#(apparently missy decided i needed to reply to this right away so-)

[pcetstcrtured]

the arrival of nini is so unexpected missy doesn't fully process it until the other girl's arms are wrapped around her. she half-heartedly wraps an arm back around her - clearing her throat - trying to gather herself a little so she can speak. she doesn't even know how nini knows, did missy call her? she doesn't remember, the grief makes it hard to think. "i'm, uh, i'm okay. i guess. as okay as i can be ..." the words sound foreign, even to her. speaking at all sounds foreign. "what're you doing here? did ... did i call you?"

❝    oh,    missy.    ❞    bittersweet    smile    etches    it's    way    onto    nini's    face    as    she    walks    into    the    cooper    house,    immediately    wrapping    her    arms    around    her    friend.    ❝    sweetheart,    i    am    so    sorry.    how    are    you    holding    up?    ❞

@pcetstcrtured

[primis-marshmallow]

Two German Scientists

Chapter 5

Dr Brandt had been pleasantly surprised at a job offer to work for the secret government organisation Omega. However, things take a turn when her boss decides she’s more of a nuisance than a valuable member of the group. How will Dr Brandt survive when thrust into a new world, one where the actions of four men will dictate the survival of the universe?

Now that the threat of the creatures had apparently died down, the others started setting up a camp with whatever materials they could find. They leave me in the same room they took me to before. My limbs feel weak and strained, my head consumed by a dull ache. After a while though, I decide I need to help. Taking the blankets and pillows from the room, I walk over to a larger room, adjacent to the kitchen. The others are already there, creating makeshift beds.

The Russian turns as he hears someone enter the room. “Ah, little woman. We did not want to disturb you.”

I smile slightly, placing down the blankets on the cold metal floor. “I thought it only best to help, as gratitude for you all not killing me earlier…”

“We don’t tend to kill pretty women, just freakbags.” The American- I think his name was Dempsey, winks.

“Freakbags? Oh you mean the reanimates? The corpses?”

“You seem familiar with hell pigs, like you have seen them before?” Nikolai questions, eyes narrowed on me. The others look too.

“Yeah I uh…we have them where I come from-” I awkwardly try to explain, fiddling with my fingers to calm my nerves.

“And where exactly is that?” The Japanese man pries.

“I-its a long story, I don’t want to bore you with the details.”

“We have time, missy.” My eyes dart around to look at all of them, I’m going to have to explain…I’m sure they’ll understand.

“I was uh…just at a research facility in Vietnam…working for Спецгруппа Омега…we had the undead too, I was in charge of researching them.” They seem to soften slightly at my admission, probably just because I’m not being secretive.

“Ah, doll’s a scientist. Explains the coat. I do love me a lady with brains.” The others roll their eyes at this.

“But you are not Russian?”

“No, I do speak Russian but I’m originally from England.” Dempsey walks over.

“And how old are you doll, if you don’t mind me asking. You’re over 18 right?” I recoil at his statement.

“I’m 25. But if you weren’t lying in saying this is 1945, then I guess I haven’t been born yet. Where I came from, it was 1984.” They don’t seem too surprised by this, is time travel normal to them?

“We just traveled to future too, well this is future to us. We travelled here from France, during Great War.” Strange. These men have also manipulated space time to end up in 1945, however in the opposite direction. But 1945, a big facility containing these creatures…this isn’t right. I know aetherium and the creatures were discovered by the Germans during World War Two, but this isn’t like any of the facilities I have heard of. The creatures look different too, more like actual corpses than the ones I have seen. Could this be a different dimension, a parallel universe perhaps? God! My head is killing me.

“Enough questions for the lady, would you like some food? We don’t have much but I prepare rations for all of us.” The Japanese man asks, offering me a bowl of what appears to be potato soup, I take it thankfully.

“Thank you, uh-sorry I don’t know your name?” He gives a slight bow.

“Takeo Masaki, it is a pleasure to meet you.”

“Dr. Alvarie Brandt.” I reply, bowing back at him. Both holding out soup in our non-dominant hands, Dempsey comes over to introduce himself, shaking my spare hand.

“Tank Dempsey, the pleasure’s all mine.” I take a sip of the soup.

“Nikolai Belinski, and the crazy German you met earlier is Richtofen. I’d keep away from him.” I take another sip of my soup before replying.

“You don’t like Germans? Ah…world wars.” Nikolai lets out a grumble.

“You forget about world war so quickly?” I shake my head.

“No, it's just my parents are German so I tend to forget about that whole prejudice thing… People are pretty much over it where I come from.”

“You’re German?” Dempsey asks, looking annoyed.

“Well my parents are, but I grew up in England.” He grunts as he nods, seemingly still annoyed.

We all finish eating our soup. “We should probably go and bring some soup to Richtofen. As much as I do not trust the crazy German, he does seem to be the only one with a clue of what to do.” Nikolai announces, picking up a the fifth bowl.

“I can go take it to him?” The others look at me.

“No, we’re not letting you go to Richtofen alone.” Nikolai grumbles.

“It’ll be fine, I can thank him for looking over me earlier.” I assure. Dempsey rolls his eyes.

“Fine, but if you come back with a scratch, I’m gonna kill him.” Nikolai hands me a bowl and I leave the room. Walking down the corridor I realise that I have absolutely no idea where Richtofen is.

“Where would he be…where would he be?” I mutter to myself as I stroll past the many doorways. The library? Maybe? I enter the room, walking down the long aisles of books, all collecting dust, until I hear some noise. The sound of pages turning.

“Richtofen?” I call out quietly as I turn the corner. I see him sat at a table, surrounded by piles of books, frustrated.

“Vat do you vant?” He grunts as I approach his table slowly, placing down the soup.

“I just wanted to bring you some food, and to thank you for checking over me earlier..” He looks up from his book briefly.

“You’re velcome.” He gives a fake smile. “Now leave.” His harsh tone causes me to frown.

“Sorry.” I reply meekly, starting to walk away before he stops me, grabbing my arm.

“Vait!” I turn back, looking into his silvery blue eyes. “I shuppose I schould ask you some questions, Doctor Brandt.” He gestures for me to take the seat opposite him, I do so, cautiously sitting down.

“Sure…” He snaps close the book in his hand before placing it down on the table.

“How exactly did you get here? You are not shupposed to be here.” I don’t dare make eye contact with him, just continuing to look down at my hands.

“I was thrown into a teleporter, by my boss…against my will.” He hums in response.

“Und you sink zat I believe you? How do I know you veren’t sent here to shtop me?” At this accusation, I dart my eyes up to his.

“Sent to stop you? I didn’t even know where I was? My boss just hated me and threw me into a portal, and I ended up here!”

“Vhy vould your boss srow you into a teleporter?” He questions, leaning back in his chair, a hand on his chin.

“He hated me! He thought I tried to kill him when one of the specimens I was dissecting woke up on the table. How was I supposed to know? I thought it was dead.”

“Shpecimens? Do you mean the hell shpawn? You were researching hell shpawn?” I nod vigorously.

“I was part of Спецгруппа Омега, a soviet research group dedicated to the study of trans-dimensional travel and the fauna and flora of the Dark Aether! I promise, I have no idea what’s going on here! I just want to go home.”

“Hmm…zee dark aeser…interessant…vielleicht hat sie nützliche informationen…”

“Ja! I’m sure I do! Just please, don’t hurt me.” His eyes again connect with mine.

“Du sprichst Deutsch? Ah you get more and more interesting, Doktor.” He chuckles lowly.

“Please, I just want to go home.” I almost beg, my voice losing it’s prominence as my resolve withers away.

“Zen go home!” He snaps back.

“I don’t know how!”

He stands up, slamming his hands down on the table. “Tomorrow vee vill turn on zhe power und fix zhe teleporter. Hopefully I’ll be able to find your previous location und get you out of zhe vay.” I flinch, pushing myself backwards on the chair.

“That’s all I want…I didn’t want to disturb you Richtofen…I’m sorry.”

Dempsey, Nikolai and Takeo sit together in the ‘bedroom’. Their tired bodies ache after a long and brutal fight. Dempsey interrupts the silence, bringing up the one thought he can’t quite seem to get out of his head. “Did you guys notice Richtofen doing something weird when we first got here?”

“Strange describes much of what Richtofen does.” Takeo mumbles, his head rising from his pillow.

“No I mean right after he popped himself… before that girl arrived, he knelt over the body, why?”

“Maybe Richtofen wanted to pay respects, to himself?” Nikolai mused.

“And what is he even doing here anyway? He’s been missing for two fucking years, while we’ve been fighting off hordes of freakbags!” Takeo places a hand on Dempsey’s arm, in a calming motion, or perhaps just to stop him perforating the others eardrums.

“We know not where Richtofen has traveled, but I believe his experiences have changed him…”

“Crazy German is still as crazy as before, wherever he’s been.”

Tank scratches his chin in thought. “Come to think of it…isn’t it a little strange that that girl, Alvarie, just magically turned up here?” The others hum in agreement.

“It is strange, but so is much of what we have experienced.”

“I get that Tak, but here she arrives, this scientist. Who knows about the meat sacks, is german, and is currently alone with Richtofen. I think she works for him!”

“That is quite the accusation, Dempsey. I don’t believe it, the girl looked too scared to have known she would be brought here…”

“Speaking of the lady, she’s been talking to Richtofen for a while now, perhaps we should check she has come to no harm?”

Just as he finishes his sentence, I rush back into the room. “S-sorry, I’m not interrupting am I?” I pant out, having just ran straight from the library, their eyes all settle on me.

“Not at all darlin’, you okay? Richthofen didn’t hurt you did he?” I shake my head, sitting down on the blanket across from Dempsey.

“No, he didn’t. He just scares me a bit is all. Though he said tomorrow once we get the power turned on, he might be able to get me home. Then I’ll be out of your hair, and I can finally get back to work.” I sigh out, relived.

“So you don’t plan on staying then, барышня?” I shake my head vigorously.

“Not at all! No offence- it's just I don’t think I could survive with these creatures just walking around all the time, trying to kill me. I couldn’t even take out one, never mind the amount there was earlier.”

Dempsey chuckles. “We better get you back soon then doll, hordes will come again when that crawler dies.” Strange?

“Is that how they work here? They come in waves?”

Takeo nods. “We do not know why, but they behave so, and follow us wherever we are.” Hmm, this is strange behaviour…maybe I could learn from them. That’s it! If I can find out how these creatures differ from those of the Dark Aether, then maybe Peck will let me join the project again. Maybe he’ll think I’m useful and forgive me!

“You’ll have to tell me everything you know about them!” Nikolai puts out a hand to quell my excitement.

“Maybe tomorrow, I think we should all try to get some sleep while we can..” The others nod in agreement, before settling down on the floor. Is this it? I just have to sleep here in my bloody clothes? Well…I take off my lab coat, settling down in the pile of blankets on the floor, laying my head down on the old pillow. Closing my eyes, I finally realise how tired I really am..slipping into a deep sleep.

Dear Diary,

Sings are going accordink to plan. I have caused fraktures to shplit across zee ‘original’ timeline, just as I was told to do, by killing mein ozer shelf. The ozers do not sheem happy viz my arrival or my course of actions, but zey vill come to realise zat vhat I do, I do only to secure a better tomorrow. Hopefully I’ll be able to reshtore ze power tomorrow before any hell shpawn arrive, zen I can activate ze beacon, und allow Maxis to find us… now what else, ah ze girl. Sche says she’s a doktor, a scientist, shtudying ze hell shpawn, but zis can’t be right, can it? She’s not shupposed to be here, I need to get her out of ze vay, she could mess up ze plan completely. I don’t believe she is from zis timeline, she can’t be, I vould’ve sheen it in ze Kronorium. I’m going to try to send her back, only to get her out of ze vay…failing zat I don’t know vhat I’ll do. I have to admit that’s she’s a distraction, und not a velcome one. I have to shtick to ze plan, I can’t shtop now.

[lanawinterscigarettes]

I’ll reply to all of the responses in one ask so I don’t clog your inbox again LOL

1. Trust me I will be taking up your offer to yap about any and every tv show I’m interested in…starting now. I watched the first two episodes of the show Wilderness today - it’s so good, way better than I thought it was gonna be (and also in a different country?? I thought it was set in Australia but no apparently it’s set in New York 😭) and Liv is a bit naive in love but I was more distracted by how attractive she was than half of the actual plot LOL also she’s canon bi, and I lowkey ship her one-night-stand-wise with the girl her husband cheated on her with, like I won’t spoil too much in case you decide to watch it but literally Liv was pretty much stalking Cara then said to her best mate ‘She’s hot, no?’ like 🤨👀 and when Liv kissed her husband she was more bothered to see that Cara was watching them than her husband enjoying the kiss LOL random rant that I can’t tell anyone else about. I don’t know if you know the British show gogglebox which is where people record themselves watching TV but I basically did an amateur gogglebox and now I have a funny 1hr 30m video of my first impressions to the first two episodes LOL

2. Don’t cry! Although I do hope the stars shine for you as I am star anon - I chose star anon because I love the stars so much I have star jewellery and iPad cases of constellations and a phone case of a star and my most used emoji is the star!

3. Missy is the most charming nuwho master…although every time I see John simm I’m like OH MY GOSH ITS THE MASTER

4. Thank you for adding my little thing about the ficmas, I love the snowmen and I’m so excited to see it as with everything you write!! Plus Christmas is my favourite favourite time of year

5. About the foursome fic you’re always welcome to write Missy/River/Clara/Fem Reader stuff I will LAP THAT STUFF UP even like I love the concept of like a double date between River/Missy and Clara/Reader but it just ends up turning into one massive data where River and Missy are being bossy boots and teasing the other two at the table next to them along with riling each other up. Or like, an adventure where they’re all showing off each of their talents like Missy having to manipulate people or River shooting people with her gun thingy or Clara hacking stuff and the reader…idk, deciphering codes or something all trying to impress each other while the doctor is just stood there like 🧍‍♂️these gay idiots LOL

6. I know some people need comfort fics at Christmas but it saddens me that people are even sad at Christmas in the first place 🥺

Hope you’re doing okay Aeron - enjoy the rest of your day in the tumblrverse 🫶

- ⭐️

wilderness sounds like it's so good, plus jenna coleman stars in it so it gets even more brownie points in my opinion hehe. and I've never heard of gogglebox before but now I'm realizing I do the exact same thing when I watch tv- (of course I don't record myself but I get very opinionated on what's going on lmao)

the bit you wrote about the stars shining brightly sounding like such a beautiful piece of poetry to me and I've been known to cry over far less, but they were happy tears I promise 💘 and you seem like someone who gives off star vibes, if that makes sense. like I could imagine you being someone who enjoys stargazing or observing different constellations at night (I might have a new clara x reader fic idea now tbh)

no because why does literally every version of the master seem so goddamn charming 😭 I'm not sure how much you know about classic who but if you think the nuwho masters are charming then the classic who masters are who they got it from because WOW. I love the doctor but I think if the master invited me to travel with them I'd fold right away lmao I have no restraint

no problem!! I love christmas too, though I will have to say it's in constant competition with halloween for me (I've always been someone who loves the fall holidays a bit more than the winter ones but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy both) and you're so sweet for saying that, thank you 💞 sometimes I get worried whenever I'm writing something based on a request that it wont turn up like the person envisioned it so it means a lot to know you enjoy my writing so much and trust my artistic direction or whatever haha

stop you're going to give me too many new ideas on what to write for- (don't actually stop though I always love whatever you come up with) I'll definitely have to write some more river/missy/clara/fem reader stuff in the future, although I can't promise they'll be as long as the kinktober fic (honestly I've never ever written anything that long before idk how it happened 😭)

yeah, I get what you mean. it's just no fun being sad at christmas, but if I can hopefully cheer someone up even a little bit then I'm glad to write a holiday fic that has a bit of hurt/comfort in it ❤

the tumblrverse is such a creative and cute way little phrase omg (I spend way too much time in the tumblrverse than I should tbh-) I hope you're doing okay too star anon!! it's always nice to hear from you 🥰

[proserpina-magnus]

Yay your requests are open! 😄 Could you pleeeease write a Dom poly!marauders (no Peter) x sub!reader, where it’s a new-ish relationship between the 4 and the reader breaks her first rule, leading to her first punishment and they can all see she’s nervous so they are soft!doms during (you can decide the rule she breaks and the punishment🙊) and the aftercare they give her 🥺

Yes absolutely, it’s kinda rough and I didn’t realize how lengthy it was! This is actually not that good and the aftercare could be better but I hope you like it!

First Punishment’s (R.L, J.P, S.B)

Reader: fem (she/her)

Word count: 2.6

Warning: swearing, rule breaking, spanking, bratty reader (sorta), d/s (sorta heavy?) Remus is the main dom, safe words are definitely in place, lots of aftercare and praises, reader becomes a cry baby super fast, soft doms, Sirius actually doesn’t show up that much and that sucks :(

p.s: my bad spelling also plays a role in this!

There were only a few solid rules the Marauders had set for you, no back talk, no touching yourself sexually without permission, and always thank them when they give you something. They had a few smaller rules specifically for themselves, such a James saying you can’t cuss while Sirius allows it. Remus has to approve your outfit before going out to hogsmeade. Sirius, surprisingly, doesn’t have many rules other than the main ones.

It must have been a bad day or you just felt bratty, because you had been tempting their rules all day. You had gone out to hogsmeade with your dorm mates, not checking with Remus about your outfit. When you returned, a bag full of honey duke treats, you got stopped by Remus in the hallway. He shoo’d your dormmates away, an eyebrow raised with his hands crossed over his chest.

You shrunk slightly, fiddling with the edge of your rather small skirt that Sirius had gifted to you just days ago.

“Bun, did you forget to do something?” He asked and you nodded. Yet you and Remus both knew you had done it on purpose.

“What did you forget?”

“To check with you,” you mumbled, distracting yourself with flattening the fabric of James jumper you had stolen.

“To check with me about what?”

“M’outfit,” you whispered and you caught Remus's stern look and spoke up. “M’outfit sir,”

“mmh,” was all he said, giving you an opportunity to apologize to him properly. You dug through your bag, taking out a chocolate bar you had gotten him.

“But I went to get you guys sweets!” You excused yourself, pushing the chocolate in Remus's hand. Remus shook his head, taking the chocolate. “Alright, I’ll let you off this time. But no matter what your excuse is, it doesn't mean you can go around flaunting your ass to Hogsmeade, understand?”

“I’m not flaunting my ass!” You exhaled quickly, pushing down your skirt as you began to get offended. Remus raised his eyebrow, “I’m sorry?” And you grew quiet. Real quiet.

“Hey lovely,” you heard James call from behind you, you had turned around to see him race down the hall and swing an arm around your waist, a big smile on his face.

“What’s the issue?” James got the tension and Remus motioned for you to explain yourself.

“Went to hogsmeade without checking my outfit with Remus,” you whispered rudely, James raised an eyebrow as he didn’t quite catch it.

“Hm? Speak up poppet,” he said, and you sighed and said it again louder this time.

“Oh let her off this one time Remus, she must have forgotten,” James defended you, rubbing your back so you knew he was on your side.

“I was,” Remus started, irking slightly as he recalled how you talked back. “But instead she told me off for my offer,”

James grew confused, looking down at you. “Love, that’s not true is it?” He asked, pinching your cheek and you pushed his hand away. You thought he was on your side.

“Remus said I was flaunting my ass! I wasn’t! And even if I was, what's the problem with that? I’ll flaunt my ass whenever I want!” You huffed, another small rule broke at your words. Remus rolled his tongue over his teeth, James folding his arms over his chest. Oh dear lord, you were in for it now if you kept going.

“This isn’t far, it’s 2 against one,” you pointed out as you now realized James wasn’t on your side. You copied them, crossing your arms over your chest.

“It wouldn’t have been 2 against one if you didn’t break a rule,” Remus reminded you, you grew frustrated.

“Well I don’t like your stupid rules,” you stated, now you began to get worried. Why did you keep talking, it wasn’t too late for you to apologize and say you were sorry.

“Up to our dorm,” James said roughly and grasped your elbow, you shook him off and stepped back. “No I don’t wanna,” you said and they both let out a laugh.

“Come on, we’re not asking again,” Remus said, you felt your nerves jitter. You’ve never been punished before and the worry began to build quickly.

“No,” you said, shaking your head as you took another step back. Your back hit a person and you cursed yourself. Without turning around, you knew it was Sirius. But hopefully, you prayed he was on your side. Sirius must have read your thoughts, because he quickly said a “they’re right bun, you know if you break a rule you get punished,”

You frowned, huffing out as you realized there wasn’t a chance to escape now. “Fine,” you muttered, pulling away from Sirius as you began to walk down the hall to the portrait. They followed behind, Remus shaking his head.

You stopped at the portrait, arms still crossed over your chest as they said the password and led you upstairs to their dorm. With the thud of the door being closed, you felt the need for a meltdown.

They hadn't discussed what kind of punishment went with each rule, they hadn’t thought they wouldn't need to punish their good girl. James had insisted you would never break a rule, but apparently he was wrong.

They picked up that you were worried, but they couldn’t just let it slide, you’d think that breaking rules was okay and that you could get away with it.

You walked over and set your bag down on James' dresser, sitting down on his bed, hands still folded over your chest.

“Okay, cool off,” James said and walked over to you. “I want you to know we aren’t punishing you while mad, that’s not how this is going to work,” he stated, and Remus nodded.

“We honestly hadn’t planned out a punishment, we thought you would be good,” Sirius said, that hurt. “I am good!” You replied, upset at the fact they didn’t think you were good.

“Hey, you’re not on thin ice anymore missy, I’d watch what you say if I were you,” Remus snapped and you went quiet with a frown.

“We know you’re a good girl,” James soothed over, giving a glare to Sirius. “That’s not what he meant,”

You began to open your mouth for a snappy comment, maybe even going as far as to call James dumb, but you closed your mouth and stayed silent. “Okay,” you nodded, “I understand,”

“You know why we have to punish you?” Sirius asked, and you nodded. “Say it, we want to know that you know what you did was wrong,”

“I broke a rule, well two rules,”

“Two rules?” Sirius questioned, he had missed the start of the backlash. “She went out to Hogsmeade without my permission for her outfit,” Remus cleared up.

“technically she actually broke three,” James said, your eyes opened as you looked over at him. How could he? You felt the need to cry, they seemed really upset. Who knew you would hate them being upset at you so much?

“Three?” You questioned in pure confusion.

“You cussed, you know I don’t like that,” James explained with a hand on your thigh, you nodded in defeat. “It’s alright, bun,” he kissed your cheek.

“James, don’t encourage that she can break your rules,” Remus advised and your shoulder slumped at the fact this wasn’t a time for you to get praises.

“Alright, let’s discuss punishments, she’s scared I don’t like that,” Sirius said and sat opposite of you, Remus took a seat on the chair by James dresser.

“You want us to list some?” James asked, “we won’t do anything without your permission,” he explained and rubbed your knee, you sighed but was a bit confused.

“You can use your safe word any time you feel unsafe, even during punishments. We never want you to be scared of us, okay?” Remus said, rubbing your cheek and you nodded. You leaned your face in his palm, you wanted to soak up all the affection before your punishment.

“We need clarification, you understand bun,” Sirius said, you opened your eyes when Remus pulled his hand away. “I understand, I can use my safe word whenever I need to, even during punishments,” you nodded along, slowly the nerves began to settle.

“Good girl,” James praised, “don’t think we’re going to praise you during punishments either, but since it’s your first time we’ll be more understanding,” Remus explained and you nodded.

“Alright, what about spanking? Not letting her cum for a certain amount of time? Degrading?” Sirius rushed out the ones off the type of his head, your stomach flipped at the word spanking.

They discussed punishments in front of you for a few minutes, some making you worry and others you nodded along like you’d enjoy it. You didn’t know why, but hearing them talk like you weren’t even there was making you feel dizzy.

“What about a simple time out? I don’t want to go all out for her first punishment, I don’t want her to be scared,” James said, rubbing your back gently.

“Let’s make her pick, that way she has control over the first punishment,” Remus said, looking away from Sirius as he kept his eyes on you. “We’ll let you pick this time, but don’t think you’ll get to pick the next time you break a rule,” he explained and you nodded.

“No punishment,” you choose and Sirius laughed, kissing your forehead. “That’s not how it works bunny,” he began and you sighed. You thought for another minute, spanking couldn’t be bad could it?

“I guess spanking,” you nodded, Remus nodded but James wasn’t so sure. “I don’t know, I still think we should give her a time out, maybe even not let her speak for a day or so,” James said, Sirius didn’t agree.

“She wants to be spanked, we’ll spank ‘er,” Sirius said, patting your thigh.

“The whole point of a punishment is that we don’t do what she wants, it’s not a punishment if she likes it,” James explained, you began to worry again.

“I don’t wanna do something scary,” you say, you thought about the discussion of the things you definitely didn’t want to do at the first of your relationship. Were they going to do something that was past your boundary? At the thought alone, you began to sob.

“James look what you did, you’re scaring her,” Sirius rolled his eyes as he took you in his arms, shushing you gently as he rubbed your back.

