#(though i didn't finish it the later parts talk about protestants in the New World so maybe they saved it for when it becomes relevant)

[knightofdeer]

From History textbook on Reformation (not verbatim):

John Calvin, unlike the Catholic church, viewed wealth not as a sin but as a sign of God's grace for virtuous life. Pursuit of pleasure, however, was viewed as a sin. Calvin was apologist of usury and slavery. In Geneva he installed very strict rules that were way stricter than even principles of Spanish Inquisition.

But despite some shortcomings Calvinism was a good thing because it became the foundation of worldview of "new businessmen" and aided the development of capitalism.

And like, they are not wrong, it's just that they have to present capitalism as absolutely the best thing to ever happen, and since it's the period of its establishment, they have to use excuses like this

[leah-lover]

A person more than an athlete. Nika mühl x reader

Love always had a way of consuming you. Whether it was your friendships, relationships with your parents, your friends, or even your romantic relationships, you felt the love in every part of your body. You loved deeply and wholeheartedly.

You were also a dedicated person. You gave your career all you had which in turn got you a championship in your freshman year.

Women's sports were trending, and you were on top of the pyramid. From sponsorship deals, to ads, interviews, and magazine shoots, you were everywhere. The spotlight didn't mean much to you though. All you cared about was the sleeping body next to you.

Nika was to you the prettiest girl in the world. For her you would absolutely do anything.

“ Good morning.�� You whisper into her ear before you kiss her shoulder. “ Morning.” she responds, shifting to lay on her back.

You two start kissing. The kisses were short and sweet which left you needing much more. “ Baby I am gonna be late for class.” She says after pulling out.

“ But…” you start to protest before she cuts you off. “ Babe I still have to go all the way to my room, get ready and go to class. We will finish this later okay?” She says before getting out of bed. You sigh loudly as she wears her shirt and gets her stuff. “ I love you “ you say although what you say isn't clear because your face is hidden by a pillow. “ I love you too. I will see you in practice.” she says before she leaves.

The rest of the day went as usual. You got ready for class, which you attended. You then changed into your huskies' track suit and went to the gym.

You started out training all right. You did your activation, some shooting drills, lifted some weights and got some cardio done.

You didn't talk nika during all of this because coach geno sat you all down in the first session of the year and said. “ You all are UConn players now, you have a big legacy to follow. You need to focus, work hard and train hard, and while you are part of this team relationships with your teammates are absolutely forbidden.” However, you couldn't help but fall in love with the Croatian international, she captured your heart more than basketball everdid.

You thought something was up when the coach asked nika to go to his office for a chat but you didn't give it much thought instead you hung out with Paige and Kk. You didn't see nika leave because you were too busy learning a new dance with Paige.

“ Hey, can you give me a minute?” said the coach to you.

You then enter his office with an unsettling feeling in your stomach.

“What's up coach? “ you say as you dit opposite his desk.

“ Look, I am gonna be as straight with you as I was with nika. You heard what I said the very first time you came to this gym. And you know what is gonna happen now.”

“ Coach with all do respect you can't do this. We are good assets to this team and we have been performing well. We won a whole championship last year while being together.”

“ I'm afraid it is not up for questioning. You will terminate this relationship. You agreed to this when you first signed the contract with us. The contract stated that inter team relationships are forbidden. Plus Nina already agreed to it.”

You didn't know how you got out of that office or how you walked across campus to your dorm. All you knew was that Nika and you were done.

You opened your door, got in and sat on the floor as soon as you closed it. You started to uncontrollably sob. That's when you feel familiar hands wrap around you. Her smell and her touch were comforting.

“ I love you so much.” she whispered in your ear. You could feel her tears on your cheeks.

“ he said you agreed to the bullshit he said.” you say wiping your tears.

“ I couldn't not agree. If he cuts me from the team I am done. I have to go back home and all of this will be for nothing.”

“ We can keep it a secret again. I don't want to live without you.”

“ Baby, if he catches us again we can't come back from it. I love you so much baby but I can't.”

You kiss each other multiple times while holding one another on the floor of your dorm. Nika then leaves and you stay on the floor heartbroken for a long time.

You flipped a switch as soon as she left the door knowing that you aren't gonna wake up next to her, sleep next to her, kiss her, or be inside her.

The next day at training was miserable to say the least. You didn't sleep the night before, you didn't smile, or talk to anybody. Your performance displayed your sadness. You were missing easy shots, and you clearly weren't focused. You didnt talk to nika or look at her. You started like that for 2 weeks you didnt talk to anybody, all you thought about was how much you modded her touch.

“ baby please don't do this.” said nika to you one the way to practice. “ We need to talk.” she says before she pulled you into the medic’s room.

As soon as she closed the door, she pinned you to the wall and started kissing you. You missed the taste of her lips, the weight of her hands on your waist, the way her hands rubbed you sides and her tongue swiped across your.

“ i missed you so fucking much.” she says after pulling out.

“ I am not whole without you. I can't do anything without you. I missed you so much.” you say before kissing her again. You were hungry for her, you needed her more than anything in the world.

“ I don't like this without you. Would you please come back to me?.” she asks while swiping her thumb on your cheek.

“ if it cost me my life to be with you again.” you respond.

'I love you baby.’ she adds.

“ I love you more than you will ever know.” you respond.

[calif0rnia-lovers]

Lover of Mine #4 | Angel Reyes

Title: You and I Can't Even Mess It Up (though we both tried)

Mayans Taglist Sign Up || Series Masterlist || Series Mixtape

A/N: shout out to those who waited twenty years for this update. you're the real MVPs. hope it was worth it. spared you the heartbreak/angst for one chapter as a thank you

Part I | Part II | Part III

Rating: 💙  💦  + 🤯  because we’re getting a glimpse into that Tommy connection

Sum: After being allowed to come home, Angel has decided to turn over a new leaf. The only problem is, just when he's making progress two people from his past show up with plans to fuck it up.

Words: keeping true to myself with long af....but seriously, I didn't even check. i was going to split the chapter in two, but...

Time apart led to a temporary lapse in memory when it comes to Angel and his sleep patterns. No matter how much space he has to sprawl out, Angel will sleep on top of you.

Literally.

He is not there when you fall asleep and somehow manages not to wake you when he arrives. This is why when you're awakened by your alarm, your heart nearly jumps out of your chest.

Angel’s weight presses you into the mattress. His face is tucked into the crook of your neck, his entire body nearly on top of yours as he sleeps. As you try to shift from beneath him, his grip tightens around your waist in protest. You release a huff before trying again.

After nearly a minute, you've almost made it out of his grip. Your cellphone is just in your reach when Angel's grip tightens, reclaiming all progress you've just made.

"...you gonna get that?" Angel mumbles as your alarm continues to beep.

"I can’t," you sigh, giving up as he nuzzles his face into your skin. "Kinda hard to move with your head crushing me--"

Angel releases his grip around your waist allowing you to shift. The moment the room is silent, he drags your body back across the bed.

You're back in your initial position. Trapped on Angel's side of the bed. Angel's weight pressing you into the mattress, sleep slowly pulling him back under.

A smile finds your face as your fingers lightly brush through his hair as you realize it has been years since you’ve been granted this sight.

You wince as you say quietly. "We have to get up."

Angel shakes his head making no intentions of following your request.

“...you wanna know something…” he mumbles.

"Hmm?"

“...this is the best fucking bed in the world...way better than mine.”

“Funny you should mention it.” Your brow furrows as your fingers drift back into his hair. Angel’s body relaxes against yours, his lips leaving a kiss against your shoulder. “I didn’t realize you could tell, how great this bed, with you laying on top of me instead of the actual bed.”

You know it’s coming before he can move. Your giggles mix with his laugh as Angel dramatically shifts in your arms. He drags himself so that his entire body covers yours. He allows his weight to press your body into the mattress making it impossible for you to move.

“You’re crushing me,” you manage to press against his chest. But the giggles leave you breathless. “Angel-”

“Now that I’m here…” Angel backtracks, failing miserably at suppressing his smile. “Forget the bed, I think I like this way better. What do you think?”

“That you should get off of me.”

“What’s wrong? You wanna be on top?”

You try for a second time to shift his weight, but it's useless. A familiar smirk forms as Angel watches your eyes drop to his lips.

You can’t stop the smile on your face from growing once you realize you've given up on your initial task. Instead, your mind has shifted its focus to finding the quickest way to kiss Angel. When Angel does give in, he rolls over pulling you on top of him.

“You know I always liked it better this way," he grins as you lean down to bring your lips to his.

"You play too much--"

"I don’t play," Angel smiles, the warmth of his palm slipping beneath your shirt. “Never with you, querida. You’re special."

Your eyes roll as he adds, "always has been."

“Angel Reyes, always a sweet talker."

Seven years of separation have taught Angel to never pass up the opportunity to kiss you. They have also taught him that no matter how many women he’s slept with, in your time apart, none of them kissed him the way you did.

The smile you share is soft as his touch drifts to your cheek. Angel watches your gaze drop to his chest. It follows the path your finger traces over his heart. His lips against your forehead before his arms wrap around you hugging you against his chest.

You stay that way for a few minutes. Neither of you wants to be responsible for bringing it to an end.

"This is nice," Angel mumbles against your shoulder. "Waking up next to you and not getting launched across the room--"

The laugh you release breaks a grin out across Angel's face.

"You always know how to sweeten the moment," your eyes roll as his lips press against your cheek. "Come on. If we don't get up, your son is going to starve."

You make a move to push yourself up, but Angel's grip tightens around your waist.

"Before we get up, I wanna tell you something." His admission brings your eyes to his. The look inside of them brings heat to your face. "Thanks for letting me come back home."

Angel's smile grows as his gaze moves past you.

You glance over your shoulder to find a pair of brown eyes peeking through the crack of your bedroom door. Jeyson's eyes widen once he realizes you're not alone, a smile lighting up his face as he meets his father's gaze.

Angel releases his grip on you, allowing you to sit up, as the bedroom door inches further open.

"You wanna come in?"

Before you can fully get the question out, Jeyson is halfway across the room. He pauses long enough to allow you a kiss before wrapping his arms around Angel.

When you enter the kitchen, you find Angel by the stove. Jeyson stands on a step stool. Angel is holding the skillet as Jeyson holds the spatula.

For the first time this morning, Jeyson is silent. He is in full concentration mode.

The task at hand is flipping the chocolate chip pancake before him. He moves slowly, following the actions his father showed him a few moments before.

"Flip it?"

"Yep."

Quickly flipping the pancake, Jeyson grins as his father ducks down to kiss his hair.

"That's one good-looking pancake," Angel chuckles. "Can you set the table?"

Jeyson hops down from his stool, a grin finding his face once he spots you.

"Mom! Dad made me shark pancakes!"

"He did?" You smile as he bolts past you. "Shark pancakes?"

Angel glances over at you as you stop to take in the pancakes carefully stacked.

To your surprise, Jeyson is right.

Each pancake is different. Each represents Jeyson's favorite topic at the moment. The ocean. As you accept the plate Angel passes you, you spot a shark, an octopus, a jellyfish, a seashell, a crab.

"Why are these actually really good?"

Angel's eyes cut to you as he picks up the bottle of pancake batter.

"I'm gonna pretend you didn't ask that," he grins. Redirecting his attention back to the skillet, he adds. "What do you want me to make you?"

You open your mouth to respond but Jeyson's voice floats across the room.

"What about a stingray? A big one?"

You stifle your giggle as Angel meets your gaze.

"I think I'll take a stingray," you smile. "A big one, and a starfish since apparently you're just showing off this morning."

"It's a special day," Angel winks.

"Order of pancakes for my favorite person." You turn to find Jeyson waiting impatiently in his seat at the table. "Jeyson Reyes."

"I thought I was your favorite person."

"You're not," Jeyson manages through a mouthful of pancake. "I am."

The laugh you release widens Angel's eyes. The initial readiness of your son's response has left him speechless.

He blinks, his gaze finding yours as he cuts off the stove.

"Who’s your favorite?"

The seriousness of his expression causes your eyes to roll.

"Me!" Jeyson grins as your fingers brush through his hair. "She says it every day!"

“That...is true," you admit.

You look up to find Angel's expression has not changed. His gaze drifts to Jeyson, his eyes playfully narrowing as Jeyson sends him a wide smile.

"I think you should answer the question, Y/N." Angel's gaze drifts back to you.

You glance between the two. The perfected puppy dog eyes on your son are an exact mirror of his father's.

“You’re both my favorite--"

“That’s a cop-out.” Angel's eyes roll as you lean forward to kiss him. “You can’t have more than one favorite.”

Moving to Jeyson you place a kiss against his cheek.

"He's right. You're my favorite," you whisper quietly.

The smile on your son's face doubles as Angel's eyes widen.

"I heard that." He mumbles as you glance down at your phone.

"I have to go."

"Already?" You turn to find Angel holding your pancakes. His face falls as he watches you nod.

"Yeah. I'll take these to go. I have to do something before work. Speaking of..." you watch his brow rise. "We’re gonna have to talk about my job later."

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah. I kinda want to talk to you about the client I’m representing...preferably when your son isn’t around to understand everything I have to say."

"Okay."

Taking your face in his hands, Angel smiles as you tilt your head back.

"You look beautiful," he adds as your arms wrap around his waist. “By the way. I didn't get to say it earlier-"

"You’re still not my favorite," you giggle as his lips press against your forehead.

Dropping his hands from your waist, Angel sighs. "I don’t even know why I try anymore. First, I make you pancakes--"

"Angel--" Tightening your grip around him, your laughter continues as Angel tries to push you off. "I’m sorry."

"--then I tell you how good you look--the disrespect--"

"I’m sorry," you say softly, as his eyes meet yours. You're unable to stifle your laugh as you finish your statement. "But...please don't take my pancakes. I really want to try them."

Angel shakes his head as you place a kiss against his cheek.

"You’re my second favorite. There’s nothing wrong with that." You tease.

"No one wants to be second."

"Please don’t forget you’re going to get measured for your tux today."

"I know," he mumbles as your arms wrap around his neck. "It's kinda hard to miss the big ass schedule on the fridge."

"Don't tease me," you giggle. "You're just mad it actually helps you."

"That's a dollar in the swear jar," Jeyson pipes.

Shaking your head you try to suppress the smile on your lips as you reach around Angel. Lifting the swear jar, you stifle your laugh as Angel retrieves his wallet from the counter.

"He gets you every time," you giggle. "See you tonight."

Standing on your toes, you lean in to kiss him. Angel leans back out of your reach. Your mouth falls open in disbelief. You blink before backtracking.

"Did you just-"

"What?” Taking in your wide eyes Angel lets his brow furrow. The innocent look on his face causes your eyes to narrow. "Oh, you wanted a kiss? I don’t know how you do things, but I only let my favorite person kiss me.”

"Wait—I’m not yours? I’m at least second."

"Are you?" Angel winces. Taking a moment to think he sighs. "Second is a little high. You’re further down the list than that."

"How far?"

"You’re gonna have to put in some work, sweetheart." He grins. "You’re ranking five or six right now."

“Fine," you lift the jar in your hand. "I was going to let you slide, but now you gotta pay up."

Angel's eyes roll. "Whatever, I was going to pay anyway."

"What are you doing?" You move the jar out of his reach as he reaches inside.

"I need change for the twenty."

"No, you don’t. I think twenty is actually a really good price to pay." You smile ignoring the rolling of his eyes. "For the grade A disrespect you just gave me."

"Come on."

"I’m just saying if I was your favorite, or at least your second favorite, I’d give you the change, but I’m not. I’m...what was it? Fifth or six so…"

Shaking his head Angel drops in the twenty trying his best to suppress his smile as you grin a "thank you."

"At this rate, your dad’s gonna buy you a new lego set," you smile at Jeyson as you set the jar back on the countertop.

"Maybe you’ll think about that next time you’re picking favorites." You tease as you reach around Angel for your keys.

"You’re still not getting a kiss."

"I made it seven years without it. I think I’ll manage."

Despite his declaration, Angel steals a kiss as he passes over your plate.

"See you tonight," he winks as he steps around you.

There is no need to be nervous.

What's the phrase? Fake it till you make it?

Seeing Angel when you woke meant there was no space for Samuel in your mind. The moment you got in the car that changed.

Not surprising, you do work with him.

While Angel was away for the weekend, you had made a promise to yourself -- or more so a requirement.

Once you give Angel a key to the house, you have to talk to Samuel.

It is a conversation that can't be held over text or phone. It must be face to face so it can't be misconstrued.

Your plan is simple. Talk to Samuel before work. The last thing you need is to cause a scene.

As you make your way to his office, you run through the main reasons you should not feel nervous.

It’s not like I'm breaking up with him

We only went on three dates.

We haven’t had sex --thank goodness.

That tactic doesn't work. Because, although each point is valid and true you can't quiet the tiny voice in the back of your mind.

It poses an important question: what if he doesn't take it well?

“Ms. Reyes,” Samuel’s voice makes you jump. You've made it to his office. He steps out of the elevator when you're in the process of knocking on his office door. “Didn’t know you were here. You’re a bit earlier than usual.”

“I needed to see you before the day gets crazy.”

He glances over at you as he stops to unlock the door. His brow raises as his eyes study yours.

“What have I done for you to grace me with your presence this morning? It’s not Flores is it?”

"No."

"He hasn’t scared you off yet?” Samuel chuckles as he drapes his jacket over the back of his chair. “Congratulations. You might be the longest attorney that Flores has retained.”

“He’s actually not that bad." You realize you're still hovering by the door when Samuel takes a seat.

"You planning a quick escape?" He chuckles. The look of confusion on his face forces you to occupy the chair across from him.

"Sorry. I know I didn't ask, but I was hoping I could talk to you for a few minutes."

"You don't have to schedule a time to see me," he smiles as he focuses his attention on you.

Suddenly you wish you had stayed by the door. In case you need that quick escape.

"I know we went on a couple of dates--”

Samuel's face brightens, his smile spreading at the mention of "dates."

"Speaking of, I was kinda hoping you’d be open to checking out this-"

"I can’t.” You blurt out. You take a deep breath as a silence falls over the office. "And I can’t see you anymore--outside of work."

"Oh."

You watch the smile on his face slowly dampen, a twinge of guilt washes over you.

"You asked me to be honest, and the truth is Angel is a big part of my life. One that I can't cut out." Samuel's jaw clenches at the mention of Angel's name. "It’s not fair for me to give you hope when I know that there's unfinished business between me and him."

You can see the realization set in his features. If Samuel wants to interject, he doesn't. He keeps his gaze on you as you continue.

"Samuel, please don’t take it personally. I know that's a shitty thing to say, but I don't mean it to be. The fact of the matter is, nobody will ever compete with Angel." The admission is one you have yet to share out loud, but it is one you've realized you must come to terms with. "I’m sorry that I allowed things to get started between us when I knew that a part of me was still with him."

“It's not your fault. I understand.”

A silence settles over the office. You wait to see if there is more Samuel wants to add once he's had a moment to process. But nearly a minute passes, and he has yet to say anything.

You must admit, you expected there to be more.

Instead, Samuel reaches over to turn on his desktop.

“Don’t worry about it.” He glances over at you, the smile on his face the same as before. “Like you said, we went on a few dates. It was nothing serious.”

“J!” Angel pauses by the front door. He slides Jeyson’s backpack over his shoulder but receives no response. “Jeyson, come on, we gotta go!”

Footsteps thunder down the hall, a fully dressed Jeyson emerging seconds later. He narrowly avoids the wall. Angel catches his arm as Jeyson attempts to complete the sentence he is reading.

“Hey, dad, did you know that a jellyfish doesn’t have a brain?”

Turning the book, Jeyson points to the jellyfish spanning the length of the page.

”No kidding?”

"There is one called the Fried Egg Jelly-fish. You know why?” A grin spreads across Jeyson's face as he awaits his father's answer.

“Why?”

“It looks like a fried egg” he giggles as he flips the page.

The latest addition to Jeyson’s library comes from Bishop. Bishop has supplied more than half of your son's reading material. Jeyson is a smart kid. He knows which club members to go to for certain things.

When he wants to play, he goes to Coco or Gilly. The two have no trouble running Jeyson around until he passes out from exhaustion. When he wants a book he goes to Bishop.

Bishop can often be found seated at the table, Jeyson in the chair alongside. It is an unspoken rule. If Bishop needs quiet, he is not to be disturbed. When Jeyson wants to read, he is found with Bishop. Most times, Bishop reads along with him. In the time they’ve read together, Bishop has learned two things about the youngest Reyes.

He wants to learn about everything under the sun.

His favorite thing to do is to run and tell his dad what he’s learned.

“That’s pretty cool,” Angel grins as he accepts the book. “You can tell me the rest in the car. Did you brush your teeth?”

Jeyson’s brown eyes widen as his dad studies the picture of the Fried Egg Jellyfish. As his dad’s gaze lifts, Jeyson provides him the biggest smile imaginable. The same smile that plays you for a fool each time you see it.

“I....did." The only problem is, Jeyson's smile doesn't have the same effect on his father. This is why Jeyson takes a step back as Angel's brow raises. “But...momma says you can always do it twice...”

Before Angel can respond, Jeyson is halfway to the bathroom.

Turning the page, Angel rests against the wall as he starts to read. He’s about to call for Jeyson when a knock arrives on the front door.

Who he finds on the other side prompts Angel to do a double-take. After he considers —briefly—slamming the door in her face.

The last time Angel saw your mother, you were six months pregnant. She was not at the hospital for Jeyson's birth. She has never attended a birthday party, sent a present or a card, or even stopped by to see him on the holidays. Your father has done the same. Keeping the peace with your mother is easier than starting a fight so that he can see his grandson.

As Angel glances over his shoulder, he realizes she's never even seen a picture of Jeyson.

The initial shock of her arrival leaves Angel standing silently in the doorway.

Your mother's eyes narrow, a scowl instantly setting in as she lets her eyes pass over Angel’s kutte. It is the only look Angel has associated with her. The same look she has given Angel for as long as he can remember.

Her eyes move past his shoulder. She attempts to get a look inside of the house. “Where is Y/N?”

Angel closes the book in his hand.

“Work.” Taking a step back inside, he calls down the hall. “J, let's go! If not, I'm leaving you!”

Jeyson's response comes out muffled through a mouthful of toothpaste.

"NO! It's too far to walk!"

When Angel redirects his attention back to your mother, he finds her arms crossed over her chest. Her head shakes with disgust.

“Now I know why she’s not answering my calls.”

“I doubt that’s it.”

Angel has learned not to ask you about your mother. Anytime he mentions her, you get so worked up, he instantly regrets it. So the subject has remained untouched. He doubts the situation has progressed since the last time he asked you about her. What he wonders is, why you never mentioned the phone calls.

“I’ll tell her you came by.”

“So you finally got her to give in.” The comment halts Angel’s action of shutting the door. The sight of his tightening jaw prompts her to continue. “She never had a backbone, not when it came to you.”

Angel’s grip tightens against the door. The weight of Jeyson tugging against his shirt forces him to bite his tongue.

“Now, I’m ready. See?” Smiling as wide as he can, Jeyson tilts his head so that Angel can see his teeth.

“Check out that smile,” Angel chuckles as he tousles his hair. “We've gotta go. Mom will get mad if you're late. Say hi.”

“Morning!” Squeezing past your mother, Jeyson bolts to the car.

“What do you want me to tell her?”

“Tell her to call her mother back. It’s important.”

“So is seeing your grandson every once in a while,” Angel counters as he locks the front door. “The kid’s nearly nine years old. Never met you.”

As she opens her mouth to respond, Angel steps around her and follows Jeyson to the car.

“If you’re still wondering why she won’t talk to you,” he calls over his shoulder. “That might be it.”

Jeyson stares out the window as Angel gets in the car. He waits until his dad turns to double-check his seatbelt to ask the question on his mind.

"Who's that lady?" He asks as he watches your mom return to her car.

Angel follows Jeyson's gaze before starting the car.

"Someone who needs to talk to your mom."

"....she kinda looks like her..."

"Yeah..." Angel sighs. "Hey, your mom said you wanted to talk to me about something. Is it about school?"

Jeyson nods as he picks up the book in his lap.

"She said I didn't have to stay there."

"You don't want to?"

Jeyson's brow furrows. It is a question that's been on his mind since your conversation over the weekend.

"I don't know." He admits. "I've never been to the other school."

"I get it. Making friends is hard."

"Yeah."

"How about we see if you can check out the other school? If you go there, and you don't like it we can stay at Gilman. Sound good?"

Jeyson nods. He returns the smile that his father gives him through the rearview mirror.

"We just wanna make sure that you like going to school. No matter how good your mom and I think a school is, if you don't wanna be there, I'm not going to force you to go. Okay?"

"I wonder why they call him El Diablo."

Looking up from your notepad, you find Isabela leaning forward in her chair. She is studying a photograph of Tommy, her brow furrowed as she moves it closer for a better look.

You blink. It is a good question. One, you realize, you’ve never asked.

You shrug. "I don't know."

"You didn't ask him?"

You shake your head before letting your gaze return to your notepad. "I've been more focused on this shit storm of charges. Not his tattoos."

"Would've been the first thing I asked him," Isabela admits as she picks up a second photograph.

"You can if you ever meet him."

“He’s actually kinda cute,” she notes, the urge to roll your eyes returning at the admission. She releases a laugh as you shake your head. “What? He is, I bet he has a nice smile—”

You reach forward taking the photo from her. You place it face down on the desk before returning back to your work.

“He’s not my client,” she mumbles. “Besides, we’ve been working on this for nearly two hours. Maybe, it’s time you take a break.”

The headache you’ve been nursing for the past hour is getting worse. The source of your headache is Tommy. He is the reason Isabela is in your office. She received a text from Angel this morning--a text she has chosen not to share with you.

One that shared he’d woken last night to find you weren’t in bed. That you were working when he’d found you at the kitchen table, and although you said you’d come back to bed you never did.

Despite her intentions of helping you, Isabela has been no help. Instead of helping, she has spent the last hour looking through Tommy’s file asking any question that comes to her mind.

You're currently compiling a discovery checklist. Getting information from Tommy has proven to be difficult--impossible. He has not given you a single detail from the night he was arrested. Or about himself.

In your time together you have learned Tommy Flores is a master deflector. He could almost give Angel Reyes a run for his money. The only reason you can see past Angel's bullshit is years of practice.

You don't have years to crack Tommy.

"He has some dope ink."

Your eyes drift shut. Another photograph of Tommy has found its way into Isabela’s hands.

"Iz, are you here to help? Or admire his tattoos?"

"Sorry," Isabela huffs. "What do you need help with?"

"Alexander Maddox."

"His previous council didn't leave any information?"

You shake your head.

"Nothing. It looks like they didn't even bother looking into him. All I know is he's supposed to be in a rival club, but I can't even find out who Tommy's affiliated with. And although I have his arrest records none of these are crimes linked to a club. Every time I ask him a question, he somehow turns the conversation to me."

“You know how these things go, Y/N.��� Isabela sighs. “He’s only going to tell you what he thinks you need to know.”

“So, nothing?”

Your notepad falls to your desk before you release a deep breath.

“I am not going to this arraignment Friday.” Your voice comes out muffled against your palms as you cover your face.

You’re number three on Tommy’s lists of attorneys. Clearly, you’re just as naive as the previous two. You’re to report downtown early Friday morning. Tommy is no stranger to the courthouse. You have already received a warning from the judge to ensure Tommy is on his best behavior Friday. His outburst from past visits is becoming a thorn in your side.

"Have you told Angel you’re working on this case?"

"No."

"Tommy’s killed somebody."

Your eyes roll as you pick up the photograph she slides towards you. You take the time to focus on Tommy's tattoos.

"That's exactly why I haven’t said anything yet. You know Angel. He worries too much when it comes to my job."

A smile slides across Isabela's face, the sight causing you to brace for what's to come. You lift the photo of Tommy until it blocks Isabela's grin from your view. You know where this conversation is going before it even picks up.

"Or, maybe you haven’t had much time to talk about Tommy with all the sex you’re having."

"That’s not what we’ve been doing. Believe it or not, we don’t have sex twenty-four-seven, Isabela.”

“Okay.”

“He moved in two days ago." Your eyes roll as she grins. What was I supposed to do? Say welcome home--by the way, the new client Samuel gave me is batshit crazy? I try not to mention Samuel at home.”

