#3 days AFTER she made it to Cali

[beaversatemygrandma]

It's an interesting feeling to be told that somebody has gender envy of you. But like. In a cis way. As in, stated before i started fucking around with my own gender. And then when i start fucking around with my own, i still get that same response and then i realize that it's in a nonbinary woman way. And then seeing their own progress and literally noticing the inspiration taken. And honestly, it's nice to see. I'm glad that she's taking my gender and manipulating it in a way that works for her. And then the reaction of a very masc look i have and they're just there, jealous as all hell that i can just flip between the two without issue. And honestly, I saw a few pics of them a bit ago and I think she's done it too now. It's a thing that made me feel better about that. Because even when i do have a more masc look, i still think i look incredibly feminine but I'll take it.

[coff33andb00ks]

Poison - LN

Hopeless, Part 3 {1 - Hopeless} {2 - Luxury}

Lando Norris x fem!reader / reader x Charles Leclerc) summary: perfect couldn't keep this love alive, we were always meant to say goodbye songs: already gone by sleeping at last word count: 5414 warnings: angst, reader says things she shouldn't, angst, lando says worse things, angst, charles is a bad fiance, alcohol use, oscar remains the only truly decent person in this series, angst, mentions of sexual situations (not explicit), oh and angst (not a happy ending) a.n.: I've really enjoyed writing this little series. thank you all for being as obsessed with heartbroken lando as I am <3 note: this picks up immediately after the ending of the first part {Hopeless}

You can't bring yourself to read Lando's texts. You're still in shock yourself, the last twelve hours a whirlwind that still has you spinning. So you leave that message thread untouched, and when he calls you for the tenth time you send it to voicemail, knowing you won't listen to it.

The one you listened to first thing this morning left an ache in your heart you're sure will never go away.

Is it true? You… A shaky breath, like he was fighting tears. You can't. What about – call me. Please.

You can't call him. You can't even read his texts, you don't know if you'll ever be able to speak to him. Your phone buzzes and you look at the voicemail notification, turning your phone facedown on the nightstand. Not now. You need to catch up with everything that's happened.

Behind you Charles groans and you squeeze your eyes shut as his arm tightens around you. He nuzzles the back of your head, humming while he presses kisses to your shoulder.

"Good morning," he murmurs.

You murmur it back to him, watching his hand slide down your arm to clasp yours. He lifts it, the morning sunlight catching the diamond on your finger. You're engaged. You still can't believe it. How had you gone from arguing in the garage to this? The night rewinds in your mind while Charles whispers sweet words.

The argument. Why? He'd said he'd wanted to spend the summer break in St. Tropez. After promising you over and over he would spend it with your family back in the States. St. Tropez was just a couple hours from Monaco, he could go there anytime, you rarely got to see your family. But it was his summer break, his money, his choice. Four words had burned on your tongue but you'd held them back, finally storming off to cool down.

Lando would take me.

Because of course he would. It wasn't a secret between you that he'd do everything within his power to make you happy. And you'd stood in the chilly night air, tempted to ask him to come with you to Cali for break, because you knew how much he loved LA. Then Charles had found you and…

Said all the right things.

Apologized. Validated your feelings. He'd forgotten, he was sorry, he would cancel his plans of course, the two of you would spend a lovely two weeks in California. He was so sorry, please, he would make it right.

And you'd forgiven him. As you always did.

He starts to pull away from you now, and you know it's time to get up and get ready for race day. The hotel room is a ridiculous mess, clothes from last night all over the floor, tipped over candles, scattered roses. You inwardly cringe, nodding when Charles suggests leaving a large tip for housekeeping. You tidy up a little while he's in the shower, because you can't not do it.

The ring feels heavy on your hand and you stop gathering the discarded clothes to stare at it. It's beautiful, if a little on the gaudy side, a large diamond solitaire set in platinum, diamonds all around.

"I know I have made mistakes, mon amour. But you have stood by my side and made me a better man. Please, say you'll stay by my side forever?"

It had all been too much. The roses, the candles, your favorite wine, the adoration in his eyes. You'd said yes, knowing you couldn't take the pain of saying no. And you couldn't take it back. It was too late.

Late night calls to his family in Monaco, FaceTiming with your sister and mom. Candlelit photos posted to social media.

You're going to marry Charles.

It's supposed to be one of the happiest days of your life but you feel like your world is turned upside down. You're supposed to be over the moon, already planning the wedding that you've had in mind since you were a little girl.

"We'll have the wedding of your dreams, chérie."

"What about your dream wedding?"

"My dream was you."

He'd said the right things.

You shower, standing under the hot water to ease the slight aches from the night before. He'd been more passionate than ever before, driving you over the edge countless times, twisting and bending your body with his, near constantly moaning his love for you.

There's a crowd of fans outside the hotel and you blink in surprise when they begin screaming their congratulations, still unused to the attention even after being with him for over a year. You smile and stay at his side while he signs a few things, wondering if you look as shell-shocked as you feel.

Leclerc's camera shy girlfriend, they call you online. Apparently you're goals, and you wonder what they would think if they knew the truth.

At the track it's even crazier, and you're reminded that he was called the grid's most eligible bachelor when you first began dating. How'd you pin him down, y/n?

You wish you knew.

By the time you reach the motorhome you never want to hear the word congratulations again. You stop outside, letting Leo down so he can do his business, freezing when you spot a McLaren uniform.

It's Oscar. You breathe a sigh of relief, nodding when Charles kisses your cheek and says he has to go chat with Max.

"C'mon, Leo," you encourage while the puppy sniffs the ground.

"Y/n."

You look up, smiling faintly as Oscar approaches. "Hey."

He looks at you, then at your left hand, slowly lifting his eyes to your face again. "Big night, yeah?"

"Yeah." Your cheeks hurt from your forced smile. "I guess it's a shock to everyone."

"Eh… You're right," he says. Squatting down to pet Leo, he stays down, watching the puppy. "Have you seen Lando?"

"I think Oscar suspects."

It's mumbled between heated kisses in the club bathroom. Lando moans, head falling back when your hands slip inside his jeans. "No he doesn't."

"He keeps looking at us." The heavy bass vibrates the door you're pressed against, and his hands push at your dress.

"Everyone's looking at you tonight."

Your protest to that dies on a moan because he's inside you and you forget Oscar exists.

"Not today," you tell him. Finally Leo pees in the tiny scrap of grass he found and you bend to pick him up.

"Have you talked to him?" Oscar asks softly.

"Is he missing?"

Oscar sighs, pushing upright. "He's in the garage."

You glance in that direction, even though you can't see the McLaren garage from where you are. Sighing, you hold Leo close, arms aching to hold someone else. Then, like he knows you're looking, you hear your phone start to vibrate in your purse. You don't have to look to know it's Lando.

"Are you happy?"

Your head slowly turns and you hold your breath as you look at Oscar. "What?"

"Your engagement."

You part your lips to tell him yes. To push the forced smile back into place and play the part of ecstatically happy fiancée to the Charles Leclerc. But all you can do is look at him while your phone stops buzzing. You don't know why you can pretend for everyone else, but not for Oscar.

He sighs, obviously reading the answer on your face. Giving his head a little shake, he folds his arms over his chest.

"I didn't—" You stop, not wanting to say the words out loud. You can't.

He tips his head to one side. "Didn't what."

Didn't mean to hurt Lando. Didn't mean to fall in love with him. Didn't mean to ruin your life. Didn't mean to make such a mess of everything. You blink, the past few months rushing through your mind.

"He deserves the truth, y/n." He says the words softly, and you don't get to ask which he before he turns and walks away.

Ferrari is ecstatic. Good press is good press, and apparently Charles getting engaged is great press. They want photos, a quick interview for their social media. They want you front and center in the garage, and the PR person encourages you to kiss Charles before he gets into his car.

You watch from inside the garage, feeling as though you're more on display than usual, a camera always cutting to you. Charles wins and you're forced to finally see Lando, who gets p2, because it would be weird if you didn't go out to congratulate your fiancé. During the chaos he turns to you and you're frozen, staring into his eyes.

He's smiling but there's heartbreak in his eyes. And you want to do whatever it takes to send it as far from as possible.

Someone bumps into him and he catches himself before he stumbles into you, his lips mouthing your name. Despite the noise around you, you can hear his pained sigh and then he's gone, eyes on you until he's swallowed up by the cameras.

The Monaco anthem. Charles beaming as he looks down at you from the podium. Champagne. He's so happy you can't help but smile.

Whenever your eyes stray to Lando next to him your smile dies.

The alcohol isn't doing its job. Lando downs another drink, heart beating to the same rapid beat of the song playing, and he tries to part the crowd with his mind, thoughts jumbled but he knows what he wants to see.

You.

The dancing, drinking bodies part and his desperate eyes finally land on you. Champagne has been flowing steadily since you and Charles walked in. The it couple.

He wish he could vomit, but all he can muster is a grimace, perfectly timed with a kiss between the happy couple. Taking a drink, he leans against the wall, head and heart pounding as he wills the alcohol to do what it's supposed to and numb everything. Instead it's only enhanced every bit of the pain and torture that's been in him since the first unanswered text.

"Mate."

It's Osc. He reaches out, grabbing his teammate's shoulder. "Osc!" He's happy to see him. Osc knows. Osc understands. Good old Oscar. "Sorry for calling you a sponge cat."

"Fuck, how much have you had?" Oscar asks.

"Don't worry 'bout me." He lifts his glass to take a sip, whining when it never reaches his mouth. Watching it, it occurs to him that Oscar took it from him. "Hey…"

"C'mon."

"Can we get me another drink? Some muppet stole mine," he says, leaning against his friend as he's led away.

"Sure, mate," Oscar yells above the music.

"Yay." Slinging an arm around him, Lando barely notices where they're going. He is pretty sure the bar is in the other direction… But Oscar knows best. "You're my best mate, mate, ya know that?"

Oscar patts his back. "Yeah."

"Thanks." Yay, a best mate. "Didn't mean it when I said you was a pain in my fuckin' ass, mate. Said it with love."

Oscar sighs so loudly Lando hears it over the music. "I know."

He blinks and they're outside. The air feels weird in his lungs and he coughs, swaying a little as he tries to catch himself on the back of the building. "Jesus."

"Do you wanna go?" Oscar asks.

He doesn't know. "But she's here." He's still not numb and he realizes there's not enough drinks in the world to deaden the pain. "She's here, Osc."

"I know." There's sympathy in his voice.

"Why'd she do it?" His voice cracks and he tries to breathe, tries to stop the tears but they're already burning his eyes. He pushes the heels of his palms against his face. "She loves me."

"Lando…"

"We n-never said it but we like, couldn't yeah? But I know she does. She told me." It doesn't sound right but he can't care right now, too busy trying to keep the tears from falling. "I love us."

"Us?"

"It's how we say it. Because we can't say it."

Need it. This. Us. Love it. This. Us.

"I love her, Osc." The last word breaks on a sob and he presses his hands tightly to his eyes but there's no stopping the tears. "Wasn't supposed to. Know that. But how can I not love her? Even before we had sex I loved her."

"Oh, mate." It's sad and understanding and there's a gentle hand on his shoulder.

And it all comes pouring out. A bit mixed up but he knows Oscar's smart enough to put it in the right order. How he had a little crush but liked being your friend. The feelings grew but he never dreamed – okay, sometimes he'd dreamed, he wasn't a fucking saint – you felt the same. How he truly never expected for those dreams to become reality or how lifechanging it would be. And while he tells it he lets the tears fall because trying to stop them is pointless.

"She's everything," he gasps, bracing his hands on his knees to keep from spinning with the world around him.

"I know, I know," Oscar says gently.

"I gotta go. Can… Can't watch them be so happy." And he laughs through the tears. "I want her happy but I can't see it."

"C'mon, we'll go."

He blinks, sways, and he's in his hotel room. A bottle of water appears in his hands and he stares at it then slowly lifts his head. "Osc."

"It's alright, drink it." His voice is warbles and Lando shakes his head to make sense of what's happening.

"She's gonna marry him," he whispers.

"Not right now, yeah? Drink your water."

"Why's it hurt so much," he mumbles after sipping the water. "Love's s'posed to be the best thing."

"It can be," Oscar says. "But sometimes it hurts."

"It's why I stayed away from it for so long. Didn't wanna get hurt." He leans his head back, feels the softness of the pillow. "But…"

"But you fell."

"Yeah," he whispers. "Dived right in and was over my head 'fore I knew it was happening. And… This time it hurts. A lot."

Oscar hums and Lando reaches out, slapping his arm.

"Thanks Osc."

"Anytime, Lando."

He's silent, and just when Oscar is moving to turn off the lights he speaks again. "You think they'll get married in Monaco?"

"I honestly have no idea."

"She wants a beach wedding. There's a spot near her parents'… Like a look over place?" Still clutching the empty water bottle, he gestures with his hand. "Showed me pictures once. Pretty place."

"Yeah?" Oscar turns off the lights and returns to the chair by the bed.

"Sunset. She wants it at sunset. With her niece as flower girl. Doesn't want anything big or fancy. Just people she loves who love her."

"Sounds nice."

"And a honeymoon in Ireland. It's where her nan's from, and she loves it. County Waterford. That's why she loves that crystal thing I got her for her birthday."

"What'd you get her?"

"A vase. Cuz she loves the crystal. And flowers."

Your coworkers are over the moon. A wedding! So exciting! Ah, young love! Have you picked out a date? Color scheme? Where will it be?

No, but you're thinking next spring. Blush pink and sage green. You're looking at different places.

Yes, you're so excited. Still hasn't set in that you're engaged. Oh of course you've never been happier. You're so in love.

You hate yourself for having become an expert in lying. The venue has already been reserved. Charles flew your mom out, and your dress is being made . It's easy to just let everyone else do the planning for you, because it's not your dream wedding.

Not that you've spoken to him. You haven't seen him since the club the night after your engagement. And then, only for a split second. You've opted to stay at home, lying to Charles and saying you were doing wedding planning.

No one needs to know that you spend race weekends in front of your laptop, hugging your knees and watching every scrap of footage you can of Lando. Just to check on him. Because you still can't bring yourself to return his calls and texts. They don't come as often now, and he no longer leaves you voicemails, but you haven't been able to tap his name on your phone.

And you're too much of a fucking coward to show up at a race and see him in person.

He looks okay. A little tired, and maybe you're the only one that notices his smile doesn't reach his eyes. Maybe not. Maybe others can tell that he's a little more subdued in post-race interviews. Or maybe not.

"And are you looking forward to the break?" the interviewer asks.

He smiles. "Yeah… Hoping to spend some time alone. Get out of my head for a bit, yeah?"

"Anywhere special?"

"Nah, just away from everything. A quiet beach or something." He shrugs in that slightly self-conscious way that always makes you want to hold him.

He walks off and you drain the last of your wine, closing the laptop and dragging a hand over your face. You have to finish packing for the trip back home. Snatching out your earbuds, you reach for your phone. Open your messages.

Stare at Lando's name and open the thread. It'll be tomorrow before Charles gets home, you can spend the night crying over texts.

-Were you gonna tell me? -he's cheated on you since day one why would you marry him -does he make you happy? -if he makes you happy I'll be happy for you -tell me he makes you happy -please y/n -talk to me

Those were from six weeks ago. For four weeks it was more of the same. Until…

-I miss you -miss your smile. and your laugh. and that cute little snort that you hate but I think it's beautiful. -miss your hugs. they always make me feel like I'm safe -I just miss you -I miss you dancing in my living room and pretending not to notice when I steal cupcakes. -I even miss your fucking sushi.

Your eyes well with tears. You miss him, too. You miss his hyena laugh and how he'd forget the simplest of words when explaining something. You miss his hugs, how you always felt like nothing could affect you as long as you were in his arms. You miss the dancing, spinning and bouncing until you were breathless and dizzy. You even miss his fucking chicken nuggets.

-Will you come to Spa? -Just wanna see you again. -Guess you're not coming. -Hope you're doing ok. He told Osc you're going back home for break. I know you're excited. Cali girl. -I wish I knew I could see you over break. -Call me when you can -there's so much I never got to say -that I cant put in a text -I miss us

You stare at that last text, sent five minutes before the start of the race, and you let out a sob. And before you can stop yourself you're composing a text. You delete the words and start over several times, finally closing your messages with a frustrated groan. Your finger hovers over the call button, and you punch it, taking a deep breath before you tap Lando's name on the favorites list, where it's been since he called you his bestie.

It rings once. And you realize he's probably busy, probably in another interview or—

"Hello?" He sounds panicked. Out of breath. Like he can't believe it's you.

"Lando," you whisper.

"God – fuck, hang on—" There's rustling and you can hear others speaking in the background. "Yeah, I know, it's an emergency," he says in a rush to someone and you muffle a sob, because now you're crying you can't stop. You hear him saying something about having to take this, he's sorry. "You still there?"

"Y-yeah."

"I'm – hang on, I gotta get somewhere quiet."

You can imagine him sprinting away from the crowd, avoiding eye contact so no one tries to talk to him. Putting it on speaker, you set the phone down and hug your knees to your chest while you listen to the rustling and heavy breaths. Next to you Leo whines softly, leaning against you and you reach to absently pet him.

"Y/n."

"I'm here," you sniffle.

"Are you—"

"I'm sorry."

He's panting, and you hear his shaky breath. "Are you ok?"

No. "Y-yeah."

"Why?" he whispers. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"It was all so sudden, Lando." A flimsy excuse. You could have easily texted him that night.

"I had to find out from fucking Instagram. Half the world knew before I did." There's a thud, and you wonder if he's punched the wall or slammed his head against it.

"I'm sorry," you say again because it's all you can say. "I was in shock, I guess. He posted the picture before I even called my mom."

"Are you happy?" he asks after a moment, just as you're beginning to think he's not going to say anything else.

You don't answer right away. "I—"

"I love you. Never thought I could love like I love you. Thought I loved but it was just…bullshit before you. It was fucked up and you were never mine, but I needed you. I've never not needed you. I still can't fold a fucking shirt proper. Y-you were everything and I know I was stupid to think we could make it, but I never wanted anything more than us." He's rambling, breathless, and you can hear the pain and desperation in his voice.

You press your face to your knees, shoulders shaking. "Lan—"

"But it's not gonna happen is it?" he asks and his voice breaks, shattering your heart. "You're gonna marry him. And I'm… I'm gonna have to smile and be happy for you even though I'm nothing."

"You're my friend," you sob.