“M’don’t wanna do things past my boundary,” you sobbed, they all softened at the miscommunication. “Oh no poppet, we would never go past your boundary, that’s not what a punishment is,” James sighed, you sniffled and pulled back, wiping your eyes. “No?”

“Of course not,” Remus clarified, “like we said, safe words can be used during any moment you feel unsafe, do you need to use it now? We can postpone the punishment until you’re ready,”

You shook your head, “no, the faster the punishment is over the faster I can be your good girl again,” you whispered.

“That’s right, just focus on that huh? We’ll be so proud of you for taking the punishment like a good girl,” Sirius said, looking over at James and Remus. They all agreed and you wiped your cheeks.

“Okay but how many spanks? And how hard?” You asked, they all thought for a moment, james and Sirius looking over at Remus for the final answer.

“20 or so? That seems fair,” Remus states and the latter agree, you felt confident with being able to handle 20. “But how hard?” You asked, James stood you up and you felt a hard smack against your ass. You yelped, hand going over to rub the now red skin.

“Does that count as one?” You question, Remus was about to say no but Sirius caught him off. “Might as well,” he states, “who’s giving the punishment? Cant be me cause I’ll enjoy it too much,”

“I want James,” you say, but James shakes his head. “You upset Remus' earlier love, I’ll give you 10 and Remus will give you the other,” he says, looking over at Remus to see if he agrees. The taller boy nodded.

After a few minutes of questioning, you had situated yourself on James lap. Sirius laid on his bed, clear view of your now exposed ass (James had previously risen your skirt and pushed down your panties). You took a deep breath, Remus explaining once again that you could use your safe word whenever you needed.

With the first official smack, you sucked in a breath. There was a certain excitement about it, even the boys felt their heart race as James abused your soft flesh with a couple more smacks. Your skin red on both cheeks, James even went as far as to hitting the low of your thigh.

After the tenth smack, you had begun to let tears slip past your waterline. Sniffling as you sat up and moved to sit in Remus' lap. Once sprawled out, you whispered a small choked out “okay” for Remus to continue where James left off.

Remus’s spanks we’re harder than James, by the fourth you had become a whimpering mess. Your apologies for misbehaving leaked out every smack, it was like dominos. Your skin felt raw to the touch, the spanks stung.

Remus applied the last smack quickly, Sirius sitting up as James fell to his knee beside the bed, stroking your hair. “You did such a good job, poppet, made us so proud,” James whispered as Sirius passed Remus some cream.

Your face deep in the sheets, sobs admitting loudly as you feel the cool cream get rubbed into your hot skin. Sirius rubbed your leg, Remus finished and flipped your skirt down to hide your reddened ass.

“Look at that, you took your first punishment so good,” Sirius said, Remus helped you sit up as you wrapped your arms around his collar.

“M’so so sorry, never break a rule again,” you sobbed, vowing to never receive another punishment. Even though they knew a punishment was necessary, they felt their hearts stop at the sound of your cry.

“Oh baby, shh. Let’s get you some candy from your bag,” Sirius says, grabbing the honey duke's bag as he rummages through it. Remus guides you away from his neck, sitting you down in his lap. You hissed, the contact not feeling good on your abused behind.

James had opened a water bottle for you, pushing in a straw and holding it for you to drink. You nodded your thanks and shakily took it, sipping it graciously. Your eyes were puffy and red, James wiped your face with a tissue, cleaning your mascara from your cheeks.

Sirius had opened a pack of peppermint patties for you, you chewed on it gently and leaned against Remus’s back. After they got you calmed down, the praises had been never ending.

“Look at you, took your first punishment so well,”

“Good girl, best sub we will ever have, hm?”

“Took the spanks so well didn’t she, prongs?”

“She’s such a good girl, don’t you think moony?”

You felt dizzy at their compliments, nodding as they all came tumbling in at once. Sirius had begun brushing your hair, James kissing your cheeks to make you laugh.

“So proud of you poppet,” James whispered in your ear, you wrapped your arms around his neck as he picked you up.

“Let’s go run you a bath and soothe your skin hm? Then will bring you dinner and you can rest with us tonight,” James said, stepping into the bathroom.

“Okay, I’d like that,” you nod tiredly, resting your head on James' chest. Maybe being bratty wasn’t so bad.

—

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[amerrierworld]

Lullaby

Ocean’s 8 fanfiction

for the request: More Lou x reader plssss they’re so good! Maybe a protective!Lou fic

Summary: Lou is there for you as you struggle with incessant nightmares.

Characters: Lou x gn!reader, the team mentioned in passing

Word Count: 2,071

Warnings: comfort and fluffffff. a bit dark in reference to scary nightmares, restlessness, worry, etc! some fluffy suggestiveness, but nothing smutty

You knew you needed to sleep. Hell, you wanted to sleep. Your eyes were burning as you stared at the ceiling fan high above you, spinning gently and sending cool air to the sleeping bodies below.

The ladies had all crashed at Lou’s that night, an impromptu sleep-over after a night drinking in celebration. There was plenty of couch space to go around, and an extra mattress was pulled out for the remaining few. Pillows and blankets were tossed about and shared. 

You heard Rose snoring quietly at the other end of the mattress. At some point in the night, you had rolled off of your side onto the hardwood floor, blankets half-covering your restless body.

The ground was hard and cold against your back, but it was a welcomed feeling, because you’d woken up in a fit, heart pounding, drenched in sweat and gripping the blankets with trembling hands. 

You didn’t expect nightmares to visit you tonight. You’d drank happily and were exhausted from the day’s events, and you were out cold as soon as everyone turned out the lights and said goodnight.

But shadowy figures danced about your brain as you laid there, staring up at the ceiling fan, trying to decide what to do next. Memories of the nightmare were already fading due to the drunken haze you had fallen asleep in, but the panic was still heavy in your chest. 

Suddenly, your body tingled with restlessness and you sat up. Wincing at the stickiness of your sweaty shirt peeling off the floor, you got up and gingerly stepped around your sleeping friends. You needed to move, or do something, before your heavy breathing woke anyone else up.

You went to the bathroom, used the toilet, combed your fingers through your wild hair. Wandered around the small space for a bit, opened the cupboards and inspected what kind of hair products Lou liked to use. 

It was eerily quiet, the kind of quiet in someone else’s house that you’re not used to. You sat on the edge of the bathtub, which was wondrously large, and debated drawing yourself a bath. It’d be too loud to fill it, you figured. You’d feel like you were imposing, no matter how comfortably you knew Lou and the rest of the team. 

But you also didn’t want to go back yet either. The cool bathroom floor tiles were jarring but relaxing to your aching feet, and the harsh bright light dispelled any shadows around you.

Wild, hot tears prickled the edges of your eyes and you sniffled. You rubbed your face with a shaky hand, irritated at your drowsiness but inability to sleep peacefully which only made you cry harder. 

Wind roared outside and the lights flickered for a split second as you sobbed silently into your hands.

-

Lou wasn’t a light sleeper by any means, but if something sounded off in her own home, she’d be the first to wake up. And so, when she heard soft footsteps creaking up her staircase, she was awake in seconds.

She peeked down the hall and saw the light coming from the bathroom as you snuck in, clicking it shut slowly, as if all hell would break loose if someone heard you. 

Lou normally wouldn’t have done anything, considering there were eight people sleeping over and someone was bound to use the toilet in the middle of the night, but the way your feet shuffled weakly and your head was bowed down in fear made her worry.

She waited for you to come back out. Heard the flushing of the toilet, the running of the sink, and expected you to open the door again immediately. But you didn’t. And when she walked over, leaned her ear towards the door and heard quiet sobs coming through, she nearly broke down the door with how swiftly she opened it, fearing the worst. 

Your back straightened, squeaking in surprise at the sight of Lou in the doorway, her eyebrows furrowed.

You both stared at each other for a moment. Lou opened her mouth and closed it again, swallowing thickly. She realized how invasive it was for her to burst through the door, but the sound of you in torment pushed any rational thoughts out of her brain.

Rubbing your eyes quickly, you got up and wrung your hands in front of you. 

“S-sorry I took so long,” you said, thinking she needed to hurriedly use the bathroom. Lou’s brain was short-circuiting with both worry and confusion. Your clothes stuck to your body and seemed damp, and your face was red and splotchy, despite your attempt to hide any signs of your crying.

You felt bad for waking Lou and keeping her waiting. She was wearing an oversized rock ‘n roll t-shirt that nearly reached her knees, and her hair stuck out in all directions, a low bun drooping and threatening to fall out entirely. 

“It’s alright,” Lou replied dumbly, not realizing why you were apologizing. 

You got closer, trying to think of how to get past her without making it obvious how much you were struggling, hoping her sky-blue eyes wouldn’t catch on.

But a gentle hand stopped you before you could walk past her and you knew that she had.

“Y/N,” she whispered, pushing you back a bit so she could close the bathroom door, giving you privacy, “what’s wrong?”

You nonchalantly leaned against the sink, looking at your toes, “nothing.”

The lights flickered again as the wind howled outside. Suddenly the space felt too surreal, too harsh and bright, and you ached.

Lou turned away from you, rummaging around and pulling out a washcloth. She used the sink behind you to dampen it, and you wondered what she needed it for. Maybe she needed to wash her face, or had some makeup left over...

Then she reached for your hand and gently pressed the fabric against the back of it. The lukewarm temperature of it zapped through your body like a shot and your clammy hand went limp in hers.

She searched your eyes, looking for fear, for rejection. Instead she found pleading, drowsiness and trust.

“I’m not good with words,” she muttered as she rubbed the cloth over your fingers and forearm, before moving to the other. “But does this help?”

You nodded, face scrunching up as tears threatened to flow again and you wanted to hold them back. 

Then she pressed the damp cloth against your collarbones and shoulders, where you felt sickly sweaty, shuddering. When she reached behind to cup your  neck and work her fingers into your muscles through the cloth, you surrendered. Your body tipped forward, following the pressure of her hand and resting your forehead against her shoulder. 

She stilled, holding the cloth against your bare, clammy skin. 

“I can’t sleep,” you muttered thickly into her shirt, voice breaking.

Immediately the cloth was gone and her hands replaced the absence, holding you closely and letting your entire weight rest against her. Hot tears flowed again.

“Did Tammy kick you in her sleep?” Lou asked, “apparently she does that. If she did you just gotta kick her back-”

You chuckled, pulling away a bit, and replied, “no, it wasn’t Tam. I get these.. nightmares.”

Lou’s eyebrow raised in curiosity. Her hands held your waist as she let you speak, the warmth and heaviness of them a grounding feeling for you.

“I have trouble sleeping at really stupid times,” you muttered, “And then I’m stressed about it. When I wake up I- I’m afraid to even think about going back to sleep.

“Like- I- I don’t know, they just happen and I wake up, but I don’t feel like myself when I do, and- and it takes ages to feel okay again. I just..”

You trailed off, biting your lip in worry, clenching Lou’s shirt in your hands as you looked at her chin to avoid her piercing gaze.

Lou’s heart broke a bit at the sight of you fighting with yourself, and she sighed. One of her hands came up to cup your cheek, making you meet her eyes.

“Would it help if someone was with you?” she asked.

“Well.. no, clearly, because even with the whole team down there-”

“I meant someone who was with you. Making sure you’re okay and safe to fall sleep,” Lou corrected herself, smiling at your doe-eyed look, eyes wide, cheeks still splotchy. She picked up the washcloth, ran it under the water again and rubbed it gently against your cheeks.

Your eyes fluttered closed as you tried to form words, feeling wonderfully sleepy in her arms,

“I- I suppose so.. maybe. I don’t know.”

“My bed is a lot cozier than the couches downstairs,” Lou suggested, picking her words carefully. “If you’d like you could...”

“Sleep with you?”

“Not sleep with me,” Lou said hastily, “but.. yes. If it'd be more comfortable.”

You smirked a little, looking up at her and batting your eyelashes, “What if I did want to... sleep with you?”

Lou snorted, “not with the state you’re in right now, missy. You look ready to fall over and snore all on my floors.”

You blushed, rubbing your thumbs over the middle of Lou’s shirt, too distracted by the design on it to notice you were pressing your fingers against her abdomen and warm skin, making her nostrils flare and her grip tighten.

“You can say no, Y/N.”

“No, I’d like that, but.. why? You’re not just feeling bad for me are you?”

“No, of course not,” Lou sighed, “Y/N..”

She cupped your cheek and looked you squarely in the eyes, “you mean the world to me, darling. I mean that. Let me take care of you, at least for tonight. Let me help.”

You blushed, again feeling your emotions well up and threaten to spill over but Lou rubbed your cheeks with her thumbs, brushed back your hair, pulled you closer to her warm body.

You nodded and felt Lou take your hand, open the door and turn off the bathroom light, swallowing both of you in darkness. She lead you and you followed blindly to her bedroom, where a massive bed awaited. 

You put a hand on the mattress, feeling that it was still warm from where Lou was sleeping, and the thought made you blush. There was a glass of water on the nightstand that Lou encouraged you to drink.

“Crying makes you dehydrated,” she said as she went through her drawers. “Drink something, it’ll help.”

You downed the glass in nearly one gulp, and your throat felt less like sandpaper after finishing it. 

“Here,” Lou whispered softly. She was holding out another oversized shirt to you, “It’ll be easier to sleep with something clean.”

You nodded and lifted your arms as Lou reached for the hem of your shirt, tugging it off of your body. In the semi-darkness, the only light being Lou’s lamp on her nightstand, you should have felt exposed, but Lou did nothing that made you feel uncomfortable. 

She tugged her shirt over your head and helped your arms through, the soft fabric falling against your skin with a welcomed sigh.

Then she kneeled down and tugged your pants off for you too, palms rubbing at your calves and heels in assurance. 

She pushed back the comforter and climbed in on the other side of the bad, tucking her long legs under the sheets and holding out her hand for you to take.

You snuggled in beside her, warm from where she’d been sleeping, her scent enveloping you and blurring your mind like a drug. 

“Feeling better?”

You nodded, admiring her in the soft light. You looked so cozy, swaddled by her comforter and pillows that Lou couldn’t bear to ask you to turn out the light. So instead, she reached over you with long arms, turning out the light herself.

As she did, your body rolled towards her as she came closer to you, and she blinked in surprise just as darkness surrounded you. 

Once Lou got comfortable, you were pressed up against her side, face buried in the crook of her neck, and your breathing was coming out slowly, evenly.

Lou smiled as she realized you’d fallen asleep, peacefully, it seemed. She draped an arm over your middle and pressed a kiss on your head, holding you tightly and mentally fighting off all the nightmares threatening to come into her room tonight. 

-

A/N: this was very cathartic for me to write, I hope it may do the same for you reading it <3

[sckyie]

word count: 1.6k

genre + warnings: fluff; timeskip!kuroo, streamer!kenma, baby kuroo (like his kid not him), the word poggers is used

pronouns used: she/her

a/n: for reading purposes, oji (叔父上) is uncle and oba (叔母様) is aunt, doraemon is that bluecat thing with no ears ,, next imagine is gender neutral pronouns

"You should let Y/n play a round," Kenma reads off the chat. "I would but she has to go to the store."

"Either way I can't when I get back, I have to babysit," You say standing up from your chair beside Kenma. "I'll see you later bub." You peck his cheek before putting your rolling chair off to the side and leaving the room. 

You had decided to go out to get some groceries before Kuroo came by with his daughter, Tomiko, for you to babysit. His wife had gone on a business trip and he had an important meeting to attend. You agreed since you and Kenma mainly work from home. 

About ten minutes later, you pull into the parking lot of your local grocery store and get a phone call from Kuroo. "Hello?" You ask.

"Hey, I know I said four but apparently the meeting is being pushed up two hours. Can I drop off Miko right now?" Kuroo rushed.

"Oh, I'm not home, Kenma is. Just drop her off, he's streaming but it should be fine. I just got to the store," You say. "If you need it, the spare key is in the lamp above the door."

"Thank you so much Y/n, I owe you again!" He says before ending the call. Kuroo turns to his babbling daughter and swoops her up. "Come on babe, you're going to Oji's."

Kuroo gets all of her stuff ready before heading out. He texts Kenma that he's coming over but to his luck, no response. Kenma was too absorbed in his match of Valorant to reply to his best friend. Once at the front door, he knocks but again, no response. Kuroo reaches up to get the key and unlock the door himself. 

Tomiko began to babble louder as she recognized the living room. Kuroo kicks off his shoes and walks over to the streaming room. "Come in!" Kenma called after his best friend knocks. He turns to see him and Tomiko and tilts his head. "I thought you weren't coming until later?"

"I texted you and I think Y/n texted you too," Kuroo points out. Kenma quickly checks his phone and looks back up at chat. "She said it was fine to leave Miko with you."

"Hah?" Kenma turns back to him. "I'm playing solo queue and I just started stream."

"Miko can sit on your lap and watch. She does that with me at least," Kuroo strides over, placing his daughter on Kenma's lap. "I will see you later, and Kenma don't forget my baby is in your lap."

Kuroo quickly exits before turning to camera. Tomiko reaches at his desk but Kenma moves his keyboard, controller and mouse forward to avoid any accidents. "Uhm...Tomiko meet chat," Kenma awkwardly holds up his niece to the camera and a spam of heart eyes flood the chat. 

He was never one for taking care of kids or at least fond of it. When Tomiko was born, he obviously knew he had to watch her at one point but every time he did, you were there to help him. The entire topic of kids always been pushed back ever since you two got married. You were the one with baby fever while he didn't necessarily want to have a kid just yet.

Kenma sets her back down on his lap and notices her reaching for something on his desk. "Oh, did you want that?" He asks, pointing at the small cat plush on his desk. Tomiko's only response, because she's barely one, was to smack the table. Kenma reaches over, handing the toy to her. "Y/n got that for me, but you can play with it as long as you don't- drool on it." He finishes his sentence as Tomiko nibbled at its ear.

"Tomiko is so cute!"

"Awww! You and Y/n should have a kid!"

"Tomiko eating the cat is pog lol."

Many more comments flood in as Kenma admires the baby on his lap. He snaps out of his staring and looks back at the Valorant lobby. He switches to just his camera overlay and changes the title of the stream from "solo queue is poggers" to "idk yet i have a baby with me."

"I can't really play Val with you on me Miko," He turns to chat to see any suggestions. "Draw things with her on a paint studio? Maybe...Let her watch you play Minecraft...I like the drawing suggestion." Kenma replies to the comments. He carries Tomiko to the other side of room to get his drawing pad. He realizes his issue with moving the drawing pad and places Tomiko on his couch. 

Tomiko doesn't move an inch as she watches her uncle move his big drawing pad. "Baba," She calls out. "Wan Baba." Kenma immediately knew that meant she wanted you. 

"Sorry Miko, Oba isn't here right now," He says placing down the drawing pad. After hearing his words, Tomiko began to whine at him. "Oh no, no, no, don't cry." Within an instant, Tomiko began to cry, slapping her hands on the couch. Kenma goes to carry her but she smacks his shoulder in protests.

"Baba! Wan Baba!" She cries. Kenma seats himself, only to see sympathetic comments.

"Miko look, look," He attempts to show her the plush she was previously chewing. She swats the toy away, still wailing to see you. "Uhm...I don't know what to do, Y/n usually takes care of her."

Tomiko continues to cry, smack, and scream for you to come get her, leaving Kenma lost in how you always kept her from crying. He looks around for something to help and spots his headphones. A thought comes to mind and he quickly types in his search bar on his computer. Soon after, the opening to Doraemon starts to play.

Her crying ceases as she looks on the screen to see her favorite blue cat. "Is that better?" He asks. "How about...we draw him?"

Tomiko watches as Kenma lowers the music down and opens his drawing software. She began to calm down yet her breath was still stuttering. Kenma sketches out Doraemon and Tomiko began to smile slightly. "Do you want to color it?" He points to the drawing pad. He switches it to touch screen mode as she reaches to touch it. "What color do you want?"

"Boo," She says. Kenma switches the color to blue before Tomiko starts scribbling on Kenma's drawing. Tomiko's sniffles slightly as he wipes off her tears with his sleeves. 

"She's better now, yeah I'm glad she is," Kenma responds to his chat. "Miko, what else do you like to do...Nevermind you can't talk and I'm dumb."

"Jellwy?" She asks. 

"Jelly?" Kenma tilts his head at her. "What do you mean by jelly?"

"Jelly cups maybe?"

"Jell-o?"

"What if she's saying a video game with jelly?"

"Jellwy," Tomiko looks away from the screen to look at Kenma. "Jellwy fly!"

"Jelly fly?" Kenma stares at her intensely. "What jelly flies? Do you mean like slime rancher?" Kenma exits out the drawing software, changing the title of the stream beforehand, and opens the opens Slime Rancher. 

Tomiko's eyes light up and a smile grows on her face. She giggles cheerfully as Kenma began to play one of his old saves. More comments roll in as Tomiko's adorable noises captures the viewer's hearts. Kenma smiles as she is finally happy in his lap and not crying out for someone else. 

About twenty minutes into the game, you arrive home to find the two still streaming. "Hi bub," You peek in. Tomiko sat up at the sound of your voice. She shifts around in Kenma's lap to look over his shoulder. "And hi Miko! Were you playing with Oji?" 

"Baba!" She cheered. You walked over, expecting her to reach out to you but she seats herself back onto Kenma. "Pay jellwies." She points to the screen.

"Oh Jiji's playing jellies?" You leaned down and kissed Kenma, also prompting Tomiko to push your face away from his. "Ok missy, how about, we let Jiji stream and we can go make dinner?"

"No! Wan jellwies!" She argued. 

"She's fine here, I don't mind her. Chat loves her anyways," Kenma says. "Miko, do you want to show Oba your drawing?"

Tomiko smacks the table as an agreement and he switches monitors to show you the messily colored Doraemon. "Wow Miko, good job," You praised. "I especially like that Oji added ears to him."

"Oh, he doesn't have ears?" He asks. You nodded and placed your hand on his shoulder. "Anyways, let me know when dinner is done so I can end stream. Miko and I have important slime farming to do." You roll your eyes, pecking Tomiko and Kenma. 

Right when you finish cooking dinner, Kuroo arrives to get Tomiko. Kenma explains his day to his best friend after ending his stream, leaving him to smother his daughter with kisses. "Do you want to hang out with Oji again?" He asks. Miko nods and holds out her hand for Kenma to high five. "Thank you again. I'll treat you to dinner when the Mrs's comes back."

You say your goodbyes and turn to Kenma who was setting the table. You go to the stove, plating everything when you felt a pair of arms around your waist. "I want a baby," Kenma muffled into your shoulder.

"You want a what?" You chuckled.

"Miko needs a cousin," He says. Kenma pulls away from your back and stood beside you. "Can we get a baby now?"

"Bubs, we can't just buy a baby," You laughed. "Tomiko gave you baby fever, huh?"

"Maybe," He says. "Also we can babysit Miko anytime Kuroo asks."

taglist: @amillionfandoms-onlyoneme @just-a-siiimp @d0llpie @elianetsantana

[the-purity-pen]

PTC: part v

Pairing: Marcus Moreno x Fem!Reader

gif by @pascalsky

Word Count: 2,312

Rating: PG

Warnings: sweet moments, little bit of angst.

A/N: here’s the next part! some reveals. did you guess correctly? @creativekat and i are having a blast writing this and we really do love this story and these characters!

Series Masterlist

You looked around the large rented ballroom and shook your head nervously. You had brought up the idea of taking the kids out on field trips to facilitate their learning and the Heroics school board had decided to hold a fundraiser to help take this from an idea to reality. You hadn’t imagined that they might opt to raise said funds by auctioning off dates with the Heroics themselves. Since the event would be opened to the public, it couldn’t be held at HQ (a logistical nightmare) so a local Events Center had been the next best option. Now, as you watched the room beginning to fill with people you could see why. This was, apparently, the event of the century. 

Soft classical music was being piped in from speakers in the corners of the room as people mingled, getting drinks from the bar. Your students were all wearing black outfits and acting as greeters and coat-checkers so the gathering masses would see just who their money would be helping. You quickly realized, for some here, it wouldn’t matter where the money was going. A night on the town with one of the Heroics was a hot commodity. 

Glancing over at Marcus, surrounded by half a dozen women, you understood the appeal. The urge to go over and rescue him from his adoring fans was strong, but you couldn’t do that. For one thing, as the teacher of his daughter and the other Heroics’ kids it was inappropriate. For another thing, you’d spotted your brother in the crowd and you just knew he’d have an opinion on your feelings for Marcus Moreno and you just didn’t want to hear it. 

Wearing a suit and tie was really nothing new but wearing it that evening made Marcus super uncomfortable. Not that the women who were flocked to him would have complained. A few of them tried chatting him up casually but there were a few making comments about what their ideal date night would consist of. One of them even tried slipping him actual cash to try to rig the auction.

Marcus shook his head with a forced polite smile as he got more uncomfortable until his gaze looked out and found you. “Ladies, I have to go do my part in helping set up,” he explained with a slight lie as he gently pushed through them and walked over to you. His smile changed from forced to nervous as he approached you and leaned in to speak to you.

“What else is left to set up? Please tell me there’s something so I can keep myself busy,” he added with a soft chuckle as his eyes did a very quick, brief scan over your scan to take in your outfit. “You look beautiful by the way,” he commented quietly as he attempted a smile at you.