“Please,” Isabela laughs as she picks up her coffee. “Angel is not thinking about Samuel. He knows Samuel never had a real chance with you.”

“I know,” you sigh. Your eyes drop to the photo in your hand as Isabela’s brows furrow in suspicion. Your words come out quieter this time. “He’s thinking about kids.”

"Wait, what?" She sputters, nearly spitting out her coffee. She motions for you to backtrack. "You decided not to take the pill? When the hell did this happen?"

"After I talked to Angel."

“I thought you wanted to take it. What changed?" Her brow furrows, a pout forming on her lips. "And why did you wait two whole days to tell me?

You pause. It's a good question and difficult to answer.

Probably because the moment I say we're trying to have kids it makes things official?

"He asked me not to take it," you shrug. “So I didn’t.”

Isabela waits, for elaboration but it never comes.

"Yeah, Y/N, but a kid is...a kid. Like, a whole freaking person--"

“I know, Izzy. I have one. With Angel. Remember?”

“Exactly my point,” Isabela continues as you meet her gaze. “Angel thinks any part of you is better than nothing, so he won’t ever say this to you. But you’re both my best friends, so I’m going to say it. I hope you realize what you’re getting into. Saying you want another kid is like saying you’re on the same page as him.”

“I know.”

“You can’t just have sex with Angel, have another kid, and not expect him to think you’re getting back together--for real for this time.”

The admission silences the office. It is a thought that's bounced around your head the moment you let Angel convince you not to take the morning-after pill. Although Isabela doesn’t say it outright, you know your decision has co-signed Angel’s end game.

Marriage.

He won’t push you towards it, but you know that’s what he wants the most. The final stamp of approval to show he’s earned his family back.

"Have you given this weekend any thought?" Isabela's face lights up as she opens the folder in her lap.

How could you not? October 13th has been forever ingrained in your mind. The moment you enter the month of October, your body physically goes into panic mode.

It is the awkwardest time of the year.

Angel deals with the anniversary of your divorce by tiptoeing around the subject. He watches Jeyson while you leave town to “get it off your mind.” You make it awkward by trying to avoid Angel the entire week until the date passes. Because, even though you are no longer married, cutting off feelings was not easy.

In the past, the anniversary always kicked up feelings, pushing the two of you into overdrive. It always brought up a terrible mixture of reminiscing, guilt and an overhyped sex drive. Although Angel had mastered the art of not speaking on your divorce, he never could master the art of hiding his feelings. They had often bled out in the form of a look. A look you could tolerate any other day of the year, but not October 13th. So to save you both the tortuous fallout of that you would often stay clear of him until the day passed.

But, how are two supposed to handle October 13th this year?

“No,” you lie, finally answering Isabela's previously posed question. “I haven’t.”

“Well, since you’re too busy to remember. Let me remind you. This weekend marks the seventh year of your divorce-”

“I don’t actually need a reminder-"

“And, I think that you and Angel should take this year to spend some quality time together.”

"I moved him back into my house, Izzy. He’s sleeping in my bed. How much more quality time do you need?"

"So what? You’re going to just avoid the topic of divorce this weekend?"

"I can’t."

"Exactly! I know this day is always weird for you two, but I found a way to make it better this year." Isabela pulls a sheet of paper from her folder before offering it to you. The grin on her face makes you nervous. “And, no. There is no need to thank me for this generous gift.”

It takes you a moment to realize what she's handed you.

You read aloud:

"We look forward to seeing you! Mr. and Ms. Reyes, thank you for choosing to stay with us at the Enchanted Isle. It is our pleasure to confirm the following reservation for October 13--Tell me you did not book this."

When you lift your eyes from the page, you find Isabela holds a pamphlet in her hand.

"I did. I already paid for everything, so you two don’t have to do anything but show up." Isabela quickly speaks as she takes in the look on your face. "The reservation is for five days. I signed you two up for the couple's retreat--"

"No, you did not—“

"It's right on the beach--"

"Been to the beach before."

"They've got a whole list of activities the two of you can do to build trust, and get to the root of your problems. You can take the time to bond and relax." Practically shoving the pamphlet into your hand, she pleads. "Y/N, please. Just read it. I swear I wouldn't have done this if I didn't think it was a good idea."

You stare at the pamphlet before glancing back up at a hopeful Isabela. You sit the pamphlet down.

"Did you tell Angel about this?"

All apprehension washes away as a grin spreads across Isabela's face. "That's your job."

"A couple’s retreat?"

"Before you shoot it down, just ask him if he'll go."

You grip your eyes shut, and Isabela knows she's won. She quickly gets up afraid, if she presses the matter any further, you'll change your mind.

"I'm going to leave and let you look it over. If you want more information, the site information is on the pamphlet."

You can count on one hand the times you've been alone with Angel the last seven years. The common thread that has brought you and Angel together has been your son. 98 percent of your interactions surround Jeyson. The remaining 2 percent are moments when Angel's convinced you to come out. The last time that happened, you only lasted a few hours before ending up in bed with him.

The idea of spending five full days completely alone with Angel brings butterflies to your stomach.

You’re in the process of reaching for the pamphlet when you stop. You find yourself picking up the photograph previously discarded by Isabela.

It is one you have seen nearly a hundred times from the moment Samuel dropped the file on your desk. You’re studying the photo of Tommy, but your mind drifts to Angel--specifically his tattoos. You can recount each, and its meanings, off the top of your mind.

"I wonder why they call him El Diablo?" Isabela's question passes through your mind as you take in the red devil etched across Tommy's skin.

Tommy has more tattoos than Angel. Both arms are a collage of colorful tattoos. After studying each, you focus on the tattoo peeking out of his left inner arm.

Only the top half of the black stallion is visible. Rearing, the stallion has a pair of eyes red as Tommy's devil tattoo. The only way you will be granted access to the full view is if you ask Tommy to show you.

You wonder if his tattoo is similar to Angel’s. You know that members get ink once they've patched into an M.C.

What club uses a horse?

It's a question you're in the process of texting Angel when your office phone rings.

“Reyes.”

“Hi, Ms. Reyes!” Your shoulders relax as you are welcomed by the voice of the receptionist, Alana. “I’m glad that I’ve caught you.”

“Hi, Alana. Is everything okay?”

“Yes, ma'am. I have a special delivery for you.”

“Can it be sent up?”

“No, I’m afraid it can’t. You have to provide a signature. It'll be at the front desk.”

“Okay. Give me a few minutes.” The moment you hang up, you let out a sigh and mumble to yourself. "Izzy, if this you, I swear..."

It turns out, the delivery is the last thing you’re expecting.

When you step out of the elevator, you briefly pause as the front desk comes into view. Biting your lip, your pace slowly starts again.

Alana sits straight in her seat, her weight resting on her elbows, a giant smile on her face. The laughter that echoes off the walls is one you’ve encountered your entire life. The flirtatious laughter of a woman who has fallen victim to the charms of Angel Reyes.

Your eyes roll as you catch sight of your grinning ex-husband. Leaning against the desk, Angel is putting the poor young receptionist through her paces. Apart from the stream of giggles, Alana can hardly string together more than two words beneath his gaze.

You shake your head as you take a step forward.

“...I’ve never been on one before,” Alana’s response becomes clear as you near the front desk. “But maybe you could take me for a ride sometime.”

You watch Angel’s eyes pass over her shoulder, his smile doubling in size as you give him a small wave. Alana’s giggles falter as she realizes Angel’s attention has drifted. Glancing over her shoulder she clears her throat.

“Ms. Reyes, this gentleman was dropping off your lunch order.” She quickly motions to the drinks and bags atop the desk.

“Oh no. There must be a mistake, Alana,” you say stopping alongside Angel. “I didn’t actually order this.”

“You didn’t?”

Shaking your head, you ignore the smile on Angel’s lips.

“No, you can actually keep him. Maybe he’ll take you for a ride on his bike.”

“Sadly,” Angel sighs. “I’m gonna have to pass on that offer. Last time I let another girl ride on my bike you almost killed me.”

“Rightfully so.”

“Hindsight is 20/20,” Angel’s smile softens as you shake your head. “You think you can fit me in?”

“I’m booked all day. I keep telling you, the world doesn’t stop for you, Angel.”

“Damn…” Angel releases a long, drawn-out sigh. He turns the cup nearest to him, allowing you to read the logo. The corners of his lips twitch up into a smile as you realize it’s from your favorite place. “Since I can’t come up, I guess I gotta keep this. I ordered for two. I’m not that hungry, but I guess I’ll have to eat yours. Hate for it go to waste--”

“Well, since you drove all the way out here.” Swiping the bag, you smile as Angel realizes your intentions. “The least I can do is take my half off your hands. Thank you.”

Turning you giggle as his hands catch your waist, preventing you from taking another step.

“Wait--” Angel’s arms wrap around your middle, his lips pressing against your shoulder. “I don’t get a tip, a kiss? Nothing?”

“You can get a kiss, but you have to sign in first.” You smile as you take in his triumphant smile. Angel quickly takes his wallet, passing his ID over. “I hope you understand the only reason I said yes is because you bought food.”

Alana studies Angel’s ID for a brief movement. Her eyes watch him sign in before she passes it back over.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Reyes.” She clears her throat before redirecting her attention to her computer. “Please make sure you stop by to sign out when you leave.”

You wait for Angel to grab his food before motioning towards the elevator.

“Let’s go. You’re on the clock, Angel Reyes.”

“How much time do I get?”

“Thirty minutes.”

“More than enough time.”

Angel’s arm drapes over your shoulder, pulling your body closer to his. The kiss he presses against your temple brings a smile to your lips. The fluttering in your stomach remains as he lets you go and presses the elevator button.

A silence falls over the two of you as you patiently wait for its arrival. Angel can feel you watching him. He has a smile on his face when he looks over at you.

“Hi,” you smile.

“Hey.”

“Did Izzy send you?”

Angel’s brow furrows, a laugh escaping, as he steps inside. “No. I don’t know how I feel about that question.”

“What?”

He shakes his head. “I try to surprise you, and your first question is if Izzy set this up. I can do nice things for you, ya know?”

“That’s not what I’m saying,” you backtrack, suddenly feeling guilty.

“Relax, querida.” He chuckles. “I’m just playing. What?” He asks after a moment of silence. “You two been talking about me?”

“No.” You mentally kick yourself for the quickness of your response.

Angel’s eyes pass over your face, his smile stretching. “Yeah ok. What happened to no secrets?”

“What? Four years I’ve worked here and this is the first time you bring me lunch. I had to ask.”

“And I had to wait til I knew you’d actually take it,” Angel laughs. “I didn’t want to show up and you reject me.”

Your eyes roll. “I would never do that.”

“Uh-huh. No need for the golden girl act, it’s just us.”

“I’m half tempted to let you take this back to Alana,” you lightly bump him before leading him out the elevator. You take in his raised brow. “Your new fangirl.”

“I can’t help that women gravitate towards me,” Angel grins as you shake your head. “Doesn’t matter, though, you’re only one I’m looking at--”

“No need to sweet talk me, Reyes. You already got the keys.”

“I’m just trying to keep this love alive.” Angel teases.

“Ahh,” you nod. “So, bringing me lunch unannounced is part of this plan?”

“Yeah, forming new habits.”

“What are the other ones?”

His brow arches. Angel smiles before shaking his head. “Can’t tell ‘em all, gotta keep you on your toes.”

“Keeping things exciting?”

“Something like that.”

Angel has always wondered what your office looked like. He takes a look around as you start to clear off your desk.

More so, he’s always wondered if he’d find traces of him inside. Everyone at the office knew you were divorced, most divorced people don’t have photos of their ex-husband in their office.

He’s surprised to find that you have more than one.

The most noticeable one is from last Christmas when you and Jeyson helped Angel host Christmas for Felipe. The most recent is a photo of Jeyson and Ezekiel. Jeyson’s smile is wide as he and his uncle proudly show off their sandcastle. Angel’s eyes find one he doesn’t expect to see.

He pauses by your desk before picking it up.

It was snapped years ago, back when the idea of breaking up seemed impossible in both of your minds.

You both dawn a cap and gown. Felipe smiles, holding the flowers he and Marisol brought you. Ez is to your right, his arm wrapped around his mother’s shoulder, grinning at the camera. Angel stands behind you. His arms are wrapped around your middle, his lips pressing a kiss against your cheek.

“I’m surprised you didn’t throw this away.”

You look up from the fries you’re trying to divide equally. Following his gaze, you roll your eyes.

“Must have forgot to add it to all the other pictures.”

“Hey, don’t say that. I didn’t throw anything away. Besides, it’s my favorite picture.”

Angel glances up, his eyes watching you as you put the frame back where it belongs.

“Let’s eat.” You smile. “You have no idea how much I needed this.”

“You can have mine if you want,” he chuckles. “If you’re that hungry. I know how you get--”

“That’s not what I meant.”

He looks up as your hands find his face. Leaning in, you kiss him. The food is abandoned, your minds focused on the one thought that’s been on your mind all morning.

He could never get used to it. Not when you were younger or even married. The privilege of kissing you whenever he wanted. Not having to worry about crossing the line only to be told it was a mistake. It is a hard thing to get over when you start out as friends.

It was nothing compared to the feeling he got when you kissed him. No matter how soft, how rough, how quick, how long. Or the reason behind it. Until his dying day, Angel will never understand how his feelings for you are not one-sided.

His eyes follow you as you take a seat and begin to eat.

“Oh, I get it…” A grin slowly spreads across his lips, the sight causing you to shake your head. “By this, you meant me...”

“And they say I only married you for your looks,” you wink.

“Everyone knows that’s not why you married me.”

“Shut up,” your eyes roll as he laughs.

You lean over, giving him a second kiss. You wouldn’t think it possible but his smile gets bigger.

“I meant you,” you smile as his lips press against your cheek. “Please don’t let it go to your head. I have no energy for your sass today.”

Talking to you has always been easy, which is why Angel isn’t surprised the two of you have no trouble falling into the conversation. But, after you’ve dropped his gaze three times, Angel says “What?”

“I have something I want to show you,” you admit.

You’ve held off enough. The moment you saw him downstairs, Izzy’s pamphlet has nearly burned a hole through your mind.

“Okay.”

Sitting your cup aside, you open your desk drawer. Passing him the brochure, you take in Angel’s confused expression.

His brow furrows as he reads aloud, “Enchanted Isle. You and Iz are keeping it local this year?”

Opening the pamphlet, Angel silently starts to read.

He reads nearly the entire pamphlet in silence, each passing second not helping with the butterflies in your stomach. His mind only seems to hone in on certain words. “Couples” “intimate oasis” “oceanfront views.” “Couples” “bonding.” “Couples.”

To the point where he can focus on is one.

Couples.

“This is where you’re going this year?”

You nod.

His expression is a mixture of confusion, and something else you can’t read. Suddenly you feel like an idiot. You can understand how it might look. Going on a couple’s retreat on the anniversary of your divorce.

Suddenly you’re nervous as his eyes lift to rest on you.

“It’s just...seven years is a long time. It’s kinda a milestone in relationships. Either you’ve grown apart or you still love someone, and I think it’s safe to say that I still--no matter how I’ve tried I can’t--I don’t want to push you out of my life. And I know I haven’t been fair to you over the years. You’ve shown me so many times that you’re serious about being with Jeyson and me. Instead of recognizing what you’ve shown me, I’ve tried to punish you by making you think I didn’t want you the way that you want me. But the truth is...I want to be with more than when we were kids.”

Angel doesn’t interrupt you, and you’re thankful that he doesn’t. You know that it’s a messy delivery, but it’s the first time you’ve managed to work up the courage to tell him.

“You asked me to give you a chance--a real chance...so this is me giving you a real chance. And I believe we can’t give ourselves a real chance until we figure out who we are together. Outside of my family and yours. Outside of the club. Outside of Jeyson, and Santo Padre. Just us.”

Angel remains silent. His eyes search yours before falling back to the pamphlet in his hands.

“Just us?”

You nod trying your best to slow the beating of your heart.

“For how long?”

“Five days.”

“I don’t know about this--”

“We don’t have to take any of the classes if you don’t want to--”

“I’m down for classes, or whatever you wanna try. I’m talking about you.” Angel takes in your look of confusion. “You sure you’re up for five days? I mean the last time I got you alone, you lasted a good two hours before you practically jumped me--”

Angel narrowly avoids the napkin you toss his way.

You try your best to deny him the smile he’s searching for, but you fail as you meet his gaze.

“You really thought I’d say no?”

“I was hoping you wouldn’t.” Your eyes drop to your phone, your shoulders dropping as your alarm beeps.

“Time’s up,” Angel sighs.

“Yeah.”

He gives you a soft smile before standing and cleaning up.

“I actually have something else for you,” you admit as he dumps the trash. You motion for him to sit down. “But I would prefer if you close your eyes.”

Angel does as you ask. Once he’s settled in his seat, he closes his eyes. Just as you’re about to move your gift from behind your back he peeks.

“Angel-”

“Sorry,” he sighs.

You wait until Angel closes his eyes to take his left hand in yours. His brow arches as you remove the ring from his ring finger. Placing it in the pocket of his kutte, you place a kiss against his knuckle.

You smile at the nervous look on his face. You clear your throat.

“I know we can’t get married right now...so until then, I would like you to have this. I know it’s super cheesy, but I want to make sure that you understand how serious I am. I know we gotta wait a little longer, so until then I wanna give you this.”

Angel’s smile begins to grow as he feels you slip something onto his finger. The words are those repeated. Words he said to you before. Years ago. Senior year. At the carnival. He’d stolen you away from the group, to give you a kiss. He can still remember the sound of your laugh as he’d revealed the gift to you all those years ago.

You press a soft kiss against his cheek before tucking your face against his shoulder.

Angel opens his eyes. The inability to suppress his smile becomes difficult as he takes in the red ring pop you’ve left behind. The chuckle he releases brings a smile to your lips.

“In all seriousness, it’s a proposal for a clean slate. Wiping both of our slates clean, no resentment for anything. I won’t bring up anything you’ve done, and you won’t bring up anything I’ve done. We’re just moving forward, focusing on doing what’s best for Jeyson and our family.”

Angel’s gaze meets yours. He nods before pressing a kiss against your forehead. You two share a smile before you pull him up from where he sits.

“Who knew all I had to do was bring you lunch,” Angel teases as you lead him back to the elevator. “We could’ve fixed this a long time ago.”

You take in the grin on his face before shaking your head.

“Please call Isabela and thank her because she has been working hard on fixing our love life.”

“I will--before I forget. Chucky looked it up. Apparently, the largest aquarium in Cali is in Monterey Bay. We have a club run set up in Vegas next weekend.” Angel reaches inside his kutte. He produces a white envelope before passing it over. “So I figured we could go to Monterey first then split up after. We got a ticket for Izzy too if you want to bring her. I know Jeyson would want to go. Kinda be congratulations on his recital this Friday. I just hope he doesn’t explode once he sees all those animals up close.”

You turn and wrap your arms around him. Your unexpected action causes Angel’s body to shift. He glances down at you as your face burrows into his neck. You can feel it coming. Words you’ve found yourself wanting to say before. Words you’ve never been able to escape from the moment he said them to you first all those years ago.

“I love you, Angel Reyes.”

The admission is quiet.

Angel’s initial thought is that it was imagined. The tightening of your arms around him is the validation he needs that his ears aren’t playing tricks on him.

“I hate that you make it impossible not to.”

Angel’s smile presses against your temple. Tipping your head back you smile as his eyes meet yours. The look in his eyes preparing you for what’s to come.

“Did you just say you love me?” Your eyes roll as Angel’s smile slowly morphs into a grin. “I’m just saying, it's been so long. I might need you to say it again--”

Slipping out of his grip, you press the button for the elevator.

“I am not saying it again,” you giggle. “It is officially time for you to go, Mr. Reyes.”

Angel glances towards the elevator light, watching it slowly begin its climb to your floor.

“I came all the way over here,” he releases a dramatic sigh.

“It is not even fifteen minutes from your job--”

“I got you lunch--”

“No one asked you to do that. Who am I turn down free food?”

Taking your face in his hands, Angel sighs, “the least you could do is give me a kiss.”

Turning, you offer him your cheek.

“Damn,” Angel chuckles. “I don’t remember you being so heartless--”

“Please,” you giggle as his lips press against your cheek. You allow his lips to drift to your neck, as his arm wraps around your waist. “All I got was lunch. I gave you a whole ring, Reyes. You’re gonna have to work harder for a real kiss.”

“I can’t wait to get you alone this weekend,” he groans.

Heat follows the path of his hand as it traces down your spine. It drifts lower. The ding of the approaching elevator causes him to reluctantly pull away. Angel pauses as the doors open and he comes face to face with a familiar face.

Your smile slowly fades as you take in Samuel. He looks up from the coffee in his hand. His eyes briefly meet yours before moving to Angel. He takes in the keys Angel’s holding.

“You’re leaving?”

“Uh...no, just taking him down to sign out.”

Samuel nods before stepping to the side. He pauses as Angel steps forward offering his hand.

“Angel,” he smiles.

Samuel’s eyes drop to Angel’s outstretched hand, but he makes no move to take it. Angel drops your hand.

“I’m gonna head out,” he takes your hand in his. Giving it a gentle squeeze, he smiles. “Don’t forget we have a Millennium Falcon being delivered tonight.”

“Trust me I can’t,” You smile. Heat rushes to your face as Angel’s gaze drops to your lips.

Instead of kissing you, Angel takes a step towards the elevator. His eyes briefly pass over Samuel.

“I’ll find my way back to the front. Make sure she doesn’t work too hard.”

The second Angel is out of sight, you turn back towards your office. Samuel’s voice follows yours.

“Reyes. Conference room in 5 mins.”

Your brow furrows as you face him.

“We have a meeting? I didn’t know there was one scheduled.”

“It wasn't,'' he starts towards the conference. “Emergency meeting.”

A nudge comes to your side, the persistence of Isabela causing you to glance up from the pen in your hand.

“What?”

Isabela shifts her seat, turning her back to Samuel who glances in your direction. Her eyes drop to the agenda in her hand.

“Is there something wrong with your case?”

Your brow furrows. “No. Why?”

“It’s the first thing on the agenda.”

You redirect your attention to the freshly printed agenda. It reads as follows:

Priorities: Thomas Flores.

Concerns: Counsel.

Nothing accompanies the statements.

“I know this meeting was unplanned, so I’ll make it short.” Samuel clears his throat as he glances at his watch. “Everyone needs to check the form sent out this morning and schedule a meeting with me for their six-month performance evaluation.”

You turn in your seat, lowering your voice as Isabela glances your way.

“He’s taking me off the case.”

Isabela releases a laugh, one that earns her a look of disapproval from Samuel. No matter her disbelief, the feeling in your stomach is that your hunch is right.

“Don’t be ridiculous. He wouldn’t--”

Samuel clears his throat, the pointed look quickly quiets the rest of Isabela’s statement.

“Most important issue at hand is the Thomas Flores case.” Running his hand down his tie, Samuel looks towards the agenda before him. “Once details about his case hit the media, the firm is going to get a lot of attention. With that being said I’ve decided to move Wells to lead counsel.”

Aiden Wells is gawking at your boss, his brown eyes wide. He blinks before glancing in your direction.

Aiden attempts to downplay the clearing of his throat with a bashful smile. “Sir, but that’s not my case-“

Samuel disregards the apprehensive protest of the young man. He dismissively waves his hand as he leans back in his seat.

“Yes, Wells, I am well aware that Reyes was initially assigned the case, but that decision was premature.”

“What made it premature?” All eyes in the room, minus Samuel's, drift to you.

To no surprise, Samuel ignores your question. Instead, he keeps his gaze on Aiden.

"Reyes will assist Wells--"

"I am not assisting anyone."

For the first time since the start of the meeting, Samuel looks at you.

"I didn’t want to make it about this-"

"Then don’t."

"It’s hard not to when your client has a history of being physically aggressive towards female attorneys. It's in his file. When things don't go his way, Tommy lashes out."

Isabela lifts her pen, the action narrowing Samuel's eyes. She does not wait for his permission to speak.

“That is true, but you knew this when you asked her to take the Flores case. Correct?"

The eyes in the room drift to Samuel. Isabela takes his silence as the opportunity to continue her thought.

“Flores may have a history of that, but Y/N hasn’t come back and reported any instances in which she’s felt uncomfortable with her client. I don’t think it’s enough to demote her.”

"Besides," you add. "Aiden’s never worked a trial case. It may not be the best decision to send a novice in on a case expected to acquire media attention. No offense, Aiden."

“None taken,” Aiden promptly co-signs, an appreciative look on his face. “She’s right, sir. I don’t really uh...feel comfortable taking this on as my first-“

Samuel’s eyes close as he pinches the bridge of his nose. The chuckle he releases stops Aiden from completing his thoughts.

“I wasn't aware this was becoming an open forum.”

A silence falls over the room. Aiden looks hopeful at the prospect of Samuel retracting his request. Isabela shifts in her seat, letting you know that she has something else to say. Samuel lets his gaze return to you, daring you to say something else.

Before you can speak, Isabela smiles.

"Well, Mr. Lorente, I think the open forum made this a productive meeting. We learned that Aiden isn't comfortable with being transferred to lead counsel." Turning in her seat, Isabela gives Aiden an encouraging smile. "But, he's willing to assist with the case."

"Yes," Aiden quickly nods, glad to seize any out he can. "Thanks, Iz. I'm far more comfortable with that. As long as it's okay with Y/N."

"As always," Samuel sighs, his eyes passing over Isabela. "Thank you for your commentary, Isabela."

Leaning back in his seat, he clicks the pen in his hand before clearing his throat.

"Reyes." Samuel waits until you look up to continue. “Get Wells up to speed. He’s leading the Prelim Friday. Are you clear?”

You know there is no point in arguing. Samuel has accomplished his goal.

Your voice comes out smaller than you like. “Yes.”

"Good." His smile is instantly back. "Meeting's done. Don't forget to sign up for your evaluations by close of business Friday."

The room empties quickly as you loosen your grip on your pen. You're surprised it hasn't burst. You can feel Samuel's gaze on you. The fact he hasn't made a move to leave letting you know the conversation isn't finished.

Rather than staying, you stand to follow Aiden towards the door.

"Reyes, don’t take it personally."

The statement halts your tracks. You turn to find a satisfied smirk on Samuel's lips.

"That’s bullshit, and you know it. If you’re mad at me, act like a fucking man, and just say it. But what you just pulled was childish-"

"No, what I just did was whatever I wanted. In case you forgot. In a few months, this firm is mine. And I don’t have patience for employees that talk back and question my authority in front of everyone. If you have a problem with it, maybe once the Flores case is up you should look for a new place to practice."

His eyes move to the door to where Aiden is hovering.

“Look on the bright side, you always worried everyone thought I gave you preferential treatment. Now’s your chance to prove you’re as smart as you claim to be.”

Samuel speaks the second half of his statement louder, granting Aiden access to this part of the conversation.

“The plan has been set in motion. Reyes, get Aiden up to speed for court Friday morning.”

As soon as you're out of earshot Aiden rambles.

"Y/N. I’m sorry. I want you to know I did not ask to be put on this case-"

"I know. He's punishing me."

"For what?"

You shake your head, ignoring the look of confusion on Aiden's face.

"Nothing--never mind. Forget I said that." You quickly pass him the folders in your hand. "You can go ahead and start looking at these. I have to use the bathroom. Can you meet me in my office in five?"

Before Aiden can produce a response, you've already left. He watches as you continue down the hall, past the bathroom towards the side steps.

The thing is. When you’re upset, the first thing to come is tears. It is undoubtedly the most irritating thing about you. That's why Aiden waits patiently in your office when you don't return in five minutes.

You don't realize you’ve called Angel until you hear his voice. Calling him when you're upset is second nature.

Old habits die hard.

"What’s up?"

You honestly didn't think the phone call through. As much as you want to tell Angel why you're upset. You can't. He'll only react in one way.

As you wipe at your eyes, you can't help but think of the one time Angel came a hair's breadth of expulsion. Junior year, he got in a fight with an ex-boyfriend of yours. It was bad. The kid's parents tried their hardest to get Angel arrested.

From then on, you've learned to filter out certain information. Primarily when it comes to other guys.

"I....forgot to ask if pizza is okay for dinner."

Although you managed to stop your tears before calling him, Angel knows something's wrong. His initial suspicion stems from the simple fact your question only warranted a quick text exchange.

