told him about your little crush on the hero.

“Shut up,” you whined, though happy to see him in better spirits. “So, are there any rules I need to follow before I make a fool out of myself?”

“I don’t think you could ever make a fool out of yourself,” Jason said, looking around. As if he was looking for someone to avoid or to say hello to.

“Well, clearly you don’t know me very well,” you said, guiding him to the bar you spotted when walking in. “At some point or another, I can and will embarrass myself. If given the change.”

“Then I’ll make sure you don’t have a chance. What are you doing?” he asked when he noticed where he was. 

“Getting a drink,” you answered like it was obvious. You turned to the bartender about to order.

“Aren’t you a little young to be drinking?” Jason asked before you could. You sent him a pointed look, with a shake of your head.

“I’m like, a few months younger than you. What do you think? I’ll have water please,” you said to the bartender, shooting her a smile. She returned it and went to get your drink. “Make those two please?”

“Not a problem.”

“You’re so weird,” he stated, watching as you retrieved the glasses when they were set in front of you. He took the glass you were offering, and held it.

“Yet here we are,” you said, taking a sip. 

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Before you could reply to Jason, a voice called from behind you. The both of you turned and you hid your laugh behind your hand at the look Jason made.

“Well, that didn’t take long for them to find me,” he muttered, turning away as his brothers, well at least that’s who you think they were, walked towards you.

“It was bound to happen sooner or later,” you reminded him, holding his hand that wasn’t holding the cup. 

“Was hoping to spend a little more time with you before my idiot brothers found us,” Jason muttered into his cup. 

“Yeah, but you get to take me home when it’s all over and done with,” you reminded and took great pleasure in watching him get flustered. Clearing his throat, he took a sip from his cup before shooting you a dark look.

“Careful Little Bird, or you’re going to give a gentleman the wrong meaning,” he whispered. A shiver ran down your spine at the meaning and you quickly averted your gaze.

“Hey, Jason! So glad you made it,” one of his brothers said as they reached you. He patted Jason’s shoulder and he shrugged it off, frowning.

“It's not like Bruce gave me much of a choice,” he answered, “where is he anyways?”

“Taking care of last-minute details at work,” he answered, causing Jason to roll his eyes. You get the feeling they’re talking about something else. 

Minding your business, you take another sip, letting your gaze roam around the room. It only turned back when a hand was thrust in front of you.

You gazed at the hand and followed its path until you were met with the smiling brother. “Hello,” you greeted, hesitantly shaking the offered hand.

“Hi, who’s this Jay?” The brother asked. You squinted at him, recalling if you’ve ever met him before. You haven’t, but something about him seems familiar.

“My date,” he answered curtly. Letting go of your hand, you mourned the loss of contact until he wrapped his arm around your shoulder. “Y/N, this is Dick.”

“Dick Grayson at your service,” he greeted, smiling widely at you.

“Hi,” you repeated, squinting at him slightly. “You're the cop brother out in Bludhaven.”

Dick eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Yeah, that’s me. I didn’t know Jason talks about me.”

“Not just you,” you corrected, “he talks about all of his siblings.” And made a noise when you felt Jason pinch your side.

“All good things I hope,” a different brother said, popping his head out from behind Dick. “Tim Drake.”

“No, he usually complains about the shit you’ve guys pulled,” you said, making them laugh. “You’re the asshole who gave Conner my number.”

“That would be me,” he said proudly, grinning. “How’d you find out?”

“My sister’s dating Conner and she got it out of him,” you explained, “I hope you know I’m getting my revenge.”

Tim narrowed his eyes at you, as if he was sizing you up. You only raised an eyebrow and met his stare. “I doubt it,” he finally said with a snort.

“I don’t think you know who you’re messing with,” Jason said, “don’t underestimate them.”

“Why? Because they’re dating you?”

“Sir, I don’t need anyone to fight my battles for me,” you interrupted, “I’m the oldest of four, majoring in engineering. But you already know that since you’ve been snooping in my life.”

“Not much of a life though, is it?” 

“Maybe, and that’s okay,” you said with a shrug. “Though before you write me off, ask Conner what happened during spirit week his freshman year.”

That made him nervous, like he knew what you meant. Smiling sweetly, you reached out and patted his head. “You don’t want to make an enemy out of me,” you said and turned to the shorter of the group.

“Demon spawn?” you questioned without thinking. There was a brief moment of silence before everyone but you and the youngest started laughing. He scowled and you downed your drink wishing that it was something stronger. You set it down and hide your face in your hands, groaning. “Oh no, please don’t tell me I actually said that.”

“Sorry, sweetheart,” Jason apologized, but he didn’t sound apologetic at all. 

“You aren’t that far off though,” Tim piped up. 

“I am so so sorry,” you said, voice sounding a bit muffled, “I didn’t mean to say that, I don’t know why that came out.”

“I have no doubt that Todd had any help with that,” he said, clearing his throat he crossed his arms and introduced himself. “It's Damian Wayne, the only son of Bruce Wayne.”

“Y/N,” you muttered out, finally dropping your hands from your face. “And probably. Every time Jason talks about you, he doesn't say your name.”

“Okay, don’t tell them all my secrets now,” Jason teased, squeezing you into his sides. 

“The night’s still young,” Dick said with a smile, “who knows what secrets they might spill.”

You turned to Jason, and poked his cheek until he turned to look at you. “Shoot me, if I say anything embarrassing about myself or you tonight, just shoot me. I’m okay with that,” you said with a serious face. 

“Sorry sweetie, no can do,” he said with a smile. “I like you too much to do that.” Hanging your head in defeat, you sighed.

“Damn,” you sighed, “guess I’ll suffer then.”

“That’s okay, I’ll suffer with you,” Jason said, leaning over and hiding his face in his hair. You could feel the smile that he was trying to hide. 

“At least that’s a plus,” you couldn’t help saying. That caused another round of laughter. You smiled; happy it was going better than what you expected. “I thought you had another brother, and like two sisters?”

“We do, they just couldn’t make it today,” Dick was quick to say. You raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything. 

“I thought it was a mandatory thing for your family. Having to come to these fancy parties.”

“Sometimes, but when Bruce gives some of us a free pass when the need arises,” Jason explained. “But I’m sure if they knew you’d be here, they’d be here too,” Jason quickly added when you frowned.

“Man, I was really hoping to actually meet Stephanie,” you said, and shrugged. “Maybe next time.”

“There you all are,” a voice called from behind. You all turned to see Bruce standing behind Dick, smiling. “Ah, you must be Y/N I’ve heard so much about.” You doubted that for a minute, knowing Jason isn’t one to share things with his family. Then you looked at Tim and things started to make sense. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”

You shook his head when he offered, and smiled at it. “Nice to meet you too Mr. Wayne.”

“I’d love to stay and chat, but I need Jason for a moment,” he said, turning to Jason, “are you ready?”

“Do we really need to do this?” he asked, and made a face when Bruce nodded. “Alright. Are you going to be okay for a while?”

“Yeah, I’ll be fine,” you reassured with a smile. “I’ll find you later.”

You were wrong, so very wrong. The minute Bruce and Jason left your hearing range, his brothers turned on you like vultures circling their next meal. You weren’t sure how long you stood there answering questions you didn’t know how to answer.

When you finally managed to escape, you took a breath and began your search for Jason. You found him talking with Bruce and a reporter. 

Quietly standing beside him, you grabbed his hand and ignored the conversation they were having. Jason squeaked your hand in acknowledgement, and you smiled, leaning your head on his arm.

After a moment, the reporter and Bruce excused themselves and Jason turned to you. “You doing okay?”

Taking back your hand, you moved it to cupped his cheeks and squished his cheeks together. Jason tried to smile, but it looked a little lopsided squished between your hands. “Never leave me alone with your brothers again.”

“It couldn’t have been that bad,” he muttered out with a laugh.

“They grilled me like I was a bad guy,” you said, “and I felt like it too. Jason, I am not the bad guy. I felt like one of those creeps that the heroes fight and needed information on something I couldn’t give them. I don’t want to feel like that again, had me questioning if I was right for you or not.”

“Not being overly dramatic?” Jason asked, and you squished his face more in retaliation. “Okay. I get it,” he said, grabbing your hands and moving them off his face. “That was wrong of them for making you feel like that. No one should go through what you just did.”

“Like I get, they’re your family and they want what’s best for you, you know? Like they care about you, and I get that Dick is looking out for you. But Tim? The dude told me I could do so much better than you and Damian? I’m pretty sure he said that you could do better than me? I don’t know, I stopped listening to them at a certain point.”

“Well, they shouldn’t have said that to begin with at all. And I’m sorry you had to go through that,” Jason said, you waved away his worry.

“No, no, you probably could. But that’s not the point, the point is they could be very good cops if they wanted to,” you said, “it felt like an interrogation. And I hope that I never have to do that again when I meet your sisters.”

“At this rate, I don’t think you will,” he said and you looked up at him in confusion. “Don’t worry about it. Come on, let's dance.”

“But I don’t know how to,” you said as Jason started pulling you to the dance floor.

“Don’t worry about it. All you have to do is follow my lead,” he said, twirling you around until you stood in front of him. You looked up, squinting at him. He laughed, guiding your hands to his shoulders before putting his hands on your waist. “Don’t look at me like that, I know how to dance.”

“Oh, I got that. I’m just surprised,” you said, doing as he said and following him as he started dancing.

“I’m full of surprises, Birdie.”

“So, how long do we have to stay here?” you asked after dancing in silence. Jason raised his eyebrows at you.

“You want to leave already? Feels like we just got here,” he countered. Shaking your head, you looked around before meeting his eyes.

“Don’t lie. I’m not sure how long we’ve been here but it has got to be an hour maybe,” you guessed, “and not yet. But I’m getting hungry and I haven’t found any food around. I thought they had food at these events.”

“They usually do,” he said, looking around to see if he could find any. “But it looks like they are either going to the kitchens to get some more, or there is none.”

“Man, that’s a shame. I’m starving.”

“I thought you ate earlier?”

“Nope. When you came over, I was taking a nap. I haven’t eaten since lunch, and even then, it was just a bag of chips,” you said. Jason sent you a disapproving look making you smile sheepishly. 

“You need to take better care of yourself. But we can leave whenever you’re ready.”

“I’ll leave when you’re ready too,” you said through a yawn. “Who knows? Maybe you have to do more interviews or speak to the crowd or something.”

“Nope, I’m done talking to people,” he explained, “all I have to do is stand beside Bruce when he’s giving the speech to everyone. After that we can leave.”

The two of you danced two move dances, before someone announced that Bruce had an announcement to make. You came to a stop, and you watched as Jason sighed. “Well, that’s my cue.”

“I’ll be standing front row where you could see me,” you reminded him, “I won’t be far.”

“You, Birdie are a godsend,” he said, leaning down to kiss the top of your head. “Don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Careful there, Jason. Treat someone like that, they’re gonna think they’re really special to you,” you retorted, reaching up to pat his cheek gently.

“Maybe they already are,” he said and left, leaving you flustered. You covered your face with your hands and silently screamed. There was something about Jason that made you feel cared for, and you weren’t quite sure how to deal with.

Pushing away those feelings for now, you collected yourself and turned to make your way towards the growing crowd.

After a minute of politely pushing your way through the crowd, you found yourself standing beside Jason's brothers. Not one to be rude, you smiled hello to them and turned to the front where Jason was standing a little bit behind Bruce. You gave Jason a small wave, which he returned before Bruce started talking.

You tried to listen as Bruce told the story he had come up with, but your mind kept wandering to your relationship with Jason, and where it might lead to. The thought of the future was scary, but you couldn’t see a future without him. Maybe the two of you were going a little fast, but you found that you didn’t care as much as you should.

If he’s the one, why overthink it?

Soon enough, clapping brought you out of your thoughts. Shaking your head, you joined in the clapping and slipped away from his brothers before they decided to go for a round two.

“Wasn’t so bad, right?” you asked once you reached him. He shrugged and grabbed your hand before pulling you towards an exit.

“Would have been a lot better if you were standing with me,” he answered, “but yeah. It was okay. Now, ready for some burgers?”

“More than ready.” 

[simpcityy]

My Little Spawn Pt.6 (Dadstarion X Child!Reader)

Summary: Astarion was finally free from Cazador after being kidnapped by a mindflayer but he was stuck with one annoying task, you.

Disclaimer: I do not own Baldur's Gate 3 or any of its characters.

Word Count: 960

Warnings: Use of (Y/N), Cazador, language, violence, spoilers for those who haven't gone far in the game, mentions of blood, animal death...Uhhh...I think that is all. MAJOR SPOILERS IF YOU AREN'T IN ACT 2 YET.

Author Notes: Hello everyone, another short chapter for this week but next week I am going to focus on the new story I want to publish soon while. Thank you so much for the support! I should be updating the master list with all the links of each chapter. Remember to Reblog and like if you enjoy this series.

You looked at Astarion as the group was having a meeting of what they have done so far. “So we slayed an old hag, killed a Gur, defeated some Gnolls, met a devil and killed other creatures we came across and you still want us to rescue this Halsin guy?” He complained, crossing his arms. “He can be our ticket to curing this tadpole.” Tav stubbornly kept the same plan, recusing Halsin. You tugged at his arm “ Astarion, if we save the mister, we won’t have that yucky worm.” You tried to cheer him up. “See, that’s the spirit little soldier!” Kalarch smiles, “You should listen to them Fangs.”  Astarion only mutters looking down at you before picking you up “ I guess you are right but I won’t be happy if this Halsin can’t do anything. Just wasted time is all. We could’ve been in Baldur’s Gate by now.” He walks off to his tent with you in his arms. 

  How Astarion hated that he was right, after a long brutal battle, Halsin wasn’t any help. He stood at his tent sipping the cheap and awful wine. He wasn’t even in the mood for a celebration. He scanned the camp seeing the tieflings and his odd companions celebrating for taking down the leaders. He turns his head hearing your giggles as Scratch is chasing you around. He turns over to Tav as they walk over. He smirks and puts on an act “You know, I never picture myself as a hero.”

You were by the lake looking out to the moon. Scratch was long gone resting after playing with you. You boredly threw rocks into the lake before looking over hearing something shuffle in the bushes. You walked off into the woods that surround the campsite. There is a sweet scent in the air and you wanted to find out what it is. Getting closer and closer to the sweet smell before a gloved hand grabbed you from behind. Your tadpole was squirming. “Let me go! Astarion” You yelled before the headache got worse before going to a deep sleep. Someone else has had a wiggly worm like yours and made you go into a deep sleep. 

The following morning, Astarion walked back to camp watching Tav head back to their own tent because anyone else wakes up. He walked into his but stopped seeing it empty “Oh Little spawn, where are you?” He hums “Having a sleepover without telling me?” He hums to himself and lays down on the bedroll. He pulls back out the book and continues reading till everyone else wakes up.A couple minutes passed and he heard the shuffling of everyone stirring away. He lets out a chuckle knowing some of them might be hungover. He gets himself changed and walks out seeing everyone but he keeps looking for his little spawn. “Have you seen (Y/N)?” He walks over to the Wizard. Gale looks up “No…last time I saw them was last night playing with Scratch.” He looks around “Maybe she stayed with Shadowheart?” He goes back to cooking breakfast. The pale elf walks over to the Cleric. “No, I haven’t seen her since last night.” Shadowheart says “but maybe that gith might know” She was already pointing fingers. Astarion was slowly panicking, no one knows where the hells you were. He quickly downs a potion of animal speaking and walks over to Scratch. “Where is (Y/N)?” He stood in front of the dog. Scratch tilts his head “(Y/N) was last seen by the lake before I went off to rest?” He begins to sniff the ground and runs into the woods. Astarion follows quickly, and looks around seeing your small footsteps along with larger ones. “No….” He whispers. Scratch barks looking up at him “The scent goes through this path.” He walks off sniffing the ground. Astarion only stood still, his mind wondering who took you. Was there a goblin that they didn’t kill, did another Gur hunter found you? He was brought back down to earth hearing someone calling his name. “Astarion what’s the matter.” Tav walks over with the rest of the group. “(Y/N)...they…they were taken…” He whispers before stabbing his dagger to the tree frowning. “ This…this..is all your fault.” He looks at tav refusing to believe it was his own fault. Pulling back the dagger, he walks off following Scratch who was on your trail. Everyone else watching him walk off, seeing how a few days together alone, you have impacted greatly on his life. 

You were placed in a dark jail cell, the trip was a long one. When you woke up, all you could do was wail and hug yourself. “I wanna go home!” You cried. You quickly kept quiet as the big door opens and hear heavy footsteps. “What’s this general?” You only push yourself closer to the corner scared. “ My soldiers told me about this young one with a tadpole. I had to see myself.” You look over whimpering and flinch as the door to your cell opens. “So young and tell me why are they here? When this isn’t part of our plan Ketheric.” Ketheric looks over “ Someone did some digging into her tadpole, they aren’t just a human child with a tadpole but a dhampir Gortash.” This puts a smile on Gortash's face, “Such a beautiful creature” He looks down at you. “Bring them with you to the city when your part of the plan is done…we can use them as part of our plan.” He added before walking off. Both men walk off locking the cell once again. You only whimper crying out softly “I wanna go home” You whisper “Astarion” You cried out in the empty cell.

[tip-top-cloud-surfer]

That Lovin' Feelin' - Goose

Pairing: Nick "Goose" Bradshaw / Mitchell! Fem! OC | Reader

Word Count: 4.3k

Warnings: Intense Mutual Pining, Obliviousness, Suggestive Language, Second Person ("You") POV but No Use of Y/N

This work, all of my other works, and my entire blog are 18+ Only.

Summary: You may or may not have a big fat crush on your brother's best friend. And Goose may or may not have a big fat crush on you. Luckily for both of you, Maverick is completely oblivious.

[Reader is mentioned to be a woman, but there is no description of anything appearance wise. Reader is Maverick's twin sister and a nurse at the naval hospital.]

A.N. Set during Top Gun (the O Club Scene). In this work, let's just imagine that Goose and Carole never crossed paths and Carole is off living her best life elsewhere. Absolutely no shade to Carole, just wanted some Goose love. And I guess sorry Bradley for wiping away your existence.

Part 2 Part 3

Master List

It was a sunny, warm day in Miramar and you just wanted some peace and quiet on your day off. But there was no such thing as a quiet day off when your horrifically annoying twin brother was in town to attend TOP GUN. Just as you flipped to a new page, you heard the distinct sound of Goose’s car pulling up your short driveway.

And three seconds later, the back door opened and Maverick stepped out.

“There you are,” he stated, holding the door open for Goose.

“Yes, I was, in fact, missing from my own house. Thank you for finding me,” you muttered, not even glancing up from your book. “And aren’t you two supposed to be at training right now?”

“It was just introductions,” Maverick replied, dropping into the seat across from you.

“Pete Mitchell, if you dare put your dirty boots on my coffee table,” you warned him, picking your head up from the book. Maverick’s foot hovered just an inch above the coffee table until Goose pushed it aside so that he could sit down in the other seat. “Why are you even here? You have your own houses, go do stupid shit there.”

“We were going to go to lunch and because I’m a nice brother who remembered that you have today off, I decided to stop over here to ask you if you wanted to come,” Maverick replied, gesturing innocently to himself. “And this is the thanks I get?”

“Pass,” you huffed, turning back to your book.

“Mav will pay,” Goose stated, causing you to slowly pick your head up.

“Well, now you’re speaking my language.”

Maverick scoffed and nudged Goose in the side before standing up from his chair. You shared a small smile with Goose before turning to your brother.

“We leave in five minutes. Come on, I’m hungry,” Maverick replied, urging you to your feet. “Get dressed into real people clothes.”

“Real people clothes?” you scoffed, glaring over at Maverick. “Hey, Pete, I read something quite interesting in this book that might interest you.”

“What?”

You pulled out your middle finger from behind your book, earning another eye roll from Maverick. He waved his hand dismissively and headed inside, undoubtedly to raid your fridge even though you were about to head out to lunch.

“Who pissed in his cornflakes this morning?” you asked, slowly getting to your feet.

“I think one of the other pilots threw him off a bit,” Goose replied, sending you a smile that had your heart fluttering. “I wouldn’t worry about it.”

“Alright,” you agreed, nodding slowly. “Thanks, Goosie.”

“Anytime.”

Goose got up from his seat and turned towards the door. You thanked Goose as he held the door open for your before darting inside, trying to hide your ridiculously awkward behavior from him. Walking quickly to your bedroom, you closed the door and leaned against it for a moment.

“Really smooth,” you scolded yourself, shaking your head. “One of these days, he’s going to say something. And you’re going to be fucked. And not in the way you want to be.”

It wasn’t like you planned to have an uncontrollable schoolgirl crush on your brother’s best friend. You didn’t ask for it. It just happened. And you tried to push it out of your mind—you went on other dates and saw other guys—but the second that Nick Bradshaw walked back into Miramar, it was like all of that personal growth just went out the window.

Thankfully, Goose was too nice to say anything about it. And Maverick was too arrogant and self-centered to notice the looks that you threw in Goose’s direction. But one of these days, Goose was going to say something and Maverick was going to be pissed at you.

As if you needed more problems in your life.

Tossing your book onto your bed, you walked over to your drawers and pulled out a simple tee shirt and a pair of jean shorts fit for the hot summer weather. Quickly pulling on a pair of beaten-up Converse, you grabbed your purse and headed out into the main part of your house, where Goose and Maverick were waiting for you.

“Alright, I’m ready to go.”

“Finally,” Maverick sighed, hopping off the counter.

You rolled your eyes at Maverick before turning to grab your keys off the hook. Pulling the set of car keys out of the way, you grabbed your house keys and moved to shove them into your purse. But when the edge of the key ring caught on the zipper of your purse, the keys dropped to the ground.

“Dammit,” you muttered, bending down to grab them.

Goose, meanwhile, who was standing right behind you, quickly averted his gaze as the denim of your shorts rode up just a little higher than normal. He knew from personal experience that if he didn’t look away immediately, he wasn’t going to look away. And Maverick could be a little slow, but if Goose openly stared at your ass like he wanted to take a bite out of it, even Maverick would notice.

“Alright, let’s go,” you stated, straightening up.

Goose smacked himself lightly on the cheek to remind himself to focus before heading out of the house behind you and Maverick.

After lunch, Maverick managed to convince you to go along with their shenanigans for the rest of the day. Including—to your complete frustration—a night out at the O Club.

But you had the day off tomorrow as well, so you were running out of excuses.

Applying some bright red lipstick, you straightened up in your bathroom and made some last-minute adjustments. You weren’t going to actually go out searching for anything tonight, but that didn’t mean that you couldn’t have a little fun. It was nice to be complimented and to feel like an actual woman rather than a blob of scrubs once in a while.

Satisfied with your appearance, you grabbed your purse and walked out to your living room to wait for Goose and Maverick to come around and pick you up. Pulling on a pair of strappy heels, you picked your head up when you heard the Bronco coming around the corner again. Locking up your house, you trotted down to where Goose pulled over.

“Hey,” you called, pulling the back door open. Noticing the uniforms that Goose and Maverick were wearing, you managed a small, bashful smile when you caught Goose’s eye. “You pulled out the summer whites for the occasion?”

“Have to look the part,” Maverick answered instead, completely oblivious to the look that you were sending Goose.

“Right,” you drawled, leaning back in your seat.

You glanced out the window as Goose discreetly fixed his rearview mirror to give him a slightly better view of you in a dress that he hadn’t seen you in before. Clearing his throat to remind himself that he needed to focus on the road and not the hints of your breasts that were outlined by the particular cut of the dress, Goose put the car in drive.

The O Club was packed full by the time that you, Goose, and Maverick arrived. You stuck close to Goose, who was tall enough that he could see over most of the crowd, as Maverick and Goose surveyed over the patrons.

“This is what I call a target rich environment,” Maverick stated with a wide smirk.

You immediately reached over and smacked your brother on the back of his head, causing him to whine and shoot you a glare as he rubbed the tender skin.

“You deserved it. I’m not going to apologize,” you stated before heading for the bar.

“You live your life between your legs, Mav,” Goose added, squeezing Maverick’s shoulder before following after you.

“Goose, even you could get laid in a place like this,” Maverick replied, patting Goose on the back.

“I’m telling you; I’d be happy to find a girl to talk dirty to me.”

That line caused you to momentarily pause, which resulted in Goose running into the back of you. Goose grabbed your arm to steady you and you tried to not buckle under his concerned gaze. Your eyes widened at your newfound proximity as Goose shot you an apologetic smile.

“Sorry, honey.”

“It’s not your fault. It’s crowded in here,” you mumbled out bashfully.

You cleared your throat and turned back for the bar, reminding yourself to keep cool. Goose and Maverick stepped up beside you at the bar and ordered their beers. When the bartender turned to you, you requested a bit of a stronger beverage to get you through the evening. At least that way, if you did something stupid, you could blame it on the alcohol.

The bartender placed Maverick and Goose’s drinks down first before walking off to grab the ingredients for your drink. You fiddled with your fingers and looked up when Goose spoke up.

“Mav, you know who the best is? That’s him, Iceman,” Goose stated, gesturing across the bar.

You and Maverick turned in sync to the man in question. He was tall and dressed in the same uniform as Maverick and Goose with a solid tan and frosted tips. But you were more focused on the fact that he was wearing sunglasses inside at night like a douche bag and that the glass that he was drinking from had an obscene amount of ice in it.

Well, at least he lived up to his callsign.

“It’s the way he flies. Ice cold. No mistakes. He just wears you down, you get bored, frustrated, you do something stupid, and he’s got you,” Goose explained, taking a swig from his beer.

You smiled at the bartender and thanked him when he placed your drink down in front of you. Pulling your drink back to you and taking a sip, you turned around when Goose called out to another aviator that was walking over to this side of the bar.

“Hey, hey, Slider,” Goose chuckled, grabbing onto the set of wings on Slider’s uniform, “I thought that you wanted to be a pilot, man, what happened?”

“Goose, you’re such a dickhead. Whose butt did you kiss to get in here, huh?” Slider asked, tilting his chin up.

“Well, the list is long but distinguished,” Goose joked, playing along.

“Yeah, well so is my Johnson,” Slider replied, knocking back a shot.

Setting the glass down on the bar, Slider set his sights on you. Slider sent you a smirk that both Goose and Maverick immediately noticed and did not appreciate.

“And it is available,” Slider added, sending you a wink.

“Yeah, well, she’s not,” Goose stated, causing Slider to turn to him.

“She’s my sister, Kerner, so keep your mitts off of her,” Maverick replied, earning an eyeroll from you.

“But you said that your Johnson is both long and distinguished?” you asked Slider, taking a long sip of your drink as you toyed with all three aviators at once.