At his compliment you couldn’t help the heat that rushed to your face. You didn’t feel beautiful most of the time. Cute, sure. But beautiful? No.  But, if Marcus Moreno was saying it maybe you needed to believe it. You shook off the exhilaration of the moment to focus on what he was asking. “Ummm, do you want to add the raspberry sorbet to the punch?” 

The two of you walked to the end of the table where several pints of fruit-flavored frozen goodness had been softening and you handed him an ice cream scoop with a smile, “Thank you.” You giggled before adding quietly, “You look really good yourself. I’m sure you’ll bring in a lot of money.” You were surprised when Marcus blushed. A little thrill shocked your spine realizing you were the cause. 

Missy cleared her throat getting the attention of you and her father, “We’re done getting all the coats hung up. We were wondering if we could get some snacks?” Marcus looked at you for the answer since you were the one in charge for this event. Nodding, you said, “You guys have done more than enough. You’ve earned a break.”

As she walked away, Marcus leaned closer, asking, “Are you going to bid on me?” His smile nearly melted you.

With a nervous laugh, you replied, “I don’t think that would be a good idea.” Marcus’ brows knit together in a frown as he scooped some of the sorbet into the punch bowl, watching it fizz as the softened dessert melted more into the liquid.

“Why’s that?” he asked, trying to conceal the slight disappointment in his voice. He was excited to participate in something that would help raise money for Missy and her friends and the school but he’d be lying if he said he didn’t see this as an opportunity to finally have you on a date night with him.

Just then, a clearing of a throat and a slap to Marcus’ shoulder caused both of your attention to break from one another. “Well, well, well,” Miracle Guy’s voice broke your concentration on Marcus and caused you to turn to look at him. You forced a smile as the blond male continued talking, “Looks like we’ll be in some pretty heavy competition tonight huh Marcus?” 

The question seemed playful in nature but Marcus, and you, knew better. Any chance that Steven could show up Marcus, he would absolutely try to. You shook your head slightly and went to the other end of the table, suddenly feeling tension in your shoulders. 

You absent-mindedly straightened a stack of napkins that were already pristine and watched as the two men finished their conversation. Was it too much to hope Steven wouldn’t press the subject with you? You watched as Marcus handled the other Heroic smoothly, then Miracle Guy, also known as your older brother Steven, approached you. Again, you molded a wobbly smile onto your face. 

“How’ve you been?” The question was ignored as Steve glanced around before casting his imperious gaze on you. 

“So, are you and Marcus Moreno going out now?” He said the other man’s name through clenched teeth. 

With a shrug you replied, “No. What gave you that idea? Why would you think that?” Inwardly you cringed. You were never very good at hiding your feelings.

Steven picked up a small plate and helped himself to a couple slices of cheese, “I overheard the kids talking. Wheels seemed to think you were interested.” He popped some gouda into his mouth and then, “I just don’t want you to get hurt… and getting your hopes up that a Heroic like Marcus would… well, I’m just worried he’ll get bored, that’s all. I’m looking out for you.” 

You scoffed. The way your fists clenched around the napkin you were currently holding, crumpling it should have been a sign that you wanted to punch your brother for being so rude. The guy hadn’t even had a serious relationship and yet he still managed to have a son by a woman he so-called loved. What did he know about love or relationships or even what it was like to be with you in a relationship? He had no right.

His name was called across the room and he gave you a pitiful smile. Your nostrils flared, trying to calm yourself before Miranda came up to remind you that it was just about time to start. You nodded, thankful that she had broken your frustration towards your brother. You walked with her towards one of the front tables as she kept walking to get onto the stage and welcome everyone to the event.

Marcus had watched as you and Miracle Guy talked, narrowing his eyes when you clearly got agitated. But, then Miranda had interrupted and the blonde hero had walked toward the stage. He yearned to go to you and take your hand, to make sure you were okay, but the event was starting and he had to join the other Heroics at the table reserved for them. 

Miranda introduced the emcee for the evening, a local newscaster, and joined you at your table while the rules of the date auction were explained. Reaching across the table, she grabbed an open bottle of red wine pouring two glasses, “You look like you could use a drink.” She knew your family history, since she’d been on the interview committee when you’d gotten hired and you appreciated her support now. 

Taking the glass, you smiled, “I shouldn’t let him get to me. I’ll be fine.” You glanced over at the Heroics table and saw Marcus looking at you. He smiled and you couldn’t help but smile in return, your heart fluttering in your chest. Your attention was again diverted when you heard the emcee announcing that Miracle Guy had pulled in $870 for the school and then Marcus’ name was being announced. Your stomach turned while the women around you all cheered wildly. You felt jealous of whoever won this date and watched Marcus walk up to the stage. 

Marcus fiddled with his tie as he made his way onto the stage. His face felt hot even before he stepped under the hot stage lights. The cheering and hollering didn’t quiet down until the emcee shushed the crowd at least four more times. Marcus was smiling but he felt his palms get a bit sweaty. For a man who was constantly in the news saving the world, being in front of a crowd to be auctioned off for a date seemed to make him nervous.

His eyes squinted as he adjusted to the light and when he scanned the room, his eyes landed on you for a long moment. His breath caught in his throat, secretly hoping that you would bet on a date with him. Everything in his mind was trying to telepathically tell you to bid.

The emcee barely got his words out to start the bidding before the first few hands rose up, shouting $100, then $150 and $200 in rapid succession. There was a murmur of giggles and whistles as the emcee shouted out the bid numbers and kept trying to explain what a date night with Marcus would entail.

Your eyes couldn’t leave Marcus even after he had caught your gaze a few times. Your heart was hammering as you thought about the real possibility of someone else going on a date with him. The bids had gotten up to $700 and it was down to two people. Both of the women in question had been acting especially thirsty when talking to Marcus earlier. 

Throwing caution to the wind, you raised your hand, “$750!” Every eye in the room seemed to turn in your direction with varying reactions. Miranda’s eyebrows shot up, but she grinned at you. The two other bidders glared in your direction. Your students all shared happy grins (especially Missy and Wheels). Steven looked disappointed and aggrieved. But, the only person who mattered to you in that moment was Marcus and he looked relieved and happy, a wide grin forming on his face. 

There was some more bidding back and forth while you did math in your head trying to figure out how much you could actually afford. You really didn’t want to lose this. Finally, you bid $1390 and everyone in the room waited to see if either of the other two women would raise the stakes yet again. Finally, the emcee announced, “At $1390, the highest bid of the night so far, a date with Marcus Moreno to the lady at Table 4!” 

Breathlessly you leaned back in your seat then gasped, “Oh my God… what did I do?” Marcus was just as breathless as he heard the applause and watched your face as he finally stepped down from the stage.

As he approached your table all eyes were on him and subsequently, you. He stood in front of you, towering over your sitting frame and you audibly gulped at the impressive broadness of him. "So a date it is," he said quietly as he sat down in the chair next to you.

His heart was hammering as he placed his hand over yours and patted it gently before looking back to the stage to see Mrs. Vox coming onto the stage to be bid on.

Off to the side, Steven was furrowing his brow at you and Marcus, trying to see if he could study what your lips were saying to each other. His nostrils flared slightly as seeing how relaxed and comfortable Marcus was around you. Almost as if you had been together already.

You could feel your brother’s eyes on you, and you were sure he suspected you’d lied to him about your relationship with Marcus earlier, but you ignored his glares. You had bigger things to worry about right now. Like the fact that you’d just paid an overwhelming amount of money to go on a date with the parent of one of your students. You’d never crossed the line like that before and the fact that you’d done it this time had you reeling. 

Not to mention the fact that he was a Heroic!  Growing up powerless in a family full of superpowered people had always made you feel like an outsider in your own home. And they hadn’t done anything to dissuade you of that notion. If anything they’d made it worse, amplifying the sense of inadequacy you’d experienced. 

Glancing over at Missy, who was trying to hide an enormous grin, you remembered the talk you’d had with Marcus at the Parent/Teacher Conference. She was, essentially in the same place you’d been back then. But, Marcus made her feel loved and accepted for who she was. As you moved your gaze away from your students your eyes met Steven’s and you gave him a determined tilt of your chin before turning back to Marcus. 

Leaning forward you whispered, “I can’t wait.” Then kissed him on the cheek.

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[sylvie-writes]

𝐀𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐦 ✯ 𝐒. 𝐑𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬

word count: 4,000

pairing: steve rogers x female reader

summary: If one had to live the same day over and over again, it would be most sensible of them to choose the best one. Well unfortunately for you, you didn’t get a choice.

warnings: angst

a/n: this was the one-shot i had posted a preview of and i apologize for taking so long to post it. i couldn’t decide how to end it so then i took a poll and it was a fluffy ending, which helped me a bit! thanks! btw sorry if the formatting looks weird. on my computer it looks weird, but on my phone it looks normal so idk. 

please excuse any mistakes!

☆════ ⋆★⋆ ════☆

For the first time in years, you awoke to notice the light of the sun and how it ever so brightly twinkled. The sun had never actually disappeared, but today you had actually taken the time to notice it in all of its glory. Just the mere sight brought a bittersweet smile to your face, along with the feeling of delight, something you had missed so dearly during the dark period of time that had finally ended yesterday. Half of the world had disappeared for what seemed forever and with that no longer looming over your head, you could actually live and enjoy life for what it is. It may sound cliche, but the sun did seem brighter to you now, and the world a happier place after being reset. Last night, you had watched the news and for the first time in forever, it was enjoyable. On the screen, images of people reuniting along with many others sending words of thanks to your crew mates turned family, the Avengers. 

Today, you were mostly relishing in the peace, but just a small bit of worry settled in your stomach as Steve was returning the stones back to their normal timelines. No matter how many times Sam offered to go with him, the stubborn man refused, still ready to take the risk on his own. Times like these made you miss Nat even more as she was probably the only person, aside from you, to be able to talk Steve out of anything. Instead of continuing to dwell on the matter that was out of your hands, you turned away from the sunny window and to your left. The sound of your shuffling in the sheets must’ve awoken the man beside you as his grip tightened its hold on your waist. He pulled you closer into his chest and then wrapped two arms around you, forming a warm and inviting hug. After some sleepy groaning, lips met the top of your head which you could only tell by feeling since your face was currently being squished into the man. 

“Good Morning, gorgeous. What time is it?” Steve picked his chin up from the top of your head, peering over to your nightstand where the clock sat. As he did so, he noticed you were squeezing your eyes shut and murmuring some silent “no’s” and “it’s not time yet.” 

He chuckled at your defiance and then unwrapped his arms so he could lean back and instead run his fingers through your hair. “I hate to break it to you, but we have to meet the rest of the team in an hour.” 

Turning onto your stomach, you threw your face into Steve’s pillow while also ignoring his annoying bright smile as if he was entertained. “Ugh, can’t they just wait. It’s not like the stones have suddenly grown feet and are gonna run away.”

“Hon, you’ve left me no choice.” 

It got freakishly quiet and next thing you knew, Steve had thrown back the sheets and thrown you over his shoulder.

“Steve! I was just about to get up!!” You quickly sat up to face the blonde and not his backside which caused him to somehow gently rotate you in a way that you were now being held bridal style. Steve simply shrugged and kissed your forehead before heading to the bathroom to start the shower, you still in his arms.

☆════ ⋆★⋆ ════☆

It was only supposed to be seconds. 

And as of now, it has been at least a minute.

All hell's breaking loose at the moment. Bucky, feet glued to the ground, looks around as if Steve is gonna magically appear and Sam is worriedly questioning Bruce who is anxiously messing with the buttons of his controls. On the other hand, you are still staring at the platform, the traffic in your mind finally halting which ultimately caused you to drop to the floor in shock. As you were out cold on the ground, Sam looked over for a split second and luckily caught you in his sight. 

About fifteen minutes later, you woke up in the infirmary. You looked to your right where Bruce was standing with a water while Bucky and Sam waved at you from the nearby seats. Your first reaction was anger as you saw the three here and not working on getting Steve back who was currently nowhere in sight. Rejecting the bottle, you sat up straight. With fire in your eyes, you stared at Bruce, “Where is he?”

The gentle giant just shook his head, urging you to drink more water. Immediately, you ripped the i.v tube from your arm, ignoring the slight burn and then the draft from the paper gown that clothed your body. Just as you made it to the door, both Sam and Bucky held out their hands, stopping you from exiting. 

“Woah woah, missy. Where do you think you are going?”

Bucky slowly reached out to place a hand on your waist in a way to make sure that you wouldn’t run off while Sam distracted you further. 

“To find Steve.”

Sam sucked in a harsh breath and folded his arms over his chest. “(y/n). We all care about both you and Steve very much-”

“If you did care, then you’d be out there looking for him!” Your emotions had finally bubbled over and now resentful tears were starting to emerge. 

“Think about what you just said because it doesn’t make sense! We are just as worried as you are and we’ve done everything, and I mean everything, we can. He’s gone.” Sam’s eyes softened and he put a hand on your shoulder, “Please get some rest. There’s nothing else to be done.” The stubbornness started to subside and in turn, reality seeped into your mind. You then looked to Bucky, seeing that he was looking at you the same way as Sam.

“Sam and I will be on the lookout. I promise (y/n). Steve wouldn’t want you up right now and you know that.” 

With a childlike huff you turned back towards the bed as the two men ushered you to it. 

☆════ ⋆★⋆ ════☆

Hours must have passed because next thing you knew it was morning again and you were back in your own bed. It was somewhat shocking as you felt as good as new, possibly even better than you’ve felt before. As you finally awoke, you felt something heavy on your waist and looking down, you noticed an arm slung around your torso. You blinked a few times to make sure it was real and your mind then ran to the most sensible conclusion.

Whispering, you stared at the hand as if it was foreign, “Bucky?”

Suddenly a voice replied in all of its deepend glory, “Sorry, doll, but it’s Steve.” 

The hand then moved and you heard sheets shuffling as Steve turned onto his back to stretch his arms with an overdramatic yawn.

You shot up faster than an eager student’s hand. With a soft gasp you brought a hand to your lips. It couldn’t be…

“W-When did-d you get back?” It was quiet, but Steve’s enhanced hearing picked it up just as he had done so a few seconds before.

“What do you mean?” He looked at you with pure confusion. 

“You returned the time stones. Yesterday… And you never came back.”

Dark blonde eyebrows creased together and a hand made its way to your forehead. “(y/n), you are worrying me. We aren’t returning the stones until today. Are you okay? What did you eat last night?”

Before Steve could mother goose anymore, you clumsily shuffled out of the bed, but not removing eye contact from the man. “I’ll-I’ll be right back.” 

You slipped on shoes, apparently mismatched ones, but you were too anxious to care. In a millisecond, the bedroom door was shut. You, running out like you were fearing for your life and Steve on the other side, concerned and confused.

☆════ ⋆★⋆ ════☆

“GUYS, THEY ARE REAL! WE ARE GONNA NEED TO GO INTO LOCKDOWN!”

Running into the kitchen like a madwoman, you screamed the words you believed to be true. The innocent bystanders, Scott and Wanda, were currently gathering the rest of their things, while Bruce stood in the kitchen making breakfast. Everyone had been ready to go off onto their own paths after the events of yesterday (including Tony’s funeral), but currently you thought you held some mind-blowing information that would stop time, so to say.

“(y/n) what’s happening?” Wanda threw down her box and rushed to your side as you were already talking a mile a minute. None of them could understand a single word for it sounded like absolute gibberish. 

“There is a shapeshifter in my room. You know, those things Carol talked about! I thought she was bullshitting us, but the Skrulls or whatever are real. What are we gonna do? I know there are some th-” 

“Darling, what are you going on about? There’s nothing in our room, I just came from there. You’ve been acting weird all morning.” Entering the common area, Steve leaned up against the doorway before beginning to approach your shaking form.

Absolute horror in your eyes, you looked at Steve in terror as he now tenderly held your wrists in his hands.

“It’s you.”

He titled his head like a confused puppy while the rest of the onlookers stood by. You weren’t sure what to say for if you said “it’s him,” that would be equivalent to standing in a bank robbery and calling the cops right in front of the shooter. Rather you went with what you thought was smart and uttered Wanda’s name. 

It took her a second, but she looked as if she had caught on once having invaded your thoughts. Although, your hope was lost when she ended up mirroring Steve’s perplexed look. 

Taking matters into your own hands (quite literally,) you roughly shook your hands free from Steve’s loving hold and walked over to the nearby side table, discreetly eying the lamp. From first glance, it looked to the team members as if you were simply going to turn on the light, but all of a sudden, the lamp was in your hands and ready to launch at Steve. A mixture of “stops” and gasps sounded when it flew in the air. The team was quick to act, but it all happened in slow-motion for you. 

The lamp froze in the air with a red aura surrounding it thanks to Wanda while Steve tossed himself at you to avoid the incoming object. Of course, by doing so he rolled to make sure not to crush you while making impact with the ground. Once everything stopped, the lamp was returned to its place and your teammates started to slowly approach, you went to stand up, but Steve’s grasp stopped you. In fact, he flipped you over so your back was now on the carpet, an aggravated blonde now hanging over your body. His hands were pinning down your once flailing arms and his eyes burned into your own.

“(y/n). Tell me what is going on. Now.” Rarely did Steve ever use this tone with you. Actually, he’s never used it with you. It also occurred to you that you probably looked a bit insane to your friends and boyfriend, so you figured it was time to come clean. If they thought you were deranged, then oh well. What else was there to do?

“If you aren’t a shapeshifter then what’s happening!?!” 

You reached out to grab the fistfuls of his shirt before beginning to cry quietly. Steve could sense you were really upset over whatever this is because you were never one to act in such an irrational way. At this point, Bruce, Wanda and Scott stood by, concerned for you and the current situation. Steve leisurely leaned down, pressing a comforting kiss to your temple before hovering by your ear. 

“What is wrong, my love? Tell me so I can help you.”

Stopping the tears, you peered up at the man who you trusted your life with. So far, you had managed to convince yourself that this was really your Steve, but that only left one conclusion, yet you didn’t want to believe it.  Not yet anyway.

“Steve, you disappeared...yesterday. I can remember it all, I swear.” Your voice died down as you thought of a way to convince them. “Bruce, tell them, you were there too! Please, I’ve already lived this day.”

Chiming in from the back was Bruce, “What day do you think it is then?”

You replied the date at which Wanda told you that it wasn’t, but rather that it was the day before. 

Steve had loosened his hold on you at this point and you managed to scoot up and lean up back against the side table. 

“So then what does that mean? I’m living the same day… over again?”

Everyone started to nod in acceptance like they were welcoming the idea and you just suddenly burst out, hysterically laughing at the ridiculousness.“Well that’s just great, guys!  I’ve lost my damn mind. It’s okay you all don’t have to play along, just ship me away already, will y’a?” 

“I’ve gone off the rails, Steven. How do you even put up with this!?” You motioned to yourself in disgust and Steve laughed, shaking his head. “Sweetheart, I’ve seen a lot, especially these last five years, so this doesn’t even sound remotely crazy.”

Scott moved closer to reassure you. “No, (y/n), you haven’t! This is entirely possible. believe it or not. In simplest terms, it’s like that movie,” The man paused to think before shining a boastful smile at you, “Groundhog’s Day. You know, the one with Bill Murray.”

Bruce piped up from his distant spot in the kitchen, “Not another movie, Scott! We’ve already discussed this, just because it was in a movie, doesn’t make it true.”

“Hey, don’t knock it till you try it. That IS how we found time travel after all. Thank god my parents let me watch Back to the Future or else-” 

The doctor looked at Scott with a face that practically screamed “fair enough and please just shut up,” which the rambling man took note of as he quickly piped down. (You took note of this situation and for future reference remembered not to ask them this question for the rest of the time you’d live this day.)

From there, you and the team spent the rest of the time trying to figure whatever it is before Steve had to leave with the stones. You only hoped that night everything would be normal or that this was really just a bad and very vivid dream. 

An extremely bad one.

☆════ ⋆★⋆ ════☆

Unfortunately, you awoke the next morning in the same position that you’d love to be in any other day, which was Steve’s arm cocooning you. 

Starting from today on and for the next ten days or so, you’d approach the day as such. 

In the morning, you’d try your hardest to convince Steve to not leave. 

He’d ask you why and you’d come up with some bullshit excuse, different from the day before, along with some puppy eyes that the man would just laugh at. As you pouted, he’d kiss your sulking lips and murmur “you’re so silly, doll.” 

No matter how many times you tried to convince him, he ironically always said that exact phrase in return.

Needless to say it was a bit annoying and you were tired of living the same day over and over again. Steve would never not do something for the world unless it meant hurting you. If only he knew that this simple act was like driving a knife straight through your heart. 

You tried to keep count of the amount of days on a piece of paper, but soon discovered that would be useless by day two since it just disappeared into thin air. 

Of all the days to relive, it just had to be the one where Steve vanished. Yet, no matter how many times you live that day, a pit of angst always settled in your stomach even though you knew what was to come later on that day. It was absolute torture seeing the love of your life perish  before you and you couldn’t do anything to change it. Sometimes at night, while you laid alone, you’d wonder why of all the days that it had to be this one. What had you done to piss off the universe so bad?

Finally, by what you assumed was day eight, you just accepted your fate and decided to just have some fun with it. If you were gonna have to suffer, you might as well make something out of the day. Granted you were gonna solve cancer or help homelessness because your efforts would be reset the “next” day. 

As the team prepared for Steve’s departure, you’d be out eating tons and tons of your favorite meals knowing that it wouldn’t affect you tomorrow. One day you even spontaneously caught a plane to some country you’d never even visited and just blew an unfathomable amount of money. On other days, you had also invested time and money into getting your hair done into impossible and whacky styles while simultaneously regretting not having painted your nails the day before. It was stupid to worry about or even bring up, but they were constantly chipped and it was aggravating to look at as you foolishly sped through the city in an expensive car that wouldn’t be yours tomorrow. 

What you were doing was absolutely careless, reckless and just downright out of character for anyone, especially you. Yet when you knew it all wouldn’t matter tomorrow, you carried on with your disregard for the world. Numb from the pain you were just trying to feel something. 

When it finally came time for Steve to leave, you’d bid him goodbye and when he vanished, you would see Sam, Bucky, and Bruce’s shocked expressions for what felt like the thousandth time. Honestly, you knew they wouldn’t remember and instead you’d just walk away, trying your best to not let your emotions jump out once more. You figured that after the tenth day, you were just desensitized and that you should be unaffected by now, when in reality you were still hurting. At this point, even though you got to spend time with Steve, your hours hurting outweighed your hours enjoying life. 

There was no use in any longer faking to yourself. The logic of “what you think is what you become,” wasn’t helping so you instead swallowed the bitter pill of reality and moved on. For real this time. 

You had finally come to accept that Steve was gonna be gone and no one knew when he’d come back, but you knew one thing.

The pain of constantly seeing him disappear, knowing there was nothing you could say or do to stop him because boy did you try, was much more profound than that of the pain you felt when he was just gone. There was more hope for him to return that way than not moving on at all. 

☆════ ⋆★⋆ ════☆

Somehow, by doing so and accepting the truth, the universe reset that night. 

You woke up and Steve wasn’t there.

For having lived the same day on repeat for at least 3 weeks time, you knew with absolute certainty that he was gonna be there. 

These people you’d been living were practically programmed with a script so there was surely no way anything could change unless…

“Hey (y/n) glad to see you are awake. We have some good news.” 

At that moment Sam popped his head in from the hallway and you couldn’t keep a smile at bay. 

It was finally a new day.

The man gave you a confused look, but was happy nonetheless to see you. 

“Wow, you seem pretty chipper for someone who has been through a lot in the past few hours. You good?” Sam came to your bedside and gave you a blueberry muffin wrapped in a thin napkin. It was hard to come by muffins in the compound, let alone breakfast at all, and you felt a ping of joy when you noticed that Sam remembered your favorite snack. He’d always have your back whether it was a muffin or a bullet. 

“It’s nothing. I am just happy that today is a new day and I can start with a clean slate.” Taking a bite into the muffin, you relished in the fresh and spongy cake while your conscience scolded you for not indulging in these during your everlasting day from hell. 

“I don’t know what’s gotten to you, but I am loving the cringe-worthy optimism. Speaking of which, I have something to add to that.” You ignored the subtle dig at your newfound look on life and rather keened in on the last half of his words. 

“Did you-” Tears started to brim your eyes. Happy ones. Soon your muffin was long forgotten as you threw off the covers and stood from the bed. Sam was quick to stand as well, steadying you when your sheets got tangled at your feet and you spun a bit. 

☆════ ⋆★⋆ ════☆

There he was. 

Your Steve was standing before you with a look of adoration on his face while his arms were wide open, beckoning you to him. 

“How?” A gasp of question fell from your lips and at this point you were sure your body and mind were gonna explode from this extra case of surprise, as if you hadn’t been through enough of that. It was astronomical that you could even feel that emotion at this point. 

“Scott discovered that we somehow ripped time?” You furrowed your brows and Steve continued on. “ When you all sent me back to return, I guess it was a bit miscalculated.” 

