#HIS VOICE BANK SOUNDS SO GOOD TO ME UGH

[runaxee]

NOBODY TOLD ME OF THIS DIVA?!

HAREFORD UR SUCH A DIVA

[cirilla-fiona-riannon]

Galileo Galilei Main Story

Translations may not always capture the exact nuances or tone of the original text. Expect grammatical errors and inaccuracies.

After arriving in the city in the afternoon, I let out a deep sigh.

(Even this morning, I didn't feel like I was alive.)

Just like the other day, I had another dream where someone took my life.

(Last time it was a hunter, but this time I was killed by a pureblooded vampire.)

(I guess I was really a dhampir in my dreams.)

Although the people and scenes in the two dreams were different, they had one thing in common.

(In the dream, I was despised by both humans and vampires just because I'm a dhampir.)

Even though they were dreams, fear and sadness lingered strongly in my heart, and I let out another sigh, as I had done many times before.

Then...

Vlad: "What's with the sigh, Mitsuki?"

Mitsuki: "Vlad!"

The one who greeted me was Vlad in his apron.

There was a wagon nearby loaded with flowers, and it seemed like he was doing his usual work as a florist.

Mitsuki: "Thanks for your hard work. I actually made some baked sweets. Would you like to have them with Faust and Charles?"

Vlad: "Wow, it smells nice. Thanks, I'd love to."

Vlad: "But are you okay?"

Mitsuki: "Huh?"

After handing him the sweets, Vlad looked at me and gently touched the area around my eyes with his long fingers.

Vlad: "You have dark circles. Are you not sleeping well?"

Mitsuki: "I had a nightmare. I was feeling down, so I made those sweets as a distraction."

Vlad: "I see. Just wait a moment."

With that, Vlad pulled out a bundle of purple flowers from the wagon and offered them to me.

Vlad: "They're lavender. If you put them by your pillow when you sleep, it should help you relax."

Mitsuki: "Wow, thank you. Can I really have them?"

Vlad: "Yes. I wish I could save you from the nightmares, but for now, all I can do is wish you a good night's sleep."

After parting ways with Vlad, I leaned in to smell the lavender I received.

(It smells nice. It might indeed help me sleep well.)

Feeling grateful for Vlad's thoughtfulness, I walked down the street with warm feelings.

Passerby: "Hey! Watch where you're going, kid. Don't wander around like that."

???: "S-Sorry."

I heard a guy's booming voice and a kid's gentle voice in the distance.

When I looked over, I saw a boy with golden curls and dirty clothes bowing to a passerby.

(That kid seems unsteady on his feet. I hope he's okay.)

As I watched, the boy bumped into someone again and fell afterward. Concerned, I hurried over to him.

Mitsuki: "Are you hurt?"

Curly-haired boy: "Ugh…"

The boy lifted his face, and I noticed his eyes were as clear and blue as the earth.

Curly-haired boy: "I'm thirsty."

Mitsuki: "Wait here. I'll go get you some water!"

I was about to stand up when he suddenly grabbed my skirt to stop me.

Curly-haired boy: "It's fine! I'm okay."

Mitsuki: "But you look like you're in so much pain."

Curly-haired boy: "Don't worry about me. My little sister is waiting, so I have to go."

Mitsuki: "Hey, wait!"

The boy disappeared into an alley without even turning back at the sound of my call.

As I walked along the banks of the Seine River, I couldn't stop thinking about the boy I had just encountered.

(Was I being too nosy?)

(But his clothes and shoes were so worn out.)

Even in seemingly glamorous Paris, many people were struggling with poverty and orphans.

That was the reality I learned upon arriving in the 19th century.

I was still lost in thought when I suddenly heard someone calling out.

???: "Hey, Miss."

Mitsuki: "Huh?"

???: "Would you like to go on a boat tour around Paris?"

I turned around and saw a man with a half-up hairstyle and a hat, smiling.

Drake: "For a lady like you, I'd offer some special services."

(Oh, is he a tout?)

Mitsuki: "Sorry, but I'm not really in the mood for that right now."

Drake: "Ah, I see. You do look a bit down."

The man leaned in slightly and peered into my face.

Feeling unexpectedly close, I tensed up, but the man just smiled again.

Drake: "In that case, all the more reason to hop on my boat for a change of pace."

Drake: "By the way, I'm also feeling really down today since there were no customers."

Drake: "If things stay like this, I'm afraid my boss will give me an earful later."

Mitsuki: "Hehe."

Drake: "Oh? You look even cuter when you smile. So, how about we both forget our worries and have a blast?"

(He's quite the smooth talker.)

(I feel like I'm being taken for a ride, but it sure would be a nice change of pace.)

Mitsuki: "Then, just for a while."

I couldn't help but smile along with him as I boarded the boat, following his invitation.

Mitsuki: "Wow!"

Drake: "Right?"

The boat cruised effortlessly on the Seine River, and the shimmering water under the sun, along with the breeze blowing through, felt nice.

Drake: "Feeling better now, miss?"

Mitsuki: "Yes, much better than earlier."

Drake: "Huh, so a boat ride isn't the perfect cure-all, huh?"

Mitsuki: "Oh, no! It's just a matter of my own feelings."

(Maybe it's because I had a scary dream or met that boy.)

The frustration of being in such an uncontrollable situation still lingered in my heart.

(I've been living a comfortable life back in my world and being treated well in the mansion since I came to the 19th century.)

(But that's just my luck, and it doesn't apply to everyone in this era.)

(Is there anything I can do to help?)

Lost in thought, I brushed back my hair, swaying in the wind, and my fingertips suddenly touched the scar on my forehead.

It was the scar from when someone saved my life when I was a child.

(At that time, I wanted to be someone who could also help others.)

I remember the memories I told everyone at the mansion just a few days ago and the feelings I had at that time burning deep in my heart.

(I know poking my nose at other people's business is bad, but if I meet that boy again, I'll try talking to him.)

(I have to take a step forward, starting with that.)

As my mood began to brighten, the scenery appeared even more radiant.

Then, out of nowhere, the guy suddenly handed me a bottle.

Mitsuki: "Mr. Sailor, what's this?"

Drake: "It's Drake."

Mitsuki: "Huh?"

Drake: "My name's Francis Drake, but just call me Drake, miss."

Mitsuki: "Okay, Drake. What's in this bottle?"

Drake: "A drink to lift your spirits."

Mitsuki: "What!? Drinking during the day is a bit much!"

Drake: "Haha, just kidding. Don't worry, it's just grape juice."

Drake: "Consider it a treat. Well, mine's wine, though."

He raised another bottle and grinned mischievously.

Mitsuki: "Drake, aren't you working right now?"

Drake: "Oops, so strict."

Drake: "Don't worry, I can hold my liquor. I'll make sure to get us back to shore safe and sound."

(That's not really the issue here.)

Drake: "Come on, cheers!"

He handed me the grape juice and took a sip from his wine bottle.

(He's so carefree and likable.)

(But is it okay to drink something given by someone I just met?)

The bottle smelled distinctly of grapes, with no hint of alcohol.

Drake: "Are you being cautious? There's nothing weird in it. I could take a sip to show you if you'd like."

Mitsuki: "Um, no, it's okay. I'll give it a try."

(He doesn't seem like a bad person, so it should be fine.)

Feeling guilty for my hesitation, I also took a sip from the bottle.

Mitsuki: "Mmm, delicious!"

The sweet and rich taste passed through my throat, and the lush aroma filled my nostrils.

Drake: "Glad you like it. By the way, what's your name?"

Mitsuki: "I'm Mitsuki."

Drake: "Alright then, Mitsuki. Captain Drake is here to guide you through Paris."

Drake: "Over there is the Louvre Museum or something like that. It's apparently full of amazing treasures."

Mitsuki: "Hehe. You don't sound like a tour guide."

I chuckled at his tour-guiding skills.

But as I listened to his lively stories…

(Huh?)

I was suddenly overwhelmed by drowsiness.

Drake: "Mitsuki, what's wrong?"

Mitsuki: "I'm sorry, I suddenly feel sleepy. I think it's because I haven't slept much lately."

(Oh no, this isn't good. I'm getting sleepy.)

I tried to fight the drowsiness, but my eyelids stuck together like magnets, and eventually, I fell asleep.

???: "Who asked you to bring her here?"

(Huh? Who?)

A low, quiet voice reached my ears as my consciousness drifted.

???: "Don't make that face. I did it for your own good, you know?"

???: "Being patient doesn't suit you. It might be more interesting if you move quickly."

This time, I heard another, more cheerful voice.

Both voices sounded familiar, but they were different from the voices of anyone I knew from the mansion.

Mitsuki: "Mnn…"

I slowly opened my eyes and saw several books and a dome ceiling.

Feeling a bit disoriented by the unfamiliar sight, I...

Mitsuki: "Where am I!?"

I sat up abruptly from the sofa I was sleeping on, realizing I was in an unfamiliar place.

Drake: "Oh, you're awake, little fawn."

I turned my head and saw Drake, who had been with me on the boat, smiling.

But what surprised me even more was the unexpected presence of another person beside him.

Mitsuki: "Drake, and Professor Maury?"

(Why are they together?)

Previous Part ╎ Masterlist ╎ Premium

[berrypass-de-murdler]

2 - 35 A Surprise for a Psychic

these titles I can't

check out my next drawing though enfnjbvnjkgbnkfg

Today me and Fletch are gonna complete our Aureolin and Lady Violet cosplays for Halloween :D

We wanted Bandit to be Officer Copper after we found a dog costume but there's no way he would be willing to wear it lmao

Also doge reveal <3 <3

DON'T READ THE EPISODES WITHOUT READING THE BOOKS!!

IRRATINO: Yo, Logico. I got a quest for us. LOGICO: Yay, a ‘quest’. IRRATINO: I’ve agreed to give the PRL one more shot to prove themselves legitimate! LOGICO: WHAT IS THE PRL?!? IRRATINO: Psychic Research Lab. LOGICO: Why… didn’t you just say that the first time. And also that sounds extremely stupid. Let me guess - you’re going to give them a million dollars? IRRATINO: No, the bank won’t let me… LOGICO: GOOD.

They go to the PRL, which is located in the prison. That’s probably a good thing? Azure, Mauve, and Glaucous surround a dead mad scientist.

IRRATINO: Oof, that’s kinda rough for the case. LOGICO: It’s not rough for MY case. GLAUCOUS: Oh… hello, Logico! LOGICO: Don’t embarrass me.

They scour, and Logico tries to ignore Mauve pecking at the floor like an actual chicken.

MAUVE: What? What are you looking at? LOGICO: Ugh, I don’t like your new catchphrase! Go back to the old one! MAUVE: What are you even talking about. LOGICO: The thing about the metaverse. MAUVE: I’m making the metaverse! LOGICO: You know that’s not what I mean!! GLAUCOUS: Um… p-pardon me, if you don’t mind… MAUVE: WHAAT. GLAUCOUS: I’m so sorry to bother you, Madam President, I just… MAUVE: HAAAAhahahhahaeh. ‘Madam President’. NO. I’M THE VICE PRESIDENT BISH- GLAUCOUS: R-Right… um… you said you’d… you know… I don’t want to be rude… MAUVE: [extremely loud sigh] GLAUCOUS: You said you’d be willing to pay if I moved those supplies for you. MAUVE: OH. Ahhhhhhmmmm hm well ahm I changed my mind. GLAUCOUS: O-Oh. Well… no worries… I suppose… LOGICO: What SUPPLIES? MAUVE: Noooothing.

What a moving exchange. Irratino is lost in a crystal ball.

LOGICO: Don’t become the new head of the PRL, or someone will murder YOU immediately too. IRRATINO: No… Logico, I can see! I can see everything! This crystal ball weapon belongs to Dean Glaucous! LOGICO: Really. And how do you know THAT.

Irratino turns it around. It says ‘Property of Dean Glaucous’ on the bottom. Logico coughs.

It turns out, Glaucous had killed the psychic because he was in an isolation chamber.

GLAUCOUS: It was so isolating in there… I couldn’t handle it. So I killed the first person I saw, for my own safety! I’ll do it again if one of you locks me back in there…

He reaches for his crystal ball, but sees Irratino standing with it.

GLAUCOUS: Oh! You’re… Logico’s, um- LOGICO: Ahem. GLAUCOUS: Oh… hello Logico. LOGICO: [to Irratino] Will you excuse us for a moment? [to Glaucous] You’ve gone insane, Poppy. What is wrong with you? GLAUCOUS: Oh Logico… I’m so sorry. Azure and Mauve sent me down to the chamber to store some supplies, but then they locked me in… I panicked. LOGICO: Is that SOOOO?

Azure and Mauve run away!

AZURE: [in the distance] Ugh, and I didn’t even get a line…

Logico goes back to Irratino.

LOGICO: Sorry your… ‘mission’ failed. IRRATINO: Aw, Logico, it’s alright. I got to solve a murder with you, and that’s all I really wanted to do.

In reality, he’s secretly fawning over the fact that Logico calls his dad ‘Poppy’. That made his whole day.

The end!

I fucking love mauve fnvjnfgkb

She looks so young and then she has this voice that sounds like a chainsmoking old woman 😭 I don't know what I was doing

I REQUIRE PLUSH

The power of Goat Lord compels you!

See you next time murdlers!

[blankiebloo]

Hi! I hope you're doing well! Could I request a Kaeya, Childe and Diluc (each are seperate) on how they confess to reader? You don't need to if you don't want to!

Thanks!

Of course! And thank you for the request!

Characters: Kaeya, Diluc, Childe

Genre: Fluff

Be mine?

Childe

For as confident as he may seem, he's quite the sweetheart and nervous wreck

He asked you to meet him outside of Northland Bank and you could go on walk from there.

He was quite jittery, but when you asked he just said he was cold.

"Ah, there you are, Comrade! You really decided to keep me waiting this time," Childe said, arms crossed as he looked you up and down, "But I guess if I knew you'd look this good I could wait even longer.." he mumbled on that last part as he reached his hand out, "So, shall we get going?"

You laced his fingers with yours as the both of you started walking out of Liyue Harbor; "Childe, where are we heading?" You asked, squeezing his hand.

He hummed in reply and squeezed your hand back, keeping his eyes forward, kind of like he was trying to avoid your gaze.

You two eventually got to one of the many mountain tops of Liyue; from there you could easily get a gorgeous view of the harbor.

"Childe, this view is gorgeous!" You exclaimed, eyes sparkling at the sight.

"Yeah, it is," he replied, his voice sounding a bit dreamy and like he wasn't truly there with you.

You turned your head to look at him only to see him already looking at you, embarrassed you turned to the side. "So, why did you want to bring me here?"

"That, right.." you could hear the nervousness in his voice as he squeezed your hand even more. "I wanted to ask you to be my lover.."

"What was that? Sorry, I couldn't quite hear you," you nervously chuckled. In reality, you did hear him, but you didn't know if you were hearing things so you wanted to see if he'd say it again; no, you hoped he would say it again.

"I, I wanted to ask you to be my lover."

The blush on his face was brilliant, and it looked so adorable on him. But in his eyes, the blush on your face was even cuter.

"I would like to be your lover, Childe," you took his other hand in yours and kissed him on the forehead. "But you're kind of bad at hiding what you want to ask"

Laughter bubbled out of your stomach at his face, both confused and faux hurt displayed over it.

Kaeya

It was honestly more of a drunken confession that you had to bring up with him in the morning.

One of the other Knights came up to you, saying that Kaeya was at the tavern and that he had far too much to drink and that he could barely walk and asked for you to take him home. You accepted, and waltzed into the tavern and walked up to Kaeya.

He was slumped over the counter, head placed into elbow and his grip on his drink loosening more and more. He was extremely quiet as you got him up and started walking out the tavern, but as you two were walking outside the quiet streets of Mondstadt he suddenly piped up, "[Name], you're so pretty/handsome/beautiful, you know that right?" His head was laying on your shoulder and you could feel him staring at you.

You started stumbling as Kaeya continued to stare at you with failing feet. "Ah, Kaeya I appreciate the compliment, but you really should be paying attention to the way ahead," you noted as you lifted him up again and started walking.

You got to his house and rummaged around his pockets and got his keys out and unlocked his door. Closing it you started walking upstairs and took him to his room; getting him settled in his bed you were about to leave until he grabbed your wrist and looked up at you with puppy dog eyes.

"[Name], please don't leave," he whined and whimpered. "Stay with me, please...I love you, [Name]"

He moved his hand to yours and brought it to his lips, giving it a kiss. He kept it there for a while until you started hearing quite snores and you wiggled your hand free and left.

But as you were trying to fall asleep you just kept think about Kaeya's words, "I love you, [Name]"

"UGH, why does he have to be such a charmer?" You thought aloud, your heart beat just banging loud in your chest. At that moment you turned to your side, you decided that the next time you see him you'd talk to him about it, but you didn't expect that you wouldn't be seeing him early the next morning.

A knock at your door woke you up and as you groggily start walking to the door you slightly hear Kaeya's voice from the other side. You can't hear what he's saying, but all you can hear is his voice. When you opened your door he was cheekily smiling, "I heard that you're the one who took me home last night, so I wanted to thank you"

"It was nothing really"

"Still, I want to treat you to a nice breakfast, so, let me in?"

You stepped to the side and let him in and watched as he was cooking, as you closed the door you started walking over to your kitchen counter and staring at him, a lovely little domestic sight until you suddenly remembered what he said and you decided to bring it up.

"Hey Kaeya, do you remember anything from last night?"

"Mm, after I drank a little bit more than usual, no, I mainly blacked out after that. Why do you ask?"

"Well, last night, you told me that you love me and I kind of wondered if it was true"

You turned your head to the side when Kaeya turned around with wide eyes. He turned back around to cooking and almost making you worried with how quiet he is until you heard him say, "I thought I dreamed that part.."

He coughed into his fist and continued on, "Though it wasn't a lie, I do love you and wish to be in a relationship with you"

You swear that you can see the tips of his ears turn red. "Well then, I guess that I wish that too.."

Diluc

Honestly, you did not find out his feelings from him, let's be honest here.