Maverick and Goose whipped around to shoot your exasperated and incredulous looks, which you promptly ignored. After all, it wasn’t like you were actually going to consider going home with Slider. You didn’t want anything to do with the whole TOP GUN bullshit. But that didn’t mean that you couldn’t mess with Maverick after he was such a little shit to you.

“She’s not serious,” Maverick stated, grabbing you and tugging you closer to him.

“I’m just trying to make conversation,” you replied, shrugging your shoulders. Turning back to Goose and Slider, who seemed to be having some kind of territorial staring contest, you gestured between them. “So, how do you two know each other?”

“We went to the Academy together,” Goose explained, still shooting Slider a death glare.

“You’re a RIO then?” you asked Slider.

“He flies with Iceman,” Goose answered before Slider could.

“That’s Mr. Iceman to you,” Slider corrected Goose before gesturing over to his pilot.

“Hey, Mother Goose, how’s it going?” Ice greeted him.

Iceman stepped up and offered Goose a genuine smile as he reached over to shake Goose’s hand. Goose broke his staring contest with Slider to return Ice’s polite greeting. 

“I’m doing good, Tom,” Goose replied before gesturing over to Maverick. “This is Pete Mitchell. Pete, this is Tom Kazansky.”

While Maverick and Ice exchanged their quips and attempts to feel each other out, you simply sipped at your drink, a bit bored to be honest. You glanced up when Goose stepped in front of you, blocking you from Slider’s view, before turning back to the exchange between Maverick and Ice.

“Mav, you must have sold under a lucky star, huh?” Slider asked, causing the group to turn to him. “First, the MiG and then you guys slide into Cougar’s spot.”

“Hey, we didn’t slide into Cougar’s spot, it was ours, okay?” Goose stated, squaring up to Slider again.

“Yeah, well some pilots wait their whole careers just to see a MiG up close,” Slider stated, picking up another shot. “Guess you guys are lucky and famous, huh?”

“No, you mean notorious,” Ice corrected his RIO before setting his sights on you. Identifying you as a target, since you were sandwiched in between Goose and Maverick, Ice offered you a flirtatious smile. “If you want to hang out with a real group of aviators, we’ll be over there.” Ice turned back to Maverick and Goose, who were both now glaring daggers into his skull. “I’ll see you two around.”

“You can count on it,” Maverick stated pointedly.

“Bye,” you called after them, earning a pinch in your side from Maverick.

“They were abused children,” Goose stated, leaning on the bar with a dead serious expression.

“Goose!” you admonished, nudging him in the side.

“What?”

“That’s so rude,” you scolded him, though you couldn’t help the smile or light giggle that escaped.

“Then why are you laughing, honey?” Goose shot back.

He smiled at you in a way that instantly had your heart fluttering. But Maverick, ever the oblivious and indirect cockblock, broke the moment.

“We’re going to have a good time,” Maverick stated, holding up his drink.

You clinked your drinks together before Goose and Maverick turned to survey the rest of the bar. You, however, were sneaking not very subtle looks in Goose’s direction. It wasn’t your fault that he looked that good in his fancy white uniform.

But, of course, as soon as Maverick set his sights on some poor woman across the way, you were on your own once again. And that was why you never came out to the bars with your brother. Picking up your drink, you were about to head to a booth or a seat elsewhere when Ice swooped in, cutting off your escape.

“I don’t believe that I caught your name earlier,” Ice stated, leaning on the bar with a confident smirk.

“I don’t believe that I gave you my name earlier,” you replied calmly, turning to face Ice. You set your drink down and retook your seat. “But I know that you’re Iceman.”

“Hard to forget a face like mine,” Ice remarked, causing you to let out an amused noise.

“Did you practice that one in the mirror?”

“I can see the resemblance. Between you and your brother,” Ice stated, earning a sharp look from you.

“What do you want from me?” you asked, getting straight to the point.

“I just wanted to talk. To get to know you.”

“You wanted to get to know my brother, actually,” you corrected Ice, twirling your drink around on the bar top. “You know, so that you can win the TOP GUN trophy and everything since he’s most likely your biggest competition.”

“I’m horrified that you think that I would use a lady’s attention for such nefarious purposes,” Ice drawled, causing you to playfully roll your eyes. “Really, I’m hurt. And I hear that you’re a nurse, so I think that you can help me get better, right?”

Ice leaned in closer, but you didn’t back down. You held his gaze confidently and reached for your drink.

“Is my brother glaring holes into the side of your head right now?” you asked, taking casual a sip.

“Yeah, but your personal bodyguard is going to get over here first,” Ice remarked, causing you to raise an eyebrow.

“Who?”

“Hey,” Goose called loudly, causing you and Ice to turn to him, “what are we talking about over here, huh? Let me just . . .” Goose situated himself in between Ice and you, causing Ice to shoot you an amused look. “So, what were we talking about?”

“Nothing too scandalous,” Ice replied, standing up straighter. He turned to you with a friendly smirk. “But I should get going. It was nice meeting you. And I’ll see you tomorrow, Goose.”

Ice walked off, leaving Goose and you alone. Goose waited a moments before turning urgently to you.

“Did he say anything to you?” Goose asked quietly, looking concerned.

“No, he was just messing with me. He just wants to get in Maverick’s head,”you replied, dismissing Goose’s concern. But when Goose didn’t change his expression, you leaned forward and grabbed his shoulder. “I’m fine, Goosie. He’s hardly the first cocky aviator that I’ve dealt with.”

“You sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure, Nick.”

You offered Goose a small smile, twisting in your bar seat. Goose nodded in return, though he still looked a bit on edge as he glanced around the O Club. He leaned in closer to you to keep his voice low and still be heard over the music of the club. And if he noticed how your eyes widened slightly and your breath caught in your throat, he didn’t mention it.

“And by the way, I would stay away from Slider too. Trust me, he stinks. Never uses soap. Hardly ever does his laundry and—”

“—Goose,” you interjected, cutting off his ramble about Slider’s unkemptness, “I wasn’t going to go home with Slider.”

“You weren’t?” Goose asked, looking more than a little relieved.

“No, I was just messing with my brother,” you assured Goose, taking another sip of your drink. “And besides, I generally avoid going out with guys who make any sort of announcements about their genitals during the first five seconds of me knowing them.”

“Oh, okay,” Goose breathed out, a small easygoing smile returning to his lips.

You and Goose shared a small smile before Goose turned in his seat so that he was facing the bar. He gestured to your drink, which was starting to run low.

“Did you want another drink?”

“That depends,” you replied, twirling your straw around. “How long do you think we’ll still be here for?”

“I don’t know,” Goose answered honestly, glancing around the bar. “Mav sort of ran off with a woman, but I’m not really sure how that’s going.”

“I don’t want to know how that’s going,” you stated, wrinkling your nose in disgust.

“Then we’ll get you another drink,” Goose decided, causing you to smile and nod.

“Alright, Goosie, you’ve convinced me.”

Goose flagged down the bartender and ordered them both another round. The bartender placed your drinks down and Goose and you clinked them together before falling back into a conversation. There was still no sign of Maverick anywhere, so you entertained yourselves.

“Anything fun happening down at the hospital?” Goose asked, causing you to snort.

“I don’t want to disgust you.”

“Hey, hey, I’m a tough guy, I can handle it,” Goose replied, earning a light chuckle.

“Didn’t one of the nurses have to hold you down when you got a shot?” you asked, twisting your lips into a well-meaning smirk.

“It was a huge needle,” Goose exaggerated, causing you to laugh. “I was hardly the only guy who walked out of there a little paler than they were when they went in there.” Goose took a sip of his beer before pointing a figure over at you. “And Mav wasn’t supposed to tell anyone about that.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone else,” you assured Goose, reaching for your drink.

You glanced around at the bar, taking a long sip. And you were completely unaware of the way that Goose was staring at you. How closely he was analyzing the way that your bright red lips wrapped around the straw. Or how he noticed that the way that you leaned forward gave him a better peak of your cleavage.

Tugging at his collar, Goose forced himself to look away and chugged some of his beer.

“Do you have work tomorrow?” Goose asked, trying to move to a very professional conversation topic.

“No, this is technically my ‘weekend,’” you replied, making air quotes with your fingers. “So, I don’t work tomorrow, but then I work three days straight after that.”  

“Sorry that we’ve been dragging you around with us on your day off,” Goose offered, causing you to send him a small smile.

“It’s not all bad,” you assured him, tilting your head to the side. “It’s nice to catch up with you. You guys, I mean. It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other.”

“Seven months,” Goose agreed, tapping his fingers on the bar top.

“Yeah, it’s been a while,” you stated softly. You locked eyes with Goose and flicked your tongue out between your lips to catch the last drop of your sip, which Goose, of course, noticed. “Any big plans for you shore leave?”

“Maybe a few,” Goose replied, causing you to perk up.

“Like what?”

“Uh . . .” Goose trailed off awkwardly, trying to come up with something off the top of his head that was actually appropriate to say aloud to you, “. . . I really wanted to catch up on the movies that I missed.” You nodded slowly, causing Goose to sweat a bit. “You know me and movies.”

“Right,” you held out, raising a slightly suspicious eyebrow. “Well, if you want, there’s this drive-in place nearby that just opened up.”

“You ever been before?” Goose asked, causing you to shake your head.

“No, I haven’t. My coworker recommended it to me.”

“Did you want to go some time?” Goose offered softly, earning a wide doe-eyed look from you.

“Me?” you asked, gesturing to yourself.

“Yeah, you,” Goose laughed, trying to hide the fact that he was most definitely sweating through his shirt. “Who else?”

You opened your mouth, trying to find a way to respond to Goose’s offer that was appropriate and not at all desperate, when Charlie, the woman that Maverick serenaded earlier on the other side of the bar, walked by you.

“Your friend was magnificent,” Charlie stated confidently.

Goose sat up and watched Charlie walk away. You gagged when you noticed your brother walking over with a pleased smirk.

“You’re disgusting, you know that?” you huffed, shooting Maverick a look.

“What the hell did Ice want?” Maverick asked, quickly changing the topic of conversation.

“Nothing.”

You reached for your drink and pulled the straw out. Bringing the cup to your lips, you chugged the rest of it, earning an eye roll from Maverick and an amazed look from Goose. But then Goose caught the sight of the condensation from the outside of the glass rolling down your neck and got distracted again. Setting the glass down on the bar top, you turned back to Goose and Maverick.

“Can we go then? I’d prefer to not see you accost anyone else in this place,” you stated, standing up from your seat.

“Yeah, let’s go.”

They paid off their tabs before heading out to the car. Goose drove you back to your house, trying to not sink in his seat when he still lacked any answer to his offer. You didn’t look at him, staring out the window, and chatting casually with Maverick. Pulling up alongside your house, Goose put the car in park and smiled back at you. You returned it, leaning forward a bit.

“Thanks for driving, Goosie.” Turning to the both of them, you reined in the more schoolgirl-like bashfulness. “I’ll see you guys later.”

“Have a good night,” Goose replied softly.

“I’ll call you if we’re going something,” Maverick offered as you got out of the Bronco.

“Sounds good,” you agreed, shutting the door behind you. Looking past your brother, who had his window rolled down, you offered Goose a shy smile. “And if you wanted to go to the drive-in, just . . . let me know.”

“The drive-in?” Maverick asked, confused and oblivious.

“I’ll—we’ll,” Goose caught himself, “we’ll do that, yeah.”

But the smile that he sent you next clearly communicated that he would call you. And that maybe he would forget to invite Maverick along. And then maybe you would forget to suggest for Maverick to come along too. And then you would just accidentally go to the drive-in, just the two of you. And maybe Maverick would just never hear about it.

“I’d like that,” you agreed, adding to Maverick’s confusion. “I’ll see you guys later. Goodnight.”

“Night,” Maverick and Goose echoed.

They waited until you were safely inside your house before Goose put the car back into drive. Maverick frowned a bit, thinking over your strange words.

“Drive-in?” he asked Goose, who stared straight ahead to not give anything away.

“I wouldn’t worry about it,” Goose stated, waving his hand to the side. “Maybe she was just tipsy.”

Part 2 Part 3

[seraphimcollections]

gentle giant | Konig x medic!reader |

chapter 5

warnings: abduction, non-consenual drugging, language.

summary: little bird is trapped in the cat's jaws with only one way out - into the belly of the beast.

w/c: 2.1

a/n: hello again! I'm really looking forward to this chapter and the next! I wanted to be a little extra care in this chapter. I'll be putting together a master list to pin to my page if that'll be easier. Oh! Do me a solid and reblog if you like this series! Final part coming soon! Thank you!

chapters: | ch. 1 | ch. 2 | ch. 3 | ch. 4 | ch. 5 |

The air had changed. With the news of your clear abduction quickly spreading across the base, the reality of both the 141 and KorTac’s failure weighed heavy on each of their shoulders. Soap’s playful demeanor was reduced to silence. Gaz didn’t know what else to do with himself besides try to keep himself busy cleaning his weapons multiple times consecutively. Price holed himself in his office, chain smoking countless of his precious cigars. No one knew where Simon was, but some say they could hear firing out in the yard at odd hours of the night. As for Kӧnig, he hadn’t slept in days. He hadn’t stepped foot out of your office. In the beginning, he couldn’t help his rage, taking it out on his surroundings -- the bookshelves, the files, anything. Quickly, the guilt settled in and he just as quickly began to try to put your office back to how he remembered it was. 

  Konig sat in his same chair, staring at the emptiness in yours’. He sat hunched over, his elbows on his knees, fingers laced together and clenched. He stared into that empty space, the rage still bubbling in his chest. Slowly, the rage began to bleed into anxiety and fear. You’ve been missing for two days. You could be anywhere, a different country, a completely other continent. Anywhere. Konig’s hands became fists in his lap. Millions of questions swirled in his head. Were you hurt? Were you even alive? Who took you, and what did they want with you? And as if the universe heard him, the bearer of answers stopped in the doorframe, not quite daring to enter, just as Konig had done many times. 

Konig’s cyan eyes caught on his stature, the 141’s loyal captain. From sight alone, Konig could see John was having as difficult a time as him, maybe even more so. In his hands held a bottle of whiskey along with two glasses in the other. 

“Mind some company?” John said gruffly. 

Konig sat up a little straighter and shook his head. John sighed, placing the glasses on the desk. He sat on the creaking wood, as if confirming they both knew that the other chair belonged only to you. Handing Konig a glass before taking his own, John took a slow sip. Konig carefully moved the glass under his hood, his lips coming to press against the lukewarm glass. 

“I’m afraid I haven’t been completely honest with you,” John finally broke the silence, “but neither have you, Colonel.” 

Konig nearly choked from hearing his formal title. John chuckled, setting his glass down. 

“I-I don’t like to mention my title, it makes people act on false intentions,” Konig explained. 

John waved dismissively, “now need to explain it to me, soldier. We all learn to play our cards close to our chests. Just in this case, I lost more than I looked to gain in the first place.” 

Konig looked at the older man in confusion, “what do you mean, Captain?” 

John’s eyes glazed over, “I never told you why we were here, did I?” 

“No, but I figured you were all on the run,” Konig said. “And that it had something to do with Maus.” 

John’s eyes lit up hearing Konig’s name for you as he took another sip. 

“Wren, she saw something she was never supposed to see,” John frowned. “Something that goes all the way up to the top. Something that lacks all honor that those sods tried their damn best to bury it. But Wren found it, and it dug it all back for them. And so they planned to do what they always do-” 

“They’re going to kill her,” Konig said, dread sinking into every ounce of his being. 

John frowned before finally nodding., “but your comrades seem to think they’ve fulfilled their end of the bargain. They left, off to the next highest payer. You’re the only one who stayed. Which is why I came to you.” 

The two men could ignite wildfires with the heat of their gazes toward each other. 

“Are you with us on this? Will you help us get our bird back?” John said with all seriousness. 

Konig’s eyes narrowed, “you have me, Captain.” 

John nodded, standing on his two feet, “good, we move out at dawn. Get ready.” 

“I’m always ready, Captain.” 

“I will see you soon, kleine maus.” 

↭

  The ringing in your ears refused to cease. Your eyelids feel heavy, most likely swollen. Your entire body ached, your wrists and ankles bound tightly together, the zipties digging into your open skin. You laid on your side, your head limply laying on what felt like leather. You tried your best to tune your ears to what was around you. You wiggled trying to find something that could tell you where you were. Your throat felt so dry that even if you tried to speak you worried it would crack and bleed. You groaned, forcing your eyes to open to blinding sunlight. You were in a car, that much made sense. You laid on the back seat, the leather seats sticking to your clammy skin. 

You squint your eyes to see the dusty blonde head of hair over the driver’s seat. You blinked in confusion, trying to piece together how you got here in the back seat of this mystery car driven by a complete stranger. Your memory came back to you like an unwelcome friend. You remember the struggle, the bruise you were sure going to get from being thrown back onto the desk. The sickly sweet smell of whatever chemical your abductor used to put you under. The back of Konig’s head as he left to see what Price wanted. 

Rage burst into you heart as you tried your best to pull against your restraints, only to find yourself weak. 

“It’s useless,” the man you thought you knew as Richards said  in an annoying sing-song voice. “The drug won’t wear off for another few hours. Don’t waste what little energy you have, sweetheart.” 

You glared up at the rear view mirror, finding the man’s eyes peering back at you with amusement. 

“Who are you? Where are you taking me?” You growl. 

“We’re going back to my place,” he smiled as if saying this to his date, “then you’re going to tell me everything you know, and then, I’ll kill you.” 

You felt your blood run cold at his words. Your eyes narrowed. 

“Shepherd sent you.” 

“Ah! There’s that sharp cunningness Shepherd told me all about!” 

You glared at the man with a stare of thousand daggers. This gaze did little to faze your abductor as his smile never left his smug face. 

“Why not just kill me? Save yourself the trouble,” you said. 

“Ah, where would the fun be in that!” The man said, sounding like he was going on a day out at a theme park and not like a man who was your executioner. 

“No, I intend on taking my time with you,” he said, his gaze connecting with your own, letting you see the true darkness in his eyes. 

You fell silent, instead trying to look outside to try to get a clue on where you were, or how far you could be from base. From Konig. You could feel your stomach drop as the tall Austrian popped into your mind. Did he know you were gone? Was he even looking for you? In the end, he was part of KorTac, a company not renowned for loyalty to one agency. But…Konig was different. He was caring, empathetic and kind. If the two of you had enough time, you could find out why such a quiet soul could be in such a messy business. But then again, so were you. 

“You won’t get far,” you said with a huff. “You have no idea who’s coming for you.” 

“Correction: I know exactly who's coming for me, little bird,” Richards said. “And I’m counting on it.”

You brow furrowed at his words, making him snicker, “you really think Shephard would just let their insubordination go? Come on, you can’t be that naive!”

“Shut up-”

“You know, I should really thank you, not only do I get to take out the 141, but now KorTac’s finest? Ugh, it’s like Christmas morning,” Richards sighed. 

You lurch forward in a rage, “you leave Konig out of this!” 

“Oh, like you did?” Richards cocked a brow. “If my memory serves me right, it was because of you that KorTac even got dragged into this mess. And it will be because of you that your beloved Konig will die.”

You felt your chest begin to tighten in panic as the thought of everyone you ever loved, ever cared about being reduced to nothing but cold flesh all in your name. You begin to struggle against your restraints, pulling at them wildly. 

“Ah, doctor?” Richards said. 

You look up at the man and in a split second you catch the small almost travel size bottle in his large hand before Richard squeezed the little trigger. You recoiled back but to no avail, the mysterious potion infiltrated and coating your throat. You cough violently, your vision beginning to swim. 

“Trust me, it would be best if you sit this part out. Easier for both of us,” Richard smirked. “Sweet dreams, little bird.”

You fell onto you back with a groan, eyes rolling back up to the roof of the car. You fought to keep your eyes open but only to be swallowed back into the darkness. 

↭

73. 

73 hours since you’ve been abducted. As each hour passed, your trail got colder and Konig became more restless. This was clear with his foul attitude that no one could dare miss. What was left of the men on the base sat around a makeshift table with schematics scattered across it. Konig stood hunched over, his palms supporting his weight on the table. Price stood at the head of the table, Ghost to his right, Gaz to his left. Soap had tried his best to try to keep Konig cool so he stayed a safe but supportive distance close to Konig. 

“What you know is that Shephard all but lost most of his clean contacts to DC, so there’s a good chance he won’t be able to smuggle her into the States,” Gaz said with arms crossed. 

“That doesn’t completely squash the possibility,” said Ghost. 

“But would he even go through the trouble? I mean if he’s already got what he wants. Why drag it out?” Gaz said. 

“You’re right, if he was smart, she’s long dead,” Ghost said matter of factly. 

The wood of the table creaked under Konig’s fist at the mention of the idea. Soap leaned over. 

“That’s not going to happen, because we’re gonna get to the fucker first,” Soap said. 

Price agreed, “Soap is right. If there’s one thing I know about that snake is that he likes to play with his food. He won’t just kill her quickly.” 

“That doesn’t make it better,” Konig said, finally standing to his full height, effectively dwarfing the rest of the men. “There must be some sort of lead of where she could have been taken.” 

“He’ll want to take care of this quietly and under the radar,” Gaz said.

“Slimy bastard won’t even come to do it himself most likely,” Ghost scoffed. “Won’t want to get his hands dirty, ‘why he sent that fucker.” 

“And we know he’s petty-” 

“That much is clear,” Soap rolled his eyes. “The bellhead chased across half of fucking Europe.” 

“So he’ll take her to a place that holds some kind of memory, maybe?” Gaz shrugged. 

Price’s eyes shot wide with realization, “Las Almas.” 

These words caught 141's attention. 

“Would he really be that obvious?” Soap said. 

“Or stupid,” Ghost chimed in. 

“But that’s exactly wants,” Price said, “he’ll want to take this back to ground zero: Las Almas.” 

“What’s in Las Almas?” Konig asked. 

“It’s where we first found out how dirty Shepherd liked to play,” Soap grunted. “Evidently he slipped out of our hands, until Wren found data suggesting his whereabouts and what’s been keeping the sorry fucker busy. Guess he didn’t want anyone poking around in his business again.” 

“And you think he’s taken Maus there?” Konig said. 

“It’s our only lead,” Price sighed, hands gripping his vest. 

Konig sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly before nodding his head, “then we shall go.” 

“And luckily for us, we have friends on the other side,” Ghost smirked underneath his mask. 

“Los Fuerzas Especiales,” Soap smirked looking up at Konig, “Mexican Special Forces. They owe us a bit of a favor.” 

Konig looked back to Price who almost looked at him as if to give him the word. Konig stoney gaze didn’t waver.

“No more waiting. We leave tonight.”

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[thewritersaddictions]

Requests: The Witcher: Geralt of Rivia- Spellbound

Pairing: Geralt of Rivia x Fem!Reader & Ciri x Platonic!Fem!Reader

Pov: Geralt Of Rivia/ Ciri

Warnings: Mages, magic, fighting, Kaer Morhen, Angst, Fluff, memorial statues, death/revival, female witcher!Reader, falling back into love, happy family vibes.

Summary: The only female witcher is frozen in time at Kaer Morhen, but when Geralt brings Ciri there, something magical and extraordinary happens. Reuniting two past lovers.

A/n- @ firefly-graphics for dividers; this is a request.

WC- 2.4k

Requests Master List // The Witcher Master List // The Heros Master List

The first and last female witcher statue stands in the middle of Kaer Morhen. It’s a daily reminder of my failure to protect her and that I must try to be better for her sake. Vesmir had been a helping hand when I lost her. He was the only father figure I had, and I was more than grateful when he chose to have the stone figure of her placed in Kaer Morhen. It was a reminder of how little there were of Witchers like us, but also that love was forever. 

It just stung too much, and I needed to leave Kaer Morhen. Spring was starting a new, and with that, paths and plans were already ready to be brought to action. I packed my little things and took Roach back on the dirty trails that were now not covered in inches of snow. Yet, this path led to a world I’d instead have never been a part of. A law of surprise that leads to a child. A child born to be the princess of Cintra. 

Many more happened before I knew the law of surprise would put her and me on the same path. I’m more than surprised when it leads me straight to her. In an effort to firstly protect the princess and secondly help her because the duty has sadly fallen to me due to the war. I bring her to Kaer Morhen. I get her there to learn and to be supported by Vesmir; then again, I’m reminded of a promise that I must protect Ciri in every possible way, as I couldn’t do so for Y/n. 

Y/n statue stares at me. Her frozen, hurt face, I can hear the echo of screams and how quickly they were cut off before I could make it to the fight. Her beauty hasn’t left her face. A smile that is in the back of my head, but her voice. That beautiful voice. The only thing that could lull me to sleep and keep my spirits high was fading ever so quickly in my mind. All I had left of her were the memories and the statue. Her dress flew in the wind as she was frozen head to toe. 

It had been a mage, an unhappy mage, that had followed us to the mountainside. I remember it now being about me. The memorial was about many things. Y/n had been the only female witcher, so for one, it was a remembrance of that fact alone. Y/n had also said that if she ever died, in battle or at home, she would love to be able to gaze at the morning sunrise and sunset setting. 

I hadn’t realized how long it had been until I arrived at Kear Morhen. Years had passed, and I had gained the child princess and a few friends in those years. Yet even with the people around me, there was still an ache in my chest, so looking at her frozen staring with that scared expression only caused the hurt to grow. 

I introduced Ciri to everyone. Vesmir understood that this was a unique matter at hand. He helped me in any way I needed. I wake Ciri every morning before the morning rose above the mountain tops. “Come, let’s go practice.” At first, it was with swords and then with combat. And every day, Y/n watched us, unmoving and silent. Every day, like clockwork, Ciri would get distracted as she wandered off the battle arena and towards Y/n’s statue. “Who is this?” There was a tiny plaque at the bottom of her lonely statute—Y/n’s name written in a language known to only a few witchers, one of which was Y/n. 

On the plaque, it reads: 

Y/n, L/n 

The First and Only Female Witcher 

We miss you. 

“Someone important,” I tell Ciri, and that’s where I leave it, but I feel I should know better. Ciri will go on an adventure to figure it out herself, regardless of what I want her to know about it. “Let’s return to practice before you get distracted even further,” I tell Ciri, and she follows me obediently, but there is something, and I can feel it as if Ciri is drawn to Y/n. 

–

Geralt doesn’t talk much about his past, and I know he’s got secrets he’s unwilling to share with me right now. There is just something about that statute. I can’t read the plaque below it, yet I do not care. There is a beauty around her, so everyone had to go to bed to rest every night after I sneak out of the room and walk down to the statue. 

I sneak out to talk to her. Unlike Geralt, she couldn’t give me a look of not understanding or dismissing me when he’d heard enough about my thoughts. I just want and need someone to understand me. I would walk out and talk to her for nights in a row. About anything and everything. How training was going, how much I missed my grandmother, the war, and the magic I felt pumping through my veins. Anything that scared me I talked to her about. 

