#(but if i didn't do them then she'd resent me for that too)

[explodingcrayon]

nothing quite like planning your mom's 60th birthday with her (because if you tried to plan a surprise, she'd hate every aspect of it and then blame you for ruining her day) and when you tell her what you think will be the linchpin part of it - you making her favorite type of cake from scratch, special for her - she instead excitedly suggests you go buy an alternative from a store 🙃 sure. ok. whatever you want! i guess!

[restinslices]

Believe Me

Gwayne Hightower X Female!Reader

Word Count: 2792

Summary: Gwayne bumps into an old flame and smut ensues (from his pov)

Content Warning: Smut (so minors dni), fingering, handjob, cheating, light hair pulling, light degrading and praising, vaginal sex, public sex (I hate this but we move on😭)

Gwayne Hightower was only human, and as a show of this, he had made plenty of mistakes in his lifetime. “It is not worth the stress to beat yourself over what could have been” he'd always remind himself. “What could've been if you chose the right card, woke up earlier, listened more, aimed a little to the left, ate breakfast…”. 

The list went on and on because humans make mistakes all the time. He had vowed to himself that he would never stress over these mistakes. What good would it do? The mistake was already made. 

That's the thought process he tried to keep as he made his way inside the Sept. He was not afraid of the gods deciding to punish him for the sins he was sure he had committed, or of the building crumbling down and burying him underneath. The current war going on wasn't even on his mind. 

What was on his mind was a singular person. And as he got closer and closer to the room he knew they'd be in, the thick fog covering their face in his memories started to move to the side. 

Further. 

Further. 

His steps began to falter when he finally saw them. When he finally saw you. 

You were sitting on the bench, back to him, candles aplenty in front of you. Just as he thought about turning around and leaving, you took off your cloak and set it next to you, revealing the open back to your dress. 

You were inviting him. Discarding your defenses and showing that you were open to being around him again. Or mayhaps he was delusional. Either way, he found himself sitting on the other side of you soon enough. 

“Is that really a dress appropriate for the Sept?” he tried to joke with you as he lit a candle. If it was a different time, you would've lightly shoved him and said something like “oh fuck off” while laughing. Unfortunately, that time had been long forgotten. 

You looked over at him at once, and he wondered if for a moment you thought all this was a dream. You looked him up and down, and must've realized this was all real. “Gwayne…” how could you say his name in such a delightful way? 

The surprise from your eyes soon fell, and instead it filled with resentment. “Gwayne” you said more lifeless. “Anyone is welcome here. A common whore could come, wearing hardly any clothes and she'd be welcomed”. 

“I'm sure common whores do lots of cumming”. 

You simply rolled your eyes at him and looked in front of you. “A jest, dear friend-”

“We are not friends”. 

He had known it, but fuck did it hurt to hear. It was said so coldly and cruel, like you wanted it to sting. It definitely had, though he wouldn't show it. 

“We have not talked in some time” he said with his eyes still trained on you. How could you sit there and be so beautiful? Even with a scowl and pinched eyebrows, you looked marvelous. “When I heard my sister had summoned you here as well, I admit I was a bit surprised”. 

“Why? Alicent is in need of a friend. And I am her friend”. 

Well you really knew how to rub something in, didn't you? “I tried writing to you-”

“Years too late” 

You snapped, eyes glancing over at him. Okay, mayhaps you were right. Mayhaps he should've wrote to you sooner, but he eventually did! That had to be worth something! “Why are you here?”. 

“I thought anyone was allowed here”

“It is the gods you should be speaking to. Not I”

“It is not the gods I crave” he spoke honestly. You simply scoffed in return and looked away again, causing him to sigh. “I should have wrote to you sooner, but I did eventually. And I am here now-”

“To do your knightly duties” you said dismissively. “Not to speak with me”. 

“I can do both!” his hand found your arm and he pulled you close to him, making your legs press against each other. He could hear how your breath hitched. He could see the way your chest rose and fell as a reaction to his touch. 

His fingers inched closer to your chest. “What are you-” you began to say, but the words got caught in your throat when he wrapped his fingers around the long necklace that fell in the long V neck of your dress, right in between your breasts. 

“You've kept this?”. 

Years ago, Gwayne gifted you a necklace with a large green pendant, and while the chain was completely different, the pendant was still the same. “Did the chain break?”. 

You shook your head. “No. My husband gave me a new chain. Said gold fit better”. 

He frowned. 

Your husband. Some boring guy with brown hair, brown eyes, patches in his beard and a voice that was far too high for a man. He had no real talents or skill, besides money and luck. That's how he landed you after all. 

“It is best for both of us that you do your praying and then leave. I imagine I will not be ready to leave anytime soon”. 

The moment his hand fell from your arm, he felt cold. He forced himself to look away from you and focus on the candle in front of him. So what was he to do now? Just let you go? Go off to war and accept that he'd likely never see you again? Accept you'd hate him forever?

“No” he answered himself out loud. “No. I am to just accept that your husband messed with a gift I gave you?”. 

“I beg your pardon?” You asked in disbelief. “That is what you are focusing on? That your gift was ruined?” You scoffed again and rubbed your temples. “Selfish as always. Nevermind to ask how I feel or how I have been. No. It is just stupid jokes and being offended. Did my gift put a dent in your pocket? Here then!”. You unclipped the necklace, grabbed his hand and shoved the necklace on his palm. “Take it!”. 

His chuckle afterwards was filled with bitterness. Here he was, trying to patch things up, and you kept making it difficult. “This resentment you hold towards me is ridiculous. I took too long to write to you after your marriage, but I'm here now. And this-” he set the necklace on the table. “This is a gift I gave to you”. 

“My husband gives me plenty of gifts. I do not need anything from you”. 

As if his gifts were anything special. Probably cheap and terrible material. You deserved more than that. You deserved more than some husband that probably couldn't even make you laugh the way Gwayne had. 

“Husband this. Husband that. Does shoving him in my face excite you?”. Maybe he had no right to be angry, but he was anyway. 

“I wouldn't be able to if you vied for my hand when you had the chance!” You snapped. For once, Gwayne had no response. No witty comeback or complaint. He just watched you as you realized what you said. You huffed, grabbed your cloak and got to your feet. “Good day Gwayne”. 

You managed to make it a few feet away before he finally spoke. “I should have”. Regret had gnawed at him for years now. He let you slip away. Why? Because he wasn't sure he could be committed. Did he love you? Yes. Was he a young man that wasn't fond of becoming a husband and a father? Also yes. 

“You have to understand,” he began as he rose to his feet. “Marriage was not something I wanted at the time”. 

“And you think I did?” You asked in disbelief. “Marriage was not something I wanted either. It was forced upon me. Marriage terrified me, but I knew that if I was married to you, marriage wouldn't be that bad. You were my best friend and lover. And what did you do, Gwayne?”. He couldn't make the answer leave his lips. The words felt like they were stuck in his throat and refused to go anywhere. “You left me” you answered for him. “And once I was married, you avoided me. Then years later you decided you wanted to speak again. What were you too busy doing? Drinking and fucking whores?”. 

That made him laugh. Drinking? Maybe a little. Fucking whores? It's not like he truly wanted to. It made time pass and got an orgasm out the way, but he didn't want painted whores. He wanted you to be under him. He wanted to feel your soft skin on his fingers. He wanted to hear his name pass your sweet lips over and over again until that was all he heard. 

“I made mistakes-”

“Mistakes?!”

“I made terrible choices” he corrected. “Awful ones. But you and I both know that I have always wanted and will always want you”. Those words seem to catch you off guard, which he assumed because you didn't push him away when his hands found their way to your hips. 

His face inched closer and closer to yours until your lips just barely brushed against each other. Unbeknownst to the both of you, your hearts beat as one in that moment. Both hearts erratic but somehow managing to be erratic together. 

“I want you desperately. And I know you want me…”. 

The remaining bit of space was broken and your lips finally met. Your lips responded to each other immediately and your arms wrapped around his neck. Finally… after so long you both were able to taste each other again. 

Reality came crashing down faster than he wanted it to. 

You shoved him away, making him stumble. You breathed heavily and wiped at your lips. “Won't change what happened” he said to your displeasure. 

“You are selfish” you spoke through gritted teeth. “You are an asshole” you shoved him again. “And a liar” another shove. 

Each insult you gave was followed by shove, and instead of feeling insulted, he felt something else. 

Desire. 

That desire is what led to him grabbing you, switching your positions and pushing you onto the table where no candles were. 

Your expression was full of shock, but not disgust or fear. Good. He never wanted to frighten you. What frightened him a little bit though, was his growing erection. Something that made no sense since all you had done recently was insult him. Gods, he was way more desperate than he realized. 

“Get all your insults out” he said as his thumb traced your lower lip, “tell me how much you hate me”. 

A request you had no problem fulfilling. 

“You are a vile man. Seducing a married woman in a Sept. Is there a line you're not willing to cross?”. 

There it was. Just like that. 

He began leaving open mouth kisses down your neck, eagerly awaiting what you'd say next. 

“You are a defiler full of sin”

“I am, aren't I?”. He held you in place as he bit and sucked at a particular spot on your neck, and a small smirk formed on his face when he heard you moan in response. “It seems you enjoy my sins” he taunted. 

“I hate you. No. I despise you. Even that word can't describe how I feel for you”. 

Gwayne untied your dress strap and unbuttoned the buttons in the front, allowing him to free your breasts. 

“I loathe you”. 

“I'm sure” his words dripped in sarcasm. Loathe him yet you allow him to undress you. Loathe him, yet you allowed him to fondle your breasts, then lick and suck at one of your nipples. That's how your little game continued. You'd throw insults at him in between your gasps, and he'd lick and suck harder at each breast, showing them both proper attention. His erection pressed against his trousers, it becoming almost painful. 

You lifted your leg up in response to him twisting your nipple, and your knee brushed right against his erection. He moaned around your breast before he even realized what had happened. His own eagerness being exposed only dawned on him when he felt your palm fully press against him. 

Your other hand pulled his head back by his hair, causing a sharp but welcomed pain to burn at his roots. “I always knew you were pathetic Gwayne, but this?”, a soft breath slipped past his lips when you pressed harder against him. “You like when I insult you?”. He nodded. No point in lying. Still though, he didn't just wanna hand you all the power in your game. 

He hiked the bottom of your dress up and kept eye contact with you as his fingers pushed your undergarments to the side and made contact with your soaked cunt for the first time tonight. He watched you try to keep a stone face, but you couldn't hide the sharp inhale you did. “Seems like you've enjoyed our little game too. What does that say about you?”. 

“What does it say about you that you like being called pathetic?”. 

Gwayne chuckled. He looked you over, watching as you tried not to react to his fingers sliding in between your folds. “You're marvelous…” he said almost as if in a dream. 

You yanked on his hair again and pushed his trousers down, freeing his erection. “Is this when I say you're disgusting?” You taunted. Your hand wrapped around him and shamefully he almost came from that minor touch alone. 

“If it pleases you”. 

His middle and ring finger slowly but surely made their way inside you, all while he whispered praises in your ear. 

“You're so pretty like this”

“You're taking my fingers so well”

“Open up for me. Just like that. Good girl”. 

Your head fell on his shoulder and his fell on yours. The Sept filled with both of your noises as you both continued to pleasure each other with your hands. It was clear that that wouldn't be enough. The question was just who would bend first. 

“I've got you” he whispered before placing a gentle kiss under your ear. You lifted your head off his shoulder to meet his eyes, and while there was still lust behind them, there was clearly something more. 

Longing. 

“Do you really?” You asked. 

He answered at once, “yes. I swear to you on all the gods in every religion that I'm never leaving you again”. 

You swiped at his hands and pulled him closer to you until his tip was lined up with your entrance. “And what about my husband?”. 

Damn your husband. He'd cause an “accident” to happen if he had to. He wouldn't let a man like him keep him away from the one person who truly wanted in this whole world. “I will deal with your husband and I swear you will never be able to get rid of me. Do you believe me?”. 

He asked his question as he began to push inside you. Your answer got stuck in your throat, so instead you nodded in response. Your nod wasn't enough for him, but he'd address that later. For now, he kept whispering encouraging words to you to soothe the stretching he knew you'd feel. He kept telling you that he had you, that you were okay, that you were safe with him and always would be. 

When you finally seemed adjusted, he spoke again. “Do you believe me?”. You nodded. “Out loud”. 

“I believe you”. 

That was all he needed hear. Once he got confirmation, his lips found yours and he moved inside you. Was this an all around terrible idea? Absolutely. Was there a chance of getting caught? Yes. But neither of you could care less about that. How could that possibly be at the forefront of your minds when you were finally feeling each other in the way you both craved?

You both enjoyed each other, ultimately hitting your peaks while you were still connected, mouths swallowing each sound the other made, and foreheads pressed against each other so you could catch your breath. 

His hands cupped your face and he pressed a softer kiss to your lips. Of course there was still that sexual desire there, but he wanted more than to just fuck and be rid of you. He wanted to hold you forever. He wanted to tell you about his tales of knighthood over dinner, and hold your hand as you went on walks in the garden. 

“I swear-”

“I believe you”. 

You believed him. That was all he needed. 

For you to believe him and for you to give him another chance.

Bitch I hate this shit but I haven’t posted in awhile soooooo here we are😭😭. Also the way I forgot about that necklace-

[silent-stories]

𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐔𝐈𝐋𝐃 𝐀 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘 - 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐍𝐄

Pairing: Noah Sebastian x reader

Summary: When Noah was left alone to take care of his daughter about two years ago, he never thought he would find someone else he would trust enough to include in his little family. But things can change.

Tw: parent abandoning their child, fluff, angst

Series masterlist

The afternoon sun filtered through the living room window and cast a swath of gold over Noah's house. You were sitting crossed-legged on the couch, watching Luna play silently, her small hands precisely set her favorite toys in a small, neat row, where Mr. Flop, her favorite bunny, had proudly taken the central point, guiding whatever game was in her head.

You smiled at her concentration, something warm blooming in your chest.

She was a perfect blend of Noah's features, a mirror image of him in her own way. She had his warm, deep brown eyes with his same subtle almond shape, dark hair, with a way chubbier face.

Noah leaned against the counter in the kitchen, drinking a cup of coffee. Some brown locks fell over his eyes as they darted between you and his daughter in quiet contemplation and hesitation.

You could tell something was on his mind. It had been incredible between you and Noah in the past few months, but there was one part of his life he'd held carefully at arm's length: Luna.

That wasn't because he didn't trust you, you knew that. It was deeper than that, more complicated. He was protective of her in a way hard to explain unless you knew the full story, which he had only recently begun sharing with you.

It had been late one night, just the two of you curled up on his couch after Luna had gone to bed, when Noah first opened up about the relationship with his ex. In the beginning, it had been passionate-whirlwind-type love, felt like the kind that could move mountains.

But once Luna was born, everything shifted. She was never ready for the reality of being a mother, and slowly but surely, it dawned on him that with each passing day, she actually resented it. Noah tried to understand her, tried to support her in whatever way he could, but nothing seemed to help. The more he tried, the more she pulled away.

One night, Noah had come home to an empty house. No note, no explanation, just Luna, not even a year old yet, lying in her crib, and complete silence in every room. His ex was gone, had walked out on both of them, and though Noah tried to reach out, tried to get her to come back, she never did.

From that moment on, he'd vowed to protect Luna from anything or anyone that might hurt her. Or perhaps that was his way to protect himself, too.

You both were up late, the only sound in his living room coming from a small lamp in the corner of the room, its dim light.

Noah was sitting next to you on the couch, his back hunched and his elbows to his knees as he stared into the floor for thought collection. You knew he had been carrying something heavy in his head for quite some time.

"I never thought that I'd ever be a single parent," he said gruffly, as though the words hurt him to utter. "But then again, after what happened …I don't really see my life in any other way anymore. She is everything to me."

He stopped, rubbing a hand over his face, and in those eyes you could almost see his tiredness, not physical, but an emotional toll, when one carries so much on his shoulders alone. You said nothing, just let him work through the words at his own pace. You could feel his vulnerability hang between you like some fragile thing he was just willing to show you.

"I didn't have time to process what happened," Noah whispered. "One day I'm in this relationship and we're trying to make it work for Luna, and the next… she's gone. Just like that. I came home and she'd left. No explanation. No good-bye."

Your heart ached with the pain in his tone, even now raw with emotion.

“I didn’t know what the hell I was doing,”, he admitted, shaking his head. Just like that, it was him and Luna against the world.

"I was fucking terrified" he said, the corner of his lip curling up in a self-deprecating smile. "I had to figure out how to be a dad by myself, how to balance that with the band, how to be there for her when I was barely holding it together myself."

He glanced up at you then, his eyes warm with appreciation and a little fear. "She's the reason I'm so careful, you know? With relationships, with people in general. I don't ever want to bring someone into her life unless I am really sure."

He paused, his throat swallowing hard as his eyes drop once again to the floor. You could tell there was more he wanted to say, but it was hard for him to speak.

"I'm scared that…," he started, then had to force himself to continue, his voice faltering. "I'm scared that you're mad at me. Or disappointed, maybe. That I'm taking things too slow with you. That I haven't fully… let you in yet. It's not because I don't care about you, because I do. A lot. It's just—"

"Noah," you said softly, leaning in closer to him. "I'm not mad. I'm not disappointed. I get it, why you want to be careful. It's okay."

His eyes finally met yours, surprise flickering in them. He had been so consumed by his fear of messing things up that it hadn't occurred to him you might actually understand where he was coming from.

"You've been through much," you went on, your voice soft but clear. "And I get why you'd want to protect Luna. I'd be more concerned if you were being anything less than careful, honestly. It says how much you love her, and how much you want to do right by her. And I respect that, Noah. I'm not going anywhere."

He blinked, like he was trying to absorb what you were saying, his shoulders loosening as your words soaked in. You reached for his hand, threading your fingers through his. His hand closed around yours, clasping at it like he was holding onto something solid for the first time in a long while.

"I can wait," you said with an even voice. "You need more time, I'm waiting. I do care for you, for both of you. And I don't want to make anything if you are not ready yet. What matters to me is that we're moving forward, even if it's slow."

Noah's breath slightly caught, emotion swelling up in his eyes as he continued to carry that weight for such a long time, terrified that by taking things slow, he was pushing you away, when all you wanted was to meet him where he was.

"I don't know how to do that," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I've been so scared of screwing this up, of screwing us up. But you… you've just been there."

You smiled softly and squeezed his hand. "You've been hurt, Noah. And it takes time to heal from that. I'm not here to hurry you or push you into something that you're not ready for. I am here because I care about you. And I care about Luna. I want you only to know that I'm in this for the long haul whenever you're ready."

He breathed shakily, his forehead leaning forward to rest against yours while his hand remained tightly wrapped around yours. You could feel the tension start to seep from him, replaced by a silent sort of relief that he didn't have to bear the burden of his fears alone anymore.

"Thank you." he whispered, his voice full of gratitude. "For understanding. For being… you."

You pressed a soft kiss to the corner of his lips, silently communicating that he had nothing to thank you for, that this was where you wished to be.

You saw Noah in all his completeness: a good father, a man who had been wounded but kept trying, learning how to trust once more. You were more than ready to wait for him to fully open up that part of his heart.

You sat in that silence, the weight of the past there still, yet lighter now. You knew Noah still had a really long way to go before letting go of all the pain he had been carrying with him, but you knew he was on his way. You would be here every step of the way, to build something real, something lasting, with him and with Luna.

Now, months after you and Noah had started dating, you were sitting in the middle of that guarded space he had created around her.

Now you knew why he was being so careful, why he had not pushed for more interaction between you and Luna.

She meant the world to him, and after all she had been through, he would never risk anything that could disrupt her life. But still, you waited. You had cared for Noah, and by that extension already cared for Luna, too. So you gave him the time he needed to let you in.

Today, though, there was something different in the air, something to let you know Noah was about to take a step forward.

"Hey," Noah finally said, breaking the comfortable silence that had overcome the room. He set his coffee cup down and rubbed the back of his neck, a nervous quirk you'd come to know well. "Can I ask you a favor?"

