#(are you sleeping are you sleeping brother john

[the-goddess-of-annoying]

there is an English translation by the way, it goes "are you sleeping, are you sleeping, brother John, brother John? morning bells are ringing, morning bells are ringing, dong ding dong, dong ding dong"

i have no idea why i know the French version.

[manwholovescabins]

severance (2022) // kin, maya angelou // summer's end, john prine // the world at its beginning, dustin pearson // brother, murder by death // please stay, lucy dacus // antigone, sophocles // he ain't heavy, he's my brother, the hollies // somebody's son, haley blais // hold you, searows // graceland too, phoebe bridgers // howards end, e.m. forster // fleabag (2016) // sleeping with the lights on, searows

[purplehoover]

Roblox Time :D (2)

Oh man. here's the big post! These designs have actually been done for a while, I just rarely actually get onto tumblr now LOL Again, these are my interpretations of the accounts that exist, and some may or may not lean more into the oc category rather than actual accounts- but either way, I enjoy making these, and "season 2" of this will come eventually. I already have two designs underway in it.

The next one in the line up! He was drawn directly after Banner, and is my take on the retro builderman appearance!

He's linked to Banner telepathically, but also through other things like movement, speech, and can react to each other's pain!... Restrict's been missing for some time.

Roblox Staff account interpretation! He's a chronically tired little guy who just wants some sleep, and maybe some coffee.

He's bound the Darkheart to his body, and over time, it has become a part of him. He can choose to darkheart any of his limbs at will, though it's weird when your employee taste tests the sword while you're still using it... especially if he collapses right after.

Marks stresses Terminus out sometimes.

My personal favorite- Jane Doe!

She's a seasoned ER Doctor who, on her days off, attends Doomspire Brickbattle games. She's seen her fair share of injuries and deaths there, and she does her best to prevent their untimely demises.

John Doe, the twin brother to Jane Doe.

He's fine. There's nothing wrong about him. He's just like you. He's fine.

Final one- My interpretation of Mr. DoomBringer!

He's seen as a foster / adoptive dad to Jane and John, having taken care of the twin test accounts since they were pill babies. Outside of his fatherly duties, he's the one who hunts down accounts that need to be banned... or worse.

They can't outrun him. They cannot hide in the dark.

Season 2 coming soon!

[loopstagirl]

Walk in the Park

For @febuwhump day 3: Pinned Down

Jeff paused and took a moment to look around. He smiled. It was a rare weekend where a) he wasn’t called into work, b) none of the boys had activities, c) none of the children were unwell, and d) the sun was shining. As soon as they’d seen the forecast that morning, both he and Lucy had known what they’d do today. 

A picnic in the park, with all five of their boys. 

It had been months since circumstances had let them do something like this. Between an unseasonably wet spring and various clubs, not to mention emergency meetings as Jeff’s fledgling business sprouted wings, there was always something on. 

Now, though... Now, everything was perfect. They’d eaten with minimal squabbles over who got the last sausage roll and which flavour drink they wanted. Alan had started to get tired and Scott had declared he was taking his baby brother for a walk. Ten minutes later, a smug 13-year-old had returned with Alan asleep in the stroller. The toddler wouldn’t sleep for much longer, but it had stopped any meltdowns. 

Virgil had seen some friends from school and run off to the play equipment with them. Thankfully, they’d picked a spot where both parents could see him without having to move. John was sprawled on the blanket, legs swinging in the air as he read, and Scott and Gordon were playing a version of catch the 5-year-old could keep up with. 

Jeff caught Lucy’s eye. She was sitting next to John, leaning back on her palms, keeping an eye on Virgil but with a satisfied smile on her face. It only widened when she looked over at her husband. This was what their family was all about. 

He grabbed a drink from the cooler, intending to sit next to her. All their children were entertaining themselves, which was a wonderful and rare experience. Before he could do so, however, a shout came from the playground. Jeff shielded his eyes with a hand as he looked that way, aware that Lucy had also straightened up. 

He wasn’t sure what was happening to begin with. Perhaps a child had misjudged the monkey bars? There were plenty of parents milling around there. Then there was another shout – and it was a voice he recognised. 

Lucy was already on her feet. 

“Virgil.” 

Jeff took a few steps closer, trying to see what was going on. Then he cursed under his breath, hoping that John didn’t hear him. 

Some older boys, maybe Scott’s age, were trying to take over the playground. They were ignoring the little kids, but focused on the other boys there without their parents: Virgil and his friends. As Jeff watched, one of the older kids shoved a younger one, causing him to stumble into the other teenagers. They didn’t let him regain his balance though, pushing him again. 

Lucy recognised the red tee before Jeff did. She took off, not quite a run, but a fast, angry walk that would get her there quicker than if Jeff sprinted. He took a step, then glanced at his remaining children. Scott was responsible, but he couldn’t leave him with John, Gordon and Alan. Still, he stayed on his feet, a few steps towards the playground, watching. 

“Dad? Where’s Mom-,” Scott trailed off, standing next to him. He too squinted in the direction of the playground, just as Virgil hit the ground. “Virgil!” 

Jeff only had time to grab Scott’s arm as the boy made to hurtle off.  

“Your mom has got this, Scott.” 

“That’s Tommy Higgins and his friends,” Scott snarled. “I warned them if they ever went near my brothers again...” His gaze flickered to John before back to the playground, and Jeff knew there was an untold story there for sure. 

Scott tried to pull out of his dad’s hold and Jeff found himself tightening his grip to hold the boy back.  

“I need you here, Flyboy.” 

“No! I told him! If he dares-,” 

“Your mom is almost there, Scotty. Virgil is okay.” 

Indeed, the boy was getting back up. Lucy was almost at the gate now and Jeff knew the older teens were going to be fools if they tried anything now. 

“Where’s Mama?” Gordon asked, appearing out of nowhere. 

“She’s gone to help your brother.” 

“I can help too!” Gordon looked as if he was all set to go dashing after Lucy. 

“John? A hand, please?” 

John looked up from his book and caught Gordon round the middle, pulling the suddenly-giggling child down to the blanket with him.  

“Scott, calm down.” 

“I’m not calming down! I told him he’d get what was coming to him if he ever went near them again.” 

“Scott!”  

Jeff couldn’t hold him. He wasn’t sure when Scott had suddenly sprouted but his little boy wasn’t so little anymore. In the type of move he hadn’t used since his Air Force days, he hooked his arms under Scott’s shoulders, pulling the boy back into him. Scott struggled, but even his new-found height was no match for this grip. 

“Calm down,” Jeff said in his ear. “I know you’re upset; I know you’re mad. But your mom is handling it. It won’t help Virgil, or any of your brothers, if they see you answer violence with violence.” 

Indeed, Jeff wasn’t entirely sure where this had come from. Scott had always been protective, but it appeared that all the emotions that came with being a young teenager meant he was trying to find a different outlet for those emotions. Jeff loved Scott’s protective nature, but he couldn’t let this continue. 

Scott snarled. One day, that was going to be an impressive sound. But his voice hadn’t yet broken and it didn’t have the depth to it to be truly chilling. Jeff winced as a foot collided with his shin. While he didn’t necessarily remember being 13, he did remember being a teenager and the feeling that the world was out to get him.  

He walked back a few steps, dragging Scott with him so that he was further away from his brothers. Carefully, he shifted their centre of gravity until he could drop to his knees, pulling Scott down with him. Then it was just a case of extending his legs, unhooking his arms and wrapping his son in a bear hug, keeping Scott’s arms trapped within his own. 

“You need to calm down,” Jeff said in his ear. Scott twisted in the hold but his father’s grip was too strong. 

“I have to help Virgil.” 

“This is not the way, and you know it. You’ll only get yourself into trouble and either you or your brother could be hurt if you react like this. Is this what you want?” 

Scott, mercifully, stopped struggling. He was still tense though and Jeff didn’t dare relax his grip. 

“What about Gordon? Do you think this is any example to set your younger brother?” 

He didn’t need to worry about John. He hadn’t copied Scott the way the others did for a while now and had his own way of handling things. Jeff knew his second born had a bad habit of trying to be invisible when the attention was on him, but he had an acid tongue if anyone tried to pick on his brothers – whether that was another child or a grownup. Jeff had been forced to apologise while trying not to laugh more than once. 

“He’ll know that I’ll always defend him.” 

“By getting into trouble yourself? That’s making the situation worse, and you know it.” 

Jeff dared risk a glance at the playground. Lucy was heading back their way, their 8-year-old clutching her hand. Jeff couldn’t read Virgil’s expression from this distance, but he was walking fine, so at least he wasn’t physically hurt. 

“Let me go!” 

“Not a chance, kiddo.” 

Jeff knew that Scott was fighting the hold, but he could barely feel his boy’s struggles as he held him down. It was only when Lucy came closer and they could see for themselves that although there were tear tracks down Virgil’s face, he’d already stopped crying and was smiling at something his mother had just said. 

Jeff sighed in relief. Then Scott went limp. The father suddenly wondered how much Scott had been feeding off his own tension and grimaced. He could keep calm in a business meeting but apparently not so much when it came to someone hurting his children. 

“Everything okay?” He called. He relaxed his grip but didn’t dare let Scott go. Not just yet.  

“All handled,” Lucy said. She had a hand on Virgil’s shoulder but ruffled his hair and nudged him towards his brothers. Virgil didn’t hesitate, dropping down beside John and instantly finding himself with Gordon climbing on him.  

“Get off,” he muttered, but he didn’t push Gordon away like he usually did and there was no conviction in his voice.  

“I was gonna save you,” Gordon told him, his tone uncharacteristically serious. 

“I didn’t need saving. Especially not from you.” Virgil wasn’t meeting Gordon’s eye. 

“There’s nothing wrong with a helping hand,” Lucy told him, also sitting down. “Even if it comes in squid-form.” She seized Gordon round the middle and pulled him onto her lap, tickling him. Gordon laughed. 

“Johnny, help!” 

John – for once – joined in without hesitation. After a second, Virgil also piled in and Lucy disappeared under three laughing boys. 

“You okay?” Jeff murmured in Scott’s ear. He softened his grip until he was hugging his boy. Scott didn’t let that happen very often these days and Jeff missed it. 

He heard Scott swallow before the boy nodded. “Yeah.” 

Gently, Jeff let go until Scott could sit up. His son looked at him, and it was a mixture of the man he’d one day be and the little boy he was trying so hard not to be. 

“They know you’ll protect them,” Jeff said quietly. “But there’s a right and a wrong way of doing it. You understand that, right?” 

Scott couldn’t meet his eyes but he nodded again. Jeff clapped him on the shoulder. 

“Don’t get me wrong, Scotty, I’m proud of you for wanting to look out for them. But no getting into fights, or you’ll be the one in trouble.” 

“Copy that,” Scott said. Jeff properly relaxed at hearing the words. 

“Now, go on, I think your mom needs you right now,” he said. He nudged Scott towards the pile that was his wife and three kids. Scott didn’t need telling twice and charged over, scooping a surprised and delighted Gordon into the air just as Alan woke up. 

Jeff fetched his youngest, keeping the blanket wrapped around him as he balanced the 18-month-old in his arms. Alan’s eyes were wide as he watched the laughing pile of siblings. 

“Maniacs,” Jeff told him. “The lot of them.” 