One night, I thought I got caught. I had snuck out after a late dinner. Geralt had said I needed to do more training than when we first arrived here, yet we had already been here for ages. His words and his calm demeanor pissed me off. “You don’t think I can do it, do you?” I yelled at Geralt. I was standing up from the table. The chair slid and scratched the floor in the process. “I never said that,” Geralt said calmly. “Yet you never say I’m doing good; you just grunt and walk away. You don’t even talk to me about anything. Everything is a damn secret, I just want to understand, yet that was the most difficult thing here.” I screamed before stomping to my room, leaving half-uneaten food on my plate. The sound of echoing feet happened hours later, and when I peeked my head out of the room, there was nobody in the living space. 

“I just don’t understand why he doesn’t talk about things. I just want him to teach me and not just grunt at me and then tell me to repeat what I was just doing.” I fuss at the beautiful statue. She’s cleaned every day, and she almost looks real. If I just climbed up and touched her, she would come to life before me. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m not cut out for this stuff,” I mumble as I look down at the ground before me. I must be too into my thoughts because I don’t hear when Vesmir comes behind me. 

“I see you’re out here talking to our beautiful Y/n.” Vesmir said, “Jesus, you scared the shit out of me, Vesmir.” I said, grabbing onto my chest and holding my fast-beating heart. “Wait, did you just say her name?” I asked, whipping around and asking Vesmir. He smiles down gently at me. “Of course, this is the only female witcher ever. She was the best of the best and a loving woman.” Vesmir adds before stepping further next to me. “I’m assuming from your reaction that Geralt hasn’t told you of the story about our dead Y/n.” I shake my head, “Hmm, I wonder, I must tell you now.” 

“So the story goes as follows. Y/n, the only female witcher, was with Geralt. God, they were in love with each other. They thought a hell of a lot of monsters together, but of course, a love story must always have a villain to it. There was a mage, according to Geralt. That had not taken his various forms of saying no to heart.  The mage had dragged Y/n into the fight that unfortunately put her in this frozen state.” Vesmir says, and as he continues to talk, he looks fondly at her.  

“So Geralt and her were together; no wonder he’s so tightlipped about her. He wouldn’t even tell me her name.” I say sadly, looking back up at her. “She is beautiful.” I say in a low, sadden voice, “Y/n is beautiful, I bet she was a great listener.” I say I hear a chuckle from behind “I wish I could have met her.” I say out loud, clearly. My hand sits on the stone base of her boot. “I figure she would have loved to have met you. You are much like her Ciri.” Vesmir adds. 

Just then there’s this moment of consuming silence. My hand still wrapped around her boot. “Ciri?” I hear Vesmir behind me. “What are you doing?” He asks, there’s shock in his voice, and a bit of terror. “I don’t… what are you talking about?” I ask looking up from the gravel beneath my feet. 

Her statue is lite up with a light blue hue. “I wasn’t… I was just holding her foot that was all I promise you.” The blue hue grows with strength until finally it echos into the sky, streaming onto every single surface it can touch. 

– 

I can sleep here, regardless of the anger that Ciri is pushing towards me. I can only ever sleep here at Kaer Morhen. It brings the past memeoties to the brim of my mind. Y/n fliters through my thoughts. Her voice echoing through my head, the sound of her laugh, the spring scent that followed her around. She was nothing like a witcher, her emotions open and willing to be connected with someone else. I ache in the best and worst ways for her. Yet I don;t dare tell Ciri about her. I can see it now, if Y/n was around she’d just love Ciri. Y/n would be so happy to be acting like her mother. As much as Y/n understood that she was the only female witcher, she also wished to be normal. She wished that she could have kids. It was a sad conversation that the both of us had to have. 

My eyes open with haste. A blue bright light pulling me from my dreams of my perfect family. There’s this searing blue light that is filtering through the walls of Kaer Morhen, and my thought flutter over to Ciri. I hope Ciri is alright. I jump up from the uncomfortable bed. I run through the halls, Ciri’s door is left open. Panic starts to set into my bones. I run around the others coming out of there rooms. The blue hue is fading away, and for a moment I swear I can hear Y/n’s voice. I push that away from my thoughts, as I frantly look for Ciri. I find that the front door is open wide, and when I look out there’s nothing but crumble stone all over the ground. 

“Geralt?” I hear Vesmir say. I look up front he ground swallow hard, bearing for the worst. Instead it’s not the worst. “I need you to believe what I’m about to say.” He says steadily. “Vesmir what are you talking about?” “Just let me finish alright, Ciri has awoken Y/n.” I stand there, my heart beats and my jaw leaps down to the ground in shock. We had tried everything, spells, magic, ruins to fix her condition. “Geralt?” A sweet voice calls from the dust before it all clears. 

There she is, standing in all of her glory. Grey hair that flows in the night wind. Y/n hasn’t aged a single day in the many years that she’s been frozen in her stone state. My hands shake my heart beats so fast I can hear it in my ears. I’ve never fetl a source of panic and relief all in one little moment. “Is that really you?” My voice is shattered and my heart feels as if it’s been broken and put back together all over again. “Oh my dear Geralt. I think you and I both know that it’s me.” Y/n says as her eyes flicker over tot heston slab we put her on, and then to Ciri. My eyes widden with shock. Y/n is most defintly not up there anymore, and the expression on Ciri’s face is easy to read. “Let’s take this inside, is that alright Vesmir?” Y/n asksher voice floating into my ears. It calms my racing heart. 

The walk inside is odd, and perfect all at the same time. We all sit at the same table that Ciri had just recently yelled at me. “Who may this be, Geralt?” She asks me, and it pulls me away from just staring at her. I use to stare at her all the time. Her beauty was always hard to not get distracted by. “This is um… this is Ciri.” I introduce her to Y/n. Y/n smiles sweetly over at her. “It’s a pleasure to met the person who fixed my rather unforotunate situation.” I forget how eloquent Y/n spoke most of the time. “I didn’t know that was going to happen.” Ciri speaks for the first time. “I told Ciri about what happened. Maybe that has something to do with this miracle.” Vesmir says looking over at me. I want to be anger with him and Ciri but the soft, and gentle hand that settles on my arm brings me back to earth. I can’t dare to be mad at either of them.

“I think we should thank them Geralt. As for without their efforts I would not have come back to you.” Y/n says looking over at me. I nod simply. “Thank you for bringing her back to me, Ciri. I owe you a lot more now.” Ciri looks at me notching her head to the side. “Geralt you don’t owe me anything. I just wanted to know moe about Y/n.” Ciri says look at he pair of us. “I would love to tell you more about me in the morning I’m rather tired.” Y/n says it like there’s nothing wrong with that fact. “Will you take me to bed, Geralt?” Y/n asks me, her grasps holding me tight. I shake my head not able to talk just yet. “I missed you.” Y/n says as we walk towards the room we used to share. 

Completed on: 08/27/23

Posted on: 08/28/23

The Heros-

[i-am-baechu]

Summary: Everything was perfect until it wasn’t. Y/N and Jungkook love each other but when familiar and new faces come into their lives, things get complicated. On top of that, a surprise that truly shakes their plans for the future. Will their relationship push forward or will Jungkook lose his fangirl once and for all?

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Chapter twenty-one: In & Out

→ Genre: Idol au, established relationships, girl group stan au, social media au, K-pop fan page au, romance, angst, comedy, and smut

→ Main pairing: Idol! Jungkook x Fan girl! Reader 

→ Side ships: Yoongi x OC & Jin x OC

→ Warnings: Explicit language, smut, mature themes, alcohol usage, anxiety disorder, stalking, and obsessive behavior

→ Warnings for the chapter: Talks of depression and dark thoughts (If this is triggering please don’t read it) 

→ Authors Note: If you are struggling in life please call 1-800-273-8255 or visit https://psychcentral.com/health/online-help-for-depression#list that has other resources to help you. You are never alone even if this world makes it seem like. Where there is love there is no darkness 💜

⇜ Masterlist ⇝

“There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.” – John Green

One of the worst things that can happen to someone is having their thoughts travel with no destination. It’s so dangerous but you don’t realize it until you have already left the train station. No matter what the weather is, nothing can change the feeling in your heart. The sun can shine through the window but there is no light in the compartment. Just darkness. The only way to escape is to pay the master gratitude and maybe then the sun could shine.

Y/N sat on the bed listening to the water hit the window. Pitter-patter. It was another rainy day in Korea and she couldn’t be bothered with the rain drops. They just keep reappearing. Rain is nice for others, it brings peace but for Y/N it's different. Each droplet contained a fragment of her life which is why she couldn’t look at the glass. It would make her remember or worse think. In moments like this, she was glad she had Jungkook in her life but today she didn’t want the comfort. She wanted the loneliness and she wanted to feel the nothingness at least then, nothing could hurt her.

Jungkook sat in the living room with the movie at a low volume. It’s been two weeks since Y/N left the guest room. He would come in and try to talk to her but she would just look at him with a blank expression. It was something he wasn’t used to from her and in all honesty it scared him. He felt his phone buzz and he picked it up, “Hyung...”

“Is she still in the room?”

Jungkook glanced up the stairs and sighed, “Yoongi, I don’t know what to do...I’m scared.”

“It’s been almost a month and she hasn’t talked to any of us. Maybe you should try again but this time be a little more firm.” 

“Firm? Is that the right action, especially how she is now?” 

“Okay, not firm...I guess just tell her your concerns and talk about more therapy.”

Jungkook nodded his head and rubbed Bam’s head with a small smile, “I’ll try...I’ll talk to you later.” 

“Good luck.”

Jungkook sighed and stood up from the couch. He glanced at a photo of Y/N and him at the beach. It was cloudy that day but that didn’t stop them from going. She wore his sweater and they looked out towards the water. That day, he saw a small look of Y/N’s mind. She talked about how she wasn’t sure how she felt and everything was confusing. The one thing that would never change no matter what, Jungkook wouldn’t be with her. One day at a time, he told her. 

He tossed his phone on the couch and smiled at Bam, “Stay.”

The big dog nodded his head and laid on the couch watching his master go up the stairs. With each step, Jungkook glanced at the photos that were placed on the wall. Each photo told their story, the moments that made his heart flutter no matter what. Like the moment when Y/N surprised him for his birthday in the dance studio or when Jungkook surprised her with roses on her birthday. Moments that made him know that this was worth it. 

He gently knocked on the door and slowly opened it to see Y/N staring at the wall. Something he grew accustomed to seeing. He closed the door quietly and sat on the bed. He gently rubbed her leg which was covered with the black blanket, “Babe...can we talk?”

“Mmmm...” 

He glanced down at the carpet and started playing with his fingers, “I think you should go to therapy more...”

“What’s the point?” 

His eyes widened when he heard this and glanced at her. This was the first time she answered him with words, “What do you mean what’s the point?” 

She slowly got up and stared down at the blanket, “It won’t help me at this point...I think I’m too far gone.” 

“Babe, what do you mean?” 

She glanced up at him and then back at the blanket, “There was a night at the hospital....Jeongguk I almost died.”

His eyes drifted to the blanket but he shook his head. He scouted closer to Y/N and placed his hand on top of hers, “Baby-”

“Jeongguk, have you ever experienced a near-death experience?” 

“Well...once at this concert but that doesn’t matter right now.”

She sighed and glanced at the window, “I met him, death...in my subconscious. I was in this beautiful house as he spoke to me like I was an old friend...well, I am one to him. I could’ve grabbed his hand and let everything be over. There was a part of me that wished I did because I’m just...I’m so tired Jeongguk...so tired.” 

Jungkook gripped her hand tighter and rubbed her knuckles softly, “Y-Y/N...I know things-”

“Jeongguk, someone tried killing me because I love you. Before that I was already going through things...the thought of being a mother scared me and just me wanting...”

“Wanting what?”

She looked at his face and a tear fell down, “I wanted to die Jeongguk...Everything was too much and I just couldn’t handle it. I hate that I felt like that because I had so much support from my friends but I-I...I just couldn’t.” 

Jungkook bit his lip and held back his tears because right now wasn’t the right time to cry. She needed him to be strong, “Baby, I can get you help-”

“Jeongguk, I love you so much...I don’t think I can be here anymore.”

His eyes widened at this and he stared at her, “What do you mean?” 

“I want to go back to my mom...I need to leave Korea for a while.”

He nodded his head at this and glanced down at the carpet, “Do you want to...do you want to break up?” 

She glanced at him and shook her head, “No...I don’t want to break up. I think it would be best if I stayed with my mom for a while...like a month.” 

He nodded his head and leaned forward placing a kiss on her forehead, “If you want that then I’ll support you. I’ll always be here for you.”

She leaned forward, having her head on his chest, “I love Jeon Jeongguk.”

“I love you L/N Y/N.” 

1:35 ───ㅇ───── 3:47

Jungkook sat in the dance room with his head between his legs. The night before was weighing on him heavily. That night, he slept with Y/N in the guest room. She cried into his chest as he rubbed her back hiding his own tears. Hearing the person you love wants to end their life was something he wished on no one.

“I knew you were going to be in here.” 

He looked up to see Namjoon with a bottle of water and a soft smile, “Hey...”

Namjoon sat next to him and set the water next to him. He let out a small sigh and leaned back on the glass, “I heard you talked to Y/N last night.”

Jungkook nodded his head at this and looked at Namjoon with a blank expression, “Y/N is going back to her mom's for a month.”

“That sounds good for her...what happened with the conversation?” 

“She told me something...”

Namjoon nodded his head and took a sip of his water, “You can tell me anything Jungkook.”

“When she was in the hospital...she almost died. She told me that she saw death and they talked...she also said she wanted to die but she chose differently.” 

Namjoon's eyes widened at this and put his water next to him to give him his full attention, “What?” 

“Y/N said she wanted to die and I think she basically had a mental breakdown because of what happened.” 

“That makes sense, Jungkook...someone tried killing her. She is also dealing with it at work, it's a lot for one person.” 

Jungkook looked up at the ceiling and closed his eyes, “I know...I hate myself that I didn’t notice it.”

“Jungkook, you can’t put this pressure on yourself. I think you always knew she was having a hard time.” 

“I did but I-I just didn’t notice how bad it was...if I noticed it maybe I could’ve helped her sooner.”

Namjoon placed his hand on his shoulder and brought him in a hug, “It’s not your fault...it's the people out there that are doing this to you guys.” 

Jungkook finally let his emotions break through and he started crying in his chest, “I-I just want to be happy with her. I want to spend my life with her and experience everything with her. Why can’t the world let me be happy?” 

“Shh...it’s okay Jungkook. It’s okay.” 

“Wh-When I find the person that did this to her, it’s going to be war.” 

Namjoon nodded his head as he rubbed his back, “We’ll be by your side. No one messes with us.” 

That night when Jungkook came home, he saw Y/N in the kitchen drinking some tea. She looked so tired and it broke his heart to see her like this. He placed his things on the table and walked towards her. She glanced up and gave him a small smile, “Hey, you.” 

“Hey, baby. How are you doing?”

She glanced down at her mug and then back at him, “I made tea. My mom told me to make it, she said it would make me feel better.” 

“That's good, baby. When do you want to leave?” 

She walked towards him and leaned her body against his, “I was thinking Friday...”

“Friday? That’s in three days.”

“I thought the faster I go, the faster I come back.” 

He nodded his head and kissed the top of her head, “If that’s what you want...I’ll be here waiting for you. I’ll give you space.” 

“I don’t want that much space, Kook.” 

“We’ll get through this.”

“We will.” 

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Tag List:

@agustdpeach @mdavt @aloverga @drissteele @xngelsau

[thelargefrye]

CHAPTER ONE … the stranger in the woods

pairing : ateez x f!reader (eventual poly relationship)

genre : atla au, slow burn, comedy, angst, fluff

word count : 2.6k

warnings : language, mentions of being attacked by fire benders

note : tag list has been moved to the end of chapter! feedback is appreciated!

you found a stranger in the woods during a storm, not yet knowing that it seemingly change your life.

IT WAS RAINING THE DAY YOU CAME ACROSS THE STRANGER. the storm had been raging on for what felt like hours now, and you were surprised to see that the large gusts of winds and rain hadn’t blown you away yet. 

but the storm was the least of your worries as you found the stranger, heavily injured and now thanks to the rain, covered in mud and leaves. he looked like he was on the verge of death and you noticed the burn marks here and there on his body. you felt your hands throb underneath their bandages as you remember how it felt to be burned by fire – or firebenders.

was he attacked by firebenders? was what ran through your head as you picked him up, throwing his arm over your shoulder as you hurried as fast as you could back to your grandmother’s house. 

your grandmother was surprised when you busted through the door with the stranger, and she immediately had you lay him down in order to patch his wounds up. you hadn’t noticed it when you picked him up, now that you were out of the storm, you took in his vibrant blue arrow tattoos that covered his body. 

was he an airbender? you had only heard stories of how the airbenders would gain those tattoos after mastering their element. you figured only older air nomads had those arrow tattoos, but you’re glad to see your assumption proven wrong. you also couldn’t help but notice how beautiful the stranger was. 

he was probably the most beautiful man you had ever seen in your life. not even the village’s most handsome could match against this stranger. 

“he should be fine now, thankfully his injuries weren’t too bad,” your grandmother says and you let out a sigh you hadn’t known to have been holding. after that, your grandmother scolded you to go change your clothes, not fully noticing how you were still soaked to the bone. your mind is only concerned about the stranger. 

“do you think he was attacked by firebenders?” you asked your grandmother after you had changed your clothes. the older woman is silent for a moment as she stirs the soup she had been previously making before you stormed inside the door. 

“his injuries sure do seem like that’s what happened,” she replies, but you can sense the dread that takes over her body. she really didn’t want that to be the case. recently, you had overheard several of the men in the village talk about how the fire nation has been seen all over the earth kingdom. 

everyone felt tense about it, and rightfully so. the fire nation was a powerful nation with their military and obviously also thanks to their bending powers. fire. some would consider fire to be the most powerful element, but others would argue and say it was the most destructive. 

you would have to agree with fire being the most destructive element. only because you’ve only seen people use it for destruction. 

“i heard some men in the village say they’re worried about the fire nation. some travelers are talking about how they are planning to start a war with the other nations,” you say as you fumble with one of her many nick-nacks that sat on the table. 

it all felt weird and something uneasy sat in your stomach at how this was all going. your eyes drifted over to the stranger who laid peacefully in bed. 

“i’m not sure, dear, many things happen in this world without reason or explanation and sometimes we just have to accept those things. if the fire nation starts a war, the other nations can only do what they can to either stop it or fight back.”

her words settled on your mind for the rest of the night, even as you ate and went to bed. the stranger was still unconscious and the storm still savagely raged on. you remember your grandmother mumbling about how the spirits must be upset about something for the storm to be this harsh. 

WHEN YOU WAKE UP THE NEXT MORNING, you find the stranger trying his best to make it to the door. you let out a gasp at the sight of him limping towards the door. 

“hey, you can’t go out! you’re still injured!” you say doing your best to stop him from leaving. the stranger, despite his injuries, is surprisingly much stronger than he seems. he easily blows a gust of air at you, knocking you down as he reaches for and opens the door. you let out a huff as you move and manage to grab his ankle, stopping him from moving. 

“let go! i have to go find moni!” he hisses out trying to pry your hand away from his leg. 

“no! you’re still injured! you need to rest before you hurt yourself even more,” you bite back before pulling on the stranger’s ankle and making him stumble back. 

the stranger falls back, landing on your body and you both let out a groan and you hear footsteps coming from somewhere else in the house, that you can only assume it's your grandmother.

“what on earth are you two doing?” she asks, coming into the room and is surprised to see the stranger collapsed on top of you. 

“he was trying to leave, granny! i was just… ugh, trying to stop him. hey, will you… please get off me! you’re kind of heavy,” you say and you feel the stranger shift before he manages to roll off of you and you are quick to stand up. 

“i need to leave! i have to go find moni before those fire bastards find him!” the stranger says and it only confirms the fact that he was attacked by firebenders. 

“boy, you are in no shape to be looking for your friend. you need to rest,” your grandmother says as she helps him up and makes him sit back on the bed. “if it makes you feel better, my granddaughter will go search for him.”

you look at your grandmother in shock. surprised that she would volunteer for you to search for this stranger’s friend. 

“that’s very kind of you, but i would rather look for him. i know he’s probably very scared right now especially thanks to the storm that was going on last night,” the stranger says as he once more stands up. he lets out a small grunt as he stands, but tries his best to hide it. 

“then let her go with you. my granddaughter is very familiar with these woods and will help you find your friend faster,” she says and the stranger looks from her to you before down at the floor. its obvious he’s considering it, thinking it over before he lets out a small sigh. its clear your grandmother will not let him go out by himself, adamant on you going with this stranger. 

“fine, if you are insistenting then i guess i could use the help,” he says and your grandmother smiles at him before she turns to pack your bag for you to take. 

“yeosang,” the stranger says as he watches your grandmother pack the bag. you look at the man with a confused look. “my name… it's yeosang,” he finishes.

“oh, i’m y/n,” you tell him with a little smile. 

“SO… WHAT DOES YOUR FRIEND LOOK LIKE?”

“large, fury,” he answers as the two of you walk through the forest together. the aftermath of the storm is something you haven’t seen before. trees uprooted and threw across the forest, branches broken here and there, and it really looked like a tornado had swept through the area. 

“well, then he should be pretty easy to find then. there’s a cave not too far from here, maybe he went there to hide,” you suggested after the two of you basically climbed over a large log before continuing on the dirt path that had been basically man-made over the years of people using this route to travel between the different villages in the earth kingdom. 

“that’s probably a good place to check,” he says before he allows you to lead him to the cave that’s nearby. the cave is usually a place known to the villagers, especially the kids who are hiding there from their parents when they are going through their “runaway” phase. 

“it should be close,” you tell yeosang as and sure enough the two of you come across the cave. yeosang quicken up his pace as he rushed into the cave, calling out to his friend as he entered it.

“moni! moni, are you here? moni!” his voice echoes throughout the cave as you follow close behind him. you were shocked when you seen a large bison hiding out inside the cave, but this didn’t seem like any regular bison. the arrow design on its fur let you know this was a flying bison and more than likely yeosang’s “friend” he was looking for.

“moni!” yeosang said with a sigh of relief as he ran up to the bison and hugged him. the bison lets out a small roar before he lazily licks yeosang who you notice smiles up at the bison before he’s turning to you, his smile somewhat disappearing, but still remaining on his face. “thank you for helping me find moni,” he tells you and you feel a heat rush over your face as you as you can notice the rather gentle smile overtake yeosang’s face. 

“um, it's no problem! but… you still need to rest though, you’re in no place to be trying to leave or fly anywhere,” you tell him, still concerned over his well being. 

you can tell yeosang is conflicted about what you are telling him. you can see the conflict of everything going through his mind and you wonder if there’s something else he’s worried about. something different than finding his flying bison. 

did it have something to do with the firebenders attacking him? was he separated from someone else and wanting to go find them?

“how long will it take until i can leave?” he asks, bringing you out of your thoughts. 

“three days at the most,” you answer him. 

“then i’ll stay and rest, then on the third day i’ll leave. i… have someone that i need to find,” he says, proving your theory that he was probably wanting to go look for someone. 

“okay,” you tell him before you and him are making your way back to your grandmother’s house. yeosang is kind enough to allow you to ride on the back of moni. 

THE NEXT THREE DAYS, you spend making sure yeosang doesn’t push himself while also helping take care of moni. the giant bison seemingly takes a quick interest in you as you feed him different types of vegetables that you and your grandmother grew in her small garden, plus whatever you had bought at the market in the village. 

you have also started taking a liking to yeosang, he’s become a nice addition to the house that only kept you and your grandmother. the airbender would often share things with you about his people, telling you stories that date back to centuries ago. 

you’ve noticed that your village has also taken a liking to yeosang, the village children entranced by his cool persona. often begging him to show them some of his airbending, which he does but not without a few playful complaints thrown in. 

“where are you going to go once you heal?” you ask him on the his last night. the two of you are laying in a field near your grandmother’s. moni is not too far away as well, rolling around peacefully in the field. 

you refuse to look at yeosang, instead keeping your eyes on the stars above you. word has been spreading that the fire nation is starting to close in on the earth kingdom with rumors about them already killing most of the air nomads. 

“i’m not sure, i just know i need to find my friend,” he says and you can hear the concern in his voice at the thought of perhaps not finding his friend. 

“your friend… he’s really precious to you isn’t he?” you ask, feeling your heart race for some unknown reason, or rather one you refuse to acknowledge. 

“he is, that’s why i need to find him before the fire nation does,” yeosang says with a sudden spark of determination. “do you have anyone precious to you?” he then asks, catching you off guard.

“my grandmother is precious to me,” you tell him, but you know that’s not what he means. 

“is there anyone else?” yes, you want to tell him, but you don’t think you have the heart to talk about him. yeosang turns his head briefly to look at you as he notices your quietness. he’s greeted with the sight of your glossy eyes as you continue to look up at the stars. “i’m sorry… you don’t– i shouldn’t have asked.”

“it’s okay, i lost him because i wasn’t brave enough and i think i’ll probably regret it for the rest of my life,” you confess with a heavy heart as you wipe your tears away. the two of you bask in the silence between each other for a few more hours, before yeosang is helping you onto moni and is taking you back to your grandmother’s.

it feels odd to see yeosang off. you want him to stay, but you know he needs to find his friend. the two of you are standing in front of each other, you shuffle from foot to foot as your eyes look from anywhere but at the airbender in front of you. his wounds have healed nicely and you’re happy to see that he’s gotten his strength back. 

“um… thank you, y/n, for finding me and helping me,” yeosang says as he looks at you with a soft smile. the two of you have definitely warmed up to each other over the past three days, but you still feel like he’s a stranger to you. you kind of don’t want him to leave so soon, you want to get the chance to know him better.

before you can say anything, your grandmother is coming out of the house, a bag in her hands before she’s basically shoving the bag into your own. 

“g-granny? what are you doing?” you ask, taken off guard by her actions. 

“my dear, you’re going to join yeosang on his journey. he’ll need someone to look after him and moni,” she says with a smile and you miss the blush that overtakes yeosang’s face.

“go with… yeosang? but granny, what about you? i need to stay and help you out,” you say, you would love to go with yeosang, this could be your chance to leave your village, but… what about your granny? you need to be here for her and help her out around the house.

“my y/n, you don’t need to worry about me. i feel that yeosang might need you more during his journey,” she tells you and you turn to look at yeosang who is already looking at you. 

“i don’t think your grandmother is going to let me leave without you,” he starts and you feel kind of bad. like your grandmother has literally pressured him into making him take you along with him. “but i don’t mind. moni seems to have really taken a liking to you, and it would be nice to have some company,” he adds with a smile making you smile as well.

“well, then i guess i can’t argue with you and granny. so… should we be off then?” you ask and yeosang nods. you bid goodbye to your granny before yeosang is helping you on top of moni. the two of you take off as you finally ask yeosang who you are looking for. 

