#He can't sleep without seeing that cop's face so he barely sleeps

[ltcdrmcgarrett]

It was dark down there, man. There’s no way you could have known. No, man. I messed up. Don’t do that. I didn’t have a visual. Steve, listen to me: It was an accident. The guy was trained, he should have identified himself as a cop — Lou. I didn’t have a visual.

[writersblockedx]

Hi. I am sorry if that this is not your thing, so you can just ignore it.

I love some pervert Spencer Reid (I am so sorry, it is a guilty pleasure). Things like very inappropriate daydreams about his female friend and some admiration for her lingerie (maybe even stolen a few and feeling guilty about that, but at the same time, it turns him on).

If he got a peek of her nud form or just seeing a few spice pictures of her... idk

What's the Harm? / S.R.

Pairing - Spencer Reid x BAU!Reader Summary - When Spencer accidentally walks in on Y/n getting changed, he can't seem to think about anything else. Warnings - Perv Spence, like soft smut, nothing in depth x Words - 1.2K

A/n - This is probably the closest I'll come to writing smut but I hope you enjoyed it anyway? <3

Masterlist

Spencer had always thought of Y/n as pretty, nice...lovely. But his thoughts have never delved any deeper. He was never one to dare let his mind go deep enough to wander about sensual thoughts - never mind such thoughts being about her. He was too himself, the idea of a woman even kissing him made the boy nervous.

And then something snapped in him.

He knew the culprit. It was something so innocent. In his logical mind, Spencer knew the girl hadn't done it on purpose, but gosh a part of him yearned that it had been. That she had just so happened to be left in her bra in the changing room for him to walk in on. That she had been waiting for the very moment he wandered in to grab his FBI vest too.

Y/n had her shirt and FBI vest laid out in front of her as she adjusted her bra straps. The boy was practically drooling. "Oh...uh...erm..." Were the only words he could muster as he walked in.

The girl jumped, grasping her shirt close to her chest before sending him an easy smile as she realised it was only Spencer who had walked in on her. "Oh, it's just you." She breathed out a sigh, worrisome one of the cops or god forbid Hotch had been the one to walk in. But it was just Spencer - what harm could he have done in taking in such a sight?

That day Spencer had muttered a, "Sorry, I'll erm-" And proceeded to leave without another word. But his mind was left marked as if the girl had just carved that very image of her in a lacy yet practical bra into the forefront of her mind.

It started on the jet ride back. Spencer was in the seat facing her, a book laid across her chest as her forehead nuzzled into the seat further, like she was sinking into the comfort of her own dreams. But as Spencer gazed over at her, his eyes wandered. At first, to her book then to the edge of her neckline where the shirt was pulled down ever so slightly Spencer could catch the top of her breasts. He thought to earlier that day. How soft they probably felt, how soft they would feel in his own harsh fingers, how it would taste to kiss them-

No. He couldn't be thinking this. He was her co-worker, a friend, a very close friend. She shouldn't be the subject of his sexual desires. Spencer hadn't even realised he had any sexual desires until that very moment.

He shook his head and followed her movements, leaning his head back against the jet seat, letting sleep engulf his mind. That was the best way to escape his thoughts. Or so he had thought. In fact, his subconscious mind had only done the very opposite, like it was taunting him.

The very thoughts of her naked and bare, cupped between his two hands, had clouded his entire dreams. Her rolling around between his sheets, giggling as the sunlight enhanced her nude figure. Her hand reached out, caressing his cheek ever so gently it made even his dream self shiver. What was he doing? Why was he here? Why was he only just thinking about this now?

A hand fell to his shoulder, jolting him awake. It just so happened that such hand belonged to the very girl who had infatuated his dreams, "We've landed," Y/n gave a sweet smile but all Spencer could focus on was what had since grown in his trousers.

His shoulders became stiff as he glanced between his lap and the girl, "I'll erm- I'll be right there." He murmured before the girl gave a tilt of her head. She thought about asking him if everything was okay but bypassed her concerns as she exited the jet.

It didn't stop there. It only got worse. His dreams were every night, getting more detailed, more handsy, the feel of her atop of him or the other way round, how easy it seemed for him to grasp her wrists and pin her down. And when he wandered into the office and glanced at Y/n, he could only picture her naked, he could only think about all the things he wanted to do to her.

The boy was at breaking point. The very thought of her...of her figure had consumed almost every waking thought. How was he meant to go on like this?

It only got worse when the team were invited around Y/n's apartment for end-of-week drinks. He was getting towards tispy and when he was directed into Y/n's room to find the adjacent toilet, he couldn't help himself. Of course, Spencer had been in her room before. He had been on her bed before. The flower sheets and little tv which faced the end of the bed where the two watched hours of crappy shows. 

But this time around, things were different. The boy's fingers traced her bedsheets, just as soft as he imagined her bare breasts to be. When his eyes caught her side dresser, it was as if something else inside of him had taken over. All those thoughts of her, the desire which burned inside him was pushing him on. His hand reached out as he guessed the right draw on the first try. An array of pants stared back at him. 

Some were practical and made for comfort, others were similar to what he had imagined her in. Silk, lace, ranging from black to red to bubblegum pink. His breath itched. But it was like he couldn't help himself. The same way an addict reached for a needle, he was reaching for one of her thongs, as if the very feel, the very lavender scent of her washing powder overwhelmed him with euphoria.

He was so distracted by the smell of the girl, that he hadn't dared to pay attention to the sound of steps growing louder. The boy jumped when the door rattled open. He had no choice. He slipped the thong into his inner blazer pocket and preyed in every way that he hadn't just gotten caught being so invasive by the very girl he adored.

"Spence?" Y/n's head tilted at him lingering at her bedside table. A tug of a smile as she questioned the boy, "You all good?"

He didn't dare speak, "Hmh." He was already moving past her towards the door, "I'm gonna- yeah." He muttered before leaving.

Y/n was left alone in her room as she scanned it. Her eyes found her underwear draw left ajar. When she wandered over and noticed her favourite red thong missing from her draw, she had an inkling about where it had gone. But she wasn't mad, no, if anything she was impressed to find Spencer had the confidence to do such a thing. And, strangely, she was flattered that the pretty boy of the BAU was thinking about her in the same way she had been thinking about him.

[crow-aeris]

The og post here :3

i just wanted to expand on this world a bit (and also cos im tired and need an excuse to procrastinate both my schoolwork AND my other fics 😙)

Also, if enough ppl show interest, I’ll probably continue this au/world/verse/thing

=====

Bruce never wanted kids- never. It's not because he hated kids or something like that- it was the complete opposite, he loved kids. Every time he goes out on the street, every time he dons that cowl and cape, every time he streaks through the air with vengeance screeching in his soul, Bruce does it for the children.

He loves children, and he wants ones of his own. He wants to hear their gleeful smiles, their bubbly laughter as little feet pitter down the halls of the open manor. He was to see their bright round eyes blink up at him with soul-searing love that he'd return without a single beat of hesitation. He wants to cradle their little face in his palms, sing them gentle lullabies and read them little story books to help them sleep.

But... He can't have that. Batman can't have that- Bruce can't have that.

This crusade- his crusade- against crime... he can't involve a child. Even if it shreds his heart apart and leaves this ever-growing monster of loneliness and isolation clawing and tearing at his chest... he won't ever involve a child in his messy coping mechanism.

So, rather than settling down like the board members (and Alfred) wish for him to do and make heirs to Wayne Enterprises, Bruce continues to go out every night, waging his war on crime. He was content to do so too, but… But it seems like the universe had other plans for him.

Bruce watched in quiet horror, Alfred tensing beside him as the Flying Grasons fell. Their son freezes, watching as dark crimson spills across the ground, the sound of bones snapping was lost in the cacophony of screams, the piercing and wailing faded to the background as Bruce shoved to his feet, hiis limbs moving without Bruce’s prompting as he surged forward, shrugging off his coat and draped it across the boy’s- Richard’s- shoulders as Alfred hurriedly called the police.

The boy jolted, turning his bright, watery, sapphire eyes onto Bruce- filled with uncertainty and anguish… Bruce was reminded of his that fateful night on their way to the theater, the sound of pearls clacking against the concrete pavement, echoed by the sound of gunshots, screaming, and red-red-red.

Sympathy seized Bruce’s throat like a vicious creature, and Bruce could barely shove away the need to gather Richard into his arms and sweep him away.

But, after Alfred’s pointed glare, Bruce reluctantly tries to hand the boy over… only for him to wail, clinging to Bruce’s shirt with fearful and wild eyes.

“Don’t- PLEASE!” Richard screams, writhing in the cop’s hold, “LET GO OF ME!”

Bruce was instantly at his son the boy’s side, prying the man’s hands from Richard’s shoulder with a narrowed eye glare so uncharacteristic of “Brucie” Wayne.

“We have to question the kid,” the cop tried to reach for the boy once again, but Bruce neatly twists away to keep Richard away from the man.

Bruce huffs, glaring at the man from the corner of his eyes, “You can do that later! He is very clearly distressed, young man, and I will not have you upsetting him any further!”

Without another word, Bruce turns away and headed toward Gordan with the eight-year-old balanced against his hips.

———

Bruce welcomes Richard- Dick- into the manor after a few weeks of battling with Gotham’s horrid foster system. The boy had a pale pelt clutched between his hands alongside the heavy coat Bruce had given him on that dreadful night.

“Do- do you want it back?” Dick had asked, his hands tightened around the coat before brandishing the garment with shaking, trembling hands.

He falters, swallowing thickly before gently pushing the coat back into the kid’s arms, “It’s okay, chum. I was just curious. You can keep it, okay? I don’t mind.”

“Are you sure?” the boy had asked.

“Of course I’m sure.”

Bruce smiles, slowly and gently stroking a hand through the boy’s thick hair.

Maybe… maybe having children wasn’t a bad idea?

[elliethejellie]

The Lovebug Virus - Chapter 3: Moon

Yandere! Sun and Moon x Reader

AO3 || Masterlist || Chapter 2 || Chapter 4

*****

Wow, your second day, and you're already screwing this job up, huh?

You rush around your room, digging through all of your dirty clothes to find your uniform. Somehow in the few days since your first shift, you already managed to lose your shirt, stain your pants, and sleep in. Plus, since you have the morning shift, you can't ask Kat to help you look, because she's definitely still asleep. She barely wakes up before 9 for her first class of the day, so there's no way she'll be willing to get up at 5:30 to help you look for a stupid shirt.

"Finally!" you exclaim in triumph as you pull the soft yellow shirt from the side of your bed. Now you remember, of course - you had fallen asleep in it when you got home from your first shift and woke up in the middle of the night. You were too lazy to put it in the laundry basket across the room, so you took it off without getting out of bed. You really need to stop doing that.

You rush to the bathroom and change, shove your messy hair into a ponytail, and speed through giving your face a wash. Then you grab your little backpack (you hate purses, so you've always gotten those little themed backpacks for your wallet and keys), and head out to the car. 

On the way to the Pizzaplex, you blast your favorite song and race against the clock on your dash. If you play your cards right, you can probably be there just in time, so you press down on the gas a little more, testing your luck with possible cops around.

By some miracle, you manage to burst through the employee entrance of the daycare and clock in a minute before your shift starts. You sigh a breath of relief and lean on the security desk for a moment to catch your breath. 

"Sunbite, is that you?" you hear Sun call from somewhere on the opposite side of the daycare. You lift your head and call back out.

"Yeah, I just got here! I was almost late, believe it or not," you admit, walking back out from behind the security desk and seeking out the animatronic. You cross the daycare and furrow your brows in confusion. I swear his voice was coming from over here, you think to yourself. Then you hear him again, but this time from above you.

You crane your neck to look up at the balcony decorated like a castle tower, and gasp as Sun waves to you, before jumping and plummeting into the ballpit below. "Sun!" you scream, running up to the ballpit wall and looking down at the sea of rainbow orbs below. The yellow animatronic pops up unscathed, sending you yelping and flying backwards. You trip and land on your ass, suddenly grateful the entire daycare is covered in soft mats. A string of curses fly from your mouth nonetheless.

"Oh I'm sorry, Sunbite! I didn't mean to scare you," Sun says, rushing over to you and helping you back up.

"It's fine, Sunny," you assure him, placing a hand to your chest to calm your racing heart. "But why on earth did you do that?" 

Sun's rays shrink back into his head, just like they did on your first day. So he can feel embarrassment? "I've just... always done that," he admits sheepishly. He pauses for a long while, staring at the floor next to you like he's lost in thought. But just before you're about to ask him what he's looking at, he speaks again and in a softer tone. "I-I should have told you first, though. I didn't mean to frighten you."

You finally feel as though you've caught your breath, so you smile up at him. "Now that I don't feel like I'm having a heart attack," you start, laughing slightly. "That was a pretty cool trick."

Sun's face lights up, and his rays return to normal. "You really think so?" he asks. "I have other things I can show you if you'd like! Sometimes I do these flips when I'm still in the air, or even-"

"As much as I'd like to see you drop thirty feet into a children's ball pit again, we kinda have to get the daycare ready for said children to actually be here," you interrupt hesitantly. But instead of looking disappointed like you thought he would, Sun somehow beams brighter. 

"Oh my gosh, yes we do! I have to teach you how we get everything ready!" he skips over to the front desk with you in tow. "So, you clocked in, right?" You nod. "Great! Then you have to look at what is for breakfast today, and make sure the order is being prepared," he continues. 

