#(keeping the italian comment so to laugh with/at myself in the future)

[ndostairlyrium]

grey hair, fluff, and murrine 🔮

[bbykpoper]

Chapter 1 // Masterlist

GENRE: mafia au, fluff, a bit of smut, a smudge of angst if you squint your eyes hard enough, possible fantasy????

SYNOPSIS: A centuries old feud which kept itself silent suddenly ignites once again as two warring gangs face each other for the first time. A family of established immortals who came together after the war, a band of humans who began remembering their past lives and officials breathing down their neck threaten the world once again as fantasy and reality clash in the form of a young man hell bent on being in the lead and a young woman hell bent on ending this meaningless feud. A story will unfold before you now, questioning your morals as well as grinding your nerves to the edge.

“A princess turned assassin?”

“A coward turned prince?”

Who will survive the last wave of this war?

°˖✧

“My hands are stained with blood... yet again...” There came a soft whisper in the distance as droplets of red fell to the floor.

The strong stench of blood glided to the young man’s nostrils as he observed the scene before him. A body laid on the ground, it’s face unrecognizable as a young woman of short stature stood, her fists slightly bruised and bloody. Her strong willed eyes were trained on him and he extended his arm to beckon her towards him. 

“You’re becoming more vicious in your battles.” He spoke as the young woman moved towards him, jumping down from the ring in which two other men began cleaning the now deceased body. “What seems to be bothering you?”

“It seems our rivals have decided to invade our business inside the ring.” The girl let her companion clean her fists as she observed the body being thrown out. “The boy they sent was said to be a rising star in their ranks, his ego decided to challenge me and he ended up where he is now. It angers me how much they seem to refuse to stay in peace and in their own lanes.”

“It seems that they wish to take over the underworld.” The man’s groaning blue eyes met her dark ones. “Forcas calls for us all. It seems he has had enough of peace as well.”

With a small nod she went after the taller man, covering her face more with the black mask she grew used to. It was rare to see her without it, but today she decided to keep her face free, so that it would be the last thing her poor oponent saw before she beat him to death without mercy. 

“Would you like my jacket?” Her companion asked her as he noticed the attire she sported. A simple sports bra and leggings. 

Not exactly an outfit she would like to show herself in before the head of their family, but the meeting seemed urgent, and she didn’t have time to change.

“No, it’s quite fine.” She simply stated, climbing into the black SUV after him. “The meeting seems urgent, has he finally come to terms with what it is we are to do?”

“By his tone of voice, I would say it’s quite serious.” Her companion placed his hand on hers, his eyes trained on the clear night sky as the stars twinkled in his eyes. “The stars have shifted drastically. Our futures are in danger Fae. Yours more so than ours.”

The woman didn’t say anything as she kept quiet beside him, allowing their fingers to weave together. They both felt each others pulse through their wrist, something which calmed them down and finally the woman could breathe more calmly and freely. The car took a swift turn into the outskirts of town and headed down the road, getting further on the outskirts. Soon enough the car pulled up to a large mansion in the middle of nowhere, two large men opening the doors for the two passengers.

“Good evening Miss, Sir.” They greeted them and both nodded their heads in greeting. “Leader is waiting for you in the war room.”

The small woman rolled her eyes at the mention of the room but still obediently followed their guide. As they entered she felt a sudden warmth crawl up her skin and she moved to the left, evading the overly excited man-child that hit her companion straight on. 

“Why did you move?” He whinned turning to her. “I don’t want to hug Tae, I wanted to hug you y/n.”

“Stop whinning Jungkook.” Her companion spoke up as he helped steady him on his legs. “She did that to tease you.” He rolled his eyes along.

“Is that true?” He went over to her.

“A little bit.” She answered him with a small giggle. “You’re just super cute when you get frustrated.” She pinched his cheeks, laughing when he slapped her hand away.

“I’m a grown man, older than you not to mention and handsome.” He gritted out with a pout. “I’m not cute.”

The trio went further into the large mansion, small talk flowing between them with ease. The room they were going to was located on the first floor but deeper into the mansion, closer to the west wing. The interior was decorated like a European museum if you asked any person that came to visit. Golden chandeliers, paintings lining the walls, an elaborate statue here and there, and of course high doors and even higher ceilings. The young woman and her companion still kept holding hands as they were announced in the room and they took their respected seats at the oval shapped table housing 8 seats that were now finally full.

“Congradulations on your win y/n.” The tallest amongs them spoke up, a soft smile on his features. “I hear the young boy is unrecognizable.”

“Thank you. I tried to not let my emotions take over me.” She spoke up, swiftly taking off her mask. “But then he decided to open his mouth and I just didn’t have the strength to control myself anymore.”

“I’ve heard.” A small hologram began showing the file of the man who she had her fight with earlier this night. “Na Jaemin. The boy wonder of NCT who was supposed to quietly climb up in the ring but he just had to run his mouth next to our little y/n here.” The man laughed. “It seems he was favoured by their bomb expert Taeil.” 

“Does this mean they will retaliate by blowing me up?” The girl raised her eyebrow earning a hearty laugh from her left.

“No no, they aren’t that dumb.” The man who sat next to her had the widest smile on his face, bopping the girl’s nose with little to no force at all. “They don’t know he is dead. Well, not yet at least.” 

“They don’t know?” Tae asked from her right side.

“No. We made sure that people think that we just kindly locked him up somewhere.” A man next to Jungkook spoke up, drawing their attention to him. “For now, we made sure that nobody from that match says a word outside on the streets. We don’t need children on our doorstep seeking vengance.”

“I’m sorry.” She spoke up.

“Why are you apologizing?” The head of the table asked, visibly confused.

“I let my emotions take over and I killed him.” She sighed, slumping in her seat.

“Kid, your job is to kill off the pests we don’t need.” The man with distinctive red eyes spoke up to her, he stood up and walked over to her, earning Taehyung’s side eye. “Everybody that goes up against you in the ring knows what the fate is if it’s your bad day.” The man squated next to her, sliding his hand up her arm to cup her cheek. “Now I know you weren’t having a bad day, so what did he say to you that made you so angry?”

“He commented how he’d easily take me down and make me his little cock hold afterwards.” She said with an unamused facial expression, which had seven different men stare at her with wide, angry eyes.

“I say, we kill the whole den of idiots.” Jungkook said, already on his feet ready to leave.

“Take a seat Azazel.” The head of the table spoke up, silencing the whole room. 

“My poor baby.” The hand gently caressed her cheek, pulling back and standing straight. “What should we do Forcas? The NCT pests have been getting bolder. And now they are trying to take us out from the business we began?”

“I know, though I have this idea which I think you will like.” The head of the table, a tall man with sleeked back grey hair, smirked with danger in his golden eyes. 

°˖✧

On the other side of the city, deep in the abandoned district of Seoul, a group of men decided to come together this night, worried faces painting all of the newcommers. The two people standing guard at the front looked at each other when the final car pulled up and the two men walked in.

“Isn’t it weird that the big bosses are here?” One of the men spoke up.

“Yeah, but to be honest are you surprised?” The other sighed. 

The inside was fairly nicely decorated, the inspiration coming from old Italian mafia films, the distinctive arches holding up most of the structure. The dinning room was currently occupied with seven people, two of them standing and facing each other in a heated argument. The newcommers that took a seat at the table sighed as they calmly looked up at the two standing men in the middle of an argument. 

“Both of you, that’s enough.” One of the men spoke, his dark blue hair neatly styled as his eyebrow stood up in disapprovement. “Lucas, Baby. Sit down.”

With a groan the two addressed sat down with glares still present on their faces. 

“Is everyone present?” He added on, looking over to his right hand man, a tall, fair haired young man.

“Everyone that needs to be.” He answered.

“Good. Johnny you may take over with the report.” The blue haired man said, loosening the tie around his neck while the fair haired man stood up and went over to the head of the dinning table.

“Thank you Boss.” Johnny spoke up and looked over his notes, his eyes stopping at the picture of the masked girl. “As you all know, we’ve successfully infeltrated the underground fight ring of the Bangtan hold and I’ve recieved intel that Na Jaemin has progressed in the ring. Sooner or later he will be going up against their top fighters. However, he has not conntacted his superior so what’s the deal with that Taeil?”

“I don’t know, he had strict instructions to conntact me when he jumped ranks in the ring but he hasn’t.” An aggitated man answered his question, barely looking up from his laptop.

“I’m telling you, the kid is fine. He’s probably just shagging a girl or two. Typical Jaemin stuff.” One of the men who was standing and arguing earlier spoke up, Lucas to be more precise.

“No! He is not.” The other, Haechan cut in. “He’s dead. He was made and they probably killed him!”

“Calm down both of you!” The dark blue haired man, Boss, yelled out. The silence following becoming eerie. “Let Johnny finnish and then on your own time go and beat it out or shoot each other but not now!”

“Thank you Boss.” Johnny smirked, turning to the table and throwing down a letter and a few pictures. “Haechan was right about one thing. Na Jaemin was made and we got this letter delivered today.” The reactions to the news of one of their own being made had them all turn serious, eyes fixed on the pictures on the table. “These are the three Bangtan members responsible for the underground fight scene.” He pointed to the first picture. “Azazel, lead recruiter whose blessing you need to enter the ring or even be thought of participating.” His finger moved to the second picture and his breath withered a bit in his thorat as he said the name. “Fae, leader and fighter. She is the one responsible and the big boss down there. They say nobody survives a fight with her.” His gaze stayed lingering on the picture until Boss cleared his throat and Johnny moved on to the last picture. “And lastly Solas, Fae’s right hand man, always by her side.” Then he raised the piece of paper from the table. “This is an invitation letter to a race they are holding tomorrow night. It’s signed by Forcas, their leader and it states that if we wish to know more information about Na Jaemin’s situation we better show up.It’s addressed to you personaly Moon Taeil.”

“What is their game?” The person in question turned his head to face the taller boy. “Why address it to me?”

“They are aware that Jaemin was under you. Which makes me wonder what more are they aware of?” Boss spoke, glancing at Johnny. “Brain, Johnny and Bulls Eye. You three will visit the race. Take one of the cars if yoou have to. Find out what they want, but be careful. We may never know what awaits at those organized races they hold.”

[marvelfansince08love]

The Pleasure is all mine - Chapter 5

Word count: 3601 

Pairing: Lou Miller x Female!Reader 

Warning: NSFW 18+... Lou about to break her first date rule ya’ll. Also sorry for my crap smut writing, my brain did the big gay and fried while writing this.

A/N: I’m so sorry for the late update, works kicking my ass as usual but I had a rare day off this week! Enjoy my loves! Your comments fuel my gay heart, thank you for supporting me and my stories! 

Thank you @imnotasuperhero for checking my grammar and spelling because I was too lazy and possibly had heat stroke to go back through this lmao x

Tags: @waitingfortheendtocome @redcrete @5aftermidnight @iamheartless @deadly-darling @gaylorrds​ @smuttty​ @existentialcrisiscat​ @saucy-sapphic​ @saramas0011 @the-enamorando-deity​ 

I do not own this gif x 

Chapter 5

Needy bodies stumble into each other with rushed caresses; narrowly avoiding prized objects on the expensive shelves of Lou’s hallway, desperate lips battle for dominance over one another, loud moans echo throughout the converted warehouse. Lou reaches her hands around my thighs and pulls me closer to her slightly, indicating for me to wrap my legs around her waist while she carries me towards her bedroom. We kiss blindly while my hands thread through her hair wanting to keep her close. 

“Wait, the others aren’t here tonight are they?” I ask while pulling back slightly, all too aware of those sneaky con artists. 

“Of course not! Tammy and Debbie are at Tam’s tonight and the others have stuff going on. God I want you so bad Y/N, you drive me crazy.” Lou murmurs breathlessly, her hands squeezing my ass almost teasingly. I giggle quietly before leaning forward capturing her earlobe in between my teeth nibbling gently making her moan deeply. I feel one of Lou’s hands move away from my ass and fumble slightly as I feel a solid door on my back briefly. With a soft click of the door handle we enter her dark room that’s only lit by the soft glow of the moonlight, Lou carries me towards her bed striding with such purpose and need, making me shiver in anticipation. 

She places me onto her king-sized bed with a soft bounce making us both giggle out loud, feeling giddy.  Her lips are back on me in an instant trailing soft wet kisses leaving no inch of skin left untouched down my neck towards the small amount of exposed chest. Her eyes lock with mine briefly as if asking for permission to continue, my heart swells at her thoughtfulness. I bring both my hands up to cup her face before kissing her deeply, pouring every single emotion into it. That seems to give her the courage to continue, her hands slowly caress my sides up towards my breasts, taking my top with her as she moves further up, exposing my stomach and bra. I gasp slightly as the cool air hits my skin making Lou hum appreciatively at the sight of me under her, crystal blue eyes darkened with lust as she places a delicate kiss near my navel making me squirm slightly, she chuckles quietly and looks up towards me through hooded eyes. 

“I could get used to this… god you look so beautiful under me,” she whispers softly, her warm breath hitting my skin making me groan in frustration at her slow approach. 

Even if it makes me melt and fall in love with her a little bit more.

“Lou Miller, if you don’t get rid of my pants right now and fuck me I’ll do it myself.” I whine, pouting slightly, her eyebrow raises as she grins wide at me amused by my demands. 

Okay so I might still be slightly drunk on that tasty Italian wine. 

I blush slightly at my behaviour and shrug my shoulders slightly in a ‘sorry not sorry’ response. Lou shakes her head in amusement and slight admiration while biting gently on my hip in response, making me yelp and moan at the sensation. Before I could make a quip remark I hear the sound of my zipper and feel my jeans and panties being pulled down to my ankles and onto the floor in one swift move. I gasp at the feel of her lips on my inner thigh, sucking at the sensitive skin before licking over it making me clench my thighs  briefly leading Lou to gently place her hands on either side of my knees, pulling them apart. 

“Baby, you clench around me like that and I’m not gonna last long,” she muses before going back to work on my inner thigh, drawing out hickeys like she’s making a piece of art. She pulls away slightly sitting up onto her knees. I frown whimpering at the loss of her touch while she smirks keeping her eyes locked onto mine. Lou takes a hold of her shirt before pulling it over her head, I go to move my hands towards her leather pants wanting her skin against mine, needing her close. Once my hands reach the top of her leather pants I make quick work of removing them, leaving her in just her bra and briefs making me moan at the sight. We both launch at each other like starved animals, desperate wet kisses and needy hands trying to touch every inch of skin available. 

Lou pushes me into the bed and settles in between them, her hand cups over my bra squeezing gently, her mouth heading south towards my wet heat. She exhales delicately over my sensitive clit making me squirm  before pressing her tongue flat between my folds making me moan loudly. 

“Oh, fuck Lou!”

She moans as she laps at my wetness, her tongue dipping in and out of my entrance as she continues to fuck me with her mouth. My hands grip her hair trying to keep her close as I rock my hips into her mouth. She snakes a hand between my legs and rubs her thumb gently over my clit while working me up with her tongue. I feel the knot low in my navel clench before loosening, making me relax into the soft mattress and purr ever so slightly as I ride gently against Lou’s skilful tongue letting my orgasm ride out against her. I sigh contently while Lou kisses her way up my body, her forearms on either side of my head as she brushes her nose against mine. I peck her lips briefly before looking coyly at her through my lashes. 

“I wanna know what you taste like,” I whisper, voice huskier dripping with sex. I watch as her eyelids close in pure lust at the thought before I flip us over, making Lou yelp in surprise at the change of position. I kiss and bite her smooth pale skin before reaching her briefs, with both hands I yank them down and throw them across the room before zoning into the one place I've wanted to be all night. The tip of my tongue toying with her clit before pulling away again, watching her squirm and whimper under me. 

“So wet for me already, Miller?” I tease before placing the tip of my tongue back onto her clit making her moan. 

“All for you, love. You know I've wanted you since that night I saw you in that pretty black dress looking doe-eyed and innocent.” She confesses, her eyes staying shut as she basks in her pleasure. I reach a finger up and slid it up and down her folds, collecting her wet mess before placing my lips over the finger and sucking loudly making her look straight at me, her eyes rolled upwards in a silent prayer. 

“Oh, dear god woman. I don’t think I’m going to last long,” she whines while guiding my head back towards her heat.

 I take the indication like a starved woman in need of water and attach my mouth around her clit while steadily pumping two fingers inside of her, making her moan loud. Before I can bring her to orgasm, Lou takes ahold of my bicep and pulls me towards her while slipping her legs in between mine making us both moan in unison at the feeling of warm skin against our sensitive clits. We both rock hard against each other as I place my hands onto the headboard above Lou, she quickly removes my bra before gripping my ass making me grind down hard onto her thigh. Her lip latches onto my sensitive nipple and bites lightly dragging a moan out of me. We continue with this fast rhythm, desperate for release. Lou squeezes her eyes shut as the wave of pleasure hits her hard, I watch as she comes undone beneath me making me moan at the sight before following her with my second rush of release. 

We both relax breathless as I collapse on top of her, my head leaning against her naked shoulder, our  warm bodies clinging to each other while we catch our breath. 

“So, about that first date rule… I think it needs to be reviewed and possibly demolished.” I say breathlessly making Lou laugh out loud before kissing my glistening forehead. 

“I shouldn’t need that rule in the future. I kinda like where I am right now, with you.” She confesses into the dimly lit room almost tentatively. I smile shyly against her chest, my heart swelling at her words. We both lie in silence for a moment, basking in the afterglow. Before I can fully drift off into a deep sleep, I feel Lou nudge me gently before whispering “Come on love, we should shower before sleeping.” 

I open my eyes and groan slightly at the thought of moving but knowing it’s probably for the best. I look up towards and smirk. “We?” 

She matches my smirk with her own before jumping out of the bed and towards the en suite bathroom, her stride full of confidence. Before she fully enters the room she turns her head slightly to look back at me, her pout in place “You wanna save on the water don’t you?” 

With that, I scurry out of the bed and practically leap into her waiting arms and kiss her hard as she guides us towards the walking shower. 

“Yes, water, right.” 

***

Bright light seeps through the open window of Lou’s bedroom making me squint slightly as I try to adjust to the new sudden brightness. I stretch out my limbs feeling a certain pleasant ache in places that have never ached like that before. I grin thinking about why as I turn to face the culprit who gave my body such pleasure late last night and into the early hours. I trace a finger lightly over her sharp features, taking her in. 

God, she looks so good. 

I continue to trace my finger featherly across her cheekbone and towards her chin when she suddenly nips at it, startling me out of my daydream. 

“Ow, Hey!” I say in mocking outrage, holding my finger close to my chest. Those crystal blues stare back at me in amusement full of mischief. 

“Good morning beautiful,” She murmurs tiredly, while stretching slightly before wrapping an arm around me pulling me close. I melt into her loving carefree nature. 

“Good morning to you too, you animal.” I mutter grumpily, my eyes holding no real seriousness to my statement. She chuckles quietly before leaning in to kiss me, I lean back instantly covering my mouth stopping her advance. 

“WAIT!, morning breath.” Lou chuckles clearly amused at my statement, before leaning in again, this time I move fast away from her not realising how close to the end of the bed I was before yelping out as I fall out of the bed and onto the flooring, landing on my ass, hard. Lou quickly scurries to the end of the bed and looks down at me with concern but I can see that twinkle in her eye and the slight twitch of her lips, knowing that she’s secretly laughing at me. I scowl playfully back at her while grabbing onto the dangling sheet and yanking it hard making Lou stumble forward and land straight onto the floor next to me. 

“Ow, what did I ever do to you?” She exclaims while laughing. Her hands reached for my sides before I could escape. 

Oh no, her fingers dig slightly into my side making me squirm, wanting to escape her deadly hands as she continues to tickle me. I laugh out loud, batting at her hands begging for her to stop. 

“Lou..pl...please stop, tha..that tickles, Lou!” 

“Say your sorry.” She grunts trying to pull me into her lap as she continues her attack. 

“No.. I’ll never say, SORRY!” I exclaim, feeling tears build up in my eyes through my laughter. 

The tickling stops after that and I relax into her slightly, still wary. I feel her body shake from laughter as she brushes my hair out of my face before kissing the side of my mouth. 

“I have spare new toothbrushes in the bathroom cabinet. After we’ve brushed our teeth so they're minty fresh, will you let me kiss you?” She moans playfully jutting out her bottom lip. I roll my eyes in good nature before removing myself from her lap on the floor towards the bathroom.

“Once we’ve brushed our teeth, I’ll let you do more than just kiss me.” I flirt back at her, walking towards the bathroom with only her band tee on, swaying my hips slightly aware of her gaze on me. I hear a quiet “Fuck” behind me and smirk at the affect I have on her. 

Once we have both brushed our teeth and wearing far more sensible clothes, Lou makes her way downstairs to start breakfast, while I make a quick phone call notice the 5 missed calls and 10 text messages from Rachel.

“Hey Girl, I hope it went well last night! ;)” - 8.09am 

“So I swung by your apartment this morning, hoping to see Miss.Hottie there but you weren’t home… Please tell me you got laid and are having amazing sex rn” - 9.00am 

I roll my eyes at her forwardness before calling her up. 

“Well, well, well. If it isn’t the dirty stop out. I got 20 minutes left of my break so you better make this the best version of what went down last night. Leave no sexy detail unturned,” Rachel instructs before I could mutter a good morning. 

“Well, good morning to you too. Is sex all you can really think about?” I ask teasingly while lying on top of Lou’s bed, slightly burying my face into her pillow smiling at the smell of her. 

“Um, yes. Duh! I’m sorry, but if someone that attractive took nearly half the interest that Lou does with you, I’d have jumped her bones two weeks ago.” She sasses. 

“I thought you only had twenty minutes left. Do you want me to tell you or not?” I sass right back, chuckling. 

“Okay, spill.”

“It was amazing! And I dont just mean the sex… Rach she was… wonderful. She took us to her family’s restaurant which was beautiful. It’s in this small area downtown, you’d love it. And then she took us to these arches that was under the bridge at the park near that coffee shop you took me to a few weeks ago, it was… beautiful there like whispering walls-”

“Like the one in the central station? Damn Y/N I think I might be falling for her, no wonder you went back with her last night. I don’t think I’d ever want to leave her side,” She says dreamily, I sigh smittingly not even arguing with her logic or her little remark about falling for her. 

“Yeah, she’s pretty great.” I mutter grinning softly.

“Soooo, how was the sex? Did you at least orgasm? Man, I bet she’s wiiild in the sheets.” She states cheekily. I gape at her vulgar comment.

“Rachel, aren’t you in the coffee room? I don’t need the entire ward staff knowing how my sex life is going, thank you very much.” I scold. 

“Of course I am! But it’s just me and Luke,”

“Hey Y/N,” Luke says in the background, I sigh in relief before greeting Luke. 

“Oh shit! We gotta go, we love you and be safe. Chinese and movie night tomorrow?” She asks. 

“Yes, for sure. Bye you two,” I say smiling at their antics. 

I end the phone call and make my way downstairs, now in my black jeans from yesterday and one of Lou’s shirts. I stand again by the stairs taking her in, she sways slightly to the beat of ‘The Smiths’ playing in the background as she flips a pancake singing quietly to herself. I make my way over to her quietly  and take a seat at the breakfast bar watching her walk. She turns sensing my presence and winks at me before placing the pancake on the stack of others in front of me, placing the frying pan into the wash bowl. After she’s finished preparing the food, she makes her way around the kitchen counter and steps in between my legs before placing her hands on either side of my face and kissing me deeply and sighs. 

“Finally, it feels like forever since I kissed you.” I smile and lean forward to kiss her delicious lips again but I’m interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. Lou sighs disappointingly and mutters under her breath ‘I’m gonna change the damn locks’ I giggle quietly at her remark before turning to the mysterious person. 

I see it’s not just one mysterious person but three; Constance, Rose and Amita. All stand with matching grins while Amita and Rose look slightly apologetic for interrupting, Constance is beaming with mischief. 

“Hey love birds, sorry for the interruption but we thought we’d come early, ya know? To arrange Daphne’s birthday party for tomorrow night.” She says while making her way towards the table and grabbing a fork before hovering over mine and Lou’s shared plate. 

“Ya gonna eat any of that?” She asks us both. I chuckle softly at her carefree ‘no-fucks given’ attitude. 