“his name is hongjoong, and he’s… he’s the avatar,” he confessed to you.

tag list : @invuwrld @frankenstein852 @watamotee33 @kawennote09 @mixling-blog @hwal0v3r @marahleiwhen @harry-the-pottypus @rdiamond2727 @sanniesbum @marvelahsobx @voidcupidz @khjcoo @mysticfire0435 @exfolitae @kangskims @cvpitvno

networks : @cultofdionysusnet

bold means unable to tag!

[wild-karrde]

Guarded - Part 2

Master List | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

A/N: HI HELLO HOWDY. I know it's been a minute, but I'm STILL WORKING ON THIS REWRITE! And HERE IS THE NEXT PART! Just a reminder that if you get antsy, you can still read the rest of this fic (I'm leaving all the chapters on the master list). I'll just be updating them as I go, and the "Next Part" of the new chapters won't link to an old one so you can see where I am with the update. As always, thank you to the stupendous @teletraan-meets-jarvis for beta-reading this for me!

Chapter Rating: T

Warnings: language

Word Count: 4.4k words

Captain Typho led the squad of clones down the elaborate hallways, their boot heels clicking on the flawless marble flooring. Stained glass windows tinted the sunlight shining in, casting various shades of reds and purples across them as they walked in silence.

Crosshair took in the environment around him silently, his eyes scanning every inch of the palace they walked thorugh. It was breathtaking, particularly after he’d spent most of his life on Kamino, then starship after starship, and then of course the Imperial prison that he’d been placed in after attempting to return to the Empire. He shuddered slightly at the memory of the cool, dark cell that he’d been locked in. The single member of his Imperial squad that had escaped from Tipoca City had sealed his fate in the Empire’s eyes. 

Traitor. 

Rampart’s words echoed in his mind. He remembered hanging his head, studying his boots as the realization of his fate sunk in. 

A traitor, but to who?

He was grateful that his brothers had rescued him from the prison, but he was also angry with them, angry that they didn’t come for him sooner, angry that they’d abandoned him in the first place. It seemed like anger was almost all he could feel anymore, but most of it was directed internally.

How much of it was the chip, and how much of it was me?

The Empire had told him his chip was removed from the start, claiming that they’d removed it to test his loyalty as a soldier rather than enhancing it, strengthening it so that he would be helpless to resist it. He’d never questioned that, even as he shot Wrecker while his brothers had tried to escape. He had planned on killing them all, drawing them out one by one, and not for a second did he question this sudden change in loyalty. 

Good soldiers follow orders. Kill the traitors. 

The enhancements to the chip had been so thorough that nothing in his mind had noted the difference. He’d heard Wrecker talk about trying to fight the chip when his own had activated, but Crosshair hadn’t even known to try. He fought back in some ways, but he always thought it was an internal struggle, his “severe and unyielding” nature, as Tech had put it pushing back against something else.

He hadn’t realized that the chip had been damaged by the Venator’s engines, hadn’t known that he’d been able to resist it after that. He just assumed he still had control, unable to differentiate where his own will ended and the chip’s programming began. He hadn’t even noticed the difference in how he viewed his brothers, how he no longer wanted to just kill them or the sudden remorse he felt for shooting Wrecker. He’d always just assumed it was him being conflicted and changing as the Empire evolved.

The most painful thing for Crosshair was that while he hadn’t noticed the abrupt change within himself, neither had his brothers, the ones that knew him best. Of course they’d initially suspected the chip, but when he told them that the chip had been removed, as he believed it had, they didn’t question it. They just believed him, believed that he was capable of the things that he’d done, and that was what tortured him at night as his brothers snored around him. 

They thought I was a monster.

His chip had continued to degrade in the prison, and the headaches became more frequent. By the time Tech and Hunter had burst through his cell door, he’d been curled in a corner, rocking back and forth in agony as his brain felt like it was throwing itself against the inside of his skull. Tech had scanned him as soon as they’d gotten back to the Marauder, finding the bright abnormality in his brain immediately. The look of guilt that they all shared when they saw it crushed him as he realized what they’d thought of him. Now, his fingers absently drifted to graze the uneven scarring pattern on the right side of his head as he rehashed the memories.

Of course I was loyal to the Empire. I had nowhere else to go. And then, when they gave up on me, I had nothing. I still might have nothing, just the illusion of their trust. 

Now, it was as if he was a complete stranger to them, no one knowing the way forward after what they’d endured. Hunter had tried to fall back into their normal routine, almost as if he refused to acknowledge Crosshair being gone in the first place, but it just made the disconnect even more apparent. Wrecker was borderline clingy, constantly trying to joke him out of his foul moods and playfully shoving him to try and regain some sort of normalcy.  Echo very clearly had no idea how to be around him, and Tech was, well…Tech, going about his business as normal, but with the occasional guilty look when he thought Crosshair wasn’t looking. Crosshair suspected he felt the most remorse for not putting the pieces together sooner. 

Omega had oddly been the most tolerable. He hadn’t forgotten what she said as they escaped Tipoca City, and neither had she. She’d been quiet in her attempt to reintegrate him into the team, never really pushing him. The first day back, he’d been sitting quietly in the back of the ship, chewing on one of his fingernails to try and calm his nerves as his eyes darted around the space he’d once called home. Omega had approached quietly, offering him a toothpick from his pack that they’d kept aboard the Marauder. He’d snarled at her as he took it, but immediately popped it between his teeth, chewing it as he mulled over what his future would hold. 

But she stayed. 

After that, she’d sometimes just sit by him quietly tinkering on something or reading on her datapad while he cleaned his rifle, never attempting an unnecessary conversation, but just existing near him in a way that the others seemed incapable of. She’d occasionally ask questions about his weapon, and he’d reflexively be annoyed, but it never seemed to deter her, and after a while, he gave in, describing the modifications he’d made and how the weapon worked. He’d noted Hunter watching them at times, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips, which just annoyed Crosshair more. 

He would never admit it, but he missed the kid, even if she was safer in the place she was now. They’d left her at the fledgling rebel base on Yavin 4 to continue her medical training beyond what she’d already learned on Kamino. She was eager to help the rebellion in any way she could, and Crosshair found that admirable, especially in one still so young.

The sniper was snapped out of his own thoughts as he ran into Wrecker’s back. He was immediately annoyed he’d let his thoughts get the better of him and even more annoyed when he noted Wrecker’s wide-eyed wonder. The large clone had stopped to stare up at the stained glass window that they’d just walked past. A woman with dark hair in a long red gown was depicted. The gown appeared to be fur-lined with massive amber gems accenting the hem. A golden headpiece framed her face as her long hair hung down her back. Her expression appeared solemn and, in Crosshair’s opinion, someone grief-stricken. At least as much as a stained-glass depiction could be.

“Is that-” 

“Former Queen Padmé Amidala,” Tech stated. “After serving both of her terms, she served as a senator for Naboo, who died-“

“Serving her people,” Typho interrupted him. The captain’s face was stony, but Crosshair didn’t miss the clench of his fist at his side nor the sadness in his eyes.

“I apologize. You were in her service at the time of her death, correct?” Tech asked.

“I was.”

Hunter stepped forward. “I’m sorry. We never had the privilege of meeting the Senator, but by all accounts, she was kind and fought the good fight. Moreso than a lot of her political counterparts.”

Typho nodded, gazing at the window for another moment before turning wordlessly on his heel to continue down the hall. 

Crosshair knew that look. It was one of a man that felt he had failed, one of guilt that he carried like a brand on his soul. It was a feeling Crosshair was all too familiar with.

They turned down a few more corridors before arriving in a hall that split off into multiple dormitories and suites.

“The queen’s suite is this door here,” Typho said, indicating a large carved wooden door to their left. The door was ornate and seemed mostly decorative, but Crosshair noted the blast door slats that were hidden along the edges of the frame, likely intended to seal in the event of a palace breach. The keypad to the right of the door seemed to be a straightforward biometric interface, one that could likely be overridden by a select few such as the captain in an emergency. 

“Will we be allowed to inspect it for security purposes?” Echo asked, interrupting Crosshair’s observations.

“You may once we get you situated. We had an…incident a few rotations ago, which is the reason why you’re here.” Crosshair noted the captain’s eyes darting towards the keypad as he nervously flexed his fingers at his side. 

He must have had to try out those emergency overrides the other night then. 

Typho continued down the hall to the next door down. “This is the handmaidens’ dormitory. And this,” he said, backtracking to the door closest to the main hallway, “is where you’ll be staying. We’ll give you the codes to get in and out.” Reaching down, he punched a four digit code that Crosshair immediately memorized. Glancing over, he could see Tech noting it in his datapad as well. 

The clones followed Typho into the common area of the suite, which had a set of couches gathered around a low table. There were several bedrooms branching off the main gathering area, and Crosshair rolled his eyes as Wrecker raced into the first bedroom. 

“It’s got its own ‘fresher and everything!” he exclaimed gleefully, poking his head back out of the door with a wide grin.

“Two beds per room, so I’m afraid you’ll have to share,” Typho said apologetically.

Hunter chuckled. “After spending so much time tripping over each other on our ship, that won’t be an issue, Captain. We appreciate the hospitality.”

The captain nodded. “These uniforms are what you shall wear around the palace while you are protecting the Queen.” He gestured at a table where the uniforms had been laid out by the palace staff. Crosshair did his best to not immediately wrinkle his nose at the yellow fabric and brown, seemingly leather armor. 

Those chest plates wouldn’t stop a stiff breeze. And they look like they weigh a ton.  

Wrecker appeared to be far more enthusiastic about their new wardrobe, immediately reaching for the largest helmet, and letting out a whoop when it slid easily onto his head. 

Typho smirked. “We’ve had larger guards in the past, although ones your size are few and far between. However, I’ve been assured that this uniform should fit you, Wrecker.”

“Thanks!” the large clone exclaimed.

The captain glanced around one more time at each of them before turning to Hunter. “I’ll leave you to settle in and get changed. I have other duties I must attend to. I’ll stop back by in a while to brief you further. Until then, I must ask that you not leave this suite unless escorted. There’s a signal pad by the door to summon an aide should you require anything further.” 

Hunter nodded in acknowledgement, and with that, the captain slipped his helmet back on and departed with only the hiss of their door marking his exit.

“Well, this all seems…weird,” Echo said, picking up one of the Naboo armor pieces to inspect it.

“How so?” asked Hunter, neatly stacking his clone armor in one corner before pulling his shirt over his head. 

“Well for starters, the queen’s older than I expected,” Echo noted, setting aside the new armor to start working at the latches on his own chest plate. “I thought all Naboo queens were teenagers. Senator Amidala was only fourteen when she took the job if I remember correctly.”

Tech already had the yellow tunic on and was cinching the provided belt around his waist. “You would be correct, Echo. Typically, the Naboo elect significantly younger queens. However, there have been some exceptions, such as Queen Réillata, who succeeded Senator Amidala. I believe Queen Nodala is actually the oldest monarch elected. She ran on a very anti-occupation platform, stating that she wished to protect Naboo’s sovereignty, which aligned with popular sentiments. Her opponent was much more lenient towards the Imperials. Nodala’s election actually was taken as quite the rebuke of the Empire, which has likely contributed to her ongoing troubles with them.”

“Sure, fine. But why are we here then? They’ve got a whole Palace Guard. What could we be needed for?” Echo muttered, finally managing to get his armor undone. It took him more time to get out of his kit with one hand, but he’d adjusted remarkably in the time since he’d joined their squad, and they all knew better than to offer to help him. 

“I can answer that,” came a voice from behind them. They all turned to find the lieutenant from the throne room standing in the doorway. 

Iden, Crosshair noted mentally. Short. Confident. Observant. 

He’d noticed how her eyes hadn’t stopped scanning them since she’d first been introduced to them, and even now, she appeared to be mentally taking notes as she glanced around the room. He tried not to glare when her eyes passed over him, one eyebrow raising slightly in appraisal before she turned to address Hunter. 

Bit of a bitch, but maybe that comes with the territory of being short in stature and having an authority position. 

“Glad to see your uniforms fit,” she said with a grin, extending a gloved hand to Hunter. “I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced. I’m Lieutenant Iden Vena, chief of the Palace Guard and head of security under Captain Typho.”

Hunter clasped her arm, and the rest of them nodded their acknowledgements, introducing themselves one by one. 

“So, what is it you need us for?” Hunter asked. “So far, we’ve been given almost no information.”

“You are required because you can operate outside the bounds of the Naboo guard, even if you’ll be dressed like them,” Iden replied, eyes still roving over the group. “Many of our officers are volunteers, and even though they receive excellent training, it’s become increasingly apparent recently that additional help is needed if we are to protect the queen.”

Hunter nodded. “Captain Typho mentioned a recent incident.”

Iden’s mouth hardened into a thin line. “Did he now?” 

Crosshair watched as her jaw twitched. 

This was personal to her, he thought. Somehow, she feels the failure is hers. And she really doesn’t like feeling like a failure. 

Iden took a deep breath, clearly weighing how much to tell them without her commanding officer present. Finally, she sighed, meeting Hunter’s eyes. “There was a lapse in our security. We have not completed the investigation yet, but it appears the rotation schedule was tampered with, although we have yet to identify how. Either way, an assassin was able to breach our external perimeter, scale the outer walls, and make it into the queen’s private quarters through a window.”

“Well, they clearly didn’t succeed, so at least your security held up where it counted,” Echo attempted to counter, but Iden shook her head, seeming to cringe.

“Actually, the queen was the one who shot him. We arrived moments later. He died before we could interrogate him.”

Echo and Wrecker’s mouths fell open slightly and Hunter and Tech exchanged a look. Even Crosshair felt his eyebrow raise in surprise. 

The queen can handle herself apparently.

“There have been other attempts on the queen’s life of course,” Iden continued quickly. “That comes with being the leader of a planet, but they’ve become more frequent and more well-planned. This was the closest they’ve come, and we fear there will be more, which is why we’ve brought you in.”

“Who would want to do this?” Hunter asked.

Iden gave him a hard look. “We have our suspicions, but we are still investigating who could be responsible. As for motive, all I can say is that it is a resources dispute.”

Crosshair’s teeth clamped down on his toothpick in annoyance. 

She’s lying.

“Not telling us what’s going on makes our job harder. You’ve got to know that,” Echo grumbled, echoing Crosshair’s own thoughts.

“I understand, but that is all I am able to tell you at this time,” Iden replied curtly, glowering at Echo.

Definitely a bit of a bitch.

The tension grew as the silence stretched out until Tech stepped forward, datapad in hand. “We were told we would be able to inspect the queen’s quarters. I’d like to get an idea of what your surveillance system looks like.”

Iden shot him a glare as well, but Tech didn’t appear to notice as he continued punching buttons on his datapad. Echo tried a more gentle tack. 

“It’ll give us a better idea of how we can help you.” 

The lieutenant narrowed her eyes, giving Echo a once over before finally nodding. 

“Very well. This way please.”

Iden led them back down the hall and through the large wooden door. She used a code to enter, which Crosshair found interesting. 

They must only use the biometrics for emergency entry. That makes sense. Probably on a separate circuit as well. Harder to fake those than an access code.

He did find himself annoyed that Iden cast a glance back over her shoulder before she managed to block his view of the keypad completely. It made sense from a security perspective, but it only seemed to drive home the point that they were outsiders, others brought in to help while not being given the full weight of the Naboo Guard’s trust. 

Fine then.

The room itself was simple enough with a line of windows that looked out over the private gardens on the palace grounds, a few decorative paintings and tapestries, and a large bed tucked against one wall with matching nightstands flanking it. There was a small hallway that led back towards a connected private refresher with a massive closet tucked next to it, and at the end of the hall was a small private office that the queen presumably used when it was more convenient than working at the desk in the throne room.

Tech and Echo spoke with Iden in hushed voices, going over the layout of the security system while Hunter and Wrecker inspected the various rooms. Crosshair leaned against the window, peering out at the grounds below. Remembering Iden’s description of how the attacker got into the room, he walked along the line of windows, trying to find the entry point of the assailant. At the place where the windows met the exterior wall of the room, he found where he believed the man must have climbed up. The windows ended near a decorative stone column that protruded off the building, framing the edge of an arch that extended over the windows. There was just enough of a ledge where someone could have a finger hold that would allow them to haul themselves up and through the window. As the sniper’s eyes scanned the architecture, he noted a small indentation driven into the stone. 

They had climbing gear. They planned this well in advance and knew what they were doing. 

Leaning up against the window, he looked down. It was about a fifteen story drop to the gardens below. There was a line of trees that probably would have kept the assassin concealed from view for the first few meters, but they still would have been completely exposed for a majority of the climb.

They must have scaled the wall quickly in order to not be seen by the incoming guards. Or the guards were too stupid to note someone on the side of the building. 

He pressed his fingertips against the windows, glancing at the mechanisms that allowed them to open. 

Locked from the inside, thick glass, wouldn’t have been able to shoot it out with a single blaster bolt, and they knew it.  

“How did the assassin get through the window?” he asked, and the room went silent. He felt irritation twist his gut, but shrugged it off as his brothers and Iden all turned and stared at him. He’d rarely spoken to them unprompted since his return, so hearing him ask a question was understandably somewhat of a surprise. That didn’t stop him from being annoyed by their reactions. 

They want normalcy, but when I speak, they act like I’ve grown a second head. 

He clenched his teeth a little tighter around the toothpick, but said nothing further.

Iden stepped forward, pointing at the pane at the end of the line of windows. “We believe he used some sort of device to disable the window lock from the outside, although we haven’t been able to determine what yet.”

Tech walked up to the window, adjusting his goggles as he inspected the locks. “This would have required a rather simple apparatus to de-magnetize the locking mechanism and enable the intruder to open the locks. It would not even register as a perimeter breach in the system, so an alarm would never have been triggered.” He turned to look at Iden, who was clearly struggling with the “simple” part of his statement.

“We didn’t really anticipate someone scaling the side of the building. The locking is mainly to keep them closed should there be a concussive explosion near the palace during an attack. The glass is blast-proof.”

Tech said nothing as he contemplated the information for a moment. “And now? Have there been changes to protocols in light of these recent events?”

“We’re working on replacing the locking devices with something more sophisticated,” Iden replied, clearly on her back foot in this exchange and not pleased about it.

“Excellent.”

Echo and Hunter exchanged a look. “So, how did the rest of the incident play out?” the clone sergeant asked.

Just then, the door behind them opened, and Captain Typho entered. “Ah, good. You got started with the inspection.”

“I was just asking for the details on the incident you mentioned,” Hunter repeated.

Typho walked to the bed, turning to face the window. “The queen was asleep but was startled awake by the sound of the window lock disengaging and the window opening. She said she sat up, saw the intruder, got out of bed, and took shelter behind this nightstand.” He let his gloved hand rest on the wooden surface of the nightstand as he stepped through the scenario. Crosshair noted how small the nightstand was. 

She would have had to crouch down very low and hug the wall tightly to hide. Either the assassin is a terrible shot or the queen is incredibly lucky. Perhaps both.

Typho continued. “The queen was able to retrieve her weapon from her nightstand drawer. The intruder got up on the bed, standing over her. At that point, the queen decided to…erm…tackle him.”

“Tackle him?” Echo asked, stunned. Wrecker let out an approving laugh, a smile creeping across his face.

“Yes. She managed to incapacitate him and hang on to her weapon. She attempted to subdue him, but he did not comply, and she was forced to shoot him. He died before he could be interrogated further.” Typho’s eyes rested on a particular spot on the floor, clearly replaying the moment in his head. Crosshair assumed that was where they’d found the assailant, and an amused smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he imagined the scene.

The captain must have been absolutely fraught, walking in on the queen in her nightgown with a dead man underneath her. It was obvious to him that the queen and the captain shared a close relationship, although to what extent, he couldn’t be sure. Close enough to where she’s fine pushing his buttons in front of unfamiliar company, and close enough to where he feels comfortable pushing back against her, however subtly. He flicked the toothpick between his teeth to the other side of his mouth as he pictured the amount of force the queen would have had to hit the assassin with in order to tackle him, much less subdue him. It was hard to imagine the woman they’d met in the throne room doing such a thing, but her being alive was enough of a confirmation of what she could do. A woman capable of that hardly needs a security force, he mused internally.

Hunter was stroking his chin as he considered the scenario. “I understand you’re upping your security system on the windows. What other measures have you taken since the attack?”

“Each rotation schedule is signed off manually now. We no longer rely on the automated systems to generate it, so there should never be another gap to allow someone to penetrate our patrol area. In addition, we’ve doubled patrols for redundancy. We have a team inspecting all of our other security measures to audit any other shortfalls we may have, and any changes we make are being kept confidential among the security force. We would welcome your input on that as well.” Hunter turned to Tech who nodded in agreement.

“And then there’s you. We’d like to have one of you stationed with the queen at all times during the day, and then of course, you’ll be right down the hall at night. We plan on installing a panic alarm on the nightstand here that would allow her to alert you should something occur.”

Hunter bobbed his head in understanding. “Alright. We will work up a guard rotation schedule and supply you with it.”

“That would be most helpful and appreciated.”

Crosshair noted Tech had wandered back to the window and was inspecting the locking mechanisms again. As his brother fiddled with the controls, he watched as the window opened slowly. One thing about the entire exercise caught his attention, sticking in the back of his mind. 

The window unlatched without any sound at all.

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[mxtantrights]

the sequel press conference

this is a snippet from the famous dc!au that started with The Greatest Hits [read here] you don’t have to read it but a lot of things would make sense if you do! hope you enjoy.

Having a press conference for the sequel to your highly anticipated movie should be a good thing. You should be happy. You get to sit among the cast and Dent, and talk about the film you all made together.

But this isn't a happy occasion. Dent reached out to both you and Jason about doing a conference about the halting of your movie you were disappointed. You had thought he and all the other powerful people in cinema has talked Lex down from whatever master plan he was implementing. That didn't happen.

So now here you are about to walk out onto a podium with your cast and director to speak to the world. None of you had the answers but you did owe it to the fans to let them know how hard everyone worked on the movie and to tell them how badly you want it to be released.

"Hey," Jason says from besides you and tangles his fingers with yours, "it's gonna be okay, we're not the bad guys here."

You nod your head, "I know, I know. But still. I mean so many people are waiting for this movie to come out. So many people on set haven't been paid."

"Hey it can't all be on you. Today our only job is to talk about how much we love our film and will do anything to get it released." Jason speaks.

You squeeze his hand in yours. He squeezes it back.

"Okay everyone we're on. Remember we have the name cards on the table!" Dent shouts.

And with that you and Jason let go of each other. There was also that. You two were not public. Not yet. The two of you have talked about it over and over. While yo both agree that the publicity of your relationship isn't something that would scare either of you, there was no 'right' time to reveal it to the world.

Or, you should say, to the rest of the world. For all intents and purposes Jason's family knows, so does yours, Harley, Pamela and Dent are also on the list of people who know. Along with Selina Kyle, Iris West-Allen, and somehow Lois Lane.

Really it was just a matter of time before you told the public. It's not like they didn't have their own theories. There are YouTube clips of the two of you, paparazzi shots, one time Tim sent you a blog dedicated to decoding the body language between you and Jason.

You follow behind Jason as all of you head out in a single file line onto the podium. It's Jason, you and then Dent at the very tail end of the table. When you finally sit down you have to remind yourself to smile a bit.

Dent clears his throat and leans into the mic.

"Hello everyone, I'm here along with the cast of the incredible movie Love On The Mend to talk about the recent studio changes and the affects on the movie." Dent starts.

All of a sudden a clamor of reporters start talking, throwing out questions. There's flashing lights that are way to bright and make you have to blink away the blurry dots in your vision.

"Woah wash woah, let me just get through what I know and then we can take questions afterwards." Dent speaks into the mic.

The reporters seem to calm down after that. You watch as some of them who have seats sit down. The rest that are regulated to stand seem to remain in place.

"As of now, we do not know when our movie is coming out. The recent change in leadership has ordered a whole new slate to work on and we're not sure when we can get back to finish filming," Dent says and then he looks over at the whole cast, "I know how lucky I am to get a cast like this. And I know their talent has been recognized by others. We hope that we can get everyone on schedule in order to shoot the ending."

"Now I do want to speak on the current strike held by the union and that is being funded by many head honchos. I stand firm in my support of those on strike. Without a contract that is fair and pays well earned wages to those who show up to work every day and night movies don't get made. I think our cast member down on the left can speak to this a bit more." Dent finishes and points over to the end.

Of course, Nyssa. Prior to coming in front of the camera she worked as directors aid for years. Her own father, Ra's. You had read the article in The Sun that she did basically outlining how bad it was to mix family and work, especially with a man like Ra's.

"Hi there. I'm Nyssa al Ghul. I'm one of several leaders of the strike and I want to say thank you to the people like Harvey and Bruce Wayne who have seriously stepped in to help us. When powerful men like Lex Luthor think they can step in with their money and change things to their likings, they think they won't get push back. I'm glad the union has showed him how untrue that is. So long as our demands aren't being met and Luthor remains banal in his takeover, we will not roll over." she says.

You start clapping before anyone else. And it's Jason that gets up and starts the standing ovation in the room. It takes a while for everyone to calm down again and get back to their seats. You even see Nyssa's girlfriend Sara in the crowd cheering her on.

"With that I will say, I signed a contract with 20th century, not Lex Luthor. Are there any questions?" Dent asks.

The room goes off again. Dent points out one of the reporters in the front row.

"Daily Bugle, all of the cast and crew have expressed their concern over the merger and their support for the strike. What are you willing to give in order to get back on set?"

Dent almost laughs but catches himself.

"Obviously we went the strike to go well. And if that does happen, then we want Luthor to resist his overlord tendencies. But that seems impossible at the moment. I'm not willing to give up the trust these people have in me as director and as human being." Dent answers.

Another report pipes up, "What do you say to reports that Bruce Wayne is attempting a buy-out?"

Jason laughs. Dent looks over at him and nods at him to take the question. So Jason leans into the mic on the table.

"As much as my father would like to, he won't interfere unless absolutely needed in regard to his duties and certain relationships. But I do know that he does have enough to buy back the studio and still be richer than Lex so..." Jason jokes.

The room erupts in laughter. You look over at him and you know there is a stupidly big smile on your face. When he sits back he looks right at you and send you a wink.

"Fans want to know if, pending the release of the sequel, if you will make it a trilogy?"

Dent actually does laugh at that.

"I don't have any plans for that right now but I will say this is a talented bunch and if they all want to come back and make magic together then I'm up for anything." Dent answers.

Then a reporter calls out your name.

"Since this is your first sequel and first Hollywood strike, how does everything feel?"

You lightly chuckle and lean into the mic, "I'm feeling great honestly. I still know how to make espresso so trust me I'm secure."

