#Gil Arroyo x Jessica Whitly

[bestshipsmackdown]

Pre-qualifiers; Group Eight: Subsection Three

Richard Mayhew x Lady Door from Neverwhere

Gil Arroyo x Jessica Whitly from Prodigal Son

Glimmer x Bow from She-Ra and the Princesses of Power

Eric Cartman x Kyle Brofloski from South Park

[addiemilfgomery]

you know a ship is good when character a has a near-death experience and character b immediately acts like a widow

[clairenovaking]

jessica and gil's first kiss is literally so electric i can feel the tension bleeding through the screen

[wipbigbang]

WIPBB 2023 - Fic & Art Master List (# - L)

Below is the master list of all the bragging rights/posts that were posted to Tumblr and Dreamwidth, organized alphabetically by fandom from numbers to L. Please go show these people some love for all the hard work they did!

9-1-1

Beyond Appearances: Art (Evan Buckley/Sophia Diaz)

When You Say My Name: Fic | Art Post 1 | Art Post 2 (Evan Buckley/Eddie Diaz)

A Song Of Ice and Fire/Game Of Thrones

Watch the world burn; i set it all alight for you: Fic/Art (Jon Snow/Daenerys Targarean)

Angel: the Series/Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Deep Dark Sky: Fic (Connor/Dawn Summers)

Bungou Stray Dogs

half-time soulmate, full-time problem (so hold me like a grudge): Fic | Art (Nakahara Chuuya/Dazai Osamu)

Chalion Saga/World of the Five Gods

Penric's Last Ride: Fic | Art (Penric, Desdemona, the Bastard)

Criminal Minds

Half Broke Horses: Fic (Art On AO3) (Alex Blake/Emily Prentiss)

DC Comics

Batman

Fatherhood: Fic | Art (Implied Bruce Wayne/Jim Gordon)

right place, wrong time: Fic | Art (Tim Drake, Jason Todd, Damian Wayne)

Batman/Green Arrow

Grains of the Golden Sand: Fic (Dick Grayson/Roy Harper)

DC Comics (Batman)/Prodigal Son

9 Crimes: Fic | Art (Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Malcolm Bright, Gil Arroyo, Jessica Whitly, Jim Gordon, Harvey Bullock, Alfred Pennyworth, The Joker, Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson)

Dead Poets Society

Spotlight: Fic (Chris Noel/Ginny Danburry)

Disney

Disney's Descendants

And I won’t lie down, roll over, and die: Fic (Gil/Harry Hook/Uma)

Nothing in this world by myself to protect me: Fic (Jay/Carlos De Vil, Evie/Mal, Evie/Jay, Evie/Carlos de Vil, Evie/Jay/Mal/Carlos de Vil, Ben/Mal, Ben/Jay, Jay/Mal, Mal/Carlos de Vil, Ben/Evie)

Disney Fairies

Death at the Hollow: Fic/Art (Fawn/Nyx)

Encanto

A Single Thread of The Tapestry: Fic | Art (Camilo & Mirabel, Camilo & Mirabel & Mariano, Mirabel & Camilo & Madrigal family)

How do you know what your life is worth: Fic | Art (Camilo & Mirabel, Mirabel & Pepa, Isabela & Pepa, Isabela & Luisa, Luisa & Abuela & Bruno, Bruno & Camilo, Félix & Julieta, Agustín & Dolores, Félix/Pepa, Agustín/Julieta)

Doctor Who/The Picture of Dorian Gray/Torchwood

Passing Through: Art (Dorian Gray/Jack Harkness)

Dracula/Jane Eyre/Sherlock Holmes (ACD Canon)

A Field of Thorns: Fic (Sherlock Holmes/Dracula)

Dragon Age II

Kindling: Fic | Art (Fem!Hawke/Fenris)

Set Yourself On Fire: Fic | Art (Marian & Garrett, Marian & Carver, Marian & Varric, Referenced Fenris/F!Hawke and Anders/M!Hawke)

ER (NBC)

Touch and Go: Fic | Art (Abby Lockhart/Kerry Weaver)

Final Fantasy IV/Final Fantasy VI/Final Fantasy IX/Final Fantasy X

Magical Girl Rydia - Summon the Four Warriors of Light!: Fic On Dreamwidth | Fic On Tumblr (Rydia/Yuna)

Generation Kill

Bradley the Damned: Fic/Art (Brad Colbert/Nate Fick, Walt Hasser/Ray Person)

Good Omens (TV)

The Rain We Thought Would Last Forever and Ever (Remix): Fic (Art On AO3) (Aziraphale/Crowley)

Harry Potter

Black House Will Rock: Art (Hermione Granger/Bellatrix Lestrange)

Repertum: Fic/Art (Harry Potter/Severus Snape)

Harry Potter/CSI/Hocus Pocus

And now you're mine: Fic (Harry Potter/Greg Sanders)

Harry Potter/DC Comics (Batman)

Reflection: Fic/Art (Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Rubeus Hagrid, Original Characters)

It (2017/2019)

faraway look: Fic (Bill Denbrough/Mike Hanlon)

Jak And Daxter

alien lands (overflowing with dust): Fic/Art (Jak/Daxter, Jak/Sig, past Damas/Sig)

The Red Prison: Fic/Art (Errol/Torn, Jak/Ashelin)

Jane Austen/Temeraire (Naomi Novik)

To the Rigor of Service: Fic/Art (Elizabeth Bennet & Charlotte Lucas, pre-Anne Elliot/Frederick Wentworth)

Jujutsu Kaisen

Phantom Origins: Fic | Art (Itadori Yuuji/Yoshino Junpei, Yoshino Junpei & Yoshino Nagi, Fushiguro Megumi & Kugisaki Nobara, Fushiguro Megumi & Kugisaki Nobara & Yoshino Junpei, Iguchi Takeshi & Itadori Yuuji & Sasaki Setsuko)

Knives Out

No Charm Equal: Fic (Benoit Blanc/Marta Cabrera)

