#And before any of you ask yes he was telling the truth about Henry

[reidrum]

wine or wine not | s.r

spencer reid x bau!reader

a/n: i think i love writing buildup to smut than actual smut, but i hope you guys like this lmk what you think. this was requested with the prompts "look at me when you come on my fingers" and "muttering compliments kissing down their body" and it was so much fun to write aaaaahh, my requests are open so please send more!!! guidelines in pinned <3

summary: you're hopelessly pining after spencer at a rossi party, and when you run into him in the kitchen when you're getting a refill and he asks if you want to explore the mansion with him, who are you to say no?

cw: 18+ minors dni pls, fingering, p in v, nipple play, soft!dom!spence, spencer being ridiculously hot its criminal, ooc penelope but it was for the plot, pining idiots, wine cellar sex wine cellar sex wine cellar sex, public sex, morgan and prentiss being dumb, rossi being a smug lil shit, a dumb ass title sorry i didn't know what else to name it lol

wc: 4.1k

★・・・・★・・・・★・・・・★・・・・★

these days rossi was always finding some reason to throw a party at his mansion. you’re not exactly sure what it was tonight, a birthday? an anniversary? regardless, you and the team appreciated the excuse to unwind, dress up, and have non murder related fun.

the sun is setting over the rolling hills the mansion is perched on, and you’re sat at a table with the girls— penelope, jj, and emily discussing penelope’s latest dating escapade. you’re trying hard to pay attention, you really are, but it proves to be difficult when you’re focused on the man showing magic tricks to the kids across the room.

you look on yearnfully as spencer pulls a coin from jack’s ear, all the kids are laughing and cheering and he has the biggest smile you’ve ever seen.

“hellooo?” penelope waves a hand in front of you dramatically, “i’m getting to the good part and you’re off in space!”

you jolt back to the present, “sorry pen, i’m listening i promise. so he shows up to your door with maple syrup and feathers?”

“YES, anyways so then he’s like i have a proposition for you…” penelope continues her story but you can’t help but zone out again. your eyes drift back to boy genius as he finishes another trick for little henry before rising up to his full height. it’s in that moment his eyes meet yours and softens as he offers you a small wave. 

you return the gesture back which causes the girls at your table to look in the same direction and they come to a glaring conclusion too quickly.

“ah, that’s why you’re not paying attention. too busy ogling mr. houdini over there.” jj remarks.

“i am not!” you scoff.

“oh you so are,” emily says, “when are you going to let yourself feel your heart’s full content.”

“first of all, i can’t stand you. second of all, it’s not worth it. he would never feel the same about me.” you say as emily rolls her eyes.

this time penelope interjected, “oh don’t be so cynical. you haven’t even tried how could you even know?”

but you did know. it’s not that spencer didn’t like you, he treated you the same as any team member, but that was just it. you wanted him to see you as more. during cases you would try to impress him or make breakthroughs in the hopes he would tell you ‘good job’. a couple times you brought him coffee when you got yours, just to hear him say your name and thanks. work conversations rarely seemed to move past small talk, but you’re a little sure that’s on your part because he just made you so nervous. and like, he’s a profiler. so you’re sure to some degree he knows how you feel, and it just makes you regress into your safe hole even further because you think he’s being nice by not acknowledging it and saving you the embarrassment.

the girls knew about your harbored crush for a month now, since the last bau drinks night you got a little too truthful during truth or dare. you were much younger in comparison to your colleagues, so they offered their sympathies at your unrequited love and tried to get you to come out more and let loose.

which is one of the reasons you’re sitting in rossi’s living room, wine glass in hand, as morgan recounts the craziest date hes ever been on. the other reason, which you wouldn’t admit to anyone, was so you could admire your (not) lover from an acceptable distance and not risk embarrassing yourself.

so here you are, two glasses deep, rising up from your spot on the floor telling everyone you’re going to get a refill. your heels click against the hardwood floors all the way to the kitchen where you just so luckily run into the (your) man of the hour.

“hi.”

you were looking down at your feet as you walked to the kitchen, your head snapping up to meet the voice, “hi spencer.” you said softly.

“if you’re looking for more wine, i think emily just grabbed the last bottle,” you must have outwardly deflated as he continued, “that bad out there?”

“only so much wine can get me through penelope’s sexcapades and derek’s crazy one night stands.” you joke.

he chuckles back, “oh i know, why do you think i’m hiding out in here?”

you laugh again before an uncomfortable yet strangely comfortable silence falls between you both. unknowingly you both take turns gazing at each other, indexing the others features as if this moment would be the only chance you got.

you’re about to take your loss and leave when spencer speaks up again, “you know, i wouldn’t put it past rossi to have a secret wine cellar somewhere.”

“honestly, you’re probably right. what kind of italian just runs out of wine.”

spencer pauses slightly before saying, “do you want to see if we can find it?”

you look at his eyes again and catch a glint of mischief? concern that you’re wine-less? whatever it is, you take the bait.

“i’m game.”

—

rossi’s mansion was humongous. it was well known that he was loaded from his years in the bureau and multiple book deals, but holy shit, the rooms just seemed never ending, and none of them were a wine cellar.

“i don’t know spence, i'm starting to lose hope, and debating to revoke rossi’s italian card.”

you’re both in one of the many studies and are about to leave to find another room, when spencer notices a smaller door next to the study. he slowly opens it and peaks inside to find a descending wooden staircase. he looks at you with a smirk, “i think we just found it.”

he holds the door open and gestures you to enter first, following shortly behind you as he shuts the door. he makes sure to check that it’ll still open even after it’s shut, and you both relax a little seeing it still unlock. you move down the stairs, gripping the handrail and praying you don’t trip over your heels and fall to an embarrassing demise.

spencer descends a step behind you, trying so hard not to let his eyes wander down your bare back to the curve of your hips. once he steps off you both go in opposite directions to explore. you take in the vast amount of shelves and wine racks, taking note of how it seems to be separated by year and by type. running your fingers over the labels, you’re intrigued by a shelf with the year you were born, and pause in front of it. you reach up to a shelf that is just a smidge taller than you, hoping to grab the neck of an old wine bottle.

even in your heels you’re struggling, attempting little hops to try and reach. you’re about to give up when you feel a warm hand on your right hip, while an outstretched arm on your left seamlessly grabs the bottle and brings it down to you, “careful sweetheart, don’t wanna break that pretty head of yours.” spencer says lowly.

excuse me, what the fuck did he just say.

you inspect the bottle he so kindly brought down for you, but it’s a futile effort. you can’t even remember why you wanted to see it. all you can think about is your hands clamming up, sending threats to the wine bottle it’s holding. your mind is fogging up fast, and you’re trying to order your brain to say something instead of going mute while he’s still an inch behind you. with his hand on your hip still.

“oh god,” you start shakily, “you scared me spence.” you angle your body to the left so you can attempt to show how unbothered you are and look at his face.

good save (not).

he’s staring down at you with a hint of a smirk on his lips, like he’s keeping a secret from you. his eyes are intently focused on you when he speaks again, “just didn’t want you to get hurt. s’all.”

with his close proximity, you’re sure he can hear your heart beating through both of your chests, hell it was so loud they could probably hear it upstairs. he’s still got you caged in front of him when he continues, “any particular reason for this bottle?”

“yeah no, i just, wanted to see what bottles of wine he had from the year i was born.” you answer, watching as spencer moves back to give you space when you turn to face him.

he nods, “did you know that wine is associated with the greek god dionysus?”

“no i didn’t, actually.”

“it’s really interesting,” he moves forward a tiny inch, “they call him the patron god of wine, but a lot of people often forget that he’s also the god of fertility and ecstasy.”

oh. “ecstasy?” you whisper confusingly.

“yes, he believes when you drink wine it gives you emotional and physical pleasure.”

“how does that even work?” you nervously laugh.

spencer reaches his arm above your head, never breaking eye contact, and grabs two wine glasses by their stems, “you wanna find out?”

with only so many words, you give another nod. he uncorks the bottle with ease and pours out two glasses, with his having a little less than yours, most likely due to his slow but steady return to drinking casually. clinking your glasses, you take a big gulp hoping it’ll satiate the building nerves. but you’re watching the way his fingers wrap around the glass, his veiny hand showing prominently and you’re unable to focus on anything else.

“you know, i’ve been running something of an observation the last few months.”

you take another small sip, starting to feel less nervous, “oh yeah, what about?”

“you.”

it took everything in you not to spit your drink out all over his suit. 

“me?”

he nods after another sip, “i’ve been watching you, and not in a creepy way i swear. but i’ve been keeping track of your habits; how you take your coffee, your tells when a case gets too much, things like that,”

that didn’t seem overtly terrible to you, you knew spencer was an observer of his environment, always seeking out patterns to aid his predictions. you’re about to speak when he cuts you off.

“i’ve also been noticing how you seem to change, when i’m in your presence.”

you feel like the sweat and nerves are just oozing out of you at this point, and he continues his verbal taunt.

“i’ve seen your breathing rate get faster,” he moves a step forward, “how your cheeks rise with the faintest red, kind of like right now,” another step forward, “and how you try to avoid looking directly at me because you think i’ll find out everything if you do.”

the room has to be at least a thousand degrees at this point, heart beating so fast it’s probably gone to the moon, and your brain just unable to have any coherent thoughts at the realization that maybe you weren’t as subtle as you thought.

he takes one final step to close the gap between you and delicately places two fingers on the pulse point of your neck, “i couldn’t figure out your heart rate from afar,” he pauses to count, “but now that i know it, i can come to my conclusion.”

the air in your lungs has all but escaped, nowhere to be found. “and wh- what is your conclusion d- doctor reid?” your voice betraying you by dripping with anticipation.

“that i make you nervous. do you agree? do i make you nervous?” he says while you feel the hot breath of his whispers ghosting on your lips.

your mouth opens to say something and then shuts, because what the hell are you supposed to say? any and all logic has left the room, but the last working neuron works to make an unthinkable conclusion of your own. there is no way.

spencer moves his fingers to grip your chin between them, guiding your face to look directly into his copper eyes, “i asked you a question angel, do i make you nervous?”

you’re cornered, “y- yes.”

“why’s that?”

“spencer..”

“is it because you’re thinking of me the same way i think i about you?” his thumb starts tracing the outline of your lower jaw. he’s pressed right up against your chest, his other arm covertly moving to snake around your waist. the way you lean in subconsciously towards him, paired with your silence is all the confirmation he needs.

the pad of his thumb traces your lower lip, dragging it downwards a little. there’s a hitch in his breath when his eyes flicker from your lips back up to meet your eyes again. he quietly mumbles, “can i?”

your eyes widen slightly, relishing in the way his arms are holding you firm and steady. this was about to really happen. you’d been pining after him all this time, believing you were destined for unrequited love. but as spencer stands in front of you, looking at you as if he’d been poisoned and the only antidote is your lips, you can’t help but wonder if there’s been a similar weight on his side that’s been holding him back too.

so you nod once again, and trust your voice this time, 

“yes.”

you’re fully expecting him to go into it full force, and kiss you like a man starved. but he lets the premonition bubble for a little longer as he so agonizingly leans down and closes the gap, teasing you with the ghost of his lips on yours without making contact. he waits a moment, and just as he predicted your subconscious betrays you again and you impatiently lean up in an attempt to meet your lips together. spencer can’t help but smile before he softly pressed himself against you.

the feeling of his mouth on yours is something you can only describe as cosmic, like a star exploding into a supernova, emitting a powerful and luminous show of energy. it’s all consuming, the light reaching every neuronal end of your body and electrifying it ten times over. your hands reach up to tangle in his curly hair and he lets out the faintest whimper, spurring you on to grab it more earnestly.

spencer loses all restraint. his hands begin furiously mapping out your body, running up and down your back, reaching down to grasp a handful of your ass. he moves his hands down further to grip your thighs, effortlessly lifting you to sit on the counter behind you. spencer slots himself between your legs and continues kissing you, his mouth marking a hot trail to your neck as he mutters between, “is this okay?”

“please don’t stop.” you moan softly.

his fingers move to deftly slide the straps of your dress off your shoulder, mirroring the movement on the other side while continuing to work his down your neck. he slides the dress far enough down to expose your chest, immediately taking the swollen nub into mouth and running circles around it with his tongue. you let out a sharp gasp at the sudden warmth, whimpers leaving your throat. he repeats the motion to the other one as you cradle his head closer in an attempt to keep him there, as if spencer had any plans of leaving.

he moves his mouth back up to meet yours again, in a lust filled attack sending shock waves straight to your core. you move your fingers to work the buttons of his dress shirt and spencer moves his hand further south and under the hem of your dress, something you don’t notice until his thumbs are rubbing circles onto the plush of your inner thighs. it makes you falter on his last button as he pushes your legs farther apart,  inches closer to where you desperately need him.

spencer looks directly into your eyes as his thumbs reach up to hook onto the side of your panties and slowly move them down your legs. he groans outwardly at the resistance caused by your slickness, “all this for me, baby?”

you’re rendered speechless watching spencer and his ministrations but he continues, “you are so goddamn beautiful, you know that?” his fingers are less than an inch away from your cunt, “i see you walk around the office in those tight pants, your hair and makeup all done, and those blouses jesus,” he reaches your entrance and dives in to collect your wetness, you brokenly moan as he begins to spread it all over. “couldn’t tell if you hated me for the longest time.”

“c- could never hate you.” you whine.

“i know baby,” he slides his middle finger into your hole, “just imagine the fun we could’ve had if we figured this out earlier. but it’s okay, we have all the time now.” he sets a steady rhythm before inserting his ring finger, actively working you towards a barreling orgasm.

“spencer, fuck, oh god.”

“you’re so fucking wet, bet you’re gonna come soon, right? gonna make a mess on my hand?” he baited.

you’re in shambles, one hand deathly squeezing onto one shoulder the other turning white from the grip you held on the counter. the moans won’t stop falling out of you, he works his fingers so skillfully within you it’s impossible to hold any resolve when he curves upwards and hits that spot.

your head tilts back, reeling from the intense pressure coil building inside you, the peak about to hit you any moment now. spencer uses his free hand to move your head back down, “look at me when you come on my fingers.”

that was all it took for the white hot to ravage through you, engulfing every sense and leaving you breathless. he continues moving his fingers through your orgasm, watching as you come back down to him. you don’t waste a second reaching for his belt to unfasten it, slipping your hand down to palm him through his boxers. he moans in your ear as he feels you slip inside, your small hand moving up and down, and getting impossibly harder when you take your hand back up to spit on it to then return to your movements.

you take the moment to lean into his neck and leave bites of your own, finding his sweet spot right behind his ear and sucking hard. spencer’s hands have taken a spot on your lower back beneath your dress, pressing so hard with his fingertips you know there’ll be evidence of this night tomorrow.

“spence..” you mutter in the crook in the neck.

“yeah baby?” he whispers back.

“can you fuck me now?”

he preens at your boldness, and wastes no time pulling his pants and boxers down enough to fully free himself. he pulls you closer to the edge of the counter before pulling his length out and giving it a few strokes. he lets it glide between your folds, gathering your wetness as lubricant as it hits your clit. both of you are panting hard realizing the anticipation has led to this moment. spencer positions himself at your entrance, never breaking eye contact with you, and watches your face drop into a perfect ‘oh’ as he pushes in.

spencer is absolutely wrecked as he hears your breathing pick up, reveling in the vice grip your cunt has on him. you’re no better above him as you’ve broken eye contact to stare at where the two of you connect, watching as he disappears into you and the feeling of being so full overtakes you and you’re letting out soft expletives. he bottoms out and stalls for a minute, waiting for you to signal that you’re okay for him to move. in the time he’s waiting, he takes a moment to really look at your face, how absolutely ruined you look, your cheeks are deeply flushed, hair flying in every direction, and he can’t help but tell you, “you look so pretty.”

your eyes soften as you gaze back at him and nod slightly, and he pulls back all the way to ease in again experimentally. once he hears you moan out loud at the movement, and feels you tighten even more around his cock, he loses any and all restraint he’d been holding onto this entire night.

his hips pick up the pace in harsh snaps to your core, sending ripples of pleasure all over you. your arms are wrapped around his neck attempting to pull him impossibly closer to you, “spencer…fuck…” you drawl with a whine.

“i got you baby, gonna take good care of you, promise,” he says back in between grunts. the sentiment causes you to squeeze on his cock again as he attempts to continue, “if you keep…fuck…keep squeezing me like that i’m n- not gonna last long.”

one hand in his hair and the other leaving dark red scratches on his back, you feel your second orgasm of the night hastily creep up on you. he can tell you’re close and quickens his pace as he thumbs your clit. you moan his name out once more before reaching your peak, feeling like your body is on fire as he continues to fuck you through it. 

spencer feels his own release building up, “wh- where should i..?”

“inside, i’m on the pill just please come inside me.”

it was more than enough for spencer’s movements to stutter as he released his hot load in you, groaning out loud as he finished.

he slows to a half, still hilted inside of you but softening post orgasm. you’re both breathing heavily as you look up at each other and take in the other’s fucked out faces. spencer presses a chaste kiss to your forehead before resting his own on it, “that was..”

“intense,” he quirks his eyebrows at you, “in a really really good way.” you add quickly.

he smiles down at you, “i wasn’t kidding, what i said earlier. i think about you an embarrassingly high amount each day. i’d love to take you out and make this a real thing.”

“yeah?” you gape incredulously, “thought i was the one embarrassing myself if you were able to notice all those things i did when you were near me.”

he laughs, “no, no it was endearing, definitely made it easier to be as forward as i was tonight knowing you wouldn’t freak out.”

you’re about to respond when you hear the door to the cellar open, you’re both hidden from view but know it’s only a matter of seconds before someone catches you. you both look at each other in panic as spencer pulls out of you, tucking himself back in and zipping up his pants. you grab your panties from the floor and begin to pull them up your legs when he notices his come dripping down your thighs. he swiftly gathers the release on his fingers and shoves it back inside you, causing you to let out a near pornographic moan as he pulls up your underwear all the way.

“did you guys hear that?” a voice sounding like emily said.

“see this is why i don’t do big houses like this, too many creepy ass noises.” morgan.

“mansion,” rossi corrects, “and for a couple of profilers, you both are stupid if you don’t know what that sound was.”

your eyes widen to match spencer’s, you’ve been caught.

“was it a mouse or something?”

“no more like, bunnies,” he joked with an innuendo, “come on, i found the bottle i was looking for, let the bunnies do their thing so they can leave and go home to do whatever it is bunnies do.”

“you’re a weird old man david…” emily muttered.

the door closes and you both let out a big breath, and burst into a fit of laughter, “how the hell are we gonna show our faces to him on monday?” you whine.

“that is a monday us problem,” he starts, “but right now, i think it’s time for me to take you home.” he winks.

two stuffed bunnies show up on yours and spencer’s desk on monday. you’re both redder than a tomato as rossi chuckles when he walks by. prentiss and morgan are still confused.

[shanastoryteller]

Happy Pride! Authors choice! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

a continuation of 1

Gus is going exactly eight miles over the speed limit when the sirens start.

This is Shawn’s fault, since he’s the one that had agreed to meet Gavin right before they were supposed to be at Henry’s. When he glances up to see the large, white cop heading towards him, he decides that if Shawn’s gotten him into this mess, he can get him out.

Shawn is very, very serious about keeping his work and personal life separate, but this is the one instance that he encourages Gus to break that barrier. If more major cities had a diverse police force, he wouldn’t feel like it was necessary quite so often. 

Unfortunately, since Shawn has yet to get the appropriate stationary, he’ll have to go back a generation with this trick.

“What’s this?” the officer says, staring at the back of his license.

“Oh, that’s my father in law’s old police business card,” he says. Shawn reaches out for it back when he does this, but Gus keeps his hands on ten and two. “Apologies, sir, I’ve been carrying that thing around for years. Can never be too careful, as I’m sure you know.”

His eyes flick to Gus’s hand and the gold band on his ring finger. “You’re Henry Spencer’s son-in-law?”

“Yes, sir,” he answers evenly. “I’m actually headed to his place now. You know how he is about punctuality.”

That gets him half a chuckle and the tension in his shoulders starts to ease, up until the officer asks, “I thought Henry had a son?”

It can be a delicate balance, weighing the potential racism against the potential homophobia, but this isn’t Gus’s first time doing this either. “Lots of people think that. It’s the unfortunate name choice.”

That gets him some more sounds of amusements, then his license is being handed back to him. “Tell Henry and the missus that old Kingfisher says hello.”

“Of course, thank you, sir,” Gus says, pleasant smile firmly in place until old Kingfisher is back in his car.

He carefully pulls back onto the road and stays five below the speed limit the rest of the way.

There’s a lack of rusted piece of junk motorcycle out front – Gus would prefer it if Shawn would just buy a decent bike, but he likes tinkering too much for that – and he wishes he was surprised. Henry’s grilling in the yard and he waves a hand in greeting as soon as he steps out. “Gus! What the hell are you driving?”

If only Shawn was here right now, because he’d said the exact same thing when he’d pulled up in the blue Echo and he was still valiantly fighting against the very real truth that he and his father can be uncannily alike. “It’s a rental.”