The press roars in laughter again, so does everyone on the panel. You even see Dent tip his head back to laugh.

"In all seriousness, I know how this affects me but I wouldn't even begin to understand how it affects those on strike and their everyday lives. When the time comes to return to set I'll be happy, but I know I'm even happier to not cross the picket line." you answer.

You sit back. You steal a glance on the left and see Nyssa holding her thumbs up. When you look over at Jason he's got a cheesy look on his face. All he does is raise his eyebrows and you know exactly what he means to say. You scold him a bit and then you face front.

More questions are thrown out. Two of them addressed to you which you answer with poise and lighthearted jokes. Jason answers too, budding in with a quick line about Lex here and there. Yeah you knew he had a score to settle with the man since his father is Luthor's second enemy behind Clark Kent.

The conference starts to wind down when Dent announces that the next question will be the last. A few reporters leap at the chance to get the last question but Dent only chooses one.

A lady dressed in a bright red suit. She looks breathtakingly beautiful and you have to do a double take.

"Hey Dent." she says.

Dent clears his throat and sits up properly in his chair. You watch in mild confusion and intrigue. You've never seen someone command Dent like that with just two words. Or you have, but that was usually Harley and Pamela.

"Shiva." he says.

You look over at Jason. He confirms the tension with a nod of his head. You look back straight.

"I have a question for the wonderful co-stars." she clarifies.

Dent nods. You wave at her with a smile which she returns. Jason nods his head once at her.

"I have it on good authority that you two are in talks to star opposite each other in another rom com. Any comments?" she asks.

You're not sure what authority she heard that from but it wasn't true. At some point after the strike your agent sent you some things to look at but none of them were rom coms. And none of them involved Jason as your co-star, as far as you know.

But suddenly a thought comes to mind. You look over at Jason a smirk on your face. This was it. He mouths over at you 'right time?' and you nod your head. He smiles and slowly slides your chair closer to his. It almost makes you drool, with how suave he is with it.

Like he had been waiting to do it. You lean into his microphone now, yours long forgotten.

"We're actually in a rom-com right now. But that's private at the moment and all I can say on the matter." you answer.

And somehow the room erupts louder than before. But you and Jason are already getting up along with the rest of the cast and Dent. You all are making your way off the podium and into the makeshift green room.

Jason grabs your hand. And you let him. You intertwine your fingers together and head out with everyone.

[valyalyon]

2 Harvest Whispers

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CW: Police officer character, smut, p in v, unprotected intercourse, explicit language, descriptions of sex, cheating, open relationship, slight societal homophobia, hints at queer identity for main character. MDNI. 4.1K Words.

Star woke up later in the morning of January 6, 2019. She was in the master bedroom of Jasper Conrad’s guest home and the man was asleep beside her.

He was laying on his back, eyes closed staring up at the ceiling. Star was stunned for a moment because he wasn’t making any sound. She wasn’t surprised by how quiet he was, she was more so scared as something terrible showed itself to her.

It’s not fair to try and explain what she saw, so here is an excerpt from her perspective:

When I woke up that morning at his side for the first time, I saw him laying in his coffin.

His arms were over his chest, there was no more breath in his lungs. He was… dead. His hair laid neatly, he was dressed so properly in the coffin.

That’s what he wanted, though. He wanted to shake God’s hand dressed formally. He wanted to thank him personally.

When it was all too real, he breathed… and I laid back down in the bed, hugging him.

Jasper was snoring lightly, holding her close to his chest. She listened to his heart beat, calmed her shaking breaths and watched as his chest moved.

For a moment, Star questioned where she planned on going once he woke up. She couldn’t stay there, she had to leave and find her own place somewhere else.

Truth be told, she had nowhere to go, though.

Star had moved into Heliosea with her parents when they were still alive. She couldn’t remember much about them, or the move, but a lot of times she remembered her favorite white sand beaches from her home.

She’d returned there only once, as a teenager, and spent a couple weeks along her home island. Eventually, though, Star had gotten caught and was sent back to Heliosea. She was a minor and had no documents to travel, having snuck onto the island illegally. Not to mention, she had ran away from her foster family.

One of many families that tortured her until she finally turned 18. She lived on the Southeastern coast of Heliosea when she finally became an adult, and packed her bag at 11:50pm the night before.

She snuck out of the foster’s home just a little after midnight, and arrived at a bus station shortly after. From there Star took several different buses, getting out of that corner of the country and arriving on the Red Highway.

She hated the SE with a passion, so she couldn’t return there and the Red Highway… well… Lazarus was probably still looking for her. Star didn’t know if there was any point in going to the SW coast, and she was there in Sunwoods, now…

At the same time, she didn’t think she could stay with a married man. What situation could he even show her that would make it a good idea for her to stick around? Still, she had to admit she was wildly attracted to him.

Star figured she’d be quickly proven that staying around would be a bad idea, so she figured maybe she should try to enjoy the feeling of his chest against hers.

Just as she was admiring his muscular frame, his snoring began to cease and his eyes began to flutter open. His green eyes looked up into the ceiling of the room, before adjusting his position and kissing the top of her head.

She smiled up at him, and Jasper kissed her lightly, looking away to say, “let’s go start the day. How are you feeling?”

“I’m good,” she commented as the two got out of the bed and Jasper opened the bathroom door for her, she walked in, “thank you.”

…

Jasper walked Star into the main house through the sliding patio doors, which were already open when they came up. Star was mesmerized by his ranch, and she hadn’t seen all of it yet.

When they walked in, they were immediately in a very large living area with high ceilings and open windows. She thought it was beautiful, and her eyes scanned the room quickly.

Immediately, she noticed there was a fireplace with several family photos sitting on top. Her eyes pulled away quickly, not wanting to pry, but Jasper had noticed her eyes already. He looked over to where she had been, “ah, I probably should show you a couple of those so you believe she’s my wife.”

He walked over normally, grabbing a picture off the mantel, “this is probably one of the better ones.”

Jasper brought it back to Star and showed her, “this is my wife, her name is Dahlia Conrad, and these are our sons, James and Emery when they were younger.”

Star looked at the photo, maybe imprinting it in her mind. The photo had Jasper and Dahlia sitting side by side, with James and Emery on either side of them.

James and Emery were younger than six, with only their eye colors being noticeable features about them.

James had large, pitch black eyes almost — the darkest shade of brown, and messy black hair. He wore formal black pants with a red button down. His little sleeves were rolled and he stared at the camera in annoyance at being photographed.

Emery had a similar expression of annoyance to his brother, but his eyes were large blue pools, his hair the same black though a little more put together. He wore formal black pants, and a cute blue sweater that matched his eyes.

Dahlia wore a fairly dated but black dress. She looked like a typical 1950s wife in a dress, but her hair was a lot longer in this photo with balayage highlights and gold wavy hair. Her eyes were a deep brown, almost as dark as her sons.

Jasper was definitely the center of this photo. His smile was perfect for the camera, and his green eyes really popped in the photo. He wore a black suit, with the suit open slightly, exposing the white shirt underneath and no hat on his head. His black hair matched that of his sons perfectly.

“Hmm… Conrad Sons really does make sense,” Star commented, handing the photo back to Jasper, as the man chuckled.

“They are the spitting image of me, aren’t they?” Jasper chuckled.

Star was about to agree, just as Dahlia came into the living area and stopped to look at Star.

Her eyes ran up and down Star’s figure, and her expression showed her surprise, “how much money did he have to offer you for you to be around him?”

“Are you saying I look like a slut…” the young girl asked timidly. Dahlia was in her 40s or 50s, Star assumed.

The older woman shook her head of blonde hair quickly, “no, no, I’m sorry. That didn’t come out right at all! You’re gorgeous, I’m just shocked you’d want to be around an old man.”

Star laughed slightly and tried not to meet the woman’s eyes, worried she was offending her in her home, “I’m sorry… I am attracted to older people quite a lot if my history proves anything…”

She wouldn’t lie, she found Dahlia gorgeous and very sexually attractive. There was just a natural energy the woman had, and Star couldn’t help but be attracted to beautiful women.

“Dahlia, this is Star Bennett,” Jasper said, placing his hand on Star’s lower back, and bringing her and himself closer to his wife.

“Hi, Star,” Dahlia smiled at her and gave her hand.

Star shook her hand, smiling up at her, “good morning, Mrs. Conrad.”

The older woman gagged, then laughed, squeezing the hand of the younger woman’s a little, “ew, no… you always call me Dahlia.”

She was looking up into the woman’s dark brown eyes, and she smiled again, “sorry, good morning, Dahlia.”

“Well, Dahlia, do you want to start explaining us to her? I’d like to have Star around if she wants to be here. I need a new girl on my arm, and she’s… well, you can see her for yourself,” Jasper spoke so confidently, and showed off the girl to his wife.

Dahlia laughed, “you make us sound so creepy old man.”

Dahlia did nod her head, and turned her attention to Star, “if you’re attracted to him, though… You have no competition in me. Him and I were forced to marry each other by our wealthy families. His father just doesn’t want me to misbehave or make his son look bad.”

“What about your sons? Did you two not love each other when you had them?” Star asked, and she realized after she did that she probably sounded very childish.

The blonde woman laughed and looked back at Star, “we love each other as best friends. That’s about it. Our sons, while I love them, were like a payment to his family.”

“A payment?” the young girl looked up at her curiously, the woman was taller and gorgeous, but the statement was odd, “how do you mean? Did they go to live with his family?”

“No, they lived with us until Emery decided to disappear and then James did too. Don’t blame them, though, they weren’t made for life in Sunwoods high society,” the old woman shook her head, “really, who is? As for payment, his family requested that I provide two children into the family soon after marriage.”

“We would only have sex during ovulation, so I could get pregnant, and I was pregnant soon. We didn’t have sex again until we went to have the next baby, and it was the same thing essentially.”

“Do you sleep with each other now?” the younger girl asked, she wanted to sleep with Jasper. She didn’t want to involve anyone else just yet, but she wanted to understand what their boundaries were like.

“We’ve had threesomes with each other and another girl since having our sons, but we haven’t done that in years. I discovered, since I’m very sheltered, that I’m a lesbian. I have girlfriends and I date and sleep with them, while Jasper has his own…” Dahlia explained.

“You feel free, stick around as long as you want. I think you’re gorgeous and you should do whatever makes you feel happy.”

Star blushed and looked at Jasper, who was smiling down at her. She hugged his wife goodbye, and Jasper took her out of the house to show her around the ranch.

…

The Conrad Sons Ranch was massive with fields full of farm animals and crops. She wasn’t sure what they were growing, with everything being cold, but there were tall stocks growing in the rolling fields.

There was mud anywhere they tried to off road, following a bit of a cold rain that happened in the early morning, but Jasper’s truck took the roads easily. Star looked out the window of the truck, watching every field pass by.

In the land of Gods and Monsters, I was an angel living in the garden of evil. Screwed up, scared, doing anything that I needed.

In that moment, Star was reminded of nights in the center of her island. For awhile, she would go into the farms and get lost in the fields. She remembered all the golden corn, the feeling of the hot sun on her face. All of it was something she missed so much in Heliosea.

Yet, here she was in Sunwoods, driving through a massive farm with the town sheriff and being reminded of that place. She felt at peace, for a second, and caught herself too comfortable.

Why did she feel so safe?

During drives, Jasper didn’t speak too much, only turning the music up for Star, and smoking out the window at the same time.

He knew that she liked to disappear in memories on drives, he knew that she seemed to disassociate into the all nature around her. She would sink into it, she’d be at peace. He’d see it out of the corner of his eye, and he couldn’t help but be entranced by her.

Despite having had other girlfriends before, the man was never quite pleased or satisfied by anyone. Everything always broke apart so easily, because he struggled to ask for anything or take any initiative. He just… would get bored so easily.

Usually though, he would hold onto girls for longer, even if he didn’t feel anything.

This — with her… it was different. Star, his Ember… that girl with those beautiful green eyes, that passenger princess lost in thought. He was interested in her without touching her, just by being near her.

Jasper parked the truck at the top of a hill on the property line, and jumped out the car. He walked over, opening the door for Star, who hopped out with his assistance.

She smiled up at him as he took her hand and led her to the back of the pickup truck. He’d parked in reverse and opened the bed of the truck, helping her up onto it.

He easily got himself beside her, and the two sat staring at the hundreds of acres. Full of animals, crops, homes, roads… And in the distance, she could make out Sunwoods, where the road ended and the Ranch would start.

She looked up at him, “this is so beautiful.”

“Thank you,” Jasper laughed, “I think you’re more beautiful, of course.”

Star blushed and shook her head, “I really don’t know why I’m so into you…”

“So, you admit it,” he smiled, and took her small hand in his massive one, “I’m into you, too… Do you have somewhere to go?”

She didn’t know what to say, she didn’t want to admit it, but she dropped her head, shaking it, “no. I’m an immigrant and a criminal.”

“What’s your wanted status?” he asked completely seriously, but continuing to hold her hand.

He was stable, and always so able to calm her down somehow, especially when he added, “we’ll just change your hair… You and those green eyes with some blonde hair? The Feds will never know.”

A smile broke on the young girls face, and she turned her eyes back up to his, “I’m always down for a hair change.”

Jasper’s dark green eyes hid so much, but in them Star always saw such pride, strength, and intelligence. His smile, too, was so comforting.

Star wondered in that moment why her heart seemed to so easily jump between people.

Reflecting, she didn’t think her heart ever fully jumped to Rocco. She thought she loved him, and she might have, but something was always happening in the background. How long had he been assaulting her in her sleep, or did he really only do that once?

In the end Rocco admitted to nothing and Star always knew with him that she just wasn’t cut out to be his forever. She could never imagine herself in Laguna Hills for longer than a day or two, living in that community of celebrities and wannabes felt impossible.

Star was a confident, beautiful woman that desired to be worshipped by her partner in private. Rocco treated her like she was an accessory to his performances, to his place in the spotlight.

She wouldn’t have minded that treatment if in private he was more honest and less critical.

Sitting on the truck bed, looking out at the Conrad Sons Ranch, she felt a sense of calmness. The hills all around the area were beautiful, and the land seemed so alive still in January. She sighed a relaxed breath and turned towards Jasper as he began to speak.

“I want you to stay here,” the man said, tightening his grip on her hand a little, “I don’t want to pressure you. If you stay, though… I want you to be my girlfriend.”

Star’s eyes ran along their clutched hands. His hands didn’t seem old, they were large and strong, veiny hands, a little calloused and rough. Her hands were small in his grasp, “are there any expectations of me, any boundaries or rules?”

“So many,” Jasper said with a laugh, but his tone relaxed as he continued, “it involves telling you quite a lot about me, Ember… There’s a lot about Sunwoods society that I am unfortunately a massive part of.”

“I am the wealthiest man in our area and I am the chief of police. My jurisdiction for policing extends from Sunwoods to all the desert towns along the Opportunity Highway until the Red Highway. That intersection is the end of my control,” then he stopped and chuckled.

When you talk, it’s like a movie and you’re making me crazy ‘cause life imitates art.

“What? You’re cute when you laugh but what is going on inside your head?” Star was curious, she wanted to understand it all before she agreed to anything.

He laughed, hopping off the truck then walked towards the edge of the cliff and pulled a cigar out of his jacket. He started smoking, looking at the endless view of all his land. Jasper looked over at Star, who still sat on the truck bed, “it’s the end of my legal control.”

Her eyes widened a little, and she tilted her head at him, “I’d love for you to elaborate on that…”

He held his arms out, his cigar in between his fingers, as he explained, “As we all know, the Red Highway is lawless and I own the middle third of it. Sometimes I go over there to check on all the gangs and get what they owe me. Sometimes I go to gamble illegally, sometimes I get in trouble.”

Hearing about the Red Highway again, this time from Jasper who lived hours from it… It almost spun her world out from under her, but she was still so fixed on him. She felt herself tremble as she began to realize that he could probably just hand her back over to Lazarus.

Star didn’t want to think about it, though. She brushed the thoughts aside, and asked him, “what would you expect from me?”

“As my girlfriend, you’ll have to wear dresses when out with me in Sunwoods or out publicly with me anywhere, including the Red Highway. I want to explain that this isn’t because I want to control how you dress.”

“My father is senile and on the verge of death. He’s been this sick for years, but I show him pictures of me with other women in dresses and he doesn’t know they’re not my wife. Since I have mandatory attendance at public events in Sunwoods, those will be where we’ll be photographed.”

Star stopped him, “does the town not know that you’re cheating on your wife?”

“Everyone knows, this isn’t a secret but my father has been told these are different women before and he doesn’t process that. He shuts down, pretends to be asleep, and then when he sees a picture of that girl again he will say that Dahlia looks so beautiful as always,” Jasper sighed, smoking his cigar from the stress.

“I’m sorry you’ve been going through that with your father,” Star got off the truck bed and walked over to him, reaching up to touch his cheek.

He leaned forward into her hand and his eyes opened to look into hers, “he was a terrible man who karmically deserved what happened to him. I just don’t want him modifying his will in this state and the court system refuses to assign me or anyone to control his assets.

“The only way someone would be able to prove to him that I was cheating publicly, is if the girl was photographed wearing a short skirt, jeans, leggings while beside me… Anything he considers non-traditional and unbecoming of a rich wife in Sunwoods Society.”

She nodded her head as she stared up at him. He always spoke so genuinely, so she asked, “you keep saying publicly… Am I allowed to wear anything I want inside the guest house and anywhere on the ranch? Or…”

“Of course, wear whatever you want here. As my girlfriend, you have your own space in the guest house, and this property is your home, too. Enjoy it freely,” he nodded his head.

“You won’t judge me?” she asked, furrowing her brows together and staring up at him.

“For wearing what you want around here? No. Your body is beautiful, you deserve to display it however you want. I wish you could do that anywhere with me, but not until he’s dead… I don’t give a single fuck then,” he promised, holding onto her face.

Star smiled and looked up at him as the two shared a kiss. The kiss was sweet and gentle, at first…

I’m singing, “fuck, yeah, give it to me, this is Heaven, what I truly want”. It’s innocence lost.

After a few more sweet kisses, the intensity started. Their mouths began to open for one another, tongues playing as she reached her arms around his neck, “mmm…”

He led her back to the truck, where he helped her up into the bed of the truck. He hopped up himself, and the two continued kissing. Jasper pulled off her top, then her pants, while Star pulled at his shirt and reached for his belt.

Next, he laid her upper body along the top of the pickup truck, making her stand close to the open back window, her ass spread. Her fingers reached back to help in spreading her cheeks, and Jasper got on his knees momentarily.

He ate her out, starting with circles at her clit, and then following along her slit to her vagina. His tongue forced its way in, and swirled around inside. Star moaned and trembled against his invasion.

Jasper stood back up, and pressed his hard tip right to her entrance, “you’re beautiful… did you decide to be my girlfriend or not?”

“Is the only rule clothing?” She asked in between moans, as his cock began to slowly push its way in.

“Don’t sleep with any other men,” Jasper said as he began to thrust steadily, “besides that, nothing else.”

She looked over her shoulder at him, and his dark green eyes met hers. The sun was setting behind him and it was beautiful, the cold creeping in, and Star felt amazing, “I’ll be your girlfriend… Don’t sleep with any other girls without me.”

He chuckled, “I promise…”

His thrusts intensified, and he began to kiss her back as he fucked her, “couldn’t imagine anything better than this, though…”

“Aaaaahhh, Jasper… mmm… you’re so amazing,” her legs were trembling with every hard thrust, the sound of their bodies meeting filling the darkening air.

He pulled her hair, and she moaned into the air, begging to be kissed which he happily gave in to. They swapped spit, their tongues connecting with saliva as they pulled away, and as Jasper felt himself beginning to cum.

“I want to fill you up, real bad, real full, too… can I cum inside you, my Ember? Do you want it as bad as I do?” He asked against her ear, his thrusts not easing up on her even though he desperately wanted to fill her.

“I do,” she moaned, nodding her head and kissing him again, “please… all of it…” She moved her ass to meet every thrust now.

They came together, making out as they reached their orgasms. Jasper released a huge load in Star, and her legs were dripping wet from her orgasm and his leaking cum, “fuck, you pervert… You got me all wet.”

“Doesn’t that make you the pervert?” He asked, slowly pulling his cock out and chuckling as he heard her pussy pop, “you’re little pussy did such a good job, Star.”

She felt him rub her clit, and he collected a lot of the leaking cum from her pussy, shoving it inside Star’s hole with two fingers. The girl moaned as she felt his fingers start to fuck her, but before she could get too excited…

He pulled away, and helped her clean herself off.

Hope you all enjoyed little love bugs <3 Took a little bit to write, but I really love this story and wanted to give it the attention it deserved instead of rushing anything. Next post will have an unknown release date, I'm thinking by Sunday but I have nothing for the next post just yet. Part of me wants to release a preview or something for the next character, so there might be a separate poll for that later.

SONG REFERENCES Gods and Monsters by Lana del Rey

[angelasscribbles]

A Fervid Fixation Chapter 5: Flashpoint

Series: A Fervid Fixation

Fandom: The Royal Romance

Pairings: Riley x Drake

Rating: MA

Warnings for this chapter: Language

Word Count: 3,942

A/N: I honestly believe there will only be one more chapter after this one.

My other stuff: Master List.

Drake stood in his kitchen staring at Riley in disbelief, “What do you mean that’s not how you remember it?”

“I mean we spent three weeks telling each other everything! I thought we knew each other, Drake!”

He had invited her to meet him in Olivia’s wine cellar and they had stayed up until dawn talking. The next night they had both shown up again. They never discussed or planned it, but it became their routine to sneak down to the wine cellars after all the official events were over. On days with no official court events, they hung out together, exploring the nearby town, hiking through the woods, or just watching movies in her room.

Then he kissed her and it had all gone to hell.

Riley felt hurt and anger pull through her at the memory, “I thought we had started something then you unceremoniously dumped me!”

“Dumped you?” his mouth fell open with incredulity, “We weren’t dating, and you were there for Liam! You said you needed space, remember?”

“Oh, my God, Drake!” She exploded, “Being a little confused because I kind of liked two cute guys, both of whom I had just met isn’t exactly unreasonable! All I said was that we should slow down! Next thing I know, you’re barely speaking to me, or being a complete dick when you do! How is that not dumping me? Even if only as a friend? Fucking asshole!”

“Right. Slow down, as in giving you space, which is what I did!”

“You didn’t slow things down Drake, you slammed us into a brick wall!”

“I know about the hot tub, okay?”

“What?”               

“The hot tub, with Liam, in Lythikos.”

“He told you about that?”

“Yeah,” Drake huffed, “Couldn’t shut up about it.”

Riley felt several emotions slide through her in rapid succession. Shock followed by guilt chased quickly by anger, “So I fucked Liam in a hot tub, so what?”

“So what? So what? So that sure didn’t make it seem like you were interested in me!”

“It was our third day there! You and I had just started talking and it took you three weeks to fucking kiss me! That sure didn’t make it seem like you were interested in me!”

“I was trying not to overstep any boundaries!”

“Yeah, well, when you did finally kiss me, you went from zero to let’s get married! Talk about blowing past boundaries!”

“I did not!”

“You started talking about what our children would look like, Drake! That’s why I said we needed to slow down! I like to actually date people before I start planning a wedding! Jesus Fucking Christ!”

“Wait. You wanted to date me?”

“Yeah…maybe…I mean, yes, okay, I did!”

“Did? Past tense?”

“Well…I mean once we got back to the palace, you started treating me like total shit half the time so… you know…I mean, what was I supposed to think?”

“Once we got back to the palace, you started fawning all over Liam!”

“Well, I was apparently completely single and he was interested so why the fuck wouldn’t I?”

“I…..” Drake fought against the sudden onslaught of emotions flooding through him and mingling together. He tried to sort through and make sense of them.

She hadn’t pushed him to the side for Liam.

She thought he had pushed her to the side.

Anything she’d done with Liam since then was his own fault. All the months of torture watching her with other men had been self-inflicted.

He was a colossal idiot.  

“Riley, can we start over?” He forgave her for the other men. The past was in the past, all that mattered was the future.

“I don’t know, Drake. Can we?”

“I thought you wanted to slow things down because you wanted to be with Liam. I was snappy with you because I was trying to keep my feelings for you locked down.”

“Is that an apology?”

“Yes!”

“Didn’t sound like one.”

“Are you fucking serious-“

“Fine, never mind!” She flipped her hair over her shoulder as she spun and headed for the stairs.

“Wait!” He caught up with her halfway through the living room. He grabbed her by her shoulder and spun her around to face him, “Okay! Okay! Could you just….give me a minute?”

“For what? Either you’re sorry for alternating between ignoring me and being a dick to me or you’re not. What’s hard about that?”

“Everything!” He blew out a frustrated exhale as he jerked his hand through his hair, “you may have noticed that I’m not fucking good at this!”

“At what?”

“Expressing my feelings! I’ve never done….this before, okay?”

“What? Had a relationship with a woman?”

“Not…really. Sex, yes. Fucking cared about one? Not the way I care about you! I’ve never felt like this before!”

“Like what?” She needed to know exactly what he meant. She was tired of the mixed signals.

“Like I’m going crazy! Like I can’t fucking breathe when I’m around you and I’m barely even alive when I’m not! I know I can be intense, but I can’t help it! I’ve never done anything by half-measures! I’m sorry I scared you by trying to move too fast. I didn’t mean…I was just saying that….I mean, our children would be gorgeous, how is that not just an objective fact?” He trailed off completely unsure where to go or what to say.

“So, you do like me?”

“Didn’t I just say that?”

“I don’t want to start over.”

“What? Why not? I said I was sorry! I can-“

She stepped closer to him and laid her hand on his cheek, “Because I don’t want to erase Lythikos. I don’t want to erase any of it, even the bad parts. I just want to move forward without any misunderstandings between us. Can we do that?”

He placed his hand over hers as the feelings in his chest swelled to the point he was afraid it really might explode, “We can do that.”

“Okay,” She pulled away from him, “First thing I’m going to need from you is a phone, Drake. I need to know what’s going on.”

With a sigh, he drew his phone out of his pocket and motioned to the couch. She sat down as he opened the web browser. He tapped into the search bar and then handed it to her, “Here.”

She scrolled through a list of headlines like “American Suitor Unfaithful”, “Cordonia Deserves Better”, and “Waitress Offers Up Hot Dish”.

She shook her head as she skimmed through several articles with growing anger and disbelief, “Tariq is claiming we had a whole ass affair!”

“Yeah,” fury coiled in his chest, “if I get my hands on him again, his next affair is going to be his funeral!”

“Oh shit! Have you seen this?” She read out loud, “Inside sources report the duke engaged in a fist fight with an as yet unidentified second man and rival lover…what the fuck?”

“Shit, I hadn’t seen that one! I’m sorry, I made it worse!”

“Don’t be sorry!” she exclaimed, “Now I wish you had put him in a fucking body cast!”