Kuroko no Basuke

Three Little Words: Fic (Kasamatsu Yukio/Kise Ryouta)

Last Binding Series (Freya Marske)

The New Blyth Traditions: Fic (Robin Blyth & Maud Blyth, Robin Blyth/Edwin Courcey, Maud Blyth/Violet Debenham)

League of Legends: Arcane

bring me java, bring me joy: Fic | Art (Caitlyn Kiramman/Vi)

Lord of the Rings (Book)

both the sweet and the bitter: Fic On Dreamwidth | Fic On Tumblr (Arwen Undómiel, Elrond Peredhel, Bilbo Baggins, Original Characters)

[malec-ao3feed]

When Paths and Fates Collide

read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/3zSOFYe by GoldenWingsAndShiningSouls When everyone Sam meets is hiding something, can they all learn to trust each other and put aside their pasts to forge a new future together or will the secrets and lies be too much? And will the demons of their pasts ever let them go? Words: 1898, Chapters: 2/?, Language: English Fandoms: Supernatural (TV 2005), Shadowhunters (TV), Prodigal Son (TV 2019), X-Men - All Media Types Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Categories: M/M Characters: Sam Winchester, Gabriel (Supernatural), Magnus Bane, Alec Lightwood, Isabelle Lightwood, Jace Wayland, Erik Lehnsherr, Charles Xavier, Malcolm Bright, Gil Arroyo, Jessica Whitly, JT Tarmel, Dani Powell, Edrisa Tanaka, Martin Whitly, John Winchester, Mr. David | Martin Whitly's Guard, Gabrielle Le Deux, Azazel (Supernatural), Demons (Supernatural), Antonia Bevell Relationships: Gabriel/Sam Winchester, Magnus Bane/Alec Lightwood, Erik Lehnsherr/Charles Xavier, Gil Arroyo/Jessica Whitly Additional Tags: Crossovers & Fandom Fusions, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Alternate Universe - College/University, Bad Parent John Winchester, Bad Parent Mary Winchester, Bad Parent Maryse Lightwood, Bad Parent Robert Lightwood, Bad Parent Martin Whitly, Bad Parent Asmodeus (Shadowhunter Chronicles), Nephilim Sam Winchester, Nephilim Magnus Bane, Warlock Magnus Bane, Warlock Sam Winchester, Witch Sam Winchester, Psychic Sam Winchester, Mutant Sam Winchester, Sam Winchester Has Mental Health Issues, Sam Winchester Has Self-Worth Issues, Sam Winchester Has Nightmares, Tags May Change, Everyone is Undercover or Hiding From Someone read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/3zSOFYe

[notgonnarememberthis]

Pillars

Surprise!!! I didn't have intention of publishing a oneshot but this popped into my mind a couple of hours ago and it was just too good to ignore. I don't write Ainsley much so it was a lovely change to have her voice in my mind for a change and it was really fun to explore a more vulnerable aspect of her. Especially since her weakness appears to be her family being in danger. It was really fun to write and I hope y'all enjoy this as much as I did

Ainsley wakes up to the sound of a scream. It’s so loud it pierces through the walls. She startles, feeling her heart pounding in her ears. It takes her a few seconds to realize it wasn’t from her dream. The scream is very much real. She’s never heard anything like it, so full of pain and terror. Then she realizes it sounds very familiar.

“Mom.”

The rate at which she’s on her feet and running is dizzying. She almost rips her phone from the wall it’s plugged into with her urgency to move. Her bare feet echo on the floors as she races down the hall. She curses her urgency for privacy from when she moved in almost a year ago, insisting that she’ll need her own space since she’s been used to living alone for so long.

Her mother’s scream still echoing in her head makes her hate every step that she was too far from helping.

Her fingers shake too much as she tries to work her phone. Dialing the number almost absentmindedly from memory as tears stream down her face, panicked breaths too short to fill her lungs. 

She should call 911, there could be an intruder or a fire or. She should call 911.

“Malcolm Bright, leave your name and number and I’ll call you back.”

His voicemail taunts her as she tries to school her panic. She can’t call anyone but him. She needs Malcolm. He’d know what to do. He’d know how to save her. He’d get there faster than any cop would.

Except maybe Gil.

Finally she’s in front of her mother’s door. She doesn’t even bother knocking, instead reaching for and twisting the golden handle. Yet, it doesn’t budge in her grip. She tries again, then once more before the horror truly sets in. Her door is locked and Ainsley can’t hear anything coming from the inside.

Not that she can hear much over her own heartbeat.

“Mom!” She pounds on the door, tears flowing freely imagining everything horrific her mind has to offer. Her mother choking on blood, stabbed in the stomach collapsing just out of reach of the door, a gun trained on her temple if she tries to scream. Ainsley throws her weight against the door but it’s no use, the wood is expensive and she just bounces painfully off it. She ignores the flare of pain resorting to pounding again with her good arm when the door swings open.

She freezes when a very tired and very concerned looking Gil answers. She thought he’d come fast but this is ridiculous.

Her rational mind comes to as her panic ebbs momentarily. Gil had dinner with them last night, she retired for the night before he left. He had a few drinks, there was no way her mother would let him drive and insist that he stay.

“Ainsley? Is everything ok?” She glances over his shoulder not seeing her mother anywhere behind him. She must have slipped into the closet, probably sitting at the vanity. 

“I heard-” She thinks for a moment. Was it all a dream? She could have sworn… It sounded so real. “I heard a scream.”

His shoulders drop, a soft look of understanding passes over the man’s features. “A nightmare.” He assures her.

“No. I know what I heard. I heard-”

“No, Ainsley.” He stops her with a had up. “Your mother had a nightmare.”

She tenses, confusion knotting her brows. She’s no stranger to someone waking up screaming in the night. Hell, she grew up familiar with the sound of Malcolm’s night terrors. A scream, the sound of running, a struggle, and then her mother’s gentle voice coaxing him awake again. 

It was always Malcolm though. Never her.

“I don’t understand.”

“She just had a nightmare. I’ve got her, kid. Don’t worry.”