So it wasn’t all a dream? Could it really be that you had lived the same day on repeat? It was like someone had accidentally hit the repeat button for a song one too many times, but instead of a song, it was your life?

“Now I am not good with all the technical things, but apparently it stopped time in a way. Dr. Banner even said that it could have caused for some to experience some type of repetitive time abnormality!” Steve chuckled, not understanding a single word that he was saying to you. It was like a foreign language to him. He blamed it on being from a time where technology barely existed, but you and the rest of the team were quick to reassure him that it was confusing for all. 

“Oh, if only you all knew.” Wrapping your arms around Steve’s slim waist, you nestled your face into his chest, inhaling his cologne and embracing his warmth. Steve placed his lips on the crown on your head and you two stayed that way for an eternity,

One day maybe you’d tell them the story, but for now you were gonna relish in the time you had with Steve. If you had learned anything from your experience, it was that time was a tricky thing and that you shouldn’t hold a grudge as life did on you for that day. You will never make any progress if you do. Live in the moment and roll with the punches life throws in your direction. 

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[scullydubois]

Only the Light Ch. 19

19/? | AU where Melissa moves in with Scully after Scully’s abduction | angst, msr slow-burn, occasional fluff | currently: mid-s3 (canon-divergent) | T | 5.3k | previous chapters | read on ao3 | tagging: @today-in-fic <3

Fate touches Scully's life, as does her own free will.

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

Can you still call something a miracle when you could not have gone on without it? When, if it hadn’t happened, the death knell would have sounded in your memory? Is that really a miracle, or is it just what had to occur? Certainly what keeps you breathing wouldn’t be so highly esteemed if the chips fell the other way. It would be called a tragedy, and no one wants to live in a world where every moment is caught between the two.

Scully existed there for a little while, but she’s escaped. Maybe for good. Because this--the Lace’s sacrifice, her signature on the adoption paper, her baby in her arms--is no miracle. This is God realizing she’s gotten her fair share, that he owes her a break. This is her fate.

In more normal circumstances, the foster family and the adoptive parent would have no contact. Social services would handle the transition. Since those barriers are already broken in Emily’s case, the state allows the Lace’s and their son to accompany Emily as she’s turned over to Scully. The nondescript woman in the polo shirt joins them as a witness to the custody change, and so they all find themselves at Bill Jr.’s house--of all places--for one grievous goodbye and a destined hello.

Mrs. Lace passes Emily to Scully moments after the family walks through the door. Her red-rimmed eyes reveal the depth of her agony. 

“Take her,” she says. “I need to start letting go while she’s still in my sight.”

Scully bites her lip, feels Emily’s pudgy hand press into her shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Lace. I can’t imagine how hard this must be. I’ll make good on my promise to send pictures and updates, I swear.”

“Thank you, Dana.” She sighs. “It’ll be an adjustment.”

Her husband taps the head of the little boy by his knee. “This is Andrew, our son. He wanted to make sure Emily has the best life possible, so he made you a guide to her favorite things.”

The boy--no more than five--holds up a construction paper booklet with crayon drawings of him and baby Emily. How To Mak My Sister Smile, his stilted handwriting reads. Scully’s heart skips a beat as she accepts it from him. She kneels down so he’s level with her and Emily. 

“Thank you, Andrew. This is so sweet and I’ll be sure to read every bit of it and make sure your sister smiles every single day, okay?”

He nods, but tears cloud his vision. 

Scully turns Emily so that she’s perched on her knee, facing Andrew. “Tell me--what’s your favorite thing to do with your sister?” she asks him softly. 

He rubs his eyes and nose. “I like to show her my cars,” he stammers.

“Your cars? Wow!” Scully effuses. It’s not often that she gets to work on her kiddie voice, and she’ll need that now.

The color returns Andrew’s face. “Yeah, yeah, my race cars! I have a mat for them, and I push them around the track, and she watches. She likes the races. They make her laugh sometime.” 

“Wow! You sound like a great big brother.”

“Yeah, and I like her bouncy thing too,” he sputters. “It was mine before.”

“An activity jumper,” Mr. Lace clarifies. “From Fisher-Price.”

“Ahh.” Scully’s happy to get any insight she can into her daughter’s early life. The Lace’s offered to send some toys with Emily, but Scully will only accept a couple onesies and Emily’s beloved stuffed rabbit. She doesn’t want to take any more from them than she already is.

She adjusts Emily on her knee, looks to Andrew. “Do you wanna give your sister a hug?”

“Okay.” He moves bashfully toward her and wraps his arms around Emily. He holds on until Emily begins to fuss, then steps back like he’s been caught sneaking away from time out. 

“Emily’s lucky to have a big brother like you,” Scully tells him. “Your parents have my phone number, and you can call and talk to her whenever you want, okay? I know she can’t say much yet, but she’ll grow into it, and besides, she’ll recognize your voice.” Scully offers him a spirit-boosting smile. “Does that sound good?”

He nods, hands linked behind his back. Stranger shyness has taken over.

“Good. She’s gonna need her big brother to stick up for her.”

Scully stands up, clutching Emily to her chest. 

“Mr. and Mrs. Lace,” Scully addresses them, “it’s impossible for me to sum up how deeply, deeply grateful I am for you and your sacrifice. It is no exaggeration to say that you have saved my life. I can already tell that Emily is so lucky to have been raised by you--that you have done an incredible job--and I hope that the two of us will continue to be a part of you and your son’s lives as Emily grows up.”

Mrs. Lace dabs her cheeks with a tissue. Mr. Lace frowns at his wife’s pain. “That means a great deal to us, Dana,” he replies. 

“We feel blessed to have led Emily through her formative months,” his wife murmurs through her tear-strickenness. 

The man nods. “She’s a wonderful kid, and I’m sure some of that comes from you.”

Scully smiles tautly. “I could say the same of you. Thank you for giving her the start I was denied from providing her.”

“You’ll let us know if you need any help, won’t you?”

“Of course. I’ll have your number on speed dial by the end of the night.”

The Lace’s formal goodbye had taken place at home, they said, and dragging out their visit would only make matters worse. They leave Bill Jr.’s house after a few short minutes, advancing down the front steps like a funeral procession.

When the door shuts and Scully’s baby is in her arms, she realizes that this will be her life for the rest of her life. What joy--! What horror--!

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

The heater’s gentle sigh provides a generous rush of white noise as the girls settle for sleep. It’s the time of year when San Diego’s nightly temperatures start drifting away from perfection, when sleeping with the windows open no longer has such appeal. According to Bill, it’s not cold enough to turn on the heating system (surprise, surprise) so he pulled a dusty space heater from the closet for the “girl’s room” to share. Like a gentleman, Mulder took the couch (as if he had any other option), leaving Scully, Missy, and now Emily with the guest room. A family affair, one generation rounded out by another.

It’s a convenient arrangement, really. Bill doesn’t have a crib and it’s not worth buying one for a single night, so Emily will be sleeping on the bed like a grown-up. If Missy weren’t there as a physical barrier, Scully would be taking the chance that Emily might roll off the unattended side. Instead, the little girl’s mother and aunt will be an arm’s length away for her first sleep with her new family. A symbolic gesture of the protection they hope to provide for the rest of her life. 

It’s a wonder how smoothly the transition has gone. Emily hasn’t shed a single tear since the family she knew left her in this strange house. Then again, Scully has never seen her daughter cry; like her mother, she must not be prone to it. 

Tara served a ham for dinner while Scully spooned mashed carrots and peas into Emily’s mouth, her helicopter parenting beginning early. Mulder made some joke about gourmet baby food, and everybody laughed except Bill, and Scully felt that she finally understood what was meant by family--some who share your blood will never fit into it, but some who were once strangers will more than make up for that absence. 

And now, as Scully lowers her onesie-clad daughter onto the guest bed, there is peace. Terror, too, lingers in her mind, but it’s the unwarranted kind. She is the mother to a healthy baby girl. Yes, there will be challenges. Yes, a person loved separately from yourself is a person you could lose. But the summit has been reached; the worst did not happen, and now everything else pales in comparison. As far as Scully’s concerned, she can never be truly hurt again. Because if anything happens to Emily, well, this is what Scully asked for, and what gives her the right to complain? Beggars can’t be choosers, and she begged God for this...The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away. This happened in the opposite order for her, so she can only assume more loss is to come, and she will accept it. She will.

Scully slides beneath the comforter, snaking her arm out from under to rest a hand on the small of her baby’s back. A comfort very familiar to her, and one she will bequeath to her daughter. They have the bed to themselves for now. Missy is in the living room downing a beer with the boys and trying to compete with (or mediate?) their trash talk. In the past, a situation like this might worry Scully, but those old concerns look so small now. 

Only a few hours in, and she already feels much more at home with the title of mother, much more deserving of it. The first diaper she changed rivaled some of the operations she witnessed in med school, both in its gruesome nature and in requiring multiple pairs of hands. Mulder would help if Emily was a boy, he swore, but he claimed to be “out of his depth with her plumbing” as he put it. Missy quipped that you sure are and it made even Bill laugh and life was wonderfully rose-colored through Dana Scully’s eyes. 

She hopes for sweet dreams for herself, but much more so, for her daughter, and she is aware that this is how it will be for the rest of time. Having been half-asleep when she was put down, Emily lulls into even-breathed dozing before Scully can decide on a lullaby. No harm done; Scully’s vocal cords haven’t seen regular exercise since college karaoke, and she’d hate to disappoint so soon.

When she opens her eyes again (she hadn’t realized she closed them, but apparently she had), Emily is deep in sleep, her eyelids twitching to the rhythm of her unseen dreams. And Missy has joined them too, her mouth drooping like it did when the sisters shared a bed every Christmas Eve. Scully doesn’t know what time it is, and with such a picture perfect view in front of her, she won’t dare to roll over and check the bedside clock. How nice it is to exist beyond time’s constraints, even for a moment. 

Scully is as present, maybe, as she’s ever been. She’s touched by the past and the future, ironically giving her a heightened awareness of now. One side of her consciousness is borne back into childhood and the many nights she slept by her sister’s side--in this very city, in fact. The other sees a path of hope unfurling in front of it, finally. She wonders whether her happiness might multiply, like a drop of food coloring unleashed into water. Might Emily be the shield that she’s needed?...Maybe the loss she expects will not be what comes.

And what that could mean...she has meant, for a long time now, to plant Mulder firmly in her life. Partner is much too fleeting--the Bureau could close the X-Files tomorrow, and then they’d be nothing but ex-coworkers. They’ve established where they stand through silences that say more than words ever could. She loves him, he loves her, and my god, neither one wants to lose that. It’s only now that Scully is realizing that they haven’t--or she, rather, hasn’t--embraced what they have, and so there is nothing to lose, and very little to cherish. 

With all this change in her life, she thinks, why not add that to the list?

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

They fly back into DC on Emily’s first birthday. November 2nd. Or at least, that’s the date that was left on the note at the foster agency. Scully isn’t sure exactly what she was doing last November 2nd, but she wasn’t having a baby, that’s certain. It was around the time of Aubrey, Missouri and BJ and nightmares, she remembers that. Plus, the phantom pregnancy, and the fear. The universe has a way of echoing itself.

They’re off to Mama Scully’s as soon as they make it off the tarmac. She’s aching to see her granddaughter, as she let Dana and Melissa know through a barrage of phone calls. I even made cupcakes and bought decorations for a warm welcome home! she insisted. Neither one of them can remember their mother being this excited about anything since...honestly? Ever. And they can’t blame her; Emily is the greatest thing that’s ever happened to their family. If only their father were here to meet her.

This is the sorrow that Scully has not had time to pick at. Her hero, her role model, the blueprint for all she wants Emily to be, not around to see it happen. She can’t think further than that; it’s the loose string that would unravel the sweater.

Mama Scully opens the door before they make it up the front steps, armed with yellow balloons and a party hat for the birthday girl. What a way to meet your grandmother. 

“Hello dear!” It’s unclear whether she’s referring to Emily, one of her daughters, or the three as a unit. “Look at you…” she cups her hands around Emily’s head, and now they’re pretty sure who she’s referring to. “You’re like a little princess!”

Scully smirks. She’s glad to witness her mother’s happiness, of course, but they’ve just finished five hours of travelling with a baby. “Mom, please, could you save the theatrics for inside?”

“Oh, I have a whole other set of theatrics planned there,” Mama Scully quips. She clears the way, ushers the group into the house. 

She touches Mulder’s shoulder as he passes. “Fox! I almost didn’t see you there.”

“Well, I can’t compete with Emily, so I don’t blame you.”

“She is precious, isn’t she?” Mrs. Scully gazes toward the doorway that Scully and Emily have since deserted. “There’s a place for you in Emily’s future, you know.”

Mulder shoves his hands in his pockets. “Oh.” He doesn’t know what else to say to that, and besides, it should be up to Scully.

“Unless there’s another woman in your life…?”

“No, no, I just--” he chuckles. “I didn’t expect that.”

Mama Scully lays a hand on his arm. “I care about you, Fox. Your well-being is deeply connected with my daughter’s.”

“Yes, of course…” He really, really would like to go in now. 

“And it’s important to me that she has a strong support system throughout this ordeal. Raising a child is a tremendous challenge, and I don’t want her to feel that the burden is hers alone.”

“I completely agree.”

“That’s why you should adopt Emily, too. Give her the gift of a father.”

Mulder’s brain short-circuits. “I--what? Mrs. Scully, I don’t know--”

She puts a hand on his back and leads him inside. “Think about it. You and Dana, forming a family for this child that needs one. It would be a little untraditional, of course, but the wedding could come in due time, no need to rush.”

Mulder’s head is spinning. This is a practical joke, right? The hidden cameras can feel free to reveal themselves any time now. 

The pair stops in the front hallway, a safe distance from everyone else in the kitchen. Mulder tries to mold his thoughts into cohesive sentences.

“Mrs. Scully, your intentions are good, but I think this solution is a bit extreme. I’m more than happy to help with Emily as much as possible, but becoming her father would just make things more complicated for all involved. And trust me, even if I were onboard, there’s no way Dana would go for it.”

Mama Scully nods. “I anticipated that. I’m going to talk with her tonight, straighten things out.”

Mulder does an awkward side-to-side shuffle. “If there’s one thing I know about her, it’s that her mind is not easily changed.” 

“Yes, well, I doubt this is something Dana has given much thought to. I’m hoping to get my argument across before she takes sides.”

“Mmm.” Mulder looks off toward the kitchen, where he would like to be. 

“I’ll let Dana know that we’ve discussed my proposition,” Mama Scully continues, “and then you two can talk it over, alright? I don’t mean to force you into anything. It just feels like a logical step. I’m sure you’d agree that your relationship is deeper than that of many married couples.”

“Sure, but it’s very different too,” Mulder mutters. This is not a topic to delve into with his partner’s mother, of all people. “I don’t know that they can be compared.”

“Perhaps you should consider it.” 

Mrs. Scully holds her hardened glance for a long second, and Mulder is the one who breaks. He scoots out of her direct line of sight, then gestures for her to go before him into the kitchen. “Shall we?”

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

They celebrate Emily’s 365th day around the sun like they’ve been by her side for every one of them. Before the crew arrived, Mama Scully whipped up vanilla cupcakes with chocolate frosting and rainbow sprinkles, or as she put it, “a little bit of everything since I don’t know what she likes.” She even bought a happy birthday banner and sharpied in Emily’s name--not to mention five birthday hats and a humongous 1 candle that a single cupcake can barely hold up. 

It’s a testament to Emily’s character that she’s so unbothered by it all. She lets Mama Scully slip the hat into place, shows no visible distress to the admiration she receives from the room. She prefers her mother’s arms over anyone else’s--they are, after all, the most familiar of the unfamiliar--but she’s content anywhere that welcomes her. And this is a place where she is most welcome.

Scully reminds herself to capture these little moments in her mind...Emily’s effervescent giggle as Missy tickles the bottoms of her feet,  Mulder helping Mama Scully add extra sprinkles to each cupcake, the warm hug of a family’s company. Love, love, there is so much love here. 

The time comes for cake and singing and blown-out candles. Well, candle in this case. Mulder performs the honor of lighting said candle as everyone gathers around, Emily nestled in her mother’s arms. 

“Ready?” Mulder inquires. He conducts in time with his countdown. “One, two, one, two, three…”

The rendition is not in tune on anyone’s part (though Missy is the closest), but at least their intentions are harmonious. Scully’s heart swells. Mulder and Missy throw in a zany “and many more!” for the cherry on top of a joyous moment. Scully mourns its end; the birthday song is much too brief.

“Make a wish!” Missy chirps, and Scully leans forward and blows out the flame for her daughter. Safety, happiness, love...these are the things she asks for. These are the things that everyone deserves. 

Scully’s not surprised when her mother pulls her aside a few minutes later and leads her to the library, leaving Emily at Missy and Mulder’s mercy. Her mother is fond of sentimental speeches, but not brave enough for an audience. Scully steels herself for a mushy-gushy outpouring. 

Mama Scully shuts the door, turns to her daughter. “I’m overflowing with joy. Aren’t you?”

“Yes, mom,” Scully answers, tiresome already. “I’m a bit afraid this is all a dream that I’ll wake up from at any moment.”

“Pinch yourself. You’ll see that it’s not, I promise.”

Scully pinches her bicep, more for her mother’s amusement than anything. This is, in fact, reality.

“You must be very overwhelmed, I imagine,” Mrs. Scully remarks, beginning to pace. Scully follows with her eyes. 

“There is a lot that I haven’t sorted out yet, yes,” Scully replies, her suspicion about her mother’s intentions growing. “Work, for example. I only have one more day off, and then I have to explain everything to Skinner, and hopefully I’ll qualify for maternity leave. But the Bureau isn’t very good about that, it’s only two weeks.”

“Just remember that I’m always available to babysit Emily if you need it.”

“I know, mom.”

Mama Scully allows herself to get side-tracked for a moment. “You have a crib though? And diapers, and a high chair?”

Scully nods. “Required for the home study.”

“Good.” Mama Scully sweeps back a wayward piece of her daughter’s hair. “I don’t ever want you to feel like you’re all alone in this.”

Her mother’s soft gaze unearths a sudden swell of emotion; tears prick at the back of Scully’s eyes. “I know, mom.”

“And I know that you’re gonna say you are Emily’s only legal guardian, and so you are technically alone, but you know what? You don’t have to be,” Mama Scully asserts. “There is someone out there who is willing to fill that void for you.”

Scully rolls her eyes, her brief emotional trance broken. “Don’t tell me you're gonna set me up with the Prizatskys’ son again.”

“Oh no,” Mrs. Scully laughs. “Besides, he’s engaged now.”

“Oh.” Scully tries to miss the patronization in her mother’s voice. 

“What I’m saying is,” Mrs. Scully continues, “there is a man in your life who is loyal, trustworthy, hard-working, and in the perfect position to provide for you and Emily.”

“If you’re referring to Mulder,” Scully starts, an eyebrow raised, “I’m not exactly planning to shun him anytime soon.”

“Yes, but have you ever truly let him in?”

Mrs. Scully has aimed her arrow and hit her target, a stunning blow. The most damning parts of Scully’s inner dialogue have just been echoed back at her. 

Wounded, she swallows hard. “That’s really none of your business. And just because he’s in my life doesn’t mean that he magically fills the role of Emily’s father. How would that even work? Emily would have to be shuttled back and forth...She’d be split between one parent and the other...It would make her life more hectic.”

“Dana, Dana…” Mama Scully pulls her daughter close, recognizing that she’s struck a nerve. Scully stiffens into the hug. “Remember when you were little, and your father would be gone on long deployments, and you’d draw pictures of him in his uniform, and tell your class about how your father was a Navy captain, and you were so proud? You barely had a sense of what that meant, but you knew he was doing something important.”

Scully relaxes into their embrace. “And when I missed him the worst, you’d let me wear his old sailor hat.”

“Yes.” Mama Scully takes a hearty breath. “I was there every day, feeding you, bathing you, sending you off to school...and you loved me, I don’t doubt that, but I wasn’t the one who put stars in your eyes.”

Scully nods against her mother’s shoulder. Damn, if she isn’t winding her way toward a convincing point.

“Emily’s gonna love you whatever you choose. But the fuller her life is--the more love she’s surrounded by--the more she’ll have to give, and the brighter her light will shine.”

Scully sniffles, shaken by the truth of this. God, to know as much love as she’s known in her life and resist it still. That’s not the way a life is meant to be lived.

“Thank you, mom,” she whispers in her mother’s ear. It’s an imprecise affirmation--encompassing everything and yet a specific something that she can no longer reject. 

Scully pulls away, smiles at her mom. “No more meddling, okay? I’ll sort this out for myself.”

Mama Scully laughs. “You just needed that push. Now that the ball’s rolling, I’ll leave it alone.”

“You’d better,” Scully teases. She gestures toward the door. “I should get back to my baby.”

“Yes,” Mama Scully grins, “you should.”

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

The knock on the door comes at a quarter to noon, as Scully expected. She didn’t expect that she’d be scrubbing grape juice off the tile when it happened, but hey, these are the disruptions everyone in her life will have to get used to. Including--especially--her. 

“I’ll get it!” Missy’s voice breezes through the apartment. 

A moment later, Scully finds herself level with a pair of black dress shoes. Big ones. A twelve if she had to guess.

“Scully, if you wanna know my shoe size, just ask,” Mulder jests, and has he read her mind? She feels like she’s been caught in a compromising act, though she’s done nothing but wipe up a sticky purple mess. She cranes her neck, looks up at him.

“Good morning, Mulder,” she mumbles, running her hand over the spill area. Coming up clean, she finds her footing. The top of her head is even with her partner’s collarbone. 

Scully thumbs toward Emily, who is gobbling cheese crackers in her high chair without a care in the world. “Apparently she doesn’t like grape juice.”

“Grape juice?” Mulder jeers. “She knows orange juice is where it’s at.”

Scully ignores him, but makes a mental note to add OJ to the grocery list. And apple too, just to be safe.

“Let me get my shoes and I’ll be ready to go,” she says, shuffling off in her pantyhose without waiting for a response. 

They have a lunchtime meeting with Skinner to explain...well, everything. Mulder doesn’t need to be there--as his partner was quick to remind him--but he insists on advocating for her. No amount of I’m not a damsel in distress, Mulder will put him off. She’s so much more than that, he knows. Hence why he’s got to do all he can so her life isn’t defined by its crises. Besides, he’ll take any excuse to sneak down to the office on his day off.

He told Scully he’d pick her up because it’d be easier on her, sure, but also because he has an important delivery to make. He nods to Missy, and she grabs the goods off the front table. He wanted to make his entrance before the big moment. His presence known, he’s ready to go.

“Emily, Uncle Mulder brought something for you!” Missy sing-songs as she places the gifts in Mulder’s hidden hands. The girl looks up, her attention easily diverted here and there. 

Mulder tries to tip-toe forward--hands behind his back--without coming off as creepy, which is harder than it seems. He takes it as a good sign that Emily doesn’t spook and wonders what it means that Missy called him Uncle Mulder. Did she and Scully have a conversation about it? Is this what he’ll be known as? Or was that just a last minute reach to fill the space? 

He pushes these thoughts away, focuses on the blue-eyed girl in front of him. 

“Emily,” he begins, and it rolls off his tongue like a devotion, “I thought your bunny might like some friends.”

He reveals the fox first, then the UFO. His personal mark on Emily’s budding stuffed animal collection. She lets out a peep of astonishment and reaches for the fox, fascinated with its bushy tail. She hits it back and forth so it wags like a dog’s.

Mulder chuckles, his brain lighting up in places it never has before. Missy hangs back and waits for her sister to reemerge. Sure enough, Scully melts at the sight, stopping short so she doesn’t interrupt it. She clutches her heart. She and Missy share a smile.

“My, my, look at this,” Scully saunters in, ruffles Emily’s hair. “Do you know what this is, Em?” she asks, patting the fox. “This is a fox.”  She points to Mulder. “And this is a Fox, too!” 

Emily doesn’t get the joke, but that’s okay. 

“And do you know what this is?” Mulder prompts, picking up the flying saucer. He moves it through the air like it’s flying. Emily reaches for it, and god, Mulder knows the feeling.

“This is a UFO, Emily,” Mulder tells her sweetly. “Aliens!”

“No, no.” Scully plucks the UFO from his hand. “No aliens, Em.” 

She lays the saucer on the high chair tray. “Mama’s gotta go away for a little bit, but I’ll be back soon.” She kisses Em’s temple. “Auntie Missy will be right here.”

Missy steps forward. “We can play with Mr. Fox and the al--” Scully shoots her a look. ”The UFO!” she corrects, winking at Mulder. She scoops her niece out of the high chair. “Say ‘bye Mama!’”

Emily doesn’t have that grasp on words yet, and they all know it, but Missy gets her to wave. “Okay, now ‘bye Uncle Mulder!’” Another wave. Smiles all around.

Mulder and Scully move reluctantly toward the door. Scully groans as Missy and the baby girl slip from her view. 

“They’ll be okay,” Mulder assures his partner.

“I know,” Scully sighs, “but will I?”

Mulder rests his hand in the familiar spot on her back as they exit her apartment. “Absolutely. Skinner will grant you the leave, and you’ll be back with your baby in no time.”

