#And I can't figure out why so I haven't gone to bed yet

[kakusu-shipping]

How do y'all get Anons who RP your F/Os in your ask box. Genuine question.

[mandy-asimp]

Safe and sound

Emily Prentiss x reader

Warnings: uhh some violence against Ian Doyle not too much tho, Emily's a bit delulu but aren't we all

Summary: emily begins to see your face around more, but it's impossible. You were dead. But when Ian Doyle is rumored to escape, you couldn't stay dead forever.

A/n: sum slight, sum sweet, sum short😋

She was walking to the steps of her apartment when she first saw you. She at first thought it was the sleep deprivation catching up. You couldn't be here...you...you weren't there. She told her self that as she walked up the stairs to her apartment.

Unlocking the door and feeling uneasy. That couldn't be right. She hasn't thought of you in awhile...she avoided you in her memory. You were apart of a time she...she can't let the team find out about you.

How did you find her? The question ran in her head as she sat at her table. Head in hands as she just tried to wrap her head around it.

Sergio jumped into her lap. He was wet. "Were you out in the rain, buddy?" She pet his back, but then it dawned on her. She didn't check the house.

She moved carefully, trying not to alarm the intruder if there was one. Checking each room carefully before heading into her bedroom. Finding the window open and a little puddle.

Shaking her head she just scoffed. "You're crazy, Emily. She's not here...it's impossible." She took a few deep breaths.

But before she left the room she put her perfume on the lock, just in case. She followed her night routine still on edge. Eventually finishing and trying to catch some sleep.

~

A thud woke her from her sleep, if you could even call it sleep. She looked quickly to the window and finding it to be the closed still. But she was up...she might as well check the house once more.

"Serg?...Buddy you making a mess?" She called out. Hoping it was just the cat. Yet, he was asleep in his bed. Completely unbothered. Did she hear a thud? He would've woken up, right?

Emily ran her hands over her face, trudging back into her room. She didn't bother checking anything as she climbed back into the sheets. Closing her eyes and once again trying for sleep.

~

Her eyes slowly peeled open. The way she was laying had her facing her bathroom. And her body froze in terror. There you were. Standing. Looking at your reflection so casually.

Your head snapped over to her but it wasn't you. Your eyes were glowing red and you had this look of disappointment plastered on.

Emily shot up, sweat dripping off her body. Her head instantly shot to look into the bathroom. There was nobody.

Why? Why were you suddenly plaguing her thoughts? She was so sure it was over...you were lost in the case. One minute you were next to her, and then the literal next minute...tears were streaming down her face now.

Through tears she checked the time, she was already running late. So quickly, she pushed the day so far back into her memory and wiped her tears. Quickly working to get decent for work and dashing out the door.

~

It's been three days since she saw you...or maybe saw you. Her mind was all sorts of foggy and it was playing into her job now.

They were on a case somewhere. Derek and her were talking to a lady about some cab driver. They had just finished and watched her walk away.

Her blood ran cold as she glanced to where she could feel eyes on her. You stood on the corner, ready to cross, but you weren't looking at her. A car flashed by and suddenly you were gone. She couldn't think anymore.

"Prentiss?" Derek waved his hand in front of her. His eyes moved to match where she was looking, seeing nothing there. "Are you ok?"

She hummed and came back. "Huh? Yeah...sorry I just haven't been sleeping very well. I feel like I'm seeing things suddenly." She tried to joke around it, but Derek was a good friend.

He knew it was more but he wasn't going to push while on a case. Maybe back at the BAU where Garcia can also help figure it out. But until then, they had a case.

"Well, let's get this case over with and then you can take as much princess sleep as a possible." He lightly joked. Gaining a small smile from the woman.

~

She was back at the door to her apartment. There was this green box outside. Neatly wrapped. She knew that wrapping all too well. It made her stomach twist in ways she hasn't ever felt.

Her breathing picked up a little bit. Then her phone rang, she was quick to answer it. "Hey Emily!" Reid's voice came through.

He went on about a movie, but Emily was too busy clearing her house. Having to turn down his offer as she grabbed her files. Saying her goodbyes as she got back up, catching a glimpse of the mirror.

She met your eyes and immediately adjusted her hold on her gun. "What do you want?" She whispered.

"What?" Reid's voice was mere background noise.

Emily turned around and just saw the box from her door. "You don't scare me..." she called into her house. Her phone got thrown to her bed. "You're above this!"

She turned around the corner in hope to catch you. But then it dawned on her again, you can't be here. It's impossible. The paranoia is eating her alive.

Emily came back into her room, seeing her phone still on a call with Reid. "Shit.." she whispered as she picked up the phone. "Reid?"

"Sugar?!" Penelope's voice came loudly. "Are you ok?!"

"Emily?" Reid came in, Hotch close behind him.

Emily let a sigh out, "I'm fine...I'm just really tired. Sorry for worrying you guys." She was quick to hang up her phone. Giving them no space to continue to question.

She let her head fall back and groaned. Laughing at herself once again as she got ready to leave for the night.

The wrapping threw her off still. She wasn't going to let it be the reason something does happen. She knew how you wrapped your gifts. You gave her so many. You even explained why you wrapped how you did.

"It one, looks way cuter and is easy to unwrap. And two, it gives more precision to be precise and make sure it's perfect for the receiver. Come, I'll teach you and you can use it to become the second best gift wrapper. After me of course."

Your smile was huge that day. The two of you spent the day watching movies as you wrapped up your Christmas gifts for her.

~

The next morning, she walked into the bullpen. Confused as everyone was watching Hotch's office.

"What's going on?" Emily frowned. Coming up to everyone.

A few shrugged, but before anyone could answer Hotch came out. "Prentiss can I speak with you?"

She gave a nod and dropped off all her stuff. Walking into his office and seeing him and a file. "Sir?"

"This was left on my desk this morning. I was wondering if it meant anything to you?" He handed over the file.

She opened it and it was practically blank. The only thing in the middle of the paper was a picture of her and half another person who was kissing her cheek.

She tried not to freeze infront of her boss but it was too much for her to not. "Emily, do I need to be worried about your safety?" He leaned forward. "I can have cops outside your apartment if needed."

She shook her head. "Can I...can I keep this?" Her voice was shaky. Hotch had only seen her like this once before. With her friend awhile back.

"Are you going to make any irrational decisions if I say yes? The team can help you if you-" he stopped when she shook her head again. "Is everything all right?"

She took a big inhale, letting it go slowly and nodding. "I'll be ok...can I...um have the day though?" She asked.

It was easily granted to her as she recollected her stuff and left without much to say.

She wasn't going crazy...you were actually alive. But that would make sense on how you've been disappearing within seconds?

She tried to make it work, thinking all the possibilities that could explain something. Her thoughts carried her into her apartment.

It wasn't worth checking anything, if you were already getting in and out then...why can't you just come see her?

Why is it secrets?

An unwanted game of cat and mouse?

What is keeping you from her?

You know why, Em...you know why. Your voice rang in her head. She could hear how soft it still was. How much emotion you could hold within your words even just the word 'the'. You were her second half. The one who she could crumble against and it'd be ok. But she lost you. She might not get you back.

She flopped into the middle of her bed and cried. She was finally mourning you. In her own ball curled up. Staring blankly at the wall.

And on one blink, you were there. She could see you standing there. Head tilted just slightly to the left and smiling sadly at her.

"Are you even real..."she mumbled. Emily was tired of seeing you everywhere and it not being you.

So when you moved closer and placed your warm hand on her cheek she gasped. It didn't even take a second before she was latching onto you and crying heavily.

You held her back in silence. Just letting her get everything out. You didn't mind it though. It felt natural.

It felt like the first time you held her. And she could feel it too. That both hearts were full again, designed to be one with each other.

"But you're..."she sobbed into you. Clutching you tighter as she began to struggle to breath.

"Hey, hey...just follow mine." You led the deep breathing. "There you go hun, steady breathing ok?"

She pulled back from you and really took in your face. Holding your face and crashing her lips to yours. It made you laugh a little as you kissed back. It was well overdue.

"I thought you died?" She dragged you to the bed, neither of you thinking as you laid down and let her lay on top of you. Your hand finding its home in her hair as you detangled it.

You hummed softly, "it was my only way to protect you. Sometimes, we have to make choices for the better even if it means the worse for ourselves. Doyle...he..."

The name made her tense slightly under your touch, "what about him?..."

"He...he had bad plans and I found out about them. I told Sean and he pulled me out instantly. They killed me off and reassigned me....I watched you from afar recently because...he's escaped. He's been watching you and your team. And if I knew any better...we're the final two. I wanted to see you one more time." You explained to her. Hating that this is what was happening to you both.

She held you even tighter now. "How's everyone else?" She was scared to ask. More scared for the answer as you took a deep breath in.

"They don't know I'm alive, but they know Ian is out." You answered quietly. There was more to why you showed up and you knew she was avoiding asking you anyways.

She was silent as she laid with you. But in her own mind, she was a wreck. She didn't want to really think about why you were here. She already knew.

"Will you keep me safe...for just tonight?" She almost sounded afraid. "Even if you're not here when I wake up...just one more night?"

The moonlight made her eyes sparkle in a way you would be a monster if you said no. So you did all you could, you pulled her so incredibly closed and held her till she fell asleep.

However, you were wide awake. You knew you next move. You were sworn to protect Emily Prentiss ever since you met Ian Doyle. He was a man of secrets and you pulled apart each one just for her.

You both were at risk here, but you just wouldn't let the risk go far for her. That's why it pained you to leave her before her alarm went off. You placed a delicate kiss to her hairline before climbing out the window.

You didn't leave her with nothing though, that morning when she woke up she saw the small box on her nightstand. It had your signature bow o top and a small note next to it. Till we meet again, i promise.

~

It had been awhile. Rumors are Ian Doyle was dead, but nobody could confirm it. Nobody but you.

You had caught him when you least wanted to. When it was right there with Emily. Sitting across from her and threatening her team.

"I'm going to take the only thing you care about...your life."

That was the only thing that man had to say for him to become your only focus. You had followed him for days. Left him clues you were lurking. You knew your presence made him a bit uneasy. That's what you did best after all.

You noticed how his actions towards Emily moved slower than planned. He was trying to lure you out with her, but it didn't work as well.

You were in this man's home. That was his only warning you gave. After that everything was fair game. Especially once you heard he was continuing his plans. It made your blood boil and you felt no mercy.

So, you followed Ian on a motorcycle, it was easy and fast, just your style. He walked into a pub with a few guys, but that never stopped you.

You got a table to keep them in sight while you out of theirs. And when he got up and went to the bathroom, that was your opening. With a silent fire, you made him defenseless. You took your time in there with him. Making sure he felt the years of pain he caused. Then you left him there for someone else to find.

Leaving the state, the country, anything to distance yourself then. You left for a few years. Five in total (there was a lot to clear up before you could). Finally though, you'd get to be with her.

You wanted it to be a surprise so you figured, what better surprise then at work? You had gotten in as early as possible. Slipping a little note and little box on her desk before leaving unnoticed.

And by eight in the morning, you had received a text saying it can't be true. It made you smile as you texted her back that you promised her to come back.

As she read it she fiddled with the ring on her finger, bringing Penelope and JJ's attention to it. They were having lunch in Emily's office.

"Woah! When did you get that?" The blondes instantly grabbed for her hand. Inspecting the dark red gem. "They must really like you..." JJ joked.

Earning laughs in return, "I got it awhile ago...from an old friend." There was a distant tone in each word.

Neither blonde believing it was just a friend. They shared a look and rushed off. Hiding in Garcia's bat cave until the end of the day.

Emily was going to find it weird, but she didn't want to ruin her mood. She was excited for your next appearance.

What she didn't expect was it to be at the bureau. When you waltzed in with a 'delivery'. You made a beeline for her desk with a goofy smile as she tried to not laugh at your getup.

"Are you Emily Prentiss?" You tried to contain your smile, failing miserably as tears sprung to her eyes.

She didn't care anymore she just hugged you tightly. She had you again and it felt right finally. Nothing was getting her as long as you were there.

The room stared at you two. Who were you that Emily was crying the way she was? They could only see your lips move but couldn't hear anything.

"I know sweet girl..." you hummed. Holding her head in place as she cried heavily. "Just follow mine." And you led the breathing once again. Calming her down to get her to look at you. "Well look at you FBI section chief Prentiss." You eyed her playfully. Getting a strong wack to your arm. She aged beautifully.

"You don't get to joke after what you did." She frowned seriously now. "You've risked yourself too far." She was silent for a second, knowing she wanted to know. "What did you to him? Is he really dead?"

"The night he was in a pub... He went to the bathroom and I was gone before his guys could even think of the possibility. He didn't deserve mercy." You kept it short. There wasn't much to tell anyways, you moved quick in your line of work.

"So are you.." she let her question trail off, but you knew what she was asking.

"In a sense, yes. There is no real harm against me or you. Therefore I have no reason to stay moving." You bobbed your head, letting Emily's smile infect you.

She fisted your shirt and pulled you close, kissing you sweetly but fiercely. And when she pulled away she looked at you with a hopeful shimmer. "Move in with me then. Stay with me this time."

You easily agreed to her, not needing to even think twice about it. And that's when you both heard a throat clear.

Penelope was behind on everything as she watched the end of you and Emily's moment. "I want a name, now." She demanded from her spot in the couch.

The two of you laughed at her tone, but you stepped slightly back for Emily to take the lead. It was her choice if the team got to know more about you or not.

"This is Y/n." Was all she said, but that's all you needed to know there was still so much for you two to talk about first. "I'm gonna take a second lunch," she smiled at her colleagues before collecting her stuff.

There were many unanswered questions as you left hand in hand with Emily. Penelope and JJ began to share many possibilities on what could be happening. But they would all have to wait till they finally did get their answers.

[eustasskidagenda]

First of all I really really really love ur writing

Can I request a fem reader dating law and they are like sleeping and law starts to have a really bad nightmare where he is hurting his s/or while sleeping? Like ALOT and she tries to walk him up but when she succeeded he already damaged her so much by accident? So he has her blood on his hands and stuff but he wakes up and he doesn't realise it so she just says u had a nightmare and tried to put him back to sleep while she is in pain

And she waits for him to sleep again to go out and treat her wounds BSc she doesn't want him to feel bad for hurting her

But while she is gone he walks up and the bed is empty and there's blood on him and the sheets so he gets out to search for her in panic and gets mad and feels bad etc

Angst angst angst tk fluff please

I love u so much

Hi sweetie! Tysm for your kind words! I love writing angst, but this one was quite a challenge, I had some struggles figuring out some things. But I hope the outcome will still match your expectations! And sorry it takes me some time for this one, I injured my back lately, I can't write for a long time. Anyway, tysm for requesting. ☆

☆Law having a nightmare where he's hurting his s/o

CW : f!reader, angst, hurt to comfort, blood, mention of bullet, spoiler if you haven't read/watched Law's flashback yet, violence, usage of DF 

WC : 1,9k

Low, peaceful breaths. Legs entwined. Your head resting against Law’s tattooed chest and the silence of the cold, starry night. What a rare and beautiful moment. Law often can't sleep. The second you fall asleep, he usually just sighs and sneaks out of the bed. But tonight, his nightmares remained trapped under the pillows, not in his mind. He is beautiful when he can finally be at peace. The tired and dark expression on his face has been gone for a few hours. In his sleep, he looks for your warm touch. Maybe his body is always cold, as his heart is always kept in a cage, but your body is keeping him just warm. That's what you're in his tortured mind; solar. 