Henry wrinkles his nose, but any further commentary is cut off by an obnoxiously loud engine as Shawn turns the corner and parks next to him, kicking down the stand and pulling off his helmet in one motion. He clocks the look on both their faces immediately and holds up a hand. “I know, I know, don’t be the moldy grape at the bottom of the bag about it. I’ll fix it this weekend. I’ve already put in the order for some of the parts.”

That’s sort of the truth. They’re going to the junkyard on Saturday so Shawn can play Frankenstein, but there are a couple things he buys new every time because one motorcycle accident due to a worn belt was one too many for Gus.

“Can’t you two just get a couple of normal cars?” Henry sighs.

“This is a normal car!” he protests, holding the gate for Shawn to walk ahead of him. He really hopes that he didn’t meet with the mayor in jeans and a flannel, but he also knows better. Shawn slaps his ass as he walks by, and he’s tempted to yank him back into a kiss, but Henry hasn’t seen them since he picked them up at the airport and he figures they can be on somewhat good behavior for at least one dinner.

“I have dubbed it the Blueberry,” Shawn says, using the same voice he does when giving stupid names to chess pieces.

Henry rolls his eyes even as he pulls Shawn down to ruffle his hair, causing him to yelp and pull away, even though the helmet had flattened it enough that he’s probably doing Shawn a favor.

It’s all normal and familiar and they eat dinner on the porch, the weather a welcome relief after the last couple of years on the East Coast. Gus is thinking about how nice it is to be back in Santa Barbara and how much happier Henry looks than when he was in Miami, and that’s probably only partly to he and Shawn moving back too, when Henry says, “What are you boys doing for work now? Gus, Shawn said something about you working on some sort of drug trial?”

Which is when he realizes that Shawn hasn’t told Henry why they’re back like he promised he would and Gus should have known that he would chicken out, but now he’s trapped at this table. He considers simply fleeing and locking Shawn out until he talks to his father. Henry’s seen him do worse.

There’s really no such thing as impressing the in-laws for him. Well, maybe with Madeline, but Henry knows him too well and has known him too long for there to be any of that. Shawn’s mother has too, technically, but he saw her a lot less than Henry.

“Yeah, he’s an executive at Middle Earth Pharmaceuticals,” Shawn says, as if Gus hasn’t frozen with the fork halfway to his mouth. Henry is frowning. It’s too late.

“It’s Central Coast Pharmaceuticals, Shawn,” he says, lowering his fork. Henry’s steak is his favorite and now he can’t even enjoy it because it’s a steak built on lies.

He shrugs. “I’ve heard it both ways. They want him to revamp their internal systems and rearrange some routes. Plus they’re hoping they can use his contacts to make more sales.”

That last part had been more implied than listed in his job duties, but he’s not wrong. “More or less.”

“Alright,” Henry says slowly, now aware that there’s something wrong but not having yet figured it out. He still has time to run. “What about you, Shawn? Surf instructor? Ballon animal operator? Sommelier?”

“Dad, please, you know I’d never cheat on Gus,” he answers. Gus can feel his knee bouncing underneath the table against his own, the only sign of his anxiety.

Gus clears his throat. “I know you know what a sommelier is, Shawn. You’ve worked at two different wineries.”

“Well, neither of them were French,” he says, as if that doesn’t prove that he knows exactly what it is.

Henry leans back in his seat, staring them down in a way that reminds him uncomfortably of their childhood. The line between Cop Henry and Dad Henry had always been thin and retirement hadn’t really done much to change that. Gus stares at the space over his head while Shawn continues eating with faux obliviousness. Finally, Henry says, “Alright, just tell me. It has to be better than Boston. I hated you working out there with those assholes.”

Gus slinks down in his seat.

Henry frowns before straightening. “You’re not working in Los Angeles again, are you? Shawn, you made enemies there, a lot of them, you can’t just waltz back in, and Karen isn’t there anymore-”

“It’s not Los Angeles,” Shawn interrupts.

His frown deepens. He knows if it was another stupid, casual job then Shawn would have told him already. “This isn’t like Argentina, is it?”

God, Argentina. That had sucked. It was supposed to be legit, and had been, up until Shawn had gotten involved in – well, Gus does his best not to think about it, since he’s not supposed to know anything about it. Neither is Henry. As far as they’re supposed to know, Shawn worked at an Argentinian winery for a year.

And he did! At least on paper.

“Nope,” Shawn says, popping his mouth on the last syllable.

“Alright, enough,” he says, “this is ridiculous, just tell me…” As he trails off, his eyes get wider. Gus doesn’t whimper, because he’s a grown man, and because of exposure. He’s nearly immune to Henry’s temper after all this time.

Nearly.

“Shawn!” he shouts. “You are not working at the SBPD!”

Gus stands abruptly, his chair screeching against the floor. Shawn reaches out to grab onto his shirt, but Gus hops back. “I’ll just get started on the dishes, shall I?”

“Traitor,” Shawn hisses, but Gus refuses to feel bad about this.

As much as he doesn’t want to be a widower, he knows better than to get in-between Shawn and his father.

[estrellami-1]

If I Should Stay

I’m not gonna lie… if there was a part to leave as my last one for a month… I’d choose this one. I hope y'all like it as much as I do! ❤️

Part 1 | . . . | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42

El watches the proceedings with wide eyes, and grips onto Steve’s hand the moment he’s close enough. “It’s time,” she says. She might be asking; she’s not quite sure.

Steve’s face falls. “Almost,” he agrees, pulling her into a hug. She goes gladly, tucking her face into his neck. “I think we’ve got one more day,” he murmurs, not letting go. “Are you up for some training today?”

She pulls back to look him in the eye. It’s the easiest way for her to make sure he’s telling the truth. “I will be stronger?”

“That’s the goal,” Steve nods. “I don’t know if it’ll work.”

El thinks about it, then nods. “I want to try.”

“M’kay. Have you eaten recently? Alli made some pretty great mac and cheese we can heat up, if you want it.”

El had mac and cheese before. It was cold, because she had to wait for Mike to bring it to her in the basement. The noodles were rubbery and the cheese didn’t taste good. She scrunches her nose, but Steve doesn’t look like he’s lying, so she relaxes her face and nods. “That would be good,” she tells him.

He smiles and ruffles the little bit of hair she has. “‘Course, El. I’m gonna heat this up, and while you eat, we can talk, okay?”

“Okay,” she answers, and watches as he puts some of the pasta into a bowl and sticks it into the microwave.

As it’s heating up, Steve turns to Eddie and Wayne. “Eddie, think you can bring him up to speed? We’ll be in the dining room if you have any questions.”

Eddie nods and waves his uncle out of the kitchen in the direction of the living room, already speaking faster than Eleven had thought possible.

When they’re both sitting at the table, her with a steaming bowl in front of her and a fork in hand, Steve starts talking. “First things first,” he says softly. “Eleven. That’s not your name; it was a number assigned to you.”

She perks up. “You know my name?”

Steve nods. “Jane.”

“Jane,” she tries out, then nods decisively. She likes it.

“So eleven. The number. That means there were at least ten others. We know Vecna, Henry Creel, is One. That leaves nine more.”

El shakes her head. She knows this. “They all died.”

Steve gives her a sad sort of smile. “Not all of them. You meet your sister, Kali. She’s number eight. She can make you believe you’re seeing something that isn’t there. She’s very powerful, and she taught you how she got that powerful.” He puts his fingertips together with his palms apart. It looks like a spider on a mirror, and El gets sidetracked for a moment by the image.

“What do you know about fairy tales?” Steve asks, and El blinks and chews the bite she’d just put in her mouth.

“They’re fake,” she eventually says. “Stories about things that never happened, that can’t ever happen.”

Steve smiles at her. “Yes, but there’s still lessons to be learned from them. Can I tell you my favorite version of a fairy tale called Sleeping Beauty?”

El perks up again. “I know that one! A witch curses the princess so she falls asleep forever until her true love finds her and kisses her.”

Steve nods. “That’s the most popular version,” he agrees, lips tilted up. “But that’s not my favorite.”

She tilts her head. “What is your favorite?”

He grins at her. “Once upon a time there was a princess. She was cursed, you got that right, but it wasn’t by a witch. It was by a fairy who hadn’t been invited to her first birthday, which is a very big deal when you’re a princess. So the fairy curses her to fall asleep—her and the rest of the kingdom—when she pricks her finger on a spinning wheel when she turns eighteen. Everything goes exactly as the fairy had said, and eighteen years after she casts the spell, the princess—Aurora—falls asleep, only to be woken by true love’s kiss. The fairy came to check on Aurora and found her sleeping, just as she’d planned. But something unexpected happened: the fairy felt compassion for her. She took to sitting by her bedside every day, waiting for the princess’s true love to appear. Finally one day she goes to leave and presses a kiss to Aurora’s forehead. Can you guess when happened?”

El frowns. “She woke up?”

“Exactly,” Steve nods. “She woke up because the fairy loved her. True love can come from anywhere. It doesn’t have to be romantic.” He takes one of El’s hands in his own and looks into her eyes. “Kali taught you to use your anger to get stronger. I want you to try to use love. It’s the one thing Henry Creel doesn’t have.”

El thinks about it. “I don’t have to kiss anyone.”

Steve chuckles. “No, you don’t have to kiss anyone. But you know me, right? You know Mike and Will and Dustin and Lucas. And you know Robin, Eddie, Nancy, and Jonathan, now, right?”

“Right,” El nods.

“And do you love any of us? Do you want us to stay safe?”

El thinks carefully about the question, then nods. “Like the fairy.”

Steve’s eyes crinkle as he grins at El. “Just like the fairy.”

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[heart-0f-silk]

Captain Killian “Hook” Jones x F!Reader

[Season 3]

Warnings: Fluff, Smut, Semi-Public sex, p in v, creampie, caught?

You and Hook have never truly been alone. There was always someone, whether is was Emma, Henry, or the Charmings. Most of the time you guys even saw each other was when something bad happened and now you were on some crazy fairytale mission.

Now here you are, on ANOTHER mission. You and Hook were tasked to go the library and see if you two could meet up with Belle and search around for some information on Zelena.

The silence as we walk is uncomfortable. I decide to finally try and make some small talk. “So, uhm, Killian is your real name..correct?”

“Yes love. That it is, why do you ask?” He looks at me.

“Well I was wondering, I’ve never really heard anyone use it before..any particular reason why?”

“Well it’s probably because of my reputation, that and I tell most that they may as well call me Hook.”

“Oh..not as exciting as I thought..”

“What? Did you think I’d have some dark backstory besides the fact I loss my hand?” He gives me a smirk.

“No…well maybe. You are a pirate.” I kinda laugh, but it was just nervous laughter. Why is this so hard for me? We’ve spent plenty of time together, we’ve worked together, especially in neverland. So why do I struggle so much with this?? I guess it doesn’t matter, we need to focus on Zelena.

“Well, I am full of surprises, Love.” He continues his smirk towards me, but I didn’t even notice. I tried just focusing on Zelena and what she could be up to. “Something on your mind, love? You seem to be almost bursting a vein.” I hear his chuckle, “oh! Uhm just thinking about Zelena Y’know…”

“No, I believe there’s something else..what is on your mind?” Before I can even think of an answer we are already at the library. “Oh! Were here! Lets uhm.. go find Belle!” I rush inside. Why am I so nervous to answer his question? There’s nothing particularly wrong?.. I mean, it’s just I’m truly thinking about him.. is that why I can’t answer? Why am I suddenly feeling so..flustered about all this?

My mind is running on and on about Killian I completely ignore the confused Belle standing infront of me, “Hellooooo, are you listening?” I snap out of it as I hear her sweet accent. “Oh sorry, uhm. We just came to see if maybe we could find some information about our witch problem.”

“I see, I’m afraid I haven’t checked and I do have somewhere to be, me and Rumple are going out so- anyways, you’re free to look around! I’ll leave a key on the desk, please be sure to lock the doors oh your way out!” Belle finishes putting on her scarf and purse and then rushes out the door. “Well, it seems it will just be us two, love.” “So it seems..” why am I so sweaty all of a sudden?.. my heart rates also increased… “We should probably start looking today.” I snap out of my thoughts once again to Killians voice, “Y-yes, your right. I’ll start over there in section E-G, you can go from A-B.”

“And I thought I was a captain..look at you bossing me around.” Killian chuckles as he walks through the isles, pushing books sloppily with his hook.

After about 20-ish minutes of searching me and hook ended up meeting in the middle on the same isle. Both facing opposite directions. The space between the isle wasn’t forgiving, I could smell the natural musk and rum from Killian. It was so..intoxicating. While scanning through books I saw a red cover reading ‘the truth of your feelings’. Something about the book made me flip open to the table of contents. That’s when I see a chapter of the name ‘why and what is this feeling?’. I flip to the chapter and read a bit. It talks of feelings of intimacy, tension, both romantic and sexual, and a whole catalyst of other things. Most of it sounded familiar..this was how I felt about Killian. I mean, now that I think of it. I’ve always found hook quite attractive, and when he calls me love I feel a shiver go down my spine.

Oh my god.

I have a ‘crush’ on no other than Captain Hook. Right as I was staring off into space from this sudden realization I feel a warm chest seek behind me, pressing against my back. An arm comes over just above my shoulder to meet the bookshelf. “And what so that your reading, love?” Killian snatches the book out my hand and starts reading the contents. “Truth of you feelings, huh.. Do you like someone, love?” His smile is wide as he laughs. I try grabbing the book out of his hands- hand, but he moves swiftly.

“Give it back Killian!”

“I don’t think I will, who is it you like anyway?”

I ignored his question as heat rose to my cheeks. “It doesn’t matter! Give me the book!”

He leaned down to be infront of my face, “Tell me and I will.” I get his breathe on my face, it smelt of rum. I froze for a second before I looked up at him and spoke softly, “Please Killian, we need to find information on Zelena..” his look darkened, I’m not sure with what but he didn’t seem mad..

“And this is information on Zelena? Didn’t know you liked green like that.” He gave a light chuckle and handed me the book. “That’s not- Oh my fucking god. Let’s just keep looking.” I turned away from the smiling pirate and put the book back in its spot.

We continued searching until we found a few books that could be helpful. There was a small desk near the back of the library with a lamp and some bookmarks. I had been sitting in one of the chairs that was with the desk, Killian sat beside me.

“Y’know this is the first time we’ve ever been alone together..”

His eared perked up, “No it isn’t, we’ve been alone on the Jolly Roger.”

“No, Emma, Mary Margaret, and David were all there. I think Regina was aswell.”

“What about at granny’s?”

“Definitely not..” I chuckle.

“Well- what about at the well.”

“Regina and Emma.”

We both have completely set down our books by now and have lost all attention to what we came here to do.

“Wow, I’ve never noticed it seems.”

I don’t know why it stung a bit when he said that but, it did. What was I thinking? I was barely even aware of my own feelings so why is this suddenly so serious? That and everyone knows he pines after Emma Swan. I mean who wouldn’t? She’s beautiful, smart-witted, and resilient even through everything. What have I ever done that’s been of importance? I’m just some..girl. I’ve never done anything that has amount to something. Even back in the enchanted forest, I was no one. I helped Snow hide from the Evil queen for a bit but nothing more. Emma is a savior, the product of true love. How could I even allow myself the fantasy of me and Killian?

“It’s probably because I struggle with keeping my eyes off you so often that it seems that it’s just the two of us.”

I feel my body freeze in place as my eyes widen, “W-what?” Is all I can mutter out. “You’re quite the beautiful woman Love,” He leans in, our noses almost touching, “and I can’t keep myself under control sometimes when you’re around.” I look into his piercing blue eyes. “Then don’t..” I couldn’t even believe what I was saying, it seems I even took Killian by surprise but he leaned right in and kissed me. The kiss was passionate, sweet, and soft. His lips felt slightly chapped but I didn’t mind. The smell of the sea, rum, and desire was overtaking my senses. I broke the kiss first, a string of saliva connecting our mouths. “Please Killian…”

“Please what, Love?”

“Please, touch me more.” I run my hands up over the laces of the leather covering his skin. “Let me touch you more..” my eyes wander down seeing the tiniest bit of chest hair hiding under his shirts. “Are you sure about that love? I wouldn’t want to get in the way of whom ever you liked earlier. Who you were going to speak the truth about your feelings to.”

“No, no, you wouldn’t be in the way..Please.”

“Are you sure? You might have to tell who this lucky mystery person is.”

“Killian…”

“Tell me.” His eyes darken as he felt down my thigh and squeezed. “You..it’s you Killian. I want you.”

“Mm, that’s all you had to say, Love.” He then desperately catches my lips in a sloppy kiss. I hear him moan lightly as I capture it in my mouth. I start instinctively ripping at the laces of the black leather vest. Killian of course noticed and help by taking off his jacket. Before I can continue however he suddenly picks me up from my thighs and sets me on the table. “Much better..” he grabs my lips again in a heated kiss. I continue at his laces before ripping then undone, “gentle love.” He smiled at me. “Sorry..”

“Don’t be, I do like you needy.” He slightly chuckled when he spoke sending another wave of heat to my cheeks. He’s somehow still just as adorable as he is handsome. “You are beautiful..” I couldn’t help but hold his face in my hands, feeling his pokey gruff and soft skin. “No, you’re the beautiful one, love” I smile and for a moment and forget the world around us. This, this is all I ever wanted. This happiness. I leaned in and kissed him softly and he equally kissed me just as soft and sweet as ever. Is this what true love feels like? Maybe love is overzealous and a much to strong word for something so young but, I truly am so happy.

I feel his hands slowly make their way up my body till they were at my breasts. He fondles and massages them lovingly. The kiss gets increasingly more eager and hungry. “Allow me to take this off?” I feel him grabbing the bottom of my shirt, almost ripping it off with the sheer force of his grip. “Go ahead.” I didn’t have to tell him twice, he took it off so quickly I almost fell off the desk.

I feel the cool metal of his rings caress my now naked skin. He slides his hand around to the back of my shirt and uses his hook to snap my clasp. It slightly smacks my back making me shiver, but it strangely felt so..satisfying. He uses his hook to slide off my bra from my shoulders. I watch as Killian then continues to take off his hook and sets it on the table beside me. He leans down and begins kissing my neck and collarbone, peppering me in soft kisses. The feeling almost tickles then he continues further down to my breasts. He then circles his tongue around my bud before taking it into my mouth. He uses his hand to grope my other breast, “Mmph” I moan but conceal it by using my hand to cover my mouth. “No, don’t you dare cover those darling sounds.” I feel him pitch my nipple at this sentence, I squeak from the pleasure. “Mm-more, please~” He smiles at me before taking a set back.

“Are you sure about this, Love?”

“Yes. 100%”

“Oh, thanks the gods-“ He quickly rushes to my lips once more grabbing my face and hungrily smashing his lips into mine. “Mmph- this isn’t fair, you still have your mm- shirt on-“ I try catching my breath in between rough kisses. Quickly breaking the kiss Killian pulls his shirt over his head and goes straight back to kissing me. His hands go straight to the hem of my skirt trying to yank it off my body. I giggle at his actions and help him, taking my panties off with them to make everything much easier.

After I do I finally look up to see Killian’s face, he’s stepped back now just staring at me in awe. “What’s the matter?” I giggle into my sentence. “You are so, beautiful. You’re perfect my dear..” I shy away from his words when I feel him come in between my legs once again and take my chin into his hand. “Hey, look at me. You’re the most gorgeous woman I know, seen, touched. Don’t you shy away from that.” I feel his finger find their way to my hair as he leads my head into another deep kiss. I pull Killian in by the belt and unbuckle it. I pull it out of the loops and let it drop to the floor.

“Pants, please.”

“Yes ma’am”

Killian takes a pause and unbuttons his pants and unzips them, pulling them down along with his boxers. His cock was practically touching his stomach, leaking with sticky pre-cum. It was a decent width but very long. I was so mesmerized I didn’t even realize I was staring. “I’m glad you like the view, Love-” I looked up embarrassed, my face hot & most likely red. “But my eyes are up here.” He lifts my chin up with his hand again. I stare into his sparking blue eyes as they glimmer with lust & desire.

His hand goes from my chin down my neck and he gently squeezes. I a choked moan escaped from my lips when he did so. “Oh, do you like that Love?”

“Mm Mmhm~” I look up at him with pleading eyes. “Do you want it darling?” All I do is nod my head. “Words. lovely”

“Yes. Yes, please Killian. I want it- I want you so bad.”

“I didn’t even have to ask you to beg, such a good girl~”

I felt my core melt at his words, I was practically oozing with arousal. “Please, please give your cock to me, please.” I continue pleading with both my eyes and words. “If you wish, Love.” With that I feel his tip aline with my velvet folds. “Are you ready?” I eagerly nodded my head to the question.

I feel the head enter inside and before I know it I’m taking inch by inch as Killian whispers all kind of sweet & dirty things in my ear. I slowly become louder & louder as he continues. “Ah~ you were made for me love. You feel so good.” He continued moaning soft grunts in my ear. He had began a stable pace for a while, all I could hear was the wet slops of our juices mixing with one another’s, and his grunts in my ear. I wrapped my legs around his waist instinctively. “Y-you are such a good girl for me, Love” The grip he held on my thighs getting rougher, his pace quicker and sloppier, and more erratic. All I could do was let my mouth fall open and let the sounds roll out.

“Yes, j-just like that darling~”

“Ah~ god Killian!~ please, finish inside, fill me up, please, please.” I felt his dick twitch inside me as he slams inside me deeper and harder with each thrust.