"Friend." It sounds like the vilest curse word. "Friend? Tell me one friend who knows how your pussy tastes."

"Lando, please." You know you deserve it, but it hurts.

"I let you into my soul," he murmurs. "I'm supposed to just be your friend again?"

You can't answer him, because you know you can't ask that of him.

"I can't, y/n." There's a tremor in his voice and the shattered pieces of your heart crack. "I can't go back. I… I can't pretend we never happened and go back to just game talk and dancing and baking. I… I only want you to be happy, but I can't do that."

"I know," you whimper.

"You were everything," he whispers. "You still are."

"I loved us," you say softly.

"I needed us. But us…was always doomed wasn't it?"

"I suppose so." Sniffling, you lift your head, shakily tapping to ignore Charles's incoming call.

"Are you happy?"

Despite everything, you can't lie to him. You can lie to Charles. Your mom. Even your grandmother, whose said time and time again she doesn't like Charles. But you'll never be able to lie to Lando. "No."

There's silence, then he lets out a pained sound. "Don't marry him, y/n."

Charles doesn't notice your mood when he gets home. He's riding high off another win, talking excitedly about planned improvements for next year and how he's actually got the chance to be champion this year. He's so goddamned happy you can't help but smile a little, knowing all too well how downtrodden he's been over his career in the past. There's relaxation to be had now, though, and his first day of break is spent on his yacht, sunning and swimming and he's still so happy.

The next day you fly home, and despite the jet lag you're bouncing because it's so good to be back home. Charles has been here twice now but still you point out landmarks from your childhood and you can tell he's faking his enthusiasm. He loves America, he's always said because it created you, but you know he doesn't like it. He can take it in small doses. You push away the worry that by the end of your trip he'll be tense and irritable.

There are days at the beach, three nights up in the mountains, the weekend in Vegas. With each day that passes you tell yourself you can do this. You still hurt. You still miss Lando, who hasn't texted or called since the night of Spa. But it gets a little easier, and as you sit in your hotel room watching the sunrise over the Strip you realize you almost feel happy.

Charles's phone dings and you step away from the window to switch it to silent. He groans in his sleep and you smile, watching him push his face deeper into the pillow. Glancing at the phone screen, you shrug.

You don't recognize the name. You can't remember ever meeting a Cassidy or Charles mentioning her. Pushing away the doubt, you switch the phone to silent, about to set it on the nightstand when it buzzes with another message from her.

It might be someone from Ferrari. You chew on your lip, finally unlocking the phone and opening the message thread.

-miss u 💞

You barely see the text, your eyes instead on the nude photo that was sent just before. You don't know her. Scrolling up, you exhale harshly as your eyes scan the back-and-forth messages, ranging from a simple miss u to it's not fair chérie, I wish we could run away together. Interspersed are photos of her and him, and you grip the phone tighter, remembering his insistence that neither of you send nudes.

Yet he's apparently had no problem sending Cassidy pictures of his dick. Or receiving pictures of her. There are even videos and you can't stop yourself from dropping onto the couch, scrolling further up, needing to know how long it had been going on.

-marrying her won't change a thing, chérie

By the time he wakes you've gotten to the start of their messages. All the way back in November. It had been mostly innocent at first, but you'd been revolted to see photos of him in your mom's house, in your old bedroom, at Christmas, when he hadn't so much as wanted to kiss you with tongue because it was rude.

"Bonjour, chérie," he greets you as he stretches.

You say nothing, twisting the heavy, gaudy ring around your finger. His phone lies in your lap and you know he's looking for it when he looks to the nightstand.

"We go to the Big Bear today, yes?"

You stay silent, swallowing hard. You know you have no right to be angry – after all, hadn't you done the same with Lando? But you are. Because you and Lando had evolved from friends to lovers, and it hadn't lasted eight months. And you'd cut everything off with him the moment the ring had been placed on your finger.

"Chérie?" He looks confused. "What is wrong?"

"Oh, you were talking to me?" you ask.

He blinks, rubbing his face. "Yes? Who else would I be talking to? We're alone."

"Right." You draw in a deep breath and pick up his phone, tossing it towards him. "I thought maybe you were talking to Cassidy."

Despite his quick reflexes he fumbles, the phone landing on the floor with a thud. You can see the blood drain from his face. "Chérie—"

"Don't call me that," you gasp. "Not when you called her that. Last night, remember?"

"She doesn't mean anything to me," he says, snatching his phone off the floor. "It is just a fling."

"A fling doesn't last eight months, Charles." You stand up, tucking your robe tightly around yourself. "A fling isn't a chérie."

"Ché – y/n—"

"You sent her a video of you masturbating from my grandma's bathroom!" you screech, jerking away when he reaches for you. "What next? Gonna invite her to the wedding? I'm sure the priest won't mind you bending her – what was it? – perfect ass over and fucking her until she can't remember her own name. God, you're disgusting."

"I have a problem," he says, and you can hear the edge in his voice. It's just like the last time, when he—

"How many girls are you fucking?" you gasp.

"I'm not…" He hangs his head, muttering under his breath. "They don't mean anything."

"That doesn't make it better," you groan. Snatching clothes from the open suitcase on the floor, you hurriedly put them on. "You said last time that it was a mistake. That it would never happen again."

Charles raises his head. "I lied."

You blink at him. "Oh my god."

"No, chérie, don't leave."

"I believed you. I fell for ever fucking lie." You shake your head in disbelief, grabbing up your phone and purse.

"Please, please, let me explain." He takes a step towards you, stopping when you shoot him a glare.

"No." You squeeze your eyes shut.

Don't marry him, y/n.

"I can't believe I trusted you. I gave up everything for you. Because I thought you were true. I thought that the last time was the only time. I thought… I thought you loved me," you whisper, twisting the ring again.

"I do. More than anything."

"But you can't. You can't love me more than anything and tell Cassidy that marrying me won't change anything. You can't stand here and say you love me while some woman I don't know has pictures of your dick."

"Please, I can… I can change—"

You let out a harsh laugh. "Do you know what I gave up for you? I left a job I loved to work in fucking Monaco because you needed me with you. I had to let friendships I've had since high school fade because I'm so far away I can't keep in touch all the time. I—" You choke on a sob.

I've never not needed you.

"I gave up someone that truly loved me, that made me happier than I deserved. Because I wanted us to make it," you whisper. You see the confusion on his face.

"Who?"

"It doesn't matter. H-he won't have anything to do with me now, because I chose you." Tears blur your vision and you wrench the ring from your finger. You want to throw it in his face, tell him it was Lando, let out your anger by telling him what you'd done. But you can't do that to Lando. With care you set the ring on the dresser.

"Chérie… Please, not like this," he says.

It hits you that he's probably not upset over you leaving. He's upset because he always does the leaving. "I'll go to the apartment and get my stuff while you're at Zandvoort," you say. "I'll leave my keys."

"Where will you go?"

"Don't pretend to care now."

"I wanted us to make it too," he says softly. And you almost believe him.

"Apparently not enough," you murmur.

His phone vibrates again and he huffs. "Yeah hang on, getting texts," he says, pushing his headset back and reaching for the phone.

Even though he deleted the contact he recognizes the number. Opening the message, he glances at the screen, watching Max cycle through the available cars. Swallowing his worry, he looks at the phone.

-I'm leaving Monaco. -I ended the engagement and broke up with him. -I just wanted to let you know. I don't expect anything. -I still miss us. -Good luck, Lando. Take care.

He reads them over again, ignoring Max and the game. His chest aches and he lets out his breath in a rush. About to reply, he pauses, seeing a text from Oscar.

­-Still coming to Melbourne for a few days?

He smiles, quickly tapping out a reply.

-Flight leaves tonight 2am my time. Can't wait.

Going back, he stares at the number. Then, pushing down the familiar ache, he swipes to delete it, watching it disappear. There's a sense of finality to it and he tosses his phone down and rubs his hands over his face. He pulls his headset back into place.

"You good?" Max asks.

"Yeah, just junk." He stretches his arms above his head then drums his hands on the desk. "Right, let's fucking do this."

[ladykailitha]

Icarus Part 17

Hey, guys! Just a reminder after I post Caged Bird on Saturday I am going on a two week posting hiatus. I need the break and my backlog could use the boost. I will start posting again on Sept 1st.

I'm not sure if I'll keep the four days like I have been doing or go back to the three days a week. I guess we'll see.

In this we have Eddie messing around with his friends and we get to see The Fallen's new costumes.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16

~

Steve and Spence pulled on the red polos with white medical crosses on the sleeves and MEDIC emblazoned on the back that would mark them as medical personnel. Simon was pulling on the dark blue polo that would signify him as a roadie for the band The Fallen. Shane and Robin stood off to the side wearing regular clothes but with lanyards that said they were PAs to the band.

Steve knocked the trailer’s door and Hopper opened it to let them out. Steve poked his head out and saw that no one was around. He nodded to Hopper and the rest of the band filed out.

“All right,” Robin said, checking her clipboard, “sound check is at four and we are after Corroded Coffin does their sound check. Eddie says he can distract the rest of his band long enough for you to get changed into daily wear.”

The band all nodded and they all went their separate ways. Steve and Spence went to the medic tent, Robin and Shane went to do what PAs do and that’s run around making sure everything was going well, and Simon went to join the the rest of the crew setting up.

Eddie was leaning against one of the pillars backstage watching them work. Jeff came up to him and threw an arm around his shoulders.

“They’re pretty flawless at this, aren’t they?” he said, after looking around to make sure no one was in earshot. “If I didn’t know what I know, I would have never thought they were anything other than their roles.”

Eddie nodded. It was seamless; as themselves they were peppy and cheerful. The guys he’d seen at party after party at Steve’s apartment. But he still remembered how they were on stage and they were so completely different.

“That security guy they got is certainly worth whatever they are paying him, that’s for sure,” he agreed.

“Gareth is vibrating out of his skin to see their sound check,” Jeff said with a nod. “Not even to see their new costumes, just their sound check, that’s how over the moon he is about this.”

Eddie hummed in agreement. “He’s in for a treat, that’s for sure.”

“Have you seen their new costumes?” Jeff asked, eyes still on the hive of activity in front of them.

“Nope!” Eddie said popping the P. “All I know is that they were designed by the daughter of their head of security. Apparently Ellie Hopper is an up and coming fashion designer and who better to clothe an up and coming metal band than her?”

Jeff rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “I guess all of us are going to be in for a surprise tonight.” He patted his friend on the shoulder. “Do try to keep it in your pants, yeah?”

Eddie pushed him off of him with a “Fuck off!”

“Dustin still pissed he missed meeting her when they were in California?” Jeff asked, giggling.

Eddie grinned and bounced on the balls of his feet, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Yup!” he said cheerfully. “It was hilarious. All of Steve’s friends were talking about how awesome she was and how beautiful she was all the while Dustin is like in the middle of battlefield, but as predicted Suzie’s parents didn’t want them sharing the same room. So he was fighting with her parents and she was fighting with him for fighting with her parents.”

He pursed his lips to try and hide his smile but it was fruitless and he broke out into a wide grin. “He didn’t even last the month with them.”

“And then by the time he’d made it to Cali,” Jeff said, “she was back in New York preparing for New York Fashion week and was completely devastated he missed her.”

Chrissy came bounding up to them. “Hey, guys. They have everything ready for your sound check and Gare and Bri are waiting for you.”

Eddie and Jeff plugged in their guitars and Eddie hit the first note. He adjusted the peg and then hit it again, this time he nodded. He went through the solo on their latest single to warm up. Then each of the other members did the same.

“Sounding pretty good!” Chrissy called from the front row.

She started shouting suggestions and then they all played together and she shouted more suggestions. Soon their sound check was over with and they filed off the stage to let The Fallen’s roadies to set up their instruments.

The Fallen came out in what Eddie called their casual costumes. Regular hoodies and jeans in their ‘color’ and their masks.

Azrael counted off time on his drumsticks and they got down to business. Gareth was on the sidelines practically drooling. Eddie thought he would be panting after Abbadon, his favorite, but after seeing Azrael’s drum kit, it was all over.

The black metal fittings, the void black on the tops and front of the drums and glittering black on the sides. His setup. The way he looked like a god even in the back, sitting on the throne, black drumsticks in hand.

Gareth starting pawing on Eddie’s arm. “Eddie, Eddie, Eddie...” he whined. “I want one.”

Eddie raised an eyebrow at his friend. “The drummer or the kit?”

Gareth turned to him scandalized. He put his hand on his chest, eyes wide, gasping in shock. “How dare you imply that I am anything but a staunch professional?!”

“So definitely the drummer then.”

Eddie cackled as he ran from Gareth who chased him all the way to their tour bus. Eddie ducked inside and locked the door behind him. He didn’t mind missing this sound check, after all they had a whole on the road and roughly eighty shows to get through.

Both bands were out promoting new albums and being two of the biggest metal bands at the moment, made both labels push for as many dates as they could conceivably do without killing either band.

It was going to be long and exhausting, but holy fuck it’d one hell of a ride. Eddie smiled as he held door shut as Gareth tugged and tugged on the door handle.

~

Steve rolled his shoulders and began warming up his voice. The crowd was bigger than they were used to but he knew that at least a good portion of those fans were there to see him and his boys.

They got strapped into the winged harnesses, specially fitted to work with their new costumes.

Steve gave Spence a thumbs up and the other man returned it. They began lowering Azrael onto the stage. His raven wings glinting blue in the spotlight. His new costume had the sleeves of his hooded long coat removed, leaving him with more range of motion. He wore a long-sleeved black mesh shirt that ended at his black leather gloves. He wore black cargo pants tucked into combat boots. The boots and his belt had silver skulls that glinted and winked at the audience.

He landed deftly a couple of feet behind the drum kit. He tugged on the release cord and sent the wings back to the rafters. He sat down and pulled out a couple of his sticks and launched into his drum solo. The crowd started screaming as the announced his name.

Next was Shane. He rolled his shoulders, trying to get comfortable in the harness. Even though the dragonfly wings were lighter than the others, they were more awkward in their construction. He gave Steve the thumbs up and he was lowered to the stage with his bass guitar. He began playing as soon as he came into view.

The crowd roared its approval.

Astraeus landed on the stage soft as a butterfly’s wing. He pulled on the release cord and allowed his wings to go back to where they came.

The sleeves of his hooded jacket were pushed up to his elbows to show his painted arms. They were the same midnight blue of the rest of his costume. His tight leather pants were tucked into his knee-high boots. His chest was bare and painted blue with glitter swirling around into galaxies. When he moved the mask shifted between the moon phases.

Then it was Simon’s turn. Steve watched as Simon slipped into the persona of Asmodeus like an ill-fitting glove. It was always harder for Simon than the rest of them to get into his alter ego. But he chose it and he had to live with the consequences of being a sex god.

He was wearing a short, red, leather jacket with the hood attached. His broad chest on display with leather harness drawing attention to all the right curves. His red jeans were torn up from his knees to his hips and shoved into mid-calf high boots with chains on them, the jacket, and around his neck.

His large red bat wings spread out behind him as he was lowered on the stage. About two feet from the ground, he pulled the release cord and stomped to onto the stage to roaring applause.

Asmodeus wailed on his guitar making it screech and sing as his wings ascended back to the rafters. His fingers danced over the fret board and threw his hand back with reckless abandon.

Steve loved this part. He loved the roar of the crowd, the music his band was playing all for him. Robin would say that it was because his parents didn’t love him much and that he never had real friends before her, before his band. Children and boys he had a crush on for years didn’t count.

But he didn’t care. He loved being loved. More than anything.

He wore a white lace bodice under his long hooded coat, and like Astraeus his sleeves were pushed up, but his forearms were bare. The shorts he wore were obscenely tight on his ass and left little to the imagination. His white high heeled boots came just above his knee, leaving miles of his thighs on display.

Today his coat lining wasn’t red or blue or even black, like it usually was when he started off a tour. No. Not today. Today it was the Corroded Coffin logo. And when his coat billowed out as he descended the crowd went absolutely insane.

Half way down, the air tanks on his back set off and blew off the feathers on his wings leaving behind the bones. He landed on the stage behind the microphone. It was like Steve Tyler’s microphone as it was decorated in ribbons, but unlike his, Abbadon’s mic never changed. It always had four ribbons. Red, blue, black, and white, woven together up the stand to billow out around the top.

He welcomed the crowd and launched into the first single off their new album. “Hell’s Where All My Friends Are Going!” It spoke about growing up bisexual in a highly conservative household where he was told that queer folk were going to hell.

It was actually one of the first piece of writing Shane and Spence ever turned into a song, but the label was afraid of alienating their audience straight of out of the gate, so it was never recorded. But when they brought Bob in, him and Robin managed to convince the label that not only would Abbadon and Astraeus coming would be good for business, it would be great for the band, too. One less thing to hide.

Remarkably the label agreed.

And now he was going to debut it here to the whole world and he felt like he was flying free for the first time in his life.

Heaven could fuck off, he was diving into Hell!

~

Part 18 Part 19 Part 20 Part 21 Part 22 Part 23 Part 24 Part 25

Oops! I don't know how it got posted without the chapter but here it is!

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[missadangel]

Little Bird in a Cage

Part 1: Operation Little Bird

---------------------------- All episodes here ------------------------

(Javier Peña x reader)

In this story, the reader is the daughter of the Colombian Defense Minister from Narcos season 3 and DEA agent Javier Peña has to kidnap her to protect her.

Rating: Mature, 18+

Word Count: 54,191 in total.

Warnings: falling in love, rough sex, smut, sex, mention about sex workers, cursing, alcohol, kidnapping, violence, gun violence, drugs, narcos, Cali cartels, unplanned pregnancy, fluffy, mention about pregnancy, bathtub sex, age gap (10-15 years)

Summary:  When I was writing this story, I wondered what it would be like to be kidnapped by Javier Peña. i wish lol

Notes:  English is not my native language so bear with me. hit me in comments if you like it so i can keep sharing. Enjoy!

Gif by azerytrobaz - reddit

-Prologue-

The night you turned 22 you met incredibly charming and mysterious man, and the first time you saw him your heart skipped a beat. Immediately the question came to your mind,

What if he’s the one?

That was your first mistake…

You will soon realized that he was Javier Peña,  former DEA agent - yes, former, because your father played a big role in getting him discharged - who has been sneaking up on you because of all the shit your father had done and was going to kidnap you to teach him a lesson. So that was the plan, at least for now.