“No Constance, knock yourself out darling.” I tease watching as she takes the biggest mouthful, making all three of us look on in disgust and worry, mainly me being the worried party. I hear Lou groan next to me. 

“Shit, I forgot about the party. Why are we having it here again? The woman has the money to rent the highest floor in the most expensive club in New York out. Why have it here?” She complains, giving my temple a quick kiss before moving away and towards Amita who holds a pink folder, assuming it is full of party plans. I turn back to Constance who is now offering me a bite which I politely decline, amused by her outgoing personality. 

“Hey Y/N, you wanna help with planning?“ Amita asks, probably to save me from being asked to use my stethoscope on Constance again, like that night Debbie was shot. 

She really is an odd kid. 

“Oh, um it’s okay. I should really be heading back actually, it’s very rare for me to have more than one day off, so I gotta use that to my full advantage.” Lou frowns at my statement, clearly not wanting me to go.

“I bet you do.” 

“CONSTANCE!” Amita and Rose both exclaim in unison, scolding their friend. Lou smirks slightly, her eyes on me as she winks subtly. I blush at the thought of spending my last two days off with her, in her bed.

“I have a ton of things to do with my apartment, actually. You’d think after being here for just over a month I’d have settled in by now,” I joke, before making my way over to my coat and purse that's hanging by the door. Lou’s frown back in place as she strides towards me. 

“I can take you back into the city Y/N. I was only dropping these two off before going back to my shop,” Rose offers, pushing her glasses back up her nose. I smile appreciatively, accepting her offer. 

“You're going? You don’t have to, ya know? Stay please?” She pleads quietly, so the other two can’t hear. 

I smile softly and press a reassuring kiss to her lips before pulling away slightly. “Don’t worry, I still have two days off… Maybe Constance had the right idea,” I whisper with a raised eyebrow suggestively, Lou smirks at that before leaving a handful of sweet kisses on my lips and cheek, giving my hand a quick squeeze. 

“Are you sure I can’t give you a lift? They can wait while I drop you off and get some real breakfast,” She entices, not ready to let me go. 

“I’m a grown woman Miller, I can get myself home. You stay and help them organise Daphne’s party.” I reason smirking slightly at her clinginess. She nods her head in agreement, still sulking at the decision. I cup her cheek, gaining her attention. 

“I had fun last night, Lou. Thank you for such a wonderful evening. You really do amaze me,” I mutter feeling her lean into my touch before taking a hold of my hand and planting a gentle kiss into my palm. 

“Of course. Does this mean there’s a second date on the cards?” She teases, already knowing the answer. I grin stupidly at her.

“Perhaps, I’ll give you a call and let you know.” I joke before planting one last kiss to her lips and whisper goodbye. 

“Bye guys, have fun with organising the party. It was lovely seeing you again,” I say sincerely to the two women over Lou’s shoulder. They wave from the kitchen area with grins on their faces. 

“Bye Y/N, I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of you soon.” Amita says slyly, sharing a chuckle with Constance who nods in agreement. 

I roll my eyes in good nature before heading towards Rose and leaving a sulking Lou behind by the door. I quickly turn my head while Rose brings the car around and blow a sweet kiss in her direction, she reaches out to catch it before placing her fingertips softly to her lips and winking. 

God, I’m in deep trouble.

[obsidianfr3sk]

The puppet of the sad eyes

Hi! I haven’t posted a one short in a really long time, have I? Jaskdbsj well, um... I had promised this fic to my mom @healing-winston-pratt a while ago, and since yesterday everyone was talking about Winston, I said to myself “this is a good moment to post the fic, Obsi”. So... here I am:’) 

Gosh, I feel akward. I swear I am not like this xjhksfdhds (who am I kiding, I’m just as akward as I seem) (reference not intended) It’s just that... like, there are another characters in the Renegades trilogy that hit me too close home, but Winston just hits me in a place that no other character has done before, and I wanted to write a little bit about him. I mean... not gonna lie, it’s a sad fic. But it has a happy ending! Angst-Fluff as they say in my village (? 

Two quick notes: First, trigger warning for mentions of sexual abuse. It’s nothing explicit, it’s just mentioned, but anyways, I want to warn that if anyone feels uncortable reading it, don’t worry, keep scrolling. Second, I tried to tag everyone who reblogged the post made by @chikuyi-hiro (fuck, I can’t tag them), the one where we all claimed to be part of the Winston Pratt defense squad (? I’m sorry if you didn’t want to be tagged sjkdfhskjddsj Also, um... tell me if you would like to be tagged in future works of mine. If everything works out, I will be posting two one-shorts this week (one halloween themed and the other will be my contribution to Osby October) so... if you want to see them or other fics like that, I can tag you:’) 

Well, Obsi, let them start reading, for fuck’s sake.

*le da el dibujito que hizo en el kinder* Hope you like it mom:’)

A03 link

Tag list: @nodrianbcyes @dawniebb  @alecjamesartino @everyone-has-a-nightmare @plain-jane-mclain @honey-harper-official @itsalittlebitchilly @novas-egg-beater @sanktaleksander and all the “Winston Pratt Defense Squad” (?

From the first day she appeared in his life, Winston realized that Nova gave him the creeps. He first thought it was because she was Ace Anarchy's niece, but no.

What gave him the creeps was that Nova didn’t sleep.

Leroy had told him not to comment on it. Winston didn't know if it was because he thought he was going to hurt the girl's feelings or if it was because he didn't want Ace to listen to him and take it as a personal insult. Winston didn't care either way, because it wasn't like he was going to shout it from the rooftops.

It was just an observation.

Nova gave him the creeps.

Maybe it was because sleeping was the best part of the day for him. He could disappear for a few hours into a deep, dark void. Get rid of any emotion he was feeling. No one was going to be able to hurt him, and if they did, he would never know.

Because when Winston slept, it was as if he didn't exist. It wasn’t like he could do it very often anyway.

Not only because now they had to live in a filthy, smelly tunnel. It was also because Winston hadn’t slept well for a long time.

He was lying on a piss-smelling mat Leroy had found in the trash. “If you don't want it, you're more than welcome to sleep on the floor,” he told him when Winston dared to mention that thing reeked.

Winston didn't want to sleep on the floor. If Honey could sleep on pissed mats, so could he.

His back itched.

The mat not only had piss on it, but apparently, it also had fleas. How nice.

He began to scratch his back, feeling like a freaking orangutan. Hettie looked at him critically, dozing from the little wooden bed he had so lovingly made for him.

“What are you looking at, bitch?” he asked.

Hettie crossed his arms and shook his head. In the cathedral, we wouldn’t be like this.

He kept scratching himself. “Sorry to call you bitch,” he mumbled. “You put me in a bad mood.”

I don't like you looking at me. I don't like you to analyze my every move. I don't like you watching me when I'm changing. I do not like you.

Then someone opened the door without knocking. Winston was about to shout “INGRID, GET OUT OF MY TENT” when he realized it was not Ingrid.

It was Nova.

Winston froze with his hand on his back. “Um... can I help you?”

It might be the first time he'd spoken to her directly, after that awkward moment during her second day at the cathedral, when Winston had tried to make conversation with her, and Ace had told him to stay away from Nova.

“I don't want you to do the same to her,” he had told him sternly.

Winston clenched his fists and clasped them against his chest.

It would never have occurred to him to use his powers on her.

But it seemed that Nova had taken to heart not speaking to Winston because indeed she did not speak to him the entire time they were in the cathedral. Before the Day of Triumph.

(What a stupid name for a day by the way.)

“Can I borrow a toy?” she asked in a small voice.

A toy. Nova wanted a toy.

“Ah. Yes, yes, yes…” Winston said, pulling the covers off (which also smelled like piss). “I… I have a lot of toys. Look.”

And he went to the second tent. Winston had to cower slightly to be able to move around there. Honey was always nagging him for his bad posture and he always told her it was the tent’s fault.

The last time that had happened, they were eating frozen pizza in a corner they had assigned for those kinds of times when they sat down together to gobble up leftovers.

“You can't blame inanimate objects for the rest of your life,” Honey exclaimed, losing her temper (for the eighth time that day).

At that moment, Winston felt his blood run cold. For the first time in his entire stay with the Anarchists, he wondered if they knew.

Do you see the marks of his hands on my body? Do you see me tremble at the slightest touch?

Do you see me behind the makeup?

The fear left as fast as it came. Ingrid threw a napkin at him and asked him (very unkindly) to pass her another slice, and Leroy pointed out to Honey that all objects were inanimate.

No one had noticed.

What a relief.

Watch me try it, Honey. Watch me try.

In that other tent, Winston had a pink toy kitchen. He had found it a couple of weeks ago in a garbage dump, and he had brought it to the tunnels by himself, despite complaints from his fellow anarchists. He was left speechless when he realized it was full of toy food and even a couple of blue plates and blue teacups. He spent the entire afternoon organizing his new kitchen, and he was not put off by Ingrid's constant teasing.

He had loved it. And he was sure Nova was going to love it too.

“Look,” he said, “I have everything here—” he lifted a light orange basket “—This is the little basket where I put the fruits, and this—” he pointed to a green basket “—it is the one with the vegetables. I even have a mini pumpkin, it's very cute.” He opened a compartment below the sink. “Here are the non-perishable items. Do you know what non-perishable means? It's... Look, I have a can of sardines. It's fake, of course. Do not try to open it, it’d break. Oh, also in the oven—” he opened the oven door “—I have some cookies, an apple pie, some croissants… it’s that how is pronounced?  Croissants . I don’t know, do you know? Is Artino a French or Italian surname?” Nova didn't reply. Had he offended her?  Shit . “Nova?”

He turned and realized that Nova hadn't followed him. He hurried back to the first tent and found Nova very comfortable sitting on the floor, playing with Hettie.

The puppet looked at her with demonic eyes.

No. Not her.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” Winston yelled. “He's mine!” With one hand he snatched Hettie from her and with the other he squeezed the toy croissant. Nova was startled. “Don't touch him again! DO NOT PUT YOUR LITTLE HANDS ON HIM AGAIN, NOVA, OR I DO NOT RESPOND! DID YOU HEAR ME?!”

Nova started pouting, and with that, Winston snapped back to reality.

He looked at Hettie, lazily dangling in his right hand, looking up at him with a smile. His little eyes weren't demonic.

They were sad. Like Nova’s were at that moment.

He was saying , “Why don't you let me play with other kids, Winston? You never play with me anymore.”

I never played with you. Not since he did.

“Sorry...” he mumbled to Nova while putting the croissant in his pocket. “Damn, I'm sorry. Don't tell your uncle I yelled at you, please.”

Nova frowned a little. She looked more embarrassed than upset. “I just wanted to see it. He’s nice.”

Do you think so?

“Yes, but ... he was asleep,” he excused himself, putting Hettie back on his bed. “He doesn't like it when people wake him up. But I see that for you that is not a problem, huh?”

Nova lowered her head. “Sorry…”

“Nah. Do not worry. We are fine. Are we fine?”

Nova nodded quickly. The good thing was she wasn't going to tell her uncle. Ace would kill him if he found out.

It wasn't like Winston cared much if he died or not though. It was just that he didn't want Ace to kill him. It would be a bit embarrassing considering his current condition.

“Would you like to see a puppet show?” Winston asked her.

“Puppets?” She turned to see the wooden bed. “Puppets like him?”

“His name is Hettie.”

“Hettie,” Nova repeated.

Winston found it adorable.

“No, other types of puppets,” he replied. “Puppets I make with this—” he waved his hands in front of her face “—with my little hands.”

Nova wrinkled her nose and gently pushed his hands away, letting out a loud, joyous laugh.

It was the first time she seemed happy since the first day he saw her. How nice it was to hear a child laugh.

Children generally yelled when they were near him.

“I do,” Nova replied enthusiastically. “How will you do it?”

Winston settled down beside her. “Okay, we'll need a flashlight first… do you have a flashlight?”

Nova thought for a few moments. “Yes!”

"Well, go for it!" he exclaimed pointing into the distance as if he were a pirate. "Run, Novie, run!"

And Nova laughed again.

Her laughter echoed through the tunnels and in Winston's head.

He stared at Hettie, listening to Nova's feet pacing through the tunnel in search of the flashlight she mentioned. At one point, Leroy's voice interrupted the sound of her footsteps and asked her what she was doing (in a slightly gentler tone than he used to address the rest of the world) ( very  slightly gentler tone). Nova replied that Winston was going to do a puppet show for her.

“How?” Leroy asked.

Winston rolled his eyes.  How else, Leroy?

“With my little hands,” Winston whispered to himself.

And Nova responded as if she had heard him.

“With his little hands!”

It was such a large flashlight that Nova had to carry it with both hands. Winston moved quickly to take it, but she drew back as if assuring him that she could carry it by herself.

These modern women.

Nova pressed the power button. It did not turn on. She hit the lantern a few times until finally, a yellowish light illuminated the tent like a torch. Winston blinked many times to get used to the sudden change of light.

“You’d be a great engineer,” he stammered. Nova looked at him as if she didn't understand. “Forget it. Aim it over… there,” and pointed to the area of the tent that had a wall behind it.

She obeyed. Winston crawled closer to the stage and wiped the sweat and dirt from his hands on the patched pants he wore.

That sounded so stupid. Stage. It wasn’t like he was going to act or something.

He shot Nova a look. She was expectant.

And smiling. Truly smiling.

That made Winston smile too.

He made the first shadow. “What animal is this?” he asked.

“A moose!”

Another giggle.

Another shadow. “And this one?”

“An elephant!”

“Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner, ladies and gentlemen! And that was a difficult one!”

More giggles. More shadows. “For two hundred dollars more, Novie Artino, what is this animal?”

“It is easy!” she assured. “A goat!”

“Geez! You’re wrong!” Winston exclaimed. “It is not a goat! It's... Cyanide! Because he’s old and stubborn!”

He thought Nova wouldn't laugh. Cyanide was her favorite anarchist, and he knew it. However, that was the shadow that made her laugh the most. And the truth was Winston laughed even more.

“And wait, there’s more!” Winston went on. “Guess this one!”

Nova had a hand on her chin. “It's... it's a spider!”

“No! It's Phobia!”

“Because he’s ugly!” Nova laughed.

“He’s ugly indeed!”  What other shadow? What other shadow?  “And what about this one?”

“A duck!”

“What duck!” Winston laughed. “It's a swan!”

“It's Honey!” she screeched, pointing at the shadow with her finger.

“The one and only, Novie, the one and only!”

One more. A dog.

Nova immediately knew the answer. “Ingrid!”

“YES! BECAUSE SHE’S A TOTAL BITCH!”

At this point, both were laughing so hard they were almost out of breath.

If Leroy or any of the others had listened (which they surely had), Winston wouldn't mind at all if they got mad at him and ignored him for the rest of the week. They could pretend he didn't exist for the rest of his life and he wouldn't care. Seeing Nova happy made it all worth it.

Winston was happy too.

Nova wiped a small tear from her eye and looked at Hettie fondly. “Do you know what my mom did when I went to sleep?” she asked.

“What did she do?”

“She read me stories,” Nova replied. “She said that pretty stories would scare the nightmares away.”

Winston nodded. Probably someone had read stories to him when he was little, he just didn’t remember.

“Could you tell Hettie a story?” Nova begged. “Shadow puppets and everything. That way, he would have pretty dreams.”

Hettie? Dreams? Hettie couldn’t dream. And neither did Winston.

But he didn't want to ruin the mood.

“Of course.” He wiped the sweat on his pants. Again. “Let's see… Pay attention, Hettie. Your prettiest dream is about to start.”

He cleared his throat.

Pay attention, Hettie. Your worst nightmare is about to start.

“Once upon a time there was a rabbit,” Winston said, “that lived in the Land of Rabbits.” A rabbit shadow emerged from the corner of the stage. “The Land of Rabbits was… not a good place to live. There were eagles in the sky—” the eagle replaced the rabbit for a second “—that watched the rabbits, waiting for the first chance they got to eat them. So the rabbits had to hide in their tunnels.”

Nova stifled a comical gasp of astonishment.

“But there was this rabbit—”

“What was the rabbit’s name?”

Winston couldn't come up with a better name. “Hettie.”

Nova nodded in approval. “Did you hear, Hettie?” she asked the puppet. “You and the rabbit have the same name.”

You. You. It’s always you.

Everything always ends up being about you.

Fucking Hettie.

“Yeah, so Hettie was there. Being a rabbit.” Hettie Rabbit jumped happily throughout the light.

“He lived with Mama Rabbit and Papa Rabbit. They were the Rabbit family.”

“You say ‘rabbit’ a lot.”

Winston laughed, a little more tense than before.

Rabbit. Rabbit. Rabbit. Rabbit. Rabbit.

Hettie.

Fucking Hettie.

“But one day, Mama Rabbit and Papa Rabbit had to leave Hettie alone,” Winston continued. “And they left him with their friend…”

Hettie Rabbit became a hungry, violent, and heavy-breathing creature.

It became him .

“Their friend the wolf.”

Him. The wolf. The wolf. Him.

Hettie.

Winston sighed.  Fucking Hettie.

“So… so…”

So. So. So. So what happened?

Nova turned her head slightly. She had the same question.

Winston knew the Rabbit was a fucking idiot. What else happened to rabbits that entered the wolf's mouth? No one told that rabbit to go in there. But that rabbit had no other choice. He had nowhere else to go.

Or maybe he did have another place to go. If only he had been smarter…

“Um… Hey…”

If Hettie had been smarter, he would have warned Winston that when the wolves got too close, nothing good was going to happen to the rabbits.

But Hettie was a jerk.

Hettie. Hettie. Fucking Hettie.

“Winston!”

Her voice was like a needle that broke the bubble that enveloped him for a second.

“Novie?”

“What happened to Hettie?” she asked.

The mere question made his blood boil.

More shadows. The wolf, hungry and dangerous, on top of the rabbit, terrified and defenseless.

Nova was no longer smiling.

“Well, what happens to all rabbits,” he replied. “The wolf ate him. The end.”

The flashlight gave up and went off again.

Finally.

Winston turned to Nova. He didn't expect her to be happy. Winston certainly wasn't.

But he didn't expect to see her furious either.

“What a shitty story,” she spat.

“Excuse you?”

Nova stood up abruptly. Her turquoise pants were as dirty as his. “I said it was a shitty story. It isn’t like my mom’s stories.” She crossed her arms. “Do it again.”

“I won’t. I'm not going to tell another story,” Winston replied, standing up as well. “This is how it ends.” He walked over to her and put his finger on her chest. “El fin. The end. The end of all endings.”

“No!” Nova yelled as she clenched her fists and slammed her foot against the ground. “That is not the end!”

“I don’t care! It's my end!” Winston exclaimed imitating her. “Just like Hettie is my puppet! And I won't let you play with him!”

Nova's cheeks puffed out like a balloon. “Well, I'll play with him anyway!” she yelled, yanking Hettie off his bed. “You don't play with him! He feels alone! He told me!”

Winston tried to grab Hettie, but Nova pushed him away just in time.

It was a six-year-old girl versus a nineteen-year-old teenager. He could just kick her in the face and run.

But for some reason, he didn't do that. “Idiot!” he said taking Hettie’s arm. “Puppets don't talk!”

He tried to snatch it from her a second time. Nova grabbed his leg. “They talk to me!”

“It’s not true!” Winston insisted. “Liar! Liar, liar, pants on fire!”

Nova struggled too. “Your pants are on fire! You’re the liar!”

Hettie sided with Nova. You know that this is a very serious accusation, right? Why are you making up that kind of thing? Why are you lying to us, Winston?

Winston Pratt was many things. But he was not a liar.

He would never lie about that.

Why don’t you believe me? Why do you think I’m lying? I don’t want to make you suffer. Why would I want that? Only villains want to make people suffer.

Why would I be a villain?

Why would I be a liar?

He pulled Hettie toward him so hard, he ended up bringing Nova with him. She slammed into his chest and gave a slight groan.

Winston, not quite sure what he was doing, hugged her. He hugged her as he would have liked to be hugged.

When he told his parents the truth of his nightmares, his sleepless nights, and his constant fear, instead of covering him with kisses, hugs, and words of affection, they had called him a liar. Just like he had just called Nova.

He would never lie to them. Not about that.

Winston thought she would run away. He thought that she would also be terrified of any display of physical contact.

But Nova didn't. Nova hugged him too.

And Winston… Winston burst into tears.

Hysterically.

“Why are you crying?” Nova asked, worried.

“No, it's just... it's just...” he said between sobs. “It's just that I'm so sorry I made you angry.”

“I was not angry,” Nova corrected slightly defensively. “I panicked.”

That made him let out another sob. “Did I scared you?”

Nova clung to him tighter. “Yes. Your eyes changed.”

Winston sniffed with her purple jacket. “How?”

“They were... angry,” Nova explained. “Not sad. They didn't look like Hettie's.”

Winston separated from Nova. Hettie was crushed between the two of them. Despite the fight, he had remained intact.

Seeing him was like looking in a mirror.

Winston was not the puppeteer. He was a puppet.

It was Hettie’s fault. Winston’s fault.

Nova was looking at Hettie as well. She took him in her hands and caressed the buttons of the little suit with affection. Winston put his arm around Nova and gently shook her. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry,” Nova replied. “I won’t tell my uncle.”

Winston tried to laugh, but all that came out of his mouth was another sob. “Thank you for your kindness.”

Nova turned to see him. “Don’t cry. Stop it,” she ordered sternly.

He stopped crying. It was like… magic. 

You have balls, Novie. You have balls.

Her expression changed from annoyed to astonished. “Your makeup isn’t ruined.”

Winston stroked his cheek thoughtfully. “It’s… it’s not makeup.”

Nova reached out her hand and caressed it as well. “It's your face,” she whispered.

“It's my face,” he repeated.

She sat on his outstretched leg, looked away from him, and didn't let go of Hettie.

“Did the wolf really eat the rabbit?” she asked.

You and your damn rabbit.

“Really, really,” he replied.

Nova frowned sadly. “Poor little thing…”

“Poor little thing?” Winston snorted. “He deserved it.”

“Why?” Nova asked, very confused.

Why not? Why wouldn't he deserve it?

“Because… he shouldn’t be hanging out with wolves.”

And Nova turned to see him as if he had said the greatest nonsense in the world. She crossed her arms again, and very confident of herself, she said, “But the wolf shouldn’t be eating rabbits in the first place.”

Winston raised his eyebrows.

She was not an idiot.

But that was not how the world worked.

Nova returned her attention to Hettie.

Seeing her there, sitting on top of him, so helpless and confident, made him realize that he couldn't let something bad happen to her.

Not like others had let it happen to him.

“Nova,” he called her. Nova raised her gaze from the puppet. “If you ... if you ever meet a wolf, you have to tell me.”

“There are no wolves in the city,” she chuckled. “But if I do, I'll tell you.”

Winston chuckled too. “No, I mean... a wolf is not just an animal,” he explained. He scratched his back. He fucking hated bugs, really. “A wolf can be anyone who makes you feel bad. Has someone ever made you feel bad?”

Nova had to stop to think about it. Winston felt his heart beat faster.

Finally, she replied, “Honey once told me that I had a terrible accent and she couldn’t understand a word I was saying.”

He sighed in relief. Winston didn't know how he would have reacted if Nova...

If the same had happened to Nova.

“Okay, that's Honey being Honey,” he assured. “I mean... if someone... you know.”

Nova wrinkled her nose. Of course, she didn't know.

It was good that she didn't know, right? Or was it bad?

“Look, for example... We hugged a while ago, right?”

“Yes.”

“And I have my arm on your shoulder—” he raised his arm slightly. “—And you touched my cheek—” he held her fingers “—and right now you're sitting on my leg.”

He moved his leg in such a way that it made Nova jump slightly. “Yes,” she replied with a laugh.

“And is that okay with you?”

Nova nodded.

“I am glad. But if someone ever touches you or puts you in a situation where you are afraid, feel bad, or do not understand... run away. And you tell me, or your uncle, or Leroy, Honey… heck, even tell Phobia or Ingrid. But tell someone.” He put his hands on her shoulders, hoping the despair didn't show in his high-pitched voice. “Don't be like the rabbit.”

Don't be like me.

“But the rabbit didn't know about the wolf.” She stroked Hettie's cheek the way she stroked Winston's a couple of minutes ago. “It wasn't Hettie's fault.”

It was useless. It didn't matter how many times Nova repeated it to him.

Winston knew it was his fault.