Alan’s answer giggle told him the smallest Tracy both agreed and approved. 

[tanjamikaelson]

BEST FREND'S BROTHER - CHAPTER 34

MASTERLIST

CHAPTER 34: | BARBADOS |

"Guys. Guys, guys, wake up. There's a plane," Pope's voice broke through your light sleep, and you groggily opened your eyes to the sight of him sprinting along the beach, excitement radiating off him.

At first, you thought he was seeing things, but when you lifted your head from the sand and squinted toward the sky, there it was—an actual plane. Your heart pounded in your chest as disbelief turned into pure adrenaline.

"Oh my God, there's actually a plane. Wake up!" you shouted, scrambling to your feet, the panic and excitement making your voice rise. The others began stirring around you as you kicked up sand, trying to shake everyone out of their drowsiness.

"Guys, wake the hell up," Cleo chimed in, grabbing your hand in her own, and pulling you with her as you both took off down the beach. The urgency in her voice mirrored your own.

You could hear John B trying to rouse Sarah in the background, but your focus was completely on the plane.

“Hey! Hey, we're over here! Over here!” you screamed, your arms flailing wildly as if the sheer force of your movements would somehow catch the pilot's attention.

“Come on, please, please see us,” you mumbled to yourself, every ounce of your being willing the plane to turn around. John B joined in, waving frantically, "Hey! Hey! Over here!"

The plane seemed to pass you, heading toward the horizon, and your stomach dropped. The hope you had clung to wavered as it flew further away, but just when you thought it was gone for good, Kiara suddenly blurted out, “He sees us. Guys, he sees us!”

Your heart leaped again as the plane turned, its engines sputtering as it began descending toward the nearby pond. A wave of relief crashed over you.

“He's gonna land. Come on!” John B shouted, already racing toward the pond, and you wasted no time following him, your feet barely touching the sand as you sprinted right alongside him. Everyone was running now, the rush of adrenaline pushing you all forward.

You arrived breathless, just in time to see the odd little plane settle down by the water. The engine sputtered to a stop, and a man, the pilot, climbed out, grinning like he’d just found a treasure.

"Hello, hello," John B greeted him with cautious excitement as you all gathered by the pond, the atmosphere thick with anticipation.

"Hey there," the pilot replied, his voice carrying a carefree, almost jovial tone. Behind you, Cleo and Pope were still celebrating, letting out triumphant whoops as they realized this could finally be the ticket of the island.

"Whoo-hoo-hoo! Hey! We're getting out of here. We're finally getting out of here," Cleo cheered, her energy infectious.

You shifted your focus back to the pilot. He had a relaxed demeanor like this was just another day at the office for him. It put you a bit on edge, especially with the way Sarah tensed beside you, her eyes narrowing as she observed him closely. You wrapped your arm around her shoulders, silently offering reassurance, though your own doubts began creeping in.

"So, what do we got here?" the pilot, Jimmy, asked, his eyes scanning all of you as if you were a curious sight.

John B, ever the spokesman, answered, "Uh... You know, just some castaways."

Jimmy chuckled. "Well, I'll cross that off the grocery list."

You didn’t find it funny, but you forced a small smile anyway, your nerves prickling beneath your skin. Jimmy disappeared back into the plane for a moment, and you gave Sarah a gentle squeeze. She practically burrowed into your side, and you could sense her unease growing by the second. John B, noticing her worry, tried to laugh it off, though you could tell he was a bit unsure himself.

"Hey, no. Look at this guy!" John B said, attempting to lighten the mood. "You think he works for your dad?"

Sarah remained silent, her face drawn tight with suspicion. John B tried again, his voice softer this time, "It's okay."

Just then, Jimmy popped back out, holding up a bottle of rum and a first aid kit. "Two things you need on a deserted island. First aid and rum!" He tossed the bottle toward you, and you barely caught it, startled by how casual he was being.

You forced another uneasy smile, watching as Jimmy continued to joke with the others. "So, what's the story? You guys sank a boat?"

“Jumped off one. Her dad’s," John B admitted, nodding towards Sarah.

“In-laws, man. They're tough," Jimmy chuckled again, seemingly unfazed. "Well, have no fear. Jimmy's here. I got you," he added with a wink.

Cleo cheered, "All hail Jimmy, guys!"

You exchanged a glance with Sarah, your worry mirroring hers, but there was no turning back now. You had no other choice but to trust him.

“Welcome aboard the Flying Fish, y'all. I'm Jimmy Portis. I'll be your captain today," he introduced himself, motioning for all of you to climb aboard. As you clambered into the small plane one by one, your heart was still racing, the rush of relief warring with the nagging sense that not everything was as simple as it seemed.

But for now, you were getting out of there. And that was enough.

•°•°•°•°•°•

When the plane crashed into the water near Barbados, everything spiraled out of control. The impact sent you all sprawling forward as water rushed into the cabin. The metal groaned under the pressure, threatening to sink with each passing second.

"Guys... Guys," Kiara croaked out, her voice raspy with panic. You tried to get your bearings, the cold water stinging your skin as it rose around your legs.

"Is everybody good?" Pope asked, his voice strained but steady as he tried to rally everyone. No one really responded. The panic was evident in everyone's eyes. “JJ! Wake up, man. We gotta get out. We gotta get out of here."

JJ blinked awake, his eyes hazy before he realized the gravity of the situation. "We gotta get out before it sinks," he agreed, pulling himself together and pushing against the waterlogged seats.

John B, ever the problem solver, kicked open the side door, and what greeted you on the other side was enough to make your stomach flip. Armed men stood outside, their stances rigid and threatening. They looked like police or guards, but something about them was more sinister.

"Oh no. They don't look friendly," John B commented, his voice laced with anxiety.

"No, they look very unfriendly," Pope agreed, and you could feel the tension tighten in the air.

"We gotta go. Come on," John B urged, pushing Cleo and Sarah into the water, trying to get everyone to move before things went south.

You watched as Pope followed, then JJ, leaving you, Kiara, and John B still in the plane. The water was rising, your shoes submerged, and the weight of the situation pressed down on your chest. You couldn’t stay here. "Y/N, Kie, let’s go," John B warned, his voice pleading for urgency.

"I’m coming. Go!" Kiara shouted back, and you nodded, trusting her. But when she made a move toward the cockpit instead of out the door, your heart raced. You hesitated for a moment before following her.

"No, no, no, Kie! Y/N, come on!" John B argued, his voice rising in frustration, but neither of you listened. There was a man still trapped—Jimmy, the pilot—and you couldn’t leave him behind.

You could hear JJ outside, shouting for the others to move, but you and Kiara were too focused on Jimmy. "Portis. Come on. Portis, wake up. Wake up!" Kiara pleaded as you managed to pull him free from his seat, the water now up to your waist.

With a tremendous effort, you pushed Jimmy’s limp body out of the cockpit window and into the water. Together, you and Kiara swam, dragging his weight between you. The saltwater burned your eyes, but you pushed through the pain, your muscles aching from the effort.

By the time you reached the shore, you were both gasping for air. A crowd of people rushed towards you, offering help. "Take him," Kiara huffed, and as soon as Jimmy was pulled from your grasp, you collapsed onto the sand, your body trembling with exhaustion.

"You okay?" One of the people asked, but you just nodded, waving them away. You weren’t injured, just overwhelmed. Kiara sat beside you, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she caught her breath.

Jimmy coughed, his body convulsing as he expelled water from his lungs. He looked up at you and Kiara with bleary eyes. "Thank you," he croaked.

But Kiara wasn’t feeling generous. "You lied to us," she spat, her anger surfacing as the adrenaline coursed through her veins. "Who are you?"

Jimmy groaned, clearly in pain. "You should get out of here," he warned, his eyes flicking toward the approaching guards. They were closing in, weapons drawn, and you realized with a sinking feeling that there was no escape.

"Shit," Kiara cursed under her breath, pulling you to your feet as the guards closed in. You tried to run, but it was too late. They grabbed you both, pulling you roughly toward a large black truck.

"Let go of me!" you demanded, thrashing against the guard’s grip, but it was no use. Kiara fought too, but you were both easily overpowered and handcuffed before being thrown into the back of the truck.

As the truck sped through the streets of Barbados, you laid your head on Kiara's lap, the motion of the vehicle making your stomach churn. Kiara’s fingers played with your hair, her gentle touch keeping you grounded. "We'll get out of this," she whispered, but the fear in her voice mirrored your own.

When the truck finally came to a halt, you were pulled out and dragged toward a massive mansion. The front door opened, revealing a tired-looking maid who sneered at you in disgust before leading you inside. The house was grand, filled with artifacts and old treasures that made it look more like a museum than a home.

The guards shoved you both up the stairs, and you couldn’t help but feel the weight of the situation pressing down on you. "Why are we here? Who are you working for?" Kiara demanded, but the guards remained silent.

You were pushed into a room—the Orinoco Room, they called it—and the door was locked behind you. Kiara immediately ran to the door, rattling the handle, but you didn’t bother. You were too tired, your body still recovering from the near-drowning and the chase.

You collapsed onto the bed, groaning as the soft mattress enveloped your sore body. You closed your eyes, trying not to think about what was coming next. All you wanted was to rest, to forget for a moment that you were trapped in a foreign place with no idea what the next move would be.

"Y/N?" Kiara’s voice broke through the haze of exhaustion.

"Yeah?" you murmured, pulling yourself up into a sitting position.

Kiara was standing in front of an open wardrobe, her face twisted in confusion. Inside the closet were rows of elegant dresses, one in red and another in royal blue. A note was attached to the hangers that read, "Pick your size."

"What the hell?" Kiara muttered, her eyes wide with disbelief.

You had no answers, only more questions.

•°•°•°•°•°•

The warm water poured over you like a gentle escape, washing away the grime of days spent on that island, where every moment felt like survival. You closed your eyes, feeling the steam rise around you, enjoying the small luxury of a real shower after so long. The expensive products left for you felt foreign on your skin, a sharp contrast to the saltwater you'd grown used to. After letting the water soothe you for as long as you dared, you stepped out to give Kiara her turn, wrapping yourself in a plush towel.

As you dried off, your thoughts drifted. The events of the past few days weighed heavily on you. The miscarried pregnancy, the kidnapping, the escape—it all felt like a whirlwind. You sighed, looking at your reflection in the mirror as you slipped into the satin royal blue dress. The material clung to your skin, soft and luxurious, but it felt strange to wear something so elegant in a place like this. You smoothed your hands over the fabric, trying to find some comfort in the unfamiliar.

Kiara stepped out of the shower shortly after, wearing the red dress that had been left for her. She looked at you, her face mirroring the same unease you felt. The knock at the door interrupted your silent exchange.

The maid entered, her eyes appraising both of you, clearly satisfied that you'd changed. "He's ready," she said, her voice curt as if this was all business to her.

You and Kie exchanged anxious looks, the tension between you both thick as you followed the maid down the hallway and descended the grand staircase. Each step echoed in the quiet, and your heart raced with uncertainty. Who was waiting for you? Why were you brought here like this? Your mind spiraled with possibilities, none of them comforting.

Kiara walked a bit ahead of you, her posture rigid, her eyes darting around the unfamiliar surroundings. You could feel the same unease radiating off her that settled deep in your bones. The maid led you to a large room and gestured for you to enter. Kiara stepped through the doorway first, and as you followed, you shot the maid a sarcastic grin, though it was a poor attempt to mask your growing anxiety.