She almost scoffs at his words. Don’t worry? Not even when she was faced against a literal serial killer did she hear her mother make more than a yell. A challenge against her opponent. She always fought back. Always. How the hell would she be able to stop hearing that scream? She sounded so… helpless.

She’s never known her mother to be helpless.

“I can’t.”

“Ains.” She stops, only Malcolm calls her that but it’s enough to disrupt her thoughts. “She’s safe.”

Her face sinks with realization. “The pills.” Gil’s expression only confirms it. The sad almost guilt that passes over him, and she knows. Her mother had talked to her and Malcolm about it before. How she planned to get clean. No more relying on pills and booze to survive. She didn’t want to miss another moment. Those were her words.

Ainsley has had only a small peek at the bottles before when her mother was sulking over Malcolm’s treatment of her. Ones she expected, having seen from Malcolm were there. Valium, Ativan, Marplan. Yet the one bottle screams in her memory now.

The sleeping pills.

“She never…” Guilt clenches in her chest. “I didn’t know.”

“You couldn’t.” He assures her gently with a sad smile. “She would never have let you or Malcolm know.”

“Is she…”

“At the vanity.” He nods, understanding her question. Sitting at the vanity is almost never good. After moving in Ainsley often found her there, so locked in her own thoughts she didn’t hear or see her come in. She understands why, in a way. It gives her space to think, where the walls never feel too much like him. The closet was always her space. Ainsley remembers it almost looking the exact same as when she’d run in to play makeup with her.

She wonders if the familiarity is a comfort or a punishment.

“You want to see her?” Ainsley chews on her lip, thinking. Would her mother want her to see her like this? Probably not. Yet she had to have heard them talking. She doesn’t hear her protesting either. She would not be shy to request her time alone. She nods. “Come on.” Gil guides her into the room, softly knocking on the door before opening it just a little. “Jess, sweetheart. Someone wants to see you.”

No protest again. Ainsley shuffles forwards, suddenly feeling very much like the shy five year old who came to check on her older brother after he had a nightmare. She always had her favorite stuffed rabbit ready to share to keep away the bad dreams. She wishes she had the bunny right now. To wordlessly pass to her mother without needing the explanation. Without having to say what they both already know.

Her mother turns to her, eyes dark from lack of sleep. Ainsley wonders how long it took her to work up the courage to close her eyes. How long it took for them to fly back open in terror. They’re red rimmed too, from tears, she recognizes. She’s never seen her mother cry. The thought terrifies her.

Yet when her mother sees her, the expression changes. A soft look of guilt and understanding. “Oh baby,” She reaches out a hand and Ainsley goes to her. More tears she didn’t know she had left spilling down her cheeks. She rises from her seat meeting Ainsley in the embrace. She wraps her arms as tight as she can around her mother, her face burying into her shoulder. All the fear and sadness she felt melts out of her at once. The slow stream of tears turning into full body sobbing in the comforting touch. Fingers comb at her tangled blonde curls, separating the knots from her own restless sleep. “I’m so sorry I scared you sweetheart.” She whispers in her ear.

She shakes her head trying to reject the apology. Yet the crashing realization that her mother isn’t this pillar of strength and bravery weighs heavily on her. She wonders if Malcolm even knows. 

Oh god, she’s going to have to explain her crying voicemail to Malcolm.

“Are you ok?” She finally asks when she has the strength to talk.

“Oh my sweet girl.” She breathes, pulling away just to trace her jaw. “I’ve got you right here, I’m more than ok.” She places a kiss on her hairline enveloping her in a hug again. “It was just a nightmare. I’m ok.” Ainsley bites her tongue at the thought of what her nightmares could possibly look like. Malcolm’s were terrifying to hear about and he has suppressed memories.

Her mother knows every face, every name. Every single image.

Gil’s knock interrupted her second wave of panic. “I talked to Malcolm. Figured he might see Ainsley called and panicked when he woke up.” She feels her mother nod in understanding.

“He’s not coming, is he?”

“No. I managed to convince him everything was ok.”

“Good.” She pulls away from the hug, though her fingers still linger on his arms. “Do you want to sleep with me tonight?” Ainsley looks between her and Gil. A selfish part of her wants to nod, curl up next to her mother and keep her safe from the nightmares just like she did for her after the memories of Endicott started resurfacing. 

“It’s ok kid. I’ll sleep in a guest room tonight.”

“Nonsense.” She scoffs. “The bed could easily fit all three of us plus Malcolm. That is, if you’re ok with it.” Ainsley realizes she’s talking to her and nods. Gil had always felt like a father to her, even when his focus was on Malcolm. He always asked if she’d like to tag along to a baseball game or a trip to the planetarium. Anything to make them feel like normal kids.

She still has the stuffed astronaut he bought her.

“Is that ok with you?” Ainsley asks Gil and he smiles, wide and warm. Nothing like Martin’s.

“I’d like that.”

They fit comfortably back in the bed. With Ainsley hugging her mother close to her. She’s more than used to the octopus grip and settles in, manicured fingers scratching her back in smooth lulling patterns. Gil takes place behind her mother, safely cushioning her between the two of them. This way she’s protected from both sides. Ainsley smiles at the image but it does calm her when she sees him offer his arm to lay on to her mother.

They both fall asleep before she does. Neither stir while she listens to the soft noises of the quiet slumber. She hopes, against everything that has happened, that they get to keep this soft moment. After everything that’s happened her mother deserves to be happy. She thinks with him, she could be.

Maybe they all could be.

[nightimelovaa]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Prodigal Son (TV 2019) Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Relationships: Gil Arroyo/Jessica Whitly Characters: Jessica Whitly, Gil Arroyo, Malcolm Bright, Ainsley Whitly, Martin Whitly, JT Tarmel, Dani Powell, Original Characters Additional Tags: Fluff and Angst, Kidnapping, Dark Gil Arroyo, BAMF Jessica, I'm Sorry, Violence, Past Violence, Blood and Violence, This Is Not Going To Go The Way You Think, References to Drugs, Alcohol Summary:

Jessica and Gil go for a night out on the town when things go terribly wrong.