He always finds solace in it.

Dark shadows. Screams of pain. Corazon falling on the ground. Bullet sound. 

The night was supposed to be peaceful. It was peaceful just a second ago! Why are those memories haunting his mind again? What has he done to always be harassed with the same dark thoughts? 

Scream. Corazon. Bullet. Scream. Corazon. Bullet. Again and again and again and a… it's endless. Trapped in his own mind, the world around him just disappears. It's just him, facing the ghosts of his past. That's what he gets for daring to fall asleep. How foolish he was to think that his nightmares would leave him alone, just for a few hours.

The shadows are following him in his gloomy, dark world. Why are they trying to kill him? He's not sick anymore. Corazon saved him. He has the right to live. Suddenly, an invisible hand grabs him and squeezes his throat. Tightly. Squirming on the bed, fighting against his own demons, Law breathes harshly. The real world is far away from his nightmares. All he can think about is this hand squeezing his throat. He can't even breathe anymore. But he can't die. Corazon saved his life. He died. Killed by his own brother.

Now, Law has to survive. That's his legacy. The Heart Pirates will beat loudly, etched in memories forever.

The shadows disappear suddenly, just as the squeezing sensation in his throat. A laugh echoes close to his ear. A large figure hovers over him. Pink feather coat, sunglasses, short blond hair, and big, fidgety hands, ready to steal his life again. 

It's him. 

Doflamingo. 

He wants to kill him and steal his fruit. The one that Corazon robbed. No. Law won't let that bastard destroy the sacrifice made by Corazon. Law ferociously punches that damned heavenly demon right in its nose. Maybe he's a doctor, but he can't let this man live. 

All he wants is to make him suffer. 

To make him pay.

So he punches. Again and again. The only thing he can hear is Doflamingo laughing, as he always does, with his sinister, cold grin. "Just die," he shouts, his voice thick with anger and distress. The reality has vanished in his world of suffering. So he fights back. Harder. 

"Law, wake up!" Why the hell is Doflamingo talking with your voice? Is this a fresh trap? This man is the master of manipulation. He can't be tricked again. "Law, please wake up and stay with me!" That soothing hand on his cheek is so soothing. Heavenly soft. Sweat drips down his forehead as he breathes harshly. 

Doflamingo's silhouette fades away as soon as he opens his eyes. "Y/n-ya?" He tries to reach for your cheek in the dark bedroom. That touch, that skin, that warmth. So it's really you. "What happened?" He asks, his voice slightly shaky. He tries to regain his composure, breathing harshly, his heart racing crazily in his chest. "Nothing. You just had a nightmares." 

Law notices a slight tremolo in your voice. "You're alright?" You just run your hand on his cheek. "Why are you asking me this? You're the one in pain. Just go back to sleep. I'm here. Nothing will happen. You're safe in this room." No, but that was too realistic. And he can't fall asleep right away. Not with a heart beating so loudly. Not with the rush of adrenaline. "Law, you have a lot of work tomorrow. Just try to sleep." 

He tried to sleep so many times. It was never successful. However, he lies back as you gently push him against the mattress with your hands on his chest. You gently rub your thumb against his sweaty forehead. With his jaw tensed, Law obeys and closes his eyes, doing as you say. But those dark memories are etched in his eyes. Whenever he tries to sleep, the figure of Doflamingo is painfully present. 

Bullet. Corazon. Sick people crying and begging for mercy. Again and again.

"Just sleep." You whisper, focused on him, only him, despite your own state of distress. You just hope he didn't notice the blood on his hands. The one that flows down your injured nose. It hurts. Mentally and physically. It's difficult to see him so tormented by his own thoughts. You can't let him see what he has done to you; he kicks you and almost strangles you. It wasn't him, right? Law would never lend a hand to you. He would never forgive himself if he found out. You have to preserve him. So you stay. Reassuring him until he finally closes his eyes, too exhausted to stay awake. 

But a few minutes later, he wakes up, his body cold just as your side of the bed. 

"Y/n-ya?" Where have you gone? Why did you leave him alone? Law grabs the candle lamp and the bedroom is lit by a dim light. There's blood on the bed. He doesn't panic at first. But he's confused because he knows your cycle perfectly, you are not supposed to be on your periods. Afterward, he glances downwards. 

Blood. On his hands.

"Y/n-ya?" He suddenly stands out and looks for you. The Polar Tang is not that big. At last, he finds you in the small bathroom, with a cloth on your injured nose. Law looks at his hands, then at your body. There's slight bruises on your skin. That skin he cherishes so much. "What happened?" He already knows the answer, yet he's hoping for a different outcome. "I just hit my nose by accident, don't you worry." 

You're really a bad liar. 

And then, he understands. That wasn't Doflamingo, but you all the time. At first, he can't even speak. He remains there, his mouth partially open and his eyes filled with guilt. As a doctor, he promised to himself to always protect the innocent. His hands exist to heal. Not hurt. Especially not you. You are his precious girlfriend, the one who takes care of him. What have he done to you? Maybe it was a nightmare, maybe it wasn't him, but the outcome is the same. You're in pain because of him.

"I…" he wants to soothe your pain, but he steps back.  What if he harm you again? He glances again at his shaky hands. There's blood on his tattooed fingers. He is disgusted by that sight. "Why didn't you tell me?" He wants to scream, to break something, but he's too confused by the red liquid on his tan skin. He reaches for the washstand and cleans his hands, watching the red turn pink. "You were already in pain" you whisper. "Damn, y/n-ya, look at you! You're bleeding because of me. I…" He struggles to speak in a clear manner. Law has always been logical, but right now he's acting impulsively and emotionally. "I'm so sorry…" tears prickle at the corner of his eyes. "Please… let me… help you…" he's afraid of frightening you. But you just nod and stop to hold the cloth against your nose. 

Law kneels in front of you, looking at your red skin, slight bruises here and there, slightly swollen lips, and broken nose. His hands are trembling. "Shit," he whispers to himself. He tries to inhale deeply. He needs to calm down before he can heal you. And right now, you really need some assistance. "Law, it's alright…" 

Of course, no, it's not okay! "You're in pain because of me, it's not alright!" Law utilizes his devil fruit to cure your broken nose. Gently, he forces you to throw your head back until the bleeding stops. "Wait a second," he whispers before reaching for a wet cloth. After removing all of the dry blood from your face, Law sighs, sits on the ground and remains silent. 

The guilt is harassing his poor mind. Now, when he closes his eyes, there's Doflamingo, Corazon, and his hands are full of your blood. This thought will never leave him alone. 

He's so unworthy. Despite his efforts, he still fails. Over and over. He failed to save his family. He failed to save Corazon. He failed. Again, and again. 

Failure.

"Law, don't overthink, I'm alright." You whisper and wrap your arms around him. Such an irony. You're the one in pain, but you're soothing him by gently running your hands through his hair. "I'm sorry," he repeats once more. "Law, just listen to me… it wasn't you" 

Perhaps, but it was his hands that did it anyway. Exhausted, tired and guilty, Law has lost all of his usual cold expressions. He never looked that fragile, human. You kiss him softly and lovely. Law struggles to kiss you back. He refuses to touch you because he fears hurting you again. "It's okay, I'm not mad at you.  I still love you. We'll get through it." Nervously, he bites his lips. "Are you still in pain?" His eyes are begging you to tell the truth. "I'm not, thanks to you." He exhales with relief. 

"You have to rest. Can you walk?" Even if you nod, Law carries you through the bedroom. He grits his teeth as he sees the blood on the bedsheets. "Wait" He just takes them off and redo the bed with fresh bedsheets. "Now, you can rest." 

While you lay on your bed, Law begins to back away, ready to run to his desk. Nevertheless, you grasp his hand. "Don't run away." You understand that he's simply trying to avoid you. An aloof person like him just doesn't know how to deal with that kind of thoughts. "… Y/n-ya" with a sigh, he complies. That's the least he can do. Law flinches as you lean your head against his tattooed chest, feeling tense and nervous. I have already forgiven you, Law. You have to forgive yourself." 

He simply mumbles. Of course, his tortured mind will never process that quickly. Fine. You'll wait. And you'll stay by his side. You will be the guardian of his peaceful nights. Slowly, you fall right back asleep. Law doesn't shut his eyes, not even for a moment. He stays here until sunrise and finally warms your face. When you wake up, he already left. But there's a fresh drink, some pills, and something to eat on the nightstand. And a short note.

'Please, come find me if you need something. And rest' 

Law is always busy all the day and almost all of the night. And then, he just allows you to 'disturb' him whenever you need him. You can't help but smile. For someone like Law, it's like reading 'I love you' 

Of course he loves you. 

After all, he is the captain of the Heart Pirates.

[leviraaaaaa]

I'll follow. (Levi x reader)

"Holy sh-" A curse escaped you when the figure in the hallway caught your eye, jumping on your feet. You clutched your heart, bracing yourself against the wall trying to calm yourself as you looked at him.

"You scared the shit out of me."

Levi turned his head towards you. "You." He said.

"Levi." You gave a slight nod in acknowledgement.

"Nice to see you're alive."

"Nice to see you're walking around."

He cocked an eyebrow.

You sighed. That was too far.

"I'm sorry. It was a joke. A bad, insensitive joke, but it was a joke."

Levi nodded, shifting his weight on his crutch.

"It's been a month. I haven't even seen a glimpse of you till now."

"Eh." You shrugged, walking over to him to stand beside him on the balcony. His eyes followed your movements. He leaned against the wall, relieving the weight off his damaged leg and giving you space. You matched his stance, folding your hand on the railing.

"You do realize you can't stay inside your room forever?" He glanced at you with the corner of his eyes.

You squinted when the afternoon light hit your face. Unused to the brightness as you haven't seen the sun for a long time.

You spent your days in your dorm, curled up in a bed. You slept, woke up, sneaked off to the kitchen and bathroom when needed in odd hours, to avoid the people.

You haven't seen anything really. Or even heard anything. You don't even know about anything that's going on. You're too tired to. You don't even bother turning the lights on in your room.

It was strange, now. Being in your dorm. You tried your best to not think about it much but your dorm was so oddly empty, eerily silent. All your roommates were gone. Sasha and the other girl dead. Mikasa gone to where you have no idea.

Yet, there was a sort of peace in there. A sense of comfort. A shelter from the world outside. You were scared of the cruel reality that waited outside the door. So you made your own solution, you decided to not step out the door at all.

So It's the first time in a month, you caught a glimpse of life outside. It's the first time, you've seen him in a month.

And you didn't even dare admit it to yourself, but maybe...a part of you was avoiding him as well.

But you missed him.

The way he leaned over against the railing for support, how he winced at every slight movement, it sent a dull ache through your heart.

You sighed. "Try me." You said. "I saved the world, give me a break. Also, the doctor gave me bedrest."

"For a week only." He pointed out. "And you didn't save the world alone."

You groaned.

But you knew it was true.

That people wouldn't just let you stay in your room all day. That people weren't taking your isolation too well and there's only so much, your unspoken 'hero of the war' privilege can get you. Sleeping for 1 month straight was just too much.

But generally speaking, you saved the world. You should get to do whatever you want.

"You're gonna lecture me, captain?" You mumble. "I'm too tired to care, I'm afraid."

"Don't talk back. This is unhealthy for you."

"So what? That's my business. Let me rot away to death."

He glanced at you from the corner of his eyes and that look alone erased your attitude.

"Yeah, sorry." You muttered the apology quietly. Old habits die hard. You didn't give two fucks about the authority usually but one glare from Levi was still enough. And as much as you liked fucking around with him, that never changed.

"Horseface told me you've shut everyone out."

You frowned in annoyance. "What, is this a therapy session? Are we going to talk about our feelings and get all sappy?" You said sarcastically.

Again, Levi didn't say anything. Only shot a warning look towards you in response. Seems like he wasn't in much of a mood for your jokery.

And to be honest, you weren't either.

So you sighed.

".. I didn't." You answered quietly. "I'm just tired."

"All you do is sleep." He frowned.

"Yeah but like, I sleep, and then I get tired of sleeping, so I go to sleep again-"

"Why," He exhaled sharply. "Is it so hard for you to just converse like a proper adult without making fun of everything?"

"I don't like serious conversations." You huffed, folding your arms.

"So I've noticed." He sighed.

"Why'd you care anyways?" You muttered under your breath.

Levi pursed his lips.

"I don't." Was all he said.

Silence lasted a couple seconds.

There was something in the air, you could feel it. It was thick and it wrapped around your throat like vice, the pounding in your heart warned you of something to come.

Your eyes flicked to Levi and his blank face, wondering what was going through his head.

You followed his gaze, eyes catching in a field further away. Children played along it, you can just make out the outlines of them.

Happy kids, you thought. They don't have to stand awkwardly besides their captain as he's deep in thinking God knows what.

"Are you.." You asked after a pause. A pang went through your heart, the words stuttering. You hoped he wouldn't notice the slight crack in your voice. "Are you resigning..?" A calmer, more braced tone.

And you knew before he even answered. "Yes."

You nodded.

Your heart twisted itself into a painful lump of knot.

But you understood.

So why did it hurt so much?

You looked up at the sun. You hoped the sun would burn away the tears that was welling in your eyes, you hoped it would burn your soul along with it.

Is this how it ends? How you part ways?

"You're too old anyways." You finally said in a light-hearted voice. Like you weren't fucking breaking inside.

He snorted. "I can be an 89 year old grandfather and I'll still be able to take you down with one finger."

"Uh-huh."

You watched Levi as he fidgeted with his fingers, his other hand going over the bandaged knuckles. You winced at the sight of the missing digits.

"What are you going to do?" He suddenly asked.

"Me?" You were caught off guard. You hadn't expected the sudden steer of the conversation. But you considered, thinking.

I don't know, Levi. You tell me. You wanted to tell him.

I don't know what I'm supposed to do if you're not here.

But you only shrugged. "I was thinking of sleeping my life away. Make up for all the nights I couldn't."