“Are you s-sure love?~”

“Absolutely!!~”

“A-as you wish-“ Killian continues slamming into me causing the table to bang against the wall, The lamp has fallen over and the grip moved from my thigh to my throat. Everything felt so good- to good. My eyes rolled to the back of my head as I felt the knot in my stomach begin to break and then- stars. That’s all I saw. Pleasure washed over my body causing my legs to shake around Killian’s waist losing strength to keep them wrapped around, but Killian continues pounding into me mercilessly. I still manage to choke out the most pornst⭐️r moans possible as he continues. “T-to- AH~ much!!~”

“C’mon, you can take it love-“ I already feel my own juices dripping from my leg and all over his cock making the wettest of sounds. His cock starts twitching and his moans become louder and thrust more erratic. “God you are amazing~” once he reaches the end of his sentence he cums deep in my cervix, coating my walls white in his sperm.

Both still catching our breaths I kiss Killian’s jaw in soft and sloppy kisses. “You are quite the woman, Love.”

“You not too bad your self.” I retort back, “Your, amazing..”

“As much as I love staring and holding you like this we are in a public library, Love. Door is still unlocked.”

“Oh shit your right- lets get dressed-“ We both quickly grab our clothes off the floor and try to hurrying get dressed when we hear a group come in.

“Hook! Y/N! Are you guys here?” Emma. Shit shit shit, I’m still half dressed.

“Y/N!” And snow. Could this get any worse?

“Where are these bafoons?” And Regina. It can get worse. I finish putting my clothes back on and trying to smooth out the wrinkles and fix my hair. “There you are! What took you two so long to answer-..oh. Seems you two had fun.”

“Listen Regina it’s not what it looks like-“

“I do not care, but we are trying to save storybrooke and more importantly my son so if you could do it on your own time that’d be great.”

“What’s going on over here?”

“Nothing, Emma.”

All I can see is Killian give me a little wink before turning away, pointing to my legs as a small drop of white ran down my leg.

This is my first story 😨 so please be kind. Y’all at the end idk what I was on but it was 9:30pm then 1:25am-

(Also I didn’t proofread I’m so tired 💀)

[dr-spencer-reids-queen]

Nothing More

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Maeve Donovan

Word Count: ~700

Warnings: unrequited love

Summary: You find the courage to tell the man you love that you love him, but he does something that stops you in your tracks and breaks your heart.

Square Filled: maeve donovan for @spencerreidbingo

Author’s Note: any and all comments are appreciated <3

x

Okay, today’s the day. Today is the day you’re going to tell the guy you like that you like him. This could go one of two ways: he likes you back and everything is right with the world or he doesn’t like you back and you’ll forever sit next to him in total embarrassment. The only reason why you’re doing this is because you believe he’ll reciprocate your feelings.

Not only do you two work well together by playing off ideas of one another, always know what the other is thinking, and genuinely love each other’s company, but there’s been subtle flirting between the two of you since he got here. You’ve been at this job a lot longer than he has, and everything changed when he got into the office. He does things for you without asking such as file away paperwork, get you coffee, etc. that he doesn’t do for anyone else, and he has all the telltale signs of someone who likes someone else.

The pen you’re holding is in your mouth since you can’t contain your nerves. Yes, all of these positives are on your side that clearly outweigh the negatives, but the small negatives are so heavy that they actually outweigh the positives. You’re not the kind of woman to make the first move; you’ve always waited for the guy to do it. However, everyone knows Spencer is completely clueless about a lot of things.

You’re so sure he likes you back, so why is the pit still in your stomach?

JJ walks into the office in a rush since she was the one to drop Henry off at school, but she pauses when she sees you.

“Did you do it?” she asks excitedly.

She knows you like someone but she doesn’t know that person is Spencer.  No one knows the man you’ve been pining after is none other than Dr. Spencer Reid. If Derek knew about this, he’d tease you endlessly. If JJ and Pen knew about this, she would try to get you two together instead of letting it run its course naturally. If Emily knew about this, she’d make all kinds of innuendos that would just confuse Spencer.

It’s best if you keep this little crush to yourself until you and Spencer make it official.

“No, not yet.”

“When are you gonna do it?”

“Soon. Today, actually. I’m gonna do it today.”

“Tell me how it goes,” she grins and walks off.

Spencer walks in ten seconds later, and you’re out of your chair before you can talk yourself out of doing this. You bounce over to him with a smile on your face and give him a quick hug which he gives back.

“I’ve been waiting for you to come in. There’s something I need to tell you.” Before you can another word out, a young woman follows Spencer inside. A young, brunette woman who is beautiful. She stops by Spencer a little too close for your liking. “Who is this?”

“I was gonna wait until everyone was together, but you’re here right now. Y/N, this is Maeve Donovan. She’s my girlfriend.” 

Just like that, your entire world comes crashing down. Your chest tightens painfully, your vision becomes a bit blurry, and you have to hold yourself up on the wall to keep yourself from falling down. Everything you thought you knew is completely wrong.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Maeve says and extends her hand to you.

“I have a girlfriend,” Spencer smiles proudly.

“Yeah, it’s nice to meet you,” you say hollowly and shake her hand.

“Are you okay? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” you snap out of your funk. “Nothing. I’m happy for you.”

“What did you want to tell me?”

“What?”

“You said you wanted to tell me something. What is it?”

You open your mouth to tell him the truth but you think of the smile he had on his face when he introduced Maeve. He looks so happy. What kind of friend you’d be if you took that away from him?

“I completed your files for you. I wasn’t busy. I thought I’d help.”

“Thank you.” He turns to Maeve with a smile. “That’s why she’s the best coworker here. She’s a really good friend.”

Right, coworker… friend. That’s all you’ll ever be, you guess.

x

Follow my library blog @aqueenslibrary​​​​​​ where I reblog all my stories, so you can put notifications on there without the extra stuff :)

[crazyunsexycool]

So Lottie and Henry know about Bucky? Like his winter soldier story?

What is their reaction to it when they find out?

Good question and the answer is yes and no.

Henry is aware of Bucky being the Winter Soldier because he was also trained to be the Winter Soldier and had been programmed with the trigger words. He just isn’t aware of the all the thing Bucky was made to do in detail but he’s a smart kid so he knows Bucky was forced to do bad things.

Charlotte has no idea. She is aware that Bucky, Henry, herself and Sugar were hurt by the “bad men” but she doesn’t know anything else. When she does find out it will be in a very heartbreaking way because Bucky and Sugar were going to tell her (to an extent) about the Winter Soldier but they were waiting until she was older like in her teens. This is how she finds out and the aftermath of it…

The truth comes out

Warning: angst, mean adult, Charlotte crying, Bucky crying, (now I’m crying)…

Charlotte was excited for a new school year. She was older now, a whole 7 years old. She was smarter and excited to make new friends. The only thing that made her nervous was a vision of a mean adult, a parent of a classmate to be precise.

For the first month Lottie managed to avoid this parent but eventually she made friends with this woman’s son. Everything for Charlotte came tumbling down when this mean woman came into the classroom to help the teacher for the afternoon. She walked in and saw her son playing happily with Charlotte. The teacher stepped out for a moment and immediately the woman Lottie had visions about stomped over to separate them.

“Derek, I told you to stay away from her.” She snaps at her son.

“But why mommy? Lottie’s my friend.”

“Because she’s bad.”

“I’m not bad. I’m good, I promise.” Lottie defends herself with a small pout.

“You’re bad just like your dad.”

Lottie started crying silently. “You’re a liar. My dad isn’t bad. He’s good, he’s a superhero.”

“No he isn’t.” The woman gets in Lottie’s face. “He likes to hurt people because he’s bad. And so are you.”

Charlotte runs out of the room crying. She runs into her teacher who tries to soothe her enough to figure out what happened. Lottie can only ask for you between sobs.

She’s still crying when you pick her up and she only ask for Bucky so you drove back to the compound in hopes that maybe he could do something about whatever this was.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Bucky had been training new recruits in the gym when the doors burst open.

“Daddy.” Lottie cried as she ran to him.

He barely managed to open his arms to catch him. When Lottie was finally in his arms she started crying all over again. The recruits, who had grown fond of Lottie, were all showing concern for the rather unusual behavior for her.

“Recruits, take a ten minute break.” Bucky orders as he picks Charlotte up so that he can go somewhere private to figure out what was wrong.

****

“Why are you crying, doll? Did someone hurt you?” Bucky was doing his best to not shed his own tears. He didn’t like to see his kids upset.

“A mean lady at school said you’re a bad man. She said you like to hurt people and that I’m bad too. But you’re not bad daddy. You’re good.”

“I’m so sorry doll.” Bucky brought her into a hug so that she wouldn’t see his own tears.

You had stayed back while they talked but you reached out to Bucky. This was his worst fear. That someone would tell Charlotte the truth about him before he had the chance to explain. Now he’d have to tell his little girl the truth about his past and hope that she didn’t see him any differently than before.

The conversation was the most difficult thing you and Bucky had to sit through. Charlotte was a crying mess while listening to her dad explain as best as he could that bad men made him hurt people. At some points you had to step in and explain because Bucky got too emotional to talk. In the end Lottie looked defeated as she walked out of the office without a word. You asked Friday to get Steve so that he could comfort Charlotte while you stayed to help Bucky. It had been years since you’d seen him so upset about his past. And you knew he was going to hate himself all over again because of this. All you could do now was figure out a way to fix it and then find the woman who hurt your family and maybe kick her ass.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The solution to the first issue came on its own when right before bedtime you found Lottie standing at your bedroom door.

“Daddy?” Lottie called out quietly.

“What is it doll?”

“Will you read me a bedtime story?”

You could see the tension in Bucky’s shoulders melt away. He’d been so distraught all afternoon that you weren’t sure you’d be able to help him out of that dark hole he was digging himself into.

“Of course I can.”

Lottie made her way to your bed, book in one hand and her pink teddy bear in the other then she made herself comfortable snuggled up next to her dad. Bucky took the book and gently started reading. You stayed quiet and let them have their moment.

“Daddy?” Lottie interrupted the bedtime story.

“Yeah doll?” Bucky says softly. You hated seeing him walking on eggshells around his own child.

“I don’t think you’re a bad man.”

“You don’t?” Bucky’s voice was thick with emotions.

“No,” she said while wrapping her arms as best she could around Bucky’s midsection. “Bad men don’t read bedtime stories, or play tea party or save the world. But you do.”

This time Bucky couldn’t hold back the tears and neither could you. He kissed the top of her head but his eyes were on you.

“And bubba said the bad men made him do bad stuff too, but he isn’t bad.”

“That’s true he’s the best bubba ever.”

“And you’re the best daddy ever. I love you so much.”

“I love you more, doll.”

Bucky held on to Charlotte until they both fell asleep. In the end she still adored her daddy because even if he’d done bad things he wasn’t a bad man. She was smart enough to understand that. Even though this wasn’t how Bucky planned to tell her it was now done with. He’d work hard every day for the rest of his life to prove to his little girl that she was right. That he wasn’t a bad man, because he wasn’t.

[acrossthewavesoftime]

Tumblr Dashboard Simulator, the British of the American Revolutionary War

🌊my-peggys-husband

We have a man confin'd aboard the Preston, a common scrub by the name of Benjamin Hichborn, who was caught carrying the most extraordinary letter pertaining the private dealings of one Mr G. Washington, written to him by a Mr B. Harrison:

As you can see from an etching of the original as printed above, that man is a rascal and a scoundrel. For how is a man to be trusted to keep true to his country, if he cannot remain true to his wife? Mrs Admiral says that she should not suffer such a husband, and that any man of any worth & quality should reject him.

This is your time to join the True Protectors of Moralty and Order around these parts!

#may that man washington and his cursed boot lickers rot in hell #britain #pro britain #a pox upon the continentals #boston #local politics

239 notes

🎻the-saddest-violin

This may differ slightly from my usual missives about playing the violin and new musicians to be aware of (Haydn and Boccerini are to be highly recommended, especially the latter is as yet little known in these parts, though very innovative in his compositions), but I feel I can no longer withhold what troubles me, and have no other place to speak of it:

There is a lady whom I have fixed my affection upon, and cannot forget her; yet she is wed to a scoundrel, and has a son by him. We see each other daily, and until now I have held my tongue, but my soul can no longer endure this torment.

We share an acquaintance that is too long to be recounted here, and does not signify. What is of some import is that in recent times, I have observed her grown less reticent in her intercourse with me, joking, smiling, and conversing freely. Might it be true that she may keep me in the same regard as I do her?

I knew that I held her in high affection her when first I saw her, when she was stood in my parlour at Boston, fall'n on hard times and heavy with child. That very moment, she could have ask'd me to be the Joseph to her Mary, and I would gladly have accepted her, and her child, who is dear to me also, into my home.

For I am a shy b-tch, as I have before confessed to, I ask of you:

#poll #private #henry rambles on

147 notes

🦸‍♂️gentleman-johnny

It is with sadness that I have to announce that for the time being, I will have to take a step back from social media.

Do not fret, this blog will not be taken down, and you shall not be deprived of access to my plays on my website; yet a personal emergency, and a busy work schedule demand of me to retire from my online pursuits.

Pray not for me, pray for Charlotte.

#personal #psa

623 notes

🤰🏻fromthingsgoingbaddeleytoworse

I keep thinking of a song I heard play the other day, but cannot recall it entire, I know but the first few lines of it.

If one of you could do me the immense kindness to tell me its title, and perhaps some print-shop where it might be got, I would be much obliged.

It goes:

He never speaks his passions He never speaks his views Whereas other men speak volumes The man I love is mute In truth, I can't recall Being wooed with words at all Even now He plays the violin He tucks it right under his chin And he bows, oh he bows For he knows, yes he knows

#ask #music #song #ough #never has a song felt so true to my soul

12 notes

🎭meschianza-updates-official

UPDATE: Your Knights in Shining Armour REVEALED!

Dear Friends, estemm'd Citizens of Philadelphia, my brave Brothers-in-Arms!

It is an honour to unveil to you the participants of the Meschianza's jousting tournament! Our fourteen gallant heroes will take each other on in two teams, the Knights of the Blended Rose and the Knights of the Burning Mountain. ...Can you espy Yours Truly on the list?

Guests (particularly you, ladies!) are encouraged to select their champion and cheer him to victory!

Remember, the Meschianza, our grand farewell event for General Howe and an immersive masquerade experience, will take place on 2 June 1778. There will be many exciting activities, such as a regatta, a ball, our exclusive joust, and a fireworks display!

If you have any more questions regarding the dress code or the location's anti-American security measures, you can PM this blog, or my private arts and poetry blog, @johnandree-privee!

#meschanzia #philadelphia #masque #society #party of the year #apply for tickets while some are yet left!

780 notes

🐕howo

With these new devices call'd mobile phones, it has grown much easier to do a great many things; is any here who can recommend any app or device that should allow for me to know where my dog is when I cannot see him? It appears that he has got off again, and it would be very bad indeed were it to happen in battle, and he to fall into the enemy's hands. Suggestions are welcome!

#dogs #petcare

515 notes

📗thegreencoe-t

@johnaandree-privee tagged me to share some drawings, etchings &tc., which are representative of One's character:

Having viewed mine, and should youl like to share such a composition of images of your own, consider yourself tagg'd by me!

#tag game #aesthetic #dark academia

52 notes

💂diary-of-a-lady-hessian

Es sollte einer jeden Frau, so einen rechtschaffenen Mann hat, ein Betrübniß sein, wenn er unter so einem wie dem General Burgoyne dienet.

#hot takes #for my english speaking friends #generals clinton and philipps i respect #general burgoyne i do not

302 notes

♟️howey

@ben-franklin better luck next time!

#chess #politics #soft politics #diplomacy

45 notes

🔴patrioticheroesnevergetdeactivated--deactivated

To all the people who reported me and got my old account @awesome-arnold deactivated: you're mere pathetic haters. I did what I had to do, and you cannot fault me for it.

All the missives I received that were unsigned prove the cowardice of you people in the face of one who knows what it means to risk his life, and lose his health for his cause.

We will win this war, just you wait. My blog won't go anywhere, and the British Army won't either!!!

0 notes

[littlemoneytoes]

If Shadow was Goldie's father....or not!!! part 2

It's been a while since I wrote part two, as I've been busy with chores and helping out. But now, here's part two for you to enjoy also big shout out to @saltv2 and @sillybearsstudio for the idea and answer for part 2 now sit back relax and enjoy

Month: It is currently the third month since the incident involving Shadow Freddy and the dismantling of the golden bear's body.

 Ever since the party pooper incident, it had been three long months. Goldie was perplexed and desperate to uncover the identity of the golden bear who had been in the room. Freddy's reluctance to disclose any information and his determination to keep Goldie away from the manager only added to the mystery. Goldie was in his room, reading the same book he had read countless times before, when he heard a knock. He saw that it was the manager he had been trying to speak with and quickly got up to answer the door.

Goldie: oh hello Mr. Manger is everything alright??

Goldie asked the gentleman who stood before him was actually the pizzeria manager. The man noticed that Goldie was reading the same book he had been looking for. He had serious questions for Goldie regarding what he had witnessed in a long-abandoned room. Although someone called Shadow had attempted to deceive Goldie, the man was uncertain of their identity.

Manager/ Henry: yes, but Freddy has been telling me that you wanted to speak to me even when it was morning time so what seems to be the issue, Golden Freddy??

The elderly man spoke softly and looked directly at the golden bear, asking if he could share what he had seen and learn more about the bear and Fredbear's identities. The bear nodded and sat on a crate, prepared to talk with the manager.

Goldie: who is Fredbear sir and what did Shadow mean I was his son??

Goldie asked the Manager, who appeared irritated and rubbed his eyes after removing his glasses. He muttered something before putting his glasses back on and calmly revealed the truth, as it could no longer be concealed.

Manager: Goldie......what Shadow told you was a lie, and that golden bear was Fredbear the ever first animatronic to be at this pizzeria well before this place became a pizzeria it was originally named  Fredbear's family diner for a reason.....Fredbear was the first one to be on the stage and along with him was the ever first Bonnie that me and my partner made but...... they had to be scrapped....

He paused for a moment, hesitant to share more, but he knew he needed to tell the truth and provide Goldie with the answer he was seeking. Goldie leaned in closer, eager to hear about the first two animatronics that were built before him and Freddy.

Goldie: why were they scrapped, manager??

The Golden Bear inquired about the reason behind the scrapping of two animatronics. The manager took a deep breath and proceeded to explain what had happened to the animatronics and why they had to be scrapped. The manager was aware that the malfunction and coding errors were beyond repair, hence the decision to scrap them.

Manager: malfunctions....too many issues, I couldn't fix them, I didn't want to scrap them, but had to.....The malfunctions were hurting them, and it could've hurt someone else.  ( this was from the comic of it's okay from @saltv2) The manager looked at the golden bear with a focused gaze. He seemed to feel a sense of remorse and sorrow as he let go of his initial creation, which he had constructed in collaboration with his partner.

Goldie: but you had to do what you to save yourself and others' lives

He gazed at the manager, trying to convey that he understood the situation to some extent, but the thought of being discarded still frightened the golden bear. The manager stood up from the crate and walked over to the bear, giving him a warm hug.

Manager/ Henry: yes but I wouldn't trade any of you for them in the world, I love every single one of you and I would never hurt you for as long as I live

As the manager spoke, he kept Goldie in a warm embrace. Eventually, he lifted the animatronic up and placed him on his lap. Goldie hugged the manager back, aware that what he was saying was true. The manager treated everyone - both humans and animatronics - with impartiality and kindness. Even when Toy Freddy asked the manager who his favorite animatronic was (including the night guards), the manager refused to show favoritism. He believed that playing favorites could create a dangerous sense of entitlement and result in problems. Instead, he made sure that everyone was treated with love and respect.

Goldie: yes sir

The manager's embrace and soothing aroma brought solace to him. Even the irritable pirate fox, Foxy, settled down within two minutes of the manager's touch, thanks to Goldie, the manager's golden bear, possessing a fragrance that could calm anyone. Goldie dozed off slowly while basking in the manager's warm hug. The manager chuckled softly and picked the bear up, carrying him to a bed mistakenly delivered by the management. This bed provided a perfect solution to Goldie's habit of sleeping on the unreachable top shelf, which only Chica could access. The manager placed Goldie on the bed, covered him with a comforter, and took off his purple top hat, placing it on a nearby crate. As he bent down to kiss the sleeping bear's head, he felt grateful for the tranquility and comfort that his embrace had provided.

Manager/ Henry: good night Goldie sweet dreams, and I love you

Upon switching off the fairy lights in Goldie's chamber, the manager discreetly shut the door, allowing the beloved golden bear to rest peacefully in the rear compartment. With a deep breath, he realized the gravity of the situation- he needed to take action to prevent Shadow Freddy from persuading Goldie to join him. He conducted a thorough inspection of the pizzeria, ensuring that everyone was in their designated positions and prepared for another day of entertaining adults and children alike. Even Foxy was accounted for. After completing his rounds, the manager proceeded to his workshop, where he had Finn waiting to be repaired and updated with the latest coding advancements to avert any future malfunctions or errors in the sailor beagle's programming.