You walk back around the desk to the computer and scan the screen for anything indicating meals in the daycare. You notice a little icon labeled "Daycare Food Menu" and click on it. A page with a little pink and white bear that looks like a mini version of the face of the company appears, and you smile. 

"Found it," you state. "Looks like the kids get banana slices, scrambled eggs, and orange juice today." You continue to scan the page and read that the meal is being prepared in the kitchens right now. "Oh cool! So you get to see real-time updates about each of the meals?" Sun nods, and you sit back in the desk chair, baffled. "The sheer amount of coding and programming that goes into this place is insane," you mumble, but somehow Sun still understands.

"Of course, Sunbite! There's a lot of working parts to this place, and more programming means less room for human error!" he says, shoving his index finger into the air as if reciting a project speech for school. You are still stuck on how he heard you when you spoke so quietly though.

"You understood what I just said?" you ask. Sun looks at you, confused for a moment. 

"Oh, you mean that I understood you even though you mumbled?" You nod slightly. "We've got special protocols for understanding kids even when they're quiet! Sometimes kids are just soft speakers, and we also have to understand them when they're crying." He stares at your look of amazement and laughs. "You sure do seem to like coding and programming, huh?" he teases.

Your cheeks heat up against your will, so you force yourself to look back down at the computer screen. Stupid, now he probably thinks you're just a nerd with nothing better to do. "Uh, yeah... I'm actually going to school for it right now." Sun leans his elbows on the desk, turning his head so his eyes are right above the monitor you're looking at. Something about his look sends a shiver down your spine, so you quickly stand from your seat and change the subject. "Anyways! We still have other things to do, right?" you say, stretching your arms above your head and avoiding eye contact.

"Of course! We have to pick a craft for the day!" he says, bounding back towards the other side of the daycare.

*****

"Okay kids, it's almost naptime, so lets clean up our messes and get ready to eat some lunch!" you call out in what Sun has deemed as your 'teacher voice'. The kids start screaming in excitement, and one of the younger ones tugs on your pant leg. You squat down and smile kindly at her. "Yes, Evelyn?"

She clings onto one of the plushies, looking up at you with big eyes. "What's for lunch today?" she asks timidly. You pretend to look around to see if anyone is looking before leaning down and whispering to her like it's a secret.

"I heard we're having macaroni and cheese." You stand back up and the girl bounces up and down excitedly, running back over to the area she was just playing at to convince the other quieter kids to join in cleaning. 

Sun appears next to you, head tilted slightly in curiosity. "What did you just tell her?" he asks. "Little Evelyn never wants to clean."

"That we're giving them mac n' cheese for lunch," you say nonchalantly, attempting to hide your triumphant attitude. Sun gives a disbelieving laugh before continuing his rounds singing the clean-up song while you head over to the security desk to make sure the meal is on its way. The screen reads that it's here already, to your surprise, so you walk over to the entrance to retrieve it from one of those creepy staff bots. You don't know why, but they just look so unsettling. If it weren't for the fact that their existence meant that you didn't have to walk all the way across the Plex to grab the children's meals, you'd put in a complaint about changing the way they look. 

Sun settles the kids on the larger mat next to the playstructure while you set up the tables. You suggested that he put on a puppet show to entertain the children for the few minutes it takes you to set everything up, but it seems like Sun is physically incapable of being anything less than energetic and loud. Another wave of high volume laughter erupts from the children as Sun continues his puppet storytelling. 

After a few minutes, the food is set up and Sun dismisses the kids one by one to sit down and eat. Once they are all settled, Sun joins you at the security desk. "Oh Sunbiiite," he singsongs, leaning on his elbows on the desk. You look up from the computer screen and flash him a toothy grin. "How much longer are you going to be here?"

"Uh, well I've got to clock out and eat lunch myself in a minute," you admit. "But I'll be back and here until 2." The yellow animatronic looks crestfallen, his rays shrinking back into his head.

"Oh, okay," he says sorrowfully. "I was hoping to get in a game of hide and seek with you and the kids today, but I guess I missed my chance."

"Oh, naptime doesn't end until 2:30, huh? So the kids will still be sleeping when my shift ends," you realize. "Well, there's always tomorrow, right?"

Sun perks back up and smiles. "Yeah, tomorrow!" He slinks back towards the children because some are starting to finish their meals. "It's a date!" 

You chuckle to yourself as you begin walking back over to the employee entrance. As you exit the daycare and walk back out into the main entrance of the Pizzaplex, you feel a warmth spread through your body as you think about the situation you're in. Sun is so utterly happy - how could anyone ever dislike an animatronic like him?

The sound of excited chatter hits your ears as you step out into the main entrance hall, wandering around and up the stairs so you can get to the atrium. That's where all the food is, and since you were running late this morning, you didn't get the chance to pack any lunch.

After wandering aimlessly for what felt like an hour, you finally settle on grabbing some simple mexican food from El Chip's with your designated Staff Pass and head back in the direction of the daycare. You check your "complimentary Fazwatch" to make sure you have enough time to eat, but are rather surprised to see that you had, in fact, wasted most of your lunch break just trying to find food. 

Spectacular job, stupid. You hadn't eaten breakfast, and now you're not going to be able to eat lunch. All because you're physically incapable of just looking at a damn map.

You give an exasperated sigh as you shuffle through people to get back to the daycare as quickly as possible. Down a flight of stairs, shuffle through more people, down another flight of stairs, around a corner, up stairs this time, and finally, you make it back to the daycare with about... five minutes left of your lunch break. You slip back into the daycare as quietly as possible and tiptoe back to the security desk.

Setting the bag of food down in the one space free of computer monitors (why are there so many anyways?), you pull one of the office chairs forwards and take a seat. At the top of the bag is the chips and salsa, but you decide you'd rather spend your few minutes scarfing down as many bites of the bean and cheese burrito as possible before you have to clock back in. 

About three bites in, you realize that your surroundings are being covered in a soft red glow. You look up from your food and startle at the sight of red animatronic eyes looking down at you quizzically. Your poor burrito ends up on the floor as you leap from the office chair, sending it flying backwards. "Who the fuck are you?" you yelp, instinctively balling your hands into fists and raising them to defend yourself. 

"Okay first of all, seriously?" the animatronic says in a hushed voice, looking out towards all the children sleeping soundly on the mat. "The children are sleeping." You eye the animatronic out of fear, but take in its appearance nonetheless. It has the same face shape as Sun - in fact, the entirety of it looks just like Sun, but themed like the night. His red and yellow pants have been swapped for dark blue ones with yellow stars. He wears a matching nightcap, and the metal of his body seems to have changed from tan and yellow to gray and blue. 

"Secondly," it continues, turning back towards you. "Are you seriously asking who I am?" His red eyes seem to change from being completely red, to having small red pinpricks surrounded by black. You nod, and the animatronic rolls his head around in the most attitude you've ever seen from a robot. He turns to the side and speaks to seemingly nothing, saying "And you actually like this human?" He puts a hand to his face and sighs, turning back to you. "I'm Moon, Sun's counterpart. You know, the one up on all the posters everywhere? I handle the naptime routine."

You finally lower your hands and relax slightly. "So, where's Sun at then?" you question, looking around to see if he's off somewhere, waiting impatiently for the kids to be awake again. 

"Nobody told you about this, wow," Moon says in absolute disbelief. You look back to him as he explains. "Starlight, I am Sun. Or, well, more like he's in my head. We're two AIs in one body. The lights in the daycare are on a timer, just like we are. So when the lights go out, we transform into me. And when the lights come back on, you'll see Sun again."

"I swear I find out something new and absolutely insane about the programming of this damn Pizzaplex every hour," you mutter, leaning over to inspect the damage to your burrito. "But you know, you didn't have to sneak up on me," you accuse.

Moon scoffs. "You would have seen me coming a mile away if you weren't busy having such an... intimate moment with that burrito," he retorts. Your cheeks burn in embarrassment. 

"Well, I was running out of time for my lunch break," you say, picking up the ruined food and throwing it in the trash beneath the desk. "Not that that matters now," you say under your breath.

"You should probably clock back in," the blue animatronic says over his shoulder as he saunters back towards the mat all of the children are sleeping on. You whisper a curse or two as you rush back over to the main computer, and clock yourself back in a few seconds before the clock signals the end of your lunch break. 

Sighing, you shove the chips and salsa back into the bag and under the desk to be retrieved later. At least you can snack on that during your drive home. You make your way over to the sleeping children, looking for Moon again because you can't help all the questions now forming in your head. Suddenly, everything was starting to make sense. Sun referring to you as 'our Sunbite', Kat calling him 'the boys', and even the constant referring to them as.. well, 'them'.

You look around the sleeping toddlers but can't seem to see Moon at all amongst them. But then a familiar red glow appears from behind you, so you turn to find him hanging upside down from some kind of wire. Your face lights up as you make another realization. "So that's what the little loop on your back is for," you say, smiling. Moon tilts his head in curiosity, seemingly taking in your words with disinterest.

"Sun gets too tangled up in it, so I'm the only one that uses it," he brags, crossing his arms across his chest. But then he flinches, placing one of his hands to his head and spinning around so he's right side up. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry," he says, touching his feet back to the ground and disconnecting from the wire. 

You give him a puzzled look. "Sorry for what?" Moon's red eyes look down at you. 

"I was talking to Sun," he says matter-of-factly. If your further confusion wasn't an indicator that Sun didn't really tell you a whole lot, then you don't know what will be. The blue animatronic slinks over to an empty mat a bit away from the children, but still allowing him to see all of them. He sits down and pats the ground next to him, so you join him on the floor.

"Okay, so clearly my incompetent brother hasn't told you a single thing about us," he starts, which you find yourself feeling defensive about.

"Well, he hasn't really had time to talk to me about a whole lot," you say, looking down at your hands. Moon is silent for a moment before speaking again.

"Sun says thank you, but that he does apologize for not saying something to you about me."

You look up at him, amazed. "So wait, can you guys hear everything when the other is out?" you ask. Moon shrugs and leans his back on the playstructure. 

"Not everything. We can hear and see everything the other does if we want. But we can also sort of... Back away? I guess the best way to describe it is that it feels how you humans feel when you sleep," he explains, looking back out at the kids. You turn your body so that it's facing him. 

"Do you know how absolutely astonishing of a discovery that is?" you ask. You can't even begin to fathom how that coding works, or how one would even go about programming it to begin with. Two separate AIs in one animatronic? That's just wild! 

"Sun said you have a thing for programming," Moon says, chuckling. "Guess he wasn't lying." He sits up and leans closer to you, his eyes slowly shifting back to being fully red. "So what does that make you want to do, hm?" he asks as you slowly lean backwards. He continues his pursuit. "Do you want to pick apart our servos, dig through our circuit boards? Find out what makes us tick?" You fall back on your elbows, but hold your gaze with him as he towers over you.

"Do I want to look at your coding and programming? Yes," you admit. But then you smile. "However, I am in no position to do such a thing when all I do is work here as a daycare attendant."

Moon chuckles darkly, now above you on all fours. "You're different," he says simply. He pulls away from you, sitting back down with his back against the play structure. "I like that."

You sit back up and tilt your head slightly. "What do you mean by that?"

"Nobody really talks to us besides the children."

"Oh," is all that you can think to respond with. So your first assumption was correct. Nobody interacts with them. They are secluded from the rest of the Pizzaplex, and if what Sun said before was true, then they don't ever leave the daycare. Or wait, Sun had said that he doesn't leave the daycare. So does Moon? 

You look back at him, taking in his design in more detail. You realize that the yellow stars on his dark blue hat and matching pants are glowing slightly. Moon notices you staring and chuckles again. "Is there something you want?" 

You feel your cheeks warm again. "N-No, sorry. I mean, it's just weird that you two are the only animatronics like this. Why did they decide to put two AIs in the same robot? They could have just made two of you."

Moon scoffs. "This is Fazbear Entertainment we're talking about. They don't spend an extra penny on anything if they don't have to. And even then, they'll drag it out until the last second."

"Guess that's true," you sigh. "Still, doesn't being in the same body cause... issues?"

Moon finally shifts to settle his red eyes back on you. He stares at you for a long moment in silence, and you wonder if Sun is saying something to him. "No, it doesn't," he says curtly, turning back to the kids. Something about the way he answers makes you think he might be lying, but still, you drop the subject. 

"So what do you normally do during naptime?" you ask.

"Exactly what we're already doing."

You look back out at the little sleeping mounds. "You never play games or anything while they sleep?" Moon shrugs. "Well that sounds boring," you state, getting up and walking over to the supply closet to quietly pull out some craft paper and scissors. Moon looks up at you as you reappear in front of him and place the crafting supplies down. 

"I don't color, that's Sun's thing," he quips, crossing his arms across his chest. 

"Well then it's a good thing I wasn't planning on coloring, isn't it?" you retort, and he finally smiles, leaning forward to watch you inquisitively. You cut the paper into little strips lining them up based on color, Moon staring the entire time. After a while, his curiosity gets the best of him.

"What are you making?" he questions.

"You'll see," is all you respond with, now picking up one of the strips and folding it intricately. Finally, you fold the last part over and hold it up to Moon. It's an origami star. The first of many. He seems genuinely in awe for a second, taking it from your hands gently. He turns it over, inspecting it carefully.

"How did you do that?" he asks as you pick up another strip and begin folding it now.

"All that AI and they never programmed you to know origami?" you tease, handing him one of the strips. He smiles.

"I told you, cheapskates."