From Javier's point of view, it wasn't the first time he'd seen you. He's been after your father for a while for aiding and abetting the Cali cartel. But because your father was Colombia's respected minister of defense, it was very difficult, close to impossible, to expose it. But on the other hand, you were his only weakness, which made you the only option.

"It's fuckin stupid, we'd better commit suicide..."

Javi grumbled while he's stalking you on the way your home.

That was the first time he saw you, you look like very happy with your friends returning from college, unaware that the man you would later love and hate so much was following you at the moment.

Of course, you didn't know about the shit your father was doing and you never did.

As Javi spy on you behind his sunglasses in a distance, all he could think about was how to approach you. You were young and quite beautiful that every man would want you easily. He was at least 10 years older than you and he usually spends his time after work in the brothel with prostitutes, he wasn't very good at approaching other women.

"She usually likes to hang out at a bar with her friends, that's good for you sir, that's your specialty." Chris said with a smirk standing next to him.

Javi rolled his eyes. "Let’s see."

The plan that Javi, the other two agents Chris and Daniel, and his buddy Steve -by providing support from Bogota- came up with was actually technically quite simple. Kidnap the minister's daughter, hold her for a while so that you can protect her from the Salazars, the archenemy of the Cali cartel, and others can't get to her. The CIA certainly didn't want to be involved in this plan because they had already taken Escobar. That's why it was actually very difficult. Javi was no longer an agent and he was not authorized to ask any support.

So he had to reluctantly go to Don Berna, knowing that he would definitely want something in return, of course. But Javi was doing it partly for himself, he wanted more than anything to go back to his days as an agent. And taking the cartel down.

They could kidnap you suddenly when your'e outside, but a conflict would be inevitable, and if gets out that Javi was involved in this, the positions of other agents could be in danger, and even if America's name would heard about the kidnapping of the minister's daughter incident, it could be very very bad.

That's why Javi was going to approach you as random guy, not as an agent. The first attempt was failed, because you were at home almost all week, and sometimes you went shopping, that's all. Also you were given ride by a car every-damn-time. Javi was getting more and more impatient wondering when he would find the right time.

Luckily, due to the information Javi received, the girl -you- has a birthday party tonight and you were going to be with your friends only. That night, he was primping his hair more than usual night, he was already very attractive with his bright brown eyes, slightly shaped hair, clean-shaven face except for his mustache.

He put his favorite perfume on his neck and a little on his black leather jacket too, then left the house.

The party was in the bar of an elite hotel. As Javi approached the crowd at the entrance of the big hotel, his phone rang. That was Chris, he was joking about whether he was going to put a bug in his jacket so they can eavesdrop on .

"Fuck off," he hissed and approached the entrance. It was not difficult for him to get in, pass the security etc., the main problem was what he was going to do inside. He sat down on a bar stool, had a drink and started spying around. He looking for you, and he almost spit out his drink when he noticed you, “Damn,” he gulped.

There you were, standing in front of him with all your beauty, the dress you were wearing left your back and shoulders exposed, also was quite short so he can see clearly your long and smooth legs, shining under colorful lighting. Your light brown hair, resembling chocolate, was layered long, cascades down your back, your makeup was not too much but the color of your lips was just—

"Great," Javi muttered. He almost forgot what he came here for. He tossed off his drink and observed a little more, just then someone -he thought was probably her ex boyfriend -approached you, and things got tense after an argument, luckily for Javi, you walked over to the bar stool. With an upset expression, you sat down next to him without noticing Javi who got excited for a moment realizing finally had opportunity to make a move.

“Is everything all right?"

You just took a sip of your drink and startled by this question.

When you turned your head that way, you saw him, and were immediately surprised how you didn't see him before, sitting on barstool next to you, because he wasn't one to go unnoticed, at that moment you felt that you entered the field of his attraction.

This stranger asked you sincerely, he seemed a little worried but much curious though.

Even  you were almost forgetting why the hell you’re upset about. Then you shook your head and come to your senses.

"Yes, I think so," you murmured without looking at him.

"It's just that some men can't handle being dumped," you sighed. Javi smiled flirtatiously, "If the person who dumped is a beautiful woman like you, I can’t imagine how though to handle."

When you heard his compliment, you felt your cheeks turn red, you couldn't take your eyes off his dark brown eyes for a while. You smiled and made a gesture like thanking him with the glass in your hand. Your friends came to check you on trying to convince you to go with them but you didn't want to go.

The music was loud, everyone were dancing madly but you didn't want to dance either. For some reason, it was more tempting for you to sit with this stranger.

"May I ask your name?" he asked.

"Y/N," you said immediately, your voice was like a silver bell ringing. "And your name is?"

Of course, Javi couldn't say his own name, he had to lie, and he said the first name that came to his mind.

"I'm Juan."

"Glad to meet you, Juan. You're not here for my party? why are you here?" you asked in a curious way.

"I think my date ditched on me tonight," he pouted his lips and smirked.

"Oh, it's too bad," you said sincerely, "Well, her loss."

"Do you think so?” he said, by raising his eyebrows. “That was very kind of you."

Oh god, those eyes you thought, feeling your heart pounding so fast.

‘Can you be my birthday present?’ you wished and smiled to yourself for naughty thoughts and hoped he didn’t notice that shit.

"Let me stay here if you want, the party is almost over anyway, you have no idea how happy I am to get another age," you said in a sarcastic voice, looking at your friends and rolling your eyes.

"Well, happy birthday then," said Juan (aka Javi), handing you his glass to toast.

After toasting your glass with him, you had a long conversation, you started to like him more and more, however it was quite late.

"Oh, it's almost 2 am," you said in a nervous voice, checking your watch.

"Juan, it was nice to know you, but I need to go home. My father is very strict. And he won't accept any excuses."

"Okay, I have no intention of getting beaten up by a girl's father, but let me take you home, because I’m afraid, all of your friends are gone so."

You immediately turned your head and looked around, he was right, there was no one left, well, you wondered how this happened so fast.

"We had a very long chat, ha?” you smiled hysterically.

“Si, I enjoyed every moment," he got up with triumphant joy and helped you to put your jacket on. How kind he was, you thought, when he helped you while putting your jacket on with his big hands and the smell of his perfume came to your nose, almost took your breath away.

It was fucking perfect.

--

"Actually, you can't give me a ride home," you said before leaving the hotel.

"My father always sends a private car to pick me up."

You sound was low because you've never liked that.

Javi quickly scanned the outside with his eyes, he didn't need your father's men to see him at all right now.

"Then will you give me a chance to see you again?" he asked quite willingly hoped it wasn't too much to ruin everything.

You didn't know what to say, usually you would never tell your father about their relationship because he kept grumbling unnecessarily.

But you wanted to see Juan again more than anything, you surprised even yourself with this eager attitude. What was happening to me like this? you thought.

Javi was waiting wanted you to say yes more than anything, time was running out. He wasn't sure if he'd ever get that close to you again. It should be done later this week.

"We just met, Juan," you suddenly said, “I'm not used to this, meaning this is the first time I've had such a chat with someone I met at the bar.” You didn’t want to look like easy.

“But I can give you my beeper number." you added, mischievously.

While you were typing in your number to part of paper, Javi was wondering if it was right time to kidnap you right now. But suddenly his eye caught the men standing outside next to the black car. They were probably waiting for you. He had to a give up, it was too risky.

"Here," handing him your number written on a paper.

"Good night," you said with a warm smile

"Good night," Javi answered in low tone looking the paper you just gave him.

Suddenly something came to your mind and you stopped for a moment, which made a big smile on your face. You immediately turned towards him, after you check the men waiting for you, one of them was coming towards you slowly, you had to be quick.

"Do you like painting?"

Javi was surprised.

"I beg your pardon?"

"I have an exhibition of paintings at the Muli museum on Friday at 8pm, maybe we can hang out afterwards."

Javi's brown eyes were shining with hope, he smiled at you so warmly.

"Ah, and the best part is, dad won't be there," you whispered, blinking at him, then you ran towards the car like the cinderella in a hurry for her carriage.

That was your second mistake…

Javi was happy, felt like he has won a victory.

"Can’t fucking wait, baby," he murmured with a smirk on his face .

----

“What the fuck?”

Opening your eyes in a place you've never seen before, trying to remember what you did last night, where you were, and how you got here.

Or by whom.

Your memory was starting to come back with a terrific headache. You were waiting for him in the art gallery of the museum, people were congratulating you for your exhibition and it was crowded. You were hoping for him to come, yes, him. The person who brought you here. He.

When you sit up in bed, you realize that you remember everything.

Juan brought you a bouquet of flowers, visited your exhibition, praised the paintings you made, and then offered to have dinner outside, everything has been great so far. Until when he asked if you wanted you to go to his house after dinner, and you said yes.

Well, that was your third and last mistake.

-----

While the two of you were driving towards his house-at least while you were hoping so- he brought you to a large area, somewhere like a helicopter field.

You got out of the car and looked around try to understand what the heck is this, but before you even turned around to ask him, You felt your consciousness go away with a sharp smell coming from a rag which he was holding his palm pressing to your nose. The last thing you remember is that a helicopter was approaching in the distance.

Suddenly, your heart started beating very fast, you pressed your hand to your chest, feeling make a fool of  hit you very hard.

You immediately stood up to look out of the window. Everything was dark outside, the only visible things were the forest-like trees that made it impossible to see the sky and the weak lighting that surrounded the house where you are now. There were iron bars outside the window, like a prison. Anger and a feeling of being cheated began to take over your body. You turned your eyes to the room and hastily reviewed it, but there was nothing useful, your body wanted to leave here immediately, your survival instinct wanted to find a way out.

"She's awake,” you heard a voice from behind the door almost whispering.

You were suddenly startled by the opening of the door, but at the same time you went into defensive mode.

He was the one who came in.

The first thing that came to your mind to take small lamp on bedside table and throw at him. Juan was fast, he flinched reflexively, then he carefully and  slowly approached you.

"Please listen to me, I'm not going to hurt you, let me talk."

"Who the fuck are you? What do you want, why are you brought me here?”

Javi then put his hands on his waist trying to find correct explanation.

“Answer me!” you yelled at him.

"Fuck, baby I know you’re surprised as hell but listen, I am Javier Peña. Former DEA agent, the reason I brought you here is to protect you only, please believe me."

"Is it so?" you asked in a sarcastic way.

You moved back and picked up a pillow this time and threw it at him again.

"Fuck off!"

Javi grabbed the pillow and sighed deeply.

He brushed his hair back with his other hand, which fell on his face when the pillow hit, and then he approached you, there was no place left for you to step back so just standing there.

Without taking his eyes off you, he threw the pillow on the bed. His eyes were deep and serious this time.

"I'm telling you the truth, I guess you don't know about your father's shit with the Cali cartel. I don't blame you. But it was only a matter of time before the cartel's enemies used you to harm your father, so I had to take you here."

"And you saved me? What, am I supposed to say thank you or something? Yeah, fuck you very much!"

He rubs his head, didn’t know what to say.

"You should have a dog in the hunt, right?” you asked suddenly, trying to find a way to get closer to the door.

Javi sighed and sit on small couch near the door.

"I lost my job because of your father, I'm not an agent anymore. Beside- wait!"

When you run towards the door in a quick move, he grabbed you from behind easily.

"Let me go," you cried. You were struggling to get out of his strong arms.

"Don’t be silly Y/N, have you ever thought about where you're going. There are soldiers outside, guards, and we're not in Cali anymore."

Suddenly you stopped fluttering, Javi hadn't pulled his arms out, he couldn't figure out what to do. But when he saw the sad expression on your face, he let you go.

"What do you want from me exactly?" you asked, your tone was no longer angry, yet desperate.

Javi grabbed your shoulders softly and looked into your eyes with his bright brown eyes.

"I want you to stay here until we capture the Cali cartel, we’ll do whatever you want or need, no harm will come to you, I promise."

"You mean, until you get your job back.”

Javi's touch by shoulders hurt you more, you pushed his hands away and he was avoiding reply and you both knew it meant yes.

"I want to talk to my father," you said after a short silence.

"No fucking way, I'm sorry."

"You were going to do whatever I wanted, you said so," you frowned.

"Everything except that," said with half smile.

His smile made you even more angry.

"Look, why don't you get some rest, stay alone for a while, we'll be downstairs when you need us."

You didn't answer, you were looking out of the window with hands crossed.

"Was it all part of this game?" you asked Javi who was about leaving the room but playing with door handle.

"I mean your interest in me," you explained, "It was all a lie, wasn't it? You approached me because of my father, didn't you?" looking at him this time.

"Get some rest, please" he said again, slowly closed the door, left the room.

You couldn't hold back your tears anymore and you let them flow and fell asleep while murmuring.

"How stupid I am.”

-------

The days were passing, and every time you were a hostage, you started to get more bored, you hated the feeling of uncertainty and detention.

And when you looked out of the window in your room and see the same things every day, it didn't help to make that feeling go away. Mercenaries, soldiers or whoever they are, they sprinting as group every day for training, changing shifts on duty, and this goes on until it gets dark.

Javi and others visiting you to ask what you needed and to bring food and drink only.

But you didn’t see Javi for two days. Even though he came anyway, he didn't talk much.

Maybe because you beg him for to get you out of there everytime he comes by, who knows. And one day the worst thing happened for you. Chris ran into the room at lightning speed because you screamed very loudly.

"Are you all right, senorita?"

Javi was in a meeting with the commander of the soldiers and Don Berna at the time. The meeting was about to end when his own name was called. He frowned, put out his cigarette and left the office.

"What now," he hissed.

He ran up the stairs, getting worried.

"What the fuck is going on here?" he asked curiously. Saw Daniel and Chris waiting outside of the bathroom door.

“Señorita has a problem, we didn't get it, sir."

Javi gestured his hands for them to step aside and grabbed door handle wanted to check but-

"Y/N are you all right? What-"

"Don't you dare come in!!!" you shouted quite loudly.

"Okay, can you tell me what happened, por favor?"

"Look, I need clean clothes to change and, the, that thing," your voice was cracking.

Three men in the room looked at each other confused as hell, they had no idea. Javi approached the door softly again.

"To what, cariño?" his voice so soft too but it only made you more angry.

"Just the fucking girly thing," you scolded him.

"Never came to your little minds of yours, when you were kidnapping a girl, ha? Idiots!"

Javi felt so embarrassed when he realized, he bit his lip and ruffled his hair with his hand.

"I'll find you what you want, I promise, you hang in there a little longer, okay?" almost begging.

Daniel and Chris giggled each other.

"Stop it and think about how we will find it." Javi snarled.

"The market near here is at least 50 km away, sir."

“Fuck.”

"What about the female soldiers? I've seen one, no harm to ask her, right?"

Javi nodded.

"You two stay here.”

“Hurry up!!!” you shouted again.

When he get out of the building, Don Berna and the others were there.

"Hey amigo, is there any women among soldiers? I need to talk to her right now."

"Peña," Berna laughed roughly.

"If you need a hooker, just tell me. Anton will take you. I wouldn't recommend approaching female soldiers with that intention. If you know what I mean."

He laughed so hard that the cigar in his mouth almost felling to the floor.

"Fuckin hilarious.” Javi snorted.

----

You were in a lot of pain and the bleeding couldn't stop.

You had no choice but to trust Javi and wait. When you were about to faint, you heard the door open, and immediately after, a woman's voice came to your ear.

"I'll take it from here, gentlemen," she said confidently.

You were almost relieved when you saw a woman in uniform in front of you. She brought clean clothes and tampons, also helped you to change, and now you were dying to get out of fucking bathroom.

"Thank you, really," you said sincerely.

"No problem, señorita," she smiled and left the room, but Javi has entered before the door was closed.

"Are you feeling better?"

Suddenly you felt your cheeks turn red.

"Yes, thank you," you said, avoiding to make eye contact with him.

“Don’t thank me, just be okay,” he muttered and left the room.

You wanted to say more but couldn’t. Feeling abandoned because he left you in the room alone, but because you were so tired to think over. So you preferred to go to the bed and lay down.

-----

---------------------------- All episodes here ------------------------

[peachhcs]

as of late → social media post

hughes!sister x will smith au (samy + will)

two posts in one day?! as requested, here’s what’s been going on through samy’s instagram recently <3 (i had to add some angst with fans commenting things since this would be when her and will aren’t together)

p.s. this is olivia coutts on instagram irl. she’s sort of who i picture samy looking like so i took some of her pics from insta to use as samy’s :)

au masterlist

samyhughes as of late — i love my friends

view all comments

hannahduke WOW i made cover post! so honored

| samyhughes LMAO ur welcome bae

marcieevans11 i love youuuu samy hughes you’re gorgeous

| samyhughes i love youuu marcie can’t wait to see you in a few weeks!!

lhughes_06 YEAH I MADE THE CUT!!!

| _quinnhughes in the very last photo 😭

| jackhughes be happy you’re even included at all 😒

| samyhughes IM SORRY JACK I PROMISE NEXT TIME!!

user1 now wait a minute…who is that guy in pics 3 and 5???

markestapa little hughes standing on business in pic 4

| samyhughes like i always am

edwards.73 okkkkkk posttttt

| samyhughes okkkkkk i watched you type this on my post

colecaufield wait is that matt maggio??

| samyhughes yes! met up with him while i was in van visiting quinn :)

user2 omg is she dating this guy now??

| user3 that seems kind of fast after will…

user4 you were never good for will anyway.

user5 where’s will?!!!! did she move on that fast??!!

g.brindley4 good stuff hughesy

| samyhughes thanks gav

seamuscasey26 wow didn’t make boat pic i guess

| samyhughes you hate pics shut up 😭

rutgermcgroarty wow 6 pics in one post is crazy

| samyhughes shut up with your contract posting every three months

| nick.moldenhauer wow that’s tough

kayleighdocherty_ so pretty samy! love u

| samyhughes ugh miss u kay i wanna come back to cali

ryan.leno_4 damn i’m not featured :(

| samyhughes maybe in my end of summer dump!

user6 guys even if she is dating that guy now let’s not hate. we don’t even know what happened between her and will!!!

mattmaggio81 good seeing you! come back to van soon

| samyhughes already booking my next flight! 🫡

user7 rebound is crazzyyy

user8 it’s the way none of her friends are commenting on the guy. i knew she was only using will for the fame

| user9 lmao what fame?? she was famous on her own without will

| user10 y’all think she’s famous 💀

gabeperreault44 happy summer!

| samyhughes WOOO!!

drewf2 yuppppp hughesy posted

| samyhughes yupppp!

aram_minnetian silver purse in 4th pic looks cool

| samyhughes wow thanks aram!

gracecccsmith so cutie samy, i love u

| samyhughes love u grace🥰

jacob_fowler24 good shit

| samyhughes 🫡🫡

samyhughes hey guys!! just to clarify, matt and i aren’t dating!! we’re just friends. we met a few years back and when i was in van to visit it quinn, we decided to catch up! we were both at a charity event hence the 5th pic. please keep any rude comments to yourself as you don’t know what is going on in my life. thanks! <3

pinned comment

[luvhughes43]

nostalgia | trevor zegras x reader

suki waterhouse masterlist

part two

summary: y/n and trevor broke up as trevor had to leave her to play hockey in cali, since trevor did not want to do long distance. y/n thinks back to their relationship, the good and the bad, and thinks about how she wishes she could still be with trevor.

lyrics: "I talk about the past like i talk about you, i leave out every little thing that i dont like remembering" and "i miss you more than i say i do, you had to follow all your dreams, just wish that they included me"

word count: 0.8k

posted 3 years ago

y/nuser 

liked by trevorzegras, jackhughes, and others

y/nuser z baby

it wasn't that uncommon for people to ask you about your relationship with trevor. You’d be out at a sports bar with a few friends when Z's picture, or a highlight of his, would come on to the screen. Didn’t you two used to date? What was it like dating a hockey player? Is he a good person? Were all questions thrown your way. You usually just nodded or pretended you couldn't hear them. When you did feel nostalgia, and felt the need to talk, usually after multiple drinks but who was keeping track? you always made sure to tell everyone the happiest stories, the funniest jokes. You didn't like remembering the breakup and heartache. It was a long night of questions.