You raised an eyebrow. "Of course. What's up?"

He turned to Luna, still deep in her toys, and back to you again. He paused a beat, you basically saw the cogs turning as he picked his words with all care.

"The band's got a thing later today, just some planning stuff for the new album. I was supposed to go meet the guys, but…" He trailed off, gesturing toward Luna with a helpless look. "Usually, I ask one of them, but they are all busy today."

You chuckled softly at that, imagining Luna in the hands of Noah’s bandmates. As much as they loved her, you knew they weren’t exactly all equipped for child care even if you were sure they all deeply cared about her.

"So… you want me to stay with her?"

Noah nodded, his expression softening as he met your gaze. "Yeah. If you're okay with it. I mean, I know it's last minute and I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important, but—"

"Noah," you interrupted softly, standing up and walking over to him. You reached out, resting your hand on his arm. "It's okay. I'd love to stay with her."

He exhaled, the relief washing over his features, but there was still that damned hesitation in his eyes. You knew how big of a deal this was for him, trusting someone with Luna, especially after everything he'd been through.

"Are you sure?" he asked more quietly now. "I mean, she's really shy, with most people and with you too, and I don't want any of you to feel uncomfortable."

You smiled, leaning up to press a kiss against his cheek. "I'll be fine. We'll be fine. She just needs time, that's all. And I think she got her shyness from her dad."

Noah closed his eyes for a second, his head slightly leaned into your touch before pressing a gentle kiss against your forehead. When he pulled back, his eyes were different, warm and a deep well of silent appreciation.

"Thank you," he whispered. "This… this means so much."

Now, you were sitting on the floor, after Noah had gone off to his band meeting. At first, Luna had been quiet, keeping to herself to play with her toys, but bit by bit, she'd started to warm up toward you, like you'd wanted.

You leaned forward for Mr. Flop, the stuffed bunny, and held him out to her with a playing grin. "You think Mr. Flop needs some tea?"

Luna's eyes sparkled, a shy smile overspreading her face as she nodded vigorously. "Yes! He is very thirsty."

You laughed softly, watching her scurry over to her tiny plastic tea set. She first poured an imaginary cup of tea for Mr. Flop and then one for you. As she handed you the pretend tea, your heart swelled with affection for this little girl who was letting you into her world slowly, piece by piece.

"Thanks, Luna," he said, making a big show of taking a sip. "This is the best tea I've ever had."

She giggled, her cheeks blushing with pride. For several moments, the two of you played in comfortable silence, with her showing you through the rules of the tea party.

"You think Mr. Flop would like to go on an adventure?" you asked after some time, breaking the silence as Luna finished pouring more imaginary tea.

With eyes aglow with excitement, she said, "Yes! He loves adventures!"

"Okay, where shall we go?" you asked, leaning in conspiratorially.

Luna tapped her chin, and then a huge grin spread over her face. "The jungle! I love jungle! Dad loves jungle too! We have to find the lost treasure!"

You gasped melodramatically. "The jungle? Wait. Noah made you listen...nevermind. That does sound dangerous! You think we can make it?"

She laughed again, her head bobbing up and down quickly. "We can do it! Mr. Flop is very brave."

And then you both launched into your make-believe jungle adventure. The shyness had left Luna by now, replaced by a bubbly, fearless energy that took your heart soaring.

The front door creaked open a couple of hours later when Noah returned home, but you didn't notice him first, too caught up in the game with Luna sitting next to you on the floor.

Noah stood in the doorway, watching the both of you, and his heart swelled in his chest. He had always known you were special, knew from the moment he met you that there was something different about you, but seeing you now, playing with Luna, made him feel something he hadn't felt in years.

Love, not just for you, but for the idea of you becoming a part of him and Luna's lives in a deeper way.

When you finally saw him standing there, you smiled. "Hey, you're back!" you said. Noah nodded, stepping closer, his eyes soft. "Yeah, I'm back."

Luna ran to him and wrapped her arms around his legs as he scooped her up, holding her close to his chest for a moment before turning back to you. "You two seemed to have fun."

Noah had Luna in his arms, babbly excitedly about some "jungle adventure" and lost treasure. He listened intently, though his eyes never left you. There was something there in his gaze, something so raw and deep, that made your heart go racing. It wasn't the usual softness, the usual affection, it was heavier, like something nestled between you when nothing was said.

"We did," you said, smiling at Luna as she continued her excited recount of the day. "We found the lost treasure, and Mr. Flop was the hero of the day."

Luna giggled, snuggling into Noah's chest as she added her own details. "We were very brave, Daddy! Mr. Flop was so good at being quiet, and we didn't get eaten!"

Noah chuckled, brushing a hand through her hair as he kissed her forehead. "Sounds like you had quite the adventure."

"Yes! We had a lot of fun. And your friend is amazing. I want to play with her again. I think she is my friend too now."

Noah smiled, his brown eyes full of affection for the both of you. "I'm glad you made a new friend. We'll ask her again, okay?"

Luna nodded, her eyelids drooping as the excitement of the day finally started to catch up with her and she rested her head against the soft fabric of his dad's hoodie. Noah glanced at you over her head, a soft smile tugging at his lips once again.

"Would you like to help me get her ready for bed?" he whispered, and with Luna nuzzling her head into the crook of his shoulder, half-asleep.

You nodded, and your heart fluttered with the thought. This felt like some sort of minor but meaningful step in being included in the nighttime routine, part of something as personal and intimate as this.

All three went into Luna's room together. It was not a big room, but it was cozy with soft toys, bookshelves, and a little carpet that glittered from strings of tiny fairy lights.

Noah was soon to gently lay Luna down into her bed, and you sat down beside him, watching as he tucked her in, his hands moving with the sort of practiced ease that came from more than two years of being a single parent. You leaned over, setting Mr. Flop down beside Luna, who smiled sleepily as she cuddled the bunny close.

Noah leaned over her, placing a gentle kiss against her forehead with tenderness that would ache your chest. "Goodnight, sweetheart," he whispered into her hair. "I'll be right outside if you need me."

"Goodnight, daddy," she muttered the tone in her voice drowsy. Then her tiny eyes flickered open just enough to glance at you. "Goodnight Y/N."

You smiled warmly, your heart swelling in the simplest of words. "Goodnight, Luna."

After several minutes of quiet whispers and soothing reassurances, she fell asleep, her breathing evening into the quiet rhythm of her sleep. Noah leaned forward and pressed another soft kiss to her forehead before he eased himself up, motioning you to follow him from the room.

As the door is shut quietly behind you, he let out a very, very long breath, running his hand through his hair, leaning against the wall.

"Thanks," he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. "For sticking with her. For being so… incredible with her."

You shrugged. "She's a pretty amazing kid. It wasn't hard."

Noah turned fully toward you now, his eyes searching yours with a sort of intensity that hitched your breath. His hand rose and delicately swept a strand of hair back behind your ear, where it lingered on the side of your face. His thumb tracing the line of your jaw sent you leaning into his touch, your heart beating with each passed second a little faster.

"I never knew whether I would find anybody that could fit in this part of my life," he whispered, his voice not a decibel over a whisper. "With Luna, after what happened… I felt I needed to keep her world small, you know? Keep it safe. I didn't want to bring someone in that might hurt her."

His eyes welled with that same vulnerability you had seen before, and you knew how hard this was for him, to open up, to let you into this part of his life he had guarded so much.

"You don't have to worry about that," you said softly, laying your hand over his. "I would never hurt her. Or you."

Noe's thumb stroked over your cheek, his eyes sealing to yours in an tight seriousness, as if you were the only person existing. "I know. That's why I love you."

The words hung between you and him, heavy with tension. You couldn't breathe for a second, heart pounding in your chest as you tried processing what he just said. He loved you.

You hadn't expected it, not so soon, not in that moment, but the way he looked at you, the way he had been with Luna, it made sense. It wasn't just the two of them anymore; it was all three, the small family that had formed.

A soft smile overspreads your face as you looked up at him, your hand clenching a little tighter around his. "I love you too, Noah."

The relief in his expression was genuine, and for him at least, it was as though the weight had finally been pulled off his shoulders. He pulled you into his arms, and you wrapped yours around him, holding close as he buried his face in your hair, breathing you in like he couldn’t believe you were real.

And for a long time, neither of them said anything. They only stood there with each other, wrapped in their own warmth, and the silence just told it all.

Then Noah leaned back, just a little, just enough to look down at you. And then his eyes were deeper and surer.

"I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't met you," he whispered huskily. "I don't think I even knew how much I needed someone like you, not just for me but for Luna, too."

You reached up and brushed a thumb over his cheek. "You're an amazing dad, Noah. You've done everything right for her. But you don't have to do it alone anymore."

He closed his eyes, like almost to let your words sink in. Opening them a second later, there was something soft, something vulnerable, that made you want to pull him closer still.

"I don't want to do it alone anymore," he whispered with his forehead against yours. "I want this. Us. You and me, and Luna. I want a family."

Tears pricked at the corners of your eyes as you nodded, your voice barely louder than a whisper. "Me too."

Noah's arms tugged closer, his lips finding yours in a gentle unhurried kiss that felt almost like a vow, like a start, the type of kiss that spoke of love, of trust, of a future that finally was starting to feel real.

He drew back and his eyes shone bright now with a happiness in them that hadn't been there before. He reached down, took your hand in his, and guided you back onto the couch. You sat together in the quiet glow of the livingroom.

You knew you would have one of those movie nights where you definitely fall asleep in his arms on the couch.

Noah for once in a long while felt something he hadn't dared to believe in, peace. Peace in knowing that he didn't have to protect himself and Luna anymore. Peace in knowing he was finally able to let you in, fully without any fear.

You sat there, his arm around you, knowing this was only the beginning of something beautiful: a life no more his or yours, but one which both of you had started building together.

hello friends in my phone! would you like more parts of this? (｡◕‿◕｡)

Tags: @anything-more-than-human @ladyveronikawrites @iloveyoutodeathbutimdrowning @collisionofyourkissmakesitsohard @fadingangelwisp @xmads-omensx @iwasntstable @thisbicc @pathion @mathfairchild1 @flowery-mess @into-the-grey @lma1986 @tosoundlessdarkistare @stardustsirenmelody @thewrstinme

TBAF Tags: @aubrey-melinoe

[tan1shere]

Promotion

Ellie williams x female reader !

A/n: yes I'm awful, I needa stick to one story at a time BUT I couldn't resist when I heard this song like I needed to write something to it - enjoy 😝

Update! I had a dream last night and it was of Ellie and, let's just say it was 😋 so it got me even MORE inspired 😌

Summary: where you're a teasing menace as you're out with your girlfriend for the night - at a small party for her big fancy work, little did you know she knew how to shut you right up.

Warnings: smut 😈 durh. Mdni. Soft dom Ellie, sub - slightly bratty reader ! Narcissistic men !!!! (Theres only one) breeding kink ?! Cute n fluffy at the end 🤗

Masterlist

There was no doubt on how much you liked to tease Ellie, it was entertaining to say the least. She enjoyed it, watching what you'd do next. Until she didn't. It was times like these when she was incredibly pent up and she had no patience for your antics. Ellie never got angry at you tho, whenever this happened usually she'd give you a very specific taunting look. It would shut you up instantly, remembering on how she'd have you if you didn't. Not today. You didn't really care, you wanted to have fun and teasing was your playground. You were good at it. Too good, for Ellies liking. Maybe that's why she eventually resented it so much, the way you got to her so easily. Or the fact she felt so not in control at how you could get her.

You enjoyed the punishment tho, it was thrilling. Ellie worked at a huge company, she was like the big boss there. So you'd be forever dragged to these fancy parties/dinners. It was lovely, you always loved them so much. But you felt like being a menace tonight. Maybe because Ellie had been away so much recently, you know it's her job. Bur it still pissed you off deeply. The owner of the company was a dickhead and he made her work overtime. Ellie being Ellie she never said anything like you had suggested. She needed a break, a well needed one. She said it was fine, and she constantly responded with that.

So after a long day with your job all you wanted to do was rest. And you were just about to do that- "Get dressed." You see her coming into your room dropping her bag. "Well hi to you too-" "Hi my love, we've got an important dinner to get to." She states, beginning to get dressed into her usual attire, for these things. "These are like every other night Ellie why can't Ian-" Her head whips around to face you. "There's no arguing with him. These are a must baby, and you know how I like to bring you along." You nod. "Fine." It was cold, making Ellie look at you still. "What's crawled up your ass." You get up, going to get into a nice black dress. "Your stupid boss. The fuckwit owner." She sighs. "Y/n-" "Ellie." Her eyes roll at you. "Why do you get like this huh? You want my attention or something." Your shoulders shrug.

"Maybe, or maybe I'm just tired." She lets out a chuckle. "That's the biggest lie love." You stare at her blankly. "Whatever helps you sleep at night." Her eyebrow raises, really not taking any notice of your little mood. The closet door opens, as she grabs a black dress for you and puts it on the bed. "And what if I want to keep wearing my sweats?" You question. She keeps her gaze on you. "Baby, come on. Please?" When you don't say anything she sits down on the bed. "Do you genuinely not want to go?" She asks, looking in your eyes. You're still silent as she waits for a reply. Honestly you didn't really care one way or the other, your day was messy and you just wanted to be more messy, by fucking with her. It truly could be thrilling. So maybe that'll make you feel better... Sooo much better.

She still awaits for your words. But you're silent, having a slight smile on your face. She lets out a huff and pinches her upper nose. "Got it, you're just being a brat." Your eyes roll as you go to get up. "You're annoying, let me have my fun." She laughs a bit. "Not when you get out of control." Her attention is on you, especially when she hears you scoff. "You've become a real party pooper in your old age." You joke, making you both let out a small laugh.

Once you arrive at the venue you spot Ellie's narcissistic boss. You honestly didn't have the energy for him, he was a pig. He treated you like some idiot when in reality you were incredibly smart. And so was Ellie so it'd shock you when you'd hear how he treats her. She was so blind to it but you sure weren't. It boiled your blood just because Els always dressed a more masculine way, including her mannerisms. Didn't mean she was a guy. This man just liked to test you in any way, and it's like he knew exactly what he was doing. But you never faked your dislike towards him. Never once were you fake.

"Ahh, Ms Y/n. Lovely to see you again." His hand goes out for you to shake but you ignore it. "Mmm, wish I could say the same." Ellie nudged you to be polite, but he just pissed you off. "Feisty like usual I see." He smirks slightly in Ellie's direction. "Might have to keep this one on a leash." He laughs. Although for the first time Ellie did not find that amusing. Was she seeing his dickwad side? "Excuse me?" He ends the laugh still smiling. "You know what I mean, come on there's some people I'd like for you to meet." He states dragging her along.

You were still fuming at his comment, who on earth does he think he is just because he's some big boss. You were currently over at the bar just ordering some drinks. Fantasizing about throwing it in his face unexpectedly and hoping his eyes are open so it'd burn- "Hey, sorry about that." You suddenly hear Ellies voice, bringing you out of your thoughts. She sighs. "I'm sorry about what he said." You shrug. "Don't be baby, he should be cuz if he says one more disgusting thing-" She grabs your shoulders. "I'll finally say something." You smirk a little. "Yeah?" She nods. Her hands go to move down to your waist. "Yeah." She finishes. Yours move to her shoulders. "It's about time I do. I've realized how horrible he can be towards you." You wait for her to finish. "Anddd? He's putrid to you too baby." But she gives you a look like she knows already. "What?" You say. "Do you think I'm blind?" Her laugh was then heard, it made you a tad confused.

"Oh babe, I know. But it's fine. I never let it bother me cuz I know who I am. And I'll never be what he thinks I am, and if that's the case then I'm gone." You then smirk again at her words. "You're hot like this." Her eyes move to your lips for a second. "Yeah? If anything you're hotter. I honestly enjoy when you're bitchy to him." Your smirk grows massively. "Well, before you came over here I was imagining what it'd be like to throw a drink in his face, preferably when his eyes are open. Hopefully making it burn those horrid brown orbs." Her own smirk appears. "Damn, your evil." You laugh a tiny bit. "Not as much as him." "True."

As the night went on you started getting bored, you were slumped in one of the sofas in the building. It was quite comfortable actually. When Ian comes over to you. "Where's williams?" He asks as he sits down next to you. God you couldn't get a break. "Shes using the restroom." Your tone was dry. "Your very cold to me darling." You thought you could puke right then and there all over his face. "Just how I am." Your shoulders shrug, finally looking at his face. "Theres no need to be, we're all friends here no?" All you wanted to do was tell him what an idiot he was but you keep your cool for Ellies sake.

Until you didn't. "Williams is incredibly good at her job, working while you're at home. I'm surprised you two don't have any kids yet." You were biting your tongue, teeth digging into the flesh. "Think she should knock you up." And that was your breaking point. Your pointy heel goes right onto his foot, hard. His eyes almost bulge. "Don't you ever, speak like that about her again. You can say all the nasty things you want about me. But don't even think about uttering such filth. I don't give two damns if you're her boss, you need to start treating her like the woman she is. And if not it won't be so pretty for you. Capish?" You could tell the sharpness of your shoe was affecting him, as he couldn't get any words out. Until you removed it. "Yes ofcourse my apologies."

He spoke professionally,which you weren't really buying. But Ellie soon came back over. "Ah, williams. Just wanted to let you know you have a big meeting with those people on Friday." She looked so happy. "Are you serious?" He nods. "Wow thank you." His eyes look over to you, when you just give him a stern look. "Uhm, and since that's a big achievement I've decided to increase your pay. You deserve it." He smiles softly, beginning to walk away. She beams at you. "I cant believe it." It made you truly happy inside. Smiling at her smile. "I'm so proud of you baby." "I've been trying to get them to do it with me for months this is so cool." Your lips meet hers in a sweet kiss. After her small freak out, she looks at you. "He seemed a little different though, What'd you say to him." You shrug. "Nothing much, only that you're amazing and you needed to be treated like that."

Her lips curve in a small smirk. "He pushed your buttons didn't he." You smile triumphantly. "He's a bit of a pussy if you ask me." Those lips now crash onto your own. "God you're sexy, thank you baby." You smile at her. "You're sexier." She rises to her feet. "Home?" "Speaking my language."

The smell of alcohol, the taste. It was lingering in the kiss you soon shared with Ellie when you immediately got home. "You're so hot.." She blabs, moving her lips to your neck to immediately suck. "Am I?" Feeling her hands hold your waist, your chest rises and falls, a bit out of breath. "Incredibly." A slight moan escapes your lips, the first and certainly not the last for the night. She needed you. You needed her. But that once bratty self, creeps up again. You wanted that fun. "Take this off." Fingertips tug at the hem of your dress. "Mh-mh." Her lips stop on your neck. "Don't start with me.." She breathes against your skin. This makes your smirk appear again. But bigger. "Naww, but it's just sooo. Fun." She groans. Deep down she loved the way you did this but it also frustrated her deeply.

"Do it for me." You state but she had no patience. Those hands move to grab your thighs and roughly lift you up, taking you into your shared room. "Oh you want me to do it for you huh?" She places you flat on the floor. When your eyes widen, hearing the dress rip. Right down the middle. You look down at it shredded on the floor, quickly looking back up at her. She backs you up making you sit on the bed. "Now you're quiet." It was true, you honestly didn't know what to say. "Wh-you just tore it apart-" Her face comes closer to yours, her hands resting on the bed making you lean back a bit. "I just got a raise mama." Her lips go to your ear. "I can buy more." Shivers ran down your spine at the way she said 'more' making you cross your leg over the other.

But her hands were quick to pull them apart instantly, making your balance go, sending you back against the sheets. Her eyes roam your body, your tits on display. She eyed you like you were diamonds. Expensive. Her lips come in contact with your soft skin, making your head rest in the white duvet. Another moan fell from your lips. Increasing her ego more and more as you slowly go into subspace. You finally let your head go from the full on day you had. "There you go baby. Atta girl." She sucked your nipples with such need. Her hands move to your underwear, slowly pulling them off. "Tell me.. what did he say to anger you." She starts, before you feel two of her fingers fill you.