*****

A/N: Yay, Moony is here now! Also Y/N is kinda stupid for never paying attention to the Moondrop posters around. Although I guess since there quite literally aren't any posters or TVs that have his ad inside the actual play area of the daycare, if you're not looking for them you probably won't see them. ANYWAYS, did Moon meet your standards? He's a bit more closed off than Sunny is, but I promise he will warm up to you! Slow burn, remember?

Feel free to comment or message me if you want to be added to the taglist!

See you next chapter, my lovlies~

Taglist: @senyahgirl

[symphonic-scream]

Okay. P4 Apocalypse Au

Spoilers for P4! SPECIFICALLY LIKE. ENDGAME SHIT. LIKE NOVEMBER AND STUFF

Okay that's out of the way

Let's get into it

Plot summary first then any notes I've sent to my buddy Cap. Cause that poor guy is suffering through my ADHD meds shortage

Okay. Okay. Let's go.

It's. Based on the bits about the Inaba in the TV. With the "shadows" coming out of everywhere, the town in ruins

The gang and any Inaba survivors holed up in the school, since it has a gate. They reinforced it. Barred access to the roof as a precaution. The black puddles don't take shape unless you run into them, but. They can't be certain

The windows in the classrooms are always shut. It's clear inside, but every time the door opens, dense fog leaks in

Everyone's scuffed up. Looking worse for wear

They make trips out, in groups. Most of the time? The groups make it back. They see remains of unfortunate people all the time now. Strung in the wires, dead on the ground, etc

They've stocked up on stuff from Junes. It wasn't save to stay when the power left, but the school is old enough

So mainly it's Junes runs, for nonperishable foods. There's plants growing in the practice building, where they cook meals and such

Each classroom is a sleeping quarters now. Sometimes, people notice others going between the rooms at night for comfort. They say nothing

On their first excursion, Yu, Chie, Yosuke, and Yukiko find Teddie in Junes, banishing a shadow somehow. The gang wants to know how he killed it for good, since their weapons barely Nick them. They take Teddie back with them, partially as extra hands to carry more goods back

Teddie can, grant them the blessings of Light on their weapons for limited times. They can finally kill the shadows, but only by engaging in actual combat. It's dangerous. But, to save everyone, they decide to do it.

So, they start midnight secret kill runs. To rid the town of shadows. When their families think they're asleep, they go to scavenge for upgrades and kills

They save Kanji soon after. Find him holed up in his house, struggling to keep his Ma alive

They offer to carry her back, but he wants more. To kill the things that nearly took her. They let Kanji join in

Then, they find Rise. She's running down the road, definitely on her last ounce of strength, being chased. She's run halfway from the city, when her manager's car broke down and was overrun. She's. In dire need of help

Rise can see through the fog, and offers to be their eyes from above. They sneak her up to the roof at night, with a walkie and binoculars.

She tells them what's around them, which streets are overrun vs nearly empty

Then, Naoto.

The government tries to send a police brigade to help but. They get seiged. Naoto had been brought along to get him out of the hair of the city cops. Under the excuse that he'd be smart enough to save Inaba

So. He watches everyone around him fall and he's got just his gun, climbing into a tree near the Samegawa and shooting, until he's got nothing left

Tears fall down his face as they bang at the base of the tree. In the end, he's still just a kid,

The others rush out. Drive the hoard away, and get Naoto into the school. He's shaken up, won't talk for a week. But, hes determined to help. He thinks there might be something that can help at the Shirogane estate and guides them through the labyrinth of a building

To the secret lab beneath. Naoto offers to run tests on what they find and stuff to find answers

So. Some nights they kill, some nights they take Naoto to the estate for tests

Rise goes with them to the estate. She wanders through the old rooms and finds an old cat doll under Naoto's bed. She surprises him with it that night when they return to the school

Okay. Splitting here! Extra under the cut!

You can talk to me about this or any au I have I'm always around :)

There's one room in the school that most people pity. The room for those without family. Rise, Kanji, Naoto, etc

Naoto likes to lie down under the teachers desk. Rise lies down just outside it, watching Naoto slowly breathe at night

Kanji sleeps right nearby to protect them both.

Yu and Yosuke's families are in the same room. Yukiko and Chie's are nextdoor

Chie's stupid dog is also there, he's kept in the gym with the other pets

Naoto sometimes keeps Rise company on the roof. The gang find him a sniper rifle from the site of the cops deaths. He cleans it with extreme care, and lies down in position, his elbow just beside Rise's leg, so they can feel the warmth

Rise: they're going to need assistance, Naokun. Three clicks up, ten left from position J

Naoto: affirmative.

Naoto can't see where he's shooting. He trusts Rise's instructions and shoots just as she instructs.

She's never guided him wrong

One night in the lab, Naoto gets frustrated. He's getting nowhere it seems, and he throws his goggles, crying in frustration as he tries to get his labcoat off

Rise is the only one still in the lab, and she tries to calm him down, but. He's shouting and won't listen, so

She just kisses him to shut him up

Naoto freezes and stares.

Rise pulls away, tears forming in her own eyes. Stares.

They crash together, Naoto walking Rise back until she's sitting on one of the desks, hands in his hair, one of his near her knee, the other wrapped around her waist

They make out. It's, sloppy. Emotional. Not the greatest

That night they both sleep under the desk. They don't talk about it. But Rise feels safer in his arms. Naoto doesn't feel so cold and alone with her

Rise sometimes shivers up on the roof in the fog. Naoto's jacket is often thrown around her shoulders

Naoto: I. Don't mind being me so much when it's with you. I, I'm not quite a boy. Not quite a girl. But. I feel I don't need an answer when it's just me and you

Rise: that's cause you don't. We're just Naoto and Rise. Whoever they may be

--

Yosuke: yo Rise how's that chick we saved?

Rise: Naoto wants to be called 'he' for now

Yosuke: what

Kanji: YEAH. HER PRONOUNS ARE HE THEY BUT JUST CALL HIM A DUDE

Naoto looks so small behind the two of them, still bandaged up and unable to bind in his condition

Naoto: Kanji? Rise? I require assistance getting back to my futon,

Kanji: on it, little man. Let's get you to bed

Rise: rest time! You won't recover if you push yourself!

Yosuke: what just happened

Yu: another dude joins our team

--

Naoto's first time at the estate and he goes to his bedroom and finds his first binder

"Shoot... It's too small now,,"

"Hey, uh, I can make ya a new one. If I can find the material."

"...thanks Kanji, that means a lot"

They don't have clothes that fit Naoto for a while. They take some of his father's old stuff back from the estate and Kanji has to hem them all so Naoto doesn't look like a child playing dress up

Rise: there, all handsome

Kanji: does that uh, liner fit? I wasn't sure with the pattern, but-

Naoto: it's very comfortable, thank you Kanji. I feel much better in these clothes,

Rise: you look much better too

Naoto: a-ah. Thank you

--

Kanji: yo, you two cuddling?

Rise: Kanji! Leave us alone, can't you see we're having a moment?

Naoto: do you, want to join?

Kanji: yeah. I like keeping you two safe. I'll block out the world for a bit.

Rise: ...you can be pretty okay sometimes

Kanji: yeah yeah. Huddle in, Ma tells me I'm warm as shit

Naoto, his girlfriend, and the guy that also cuddles with them at night without being romantically involved

Their platonic buddy that keeps the world away when they're all sleeping. The big safety Teddie bear

--

Kanji's always in the infirmary checking on his Ma. Rise stares at the old fire alarms, occasionally pulling them and pouting when no alarm sounds. Naoto bunkers down in the library, between big hefty chemistry textbooks, town legends, and biology

Naoto: Rise.

Rise: ah! Hi, what's up? Missed me that much~?

Naoto: come with me to the library if possible. I find, it easier to focus when I know you're safe

Rise: hey. I'm not going anywhere, you hear? I'm making it out to see the sunshine again, to be able to go to the beach with everyone and relax. We all promised.

Naoto: I know...

Rise: so?

Naoto: but, I care for you more than I've cared for anyone in a long time... It would be easy on my own. If I failed, only I would suffer. But knowing your life is on the line-

Rise: it's not all resting on you. If you don't find a solution, the others will kill them all. We've witnessed less and less since we started. That's proof! We just have to keep pushing

Naoto: right. Right. As long as I've got you to keep me from falling into my head, we can't lose

Rise: *giggling* that's right! Now, you wanted to read? Hope you won't mind me sneaking in some kisses~

--

Naoto always has dark circles under his eyes. He looks almost gastly the day after trips to the estate. Pale, tired, trudging to the library, having to be dragged to meals

Rise always looks. Hollow. She can see through the fog, and. She doesn't see it as anything but a curse

She likes to dote on Naoto. It gives her a daily purpose. And fuck, Naoto needs it. Someone to take care of him for once,

--

Rise: WHERES NAOTO

Yu: is he not in the library?

Kanji: NO, HE ISNT, OTHERWISE WE WOULDNT BE FUKCING LOSING IT TRYNA FIND HIM!

Chie: I saw him an hour ago with that detective guy, Adachi? They went out to talk in the yard...

Yukiko: but I saw Adachi a minute ago, walking back in alone?

Yosuke: you dont mean...

Rise: IF NAOTO'S OUT THERE ALONE, WE NEED TO FIND HIM

Adachi told Naoto Nanako ran away to find her mom.

Adachi had knocked out Nanako and out her in the old Dojima house. He knows Naoto is close to the truth and is trying to get rid of him and make Dojima useless

The others rush through town, finding Naoto's hat and ripped jacket on the way. And blood

They find him inside the Dojima house, holding his sleeve to his gut, slowly bleeding as he shoots the shadows back. Nanako lies in the room behind him, safe but still out

Naoto: you, you came?

Yu: Adachi tricked you. For some reason, he wanted you dead

Naoto: that, bastard,

Kanji: quick, we need to get him and Nanako back before he bleeds out. Or worse, Rise has a heart attack

Naoto: Rise,, tell her, I'm sorry,

Yosuke: TELL HER YOURSELF COWARD, YOU'RE MAKJNG IT THROUGH THIS

Naoto is out for two weeks. Nanako is back at it after a few days. Yu grabbed Dojimas handcuffs as they left the house and they've kept Adachi chained to a bar ever since

Naoto wakes slowly. Pale, anemic still, dizzy. Rise is resting her head on his belly. Kanji is asleep in the visitor chair. The others are scattered around the room

Naoto: owe,

Rise: you stupid idiot,

Naoto: is Nanako okay?

Dojima enters the room and just. Thanks Naoto. So sincerely. But also calls him stupid

--

Rise: you're so smart,,

Naoto: we are making out. Is this, what they call the "sensual speak?"

Rise: no I'm complimenting you. Ugh, forget it. Kiss me again

Naoto: I need to work, Rise,

Rise: push me away then

Naoto:

Rise: that's what I thought. The fog will still be there the next time we come here, but we're both herw right now...

Naoto: not too much, the others are still in the estate somewhere, Rise -

Rise just keeps kissing them, and kissing them, and kissing them-

--

Rise: hey. Once everyone's asleep tomorrow, meet me at the old sewing room in the practice building. It's where they keep the spare futons

Naoto: why

Rise: I think you can guess why

Naoto: what

Rise: *wink* special alone time,,

Naoto: ...WAIT DO YOU MEAN SEX

Rise; you're so dense for someone so smart,

Naoto: uhm- I er-

Rise; we don't have to. But. I do want some time with just me and you, no chance of interruptions or the smell of chemicals

The morning they wake up in the sewing room, Naoto feels. Rested. His whole body feels, like he rested on clouds. The triple stack of futons probably helped

But he looks down and sees Rise's messy hair, her peaceful, sleeping face, pressed into his shoulder. He can feel her just. Wrapped around him all tight, hugging him in her sleep. He carefully moves her bangs aside, smiling at the little pout on her lips as sleep starts to fade

"Naokun,,"

"Hey, morning. Sleep well?"

"Mmmm, the best~"

"we need to get up soon, before someone finds us here."

"Mm, but I wanna rest some more,, can we go sleep under our desk some more?"

"I suppose it won't hurt. Now come on, let's find our clothes"

Rise swipes the button up Naoto had been wearing. Does up just enough buttons to be passable

Naoto: ...oh god your neck,

Rise: I wanna show it off! You're quite passionate

Naoto: let's hurry back before someone sees us,

Kanji is still asleep when they slip under the desk. Rise cuddles right back into Naoto, falling asleep almost immediately

He lies there for a bit, just watching her

--

Rise: you're stronger now than when we first rescued you... You were like a twig then

Naoto: thanks, I think

Rise remembers seeing, from the rooftop, the shaking little body in the tree. She can't believe it's the same guy that's curled up with her now, making that spot under the desk feel like the safest place in the universe

She remembers sitting at his bedside, spoon feeding him soup and vitamins when he could barely sit up himself

The hollow, dead look on those blue eyes

Rise: hey there, you're awake! You had us scared for a moment there! What's your name?

Naoto: I'm. Naoto Shirogane.

Rise: huh, that sounds like a guys name!

Naoto: I. I'd prefer to be addressed, as such.

Rise: huh? But- ...I don't understand it, but if it's what you want, I'll follow. So. You're a guy?

Naoto: maybe. I'm, not sure.

Rise: ...that makes two of us. A-anyways! More people will wanna talk to you later, rest up Naoto!

--

Naoto lying on the roof in sniper position, listening to Rise hum. He can't see anything through the sights but blurry fog. She can see the Horrors of what's beyond the school gates, so she reaches over. Pulls his hat off to play with his hair

Naoto: Rise?