She nods, bites her lip, and slows, suddenly wistful. Mulder stops, turns to her. “Scully…?”

“Mulder, did my mom have a conversation with you?”

He nods. 

“And...did you think it was kind of crazy too?”

He nods again.

She takes a breath and rises to her tip-toes. She could pretend not to know what she’s doing, but she does. Oh, she does. 

“But not out of the realm of extreme possibility…?” she coos, eyes centered on his lips. 

Mulder smiles shyly. He always expected it would be this way: Scully the coquette to his boyish ineptitude. Who knew she’d be stealing his lines.

His hands find her waist, pulling her closer there in the hallway. “No, no,” he muses, “I think it’s pretty solidly in the realm…” He nuzzles her neck, breathes in her sweet smell, and nibbles her ear, all in the beat of a hummingbird’s wing. “...of extreme possibility,” he purrs into her ear, satisfied with himself. 

It reminds Scully of do you believe in the existence of  ~extraterrestrials~ and how she knew then that he was a little bit unhinged, whip-snap smart, and too goddamn charming for his own good. That either fate or her own unconquerable desire would bring them together. She knows now that fate conspired to keep them apart. What’s unfolding is neither an act of its hand nor a last-ditch effort of a dead-end life. It is one choice among many, undertaken out of sheer belief in the happiness it could bring.

She looks into his eyes, which look back at her with a caramel-drizzle melt. Yes, yes, this is right. She fans a hand out on his cheek, runs her thumb over his mole. She has always wanted to touch it, but could never come up with a good excuse. 

They’ve delayed the inevitable long enough. Scully leans in, still on her tip-toes, and Mulder bends to close the distance. Their lips meet, and there’s no fireworks. No, it’s simple serenity. Like coming home after a long time away--though this is a house they have never walked into until now, they have a feeling they will be walking into it for the rest of their lives.

And then Scully pulls away, and it’s over but it’s just beginning.

[tanyawritesstories]

Must Be the Whiskey | Jack Daniels x Reader

I got inspiration to write this from listening to a song of the same name. Though the lyrics had nothing to do with the idea I came up with 😂 a thank you to @scribbledghost for letting me tag them. I hope y'all enjoy! 🤠

Word count: 1.5k

Warnings: fluff, dramatics, insinuations of sex, domesticity, light chaos

•••

“I cannot believe you did that!”

Jack was angry again. You had been joking but apparently he had taken it seriously.

“Hun, it’s not that big of a deal,” you said, still finding it funny, “It was just a joke.”

Jack took off his hat and tossed it on the nightstand next to your shared bed. “Well it wasn’t funny to me,” he argued. You made your way into the bathroom and began taking your makeup off. “You don’t flirt with another man while I’m sitting right next to you!”

You laughed, “Babe, I was not flirting you know that. I just wanted to try it.” You knew he wasn’t really mad, just annoyed and most likely he just wanted to fight with you.

“Well ya shouldn’t ‘ave, sugar. Now you got your old man riled up,” he replied. Jack ditched his jacket and his shoes, running his hands through his hair.

You giggled and stepped out of the bathroom, finding your fiance sitting on the end of the bed. “I can think of something to do with all that energy,” you hinted suggestively.

He pouted and looked at his lap. “I ain't in the mood.” You had to resist laughing at this grown man acting like a child over something so simple and innocent.

You kneeled in front of him and tilted his head up so his eyes met yours. "Jack, baby, it was only a drink."

"Yeah but it was the wrong drink, you should've gotten your usual, and you know it," he continued to pout. You smiled sympathetically, "I will from now on, I promise. Jim has got nothin' on you, cowboy."

Yes, Jack was angry because you had decided to get a Jim Beam instead of your usual Jack Daniels whiskey, at the bar. Ever since you met him three years ago, you hadn't drank any other whiskey except his namesake. You didn't know he would promptly flip his lid when you decided to try a different kind tonight. You were sure he was acting or playing up his anger for show. He was a very dramatic man. You realized just how much when he accused your liquid betrayal of being akin to unfaithfulness.

He sighed. "I just want you to know you hurt me, darlin'. Don't break a man's ego like that again, ya hear?" He smiled and booped your nose.

"Yes, sir," you winked. "Now, do I have to satisfy myself or do you still have all that energy?"

A devilish smirk came to his face and he hoisted you up to straddle his lap before falling backwards so you landed on his chest.

"Oof, yep, you still got the energy," you concluded. Jack kissed you like it was the last time he ever would, full of heat and passion. A kiss that was so very Jack.

"I love you, sweet pea. And I plan on showin' you just how much," he drawled. You giggled. It was going to be a long and delightfully tiring night.

~~~~

Jack woke up still feeling worn out. That's the price he paid for a good time with his lady. But it was worth it every time.

He begrudgingly lifted himself out of the comfy bed, sliding some sweatpants onto his bare body. He could hear you humming from the kitchen. Your mumbled melodies accompanied the smell of bacon and coffee, his favorites. He made his way into the kitchen, forgoing a shirt.

He found you exactly how he expected. You were standing at the stove stirring eggs in a pan, bacon was sizzling away on a different burner, and coffee was brewing on the other end of the counter. He watched you for a while, his eyes wandering up and down your body. You were wearing shorts and one of his shirts that was much too big on you. He approached quietly, wrapping his arms around your middle and resting his forehead on your shoulder.

“Morning, dear,” you greeted. You could barely hear his mumbled reply into your skin. “You hungry?” Jack nuzzled into your neck. “I don’t know, I had quite the feast last night, but I wouldn’t be opposed to a second helping,” he teased, nipping your neck and giving your ass a light squeeze. You giggled and tried to push his hands away from tickling you.

Jack loved hearing you laugh, it was one of his favorite sounds. He loved waking up to find you making him breakfast. There was something so domestic and peaceful about it. Sometimes he would sit and watch you, he found it fascinating how you could throw a few ingredients together and mold it into something completely different and delicious. He never got tired of watching you cook and bake. The only times he missed it was when you were called into work early or he left before you woke up. He smiled fondly at the memory of buying you an apron that said ‘kitchen wizard’ on it in big red letters, you always wore it when baking. Jack compared your baking to a form of art as complex and stunning as the canvas paintings you had strewn around the house.

You both worked at a reasonable time and were able to have breakfast together, chatting about the day's events and generally anything that came to mind. You and Jack parted ways with a kiss, Jack heading off to Statesman and you heading off to your day job.

~~~~

Jack got home before you and had been relaxing when he received a text from you asking him to come out into the driveway. He was confused but complied. He found you getting the groceries out of the trunk of your car.

“You need help there, sugar?” He asked.

“No. But I must prove something to you, Jack,” you said dramatically. Oh no. Jack knew that tone of voice, it was usually used to either tease him or make yourself sound like a dramatic theatre actor. In conclusion, it was never good, but always humorous, when you used that voice. “I have purchased something to prove to you how much I love you in a broad demonstration of questionable intellect,” you preached. Jack smiled and laughed. “What did you get, sweet pea. More lingerie? Because I haven’t gotten tired of the last set, ya know.”

“It’s worse,” you said. You reached into one of the bags and pulled out a bottle of Jim Beam whiskey. Holding it above your head, you took a few steps away from your car, standing not far away from Jack. “What are you doing with that?” He asked, only a little bit irked. “Allow me to demonstrate my love for you,” you announced, putting your other hand over your heart. At that, you released your grip on the bottle, sending it into the concrete with a loud smash, glass and liquor going everywhere.

Jack’s mouth dropped open. He wasn’t expecting you to do that. “Honey, what-”

“My love for you is no joke, Jack Daniels. I will love you till my dying day and will smash as many more bottles of that fowl name as I need to, should you ever doubt me.” You stood watching him, his reaction was funnier than you thought it would be, it had taken every ounce of self control in you to keep a straight face. You could feel your jeans were wet with alcohol and some bits of glass had caught in the bottom.

Jack sauntered over to you. “Darlin’, honey, sweet pea, love of my life,” he cupped your face in his hands, “Do you realize you just smashed a thirty dollar bottle of whiskey in our driveway?” You nodded, sincerity in your eyes. “Yes, I do realize. I wanted to prove to you that you are superior to anyone and everyone else, and I love you,” you beamed up at him. “You are truly somethin’ else,” he said, his smile warm and loving as he kissed your forehead. “Let’s clean this up and then have dinner.”

You helped Jack clean up the mess, sweeping the glass shards into a dustpan and washing away the liquid with a bucket of water. You made sure there was no more glass as you didn’t want any of it to get caught in the car tires. He helped you carry the groceries into the house and unpack them.

“I also got us actual drinks,” you said. Jack turned to see you holding a bottle of Jack Daniels in one hand and a bottle of Statesman in the other. “How much did you spend on whiskey tonight, angel?” He asked, amused. “Only about eighty bucks,” you answered. Jack once again took his time walking over to you, “Sometimes I think you’re worse than me.” You leaned up and pressed a kiss to his lips. “You have to think about that? I thought it was obvious,” you sassed. “Well alright, little missy, do I have to teach you not to speak out of turn again tonight or are we going to have dinner,” Jack sassed right back. “As tempting as that sounds, I’m quite hungry,” you giggled. “No time to lose then, sunshine. Let’s get cookin’.”

[thepaperpanda]

A Dream || Part II || Sam Drake x Reader smut

Summary: How surprised Sam is when he meets you in the prison, and when it turns out you're the friend of Adler. Fortunately, Drake lets you play a little game with him.

Warnings: SMUT!!

Words: 4905

Authors: Cass & Rouge

♠

Sam was looking at a stone ceiling that was softly illuminated with a bright light that was getting in through the small window.

He was thinking about you while laying on his bunk. He was afraid that all of this was just a dream or at last a really successful way of getting him into Rafe’s dirty, little paws.  There were a thousands of thoughts running through his mind.

All this was suddenly interrupted by two guards telling Sam that he was free. Apparently Rafe bailed him out and soon Samuel Drake was free again, he was able to simply walk out of the prison.

Dressed normally again, with bag on his shoulder Sam looked around and frowned as he spotted Rafe.

"Samuel Drake! It's nice to see you! Alive and well. I hope they weren't too hard on you there?" He asked with a mean smile.

"Oh yea, it was a heaven there." Sam muttered.

Rafe rolled his eyes and wrapped arm around Sam's shoulder to lead him into a car. "Oh, I know, I know, Sam, but look at you! Alive and well."

Sam didn't say anything. He simply climbed into the car, letting Rafe drive. Sam good knew that Rafe wanted the treasure, so he agreed on this shit.

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

After few hours of drive, Rafe stopped the car. They were in front of a hotel.

"Now, Sam. Let's be open about stuff, okay? I want a treasure and you want your freedom. Be a good boy, and don't try to run because I will make sure to find you and your little brother." Rafe summed up as soon as he stopped in front of Sam's room. "Tonight you are free, but tomorrow we start searching, okay?"

Sam wanted to punch Rafe in this stupid face, but it wasn't a good idea. For now. "Okay." He muttered and entered the room, locking the door behind him. Man let out a deep sigh and flopped on a soft bed, the feeling of freedom was something he desired for years.

Sam was ready to fell asleep when a pack of cigarettes with a pink bow and a card got his attention. Sitting up, Sam grabbed the box and looked at it, those were a very good and expensive cigs. He pulled one out and lit it, looking at the card. 'Come and met me in the bar. Y/N'

His eyes widened, immediately Sam got up and ran to the hotel bar.

You were wearing a red, shirt dress, fitted one that emphasized the curves of your figure.

The black high heels completed your outfit.

As long as you entered the bar, the attention of all the men gathered there were moved to you. Some of them whistled in awe. You sent them a brief smile, and with a swing in your hips you approached the bar, taking a seat at a hooker. "Martini, please," you ordered with a little smile sent to the bartender, who checked you out with a wry grin, licking the corners of his mouth.

You tapped the counter with your long nails, awaiting for the one special man to come...

You were more than pleased as soon as you heard that Rafe got Sam out of the prison.

Few weeks have passed since your last meeting, and, you had to admit it, you were missing the touch of this man a lot.

Sam was more than thankful that he could freely smoke in this hotel. He entered the bar and looked around, looking for you. It wasn't particularly hard, you were the most stunning human being in this whole place.

Sam let out some smoke and looked down on himself, he didn't look too bad actually but still, he was worried it might be not enough for you. He straightened his jeans jacket and walked to the bar, using a moment of your distraction. "Hello there, beautiful. Can I offer you another drink?" Sam said with a soft pur, sitting on the stool right next to you.

You pretended you haven't noticed his presence, do you smirked and nodded head a little. "If you will guess what do I drink, I'll let you buy me a drink, sir," you replied, and tilted head aside to look at him above your shoulder.

"Well, thinking about such a beautiful and stunning lady like you..." Sam hummed looking at your drink and thinking about the right answer. "... I would say it's a martini, a fine drink for a fine lady like you."

He smiled at you, in a deep disbelieve he was seeing you again. This was proof you weren't just a dream. You were here now, with him and for him.

You gave him a little nod of your head, just a tiny one, barely noticeable, but you knew he understood.

You turned to him on your chair, crossing legs nicely, making sure that your dress moved a little up your thighs, uncovering the flesh of your legs.

Sam licked his lips checking your body from the bottom to the top. Oh, how happy he was that you were here, he was already getting excited about this meeting.

"Oh, you finally decided to look at me, missy? I'm glad to see those beautiful eyes looking at me." He said with his charming smile.

You nodded and sipped from your glass. "I did. And I don't regret, mister," you told him.

You slowly downed the drink, letting fee drops to fall on your cleavage, you slowly ran the tip of your tongue along the line of your lips covered in red lipstick.

Sam chuckled and licked his lips once again, looking at your beautiful lips. "You know, I have a nice room with a big bed. Maybe you would like to visit me tonight? I am an ex-prisoner, a warm and nice body as yours would be a real consolation for my poor, wretched soul and body."

"I don't know, darling. I don't know if I am allowed to do so," you teased as you stretched one of your legs, and rubbed it against his knee.

It was when Rafe has approached the two of you, with the wry smirk of his on his lips.

"Oh well, I can see you keep whoring around as always, love." Rafe smiled wrapping arm around your shoulder. "I can see that our dear Sammy here ran after the bone. Like a good dog he is."

Sam frowned, looking at Rafe and you. He could feel a nice atmosphere and any kind of excitement wear off pretty quickly, he really wanted to strangle this fucked up rich boy then and there.

"Smile, Sam. You are scaring the lady," Adler said with a short laugh.

You briefly kissed Rafe's cheek and smiled at him, poking his ribs gently. "Stop it, Adler, or I'll have to break your neck," you said, your time was vicious and smirk vanished as soon as you spot the look on Sam's face.

Slowly getting up from your chair, you touched man's chest. "He's very important. The most important here, Rafe," you told him.

"Well I am sorry, love, but we all know you're not a saint." Rafe hummed, rolling his eyes annoyed.

Sam tensed at your touch and gently pushed your hand off his chest. "I need to smoke, I will go outside. Don't worry, I won't run away." Sam did just as he said and went outside to smoke and calm down.

Rafe watched him leave. "Listen now, you little slut." He growled bending your arm enough to make it hurt. Rafe knew how to do it so no one realized what's going on. "You better work on him, because I need this fucking treasure. Don't forget our deal. Now, go after him." He ordered.

You clenched teeth and hands in fists, you gasped as you felt that his fingers probably have left a bruise to your shoulder. "Don't worry, I'm working on this," you snarled through clenched teeth. "Now, let me finish my work."

You grabbed your purse, and followed Sam outside the hotel.

"Better make it quick." He growled behind you and simply went to order himself a drink.

Meanwhile, Sam was sitting on the kerbstone, smoking as always. He couldn't tell what upset him that much, maybe it was Rafe, maybe he was simply jealous???

"Is it a free spot?," You asked pointing on the place next to him, and before he managed to reply, you had taken the seat. "I'm sorry for Rafe, he's blinded by this treasure you two are going to hunt," you said sadly, placing palm on Sam's shoulder.

Sam smiled, nodding his head. "Believe me, I know this. He was like this even whole fifteen years ago, he was ready to kill whoever got in our way." He summed up before taking a drag of his cig. "He is the reason I got shot and my little brother is traumatized for life."

Sam stayed quiet for a longer moment, collecting his thoughts and everything. "So... You and Rafe. You two are a thing?" He asked unsure if he even wanted to know.

You stroked his back slowly. "I heard about Nathan. Did you let him know you're alive, safe and sound as much as you can be?," You asked, being truly interested in getting an answer.

As soon as man asked about you and Rafe, you chuckled loudly, holding hand on your abdomen. "Me? And Rafe? Never, even though I know he would want this," you replied openly. "Why are you asking? Are you jealous, Mr. Treasure Hunter?"

"No, I did not. This asshole wouldn't let me, I just know that Nathan has a quiet, normal life. Better if this stays this way, he deserved this more than anyone else." Sam sighed rubbing his eyes, sure he missed Nathan. He wanted to contact him, tell him everything but it wasn't a good idea. Now his brother had a life that Sam always wanted to give him but wasn't able to after their mother's death. It was better to stay away. "Yes I am jealous, plus he wasn't really nice when it came to you. I don't care who he is, this is not how you treat your 'friends'. On the other hand... Does he even know how to treat others right?" Sam sighed throwing away the end of his cigarette.

"He does when he has a purpose," you told him briefly, with a slight shrug of your shoulders. "Sometimes he can be charming even."

"Now he has a purpose and he treats both of us like shit." Sam sighed and looked at you. "This is stupid, but I missed ya. I couldn't wait to see you again." He said suddenly with a soft smile.

You couldn't wait any longer. Your hand was reached slowly towards him, you touched his cheek, caressing his rough skin gently, smiling at him. "I missed you too, Samuel."

Sam cupped your hand on his cheek and smiled even more, enjoying your soft touch. "Hey, I know that I am old but there is no need to call me by full name. Sam will be enough." He winked at you and turned his head to kiss your palm.

A shiver ran along your spine, you felt the sensation building within your abdomen. "Sam, is it better this way?," You asked and trailed fingertips along his jaw.

He kissed your finger and smiled. "Oh, much better, baby. So? What will we do now, huh?"

"I have no idea," you told him. "Whatever you want to do," you offered.

"Can I ask for your purse?" Sam asked.

You blinked few times, yet nodded slowly, handling your purse to him.

In first moment you wanted to take it back, being afraid he might find some inappropriate things there, but the feeling quickly vanished.

Sam looked through the content on your little bag. He didn't pull anything until he found your keys. "And there we go. Those, looks like keys to your flat. I bet my life that girl like you has a big bed." Samuel summed up moving closer to whisper into your ear. "Big and soft bed where I can make you scream my name louder than you did back in the prison."

As blush hit your cheeks, you gasped loudly, looking at him, a sparks in your eyes made them glistening like a stars. "Sam!," You chuckled nervously. "You're a little lecher!"

But you slowly got up and offered him your hand. "It's not too far from here, three or for blocks," you informed. "We can have a walk along the shoreline."

"I am just your local, good, old seducer, sweetheart." He got up and offered you his arm. "But you don't need to fear, there is one lady that put a leash on me."

Sam started to walk as soon as you accept his arm. "Besides, you are the most beautiful girl in the whole place. It would be shame to not try get between your legs."

"Samuel Drake!," You raised your tone at him, which made few people on the sidewalk turned around to look at two of you. "Don't be such a perv," you instructed him.

When you were walking, you still had this awful feeling of being observed, so you turned your head to check whether you were followed or not, but you haven't noticed anyone.

Sam only laughed at you reaction and wrapped his arm around your shoulder. "I may be a pervert but on the bright side I am your perv." He hummed and kissed side of your head.

Sam walked with you, he noticed your odd behavior. He felt that something bother you. "Y/N? Is everything okay?"

"Yes, I'm sorry, it's a little paranoia I guess," you turned the situation into a joke. "When someone as Adler is a friend of yours, you need to be cautious," you added.

Sam tightened his arm around you in protective manner, looking around with a frown. Soon his attention returned to you. "Is this rich asshole hurting you?"

"All the time," you summed up. "He's vicious, he good knows what to do to make a person feeling insecure," you told Sam.

The walk along shoreline was a pleasant moment, you enjoyed it so much, and wished this moment last forever.

Sam kissed the top of his head. He just got one more reason to murder Rafe as soon as he will be able to, or at last watch him die. "You are safe with me." He whispered. Sam meant what he just said. Sure, Adler sent you to prison just to bargain Sam into going with him, but Samuel fall hard for you. He wasn't going to let you go.

As soon as you reached the fancy surrounding, you turned left, heading to a house with a beautifully trimmed lawn. You stopped in didn't if the door and looked for the keys in your purse. As soon as you did, you opened the door, and stepped inside.

Sam followed you inside and looked around, the house was fancy. Maybe a little bit too fancy as for him, he was a simple man but he indeed was impressed.

But there was no time for tour or anything. Sam suddenly picked you up, wrapping your legs around his hips, he gave you a cocky smile. "Hey there, beautiful."

Taken by a surprise, you squeaked and chuckled, wrapping arms around his neck. You dropped the keys to the wooden floor, they fell on it with a loud, metallic noise. "Hey there, handsome," you greeted him while placing a tiny kiss to bridge of his nose.

Sam purred loudly at the soft feeling of your lips. "Oh, sweetheart. You have no idea how much I missed those lips. Just in other place." He joked and his lips moved to your neck where he started to gently kiss and bite your skin.

You moaned for him, slipping your hands into his hair. "Maybe not here," you gasped. You were already shaking from desire, the heat between your legs started to be unbearable. "Put me down," you asked him. Your lips traced the line of his jaw.

"Why not? I could fuck you nicely against the wall like I did before." He growled against your neck but soon he obeyed you and put you down. "Lead the way, sweetheart."

You grabbed him by his rough palm, and lead the way upstairs. You stopped minding the blush that appeared on your face again after Sam's words.

As soon as you entered a long hallway, you let go of his hand and started unzipping your dress, still with the familiar swing in your hips.

Sam followed you slowly looking at the little show. He couldn't describe how much he wanted you, after this one time with you he desired only you. He moved closer and helped you with the zipper a little, his hand gently slipped under your dress. Sam smiled to himself. "I missed the feeling of this soft skin."

You only smirked at his words, cold shivers ran along your spine once again. You were curious, what exactly this particular man had in himself that he was turning your mind upside down.

Soon, you opened the door leading to a huge bedroom. The bed was placed near the entrance to the balcony, a satin quilt on the bed shone in a light of the moon which peeked from behind the clouds.

You made sure the zipper of your dress was fully opened, then you simply let the dress fall down to your ankles. You stepped out of it; you were wearing only lacy, black panties beneath.

Sam watched you with his mouth opened, he never forgot how your body looked, but now in this other circumstances you were even more beautiful. He could imagine all sort of stuff he could do to you and this sweet body of yours. "Oh, little one. You love to tease, huh?" Sam asked removing his jacket and shirt, exposing his chest to you. "It's not nice to tease, I think I will have to teach you some stuff." Samuel walked closer to you and pulled you into a heated kiss.

You wrapped arms around man's neck, pressing boobs to his exposed chest. Your tongues danced together, and you hummed into the kiss. This was all you needed.

When you broke the kiss, you smiled at him, and walked to the bed, where you laid, rubbing thighs together, watching him. "Did I tell you I love your body? Even with those," you pointed the scars the bullets have left on his lower stomach.

"Well, women naturally love some scars. It shows how strong and brave the man is." Sam joked removing his pants slowly.

He walked to you bed slowly. Samuel grabbed your foot and placed a kiss on top of it. Soon he moved up, kissing every inch of the skin until he got comfortable between your legs. "Hmmm, let's see if I remember where it is." He hummed before rubbing your clit through your lacy panties.

"Oh, God," you gasped loudly and rolled head back, resting it on the mattress of your bed. "You're the most teasing person I've ever met."

"Well, I learn from the best." He looked up at you and winked. "How about we take this off, huh?" Biting his lips gently, Sam pulled your pants off.

"Sam," you gasped once again and rubbed thighs together. "You're turning me on so much!," You told him while slipped hands in his hair.

He chuckled, pulling your thighs apart. "Oh, I know this, sweetheart. I try my best."

Sam leant down and kissed your belly, only to move down to your pussy. His thumb started to again rub circles on your clit as his tongue started to softly lick and tease your entrance.

"Fuck," you gasped and placed your legs on his wide shoulders. "That's it, handsome, you hit the perfect spot," you whispered through parted lips, your fingers tangled with his hair.

Sam hummed, looking up on you. He took his time eating you out, there was no time to rush it all. Sam started to rub your clit faster as soon and his tongue slipped inside of you.

"Sam! You're unfair!," You moaned sweetly. "I want to be gagged with your cock," you moaned.

Sam smiled and moved up, he gave you a quick kiss. His hand stayed between your legs. "Oh, I know what you want, sweetheart..." He pushed two of his fingers inside of you while his thumb started to abuse your bundle of nerves.

"I didn't want it!," You chuckled darkly, but enjoyed the touch and pleasure he has offered you. "I want to suck you off, you heard me?"