TW : drugs/alcohol use, kidnapping, mental health issues, and violence

[while-the-world-sleeps]

Waiting for the Gil Arroyo/Jessica Whitly tag to be updated on tumblr and AO3 like

[jessica-arroyo]

Chapters: 2/? Fandom: Prodigal Son (TV 2019) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Gil Arroyo/Jessica Whitly, Gil Arroyo & Malcolm Bright, Gil Arroyo/Jackie Arroyo, Jackie Arroyo & Malcolm Bright, Jackie Arroyo & Jessica Whitly, Malcolm Bright & Jessica Whitly Characters: Gil Arroyo, Jessica Whitly, Malcolm Bright, Jackie Arroyo Additional Tags: Angst, Romance, Canon Compliant, Fertility Issues, Pregnancy, Abortion Summary:

"Dirty little secrets always come out." -Olivia Pope

[claremont-psychiatric-hospital]

Prodigal Son + Rembrandt (part 2) (part 1)

Isaac and Rebecca (c. 1665) The Return of the Prodigal Son (1642) The Return of the Prodigal Son (c. 1669) Slaughtered Ox (1655) Belshazzar's Feast (c. 1635)

[eveblanchard]

I present to you: “Prodigal Son Crossover Handshake Memes That Probably Reveal An Embarrassing Amount About My Taste In Fiction More Than Anything I’m Trying To Say With Them” (yes I’m aware these can be nitpicked) (Also please talk to me about any of these shows if you want!)

Team: Determined To Discover The Truth™

[Image description: Five hands holding each other. The center text reads: “Something terrible happened to a girl I know and I’m going to find out if it kills me.” The hands are labeled Fox Mulder, Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan, Eve Blanchard, Malcolm Bright, and Jay Merrick. End description.]

Team: Every FOX Protagonist Is The Same

[Image Description: Three hands are holding each other. The center text reads: “Someone went missing when I was young, my father was involved, I was profoundly traumatized by it, my life’s work in an investigative field is an attempt to figure out what happened and atone for it, I seek answers and justice for others I may never find myself, and I’m involved with the FBI.” The hands are labelled Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan, Fox Mulder, and Malcolm Bright. End description.]

Team: Dug Too Deep

[Image description: Three hands holding one another. The center text reads: “Something happened to a girl I knew and I’m gonna find out if it kills me! ...Oh wait, it just did.” The hands are labelled Jay Merrick, Eve Blanchard, and Fox Mulder. End description.] (Yes I know Mulder never stayed dead but it’s the thought that counts!)

Team: Recording As A Response To Stress/Socially Bizarre Use of Cameras (Privacy Who? I’ve Got Important Things to Document!)

[Image description: A handshake. The center text reads: “What the fuck why are you filming this??” and the hands are labeled Jay Merrick and Ainsley Whitly. End description.]

Team: Raise Your Hand If You’ve Ever Been Personally Victimized By A Companion Wielding A Camera

[Image description: A handshake. The center text reads: You broadcasted my mental health difficulties to a bunch of strangers?!” The hands are labelled Tim Wright and Malcolm Bright. End description.]

Team: That Looks Like It Hurt

[Image description: A handshake. Center text reads: “Stomach wounds” and the hands are labeled Jay Merrick and Gil Arroyo. End description.]

Team: I Did Not Sign Up For This

[Image Description: A handshake. Center text reads: “I have a gun and I’m not going to use it!” and the hands are labeled Jessica Locke and Jessica Whitly. End description.]

Team: It Had To Be Done and I Had To Be The One To Do It

[Image description: A handshake between two people, with some red smudges drawn on, mimicking blood. The center text reads: “Stabbing the man who’s been pulling the strings to death, partly out of revenge for a fallen friend, partly because it was what must be done, and having the knife dramatically fall from their hand afterwards.” The hands are labeled Tim Wright and Ainsley Whitly. End description.] (This one’s probably the shakiest of them all. Were Eve and Ainsley friends/friendly? Did Ainsley feel a sense of duty to kill Endicott? Tim did really want to be doing what he was doing, either...But the part about the knife is accurate, at least.)

Team: Highly Specific Bad Luck With Men

[Image description: A handshake. The center text reads: “Why do my relationships keep ending like this?” with an emoticon frowning face at the end. The hands are labelled Jessica Whitly and Joyce Byers. End description.]

and finally,

Team: We Can’t Let The People Know That They See!!

[Image description: A handshake. The center text reads: “The real mystery of the show is what happened to the lighting budget.” The hands are labeled Prodigal Son and X-Files, respectively. End description.]

[bestshipsmackdown]

Dear fellow shippers (hi too, our beloved Bonk running this tournament for us), may I suggest :

Gil Arroyo x Jessica Whitly (Prodigal Son)

Alex x Sam x Clover (Totally Spies) or Mandy x Clover if you're into enemies to lovers I guess

Bloom x Stella (Winx Club)

Lucy Tara x Kate Whistler (NCIS Hawai'i)

[addiemilfgomery]

if they took this hug out of the episode, imagine the other gilica scenes they've cut out from the show?? ALSO didn't bellamy say they had to cut out some things from the garage scenes??

[thepurplebones]

Dani, when Malcom admits that he’s not fine:

[senoritaanxiety]

i consider fox cancelling Prodigal Son a hate crime towards me. fuck fox.

[notgonnarememberthis]

The Best Worst Kept Secret

Hello!! I am back with yet another fic! I decided to give y’all some fluff this time as a treat. I wanted to finish this before yesterday’s ep but I got tripped up on one of the sections. So this just kind of ignores canon a lil and takes a path of its own. Enjoy!!

AKA: The one where everyone finds out that Gil and Jessica are together

JT

Gil tries to contain himself for about the hundredth time that night. He should have known she wouldn’t listen to him. It’s in the Whitly’s nature to go against everything he says. The second he knew that Jessica had an invitation to a charity discussion with their latest suspect he should have pulled the plug. It was absolutely absurd to send her in there with nothing more than a wire taped to her to catch anything duplicitous that might be said.