Your mouth hung open at the feeling. "Mmngh.. w-well. He stated the fact, fuck!" Your walls felt full as another finger slipped in. "He what? Sorry, couldn't catch that my girl." She earns a small whimper from you as you couldn't form any words let alone think. "Baby.." you sigh out. "Go on, tell me what he said." Her voice was so soft. Like velvet. She was taunting, everything in her tone. And it was sending you overboard. Your eyes shut wanting her to speed up. "He- mentioned how we don't h-have children." She hums, her pace increasing again. "A- fuckfuck." Your head was thrown back. In pure pleasure. "And said that you should knock me up- Ellie!" You scream out.

Feeling her tongue suddenly lapping at your cunt. It was all happening at a fast speed, making your thoughts go to mush. "P-please." She laughs a wee bit. "You secretly liked the thought though didn't you baby." You honestly did, but it always made you sad that you couldn't have an exact mini you and Ellie. So maybe that also got you mad when he mentioned it. "He was being mean Els-" "you want me to fill you with my children?" Her hot mouth was now right above yours, you tried to go to kiss her but she wanted an answer. Her thumb moving on your clit to try get you to talk. "Y-yes!" Ellie always tried to make the best out of everything. She knew you'd love to be a mother, it hurt her too. Cuz in all honesty, she wish you two could be parents the way she would like.

So instead of making the situation sad she'd turn it around. "Gunna do just that mama." Her hands reach for her pants grabbing out the plastic dick. You sit up on your elbows. "You had that on the whole night?" She shrugs. "Didn't know if you were going to behave or not." Your eyes roll. "You're a freak." That fed her ego entirely. "It turns you on don't even." "Says wh-" But you're cut off, a huge pornographic moan escaping you. "Well by the sounds of it, you." Her smirk might as well be tattooed onto her face, growing at your noises. "Els, fuck-" Her lips meet yours in the most hungry kiss you could think of. Making your head spin. Her tongue slips past your swollen lips, grinding faster into you. It's like she needed this too. To get you there, making all these pretty noises and because of her. No one else was doing this. It was her. "Imagine when you're walking around all filled with mini me's and you's. All my doing." She speaks, trying to get you closer.

"P-please Ellie." Her thrusts were deeper. "I'll have you leaking with them in no time." Your moans were all that could be heard, alongside Ellies pants. Everything about this was messy, the good messy. "I-im so close, please." She waits a second before speaking again, moving her lips to your jaw, your cheek. Settling near your ear. "Say it." She whispers, her voice smooth like butter. "N-need your babies." Her movements were rapid. "Hmm?" "Fuck! Please Ellie need to be so full of them!" Her pace never faltered. "Yeah? Want to be a mama?" You nod. "Do you baby?" With one last thrust of her hips you're screaming out her name. "Yes! Please make me one!"

Your heads spinning as you ride out your high, she lets you overcome your orgasm, coming down to kiss your face so delicately. Everything was silent. The comforting kind. She cuddles into you. "I do want one.." you tried not to let it get to you. But it sometimes did. "Shhh what're you talking about you're like probably pregnant right now as we speak." She closes her eyes. Resting her head in your hair. You let out a small laugh at her words. "I'm serious Els." When she said these few words. "I've already been looking for a doner sweet girl." And you thought you fell in love with her all over again.

[mrinafria]

And I’d choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality, I’d find you and I’d choose you. (CoS)

[contains spoilers; tw: blood]

When they ask me about the purest love story out there, I'd show them these two.

It's not the sacrifice per se that makes it great for me, it's the way they feel about each other, about the love they give and receive. Even in their last/worst moments, they somehow find the courage because the other one is safe? Im Sol is scared out of her mind handling this traumatic ordeal on her own so she seeks help from the detectives. Her only peace of mind is that at least Seon Jae is safe. Then she learns about his phone call and doesn't spare a second to run. The same girl who was so scared a while back throws all caution out of the window the moment Seon Jae is in danger, because she'd risk her life than Seon Jae's. Can you imagine the trauma seeing him dying for the third time, and her actually witnessing it this time around? If I were Im Sol, I would do anything to not have to go through that too. Even if it meant losing the person so they were never my person to begin with.

And Seon Jae. Boy is dying. Dying. You can see it in his eyes that he's aware of it too and yet, he is so grateful? So at peace with himself and with life? Like he has no regrets about any unfinished business, unlived years, unattained dreams, unspoken words to his loved ones. He already told Im Sol he loved her, and she reciprocated. That was enough. For him, that was good enough.

I go back to this scene like a masochist because THE DETAILS. By the time Im Sol arrives, you know Seon Jae is beyond saving. He knows it too. He's not even trying to escape or save himself. It looks like he's been holding on on his own for a while. His face has turned ashen, breathing uneven, hands slightly shaking. He's barely holding it together. Barely there.

However, he is not trying to push that guy away or take that knife out.

Instead, he's holding that guy's hand.

Let that sink in for a moment.

He is holding on to that hand. JUST SO HE CAN HOLD ON TO THE GUY.

Since the taxi driver is at an advantage here, and Seon Jae knows he cannot fight back anymore, so he is using whatever he can as a last resort to keep the guy occupied with him, and keep him from going after Im Sol. Seon Jae could perhaps guess Im Sol would arrive any time since the cliff was where he'd found her earlier, sitting in shock. But even if she didn't make it, you can bet he'd have spent his last breaths trying to fall off the cliff taking the guy down with him. THIS SCENE. The resolution is so clearly etched on his face.

And then he sees her. And the detectives. She is safe. She is saved. He did it. He saved her. And it's the Im Sol who knows him, who recognizes him, who loves him. She is safe, and that's all that matters. He saved the person he loves more than his life, literally.

His job is done. The choice he made gave him the outcome he wanted and desperately fought for.

And he is exhausted. All that resolve took a lot out of him. So we see his body finally giving up, him finally letting go. He resigns to his fate, but also not in a resentful way. He knew this was his fate all along (because no matter what choice Im Sol made, he'd choose to run toward her any day), it just happened earlier than expected. But he knew it, and he still made that choice. He doesn't regret it because he'd be making the same choice in every timeline (as he has been). He is able to see his Im Sol for one last time before his eyes close, with memories of their time together and Im Sol's voice echoing in his ears, his soul.

Sometimes you know the consequences, but make the same choice anyway. Because you like it.

The faint smile on his face in his final moments before he falls off the cliff? You'd think the boy won a gold medal for swimming or something. It's like he's achieved the biggest purpose there was in his life besides loving Im Sol. True to his words, he is grateful Im Sol exists in the world. That he got the chance to love her because she exists in this world. And he is thankful he gets to leave the world knowing Im Sol still exists in the world, his gift from the heavens.

One is jumping through space and time, living the same nightmare, constantly, over and over again, and yet going out of her way to save her love. Even if it means carrying the trauma and heartbreak and pain and loneliness and longing of three, four, multiple timelines, for the same guy. The other is making the choice to love her through all the storm, all the warnings, all the odds of time and space and fate stacked against him. How could you be so brave when fate is both so very kind and yet so extremely cruel to you no matter what you do? How do you choose to persevere? How do you get to have a love so pure?

Should I be ready to die if I want to be with you? - Ryu Seon Jae

[fluffyneondinosaur]

i don't think think jily would've lasted if they'd lived

Or at least not with both of them being content. I mean, first of all Lily was dating someone who' gone around bullying her ex-best friend, which to her knowledge, ended after SWM (which was sexual assault!).

However, we know that James went behind her back to continue to torment Sev even through 7th year, after Lily had started dating him. Let's take a look at the book.

“You think you’re funny,” she said coldly. “But you’re just an arrogant, bullying toerag, Potter. Leave him alone.”

“I will if you go out with me, Evans,” said James quickly. “Go on . . . Go out with me, and I’ll never lay a wand on old Snivelly again.”

Now that she's going out with him, did James stop bullying Sev? No. Of course Lily didn't go out with him to protect Sev her 7th year, but he got his girl who's only dating him because she thought he'd changed, so why not stop? Was she not enough to convince him to change?

Also, their relationship was super rushed too. They started dating at 17-18 (7th year), married and got pregnant at 19, and had Harry when they were 20.

And what does James do when they're both young and inexperienced parents? Go sneaking around with Sirius instead of staying home to help Lily care for their infant son? Let me tell you, if my dad had ever pulled shit like that my mom would've been furious.

And remember, this is the equivalent of a high school relationship. Imagine marrying someone who you dated in high school. I know that it sometimes works out, but more often than not, it's a terrible decision.

And James and co. loved Lily's feisty, fiery daringness, but I think that after becoming a mother she'd calm down a little, become a little more cautious (I'd be a little concerned for the kid if she didn't) and thoughtful. I don't know if James would've liked that change, or if he would've changed too, along with her.

I certainly hope he would, but if he toned down his recklessness, I suspect that they would grow more distant with Sirius, since he's truly an audaciously violent person (see: prisoner of azkaban, snape's head). James really did seem to care more about Sirius than Lily all through the few times we got to see him in the books, so I inclined to doubt he'd actually change.

There's no way people who sneak around their partner's back and ditch their child for a bit of reckless fun would be able to stay in a committed relationship. I think Lily would've grown to resent how reckless James would've been during the war, endangering his own life with no concern for her or Harry. And if the truth about him bullying Sev in 7th year came out, it would only make their relationship worse.

[avatar-anna]

Just a Taste

i was feeling inspired and i missed the young dadrry universe. enjoy!

Young Dad! Harry x Young Mom! Reader

*.*

"Harry Edward Styles, don't you touch that!"

Harry's hand paused on his way to a mixing bowl filled with royal icing, a guilty look on his face. He really thought he'd been quiet enough to sneak past her. "Come on, Mama. Just a little taste?"

Y/n pinned her husband with a stare until his hand backed away. He went over to where she was rolling out dough with a rolling pin, a mix of holiday themed cookie cutters scattered around her. Flour coated her hands and arms, and a little had found its way to her cheek. Harry quickly wiped it away as he came around, his arms circling around her waist as he kissed the spot her flour had been.

He continued to kiss her until a smile appeared on her face and she finally stopped what she was doing to rest her hands on top of his, which had been Harry's goal, of course. She'd been up before he was to bake cookies, and he was feeling thoroughly ignored.

"Don't think by distracting me you'll get what you want," Y/n said, her eyes fluttering closed as Harry continued to nuzzle her neck.

"Think I want something else now," he murmured. Harry reached beneath her sweater, splaying his fingers along her heated skin. He knew every inch of her by now, each and every place that was the most sensitive and would make her arch into him or sigh contentedly. He wanted to reacquaint himself upstairs while they had time. "Come on. Simone's down for her nap. We can sneak upstairs for a little while."

Y/n all but melted at the promise in his voice, but she held fast. "I have to get this done. I told my parents I would bring cookies to their party."

Ah, there it is, Harry thought.

This was the first time Y/n, Harry, and Simone would be spending Christmas with Y/n's family. For the last couple years they spent the holidays in London with his family, but her parents reached out for a chance to start over and make amends this year. Y/n hadn't wanted to accept, but Harry encouraged her to at least hear them out. It had been years since she'd seen them, and even though things had been rocky when she left home, he thought both her and her family deserved a chance to set things right.

Plus, who would be able to resist Simone? She was the most perfect kid on the planet. It would be impossible not to love her, let alone hold any resentment over her.

"Everything is going to be just fine, my love," Harry promised. "Why don't you tell me what's really going on?"

Harry felt her body slouch as she exhaled a long sigh. Y/n turned in the circle of his arms and came to rest against him. She didn't say anything for a while, just relaxed against him while she gathered her thoughts.

She smelled like cinnamon and sugar, and over the top of her head, he spotted the gingerbread cookies she made earlier cooling on racks on the stove. They were his favorites, and he couldn't wait to get his hands on a couple of the miniature gingerbread men she'd cut the cookies into. Y/n had a knack for baking that really only came out around the holidays. Harry never thought he'd had a sweet tooth, but he had a weak spot for his wife's baked goods, and if his schedule was slow she spoiled him and Simone with all kinds of sweets. It was enough to make him work out for weeks after the holidays.

Before his thoughts got too carried away, Harry looked back at Y/n. He tipped her head up so she had to look him in the eye. He kissed her nose once, then her forehead, then her lips, until a small smile appeared. "Talk to me, Mama."

She sighed again, but this time she spoke. "I just...I want them to know that I'm doing a good job, I want them to know I'm a good mom."

"What? Baby, you're a fantastic mum," Harry said, a frown marring his features. That's what this is about? "You don't need their stamp of approval, Y/n."

"I know, I know. It's just that we're raising Simone so differently to how I grew up, and that's fine she's a great kid," Y/n explained. "I just don't want to give them any ammunition to judge how we're living our lives, you know? Making memories around the holidays were huge for me growing up. Christmas cards, decorating the tree, cookies, matching sweaters, and I—I don't want them to think Simone is growing up without that. I—I know it's stupid, but—"

"It's not stupid if that's how you feel," Harry said, cupping her cheek. His eyes searched hers, trying to decide if there was more that she wasn't saying. He'd become quite good at reading her, and he decided there wasn't. "But I don't think Simone is missing out on anything. Do you?"

Y/n shook her head. "She's happy, right? I know we don't lead the most conventional lifestyle, but she's happy, isn't she?"

"I'd say so. And hey, conventional's overrated. Remember when Niall dressed up as Santa so we could have a family picture? Or when we brought a Christmas tree with us on tour so we could put Simone's presents under it?"

Y/n grinned at the memories. "Or when the boys covered for us so we could sneak out and go to a Christmas market."

"I don't remember that one," Harry said as his brow furrowed.

Stretching up onto her toes, Y/n kissed his cheek. "That's because we never actually made it to the Christmas market."

"That's right! Simone was in Liam's room, and we stayed in, and you were wearing that little red set with the bows—"

Y/n kissed him properly this time, her arms crossing around his neck to bring him closer. His skin was soft and freshly shaven, a preference of Y/n's as she brought her hands to his face, though Harry had been trying to grow a little facial hair during his time off. He probably could've stayed like that all day, but he knew there was work to be done, and Y/n would be upset with herself if her icing went to waste.

"Let's get these cookies done and then head upstairs, hm?" he said even as Y/n began to kiss up and down his neck and his hands slid past her waist.

"Then get your hands off my ass, Styles."

"As soon as you untangle yourself from me, L/n," he said.

When she finally did, Y/n's lips were swollen, and her hair was a little messy. But she looked relaxed, not as tense as she had been when Harry came downstairs.

"Where do you need me?" he asked her, going to the sink to wash his hands before slinging an apron over his neck. "I can help with the baking part. I did work in a bakery, you know."

"Don't get me started," she murmured before offering the rolling pin. "Cookie cutting or decorating?"

"Mm...cutting. And maybe we save some just for us and Simone to do later?"

Y/n's grin was as wide as he'd ever seen it, which practically melted his heart into a puddle of goo at his feet. "Yeah?"

"Course, Mama. Between us, our little tyke is bound to be a baking genius."

Y/n rolled her eyes and swatted him with the towel that had been over her shoulder. They got to work, music playing on speakers, but low enough to hear Simone through the baby monitor if she woke up. Harry stole glances at Y/n as she got to work decorating the gingerbread men. He knew she was nervous, but he was thrilled that everything was starting to fall into place. Harry was home now that the band was on hiatus, Y/n was starting to mend her relationship with her parents, and Simone was about to get everything she asked Santa for and then some. At four years old, she didn't ask for much, but she had lots of uncles who were eager for a reason to shower her with gifts.

To Harry, everything was perfect.

Or, nearly perfect. Once the last batch of cookies were cooling and Y/n had decorated enough gingerbread men to take to her parents' house, Harry hauled her upstairs. "I still have that cute little set that you love so much," she murmured as she hastily pulled off his shirt. Excitement zinged through Harry at the thought, but he was too eager.

"Next time," he promised, falling back against the pillows, decorative ones Y/n had bought the week before.

"How do you want me?" she asked him, crawling to his side to run a hand through his hair. When he didn't respond right away, her brow furrowed. "H? Am I losing you?"

"No, I'm trying to think how much time we have before we're inevitably interrupted," he said.

"And then we have to get ready," Y/n said with a sigh, flopping on the bed next to him so that they were shoulder to shoulder. "Kiss and cuddle?"

Harry grinned. "You read my mind, Mama."

[lovelytsunoda]

the day you kissed a writer in the dark // han lue (tokyo drift)

summary: she's stood by his side for years. his loyal mechanic, the brains behind his brawn. but she'd be lying if she said that it didn't hurt to watch him flirt with those other women in his club, when he came home to her every night in secret.

bet you rue the day you kissed a writer in the dark, now she's gonna play and sing and lock you in her heart. i am my mother's child, i'll love you 'till my breathing stops.

pairing: han lue x mechanic! reader

warnings: smut, inappropriate use of a drifting car, insecurity and self-doubt, secret relationships, unplanned pregnancy.

author's note: here's something a little different today, lovelies! it's a departure from the usual realm of f1 content i usually bless you all with, but i felt like i needed to do something different to avoid burning myself out, and rewatching tokyo drift gave me the inspiration that i needed :)

she hated the club.

in the back end of her mind, she always resented the mere existence of that secret room leading to han's garage. the fact that he chose to surround himself with women in tight dresses with long legs and perky boobs like he was some kind of yakuza punk.

well, this wasn't crows fucking zero. this was real life.

she couldn't help but draw comparisons between these beautiful girls and herself. as she curled in on herself to duck through the crowd, she frowned at her reflection in the window: her torn up jeans, the grease stain on the cuff of her army-green sweater, the zip barely done up enough to cover up her double-d's, a small nut from her very first car hanging limply from a chain around her neck.

some days, she wondered why han had chosen her of all people.

"sean?" she asked quietly, poking the young american boy in the arm, practically shouting to be heard. "have you seen han?"

sean shook his head. "no, sorry. have you checked the garage?"

"i'm heading back there now. thanks, sean." she sighed, backing out the way that she came, trying not to think about all of the places that her boyfriend could be right now.

the anxiety ate away at her. was he with one of the other girls? one of the prettier, taller, thinner ones? was that why he wanted to keep the relationship under wraps?

was han ashamed of her?

she hurried down the rickety metal staircase, dropping her purse on the workbench as she went, subconsciously placing a hand over her stomach as she thought about the white plastic stick inside the fake leather bag.

they'd been sneaking around for a year, but they'd known each other far longer. she had come to tokyo when she was twenty-one, with a pocketful of cash and a monkey wrench. she had a high school diploma, but that didn't mean much to the rally teams she had applied to work on the pit crews for.

and that's when han swooped her up. when she became the bonnie to his clyde, the mechanic for his little street racing gambit.

that was three years ago. now she was almost twenty-five, he was twenty-seven, and he was in far too deep for them to keep going like this.

she knew why he had to keep it a secret. telling the world that she was his lover would put a target on her back. because that's what happens when you get in deep with someone like dk.

she pulled her hair back with the green rubber band on her wrist, pushing up her sleeves as she reached for a ratchet and approached han's car, the hood already open and ready for her.

working on the cars had always been her safe haven. her distraction from the outside world. fixing something that was broken gave her a satisfaction like no other.

"babe?" han's voice echoed through the garage, and she hated herself for the way that she froze up, fingers tightening around the ratchet. "sean said you were asking around for me? is everything okay?"

she withdrew from the car, slamming the hood down. "you're pushing the car too far. the engine is wearing down, you have to get something stronger. the serpentine belt is at it's brink."

"and that's why you're the brains of this operation and i'm just the pretty boy who drifts." han said playfully, wrapping his arms around her midsection as resting his chin on her shoulder.

"be more careful out there, seoul-oh." she said softly, placing a cold hand on top of his warm one before turning her head and kissing him softly. "i don't know what i'd do if anything ever happened to you."

han spun her body around gently, his hands on her waist as she jumped to perch her body on the edge of the hood, her fingers tangling in his dark, silky hair.