Rise: please. I'll give it back if you need to take a shot. Just. Let me-

Naoto pushes himself up to give her a sound kiss

"Hey. You're doing great, being the strong one sucks I know. But you can use me to hold you up. Figuratively."

[bokettochild]

Opera house AU, I feel like Hyrule first met Legend during one of his late night street art excursions with Sheik. One night goes sideways, Legend and Sheik split up, Legend's chase getting worse until Hyrule saves him?

Yeah, most likely. Legend is just back from his trip abroad to meet his father (who died while he was over there) and thus in need of some cheering up and quality time with the people who love him. Lullaby (Sheik) took him out knowing that music and art are sometimes good ways to express yourself when words won't work, but they nearly got caught.

They split off, Sheik leading the cops away (after all, Sheik is the more wanted criminal) and Legend scrabbled up into a third story window while they weren't paying attention and stumbled across one (1) homeless dude who surprisingly didn't kick him out immediately and actually kept quiet until the cops were gone.

Hyrule, on the other hand, was trying to sleep in the first building that didn't already seem to be claimed already by a homeless clan, and got freaking stepped on by some dude falling in through his window. On the third floor. Said dude is clearly Going Through It, so Hyrule tries to help him chill out (panic attack) before walking him home. Legend insisted he'd be fine, but Hyrule wouldn't hear of him going out alone when he'd clearly barely escaped someone earlier in the night (Legend can't bring himself to admit it was the cops)

Once he was calmed again, Hyrule walked Legend back to a safer part of town and then just disappeared. They kept running into each other after that though, especially when Legend stepped into Malo Mart one day to see The Homeless Dude getting creeped on by the manager there (not Malo). Naturally, he made quick work of the creeps face and dragged Hyrule away, only to realize he just punched Homeless Guy's boss. Oops? (Not oops)

Long story short, the moment Legend realized Hyrule's boss is not only creeping on the nice guy that helped him, but also underpaying him, he hauled ass up to the opera and told Lullaby he was hiring a new assistant. Lullaby never objected. Legend did the same thing a couple months before when he hired Ravio, she doesn't question it.

Since then, Hyrule's been working at the opera. he's a bit shocked they hired him without an interview or anything, but the nice guy who fell through his window apparently has a bit of pull here? And is going to be his manager. And on top of that? He's not a creep! Weird, but...not a creep, and a win is a win in Hyrule's book, so he accepts the job.

It's a weird job, and his co-workers are weird, but he'd rather dodge flaming set pieces that get creeped on by his boss any day. And Legend's nice, even if he's clearly got something going on in his life, and Ravio and Styla are really sweet, and while the big bosses are definitely scary, they don't bother him. He does get very up in arms when he perceives them to be bothering Legend though, which is apparently funny to them? Excuse you?

[autumn-foxfire]

Oh damn, poor Chihaya, her lesbian lover is looking for a man. Well, she might as well enjoy all the good food she can get for free.

I'm still annoyed he created a great character who will be beloved by girl lovers around the world and tried to make us ship her with a man we barely fucking know. Gross, Gosho. Not all your cops need to be in relationships with one another.

...Chihaya, I don't think Matsuda liked you but your brother.

When did this turn into a omegaverse story?

Okay Gosho, the masks are just covering the eyes, it's not like you can't make out their faces without them.

Ran: MY LESBIAN CRUSH IS HERE!

Sato is not putting up with any bullshit. Someone is dead and she is letting them all know that their excuses won't get them out of the investigation

Takagi: Conan, I really can't show you these.

Shinichi: 🥺

Takagi: *hands over the paper*

And Takagi is the MVP as always.

Chihaya showed up to a 3* restaurant in a t-shirt and jeans. We love her. We as women claim her.

Kogoro. You even covered your mouth this time. You should really know those words did not come from you. The only way I can excuse this is him getting memory loss from the needle before he falls asleep from it but that doesn't excuse the others around him seeing him cover his mouth.

TAKAGI T-T

Okay but that could have hurt Takagi even more if the culprit didn't let go of the knife and the backwards force caused him to slice off his fingers.

Chihaya so knows Shinichi is the sleeping Kogoro.

[echoe-back-from-the-void]

Supernatural X Twilight~ pt. 3

| 1 | 2 | three | 4 | 5 | 6 |

"I wasn't joking." I say pulling up to the crummy looking liquor store. We had driven near an hour out of town to not get caught. I opened the door before closing it again as he was too in shock. "Gimme your card." I say holding my hand out.

"My What?" Jasper says snapping out of shock.

"Your card, so I can buy the good stuff." I say making grabby hands.

Soon a card is placed in my hand and I examine it with a smile. "I'll give it back. Hunters promise." I say cheekily. I open the door and step to the door. "You'd better stay out here. Your not exactly old enough kiddo." I joke and he makes a face at me.

I laugh while walking into the store and buying a bottle of expensive liquor and an a bottle of my favorite. The whole trip went off without a hitch.

Jasper continued to eye the bottles as I drove. "Looking at em won't make em disappear doll face. It's just part of the hunter lifestyle to be an alcoholic. Unless your Sam. Then your a health nut." I crack.

I pull up to the motel and turn off my car. "Now you know where I sleep. If you try to kill me I will decapitate you with my bare hands." I say tilting my head with a sweet smile. My tone sounds flirtatious but my threat is very real.

He nods and exits the car as I do. Again opening my door. I tilt an invisible hat toward him as I open my motel door. "Night night cowboy. Don't stay up too late." I tease.

Before I close the door his foot stops it and he speaks in a rushed voice. "Do you think, could I join you tomorrow?"

"Mr Hale, whatever crush you think you might have on me, ain't gonna happen." I clench the brown paper bag. "I'm going home soon, I'm going to see my brothers and my friends. I'm gonna shoot Chuck and all this," I wave my free hand, "will be some distant nightmare." I drop my head at his hurt expression. "I have to get home, I have to know they're okay. I have to know or I can't—" I choke on a lump in my throat as it rises higher. "Most hunters don't get to have families. When we do, we hold onto it with claws and teeth, your argue and fight but you don't let go for a damn second because the second you do they're gone for good. I bided my time in this place thinking it was in my head. I wasted enough time playing nice with teenagers. I wasted even more time waiting for some villain to show up. I'm going to bed and then I'm hightailing the fuck outta here even if I have to rip a rift myself." I looked back at him with angry glassy eyes. "Your the empath, tell me if anything I said was a lie." I bite.

He turns away unable to make eye contact as he feels my emotional pain. He then tries to manipulate it to at least ease the pain in my heart but I hold my hand up.

"Don't. Let me feel for myself." I close the door more. "Goodnight Hale." The lock clicks into place and I drift to the bed before putting the expensive bottle to my lips. I swirl it in my mouth before swallowing.

The next morning I wake at the asscrack of dawn and begin packing my few clothes and strapping myself with weapons. I open the door and am met with a broad chest that I follow upward to see jaspers nervous expression.

"If you stayed out here all night I'm officially calling you stalker till the day I die." I say grouching as I tug my duffle over my shoulder. "Cmon Bronco. Burning daylight." I say opening my passenger side door and throwing my duffle in the back. At the same time another door opened but not to my car. I turn and am greeted with Carlisle stepping out of his pristine car.

"I hope you don't mind but my academic curiosity was peaked and I'd like to come with." Carlisle says.

"Fucking Victorians." I mumble under my breath. "Yeah yeah, follow me." I slid into my car and Jasper sits himself in my passenger seat as I pull out the motel parking lot.

I'm sure I sped the whole way there but no cops stopped me so I didn't care. I wasn't going nearly as fast as the Cullens drive. As I drive old tapes of bands play through the speakers. Highway to hell and fly by the night to name a few. They were mixtapes dean had made me for my own car. They were in my hunter duffle and that's how they came to here.

I pulled off the road and grabbed both the tape and the duffle as I stepped out the car.

"You walked from here, all the way into town?" Carlisle asks in surprise.

"Little further doc." I say before walking further up the road until I reach past the sign that says forks. I walk another 20 feet before stopping. "Here." I set my duffle and things by the side of the road as I start to examine what was my entry to this world. I begin to mutter under my breath as I walk around.

"No sulfur, not a demon. No hangin bodies, not a djin. Leaves one more option." I kneel on the ground and put my hand flat on the asphalt as I try to channel energy. After a few minutes I shake my hand from the hot asphalt and snarl in anger. "Where the fuck are you?" I whisper under my breath.

"Whats wrong?" Carlisle asks coming closer to my side. Both vampires had been silent as they too took their own examinations of the site.

"No sulfur, no grace. Nothing." I say growling as I glare at the ground.

"Isn't that good?" Carlisle asks.

"No captain obvious. It means I can't track what brought me here! It means I don't know what brought me here. It means I have to rip the rift myself and with no angels on your side!!" I say with growing anger as I begin to breathe heavily. My chest begins to hurt but I ignore it in favor of getting chalk from my duffle and then writing various runes and symbols.

"And these are?" Carlisle asks in curiosity. He knows I'm angry but he asks in hopes that talking will calm me down.

It does some but I still have an angry disposition. "Symbols. This is for travel and that is time, this one is for sacrifice." I say explaining a few.

"Sacrifice?" Carlisle asks in worry.

"The virgins are safe doc, not that kind of sacrifice." I joke. I tip my head back down to the sacrifice symbol. "Needs blood. No, I won't be needing a donor or anything. Not human. And not neither you. Needs grace, or angel blood if you wanna get technical." Before they can ask how I would get angel blood I slice my wrist open and blood begins to steadily drip over the chalk sigil. The blood begins turning white and glowing faintly. Not nearly as bright as a pure angle would be, but it's something.

I hear a scuffle behind me as Carlisle is holding Jasper back. Probably expecting him to go rabid with bloodlust but Jasper starts pushing Carlisle away.

"I'm fine! Im fine! Look at my eyes." Jasper says referencing how his eyes haven't darkened a shade.

"I'd be poisonous anyway, doc." I shout to them before turning back around to continue. When I feel like enough blood has left and I feel lightheaded I hold my hand over the wound to stop it. I dip the hand not holding the wound in the puddle and drag it with my fingers toward time, grace and travel until I've made a bloody triangle. I stand up and say some Latin mixed with the first language and a small rift grows into existence with a screech. When the sound of ripping dulls I can hear talking then yelling.

"Sammy get the hell away from that thing!!" Dean screams in a distorted voice.

"It appears to be a rift?" Shadows move through the rift and then a light flashes inside the blurry window. "It leads to a world called twilight. Created by a..."

"Cas?" I say nervously.

"Marcella?" Cas responds immediately to the sound of my voice.

I can't hold myself up any longer and fall to my knees before the rift. "Sam? Dean?" I call out to them.

"Marcella! It's good to hear from you kid." Dean says as his shadow moves forward toward the rift.

I choke on a sob as I clench my arm tighter.

"You okay where your at?" Sam asks in a worried tone.

"Yeah," I sniffle as my eyes fill with tears. "I'm safe now, no ghouls or anything on this side. Been laying low at forks high. Waiting for rescue."

"I know kid, but we'd been looking everywhere for you. Heaven, hell, purgatory. We never considered..." Dean says. "We miss you."

"Do you know who did this? And why twilight? Why not mash or the matrix. Did you know they don't even have fangs!" I said with a sad kind of laugh.

Dean laughs too but it's guttural and starts too high pitched to be his normal laugh. "Yeah, you seen the werewolves yet, they don't eat hearts or anything." Dean jokes further. "Big ass puppy dogs!" He laughs again.

"Marcella, how long have you been there?" Sam asks with his usual worry.

"Month, month and a week?" I bit my lip.

"Marcel, it's been a week." Sam says in a sad tone that carries his shock and fear.

"Can't—can't be." I shake my head. Best not to dwell. "Is there a rescue plan, a escape plan, anything?"

"Yeah, find you and get your ass home, where you'll be grounded for the forceable future." Dean orders jokingly.

"Hey I didn't ask to get kidnapped, old man!" I yell back at him but I can't help the smile.

"Well you still can't leave the bunker. And no boyfriends and no joyrides in the impala. Until we gank the sonof bitch that took ya." Dean adds.

His humor and teasing makes me laugh and start crying again. "Can we watch scooby doo and westerns?" I ask in a small voice.

"Always. We can even eat popcorn and complain bout Sammy being a—" before Dean could finish there is the sound of him being hit while Sam whined his name.

"Marcella?"

"Yeah Cas?"

"When you get back do you wanna help me plant flowers for my bees? Recently I found a very beautiful flower and it grows best in late may but you'll be back by then so we can plant a lot of them." Cas says in his monotone voice.

"Hell yeah!" I agree immediately. Before realizing his words. 'But you'll be back by then.'

Will I? A pit in my stomach forms but I smile.

Then the light from the rift begins dulling. Panic swells in my chest. "Cas, Dean, Sam! Guys?!"

"Marcel!" "Marcella."

"Dean! Sam!" I reach for the rift as if I could hold it open. "Cas!"

"Marcellla!" A fearful scream distorts its way though the rift and I stretch my fingers over the rift but it closes and my hands fall through open air and I fall on them.

"No, no nonono." I begin to shake as I take gulps of air though my collapsing airways. Everything is constricting the longer the silence stretches. "Sammy?" I ask in a broken whisper. "Dean? Cas?" My head begins to spilt as I cry harder. I bang my fist against the middle of the triangle where sacrifice is written. My hands splash in the already sludgy puddle of my own blood. I beat my fists harder as I cry. "Open, aperta, Άνοιξε, отворен, otevřít se, offen, opna." With each word I bang my fist again until they begin to bleed with the force. Strong hands grab mine as they stop me from my continued abuse.