He should have known.

When they heard glass breaking and the connection drop his team rushed in. It was on Dani’s insistence that he stay behind. It was driving him absolutely crazy not to know what the hell was going on in there.

So he paced.

Finally, after what seemed like ages the door opened. She steps out, looking all the same if not slightly more disheveled than when she walked in. He notices she walks with a slight limp, he makes a mental note to wave down a paramedic the second he gets the chance. But it disappears once her eyes meet his.

It feels like the air is sucked out of his lungs as she walks to him, a half smile on her face that masks the fear and exhaustion lying beneath. He wants to ask her what happened in there. He wants to know what the hell went wrong. But all he can think about is that he could have lost her.

That sound could have easily been Wilkes knocking her unconscious, dead before Dani and JT can even reach her. Another missed opportunity. Their window slammed shut for good this time.

He doesn’t think.

She opens her mouth to speak but he just presses his lips to hers, pouring all of his fears and hopes into those few seconds that he loses himself. He’ll be damned if he loses her before kissing her one more time.

But he isn’t losing her. She’s alive and he can feel her heart thundering against his chest as her hands hover between them, unsure of what to do. Then he remembers everything that happened. Her fears and boundaries that he definitely just crossed way too quickly. 

He pulls away just as she starts to respond and her face almost makes him laugh, her eyes are blown wide, jaw clenched but then she smiles. That warm, effusive smile that digs deep into his chest every time he sees it.

“Don’t scare me like that again.” For a second he wants her to tease him, that it wasn’t her fault that things went south.

“Yes Lieutenant.” She answers with teasing smirk. Back on her game just as quickly as he threw her off. And god help him.

The sound of a throat clearing makes him remember just where they were. JT stands just a few steps behind her, hands in his pockets. Jessica blushes, her jaw dropping open as she stammers for words once again.

“Mother!” Malcolm’s call saves her from whatever she was going to say, her motherly instincts taking over as she rushes to him, despite her hurt ankle. He shakes his head with a small smile as he watches her go.

“So,” JT strolls up, rocking back and forth. “You two?”

“Not a word.”

“I didn’t say anything!” He casts a look to the two Whitlys, Jessica fussing over her son like she wasn’t the one in a hostage situation just minutes ago. “Just didn’t know you two were a thing.”

“We haven’t been for a long time.”

“Well in that case, don’t let her slip away.”

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Dani

“Do not.” Jessica’s voice dips with the warning, her threatening tone lacing through the words. 

“Don’t what?” Gil smiles, mirth sparkling in his eyes. She’s seen that look hundreds of times in Malcolm, she’s more than familiar with what follows.

“Whatever you were thinking, do not.”

“I wasn’t thinking anything.” He puts his hands up in mock surrender and she almost falls for it. 

Almost comes a little too late when the jet of water hits her straight in the chest soaking her blouse. “Are you serious?” She tries to be angry but when he tilts his head back laughing it sends blush rushing up her neck and to her cheeks. “I am going to kill you. I didn’t bring any spare clothes.”

“At least I know my murder will be solved if Malcolm’s on the case.” 

“Hilarious.” She drawls, trying to suppress the shiver that rolls up her spine.

“Fine, take it off.”

“What?” She stammers for a second. Just as quickly, she recovers, a smirk forming on her face. “I thought we’d at least wait until after dinner.” She watches his eyes go wide when he realizes what he’d said, his head turning as he chuckles nervously. She bites the inside of her cheek as she undoes the buttons, tilting her head in a tease.

He is right behind her though, shucking off the turtleneck he’s wearing and tossing it to her instead. “There. Now you have something dry.” She presses her tongue to the inside of her teeth rolling her eyes at him but puts it on nonetheless.

“How do I look?” She does a little spin for effect, feeling the heat in her cheeks rise once again as he looks her up and down.

“You look beautiful.” He’s about to walk towards her when there’s a knock on the door. They’d been expecting their food to arrive any minute, she’d just hoped he would’ve taken a little longer. Gil steps back leaning against the counter. “This isn’t over.”

“Promise?” She flips her hair over her shoulder before going to answer. She swipes her purse from the table along the way. She doesn’t even look up when she answers the door. “Hi, ok so that’s $29 and-”

“Gil, I thought you were cutting down on the takeout since we order so much at the precinct-”

The two of them stop at the same time realizing that they weren’t talking to who they thought they were. Jessica looks up from her purse meeting Dani’s confused gaze. Why was she here and why did she have their food?

“Ms. Whitly.” Dani seems just as shocked as she was. Eyes falling to the very recognizable turtleneck she was wearing. “What are you doing here?”

Jessica has to bite the sarcastic remark before it slips off her tongue. 

It is not helped when she hears Gil slide up behind her. “What’s taking so long?” It only takes a sideways glance to know that he is definitely still shirtless. He goes rigid when he spies Dani and from the look on her face she’s almost certain the poor girl is ready to bolt. “I’ll go get a shirt.” She mentally curses Gil as he dips into the safety of the bedroom and away from the awkward questions.

“How long have you two been…” Jessica frowns when she realizes that her tone doesn’t sound nearly as interrogating as she expected. Rather a little guilty, she partially wonders if she ever found out that Jessica had overheard their conversation all those months ago.

“It’s new.” As in literally under a week, she thinks to herself. She’d hoped that they could keep this under wraps as much as possible. “We didn’t want to tell anyone until we were certain.”

“Not even Malcolm?”

“No.” She sighs. As much as she loves her children, they’re equally nosy and while they want the best for her, she knows Malcolm is still looking to get revenge on her for when she meddled with his first date with Eve. “I just,” She casts a look to where Gil had disappeared to, the fear and sadness momentarily taking over. “I don’t want to mess this up again.” Not for herself. Not for her children who cherish him like a father. Especially not Gil who she’s slammed the window shut so many times. Every single time he just gave her that same understanding smile. Even if it hurt.