"you don't need to worry about me, sweetheart. i'm going to be okay."

she sighed, lacing her fingers together behind his neck. "where were you, han? wandering around your club with a girl on each arm? a girl that's three times prettier than i am, maybe one who's clothes are a little more revealing-"

"y/n, stop." han said firmly. "baby, you're the only one. my only one." he kissed her on the forehead softly. "i love you. i love you so much that it hurts. i wish i could shout it from the rooftops, but i can't put you in danger like that. i don't want dk to know, because that's a target on your back that i don't want there."

he pulled her as close as he could, arms wrapped securely around her as he leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. "i couldn't live with myself if anything ever happened to you."

the sincerity in the older man's voice was reassuring. but some days, it wasn't enough. she loved him more than words could say, but she was getting tired of being his little secret.

but at the end of the day, it was her bed that he always came home to. his arms she woke up in. his terrible singing in the kitchen while he made coffee with breakfast.

han lue was hers.

she kissed him again, still sitting on the edge of the toyota's hood. this kiss was stronger, harder. with more feeling as she bunched han's sweater up in her fingers, trying to wrestle it off his broad shoulders, his hands gripping her thighs tight enough to make her moan against his lips.

"seoul-oh." she mumbled as han broke away from her, pulling his sweater off the rest of the way before tugging his everlast t-shirt over his head.

they fit together like well-worn puzzle pieces, his lips finding that place on her neck that made her crumble, turned her legs to jelly as he slipped a hand up the front of her sweater, thumb tracing comforting shapes against her stomach as he nipped at her neck, biting down gently. there would be a hickey there in a mere matter of hours.

trailing kisses back up her neck, he gently bit her earlobe before placing one hand on the side of her face to guide her lips back to his, the other hand braced against the hood of the car to hold himself up. she bit down on his bottom lip, wrenching a growl from the back of han's throat.

he pulled away, dropping to his knees in front of the car as his large hands dipped under the waistband of her jeans. after reaching down to untie and kick off her beat up vans, she reached above her to grab the exposed beam in the garage ceiling, pulling her body up and allowing han to pull her jeans and panties down her legs in one fell swoop.

"oh, not on the car, baby. you'll stain the bodywork."

"don't care." han hummed, kissing the soft skin of her thigh. "i can't think of anything prettier than you. on the hood of my car, legs spread wide for me." he mumbled in between kisses, inching ever closer to where y/n needed him most, her arousal dripping onto the cool metal hood of the drift car.

and when his lips touched her throbbing clit, she could have sworn she turned electric, using one hand to brace herself against the car and burying the other in han's hair as she threw her head back in a throaty moan.

"han." she panted, grinding against his face as his tongue licked and sucked at her core. "oh, baby, yes."

han smiled to himself, kissing her clit gently as he held her thighs open with his hands. "still think that i don't find you attractive any more?"

"shut up, please. i need you so bad." she'd barely finished speaking when another low, seductive moan left her mouth. the arm that was holding her body up threatened to buckle underneath her as she tugged on han's hair, urging him to keep going.

han chuckled, the vibrations sending shockwaves through her body as her arm buckled, and she found herself lying against the hood, her head on the windscreen as she bucked her hips, searching for more as her lover tongue-fucked her, her legs thrown over his shoulders with reckless abandon.

"seoul-oh." she whined, clenching her thighs around han's head

"i know, baby." he mumbled softly, kissing her thigh. "you're doing so well darling. come for me."

and that's exactly what she did. with a moan so loud that she was shocked that the patrons of the club couldn't hear it echoing through the garage, she let go, her juices coating the lower half of han's face as he licked her clean before wiping off the bottom half of his face with the back of his hand.

"fuck." he mumbled, standing between her legs and leaning over the car to kiss her. "i can't get enough of you, baby. i think i'm gonna need more."

"oh yeah?" she smiled sitting up slightly, resting her weight on her elbows and raising an eyebrow when she saw the obvious hard-on struggling to break free from the confines of han lue's jeans. "and what do you think we should do about it?"

"back. room. now." he said, softly but firmly, kissing her in between each word as she wrapped her bare legs around his body, allowing han to pick her up and carry her over to the back room, where a double bed was piled high with blankets for the nights where they worked late, or drift races lasted until the mere hours of the morning.

or, nights where neither of them wanted to go home. han was sure that they had fucked on almost every available surface of the garage.

she undid her sweater slowly, revealing the lacy white bra underneath, the makeshift pendant on her necklace hanging delicately just above the hollow of her breasts as she cast the fabric aside, reaching up to snap the elastic band in her hair, letting it cascade in waves down her shoulders.

"you're beautiful, you know that?" he said softly, kneeling on the mattress as he rested one hand gently against her cheek.

she leaned into his touch, reaching up to wrap her slender fingers around his wrist, pressing a soft kiss to the heel of his hand.

she knew she should tell him. han needed to know.

but now was definitely not the time.

not that she could find the words while he kissed her neck, her chest, her stomach, his fingers dancing across her back as he fumbled with the clasp of her bra, erection straining against his jeans.

"han, babe." she mumbled, reaching behind her. "it's been a year now, you should know how to undo a bra, mr. womanizer." she joked, pushing his hands away as she pulled the bra off by herself.

"why would i need to know how to do it when you just take it off by yourself most of the time?" he grinned, standing up to unbuckle his belt.

he started to undo his jeans, pausing halfway as if he had forgotten something before he darted over to the rolling toolbox in the back of the room, pulling a small foil packet out of the top drawer.

fat lot of good a condom would do them now.

not when she was already carrying his baby inside of her.

her body trembled with anticipation as she watched han rid himself of his jeans, the echo of his belt buckle hitting the floor echoing around the room before he rolled the latex sheath onto his thick, hard cock.

god, she was a fool in love. han seoul-oh made her feel every range of emotions all at once.

"seoul-oh." she mumbled, lips against his as he clambered onto the bed, covering her body with his broad one.

"hm?" han mumbled, pressing kisses all over her face.

"i love you, han lue." she said firmly, gently pushing his face away so she could look him in the eyes. "i mean it, babe. you've ruined me for anybody else. you're it for me."

"good, because i don't think i could love anybody else if i tried." han breathed out, kissing her again, the tip of his cock teasing her entrance.

she squirmed under him, a small gasp escaping her lips before she bit down on her bottom lip.

she wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of hearing her beg. that wasn't what tonight was for.

han knew this as well, gently pushing himself inside her. tonight was about more than just chasing a high. for both of them. it was about love, and reassurance, and intimacy.

she threaded her fingers through his hair, whining as han moved ever so slightly, the sensations they both felt sending shockwaves through their bodies.

"seoul-oh." she moaned softly. "please. god, you feel incredible."

"yeah?" han crooned, thrusting softly and barely holding back a moan of his own. "you look so pretty with my cock inside you, my sweet sweet girl."

"just like that." she whined as he thrusted again, bucking her hips into him, trying to take his length deeper. "keep doing that, fuck."

when han's nimble fingers came up grip and massage her right breast, she knew she was a goner, arching her back to drive her body into him with a moan as he kissed her chest.

"you like that, baby? yeah, you love having my hands all over you. and i love touching your beautiful body." han murmured, sucking a hickey onto her collarbone. he could feel himself unravelling, knew that the end was nigh as he moaned against her skin, blindly reaching for her hand.

there were no more slow thrusts as the driver began to pick up the pace, his lover's legs wrapped tightly around him as she moaned his name.

"oh god, han, baby. fuck, keep going." she panted, one hand trailing down her body to play with her clit. anything to get her closer to that release she craved as she whined and squirmed under han's touch.

she'd seen this film before, and she already knew the ending. and the start if the sequel.

"come for me, baby. i know you can take it, just give me one more, okay?"

"han, han, holy shit." she moaned, feeling the coil in her stomach finally snap, her high crashing over her like a wave.

her lover groaned above her, a guttural sound ripped straight from his throat before han gently pulled out of her sensitive body, the evidence of his own peak contained within the clear latex that he slid off his member, tying the condom off in a knot before punting it into the trash can next to his desk.

she pulled the blankets up as han settled in the bed next to her, his warm fingers dancing in gentle circles against her sweaty skin as they laid together in the afterglow, a content look on his face as he kissed her on the forehead.

"seoul-oh." she said quietly, twirling his long, dark locks of hair around her fingertip. "i have to tell you something."

"what's on your mind, pretty girl?" worry creased han seoul-oh's face, a pit forming in his stomach.

he hated seeing her like this.

"i'm pregnant."

han's eyes widened. "what? babe, why didn't you tell me?"

"i've been trying all day. but you've had your hands full with dk and sean and drifting." she said sadly. "but i can't raise this baby with dk breathing down our necks. you need to get out of this life, seoul-oh."

han frowned thoughtfully, one hand resting against the side of her face. "i'm going to be a father. fucking hell, babe this is incredible. i promise you, i'm going to make a plan, and i'm going to get us out of tokyo."

"you know we can't keep this a secret any longer, right? i'm already eight weeks along, once the first trimester ends, i won't be able to hide it."

"you're right, you're right. we'll test the waters. i'll tell sean and twinkie in the morning, see how the news of our relationship goes over with them. i want to keep it from dk until i can find a way to get us out of here."

y/n nodded, lacing her fingers with han's and placing his hand on her stomach. "okay. let's do this thing." she broke out into a smile. "we're going to be parents, han. can't you picture it? sitting behind the wheel of your toyota, with our little gremlin on your lap, teaching them how to drive before they can even walk."

han laughed. "they'll be born with a monkey wrench in one hand and a bag of lays in the other."

"i love you, seoul-oh." she said softly, kissing him gently. "i'm so glad i found you three years ago.

"i love you more, y/n. and i can't wait to raise this kid with you."

Tags (though im not sure if any of you are interested loll):

@magnummagnussen @libraryofloveletters @sidcrosbyspuck @scuderiamh

[tarjapearce]

Mi Dulce Cereza (Pt. 7)

Ranchero! Miguel O'Hara x Reader

WARNINGS: Telenovela coded drama, emotional distress, Strained Relationships, unexpected visits, mild angst, relationship building, fluff towards the end, Miguel being a softie for his wife.

Summary: Even in darkest times, love shines through.

A/N: Hope you like it :') .

Intro:

"It's your fault." Rosaura's venomous tone didn't go unnoticed by her husband.

"My fault?! I did nothing but raise her well in the Lord's path. I didn't spoil her. If anyone here is at fault is you."

William's voice was ever serene, but his words were vitriolic.

"Me?! How dare you say such things!"

Once back home with empty hands there was nothing but more chaos. Blame turned into a hot potato game of who was the culprit of your apparent rebellious phase. Neither of them wanted to assume that none other than unrealistic and absurd expectations from them towards you had been the spark that started your emancipation fire.

A fire that was shining too brightly for their likings, consuming everything they had known and had taught you. Appearances were unable to be kept any further as your mother was confronted by her friends. Asking her if the rumors of you eloping with the farmer boy were true. It would be always a:

"That wicked man manipulated my daughter. We are trying to get her back, but his lies are convincing enough to keep her by his side."

or a "I'm sure he has her against her will, my little dove would never run away like that. I know her!"

But never a truthful He got her pregnant, claims to love her and now they live in their own home away from this mess trying to live honestly.

The rumors of you getting pregnant had made them another mirror to the single youngsters in town . Rosaura could hear the people talking ill about you and them. How they didn't work hard enough to keep you on check, how they never were firmer and stricter in your upbringing, and how they had been too stupid to actually let the devil in their own home and corrupt you.

It was enough shame to convince her husband and start looking for you. She had been embarrassed enough thanks to your naive games of love. And Miguel.

Her mouth scowled in disgust, heart heavy with resent. He would definitely pay. How dared he to lay his sinful eyes on you? How dared he to lay with you? Even worse, How dared he to take you for himself, impregnated you and call you his wife?

Bold and stupid.

Miguel had ruined her plan of getting you married off to a rich and wonderful man named Sergei Kravinoff. One of the best foreign clients the estate had. He was an avid hunter and collector, that upon seeing your picture was delighted and charmed.

But how was she to explain to him that her only daughter had ran off with the farmer boy? And was now pregnant with his child?

"If you wouldn't pester her with so many dating prospects maybe this... whole mess would have been avoided and she'd be under our roof. Following our rules!"

"Would you shut up?! You let that lowlife to intimidate you. I don't care if he's build like a tree. I want him down, chopped off from the root from her life."

"He's clearly done something to her. Did you see her yelling at us? I'd never seen her like that."

"Hormones make you stupid. And pregnancy hormones make it even worse"

"Just like you when you were pregnant of her. At least he will suffer a little more with that. Once she reaches the second trimester-"

"No no. that's where you're wrong. I won't let her to ruin her life. Sergei wants her!"

"I will have to stop you there, Rosaura. A child life is sacred. Innocent."

"Oh, the wretched child you're always complaining about is now an innocent life?"

"Don't tempt my ire, woman. I know you despise the man. And as much as this situation angers us, that's going too far. That's her punishment for giving in temptation. Let her bear with it."

"You're such an hypocrite. Do you know who Sergei is?"

"I do. Nor care. All I want is my daughter back. There are other ways to break them apart."

"What are you thinking?"

"Confronting them only brings them closer. I fell for her lie of loving him for a minute, but I know it's fear speaking for her. We'll let them be for now."

"No!-"

"And just when they think they are safe, it will be the time for us to step in. Let them have a little sense of security. I'll allow them to finish the place."

"You are waiting too long!"

"Rosaura. Enough. I know what I am doing. I know you hate waiting. But it will be worth it. I know so. Can't let the man that embarrassed me and my family, and tarnished my reputation to go unscathed with my daughter."

"You better keep your promises, William. I hate being lied to."

------

Miguel could barely get a glimpse of sleep during the night. Just when he thought his body would actually give in to the somnolence, he'd startle and remain awake. Pushing the sleepyness away as his mind raced with the many insidious thoughts about last night.

How had your parents found you? With their influence he was sure that they've got the address, they were known through the whole county by their horses business mainly, church was a secondary feat.

His hand ran through his messy hair. You had been put to sleep by Victoria, something he was thankful for. He was no baby expert but it was a commonly known fact that too much stress led up to bad things, and the least he wanted was something else happening. Specially to you or his child.

What had he gotten himself into, this time? He knew your parents were difficult, but this was something completely different from what he expected. He was not only dealing with them, but their direct threats as well.

Not that he wasn't regretting everything that had happened between you two. Had he been too rushed into marrying you? Of course not. He also didn't marry you because you'd be the future mother of his child. He had snatched you away for himself because he loved you. He loved you to bits and pieces and as a whole.

You were too much of a woman to be married to someone else that would treat you badly and wouldn't take his time to actually get to know you. You were too much for the rest of men that never made a step further in their conquer and we're satisfied with little, such as little glances or smiles from you.

He was ambitious, and had wanted it all. He went through so much to get you, still was. But knowing you loved him and even stood your ground against your parents, one of the reasons of his ongoing headache, made it all worth it.

He couldn't quite explain it. At first it was mere lust his body was filled with upon meeting you. The need to corrupt you had proven extremely difficult for him to keep himself at bay. That's why he was always so tempting, so forbidden, so inviting to give in around you.

But you were too sweet and pure. Always being concerned about him, ever attentive and gentle. A stark contrast with his demeanor. He had taken the job since his place needed renovations once and for all. He owed that to himself. He owed that to his old man. Vicky's late husband.

And then he had met you, for real. At first he thought of you another gorgeous spoiled, and dumb city girl if he was honest, but as time kept on passing, he was proven wrong in so many ways he felt the need to apologize to you as soon as you'd wake up later.

You were smart, not a genius but smart enough to be a fast learner and help your father with the finances, heavenly cooking skills and so eager to be more than a bimbo wife, a life most of your old friends had settled for. You had gone to college, just like him. You cared for those around you even if that meant to face your mother, just like him. You both were so alike in so many ways it'd be foolish to let you go.

What got him grovelling at your feet was your innocence and your will to make something out of your life even if your parents sabotaged you. The strength in you, the perseverance and hard work you had shown him even to this very day was the deal maker. And soon enough you'd make him a father.

You weren't only making his most precious dream come true, but were in tandem helping in making your love nest.

Investing all of your energies in building your forever home. Your own sanctuary and safe place with him.

And now it was his time to protect you, to stood his ground like you had done for him.

The room was filled with a warm and golden orange and yellow hues, basking the place in a gentle light, as if the universe was telling him 'Everything will be fine'. A hopeful thought to his already rattled mind. He was exhausted.

Exhausted of hiding and running away only to be harassed later. But that wouldn't stop him from working, no. There was still so much left to do around the hacienda.

With a deep breath he looked your way. A small tug on his heart sent a painful stab kn his chest at your expression. Frowning brows, hands clutched to the sheets and pillows, probably pretending it was him and puffy eyes that served as proof of your cries last night.

Your rage was something else. It made his tired smile to soften into a more admiring one. He hoped to never face it, cause he was sure he'd be on his knees, asking for forgiveness if you wished, even if it was over something so silly and irrelevant.

With a soft croak, you stirred and he embraced you gently. You were scared and asking for him last night, something he regretted to not have fulfilled sooner. But you and his child's safety was the main priority.

He'd have to talk to Joseph and Paco about new rounds done through the day. He couldn't install the safety cameras yet cause his area would take a lot to cover and it wasn't finished yet. If only he'd have some sort of superpower to make everything faster.

But the only power he had right now was to provide comfort to your heart and head. He'd die before something happening to you.

A mental slap came to his mind upon such though. If he died there was none else to look after you.

Even his mind needed a break. Birds chirped merrily, announcing the six am. But his body felt heavier and more sluggish than usual, his mind unclear as a fog came over his thoughts. He wasn't used to pull all-nighters. You turned on your side and curled in his chest, finally taking a hold of him. Eyes fluttered open, relief etched to your features.

Your arms embraced him so desperate it quickly had your eyes all glossy and teary again.

"Hey..." He mumbled with a lip tight smile.

You sobbed in his cradling arms.

"I'm so sorry, Miguel."

A gentle shhh came from him. His calloused fingers ventured through the strands of your hair, caressing with such care he'd thought you'd break.

"Why are you apologizing, cariño?"

"For everything that happened last night. You don't deserve this."

"Last night wasn't good for anyone, you specially, mi amor. But you are safe here. "

"It's not about that... I'm... scared. My father knows where we live now. And he could-"

"Cerecita, mi reina. Look." He sat on the bed and took a hold of your hand, to then kiss softly at the back of your palm, "Your father can make all the threats he wants, hell... He can even tear this place down if he wants to, but he won't take me away from you."

Your hand trembled in between his. You wanted to sit, but he laid back again, draping the sheets closer to you, making sure you were warm. Like a cocoon in his arms.

"It's not about that. You don't understand Miguel. My father is a man of word-."

"So am I." His fingers grazed your cheek softly, "I promised you that we'd be happy. And we will. I don't know how and I know it's scary for us, but as long as we are together, we will."

"I don't want you to get hurt. I... I couldn't stand something happening to you just cause my parents are too petty to acknowledge I married you."

"The only thing that would kill me? Is you leaving through that door and never come back. "

The sheer thoughts brought tears to your eyes. Hormones had also woken up to make a riot on your mind.

"Don't say that, please."

He kissed the top of your head and stared down at you.

"I know this is far from over, and trouble might keep coming. The only thing I am asking from you, is to stay strong. Can you do that for me, preciosa?"

"I can try"

"Good. That's all I'm asking, really. If you're strong, I'm strong."

You gave another silent sob while he peppered your face in gentle kisses. Soothing your worries away.

But he was scared too. Not a childish sort of fear, but something deeper. He knew that your parents were dense, if not denser than water itself. And would try things to keep you on edge, or worse try and mess with his estate.

Fear tactics won't make him lower his head and coward. Not when his pregnant wife was next to him crying, stressing and feeling guilty. Your fingers however traced his face gently, his tired lids drooped, as his eyes stared at you, curious yet fearful.

"Did you get some sleep?"