I twist in their grip as they pick me up and pull me from the area. "No, Jasper put me down. Put me down! Jasper!" I struggle harder as I begin to hyperventilate. "Let me Go! They were right there!" I feel myself growing lightheaded as I scream what little oxygen I have. Soon passing out.

~~

When I wake again I feel the bandages on my hands and a splitting headache that I recognize from crying and not a hangover. I blink at the ceiling before cracking again. My ribs feel like they are splitting from the sadness and longing that force their way down my throat. I choke on my tears and feel the overwhelming urge to scream but I bite my lip and pull myself up. I unwrap my hands to see the healing wounds and the slit in my wrist gone.

I set my feet on the floor and stand up. Quickly someone blurs into the room to my side. My hand catches the person by the throat as I hold them there. Their hand moves to my waist to keep me from falling and I blink again to realize it's Jasper. His hand is the only thing keeping me from falling and mine keeps him at an arms length.

I push any feelings of sadness and anxiety to the side until it's easily ignored. Compartmentalizing. Something Dean unintentionally taught me in the years I spent with the brothers. You don't need emotions when your a hunter.

I tilt my head and squeeze his neck and feel him flex his arm as he swallows his venom down. Teasingly I say under my breath, "too kinky for you, cowboy?"

His eyes flash a dark amber. And he grins. Jasper leans forward and I let him by bending my arm, hand still on his throat. I expected him to stop sooner but he moves even closer until my arm is bent completely as I keep it on his neck. I can feel his chest through where my forearm is pressed against him. His hand that was on my waist wraps around my whole back until it's on the opposite hip. "I don't know, Darling." He whispers huskily and my cheeks flame up but I tamper that down as I flirt back, challengingly.

"You play dirty." I nose his cheek as my free hand moves to his hip and slips under his shirt to rub my thumb against his hip bone. He gasps for unneeded air as his grip on me becomes tighter. "But One thing about hunters is we play dirtier." I tease as my lips brush against the shell of his ear with my parting words. Then I'm slipping out of his grip and twirled around him to walk to the door. My hand is on the door knob and I turn to him. In a completely normal voice that doesn't give anything away I say, "well your house, ain'tcha gonna show me around?"

"Yes ma'am." He says drawling the words purposely. I roll my eyes and open the door. Im blinded by the countless windows that let the surrounding forest be visible and let light in. We pass a wall of graduation caps and I chuff the air our my nose in a short laugh.

"Think it's funny." He teases me.

"I'm twenty two. You couldn't catch me dead with a cap an gown." I shivered. I leaned against the banister of the stairwell. I could hear the other Cullens in the house, moving and trying to be quiet. I turn to Jasper with a mischievous smile before jumping over the railing and landing the two floors below with precision. I turn around with a beaming smile to see Jasper.

"Took you long enough, trouble on the stairs?" I say with amusement.

"Did you really have to do that?" He asks.

"Yes." I say seriously before walking to the living room where I sit not on the couch but on the floor leaning against it.

"Why is she on the floor?" Emmet asks in a loud whisper.

"Wouldn't you like to eat, honey?" Esme asks in a mothering tone but instead of comfort the hair on my neck stands on end.

"Not hungry." I dismiss regardless of being hungry. "You have questions...again." I say addressing the elephant in the room.

"The—" Carlisle stalls unable to find a right word to fit what occurred yesterday.

"Ritual, or spell if you prefer." I offer.

"The spell you did yesterday, you said it required sacrifice. Not human blood, not vampire either. It required angel blood—grace. If so why did you slit your wrist?"

I sigh dramatically while rolling my eyes. "Geez gramps couldn't take you any longer to get to the question." I tease. I suck my teeth in agitation. "When I met the Winchester it was just after the apocalypse started. Before sealing Lucifer away, dear ol Lucy took interest in me. Kidnapped me away and tortured me for a month straight." I grin darkly at the ground. An odd amusement grows in my chest making my words come out chirpy and sarcastic. "You'd think you know torture until your in the hands of an Archangel. He would remove limbs before restarting. Skinned my whole arm." I chuckle and meet the doctors horrified eyes. "Anything he thought would be fun to try, he did. Then he got this sick idea. Angels can have children with humans, the term nephilihim comes to mind. But he wondered what would happen if he was to forcefully and manually imbue his grace into my blood and body. Archangels have so much juice that just a fraction can be lost without making a dent to them." I calm my excited jitter with my other hand. "I'm not a full angel by any means. Angels are their grace, without it they are human. But you can imagine how your venom reacts differently than your wife's. Some grace is soft." I think of cas and the time he healed my broken arm. "Some so savage and full of fire that it burns from the outside in."

I take a deep breath as I try to calm my erratic excited heartbeat. "To imbue me with grace was give me some of him. His pain, anger, bloodlust and hate for humans. Like two souls arguing over a body." I wave my words away dismissively and bend my knee to my chest. "I never told Dean any of this. Cas knows I go dark. Sam might suspect because we've both been so close to Lucifer. But how would you tell your big brother you've been grace-raped by the devil?"

"So your an Angel but like part devil?" Emmet asked after the potent silence.

"Part Angel, and I don't have devil in me. It's a fraction of the mark of Cain. Least that's what Gabriel theorized." I sigh and let my head fall back on the cushion as I expose my neck. "Being part Angel means I heal faster, got better reflexes and am stronger. Basically it's a power up."

"But who's stronger?" Emmet asked and my head snapped to him.

"Nephilihim, god, archangel, then pagans, then monsters, lastly humans. I'm between archangel and pagan." I says in a contemplative voice.

This time Alice was the one to speak. "You said there was a war Coming, I haven't seen a war."

"Something about new bloods or— led by some red head. Something something something baseball!" I look away from the ceiling to meet the Cullens exasperated looks. "What? Oh so now it's my fault for not paying attention. You try listening to dean talk about sex every other sentence. I lost interest." I shrug.

~~~ months passed and I tried to have weekly rift calls with my brothers. Sitting on the pavement in front of the rift as I talked to them like everything was normal. When all I wanted was to be home in the bunker.

"You shouldn't call so frequently. Sam he uh... he told me how you can do this. Cas filled in the rest." Deans voice cracked even under the distortion. "Cas said it's dangerous for you. Doing this, using his grace. He said you go—" deans voice cuts out. "It's like Sam with the wall, you can't keep doing this or your gonna break. Whether that makes you a vegetable or you go full blown ripper. These personality changes can't be healthy." Even though the rift I could hear the pain and guilt in his voice.

"I never blamed you. Not even when he told me what you were doing at the time. He could hurt me and tell me you were eating a sandwich and I not once blamed you. The hunt before I was kidnapped you saved my life and I could never imagine what happened after. You are my brother in all but blood. I would never blame you or Sam for the pain I went through. To you it was a month to me it felt like a lifetime. You said the same thing about hell once and did you ever blame Sam for being in hell?"

"Well no because—"

"That's kinda what makes a Winchester, the ability to live and die for family and still love unconditionally. Do you remember anymore about the newborn army?"

"You aren't actually planning to fight with them?" Dean asked in exasperation.

"Time moves quicker here. What may be a month to you will be many to me. The army will still come. And I'll keep calling every week. If I contain it until the army comes then I can let lose and not harm anybody. Nobody human." I say the last part sarcastically.

"No! No!" I hear shouting and the silhouette of dean turns over his should. "Sammy come in here!"

Sam enters and the two begin to talk fast under there breath. "She's gonna pull another —?"

"What do you mean another? She's done this befo— you've done this before?!" He shouts while turning back to me. "No! End of discussion, your not doing it."

"Dean!" Sam admonishes dean. "Marcella if this is what you need to do, I know this is hard for you. I support whatever decision you take."

"No no no this isn't Winchester approved until I approve it!" Dean argues loudly making me smile at his behavior.

"You guys are the best brothers a hunter could ask for." I say softly. Both sam and Dean stop talking and sam is the first to respond.

"We love you too Marcella. If you do fight be safe and kick some ass." Sam waves as the rift begins closing on its own. This parting is not full of regret or anger. It's just an until next time. Hopefully when deans calmed down and came around to the idea of me fighting against newborns. Or after. I add cheekily.

~~~

The drive back to the Cullen residence is hopeful for me. Sam's okay was all I needed. Deans would've been better but...can't always get what I want.

Jasper opens the door for me and helps me out of the car. The first month after the Cullens found out, I felt edgy around jasper. He obviously shows interest in me but I would shoot it down with reasons why not. He was undeterred and continued his polite gentleman behavior. Like a suitor courting a lady. Eventually I stopped correcting him and just let him do as he pleases.

His fingers moved down my hand as he held it gently in his icy grasp. The cold wasn't unwelcome, temperatures stopped affecting me some time ago.

"Will you tell my family about—"

I cut him off with a small yeah. I smile and walk faster and when I approach the door I swing it open widely and chant "the fun has arrived!" Like in Tarzan. Emmet zooms to my side and tries to tackle me and I sidestep him. "Too slow." I mock. Jasper holds my hand tighter and pulls me to the living room. "Ya know I spend so much time here I'm only at the motel to sleep."

"Your still paying for it?" Carlisle asks in surprise like he only just realized I'm homeless.

"Well duh. I mean it's under Burt Afrihamian but whoop de do."

"Credit card scams, great." Edward says under his breath.

"Cork it angel, Not like saving lives pays good money." I say spitefully. (Because Edward totally looks like angel from Buffy)

"How do you make money then?" Esme asks in curiosity.

"Poker, pool, gambling, sometimes taking a job in the area like day worker or something. Never make enough to sustain ourselves but if we save it then we can buy things like new guns and ammo. Under the counter shit."

"Full blown criminal." Edward says again.