You actually found out from Adelinde!

You walked into Dawn Winery for dinner since Diluc had invited you, and you thought nothing of it since you two eat together quite often.

You knocked on the mansion doors and one of his maids opened it, "Ah [Name]! What a pleasure to see you here! Come in, come in! Master Diluc is already waiting for you"

You walked in and sure enough, he was, though he did seem to be engrossed in some of his paper work, but as soon as you made your presence known he dropped it and gave you a slight smile.

"[Name], hello, glad you could make it."

"Glad I could come," you smiled back; your smile so warm it could easily fight the heat of Dilucs vision itself.

"Adelinde is almost done with dinner, please take a seat," he said as he got up and pulled a chair out next to him.

You took a seat and he pushed the chair in and was about to sit down himself until one of his maids called for him saying they needed to talk to him about something. He sighed as he excused himself and left. Coincidentally Adelinde finished making dinner and she brought it out.

"Ah, where's Master Diluc?" She questioned, looking around.

"One of the others called for him, he just left"

"Perfect, well I have something to tell you," she got close and whispered in your ear, "Master Diluc, he actually has feelings for you and maybe you should bring it up to him, hm?" She leaned back and placed the food on the table. "Since we both know how he is"

She winked and left and a few seconds later Diluc came back and sat down.

"Are you alright?" He asked. "Your face is a tad bit red"

"Oh I'm fine! It's just a tad bit hot in here"

He raised a brow but decided to not question it any further; the rest if the night was calm, but you kept seeing Adelinde and everytime she'd smile and give you a thumbs up just to encourage you to speak up. Boy did the night feel like it went by fast, maybe it was your heart beating extremely fast or maybe because you couldn't shake out the thought of asking him out.

"Hm, it's getting late, [Name]. I think it's about time you get home, I could walk you?" He offered, but you declined.

"No, it's fine Diluc," you replied, but as you looked behind him Adelinde was there, looking at you. "Actually, I changed my mind, I would like for you to walk me home"

"Very well then, let me get my coat and we'll be off-"

"I got it for you! Enjoy your walk!" Adelinde pushed you two out, and you two stared at each other for a bit until you laughed and went on your way.

"I swear, I've never seen Adelinde act that way, you both are acting strange tonight," Diluc commented. "Nothing happened, right?"

You could hear the concern in his voice and you patted his back in response. "No, nothing happened, she was just, pushing me into talking about something..with you, about you"

"About me? What did she say?"

"It was nothing bad! She just told me that you have feelings for me.."

"She what"

His voice was so quiet, you swear it could've just been the wind whispering things to you. You looked at him and he was as stiff as a board: arms pinned to his sides, face red and not moving.

"There's no need to be embarrassed really," you took one of his hands in yours and kissed his knuckles. "I feel the same"

A/N: Thank you so much for the request! If you'd like to send me a request please look through here and I'll get to it as soon as I can!

[kactiworld]

KACTIWORLD - Chapter 3 - Trap - C-SIDE

I sit in bed, staring at the file that Alice gave me, clenching it in my hands. All I need to do is just go. I just need to go there. I gripped my forehead and sighed, leaning my elbows on my knees. 

“Dammit…” 

I got up and put my coat back on for the second time today. The city is a much different place at night, the police force is weaker so more gang members and criminals run rampant. It would be great if there was some masked vigilante that ran around fighting crime at night for us, but unfortunately that doesn’t exist. 

The address on the memo led me to an abandoned warehouse that was by the ocean side. In the distance standing guard in front of the warehouse are two armed thugs with tragedy masks. I sneak around to the back to try and find a back entrance. The air was heavy, I could almost feel myself getting crushed under the weight of the moonlight. Sweat from the humidity of the night ran down my cheek and forehead. 

Right as I take another step. The worst thing that could’ve possibly happened, happened.

CRRRUNNCH

“Yo, what the fuck was that?”

“I don’t know, I’m gonna go check it out.”

I panicked, jumping up on top of the shipping container that I was sneaking behind. 

“Dude, it must’ve been a snake or something. There’s nothing over here.”

“I know what I heard, bro, it was a footstep!”

“Sure, dude. Lay off the dope before a mission next time, okay?”

“Ugh, whatever.”

I sighed in relief and hopped back down, continuing to move to the back of the warehouse once the thug had walked away completely. Along the back side of the warehouse was an iron stairwell that rose up the building, with an open door at the top. As if it is almost inviting me inside.

With every step up the stairs came along with it a loud metallic sound. Trying to be as quiet as possible I take small and slow steps, attempting to not put all my weight on one step at a time. At the top I enter through the door, making sure to not touch it as I enter. 

I found myself high above in the warehouse, it was a good place to look on and watch from, since it was so dimly lit up here. 

“Jesus…” Inside there were at least 15 gunned men all with masks on. In the middle of them was the man leading them all. Darius Graves. Maybe Alice was right, this is way too dangerous. Look at all these guards! I couldn’t possibly interrogate him. Another man then walked into the warehouse, escorted by four men in black suits. It was the Mayor.

“What took you so long? You’re 15 minutes late.” 

Darius spoke in a dull tone, apartentally his mask is equipped with a voice synthesizer. Darius’s voice made the room go silent, I wanted to hold my breath when he spoke. 

“I apologize, it was quite a busy night.” The Mayor exclaimed, he seemed quite afraid.

“I hope you remember who is really in charge of this city. I don’t want this ‘busy night’ bullshit.”

“No, no! Of course not! I just had to get some work done to make this possible, that's all.”

“Hm. Where is it?”

“Oh yes, the Deeds. The uh. The Deeds to the land of the city. Yes.”

What?! The deeds to the land of the city? I know that the bank of Desarnia oversees all of that. I didn’t know the mayor also had rights to it. Just because the Mayor is in control of the banks doesn’t mean that he can just…

“Perfect. You’ve done well, Mayor. I think that this upcoming speech is going to go smoothly. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Hah… Yes, D- Darius.”

“Pardon? Who?”

The mayor looked at him trying to make a stern expression on his face. “You are not the new Mayor yet, Darius!”

Darius stood up and walked over to the Mayor, the Mayor’s guards all pointed their weapons at him. As soon as that happened, the entire room filled with the sound of all the gang members cocking their weapons. The guards lowered their guns slowly.

Darius grabbed the Mayor’s shoulder and leaned into him.

“I will not be asking you again.”

Darius then grabbed the collar of his shirt and threw him into the table, smashing it to pieces.

“WHO AM I?!”

“Y- You’re the mayor! You’re the mayor! Please! You’re the boss!”

Darius dropped him and left him in the rubble of the table, dusting off his sleeve cuffs. A gang member instantly brought over a new table, and another one with a chair. Darius sat down and looked through the papers.

“Holy shit.” I whispered to myself. Right at that moment I felt the cold iron barrel of a gun press against the back of my head.

“Don’t move. Don’t speak. Don’t say a word.”

I wanted to do all of those things, but I couldn’t. My body wouldn’t move. The words of the man behind me rang out through my head like a bouncing ball.

“Uhmm, you know, I would just kill you now, but I like you. You’re the first one to get this far, you’re doing really good. So here is what is going to happen. If you do not do exactly what I say, I can get you and your friends into a lot of trouble.”

A lot of trouble…? What the hell is this guy talking about? I’m ‘doing good’? What does that mean?

“Oh… It seems like you don’t recognize me. Well let me give you a little hint.”

The man behind me extended his arm out in front of me. I wanted to throw up. What I saw was truly disgusting. A hand with bones sticking right out of the tips of the fingers. His skin was green and looked rough. Enlarged cactus spikes grew out of his hand and arm like a disease, slightly bleeding around the edges of some.

“Yeah. It looks horrible, right? Something you’d see straight out of a horror film. I’ve been changing more and more every day. My skin has started to turn plant-like. It’s really a great gift.”

I know who this guy is. This is my serial killer. He is right behind me. I managed to get this close to him.

“Now… Here is what I want you to do. I want you to go to 43 west 12th street on the day of that man's speech right down there, at precisely 1:30 pm, 15 minutes after the speech has started.”

I feel like this is a trap, I know this is a trap. But I just have to do it. Everything is at stake here.

“This is a game, Chris, and you’re losing. Now stand still while I walk away, or this bullet goes right through your skull.” 

I felt the cold metal leave the back of my scalp and hear him walk away. Suddenly, a new sound enters the scene.

Ftsssss

The sound of a fuse going off. I look behind me, the killer is gone, and there is a box of sparklers that has a fuse burning down.

The fuse goes out and the sparklers go off making a huge amount of smoke and noise.

“What?!”

I panic and start running, my heart is racing as it never has before. The sound of the sparklers and gunshots are heard, 15 armed men are all shooting at ME. I managed to escape with the help of the smoke screen, was that part of the killer’s plan? I guess he didn’t want me hearing anything else from Darius.

“Could that be him?”

“Boss, c'mon! We gotta get you outta ‘ere!”

“Right. Let’s head out.”

Chapter 3 END

[epickiya722]

REACTIONS TO EPISODE 23 - DEKU VS CLASS A

You know how it goes!

LAST EPISODE'S REACTIONS

I am so not prepared for this episode! 😃

That's right, Katsuki, call him out!

Whoa whoa whoa! Pause! Land Mine Blast... when can he do that?!

"You'd run away without even talking it out?" Yes! Sounds quite familiar... 👀

OH, KOJI KODAAAA!!! MY SUNSHINE!!!

Aaaaw, the flashback of Izuku and Hanta training together!!! Hanta's smile!! My heart!!

THESE KIDS ARE GONNA MAKE ME CRY!!!

Rikido using Eri though! "I won't lend you my food coloring for Eri's apple candy!"

"It's alright. Eri will be alright." NOT WITHOUT HER BIG BRO IZUKU THERE, YOU DAMN IDIOT!!!

That contraption Yaomomo made is by far the strangest ones yet and I must know how she even constructed that in her head.

A HYPNOSIS DEVICE!! How did he even know... wait, no, this is Izuku Midoriya I'm talking about. Of course, he would know.

This rabbit demon just broke the helmet... with force from his head... he headbutted the thing...

"Midoriya, let's take a shower!" THEY KEPT THE PART!!! 🤣🤣🤣 DENKI!!!

"But I sensed nothing at all." Because they're not trying to hurt you, they want you back, sweetie!

"So please... Stay away from me!" SEE WHAT YOU DID, AFO?! GOT MY GREEN SUNSHINE SEPARATING HIMSELF FROM THE PEOPLE HE CARES ABOUT!! FUCK YOU!!

Daiki Yamashita once again putting his heart into Izuku's voice. He sounds so hurt, so desperate. 😭😭😭

They're all doing a damn good job honestly, I'm very close to crying!

Here's Shoto with this giant ass ice wall!!

"Is your responsibility stopping you from shedding tears?" Yeah...

"You are our friend." Alright, Tsu got me. I'm crying now! 😭😭😭😭

Dictator... ugh that bitch.

Wait was this scene in the manga??

The kids just ran off because Izuku is important to them and that is so damn beautiful!

Look, Shoto, I know you're trying to keep him still, but... at this point you might give him hypothermia. Chill out... and I'm realizing the joke I did there.

ARE THEY PLAYING YOU SAY RUN?! THAT'S MY JAM!!!

YOU MISSED! HOW COULD YOU MISS?! HE WAS TEN FEET IN FRONT OF YOU!!

The class yelling "GO" together!!! No, folks, for real, I got tears!!

Katsuki!!! "Deku, I have things to tell you. There is something I must tell you! But right now, I'll let the guy who can withstand this speed do the talking first!"

GO, TENYA, GO!!!

THE HANDS!!! THE HANDS!!! 😭😭😭💙💙💙

"... it's those who will fight alongside him in the journey." The 2nd User gets it!! You damn right!!

"Let go." IZUKU, SHUT UP RIGHT NOW, YOUNG MAN!!

HE CRIED AT TENYA'S WORDS!!! HE CRIED!!

GAVE MY CLASS REP HIS TITLE SCREEN, HELL YES!! 💙💙💙

Oh, they put Katsuki's hero name!! NICE!!

NICE CATCH, KIRISHIMA!!! YOU GO, BOY!!

"But... I'm scared." Izuku... please...

Oh, Katsuki Bakugou walking up, I know where this is going. 👀

Ooooh, Katsuki, dude, man... you only said a single sentence and I'm crying a little harder.

He looks so soft...

"But I've always been the inferior." KATSUKI, PLEASE!!

Oh, the shots of them going from kids to teens... 😭😭😭

HE CALLED IZUKU!!! AAAAAAAAHHHH!!!

He ran to catch Izuku... I'm going to lay down after this.

Izuku just lets himself settle in Katsuki's arms... yeah, that's how I feel. DRAINED.

Okay, not the colors I had been thinking for Thirteen's real face and body.

DAAAAAMN. I did not think the barrier would be that big!!! NEZU GOT BANK FOR REAL!!!

"I wish I could return everyone's kindness." You've done enough, sweetheart.

Fuck every single one of those people who said Izuku can't come into the school THAT HE FUCKING ATTENDS!! YOU SONS OF BITCHES, HE'S BEEN PUSHING HIMSELF TO PROTECT YOU!!! FUCK YOU!

Known fact, my least favorite people on the whole series is the "civilians".

"Who is there to protect the hero?" Ochaco, you best girl for a reason! (All the girls are really.)

This episode just... I can't... it was beautiful!!

[dweetwise]

[Riconti] The Long Con (part 6/6)

A fluffy little epilogue to wrap things up 🧡 Rated G | 1.5k words | ao3 link [previous]

Two years later…

“Where is it!?” Meg’s voice echoed from upstairs.

“Weiß ich nicht!” Klara’s higher pitch answered.

“Weißt es! You always borrow it for the tablet!”

“The tablet broke two weeks ago!"

“Ugh, fine. C’mon,” Meg said, and the sound of two pairs of footsteps running down the stairs followed. “Dad!” Meg called.

Ace hid a smile behind the newspaper he was reading in the kitchen. What had started as a sarcastic nickname from Meg’s side seemed to become less of a joke with each day that passed.

"What is it?" he called back.

“I can't find my Scheiß-charger!” Meg complained.

Ace glanced at Felix sipping his (gross, black) coffee across the breakfast table. But Felix's lips merely twitched up in amusement, once again making Ace grateful that he wasn't too strict when it came to the language used around his kid.

“Have you been teaching my innocent daughter naughty words?” Ace asked.

“No,” Felix said, then smirked. “If I did, I promise she'd swear much more creatively.”

“Dad!” Meg said as she stormed into the kitchen, a backpack slung over her shoulder.

“Take my power bank,” Ace said. “It's by the coffee machine.”

“Thanks,” Meg said. She also yoinked an apple from the fruit bowl.

“No breakfast?” Felix asked.

“I'll grab something from the cafeteria before class,” Meg said. “It's better than this old coot's cooking.”

“Hey!” Ace protested. Sure, making food from scratch in an actual kitchen was still new for him, but he'd only burned that last omelet a little—

“Fair enough,” Felix instantly agreed with Meg.

Ace gasped. “Et tu, brute?”

“Meg!” Klara ran into the kitchen. “You forgot your keys!” she said, holding up the item.

Meg grinned. “Thanks. Walk me out?”

“Mm-hm!” Klara nodded and the duo headed outside.

“We should see her off too,” Felix said, standing up from the table. “It's her first exam.”

Ace chuckled to himself before following. Felix was very into all the firsts of their kids: Meg's first driving lesson, Klara's first soccer practice, their first time visiting the science museum together…

And now Meg's very first exam at her new university.

Ace tightened his morning robe before stepping out onto their front yard. Meg and Klara were talking in the driveway and Felix already had his phone pulled out for a photo.

"Even if you don't know the answer, try to guess!” Klara said, apparently having taken it upon herself to tutor Meg.

“Yeah, I hope my teacher gives me a gold star on my first test too,” Meg said, then smirked. “But I still think you cheated!”

She poked Klara in the ribs and the girl laughed, protesting, “Hab ich nicht!”

Click.

“Oh, for the love of…” Meg glared up at Felix, who stood proudly with his phone pointed at them. “This better not be going in the photo album.”

“But you're so cuuute with your little backpack!” Ace cooed obnoxiously.

Meg's hand twitched before she grit her teeth and clenched it into a fist, showing considerable willpower in not flipping Ace off.

“Whatever. Bye, losers,” Meg said, walking to her car.

Klara waved. “Bye, Meg!”

“Drive safely,” Felix added.

“Good luck, Firecracker,” Ace said.

“Like I need the luck,” Meg scoffed and shut the door.

She sped out of the driveway in the car that Felix and Ace had bought for her together. Five cars might be a little overkill for a household of four, but Meg deserved her independence, and Felix's ridiculous sports cars weren't exactly the most suitable for a new driver.

Ace was just glad that Meg was still sticking around. Rather than relocate closer to her campus, Meg had claimed she liked the luxury of the Richter manor too much to move out. And she wasn't wrong: their new home was definitely an improvement over the ratty apartment her and Ace had shared for their first year and a half in Germany.

Feeling a little sentimental, Ace sighed and leaned his head on Felix's shoulder. "Ah, they grow up so fast," he said, only half joking.

"At least you didn't cry this time," Felix said.

"Oh, bite me," Ace shot back.

Felix smirked. "Maybe later."

“Papa!” Klara came up and tugged on Felix's sleeve. “Can we feed the fish?” she asked in German.

Felix glanced at his watch and frowned. “Papa has to go to work. Unless Ace wants to feed the fish before taking you to school?”

Two identical pairs of blue puppy eyes looked at Ace and, really, how was he supposed to say no?

Ace grinned. “Tell you what, princess, why don't you go get the fish food and I'll meet you by the pond? But don't take too much, Leonardo is getting fat!”

Klara nodded and smiled bright before scurrying back inside.

“So, alone at last, huh?” Ace joked, turning to face Felix. “How about a—”

Felix was apparently way ahead of him, immediately stepping right into Ace’s personal space and leaning in for a smooch before Ace even said the words ‘goodbye kiss.’

Ace hummed in surprise but quickly melted into the kiss, relishing in familiar feeling of Felix’s soft lips against his.