"Yeah. That’s cool."

"Ok good. It’s just I might have to work late, so pizza will be easiest."

"That's it?"

"That's it."

"You sure? I thought you were calling to say you missed me."

You release a tiny laugh. "Not yet, it hasn’t been that long."

"I don’t know," Angel sighs. "You're going on about what? An hour?"

"You know withdrawals don't kick in until at least the two-hour mark."

"I don't know...you did say you loved me today--"

"Oh my goodness. Is it too late to take it back?"

"Too late."

"I wouldn't have said it if I knew you were going to pull it out every chance you get."

"I'm just saying, it's not a stretch to think you miss me." You can practically see his smile as Angel continues. "I've been known to have that effect on women--"

"I miss you, Angel. Is that what you want me to say?"

"Doesn't it feel good to get it off your chest?"

"So much better." You can't help but smile at the sound of Angel's laugh.

"Good," There’s a brief silence. "As long as you’re not having second thoughts about this weekend."

"I'm not. Promise."

“MOM!”

You freeze in place. Scrambling off the ground, Jeyson quickly maneuvers across the living room floor, which is littered with legos.

“You almost knocked over the escape pods!”

Taking your hands in his, Jeyson moves you to the side. You glance down to find that he is indeed correct. One more step you would have crushed the escape pods that took Angel nearly thirty minutes to complete.

“Sorry, what are you building?”

A smile finds Ez’s face as you glance over at him.

Jeyson’s eyes widen. “Only the coolest and fastest starship in the entire galaxy!”

“The Prometheus?”

Covering his eyes, Jeyson lets out a groan of disbelief. “Mom! We don’t like Star Trek!”

You feign confusion as you glance across the room to a smiling Ez. “We don’t?”

“No!” Jeyson turns to cross the room and retrieves the box from the corner.

“We definitely don’t,” Ez co-signs as Jeyson lifts the box for you to see.

“The Millenium Falcon?” You read, your brow furrows. You might not have thought it possible, but Jeyson’s eyes somehow get bigger. “Who flies that? Darth Vader?”

You let out a laugh as Jeyson drops his face into his hands.

“I’m kidding," you giggle. "I promise I remember.”

It is hard not to remember. Jeyson has asked for the Millennium Falcon Lego set for nearly a month. He and Bishop hoodwinked the M.C. into paying Jeyson for chores and errands around the clubhouse. Almost half of the funds came from his father alone. Each dollar Angel has put in the swear jar the last month and a half were also used. When he came home to find it delivered on the front steps, Jeyson nearly exploded. He begged Angel to call his uncle so that he could get started on it tonight. He couldn’t wait until Saturday.

Angel has never seen Jeyson complete his homework so fast. By the time Ez arrived, Jeyson was seated in the middle of the floor with a game plan ready to go.

"I'm going to get the pizza." You announce as Aiden waves to Jeyson. "Aiden this is Ezekiel. Zeke, this Aiden."

"We work together," Aiden adds.

When Angel rounds the corner Aiden is in the midst of gushing over the Millennium Falcon with Jeyson.

Angel’s eyes pass over Aiden, his brow arching in confusion. Ezekiel smiles at his brother's expression before nodding towards Aiden.

"Angel this is Aiden. He and Y/N work together."

Aiden quickly steps forward, offering Angel his hand. "Nice to meet you."

"Same."

Aiden looks between the two brothers. "You’re her--"

"Baby daddy," Angel finishes, his smile growing as Ez's eyes roll.

"Yeah, eight years, she still can’t seem to shake him," Ez smirks. “You’ve already met his mini-me.”

Angel's gaze passes over the room.

"Speaking of, Y/N, where is she?"

Angel finds you in the driveway stacking the pizzas boxes in the backseat. His hands find your waist, gently guiding you back and away from the task at hand.

“Sorry it took so long,” you apologize as you glance over your shoulder. “Work took way longer than I thought it would.”

“You got a new boyfriend and didn’t even let me know?” He takes your face in his hands once you turn to face.

A soft smile finds his lips as your eyes meet his.

“Gotta keep my options open. I was planning on keeping it on the DL for a bit longer, but there was a change of plans.”

Your eyes drift shut as his thumb brushes against your skin. Your body relaxes as his lips press against your forehead.

“At least he knows about Star Wars,” Angel chuckles. “Jeyson’s already talking his ear off.”

“That’s good.”

“Everything okay?” Even if you think the nod you give is adequate, it’s not. A soft smile finds his lips as Angel continues. “Believe it or not, I know you.”

“Aiden’s here because I need to get him up to speed on this case.”

“The one that has you visiting Stockton?”

“Yeah. He’s going to help me out by taking over a few things.”

Despite the reassuring smile, Angel’s brow raises. “You asked for help?”

Your nod is an automatic response. Angel's eyes search yours, which is why your eyes drop to your hands.

“I’m fine. Promise. I just have a headache, but I have to do this tonight. Aiden’s really nervous, so I just want to make him feel better. You remember how I was with my first big case.”

You can see it in his face, the look that lets you know he’s not going to let it go.

“I know you’ve been getting up in the middle of the night to work-”

“I don’t like working on this stuff when Jeyson’s up,” you sigh, mentally kicking yourself for letting him notice it. “You know he tries to read everything he gets his hands on. Plus there are pictures--”

The trouble is, Angel’s bullshit meter is stronger than yours.

“That I get, but I don’t see why someone else should be taking over if you’ve been working hard-”

Taking his face in your hands, you offer him a smile. “Angel, it’s fine. It’s not that serious.”

He opens his mouth to respond, but you stand on your toes to bring your lips to his. It takes a moment for him to return it. When he does, Angel wraps his arm around your waist to pull you closer. He grants your wish when your arms tighten around him begging him to stay.

“You’re needy today,” he notes as your lips press against his neck.

“I can’t help it,” you giggle, your lips finding his cheek. “I’m just so in love with you.”

“Clearly,” he chuckles as your lips brush his.

“Besides you give the best kisses,” you smile.

“Gotta share them with the world.”

Grinning, Angel ducks down to give you a second kiss.

“Thanks for letting me come over,” Aiden accepts the beer before glancing over the stacks of papers littering the table. “I know this probably isn’t how you thought your night would be.”

“It’s all good,” Angel rests against the counter. “If it helps Y/N, I can’t really complain.”

Aiden’s eyes drift towards the living room. “Your son looks just like you.”

Angel nods. His eyes find Jeyson who sits on your lap. You’ve nearly finished assembling the pile assigned to Angel. In his father’s absence, Jeyson has decided that you’re much better at putting legos together.

“Yeah,” Angel chuckles. “He got her brains though, so it’s a fair trade-off.”

“I heard he’s over at Gilman,” Aiden whistles. “Hard school. But I hear everyone who graduates from there goes off to an Ivy League.”

“That’s the goal,” Angel nods. “Gotta give your kids a better future.”

“You two went to the same school? You and Y/N?”

“She grew up a few blocks from me and my brother. Probably would’ve gone to Gilman if her parents could afford it. She was too smart for most of us.”

“I think it’s cool you two are still close. I know some divorces can be ugly.”

“It was,” Angel responds. A tiny smile finds his face as he takes in the look of disbelief on Aiden’s face. “She didn’t talk to me for that first year. Complete radio silence….kinda impressive when I look back at it.”

Aiden chuckles. “Hard to tell.”

“Yeah, well. It’s even harder to stay mad at her..” Angel looks away from you before nodding towards the notes on the table. “Anyway, I appreciate you helping her out. She’s been stressed out about work lately.”

“Trust me, she’s helped me with a lot more since I started at the firm. I won’t really be much help,” Aiden admits. “She’s got it all covered. She just brought me on to keep the peace.”

Angel’s brow arches, his drink hovering inches from his lips. “With who?”

“Samuel.”

“That’s what she said?”

“Not exactly.” Aiden glances over to where you sit. “Samuel, he’s a cool guy, but sometimes he can be a hardass. Think he’s just trying to prove he can run the firm as well as his old man. A lot of people say he made partner because of his old man.”

“What’s that gotta do with, Y/N?”

Aiden shrugs. Although you asked him not to say anything, Aiden continues. Even though you have a great poker face, there was a brief second that he had caught glimpse of the effect Samuel’s decision had on you.

“He called an emergency meeting today, said he doesn't want her to lead her anymore. Everyone pretty much agrees she’s the best person at our firm, but Samuel said that I have to take it over. She has to assist me.”

The look on Angel’s face causes Aiden to trail off. It’s a look that makes Aiden realize he never wants to be on the receiving end of Angel’s anger.

Realizing there’s more, Angel says. “What else did he say?”

Aiden’s eyes drop to the notes you’ve provided. Briefly glancing towards you, his words come out quieter this time.

“He um...he pulled the gender card.” He clears his throat. “Said there are just some cases better handled by a male.”

Aiden notes the tightening of Angel’s grip on the beer bottle. He’s pretty sure it’s about to shatter.

“I already told her, I’m not taking the lead.” Aiden finishes. “I don’t want it. I’m just here in case Samuel tries to check up and make sure she actually did what he said.”

“Thank goodness you’re here to help,” you smile as Ez studies the Millennium Falcon blueprint. “If it was just me we’d never finish this.”

“It’s all good, it’s not like Angel’s been much help. You’ve had to pick up his slack.”

At the mention of his name, you look away from the task at hand for Angel. You find him standing by the front door, slipping on his kutte. Your brow furrows as he stops to pick up his keys. Ezekiel follows your gaze across the room.

“You’re leaving?”

Adjusting his collar, Angel motions for Ez to get up. “Yeah, Ez and I gotta go.”

“Everything okay?”

Nodding, Angel ignores Ez’s confused expression. “Yeah, Ezekiel, hurry up. I’ll tell you about it on the way there.”

“Oh okay.” Ez begins to clean up, not asking his brother for anything else.

“Thank you for helping him,” you smile as Ez ruffles Jeyson’s hair before heading to the door.

Angel bends down, smiling as Jeyson wraps his arms around his neck for a hug.

“I’ll be back later, lil man.”

“Can you wake me up if I’m asleep?”

“Yeah, I will.”

“You two ride safe,” you smile as Angel’s lips press against your cheek. “How long are you going to be gone?”

“Two? Three hours tops.”

“Okay.” You glance up to find Angel that hasn’t made a move to leave. He remains alongside you, waiting expectantly.

Tipping your head back, you smile as Angel ducks down to kiss you.

“You wanna wait up for me?” He asks as his lips drift to your ear.

“Depends,” you shrug, your smile growing as his brow arches. “Is it going to be worth my while?”

“What kinda question is that?”

The kiss he leaves this time, lasts longer. Your son brings to it an end as he pushes against Angel’s chest.

“Ewwww!” Jeyson groans as Angel steals a final kiss. “Dad that's enough kissing--move!

"This is what we ran out the house for?"

Ez's eyes scan the crowded bar. He can't see anything worth Angel's urgency to leave earlier.

Although Angel claimed he would tell Ez, he hasn't shared anything. He currently holds a cue stick but hasn't bothered taking his turn. Instead, he's staring towards the bar and has been for the last ten minutes.

From where he stands, Ez can't tell who holds his brother's attention.

"Angel?"

Angel glances towards his brother, brow raised. "What do you want to drink?"

Ez lifts the beer Angel got him upon their arrival. "I'm good-"

"I'm gonna get you another one."

Angel hopes you'll give him some credit for the self-restraint executed the last ten minutes. He also hopes you never find out what he's about to do.

The moment he learned Samuel's name, Angel checked him out. He discovered Samuel stops at the same bar every night after work to "unwind."

"Angel--" Ez catches the back of his brother's kutte, pulling him off his path to the bar. Ez ignores the rolling of Angel's eyes. Following Angel's gaze to the bar, he lowers his voice. "Let's just go back. You just got back, don't fuck it up over this guy."

Angel knows what the warning in his brother's voice means.

"Relax I’m just gonna talk to him," Angel assures him. Brushing Ez's hand away, Angel straightens his kutte. "If shit gets out of hand, feel free to step in and save the day."

The calm expression on his face is enough to convince Ez there's no need to drag his brother outside. But he hovers behind Angel nonetheless.

Taking the empty seat alongside Samuel, Angel motions for the bartender.

"Can I get a refill on my friend's Old fashioned?" Samuel's jaw tightens as Angel's voice registers. "He's having a rough week. Trying to get over a broken heart."

Sitting his empty glass on the bar, Samuel glances over at Angel. His eyes pass over Angel's shoulder to where Ez stands.

"I take it she came home crying?" Samuel sighs as he accepts the new drink placed before him. "Sent you over here to teach me a lesson?"

"Actually, she didn't say anything." Angel watches Samuel's eyes narrow in suspicion. "Probably knew I'd show up here, and kick your ass."

"Yet, you're still here."

"True. See if you would've pulled that shit last week, I would have and you'd probably still be in the hospital." Angel chuckles before he takes a sip of his beer. "But, lucky for you, you caught me on a good week."

"Oh, yeah." Samuel laughs dryly. "She finally took you back. I gotta hand it to you--you've got a lot of patience. Surprised you didn't get tired of chasing her all those years. The sex must be out of this fucking world if she's got you hooked like that."

Ez's gaze finds his brother's reflection in the bar mirror. For a brief second, he contemplates putting his hand on his brother's shoulder as Angel's jaw tightens. Rolling his bottle between his palms, Angel takes a deep breath.

The first one has no effect. His grip tightens around the glass of his bottle, a satisfied smirk creeping its way across Samuel's face.

He takes a second one. The sight of releasing his grip on the bottle, only to shatter it against Samuel's head still remains.

He takes a third.

"I promised her I'd work on a few things. I'm trying this whole 'turning over a new leaf' shit." Angel sighs. The easy smile on his lips does the opposite of calm Samuel. No matter what words come out of his mouth, the look in Angel's eyes says it all. "So, instead of kicking your fucking teeth in, I'm going to take a less...violent approach and tell you to leave her the fuck alone."

He pauses long enough to finish his beer before sitting the bottle down.

"As long as you do that, and she comes home from work happy every day, we won't have any problems." Retrieving his wallet, Angel gives Samuel a final smile before standing. "And you won't have to see me again."

"Nice to see some convicts can be rehabilitated."

Samuel watches Angel slide the twenty-dollar bill across the bar. His jaw tightens as Angel's hand clamps down on his shoulder. The pressure Angel applies as he leans close to his ear, makes Samuel wince.

"Try some shit like that again, and you'll see how well it’s worked on me."

“You realize that kid’s a walking sponge?” Carefully shutting Jeyson’s bedroom door, Angel rubs at his tired eyes. He continues once he gets no response, his feet dragging as he treks to the bathroom. “You sure he’s not Ez’s?”

The sight of you standing in the doorway causes Angel’s smirk to falter.

In the process of brushing your teeth, you stand with your left hand on your hip, eyes watching Angel’s gaze pass over you. The inability to talk results in you giving him an overly dramatic eye roll before turning back to the sink.

His hands latch onto your waist as you attempt to move out of his reach. They gently squeeze your hips. He smiles as you brush his hands away.

“So, that’s what this was about?” Angel chuckles as you rinse your mouth. His smile grows as you glance at him through the mirror. “You let me move back in so that you can steal my shirts.”

“Damn,” you groan as his hands drag along your thighs before drifting beneath the shirt. “I was hoping it’d take you longer to figure that out.”

“You didn’t even wait a whole week,” Angel laughs as you flash him a sweetly innocent smile.

“It’s a perfect trade-off," you shrug. "You’re living here now. The least you can do is let me take one whenever I want. Besides, they always look better on me.”

His touch travels over your hips. Guiding your hips back, he smiles as you rest against him.

“That is true,” he concedes, his hands guiding the fabric over your hips. “But, they also always look better off.”

Your eyes roll as you catch sight of his grin in the mirror. Reaching around you, Angel turns on the shower. Your brow arches as his grin morphs into one more mischievous.

“Since you love making schedules, so much, how about you make one for the bathroom?” Angel’s hands gently squeeze your hips causing you to jump. “You can’t be in here every time I wanna shower. Unless you’re trying to join me...”

Your eyes roll as his chin rests against your shoulder. “Last I checked, I was here first.”

Angel’s eyes roll dismissing the truthful statement.

“Coincidentally?” No matter how silly the claim, you can’t deny Angel the smile he is looking for. “You had all night to get ready for bed, but the second I get home you’re walking around half-naked-“

“Maybe,” you sigh, dragging out the word, as you dry your face. “I was waiting to welcome you home."

“You should have called me,” Angel groans.

“I texted you, but you didn’t answer.” You remind him.

“I was kinda busy.” He notes, his hands drifting along the curves of your hips.

“Too busy for me?” You challenge. “That was not the right thing to say.”

“I know, but I had to handle something first,” Angel sighs. “Get in with me, let me make it up to you.”

You shake your head. Angel smiles as you glance up at him in the mirror.

“While you were busy, I took a shower.”

He coaxes a smile out of you as his touch drifts along the warmth of your thighs.

“Never stopped you before,” Angel notes as he guides the fabric of his t-shirt up and over your hips.

The warmth of his hands radiates throughout your entire body. Your eyes drift shut as the comfort of his touch drifts between your thighs. His smile traces the curve of your neck, each kiss he leaves relaxing your body against his.

“You sure you don’t wanna get in with me?”

You shake your head, biting your lip as his fingers slowly begin to build an all too familiar pressure.

Your voice comes out small. “We don’t need to wake up Jeyson.”

“I can be quiet,” Angel chuckles. “You on the other hand....”

The sound that escapes your lips brings a triumphant grin to his. Despite your initial protest, you rest back against Angel’s chest allowing him to slowly let loose a heat the stretches from head to toe.

“So, what?” Angel teases, his voice muffled against your neck. “You wanna wait til Saturday? When we’re alone?”

He takes this moment to stroke your folds, a finger slipping inside of you. The gasp that escapes your lips prompts his next question.

“Wanna wait so you can be as loud as you want?”

He smiles as you reach down the moment he slows his pace. Your grip tightens asking him to return to normal.

“Thought you were waiting til Saturday,” he chuckles as the pressure he’s built threatens to fade. He stops to press a kiss against your shoulder. “We’ll wait till Saturday.”

Your eyes open as his chuckles gets lost against your skin.

Angel takes a step back as you groan in protest, “I hate you--”

Tugging his shirt over his head, he tosses it your way.

“Get in with me,” he winks, his smile growing as your eyes watch him unzip his jeans. “If you don’t wanna finish, go to bed.”

You take a second look at the clock overhead.

Aiden is pacing the tiny room and has been for the last eight minutes. Your eyes drift shut as he begins another lap.

The next time he passes you, you catch his arm halting his tracks. You contain the annoyance you feel as you force him to face you. Meeting his gaze, you plaster the most reassuring smile you can muster on your face.

“Aiden, I gonna need you to get your shit together.”

You had the same pep talk with Aiden in the car ride over. The gentle route initially taken did not work.

Your words have an adverse effect. Aiden's eyes widen, just as they had during the meeting when he got his new assignment.

“He’s-”

"Going to eat you alive if he walks in and you have that look on your face."

Aiden clears his throat as you drop your hands from his shoulders. Reaching up, he straightens his tie. "What look?"

"Like you’re scared of him."

"I am scared of him." Aiden's brow furrows as he watches your eyes roll. "Aren’t you?"

"No. I'm not." You take a third glance at the clock. "He’s just a guy, like you-"

"Not like me." To his dismay, Aiden's voice rises in pitch. "We're are nothing alike! I have never killed anyone-"

"Allegedly," you correct, earning you a dubious look. "Jesus, Wells. We’re in a courthouse. There are eyes and ears everywhere."

You motion towards the cracked door. Your voice lowers.

"The last thing we need is someone hearing that you think our client is guilty."

"I’m just saying," Aiden drops his voice as you meet his gaze. "There’s a reason Samuel doesn’t want you alone with him-"

"Please," your eyes roll. "That is not why Samuel put you on this case. He's trying to punish me."

"For what?" Now it is Aiden's turn to laugh. "You do everything right. You're better than everyone there-"

"Yeah, well..." You let out a breath before granting him a smile. "If anything, I’m here to protect you."

"They say he's killed-"

"I know, Aiden. I’ve read the file. I helped you go over it."

Aiden studies you for a moment. "You’re really not scared of him?"

"How we handle our fears will determine where we go with the rest of our lives."

A tiny smile finds Aiden's lips as he glances over at you.

"Word of wisdom for my first day?"

"Yep," you laugh. "Courtesy of Judy Blume."

The laugh that follows appears to expel a bit of the stress he feels. Aiden's shoulders relax as you lightly bump his shoulder with yours.

"Here’s the one thing you want to remember when we’re with him." You sigh as he glances your way. "Guys like Tommy, they’re a different breed. They thrive on fear and can sniff it out a mile away. If you give him something he’ll take it, and twist it until he can use it against you. He doesn’t trust us. We’re just a means to an end. So, he'll look for whatever he can. Store it and use it against you the second you're dispensable. Don't give him anything unless it relates to the case."

"Redirect?"

"Exactly." You smile. "Take a breath. You'll do fine."

Aiden nods. A silence falls over the room as your eyes close. Watching the clock won't speed up the hands of time.

It doesn't help that once you're finished, you have Jeyson's recital. The butterflies in your stomach have been around from the moment you woke. They have nothing to do with Tommy Flores. Although you know Jeyson can play his peace with his eyes closed, the idea of him having to do so in front of an audience makes you nervous.

Aiden's eyes pass over your bouncing leg. He lightly bumps you with his shoulder.

"You wanna know something?"

"Sure."

"I think Angel's a pretty cool guy."

"What?" You let out a small laugh. "Not what you expected?"

"To be honest? No." Aiden admits.

"Not as scary as they make him out to be?" You lightly roll your eyes as Aiden glances in your direction. "You don’t have to pretend like you don't know what everyone at the office says about him, Aiden. They’re not exactly subtle about it."

Aiden nods, the look on his face letting you know he's finally going to ask the question that has been on his mind since his and Angel's meeting.

"Is that why you took the Flores case?" He asks. "Because of what happened with Angel's brother?"

You don't initially answer which prompts him to add his next thought.

"It's just...I noticed you always take the cases no else wants to touch."

"I'll deny this if you ever mention it to anyone at work," A tiny smile finds your face. "But when I was seventeen I got arrested."

Aiden's eyes widen. "Wait-what?"

You laugh as you take in his look of disbelief.

"I'm serious," you giggle as you take in his look of disbelief. "I was at a party with Angel and Isabela--"

"Wait--" Now it's Aiden's turn to laugh. "You and Izzy were arrested?"

"Of course not," your eyes roll, the smile on your face growing at the memory. "In typical fashion, Isabela came out scot-free--somehow wasn't around when we were all taken to the station. I was scared shitless."

"You were a golden girl?" he chuckles as you nod.

"I thought they were going to book us. They had each of us call our parents to come to pick us up. When I called home, my mom answered.

I just remember her saying, 'I told you that Reyes boy was no good, so you can stay there with him. I'll have your father pick you up in the morning.'

The funny thing is, I didn't find out until years later that his mother--Marisol--told Angel she'd come to pick him up. He stayed because he didn't want me to spend the night there alone.

I just think sometimes we have to remember that not everyone has someone to call. It's our job to help people--no matter their charges--because everyone is supposed to have a fair chance against the law."

You glance up as voices can be heard just beyond the door.

"I know people look at him and think he's trouble, but Angel’s not that bad," you softly smile as the door opens.

Tommy enters the room, his eyes instantly falling on an unrecognizable Aiden.

No longer wearing his blue Stockton uniform, Tommy almost looks like a free man. The shackles on his hands and feet briefly attract Aiden's gaze. He blinks before stealing a glance your way and redirecting his attention to Tommy.

He's wearing a charcoal suit. The top buttons of his white button-down are undone. The tie is poorly tied, somehow knotted. His eyes don't leave Aiden until you're standing directly before him. A smile finds Tommy's lips as you concentrate on fastening the unfinished buttons.

"Didn’t realize I was paying you to dress me," he states as you straighten his collar. As you quickly tuck in the tail of his shirt, he continues. "Or that I have to start sharing you."

"I shouldn’t be dressing you," you sigh as you try to push away the realization that you're too close for comfort to him. The smile on his face grows as you focus on the task at hand and not the playful eyes watching you. "But I can’t let you go in there half-ass-."

"It’s not that serious," Tommy chuckles as you take a step back to admire your work. "Their mind is already made up about me anyway-"

“It’s about respect,” Aiden utters. He immediately regrets interrupting Tommy as his gaze returns to him.

Tommy's brow furrows the scowl on his face causing Aiden to squirm.

"They don’t respect me. Why should I respect them?"

Aiden clears his throat. You recognize the look on his face. It is one you have seen since his arrival at the firm. It is the face Aiden makes when he wants to add something, although no one has asked him to.

With each word, Aiden's voice gets lower until it fades out. "Most people argue you lose it when you get accused of murder."

Tommy’s brow arches. A smirk finds his face as he regards Aiden who can't meet his gaze.

"It is about respect, Tommy." Your words bring Tommy's gaze back to you.

Aiden watches silently as Tommy's hands are unshackled.

"I need you to lose the jacket." You motion for him to take it off. "You look like a schoolboy."

"I thought the goal was to make me look like someone I'm not."

"We're not trying to oversell it," you note as he passes the jacket over.

A tiny smile finds his lips as Tommy watches you work on untangling the tie around his neck.

"Never had to wear one of these," he admits. "Not much use for them in my line of work."

"Don't worry about it," your eyes briefly lift from your work to meet his. "I have a lot of practice."

"You make a habit of dressing all your clients? I thought I was special."

"You're not. I have a son. Once you tie a few, you can do them in no time."

Dropping his gaze, Tommy lets out a tiny laugh as he takes in the perfectly done tie. His fingers brush against the tie. His eyes drift to the mirror across the room. He stops to study his reflection.

He hated to admit it, but you were right. If it weren't for the tattoos creeping through the collar of his shirt and the red ink on his hand, a stranger passing on the street wouldn't look twice.

"Uh...thanks." Clearing his throat, Tommy turns away from his reflection. "...for the clothes..."

"Just doing my job."

"I know, but you said it’s important that I look...presentable." He sighs as he meets your gaze. "You’re the first lawyer to tell me that...so I appreciate it."

"You're welcome." The smile on Tommy's face causes you to glance over your shoulder towards Aiden. You watch Aiden nervously brush his hand down the front of his suit. "I’d appreciate it if you ease up on the theatrics just a bit."

The smile on Tommy's face morphs into a grin. The playful glint in his eyes one you've never seen. Paired together, they both could make anyone forget what's he's been charged with.

"Theatrics?"

Your eyes roll as you take in his smile.

"Aiden's never worked a case like this before. He’s wound tight as it is. But he's really smart when he’s not nervous. So please, go easy on him. He's no use to you when he's off his game."

"I'll try," he winks. "But only because you asked."

The buzzing of your phone pulls your attention, causing you to take a step away from Tommy.

The text is from Angel.

Picked up my stuff...can't believe you're making me wear a tie.

Taking Angel to get measured for his tux was a headache in itself. He complained the entire time. He hates dressing up for events at Jeyson's school. Typically, you get so frustrated that you cave and say, "fine, Angel, wear whatever you want."

Not this time.

He wasn't the only one. Each member of the club magically produced a tux after Angel passed along you threatened to have his head if he refused to fit the dress code.

But you'll look so handsome in it.

"I thought you weren't married."

Tommy's observation causes your gaze to lift from your phone.

"I’m not." The response is automatic. Powering it down, you return your phone to your purse.

"Who gave you that? I know it wasn't your babysitter over there. Doesn’t seem like your type."

"I wasn’t aware you knew my type."

You look up to find his eyes are on your neck. It is the same spot that earned Angel a punch in the arm this morning. It stood out clear as day. A fresh hickey. Placed in an impossible spot, so there was no point in trying to cover it. All it did was beg for everyone's attention.

All apart of Angel's intentions.

"I can't help it," Angel had chuckled as he'd avoided a second hit. "I was caught up in the moment. It's what you do to me-"

"Doesn't take a genius to figure it out," Tommy grins as you turn to check the time. "You know what they say, opposites attract. A good girl like you has to like 'em a little rough around the edges."

“Are you done?” Tommy's smile is gone, his eyes rolling.