"Say it to my face you limp noodle." I hiss. "Point is. Im fighting with you, not against you."

~~~

Jasper began training me outside of school to see if I was fit for battle as he put it. So far I had taken him down more times then he had taken me down. So I was deemed battle ready but we still spared for fun. The first time I had him pinned his eyes went dark and I met his other personality, the major.

"Hello Darlin'" the accent he used was much thicker than normal. My first clue. "I've been itching to meet you for a time now. You made him flustered enough for me to slip through." His words dripped like honey and venom as he held my waist and lifted the both of us.

This person who isn't Jasper, had a military presence that made him respectable. Second clue.

"And what should I call you?" I say tracing my finger around his eyes.

"Major, that's what everyone calls me." His eyes drifted. "He's worried I'll hurt you?"

I snorted and leaned heavier against him, my hand slipping to his shoulder as I laughed. "Cute. If you've seen it then you know I'll put you on your ass and smile doing it." I grinned sharply and the man practically purred. "So your his dark side? Maybe our two sides will meet, hit it off and slaughter a city." I say sarcastically. He chuffs and noses his head into my neck.

"You smell like pine trees and lightning. Bitter." He purrs pulling me closer. He just barely brushes his lips against my pulse when I wrap my hand around his throat.

"Ah ah ah," I admonish while moving him back. "Keep your nonexistent fangs to yourself, Major. Poisonous, remember." I tease.

He huffs before grinning. "You refuse his/our advancements? Do you not find me attractive?" He teases back.

"Very 'tractive. But I haven't got time to be foolin with a vampire. I'm not really into necrophilia, ya know." I say sarcastically. "And my brother would kill me twice over for it." I joke. He wouldn't really, he'd probably make a bunch of vampire jokes.

(Stay tuned for part four when I finally write the newborn army fight. I’m moving fast cause the fight was the whole reason I wanna write this.)

[purposefully-lost]

THAT'S WHAT I WAS THINKING 😭❤️ Maybe it's a cryptic pregnancy? Alex might have inklings that are either easily waved off or ignorable?? So he just doesn't know until he's like doubled over and thinking he's dying dhHMXNCNV Which would also mean Harley's probably conceived the night he kills the cop. They're holding each other and Rabbit's thinking about telling him he loves him, but eventually decides he has to let him go. They took a life and they made one 😭💔

Rabbit immediately having another breakdown when he puts the pieces together. He doesn't know her and can barely see her sleeping face in the low light, but he loves her and he loves Alex and he knows he can never let go of them. Alex getting to introduce them in the morning and see them finally interact?? Maybe she's shy and so is Rabbit, but after a little bit, they start to click and it's clear there's no way they can go back to living without each other 😭❤️💕❤️💕❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

GOD Alex in those first few months of trying to get over Rabbit and sure he's got a few symptoms, but he's just also in such a generally bad state emotionally that he chalks it up to stress??? And then suddenly he's got a baby in his arms and he's not prepared for her at all and just.. those early days would be so hard on him??

Honestly the first couple of years would be!! Alex does his best, but he struggles. There's probably a few times where Harley has to stay with Milly for a few nights because Alex is just.. breaking down. Days he forgets to eat or sleep or care for himself. He struggles to get up in the morning. There's a lot of nights spent crying to himself when he's sitting next to Harley's crib, so lost that be doesn't even know how to think of where to go next. It's him and Baby and Harley and it takes until at least the third year for him to begin to even things out again

Alex holding Rabbit that whole night and thinking he's ready to keep going in the morning, getting up to make her breakfast and take Baby on her morning walk like he always does, but then just.. seeing them together?? Alex watching Harley quietly wave to Rabbit when he introduces them and suddenly there's just tears down his cheeks.

Some part of Alex being so worried about Rabbit too?? He doesn't know where he's been, or what he's done, or how he's managed since they last met. He doesn't know how to get past the guilt of shooting him. He doesn't know how to tell Harley that that's her father or how to make any of it work but he knows he can't let them go, either. Alex for the first time in years feeling like there's steady ground under his feet because he's got Rabbit beside him again and a chance at giving them both something real 😭❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕

[pbandjesse]

My post isn't going to be very exciting. Because I didn't feel great and slept a lot of the day. I would like to go back to sleep now. I honestly just feel very bad.

Last night the wedding was so fun. Like it took forever to get anyone to come back but once they did they were all so lovely and had amazing questions and it was a lot of fun!! When I was leaning on the banister looking over where the bar was, the car was down there too and I kept jokingly telling people who were taking pictures sitting in it that they can't drink and drive. Which I thought was hilarious.

I helped Angie move some tables. And then I went home.

On my drive back home I saw a guy laying on the side of the road and I stopped to ask the homeless guy if he was okay and he said he thought so. I was surprised that a cop just drove past and said as much and he was like the cops don't care about us and I was like. You are so right. I hope they are both okay.

I got home and was able to fall apart again. And I did. I would start to feel like I had a fever again. Without having the fever. My whole body ached and was tender and I just wanted to lay there and be held for a while.

I would eat a little but it still made me feel terrible. Everything I've eaten since Thursday has made me feel terrible. I hate it.

Sleeping helped a bit. I would struggle to fall asleep but would sleep deeply after that. I barely remember James leaving.

I woke up at 9 and would just lay in bed until almost 10. I finally got up. Made the bed. And opened the back door. While we did sleep with the AC in it would be really cool today and I didn't need that at all.

I would get washed and dressed. This is the first time I've worn this jumpsuit and it's great. Nice and flowy. Though the buttons are real and I think I'll sew them down to avoid gaps. But I felt cute. I decided not to do my eyeliner. Since it's almost camp and I don't wear eyeliner at camp. Have to get used to my face again.

I would have a little breakfast of angel food cake. And got right into working on my Native American feild trip proposal. I would spend the next two hours working on that. And it's not done but I made great progress. I'm like half way done I think. But it took a lot out of me. I have more research to do for sure. But I think my basic outline is there and that feels like huge progress.

It was right before 1 at this point. And I was just. Done. I felt exhausted. I didn't want to do anything. I also didn't want to feel guilty about it. So I just went and got in bed. I watched videos for a while. I asked James if we could have pizza for dinner. And then at some point I fell asleep.

I woke up and Jess told me she drove past the two houses she wants to buy. She got pre-approved for her loans this week and the one house I love. She's going to go see it later this week. I am going to be so excited for her if it works out. And she will have more info to help me and James when we start actually getting into trying to buy somewhere as well.

James would get home and start laundry and then went to pick up pizza. And while at the time it wasn't hurting, almost as soon as dinner was done I felt terrible and swollen. I don't know what is up with me. But it makes me want to cry.

James would also bring me a gift from our friend Lane, a Polly pocket set! With the Polly's!! I told them to text her that I "love these little blonde bitches." And she said it wouldn't be Polly pocket without the little blonde bitches and she's so real for that.

James held me on the couch for a little. And then I took a hot bath which helped a little bit I mostly just want to go to sleep.

James made a plan for us to go to a far away state park tomorrow. I am looking forward to being outside with them. I hope my body isn't stupid and doesn't act like it has the last couple days.

I hope you all have a great night. I hope you all feel good. Sleep well everyone!

[bonaxie]

We're home (Comfy-vember day 21)

It was 1 a.m. and Kate and Clint were walking through the streets of New York, both looking exhausted but fortunately without major injuries. Today's mission hadn't been all that difficult, just long.

"Are you sure you don't mind me sleeping over?" Clint asked, for what seemed like the 30th time.

"Yes Clint, I'm sure. You didn't help me find this apartment so I'd let you drive five hours in the middle of the night to get home." Kate replied, rolling her eyes.

"I can also go to the Tower, or find myself a hotel."

"When there's a perfectly good apartment that could take you in for the night less than 500m away? Forget it, old man, you're stuck with me for the night. Besides, if Laura ever finds out I let you sleep somewhere other than my place, she might not be happy."

"Laura adores you, she won't do anything to you."

"It's obvious you've never been to the receiving end of her disappointed and angry glare." Kate scoffed.

Clint wanted to say that, having met her at SHIELD, he'd seen his wife like this more times than not, but he didn't need to look that far.

"She's my wife, do you think she's never been angry with me?" He said instead.

Kate didn't answer immediately, seeming to ponder, then finally nodded. "You have a point." she agreed. "But still. You're sleeping at my place."

"Okay." Clint finally relented. "You'll never leave me alone otherwise and I really, really want to take a shower and go to sleep."

"Then let's go." Kate said as she pulled her keys from her pocket, opening the downstairs door and holding it open. "Honor to the oldest." She said with a little smirk.

"Respect your elders, I can still wipe the ground with your face if I want to."

Kate only responded with a slight chuckle, and the two headed for the elevator, which arrived promptly, depositing them on the 21st floor.

Arriving at the right door, Kate quickly opened it and entered before Clint. Clint barely had time to close the door before he was jumped on by Kate's furry companion.

"Hey Lucky, we're home." He greeted the dog, who continued to jump on him, barking happily. "Well, what an enthusiast greeting. You look like you've been alone for 3 months."

"That's because Mr Lucky is a real drama queen, isn't he, doggy?" Kate asked as she crouched down, Lucky charging at her and licking her face. "Oh yes, you're a good boy, who's a good boy? Yes you are. You're a very good boy, Mr Lucky." She said in a high-pitched voice that only seemed to excite Lucky even more. The dog licked her in the neck and Kate squealed with joy, truly happy to have her dog back.

Clint looked at them with a softened gaze. It was sometimes easy to forget when they were on a mission, but it was true that Kate was only 23. She was still a kid, and deserved to behave like one from time to time. So the older man decided to let her and Lucky be happy to be reunited while he unfolded the sofa bed and turned it into his spare bed. Yes, he was at Kate's often enough that he could have lived there, but at the same time, he was the one who'd helped her find it, so he could enjoy it too.

That's what he said, anyway. But the truth was, he just liked spending time with Kate, supervising her training and making sure she didn't get killed because she'd insulted the wrong person without even meaning to.

So yes, he was often at her place.

He was about to leave for the shower when a burst of laughter from Kate made him turn around.

"Okay, let's calm down a little before the neighbors call the police on you for disturbing the peace."

"Disturbing the peace? It's late night laughter, it's got nothing to do with it!" Kate replied, on the floor beneath Lucky, looking indignant.

"Yeah? You tell the cops that."

"Come on! You're an Avengers! The cops can't tell you what to do!"

"They can, and they will. But keep it up and you'll see for yourself." Clint turned and headed for the bathroom.

Before closing the door, he heard Kate straighten up, grumbling a little and complaining to Lucky. "Come on Lucky, get up, Grandpa is grumpy tonight."

"Not his Grandpa." Clint exclaimed as he closed the bathroom door.

"Whatever you say!" Kate replied.

Clint shook his head and smiled. Yeah, he liked that kid. But there was no way she was going to meet Peter, they'd make a hell of a team those two, impossible to say no to 2 pairs of sad puppy eyes.

When Clint emerged from the bathroom perhaps 15 minutes later, clean and changed, the apartment was much quieter than before. And yes, he'd put his hearing aids back on.

"Kate?" He called.

No answer. But instead of worrying right away, he went to the girl's room and found her there, slumped in bed, having barely taken the time to change. Lucky was there too, curled up in a ball against the young woman, who had one arm draped over the dog. Both were fast asleep. With the light on.

Clint turned off the light and closed the door, leaving it ajar in case Lucky wanted to go drinking in the middle of the night.

When Kate woke up the next morning, it was to sunshine on her face, and a good smell wafting through the apartment. A little groggy, she straightened her head and saw that Lucky was still there, curled up in a ball against her. But when she moved a little, the dog did the same, stretching out beside her, the two of them waking up together.

"Hi Lucky. Why don't we see what Clint's cooking? It smells great." she suggested.

Lucky only responded with a short bark and leapt to his feet, positioning himself at the end of the bed and looking at her, waving his tail cheerfully, clearly waiting for her.

"Coming, coming." Kate said around a yawn, grabbing her robe and slipping on her slippers.

She went to open the door to let Lucky out, but realized that the door wasn't even fully closed, so her dog was just being dramatic and letting her know how long it was taking her to get up.

"Come on Pizza dog, let's eat." She said, opening the door wide after a pat on the head.

Lucky barked happily and followed Kate into the kitchen.

There, as she'd expected, was Clint, making what looked like pancakes. The older man didn't turn when Kate entered, which probably meant he didn't have his earing aids, or that they were switched off anyway.

"Go say hello to Grandpa, he can't hear us." She said to Lucky, who went straight to the archer, bumping his nose on his leg.

Clint looked down to see Lucky at his feet and smiled, "Hi Lucky." he greeted, stroking his head.

Then he turned a little and saw that Kate was also in the kitchen, her hair a mess.

"Hi kiddo. Sleep well?"

Kate didn't answer right away, but blew out a breath, preparing herself for something. Then she raised her hands in front of her and signed. "Slept well. You?"

Her signs were a little shaky, but Clint understood them all the same.

"I'm fine. But it's a good thing I forced you to buy this convertible instead of a- Wait, did you just sign there?" He asked as he turned sharply, registering this information only after he'd begun his sentence.

Kate didn't answer aloud but nodded, smiling.

"Wait, wait. You know how to sign?"

"Little."

"How long have you been learning? And how do you learn? Why didn't you tell me? I could have helped you. And above all, why?"

"Helpful. Talk with you. No need aids."

Like the first ones, the signs were a little shaky but clearly recognizable. Clearly, the young woman had spent a lot of time training.

And Clint was clearly touched by this. There weren't many people who bothered to learn Sign Language after learning he was deaf, and for Kate, whom he'd known for only a year, to do so did something to him.

But he certainly wasn't going to start crying too, he was a SHIELD agent after all. Instead, he simply placed a hand on Kate's head, ruffling her hair even more.

"Thanks kid, means a lot." He thanked her soberly.

A huge smile took place on the girl's face and she jumped at his neck, wrapping her arms around him. Clint was slightly surprised, but this kind of behavior was something he'd learned to anticipate with Kate. She was very demonstrative after all.

Clint returned the embrace with a small sigh. Damn, those kids were making him soft.

The two archers were interrupted when Lucky came to attention, jumping up to put his front paws on them, barking happily. Or claiming.

"Yes, yes, Lucky, it’s coming. Come on Kate, let's feed your Pizza dog before he ate us." Clint said as he stepped back, still turning on his earing aids to make it easier.

Kate smiled at him and then turned to Lucky, starting to talk to him in that high-pitched voice, and Clint went back to his pancakes, smiling softly.

If this was what was waiting for him at the end of every long mission, he'd do it all over again.