T.B.C Please share your thoughts on this new information in the comments below, along with your theory on what may happen next. I am eager to hear your opinions and ideas, regardless of what they may be.

[adhd-merlin]

@fairyhagmother Nell!! I have finished Bliss and Blunder. (did you get my ask the other day?) I meant to post some thoughts as I read it but I got engrossed in it on sunday and read most of it that day, so I thought I might as well wait till I finished it.

[this isn't a review or anything, just random thoughts. a stream of consciousness if you will. it's nearly 2.30am and I'm so -> LOL I'm re-reading this at 7.30am the next day and I literally fell asleep while typing this? like mid-sentence. ‘sleepy’ is what I meant to write obviously. I was adding this bit after writing the whole post so you can imagine how coherent it is]

some general thoughts (I'll keep anything above the cut spoiler-free):

it was a fun read! I was a bit wary of the constantly switching POV at first because inevitably there’s going to be some character I just don’t care much about and chapters from their POV will be a drag. but thankfully I cared about all characters here—some more than others, of course, but there was never a point where I was bored of reading about someone. the jumping between past and present worked well in keeping the tension up.

I wouldn’t have picked this book if it hadn’t been sold as an arthurian retelling (reworking?)—would I have enjoyed it as much if it hadn’t been one? would I have cared about arthur and gwen as much, had they been andrew and gabrielle? probably not, half the fun was picking up the nods to arthurian canon. at the same time, if these are meant to be arthurian characters, I’m not fully convinced by some elements of the transposition. 

the main one being—tech bro arthur. does it work? I’m not sure. yes, the wealth and power and admiration of his people are all there, and even arthur’s noble intentions, at least at first. the problem is that—with the exception of galahad, and possibly lancelot—the other knights become just… some guys. arthur’s nepo besties. 

*spoilers from here*

they’ve not done anything of note, have no special talent or skill, they're not even particularly loyal to arthur. he's bought their friendship, pretty much. there’s a chapter where morgan reflects on the meaning of chivalry, so the author must have considered it and I suppose it’s intentional, but still, are they even the same characters at this point?

not that it mattered that much—they were minor characters after all. I was just thinking about it. because if you tell the average person to think about king arthur the first thing they'll think of will be the round table.

I think the bond forged in battle between soldiers is the closest modern equivalent to the bond between arthurian knights, which is probably why lancelot and wayne feel closer to the characters they’re based on. 

they’re certainly nobler than arthur’s ‘court’. the hints to the ugliness hiding just below the civilised surface (like galahad being called ‘it’ at work, which arthur might or might not be aware of) were subtle and slightly unnerving, as was the facade cracking at the end (the ‘black bastard’ shout during the football match) before the truth about the sexual assaults came to light.

another missing element for me (if we want to call it that)— was merlin. where was he!! only hinted at twice towards the end. I would’ve liked to see him instead of falstaff. who was there for some reason.

what was the deal with him btw? why is he here. who invited him?? I wasn’t too annoyed by him because thankfully he wasn’t in it much, but he felt unnecessary to me. maybe because of my personal beef with henry iv. (well, beef isn’t quite the word—the fact is, I love my richards and my henry vi plays, but henry iv and v? they’re nothing to me. in the sense that I barely remember them. and falstaff—I don’t hate him, but I don’t feel any particular fondness towards him. I didn’t care about his silly goofy antics in henry iv and I cared even less here. but I know he's a beloved literary character so maybe it's just me. I just think if you're going to insert an odd, seemingly immortal old man into your arthurian novel, you might as well make him merlin).

I was glad the book didn’t devolve into a full murder mystery—I mean, yes, the mystery of Carly’s death was certainly an important element, but it didn’t overshadow the rest of the plot if it makes sense? it was still mostly driven by interpersonal conflicts, which I liked.

the reveal of the killer was all right. it didn’t exactly come out of the blue (though I briefly suspected lancelot or even arthur at some point). once it became clear it was one of the guys at the company I didn’t care about it that much? I was like, okay. can we get back to morgan and gwen please. but it was quickly resolved so. (the misogynist motive and tirade felt a bit facile, but I did not see the answer to Sir Gromer Somer Joure’s riddle coming. that was a nice touch.)

the description of gwen and morgan’s friendship and subsequent falling out was touching, and I think that’s the moment that actually pulled me into the story. it’s funny because last week some friends and I were talking about how women/girls often seem to have this tragic ‘breakups’ with their best friends which can be more dramatic than a romantic breakup. how it seems to be more of a female phenomenon (?) purely anecdotal of course, and something that never happened to me to this extent, but there you go.

I quite liked the author’s characterisation. I loved most characters, really.

(g)wayne!! struggling with anger management and internalised homophobia and WHAT on earth was that deal with the pub landlord. I mean, I understand what it’s based on, but? at first I thought ‘oh okay it’s a sex thing’. like kay said to arthur, ‘cuckolding is a thing’. but then the punch? I had surmised the lesson vern was trying to teach wayne at that point but still. so weird. personally I think wayne should’ve stayed with vern and lou as their third or something, but whatever. hope he has fun in vietnam.

galahad!! it would have been soooo easy to make gal accidentally insufferable (sanctimonious and holier-than-thou) but there’s something so earnest about them, they ended up being so sweet. going on an unprompted tirade about veganism and then apologising immediately after. thinking about nuking the internet because humans are the scourge of the earth. I love them.

lancelot my beloved. ptsd-riddled, unhealthily infatuated, melancholy and tragic. I don’t care how cheesy it is, you put in front of me a variation of lancelot and guinevere’s doomed love story and I lap it all up. the bit where the comet goes over abury and looks down at them in the car park and thinks ‘oh no you two, not again…’ (or whatever it was, I can’t be bothered to check now)—that bit made me a bit emotional? so cheesy, but like I said. yes please! I’ll have some more.

I wish we had seen a bit more of lancelot and arthur’s friendship instead of being told they were best friends, because they didn’t feel that close actually. yet arthur should be hurt by lancelot’s betrayal as much as gwen’s.

I loved gwen and mo’s relationship too. the two of them looking at arthur as a common enemy. mo, the perceptive child picking up on all the clues pointing to arthur’s emotional neglect towards him and his mom, and to lancelot’s love for guinevere, and picking gwen’s side. mo glueing gwen’s hand in the kitchen and picking up thrush med for her at boots.

arthur was fascinating, I liked him but was never quite sure what to think about him. seemingly good guy, all wrapped up in plausible deniability. It’s like I said… all around decent guy… excluding an incident or two. kay’s memory of arthur throwing his own computer from his window and letting kay take the blame was chilling, in context. but still, the hint of redemption at the end. I liked that he made up with mo and morgan, actually. I’m not sure I would’ve enjoyed a tragic ending. In fact, I want to believe that lancelot got to see gwen again, too. I want them to get a happily ever after, for once.

I liked the humour, more than a few sentences had me laughing out loud—‘like the diet coke man if he was on the spectrum’; arthur thinking gwen wasn’t much of a cook, which was comically petty in the midst of all that was going on; linnet and her legendary tits. I liked that the (mostly female) secondary character who provided some of the comic relief still retained some measure of dignity. I smiled at linnet and carly’s mom and gwen’s ex colleague, but in an affectionate way? they might be a bit silly but they don't come across as stupid, and even had their moments of wisdom.

I enjoyed the writing style, overall. I suppose, if I were to nitpick, the characters’ thoughts (and sometimes dialogue) felt at times slightly odd because it reflected the author’s style rather than… the character’s personality? am I making sense? there were a couple of instances where the writing drew attention to itself and made me go ‘she would not say/think that’. but for the most part it wasn’t an issue.

oooh sorry I’ve written so much and I’ve said nothing of substance. and now I’m getting a headache so I’m going to stop here I think. But yes I did enjoy the book, it was fun! 

it has also opened my third eye to the beautiful potential of mordred/galahad. sorry to be basic! but they were cute.

[random thought I don't know where to insert: was gwen's brother supposed to be agravaine? or inspired by him? because he said something like ‘and they call me aggro’ to gwen in one of the earliest flashback chapters, which I thought was a clue, but then nothing came of it? I think?]

anyway if there’s anything specific you want to know/discuss just ask, I’m happy to yap away :3 as you can see.

[writerfae]

I heard you are interested in the disaster that is Endre's gf, Odette (19), and their relationship! Oh boy!

A little worldbuilding for context:

In the country of Galla three people rule together at once. They are called the triarhists (or that's how i decided it will be in English) and they have magic (gold wings that they can summon on their backs and grow to any size they want, gold fire and gold chains), and they pass this on to their first born. Their primary role is to protect the people of Galla if the Black swamp ever threatened them again, and in the worst case scenario lift Galla higher so they can't be reached. Triarhists are NEARLY seen as gods, but everyone knows they are just humans.

Odett and Endre are both soon to be triarhists. Endre hates it, but Odette always helps him with everything she can.

Odette loves being a triarhist. She loves her people, and wants to help them in every way she can.

She is smart, understanding and compassionate. Everyone thinks she'll be one of the best rulers in history.

The other characters love her! Adél, Ákos and Bendegúz all see her as a big sister, and she also genuinely loves them. Not to mention the true love that is between her and Endre. See, they all grew up together, so they're really close.

So, what went wrong?

When Odette was really little she had this idea. She listened to the scary legends about the swamp and had nightmares about them like every other child. She saw little Adél, bearly three years old crying at the mere mention of the place. But what if they, the triarhists could destroy the Black swamp for good?

She told this to her dad, who at the time praised her, because it was just another sign of her growing to be a caring ruler. But as time passed, and she didn't let go of this idea they argued over it alot.

Odette's dad said that she shouldn't start a war when they are safe. That her plans are cruel and extreme.

They fought about this until Odette turned 14. Her father thought she simply grew to realize what was wrong with her idea. Truth is Odette just hid the plans and worked on them in private.

But you know how curious Ákos is. He was bound to find a secret drawer. Years after Odett hid the plans there. And he doesn't like it.

Odette pleads with him to keep it a secret, but he doesn't want to. What he read was strange, and scary and so unlike her.

So Odette looks at this ten year old. The one she taught how to read, hugs him close, says "I'm sorry". Ákos relaxes. And Odette pushes him down into the abyss.

Odette tells everyone it was an accident. They were just playing and Ákos stumbled. She tried flying after him, to catch him, but to no avail. Everyone believes her.

She doesn't regret it. It was for her people. Anything for her people.

Still she tries distancing herself from her friends. It wouldn't be fair to them.

But, of course they don't let her go that easily.

A week after the incident Endre corners her in the library and confronts her, saying that it wasn't her fault and noone blames her.

And Odette knows it's not a fair question to Endre, but she still asks:

"If it was my fault would you still love me?"

And Endre, who thinks Odette saw his little brother stumble to his death despite her best efforts and is traumatized by that, of course says "Yes"

Weeks later Adél and Bendegúz disappear. A week after that they come back with Ákos.

Odette is glad that Ákos is safe, but still she doesn't regret what she did, and she'd do it again if she felt it was needed.

-

So that's what happened.

Everyone has varying levels of trust issues after this.

Endre, summoning flames into his palms: Are you sure your boyfriend would never hurt Aiden?

Henry standing before Callan: Yes, I am absolutely sure-

Endre: I WAS ALSO SURE!

Aiden just eating popcorn in the background.

Endre and Callan would like echother I think. They can trade ruler gossip. But they might need to get past... this first.

Also I'll tell you about Endre some other time, but know that Aiden and Endre would fight so much over who gets to adopt the other! Since they're the same age

I absolutely am! And damn am I invested in this now.

First off, I love Odette. I love her name and I can even understand her reasoning for what she did (though that doesn’t excuse shoving a literal child down an abyss)

I love characters that seem just so born to be rulers, that you know would do everything for their people, even if it’s not always the right thing.

I’m really curious though, what were her plans to destroy the black swamp? If even her father calls it cruel, I probably don’t want to know do I? 🙈

It must’ve been quite the shock for Ákos to find out about all that. And having to deal with the fact that she as someone he trusted pushed him into the abyss must be hard too. Poor thing.

I feel so sad for Endre too. Must be hard to be betrayed like this by a person he loves so much. I can see why he has trust issues afterwards. All of them, honestly. I hope they’ll still be okay.

I think if Callan manages to convince Endre that he doesn’t intend to harm anybody they’d get along quite well. They could complain about having to be the ones in charge.

And Aiden and Endre can declare each other their respective honorary brother, then everyone would be happy I think xD

[hannahhook7744]

For the prompts post, here's a few options, you can choose which one.

23: "This was a spectacularly bad plan." (For the Hannah Hook Universe

1: "Do what you have to do." (For A Twist in Their Tales)

17: "A little help would be nice." (For the Invisible Truth.)

Drabble/story 1:

Trigger Warnings: Mention of Death, curses, and threatens of murder. Could also be seen as child abuse.

"This was a spectacularly bad plan" Luke said pained, leaning against part of the Galley after they returned from a witch's cave.

Paler than usual.

Hannah just sighed from the barrel she was sitting on. More exhausted than she had thought was possible due to the chain of events.

Wondering how she was supposed to explain this to the others without getting one of her best friends killed.

Because while yes, it was technically Luke's fault that she'd been cursed to die in five years if she didn't do something 'unselfish' (by the witch's standard) since he did decide to wander into a random cave and pick up a random golden comb she didn't want him to die over what she thought was an overreaction on some crazy old witch's part.

Because honestly?

Who cursed a sixteen year old over a brush?

"Well, it's not like I could just stand there and let you get cursed to die over a brush when you have a girlfriend."

"And taking the blame for the whole incident yourself was better?" The Red head asked in disbelief. "You know Skia and the others are gonna kill me for this, right?"

The pirate captain rolled her eyes.

"No they aren't."

"Ordering them not to isn't gonna stop them this time, Bam Bam."

"No but me lying about the situation is."

"You what—ing about the what now?!"

"I don't like how surprised you look right now—"

"Are you nuts—"

"It's insulting that you've known me this long and still have to ask that—"

"Oh is it really—"

"Wait. Since you, River, and Skia were literally stuck sharing the same mind as me for eleven years does that mean that if I was crazy, you three would be crazy too?" Hannah asked, suddenly cutting him off with a crazed wide eyed look.

"..."

"..."

"Fuck. Now I need an answer to that shit!"

------------------------------------------------------------

Drabble/story 2:

Trigger Warnings: Attempted murder, curses, child in danger, past character death/murder implied, survivor's guilt, etc.

"Do what you have to do." 

That was the last thing Evie remembered telling Henry before they split up the night before to brainstorm a way to break the curse.

She knew they must have talked about other things before that. She did. 

They had to have. After all, she had just revealed to him that she remembered who she really was now. That she remembered life before the curse their mother cast and that she wasn’t the only one in town who did.

But she just couldn’t remember what they had talked about anymore.

Because she knew none of it mattered now—because her brother was dying now and it was her and her mother’s fault.

Her’s for telling him that. 

And their mother’s for trying to poison Emma when she knew Henry had a habit of running off to see her and doing the opposite of what he was told. 

He was dying. 

Because of whatever was in that apple turnover. 

He was dying and god, he hadn’t even turned eleven yet. 

And it was all her fault. 

Just like it was her fault that Harry was gone and that all her friends were cursed. 

What had she done?

What had she been thinking?

------------------------------------------------------------

Drabble/story 3:

Alma stared. 

And stared.

And the rest of the family stared with her. 

None of them quite sure whether or not what they were seeing was real.

"A little help would be nice." Bruno said awkwardly, a toddler in one arm and a baby in the other. 

A little red toddler covered in rats clinging to one of his legs anxiously and a grumpy boy with black hair who couldn’t been any older than four or five on thr other.

A teenager and two boys not much younger behind him—arms full of pugs and bags and one boy even had a frog in his pocket. 

It was quite the sight. 

“BRUNO PEDRO MADRIGAL BOTERO, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?”

Bruno winced. 

‘Maybe disappearing for a second time without a note less than a decade after I returned wasn’t the brightest idea….’

------------------------------------------------------------

Hope you enjoyed!

Consider this part of your birthday gift.

Also I may or may not build on these later.

In case you didn't know:

'The Marvelous Misadventures of Hannah Hook and Co' is a descendants oc story verse featuring Captain Hook's adoptive daughter, Captain Hannah Artemis Hook and (her crew) the Stormbringer Crew.

It delves into the chaotic story of their lives and their adventures.

'A Twist in their tales' is a Once Upon A Time and Descendants fandom fusion-crossover of mine where the descendants kids are born in the world of once upon a time instead and their stories are different than we know.

Evie is Regina Mills (aka the Once Upon A Time version of the Evil Queen) and Henry Mills is her younger adoptive brother.

'The Invisible Truth' is an Encanto and Disney Descendants fandom fusion-crossover where Bruno Madrigal adopts the children of Judge Frollo and Governor Ratcliffe.

Featuring Claudine Frollo, Rick Ratcliffe, their oc siblings, and the oc next gen of the Madrigals.

All of which can be found on my AO3 which has the same name as my account on here.

[our-future-is-up-to-us-2]

when you know who's callin'...

Tedependent save me save me Tedependent-

I swear I love this show in ALL WAYS and for its OTHER CHARACTERS (I say as I've only just got past Season 1) BUT... When they're the ones, they're the ones, y'know?

So they're back, and will be back for more, as already promised @narcosfandomdiscord (Fic number 13)

Prompt #6, Book Of These Damn Restraints: Fanwork that ends with 2(+) characters trapped in a phone booth with no way out

Word Count: 2.1K

Relationships: Trent Crimm/Ted Lasso, Coach Beard & Ted Lasso

Warnings: None

~ Read the fic under the cut ~

There’s only one time that Ted uses a phone booth, at least, one time that sticks out in recent memory. 

He stupidly leaves his phone in his office, and, of course, Beard texts him multiple times from home, to no response…

Something’s wrong. Ted is probably in an accident, or he’s too overwhelmed. Maybe he’s dead. Yes, that might be the case with the whole thing that they do: Stretching the truth with each other. 

But, there are two instincts in the manager’s head: One, to run all the way to the office, or two, to call someone via… One of those red boxes. 

He was planning to call Michelle and Henry today, too, but, on second thought, his first message should be to Beard. Because Ted already knows that he’s worried sick for him, and they’re basically synchronised on the friendship front. 

He reaches the nearest phone booth to him, right by the Crown and Anchor, and closes the door behind him. If he isn’t carrying his phone, then he’s always carrying money with him, which is perfect. 

Phew. Ted can actually breathe a second. And how nice is that… 

He slips a bit of loose change into the machine, dialling for Beard’s ‘home’ number. He has to scratch at his head a bit before he figures it out, and he breathes out another long and slow breath. 

“Who is this?” Beard asks, and once he hears Ted’s pant of a laugh, he knows, “Coach? You found your phone?” 

“I didn’t. I mean, I know where it is, I left it in my office, in such a rush today.” The manager finds himself leaning against the glass of the phone booth, cool in comparison to the surprisingly warmer weather. “But… I’ll head back to work tomorrow, remember to pick it up, it’ll be good as new.” 

The other coach nods on his head and sighs quietly, “Good, Coach. I just had to know. Oh, yeah!” He adds, suddenly thinking about the circumstances, “Is the phone booth big? You reckon that you could fit more than one person in there?” 

Ted begins clicking his tongue, finding that he can comfortably pace around the box, and that… On the opposite side of him, there’s another phone. 

“I mean, these things do seem pretty great,” Ted hums, “I dunno how and why you’d get two people in here, confusing their words… But you definitely can do it.” 

“Well,” Beard hums, “The more you know. Take care without a phone, it’s dangerous territory.” 

“Oh, alright, ” He has to roll his eyes, only to look down and realise that this sort of thing has a time limit, a time limit! And he hasn’t got very long before he has to feed the phone some more loose change. “I’ll be fine without a phone, seriously. And this call is gonna end any minute now, so have a good afternoon, and night–” 

And, there. It rings out before he can hear his friend’s reply, but… He got through the gist of what he wanted to say, and more. That’s the important thing. 

He lets out a heavy breath as he watches the world around him. This box is fairly soundproof, so he notices. People walking, people talking, drinking, playing, on their phones… And the world feels so expansive, especially from this angle, this booth. It’s almost peaceful, and almost isolating. 

Ted rubs a thumb over his moustache and considers calling Michelle. He’ll have to tell Henry that he can only talk with his voice today, no expressions, because he was a silly-billy and left his phone at work. 

He starts fumbling with his loose change, mumbling to himself as he does, before the door swings open and he feels himself stiffen. 

Well, that’s the biggest coincidence I’ve ever heard of! He thinks, letting the stranger set up for their call. 

Except, the stranger is not even strange at all, worse than that, he’s not unknown to him. 

Ted practically wants to collapse. With embarrassment, laughter, fear? He doesn’t know. 

But the wisps of grey hair, his suit, his slender fingers… 

“Trent Crimm, The Independent! ” He eventually chirps, biting down on his lip, “I can’t believe we’re in the same phone booth! Better yet, did you lose your phone too? Or forget it? How funny would that be, the both of us misplacin’ our phones–” 

It’s not uncommon for Ted to ramble when he’s anxious, better yet, when he has nothing else to do… But he hasn’t done it in front of Trent before, and that’s a scary thing to take in, which makes him want to ramble more, and the cycle continues. 