The moment you entered, the air seemed to change. There was a familiar voice, sharp and accusatory.

"Uh, excuse me? No, I knew you and Ward were behind this shit," Kiara snapped, her voice cutting through the stillness.

You spun around in confusion, and you felt your stomach flip at the sound of another voice. A voice you hadn’t expected to hear.

"What are you talking about? You trying to weasel in on my deal? Is that what's going on?" Rafe retorted, his tone cold and laced with irritation.

Your eyes locked on Rafe, and your heart immediately started pounding in your chest. He looked different, more hardened, dressed sharply in a suit. His hair—the familiar curtain bangs you used to run your fingers through—was now buzzed short. But it was the look in his eyes that struck you the most. When he spotted you standing behind Kiara, his entire demeanor shifted.

“Y/N?” he choked out in disbelief, his voice softer now. His gaze locked on you, and for a moment, the world seemed to shrink to just the two of you.

"Rafe," you breathed, the name slipping from your lips almost involuntarily. Relief flooded through you, though you couldn’t quite place why. Despite everything, despite the chaos and the hurt, seeing him here made something in you calm—if only for a second.

Before you knew what you were doing, you crossed the room and threw yourself into his arms. It was instinctual, a need for something familiar.

For a moment, Rafe was just as surprised as you were, his body stiffening before he wrapped his arms tightly around you, pulling you close. His touch was firm, but there was a tenderness there that made your heartache. You felt his chin resting on your head, and despite everything, the familiarity of him was both comforting and heartbreaking.

Your moment was broken by another voice—a man’s voice, one you didn’t recognize. “I wondered if your little reunion would cause sparks, you know,” the man said, drawing your attention.

"Who are you?" Rafe asked sharply, his protective stance immediately returning as he turned his gaze toward the man.

"Me?" The man smirked, pointing to himself as he stepped forward, his presence both unnerving and commanding. "My name is Carlos Singh. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Cameron. And Miss Carrera, Miss Y/L/N, I do apologize for the rough tactics in bringing you here." He offered a smile, though it felt more like a warning than an apology. "But please, come. Sit down."

You exchanged a wary glance with Rafe. His eyes were still on you, his hand lingering on your arm as if afraid you’d slip away from him again.

You grabbed Kiara’s hand, your grip tight, and followed Carlos into another room, feeling the weight of whatever was coming next.

Rafe walked beside you, his presence reassuring, though his face was hard and unreadable.

"Rough tactics. What about me?" Rafe questioned, his voice edged with anger.

"Yes, Mr. Cameron, false pretenses. But the ends justify the means, I'm afraid," Carlos said smoothly, waving off the concern as though it was nothing. "Sit down. We have a lot to talk about."

The tension in the room was thick, almost suffocating as the three of you settled into your seats. You could feel the heat of Rafe’s presence beside you, his knee brushing yours. He was tense, his jaw clenched, and you could sense the barely contained fury simmering beneath the surface.

Kiara was the first to break the silence. "Why are we here?" she asked, her voice steady but her eyes sharp.

Singh smiled as if he had been waiting for that question. "Well, Miss Carrera, Mr. Cameron, Miss Y/L/N, we share certain interests. Objectives," he began, his voice carrying a sinister undertone that made your stomach twist.

"Is this not about the cross?" Rafe interjected, his frustration bubbling over.

"It is. Tangentially, it is about the cross, but it’s also about something much, much bigger than the cross," Carlos explained, his smile widening as though he was about to reveal some grand secret. "By orders of magnitude... the completion of a grand quest." his voice was calm, but the intensity behind his eyes was unmistakable. His gaze flicked between you, Rafe, and Kiara, as though he was sizing you up, deciding how much to reveal.

He began weaving a story, his words carrying you back in time as he spoke of El Dorado, the fabled city of gold. “Perhaps... perhaps the greatest quest in the history of the western hemisphere, you know.”

Your heart skipped a beat, the reality of what he was suggesting hitting you all at once. El Dorado? Could this really be what all of this was about? The idea seemed impossible, like something out of a legend, but there was a terrifying conviction in Carlos’ eyes that made you realize he truly believed it.

“And you three... you three are going to play a part in that.”

You exchanged a glance with Kiara, who looked as unsettled as you felt. Rafe, on the other hand, leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, the skepticism written all over his face.

“What about you, Ms. Carrera?” Carlos asked, turning his attention fully to Kiara. “Are you interested in history?”

"I'm more of a future person," Kiara shot back, her voice filled with a snarky defiance that made you want to laugh despite the gravity of the situation. Rafe groaned beside you, clearly fed up.

"Yeah, I didn't listen to a word you said, okay? How much you gonna keep philosophizing?" Rafe snapped, and the tension in the room spiked.

Carlos chuckled, unbothered by Rafe’s outburst. "You are direct, aren't you, Mr. Cameron?"

Rafe rolled his eyes, clearly impatient.

"What do you need from us?" Kiara demanded, her tone sharp, cutting through the air like a blade.

Carlos smiled, a slow, calculating grin that made your skin crawl. "I've come to believe that you and your friends are in possession of something that can help me get what I want." He paused as if savoring the moment. "An old manuscript. A diary, actually."

Your stomach dropped. A diary? You exchanged a glance with Rafe, your mind racing. You had no idea what he was talking about—this was something from the pogues’ search, something you had no part in.

Rafe shook his head. “I have no idea what you're talking about."

“Me either,” you added, feeling the anxiety knot in your chest as you looked to Kiara for some kind of confirmation.

"This is ridiculous. I don't know anything about a diary," Kiara said, crossing her arms over her chest defiantly, but there was a hint of unease in her voice.

Carlos’ smile didn’t waver. "But how else could you have learned that the cross was on the Royal Merchant?" His words were calm, but there was an underlying threat that sent a chill down your spine.

"Look, we want to help you, but we can't," Kiara said with a shrug, trying to maintain her composure despite the looming danger.

"I was hoping you wouldn't say that," Carlos said, his tone taking on a more ominous edge. "Because unfortunately, I don't believe you." His eyes darkened as he locked onto Kiara. “You and your friend here couldn’t have found the cross without it.”

“He’s not my friend,” Kiara snapped, throwing a pointed glance at Rafe, who looked more irritated by the second.

"We can't all be friends," Carlos hummed, his amusement growing as he watched the tension unfold between the three of you.

Rafe stood abruptly, tugging you with him. "Look, we don’t know anything about a diary, okay? We’re out of here, and she’s coming with me," he said, his voice firm, protective.

But the door was blocked by a guard holding an automatic rifle. Your heart pounded in your chest as you pressed closer to Rafe, seeking the only security you had in this strange place.

"Do I look like a fool to you, Mr. Cameron?" Carlos asked, his voice dangerously low. He stood up slowly, stalking toward the two of you. “Do I look like a fool?”

Rafe didn’t respond, but you could feel the tension rolling off him in waves.

"You have the cross. She and her friends had the cross at one point. So one of you has the diary." Carlos' voice was cold, emotionless. "And if you really don't know, then I suggest you convince your friends to tell me. Once I have the diary... you'll be free to leave."

His words hung in the air like a death sentence. The room was suffocatingly silent as Carlos signaled for his men to lead you upstairs.

The three of you were ushered into a bedroom, the door closing behind you with a definitive click.

"Enjoy the grounds during your stay," Carlos said casually as if this was some kind of luxury resort. "I must warn you, though. I'm not a man of infinite patience. You have one day."

Before he left, he added one final, chilling instruction: "Go to the window for a little demonstration." He patted Rafe’s shoulder as if they were old friends. “I think you’ll enjoy it.”

Once Carlos and his men left, you felt your stomach churn with anxiety.

"Hey. Hey!" Rafe shouted, rushing to the door and banging on it. “You’re just done talking? Hey!”

The lock clicked, and you turned to Kiara, your mind racing with fear and frustration.

"It's locked," Kiara said flatly, her voice edged with fear, as Rafe slammed his fists against it in frustration.

"You're wasting your time and energy," you said, grabbing Rafe’s arm, trying to pull him away from the door before he yanked his arm away, clearly still fuming.

“Don’t—” Rafe muttered, his voice sharp with anger. It wasn’t just about being trapped; it was about you leaving him when he needed you most, and now being back here. You swallowed the lump in your throat, unsure of what to say or how to feel.

You joined Kiara by the window, trying to shake off the unease creeping up your spine. Below, the guards were still stationed around the mansion, their guns slung casually over their shoulders as though waiting for someone to make a wrong move.

"Get off me, man! I didn't do nothing, man!" A familiar voice screamed. You leaned closer, recognizing Jimmy Portis being dragged by Carlos’ men.

There was a sense of foreboding that settled deep in your chest, and you couldn't shake it. You knew something terrible was about to happen.

Rafe was staring, his jaw tight, his eyes narrowed. "Who the hell is that guy?" he muttered under his breath, his voice low and tense.

You exchanged a worried glance with Kiara. She had her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her face pale with fear. "He was trying to help us," Kiara whispered, and you could hear the guilt in her voice.

Carlos turned, looking up directly at you, before pulling out a gun. Your breath caught in your throat, and instinctively, you reached for Rafe, gripping his arm tightly.

The gunshot rang out, sharp and deafening. You flinched, your body jerking involuntarily at the sound. A cold wave of panic washed over you, the sound echoing in your ears.

Rafe tensed beside you, his arm rigid under your grip. His eyes were locked on the scene below, and for a moment, you saw something flicker across his face—fear.

Rafe turned, his face pale as he looked between you and Kiara. "This diary. Hey, no bullshit." His voice was tight, his eyes pleading with Kiara. "Don’t bullshit me. Do you have it?"

Kiara stood her ground. "No." She lied, her voice steady, but you could feel the weight of the danger pressing down on all of you.

The panic in your chest tightened as if a heavy weight had settled there. You could barely breathe, the fear of ending up like Jimmy Portis gnawing at the edges of your mind. You felt lightheaded as you staggered toward the bathroom, desperate for a moment to gather yourself, to escape the suffocating tension in the room.

“Y/N?” Rafe’s voice followed you, laced with concern. Even in his anger, his instinct to care for you hadn’t wavered.

You splashed cold water onto your face, gripping the edges of the sink to steady yourself as a wave of dizziness washed over you. The reflection staring back at you in the mirror was one you barely recognized—eyes wide, tears spilling down your cheeks.

The warmth of Rafe’s presence filled the small space as he stepped behind you, close but not overbearing, his hesitance noticeable. “You okay?” he asked, his voice softer than before, and you could feel him resisting the urge to touch you, unsure of how to bridge the distance between you.

For a moment, you just stared at the sink, breathing heavily. “Mhm, yeah,” you managed, but your voice cracked, betraying the emotions you were trying to suppress.

Rafe saw right through it. “Hey…” he whispered, his voice full of concern. This time, he gently placed a hand on your shoulder and turned you around to face him, his blue eyes searching yours for any sign of reassurance. But the moment you looked at him, everything you had been holding back shattered.

The dam broke, and before you could stop yourself, you collapsed into his chest, gripping his shirt like it was the only thing anchoring you to reality. You cried into him, feeling his arms immediately wrap around you in response, pulling you closer.