"You really know how to kill the mood-"

“You're done talking, Tommy. I don't want to hear you say anything once we leave this room." You continue as his jaw tightens. "The only words you know are 'yes, your honor' and 'no, your honor. And please do not roll your eyes.”

“You know it's not my first time in court, right?”

"Trust me, I know," you laugh dryly. “I’ve heard about your courtroom antics.”

"And so has Judge Miller," Aiden steps forward.

“He’s a real stickler for the rules--a complete hardass. He’ll be looking for any reason to make it harder for you. Most people...with your charges...don’t do too well when he’s over the case.” Aiden's eyes pass over to you, a tiny smile forming. “Besides, he doesn’t like female attorneys. In other words, we already got our work cut out for us.”

“Exactly,” you smile as you send Aiden a wink. “So. Let’s not give him any leeway."

Angel's focus is off. All he can think about is how in twenty-four hours, he's going to be alone with you.

He's currently trying to figure out if the butterflies in his stomach are the good kind. Or if he's starting to psych himself out. Taking the time to process his emotions is Angel's least favorite thing in the world.

Maybe that's why he never does it. The one morning his brain entertains the idea, he's with the rest of the M.C.

They are seated at the table, summoned for a meeting with a charter from Nevada.

The head of the Horsemen is an old buddy of Bishop. The two served together. Bishop has been preparing for the club's arrival for the past week.

“That's some heavy shit.”

"Yeah," Santana sighs, regaining Angel's attention. “He’s brought a lot of heat our way. That’s why we need your help with this. Help mule until we can get out the eye of the ATF.”

Santana's eyes move over the table. The confused looks from the remaining Mayans, informing him that Bishop hasn't shared the news with them all. He removes the pack of cigarettes from his pocket, releasing a breath.

"He's a smart kid," he acknowledges, lighting the cigarette between his lips. "But, sometimes he makes dumb ass mistakes."

"No judgment," Bishop chuckles. "We got a few of those here."

"Yeah, well," Santana's smile fades. Shaking his head, he glances at Bishop. "This mistake lost us our last shipment. He was in your back yard, when it down, and landed himself in Stockton."

"Can they tie it back to you?"

"Alone? No, but..." Santana's words trail off as he and his VP share an uneasy look.

"There was...a casualty." He proceeds, choosing his words carefully, as he massages his temple. "Word is there was a witness. It doesn’t look like she’s backing down."

"Shit," Bishop sighs.

"Yeah." Santana shrugs, ready to leave the topic of conversation. "The kid’s got his prelim today, so we'll know more later."

Bishop nods before releasing a deep breath. "Just know we're praying for Flores."

Angel glances up from the lighter in his hands. A part of him tells Angel to forget it. There is no such thing as coincidences. Besides, Flores is a pretty common name. The only Flores that Angel knows he hasn't seen in years.

But, if Angel has learned one thing from you, he should always trust his gut feeling.

Clearing his throat, he briefly meets Bishop's gaze before looking towards Santana. “Tommy?”

“Yeah. You know Tommy?”

Bishop’s brow arches as Angel’s jaw tightens. The action happens so quickly he’s not initially sure he saw it. It's gone as by the time he gets a second glance.

Shaking his head, Angel directs his attention towards the lighter he's rotating against the tabletop.

“Not personally,” Angel responds. “Read about it in the paper this morning. Didn't realize it was the same case.”

"Yeah, we heard he's got a pretty good attorney," Santana sighs, his head shakes. "Costing the club a pretty penny, but word on the street is Lorente's firm has got the best around."

Ezekiel Reyes is two shovels from passing out.

Breaking dirt in the middle of the afternoon, beneath the Mexico sun, is not a good idea. Explaining away his current situation will be difficult if someone passes. If the knots in his stomach don't kill him soon, the heat will.

To his defense, Angel didn't provide Ez with much.

The moment the meeting adjourned, his older brother stopped at the bar. The level of his voice, and the calm expression on his face, did not draw any attention. Angel had accepted the beer before lowering his voice.

"I need you to help me with something. Get the truck."

An explanation of that "something" never came out.

Instead, Ez found himself south of the border in the passenger seat. A silent but anxious Angel, flying well over the speed limit.

That was nearly three hours ago.

Now Ez's not sure where he is. A glance at his brother makes Ez question if Angel knows where they are.

He is drenched in sweat, standing in a hole that almost transcends his chest. His eyes are on Angel, who hasn't taken a break from shoveling from the moment his shovel broke ground.

"Look, man," Ez drinks the last of his water. "I don't know if this is the right spot--"

"It's the right fucking spot," Angel reassures him. "Trust me. I couldn't forget it if I wanted to."

Ez's gaze lingers on Angel for a moment before he lightly shakes his head.

"Okay."

Discarding his bottle, he picks back up with helping clear the hole. Nearly another thirty minutes pass before he's ready to drag Angel out the hole.

"What the fuck are we even looking for-"

The sound of Angel's shovel connecting with a solid surface cuts Ez off.

"Told you it was here."

Once they clear away more dirt, Ez learns that it is a black footlocker trunk.

The trunk looks the same as it did the night Angel and Tommy hauled it from the back of his truck. Almost the same. The only deviation is the lock. The key to the lock has been at the end of Angel's keyring from the night he last used it. The silver lock, meant to be attached to the trunk's latch, is missing. Hastily broken off and discarded.

The moment the lid lifts Ez doubles over. The odor that escapes is indescribable but also identifiable. It only comes from one thing. He's throwing up before he can stop it.

Angel must have more experience with the matter at hand, or his body is too wired to register the smell of the body--or at least what's left of it--that rests inside. Because when Ez manages to catch a breath, Angel is already on his knees, leaning into the trunk. The trunk is only so big. Between the body and the black trash bags, there isn't much room left.

Just enough room for a silver lockbox.

Angel opens it, the Beretta that had been left inside is missing. In its place is the ripped-off corner of a slip of paper. The hastily scrawled note reads one simple phrase.

Always get insurance.

Ez steadies himself against the wall of dirt behind him, his throat stinging as he talks through dry coughs.

"Angel, what the fuck did you do?"

Ez's question hangs in the air, left unanswered, as Angel closes the trunk. The tightness of his chest lowers Angel's head down to rest against the trunk's lid. He stays that way for a moment, the racing of his mind making it impossible for him to think of what to do next.

His fingers shift the latches, hastily pressing them back into place before he's pushing himself.

"Help me get this to the truck."

Ignoring your phone calls is the last thing Angel does. In fact, in your relationship, it has been the number one indicator that he's fucked up. When he's slipped up, the first sign is his fear of answering the phone. Primarily because he knows he'll tell on himself the second you ask him what's wrong.

This is why he groans, "shit" when he feels his phone vibrate in his pocket. He doesn't bother checking the caller I.D. He knows it's you. Judging by the time, you've just gotten the call from Gilman sharing that Jeyson was never picked up from school. Hard for that to happen when his father is miles away.

Angel sends your call to voicemail.

Shoving his phone into his pocket, he winces as an all-familiar ding, signaling a left message, fills the air.

Ignoring the need to check it, he motions for Ez to grab the other end of the trunk.

Ez's brow furrows as he glances up at the sky. "What time is it?"

"I don't know." Lugging his side of the trunk off the ground, Angel releases a huff once Ez doesn't move to help. "Help me get this is in the truck-"

"We’re not gonna make it stateside in time for Jeyson's-"

A loud thud drowns out the remainder of Ez's revelation as Angel releases his grip on the trunk.

Running his hand over his face, Angel gives his younger brother a look that freezes him in place.

"What is it that makes you feel like you have to prove how fucking smart you are, all the damn time, Ezekiel?” His question is met with silence as Ez's gaze falls back to the trunk. “I knew that the second we got in the fucking truck. But I'm not going back until this is done--I can’t. So either you’re going to help me or you can go home."

Angel doesn’t wait for a response. He picks up his end of the trunk, bumping Ez with his shoulder as he drags it through the dirt. After nearly two minutes of trying to lift it out of the hole himself, and failing, Angel releases a scream of frustration.

Ez watches as his brother takes a seat on the trunk.

Lowering his face into his hands, Angel tries to sift through the thoughts racing in his mind. But every idea seems more ludicrous than the last.

"Where are we taking it?"

"You’re the genius.” Angel lets out a deep breath before glancing over at his brother. “I'm really hoping you've got one of your bright ideas.”

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[smeraldos]

Love by Daylight (1/2)

➸ characters: Seokjin x Reader

➸ genres: Sailor Moon!AU, fluff, sort of e2l

➸ tags: sly friends, petty enemies/secret crushes, running away from the mortifying ordeal of being known

➸ words: 2K+

➸ summary: The day you find out who your suave partner in saving the world is, you're absolutely, positively, without a doubt sure you'll be over the moon. You'll be so happy you'll think you're dreaming. Turns out you're right. You do think you're dreaming. Because this? This can't be real. You're being pranked. Someone, somewhere, is going to jump out and say you're on Candid Camera. (Please.)

>> PART 2

When the lights fade and the facades fall, this is what you’re left with: Tuxedo Mask without a mask, you without your moonlit glamor. Tux the civilian is handsome, you can tell, and this is it—the moment you’ve been waiting for.

He lifts his face.

The youma's words come rushing back: Let the truth be known, the city’s deepest secrets shown.

Tuxedo Mask is none other than Kim Seokjin.

Suddenly, you’re reminded of a crystalline city; people bowing before you; Seokjin taking your hand, your matching rings gleaming in the light. Was it a memory or a dream?

You stand there, dumbfounded, until Tux/Seokjin dons his mask and brushes past. “Come on, Sailor Moon,” he says, sensible enough to use your alias. “The coast is clear. We’ve got a fight to finish.”

☾

“Why does it have to be Seokjin?" You whine, collapsing into bed and disturbing your sleeping cat. (In your defense, he was on your pillow. Which you’ve told him numerous times not to lay down on because his fur would shed.) Luckily, Agust is acquainted with your dramatic side and simply gets up to move.

“Well, why do you have to be Sailor Moon?” He points out. “It could have been someone less bothersome.”

“Hey,” you retaliate. “You’re the one who came to me. You could have given anyone the Lunar Key.”

“I didn't have a choice.”

“What do you mean you didn’t? You could have walked away and picked someone better, just like that.”

He scoffs. “Not when it’s the Queen.”

“Queen-schmeen." You flop back onto your bed, the springs creaking in protest. "I bet Her Royal Highness is on her throne right now, all nice and comfy. She couldn't care less."

Agust doesn't reply.

At first, you think it's because you've won and nothing else can be said, but when the silence stretches on, you know something is off. You sit up to see Agust no longer curled into himself, but sitting. He stares out your window into the night, his normally keen eyes empty. "She's dead."

Judging by his somber tone, she'd meant a lot to him. "I'm sorry," you whisper.

Agust sighs. "No need to apologize, kid. She was your mother, after all."

"My mother?"

"Not now," he amends. "But she was a long time ago, when you were the princess of the moon and Seokjin the prince of the earth.”

☾

The next morning, you head to school on time.

Your mom—present day mom—was surprised to see you up early, and Jeongguk called you out like the bratty brother he was (wow, no morning run today?), but the truth was you couldn’t sleep.

Last night, Agust recounted your past, how the dark eclipsed the moon. Although the queen tried her best to protect the kingdom, it was to no avail. Seokjin died in the fray, and you fell shortly after, helpless to save your beloved. In the end, the queen sacrificed herself to give you and Seokjin another chance at love, her people another chance at happiness.

A chance to rebuild the Silver Millennium.

The thing was, you didn’t know if that was what you wanted. Not that you’d want the Dark Kingdom to reign, but you weren’t sure whether you wanted to rule in your mother’s stead. Or marry Seokjin. Past you might have wanted to, but the you now could barely stand him. And neither could he. Or so you thought. You’d gotten along just fine with Tuxedo Mask, even grown a crush, but that wasn’t enough to warrant a marriage.

“Hello? Veen to Selene*?” Someone nudges your shoulder, and with a start, you notice Mina looking at you in concern.

“Sorry, what did you say?”

“Nothing yet, but it looks like you’ve got something on your mind. What’s up?”

You’re about to tell her when you see Seokjin approaching, his uniform blazer neatly pressed.

“Morning, ______,” Seokjin says. “Mina.”

“Morning,” you reply, ready for whatever biting remark he’d say next. But once Namjoon comes up, he leaves. That's it.

Even Mina, who hardly sees the two of you interact, notices. "That's the first time I've seen you guys polite. It's weird. What happened?"

After a discreet look around, you grab her by the elbow. “He's Tux,” you hiss, but Mina doesn’t look the least bit shocked. Her face breaks out into a giddy grin, like a child who’s finally tall enough to get on the big kid ride.

“You knew?” You ask, a little hurt she didn’t tell you.

She pouts, squishing your cheeks together. “Don’t be mad. You don't know how hard it was to keep it a secret.”

◑

You don't blame Mina, for the most part. It would have been better if you hadn’t known who Tuxedo Mask was, and vice versa. You felt like Cinderella running away from the ball, her beautiful dress giving way to rags and ratty shoes. If the prince caught up to her then, she’d probably be humiliated.

Just like you are now.

Tuxedo Mask has seen you at your most embarrassing moments, fighting to have the last word (or milkshake) as Seokjin, and also at your best, saving civilians with grace. You've only wanted him to see the best of you, for him to think of you as the perfect wonder-girl heroine everyone else saw you as, but he's seen almost every side. You don't know what he sees in you now, if anything. And frankly, you don't want to know.

"Have you ever thought that maybe he's thinking what you're thinking?" Mina asks. "You've seen all the good and bad in him, too."

"But it's different when he doesn't have a crush on Sailor Moon!" You say, exasperated.

"Oh, I wouldn’t be sure about that if I were you."

Seokjin thinking of your alter ego that way is embarrassing, but considering he's also Tuxedo Mask...now your face is red, you can feel it. Red as roses in bloom. "You're joking, right?"

"Why don't you wait and see," Mina replies, as cryptically as when she was Sailor V and you hadn't known any better. Having sympathy for you, she gives you a warm smile. "Don't stress out too much, Moon. You're amazing either way. Just talk to him."

◑

You think there's some reconnaissance to sort out first. When you walked into Crown Arcade and saw Seokjin talking to Jimin pretty intently, you didn’t want to interrupt...okay, who were you kidding? You chickened out.

But Jimin is his best friend, so he'll know how Seokjin feels the most, right? It's the next best alternative to actually speaking to Seokjin, which, well, you aren't ready for. Case in point: you've done the impossible and made yourself scarce. You aren’t about to break your streak now.

So the instant Seokjin leaves, you walk up to the counter. Jimin looks up from sprinkling a milkshake. "Hey. The usual?"

"Yeah, just double on the chocolate."

"You got it," he says, passing the drinks he finished making to a server. You watch him blend milk into ice cream, then reach over for a new cup to pour the mixture into later. It's all done with practiced ease, and you marvel at how quick he is, not to mention how beautiful the finished milkshake looks after. The chocolate is perfect, the whipped cream a cloud of snow drizzled with dark syrup.

Jimin slides it over with a grin. "Mademoiselle."

"Why, thank you," you say, digging in with gusto. This is exactly what "stressed is desserts spelled backwards," meant: Jimin's milkshakes never fail to kick your worries down a notch.

"Good?" He asks.

"Mhm," you mumble, more to your milkshake than to him, when the thought that you haven't paid yet crosses your mind. Oh gosh. You pull your purse onto your lap, but Jimin chuckles, stopping you.

"I've got it covered. Besides, I heard you weren't yourself lately."

"Really?"

He shrugs. "From the way you're devouring that, it's kind of hard to believe…"

You take an extra large mouthful to prove his point.

"But you only lay on the chocolate when you're bummed," he finishes, and you’d protest if you hadn’t made it a habit to drown your sorrows in his milkshakes. They were just too good to resist. Not to mention Jimin is a great listener. Your girls, although you love them, aren't always the best. You'd catch the moment they crossed over from attentive to "Is she done yet?" but with Jimin, you've never had that issue. Turns out you have a different one.

"I hate how perceptive you are."

He laughs. "You're just predictable."

"You know what? You can take back your milkshake and go back to work," you say in a fit of grumpiness, pushing the glass back to him.

"Are you sure you want me to do that?"

You meet him eye to eye. After a minute—a long, impressive minute might you add—you take it back. "Fine. What do you want to hear?"

"Anything you want to tell me. And if it's something you can't share, please tell someone you can. It's not great to keep things bottled up, trust me."

You sigh.

"Here's the deal," you begin, feeling a little weird telling your old crush about your new one, but marching through nevertheless, "I met someone on...online. He's nice and funny and understands me even though he's different. I just click with him, and eventually, I want to tell him I like him. The thing is, I don't really know who he is. We've been chatting on Discord and his profile picture is Tuxedo Mask, but he can't be Tuxedo Mask. Or maybe he is, who knows?"

Jimin laughs. If only he knew.

"Anywho," you continue, "I meet him and find out he's someone I actually know...but he's a pest. He always gets on my nerves and it's like he's a completely different person! I don't even know how that's possible, but apparently it is and it's just so frustrating."

Jimin doesn't speak for a while, which is fine by you. You take the time to jam spoonfuls of chocolate and cream into your mouth.

"You know," he finally says, amused, "that sounds a little like the plot to You've Got Mail."

"That isn't funny.” You huff. “Joe Fox was a jerk and I don't know why they played him off as charming."

"Isn't that what you think of the guy?"

"I never said he was a jerk."

"But you said he was a pest."

"That isn't the s—" You pull at your hair. "Ugh. I don't know anymore."

"Did you talk to him?"

"And what? Spill my complicated feelings?"

"No, just talk to him. You don't have to confess right now. Just air out the laundry and see where you guys are at. Chances are, if you're confused, then he's confused, too, and there's no way either of you can get out of it without talking to each other."

"I can't talk to him, Jimin. I avoided him for three weeks! He's going to hate me."

"He isn't," Jimin says firmly, and you wish you could have the same conviction. "Sure, he'll be upset, but if he's really someone who cares, he'll listen. Look, during that time you avoided him, did he try to reach out?"

"Well, I told him I didn't want to talk and he stopped asking."

"So he'll listen. If it turns out he hates you, give him a piece of your mind and I'll give you triple chocolate milkshakes on the house."

When he puts it like that, talking to Seokjin doesn't seem as dreadful. "You're not just saying that?"

"Have I ever said something I didn't mean?"

You get your answer when someone comes trudging in, holding up a bag from your go-to fast food joint. "Jimin! You better be grateful I drove all the way downtown to get you these burgers. Since when did you like ______'s favorite, anyways?"

"Since now," your traitor of a friend says. You glare at him, which he conveniently ignores.

"You're the best," he tells a surprised Seokjin, leaving with a pat on his shoulder. "Enjoy your meal!"

>> NEXT

...

note:

*Venus to Selene, like "Earth to [insert name]?" but replace Earth with Venus and [name] with Selene, Greek goddess of the moon

[coldwind-shiningstars]

ok ok prompts!!! so, I would be Delighted by some more qinxiyao family fic (deleted scenes or things you might have wanted to include in the big bang fic but didn't get to?), or, alternately, anything in the modern tcgf au? anything at all; they're all so excellent <3

both of these are such excellent prompts I started working on both of them, but the modern au got finished first! I’ll probably both a) do a lot of edits on this and b) do the qinxiyao family fic in a week or so, but here this is for now. Also, for those not in James and my brains, this is a very small part of a very large AU! Small note, all characters appearing in this fic are trans; however, He Xuan is still very much an egg and so they are referred to throughout the fic as “he/him,” although SQX at least is aware of this and wondering when to bring it up with her. She is, however, unaware that “Ming Yi” is a stolen identity and He Xuan is actually the eco-terrorist who’s been blowing up her brother’s fish hatcheries. It’s a long story. 

If Xie Lian was being honest, he didn't much like the internet. It was so bright and everything moved too fast. People used a bewildering array of slang and images. It was surprisingly difficult to avoid spending hours reading upsetting news stories. People spent days arguing about pornography. 

Also, his phone didn't really connect to WiFi very well. Even by the loosest definitions of the word, he hardly counted as a netizen.

People were usually shocked when he told them this, though, because Xie Lian's best friend was one of China's most popular beauty influencers.

Xie Lian's face appeared on her Weibo with some regularity. She talked about him often. He'd gone viral three separate times on Douyin, entirely accidentally. 

What Shi Qingxuan was most famous for, however, was makeup tutorials. He had never actually appeared in one of these, but, since there were very few people in the world capable of saying no to a very determined Shi Qingxuan, this was about to change. He was used to being in her charmingly decorated little apartment but not quite used to becoming a decorated thing himself. He'd even put on one of the outfits Hua Cheng had designed and sewn for him, based on some of his old dance costumes and a few frantic weeks of historical research, and kept swishing the skirts around his legs.

Shi Qingxuan started setting up, chattering away to Xie Lian as she did. "You need anything before we start? Bathroom, water, a snack? I edit my videos pretty heavily, so we can always take a break, but it’s good to be comfy." 

"No, I'm fine," Xie Lian said, and then had to close his eyes when she clicked on the ring light.

He fiddled with the makeup compacts laid out on the table.

Shi Qingxuan adjusted her light, scootched Xie Lian’s chair a little to the left and a little back, and then fiddled with the camera. It was quite the involved operation, Xie Lian thought; he knew a lot went into making videos, but he hadn’t realized it took this much effort before the camera was even on. Shi Qingxuan had done his makeup before, of course, but mostly just for fun, or something she could take a picture of and post on Weibo. It had been so long since he'd been filmed.

He watched Shi Qingxuan press record on her camera and then sit back and flash it a smile, putting on her Influencer Face. She squeezed his hand under the table.

“Hi everyone, welcome to Feng Shi!” she said, chirpy. “I’m Shi Qingxuan, and today we’re doing xianxia makeup with my good friend, Xie Lian. Now, for this look, we’re going to need…”

When Xie Lian was little, the makeup artists for his dance troupe had known he took about twice as long as anyone else did to get his makeup done. He was the darling of the company, though, so this was tolerated with fondness.

He didn't like the way the foundation felt on his face when it dried. His eyes watered when they put on eyeliner. He liked to spin his chair from side to side. 

He'd had much worse things on his face than paint since then, and had learned how to be still.

Shi Qingxuan patted his hand cheerfully as she pulled out the setting powder. 

"You're always one of my favorite models," she said. "You're so photogenic and so patient!"

"Thank you," Xie Lian said, and held still while she brushed it in his face.

Ruoye, probably noticing the warmth, slithered out of Xie Lian's robes and curled up on top of his head so she could get the full blast of heat from the ring light. She flickered out her tongue to scent Shi Qingxuan when she leaned in with a liquid eyeliner pen.

Shi Qingxuan made little kissy sounds at her, which only confirmed Xie Lian's certainty that he had good taste in friends. Most people were startled by Ruoye originally, but how they responded to her after Xie Lian introduced them was a good litmus test.

Ruoye settled in, and Xie Lian reached up a finger to stroke her scales. 

He was feeling good, content and warm, happy to sit still. Then the apartment door clicked open, and Xie Lian stiffened.

"Ming-xiong? Is that you?" Shi Qingxuan called.

Ming Yi mumbled something back and shuffled into the room, buried deep in his black hoodie. As always, Xie Lian's first thought upon seeing him was wondering how he could see through all that hair.

The hoodie had a fish skeleton painted on it that he recognized instantly as one of Hua Cheng's drawings; it made Xie Lian smile, thinking of how insistent San Lang was that they absolutely weren't friends, no way, there was no particular reason he would make custom hoodies for Ming Yi. The fish were a coincidence. He’d even made Ming Yi custom salmon breakup boots while proclaiming it meant nothing. 

Xie Lian, wearing an elaborate hanfu Hua Cheng had designed, sewn, and embroidered himself, even making him a period-appropriate duduo to flatten his chest, absolutely did not buy any of these excuses. Hua Cheng covered people he cared about with his art. 

Ming Yi grunted a greeting and wandered off, probably to raid the fridge. Shi Qingxuan winked at Xie Lian.

“I’ll edit most of this out,” she said, conspiratorial, “But my viewers love Ming-xiong. Especially when he’s out of focus in the background. They’ve made memes. I haven’t told them anything about him. It’s good to keep a little mystery! It keeps people watching.”

Xie Lian, having no real idea what she was talking about, smiled and suppressed his instinct to nod. Shi Qingxuan began painting a flower on his forehead with red pigment.

Finally, Shi Qingxuan gently removed Ruoye from Xie Lian’s head and shoulders and settled a wig cap over his hair, then the wig she’d pre-prepared. A few bobby pins, a few tucks, and then she stepped back, grinning.

“Ta-dah! How do you like it, taizi dianxia?”

“It’s beautiful,” Xie Lian said, honestly.

“We’ll end the video here, I think,” she said, “But I’ll get some posed photos of you to edit in here if that’s alright. Oh, tilt your head back and forth a little? Good. Smile at the camera!”

Shi Qingxuan fluttered her fingers at the camera in a wave; Xie Lian waved too, a few seconds later. As she leaned forward to click off the camera he straightened his legs out to try and loosen them up. His knees made terrible crunching sounds as they stretched. 

“You can take a little break if you want,” Shi Qingxuan said. “I’ll set up the area where we’ll take photos, but I’ll try to make it quick. You’re a darling for sitting through all this, you know?"

She was already bustling around again. She seemed to have an endless fountain of energy; Xie Lian found it admirable. He laid flat on his back on her bed, careful to not get makeup on her sheets or wrinkle his clothes. Ming Yi sat next to him, eating shrimp chips. He put a few directly into Xie Lian's mouth, feeding him like a little bird, and Xie Lian felt warm. Like Hua Cheng, it could be hard to know when Ming Yi liked you, but there were ways to tell.

He let Shi Qingxuan pose him until she was satisfied with the numbers of pictures she’d taken, trying very hard not to feel like the chuunibyou teenager he’d once been. He felt himself mostly immune to embarrassment at this point, but he supposed there were always exceptions.

Eventually, they cleaned up, although Xie Lian had promised Hua Cheng to show off the full look, so he didn’t get changed or clean his face. 

“I’ll buy dinner,” Shi Qingxuan said. “We deserve it. You too, Ming-xiong!”

She herded them both out of the apartment and down the street to a small noodles stall. They all ordered (in He Xuan’s case, three bowls) and Xie Lian was fumbling for his phone when he heard Shi Qingxuan cheerfully tell the clerk to put it all on the same ticket. She tapped her phone to pay for it all before Xie Lian could protest.

A few people asked Xie Lian for pictures as they ate. He posed obligingly, hoping he hadn't spilled any sauce on his clothes while eating. When he was done, he packed up his leftovers, let Shi Qingxuan nag him into calling a Didi instead of trying to walk home, and bid both her and Ming Yi farewell. Ruoye, who had spent most of the time they were eating in Xie Lian's backpack, made a brief appearance too like she wanted to say goodbye as well.

Xie Lian clicked his own apartment door closed quietly and tiptoed over to slide his leftovers into the refrigerator. Down the hall, a light shone out from underneath Hua Cheng's studio door.

There was an old picture of the two of them on the fridge; it was them in a hospital pediatric ward group room. Xie Lian, age fifteen, was beaming at the camera, his "FIGHT! JUVENILE SLE" shirt a bright red and his pants an immaculate white. Next to him, Hua Cheng, his right eye patched with patterned tape, bald and tiny, stared up at him with devotion. 

Ruoye bonked her head gently on the freezer door. Xie Lian pulled out one of her mice and slid her gently into her tank before giving her the treat; she was swallowing the mouse as he left the kitchen.

Hua Cheng turned to him as Xie Lian opened the door to his studio. His eye got wide, and his face looked like it did sometimes when he looked at Xie Lian, like he was seeing something holy. He slid his headphones off his ears.

Xie Lian did a little twirl for him, letting him see the way the fabric moved, and then tilted his face up for a kiss when Hua Cheng came over to him.

“Gege, you look beautiful,” he said.

“San Lang,” said Xie Lian. “It’s all you and Qingxuan. I’ll get her to send you the pictures later.”

Hua Cheng kissed the top of his head. He was dressed down, in a soft shirt and pants, not wearing his prosthetic eye. Xie Lian leaned his head into Hua Cheng’s chest.

“Gege seems tired,” Hua Cheng said. “Would you like to get ready for bed? Do you need dinner or your medicine? I can help you take all that off.”