He scrunched his face, clearly unimpressed with your choice of way to spend your life. He looked like he had a lot to say about it but then shook his head, probably realizing it's worthless arguing with you.

"You aren't coming back?" You asked then. More of a statement really.

"Is there a reason for me to?"

Me, you thought.

Say my name.

"I guess not." Maybe you will shrivel up and die.

He wouldn't even look at you.

And seconds passed, seconds turning to minutes.

Your heart beat, pounding with the seconds.

And then, Levi spoke.

"Hey kid?"

"Yeah?"

"Wanna get the hell out of here?"

You stared, eyes wide with confusion. But then his gray eyes locked with yours and you finally, finally realized.

Oh.

Oh.

Relief wrapped you around it's warm, warm embrace. And for the first time in a while, you felt like you could breathe properly.

You nodded. "...yeah."

And then you almost snorted because his face was so very flushed. And somehow you knew, it wasn't the sun.

"Was that a confession, Levi?" You asked after a while, almost tiredly, eyes falling shut.

"...would it be so wrong if it was?" His voice was quiet. So low you could barely hear it.

"No" You shook your head. "No, I suppose not."

He nodded, shoulders slumping. And you wondered if he felt the same wave of relief you felt.

You wondered if he waited all those years for you as well.

"I can't," Levi suddenly blurted out, his tone was hesitant, unsure. "I can't promise you anything, but I swear I'll try. For you. For us."

You swallowed, every word sinking into your skin, healing wounds you didn't even know you had. But you took it.

He'd try. For you, he said.

"I'll go."

Levi looked up.

"I'll go with you. Wherever the hell you want to."

".. you will?"

"I'm your second, aren't I?" You grinned at him, eyes sparkling. "I'll follow you straight to hell if you ask me to. Im stuck with you for life."

And you could've sworn Levi almost smiled. Just the barest hint, but it was there.

"What a pain in the ass." He closed his eyes.

"Hey, you're the one who asked!"

You felt a hand on your hair, ruffling it. The only way he ever showed affection. The ever familiar gesture was comfort. A reminder. You didn't even know how much you craved his touch until he touched you.

You'd be alright, you thought.

You and him.

It'd work out.

You'd be alright.

(kinda inspired by this song lol)

@sad-darksoul @anxious-chick

[thatfreshi]

Possible request, one evening Astarion and Tav are cuddling, Astarion laying his head on their chest as Tav gently combs their fingers through his hair when they start softly singing an old elvish lullaby. Causing old and once thought dead memories to slowly come back to Astarion as he snuggles closer to them as he reminisces his past even shedding a few tears for the life he should of had and Tav is there to hold him and comfort him through it all

Recommended Song: Come Out and Play - Billie Eilish

It's well known between you and Astarion that he does not dwell on the past. After all, what's the point in grasping at something you can barely remember? Sure, he has glimpses of people, places, things, but they don't mean anything. If he tries hard enough, there are almost words to go along with the blurry faces, but nothing worth his while. You don't ask him much about those fuzzy thoughts, only when you're really truly curious.

One night, you're lying in bed after a 'family dinner' with your old companions, a little event you liked to put together every now and then. Astarion loves the attention, but it is in fact a little draining hosting your house, especially to your friends. The two of you are exhausted, and your sweet vampire nuzzles into your chest.

"I love them, but gods are they rowdy."

The two of you chuckle lightly.

"You know, I remember I said I thought domestic life would be boring, but perhaps I was wrong. Seems much better in our little world. Much calmer."

"I'm surprised you haven't gotten us into any more trouble yet. No stray crimes I'm unaware of?"

He doesn't answer for a moment.

"No... except for that necklace I got you the other day."

You feel the muscles in his face move, assuming he has some mischievous smirk across his lips.

"Oh Aster, whatever will I do with you?"

Your hand makes its way into his hair, slowly moving through delicate curls.

"Love me for who I am and never ask me to change, ever?"

You sigh.

"I suppose."

Sugar-coated words, soft hands, empty minds. Your mind wanders, the tired feeling merciless. The cozy, exhausted feeling reminds you of a song, and you begin to sing softly. At first, it's nothing but melodic little words, until you get a little further in. Something clicks in Astarion's head, something strange.

It's sunny, he's out on the docks, sitting next to an older woman. She's humming the song, and the two of them are just staring out at the water. He's fidgeting with something in his hands, some kind of charm. The sun is beating down on the two of them, but neither seems to mind. The melody fades out, and the woman puts a hand on his shoulder.

"Come, time to go home darling."

As fast as it came, the memory is gone, and he sheds a couple silent tears. You realize his breathing has quickened.

"You alright my love?"

"What... what's that song?"

You have to think on his question, unsure really where you'd first heard it.

"I don't know. My parents knew it, and I guess I just picked it up. They'd sing it during peaceful moments. I guess I do too. Why?"

"It brought back something. I think- I think I saw my mother."

Even uttering the words makes the tears fall faster. He's never had a vision of the past like that, nothing so substantial.

"Was it nice?"

He tries to catch his breath.

"Yes. It was."

"You want to talk about it?"

The emotions are confusing. Astarion can't figure out if he's happy, sad, or just shocked.

"We were just watching the water, and then she told me it was time to go. She called me darling..."

He continues to cry into your chest, and you just hold him.

"I guess you know where you get it from now."

A small smile takes over his lips.

"You're right. I guess I do."

That smile is quickly erased by guilt.

"Do- do you think she's still out there? Wondering what happened to her son?"

You frown, knowing he wants to hear the truth, but knowing it might hurt.

"I think any good mother would still wonder. Especially with a son like you."

His grip in your side tightens, as if he's afraid of something.

"Is it bad to say it's easier to think she's already dead? That she doesn't have to wonder anymore?"

"No, not at all. You can feel however you need to about it my love. I imagine with how long elves live, it would be a long time wondering."

He lightly laughs.

"It is worse to say I think I'd be too scared to look for her?"

"No. But why would you be scared?"

"Because I wouldn't be her son anymore, not the one she knew. Just some vampiric freak."

You trail your hand softly across his back.

"You're not a freak Astarion."

"You're probably one of the only ones who'd say that my sweet."

The two of you are too exhausted at this point to have a full conversation, just sentences traded back and forth, words you don't fully remember. But you do know he thanked you the next morning, for bringing back such a pleasant memory.

[writingwithciara]

He Never Will ~Jack Hughes~

summary: jack loves his best friend and only wants to protect her from the worlds shittiest boyfriend

word count: 3.6k

pairing: jack hughes x reader, reader x shitty boyfriend

notes: based off the song by alexander stewart (my birthday twin 💕). i've recently become obsessed with this song & haven't put anything out for jack yet so i figured i'd write this for him [TW: toxic relationship with abuse]

masterlist

jack was in love with his best friend. it was cliche and he knew it but he didn’t care. the only thing he cared about was making sure she didn’t find out.

her boyfriend could tell though. he saw the way jack looked at y/n & he hated hearing him talk about her to other people as if he was the one dating her.

it was like a game to hunter though. well, more of a test really.

he had suspicions that y/n was into jack so every once in a while, he would pick a fight with her just to see if she ran crying to jack. and most of the time, she did.

when she didn’t run to her best friend, she would run to his brother or the captain of his hockey team. but to hunter, it didn't matter who she ran to. The point was that she ran to another guy and he didn't like it.

but she always went back to him, no matter how bad he treated her and jack hated that. he knew she deserved better and he wanted to be the one she chose. jack wanted her to stay on one of the many nights she ran to him.

but she never did.

if he don't know what he's got now, he never will

it was the night before jack was supposed to head up to toronto for the all-star game when y/n came back to his place.

the tears were pouring down her face as jack let her into his apartment without a word. he could never bring himself to say i told you so, especially not when she was in such a vulnerable state.

a few minutes of silence passed as they sat on the end of his bed before jack spoke up.

"so what happened tonight?"

"i don't even really know. i got home from work and he was in the middle of trashing my apartment. he said something about me not being faithful to him, which is total bullshit. and i know we have our fights and shit on a daily basis, and that's alright. but tonight felt different. like if i had stayed any longer, maybe he would've hit me or something."

jack looked at her face for any sign of a mark, fearing that she may have been hiding something from him. but there was nothing so he let it slide.

"i'm gonna take you home and i want you to pack a bag as quickly as you possibly can."

"why?" she wiped her eyes and looked at jack.

"you're coming with me to toronto."

"are you nuts? that's only going to make this worse, jack."

"i'm going to be gone for a week and there's no way in hell that i'm leaving you alone with him for that long with no guarantee of safety."

"i'll still have nico. and luke even."

"please just do this for me? i'm worried about leaving you with hunter. i swear the kid's just begging to get his ass beat."

"jack, if i promise to go with you to toronto, will you promise to try to get along with hunter when we get back?"

"y/n, i've already tried. he's a lost cause honestly."

"can we not have this conversation again? i'm tired of hearing it." y/n sighed with frustration and stood up. she began to pace around jack's room.

"until you see how much better you are than hunter, i'm gonna keep bringing it up. and the fact that you've heard it more than once should be enough to tell you something!" jack raised his voice but regretted it immediately when y/n started to cry. "please just listen to me okay? look, i care about you and i only want what's best for you. i'm not trying to make you feel bad or anything. i'm sorry if i upset you." jack pulled her into a hug and rubbed her back as she sobbed.

y/n cried for a good 10 minutes before she finally spoke again.

"i'm not upset with you, jack. i could never be. i'm upset with myself because i know i shouldn't be with someone like hunter but i love him so much and i can't just walk away from that." she looked up at jack and smiled when he wiped her tears away. "please don't hate me for staying with him."

"i could never ever hate you. i hope you know that." he rubbed her back soothingly. "and although i don't support you staying with him, i'm always here if you need me and i'm never ever leaving your side, okay?"

"okay." y/n nodded with a shy smile.

"so, will you please come to toronto with me?"

jack and y/n ended up meeting up with luke and nico before the boys took y/n back o her apartment to get her stuff. luckily for them, hunter was nowhere to be found.

y/n packed a bag quickly and left a little note for hunter. jack didn't agree with that idea, fearing hunter would come find her and do something terrible. but luke and nico assured him that y/n would be safe with them while at the game.

the 4 of them got in the car and were on the plane in no time. y/n took the window seat and jack sat next to her.

"what's going on in your mind?"

"part of me just...i don't know...i feel a little bad for hunter. maybe he's only like this because he didn't get a whole lot of positive attention growing up."

"don't feel bad for that piece of shit, y/n. he doesn't deserve you. and his lack of positive attention is no excuse for the way he treats you. i really hope you understand that someday." jack sighed and changed the topic.

for the rest of the flight, nico did most of the talking while luke did everything he could to keep a smile on y/n's face, even if it was only a small one. he accepted it either way.

when they got to the hotel they were staying at, the lady at the front desk gave them 2 keys. jack handed one to y/n and the group went up to their rooms. y/n wasn't a fan of being alone but at least the boys were just next door if she needed them.

the first night in toronto was not great. y/n woke up from a nightmare screaming and she couldn't bring herself to stop crying. jack heard her scream and was in her room in seconds. his heart broke when he saw the state she was in so he stayed with her for the next two nights.

on draft day, y/n was sitting with nico and luke as they watched the event unfold. she excused herself to use the bathroom and while she was gone, her phone buzzed in her seat.

it was a series of texts from hunter. nico and luke took it upon themselves to respond.

the two boys shared a look before y/n returned. she noticed their weird behavior and raised an eyebrow.

"you weirdos doing alright?"

"yeah. never better." nico lied and turned his attention back to the draft.

"hunter texted you while you were in the bathroom and we answered him."

"luke!" nico shot his teammate a look before looking over at y/n beside him.

"what did you guys do that for?" y/n opened her phone and went through the messages. "i could've handled it, you guys."

"we're all tired of him treating you like you mean nothing to him. that's not how you deserve to be treated." luke sighed.

"we're sorry, y/n." nico sighed. "we just love you so much."

"i'm not sorry."

"luke!" nico shot him another glare and rolled his eyes.

"i'm sorry, okay? but it had to be said. y/n deserves better than what she has and if you guys want to tell me different, then go right ahead. but we all know the truth." luke sighed. y/n placed her hand on his shoulder and hugged him.

"i know you guys are looking out for me, and i love you for it. so much." y/n looked over at nico. "can you guys let jack know that i'm gonna head back to new jersey before hunter gets here? i need to go pack my stuff."

"are you leaving him?"

"yeah." she stood up and sighed. "i don't know where i'm gonna go though."

"crash at jack's. you know he won't mind."

"yeah because he's in love with her." luke chuckled, earning another glare and a wide-eyed expression from y/n.

"that's supposed to be a secret, luke."

"oh, my bad. i thought she knew."

"that's a conversation for another day. i got something to focus on right now. but i won't forget you told me." y/n kissed luke's head and gave nico a hug before heading back to the hotel to pack. she left a note for jack because she knew the boys would forget to tell him.

when everything was done, y/n found herself back on the plane to new jersey.

the flight wasn't long but it gave her some time to think about what luke told her. she was shocke but everything was hitting her all at once.

had jack always felt this way?

when the plane landed, y/n got in the first cab she could find and headed to her apartment. as the car approached the building, y/n was suddenly overcome with a feeling of dread. she didn't want to end up running into hunter on the off chance he hadn't actually gone to toronto.

she slowly unlocked the front door and made her way inside. when there was no sign of hunter, y/n let out a sigh of relief before making her way to the bedroom.

she grabbed her suitcase and started throwing all her clothes into it. unfortunately, she only made it through half her clothes before she heard the door open and close. she tried to hide the fact that she was leaving but hunter entered the room before she could do anything.

"why would you feel the need to lie about where you were going?"

"you wouldn't have let me go support my best friends, hunter. i had no other choice. lying was my only option. plus i needed a damn break."

"what could you have possibly needed a break from?"

"from you. you're constantly keeping track of my whereabouts and you won't let me spend any time with my friends. the only time i get to see jack is whenever you start some pointless argument and drive me away for a night. it's getting to the point where i need to put my own mental health above everything."

"what the fuck are you trying to say?"

"i'm leaving, hunter. this is too much." y/n went to grab her bag but hunter gripped her wrist firmly.

"you're not going anywhere."

"let me go!"

"you're not going anywhere." he repeated, this time with emphasis on each word.

"i swear to god, if you don't let me go, i'll-"

"you'll what? call jack to come rescue you like always? well you can't. he's in toronto and i-"

at this point, y/n was tired of him and his comments about jack. she reached for the nearest object and swung it at his arm. hunter released his grip on her and before he could grab her again, she grabbed her suitcase and used it to keep some distance between them.

"i'll be back for my other stuff later."