But he also didn't want to argue about it anymore. Now he didn't matter. Nova was the only thing that mattered.

Nova was everything.

“Nova. Please, Nova, do you swear you will tell someone if you find a wolf?”

Do you swear you will never be like me?

“My Uncle Ace says swearing is terribly wicked.”

He squeezed her shoulders lightly.

Ace could go fuck himself.

Winston wanted to be certain that she was going to be safe, that she knew what she had to know.

Nova had to know if something bad happened to her...

Winston couldn't speak for the other anarchists. He wanted to believe they would do the right thing, but people kept surprising him in the worst ways. But Winston needed Nova to confirm that she knew that if something bad happened to her, he was going to believe her with the same intensity that others had not believed him.

One thing they had in common was that neither of them was a liar.

“If you swear it to me, I'll let you play with Hettie.”

Her face lit up. “Seriously?”

“Seriously, seriously.”

Nova giggled. “I swear.”

Winston offered his fist and Nova bumped into it.

He was silent, but his mind was racing.

It didn't matter what happened in the future. Winston was going to believe Nova. Forever. Because Nova wasn't going to be like him. And he wasn't going to be like the people who hurt him, either.

“Do you want to play with Hettie?” he whispered to her.

Nova stared at Hettie for a few more seconds. She smiled at him and returned him to his bed with the delicacy that only a girl her age could have. “No. He is already asleep. Tomorrow will be another day.”

And before Winston could respond, Nova squeezed his hand in such a way that she inadvertently pushed him into the void.

Winston fell asleep.

He slept better than he had in a long time.

[thethousandyearwitch]

The Show Must Go On! Chap. 5

- A Youtuber AU you didn’t want and didn’t need -

Hisoka Morrow, italian Makeup Youtuber, enjoys his life in the comfort and occasional drama of his profession. But nothing brings more drama into his life than the eldest son of the Zoldyck fashion magazine empire.

Meanwhile, aspiring australian Twitch Streamer Gon Freecs forms a special bond to a Speedrunner commonly going by "Kil".

Chapter 5 “Grief of Want” out now!

AO3 Link. 

Killua held his phone close to his chest, face flushed almost painfully.

GON: I appreciate you too.

That message had knocked the wind out of the young boy, his heart was racing. It had taken him so much energy to text Gon that he appreciated him, had multiple texts written and deleted that ended in ‘I’m glad you’re my friend’ because in the end he still couldn’t bring himself to say that word, but this had been close enough.

The grip around his phone tightened. The feeling was mutual, mutual appreciation, mutual support, and now Killua got to keep its existence close to his heart and locked away there.

Somewhere in the mansion, his mother harshly ordered some butlers to prepare tea and snacks. He locked his door again, not willing to be bribed outside of his room with bland biscuits and bitter tea.

It wouldn’t hurt to look up prices for flights, he thought to himself.

Did Milluki ever change his credit card code?

.

.

.

Illumi shifted in his chair as recording for Hisoka’s new video started. Unlike his colleague next to him, who blossomed under the attention of a camera lens, Illumi never knew how to move his body, what to do with his face. After appearing for the first time in a collab with the other, he had been told through the comments that he looks like a mannequin if he didn’t move, and then had been told that that was most likely an insult.

Hisoka went over his regular introductions, explaining the fashion week, how he was going to fashion his make up to match the suit he was wearing-

“…designed by my good colleague, Illumi Zoldyck!” the artist made some flowery hand gestures towards Illumis person.

“Ah, thank you for having me.” The Zoldyck bowed his head a little, before returning to his straight posture.

Hisoka wore a professional smile on his lips, that seemed so inherently different from the masks that Illumi was usually surrounded by. He didn’t hide that glint in his golden eyes, that gave away how easily he’d launch at the throats of his competition at the first show of weakness. Illumi wondered if that glint was directed at him when he wasn’t looking, if the company he’s started to warm up to was secretly waiting for him to do just that, only to immediately slaughter him.

“Now I understand you’re going to upload a process video of this beautiful piece on your channel, but why not give my viewers a little insight into your inspiration for it?”

Oh.

The slaughter had come quicker than expected. He decided he did not like the rushing fear and anxiety. He didn’t like the prying, golden eyes fixated on only him, as if he knew.

As if Hisoka knew that Illumi designed the suit that last new years eve, huddled away in his room because everyone was too loud and too much, and it didn’t really matter if he was there or not. It was cold, and he felt indifferent to a new year starting, convinced it was going to be the same as the last; Run errands for the company, watch Killua turn into the neatly moulded heir to the fortune that he had been chosen to be, get all his designs rejected because he should just finally drop that hobby of his. And it would have been a miserable and yet indifferent night like any other, if at exactly 12 a.m. he wouldn’t have gotten the single text:

“Hisoka M.: Happy New Year, darling Illumi ❤ Lets work hard together this year as well, as if you’d ever get rid of me~ “

Illumi wanted to blame it on being cold, or that his senses were confused by all the lights and sounds. But it felt nice to be thought of, and it felt nice to be encouraged. He wanted to return this unfamiliar kindness; in the only way he knew how, not with words but with the only thing he deemed himself good at.

He designed a suit for Hisoka, and for Hisoka only. Moulded to his features, personality, and likes. Obviously, he had succeeded, seeing his work on his muse.

But he could never tell Hisoka all of that, and he could never tell it to his millions of followers.

So, instead he simply said "I had the idea for a denim suit in this sort of cut after being inspired by western movies. I wanted to bring the concept closer to our modern age with the fine white, and the colourful card-suits as an accent to poker games as a typical western movie activity."

He looked to Hisoka for approval, who simply smiled and clapped his hands together.

"Right, how fun! Maybe we should go horseback riding together after this, I know a couple of cowboy movies to re-enact~."

Before the Zoldyck could reply with an appropriate reaction -disgust, he thought - Hisoka smoothly transitioned to the next part of the video, explaining what make up look he had in mind, what brands he was going to use, and hissing to his future editing-self to cut out the part where he called his sponsor a "fucking cheapskate".

The artist knew what he was doing, how to best keep his viewers engaged, and how to host a blank-slate guest such as Illumi. On their first collaboration, conversation had been kept to a minimum, but slowly they had found a rhythm to work in, a question and answer to keep air in motion.

"You don't use a lot of makeup, right, Illumi?" Hisoka was almost done applying a powdered foundation, that seemed mixed just to fit his skin.

"Most days I just apply a light moisturizer before I go to bed."

“I don’t doubt that, you’ve got impeccable skin.”

Illumi hesitated at Hisokas purr, “…Thank you.”

The other giggled devilishly, in the way that the designer knew never meant any good. “So, since you don’t use make up, you’re probably helpless when it comes to applying it.”

“I may not have years of experience, but I believe I’d be able to apply it adequately and-“ Before he could finish his sentence, the other man presented him with a lipstick. “Then would you do the honours of applying my lipstick for me? Unless you’re doubting your abilities suddenly.”

Of course, he’d go for a childish challenge like this, Illumi thought while he mustered the rich red colour of the lipstick, perfectly matched to the red values of the suit. He still had the option to refuse, to cut this out in final editing, to continue being a still doll that would occasionally speak. But instead, he grabbed Hisoka’s chin with a slight uptilt. “Open your mouth a little.” “Oh, Illumi, on the first date alrea-“Illumi pressed the tips of his nails into the others cheeks, which resulted in an excited, yet obedient Hisoka.

The colour came easily and evenly onto his lips as Illumi carefully drew across the curvature, the heat of the artists’ skin seeping into his own. Up close as he was, he could notice all the details in the others face. No scars, evenly tanned, a hint of smile lines around his golden eyes. Illumi thought that he was objectively attractive, and there was nothing wrong with being able to admit that another man had symmetric facial features that were appealing to the eyes. “Handsome face, rotten personality, someday he will make a lovely girl absolutely miserable.” is what Kikyo Zoldyck had initially said after she had watched their first collaboration together. “Illumi? Are you painting the mona lisa on me?” Hisoka had slightly retracted out of the others grip, and he smiled as if he knew what he was thinking. Illumi withdrew his hand, straightened his back, and averted his eyes. “I was merely admiring the quality of this lipstick. What was it?”  

Distraction via brand pushing, very effective against Hisoka, who immediately snapped back towards the camera, presenting the makeup closer. “Of course! It’s the new Gucci line of matte lipsticks, this is number 500, Odalie Red, I am head over heels for this beauty!”

.

.

.

.

The rest of the filming process went over relatively smoothly, safe for when Hisoka sneezed so loud that Illumi visibly startled, and when Illumi had to scold Hisoka about wrinkling the suit.

Click. Hisoka turned the camera off, and Illumi laid his head on the table. Filming exhausted him, he didn’t like to maintain his public persona for that long, even though he had been bred to be able to do so. Even though he was no longer the heir. Even though he was the oldest and most capable.

A pleasant coolness took him out of whatever dangerous train of thought he was about to board, and he looked up to see Hisoka offering a bottle of sparkling water. “Good work today~”

His fingers wrapped around the cool glass bottle. “Thank you, you too. I’m pleasantly surprised, you planned out an actual look for today.”

The makeup artist settled back in his chair with a light laugh. “I didn’t want to disappoint you, after you spoil me so well~. I look like I could walk the fashion show myself.”

“You do look very handsome.” Illumi took a sip of his water before he realized what he had said.

Hisoka stared at him, mouth agape.

“It’s probably just the suit complimenting your features-”

Silence.

“I mean, anyone looks handsome if you plaster them with tons of makeup like that-”

Blink, blink.

“And even if you were to look handsome, that doesn’t fix your horrid core-”

Before he could think of any more explanations and excuses for what he said, Illumi was pulled into a hug, his head tucked firmly under Hisoka’s chin, arms wrapped around him. “You’re being an absolute dear today, my dear Illumi~ You may look at me like you want to rip off my head, but I can tell you still are happy to visit!”

And naturally he wanted to protest, wanted to hurl insults at him, and regain his personal space. But just for a second, he didn’t want to struggle. He just wanted to take in the warmth that was enveloping him, smell the natural sweetness lingering in the air, and embrace human contact as anyone with a normal upbringing would.

One.

His hand shot up to grip around Hisoka’s throat. “Do you want to live to see tonight’s show, or are you going to keep suffocating me?”

Immediately Hisoka held his arms up, and the warmth was gone. Illumi patted down his shirt, straightened his collar, and checked his hair in the mirror. It was almost time to leave, if he wanted to be in time to prepare the models and do last minute adjustments.

“Unfortunately, I’ll only live to see the livestream from the comfort of my home.”

“Oh?”

Hisoka started wiping the makeup off his face, a new box of makeup remover being ripped open. “The model I was assigned to for tonight ended up dropping the contract last minute, meaning that my ticket is only effective starting night two.”

“Oh, I see.” Illumi stood up and mustered himself again, checking for any flaws. Somehow, he felt disappointed. “Well, I have to leave anyways, I still need to check the fit of everything.” He had to go and check the fit of the collection he was premiering and Hisoka will not be able to see it, and he was disappointed.

“I will pick you up before the second night then, so you don’t have to show up in a cheap taxi again-“He reached out for his bag to swiftly leave through the door, but Hisoka grabbed his wrist, and pulled him into another tight hug.

“I thought you wanted to live to see the show.”

“And I will, and I’ll be there on time to see your premiere, that’s a promise~” The taller man pressed a quick kiss on top of his head, still bearing a sly grin as Illumi ripped himself free once again.

“Don’t do anything stupid, especially not while you’re associating with me.” A pointed finger, and a death stare were the last things Illumi presented to Hisoka as he rushed through the door. He only heard a muffled “But you know me~!” while he descended the stairs.

Subconsciously he ran his fingers over where Hisoka’s lips touched his head.

.

.

.

.

Preparations were quickly dealt with. Illumis overly neat and controlled way of working had paid off. No further adjustments to clothes had to be made, all models were prepared and let themselves be pushed and pulled as needed. He scanned the crowd behind the curtains, as his models started to line up. In the front row, he spotted one of his mothers’ commissioned writers, a young plain girl, short black hair, and framed glasses, reading over her notes.

He knew she wasn’t going to take notes during his premiere, because she didn’t get paid for that. Because his parents have already told him that his designs will not make it into the magazine. It was only a hobby after all. The single distraction he was allowed to have from his duties for the company. They didn’t have the need to show off his little hobby in the magazine, like a crayon drawing on the fridge.

The music started, the curtains opened, and Illumi stepped to the side of the stage. The beat of the music mixed with the hard beating of his heart in his chest. Anxiously he scanned the crowd for reactions, though camera flashes blinded him quicker than he could look. It was a short premiere, sandwiched between two bigger brands showcasing new seasons. The last 3 models walked down the catwalk, Illumis eyes following them closely.

But at the end of the stage, his eyes wandered deep into the crowd. And a pink flash at the very end drew his attention.

It unmistakably was Hisoka, hair let down, wearing thick sunglasses and a plain black suit, lips curled into a smile, leaned lazily against the wall.

He came.

How the hell did he come in here without a ticket.

He had no ticket, but he came, and he saw.

And as fast as he appeared, he was gone, disappearing behind someone else’s figure as the last model left the stage.

He forced himself to look away, thanked the models for their work, and left the backstage area in favour for the VIP lounge, finally taking out his phone.

One new message.

“Hisoka M.: It was breath-taking, caro mio ♥”

“Illumi: Don’t get caught, Idiot.”

Someone handed him a glass of champagne and asked questions about the family magazine.

“Illumi: Let me pick you up tomorrow for the event. You’re the least despicable person here.”

[ubernoxa]

The Slippery Slope: An Izzy Stradlin FANFICTION

Chapter 3: An Apetite for Destruction

Story Summary: After leaving Guns N’ Roses, Izzy find himself in a rut, and decideds to visit the local zoo. While visiting the penguin exhibit, he meets a red head named Poppy. Will they manage to keep standing while on their slippery slope?

Chapter Summary: Poppy calls an old friend for advice, and Izzy runs into Poppy at a record store and hope to corrects things.

Tags: @slashscowboyboots @smokeandmirrorz

Masterlist coming soon, but Chapter 1 Chapter 2

“Ohh god I made such a fool of myself, he is never going to talk to me again. Why am I so awkward?” Poppy whined into the phone as her old college roommate, Lissa, sympathetically listened. This wasn’t the first time Poppy had been freaking out about a guy, and she knew that it wasn’t going to be the last.

“Calm down Poppy, you are probably overanalyzing it,” Lissa was trying to calm Poppy down, but it wasn’t working.. She wished that Poppy had called her right after the date instead of the morning after. It was clear to Lisa that Poppy had spent most of the night overanalyzing and imagining future scenarios that wouldn’t happen.

Poppy sighed as she plopped down on her bed, still holding the phone to her ear. She wanted to kick herself. She wished she became an engineer instead of a biologist, so she could invent a time machine and travel back in time.

“Do you want to tell me what happened? It might help,” Lissa’s voice cut through the silence.

“So it is all the stupid busboy’s fault!” Poppy shouted into her phone. Lissa playfully rolled her eyes at the very limited story she told.

“I am going to need more details hun.”

“So everything is going great. He is super sweet and really funny. He started off super quiet, and barely spoke at the beginning of dinner. Once the food came he became kinda chatty,” Poppy began telling the story while Lissa nodded her head as she listened over the phone.

“What did you wear?” Lissa interrupted earning some confusion from Poppy.

“I don’t see how that is relevant.”

“Hey, it helps paint a picture of you on your date at some fancy italian restaurant in the middle of nowhere Indiana,” Lissa rebuttled earning a groan from Poppy.

After a couple moments of silence, Poppy broke the silence, “I wore the short gold dress.”

“Thanks, now you can continue the story,” Lissa sarcastically replied earning a light chuckle from Poppy who wished her old roommate was here in Indiana, and not in the middle of nowhere Maine.

“As I was saying, everything was going great. The food was spectacular, and we were clicking. Every once and a while silence would fill the space between us, but it was a comfortable silence. It was when we were looking at the menu or eating. We even shared our dinners. Like Lissa...this is going to sound really cheesy, but he even fed me his food. You know, like in those romance movies we watch all the time?”

“Aww that is really sweet of him. If he has a twin I call dibs,” Lissa half joked.

“Anyway, we both finished our dinners and this busboy….ohh god the fucking bus boy,” Lissa froze as Poppy swore. She had known Poppy for 5 years, and she had only heard the girl swear a handful of times.

“What did the busboy do? Did he make fun of you or something like that?”

“No. So the busboy goes and asks ‘Did you enjoy your dinner Mr Stradlin?’ Then I mumble something like Stradlin is a silly last name which it is! It didn’t sound like a real name to be honest. Sounds kinda like a sex joke. Anyway the busboy turns to me and says ‘Well I guess that is one of the perks of being a rockstar…you get to choose whatever name you want. Plus it’s not the weirdest name, he has a bandmate named Duff and another named Axl’. I fucking froze when the busboy said that. The reason Izzy didn’t want to talk about his job was because he was a part of Guns N’ Roses. That is why he never mentioned his last name to me,” Lissa didn’t need to be in the same room as Poppy to know that she was most likely dramatically flapping her arm in the air like the penguins she took care of.

“Wait wait wait...you went on a date with Izzy Stradlin,” Lissa was attempting to connect the dots and understand Poppy met a rockstar.

“I guess..” Poppy mumbled back.

“What do you mean I guess. You didn’t recognize him from all of the magazines that have been littering the checkout counter at practically every grocery store ever since he left Guns N’ Roses? It was also all over the radio!” Poppy groaned at Lisa’s comment. She should have known. Izzy wasn’t a name like Mike or Mark where there are thousands of people walking around with that name. There were probably a handful of people named Izzy, if any at all. An Izzy in Indiana who is a quiet musician and has brown hair could only have been Izzy the rockstar.

“God I’m an awkward idiot…” Poppy once again mumbled. She wanted to slap herself silly.

“What else happened,” Lissa asked after a couple moments of silence.

“Well anyway, once the busboy pointed out that Izzy was a rockstar, things got awkward. The busboy left, and when the check came he didn’t even look over it. He just handed our waitress his credit card and told her to process it as soon as possible. It was clear that he wanted out,” Poopy’s heart sunk as she recalled the moment.

“How were you the awkward one?” Lissa asked, trying to follow Poppy’s questionable logic.

“I haven’t gotten to that part yet. So we start to leave the restaurant and I missed that he offered to take my hand. Then when we were outside the restaurant waiting for the valet to grab our cars, he offered for us to go and walk to a nearby gelato place that I mentioned during appetizers. The problem was that I already saw the valet driving towards us in my car, and it felt like he was doing it out of pity…so I said no. The whole drive home I was kicking myself!”

“Doesn’t sound too bad hun. Also, he might have just been trying to get out of the restaurant before everyone else recognized him. From what I’ve heard from interviews and stuff, he never was the one who wanted to be the center of attention. Poppy...getting gelato might have been because he didn’t want the date to end…” Lissa was trying to lift Poppy’s spirits by giving an alternate scenario, one that Lissa believed to be the real reason.

“You’re just stressing yourself over nothing,” Lissa added trying the break the silence once again.

“What do I do, Lissa.”

“Go to a music shop. Find his albums and buy them so you could listen to them. Worst case you case you could show up and get some music for your penguins to listen to…”

“I’m going to stand out like a sore thumb….”

“Poppy...you will not stand out in a music shop”

After 20 minutes of Lissa convincing Poppy to get dress and head to the music shop, Poppy found herself standing outside the music store. The closest one was in Lafayette which was a quick drive from her apartment. She took a deep breath before she walked in.

Poppy almost jumped when the bell on the door rang.

“Welcome to Halls Music Shop,” On the outside Poppy smiled and waved at the man who was working the register, internally she wanted to bolt out of the shop because she felt several eyes on her.

The first floor was filled with records and cassette tapes. Poppy wandered towards the section labeled rock as she was determined to find the record and quickly leave as soon as possible. She sighed as she quickly realized how large the rock section was, this wasn’t going to be as easy as she expected. She was under the assumption that there were two maybe three type of rock music; classic, punk, and heavy. There were 15, 15 type of rock.

“Hey, I’m Ryan! Are you looking for anything in particular?” A tall brunette pulled her out of her thoughts of trying to figure out which one of the types of rock Izzy’s band was.

“Yeah….umm...it’s called Guns N’ Roses,” Poppy sent Ryan a soft smile who sent it right back to her.

“Good choice! I saw them live a year ago, and it was insane. If you ever get the chance I would highly recommend seeing them live. It’s almost impossible to believe how insanely awesome their shows are,” Ryan said to Poppy remembering most of the night from the show. His ticket was worth every penny, and he was hoping they would add more tour dates soon.

“Cool, I had a friend recommend them to me. She said I’d like them,” Poppy replied trying to keep the conversation going. It wasn’t a complete lie, but it was a rehearsed one.

“You haven’t been listening to them? They’re the only thing everyone is talking about!”

Across the small store, Izzy stood on the second floor looking through their guitars for sale. Did he need one? No.

Was he looking to distract himself from his date last night? Yes.

Everything was going perfect in his book. He was playing all the moves that his old band mates had taught him. From being overly sweet like Duff to making her endlessly laugh like Steven. Then the damn busboy had to blow his cover. Granted he really didn’t have a cover, but he still hated the busboy. Once the busboy opened his stupid mouth. He knew the entire time all that was going through Poppy’s head was that Izzy was a rockstar with a rockstar lifestyle.

He shook his head before deciding to just pick up his new strings, and headed down the stairs to the checkout. He found this place within the first week of movie back, and was forever great fun for it.

As he headed down the stairs, he immediately saw the redhead. Unsure of what had taken over him, Izzy headed towards the rock section where he saw Poppy looking through cassettes.

“Hey Pops,” A smile grew on Poppy’s face as Izzy stood next to her pretending to look through some of the cassettes.

“Hey,” Poppy felt her heart rate immediately skyrocket when he got even closer to her.

‘Don’t be awkward. Just keep breathing. Maybe Lissa was right about overanalyzing this entire situation’ poppy mental told herself.

“Looking for anything in particular?” Izzy was slowly piecing the pieces to the puzzle that was Poppy’s brain.

“Well I’m obviously looking for the perfect album,” Poppy teased back as she continued to purposely search away from the Guns N’ Roses section. After a couple of seconds of perusing through, Poppy smiled when she found the perfect cassette to tease Izzy with.

“Ahh, here we go,” Poppy grabbed a Motley Crue cassette and proudly showed it to Izzy, earning a playful eye roll from the guitarist. Poppy didn’t know a lot about rock bands, but she knew about the tension between Axl Rose and Vince Neil. There was a solid month where that’s all the magazines that littered the grocery store checkout aisle talked about.

“Girls, Girls, Grils?” A smirk was present on Izzy lips when he spoke.

“Yeah! First off I’m a girl, so obviously this album is for me. Secondly, there is nothing hotter than guys on bikes. Lastly, these songs just speak to me,” Poppy said, attempting to hide her laughter.

“These songs speak to you? Ohh do tell!” Izzy asked, a smirk never leaving his lips.

“Well, the first song Wild Side...clearly as you can tell by just looking at me I have such a rambunctious side! Plus I have worked with wild animals.”

“Ohh I can see it now, you and your penguin sidekicks probably get in all sorts of trouble,” Poppy laughed at Izzy’s comment before continuing on with her explanation.

“Girls, Girls, Girls….self explanatory. The song is clearly written for me...a female,” this earned a chuckle from Izzy who knew that Poppy had clearly never listened to the song before.

Poppy felt the nerves vanish as Izzy laughed. She felt her cheeks and ears redden. She felt smaller against the tall guitarist.

“What about Dancing on Glass?” Izzy asked, breaking the silence between them.

“Well as an ex-ballerina I don’t not see the appeal to dancing on glass…”

“It is about Nikki’s, the guy who wrote the song, Heroin overdose, the shit he and his band went through to get to that point in time, and how he wouldn't go through that routine again. Like he said,"it's just like dancing on glass” Poppy nodded as Izzy briefly talked about the song.

“Did you write any songs?” A soft smile formed on Izzy’s lips as he headed over towards where the Guns N’ Roses cassettes were. Poppy put the Motley Crue cassette that she had no intention of buying back and followed him.