“San Lang, you’re working,” Xie Lian said. “I already ate, so I think I’d like to sleep. But you don’t have to help.”

"Gege is more important than commissions," Hua Cheng said, and Xie Lian let him bundle him off to bed.

post about prompts! 

[deepwaterministries]

Esther 1

- the king was named Ahasuerus, who reigned from India to Ethiopia, 127 provinces.

- he reigned Persia, which, as the silver shoulders in King Nebuchadnezzar's dream, was on of the most powerful kingdoms in the world. Thus, it is safe to say King Ahasuerus was one of the most wealthy, powerful people in the world. His word was law. Here is a picture of the room he hosted the parties in:

- Vashti was throwing a party for all when julwomen of the palace.

- he summoned Vashti to show off, and she refused to come, so he was mad. I don't think the two of them had a very healthy relationship.

- his next actions were at least partially to save face, a) so women would still respect and subject to their husbands, and b) prevent strife, because if the king didn't have authority, who did?

- so the king agreed to the words of his advisors, and an irrevocable decree was issued, the queen banished, so every man was the leader of his household and could keep his family according to the ways of his people.

Esther 2

- even though the action was backed with fact, a better action could have been taken, had the king not acted in anger. He went over the events in his mind in a regretful way.

- apparently, the king had a lot of wives and concubines, and Vashti had been feasting with them. Those were her friends.

- it seems the king and queen didn't have a very good relationship. So Vashti's actions are explainable if not justifiable. (Lack of respect for a) another person, b) her husband, and c) authority)

- the advisors told him to gather young, virgin maidens and have them beautified by Hegai, then whichever he liked best, he could make her queen.

- Moderdecai and Esther were Benjamites. I just think that's cool.

- Esther impressed Hegai with her kindness. He gave her 7 attendants and the best part of the house.

- she didn't tell them her people, on request of Mordecai.

- Mordecai visited her daily, to check on her. He was an excellent adoptive faster, and we can see it even more so later on.

- after a year of beauty treatments, each women got a turn to come before the king. She was given whatever she wished and sent to the king for a single night. The next morning, she was taken to the king's harem , to live with his other concubines. She would never see him again unless the king remembered her name. And the fact that Esther's was the only name the king remembered speaks about this horrible practice.

- when it was Esther's turn, she took nothing but what Hegai recommended, and everyone who saw her liked her.

- the king, along with everyone else, loved her. He remembered her name. Out of the hundreds of beautiful women, he remembered Esther. This was no accident, not a coincidence that a godly woman found favor with the king, becoming queen. God put Esther Into the place she needed to be to help His people.

- Esther loved and respected Mordecai, and rightfully so.

- Mordecai ended up being by the king's gate a lot. He was probably known pretty well by the palace inhabitance.

- because of Mordecai's hanging out around the palace, he overheard Bigthan and Teresh plotting to kill the king.

- he tells Esther, who tells the king, and tells him a little about Mordecai (not too much, just his name)

- so the king's life is saved and Mordecai's name is recorded in the king's files. All because Esther had become queen. "That was no accident either," ~Master Oogway

Esther 3

- later, Ahasuerus promoted Haman above all the princes and of the king's servants were made to bow down to him. Mordecai didn't. The king's servants asked Mordecai why he wouldn't bow, and told him daily that he was supposed to. They talked to Haman to see if he would let Mordecai get away with it, since they knew he was a Jew.

- Haman was furious at Mordecai, and wanted to lay hands on (fight) him, but decided that him alone wasn't enough. Haman decided to take revenge on and destroy all Jews under Ahasuerus' kingdoms.

- in the first month of the year, Haman cast lots and decided when to destroy the Jews. He settled on the 12th month.

- he then told the king that a certain people were living in his lands that didn't follow the king's laws and kept to themselves, saying that it wouldn't profit the king to let them live. Just because he didn't like a single person he convinced the king the entire group was evil and needed eradication. He even put a bribe on the Jews heads, that if the king let them be destroyed, Haman would pay 10,000 sacks of silver into the king's treasury. The king didn't take it, he said the money and the people were Haman's to do what he would with.

- and it was sent out to every part of the kingdom. On the 13th day of the 12th month, every single Jew must die, and everything they possessed would be distributed to those who killed them.

Esther 4

- When Mordecai learned about the coming slaughter, he tore his clothes and donned mourning attire; sackcloth and ashes, and wept in the streets. He came up to the palace, but didn't go in, as people in sackcloth couldn't go in.

- ^both to preserve the decadence of the palace and to keep protesters away from the king.

- (also just those in mourning/mourning clothes couldn't go in cuz of the above)

- Esther sent Mordecai new clothes, but he refused them. She sent one of the King's chamberlains to go talk to Mordecai and figure out what was wrong. (Esther wasn't supposed to leave the castle so as to not get mobbed or injured)

- so the chamberlain talked to Mordecai, and Mordecai told him all about Haman's decree, giving him a copy of the decree, with an order to go to the king and plead on behalf of the Jews.

- the chamberlain told these things to Esther, and Esther told him to tell Mordecai that no one, man or woman, can't come into the king's inner court without the king's calling them. The offender would be killed if the king didn't extend his golden scepter to them.

- the king hadn't called Esther in thirty days.

- Mordecai returned with this message, "Don't think that you'll escape this because you're in the palace. If you hold your peace now, mercy for the Jews will come from somewhere else, but you and your line will perish. Who knows? Maybe this is why you were made queen?"

- I want to talk about Mordecai for a minute. Esther communicated clearly her situation, without strings attached, because she had a good relationship with him. He then told her her what was going to happen,, not sugar coating, not trying to damage. He knew that one way she would die and the other she might live and have a chance to help many people. I can logically say that he had prayed about it and learned what to tell her. GOOD COMMUNICATION.

- He also allowed himself to deal with negative emotions; even though he knew the Jews would be saved, he allowed shelf to let out his mourning so he could be clear headed and mentally healthy. Jesus did something similar much later with Lazarus. Even though he knew he could raise him back to life, he was still sad at the death of a close friend, even family. He wept, but then he got up and took care of things. You can't heal until the thing causing the hurt is addressed and delt with.

- Esther asked that the Jews in Shushan fasted for her 3 days, and her maids and she would do the same. "And if I perish, I perish." Mordecai did what she asked. (Sympathy for her difficult task from Mordecai; huge devotion to God and her people from Esther. Being totally willing to die for God's will, showing that even though she might have felt unqualified, she could be a courageous leader.)

Esther 5

- from the way Ahasuerus talks to her,the has grown to respect her. Referring to her as Queen Esther, offering her up to half the kingdom, (and not in a flirty way, I. The way he would offer a trusted court member such a gift. And remember, most court members at this time were male, so for him to respect and trust her this much is amazing.)

- she invited the king and Haman both to a banquet. They attended, and the king asked what her real request is. She said for them both to come to another banquet tomorrow when she'd tell him what she really wanted.

- Haman went away full of joy, but hid mood was spoiled when he saw Mordecai at the gate, not bowing. Even so, he came home, and told his friends and his wife, Zeresh, about all the ways he was rich and how the king had promoted him. He then told them how the queen had invited only him and the king to a private banquet, and how he was invited to another one of the same style tomorrow.

- even Haman with his ego respected Esther. He's not the sort to look up to people, and from the way be speaks about her, he really looks up to her. She must have been doing a great job as Queen to earn the respect of such a self centered man.

- he finishes by saying that all of these things are worth nothing to him as long as he sees Mordecai at the gate.

- the assembled group suggests that he erect a gallows and request the king that Mordecai be hanged on it in the morning, then he could enjoy the banquet later.

- the way they tell him this, nonchalant and certain, tells me that Haman often gets whatever he wants from the king and is a slight power behind the throne.

[xmxisxforxmaybe]

Since you didn't get this request on my bday because Tumblr sucks.. Some cute bday fluff/possible smut with Det Cutie Pants? Please and thank you. 😘

SO BELATED, but I hope it’s worth the wait 😘 Love you, sweetness! And, um, this gets pretty filthy toward the end (aka smut warning). 

Early in your relationship, you learned the flexibility and patience required to be with a police officer, especially one as dedicated as your husband. Special dates like anniversaries, birthdays, and sometimes even holidays became fluid and your family accepted this as your version of normal.  

So, even though Baxter had to work on your actual birthday, a few weeks later, he had planned a special night out to celebrate.

“Have you seen my tie? The dark blue one that goes with this suit?”

You went into your shared closet, running your hand over Baxter’s backside, giving it a squeeze, before you reached for another blue tie, this one with silver polka dots.

“Live on the wild side, baby.”

Bax chuckled and pressed a kiss to your wrist as he pulled the tie from your fingers. He gave your underwear-clad ass a playful smack as you moved away to pull your new, cherry-red dress off the hanger.

The sound of the doorbell made your eyes widen and you glanced in panic at your husband.

“That’s the sitter—”

“I got it,” Bax said as he adjusted his tie and grabbed his jacket. “I’ll wait for you downstairs.”

You rushed into the bathroom to finish getting ready, and once you descended the stairs, you were greeted by a low whistle from your husband and an adorable smattering of applause from your kiddos.

“Mommy you look SO pretty,” your daughter said in a rush of excitement.

After doling out goodnight-be-good kisses and hugs, you slid your arm into Baxter’s and let him lead you to the car. The restaurant was about a forty-five-minute drive, but you were looking forward to spending this quiet time with your husband.  

“You do look SO pretty, mommy,” Baxter said as he reached over to grip your thigh, the edge of his hand brushing the silky material of your dress.

“I miss them already, but …”

“But?”

“I’ve missed you, just you, so much. I feel selfish.”

“There’s nothing wrong with us wanting a night for just us. You give everything to our kids, baby. We’re a happy, loving family because of you. You deserve a night, that’s just about you—whatever you want, whatever you need.”

You sighed and closed your eyes. When you opened them a moment later, you looked at your sweet husband and pushed away your feelings of guilt, resolving to enjoy your birthday celebration.

“We’re a happy, loving family because of you, too. I know you feel guilty when work keeps you away, but we are so proud of you.”

Baxter’s mouth was turned slightly down as he kept his eyes ahead, his hand moving slightly on the wheel as he signaled to switch lanes.

“Everything I do is because I want to make a safer place in the world for my family—is that selfish?”

“It’s not selfish. Making a safer place for us, means making a safer place for everyone else, too.”

Baxter’s lips turned up in a smile as he shot you a glance.  

“I love you.”

“Can’t wait for you to show me how much,” you said twisting in your seat to reach over and run your hand over your husband’s lap, his bulge just too tempting to pass up in his perfectly fitted suit.

“Save the 10-23 for later, baby,” he said as you leaned back into your seat with a huff of laughter.

* *The Restaurant* *

Reaching up to smooth the back of your hair, you could feel Baxter’s eyes on you as you followed the host to your table. You knew your body in that dress was driving him crazy, and you didn’t bother to hide your self-satisfaction, knowing he was going to get just as much out of your birthday as you were.

The restaurant was a softly lit, charming little place tucked out on the edge of the city. The tables were simplistic with no cloth on top, relying instead on the aesthetic appeal of the soft-honey colored, wide-grain wood. A row of tea-light candles flickered in the middle of the table, nestled inside of their golden-hued, geometricly shaped holders.

Baxter was always stunningly handsome, but there was something about the way his skin looked in candlelight that drove you a little wild.

The host pulled out your chair and you sat, Baxter undoing the button of his suit jacket as he settled into his own seat.

You talked and laughed over dinner with that comfortable familiarity that only comes with time. And when you were sure you couldn’t eat one more bite, you leaned back in your chair, dabbing at your mouth with your napkin, declaring, “That was fantastic.”

“I hope you saved room for dessert,” Baxter said, his blue eyes dark and dancing with the reflected light of the candles.  

You bit your lip and leaned toward him, your voice a purr as you said, “You mean we’re having dessert here, in public? How very criminal of you, Detective.”

Your husband’s grin widened as he reached under the table to give your thigh a squeeze, his large, warm hand roving just a bit higher than public decorum allowed, his eyes darting over your shoulder and his smile turning into a crooked grin as he explained, “I meant the chocolate cake they’re bringing out of the kitchen right now.”

“What?” you said dumbly.

“Happy birthday!” your waiter said cheerfully as he set the decadent miniature cake in front of you, tiny sparklers already lit and burning down as your mouth dropped open.

You knew you were blushing as you shook your head, delighted by the sweet surprise.  

Baxter pulled out his phone.

“Happy birthday, baby,” he said softly as he took a few photos of you grinning behind the flickering cake and pretending to blow out the sparklers.

“I actually don’t know if I have room for this,” you said, your eyebrows arched as your eyes warred with your stomach.

“We can take it back to the hotel with us,” Baxter countered, not looking at you as he dropped the second part of your surprise.

“So, that’s it! A night—”

“More importantly a morning—”

“All to ourselves! Bax—that’s the best gift I could ask for.”

Your husband shook his head, his dark hair glinting in the candlelight.

“You deserve so much more than this, Y/N.”

“Don’t,” you said, reaching out to take his cheek in your hand, your thumb brushing across his lips. “You’ve already given me the world.”

He smiled before his tongue darted out, wetting his bottom lip. Then, he picked up the fork on the dessert plate and cut a small piece of the warm, gooey cake. He brought the fork to your lips and smiled, “One bite?”

You made a show of opening your mouth and wrapping your lips around the fork, never breaking eye contact as Baxter fed you a bite.

“You’re going to taste so sweet for me,” he rumbled, not at all talking about that bite of cake.

You shifted in your chair, praying the check was on its way.

* *The Hotel* *

One high heel had been discarded by the door, its mate upside-down in the bathroom.

A man’s dress shoe was at the edge of the bed, but its mate was nowhere to be seen.

A dress, much too expensive to be crumpled on the floor, was mixed up with a man’s dress shirt, now missing a button, and a suit jacket was dangling precariously on the edge of a king-sized bed.

The only piece of clothing that survived your frenzied rush to undress was Baxter’s pants, which were draped over the chair closest to the bed.  

Baxter was already fucking you from behind, your head dangerously close to banging off the headboard, which was thumping rhythmically into the wall as you fought against outright screaming with pleasure.

“Fuck, baby, fuck!” he groaned.

The phone rang and you growled in frustration, grabbing it and yanking it out of the wall, tossing it across the room, not caring as it hit the sofa and bounced.

Baxter’s pace stuttered and you turned to scowl at him, but your shoulders started shaking with laughter as you realized it was because he was laughing, his hands relaxing on your hips.

He bent his body over yours, hugging you tightly as he pressed a kiss between your shoulder blades.

“If it were the kids, they’d call our cellphones!” you protested.

Baxter’s silent laughter stilled as he said, “Have I neglected you this badly these past few months?”

“I was just really in the moment,” you said, pulling forward to flop onto your back and look at your husband’s glistening cock.

“Well where were we then, huh?” he said as his hips settled between yours and his lips kissed your neck.

As he worked his way up, he slowly shifted and slid back into you. You wrapped your legs around him and the two of you writhed together, slow and teasing.

“Baby—I need more,” you said from beneath him, lifting your head to bite gently at his shoulder, your mind unwilling to forget how good it felt to have him pounding into you from behind.

Baxter’s hands squeezed your breasts, his fingers kneading into the flesh as he pressed them together so he could suck hard on each nipple before releasing them with a pop and a bounce.

He pulled out of you and immediately replaced his cock with his fingers, making you gasp.

“Such a needy birthday girl,” he said as he slid in and out of you, curling up to stroke your sweet spot.

You clutched at the pillows around you, the crisp white sheets having long been loosened and twisted.

“Look how swollen you are,” he continued. “So desperate to come. On my fingers? On my cock? My face? Tell me what you want, birthday girl?”

A garbled noise of pleasure fought its way out of your throat.

You ground down onto his fingers, your body flushing as your climax neared.

“I want to come on your pretty face,” you hissed.

Baxter smirked and slowed his fingers as he dipped his head between your thighs, his tongue immediately laving at your clit, flicking quickly over it for a few seconds before he closed his lips around it.

You twisted into him, one hand grabbing at his hair and pulling hard enough to make him groan around you.

And with the vibration from his groan, you pressed his face harder into you as he sucked and you came, your thighs tightening on either side of his cheeks as he let you fuck his face while his cock leaked onto the sheets at your panted curses.

Your hand fell from his hair as you sunk back into the mattress, but you let out a tiny yelp of surprise as you were immediately jostled to the edge of the bed. Bax lifted one of your legs over his shoulder and pushed your other leg toward the bed, hooking your knee. His fingers dug into the flesh there to hold you wide open for him.

“Not done yet, baby,” Baxter growled as slammed back into you, your body trembling into another plane of existence as he filled your too-tight, too-hot, so wet pussy.

He moaned, long and low, and his eyes rolled back as his moth opened.

He didn’t move again until he bent to look at you, his beautiful, big blue eyes locking onto yours as he leaned forward, his hand coming to rest at the base of your throat.

“How hard do you want it?” he asked with a tender squeeze of your throat and a tiny thrust of his hips.

“Hard,” you growled.

Baxter pushed into you once, twice, teasingly slow before he shot you the wickedest grin you’d ever seen.

And then he started fucking you without mercy as his body glistened with a light sheen of sweat. He was in fantastic shape, but he had to work so hard to hold off his orgasm you could practically see the battle raging across his features. It made you feel powerful and damn sexy to know that you were the reason he wanted to lose control, the reason he had to fight so hard not to come.

He leaned even further into you, your leg now flush against his sweaty body as he held it wrapped up in both arms as he slammed into you, the sound of rough sex acting as a musical accompaniment to the chorus of moans uttered by you and by Baxter.

Your second climax was sofuckingclose and Baxter could tell by the flush that began to color your cheeks and by the way you tossed your head back, your throat bared, your hands yanking at the sheets, the pillows, whatever the hell you could reach. You could feel your own fluid leaking out of you, around his dick as your orgasm built to its breaking point.

“Come, baby, come for me. Come on my cock,” Baxter intoned.

This orgasm came from a place deep inside of your body, and you were certain that if you hadn’t already thrown the hotel phone across the room, it would be ringing off the hook as you screamed through this unbelievable wave of pleasure.

You were barely even cognizant of Baxter pulling out of you and stroking his cock as he came all over your chest and your stomach; the sound of his gruff voice moaning, distant as he let himself go.

When the bed bounced as he collapsed next to you, you shook off the high of your orgasm and turned your head to look at him, a stupid-silly grin on your face. You made a noise of unabashed delight as you shivered and ran a finger through one of the cooling ropes of his cum.

Baxter was the perfect picture of debauchery, his mouth open as he steadied his breathing, his dark curls a mess with the hair at his temples sweaty and even more wildly curled as he reached up to run a hand through his hair and to swipe at the tears that had gathered at the edge of his eyes.

“Holy shit,” he murmured.

“Yeah,” you said, wide-eyed as your brain tried to remember when the two of you had fucked this good.

With a hum of satisfaction, Baxter forced himself up and off the bed, quickly returning from the bathroom with a damp hand towel.

He put one knee on the bed as he leaned over you to clean up his mess, laughing softly as he said, “Whoops,” and swiped at a dob of cum near your ear.

You giggled and stretched, your body still feeling weightless and well-loved.

Baxter tossed the towel toward the bathroom and leaned down to take your jaw in his strong grip. He kissed you with such genuine affection, it made your heart swell.

His lips hovered over yours as he quietly said, “Happy birthday, sweetheart.”

“I’ll fucking say,” you replied, the two of you collapsing into a fit of laughter as you cuddled together, naked and warm, wrapped up in the miles of memories you’d already made, humbled as you thought of the miles of memories yet to come.

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[ghost-nabbers-imagines]

A family: Larry x Fem! Reader Part 1.

A/n Small warning of mentions of sex and a couple sexual scenes will take place but I don't know if I'll do full lemons or not, they're won't be a dull lemon in this. As always theres definitely cussing. Takes place in high school. An au where the apartments have ghosts and the cult exists but the red eyed demon doesn't. Anyways enjoy this little story hope it's good.

I woke up with the weight of someone's arm around bare waist. Looking down I see everything was still bare from the night before. The arm wrapped around me belongs to none other than my very best friend Larry. Yep you read that right best friend not boyfriend. Considering how lonely and well horny we had both been lately we decided a friends with benefits relationship would be a good idea.

With a small stretch I carefully pulled Larry's arm off of my body and pulled myself from the bed. I let out a small giggle as Larry readjusted to where he was cuddling a pillow. "Goofball." I scoffed grabbing my underwear and sliding them on as well one of Larry's many Sanitys Fall shirts. I made my way out into his bathroom brushing my teeth and making my hair look like I hadn't just spent the night having sex.

I also made sure to slip on my skinny jeans from last night. I frowned feeling the way I struggled to get them on. "Damn it. How the hell did I shrink my jeans?!" I huffed looking into the mirror. I lifted the shirt that was way too big on me. I had noticed my stomach was sticking out a tiny bit more but not a lot. On the plus size it looked like my tits had also gotten bigger.

When I exited the bathroom Larry's mom Lisa was leaning against the counter sipping coffee. "Morning (y/n). I didn't know you were staying last night." She said flashing me her warm smile. "Morning Lisa. I wasn't planning on it but by the time we finished with our art project it was so late I didn't want to wake you or my parents so I just stayed." I shrugged. I felt kind of guilty lying to Lisa since she was more like a mom to me than my own mother. I also didn't want to risk her finding out and not letting me sleep over anymore.

She finished her coffee and set the cup in the sink. "Well you know you're always welcome here. Will I see you for family dinner tonight?" She asked collecting her things for work. She seemed to pause reaching around her pockets while looking around the room. I grabbed her keys from couch and handed them to her making her smile. "Wouldn't miss it!" I beamed. "See you kids tonight then. Give Larry a kiss goodbye for me." She joked hugging me goodbye.

Once she left I went ahead and poured two cups of coffee. As I was making two plates of the eggs and toast Lisa had prepared I heard the bedroom door creak open. Larry stumbled out still tired. "Morning sleepy head." I smirked. "Morning." He yawned making his way over to the table. I placed a kiss on his cheek handing him his coffee. "What was that for?"

"Its from your mom."

"I don't get one from you?"

"No way you have morning breath."

He grabbed my arm pulling me into his lap so I was straddling him. One of hands moved to my hips the other to the back of my neck. He pulled me into a heated kiss sliding his tongue in my mouth. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he deepened the kiss and pulled me closer. We stayed like that until we had to pull away for air. "Hurry up and get ready Johnson." I breathed getting up and eating my breakfast.

Once the two of us had eaten and he had gotten dressed we grabbed our bags and headed out to meet up with Sal. "You look good in my shirt by the way." He whispered as you approached your friends door. I smirked quickly tapping the door. Soon after Sal exited the apartment and the three of us left for school.

Sal and Larry had their first period together but I had it with our friend Ashley. The two of us were in the gym locker room changing into our Knockfell High uniforms.

"So then I told my mom i had important plans tonight and she actually told me that my brother was more important and to cancel. Can you believe that? So I told her you and I were studying for some exam."

I was laughing at Ashley's excuse when one of the other girls sprayed on her perfume and even though she didn't spray much it was like the smell surrounded me. My stomach bubbled and suddenly I could feel the eggs from that morning in the back of my throat. Nausea overcame me I couldn't help it so I ran into the biggest stall and collapsed onto my knees puking immediately into the bowl.

Ashley came over and knocked on the stall door. "You ok babes?" She asked concern lacing her voice. I finished puking and flushed the toilet. "Yeah I think so." I said confused. "Are you sure? You got sick this time yesterday too." She pointed out. I thought for a moment realizing she was right. Eveyday about this time I got sick. What the hell was wrong with me? I shakily stood up to leave the bathroom when a health poster taped to the door caught my attention. It was one of the new Planned Parenthood posters with information on pregnancy and STDs. My eyes grew at a sudden theory popped into my head.

"H-hey Ashes what's the date today?" I asked exiting the bathroom. "Its the fifteenth. Ohh Is it that time of the month that's bothering you?" She asked placing a comforting hand on my bag. I thought for a moment doing the math in my head. "I-I Ha-have to go." I stuttered grabbing my bag and running from the room. As I ran to town I silently prayed I was wrong that I had miscounted.

I ran straight to the store probably looking like a crazy person that passed by. But I got to the pharmacy quickly not even remembering most of my way there from how quickly I was going. The bell jingles as I make my way inside abruptly causing several shoppers and a couple employees to stop and stare. Ignoring their looks I made my way to the isle and started searching. I never knew how many types of tests there could be. I grabbed one I thought would work and made my way to the counter. The cashier was an older woman who started at me with a judging look on her face the whole time. I did my best to ignore her shoving the money onto the counter. The minute she handed me the bag I took off heading to the apartments.

I could feel warm tears falling down my cheeks and was breathing rapidly as I ran home. I ran straight into the building and into the elevator pressing my back up against the wall as it moved. Luckily my parents wouldn't be home at least I'd have privacy for my whole world ending. The second the doors open I bolted right into my apartment dropping my bag on the couch before running to my room. I went into the bathroom taking the test before sitting on the floor.

2 long minutes later the test read positive. I felt my whole world come crashing down around me when those little lines appeared. "How could this happen?" I mumble out loud. I was completely shocked, Larry and I were careful plus I had birth control. That's when a light bulb went off in my head. Struggling to pull myself off the floor I ran into my room. I didnt find what I was looking for in my bags or in my bathroom. I fished around in my dresser still not finding what I was searching for. That's when I remembered were I was last night and most nights.

"Shit shit shit!" I mumbled grabbingmy purse and my keys as well as hiding the test in my pocket before exiting my apartment. I made my way down to the basement hoping that Lisa wasn't home. Unfortunately as I opened the door she was in the kitchen making a fried balogna sandwich. As soon as I walked through that door the smell filled my nose and the nausea returned. I tried to swallow down walking farther into the apartment.

"(Y/n) dear why are you not in school what happened? Are you sick? You don't look like you're feeling too well?" She asked in her motherly voice. "Li-lisa I-" before I could finish my sentence I felt what was left of my food coming back up. I ran straight into the bathroom not bothering to close the door. As I threw up I could feel Lisa pulling my hair back. She held my hair back in one hand and soothed my back with the other.

When I finished throwing up I flushed the toilet and Lisa put my hair up into a ponytail. I learned up against the bathroom wall feeling tears spill down my cheeks again. Silent tears cascaded to the floor. Lisa filled up a dixie cup with water and dampened a wash cloth handing the cup to me and wiping my face with the cloth. "There there dear its alright. Why don't you and I go sit on the sofa and talk?" She suggested as I swallowed a majority of the water.

The two of us made our way into the living room sitting on the couch. Lisa left a comforting hand on my back as I struggled to breath. I let it all come out spilling every detail like more vomit coming out as words. Lisa continued to comfort me with a shocked expression on her face. "Are you sure did you take a test?" She asked handing me a tissue. I handed her the test before wiping my nose.

"Does Larry know yet?" She asked. I shook my head in response. "I just figured it out and got the test today." Lisa nodded her head for a moment clearly in thought. "Wait right here." She said grabbing her phone from the coffee table. She came back in probably ten minutes later purse in hand and changed into casual clothes. "Come on were gonna meet a friend of mine at planned parenthood. Just to double check. And they'll give you information on your choices." She informed me. The two of us made our way out to Lisa's pickup truck silently.

"Are you mad?" I asked breaking the silence as we turned off the road. She sighed stopping at a red light and putting her hand on my shoulder. "A little disappointed maybe but never mad." She smiled. It didn't take very long for us to get there. There was a handful of protesters outside the building as well as a few people passing by who stared at me with the same look as the cashier earlier. Lisa wrapped her arm around me glaring at the others.

About an hour later I was exiting the clinic with a handful of pamphlets and brochures and my head spinning. "Do you have any thoughts on what to do?" Lisa asked me as we climbed into the car. "I think I should talk to Larry before I make any decision." I sighed leaning back into the seat. Lisa nodded and we drove back home.

"You should call your parents over for family dinner tonight. Once the other kids leave we can all sit down and talk." Lisa suggested. She was always so smart and caring. I knew she would be mentally freaking out so it meant a lot that she was being comforting. "I just hope they're as nice as you're being. Thank you so much Lisa." I said with a small smile. She smiled back as we pulled back to the apartments.