“Well, I certainly hope you have a good day, too,” Ace purred when they pulled apart.

Surprisingly, Felix didn't snark back like usual. He simply rested his chin on top of Ace's head and breathed a deep and happy sigh.

“Thank you,” Felix murmured. “Thank you for being here. For being you.”

“Hey hey hey, no sappiness allowed this early in the morning,” Ace teased even as he eagerly leaned into the embrace. “Besides, I'm the one who should be thanking you for taking in two strays.”

"One of the best decisions I have ever made." 

"Really?" Ace prodded. "Even after I stole that stupid gold egg from the mayor's party and you had to awkwardly return it?"

"Yes. And especially after an unknown red-haired vandal keyed my idiot aunt's car after she claimed you'd be a lousy stepfather for Klara." Felix chuckled and Ace smiled too.

But even while they could joke about it now, it hadn't been an easy two years for any of them. Half of Felix's relatives had cut contact as soon as they found out he was dating a man, and he'd also had to drastically adjust his work-life balance before his ex even considered letting him have Klara every other week.

Meanwhile, Meg kept getting in trouble for the shoplifting habit she couldn't quite seem to shake and Ace had almost gotten them evicted by repeatedly gambling away rent money. And even after Felix invited them to move in, both Ace and Meg kept waiting for the other shoe to drop: courtesy of half a decade of being on the run.

To this day, Ace still kept a panic bag in his closet with his and Meg's essentials ready to go. But he was trying; they all were, and that was what mattered.

Hit with a sudden burst of affection, Ace hugged Felix tighter. "Love you," he croaked out.

It was ridiculous how nervous he still felt saying those words and actually meaning them. But every time, it got a little easier.

“And I love you,” Felix said earnestly. He kissed Ace's temple that had even more gray now than two years ago. “And I love our family. Flaws and all.”

“Yeah,” Ace said thickly, his heart stuttering over the word family. “Me too.”

Fortunately—before Ace had the chance to embarrass himself further by actually tearing up like Felix joked—he heard the side door of the manor open and close.

"Speaking of family…” Ace said, reluctantly pulling away. “It sounds like I've got some fish to feed."

Felix sighed. "And I should go before I'm late to work.”

"Eh, you can always blame the terrible traffic on your private road,” Ace joked. “But say hi to Lauren for me, would you? Oh, and are you picking up Klara today?”

“Yes, I'll try to,'' Felix said, grabbing his briefcase from just inside the front door. “I have a meeting in the afternoon, but I'll call you if it looks like it'll run late.”

“Gotcha. Have a good day.”

“You too.” Felix walked towards his car, then stopped and turned around with a knowing stare. “And do not let Klara overfeed Leonardo again.”

Ace laughed. “I’ll do my best.”

Felix drove off, and just a few seconds later, Klara’s head popped around the corner of the house.

“Ace?” she said, a sheepish smile on her face. “I dropped the whole food bucket in the water…”

Instantly, Ace was sprinting to the garden.

“Goddamnit, if that fat fuck of a carp eats it all again…!”

The morning ended with Ace diving into the koi pond in his pajamas and resulted in a giggling Klara being late for school.

But in the evening, Klara was showing off a drawing she’d made in class of Ace wrestling a gigantic carp—making Meg howl laugh and even Felix snicker in between trying to nag about the pond’s delicate pH balance—so Ace would count it as a success.

Their strange little mismatched family might not be perfect, but Ace wouldn't trade it for the world.

[queerfables]

911 season 4 liveblog part 4x07 through to the end

4x07

Ok I'm obsessed with this "mother plague" band I want to go to all their shows and maybe hook up with them

Oh boy Buck is not having a good date. Come on lady, be nice. It's not like Buck held you at gunpoint to get you to the table. If you're having a bad time just go home.

Ok seriously you cannot order dessert on a date where you're clearly having a bad time and then continue to be bitchy to the person you're there with. Just go home!

LMFAO THEY'RE NEIGHBOURS

Hen saying "Have either of you ever seen me in a dress?" and the random guy chiming in with "I think you'd look lovely in a dress" lmfao not the correct response my dude

Buck and Eddie facing off against a turkey together amazing

I'm enjoying Michael's Rear Window arc

Crying with laughter. I love that when Athena asks Bobby to check on Michael he immediately gets sucked into Michael's nonsense

Bobby is TERRIBLE at undercover operating

"Michael did help me break into a bank vault once" I really love their team ups

Oh my god Michael just snuck into the guy's house??

Holy fuck is he stealing organs??

Oh this is a nice scene with Hen and her mum

LMFAO LMFAO Buck's bad date is dating Albert now that's hilarious

4x08

Crying with laughter over the bitingly false cheer in this flight attendant's voice as she says "you betcha". Poor friend she's having a terrible time.

Why is everyone acting like she specifically is antagonising them on purpose

Honestly her breakdown is totally warranted everyone on that plane was terrible. No jury would convict her.

Oh the cork embedded in the guy's neck had me gasp out loud at the screen love when this show gets me like that

Aw Buck babysitting Christopher makes me :pleading-eyes:

Buck is such a family guy ugh it's soft. it's been super obvious ever since he met Christopher that he is someone who needs to be around kids and one day have his own (and that he adores Christopher in particular ofc). He and Eddie are so alike. This isn't the only way but it's definitely one that stands out to me, because of course Eddie just completely lights up around his kid.

Man, I rode out the worst of the pandemic in one of the most isolated cities in the world (by total coincidence, we had moved there the year before it hit) so we weren't hit too hard by it. But this season is really driving home how lucky I got.

Omg Taylor and Buck gossiping about Buck's love life is really funny. Maybe they'll hook up again but I would love if she just hung around as his bitchy ex who gets drunk with him and dunks on all his life choices

Chanting for the guy to jump? Classy.

"I've met the people you work with. Your life is nothing but meaningful relationships." Only Taylor could make that sound like an insult. I love her.

Oh Eddie. I know that conversation didn't go the way you hoped but the fact that your kid is able to say the words "I'm mad at you" and walk off to get some space speaks volumes about what an excellent parent you are. It's gonna be ok.

Okay when Taylor knocked on the door I thought she only showed up so she could watch the train wreck but actually she had no idea what she was walking into and in revenge she intends to BE the train wreck? That's hilarious.

oh no Taylor you're showing human emotions and vulnerability stop that immediately before I fall in love with you

Oh my god I'm gonna cry, Eddie panicking over Christopher going missing, answering the call from Buck in a total freak out, but it's all OK and Buck is calling because when Christopher is feeling upset and alone and mad at his dad, the person he trusts to go to is Buck? Gosh that's a lot T_T

Feeling very 🥺 about Taylor & Buck friendship

Oh no, Hen and Karen, that is super rough news. I'm sorry, that aspect of fostering must be so rough.

4x09

Omg this is so familiar. My family had pretty much the same experience when our little one was born. "Today's the day" I'm sorry Maddie, today is not the day.

Oh my god I hate seeing kids in distress this car driving the wrong way down the highway is tough

Oh jeeze this accident is pushing everyone's buttons

Chimney and Maddie are so cute

Oh no Albert!!

He better not die I'll be big mad

Then again if he's anything like his brother he'll be fine

Their music choice is not filling me with confidence

Oh thank God

Oh that is a beautiful baby

Oh Hen. "Nia's damn near crying her eyes out and you act like it happens every day" in fairness, she's a toddler, it probably does happen every day. Put yourself in her mother's shoes for a moment. You experienced first hand the fear of losing your kid, this mother actually experienced it. You don't know what she went through that she had her kid taken and you don't know what she's done to get back to a place where she can look after her again.

"You are nothing like that woman" "I am exactly like that woman" Yeah, he is, and as terrible as the accident she caused is, she's still a person just like Bobby is.

Wow this show really can do Themes when it wants to

4x10

Oh, ouch. I know I was tough on Hen for being angry and trying to fight their foster kid leaving, but I also have a lot of empathy. This sucks, and I'm really sad for their son too.

Oh oof I'm crying

This is too sad

Oh now I'm sad about Hen being happy for Chimney even though she's going through something so painful

Oh that baby is soooo tiny

Ugh I love Ann

Oh no Chimney you put your foot in it a bit there

Athena you really need to learn to react to your kids doing things you don't like with a little more chill

Especially if you want them to tell you things and take your advice and such

This is such an emotional episode

Ugh Chimney calling Ann "Grandma"

Oh no Denny is suuuuch a good kid T_T

A big part of the reason I think this show is aimed at people in a slightly older demographic is that every time they do an episode about kids and parenthood it just completely turns on the waterworks for me lol. and I don't think it would have affected me this way before I was a parent but now that I am, it's just really clear that the people making this show know what they're talking about.

4x11

Aw Athena you're learning! That was a great response to May asking for more independence

Josh backstory! I'm so happy

And Sue backstory too!!

This scene between Hen and Athena about their kids and the missing girl and May wanting to move out is a really lovely scene, I have missed Hen and Athena's interactions.

Also it passes both the Bechdel test and several related tests about race, and I appreciate that that isn't even particularly noteworthy for the show. The only reason I thought about it was because I was trying to figure out how to describe the scene and when I laid it out like "the one where Hen and Athena talk about May" it made me smile

Another thing I like about this show is that it's one of the only shows filmed during the pandemic where full scenes are conducted with masks being worn. Other shows I've seen during that time usually gestured to the use of masks but had the characters take them off as soon as they started talking.

Lmfao love Athena showing up like "don't even think about it Buck"

Aaaah Josh just saved their lives!! Listen I don't find this scenario completely plausible but it's so cool it doesn't matter. Heck yeah I'll suspend my disbelief for this.

I really love Josh. He reminds me of a very old friend of mine whose name was actually also Josh

4x12

Message in a bottle is a fun premise

Lmfao Buck is so sad about missing out on the helicopter

Is ok Buck, my kid loves helicopters too

LOL at this guy whose foot is three times the size it should be being like "no no I can tough it out"

Are Taylor and Buck gonna go looking for this treasure together? Amazing

I love the dispatch betting pool

OMG EDDIE WANTS TO TEAM UP TOO THAT'S SO CUTE

I love Taylor so much (though I stand by my initial impression that she is a terrible person) I'm keen for some Buck/Eddie/Taylor screentime

Omg now a Hen and Chimney team up too? I'm so into this

Oh we are so getting a Bobby and Athena team up too

Come on Athena have some fun

Otherwise he's gonna go team up with Michael and you'll have to arrest them both

LMFAO HE WAS NEVER ACTUALLY DEAD THAT'S GREAT

This guy is an ass it's hilarious

Heeee everyone showing up at the same place to find the treasure, delightful

HEN'S EXPLANATION FOR HOW THEY FOUND IT IS THE BEST ONE

"My wife wrote an algorithm that detects changes in satellite images"

Big "what like it's hard" energy

"What, the unnamed cameraman gets a cut?"

"I'm glad we're friends" honestly I wish Taylor and Buck really could be friends because again I think that would be a great dynamic for them

That said I do actually enjoy their relationship as a romance too

4x13

Alright, Suspicion and then Survivors, you're up! I've been informed these are good Buddie-sodes so I'm keen!

Omg they're spoofing that bride who tried to subject her guests to lie detector tests heh

Oh I am SO charmed by the fact that Bobby and Michael usually team up for family game night. Their friendship is everything to me.

Don't be douchey about allergen free food. "What's it made of, air?" If I had a gluten free cookie for every time I heard that 🙄

CARLA!! Christopher's reaction is mine

Eddie stop flirting with the lady falling through the balcony

(Tbh this supports my low-key gay!Eddie agenda. He's jumping from one woman to the next and his primary criteria seems to be whether or not they'd be a good parent to Christopher. Of course that will feature in his calculations but idk. Carla asking him to think about what he wants too was important)

This kid moves around a lot, always going to different doctors, oh jeeze this is a Munchausen by proxy case isn't it?

Either that or they're fleeing abuse or something because otherwise the first thing you want for a chronically sick kid is continuity of care

Oh Maddie is really struggling huh

I bet Bobby is someone's sponsor! I wonder why he's lying about it though

Oh no Maddie, Chimney isn't talking about you, you are a good parent you're just sick and need support

Ah, that's why he's lying about it

Holy fuck, Bobby, that is a huge wrecking ball of a statement to make.

"Who says this marriage is working" do not pull that shit without thinking it through in the middle of a fight because that is the kind of thing that's hard to take back

Oh holy SHIT

No listen I've seen a million gifs of that moment it's the first thing that put this ship on my radar I've been waiting for it forever

I did NOT expect it to manage to blindside me so completely even so!!!

Holy fuck

Ok what's next I am AMPED

4x14

Wow how have I not seen gifs of Buck dragging him to safety

Eddie's glazed "Are you hurt?" looking at his own blood all over Buck

THAT is what I'm talking about

"Are you ok, Buckley?"

Not even a little bit

Oh my god he even said it

That dead eyed "No."

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah

Woah, was Eddie the target? I guessed that maybe it was a terrorism thing. Targeting emergency workers seems like a great way to inspire panic

"No comment" ok I'm obsessed with the fact that this is Buck's first instinct when confronted with Taylor under these circumstances. I'm really glad that's not why she's there but I love that he thought it could be. Ah, my cut-throat girlfriend 🥰

"You can't go see his son looking like this" I'm really glad that Taylor is there to tell Buck sensible things like that

Oh it absolutely was targeting firefighters

Aw I'm happy Albert is doing better

Oof this is a ROUGH conversation to have with Christopher. Buck is doing a great job but I wonder if he should really have been the one to do it, only because he's so shaken up himself.

Oh no now he's crying T________T

Jesus he must have thought Eddie was dead

Oh the show is doing Themes again

"As scared as we are, it's going to be worse for the people who love us. They're the ones who have to watch us go to work and worry we might not come home."

"There's that thing people say, 'I don't know what I'd do without you' because losing someone you love is such an alien concept you don't want to imagine what it's like"

"And I was sitting in that engine thinking I was listening to you dying and I didn't need to imagine anything"

Right after Buck was violently confronted with the prospect of losing Eddie

Oof

I'm happy Bobby and Athena are finally talking about this though. They really needed to.

The fact that Buck is staying with Christopher through this T_T

Lmfao fucking Buck of course he's already halfway up the crane

Buck's gonna Buck

Oh fuck that glint of light scared the shit out of me

Man this scene between Bobby and Buck about Buck's apparent death wish was really good

Aw that's a pretty cute Taylor/Buck moment

I gotta be honest I really kind of like them

Aaaaah Eddie's ok

"Still, I think it might have been better for Christopher if I was the one who got shot" Oh Buck you're really in it now

And Eddie's face when he said that

Oh no Bobby!!

Oh I love Chimney taking over the scene since Bobby is trapped inside and can't

Athena walking through fire to save her husband is pretty romantic <3

Oh they got to see Nia again T_T what a lovely coincidence

Oh it's The Scene!!

This is the other one I've been waiting for

Oh holy fuck

yeah

Everything about that was Extremely.

Obsessed with the fact that Eddie did not tell Buck about any of this

Why the hell would you make someone your kid's godparent and not SAY something that's truly unhinged

But Eddie saying no one would fight harder for Christopher than Buck T-T and Eddie saying Buck is not expendable!!!!!!

That is like. The thing that Buck wants to hear the most. And doesn't ever fully believe.

So that is a lot

FIREFIGHTER ALBERT oh I'm emotional

[gayspock]

goodness gracious

okay so set the scene im eating fruit and yoggy and granola with an iced coffee. just so youre aware. its 9am. i had a BIGGGG LIE IN bc i dont have work today (bank holiday) so smile

although in truth i wanted to go for my run & watch it as is tradition but it turns on the gym IS closed today booooo

tom will honestly suck the bigest dick in the room its so true

kendall being like "stewy dont hide from me" is seriously like half this website for the past few years. come out stewy. come out to see us. come on? kiss?

ROMAN HAVING AN ABSOLUTE MENTY B and just going to rot at his mams. so real for that. im sorry his MUMS. (booo)

"new jess" YOU SICK FUCK

ishould be saying more on this but im kinda jsut watching i know

do you know whats great. no matter who "comesout on top". we will always get a she-eo ceo <3

cunt i

cunt is

as

cunt does

fantastic....

its. horrfying to watch this bc i know shiv does not come out on top. of course she fucking doesnt. this isnt how it ends.

"i wanna fuck her a little bit" panning over to those sad wet bloodhound eyes of tom's

HELP

LUKAS THE FUNNIEST SEGUE

LUKAS SERIOUSLY WILL FUCK YOU BOTH I THINK . IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE

"we're going to be okay, greg" good heavens

GREG OPENING GOOGLE TRANSLARTE IS SO FUNNY

romans little grunt about that comment on his nuts. fantastic

something fucking tragic as well about tom being chosen bc lukas doesnt want a partnership, he doesnt want ideas, and shivs too full of them when

"he said them to me first" SO. BIG BROTHER.

HE DOESNT WANT IT. ROME NOT WANTING IT. so. real..........

kendall just diving into the water after going back to the pursuit kendall floating on the water kendall drowning in the water with a dead kid ken almost killing himself in the FUCKING WATER

THEIRI MPRESSIONS OF HIM AWWW

HES NOT GOING TO BE CEO I KNOW HE WONT BE BUT GOD FOR A SECOND HERE YOU COULD IMAGINE IT AS A GOOD THING EVEN WHEN IF HE UCKIN DID ITD BE HORRIBLE

NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS ITS HORRIBLE

oh god this scene is fucking . help. eyes watering emoji. sniffling sound.

PETER DONT BE SO BITCHY

OF COURSEEEE WILLA WANTS THE COW PRINT COUCH. SO REAL

SHUT UP WHY ARE THEY .. theres so many nice uufcking. i feel ill. i do feel ill . STOP IT.