His jaw set with deadly seriousness, “That can be arranged.”

Her eyes met his and despite the gravity of the situation, laughter bubbled out of her. “Oh, shit! I know you’re joking but damned if I don’t want to take you up on that!”

“I wasn’t joking.” He replied with a half-amused, half-disbelieving smile.

“I mean, yeah, I know you obviously have no problem beating the hell of people, but I wouldn’t expect  you to actually put someone in a body cast for me!”

“But I would!” He was suddenly on his knees in front of her, “I would do anything for you!”

“Drake…I…”

He laid his head in her lap, his fingers pressing into her outer thighs. “I can give you things, Riley! I can’t provide a royalty-level lifestyle, but I can give you a comfortable one. I can make sure you never want for anything! I have money, not Beaumont money, but enough to give you the kind of life you deserve!”

Her fingers twisted in his hair, “That’s….really sweet…but…”

His head snapped up. His eyes searched her face frantically, “But?”

“But you’re doing it again, Drake! We had sex once, and that sounds like a proposal or something!”

He sat back on his heels, his hands still resting on her legs, “Why do you keep pushing me away? Are you trying to break me?”

“I just think we need to have sex more than once before we start talking about-“

“How many times have you had sex with Liam?”

“That’s none of your business!” She shoved his hands away, “Besides, I thought he kept you apprised of these things!”

“I’m just trying to ascertain what the magic number is, Riley!”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Were you going to say yes to Liam?”

“What?”

“Don’t what me, answer the question! If Liam had chosen you at the coronation ball, would you have said yes?”

“I mean…”

“Goddamn it!” He leapt to his feet, “I knew it!”

“Oh, calm down. I didn’t know how you felt! A girl has to consider all her options.”

“Is that all I am to you, Riley? A fucking option?”

She jumped to her feet to yell at him, “Up until five minutes ago I thought you hated me!”

“Well, I don’t!”

“Well, good!”

“Okay, good!”

“Good!”

“Fine!”

“Fine!”

They stood glaring at each other for a moment before Drake asked, “Why are we fighting?”

“I don’t know!” She stomped her foot then considered the question seriously, “Habit, I guess.”

“So, when can we have sex again?”

“What?”

“I mean, if there’s a specific number of times we have to have sex before we can discuss the future, then I would like to know what that number is and I would additionally like to get started making progress on that goal!”

“Weren’t you the one that just said it couldn’t happen again?”

“That’s before I knew I was an option, Riley! Now that I know there’s a real chance-“

“You’re insufferable and irrational, you know that?”

“And you’re completely maddening! First, you think we’re in a relationship, but you don’t tell me that! Then you put the brakes on it because I expressed wanting to pursue a relationship with you! Then you tell me that you do want to have a relationship with me but then you get mad because I try to talk about having a relationship with you!”

“A relationship doesn’t mean jumping straight to marriage, Drake! Have you ever tried dating someone? You’re supposed to work your way up to that!”

“And what would you consider dating?”

“Dating! You know, going to a movie together, going out to dinner, maybe a party, dancing or-“

“We’ve done all those things!”

“Not as a couple! We’ve hung out as friends!”

“What’s the difference?” He demanded.

“The intention is different!”

“No, I don’t think so. My intentions were always the same. I don’t hang out with people I don’t like. I clearly liked you!”

Riley heaved a deep sigh, “Goddamn Drake! I want to date! I want romance! I want-“

“Okay, go change into something nice.”

“Why?”

“So I can take you to a fucking movie and dinner!”

“Right now?”

“I thought that’s what you wanted!”

“We’ll get to all of that later,” she said dismissively as she retook her seat on the couch, “but I have a few questions first.”

“About what?”

“About the fact that you seemed prepared for my visit! There was women’s shampoo in the bathroom.” She said accusingly.

He seemed genuinely puzzled as he told her, “I didn’t think you’d want to use mine.”

“Drake, how long did you know about the setup, and why didn’t you tell me?”

Oh, that.

His head tipped back to stare up at the ceiling. He took several deep breaths to calm himself and refocus his attention. “I didn’t know about the setup until it dropped, actually.”

“But then how-“

“I knew you were under surveillance, but I didn’t know why.”

“Okay, okay, I don’t understand…”

“The guard having orders to be on standby to arrest you, the limo ordered to wait out front, the plane ticket…I found all of that out just hours before the coronation.”

“So why does it seem like you were prepared for me to be here?”

“I did all that last week after the Tariq thing happened and Liam told me to stay away from you.”

“He did what?”

“He didn’t tell you?”

“No…”

“Well, he did, he told me to stay completely away from you! But even though he basically ordered me to stand down, I started asking around about the Tariq investigation and some things didn’t add up. I knew something was up, but not what. The cabin is always my backup plan, my fallback location. So, I thought maybe it could be yours too if it came to that. I didn’t know for sure you’d ever be here, I just wanted to be prepared in case you needed a place to lay low for a while.”

“Okay…that…that actually makes sense…but I have a million more questions! What things didn’t add up? Why did Liam tell you to stay away from me and why did you listen to him?”

She hadn’t seen Drake again after the incident with Tariq. Not until he slid into the back of that SUV on coronation night.

“Liam told me to stay away from you because he correctly identified my interest in you,” Drake told her, “As far as things that didn’t add up,” he started ticking items off his fingers, “Your lock was disabled, Tariq is maintaining that you invited him to your room and that my attack on him was unprovoked or motivated by jealousy-“

“What’s suspicious about a man lying about consent? Happens all the time, unfortunately.”

“Yeah…that’s not okay. But, back to Tariq, Liam said something that night….that I’ve known Tariq all my life. He was right, I have known the man most of my life and he’s not a rapist. What he is though, is a crown loyalist and a traditionalist.”

“Which means?”

“Which means he would not approve of nor support the king marrying a commoner or a foreigner.”

“Oh! Wow…”

“I told you people here are brutal with this shit. Now that we know someone was waiting to take those photos, it’s safe to assume he’s working in concert with someone to make sure a commoner never sits on the throne. And it has to be someone high up because digging around in the investigation is how I found out you were under surveillance. Only so many people can order surveillance like that.”

Riley slumped back on the couch, “This is a lot.”

“So, to review, Tariq was sent to paw all over you, at least enough to make it look real, while someone was waiting in the tree outside your room with a camera. You’ve been under surveillance for some time. Details of the incident report were leaked, along with the photo. A plane ticket was purchased, the limo and the guards were on standby, and didn’t you tell me your things had already been packed for you?”

“Yes, damn. Someone really has it out for me.”

“This is what I’ve been telling you!”

“But Drake….why couldn’t we just go to Liam with all this?”

“Because there are factions out there that have been known to assassinate people to take them or keep them off the throne. And whoever set you up has access to the King’s Guard! They did all this right under Liam’s nose! I couldn’t risk it, couldn’t risk you! Now do you see why I had to get you away and keep your whereabouts a secret?    

“But how did you find all this out? How do you know classified information that even Liam didn’t know? And you still haven’t answered my question about why you stayed away from me just because Liam told you to?”

“Those questions have the same answer, Brooks.”

“Which is?”

“There’s something you don’t know about me, Riley. Something I never told you, despite all those late-night chats. I’m-“

They were interrupted by the sound of someone knocking on the cabin door.

“Shit! No one knows we’re here! Almost no one even knows this place exists!” He pulled her off the couch and pushed her behind him, “Go upstairs and keep quiet while I-“

“Where is she?” Liam slammed into the cabin without waiting for the door to be answered. Relief crashed across his features when he saw her, “Riley! Thank God!”

“It’s okay, Drake, it’s just Liam!” Riley moved around him to greet Liam with a hug.

Liam pulled her tightly against him, his eyes were filled with cold fury as they met Drake’s over her shoulder though his voice didn’t betray it as he told her, “I’ve been worried sick about you!”

“How’d you figure it out?” Drake asked.

Liam released her to glower at his best friend, “It really wasn’t hard to figure out who had already proven the lengths they would go to for her and who had both the authority to issue orders to the guard dogs and access to internal intelligence. I mean, how did this person know what the King’s Guard was planning? Then I realized, there’s only one person that could hijack the guard dogs and also has access to MiSHI.”

“What’s meeshe?” Riley asked.

“MiSHI stands for mission support and human intelligence,” Liam answered, “the Guard’s internal intelligence unit. It’s their job to know everything about everything going on in every unit.”

“I don’t understand…”

“MiSHI and the guard dogs are both special units within the Guard. Only someone who had access to both could have pulled this off. And the only person with access to both is the commander in charge of all the special units.”

“Which is who?” Riley was still trying to figure out how Drake had managed to pull off the rescue/kidnapping. What favors he called in and from whom.

Liam turned to Drake in astonishment, “She doesn’t know?”

“Know what?” Riley’s head swiveled between them.

“You haven’t told her?”

Drake shrugged, “She didn’t have clearance.”

“Clearance for what?” she demanded.

“I was about to tell you,” Drake responded, “When someone barged in without an invitation!”

“That’s what you’re worried about right now?” Liam spun on him, “You could lose your commission for this! It was a flagrant abuse of power!”

A lightbulb went off in her head, “Wait…you’re the head of special units?”

“Sorry to disappoint you that I’m not the broke, unemployed loser you pegged me for.”

“Drake, I never meant-“

“Well, I might be unemployed now,” he said with a bitter laugh, “that’s what I meant when I said I’ve already risked everything for you. It’s also the reason I had to back off when Liam told me to. I couldn’t risk him firing me and cutting off my access before I figured out what was going on.”

“Which I certainly would have done if I’d known how far off the rails you’d gone!” Liam spat at him.

“Okay, we’re going to discuss you keeping information from me later,” Riley told Drake before turning back to Liam, “But why are you mad? I thought you’d be happy to find out I’m still here. Drake’s intervention is the only reason I’m not back in New York right now!”

“You thought I’d be happy about this?” Liam gaped at her, “I wanted you on that plane!”

She stumbled back like she’d been struck, “What? Why? I don’t understand-“

“I determined that it was safer for you in New York and-“

“And you had no right to make that determination for me!”

“I have feelings for you, Riley, strong ones, but you’ve always known that my feelings aren’t the only factor in deciding whom I marry.”

“Not marrying me and having me drug out of the coronation and forced out of the country are two very different things, Liam!”

“I fully intended to come and find you after things calmed down. Explain the situation and-“

“And what? You thought you could humiliate and throw me away and I’d be what? Just waiting for you to show up so I could fall into your arms?”

“I wasn’t throwing you away, Riley!” He shot daggers at Drake, “Can we talk in private, please?”

Drake crossed his arms over his chest, “I’m not leaving unless Riley tells me to.”

Without shifting her gaze away from Liam, Riley said, “Drake stays.”

Liam heaved a very loud, very audible sigh as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

Drake smirked at him, “This is my house.”

“And Riley’s my girlfriend!”

“I’m not your girlfriend, Liam! Did you forget the part where you got engaged to another woman?”

“That’s what I’m trying to tell you! You can still be my girlfriend, Riley! I may have to marry Madeleine but-“

“Wait! You want me to be your side chick?”

“I’m not familiar with that term. I want to offer you an arrangement, a way to keep you in my life. You’ll stay at the palace, or if you prefer, I can purchase a house for you in town-“

“You arrogant fucking prick!” The sound of her open palm striking his cheek rang out.

His head jerked to the side, then turned back to face her as his hand covered the spot, “I understand you’re upset, but if that’s out of your system now, let’s go, I have a car waiting outside. Where are your things?”

“I’m not going anywhere with you, Your Majesty!” She made the last two words sound like an insult.

“You can’t be serious, Riley! Be reasonable!”

“Oh, I’m deadly serious!”

“You want this?” he gestured to the cabin in general and Drake specifically, “He’s out of control, Riley!”

“You’re right,” she agreed, “he’s been acting crazy for weeks now…” she trailed off, tapping her lips as she considered something, “He’s volatile, possessive and his intensity is a little frightening…”

A victorious smile lit up Liam’s face as he gloated at Drake.

Drake’s head dropped with a defeated exhale.

It had all been for nothing.

“But maybe that’s exactly what I want…”

“What?” Both men exclaimed as two heads snapped toward her and two sets of eyes scanned her face for context.

“Maybe I don’t want a man that carefully follows the rules and wants to keep me as his dirty little secret,” she mused, “maybe I want a man that sets the world on fire to get to me and to keep me safe…” her eyes found Drake’s as she finished, “one who says fuck protocol and decorum and just throws me over a counter and fucks me senseless.”

“Wha-“ Liam’s eyes went from her to Drake to the kitchen counter back to her, “Are you fucking kidding me right now?”

She never took her eyes off Drake, “No, I’m not. I have never been more serious about anything in my life.”

“You can’t do this, Riley! You’re making a monumental mistake!” Liam ground out through clenched teeth.

“What’s the big deal, Liam? We had some good times but we both knew it probably wouldn’t last. You chose someone else, and now I’ve chosen someone else. We can still be friends.”

“Friends, Riley? Friends? I don’t fucking think so!” He bumped Drake with his shoulder on the way out, “This isn’t over!”

Riley stared after him in shock, “Wow, I’ve never seen Liam act like that!”

“Shit, Riley,” Drake breathed, “You have no idea what you’ve just done…”

[popcornforone]

Taming His Curls

Chapter 4 of the Is That All Mr Gutierrez? Serise

Master list

Chapter three

It’s here, finally, the chapter you’ve all been waiting for is here. The moment has arrived. Thank you all for putting up with the 3 chapter introduction but this is when things get moving.

Synopsis: Saturday Nights are just you & Javi cooking & watching Movies as best friends. But the words from your chat with Javis dad are still fresh in your ears, maybe tonight is the night to act on those wants.

Word count:3500

Warnings: DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 18! Protected PIV Sex, unrequited love, teasing, flirting, finally getting together, swearing, alcohol, this is your first time with Javi so lost of moaning & praising & descriptive language. It’s going to get very very hot & sexy, but don’t worry, I won’t break our softie…(that’s why I also write about Dave hehe)

As always thank you for the read peoples, all feedback is really appreciated. Enjoy, this is what you all wanted after all

“Bollocks” you shout as the plate smashes on the floor. It was the last item to go in the dishwasher too after dinner & it was only a plate you used to rest the steaks you had cooked for you & Javi on. You now do Saturday nights as best friends & have done so for a while. You do your own thing during the day but Saturday night you stay at Javis. You sleep over in your bedroom, the one you use when he sometimes entertains & needs you there for business. In the past you have watched jealousy at girls Javi has taken back to his room so he can seduce them, while you head back you yours. You’ve moved a few items into his villa for comfort reasons but he’s never actually asked you to move in.

Saturday night is pretty standard routine for you both now, so much so that if one of you have plans for a Saturday the other gets a little jealous. Javi will give you a glass of champagne on your arrival & he will ask how your days been. No matter how mundane it sounds he hangs on your every word like it’s the most important day in the world. Then you cook together, taking it in turns to teach each other how to cook. His chef is always on the end of the phone if you need him, but Javi always gives him Saturday & Sundays off so he can be with his own family, not just waiting for him to feel peckish. Once you’ve cooked eaten & cleaned up together, you take it in turns to pick which film you are going to watch together. Cocktails or more wine accompanying any movie snacks you decide to have.

It started off with the 100 films before you die list then moved into Nicholas Cage movies, obviously, but now you’re both going through your top 10s. Last Saturday you picked Gone Girl & Javi enjoyed the film but had so many questions about how women’s minds work after it was over. You told him it was the extreme version of it but you do have some of those qualities, which shocked him a little. He must know after all you’ve been through that you have a few of those traits. You know tonight he will probably put something calming on after all the thrillers you’ve recently viewed together, him spilling his sweet popcorn multiple times as he jumps when he’s trying to not be scared.

“You okay” Javi says as he wipes down the surface after you dropped the plate. “Yes Javi, just it would be the last thing wouldn’t it, typical” “well it could have happened after it had been cleaned, at least now it doesn’t need washing” he teases as he try’s to remember where his house keeper keeps a broom or dustpan. You know full well what he needs is under his sink, but you watch him hunt for it for a good 3mins giggling. This makes him flap & get all self conscious, but also playful, a smirk falls across the face you wish was yours to admire intimately. “You know where it is, don’t you?” He inquires & your smile gives your game away, you can’t lie to Javi. He starts to run around the kitchen after you “I will tickle the information out of you” he cackles. Those curls being even more playful than he is as they bounce on his head “ahhh please no tickles Javi, it’s under the sink.” You shriek as he grabs you & starts to tickle, which makes your body go all unnecessary & causes goosebumps to appear all over it. That is just from a tickle you think, how good would his lips feel?

Javi cleans up the broken plate & you laugh as you watch him do this. These normal nights as he calls them, are to make Javi appreciate a life that others have. Okay it’s still in a massive Spanish villa & he can cook whatever he wants, but it’s so he appreciates life is something you have to work at & arent just spoon fed it. He’s getting better at cleaning & sorting things but there are some points when he’s flapping about failing which makes you laugh. “See that wasn’t so hard Javi” you say. You grab the half drunk bottle of red wine & your glass & head to his lounge.

His lounge is grand, a fireplace the roars in winters, sofas that are the epitome of comfortable, book cases full of storys, art that is worth more than you will earn in your life time, sculptures & decorations & a massive TV with access to anything you want. This is always when you’re most envious of Javi. You never had this growing up. Your parents having hotels meant all the money for luxury’s like this were for the guests to use not you, or where you lived in the hotel didn’t have the space for things like this. It could have been much grander your life but your parents always taught you your worth & your place, especially when your best friend, Javi, was spoiled with everything. You go to his baby grand piano & quickly look through the post he received today, still thinking about Monday at work in your mind, when Javi walks in.

“Is it my turn to pick tonight?” He asks as he pour himself another glass of red. “Yes Javi, back to your favourites that don’t include Nicolas Cage as we’ve watched them all” you smirk & watch him flick through his services & channels as you take up your seat on the sofa for film night. “Don’t laugh precious, when I tell you this… but I want to watch… Paddington” you just smile… “finally a good choice from you” He pulls his pouty face. “I’m still shocked that you’ve done them out of order though, we should have done Paddington before Paddington 2” you state. “I didn’t realise we could do our favourite films in any order, I was just going from 1 to 10” he laughs as he sits down next to you. He’s in his stripy shirt with his white vest on underneath. He’s clearly been swimming today & let his hair dry naturally as it’s got a mind of it’s own tonight, & it’s desperately calling out for you to touch, twist & play with it, & with eyes that big & brown looking at you so sweetly it’s hard not to.

You don’t say a word. You lean over & pin that curl back, so it’s behind his ear & you can see his whole body tremble at your touch. His breathing gets faster & you can see the rising of his chest, as you softly touch him. “Oh Javi” you sigh & turn to face the tv so he can’t see how flustered you are yourself getting your self comfortable for the movie. “What I would give just to play with & sort your curls out” your shocked the words have so easily flown out of your mouth, but you’re also secretly happy that they have. This is the first step to grabbing what you want. You then slowly feel Javis hand grasp yours which is by your side & lift it to his face. You often touch each other but tonight everything is just working in your favour & his hand feels sensational. “I never said you couldn’t?” Javi softly replies.

You don’t go for his hair instead you adjust so you’re facing him & caress his face, feeling each freckle & blemish across his cheek. His stubble prickles against your hand, but it makes you shiver even more. Your hand eventually goes into his hair & you hear a large sigh, like he’s letting go of the world that is on his shoulders & he leans in resting his forehead against yours. Both of you sit there in silence for a few moments, just breathing, inhaling each other, eyes shut in a moment of peace. Javi whispers “plays baby, I want you to”. You lift your head up & open your eyes & flutter your eyelashes at him & see the biggest smile beaming back from the most adorable puppy dog eyes.

Neither of you are sure who makes the move first but the second your lips connect, for the sweetest most wanted kiss in all the universe, you both instantly feel like you are on the cliffs that night as teenagers again. He feels so good. His lips feel like they are back where they belong, embracing yours. Your hand goes into the back of his hair, making him gasp as his own hand delicately strokes you neck. The passion, fire & love you’ve both hidden away for the last 15 years or so, survived everything & your connection & desire for each other is confirmed. When you eventually break, both of you are trembling with your lips quivering, desperate for another taste of the person you have both been in love with the whole time, but never admitted it to each other.

“Javi…” you whimper not wanting to open your eyes to confirm if it’s just been another fantasy or not. You voice squeaks & then you hear him try to control his own breathing. “Look at me baby” he coos & your eyes are greeted to eyes that are welling up, pools of emotion ready to flow out after what the two of you experienced for the last few seconds. “Let’s make up for lost time” he says once he can see how beautiful you look & how your eyes reply back with the same love that he’s hidden away from you. “We have all the time in the world Javi” you reply before he pulls you back into him for a much longer & deeper kiss.

Both your hands wander, across each others faces, hair & shoulders. Oooh the feeling of Javis broadness as you caress him makes you want more than just some delicate kisses. He always smells good, but now his scent intoxicates you. There’s still a small amount of the wine on both your lips adding to the richness & taste of your embrace. He is comfort & now he’s finally going to be yours. “I’ve waited so long…�� are a panting Javis next words as he removes his shirt & starts to find the hem of your tshirt. “I’ve wanted this forever”. Your initial look of shock changes into one of, I know exactly what you mean, which makes him smile & makes those eyes dance & dazzle. “It’s always been you Javi” you reply softly almost as a hushed secret that you are finally sharing with him.

His hands brush you skin with the slightest touch as your T-shirt is removed, your waisting little time removing his white vest as well. You marvel & trace across his chest, & his tummy. You’re both feeling so self conscious about your bodies, but it’s the smile on the others face that make you both open up more to the idea of this. Neither of you are saying anything anymore. Gasps & sighs at each touch admiring the others natural beauty. The clank of his belt buckle being undone by your hand so carefully, arousing you & awaking your passions inside. Your own shorts join his trouser, flung on-top of the sofa as he holds you close. He looks you up & down, looking at you body being needy & desperate for it all. Javi has been waiting for this moment for as long as you have & as he holds you, he can’t quite believe that this is finally going to happen. His eyes are full of wonder.

“Javi, my loyal sweet Javi” you finally moan, eyes transfixed on the man you adore “I want this, I want you, I’ve always wanted you, but you were always just out of reach” “shhhh” Javi says raising a finger to your mouth to keep you quiet, he presses it firm & you gasp. “Nothing can ruin this moment” he says & he looks at you as you take his hands to help him unclasp your bra. “If you help me take this off, there’s no going back Javi, the genie is out of the bottle, it’s can’t be put back in”. “I’d better get more than 3 wishes” that’s Javis response, but it’s the feel of your breasts being free & the look of desire in his eyes as he try’s not to gawp at them. The delight in his eyes can’t be understated as one of his large palms instantly moves towards them. Teasing you nipple making your hips instantly move at his teasing touch.

“Oooh baby, you’ve kept these from me, how could you” Javis smile is small but it’s making his moustache twitch, all of the hairs on his body are standing to attention ready for the next wave of pleasure to hit him. You’re so close to each other, kissing & caressing, that you don’t think you actually need to have sex with your Javi. This make out & tease is enough for you. But it’s not, because a few seconds later his other hand glides down your back & into your knickers, squeezing your arse cheeks & it makes you want it all. As much as this has been more than perfect, you still want the ultimate & you want it to feel fantastic. Javi wants to treat you like the princess & love he has always seen you as & he slowly slips his hand into the trousers that are hanging off the back of the sofa, producing a condom.

He goes to ask you for consent as your lips part & he doesn’t need to say a word. “If you want to, I want to baby, please it’s all I’ve wanted for years” you say firmly. His hand joins yours to remove your knickers, already damp from your passionate make out. His large flat thumb, once you are naked, finds your clit straight away to keep you aroused as each touch across you sex has you already wanting more & more, almost feeling ready to climax already. This unrequited love is finally getting its rewards. Javi shimmy’s off his boxers but you don’t look at his length, you are in too much of a haze already to want to know what’s coming your way. You know it’s going to be enjoyable due to the outline from his swim shorts when he gets out of the pool each morning.

Everything is a bit of a passionate blur, you’re already on a high. But you hear the foil tear & see his face turn very serious quite quickly as he makes sure to pull you into his lap as you just hover above him, ready to take him, your chests heaving together. “Baby your my world” Javi whispers into your ear, one hand in your hair untying it, allowing your own locks escape, the other on the small of your back, stroking your spine ever so slightly. He lowers you slowly & no sound escapes your mouth, but it goes oooooooo, as he fills you. The pinch feels just right, you know your pleasure is going to enjoy this even if this is a one off to never be spoken of again come Sunday morning. You are finally making love to Javi Gutierrez.

Javis breathing has spiked, as he looks at the blissed out look on your face as he holds you into him. “You okay?” Hushed words fall from his lips before you nod & eventually a strained “yes Javi” escapes from you. He makes sure that you are skin on skin & slowly starts to rock underneath you while you grind down onto him. You walls fluttering at every motion, trying desperately not to let go within the first few minutes but you can see the look in Javis eyes too. He also wants to take his time with this & enjoy you & the seductive love he hopes you will both make together, but he has also been waiting & hoping this moment would be as good as it currently is. Each movement your body’s merge, the sweat drips from you both & the movements even though you are both trying to savour every moment get faster, harder & deeper. You hope that should you both not wake up filled with regret tomorrow that you can enjoy something much slower & seductive than this. But this itch needs to be scratched.

You both give in & you really start to bounce & he holds you firmly in place while you start to moan & take the hand not playing with his curls to you clit, to add to your satisfaction. “Javi oooh Javi baby, just there yea that’s it, don’t stop, never stop” you moan as your eyes close knowing you are on the edge of your orgasm. “Your so tight precious, ooh baby girl ooh yes” Javi is grunting, squeezing your arse, eyes when they are not closed from desire pulsing through his entire body, are looking at your breasts, just waiting for his mouth to engulf them & suck. He doesn’t want to just spoil himself with it all tonight. He is also hoping that this is just the beginning of something that will bloom.

“Javi don’t stop, make me feel good, oh this is just just…just…” your voice strains feeling yourself go weak & quiver on his lap. Letting go of everything. You body leans backwards & Javi stops you from falling off him or taking him with you in the sofa & you moan in pleasure as your orgasm hits you, clamping around Javi, feeling the most satisfied you have ever felt in your life. Javi doesn’t take long to follow, the look on your face & the intensity surrounding his penis, is all it takes for his own earth shattering climax. A deep moan comes from the back of his throat, which arouses you & pulls you back into the real world as you slowly stop & rest your head in his shoulders. It had finally happened. Javi had pleasured you & the sex had been sensational. Yes it might have been over far too quickly for the two of you, but you had a feeling that would be the case. All those years of pining & wanting & needing each other was always going to build up to something that would be sexy & fast, no matter how much you tried to calm it & take it slowly. That was never going to happen.