But the journalist simply shrugs and reaches out for the phone that’s hanging up, “Didn’t lose it, right in my pocket, Ted… But sometimes, there’s a certain need for anonymity. Otherwise, it’s just nice to be in a phone booth.” 

The manager, for some godforsaken reason, decided to take that as, Otherwise, it’s just nice to be with you, in a phone booth, and he doesn’t quite know what to think anymore. 

It’d be good to call Beard again, just to try and talk things out – At least, much better without the most stunning journalist, being here, talking casually and smoothly – And he could make sense of it all. The other Coach’s one-liners often do the trick. 

If only he had his phone, poor thing, he’d text the Diamond Dogs and round them up for another dilemma. 

Instead, he’s here, not exactly intent on leaving, and listening to him without a care in the world. 

“Yes,” He’s saying, facing the Crown and Anchor, meaning that Ted only has his side-profile to– Admire. That’s the best word… “Yes, of course. Well, there’s that issue among others. I take it all very seriously. Who do you think I–” He suddenly clears his throat, as though to restrain himself from having a hissy fit, before he speaks again. “I will be keeping at it, as always. Thank you, bye now.” 

And he hangs up the phone with a hum, something between relieved and satisfied, before he smiles at the coach. “Well, it’s good to see you again, Ted. That was a work call, I best be off now–” He gestures towards the door, but before he prepares to push it open, he swears he feels something brush near him, or touch his hand, or something– 

Ah, yes, that’s right. Trent suddenly thinks, raising a careful eyebrow at Ted, who has now shifted in a way that’s almost blocking the exit, Ted Lasso.  

“If you’re wanting a special phone booth interview… Then no can do, Ted. I really have to go now.” 

“I just wanted to say that it’s good to see you, Trent. You know, without some sort of journalist mask on.” The manager says quietly, but his gaze is fierce. Perhaps it’s fiercer than he meant it to be, but that’s the way it is. 

He’s always enjoyed Trent’s company, every second, for the laughs, the expressions, the insights that he feels he can’t acquire from anyone else… And then there’s a thousand other little vibes and intricacies that he feels. Teasing, and warmth, even in his sternest or most upright moments. 

He feels as though he should let him go, but a part of him is still swirling: After the divorce, after leaving Michelle and Henry… Just thinking about calling them, and now?

And now… 

Ted averts his gaze to the ground before looking back up at the journalist. All he can manage to say is, “And we haven’t been this close before. I kinda like it.” 

Close is right. 

Whether that’s physically close or emotionally close, Trent isn’t absolutely certain, but it’s the fact he can feel Ted’s breath every now and then, and stare back into his eyes… Wide, vulnerable, almost, and he’s unsure of why. 

Nothing about the team is going wrong, and unless there’s some personal dilemma that Trent Crimm, The fucking Independent , is struggling to figure out, then– 

“Screw that previous thought,” Ted murmurs, as though coming to a realisation himself, “It’s not ‘kinda’, Trent, it’s ‘really’. It’s ‘really enjoyed spending this time’ with you ‘really’ and so much more.” He sighs and crosses over his arms, “You’re like a breath of fresh air, you know that? And I just can’t help…” 

Trent manages a small smile, followed by a breathless chuckle, “You can’t help it? How we work together? Or something else?”

“All of the above, I guess. It’s not something I can really pinpoint… But it’s strong. And it’s, well, pretty big, goddammit, and it’s always around you.” 

There’s something that the journalist didn’t expect to hear. The last thing he wants to do is run or hide. Instead, he shudders for breath and places a hand on Ted’s shoulder. 

“I have to admit, Ted… There’s definitely a connection here. We gel a lot more than I thought we would… And I don’t think I can deny it, either.”

The manager exhales and grins up at Trent, gesturing to him with a hand, “Well, isn’t that… Isn’t that something else?” He’s practically telling it to himself, trying to solidify it all in his head. 

Trent’s here, and he’s holding him at his shoulder, and he’s kind, gorgeous, intelligent and patient, and he’s here–  

And suddenly, the strongest impulse tugs at him, tugging, tugging down hard on his heartstrings, and he leans forward, closer to the journalist until he brushes his lips against Trent’s. Featherlight, gentle, faint. 

And he doesn’t just stand there, dumbstruck or angry. He kisses back, just for a moment, the slightest moment!  

Oh.

Oh.  

But it ends all too soon. 

“Ted,” Trent’s eyes are wide, face slightly flushed, and Ted’s expression only mirrors his own, “I don’t think it’s the best idea to–” 

“Try this out? I-I get it, I’m sorry. God, I shouldn’t have been so hasty, so impulsive! ” 

To be completely honest with himself, the manager doesn’t even know what’s unfolding, why it’s happening. If he just kept to himself, didn’t let his thoughts linger and turn wayward, everything would’ve been fine. 

The journalist wouldn’t have flat-out rejected him, like right now, but a loud sigh brings him back to reality. 

“Hey… I wasn’t aiming for any push back, Ted.” He presses, yet not unkindly, “Instead, I was going to say that we should head back to your flat, see how we feel. Impulsivity, haste, and all. A phone booth isn’t an ideal place to, well, you know.”

“Kiss a journalist I’ve been mentally pining for, for… However long now.” 

“Yeah,” Trent says softly, as though it’s a miracle to be appreciated, let alone, being in Ted’s thoughts for so long. “That.” He steps back and gestures for the other to take his place. “After you.” 

The manager lets out a quiet hum, glancing up to see the sky darkening. 

Yes, He thinks to himself, God, yes… What a beautiful time to walk back, Trent by my side, moonlight all around us… And then I’ll kiss him again, see how it goes, for real this time–  

And he shoves at the phone booth door. 

It doesn’t budge. 

Ted and Trent exchange a glance, and it’s now the journalist’s turn to have a crack at it. He pushes the door, more refined, trying to work with the handle’s mechanisms, but… Something’s probably clicked shut amidst one of their phone calls, or when they were expressing this… Intention of theirs. 

“We’re in a phone booth,” The journalist says calmly, stretching on the spot, “Well, good news. We can call for help. Who should we call, though? I’ll think of someone–” 

As Trent moves back over to where the phones are, all Ted does is tug at his suit sleeve. He pivots to face the coach, who’s grinning at him. 

“ What? ” He asks, practically pouting now. 

“I mean, now that we know that we’re stuck here… Help will always be on hand. How does take two sound?” 

“Mm,” The journalist hums thoughtfully, a small smile playing at his lips, “Oh, alright, then, what the hell–” 

And Ted cuts him off completely, their lips well and truly intertwining this time. 

In fact, the phone booth is almost their saving grace as they’re silhouetted and carefree, about distance, about the tastes of their lips, and all other things. 

And it’s their saving grace, too, for this wouldn’t have happened if they weren’t here, trapped in space, in time, and without a better course of action than to kiss each other again, and again, and again. 

Ted’s uncertain feeling only grows, and pinpointing it is still a difficult task. 

Nevertheless, when the pair decide to give up for the night and relish in the quiet, they slink against the floor. 

Ted finds his head snuggled up to Trent’s shoulder, and when he realises it’s there, if only subconsciously, he doesn’t move away, or freak out, or suddenly consider someone finding them here, like this. 

None of that matters, not here, not now, and all is well. 

[my-beloved-lakes]

Headcanons for Henry and Nora’s wedding day?

Hey thanks for the ask! Sorry it took so long! (I decided to go with sort of a short story format for this one. Tried to kinda follow the format of an episode of Forever with flashbacks intercut with present day stuff.)

"Cause of death seems pretty obvious." Jo said, pointing at the body on Henry's operating table. "Gunshot wound to the chest."

Henry nodded in agreement, although he would have to do an autopsy to confirm and give an official report. Doting the "i"s and crossing the "t"s and what not.

"Apparently his fiance found him kissing one of her bridesmaids on their wedding day, but pretended like she didn't know anything. Shot him the next day."

"You have witnesses?" Henry asked.

"No, but her prints are all over the gun. Not such a happy ending to the "happiest affair," is it." Jo said throwing up a couple of air quotes. "so much for true love."

Henry suddenly realized something strange as he stood and looked at the victim on his table. He found his mind wandering back 200 years in the past, to the day he was married for the first time. It was strange that this case should remind him of Nora when there was so little in common between this and his own first wedding. Perhaps it was Jo's words. "Not such a happy ending to the happiest affair." Heaven knows his first marriage hadn't ended well. Or perhaps seeing this unfortunate situation reminded him of how fortunate he had been with Nora, for a time at least...

***

Henry fidgeted nervously as he waited for the hour of his wedding to arrive.

He had been nervous and excited all day and, despite not getting any sleep the night before, on account of the excitement, he didn't feel tired at all. His nerves were firing away too quickly.

He finally got too impatient and went to the room where his soon to be wife would be hiding so as not to see the groom before the wedding.

He knocked on her door and waited for a response.

"Who is it?" She asked

"It's me, darling. Can I come in?"

"It's bad luck!" Nora protested

"I don't believe in luck."

"Well I'm not going to tempt fate." Nora said firmly. "You'll see me at the alter and not before."

"Do you really believe bad luck could ruin our marriage?" Henry asked.

There was a long silence from inside the room, then the door creaked open, only a crack. Not enough for either of them to see through but enough so they didn't have to raise their voices to be heard.

"The truth is..." Nora said hesitantly "I'd really like to see you now." She whispered as if afraid of being caught.

Henry waited a moment, unsure what to do next. Then the door opened a little further.

"Close your eyes and I'll close mine." Nora said.

Henry thought it was silly but decided there was no harm in humoring her.

"And no cheating. You must promise."

"I promise." Henry closed his eyes and felt Nora move close to him. he felt her press her body against his and then he felt her kiss. He gently wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer as he kissed her back.

"Henry..." Nora said

"Yes darling?"

"I've changed my mind. you can open your eyes."

Henry did and met Nora's gaze as she looked up at him. He felt his heart swell as he looked down into her beautiful blue-green eyes.

Then she pulled away again and slipped back into her room.

"Now you really should go." Nora said. "And you mustn't tell anyone about this."

Henry couldn't see his fiance but he could imagine the mischievous grin on her face that matched the tone in her voice...

***

"Henry?" Jo's voice cut into Henry's thoughts. "You okay?"

"Yes, fine. Just lost in thought I suppose."

Jo nodded without the least bit of surprise. She must be used to him becoming lost in thought by now.

"Okay, we'll just let me know when you have an official report on the cause of death." She said

"Yes, I'll get that to you as soon as I can."

Henry watched as Jo left the autopsy room, then turned his attention back to the victim. However, with Jo gone now, it wasn't long before his mind drifted back to Nora. He didn't think of her often anymore. There were so many other, much more pleasant things to think about, but they had had many happy years together before things turned sour and on occasion Henry allowed himself to look back fondly on those times...

***

Henry stood at the alter in the little church in his home town, his brother (his best man) at his side. Now that he was standing here, only moments away from tying the knot, he was more exited and nervous than ever. He was about to start a new chapter in his life and once he did there would be no going back.

He heard the doors to the church open behind him, the organ begin to play and the shuffle of many guests rising to their feet.

"Well, Henry, was it worth the wait?" His brother asked as they turned to watch Nora walk down the aisle, escorted by her father.

One look at Nora and all of Henry's anxiety disappeared like mist in a stiff breeze. He was okay with never been able to go back when this was what he had to look forward to.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. He remembered saying his vows and hearing Nora say hers, he remembered sliding a ring onto her finger and what was supposed to be their first kiss, but beyond that, all he could remember was the feeling of ecstacy and a heart so full he thought it'd burst...

***

"Hey doc, ya still with me?"

This time it was Lucas who pulled Henry from his thoughts.

Henry shook his head a little to clear his mind.

"You didn't hear a word of that, did you?" Lucas said.

Henry had to admit that was true.

Lucas shrugged it off and quickly recapped what he had been saying.

"Guess it really is bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other before the wedding." He finished with a joke.

An amusing thought suddenly occurred to Henry. What if that's where everything went wrong for him. Perhaps, if he hadn't gone to see Nora before their wedding Nora would have actually believed him when he had told her about his immortality or perhaps He wouldn't have been cursed with immortality to begin with. perhaps he would have died a peaceful death as an old man with a wife who loved him by his side. Henry almost chuckled to himself. It was all ridiculous of course, but amusing none the less.

[hookedonapirate]

I’LL WAIT A LIFETIME OR TWO

Summary:

At forty, Emma Swan is living her best life. She's happily single and owns a thriving art gallery with her best friend Elsa. And of course, there's the love of her life, her teenage son, Henry.

Since the divorce three years ago, her carefully curated life has been quiet, peaceful, ordinary. She couldn’t ask for anything more. So why does the one guy she ends up falling for have to be the rockstar her son has a poster of on his bedroom wall, whose life is nothing short of extraordinary?

The Idea of You AU

Rated: M

AO3

Ch 1 Ch 2 Ch 3 Ch 4 Ch 5 Ch 6 Ch 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

If I didn’t have the privilege of witnessing the anger brewing in Elsa’s eyes the next evening, her heels clicking sharply against the wooden floor would definitely give it away, the sound hurting my ears like nails on a chalkboard.

Henry bounds into the foyer, his eyes bright as he heads toward the staircase. “Hey, Elsa.”

“Oh, hey, Henry,” she greets him much more warmly than she did with me. “How are you feeling?”

His brows knit together as he pauses to give her a puzzled look. “I’m great. Why do you ask?”

“Oh, no reason,” Elsa replies with an exaggerated grin. She shoots me a pointed glance.

Shit.

She’s definitely on to me.

Oblivious to our silent exchange, Henry continues his ascent up the steps, taking them two at a time.

As soon as his bedroom door clicks shut, Elsa pivots toward me, her hands planted firmly on her hips and one eyebrow arched in accusation. “He seems awfully lively for someone recovering from food poisoning.”

My cheeks heat under her penetrating gaze as I attempt to deflect. “Teens, right? They bounce back so quickly.” Judging by the skeptical tilt of her head, she isn’t buying it. Which really shouldn’t be surprising. I should’ve known she’d find out about what happened with Walsh before I got the chance to tell her the truth. “Want some wine?” I’m definitely going to need some liquid courage for this conversation.

Elsa follows me into the kitchen with a resigned sigh. “Yes, we’re going to need it...but you know I’m not letting this go, right?”

“I know. That’s what the wine is for..” With a shaky laugh, I grab two glasses from the cupboard and a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. I fumble with the corkscrew, struggling to open it as my nerves take over. I hadn’t planned on telling her about Killian yet, but images from last night’s encounter with him flash through my mind—his touch, his kisses, the way his tongue felt inside me, the way he felt inside me—and I know if I don’t tell someone soon, I’m going to burst. Our night together was the best I’ve ever had. And usually, I tell Elsa everything, so not telling her feels wrong, almost illegal.

“Em, why did you ditch Walsh last night?” she asks, her tone teetering between reproach and intrigue. 

An involuntary sigh escapes me as I pry the cork loose with a satisfying pop and pour a generous amount, the rich, ruby liquid cascading into our glasses. “How did you know Henry didn’t have food poisoning?”

“Because you would’ve told me. You usually tell me everything.” She accepts her glass, her gaze downcast, tone softening. “Though lately, it doesn’t seem that way.”

My insides twist, a cold, clammy stream of guilt slithering down my spine. I should’ve told her the truth from the beginning. In fact, I never should’ve agreed to a date with Walsh in the first place. “I know and I’m sorry…I would’ve told you sooner…it’s just…it’s complicated.”

She looks up at me with a raised brow. “Complicated how?”

I lift my gaze, as if I could somehow see through the ceiling to where Henry’s room is. “We should take this outside,” I propose, reaching for the wine bottle and my glass.

We transition to the patio to continue our conversation under the stars and twinkling lights of the pergola, beyond the ears of any curious listeners.

Elsa sinks into the plush sofa as I ignite the fire pit, the warm flicker of the flames casting dancing shadows around us. I ease into the rocking chair beside her, and we cradle our glasses as we pick up where we left off.

Taking a deep breath, a smile slowly spreads over my lips, unrestrained. “You have to promise to not judge me.”

“Judge you? Why would I judge you?” Her eyes narrow, then widen, her face paling as I take a sip of my wine. “Please tell me you didn’t sleep with Neal.”

I almost spit out my drink, the mere thought leaving a bitter taste in my mouth and making my stomach churn. “No, God, no!” I exclaim, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.

“Thank God.” Elsa’s shoulders relax and she lets out a breath. “Then what is it?”

“Well, remember when I said lunch with Killian was strictly business?”

“Yeaaah.” Elsa studies me for a moment, then her eyes light up. “Ha! I knew it!” She leans forward, pointing a finger in the air. “I knew there was something more going on between you two.”

I peer into my glass. “I didn’t rush to tell you because I wasn’t sure where things between us were going. But now…” I bite my smile. “Now I think I might really like him.” It feels amazing to get that off my chest.

Her face lights up, then dims a little, her brows furrowing. “Okay, then tell me this—why agree to go out with Walsh?”

“Because I stupidly thought I could forget Killian…but that failed.”

“Okay.” She observes some more for a moment, connecting the dots, putting the pieces together. Then I can actually see the pieces click into place because her eyes sparkle as she lets out a squeak. “You had sex with him, didn’t you?!”

“Shhhh! Not so loud,” I whisper, my blushing smile giving myself away.

Elsa clamps a hand over her mouth, her eyes glinting with apology. “Oops. Sorry.” She removes her hand, speaking more quietly. “And how does Henry feel about all this?”

I shrug, my stomach twinging with guilt as I trace the rim of my glass. “He doesn’t know yet. I’m not sure how he’d react, you know? I’m not even sure what this is.”

“I understand, but you should definitely tell him soon, before he finds out some other way.”

“I know, I’m planning on it. I’m just not quite ready yet.” I don’t think I’ll ever be.

Her eyes light up. “So, tell me everything. How did this thing with Killian even start?”

I take a sip of my wine before launching into the story of how we met in the trailer and everything that’s happened since. The guilt in my stomach eases slightly as I finally share my secret.

“Wait, Killian…isn’t he Henry’s idol?”

“Yes,” I admit, biting my bottom lip. “Which is exactly why I can’t tell him. And also because of the age gap. He’s closer to Henry’s age than he is mine.”

“How young are we talking?” Elsa leans forward, her eyes narrowing in curiosity.

“Twenties…mid-twenties,” I specify hesitantly, avoiding her gaze as I swirl the wine in my glass.

“So?” She waves her hand dismissively, a smile tugging at her lips. “That’s nothing.”

My eyes widen in surprise. “So, don’t you think it’s weird?” 

“No, why would it be?” Elsa’s tone is confident, reassuring as she reaches out and places a hand on my arm.

I narrow my eyes at her, remembering all the late-night conversations we had when Neal left me for Wendy, who is thirteen years his junior and also in her mid-twenties at the time. The judgment, the scrutiny he got from us as we dissected their relationship with such disdain. Closing my eyes briefly, I shake my head, trying to understand why she’s taking this so much easier than I thought she would. “Hang on, so, when Neal does it, it’s gross, but when I do it, it’s fine?”

“Yes,” she answers without blinking. “Because Neal was married when he got together with Wendy. You’re not.” She smiles. “And also because I hate him and I love you.” She leans back, her expression thoughtful. “I can’t believe you’re dating a rockstar. It’s so...not you.”

I laugh, more of the tension lifting from my shoulders. “Tell me about it. But he’s more than just a rockstar, Elsa. He’s kind, funny and he just…he makes me feel like...like I can be myself. Like, who knew the one guy I can do that with is someone who can’t even walk outside without attracting flocks of fans and paparazzi?”

She smiles warmly. “Then I’m happy for you. You deserve someone who makes you feel that way.” Her smile dims. “Just be careful.”

I furrow my brows. “Be careful of what?”

“Of getting too attached.”

“What do you mean?”

Elsa sighs regrettably. “I just don’t want you to fall in too deep only to get your heart broken. I mean, like you said, he can’t go anywhere without attracting attention. Every time he steps outside, It's raining women, and as much as I’d love to believe you are one in a million in his world, he is still a man. A celebrity, to boot.”

I wave off her words, at the same time trying to wave off the ache in my gut. I had a similar thought during the car ride on the way to dinner last night, but I convinced myself this is only a fleeting dalliance. “You don’t have to worry about me, okay? This is just a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I am enjoying the ride while it lasts.”

She eyes me skeptically, not sure if she quite believes me. “You sure you can handle this?”

“Please, I totally got this.”

~*~

On Monday morning, the events of the other night replay in my mind, bringing a smile to my lips as I stretch languidly beneath the sheets. Killian’s touch still lingers on my skin, his presence a phantom warmth beside me.

Pushing aside the covers, I slip out of bed and pad softly across the room. The days have felt different since our encounter, lighter somehow. I feel lighter, like I’m floating on a cloud and can’t seem to come back to the ground. In the kitchen, I reach for the canister of cocoa powder, sugar and milk, deciding to make Henry something special this morning.

I whisk together the ingredients, watching the chocolate meld into the creamy liquid as visions of Killian, his strong hands, his blue eyes, his glorious, naked body filter through my mind. The rich aroma fills the air, and I can’t help but hum a tune under my breath—one of Killian’s songs that’s been stuck in my head since last night when I was watching his music videos in my room, listening through my AirPods.

“Morning, Mom,” Henry greets me as he enters the kitchen, his voice still heavy with sleep.