Once we got back to her apartment I hid the test and pamphlets in my bag. "Larry should be home any minute now if you wanna wait in the treehouse to talk to him. Just promise me you'll be careful climbing up there." She said softly. I nodded giving her a hug which she returned tightly. When we pulled apart she handed me a water bottle. "Drink this while you're waiting. After throwing up you need to make sure you stay hydrated. Especially with my grandbaby in your tummy." She smiled winking. I smiled grabbing the water before making my way out to the treehouse to wait for Larry.

I walked around the small treehouse admiring some of the polaroids and pictures that Larry painted. I smiled seeing one of Larry and I. Sal had taken just a month ago. Larry had his arms around me as we painted something. He was trying to teach me how he paints but really it came out as a mess on the canvas. "That's a good picture of us." A voice said from behind me. I turned to see Larry standing there smiling at me. "Sure is. Look Larry I need to talk to you about something serious. Can we sit down?" I asked gesturing towards two beanbag seats he kept up here. He looked confused but nodded.

The two of us took a seat and I was suddenly nervous. We were only 16 we couldn't be parents. "Hey what's wrong (nickname)?" He asked grabbing my hand. I took a deep breath squeezing his hand before grabbing the test from my pocket. "I'm pregnant." I said simply despite the fear in my chest. Larry's eyes got wide and he grabbed the test from my hands. "Dude if this is a joke it's not funny." He said jumping up. By now the tears were starting to fall. "Its not a joke Larry." I sniffed standing up with him. "B-but how?" He asked running his hand through his messy long hair.

"I must've missed a pill or something."

"You missed a pill? How could you have missed a pill and not tell me!" He asked upset. "It happens Larry I don't know. But this isn't just my fault we did this."

"You're right sorry. What do you want to do have you made a decision on keeping it?"

"I don't know I wanted to talk to you."

"We're sixteen (Y/n) were too young."

"I know I know. But I don't think I want to abort it, it just sounds wrong. I believe women should have the right to choose but I don't want to abort our baby."

"Of course you don't I mean I wouldnt either if I was you. I don't know how I feel about adoption. I mean I love my mom and she did a great job but not knowing my dad and not knowing that part of myself was hard. I don't think I could do that to my kid. I always told myself I'd be there for my kid unlike him."

"That only leaves one option Larry."

He sighed looking at me for a moment before coming over and wrapping his arms around me. "Looks like we're gonna have this baby. If you're sure that is." He whispered holding me close. "I'm sure I want us to keep our baby." I replied. Larry pulled away a bit wiping away my tears. "Your mom went with me to the clinic and everything but we should go tell her we're keeping it." I told him looking up to meet his eyes. He honestly looked kind of happy. "Guess so much for strings attached huh." He joked laughing his melodic laugh. I laughed and we made our way out and back to the treehouse.

Ok that was it for the first chapter let me know what you think if you'd like but I'm definitely making it a series.

~Lex💛

[dachi25writes]

The Long and Winding Road

Sansa I

"A raven has arrived, my Lady"

Sansa's eyes immediately went to the Maester. A shiver passed through her, but she managed well enough to supress it. She didn't want to make Lady Cersei cross. She had been as kind and supportive as the circumstances allowed, and she was right she had to be stronger, she was the oldest Stark. She couldn't flinch every time a letter was delivered, no matter how much it reminded her of that awful letter that brought the news.

The boat where mother, father and Robb traveled had sunk, they searched for them on nearby towns and ports to no avail, the bodies had not been retrieved either, a part of her (a foolishly naive part of her) hoped against hope that somehow they would one day return, alive and unscathed... But there was no use in dreaming. They were dead and the dead never return.

[[MORE]]

"Are you unwell Sansa?"

Myrcella's voice snapped her out of her grim thoughts. She looking at the embrodery in her hands, she had stopped stitching and had even dropped her work in her lap. It was not good, she wanted to finish this handkerchief to send it to Bran before his nameday.

"I'm just fine, it seems I got lost in my thoughts. I apologize if I made you worry" she gave the younger girl a shaky smile which Myrcella returned, despite them being nothing alike she was suddenly reminded of her sister, she always wondered how was Arya doing. Sansa sighed and looked around the room to find almost half the ladies were gone including Lady Cersei.

"Myrcella, where are all the ladies?"

The small girl frowned "Mother said she had to discuss something with father and left, the other ladies went after her, they wanted to eavesdrop surely. Are you sure you're feeling fine Sansa?"

"Yes. I just haven't slept very well"

"M'lady, if you are feelin' tired perhaps it would be best if we went back to your room so you can take a nap before supper" said Shae coming up behind her chair.

"No, it would be terribly rude of me to leave Myrcella alone" she protested feebly.

"Don't worry about me Sansa, you should go take a nap, I was just thinking on playing with Tommen in the garden, so I will take my leave first" Myrcella stood from her chair and made a small curtsey in her way before leaving the room. Her ladies and septa all trailed after her.

Sansa eyed her work with sadness, and left it in it's place promising to advance on it on the morrow. "It seems I will take that nap after all Shae. Let's go back to my room."

.

.

Back in her room Shae helped her undress, all the while telling her the town's hottest gossip. It seems ser Leonyd Lannister was thinking of marrying the daughter of a poor fisherman so his Lord Father wanted to send him away... Some old Maester was seen entering a brothel and some said Lord Robert had just had a bastard son with the inkeeper's daughter...

Sansa slipped on her sheets and let her mind wandered back to Winterfell. She thought of Arya with her wild hair and big grins, of her scabby knees and loud voice. She hoped she wasn't giving Old Nan and Ser Rodrick too much trouble, though part of her hoped her sister was just as she remembered even the annoying infuriating sides. She thought of Bran, so small and so full of energy, always climbing the walls and fighting around with Arya, now he was Lord of Winterfell and how boring that must be. He should be outside playing on the snow all day and at night he should hear Old Nan's stories curled up on his furs beside baby Rickon an Robb.

Tears prickled at the corner of her eyes. She let the tears travel down her cheeks to fall on the pillow. She wanted to go back home, no matter how ungrateful and selfish her wish, it was her heart's only desire to see the snowdrops fall outside her window, to play with her siblings in the snow til' all their cheeks were flushed and their hair messy and wet, to swim in the termal waters beside the Wierdwood tree, to have Robb muss up her hair, to fight with Arya, to read stories to Bran and to carry Rickon in her arms.

.

.

Shae woke her up gently. Sansa washed her face, and dressed in a simple grey dress, it was a bit old but she had wanted to wear something that made her feel closer to home.

She had just finished getting her hair done in a braid like Mother usted to wear, when Joffrey knocked at the door to escort her to dinner. A pang of guilt twisted in her heart. Joffrey had been so patient with her all this time, all those times he had invited her to go ride with him or to walk around the gardens and she would excuse herself (she just hadn't the spirits to go with him and have fun) , he never got angry just kissed her cheek sweetly and said they would go next time. And there she was selfishly thinking of going home without him. She hadn't been thinking much of him at all lately, and that was wrong he was going to be her husband as soon as she turned six and ten, and he loved her so much, she had to be a better bride for him

Shae oponed the door. Joffrey was always so serious and dignified, with his golden hair always perfectly arraged around his face.

"My Lady" he kissed her hand and took on her appereance "Sansa why are you wearing that old dress? I believe just last month I gifted you that black dress with the gold embrodery stag and that red velvet dress with gold myrish lace."

"I'm sorry my Lord, it's just that those dresses are all so fine that they deserve to be used on most special ocasions."

"Well, you better go change, my grandfather is here and I want you to look your best before you meet him"

Sansa nodded, and bid Shae to help her change the grey dress for the red velvet one with golden lace. Lord Lannister was here, the King's Hand, it was surely important, perhaps ser Jaime had finally gotten engaged or they wanted to call Myrcella to court so she could be a Lady in waiting to Princess Rhyella.

Joffrey had gallantly waited for her outside, he looked her over and smiled "My Lady looks beautiful as always" then he leaned in a pressed a small kiss to her lips that made her hands clammy and her face red as the dress she was wearing.

Sansa found Lord Tywin just as wise and fearsome as people said, but at least she was right about his visit for Lord Jaime was getting engaged to Lady Brienne of Tarth, and he would be holding a ball in Castle Rock in a months time to celebrate the occasion, he wanted Lord Robert's permission to allow Lady Baratheon to go there immediately so she could overlook the preparations. Lady Cersei, kind as always had said it would be her pleasure, and excused herself from the table as she wanted to pack immediately.

The dinner went on as always and once it was done Joffrey escorted her back to her rooms, bid her a good night and stole another kiss leaving her dazed..

While Shae brushed her hair and wondered if they would order a new dress for her to wear at the Lannister's engagement party or if the black dress would be fine someone knocked on the door.

"It's me little dove" said Lady Cersei from outside

Sansa hurriedly put on her robe while Shae opened the door. Lady Cersei's face was flushed and her eyes shined, she looked anxious and way too pale.

"Don't be so skitish Little Dove, come sit by me" Lady Cersei said putting the corner of the bed

"Is something the matter?" she asked confused.

Lady Cersei unexpectedly buried Sansa in her arms and started to sob uncontrolably all the while strocking her hair and murmuring words that Sansa never catched. After a while Lady Cersei seemed to calm down enough to let go of her. Sansa's mind was a whirl of confussion, Lady Cersei was always so composed she never imagined to see her in this state.

"Would your maid be so kind as to fetch me some water Little Dove?" Asked Lady Cersei in a weak hoarse voice. Sansa nodded in Shae's direction.

"Can I do something for you Lady Cersei?" she asked.

Lady Cersei shook her head, and drank from the cup Shae had poured.Then turned to look at Sansa again.

"Poor Little Dove, such terrible things you have gone through and still you ask if I need help" Lady Cersei caressed her face affectionately, still Sansa felt startled because this voice and her eyes were the same as when she told Sansa of her parents and Robb. " I have some things to tell you my dear" Lady Cersei took her hands and squeezed them " You have to be strong dear girl"

Fear gripped Sansa's chest, something happened. Something horrid.

"Pirates attacked Winterfell." said Lady Cersei at last " It was so sudden, they never go that farther up land. They killed everyone in the castle, and then burned the place down after they robbed it"

No! This had to be a nightmare, it couldn't be like that, Winterfell was strong and so were Ser Rodrick and his knights, there is no way something like that could happen.

"I understand it must be quite shocking my dear, but well, Lord Bolton wrote this letter, he was the first one to arrive at Winterfell, it seems the Maester got to send a few ravens but no bannerman could have possibly traveled that fast.–"

Sansa knew Lady Lannister was still talking but she couldn't hear anything, her own heartbeat muffled the sound of everything else, it was so loud and quick, the world went out of focus and darkness enveloped her. Sansa welcomed that sweet nothingness, because once she woke up this horrible nightmare would be over.

.

.

Sansa woke up hours later, Her neck was hurting and the bed seemed to be moving. She rose and immediately realized she was not in her room at Storm's End, she was in a carriage with Lady Cersei and Shae.

"Where are se going?" she whispered. Her throat was almost closed.

"Oh Little Dove, we thought you would sleep all through the night. You are coming with me to Castle Rock, the Maester said a change of scenery and some seaside air would be good for you"

She frowned "What happened to me?

Lady Lannister shook her head "Let us talk tomorrow dear, you need your rest. Joffrey was most worried about you he didn't want to let you out of his sight but the Maester and his Lord father calmed him down"

The nightmare came unbound to her mind, she willed it away with toughts of Joffrey and of the ball, it would surely be beautiful, she and Joffrey would dance the night away bathed in moonlight with the sweet music blending with the sound of the crashing waves. Sansa closed her eyes, fabricating in her mind beautiful and sweet stories to keep at bay those dark awful thoughts that wanted to choke her mind.

[im-a-goner-foryou]

Thanks for voting everyone, it was a close tie but more of you guys wanted drunk! Tony taking advantage of Peter, so here's part 1 because it got longer than i expected :') let me know if you think it's worth continuing!

Warning: implied non-con

....................................

The condensation sliding down his drink in rivulets is startlingly cold against his skin, pooling around the base of the glass in a small puddle; Peter wipes the wetness off his hand absent-mindedly on his sleeve, gaze still darting around the crowded hall and taking in the finely dressed occupants with furtive eyes. To say he feels uncomfortable is an understatement, being the only teenager present at one of Tony Stark's renowned parties; a fact that Peter had brought up when the invitation had been extended to him, by the host himself.

.

"Thank you Sir, really, but why-- why would..." Peter had asked tentatively, setting down the coffee onto his bosses' desk as requested. He didn't finish his sentence- 'why on earth would you bring me?', but Mr. Stark shot him a knowing look over the rim of the styrofoam cup anyways.

"Well, you are my intern, are you not? And this is a corporate event after all."

To which Peter had then begun to protest that he had no experience with business parties, and even if he did- this part he had mumbled quietly- he didn't own any appropriate formal attire.

"So you need a suit?" Tony said, waving his hand dismissively. "Consider that taken care of, Parker. And I'm sure you'll catch onto 'business party' etiquette fast enough, just take this as part of your training. I'll see you then?" he finished with an unmistakable air of finality, and Peter couldn't exactly disagree, could he? Especially not after a sleek parcel had been delivered right to his doorstep the very next night, containing a deep royal purple three piece suit that fit him so perfectly it was as though tailor-made.

.

Idly fingering the cuff now, Peter was just about to turn back to his drink when he felt more than saw someone slide smoothly into the seat beside him. Groaning inwardly, he contemplates blatantly ignoring his new company altogether; but at the sound of a cleared throat Peter grudgingly turns around-- only to be met with startling cornflower blue eyes and a warm smile.

"Hello," Stephen Strange purrs in that silky voice of his, extending a hand for him to shake; the man's skin is cool under Peter's trembling fingers. "You must be little Parker, I assume? I saw you arrive at Stark's side earlier tonight." He had not even bothered to introduce himself-- not that there was any need to, of course. Like most of the other guests present, Strange was high-profile and rightly so.

"Oh, yes. I- I'm his intern," he says lamely, feeling the tips of his ears already begin to burn red; the older man is undeniably handsome, especially dressed a million-dollar outfit, and Peter is only a hormonal teenager after all.

Tearing his eyes away from the other with much difficulty, he raises his glass to his lips again and nearly chokes on a huge gulp. Strange raises his eyebrows, surprise evident in his words of, "you're old enough to drink?"

"Oh, no Sir" --Peter swears he can see the man's eyes darken at his use of that title-- "it's just... um. Sparkling juice?" Flushing impossibly warmer and feeling for all the world like nothing more than a foolish child, he braces himself for a cruel reaction; for a patronizing sneer, a snide comment. He's surprised, to say the least, by Stephen's responding chuckle of kind amusement.

"Is that so? Well then, do let me buy you a drink, will you-- one rosé for the boy," he calls out to the bartender, turning slightly to shoot him a conspiratorial wink. "Oh, don't you worry that pretty head of yours now, it's just wine. Mild flavour, great for beginners," Strange adds, though Peter's head is buzzing too loudly to register the words after 'pretty head of yours'.

"Uh--"

He never got to finish his sentence however, for at that moment a hand falls heavily onto his shoulder, causing him to jump in surprise-- then yelp softly as the grip tightens painfully. His heart thrumming wildly in his chest, Peter whirls around to face his boss. "Oh! Hi Mr. Stark," he greets politely, nerves instantly melting away to a relaxed smile at the sight of a familiar face; then he notices that the man's dark eyes aren't looking at him, but rather fixated pointedly over his shoulder at his present company. "I, um, I was just talking to Mr. Strange here..."

"Yes, I saw," Gritting this out through clenched teeth as though it pained him to do so, Mr. Stark continues glaring coldly at the other man while almost spitting out his next words. "Buying drinks for underaged interns now, are you Stephen? My, you're sinking even lower than I've thought."

Peter catches, even through the powerful rush of blood thrumming through his ears, the distinct drawl of Tony's speech; nervous gaze flicking away from Stephen's now icy cold eyes to his boss, he comes to the realisation that the latter is drunk. Very.

"Mr. Stark..." he begins hesitantly, and that burning gaze falls on him again, the glazed-over pupils sharpening abruptly.

"We're leaving, Parker," the man very nearly snarls, giving Peter no chance to prepare himself or to respond before he's being tugged violently onto his feet by an unforgiving grasp on his arm. Stumbling a little, he begins to trail after Mr. Stark, looking back at the last minute to mumble a 'it's nice to meet you, Sir' to Strange-- who regards him coolly and with a half-smile-- Peter immediately regrets doing so however, as this seems to anger his boss even further. Face now twisting to something almost monstrous, Tony drags him across the room and past silently questioning eyes to the elevators, stabbing at the button of the control panel; the metal doors barely begin to slide open before he's being practically flung inside.

As the doors slide closed behind the man, Peter can't help but feel a foreboding sense of fear overtake his body, and for a frightening second he's reminded of a cornered prey, trapped by some dangerous animal; the look in Mr. Stark's eyes seem wild enough, glinting intimidatingly under the dim light overhead. The heavy, tense silence between them is only magnified by the confined space, and when the older man begins to speak in a disconcertingly cold voice Peter's never heard before, the boy instinctively backs away. "So, care to share about the new friend you made, Parker?" Mr. Stark mutters quietly, advancing towards him in a movement that resembles a prowl much more than it should. "You two certainly seemed... cozy enough by the bar."

"Sir, I--" Peter stutters, unable to force out the words stuck in his closed-off throat; his apprehension fully giving way to sharp and blinding fear as his boss stalks forward with every timid step he takes back, slowly yet surely crowding him up against the wall. "I don't... we were just, he just wanted to talk--"

Mr. Stark barks out a mirthless laugh, and the sound reverberates chillingly around them. "Oh, I bet he did. That bastard definitely showed interest, I'd give him that. What were you planning to do, hmm? Let him ply you over with drinks, talk you into spreading your legs for him later on in the bathroom like a cheap whore?"

"Mr. Stark!" Peter gasps, horrified; the implication of his darkly uttered words fully sink in, and mortification burns hot in his veins along with the welling tears in his eyes. "It's not like that, I swear, I- I would never do such a thing!"

"I have a hard time believing that, sweetheart," the older man snarls. Closing the space between them with two final strides, he slams his forearm against Peter's chest- punching all the breath out of him- and leans further down until their faces are mere inches apart, breaths falling harshly across his cheek. "Always knew you were a slut, Peter, the way you act around me; fucking begging for it constantly, like a horny bitch. Just never thought you'd be desperate enough to act the same around others-- but I guess any cock will do for you, won't it?"

Openly crying now, pinned helplessly underneath the stronger man, Peter can only shake his head weakly in protest; he's never seen Mr. Stark like this, refuses to believe it. "D-don't know, wh-what I, act like--" he sobs. "Please, Sir... please, you're hurting me."

His pleads have no effect; if anything, Tony seems to savour it. Other hand flying up to clutch his quivering chin roughly, his boss turns his tear-streaked face this way and that, dark eyes drinking him in; his next slurred words are as bitter as the alcohol in his breath. "You were always too innocent for your own good, Pete."

[ask-ivory]

Chapter one: Welcome to Shade

Those hunk muffins earned it! I don't care what they thought. If they were so worried about their little dust company, then I would have sided with the Schnees.

"I'm done with dust." I told my stepfather, as we parted ways, "I want to be a huntress; a hero. And nothing is going to stop me!"

Those days were far behind me. Weeks of prepping and training were way in the past. I had passed the entrance exam, my real parents filled out the paperwork, my documents were handed in and I was on an airship bound for Shade Academy, in Vacuo.

My bags were packed the previous night (courtesy of my sand servents). I had barely slept last night, because questions like "what is Shade gonna be like?", "Who will be on my team?", "How many friends will I make?", And many more floated in my head. Now I was actually going there, flying at a hundred miles an hour towards my dream come true.

I wasn't the only one here on this airship. A hundred people, at least my age or older, were here on this airship with me. The Vacuo news was on the screen systems near the windows, (probably to keep the passengers from getting bored, because if so, things tend to get pretty ugly). The news was announcing the latest robberies from the technical laboratories in Vacuo. Normally the news doesn't really interest me, but now that I'm training, I'm beginning to wonder if a huntress fought more then just the Creatures of Grimm. If so, then I would also stop crime.

"Focus on the task at hand," I told myself, "Train and prepare to be a huntress first, fight evil Grimm and other junk like that later."

I gazed out the window, thinking about my brother Basin. He was already at the academy, starting on his third year. He told me about how great Shade Academy is, and sent me pictures of the school.

He also sent me pictures of his team, Team BLCK (Pronounced Black), and told me about each teammate. On his team, he had a pair of fox faunus twins, whose names were Larry and Kerry Steel (get it? Steal? Steel? I just got that). He also had a another guy named Cade Blackstone. All of them were the same age and followed in Basin's leadership (well, most of the time anyway).

He even snuck some pictures of his classes that he had attended in his first and second years (spoiler alert, he got into detention for that, but with a semblance like his, that rarely happened).

Anyway, before the day came to move here, I looked at the pictures over and over again, memorizing the school grounds, my brother's teammates (just in case they decided to kill me with pranks), and teachers' mad faces when they caught Basin taking illegal pictures in class (heh heh).

I thought about pulling my scroll out again to look at the pictures again, but then the news shut off on the screens and a holographic image of a woman appeared. She was tall with long black hair. Her bare arms were adorn with golden bracelets and she wore a sleeveless dress that faded with purple to blue at the waist, all the way down to green at the bottom. In her hair was a golden headset, decorated with peacock feathers. She had a pair of, what looked like fans, strapped to her golden belt. She had golden high heels that were so ridiculously high that she looked like she had ballerina slippers on. Her face was beautiful but in a harsh mother-knows-best-now-don't-cross-my-path-or-i-will-have-to-step-on-you, kind of way. She wore blue eyeshadow, which matched her eyes.

"Welcome back all returning students and greetings to our new first year students." Her voice sounded stern, like she had spent her free time yelling at bad puppies. "I am Professor Hera Peacock, your combat trainer for this year. You are all very privileged to be attending this excellent institution. The world of Remnant is moving at an incredible length of pace, maintaining it's peace and prosperity. As future hunters, your training here will be vital to your future career. I wish you the best of luck"(I don't think she meant this part)" and welcome again to Shade Academy." The hologram turned off after finishing the welcome speech.

I looked out the window to find that the airship was just yards away from the landing docks. I ran to get my bags, but I bumped into someone.

"Ow!" I exclaimed.

"Ohff!" My accident responded. We both fell backwards.

"Sorry." I apologized, getting up, "I'm soo-" then my voice left me speechless. The girl I bumped into stood up.

The girl wore a sleeveless dress that started at gold and faded to orange and ended with blue. The dress itself was short at the knees. Her hair matched her dress, but only matched to the fading orange part. She wore a black belt, with pouches for dust on the side, and a pair of golden swords, that appeared to be folded in half, were attached to the back. She wore dark blue shoes with star patterns on them. Her eyes were a light crystal blue. But her wings were the thing that unnerved me.

On her back was a blinding white pair of wings. She was definitely a faunus, but she was unlike anything I'd ever seen before. In the few months that I lived in Vacuo, I had seen faunus of all types and traits: everything from ram's horns to lizard's tails. I had only heard of faunus with wings from the stories my father told me, the tales of the Great War. One of the things he said was that after the Siege of Vacuo, the winged faunus who fought with Vacuo just left and never returned. I heard people say that the chances of a faunus born with wings were pretty rare.

But here I was. And here she was.

"You can stop starring now." the girl said. "Just please, don't make any jokes."

"Oh no!" I protested "I wasn't planning on making jokes about your wings. It's just, I've never seen anything like this before. Their beautiful."

The girl seemed to brighten up at this comment, "You really think so?"

"Of course! I heard that having wings is a really rare trait. I've never seen it in person before."

"Yeah..." the girl muttered "That's what everyone thinks. Their not exactly right though...."

"Wait. What?"

"Nothing." the girl held out her hand. "I'm Lyra by the way. Lyra Phoebus."

"And I'm Aliar Ivory." We shoke hands.

"Oh!" Lyra exclaimed,"you are a first year student, are you?"

"Of course." I responded. "I'm so excited to start the year. But..." I hesitated "I'm also kinda nervous too. Even though my brother told me what Shade Academy's like, I still don't know what to expect."

"Is your brother a huntsman?"

"No, he's a third year. His name is Basin Obsidian, and he's the leader of team BLCK." I pulled my scroll out of my purse. "I've got pictures of him and his team. And..." I added with a smile, "He managed to sneak some pictures of the classes we'll be attending. Wanna see?"

She was about to respond when the speakers overhead turned on, "Attention students, we are about to land. Please bring all personal belongings with you as you leave the airship. Another reminder to reclaim your baggage and suitcases before you enter the school. For returning students, please meet up with your team leaders and move your things to your assigned dorms. For first years, once you have retrieved your items, please drop them off at the Great Hall. All students will meet in the auditorium for the ordination speech in eighty minutes. Welcome to Shade Academy."

People started flocking towards the exit. I could feel the ship landing slowly under my feet.

"Come on!" Lyra grabbed my wrist and started pulling me towards the door,"The pictures can wait. We're about to see the real thing!"

She dragged me out the door into the golden sun. The cool atmosphere of the airship turned to scorching desert heat in a heartbeat. Momentarily, I was binded by the shinning rays of the sun. When I adjusted to the light, I couldn't find the words to describe what I saw, or how I felt.

In front of me was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen in my entire life. Shade Academy was a huge palace-like building, maby eighty years old, it was several stories high, surrounded by a tropical court yard. It looked really good which is saying alot because nowadays, it's hard to find beauty in Vacuo. Now I'm not saying that it was perfect, because it wasn't. Some of the sandstone benches were broken, and the marble memorial wall was well worn. Not to mention the entire courtyard had a decent layer of sand covering it, but this was Vacuo, so there wasn't much they could do about that, (but that kind of thing doesn't really bother me very much.) Despite all it's flaws, I loved it. It was even grander then Atlas.

"This place is great!" Lyra exclaimed.

"And packed." I added, "come on. Let's get our things."

One thing I learned the hard way about Vacuo: all sence of order and organization is tossed out the window.

There was no line or anything. Just a crowd of people trying to get to there things before any of it got stolen. We squeezed through the crowd and barely managed to get our stuff (not-so-cool fact: it took us at least twenty minutes, which is generous because it probably took longer.) The airship wasn't too tightly packed, but other airships were coming in, some had even more people than our airship. All of the luggage was delivered in a big package mess of chaos, so we had to shuffle through hundreds if not thousands of bags and hope we didn't grab the wrong luggage. It was so crowded that at one point, Lyra said that she needed air. So she climbed on a random guy's back while he was leaning over to grab a suitcase, and leaped into the air,(yes, dear readers, we somehow managed to stay together the whole time, though, I'm still not entirely sure how.)

Much later, we finally stumbled out of the crowd. I was sweating so hard, I wondered how I didn't faint. We collapsed on one of the stone benches. Small groups of students (probably teammates, probably friends) were walking around the courtyard talking about their vacation time, or maybe some of them were new students becoming friends. Most of the students were trying desperately not to trip and fall as they hauled their things indoors. A few managed, but others had no such luck. One poor guy accidentally opened his suitcase while he was pulling it out of a sand dune, and all of his things fell out. Another guy, maybe a friend or family member, dropped his things too help his buddy out. It made me glad to see that, even though it was a rough start for everyone, the school and the students still kept the same respect that Vacuo had for it's people.

Well... almost everyone.

"Hey! Your in my seat!"

Startled, I turned to see a tall blonde girl barely managing to stand straight and tall in her fancy clothes. And when I say fancy, I mean something a casual Atlisian citizen would wear: a sleeveless pink dress with a faint flower print towards the bottom. She wore a pair of hot pink high heels that were so ridiculously high, that I thought she was going for the floating princess look. Her face was covered in a super heavy layer of makeup. Her blonde hair was streaked with pink all over the place, and she was oviously wearing hair extensions, because there was no way that her hair was long enough to touch her butt.

"I'm sorry," I said as I looked at her sideways, "you must have the wrong bench."

"And the wrong school." Lyra added.

The blonde gave Lyra a distasteful look. "No one asked for your opinion, weirdo. By the way, are those pillows on your back? Or are you supposed to be some kind of 'rare' species or something?"

Lyra's face burned with hate "They're wings. And before you ask, yes, they are real."