You escaped to the bar, dark blue light hitting off your face as you waited for the bartender to pass over your drink. you felt somebody nudge your shoulder, and you turned to find a girl around your age smiling at you. “Hey so i heard that you and Trevor Zegras used to-” 

You turned back to the bar just as the bartender took somebody else’s order a few spots away. Your drink was set in front of you and you were glad for the distraction, quickly downing it. “So like I was just wondering if you knew his type or… like had his number or something?” she continued on, clearly not getting the hint that you weren’t interested in the conversation.

“No i don't know him” you snapped as you pushed yourself up off your barstool and onto the crowded walkway. You shoved passed the blonde who scoffed loudly at you, and made your way to your friend. 

“I’m going to head out” you shouted over the ESPN theme and the shouts of sports fans. Your friend turned her head towards you, she bit her lip, and you could sense the pity coming off her in waves. “Is this about trevor? Sweetie, I thought you said you guys had a great relationship? There’s nothing for you to be sad about” her voice was like honey as she trailed her hand from your shoulder down to your wrist. She held onto your hand for a second before dropping it. 

You hadn’t told her how much you missed him, or the heartbreak you went through because of everything that happened. 

You tried to give Vanessa a reassuring smile, “Vanessa, I'm fine it's just too crowded in here”

“Okay well I don't want you to become a hermit or anything” she turned towards the guy she was after and gave an obnoxious fake laugh. You chuckled just to satisfy Vanessa before you turned quickly on your heel and made it the hell out of the building. 

Posted 2 year ago

y/nuser

Liked by trevorzegras, _alexturcotte, and others

y/nuser lake day🌞

tagged: trevorzegras

Baby! Come here! Trevor shouted down from the docks. 

I'm coming, I'm coming! You giggled as you finished lathering yourself up with sunscreen.

Look, I'm gonna show you how to paddle board, it’s so easy. I'll take you for a ride he smiled at you as you practically ran down to the dock. 

When you finally reached him, he grabbed you by your waist and spun you around. He set you down and he pressed his forehead against yours, I love you.

I love you! Trevor, please we can figure this out! You cried as he started packing up your things from his room. 

y/n i've thought a lot about this, and i'm leaving. I’m going to play for Anaheim and you’re not coming with me. He said, and it shocked you how casual he sounded about it. Just this morning he had told you he had loved you, letting you believe you guys had a chance.

Baby please… I don't have to come with you, we can do long distance or… we can think of something just please! You put your hands on top of his, effectively stopping him taking your clothes out of his dresser. 

I don't want to, he whispered and you swore it was a curse.

posted 1 years ago

trevorzegras

liked by jackhughes, jamie.drysdale, and others

trevorzegras a dream come true

Every time you saw him post, or saw a highlight or reel of him, your heart broke a little more. You couldn't help but miss him, even after how he broke things off with you. 

If anyone asked, you swore things broke up amicably, with the two of you smiling and wishing each other off well. You never let anyone know the heartbreak he caused, because you felt so stupid about it. He blindsided you, and if people knew how much you actually missed him… it made you feel sick. 

Despite it all you wished he could have seen you in his future. You could never be mad at him for having to follow his dreams, but the way he handled it… you hated that you still loved him so much. 

[speakofthedebbie]

ASK GAMES IN SESSION:

november asks

moots on anon (debs original, moots go on anon, say a few things about them [usually 3] and i have to guess who they are)

fic writers: directors cut

@theronanlynchshow's ask game

have i ever/would i rather ask game

70 horrible questions

some things of varying importance (<- my fav colour btw)

came for one. singular. fucking. post by @elsa-fogen, stayed for the hazbin brainrot

names debbie (read about why here), nicknames are any variation that suits you

almost certain im she/her

after much deliberation (thx for your insight @lifea16 <3) im a femme-leaning biromantic and femme-leaning sex-indifferent demisexual (makes sense to me at least)

in a qpr with @lifea16 >:3

minor (not saying majors [literally why arent 18+ called that] cant interact, but watch yourself)

in regards to above: ♐ (december 14th)

no comm beggars

#1 luci defender

started shipping radioapple as a joke but it becomes less of a joke each day (while i am now radioapple inclined, i am still a multishipper at heart)

priestess of @cali-and-chaos' radioapple cult

almost certainly some flavour of neurodivergent

transphobes dont even look at this blog. me and my trans besties WILL beat you up and it WILL be embarrassing

same goes for terfs, racists, bigots and the like. do not test me

fandoms:

currently:

hazbin hotel (wow who wouldve thunk it)

helluva boss (somewhat)

heathers (ending made me ugly sob and i have been waffling about it)

previously:

mystreet (may return when s7 comes out)

hermitcraft (im way too behind to catch up now)

percy jackson & the olympians (left off on titans curse)

murder drones (now that its done might come back to)

the promised neverland (i still like it, but i finished the manga)

project SEKAI: COLORFUL STAGE! (feat. hatsune miku) [i had a stint with it but since i could never play the game it died off. still have a high key crush on akito 😍]

unique tags:

#debs is a yapper (i talk about shit. usually hazbin shit. intersects way too much with-)

#debs is a memer (i make memes. usually hellaverse memes. intersects way too much with #debs is a yapper.)

#debs is an artist (i make art occasionally. so far 100% hazbin art.)

#debs is a writer (i post my hellaverse fics. either wip snippets or links to the ao3 page. previously under #debs is an artist.)

#debs is a responder (i respond to the [semi!]rare ask or two [used to be #debs is an answerer but it sounded too weird lol])

#debs is an original poster (i make original posts. opposite of-)

#debs is a reblogger (i reblog usually hellaverse shit, which for my apprehensiveness about it at first has become [more than] half my blog. opposite of #debs is an original poster.)

#debbie's never ending rivalry with her own fucking brain (i wage psychological warfare against my own brain. no one wins.)

#"for your queueing has just begun~" (i queue posts.)

look at the top 10 posts yourself lol

individual follower shout-out (hasnt been updated in a WHILE mb chat)

oh yeah i got a sideblog lol (high school advice)

also luci-centric sideblog lol im so predictable

[lokischocolatefountain]

1. For Old Time’s Sake || Red Tape, Red Line

Series Masterlist

Fandom: Narcos

Pairing: Javier Peña x Reader

Rating: G (check ratings for each chapter)

Word count: 3.4k words

Summary: Javier runs into an old friend in DC.

A/N: Javier for Day 3! Thanks for the love for the last two fics. Here’s more and here’s my favorite- Javi. I do have a series of him in my Married!Javi fics. Buuuut, it doesn’t follow a chronological order. Unlike that, I’m trying to have a coherent storyline here. Writing a linear story happens to be my downfall so I’m gonna wait and see how this pans out. Hope you like the first instalment of this story!

Wallet, keys, ID, gun, badge.

He froze with his hand on the hotel side table holding only a generic lamp after he’d taken his possessions- wallet, keys, ID. There was no gun to slip into the back of his pants and no badge to strap on to his belt. After eight years of the routine, he’d grown used to the metal digging into his lower back, used to the danger it possessed and the illusion of safety it gave him.

When he’d woken up that night from an imagined bullet to his chest, he reached for it on the same table, his heart seizing up when he found it empty. The quiet streets of DC and the streetlights pouring in through the window helped ground him, told him where he was. He’d taken to repeating the mantra that had been helping him come to after his nightmares. You’re home. It’s over. You’re home. It’s over.

As he slipped into his suit jacket, he wondered if the mantra was even true anymore. When he told himself that it was over and he was home, did he mean the states? Because DC wasn’t home. But was the US home anymore? Laredo? Bogotá? Shit, if it wasn’t the first three, it definitely wasn’t that last one.

He bent down and pulled his suitcase out from under the bed, hand slipping inside to retrieve the red pack of Marlboros he stored inside. Everything was perfectly packed- shirts and pants ironed perfectly, socks rolled up and underwear folded neatly. With everything else in chaos in his life, this bit of orderliness brought him comfort. He once took some pride in how well he could pack his life up within minutes. Not since that hijo de puta rubbed in his face that despite his shit lifestyle, he had a wife and children to go home to. A family man, he’d called himself.

While he couldn’t even look his dad in the eye or bring himself to visit mom’s grave, men like Berna took themselves home to wives and children every night. It must need some level of delusion to be able to do so.

It wasn’t over. Nothing was over. He’d been fired- well, he resigned. Columbia was supposed to be behind him, but there was still work to be done, paperwork to write up, politicians to schmooze. As the day passed, he was passed around from desk to desk, bureaucrat to bureaucrat, all praising him or letting him know just how hard he’d made their lives. State, Defense, DOJ, CIA, the fucking White House— Javi of the past with the hot blood, wide eyes and the need to prove himself would be ecstatic to know where he’d land up in the future. He wouldn’t be too pleased with the journey, though.

He’d won.

At least that was what the ambassador had said. But it didn’t feel like it. While he’d grown up and let the cynicism of life get to him, there was still that younger Javi taking up too much space in his head, telling him that he had failed in what he’d set off to do and sold his soul in the process. That the last eight years had all been for naught. I went after Medellin and Cali and all I have to show for it is the fucking nightmares. Now that would make for a wonderful print on a t-shirt.

“Good afternoon, how may I help?”

“I have an appointment with The Assistant to the Chief of Staff. I’m Javier Peña,” he said, sliding his ID across the rich mahogany desk to the woman. She took his ID, checked her computer, his face, the ID, repeated the process and then slid the ID back to him.

“Mr. Peña, Mr. Reed is in another meeting right now, but he’ll be happy to see you once it’s over. I can direct you to our waiting room.”

Great.

He smiled, nodded and followed the woman through the state department his eyes roving over the workers as he wondered how many of them had to stay late nights to fuck up the progress he and his fellow agents made on the field. How many of them typed up letters from the Secretary of State with directives to back the fuck off right when he was about to nab a valuable target. How many of them were assigned to Colombia, how many to other countries where they played around in their own interests.

He’d always held these people with contempt and not much had changed. They got to sit in their cushy office with the nicest computers and air conditioning while he and his colleagues chased goons in the streets of a foreign country. These couch potatoes who wrote condemnations and pulled visas and told them how to do their fucking job as though they knew what it was like to have a kid threatening to kill you with a hand that was too small to be wrapped around a gun if you didn’t drop your own.

Did any of these people think about men like him? Think about what it was like when you lost yet another partner and had to live with the image of him bleeding out on the road as you woke up from yet another nightmare with yet another realization of what you should’ve done to save his life in that moment.

They did not, he decided when the clock ticked and ticked but there was no word for him. The receptionist came by once or twice to apologize on her boss’s behalf and offer him coffee. Coffee to add to his sleep deprivation? No thank you.

He politely declined both times, willing himself to not take his anger out on the poor woman. She was just doing her job.

When the clock hit six, he got off his chair and stepped out of the waiting room. He’d known frustration. More often than not, he was left clutching his head in one hand and a glass of whiskey in the other as his lungs burned from the cigarette between his lips as another step in his mission failed spectacularly. He knew frustration, but nothing like this brand of idle frustration where you had nothing to do but sit on an uncomfortable chair in the office of some prick who got paid more money a year than he would make in his entire life for doing fucking nothing.

So much for being a hero.

“Javier?”

He stopped outside the elevator door, turning around to see the face that called out his name.

Goddamn.

Her name slipped out through his lips, his tongue rolling around with as much practiced ease as it had done all those years ago. She looked exactly the same, yet completely different. Slightly taller as she walked up to him with the same smile, lips painted a deep red. Her hair was down instead of up in a bun. Her eyes gleamed with the same light he’d found in them over a decade ago. Although there was a new addition— crinkles at the corners of her eyes when she smiled. She’d exchanged the more practical field uniform for a nice blouse and skirt. A matching jacket hung off her arm and her hand was wrapped around the handles of a handbag.

“What are you doing here?” They asked at the same time. They exchanged smiles and he followed as she lead him into the elevator.

“I was supposed to meet someone. A Mr. Reed.”

“Ah. He wasn’t here for most of the day. Some fire to put out.”

“Fuck.”

“Yeah. Did they have you waiting the whole day?” She asked, removing the lanyard with her ID. She hissed when it caught in her hair and he stepped in, untangling the thing from her hair and taking it off for her. He took the card between her fingers and read her name out loud.

“Policy Analyst. Damn, Glasses,” he trailed, using her nickname from their time in Quantico. “You really did get yourself the nerdiest job. Can’t say I’m surprised.”

He handed her ID back to her and she shoved it into her bag, smiling at her nickname rather than shoving him like she used to. Or threatening to tell on him to their training officer. “Alright, Pissy Pants Peña. You got me.”

He let out a laugh at her rebuttal. The name surprised him just as it had the first time she used it against him in a moment of weakness even though she’d claimed that nicknames were “so unprofessional and rude. I will not call my fellow trainees rude names just to look cool around other trainees.” The first time was when he’d aggravated her more than usual and she spat out the name he’d earned when he had so much to drink that he pissed his pants.

“Are you free to grab a drink? It’ll be nice to catch up,” he asked, hopeful that a drink with an old friend would make his terrible day a little less terrible.

“As long as you don’t piss your pants,” she joked, lips curving up in an easy smile before she gave him a clear yes.

She took him to a nearby bar, a favorite of the State Department staff, she said. Many recognized her there, including the bartender who asked her if she’d like her usual.

“You don’t do tequila shots anymore, I’m guessing.”

“Ah, no,” he chuckled, thinking back to his training days when they went out and got drunk on the rare days off from their intensive routine. “These days, I—”

“Whiskey?”

“Yeah. How did you guess?”

“You look like a whiskey man. I can just picture you sitting in a dark corner of a bar, all alone and serious, avoiding paperwork or thinking about how to bend the rules.”

“Oh? That so?”

“Mhmm,” she said, sipping on her glass of red wine. She was always a wine drinker. A wine snob, one might say. She did that little swirl that wine drinkers did, took a whiff of the drink and then a small sip.

“Is that part of your job as policy analyst? Analyzing lonely men in bars and guessing what’s in their heads…”

“No, but I’ve had to creep on lonely men drinking their whiskeys in my last job.”

“Oh? What was that?”

“CIA Operative.”

He raised an eyebrow at that. She didn’t seem the CIA type. But then again, it could be his generally positive regard for her and negative regard for the CIA that made it hard for him to imagine her being part of those bastards.

“And you left because?”

“I found out that I had to do things I didn’t want to do in order to survive in the CIA. Didn’t have the stomach for it. I thought that if I just followed all the rules and did my job, I could succeed, but…” she sighed before taking a sip of her drink. “I learned that doing the right thing and doing my job contradicted each other a bit too much.”

Under the dim light that hung above her head, she didn’t look as naïve as she used to. Following every little rule will get you nowhere, Glasses. He’d made fun of her for it several times, told her she didn’t know what the real world was like, that she was in for a big shock. Little did he know that he would be in for just as much shock if not more. While she was intent on doing everything by the book, she at least knew that certain things could never change. Her ambitions weren’t too big. While he and their other classmates talked big about changing the fucking world, she said she just wanted to do her part, just help things along. She saw the nuts and bolts of the machine, know how the gears turned and pointed to every mechanism that would stop him from realizing his lofty dream of “winning the war on drugs, baby!”

“There is no war. It’s just money and politics and even more money. And a fuckload of racism.”

Javi of the past chided her for her cynicism, but if she told him that now, he would buy her a drink.

“Oh and there was the time I got shot, so I can’t really be on the field anymore. My insides are too messed up,” she said, moving the fabric of her shirt aside to reveal a healed bullet wound peeking out from under her bra strap. “Guadalajara. And this is just one of seven. The guy was a terrible shot, though. And my surgeon was fucking amazing, so I live to tell the tale.”

“A lot has happened, huh?” He remarked, considering her wound carefully as he wondered where the other six bullets had hit her body. The knowledge that she’d look completely different underneath her clothes compared to what he remembered covering in kisses infuriated him. He needed to relearn the body he should’ve taken more time to learn. To strip the proper clothing off her and acquaint himself with what was new and reacquaint himself with the familiar. Would he even remember what was new? Was the one time enough for him to register her in his mind?

“Hmm yeah. A lot. Like your work with the cartels. You and your guys always found a way to get on our nerves in State.”

“Oh?” He feigned innocence. “I didn’t know I was pissing you off, Glasses. I’m sorry.”

“Aww, he’s sorry. Don’t even try me, Peña. It was almost like you and what’s the other guy’s name…? Murphy? Like you two were fucking shit up just to get on my nerves. And then Duffy and Lopez. Duffy always pissed me off, but then he and Lopez had to go have their faces plastered on the papers. I thought it was just some other Javier Peña but then that happened and I was sure it was you.”