@comfy-vember

[casspurrjoybell-25]

Cold as Ice - Chapter 4 - Part 2

*Warning Adult Content*

Wren Ridley

My refuge in the bathroom didn't last long because a moment later, the door swung open and hit the wall, Landon walking inside.

I turned my glare to him as he strode in, ignoring me as he went and used the urinal.

He didn't make eye contact with me until he was washing his hands and glanced at me through the mirror.

"Oh, it's you," he said, his voice smoother and higher than normal, less clipped and snapping like it usually was when he spoke to me.

"Are you followin' me?" he slurred.

He wiped his wet hands on the front of his jeans and turned to face me.

"Yes, Lance, I'm following you," I sarcastically replied.

"As if this isn't the most popular college hangout spot in the city."

"Oh," he said.

He was looking at me but it felt like he wasn't actually seeing me.

"I don't think I wanna be here anymore."

"Take that up with your friends."

"They're not..." Landon replied, pausing.

"They're not my friends."

I shrugged at him and left the room.

The table I had been at before was now taken by people I didn't know.

James was at the bar and Stella was off dancing with some girl.

I sighed and stood against the wall with my arms crossed over my chest like I was their fucking bodyguard or something.

It wasn't until later when James was completely trashed that Stella and I decided to drag him out of there.

Just as we were leaving, I saw a figure face down on the bar.

I knew it was Landon without even seeing his face.

I was prepared to keep walking but Stella stopped me.

"Didn't you say, you knew him?" she asked, pointing at Landon.

I sighed.

"Yeah, I know him. Let's go."

"You should help him," she said as she held onto James.

"I think his friends left him."

"That's not my problem."

"If we leave him here, they're going to call the cops and he'll get busted."

"Again, not my problem."

"Wren," Stella groaned.

"Just go pick him up. I'll take James off your hands for the night."

I would like to say that I wasn't a nice person and that I wasn't easily persuaded by Stella but I walked over to the bar and dragged Landon off the chair.

He was barely coherent as I pulled him along with me outside and stuffed him into the backseat of my car with James.

Both of them were awake but neither knew what was going on.

Stella dragged James up into the dorm once we arrived while I took Landon.

He was tripping over his own feet as I pulled him along next to me.

Stella's room was just across the hall from mine and James's, so we walked up together and she took him inside her room.

Landon groaned as I set him down on the bed, holding onto his head with both hands.

"My brain is swimming," he slurred, his eyes squeezed shut.

I made him turn onto his side and he opened his eyes, his wide gaze on me.

"I have to go... I have to go see Livi."

"You have to go to sleep so shut up and close your eyes," I replied, sitting in my desk chair, thinking I could get some writing done.

I had been working on my novel for a few months now.

It had gotten so bad at one point I deleted my whole draft and started over.

I always felt I wrote better at night and now was as good a time as any so I could get something done and stay awake for a while to make sure Landon didn't drown in his own vomit.

"My sister," he continued.

"I can't stay. I have to go. Take the bus."

I let out a long sigh.

"Go to sleep."

Landon's eyes fought to stay open but ultimately, they fluttered shut and he fell asleep.

His breathing evened out and I started writing.

********

At some point in the night, I rested my head against the desk and fell asleep and when I woke up my neck and back were aching.

Landon had turned onto his stomach, lying face down into my pillow.

I had to remind myself to wash that pillowcase immediately.

Or just wash all my sheets to get him of off them.

I shook him awake and pulled the pillow out from under his head.

His eyes shot open and he sat up on the bed, holding his head with one hand and looking around the room in confusion.

"What the fuck..." he muttered.

His hair sat messily on top of his head, reminding me of how it looked last night and that made me want to get him out of my room as soon as possible and I would do that the only way I knew how, by making him so mad that he would storm out of here and leave on his own.

"You seem like a fun drunk," I said, earning a glare from him.

"Seriously, I didn't think you could ever be anything other than angry but you seemed like a fun time."

"Why am I here?" he snapped.

"Your friends left you at the bar."

"They weren't my friends."

"Either way, they left you," I replied.

"And you can say thank you at any time."

"And why did you bring me here?" he asked, his patience wearing thin.

"I didn't have sex with you last night, if that's what you're worried about," I told him.

His nostrils flared angrily.

"But I might have if you were sober and willing. We could do it now if you want."

Landon scoffed and stood up from the bed, pushing past me to go toward the door.

"Don't say shit like that to me," he spat, patting his pockets.

He pulled out his cell-phone and checked the time, swearing under his breath.

"The offer stands," I said, sitting down on the desk.

"You were saying something about your sister last night. Going home today?"

"That's none of your business."

"You know the closest bus stop to home from here is still, like twenty minutes away from home," I told him, grinning at his irritation as he ran his fingers through his hair.

He shook his head, opening the door to leave the room.

"Like I said, the offer still stands," I called out to him.

"You seemed pretty interested in me last night," I lied with a wicked grin.

Landon didn't even look back at me as he slammed the door shut behind him.

"You're a good dancer by the way," I called out chuckling as I heard the door to the suite slam shut

[procyonloser]

Adam was used to having nightmares as of late, but he slept with no thoughts through his head, peaceful, until he woke up to fingernails scratching lightly through his scalp. Lucifer hadn't even glanced at the couch, choosing to lay beside Adam, as though he needed to be constantly touching him.

Adam wasn't gay or particularly attracted to men, but after so much loneliness, he doing himself allowing Lucifer to do as he pleased. If he wanted to sleep beside him, so be it - if he wanted to kill him, so be it.

Adam opened his eyes to a dim but warm room, knowing it was likely halfway through the day, given how late he normally slept in. Lucifer was looking down at him, fingers tangling through his hair, and Adam was tempted to close his eyes again, relaxing into the touch.

"Mm, that's nice..." He mumbled, but a smell was tickling his nose. Under the smell of old blood, there was a few restaurants not far away, and Adam's stomach began to complain. He sat up, and Lucifer moved slightly to allow him to, but it revealed he was still in his dirty shirt. Adam made a face at it, and tugged on the front of it.

"We need to get you new clothes, but first, I need food. There's a pizza place or Thai place nearby, which do you want? It'll be overpriced here, but I've got enough money." Adam said, and Lucifer looked like he was thinking about it for a moment.

"Something sweet." Adam nodded, maybe Hawaiian pizza then, and swung his legs over the side of the bed.

"Okay, I'll be right back then. I'll grab you a couple shirts too. I'm sure they have over priced tourist shit around." Adam started to stand, but an arm wrapped around his bare chest, and another around his throat, pulling him back down.

"Are you leaving without me?" Lucifer's tone stayed the same, but what startled him was how strong he was. Adam was a big guy, he'd been a big kid, he played virtually every sport because they all fought over the tall chubby guy. Lucifer looked a waif, a spring breeze could knock him down. He shouldn't have been that strong.

Adam found the back of his head against Lucifer's chest, and he looked up at him to gauge his reaction. "Just for a minute, I'll come back. You just can't go out in bloody clothes, you'll get cops looking at you. Especially here."

Lucifer seemed to process that, before he tilted his head. "What blood?"

Adam pulled away, and turned to look at him and his stomach dropped. Lucifer's clothes were pristine. How? Had he washed them when Adam was asleep? He thought he'd seen them dirty, hadn't he? It was still bloody when he woke up, wasn't it? Was it just a shadow? Hadn't he smelled it?

"I'll go with you," Lucifer said easily, and Adam couldn't fight him on it.

After they ate, Adam drove through Sedona, until he found the house he wanted to see. He parked outside, on the street, and rolled down his window. His grandparents had been gone for a few years now, but their house still looked basically the same. He'd spent so many years traveling his summers away from Texas to here, to this spot. It felt strange to know this was likely the very last time.

"Who lives here?" Lucifer asked from the passenger seat.

"I don't know, no one on importance." Adam said lightly, before mentally saying his goodbyes, and pulling away once more.

"We might have to sleep in the car when we get there, if I can't find a place to sleep, but I'm hoping to get to Salt Lake today. It'll be about ten hours, with snack and piss breaks." Adam told Lucifer, glancing at him. "You sure you want to come with? It's a long fucking way to Alaska."

Lucifer just smiled. "I'm not letting you leave me again, Adam."

Weird, but Adam shrugged it off.

Adam was exhausted by the time they reached Salt Lake City at about 2am. He called a couple of motels and hotels in the area that he knew would be significantly cheaper than the last, and eventually got a bed at the Quality Inn, which was definitely not truth in advertising. The whole place smelled like ash trays and dried cum. But, a bed was a bed was a bed.

Lucifer never really gave any information on himself as they drove across the southwest, up 89 until they finally reached a proper road on I15. He was actually the perfect driving companion because he was silent most of the time, looking out the window as the scenery changed. When they stopped, Lucifer followed him, which was slightly awkward when Adam had to piss, but at least he wasn't cutting out his kidney.

They went through the same process when they got into the motel room, Adam shrugged off his stuff, realizing he'd probably have to do laundry before he left the US. He got into the shower, and quickly felt hands on his body, except he started to react to them this time. He stayed facing away from Lucifer, as fingers dragged down his chest and stomach. Slowly, they dropped lower, through the bush of his pubic hair, and onto the length of his cock.

Adam's breath hitched, and he closed his eyes under the warmth of the water stream. He felt a tongue drag itself across his midback, sending shivers across his body, goosebumps across his skin. With one hand, Lucifer took his cock and began to pump it. It felt good enough, Adam was willing to look over the fact this was a man, a stranger, and probably a murderer.

He was disappointed when the hand pulled away, but soon, Adam felt a breath on the very small of his back. Fingers moved between his thighs, rubbing and massaging his balls, as his tongue dragged lower and-

"Fuck," Adam breathed out, eyes wide, bracing himself against the dirty tiled wall. It had visible grime on it, but Adam didn't care, welcoming the cool sensation of the tile against his skin as Lucifer's tongue moved in circles around his hole. He'd never had a partner do this before, but he'd experimented with a finger up his ass as he masturbated - it felt good too. It didn't feel this good. "Fuck, Lucifer, are you going to-"

Using his free hand, Lucifer spread him, and pushed his tongue inside. Adam groaned, head hitting the wall, moaning deep in his throat as Lucifer ate him out and continued to massage his balls. It'd been way too long since he'd had sex. Lucifer felt so shockingly deep inside him too, his tongue must have been long as he moved it inside him.

Adam came with a choked cry, cock bobbing as he splattered the wall, knowing he was far from the first man to do that here. Eventually Lucifer pulled out and away from him, but not too far. He did the same thing he'd done the night before, resting his head on Adam's chest as soon as he'd turned around under the water.

Adam fell asleep fairly quickly after that, eyes fluttering closed as Lucifer ran his fingers through his scalp.

The road was empty and dark, apart from the occasional lizard or snake out basking on the edges of the asphalt, warming up after a day of the sun beating it to shit. Adam only ever drove at night, if he could help it, because the summer weather had his ass sweatier than someone on the rag in shark infested waters. There stopped being street lights after awhile, in the middle of the open range, no point to it, not enough people, so Adam drove with his high beams bright enough they'd probably blind a small child.

Adam knew he was starting to get a bit tired, but what he wasn't expecting, was to see a figure illuminated in his lights, off to the left of the road. They looked small and pale, and Adam had heard tales of sex workers getting dumped out in the middle of the desert and left to die. He screeched his car to a halt, just past the person, and rolled down his window. He was a bit surprised to see it was a man, but he was still thin, short, and didn't look real capable. And, more startling, he had splatters of blood on his shirt.

"Fuck man, you good?" Adam asked, brows knit together. The figure walked up closer to the window, and blinked at him owlishly for a second.

"I'm fine, but my car broke down." He said, his voice a deeper tone than Adam expected to hear come out of his body. "I...hit a deer."

That explained the blood then, Adam thought to himself. Fuckin' mule deer were all over Arizona. "I'm headed up north, did you want a ride? Could drop you at the nearest mechanic, but it'll probably be a few hours."

He stared at Adam blankly for a second, before a sharp grin started to spread across his face, pulling too wide at the corners, and his canines seemed weirdly long. "I would appreciate it...?"

"Adam, my name is Adam." He answered, and unlocked the door so he could walk around and get in the passenger seat. The man sat down, and Adam could smell the metallic scent of blood all over him. "You like music? I blast it while I'm driving."

"I love music," the stranger answered, staring unwaveringly at Adam, to the point he was starting to wonder if he'd hit his head in the car accident. "Will you sing for me?"

Adam paused, revving the engine of his old truck. "...Sure? Where's your car, by the way, I can get the coordinates."

"Oh, it's fine. It wasn't mine anyway." He said with a light laugh, but it put Adam on edge.

"... You said you hit a deer, right?" Adam asked, fingers tightening a bit on the wheel. Something about the guy was starting to freak him out, even if he was likely a fourth of what Adam weighed, and about a foot shorter.

"Sure," he responded, still smiling. "A deer. Yes."

"O...kay... You're not hurt, right? That's a good amount of blood on you." Adam asked, slowly starting to roll back down the road.

"I'm fine," he responded instantly. "Can you take me wherever you're going instead?"

Adam hesitated. He didn't want to say no, the guy was starting to give him serial killer vibes, even if Adam couldn't see any weapons on him. "Yeah, sure. What's your name?"

"Lucifer." Oh, great, he was a serial killer and insane.

"How long have you been out here?"

"Not sure, feels like hundreds of years. It's good to finally be free."

[s0dium]

He's Toxic

Ex!Gojo x Reader

Summary: In which you cant get your mind off of your abusive toxic ex, Gojo Satoru

Warnings: Blow jobs, cum eating, choking, dubcon

Its toxic. 

You know it's toxic, even dangerous. 

And it's not that ‘all in your head crap.’ Your friends tell you everyday that your relationship with him is not normal, your parents even banned him from coming to the house, hell, the cops that were called on you and him by your neighbors is proof that what you and he have, is toxic.

And yet, you can't help but be plagued by him. It's all there is in your mind. 

Gojo, Gojo, Gojo.  

How many times have you blocked and unblocked him, what, at least 6? Its like nothing satisfies you anymore. No matter the abundance of men you sleep through, drugs you take, alcohol you drink, all your mind seems to want to stick to is Gojo.

~

3 Text Message from Gojo

I'm drunk

Come here

*Location

You stare at your phone before letting out a sigh and grabbing the half empty bottle of beer by your bed and downing the rest. You caught a glimpse of yourself in the mirror on the dresser and shuddered. Dark circles resided under your eyes and your hair was so messy it was practically sticking up. There was no use in fighting it anymore, of course you were gonna go. Your oversized t-shirt slipped off your shoulder, revealing a medium sized scar. 

You see this baby? Its a sign that your mine, I own this body princess. 

You shuddered at the memory that echoed in your ear. The worst part? He was right, every word. 

Well if you're gonna see him you might as well go all out. 

~