“I’m scared,” you muttered into his chest, your voice muffled but raw with vulnerability. It felt almost surreal—seeking comfort from the very person who had caused you so much pain.

Rafe’s hold on you tightened protectively. “Don’t be,” he murmured against the top of your head. “I won’t let anything bad happen to you. I swear.” His voice was firm, as though he could make the world bend to his will if it meant keeping you safe.

But his words brought a fresh wave of guilt and sorrow, one that you could no longer keep hidden. “Rafe…” you began, but your voice trembled. You clung tighter to him, knowing what you were about to say would change everything.

“I’ve read that stress isn’t good for the baby,” Rafe continued, his voice softer now, his hand gently rubbing your back as if the physical touch alone could calm the storm inside you.

You felt a lump form in your throat, your tears now flowing faster. He didn’t know. He didn’t know what had happened.

“I-” you tried to speak, but your voice broke again, the words tangling up inside you. “I had a miscarriage.”

Rafe froze for a moment, his breath catching in his throat. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion as he held you tighter, cradling you as if he could somehow absorb your pain into himself.

For a few seconds, there was only the sound of your quiet sobs and the steady rhythm of his breathing. He was here now, but you couldn’t forget why you had left in the first place.

“Why did you escape the boat?” Rafe asked suddenly, his voice soft but strained like he had been holding that question inside for far too long. He needed to know, to understand.

“Why?” you repeated, lifting your head to look at him. The question caught you off guard. How could he not already know? “Rafe, you drugged me… and kidnapped me.” The words hung heavily between you, each one like a sharp blade. “I didn’t want to be around you.”

“I know, I know.” Rafe’s voice cracked with remorse. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. I realize that now.” He looked at you with a deep sadness, a regret that seemed to cut him just as deeply as it did you.

“Now?” you questioned, the bitterness slipping into your tone.

“I was high when I did that,” he confessed, his voice small, filled with shame. “Shit— I’m sorry. I really am. I never wanted to hurt you. Never.”

But you pulled away slightly, shaking your head. “But you did, Rafe.” The words came out sharper than you intended, the pain still too raw to be softened.

“If I have to, I’ll spend the rest of my life apologizing,” Rafe said, his hands trembling slightly as they cupped your face, his eyes locking onto yours with an intensity that nearly overwhelmed you. “I’ll prove to you that I’ve changed. Okay? I know I’ve made mistakes—a lot of them. But I’ll be better. For you.”

His words should have meant something. They should have offered comfort, but all you felt was exhaustion. “Rafe, I—” you began, wanting to tell him how much had changed, how different everything felt now, but he cut you off, his desperation showing.

“You don’t have to say anything,” he said quickly, his hands sliding down to rest on your shoulders. “I know you don’t believe me yet, but you will. I’ll make sure of it.” His voice was filled with a quiet determination as if this was his last chance to make things right, and he wasn’t going to let it slip away.

You wanted to believe him—wanted to believe that the Rafe standing in front of you now could be different from the one who had hurt you so deeply. But the past weighed heavily between you, and you weren’t sure if words alone could bridge the gap that had grown between your hearts.

TAGS: @wearemadeofstardust0 @hotch-meeeeeuppppp @thepopcultureaddict @deeznuggetsbebussin @wtfdudesblog @davinashifts333@pvyden

[according2thelore]

Foaming at the mouth over your OlderBrother!Sam!

I'm convinced that Sam will try (or threaten) John into taking full custody or his brother once he legally turns 18!

Sadly even if Sam manages to get Dean out of hunting, it's likely that Dean will still try to help his Dad in secret or even runaway to do it. (Just a HC)

hi, anon!!

ooh! that's super fun to think about!

i'm of the belief that sam would still go to stanford, even if he was the older sibling. in his mind, i'm sure he's thinking that john will be forced to step up now that sam isn't there to carry his extra weight. a trial by fire, of sorts. john will finally have to be a dad, and it'll be good for both he and dean, in the end. he loves dean more than he needs to breathe, but i can only imagine how much more the life chafes since he has the added burden of being the older brother.

BUTTTT

it would be absolutely fucking delightful if sam gets a call in the middle of the night from a hospital in georgia asking him if he knows a "dean cobb." john left his sixteen year old son behind at a motel to go hunt something else, and dean found a hunt in the neighboring town and decided he was going to try to take care of it himself. sam gets there--jess assuring him she can take care of rent next month, because sam has to use his half to buy a plane ticket to atlanta--when john does. sam decks him in the face right there in the parking lot, lays him out on concrete. and that's the "two years" they mention in the pilot that he hasn't seen sam. fuck. oh god oh fuck i have to write this.

anyway!

i still LOVE your idea!! i think if sam was going to stay behind from stanford--or fuck it, take dean with him to california--he'd have to keep it under wraps in the months leading up to it, because he knows john'll fight him tooth and nail.

when he's younger, he threatens john with it all the time. dean needs to be normal, and he needs to be safe, and he needs to join the goddamn wrestling team, dad, look at him, he loves being on a team. sam would make sure he'd get what he needed. sam would make sure that dean wouldn't have to sleep with a knife under his pillow and have salt perpetually underneath his fingernails.

sam has bobby draw up the custody papers, has bobby pull his strings to get a death certificate for their father, good enough to convince any judge that dean is legally his ward. and in the months leading up to him getting dean the fuck out of dodge, he is the perfect son. he picks a few dumb fights with dad to keep him from being suspicious, but he doesn't complain about dean's living situation once. he cleans the guns and hides his papers and makes sure he and dean's duffles are always packed.

agreed, even if sam manages to convince or trick dean into going with him to california, dean is not going to go quietly into that good night. he loves hunting, and loves that it's something secret and special and good his family does. hunting is the only thing that connects him to the mother he didn't know. it's the only way he can show that he loves her and that she mattered. he'd find small hunts around palo alto, and sam would get a call in the middle of his psych 101 lecture that dean hasn't been in any of his sophomore classes since first period. dean comes home--a family housing dorm that sam was able to plead his way into--with a busted lip and boots covered in grave dirt.

if john knows where they are, you bet your ass he's calling dean in the middle of the night, telling dean to hop on a bus and meet him in topeka for a wendigo case he really needs help on. he burned all of his other bridges with hunter contacts, and pastor jim & caleb are on the other side of the country. and dean jumps at the chance, desperate for his family to be whole again and thrilled to be useful. he leaves a note for sam, but sam is inconsolable until his fifteen year old brother walks back in the front door almost a week later, after a cross-country bus trip solo. "i'm not a civilian, sam." dean gripes, as sam chews him out for being reckless. "i can handle myself."

GAH! ageswap!au is endlessly fun and fascinating to think about for me, and i'm so glad you agree! thank you so much for the ask!!

and thank you so much for your patience!!! <3 and i'm so glad you liked these!

-lizzy (the post in specific anon is referring to) (and the other ficlet i wrote for it as well)

[starman-john-tracy]

It Wasn't Too Many Croissants [RP]

"...H-hn..." Alan's hands squeeze John's leg softly, slowly tightening until they're shaking. One eye cracks open a little, wet and tired. A shiver wracks his body. "...Hh..." His fever is 42°C by now, face pale and almost steaming with how hot he's running. Bad bad bad bad... "...J'hn..." Suddenly a ragged cough rips from his throat, shaking his entire body in the process. It's getting worse...

There's the crack of a cool pack being activated and John tries to be as gentle as he can sliding it onto his brother's chest, trying to cool him down. He cracks another one for the nape of his brother's neck, wedging it between Alan's skull and his own leg - ignoring the cold, damp feeling that seeps into his fresh jeans.

"That sounded nasty." John winces at the rattling cough, then shoots off a message to Virgil in the hopes of any advice. "I know you probably just want to sleep it off, but do you need something for your throat?"

[nevermeanttoknow]

ouhhgg the crane wives,, save me the crane wives,

[jessythebunny]

I know this question is not related to your content, but how are you, Jessy? :>

I'm not doing good at all, I'm just fucking screaming in the background bc of this shitty school😤💢!!

[boundsoffateandfamily]

john and sam fighting for dominance using dean's body as a battlefield

[sarahroutldge]

i love you, i'm sorry.

a/n: requested based on a prompt list - the dialogue prompt is in bold! gif not mine, all credits to the creator (also the title has nothing to do with the song, it was just stuck in my head lol)

pairing: jj maybank x reader

summary: you and jj maybank drunkenly hooked up a few nights ago, and neither of you know how to deal with that. (routledge!reader)

word count: 3k

warnings: fluff/humor, angst w/ a happy ending, implied sexual content, drinking, semi-proofread, I think that's it

John Booker Routledge never thought he’d actually have to tell his best friend JJ Maybank that his little sister was off limits. Not once did it ever occur to him that JJ would ever think of you in a different way; he hardly liked to consider the idea that you dated anyone in the first place, let alone that you’d express any interest in the man he knew inside-and-out.

But things change and people get older. After you and the rest of the Pogues found El Dorado and began construction on Poguelandia, JJ started to see you differently. Sure, he always found you attractive, but JJ also found every woman he encountered attractive, so he never thought much of it. 

And you certainly didn’t ever think of JJ in that way either. At heart, you were a relationship girl; and while the fact that you were single was proof enough that no relationship of yours had worked out in the past, one of your greatest strengths was that you knew what you wanted. You didn’t seek out something casual because you knew you’d be left unfulfilled. You wanted something all-consuming and destined for marriage. Seeing your older brother grow and mature in his relationship with Sarah Cameron only clarified that further. In your mind, if the second-most relationship-allergic person you knew (after JJ of course) was able to dive headfirst into marriage with a girl so remarkably different from himself, then you decided you wouldn’t settle for any less.

Feelings, however, have a funny way of messing with plans and expectations. While JJ had essentially lived with you and your brother for years, building Poguelandia only pushed the two of you even further together. And watching someone so unpredictable and chaotic as JJ tame himself for the sake of his friends and his future stirred something in you that you hadn’t been expecting at all.

Over the months, your interactions with JJ changed, little by little, and for a while neither of you noticed. It just grew natural for JJ to fix something in the bait shop that you were fussing over, or for you to bring JJ a sandwich or a snack while he worked. You found little ways to make the other’s day brighter, even if subconsciously you never even considered why you were doing these little favors in the first place.

What actually brought the two of you together wasn’t anything out of the ordinary, however. One night, after a long day of work on the house, the Pogues found themselves hanging out above the bait shop, buzzed off of beers, seltzers, and a few joints made of flower grown right from Kiara’s secret spot in the garden. And while the rest of the Pogues eventually found their ways inside and to sleep, JJ and you probably drank a bit too much. One thing led to another, and that was the first night you hooked up. It was slow, passionate, and clumsy, and while the both of you would later blame it on the alcohol and the weed, deep inside you were both fully aware that it was simply the end result of months of pining.

And that’s how you found yourself waking up on the hammock above the bait shop in only one of JJ’s t-shirts and a pair of underwear. The combination of the blinding North Carolina sunrise along with John B.’s extremely loud footsteps on the floor below practically forced your eyes open. While you play the night before over in your head, trying to piece it all together, you’re scrambling to get the rest of your clothes on.

Running downstairs with your shoes untied, you let out a huge “oof” as you collide with your brother, almost sending the two of you to the ground. 