"Oh, I heard you just right, but tonight I am in charge here." Sam smiled curling his fingers deep inside of you. "You will cum for daddy like a good girl you are, and then we will think about prize for you."

Your thighs twitched, and you arched your back. "That's it, Samuel, just like that..."

You turned into a moaning mess, writhing in the bed at the slightest touch of his.

Sam stopped his movement and looked at you with a soft frown. "Samuel?

"Yes...," You replied and cocked your brow. "Is this a problem, Samuel?," You teased. You good knew he preferred short version of his name.

He chuckled. "You want daddy to do something, you need to address him properly." Sam informed you with a smile.

"Daddy," you emphasized the word while rolling your hips a little. "Is it better?"

"Now this is more like it, sweetheart." Sam smiled and resumed the movement of his fingers. His lips wrapped around your nipple, sucking and biting it gently.

"Fuck," you moaned quietly as you felt how you pussy started clenching around his fingers. Soon, they were flooded with your juices, and your peak has left you as a mess.

Sam watched your peak with a satisfied smile, he removed his fingers and licked them with a loud, happy sound. "Delicious, I never thought a girl can be that tasty."

Sam sat on the edge of the bed and removed his pants and boxers, tossing them somewhere on the floor. "Just look what are you doing to me, sweetheart." He hummed, wrapping his hand around his already hard cock.

You knelt on the bed, and crawled to Sam. Your hand placed on his chest, and slowly moved down, to reach his abdomen where your scratched him lately. "All I can see is that my Sam is pretty hard for me, and I want to tell you a secret," you said while climbing his lap. You leant forward to whisper into his ear. "Your girl is dripping wet, and her pussy is so ready for this cock."

Sam smiled and rubbed your hips, but suddenly a hard slap landed on your bun. He only looked at you before giving you one more slap, he made sure to massage the place after. "That's nice and all but as I remember I told you something. Want something from your daddy, address him properly." Sam reminded you.

You leant forward to whisper into his ear once again. "Your girl is dripping wet for you, daddy," you told him, rolling hips in his hands.

"Oh, so you don't want to choke on daddy's cock anymore? Come here than, love." Sam said and raised you only to lower you on his cock.

"Fuck. I missed this." Sam growled at the nice and familiar feeling of your walls squeezing his cock. He started to move slowly at first, holding your waist tightly.

"Yes, that's it, that's it!," You moaned and used all of your strength to push him back, so he laid on the mattress. Then, you made yourself comfortable, increased your pace, and soon you were riding him strongly and viciously, chasing the pleasure.

Sam let out a soft moan and grabbed your hips, he trusted his to met your movement. "Someone likes to go fast, huh? You know we don't need to rush things up this time?"

His hand traveled from your hip to your clit to tease the bundle of nerves, looking up at you.

"I... Know," you gasped and rolled hips harder for him. "But I want to ride this cock as hard as no one before did."

"I can see that, sweetheart, and I need to say I love it." He purred.

After this Sam sat back up, wrapping one arm around your waist to hold you in place. He started to fuck you hard, getting deeper and deeper with every thrust while rubbing your clit firmly. "Now, be a good girl and cum around daddy's cock."

"I don't want to cum yet, daddy!," You moaned as you scratched his back with your nails.

Sam grabbed your chin making you look directly at him, he didn't stop moving his hips. "Oh, yes? Than what do you want, sweetheart?"

"I want to suck you off, daddy, please, I was a good girl, I deserved a price."

"Well, I don't know. I gave you chance and you immediately jumped on my cock." Sam said teasing you by giving you one deep and hard thrust. "You really think you deserved a prize?"

"Yes, daddy! I did!," You begged

Sam laughed shortly and pulled you off his cock. "Okay, but just because you are so good to your daddy, sweetheart. On your knees and get to work, make your daddy proud." Drake said smiling at you.

You knelt in front of him quickly, your palm wrapped around his shaft, you slowly pumped your hand, moving it up and down, your eyes never left his. In the end, you spat on his tip, spreading your saliva with fingers along his dick.

Sam groaned and throw his head back, enjoying your touch, his hand slipped into your hair to grab them gently. "C'mon, don't torture your daddy, sweetheart. I gave you the prize, show how thankful and happy you are for it."

You wrapped your lips around his shaft, starting to bob your head slowly at first, you increased the pace with time, humming around his shaft, just to provide him more sensation. Soon, you pulled his cock out, spat on it again, and licked the main vein on the lower side. He tasted amazingly good.

Sam moaned and looked down on you, panting heavily. He was getting closer and closer to his climax, all thanks to your wonderful touch. "Fuck, this feels so fucking good."

You slipped his cock deep down your throat, gagging with it. You closed eyes shut, a single tear streamed down your cheek, and you started bobbing your head again, as hard as it was possible, until he came.

"Let's see how you like that." Sam growled as he grabbed back of your neck, forcing you to deepthroat him, just then he cum deep down your throat. "Fuck..." He gasped letting go of your nape.

You closed eyes shut, yet swallowed entire load he offered you. His sperm tasted bitterly, like a black coffee, so in a first reflex you gagged, yet in the end you enjoyed the taste

He cupped your cheek. "Such a good girl, you swallowed everything. What should I do with you now, huh?" Sam purred, stroking your cheek with his thumb.

"Whatever you want, Sam," you purred and moved up, licking a trail from his cock to his neck.

"Wrong again, sweetheart but I'll let it slide this time." Sam picked you up a little and laid you on the bed before diving between your legs, eating you out like a starving man until you came.

"Fuck, fuck," you were moaning for him, your legs placed on his shoulders, you body shaking from the pleasure he was offering you. It was until your pussy started clenching rhythmically, you rolled head back and screamed his name as you came all over his face.

Sam pulled away, licking his lips. "Well, that was something delicious. Fucking tell me you have cigarettes here, beautiful." He said with a soft laugh.

"In a drawer," you gasped and showed the direction with your head. "Oh, fuck, what have you done to me."

Sam quickly got to your drawer and took the box of cigarettes, pretending he didn't notice your toys there. He lit one cig and smiled at you. "Well, I just show you how a real man fucks lady nicely, I thought it was clear." He shrugged pulling you closer. "Besides, those stuff in the drawer? We need to use them one day, my naughty girl."

"If you'll be a good boy then maybe I'll think of this," you told him while you were still playing with your pussy. It was still so sensitive after the sex, and you enjoyed it so much. "Now. Better gather your sexy ass, and find the treasure for Rafe. Or he will kill us both."

Sam hummed, nodding while taking a drag of his cigarette. He puffed out a smoke and looked at you. "You see, I would but there is one thing that is stopping me, ya know?”

You gasped after the kiss. This man was a death of yours. He was spinning your head round, like a wheel.

You gave him a look and smirked. "I hope for more adventures with you."

[bethpeaches123]

Everlark #46

Okay, this took much longer than I’d hoped, but that’s because every time I thought I was finished, something new popped into my head and I had to include it, so it’s also much longer than I’d anticipated. But, here it is, @mandelion82! I hope you enjoy! I’m thinking of continuing it too, so stay tuned! Also going to post it on AO3. :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Everlark 46: nanny/single parent au

The Nanny/Babysitter/Minder

When Katniss Everdeen placed an ad looking for a nanny to care for her five-year-old daughter Cassie, the gorgeous blond, blue-eyed specimen of a man standing on her front porch was not exactly what she had in mind.

“Can I…help you? Sir?” she asked, trying to wipe the puzzled expression off her face when she opened the door.

He smiled, his hands shoved in the front pockets of his dark wash jeans, looking slightly puzzled himself. “I’m Peeta. Peeta Mellark? I emailed you about the nanny position for your daughter? We agreed I’d come over to meet her at one o’clock today?” he replied. His eyes flickered to the side at the sound of a car horn behind him on the busy street, then flicked back to Katniss while he waited for her response.

Flustered that Peeta was apparently a man’s name and not an old woman’s like she’d assumed, (Why had she assumed that? What could have it been short for? Petunia? Come on, Katniss) she hesitated and then said, “oh, yes, of course. Um, please, come in,” stepping aside to let the subtly muscular man walk past her and into the hallway.

Hesitating again, she decided to throw caution to the wind and continue with the appointment with this man, Peeta. She hadn’t received any other responses to the ad she’d placed two weeks prior, and she was getting desperate. Her surgery schedule had changed at the hospital, thanks to crotchety Chief Abernathy who didn’t care about her childcare woes, and she needed to find someone to pick Cassie up from school until her current shift rotation changed again in a few months’ time. If it changed. Knowing Abernathy, he’d keep her on this schedule indefinitely.

“Cassie? Can you come out please sweetheart, there’s someone I’d like you to meet,” she called down the hall.

She motioned for Peeta to proceed into the living room as a tiny pixie of a girl came bounding down the hall and into the room, her dark brown hair in two messy braids down her back. “Mama, I was playing,” she whined, but stopped and stared, wide-eyed at the blond man standing in front of her. “Who are you?” she asked, curiously.

“Cassie honey, I told you we’d be meeting your new nann-err…your….baby-um…your…minder…today. Remember?” hastily fumbling over what to call Peeta. “This is Mr. Mel-um, Peeta.”

“Hi Mr. Peeta,” Cassie whispered, peering up at him shyly as her little mouth curling into a smile.

Peeta knelt down in front of Cassie and held out his hand. “Hello Miss Cassie, it’s very nice to meet you. You can call me just Peeta, though, if you’d like,” he replied, gently smiling at the girl. “I’m looking forward to getting to know you better, I hope.”

“Cassie, why don’t you tell Peeta about school? Cassie just started grade one. Peeta, can I get you something to drink?” asked Katniss, starting towards the kitchen. She needed to put some distance between herself and this gorgeous man. Needed to catch her breath and steady herself – it had been a while since she’d been around anyone who made her feel so flustered. She was usually so calm and cool-headed; she needed to be, being an orthopedic surgeon and all. When Peeta didn’t reply right away, she turned to face him and found him staring straight at her.

“I’m fine, thank you,” he replied, his eyes warm as he looked at her for a beat longer than normal, before turning his focus back to her mini-me sitting before him on the floor. She could feel the heat from his brief gaze go straight to her core. She shivered and spun on her heel, swiftly walking to the kitchen. What was that? As she poured herself a glass of water, she gave herself a mental shake before gulping it down and returning to the living room to sit and observe.

As Katniss watched the two interact on the floor, her initial hesitations began to melt away. Peeta was patient, attentive and gentle with her sweet girl, listening to her talk about her dolls, how much she wanted a cat (Katniss refused - she and felines did not get along) and how nice her kindergarten teacher Mr. Cinna was. Peeta asked her questions about her favourite colour (purple, but also green, like Mama) what she wanted to be when she grew up (a veterinarian) and her favourite flavour ice cream (Rocky Road).

After 45 minutes had passed and the two seemed thick as thieves, Katniss’s worries were gone. Her desperation to find someone to look after Cassie while she was at work had melted away as she watched Cassie, normally a shy, reserved little girl, open up and giggle at the gentle man who made silly faces and showed her pictures of his cat, Cupcake (she could’ve scolded him for that - she didn’t need Cassie getting any more ideas about wanting a cat.) Occasionally, she’d laugh softly at something one of them would say, and she’d catch Peeta’s eye when he’d glance at her and smile warmly, his dimples dusting his cheeks.

With her ex Gale no longer in the picture, and her mother and sister living two states away, she didn’t have any family support. Peeta seemed to be the answer to her prayers, judging from how quickly he and her daughter got along. Plus…he wasn’t hard on the eyes. Stop lusting after the hired help, Katniss. Get it together.

After some more time had passed, Katniss looked at her watch and said, “Well, I think we’ve taken up enough of Peeta’s time, Cassie, and you have to get ready to head out to your singing lesson too,” said Katniss, standing up and motioning to her daughter to go to her room and get ready. “Why don’t you brush your teeth, use the bathroom and get your sheet music from your bedroom while I talk to Peeta?”

“But I don’t haveta use the bathroom, Mama,” Cassie grumbled. She didn’t make any moves to get up from her spot on the floor next to Peeta, who smartly stayed silent as he watched the mother and daughter talk.

“You will as soon as we get in the car and by then it’ll be too late. Go, please, missy,” replied her mother, sternly.

Peeta stood up from where he’d been sitting crossed legged on the floor with Cassie and dipping into a deep bow, offered her his hand to pull her up. “May I be of service to the young lady and help her up?” His eyes twinkled as she giggled again and placed her little hand in his, letting him easily pull her to her feet. “Will I see you again, Mr. Peeta?” she asked shyly, glancing at her mother before turning back to him.

“I would like that, Miss Cassie. How about I chat with your mama while you get ready? It’s a good idea to listen to her - she knows best,” he replied gently.

Cassie huffed, but turned and bounded out of the room, the chorus of “Let It Go” echoing down the hall as she went.

Peeta chuckled and shook his head amusedly, shoving his hands in his front pockets, adopting his stance from earlier. He turned his gaze to Katniss once again, his piercing blue eyes warm and kind. Before she could speak, Peeta beat her to it.

“She seems like a wonderful little girl, Mrs. Everdeen. I’d be happy to look after her for you when needed,” he said. “I can provide a list of references and my child CPR certification if you’d like. I mean, if you’d like me to...if you’d like t-to hire me?” He stuttered, watching her face spread into a wide, amused smile.

“It’s Dr. Everdeen, actually. Ms. Dr. Everdeen, really. I’m not married. Ever. Haven’t ever been married. I mean, not that that matters, I’m jus-I mean Cassie’s father and I weren’t married, we were just together, but he’s not around anymore, he-” what was wrong with her? She was a top-notch surgeon; a strong, independent woman, raising a child on her own. Why was she so tongue-tied around this man? She took a deep breath and said, “Katniss is fine. And your references and other files would be great. Could you email them to me please?”

Amused by her stuttered response that mirrored his own, Peeta replied, “Okay. Katniss it is, and yes, I’ll send them over today.” He seemed relieved that she was as nervous as he was.

After they discussed hours and rate of pay, the one questions that had been nagging in the back of her mind finally couldn’t be left unasked. “Why do you want this job?” She blurted.

Mortified, she continued before he could even open his mouth. “Sorry, it’s just...when I placed the ad, I expected to find an old, grandmother-type woman. Not a young, handsome guy. I mean-I just...I haven’t come across a lot of male...nannies,” she trailed off, embarrassed by her word choice. Did I just call him handsome? To his face? Oh god, I wish I could bury MY face in my hands right about now.

Peeta shifted somewhat uncomfortably from one foot to the other before replying. “That’s a fair question, I guess. I work in my family’s bakery in the mornings, but my day is finished by noon. I wanted something to fill the rest of my days and I love kids – I have a niece and nephew who are just the greatest, I love spending time with little people that age, they’re so inquisitive and honest. I’ve actually thought about going back to school to become a teacher – I mean, I haven’t ruled it out yet, I’m only twenty-six, that’s not too old. Plus, I thought about how much of a struggle it must be sometimes to be a single parent and if I have the ability and capacity to help someone out, well, then I want to do that.” He realized he was rambling a bit and flushed with embarrassment. “Is that weird? I just thought I’d combine helping people and kids and...well, here I am. Here we are.”

“Here we are indeed,” mused Katniss, staring at him wonderingly. “That seems like as good a reason as any, I suppose.” She started to turn away but stopped and looked at him once again. “And I do appreciate the help, by the way…can you start Monday?” Her lips curved into a small smile, Peeta beamed back at her, this time his dimples on full display.

“Great! Yes, Monday’s great. Okay. Good. I think this will be...great. I’ve said great a lot. I’ll stop,” said Peeta sheepishly, running his hand through his messy blond curls. His face flushed bright red again, a shade Katniss found endearing.

Before she could respond again, Cassie came bounding down the hallway, her teeth clean and music bag in tow. “I’m ready, Mama! Mr. Peeta, so will I see you again?” She asked hopefully, peering up at her new friend once again.

Peeta glanced at Katniss, who smiled and nodded, before replying to Cassie. “You will! I’ll be there to pick you up from school on Monday. I have a very serious question for you though, Miss Cassie. Are you ready to hear it?” Her brow furrowed as she nodded slowly. “Do you like to have fun?” She little face broke out into a grin as she nodded again, more enthusiastically this time. “Well good,” he continued. “Because we’re going to have lots of it.”

Hearing her child break out into giggles again melted her heart and stirred something inside her. Looking at Peeta, she met his intense gaze with one of her own, grateful for this kind man to care for the more important person in her life.

“Well, it’s time to go, sweetheart. Peeta, thank you so much again. We’ll be chatting before Monday to go over the rest of the particulars,” said Katniss, ushering Cassie out the front door and turning to Peeta once again. As he moved past her to go through the front door, his hand lightly pressed against the small of her back to step around her, and Katniss felt the heat of his touch through her coat. It spread from her back throughout her body, right down to her toes. She froze as he passed through the door and hopped down the steps, turning back to look at her and flashed his dimples once again. Oh my. This is going to be interesting…

“I’ll speak to you very soon, Katniss. Cassie, I’ll see you Monday afternoon!” he called, cheerfully as he waved and headed to his car.

“I like Mr. Peeta, Mama. He’s nice. And he has a cat!! Do you think he can bring Cupcake over to play with me sometime?” Cassie babbled as Katniss strapped her into her seat, her mind replaying the memory of Peeta’s touch on her back over and over. She flushed again, thinking of how close his muscular body had to hers been when he walked by, how his blue eyes sparkled when he stared at her, how his dimples seemed to make an appearance when he beamed at her….how his ass looked when he bent over to help Cassie up...

Oh no. She was in trouble.

A young, hot, (she has to admit he was hot, there was no denying it) kind, patient man was going to be looking after her child and thus very, very involved in her life for the unforeseeable future. This would be interesting indeed…

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

[enigmasalad]

Weddings Are Great And All But  My Mom Wants You Over For Dinner Tonight

It has been a boring day so far. Deceit was currently typing away on his fifth laptop (his personal one cause the other four are for his “business”). Remus had gotten a last-minute contract from a rather entitled older man who wanted one of his nephews or something killed. So here Deceit was, alone, bored and totally enjoying his day off. And even though he had just planned a “vacation” for them, he couldn’t get rid of the sappy loneliness in his chest. He groaned and shut his laptop because he needed a nap.

He went to their bedroom, a relaxed form of exhaustion seeping into his limbs once he entered the room. He turned his head to where Jekyll and Hyde were. The twin-headed snake was taking a nap after a rather indulgent lunch. Deceit smiled softly at the sweet creature before falling back onto the bed with his arms spread out. As he shut his eyes, he let his mind become passive, letting each thought come and go. With each thought he slowly drifted to that state between consciousness and sleep.

He didn’t know how long he was in this state, but he did know that he was now more on the conscious side. A soft, fond smile graced his lips before he even thought about it. “Hello Remus. How was the hunt today?” he asked.

 Just as he thought, an uneven pitched giggle revealed that the crazed man was indeed there. Deceit opened his eyes to meet wide green eyes that were filled with a mischievous joy, the kind of joy a child who stole a toy from a person they didn’t like had. “Boo! I thought I could surprise you this time!” Remus laughed.

“Were you about to jump on me or something?” Deceit asked, raising a brow.

“Yep! You looked so peaceful I thought it would be funny to startle you!”

 Remus crawled into bed, still in his lightly bloodied clothes and curled up by Deceit’s side. Deceit moved one of his gloved hands to Remus’s hair and gently scratched the man’s head. Remus let out a low, relaxed noise and snuggled closer.

 “Turns out the whole family was in on the kill. They gave me a large tip for not getting the floors bloody!”

 Remus paused before laughing.

 “Heh! Large tip! Heh heh!”

 Deceit rolled his eyes but smiled none the less at the crude joke. He gave a kiss to Remus’s head. Remus perked up and went to go kiss Deceit. Deceit moved his free had to Remus’s mouth to block the kiss.

 “Did you dispose of the body?” Deceit asked.

 Remus huffed and pouted.

 “I did!” “Remus.”

 Remus sighed and slumped a little.

 “I did not eat the body this time.”

 Silence.

 “Or anything else from the crime scene.”

“Good boy.” Deceit softly praised.

 Remus grinned as Deceit removed his hand and kissed him. Remus immediately and eagerly kissed back. And as usual Remus had to make the kiss filthy the second his lips met Deceit’s. They kissed for a while, enjoying each other’s presence. When they split Deceit decided to tell Remus the news.

 “I arranged our little vacation.” Remus grinned and wiggled excitedly, moving Dee with him a little.

 “Oh fun! Oh, we can use the blood money to get some things for the trip! Like toys! You know I love take two Ds at once!”

“Damn it Remus.”

——-

 “Roman get out of the kitchen.” “What? I just wanted to see what you’re doing! It smells good in here!” “Roman get out of the fucking kitchen I swear to go-don’t touch that!”

“Ow!”

 Roman huffed and held the hand Virgil whacked with a wooden spoon. Virgil glared at him and pointed the spoon at him. “Fine, fine! I’ll just go to Patton’s side of the kitchen!” Roman pouted and quickly moved over to where Patton was mixing batter.

 Patton giggled as Roman hugged him from behind and peppered his neck and cheek in quick kisses. Roman smiled and looked at where Virgil was making fresh pasta dough.

 “You could have this too, but you whacked me with a spoon! Also why are you making fresh pasta when we bought the quick pasta?” Roman had to ask.

 Virgil looked at Roman with a deadpan look, stopping the pasta dough making process.

 “I’m half Italian Roman. You fucking know this.” He said

“Well sorry for asking. Just figured with the time constraint you put on

 Patton laughed again, interrupting

 “Your mom makes the best pasta so I’m glad we’re having her recipe!” he praised.

 Roman grinned as Virgil blushed and ducked his head down. The argumentative tension instantly vanished. Patton had that kind of amazing power.

 “Anyways dear heart, what are you making?” Roman asked Patton, swaying them both gently.

“I asked Imaj what we should have for dessert this time and he asked if we could have brownies tonight so Im making brownies!” Patton replied before tasting the batter.

“Oh fuck yeah.” Virgil said while smiling a little.

 The Petrovs love pasta and brownies more than life itself.

 Patton and Roman chatted, Virgil putting his input every now and then. They talked about how Ginerva and Rosita were at the store, wondering what they were getting there.  Patton brought up how excited his boss, Adam, accepted to come as Patton’s father to the wedding. Adam was Patton’s boss, but the southern man from the Lone Star State was the closest thing to an actual father Patton had. Plus, he paid for Patton’s top surgery out of his own pocket without asking for anything back, so the definitely liked him.

Plus he threatened to shoot them if they ever hurt Patton so..

 “Is there anything I can help with?” Roman asked, mainly because he was bored

“No.” “Not really but I’ll let you know!”

 Roman placed a kiss on Patton’s cheek before rushing to Virgil and kissing his cheek. He ran out of the kitchen with a laugh as he heard Virgil sputter and went into the living room where Logan was sitting on the couch talking to Missy while Imaj sat near the corner with his ukulele and sheet music.

 “-used the blood eagle torture method to sacrifice to Odin and also get rid of people who have no honor in their lives.” Missy was rambling, probably about Vikings.

“You are very knowledgeable about Vikings in..many aspects Missy.” Logan attempted to praise.

 It was a little awkward on how it came out but it made the irritable girl grin widely with pride. She pushed her Viking helmet up so it wouldn’t slide over her eyes.

 “Well duh.” Is all Missy had to say.

“Hello Tiny! Teaching Logan about Vikings again?” Roman greeted.

 Just like that, her smile turned back to her usual irritated frowny face.

 “Don’t call me tiny! Im going to rule the freakin world one day! Im not small!” She said, which only made Roman laugh fondly.

 He remembered when he had given Missy the nickname. She leapt off the couch and headbutted him in the gut so hard he curled up on the ground. Good..weird...good times.

 “And how are you right now Imaj? Still practicing?” Roman asked.

 Imaj startled upon hearing his name but he looked at Roman with a soft smile.

 “Mhm. I think I got it this time.” He answered quietly.

“Good! Will you be playing it for us sometime soon?”

Just like that, the young teen squeaked with embarrassment and pulled the hood of his hoodie over his head.

 “Nooooo..” he quietly whined.

“Alright, alright don’t disappear on me. I’ll leave you alone.”

 Roman sat down next to Logan and wrapped his arm around Logan’s shoulders, pulling the nerd closer.

 “And how are you my pocket protector?” Roman asked. “I am well as I can be.” Logan replied.

 Ah, Logan was nervous cause this was his first actual family dinner (and the first family dinner they’ve had since all four of them got together). It’s taken him a while to work up to this moment, but they were so proud of him.

Still didn’t mean Logan wasn’t nervous about it.

 “You’ll be fine mi amor. You know mama and Mrs. Ginerva love you.” Roman reassured.

“I know this, they’ve made it very apparent.” Logan said with a faint hint of a smile.

 Roman smiled and leaned in to give Logan a kiss. Logan huffed a laugh and met Roman the rest of the way.

 “VIRGIL YOUR BOYFRIENDS ARE BEING GROSS.”

 The two men were startled by Missy’s loud shouting.

 “I can’t help you right now! Cooking food!” Virgil called back.

“BUT ITS GROSS.” “You’re gross!” “NO YOU AND YOUR BOYFRIENDS ARE GROSS.”