“I didn’t ask Duffy and Lopez to do that, I swear. They did that all on their own.”

“Really? I knew you and Duffy were close back in the day. And it looked like something you would do, breaking the rules like that.”

“Now give me some credit, hermosa. Maybe I’ve learned to follow the rules a little in the past few years.”

“As one of the people who had to put out the fires you started, I’ll have to disagree respectfully.”

“I’m surprised I have your respect now. I didn’t have a modicum of that back then.”

“Oh, it wasn’t that bad. I had some respect for you.”

“That so?”

“Yeah. You always…you wanted to do the right thing. We have differences of opinion on what the right thing was, but you always wanted to choose the option that would do the most good. I always admired that.”

“I’m not that person anymore.” He was the man who lied to his agents that the Ambassador did not prioritize the safety of their Cali insider. He was the man who got into bed with Los Pepes and did it again to rescue Christina Jurado. Whatever good she’d seen in him fizzled away the moment things got hard for him. He wondered how she would’ve done it. Had he been the type to follow rules like her, would he have kept his soul intact?

“I’m not surprised. I’m not the same person either. No glasses for one,” she joked, getting a light chuckle out of him. Her light demeanor dulled just a little and he could see through her eyes some kind of darkness that wasn’t there before.

“Things are rarely as we expect when we’re at the heart of the problem. Making the right choice is more…complex because— we have to choose between option that will all hurt people terribly in one way or the other.”

He nodded and took a sip of his drink, his mind reeling with all the times he needed to make decisions like that. They tended to be a lot more complex that he imagined when he was young and idealistic.

“Job like that, if it doesn’t change you, are you even human?”

“Right,” he said, not fully agreeing with the sentiment. The standards were completely different for the two of them. Sure, she would’ve faced those choices in the CIA. But she left. Long ago, he assumed, from her senior position at the State Department.

Whatever she had to do as CIA operative, it made her leave. Unlike him, she had the moral clarity to do it as early as she did. She looked more at ease now.

Maybe it was the fact that she had a cushy office job now, but the perpetual tension in her shoulders was missing. He’d prefer her version of change to his. Perhaps he should take up an office job, be relaxed, sit back at a desk and attend meetings about when to have meetings. His body sure couldn’t handle the field anymore. His knees and ankles still felt his jump from a balcony when he chased Jurado in Curaçao.

As much as he liked condemning himself to hell for his sins, as much as he liked withering away in shame when people heaped him with praises, it felt good to be on the receiving end of her empathy. The job did change everyone. If Glasses, the goody two shoes, stickler for the rules, ultimate teacher’s pet could understand that… Maybe he should too. If the field had changed someone like her, of course it changed him.

“So, umm… it’s getting late,” she said, looking up from her watch. “I have a rule about not having more than two drinks and,” she held up her second glass, half a sip of red wine resting in the bottom. “I had an early day today and will have an earlier day tomorrow. I got a meeting.”

Shoulders slumped, he nodded at her slowly. He didn’t want her to leave, didn’t want to lose the piece of a much calmer past. “It was great seeing you again, Glasses.”

“Likewise, Triple P.”

He tilted his head to one side, smiling at the new nickname. “Pissy Pants Peña is quite the mouthful, so… And it would be weird if my bosses heard it. We aren’t in our early twenties anymore and stupid shit like this could ruin a career.”

“Well, I no longer have a career to be ruined, so… But thanks anyway,” he said, reaching into his back pocket for his wallet.

“Nah ah ah,” she said in a sing-song voice, reaching into her bag. “You’re in my city, I’m not letting you pay. It’s bad manners.”

“Is it now?” he said, sliding a wad of cash across the bar to the bartender. “Is that one of your rules?”

“It is. You’re a guest in D.C. and it’s poor hospitality to not buy you a drink,” she said before turning to the bartender. “Josh, don’t take his money,” she said, handing the man some dollar bills from her purse. Josh ignored Javier’s money and took hers instead, alluding to whatever loyalty he had for her. She did say that the place was a State Department favorite. It made sense that she was on a first name basis with the guy.

He thumbed his mustache, the bristles scratching his finger gently. “What if I have a rule about that? That it’s poor manners to make a beautiful woman pay for her drinks and mine…”

“Then I’d expect you to say thank you for aiding you in your rule-breaking. I know how you love to do that.”

He grinned and licked his lips slowly, taking her in as she walked ahead of him. She never wore clothes like that before, pencil skirts that hugged her ass and high heeled shoes that made her hips sway in the most mesmerizing rhythm. As though feeling his stare, she turned around suddenly, making his head whip up so fast he could’ve broken his neck. Or it was just his old age.

“So, umm…Lunch sometime? We could continue this conversation,” she said, tucking her hair behind her ear. “Or not!” She added quickly. Painted fingernails scratched at each other, chipping away at the already lightly chipped red paint. “I know you’re really busy.”

“Never too busy for you, Glasses. Drinks again tomorrow night?”

“Yup. I’ll see you here at 6:30? If my schedule doesn’t change too much, that is.”

“6:30 is good.”

.

.

.

Advent Calendar Masterlist

Main Masterlist

[piratefishmama]

For One Night Only | Part 3

“Steve?!”

“Nance!” The reunion was abrupt, two bodies colliding in the middle of the room amidst makeup artists and stylists in a tight hug that wound up with Steve being lifted off of the floor by little miss badass herself, Nancy Wheeler. “Jeez! Hitting the gym much?” He laughed as she set his whole 5’10 stocky mass back down on the carpet.

“Only on the weekends, running around after these idiots is great cardio, keeps me in tip top shape, what’re you doing here?”

“Munson needed a date to this fancy award thing, I got the invite, you know me, love being pampered and showered with attention. I thought you and Barb were in Cali with the Byers?” Even though she and Jonathan weren't dating anymore, both realising they found their best friends way more compatible with themselves than each other, they still had plenty of love for each other, enough to spend a week just getting baked on the beach together once every few months.

“That’s next month after the events season is up, still running ragged this month. These lot have got radio shows tomorrow afternoon and evening, and they’re invited to a premier next weekend for something that used one of their songs in the soundtrack, it’s… hectic. God it’s been…what—”

“Few years since face to face" they'd kept up the catch up phone calls though, their "babies first love" hadn't worked out but they made excellent friends. "You look good Nance…”

“I feel good… less stressed. Weirdly enough.” She didn’t have to deal with asshole bosses and sexism in the workplace, she just had to deal with nerds, and the nerds respected her. “Did Eddie tell you about the whole journalism thing?”

“That you finally told them to go suck several severely unwashed dicks? Not in those exact words but I’m proud of you Nance, I know it’s what you wanted to do but—”

“Sometimes we don’t know what we want until we’ve tried it and it sucks. Barb walked out with me flipping the whole office off, it was glorious.” She finished as he nodded, smiling brightly at the knowledge that Barb had stuck by her in that too, because of course she had, when had Barb ever not stuck by her? “So I see this whole thing is still working out nicely for you” She motioned to the entirety of him as he flourished his hands in a tadah motion. “You look good, it’s a good look on you, this job.” He got paid handsomely for doing something he genuinely enjoyed, he dressed well, he smelled good, he looked like he was worth a lot of money.

“Not to parrot you but, god Nance I feel good too, I’ve been seeing this funny old woman lately, she’s hilarious and her cookie recipe is to die for, if you ever get a moment, you should come with me one day she’ll talk your ear off about the most ridiculous shit.” He adored Gladys, she deserved the world, she was a welcome switch up to the occasional sexual hire he’d get, some people needed a damn good release, others needed to just talk to someone who’d listen.

He enjoyed both kinds of people.

“Okay so is someone going to explain what the hell Steve Harrington is doing in our room?” Gareth finally decided to break the baffled silence that’d fallen over the rest of the Corroded Coffin members as Nancy and Steve caught up like little old ladies meeting for a senior special at the local cafe.

“He’s my date!” Eddie chirped, tone dripping in smug with a grin to match. He’d parked his rear back into his own chair, allowing the stylists they hired to fuss a little more over his hair.

“No really.” Gareth deadpanned “What’s Steve Harrington doing in our room?”

“I just told you!” Eddie squawked indignantly, almost offended at how little Gareth believed in him. “I hired him, yes, but he’s still my date.”

Steve smiled and stepped forward in his defence though, “No he’s right… I am his date for the evening, and I really hope I can start fresh with you guys too, I know I wasn’t the best person in Hawkins, I don’t remember much of it, my memory isn’t great, but Eddie tells me I let some shit happen that I definitely should have put a stop to—” Tommy pushing Jeff into a locker, for example “so, i’m sorry for everything, I am, truly, I really hope you can forgive me.” The last thing he wanted was a tense night around the band.

He wanted to get along with them, not just for the sake of his job, but also because he actually was hitting it off with Eddie, he liked Eddie, Eddie was sweet, and prettier than he remembered any boy in Hawkins ever being.

That being said he really didn’t remember much.

“Okay so. It looks like Steve Harrington, it has Steve Harrington’s voice, and yet it says magical things that couldn’t possibly come from Steve Harringt-ow!” Eddie, thankfully the closest sat next to him, thumped Jeff in the arm “what the hell man?”

“We’re not dumb kids anymore, dude. Everyone’s grown here. Let’s keep the past where it belongs, yeah?”

“Would you say the same shit about Hargrove too?” Now Steve did remember Billy Hargrove, hard to forget a man like Hargrove, giant douchebag, hadn’t thought about him in years though, had no idea where he ended up and didn’t care to think about it. Just knew Nancy’s brother Mike was friends with the guys sister, Max.

Steve actually found himself frowning deeply at the idea that they associated the memory of high school him with Hargrove of all people.

“Ew no, but Steve never actually physically did anything to you, he just kinda… watched it happen, and he only did that once, sure it was still shitty but it ain’t the same and you know it ain’t the same.”

“Listen… I don’t expect forgiveness after a single apology out of nowhere, I didn’t reach out and I don’t even remember what happened, it’s all by sheer coincidence that I’m even here with the opportunity to apologise, but I do have a job to do here, and I intend to do it so I’d really appreciate it if we could at least put that past behind us for tonight, and if you want to hold a grudge, just save it for after the cameras finish rolling, okay? Not for my sake, but for your own. Do you really want the press to spin some bullshit Yoko story about how your front man is spending time with a guy you all hate? How it’s pulling you apart?”

The big one was the first to speak after that, Steve couldn’t remember his name either, but he knew it began with Fr… His brain supplied ‘Freak’ but that probably wasn’t it. “You know about Yoko?”

“I don’t live under a rock.”

“Nah just in a fancy penthouse apartment with a bitchy little Pomeranian and a walkin closet bigger than… than… uh— okay I was gonna say my apartment but I’m rich now so—” Eddie sniggered as Jeff floundered trying to be witty.

“First of all, I have a cat, her name is Mocha and she’s a queen” a severely pampered colourpoint ragdoll currently being fawned over by her usual cat sitters Robin and Vickie “and second this job requires a walk in closet bigger than some houses, do you think a rich client wants to see the same outfit twice? Man I have a whole section dedicated solely to lingerie.” Eddie nearly choked on his own saliva.

Steve in lingerie Steve in lingerie Steve in lingerie Steve in lingerie Steve in lingerie— shit he was still talking.

“Now, are we going to get our stories straight, or are we going to continue wasting time discussing my adolescent character flaws?”

Gareth finally piped up “Man, do you really have a whole closet section dedicated to lingerie?” And Steve just sighed.

[trash-magics-blog]

Adopting a kitten/puppy with them and how they would react!

Summary: basically how the 141 + Alejandro and Rudy + Konig would be if you guys adopted a kitten or puppy, this is all fluff nothing else. (I'll state what breed and the name of the cat/dog then explain how you got it)

1. Simon "Ghost" Riley

You and Simon adopt a kitten, specifically a British short hair and you guys named her Molly. To be on the more truthful side, you adopted Molly and surprised Simon with her when he got home from hanging out with his friends Soap and Gaz one day. You and him had talked about getting a kitten because you had always wanted one and at first, Simon wasn't completely...enthusiastic about you bringing the kitten home since he had told you that he would think about it but she grew on him. "She is a British short hair, so you two have something in common" you laughed, Simon on the other hand just sighed and said "is that your idea of a joke miss?". He didn't go out of his way to bond with her much but she seemed so fascinated by him and wouldn't leave him alone, constantly following him around and playing with his shoe strings or his sweatshirt strings. And when you weren't in the room he would play with her slightly and there was a few times you caught him doing so, it warmed your heart to see him smiling and playing with her so gently and to here him try and laugh quietly so you wouldn't notice him. Something about seeing Simon be so happy with the kitten made you think about him as a father but you knew that had to wait and to just live in the moment.

2. Johnny "Soap" Mactavish

You and Johnny adopt a pit bull puppy and name him Sargent but call him "Sarg" for short. One day you and Johnny where driving down this back road to get back home after a date and you saw this little puppy on the side of the road, it was raining and Johnny had stopped and got out of the car and grabbed him and set him in your lap and said with a smile "we'll be having another passenger tonight Bonnie" and you didn't mind so you started to talk to the puppy and pet him telling him how good of a boy he was and everything, you and Johnny fell in love with this little pooch. The next day, Johnny went out and bought him toys, bowls and a cute blue collar with "Sargent" stamped into the dog tag, he was a little skinny so it didn't fit him just yet but it looked so cute on him. Sarg slept on the bed with you and Johnny and you guys took him everywhere, he loved you guys and when you started to have a baby bump Sarg never took you out of his sight and didn't let anyone near you which Johnny secretly loved cause it allowed him to know you were safe when he wasn't around.

3. Kyle "Gaz" Garrick

You and Kyle adopted a border Billie puppy named Cali. You both had come to the decision of a new puppy and had gotten all the things a puppy would need as in bowls, toys and food ect... And after you guys had gotten done at the pet store you went to the animal shelter and there is where you found Cali, a little puppy who seemed to be rather bored and not amused by the other puppies so you guys picked her. At first she seemed a little scared of you guys and just kinda tip-toed around and if you or Kyle went to pick her up she ran away but with time and a lot of patience she warmed up to you guys, she got close with Kyle first then started to warm up to you. She was Kyle's right hand dog. She went everywhere with him while you preferred to stay home and relax, Kyle was almost always busy with something so Cali gave him a companion. But in all reality, she was both of your guys companion and life long friend.

(A/N) Part 2 with Price, Ale, Rudy and Konig will be out soon! I usually just write whenever I feel the inspiration but I wanna start like actually writing cause it's so fun and nice to see people enjoy it so thank you! I hope you like this random stuff! Have a good day!

[antis0cial23]

The Pride of the Navy

Chapter 3: Cap'n Mav

Summary: Training starts and he is the teacher?

Warnings: Swearing

  Quin's alarm blared in her ears, the lovely time of '5:30 am' showing on her phone. Well, if there was any day for hell to break loose, it would be today. Stress had already found a home in her bones; the unknown mission soon to be found out. Based on everyone present at the bar the previous night, this was some serious shit they were getting into, and Quin didn't know if she wanted a part of it. But here she was, getting dressed in her service khakis. Her short waves pass regulation standards to stay down, unlike Phoenix's long hair forced into a regulation bun.

Buttoning up her stiff shirt, she was dressed to head to base, although she was unsure of her body wanted to follow. Unsure of what was to come, Quin didn't just have to think of herself for this no doubt deadly mission that was to come. Someone needed to be there for when Emmelyn returned home after long deployments, take care of her when she had those hard days every Navy man and woman had. And currently, Quin was the only person who could fill that position, or so she thought. Grabbing her keys and jacket, Quin exited her home, nerves bursting with a buzz that filled her soul. Her cherry red baby rumbled to life, the hum calming in nature. Pulling out of her driveway, Quin could only think of her sister and the memories they shared.

Quin drove down the Hollywood streets, her sister in the passenger seat. Music blared on her speakers, windows down and cruising. Emmelyn loudly sang the lyrics of 'Cherry Cola' by Kuwada as they drove.

"SHE'S MY CHERRY COLA, SHE GON KEEP ME SOBER" Em sang, enjoying the music. The only thing Quin could do was smile. Emmelyn had just turned eighteen, Quinlan twenty-eight. Maybe they weren't fully related, only half-siblings by their mother, but Quin would do absolutely anything for her. Like driving almost a full day from Corpus Christi, Texas to Los Angeles, California just so Emmelyn could go to the Cali beaches she grew up on before she made her way to college.

Quin felt terrible making her move her junior year of high school, but Emmelyn understood, and quite honestly was excited for the change. Em may or may not have had a thing for Texas country boys. Quinlan flew with the Blue Spades, enjoying the group, even though it was comprised of mostly men. Quin got her allotted time off from her supervisor, since after all, your siblings only graduate once. So here they were, rolling through California with the windows down, screaming the lyrics of 'Cherry Cola'.

"Quinlan you looser, sing the damn music instead of smiling like a fuckin weirdo." Sometimes Quin wondered where Emmelyn's personality came from, but who was she to care, she was told to sing, so that's what she did.

"Pull me to the surface, no way I deserve this. We like that you did came, I'm so glad that you came!" Quin sang softer than her sister's belting but sang nonetheless.

Quin's mind resurfaced from the depths of her memories once she reached the base and by no means was she pleased to see the North Island venue. The place was filled with memories, mainly of her fellow Top Gun graduates getting their asses kicked, but it was a fun time despite the frustration. The sense that this wouldn't be the same was disappointing, but Quin only hoped to survive what was to come. Walking through the base she saw Phoenix walking toward the female locker room, which was a, painfully, new addition to the campus.

"Cas! We're meeting in hangar 7. Admiral Simpson told me to inform the group since I was the first one here." Phoenix didn't look too enthused, but again, when did she ever. Quin just nodded in response, stepping in tune with her fellow pilot. They made their way to the hangar, which was unfortunately far from where the two were. Maybe it would've been easier to drive over, but Quin didn't mind the walk. Walking always helped relieve some of her nerves, and today? She needed that more than a caffeine addict needed coffee.

Arriving at the hangar, she and Phoenix had generally walked in silence except for the agreed expressions of curiosity. Hangman sat at a desk; Coyote next to him. Behind was Omaha and Fritz. From the time it took for Phoenix and Quin to walk, mostly everyone was already there. Bob sat across the room from Hangman, saving the seat next to him for Phoenix. Behind him was Payback and Fanboy. Harvard and Yale resided in front of Hangman, Rooster nowhere in sight. Quin took an empty seat in front of Phoenix, leaving the seat next to her the inevitable resting place for none other than the angry chicken named Rooster. ‘Oh, joy.’ Was the only expression that graced her mind at the predicament. Rooster joined the crowd, almost late and looking a little hungover. All Quin did was continue her quiet conversation with Phoenix and her wizzo.