“Well,” Jessica snaps her gaze back to Dani, remembering that she wasn’t just lamenting to herself. “He looks happy.”

Gil chooses that time to come back while she’s still locked in her own thoughts. It’s all she can do to excuse herself to the kitchen and leave them to talk. She finds the bottle of bourbon they’d planned on opening later trying to quell her shaking hand as she pours two glasses. All of her ease has disappeared, replaced with the knot of tension pulling her further into herself.

She’s just about to go check when she feels to arms wrap around her from behind. “What’s wrong?” He asks dropping a kiss to her cloth covered shoulder. Of course he could tell something was wrong just from her standing there. He’s always known her better than anyone. “Talk to me.”

She spins in his arms, her hands coming to rest on his chest. She bites the inside of her cheek. “Are you happy?”

He drops his head, shaking it with the same soft smile that makes her heart skip. “Of course I am.” One hand moves from her back brushing the hair that had fallen across her face. “I’m happier than I’ve felt in a long time. I’m with you.”

“Even if-”

“Yes.” He stops her before she can ramble off any scenarios. He’s not letting her push him away, not this time. His thumb strokes her jaw and her eyes fall to his lips. “Even then.”

Finally he kisses her, and it tastes like a promise.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Edrisa

“Are you certain there’ll be nobody here?” Jessica grasps Gil’s arm as they step into the restaurant. By all means, it was perfect. Out of the city, away from prying eyes of photographers looking to get a shot of her, far from the legacy of her name. Just a nice, fancy restaurant for a first date.

That thought send a whole new wave of anxiety through her.

Gil had asked her to dinner, officially, to celebrate his closing of a case and her sealing the deal on a new realtor’s space. Finally they have some time to themselves again, maybe for the first time in weeks they can see each other for more than fifteen minutes for a quick meal before she’s called off to a meeting or Malcolm calls him for an update on the case. 

He seems to sense her unease as he slips his hand over her’s giving it a gentle squeeze. “Just me and you.” She softens at his smile, her hand reaching up to trace his jaw. For a moment she thinks she could say the three words that have been stuck on the back of her tongue ever since they’ve started this again.

“I-” Her breath catches, choking on the words once again. She quells the frustration before it can even cross her face, instead pushing away from him. “I have to go to the restroom. Will you get our table?”

“Yeah.” If he caught what just happened, he doesn’t let on. She steadies herself by focusing on each step. Gaining back her control with each careful stride. That is, until her eyes fall on a booth across the room.

It’s the laugh that draws her attention. A sound she’s become familiar with the more the woman hangs around Malcolm. Her laugh has been something that made her son smile brighter than she’s seen in years. It’s instantly recognizable.

Edrisa.

She’s sitting with a group of women, from what she can tell they’re sisters. Similar in appearance enough to be related at least. They’re so caught up in each other that Edrisa doesn’t see her. If she’s quick enough she can just slip right into the bathroom and be back to Gil where she requested a private booth.

She’s so focused on the group of women she doesn’t see the waiter round the corner talking to a coworker. Not until she crashes into him, wine glasses tipping from the tray and spilling all over the front of her dress. The force knocks her to the ground flinching as the glass sprays across the floor around her.

“Jess, oh my god!” Gil runs up to her, careful of the shards to help her back to her feet.

“Ma’am I am so sorry. I didn’t- I wasn’t-” She barely hears the rambling apologies when she can see that the person she was trying to hide from is now looking straight at her, along with everyone else in the damn restaurant. 

“I’m fine.” She dismisses with a hand. “I’m going to clean up.” She knows her tone betrays everything. She hasn’t caused such a scene since smashing the camera of the man who tried to sneak pictures of Malcolm while he was sitting on the swings with Gil only months after Martin’s arrest.

The quiet of the bathroom is a welcome change as she steps in front of the mirror. She’s an absolute scene. Hair rumpled, face flushed with embarrassment. The dress that she spent hours trying to pick out by herself all but ruined. The stickiness of the wine already making her uncomfortable.

What if she can’t do this?

The knock startles her out of her thoughts. She shuts her eyes gathering herself, “I’m fine Gil. Really, I’m not hurt.”

The door opens slowly and the person in the doorway isn’t him. Rather Edrisa who swallows heavily before stepping inside. “Do you need help?”

“I’m fine.”

“Are you sure, cause yknow wine stains even black clothing- which is, awful, right? Like, how dare it? Isn’t that the fundamental rule of black?”

“Edrisa-”

“You should probably start blotting, that looks like expensive velvet.” She passes her a cloth napkin that she must have snagged from the table when she got up. “That’ll clean up better than the paper towels. Trust me.”

Jessica wants to put up a fight but just sighs, accepting the help. “Thank you.” She carefully blots the stain, eyes falling on the woman who rocks back and forth looking like she wants to ask a hundred questions but is barely refraining. “Before you ask, yes. We’re dating. No, it hasn’t been for long. This is our first actual date. Yes, we were trying to keep it secret.”

“I knew you two were together!”

“What?!” Jessica’s head snaps around, her tone coming out angrier than she intended.

“No! I mean- No!” Edrisa stammers. “I didn’t know know but I knew. You know?”

“No.”

“Well, it’s like. It’s like in the movies. It couldn’t be more obvious that the two people who’ve known each other for decades are going to be together in the end but it’s this will they won’t they. It’s the miscommunication and the boundaries. He’s a widower. But there’s all this tension.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“You’d have to be blind not to see how you look at each other.” She smiles tilting her head. “You’re head over heels for each other.”

“Are we really that obvious?” Edrisa gives a half shrug and Jessica lets out the breath of frustration. “Well, I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t tell Malcolm.”

“Oh! Yeah, totally. I mean, wouldn’t want it getting out before you’re ready.”

“No, we wouldn’t. Not yet at least. It’s new and I don’t want to mess this up. I just want to keep everything discreet.”