He chuckled bashfully, "I look that rundown?"

"No. But you do look tired. You're not used to stay up past twelve."

A tired and airy chuckle flared out his nose, his fingers took yours to then kiss the knuckles.

"I know."

Sleepiness had weighed him down completely, body made out of lead and muscles sore. Begging him to catch a break and sleep.

"You'll get grumpy" your hand slipped away from his and went to his face again, caressing and holding onto him. Grounding his wandering thoughts towards you. Anchoring himself in your loving and preocuppied stare.

"You need sleep. I'm sure Vicky will understand. Please?"

"Can't say no to you."

Doting arms embraced his neck, pulling him closer to your chest, it was your turn to protect him. He was always making sure you had everything, that you were alright. A giver by nature.

Just like you. This time you assured he'd cuddle in your chest, sharp cheeks rested on your mounds, ear pressed against you; allowing the steady beats of your heart lull him to sleep while you played with his hair.

Vicky didn't knock the door to awake you.

-----

You both awoke around 11 am, past breakfast. Vicky had instructed the construction workers where to keep building, guiding them in Miguel's absence. Victoria knew the plans her son had, so it was relatively easy to give orders. Some days more and the barn would be completely ready to then move to fencing properly the land.

It was a bit more money, but after much thought, a vynil fencing would be perfect. It not only offered privacy, but the chances of someone sneaking in would be less than 0, unless you knew the property like the back of one's hand.

To your dismay you had only seen the first part of it. If Miguel wished, he could start selling his own produce in the farmer's market. But right now, the soil was covered in weeds, and other invasive plants and thickets. It would be the final part of the renovations.

Vicky knocked the door, Miguel opened to reveal his mother with trays of food and some tea for you. She had heard the retching from the outside door. Stress was making your morning sickness worse and having an empty stomach didn't help either.

"Got you some things that will help you, and you too."

Vicky beckoned Miguel to help her, The little coffee table inside the room was used as support, brunch was served.

"Thank you Vicky" She patted your shoulder gently, as she served some flowery smelling tea.

"Don't you worry about it. You're making me a grandma soon."

The sweet smell and taste of the steamy liquid made your stomach settle gradually. Then you started eating with ferocious appetite. Miguel had his big cup of coffee, and ate as well, but his appetite was little.

Vicky smacked the back of his shoulder softly.

"Deja de preocuparte y come." (Stop over thinking and eat.)

Your hand slid into his and squeezed.

"Miguel?"

"Hm?"

"I'm scared too. But I also know that having us demoralized and afraid won't do good for us."

He pulled you closer and kissed your head for the umpteenth time, comfort and love were words you could use if you'd get asked what his hugs felt like. Despite his rough and cold demeanor he was one of the sweetest and gentle man you had ever encounter, even if his actions spoke volumes for him.

His head remained out of his hat, the piece had suffocated him enough through a good chunk of the previous night.

"That's exactly what those cabrones want. No offense, dear"

You chuckled and shook your head.

"Vicky is right. Whatever comes, we will face it together. As a family."

His eyes softened as you placed his hand on your belly.

"One day I'm sure this will be one of those stories you'll tell your kids when they get older and wanna know about family drama"

Miguel couldn't help but snort at Vicky's insinuation. But deep down he felt grateful. Thankful enough that two of the most important people in his life were reassuring him. His devoted and short tempered mother, a crucial part of his heart and now you and his growing child. All around him, promising they'd all be fine.

He needed to believe it. This wasn't one of the moments he was allowed to flank. He needed himself strong, steady with his head high. Ever vigilant and ready to face everything that came his way. He was an O'Hara. And O'Hara's endured.

That was his own mantra, bestowed and honored by previous generations.

The brunch and Victoria's presence had helped you both to ease the rising nerves and the subtle anxiety that undermined your head with unhealthy and raucous thoughts. Instead, even if a temporary distraction, work in the estate kept going. After all, it would take so much more than just a threat to break your spirits.

---

Miguel had tended to the barn and foresaw the fencing advance. Construction materials would be brought over the weekend to immediately start making his private property even more secluded, away from prying eyes and anyone stupid enough that tried to venture within the hacienda.

And after yesterday's fiasco, Miguel had come up with a new plan about security rounds until the fencing started. Just as he was about to explain, Joseph called him, a bit concern etched into his face.

"What now?"

"It's not the people from yesterday, but they claim to know your wife, Boss."

"How many of them are there?"

"Just three. Two women and a man."

He nodded and put his hand on his neck, trying to ease the tension that refused to leave his body despite the many attempts of cheering his spirits up.

"Where's my Cerecita?"

"Uh, with Vicky in the orchard."

"Right. Stay here in case there's trouble."

Joseph nodded and stood his ground, as he watched Miguel leaving.

Who would be this time? He wasn't armed this time, so whoever that had ill intentions with him would have to face the might of his fists.

But the silent threat remained as nothing but that. The only noises around were him, the gravel crunching underneath his boots, the subtle wind that played tag between the trees, little birds here and there and finally, the voices of people he knew, but didn't remember their names or faces .

A cool gust of wind threatened his hat to be blown off his head, but he secured it with a hand. Upon arriving, his surprise couldn't be hidden.

The two ladies were the one that helped you pack and were deeply saddened at your leaving. He always saw them around you, laughing and sharing whenever your mother wasn't around to shoo them away from you. And the man, one of the helpers back at your parent's barn.

"Mr. O'Hara? Im really sorry to bother, and showing up like this after what happened."

One of the women spoke. Miguel was cautious, and so far his intentions of opening the door didn't ring a bell on him. For all he knew your parents could have sent them to spy you.

"We quit. That Rosaura lady slapped my sister and it was enough for us. We were planning on leaving the estate even before the Miss left with ya."

But that definitely sounded something his beloved mother in law would do.

"I know you have zero reasons to believe us, but trust us. None back at the estate really liked the missus's parents either. We could only hold up for so long before everything came down. But we needed the jobs."

"I understand." With a sigh, Miguel opened the door and allowed them in.

A little rounds of thank yous echoed behind him before he guided them back at the main estate.

"Will you let us stay? Just for the night of course. "

"You'll have to talk to La Patrona." (The boss)

He chuckled upon you coming to his mind, "My wife I mean."

A little of hushed yet excited whispers trailed him along some 'I told you!' 'She did it!'.

The reunion was loud as he had expected. Loaded of hugs, heartfelt congratulations and of course them rubbing your belly.

Mary, the big sister was two years older than you, she had been one of the few that approached you with genuine friendship back at home, her sister, Susan was your age, even though she was on the quieter side, she was disciplined enough to keep herself busy and out of trouble. Always doing something. However her eyes kept wandering to Joseph.

They had asked your permission to stay overnight before returning to their hometown the next day. Of course you agreed.

They helped you to prepare everything, letting Vicky to rest for a bit. Even though they had spark, Vicky observed them with hard eyes, trying to decipher their true intentions. And so far she had found nothing. Not even in the man that quickly established a conversation between Paco and Joseph.

And soon all of you sat down at the table that seemed smaller.

"Like I was telling Mr. O'Hara, you mother was livid after you left."

"She was like a child throwing a tantrum, telling Pastor William to do something"

"Yeah, that's sounds like mom" An awkward smile came to your face as they spoke.

"But after last night, it was enough for us. She slapped Susan in the face when she got her the wrong dress."

Vicky couldn't hold back her gasp and contempt

"Dios mío, esa mujer ha enloquecido" (My God, that woman has gone mad)

"I'm really sorry it had to come to this point."

"Ya can't blame yourself, darlin" Mary spoke, letting her southern accent shine through for a second, "Ever since ya left people have been leaving, only to be replaced within some days."

"No wonder why they came in so pissed" You mumbled with a little giggle.

"How's... Agustín?"

Their faces fell and the man, his old helper James spoke.

"Pastor sold him to a guy. Joaquín is kinda sick and Luis, is the only one they actually pay attention to. You know, Joaquín is old so..."

Miguel could only nod with a saddened yet expected smile. It was a matter of time for Agustín to be sold.

"Do you know by chance who he got sold off to?"

"Some russian named Kravi- Uh... Kravinoff?"

"I see." Miguel’s shoulder slumped for a moment. At least he wasn't sent off to the meat market, "Hopefully that man knows how to treat him."

"He seems into animals a bit too much, sir. A bit eccentric with his fur coats. But apparently the man is a collector and the missus's parents best client."

Of course. Agustín was a purebred friesian stallion after all. His worth was over 20k.

You slid a hand on Miguel's thigh comfortingly. His subtle blue mood contagious. A lot of details you both were missing were spilled in the table.

Even though Miguel wasn't one for gossips, hearing your parents struggling to keep the appearances had definitely put a smile on his face. It served them right after all the unhinged things they had done. But he didn't let go that easy the fact that from all the horses remaining, Luis was the only one that was being properly taken care of.

Your horse.

A little hope shone in his darkened by fears heart. He didn't care if he was called a dreamer, but sometimes he pondered how would be his relationship with your parents would've been if they had a completely reaction to him.

Would they tolerate him? Would they be excited for being grandparents? Would they be happy for you instead of being petty and spiteful about it? He didn't know.

And he was tired of thinking over and over. Vicky's words remained closer to his heart.

If isn't your stubbornness, it's your love that will convince them.

But that was a very distant and utopian thought. All that mattered in his present was you and his new growing family.

The guest cabin was taken by the ladies and James joined Paco and Joseph.

Vicky drew you a warm bath to ease the remaining tension off your body. Miguel had been watching you. The changes in your body suited beautifully. Plump breasts, hips and thighs, gorgeous sudsy skin that had some flower petals adhered to it, enhancing it's beauty. You were the purest form of art before his eyes. The mother of his children. His wife.

He marvelled at the way you smiled upon rubbing your belly. The illusion of being a mother surely took you by surprise, but with Miguel's reassurance, you were excited even to meet your child. The ultimate physical form of love between you two.

Puppy and rusty brown eyes fixed on you as you let your hair down, letting the strands to cover your back to wash them next.

He stepped in. With a kiss on your temple and a bashful smile he sat behind you.

"Mira nomás qué chulada." (Look at that, so beautiful)

He pried gently the shampoo bottle off your hands and poured some on his hands to then lather your scalp with it. The lovely smell of cherries wafted in the air as foam appeared in your head while he massaged your scalp adoringly.

You hummed in approval at the careful and soft movements of his fingers. Inducing a relaxed state over you.

"Miguel?"

"Yes, Cerecita?" His voice matching his fingers.

"I don't ever regret marrying you."

His fingers faltered for a moment before resuming his washing. It was as if the doubts on his heart had secretly found a way to your ears and you were now reassuring him.

"You've the best thing that has shown up into that old house. Still are."

"Gotta be thankful to your parents for creating you, preciosa. Unbearable as they are"

The both of you chuckled, ignoring the looming dark skies that blended within the night's mantle.

"I'll take in Mary and Susan. I'm sure they'd be wonderful help around here."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I will pay them of my own money I've saved. So don't worry"

"No, no, let me take them in."

"Miguel, all of these renovations are coming off your pocket. We are a team now, I know somehow it will work out. Let me help you."

He accepted his defeat with a little slump in his shoulders and lazy smile.

"Alright, as you wish, mi corazón."

"What do you love the most about me?"

His hands took the bathtub's head shower and rinsed your hair. Water splashing on his skin, like the sudden question.

"Your bravery, empathy towards others and loyalty. And you're drop dead gorgeous too."

Your cheeks warmed up with a little flush on them as he spoke.

"What about you, Cerecita? What does my wife loves about me?"

"Since you snatched the words off my mouth, I'd say loyalty, honesty and resilience." You took his hands in yours, weaving your fingers between his and smiled, "Many would've given up on me at this point because of my parents but..."

Another kiss, "Hearing you calling me your wife makes me all happy and the good kind of dumb. I know we won't have good days, or that we will be far from perfect but, You've taught me so much about myself is wonderful. "

His hands secured yours as another kiss on your temple was given.

"Thanks for not giving up on me, Miguel."

"Thanks for being my wife, Cerecita."

Your smile disarmed him. And that night your wish of being asleep in his arms came true. There was no horrors that lurked in the shadows.

[marleyybluu]

Oscar x pregnant!reader

Wc: 1.9k

warnings: daddy issues, use of OMB scenes so spoilers I guess, sad Spooky, shitty ending cus my attention span cut out

"No, no, no! You can not put down two draw fours!" Yn shouted at Cesar while the two dabbled in an intense game of UNO. Cesar chuckled waving his one card in her face. "You're just mad because you're losing." He bragged. Though it was confirmed she would never admit it, she quickly pouted and placed her hand on her stomach, he chuckled shaking his head knowing the card that she was about to play. "I'm gonna tell your niece or nephew you didn't let their mommy win."

Her boyfriend Spooky could be heard letting out a bellyful laugh from down the hall, he emerged from his room making his way toward them where they sat around the table not too far from the living room. "Mamita, you can't say that every time you don't get your way." She stuck out her tongue. "I can and I will for the remaining six months."

He rolled his eyes and planted a kiss on the top of her head. "Fine," She reluctantly picked up eight more cards just for Cesar to dramatically slam his last one on the table. He stood up took the last swig of his beer and rested the empty bottle on the table, he was next to kiss her head before grabbing his things and heading out. "I'll see you guys later, I'm with Monse if you need me."

"Have fun." She called out. The door closed and the house was once again silent, Yn gathered the cards and packed them nicely back into the box they came in. She heard the sound of the front door opening and assumed it was Cesar, she said "What'd you forget knucklehead?" But frowned when she was met with their father, Ray. A few days ago the older gentleman had found himself across from the traphouse, Cesar panicked about a stranger just stalking outside so Spooky went to investigate, and with Yn's nosey ass at the window, she noticed Spooky's body language and he was not happy.

Spooky never spoke about his dad, maybe once, but that was it. She could tell he had resentment in his heart for that man, he was a stranger and for him to pop back up after all these years wasn't ideal for anyone in this situation. YN had to admit it was nice seeing Cesar happy and hearing him talk about all the things they were going to do and how much they had to catch up on but judging by the look on Ray's face right in front of her... those plans would never set in motion.

She pitied him a half-smile before dodging into the kitchen. Spooky sat in the background on the couch observing the cold interaction, internally smiling that she would be on his side no matter the minor details that she knew. Ray disappeared into one of the rooms, Spooky was curious as to what he was there for but was brought out of it when he was called to the kitchen. He got up and followed her voice, she was desperately trying to reach the third shelf and was failing miserably, usually, she'd grab a chair but with a baby inside she was more cautious of what she did.

"Can you grab a plate for me papito?"

"Of course, baby."

She squealed and applauded the small gesture as he handed the plate over to her. "Thank you." She blew him a kiss but he wanted a real one, his hand snaking around her waist he pulled her in tightly. Her hands ran up his neck and landed under his jawline. Their lips touched, fitting like pieces of a puzzle, melting together like it was the first time. She could feel his hands slide a little further down, she gasped at the hard squeeze he delivered she pulled back smacking his chest. "Why can't I have one little innocent kiss?"

"That question is what got you pregnant in the first place." He joked gently pressing his hand on her little belly. Yn shooed him off. Oscar laughed and left her alone only to return to the main area and see Ray with his duffle bag on top of the table packing his clothes up. "Finally cleaning up your mess?" He asked. Ever since he arrived it'd practically become a pigsty, his girl often complaining that she wasn't some maid for a grown-ass man, especially one she had no relation to. Ray avoided eye contact as he answered. "I'm leaving, think I've caused enough drama."

Leaving. All he did was leave, run away from his problems, and scram when things got serious. It wasn't the first time Oscar experienced it but there was no doubt that it still hurt, he felt himself shrink into that little kid again, watching the man who was supposed to be there for him vanish, the man who was supposed to teach him how to become one disappear without a trace leaving him and Cesar alone to fend for themselves.

"Good," He responded. "You tell Cesar your plan?"

There was a moment of silence, Ray had stopped packing and sighed making eye contact with his oldest. "I'll tell him when I get to Bakersfield, there's a guy up there who can help me out... help you out too-"

Spooky had turned cold, that scowl plastered on his face, the boiling hate flashing in his eyes. "I don't need help, I got everything I need."

Ray let out an amused chuckle. "The Santos? That girl?" Oscar took a step forward, fists balled up, father or not he would put down anyone that disrespected his girl. She was his home, his family, she was everything that he needed. "Her name is Yn, and she let you stay with us, not me... if it were up to me you'd be out on the street with the rest of the stray dogs."

Little did they know they had an audience for this performance, not too far off Yn had poked her head from the kitchen she had stopped what she was doing the minute she heard their voices. "I hope they don't sell you out, I hope she's good to you because one day all that love you think you're getting from them is gonna be gone."

"Ray." He warned. "This street shit isn't the life man, you don't have to stay here, go and make something of yourself."

Oscar's eyes softened, and he began to nod in agreement. "Thanks, Papa, you're right. I could be president or a fucking astronaut, maybe even a movie star right? Because I had such a great fucking role model!"

"I had a shitty dad too, mijo," Ray's tone was so nonchalant when he said it and something about it was making Yn's skin crawl it just sounded like he didn't care. "But you gotta let that rage go."

It took everything for her not toa put in her two cents. How do you let the rage from constant and consistent disappointment go? She could tell Spooky had this overbearing feeling that he was a failure, that he failed Cesar, failed the Santos and even failed her-- so how was he just supposed to let that go?

Yn had thought the fire between them had died down, that Ray had left and Spooky was just standing there disassociating at the fact that he was in his twenties and still being abandoned. But when she brought herself into frame the two of them had gone, their muffled argument had moved outdoors. Her feet carried her to the front door, where she stood behind the screen watching it go down from a distance.

"Everything bad that's ever happened in my life is because of you! You're gonna crush Cesar the same way you crushed me!" His voice weakened, almost cracking like he was fighting to keep that little boy inside. Ray was already at the end of the path, one foot almost on the black tarmac road, he dropped his bag and turned around to face Spooky. "You never wrote to me... you didn't call, you didn't even visit not once! Did you even think about me?"

YN placed her hand over her heart, she wanted nothing more than to drag him inside and coddle him for all he's been through but he needed to let this out he'd been holding it in for far too long. She looked as Ray walked back toward Spooky.

"Oscar-" He began but Spooky shut it down. "You wanna know the worst part about not having a father? I had to be a father to my brother without having been a son first!" He sniffled. "I have a girl in there who loves me, who taught me how to love since I didn't have you or mama as examples... she's having my baby and I'm scared that I'm gonna end up like you!"

Oscar broke, completely shattered. Yn didn't think there'd be a day when she heard her partner weeping from the deep sadness that he felt, the sadness that was cloaked in anger. Ray didn't say anything, he pulled Oscar in for a hug and he resisted at first but once again his inner child betrayed him and he loosened a bit returning the embrace and they stayed like that for a while. Oscar buried his head in his father's shoulder, nothing was said, it was a bittersweet and brief moment before that rage entered his system again. That wall reappeared in seconds.

He wasn't little Oscar Diaz anymore he was back to Spooky who aggressively shoved his father off of him. "Take your shit and go, make sure I don't see you here again."

And just like that, he was gone again. Spooky turned around with a pout on his face, he stopped at the front door seeing Yn through the screen. "Did you eat?" Funny that even in his obvious time of need he was still worried about her. She shook her head, stretched out her hand to his and gently pulled him inside. Once the door closed the tears that he had just soaked back up were released once again. Yn pulled him over to the couch, sat him down and then took her place beside him.

He fell apart in her arms. "I fucking hate him." She rubbed his back. "All he does is fucking leave me... what did I do?"

"Ay! You didn't do anything papito, he's just an asshole."

"Am I not good enough?"

She frowned. "You are more than enough my love, I promise you. You are more than enough for me, for Cesar and for the baby. You did a great job raising him and you will do an even better one raising ours."

He lifted his head from where it rested on her shoulder, she swiped her thumb across his cheeks to wipe his tears. "How are you so sure?"