You could feel the eyes of men on you as you walked into the night club. And who could blame them? You made sure to wear your most revealing black dress, one that shaped your curves and executed your cleavage. Purple and pink neon fluorescent lights illuminated the place as you shifted by the people dancing and drinking. You could hear the muffled sound of music playing throughout the club, the slow rhythm practically vibrating the room.

“Hey” 

You turn around to see Shoko standing behind you, a cigarette in between her lips and a sullen look in her eyes. “He’s in there.” She points to one of the VIP rooms and you nod a thanks before you feel a hand grab yours. 

“Y/n….. you know you dont have to keep doing this right?.” Her facial expressions seem sad, sympathetic, making you grimace before embracing your best friend. Then you pull apart, giving her a soft smile. 

“I know.” Your voice is barely above a whisper.  You turn around and you can tell that she is watching as you open the door to the VIP room. 

When the door shuts, so does a majority of the sound from the outside is left behind leaving the muffled sound of music. The room was lit in a purple hue of lights and surrounding the table covered in bottles of alcohol was a large couch. Your eyes travel to the figure in the middle of the couch, sitting legs spread, head thrown back so you can see his Adam’s apple. Without even looking at you he beckons you with his hand and you walk forward until you're standing next to him. Slowly he looks up, cocking his head to the side with a smirk on his face. You can see his sapphire eyes that glint from behind his circular sunglasses.

“Come here.” He grabs the back of your head and guides your mouth to his, enrapturing you in a kiss. It’s slow, messy, almost desperate. 

“Missed you baby.” He mumbles and you hum, snaking a hand into his white hair and tangling your fingers in the soft tufts. When you break away a string of spit connects your mouths and your left panting. 

“On your knees.” 

You clench your jaw and do what he says. The floor feels cool on your knees and you gaze through watch full eyes as he unbuckles his belt and pulls out a fully hard dick. Saliva pools in the back of your mouth as you wrap your hands around his shaft. You tilt your head to lick a fat strip up the underside of his dick before pressing a kiss on the red tip and slowly taking his length into your wet mouth. You move your head to swallow as much as his length as you could and for what you couldn’t, you started to Jack off with your hand. You begin to bob your head  up and down, looking up at him with watery dough eyes that make Gojo shudder.

“So good for me….” He groans. Gojos eyes start to become half lidded, mouth slightly open, his breath starting to become irregular. You reach between his thighs to stroke his balls, knowing what he likes the most, and a loud moan echos through the room. It makes you eager, sucking him harder, wanting to hear more of those sounds coming from him. Suddenly he grabs the back of your head and forces your face all the way down so your nose is buried in his happy trail. The tip of his dick hits the back of your throat making you gab violently, and you claw at his thighs to get you to breathe to no avail. 

“Just breath through your nose darling, you can take it.” He chuckles before brutally thrusting into your mouth. Fat tears poured down your face, messing up your mascara and blurring your vision. You hated this. You hated how he’d use you and then throw you away. You wanted to go home so badly but at the same time you wanted to be needed more than anything. 

“Oh fuck I’m close.”

The grip in your hair was becoming tighter with every thrust into your tight channel, but he didn’t care. His skin was practically buzzing from the mixture of alcohol, drugs, and onslaught of pleasure. 

“Oh fu-”

His hips stilled and you winced when you felt hot thick liquid hit the back of your mouth and slide down your throat. You swallow thickly, opening your mouth to show that nothing was left making him smile. 

“Good girl, such a good girl, you know I love you right?.” 

You nod as he wipes the tears from your eyes, the heat of his hand making you nestle into him. 

“Love you too.” 

[kingdaddydaichi]

random hcs: k. akaashi (birthday) edition

mostly sfw. teensy weensy bit of nsfw utc (mdni!). even though i'm dedicating the whole month of december to my beloved daichi, i made sure to carve out some time for my kin and dec. 5th birthday boy, keiji akaashi.

Night Owl™️

Has anxiety and is lowkey depressed, but both are well-managed.

The sarcasm is strong with this one.

More of a reader, but fancies himself a writer from time to time (and he’s good at it).

Has written 2 or 3 long ass smut with angsty plot fics on AO3; angst/comfort and mutual pining are his most-used tags.

Writes poetry, but has never told anyone.

Narrows his eyes at you sometimes when you're talking, which makes you think he’s suspicious of you or that he doesn’t like you, but in reality he’s intrigued and fascinated by you. That’s why he keeps asking you hard questions.

Doesn’t use emojis.

Shamelessly pedantic; says "well actually" a lot.

Stares out of windows at rain; looks like he's daydreaming but is actually having hypothetical philosophical debates in his head or world-building an entire novel he'll probably never write.

A regular at Onigiri Miya (may or may not have a crush on Osamu 👀).

Listens to classical music while reading/editing; it helps him focus.

Took piano lessons as a kid but says he's horrible at it now (he really is); still, he can't help but tickle a few ivories every time he gets near a piano; likes the way the keys feel under his graceful fingers.

Hooks you the fuck up with manga. You know about shit that happens before it's even published. And you're sworn to secrecy, which you honor. It's way more fun to see people's reactions after keeping spoilers to yourself for weeks or longer.

Drinks his body weight in coffee every week an inordinate amount of coffee.

Owns an old ass typewriter and a floral silk writing robe.

HATES Grammarly; thinks people should just learn proper grammar, damn it.

Falls asleep with his glasses on sometimes. Lying together, you notice his breathing has evened out. His heart rate steadies you. And you look up at him to find his chin resting above your head with a book lying beneath his limp hand on his chest, rising and falling with grace.

Speaking of, something about him glows when he sleeps? like he has this angelic aura about him, i feel like? Idk. Subtle and so finely tuned that you can’t quite put your finger on it. It’s like an exquisite detail. Understated. Graceful, even, in that whatever it is doesn’t jump out at you; without moving, he holds sway without you knowing it. And you can’t quite figure out why you can’t seem to stay away from him for very long.

He is hard to describe. What you see is not what you get with keiji. There are worlds - universes even - inside of him that no one else will ever see or comprehend, but you will feel them. They’ll have you falling, rapt by his gravity. And, like gravity, he silently holds things together, pulling you in with his emerald eyes every time he narrows them.

You smile lovingly and reach for his readers, easing them off the tip of his nose where they’ve fallen in his sleep. He’d probably blush if he knew how かわいすぎ (super cute) he looks with his black, rectangle frames lying nearly sideways on his pretty face. But you don’t tell him about it. It’s a secret about him that even he doesn’t know that you keep all to yourself. He’d probably stop falling asleep with his glasses on if he knew and, well, you want him to fall asleep with his glasses on just so you can carefully pull them away from his face. You fold them and place them neatly on your nightstand because you don’t want to risk waking him up by climbing over him to set them on his side.

He, on the other hand, will gladly lean over you to reach for his glasses, put them on, then kiss you on your cheek before burying his nose against your neck and breathing you in. He’ll shamelessly snake an arm around you, his nimble fingers brushing your bare nipple. He knows what he’s doing. His hands are grifters. Copping feels and ghosting over you while his gravelly, naked chuckle vibrates against your bare back when you squirm and moan. Your body resonates, your skin sings with the touch of his fingertips like a tightly wound and pitch-perfect string.

[xgoldxnhour]

“Six stars, baby.” El muses until the last bite, taking in every freckle and the curve of his nose to memory. The precise, yet subconscious movement of the bones and muscle in his hands as they hold what's dearest to him. The care he takes in waking up early to make breakfast while she sleeps a little later; the companionship as his hand runs down Seamus's head to his neck, who sits with his tongue out, complete trust. And the comfort as he reaches to twirl his hair with such gentle reprieve that it doesn't take long for the mask to drop and shatter. How he can see it in her eyes at the hold of her face, a slight tremor beneath his touch but never by his hand but to reveal to it. Revealing comes to easy in his sight, the easiest sort of case to a great detective. No secrets revolve where Sam stands, even when she doesn't even mean or know she's withholding. And yet, he knows and immediately reaches to hold her.

There always used to be a joke amongst her friends about her dating a cop, authority issues and all according to her brother. She's always replied that it has its perks with a slight telling look that relieves the group into bellied cackles and howling hollers. But regardless, the truth remains, even behind slight paranoia, there's no one else that prides her safety and wellbeing, and has the tact and training to do so himself. But no one talks about being on the inside when the reality falls grim. As she tries to remain light and hopeful despite hearing about another case, another girl and the gruesome horror of her end. El used to love true crime documentary and podcasts and psychological thrillers with the joke as material to prepare for the worst. But no one actually knows its looming hand until its their town, their neighbor, their partner, their friend, their child. Now she could barely even look at the news or those half baked procedural shows without rising panic. It has become too real and far too close to home and the fact that she now worries that the person closest to her, the one who has her whole goddamn heart is now searching for such a monster. That one day, he might walk out that door and never return. That she might never be held like this again, kissed like last night again. That her love, far too big and heavy to hold will sink into dirt. Breath no longer shared, hands no longer held, and heart no longer given.

“Folks used to never lock their doors, which I guess, they should’ve expected that little trail of missing items here and there but nothing like this. I’m just worried this town won't recover from something like this." There's already talks of curfew as businesses are cutting their hours before dark. How is she supposed to hold her own when the very principle usually realms once the sun goes down. The bar is suffering as less patrons wish to risk being inebriated in such stark conditions, and who could blame them?

“Unless you’re a genie that I don’t know about, all we can do is hope and pray the guy slips up and gets caught before he goes and does it all again.”

It's with that word that the rest of what's holding herself together begins to crumble, trembling in his arms as the tears that were merely welling begin to fall. "God, what if he's come to the bar? What if he's sat in my chair, drank from my glass. What if I've looked into his eyes and didn't even know?" The voice from her dreams, though fabricated, seems looming now. What if she has heard it? Talked to him like anyone else who comes in through her door. Better Days no longer seems to hold such sentiment.

"And you? How am I supposed to be here and wait safely...while you're out there looking for this psycho? And if something happens? If you...get...get hurt? Or worse? Sam, I don't know what I'd do if--" Her teeth grit as the image of his body haunts her mind once again. Drooped against his cabinets, painted by his blood. "You can't look for him." Now, she doesn't really believe in prophetic dreams or warnings or much but this one felt deeper than anything she's ever experienced. It's cavernous and gaping. She knows what he's going to say. It's his job, this is what he's signed up for. He'll do anything he can to keep her safe. She knows it's all true and she'd do anything to share that same promise.

"I'm sorry..I guess that nightmare shook me more than I thought, Um." By now El slowly releases, but still holds at his arms, searching for his face. The bleak rush of panic subsides as she searches his eyes, only letting go one hand to away at her tears.

“When this is all over. How about we, uh, take a trip or something. Get away for awhile, shake off all this dread and anxiety. A week, two weeks!”

They close early for the night—no one seems to mind and understands the urgency with recent news of missing girls and gruesome murders. No complaints tonight, a rarity in of itself, as the key turns to the right to initiate the locking mechanism. “See you at home.” The sentiment so easily rolls off the tongue, though not completely concrete as they don’t necessarily live together but spend more nights with each other than not. The couple bid their goodbyes for only ten minutes until tired roll over the gravel of his driveway. Quick shower and settling in bed with a movie, lazy kisses turn something far more fierce and needy for hours to come—a familiar station at his residence. As always, things fall into a welcome, passionate rhythm, met with long kisses, teasing nips and symphonic sounds until the two could fall asleep at mere closed eyes.

She’d be lying if the anxiety that she hid before didn’t torment her dreams. It felt unfair as merely a vicarious observer of the cases, but even an outsider perspective couldn’t extinguish the unease. It was one of those dreams where you wake up from sleep, assuming you’ve awaken altogether. The bed was empty, even seen in the pitch darkness as a rumbling of clanking glass and footsteps were heard outside the door. Either Sam was getting a drink of water or Pumpkin found his way in the pantry again. El couldn’t remember getting out of bed until she was suddenly in the hallway like pockets of time blurred and erased altogether. The walls seemed to elongate as she walked, forcing tunnel vision in this quasi-layout of the cabin. Something didn’t seem right but that never seemed to cross one’s mind in a dream.

Her feet dragged like cement, the noises growing louder as she nears. Finally, when she enters the kitchen, it’s eerily quiet—the clamoring silence. The only thing heard was the hammering of her own heartbeat and the quickening of her breath. “Sam?” She calls, but no noise pierces the air. Or if it did, it was muffled as if drowned in water. The blood rushes in her head, heartbeat now hammering as everything inside pleads for her to run—do not move any closer. Against all intuition, El moves closer, the creaks beneath her feet echoing as if pots and pans were thrown on the ground. Her heart lurches, nearing combustion as when she turns the turner of the counter, all she sees is red.

Pools of blood paint the hardwood floor, a twisted, demented imitation of a Jackson Pollock. Hand prints, smeared clawing of desperation reveals evidence of a tortured struggle. And there, slumped over in the corner…

She turns to vomit, but all that lurches is nothing but dry heaves. If there’s a scream or wailing, she couldn’t hear it, practically stumbling and slipping on the floor. That’s when the footsteps near again behind her, inching closer. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t turn her head or move away. A hand snatches at her neck, grasping so tightly against her chin that it might break under the force. “Take one last look, precious. You won’t be making the same mistake—you won’t find me.” And then there was snap and she jolted awake, hands gripping the sheets. It was barely sunrise as she turns to see Sam sound asleep beside her, his breath against her shoulder. Swallowing her fear, El turns to curl closer into his reach, enveloped into an embrace.

She doesn’t remember falling back asleep until she’s roused awake to bright morning light and that oh, so charming smile. A sweet aroma of blueberry wafts her senses, dispelling whatever anxiety remained. He’s here, he’s safe. “Morning yourself.” She hums with a stretch, aching joints and muscles cracking at the exertion, following by a soft groan of relief. Rubbing at her eyes, slowly El pushes herself up into a sitting position, cringing only slightly as the soreness settles. “After last night, ravenous.” She squints happily and leans to play a soft morning kiss against his lips. “Y’know, Sam. I think you may have a future as an entrepreneur. Could host a bed and breakfast. But only if you sleep with your resident and that resident is me. So, honestly, probably a poor investment on your part.” Her small widens, nose crinkling into that trademark look of hers. “Thank ya kindly.” Welcoming the feastful tray, she pats his spot for him to sit, excited to share the space once again.

It takes a moment for her to find the stomach before taking a bite. “Fuck me, it’s so good.” She mumbles, mouthful of pancake.