“One of the most popular songs I worked on with Guns was Sweet Child of mine. It was definitely one of those all hands on deck situations, but I provided most of the chords. The intro bit is 100% Slash’s warm up. Out Ta Get Me was another one I wrote. It’s a fun song to play,” Poppy quickly interrupted Izzy by teasily correcting him, “Out to get me….out ta get me isn’t proper English.”

“Well I’ll have you know I’m the only one in Guns to have a high school degree, so grammatical correctness wasn’t are highest concern,” Poppy simply giggles at his remark before he continued talking.

“Mr. Brownstone was another good one Slash and I wrote. It’s about what a day in the life of being a struggling LA band on the strip.” Poppy watched as sorrow grew on his face.

“What about Patience, that one doesn’t sound at all like a rock n roll song,” Poppy tried to distract him by bringing up another song on the cassette that she was holding. It was called G N’ R Lies, a rather odd name for a album, but she assumed they had some sound reasoning for it.

“It’s not really,” Poppy nodded her head at his comment. He then went completely silent looking at the cassettes, memories of both good times and bad flooding his head.

“Well, maybe you should play it for me sometime.”

“Yeah, that sounds good.” Poppy felt a soft smile across her lips as he replied.

“You have too many albums Izzy..you make it hard to choose just one,” Poppy teased, still trying to lighten his mood.

When that didn’t work, she snatched the cassette he was holding, “Hmm Appetite for Destruction sounds like the one for me.”

“Ohh so are you telling me you crave destruction?” Izzy finally spoke again, a smirk lingering on his features.

“I’m a biologist who studies dangerous animals for a living, I don’t just crave destruction. I control it,” The words were coming out faster than she could think. What she was saying felt silly, but when she looked back to Izzy who now had his arm wrapped around her wrist she didn’t regret the words one bit.

“I would trust penguins under the dangerous animals category,” Izzy smugly replied.

“What about polar bears or mountain lions?”

“Okay, those...those are dangerous,” he didn’t look at her when he responded, but a smile lingered on his face.

“Is that all for you then today?” Ryan asked as Izzy placed the guitar strings he needed to buy on the counter.

“And a cassette of Appetite,” Izzy offered his hand and Poppy placed the cassette in his hand.

“Buying your own albums now?” Ryan asked, raising an eyebrow towards the guitarist.

Izzy shrugged before handing the cashier his credit card. Once the transaction was done, Poppy immediately reached down to grab his hand, slowly stroking it with her thumb.

“Do you have any plans for the afternoon?”

Poppy shook her head no before following Izzy to his car. She was expecting some luxury sports car, but instead he drove a burnt red truck. She couldn’t explain why, but it fit him perfectly.

He put the cassette in, and drove back to his place with Poppy along for the ride. She by no means was a singer, but she was quick to pick up on the refrains.

“You know that the song ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ isn’t very welcoming. I do not feel welcome in whatever jungle y’all were in when you performed that, and I have been to many jungles...if I may add,” Poppy said once Welcome to the Jungle finished. This earned a small smile from Izzy who was surprised that listening to his old album wasn’t making him incredibly pissed off, he figured it was because of Poppy who was dancing and poorly singing next to him.

About half way through ‘It’s so Easy’ Poppy just started cracking up.

“What?”

“It’s nothing,” Poppy tried to hide her giggle as she spoke.

“Sounds like something,” Now Izzy was curious to see the red head’s opinion on the song.

“It’s so easy, when everyone is trying to please me!” Poppy jokingly sang, mocking the song. Was his band seriously that cocky?

“Mock all you want, but that song is inspired by the life we lived,” Poppy dialed back on the mocking and continued to jokingly dance in her seat, clearly earning stares from nearby cars.

By the time Nightrain came on Poppy was pretending to play guitar and drums. Izzy couldn’t help, but smile at the reaction she had to his music.

“Your place is beautiful,” Poppy said as they pulled up to what she assumed to be Izzy’s place. It wasn’t an extravagant LA mansion, but it was home. It was also was a huge fuck you to Axl, since they both talked about living in the house growing up.

“Thanks,” Izzy replied as he unlocked the door. He couldn’t have unlocked the door faster.

Once Poppy made it inside she practically felt herself slammed up against the now closed front door. She looked up to see Izzy, who wore a look that made her want to melt. Holy fuck he looked hot towering over her.

“So, is this how you welcome most guests?” Poppy asked, unable to look away from his eyes.

Even though it was no later than 3pm, the foyer in his house was dark. His face was partially hidden in the shadows, but she could still see the outline of his face and his deep hazel eyes that she swore changed color in the afternoon sun.

She expected him to taste like a mix of alcohol and cigarettes, but she was quickly proven wrong. He tasted like caramel. The type of warm Carmel that you would find in pie. It was calming, as she felt his fingers dance down her sides.

As if on reflex, Poppy intertwined her fingers in his hair. Her mind went blank, unable to focus on any single thing as she felt Izzy’s tongue in her mouth. Izzy began to slowly guide Poppy towards his couch with intentions that could only be described as those belonging to a rockstar.

[masked-buffoon]

Chapter 6: A colourless world (Part 5)

Warnings: none

Author notes: I have to admit, that part was very fun to write...! I hope you enjoy reading it...!

Notes 2: Tumblr is back! Thank goodness...

The office seemed empty without Dazai procrastinating and whining at his desk. While the both of us had been exchanging about greed and desires last night, the armoury of the Port Mafia had been attacked by strange people, and he had left to investigate. Hirotsu-san, the leader of the Black Lizards, had notified the headquarters about the attack, and my superior had decided to take a look himself. I wondered if it was a good idea to stay there... He had not wanted me to accompany him, much to my disappointment. However, it was not as if I did not have a task myself; reports would not fill themselves alone and files would not get classified by themselves. I at least had to be useful to him there, and, thus, sat down at his desk and grabbed one of his pens.

The room appeared different from this point of view. His leather chair, when he was sitting there, had never seemed this big in my opinion. It was strange, how small my back was compared to his... The whole office seemed wider, in fact, and the desk looked larger. This was the view of an executive... This was how Dazai saw his subordinates... I smiled slightly. I had surely often appeared insignificant in his eyes, back then... And the couch where he allowed me to sleep... It was the one in his field of view.

"What could you be thinking, Dazai...?" I murmured, grazing my fingers against the polished wood of the desk.

"Oi bandage freak, you there...?!" A loud voice made me jump in surprise.

My superior's partner burst into the room, barking as usual and his hands full of new files and papers. I immediately stood up, a heavy blush coating my cheeks, and bowed before him to greet him.

"Nakahara-san...!"

"Ogawa-kun...?" He instantly calmed down "Where's your incompetent executive? Oh, could it be, you replace him? Tell me he got demoted..."

"This isn't nice, Nakahara-san..." I noted before clearing my throat and regaining my composure "Dazai-san left earlier for an inspection of the Mafia's armoury, or, more specifically, its guards. They've been taken down by an armed group."

"Aren't you with him? That's unusual, since that day..."

I knew what he meant. Dazai would rarely leave me alone at all, ever since I had almost died, and even more since I had promised to be by his side.

"I do not question his choices. Besides, he has entrusted me with the paperwork." I said.

"Paperwork... Well, I wanted to discuss something with him. Since he isn't here, there is no helping it..." He sighed.

Despite his loud voice and harsh words, Nakahara-san was better a person than he wanted to seem. Moreover, Dazai always managed to bother him, somehow, so his short temper was not entirely his fault...

"I can tell him about this matter, if you'd like." I suggested.

"Oh, excellent idea...!" His face lit up "Come with me."

"I-I'm sorry, I meant —"

"I know what you meant. But it's lunch time and I'm starving. Mind talking about this case while eating?" He offered.

"I'm not sure... Nakahara-san, you surely have more important people to deal with... I am a mere lieutenant and do not even belong to your squadron..." I defended.

"A mere lieutenant?" He scoffed "You know he has a second in command, but you have more responsibilities than him..."

"Do I...?" I frowned, imagining that man whimpering and crying desperately at his desk.

"You do. You even got invited to the Boss' party. Even if it was just to test your ability, it means you seemed important enough to him. So, do you feel worthy enough to have lunch with me?" He asked, slightly impatient.

"If I do not accept..." I started, taking my coat to follow him "If I do not accept, you will come back when Dazai-san is there, and it will end up with him pushing you off-limits again... Besides, I have to find a way and repay you for asking the nurse to come, last time..."

"There is no need to. And... Are you implying I easily lose my composure?" He raised an eyebrow as I closed the door behind us.

"Who knows..." I chuckled "But that's also why he likes being a bother to you."

"Doesn't he like being a bother to everyone he meets?" He rolled his eyes.

"Without a doubt, Dazai-san seems to take pleasure in messing around with people. However... I believe there is something else to this..." I admitted.

"Something else...? He's just an asshole. I believe he started acting carefree around you too, despite everything he made you go through..." He snarled.

"You always seem negative about Dazai-san... But you are his partner; you might know him better than I do..." I conceded.

"I fear not..." He sighed "Why is it that you trust him so much? He is not worthy of this feeling..."

"How would you feel if your own subordinates did not believe in you, Nakahara-san?" I simply answered "As his lieutenant, that's the least I can do; trusting him. And as... As a person who respects him and cares about him, that's an obvious thing to do. Dazai-san is everything I want to live for..."

"I'm glad for him." The executive patted my shoulder "That he has someone reliable... It's a good thing."

"Nakahara-san... You do not actually hate him, do you?"

"I do!! He's the worst!! I'm only waiting for the opportunity to kill him." He huffed.

"You had plenty of opportunities... Yet, he is still alive." I smiled.

"The Port Mafia still needs his lazy ass, that's why..." He grumbled "Anyway, where am I going to take you to...?"

"If I may... Not to a fancy place, please..." I looked away.

"Right. Let's just grab something quick to eat then." He declared.

It was then that I noticed I was slightly taller than him when wearing heels.

I contemplated the white tablecloth before my eyes, and the delicate silverware at each side of my plate, the latter containing a most refined and colourful dish. Obviously, it was french cuisine... I wondered what kind of luxurious products the chef had used to make something which smelled and looked so tasty. However...

"Nakahara-san... May I ask what a fancy place is for you...?" I uncomfortably seized my fork.

"I don't understand, Ogawa-kun. There are only salarymen around us, thus, that's not a fancy place." He defended, taking a bite of his own dish.

"... I doubt they are mere salarymen..." I commented, noting their tailored suit and Italian shoes.

"Well... We don't stand out. You don't need to be embarrassed. Now, about the mission..."

I wondered if this executive had the same vision of the world as me. Apparently, he did not, yet I could not help scolding myself internally. I had guessed from the beginning that I would end up in such a place... Nakahara-san's low class was comparable to my own high class, after all...

Even so, having gotten accustomed to the unusual atmosphere, I could listen to him without further trouble, and took notes of the future mission given to him and Dazai, so I could report everything to my superior. It was yet another case of corruption and politicians; nothing too surprising so far. Our talk was easily covered by the brouhaha of the restaurant room, allowing us to keep the secret of our activities easily, without being suspicious at all. Besides, I doubted all the salarymen around us had clean business as well...

My phone suddenly rang, interrupting the end of our lunch. It could only be one person...

"My apologies." I took it out of my pocket "It's Dazai-san..."

I went outside to hear him better.

"Ogawa, am I disturbing you?"

"Not at all...!" I said "Is there a problem...?"

"I'm done with the corpses. The men who did this... They are the same who attacked us yesterday." He told me "If possible, I'd like you to reach me."

"Yes, Dazai. Where are you?" I smiled.

"The docks."

"Alright. I'm coming then." I assured before hanging up.

"Well, it can't be helped." Nakahara-san came out from the restaurant "There, your coat. You forgot it."

"Thank you. But, um... How much do I owe you...?" I hesitated, feeling incredibly awkward that he had paid while I was out.

"You? Don't worry! If anyone has to pay me back, it'll be that suicidal freak!" He laughed "By the way... You call him only 'Dazai', eh~?"

"Th-That's not..." I blushed "That's not what you think..."

"I don't think anything~ Now, you shouldn't make your incompetent executive wait too much. He's expecting you, isn't he?"

"Yes, Nakahara-san. Thank you again." I bowed, then quickly walked away.

Kind people in the Port Mafia... Perhaps had I been blinded by despair, back then, to the point I had never seen the hands held out toward me. Now that I thought about it, Nakahara-san had been the first to worry about me when I had killed my parents, and the first to mention my addiction. Well, he really was someone better than expected.

[faunahudson]

second time lucky-er - self para

Who: Fauna Hudson ft Sawyer, Lisette, Percy, Mary and Maurie

When: sometime last summer

Where: belfast, ireland

What: Fauna and Sawyer decide to go back to school

Warnings: Mentions of rehab/addiction, Percy is in it

It was a strange feeling being congratulated by friends. When Fauna had left school a year early she had done so almost completely in secrecy, with only Rory and Dobsy knowing that she was off to Dublin. When she’d fled Harolds she’d felt very little other than shame, she wasn’t going to graduate and she had no title to her name. Now her classmates patted her on the back as she clung to her diploma, telling her they knew she’d be top of the class, commenting on how happy Sawyer and Maurie had looked for her in the audience. Never in her life did she think that there would be gift bags, and goodbye cards that were just for her. “I can’t believe you barely dropped a mark.” Marietta had whined as she squeezed her in another hug. “You’ll be able to have an internship anywhere you bloody like.” She added with just a slight bite of bitterness. 

“I mean you barely dropped a mark either.” She waves off as she adjusts her hair, and then finally gives her class the slip skips towards the door. “Anyway I’ve got to dash. I've got a very handsome boyfriend who I’m sure is desperate to congratulate me. And a father who I believe owes me some graduation guilt money.”

“Alright good luck Fauna..” They call as she disappears around the corner. She spots Sawyer right away, standing a few inches taller than almost everyone else in the waiting crowd. The brunette always found herself looking for him these days, whether it be in one of her hometown bars where he could usually be found quietly nursing his coke and trying to stay out of everyone's way or standing in tescos trying to decipher the list of treats that Rory had requested as though they were a foriegn language. Now though he is deep in conversation with her mother about something, her heart twinges just a little as she looks over at her family. Maurie stunning as ever in a sundress, Sawyer scratching the back of his head as he tried to keep up with the conversation, Lisette nervously playing with her hair, her father stiff in his suit and her mother fiddling with the edge of her blouse, always a little uncomfortable. It was almost perfect, almost but not quite. Because there should be someone standing in between Sawyer and her mother, breaking up their polite conversation with things that made Percy go red with rage. Rory. His absence was a gaping hole in the crowd of people who she would have wanted to see her on her big day. She’d tried to talk Percy into letting him out for the day to come and see her but her father had denied the request, insisting that if she really thought her brother was okay to come out of rehab then he should simply not be in there at all and stop costing them all so much money. So she’d dropped the subject, and just knew that Rory would be with her in spirit. She pushes down the sadness that had started to gather and instead took a running jump at Sawyer, who caught her at the very last minute.

“Congratulations Kitten, you gave a great speech. I particularly liked when you thanked your entire animal crossing village for your success” He laughed, pulling her close and accepting the kiss that she pressed upon him legs wrapped tight around him as he held her up. She crinkles her nose as he pulls back to look at her brushing her hair off her cheek, and then kissing her again. “Or should I say congratulations Doctor Eloise.” 

“Doctor Flanagan.” Percy muttered from beside them as if he had ever cared about her carrying around his last name, and Fauna rolled her eyes and kissed Sawyer again. “Do you two have to make such a scene, this is a public place not a brothel.”

“Doctor Hungry.” She argued, deciding that she would keep the conversation light, and ignored his request for her to dismount her boyfriend, choosing instead to press a kiss against Sawyers neck. “No I’m serious.. Feed me, literally what else did I work myself to the bone for?” Sawyer laughed softly against her skin though Percy looked less than impressed, he looked like he might take the opportunity to remind her that submissives didn’t make demands.

“Lucky I booked us a table at Prosciutti then isn’t it?” Maurie interjects and Fauna makes a little whoop. Prosciutti was the best Italian restaurant in town, somewhere that she and Sawyer could never afford but they’d always drooled over the menu anyway from the Greggs across the street while they picked up their discount sandwiches. 

“Have I ever told you that you’re the best ever?” Fauna asked with a giggle. “And even if I have let me say it again, you are the best ever and I do not deserve you.” The brunette declared, watching as the other woman's face lit up at her declaration. 

“I’m paying.” Percy says, and Fauna resists the urge to roll her eyes could anything ever be about anyone else for even ten seconds or if he would always need credit for simply breathing in and out. She flashes him a smile though because she’s trying for peace today. Really it should be all about her, after all she did just become the first Doctor ever in the family but she never really expected it to be, Percy hated to be overshadowed and the tension lines in their family never really disappeared for long. 

Sawyer in his usual way seemed to see that she was tensing a little and pressed another kiss to her head. “Well done Fauna, we're all so proud of you.” He reminded her, and she couldn’t stop the smile from returning to her face, he always managed to cheer her up.

Dinner went by without much event, just everyone toasting to her and Percy trying to make it about himself. It wasn’t until they’d transferred to a pub for a round of celebratory drinks and she was sipping beer in Sawyer's lap after Percy had found someone he knew at the bar that the conversation turned to something with a little more substance. “Well I’m all qualified now.” She said, playing with the collar of his shirt. “What should we do next?” Sawyer had finished his own course a few weeks ago, so now there was nothing that particularly tied them to Ireland other than Rory. Their flat was cosy but even with Lisette staying on the couch it didn’t completely feel like a long term home. 

Sawyer looked at her for a moment. “I mean my next thought is that we should get claimed.” He suggested, his finger tracing over her exposed thigh. She nodded in agreement, that also seemed like the next logical step to her. She’d been ready to tie herself to him almost since the day she’d met him, but she hadn’t felt like that was possible in Ohio, the climate had been strange and unwelcoming to their relationship. She hadn’t felt like the headmasters there would ever approve their claim, and with the threat of being cut off if they couldn’t get their claim through the first time she hadn’t dared to really think about it. 

“I agree.” She responded eagerly. “It’s smart of you to want to snap me up, I am after all a Doctor now so offers of marriage will probably start pouring in.” The brunette teased, taking another long drink from her beer. “I don’t want to go back to Ohio though.. I know it’s your home state but.. I don’t feel like that school.. Would ever.” She didn’t need to finish her sentence because he was already nodding, Fauna hadn’t thought he’d want to go back to the school that had killed both of their mental health so hard but she’d found herself needing to make sure anyway.

“No.. I don’t think that environment was the right one for us.” Sawyer agreed, his gaze also wandering over to Lisette who was in conversation with her mother next to the fireplace. The other brunette was only just starting to open up again and the last thing that the girl needed was a reminder of where she’d come from. “I’m thinking we could look at other finishing schools.. Evan is over in Florida, but we could look at some here?” He suggested and Fauna mulled over the thought. Did she want to go to finishing school here in Ireland, with her father breathing down her neck and the possibility that people from her past might be able to wander through the doors. 

“Maybe.. But I think maybe.. We should look in the US.. I mean the plan is still eventually Malibu right?” Fauna quizzed. “There’s a lot of ground to cover over your way you know, whereas I’d probably know half the student body of anywhere around here.” Sawyer nodded and Fauna noticed that he’d perked up a little more. Though she knew that he’d follow her anywhere, she imagined that he was glad at the opportunity to be closer to his family. 

“Sounds good Doctor Kitten.” He agreed and they clinked their glasses together with smiles on their faces and the future on their mind.

[diteach]

2020 in review

I was tagged by @apeironaxiomaton to look back at 2020 and pretty much to try and not hate it so much! Thank you!!

Also I’m stealing the idea of putting everything under a cut, which I have never done in my life (and probably should start doing) bc it makes things neat as heck. Almost none of these are in a particular order.

Top 5 movies I saw this year:

Volevo Nascondermi by Giorgio Diritti - this movie is REALLY good AND I have good memories tied to the protagonist for Reasons I’m gonna cry bye (a shame that I’ve only watched this other excellent movie starring Elio Germano tonight bc it should be on this list)

Emma (2020)

The King’s Speech

Spirited Away or Porco Rosso - I had watched the first before and never the second so I think the fairer choice would be Porco Rosso but I’m not entirely convinced of it

The Wolf of Wall Street - look, I simply have a weak spot for stories that are so absurd they can be nothing but real (see “the other Elio Germano movie”)

Top 5 TV shows I watched this year:

Murdoch Mysteries - it will stay engraved in the first place of EVERY chart in saecula saeculorum and NO nothing can take its place I don’t care

Peaky Blinders

Alias Grace - which I was sure was a movie? I was so shocked to discover it isn’t like was it really six hours long what the

The Queen’s Gambit

Suburra: Blood on Rome - “The series was developed by Daniele Cesarano and Barbara Petronio for Netflix, making it its first Italian-language original television series.” I’ll be honest, some bits were a little bit hmm-inducing. Not the best tv series I’ve ever seen, but it managed to be fun and easy to watch. Suspenseful even!

Top 5 Songs:

So there’s a reason why Spotify said I’m an octogenarian this year and for as much as I complain about it... it’s right... Spotify’s right. And it will only get worse, I’m afraid. All the songs are from the same playlist which was my most listened to (and is the most interesting to share imo). I swear I have listened to other, newer things as well.

Shake That Thing by The Abe Lyman’s California Orchestra

Night Hawk Blues by The Coon-Sander’s Nighthawk Original Orchestra

Where the Sweet Forget-Me-Nots Remember by Merle Johnston and His Ceco Couriers (I’ve loved these flowers since I was a kid it was so nice to find a song with them in the title!!)

Dew Dew Dewey Day by Nat Shilkret

The Panic is On by Mezz Mezzrow And His Swing Band

Top 5 Books I Read This Year:

so this is embarrassing,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I “bought” an insane amount of books and read a grand total of...like...t w o. It was actually like four and some short stories (which I hated and are therefore banished from the good boy list) so I’m gonna list my silly little titles and make my silly little comments about them all. From “””””best””””” to “worst” we have:

The Adventures of a Modest Man by Robert W. Chambers - I literally cannot shut up about this book and, yes, it is the one tied to this illustration, about which I equally cannot shut up about. It’s so horrible that it makes a 360 and comes back as good, but not before hitting you with a cardboard tube for a laugh and subsequently stabbing you in the kidneys just because it can. I think we can confidently state that we are in the “I didn’t say it was good, I said I liked it” realm. I have so many questions about this book. Why was it written? Was it taking itself seriously? Was it commissioned by someone? Why is it so gay but only if you know that the author is a man? Maybe it’s a parody? Was it an experiment made by the author to test his own skill? I know jack about literature, unfortunately, so grain of salt here but it made me feel strong feels. Not that I could identify any of them if you asked, but they’re definitely there.

Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot - I’m counting this in bc what is a book if not a patchwork of silly little paragraphs anyway so yes, we have a collection of poems. Not only do I know jack about literature; as a matter of fact, I know jack about poetry as well! All I’m gonna say is: I like cute things, I like cats, the poems were cute AND about cats. I really liked it! I often find myself going back and reading again specific parts just for the delight it is to read them out loud! I also may or may not have named the cats you can adopt in Stardew Valley after some of Eliot’s cats. The movie Cats (2019) did one good thing: making me read this.

How You Can Keep Fit by Rudolph Valentino - Yes, that is correct. A book on fitness written (in English!) by silent movie superstar Rodolfo Valentino. It is less than 100 pages on real, actual exercises that the reader can replicate in the comfort of their own house with little to no equipment. With a sprinkle of old timey manly manner of speaking, a few anecdotes from the author’s childhood in ye merry Italian countryside, a dusting of precious advice against ice-cream, and a dash of genuine intrigue for these newly discovered “vitamins” everyone is talking about. Overall a fascinating read that I treasure dearly! Valentino also wrote a book of poems, which I am absolutely thrilled to read this year.