"Attention on deck!" With speed, everyone stood. Admiral Simpson and Rear Admiral Bates walked into the hangar, Hondo following suit.

"Morning. Welcome to your special training detachment. Be seated." Admiral Bates’ voice was firm, just like any other Navy admiral. He glanced around the room, taking in the pilots before him. "You're all Top Gun graduates. The elite. The best of the best. That was yesterday." Quin already knew this was gonna be a pain in the ass mission, aside from the glaringly obvious sense of danger that unconsciously haunted every word, hanging in the air like a thick sickness.

"The enemy's new 5th generation fighter has leveled the playing field. Details are few, but you can be sure we no longer possess the technological advantage." At that moment, she was sure every single aviator in the room had the same thought. Oh. Shit.

"Success... now more than ever, comes down to the man- or woman, in the box. Half of you will make the cut. One of you will be named mission leader. The other half will remain in reserve." Nothing wrong including a friendly competition, right? Quin could only sigh, knowing none of the competition was going to be taken lightly. Somehow, the Admiral was still talking.

"Your instructor is a Top Gun graduate with real-world experience in every mission aspect you will be expected to master. His exploits are legendary. He is considered to be one of the finest pilots this program has ever produced. What he has to teach you may very well be the difference between life and death." Admiral Bates paused, what a way to hype a man up.

"I give you Captain Pete Mitchell. Callsign-Maverick." Quin's whole body paused as her mind slowly, probably too slowly, caught up. ‘Oh, holy mother of God, help us all.’ She glanced back, seeing him make his way up the center aisle of desks. Rooster had turned to face away from the aisle, looking towards the open garage-like doors of the hangar, Quinlan seeing his shift from the corner of her eye. Something was going to break. Either a person, mentally or physically still being decided, a plane, or an inanimate object that took the frustration from the grudge-holding chicken. Maverick cleared his throat, his unsure body language speaking volumes.

"Morning..." This was going to be painful. "The F-18 NATOPS" He semi-shakily held up the manuals, "It contains everything they want you to know about your aircraft. I'm assuming you know the book, inside and out." Maverick looked expectantly at the fliers in front of him. Some shouted yeses, some affirmative noises. "So does your enemy." And with that, the hollow thud of the manuals going into the trashcan to his left echoed throughout the hangar.

"Here we fuckin’ go…" Quin whispered, mainly to herself, but she saw the slight nod Rooster gave. Maybe things weren't as bad as she thought.

"But what the enemy doesn't know... is your limits. I intend to find them. Test them. Push beyond." As much insecurity as he held in the beginning, he wasn't doing too bad now. But having Maverick training Top Gun graduates, only so many rules and regulations could be followed without complete disregard.

"Today we will start with what you only think you know. Time to show me what you're made of." Maverick's small grin was easily seen by Quin, which only made her worried about what he had in store. And so, they were off. Phoenix and Quinlan off to the female locker room, the rest of the cocky Aviators to the men's.

"There ain't no way in hell this is going to go well." Phoenix spoke once they were behind the closed doors of the locker room. Switching from her service khakis to her flight suit, Quin one hundred percent agreed, nodding at Phoenix’s statement.

"Especially with..." Quin just shook her head and exhaled, she stopped herself, not wanting to share Rooster’s business.

"How are things in that... department?" Phoenix asked lightly, not really wanting to upset her friend, assuming Quinlan meant Rooster.

"Being honest? No fucking clue." And that was the end of that conversation. Quinlan patted her pocket, making sure they were still there.

"Still?" Phoenix's voice sounded sad, maybe a hint of pity, but Quin expected it. She nodded, pulling out the chain that held one of Rooster's dog tags and one of hers. She never flew without it, even now. God knows what Rooster did with his, even more so since it was his idea. Placing them back in her pocket, she and Phoenix headed back to the hangar.

Once back at the hangar, the 'teams' were decided. Team one was Payback and Fanboy, wingman: Rooster. Team two Harvard and Yale, wingman: Casper. Quin, not overly enthused about being wingman to the pair, just nodded at the grouping. Team three was Phoenix and Bob, wingman: Hangman. Quin and Phoenix locked eyes, almost making Quin laugh at the dead look in her fellow teammate’s eyes. Team four was the remaining three aviators, Omaha and Fritz, wingman: Coyote. With the teams decided, Team One went to their aircrafts, while the rest gathered around the radio in the green room.

"Good morning, aviators. This is your captain speaking. Welcome to basic fighter maneuvers. As briefed, today's exercise is dogfighting. Guns only. No missiles. We do not go below the hard deck of five-thousand feet. Working as a team, you have to shoot me down. Or else..." Maverick's voice crackled over the radio, his cocky pilot attitude shining through like no other, forcing Quin into an involuntary eye roll. Gotta love pilots...

"Or else what, Sir?" Quin could almost feel the idiocy coming through Payback's voice.

"Or else I shoot back. If I shoot either one of you down, you both lose." Maverick's smile was evident in his words, these boys were in for it now.

"This guy needs an ego check." Hangman spoke, almost as if he was the one going to give it to him.

"No more than you, pretty boy." Quinlan was quiet, only the people she wanted to hear, hearing her statement.

"Oh, so you think I'm handsome?" His smile was accompanied by annoyingly white teeth.

"Not so fast, Ken Doll." A very unamused expression fell onto Quin's face. This man was gonna drain the life out of her. And that's when Quin heard the fucking terrificidea Payback put on the table. Whoever gets shot down first does two hundred push-ups. Quin wanted nothing else but to punch him, her arms already aching at the thought.

"That bastard..." She and Phoenix spoke simultaneously, earning an odd look from Hangman. Quin could only snort at Maverick's antics, hearing the whisper of him not wanting to get fired on the first day, and the way he flew between the two jets, ending inverted over Rooster. Quin already knew that was gonna piss the Rooster off.

"Rooster just saved your life boys, but it's gonna cost him..." Maverick was too cocky for his own good sometimes.

"Not this time, old man." The second Quin heard his rough voice, she knew something was about to go down, and by the looks of it, so did Phoenix. The two shared a look of anticipatory worry. When the beeping from their planes started, warning of low altitude, Quin could only breathe. ‘In. Out.’ She told herself. Maybe it was a plane and a person that was going to break today.

"Five hundred feet, Rooster. Pull up." Mav's voice was worried but still determined not to lose, their double cobra stunt reaching towards the ground faster and faster.

"Pull up you idiot." Quin whispered to herself, not wanting this to be the day someone had to scrape Rooster from the California mountains. She didn't want that any day, to be fair. Phoenix looked at Quin with a face like pity, but her own worry cast that ever despised look aside.

"Shit!" Rooster’s voice came through the radio, breaking the silence. She assumed he pulled up, or more so she hoped. A few moments later, Maverick called the kill, telling the team to head back to base.

"Team two, get ready." Mav knew they were all listening, and so Quin hurriedly walked to her plane. Harvard and Yale followed her to their aircraft as well, leaving Rooster to do his push-ups in peace.

"Yo, Casper." One of them called from behind. She turned, waiting for whoever spoke to continue. "Yale is the pilot, I'm the wizzo. Let's hope we fly well together. And maybe you use more words." Harvard tried joking, which Quin secretly appreciated, nodding at Harvard.

"Hope so, frat boys." Quin said to them as she reached her single-seat F-18. What were the odds the two college callsigns ended up flying together? Climbing the latter and situating herself in the seat, Quin could only hope Maverick was nicer to her than the previous wingman. She gripped the tags in her pocket while doing all the necessary checks in the cockpit. Her jet rumbled to life; the buzzing of the engines felt in her whole body. Her wheels left the runway, Yale and Harvard right behind.

"Good day, fliers. You know the objective, and the cost. Let’s get to it." Maverick was nowhere in sight, but they all knew he was close. Whether that was below them, or off somewhere hidden by the mountains, they didn't know.

"Got eyes, Uni?" A good group name for the college boys... Probably.

"Uni? Really? Are you British?" Yale chuckled at the terrible British accent Harvard put on.

"Come on, boys. Focus." They could hear how she was trying to be serious as Quin spoke. Maybe they would make a good team.

"The lady's right." Mav's voice broke through their headphones, with a crispness that could only mean he was uncomfortably close.

"When the fuck- He's right behind us, Yale!" Harvard sounded panicked at the very least.

"Breaking left, Cas!" And so, Cas did too, both planes veering left, Maverick following easily.

"Boys, when I tell you to dive, do it." Her voice was even, while her plane ever so slightly slowed. Quinlan gave the signal, the boys diving, Mav taking the bait, surprisingly. Quin slammed the brakes, then dove after the ego-inflated captain. A few seconds passed, Yale having to even out, because the hard deck was made to be listened to, the previous run having totally agreed, therefore Maverick too. Quin was still above Mav, ready to shoot.

"Cas, the fuck are you!" Yale spoke as opposed to Harvard.

"Don't worry, Ivy league." She tried to get tone, but unfortunately for her, Maverick looked up. His place abruptly turned, his course target switching to Quinlan.

"Fuck. Chang of plans. I'm bait, you're firing squad." Quin's voice betrayed her and some of her worry shone through. With confirmation from the two, Quin stayed at five thousand feet, knowing Maverick couldn't go below her but he was still on her tail.

"Y'all ready for some real flying?" Maverick's voice portrayed boredom, but he was slightly impressed as it was, they had already lasted longer than Rooster.

"Don't get too comfy, Cap'n Mav" Her slight southern accent, obtained by being around her mom and being stationed in Texas, formed around the nickname. And just like that, playtime was over. Quin quickly pulled back on the joystick, her altitude quickly rising, a few twists, making sure to fly in anything but a straight line made Maverick unable to get a good tone.

"Come on, Yale! Can't keep this up for long!" Quin enjoyed evading the captain, but it was far from easy. And she didn't want to do push-ups.

"I can't get good tone, Casper! Level out and I'll be able to get it." Yales concentration was evident in his words.

"No can-do buddy, the second I level out, I'm dead. Do some cocky pilot bullshit, man!" At this point, she was getting frustrated. And then Maverick pulled up, settling behind Yale. A few curses from the boys, and Quin had an idea.

"Speed up, like, a lot." Maybe this was stupid, but maybe it would work. Maybe.

"Like, now?!" "Yes, now dumbass!" And with that, Quin replaced her plane in the place the boys just were.

"Jesus!" Mavs spoke loudly. "Saved them, but now you can’t protect them." And before Yale and Harvard could get in position, the kill tone sounded in Quin's plane.

"Well, fuck me." Quin's frustration was hard to miss,

"Not literally, boys." She wanted to curse Payback for the push-ups she was going to have to do.

"Good flying, a bit dangerous, but good. Lasted a good minute. See Hondo for your push-ups, Cas." When they reached the group, Quinlan's arms were already aching at the thought of push-ups. When she reached Hondo, he gave her a slight look of surprise. Rooster only on number one thirty-seven of his two-hundred. Quin just shrugged, getting into position next to Rooster. And so, it started. One after another, her arms already hurting at eighty. Rooster should've been done, but he kept going with Quin. She didn't know if she found it endearing, or annoying.

"Rooster, you're done. You've been done." Hondo said once again as Quin reached one fifty. Rooster, very obviously off pace and struggling, just kept doing what could maybe be called a push up. Yale, Harvard, and Hangman made their way over, and all Quin could do was groan.

"Enjoying your push-ups, babe?" In no way did Quin think they, specifically Hangman, deserved a reply, so she didn't give them one.

"Oh, come on, Rooster, you can do better than that." Yale said, foot pushing on Rooster's shoulder.

"Oh, fuck off, Uni. Lucky I saved your pathetic asses." Quin continued her push-ups, wishing she didn't save the college boy's asses'. A little surprised by her words, he removed his foot but still stood close.

"Leave it, boys." Hondo pushed them to leave, trying to get them away. The second they were out of view, Rooster collapsed, chest on the tarmac. Quin had just reached two hundred, thank god. She put her knees down, sitting up. She looked up at Hondo, nodding as he glanced at Rooster. She just confirmed this was indeed normal. Without words, she waited for him. He knew she was there, but he didn't show how he felt about it. He saw the chain peeking from her pocket, and he knew exactly what it was. That alone was enough to make his heart hurt. After all, it was his fault.

With pained arms, he got up, leaving Quin sitting, or so he thought. The little jingle of the bell on her necklace gave away her position, walking close behind him. But again, no words left her. Just the small ringing of the bell as she stepped. Oddly, it was comforting, nostalgic. When they reached where they had to go separate ways, she left a hand on his arm. Quin just stared, eyebrows furrowed, almost as if asking him if he was good. Which, of fucking course he wasn't, and she knew, but hey since when was Rooster vulnerable. He looked, for what felt like a little too long, at her blue eyes. The same care in them that was there during their first run at Top Gun, at least until he was an idiot. He huffed out a breath and turned away, but to Quin that was enough of a response. In no way, shape, or form was Bradley 'Rooster' Bradshaw okay. And in the following days, everyone was going to know one way or another. But till that day comes to fruition, Quin was going to enjoy a nice, long, soothing shower after the training, if one could even call it that, they endured.

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[aliypop]

Return To Sender : Chapter 3

Word Count: 2,134

Writers Note: Alright so here's part 3! @sissylittlefeather you'll love this!

Warning: Language

Pairing: POC OC x Elvis / OC x Jerry

Plot: It's 1968 and Natalya Dyer a divorcee and single mother is tasked to interview Elvis and Cecelia Presley at their humble mansion Graceland about their spicy relationship only to learn more about them as people.

Chapter 1 Chapter 2

Taglist

@darkmoviesquotespizza

@sissylittlefeather

@richardslady121

@thegettingbyp2

@presleyenterprise

@dkayfixates

@rjmartin11

@thetaoofzoe

@your-nanas-house

@zayurir

@60svintage

@sillybookmarks

@leapresley

@everythingelvispresley

@dreamondina94

@elvismylove04

@pocketfulofpresley

@elvispresley1956

@poeandmoonknightgirl

Memphis August 1968

The drive home wasn't long, but it was oh-so torturous. Every radio station had a love song playing. It made her feel warm and lovely and disgusting inside. Parking her 1961 station wagon in her driveway, she unlocked the door and picked up Jericho. Fumbling upstairs, she placed Jericho in his bed and kissed his forehead. She then went to her bedroom and got into her nightgown. She sighed, looking at the empty side of her bed. Natalya remembered when she'd have someone to come home to who wasn't just her son. She remembered how it was to feel an embrace, but those days were over. Or were they?

As the morning sun rose, Natalya paced around, making breakfast for her son as he came down groggy and in his school clothes, "Mama, do I have to go to school..." Jericho asked, 

"Yes," She smiled,

 "But why?"

"So you can be smart." She handed him orange juice,

"But why?"

"So you can graduate." 

"But why?"

"So you can have a career." She sighed. Boy were eight-year-olds testy with questions.

"But wh-"

"Look, the bus is here!" She pushed him out the door, "LOVE YOU!" Was it too early for a glass of wine and a cigarette? She thought to herself until her delightful phone rang again. "The Dyer residence speaking," Natalya said, through her early morning I don't have coffee smile. 

"Ah, Natalie darling." 

"It's Natalya..."

"It's me, your boss, Mrs. Moon. Did you get the story?" She asked her, "Bit rude, no good morning?" Natalya said under her breath, 

"Yeah, I did. But uh-" 

"Good, send them over to me. I can't wait to read what the Presleys do." Mrs. Moon smirked, "Sure, they're a dirty, kinky couple." Natalya sighed. She wanted to break the news that she'd quit and sparked interest in other topics, "Oh, Ronald, right there!" Mrs. Moon said as Natalya shuddered, 

"You know I was thinking about quitting..."

"Ah~ For what? You're the best we have. How are you going to support that girl of yours."

"Son, I have a son, and I know some people," Natalya smiled, sounding confident. Though in reality, she was scared, "Mmm, well, Zachary can cover your spot. And after you send that story. You're fired. Faster~ " Natalya was fuming, but it was what she wanted. Wasn't it? Hanging up the phone, she poured herself a glass of wine and contemplated drinking it. Her phone rang again, 

"Natalya Dyer speaking..."

"YOU QUIT THE JOB I GOT YOU!"

"News travels fast in Cali, I see..." She laughed, "Daren, so lovely to hear from you." Her tone dripped with sarcasm. "This is why I should be raising our son..." He smirked as she laughed,

 "Yeah, you'll teach him that cheating in life gets you everything." 

"Very, funny Nat," 

"Anyway, what do you want..."

"Heard you've been hanging around Elvis and his wife."

"Yeah, I have. Is that a problem..." She asked. Her ex-husband was a huge fan, so huge that their son was named after one of his gospel songs, "Just wanted to know if you've been slutting yourself out to him,"

"Last I checked, I'm not you." Her pride was starting to crumble the more he talked, and she could feel how little he still thought of her, "It's been great being belittled by you, but I have to work."

"You have a-" He heard the dial tone as he cursed under his breath. A gut-wrenching scream left her body. She heard the shattering glass at Natalya's feet, hot tears down her face as the phone rang again, 

"WHAT!"

"Hey... You, okay dear?"

"Who's this?"

"Names Midge, I'm with Valmos Sound. I was told by one of Elvis's Memphis men to call you." 

"Jerry..." She said, a sound of laughter in her voice, "Y-Yeah, I was invited to come." She smiled,

"Well, you better get down here before they get here."

"Of course!" 

"Is she coming?" Jerry asked, sounding like an excited kid, "I think so," Midge smirked, eating a sandwich her wife made her.

 "Good, good, good," He nodded,

"You look like Elvis when he's waiting for Cecelia to finish a session." Midge joked as Jerry rolled his eyes, 

"I do not..."

 "Is Cece here yet?" Elvis asked pink roses in hand. 

"She's setting up with the techs," Midge winked. As Jerry looked at Elvis, maybe Midge was right. Jerry couldn't get his mind off Natalya even if they didn't talk long. He just knew he needed to see her, 

"Sugar lamb..."

"Don't talk to me..." Denise snarled 

"Shit... She's late..." Midge sighed as she saw a woman walk in with a blue babydoll dress and yellow stockings, "Nat, thank God you're here!" Jerry smiled. Midge tried not to stare as she shook her head, 

"First room on your left."