“Good morning to you, too, sis,” John B. says, his eyes expressing his confusion at the fact that you obviously slept upstairs last night.

“Oh, um, sorry, JB, I guess I just drank too much last night and crashed on the hammock,” you practically vomit out.

“Riiiiight,” John B. responds, clearly not convinced but nonetheless wholly uninterested in this situation in the first place. “Just, uh, go shower. You stink.”

Assuming John B.’s comment is a joke, you let out a laugh that immediately sounds forced. “Yeah, uh, that’s what I planned on.”

John B. shoots you a thumbs-up before making his way behind the counter, clearly prepping to open the bait shop for customers. Deciding to avoid any more awkwardness between the two of you, you begin to make your way back to the house. However, your brain can’t help but consider the possibility that only more awkwardness awaits you back in the house, which you’re really not ready to process. You spin around to face John B. at the entrance to the bait shop. “Hey, uh, is JJ up?”

John B. doesn’t even look up from whatever he’s doing at the counter, clearly focused on something else. “Yeah, he took his bike to the grocery store about ten minutes ago, I think.”

You breathe out a sigh of relief, and then turn back around to make your way into the house. Occupied with trying to wrack your brain about what exactly happened last night, you again stumble into someone else as you walk through the kitchen.

“Ow,” Sarah squeaks. 

You immediately apologize, looking her in the eyes. “Oh, I’m sorry. I just, uh, didn’t sleep well last night,” you explain, hoping she’ll move out of the way so you can make your way to your bedroom upstairs.

But Sarah, unfortunately, has the attention to detail that your brother lacks. Looking you in the eyes, her brows furrow. “Did you sleep outside last night?”

You scratch your head. “Uh, yeah. Just, uh, crashed after all those drinks, you know?”

One thing that Sarah does share with your brother, however, is her unwillingness to let things go. Clearly noticing that something is on your mind, her eyes stare into yours, as if she thinks that she can figure out everything about you based on your facial expressions alone. And evidently, she can, because she then proceeds to whisper-yell, “Y/N, is that a hickey?”

She lightly taps a new bruise on your neck that JJ must have left last night, and you can feel your cheeks heat up at the action. You bat her hand away, and she smirks when she realizes what you must be hiding. 

“I don’t have time for this,” you blurt out, before maneuvering yourself around Sarah and walking over to the bottom of the stairs. 

“Whatever you say,” she taunts behind you, and you can practically hear her giggle as you make your way up the steps. 

Once you get to your bedroom, you lock the door behind you. Sliding down the wall, you let out a sigh, grateful that you met no more obstacles on the way upstairs. But as soon as your butt hits the ground, reality comes crashing down, and you realize that you have a much harder obstacle to deal with than running into one of your friends in the hallway. Instead, you have to deal with the fact that you slept with JJ Maybank—the man you’ve known practically your entire life who not only happens to be one of your closest friends, but even more than that, is your brother’s best friend. Yeah, you’re screwed.

For the next few days, JJ avoided you at all costs. He didn’t want to face the consequences of what you’d done, and was worried more than anything that his friendship with you (and John B. for that matter) would be ruined. And while you had the same idea for a while, within only a few days you decided that talking about it was the only way to move forward. Knowing JJ’s extensive dating history, you were convinced that JJ would only tell you that it was a mistake and a regret. You prepared yourself for the negative, and found him alone at night in the employees-only area above the tackle and bait shop.

You carefully tiptoe up the stairs to prevent JJ from getting spooked and immediately bailing on the conversation. When he notices your presence, he shoots up from where he was laying on the hammock, just like you had anticipated. “JJ, we need to talk—”

“Y/N—”

“No, please, JJ, just let me speak,” you clarify, before walking closer to him. 

Realizing he doesn’t have any other choice, JJ sighs, gesturing for you to continue.

Working up the nerves, you wring your hands, preparing yourself for a moment that seemed more daunting than any of the actually threatening experiences you’d had with the Pogues over the last few years. “You know me, Jayj. You know that I don’t have one-night stands or casual relationships. And I can’t go on like this, pretending like what happened between us is normal or that I can just ignore it. I know that you’ve probably never had feelings for me, but if I don’t tell you this now, I’ll regret it. I… I like you, JJ.” Taking a breath, you step back, feeling like a weight has been lifted off of your chest. Only now, you have to brace yourself for the inevitable rejection.

Looking into JJ’s eyes, you can’t tell what he’s thinking, and that’s nothing short of terrifying. You’ve known JJ since he was a kid, and he’s not the best liar, so you can usually tell what he’s feeling from the moment you see him. But this time, you’re clueless, and the silence is deafening.

“JJ, please say something. If you’re going to tell me you don’t like me back, then just say it so we can move on and put this behind us.”

He brings his hands to his face, trying to piece the words together. “Just, uh, gimme a minute.” You nod at him, before moving to sit where he’d previously sat on the hammock. You swing your knees up to your chest, hugging them in comfort. 

You watch as he paces the floor around you. It’s not long before he speaks, but it feels like hours as you wait. 

“Y/N, I… We’ve been friends forever. You, me, and John B. It was the three of us for the longest time and then Pope came and then Kiara and… Uh, I’m getting off track.” He starts fidgeting with the ring on his thumb as he looks down at the ground, preparing for what he’s about to say next. “I won’t lie—you’ve always been hot. Like super fucking hot. And I’m not good at relationships or whatever, but I… I like you, too.” 

And your ears can’t believe what they’re hearing, so your head immediately jerks up to meet his eyes. “Wait… you do?” 

He nods, and you can feel a smile beginning to form on your face. “Well, then, why didn’t you just say that?” you ask. 

“Because it doesn’t matter,” JJ answers, and your heart immediately sinks in your chest, once again. “I can’t do this to John B., Y/N. I just can’t.”

“Who cares about him? He’ll get over it. John B. is not my problem.” 

“That’s the point, Y/N! He’ll be there for you no matter what. But the Pogues are basically all I have left. You and John B. are my family, and if I mess shit up with you, I’ll lose you both. And I can’t do that to myself.”

“You won’t mess it up, J,” you reassure, though part of you understands what he’s getting at.

“When have I not messed something up? I mess shit up all the time, and you mean too much to me for me to risk it. You need to go and find someone out there better than me, because as much as it’ll hurt me to see you with someone else, it’d be a lot worse if you were in pain and I was the reason. It’s because I’m in love with you that I wish we’d never done what we did,” he blurts out. 

And while you were trying your best to listen to him carefully, all you heard was him telling you that he’s in love with you. “You… You love me?” you whisper, and JJ’s eyes go back to the floor.

“Of course I fucking do! How could I not? You’re gorgeous and funny and weird and you know me better than anyone else, and I’ll never forgive myself if I ruin shit with you. So just let me go, because this is the hardest thing I’ve had to do.”

As you process what JJ says, he rushes down the stairs. The heavy pattern of his boots hitting the wooden floors grabs your attention again, and you sprint downstairs to meet him before he can run away completely. You grab his hand and pull him towards you. When his head moves, you can see tears in his eyes, even as the sky gets darker. “It’s not okay to just leave me here after telling me you love me back,” you choke out.

“We can’t—we’ll never be together,” he bites back, trying to sound angry. But you can read right through him, and he knows it. You drop his arm and reach up to grab his face with your hands. Your thumb wipes away a stray tear.

“JJ, you’re right: I do know you better than anyone else. And yes, you’re not the best at relationships. But don’t you think that with us it could be different? That maybe because we know each other so well we can figure it out together?”

He begins to shake his head, but before he can get any more words out, you continue. “JJ, I know everything about you. I know the worst things you’ve done and the best things. You’re always calling me a know-it-all, and yet right now you don’t seem to believe me when I tell you that I know we can do this. We can do it, and it’ll be hard, but it’ll be worth it because I can’t picture myself loving anyone else the way I love you.” And as the tears stream down your cheeks, JJ inches a bit closer to you.

“You… You love me?”

“Of course I do, you idiot. How could I not? You’re the sweetest, kindest, funniest, bravest person I know and my life would be so unbelievably boring if you weren’t in it.”

His eyes look all over your face, trying to see if he can detect a lie. But all he sees is someone so convinced in their feelings, so articulate, and he can’t believe that it’s possible but he might just love you more than he did five minutes ago. 

“Let me deal with John B., okay? I get why you’re scared and I would never want to come between the two of you, but you deserve to be loved, JJ. And I want to be the one who gets to love you.” 

As soon as you get the words out, he’s pressing his lips to yours, and you’re so glad he reached out to hold your waist because otherwise you’d be falling to your knees. It’s magical and romantic and you can taste the salty years you’ve both shed. His right hand moves to grab the side of your face and pull you even closer somehow, before moving back down to your waist and squeezing you in anticipation. The two of you break away, panting. He grips you again and gestures for you to jump, which you do, and you wrap your legs around his back. He carries you over to the counter of the bait shop, where he sets you down. Your legs squeeze his, and he grabs ahold of your face with his hands. “Before we um… do anything else… Are you sure?”

You nod immediately. “Babe, I need the words.”

Your heart clenches at the term of affection, and you pull his shirt to bring him even closer to you. “I am absolutely, positively sure that I love you, JJ Maybank.” He grins so wide you start giggling.

He smashes his mouth back to yours, and this time the kiss is hotter and needier. It’s just a mess of clashing teeth, lips, and hands, with little “I love yous” whispered in between. 

JJ tugs on the bottom of your shirt, and you break away so that he can lift it off, throwing it somewhere else in the shop. His shirt follows, but before he can unclasp your bra, you push him back. “JJ, I’m not fucking you in the bait shop.”

“It’s dark out and no one’s gonna see—”

You jump down from the counter. “It’s either in the house or in the Twinkie. Your choice,” you challenge, and he rolls his eyes.

“Oh come on, people do it all the time,” he justifies, and you look at him like he’s grown two heads.

“What on earth are you talking about?” you ask.

“Hooking up in the bait shop, duh. I caught Pope and Cleo on top of the freezer once, and I’m pretty sure I saw Kiara making out with her ex-girlfriend behind the counter.”

You roll your eyes. “You are literally proving my point,” you say, and he scratches his head. 

“Well, I know for a fact that John B. and Sarah hooked up in the bait shop once and I didn’t see anything!” he explains.

“That’s not any better! You’re talking about my brother!” you whine, and JJ starts to see that you’re not budging. 

He lifts you up bridal-style into his arms, and you squeal. “Fine, my lady, my room it is.” 

You wrap your arms around his neck. “Have you cleaned it recently?” you ask, knowing how messy his room gets. 

“Uh… Like, maybe not super recently. But I can make it nice,” he offers.

You squint. “As nice as my room?”

“Yeah, let’s just go to yours,” he says, and you giggle at how easily he gives in. As he walks down the talk, carrying you in his arms, you can see a smirk grow on his face. “But after we’re done, it’ll be as dirty as mine.”

“JJ!”

so... what did y'all think? I might consider making a part two where john b. finds out. is that something y'all would be interested in??

also... feedback is very much appreciated - pls comment, reblog, send asks, etc.!

[corkinavoid]

DPxDC John Constantine's How To: Ghost Kids (pt.2)

[<- part 1]

"Oh, yeah," John jerks his head up like he just remembered the fact people are supposed to have names at all. He gestures to the kids, pointing to each of them as he introduces, "Daniel, Daniel, and Danielle."