“Good morning, Kid.” Pouring the cocoa into a mug, I add a generous swirl of whipped cream.

“Is that a Midnight Moon song you’re humming?”

“Uh, yeah, it was on the radio and I couldn’t get it out of my head.” I look away from him, sprinkling the cinnamon over the whipped cream, hoping he doesn’t see right through me. But when I look over at him again, he’s grinning from ear to ear.

“Yeah, their songs tend to have that effect on people.”

I turn and present him with the steaming mug, the whipped cream forming a soft peak. “Made you some hot cocoa. With extra everything.”

Henry takes the mug, his brow furrowing slightly as he eyes me with curiosity. His gaze is so much like mine—observant, searching. He’s always been perceptive, even as a child, picking up on the unspoken emotions and the hidden stories behind a smile.

“Thanks, but...what’s the special occasion?” Henry asks, taking a tentative sip of the cocoa. “It’s not my birthday yet.”

“Why does it have to be a special occasion for me to make you hot cocoa?”

“Because you only make me hot cocoa on my birthday, holidays and when I’m sick.”

“Why can’t I whip up my son his favorite treat on a nondescript Monday simply because I love him to pieces?” I reach out, wrap my arms around him and squeeze him tight, leaving a wet, sloppy kiss on his cheek.

He wipes at the spot, narrowing his eyes at me. “Is everything okay?”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?”

“You’ve just been kinda floaty since yesterday.”

“Floaty?” I repeat, feigning ignorance while trying to keep my expression neutral. My heart beats a little faster under his scrutiny, the secret of my night with Killian suddenly feeling like a bright neon sign above my head.

“Yeah, I’ve never heard you humming songs in the kitchen before, you’ve been super nice and smiling a lot.” Henry studies me over the rim of his mug, his green eyes narrowed in playful suspicion. “Did you hit it off with that Walsh guy?” He immediately shakes his head. “Never mind, I don’t wanna know.”

“I’m fine, Henry,” I assure him, hoping my voice doesn’t betray the butterflies dancing in my stomach. “Everything is completely normal.” I flash him a reassuring smile.

“Uh-huh.” He doesn’t look entirely convinced. “Well, thanks for the hot chocolate. It’s really good.”

“Anytime, kid.” After he leaves the kitchen, the corners of my lips tug into a smirk as I sip my own hot chocolate.

~*~

I’ve been dreading lunch with Neal ever since the word “yes” slipped out of my mouth and I stupidly forgot to cancel. He claimed he wants to discuss Henry’s upcoming birthday, but why couldn’t we have done that over a phone call? Or via text? Why did I have to meet him in person where his face will just remind me of how much Henry mirrors his father?

But the anticipation of meeting Killian tonight in his hotel room is what will get me through a dreadful hour of having to sit and chat with my ex. Killian had called me yesterday to set something up, knowing he’d be in the area with the band. And I, of course, said yes.

As if seeing Neal isn’t bad enough, he insisted on meeting at Soho House, where he conducts most of his business deals over power lunches. I can’t deny the exquisite art collection here and its aesthetic appeal, but the atmosphere drips with pretension and judgment.

I step into the rooftop garden room, which basks in the California sunshine, wicker lanterns hanging overhead, swaying softly in the breeze. Olive trees sporadically dot the space with their gnarled trunks and silver-green leaves, the floor-to-ceiling windows affording panoramic views of the sprawling West Hollywood hills.

As I head to Neal’s favorite table positioned in the back corner, laughter echoes from the center of the room near the koi pond, freezing me in my place, the air leaving my lungs. The sound is familiar—a timbre I’ve come to associate with one person in particular, a sound that always sends a tingle down my spine—and it draws my gaze like a magnet.

Even from behind, Killian is unmistakable—the tousled dark hair that never seems entirely tamed, broad shoulders tapering down into lean muscles. My skin tingles when I think about how soft his hair felt between my fingers as his tongue was buried inside me, how good those muscles had felt beneath my fingertips when he was driving into me. The images make me shudder with pleasure, heat pooling in my core.

My heart skips a beat, and I find myself changing course, making my way to Killian instead. He, his bandmates and a few women, Mary Margaret among them, sprawl comfortably around a table strewn with half-drained glasses and plates of food, their boisterous laughter and animated conversation permeating the air.

A twinge of jealousy gnaws at my insides at their closeness and camaraderie. I want to be a part of it, to be a part of Killian’s world.

His piercing blue eyes find mine, locking me in place for a heartbeat too long. I force a polite smile, reminding myself to breathe. “Killian,” I greet, approaching their table with feigned nonchalance.

“Emma?” He launches from his seat and approaches me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

I look over at Neal, and thankfully, he’s too busy, his face buried in the New York Times, to notice me over here.

I can tell Killian wants to kiss me, his eyes dropping to my lips, but then he looks over at his group. “You guys remember Emma, right? From Coachella?”

A chorus of hellos from the group greets me warmly, and I smile back, waving at them. Judging by the relaxed smile on Liam’s face—on all their faces—Killian hasn’t told them we slept together. He mentioned his brother’s protectiveness, so I wonder what Liam would say about Killian being with a forty-year-old woman.

“Would you like to join us?” Killian asks, a hopeful glint in his eyes.

“Yes, please, you should join us.” Mary Margaret gestures me over.

“I’m sorry, I can’t,” I say regretfully, tucking a stray lock of blonde hair behind my ear. I would much rather stay here with them—with Killian—than go over and have lunch with Neal. “I’m meeting Neal here for lunch.”

Killian’s eyebrow arches just slightly—a silent question mark hanging between us. “Neal, as in your ex-husband?” His mouth twists into a small frown, his dark eyes flickering with something akin to jealousy.

“Yeah. But believe me, it’s nothing more than ‘just lunch.’”

“Mind if I swing by to say hi?” he asks, his casual demeanor belying the intensity of his gaze.

“Sure, why not,” I gesture over at Neal’s table in the corner, knowing full well the ‘why not’ part. But it’s too late to retreat now.

As Killian’s arm slips from my shoulders, I wave once more at the group and continue to Neal’s table, taking a seat across from him. He’s impeccably dressed, as always, his brown hair perfectly coiffed. He engages me in small talk as I cradle my chin in my hand and nod when necessary, but I can’t really hear what he says because all I can think about is how close Killian is. I can’t see him or hear him but I can feel his presence, and I’m on the edge of my seat, ready to run back over there, but I’m mustering all the willpower inside me to stay put.

“Emma, you look...distracted.”

“Just the usual whirlwind at the gallery,” I deflect, grateful for years of practice keeping my emotions under wraps.

“So, I’ve been thinking about Henry’s birthday,” Neal says, taking a sip of his water. “I want to buy him a car.”

I raise a brow. “A new car? Neal, that’s…expensive.”

“It’s not new. It’s used.” Neal taps his phone a few times and then turns the screen toward me. “I’ve been looking at this one.” It’s a picture of a sleek, red convertible—exactly the type of car I’d expect Neal to pick for our son. “I thought it would be perfect for Henry’s seventeenth birthday. He’s getting his driver’s license soon.”

I stare at the image, my heart pounding in my chest. The car is beautiful, no doubt, but the thought of Henry driving through the chaotic streets of Los Angeles behind the wheel of such a powerful vehicle makes my stomach churn.

“It looks like a great car, Neal,” I say carefully, trying to mask my anxiety. “But... don’t you think it’s a bit much? We usually have a price cap. I got him some screenwriting supplies—a drawing tablet and ‘Save the Cat’.”

“That’s okay. He’ll have something educational and something powerful.”

That has me sighing. He’s totally missing the point.

“Look, he’s a responsible kid, Ems. And he’s going to need a reliable car for college visits and everything else coming up.”

“I know he’s responsible. I just worry about him driving in LA, especially with all the traffic and...well, everything.”

“Relax, he’ll be fine. We’ll make sure he gets extra driving lessons if that helps. I just want to give him something special. Plus, it’s a safe model with top-notch safety features.”

“Which won’t do him any good in the event of a rollover,” I point out, the thought making my stomach turn. 

Neal waves a dismissive hand. “Highly unlikely. Convertibles have centered gravity. They have a lower risk of rolling over than other vehicles.”

I shake my head, unconvinced. “That may be true, but I think a Chrysler Pacifica would be a better choice for a first car,” I suggest, arching an eyebrow at the impractical choice for a new driver navigating LA’s hectic streets.

Neal chuckles, shaking his head. “Ems, he’s going to be a high school senior in the fall, not a soccer mom. He needs something cool to impress his friends. You don’t want him to get laughed at, do you?”

I roll my eyes. On one hand, I appreciate that Neal is discussing this with me before making such a big purchase. On the other hand, I doubt anything I say will sway him in a different direction. So, coming to me first is rather pointless. This entire lunch is pointless. “Well, excuse me if I think safety trumps ‘cool’ when it comes to our son.”

Before Neal can respond, Killian strides over all suave and gallant.

Saved by the bell.

He’s wearing a Metallica t-shirt with a graphic of an electric guitar under the band name, slightly faded and perfectly worn, the short sleeves showing off the tattoos inking his arms. His ripped jeans hug his frame just right, the tears and frays artfully scattered across the denim. A vast contrast to Neal’s perfectly tailored charcoal Brioni suit, with a deep purple silk tie.

I’m now realizing how much my tastes have changed over the years. I used to prefer the polished, business type—men like Neal, who exude success and confidence. But now, I find myself more attracted to the rugged bad boy look. Or maybe it’s just Killian I’m attracted to. The thought makes me smirk inwardly. He looks good. And he smells good. Really, really good. The urge to touch him is unbearable.

He flashes me a toothy grin. “Fancy seeing you here, love.”

Neal’s eyebrows arch in a silent question as he takes in Killian’s appearance, like who is this guy?

“Hi, I’m Killian.” He extends his hand, and despite Neal’s initial skepticism, he shakes it reluctantly, meeting Killian’s with a cautious grip.

“Neal.”

“Good to meet you, Neal.”

“Likewise,” Neal replies, the word coated in cordiality. His brow is raised and there’s a slight tilt of the head, his lips slightly parted.

“Killian’s uh…he’s…”

“An art collector…who has an eye for beautiful artwork, like the ones in Emma’s gallery.”

I smirk, more amused by the way Neal’s looking at him than how casually Killian just strolled up to us and introduced himself to Neal.

“Is that so?”

“Well, I’ll let you get back to your lunch. We’ll touch base soon.”

“Sounds good,” I say casually, taking a sip of my water.

Killian flashes a grin before leaving a trail of tension in his wake.

As he walks away, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. There’s a heaviness in my chest, the weight of unsaid words and hidden glances. But here, with Neal’s analyzing gaze on me, I can’t afford to reveal how deeply Killian’s proximity affects me.

“Interesting character,” Neal comments after a moment, turning his attention back to me, though his gaze lingers on Killian’s retreating figure.

I bite my tongue to refrain from saying anything to that.

“He seems familiar though. Didn’t I see him on a late-night show?” 

“Maybe,” I murmur noncommittally, smoothing out the napkin on my lap.

“Is he an actor?”

I shake my head, sipping my water. “No.”

“Cassidy!”

I’m saved by the bell once again when Greg Mendell, Neal’s friend and fellow attorney, strides up to their table.

“Mendell,” Neal greets with a firm handshake.

However, this interruption is not as welcome. By me anyway. In fact, my stomach twists at the sight of him as the memories of the night I found out about Neal’s affair resurface. Greg and his wife were both there, both well aware of what Neal was doing behind my back, yet they smiled and laughed over dinner as if everything was fantastic.

Greg turns to me. “Emma, this is a pleasant surprise. How are you doing?”

I force a polite smile. “I’m great. How are you? How’s Tamara?”

“Tamara’s great. Thanks for asking. She’s been buried in her work as usual. Lots of late nights at the lab.”

I nod, pretending to be interested, and thankfully his attention on me is brief. He and Neal get into a heated debate about a recent case as my phone vibrates in my purse. I discreetly pull it out and glance at the screen. 

Killian: Yep, hate him even more.

I choke down the laughter threatening to escape. I look up, but Neal and Greg are still caught up in conversation, paying me no mind. My phone vibrates again, my heart skipping a beat when I read the next message.

Killian: Gods, I missed you.

Killian: You look beautiful btw 😍 

Me: So do you. 😚

Killian: Meet me in the lavvy in 5 minutes? 😉

I bite my bottom lip, the sweet ache of our night together rushing back full force.

Me: Can you make it in two?

The response is immediate.

Killian: Absolutely.

I almost knock over the chair in my eagerness to get up. The two men both pause from their conversation to look at me. “Sorry, I just need to step out for a moment.” 

“Everything okay?” Neal asks, narrowing his eyes.

“Fine. Just fine,” I reply hastily. “Be right back.” I smooth out my skirt, trying to appear calm and collected. But on the inside, my heart is racing. When I pass Killian’s table, his gaze meets mine, that familiar hunger that was there the night we made love, igniting in his eyes, making my skin heat, a small smile pulling at my lips.

This is crazy, I tell myself. I’m about to get it on in the restroom if that wink emoji is any indication. But it’s too late. I’m already stepping inside the ladies’ room.

The door opens not a minute later, Killian slipping in and locking it with an urgency that mirrors my own, filling the small space with his magnetic presence. His intense blue eyes lock on mine, sending a spark through my veins. The air thins as he steps closer, and we’re swept up in an intense kiss that’s as explosive as it is urgent, leaving no room for hesitation or pretense. It’s as if we’re both starved for this contact, this affirmation that the other night wasn’t just a dream. His kiss is urgent, demanding, and I respond with equal fervor, tangling my fingers in his tousled hair. The world beyond these walls ceases to exist, and there’s only Killian and the way he makes me feel—alive, wanted, aflame.

He presses me against the wall, steadying us in our shared recklessness. I bury my hands in his hair as he wraps his arm around my waist. Needing this man like I need air, I fumble for his jeans, hastily undoing them as Killian shimmies up my skirt so it’s around my hips. A soft moan escapes me, lost in the echo of our hushed urgency. We’re consumed by the moment, giving in to the pull of desire that has become our gravity. It’s reckless and wild, a fire we’re both too willing to stoke.

He lifts me up by the back of my thighs, wrapping my legs around his waist and setting me on the sink as he pushes my panties aside and presses the velvety head of his cock against my entrance. The conversation I had with Elsa tries to creep into my already foggy brain, but I push it aside as I push my hand inside his pants. There are things I want to ask him, but there’s no time for it now.

Our unified gasps mingle at the connection when he enters me—a sweet burn that elicits a decadent groan from his lips.

Killian moves inside me, his hands gripping my hips tightly as he thrusts into me with an intense rhythm that has me clutching onto his shoulders and begging him not to stop between moans and choked gasps.

“Gods, Emma,” he whispers against my neck, his breath hot on my skin as I card my fingers through his hair. I’m undone by it, by him, by this intoxicating connection that defies all reason and logic. “Fuck…” He growls. “You’re so damn tight…” His voice is ragged, his breath heavy—he’s close.

His hand reaches between us, rubbing tight circles on my clit. The sudden sensation makes me jolt and flutter. “Killian…” I gasp as the coiling in my belly intensifies. “Fuck, I’m so close…” I grab his hand, clamping it over my mouth to muffle my moans as my voice hits an embarrassingly high note, one I hope no one can hear.

A smirk plays on his lips as he leans down to suckle and nip at my neck and shoulder—the kill shot that sends me spiraling into a mind-numbing climax. My body locks up as waves of pleasure wash over me and he follows close behind with an inaudible sound that’s part growl, part groan.

He buries his face in the crock of my neck just long enough for us to catch our breaths and regain some semblance of coherence. He withdraws and tucks himself back into his pants before he helps me down. “I better let you get back to your lunch, love,” he breathes with a cocky smirk, kissing me on the lips, “before you’re missed.”

Right. Lunch. I forgot all about that. 

“See you tonight?”

I manage a nod, still recovering from my mind-boggling orgasm.

I take a deep breath to gather my composure, watching him go before I clean myself up—already anticipating tonight when I’ll get to see him again. I smooth down my hair, trying to erase the evidence of hot bathroom sex from my appearance as best as I can.

“Everything okay?” Neal asks as I slide back into my seat, his eyes searching mine.

“Perfectly fine,” I manage, my voice steady despite how flushed I am. I pick up my fork and eat my lunch that was brought to our table while I was gone as I struggle to focus on Neal’s words. He’s talking, but my mind is still tangled up with Killian, with the taste of him that lingers on my lips.

I nod and smile a dopey smile, still feeling, as Henry put it, all floaty as I replay the last few minutes over and over. I’ve crossed a line I can’t uncross, falling deeper into something that should scare me. But the fear is muted, overshadowed by the thrill of the forbidden, the intoxicating rush of being desired by Killian Jones.

“Ems, you’ve been acting off lately.” Neal’s voice cuts through my reverie, sharp with concern—or is it suspicion? “What’s gotten into you?”

I have to stifle a laugh, doing everything I can to push down the need to answer that question.

Eight inches, I want to tell him. Eight inches of hot, throbbing rockstar dick has gotten into me.

But I don’t.

“Sorry, just a lot on my mind with work,” I lie smoothly, hoping he’ll buy it. And for now, he seems to.

But as he returns to whatever he was talking about, I can’t help but wonder how long I’ll be able to keep this secret, to juggle the fragments of my life without dropping them all. Because with every stolen moment with Killian, I’m weaving a more complex web, one that threatens to entangle us all.

As I head out of the garden room, navigating the dim corridor, Greg catches up to me, also on his way out. “So...” he murmurs casually as we continue walking side by side, his hands in his pockets, “Killian Jones. Very impressive.”

His words have me stopping in my tracks and furrowing my brows at him. “Excuse me?”

He stops and turns to look at me, his lips curving into a devious smirk as he leans in closer. “Neal might be blind, but that’s how he let you slip through his fingers to begin with.”

I’m frozen in my spot, but my heart is beating like a drum, my skin flushed. Had he seen Killian go into the ladies’ room? Had he heard us?

“Don’t worry,” he assures me with a wink, but his words aren’t very reassuring, “your secret is safe with me.”

~*~

As soon as Killian opens the door to his hotel room, I wrap my arms around the back of his neck and greet him with a mind-numbing kiss that sets my skin ablaze and helps me forget lunch with Neal and the things Greg said to me. Killian’s lips are soft and warm, and when he swipes his tongue over mine, it’s implanting all kinds of ideas in my head. And not just ideas of what I think he should do with that tongue of his.

He breaks the kiss, tucking some hair behind my ear as his lips curl into a smirk. “So that was Neal, huh?”

“Yep, that’s him,” I answer breathlessly, eyeing his lips. I want to kiss him again, but he seems insistent on talking about my ex.

He eyes me suspiciously, despite the playful grin that tugs at the corners of his mouth. “Why do I keep finding you on dates with other men?”

I snort-laugh at the notion I’d ever consider anything more with my ex ever again. “With Neal, it’s ‘just lunch.’ Henry’s birthday is coming up soon, and we were discussing possible gifts,” I explain simply, not wanting to delve into the whole car debate. Because it’s just the two of us now, and our time together is limited. And I don’t want to taint it by talking about Neal.

“Swan, I’ve been on the receiving end of your ‘just lunch.’”

I rake my fingers over his chest, relishing his warmth, the solid muscles hidden beneath his shirt. I’m also enjoying the jealousy sparking in those mesmerizing blue eyes. “Trust me, lunch with Neal is ‘just lunch—’” I smirk—“until Killian Jones shows up. Then it becomes something else entirely.”

He flashes me his most irresistible, cockiest grin. “What can I say? I’m always the life of the party, love.”

His words send a thrill through me as I kiss him, guiding him backward toward the bed and slipping my hands under his shirt, his abs rippling under my palms. I get rid of the intrusive material and toss it aside, kissing the scowl off his lips when his prized shirt lands on the floor. I giggle against his lips. “When I returned from the ladies’ room, Neal asked what’s gotten into me lately, and I just about died.”

His eyebrow arches upward in amusement, a playful grin tugging at his lips as he curls his hands around my hips. “So tell me, love. What has gotten into you lately?”

I can’t suppress my smirk as I unbutton his pants and drag down the zipper, my heart racing in anticipation. My gaze never leaving his. “I’ll show you exactly what’s gotten into me.”

With a swift push against his chest, he falls back onto the bed. I climb on top of him, tug down his pants and show him exactly what has gotten into me lately. With my lips, my tongue, my mouth. Eliciting delicious noises and reactions from him that set every nerve in my body on fire.

I run my tongue along his length and take all eight inches into my mouth, enjoying the taste of him, the scent of him, the firm yet gentle tug as his fingers get tangled in my hair.

Mmm. Mm. Mmm.

I love every inch of what has gotten into me.

Every. Glorious. Inch.

[androidcharles]

Learning the Truth (Chapter 1)

Yesterday (more like last night but details), I was on a writing FRENZY. And... I managed to I think write most of Chapter 2 instead of going to bed on time SOOOO

I will be posting the first chapter of this. This one isn't as lighthearted as the last filler story, but coming from me, it'll probably be still just as hammy. Either way I hope you enjoy.

The Triple Threat, along with Rupert narrowly escape yet another android attack, thanks to the CCC. And Rupert manages to find out the truth about something that had been kept from him for over twenty years...