"whatever, bitch."

y/n rolled her eyes and hurried out of the apartment. when she got in her car, she broke down and facetimed jack.

he picked up with a smile but it disappeared when he saw her tears.

"what happened? why did you go back to jersey?"

"i thought hunter was gonna be in toronto...and i figured i'd take that opportunity to come home and pack my stuff & leave the apartment. but he came home and...." y/n began to sob harder. "he hurt me, jack. hs grabbed my arm and it hurts so much. i don't know why i'm calling you when there's nothing you can do about it now."

"bullshit. i'm getting on the next flight home and i'm going to kick that douchebag's ass."

"jack, you're a captain of an all star team. you can't leave. quinn needs you there."

"but you need me there more." jack moved around the hotel room to pack his bag. "besides, quinn has elias and if he really needs another hughes, luke is here too. plus, i can't even compete in the all-star game so there's really no point in me being here."

"but this is important to you, jack."

"y/n, you are more important than any hockey game, all-star or not. you are my best friend and i'm going to be there for you when you need me to be." he looked at his laptop. "i'll be home in about 5 hours, okay?"

"okay." y/n sniffled and wiped her eyes. "is it alright if i-"

"of course you can stay with me. you don't even have to ask." jack smiled softly at the girl on his screen. "want me to stay on the phone with you?"

"please? i mean, if you don't mind." y/n propped her phone in the holder and began driving to jack's apartment.

"anything for you. you know that." jack kept y/n on the phone while he knocked on luke and nico's door. luke answered and smiled at his brother.

"hey. what's up?"

"i'm heading home. y/n needs me."

"just how in love with her are you?" luke smirked, not even realizing that y/n's face was on jack's screen and she could hear everything.

"dude, she's on the phone." jack's eyes darted down to his phone and back to luke's, whose eyes only widened when he realized.

"cat's out of the bag. oops." luke went to shut the door. "good luck, jack."

luke shut the door completely and jack looked back at his phone.

"for the record, luke is an idiot and i wouldn't listen to anything he says ever."

"never do." y/n smiled. jack returned the smile and couldn't help but stare at her as he headed down to the lobby to hail a cab.

"i won't be able to talk to you while i'm on the flight but i'll call you when i land, okay?"

"okay." y/n pulled into the parking lot of jack's building and got out. as she made her way into the apartment, part of her felt relieved. it felt like she was home.

"alright. the flight is boarding but i'll make sure to call you when i land. help yourself to anything in the apartment. there's some bath bombs and bubble bath at the back of my closet in case you want to take a nice, relaxing bath."

"thanks again, jack. for everything. i really appreciate you. have a safe flight."

"i will. love you."

"love you too." y/n smiled and hung up. she made her way into jack's room and pulled the bath stuff out from his closet. she ran the water for her bath and put on some calming music while also lighting a few candles. she put the cotton candy bath bomb in the water and when it was filled, she got in.

she hadn't even been paying attention to the time when jack got home. he stumbled in through the door with a busted lip and a shiny black eye.

"jesus christ. what the hell happened to you?"

"i'm sorry. i know you don't like it when i get violent off the ice, but i had to stop at hunter's before i came home. he hurt you so i hurt him. tit for tat i guess."

"how bad did you hurt him?"

"pretty bad. he's like 10 times worse than me right now."

"you didn't have to do that for me, jack." y/n looked at the cut on his lip. "now let's go clean up your lip and see if we can do something about that eye." y/n grabbed his hand and brought him to the bathroom. she sat him on the edge of the tub and grabbed a rag from the bin, running it under some warm water.

jack watched her every move intently, afraid that if he looked away, she would fade into a memory.

y/n wiped the dried blood from his face and started looking through her own bag for something to heal the black eye faster.

"you know, i don't hate it when you get violent off the ice, especially when it's to defend me. kinda think it's hot that you would put yourself in the way of violence if you're protecting me." she applied a cream to his left eye and placed a gentle kiss just below the bruise. when she pulled away from his face, she made eye contact with him. "i love you but can you please stop getting into fights?"

"thought you found it hot when i did." jack smirked.

"i do. but i also don't like seeing you get hurt." y/n ran her hands through his hair slowly while his hands held her waist. he tugged her closer and hugged her tightly.

"you're truly a blessing and i hate that hunter could never realize what he had."

"hopefully he realizes what he had now that he's lost it."

"you would never go back to him again, would you?" jack moved his had from his resting spot on her stomach and looked up at her.

"and leave you? no chance in hell will that ever happen." y/n knelt down to be at eye level with him.

there was something about the way he was looking at her that made her feel like they were alone in the world.

jack looked at her and he swore his heart began to beat faster. her gaze was focused on his lips and she tried to look away but she couldn't.

when jack's thumb reached up to draw delicate circles on her cheek, she knew she was screwed.

for years she was telling herself that she didn't have feelings for jack but here they were now, in the bathroom, sharing an intimate moment.

the feelings hit her hard and before she knew it, she was pulling jack in for a gentle kiss. when she tried to pull away, jack held her cheeks and poured everything into the kiss.

by the time the kiss ended, they were both out of breath and their faces were red. jack had a playful smirk on his face as he admired y/n's features.

"you are so incredibly beautiful, y/n. can't believe hunter would treat you so badly."

"how about we stop talking about that asshole & instead focus on this?" she gestured between them and smirked. "i love you and i'm sorry it took me so long to realize it."

"i'm sorry i never told you how i felt." jack continued to hold onto her face while y/n held his arms. "in case it's not obvious now, i do actually love you. but how could i not? i mean you are the most incredible human being & definitely the most precious person i've ever known. you are perfect in every way and i will spend the rest of my life showing you how you deserve to be loved. i-if that's alright with you."

"you are all i want and all i need jack. forever and always, since forever." she wrapped her pinky around his and smiled. a simple gesture that's been part of their lives since they were 9 but they loved it because it meant more to them than anyone could ever know.

taglist: @worldlxvlys @fearfam69691

[steddieas-shegoes]

hide away

for @steddieholidaydrabbles prompt 'came back wrong' rated: m wc: 810 cw: mentions of blood, canon-typical violence tags: vampire eddie munson (kinda, it's a little unclear if that's exactly what he is), emotional reunion, soul bond type thing

🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇

The bumps against his window became more frequent as the days passed and Steve was starting to think he was going crazy.

After the second night, he'd gone on his roof to check if anything could possibly be brushing against his window.

Nothing.

The third night, he sat up in his bed and watched, despite all of the fear in his mind telling him to get under the covers and at least pretend to be asleep.

But the little that he did sleep, he had nightmare after nightmare of Eddie bleeding out in Dustin's arms, in his arms.

He watched Eddie get eaten alive by demobats over and over again, unable to interfere, unable to even yell for him to let him know he wasn't alone.

The dark circles under his eyes were just a new accessory, and he carried it with the same exhaustion they all had, even a month after everything happened.

As he folded himself into his bed, curling his comforter around him for safety, not warmth, he turned to the window.

There's someone out there.

The thought crossed his mind before his eyes processed the shadow of a person standing just outside the window.

He refused to get up, but he could tell the person outside didn't need him to.

His window opened.

His heart raced.

One breath.

Two.

"Steve."

Eddie.

"How?" Steve squeaked out, his voice so high pitched he wasn't even sure Eddie heard him.

"I think...the bats?" his voice sounded deeper, not as light.

"But...we checked your pulse. You weren't breathing." Steve sat up, pushing the blanket off of him. "You were dead. You were dead."

The sob was loud enough to cause his whole body to shiver.

"I know. I know. I was."

"So, what? You're alive again? Are you a ghost? A demon? A vampire?"

Eddie shrugged as he fell to his knees by Steve's bed, probably afraid to get his sheets dirty with the grime of the Upside Down covering his clothes, dried blood staining his skin.

"Vampire is the closest I can get to. I um," Eddie gulped. "I haven't tried to drink blood yet, though."

"Do you need to?" Steve asked, worried that Eddie would die again because he didn't have what he needed.

"I think I just have to drink your blood."

The room closed in around Steve as his pulse quickened.

"I know it sounds crazy. I'm sorry for even suggesting it. I just...it's something I just know. I can't explain it."

"How?"

"It's like my chest has a spot carved out just for you and the only way to make you fit is to have a piece of you and your blood is the piece. I don't know what's wrong with me," Eddie sounded terrified.

"Hey," Steve reached down, touched Eddie's mess of curly hair, felt a shock of something. "Eds, you're here. We can figure it out. You wanna try?"

"Try what?"

"Drinking my blood."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"I might not stop."

"You will."

Steve knew it. He didn't know how he knew it, he just did.

And Eddie must have known it deep down, too, because the next thing Steve knew, Eddie's hand was in his hair, gently tugging his head back to expose his throat.

His breath was hot, but his lips were cold.

Eddie let out a small laugh.

"Maybe you were born with these moles as a user manual," Eddie joked.

Steve rolled his eyes, but smiled. Eddie making a joke like that was a good sign, the best sign.

The moment Eddie's teeth sunk into his neck, Steve relaxed.

The feeling Eddie had described earlier, the empty place made just for him, he felt it being filled in both of them.

He should have panicked, should have immediately pulled away, but Eddie's hands held him close, held him steady.

Eddie's mouth felt like it belonged on him.

Eddie felt like his.

When he finally pulled away, they smiled at each other.

"Taste a little salty. Might wanna consider some fruit in your diet, Stevie," Eddie teased.

"I'll consider it," Steve rolled his eyes.

🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇

Eddie stayed with Steve for three days before they finally came up with a plan for telling everyone.

He had to stay hidden, not just because they weren't sure what he was, but because if he was seen by anyone, he could be arrested.

They didn't know much, but they knew they couldn't let that happen.

So he fed from Steve every night.

Not much, just enough to take away the hollow feeling that started to present itself after nearly 24 hours without.

They always kissed after, always spent the night curled up in Steve's bed together, tracing patterns in each other's naked skin.

And when everyone found out, it was only because they walked in on Steve and Eddie making out in the kitchen.

[sissylittlefeather]

If I Can Dream: Chapter 5

A/N: The next few chapters of this one are going to come fast and furious. We're halfway to the end and the last one will be on Christmas Day. Please keep reading! Need to catch up? Masterlist HERE.

Summary: It's 1975 and Jo Bellamy has been in love with Elvis for 20 years. She doesn't even care that they haven't met yet. All she needs is a chance and she's determined to get one

But Elvis doesn't feel much like Elvis anymore. What happened to the man he used to be? He's pretty sure he's long gone.

Can a chance encounter with Jo change the ill-fated trajectory of his life?

Warnings: 18+ minors DNI, no smut in this one but Jo does get into some pretty heavy topics. She describes her trauma history and lightly (and I mean lightly) touches on a history of verbal abuse from her dad, sexual abuse from an ex-boyfriend, and feeling suicidal as a teenager. Some of these things are real for me, so I tried to handle them delicately in a way that wouldn't be triggering, but I need to mention them anyway.

Word count: ~2.4k

Forever, then. It's right on the tip of his tongue, but he holds it back for some reason. He'll think about that tomorrow. For now, he drifts off to sleep with her in his arms again, perfectly content.

******

On Sunday around 1 in the afternoon, Elvis wakes up to the sound of the shower going. He looks around in the bed for Jo and then puts two and two together. The steam pours out of the bathroom when he pushes the door open.

“You want some company?”

“Shit!” Jo pokes her head out of the shower curtain. “You scared me!”

“I'm sorry, honey. I just missed ya in the bed.”

“Oh, I was trying to shower and be back before you woke up.” He gestures again to the shower.

“Can I join you?” She smiles and opens the curtain, her naked body glistening with the water running down it.

“Absolutely. C’mon, babe.” He smiles as his eyes drift down her body and he whistles.

“You sure you really want this old man?” As he removes his pajamas and drops them on the floor, Jo nods. He steps into the shower and groans when the hot water hits his back. She wraps herself around him and sighs.

“I love this old man.” He kisses the top of her head and holds her tightly.

“He loves you.” They spend the next twenty minutes or so in the shower. He washes her hair and she runs a wet sponge around on his body.

The time together is a blissful escape, but there's something floating around in Elvis's brain that he just can't ignore. Eventually, as they wrap themselves in towels first and then fluffy robes, he has to say something.

“Hey honey?”

“Yeah?”

“Last night in the car, why did you move my hand?” She looks at him strangely.

“When?”

“When you were… suckin’ me… I put my hand on your head and you said 'don't do that.’ Why?” A look of realization crosses Jo's face and she nods. She bites her cuticle for a bit, trying to figure out how to say what she needs to say.

“It's kind of a long story.”

“Well, if you want to tell it, I'm here to listen.” Jo continues to bite her cuticle and then plops down on the bed. She lays down so she doesn't have to look at him while she talks.

“I have to start with my dad. My father was not a nice man, especially when he drank. He never hurt us physically, but his words hurt almost as much. And he yelled. All the time, at me and my mom. I was an only child, so I got the full force of his anger every time.”

“Did he…?”

“Oh, no. Nothing like that. But it set me up to think that's what love looked like. As soon as I started dating, the men I chose were trash. They were always older, mean, angry men who didn't treat me very well.” He takes her hand gently and she squeezes her eyes shut to try to keep the tears from sliding down the sides of her face.

“One of them… well, he liked to be in control, completely.” Elvis nods, thinking of how he used to always be dominant and in charge in the bedroom. “He would… make me go down on him and when I did… well… there's a reason your hand on my head was bad.”

She looks over at him as the tears slide down into her hair. This wasn't a secret she wanted to share, but here it is, on the table for him to see and do with it as he pleases. He holds his arms out for her to crawl into his lap. She does, curling up and leaning into him. He strokes her back affectionately and sits quietly with this information for a bit. Finally, he speaks, but the words feel empty.

“I'm so sorry, honey.”

“It's okay, I'm mostly over it. But that particular thing brings it all back. I can't think I'm losing control of my own body or it gets to me like this.” He holds her face in his hands and kisses her cheek.

“Tink, I promise I'll never do that again. Thank you for tellin’ me.” She nods and kisses his nose. “While we're on the subject of your past, you told me last night that I saved you too.”

She shifts uncomfortably in his lap.

“Yeah?”

“Will you tell me that story?” She looks into his eyes contemplating how it might impact them. But he's going to find out sooner or later. Might as well be now.

“I can't believe I'm about to tell you this. In 1953, my parents split up. Even though my dad was cruel, I was still forced to stay with him sometimes. By the time I was 16, I desperately wanted to make it end. I didn't know how to get out of seeing my dad, but I was desperate. You know how big everything seems when you're 16.”

“Yeah, honey, I remember.” She takes another deep breath and continues.

“Well, Evelyn could tell I was really down. Just when I'd hit the edge of my ability to take what my life was, she forced me to go see this kid play on the back of a truck in a parking lot.”