“One hundred percent. My lips are sealed.” The silence falls between them and for a moment Jessica wonders if she’s going to tell her something else. A thought passes across the woman’s face before she waves it off. “Well I should get back to my family. Have fun! Don’t do anything you wouldn’t want your kids to hear about.” She laughs and Jessica just chuckles nervously. “Right. Going. Bye!” Jessica follows her out the door relieved to see Gil standing there with a worried look on his face.

“Sir.” Edrisa nods at him passing him, but as she’s about to round the corner, she spins around giving him a double thumbs up with a wide grin and a wink.

“Do you think she’ll tell?” Gil asks once he’s certain she’s gone back to her family.

“Honestly? I have no idea.”

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Ainsley

“Gil.” Her warning comes out huskier than she intended it to. She’s trying to focus on the paperwork in front of her, stacks of royalty agreements, press issues, and editor’s notes scribbled on the words of her own writing are enough to drive anyone mad. She partially wonders if this is how he feels when pouring over case files.

He hums against her neck and her control almost snaps. His arms wind around her torso scooting her closer to him on the couch. 

“Don’t you have a case to work on?”

“Just finished.” She feels him smile and she sighs putting down the file she was studying. “Not my fault you look so good in glasses.”

“They’re reading glasses.”

“Doesn’t matter. You still look good.” She bites her tongue, cheeks blushing with the compliment but she leans further into his touch. “Take a break.”

“We’ve taken 3 breaks in the past 2 days.”

“Are you complaining?” She tilts her head, pretending to think about it for a minute. That only encourages him more as he trails his kisses down her chest.

“Gil,” She tries again but all of her will is gone the second he hits that spot on her collarbone. “You’re horrible.” She pushes him back using the momentum to swing a leg over his lap so she’s straddling him. His wide eyed look of wonder is enough to make her laugh before she captures his lips with hers. Her hands rest on the back of the couch while his slide down her thighs pulling her impossibly closer.

She begins tugging at his turtleneck that he has carefully tucked in. “We should move.” He whispers in between kisses and it’s her turn to split into a wicked smile.

“I dismissed everyone this morning. We’re all alone.” His jaw drops and she tilts her head back with a laugh.

“Who’s horrible now?” But his lips attack her neck again and she just laces her fingers through his hair letting the sensation take over.

She’s ready to lift his shirt over his head when the sound of the door opening and shutting calls her attention. They both freeze, chests heaving trying to catch their breath. “Mom?” 

Jessica lets out a stream of curses under her breath at the sound of Ainsley steadily approaching. She pulls herself off his lap, quickly fixing the buttons that she didn’t notice he’d managed to snap open on her blouse. Gil does the same, tucking in his shirt where he can and taking a file to drape over his lap. She runs her fingers through her hair and picks up the file she was working on as if nothing had happened at all.

“There you are! You won’t believe what happened today! Oh, hey Gil!” Her eyes bounce between them for a moment, but if she suspects something she doesn’t let it show. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m helping your mother with her book.”

“You’re letting Gil read it?” Ainsley pouts, reminding her of when she was little and she didn’t get what she wanted. “You told Malcolm and I we’d have to wait until it was released.”

“I believe I told you I didn’t want you reading it at all, but nevertheless. What’s happened today?”

“What do you mean?” It takes Ainsley half a beat to remember she came home for a reason. “Oh. I just got the word that they want to kick off Joseph Lassley after the whole incident. You remember, right?”

“Yes?”

“Well they want to give me his spot! I’m going to be the head reporter!” Jessica jumps up going to hug her daughter. 

“Oh, darling, that’s wonderful!” She squeals. “I’m so proud of you!”

“Congratulations Ainsley.”

“Thanks Gil.” She beams practically bouncing back to the door. “I have to go. I just stopped by to tell you in person, didn’t feel like over the phone news.” She hugs Jessica again and she squeezes her daughter back just as tightly. “I have to go tell Malcolm.”

“Go! We can celebrate tonight!”

“Belluci’s?”

“Whatever you want, darling.”

“Can Gil come?” Jessica looks back at him and he seems shocked at the request but nods with a soft grin.

“I’d love to.” The look of adoration makes her chest feel so tight that it hurts.

“Awesome. Love you. I’ll see you later.” With that hurricane Ainsley is gone. She lets out the breath she was holding turning back to Gil again.

“That was close.”

“Um, Jess?” Her eyebrows furrow when she realizes he’s looking at her chest. Her blouse is slanted, having missed one of the buttons in an effort to get them back together quickly.

“Shit.” She casts a look towards the door, fixing the buttons while she does. “Do you think she noticed?” 

The scream is distant but loud enough to still carry into the home. “MALCOLM HOLY FUCK.”

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Malcolm

“Jess if you pace any more you’re going to burn a hole into the floor.” Gil leans against the table, eyes watching her as she walks from end to end.

“He’s late.” She checks the clock again for confirmation, and yes, Malcolm was officially half an hour late. “I told him that tonight was important and that I needed to talk to him.”

“Can you blame him? The last time you said dinner was important was to harass him-”

“Don’t finish that sentence unless you want to sleep on the couch tonight.” Gil raises his glass in mock surrender sipping on the scotch. “Why are you so worked up about this? You know he’ll be thrilled. I mean when he was a kid he basically begged me to move in.”

“It’s not about how he’s going to react. It’s just,” She sighs finally settling in a chair. “He’s the only one we got to tell for real. Everyone else figured it out.”

“For a profiler, he’s shockingly unobservant when it comes to family.”

“Oh trust me, I know.” She smiles with a small laugh. “I thought for sure he was going to catch us that day in your office.”

“I can’t believe we did that.”

“Oh, poor JT.” She laughs, the tension in her chest finally easing a little. It’s enough that she misses the door opening.

“Mother, sorry I’m late. But on the brightside, I’ve got this beautiful 14th century broadsword that-” He stops, his eyes falling on Gil. “And Gil’s here.” He glances between the two of them with a suspicious look. “This isn’t some kind of intervention is it?”