This time, all three kids flip him off simultaneously. Bruce clears his throat, trying to figure out if Constantine is messing with him and, if so, in which parts. Since, so far, everything the man has said sounds like a poor attempt at pulling his leg.

"I don't think they like those," he cautiously says, and the kids whip their heads at him, nodding furiously. Bruce can't help but be just a little enamored with the way they behave.

"Of, sod off, at this point I don't care what they like," John straightens up with a dismissive, albeit weak, wave of his hands, and rubs his face, "They are menaces. Sometimes by accident, but mostly on purpose. Their grandfather thought it would be easier to handle them if they were not teenagers, and while I agreed with his reasoning at the time, I-" he glances at the kids, who all have displeased grimaces of various levels on their faces, "I have been made to reconsider. I swear that ancient bitch is laughing his ass off wherever he is now."

The kids suddenly grin. They are not very friendly, nor polite smiles - if anything, they look a bit nightmarish. An old grandfather's clock in his study makes a very loud ticking noise.

"See?" John whips his head to look at said clock, the expression on his face bordering on insane. His eye twitches.

If Bruce doesn't do anything now, he might become one of the very few people who managed to witness John Constantine, the Laughing Magician, have a meltdown. So he sighs and decides to solve the problems one at a time.

Which means that no matter how alarmed or suspicious he is, his first move would not be to interrogate either the man or the kids.

"You can sleep in one of the guest rooms, I trust you can find it on your own," he tells John, almost softly, as he catches the girl from slipping away from his lap, "Is there anything I need to know about children before you fall unconscious?"

John slumps with relief, so obviously that Bruce almost smiles. Hardships of raising - or, watching, for that matter - kids, he understands.

"Yes," he breathes out with an air of exhilaration and turns to the kids again, pointing to the middle child, "Danny is the original. He is from this dimension and timeline, that is. Dan," he turns his finger to the older boy, "is in the wrong timeline, he's Danny's future evil self redeemed into older bratty brother. Dani," he switches to the girl, "is Danny's clone, made by his arch-nemesis of a godfather. If she starts melting at any point, wake me up immediately. If any of them start floating, sprouting tentacles, speaking to walls in static, or glowing, don't."

Bruce looks down to the kids. So, definitely metas, that would explain the government trying to get them... Or, no, it wouldn't because he is fairly certain no government is going to blatantly ignore the Meta Protection Acts.

"Don't let them raise the dead, and if you give them food, make sure it doesn't have a face. If you find more than three of them, it means one of them has duplicated, don't worry, they will absorb it back later. Absolutely don't let them touch any guns," Constantine is backing down to the door as he speaks, his gaze flickering from the kids to Bruce and back every second. Like he is leaving a ticking bomb in Bruce's lap, and not three children. "Danny is, comparatively, the most responsible one, the other two are up for any dubious trouble they can get to at any moment. Oh, and their memories are wonky because of de-aging, they remember some things but not others, so if they say something particularly disturbing, it's most likely some random piece of knowledge they managed to keep."

Bruce raises an eyebrow. He did get the part about the kids being, well, abnormal in the matters of their origins, but the disjointed set of rules and advices doesn't help as much as Constantine probably thinks it does.

"Allergies, preferences, ages they were before?" He tries to get at least some more info down before John disappears through the door. Actually, maybe he should send someone to handcuff the man to the bed lest he disappears completely.

"None, but don't let them eat cutlery. Danny likes space, Dani has a thing for exploring, and Dan likes violence." The older kid stirs in Bruce's lap and says something in the direction of Constantine. No sound comes out, but the man seems to get what he's trying to say anyway, "Okay, yes, that was rude of me, sorry. Dan likes... exercise," he ends up with, and that placate the boy enough to slump down and cross his arms. John sighs, "They were seventeen, fourteen, and twenty respectively. Now," he snaps his fingers, and suddenly Bruce can hear the girl - Dani - humming a tune under her breath. So, he lifted the silence spell, it seems.

"Good fucking luck," John wishes to Bruce, earnestly, and all but vanishes away.

Bruce sighs and looks down to the kids.

"Are you hungry?" He tries, and all eyes are on him at once, attentive and unblinking.

"Fruitloops," Danny says, and while Bruce is positive that's the name for a cereal, he gets a feeling that's not what the kid meant.

[obxsummer]

leave me again // jj maybank

pairing: ex!jj maybank x routledge!reader

request: Routledge reader and JJ broke up during the 18 months and now she watches him with Kie? 🫢👀

summary: based on the song by kelsea ballerini; after two years together, you return to outer banks only to lose jj to kiara in a blink of an eye.

warnings: minor szn 4 spoilers, angst hehehe

navigation

--

You didn’t understand. You really didn’t. 

How could you go from such a beautiful relationship and one of the happiest times of your life to watching your best friend get together with your ex-boyfriend? It seemed like such a cruel joke to watch people who had been with you your entire life turn against you in this way. 

It took less than a week for JJ to cut things off after everyone came back from El Dorado, claiming he needed to reevaluate everything and take time for himself. Apparently, that didn’t last long, because three days later, you caught Kiara sharing his bed in Sarah’s rental condo, looking like the happiest he’d ever been.

"I can explain, just-"

The scene in front of you was sick. You'd heard JJ yell out in his sleep, something that was more common than not with his nightmares. Instincts had you in front of his door before you knew it, wanting to comfort him in case he needed someone. You didn't expect to find this.

JJ, shirtless, next to Kiara, of all people, who was wearing the boy's shirt. In bed. Together.

Whatever JJ wanted to say, you didn't give him a chance to hear it. Lips tucked in a thin line, you gave a nod. "Sorry for interrupting, hope everything's okay."

And with a smile on your face and no room for explanations, you closed the door.

“Are you still avoiding them?” Sarah’s voice came from behind as you watched JJ and Kie prep the boat for the upcoming dive. 

You huffed, “Do you blame me?”

She stopped to stand beside you, her eyes watching the duo on the boat move together. “There’s no chemistry.”

“Not a bit.”

Sarah watched you carefully as if she was waiting for the dam to break. In the almost three weeks JJ and Kie had been ‘together’, you hadn’t cried and you hadn’t lashed out. You’d told her the second you found them in bed and they started spewing excuses, you just apologized for interrupting and dismissed yourself with a smile.

John B was concerned. As your older brother, it was his job to defend you and watch out for you, no matter the circumstance. When the two of you first got together, John B made JJ swear that he wouldn’t do anything to hurt you, swearing there would be consequences. While you’d kept your cool, he did not and JJ managed to catch himself a black eye and swollen cheek as a result. 

“Has John B talked to them?”

“Has John B what?” Your brother interrupted your question as he joined the two of you in the shop, hauling a hefty backpack. He reached out to grab your shoulder and squeezed it lightly. “You okay?”

You nodded in response, clamping your mouth shut and looking back at the water. Kiara was going down on the dive with JJ, something about not leaving him alone which made your eyes roll. Pope and John B were going on the boat, leaving you, Sarah, and Cleo on shore to be lookout. 

“Are you lying to me?”

You’d lost so many pieces of yourself in the moments shared with JJ, allowing the vulnerability you had believed he would never take advantage of.  It was no surprise John B could see through the cracks you’d inevitably let form. You sighed, head dropping between your shoulder blades as you let out a steady breath. “I’m fine, Bee. Promise.”

John B was unconvinced by your words but didn’t push. He heard your almost silent crying at night. It was obvious you were hurting by the way you closed yourself off and hid in your skin. He hated that his so-called best friend was the one to treat you this way and cause you to feel like this. 

“You can take a break,” He reassured as his backpack dropped to the ground as he pulled you into a full hug and placed a kiss on your head. “Nobody would blame you.”

You hugged him back and fought off the tears that burned your eyes. There would be a point and time to talk about all of this, but it wasn’t here and now. If you were being honest, there was nothing you’d rather do than run away from Kildare right now, but it wouldn’t be the best option by any means.

“You guys ready up there?” JJ’s voice echoed around the morning air as he called out to John B. 

You hugged your brother tighter before letting go, forcing a smile on your lips. “Be careful, please?”

He rubbed your head lovingly, smiling when you tried to shove him away. “Always.”

You stepped away to give him time with Sarah and started to head back toward the house when someone called your name. JJ’s shoes stomped against the new wooden deck, the sound getting louder as he got closer. You froze in your spot as he rounded to stop you from walking away. “Can we talk?”

You stared at him for a moment, wondering how someone you loved so incredibly much could make you feel this way. “There’s nothing to talk about.”

When you moved to pass him, he grabbed your elbow gently to prevent it. “Please, I just want to get this out before… in case I don’t-”

“You’ll be back.” It was hard to avoid the instinct of reassuring him. He swallowed thickly and met your gaze. He would be back, you just didn't know if you'd be here to see it. The two of you hadn’t been alone since everything went down and there was plenty of awkwardness to show. 

“I just… I’m sorry. About everything. I should’ve told you, but it all happened so fast and-”

“Did you ever love me?” The question came out of your mouth before you could think about it. You wanted to ask it for a while, to find out exactly what went through his head when he let Kiara climb in bed with him that night.

The opening and closing of his mouth was enough of a response to shatter you. Tears formed faster than you liked as you nodded.

“Figured," You breathed out, "Goodbye, JJ.”

You left him on the dock and didn’t look back as you walked away. From him, from Kie, from the friends you considered family until they made you feel like anything but. You swore then and there that you would never fall for someone in that way again. 

After all, staying only made you get real good at pretend.

--

Coming back from the dive had been a mess of chaos. Kie and JJ were at the hospital recovering from nitrogen in their blood while the remainder of the group came back to the house with the amulet, hoping to figure out what was inscribed inside. 

John B called your name as he entered the house, practically bouncing in excitement to tell you what they’d found. You’d opted to stay back after speaking to JJ on the dock, which they didn’t fault you for, knowing you needed time alone.

When silence followed JB’s call, he frowned. Something wasn’t right. The main floor was empty, not a sign of you or your relative presence in the area. Room empty too, leaving John B to question where the hell you went. They had the Twinkie and the dirt bikes were outside which meant if you went anywhere it would be on your own two feet.

“John B.”

The tone in Sarah’s voice told him his intuition was right. She met him in the doorway of your room with a piece of paper in hand, holding it in his direction. He didn’t even need to read it to know the answer to his question.

You were gone. And you weren’t coming back any time soon.

--

part two here :)

a/n: i hate this i'm so sorry

navigation

[paranormal-potatoes]

I do feel like I should note that from maybe day 1 of playing Dark Parables (and there's a definite chance this was unconscious projecting on my part) I've seen the detective as a trans man. I say unconscious projecting bc I hadn't come to the conclusion of transness yet. I also somehow completely missed that novelization in Briar Rose. so.

[rin-may-1103]

The Master Post.

someone asked for a master post so here we are.

Tag List? yes, there is a tag list. If you'd like to be Added, please leave a comment on the Stories Linked Post. If the tags aren't working for some reason, you can either Follow this post by clicking the bell (or the three dots) or follow the Story's Post the same way. I'll update both Relevant Posts when there is a New Part.

I hope y'all keep enjoying the stories as much as I enjoy writing them.