"You already do enough for the baby and they're not even here. You make sure I'm eating enough, you make sure I'm relaxed. I wish you could've seen your face when I told you." Now she was tearing up. "I couldn't have picked a better person to make a family with."

He softly smiled. "I love you."

"Duh." She sarcastically answered which received a decent chuckle. "I love you too, we're good okay? I'm not going anywhere."

"I know." He mumbled. She smiled and pulled him in for a kiss. "Let's eat, yeah?"

"Yeah."

I just felt like writing something kind of sad. idk why.

for the Pedro girlies im working on Truth or Drink3

for the Rio girlies, working on The Nanny 3

trying not to burn tf out lol just put me down at this point.

if you liked this fic feel free to like this fic, reblogs and comments are appreciated.

peace and love.

[queenie-avenue]

Ok hear me out👉👈

Katie finding out (in this case she got friendzoned LOL) that Reader is in a relationship with someone else?? How do u think she takes it??

I've been such a lurker for quite some time and i love ur content sm 🥺🥺����🥺 *sending kisses*

Rejection is never the End.

💌 ⤻ THE CHEERLEADER, KATIE WILLIAMS

—> she won't ever give up on you.

⤻ reader is gender neutral, reader has a girlfriend, no cheating, manipulation, possessiveness, obsession, typical yandere behaviour, gaslighting, reader gets drunk and katie takes advantage of her

notes: thank you so much for the ask, I'm so sorry it's taken so long for me to get to this!! no proof-reading, we die.

🦋⤻ archives.

If you have a significant other, Katie will no doubt be furious, especially if you reveal it to her just when she decided to confess to you, of all things. She will be pissed off, but will just smile at you and pretend that everything is a-okay. You wouldn't even suspect a thing.

Sure, at first it'd be awkward with you and her drifting just a bit — which causes her to almost have a meltdown and abandon her cheer captain duties for a while — but eventually after a month of two, you both would go back to normal.

The difference would be that now she had access to your relationship status.

And boy, would she make use of it.

Out of consideration for her feelings, you'd of course not talk much about your significant other but Katie, Katie wanted to know.

It started small, she liked to visit your dorm normally so it was a usual day of her coming to see you after cheer practice in her short shorts and pink t-shirts.

“Oh, those flowers are so cute, did your girlfriend get them for you?” Katie asked, lounging on your desk as she stroked the petals of the bouquet filled with your favourite flowers. “They are so pretty!” She squealed, grinning at you as you sat on your bed.

“Yeah, my girlfriend came over just the other day. It was fun.” You smiled back, wanting to keep details of your beau brief out of respect and love for Katie.

“Does she get you flowers often?” Katie inquired, eyes fixated on the flowers, back turned to you now.

“Not really. It was just a special occasion yesterday, our one year anniversary.” You exclaimed, clearly giddy about the fact you had been together with your girlfriend for a year.

“Fun.” She replied, tutting her plump lips. “So, why didn't I know about her? I mean, you showed me pictures once but you don't really tall about her that much.” Katie commented as she leaned towards you.

“We don't talk about our relationship much…” You mumbled. “I mean- she's like secretive about it. So not a lot of people know.” You shrugged your shoulders awkwardly. Oh, [y/n], you really were such a horrible liar. Katie could tell in an instant that the idea of you relationship being kept secret made you antsy, uncomfortable. If it were *her* that was your girlfriend, she'd be parading you around proudly. Why couldn't you see that?

“Huh.” She huffed, eyeing you up and down.

That was how it started.

She made use of your insecurities about your relationship with your girlfriend and weaponised them against you. Slowly, you grew more worried about whether the reason your girlfriend didn't want to reveal your relationship was because she wasn't proud to be with you, or she wasn't committed to being with you or worst, that she was being unfaithful towards you. Katie didn't help matters, subtly showing you those stupid YouTube shorts with reddit stories that talked about how people who didn't make their relationships known typically cheated on their partners.

You slowly spiralled into madness, growing resentful of your girlfriend and more appreciative of Katie. Eventually, you would break it off with your girlfriend when things became too hard for the both of you.

You kept starting arguments with your girlfriend over why she wanted to keep the relationship a secret, you became too needy for her validation and she was annoyed with you constantly picking fights with her and also your budding relationship with Katie who seemed to find a way to antagonise your girlfriend every single time. Katie egged you on, overanalysing each word your girlfriend said or texted to you and reporting what she thought back to you. Most of which just made you view your girlfriend in a horrible light.

Eventually, you broke up with your girlfriend.

Just like Katie wanted.

She would soon swoop in to comfort you, tell you that it wasn't your fault that the relationship didn't work. Your girlfriend was the red flag, you didn't do anything wrong!

“Come on, pom-pom. Cheer up, you'll find someone much better than her. You were too good for her ass anyway.” Smiled Katie as she dragged you for a night of partying at a fraternity.

You got wasted, of course; attempting to drown out the sorrow of your freshly opened wounds.

Katie's hand snaked around your waist as you danced to the beat of the music, the loud thumps banging loudly in your ear as you drunkenly relied on the cheerleader for support. Before you knew it, the dancing morphed into Katie pulling you into the bathroom, your legs wrapped around her waist as she leaned closer into you, both sat on the counter of the toilet. The vague sounds of people banging the door outside as you both gazed into each others’ eyes. “You feeling better?” She asked, dark eyes looking into yours intensely.

“I… I still miss her.” You slurred, slumping your body into Katie's neck, letting out a dry sob. The cheerleader hummed as she placed a hand on your waist, another under your chin.

“You don't need to think about her anymore, okay? I'm here for you.” She pressed a chaste kiss to your lips.

Katie knew that you loved her, everyone did. It's just that your girlfriend was in the way. Now that she's not, you can be devoted to loving her, and only her.

[oneofstarkskids]

go to sleep

pairings: clark kent x reader

genre: angst with a dash of fluff

summary: running into an old friend brings up old memories and feelings. but what can you do with them now?

note: i think this is the most amount of words i've written on here 🤭

"c'mon," you begged the inanimate object as you held your coat close to your body. it made no effort to work, so you hit it with your fist.

bad idea. "ow! mother of-"

"need some help there?" a voice asked from behind you.

a voice you knew all too well.

you sighed, the cold air billowing out of your mouth, "it's my generator. i think it died on me."

clark frowned and knelt down to take a look. after fully inspecting it he got up with an apologetic expression, "it's fried."

"great," you said sarcastically, your bones getting stiffer and stiffer.

you would've stayed to chat with your neighbor and old friend, but you decided that it would be a good idea to search for some extra blankets before you caught a case of hypothermia.

"well, thanks anyway," you said before taking a couple steps.

"hey," clark gently grabbed you by the arm. "it's not safe to stay here without running water or a heater. come stay at my ma's place. we have cocoa and i'm sure she'd love to catch up."

you were surprised by the offer. you hadn't seen the boy since he'd left to start his journalism career. then again, that's clark. always looking out for people.

you were hesitant to accept the offer, and clark sensed that. "it's just until you can get a professional to come out and do some maintenance," he assured you. with that, you simply nodded. what else was there to say?

clark shakes your coat out on the porch of his ma's house, snow falling to the ground.

"it's colder than the dickens," martha says as she warms a fresh pot of hot cocoa.

she was expecting you. almost as if she's the one who told clark to check up on you in the first place.

you took a moment to look around the house that you'd been in so many times before as a little girl. it was a strange feeling to be back.

you and clark were the closest friends growing up, but life took you on different paths. he wanted to go to metropolis and be a journalist and you wanted to be an artist.

somehow you both ended up back here. the city didn't give clark the fulfillment he thought it would and your art career never took off.

but these walls were familiar.

your fingers ghosted over a picture of clark's dad on the mantle.

"cinnamon, honey?" a sweet voice asked.

you turned towards it to find martha holding up a mug.

"oh! no thanks," you responded politely.

she gave you the cocoa and had you sit with her at the table to catch up. not that there was too much to update her on.

martha was all alone in this house when clark was gone. you knew that and since you didn't have parents of your own to visit, you often kept her company.

clark sat down too. the energy in the room shifted instantly.

"so, how are thing's over at the daily planet?" you ask, trying to mask the resentment you have for that place. you should be happy for him, but it took him away from smallville. from you.

clark grins, sending a sharp pain to your chest. "not too bad."

there's a moment of silence as you take another sip of your warm beverage.

"how's your art coming along?" he asked awkwardly.

you just shrugged.

it wasn't something you felt comfortable confiding in him right now, but art seemed to lead you to a dead end.

yes, it was partially your lack of confidence in your pieces, but more so it was the lack of inspiration.

clark looked down into his mug. you could almost feel the disappointment radiating off of him. it made you so angry. what right did he have?

but you bit your tongue. you weren't going to fight with him in front of martha. she deserved more than that.

then again, you really couldn't stand the silence.

"should we see if there's anything worth watching tonight?" you asked both of them, but you were only looking at mrs kent.

that happened to be the only decent idea you'd had so far. the three of you watched a couple shows until martha was falling asleep on the couch.

you turn to clark as soon as you hear him laugh. it was the same. deep, but still had the same joyful undertone. it still gave you butterflies.

he caught his mom with her jaw hung open snoring quietly. the sight made you giggle softly.

"i should probably get her to bed," he said with a grin.

you gave him an apologetic expression, "i didn't mean to keep her up."

his eyes met your own as he stood from his spot on the other end of the couch, "i'm sure she enjoyed your company."

and it might have been the way he said it or the look in his eyes, but you felt like he was partly talking about himself.

you waited in the living room as he carefully lifted her up and put her in her own bedroom. you weren't sure where to sleep. the couch would've been fine but as you were getting settled, clark came back and frowned.

"what are you doing?" he asked in a hushed voice.

you furrowed your brows, "going to sleep?"

"you can have my bed, i'll sleep on the couch," he said in a very clark kent manner.

though you appreciated the gentleman he was raised to be, you shook your head defiantly. "i can't let you do that. it's your house."

clark crossed his arms.

you were both painfully stubborn and refusing to let this go.

the raven haired man smirked unexpectedly, "you know, it is pretty cold. maybe we could just share my bed."

"clark joseph kent! as if you couldn't go out there in that freezing weather half naked and come back in without a cold," you called him out.

he laughs, "i was kidding!"

you knew. the two of you used to joke with each other like that all the time.

"but... there are worse people to sleep next to. you're practically a heating blanket," you teased.

and that's how you ended up laying on your side staring at the beautiful man. the moonlight was peaking through the window, illuminating the room just enough for you to see his face.

"go to sleep," he mumbled without opening his eyes.

you felt your face flush with embarrassment, but still couldn't tear your eyes away.

he peeked open one eye sleepily, "you're staring."

you didn't know what to say. memories played like a film reel in your mind. your voice held a sadness to it, "why did we stop talking?"

it was silent for a moment. clark didn't have an answer.

"i mean, we used to be close," you said softly with nostalgia.

he saw it all too. remembered it like it was yesterday. the bubbling laughter and gentle touches. stolen kisses and secret hide-outs.

"i guess some things change," he finally responded.

you frowned and felt this insatiable frustration in your chest, "not if you try hard enough. not if you hold onto something tightly enough."

"sometimes, holding onto something too tightly only makes it slip away faster," clark said. his words hung in the air of the darkened room.

maybe he was right.

maybe you guys held on too tightly.

"go to sleep," he repeated with a gentleness to his voice.

you turned over on your other side and stared at the wall for what felt like hours.

you guessed that some people simply weren't meant to be together.

[insomniactic-daydream]

Breaking Point- Bakugo x Reader

Bakugo x Support Course Shoto's Twin Sister Reader (Part 6)

<- Previous (Part 5)

Summary: ANGST. Bakugo and Y/n get into fight, and Shoto and Y/n have a forgiveful talk.

This is more written from Shoto's perspective.

*Little Heartstopper reference*

Shoto can't remember when Y/n and Bakugo became Y/n & Bakugo. But Bakugo was there when his selfishly enraged self couldn't. So, in Shoto's book, Bakugo was alright.

The first time he saw Bakugo and Y/n interact was when the blonde scolded her for throwing the 1st challenge race at the sports festival.

Even after she made a big impression with her gear, she stopped right before the finish line. Making an even bigger impression on support companies for letting others have their moment.

Shoto never really looked to see who she'd talked to, afterall he wasn't on good terms with his twin, so he knew not to dwell into her life. So he was a bit puzzled seeing you together. You looked so relaxed, so free.

Both born from the same star, yet he thought you shined so much brighter. Instead of obeying the path Endeavor wanted, you made your own. While he took the road of driven resentment. Only recently did he start to feel bad for getting upset at you using your quirk and loving dad.

The more Shoto saw you and Bakugo, whether in the halls, at lunch, or chatting in the support classroom, the more envious he felt. He wanted to talk to you like that too, but you always seemed a shoulder's length away.

It wasn't until Bakugo got kidnapped where Shoto really saw you for the first time. Your hair turned red with anger, pushing Shoto to tell you what the hell happened at camp. For the first time, he felt scared you were going to break.

You ended up coming along to the rescue mission. Despite the group's protest, a quick threat to burn them alive shut them up enough to convince them you'll keep up. No wonder you're Bakugo's closest friend.

That day, you guys genuinely got closer; you even shared a laugh as you ridiculed his disguise. In the end, he was kinda glad Bakugo got kidnapped cause at least he had a minute with you. He was even more glad to see you around the dorms after the move. But then again, it was always for Bakugo, but you'd occasionally walk up to talk to him.

Then the license exams came, which he and Bakugo failed. The same day, you showed up to the dorms scouring for the news, which ultimately ended in a fight between Bakugo and you. Wounds were definitely opened for both of you.

"You don't get it, Y/n! You wasted your potential the second you decided you wanted to be tech support! Dont give me pity for shit you can't begin to understand!" Bakugo screams but then freezes as if he knew the words he spilled weren't true; not for him and certainly not to you.

But it was too late; lines were crossed.

"Well, luckily, I don't need your reassurance. I know what I'm doing is not wasted.

Remember, I'm the one that spilled my sweat, brains, and time just so you can go play hero.

News flash, heroes that seek for glory almost inevitably end up mistreating the ones around them, most definitely civilians. That's why you failed. No one to blame but your selfish ego, Katsuki.

You want to be a showboat hero? Fine. But don't EVER disrespect the people who helped you along the way." Y/n spat back, making sure she dug the knife as deep as he did.

And like that, he was gone. He stomps echoing the hallway, leaving you in the common room with your brother.

"Y/n?" Shoto asked a little concerned after witnessing the whole thing. Luckily, most of his classmates were off to bed from exhaustion and didn't witness the fight.

If they did hear it, they sure as hell won't ask; Bakugo is very sensitive at the moment.

"I'm alright, Shoto. Did you pass your exams?" You ask dull tone face, now wearing the same stoic face you use at home.

"No."

"Oh. Are you okay?" You asked with your concerned attention turned to him instead of the situation with the blonde. Selfless even when you're hurting, too.

"Not entirely, but no worries. I'll manage." He said in a defeated tone. He wondered if you would've excelled far better than him. He sure you would've been more selfless than the way he acted.

"Y/n, I'd like to apologize." He blurts out almost desperate to get off his chest. Your eyes widen in surprise of his outburst. You struggle to get words out.

"You didn't deserve how I treated you when we were younger. I'm sorry for my actions, I was in a place of anger and resentment, not even towards you, but I'm actively trying to get out of it." He says, bowing his head down.

"Shoto, it's okay I-"

"No, it's not. You're too kind. To Fuyumi, Natsuo, Me, and even Bakugo just now. We've all wronged you, and yet you don't push us away. You have every right to be angry. So please be angry for once." He says, almost raising his voice. Only when looking up at you does he stop.

Your hair is now white tufts popping out against the black, icicles forming around your eyes and in your hair. He's only seen this once, and it when you begged dad not to be a hero. You looked so much like Touya then.

"I can't." You say almost in a sob.

"I can never be angry at any of you. I defend myself, sure, but it always ends up making me feel worse about the situation.

I love you guys, so much. But I know that who I am, the version of myself I'm most content with... just doesn't fit into the picture." You say with tears streaming down your face. Almost falling down to your knees if it weren't for him running to hold you up.

"I'm sorry we've made you feel like you can't be yourself. I've seen the way you act around Bakugo when you think others aren't looking.

Or how lucky your friends are to see you laughing, almost seeing your hair turn to your red from how comfortable you are. I want that for you.

Please, be yourself when you're with me. And I'll make sure others don't treat you any differently. I'm sure the others feel the same, though." He says, pouring out his observations of you at school.

"You think so?" you sniffle, the strong appearance you've held on to for so long finally broke open, revealing the same little girl that just wanted her family to love her.

"You can send us all to the earth's core your quirk if I'm wrong." He says. You let out a weak but genuine laugh.

"Pft, that's funny. I didn't know you could joke like that Shoto"

"What joke?"

(Part 7) -> (Not up yet silly :3)

😀 Hi...

So I did a thing... sorry bout that.

In my defense, this had to happen. I'm trying not to make this too long of a story. (For mostly my attention span)

Don't worry, they'll make up, this is a love story. 💜

Tag List 💜: @queenriki7 @bumblebeebutter @mochimommy2002 @s3mis3m1 @your-mum3000 @juniper-july19 @finalgirlflunkie @sara4uuu @michiviv @romantasynerd05 @attackonnat @chirokookie @captainshindo @bodieohbo @junehasnotbeenfound @njyhjtjb

Want to join the Tag List? -> Click Here!

(Yall look at this Tag List 🥹 Ty yall for supporting the story!🫶💜)

[strangersteddierthings]

Porcelain Steve - Part 3

Part One🦇Part Two🦇Part Three🦇Part Four🦇Part Five🦇Part Six🦇Part Seven🦇Part Eight🦇Part Nine

Eddie hasn't moved from his spot on the Harrington's living room floor since El placed Steve back in his hands two hours ago except to switch his weight from side to side, depending on which buttcheek is currently numb. The mass exodus from the Byers-Hopper house to the Harringtons had taken less than 15 minutes and there has not been peace since, hence the remaining-on-the-floorness of it all for Eddie.

People stop by his stop in the living room to talk to Steve, looming over Eddie in their uncertainty. He stopped offering for people to take Steve after the third rejection because Eddie gets it; he's still the most chill about this (except Argyle, but Argyle is currently high, and Eddie is exceptionally sober and perhaps resenting that fact a bit) but he gets it. The situation is fucking freaky and maybe the thought of holding their transformed babysitter slash older brother figure slash hero might be a bit harrowing.

Of course, there's always an exception, so when Max lowers herself to the living room floor next to him, cane set down between them, and says, "Give him here." Eddie obeys, instructing her to hold her hands out so he can place Steve in them upright and facing her. Max's bones had healed alright, but she'd never get her vision back.

"Am I looking at his face?" She asks, gripping him around the waist with two hands like he's a messy hamburger.

Eddie can't actually tell from this angle if she's looking at his face but it's got to be close enough, so he says, "Yeah."

"Hey Steve," Max starts. "Everyone else is too much of a wuss to hold you but don't worry. They'll get over it. Not going to lie to you, though, this is pretty weird, but, like, mostly because I expected your body to be squishy, like a stuffed toy or those babydolls Holly drags around and forces us to take care of when we all hang out at the Wheeler's house. You know, the ones that are like soft with the plastic head, hands, and feet? That's what I expected." She runs one thumb up and down on his torso before tacking on, "ugh, this feels like a polo. Eddie, is he wearing a polo?"

"Yeah. I think he's in the outfit he was wearing when whatever happened happened. The polo was tucked into his jeans but Robin untucked it to check if there were scars on his lil' porcelain tummy."

"Are there?"

"Yeah. Painted on, Robin says. It's pretty accurate."

"Like, chest hair and all?"

"I... don't know? You'll have to ask Robin. She was the one holding him like two inches from her face."

Max's attention goes back to Steve. "I bet your tiny polo looks cute, simply because it's tiny. Only way a polo could be cute, Steve. I still can't believe you dress this way because you like it. And worse, I can't believe you actually pull off the look."