There aren't too many things in the way of TWs, just some robotic injury and swearing of course.

In West Mesa, Minerva Price was sleeping as she turned over in bed, dreaming about something. She stood in an empty room, her eyes concentrating on a figure on the other side of it as it turned around, dark hair flowing behind him. His eyes were both a piercing red and blue, filled with dread as his lips started to move. Minerva tried to step towards him, but found herself unable to move.

“Jaques? Jaques what are you trying to tell me?” Minerva asked. She tried to speak again, but it felt like her lips were sealing shut as dark clouds started to surround them.

Jaques kept talking, his lips moving but no sound coming out. Minerva felt a cold chill down her spine as she tried to regain control of the dream somehow, hearing whispering voices all around her and the sound of an irritating beeping noise…

Was that her alarm clock? She shot up, looking and seeing that it was still night time outside. It would be hours before she had to report for duty, so…

Oh no…

Oh yes…

Minerva jumped at the sudden voice in her head, but she wasn’t about to waste any time. She jumped out of bed and headed towards her closet, inputting a secret code before heading down the stairs to the basement of her house. There, she sat at a huge computer console as she began to type in various codes before she felt a pit in her stomach.

Accessing the surveillance cameras, she could see a massive android fight had broken out in the main part of the city. There were a few Toppats in the area trying to take advantage of the situation while a young android girl ran at the androids full force. The iconic Triple Threat team was leading the charge and of course, her own son was in danger as well. She had to act fast; she had to quell this chaos somehow and give these kids a chance to escape.

So you need some options? I’ve got some for ya.

There was that voice again. She looked down at the console at her possible options.

Anything that will keep my son and his friends from being hurt would be fantastic…

A gravity pump? She pushed the button and watched in horror as everyone started to skyrocket up into the air. No… no no no!

Alright, let’s reset! Also, talk about taking the problem sky high.

“Who are you!?” Minerva shouted, glancing around.

That’s not important. Consider your next option, you don’t have much time.

Had the world reset? The same scene played out again and she had to consider her options. Immediately she activated sonic pulse. This would deactivate all the androids and put them out of commission… wait… all of the androids…

Congratulations, you Defeated the Androids!

That boy is very important to my son. I’d rather not be responsible for his death.

Maybe the best way to handle a robot attack was with another robot. She immediately activated the mecha-dino as it crash landed in the city with a huge roar. She watched carefully, trying to monitor the situation as it slashed at a young android with pink streaked pigtails as they shrieked, trying to escape from the clutches.

Meanwhile, Charles was on the ground helping support Ellie and Henry as he helped them escape the situation and he gasped when saw Amelia get flung against the wall, her arm coming off in the process. He gritted his teeth as he charged towards the dino, trying to fight it off as he was slammed against the wall as well. He felt static filling his vision as he looked up to see Rupert in the path of the dino…

“Shit!” Charles shouted as he activated his speed booster, practically barreling towards Rupert as he pushed him out of the way, tripping in the process and letting out a horrible cry as both his legs were crushed.

Meanwhile, the remaining androids, seeing Charles and Amelia incapacitated decided to flee the scene as the mecha dino deactivated, slamming hard on the ground and leaving a sizable crater in the process. Rupert was able to pry Charles from under the dino’s foot as he winced, seeing the damage it had done to his legs in the process.

“Scrape up what’s left of his legs and follow us. If we can get him to Dr. V, she’ll be able to repair him in no time!” Ellie shouted.

“N-n-n-n-n-no… Amelia…” Charles said, shakily pointing to her. Amelia was currently powered off, having taken another blow that knocked off her leg in the process. Henry and Ellie exchanged uncertain looks before Henry ran to grab her and her missing parts.

Meanwhile, back at Minerva’s house, she breathed a sort of sigh of relief, leaning back in her chair as she began to type on the console to report this to HQ.

Well, how was that?

...Hello?

Minerva glanced from left to right before sighing, wondering if she should include this in her report… before remembering what happened to the last person who reported a strange voice in their head telling them what to do.

“It’s best if I leave that part out,” Minerva muttered as she continued to type.

- - - - -

Charles sat in the virtual space, staring up at the ceiling as he watched a couple of videos to take his mind off of the repairs that were currently happening right now. He had managed to save Rupert, but where had that mecha-dino come from? It was certainly strange.

A door suddenly appeared on the side of the room as Amelia opened it, her blue eyes shining.

“May I come in?” Amelia asked. Charles waved for her as she went inside and lay on the floor with him. He let out a sigh as he glanced at her while she watched the video.

“Hey, are you OK? That dino really gave you hell didn’t it?” Charles asked.

“He stepped on your legs. In all honesty, I can’t believe the androids were right there… I wonder what they wanted,” Amelia asked.

“To cause trouble probably. But I can’t understand why. It’s not like attacking random humans is going to get them anywhere.”

“It’s strange. First their stealing children, then they steal mechanical parts. And now they’re attacking people? Just what are they trying to do?”

“Maybe they’re trying to make us look bad.” Amelia shot up as Charles said that, her eyes wide.

“You think?” Amelia asked.

“Probably. If I was in their position, I would do the same thing,” Charles said.

“That really sucks… what if they succeed? But wouldn’t that detrimental to them? Why would they do that?” Amelia said.

“Hmm…” Charles hummed, trying to figured it out as he heard a tapping on the glass. He looked up to see Rupert on the screen in front of them and smiled as he bounded towards him, pressing his head against the screen to nuzzle it. Rupert nuzzled back the best he could, a little wary of Amelia in the process.

“Hi Charlie,” he said softly.

“Hi RooRoo!” Charles said, giggling a bit, “I miss you!”

“I miss you, too. I’m sorry I caused so much trouble back there. You’d think that I wouldn’t be such a burden, but between those damn Toppats and those androids.” Rupert let out a small sigh as he glared at Amelia, who shrunk back a bit.

“Yeah, Amelia, way to be a jerk and try to rob the place anyway!” Charles said.

“Hey, don’t take your boyfriend’s side just because we have a job to do!” Amelia shouted, “It’s not our fault that there’s fancy jewels that need to be stolen!”

“Ever heard of a thing called self control?” Rupert asked. Amelia rolled her eyes as she summoned a door to leave.

“When you’re done swapping spit, let me know,” Amelia muttered, slamming the door behind her as it dissolved into pixels.

“There’s a screen between us, doofus, we couldn’t kiss even if we wanted to!” Charles said, “But… but I kinda want to…”

“I know…” Rupert said, smiling at him softly, “Say, how long are you going to be out of commission?”

“Longer then Amelia unfortunately. I’ll be done being repaired by this weekend…” Charles said.

“Oh, well that’s perfect! I figured maybe we can go see my mom after you’re done being repaired!” Charles’ eyes widened at this sentiment. He had met Minerva before, but not when he was dating Rupert. Now that he was dating Rupert though, it was going to be extremely awkward, if not strange.

“Are you sure? I don’t know how your mom will react to me dating you,” Charles said.

“Aw, c’mon! She already knows you’re an android, so it’s not like it’s unfamiliar to her in anyway. Besides, I think she’ll like that I’m dating you,” Rupert said.

“I don’t know, it’s not like I’m an official government helicopter pilot anymore,” Charles said, “What if she thinks I’m a bad influence because I hang around Toppats?”

“I think she’ll still like ya! She already likes ya!” Rupert said, “C’mon, don’t be so scared!” Charles twiddled his fingers, pondering it a bit before he nodded his head.

“Alright, it’s been a while since I’ve seen her, so I would love to see Minerva again,” Charles said.

“Great! I’ll pick you up when you message me and we’ll head to her place. We’ll even have dinner there and stay the night. It’ll be like a fun event thing you know,” Rupert said, “I love you. Take care, OK?”

“Love you, too, RooRoo. See ya later!” Charles said as he waved at Rupert. As soon as he was out the door, Amelia entered the scene again, letting out a small sigh.

“Sorry…” Amelia said.

“For being a thief?” Charles said smugly.

“No. For giving your boyfriend lip. You don’t give Dave a hard time, so I shouldn’t be giving Rupert a hard time either,” Amelia said.

“Well, even if Dave could be smart with me, I highly doubt he could be brave enough to actually do it,” Charles chuckled, somewhat joking.

“SHUT UP! Just because he’s not brave doesn’t mean he’s not loyal and caring and sweet and- Ah… I saw red for a second…” Amelia muttered.

“I was just kidding! Dave is a nice guy and I think I like him like that. May the greater ones protect whoever gets on his bad side though…” Charles said.

“What do you mean?” Amelia said, her eyes filled with curiousity.

“Nothing,” Charles said, “It’s just that there’s an old saying: always beware the nice ones.”

“Hehe, yeah… he’d be pretty handsome if he got all steamed… wait why are we talking about this!?!?” Amelia shouted as Charles laughed a little more.

“I hate to interrupt…” The two of them turned to see Dr. Vinschpinsilstien standing over the monitor, smiling a bit fondly at them.

“Amelia, your repairs were a bit simpler so you’ll be free to go by tomorrow,” she said. Amelia looked a bit forlorn as she gazed at Charles before nodding her head.

“I’m sorry Charles, you’ll be here by yourself for a while…” Amelia said.

“It’s OK! Dr. V can keep me company and… I can always message people and play games and stuff to keep myself occupied!” Charles said.

“Barring that sentiment, is there anything else you want me to do while I have you on the table Mr. Calvin?” Dr. Vinschpinsilstien asked. Charles was about to tell her that wasn’t necessary when he suddenly thought of the incident with Amelia and her voice box. He would probably need a new voice box soon too, as it would probably give out at the worst time eventually.

And then, as he ran his hands up his legs, he suddenly thought of something else. Something that had been bothering him since he met Ellie and Amelia…

“Yeah, I do have a few… requests…” Charles said softly. Amelia tipped her head to the side as Dr. Vinschpinsilstien took out a clip board, getting ready to take notes.

- - - - -

Amelia was about to finally leave in two hours. Dr. Vinschpinsilstien just had to run some diagnostics and she would be out of her hair. But there was something itching in the back of her mind while she was waiting. And it concerned Charles’ boyfriend.

The name Rupert sounded very familiar. Almost a little too familiar, like she had heard the name before in conversation or in passing. What about it was so familiar that she felt like it warranted a bit of further investigation?

So she decided to ask her dad about it. He’d been running the clan for a few years and had been in it for a lot longer. So he would know something about this Rupert person.

GlitterToppatGirl: Hey dad can I ask you a question?

ToppatKingReg: Yes, what’s your question dear?

GlitterToppatGirl: Do you know who Rupert is?

ToppatKingReg: You’re going to have to be more specific.

GlitterToppatGirl: I think his last name was um Prince or something?

ToppatKingReg: Price

GlitterToppatGirl: So you do know him!

ToppatKingReg: And I babysat him when he was quite young. Though I highly doubt he recalls it. Rupert Price, along with his mother are two very valuable people.

GlitterToppatGirl: How so?

ToppatKingReg: In the fact that Rupert and Minerva both share blood with a Toppat. An agreement was signed that in the event that if one of the two got into law enforcement, for better or worse, they shall not be captured.

GlitterToppatGirl: Really? Is that why we always ignore him?

ToppatKingReg: Yes, indeed. There are a few more people like that, your little boyfriend for instance, but Rupert is one of them. Which may become a problem later if he becomes captain. Although, back in the day, the government did sometimes rub elbows with us for information…

GlitterToppatGirl: Does Rupert know about this?

ToppatKingReg: That’s only if his mother told him. But for the last few years of that certain Toppats life, she kept him as far away from the clan as possible.

GlitterToppatGirl: Why?

ToppatKingReg: A multitude of reasons I can’t get into right now. Just know that if Rupert doesn’t know, then he has to find out through his mother. And she hasn’t told him well I can only hope he takes the news well.

Amelia sat in silence before thanking her dad for the information and signing off. She read over the chat log over and over again, trying to think about the best way to bring this up to Charles as a door appeared in her room. It opened and Charles peeked in, grinning really wide.

“Hey, Amelia!”

“No you can’t borrow my body.”

“Like I’d want to! I just wanted to see how excited you were to get back out there because-”

“Charles did you know that Rupert is related to Toppats?” Charles’ eyes widened as he glanced from side to side, as if someone was going to come and sedate him.

“Who told you that? Wait you’re a Toppat so of course you’d know…”

“Yeah, obviously!” Amelia lied, “So you knew too?”

“Um… it came up in conversation at the base when Rupert was being recruited. I was doing background checks for his mother in case she was up to no good and she still had connections to the Toppats. But apparently the only connection she had was the fact that she was related to a former leader,” Charles explained.

“Which one?” Amelia asked, her voice a bit wary.

“Jaques Kensington,” Charles answered.

“HIM!? The guy with the really creepy painting, oh my greater ones, aaaah…” Amelia covered her ears as Charles chuckled.

“It’s true, he’s related to him. Apparently it’s his uncle,” Charles said.

“So does he know he’s related to Toppats?” Amelia asked.

“Uh, no… I mean when he first joined, I asked him if his mom talked about the Toppats, but he just gave me this sour look. If his mom talked about it, I’m pretty sure it wasn’t anything good,” Charles said.

“So you never told him…” Amelia said, “Doesn’t that feel wrong?”

“No, not really. I highly doubt the government forces even care if he knows but… I know they’ve really been keeping him under a microscope because of me. I’d hate to be the reason he doesn’t become a captain, but if he finds out he’s related to a Toppat…”

“Maybe he’ll be fine with it! I mean, as annoying as it is, he’s still a good guy, right? There’s no way he’d go nuts because he found out he’s related to a former Toppat leader. I think he’ll be fine. Maybe you should talk to him about it,” Amelia suggested.

“What? Why?” Charles said, “I know that it’s not technically secret and I don’t HAVE to keep it secret, but what if he finds out and he spirals?”

“He seems a lot more mentally stable then Dave. And he still jumps every time he sees my dad,” Amelia said before looking at her UI, “I gotta go plug in. But think about it! I mean it can’t hurt to let him know right?” Charles summoned a door and exited Amelia’s headspace, heading back to his own quickly as he sighed, pondering what Amelia said.

Maybe he should talk to Minerva about this first. So he could get a good idea of how to approach this...

- - - - -

The weekend had come just like that as Rupert approached Dr. Vinschpinsilstien’s office, opening the door and sitting in the waiting area, trying to relax as he waited for Charles to be relieved. Charles had been pretty excited to get out ever since yesterday, talking about how he hoped Rupert would like what he saw.

He didn’t really understand, in all honesty. Was Charles getting a new pair of legs? Or was he going to be taller? Oh greater ones above, he hoped he wasn’t about to be taller, he could already barely reach him as it was-

“ROOROO!!” He heard the familiar excited voice as Charles opened the doors, running excitedly towards him as Rupert stood up, being wrapped up in a big hug.

“Oh I missed doing that so much! And looky! Do you notice anything different?” Charles asked. Rupert squinted at him as he tried to figure out what Charles was talking about and his eyes widened when he saw that he definitely was different. While they weren’t prominent or noticeable, on his chest were a pair of breasts. He also looked a bit curvier then usual, his figure almost soft and serene compared to the stocky body he once had. Rupert was stunned as Charles turned over and over, smiling widely at him.

“Don’t I look great?! Dr. V gave me a whole makeover and everything! Now I look just how I feel!” Charles said.

“Uh, great? Any changes on the gender front?” Rupert asked.

“I’m still using the same pronouns. As for my gender… today’s Saturday right?” Charles said.

“That never mattered in your process of picking genders,” Rupert said as Charles giggled.

“Yeah, yeah I know. Um… do you think your mom will be uncomfortable with it?” Charles asked.

“Why do you care? Mom was always about this kind of stuff,” Rupert said. Charles thanked Dr. Vinschpinsilstien for the repairs as they headed out onto the street, being assaulted by the heat as Rupert put his hand over his eyes.

“Hell, I think she’ll like your new look. Speaking of which, and you don’t have to elaborate if you’re not comfortable, but was there any reason in particular that you wanted this kind of change?” Rupert asked as he took out his phone to call a cab.

“Oh, um, well…” Charles’ shoulders slumped as he thought about it.

“Like I said, it’s OK if you don’t wanna talk about it,” Rupert said.

“No, it’s fine! It’s just that after I met Ellie, I started thinking about this kind of stuff more. I thought about it a bit whenever before I met her, but it was more of a recent development that made me realize I really hated the way I looked,” Charles said, “Sometimes I would go out wishing no one would look at me because I felt so stupid looking in my current body. I would sometimes hide in my room because I just didn’t want people to look at me.

“Eventually when I found out Amelia got her height changed because she wanted to appear taller, I thought to myself, if she can change her body to suit her needs and how she felt on the inside, why not me? So I asked Dr. V to go off a sketch I made a while back and she was able to do it for me. I mean, it’s not much, but I feel so much happier now. I want people to see me now and see how I look, because how I look on the outside now finally matches how I feel on the inside…” Rupert felt like he could relate to this.

For the longest time, when he was younger, he had always felt the same way. That he didn’t like the way he looked and felt about himself. Even the gender that he had been assigned at birth felt awful and wrong. When he wanted to make the decision to transition, his mother was in full support. His step-father, however, wasn’t and even after he was kicked out when he turned ten he harassed them for almost three years before they moved from Greenwich to West Mesa.

He wondered, sometimes when he felt truly awful, if his step father would ever find them again. Would he even recognize Rupert, the way he is now?

“Are you OK?” Charles asked.

“Uh… no not really but…” Rupert tried to force a smile, “I’m not gonna let the past get me down you know. Let’s just go see my mom now.”

“Um, OK! I hope I haven’t said anything to upset you,” Charles said softly as the cab approached the curb.

On the car ride there, they decided to change the subject and talk about various things and in about a few minutes they were in front of Minerva’s house. Rupert opened the door as Charles ran out, almost tripping over the curb as he bounced up and down. Rupert chuckled as Charles beckoned for him to hurry up, as if he wasn’t nervous just a few moments ago. He rung the doorbell as Rupert approached the door himself.

Finally, the door opened and Minerva smiled as she saw Charles and Rupert.

“Rupert, my boy, come here…” Minerva opened her arms for a hug as Rupert practically barreled into her.

“And Charlie, my you’ve… changed a bit actually!” Minerva said, “Honestly, I wish I was an android. Then I could something about this extra weight, woof…”

“I think you look perfect just the way you are, Minerva!” Charles said as they headed inside.

“See, that’s why I like you!” Minerva said, as she allowed them to enter as Charles took a seat on the couch and Rupert sat next to him.

“You haven’t come to visit in a while, Rupert. It must be important if you’re here though,” Minerva said.

“Oh it’s nothing. I was picking up Charlie from his repairs and I thought while I was in town, I would stop by and see you,” Rupert said.

“Well, that’s wonderful. I’ll have some tea and snacks ready in a bit. And Charlie, I have some old cups that I need to get rid of that you can snack on as well,” Minerva said.

“Thank you, Minerva!” Charles said as she left to prepare said dishes. Charles glanced at Rupert, who had taken it upon himself to lay on his shoulder. He smiled as he wrapped his arm around his shoulder as Minerva re-entered the room, pausing at the scene and smiling a bit.

“I see you two are a bit comfortable, aren’t ya?” she said as she set down a tray onto the coffee table. Charles reached forward and grabbed an old cup before taking a bite out of it.

“Well, it’s just that… Rupert and I, we’re um…” Charles started to say.

“We’re dating now. We’re a couple,” Rupert said.

“Oooo, I knew the minute you walked into this house for the first time you would be the one! Rupert was always friendly with Dave, but I could never see them getting along like that. But you two… you two are like the perfect couple!” Minerva clapped her hands together as Charles giggled and Rupert blushed.

“I’m glad that you understand all this, despite the fact that Charlie is an android,” Rupert said.

“Well, as long as you’re comfortable with him living longer than ya, I don’t see why it’s a problem,” Minerva said, “But maybe you’ll figure out a way to live forever soon. Maybe…” Minerva got a sort of forlorn look in her eyes she said this as Rupert cleared his throat.

“Eheh, anyway, we’re gonna be staying the night, so I hope you don’t mind cooking dinner for two more,” Rupert said, “I figured since it’s been a while since I’ve been home, I would at least come and visit.”

“Oh, how thoughtful of you. Charlie, will you be staying as well?”

“Duh!” Charles said, “It’s a sleepover!”

“That sounds lovely! Your room is all made up still. Well, it’s a guest bedroom now, but it was your room,” Minerva said.

“I know what you mean mom. Call us downstairs when you’re ready to go shopping,” Rupert said, as he got up to head upstairs.

“What do you want for dinner then?” Rupert thought about it for a moment, before he leaned over the railing of the stairs.

“I want shephard’s pie!” Rupert said, “You make the best shephard’s pie in the world!”

“Aye, then I’ll make shephard’s pie. I’ll let you know when I’m ready to go,” Minerva said as Rupert practically skipped up the stairs. Charles suddenly thought of something. This would be the perfect opportunity to confront Minerva about what he described as “you know what.” The question was, however, what was going to stop Rupert from deciding to come back downstairs and actually interrupt what they were talking about.

“Hey Charlie,” Rupert said. Charles jumped as Rupert tipped his head to the side curiously.