"Uh... What's going on?"

"You're interviewing Denise Valmos and Alfonso Reed." Elvis smiled, "Good luck."

"Wait, what!"

The air in the office was thick. as she sat by a table next to Denise and Alfonso, also known as two pioneers in their rightful genres.

 "So what's this interview for?" Alfonso asked,

"My magazine..." Natalya said,

"What's it called?"

Shit...

Her brain went blank as she tried to think of a name. Some flew through, and others left, 

"Well?"

"The Dyer Music Inquirer!" She blurted out, "We're new." 

"Can't wait to read it." Denise smiled, 

"So... Let's get started!" A few moments later, Natalya walked out of the office. She had completed the interview, and she hadn't noticed where she was walking until she heard a THUD.

"Hey, are you okay..." 

"Uh..." Natalya looked up. It was Carlotta. She was as beautiful as she was in her pictures. Carlotta looked her up and down with a smirk as she did the same. Jerry, however, was worried. He couldn't compete with Carlotta. One could even say she'd drink him under the table, 

"Hey Carlot-"

"Fuck off Presley..."

"Knock it off you two..." Cecelia sighed, "But she started it!" Elvis grumbled, "And you're my husband." She kissed his cheek. Natalya then stood there as Jerry walked over, "Nat."

"Jerry, I lied and said I had a magazine," 

"Okay..." He looked at her. 

"I called it the Dyer Music Inquirer..." 

"Catchy," He smiled, "What's the issue," 

"I have until next month to pull this shit together..." 

"Well, then I'll take you to Beale Street." He smiled, "You wanna write about local artists, known artists?"

"Both,"

"Then meet me at the mansion?"

"You got it."

Natalya had been at Graceland in Cecelia's separate closet, sitting on the floor. "Cece-" Cecelia had made it her mission to get her dressed and ready as she was throwing outfits at her, "Try these on!" Natalya laughed, "I'm a mom..." 

"So am I, but tonight, you are a journalist going out with a Memphis Mob member." She smirked, "Cece... I look like a Sharon Tate." She twirled in the dress as they laughed, 

"Mmm... try this, "Cecelia handed her. Her two-piece orange outfit, "Too much skin..." 

"You got a shape, so show it!" Cecelia recommended, "C..."

"Nat..." Cecelia smiled, "You're beautiful, and I mean this in the most straight way possible-"

"Straight isn't what Moon and Sun called that Ann-Margaret threesome," Natalya smirked as Cecelia laughed,

 "God, I miss her..." Natalya sighed, "What? You aren't the only woman in her life." Cecelia laughed as she shook her head, 

"Put this on! Ms. Nasty!"

"Takes one to know!" She stuck her tongue out. Walking out to Cecelia, she was wearing a turtle neck sweater, some jewelry, black hot pants, and boots. With a belt, "Hot mama!"

"You think so. I mean, it's not a date,"

"Definitely could be..." Elvis popped his head in as Cecelia blushed, 

"It's not a date."

"Okay..." He nodded, "Say, uh, is Jericho allergic to anything?"

"Jell-O makes him throw up," Natalya mentioned, 

"You sure he'll be fine?" Natalya asked, "He's playing with the horses," Cecelia smiled, "We'll treat Jericho like he's our third child," She hugged her, 

"Now go have fun. You deserve it." 

"E! C!..." Jerry asked,

"Upstairs," Joe responded. Jerry saw Jericho. Who was wrestling Jesse and Elaine as he laughed, "Alright. Jerry, be good." Jerry was confused as he saw Natalya, his mouth dropping open, 

"You look nice, Mr. Schilling..." His jeans matched his Jacket, "You look amazing." He smiled, holding her hand and helping her down the steps. Her heart fluttered, but she tried to ignore it.

As the night progressed, Natalya interviewed every musician she could find. Jerry helped with pictures and anything else she needed. The streets were alive with music and culture. She had gotten lost in it all. This was home, not California, but this, 

"That's Club Handy's"

"Can we go in?" Natalya asked.

"Yeah, I mean Cece's God uncle owns the place." He shrugged,

"You mean..." 

"Mhmm." He nodded as they walked across the street and towards the guards, 

"Stop right there..." Jerry sighed, "I-"

"I got this, Natalya Dyer of Moon and Sun." flashing her work card as they let her in,

 "How'd you?"

"I'm still hired until I send that story in." She winked. Natalya and Jerry sat in a dark corner listening to music as he ordered a beer and some fries, 

"Want anything?" 

"Nah, I'm good." She smiled, "I'll be back." Jerry watched her get to work yet again. As he laughed, he was starting to see a life with her. "Okay, I think I got everything I needed," She took a bite out of his fries and sipped his beer,

 "Thought you were good." 

"Eh, I changed my mind. Women can do that, you know." 

"Fiesty, you always like that?"

"Little bit, you always shy?"

"No, just respectful." He winked, "So, Memphis, huh?" He questioned as she nodded, "Yeah, I uh used to sing when I was younger, and said I'd move like my idols did," She laughed, 

"Your idols?"

"Cecelia and Elvis and Cash,"

"Big fan?"

"Sons named after Joshua fit the battle." 

"That makes sense." Jerry chuckled,

 "What about you, you a fan?"

"Met him when I was 12 in 1954." He smiled, "Been friends ever since," 

"Aw, you're a baby, I was 19." She teased as Jerry rolled his eyes, "What are you like 2."

"I'm 28."

"I'm 33."

"And damn good-looking 33 you are." He joked as she blushed, "Made you smile," He held her hand, "Yeah, you did. I needed that." She smiled, 

"I know you were on edge earlier,"

"My boss fired me, and my ex called me a slut basically..."

"Shit... I'm sorry." He paid for the tab, and they left out, "Don't apologize, you're better company anyways." Natalya grinned. The stars were out, and so were the lovers. As she continued to walk by his side, she noticed how beautiful he was. he was no Elvis, but he was someone she'd like to- 

"So I was thinking...We could get your magazine published under EPE?"

"You mean..."

"I mean it. E's been thinking of going into publications, and why not try it with you?" He smiled, taking her by the hand and twirling her around as she laughed, "You're so kind." She blushed, music playing in the streets as he dipped her, "I get told that often," their eyes meeting as he began to let her lead,

"Sounds like it's going to rain..." Jesse said, tucked under the covers as Jericho was lying in Elaine's old twin bed, "Yeah..." Jericho sighed,

"You sound sad..." Jesse whispered,

"A little..."

"What's wrong?" Jesse asked, his head in his hands, 

"My mama's not back yet..." Jericho mumbled, "Sometimes mama's and papa's go out for a long time." Jesse smiled, 

"Why's that?"

"To do boring parent stuff." Jesse grinned, "But, hey! You can have my hound dog!" The thunder began to rumble as Jericho held the stuffed animal, 

"Thanks, Jesse."

"Of course! You're my best friend!" 

As the rain poured down, Jerry and Natalya got caught dancing in the street, the two getting drenched as he held her close to him swaying to the song cheek to cheek. Natalya was looking into his eyes as he was looking at her lips. He placed his hand on her cheek as she hummed. Her eyes were closed as she felt soft lips on her own. There was a spark, but she had to fight it. She tried to fight it, kissing back as she almost lost herself to only say.

"Friends don't do that..."

"Yeah, you're right," 

Driving back to Graceland, Natalya looked out the window, as Jerry sighed. He hoped he didn't ruin anything,

 "Say, are you free next week?"

"I should be?" Jerry said,

"Good, uh, wanna help me with the magazine?" 

"I'd like that." He smiled, "I'll bring some wine,"

"I'll buy ice cream." Natalya smirked,

"Deal."

PART 4 MAYBE?

[dentist-brainsurgeon]

All things considered yesterday was probably the best case scenario

The Good:

My sister didn't know that my brother and I were showing up so she got the double whammy surprise, she damn near fainted and cried lol. I gave her a massive hug and picked her up(I should not have done that, my weight limit is 20 pounds💀) had some bonding moments, I was apprehensive about seeing my brother considering the baggage™️and just his non response to what I drew for him a few months back but to my surprise he played nice and did thank me for drawing that and we talked about nerd shit a lot, I had a Rusty from Armored Core keychain on me and he pointed it out and talked about what kits we like running in AC6. And since this was in Cali traffic was abysmal, I had forgotten how bad it was to get anywhere, so like 3 hours after the graduation came dinner Time, to the place we would always go to for celebrations, except they had a rebranding that sucks ass but w/e. My brother, dad and I all were chatting about nerd shit and after a time came gift time, and when she opened the gift I got her, she almost cried!! Bc it was something that had a lot of story behind it and incredibly hard to find(she also had a hard time looking for it for years!) We were all super excited and thrown back at what it was and she gave me a big teary eyed hug 🥺 and my brother gave me a fist bump and a hug about that too, so a BIG winner winner chicken dinner moment. While my mom wasn't paying attention my sister gave me her number!! And my brother wanted to be friends on discord (we'll see how that goes ig)

The bad:

My mom has not changed a bit, color me surprised. I never looked her in the eye and stiffened up any time she touched me and just gave very short flat answers any time she tried to talk to me, I didn't want to cause a scene(it's my sister's graduation so that was a big no no for me) and she made her very awful racist, sexist "statistically you should've been pregnant in high school and had your third kid by now(me), you should be in prison(my brother) and you should be on drugs(my sister)🤪🤪🤪" joke(that really wasn't originally a "joke") and I mentioned to both my siblings how she hadn't changed a bit after all these years. During dinner time she ordered pizza n salad, and my sister wanted to order something, cuz y'know, ITS HER DAY, but mom wouldn't let her, I wanted to order her food for her but knowing mom, I didn't want it to be a problem at dinner or after dinner, so I ended up not ordering for my sister. Another thing, I don't remember what the conversation was, but my mom blurred out "oh you can't ruin my, I mean her day like that 🤪" and my sister looked so disgusted, and I gave her a knowing but reassuring look and nod, and not long after that my mom said once my sister turns 18 she's going to become a raging alcoholic and do lines of coke off a strippers dick amongst a lot of other crude statements that would be bad any other day but just downright awful oh her 17yo daughters graduation, absolutely deranged woman, and I gave my sister yet another knowing look. I can't wait til my sister gets out of there by any means necessary, I do hope this whole ordeal is a wake up call to both my siblings that maybe our one shared parent is just revolting and maybe they can distance themselves from her eventually. My sister is such a sweetie, she doesn't deserve this and it's such a shame no matter how much our mom can pretend and manipulate people into believing she's grown, she has not changed, not moved a centimeter and she's nearing 60 at this point

[marcynomercy]

Fate written in blood

YES CHAPTER 5 HAS ARRIVED! I apologize, unfortunately the person doing the beta-reading of the chapters got sick and still had their own uni projects, please understand. Thank you so much @littol-rascal even though you were busy, you did beta-reading for me. I’m very grateful. So I warn you that the next chapter may take time, but it’s for good! I hope you understand.

Summary: The blood has always been her way until the day that fate changed, After being kidnapped by mind flayers and the fall of the Nautiloid Calamity had a new opportunity for freedom and strangely her fate crossed with that of Astarion when the elf put that dagger around her neck. 

 Their fate until now was written by others, but now they would write with their own hands in blood. 

Warnings: Violence, blood, game events, mentions of trauma, distress/comfort, mention of abuse, wounds, mentions of torture. (That’s it for now)

Ship: Astarion and Calamity (Tav), Shadowheart and Carniex (Tav), mentions of other characters.

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4.

Chapter 5 - Lost Memory

  Calamity spent what felt like countless hours taking care of her brother–to her eyes, the water was already pure red with blood, and the towels all bloodied and torn… she wiped her forehead with the back of her hand... gods be damned! She cursed the culprits in her mind. 

"Caly?" Shadowheart entered the tent with a vessel of clean water and saw her friend’s face, tired and stained with blood. "Your... face is dirty." She murmured. 

"Oh... I think I got dirty when I wiped my brow." Calamity replied dazedly. She looked again to her brother, who had finally fallen asleep, succumbing to exhaustion over pain.

"I brought herbs and bandages," Shadowheart said as she checked Carnifex’s fever. "The fever got higher... Honestly, it was to be expected, with how tightly he held you despite his injuries, prolonging the time without treatment…”

"He was always like that, "Calamity said, smiling softly. "Carn was always proud of his resilience, he always said it was because he was the oldest." A bittersweet smile stamped her face. " Idiot... he spoiled me too much. When we were kids, he insisted that if I had a problem, that big brother would solve everything. But, the world is not so simple, not so easy, and I fought with him many times because of this… and even now he insists on doing everything himself…” Calamity grumbled as she continued to wipe the wounds on Carnifex’s back, and Shadowheart watched, concern in her eyes. 

"I think he just wanted you to not have to worry…, I’d say you’re very lucky." Shadowheart concluded while preparing the medicine for him. "You are very lucky to have each other."

"Yes, we are… maybe that’s what has made us so strong," Calamity concluded.

 As Calamity turned to dip her cloth in the water, she saw it was once again red with blood. 

"I’ll get more water..." Calamity said getting up with the vessel in her hands and leaving the tent leaving her brother with Shadowheart.

 The camp was silent, but everyone was watching the tent of Calamity, it was the matter of the moment between them. Everyone watched Calamity come out of the tent, weary and bloodstained. They wouldn’t tell her to her face, of course, but  her companions feared that Carnifex was closer to death’s door than the land of the living, especially seeing the crimson stains upon their friend.  

"Gods... it really is a terrible thing." Gale muttered as everyone looked on. 

"It’s amazing he was up and conscious at all," Wyll muttered in response as he drank a sip of wine.

"Tsk, if he is weak, he will die like the rest of his frivolous race." Lae'zel, as always, was not the nicest in her comments. 

 Astarion ignored the conversation of his companions, he was... bored at least. The smell of the blood of Carnifex was irritating him, it was similar to that of Calamity’s blood, but not as sweet as hers... it had a touch of bitterness, the bitter flavor of a well-aged wine. It frustrated him, the minute details and differences between them, and the time they spent, though of course it was due to Carnifex’s injuries… 

"Someone is seething with jealousy here." Karlach chuckled, and Astarion huffed, glaring at the tiefling pointedly. 

"I am not!" Astarion replied with a snort, though his comrades didn’t believe his words at all. 

 Calamity took the opportunity to clean up a bit while refilling the water vessel at the river, though her mind was loathe to accept even a small break from its duties.  She saw flashes of prison cells while taking care of her brother… whenever he was imprisoned and chained, after being tortured, she would always go to the cell and take care of him, clean his wounds, make the bandages and even the medicines... she did everything. Sometimes she could do it without problems, other times... she would feel like vomiting, just from remembering what she had to do to get permission to go see him. Even now, standing in the river, she kept seeing those cold stone walls... I’m in camp, I’m in camp, I’m not there anymore! I’m free... we’re free! It’s okay, it’s okay. 

Calamity chanted in her mind… of course, it was 100 years, of course she wouldn’t easily forget, maybe the tadpole was somehow acting as a stabilizer for her messy mind… that would be ironic, if it was true.

"It seems you really were right to worry about him, dear." Calamity startled at the sound of Astarion’s voice behind her. "And it seems that your head is far from here." 

"I... am rambling again, it’s a bit annoying." Calamity sighed, turning to Astarion as she stood, vessel in her hands. " And why are you so upset?"

Astarion did not respond.

 He refused to tell the truth… well to be honest, he didn’t even know what the truth was, exactly–perhaps because Calamity had diverted all attention to another? Maybe he missed her dedication to his needs, his very being, or... maybe he just felt jealous that her bastard brother has such a kind person next to him to take care of his open wounds. But he wouldn’t call Carnifex such a word, anyways. 

"Don’t worry about me. You have another to concern yourself with now." Astarion turned and walked away, but perhaps he would have regretted those words if he had turned around, and seen Calamity’s upset and hurt expression as she watched him leave. 

 Finally, Calamity and Shadowheart had finished dressing Carnifex’s wounds after countless hours, and watching over him for days. Much to everyone’s relief, his fever was going down, and his wounds would probably be completely closed by the next day. 

"Well, I would tell him to stay at camp for a while, but something tells me he’s going to be accompanying us tomorrow." Shadowheart narrowed her eyes at Calamity, who simply sighed. 

"Yes, he’s stubborn and won’t hear a single word." Calamity said, turning to her brother’s sleeping figure. 

"I figured after all I’ve heard in the last few hours… I’ll make sure his injuries are healed enough for a busy day." Shadowheart sighed, already anticipating the headache. 

"Thank you, Shart." Calamity thanked her friend, finally seeming to relax a bit at the healer’s promise. 

Night fell soon after, and Carnifex woke from his fitful, his gaze searching for Calamity. 

"You know... for a moment, I thought finding you was a dream." Carnifex said as soon as he awoke.

"Good thing this is the waking world, dear brother." Calamity smiled, moving to check his temperature. "Thank the gods, your fever went down..." Her hand found his, squeezing it gently.

"I know you have a lot of questions, and so do I." Carnifex held her hand, sighing before he spoke again. "What happened? Why did you disappear and how did you end up here?"

"I’ll tell you..." Calamity began, and told him everything from the beginning: the kidnapping, the infection, the fall, how the group formed and the search for the cure.

 Carnifex listened, eyes wide with astonishment.

"Are you telling me you have a fucking parasite in your head right now?!" He tried to get up, but Calamity stopped him.

"Yes, and please, don’t strain." she sighed. " This parasite is... unusual. I can connect with other infected, I can read minds, and I can probably influence others infected…” she paused. “Though I say probably because I haven’t tried yet."

"So, you joined them because you all have a common problem... and they chose you as their leader." Carnifex laid his head on his sister’s lap. "But what bothers me most is this fucking parasite, I won’t let you turn into a Mind flayer! I can’t lose you like that!" Calamity’s heart warmed, her spirit full of love, of security, of the connection with her brother that she once missed. 

"And I don’t intend to let that happen either, not when we finally got our freedom... speaking of which, how did you escape?" Calamity asked, but the conversation and answer would both be cut short, as Shadowheart appeared before the tent. 

"I’m glad to see Carnifex is awake, and sorry to interrupt your conversation, but we have a problem with Wyll." 

Calamity looked to Carnifex, worried for both her brother and the unknown situation. 

"Calm down, I’m much better." He assured, tugging his shirt on. " I won’t make any promises, but I think I need to fit in too." Calamity sighed, but agreed, and so they left for the fire.