DONT CUT TO FUCKING GREG RIGHT NOW THATS INSANE

tom you absolute bitch

theres something about toms timbre when he feigns surpris-

"its you" the fucking venom in her voice

IM REEEEELINGGGGGGG

EXACTLY. HE WENT FOR THE EMPTY SUIT SHIV. AND THATS THE MOST TWISTED PART OF IT. SHIV WOULD ALWAYS HAVE BEEN SEEN AS THE EMPTY SUIT AS A WOMAN BU-

OHHH M GOD HER BITCH WALK COME ON FUCKING

THE MUSIC

GOOD HEAVENS

IM HAVING GOOSE BUMPS

YOU ARE NOT CUTTING FROM SHIVS FUCKING DRAMATIC LITTLE MOMENT TO FUCKING TOMGREG IN THE BATHROOM

YOU FUCKING PRICK-

HIT

GIRLS . ladies . HEY

FIGT

FIGHT

FIGHT

FIGHT

FIGHT

FIGHT

FIGH

PUNCH HIM IN THE CUNT

CAROLINE SNAKINGGGGGG HISS GIRL HISS FOR ME

hi stewyyyyy giggle

cutting to shiv making eyhes at this exchange happening in front of her like uh huhhorrific

ROMAN

imliterally soryr fuck roman i know so earlier it was like fuck roman but ugh yeah fine hes

whatEVER

do any other LOSERS RELATER DO ANY OTHER LOSERS WHO KNEW THEY NEVER HAD A CHANCE RELATE ANY OTHER LOSERS RELATE, DOES THE "IT COULD HAVE BEEN YOU" BURN MORE THAN THE LOSS ITSELF MAYBE anyway

we need compilations of shiv power walking

the fucking parallels of fucking

OF WHEN LOGAN WAS FUCKING PRESSURRING THEM ALL IN THAT ROOM AND NOW KEN DOING IT NOW YOU BETTER BE SMELLNG YOUR ARMPIT ROMULUS VS THATS FUCKING RIGHT

hi shiv

shiv

I DONT THINK YOU WOULD BE GOOD AT TH

for fucks sake s

shiv get his ass

thats so

THIS FUCKING SHIT LIKE I MIGHT DIE KENDALL HAVE YOU CONSIDERED THAT AS THE PROBLEM KENDALL- HE KILLED SOMEONE GOOD HEAVENS

THATS NOT AN ISSUE IS ANYONE CRAZY

what is worse. killing a kid or lying about killing a kid

SHIV JUST BEING LIKE No................. I LVOE YOU B UT I CANT SOTMACH YOU IS ANYONE FUCKING

THEM HEARING THIS ALL

IM THE ELDEST BOY

IS ANYONE

YOURE NOT

CONNOR IS

holy shit

holy shit

YOU FUCKING C

GHOLY SHIT

HOLY FUCKING SHIT

HOLY FUCKING SHIT

GUYS

GUYS CAN YOU ALL BE SERIOUS

THIS IS ALWAYS HOW IT WAS GOING TO FUCKING END YOU FUCKING

I FEEL SICK IN THE HEAD

KENDALL

KENDALL WE NEED TO PRACTICE MINDFULNESS NOW

KENDALL

ME WHEN I BURN EVERYTHING ME WHEN I GIVE EVERY PIECE OF MYSELF TO MY BIRTHRIGHT WHEN IM NOT EVEN GOOOD AT IT AND MY SISTER SAYS SO OOOPSIES

WE'RE NOTHINGGGGGGGGGG

i love it when little men get angry. like ahhh! x3 so ferocious. awww. yap yap yap

EVERYONE WHO JUST FUCKING HEARD AL OF THAT IN THE FUCKING OTHER ROOM. KEN. ITS DONE.

ken dont fucking kill uyourself now

ken

we need to be normal right now

TOM ON TOP IS PERHAPS THE MOST NANUSEATIGNG. MY GOD.....

WHY ARE WE GETTING KRANK KONTENT

WHERES KAROLINA. HEAVENS.

GREG BARELY GETTING A FUCKING HANDSHAKE

THEYRE DEAD. KRANK ARE DEAD. OLD CUNTS.

you fucked it man you fucked it man you fucking piece of shit help-H WHY DID YOU JUST FUCKING STIKC TH

OH I FEEL A LITTLE UNWELL . CAN YOU TWO CUT IT OUT FOR 10 FUCKING SECONDS.

OH GOD ITS ENDING NOW ISNT IT

OH GOD

this shit reeks

kendall

KENDALL

GET AWAY FROM THE FUCKING WATER KENDALL

DONT KENDALL YOURSELF YOURE SO SEXY

does anyone else feel fucking unwell i think im gonna sob

[artemistorm]

Mother

Here you go, a random scene from my LU modern AU I call Temple AU starring Warriors and Linkle. (1,012 words)

******

Someone knocked on the door. Time started to get up from his seat but Warriors motioned him off.

“I’m already up,” he said putting the margarine down that he’d just grabbed from the fridge.

“I bet it’s the cops,” Wind said. “One of y’all is getting arrested.”

“It’s not me,” Hyrule said quickly. “Unless the Zora Mart has cameras in the parking lot.”

“They don’t,” Wild said. “I’ve checked. Pass the corn, Sky.”

“Ugh. What did you guys do in the—” Sky started.

“What are you doing here?!” Warriors exclaimed down the hall at the doorway.

“Is that any way to greet your sister after sixteen years?” A female voice snapped back.

“How did you even find me??”

“Why should you care? You’re the one whose been ghosting me! Now let me in.” The woman didn’t wait and pushed past Warriors.

“Hey! You can’t just show up and push your way in here!”

“I can and I will.”

“Who’s the lady friend?” Wind nudged Four who shrugged.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me?” Linkle snapped.

“Guys, this is my sister Linkle,” Warriors sighed.

“Twin. Twin sister,” Linkle said and bowed. “A pleasure to meet you all! I’ve seen so much about you on the news!”

There were several groans from around the dining table.

“All good things I hope?” Twilight asked through his teeth knowing the answer.

“Nope!” Linkle cheerily replied. The groans continued.

“If you’re his twin sister, how come we’ve never heard of you?” Wind asked. “Ow! Four! Don’t hit me!”

“No, no, he’s got a valid question,” Linkle said. “Why have you been straight up ignoring me? Pretending I don’t exist?”

“Sister! Good to see you! What have you been up to all these years?” Warriors said with obviously faked elation. “Not in front of them!” He muttered which everyone heard but politely ignored. “We’ll get into that later!”

“Would you like some dinner?” Time offered.

“I would love some dinner! I didn’t even have lunch because I gave all my cash to the homeless man who showed me how to get to the train station and then my card declined when I tried to buy a hot dog because my bank thought my card had been stolen.”

“Oh! That, uh, sounds like quite the day,” Time said pulling an extra stool up to the table. Sky filled a plate with the barbequed goat and roasted potatoes they were having and handed it to her.

“Oh it was! But now I’m here having dinner with my long lost bro and his buddies!”

“So… how’s it going? What are you up to these days?” Warriors asked. “What brings you to Castletown? Last I heard, you were living in the woods with a, um, a witch.”

“You are totally right!” Linkle said with a mouthful of goat, then finished chewing and swallowing before continuing. “As you know, I spent most of my childhood and young adulthood apprenticed to Grandmother learning cottage witchcraft and apothecary science and honing my skills as an expert archer, until she ran out of things to teach me and got too old to teach anyways. Then I got a job as a cuckoo shepherd on a local farm—actually, funny story, I was knocking on the door of a random farm cuz I got lost and was trying to ask for directions but they thought I was the new farmhand and instead gave me a job minding cuckoos. I was too embarrassed to correct the mixup and the real person they actually hired never showed so it all worked out in the end. I needed a way to make real people money anyways. So I've been doing that for a couple of years."

“So what brings you here?”

“Grandmother died.”

“Oh! I’m sorry.”

“And I lost my job. The cuckoos got eaten by a flock of juvenile lizalfos. While I was away performing the Last Rites ceremony for Grandmother.”

“Damn. That’s tough.”

“Yeah. But don’t worry, that was months ago. Grandmother has appeared to me twice since then. She’s doing great in the afterlife. And she was the one who told me where to find you.”

“I don’t know how I feel about that…” Warriors said, dreading the direction this conversation was going.

“So, uh, big brother, if you don’t mind…” Linkle started.

“Oh here we go,” Warriors muttered and steeled himself.

“I’d like to give you intel on the Yiga Clan’s movements in the Gerudo Higlands.”

“Uh… what?”

“And I’d like to stay with you at your place for a bit. Just until I can get my apothecary shop open.”

“Can we… can we go back for a second? Did you say the Gerudo Highlands? I thought you were living in Akkala.”

“I was until I wasn’t. Grief’s a funny thing you know? I don’t even remember how I got there! Anyways. While I was on my way back from Kema Kosassa—”

“Best to save that conversation for later,” Time interrupted.

“So what do you say Wars? Can your sister stay with you?” Sky asked. Warriors couldn’t tell in Sky was teasing him or being genuine.

“Wars? Is that what you’re going by nowadays?” Linkle interrupted. “That’s not a very nice name. Is it because you got kicked out of the military in the middle of the war and you feel bad so you—”

“Linkle,” Time put his hand up.

“Oops. Sorry. That was rude wasn’t it? Sorry. Still getting’ the hang of this whole social skills thing. When you live on your own with only an old lady and some cuckoos for company for sixteen years those sorts of lifeskills tend to backslide, don’t they?”

“Fine. You can stay with me.” Warriors relented.

“Oh goodie! Yay! I’m so glad that—” Linkle bubbled.

“For one night,” Warriors cut her off. “Then we find you a hotel or something.”

“Wars. Come on. It’s your sister!” Hyrule objected.

“I know. I’m sorry. It’s just that… I’m used to living a certain way in my own space, and… I barely know you…”

“We’re complete strangers aren’t we?” Linkle said.

“Yeah. Pretty much.”

“Not for long we won’t be! There’s so much to get caught up on!”

“Great. Welcome Linkle. Who wants dessert?” Legend asked.

“Ooh! I do!” Linkle cried excitedly, accidentally flinging barbeque sauce on Time’s face with her wildly flailing fork.

“Great. Yeah. Dessert.” Warriors murmured. Sky put a hand on his shoulder supportively.

“We’ll help,” he mouthed to Warriors.

“Thanks,” Warriors mouthed back.

[illustrounema]

Day eleven of cringetober brought to you by @icryink (I’ve fallen behind again)

5+1 things

I was gonna do a cute artihunter fic for this but I couldn’t bring myself to try, since I’m not an author

So have an unrelated frantic fanfic

Image text under the cut

DONT FORGET TO VOTE

CHARACTERS: HOUSE MONSTER (MINOR), "YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE?" GUY

WRITERS: MICHAEL, ARCHIE AND DEV RATED ALL AGES

"Hi have you registered to vote?"

...

"hey, Re you registered to vote in the state of arizona?"

"ugh." a dark beautiful creature takes out her airpop pr and looks in this guys direction. its a hot day out on the UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA campus, the dark fur of the gorgeous house monster isnt helping, and this guy is going to make her late to class. "No, im 17."

"Ah! Well dont worry, when do you turn 18?" asks the guy. wow hes desperate, kinda freaky to get on a minors case like this. come to think of it, when IS the house monsters birthday?

"uh, next month?" she says, lying through her teeth.

"well while you cant vote this season, its never too early or too late to register!" man this guys anoying

"Im a minor leave me alone. Freak" pulling the minor card.

"Well, this is the most important election of your lifetime! You wouldn't want to give up the opportunity to vote simply because you didn't realize you could pre-register!"

"I said, leave me alone!"

"wow, you Gen Z'ers are so assertive! You should use that assertiveness to vote!"

The house monster stared at the man. "I lied. I don't turn 18 anytime soon, okay? Please leave me alone."

"You can still--"

The house monster decided to escalate the situation. Using her deep monster lungs, she fucking screeched like a banshee out of hell, shattering the man's eardrums. It was more powerful than any stupid free whistle that the University could've offered her for free.

The man had, for a second, curled into himself and used his stupid little clipboards to cover his ears. Then, as he slowly begun to stand back up, blood poured from his ears onto his shitty voter registration papers.

"I--" the man began, realizing he couldn't hear his own voice. Then, loudly, he said, "WELL IF YOU CAN'T VOTE, YOU CAN STILL SIGN THIS PETITION FOR WOMENS RIGHTS AND BE ENTERED TO WIN A $250 VISA GIFT CARD." A crowd of now annoyed and deafened college students circled the man and monster.

"SHUT UP!" One heckled.

"WE JUST NEED TO GET TO CLASS!" Another protested.

"MAN THAT MONSTER IS HOT AND SHMEXY, BONCE ALEEERRRT" Sounded a distinct voice from the crowd. It could only be one person. The crowd parted like the Red Sea to reveal: Charlie.

The House Monster screeched again. "I'M? A! MINOORRRRRRR!!!!!!"

"My bad, G," said Charlie, and he disappeared into the throng once more.

The House Monster turned back to the annoying voting guy like a panther eyeing her prey. "Besides," she said coolly. "I have no use for money. I made a bank account in my Host's name and put him into even more debt."

"What?"

"I cannot overstate how much I DO NOT CARE about this election. None of it affects me. In fact, I'm barely surviving this 195F degree heat in this sleek black coat. I have no hands to sign anything with. I barely have a physical form. I. Do. Not. Care."

The voting guy stared in terror, before saying quietly, "Alright. Have a good day..." and stalking off to find another victim.

The crowd cheered. He wouldn't be both

The end

[panfluidme]

Robin Them Blind

Master Post, Chapter Four

This AU's actually finished, I just forgot to cross post all of it from Wattpad

CHAPTER FIVE: UNTRUSTING

Kid Flash and Robin headed back to the recovery room. They found everyone just waking up and Cyborg unplugging himself from the computer he connected himself too. 

"I noticed the elevator burned out," he noted, "What happened?"

"I instated a new member into the team, and the elevator scans people because it started blaring alarms. Robin freaked out and punched the wall, getting some of the electrical cords out. That caused the elevator to be stuck and the lights to go out," Kid Flash explained, leaving out that he's afraid the dark.

"A robin put the power out?" Starfire asked, "Like the small bird creature?"

"No. The new member." Kid Flash gestured to Robin. "Everyone, this is Robin."

Robin walked up and put a hand to his hip while giving a sly smile. "Hey."

Beast Boy grinned. "Do you like tofu?"

Robin tilted his head, confused. "To-fu?"

He nodded. "It's a white sponge of deliciousness." 

Kid Flash rolled his eyes. "It's gross."

"Heh, never heard of it," he chuckled awkwardly.

"You and I are going to have to have it together," Beast Boy decided.

"I think I'm good." Robin assured.

Beast Boy pouted. "No one else likes tofuuuuu."

"That's because it's disgusting," Raven said as she sat up.

Robin heard the familiar voice and quickly turned to face her. She looked at him, her eyes narrowing. She lifted a hand that was covered in a black of energy. Robin's eyes widened and took a small step back but it was too late. She sent the energy blast towards him, hitting him square in the chest.

"Ayo, Raven!" Cyborg exclaimed, "What are you doing?!" 

"Ugh." Robin grunted and put his hand to chest. The blast did hurt but it was nothing compared to what he had been trained for. The blast hadn't even knocked him down.

"I fought him the other day. He was stealing from a bank." 

"Maybe you've got the wrong person. You did say you hadn't gotten a good look, and why would he save us from Slade if he was your enemy?"

Starfire rushed to the new member and put her hand to his chest to see if he was okay. "Are you alright, the Robin?" 

Robin smiled at her softly and nodded. "I'm alright," he assured and looked back at Raven, "And you must be mistaken. I would never do such a thing."

"You just sound like him." 

"Raven, he's not a bad person."

"Are you sure about that?" he asked Raven, indicating his voice is higher than the one she encountered.

Raven thought then sighed, shaking her head. "No..."

Robin smirked and chuckled to himself. 

Starfire then quickly changed the subject. "So, do you have bird like powers like a robin? Or can you transform into one like friend Beast Boy can?" she asked curiously.

Beast Boy's face lit up. "That would be so cool!"

"Heh, no," Robin chuckled, "It's just the name I chose for myself. I actually don't have any powers."

"Aww, man. I would love having someone else have animal powers."

Robin scratched the back of his head and laughed. "Sorry."

"It's not your fault," Kid Flash assured. "Not every superhero has powers or any that's inheritedly theirs."

"So if you don't have any powers, what can you do?" Cyborg asked with his arms crossed.

"Good question. How do we know that you're a good fit for this team?" Raven added.

"Wasn't I the one who beat Slade to save you guys?" Robin asked, raising an eyebrow at them.

"You did." Raven sighed. "But I still don't trust you."

"Oh, please Raven!" Starfire exclaimed, "He saved us and seems very nice! It is only fair that we take him in."

"Give her time, Star," Kid Flash said softly. "We're welcoming someone she's never met. Trust isn't given, it's earned."

"It's alright," Robin assured, "Just happy to be here and seeing that you're all okay."

Raven scoffed then stood up. "I'll be in my room. Don't disturb me."

She walked past Robin and the moment she did, she felt an evil aura surround her. She gritted her teeth, but left the room. She didn't like or trust him, but he somehow got Kid Flash to trust him immediately.

"So," Robin looked at the others with a grin, "Anyone up for a game of hide-or-go-die?"

"Hide-or-go what now?" Beast Boy asked.

Chapter Six

[kayzee4real]

Gender-Neutral Reader x Tartaglia

So the title says it all, this fanfic is as gender-neutral as possible. This is (at least I'm pretty sure) my first fanfic ever so please be nice because I am still learning. I really really hope you enjoy, I'll stop talking now!

You work under Ningguang’s wing, similar to Yelan, a secret spy of sorts. Though you are often sent on missions and whatnot, you also have plenty of free time that you tend to spend teasing the fatui. Ruining their tasks, making things harder for them, getting them caught, etc. is what is a part of the fun. You’re also quite good at it since it is similar to what you do for work anyways. 

Recently, though, the fatui members seemed to be getting more annoyed and taking these situations more seriously. You’ve even spotted a redhead guy you’ve never seen before tagging along with them. 

“He seems harmless. Cute, even. What could he possibly do?” You think to yourself.