Eddie looks on, amused, as Max rambles from there. Which is an experience. Max isn't quiet by any means, but she's not a talk to fill the silence type, which is what this seems like. The topics are mundane, like how summer school is going, and about her plans to try and teach El how to skateboard using only verbal directions, and debating the pros and cons of trying to convince her mom to let her get a seeing-eye dog. Then, they make a turn Eddie didn't expect.

"I think I'm going to be mostly on babysitting duty instead of active research and rescue. You know, on account of the blindness and all. So, like, I hope you're going be okay just hanging out with me and listening to Kate Bush for hours."

He should not be feeling a twist in his gut of jealousy at the fact Max wants to take Porcelain Steve from him, and yet. "You gonna look after him, Max?"

She shrugs, turns her face towards Eddie, "I figured we'd all take turns babysitting. Might get boring for him otherwise. He'd drop everything to watch us, if this had happened to us. He has done that. We have to do the same for him. Plus, Steve likes to check in on us, don't you Steve? What better way than to give you, like, a day with everyone in rotation."

"Always the savior, never the saved, huh?" Eddie is trying to joke but Max's face twists into a frown and her arms lower for the first time, lower so Steve's little porcelain face stares up at the ceiling.

"No. Not always."

"Oh?"

"I saved him, once. From Billy. It was my fault he was even in danger," Max says, voice sad.

"I doubt it was your fault-"

"It was my brother trying to beat him to death," Max snaps and it shuts Eddie up quick. "And the only reason he was in the house, beating Steve to death, was because I couldn't follow the simple instruction of 'stay away from the window'. Steve could probably have gotten Billy to leave if I had. But I didn't listen, and Billy got in, and then he was threatening Lucas. He'd said 'you're dead, Sinclair' and then Steve had to be super lame but super cool at the same time by saying 'no, you are' and decking Billy in the face with, like, the full force of his body."

"That is a very lame thing to say."

"Right? Anyway, he was winning that fight until Billy cracked him over the head with a plate. Then it just went downhill so fast for Steve, and I was so sure I was about to watch my stepbrother murder someone. I-I don't even know what came over me, really. I'd never stood up to Billy before. I just knew I had to do something. There were these syringes filled with something that put you to sleep and I grabbed it and then I stabbed Billy with one and then threatening him with Steve's nailbat to never touch any of my friends again."

"Holy shit, Red. Metal as hell!"

She gives a small smile at that. "Well, the boys were basically useless so." She gives a shrug that suggests that sentence should have ended with what can you do?

"True. I've seen you girls in action. Scary and deadly."

Max looks down, then, back to Steve. "Alright, Steve. This is enough floor time for me. I'll yack your ears off later."

She holds Steve back out to Eddie, and he returns Steve to the place in his lap. She gathers her cane and pulls herself from the floor, calling out to see where El is, then presumably going off to find her.

"You really do have a tit-for-tat thing going on with these kids, don't ya?" Eddie chuckles, falling back into the quiet.

His mind does go back to Max and her story. Saving Steve from Billy. He's heard that story but never that part. Steve had given him a watered-down version that left out the fact Billy had threatened Lucas, and that Max had come to his rescue. He wonders if Steve even knows that part.

Had they told him? In Steve's version he's getting his ass beat, and then he's coming to in the back of Billy's car with Max at the wheel. It seems out of character for Steve to not take the time to brag about the kids.

Given the events of spring break of last year, and Max's complicated feelings towards Billy, maybe Steve does know the full story and it was left out intentionally. A thing left up to Max to tell or not, to have to relive. She's been better, doesn't bottle up the hard things anymore, even though it's not Eddie she talks to.

It's Steve.

Eddie feels a bit worse about his jealousy earlier. Of course, Max wants to spend time with Steve even if he can't talk back. He's been the stable male figure in her life for years, just like he's been for Dustin.

He looks up, really taking in the people around him. All the people that have gathered because they care about Steve. All the kids, their peers, Joyce, and Hopper, and some guy Eddie's never even heard of before named Murray.

Does Steve even know how much he means to everyone here?

He's going to ask Steve just that but Robin shouts from the dining area at the same time he opens his mouth, so he snaps his jaw shut and focuses in on that.

"Absolutely not! Those assholes dealt with StarCourt by burning it to the ground and that's it! What do you think they'll try and do to Steve!?" Robin's back is to Eddie, so he can't see her face, but he can see Nancy's, who she seems to be yelling at. Nancy looks determined.

"I'm not saying we go asking the shady government for help immediately! I just brought it up as an option for if we hit a dead end, or can't figure this out, or-" Nancy argues back, and Robin cuts her off.

"Shut up! We'll figure it out! We have before."

Nancy's face softens, looks sadder. "I know, Robin. I do. But how long do we try ourselves? How many days, weeks, months, do we just keep trying ourselves while Steve is stuck? We don't even have a starting point for fixing this, the least we can do is plan a time to ask for help."

"Nancy's right," Hopper says, even if he sounds upsetting about admitting it out loud. "We can trust Owens at least. He helped us."

"No, I'm with Freckles there. You cannot trust anyone in the government, Jim. How many times do you need to learn that lesson?" Murray says in a condescending tone (though Eddie hasn't heard any other tone from him, so maybe that's just his voice?).

Eddie finally stands from the floor. This feels like an argument he should join.

[pixeldolly]

The Sacrifice - Part 10

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!"

"The idol's gone, Eliza. I displaced it into Yg's core; if that doesn't melt it, nothing will. Either way, nobody's ever getting their hands on it again."

Yg...the name flashed through Eliza's reeling mind. It was an incalculably old star, a bloated red giant orbited by the lifeless husks of three nameless planets on a plane of existence so remote, fact gave way to rumor and conjecture.

None of that mattered.

Not even her disfigurement mattered, weighed against this new calamity.

Eliza could have struck Fiona dead right then and there, if she hadn't been frozen in utter terror.

The Chkrxgmbvegh, the Nameless One, also felt the shift in the planes.

It felt the inexorable pull of the abyss, as its hold on the material plane began slipping away. Already, it could smell the familiar stench of sulphur and rot and hear the cries of the damned, but the demon was furious.

It had been cheated.

"Witch! Thisss iss your fault! Your sssuffering shall be legendary, even in Hell!"

It did not specify which of the two witches it was speaking to, but Eliza Clare could sense the demon's red-hot ire even as it was pulled into a vortex of lurid un-light. That burning, vengeful anger was aimed at her.

"No, please! It wasn't my fault! SHE's the one, SHE did it!"

"I'll fix it, I swear! I'm begging you, give me another chance!"

Eliza's pleas fell on deaf ears. If the demon was listening, it didn't care; all it cared about was revenge.

She screamed as the fire ignited under her feet, engulfing her with a speed that was unnatural, unstoppable. Eliza thought she knew pain, but she was soon to be disabused of that notion.

She also knew with a certainty that did not originate within herself that this, too, would pale before future torments. Demons did not forgive.

And there was nothing she could do to change it. In a flash of insight dying minds are sometimes granted, Eliza realized that she had been hurtling towards the inferno all along, unable to feel the heat.

Maybe, once, a different outcome had been possible, but the point of no return had come and gone long ago. For the first time in decades, Eliza tasted regret, bitter as a mouthful of poison.

And then, she saw.

A stern father, a Jacoban preacher, trying to "beat the magic out of her."

A resentful mother berating her, knowing she could never, ever be good enough.

Herself as a young woman, vowing she would never be made to feel powerless again, no matter the cost. Sentiment was a weakness to be exploited, which she would cut out of herself as one would an infection.

Her son in her arms, her resolve weakening. It did not break.

Her son...

Then, Eliza saw no more.

"Wh- What happened? Where'd that thing go? Uuughh, I feel like I was hit by a goddamn truck!"

"Banished back to its home dimension. It sounded none too pleased about it, which means a certain blonde witch is being shown the hospitality of the Hellplanes as we speak."

"The fire...shit, are those ashes...?"

"Yep. Didn't leave much behind, did she?"

"Fucking hell - Roman!"

"He's fine. Luckily, the demon only took Eliza."

"Luckily? Sounds like you weren't sure what would happen."

"Well, I wasn't, exactly. I made an educated guess that it would see Eliza as the bigger prize. She'd sold her soul to that thing years ago - Roman was an advance payment on that debt, but it was never going to be enough. The Nameless One was toying with her; it would've demanded more and more, until she could no longer pay."

"Uhuh. And what if it had decided to take both of them?"

"That was a possibility, but I figured it only had enough power left to take one or the other."

"You gamble an awful lot with people's lives, Fiona."

"Considering the alternative was that we all died, I like to think it wasn't unreasonable."

"Fair, I guess. I'm okay too, by the way. Fuck, this bite burns like a motherfucker though! Is demon spit toxic?"

"Jacob...?"

"I'm here. Everything's going to be okay!"

"Where is -"

"It's gone. Fiona banished it; I think. You're safe now."

"And my...mother?"

Jacob pursed his lips; giving that woman the title of "mother" felt like a travesty.

"She's gone too."

"You...How did you know...?"

"It's a long story. I'll tell you all the details later, but right now we need to get you to a hospital. How...how are you feeling?"

"Hurts. But - Jacob..."

"Shhhhh."

"Thank you..."

[shaunamilfman]

evermore

Summary: "She screams your name as she gathers your limp body in her arms. “Baby. Baby. Baby.” She keeps saying it, again and again as if she truly believes that you'll answer if she just says it enough. She has such childlike desperation as if she can't understand that she's broken her favorite toy.

OR

You die out in the snow, cold and alone. You haunt so much more than just the narrative. "

A/N: Shauna Shipman x reader if it wasn't clear. Warnings for canon typical themes and violence. I have very spoilery content warnings at the very end if you think you might need to see them ❤️.

You scoff loudly, tears running furiously down your face. You rub them away pointlessly, new tears taking their place the second your hand falls. You stare at Shauna in disbelief that she could ever be this mean to you. You knew her capacity for cruelness better than anyone, but never in a million years did you think she'd turn it on you. “Oh, it's my fault is it?” You ask bitterly. “Stupid Y/N didn't give you enough attention at a party so you just had to go and get yourself knocked up with someone else's boyfriend?”

Jackie flinches slightly at the reminder but still stands firmly at Shauna's side. That one had surprised you too, but leave it to Jackie to side with Shauna against someone even if she got hurt in the process. You knew they’d probably have an argument of their own once they were alone, but you still resented Jackie for taking Shauna’s side at the moment. 

 “Maybe I just realized you don't deserve me.” Shauna spits out defensively. “Maybe you never did.”

You nod slowly as you take in the information. You keep your eyes firmly on the ground, desperately trying to keep a hold of your emotions. “Well, I certainly didn't deserve this.” You say quietly. Shauna flinches slightly but doesn't back down. You finally look back up, seeing the rest of your friends standing behind Shauna. You don't even have it in you to be surprised how vehemently they seem to be on her side. “All of you?” You ask. 

Lottie shrugs, a cold expression adorning her face. “We're all crazy, right? That's what you keep saying.” She says. Jackie looks slightly annoyed at being included in that statement but just rolls her eyes. 

“This is about your fucking cult bullshit again?” You ask bewilderedly. You couldn't fucking believe this, but that seemed to be a common issue with you. Your lack of belief in Lottie's cult only seemed to further divide you from the other girls. 

“This fucking cult bullshit is the only thing keeping us fed,” Mari says, instantly jumping to Lottie's defense. 

“Nat is the only thing keeping us fed.” You refute immediately.

“And where's she now?” Lottie asks. 

“Why don't you go ahead and wait outside for her, since we're so crazy,” Mari says. You sigh irritably and start to respond when you catch the expression of the girls around you. You can't help but get nervous, remembering all too well what you watched them do to Travis last night. You fidget nervously with the sleeves of your jacket, your sudden burst of anxiety effectively taking the wind out of your sails. 

You suddenly notice the way they've surrounded the room and you back up slightly in response. “Go ahead,” Lottie says. “Go.” You laugh nervously as you look over at Shauna, some part of you still believing she'd back you up. She looks a little unsure, but the second she notices you looking her expression hardens. 

“She's not going to help you.” Someone says behind her, though you can't quite make out who as your panic rises. You slowly look around at all of them, wishing that at least one of them would say something in your defense. This was crazy, wasn't it? If someone else thought so too they didn't bother to speak up about it. 

You scoff as you back up towards the door. You take one last look at Shauna, with one hand still on the door. “Well. Fuck you too then.” You say bitterly, slamming the door behind you. 

You stare wearily at your fire with your arms wrapped around your knees. You're desperately cold even with the fire roaring. You stare at the front door for a few minutes as you consider just going back inside. It was late enough that you were sure most of the girls had gone to sleep already, late enough that you felt safe slipping back inside. 

Still, you remembered the hateful look on Shauna's face and decided that she'd just have to come to you. You were sure she'd come after you after she calmed down. Your girlfriend had a habit of blowing up about stuff but she always came crawling back to apologize. You really do think you'd forgive her if only she'd actually apologize to you. You knew that you probably shouldn't, given that she's cheated on you at least once; Though you know I'm the back of your mind it was probably more than that, but she'd always been so good so you otherwise. Still, the longer you were out here the more your hope started waning. 

You pulled your jacket tightly around you as you started shivering. You stared blankly into the fire, never once seeing the figure watching you from the attic window. Maybe things would be a lot different if you did.

You were getting pretty tired though, so for now you decided to sleep. You could hash things out in the morning when Nat got back, you knew she'd understand. 

… 

“Hey,” Shauna says softly, shaking you awake. You stare up at her blearily as you blink your eyes open, still shivering from the cold. She kneels down on the ground next to you, gently pulling you into a sitting position as she wraps her arms around you. You scoff and try to pull out of her arms but she holds onto you tightly, not letting you go. You relax slightly, thinking of all the mornings you’d spent trying and failing to get Shauna to stop cuddling you so you could get out of bed. You just wish she’d get over herself and apologize already.

“It’s not your fault” She admits quietly, pulling you closer against her. You’re incredibly surprised, and you don’t bother to hide it. “It wasn’t really about you, I’m sorry.” You’re quiet for a long moment, gently running your fingertips against her arm. She was so warm and it was really everything you could do not to bury yourself in her arms. You weren’t even sure if you could feel your fingertips anymore. You felt pretty strange, honestly.

“What was it about, then?” You ask. Shauna sighs, her breath incredibly warm against your neck.

“Jackie.” She admits. “I just wanted to take something from her for once, and we were fighting.”

“That’s not,” You start.

“I know.” Shauna interrupts. “It’s not an excuse, but you asked why. I was just mad and I was being stupid.” You smile softly, even though you know she can’t see it. Leave it to Shauna to act without thinking. You lace your fingers together gently, nearly groaning at the warmth of her hand.

“I don’t forgive you.” You say, honest to a fault. “But we can work on it.” You can feel rather than see the way Shauna smiles against the back of your neck.

“Okay.” She says happily, dragging the both of you to stand back up. She pulls you by the hand back into the cabin. You let the door shut gently behind you, careful to step over the sleeping girls on the floor. You climb up into the attic after her, tip-toeing over to your cot on the floor. You lie on the cot next to each other, both of you a little unsure of what you should do now.

You turn on your side to face her, throwing your arm over her when she does. It was a role reversal to how you usually slept, and you could tell Shauna was silently questioning it. You gently place your hand against her stomach almost reverently. Shauna inhales sharply as she reaches down to place her hand over yours. “You’re really…” You trail off.

“Yeah.” She says somberly.

“Hey.” You say comfortingly. “None of that now.” You rub comforting circles against her belly as you pull yourself tighter against her side, desperately trying to chase away the cold feeling that’s encased your entire existence. “Everything will be okay.” You murmur quietly into her ear. Shauna makes a noise in protest but seems too tired to really fight you on it. She pulls your arm firmly against her as she tries to get comfortable on the floor.

“Will it?” Laura Lee asks sadly. You glance up in shock, eyes going wide as you see her.

“What?” You ask bewilderedly. You look over at Shauna only to realize she isn’t there. You have the strangest realization that she was never there. Somehow, you’re still lying out by the fire. You look back towards Laura Lee in a panic to find that she’s no longer there either. You’re all alone, and you think you always have been.

…

You look down at your body somehow completely disconnected from it. It takes you a long while to realize just where you are. You stare for a while in disbelief, unable to deal with the idea that she had left you here like this. You'd truly believed that Shauna would come for you, and you're not sure how to deal with the harsh reality that she hadn't. Your dream had felt so vividly real, but you should have known it was too good to be true. Nothing good has happened to you since that plane went down, why should this be any different? Before the crash, you used to dream of dying quietly beside Shauna one day, ripe with old age. Seems like you died because of Shauna instead.

It's so cold, you think absentmindedly. You've been cold for a while, but this is different. It wasn't a biting cold anymore, the kind that nipped at your fingertips and left you shivering on the ground outside. It was a cold sort of numbness like you were standing in the abyss just surrounded by complete and total nothingness. It isn't nearly as bad as you thought it was going to be. 

You start to wonder why you fought so hard in the first place. You can't help but laugh at the realization that everything you've done in the last few months was for nothing. All the prices you have paid since that plane crashed were for nothing. You were nothing to no one, not anymore. Hell, You think bitterly. You were nothing to no one long before you died.

It had been so quiet for so long, so cold that even the birds weren't chirping. Nothing but the sound of the wind through the trees. You nearly die a second time when the silence is broken by a sudden agonized scream. You whirl around to see Shauna frantically running out of the doorway and dropping to her knees next to you. 

She screams your name as she gathers your limp body in her arms. “Baby. Baby. Baby.” She keeps saying it, again and again as if she truly believes that you'll answer if she just says it enough. She has such childlike desperation as if she can't understand that she's broken her favorite toy. You're never going to take in another breath, but in this moment you can't help but hope against hope with her. 

She shakes your body violently back and forth; It's not like she's trying to hurt you, but rather that she seems to think that all she has to do is shake you hard enough and you'll wake back up again. It's like she's trying to restart your heart just with the motions of her own body, a fucked up version of CPR. But no matter how hard she tries you'll never wake up again. You wish you could feel her hands on you, wanting nothing more than to feel her touching you one last time. It had been a while since she did it last, and you miss it desperately. You miss it even more as you realize you’re never going to get it again.

It's too late for that even if she doesn't seem to realize that herself; You just wish she would've realized that she loved you when you were alive. You felt a lot of things at this moment, but more than anything you felt like an idiot. You couldn’t believe you fucking died because Shauna couldn’t even bother to be the slightest bit sorry until she lost you. You were being irrational, you knew but felt like you deserved to be anyway.

Jackie and Tai both desperately try to pull her off of your body– no, your corpse– but Shauna just won't budge. She holds on to you with every ounce of strength she has, but she still manages to be so gentle with you now that she's finally accepted that you aren’t going to wake up. The expression on her face as she looks at you is absolutely devastating, and you can’t even bear to look at it any longer. She doesn’t speak anymore, she can’t think long enough to even form words. She just shakes desperately as her body is wracked with sobs.

You wish she’d go cry inside. It’s cold out here, as you well know.

… 

Jackie had come to sit with Shauna for the first few weeks, staunchly loyal to the end. She couldn't bear to look at your body, whether due to guilt or disgust, you were never quite sure. Eventually, even she had to tap out as it got far too cold for her to stand being outside for long periods. She begged and begged Shauna to just come inside with her but Shauna had steadfastly refused. You wondered where all this loyalty was when she fucked Jeff. 

Jackie's concern over Shauna's mental state was mostly unwarranted, but it's not like you could explain that to her. Most of the other girls had written Shauna off as crazy for sitting out with a corpse all day, but Jackie knew more than most even as she fervently protected that secret. She'd watched for weeks as Shauna talked to thin air, pleading with her to realize that you weren't really there. You wonder what it must look like for Jackie as Shauna sat next to your corpse for hours and begged you to say something to her; You wonder if Shauna herself even truly knows you're real. 