 Patton came in, apron gone, and hands washed which meant the brownies were probably in the oven.

 “What’s this about being gross kiddo?” he asked. “They’re kissing!” Missy huffed.

“Kissing!” Patton faked a gasp.

 Missy nodded and crossed her arms grumpily. Roman watched as Patton came over and put his hands on his hips and gave a disappointed look.

 “Boys Im shocked at your behavior. How dare you be kissing-“ Patton then grinned widely. “Without me!” With that Roman’s arms were full of his bubby, kind boyfriend and Logan’s lips were being kissed by said boyfriend. Roman laughed as Missy let out a shriek and stomped to the kitchen. Soon Patton was kissing all over his face to, each kiss slightly ticklish and with an audible “mwah!” sound. They could hear Virgil chuckle from the kitchen. Logan was smiling softly, more relaxed with the ones he cares about near. Patton got up and sat next to the other side of Logan and held his hand tightly.

 “I’m happy we’re doing this. I’ve had family dinners before but..they lacked warmth.” Patton admitted.

“That’s one thing our family doesn’t lack is warmth.” Roman said with a grin. “Indeed. You and Virgil have…exceptional mothers.” Logan agreed.

 Roman grinned and wrapped around Logan’s shoulders.

 “I wasn’t just meaning them my iridescent nebula. You both are part of this family too now.”

“Awwww Roman!!!” Patton squealed.

 The sound of the front door opening interrupted anything else that could have been said.

 “Booooooys! Missy! We’re hoooome!” Roman’s mother, Rosita sing-songed

“Hi Miss Rosita! Hi Miss Ginerva!” Patton called back.

 Rosita giggled and came into the living room.

 “Dawww I hope you weren’t mentally scarring poor little Imaj over there.” She said.

 Oh shit Imaj has just been sitting there quietly. The thing about that kid besides having almost crippling anxiety is he could disappear from people’s view despite being there.

 “Don’t worry Rosita. I don’t mind.” Imaj softly said with a smile. “This is why you’re my favorite.” Roman said.

 Immediately there was a loud, high pitched angry “WHAT?” from the kitchen.

 Rosita grinned and bent down to kiss Patton’s cheeks, the usual greeting she gives loved ones. Patton giggled and held onto her arms as she went “Mwah!” with the two kisses. She then bent down and did the same to Logan. His face went red as Roman’s varsity jacket, but he sat still and allowed her to do so, because he honestly didn’t hate it. He’s never had any form of parental love and he once admitted he liked the affection the mothers gave him.

 “I’m so glad you both are here today. Our first dinner as a whole family!” Rosita cheerily said.

 Roman grinned at his loves. They looked happy. Things were normal. This family was normal.

 “Well hello my dears. Patton, thank you for making dessert.” Virgil’s mother, Ginerva said as she too entered the living room, holding two rather thick books in her hands.

“It’s no problem! I love baking! Plus, a meal isn’t complete without a sweet!” Patton said.

 Ginerva smiled. Then she held up the book with a mischievous glint in her eye.

 “Would you like to see some baby pictures after dinner?” she asked.

“Oh my gosh YES!” Patton squealed.

“Absolutely.” Logan agreed, his own grin on his face.

 Roman gulped.

 Maybe this was a horrible idea.

———-

 “Going to the sex store~ We’re going to the sex store~” Remus sang, unashamed as they walked through the mall.

 People glared at them as Remus walked next to Deceit, arms swinging back and forth happily. Deceit has once thought maybe he should stop Remus. Here’s the thing though.

 He didn’t give a fuck.

 These poor bastards can deal with Remus happily singing the lewdest things for a small portion of their lives, even if they weren’t going to the sex store.

 A mother gasped, offended and covered her child’s ears.

 “Shame on you!” she shrilled.

 Deceit flipped her off with both of his hands while Remus held his index finger and middle finger in a V formation in front of his mouth, wiggling his tongue in between the fingers with a wicked grin. The mother shrieked in horror.

 Deceit laughed as they left her. However, Remus grabbed his wrist and yanked him back to where Remus was.

 “I want that.” Remus said, pointing into an arcade.

 Inside the arcade was a claw machine with many stuffed animals. On top of the animal pile was a plush green octopus with tiny black eyes.

 “I’m not wasting my money on a rigged game,” Deceit said.

“But Deeeeeeee!” Remus whined.

“that’s why I’m not going to.” Deceit continued, holding up a wallet that totally was his.

 Remus grinned widely and held Deceit’s hand as they planned to spend every pound of an asshole’s money.

————

 Dinner was good, as usual. Virgil was a phenomenal cook and every dish he made was some of the best Roman’s had (he wont tell mama that though). He blushed as they complimented him.

 “This is yummy! What is this called again?” Patton asked.

“Bucatini all’Amatriciana. It’s nothing.” Virgil replied, eyes averted and blush on cheeks.

“I have no idea how to pronounce that but I love it! Logan loves it! Roman does too!”

 Roman will deny he was shoveling the pasta into his mouth messily ‘til the day he dies. It never happened. No way. Thankfully he wasn’t the only messy eater in the family, for Missy was doing the same thing, but messier.

 “You did good. I’m proud of you.” Ginerva praised with a soft smile.

“Whatever.” Virgil said, faint smile on his face at his mother’s praise.

 “So how is the wedding coming along?” Rosita asked with a smile. “We found a venue. It has a garden area that looked rather appealing to us so we’re planning the ceremony will be there. The reception will be inside.” Logan found himself effortlessly saying to Rosita.

  Roman was so proud of him and judging by Virgil and Patton’s smiles they felt the same.

 Imaj smiled, looking a bit excited at all this wedding talk.

 “I like gardens. They’re quiet and yet they’re lively.” He said, his approval and delight making the four men internally sigh in relief.

“Fuck gardens.” Missy grumbled as she stuffed pasta in her mouth.

“Marietta Ursa Petrov, you will not swear at this table. Do it again and you’ll be grounded.” Ginerva warned sternly

 Missy huffed but nodded, shoving more pasta to get everyone’s eyes off her. Ginerva turned to Virgil with stern eyes as well.

 “You too Mister. I know what a mouth you have.” “Yes mom.”

 Roman snickered at the scolding.

 “Oh! Remy got us measured for our wedding outfits a few weeks ago!” Patton cheerily said, changing the topic.

“Im so jealous of you boys. Friends with a famous fashion designer and won’t even get me a dress.” Rosita teased.

 Roman chuckled.

 “Mama he’d freak if he got to make you something. He’s our very own Edna Mode.” He said.

“Good to know! He better not hit me with a rolled-up newspaper or have heavy security in his studio.”

 Yeah dinner was nice, but afterwards was downright embarrassing. You see, Roman was convinced Miss Ginerva forgot about the baby pictures. He was so wrong.

 Logan and Patton sat on both sides of Ginerva as she pointed to pictures. “-on that Halloween I tried to get Virgil to be a cat or a witch or even Wednesday Addams. Whenever I’d propose an idea, he’d pout. He insisted he wanted to be Elton John for that Halloween, specifically Elton in the Im Still Standing video.”

 And for sure there was a picture of a small Virgil standing next to Roman, who was dressed as Hercules from Disney’s Hercules in Elton’s iconic outfit. On the other side of Virgil was a kid dressed as a garbage can who looked almost exactly like Roman.

 As embarrassed as he was, Roman smiled to see the picture of Remus, back when the three of them were the best of friends. Innocent.

 “Oh, and this picture didn’t turn out the way we wanted it. Rosita sneezed so the boys started crying.”

“I’ve said I’m sorry at least once a year since then Ginerva! Get over it!” Patton giggled at the picture of Virgil in the middle of Roman and Remus in a purple onesie crying. Roman was in a red striped overalls outfit sitting up and crying just as hard. Remus was in the same outfit but green and he fell back as he cried. It was adorable.

 “Mom please stop.” Virgil weakly pleaded, hood pulled over his face.

“Hush. They need to see these.” Ginerva said with a laugh.

They avoided pictures of Virgil’s father, who just up and left one day to go back home to Russia without a word. A slightly angry aura surrounded her, but she pushed on.

 “Oh, this is Rosita’s favorite!” Ginerva pointed out.

“Is it the play time one? Oh my goodness I love that one so much! Their chubby cheeks and tiny hands aaah!” Rosita squealed with a grin, getting up from the armchair and hurrying over.

“Mama stoooop.” Roman groaned.

 Logan gave Roman a look that suggested yes, this was indeed blackmail material. Roman flipped him off, only to be whapped lightly from his mother.

Damn you Logan.

 The photo had a “castle” made from cardboard boxes. Inside the castle was a grumpy, if not bored looking Virgil with a plastic princess tiara on his head and a bright pink princess dress over his black sweater. Roman had a plastic crown and pointed a foam sword at Remus, who had devil horns and fairy wings on. That was the closest they could get to a dragon.

 Rosita smiled wide, but it held a small bit of sadness. Roman knows, cause he feels the same way.

 “Ugh this one?” Virgil grumbled, looking over.

“You guys are adorable! I love your princess costume!” Patton cooed. “It was Roman’s.”

Roman laughed nervously and rubbed the back of his neck.

 “CUUUUUTE!”

 Rosita was telling the story about that day, but Roman found he wasn’t listening. He just stared at Remus in the photo, his grin wide and his hands bared like claws. His eyes filled with his usual mischief. He always wanted to be the villain or the monster. He remembered a time when Remus built a city out of blocks and toy cars and proceeded to stomp through it and making monster sounds, making Roman laugh at his brother’s silliness as he altered between making noises or pretending to be the shrill voice citizens of the town either being afraid or just saying the weirdest thing like “Dang it I left my pudding at home and now my pants are on fire!”.

Memories came rushing. The times they tried to do a secret handshake but could never remember the steps. The times they slept over at Virgil’s home with red and green matching pajamas and sleeping bags. The times they’d fight over the last homemade churro and forced to split it and apologize. When Remus would come to him when he had horrible nightmares of terrible actions his mind told him to do and he’d cry while hugging Roman tightly, who would cry cause his twin was sad. The gap-toothed grin Remus would give him as they planned to do some mischief and even sometimes dragging Virgil into it. Their red and green “brothership” bracelets they wore until they broke.

 “Im going to the bathroom. Don’t start dessert without me!” Roman suddenly blurted out, leaving the room and rushing quickly up the steps to the upstairs bathroom farthest away from the stairs.

 He locked the door and turned the fan on. He let out a shuddered gasp and pressed his back against the wall.

“You’re fine Roman. You’re fine. You’re with your family, your loves are enjoying themselves. Don’t ruin this for them. You’re fine.”

 Suddenly a sob escaped his lips. He couldn’t stop it. Oh god he was a horrible person. A fraud.

 He was the one that abandoned the other two members of their little musketeer group just for some ill-deserved attention by horrible people.

He was the one who pushed his brother away, insulting him and ignoring him when Remus didn’t understand what he did wrong.

He was the reason Remus was gone, never able to attend his wedding, to see his loves or be part of their growing family and instead out there doing who knows what. Was he even still alive?

His loves had poor choice in men, since they were marrying him.

His mother was a fool to love him because he was a horrible son.

 His fault.

His fault!

 A knock interrupted his thoughts.

 “Hijo I know you’re in there.”

 It was his mom.

 “I’m fi-“

“Open the door Roman.” She said, usual sass or warmth in her voice gone.

 Roman gulped and unlocked the door. He opened it for his mother to come in. She stepped inside and locked the door behind her.

 “Roman, my sweet baby.” She cooed comfortingly and cupped his face, which was wet with tears. “Lo siento mama. Lo siento!” he sobbed, burying his face in her shoulder.’

 She stroked his hair as he sobbed and shushed him softly. He gripped her white blouse and sobbed, feeling like a child again, guilty for doing something wrong.

 “Lo siento. I’m sorry! I’m sorry for everything. I’m sorry for turning those pictures into sad memories!” he cried.

 It felt like a million eyes were glaring at him, a phantom hand was gripping his throat. Harsh voices whispered his guilt over and over and over until he was dizzy.

 “Hijo it’s not your fault.” She whispered.

“But mama it is! I’m the reason he’s gone! I’m the reason family dinners feel so empty! I’m the reason I split our family apart!”

“Roman.”

 Rosita’s stern voice made him push back to look at her. Her green eyes stared into his blue ones, filled with tears, but held a strong determination and a love he could never comprehend.

 “Roman, it’s not your fault. Yes, you’ve made some mistakes, but it’s not your fault.” She said firmly, wiping his tears away with her thumbs.

She sighed shakily and frowned, which was never a good look on his usually happy mother.

 “It’s mine.” “Mama how could y-“ “It’s mine because I didn’t do anything. I didn’t guide you to make better decisions back then, like a mother should.”

 Roman’s lip wobbled, god he was an ugly crier.

 “It’s my fault that I was so focused on fixing Remus because I was scared for him that I didn’t even think about how he felt or wanted. Yes, your brother’s actions were troubling, deeply so, but I did nothing to help him. I did nothing to understand or support him. And now, its my fault for having you endure so much guilt.”

 It was quiet for a bit. Too quiet.

 “You may never stop feeling that guilt, and I’m sorry. I’m sorry you carried this with you for so long. But honey, I’m so proud of you!” Rosita said with a wobbly grin.

“What?” Roman shakily asked.

“I’m proud of you for standing up for yourself and making a change. I’m proud of you for making things right with Virgil. I’m proud of you for being such a hard worker, and an amazing dreamer. I’m so proud of you for being a kind and determined man who puts everything into what he does.”

“And honey, I’m proud of you for being a good lover. For being true to yourself even though its scary. I’m proud of you for saving Patton from those god-awful people and supporting Logan during this dinner cause I know he was nervous. I’m proud that you and Virgil and Patton and Logan love each other so much. That despite polyamorous marriage not being legal here, you all said fuck it, cause love conquers everything.”

 Roman whimpered before sobbing again. He may never get over the guilt, but with time he can move on. He was so fortunate to have people who he loves with all his heart, and they love him with theirs. He had the best family and the best friends, even if it was hard to see that at times.

 He had the best mother.

————

“Why don’t we break it?” “Remus we need to remain as anonymous as we can.” “Boo!” “Do you want this octopus or not?”

 It was their last dollar out of like, three hundred. They took a break ‘cause they got hungry, but they came right back. Remus watched, eyes looking between the claw of the machine game and his love’s concentrated and yet frustrated face. He looked like he was about to scream “YOU LOSE! Good DAY SIR!” in a shrill tone.  The claw once again picked up the green octopus. Its floppy tentacles hang limp as the claw started to slowly move over to the little dispenser chute. It suddenly slipped through the claw’s metal arms.

 “NO!” they both almost screamed.

 Ah, but a miracle has happened! One of the octopus’s tentacles was caught on the claw! The claw moved over the chute and dropped the plushie down into it. “YEAH!” Remus cheered, hearing a startled yelp from someone.

—————

Roman came down with his mom, face clean and no longer blotchy. He smiled as he saw his family still sitting downstairs. They turned to him and Patton grinned, looking relieved. Logan and Virgil just stared at him like he had done something stupid.

 “Dude I can’t believe you got your hand stuck in the faucet drain. What were you doing?” Virgil asked.

 Roman turned to Rosita, who grinned. Oh, his mom made up an excuse to check on him, which was nice, but still that’s embarrassing. He came up with a lie to not seem like too much of an idiot.

 “I was washing my hands when one of mama’s earrings she left by the sink went down the drain! I had to rescue it! It was her favorite pair!”

“Well now that you rescued the earring, we were gonna have brownies and watch Frozen 2! Interested?” Patton proposed.

“Definitely!”

 Roman felt so much better. He sat down on the couch with Virgil pressed against his side and Logan’s head on his shoulder. Patton came back with brownies for everyone and gave Roman a peck on the lips as he gave Roman his treat. Rosita and Ginerva argued over how Disney Plus worked, only for Logan to instruct them carefully. As Ginerva got the movie set up, Imaj sat down on the floor with his knees drawn up in between Patton and Virgil, happily nibbling on his brownie. Missy walked over and crawled into Roman’s lap, still looking irritated, but there was a shy plush on her face. He decided not to say anything and just ruffled her hair. She smiled a bit at that. Then, she grinned a mischievous grin that reminded him of when Virgil jump scared them as a vampire last Christmas and..someone he used to know.

 “I hope Olaf dies.” She said.

 Patton and Rosita gasped in horror as Virgil laughed loudly.

———-

 “What are you going to name it?” Deceit asked Remus.

 Remus looked at the cute octopus in his hands.

 “Can Mr. Squishyboo join your tea party Roman?”

“Yeah, but he can’t poison the tea this time! Ms. Fluffybottom got sick last time!” “Fiiine. Then you can’t call him a squid. He’s an octopus!”

 Remus smiled softly down at the octopus’s happy little face.

 “Squishyboo jr.” he said.

“Oh thank god. I thought you were going to name it hentai.” Deceit sighed.

“Oh! His full name is Squishyboo jr Hentai Lokir!” Remus laughed loudly.

“Do not use my last name for your stuffed animal.” Deceit huffed.

 Remus giggled and kissed his love’s forehead. They walked hand in hand out of the arcade, past Pac-man games and children giggling and playing ski-ball. They were near the entrance when a man with a pink Sailor Moon T-shirt stopped them for a moment.

 “Oh my stars I love your Invader Zim crop top sir!” he said, Irish accent prominent.

“Thank you! I love your anime titty lady!” Remus greeted back as they left, Deceit snickering and squeezing his hand with affection.

——-

 The man just blinked for a moment before noticing his phone was ringing. He smiled and answered it.

 “Heeeey babe! How’s your like, family reunion going?” a voice spoke from the other end.

“ ‘ello Remy. Its going fine! Mum, Mama and Dad want you to come next year!”

“Maybe I will go. Like, making wedding stuff is okay, but like, when its for your friends, it sucks. Like, I know im the best bitch in this business, but it has to be so perfect they cry.”

“You are the best Remy. They wouldn’t ask you if you weren’t”

 A laugh on the other end.

 “This is why I love you Emile, my little piece of Picani pie.”

 Emile Picani giggled.

 “So, what are you doing now?”

“I’m about to set a high score on the DDR machine. I saw they had some Miku songs and I wanted to try them!”

“Fuck yeah Miku. Hey, face time me so I can see you like, totally shame on everyone’s scores.”

[clankitsfanfiction]

Don't Let Nora Drink Without Adult Supervision , a Hancock x F!SS  Fanfic

Summary: Nora gets drunk. Hancock has to deal with

(read this on Archive of Our Own here or below the cut)

Chapter 1

Hancock jumps as the door to Bobbie's place slams shut with a loud bang. He spins around, shotgun out and ready for a fight, but lets out a sigh of relief as Nora steps forward into the light.

Well, more like stumbles forwards into the light.

"Hancock!" She giggles, making her way to him, almost falling down in the process. "Daisy told me you might be here." She smiles at him, and suddenly falls forward, so Hancock lunges and manages to catch her unsteady with his arms.

"Nora? How much did you drink?" Because, yeah, Hancock enjoys getting high and being tipsy, but Nora seems drunk. Dangerously drunk. They were supposed to only stop here to get supplies and sleep on an actual bed for once, before heading out early tomorrow morning. But judging by the state Nora is in, Hancock would be surprised if they managed to get out of Goodneighbor by noon tomorrow. He steadies her upright, but lets one of his hands stay on her shoulder, afraid that if he lets go she'll fall down again.

"Hancock... Your eyes are so pretty." She reaches one of her hands upwards, as if she can take one of his eyeballs and keep it as her own. "Like, how?"

He gently uses her other hand to lower hers before she tries to touch his eyes. "Well, thank you, missy." He says in his raspy voice, as low and as soft as he can manage. Currently, Nora is acting like a little child, and he fears that if he spooks her she'll react like a radstag does if you try to approach it's young. He moves his hand from her shoulder to her back, gently pressing her in the direction of the door. "Nora, why don't we bunker down and-"

"Why are you here?" Nora blurts out, a frown suddenly appearing on her face. "What business could you possibly have in Bobbi's old place?" She pulls her wrist out of Hancock's other hand, which he hadn't noticed was still holding on to her. "There's nothing here for you." She says, suddenly spiteful. "Or..." her voice turns gooey, although he can still hear the anger behind it. "Were you two in looove?" She draws the o out, an obliviously fake grin plastered on her face.

Hancock stops. "As much as I admire a gal with a bit of fight in her, no." He says dryly. As much as he loves Nora (and he's not going to tell her he does, at least not in that way, never in a million years), she seems a bit too drunk for him to handle right now. He presses on her back again, this time with more force, and she obeys, moving obediently towards the door.

"Good." She says, a real smile back on her face, and Hancock has to admit it's cute, no matter how dopey it is. "Because that would really ruin my plans." Hancock freezes, but Nora keeps going, and stumbles back out the door into the outside world.

"Wait. What?" Hancock shakes his head, desperately trying to make sense of what Nora says. He sighs when he hears a thud from behind the door, presumbily because Nora has fallen down. "I'm never letting Nora drink by herself again." He then precedes to walk outside and help Nora up, sighing as she giggles and clutches his coat jacket.

"Hold this." he says dryly to Daisy, before preceding to hand her Nora's hand. Daisy blinks at him.

"Well, I suppose I owe her one for cleaning out the Boston Library for me." She takes Nora's hand, who smiles warmly at Daisy.

"Oh Daisy, you flatter me!" Daisy turns to ask Hancock how this happened, but he's already striding towards the Third Rail, determined to find out how much Nora drunk tonight.

Luckily, the bar is nearly empty, with the only patrons either too high or too drunk to notice their mayor. "Charlie!" Hancock snaps. He's been growing increasingly frustrated with Nora's state. She seems out of it, and he doesn't like that. He needs her here, to ground him, to keep him steady. Not that he's ever steady, of course, but she helps. He needs her a lot more than she knows, and it took long enough for him to figure it out. "How much did Nora drink tonight?"

Whitechapel Charlie's eyes blink at him. "What, you want a whole bloody list, do you? Well, she started out with one or two nuka colas, but then had a couple of beers. I don't know, why? Oh, and by the way, she didn't pay!" He gets progressively more angry as he speaks. "She just wandered on out of here before I could stop her, saying something about needing to woo someone. Decided to let her sleep it off and get my caps tomorrow."

Hancock drags a hand across his rough face. "Put it on my tab." This of course meant everything Nora had had was on the house, and Hancock was sure if Charlie could he would be scowling at him. But Hancock didn't care. Nora's actions were getting increasingly confusing. She had left to 'woo' someone? But apparently she went straight to him. What the hell was going on here? Had someone put her up to this? Or... was the person she was trying to woo Hancock? Was she actually interested in him?

Hancock leaves the bar a lot less angry but a lot more confused.

When he returns to Daisy and Nora, Daisy's keeping Nora entertained by reading to her from a book. Nora's enjoying it rather a lot, and as Hancock grabs her hand to tug her towards the state building, he thinks he sees a fleeting look of disappointment on Daisy's face. It's rare anyone else enjoys stories, let out one from a book. "So, where are you taking her?" Daisy asks, raising an eyebrow as Nora stares up at the night sky in wonder, even though Hancock would say it looks hideous.

"The old state house. I want to keep an eye on her, and since I have a place I might as well use it. I need to talk to her when she wakes up." Hancock pulls Nora in that direction, and although Daisy says a reply, he doesn't hear her.

Fahrenheit asks no questions, just raises an eyebrow and leaves them alone as Hancock sets Nora down on a couch. He grabs a blanket from somewhere and puts it on her, feeling rather like someone taking care of a sick person or a father putting a child to bed. Nora's smiling broadly at him, and although he hasn't liked dealing with this whole fiasco, he has to admit he likes the fact that it all seems to suggest that Nora may or may not like Hancock in a way that's more than just friendly. He smiles as he turns away, thinking maybe some good can come out of this. He's about to walk over to the couch opposite and take some mentats in an attempt to help lure him into sleep, since he's rather confident a drunk Nora won't be able to get up without making a racket. But just as he's sat himself down on the other couch, Nora opens her mouth.

"Hancock, do you love me?" He stiffens, afraid that somehow in her drunk state she's caught on to him. But when he looks at her, she's still smiling, although the rest of her face suggests she's being serious.

"Yeah, I reckon I suppose I do." He's purposely vague about what type of love. "Why do you ask?" He takes off his hat in preparations to sleep, and lets it drop to the floor.

"Well, you see, I love you too, but it would be preeety awkward if I said I was in love with you and you didn't love me back, so I just had to check. I'm glad you feel the same way." And with that, she clonks out, leaving Hancock alone with the realization that she not only said that she loved him, but was in love with him.

Chapter 2

Hancock’s never been in this situation before in his life, and he hopes he’ll never have to be in it again.

It has now been several hours since Nora kind of confessed her love for him, and he only managed to fall asleep by using a crapload of chems. Now he’s awake and luckily Nora is still sleeping, since Hancock fears what will happen when she wakes.