“Not exactly.” She straightens herself, feeling the anxiety bubble in her stomach all over again. Everything up to this point had been amazing. Sure when they were apart, Malcolm tried to help them get back together, but what would he think now? Would he be upset? Hurt to know that he learned last?

“Mom, is everything ok?” Her expression softens, he only calls her mom when he’s worried about her. She’s given him far too much to worry about lately. She takes his hand in hers with a reassuring smile.

“Your mother and I wanted to talk to you. And this is something that’s important to us.”

“Ok you’re both acting weird now. I’m used to her. Please don’t turn on me too, Gil.”

 “Malcolm.” She sighs because she knows this is how he acts when nervous. He can’t stop talking, a habit he’s picked up from the medical examiner she’s noticed him lingering around lately. “Sunshine,”

“Oh god, she brought out Sunshine. I’m in trouble.”

“No, kid, you’re not in trouble we just-”

“Gil and I are together.” She finally blurts out, before pursing her lips together. Malcolm’s head snaps towards her with a mixed look of wonder and disbelief.

“Like, together together?”

“Yes.”

“Is it serious?”

“Well I hope so considering he’s moving in.” She tries for the joke but Malcolm just short circuits, leaning back in his chair running a hand over his chin.

“How long?”

“2 months.”

“2 months?” 

“Well, kid. Your mother and I wanted to make sure it stuck this time before we told you.”

“Does Ainsley know?” The two of them pass a look and they can practically see as the dots connect in his head. “Oh my god the couch. She called me and was talking about Gil, and the couch. She didn’t make any sense. Oh my god.”

“We wanted to tell you for so long. But it didn’t feel like the right time.”

“Is that the bet that Dani and JT have going? If you two are together?”

“Not exactly.”

“What? What do you mean?”

“It’s more like when you’ll figure it out.”

“They know?” 

“Well they figured it out the same way Ainsley did.”

“WHAT?”

“Not like that! JT saw me kiss your mother after the Wilkes case,”

“Dani was a few days later. I stayed the night at Gil’s and I answered the door thinking she was our takeout.”

“Did everyone find out before me?”

“Well we were sure Edrisa was going to accidentally let it slip.” Jessica shrugs.

“Edrisa knows?” 

“We ran into her at a restaurant where some said it would be safe away from anyone we could run into.” She shoots a playful glare at Gil who raises a brow at the challenge.

“How was I supposed to know the Tanakas were in town?”

“Oh my god.” Jessica turns her attention back to her son who looks as if he’s going over every single interaction he’s had for the past 2 months in his mind.

She swallows heavily, taking his hand again and getting serious. “Are you ok with this?”

The question seems to snap him out of his spiral. His eyes finally fall on her with a clarity and hope she hadn’t seen for a long time. “Ok with this? This is like, something I thought about since I was 12. Gil’s basically my dad. And if you’re happy, that’s all that matters to me. Are you happy mom?”

“Oh Sunshine,” She chokes back the tears building in her eyes, her free hand tracing over his jaw. She wonders how the hell she got so lucky. “I’m very happy.”

He turns his attention to Gil. “Are you?”

The look on Gil’s face almost takes her breath away. “I haven’t been this happy in a long time.”

“Good.” Malcolm smiles and Jessica is certain her heart is going to burst right out of her chest. “Now, when are you going to propose?”

“Malcolm!”

“Am I getting a little brother or sister?”

“I am fifty two!”

“So was Janet Jackson.”

“You’re unbelievable.”

“Oh I’m just getting started. I’ve got twenty one years of meddling pent up and ready to unleash.”

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Martin

The sounds of wheels sliding across the linoleum breaks Martin’s deep focus, he abandons his latest project with a wide grin. “TV time already, Mr. David? I felt like I had a good half hour in me still!” The man doesn’t answer, only moving to set up the equipment with the same boring monotony as he did every day. Honestly, you’d think the man could show a little more life.

It no longer matters when the TV powers on, just in time to see his daughter’s smiling face, with a warm greeting that feels especially for him. He bristles, the same sense of pride that fills his chest any time he can see his children in their element consuming him. He can’t help but shift in glee, scooting closer to the screen.

“Is she wearing L’agence again? You know, that’s her mother’s influence right there. I was always more of a Brioni man, myself. Italian. Swear you’ve never felt something so soft in your life.” Ainsley picks up her papers, tapping them against the desk, signaling she’s diving into the latest news. “Shh, she’s starting”

“Why don’t we start off tonight on a good note? Lighting up the social circles and buzzing all around New York, daughter of John and Carrie Milton, Jessica Whitly is engaged! You may know Jessica Whitly as she was the ex-wife of the Surgeon and is my mother.” She grins, and he swears he can see Jessica in her. The mischievous glee of knowing that his world is falling apart sparkling in her eyes. “Tabloids were lighting up after spying Ms. Whitly with a ring on her finger, and it is with great pleasure that I’m the one to confirm the rumors. Ms. Whitly is engaged to the head of major crimes, Lieutenant Gil Arroyo. The two of them met during the arrest-”

“Turn it off.”

“Martin,” Mr. David approaches, ready to apprehend if necessary. It won’t be, he can control himself.

“Turn it off!” He snaps. He blissfully does and Martin revels in the silence, if only for a moment. “How could she not tell me? Me? I didn’t even know she was seeing anyone again!” He pushes the chair back pacing from end to end, or as far as his rope would let him reach. “I had to find out by a broadcast. The news.” He scoffs, noticing that the man across the room’s shoulders are shaking with laughter. “Did you know about this?”

“Yes, I received the news about a week ago.”

“A week ago.” He falls back onto his bed with a sigh. “My boy didn’t even tell me! And I really felt like we were connecting again! ”

“Martin,”

“And my girl! Oh you know her mother set her up to do that just to get at me. Ainsley would never stoop so low as to address tabloids. They’re so beneath her.” He rakes a hand through his hair, “and Mr David, Et tu, Brute. Leave me alone, I’d like to suffer in peace.”

“I guess I shouldn’t tell you I got the invitation in the mail yesterday.”

It’s all he could do but turn his face to scream into his pillow.