"Well," the blonde sneered "I don't know what kind of trash is going through the headmistress' mind, recruiting freaks like you into one of the most famous combat schools in the world. You're definitely not worthy of even being here."

I was so mad that I got to my feet in an instant. "Well at least this is the most friendly kingdom in Remnant. In Atlas, they don't give a dime about anyone unless your rich. They definitely don't like faunus. And because of that, I think that Atlas is a crappy kingdom. I bet that you come from a rich, spoiled, ignorant, family who only cares about themselves. I wonder what would've made them hate you so much for them to send you to place that's to low for your standards."

She was so mad, that I thought she was going to blow a fuse. "What?! How dare you just assume..."

"I'm not assuming!" I snarled. "I was raised in Atlas. And I know first hand how awful the people are."

"You traitor!" She shrieked. "How dare you betray your home kingdom like..."

"Like what?" A taller girl walked up. She had deep red eyes, which shone behind a pair of circular spectacles. Her long brown hair was tied back in twin braids, and her bangs with red streaks were parted. She mainly wore dark red and brown colors, with gold as an accent. The only thing I could say was different about her, besides her clothes and her neat appearance, was her accent. I wouldn't say she sounded atlesian. Maybe she was half and half? I don't know. I couldn't tell how she felt because she looked pretty emotionless, but my guts told me she was far from pleased. I could tell because her position was rather tense and her tone was rather stiff.

"This little brat is talking trash about her home kingdom! She needs to be put in her place!" The blonde shook her head, flouncing her overdyed hair. The other girl rolled her eyes and placed a hand on her hip. She used her other hand to push her spectacles in place.

"Sounds more like you need to be put in your place. If you wanted people who looked, walked and talked like you as friends, then you should have gone to Atlas. You made a poor choice in Academy chosing. Your physic doesn't even look huntress worthy. It's a surprise you even passed the Shade academy entrance exam." The girl bluntly stated, causing the blonde to glare daggers right through her newfound enemy.

"I-it's not my fault I was sent to this garbage kingdom! I was forced to! By my parents!" The blonde protested.

"Huh, how fun. It's a shame really. If this is an Atlesian tradition, then it must suck like crazy. What forced your parents to send you here, when you could have been at home, spoiled rotten to the core?" The girl grinned wryly. Boy, there was no end to the shame this girl could endow upon that blonde.

"And besides," I added, "Technically, I was born in Vacuo. So that gives you no valid excuse to call me racist."

"And I've visited Atlas in the past." Lyra said in a sour tone. "Do you want to know what I think of Atlas? It's an illusion. An illusion to all the people outside and in. People look at Atlas and think it's the best and most advanced kingdom of the present. But like any illusion, it can shatter in an instant. If you think Atlas is a great kingdom, then you can believe that if you want to. Nothing lasts forever."

"I've been born and raised in Atlas, and I will say that my lifestyle sucked, which is why I left to live in Vale. My only friend was a faunus, who was beaten and discriminated because of her faunus traits and family status. I agree with the standard that Atlas is nothing more then a mere fantasy. You can enjoy your beliefs, but watch where it will lead you, because it may lead you straight to your doom." The dark girl joined in. She wasn't even fazed by the Barbie girl's reaction. She just glared laser eyes through her plastic frame.

The blonde girl was looking at all of us with a murderous glare, "Well, I can't stand for any of this trash. I'm heading inside to find more sensible people to talk to. I think you all are a bunch of a..."

Her cuss word ( I'll let you guess which one,) was cut off by a squeal of joy that was so loud, that I almost had to cover my ears. It came from all the way across the courtyard, where the students were being dropped off from the airships. I couldn't see who exactly screamed, but she was definitely loud enough to silence the whole courtyard.

"Wow." I said in a small voice, "Someone's definitely excited."

"I bet even the people inside heard that, too." Lyra added. The dark girl nodded in agreement.

After a moment of silence, the blonde said, "Let this be a warning to you. If I see you ever again, then I will beat the stuffing out of you."

She gathered her four hot pink colored bags, and started struggling to get her things to the academy.

"What a jerk," the dark girl said, "I hope I'm never on a team with that girl."

"Um..." I looked more closely at the stranger and instantly realized something: the only luggage she had was a leather backpack. "Hey. Where are your bags?" I asked.

"I dropped them off at the Grand Hall." She said casually, "I kept my backpack on me just in case."

"Huh." Lyra nodded, "ok, who are you?"

"I'm Dracella. Dracella von Burgundy."

"Hi, there." I said "I'm Aliar Ivory." I helt out my hand. Dracella took my hand, and we shook.

"And I'm Lyra Phoebus. " Lyra shook hands with the new girl.

"Are you an Ivory?" asked Dracella.

"I am." I responded, "but I'm not into business, I'm a fighter."

"Interesting." Dracella said. "My uncle told me about the Ivory family. My parents don't like you guys."

"Um... Does this make us enemies?"

"No. In order for us to be enemies, we have to hate each other. I don't hate you."

Lyra let out her breath like she was relieved, "Thank goodness. Cause I thought you were gonna..."

"Take a selfie!!!" A squeaky voice behind me exclaimed.

I almost jumped out of my shoes. Behind us was the girl with the exact same voice that echoed throughout the courtyard. Except, she wasn't a girl, she was a faunus. She was wearing a vertically stripped skirt patterned with black and white. She wore a magenta colored shirt with short puffy sleeves, and a darker purple button-up vest on top of that. She had a pair of dark purple high heeled boots on. Also, she was wearing a tie across her neck. I usually thought that ties were worn by business workers, but she wore it like a practical joke. Her crazy, purple colored hair and matching colored cat ears only made her look more unprofessional, but in a good way. Maybe it was her black gloves that gave off the message that she wasn't here to mess around. With a folding fan on her belt, a scoll in her hand, and a look of pure craziness on her face, she looked like she was ready to fight an army of Grimm, then take a bunch of selfies of herself right next to the decaying corpses. Then, she'd probably take selfies with her scroll on every inch of the campus.

All in all, she looked like someone from the lower classes of Atlas, or maybe someone from Minstral.

"How did you get here?" Asked Lyra.

"I took the scenic route." She sounded like a girl who was living the life of a party. "Oh! And my name is Catness Magenta."

We all exchanged names. Then Dracella said that she had to go text her cousin before the welcoming ceremony, and she ran into the school.

"So," Catness asked, "Why aren't you two inside the building?"

I face palmed myself. "Right!" Then I turned to Lyra, "We should get our bags to the Grand Hall."

"Well if you wanna talk later, then I'm always available." Catness offered. Then she smiled, flashing two rows of shiny white teeth, and disappeared.

For a minute we didn't say anything. Lyra piped up first. "Huh. That was a thing."

"We should probably go drop our stuff off." I suggested. I picked up my black duffle bag and slung it over my shoulder. Then I grabbed my two white suit cases by the handles and got to my feet. Lyra grabbed a golden suitcase and a blue duffle bag.

"Yeah," she agreed, "We don't want to be late."

I amplified my Aura and the sand beneath my feet solidified, creating a solid ground for me to walk on.

"Lyra," I told her, "I may have just met you and I think you're a good person. I hope maybe we can be on a team together. Or at least be friends."

Lyra smiled. "Well we can be friends. And I think I could definitely live with you on the same team as me. But..." Her smile faded, "I don't know how they pick the teams. Let's just hope the system's friendly enough to at least let us make a choice."

"One can only hope." I muttered. "Wanna meet me at the auditorium after we drop our stuff off?"

"Sounds fun to me." Then she took off, flying over the scorching sand, with her suitcase dangling in the air.

"Oh yeah." I smiled as I walked towards the Grand Hall. "This may be a tough first year, but it's gonna be fun."

@saiyoyuutsume, @cinnamon-pineforest, @taiyang-too-long, @doctoroobleck, @fallentitan98, @ask-stjerne-a-fallende, @ask-dracella-von-burgundy, @ask-professor-goodwitch

[rainywritingsx]

Torn • BNHA X OC • Chapter 1

You can find the prologue here. I thought posting the first chapter would be fun too and I’m thinking of updating the fanfiction weekly if people really like it. Please let me know what you think! Leave a like or reblog if you enjoyed it please. I think that’s it, enjoy reading and I hope you have a wonderful day!!

xxx admin rainbow

Words: 1622

“I don’t think you realise how dangerous you could be.” My twin brother smirked as we made our way to school.

"Seventy percent of the human body consist of water, and you have the ability to control any fluid in the universe! You can basically make the whole world your slaves if you train your quirk enough." I sighed softly, not feeling the need to reply to his boring words that I'd probably heard a million times already. I was born with this power, did he think I wouldn't have figured that out after fourteen years?

I mean how couldn't I, when my father, despite my mother's protests, had been training me since I was four up until this year, because according to him training at school would be enough.

"Mom and dad will be so proud when you can finally go into the field too, Janie." He said, his voice dripping with pride and

excitement for my future. I, however, wasn't as interested in that, I must say. But I didn't say that out loud of course, due to the fact that I know that's not what he'd like to hear and I wasn't in the mood to argue with him right now. Not like I ever was in the mood to do that.

You see, unlike my younger siblings, I had the big responsibility which would be given to me as soon as I became the new leader of the so-called 'villain world', which would most likely happen as soon as my parents decided to stop - that would take a while considering they found their job absolutely lovely. Any villain would've been stoked for something like this, but me? I despised it from the day I was born.

Yes, there was a very small proportion of 'villains' that actually had some rational ideals, like them not agreeing with some situations though they were seen as 'right'. For example: Stain, the hero killer, didn't have the worst ideas in my opinion. He didn't agree with the fact that some heroes didn't become heroes with the intent of helping people. All they wanted was fame and glory. He decided to kill anyone he deemed unworthy of being a hero and kept the worthy ones alive. So, yes, his way of handling them was a completely different case but he had some decent morals.

However, the majority of this community was filled with people who just wanted to inflict pain on others, see their terrified faces before taking away possessions or sometimes even their lives. I did not want to associate myself with people like that.

And those were the exact kind of villains my parents were. As parents, they were just normal people but everyone knew both went ballistic during fights against heroes. There were some stories of heroes who could still hear my mother's psychotic laugh as she killed their allies. My dad would always look his victims right in the eye as he did whatever he wanted to do. I can't even imagine the amount of sins that they must've committed.

They expected me to be at least as crazy as them when I took over, but I wasn't even planning on becoming a villain at all. Even if some villains had ideas that seemed okay, it didn't make up for their actions. I wanted to become a hero and whether I'd become famous or not didn't matter to me. Helping people was all I wanted to do. However, we should put the emphasis on "wanted". I couldn't become a hero, my whole family would consider me absolutely insane.

We entered the school and parted our ways since we had different classes until lunch break. I never minded that, to be completely honest. We weren't the type of siblings that couldn't live without each other. I didn't have that relationship with any of my siblings. (I've got three younger brothers, I'm thirteen minutes older than my twin brother so yes I'd consider myself older, the others are twelve and ten.) Sure, we all cared about each other but we didn't have the tight bond some siblings do have. I thought that that was partly due to my parents, who never really let us do things together to get closer to each other. It was only when we got older that we started doing some things together. Maybe it was also due to our ideals being different but of course he didn't know that.

As for my two other younger siblings, they were a lot closer to each other so there never really was a need for them to have this really tight bond with my brother and I. Those two were completely fine as a duo.

I entered the classroom, not saying a word as I walked over to my seat. I also never really bonded with my class either. It didn't have to do with what I though, but more because of the fact that I was the daughter of the two most notorious villains ever. Nobody would ever talk to me and I had the tendency to be quite shy at first, so I never took the first step either.

"Alright everyone! Please open your books, classes will start now!" Our English and homeroom teacher, miss Deceit said with a bright smile on her face in the same annoyingly high tone she always used. "Today's lesson will be really exciting!" Maybe her name gave it away already, but she was a teacher who was great at creating illusions. After training for years and years, she could make someone's biggest fear and taunt people with those images. And people tend to do strange things when they're absolutely terrified... Sometimes a slightly less deathly version of that is used as a punishment for students, but only in very extreme cases. Now that she had reached an older age, she mostly used her quirk to make classes more fun than they actually are and the majority falls for it, but my parents taught me how to deal with quirks like that so it almost became like a reflex that I saw right through it.

And if you were wondering how on earth some of these villains were able to even set a foot in the outside world, there were two answers: serving in jail and fake identities. Some villains were able to get away with certain crimes and that way they got a shorter sentence, so after they served in jail they could just return to society. Other villains made fake identities and at my school they never turned people to the police. 'Villain code' is what they call it. You help other villains when they need it but you never ever call the cops on them.

The day seemed to last forever, but after villain training I could finally go home. I almost ran out of class, not wanting to spend another second with these people. My brother finished early today and went away to hang out with some of his friends, so I was on my own. It wasn't like I missed much though, no offence to him.

I frowned when I noticed a big sign set on the usual path I took to my home. It said that work was being done on the road, which meant I had to take a different road, a longer one sadly. I sighed quietly and then continued walking again. Before I could think my feet stopped on their own, making me almost fall in surprise. I looked up and gasped when I noticed it.

UA high.

The school I had admired since I was a small child, because that was the school where heroes were made. If you wanted to become a hero, you knew you just had to attend UA.

My eyes became wide when I noticed huge banners hanging. Today, and only today, they would let potential new students in and take a look in the building, like classrooms etc so they could see what to expect. I tilted my head in slight confusion. Why was this done though? UA wasn't a very open school at all, barely letting any students in. I wasn't complaining though..

Then a thought struck me. Wouldn't it be strange if I came home late? I usually got home at the same time every day so it would seem odd... But then again, I was usually the first in my family to arrive since my parents' "working hours" varied and my siblings usually hung out in places after school. I'd just go to look at the school and find an excuse later.

My excitement grew with each step I took, realising I was getting closer to the school I could only dream of even seeing. The school was huge and from the start the whole atmosphere was just completely different from what I was used to in my school. It felt like one community, whereas my school was just a mix of small groups who didn't really bother to talk to other people, let alone make other friends. Maybe I could actually make some friends here...if I was even able to attend the school at all. My parents wouldn't ever approve of this in a million years of course.

Okay, I'd just take a look. Nothing more or less. Looking wasn't a bad thing for sure so why was I worried about them not approving of it? I wouldn't attend the school anyway, nope. It was totally fine, I'd be there for a few minutes and then gone before anyone could notice. Yes. I'd do that.

。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。

[alansparkshark]

Alright, this hit me like a Boarbatusk. Or a truck. Same thing.

So, here I am, happily making some RWBY OCs. I get to their Semblances and think: "What can I give them that's useful and connected to their character?" Cuz, you know,

I don't quite get it from that explanation though, so my next thought is: "Well, let's look at the original cast, see what they got and how it pertains to their characters."

And yet the more I looked, the more a thought grew in me.

"There's aren't so much decided by their personalities as they are by their wishes."

Now, hear me out here. For most Semblances we've seen yet and have heard/seen the unlocking of, they seem to have appeared in a moment of need, a moment of physical or emotional stress.

And it always seems to pertain to certain desires the user has.

Alright, let's just start from somewhere. Let me explain my thought process.

I take a character who's Semblance we know of, then check their backstory and personality. Then I check if said backstory/personality could lead to a desire in said character. And finally, I try to see if that desire connects directly to the Semblance of the character in question.

Let's start with someone who's Semblance we not only know, but saw the moment they found it.

Lie Ren.

First off, we check their personality/backstory. Ren is a quiet, less emotionally expressive character. He seems to stay calm in every moment. As the story progresses, he grows more expressive - in current-day Kuroyuri, he is shown in a rage.

So far, it seems fitting that such a character gets a Semblance such as "Calmness", as I'll dub it.

But it's the moment that he unlocks it that makes it interesting.

Up until that point, we've seen Ren as an excitable little boy. He went from store to store, trying to find something to buy his father for his return. He shows a lot of emotions at that point. When the Nuckelavee attacks and his parents perish, he is panicked beyond belief and is hiding under an archway. He notices Nora a little ways away, in a similar state. He wants to help her. He wants to take action, but he's too panicked to move. He wants to calm down , he tries and tries and- his Semblance activates. His desire to calm down activated his unique ability - to instill calmness despite negative emotions. His wish was to do as his father and mother did - be brave and inspire others to feel the same.

In other words, his Semblance was unlocked by his desire to be calm so he could be reliable to those he cares about.

Alright, next big example - Jaune.

His Semblance was first hinted at in "Forever Fall, pt.2" as Cardin attempted to give Jaune the good ol' knuckle sandwich, only hurt his hand after a bright flash of light (This'll be of importance later). The next time we see it is alllll the way in "Vault of The Spring Maiden", and this time it was fully unlocked. His Semblance of Aura Amplification is one that I personally feel really fits his character - he doesn't want to protect his friends. He wants to do as Pyrrha did for him at Beacon - bring them up, assist them in achieving new heights but not doing it instead of them. Notice how I again used "wants". His desire to do as a good leader should, bring up his teammates, is the basis of his Semblance. It's the same with when he blocked Cardin's punch - he wanted to bring himself up from the pitiful state he was in at the time, not just protect himself from the pain but have the strength to overcome it.

Alright, next up on the list... is Raven, surprisingly.

She was one of the easiest to piece to this logic, as she and Qrow have an irony with their Semblances. But back to Raven.

Her Semblance is "Connection", as I'll call it. It's premise is relatively simple - she can create a portal to those she has a strong emotional connection to. The list so far includes Qrow (brother & teammate), Taiyang (lover & teammate), Yang (daughter) and Vernal (right-hand woman until her untimely demise). We know about Vernal due to process of elimination - unless you wanna imply she actually had a connection to Cinder or her companions. And yet, her whole story is how she abandoned her daughter and her husband. She told Qrow "they owed everything to the Branwen tribe", strongly implying, if not confirming she feels a sense of thankfulness to the people who raised her when she needed it. She admonished Qrow for deserting the clan. She feels a sense of duty towards them. And yet, her Semblance is based entirely on emotional connection - something I doubt is of great importance in a bandit clan composed of "killers and thieves", in Qrow's words. I'd hazard to guess that a childhood in a bandit clan would easily stir a desire to form lasting bonds - something easily achievable when you can make portals. Despite her sense of duty, she still desires a strong emotional bond, devoid of power dynamics and a sense of "we may die any day". Something she had with Taiyang and Yang. Something she had with Qrow and Vernal, despite the circumstances. Really adds a layer to her character if you put it like that.

Alright, who's next... hm, let's put Qrow on the dissection table now.

His Semblance of "Misfortune" seems awfully contradictory to his character, that of a caring man who can barely stand to hurt those close to him, even if they're not family and friends. Why would that be his Semblance?

Well, he obviously didn't have a great opinion of the Branwen tribe. Who knows, maybe what Raven saw as being saved, Qrow saw as being used. Maybe he wished that they'd be caught by bad luck, that the tribe would just collapse and disappear. But that spite evolved into his current Semblance - everyone around him suffers while he's only really left with emotional scars.

Welp. That was depressing. Who's up for getting at Nora next.

Now, this is gonna be pretty short this time. There's not a lot to talk about. She sees Ren as her emotional anchor, her savior. She wants to give back for what he does. She sees he's struggling on the physical side (he's pretty low on the endurance, as evident multiple times throughout the show), so she desires to be strength he's lacking in. And look where that got her - her Semblance, "Charging" makes her grow exponentially stronger the more electricity she absorbs. She can even channel it into objects, like Magnhild or an Ursa. I'd say mission successful, you funky little Thor ginger.

Let's finish up JNPR with their resident apology machine - Pyrrha.

So, we know she'd been in many tournaments. She's the Invincible Girl. The three-time Mistral regional battle tournament winner. She's honestly a gladiator. And what does a gladiator crave? Victory. That's where her overpowered (in comparison to others) Semblance appeared from. She simply wanted to beat her opponents more easily. Well, until she didn't want all the fame that came along with her power.

Alright, who do we mentally lay bare... Hm, Velvet seems simple enough.

What's there to say - a shy, bullied bunny. She's a second year in the first year's history class. I'd say that would do some things to your confidence. And what's her Semblance? Well it just so happens to be "Movement Copying". She can copy a person's physical movements, even if she has not seen them, as shown in "Heroes and Monsters". Makes sense - her desire to be as strong as those around her shows both in her Semblance and her weapon (which is basically a weapon-copying camera). She doesn't have confidence that she's strong, so she (quite literally) does as those around her.

Hm, who next... oooh, how about Yang?

"...basically a temper tantrum", I'd call it "Rise Up". This also can connect to a desire. Yang, being repeatedly battered by one damaging event after the other - her mother abandoning her, her stepmother dying, likely a depression in her father and mothering Ruby. The girl has likely been brought down more than once. But she desires to get stronger from it, so much so that the desire has become a characteristic. She shows so when she decides to find Ruby, when she decides to start training again. She has done it again and again and she'll continue doing it - her desire is now another part of her personality that won't break.

Alright, we put Yang here, how about we make a Bumbleby combo and go for Blake next.

"Shadows", now that's a name I can get behind. She "leaves an empty shell, a shadow to take the hit while she runs". It's, all things considered, a kind of cowardly Semblance. It's basically "here, beat on this while I dodge away and escape the attack". And with the recent events, we've seen she doesn't wanna run anymore - yet she retains her Semblance unchanged? Makes no sense if it's connected to a personality trait. But if it's connected to a desire, then it would make perfect sense. Firstly, she's a Faunus. We know for a fact that there's Faunus discrimination (seriously, if the Adam short and Adam's scar aren't enough proof for you...) and that she was fighting against it in protests. And if our world is anything to go by... yeah, it's easy to see how peaceful any counter-protests would be. Not to mention Adam himself. From all those factors collected, well, the thought process behind the desire her Semblance is founded on becomes obvious - she realised the racists only saw an animal, nothing of importance where Blake stood. So she gave them just that - an empty sandbag to hit while she runs. I'm not gonna get into Adam, as I'm simply sick of the topic.

Hmm, who's left... Well, Weiss has a familial Semblances. The Schnee Glyphs aren't so much unique as the summons included. Really, the only thing unique about her Semblance is who she summons, as we've seen a Queen Lancer, a Boarbatusk and the Arma Gigas, unlike Winter, who we've seen with a flock of tiny Nevermores and a Beowolf. The show says the Schnee family Semblance is a very rare thing, a passed-down-by-blood power. So it's an understandable outlier.

Let's look at Ruby next... Well, she seems to be a very big outlier to this theory of mine. Her silver eyes have more to do with her desires than her Speed. Maybe she has a desire we have yet to see? Anyways, I don't quite have an explanation for Ruby, so I'll leave her aside.

Let's clean our palates with Sun, then.

His Semblance, "Kage Bunshin No Jutsu" (I know it's called "Via Sun", but I wanted to make an unoriginal joke), actually seems to fit my theory. We don't have much, if any, backstory, but in this case we need none. His desire, as we've seen many times throughout the series and which was twisted in Volume 4 & 5, is to help people. He wants to be there for those he cares about, like Blake and his team, but he realises he can't do it alone. So his desire turned into his Semblance, "One Monkey Army" - a way for him to help even if he's alone to do so. You can't tell me he hasn't used his Semblance to fetch something for someone at least once.

Hm, few people left. Let's go with Emerald.

Her "Hallucinations" are a nod to her growing up on the streets. A place you'd be begging people not to pay attention to you. Her Semblance, then, is born from the obvious desire to fool prey and predators alike.

Neo... We don't know much about her. No backstory, some personality, but honestly? The only idea I have at this moment is more of a headcannon. But I CAN connect her Semblance's evolution. So, before V6, her Semblance is simply making physical illusions. It's honestly similar to Blake's "Shadows", in some uses, but it's definitely a lot more of a multi-use tool. It can be used to make her look different, if not outright invisible. But it always shatters upon being hit. Fast forward to V6 and her fight against Cinder, and suddenly she can use the illusions as straight up puppets to fight for her. Her Semblance grew, to put it bluntly. But why in such a manner? Her illusions were fragile and immobile before, now they're tougher and mobile to the point of being straight up weapons. But why in that direction? Well, they can move and touch things without them breaking now. Guess who's started to get more headpats from her partner.

Alright, Hazel is up for the mental strip.

Honestly, despite our lack of major backstory here, his Semblance is pretty easy to trace back. Nobody likes pain, outside of masochists, so it's easy to understandable he'd have a Semblance that removes the feeling of pain.

Adam. Adam Adam Adam. He's surprisingly more similar to Hazel than Yang in terms of Semblance. Yeah, you heard that right. "He gets to dish out damage and not feel it". His Semblance is basically a self-loading gun - he can use the power of strikes to charge it, only to the unleash various empowered slashes. He refuses to feel pain, just like Hazel, but unlike him, he also desired to return what was meant for him straight back at his attackers. Hazel is relatively peaceful when the situation doesn't include Ozpin, but Adam? He's aggressive, always bloodthirsty. His desire was simple - feed his thirst for vengeance. A perfect Semblance for that wish, no?

Hm, well we only have Glynda left. I got nothing. I don't see how I'd understand her desire to have telekinesis without a backstory I doubt we'll get.

Well, that's it for that! I feel like I'm onto something.

[stressedspidergirlsfandomblog]

Pt16

(Hints of citrus. More technical & discussions around consent. No action beyond pg-13)

Forgot an overnight bag.

16:03

I can bring my shoreleave bag to your place?

16:05

K. Have a drawer for you.

16:05

Meet me by the lockers?

16:06

NP.

16:06

Shiro heads in, exultant. The Holts scold him, and Iverson just shakes his head and gives him dirty looks over Colleen's shoulder. Shiro technically isn't his to scold anymore.

When the Holts are done, Shiro gives Iverson a rueful look. "Sir?"

"You're retired, Shirogane. I don't yell at civilians."

Shiro tilts his head a bit and raises an eyebrow.

"Leastaways not the ones that have earned my respect."

"Well. Thank you then, sir. For not taking the piss out of me, sir."

"Shirogane, you were my commanding officer on the Altas. You can dispense with the sir nonsense."

Grinning, "thank you sir."

"Get out of here. Your boyfriend is waiting."

Shiro does a little mocking salute, and heads inside. Matt joins him on the way.

"You gonna push Curt up against a wall and take him, or will it be safe for me to get in a shower? I'm dusty and sweaty."

"It's safe," Shiro says dryly. "We would never do that in there anyway."

"You and Adam did plenty of things in plenty of places, and half the cadets knew."

"Not the locker room," Shiro protests. He doesn't want to explain to Matt why they'd done whatever whenever. With the degenerative disease, and the medicine messing him up... He hadn't been able to get an erection with any reliability. So they'd taken advantage of it whenever it happened. Which meant they had visited several broom closets and on one notable occasion, the roof. Just like he's sick of people wanting to know how sleeping with Curtis goes. They're not. So far Shiro is pretty sure he has gotten it up maybe twice since he was first captured by the Galra.

It had certainly been impossible in captivity. Not that he'd tried. And then after, he'd been busy. And had almost no alone time. No time to try. And no interest, if he's being honest. He'd never felt like it. And now with Curtis, his body still isn't working. It had once, maybe he's pretty sure. Maybe twice.

"Not the locker room... But the roof? Most broom closets... An empty classroom. One of the teacher's offices...and apparently some bleachers?"

"The bleachers was rumor and hearsay. And the office... Was Adam's."

"That doesn't make it better," Matt makes a face. "You guys were disgusting."

"Well. I suppose Curtis and I have a low bar to step over in terms of not upsetting you."

"Sorry. I didn't think about it. Are you okay to even talk about Adam?"

"Yeah. I can handle it."

"Oh. Quiznak. Shiro is... Is Curtis okay with it?"

"Yeah," Shiro grins a little. "Curtis kinda knew him. It's not like we compare our exes to each other. It's just nice sometimes to be able to talk about the good stuff. And we've talked about why Adam and I broke up."

Matt nods a little. He knows Curtis and his previous partner had been very serious. And knows how he died, too. So there's less negative notes to compare on Curtis' side. He wonders how Shiro feels about it. "You guys were good until you weren't," he shrugs.

Shiro shrugs back. He doesn't want to talk about it with Matt. He's told Curtis that he'd put himself first. Adam had been supportive until he'd wanted to come first once in a while. Shiro doesn't regret going to Kerberos. For all he wishes they hadn't been caught by the Galra. Voltron... Doesn't make the torture and blood and death worth it, not really. But it was amazing. The Atlas was amazing. The Coalition. So much good coming out of so much bad.