“No…”

“I fell in love with you that night. And my love for you kept me going even when the worst things were happening to me. Your music was my lifeline. Your movies gave me an escape from my miserable existence. When I had no one else, I knew I had you.” He looks at her incredulously. “I sound insane. God, you probably think I'm crazy.”

“How many shows?”

“Six. Well seven if you count the one where I ran on stage. Three in the fifties, two in Vegas, and one when you were on tour in ‘72.”

“Why didn't you ever try to come talk to me?” He picks up her hand and kisses her knuckles gently.

“I did! I even got kicked out once. But I could never get to you. Fuck, you're probably thinking I'm crazy and trying to figure out how to get away from me-”

“Tink, the only thing I'm thinkin’ right now is that I wish I'd found you in 1955.” She looks up at him, her eyes wide.

“You mean that?”

“With my whole heart. I've needed you for 20 years and didn't even know it.” He moves his fingers up and down her back soothingly.

“You don't think I'm insane?”

“Oh you absolutely are, but not for the reasons you think. I'm glad my music and those terrible movies were a comfort to you. It makes me feel better about making them, honestly. But I wish we'd found each other back then and saved ourselves all the pain.” She shakes her head as he leans in to kiss her cheek.

“No, there's a reason it didn't happen until now. We had to be ready. Think about it, I was so unstable then and you were young and wild. We would've been a recipe for disaster. This is better.” He pulls back and looks at her.

“Honey, you are somethin’ else. I'm so glad I found you.” He holds the side of her face with his hand and presses his forehead against hers. “I love you, Tink. And I don't think I'm ever gonna stop.”

“I love you too, Elvis. So, so much.”

******

After their serious conversation, Jo is ready for an easy day with Elvis and he knows it. They lay in the bed in robes, tangled in each other kissing and tickling and generally acting like young people in love until Jo's stomach growls.

“Oh, Tink, honey are you hungry? I am.” She giggles and her stomach rumbles. He leans over and acts like he's taking bites of her belly, tickling her instead.

“Ah! Yes! I'm hungry!” They both put on fresh pajamas and he takes her downstairs to get something to eat. After that, they lounge in the TV room for a while, not really watching what's on the screens. They spend more time making out like teenagers than anything else. Elvis thinks to himself that he should be embarrassed by their behavior, he is 40 years old after all, but he can't find it in himself to do so. He's so happy with Jo that he's practically giddy. And she's living her literal dream life, so she's not going to stop them from doing what feels natural. Still, as midnight approaches, Jo knows what has to happen. She crawls over into his lap, straddling his thighs again and he wraps his arms around her waist, kissing her neck.

“Elvis, I have to go home.” He pulls back and looks up at her in shock.

“What? Why?” The thought enters his mind that this might be a good thing and give him space to think about what the future of their relationship could possibly be, but his heart feels like it's in a vice.

“I have to work in the morning and I have no clothes here.”

“Honey, we can give Jerry your key and he'll go get some stuff for you.” She smiles and kisses his cheek gently.

“As nice as that sounds, I don't really want Jerry touching my panties. Do you?” He darkens a bit.

“No. I don't.”

“Exactly. I need to go home. I also need to sleep tonight and something tells me if I stay, that won't happen.” He nods and looks down, holding both of her hands in his. The thought of being without her makes his chest hurt. “I'll come back, though, if that's what you want.”

He puts his hand on the side of her face and his eyes search hers for a second.

“Are we kidding ourselves, honey?”

“What do you mean?” Her heart beats faster and it feels like she can hear her pulse in her ears.

“Maybe we should just see this for what it was. I have a career and a daughter and an ex wife and you… I just don't think you'd enjoy the fucking wild ride that my life is. You deserve someone stable, who'll marry you and give you children. I'm never gonna not be Elvis Presley.” She stares at him with her eyes wide and wet.

“I know that. I love you-”

“I love you too, Jo, but maybe this was just a beautiful weekend that we'll never forget.” His voice catches on the last part.

“You don't call me Jo. Elvis, what's happening?!”

“I'm just trying to save us both from the inevitable pain of how this ends.” She stands up off his lap and shakes her head.

“No, you're ending it before it starts. I want to know why.” He sighs deeply. How can he tell her that he's afraid? “You said things to me, Elvis.”

“I know, honey, and I'm sorry but I'm just not-”

“Not what?!”

“Not who you think I am.” The tears that have been threatening to spill out of her eyes finally do and slide down her cheeks.

“Then who are you, Elvis?” He shakes his head and looks at the floor.

“I dunno. But not the kind of man you need.”

“Elvis, look at me.” He reluctantly lifts his chin. “You're the man I want.”

He sits there silently staring up at her. He's torn between pulling her back down into his lap and asking her to marry him and telling her she should leave and never come back.

“Elvis… Do you not want this? Do you not want me?” More silence. He wants her so badly that it hurts, but something makes him hold back and leave everything unsaid. “How can you do this?”

“Jo, I don't know. You make me crazy. And I-I said a bunch of stuff that I shouldn't have. But now that I'm thinking clearly-”

“This is thinking clearly?! Elvis, why don't you just admit that I scare the shit out of you because what we have is real? Why can't you just say that?” His mouth pops open for a bit and then he closes it. How did she know?

“I’m not scared.”

“Bullshit.” She turns and runs up the stairs. He tries to follow her, but she's too fast. When he finally catches up to her, he's winded and she's gathering all of her stuff in the bedroom, which isn't much. He stands in the doorway watching and trying to catch his breath as she pulls off the pajamas and puts her dress back on.

“Jo, please.” She stops and turns to face him with one shoe on.

“I'm not doing this back and forth thing with you, Elvis. I'm too old. I have loved you for twenty years. Either you want me, or you don't-”

“Why do you get 20 years to decide and I get 5 days?!” Her mouth drops and she stares at him in disbelief. But he's right.

“Has it really only been 5 days?”

“Yes!” Her mouth curls into a tiny smile.

“Well that's just ridiculous.” He tries to suppress a grin.

“Yes! It is ridiculous!” She erupts in a giggle and he tries not to laugh. “I'm trying to be serious here, woman.”

Jo flops on the bed and howls with laughter, tears squeezing out of her eyes.

“5 days!” She croaks out between giggles. He sits next to her on the bed.

“Yes.” He looks down at her, his eyes sparkling as her laughter is finally slowing down. “You're not helping me love you any less.”

“You really love me?”

“Yes, goddamnit, I really do. I'm just not sure how we make this work.” She sits up and kisses his cheek.

“Let me go home tonight and go to work tomorrow. We can talk about it when I come over, if that’s still what you want.”

“Yeah, I think that's good.” He pulls her into his lap and buries his face in her neck. “I just need some time to think, Tink. It don't mean I don't love you.”

“I understand.” She lets him continue to nuzzle her.

“And you're right.” He mumbles into her neck. “But I'm not just scared; I'm fuckin’ terrified.”

“I know. It's okay.” She turns and puts her arms around him, kissing his forehead gently.

******

What happens now?

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Taglist:

@ccab @atleastpleasetelephone @aliypop @18lkpeters @dkayfixates @tacozebra051 @your-nanas-house @joshuntildawn13 @lookingforrainbows @60svintage @littlehoneyposts @epthedream69 @louisejoy86 @rjmartin11 @from-memphis-with-love @deltafalax @cinnamoroll-things @burnthheparaphilia @jhoneybees @cattcb @everythingelvispresley @returntopresley @searchingforgravity @msamarican @angschrof @lustnhim @polksaladava @librababe99 @hooked-on-elvis @theelvisprincess @makethemorning @peaceloveelvis @mrspresley69 @pxpresley @kxnnxy

[missvelvetsstuff]

The Situation Room

Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: After a mission almost gone wrong, Tony brings back Bucky's former assistant, who is also Bucky's ex. Can they work together without hurting each other? Will the whole truth about their break up finally come out?

Avengers AU where Thanos never happened.

Chapter 2

Warnings: swearing, angst

Radar woke from a troubled sleep when her alarm went off at 5pm. She groaned and rolled out of bed, stood and ran through some yoga stretches to get her blood moving. Once she felt more alive she shuffled into the bathroom for a hot shower. By 6pm she was dressed and had her gear ready to go.

She looked in her mirror, took a deep breath and squared her shoulders before heading to the kitchen and the smell of food. Wait, was that.....

"Paprikash!" She exclaimed as she entered the kitchen to see Wanda standing over a large pot.

Wanda turned and grinned "I had to make your favorite, sestra, to welcome you home." She handed Radar a full plate "Here, bread and butter are on the table."

Radar kissed Wanda's cheek "You're my very favoritest witch, Maximoff. Thank you!"

She went to sit at the table and started to eat.

A few minutes later she heard his voice "You made my favorite, Wanda. Thank you."

Bucky came in, grabbed a plate and went to sit down, making a face when he saw Radar there. He sat without a word and started eating.

Radar chatted with Sam when he came in to eat, catching up on life since they last spoke a few months ago.

Sam shook his head "Why haven't you been able to catch up with Sharon yet?"

Radar shrugged "She's smart and knows people. I'm pretty sure she has some high ranking US officials that she's dealing with. CIA, FBI, NSA at least a couple of people in one or more of those agencies. Military too. Maybe the White House.

She's the one who bankrolled Karli Morgantheau and her Flagsmashers. Karli might have cared about the people who were being left behind by capitalism but Sharon and whoever is backing her are only interested in creating chaos. Those people who are suffering were happy to help with that.

I have some strong leads that some of my team are following. I actually have a pretty good idea who's behind Sharon but they are very high up in the pecking order so I can't talk about who or move until we have incontrovertible proof. Whoever it is, knows that I'm catching up with them so I have to watch my back."

Bucky scoffed "Must be a change of pace for you to be concerned with backstabbers since that's your move."

Radar shook her head "Please. If you actually knew the truth you'd really hate yourself, even worse than usual but not to worry, I'm sure you'll never know. That would require some intellectual curiosity instead of blindly trusting a pretty face."

Bucky looked at her, confused "What the fuck are you going on about? What truth?"

Radar got up and put her dishes in the dishwasher "None of your concern, Barnes. Way too late. See you at 9."

Bucky looked at Wanda "What was she talking about? I know that you know."

Wanda shook her head "Sorry Bucky, that's not my story to tell. If you want to know, you'll have to figure out how to get her to trust you enough to tell you. If you even can, which I seriously doubt. Good luck on your mission."

Bucky turned to Sam who was sitting back, smirking, "Of course you know, don't you?"

Sam nodded, still smiling, and wordlessly headed to his room to suit up, then to the hangar.

Bucky put his dishes away and went to the armory to pick up his bag but it was missing. He tore the room apart and when he couldn't find it he stormed to the hangar and onto the waiting quinjet where Radar and Sam were prepping to take off "Where's my kit?"

Sam laughed at Bucky's disheveled state, hair mussed, face red, breathing heavily. That laugh only enraged him "Where's my fucking kit?"

Radar rolled her eyes "Where it belongs, dumbass. I know having a competent assistant is a change of pace for you Barnes but I know my job."

Bucky went to the storage bin in the front of the cabin and pulled out his bag. He went through every pocket, every single hiding place and wasn't surprised to find everything was there. Knives cleaned and sharpened and the bag was loaded with plenty of extra ammo. He scoffed, angry that he had nothing to be angry about and no excuse bitch about her.

Bucky looked at her and Sam, both with a mischievous gleam in their eyes, before stomping to the furthest seat from the pilot and sat heavily. He strapped himself in and crossed his arms, looking anywhere but at the pair laughing at him.

He was relieved when they finally calmed down and turned their attention to taking off and setting their course in.

Radar flew the jet for the entire 6 hour flight, softly chatting with Sam for most of the trip.

Bucky stayed in his seat, arms still crossed, jaw clenched and staring at the opposite wall in a concerted attempt to avoid looking at her. His mind racing to understand what she meant by her cryptic words and growing more and more angry that she was keeping some big secret from him. Something she should have told him before now.

By the time they landed and loaded up the SUV that was waiting for them at their destination, Bucky was ready to explode and fighting to hold it back. He wouldn't start a fight as they headed into a mission but he was damn sure determined to find out what everyone else seemed to already know.

While Radar waited in the quinjet for Bucky and Sam to reach the base, she set up her surveillance gear, connected to Starks satellite and found them and synchronized them with the GPS.

Then she tapped on her key "Captain. Sargent. You have coms? Anyone?" She sighed and fiddled with her laptop "Cap? Sarge? Can you hear me now? Bueller?"

Sam laughed in her ear, making Radar smile "I hear you Angel"

Bucky scoffed "She's not your Angel, Tweety. She's mine." Hearing Radars voice in his ear gave Bucky a chill and a flash of a memory of being tangled together naked, her whispering sweet and dirty nothing's into his ear. He tried to shake it off.

Sam laughed "I'm sorry Terminator. I didn't realize you wanted her all to yourself but you're gonna have to share for now. I'll give her back good as new."

Bucky sputtered "Dammit Wilson you know that's-"

Radar interrupted him "Shush! Someone's up ahead. 2 bodies in front of the door you're headed to, then another 4 people 15 yards down the hall to the left."

She worked on her laptop "Door's unlocked and the alarm is off."

As Radar guided them through the building, the lack of resistance concerned her. She moved the satellite around and gasped when she saw a nest of heat signatures on the other side of the next door in their path "fuckfuckfuck" she tried not to panic "STOP! There's a whole platoon in the next room. Get the fuck out of there. I'll get the jet re-"

Sam and Bucky looked at each other and turned to sprint, both trying to connect with her.

"Radar, come on babygirl we need your help finding our way out of here." Sam pleaded.

Bucky felt his heart drop when she didn't respond at all "RADAR! Dammit doll, answer me please. You have to be ok honey, please!" He begged.

Sam was falling behind him, unable to keep up with the super soldier. Bucky turned to see a group of men behind them and gaining. He fired a slew of shots in their direction then picked Sam up in a firemans carry and ran down the hall with Sam shooting behind his back.

They barely made it to the doors they originally came in through, Sam held them shut while Bucky used his vibranium hand to rip the control panel out of the wall so it wouldn't open without an rpg or a couple of pounds of plastique.

Bucky looked to Sam who nodded his ok before Bucky bolted to the quinjet, Sam jogging slowly behind him.

Bucky raced up to the jet, frowning because the cloak wasn't up so it was easy to see but he stopped cold a few yards back, when he realized the ramp was up as well.

Something was wrong. Radar was good with weapons but her hand to hand skills were greatly diminished by a back injury during a mission when she was with the CIA. That's how she ended up taken out of field work and became his Angel.

Bucky was sure she had her own weapons but if not there were plenty stocked and some hidden aboard the quinjet.