Anyway, one day you spot him while drinking some evening wine at Liyue Harbor. You finish up and follow him. He enters the north bank, maybe for a meeting? Seeing as the door is guarded by two fatui members you secretly wait nearby for him to come out. Hiding behind a wall, you see him come out with an infuriated fatui that you remember you’ve teased several times before. You listen to their conversation.

“Tartaglia sir, we beg you! You have to do something about this mystery person. We can hardly get any work done because of their tricks.” He says.

“Don’t worry, it’ll be over before you guys know it. I’m already working on it.” The redhead responds.

He stops in his tracks to turn around, then suddenly shoots a glance at you. Quickly you hide behind the wall and almost fall over from the shock. While one hand covers your mouth, the other reaches your chest to feel your heartbeat.

“My heart is beating so fast.. I’ve never felt like this before. What is it? Fear? No, it’s.. uh..” 

Your thoughts are completely out of order remembering the eye contact between you and.. Tartaglia was it? Tartaglia... Tartaglia.. Tartaglia.

“Ugh, no snap out of it! There’s no way I’m… feeling that way towards a fatui! Much less a harbinger!”

“Oh hey, I found you.” A familiar voice says.

Startled, you turn around to see it was Ningguang who spoke.

“Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. It seems like you were thinking about something very deeply, and didn't mean to interrupt that either.”

“What? No, not at all.” You feel your face get red. You clear your throat and say, “Anyways, was there something you wanted to discuss?”

“Why yes, lately, millelith have reported that their work is getting sabotaged and I was wondering if you could take care of it. Yelan is currently busy with another matter so I’m afraid this one falls to you.” Ningguang says.

“Sure, I can..” Your mind trails off at the ‘sabotaging work’ part. Sounds familiar doesn’t it?

“Then I’ll leave you to it. Thank you.” Ninguangg says as she walks away.

Later on, you reach the site that was ‘attacked’ by a mysterious person. As you investigate you notice many trip wires and a few traps that were left behind to trick the millelith. These traps were made by someone who knew what they were doing and was an expert at it. However, by the time you got here, the sun had already begun to hide behind the horizon and you did not notice the last unactivated trap until you slipped on it and got trapped in ropes. You struggle for a few seconds before you hear the laughter of someone. 

“After all the trouble you’ve successfully caused us, one would think you would be smart enough not to get trapped by such a simple device.” The familiar voice says. 

Your heart rate increases as you recognize the voice.

“It’s you.. Tartaglia.”

“Oh, so you know my name? How interesting.”

“I promise not to make things hard for you guys anymore as long as you let me go.” You say half-sarcastically.

“Not even a sorry would be enough to get you out of this, and you didn’t even say that. I admire your confidence.”

You feel the shame begin to kick in as you’ve never been caught like this. 

“Then what else is it that you want? Money? I’ll give it to you, just get me out of here!” You say flustered.

Tartaglia laughs as he says, “Oh no, I absolutely don’t need money. I just find it amusing seeing you here trapped and begging.”

You feel your face get red and your heartbeat increase, not able to say anything more.

Tartaglia crouches down to your level, holds your chin to force you to make eye contact, and says, “Fine, I’ll let you out if you do me a small favor.”

You feel your stomach become filled with butterflies as you look into his deep blue eyes illuminated by the full moon.

“...What is the favor?”

He only smirks in return.

“You couldn’t possibly mean..”

“Weirdly enough, I’ve actually learned to like you, you’re a very clever person and all so if it’s okay with you then one night won’t hurt. Right? And I promise I will stop messing with the millelith as well” Tartaglia says.

“You..” Left speechless, you don’t necessarily want to say no but it will cost nearly all of your dignity.

“It’s your choice, dear.” He says

At this point, you’ve become so flustered that it has now turned into arousal, and you can feel it down there. 

At last, you mumble “Fine…”

“What was that?” He says playfully

“I.. I said fine!”

He chuckles as he efficiently but carefully cuts the ropes with his water blades (forgive me I can’t figure out what they are called).

Feeling your dignity slip away, you take off your clothes as he does the same (I mean but considering this is happening outside, it’s up to your imagination how many pieces of clothing you both have on <3). With one hand, he holds your chin again to face him, and with the other, he grabs your waist gently. He leans forward to give you a sweet kiss, leaning you against the wall. His other hand moves down from your waist to your leg, he picks you up to line yourself up to him. 

“I’ll be as gentle as I can, I promise.”

You look down and become nervous noticing he’s just a little bit larger than you thought (totally just a little hehe), but oh well no backing down now!

He pushes himself into you and you can’t help but gasp at the overwhelming feeling down there. Once he sees you get used to it, he begins thrusting some more, his hips moving back and forth slowly. You try to cover your mouth and not let your moans and groans be heard, and Tartaglia smiles because of that.

He leans forward to your ear to whisper, “How adorable. You’re really cute, you know.”

After more thrusting, noises from both of you and such, you don’t know how much more you can take. You’re tearing up from the perfect mix between a whole lot of pleasure, and a little bit of pain.

“Please.. wait for me y/n.” He whispers into your ear and as he begins kissing your neck softly.

His moaning right by your ear isn’t helping your case, so after a few more thrusts you finally reach your climax, and start to become overstimulated because he doesn’t stop.

“Tartaglia! You have to stop!” You manage to mutter between gasps and groans.

At last, he also reaches his climax after a few deep thrusts that hurt, but in a pleasurable way.

“Sorry, y/n,” The jerk smiles innocently. “I promise to take good care of you, and I also promise to leave the millelith alone.”

The next, and very last response to Tartaglia shall be yours, dear reader! Or not, but thank you so much for reading this. It really means a lot. Anyways, my goal is to write one fanfic a week, and I’m thinking of doing a Dan Heng fanfic next. However, I would love to hear who you think I should write about! For now, I specialize in genshin impact and honkai star rail characters since for some reason they’re the easiest to write fanfics of. Thank you so much again for reading! Good byeeee!

[sometimesanalice]

Amelia! AMELIA! A-ME-LIA! I cannot even begin to tell you how much I LOVED THIS CHAPTER! I knew it was going to be good, but you’ve properly killed me with just how good it was! The banter, the vibes, the Dirty Dancing of it all! I am so hooked on this series! I love these characters of yours!

To the Jake girlies who haven’t read this yet, COME GET YOUR MAN! THIS IS THE ONE! (but also, to my Bradley babes, like you’ll want to read this too. I would not lead you astray! it’s a stellar series!)

(my unhinged thoughts below! warning: there are a lot of all caps)

Nora half-suspects Bradley found from searching Hawaiian shirt comma eighties disco and ordering the first option.-- I know this man is doing the minimum, and I would be willing to bet that two-day delivery promise had that shirt on his doorstep mere hours before the party started, lol

“Are you okay, Bradshaw? You’re sweating a little.” And as only a mature and newly minted 36-year-old could, Bradley ignores Nora.-- Plsss I can see his face now. She’s merciless and I love her! But also Bradley Bradshaw being a little drama queen (his one bad bruise, lol) and nervous about rollerskating is so endearing to me.

“Admiral Simpson says – and I quote. Put Miss Rogers down. She's a loan." -- THE WAY I CACKLED. “A loan” omg I cannottttttt

Bradley barks out a laugh, apparently not very intimidated. Should Nora be offended? He should be like... a little afraid, at least.-- I really am so obsessed with their history. They’ve got such a great dynamic, like can’t I root for both?

She peers down at her own skates and sees only a bright cherry red. Damn. She would've loved a bubblegum pink in this dress. -- girl same, its Barbiecore 2023!

"You'll be fine. Balance is the hardest part. We can even hold hands."

She wiggles her fingers in his direction, teasing, gleaming an iridescent pink that matches her dress. -- not me looking and admiring my verrrry chipped  iridescent pink nails at this part. maybe i’ll repaint them the same color because I want to live in this chapter and these vibes.

Maybe if Bradley falls, Nora can get a good shot on her phone. She'll frame it. A memento for the birthday boy.-- she’s ruthless. i love her.

"Is it like, part of the admission requirement for Top Gun? Like America's Next Top Model, except instead of Tyra Banks, Admiral Simpson is there."...Congratulations. You’re still in the running to be America’s Next Top Gun graduate.-- the mental image of this is everythingggg

Robbie frowns a little.-- the fact that Nora thinks of him as “Robbie” sometimes makes me giddddyyyy

She tips her head back and sees an upside down – and very amused – Jake.-- 🥰

Jake drawls, "No. You're always a little mean," and makes it sound like a compliment. Warmth slips down her spine, and Nora swallows hard.-- I AM A PROUD SUPPORTER OF THE JAKE LOVES MEAN GIRLS AGENDA 

Can you? Nora doesn't need to repeat the question from the kitchen – over a week ago now – for Jake to hear it in her voice. Can you keep up with me?--AHHHHHHHHH!

"We only just met, Nora, but I think I might be in love with you." She grins. "Hm. That's too bad."-- tbh big same

Everyone is a little more drunk and a little less self-conscious in the silver gleam of the disco ball, spinning and shining like a glittering moon. -- ok but I would sell a kidney to be at this party!

And in the rink, Nora is pleasantly surprised to find that the limited rollerskating abilities – emphasis on limited – Teen Nora used over a decade ago now have been dormant somewhere in the back of her mind. Not lost in the endless spiral of time. -- ugh i loved this!

"And who would stand here and admire that sparkly little dress of yours then, darlin'? You should wear that on Monday." Nora gives him the finger, and Jake laughs. -- I will never get over their chemistry and the banter. I’m kicking my feet they’re so cute.

Eventually, Bradley joins the rest of them. He picks it up quickly, just like Nora predicted. He only rams into the side of the rink once and like, barely. -- since she doesn’t want him, I’ll take this uncoordinated drama queen of a man 

She was never so much great as Nora was unafraid. Not afraid to, as Mom often said, fail with her whole heart. Take the leap.-- 🥺

Javy asks, "Ever been more than friends?"...Cool as ice, Nora asks, "Maybe. Maybe not. Who's asking?" and arches her eyebrows. She'd really like to ask, Who told you?-- I’m dying for this tea too. I parched for more of them. I’m here for her and Jake, but if you didn’t want me to ship Nora with literally everyone, why did you have to make her so damn cool? (how she teases bob, how her and natasha could go to all the documentaries together, how much chaos could her and cause. i’d be here for all of it like the marvel universe of nora and the dagger squad, lol)

She remembers what Jake had said almost a week ago, "You like that I can keep up with you," and goddamn, maybe Nora does. Fuck. -- AHHHHH! I love it too!

Crumpled like a punctured balloon animal, Natasha lets out a hyena laugh, loud enough to draw the attention of the Naval aviators who were lucky enough not to witness the absolutely catastrophic failure of a Dirty Dancing lift. -- PLLSSSSSS THE CHAOS OF THEM I LOVE! This was so fucking funny 😂

Wait, Nora is directly below the disco ball, which was already spinning before. False alarm. She’s not horribly concussed. Everyone can calm down now.-- i live for her internal monologue! 

"We are not fish. We are ladies," Natasha pipes up, sounding indignant. "Some of us are anyway." A bright smile lights up her face as Javy and Bob come into frame. "Coyote! Bob! Did you see our lift?" "I saw it, and I wish I hadn't," Javy says dryly.-- just the dynamics and the banter between them all! it’s one of my favorite things about this series! 

“You’re sparkling.” “You’re bleeding.”-- I was obsessed when you sent me that teaser of this, and I’m still not over this exchange!! I just love how unfiltered she is. And I just know that he made the conscious decision to remain the responsible one that evening! He was definitely watching as she got tipsier and tipsier, and was keeping an eye on her the whole time. Protective!Jake has my heart here!

She wipes at her eyes again, stinging with more tears, now that Nora has remembered the pain.“Oh, I think I'm fine though. I'm tough. I'll get back out there." -- my best drunken girl, I bet Jake was SO SOFT for her here! And he was probably dying from holding back because I know that man would have bundled her up if he could have.  

Only after Jake leaves does Nora comprehend the words. “Be right back, sweetheart.”-- I GOT GOOSEBUMPS WHEN I READ THIS!!! And i got a little emotional too, like its so so sweet. He wants to be with her SO BAD IT HURTS! 

And a silver dress sparkled in the blue darkness, gleaming in a shimmering puddle on the leather back seat of a faded blue Bronco as a shirtless Bradley Bradshaw leaned over the bench seat and popped open the glove compartment for a condom. -- AHHHH AMELIA I NEED THIS I BEG OF YOU TO WRITE THAT ONE SHOT. You want a kidney or a liver? it’s yours!!

"I don't know, okay? Everyone here is a nosey son of a bitch who can't mind their own business," Bradley said. "Even Phoenix has asked me once or twice. Someone probably has money riding on it or something. Not a big deal."-- silly boy, it is a big deal to her!! oh she’s concerned about how Jake is react if he ever learned about it! I love how we get a softer side of her in her tipsy state, she’s got some tender spots that I can’t wait to learn more about. But with her feelings for Jake that she still doesn’t know what to do with, she doesn’t want him to stop liking her, which is why she is so concerned about what everyone is thinking in regards to her and bradley. 

He smiles faintly at the pink socks, the little embroidered heart on the ankles, and Nora swears Jake brushes a gentle thumb across the pattern.-- I CAN’T

Instead, Nora throws away the shovel and starts digging the hole with her hands. -- I LOVED THIS LINE SO MUCH!! Drunk her is greedy for more moments with him. She wants to get REAL with him! OOF 

“Well, I guess I just said I might've met a beautiful and smart and clever as hell woman, who's basically my dream girl." ..."My argumentative dream girl." She swallows against a suddenly dry mouth. "Just that, huh?""Just that." His expression is warm. "She doesn't like me though, right, sweetheart? Not even kind of?" -- ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME??!! “JUST THAT” I AM SPIRALING I AM UNWELL THIS WHOLE EXCHANGE IS MAKING ME SO SOFT I LOVE THEM

She realizes that on his knees like that, Jake could slide over half an inch and be between her parted legs. He could lean right in and...-- THE TENSION MY GOD NORA GO GET YOUR MAN FFS

She could actually cry. She munches on the burning hot fries and drinks the water instead and sobers enough to push down the urge to lean on Jake's broad shoulder. -- ok but I loved this full circle moment because she wanted those fries more than she wanted the greasy cheese pizza. and I love that jake unintentionally got her exactly what she wanted without knowing, and that they shared them together in this little bubble of theirs! BUT I’M YELLING YES MA’AM REST YOUR HEAD ON HIS BROAD SHOULDER YOU’LL FIT THERE PERFECTLY UNDER THE SHIMMERY LIGHTS OF THE ROLLER DISCO

She flexes her knee like a brand new Barbie doll with a proud grin. He watches her with a fond expression that softens every part of his face. -- just me weeping, I love the concept of being fond for another person. 😭

"Now," Jake drawls. "We have enough time for a few more trips around the rink. Want to get back out there?" He holds out a hand, and Nora slips her hand in his. She doesn’t let go in the rink, and Jake doesn’t either. -- HE HASN’T SKATED THIS WHOLE TIME BUT NOW HE WILL WITH HERRRRR AND THEY’RE HOLDING HANDS AND I AM LOSING MY MIND

She can't be trusted around him, not with the alcohol and the adrenaline coursing through her bloodstream, making her feel unbalanced. Instead, Nora digs her own grave. She holds the door open, and Jake comes in with a smirk, smug and knowing.-- !!!!!!!!!!!

He doesn’t kiss her on the lips, not yet, and Nora wonders if Jake wants to make her beg him. She’s never begged for anything in her damn life. She might let him.-- SCREAMINGGGGGGGGGG! THIS IS HOT! But also I just know he’s going to give her everything she wants (she just will have to work for it a littttle bit)

"Come on, sweetheart," Jake murmurs on a low breath that fans right across her exposed core. She whimpers. "We’re just gettin’ started. Be good for me." --AHHHHHDFJAHDOFHAOPFHNAODHFOADHFOADNVA!! He has the dirtiest mouth and I know he is a talker and and and!

It was a dream. She's alone. --- I KNEW IT WAS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE

Nora sighs out an emphatic "Fuck" in the darkness and lets her hand drift under the covers. She comes with a hand over her mouth, a familiar name on her tongue. -- I SIMPLY CANNOTTTTTT MA’AM I AM BEGGING HE IS PUTTY FOR YOU GO GET YOUR MANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!

The absolute adrenaline rush this chapter gave me! Like I’m about to go sign up for a marathon or an iron man. The energizer bunny can retire, this chapter is the only fuel I want. It was everything I hoped it would be and MORE! 

baby, i'm high octane (iv)

synopsis: at bradley bradshaw's birthday party, nora has a realization under the disco ball.

pairings: jake seresin x nora rogers (oc)

warnings: 18+, minors dni, explicit language, alcohol consumption, pop culture references, slutty (affectionate) rooster, brief mention of blood, and smut. (wc: 6.8K)

note: at long last, the rollerskating chapter 🪩✨ and icymi, i posted another mood board for this chapter 💖

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tagging // @theharddeck (who talked me off a ledge about this chapter; i snuck a california coast reference in here for you, dear) @frenchyjuju @bioodforbiood @cursedtobe @roosterbruiser @t-nd-rfoot @bethbunnyy @filmflux @djs8891 @mayhemmanaged @sometimesanalice @eli2447 @bradshawsbitch @hangmanbrainrot @startrekfangirl2233 @kandierteveilchen @lostinwonderland314 @hangmanscoming @dempy @mlibbydp

“Mav actually said I’m not supposed to do anything high-risk after I had that bird strike scare so…” 

And with that, Bradley crosses his big arms – dusted with new freckles and sun from his afternoon on the boat with Captain Mitchell and Penny Benjamin – over a barely buttoned shirt; something Nora half-suspects Bradley found from searching Hawaiian shirt comma eighties disco and ordering the first option.

What Bradley ended up with is a black shirt, covered in bright geometrics, squares and squiggles and martini glasses in neon shades of violet, cyan, and pinkish magenta.

As close to a Hawaiian shirt as the Naval aviator could wear and still be on theme and funnily, eerily identical to the carpet at the long-since-closed bowling alley where Mom booked one of Nora’s elementary school birthday parties. 