For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway - Hmm.. I have mixed feelings about this one. Whenever the original language of a book is English, I instinctively want to read it in that language. Because I can! And because that way I get to read exactly what the author wrote. If it was another language, I’d get a translation, make peace with the fact that selling my soul to acquire perfect knowledge of all things is morally questionable, and call it a day. Problem: I’m a sucker for old books. And old books I did find indeed. There were three books by Hemingway for sale, very pretty, and for an almost symbolic price too so I bought them. They are Italian translations from the late 50s and my plan was to go through one in Italian, one in English, and after that, decide in which language to read the last one. I believe it was a mistake for me to start with Italian in Hemingway’s case. He’s known for having a very, VERY peculiar style that is integral to how the novels are perceived and I feel like I've robbed myself of literal peace of mind. For as much as I found the story interesting, I could not ignore the voice in the back of my head that kept wondering “was it necessary to render it like this?”. It did make me feel feels and think thoughts, but honestly? It was partially for the wrong reasons imo. It’s one of those books you should read at least once in your life, I guess, so I’m definitely glad I did it! Surprisingly, it captured me more than I expected and trapped me into its little world. I could clearly imagine the scenes in my head, which hadn’t happened in years! I’m really excited to move on to the next two books and finally be able to say if I appreciate his style or not.

Top 5 positive things that happened to me in 2020:

Visited Rome and took a stroll around on my own (sort of) for the first time in my life. I had never seen it at night :) Right after that I celebrated my birthday and got some cute gifts, including sweets that were sent all the way from Australia!!

Managed to buy my mom a gift, which is possibly the only real Accomplishment of 2020.

Took a bizarre trip this summer (I know, guilty) and fell in love with Slovenia

Discovering I like textile arts kinda gave me hope for myself and for the future. I say kinda for I dare not think concretely of anything too positive lest it should be prematurely taken from me. I shan’t elaborate. It is what it is.

Therapy!!!

The last few months of 2020 really hit me hard whereas in the beginning nothing was too bad so it was nice to see the list growing and growing! So many tiny good things happened and it’s worth to cling onto them. I’m tagging @sonicysuchillydog, @nurmilintunen, @alfonzone and anyone else who’d like to participate!! “Tell them I sent you” lol. Guys.............if you don’t feel like going thru your 2020 feel free to ignore bc......I get it............................

[wolfpawn]

I Hate You, I Love You. Chapter 151

Chapter Summary - Danielle has a day that literally just keeps going bad to worse and it all culminates with Tom telling her something.

Previous Chapter

Rating - Mature (some chapters contain smut)

Triggers - references to Tom Hiddleston’s work with the #MeToo Movement. That chapter will be tagged accordingly.

authors Note - I have been working on this for the last 3 years, it is currently 180+ chapters long.  This will be updated daily, so long as I can get time to do so, obviously.

Copyright for the photo is the owners, not mine. All image rights belong to their owners

tags: @sweetkingdomstarlight-blog​ @jessibelle-nerdy-mum​ @nonsensicalobsessions​ @damalseer​ @hiddlesbitch1​ @winterisakiller​ @fairlightswiftly​ @salempoe​ @wolfsmom1​ @black-ninja-blade

Tom poured the water into the kettle and turned around again. “And what dates are they?”

“The seventh of September,” Luke responded, looking at the diary in front of him. “Does that work for you?” Tom nodded. “And Danielle?” Tom winced and cursed. “No?”

“It's two days before her Ironman.” He thought for a moment. “Can I get back in time?”

“I guess?” Luke looked at the dates, making note of her sports events in case it became more relevant in the future. “Didn't you say she has a few more beforehand?”

“Yes, sort of warm-ups,” Tom explained. “I can't miss that one though.”

“You'll need to talk to her.” Luke acknowledged. “Speaking of her, where is she?”

“At Emma's. She is doing a few things for her today.”

“Such as?”

“Cleaning, laundry, cooking. Letting my sister get a shower unmolested by Lucy.”

“So she is okay with babies?”

“She was a medic.” Tom chuckled. “No, she loves children.”

“Children and small babies are different though.”

“Danielle is great with them, she's one of those people that can interact well with children.” He smiled. “She's the same with Ben and Sophie's boys.”

“So I take it if you ever have the sense to ask her and she has the lack of sense to say yes to marrying you, kids would someday be a subject up for discussion?”

Tom gave him a bemused glance knowing that Luke was teasing regarding if he would ask such a question. “If such ever comes to pass, then yes, children are indeed on the cards.”

“Tom Hiddleston, talking about settling down and having kids, did I ever think I would ever see the day” Luke goaded. “And with a no-nonsense woman like Elle. No actually, the only woman that would endure you is Danielle Hughes.”

“Good thing she's the only one I would want anyway.” Tom chuckled. As soon as he ceased speaking, he noticed the dogs looking curiously at the door. He turned and put on the kettle again and took out Danielle's favourite mug.

It was a minute or two before she came into the room, when she saw Luke and Tom, Danielle gave a tired smile. “Gentlemen.”

“Everything alright?” Tom asked worriedly.

“Just one of those days.” Was all she commented.

“How was your training?”

“There was an issue with the pool so it was closed and a spin class used all of the bikes, so that was something of a washout.” Danielle laughed. “That can happen though.” She shrugged.

“And Emma?”

“Emma had to go to the doctor because Lucy has gunk in her eye, so rather than help her with her home, we spent the afternoon in the doctors. And I got a call from work, there was an issue I need to look at that apparently was faxed through, but the fact you have not mentioned it to me would suggest that it hasn't.” She put down the items she had brought home with her. “So what is new here? Luke, how was Venice? I haven't seen you since before you left, you got some colour anyway.”

“Yes, some much-needed sun and wonderful Italian food, of course. It was good, thank you.”

Danielle smiled, pleased to hear he had a pleasant time. When she looked at Tom, she frowned. “What?”

“Are you okay?”

Danielle laughed at him. “Do you ever get that day that it just never stops going wrong, I mean it just is one thing piled on top of another? That is my day and I can get angry and upset and negative which seems to only ensure further negativity, or I can accept that it is what it is and continue on and make what I can of it all and I choose the latter. I assisted Emma, I helped her bring Lucy to the doctor, we also got some shopping and I will cook and clean hers tomorrow instead and if work is really having a shit fest, we have a department for that now so I don't fucking care and I am going to cook my dinner and not stress myself about it.” She explained.

“Good plan.” Luke commended.

“After tea though, I really need a cup right now.” Tom moved, revealing to her that her mug was ready by the steaming kettle. Danielle smiled at him but quickly noticed the manner in which he was not really looking back at her. Then she looked at Luke who also looked slightly awkward. “One moment.” She put a tea bag and hot water into the cup for her tea before turning around, folding her arms and leaning back against the countertop. “Right, what is it?” Both men said nothing. “Look, there is clearly something to be said and with the way today went, I know it will stay true to form and be something negative so just come out with it and tell me now.”

Tom looked at Luke for a moment who had an expression on his face that showed how greatly he felt his earlier comment regarding Danielle as Tom's partner was made apparent by her current actions. Tom decided to just be honest. “I have been asked to attend the Ralph Lauren fiftieth anniversary show in New York in September.”

Danielle processed his words for a moment. “What dates?”

“It's on the seventh.”

“Right.” She sighed.

“I am going to be home in time, I promise.”

“Tom, don't promise something like that, please.” She stated. “I know you will do everything to try to get home.”

“You're annoyed though?”

“See it from my point of view, Tom. Your big premiere and I miss it for a fashion show, how would that feel to you?” She pointed out. “I better check the fax machine, excuse me.”

Tom and Luke said nothing as she left.

“If you are not in Wales on the 9th of September, you may lose her.” Like declared. “If you need to get a private jet, you better be back.”

“Just keep that small block free,” Tom ordered, which caused Luke to nod.

*

Tom walked upstairs and listened to the sound of paper whirring through the fax machine. He walked to the office room and looked at Danielle. He swallowed as he looked at her.

Her hair was tied up and she wore an open cardigan and comfortable tracksuit pants. If the papers saw her, they would ridicule her immediately, but he liked seeing her like this, this was Elle, who only cared about getting work done and being comfy doing it, not Danielle, who worked tediously and had to uphold a certain professionalism. She was wearing her glasses and chewing on one of the small snack meals her dietitian had planned for her. When she looked up, she noticed him there and waited for him to speak.

“How much in the dog house am I?”

“At present, you're on a rehoming advert for Dog's Trust after being surrendered to them.” She stated, picking up the papers and putting them in a file.

Tom walked into the room. “I will be there, Elle, I promise.”

“I know that. You have thirty-six hours, even with delays I know you would make it. It doesn't make it any less of a slap in the face though, does it?” She pointed out.

Tom was going to argue that they had cut it close on a few events before but stopped himself and reminded himself that she was being honest and communicating with him and that her opinions and feelings on the matter were valid too. “No, it doesn't. I am sorry. I am going to cancel.”

“You can't, you have a contract with them and you did sign in that you would do a few of these. I don't blame you, you know, I blame whatever power in the universe that has caused this day to occur.”

“So you're not sending me to Dog's Trust?”

“Tempting, but no.”

“Is the idea of getting a new boyfriend that daunting?” He joked.

“Oh if this goes belly up, I am joining the fucking nuns or something, I genuinely couldn't go again, it's exhausting.” She laughed.

Tom chuckled, walked over and pulled her against him. “I'm sorry you had a bad day.”

“We all get them.”

“How is Lucy, I forgot to ask. Is her eye sore?”

“Probably just irritated more than anything but she seems to just be herself. She is good, she seems to have a strict routine. I never met a baby to stick so rigidly to a natural schedule. Two weeks she has been like it every day. It's not perfect or easy, but it's consistent so they can plan around it.” She smiled. The machine continued to whir next to her as more paper began to come through. “Dear Jesus, this will take half a forest.” She growled.

“What happened?”

“Some bollox to do with apparently falsified paperwork by one of the guys. I know his work, he's not someone to do that, I am getting a copy to see what happened, the internal affairs department is checking over it, but I want to see if there is something dodgy in my office, but I really doubt it.” She explained.

“You really are having an odd day.” Tom acknowledged. “What about your training, you didn't get much if it done?”

“I will have to check this then go for a cycle. Tomorrow is supposed to be an easy say so I am going for a five k then.” She looked at Tom who looked around at her. “Care to join me?”

“Would you mind?”

“Not at all.” She beamed. “We should get you cycling too.”

“I would look like the crazy frog.” Danielle erupted in laughter at the image. “I'm sorry, Elle.”

“Don’t, we can't help some of your work stuff, the same with mine. We will sometimes miss things. I mean, I have not seen Nacelle in six weeks because of conflicting work schedules.”

“When is she around again?”

“In a fortnight.”

“While you're in LA?”

“Yep.”

“That's a pain.”

“And most of the summer I am going to be by the sea and she will be home. But we talk most days so that's something.”

“Poor Becky.”

“They are used to it at this stage, they have always juggled it.” She smiled.

“Will that be us?”

“Not as drastically, I think, but we have those times too. I fear your next major movie. Up to three months or more without my handsome, kind and loving Tom.”

“Yours?”

“Mine.” She reiterated with a cheeky smile, leaning up and kissing him.

[sulfurousdreamscapes]

Twenty minutes before I went to heaven, I was listening to music from the Italian film Discoteca del purgatorio ("Dancing Like Hell", 1968, Colour). Old music YouTube is generally a wholesome place to be, so I scrolled down to read what people thought of it.

Of course they'd be fawning all over how they connected to the film. Of course they'd be mentioning emotional anecdotes (probably made-up) about how the films of Luca Carlozzi impacted their lives. I'd written a few of those myself, back in the day.

Now it's true I've seen many movies in my life. It's kind of a requirement, when you're aspiring to be a filmmaker. Luca Carlozzi, however, was on a different level entirely. His movies were obscure and hard to find, but they spoke to me, not just through their stories and dialogue, but through their sheer imagery, through the camera movement, the blocking, the editing, even the props he used. I mean, I have a replica of the striped shirt worn by Valentino Bergamo in I giovani americani ("Oh, Those Poor Young Americans!", 1969, Colour).

I was thinking of an anecdote to add to this video's comments, but I decided to read what was already there first.

"Who else is here after they heard about Carlozzi? What an absolute legend he was."

29 upvotes. 2 weeks ago.

The music separated from itself like an amoeba and I stopped following its rhythm while I frantically slid my finger across the touchpad and bombarded the keyboard. I misspelled Carlozzi, but sure enough, there it was - mostly on Italian websites and niche film blogs.

I sat there, staring through the laptop screen until it went black. I got up from my seat and walked with the wall for support (just like Zaira Vial in Il coltello chiamato amore ("Blood on the Wedding Dress", 1973, Colour)). With every step I took, I felt my the life I knew get ripped away from my hands, like a newborn baby from its crying mother.

"I can't begin my career until I've met Signore Carlozzi myself," I had told the people who knew me. "Without his blessing, without his personal attention—I will never make films that amount to anything."

I imagined Carlozzi's funeral. I imagined his coffin being lowered (top-down shot, slow zoom out). I could be on a flight to Milan right now, and all I'd get to see is his gravestone. He wouldn't place his hand on me. He wouldn't struggle to pronounce my name. He wouldn't tell me I have a bright future in filmmaking ahead of me.

While my parents snored in their bed, I walked past their room like a zombie and to the little shrine we had in the house. I fell to my knees (it hurt more than I thought it would), and I slapped my hands together in prayer.

"I've never believed in you," I said, my voice low and guttural. "Not once. But this time, you will take me to where you've taken Luca Carlozzi."

The incense smoke wafted into my nostrils, and the dim red light made the shrine look positively sinister. I clenched my eyes shut again. "Please!"

And this time, I heard a voice. I felt like I was being lifted up by two pairs of strong, muscled arms, right from where I had been kneeling. No, that was actually happening. Two burly, bearded men where forcing me to stand, and the camera suddenly zoomed into a close-up on the cigar-smoking, white-suited Saul Fasciano, as he swivelled in his chair and crossed his legs with a grin for years.

"You wanted to meet me, yes? Now you are here, but you will never leave this place." Saul threw his head back and laughed as the music blared in alarm.

"Sorry," I replied, unable to stop smiling. "I wasn't looking to move here."

And just like that, I shifted my weight according to a technique I had learned in Japan, and one of the burly men was flying into the other. The two collapsed into a pile, and Fasciano stood up and golf-clapped. The subtitles under his face were yellow and rough-edged. "What a shame. You could have made a good couple... seeing as I already have Nicole!"

The camera panned to a glimmering curtain, which was suddenly parted to reveal Zaira Vial in a torn, revealing dress, with a tape across her mumbling mouth and palpable fear in her eyes.

"Nicole!" I screamed, even as the white-suited mob boss laughed (no closed captions).

An animated wipe of the screen took me to the streets of Rome, where Valentino Bergamo was leaning against his striped sportscar, his face impassive beneath the sunglasses and hat. "Took you long enough," he said. "Miss Crawford."

I blushed, and I let him hold the fingers of my hand. "Please, Alessio," I said, moving my shoulders for sex appeal. "I told you to call me Faith. Just Faith."

He lifted my fingers to his lips and kissed them so softly, it was like they'd been touched by petals. "Just Faith," he said. "What else do I need?"

Another wipe transition. I stood amidst a row of men, all of us wearing nothing but our underwear. A grey-uniformed German officer (played by an older Eliana Lico) berated us in bad German, whipping one of the American prisoners at random.

I'd even seen this one, and I knew exactly what was going to happen (it was one of Carlozzi's seven pornographic films). It was painful, erotic, and thoroughly skeezy. Nevertheless, it was directed by Carlozzi, which meant that there was a certain genius behind it all.

Just as the most painful (and most erotic) scene was coming on, I heard Carlozzi.

"Cut!" he announced.

Crew members materialised on the scene as Eliana put on a towel and walked off the scene. I stood there, hairy and exposed as Carlozzi walked up to me and put a hand on my shoulder. He was shorter than me, and he was wearing glasses under his hat.

"You're not doing it the way I want you to do it, Guido," he said. There were no subtitles, but I understood every word he was saying.

"I'm sorry, signore," I said, almost desperate to lower myself in front of his greatness. "I will do exactly as you tell me to. Working with you has been my dream, signore, I can't tell you how much—"

He shook his head and laughed. "You're doing great," he said. "Keep doing what you're doing. Remember, making a good movie is more important than realising your dream."

He patted my shoulder and returned to his chair as we prepared for another take.

[rorynne]

Time Lost (Rewrite) Ch 2

Pairing: Bucky Barnes/Reader

Summary: An accident during a mission sends you back in time to the second world war. There you enlist the help of Peggy Carter, Steve Rogers, and Bucky Barnes to find the object that can send her back.

Warnings:  Alcohol, Drinking, Implied sexual harassment, Face punching.

Word count: 2.8k

A/N: This is a rewrite of an OC fic that I have been writing and been wanting to turn into a reader Fic. Im unsure if I will be continuing the OC fic currently, I may just transfer it completely to my reader Fic. Currently 6 chapters are up of the OC fic, and I shall be posting a rewritten chapter every few days on here.

Masterlist

Prologue Ch 1

Being back in London was almost nostalgic to you now. It felt like so long ago that you took your first trip down the elevator to the SSR base. You looked over the maps Steve drew looking for any hint of where the bell might be. Everyone else’s focus may have been on wiping out hydra, but you wanted to go home. Living through the ’40s might be good fun, but you had no intention of living through the ’50s.

You sighed, sitting back in your chair. Your notes and documents had led you to Paris, so logically, it would be best to try the French hydra base first. But your gut said it should be somewhere more defendable, pointing towards a German base. Especially after Steve took down the facility in Austria. You knew that they were going to take down every base, history told you that, so it didn't truly matter. but damn it, you wanted progress on the Bell.

Peggy watched you agonize over the documents for the umpteenth time. The way you threw yourself into your work always worried Peggy. You were rash and quick to act, and combining that with your tendency towards workaholism, you were either going to work yourself sick, or get yourself killed. Or both. You worked like you were running out of time. Only Col. Phillips seemed to have any power to slow you down. “Well?” Peggy finally broke the silence.

“Logically, France is out best bet. I could have myself planted into that town in a week. But if the Captain’s team is going to be shipped out any time soon, then I should be sent to Germany, they’ll probably take down the French and Italian bases before I’m even able to get settled.” You said, poking at the map.

Peggy crossed her arms, “Captain Rogers’ team won't be shipped out for a few months yet.”

You looked up at Peggy, “What?”

“They need to be trained before we send them anywhere,” Peggy said, looking over the maps and documents on your desk.

You shook your head, brows knitted together. “What the hell do you mean they need to be trained? I thought Phillips was sending his best.”

“The Captian requested that he choose his men himself.”

You blinked at Peggy dumbly as the words sank in. “You have got to be fucking kidding me.” You stood up, chair screeching behind you, and stormed off to find Col. Phillips. “We don't have fucking time for this.” You growled to yourself as you pushed various SSR agents out of your way. It would take at least two months to train new agents, soldiers, commandoes, whatever the hell they were intending to call themselves. Ant that wasn't even accounting for any mishaps that might happen during training. Officers moved out of your way as you charged up to Phillips. “Colonel Phillips.”

“Agent Taylor, I was wondering when you would be gracing me with your presence,” Phillips said sardonically.

“You can't be serious about making a team of completely untrained personnel.” You huffed, stopping in front of him.

“I am absolutely serious Agent Taylor. You,” He pointed at you, “Don’t get to question that.”

“It will take months. We’ll be wasting time!” You argued, gesturing wildly with your hands.

“Then I suppose you should be doing everything in your power to ensure their training goes as smoothly as possible.” He countered, handing a folder to a secretary and walking away.

You stared at him wide-eyed for a moment before chasing after him. “What the hell do you mean by that?”

Phillips stopped abruptly and turned to face you. “What I mean is, you are in charge of their training. Congratulations Agent Taylor, you ship out to Scotland with them first thing Monday.”

You scowled, “I'm a spy, not a soldier. I should be working on worming my way into one of the hydra bases to-”

“That’s exactly why I’m assigning you to their training.” Phillips interrupted. “You understand what they are getting themselves into. And as much as I hate to admit it, you get results. Until further notice, you are to join and aid Captain Rogers’ commandoes.” He finished, mumbling “And maybe, it will keep you out of trouble.” as he left, leaving you at a loss for words.

You growled, stomping back to your desk where Peggy was waiting. No doubt she already knew the Colonel’s decision. “Are you done stomping around like a child?”

“Absolutely not!” You threw yourself into your chair, nearly tipping it. “Fuck!” You said as you steadied yourself. You took a deep breath, burying your face in your hands. “How the hell am I supposed to make sure these men are ready to storm hydra bases? I’ve never stormed a hydra base in my life Peg.”

Peggy leaned against your desk. “That's never stopped you in the past. Why is it stopping you now?”

You gapped for a moment. “I've only had to worry about myself in the past. Maybe one other person. Not an entire team of people.”

“Well now you do,” Peggy said. “Are you going to manage? Or are you just going to give up?”

“Give up?” You sneered at the idea. “Of course I’m not going to give up. Too many lives are at stake if they aren’t prepared.”

Peggy smiled at you, “Well then, what do you intend to do?”

You sighed, “I intend to get a drink.” You rubbed your temples. Peggy was right, Peggy was always bloody right. You were beginning to wonder if you were the one from the future, or if Peggy was. “I should also have Steve introduce me to his guys.”

Peggy stood up, smoothing out her red dress. “Well, you could kill two birds with one stone.” You looked up at her with an eyebrow raised. “I need to let Captain Rogers know that Howard needs him in the lab tomorrow morning. So I was going to go looking for him in the pub. If you would like to join me.”

You smirked, “I was wondering why you were all dressed up.”

Bucky sat at the bar waiting for Steve to return. He sighed as he took in the sounds of the bar, he needed this. After going through that hell, being tortured, feeling like he was going to lose his damn mind, he needed this leave more than anything. Hell, the entire 107th needed it. He sure as hell didn't want to go back any time soon either.

But he knew better. He knew Steve needed him. He knew that even with that serum making his best friend into a super-soldier, Steve was still that bull-headed idiot ready to jump into any fight. Steve needed his help, his strength, and Bucky was damned if he was going to let Steve down. So, as much as he didn't want to go back, he knew he had to.

Bucky smiled as Steve appeared through the bar room’s doors, the look on his face telling Bucky all he needed to know. “See?” Bucky said. “Told you, they're all idiots.” He sipped his drink as Steve sat down. They were all idiots, and at this point, Bucky was sure that he and Steve were the biggest idiots of all.

“How 'bout you? You ready to follow Captain America into the jaws of death?” A slight smile played on Steve’s lips as he asked.

“Hell no,” Bucky said, voice tired. “That little guy from Brooklyn that was too dumb not to run from a fight, I’m following him.” He looked at Steve and smiled before taking another drink and adding, “But you're keeping the outfit right?”

Steve turned and looked back at the Captain America tour poster, Bucky was never going to let him live this down. “You know what? It's kinda growing on me.”

The singing in the other room stopped, causing the pair to more to investigate as a woman in a red dress walked into the room. “Captain.” She said. Bucky looked her up and down as she walked up to Steve, he would be a liar if he said she wasn’t beautiful.

“Agent Carter.” Steve greeted and Bucky nodded a hello to her.

“Howard has some equipment for you to try. Tomorrow morning?” She said.

Steve nodded, “Sounds good.”

There was a moment of awkward silence before she spoke again. “I see your top squad is prepping for duty.”

Her comment bothered Bucky slightly, were they not allowed to enjoy themselves? “You don't like music?” He asked.

“I do, actually. I might, even, when this is all over, go dancing.” She answered, focusing solely on Steve.

“Then what are we waiting for?” Bucky said, mildly annoyed at her refusal to even look at him.

“The right partner.” She smiled at Steve, “0800, Captain.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll be there.” He nodded as she left.

Bucky huffed in shock at her rejection. “I’m invisible. I’m… I’m turning into you. It’s like some horrible dream.”

Steve chuckled, clapping Bucky on the shoulder. “Don’t take it too hard, I hear she’s got a friend.”

As if on cue, a loud crash came from the other room. All music and singing stopped as a woman's voice yelled, “Touch me again and you’ll get more than a broken nose asshole!” The two men rushed into the room to find a woman in an SSR uniform standing over a soldier bleeding profusely from the face. From the looks of it, you did indeed manage to break his nose. You tucked a bit of disheveled hair behind your ear and straightened your coat with a huff.

You were the woman with the beautiful smile Bucky had seen when he first got back to the camp he realized. He didn't know you had gone on leave with the 107th. “That is Agent Carter’s friend,” Steve whispered in Bucky’s ear. He couldn't help but laugh. Yes, of course, the one that just broke a man’s nose was Agent Carter’s friend. At the very least, he was impressed. It wasn't every day that you meet a woman that knows how to break a man’s nose.