“I was just gonna let you know that uh… geez my mom’s gonna hate me for this, but I’m gonna take a nap for a bit before we go to the store,” Rupert said, “I know that it’ll be a bit lonely, but maybe you can find something to do while you’re waiting for me to wake up!”

That couldn’t have been more convenient, Charles thought as he smiled at him.

“That’s fine! I’ll let Minerva know that you’re sleeping,” Charles said. Rupert chuckled sheepishly as he headed back to his bedroom.

“Sleep well,” Charles said, silently thanking the greater ones above that Rupert picked now to take a nap. He had about forty five minutes if he was correct which meant that he could at least ask Minerva about it. He started down the stairs as he saw Minerva cleaning up the coffee table.

Minerva glanced up to see Charles smiling at her and she chuckled nervously as Charles helped her out.

“I’m surprised you’re not upstairs with Rupert right now,” Minerva said, “I wish I could entertain ya a bit more, but I’m behind on a bit of… gardening… so I can’t-”

“Minerva, it’s me, remember?” Charles said, raising an eyebrow. Minerva glanced to the side before leaning forward.

“How long do we have?” she asked.

“About forty five minutes,” Charles said.

“Yes, I was gonna do some CCC work,” Minerva said. Charles sighed as he helped her carry everything to the kitchen to be washed up. A while ago, he had pestered Minerva about her career and found out that she was, indeed, a CCC employee. Many of the employees were very secretive and reserved, but thanks to some good word from Ellias Bahtchin, he was able to have clearance to at least know that she was an employee. As for her coworkers, they were still a complete mystery.

“I’m glad you’re at least understanding about it. Though considering you were going to become a CCC ‘employee’ yourself, of course you’d understand,” Minerva said.

“Well, I’m not, but that’s not what I wanted to talk about. I wanted to talk about Jaques,” Charles said. Minerva nearly dropped the cup she was holding as her eyes grew distant, feeling a wave of discomfort wash over her before she shook her head.

“I don’t know that guy. I don’t talk about Jaques,” Minerva said.

“Why?” Charles said. Minerva pursed her lips as she took a shaky breath before she shook her head.

“My son… he doesn’t even know who his uncle truly was. As far as things were concerned, his uncle was secret agent of some kind. He wanted to be like him when he was older. He didn’t know that he wasn’t a secret agent but a Toppat!” Minerva said, “I didn’t have the heart to tell him. Greater ones above, I don’t even know if he remembers talking to those kids or even interacting with everyone. All things considered, he probably thought it was just a dream he had or a memory he made up,” Minerva said.

“The CCC has a lot of interesting tools. Maybe one of those tools could erase the memories of someone…” Charles said.

“I never stoop that low. Rupert just ended up pushing those memories out of his head on his own,” Minerva said, “Cross my heart. I would never, EVER mess with my son’s head. Even if I had a good reason to.” Charles narrowed his eyes Minerva but she didn’t seem to be lying.

“Alright, I believe you. But that still doesn’t change one fact,” Charles said, “You haven’t been completely honest with him.”

“Trust me, I want to tell him. I really do,” Minerva said, “I don’t feel right keeping it secret from him, but if he found out, he wouldn’t… come out the same.”

“Rupert is a lot stronger then you think, Minerva. Maybe he’ll take the news well,” Charles said. Minerva shook her head.

“He loves to do that, you know. Bottle his emotions and act like such a big shot, even though he isn’t. He gets it from me, honestly. Just bottling emotion after emotion and not letting them out in a healthy way. There are times when he’s…” Minerva suddenly turned away as if not to reveal something before she sighed.

“Either way… he’s not as emotionally stable as you think he is. I don’t know how he’d react to it, but I don’t think he’d react very well. Especially considering how long I kept it from him,” Minerva said.

“Have you considered telling him?”

“Every damn day, Charlie, every damn day! But greater ones above, every time I think about telling him, something inside of me just crawls out and stops me from doing it! I don’t know what to do or how to approach it. I already know how badly he’d react if he heard from you. But if he heard from me… oh greater ones above he’d probably hate me,” Minerva said, “He’s said it before, when he was young and didn’t know better but if…” Minerva started to tear up as Charles hugged her tightly, trying to comfort her the best he could.

“I care about him so much… if anything happened to him... If anything happened to him at all…” Minerva said.

“It’ll be alright. Look maybe we should do it together. At dinner, I mean. He’ll be in a good mood anyway because he’ll be eating his favorite food, so maybe it’ll soften the blow a bit,” Charles said.

“You mean you know?” Minerva asked as she wiped her tears.

“I was a former government agent. They didn’t erase my memories,” Charles said.

“Oh no, you got kicked out? What happened?” Minerva said.

“I… met a friend in the Toppats. They didn’t take it too well,” Charles said. Minerva shook her head as she patted him on the shoulder.

“I’m sorry to hear,” Minerva said, “It must have been really devastating.”

“Oh, don’t worry, it’s fine! I’ve got a band now and I’m actually happier now then I’ve been before!” Charles said, “So I’m not gonna worry too much!” Minerva smiled softly to herself as she let out a small sigh.

“Well at least one of us will be happy after tonight.”

- - - - -

Charles decided to help Minerva with a few chores after she had a good cry and by the time Rupert woke up, he ended up helping Minerva clean out the fridge, which had earned her some scolding from him.

Either way, by the time the three of them were done, they both piled into Minerva’s car to go do some shopping. Once they got back, they helped Minerva prepare dinner together before they sat at the table in the kitchen, getting ready to eat. Rupert was practically bouncing in his chair as Minerva passed him some shephard’s pie, his mouth water as he took a huge bite.

“Mmmmm… mom you make the best shephard’s pie, I swear!” Rupert said, his mouth half full.

“Don’t talk with your mouth full, Rupert,” Minerva scolded as Charles took a bite of his own, being careful not to bite the fork in the process.

“I’m surprised you can eat food like this without short circuiting, Charlie,” Minerva said.

“I can eat anything as long as my nanites can digest it. But I can’t drink stuff,” Charles said, giving her a look. Minerva knew what it meant. She was trying to dodge the obvious as she glanced to the side, almost a little ticked off.

“Mom? What’s going on?” Rupert asked, noticing the behavior immediately.

“Ah, well…” Minerva took a deep breath, trying to figure out how to word what she was going to say.

“Charlie, did mom say anything to you after I told you about my nap?” Rupert asked.

“Not anything important apparently,” Charles said, a bit of ice in his tone as Minerva glared at him.

“Charles!” Minerva hissed as Rupert shrunk back. Minerva flinched when she saw the look on her son’s face as she shook her head rapidly.

“I’m sorry, but I have something very important to tell you about our family!” Minerva said. Rupert tipped his head to the side before gasping.

“My uncles back from his long mission!?”

“What!?” Charles was almost shocked to hear this as Minerva tried to look innocent before gently laughing.

“No… no dear, not that,” Minerva said, “Uncle Jaques… never went on a long and dangerous mission. He never went anywhere, t-technically.”

“What? What are you talking about?” Rupert asked.

“You see, your Uncle Jaques was a very, very intelligent man. He was clever and wise, but above all else he was kind and charitable. But… he was also not a part of a secret government organization,” Minerva explained. Charles almost bit into his fork when he heard this, feeling a wave of disbelief as Rupert chuckled, glancing to the side nervously.

“I kinda figured. I mean, I guess you can’t talk about secret organizations if they exist, but I asked some people around the government base and-”

“Your uncle was a Toppat, Rupert!”

The silence that fell over the table was deafening, as Charles glanced away awkwardly and Rupert had a look of disbelief on his face. Suddenly he started to laugh, almost forcibly so as Minerva looked at him in shock.

“Bahahaha! Mom, that was a good one! Seriously, you’re telling me that Uncle Jaques along with Reggie and Terry-” Suddenly it all clicked into Rupert’s mind as his mouth gaped open. Charles felt himself overheating from all the suspense as Rupert glanced at the table, then at Minerva, then at Charles.

“Wait… you weren’t kidding? Reggie… was… Reginald… and he was… he was my…” Rupert put his hands into his head as Minerva sighed.

“I’ve been wanting to tell you for the longest time, Rupert, I promise, but I didn’t know how to tell you. And then when you started going on about being a police officer and trying to be something so you potentially join that secret government organization, I didn’t have the heart to tell you. I don’t know, it’s just-”

“Have you been talking to them?” Minerva stopped speaking as Rupert looked up, a dark look in his eyes.

“No… well, yes, but not really. I mean-”

“So you’re a Toppat too!”

“I’m not, I just talk to them!”

“You might as well be!” Rupert shouted.

“Uh, Rupert I hate to interrupt but by that logic I think I’m a Toppat, too,” Charles said meekly. Rupert suddenly threw his fork as Charles as he dodged it, his eyes wide.

“Rupert!!” Charles and Minerva shouted.

“YOU THINK THIS IS FUNNY?! YOU THINK YOU CAN JUST KEEP SOMETHING LIKE THIS FROM ME AND ACT LIKE IT’S SOME BIG JOKE ONCE YOU TELL ME?!?” Rupert shouted, “I can’t believe this! My own mom… rubbing elbows with Toppats!”

“If it wasn’t for the Toppats, we wouldn’t have a damn roof over our heads!” Minerva shouted, “You should be lucky that you uncle Jaques was the leader of them at one point otherwise we’d have been on the streets for a huge chunk of your life!”

“I would rather be homeless then rely on Toppats! They’re the scum of the earth, mom! They were literally going to build a SPACE STATION so they could rob WHOEVER THEY WANTED! Is that what you want!?”

“IT’S THE CYCLE OF LIFE, RUPERT! Everything exists in a balance!”

“SCREW THE BALANCE!” Rupert shoved his plate forward, causing a huge mess as he stomped out of the kitchen up the stairs and slammed a door as Charles peered up from under the table.

“Sorry… I didn’t mean to-”

“It’s not your fault, it’s mine. If I had told him sooner, things wouldn’t have turned out like this…” Minerva said, sitting down.

“Maybe… maybe I should talk to him,” Charles said, “Do you want to come with me?”

“I think the last person he wants to see is me right now. But if you wanna become pavement in his war path, then be my guest…” Minerva said. Charles squinted his eyes at her before heading up the stairs, walking towards the bedroom door and knocking gently as he heard a pillow being thrown at the door.

“Rupert, it’s me,” Charles said softly.

“Go away,” Rupert said loudly from the other side.

“I’m coming in anyway, no matter how many pillows you throw at me!” Charles said. He opened the door as Rupert threw another pillow at him. It missed and hit the wall next to him, nearly knocking down a portrait as he closed the door behind him.

“I know this is a big shock to you, but I don’t think there’s anything bad about being related to Toppats. You’re still you and you’re still a great soldier and you’ll be a great captain too,” Charles said. Rupert kept silent as Charles went to sit on his bed.

“It’s not really a big deal, honestly! I’m not saying that you should be honored, but the Toppats are pretty strong. Having relatives like that doesn’t seem half bad honestly, I mean it could be worse!”

Rupert was silent as he lifted his head up, a torrent of rage in his eyes.

“It’s not a big deal huh… it’s not a big deal to be related to scummy Toppats… That’s the most BULLSHIT THING I’VE EVER HEARD CHARLES!”

“But, but I-”

“BUT WHAT!? I’m supposed to think that you saying all that is some kind of cure. ‘Oh, so you’re related to Toppats, get over it already!’ That may have worked for you when you found out about Project SAI but some people are different Charles!”

“Because you’re letting something like this determine who you are, Rupert! Are you seriously gonna be bent out of shape because you’re related to Toppats?!”

“You don’t know anything about who I am! We’ve been dating for what, a few months? And you’ve known me for longer then that, but you never grew up with me, you never had a damn childhood to begin with because you’re a machine!” Rupert suddenly heard what he just said as Charles’ eyes grew cold, his hand reaching for the door knob.

“I’m gonna ask Minerva if I can sleep on the couch tonight,” Charles said softly, “Because clearly you don’t need a ‘machine’s’ company.”

“Wait, Charlie, I didn’t-”

“GOOD NIGHT RUPERT!” The door slammed as Rupert suddenly felt cold all over. His mind raced with thoughts as he felt sick to his stomach, placing his hands over his head as he knelt, trying to keep his breathing even.

He’s right. You should just get over it!

Oh come on, it was so unnecessary for him to act like that, and besides, you’re right he’s just a machine!

But he was only trying to make you feel better! After all, he’s right, this doesn’t change who you are!

Do you even know who you are?

Rupert suddenly had an epiphany, enough to make him feel queasy.

Do I even know who I am?

- - - - -

Morning rose over the Price household as Charles found himself waking up at exactly nine AM, feeling proud that he managed to wake up despite the time he actually fell asleep. Most of the night was spent comforting Minerva and reassuring her and as it turns out, he ended up falling asleep in her bedroom instead of on the couch she had set up for him. It didn’t matter to him as much as he stretched and headed out the door.

“Good morning,” Minerva said, “How are you feeling?”

“A lot better. I’m gonna have to apologize to Rupert,” Charles said.

“Let’s go up there and apologize together. Then we can have breakfast and talk about this like adults,” Minerva said as she followed Charles up the stairs. Charles knocked on the door, opening it gently as he peered in before his stomach dropped.

He saw the window open in the bedroom, along with several blankets tied together to make a rope. And Rupert, obviously, was gone.

“RUPERT!?” Charles shouted, “RUPERT!?!?”

“WHAT!?” Minerva practically bowled him over as she ran inside and ran towards the window, grasping the window sill as she stared out in horror.

“Oh my greater ones above… oh no no no no NO!” Minerva shouted, covering her head as she knelt down.

“Who knows where he might have gone…” Charles said, “I’m gonna try to message him.”

xXBold_Action_ManXx: Rupert?

TheFinalBastion101: I can’t chat right now! I’m probably busy with something important, so just tell me what you need and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can!

“He’s not answering…” Charles said.

“Did you hear a ping just now?” Minerva asked. Charles suddenly messaged Rupert again and along with getting the “I’m busy” message, he heard a small ping in the room. Charles glanced over the room and saw that Rupert’s cell phone was sitting on the side dresser.

“He used to do this all the time. He’d sneak out to see friends, cause trouble, and such, but for some reason… for some reason I didn’t think he’d do it now. Where would he go?” Minerva said softly.

“Ask some of the neighbors if they’ve seen him. I’m gonna contact everyone I know and see if they’ve seen him,” Charles said. Charles got to work messaging everybody he could while Minerva steadily walked out the door, looking forlornly at the open window.

How did it come to this?

[ltwharfy]

"Bob's Burgers" Season 11 Episode Ranking Rewatch (Long Post)

So, I've been rewatching "Bob's Burgers" from the beginning and ranking the episodes using the spreadsheet that @babsvibes created! If you want to know why I'm doing this or how I view the 1-5 rating scale, you can check out my Season 1 post! If you want to check out any of the other seasons, I've been using the "bob's burgers episode ranking rewatch" tag for all of them.

Now, on to Season 11:

Average (Mean) Score: 4.09

Mode (Most Common) Ranking: 4

Ranking Breakdown: 7 5s 10 4s 5 3s

Season as a Whole Thoughts:

This is the lowest rated season since Season 1. I don't by any stretch think it's horrible (I don't think that about Season 1, either). After all the way I use it a 4 is basically like a B, and a B season isn't that bad except, maybe, when compared to all the As that came before it.

For me, this episode just had a lot of episodes (the ones that got the 3s) that I found kind of dull. Not awful, just not that interesting to me personally. A lot of very small scale, "slice of life" type stories in this season. Some of them resonated a bit with me ("Steal Magazine-olias") others didn't ("Some Kind of Fender Benderful", "Tell Me Dumb Thing Good").

That said, you'll notice in some of the individual episode comments that some of these episodes grew on me upon rewatching, so maybe that'll happen with some of the other ones too!

Some thoughts on specific episodes (and feel free to ask if you want my thoughts on an episode I didn't comment on):

"Worms of In-Rear-ment": I think this might be one of my most controversial takes in this whole project but, I don't hate this episode! It seems to be one of the least popular eps of the show, but I enjoy it. It has quite a few funny lines, the hamster slide subplot is cute, I love all the Belchers' different ideas of what appropriate symphony attire is, I enjoy the Louise and Linda conflict. and Linda's motivation in this episode makes me think a lot of my own mom. I can get how no one in fall 2020 wanted to watch a story about an epidemic, but I'll be honest that I don't quite get why some people seem to think this episode is "too gross". Yes, Gene eats a tater tot that's been on the bathroom floor. We've previously seen him eat a taco on the toilet and eat breakfast naked. The kid's kinda gross, it's part of his charm. (Personally, Bob bleeding everywhere in "Heartbreak Hotel-oween" grosses me out more.)

"Fast Time Capsules at Wagstaff School": My favorite episode of the season- maybe the only episode this year that I remember loving straight away as soon as I saw it. This episode has it all: tons of Wagstaff students and staff, Louise and Tina conflict and reconciliation, silly competition between Bob and Linda, Louise's crush on Boo Boo (my favorite running gag), Henry Haber saying "and my regards to the morning zoo." Just wonderful! it also inspired one of my favorite jokes in one of my fics (the idea that "Weird Al" Yankovic wrote a "Someday We'll Spoon" parody called "Someday We'll Zoom" about how he hates video meetings.)

"Bob Belcher and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Kids": This episode reminds me of "Paraders of the Lost Float", in the sense that I was pretty sure I'd give it a 4 for most of the episode, but then the ending is so feel good that I bump it up to a 5.

"Diarrhea of a Poopy Kid": i generally love the "three story" episodes, and this is no exception. I particularly enjoy how this episode gives Bob a chance to tell one of the stories and the episode centers Bob and Gene's relationship and how they bond over food. Also, I love to use of the supporting characters in the stories, especially Courtney and Rudy. And the line "Chief of Cats Mr. Business" will always crack me up!

"An Incon-Wheelie-ient Truth": I just love the fact that they told the story of what happened to the Wheelie Mammoth! I also enjoy how this episode emphasizes that Al and Gloria's lousy parenting is part of why Gayle turned out why she did. And this episode just has a lot of little gags that crack me up, particularly in the flea market scenes (I love the different movie posters at the booth that has Wheelie.)

"Mr. Lonely Farts": The "Gene home alone" plot is a great exploration of his character, but what really puts this one over the top for me is the Bob, Teddy, and Louise adventure to Adam Appliances. I love the way they play off each other and the fact that Louise sort of convinces two adults that this boring dude who sells appliances online might be a murderer.

"Fingers-loose": This episode has really grown on me. I remember my reaction when first watching it was basically just "huh? A story about finger dancing? Ooookay..." Then when I first rewatched it, Tina's film noir-esque narration really amused me and I enjoyed the episode as a whole much more. In rewatching it for this project, I really appreciated how well it centered an aspect of Tina's role in the family dynamic- usually being a part of the crowd watching Gene and Louise rather than being the star- and realized that it's actually a really great Tina story- and all around episode!

"Bridge Over Troubled Rudy": This might be the episode of the show where my opinion has grown the most. I was kind of disappointed by it when it first aired: my reaction was essentially "Finally! Another episode centering on Louise and Rudy! Oh wait, it's just sort of a rehashing of 'House of 1,000 Bounces'..." It was only when I rewatched it first (probably as part of my "all Rudy episodes" rewatch) when I noticed that rather than being a rehash of "House of 1,000 Bounces" it really shows their friendship growing beyond where it was in "House of 1,000 Bounces". In "House of 1,000 Bounces" Rudy keeps his unhappiness with the bounce house heist kind of quiet until he explodes when they are in Ranger Jail- and Louise then fixes everything through a grand gesture but never actually apologizes. In this episode, Rudy is much more direct, much earlier on about his unhappiness (literally his second line of the episode is saying how stressed he is), and Louise comes up with a grand gesture...but also realizes that the grand gesture is kind of dumb and she should really just apologize to him. And I love that. It shows them growing as individuals and as friends. Rudy is not always the best at standing up for himself and Louise is not always the best at caring about others' feelings or letting others know that she cares about them, but they both step out of their comfort zones and grow a little bit because they care about their friendship. (Have I written a ridiculous amount this episode here? Yes. Am I capable of writing much more about it? Yes )

"Steal Magazine-olias": Very much a "show about nothing" plot ("Gene steals a magazine from the dentist's office? That's the episode?") but I think it's sweet. Not funny enough or moving enough to be a 5 for me, but I think Gene's motivation here is really touching, as is the way it resonates with Dr. Yap (one of my favorite recurring characters...in the Non-Wagstaff School Division, at least). Also, Tina's infatuation with the sexy fox scientist is SOOOOOO in character and hilarious, and I also enjoy Teddy in the bird poop subplot.

Random thoughts (stuff that doesn't affect the ratings):

-One of the things that this rewatch has really made me appreciate about the show is that there's basically nothing about it that I flat out hate. Even a character I dislike, in a meh episode can be a source of amusement. Why am I mentioning this here? Linda's parents are my least favorite recurring characters. "The Terminator II: Terminals of Endearment" is a very meh episode, in my book. And yet, there's this moment in that episode where Louise tells Al they have to go inside and he responds: "Oh good, I like going inside places. Like a big shot." And that made me laugh and stayed stuck in my head and for the next week or so, whenever I went into the building where my office is, I kept thinking "Like a big shot."

-That's all for this season. See you in Season 12! Until then, my regards to the morning zoo!