He could probably lie down and blend right in. 

Minus the martinis, obviously. 

Bradley uncrosses his arms. Crosses them again.

And Nora watches him, absentmindedly, blinking at this indifferent nonchalance that Bradley is putting on. So unbothered. So casual. Real believable. 

“Are you okay, Bradshaw? You’re sweating a little.” 

And as only a mature and newly minted 36-year-old could, Bradley ignores Nora.

Smiling, Nora slurps down the rest of a frozen strawberry lemonade, spiked with vodka. Cheap vodka. She pulls a face at the well of might-as-well-be-rubbing-alcohol at the bottom, rapidly blinking and deep breathing through the sharp sting in her nostrils. 

She will not let some bottom-shelf vodka ruin her eye shadow, not now, not in her favorite dress.

A delicate cough spurts from her mouth. She wouldn't be surprised to see a puff of fumes come out.

“That was like…” Mickey sounds confused.  “Four months ago, Rooster.” 

“And?” 

Bradley uncrosses his arms and spreads them wide, palms upturned – an incredulous gesture as bird-like as his call sign. His winged arms drop back down in a whoosh of wind. 

“I almost crashed into the side of a mountain and had to do an emergency ejection. Medical kept me overnight for observation. It was pretty serious, Garcia.” 

Bradley drags out the vowel and clips the constants in the word pretty for even more emphasis, and in her peripheral, Natasha pinches the bridge of her nose and screws her eyes closed.

Drama drama.

Reuben exchanges a bewildered look with the WSO and shakes his head. Deadpans, “You had one bruise, man. Singular.” 

“Nurse Julie said I had a hematoma,” Bradley retorts, like, so there!

Someone audibly groans. It might be Reuben.

“Fine. You had one bad bruise. Happy?” 

Bradley makes a face – a distinctly, not happy face – and crosses his arms again.

“And when did you graduate from medical school, Doctor Fitch? My invitation must’ve gotten lost in the mail.” 

“I’m dating a nurse! A hematoma is a bad bruise.” 

From Natasha's side of the bench comes a prolonged sigh, a good four-second exhale.

“Moving on…" Natasha continues, "Rollerskating definitely doesn’t fall under what Maverick would consider high risk.” Air quotes are audible in her voice. She waves the roller skate around, abandoned when Bradley put them down. "Children were out there like... 10 minutes ago. Children, Bradshaw!"

A valid point. 

Before Moonlight Rollers made the loudspeaker announcement (“Anyone who isn’t of legal drinking age should turn in their skates and head to the nearest exit in the next 15 minutes. Saturday Night Fever is now in session.”), Nora sat down with her skates and lacing them, counted at least six skaters who were younger than the bourbon Penny Benjamin serves at the Hard Deck.

Children – as Natasha very much emphasized – who cut across the rink with the unselfconscious effort and fearlessness of a child who'd never broken a bone before and honestly, wouldn’t mind a super cool cast for their summer camp friends to sign on Monday.

As if reading her mind, Bradley’s next argument is: “Someone could fall or sprain their ankle or fall and sprain their ankle. How’re you planning to fly with a broken wing, Phoenix?” 

As Natasha studies him, unreadable, Nora decides to wade in.

She can't listen anymore. She's aged five months in the past five minutes.

 “Bradshaw – You’re the one who wanted to do an activity for your birthday party, remember?”

Clearly, Bradley needed the reminder. He was the one who specifically wanted an activity with alcohol and some sort of theme, and Nora found Moonlight Rollers on Instagram.

On Thursday, which was his actual birthday, Nora brought him an Americano (no milk, no sugar, steaming hot) and a breakfast sandwich (a bacon, egg, and cheese on an everything bagel, extra toasted) in the morning and as a present of sorts, secretly asked Technician Ethan to install the camera in his F-18 for the afternoon.

He was ecstatic, so ecstatic that Bradley picked her up and spun her around, like a rag doll in cool shoes, until Captain Mitchell crackled over the radio, sounding equal parts amused and long-suffering.

“Admiral Simpson says – and I quote. Put Miss Rogers down. She's a loan." Captain Mitchell then added, "And from me, I won't protect you or your wings from Charlie Blackwood if Nora somehow falls. Put her down please."

Bradley set her down with a grimace.

Now, Nora continues, “We could’ve done drinks at the Hard Deck again and called it a night. I could be one and a half Old Fashioned's down right now, watching Netflix in my underwear," and Bradley grins, wolfish.

He waggles his brows, impish and obnoxious, and Nora knows what Bradley is picturing right now. Anyone would be able to see it all over his face.

For a 36-year-old man, Bradley can really be a 16-year-old boy sometimes.

She sends him a blank I will kill you in your sleep stare and mimes a slow slash across her own throat, shaking her head from side to side, and Bradley barks out a laugh, apparently not very intimidated.

Should Nora be offended?

He should be like... a little afraid, at least.

Natasha stares him down, and now, Bradley does look a little afraid.

Dark eyes narrowed, sharp against the glittering lavender Natasha lined them with earlier; Natasha is a stunning lavender monochrome, dressed in a ribbed tank and short sweat shorts, even down to the light purple wheels on her skates.

How did Natasha manage that? Nora wonders. She peers down at her own skates and sees only a bright cherry red. Damn. She would've loved a bubblegum pink in this dress.

If Nora has learned anything in the past month, Natasha seems to get her way one way or another. Now is no exception.

Nora smiles. Watch out, Bradshaw!

Natasha rounds her lips to an O shape, smooth voice sweetening into something more saccharine; more patronizing. "Oh... You're scared, aren't you, Rooster? Why didn't you say earlier?"

Are Bradley's ears turning a little red?

"Really? You can pilot a million-dollar plane for a living but can't handle a little..." A polished nail spins one of the wheels. Mocking. "...sneaker with wheels on the bottom?"

And like that, Natasha has him.

Hook, line, and sinker. 

She's barely gotten the words out when Bradley yanks the skates from her outstretched hands with a grumbled, "Fuck off, Phoenix. I'm not scared. I just remembered I don't know how to roller skate. Goddamn," and drops right down on the carpet to strap them on, swearing up a storm under his breath.

Ever optimistic, Mickey calls out, "It'll be fun, man," and Bradley grumbles something unintelligible. 

Natasha doesn't even pretend not to look victorious. She beams.

Nora, on the other hand, is a little more sympathetic. A little. 

He is a big man. Tall and broad with a long distance to fall in a wobble. She'd probably be a little nervous too.

Everyone is drinking. Someone is all but guaranteed to fall on their ass before the end of the night. Who? is the only question that remains.

“I can show you the basics,” Nora offers, watching him fumble with the shoelaces, double and triple knotting them around his ankles. “You can surf, right?" A grumbled sound that Nora will interpret as a yes. "You'll be fine. Balance is the hardest part. We can even hold hands."

She wiggles her fingers in his direction, teasing, gleaming an iridescent pink that matches her dress.

He snorts. “Hot. Promise?” 

Never mind. She's less sympathetic now.

Nora kicks out a leg and lightly catches him in the side of the knee, scuffing the dark blue denim, and Bradley scoots away with a surprised exclamation.

She rolls her eyes.

Maybe if Bradley falls, Nora can get a good shot on her phone.

She'll frame it. A memento for the birthday boy.

"Natasha, do you know when Coyote will be here? I still need to meet him."

Last Nora had heard, Javy 'Coyote' Machado had gotten back from the deployment in the middle of the week. He drove down late last night and crashed on Jake's couch. Got coffee with Captain Mitchell in the morning to discuss when Coyote could move down to North Island. It is still a vague – albeit promising – soon, but Natasha seems to think Coyote will be permanently moved before the beginning of August.

Natasha slides her phone from the front of the fanny pack slung around her waist – silver with prismatic purple, pink, and blue hues, same as the one Nora is wearing over her shoulder like a Miss America sash – and checks her appearance in the front camera.

Holding the phone like a compact, Natasha applies a fresh coat of shiny lip gloss and smushes her lips together to spread it around. Replies, slightly muffled, "He and Hangman got in an Uber like 20 minutes ago. They should be..." A bicycle bell notification chimes from her phone. "Speak of the devils!"

Natasha searches the rink, sipping from a Blue Moon bottle on the bench. Smiles widely.

She points with the sweating bottle, seemingly oblivious to the line of condensation that drips down her forearm and onto the carpet.

"He's right over there, next to Hangman."

Nora looks across the room, dancing over the multi-colored lights and foil streamers, gleaming and rustling in the warm evening breeze that sneaks in through the opening and closing of the main entrance – and lands on Jake.

He leans against the black-and-white checkered Skate Rental counter in a familiar stance, arms crossed lazily over his chest in a way that makes his muscles really shine. He probably does it on purpose.

Don't look at his arms, Rogers.

Coughing once, Nora remembers what Natasha said about Coyote and re-directs her gaze over one. Jesus Christ.

Even from across the room, Javy ‘Coyote’ Machado is… extremely good-looking. Model, good-looking.

“Are all Naval aviators hot?” Nora accidentally asks out loud, already a little buzzed somehow. Damn vodka.

A grumbling stomach makes her wistfully remember the cold pizza in the fridge that she definitely meant to reheat for dinner before Natasha called and said the Uber would be there in less than two minutes. Damn.

She hopes Moonlight Rollers has more options for food than the six options for alcohol at the concession stand. She would kill for a greasy slice of cheese pizza or even better, some crinkle cut fries that'd probably be inexplicably soggy but still taste good.

"Is it like, part of the admission requirement for Top Gun? Like America's Next Top Model, except instead of Tyra Banks, Admiral Simpson is there."

Nora imagines a stone-faced Admiral Simpson – who’d never so much as cracked a smile in her presence before – walking down an aircraft carrier, a collection of files under his stern arm.

Congratulations. You’re still in the running to be America’s Next Top Gun graduate.

Natasha bursts out laughing. "You should've seen my Top Gun class. You wouldn't ask that question."

She is still chuckling when Bob walks over a few minutes later, sipping a blue raspberry slushie from the concession stand with a cerulean tongue.

"Got us a locker," Bob announces, pointing to the wall of lockers in the corner of the room. "Anyone have anything that needs to go in right now? I can put 'em away while I have it open."

Mickey and Reuben dig around in the turquoise pockets of their matching nylon tracksuits – which must have been a buy one, get one deal – and produce loose change, apartment keys, and the like. They hand them over.

When Bob comes over, Nora gently pats her pack and shakes her head. She's got all the essentials in there. She's all set.

Something is different about Bob tonight.

As Bob quietly repeats the locker combination under his breath, a row of concentrated wrinkles on his forehead, Nora stares at him for a probably uncomfortable amount of time.

Pink dusts across his cheeks under her observation, and Bob shuffles his weight around. He looks startled when Nora snaps her fingers in an aha! moment.

“You aren't wearing your glasses, Bob," Nora says, almost accusing. "Have I ever seen you without your glasses?"

“Probably not,” Mickey ribs with a good-natured grin. “He practically sleeps in them.” 

Looking like a Hairspray character, Bob is dressed in a plain white shirt with suspenders. A single curl hangs loose in his face, fighting against the iron hold of what look to be a good amount of hair gel. He blows it out of his wide blue eyes with a sheepish smile.

"Guess not. I need to put in lots of eye drops when I wear contacts – sensitive eyes and everything – so I don’t wear them all that much,” Bob explains, looking much more comfortable now that Nora isn't staring at him quite so intently. A self-conscious sip. "But I'd much rather run to the locker every half hour to put in eye drops than break my glasses and need to get new ones."

It's like Bradley Bradshaw was waiting for that very moment.

On his knees, Bradley butts in, "Did you hear that? Even Floyd is afraid to fall on his ass and break something. Are you gonna make fun of him too, Trace?"

Robbie frowns a little. “I don’t know if I’d say I’m – ”  

“High. Risk. Activity.” 

Nora laughs out, "Go away, Bradshaw," and gently shoves him backwards.

He shouldn't have budged, but Nora must catch him in an uneven moment.

Bradley reels back, arms flailing like a wild goose, catching himself on a spread palm. His expression is comically dark and promises retribution, and Nora puts in a concerted effort not to laugh.

A giggle escapes, and Nora's eyes grow wide.

"Wait, I'm – Bradley!"

"Say your prayers, Rogers!"

For the second time in 72 hours, Bradley grabs her around the middle, and Nora is in the air.

At least Nora decided to wear bike shorts to make the short dress – usually reserved for parties and cocktail bars – more wearable. He'd be a dead man otherwise. He might still be a dead man.

Because Bradley is barely skilled enough to balance his own weight on the skates.

His proud smirk quickly falls as Bradley stands and starts to zig zag on the carpet. His skates go out from under him.

He goes down like a collapsed Jenga stack, and Nora is falling.

Strong arms catch her under the armpits and pull her out of the splash zone of Bradley Bradshaw's flailing arms, and still unbalanced, Nora wobbles and stumbles back against a firm chest with a sharp inhale.

Mint and cologne.

She tips her head back and sees an upside down – and very amused – Jake.

"Hi," Nora says, a little winded. She spies the black Stetson, perched on his head. “You really are such a damn cowboy, aren’t you, Texas? What’re you even supposed to be? Butch Cassidy and the 80's Dance Kid?"

She feels more than sees him chuckle, a low vibration against her back that sends a warm shiver down her spine.

Jake releases her arms, but a careful hand hovers around her lower back until Nora has her sea legs again.

She smooths down the dress down, running her hands over the glimmering pink sequins, and in the background, Reuben and Mickey rescue a dazed Bradley, who is flat on his back on the outer space patterned carpet.

"Howdy," Jake drawls with an ever present smirk. "Good guess, sweetheart, but I'm Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing. Don't you know your Hollywood movies, Hollywood?"

From here, Nora is close enough to smell the spearmint gum in his mouth. She can see the pale blue flash between white teeth. He smells incredible. Damn damn damn.

Casually, Nora does her best not to breathe in.

"Patrick Swayze doesn't wear a cowboy hat in Dirty Dancing." Jake is rocking the black-on-black look. She'll give him that. "Did you watch a porno with the same name?"

Someone laughs, full-bodied and delighted.

“Aren’t you gonna introduce me, Hangman?”

Nora smiles, and Javy Machado smiles back.

"You must be Javy. I'm..."

"You're Nora," Coyote cuts in, smooth and polite as can be, despite the interruption. He shakes her hand with a blinding smile. "Maverick gave me the whole run-down on the documentary when I saw him earlier. If I was any more envious of the bastards who get to be in it, I think I'd be green. Really."

"Well," Nora replies with a cool smile. "I bet I can sneak you in. I could probably delete all of Jake's footage and make it look like an unfortunate accident. How would you feel about pretending your call sign is Hangman?"

Javy guffaws, but Nora looks sidelong at Jake with a smirk.

Jake's chuckle is a pleasant and rasping sound. "You're a little mean today, Hollywood."

"More than usual?"

Jake drawls, "No. You're always a little mean," and makes it sound like a compliment. Warmth slips down her spine, and Nora swallows hard.

"You tired yet? Need to lay down?"

Can you? Nora doesn't need to repeat the question from the kitchen – over a week ago now – for Jake to hear it in her voice. Can you keep up with me?

His smirk deepens. "I'm wide awake, Hollywood."

Javy watches them like a ping-pong match, looking absolutely delighted. "We only just met, Nora, but I think I might be in love with you."

She grins. "Hm. That's too bad."

And as Natasha grabs her arm and pulls her into the roller rink, glimmering in the dark, Nora misses when Jake knocks an elbow back and catches Coyote in the ribs.

A crescent moon rises outside on the pitch black horizon, and inside, Moonlight Rollers glows in the dark.

Everyone is a little more drunk and a little less self-conscious in the silver gleam of the disco ball, spinning and shining like a glittering moon.

And in the rink, Nora is pleasantly surprised to find that the limited rollerskating abilities – emphasis on limited – Teen Nora used over a decade ago now have been dormant somewhere in the back of her mind. Not lost in the endless spiral of time.

Rollerskating is a little like riding a bike in that way.

She wobbles for the first few minutes and sticks close to the sides of the rink, just in case, and then, slowly finds the balance. Finds the rhythm.

Soon enough, Nora is coasting.

Natasha and Bob are her partners in crime for a while. 

She skates alongside them, casting sidelong glances at where Jake and Javy are on the sidelines, catching up and nursing the beers that can't come into the rink with them. Alcohol isn't allowed in.

"Come in," Nora calls on her umpteenth rotation. "Water's nice."

Javy opens his mouth, already grinning, but Jake shouts over the music, "And who would stand here and admire that sparkly little dress of yours then, darlin'? You should wear that on Monday."

Nora gives him the finger, and Jake laughs.

Eventually, Bradley joins the rest of them. He picks it up quickly, just like Nora predicted. He only rams into the side of the rink once and like, barely.

He spins her around the rink until she is breathless with laughter and seeing spots of light behind her closed lids.

"Stop," Nora gasps, "I need a breather."

Citing a need for another fucking drink, Bradley follows her out of the rink and heads for the concession stand, winking at a woman in a Maid of Honor sash.

Nora sits down on the nearest bench, pressing down on the stitch in her side, and soaks in the atmosphere.

According to their Instagram, Moonlight Rollers had been in business since 1986. It looks the part. It'd be a dream of a movie set.

Nora can see it now.

A romance, bathed in the changing lights of the disco ball, pink and purple and blue. Soft.

Exactly the kind of movie Nora wanted to make once upon a time.

Take Me Home Tonight blares over the speakers, and Natasha's laugh rises over the music as Bob launches her across the rink, shimmering like a purple shooting star across the night sky of mismatched walls and lights. 

Nostalgia is a dull ache in her chest.

Growing up, Nora used to strap on an old pair of roller skates from the garage – passed down from Mom, who loved an old school roller rink – and spend hours down near the Santa Monica pier.

So many summer nights were spent in the warm ocean breeze, breathing in the salt air, stretching her arms out to reach for the pinprick stars, as the Pacific Park neon blurred in the distance.

She was never so much great as Nora was unafraid.

Not afraid to, as Mom often said, fail with her whole heart. Take the leap.