(currently dealing with life, so posts are going to be very, very slow, sorry.)

Stories and Summaries:

The Wrong Robin Au (DP x DC):

Tim Drake saw Danny do a quadruple somersault, which resulted in him believing Danny was the first Robin for years. He still figured out Bruce but thinks Dick is in the dark. Now with the second Robin dead, and Batman quickly reaching the end of his sanity, Tim takes it upon himself to get Robin to come back. Danny is very confused when this random kid tries to blackmail him into becoming Robin.

Badger Day Au (DP x DC):

Danny is stuck in a Groundhog Day kinda situation and he would like to be let out now, please. The league is very worried.

Delilah's language (DP x DC):

Bruce Wayne approaches the Fentons because Damian is a big fan of Danny for his work in the conservation of the purpleback gorilla. So now Danny is going to the birthday of this random kid so he can teach him gorilla sign language so he can talk to the purple-back gorilla as well.

Just a Bite (DP x DC):

Danny's homeless on the streets of Gotham, when he gets a terrible idea from some passerby. Three weeks after living with the Waynes, they still haven't noticed he's not supposed to be there.

72 hours (DP x DC):

During a battle with the rest of the league, John Constantine is accidentally sent into the palace of Pariah Dark, Tyrant of the Dead, and Bane of the Living. Danny just wanted to have a simple spa day.

Biggest Regret (DP x DC):

Danny Had been optimistic when he created The Email. Three days, that's what he gave himself. Three days to fix or get out of whatever problem he was dealing with and open his laptop to restart the timer. Three days. Past him had thought that If he ever got caught they'd just kill him; it's what they said they would do this whole time, so why wouldn't he think otherwise? It's been more than three days, and at this point, he's just glad someone could fulfill his last wish.

The Disappointment (DP x DC):

Ra's has stated his disapproval of one of the twins, now Talia is rushing to get them out of there and to Bruce to be safe. Danny has other ideas.

Black Retrievers and Golden Cats (DP x DC):

He remembered how it took two hours for his mind to catch up to what he had done, two hours for him to realize he had just killed his brother. It took another two days to realize his brother was never coming back, that the pits had not worked. Damian stared at the camera footage infront of him, his family's voices buzzing with theories and analyzing everything they could. He remembered his brother's bright carefree smile just minutes before Damian had killed him. So, why? Why was he seeing it again?

College Rivalry with the Genius Toddler in the First Row. (DP X DC):

Tim doesn't understand how he's losing at university to a toddler. Danny's not having a great time, but it's fine because now he can terrorize Red Robin.

The Willpower of Space (DP X DC):

A faulty green lantern ring wakes from it's accidental eon long sleep due to how powerful Danny's willpower is. It decides that Danny is a worthy wielder and grants Danny the ability to use it. There's just one problem; Danny keeps dying. and the ring doesn't understand what's going on. Oa is very concerned.

The Weeping Boy Au (DP X DC):

I'll think of a summary later, for now, it's an expansion of this post.

The Eyes of Death Au (DP X DC):

In an attempt to prevent a cult from causing problems, Danny accidentally convinces the Justice League and Co. that he's possessing himself. Damian is not happy that his boyfriend is apparently the new June Moone.

[sleepyangelkami]

CLOSE CALL b.blake

☆ WORD COUNT - 4.1K

BELLAMY BLAKE X FEM!READER

☆ SUMMARY - based on the episode, 'the calm', season one, episode eleven. during the hunt for food with clarke and finn, you find yourself faced with death, lincoln saves you before it's too late but it's bellamy who finds you running for your life in the woods.

 ☆ WARNINGS - shy!reader, brief mention of insomnia, blood, gore, fire, grounders, saviour!lincoln, death threat, weapons, violence, assault, panic attack, anxiety, sexism, (3) uses of y/n, petnames, intended lower case, nothing i write is ever proofread 🩷

bellamy loved sharing a tent with you. he loved being able to brush the hair from your face as you slept soundly while he stared at the tent ceiling, wishing sleep would come over him. he loved waking up to you giggling, pushing him to get up as he slept half the day away.

but it was mornings like this, when he was met with the sight of you leaving that he groaned to himself, hands on his eyes. "where are you going, sweetheart?" pasting his softest tone.

you shimmied the wide-legged jeans up your legs, grinning as you swiped his jacket, not your own. "'m gonna go see octavia." she was currently in the smokehouse, cooking. it was some punishment for something devious she'd done with her grounder boyfriend, 'lincoln'.

"princess." his tone was a warning. "she's in the meat tent for a reason, it's not punishment if her best friend goes and visits her."

you weren't too sure why she was being punished, you weren't sure about a lot of things around here. all you knew was that the group weren't too fond of lincoln seeing as he was a grounder but he saved octavia's life once and had done nothing but be kind to her since. that was enough to get him in your good books.

"okay, then i'll be really mean to her." slipping on your shoes and sticking them out to him.

he rolled his eyes, sighing before sitting upwards. he bent down to tie the laces of your shoes, knowing that he should be up by now already. "no you won't."

you ignored him anyway, smiling as you seated yourself on his lap. he wore his black jeans, that you swore up and down about when he wore to sleep and was currently topless.

"i'll be back to you before lunch." pressing a chaste kiss to your lovers cheek, smiling softly.

you left the tent with a pep in your step, hearing bellamy yell the words, "and tell my sister to stop stealing my girlfriend!" but you only grinned, walking quicker.

everyone was out now, bellamy seemed to be the last awake. you smiled at clarke on your way, deeming her a good friend by now and opening the curtain to the meat tent.

"hi, o." octavia whipped around, grinning at you.

"finally." she scoffed. "next time you see my brother, tell him to stop hogging my best friend."

a smile forced its way on your lips at the mere thought. octavia and bellamy were so alike yet they'd never know, both too stubborn to ever admit it. your eyes trailed to the other person in the meat tent. it was john murphy, infamous around the camp right about now. "oh, hi murphy." a friendly smile gracing your lips. he helped you and many others out when you got sick, it was only fair to return the kindness.

"hey, y/n." though he didn't miss the way octavia nudged your side causing you to frown at her. it was safe to say that they weren't the biggest fans of each other right about now.

your eyes trailed across your best friend, seeing her face glisten. "do you want me to take your jacket? you're sweating."

"good idea, thanks." before the girl could shimmy the jacket off and pile it in your hands, the sound of someone else's voice filled the tent, not murphy's either.

"let's get this party smokin'!" del was a member of bellamy's posse, the one you weren't so fond of, tossing firewood into the fire causing you to frown.

octavia must have shared the same expression. "you don't want the fire too big so maybe just try to knock it down with some wet leaves." you were too embarrassed to open your mouth, inching your way closer to octavia. you never found yourself one to speak freely in front of others.

"you get that from your boyfriend?" the boy retaliated. "grounder-pounder."

but as shy as you may have been, your face suddenly contorted to a deeper frown. you looked at octavia who merely kept quiet, turning and fixing the hanging meat. luckily, murphy spoke instead. "she's right. a hot fire isn't gonna preserve the meat as well."

"can't take the heat? get out of the smokehouse." he looked between the two, knowing better than to throw around looks to you. "you should be kissing our asses for being back allowed in this camp."

"leave them alone." your shaky voice still managed to speak, you followed the boy despite octavia grasping your arm. "i'll tell bellamy."

the boy suddenly froze in his tracks. he turned to look at you, biting his lip with a scoff before turning back around, leaving.

you sighed awkwardly, wishing the entire encounter hadn't happened but as soon as you turned around, you felt smoke engulf you. del should have listened when octavia told him to lay it off with the leaves. you found arms engulfing you, octavia's familiar scent filling your nose. she all but dragged you out of the smokehouse.

the tent went up in flames faster than you could blink.

octavia passed you off to bellamy while a cough ripped at your throat. bellamy questioned his sister's wellbeing, she stated that she was fine, dragging a hand across her forehead. "you okay? are you hurt?"

you shook your head, coughing while bellamy wrapped a hand on the back of your head.

"this is all your fault." murphy stood, his hands outstretching as he pushed del backwards. "we told you it was too much wood!"

bellamy only let go of you once del and murphy began throwing swings at one another, as if it would change a thing. he split the two up, yelling at everyone to stop.

silence engulfed the group. you were next to octavia, a gentle hand rubbing on her back, her face covered in smoke. "bell, now what the hell are we gonna do?" she yelled causing everyone to turn. "that was all our food!"

the food was burned to a crisp. even when people managed to stop the fire, the food was already destroyed. clarke and bellamy looked over possibilities but they only had enough nuts and water to last them a week, two if they were lucky. clarke suggested they hunt.

it wasn't everyday that you were left outside the gates. "can i come?" you excitedly tittered, despite the appauled look on bellamy's face.

"i can take care of her." clarke spoke before he even got the chance to refuse. multiple times, you'd left the gates with clarke, talking on about things that she hadn't a notion about, chiming in with a hum every few seconds.

but she always took care of you, bellamy couldn't dispute with that. "with the entire grounder army out there?"

you slumped but clarke only raised her eyebrows. "and how do you expect her to defend herself if she's starving?"

he knew she was right, as much as he would have prefered to believe she wasn't.

he lined people up, splitting them into groups and handing out guns but keeping it so that one person per group had a gun, the last thing they needed was to run out of bullets right before the grounders hit them. truth was, bellamy didn't know if you were safer out there than you were in here.

you were paired with clarke, finn and a boy called myles.

"don't stay after dark, you hear me?" bellamy was zipping the zipper of his jacket around you but it was clarke who he handed the gun to. "you see grounders, you run back, i don't care who you leave behind."

"i'll be fine." you stretched out the last syllable, placing your hands on the man's shoulders as he was currently crouched in front of you. "y'worry too much."

"i have to worry." he assured. "you don't worry enough." he pressed a kiss to your head as you grinned, then leaning in and pressing one against your smile. "i love you."

"i love you too." you couldn't help but giggle, turning on your heel. "see you soon!"

bellamy watched with a twisting gut, feeling helpless but anxious all at once. he would have gone with you, watching your every move but being the leader of the camp made that incredibly hard for him. he sometimes wished he wasn't in charge, maybe then you could be his only priority. but if he didn't, who would?

"you know, i don't think you're actually allowed to say that." myles was a sweet kid, you supposed but he had some pretty out there views. the forest was quiet, too quiet while finn and clarke trailed above you.

you supposed hanging back with myles couldn't be worse than whatever conversation they were having. "why not? is it so bad to want a traditional marriage?"

"not at all." you answered swiftly. "but it's supposed to be a choice." by now, finn had already caught two squirrels. "the woman should be able to decide if that's what she wants and if you want that, then be with a woman who does too. you can't just force someone into being someone they're not."

"well, we wouldn't have this problem if women just stuck to what they were good at." the comment made you frown.

"myles, can you just be quiet for a second?" the words came from clark who shared the same look of distaste on her own face. you watched as she and finn studied the tracks on the ground, apparently belonging to a boar. "what is it?"

you followed where they sat, kneeling down beside finn to see what was wrong while myles hovered over you all. "these tracks..."

once you got a closer look, you could see how close together they were, how stuck in the mud they truly seemed. "they're perfect."