Slowly you’re both returning to your normal selves, you eyes fluttering at each other, realising what you’ve both just done. Your lives are never going to be the same now. Both of you are panting & are coated in sweat & smell of sex. “Hello stranger” Javi eventually whispers “Hello Handsome” is your reply followed by the two of you both giggling, before that curl gets back in the way. “Ooh Javi what ever am I going to do with your curls?” You say as you twist it & try to put it where it should go in his hair, but you both know it won’t. “Well I think you might have to stick around to contain them baby, fancy sticking around forever, to look after my curls?” He says his thumb trailing across your lips tentatively going inside ever so slightly, to send shivers up yous spine.

“Forever?” You reply & then smile “yea i think I could do that, I think I could definitely do that” the smile on his face is one of unbridled joy as he once again claims your lips with his. Much more passionate & loving, feeling like they were made to just kiss your lips only. Nothings coming between you. His hand keeping you in place making you as close as you can be, as you feel his penis which is still inside you start to harden again, which makes you gasp. “Good answer my precious. Forever starts tomorrow”. Javis response is all you both hear before your love making resumes for one more round for long kisses, hands caressing bodies before you both eventually retire to his bed. You are no longer jealous of the girl he takes to his bedroom to seduce. Finally that girl is you.

Chapter Five

[strawwritesfic]

Takeshi Yamamoto x Female!Reader: But Uh-Oh Those Summer Nights [Ch. 1]

Summary: “Summer lovin’ had me a blast / summer lovin’ happened so fast.”

Challenge: “10 Summer Events” by someone on Lunaescence Archives.

Ratings/Warnings/Tags: T (Sexual humor; sexual dialogue; summer vacation; comedy; fluff; eccentric grandparents; Grease references; Takeshi & Hayato & Tsuna; Takeshi & Hayato & Tsuna & Reader; Reborn & Tsuna; Reborn & Reader; Original Character & Reader)

Pairings: Takeshi Yamamoto/Reader

Tag List: @imaginesfire​​

Notes: This was so bad, I actually wound up pretty much rewriting the whole chapter line-by-line anyway. Of course, this means there’s likely to be more typos, so don’t be shy about telling me you found something.

Master List

Chapter 1: Meeting

“Here we are, Miss.”

Your driver’s voice barely cut through the haze you found yourself in while sitting in the back of his car. The brain fog remained as you groggily gathered your belongings and the car slid to a smooth stop. Yawning, you stepped out into the thick heat of Japan with only the vaguest memory of the long flight and subsequent car ride that had deposited you just outside your grandmother’s house in Namimori. You’d hardly noticed your arrival before your driver left you there.

You felt strangely vulnerable without the car there to protect you. After all, you had never been to Japan before–had never really planned to visit– but when your parents had decided to go for a spur-of-the-moment second honeymoon, two months ago, no one had been able to look after you for the summer other than your father’s secluded Japanese mother.

All the time you’d spent sitting in one place to get here, and you still didn’t know what you were going to say to the grandmother you’d seen only a handful of times. You’d been very young then, too. And it wasn’t just her you worried about. What were you supposed to do in this strange country for the next month and a half? Sure, your father had taught you the language, but communication wasn’t the only problem you could foresee raising its ugly head.

Some of your fears, however, were relieved by the relatively normal-looking neighborhood that met your eyes. You heaved a sigh of relief before you looked at the paper with the address jotted down on it. This was indeed where your grandmother lived. 

But before you opened the gate, you looked behind yourself once more. Someone was watching you. Weren’t they? You could see no movement at all. After a moment or two of searching, you shrugged, got a better grip on your suitcase, and made your way up to the house.=

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“Oh, I’m just so glad you decided to visit!” the small, silver-haired woman called over her shoulder as she bustled around the kitchen, making the tea you had not actually said you wanted. “We two girls will have such fun! We have so much to catch up on!”

You forced a smile as you took the steaming cup from her hands. Who on earth would want something so hot when just outside was even warmer? Even placing the mug on the table in front of you didn’t seem to get rid of the steam.

If your grandmother noticed your chagrin, she didn’t show it. She just shuffled over to the other side of the table to settle in. She grinned at you again, and you smiled back, though less enthusiastically than you had when you had entered the house roughly two hours ago.

“So,” she said, patting her thighs with the palms of her hands. “What are you planning on doing this summer?”

“Do?” you asked, bewildered.

“Well of course! I remember what it was like to be a girl your age. Surely you don’t want to spend the entire summer in the company of someone as old as your grandmother!”

Now your discomfort grew so great that you couldn’t help but squirm. You did not want to admit that you had thrown a bit of a snit about just that very aspect of being sent across the world for vacation. Your parents had refused to let you stay back home with one of your friends and had instead chosen to send you to a completely unfamiliar country. How were you supposed to make friends in a town full of strangers? But admitting that sounded rude without you so much as opening your mouth.

Your grandmother nodded as though she could hear your thoughts anyway. “You can’t expect me to get out and about as much as you would like. No, you need to get out there, make some friends, meet some boys!”

“I don’t know about that, Grandma,” you said weakly.

“Why, sure you do! Go to the park, or to get noodles, or something! Anything! It’s summer break here, too, you know, and kids your age will be crawling out of the woodwork.”

“Well…”

“Well, what? A bright kid like you, you’ll make friends like that!” She snapped her fingers. “And not being able to talk to them is no excuse. We’ve been speaking Japanese since you got here, and you haven’t had any trouble at all!”

“But what if–”

“No, no worrying. Worrying does not all you to act.” Your grandmother stood up, motioning for you to do the same. 

You did. 

Without warning and with surprising strength, the old woman pushed you toward and out the front door, then slammed it before you were able to turn around and step back inside. A snick indicated she’d locked you out.

“Grandma!” You banged on the door with one first. “Grandma! Let me back in!”

“No, not until you make some friends, [Name]!” 

With that, you heard her march away from the door. You hit the door once or twice more, but knew it was a futile effort. Your father had warned you that your grandmother could be quite adamant about the strangest things.

You were now outside in the sweltering heat, wearing nothing but a pair of shorts, a t-shirt, and your socks. You could simply choose to sit down in the shade and wait until your grandmother came back to see if you had left, but you were unsure if she would be able to see you from another window, or if she even would let you back in when you clearly had refused to try.

Deciding that it was best to just get the attempt over with, you made your way down the sidewalk and back onto the street you had left mere hours before. As you left the gate, you looked around, scratching the side of your head. There were no kids here. Old people usually lived amongst other old people, didn’t they? 

Maybe you would have to go somewhere else to find people your own age to talk to. Your grandmother had not, after all, given you a curfew or any limitations to your wanderings. After looking both ways across the street, you chose one direction and set out that way, trying to ignore the way your shirt stuck to your skin and how each step turned your socks and even darker gray.

You saw no one. You heard no one. Either your grandmother had lied about the number of students milling around with no school to attend, of the entire population of Japan had agreed that it was too hot to bother with going outside. March and march and march you did. Only upon finding a shady spot against fence did you finally decide you’d given enough effort and needed to rest.

“Hey. What’re you doing out here alone?”

When had you closed your eyes? At the sound of an unfamiliar voice, you jumped about a foot in the air and opened those eyes to find your nose a mere two inches from that of a tall boy with messy dark hair, brown eyes, and the biggest smile you’d ever seen. 

He took a step back, still grinning and clearly without a care in the world as to how badly he’d scared you. Well, you thought your fright ought to be obvious enough. You were breathing heavily and looking at him like he was completely insane.

“So?” he asked.

“So what?” you replied.

“What’re you doing out here alone? It’s kinda hot to just be sitting there.” 

You frowned. He was taller than you by quite a bit, but he looked to be your age or around it. Well, beggars couldn’t be choosers. 

“My grandma locked me out until I found some friends,” you explained.

“Oh, are you new in town?” the boy asked, his smile never faltering. “You can play mafia with us!”

“Tch! Don’t invite strangers to join the family, baseball idiot! Besides, that’s the Tenth’s job!” said a new voice.

“Ahahaha, I didn’t think Tsuna would mind,” the boy in front of you said.

You inched to the side and saw that you were not as alone with the tall “baseball idiot” as you had originally thought. Two other boys stood behind him. One had shaggy silver hair; the other, an impressive bush of brown hair rising from his scalp. Upon closer examination, there appeared to be four of members of this group. The brunet had what appeared to be a baby wearing a suit and a hat perched on his shoulder.

“Anyway, I’m Takeshi Yamamoto,” the smiling boy said, his smile only widening when you looked him in the eyes. “What’s your name?”

“Um, [F Name] [L Name],” you said.

“She can play with us, right, Tsuna?”

The smallest of the boys eyed Yamamoto and opened his mouth to speak, but the baby on his shoulder answered first:

“Of course. We’re always looking for new family members.”

“Re-Reborn! Don’t just decide things like that!” the boy, Tsuna, stammered.

“See? It’ll be fun! Come on!” Yamamoto said as he returned his attention to you. Apparently he did not even consider the fact that people your age generally didn’t play “imagination games” a problem. 

The silver-haired boy made another “Tch!” sound and looked away. 

“This is Tsuna.” Yamamoto gestured toward the brunet. “He’s our “boss.” And this,” he motioned toward the other boy, “is Gokudera.”

Gokudera didn’t even bother to look at you. He merely kept his arms crossed and looked adamantly away from both you and Yamamoto.

“So come on! It’ll be fun! And then your grandma will let you back inside, right?”

You hesitated.

His cheerful smile never faltered. "Summer break is best spent with friends."

This time, you looked at the silver haired boy, still pointedly ignoring you, and grinned yourself. “You know what? I’d really like that.”

[ivarlover]

UNEXPECTED

Part 5 (sequel #3 to UNLEASHED and UNDENIABLE)

Alex + Modern Ivar

Mentions of Female Reader + Hvitserk

NSFW 18+ ONLY

If you're new here and want to catch up, just go to my pinned master list. The first chapter is UNLEASHED, then UNDENIABLE, and now, UNEXPECTED...

This was supposed to be just a one-shot, but here we are. At this point, I have no idea how many chapters this will end up consiating of. Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I've enjoyed writing it!🔥

Summary: During a hot weekend with your classmate, Alex, and his best friend, Ivar, the two of them had their own fun together. And now, it had turned into an entire relationship between the two of them that neither of them had seen coming. Now, that reality had set in, they navigate the relationship and all that comes along with it, the good, the bad, and the unexpected. Now that they were just getting into the swing of things and finding their groove, Ivar's ex fiance comes back into the picture, and it seems she is sure to shake things up.

Warnings, The sequel in general:

Totally NSFW, unprotected anal sex (male receiving), oral, male to male contact and more, a bad case of the feels, language, smut, with me, there is ALWAYS smut. 🤣 Each chapter will have its own warnings.

This chapter: Language, smut, of course, oral, major case of the feels, *inaccurate medical descriptions, diagnosis, and practices,* Ivar being Ivar

Please leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Words: I don't know; too MANY to count

Let me know if you want on or off the tag list!

Note from me: My apologies for how long this has taken, but hopefully, the length (& content 🤞🏼) of this chapter will make up for it.

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The night hadn't been nearly long enough, but it had been some of the best sleep for Ivar. In fact, he couldn't remember the last time he'd slept quite that peacefully. He'd also expected Ivy to wake up during the night, maybe even crying, but she hadn't. He was surprised but very pleased.

He woke up to Ivy babbling on his chest. Great, she was a morning person just like Alex. He grinned to himself, smiling from ear to ear.

At first, he was disoriented and not sure where he was or what, exactly, was going on, but as he quickly gathered his thoughts, his heart began to pound. He'd been so overwhelmed with emotions, excitement and happiness, he hadn't had the chance to think about everything. Not really. He knew this was going to mean a lot of changes, but he hadn't stopped to really think about being a father and what all that entailed. What if he didn't do it right? What if he sucked at being a father? What if Ivy didn't like him and only wanted to be with her mom? How did he even go about being a father to such a little, perfect gem in the first place? He had a lot he needed to learn and fast. That's when it hit him. What about Katia and her evil plans to further manipulate him? How could he raise a little girl with someone he didn't trust?

Interrupting his thoughts, Alex raised up and kissed him, "Good morning."

Ivy looked at him and giggled, "Hey!" Ivar and Alex looked at eachother, shocked.

"How many words do you know, little one? Humm?" Ivar asked her, rubbing her cheek with his thumb. She turned her head and kissed his hand. "Well, aren't you just a little sweetheart?"

"Just like her daddy," Alex smiled, getting up. "Can you drop me off at school after I shower?"

"Absolutely," Ivar smiled to himself at Alex calling him her daddy. He'd been called daddy before, but never in this context. He laughed to himself as Alex headed out and to the shower.

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Ivar left Ivy with Aslaug while he went to drop Alex off at school. He hugged Ivy and she smiled at him, melting his heart. "What am I going to do with you, humm?" He grabbed her foot, tickling it, and she giggled at him. He held her tiny foot up and kissed the bottom of it, as she wiggled her toes, "I'll be back shortly, ok? You be good while daddy is gone, ey?" He smiled at the new name he now had, kissed her on top of the head, and handed her over to Aslaug, stopping to hug Aslaug on the way out.

As Alex got out of the car, he kissed Ivar goodbye, "I'll catch a ride back with Y/N after class. I'll see you at your place," he hesitated for a moment and then added, "Daddy."

Ivar grinned and said, "Well, it has a whole new meaning when you say it like that, now doesn't it?" He winked at him as Alex closed the car door.

On his way back home, Ivar decided to make a pit stop.

Standing in the doorway of the hospital room, Ivar leaned against it and watched Katia. She'd apparently had a rough night and had to be given stronger medicine to help her sleep. He looked on as her chest slowly rose and fell again as so many thoughts and memories flooded his mind.

He saw flashes of his empty closet the way she had left it the day she left him. He saw the cottage, that he actually still owned, but had never been back to since their weekend getaway, and the waterfall that she'd loved so much. He saw flashes of Hvitserk's snarls in her presence and how he'd never fully trusted her from day one. He thought of himself desperately believing every lie she'd ever told him, even when he'd doubted her, because he'd just wanted it all to be true so badly. He saw the aftermath she'd left behind, all the heartache, the nightmares, the tears, and the empty promises. Everything kept playing over and over in his head. The worst of it all was that he now saw how she'd came back and manipulated him again, using Ivy, her own daughter, against him. She had actually planned to use Ivy to get more money out of him just to only run away with her in the end. How did he know she wouldn't still run away with Ivy now? He slowly grew even more angry than he'd been when he'd made this small detour to begin with.

Looking around behind him at the busy doctors and nurses, he stepped into the room and softly closed the door behind him. Slowly, he moved closer to the side of the bed. Looking down at her helpless, weak body, all he could think about was how easy it would be to end this right now, how easy and nobody would ever even know. He could easily put the extra pillow that was laying in the chair beside him over her face and hold it until she could no longer breathe. He could stop or speed up the IV and watch her as she took her last breath. Things would just be so much easier without her in the picture. She had caused such pain. He had never met a more scheming person than she was.

Fortunately, for Katia, he was already absolutely in love with Ivy and knew there was no way he could ever do anything even remotely close to any of these horrible thoughts, without hurting Ivy as well and he wasn't willing to do anything that would hurt her. In fact, he felt a little guilty for even letting these things cross his mind. A little.

At that very moment, Katia opened her eyes, startling Ivar. Ivar was standing over her, watching her like a wolf watches its prey. He had a menacing smirk across his face that he had a hard time disguising so he decided not to even try. "Iv-Ivar?" she rubbed her eyes, thinking maybe it was another bad dream, "What are you doing here?" Her heart began to race as he never looked away from her with his piercing eyes. "Umm, do you, umm, do you have Ivy?"

"No. I came to see you myself."

"Umm, oh, ok. You seem tense. Is everything OK? Is she.."

Stepping even closer, Ivar interrupted her, "I thought we should get some things straight here. There needs to be some very clear boundaries and understandings between the two of us if we're going to somehow make this all work," he said coldly.

Katia smiled. She hadn't expected him to be willing to take her back that easily but she assumed that it was because of Ivy. Her heart fluttered at the thoughts of them finally together as a family. "Oh, Ivar. I'm so glad you've decided to give us a second chance," she reached to place her hands over his on the edge of the bed. "I'll follow whatever boundaries you want if that's what it takes for us to try again." She smiled warmly at him.

Jerking his hands away from hers, he took a step backwards. Flatly, he answered her, "No, you've misunderstood me. That's not what I meant. I am not trying to get back together with you again. As I told you before, I'm with someone now and I'm quite happy with him. I'm talking about us co-parenting. I definitely want to be in Ivy's life but I've had enough of your fuckery." He did not look away from her.

"Him? What do you mean, 'happy with him?' You meant her, right?"

Feeling aggravated, Ivar answered, "No, you heard right. I'm with Alex now, not that it's any of your business. You've missed the point. The important thing here is how we co-parent Ivy. Now that I know she's my daughter for sure, I need you to understand that I will not put up your manipulation tactics. I know what you tried to pull with Herald and, Katia, that was low, even for you."

She seemed surprised. "Ivar, Herald was determined to convince you that Ivy is his and everything else was his idea, not mine, I promise you. He couldn't come to terms with the fact that I still loved you, but I do, Ivar. I am still in love with you," she reached for him to give her his hand, but Ivar remained where he stood with his hands crossed over his chest. "Surely, things can't be that serious with you and Alex. I'm so surprised. I mean, you're not a faggot, Ivar. You sure didn't fuck me like you're a faggot. I'm sorry I hurt you so badly that you've resorted to being with men," she raised up in the bed and held her hands out to him again, her eyes pleading, "But let's give it one more try so you can remember what it's like being a real man and being with a woman, being with me."

Ivar saw red. He had a sting of emotions coursing through his body and anger was definitely an understatement to describe the strongest one. He flew at her, finger pointing in her face, "Let's get one thing straight, I am not a fucking faggot and neither is Alex. I do not have to prove I am a 'real man' to you or to anybody else," he snarled, teeth showing. Practically growling, he continued, "My personal life decisions no longer concern you. As long as Ivy is safe and taken care of, that's all that concerns you. I don't care how much you say you 'love' me," he held his fingers up, making quotation marks in the air, "The only reason I need to talk to you at all is because we have a child together. I don't want to discuss anything unless it's about Ivy, not anything about us, not our past, not our non-existent future, no remember whens, just Ivy only. Your games are over. Our past is over. It's Ivy and only Ivy from here on out. There's absolutely nothing else for us except co-parenting our baby girl. We can do this the civil way or we can do it the legal way and I can take you to court and get sole custody of her. And you know I can. Do you understand that? Is it clear enough for you? Those are the boundaries I was talking about. Can we agree on this or do I need my lawyers to draw up paperwork for you, humm?" Ivar snarled at her once more as he took a step back again.

Katia was stunned. She had never seen Ivar like this with her before. Her sweet words usually worked with him. She could tell he had changed and as she looked at him, she realized she'd have to try this another way. "Ivar, I'm so sorry. I-I'm embarrassed of all that I've done to you. And I meant no disrespect to you and Alex. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me and that we can move forward from here, for Ivy's sake. I can abide by your rules. I don't want to involve the court. We can do this like two adults. That is, of course, as long as you can accept my apologies. I won't make any more excuses. I just hope you can forgive me."

Ivar knew, instantly, that this was another one of her angles to try to manipulate him, but as he thought about it, he just wanted to get back to his little girl. "Ok, Katia. This is definitely the last chance. Once you're out of here, and the doctor told me it should, hopefully, be in the next day or two, I'd really like it if I can spend a little time with you and Ivy together. I'd like to get to know what she's like on a typical day, when things aren't all so new and happening so fast for her, hell, for all of us. I'd like to see her in her own surroundings."

Thinking she'd won this round, Katia smiled, warmly, "I'd like that a lot, Ivar. You are welcomed anytime."

Just as he began to respond, the doctor came in. He let Katia know she was extremely lucky that Ivar had been with her when she fell. Had he not been there and gotten her to the hospital so quickly, she may have had major complications.

Katia interrupted him and asked if Ivar could bring Ivy to visit her, giving him a look to not continue with whatever he was talking about. He told them it was ok as long as Ivy didn't stay long and wasn't disruptive to other patients. Leaving the room, he said she should be able to go home the next day if all of her tests came back ok.

"Katia, what are you hiding? It seems the doctor wants to discuss some other condition, but you do not. Are you ok?" Ivar asked, genuinely concerned.

"I'm fine, Ivar," she lied, "I'm not hiding anything. Thank you, but there's no need to worry," she dismissed his questions. "Will you be able to bring Ivy? I really miss her."

"If you say so," Ivar knew her well enough to still question how honest she was being, but he chose to drop it so he could go. "I'll be back a little later with Ivy."

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On Ivar's way home, he made another spur of the moment decision. "Mom, can you tell me what size clothes Ivy wears?"

On the other end of the phone, Aslaug answered, "She has clothes, Dear."

"Yes, I know, but umm, I hardly consider Baby Ragnar's sweats as proper clothing for my baby girl. I really would like to stop and pick up a few things for her, you know?"

Aslaug couldn't hide her smile in her answer. She told him and then answered all his questions about diaper sizes, brands, wipes, and maybe a million other questions he had.

Hanging up the phone, Ivar went inside the store to pick up a few items. His daughter should have the best of the best.

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Aslaug met Ivar at the door and grinned when she saw his hands full of bags. "I got almost everything out of the car but could you grab this so I can go back for the last thing in my trunk?" Ivar asked Aslaug. Giving her the bags, he went back to his car.

As Aslaug put the bags down on the sofa and the floor in front of it, Ivar came through the door with two big boxes in his arms. "What on Earth did you get, Dear?"

"Well, if she's going to be staying between Katia's and here, I not only need to make this place child friendly, but she needs her own bed to sleep in, not just Baby Ragnar's crib." He sat the boxes down. One was a beautiful, white, wooden bed and the other was a ride on push car. "The store sales clerk suggested this bed since she's going to be one soon. She said that the baby beds are nice but I'd soon need to get a toddler bed, so it makes more sense to get one like this that has the removable side rails for when she's a bit bigger." He pointed to the picture that showed the railing. "I hope she'll like it."

Aslaug went to him and placed her hand on his cheek. "Oh Dear, I'm so proud of you. I've always said you'd be a wonderful father, and you've, no doubt, proven me right. Of course, she'll like it. How very thoughtful of you! But umm, can I ask about your plans with Katia?"

Ivar stepped back, "What plans? I have none. We're co-parents. That's all."

Aslaug smiled at him and gracefully answered, "I know, Dear. I mean have you two decided how you'll be co-parents? Will Ivy reside with you or with her? Will you be required to pay her child support? And I'm not saying I think this is what you should do, but have you thought of the possibility of trying to make things work with her? I can almost assure you that's why she's popped back up out of the blue like this."

Ivar tried to hold his anger as he responded, still clinching his jaw, "Mom, you can't be serious. Have you still not accepted that I'm in love with Alex? I know that's a big pill for you to swallow, but he's not going anywhere. This is not just some fling or some phase that I'm going through. This is serious and he is going to be in my life. I'd hoped you'd try to accept that."

She dropped her head, looking down at her hands, "I do accept it, Ivar. I gather that I have no choice if I want to remain a part of your life. It may take me a bit longer to adjust, I hope you understand," she looked up to him, sincerely, "But, I love you and it's your life so I promise you, I accept you and Alex. I just wondered if Katia tried to persuade you. I don't trust her, Dear, and was worried that you actually might. She always had this way about her that made you believe anything she said, no matter what."

Ivar was surprised. He hadn't expected that response and hoped that Aslaug was being honest. "Umm, thank you, mom. She can try all she wants but I can see through her shit now. You don't have to worry."

As he sat down and begin to unpack the bed from the box to put together, Aslaug told him that she had just put Ivy down for a  nap and hoped he wouldn't make noise to cause her to wake up. As he began to look at the instructions, he answered her other questions about he and Katia and told her about his detour after dropping Alex off to his class. Aslaug seriously hoped that his plan would work out. She definitely had her doubts, though, when it came to him making any kind of agreement with Katia.

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As Alex and Y/N came through the front door, laughing about something that had happened in class, there sat Ivar in the middle of the living room floor, papers, screws, wooden bed pieces, stretched out all over the floor around him. "This is just ridiculous! How do they expect anyone to be able to put one of these damn things together safely for their child?" He glanced back at Alex and Y/N. "Come on in. Don't mind me. I'm just failing miserably at trying to make my daughter's life a bit better when she's here," Ivar dropped his head to his hands in defeat.

Alex looked around at the mess and at all of the bags and boxes in the living room floor. He smiled to himself, "What's all this?" He walked to Ivar, greeting him with a soft kiss.

"I, umm, I did a little shopping for Ivy while I was out today," he blushed bright red.

"A little?" you asked, looking in one of the bags and pulling out several small outfits. "These are just what's in one bag," you said, looking around, "And you have what here? Like 15? 20?"

"Well, she has nothing here at all and you know, I missed the last year. I've got some time to make up for. And it's not all clothes. She's got some toys in there, too."

You smiled, "It's actually quite sweet, Ivar." He smiled back at you.

"Ok, let me see if I can help you out some. Alex sat in the floor beside Ivar, searching for a particular piece. "Surely the two of us can get this thing together." Alex looked to Ivar, who had his head in his hands in frustration. "Just breathe and take a break for a few minutes. It's going to be fine."

After plenty of snarls and aggravation from Ivar, the two of them had almost completed the task. Ivar's annoyance was finally dissipating as he put in the last screw and the bed was now together.

He shook it to check it was sturdy. "Don't doubt our work, Ivar," Alex said teasing him. "We know what we're doing," he laughed.

Ivar looked at him and smiled, "Thank you for your help, Love. Without you, I think I would have paid someone else to do it. That was ridiculous."

Alex looked over to you and leaned in to Ivar's ear, hoping you wouldn't hear, "And you can pay me later, Ivar." Alex grinned at Ivar's devilish smile.

At that time, Aslaug walked in with Ivy in her arms. "Look who finally decided to wake up."

Your heart completely melted as you watched Ivar's face light up and his eyes fill with love. Ivy instantly reached for him even though she was on the other side of the room.

Ivar was immediately to his feet and taking Ivy from Aslaug. "Hey, little one. You want to see what daddy got for you?" He walked over to the bed and placed her in it, standing her against the rail with his hands on her back.

"It looks like she can hold it and stand up on her own," Alex said, stepping to Ivar's side.

Ivar looked to Aslaug in a way that she knew he was asking what she thought. "Well, Dear, she's nearly one already. Alex is probably right. Make sure she's holding onto the side really well and try it."

Ivar was apprehensive but he did as his mom suggested. With his hands hovering behind Ivy, he watched her closely. Not only did she stand on her own, but she took one step to the side, closer to Alex, and giggled. Alex bent down and kissed her on the head. "That a girl, Ivy," he smiled with pride.