Some late night, Nora skinned both elbows and both knees on an uneven sidewalk. Tears still burned in her eyes as Nora slapped on some ointment and a few oversized bandages outside the nearest CVS and got right back out there.

She still had dried blood on her forearms and calves when she got home. Gave Mom a damn good scare.

Sixteen is another world, and Nora isn’t quite as fearless anymore. 

Reminiscing, Nora almost doesn't notice Javy is still at the side of the rink, drinking a nearly empty Blue Moon. She doesn't see Jake anymore.

Javy nods in greeting, and Nora waves.

Everything Nora knows about Lieutenant Javy Machado has come secondhand from the Daggers and Captain Mitchell. He is obviously a skilled pilot. He wouldn't have been recalled to Top Gun in October otherwise.

Natasha knows him from OCS in Newport and flew with him on several deployments. She calls him a good guy.

And Javy is the only person Nora's ever heard Jake outright call a friend. She knows Jake is friends with the Daggers, but Javy is his best friend.

"Did you lose your wingman?" Nora asks when Javy is close enough to hear the question over the music. "Where did Jake run off to and leave you all alone?"

Smiling, Javy shrugs, a movement that's oceanic on someone as broad-shouldered as him.

"He's on the phone."

 She looks over her shoulder and sees the Emergency Exit door is propped open with a brick. She can just make out a sliver of the night and Jake. His expression is soft.

"It's Sarah, I think," Javy answers the question before Nora can ask. "His older sister."

"Jake has a sister?"  

"Two. Sarah and Bethany." 

Nora absorbs that information with an absent-minded nod. "You've met them then?"

He passes the beer bottle from one hand to the other with a nod. "I even spent Christmas with them one year. We were stationed in Fallon – in Nevada, I mean – and I'm from Louisiana. Neither of us had enough leave to go all the way home."

"So Mrs. Seresin and Sarah and Beth..." His voice softens on Bethany's name, and Nora wonders. "... met us in the middle. We spent Christmas at a Holiday Inn in Phoenix, Arizona."

Fondness shines in his whiskey brown eyes, and Nora can't help her own smile in response.

Something nudges in the back of her brain, and Nora pulls on it like a loose thread. She remembers how Jake had stiffened at the nepotism comment in Natasha's kitchen.

Carefully, Nora asks, "Not Mr. Seresin?"

Javy gives her a long, searching look that feels far too appraising for comfort; that feels like Nora is the only one in the room who doesn't get a joke.

After a moment, Javy says, "No." Short. Opaque.

Right then.

"So," Nora starts, but Javy cuts her off with an expectant smile.

“Can I ask you something?" 

"Sure," Nora replies slowly, "but I might not answer."

He seems to get a kick out of that. 

"You know, I get it now. I really do," Javy muses with a low laugh. And before Nora can ask him to explain, the Naval aviator distracts her with, "You and Rooster. You seem... close."

Something about the way Javy says close seems weighted, but Nora is too surprised to give it much attention.

"Oh. Well, Bradley and I knew each other before. His mom, Carole was friends with my Aunt Charlie before..."

Before Carole died.

Before Nora lost a mom too.

"Bradley and I are kind of family friends, I guess. Was that a question?"

He smiles again. Nods again, like Fair enough. 

Javy asks, "Ever been more than friends?" and watches her closely for a reaction.

But Nora had looked up to Charlie Blackwood her whole childhood. A woman who'd never once broken a sweat. She learned from the best.

Cool as ice, Nora asks, "Maybe. Maybe not. Who's asking?" and arches her eyebrows. She'd really like to ask, Who told you?

For his part, Javy looks a little admonished, so Nora softens the expression. She's not uncomfortable. She doesn't want to make him uncomfortable.

He's not as similar to Jake as Nora initially suspected. Jake, who would've grinned wider and pushed more, not stood down until the end.

Maybe Nora kind of likes that about Jake.

She remembers what Jake had said almost a week ago, "You like that I can keep up with you," and goddamn, maybe Nora does. Fuck.

Distracted, Nora only catches the end of what Javy is saying.

"...and Jake is my best friend, so I had to ask."

Confusion wrinkles her brow. "Bradley and I are friends." 

"Just friends?"

"Just friends," Nora repeats, firm. "But Jake and I aren't..."

Evidently satisfied, Javy's smile is back in full force.

"Right. Of course not."

And Javy only sounds slightly knowing.

"I'm gonna grab another drink. You want anything?"

Nora shakes her head. "No, I'll get my own in a few."

He strolls away with one last smile, whistling along to Everybody Wants to Rule the World, and Nora is left alone on the bench, staring into space.

Over her shoulder, Nora sees Jake again.

Pink light shines across the rink now, and Jake laughs on the phone, golden in the rose blush of the disco ball. She can almost hear the depth of sound; can almost feel the vibration behind her ribcage.

Fuck. When did that happen?

Nora faces forward, blowing out a long breath, and heads for the concession stand. She needs five minutes with Bradley Bradshaw – and a goddamn drink. 

Anyone who works in a place like Moonlight Rollers has probably heard their fair share of famous last words.

One final misguided question or daring declaration that precedes a dislocated elbow and a late night drive to the nearest emergency room. 

Like, “Crouch down, I can definitely jump over you.”

Or, "Oh my god. Let's do the lift," when the Dirty Dancing soundtrack comes on after midnight.

“Holy shit, Nora!” 

“Are you alright, Phoenix?” 

Crumpled like a punctured balloon animal, Natasha lets out a hyena laugh, loud enough to draw the attention of the Naval aviators who were lucky enough not to witness the absolutely catastrophic failure of a Dirty Dancing lift.

Did Nora even leave the ground? She can’t remember. 

She is definitely on the ground now. 

Fuck. Everything is spinning a little bit. 

Wait, Nora is directly below the disco ball, which was already spinning before. False alarm. She’s not horribly concussed. Everyone can calm down now.

“Holy damn,” Natasha gasps out, wiping at her eyes. "That must’ve been the worst Dirty Dancing lift in the history of Dirty Dancing lifts. We should be ashamed of ourselves.”

"We absolutely should." Nora winces. "Fuck. I think I broke my sunglasses."

She pulls out the pink sunglasses that were once shaped like hearts and are now little more than shrapnel. Damn. She liked those.

Natasha wiggles on her side like a beached mermaid, wrenching her neck back. “Think I ripped my shorts. Can you see my ass right now?” 

Nora lets out the giggliest giggle that’s ever been giggled.

“No, I can't see your ass."

“Shame. I’m wearing really good underwear, and I wanted at least one hot woman to see them tonight.” 

Nora clutches her stomach, laughing, and Natasha spills back into a high-pitched shriek of laughter. Tears spill down their cheeks.

Mickey pulls away from an intense lip-lock on the sidelines to reach them. He is the first one, sinking down on his knees.

"Are you guys okay?"

Nora drops an arm over her face and gives him a weak thumbs-up from the floor, and Natasha hiccups.

"Here. Take my hand!"

She does, but Nora has a lot of liquid in her stomach right now, sloshing and splashing. She is having a hard time engaging her core.

Mickey pulls, and Nora only slides.

Her dress is probably around her stomach right now. God bless bike shorts.

"Would you...?" Mickey lets out an exasperated sigh that makes Natasha pout.

"Don't get mad, Fanboy!"

"I'm not mad," Mickey insists. He looks around and focuses on a spot Nora can't see. She tries and only succeeds in painfully pulling her hair. "Can you help me out here, guys? They’re so drunk. It’s like deadlifting a fish."

"We are not fish. We are ladies," Natasha pipes up, sounding indignant. "Some of us are anyway." A bright smile lights up her face as Javy and Bob come into frame. "Coyote! Bob! Did you see our lift?"

"I saw it, and I wish I hadn't," Javy says dryly. He has her off the ground and on her feet in a single move, guiding her arm around his shoulder as Bob grabs the other one. "How about some water? Hangman..."

"Go ahead. I'm good."

As the slurred sound of Natasha’s giggles fade under the swelling finale of (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life, Nora briefly closes her eyes. She opens them again, and Jake is standing over her wilting form. 

He glows against in the light from the disco ball, a golden gleam in the silver incandescence. Twinkling.

“Hi Jake,” Nora says softly, poking at a sore spot on her bottom lip with her tongue. She must’ve bitten it in the fall. She doesn’t remember that either.

“Hi Nora.” 

“You’re sparkling.” 

“You’re bleeding.” 

Confused, Nora frowns.

Dull pain radiates from her left knee, and Nora spots a red and angry scrape across the skin, pulsing and throbbing with a forming bruise. She wipes at her eyes again, stinging with more tears, now that Nora has remembered the pain.

“Oh, I think I'm fine though. I'm tough. I'll get back out there."

She doesn't move.

His cheek twitches, but Jake doesn’t let her distract him. He crouches down.

“Come on, Rocky. Let’s get'cha cleaned up, yeah?” 

She sticks out her arms, and amused, Jake peels her from the rink.

She is on the bench again in a flash. Metal is cold against the backs of her thighs, and Nora shivers.

A warm hand brushes across the nape of her neck, and Jake murmurs something in her that Nora doesn’t quite catch. 

Only after Jake leaves does Nora comprehend the words.

“Be right back, sweetheart.” 

Alone, Nora looks around. She feels a little out of focus.

Underneath the neon arcade sign, Natasha is chugging a bottle of water while Bob readies another. She doesn't see Bradley anywhere. He must've snuck off or gone home with that girl.

Nora remembers their conversation and drops her head into her hand, propped on her thighs.

Nora caught the stiff edge of Bradley's sleeve.

“Sorry. Can I speak to you for a second? Alone?”

He was in the middle of a conversation with Maid of Honor sash, who glared suspiciously at Nora as Bradley slid into the booth across from her.

Don't even worry, Nora wanted to reassure. He’s all yours.

“So Coyote asked me an interesting question,” Nora started. She explained the context and repeated the question. "Did you tell anyone?"

“Did I tell anyone what?” 

“You know,” Nora insisted, and Bradley shook his head, scrubbing a hand over his mouth to hide the glimpse of the entertained smile forming there. Jackass. “You know, Bradshaw. Don’t make me spell it out for you.” 

He shrugged. “I really don’t know.” 

“Christ…”

What had Nora done to deserve this? Riddle me that, universe.

She exhaled. "Fine. We were both at Captain Wolfe's party a few years ago." Five to be exact. She held back a groan. "There was a pool game and drinks and shots and..."

And a silver dress sparkled in the blue darkness, gleaming in a shimmering puddle on the leather back seat of a faded blue Bronco as a shirtless Bradley Bradshaw leaned over the bench seat and popped open the glove compartment for a condom.

And and and.

He grinned.

"Oh, I think I remember now. So I shouldn't have told everyone I know about the hot sex in the back of the Bronco? I shouldn't have mentioned that?" And if Bradley expected her to blush, Nora disappointed him with an unimpressed glare and a swift kick in the shins. He yelped. "God, I'm kidding, Rogers. I didn't tell them anything."

She whispered quickly, "Why would Coyote ask me that then?"

"I don't know, okay? Everyone here is a nosey son of a bitch who can't mind their own business," Bradley said. "Even Phoenix has asked me once or twice. Someone probably has money riding on it or something. Not a big deal." He sulked. "Can I go back now?"

After an internal debate, Nora said carefully, "I have one more question. Do…?”

Do you all think something is going on between me and a certain arrogant pilot from Texas?

Her lips parted as Nora hesitated, and impatient, Bradley pulled a pained face. “

“Nora, I was about to get laid."

God. She waved him away. “Fine, sorry. Use protection.”

"Always do," Bradley said with a wink and was gone, leaving Nora alone with the smothered question, still kicking up sparks in the back of her awareness.

She needed that drink to be a double.

Something brushes against her knee, and Nora startles.

“Careful,” Jake cautions, voice low and soothing, like Nora is a spooked horse. “Don’t hurt yourself.” 

She didn’t notice him come back. 

She relaxes. 

“Did you get your skates?” 

He blinks. “My what?” 

“You went to the Skate Rental counter, didn’t you? I saw you.” 

“I went to ask them for their First Aid…” Jake is cradling a small red and white box in his arms. A roll of gauze is around his thumb like a ring. “…and get you some water because your knee is bleeding, Hollywood."

He says it like Nora might’ve forgotten. She frowns.

She didn’t forget.

She would've remembered.

She carefully sips the water as Jake opens the kit and pulls out some bandages and ointment. He opens a packet of alcohol wipes with his teeth and nods at Nora’s leg. 

“Can I?” 

Nora nods, and Jake sinks down on his knees. 

She is surprised when Jake doesn’t start with her knee, instead carefully unknotting the laces and pulling the skates from her feet, setting them down on the carpet.

He smiles faintly at the pink socks, the little embroidered heart on the ankles, and Nora swears Jake brushes a gentle thumb across the pattern.

He applies the alcohol, and Nora lets out a sharp hiss at the sting, the burn.

He doesn’t prolong the sensation. He moves with such quick and efficient purpose that she wonders if one of Jake's sisters is a nurse or doctor.

She wants to ask him. 

What comes out instead is, "What did you tell Coyote about me?” 

For a brief moment, Jake pauses, then carefully sets the bandage in place, crumpling the plastic wrapper in a clenched fist.

His voice is hard to read. “Why’re you asking?” 

She should say something like, “Sorry, I’m really drunk, and I didn’t mean to ask you that. Let’s pretend I never said anything. This never happened,” and Jake would say something like, “Can do, Hollywood.” 

That would be that. 

Instead, Nora throws away the shovel and starts digging the hole with her hands. 

“Something Coyote said. What did you tell him?” 

“Well, I guess I just said I might've met a beautiful and smart and clever as hell woman, who's basically my dream girl." Jake looks at Nora, all dimples and gleaming green, stroking across the edge of the bandage with a soft touch. "My argumentative dream girl."

She swallows against a suddenly dry mouth. "Just that, huh?"

"Just that." His expression is warm. "She doesn't like me though, right, sweetheart? Not even kind of?"

She realizes that on his knees like that, Jake could slide over half an inch and be between her parted legs. He could lean right in and...

“Right," Nora echoes. "Not even kind of."

A grin brims on his lips.

She lets the moment fade, and blessedly, Jake does too. 

Jake pats her on the knee and rises. He gathers the wrappers and runs the First Aid kit back to the Skate Rental counter, coming back with another water and fries.

She could actually cry. She munches on the burning hot fries and drinks the water instead and sobers enough to push down the urge to lean on Jake's broad shoulder.

She puts on her skates again as Jake tosses the rest of the fries and dusts off his hands. She flexes her knee like a brand new Barbie doll with a proud grin. He watches her with a fond expression that softens every part of his face.

“Will I live, Texas?” 

“Think so, Hollywood.” 

Jake sweeps his fingers through his hair, picking up the cowboy hat from the bench and setting it back on his head.

"Now," Jake drawls. "We have enough time for a few more trips around the rink. Want to get back out there?"

He holds out a hand, and Nora slips her hand in his.

She doesn’t let go in the rink, and Jake doesn’t either.

When Jake walks her to the door and lingers, looking at her with those eyes, Nora should probably close the door in his face. She should close the door and go to bed alone and tell him to do the same. 

She can't be trusted around him, not with the alcohol and the adrenaline coursing through her bloodstream, making her feel unbalanced.

Instead, Nora digs her own grave.

She holds the door open, and Jake comes in with a smirk, smug and knowing.  

Everything is a blur from there. A supercut of soft touches and gasping breaths and the sound of his name as Jake presses her against every damn surface in the damn apartment.

Every kiss is devouring, sucked into the column of her neck, pressed against her bare shoulder, open-mouthed and possessive.

He doesn’t kiss her on the lips, not yet, and Nora wonders if Jake wants to make her beg him. 

She’s never begged for anything in her damn life. 

She might let him.

She is pliable under him, and Jake is more than willing to use that to his advantage, maneuvering them onto the mattress.

She is still dressed, and on her back, Nora can hardly breathe as Jake reaches under the dress and pulls her underwear down.

"You're so beautiful..."

He licks a long stripe over her core, tongue flat and broad. 

She can’t think. She can hardly breathe. 

She’s right on the edge, aching, when Jake pulls back.

He looks up. Mouth slick with her, grinning like a devil. 

"Come on, sweetheart," Jake murmurs on a low breath that fans right across her exposed core. She whimpers. "We’re just gettin’ started. Be good for me."

She shakes awake, drenched in sweat, with a familiar ache between her legs.

It was a dream. She's alone.

Her dress sparkles from the corner of the room, where a drunken Nora had left it a few hours earlier and crawled into bed in an old NYU shirt that feels too warm now.

She peels it from her skin and gulps down the whole water glass on her nightstand.

Neither is enough to soothe the heat that burns under her skin.

Nora sighs out an emphatic "Fuck" in the darkness and lets her hand drift under the covers. She comes with a hand over her mouth, a familiar name on her tongue.

note: i will add a real note when i don't have a blue light headache, but... past nora and bradley, confirmed? current nora and jake, still a question mark? what do we think?

should i spring the nora and bradley one shot from the vault next?

want to be tagged in future chapters? fill out this form!

[winchester-books]

Mayday

Based On: Outer Banks

Characters: JJ x Reader, Kie, John B, Sarah, Pope

Warnings: Language

w/c: 1.7 k 

Request ( @eatingchocolatecroissants ): Hey! I was wondering or you could do an outer banks imagine where like in season one the pogues leave kie, Sarah and reader on a boat, and the reader is the one getting stung by a jellyfish. The night goes on and she starts having an allergic reaction the jellyfish sting and her breathing starts to go bad and all dizzy. The girls have to call a mayday. And the sheriff/ambulance boat? Comes and gets her or the pogues come back the next morning and she is not well at all. Then hospital. The pogues feel really bad Maybe reader x jj?

Thank you you’re so sweet!! <3 so sorry this took me so long to write, hope you like it !

"Y/N!" 

"Hmm," you looked up from your spot on the floor, bored while Kie was on her knees inspecting the engine that JJ and John B had said wasn't working.