Hancock sits up on the couch and looks at the other one where Nora is sleeping with drool dripping from her mouth and a hand on the thin blanket he put on her last night. Despite his anxiety, Hancock manages a smile and takes a moment to consider the best case scenario; Nora remembers what she said last night and they have a talk about their relationship that ends with them being lovers. Worst case scenario? Nora doesn’t remember anything she said and Hancock never brings it up, so things continue how they are now. Or it all could have been a cruel prank someone at the bar convinced her to do, and honestly? Hancock would prefer the first option.  

Sighing, Hancock stands and walks over to her. Should let her sleep, or wake her up? He’s not what someone is supposed to do in this situation.

Before he can saying anything, Nora murmurs something in her sleep— or maybe not her sleep, because her eyes are slowly drifting open. Quickly taking a couple steps back, Hancock nearly trips over the coffee table in his haste to make sure it doesn’t look like he was creepily standing over Nora, because he wasn’t. Retrieving his hat to don it, Hancock clears his throat loudly.

Blinking a couple times, Nora licks her lips and squints at the ceiling. “Hancock, did I get drunk last night?”

“You sure did, sister.”

“Fuck.” Nora covers her face with her hand and uses the other one to prop herself up. “Did I say anything?”

And there it is. Does she know what she said? Is she aware she seemingly confessed her love to him? If he wanted to, he could say that nothing happened and she most likely would go along with it, thinking he didn’t want to embarrass Nora because, well, she might think he doesn’t love her. But that’s not true , he does love her and he is in love with her— but if she doesn’t remember what she said, or it wasn’t real (and it has to have been real, because Nora wouldn’t be that cruel), how would she react if Hancock brought it up?

He’s been silent for too long, and he can feel Nora staring through the cracks in her fingers. He settles for the neutral option. “You said a lot of things, sister. Hard to tell what you might be referring to.”

She turns away from him, and in that moment Hancock knows she knows.

“I’m sorry.” she whispers. “I didn’t mean to lay— something like that on you. I know you don’t—”

“I don’t what?” His heart’s pounding but Nora’s staring at him in shock from the couch and he finds the courage to take a couple steps closer. “Because believe me, if there’s one thing I know, it’s that I’m definitely in love with Nora Smith.” Her full name feels weird in his mouth, but everything's out in the open, and after last night Hancock has nothing to lose. Her mouth is agape, and it’s a couple seconds before she snaps her jaw shut only to wince in pain.

“Am I still dreaming?” So it’s true.

“I hope not.”

Hancock’s smile is so wide he feels like his teeth might fall out and even though Nora is avoiding his eyes he’s so happy because Nora loves him back. “John, you better be serious.”

“Never been more serious in my life.” She turns to him, and even though there’s heavy bags under her eyes her smile looks genuine and Hancock is amazed that she’s looking at him like that. How could so much change in one night? It’s overwhelming and a little scary, but also brilliant.

But Nora’s still has a hangover, because a couple seconds later she lays back down and groans. “Hancock, you got any cures for a hangover?”

“All I can suggest is a puff of jet. But, uh, you mind if I give you a little something else?”

“What?”

“A kiss.”

He sees her smile and even though her eyes are currently closed, she gestures for him to come over. “Alright, John, if you’ll think it’ll help.”

[euan112358]

Pet's Day Out

For @thelazyhermits​ and her fantastic TABF-verse, here's something that came to mind. Hope it's fluffy enough!

"And... there! That's the last one!" Mineta said, gently peeling the last cat's fur off of the sticky orb. The tabby cat immediately hopped to the ground and began washing itself, obviously glad to be free of its prison.

"Good," Y/N said, brushing bits of fur off her lap and grateful that it was still early enough in the spring for claw-proof long sleeves. "Now what have we learned, Mineta?"

"That cats don't like being stuck to my hairballs, Sensei?" the short boy answered apologetically. "Sorry about the fuss."

"No harm done," Y/N said with a smile. "I agree that it was funny at first, but we shouldn't leave the cats to be upset for too long. Now how about you apologize to Missy with some belly rubs?" As if in agreement, the tabby cat in question mrowled and rolled onto her back.

Mineta chuckled and dutifully got to work, while Y/N stretched her arms and looked around the front porch of the 1-A Heights Alliance dorm. It was such a lovely spring day that many of the neighborhood stray cats that Y/N had a habit of feeding and welcoming had come for their tribute, at the same time that several of the students had decided to take a study break and enjoy the fresh air.

Needless to say, everyone soon joined in with playing with the cute kitties. To make things even better, Kouda had also decided that today would be a good day to let his pet rabbit Yuwai out for a run, and Vlad King had asked Y/N if she could look after his bulldog Wally while he and his class had a special session at the USJ. So, with animals all around her, Y/N, 1-A and a few passersby had settled in for a lovely afternoon.

She saw Eri giggling as the cat in her arms nuzzled curiously at her long silver hair, the adorableness of which made Y/N want to melt.

She saw Ojiro nonchalantly strolling across the road, trying to look nonchalant even with the jingling bells tied with ribbon to his tail tip, and the coterie of cats following him trying to grab them. Hagakure followed close behind, holding her phone up and enjoying every moment. 

She saw Tokoyami having an intent staring match with a black cat that she recognized as a frequent and very intent visitor, while Dark Shadow and Asui played with some more behind his back.

She saw Yuwai and the excitable Lionheart chasing each other around the lawn while Kouda chased after them trying to keep order, while never losing his smile. Her sympathies went out to Kouda and Lionheart; she'd chased Yuwai down before and she knew they were in for a time.

She saw Jirou sitting under a tree and trying to focus on her guitar-playing, even as a bold kitty tugged insistently at one of her long earlobes. 

She saw Satou dutifully pouring out some more water and food for the cats.

She saw Todoroki looking down contentedly at Wally snoozing on his left knee, as well as the handful of kittens snoozing on Wally's back and even more cuddled up against Todoroki's side. If she couldn't find a picture of that at the end of the day, she'd have some choice words for the photographers.

She saw Shinsou snoozing against another tree, the gray Olivia curled up in his lap.

She saw Yaoyorozu dusting off her hands and stepping back from a cat tower that she had assembled next to the door with her powers and bare hands, and Sero placing a cat at the very top of it. 

She saw Shouji looking like a cat king, all six arms and his many grown hands scratching at cat ears, backs and bellies, while Uraraka and Ashido laughed at the sight. 

Y/N laughed too and leant back, looking up at the spring sky. Truly, nothing could spoil this day. 

Suddenly, as if in response to her thought, a sudden onset of loud yapping suddenly filled the air, and several of the cats, which had only just gotten used to Wally around, stiffened. The students looked up in confusion, and Shinsou cracked open an eye.

The next moment, Iida appeared next to Y/N, trying to hide his fluster under his usual steadfast personality. "Y/N-sensei! We require your assistance! And where's Kouda-kun?"

Kouda waved from where he was trying to keep the cats calm, while Y/N stood up. "Iida? What's wrong? Weren't you, Midoriya, Kirishima and Kaminari out on an errand?"

"We were, but then we found Bakugou-kun, and we thought it best to bring him back here and inform you!" Iida replied, hand raised as if swearing what he was saying was true.

"Bakugou?" Y/N said, completely befuddled. "Didn't his parents come to take him out for lunch with an old family friend today?"

"Indeed they did, but they ran into some trouble! See for yourself!" Iida pointed back to where Kaminari and Kirishima were walking up the street, not looking half as harried as their class president.

The reason for that was clear; they were too preoccupied with the three dogs that they were bringing along. All three were very fluffy Pomeranians, with the one following behind the boys a dark brown, rather placid male, and the one next to Kaminari a poofy blonde female, which kept shooting looks at Kirishima.

Or more accurately, at the yappy, very irate, and very familiar blond Pomeranian pup held securely in Kirishima's hardened arms.

Y/N's jaw dropped. "Bakugou?"

"Yep, and whoever did this to him must have got his family too," Kaminari said, gesturing at the pup's blonde mother - which could only be Bakugou Mitsuki - next to him.

"Aw! Bakugou's so cute as a puppy!" Ashido cooed, darting over and trying to pet the angry fluffball, who only just barked at her. "Still could use some anger management, as always!"

Y/N had to agree that Bakugou looked absolutely adorable, but she tried to focus on the issue. "When did you find them? Who did this to them?"

"We found them just running towards U.A., so I guess they were trying to find help," Kirishima shrugged. "We... never actually saw anyone use their Quirk on them, but come on! Three dogs that look almost identical to Bakugou and his parents; what are the odds that these are just some random dogs?"

"Well, if you didn't see who did this to them, maybe they did?" Y/N suggested. "Kouda! Mind giving us a hand?"

Kouda looked up, then looked back down as one of the cats he was trying to corral hissed at the newcomers. He held up one finger as he tried to herd the cats away and prevent a mass panic - which was proving to be just as complicated as implied. 

"You need a minute, Kouda?" Y/N called, and got a nod in return.

"I'll give him a hand, Y/N-sensei," Shinsou said, standing up, stretching and moving towards the slowly-dispersing feline crowd. Satou, Yaoyorozu and Asui also went to help.

"So where's Midoriya? Wasn't he with you?" Y/N asked. Wally, awakened by the sound, gamboled up to the new dogs and barked a hello. The adult dogs yapped hello in return, while the pup just snarled in agitation.

"He was, but Bakugou really didn't like having him around," Kirishima answered, jostling the dog in his arms. "Kept yapping louder than usual and making all of us go deaf. So he offered to walk around the area where we found him and see if anyone saw anything. He said he'd call if he found anything."

"That sounds sensible," Y/N said, reaching out to pet the Pomeranian too. The yappy fur ball only yapped louder at the sensation, but a firm growl from his mother made him eventually give in. "But I thought Bakugou and Midoriya were on better terms now."

Kirishima just shrugged. 

Eri trotted up, looking curiously at the snarling blond puppy. "Is this really Bakugou-san? It looks just like him!" Y/N and many of the students snorted to hide a smile, but the pup in Kirishima's arms kept yapping and growling.

The next few moments were spent petting and cooing over the dogs, before Kouda finally came back, the cats successfully ushered away.

Y/N gestured to the dogs. "Alright, Kouda, can you figure out who did this to Bakugou and his family."

Kouda nodded, bent down to the brown father, and started whispering to him. How he negotiated, Y/N had no idea, but she could see the growing confusion on his face.

Then, all at once, Kouda's eyes widened and he looked between all three dogs with a sense of realization. His head flicked almost comically between the dogs until he couldn't take it any more, and he broke down...

... with laughter.

Y/N and the 1-A students stared in confusion as Kouda sat down on the road, clutching his stomach and giggling his heart out. His laughter was as quiet as his words, but the way he was obviously busting a gut seemed to indicate that there wasn't a major problem with.

Despite herself, Y/N couldn't help but smile at the laughter. "Kouda? What's so funny?"

Kouda just shook his head, too amused to even explain himself. Then the next moment, more laughter filled the air as, for no apparent reason, Jirou and Shouji started to laugh and chortle along with him.

Iida's head flicked between his three classmates, growing more indignant and frustrated. "Kouda-kun! Jirou-kun! Shouji-kun! What on earth are you laughing about? Your classmate has been turned into a dog, with no idea who did it or how long their Quirk may last, and all you can do is laugh about it?!"

Shouji just shook his head, leaning back against the tree he was sitting against. Chest still heaving with laughter, he raised one arm and pointed down the road, and right on cue, Midoriya spoke up.

"Ah... Iida-san, I think I may have the answer.."

"WHAT THE HECK IS THIS?!"

Bakugou's voice caught everyone's attention, and they all turned around. There, coming up the road beside Midoriya, were Bakugou and his parents, completely human and looking rather bemused. Well, his father Masaru certainly was and his mother Mitsuki looked more amused, but Bakugou was his usual irate self.

Midoriya rubbed his head sheepishly. "I met them on the way in, and they couldn't understand why I was so excited, so I just led them here instead..."

Kaminari's face lit up. "Bakugou! You're alright! And you're not a dog!"

"Of course I'm alright, Derp-face! Nothing happened while we were out! And what do you mean by dog-" Bakugou's eyes widened when Kirishima turned around, revealing the spiky-furred blond pup in his arms. The moment it laid eyes on Bakugou, its yapping and snarling ratcheted up by an order of magnitude.

Bakugou pointed one incredulous finger at the fuzzball. "You thought that was me?!"

"And that these were your parents, transformed by a Quirk," Kirishima added, pointing to the other two dogs. "It... made sense at the time?"

"That hairball looks nothing like me!" Bakugou roared indignantly, the pup snarling just as loudly in unison.

His classmates, however, disagreed, given how they were all guffawing at the sight. The laughter only redoubled when both Bakugou and the puppy started snarling at everyone in perfect sync.

Mitsuki burst out laughing too when the mother Pomeranian trotted up to her. "You sure about that, brat? The resemblance is uncanny!" Her husband nodded, examining the brown Pomeranian papa, who by now had settled on the grass for a nap.

"I was trying to tell you," Kouda managed to get out through his giggles. "Those dogs weren't Bakugou and his parents; they're just some strays looking for food! It was all one big coincidence that they all look so alike!"

Mitsuki laughed, putting out a hand for the mother dog to sniff. "Well if that's the case, Masaru dear, maybe we can make some room to adopt them? With Katsuki living in the dorms, the house has been feeling a bit empty, and it'd be a great conversation-starter..."

"NOT ON YOUR LIFE, YA OLD HAG!"

"Sounds like a great idea!" Sero called out. "Maybe if Bakugou becomes a Baku-bro, he'll lighten up a bit!"

"Oh! Oh! And you can name him Dokkan!" Ashido chimed in. Soon all the kids were throwing out name suggestions, much to the ire of Bakugou and his pup-counterpart and the amusement of their parents.

Aside from Bakugou, the only one not laughing now was Iida, whose head was pivoting back and forth between the dogs and the humans he thought they were. His mouth opened and closed, but the only thing he could get out was, "But... but..."

Y/N smiled knowingly at the class president. "Jumped to conclusions again, didn't you, Iida?"

[matsumi101]

Who is this Kid?

Rabbles

Description:

Errands were as draining as they can get, but a commotion down the street catches your attention, fanning the dying flame in your heart and making it burn brighter than ever.

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Warnings: I cant think of one other than a cocky man coming ur way

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Notes:

> Masterlist

> This takes place during "Farmer Refuted" in the year 1776 (we’re following the musical’s timeline instead of the irl timeline)

> I honestly just wanted to write a scene prior to you running off to war

> The irl Farmer Refuted was done through pamphlets but the idea of Alexander and Seabury arguing in front of a live audience is much more appealing dont u think

> Ages of the siblings are as follows: You are 18 years old, Elise is 15, Abigail is 13, and Claude is 9

> Yo thanks for 100 follows?? where yall coming from lmao

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Taglist (if u wanna be added dont be shy and tell me!)

@thebitchiestnerdtowalktheearth @cutie1365 @girlmadeofivory @i-honestly-dont-know-anymore

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You tried your best to extend your already thinning patience as your nine year old sibling tugged on your skirt far too many times to count. He was already insisting to head home as if it wasn't his idea to join you and your sisters' run for errands. "Claude, we'll go home as soon as Abby and Elise returns from the post office," you assured tiredly. You drowned out Claude's whining with your own humming, holding the basket of groceries in front of you with both hands.

You were standing in the corner by a street sign, waiting for your younger sisters to return from their own errands. You’ve been going around the market the whole day, so you were just as eager as your youngest sibling to embrace the comfort of your home, more specifically your bed. You yawned absentmindedly, watching the crowd at the square across the street grow bigger and bigger. You didn’t know how much time passed, but you were sure whatever was happening was something interesting.

“Y/N, Y/N, what’s going on there?”

You looked down at Claude who was pointing at the crowd. “I have no idea,” you answered truthfully. “Can we see?” Claude begged. Your frown deepened at the idea of having to move any more than necessary, but you’d rather oblige to Claude’s request rather than listen to him repeat it over and over. You sighed, pulling up the basket so it rested on your left arm while you took Claude’s hand in your right one. “Let’s take a look, but don’t let go of me, okay?” you instructed. Claude nodded vigorously, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

After crossing the road and joining the crowd, you could hear the overwhelming mix of cheers, boos, jeers, and laughs. Your anxiousness grew as much as your curiosity while you tried to piece together what was happening. Apparently it was something about the revolution and the Congress, which was explanation enough for the varied comments, but you were yet to figure out the source. Holding Claude and your groceries tightly, you squeezed your way through the crowd until you were pretty much at the front. If you didn’t decide on that, you were sure that Claude would scale you just to see. There you finally see...

…chaos.

Up on the make-shift stage consisting of a number of crates was a pastor arguing with a short man, the latter whose temper you figured was just like his height based on how angry he looked. You stared at them with confusion as they continued to bicker, listening intently to catch up what they were fighting about.

“-and need I remind you about what happened in Boston?!” the shorter man exclaimed. "Look back at that and tell me again that chaos and bloodshed isn't existing at the hands of the British!"

You pursed your lips. Is he referring to the tea raid in Boston or the shootout? you wondered. You’d heard about both, and you knew those were morbid reminders that you were an British colony; no real control of the fate of the nation. You argued with your father about this once or twice, but you were only rebutted with the idea that you shouldn’t speak out about the issue or else the family business takes the blow. Regardless, you saw that Claude was enjoying his time.

You watched the argument ensue, an amused smile gracing your lips when the short man was starting to gain more support from the audience. He continued on talking about the unfairness of the Tea Act and the promises of freedom brought forth by the revolution if they were to win against Britain. Every word he threw out resonated deeply with your heart, but there was a nagging feeling telling you to stop that just wouldn't go away.

“Can you believe this guy?”

You glanced over your shoulder to see a guy talking to you. “That pipsqueak thinks a bunch of rabbles can overthrow the King!” he snickered. He wore a confident grin as he nudged your arm with his elbow. You gave him an uneasy smile as you took a small step away, holding your basket closer to your chest. “Come on, don’t act like they’ve got the upper hand! They’re practically scraping their knees for supplies.” You refused to reply to the boisterous man and instead turned away from him, and after doing so you could feel his scowl from behind.

“Are you ignoring me?”

“For the revolution!”

You looked up and saw that the short man was now facing the crowd, a fist in the air. “For the revolution!” a good number of the crowd cheered back, sending chills down your spine. You felt a tug on your hand, so you glanced down and saw Claude mimicking the guy with his hand that you were holding raised up. He held a wide and excited grin, showing off his missing tooth. You chuckled at him at how eager he looked.

“For the revolution!” the short man said once more, but louder.

The words rung in your ears like an echoing call this time around, and you felt a zap. There was a strange sensation in your gut, and it was rising to your chest. What was this feeling and why did it feel so... energizing? And why was it making your body move the way it shouldn’t be? Without second thought, you let go of Claude for just a moment, your fingers curling as you thrusted up your hand, and though it happened in just a flick it felt like the action took seconds. Your open smile slowly widened as you took a breath and let out those three words that you have longed to scream on the top of your lungs.

“FOR THE REVOLUTION!”

“You little-!”

You let out a yelp when you felt the man beside you harshly yank at the handle of your basket, pulling you uncomfortably close to him. You instinctively held on top of your groceries, fearing that some of the goods you bought would fall out. “Someone oughta teach you some manners,” the man growled. You scowled at him and tried to tug the basket away, but he only tightened his grip. “Sir, I have no intent to create a commotion, so please let go,” you requested as politely as you could through your gritted teeth.

“No, no. I’d rather teach you a lesson or two.”

“Sir, please let go.”

“Let go of my sister!”

“Claude, don’t!”

Before you could stop him, Claude ran up to the man and kicked him on the knee. You gasped at your brother’s rash decision, taking the opportunity of the man letting go of you to pull Claude away and take a few steps back. You couldn’t help a minute smile of pride when you looked down at Claude sticking a tongue out before it was immediately replaced with a wince when your almost assailant recovered, his face red with anger.

“Claude, get ready to run.”

"You ain't going nowhere, missy."

You held onto Claude's shoulder to pull him behind you then resting your hand at the side of your dress. Your eyes narrowed as you bunched your skirt enough that you could make a run without tripping, Claude clinging onto your arm in fear. The man was ready to grab you again when suddenly a large figure got in between. His back was turned to you, but you could hear his gruffy voice despite the noise of the crowd.

"Now you shouldn't be going something you'll regret," the newcomer warned. "Don't pour your anger on the lady 'cause she chose her nation over a prissy king. Now scram."

The man glared at him then directed it to you before storming off. You let out a shaky breath, glad that the large guy intervened. “Y/N?” Claude whispered fearfully. You moved your hand so you could hold him again, squeezing lightly to assure him that it was okay. “Let’s go home now, yeah?” you suggested. “Elise and Abby should be back by now, but don’t tell them or mom and dad about this.” Claude nodded timidly, pressing close to you. You began to make your way out of the crowd, but not without stopping at the man that helped you.

“Thank you for your help, sir.”

The man turned his head around, the long ends of his bandana whipping in the air as he did so. He flashed a large dorky grin and held a thumbs up. You couldn’t help but giggle at his demeanor before turning on your heels and walking away with Claude close behind you.

Hercules watched your fleeting figure disappear into the sea of people, his smile dropping slightly. He was a bit disappointed that he didn’t get to see your face properly, but knowing he helped you out was enough. After all, you were with them in their cause, and people like them and you had to look after each other.

“Alexander!”

You ignored whatever new chaos (Alexander got kicked off the platform) was created in the square and finally got to squeeze out of the place. You checked on Claude to see of he was okay, and to your relief he was. “Y/N, I want to be a soldier!” Claude suddenly declared. You nearly came to a halt if it wasn’t for you and him in the middle of crossing the street.

“Claude...”

“You heard what he was saying about the revolution! I know how much Ma and Pa loves tea, and wouldn’t it be great if we help those guys make it cheap?”

You couldn’t help but laugh at Claude’s conclusion, but the unease still rested with you. You didn’t want to shut down Claude’s desire to support the revolutionary war, but at the same time you couldn’t have him go around and talk about it, especially with your father being against such things. You inhaled deeply as you tried to find the safest way to respond to him.

“As much as you want to join the war, you’re too young to enlist.”

“Aww...”

Claude jutted out his lower lip, showing off his ever so adorable pout. “Let the big guys deal with the baddies, okay?” you told him with a smile. “But I want to help!” Claude whined. “Help with what?” You were about to respond to Claude when another voice cut in. You turned your head and saw Elise and Abby at the spot where you were earlier, eyebrows raised as you neared them.

“Help with carrying the letters on the way home,” you answered Abigail without missing a beat. “Isn’t that right, Claude?”

You looked down at your youngest sibling with a close-eyed grin. Claude stared at you for a little bit until he understood what you were up to. “Yeah! I wanna carry the letters and deliver them to Papa!” he exclaimed, reaching out to the pile of letters Elise had with both his hands. Times like these you were thankful for two things: first that Claude was a smart boy, and second that you were his favorite sister. Elise giggled at your brother’s enthusiasm, bending down to hand him the stack. You smiled at the interaction, momentarily stopping when you felt Abigail take the basket from your arm.

“Let me carry that, Y/N. Your arm’s bruising already.”

You stretched out your arm, and you noticed that the area around your inner elbow was marked red (and nearly blue) with the outline of the basket handle’s design. Your lips drew flat, remembering what happened earlier. The man did aggressively pull on the basket, maybe the pain just didn’t settle that time with the adrenaline. You sighed, thanking Abigail for the initiative.

“Come on, let’s go home before sundown.”

You swooped Claude off the ground and carried him before heading to a direction, with Abigail and Elise behind you. “If you keep our little interaction in the square a secret, I’ll buy you lots of ice cream the next time we go out, okay?” you whispered to Claude, who giggled excitedly at the idea. “Okay!” he agreed with the same hushed tone. You mimicked his laughter before nuzzling his nose with yours, earning another round of giggles.

“Y/N?”

After a few minutes of a quiet walk, you heard Claude sleepily call to you. “Yes?” you hummed, lifting him up a bit to make sure he wasn’t falling. Your arms had long gone past the aching stage and was already numb from carrying him, but you knew this was the easiest way to keep your brother quiet. You were thankful you developed the arm strength for this. “If I can’t join the war because I’m too young, then you’re allowed to because you’re older, right?” he asked. You gave him a blank expression as you let his words sink.

“And if I am, what do you propose?”

“You can go for the both of us.”

Your breath hitched. “T-to war?” you stuttered quietly. Claude nodded, leaning on you as he pressed the letters to his chest. “Don’t you wanna give Ma and Pa cheap tea, too?” he pointed out. You tried to laugh, but all that came out of your mouth was an empty breath. “Well, I do,” you agreed dryly. Your legs felt heavy, and it was not because of carrying Claude.

“So you want me to be a soldier on your behalf?”

“Yeah!”

You bit your lip, knowing this promise was too great for you to keep. “I’ll ask Ma and Pa about it,” you answered slowly. “But I thought Ma and Pa didn’t like to talk about the revolution?” You sighed; Claude was right, but you couldn’t just go and draft yourself into the Continental Army. As much as you found the idea endearing, you were a woman; you had no place in the war, much more in the battlefield. “Worth a try to convince them,” you replied. You glanced down at Claude, your concerned frown melting into a smirk.

“And when I join, big sister Y/N will be the best damn soldier you’ll ever see.”