He stood behind a tree, texting Friday and watching the jet for any signs of activity, until Sam caught up. Bucky held his hand up and Sam stopped next to him. They had a heated, whisper discussion about what to do next.

According to Friday, Radar was still in the jet with one other person, who was standing too close to her for Bucky's comfort. She was showing signs of distress with elevated heart rate and blood pressure.

Bucky knew something had to be done so he asked Friday to lower the ramp. When it was halfway down, a mans voice yelled from inside. "I've got your little friend Soldat. Don't come after me or I'll have to hurt her." The man laughed "Well, if I'm being honest I am gonna hurt her irregardless but I'll probably have to kill her if you get too close."

Radar screamed in pain as the man twisted her to face the ramp "Now stop, I barely touched you. Your girl seems pretty sensitive."

"She's not my girl!" Bucky yelled and Sam scowled at him

"Is that really necessary Barnes? Just figure out how to get him away from her."

The man laughed "Sure she isn't Soldat. Just let us go and I'll drop her off somewhere safe."

Bucky was ready to kill the owner of that voice but knew that would get Radar hurt so tried to negotiate. "Fine, I put my gun down. Come on out."

Bucky clenched his jaw when he saw the man holding Radar's arms behind her back while he held a knife at her throat. Once they were at the bottom of the ramp, Bucky threw one of his knives, scraping Radar's ear and landing between the mans eyes.

Radar looked at him with wide eyes after she saw the blood on her hand from where it had touched her ear "Are you fucking crazy Barnes? You could have killed or seriously hurt me. Look at this shit, you cut my ear. I know you hate me but this is not ok. You know, I should-"

Bucky interrupted her rant by grabbing her face with both hands and looking her over very carefully for any injuries besides her ear. When he found nothing his hands pulled away like she burned him

"You're fine, it's barely a scratch. Wheels up in 5, there might be more of them coming."

Then he strode into the jet and started preparing to take off.

Radar turned and watched him walk away, her mouth open, before shaking herself off and looking to Sam as he came up the ramp. He shrugged, grabbed a first aid kit and sat, pulling her down with him so he could check her ear.

Sam cleaned the scratch and put a bandaid on it. "Just a nick, you'll live." He smiled at her. "Did you hear what he said when you didn't reply?"

Radar shook her head "No. That guy took my headset first. Why? What did he say?"

Sam shook his head "You two need to talk. I'm not gonna get in the middle of this mess."

The jet was in the air, destination set and Bucky sighed when he heard Sam say that. He had panicked for a minute but didn't want to reopen that wound. Whatever Radar's truth was, it didn't matter.

Like she said it was too late.

@unaxv @calwitch @buckitostan

Chapter 3

[changingplumbob]

The baby shower was winding down and Glenn felt like it had been moderately successful. Everyone had been kind to Silver who hadn't needed to tap out at any point. For the most part the talk was good. For the most part.

Jackson: Oh Elise, you are looking gorgeous today

Elise: I know, I look this good everyday

Howard: Help me with the dishes boys

Jackson: Her eyes are so beautiful, like pools of lavender

Coleman: This whole place is beautiful. Like all the green is singing

Koko: The green is... singing?

Coleman: And the flower pot, it's so cute

Silver: Are the two of you... okay

Jackson: Never better Silver my friend. Oh you look so handsome in that jacket

Coleman: It shows off your muscles

Jackson: You're so right

Glenn: Can you not hit on my partner in my house?

At that point Ophelia burst out laughing and the spellcasters that hadn't yet headed home stared at her in confusion.

Jackson: You're pretty when you laugh

Glenn: Did you see something Ophelia?

Ophelia: *through giggling* I can't say

Coleman: I'm pretty when I laugh

Koko: Ophelia?

Ophelia: Maybe if I don't say what happens but why? They accidentally increased the amount of pleasure in Henri's fudge... then ate the whole plate themselves

Elise: *laughing* They used Henri's ingredients to get a magical high? Oh he is going to be so mad

Jackson: Henri is pretty when he's mad

Koko: We should get them home before they embarrass themselves any more

Coleman: Are you going to tuck us in to bed Koko? I'll go if you're there

With a mixture of sighing and giggling Ophelia, Koko and Elise pulled the twins up and set about figuring out the best way home. When everyone had gone Glenn felt himself hit by a wave of fatigue and was desperate for a nap. Unwilling to drag himself up the stairs he settled himself on the couch while Silver took care of the last of the dishes. When the werewolf was finished he went over and snuggled up by the sleepy spellcaster.

Silver: Did you notice how I survived that latest trial

Glenn:*smiling* I did. Did you have a good time

Silver: I don't think I'd call it good

Glenn: *sadly* Oh, I'm sorry

Silver: Oh you did nothing wrong. I think it'll just take more time to shake the feeling of unease when I'm around so many people

Glenn: You were doing so good. You haven't needed to leave for a trip since we moved here

Silver: I was talking to Ophelia for a bit and she told me, healing happens in stages

Glenn: How is it she simultaneously the most clueless person and the smartest person in the room

Silver: I don't know but I think I love it

Glenn: Me to. Do you think we could ask her to be godmother

Silver: I mean... would we even trust her to look after Oakley

Glenn: She was talking about Oakley during the party so I would

Silver: If you want her to be godmother then I have no issue with it

Glenn: You seemed a little calmer after Phoebus talked to you.What happened?

Silver: Oh. Well you know how Drusilla does blood magic? When they were checking stuff on your bun in the oven they were able to trace the bloodlines back and they saw what my mom looked like. I guess they made me a sketch of her from what she saw

Glenn: Really?

Silver: I know, seems out of character for them but it's nice. I've only seen her in my head for decades and now I have a picture I can look at whenever I want

Glenn: Can I see her

Silver: Sure. But the box is upstairs

Glenn: Don't move then. I'm very comfy with you right here

Silver: I won't Babycakes. You have a nap and I'll get it for you after alright

So Glenn napped and this time there were no bad dreams. Just him, Silver and their child hiking through various forests and meadows. When he woke up and Silver left to get the picture Glenn ran his hands over his stomach. Whoever was in there was definitely growing.

Previous ... Next

[walkingintheheartbreaksatellite]

I’m Here, Right Here Pt. 1

(Harry Styles x Implied Bi!Fem!reader)

My take from when I first listened to satellite!

Y/N is Jeff's assistant and Harry's best friend. She's been in and out of relationships for one reason or another and is upset. Harry is hopelessly in love with her and she is too blind to see it.

Dating while traveling is not for the weak..

After yet another failed date, I return to my hotel room to find Harry propping himself against my door. He turns his attention to me and smiles when he sees me.

"Hey! Was looking for you. Thought you might want to get some dinner? Sushi and a movie? Haven't done that in a while.."

I sigh and frown, shaking my head as I unlock my door, Harry following me inside.

"That's really sweet, H, but not tonight. I'm honestly exhausted and all I want to do is shower and crash. Rain check? I promise we'll do it tomorrow."

He frowns before nodding.

"Are you gonna tell me what happened?"

I sniffle as I pull off my makeup, trying not to cry.

"I just don't know what I'm doing wrong! Like this guy! His name was Todd... It seemed like we had a lot in common but halfway through dinner, he saw my tattoos and he started scolding me. Then he proceeded to tell me what I was doing wrong in my life, starting with my career choice-."

He lets out a laugh and shakes his head as he collapses on my bed.

"What? You want to be a music producer. I'd say you're heading in the right direction."

I groan and start to pull off my jewelry.

"No, because apparently, that's not a good career for a wife. Like, as if dude! I want things for myself. Im not gonna be some stay at home wife popping out babies, you know? H...Harry, are you listening to me?"

He doesn't answer but he lifts his hand up and gives me a thumbs up. I sigh and change my clothes in the bathroom before coming out and plopping on my stomach next to him.

"What do you think I should do, H?"

He sighs and he's quiet for a minute, his eyes looking anywhere but at me.

"You could stop... Take a break from dating."

I groan and plop my head into the bed.

"I'm not getting any younger! I want things sure, but I want to be happy too!"

He sits up, finally looking down into my eyes, a serious look on his face.

"Aren't you though? You've got all your friends. You've told me time and time again that the perfect one for me will come when I least expect it. So why not try taking your own advice?"

With that, he gets up and heads to the door. I frown, quickly getting up from the bed and chasing after him. I give him a pout and he sighs.

He gives me a small hug and leaves my room, not saying another word.

As promised, the next night, we get sushi and watch some movies. As I stuff my face with California Rolls, Harry continues to ramble.

"You've gone on a date almost every stop we've been on! Who does that?!"

He laughs and I can't help but shrug.

"Someone who just doesn't have any luck, I guess? Every date I've been on... No one really seems to stick out. And it's not like I'm not keeping my options open! But it's just... I don't know."

He nods in understanding before popping a California roll in his mouth.

"Are you gonna sue the dating apps like in that movie? What was it.. Love Guaranteed?"

I snort and choke on my food a little before shaking my head.

"No! That's just a movie! As if I'd meet some attractive lawyer and fall in love! Crazy talk! And what about you, Mr. Pop Star? You've been single for a while. Where's your love life going?"

He doesn't look at me but he shrugs.

"Dunno. Just kind of focusing on my music right now. Figured I've got time, right? No use in worrying."

He drops the topic and we hang out for the rest of the night. For the next week, Harry seems pretty quiet around me, and I'm not really sure why. Mr. Azoff gave me the night off, even though there's a show.

I had originally planned to go on a date, but my date cancelled, so I decide to watch the show. I stand next to Mr. Azoff as I watch Harry go up on stage.

"Why are you still here? Thought you had a hot date?"

I shake my head with a sigh, holding my sweater close to me.

"Cancelled on me. Thought I might enjoy watching him without having to run around for once."

He nods with a small smile. It's quiet for a minute between the two of us, until he says something I wasn't expecting.

"I've noticed you've been going on dates a lot... At least once every stop, if not more."

My eyes widen and I try to defend myself.

"Mr. Azoff-."

He frowns and shakes his head.

"Y/N, I'm not saying this as your boss. I'm saying this as your friend. You do it in your down time but we're all just a bit worried about you. This has to be a lot on you. Just... Talk to someone about it, okay? If you're doing it because you feel alone, don't. You have so many people who care about you. So just... Take it easy, okay?"

I nod and turn my attention back to the stage. Watching Harry up there.. No matter how many times I watch, he's always so captivating. I can't take my eyes off him...

After the show is over, Harry quickly takes a shower. I run out, offering to grab coffee for the band. When I come back, I get echos of thank you's and when I give Harry his coffee, he gives me a look of shock.

"Thought you had a date tonight? What are you doing here?"

He takes the coffee from my hand and I plop down next to him on the sofa, slipping off my heels before resting my feet on the coffee table.

"A bust. Yet again. Maybe next time will work, right? Aren't you the one always telling me to be optimistic?"

He's quiet and he simply stands up before he turns to face me, a look of anger on his face.

"Why are you doing this to yourself, Y/N? You come to me every time, crying for one reason or another how it didn't work out and you're so sad that you're alone! Did you ever think that maybe you're not alone?!"

I stand up and cross my arms, looking straight at him.

"Harry, you don't know what it's like! People like you! I have to work my ass off to make sure I'm appealing to others! I want more! I want love! Don't you get that?"

He shakes his head and walks to the door before turning around to face me again.

"Did you ever stop and think that maybe I might love you?! That watching you go on date after date is killing me?!"

My eyes widen and I stutter.

"H-Harry.."

He shakes his head once again, and stares straight into my eyes.

"It's always round and round with you! Like a fucking satellite! I'm just- I'm done Y/N. I've tried. For months. But I'm done."

He doesn't say another word as he leaves and I fall onto the couch, tears starting to fall down my face.

He was right there?

🚾 1283

Part 2

——————————————————

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Tag list

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@rafaaoli @novalunosising

[that-basic-simp]

Battleworn

Fem! Eivor x Fem! Reader CW: Blood and dirty thoughts WC: 1.2k+

The rain has yet to stop and it was in the middle of the night when it had gotten worse. It was heavy and loud thunder rolled over the settlement and lightning could be seen.

"Who could have angered Thor so much?" Randvi asked.

"Maybe he and Odin are at it again," I chuckled.

"Have you heard word from Eivor?"

"No. I was wondering if you did."

"I haven't. She hasn't been back since she left for Lincolnscire."

"And that was about a week ago."

"Being a Kingsmaker is hard work I suppose."

"I wonder if she's alright."

"She's Eivor. She's the best we have since Sigurd went who knows where."

"I don't trust Basim."

"Neither do I, but if Sigurd trusts him, I must trust his judgement."

"Why don't you trust yours, Randvi?"

"The last time I trusted my judgement, it cost me a relationship."

"Was it the thing between you and Eivor?"

She nodded her head, "Thankfully, Eivor had sense."

"Sometimes she doesn't."

"Other times she does. But she is a bit thick headed."

I chuckled, "Wonder how that happened."

"All those fights and head butting must have thickened her skull," Randvi chuckled.

"I suppose that is what did it. But it makes me wonder," I said. "Other than sense, why do you think she turned you down?"

Randvi shrugged, a smile crawled onto her face, "She said she has sights for someone else and only sees me as a sister. Like how she sees Sigurd as a brother."

"Well the two of them did grow up together, so I can see why. But sights for someone else?"

"Maybe she found a Saxon woman to lie in bed with."

"I wouldn't be surprised. While she is strong and brash, she has a wit and charm to her. Something I find myself yearning often when she's gone."

"The next time she comes back, why don't you talk to her? Convince her to stay for a while before venturing back out there."

"Why me?"

"You're the only one she listens to."

A roar of thunder and a flash of lightning illuminated a shadow as it stepped into the longhouse. Both Randvi and I pulled our axes out, but as I heard the familiar growl, I knew who it was.

"Eivor!"

She was hunched over, holding her side as she stumbled into the longhouse, falling to the ground. Randvi and I rushed to her side and helped her up. Blood was coming from her mouth as she coughed.

"Eivor," I whispered.

"I-I'm badly wounded."

"Let's get her to my hut."

"No," she coughed once more, spitting blood onto the ground. "I can't make it all the way there."

"To her room then," Randvi said.

We helped Eivor to her feet to make it to her room. Once she was settled, Randvi left and went to grab a long tarp to cover the entrance of Eivor's room.

"Remove your hand."

She removed it and the sight and smell almost made me want to throw up.

"Y-You're going to need to undress. Is that the only place?"

She nodded her head as she slowly removed her armor and the clothing that was underneath. All that remained was the cloth that was wrapped around her chest. The stench of blood became overwhelming to the point where I suspected she had more injuries. A stab to the side wouldn't make her react like that, as well as smell so profound.

"E-Eivor, turn around."