Overjoyed, Ivar picked her back up and hugged her. "Oh my God, Ivy! You just took your first step!"

As if reading his mind, Alex quickly kicked the wrappers and papers in the floor from the bed out of the way as Ivar lowered Ivy to the floor. Holding her hands, he let her stand on the floor. She looked up at Alex and took a step toward him, Ivar closely behind her, still holding her hands, trying his best to hold back the tears that threatened to escape his eyes at this proud moment.

Alex seemed to feel the same happiness that Ivar obviously did and he had an idea. "Ivar, let me hold her hands and have her walk to you."

Ivar instantly liked the idea and handed her over to Alex as you and Aslaug looked on, smiling. He squatted down and Alex got behind Ivy on his knees. "Ok, sweetheart. Take a step toward daddy," Alex's face beamed with joy. Ivy looked up and back at Alex as if she was questioning him. "Yes, baby, that's daddy. Walk to him."

Ivy looked at Ivar, who had his hands stretched out toward her. "Dada," she said and pulled her hands away from Alex's. As Alex lunged for her, thinking she was about to fall, she took two small steps toward Ivar on her own. "Dada," she said again as she fell into his open arms. Ivar looked up at Alex and neither of them were able to say a word. Ivar scooped her up and hugged her so tightly as a tear rolled down his cheek.

"I, umm, I love you so much, Ivy," Ivar said to her as he kissed her on the top of her head. He looked around and there wasn't a dry eye in the room. He could only smile as his heart leaped out of his chest. Alex quickly wrapped his arms around the two of them and held them both. He was so happy he hadn't missed this special moment.

Ivar was so overcome with emotion that he just sat there in Alex's arms, holding Ivy as she giggled. He couldn't even begin to grasp that this was truly his life.

Aslaug cleared her throat and Ivar turned to look at her. "Dear, I'm sorry to interrupt you two, but Y/N is taking me to Ubbe's. He said that he, Torvi and the kids are staying here for a few more days, so I wanted to spend some time with the kids before I leave out tomorrow afternoon."

Ivar immediately felt worried. "Mom, what will I do with Ivy without your help? I, umm, I don't know how to be a father," he panicked, getting up, with Ivy still in his arms, and walking to her.

She lovenly placed her hand on his cheek, "Oh, Ivar, you know more than you think, Dear. I'm just a phone call away if you need me. If she cries, you be sure she's not hungry, wet, or sleepy and you'll be fine. You are wonderful with her, sweetheart. Look at her. She's already in love with you. Give yourself some credit." She put her arms around him and hugged him tightly. "I wouldn't leave if I thought you couldn't do it. Plus, you have Y/N and Torvi still here to help when you need it." She looked to you and you nodded your head to Ivar. "See? I promise you that you'll be ok."

Ivar couldn't help his fear of severely messing up. He knew if there had been someone in charge who deemed him good enough to be a father or not that he definitely would not be standing here with Ivy in his arms. What if he fucked up and she didn't like him? What if he scarred her for life? What if she needed something and he couldn't figure out what? He couldn't help but feel inadequate.

"I promise you'll be fine. Stop worrying. And I'm sure Alex will be here to help, too." Aslaug looked at Alex, "You will be here with them, won't you, son?"

Alex felt a bead of sweat roll down his temple, "Yes, of course I will. I wouldn't dare leave him when he needs me." Alex looked to Ivar and smiled as he placed a reassuring hand over Ivar's, that was resting on Ivy's back, and gave a gentle squeeze.

Aslaug kissed him on the cheek and grabbed her purse and bag. "I'll see you tomorrow before I leave. You can call me anytime during the night if you need me, Dear."

You walked around the kitchen island and gave hugs to Alex and Ivar. You kissed Ivy on her forehead as you told Ivar, "You've got this, daddy." He shot you his devilish grin causing you to blush.

"I've still got it," he continued to grin.

Even in a serious, life changing moment, he was still the biggest flirt you'd ever met, worse than Hvitserk even, and you just rolled your eyes at him. "You can call me anytime as well, Ivar."

Ivar couldn't help how worried he actually felt, but Alex placed his hand on Ivar's back and gently began to rub it, soothing Ivar's fears to some degree. He knew they were right. He wouldn't be alone in this and he was extremely thankful for that. He grabbed Alex's other hand and gently squeezed as Y/N and Aslaug left.

"Well, now's the actual hard part," Ivar turned to Alex. "We need to take her to visit Katia." Alex's heartrate sped up. He was certainly nervous about that. "That is, umm, you will go with me, won't you? I, umm, I understand if you don't want to." Ivar was so unsure about this new territory.

Alex leaned to Ivar and kissed him on his temple, brushing hair away from his face, "Of course, I'll go with you. I'm here every step of the way." Ivar couldn't even put into words how relieved he was.

They went back to the living room and Ivar showed Alex all the clothes he'd bought for Ivy. Everything was absolutely adorable: pretty, little dresses with shoes to match, cute pajamas, and little t-shirts with different characters on them. He explained he wasn't sure which characters she liked so he got something with all of them he could find. Alex laughed at him, thinking how adorable he was. Even her little sweats that he got for her were cute as could be with sparkles, hearts and stars.

They finally decided on a pretty, purple dress with white tights and purple shoes to match. Alex suggested that they gave her a quick bath before changing her clothes and Ivar panicked. "Oh shit! I, umm, shouldn't we have asked mom or Y/N to give her a bath before they left? I'm uh, I got a small baby bathtub, too, but I don't think I actually thought of the logistics of it all." He was beginning to sweat.

Alex smiled at him and placed his hand on his arm. "Ivar, she's your daughter. You're allowed to bathe her. It's not weird. Not unless you make it weird," he assured him.

"Umm," Ivar looked to Alex with pleading eyes, "Will you umm, can you help me?"

Alex smiled, "Of course."

It turned out that Ivy loved taking a bath. She splashed the water and giggled as Ivar washed her. He was thankful she didn't cry. He was already plenty nervous enough. Alex sat at Ivar's side and watched him lovenly talking and playing with Ivy as he bathed her. The more he watched Ivar with Ivy, the more he felt like he was falling in love with him all over again. He didn't realize there was even room to love him more, but seeing him with his daughter and all the love he possessed for someone he'd literally just met made it impossible not to fall even harder.

Interrupting his thoughts, Ivar asked, "Can you hand me the towel, Alex?" He gave him the towel and Ivar dried her off and quickly got her into a diaper for the very first time.

"You actually did that pretty well considering you haven't done it before," Alex said, surprised.

"Nieces and nephews, man. I've actually done this part before," Ivar grinned proudly.

Soon, Ivy was dressed and they were ready to leave. Ivar felt so relieved that this task hadn't been quite as difficult as he'd anticipated.

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Getting Ivy out of the car at the hospital, Ivar took a deep breath. Turning to look at Alex, he said, "Surely, she won't make this any more difficult than it already is, right?"

Alex felt the same nervousness as Ivar did, "I definitely hope not, but you know, at this point, she's capable of practically anything." He placed his hand on Ivar's shoulder. "However it goes, I'll be right by your side." He leaned in and kissed Ivar's cheek.

When they opened Katia's hospital door, she looked up and saw Ivar holding Ivy. Her eyes instantly watered up, "Oh, my baby girl! Hey!"

Ivy reached for her, "Mama."

Ivar stepped closer and asked Katia if she was ok to hold her. She said yes and sat up in the bed. He let Ivy go to her. She placed her head on Katia's shoulder and said softly again, "Mama," as tears streamed down Katia's cheeks. Even Ivar couldn't deny how sweet it was. He'd be lying if he said he didn't feel a bit jealous but he understood the feeling of Ivy giving one of her warm hugs all too well.

Katia kissed Ivy on the top of her head and looked back up to Ivar, "Thank you. Thank you so much for bringing her. I've missed her so much." As Ivar was about to speak, she looked to Alex and said, "Thank you, too, Alex. She looks so beautiful. I can tell the two of you have taken such great care of her. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Alex looked to Ivar and smiled. He felt this may just be one of the few times that Katia was sincere in her words.

Ivar was relieved to see that it seemed Katia and Ivy had a good relationship. He and Alex sat down and let her spend the much needed time with Ivy. Ivar watched as Katia talked to Ivy and played with her, hugging and kissing her and making her giggle. They played pat-a-cake and Ivar was amazed to see how smart Ivy was. Katia sang a couple of nursery rhymes to Ivy and Ivy filled in a word here and there. Ivar was impressed with how Ivy knew which words to say at the exact right time.

As he listened and watched their bond, he found himself growing angry. He was angry that Ivy was nearly a year old and he had missed so much. He was angry that he didn't have the same type of bond with her that Katia did. He didn't have their special songs to sing together or fun hand games to play with her. He realized he didn't even really know everything Ivy was capable of and it made him even more angry with Katia.

Before he realized what he was doing, he jumped to his feet and punched the bed side table as he yelled, "Damn you, Katia!"

Startled, Ivy began to cry. She buried her head into Katia's chest and Katia tried soothing her. "Ivar! You scared her!" she scolded him as she patted Ivy on her back and kissed the top of her head.

Ivar instantly felt guilty and ashamed of himself. "I-I'm uh, I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me." He turned and abruptly walked out the door. Alex stood and told Katia they'd be right back.

In the hallway, Ivar explained to Alex where the outburst had came from and how he'd gotten so angry so fast that he'd reacted before he'd realized it. Alex understood his frustration but explained how he'd have his time now and how he could only move forward from here. "Do you think I've completely scared Ivy off?"

"Of course not, Ivar. Let's go back to her," Alex grabbed Ivar's hand lovenly. "You just startled her. That's all."

Ivar looked at Alex with hopeful eyes and followed him back into Katia's room. Ivy looked up at him when he walked in. "Dada," she said, smiling at him, and he couldn't help how warm it made him feel inside. He was so relieved that she wasn't still crying because of him.

Katia rubbed Ivy's back as she said, "Yes, my sweet girl, that is your daddy."

"How, how does she even know that, Katia?" Ivar was still so surprised by this new development.

"Ivar, she's very smart. She always surprises me with things she knows and can do. I don't know how she knows most of the things she does. She amazes me all the time. She just really pays attention, I guess, but I do know that talking with her like I always have does help."

He and Alex walked back over and sat down beside the hospital bed. Ivar sheepishly looked up at Katia. When she caught him looking at her, he dropped his head and said, "Umm, I'm sorry for my outburst and for scaring her."

"It's ok, Ivar. I actually do understand. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about her before now." Ivar couldn't tell if she was being sincere or not. He'd grown accustomed to her lying, but he decided to take it either way because at least she'd acknowledged what she did had been wrong. He just didn't feel like discussing any of it there in the hospital, especially not in front of Ivy.

The rest of the visit went well, and Ivar was thankful for that. He learned a lot about Ivy from seeing her interact with Katia. As he looked on, he thought that Katia may have been a real piece of work as a girlfriend and fiancé, but she seemed like she was truly a good mother. He really hoped this proved to be true. He told her about Ivy taking her first steps and she nearly cried. Ivar felt better, now, that they'd been able to set aside their differences for Ivy's sake. He just hoped it would continue to be this way once she was finally released from the hospital.

A nurse came in to let them know that visiting hours were over. As Ivar and Alex stood to their feet, Katia gave Ivy kisses goodbye, and Ivy began to cry, "Mama. Mama, no!"

Katia held her up to Ivar, "Ivar, take good care of our baby girl, and please, bring her back to visit again as soon as you can." He picked her up from Katia's arms and Ivy sobbed into his shoulder, continuing to cry for Katia. "Just take her. Go. I can't stand knowing she's crying like that for me," Katia dropped her head. Ivar promised to bring her back as he, Alex, and Ivy headed toward the door.

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"Wow! What a day!" Alex said, sitting down on the sofa next to Ivar, unconsciously licking his lips as he looked over to Ivar. Ivar did not miss it.

"Shit! You mean what a week," Ivar turned up his bottle of beer and finished it in one drink.

"Ivar, it hasn't even been a week yet," Alex laughed at him as he handed him another beer.

They'd finally gotten Ivy to sleep after a very difficult evening trying to comfort her after leaving Katia.

"I, I don't know how good I'm going to be at this, Alex. She's never going to want to be with me over her mom. Katia saw to it that I'd miss that precious bonding time with her by keeping her away from me all this time."

Alex placed his hand over Ivar's, "Don't do that to yourself. You still have plenty of time to make your own bonds with her. Just take it one day at a time. You've got this."

"Well, I sure hope you're right."

They talked a little about the last few days, and Alex reassured Ivar of his commitment to him even with him now being a father. "Ivar," Alex placed his hand on his face and leaned over to gently kiss him, "You being Ivy's father isn't going to make me run away. In fact, it actually does the exact opposite. Seeing how much you love her already, how you took responsibility for her, and take care of her is quite attractive. Hell, if I'm being honest, it even kind of turns me on." He blushed at his admittance.

Ivar looked over to him and said, "Well, you know, I have no objections to you doing something about that."

Alex looked at him and Ivar grinned. "I don't think I'll ever get tired of that devilish grin of yours either," Alex told him as he abruptly leaned over and straddled Ivar. "And if you're sure you're not too drained, I will definitely do something about it. I mean, you do still owe me for my work on Ivy's bed earlier today."

Ivar sat his beer down on the end table and yanked Alex forward, heavily panting into his mouth as he kissed him. "Oh, I'm definitely sure," Ivar began as he leaned forward a bit more and sucked the side of Alex's neck into his mouth causing Alex to shiver. His hands gently caressed Alex's chest underneath his shirt as he mumbled seductively into Alex's ear between soft, wet kisses, "I just want you naked." Grinning from ear to ear, Ivar yanked Alex's shirt off before Alex even knew what was happening. "I want to see your gorgeous, naked body." Alex blushed again as Ivar pulled him into another deep kiss.

Running his hands from Ivar's shoulders to his chest, Alex slowly found the bottom of Ivar's shirt and tucked his hands underneath. He rubbed Ivar's chest softly sending chills all over Ivar's body. Alex pulled away from Ivar and slowly began unbuttoning the shirt one button at a time while staring straight into Ivar's eyes. Ivar started to move Alex's hands away so he could rip his shirt off quicker, but Alex stopped him. "No, let me."

"But you're too," and Alex placed his finger over Ivar's lips.

"I said, let me." Curious as to what Alex was up to, Ivar leaned back, dropped his hands to Alex's hips, and waited for his next move.

Looking up and into Ivar's eyes, Alex leaned down to his half exposed chest and began to give him soft nibbles and warm, wet kisses. Ivar squirmed in delight. When Alex reached the next button, he whispered seductively, "How important is this shirt?"

Looking back at him quizzically, Ivar answered, "Umm, not at all?"

"Good," Alex responded as he lowered his face once more. He grabbed the button between his teeth and with one quick snap of his neck, he yanked the button completely off the shirt and spit it into the floor. Before Ivar could do anything but gasp, Alex had already found the next button between his teeth. He did the same thing as his finger tips gently grazed over Ivar's hardened nipples.

A bead of sweat trickled down Ivar's temple as he watched Alex ripping his shirt open button by button. Once he'd finally removed the last button, Alex's hands lightly rubbed down Ivar's chest the rest of the way. As Ivar watched, he began breathing heavily. Alex grabbed each side of Ivar's shirt and gazing into Ivar's eyes, he quickly yanked his shirt open and off of his shoulders, trapping Ivar's arms at his side.

Ivar, trying to wiggle the rest of the way out of his shirt, breathlessly said, "I can't move my arms with my shirt like this. Can you help me get it off?"

Alex looked up at him, grinning, "Oh, that's exactly what I plan to do." Ivar was shocked. It was usually him who made such sexual innuendos. Alex placed his hand on Ivar's chest and abruptly pushed him back. "Now, sit back, relax, and let me 'help you get it off,' " Alex grinned again.

Listening to and watching Alex assert himself made Ivar even hotter for him. He proudly set back and did what Alex instructed with his arms still restrained at his sides. This should be fun, he thought to himself.

Alex stood up in front of Ivar and Ivar's eyes widened as his heart began to race. "You said you wanted to see me naked, right?" Ivar gulped at Alex's words.

"Yea, umm, I mean, yes!" Ivar practically panted.

"Well, your wish is my command," Alex smiled widely at him as he began unbuttoning his jeans.

"Wai," Ivar studdered, "Wait. Not like this. I can't touch you," he gestured toward his arms, wrapped tightly at his sides in his shirt.

"Guess you'll just have to watch then, humm?" Alex unzipped his jeans as Ivar continued to whine. Once Alex had his jeans open, he looked up to see Ivar and biting his lips, he let his jeans fall. He moved a little until they fell completely to his feet and he stepped out of them and kicked them aside.

Ivar watched Alex intently, standing in his underwear, and unconsciously licked his lips. "Oh, do you like what you see?" Alex flirted.

"Umm, yes, very much," Ivar groaned. He couldn't begin to explain what seeing Alex like that did to him. All he knew was that he liked it. He shyly smiled back at Alex. "Come closer."

Alex slipped his fingers under the band of his underwear and slowly tugged them down as he took even slower steps toward Ivar. Just as he got right up in front of Ivar, he dropped his underwear all the way down, his hard cock falling forward. He stroked himself as Ivar began to salivate. Ivar leaned forward. "Closer," Ivar whispered.

His hands landing on Ivar's head, Alex tilted it up to look directly into Ivar's eyes. He asked, "Are you sure you want..?"

Ivar interrupted him, "Yes! Come here already!"

Alex grabbed a handful of Ivar's hair and yanked his head toward him as he thrusted his pelvis, slamming his hard cock into Ivar's mouth. Ivar choked and Alex began to move back, "Fuck! I'm sorry!"

"No!" Ivar mumbled, his lips still around Alex's dick, "It's ok." He wrapped his plump lips and hot mouth around Alex's length and began to bob his head up and down as Alex moaned.

Alex's head fell backwards and his eyes rolled into the back of it. For someone so shy about having another man's dick in his mouth, Ivar definitely was enjoying himself. He enjoyed knowing he could have that kind of control over Alex. He still had questions about how he'd found himself here, dating, fucking, loving another man, but he knew it was all ok because there was no other feeling like this he'd ever felt before. He wanted to feel like this forever, for the rest of his life. And spending the rest of his life with Alex had entered his mind more than once. He smiled around Alex's cock as he thought of it again.

As Alex moaned in pleasure, it urged Ivar on and he began to suck him more vigorously. Alex opened his eyes and looked down at Ivar. What a beautiful sight, the man he loved taking him in his mouth like a pro, only aiming to please him! But this wasn't the plan. He stepped back, pulling himself out of Ivar's mouth with a pop.

Ivar looked up in confusion, "Why did," and Alex interrupted him again.

"Shhh," Alex pushed Ivar back. "My turn." He settled himself on his knees between Ivar's legs. He began unbuckling Ivar's belt and slowly unbuttoned his pants. Looking up to Ivar, he licked his lips as Ivar whimpered.

"But I didn't get you to finish," Ivar complained.

"Shhh, it's ok. Just lay back, relax, and enjoy," Alex grinned.

"Well, can you at least free my arms?"

"Eventually," Alex teased.

Once Alex had Ivar's pants completely open, he had him raise his hips. With his hands at the waist of Ivar's pants, Alex tugged them, along with his underwear, over his plump ass and down his legs where Ivar kicked out of them.

"Now, down to buisness," Alex winked at Ivar as he leaned forward and began sloppily kissing him. Ivar breathed heavily into Alex's mouth as Alex ended the kiss and began kissing down his neck. He gently left light, wet kisses down Ivar's neck and across his collarbone, sending chills down Ivar's back. He quickly reached Ivar's chest, where he gave little nibbles between wet kisses. His teeth grazed over Ivar's nipples as he bit down just hard enough to make Ivar twitch. Slowly, he kissed further down Ivar's chest while his fingertips lightly trailed behind, leaving chills in their wake.

When he finally reached Ivar's rock hard member, standing ready for him, he licked up one side and Ivar began to squirm. He hovered just at the tip and breathed his hot breath onto it but didn't yet take him into his mouth. He slowly licked down the other side and looked up at Ivar's pleading stare. "Please," Ivar whinned.

Alex grinned up at him, "What? Is this what you want?" He slowly slipped his mouth over Ivar's thickness and twirled his tongue around the head.

Ivar impatiently watched as his desire grew even stronger for Alex.

Alex sunk down as far as he could and began to suck and twirl his tongue simultaneously. His hand found the base and began moving up and down in rhythm with his mouth. Ivar's head fell backwards as he moaned out in pleasure. Proud of himself, Alex continued.

"Please, Alex, let my hands lose. I need to touch you," Ivar pleaded once more.

Alex mumbled, "Nuh-uh," and continued his bobbing and sucking. Ivar was now enjoying the sensations Alex was sending all the way to his core too much to put up a fight, so he just shut his eyes.

The harder Alex's mouth worked on Ivar, the closer Ivar grew to his demise. He was surprised it was so fast, but Alex was just that good. He felt the heat rise from within as beads of sweat rolled down from his forehead. He clinched the edges of his shirt in his fists and his toes curled. He dropped his head forward to see Alex was intently watching him. It was as if Alex's gaze bore a hole right through to Ivar's soul. And it was just enough to push Ivar on over the edge.

"Quick! Mo-move, Alex!" Ivar barely managed to yell out between his heavy pants. "I-I'm com-coming!" He gasped. Alex grabbed Ivar by his hips and held onto him, preventing him from moving, and he sucked even harder and faster. "Ale..," Ivar tried, but he hit his climax as Alex looked up and into his eyes.

Alex felt the warm strings of Ivar's pleasure hitting the back of his throat, and he smiled as he drained Ivar to the last drop.

Panting, Ivar looked at Alex and somehow managed to say, "I-I'm sorry, Love. Fuck! I didn't mean to..."

Alex leaned up on his knees and placed his finger over Ivar's lips to silence him. "Shhh. It's ok. I knew what the results are of going down on you. I mean, that is, if I do it right," Alex smiled.

"You definitely do it right. Damn!" Ivar was still on cloud nine, face flushed. "But what about you? You didn't get to finish."

"Don't worry about it. This wasn't supposed to be about me." He leaned down toward Ivar, "Can I kiss you?"

"Fuck yes," Ivar grinned, "But I need my arms already!"

"Shit, I'm sorry! I forgot all about it." Alex leaned back and helped Ivar out of his shirt. Ivar's arms instantly wrapped around Alex's waist, pulling him closer.

Looking deeply into Alex's eyes, Ivar grabbed both sides of Alex's face, "Come here." Their lips touched and began moving together in a hot, passionate kiss. Ivar's hand moved to the back of Alex's neck where he snaked his fingers through his hair. Alex, still on his knees in front of Ivar, pulled away from him a bit and rested his forehead against Ivar's. "I love you." Smiling, Ivar pulled him in for a tight hug.

As Alex rested his head on Ivar's chest, Ivar wrapped his arms around him and held him tightly. "And I love you," he whispered softly and kissed him on the top of his head

Before too long, they both drifted off to sleep just like that, butt ass naked with Alex on his knees and laying on Ivar's chest, arms intertwined around each other.

Eventually, Alex stirred awake. "Fuck!" he yelped, grabbing at his legs and knees, "How long have we been laying like this? I've got to get up."

As he pulled himself up, Ivar sweeped his own legs up and around and stretched out on the oversized sofa. "Here," he patted his own chest, "Lay back down here with me and place your head here again. Nothing feels better than you sleeping on my chest in my arms."

"Nothing? Are you sure?" Alex teased as he laid down with Ivar, cuddling to his side with his head on Ivar's chest as requested.

Ivar pulled the throw blanket from the back of the sofa down over the two of them. "You're just as naughty as I am, humm?" Alex grinned as Ivar began running his hand through his hair. They both were soon off to sleep again.

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"Fuck, Ivar! What the fuck! Wake up!" Hvitserk busted through the front door. "Everybody has been calling you two! Where's your fucking phone, man?"

Rubbing his eyes at the glare from the bright light shining through the front door, Ivar managed to look up at Hvitserk, who was now standing over him and Alex. "Well, good morning to you, too, brother. To what do we owe this uninvited visit?"

"Hey, I'm sorry to break up your play time. From the looks of it, the two of you had a pretty wild night," he looked around and smiled at the empty beer bottles and the clothes strewn all over the room, "But you need to get up and get dressed. Now. The hospital has been trying to get in touch with you."

Alex raised up off of Ivar, a bit dazed, still, from sleep, and they both sat up, draping the blanket across their laps. "Wait. What?" Ivar pulled his hair back from his face with his hands.

"Where is your phone? If you would have answered, you'd already know. Katia can't be released to go home by herself. She fell again last night and they said she needs 24 hour assistance until she gets her mobility back, most likely with intensive physical therapy. She can't be left alone, but no medical facility that has the type of therapy she needs here will accept her insurance from Russia. She's going to have to go back home, Ivar, to Russia." Hvitserk hesitated as he saw Ivar's face contort into what could only be described as the devil. "She, umm, that means you have to umm, take Ivy back to her, man. She's got to go home and Ivy has to go with her."

Ivar stood straight up, not caring that the blanket fell to the sofa behind him, leaving him naked. "The hell you say! Ivy's not going any fucking where!"

Hvitserk began trying to explain again and Ivar continued interrupting him. They began arguing and Alex quickly got to his feet with the blanket around him. "Hey! Hey! This isn't necessary. Surely we can find a solution that will help Katia and let Ivy still stay here as well," Alex managed to stand between the two of them. "Let's all calm down and wait until we speak to the doctors." He looked at them both as if scolding them.

"I'll pay for her to stay in a facility here if I have to," Ivar's words softened.

"Man, I already thought of that. You wouldn't believe how expensive it is without insurance. It just wouldn't make sense, little brother, even for the money you have." Hvitserk looked around again, "Seriously, can you just get dressed so we can go? We'll see what we can figure out. It's not right for her to take your baby away again, especially when you just got her. I agree with you. I'll help you hide Ivy if we have to."

Alex looked at them both with worry in his eyes, "First, he's right. You should get dressed, Ivar," he smiled as he looked over Ivar's still naked body, "But you can not kidnap Ivy from her mom, even if she is your daughter."

Alex hoped he wasn't about to make one of the biggest mistakes of his life, but he then said, "Why don't you just bring her to stay here? You can pay for nurses to help with her therapy, which I'm sure will be extremely cheaper, and you'll still have Ivy with you. Not to mention, how good it would be for Ivy to be with both of her parents. Then, when she's better, she can go back to her place and we won't lose Ivy." Alex took a deep breath. He couldn't believe he'd actually suggested such a thing.

Ivar and Hvitserk stared blankly at eachother and then both looked to Alex quizzically. Alex smiled nervously and shrugged his shoulders.

"Whatever, let's go," Hvitserk said, shaking his head.

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