 That was the night Wyll was going to pay his penance, the night when they found out about his pact with Mizora and why he was hunting Karlach... Wyll had paid the price by having his appearance distorted by Mizora, gaining the appearance of a devil… Calamity felt sorry for him.

Perhaps, the campfire’s light would reveal the darkness of the past, for more than just Wyll.

"Since we are in the spirit of revelations... how exactly did Carnifex get here?" Astarion wasted no time, asking his question in a provocative tone as he stared at Carnifex..

"I had… help, I was in prison and they were torturing me for days when a man named Raphael appeared... he said was doing me a little favor to my sister and when I realized he had brought me to that road, then offered me a deal." 

"Raphael?!" Calamity was perplexed that he actually did it. "I thought he was just teasing me."

"And did you take the deal?" Astarion questioned.

"I replied that I would rather choke on my own blood than make a deal with a fucking devil, the bastard laughed and left." Carnifex shrugged and kept his hostile gaze on Astarion. 

 The group was drawing their own conclusions about Carnifex, that so far he just had a tendency to annoy Astarion–and no one was particularly against it.

"I liked him! Great answer for this asshole... you said his name is Raphael?" Karlach laughed raucously. "You did the right thing, nothing’s worth a deal with a devil."

"And I’m the biggest proof of that," Wyll completed with a self-centered tone. " I would like to ask a question… years ago, a group I knew was massacred, and the rumor said that it was the work of a Dog of the assassins guild... was it you?" Everyone was surprised and quiet, except for Carnifex–he remained calm and unimpressed. 

"Wyll... you never..." Calamity muttered distressedly.

"I didn’t comment on anything because I didn’t want to be inconvenient, and you were always busy with everyone’s well-being… I sincerely doubted that you were capable of it, so I’m asking the one I recognize as a killer from his eyes." 

Wyll and Carnifex exchanged glances.

"Well, I don’t remember what group you’re talking about... I’ve killed too many to remember." Carnifex replied without a shred of worry or remorse. "I don’t regret anything, if that’s what you mean… it wasn’t personal, I just obeyed because I didn’t want Caly to get hurt. That’s all."

 With no doubt or remorse, Carnifex did not bother to hide his coldness from them, and was at that point the antithesis of his sister, and Calamity’s companions were having none of it. 

"Men like you are an evil that I would not hesitate to eradicate from this Coast." Wyll spoke grudgingly. 

"I don’t doubt that under other circumstances,” Carnifex began, “I’d probably be trying to kill you, but lucky for us, I’m no longer on my old leash." 

Clearly, explanations were long overdue.

  So the twins explained how they lived in the guild, and of course they omitted the gory, abusive details, but it was implied that they existed. 

 Calamity went a little further than her brother, telling about the memory that had tormented her in a nightmare days ago, as her brother gained his first scars. The camp was silent for a moment, fleeting glances of anger, confusion, and sympathy flashing across the various faces. Finally, a voice broke the silence.

"Damn bastards!! Don’t worry, they won’t lay a finger on you again!!" Karlach declared emotionally. "If they show up, we’ll finish them off!" 

The twins smiled, feeling grateful for Karlach’s empathy.

Finally, there were no more secrets… but a good few more opinions would take their place.

 Astarion found his trance to be surprisingly peaceful, instead of the horrid daydreams he was used to. As the day’s anger began to wane, he slipped further into the trance, finding himself in the streets of Lower City. 

 He was walking around, looking for another pretty soul for his Master when he heard that voice.

 In the center of the square, a girl was singing one of those cliché bard songs while it was accompanied by the melody of an lute. She was a young half-elf girl, delighting the audience with her voice. Astarion did not take his eyes off her, thinking he had found the perfect target to take with him, and that Cazador would love her voice when she screamed. 

Without guilt or remorse, she was just a number, just another prize.  

When the song was over and the audience dispersed, he looked for that girl. He found her talking to the bard–they seemed to be splitting the coins as she took her share and was leaving, but a man approached her and… Ah. 

It was one of those disgusting pieces of shit that Astarion knew very well about the guy just by looking. Well, it was a perfect opportunity, anyways.

"Oh, here you are!" 

Astarion approached the girl and gently laid his hands on her shoulders. "I was looking for you, darling." The girl stared at him, confused, but understood quickly and just followed his lead.

"Oh, you’re here!" she beamed at him.

"I hope they’re not bothering you, dear." Astarion glared at the girl’s would-be attacker, it was a simple, hostile look, but one that gave his due message.

"Argh, shit..." the unpleasant man grumbled before leaving.

The girl sighed, turning her attention to Astarion.

"Thank you so much, I don’t really think words can express my gratitude at the moment... My name is Calamity."

"It’s a pleasure my dear, my name is Astarion." 

A usual introduction for an unusually-named girl, but Astarion still sighed… It was time for him to perform. "You know, I heard your voice, and I couldn’t help but be charmed by it… it was really beautiful." 

"I… I’m a bit embarrassed, really, but I’m glad you enjoyed it." Calamity wasn’t used to such praise, to hearing these words and her cheeks flushed.

Taking in the girl’s appearance, Astarion noticed that she was holding a basket with a single bouquet of flowers inside.

"A gift from a fan, I suppose." he commented.

"Unfortunately not, I spent the day selling these bouquets, but I have not been able to sell the latter until now. The bard was an acquaintance and he asked me to sing while he played, promising half the coins... So now I don’t need to worry if I can't sell this last bouquet." She smiled sweetly, but sadly. "Oh, sorry! I talk too much."

"Don’t apologize, you seem worried... what's wrong? Maybe I can help you forget." 

Her innocent look gave Astarion pause, but he waited… they always took the bait, and sweet words would yield a sweeter catch for his master.

"It’s nothing serious, just usual worldly worries." she sighed. " Well, I got a lot of money today so I don’t think I need to worry so much for 2 days or maybe 3... it must be a bit boring for you to hear this."

"Are you on your own?" he asked.

"Yeah, it’s just me and my brother... he should be back soon, so we can go away together." Astarion nearly huffed aloud before he stopped himself–she had someone to look for her later.

"If you don’t mind, maybe we could spend some time together." he suggested reaching out to her.

"Really? What would we do?" she asked innocently.  

"How about a little walk?" he suggested, waiting for her answer. 

Something within him faltered, and he blinked once, then twice, shaking his head slightly to clear the muddled thoughts within.

 Calamity hesitated a little, but eventually accepted the proposal, so Astarion took her for a ride.. It was the first time he didn’t take his target to drink or to a room, he just… he never realized that something as simple as a walk and a carefree conversation could be so precious. The more he heard her voice and how sweet she was... how kind she was, the more he thought she didn’t deserve it. She didn’t deserve to be taken to Cazador.

 Astarion gave up the idea of taking her, and luckily for both him and fate, her brother appeared at the perfect time. 

"Time did fly…” she trailed off. “Thank you very much for the ride, and the conversation, Astarion." She smiled, reaching into her basket. "Please, take the last bouquet, it’s just a simple thanks, really." She extended the bouquet of white lilies and daisies to him. 

It was the first time someone gave him something so pure. 

"Thank you my dear, I’ll accept these with pleasure... Now, go. Your brother is waiting for you."

Astarion watched her leave next to her brother, knowing he’d probably never hear such sweet conversation again. 

When Astarion awoke from his trance, he sat down, trying to process the memory, he... he really met her before? It was unbelievable! 

"What the fuck! The gods are trying to play a joke on me... fuck." He rested his head in his hands, muffling an anguished groan in his grasp. 

He began to remember the figure of Calamity he saw… she had not changed much during these years, but she was certainly very young back then. 

  At that time, Calamity wore a simple and worn dress, but it was not ugly or badly taken care of—for sure she worried about her appearance, and her hair was not as long as it is currently. At that time, her hair had been three feet below her shoulders and she wore a red bow to hold her hair... she had been more expressive and had a genuine personality, a little shy, but genuine. 

How much had they tortured her to almost destroy her like that? Why was he caring so much? Because... because he felt bad about realizing that this is the second time he’s targeted her?

No, that wasn’t it. However, he did understand why he felt this way.

"Shit..." Astarion muttered. 

Well that’s it! Thank you for reading the fifth chapter.

@spacebarbarianweird @spacesquidlings @vixstarria @thechaoticdruid @xxfaithlynxx

Who wants to be tagged in the next chapters please tell me in the comments.

[nerdyvocals]

Now that Far Away has been published and I'm slightly in-between works (working on the outline for this one but it likely will get interrupted by the Lynthia fic exchange), I've decided to make a post with all the little details/symbolism/funny things that happened while @look-at-those-niceass-rocks and I were working on it. This is very self-indulgent and simply because I put more thought into this fic than I have into any of my writing in a long time, and I want to point out all of the things that still have me, personally, on my knees.

This is a very long info dump, so post under the cut <3

So first and foremost, I originally posted Steady, Steady the day the show was cancelled, just a few hours before the news broke, and I was already planning on rewriting the ending of that one shot (and I did end up doing that), the very idea for Far Away stemmed from my rage at the cancellation (sign the petition if you haven't already!)

The first thing I came up with were two lines from the confrontation scene, "I'm what you were too much of a coward to be," and "Lydia is the goddamn sun." After writing Steady, Steady, I couldn't get the idea out of my head that Cynthia would be so ready to throw down with summer stock girl if she ever got the chance, and all I could think about was what she would say to her.

The original pitch I gave Bee was "it’s roughly 2ish years post season 1, Nancy has a summer job designing for an opera (because why not), and while there, Lydia has a run-in with Kitty Thompson for the first time since that time at summer stock. Featuring Protective!Cynthia cussing her bitch ass out."

Also special shout out to Bee for taking my off-hand comment about wanting to keep the theme of Crane Wives lyrics for titles to heart and going through their entire discography line by fucking line to write down lyrics that fit the vibes we were going for.

(Side note: New Discovery is a very thesbian coded song. Additionally, Queen of Nothing is Kitty Thompson coded, directly correlating to her telling Lydia that she was nothing.)

The opera they see is La Traviata because that's what my summer stock job was doing at the time I was writing Steady, Steady (the costumes department were all sitting in a room run making a quick change schedule when the news of the cancellation broke) so it was in my head.

The "he fell in love with a hooker?!" line came from a conversation that happened in one of the dressing rooms closing night, when half the cast finally figured out that a courtesan was essentially a high-end prostitute.

I got hung up for a while on the sleeping arrangements of the other Pinks. Personality wise, Jane and Olivia made the most sense as each other's roommates, and Nancy and Hazel did as well. However, in the canon of this fic, Nancy got into fashion school in New York and Hazel was attending Howard University, and thus they would both be gone most of the year, so logic dictated that Jane and Olivia room with either Hazel or Nancy, and have the room to themselves for the rest of the year. In the end, Bee and I decided on the original groups, and that Nancy and Hazels' room would be a guest room when they were not in Cali.

In my original concept, this was going to be more centric on summer stock girl; a character study if you will, like how the previous fic was a study on Lydia. The original title, keeping with the Crane Wives theme, was going to be The Fool in her Wedding Gown, which I had chosen to be symbolic of how Kitty had entered a beard marriage and was trying to convince herself she was straight. She was a fool in a wedding gown. Somewhere along the line, it shifted Cynthia's perspective and became an exploration of love, family, and healing after trauma.

Coming from that point, everything Cynthia and Lydia do in this fic is meant to contrast what Kitty's marriage is like. Cynthia and Lydia have been together for a little over two years at this point and they have settled into a comfortable domesticity with each other. They have their little routines, they're not shy about casual affection, and they know just about everything about each other, including drink orders (Cynthia may not remember the name, but she knows what the drink is and what it looks like) and Lydia knowing when Cynthia's hair is almost long enough to bother her just from how it feels between her fingers. In contrast, Kitty's husband calls her Kathy even though she clearly hates it, he gets her a drink with egg whites despite her telling him (repeatedly) that it sets her stomach off since she's been pregnant, and he is overtly dismissive of her.

We spent a lot of time deliberating over what everyone's drink order would be (and were helped out by some vintage bar menus I found online). Lydia wants to be a red wine girly for the aesthetic, but she simply cannot stand the taste, so her go-to is a white wine. Kitty is more of a martini or just straight whiskey or beer kind of girl, but her husband always gets her whatever is fruity and pink. The husband's drink was Bee's idea. I suggested an Old Fashioned, and Bee told me about a version that drink snobs get particularly offended over, and we decided that that is what this man drinks (Quoting Bee, "I am roasting a fictional man with slightly obscure knowledge, my favorite thing to do"). Cynthia gets a regular one, for contrast.

Also, it's no coincidence that A) Kitty was unable to stomach a Pink Lady drink, just like she wasn't able to stomach her feelings for Lydia, and B) that it was a Pink Lady who swept Lydia off her feet.

And Kitty's husband calls her Kathy or Kath (despite her wanting to go by Katherine at this point), which is just a shortening of her name, not even a nickname. He doesn't care enough to come up with one, doesn't care to say her full name, and doesn't care that it bothers her.

Cynthia blanking on the drink name was purely for in-character humor, as we figured she'd have trouble saying most wine names. Rejected drinks and their pronunciations: sauvignon blanc (pronounced the way it is spelled, inspired by Bee's husband reading the name phonetically) and Moscato D'asti (My personal favorite wine. Pronounced "Muscadine Nasty," which I think was the funniest option, but I didn't know if anyone, Cynthia included, outside the deep American south would know what a muscadine was.)

In the end, Bee chose Dry Sack Sherry from one of the menus I'd found. Quote, "I’ve changed my mind, Lydia needs to get a Dry Sack Sherry so Cynthia can accidentally call it a 'sad sack Sherry'." Further research revealed that 'sack' meant that it was a fortified wine, meaning that it had a higher alcohol content than other wines. Bee pointed out that it was truly a sad sack wine, and I pointed out that Lydia was about to have a sad sack night.

As for Kitty's sexuality, she is a lesbian. She is not bi or pan or anything like that, she is not at all attracted to her husband, she is just unable to accept that in the way Cynthia and Lydia have. As she says, Lydia was not the first girl she took advantage of and she was not the last. She has a fling with a newbie just about every year, and then uses her popularity and clout to scare them away from her theatre when she's done with them. She always ends it explosively so they don't come back and she doesn't have to face what she's done while playing Good Little Straight Girl. I hinted at it a bit in Steady, Steady that some of her friends are aware of her tendencies; they're the ones that look at Lydia with pity when Kitty leads them away from her at lunch.

Potato's nicknames for Nancy came from me asking a dear friend-who-is-like-my-sister that is fluent in Spanish for some pet names that don't sound like pet names. Translations: Mi luz: My light, Mi cebollita: My little onion, Mi perrita: My little bitch. It felt fitting.

Honorable mention, the many many interludes of us getting distracted by Static updates and screaming

Apparently there's a character limit to tumblr posts??? This is getting too long, possible part two in the future

[seriously-nobody]

Hey I figured I should do a lil about me type thing. Plz don't judge too harshly again this is my actual life. So anyway here we go! 😵‍💫

@all-things-ghostly thx for this idea

I was born in 2004 in Newport Beach and grew up in sunny southern California, specifically one city over from Anaheim. And yes, I went to Disneyland, quite often actually. I'd say I went maybe 2-3 times a month or if it was around the holidays or a special event it was every weekend if I could. So, needless to say, I know Disneyland pretty well. Unfortunately, I had to move out of California in 2017, but that's a story for another day.

I was, for a long time, afraid of the mansion, surprisingly enough. The only thing I was afraid of was the pop up ghosts so everytime I passed the gate to the graveyard I'd close my eyes until the ghost host said his line "Ah there you are." and I knew I was safe. That was until a friend of mine who was a few years older than me took me through it and pointed out which graves had pop ups and when they usually spring up. I wanna say that I was around 5 or 6 when this happened. O also I remember the beating heart bride before Constance kicked her out lmao. I remember not being afraid of her because she just kinda chilled out there, she was super pretty according to mini me. My parents r super mega Disney fans and we used to go to an actual Disney club in CA and I remember it was a big announcement at our monthly meeting that a new ghost was taking over the attic and it was super exciting. I also remember when they announced they were installing Hattie into the mansion again and it was super cool to me since I already knew the history of the figure.

Anyway enough about the mansion (for now). For a long time my favorite attraction in the park was Splash Mountain. Yes I understand everything now but back when they were taking it out I had no idea about song of the south and the underlying story of it all. Now that I understand tho, I can say that it was super problematic and really shouldn't have been there. I really just thought it was about cute fluffy animals singing about a rabbit escaping death and u get wet. I mostly liked it because it had a single rider line and it was nice to ride alone on a hot day.

I'd say Indiana Jones was my 2nd favorite, even tho their single rider was kinda on and off sometimes, and I didn't come around to actually riding it for fear of the mummies that come out at you, that big projection of kali that appears on the cieling in the skull room, and the giant snake, until I was 6 or 7. I say 6 or 7 because again that same friend helped me through it. But after I got through it with my eyes open I loved it.

Ok enough of park rambling because I could probably talk about the parks until I die and I still wouldn't be finished talking. So I moved away from Cali sadly and I had to part with the park and characters I so loved. I wouldn't say I forgot about my love for these characters but I would say it faded, a lot actually. So let's talk recent, like early July 2023. I forgot what movie I was watching but I remember seeing a certain trailer before the movie that hit me over the head with a comically sized cartoon hammer. I remember seeing the purple wallpaper and I got real confused because I didn't hear /anything/ about there being another HM movie much less a scary one. Like this trailer made me so incredibly happy I cannot even tell u. When I saw that jerky constance in the corner shot I damn near cried. I was finally getting a more scary Haunted Mansion movie WITH ACTUAL HAUNTED MANSION CHARACTERS. Ya that went on the calendar real quick. Then I saw it in theaters and o my god was that THE hatbox ghost?? O my god??? They put him in here! O... o no... he's... he's evil... and he's so sassy and stupid... And then I fell. I not only fell for Alistair but I also fell back in love with characters and places I hadn't been since I was 13. And that love that had faded from being away for so long grew vibrant and close again. Ok quit it with the gushy mushy shit, me. Anyway so I really loved this movie and I had a Tumblr account at the time. I mean I wasn't posting anything but I had it to look into cool niche Fandoms. So I did just that. I didn't expect like anything but I was overjoyed to see so many people loving characters that I feel don't get enough of it.

And the rest, as they say, is history.