"No," she said.

"Eivor. Turn around," I said sternly.

She let out a sigh and turned around. My eyes widened in horror as there were numerous slashes and cuts on her back.

"Eivor."

"I was caught by surprise," she grimaced.

"Let's get the stab wound. Most of the deep ones are going to need stitches."

"Figured."

"Sit on the edge of the bed and lean back."

She did as she was told, leaning back onto her arms. I left her room quickly and found Randvi had gone to my hut to gather my things.

"You are a life saver, Randvi."

"Of course. Anything for our best healer and our favorite drengr."

I smiled and stepped back into the room, preparing for a long night of her swearing and grunting. As I was stitching up the stab wound, my eyes couldn't help but wander down to her abs as they flexed here and there. I tried to keep a straight face, but the one corner of my mouth tugged into a small smile at just the thought of what they would feel like. How her abs would flex when I drag my fingertips across them, feel the muscle underneath my tongue.

"Y/N," Eivor cleared her throat.

"S-Sorry," I said, leaving my little fantasy world and going back to the task at hand.

As for her back, I made her lean against a shelf and began stitching up the wounds. With the light of the candles beside us, it was hard to see every muscle contract in her back, but I knew what they looked like. I've had to take care of her a lot ever since we moved to England. She was always so reckless when she was fighting, but her strength never dwindled. In fact, it just grew and grew. I could tell when I was stitching the stab wound, her biceps are more defined and bigger than I remember. Or maybe it was because I never see her for more than five minutes.

"Ok," I patted her shoulder. "You're all done."

"Thank you."

"You were quite tame this time around," I chuckled. "Usually there's more swearing and sounds coming from you that people would think we were doing something."

"Y/N?"

"Yes," I turned and found her as she pulled me into her embrace.

After the initial shock, I slowly and carefully wrapped my arms around her.

"Thank you. For everything you've done for me."

"I just want to make sure you're ok," I said.

"I should get going," she pulled away.

I reached down, since she wasn't wearing a shirt, and grabbed the top of her pants. I bunched the fabric in my fist and pulled her back towards me.

"Not with those stitches you're not."

"I must," she said. "I-I need to complete what I started."

"And what then, Eivor? You're going to get yourself killed if you sustain more injuries while these current ones are healing. Your injuries could become infected and then who knows what will become of you. I-I," I sucked in a deep breath, trying to prevent the forming tears from sliding down my face. "I don't want to lose you, Eivor."

I released my hold on the fabric and stepped towards her, wrapping my arms loosely around her waist, the tips of my fingers running up and down her taut abs. Her right hand reached down and placed it on top of mine. Her fingers intertwined with mine and we stood there, our breathing syncing together.

"I didn't know you cared this much about me."

"Not only as the settlement's healer, but as your friend."

She removed her hand and turned to face me once more. Her left hand came up and cupped my cheek. The rough pad of her thumb ran across my smooth skin. Such a contrast.

"Can we be more than just friends?" she asked. "I've been meaning to ask you, but..."

I nodded my head, "I'd love to be something more, Eivor."

She smiled softly. She pulled back her hand and placed them on my hips, pulling me towards her. I wrapped my arms around her neck, my one hand digging into her hair as our lips came together. Eivor pulled me closer to her, trying to be as close as can be. Our sweet kiss started to ignite and before I knew it, I was on Eivor's bed and her hovering above me. I swallowed hard, finding her like this in the candle light.

"Can I make you mine?" she husked.

"Of course," I said.

[thelampisaflashlight]

I previously wrote a fic about Dew getting a migraine, which can be found here if you wanna read it, based off of my own personal experiences with getting them from the ages of 11~19/20 (not that I haven't had one since, but it has been less frequent, fingers crossed), so I figured why not project onto the guy a little more? Let's go.

-Dew is prone to getting mild headaches here and there, so he usually has medicine with him for that, but he can be stubborn about actually taking it if he doesn't think he's in "enough pain yet" to do so.

Aether used to get on his ass about it a lot during tours, persuading Dew to take it for the sake of the performance when his concern wasn't enough to convince him he needed it, but with Aether back home at the abbey, he's gotten a lot better about taking it without being prompted to.

-Sometimes the only thing that really helps Dew feel better when he has a headache is laying in bed for a couple hours, but he has a hard time relaxing if he's left alone, so he usually takes up residence in one of the beds in the infirmary for a while so he feels like someone is there.

-Dew can feel when a migraine is coming on before the pain sets in, because his ability to focus goes out the freaking window in an instant, but it's the lack of mental clarity is what usually sends him into panic mode.

His first instinct when he gets a migraine is to hide somewhere, usually somewhere cold/dark, like in his bathroom, either curled up on the floor or in the shower.

Once that initial fear subsides, though, he just tries his best to brace for the rest of it.

-Because migraines are draining, physically and mentally, Dew often spends the rest of his day, once the pain subsides, laying in bed with his lights dimmed, because he's still sensitive to the brightness.

From time to time, he lets one of the other ghouls climb into bed with him to watch videos on his laptop.

Very rarely after a migraine, will Dew venture outside of his room, though once or twice he's gone on little walks to get fresh air or to lay in the common room so he can be around the others.

-The first time Dew had a migraine after Aeon and Aurora were topside, they thought he was dying and were so distressed by it they started to feel sick themselves, so they wound up snuggled up in his bed with him.

And lastly;

-Because Dew has so much experience with managing his headaches, he's come to be a bit of an expert on the matter... in regards to handling other people's pain.

He knows what does/doesn't feel good depending on the type of pain/the location of said pain, and can usually figure out a solution or at the very least a way to ease things for a while until they can take medicine and/or rest properly.

Most of the pack has had Dew take care of them in some capacity in this regard, so no one is really afraid to ask him for help, but the same can't be said for Dew himself.

He's oftentimes too anxious from, or even ashamed of, being in pain that he doesn't think rationally and trust others to help him, hence his tendency to hide.

[qqueenofhades]

would you ever write a modern/no-powers au for dreamling/sandman?

"Look, Mee," Hob says, for the fourth or fifth time that conversation. "I'm sure your brother is, uh, great, but I'm not sure -- "

"Come on," his best friend says, also for the fourth or fifth time that conversation. "Honestly, you'd be doing me a massive favor. I can barely get him out of the house most days, so I figured that at least the two of you could faff off and be really pathetic together?"

"Thanks." Hob switches the phone to his other ear and glares suspiciously out at the garden; when you've got two small children and it's quiet, you figure something's gone terribly amiss. Robyn and Alison haven't burnt the place down or gotten run over in traffic, but they're playing with something small, muddy and possibly still alive, and Hob debates whether he has to sprint out and save them from certain death. "You're a great friend, truly."

"I know," Morticia says airily. That does, bewilderingly, seem to be her actual name (were her parents massive Addams Family fans or something?) but with Hob and the rest of her friends, she generally goes by Mors, or Mee for short. He looked it up once. Ancient Roman god(dess) of death, which made him laugh, at least when it didn't kick him in the teeth. "You can thank me later."

"And I want to spend time with your brother... why?"

"Because." Oh God, here it comes. He can hear her trying not to say it, the same way everyone's tried not to say it in the going-on-eighteen months since his wife went into an ordinary central-London NHS hospital to give birth to their second child and didn't come back out. "You know it would be good for you, Robbie."

"Right." Hob's voice turns wry. "Can't have me wallowing alone in my misery? You know I've got the kids to look after, and they're talking about extending my contract at Birkbeck. I'm keeping busy."

Keeping busy. It always sounds stupid, even if it's the truth. Like you can chase overwhelming, soul-crushing grief away just by getting out of bed and making breakfast for the kids, holding Robyn's hand as you trundle off on the school run and tell him to have a good day, the thousand and one ways you think you're massively arsing this up and Ellie would have been so much better. Every time the doorbell rings or someone comes up the walk, he thinks -- for a stupid moment he thinks -- and then of course it isn't. You think about women dying in childbirth like it's something out of medieval times, or some third-world country. Not in England in the twenty-first century. Not in London. Not as if your daughter is beautiful and bright and alive, and every time you look at her, you remember that her mother isn't, and the happiness you feel is poisoned by grief again, cold and blue and endless as the ocean. You laugh with the kids at some Disney cartoon one moment, and the next, you're crying alone in the kitchen, in bed, in the silent darkness. And no matter how much you ask, she doesn't answer. You think she does, sometimes. You're just fooling yourself.

You know, Hob thinks. Maybe it would be good for him. At least it would let him spend time with (if Mee's account is anything to go by) the one man in all of London more pathetic than him. It doesn't have to be anything more than that. Even if she is trying to set him up, she wouldn't admit it. She isn't, surely? Trying to match her brother off with her best friend, widowed-single-dad-part-time-lecturer who's clinging onto sanity by the bare edge of his fingernails? Right? Fuck. Should never have told her that he's bi. Doubled her meddling possibilities at a stroke. And yet. He's so lonely, he almost doesn't care.

"Fine," Hob says resignedly. "I'll see if I can get a sitter for the kids. And it better not be that grotty brewery in Shepherd's Bush you dragged me to last time."

"No." Mee sounds like she's laughing at him. She probably is laughing at him, or else she thinks he's become such a pathologically undatable freak that his only chance for happiness ever again is with her equally pathetic little brother. "Nice new Asian-fusion place. Hammersmith. Fifteen minutes from you on the Tube. Don't chicken out, Robert."

And with that, well --

There's pretty much no choice.

Hob finds a sitter for the kids, promises to pay her twenty quid an hour (it's London, after all), and grumblingly picks out some clothes. He's not good at this. It's been almost ten years since he was dating anyone, and Eleanor was from a rich enough family that there was no chance of ever impressing her parents; he could have turned up in anything from Savile Row to a bloody dishcloth and they still would have hated him. Then he finds himself fucking around to the point where he's going to be late, the Tube will be a nightmare anyway, and panics again and rushes out the door with barely a word about what to feed the kids and when to put them to bed. Is nice Olivia from down the street judging him? She almost surely is.

Hob grimly toddles off to Hammersmith, exits into a light rain, and spends an inordinate amount of time searching for the restaurant. When he finally steps inside, he's not quite sure who he's looking for. Mee texted him a picture of her brother, but Hob has trouble believing that such a pale, pasty, and terminally uncharismatic twink could ever be related to her. One of them has to be adopted, and he's laying money on this one, whose name is -- no, seriously -- Morpheus. Morticia and Morpheus. What is wrong with their parents? Determined to doom their children to an eternity of primary-school torment?

Hob contemplates turning around and leaving, but now he's come this far, Olivia will definitely judge him if he returns within the hour, and frankly, he's judging himself. Even worse, he's fairly sure he's just spotted his man. Morpheus (come on, really?) is sitting by himself at a corner table, looking appropriately dark and broody, in his emo-goth dark coat and toilet-brush hair. Just like the photo. He's admittedly not bad-looking in person; he's got a pale, chiseled beauty that is briefly arresting, almost unearthly. Still, though. Definitely a wanker.

"Hello," Hob says, deciding to bite the bullet. He strides over, hand outstretched. "I'm Robert Gadling, and I think you're the bloke I'm supposed to be meeting? I know your sister."

Morpheus's mouth makes a small lemon-sucking motion. He rises to his feet, regards Hob's hand as if not certain what to do with it and/or wondering if he can get away with not touching it, and finally shakes it, brief and cold and dry. "I am," he says curtly. "You may sit."

Well, good. Glad they got His Majesty's permission. No unauthorized sitting happening here, no sir. Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, Hob puts his bag on the floor and slides into the chair across from Morpheus. Like every Londoner at a loss for a better opening line, he reaches for the weather. "Shame about this piss, isn't it? And it was all the way up to twenty degrees last week. Did you have to come far?"

"No," Morpheus says, still not displaying any particular delight in being forced to spend this evening in the presence of another human being and looking as if he is very much hoping the floor will suddenly open up and swallow him. "Not far."

Hob waits, in vain, on the chance that Morpheus might elaborate. He does not. Well. This is going swimmingly. Are they on a date? Did Mee tell him that they were on a date? Is Hob sure this isn't an extremely elaborate prank, and she just plucked one of her single friends from the vast and bewildering mystery of her acquaintances? Truly, it is no wonder that Morpheus is, in fact, unattached. He's got the personality of a soggy rag and the face of -- well, not that. He is pretty. But Hob is not that shallow. Thanks very much.

Conversation suffers badly until they order drinks and food; or rather Hob orders, and Morpheus says that he'll take just a glass of wine. He does loosen up slightly as they talk; Hob does most of that, but Morpheus listens with cool, intent attention. From time to time he asks a question, but he doesn't interrupt, and finally Hob, trying to make it as light-hearted as "my wife died eighteen months ago and this is the first not-date I've been on ever since" can possibly be, admits it. He braces for Morpheus to get up, to run, to fire off an indignant text to Morticia or anything else, but he doesn't. He just nods once. "I'm sorry," he says quietly. "I know that it is... difficult."

All of a sudden, Hob is forced to consider the startling and unsettling possibility that Morpheus himself knows something about this. He can't say why or how that might be, but life is full of mysteries. "I -- yeah." It's an abject relief to say it and to have someone acknowledge it simply and matter-of-factly, not smother him with sympathy or cluck about how hard it is. "So if I'm off my game, that, uh. That's why."

Morpheus thinks about that for a long moment. Then all at once, out of nowhere, he smiles. It completely transforms his face, it twists like a fishhook in Hob's gut, and all of a sudden, he wonders in alarm if he is, in fact, entirely that shallow after all. "Believe me, Hob Gadling," Morpheus says. "It has very much been my pleasure."

[sky-fire-forever]

happy friday! how about Spite/Rook for "I've had a lot of dreams about you lately"?

Thank you for the prompt! I had a lot of fun with this one!

For @dadrunkwriting - Dragon Age: The Veilguard Spoilers

My Rook in this is Voltah de Riva, who uses they/them pronouns.

It’s early in the morning when Voltah tiptoes into the kitchen to prepare themself some coffee — late enough that everyone else has probably gone to bed and early enough that even the earliest risers won’t be up yet. Voltah expects to be entirely alone as they brew themself a pot and sit nearby to wait for it to be ready. 

They’ve been having strange dreams lately, not that most of their dreams could be considered normal. No matter if they're having conversations with Solas or remembering their initiation into the Crows or imagining fighting the elven gods with their pants down, their dreams often venture into territory that most would consider strange and unusual. 

Their most recent dreams have been strange in a different way, however. They're not about drowning or dying or losing everyone they hold dear. No, these dreams are a bit spicier in nature. 

It makes sense, all things considered. Lucanis and them have been dancing around each other for months now and while they've solidified their relationship, they've barely so much as kissed or held hands. It's a chaste romance, with lots of flirting and supporting one another, but very little else.