Hearing his laughter, you turned to look at them as the man scrambled away in shame. “Captain Rogers.” Unlike Agent Carter, You didn’t seem happy to see him. “I was hoping to be able to finish my drink before I found you.” You picked a glass up off the bar and downed it.

Steve scoffed and crossed his arms. “Is everything alright Agent Taylor?”

“Besides being groped by drunk soldiers that don't know the meaning of ‘leave me alone’?” You glanced back at the two soldiers nearest to you. The men paled noticeably and took a step back. Bucky frowned at them, who paled even further when they noticed his glare, they knew Bucky wasn't going to let them get away with that. They were going to wish they had walked away with broken noses. “No, Actually, I’m here to meet your team.” You sighed, clearly not wanting to be there.

Steve looked at you for a moment before nodding, “This is Sergeant James Barnes” He said, gesturing to Bucky. You smiled at him in a way that made Bucky wonder if you recognized him from Italy. “He’s my-”

“Best friend?” You asked, an eyebrow raised and a playful smile on your lips. “I assumed as much considering I was nearly court-martialed trying to help you save him. Or, were you going to say second in command?” You teased as you held your hand out to him. “I’m Agent Y/N L/N.” He smiled as he shook your hand, you certainly weren't afraid to speak your mind. “Who are the others?” You asked, suddenly more serious.

Steve gestured towards the table of men nearest to the trio, eyeing them cautiously. Or more specifically, they were eyeing you cautiously. You took a deep breath and mumbled something Bucky couldn't hear before approaching the table. “Hello men,” You said as you sat down with them.

Steve and Bucky followed you but remained standing. The other men grunted hellos before Steve spoke up. “With all due respect Agent Taylor. What is this all about?”

You sighed, leaning back in your chair. “Col. Phillips, in his infinite wisdom, decided to place me in charge of ensuring your men are properly prepared and trained to take down hydra.” You couldn’t sound more sarcastic if you tried.

“Phillips is sending his secretaries to train us?” Dum Dum gruffed, clearly unsure of what to make of the situation.

“Spy, actually.” Falsworth corrected before you could. “Though, I thought you were with MI6”

You looked at Falsworth for a moment before recognition bloomed on your face. “You're that paratrooper I helped in Russia.” You shook your finger at him, “Falsworth, wasn't it?”

“Its good to see you again Agent Taylor. I never did get to thank you for saving my hide.” He nodded, raising his glass to you. You nodded in response.

Bucky grabbed the back of a chair, looking at you incredulously, “You don’t seem to be particularly enthused about this.” You looked up at him, and he swore he saw the ghost of a smile flash on your lips before you glanced away.

“You're absolutely right.” You said. “If I had my way, I would be halfway to fucking Germany right now.” Bucky’s lip curled upward, that was the second time he heard you curse, you really didn't give a damn what any of them though, did you?

“It’s not very ladylike to swear like that you know.” Dum Dum said, a twinkle in his eye as he took a drink of his stout.

You looked taken aback at his comment. Your eyebrow quirked upward as you nodded your head. “My apologies.” You said, “I didn't realize I was supposed to conform myself to your ideals of a lady. I’ll be sure to do that when I remember to give a damn.”

The table was silent for a beat before bursting into laughter. “Alright,” Dum Dum said, wiping tears from his eyes. “You've made a fair point there.”

“I’m glad,” You said, “I already went over my daily allowance of broken noses.”

“You know Doll if more dames could punch like that, we might have already won the war,” Bucky said, finally sitting down.

You looked at him, scoffing slightly, “Well, Sergeant Barnes, That's something you should take up with your superiors. I know plenty of nurses that would have rathered guns over bandages.”

“I’ll be sure to get right on that,” He said. He liked your attitude, your willingness to speak your mind, and your wit. “And you can call me Bucky. Everyone else here does.”

You smiled that smile Bucky was already starting to like a bit too much. “I think you’ll find that I don’t do things just because everyone else does, Sarge.” Bucky was left speechless as the men around him laughed. He had honest to god, no damn clue how to respond to that.

Steve laughed at his friend’s silence. “You may just be the first woman that managed to make Buck speechless.” He said. Bucky’s cheeks warmed and he elbowed Steve in the side.

You laughed, it was a nice laugh almost giggly, “If that’s all it takes then you must not talk to many girls.”

Bucky feigned offense, “I’ll have you know, Brooklyn’s gals were heartbroken when I was shipped out.”

You hummed, unconvinced, “Guess you must talk and never listen then.”

“I’m listenin’ to ya now, ain’t I Doll?” He shot back.

“There's a first for everything.” You grinned.

“Doll, I’m starting to think you're tryin’ to hurt my feelings.”

You gasped, placing a hand on your chest, “Me? Never.” You looked over the men once more before drumming your hands on the table. “As much fun as I’m having boys, I still have work to do. I also regret to inform you all, that your leave ends Monday. You are all expected to be on the train to Inverness at 0600 Monday morning.” The men groaned.

“You're killin’ us!” Morita said, “We only just got here. We need a break!”

“Sucks for you.” You said with a shrug. “I haven't had a break in two years, I’m sure you’ll survive.” You stood up with a stretch. “I’ll see you all on the train. Cap.” You nodded to Steve, then gave Bucky a mischevious smile, “Sergeant Barnes.” You said with a casual salute.

Bucky watched you intently as you left. He found himself far more excited about the end of leave than he was just a few hours ago. Steve grabbing his shoulder pulled Bucky’s attention away from you. “And you said you were turning into me.”

Bucky rolled his eyes as the men teased him, “Yeah yeah. Laugh it up. We’ll see how much you assholes are laughing on the train at six in the morning.”

“Whatever you say, Sergeant Barnes.” Dum Dum teased, downing the last of his pint.

Time lost Taglist (If you want to be added, ask. if you don’t see your name here, I probably tagged you in the OC version)

@henderwhore4life

[its-flicked-switch]

When Fox Met Dana

What will happen when Mulder runs into a tearful and more scantily dressed Scully on the outskirts of D.C. on a Friday night? 

Early MSR. Set early to mid-season 3.

Rating: Teen and Up

This story was originally written for The X-Files Secret Santa Fanfic Exchange back in December as a gift for @viceversawrites. Prompt: Someone feels insecure about something. 

I’m in the process of getting all of my current works posted on Tumblr, but should you be interested in viewing a comprehensive list, visit my AO3 profile.  

Once every couple of months, Mulder humors his mother and meets her for dinner. He feels guilty for putting her off as much as he does, especially with Samantha and his father gone, but the guilt he feels following every cancelation always wains in the aftermath of what always turns out to be a torturously long conversation about any and all things non-consequential — gardening, real-estate, and wine tastings … meaningful conversations of merit always monopolized and downgraded to match her level of comfort with little thought given to what he wished or wished not to discuss.

Sadly, this is what he has come to expect from his mother.

The only difference being that dinner tonight started with a lecture. His mother usually reserves those for when the food arrives, but tonight he made the mistake of underestimating traffic. That in combination with the parking being particularly egregious resulted in him being 20 minutes late to a dinner that he had already canceled on three separate occasions. Admittedly, this had not been the best way to start off the evening.

He had anticipated her being irritated when he arrived but had not expected her to be quite so crass.

"It's no wonder I don't have any grandchildren. You should never keep a lady waiting, Fox. It's poor form, even for you. I raised you better," she said to him by way of greeting.

He had known then that it was going to be a long evening but still did his best to bite his tongue, nod, smile, and comment appropriately in all the right places.

When the time finally came for them to part ways, he walked her to her car, opened her door, and kissed her on the cheek as he bid her goodbye. She offered to drop him off at his car, but he declined, opting instead to take advantage of the cool evening air. Her words from earlier still echoing in his mind.

"The work you do is dangerous Fox, and there's no need for it. I have yet to understand why you refuse to take the path so generously laid out in front of you. You went to Oxford for Christ's sake."

Following his father's death, conversations pertaining to his future have come up more and more frequently. She doesn't get it. She never has and likely never will. People handle grief in different ways. Mulder has always wanted answers. His mother, on the other hand, has only ever wanted to forget.

As he watches her pull off onto the side street and drive away, he cannot help but feel relieved that it is over, which in turn, makes him feel guilty. As much as she grades on his nerves, she is still his mother, and a son shouldn't avoid and dread seeing his own mother. Especially when she is all he has left.

Walking down the street with his hands buried deep in his pockets, he is so caught up in his own thoughts that he doesn't notice the woman hastily exiting the building alongside him until it's too late to avoid her.

Despite being caught off guard, he somehow manages to get his hands out of his pockets in time to steady her before she loses her balance.

"Shit," he exclaims.

"I'm sorry, I didn't see you … Are you—"

When the woman turns to face him more directly, he's immediately stunned into silence.

"Scully?"

As he looks her over to ensure that she is unharmed, he immediately becomes acutely aware of two things.

One, she has been crying.

Two, her breasts are much larger than he thought they were.

Trying not to focus too much on the latter of the two observations, he shifts his focus to her bloodshot eyes and smeared makeup.

"Scully … what are you—What's wrong? Are you OK," he asks, struggling to find words.

The surprise of her sudden appearance in combination with the shock of seeing her dressed for a night out has nearly rendered him speechless, making the interaction all that much more awkward.

She makes a noise that he quickly identifies as being one of annoyance as she takes a step back and ties her coat more tightly around her body in an attempt to cover up and downplay the revealing dress she is wearing, but it's too late. While he may have refrained from staring, he certainly noticed.

"I'm fine," she says, but her tone, body language, and reluctance to meet his eyes suggest that she is anything but.

"You don't look fine," he says cautiously, unsure of how wise it will be to draw attention to fact that her makeup is smeared. "Where is your car?"

Her eyes roam the length of the street and sidewalk as if she's looking for someone.

"I didn't drive. I've called a cab."

"A cab? To take you home? That's going to cost at least 40 bucks from here, if not more … Common, my car is just down the—"

"Mulder it's fine I—"

"Dana?"

The man comes out of nowhere.

Mulder starts to move aside until he sees the look on Scully's face. He's not sure what has transpired between the two of them, but it's quite clear that this piece of shit, whoever he is, is the reason for Scully's swift and tearful exit and that's all he needs to know.

Situating himself to stand slightly in front of her, Mulder gives the man a pointed glance.

"She's leaving."

"Oh, and who might you be," the man asks running his hands through his hair in what appears to be an attempt to calm himself. His rolled up sleeves and partially undone buttons give him an air of casualness that his body language does not portray.

"Fox Mulder. I'm her partner, and she'll be leaving with me."

To his surprise, Scully does not object.

Although the man is clearly perturbed and a bit flustered, he doesn't make a scene. Instead, he walks away shaking his head and mumbling under his breath as he makes his way back into the building.

"Scully, what did he do," Mulder asks, turning to face her.

"It's nothing Mulder. I just want to go home."

He wants to argue with her because clearly whatever happened was a far cry from nothing.

Dana Scully making a tearful exit and hailing a 40 dollar cab is the exact opposite of nothing, but the uneasiness radiating off of her keeps him from pressing her any further, at least for the time being. Because if there is one that is abundantly clear, it's how uncomfortable and embarrassed she is by the fact that he happened upon what has clearly been an unsuccessful romantic evening.

The fact that she has not mentioned seeing anyone actually surprises him. Scully has always made it a point to set boundaries and tell him when he is interfering with her life outside of work, which makes the situation he has happened upon all that much more curious.

Although it's not necessarily any of his business, the fact that she exited a private, high-end building filled with condominiums makes him a bit uneasy.

Leaving a restaurant under duress is one thing, leaving private residence is another. One does not have to be a profiler to come up with any number of troubling scenarios as to why a woman would leave a man's residence in tears.

"What are you doing on the outskirts of D.C. on a Friday night Mulder," she asks breaking their silence as they reach his car.

"Having a very uncomfortable dinner with my mother. I would like to say that she was in rare form tonight, but that would be a lie."

Despite her state of duress, she manages to snort back a laugh as she waits for him to unlock the doors.

"Sounds like we are both batting a thousand tonight then."

"Why Scully, did you just make a baseball referenced joke?"

Although he's not looking at her directly, he can sense her soft smile in the darkness of his car.

Turning up the heat, he pulls out of the parking lot thankful that he has least managed to get a smile out of her.

Just as he is mulling over what to say next to break the ice, he hears a rumble.

"Scully … was that your stomach?"

Sighing and shifting uncomfortably she confirms what he already suspects.

"I left before we ate."

"Wow. That bad huh?"

"Yes. That bad."

"I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to apologize for. Thank you for driving me. I know it's a bit out of your way."

Knowing now what he needs to do, he changes his course, turning onto the next side street and looping back around.

"Mulder what are you—"

"I know I can be an ass sometimes, but I'm not taking my partner home with an empty stomach and makeup smeared all over her face from crying."

"Mulder, I would really prefer to just—"

"Greek or Italian?"

"Mulder …"

"Greek … or Italian?"

Letting out an exasperated huff of air, she relents.

"Italian."

When they enter the restaurant, Scully immediately excuses herself and disappears into the bathroom.

Unsure of what she will want to eat or drink, he orders them both water and waits. Just when he is about to check to make sure that she hasn't bailed on him and called a cab, she reappears.

"Sorry … I needed to freshen up a bit."

"I'm just glad you didn't bail on me and call a cab," he says with a chuckle.

"Fortunately for you, I'm too hungry to bail," she replies.

Her tone is serious, but there is an edge of playfulness to it that he appreciates.

In the two years that they have been partnered, they have seen and experienced a lot together. They may not always see eye to eye, but he would like to think that they have grown closer. He has certainly grown to respect and appreciate her, and he would like to think that she has done the same — at least on some level.

"I wouldn't put myself on the line for anybody but you …"

"Have you ever been here before," she asks as she begins the flip through the menu.

"Nope. First time."

"Hmmm …"

"Wine?"

After he asks, he internally winces as he recognizes the potential implications of his question.

You wine and dine dates, not partners.

Based on her expression, she has undoubtedly come to the same conclusion. Fortunately, she doesn't appear to be offended. If she is, she has at least had the grace to hide it well.

"No. I'm good."

She has yet to remove her coat, and he has a pretty good idea as to why.

Although he did not get the opportunity to fully appreciate what she was wearing when he bumped into her earlier, he saw enough to get a general idea. The plunging neckline she is sporting is much more risqué than anything he has ever seen her wear before. The black sheer-like material clung to her tightly in some areas while hanging loosely in others, revealing her curves quite nicely.

Scully has apparently been hiding quite a bit in those loose fitting pantsuits. While he has always made it a point to remain respectful, he is still a man. He still sees her — all of her.

When the bread arrives he cannot help but chuckle at the look of pure elation that crosses her features. The basket barely hits the table before she grabs a piece and places it on her plate. It occurs to him that it's quite possible that she has not eaten since lunch, and it's well past 8:00 now.

Braving a more serious conversation, he tries again to get her to open up to him.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Sighing, she stops chewing for a minute and looks up to meet his eyes.

"Not really."

Mulder is not hungry, but he grabs a piece of bread to keep her from feeling guilty about eating all of it. He has apparently done a poor job of hiding his disappointment at her reluctance to open up to him because within a few seconds she is taking a deep breath and speaking again.

"A friend set us up. We've been out a few times and have always had a good time, so when he offered to cook me dinner, I accepted."

Nodding, Mulder waits for her to continue.

"But he apparently had more than dinner in mind tonight."

"Did he touch you," Mulder asks before he can stop himself.

It's a highly personal question, but the mere thought of someone touching her without her consent makes his blood boil, especially in light of her abduction and everything else she has been through this year.

The wave of protectiveness and fury he initially felt, however, dissipates quickly and is replaced by guilt as he watches her struggle to determine just how much she is going to disclose. He's clearly made her uncomfortable by asking her something so specific.

"He … He was just … very forward."

"I take it that you asked him to stop?"

She doesn't reply with words, but she doesn't have to. The pointed glance she offers him is enough.

"I take it that he didn't?"

"Mulder … I really don't want to talk about it. I left. I won't be seeing him again. End of story."

He wants to press her for details, but more than anything he just wants the pummel Mr. Run-My-Hands-Through-My-Hair Causal.

Reining in his fury, he keeps his voice as level as possible.

"Well, order whatever you want. Tonight is on me."

"Mulder, that's not necessary."

"I'll give you a call the next time I have dinner with my mother, and you can buy me a couple of drinks."

"Hmmm … that bad huh?"

"Yes. That bad."

"I'm sorry."

"No need to be sorry. It's just the way things are."

When the waiter returns, Scully orders chicken tortellini. Mulder, on the other hand, settles for a small salad, not because he is hungry, but because he does not want her to feel uncomfortable eating alone.

"Are you still cold," he asks, trying desperately to keep his voice casual and passive.

He knows he is playing with fire, but the discomfort she is displaying is almost comical. It's clear from the redness in her cheeks that she has more than warmed up since their arrival. In fact, she appears to be uncomfortably warm. Her coat remaining on has absolutely nothing to do with the temperature in the room and they both know it.

Giving him a pointed look of warning, she returns her attention to her bread, picking at it nervously.

While he would certainly enjoy teasing her about this under more normal circumstances, he doubts that tonight is the time to push the envelope. On some level, he can understand why she is reluctant to remove it. He has never seen her in anything remotely revealing. She has always made it point to dress professionally and modestly for work — excessively so, and given what she has clearly been hiding under those loosely fitting pantsuits, he cannot say that he blames her.

Being a female in a male-dominated field is undoubtedly challenging. Although she could clearly use her sex appeal to turn heads and get a leg up, she doesn't. It is one of the many things that he has always respected and appreciated about her. Scully is a woman of integrity. She is a professional, which is why running into her on the street dressed so scantly had come as such a surprise.

"If you're worried about what I'll think about the dress, I've already seen it and happen to approve. There's no need for you to be uncomfortably warm on my account."

Taking a sip of water, she studies his face. Looking for a punchline or some sign that he is being anything other than genuine. When she appears to find whatever it is that she's looking for, she sighs.

"This is not something that I would normally wear … Melissa picked it out … She was ... always on my case about being too uptight. I bought it a year ago, but this is the first time I've worn it … It just felt like it was time to wear it." she confesses.

The mere mention of her sister's name provokes an emotional response that is quickly swallowed away when she reaches for the ties of her coat. Shifting in her seat, she lets it fall off of her shoulders and into the seat behind her.

Mulder had intended to make her more comfortable by encouraging her to make herself more comfortable, but so far removing her coat has only served to make them both more uncomfortable. Fighting to keep his eyes level with hers, he gives her an encouraging smile and takes another piece of bread. He has always thought that she was an attractive woman, but tonight she's not just attractive — she's beautiful … stunningly so.

Her hair, which is typically only curled lightly at the ends, is styled with larger curls, giving it more of a wavy flow that makes it look a good one to two inches shorter. Although he isn't sure if her makeup is darker due to her earlier tears or if she has intentionally crafted it that way, he likes it. The smokey darkness makes the color of her eyes look several shades lighter, giving them a glow that would make the shallows of the Caribbean envious.

"You're staring," she says, raising her brow.

He wants to tell her what he really thinks of date-night-Scully, but thinks better of it, choosing instead words that are more becoming of a partner speaking to a partner.

"I'm sorry … It's just … You look really nice Scully."

Silence falls between them when the salads arrive, but the blush in her cheeks remains as they each busy themselves with utensils and the task of pouring their dressing.

Mulder starts to worry that even nice had crossed a line when she begins to fidget and play with her food.

"Mulder … do you think that I gave him the wrong idea by wearing this," she asks quietly.

God. Surely she did not think that she had asked for whatever had happened between them. He certainly hopes that whatever look crossed his face as he watched her remove her coat did not add to whatever convictions she previously held.

"Scully, what you wear, revealing or not, does not give anyone the right to make assumptions. I have little doubt that he appreciated your … ensemble …," he says choosing his words carefully as he runs his eyes over her, "but appreciating and touching are two entirely different things."

"I just …"

"Look. I don't know what happened. I can imagine, but ultimately, it doesn't matter, because whatever it was … if it's not something you wanted then he had no right — period."

"I was just … I was just trying to loosen up a bit. My abduction and … Melissa … have each caused me looking at things a bit differently than I did before. I enjoy the work we do. I wouldn't trade it to go back to medicine, but that doesn't mean that I don't recognize that there is more to life than working. I just … wanted to try."

"There's nothing wrong with that Scully."

"But tonight made me realize that maybe working all the time isn't all that bad after all."

Now Mulder really wants to know exactly what happened, but he has asked twice already. Would asking a third time make him just as insistent and forceful as the asshole she was with earlier? Probably.

One thing is for certain, that man, whoever he is, better hope that Mulder never sees him again.

"Do you think that I'm frigid?"

She would wait until he had taken a drink of water to ask him that question.

Clearing his throat, he looks across the table at her and studies her for a moment in an attempt to read her. The insecurity and nervousness he sees behind her eyes and in her body language surprises him.

Scully has never crossed him as being someone with underlying insecurities. In the field, she is fearless and relentless, digging in her heels and taking command of each and every space she occupies. But right now, sitting in a fancy restaurant looking as stunning as he has ever seen her — she's unsure of herself.

He wants to tell her that she is absolutely gorgeous.

He wants to tell her that ice cannot scientifically encapsulate fire.

But he says neither of these things, stopping himself short of saying the words — not because he doesn't believe them, but because of what they might imply.

He doesn't want to say anything that would imply that only he sees her in the physical sense. Not to say that he hasn't taken notice in the years that they have worked together, but thinking about it and vocalizing it are two entirely different things. He cherishes their friendship and the last thing he wants to do is say something that would create an awkward tension between them in the future.

Scully has worked hard to build a reputation in man's world, and while her work ethic and professionalism have not gone unnoticed, neither has her physique. Despite the less than flattering pantsuits she wears, she has not gone unnoticed. He sees the longing stares and hears the whispers in the hallways as she sways past, and he knows that she does too.

The last thing he wants is to be misconstrued as being one of those guys.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have put you on the spot like that," she says nervously.

Dammit. He's been quiet too long.

Snapping out of his rumination, he quickly works to gather his thoughts and put them into words. Giving her a reassuring smile, he tells her what he should have told her earlier.

"No. You didn't. Not really. I just … I don't want to say anything that would offend you or make you uncomfortable, so I was trying to choose my words carefully," he says, studying her expression for a moment before continuing.

"You're a beautiful woman Scully — distractingly so …"

To this she blushes, letting her eyes drift down to her plate.

"Some people can't handle disinterest … it's easier to make the rejection about you than it is to acknowledge that there is nothing alluring about them. Calling you frigid is an out for them … it says nothing about you and everything about them."

Before she can reply the food arrives, but Scully is not looking down at her food, she is looking at him. The intensity of her gaze causes butterflies to form in his stomach and sends shivers down his spine.

She has given him a lot of looks over the past two years, but this one is new.

This look isn't Scully at all — it's Dana.

"Did you pick that up in one of your psychology courses at Oxford," she asks, giving him a soft smile of appreciation as she grabs her fork and begins to eat her pasta.

"Well, I suppose it depends on who you ask. If you ask my mother, my time at Oxford was wasted, given that I'm working for the federal government and not raking in millions with the silver spoon I was given as a child."

"Ah. Was that the topic of tonight's dinner?"

"Among other things."

"Such as?"

"Well, apparently I am incapable of having any type of meaningful relationship since I work constantly and am always late for dinner. She also made a snide comment about giving up on grandchildren that I chose to ignore."

"Ouch."

"And she wonders why I cancel," he says with a laugh.

"I'm sorry that it's like that. I can't imagine not having my mom to talk too."

"I'm used to it."

"That almost makes it worse."

"How's the food," he asks, gesturing to the bowl in front of her in an attempt to drift conversation away from his mother.

"It's really good. Thank you. Thank you for bringing me here."

"Anytime."

The rest of their conversation flows freely. He is actually quite amazed at how at ease he is with her and even more amazed that they have managed to talk for nearly an hour without mentioning any of their active cases. In fact, work hardly comes up at all, which is first. They talk all the time, but never about themselves, their families, or their lives outside of work. It's wonderful. He cannot remember the last time he enjoyed himself so immensely.

After she finishes eating, he picks up the tab and escorts her out the car, this time opening the door for her.

As they get settled into the car and pull out into traffic, she turns to him and studies him as if she seeing him for the first time. Although he's not looking at her, he can feel the intensity of her gaze.