You were still so angry, but there wasn't anything you could do about it. So you did the only thing you do: nothing. When Shauna begged you to talk to her you said nothing. When Shauna apologized for hours on end you said nothing. You sat there and watched her sob in the cold, just like she did to you. She had her chance to apologize, but she was so stubborn she'd rather let you die. 

Still, the more time passed the more you started to feel sorry for her. She just seemed so pathetic. You never knew yourself to be capable of such cruelness, but then again you'd never died before either. As you stare down at your killer you find yourself unable to resist the urge to comfort her. You don’t know why she’s the only one who can see you, but you’ve long grown tired of punishing her for it.

You slowly kneel down next to her spot on the ground, the closest you’ve let yourself get to her in a long time. She’d known better, subconsciously or otherwise, than to try to get near you during the time she’d spent in the meat shed. You reach your hand out towards her dreadfully slow, more than a little terrified to find out if you can actually touch her. Judging by the distraught look on her face you know she’s had the same thoughts. You both gasp when your hand makes undeniably solid contact with her arm. You grip her arm tightly as a sudden feeling of wrongness overtakes you. This… This isn’t right. 

Your fingers loosen as you start to pull away but Shauna surges forward to grab you tightly, her nails digging deeply into your skin. You stare down strangely at her fingers. You knew that, had you been alive, her grip most certainly would have drawn blood; As it was, you couldn’t even really feel her in the first place: you get nothing but the faintest sense of pressure. As nice as it is to be touched for the first time in weeks, that only makes it more upsetting that you can’t truly enjoy it.

“Y/N.” Shauna says panicked, frantically grasping at you as if you were sand falling out of her fingers. You smile slightly, the metaphor feeling apt as you start blinking in and out of existence. It happened less now than it did before, you’d gotten much better control over it over time but you always fell victim to strong emotions.

“See you later?” You ask wryly as your vision goes black, the first thing you’ve bothered to say to Shauna since you died.

You peer curiously over Shauna’s shoulder as she writes in her journal. She used to get defensive the second you stepped a foot towards her while she had her journal, but the two of you had long since grown past the need for secrets between you. Shauna hesitates for a second before she shifts her shoulders slightly so that you can have a better view as she keeps writing. This was such an interesting insight into Shauna’s psyche that you understandably never got to experience when you were alive. You found yourself endlessly fond of reading Shauna’s warped view of her day-to-day activities with the rest of your teammates. 

You'd realized pretty early on that you couldn't go very far from your body, which made haunting get awfully boring pretty quickly. Shauna didn't even react when you floated through the walls or discorporated out of nowhere anymore. You'd even tried experimenting with Shauna to discover that you could even hold a pen if Shauna was also touching it. Despite being able to hold it, you couldn't seem to actually write with it– much to your disappointment and Shauna's silent relief: she really did not want to have to share her journal with you.

Shauna didn't cry nearly as much as she used to, not from grief anyway. Still, you found yourself wishing she would. The colder it got the more concerned you became with the amount of time Shauna was spending out here, and how much your pregnant girlfriend was isolating herself from her friends. She'd need them badly soon with the baby coming and you were intimately aware of how bad Shauna was at repairing bridges on her own. 

There wasn't much you could do about it out here, but you'd come up with an idea that you hope might work. 

…

“You need to go back inside.” You say. Shauna sighs, getting tired of rehashing the same argument over and over again. You were getting pretty tired of it yourself, but your girlfriend had always been incredibly stubborn; It seems that she still hasn’t learned her lesson on that one.

“I’m not leaving you out here by yourself.” She insists. You know her well enough to know her motivation is much more selfish than that: she doesn’t want to be inside by herself. You weren’t sure what had gone down between her and Jackie that had left her suddenly so dependent on your company over hers, but you certainly weren’t going to complain. It made you feel awfully selfish to monopolize Shauna’s time like that, but you figured Shauna was more than happy to let you.

“Then don’t.” You say simply. She gives you a wry look as she looks over at your body and then back at you. Her lip quirks up in amusement. You can’t help but laugh at the idea of your severely pregnant girlfriend hauling your corpse up into the cabin. She looks mighty proud of herself for making you laugh as she finally shuts her journal to give you her full attention. “Not my entire body.” You suggest through peels of laughter. Shauna’s eyes widen slightly as she looks contemplatively at your body. 

After a long moment, she carefully gets up on her knees, grabbing the knife from the table as she moves over to your body. She slowly holds the knife up to your ear and watches you closely as she starts to cut it off. You flinch reflexively at the sight but feel no actual pain; It’s extremely strange watching your own ear being cut off without actually feeling any of it. You weren’t actually sure if it would work or not, but it’s by far the best idea you’d come up with. Shauna glances rapidly back and forth between you and the ear before she sheepishly stuffs it in her pocket. “What now?” She asks unsurely.

You gesture to the door and she rises slowly and unsteadily to her feet. She carries the bear meat she’d been sent out here for in the first place as you follow unsurely behind her. You reach your usual limit from the meat shed and cautiously take a step forward, incredibly relieved to find yourself without the normal tugging sensation that accompanies it. Shauna lets out a relieved sigh as she walks into the cabin. The other girls eye her wearily as she holds the door open for seemingly thin air. You didn’t actually need her to hold the door open for you, one of the few perks of being dead, but you desperately held onto any reminder of Shauna’s chivalry from when you were alive.

You sit quietly next to Shauna by the window, who keeps glancing back at you to make sure you’re really there. You’re sure it just adds further fuel to the belief that Shauna’s going insane, but you were just glad she knew enough not to try to talk to you in front of everyone. Small victories, you thought. 

You watch the other yellowjackets curiously– a cruel part of you that you try to bury is pleased with how awful they look– and realize how hard this winter has hit them. You can't help the concern it sparks in you, but you're much more concerned with the state of your girlfriend. As much as you had assured her she wasn't going to die giving birth you didn't truly think the outcome was going to be all that hopeful. Secretly you wonder if it would really be that bad if she were to join you, but you know you'll do everything you can before that happens. 

You sit up with her, long past when the other yellowjackets have fallen asleep in various positions on the floor. Jackie tried to convince Shauna to come and sleep with her, but Shauna refused. You were irritated that she was still avoiding taking care of herself to be able to talk to you.

You observe her carefully as she pulls your ear out of her pocket, fidgeting with it as the two of you sit in silence. You think it's an awfully morbid nervous get sure till you notice the way she looks at it. “Shauna.” You say quietly, barely above a whisper. She seems to snap out of her intense look as she meets your eyes. “Are you hungry?“ You ask sympathetically. 

She scoffs and gives you an annoyed look, but you can tell her heart isn't in it. “It's okay,” You tell her. “No one would know.” 

You laugh, holding your hands up placatingly. “Who would I tell?” Shauna's lips quirk up, but you can tell she's seriously considering it. You place one hand on her shoulder and rub comfortingly at it. You slip your other hand down to gently grasp her wrist and bring it to her mouth. She resists at first but quietly breaks as she stuffs it in her mouth in one fluid motion. 

“Hey,” You say with a roguish grin. “That's the spirit.” Shauna groans, her face still uncharacteristically unsure. You place a gentle kiss against her forehead before you finally manage to send her off to bed. 

… 

You wrinkle your nose slightly in disgust as you look down at your corpse. You can’t believe Shauna’s done you up like a clown; What happened to dignity in death? You were embarrassedly fond of the sight, however. Shauna was always awful with makeup and you found yourself glad that at least some things haven’t changed between the two of you. “What the fuck are you doing to me?” You ask with a grin. Shauna flinches, looking up quickly with a slightly guilty look on her face. She relaxes when she realizes you don’t seem that upset about it. You’d been away most of the day, finding it harder and harder to keep track of time the longer you were dead. You’d gotten tired of watching her sleep a long time ago and tended to just pop back out when she woke up.

“You just seem so lifeless.” She muses, staring at your corpse thoughtfully. You wince as she applies a crooked line of lipstick. How could someone be that fucking bad? It’s not like your corpse was shifting at all.

“That’s because I’m dead.” You suggest helpfully. Shauna sighs in exasperation, not even giving that a response. You thought she was awfully judgy for someone currently putting makeup on a corpse. You open your mouth to make another dead joke when the door to the meat shed opens. Oh shit. You have to hold your hand over your mouth to hide your grin at Shauna’s expense, but that doesn’t stop you from shaking with silent laughter.

Jackie watches the scene in absolute disbelief, her eyes quickly focusing on Shauna almost straddling your corpse as she ‘applies’ makeup to it. You can’t help but agree with the slight look of disgust as she takes in just how bad your makeup looks. Jackie looks more upset at that than the fact she was doing it in the first place. She looks achingly concerned for Shauna once she gets past her initial reaction. “Jackie,” Shauna starts but Jackie just shakes her head softly and walks back to the cabin presumably to tell the others. 

“You should go after her.” You say quietly. Shauna jumps slightly, forgetting you are still there. She seems so unsure and sad as she looks up at you, almost like a child who’s gotten lost. She nods slowly and heads after her. You stay in the shack, not wanting to deal with that confrontation. You laugh softly as you hear Shauna yelling all the way from here. A real spitfire that one.

You watch quietly as your former friends lift your body onto the pyre. Shauna had fought and fought with the other girls about it, but you silently agreed with them. You hope that it will finally help Shauna move on, as much as you want to keep her out there you know it’s for the better. You wonder if you’ll disappear when your body is burnt, or if the flesh Shauna consumed would keep you tied together till she died as well. You found that you weren’t entirely opposed to either option.

Shauna looks over at you pleadingly but you just shake your head. You weren’t entirely sure what she expected you to do anyway, as no one else could see you. You suspected Lottie could sometimes, she stared off in your direction way too often. She never seemed to acknowledge it so you chose not to either. You still weren’t very happy with the rest of your friends for what they did, so you weren’t going to go out of your way to talk to her; You try not to think about it much so you don't need to address the double standard of forgiving Shauna for it. You hum in agreement as Shauna yells at the other girls for trying to take your clothes, shuddering at the thought of Travis of all people seeing you naked.

Shauna looks directly at you as she steps up to your corpse. “I was wrong.” She says so quietly that you can barely make it out. You weren’t entirely sure you were supposed to. “You weren’t the one that didn’t deserve the other.” She steps back as your body starts to burn. 

You stare numbly as the flames lick up your body, not really sure how to feel about the whole thing. You give Shauna a small smile as you look through the fire at her. You walk with her back into the cabin and stare out the window long into the night completely captivated by the sight.

… 

You stare down at your cooked body with a horrified expression. You'd seen the snow fall on it, sure, but never in your wildest dreams were you expecting this to be the result. Out of all the awful things that have happened to you since your plane crashed you were sure this had to be the worst. It was somehow weirder than dying, as that had at least happened in your sleep. The smell of your cooked flesh was absolutely nauseating even as a ghost. You startled slightly at the sound of the cabin door opening. “What… What smells so good?” You hear someone ask from inside. 

You tense, moving defensively in front of your body. There's no fucking way that… You hesitate as you consider just how hungry Shauna has been lately. You let the rest of them starve before they got your body, but your girlfriend– your very pregnant girlfriend– was a different matter altogether. You reluctantly step out of the way as they start surrounding your corpse. There’s not anything you really could have done to stop them, but it still feels weird to let them do it without the slightest bit of protest.

You see her watching you as she walks out with the rest of them, looking horrified as she glances back and forth between you and your body. She seems to want to say something but can't find the words as she finally fixates on your body with an undeniable look of hunger on her face. You'd been on the receiving end of that look more times than you can remember, but you've never seen it in this context. You sigh as you realize you're going to let Shauna eat you one last time.

Shauna manages to tear her eyes away from your corpse as she looks up at you. She looks wild, verging on feral, and you're honestly surprised she managed to tear herself away from it. She looks around at the others and her eyes start to narrow and a familiar expression that you know means trouble starts to appear. You consider letting her shoo them away from your body, telling by the way they’re all staring at her you think they’d listen, but you knew this was finally something you could do for Shauna.

“It’s okay.” You say softly in the most compassionate voice you can manage given your general disgust with the entire situation. She looks startled as she turns her head slightly to look at you. “I want you to. It’s okay.” She shakes her head in disagreement, but you can tell her heart isn’t truly in it. Her eyes keep trailing back to your body with a slightly longing look on her face. The whole scene is heartbreaking, you wouldn’t wish this decision on your worst enemy. Still, Shauna needed to eat. If not for her, then for the baby.

“Let me take care of our baby.” You plead quietly in her ear, tearing up at the utterly lost expression on her face. “Please, Shauna? It's the only way I can.” You'd do anything for Shauna: this was nothing. It didn't even cost you anything. Shauna still looks reluctant, but you’ve convinced her to do things she wanted to do a lot less with a simple please before. 

“She'd want us too,” Shauna says hesitantly as she slowly kneels down next to you. It sets a chain reaction as the others quickly join her in consuming you. You keep a hand on her shoulder as she ravenously digs in, but you can't bear to look. You're on the verge of finding out if ghosts can throw up as you try your best not to gag at the sounds of tearing meat. You think you might hear the squishing sound of your flesh being chewed on for the rest of your afterlife. 

The things you do for love. 

… 

“-know that, but Tai’s supposed to be my friend!” Shauna argues. Jackie sighs, holding her hands up placatingly.

“I’m just saying that I’m here for you too,” Jackie says softly. Shauna softens as she gives her an apologetic look that Jackie just waves off. Jackie continues, “They may have all gone crazy, but it’s you and me against the world Shipman.” Jackie leans her head against Shauna’s shoulder as she looks back at the prayer circle. Shauna murmurs something in response that you’re not quite close enough to pick up, but you can tell from the affectionate look on Jackie’s face that it is at least positive.

“If it helps, I think Tai’s a bitch too.” You agree as you step closer. Shauna's lips quirk up as she gives you a knowing look. “She ate my fucking face, Shauna.” You defend. She gives you a fond look as she shakes her head and goes back to glaring at the cult. You’d missed your angry girlfriend, she'd spent far too much time being your sad girlfriend lately; The return to normality felt comforting. You tune out the sounds of Jackie and Shauna talking shit about the cult, content to just enjoy the moment. 

Shauna’s relationship with the others seemed to get more and more strained the more Lottie seemed to focus on Shauna’s baby. You were hoping she and Tai found some common ground on this soon as Shauna desperately needed to talk to someone other than Jackie and a ghost. You trailed a bit awkwardly behind them as Tai, Shauna, and Jackie argued on the way back to the cabin. You were about to go away for a bit when Shauna suddenly cries out in pain. You rush forward to catch up with them, watching in concern as they try to get Shauna back to the cabin in the snowstorm.

Shauna holds on to Tai and Jackie’s hands as she screams her way through it. She tried desperately to hold your hand instead, but Tai grabbed it before you could get to it. Privately you were a little relieved about that given that you had no clue how she’d be able to explain that one away later. You sat by her head, clutching onto her the best you could. You murmured soothing words, but most of your energy was spent trying to stay present. You flickered back and forth as you tried to get a handle on your own panic, but managed to push past it by focusing on the fact that Shauna would literally murder you if you vanished right now.

You don’t bother to give Lottie’s little prayer circle a second glance until you catch “-hope Shauna doesn’t die.” You finally manage to tear your eyes away from Shauna to glare over at Mari, despite knowing that she can’t actually see you.

“Die?” Shauna asks panickedly, trying to look back at you. Jackie grabs at Shauna’s chin, forcing Shauna to look at her as she tries to soothe her worries. You can tell that Jackie’s barely holding it together herself by the look of intense fear that graces her face whenever Shauna looks away from her. Jackie looks up as she tries to find what Shauna was looking back for, and there's just a fraction of a second where you swore she saw you. Her eyes go wide and her mouth opens slightly in shock, but it seems to disappear as quickly as it appeared. She shakes her head in disbelief as her eyes seem to go straight through you once again. Regardless of your mutual curiosity, you both keep all of your attention focused on Shauna as she finally starts pushing.

…

You’re absolutely devastated as you stare down at Shauna. As her eyes start to flicker open you almost wish she’d pass out for a little longer, anything to stop her from feeling this. Shauna’s eyes slowly blink open as she looks around the room. Her eyes land on you and she smiles weakly before her expression suddenly becomes horrified as the truth slowly dawns on her. “How are you holding my baby?” She asks quietly as if she can barely force the words out. You flinch as you look away, not able to bear looking her in the eyes. You gently try to rock the crying baby in your arms.

“How are you holding my baby?” She repeats over and over again, sounding more and more desperate each time. She’s practically screaming it now, her voice cracking in the middle. Her baby is crying louder and louder in response and you're still frantically trying to calm him down. You give Shauna a helpless look as you try soothing him as she watches in horror. “No…” She says in disbelief, voice barely a whisper. You think it must hurt her to speak after all the screaming she’s done, but at the same time, you know that she’ll never hurt again. This isn’t what you wanted for her, but at least she’d never starve again.

Shauna sobs as she watches you hold her baby. She reaches forward slowly as if expecting her hand to go right through him and exhales shakily as she makes real solid contact with him. She glances down at her hand in surprise and you watch as she finally notices. You wonder if it was the sight of her own body, or if she finally took in the sounds of Jackie’s desperate screams as she rocked Shauna’s body back and forth.

Shauna glances back and forth between her corpse and her own arm. You knew firsthand how disorienting it was to wake up for the first time, so you gave her an encouraging smile as you finally got the baby to calm down. You smile down at him as you hold him more gently than anything else you’ve ever had. You’ve always thought babies were a little ugly, but you’ve heard it’s different when it’s your own. As you look down at him you can’t help but realize that it’s true. You glance back up at Shauna in awe: he looks so much like her, and nothing like Jeff. You were privately very pleased about that one.

Shauna slowly moves up to her knees, seeming unsure and awkward as she moves out of her own body. She gets her feet back under her, with all the grace of a baby fawn as she stumbles her way over to you. She sits down next to you and she shares your awed look as you slowly hand the baby to her. She seems unsure of what to think or feel about the baby. On one hand, there was the baby she’d spent nine months growing, on the other hand, there was her killer. As you let Shauna make her mind up you stare compassionately over at Jackie who’s gone absolutely hysterical over Shauna’s body. Tai and Van are both trying to pry her off of Shauna’s corpse, but Jackie’s a lot stronger than she looks as they don’t seem to get one finger off of Shauna. You knew that you would have been joining her if you were still alive, and your heart truly went out to her. You don’t think you’ll ever forget the sound of her screaming.

Shauna glances up at Jackie a few times with a guilty expression on her face. You knew she wanted to do something to help Jackie, anything really, but there wasn’t anything she could do. She focuses on the one thing she can, her baby. You watch happily as she coos down at him. You’d never thought much about Shauna being a mother, but you couldn’t deny that she seemed to be a natural at it. There was so much love in her eyes, despite the circumstances.

…

Shauna smiles as she gently rocks the baby in her hands. She stares at him in awe, even after all this time. You wrap your arm around her as you lean your head against her shoulder. Shauna rests hers on top of yours. She sighs quietly as she looks back up at the cabin. “I miss Jackie.” She admits. You gently rub at her shoulder as you try to comfort her.

“If it helps,” You offer up, “They’ll probably eat Jackie soon.” Shauna snorts in laughter, raising a hand to cover her face in embarrassment. She puts her hand down as she glares at you, the corners of her lips twitching up despite herself.

“Don’t joke about that.” She says, but you can't help but notice that she doesn’t disagree. 

Sometimes, just sometimes, you almost swear that Jackie can see you just out of the corner of her eyes. She’ll whirl around in your direction, searching frantically for whatever it was that caught her eye. You hope she’ll make it out, but as you watch the cards being handed out you don’t find yourself all that hopeful. You smile affectionately over at Shauna; You’ve lost many things out here, but you’ve certainly gained some in return. You smile ear to ear as the baby grabs at your finger. You weren’t sure this was a happy ending, but it was enough.

Content Warnings: Major Character Deaths (You and Shauna), Infant mortality (the baby is also a ghost lmao), cannibalism, descriptions of seeing your own body, as well as descriptions of seeing/hearing it being eaten. It’s also implied that jackies gonna get merc’d soon 🤷. Bittersweet ending ig?