"They're screwing with us," she sat up, brushing her hair out of her face with an unamused look, "There's nothing wrong with the spark plugs- there are no spark plugs,"

"JJ! John B! What the hell?" you spin around to look for the boys, but they were already in the water swimming towards the HMS Pogue with Pope already running the engine.

"Sayonara!" John B gave the two of you a wave as Pope pulled him and JJ on board. 

"Oh, you son of a…" you started tugging at your shirt, ready to swim after the boys in your anger.

"What was that?"

You stopped what you were doing and glanced at Kie, waiting for an explanation. That's when you heard it.

"John B! John B, let me out!" Sarah's voice was muffled as she screamed for him below deck, "This isn't funny anymore- open it!"

"You've gotta be kidding me,"

You unlatched the door leading to the deck below, coming face to face with a confused Sarah, "What the hell?" she pulled herself out, scanning the water for John B, "You asshole!" she screamed as the boys grinned back at her. 

"Get your asses back here!" Kie demanded.

John B shook his head, "We can't, not until you guys figure it out!"

"See y'all later!" Pope waved as he drove the boat off, leaving the three of you bitter and stranded. 

"You can't just leave!"

"JJ, you better turn that boat around or so help me…!" you trailed off, fuming as they drove off too far to hear your threats. 

"When they come back, I'm going to kill them," Kie announced, her back sliding against the side of the boat as she took a seat and accepted that you were stranded. 

"What the hell- ugh!" Sarah yelled in frustration, turning back around to face you and Kie, "This is ridiculous!"

"God, I can't with you, Sarah," You rolled your eyes, pulling off your t-shirt and shorts, leaving you in your bathing suit.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"Leaving," you said simply. 

Kie stood up from where she had been sulking, "Y/N, don't be dumb," she said, her voice irritated, "Look at the weeds- there's going to be jellyfish,"

"Honestly," you said, kicking off your shoes, "I'd rather be stung than stay on this boat with Ms. Kook Princess over there," You turned on your heel and dove off the side of the boat, determined to swim off.

"Where are you even going to go?" Sarah scoffed from the boat, "It's miles to the shore,"

You ignored her and kept your head down as you continued swimming. 

Sarah rolled her eyes and sat down on the deck, ready to wait in silence for however long it took for the boys to return. Kie made a point to sit on the opposite side of the boat, glaring at Sarah as she did. 

"Oh shit!"

Kie and Sarah both jumped up at the sound of your cry of pain, "Y/N?" Kie called out, worry evident in her voice as she leaned off the side of the boat to get a good look. 

"Shit," you doggy-paddled back to the boat. If your side hadn't been in so much pain, you would have been too embarrassed to turn back from your swim. 

"Did you get stung?" Sarah asked, leaning over the deck to watch as you heaved yourself back onto the boat.

"Obviously," Kie huffed under her breath, offering a hand to help you up.

You rolled onto your back, gasping for air and wincing at the pain, "How bad is it?" you asked through gritted teeth.

Kie did little to hide the concerned look on her face. The entire right side of your abdomen was red and inflamed from the sting. It looked much worse than any other jellyfish sting she had seen before, "I'm not gonna lie, it looks kinda bad. Have you been stung before?"

You tossed your head back onto the deck, groaning slightly at the burning sensation that felt like it was getting worse by the second, "Nope."

"Do you want me to pee on it?" Sarah offered.

You and Kie looked up at Sarah simultaneously, giving her a glare. "That's for a stingray, you dumbass,"

Sarah raised her hands in surrender with an eye roll, "Sorry, I was just trying to help,"

You winced, trying to breathe through the pain. Suddenly becoming aware that it was getting more and more difficult to take a solid breath. "Uh, guys?" Panic rose in your voice as you realized it was getting pretty hard to breathe, "I-I think I'm having some kind of reaction or something,"

Kie furrowed her brows, taking a closer look at your face, "Oh God... I think your face is swelling up. Maybe you're allergic- Sarah! Sarah Quick, get the emergency radio and call for help!"

"Is she gonna be okay?" Sarah asked, her voice rising as the situation got more serious by the second.

"I don't know, just call for help!" Kie demanded, waving Sarah away to go get help.

"It's fine, Kie… I'm fine," you sneezed out, still struggling to catch your breath as the pain grew, "I'm gonna be fine,"

Kiara laughed nervously, "You're the one who's hurt. I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to be the one comforting you, not the other way around,"

-

The boys were only a few minutes behind your arrival at the hospital. Kie had used a phone on the paramedic's boat to call John B to tell him and the others what had happened to you… as well as chew them out for being to blame for the entire situation in the first place. 

The five sat outside your room, anxiously waiting for any news about how you were doing. Jj had his head in his hands, his leg bouncing nervously. 

"Hey," Kie placed a hand on his back to comfort him, "I think she's gonna be alright, it was scary for a minute, but she's here now, and the doctors will be able to fix it,"

JJ looked up, eyes blurry and red from crying, "This is all my fault. I-I never should have suggested leaving you guys on the boat," he said, running a hand through his disheveled hair.

"J, this isn't your fault. You guys just wanted us to get along," Kie assured. 

JJ opened his mouth to speak but quickly shut it when a doctor walked out of your room, "Are you Y/N's friends?" she continued as they nodded, "Well, she's pretty sore from the sting, but she's gonna be fine," she smiled, gesturing toward the door, "You all are welcome to go see her if you'd like,"

Kie was first to the door, JJ and the others only steps behind, "Y/N?"

You looked up from the hospital bed, grinning when you saw your friends crowding the doorway, "Hi guys. Are you gonna come inside or…"

Kie laughed slightly, running toward you and nearly jumping on top of you as she hugged you. The rest of your friends were quick to follow, nearly dogpiled on top of you as they asked you a million questions at once.

"Are you okay?" "Does it still hurt?" "Is it gonna scar?" "We were so worried,"

"Yeah," you winced, "It definitely still hurts- maybe you can hug me later?"

"Oh, shit-" they nearly jumped off of you, spewing out "sorrys" as they crowded around your bed instead. 

"Well, good news… I'm totally fine, and they don't think it's gonna scar. Bad news… I can't swim with jellyfish anymore,"

"I'm glad you're okay," Sarah smiled and slightly squeezed your arm. 

You thanked her, feeling a little less inclined to hate her at the present moment.

"Anybody else starving?" John B interjected, "I say we go pick up some food from The Wreck. Then we can bring it back and eat with Y/N,"

"I'm starved," Kie admitted.

"Sounds good to me," you agreed.

"Me and Sarah will go! Be back in like half an hour, tops," John B promised, placing a kiss on top of your head before walking out.

"I'll come too," Kie offered, giving you one final hug that was more gentle this time and following them. 

"Me too!" Pope was close behind, stopping in the doorway to look at you before he left, "Thank God you're okay, Y/N, we were so worried about you," Pope said, giving you a small smile, "Some of us maybe a little more worried than others…" his eyes fell on JJ before he disappeared from the doorway, leaving you and the blonde boy alone. 

You glanced up at JJ, finally getting a real look at him after the chaos the pogues had brought into your room. His eyes were red, and he had clearly been crying recently, "J… JJ, what's wrong?" you grabbed his hand, pulling him down so he was sitting on the edge of your bed.

He looked away from you, fresh tears pricking his eyes, "This is my fault," he shook his head, his eyes facing the ground, "This was my idea- it was so stupid. I shouldn't have left you out there. I'm so sorry,"

"JJ," your eyes softened, and you tightened your hold on his hand, "JJ, look at me…." He finally looked up, regret and pain filling his blue eyes. "This wasn't your fault at all hell, it was a good idea. The three of us were being immature,"

"No," he shook his head, "It is my fault, if I had just-"

"J, stop. Please. I'm going to be perfectly fine," you promised, "Please don't blame yourself, you were just trying to help. Plus, Kie told me I was gonna get stung, I was the one who was too stubborn to listen," you stifled a small laugh, "I'm surprised she didn't tell me 'I told you so' yet,"

JJ didn't laugh at your attempt to lighten the mood, "Y/N-"

"Nope. No more," you said simply, pulling back the covers of your bed and patting the space next to you, "Get in. We're watching a movie until they get back,"

"Y/N-"

"Nope," you popped the "p" this time and shook your head, "I'm the one in the hospital, that means you've gotta do what I say," you grinned as he crawled in bed next to you. You wrapped your arm around him, pulling him close and placing a kiss on his forehead. "Now," you grabbed the remote from the table next to you, "What should we watch?"

•••

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[wrestlersownmyheart]

Tricked and Treated (Drew McIntyre X Reader)

Pairing: Drew McIntyre X Reader Summary: When Drew locks himself in a public restroom—with the one woman he seemingly hates—at a Halloween party, sparks fly. Disclaimers: I own nothing or anyone associated or affiliated with WWE. I own only the original characters. This is just a fictional story that came from my imagination. Story Content & Trigger Warnings: Some sensuality, but mostly fluff.

Note: This is just a really short one-shot that I whipped up in a day. Not edited, or anything, so look over any errors, typos, or lack of quality for that matter, lol. Hope it is enjoyed nonetheless.

Tricked and Treated

"You're being completely unreasonable!"

Your growled words echoed within the arena's long corridor as the hulking Scotsman, known as Drew McIntyre, carried you down the hallway toward the trainer's office. You'd just got done with your mixed tag match for that evening and it didn't go well.

At all.

"Next time, princess," Drew snarled right back at you, "I don't care if she rips your arm off and beats you over the head with it... You are not to tap out. You're t' get free and tag me in. Am I clear?"

"Oh, for Pete's sake! Like you've never tapped out before in your entire career," you spat at him. "And put me down! I can walk on my own—it wasn't my leg that was hurt." You began to struggle within his hold, till a twinge of pain in your shoulder had your body calming its movements.

"Be still. Ye'll injure it worse," his voice rumbled near your ear. "Besides we're here." He passed through a doorway and then you were—to your utter surprise—gently deposited onto an exam table.

You glowered at Drew before a brunette woman—one of the trainers for that evening—addressed you.

"So, what seems to be the problem," she asked, stepping up to you.

"It's my-"

"It's her shoulder." Drew cut you off despite the scathing glare you sent his way. "It took quite a beating."

"Would you shut UP," you hissed. "I can speak for myself!" You ignored the fire in Drew's eyes and turned back to the trainer. "I was in a submission hold for quite a while out there. My shoulder and arm were stretched to the limit."

After a lot of prodding and tugging and more stretching, the trainer stepped away and gave you an encouraging smile. "Nothing serious. Just looks like it was hyperextended a little. We'll ice it down, and then you should rest it for a couple days and you should be good as new." She began putting an ice pack together and you winced initially as the cold ice touched your tender shoulder. Seconds later though, relief came and you sighed softly.

"Next time, tap out sooner."

Your gaze flew up to Drew's. You were more than a little surprised to see some regret in his blue eyes. "You just said-"

"Forget what I said earlier, princess. Tap out sooner. When you're in a hold like that, there ain't no gettin' free. Save yourself an injury and tap out."

With that, the giant Scotsman turned and walked away, leaving you alone with the trainer.

And leaving you very confused.

Drew hated you. (For some reason.) He always had. Why did he look so repentant? He sounded almost as if he blamed himself.

Something was wrong. That was not like him.

You sat impatiently, and in a state of bewilderment as the trainer wrapped some cling wrap around you, pinning the ice pack to your shoulder.

}i{}i{}i{}i{

"Wow, and you said he sounded concerned?"

You nodded even though Sasha Banks couldn't see you over the phone. "Yeah, he said to save myself an injury and tap out, then he walked off."

"That is weird. He's never worried about you."

"Thanks, Sasha."

"No, you know what I mean. He just... always seems antagonized by your presence."

"That makes me feel so much better," you dryly replied, switching the cellphone to your other ear.

"Ugh, okay, change of subject... You're still on for the party tomorrow night, right? I mean your shoulder will be okay to dance and stuff?"

"Well, yeah," you said in a "Duh" kind of way. "Halloween is my favorite holiday, so of course I'm going to make it. The trainer said there was nothing seriously wrong with my shoulder, anyway."

"Okay. So what is your costume?"

"Would you believe it if I said it was a surprise?"

"No. Why?"

"Because it is. Even to me. I have no idea what to go as."

"Okay, crazy idea," Sasha said. "I have a feeling the reason Drew is mean to you is because he has the hots for you. So, how about you go as a princess? With a bit of tweaking. I mean... Drew always calls you "princess". You could see what his reaction would be. And then-"

"Are you kidding me? I don't need to give him another reason to growl or snarl at me."

"Oh, just do it, Y/N. You don't have any other costume ideas."

You pinched the bridge of your nose and clenched your eyes shut in an attempt to bite back the sharp retort that was itching to burst from your mouth. "You mentioned a bit of tweaking," you sighed. "What did you have in mind?"

"Let's meet up." You could hear the smile in Sasha's voice. "We have some shopping to do."

}i{}i{}i{}i{

"Oh, my gosh. Why did I let Sasha talk me into this?"

You looked at your reflection in the hotel room's dresser mirror the following night, and cringed.

It was that bad.

The monstrosity before you was a so-called "sexy princess" as the costume's packaging read. It consisted of a pink traditional princess dress from the shoulders to the waist.

Things went downhill from there.

Instead of the typical skirt flowing to your ankles, it merely covered part of your thighs.

It was completely out of your comfort zone. Your ring gear didn't show near this much skin since your taste in gear was much like Nattie's.

You heard a knock at your door and sighed, completely dreading the party then. Opening the door, you found the four horsewomen dressed as Jem and the Holograms. You couldn't help but smile. They'd picked the perfect corresponding characters. Charlotte was Jem, Sasha was Aja, Bayley was Shana, and Becky was Kimber.

"Oh my gosh you guys look awesome," you said with a laugh as you clapped your hands.

"And so do you," Sasha exclaimed. "Drew is gonna lose. His. Mind!"

You rolled your eyes at the notion. "I seriously doubt that. He usually ignores me unless he's barking at me about something."

However, you couldn't get your mind off the way Drew had carried you to the trainer. The way he'd spoken softly to you after your assessment. How he'd advised you to tap out with such guilt in his eyes.

"Besides, what does it matter," you thought out loud. "It's not like I have the hots for him, anyway."

Silent up to this point, Charlotte actually guffawed. "Sounds like you're trying to convince yourself, babe. I mean... think about him a minute. What woman in her right mind wouldn't have the hots for him?"

Think about him?

If you were brutally honest, you'd admit to your friends—as well as yourself—that most of your time was spent thinking about him.

And that you more than had the hots for Drew McIntyre. You were halfway in love with him even though he treated you like dirt.

How pathetic am I, you wondered.

"Hah! You're blushing," Charlotte nearly yelled as she pointed at you. "Case in point!"

"Oh, shut up," you grumbled, grabbing up your purse from the little side-table by the door. "Let's get to the party already."

"Wait till she sees his costume," Bayley let out a giggle as you pulled your door closed and headed down the hallway with your friends.

You stopped in your tracks. There were so many promising, and sexy things Drew could go as. Batman, Zorro et cetera. "What's his costume?"

"You'll just have to wait and see," Bayley sing-songed over her shoulder.

"Tell me, or I'll shove that guitar down your throat, Bayley."

The woman snickered despite your threat. "He's sticking with his roots and going as one of those Scottish romance novel cover dudes. Complete with a kilt and sash. Hair is down, and flowing."

Sweet Lord, you thought as you hurried to close the small distance between you and your friends. How will I maintain my cool with Drew looking like that?

You didn't have a very long time to ponder that. He showed up at the venue about a half hour after you and the four horsewomen did. You glanced up the entrance just as he passed through it. And you froze.

Whatever you'd pictured... It didn't compare remotely to the sight that was Drew McIntyre in his costume. Nearly all of your favorite features of his were exposed. His long hair was loose as Bayley said. His broad shoulders and hair-smattered chest. The only thing hidden from your gaze that you admired—albeit secretly—was his muscular thighs.

His sapphire gaze suddenly caught yours and you glanced away, embarrassment heating your face. You slinked further back into the safety of the group of your friends and tried to forget what Drew looked like. Tried to forget what he made you feel.

A few dances later, you were completely needing to pee.

You made your way back to the ladies room and quickly went into a stall and took care of your business. Once you'd flushed the toilet, you hurried over to the lavatories and washed your hands before drying them on a paper towel.

You heard the door open and saw out of your peripheral vision as someone entered the room. Turning and giving them a friendly smile, your face fell when the lights went out and the small room was thrown into pitch blackness.

The click of the door locking seemed to echo through the room.

Your breathing quickened and you instinctively shrunk into the wall. "Pl-please..." You whispered, losing control of your vocal chords. "Please don't hurt me."

Suddenly, a hand was around your throat and a large hard body pressed against your contrasting one. Inhaling to scream, all you managed was a soft whimper when the fingers tightened just ever so slightly. A thumb stroked along your jawline, almost tenderly. Then your face was tilted upward, that same thumb brushed over your bottom lip.

And then a warm, soft mouth claimed yours. Kissing you softly, gently. And gentlemanly. A beard and mustache tickled at your cheeks and lips, and you sighed into the kiss, unable to help yourself.

And when the man finally broke the kiss, you heard a roguish male voice whisper in your ear. The tone was pure velvet with a Scottish burr.

"Been wantin' to do that for a long time, princess."

Drew? Drew just kissed me?

"I've wanted you to do that for a long time, too," you whispered in the darkness, reaching up to palm his cheek in your hand. You were rewarded by his large hand snagging yours and bringing it up to his face for you. "I wouldn't object if you did it again."

With that, his mouth was on yours once more, a soft swirl of his tongue over yours. His teeth snagged your lower lip and held it for a couple seconds before he gently nipped it and soothed the bite with a swipe of his tongue.

"I think we should rejoin the party," he said in your ear. "Before I do something I shouldn't."

You chuckled as you were led over toward the door. The lights came on and you took a second to truly ogle his gorgeous face and body.

"What is it," he asked, smiling, and dimples flashing.

"What started out as a trick turned into a treat!"

With a soft laugh, Drew opened the bathroom door and led you out. "Happy Halloween, my love."

"And Happy Halloween to you, my love."

THE END