"Thank you again for tonight. It was … nice," she says finally after a few moments of silence.

"I enjoyed it too. I think we both needed to get a bad taste out of our mouth."

As soon as he says it, he inwardly cringes at his word choice.

Smooth Mulder, he thinks.

"Yeah," she says quietly.

"I'm sorry Scully, that was a poor word choice … I didn't mean it—"

"I know you didn't. It's fine."

The ease and weightlessness of their earlier conversation disappears. It's as if a spell has been broken, and he feels absolutely terrible. He's about to resort to turning on the radio when she begins to speak.

"He … He kissed me, which was ok at first … but when I tried to pull back to cool things off a bit he kept pushing … to the point where I slapped him. I've never slapped a man before, but I slapped him."

Until this very moment, Mulder had not realized how much the visual of another man having his hands on Scully actually bothered him — more than bothered him. The mere thought of it steals his grip on the wheel to the point of whitening his knuckles. Although she still has not specifically told him what exactly he did, he knows it had to have been rather egregious for her to resort to slapping him.

The idea that anyone would disrespect her in that way, pushing her boundaries to point the where she felt like she had to physically attack them to make them stop, makes his blood boil.

"I immediately felt bad for hitting him. I think he was just as shocked as I was that I did."

"Scully—"

"Then he got mad … really mad. Said that he had heard that I was frigid, but never imagined that I would be frozen … I made my exit shortly after that."

"Sounds to me like he got exactly what he deserved."

To this, she says nothing, clearly still uncomfortable with the fact that she resorted to striking him.

"Name? Date of birth? Social security number?"

Cutting her eyes at him, she snorts and then relaxes her head back against the headrest.

"Trust me. He's not worth it."

"No, but you are."

Although it's dark and his eyes are predominately on the road, he can see her head turn in his peripheral vision. First to study him and then to look away, suddenly finding something very interesting along with a route that she travels almost daily.

Fearing he has already said too much, he refrains from making any further comment.

When they reach her apartment, he pulls into an open spot and moves to get out when she places her hand over his and stops him.

"Did you mean what you said earlier?"

Mulder isn't sure if she's referring to his comment about her being worth the effort or the fact that he referred to her has being distractingly beautiful, but since the answer would be the same either way, he doesn't bother to ask her for clarification.

"I meant everything I said."

Nodding, she shifts uncomfortably, removing her hand from his and placing it in her lap.

"It's just … no-one has ever really said anything like that to me, not in that context anyway."

"I'm not sure what you mean."

"There has … always been an agenda," she says, refusing to meet his eyes.

He can only assume that she is referring to intimacy. Is it really possible that there has never been a figure in her life that told her that she was absolutely stunning? Has every guy she has ever been with actually been that shallow? Only appreciating her body in the biblical sense?

"Men can be assholes. I would know."

To this, she laughs … genuinely laughs.

"You're not an asshole Mulder. Well, at least not most of the time. Only when you are ditching me, ignoring hard science, and disregarding protocols that could put us both out of a job."

"All in a day's work."

Snorting, she shakes her head from side to side and looks up to meet his eyes.

"I'll walk you up," he says, reaching for her hand and giving a squeeze. He walks around the car with a purpose, intending to open her door for her, but by the time he reaches the other side, she has already gotten out.

Mulder half expects her to insist that she is fine and to bid him farewell on the street, but to his surprise she says nothing, walking alongside him in silence as he opens the door to her building.

When they reach her door, Mulder feels a twinge of nervousness. It's just them. Mulder and Scully, yet it's not. He can tell that she feels it too by the way she shifts nervously on her feet as she digs for her keys.

"Would you like to come in," she offers.

Swallowing the lump in this throat, he politely declines.

"No, I should go, it's late, and I promised the gunmen I would meet them for an early breakfast."

"Conspiracy theories?"

"Always," he says with a smile.

"Ok … Well. Thanks again for tonight. It was nice."

"Yes. It was."

For a moment they both just stand there, gazing into each other's eyes.

"Well. I guess I'll see you Monday," she says finally, putting her key in the lock and turning it.

"Yeah."

He starts to walk away, but stops himself short, turning back to face her and catching her before she makes it fully inside.

"Scully?"

"Yeah."

Moving to stand directly in front of her, he reaches for her hand and takes it in his.

"Never let someone treat you any less than what you are worth."

Although she's fighting it, he can see the tears working to form in her eyes.

"And what might that be," she asks quietly.

"Whatever it is … I can't afford it."

Giving her a gentle smile he raises her hand to his lips, kisses it, and then turns to walk away.

"Mulder?"

"Yeah."

"You might could if you tried."

With that, she gives him a soft, appreciative smile and then disappears behind her door, leaving him to stand in the hallway with a slack jaw.

Come Monday, neither of them speaks of their impromptu date.

Little do they know that years later, they will each refer to this night as being a pivot point in their relationship — a time where she first saw Fox, and he first saw Dana.

[lula1991]

My Jewel

Summary

 An ancient spell causes a millenary young lady to weaken, it is up to Larry and her friends to help her find the key to return her to normal while a stranger pretends, along with three already known individuals, to take over a captive jewel somewhere in Egypt with the in order to proclaim it “yours.” (The shock of all the chaos in her).

 Objective? The guard and the exhibits must prevent it from falling into the wrong hands while between Ahkmenrah and the girl, a romance will slowly emerge that will bear fruit over time.

Genre: Adventure, comedy, romance, fantasy

Warnings: None.

Chapter 4

  Our little girl was going around the museum looking for the "tree" that was with her a few minutes ago but did not find much, until Larry showed up at the right time ..

"Larempteh, do you need help?" Larry asked somewhat unfocusedly watching as she looked for something she couldn't find.

"Hi Larry, have you ever seen a tree walking around here?" Larempteh clasped his own hands with Royal delicacy.

"A tree? That sounds weird .. ”Larry chose to cross his arms trying to analyze the girl's restlessness.

"It is .." Larempteh said.

"And how was it?" Larry asked.

"Well, he was short and had a rather peculiar accent, as between French and English." Larempteh described the subject  while still thoughtful.

“French and English? A quite striking mix. For a moment Napoleon came to mind trying to talk like that ..” Larry commented.

"Who is Napoleon?" Larempteh asked.

“He was Emperor of France. Well, but keep telling me ..” said Larry.

“It was very strange. He claimed to be a bonsai and be called Chang, although the bonsai are from China and according to him, he learned to speak French during an exhibition at the Department of Flora Conservation in Paris. ”Larempteh explained but she still didn't close any of that talk.

"How crazy!" Larry exclaimed in surprise.

"Too much!" Larempteh stressed and then left a little left in his thoughts. "Maybe I should downplay it, what do you say?"

"Maybe, but .." Larry paused cautiously.

"But .." Larempteh kept a smile of knowing the meaning of the word. "I know, I must be careful." She said with good energy at last. "I have heard the rumors that Ahk's brother can return from the dead and is somewhat bloodthirsty." The queen spoke quietly for safety.

"Kahmunrah. Yes, he is only an extravagant character but nothing harmless. You must take care more than anything for his army. I may be willing to go back to Ahkmenrah's table. ”Larry predicted and at the comment the girl began to laugh spontaneously.

“Army, which one? Nobody told me anything. What is a kind of alliance or how..?” Larempteh wanted to know to be more careful.

“They are quite clumsy because they are the most detestable villains in history. They are nothing more or nothing less than Ivan the Terrible, Al Capone and Napoleon Bonaparte. ”Said Larry.

“Are you serious, Larry? How crazy! ”Larempteh couldn't believe it at all.

"Yes, even if you don't believe it," Larry said without further ado.

"Who would say it .." and Larempteh was thinking with a smile of not falling into what he heard. "A picturesque, despicable and megalomaniac pharaoh, a dwarf with complexes, a ruthless Russian and an extremely scary Italian gangster, together?"

“I know, I know, it sounds pretty paranoid but it happened. Some time ago I had to fight them together with the boys. So you have to be cautious in speech and in the information you give.” Larry said.

“That's why I'm looking for that tree. It left me somewhat restless. ”Larempteh shook his head, removing thoughts. "But what..! I must remember that all this happens due to the power of Ahk's tablet and even the bushes usually come to life, I think .. ” she was thoughtful. "But if he was sent to the underworld, it is impossible for him to return without the help of the tablet." The queen sounded convincing.

"It's understandable too, although remember to be careful, Larempteh." Larry used a warning tone was very fatherly. He was beginning to take love as much as Ahkmenrah.

"Yes thanks. Maybe I'm chasing myself a lot. ”Larempteh put that issue aside to go back to another that was somewhat worried. "Larry, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure, what's up?" Larry said.

“Nothing, it's just that since I arrived there are no papyrus records regarding my parents' reign or information on where they are. Do you know if they are in a museum near here? I need to see them. I haven't done it for 4000 years and I would like to meet with them. ”Larempteh seemed worried.

  From his tone of voice it could be said that it sounded like despair but it was a mixture of many things, a little hope for the answer, a little disappointment due to a hard blow for a no. Anyway, she had a storm inside her ..

"Larempteh, I want to help you but even working here I don't think they can give me access to that request you want again ..." Larry felt guilty and upon hearing this the girl was a little sad. "I'm really sorry because I would gladly do it, you're really a great girl just like Ahkmenrah, they're both good guys and .." Larry stood up, wanted to continue but her interrogative look didn't leave her.

"Yes ..?" Said Larempteh.

   It was something curious to be the exhibition of an Egyptian mummy returned to life, Larry could not contain himself and resumed the thought that was pending ..

"And you make an adorable couple and deserve to be together." Larry took that comment by surprise.

"Do you really believe it?" Larempteh said very seized.

“Really, both are great, jovial and very intrepid. Yes, of course you deserve all possible happiness. I still don't understand how it is that you are not yet .. ”Larry added.

"Yes, he is a great pharaoh already ascending and me too .." there was a hint of something else to glimpse, the girl was very transparent and that Larry noticed but preferred not to add comment. He had to respect his privacy. "Thanks Larry, except for the fact that we are both very friendly, I appreciate your praise from that perspective towards us .." The little girl answered her why in a good, genuine way.

"I did not know. I, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude .. ”said Larry.

“No, no, don't worry it's fine, you didn't have to know. You know sometimes things happen that way. ”Larempteh's voice denoted a bit of neutrality, hidden anxiety perhaps, as if his gaze lost some brightness at the mere idea that this long decree would come true. She was looking for an answer that her friend Larry couldn't answer beyond what he said, maybe a sign? but the queen was not to be excited even though her heart gallops like one of the many horses her father's kingdom had every time she heard young Ahk's name as her old future? pending. "In fact, we may be friends until proven otherwise." She was mature and with a spontaneous talk." Larempteh said simply.

“I am sure it will be, Larempteh. Just time to time. ”Larry advised her and she took it very well.

  But something rocked Larempteh's existence again, she was trapped in that trance where she lost her balance a bit and Larry was able to sustain her in time..

“Larem? Larem, are you alright? ”Larry worried holding the girl's arms.

"Who?" Asked a disoriented Larempteh.

"It's you." Said Larry.

"Who are you?" Said Larempteh.

"It's me .." said Larry.

"I don't know you .." Larempteh said looking at him with a strange fixation, the girl seemed lost.

  The guard was worried due to the sudden state of the girl, it seemed that she was not only tortured with a hypnotic trance with temporary fades but also produced a slight amnesia ..

"Larempteh ..?" Larry asked watching the girl while she was still a little absent. "Larem .." the guard snapped his fingers causing her to react from that confused state. "Larempteh, are you alright?"

"What happened?" Larempteh asked slowly returning to himself.

"Larem, you didn't recognize me." Larry said.

"What..? Did I do that? ”Larempteh said.

"Do you at least remember it?" Larry asked as she shook her head.

"No, nothing. ‘Nut’ (‘Heavens’). I'm sorry, Larry, I don't know what got hold of me .. ”Larempteh held his head processing what happened.

"All in order? It seems as if you had aged 300 years .. ”Larry saw how she regained her stability.

"All in order. Yes, I'm fine. ”But Larem wasn't quite sure, one thing was wrong.

"Don't fool me, Larem." Larry tilted his head pressing the girl to speak for her sake.

“You know me very well. What, I was very obvious? ”Said Larem.

"Well, your trance would scare anyone .." Larry mentioned.

“Good, okay. I can't hide anything from you. ”Larempteh gave up before a sigh. “Larry, you better know this. A little less than a few minutes ago before I was talking to you, the same thing happened now, except for the amnesia thing. Suddenly I felt like I was going to fall and then I didn't fall. How a strange magic in the air .. ”

“Wait, it makes me familiar. Larempteh, I would like to know if you have any precious item that has been corrupted at this time by an essential fault .. ”Larry wanted to know and she frowned.

“Wait, wait, object ..? Corrosion? What are you talking about, Larry? ”Larempteh was confused.

"A possession." Larry said at last.

“A possession? How of what kind? ”Larempteh asked.

“Yes, just as Ahkmenrah has his tablet, you must have something similar. Some talisman, you might even have a tablet too. ”Larry said simply.

“No, I don't really remember it very well but no, I didn't run with that luck of containing a tablet. I only have this necklace that is considered a talisman but it was not what caused me that discomfort, I think so. Maybe it could be that .. ”she was thoughtful on alert. "Larry .." the queen took her hand instinctively.

"What happens? I'm something big for surprises .. ” said Larry.

"It's late! Yes there is something, a jewel. It's a bracelet, but I don't have it with me. I just don't know what happened to him after Cambridge managers transferred me here, nor am I sure what the right cause is for these symptoms. ”Larempteh sounded convincing.

"Then we'll have to take you to her to find out." Larry said.

"You mean go to my old home in Cambridge?" Said Larempteh.

"Yes." Larry said.

"No Larry, forget about that idea." Larempteh said.

"Why?" Larry asked waiting for more.

"You won't understand." Larempteh seemed scared of herself.

“Larempteh, I managed to solve the dilemma in Ahkmenrah's table, so just tell me. Explain to me how you are born to narrate it .. ”said Larry.

"It's strange, because without knowing where he can be at the same time, I feel like he's in a part of the Middle East, maybe it's a hunch, but I suspect that I should be connected to him through ..." Larem emphasized his collar. "Or something similar .." she instinctively squeezed her usej with the winged beetle along with three ahkn charms, a significant symbol of life.

“Have you seen yourself like this before? Because it's the same state the boys have suffered including Ahk and the tablet a while ago. ”Larry inspected the girl but it was not safe to venture to say that this was happening for the same reason the boy's board had.

"Never. This situation had never happened before. I was always exactly the same. ”Larempteh sounded convincing.

“And what happens? I don't understand. ”Larry continued without finding answers.

“Being honest, I have no idea. But it turns out to be that way, my father knew the secrets of that jewel better than me. Unfortunately he swore never to reveal them and he did so .. ”Larem explained and again it happened, the girl went into a trance that barely made her back when her friend came to hold her until she could stand. "Perhaps it is for this reason that I want to meet again with my parents ..." she wanted to remove all possible doubts and answer her whys that grew slowly.

“Quiet Larem. We will take care of this and I will do my best to help you. Just relax tonight, okay? ”Larry somehow managed to calm her.

"Very well." And she smiled in thanks.

  Larry had to take another course after corroborating that everything was fine and Larempteh also had to continue before that problem got bigger in his head, without suspecting that Napoleon heard every detail of the talk so he smiled to get more information about it ..

  Honestly the villains were quite fools, it was easier to get a candy from them than to another person. But returning to the subject, Napoleon took the information that he managed to bring with him thanks to the young woman and the queen tyrant began to reproach, so as not to lose the habit ..

"Is that all ?!" the queen shouted with an unknown name.

“Mona mi, the girl is quite cunning. I couldn't collect more data than those .. ”Napoleon excused himself at the dissatisfaction of the leader.

“We have enough information, piccolo. We know that she is and that she is friends with the boy. The plan marches on wheels .. ”Al Capone remarked with his Italian accent.

“And that is a possible weakness of the Egyptian and vice versa. This will be easier than snatching a candy from a brat. ”Ivan, the Terrible decreed with his Russian accent.

"What's your next step, girl?" Al Capone seemed impatient.

“She will be forced to renounce what my dad and my mom unfairly destined for her, referring to the throne, the crown and the jewel, of course.” Said the queen.

“And the boy? What about him? ”Al Capone asked with one hand in his dress pants pocket.

“It's just what we need, guys! If one yields, the other must yield, they will remain occupied only by the simple fact of wanting to try to save each other more than the world itself, thus leaving us the free path .. ”said the queen and the others waited expectantly for their next words .

"Highness!" Tahmenk exclaimed.

"It will be how to attract fish to the water .." the queen continued.

"Highness!" Tahmenk exclaimed again.

"What?! I hate being interrupted! ”Shouted the queen who looked annoyed.

"His goal was always found here." Tahmenk reported and a countenance that would terrorize the same god of the underworld was embodied in the woman's face. "The jewel was in the basement all this time."

"Well, go get her ..." the queen smiled demandingly.

"No .." said Tahmenk.

"Why not ?!" the queen reproached.

"Because we can't do much if the jewel is being scheduled to be transferred to Cairo just now, less if it was already packed to get there in a couple of days." Tahmenk reported.

   And the queen formed an uncertain grimace on her lips, an indecipherable rarity..

"Cairo .." the queen whispered.

"Yes .." Tahmenk continued.

"Cairo .. Middle East .." the queen raised a finger remembering what the Emperor of France mentioned.

 The aforementioned collected finishing spinning the information to continue forging its plan ..

"This is wonderful! This is divine! ”The bewitching woman laughed jokingly.

"Mona mi, we must act fast!" Napoleon exclaimed plaintiff.

“Stop sir! No one rushes me! The night is still young and we also have plenty of time to take possession of it, but first of all, Army! ”The queen shouted and her faithful men stood firm. "Get ready to start, let's visit my little sister whom I call, Larempteh and at least notice, the world will be ours and Larempteh is not welcome in him, nor will she be much less a hero." The queen murmured happily looking for the crystals of the big window.

  The young queen walked quietly through the exhibition of Egypt, when passing through the room and before the room facing the old temple of Ahkmenrah where she was previously, a hand brought her to the beautiful interior of such a hall representative of her time where there was more to see the magical place where both came from, it should be noted that this place was where the ornate sarcophagus of Larempteh was with its walls covered by hieroglyphs with considerable lighting ..

 "How is it that I missed so much time from his pleasant presence?" Ahkmenrah wondered..

   Yes, that's right, neither of them was aware that they were so close during all that time since she was exhibited as a historical piece on this site, around 1958..

"Hey ..!" His mouth was covered with one hand to meet his bright pupils.

"At last alone .." Ahkmenrah whispered close to her nose as he placed his hands at the girl's sides, cornering her.

  The king was caught with the exquisite aroma that she possessed by her natural perfume, she smelled of papyrus mixed with fragrance to Sol also counted the small help of the aromatic oils that they prepared especially for her beautiful and royal queen, those balms that she still preserved from his embalming ..   He brought his face close to the queen's neck to wear that scent impregnated in his nostrils for weeks, so stock up on Larempteh by olfactory memory when he didn't see her after returning to his sarcophagus or when his new duties allowed..

"Ahk .." Larempteh muttered looking at Ahk's lips.

"Mm ..?" Ahkmenrah muttered sensually looking at Larem's lips.

"You're very close .." Larem murmured as he approached dangerously.

"Do I make you nervous ..?" Ahkmen spoke with his best seduction tone.

"No .." Larempteh whispered comically sensual almost falling for Pharaoh's appeal but woke up from that trance. "Ahkmenrah, are you crazy?" Larempteh spoke quietly looking everywhere.

"Mm, maybe .." Ahk smiled slyly as he scanned her with a scan from top to bottom all over his body carefully.

"It is good that you admit it, you are one step further .." Larempteh admired her virtue by accommodating a bretel of her dress and a wing of her little cape. "Now, why did you do that?"

"Why did I do what?" Ahk faded.

"That!" Said Larempteh.

"That?" Said Ahkmenrah.

"Yes, that!" Said Larempteh.

"What is that?" Ahkmenrah despaired comically when she shook her head clearing the argument.

"Nothing, forget it. Why did you bring me here? ”Larempteh demanded with the demand for a sovereign but without being severe and without losing spontaneity by bringing her hands to her hips, she looked so tender before Ahkmenrah's eyes.

"For this .." Ahkmenrah took his face crashing his lips against hers.

  Due to the abruptness of her act, the queen was caught between the wall and the body of Ahk, opening her eyes for that reason and for the clash of Ahkmenrah's hips against her own where that impact caused the king to rub only intimately in Larempteh, although then the girl closed her beautiful eyelids slowly keeping up with Ahkmenrah, due to an unconscious submission to the girl. By the way, the young man kissed perfectly well and where the king asked permission in his mouth to have tongue in between ..

    An instrumental of romantic melody from Egypt sounded in the background making that moment less uncomfortable and more relaxing..

  But a mental click caught on his conscious for a few moments trying to get rid of the king's lips, pushed him scared ..

   Maybe Larem let his guard down and was vulnerable under Ahkmenrah's charms ..

"Don't do it again!" Larempteh graciously ordered indignantly.

"I'm not done yet .." Ahkmenrah took revenge.

"Ahkmenrah!" Larempteh said and he kissed her again but this time with more intensity.

  They continued kissing for a good while until she reacted after several seconds since they both separated comically while Larepteh tried to incorporate some air before speaking..

  They looked at each other, detailed themselves, memorizing every gesture that will be impregnated in them. They were agitated, both had large pupils due to the low light provided by the lights, a strong blush with the adrenaline that shook their hearts predominated on their cheeks, but still she did not know what to say..

“Ahkmenrah, I thought it was all clear, young man. That way you don't win a girl, not the gross. What was that? ”Larempteh inquired graciously and spontaneously, wanting to erase that moment from his mind.

"Fluid exchange?" Ahkmenrah raised her eyebrows as she smiled and opened those imposing eyes, captivated by the young woman.

"I reaffirm, you're crazy." She had no idea that Ahkmenrah was so impulsive.

"You are beautiful when you get angry, did you know that?" Ahk smiled at her sensually and then approached and she looked at him expectantly for some trace of mischief, her eyes gave him away. "I, yearned to see you give me a dance." Ahkmen murmured in his ear.

"Ahkmenrah, you .." Larempteh muttered about Ahkmenrah's boldness.

 That guy was sensuality in person when he returned to give a smile and a sexy wink before leaving slowly ..

 Larempteh was a little silly after that moment, touching his lips confirming that this kiss was real and yes! it was, so much that he still felt the heat of that fleshy mouth in his, he smiled biting his lower lip while resting his head on the wall when he closed his eyes remembering everything. The girl mentally sailed in an intoxicating and captivating sea because of the effect that had the pleasant and seductive perfume with aroma of herbs and Sun that Ahkmenrah gave off, coincidentally also its natural fragrance emanated from papyrus, a long and captivating smell of masculinity ..

Of course she was also crazy about him, but Larem hid it better ..

"Little girl?" Teddy was surprised to see her in that way and of course, the girl was petrified. "Are you alright, pretty?"

   It was a little funny scene to see the young queen biting her lip and trying to align her thoughts by inventing a good lie so that he would not suspect anything but it was late, if only she had a minimum idea of what she already has in mind. Mr. Roosevelt about them ..

"Yes! It's just that I had a little skin on my lip and I had to take it out. It is not attractive that a queen looks like this with her lips .. ”Larempteh sighed a nervous smile and was more so when Teddy looked at her, happily discovering the king's step with her while smiling, squinting his warm eyes. "Me, I must go ... to another place .." Larempteh gave him a pretty smile and resumed his path.

"I wish she knew instead of both being hiding .." Mr. Rooselvelt felt good knowing the truth and on the other hand he longed for that day where Ahkmenrah would finally know what role Larempteh plays in his life.

  They are friends? Yes, although the young man does not feel that danger of crossing the “prohibited..?"

  And in fact, he already crossed it, quite a bit or maybe there was never such a crack because after all, they are free to choose their concubines..

  Maybe it was all in his imagination ..

"I saw her, miss .." Lancelot turned to the young woman.

"What?" Larempteh was a bit self-conscious.

"You like each other, right?" Lancelot wanted to truly lie him.

"No .." maybe, sometimes Larempteh was awful hiding his heart, not always. She tried to do her best with regard to Ahk but it was impossible. The two liked each other very much.