So many amazing experiences. The views from the bridge of the Castle of Lions. Sitting with Allura just watching the stars. He's seen entire galaxies they didn't even know existed. Met aliens. Seen planets with names he can barely pronounce. Beautiful flora and fauna...

But it was good to feel the wind in his hair. The grit and sand scrape across his skin. It's nice to be home.

Choosing to focus on that, he pushes the door open to the locker room, nose wrinkling at the familiar stench of sweaty bodies. rank flight suits, old socks, and swamp crotch.

Curtis is half changed into civvies and his bag is on the bench ready to grab and go.

"That's a face," Curtis teases, finishing pulling on his pants and fastening them. Stuffing some things into his bag and zipping it shut, he goes over to Takashi and kisses him. "You smell like you belong in here anyway," he teases gently.

"How can you tell?" He points out.

Matt makes a face at both of them, and heads to his locker. "I'll catch you guys later, I need to wash up."

"Yeah, see you soon?" Shiro suggests.

"Definitely. Don't be a stranger."

Curtis kisses Takashi's cheek. "You okay if I shower at your place? I hate the showers here."

"You're welcome to treat my place like your own," he points out. Leaning into Curtis he feels warm when Curtis puts an arm around his shoulders. It's nice to be openly loved.

They walk out. It takes a bit, some people wanting to greet Shiro. Some people happily ribbing Curtis about what he's going home to.

When they get to Curtis' car he squeezes Takashi's hand. "Does it bug you when they tease us about sex?" He's noticed his partner get more withdrawn as it went on.

"It seems good natured," he shrugs. He doesn't want to talk about the embarassing reason it makes him uncomfortable. For all Curtis kind of already knows. He hasn't just said right out that he can't get it up. They talked about how he feels like his body maybe doesn't work right and he's uncomfortable in it. For all that's far less true now. Between Curtis, the 'family' reunion the day before, pulling off the cliff stunt on a whole new piece of technology. He feels pretty good. He feels more like himself.

When they get back to his place, Shiro makes a face at Curtis when he plugs his nose. "I can smell you in here, now, for sure. In the locker room it was hard to tell."

"I pulled off the impossible today," he counters, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "I think a little smell can be forgiven." He leans in to kiss Curtis, who kisses him back.

Curtis kisses him back, wrapping his arms around Takashi. He's never seen him seem so alive and thrilled. Nuzzling his neck, Curtis smiles. It's not that he hasn't seen Captain Shirogane electrified and in charge. He's seen him flush with a succesful military manouever, seen him cheer after winning a pitched battle. But there was always something behind it. Some darkness, or guilt... Pain. Not this. Not this time. This is different. The victory is open and innocent. Takashi is obviously pleased with himself.

"Hm. Reminds me," he pulls away and swats Takashi upside the head. "Don't you dare just drive off a cliff with no warning ever again, you jackass."

"I knew what I was doing."

"I knew you'd have no problems driving that thing. I just didn't expect you to do that. No one did!"

"It was kind of hot though, right?" He starts kissing Curtis again. They end up against a wall. He's pushed Curtis into it, not thinking.

"You're always hot," Curtis reminds him. He kisses along the other man's jaw.

Shiro's breath catches and he pulls Curtis in closer. Kissing harder, he wishes Curtis would let him move in closer. Their hips aren't close together and he wants them to be. Wanting to tug up Curtis' shirt, take things further, he's barely thinking.

Curtis reaches down to tug Takashi forward by his belt loops, bringing their bodies flush. He moans a little, pushing into his partner a little harder.

Shiro whimpers a little, needing more. It sort of pops into his brain that he's rock hard and trying to figure out how to grind on Curtis without really being able to move. Curtis has him trapped, fingers still hooked tightly in his pants.

"Takashi," Curtis pulls back. "Hey, slow down." He knows a big part of his reluctance to go past kissing with Takashi is how uncomfortable and miserable he's been. Curtis doesn't want sex to become a coping mechanism or crutch in their relationship.

"Curtis," he protests, confused.

"I will kiss you all you want," Curtis promises. "I just don't know if we're ready for the next step."

"Curtis," he turns red. Taking his hand and tugging it close to his groin, he looks down. He doesn't bring their hands to even touch. Just. Close. "I might... I might not be able to, when we're ready."

Pulling his fingers free of Takashi's belt loops, he gently slips them under his chin and lifts. Gives him a wicked grin, "oh trust me. That won't be an issue."

"This... The...I haven't...I haven't since...you don't understand," he stumbles.

It takes a few more seconds of incoherent rambling before Curtis understands what Takashi is trying to tell him. "That long?" He asks, almost concerned. "Oh wow."

"I don't... It just doesn't happen anymore. I... I want... I want to be with you," he says almost plaintively.

"You can't....?" Curtis makes an obscene gesture.

"No..." He turns a darker red, and can feel the heat rising off his face. "Maybe now? Without the arm, and my shoulder healing? I don't..." He shrugs. "Too late now," he points out, glancing down.

"Well we both need to shower," Curtis shrugs. "Maybe I could help you out a little?" He suggests, kissing Takashi's neck and catching his earlobe for a second.

Shiro feels like his whole body is electrified. "You won't be disappointed when it doesn't work?"

Giving him a wry look, "I want to have sex with you. I just think we need to have several conversations before we do any of it. There's some stuff I hate and there might be things you don't like. And for both of us, one wrong move could be a serious trigger. So. Do I want you? Yes. Gods yes. When it happens will I rock your world so hard you forget your own name? Hell yes," he grins when Takashi turns red again. He'd just almost faded to a light pink. "But, I want to wait until we've both talked extensively."

"I'm gonna hold you to that," he mumbles. "Do you wanna order take out or should we cook something?" He resigns himself to nothing happening.

"Let's see how we feel once we're both clean?"

"You're a pain."

"I'll help you through it, you just have to do the work yourself," Curtis says patiently, and watches understanding dawn on the other man's face.

"Won't that be some kind of torture? I don't think I'd have the willpower if I was in your place," he points out, for all he has butterflies in his stomach.

"It'll be fine. Who said I was just gonna watch and not handle myself?"

Swallowing hard, he feels a few minutes of panic. "Curtis... What if I just can't?"

Curtis' first instinct is just to dismiss it. But he can see it's genuinely stressing his partner out. "Let me worry about that. That's my job," he kisses Takashi gently. "And if it doesn't work, we'll try a bunch of different stuff until it does." He kisses over his neck, catches his earlobe, and gently starts to tug his shirt off. His hands wander up and over Shiro's scarred chest, before slipping around to his back to pull him closer. His shirt slides back down, covering Curtis' hands.

Kissing him slowly, and gently, he holds him close. It's not about how hard and fast they can kiss. It's about how much they love each other.

Eventually, Curtis pulls back. Takashi's eyes are lidded heavily as he looks at Curtis with a mix of affection, lust, and contentment. He's completely out of it. Leaning back in for more kisses, his lips feel swollen and they were being gentle. He vaguely wonders how long they've been at it.

He's trapped in some limbo between utter peace and desperate lust. "I need you to kiss me like that more often," he says against Curtis' lips.

"Of course," Curtis promises. Gently pulling Takashi's shirt off, he kisses along his collar bone. Soft. No demands. Just enjoying the feel of his partner's skin under his lips and tongue. Hooking his fingerips into the front of his waistband, Curtis starts moving slowly backwards towards the bathroom, tugging Takashi with him.

(I might just delete it all? I dunno.)

[eyreguide]

The Evolving Jane Eyre 2011 Screenplay

I remember when the novel tie-in edition was released ahead of the Jane Eyre 2011 film, there was a bonus at the end of the ebook edition.  They added the screenplay of the film by Moira Buffini.  I have since tried to find my ebook copy but I think my move to a Kindle has led me to misplace it.  Fortunately there are screenplay databases online, and I found an older screenplay on this site.  Although I remember certain elements in the screenplay from the ebook bonus that is not in the version on the website, so I feel like there is yet another version floating around.  

The screenplay on the IMSDb site is the 2nd draft, dated 6 March 2008.  Quite a few years for the screenplay to go through revisions, and yet the heart of the screenplay writer’s vision seems intact.  The screenplay begins with Jane leaving Thornfield and wandering the moors - such a unique approach to adapting the novel.  The 2nd draft has more of the original story than the final product, with many interesting additions and actual scenes from the novel excised.  While the 2011 film is my favorite movie adaptation (not favorite overall though when you factor in miniseries) and I love how well it tells the story in two hours, it does make me sad that they couldn’t have made this movie two and a half hours to really bring more of Jane’s story to life.

The Changes from the 2nd Draft

If you’ve seen this movie trailer, the story seemed darker, more heightened and Gothic than the final product.  (Rochester with all black eyes at the very end???!!)  The trailer even shows a glimpse of Helen Burns in front of Moor House and that thread was entirely cut from the movie. Reading this 2nd draft, it was fascinating to see the vision Moira had for the story and the intriguing ideas she had for bringing out some of the inner life of Jane.  There are quite a few smaller moments that impressed me, so I will just highlight some of them in this post.

Helen Burns: Helen has more traditional scenes in the draft than she wound up with in the final movie, but the new idea that her “ghost” visually stays with Jane and brings her solace in times of trouble is both fresh and true to Helen’s role in Jane’s life.  When Jane is first running away from Thornfield, the viewer “sees” Helen with Jane, and at some points Helen leads Jane and encourages her to keep going.  While I’m glad they cut this for the film, I think it is an interesting visual and honors Helen as Jane’s first true friend.

Visuals of Jane’s Inner World: The 2006 miniseries adaptation with Ruth Wilson was the first to show what Jane was seeing by having the viewer see her in that physical world.  That 2006 miniseries begins with young Jane in a desert, as she is looking at an image of a barren land in a book.  Moira’s draft also includes this idea and early on has Jane in the setting of the pictures she is looking at.  Later, after the interrupted wedding, you see Jane by a river as the water overflows and visually the ‘torrent pours over her.’  This would have been a powerful moment in the film, but perhaps too jarring, so I understand why it was cut.

More Reordering of the Timeline: The film begins with Jane meeting the Rivers, then shows Jane at Lowood, then at Thornfield, before winding up at the beginning again with Jane as a schoolteacher at Morton.  The 2nd draft had even more flashbacks and flash-forwards with the most notable being changing the scene between St. John and Jane in Morton (which in the films shows up after you see Jane leave Thornfield and Rochester) to when Mr. Rochester leaves to see the Ingrams.  That flash-forward to Jane and St. John’s conversation about not looking back and St. John resisting the love he feels for someone he thinks is unsuitable seems appropriate to illustrate Jane’s confused feelings after saving Mr. Rochester from the fire, but it was another great choice to move it so that it is our first jarring moment back into Jane’s current life after the emotion of her leaving Rochester.

Nightmares: The 2006 miniseries might have inspired some of Moira’s approach to this screenplay as another element from the miniseries is shown - Jane’s dreams illustrating her inner turmoil and fears. I really enjoy this foreshadowing in the book, and I loved seeing the dreams dramatized in the 2006 version.  It might have worked well in the 2011 film as well - especially if they just did this to show Jane’s inner world, and not the landscape visuals I talked about above.  In one nightmare, Helen is the one to give Jane the crying babe.  And this particular nightmare is fantastic:

INT. DUSK. THORNFIELD / THE RED ROOM.                                  Jane, aged ten, is walking along the long gallery. She          opens a door and finds herself in the Red Room.                                  She stares into the mirror, searching the pale face of her          reflection, as if trying to find an answer. A murmur seems          to come down the gaping chimney; a woman's deep sigh.          Jane's throat tightens with fear. Something moves in the          shadows behind her.                                  She scans them, her eyes full of terror. Jane knows beyond          all doubt that something is there. She hears a low laugh.          It seems to be right next to her. She tries to scream -

And this occurs just before Jane hears Mason’s cries, which would have been pretty eerie to watch.  I really love this idea.

The Flashback to Thornfield Burning:  In the film, this is not shown, unlike SO MANY adaptations of Jane Eyre which does visualize this.  I love that they honor Jane’s narrative by not showing what she was not there to witness.  But in the 2nd draft, Mrs. Fairfax is telling Jane what she thinks happened, mostly through voiceover, but what was visualized in the draft was entirely different.  Instead of Bertha sneaking away, the viewer would have seen Rochester let her out, and then watch her wander around and eventually start a fire in Thornfield.  It shows Rochester as bleak, hopeless and uncaring.  The scene ends with Rochester readying himself to jump to his death until Bertha beats him to it -

EXT. EVENING. THORNFIELD - THE LEADS.                                  Bertha is watching the rooks. Rochester goes to the edge of          the roof. Bertha looks at him. The invitation is clear.          Rochester is ready to die.                                  Bertha sees the rooks wheeling away. She runs at the edge          of the roof. Rochester sees her intention too late. He puts          out his arm to stop her.                                  For the perfect fraction of a second, Bertha flies.          Rochester sees her fall; almost falls himself - saves          himself.                                  Life reawakens in him. Behind him, he sees Grace Poole,          coughing, crawling up through the door.                                                  GRACE           Antoinetta?                                  Responsibility floods over him. He goes to her side, lifts          Grace, helps her down the stairs.                                   MRS FAIRFAX (V.O.)           He didn't leave the house until           everyone was out. Some say it was a           just judgement on him for having           her confined there all those years           but for my part, I pity him.

Wow.  If this had been filmed, I don’t know what I would have thought.  On the one hand, it’s very powerful.  On the other it’s very different from what is in the novel, and shows Rochester carelessly endangering other people, and I don’t see that as true to his character.  But this is definitely a unique take on that scene.

Screenplay Highlights

There are a few scenes in the screenplay that particularly touched me or I found highlighted a great moment.  I love this quiet moment while Jane is just settling into her life at Thornfield (Adele’s song is the one she sings to Jane to show her accomplishments.)  The fact that Mrs. Fairfax gives a gift to Jane and knows that Jane would feel overwhelmed by it so hands it to her and leaves, feels true to Mrs. Fairfax’s gentle understanding.

INT. NIGHT. THORNFIELD - MRS FAIRFAX'S PARLOUR.                                  Adele's song continues as a voiceover. Mrs Fairfax is          finishing a shawl. Jane is showing Adele pictures of little          objects that she has sketched. Adele names them in English.                                  The song ends. Jane gives Adele a sketch of herself.                                                  ADELE           Me! It is me!                                  Mrs Fairfax shakes out the finished shawl and puts it round          Jane's shoulders, departing before Jane can protest.                                                  MRS FAIRFAX           Here. For you.                                                   Jane is delighted at the kindness of the gift.

Then there is this scene, where Jane is teaching Adele, and Mrs. Fairfax comes in to take Jane’s portfolio.  There’s discomfort in Jane as her work is being exhibited without her permission.  And a nod to the careless way men disregard women’s thoughts and opinions, even from Mr. Rochester, who is the character who is most interested in Jane’s mind.

INT. DAY. THORNFIELD - THE NURSERY.                                  Jane is by the blackboard, where she is writing sums.                                                  ADELE           Tonight I will have my cadeaux.           He always bring me a cadeaux.                                  Mrs Fairfax breathlessly enters.                                                  MRS FAIRFAX           Sorry to disturb. He's asked for           your art.                                  Jane looks at her in disbelief.                                                  JANE           What for?                                                                MRS FAIRFAX           He wishes to have it.                                                  JANE           Why?                                                  MRS FAIRFAX           To show to his company, I should           think. Is this it here? Thank you.                                  Jane watches helplessly as Mrs Fairfax takes her portfolio.

When Jane visits Mrs. Reed on her sick bed, there is a unique moment added to the script.  Jane’s sees a picture of her Mother, and reconciles her childhood fears of the Red Room.  The Caird/Gordon musical has a nod to Jane’s parents in the show (prior to the Broadway iteration) and even features them briefly in the beginning.  Obviously, this is a poignant way to show the growth of the little orphan girl, and I would have loved to see this dramatized.

INT. DAY. GATESHEAD - THE RED ROOM.                                  The morning sun is pouring in. Jane goes to the bed. She          puts her hand upon it, gently, as if thanking her uncle for          all he did. She notices a picture on the wall. A miniature          of a brown-haired woman with elfin eyes.                                  Jane takes it off the wall. Bessie comes in.                                                  JANE           My mother.                                  Bessie nods. A tear rolls down Jane's face. She clasps the          picture, looking round the room.                                                  JANE (CONT'D)           Why ever was I so afraid?

As is true of most of the roles in this version of the screenplay, St. John had more lines and in this section, we see more of his compassionate, persuasive side which would have really added to his character in the film.  He is harsh and cold,but this small scene would have made the viewer understand more why Jane admired and loved him like a brother.  I feel like the writing in this scene captures what Bronte wrote very well too.

  JANE           You're a good man, but you forget           the feelings of little people. We'd           better keep out of your way lest           you trample us.                                     St John's anger has faded. He is compassionate. This is far          harder to resist.                                                  ST JOHN           I wouldn't trample you. You'd           walk at my side towards God's           altar. He'd be your solace,           heaven your reward. We seek to do           the greatest work, to open           death's gates, to save souls.           Love God Jane, love God.                                  St John puts his hand on her forehead; Christlike. Jane is          falling under his power.                                   ST JOHN (CONT'D)           Give up your heart to Him. He is           love.

Final Impressions

After I finished the second draft, I have to say I admire Moira and the director and anyone involved in editing and refining the script.  Even as a purist, I am impressed at how well this second draft encapsulates the novel.  And then to have to further trim down and edit - what a difficult job!  And the final product is marvelously streamlined and an intimate portrait of Jane.  The sensational is pared back and the emotions are appropriately restrained.  In the editing process, there seemed to have been an instinct to keep the story to Jane’s perspective and to create something a little more realistic.  And I think they succeeded.

[lunarsaga]

EPISODE 4: A Secret Long Kept

WARNING: THE ART IN THIS CHAPTER WILL CONTAIN BLOOD (as well as an artistic interpretation of demonic possession. VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED.

As a side note, the art in this chapter might be a little mismatched, as it was kind of put together from a couple tiny scenes. (and I didn't wanna redraw/color all of it ^^;) HOPE YOU'RE READY FOR LUNA'S TRAGIC BACKSTORY!! ENJOYYY~

Chapter 5 is already up on my Patreon! Hopefully I'll finish Chapter 6 soon, but my patrons will see it first!

The nightmares were over. Kagome, Miroku, Sango and Shippo were able to overcome Garamaru’s cocoons, and the nightmares he tried to trap them in, and it was all thanks to Inuyasha. As they gathered together, they watched as the Forest of Sorrow disappeared around them.

“Is everyone okay?” Kagome asked as she joined back up with the rest of them.

“We’re all fine now,” Sango answered, but… she was a little unsure. She glanced to the side, and Kagome followed her gaze to her sister, who was standing apart from the rest of them.

“Luna?” Kagome called to her. “You okay?”

“She seems rather distressed by what she saw,” Miroku said.

“I wonder what it was…” Sango uttered.

"I hope she's okay..." Shippo worried.

“Tche,” Inuyasha scoffed. “It’s not like it matters.”

For a second, Luna didn’t answer; she barely registered Kagome and her friends talking behind her. With her back turned to the rest of them, she was zoned out. Hazel-brown eyes stared blankly at the beat up little polaroid photograph in her hand, but her gaze was thousands of miles away, and hundreds of years in the future.

It may as well have been a relic from a different time. In the photo were two blissfully happy teenagers. One, a girl with fluffy black hair that fell in waves just above her shoulders. The other was a boy with strawberry-blonde hair, eyes so blue the sea would be jealous of their sparkle, and cheeks sprayed with freckles. He held the girl in his arms, grinning as his lips hovered close to her temple, ready to press a kiss there.

Kagome turned to Inuyasha, chastising: “Inuyasha! Why would you say that?!”

Defensively, Inuyasha’s volume only increased. “What?! You all had nightmares, if she doesn’t wanna talk about it, then it ain’t our business anyway!”

He's right, the little voice inside Luna's head whispered. It doesn't matter. It's not their burden to bear. Only yours. A burden you'll carry until the day you die...

"I love you, Lu."

You shouldn't have.

"I'll follow you anywhere."

You shouldn't have.

"I trust you... You can do this."

No, I couldn't. And now...

Worried about her sister’s lack of a response, Kagome went over to her, reaching for her shoulder. “Luna…?”

As she heard her sister step up behind her, Luna quickly hid the photo in the pocket of her flannel shirt. “I’m fine, you guys,” She said, loud enough for everyone else to hear. “Don’t worry about it.” She felt a single, solitary tear sliding down her face, and quickly wiped it as she turned back around.

“You’re my sister, Luna,” Kagome said softly, “I’ll always worry about you.”

“I promise it’s fine. Not like I’ve never had nightmares like that before.” Blinking back more tears, she patted her sister on the back and moved back toward the group. “Anyone else ready to get the hell outta here?”

“Forgive me, Luna, but you look like you were crying just now.” Miroku said.

“Must be allergies,” Luna quickly lied, “Never took well to insects, and that cocoon was nasty.”

“No surprise there,” Inuyasha, dense as ever, turned and started leading them away. “C’mon! We can’t waste time going after Naraku.”

Kagome hesitated, then reached out to grab her sister’s hand, holding her back. “Luna, you know you can talk to me, right? You’d tell me if something was bothering you?”

Luna didn’t look at her. “It was just a bad dream, Kags. I have a lot of them—kinda comes with the job.”

Kagome didn’t believe her, but she didn’t have a choice other than to let it go. One of these days, you’ll have to open up, Luna. And I promise I’ll be there for you when you do.

~~~

Luna wasn’t sure where exactly she took a wrong turn, but here she was in the middle of the damn forest, with no way to tell which way was up.

The others had stopped to make camp for the night, but Luna couldn’t get that nightmare out of her head, so she told them she was gonna take a walk to shake it off. It was just a memory, one that played in her head so often she should be used to it by now, but… something was different about it this time.

In all the similar nightmares she’d had before, usually, she had no hands. No mouth. No voice. When she moved, it was like she was moving through jell-o. She saw him—those sea-blue eyes and hair like strawberry honey, freckles like constellations and a smile from Heaven itself—saw him say the things he’d said back then:

“I love you,” He whispered, holding her close as the night sky above them exploded with fireworks. She saw the trails sparkle in his eyes just before he leaned in and they shared their first kiss.

Then, it was months later, as the autumn leaves crunched under her boots and her shotgun felt heavier in her hand. But even as she revealed her secret life—one of monsters and magic and danger—he was unwavering. Resolute. “I’ll follow you anywhere,” he said as he took her hand.

The last part… she couldn’t bear to think about, but this was what changed the most with her new nightmare.

Usually, she just saw him offering her encouragement, even though he was the one bleeding from his eyes: “I trust you… you can do this.” Then, she would scream, but no sound would come out, she’d spiral down into darkness and wake in a cold sweat.

But this time, it was different.

After he’d pledged to follow her anywhere, she was taken back to the place it all ended—a little overgrown shack, hidden out in the woods about half a mile from her house. It was their special place; a secret clubhouse of sorts. Polaroids hung on a string on the wall, and the small tree growing in the corner bore their initials: L.H. + J.D.. Shadows danced on the walls, and she couldn’t see more than three or four feet in every direction.

In her previous dreams, she could never speak or move like she could in the waking world, but this time, she felt almost fully conscious. She stood where she always had, facing him down—the same man. The one she fell in love with.

But it wasn’t him.

His sea-blue eyes had been completely overtaken by pitch black. His hands had been too, like they were made of pure shadow; shadow that curled down his forearms. His teeth were just as she remembered; stained red from choking on his own blood.

“You did this.” It wasn’t his voice. It was the creature that had taken him. “You killed him, little moonchild.”

She couldn’t argue. Her voice would work if she tried, but… even then, as she faced down the most lucid dream she’d had since the incident��� she couldn’t speak.

“Nothing to say?” The demon taunted. “The eldest of the Mighty Higurashi family has nothing to say?”

“Shut up!” She’d finally said. She could feel the wetness of tears on her cheeks, but this had still been a dream. They floated around her like there was no gravity. “Is that all you have to say?!”

The demon seemed a little surprised of her response, so she kept going:

“I know! I fucked up! I brought him into a world he should never have been a part of, and I never should have in the first place! I put him in danger and I am the reason why he got killed!” The tears flowed freely, and even within the dream, she could feel her body shake with anger. “You can’t do shit to me, you greasy little fuck—anything you think you can say to me is shit I’ve already said to myself! You can’t hurt me!”

Maybe that was what shattered the dream; she didn’t remember anything after that. But that was never something she would share with anyone else.

No one else had to know about Jack. She was going to take her damning mistake to the grave.

And… now she was lost. Again.

“I gotta find a way to make a medieval GPS tracker or some shit…” she grumbled, cursing herself for having forgotten her compass in her backpack.

But then came a voice, one she recognized.

“Miss Luna!”

Around the bend of a large tree sat the little girl she’d helped out her first night in the Feudal Era; Rin. It’d been, what? A week or two since? And no sign of “Lord Sesshomaru”.

“Hey kid, you get left behind again?”

“This woman again?” That was the little imp Jaken; the somewhat irritating second hand to Rin’s guardian. Luna merely arched an eyebrow at him. At least Rin wasn’t completely alone.

“It’s okay!” Rin assured her, “Lord Sesshomaru will be back! Come and sit with us, I’m glad to see you again!”

“Don’t just invite random humans over!” Jaken protested.

“I don’t think your friend here agrees,” Luna chuckled.

“Don’t worry about Master Jaken!” Rin giggled, much to the chagrin of the tiny demon. “I would like to know more about you!”

Luna glanced away, hazel eyes locked in a thousand-yard stare. “...more about me, huh?”

“Yes,” the little girl nodded. “The last time we met, you said you were Miss Kagome’s older sister… are you a priestess like her?”

Luna chewed her lip, not sure how to answer. Pretty sure I don’t have powers like her... “I don’t think so. I’m more of… a demon slayer, I guess?”

That was only the first of many questions the little girl had for her. Why did she dress so strange? Where was she from? What was it like? Were there demons there too? Luna could barely keep up with answering all these questions.

“You talk way too much, Rin!” Jaken barked at one point. Luna watched the smile on Rin’s face falter, and glared at the little demon. “Hey, leave her be. I don’t mind.” She turned back to Rin, nudging her shoulder. “Why not tell me about you now, huh? How long have you been traveling with these two?”

When Luna had first met Rin, she had no idea that the “Lord Sesshomaru” the girl wanted to return to was actually Inuyasha’s cold, murderous older half-brother Kagome had described. Imagine her confusion when she had to reconcile the “evil, human-hating demon” with the guy this little girl trailed along behind so faithfully.

“Just a little while now!” Rin answered, “But it’s better than living around humans!”

Luna laughed. “You got that right… any reason why?”

“Well… I was alone… My family…” Rin’s face fell—the poor girl looked almost hollowly into the fire, hugging her knees to her chest as she recounted her past: “My parents and brothers… They were killed by bandits, then… after being on my own a while, I was attacked by wolves…”

There wasn’t a full moment of quiet before she perked back up again, grinning at Luna. “But Lord Sesshomaru saved me! And I’ve traveled with him and Master Jaken ever since! That’s why I don’t want to live with humans… humans are awful...”

Luna shrugged, sympathetic. “They can be, yeah. But you feel safe with these two, right?”

Rin nodded, grinning still. “Yes!”

“That’s the most important part.” She reached forward to ruffle the girl’s hair. “I was practically raised by a cat demon, you know.”

“Really?”

“Mhm. She’s protected my father’s family for three generations now—and she is hands down my best friend.”

“I don’t think I have a best friend…” Rin turned to Jaken, “Master Jaken, are we friends?”

“What?!” The little demon shouted, “No way! Why would a demon like me be friends with a human brat like you?!”

“Miss Luna’s best friend is a demon!” The girl pouted, and Luna swore she felt her heart melt.

“I’ll be your friend, kid.” She offered.

Seeing the little angel’s face light up like it did was absolutely everything. “Really?!”

“Yeah, really.” Suddenly, Luna got a weird little feeling in her gut. Like a disturbance in the Force, she joked to herself. Maybe it was just… the start of something bigger, something she wouldn’t know the full consequences of until much later.

“Actually…” She mumbled to herself. The gears turned in her head a little, and she turned back to look at Rin again. “You just gave me an idea.”