And Voltah is fine with that! Really, they are! But they're an elf with certain desires and it only makes sense for their sleeping mind to wander, to conjure up dreams of their lover in more compromising positions than they've actually experienced with him.

The problem is that their dreams haven't been limited to just Lucanis. 

The water for the coffee has just begun to simmer when a figure creeps out of the shadows. 

“Smells like guilt and heat!” If the tone of voice and words spoken aren't enough to reveal who exactly the speaker is, the purple of his eyes are. 

Voltah does their best not to jump in surprise, their training allowing them to suppress the urge enough to act natural as they turn towards their spirit friend. 

“Good morning, Spite. What're you doing up so early?” They raise an eyebrow at him.

Spite grins. “Lucanis sleeps. My time to play!”

“As long as you make sure the body gets some rest. Can't have either of you fighting while exhausted,” they remind him. 

Spite scowls. “Sleep is boring! Rather play.” 

“Sleep isn't always boring.” Voltah turns away from him so they can pour the water over the coffee grounds, watching the water seep through the filter. “Dreams can be pretty interesting.” 

Their comment just reminds them of their most recent dreams and they feel their face heat up. The phantom feeling of calloused fingers gripping their hips makes their skin tingle, so they try to banish the memories away. They shouldn't be thinking about those dreams, especially not with Spite actually standing before them. 

“Don't dream,” Spite says and Voltah can hear the pout in his voice. “Just watch Lucanis dream. Boring!” 

Voltah laughs. “What does Lucanis dream about anyway?” They turn back to Spite and lean against the table, their blush fading. 

“Boring things.” Spite makes a face like the very memory of Lucanis’ dreams disgusts him. He pauses, looking considerate for a moment. “And Rook.”

Voltah raises an eyebrow. “Am I not included in boring things?” They ask, their voice light and teasing despite the burst of feeling that flows through them at the knowledge of Lucanis dreaming about them. 

“No.” Spite shakes his head. “Rook is. Interesting. Rook is good to dream about.”

Voltah smiles and moves to fill their cup with the freshly brewed coffee. “Y'know, you're not too bad to dream about yourself.”

Why did they say that?

Their face warms again and they're glad their back is to the spirit so he can't see how they wince at their own words. They can practically hear the way he stops and ponders what they just said.

“Rook dreams of me?” 

“Uh, sometimes,” they admit, swirling their coffee. They pause, staring at the dark liquid. Too dark, they need to add a shit ton of cream still. They hate the bitterness of black coffee. “Actually, I've had a lot of dreams about you lately.”

They risk a glance back at Spite, who is watching them like a hawk, something curious and almost predatory in his gaze. 

“What dreams?” He demands.

They blush. “Oh, y'know. Dreams.” But Spite is stalking towards them like a lion after prey. They hold their coffee protectively against their chest as Spite slinks into their personal space. 

He inhales deeply. “Smells like lust.” 

Voltah's face burns. “Whoa, I never said–”

“Smells like shame.” Spite tilts his head and stares intently at them. “Why?”

“Why what?” 

“Why shame?” He steps closer and sniffs. 

Voltah can't believe they're having this conversation with a demon. “Well. It's embarrassing to be having those sorts of dreams about a–” They pause. “About a friend.”

“What dreams?” But Spite grins like he already knows. “Rook dreams. Of me.” He takes another step closer, until they're almost chest to chest. He puts his hands on the table on either side of Voltah's hips, caging them against the counter. 

Voltah swallows, their gaze darting to Spite's lips. “Yeah,” they admit. “I dream of you.” They summon their courage and place a hand against Spite's chest, setting their coffee aside with their free hand. “I dream about doing a lot of things with you.”

“Not Lucanis?”

“Lucanis too, don’t get me wrong. But also you.”

Spite growls and his hands move to grab at Voltah's hips. “Mine.”

“Maybe.” A smirk plays at the corner of Voltah's lips. 

Spite digs his nails into them. “Mine,” he repeats.

Voltah laughs. “If you want me to be yours, let's make some dreams come true.”

That's all the invitation Spite needs. 

[annaphoenix1994]

Help From a Friend

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Kiera awoke the following morning to the smell of tea brewing. Brits, she grumbled, secretly hating the smell, but loving the taste as Simon "doctored it up" just right for her liking. Realizing that she awoke on the couch, she shot up, ignoring the pain in her aching back as she tucked her blonde hair behind her ear. Did he fuck me on the couch, too?

"What time is it?" 

He turned around at her words, smirking at the light red marks on her neck, mascara staining under her eyes, and her tangled hair, "Seven on the dot." 

"Fuck," She sighed, forcing herself to her feet, looking down and noticing she was wearing the same shirt Simon wore the night before, the hem stopping just above her knees. Rubbing her thighs together, she grimaced at the sticky sensation coating the insides of her legs. "I have to go to work in a bit." 

"That's why I'm making you breakfast before I go help your father." 

"What do you and dad have planned?" She asked, the term taking her by surprise. 

"He asked us all to help him run some cows through some chute-"

"To test for Brucellosis," She answered for him, knowing he would fail at pronouncing the foreign word, watching him nod as he thanked her for saying it before his attempt was about to be brutal. "Well, I was going to ask if you wanted to come with me today after you do that? I'm not looking to get into another fight today until I find out more about what's going on." 

"Of course," He nodded. "Where're we going?" 

"I'm not sure yet. Do you still have that picture of the license plate from that so-called cop's car?" 

"Love, I'm sure it hasn't gone anywhere. I haven't even figured out how to delete anything on that phone yet." 

"You shouldn't." She giggled, watching his brows furrow. 

"What do you mean?" 

"Can't be deleting evidence from other women from me. Not yet. I'm too happy with you." She frowned, her cheeks forcing her lips to form into a teasing smile even though Simon noticed she was once again doubting herself. 

"Stop. I'm not going anywhere. There's no woman on this planet that can take me away from you." He assured her, setting her a plate on the table before making his own - as always. 

"I'm sorry. I need to keep these things to myself." She sighed, sitting down at the table, waiting to eat until he joined her. 

"No, tell me these things. I want to know what thoughts are hiding in that pretty head of yours so I can make them go away," He replied from the kitchen, turning off the stove before reaching for his mug of tea. "I made you some tea." 

"Oh, I smelled it as soon as I woke up," She giggled, taking the mug from his hand. "Thank you." 

"Ah, I meant to tell you: Laswell called late last night. Said she wanted to talk to you about something, but she wouldn't tell me." 

"I'll call her back. I need to look at that license plate before we leave. I need to find out who this fucker is." 

"You will," He nodded, taking a sip of his tea. "When do you want to go into town?" 

"Here in a bit. After breakfast, of course, but after I freshen myself up. I feel so gross." 

"I can tell," He smirked, watching her shift her weight in her chair, her brows furrowing at the discomfort in her hips. "Alright?" 

"Yeah, just sore." 

"Is it your back?" He asked, referring to the irritated grafts that were disturbed courtesy of Frankie. He watched her shake her head, another playful smirk splaying on his lips. "Or is it where I had you bent over the couch last night after you soaked our sheets?" 

She nearly choked on her own tongue, her complexion flushing at his seductive words mixed with his thick Manchester accent, "W-What?" 

"I think I've succeeded in fucking you dumb again," He joked. "I told you I could go for a while, love. I had you all over the bed, then once you soaked the sheets, I bent you over the couch. By the way, the arm of that couch is the perfect height." He winked. 

Her breathing shuddered, remembering how he had her at his grasp almost all night, her skin sticking to the leather of the couch, stuffing her full of him after every release, making her climax at least more than once, recalling how she slipped on the shirt he tossed to the side before their night even started, the smell of his cologne relaxing her. "I can agree," She blushed. "Where did you sleep last night?" 

"With you on the couch. You slept like a baby." 

"I sure hope I did after eating my words last night." 

"You were out like a light after we got done," He chuckled. "By the time I got back to bring you a water not even a few minutes later, you were asleep." 

"H-How long did we go?" She asked, curiosity poking at her brain. 

"A while. I wasn't able to keep track after midnight." 

"Midnight?! I have to credit you, babe, you have good stamina." 

"I put it to good use," He smirked. "What a way to bring in the new year, yeah?" 

"Yeah, aside from having to search for a missing kid." She frowned.

After breakfast, Simon obliged to help her clean up after a long and rough night of intimacy, picking up on how drained she looked. He helped clean between her legs of his mess, even though he was constantly reassuring her that it wasn't a bad thing to see her intimate areas in daylight, knowing she was fighting her insecurities about how her body looked to him, taking note on how she kept his shirt tight around her stomach, hiding her stretch marks from him. Stop fucking hiding from me. I'm obsessed with your body. 

It made him frustrated that she constantly hid her body from him, but he understood as he remembered a very vague and brief conversation on how a previous relationship seemed to order her around at every turn, coming down to telling her what to wear and how to wear it. Though he was surprised that she allowed a man to treat her that way, he didn't pry about it and kept from begging her to let him see her, but he compared himself in her situation - he didn't like to be seen nude in light, either - just he was easier to grow comfortable to it. 

»»-------¤-------««

"You sure you don't mind coming with me today?" She asked after she had picked up Simon from the barn, grinning at how his shirt had brief dirt stains on it from helping work cattle with her father, Kiera unlocking her new government issued vehicle for him that was suitable for an agent of her tier: a pickup truck, which was nothing she wasn't used to, however she had to get used to the laptop stand, switches for hidden lights, and a toggle switch for sirens that she fought every day to not flip as she was desperate to hear. All courtesy of the police department ordered by Sheriff Richards since her father demanded that she be deputized until this matter was resolved. 

"I never mind, love. Gives me more time with you." 

She smiled, starting the truck and driving towards the entrance of the ranch to continue their investigation. 

The couple engaged in conversation throughout the drive, Kiera taking a lonely road as a detour into town, even though it was really ten minutes longer. "Do you want to grab dinner in town tonight?" She asked, looking over at him. 

"If that's what you want, love. I can't recall going out into town together since we got back," He chuckled. "Although I can imagine what it's like." 

"Yeah? And what do you think it'll be like?" 

"Well, I can see some poor soul coming up to you and saying something out of line and me having to either defend you or carry you out." 

She laughed. 

"Me? Never." 

He hummed, "If you only knew how much of a handful you are." 

"Oh, I'm well aware. I'm not sure if you know what you've gotten yourself into. According to Frankie, I'm batshit crazy." 

"I know exactly. I wouldn't trade it. You keep me on my toes, that's for sure." 

She smirked, glancing over at him before sticking her vape pen between her lips, "And you keep my toes curling. I call that a bargain." 

"Even trade." He chuckled, feeling Kiera's phone vibrating from his pocket, remembering how she left it sitting on the counter before they left. Laswell. 

"She's calling you." 

"Shit, I forgot to call her back," She grumbled, reaching for her phone from his hand, sliding to answer the call and putting her on speaker. "Hey." 

"Kiera, I managed to find out some more details." 

"What is it?" 

"Malcolm. He's gone off the map, too. He hasn't been seen in a few days. His coworkers called the local police department for a wellness check. Everything at his house looks as how he left it. No sign of a robbery or anything." 

"Ain't that funny. Seems like he high tailed it, then." 

"Possibly. I haven't been able to track any digital tracks of a credit card swipe or anything. The only thing being that he withdrew over thirty grand from his bank account in cash."

"Anything on Shepherd?" 

"No. He's still off the grid, I'm afraid." 

"Of course," She huffed, looking into her rear-view mirror to see LED blue lights behind her. "The balls on this motherfucker," She spoke to herself. "Hey, let me call you back. I'm being pulled over." 

"Pulled over? That's new." Laswell chuckled, Kiera hanging up after she put the truck in park, releasing her seatbelt and exiting the vehicle after realizing that it was Sheriff Richards who stopped her. 

"Kiera, I don't just think you can get out on an officer." Simon advised. 

"He's stopping me for a reason, babe." She assured him before shutting the door and meeting Richards halfway, the pair stopping just between their vehicles. "Besides, I'm in one of the vehicles he issued me, remember?" 

"I know I'm the last person you wanted to see right now." Richards sighed as Kiera met him halfway, the pair meeting just at the bed of the truck. 

"I should reward you for being a good guesser."

"There's no time for sarcasm right now, Dutton-"

"Oh, I'm well aware. You still doubting me as an agent?" 

"I never doubted you in the first place, just knew how quick you are to use a gun and the last thing I need is for your family to be sued because you can't handle someone talking negative to you." 

"What can I say? I just don't tolerate bullshit. That's all." 

Richards huffed, "Look, I haven't had time to stop by the ranch, but since I saw you drive by, I needed to tell you about Malcolm." 

Her brows rose, "Tell me." 

"He has you on his radar, Kiera. And if you know what's good for you, you'll find a way to get off of it." He said, his voice low and somewhat concerned. As much as he and Kiera didn't see eye-to-eye on most things, he couldn't deny that he cared about her and her family. 

"That's the goal - when I find him." 

"Look, this isn't a fucking joke. Once those screws are in you, there's no getting them out. The last thing we all want is to keep him out of this valley. He's not only cost you a lot of money with the loss of your herd, but he's also been sabotaging other homes, too." 

"What gives you that impression?" 

"My team did an investigation on him a few years ago when he first moved out here. He was suspected of tax fraud, and he managed to sabotage the homes of the families who were involved and the ones who were former employees that worked under him. He's a menace." 

"Then why didn't you have him locked up?" 

"Because there was no proof, Kiera." 

"I've got proof now. He was the one who flew the plane of a General that has fled the Capital. He was also on the team of said Marines when I was recently deployed. Involved in the betrayal as well as the General because I was too close to busting them for their war crimes, so they've been trying to take me out. Believe me, he's on my list." 

Richards sighed as he processed all of the information Kiera was giving him, looking to the road below his feet as his hands rested on his hips. "I'm giving a person who used to be my friend some advice. That's it." 

"I never said I wasn't your friend," Kiera corrected, pointing her finger at him, Richards usually taking it as a sign of disrespect, but he took it as assurance to be accepted by Bud's daughter as he had been around the family since Kiera was a child. "The wolves are closing in on all sides, crossing the fucking line when they took that boy." 

"What can my department do to help? We've had patrols out ever since your father told me about it. Sent out an AMBER alert and everything-"

"Here's what you can do to help me: get me a warrant. No questions asked." 

"There's no point for a warrant when Malcolm is off the radar, Kiera-"

"Not for him." 

"For who?" 

"I'll let you know. Keep your phone on you. I'll call you when I need it." 

Her words sent chills down his spine. He nodded, watching her walk away to her vehicle, getting in quickly to avoid the wind chill. 

I'd hate to be on her list. Just like her fucking father, that girl.