"Yes, of course .." Lancelot said elbowing her.

"Already! Stop bothering, Lancelot .. ”Larempteh couldn't help but let out a smile when she ran away.

****

Tags: @underworldsheiress @txmel @s4msepiol @itsme690 @xmxisxforxmaybe @moon-stars-soul @1970smalek @singyourheartout4-rami @seafrost-fangirl @sherlollydramoine @mrsahkmenrah-malek @hazeleyedbeth @yousaycoke-isaycaine @r-ahh-mi @rocketrhap4229 @eschnei7 

I want to label them in this chapter so you don't miss out on this beautiful story, I hope you don't bother, girls .. :D💕

[littlewritingrabbit]

Were you for real about the tree ficlet? Because every time is appreciate William North time, and I need that in my life :')

Indeed I was! I’m afraid it turned out a bit angsty, but it’s still Appreciate William North time, so here you go :”)

September 17th, 1787

Doubtless the Baron von Steuben had seen himwalk up the front path, and doubtless he was waiting inside for him to knock,but William North still hesitated a moment at the front door. 

Hehad been surprised that he was invited at all, seeing as he was getting marriedin a month. He hadn’t been glad to put the words on paper and send them off tohis one-time-Inspector-General, but he had been so swamped at the time with armypaperwork and the busyness he hadn’t been aware a wedding would bring into hislife that there was hardly another option. So here he was, holding a book of Germanpoetry wrapped in brown paper in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other,suspecting that the Baron likely did not want to see him. 

Heknocked, and to his surprise, von Steuben opened the door and embraced himstraightaway. North, squished as he was against the star medallion that theBaron obstinately wore everywhere (even on his banyan), wondered if he ought tosay something. He settled for “Happy birthday, my dear Baron.”

“Whythank you!” said the Baron, letting him free at last and placing a kiss on eachcheek. His overenthusiastic Italian greyhound Azor took a turn at greetingNorth, jumping up to try licking his face. North laughed and pushed him back. “I’mglad you could come,” said the Baron.

“Iseveryone here already?” North asked as they walked towards the parlor, Azorsniffing happily at his pockets just in case he had brought treats. He wouldhave thought Benjamin Walker would accompany von Steuben to the door.

“Youare everyone,” said the Baron, shooingAzor out of the room lest he attempt to sniff their wineglasses off the table,then sitting heavily on the divan. “Le petit Walker is visiting some relativesof sa grande femme - he will visit me here next week-end. Our dear du Ponceauis practicing law and courting a girl - no time for me, and Fairlie is marriedand getting into public service away in Albany,” he smiled solemnly. “All toogrown up for the old Baron now.”

“OhI doubt that,” said North, taking advantage of the lack of company to curl upbeside von Steuben, resting his head on the embroidered shoulder of his banyan.“Next thing you know they’ll be back introducing their children to you.”

“Ihope not,” von Steuben chuckled, “I’m a terrible influence.”

“Never,”said North with a grin, uncorking the wine.

Thesun shone in the windows as they drank the wine and recalled some pleasant anecdotesfrom their time in the war. North found himself doing so a lot lately, thoughhe realized that perhaps he ought not to glorify a time full of such bloodshed.He simply couldn’t help himself. He’d never felt so surrounded by family. Ofcourse, he had siblings, but they were both quite a bit older than he was, andhis mother had been there to take care of him after his father died, but theirhouse in Boston had been rather quiet. None of his relatives had properly knownhim in any case. How could they, when the secret he kept from them was sogreat? If they could see him sharing a chair with Benjamin Walker, leaning overto kiss him, and then being startled by du Ponceau eavesdropping, or drunkenlycuddling up to the Baron after a most improper party… well, he was fairlycertain they wouldn’t be understanding about such things.

Andso North worked to reconcile the memories of the closest family he’d ever hadwith the occasional nightmares of gunfire and running in terror, because one didnot come without the other.

“Rememberthe red petticoats?” the Baron chuckled.

“Ido! Remember the fireworks when we celebrated the alliance?”

“SoI do!”

Theyfinished off their glasses and von Steuben extricated himself from where he hadbeen wedged between North on one side and some decorative pillows on the otherto retrieve a plate of biscuits. Once several of these were polished off, Northpresented him with the package wrapped in brown paper.

“Ohyou spoil me Will,” he smiled, untying the string around it.

“It’sthe least I could do,” said North, “After all, it’s not every day one turnsfifty-seven!”

Theyspent a good while after that occupied with the poems - the Baron translatingand North commenting on which parts he liked in particular before they fell quietagain.

Northknew he was going to have to broach the subject at some point.

“Isuppose you got my letter…” he said, reaching for another biscuit to avoidcontemplating von Steuben’s expression.

“Idid,” the Baron closed the book of poems softly. “It seemed important news tosend by mail.”

“Iwould rather have said it in person, but… well, you know how life intercedes,” Northstudied the biscuit sadly, well aware of how von Steuben was gazing at him,probably waiting for him to lift his eyes.

VonSteuben took North’s hand, brushing this thumb over the scar that ran along theback where he’d been cut by a redcoat’s sabre. “Do you wish to be married?” heasked.

Theentire time he’d been seeing Mary, courting her, engaged to her, no one hadever asked North that question. First it had been a jesting “You’ve been hangingaround the old Baron a lot lately - you’d best be careful you don’t become anold bachelor like him!” which had mercifully been replaced by “You’re seeingrather a lot of this Duane girl,” with a knowing look, and then “Are youcourting her yet?” and when they thought he couldn’t hear, “Has he got up theguts to court her yet?” and he had figured, why not? She was a dear friend,what could go amiss in courting her when everyone so clearly wanted him to? “So,are you two betrooothed?” and “I’ve heard he’s afraid to propose,” followed inquick succession, and suddenly North had found himself on Mary Duane’s doorstepwith a bouquet of flowers and a ring. No one had ever asked him if that was hisintention. His throat prickled.

“No,”he said, his voice cracking slightly. “No I do not think I do, but what else canI do?”

TheBaron said nothing, but pulled his hand so that North moved closer, curling upbeside him once more with the Baron’s arms around him.

“Ithappened faster than I intended,” North said, “Polly is so kind, and I think Ilove her, in a friendly sort of way, if that makes sense. But to marry her…” hesighed. “I’m terrified. I know I’ll have to be married eventually, but I don’tbelieve I can give my heart away when you and Ben hold it so steadily. You twoknow me better than she ever can, because you know I’m not the hero who comeshome from war to marry a girl and settle down. That’s simply not a part I canplay… yet here I am.”

Heate the biscuit sorrowfully. The Baron was quiet and sturdy beside him. “Areyou upset with me?” North asked.

“Upset?My dear Will, however could you upset me?” von Steuben sounded incredulous.

“Byrunning off to be married, of course,” exclaimed North, “By pretending to bethe returning hero, by pretending I love Mary Duane and not you and Ben… byleaving you like everyone else did.”

“Icould never be upset with you - you’re too kind for it,” said the Baron. “Neithercould I be upset with Walker, or Fairlie, or du Ponceau. They had to make theirown way in the world, and yes, perhaps I miss them, but more than that I wantthem to be happy. If this marriage secures for you a pleasant future, with awife who is a good friend and even children to love and teach, if you wantthem, then I will be happy that you are happy. I will miss you, and I willwrite you altogether too much, but it would be ungrateful of me to keep you allto myself; I learned that long ago. The world around us hasn’t room for thelikes of us together.”

“Wouldthat it did,” said North, his voice trembling with emotion held too long in hislungs, “I would visit Ben Walker with a bouquet and a ring, and we would bemarried, and come live here with you!” He realized, as he said this, that hewasn’t simply melancholy, he was also angry. For a brief moment, William Northwas profoundly and helplessly angry at the gossips and the court-martialers andthe whole world for trying to tell him the way his heart ought to feel. “And wewould say it aloud - the three of us are a team! We know each other’s heartsand love each other for it! That is simply how it works and I cannot explainit!” he said.

TheBaron squeezed North’s shoulders and moved to stand. “I haven’t any rings,” hesaid, “But I agree, a memorial of some sort is in order, I think.”

Northsaid nothing, but followed him to the yard where a cool breeze was rustling theoak leaves above. Von Steuben approached the trunk of the tree, and then pulleda knife from his boot.

“Wasthat… always there?” North asked, but he received no answer. The Baron was busyscraping the knife across the ridged bark of the tree, carving an “f” into thewood.

“Weshall put our names right here,” said von Steuben, “And then this little yardwill always hold our memory.”

“Doyou plan to carve in your full name?” North asked warily.

“Ofcourse not!” smiled the Baron, “I should dull the knife before I even got to “Augustin”!”

Whena spiky F.S. + W.N. had been carved into the tree, the owners of the initialssat to rest in its shade. It was the end of summer and an era all at once. Fornow, however, they were both content to sit in the dappled sunlight and talk oftheir adventures in the Continental Army, both the exciting and the terrifyingtogether, as one did not come without the other.

[lazulifoster]

An Unexpected Visitor (Loki X Reader) Part 2

Prompt: Sex by The 1975, Million Dollar Man by Lana Del Rey, and If I Never See Your Face Again by Maroon 5 feat Rihanna

Pairing: Loki x Reader

Warnings: Swearing; angst; arguing; mild sexual content

Word Count: 3k+

A/N: Inspiration from my Spotify Playlist again lol I think I say this every time I post something but sorry if its a slow burn, I actually have a lot of ideas for this fic but I like a slow build ;) Hope you enjoy part 2 if there are typos, from the bottom of my heart, my bad :)

Brief Summary: Loki and you dated back in college before he up and vanished. You have moved on with your life, even started a family, but an unexpected visitor makes his way back into your life.

||5 years earlier||

“Shall I compare thee to a summers day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate.” “Loki…” “Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, but bears it out, even to the edge of doom.”

Loki.” “…by heaven, I think my love as rare as any she belied with false compare.” “LOKI!  I’m going to fail this quiz if you don’t shut up and quit reciting Shakespeare!” “Oh, hush, love. There is no reason to study, anyway. You know all the answers already.”

“I just want to double check and make sure. Because last time this happened, I practically failed my quiz.” “I seriously doubt you’re capable of failure, Y/N. Besides, your beauty alone deserves to be glorified at every waking moment.” “ Oh pleeease, your flattery won't work this time.” “Won’t it?” Loki leaned in close to me, placing gentle kisses along my neck, causing my will to study to wane dramatically.

Loki then pushed my notes and books of my bed, and we both rapidly undressed, making me completely forget about my upcoming quiz.

************************

“You better start fucking explaining yourself, Loki!”

I began a feeble attempt to reel in the myriad of thoughts flooding my mind. My emotions were a chaotic blend of utter confusion and absolute joy. Loki was here, in the flesh; holding me, kissing me, and telling me we belonged together.

I had pictured this moment so many times over the years, and nothing was happening like I had imagined it. But as much as I missed Loki and secretly yearned for his over the years, reality slowly crept in. Loki was gone far too long to go without explaining himself. I needed answers. Lots of answers.

“My love, I promise you, I will explain everything, but this is hardly the time or place—” “Oh no, no, I am not playing games with you Loki! The “time and place” is right now! You’re the one who left and decided to just randomly show up out of nowhere!” My voice cracked, and I forced myself to hold back more tears, annoyed at myself for getting emotional again.

“I need to know what happened to you, Loki. You owe me that much.”

I could see Loki felt guilty. I knew that behind his devil-may-care attitude and playful demeanor he felt awful for deserting me. I started to feel sorry for getting heated with him again. The Loki I knew would never just leave without a legitimate reason. But suspicious thoughts kept lurking in my head. He’s just trying to manipulate you. I shook the feeling aside, I already had too much to think about. I reached up and rubbed my hand through his beautiful black hair.

“I’m sorry, Loki. I’m just—I don’t know, there is a lot to take in.”

Loki gave a slight grin, placing both of his hands on my waist.

“As much as I’d love to chat with you about everything that's happened, darling, your mum has prepared something for dinner that smells absolutely delicious, and it would be a shame to let all her hard work go to waste.”

I gave a slight chuckle. Loki was right. If I wanted to know the full story, it would be best to wait till my parents and ex weren’t around. Also, I hadn’t eaten all my food at the restaurant with David, so I was actually quite hungry as well.

“Fine. But this isn’t over.” I reminded Loki. He nodded and leaned forward and gave me a soft peck on my forehead before both of us walked in the house. Neither my mom, dad, or David noticed Loki had ever left; still speaking with his illusion.

“Did you find what you were looking for?” Mom asked suspiciously

“Oh yeah—um—no I didn’t.” I stumbled over my words like a nervous school girl. Keep it together.

Rachel waddled up to me babbling what sounded like, “Mama.” She wasn’t really speaking yet, but her little attempts always made me so proud. I picked her up off the floor, and she looked around at us five adults standing around talking. Rachel’s eyes met Loki’s, to which Loki made a silly face at Rachel, causing her to laugh loudly. The brief moment between them made me and my parents chuckle. Seeing Loki interact with Rachel made my heart melt; it was almost too adorable for me to handle. The sweet moment ended abruptly however when I looked over at David and saw an irritated scowl cross his face. Knowing David’s temper, I cleared my throat to break the building tension.

“So…what did you make for dinner, mom?” “Oh, just some roast chicken with mash potatoes and Brussel sprouts, nothing fancy.”

“A regular feast, I cannot wait to try, Mrs. Y/L/N.” Loki smiled

“Well, come on in the dining room then, we don’t want the food getting cold.” Mom began ushering us to the dinner table.

“I already ate,” David interjected.

Mom, still walking away, yelled behind her, “Well I guess you can go home then, David.”

My dad laughed from the dining room at my mom’s sassy comment, making David looked at me and whispered, “What the hell?”

"It’s ok, we’ll talk later. I’ll text you.”

David gave me an annoyed look but decided it would be better to leave before he left my parent's good graces entirely. David gave Rachel a quick kiss goodbye and made a quiet exit.

When David left, all of us inadvertently let out a collective sigh of relief.

“Finally got him out of here, goodness gracious,” Dad grumbled.

“Dad, can we not…”

“I just want a relaxing family dinner with all of, it’s been too long.” Mom was beaming. Sometimes I wondered if mom loved Loki more than I do.

Did.

My mind was still an absolute whirlwind. Barely an hour ago, David and I were at dinner, talking about our daughter’s future and reconsidering where our relationship stood. Then I see Loki’s car in my parent's driveway with his stupid “God of Mischief” vanity plates, next thing I know were kissing, uprooting so many feelings I had pushed down over the last 3 years; and now Loki was eating dinner at my house like we had years ago. My emotions were a constant ebb and flow or fury, and affection One moment, I suppressed every urge I had to cause a scene and demand answers from Loki. The next, I wanted Loki to take me in his arms again and to pick up where we had left off. I still couldn’t comprehend how someone who I spent almost every day with since I was 18 to just suddenly vanished. I mean, I knew about Loki being a god. I knew about his brother, Asgard, and the Avengers. I didn’t know everything, but he had told me bits and pieces and opened up to me over the years. I also knew he would have to leave occasionally concerning “family squabbles” and things concerning the Avengers, but he would always let me know ahead of time and would even send his illusion to check in on me.

The leading theory I had settled on for Loki leaving was I thought I scared him off because of the last conversation we had. Petty, I know, but I couldn’t think of anything else it could possibly be.

I remembered every detail about our last conversation, probably because I played the moment repeatedly, trying to figure out what went wrong.

It was almost the end of the semester. Loki and I were in a local coffee shop, close enough to the college to walk, but not close enough where it was bombarded by other collegians studying for finals. Loki was actually helping me study for my other classes besides literature. I was studying for a freshman world geography class, an easy elective I took to boost my GPA. We had both ordered our drinks (Loki drank an Italian roast, black, and I had a cortado.)

While he was helping me study the countries of the Eastern Hemisphere, I looked up at him.

“Do you think you’ll ever get married? Or have kids?”

While Loki took a sip of his coffee, his eyes quickly shifted to me.

“I mean, one day. I’m not saying to me—or anything—um, I was just curious. Plus I’m bored of studying.” I gave an awkward laugh, trying to hide my cheeks turning a bright shade of crimson.

Loki bit his lip and tilted his head up and looked off in the distance. I felt like I could actually see wheels turning in his head. Then he spoke.

“I honestly cannot answer that.”

“Oh…”

“Well, I don’t know, truthfully. Marriage seems so, arbitrary to me. Especially, as a god, time means nothing to me, but to Midgardians, time is so precious, so you decide one person to spend that time with until your dying breath. So if I were to marry an Asgardian, I would be tied to them for possibly, millennia. And if I was to marry a Midgardian, they will have already lived a quarter of their life. I’ve been alive far too long and have learned there is no point in getting attached to something I cannot keep.”

He spoke so matter-of-factly that it almost brought me to tears. Was that all I was to him? A mere mortal with 25% of my life over. I felt foolish for thinking I could be more to him than a Midgardian “friend with benefits.”

Pretending not to be hurt, however, I nodded nonchalantly as I listened to his rant and took a sip of my drink. He continued.

“I could see myself having children though, one day.”

“So you can’t see yourself getting married, but you can see yourself having children? Alrighty then.” I laughed, accidentally letting my hurt feelings slip into my reply.

“Do you see a problem with that, love?”

“No, not at all, to each his own. So kids huh?” He looked at me and gave me a rueful grin. 

“I would love to give my children the childhood I always craved.”

I gave a sympathetic groan and reached out for his arm and gave him a gentle squeeze. I didn’t want to press the issue further. I knew how sensitive he was about the subject. After a few moments, Loki spoke again, looking directly into my eyes.

“Did you ask me that, because I am someone you would want to marry?”

My eyes inadvertently widened and swallowed a little harder than necessary. I felt a little uneasy because Loki refused to break eye contact with me.

“Honestly, Loki…” I felt instant nausea from my nerves.

“Yes?”

“You are someone I want to marry. Why wouldn’t I? You’re amazing, you’re well read, you’re kind, but more importantly, you’re my best friend, of course, you’re someone I would want to fucking marry! I don’t care if I’ve ‘lived a quarter of my life’ already if you love someone you choose to love them no matter what!” I spoke a little louder than I intended too because a few coffee shop patrons turned their heads toward our table.

Loki chuckled at my obvious embarrassment. I gave an awkward half-smile and placed my hands on my face as if trying to wipe away my blushing cheeks. Loki grinned at me and brushed a few strands of hair away from my face before he spoke again.

“Well, darling, I am very flattered.” He placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. “Now how about we get back to studying? You need to do well on your exam.”

The quick change of subject confused me for a second before I agreed with him and I began to study for my exam again. After a while, I was ready to go call it a day. Loki offered to give me a ride home, but I initially declined and told him I’d walk; partly because that day was uncharacteristically mild for winter and I wanted to enjoy the lovely weather; also I was extremely embarrassed about the conversation we had inside the coffee shop. But Loki insisted that he take me home and I, not in a mood to argue, I caved. The car ride was awkward, neither of us said anything the whole trip which generally wouldn’t be all that unusual, but because the conversation did not go as planned on my part, I felt that maybe I had crossed the line. When Loki finally reached my driveway, he parked his car and looked at me.

“Y/n, I want to apologize if what I said hurt you. Please don’t misunderstand me, I care for you deeply. I may not know what the future holds but what I know for certain is that you belong to me, and I belong to you, no matter what happens.”

I smiled at him, exhaling a breath I held in the whole car ride; thankful for his reassurance. Loki and I never had any labels in our relationship which was alright for the most part because I knew he cared for me, but every once in a while it was nice to hear him tell me how he felt. Even if he did think marriage was just a quirky Midgardian tradition. But one part of what he said caught me off guard: ‘No matter what happens’”? What does that mean? Ultimately, I shook it off as me being too analytical and leaned in to kiss Loki.

“I love you too, Loki.”

I stepped out of his car and waved back at him, “See you tomorrow!”

He waved back at me and drove off. That was the last time I saw or spoke to Loki.

********************

Dinner with Loki and my parents went as well as expected. The meal mom prepared was delicious, Rachel only threw half of her food on the floor, and mom and dad bombarded Loki with questions.

“So where have you been, Loki? We were starting to worry about ya.” Dad said, giving Loki a pat on his back.

“I have been rather busy with work, I’ve done a little bit of traveling, and also spending time with my family.”

I rolled my eyes. I swear to god he better not lie to me like that when he accounts for the last few years.

“Well, it’s good to have you back, Sweetheart.” Mom cut in, “Will we see more of you?”

Loki looked over at me when he answered, “Yes indeed. I’m not going anywhere as long as I can help it.”

I rolled my eyes again, trying to hide the smile forming on my lips.

Once dinner was over, leftovers and dishes put away, My parents said their “goodnights” and left for bed. I also excused myself for a brief moment, needing to get Rachel ready for bed. Before I carried Rachel to her room, Loki reached for Rachel’s little hand, “Goodnight little love, thank you for showing me all your toys this evening.” Rachel babbled incoherently and gave Loki a smile showing all the teeth she had.

“I think somebody likes you” I smirked, “Say ‘thank you Loki for playing with me’”

Rachel babbled again while Loki lowered himself to her eye level, giving her his undivided attention.

“Well, it was my pleasure, Rachel. Have pleasant dreams.”

I  left and tucked Rachel into her little bed, and she fell asleep shortly after. As she slept, I stared at her for a moment before heading back to the living room. I thought about how adorable Loki was with my daughter. Interacting with children seemingly came so naturally to him. I also wished that David would be the same way with Rachel. He was a great father in that he worked hard to provide for her, but that was the only way David showed he loved her, especially after we parted ways. David wouldn’t play with her, and would hardly make time to spend time alone with her. He blamed work for not being around Rachel as often as he should. David worked for his father’s law firm. Influential attorneys defending the most guilty and the richest. I know Rachel was far too young to understand the nuances of a father/daughter relationship, but whenever David would walk past her or halfheartedly acknowledge her, I could see in her little eyes, that it hurt her.

I made my way back to the living room and saw Loki sitting on the couch, waiting for me. He stood when I re-entered the room and made his way toward me.

“I should probably get going, I know we could all use a restful nights sleep.”

“We still need to talk—”

“I haven’t forgotten,” Loki gently interrupted, “Why don’t we meet in the morning for breakfast, we can go anywhere you want to go.”

“Well, my parents can’t watch Rachel tomorrow, they both have something they have to go to, so if we go anywhere, Rachel will have to come.”

Loki’s face lit up, “That sounds delightful! We shall make a day out of it then.” His hand reached down placed his palm on my face like he had earlier. This time I didn’t swat him away, instead, I wrapped my arms around him. I missed feeling his body against mine. Loki pulled me in closer and rested his chin on top of my head.

Sadly we were interrupted by my phone vibrating. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and saw a text from David reading: Hey, we need to finish talking when you get a chance. We couldn’t with that guy hanging around. Text me back ASAP.

I groaned. Loki peaked at David’s message and scoffed,“‘That guy’? Charming.”

“You have no idea,” I replied, more to myself than Loki.

Loki’s face turned concerned, “What do you mean?”

“Ugh, he’s just—sometimes he’s a dick, but otherwise he’s alright. He makes sure Rachel is taken care of, so that’s all I care about.” Giving me a dubious look, I reassured Loki that I was fine and that David was just annoying sometimes. Reaching for my hand, Loki made his way toward the front door.

“Well, I better go, love. I look forward to spending the day with you and Rachel.” Loki pulled me close and kissed me on the lips before closing the door behind him. I peeked out the front window and saw him stoop down into his car, rev his engine, and drive off. What have you been up to, Loki Odinson?

**************

David, back at his penthouse apartment, reclined in his Eames chair, sipping away at bourbon and fiddled with his phone. He had searched the name “Loki Odinson” over and over on Google but only found references to Norse Mythology.

Who the fuck is this guy?

David exited his Google Search and began scrolling through his contact list until he found the name, Darren. He pressed the call icon and waited for him to answer.

“Hey David, you’re up late.” “Darren. I have a favor to ask.” “Anything Chief, what do you need?” “I need you to look into someone for me, the name: ‘Loki Odinson.’”

“You got it, boss. I’ll see what I can find.”

Darren ended the call, and David went to his iPhone photo album. He scrolled through his pictures until he found an old picture of Y/N.

This stupid bitch better be careful. She’s gonna get her heart broken all over again.

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