"too perfect." finn added, his eyes casting upwards. "we're the ones being hunted." someone had planted the boar tracks.

instantly, a shiver ran up your spine while myles stood up, pointing his gun as he glanced around the woods. "i don't see anything." as if on command, there was a swooping sound and suddenly, the arrow landed in his leg, the next in his shoulder.

you could have screamed, instead you gasped out the boy's name, looking to clarke for help. your hands instantly sat on the wound, covering it so blood didn't leak out, clarke sat at the other side, doing the same to his shoulder. "guys, come on, we gotta leave him." finn was adamant, rushing the girls forward.

"we can't just―" you didn't get to finish your sentence for something hard hit you over the head and suddenly you were laying flat on the ground, dizziness swirling your vision. you could vaguely make out a grounder coming from behind finn and doing the same, you didn't see what they did to clarke.

then everything became nothing at all.

it turned black.

𝜗𝜚

when you woke, you were being forced onto the ground. your hands were bound in front of you and your knees smashed against the cold gravel, you could feel the flesh break apart, little cuts littering against your skin. finn and clarke were in the same position, sharing glances of worry.

your brows were knit together as your eyes scanned where you were, some kind of cave though it also appeared to be a room. your first thought was bellamy, how worried the boy seemed when you left, you could only imagine the worry when you didn't return. you'd imagine by the lighting that it was well after sunset.

"we walked for about three miles." finn began to whisper. it appeared as though he and clarke hadn't been hit as hard as you had. "after crossing that creek, another two or so before we got to the road."

"i don't think it matters, finn." clarke's voice had a sense of desperation in it. "they didn't blindfold us which means they don't care what we saw. they're gonna kill us."

a cold feeling settled in the base of your stomach, bile rising to your throat. bellamy was right, it wasn't safe out here and you just had to go and get yourself killed.

two grounders pulled you up by your shirt, you let out a whimper as they shoved you forward, others doing the same to clarke and finn. they led you down the cave's hallway and into another room where other grounders were waiting then shoving you right back on the ground.

a woman stood in front of you, wearing a long black coat. she unleashed her sword, suddenly stalking towards clarke. you made a move. "wait." you tried, shoving yourself in front of her but you were quickly hauled back by one of the grounders.

but the woman didn't kill her, on the contrary, she cut the ropes on her wrist, untying her. they shoved clarke to her feet, uncovering a girl who laid across a table, gasping out in pain. "help her. if she dies, they die." you gulped, turning to finn who shared the look of fear. "her name is tris."

"i can't do this." clarke looked at the body, turning her so she could see her face. "i don't have any equipment."

"we'll provide you with what we can."

"why do you think i can save her?"

"lincoln told her." finn chimed in.

"yes." the woman answered. "our healer is gone, there's nothing we can do for her. for their sake, i hope you can."

"clarke." finn's eyes were glued to the blonde's, adoration filling them. "you can do this."

the woman and the rest of the grounders began to clear the room until clarke's voice stopped them. "wait. what happened to her?"

a dark look was in the woman's eyes. "she was on the bridge when your bomb exploded. you did this to her."

𝜗𝜚

alcohol stained your hands, blood too.

"it's as sharp as it's gonna get." grounders now filled the room, watching as clarke did everything she could to save the girl. she was hit in the chest and was loosing blood, she needed more and desperately so.

"okay, thanks." clarke snapped the syringe from finn's hand who'd been sharpening it against the ground.

you were busy holding a cloth to the girl's chest, hoping to stop the loss of blood but it wasn't doing a great job. clarke stained the needle with bleach, hoping to rid it of any bacteria while your eyes scanned the girl's face. she couldn't have been older than fifteen, how could anyone send her to battle in the first place?

she was a child.

"okay." she stood in front of the 'leader' who went by the name of anya. "i'm gonna need your blood."

a grounder placed his hand in front of anya, pulling her away. "no." was his answer.

"you're from the same tribe, it's the best match we're gonna get." clarke was adamant but so was anya, neither of them willing to take the risk.

"clarke, she's gonna die." your hands were shaking desperately, tears floating your eyes. "use mine! just use mine!" clarke took you up on the offer, pulling your hands from the girl's body and sticking the syringe into your arm. you winced as she sucked the blood into the syringe, you instantly felt sort of dazed but shook it from your head.

clarke handed the syringe to finn and she searched the girls arm. "i can't find a vein." frantically searching her. "she's clamping down, she's lost too much blood."

your faint voice could be heard. "clarke..."

"oh, come on." desperately trying to save her.

but you shook your head, icy fear withering you away. "clarke, she's not breathing."

a simple sentence that silenced them all.

clarke backed away, meeting in the middle between you and finn while anya stepped forward with her knife, cutting a braid from the girl's hair and nodding to one of the grounders. he picked the girl up, gently as possible, leading her out of the room.

you couldn't bear to look, chest feeling hot.

anya suddenly turned to the grounders in the room. "take them away." eyeing you who held your tied hands close to your chest. "kill them."

your breath caught in your chest. "wait." tears filled your eyes as one of the grounders grabbed you, hauling you upwards. "wait, wait, wait, no, no, no, please." he harshly pushed you forward, carrying you away.

"no, no, no, no, please!" one grounder held clarke back as she pushed at him, trying to get to you. "no, i did everything i could, please!"

but the sound of her voice suddenly faded out as they carried you away. you pushed at them, thrashing in their arms but it was no use, the grounder hauled you away from the room. he suddenly set you down, holding your tied wrists down as his face came close to yours. "don't move." his gruff voice could be heard as you looked away, tears filling your eyes.

another grounder walked behind you while he walked in front of you, leading you to the front room of the cave. your mind suddenly turned to bellamy, how worried he must be. you could see the darkness from the entrance.

you couldn't help it, you ran.

but you didn't get far. instantly, you were picked up by the grounder from behind. you whimpered, thrashing against him but it was no use, he shoved you inside the room, practically throwing you. your head hit off the stone floor and you brought your hand to the back of your hair, metallic liquid staining it.

you pulled it away, shaky eyes spotting the blood dripping down your fingertips.

"w-wait." tears pooled your eyes, fear lacing your tone. "please, please, i didn't do anything wrong, please don't do this―"

you gasped out as a grounder took a fist of your hair into his hand. "your punishment shall be death by a thousand cuts." and before you could take in what he said, you felt a knife scratch across your face, cutting your cheek.

you cried out, hand coming to grab your bloodied cheek as you dragged your body backwards, crawling into yourself. a fat tear rolled down your cheek as your body caved in, huddling your knees up to yourself.

it was no use to cry out and beg them to stop, the grounders were simple beings, once given an order, all they could do was follow it. but still, your mouth uttered the whisper, "please." at the same time as you felt a slash against your left leg.

suddenly, a sword crashed through the grounders head. this time, you screamed. the sight was horrific, blood spewed outwards and you held a hand over your mouth. the body dropped to reveal lincoln, the man who adored your best friend more than anything.

"natrona." the grounder suddenly whispered, the word meant 'traitor'. he yelled out and charged at lincoln who pushed him backwards, guarding him against the wall.

lincoln stabbed a sword through the grounder's abdomen, who yelled out again. "go!" lincoln yelled to you, staring at your terrified form. "go, now!"

and you had no choice.

a whimper left your lips as you ran forwards, lungs collapsing. you worried for lincoln, not wanting to leave him alone but if you stayed, it'd meant lincoln did it all for nothing.

your feet ran towards the exit, tears swamping you as your legs moved at a super speed, running the fastest you'd ever run in your life. never, had your calves burned like this and never had your lungs ached so horribly. all you could see was the moment you were thrown into the room, the horrifying look on the grounder's face. you'd do anything to escape it.

running as though your life depended on it, and perhaps it did.

you managed to look backwards, worried something or someone was following you but as you looked back, you felt yourself run into something solid.

someone.

your mouth opened to scream at the same time as a hand wrapped around your mouth clamping down on it as he turned you to hide behind a tree.

your eyes opened to reveal bellamy, staring at you with eyes full of concern. "what happened?" he frantically searched you as his hand left your mouth. "why are you bleeding? where are the others?"

"b-bells." your cry shook your voice, eyes turning behind you, you swore you could see people between the trees, though they vanished as soon as they appeared. "we have to go, we have to leave. they're-they're gonna find us."

bellamy had never seen you so shaken, shallow breaths making way to your throat but not seeming to find their way out. "hey, hey, look at me." his hands grabbed at either side of your face. even in the darkness, you could make out his pretty dark curls and his enlarged brown eyes. "you're okay, 's just me, you're okay, sweetheart."

and you couldn't hold yourself back any longer. you threw your arms around him, holding him close as nervous sobs wracked your body, chest heaving out as if it were on fire.

"'s okay, you're fine." his hands smoothed your back, doing his best to reassure you but by no means did your shallow breaths slow. "you're safe, princess."

"can we go?" you pulled away, nervous eyes scanning the forests. "please, bells, i wanna go home."

he couldn't deny your scratchy voice or blotchy cheeks. "okay, okay let's go, angel." he helped you walk though you stumbled better than you walked. his eyes glanced down at the blood seeping through your jeans. "your leg." he didn't bother to inspect it, merely hooking his hands around your legs and lifting you up.

your head lolled against his shoulder, arms around his neck.

you began to feel dizzy but bellamy carrying you seemed much better than trying to run again. still, your eyes danced everywhere they could, searching high and low for a grounder, a surprise attack.

you must have run far for it didn't take long for the clear vision of the camp to fall into line's view. as soon as the gates opened and bellamy carried you inside, you found air falling back into your lungs.

"y/n?" the sound of octavia's voice was the first to fill your ears. you must have looked a wreck, covered in blood, carried limp in bellamy's arm. "oh my god, y/n. what happened?" though her voice was directed at her brother, not you.

"it was lincoln." your scratchy voice suddenly spoke, causing her brows to crease. "lincoln saved me."

her eyes fluttered and questions began rolling in. raven suddenly stepped forward, demanding to know where finn was, others began to question about clarke. suddenly, you couldn't breathe again. "okay, listen up!" bellamy's voice rang through the camp, silence followed. "everyone get back to your tents! we'll continue the search in the morning!"

he didn't wait for them to follow his orders, knowing they would anyway. instead, he carried you towards a tent.

everything was suddenly spinning, nothing seemed to make sense. black dots began to cloud your vision and you couldn't see which tent he had carried you to. you could see a woman, very vaguely and he was speaking to her, at least he looked like he was. his lips were moving but you couldn't register the words coming out of his mouth.

the girl must have been something to do with a medic because you could feel her lifting your head up and inspecting between the strands of your hair. you saw bellamy's face contort, but it was turning to mush, practically a mere squiggle now.

he stepped backwards and your hand suddenly reached him.

he looked back to your face, eyes softening. it was apparent that you weren't really there and how could he blame you? the blood loss was already obvious.

"don't..." it seemed like a chore to get syllables to pass your lips but nonetheless, you willed yourself to move, grasping his large fingers in your hand. "don't leave me."

"'m not going anywhere, princess." and to prove it, he sat against the chair next to you, letting the woman inspect your wounds. "okay? you can rest now, i'm right here."

through the haze, his voice was the only thing your mind could grasp to.

you slowly nodded as your eyes fluttered shut.

"you're safe, sweetheart." being the last thing you heard before everything went black.

main masterlist/bellamy's masterlist