#I am upset! what the hell man! I gotta wait like 4 hours or something to even download 2 of the games!

[thebuttsmcgee]

No fucking way did the Arkham Trilogy release today, and I didn't get my PRE-ORDERED COPY, while brits get both a huge discount ALREADY AND get all their copies today ARE YOU JOKERING ME

[ilovefandoms102]

Love me Harder-Part 5*

Pairing: Rafe Cameron x Pogue!Reader

Summary: Falling in love with your sisters sworn enemy probably wasn’t the best idea…

Note: The time has come and I could not be any happier! I am so in love with this series and just Rafe in general. Mental health is so so important guys, I still struggle with it to this day. If you guys ever need anyone to talk to I am ALWAYS here. Stay safe and DO NOT be afraid to ask for help.

Ok so now that the sad part is over this is my warning that this part will NOT be for the faint of heart as in this shit is about to be so fuckin’ dirty.

Part 4 Part 6

=====================================

I woke up completely entangled with Rafe, our legs were twisted in odd angles, my head was buried in his neck, one of Rafe’s hands rested on my ass while the other was holding me close to him at my back, and this was honestly the best I had slept in a while…

I placed gentle kisses from his neck, to his jaw, and stopped on his lips. Rafe stirred in his sleep, his hand on my ass squeezing slightly before pulling me tighter to him. I repeated my process a few times until his eyes finally fluttered open, puckering his lips slightly which made me giggle. He rolled on top of me, settling himself between my legs. His tongue danced with mine despite our morning breath, which neither of us cared about. I wrapped my legs around his waist to pull him further into me, feeling his morning wood brush against me. 

“Hey y/n I-oh.” my sister called as she barged into my room.

“Yes Kiara?” I growled, Rafe awkwardly tilted his body to the side as he avoided looking at Kie. 

“Never mind, I’ll um...ask you later.” she stammered, quickly shutting my door on her way out. 

I grabbed Rafe’s cheeks and slammed his lips back to mine, rutting my hips into his. He moaned deeply into my mouth, my hand about to make it way south when John B burst into my room.

“Y/n I need-” he stopped mid sentence, slowly backing out of the room.

“Probably not best to do this here.” Rafe pointed out, kissing my red cheek.

“Guess I’ll just spend the whole day horny,” I grumbled, pouting as I crossed my arms.

“I think our first time together should be special, not a quick fuck in your room in hopes all the kids don’t barge in here.” Rafe chuckled, kissing my pouting lips. 

=========================================

I had a short shift today which Rafe accompanied me to since his dad had nothing for him to do today. I made him his own set up in the corner booth at the back of the restaurant so if I just so happened to go steal a kiss or two my dad wouldn’t see. I did cheat a little and took some silverware to wrap back where Rafe was so I could sit with him, and I even put him to work a little and had him help me. 

“So, there’s a party at Top’s tonight,” Rafe spoke, his eyes flicking to mine as I tensed.

“A Kook party, haven’t been to one of those in years.” I sighed, my leg starting to tap nervously.

“I wanted you to come with me, but if you don’t want to go we don’t have to.” he suggested, nudging my foot with his. 

“I don’t know Rafe...the Kooks don’t like me.” I murmured.

“Everyone likes you, don’t be ridiculous.” Rafe scoffed, chuckling when I rolled my eyes.

“Won’t the little Kook girls be upset to see you with someone?” I grinned, Rafe shaking his head as he smiled.

“They can be upset all they want, I got a hot ass girlfriend, and I plan on keeping her for as long as she’ll put up with me.” he smirked.

I leaned over the table to kiss him, tasting the beer he had been nursing the past few hours on his tongue. He chased after my lips when I pulled away, grabbing the back of my head to give me another wet, tongue filled kiss. 

“Rafe, my dad or my sister could come out here.” I giggled, pulling out of his hold.

“I can’t help it, I just want to kiss you all the time.” he mumbled, my heart melted to my toes. 

“As adorable as this is, I need help.” Kiara sighed, rolling her eyes when I smiled at Rafe. 

“You guys are seriously too much.” Kie rumbled as we were walking back to the kitchen. 

“You’re just mad because you won’t admit to liking Pope.” I smirked, her gasp sending me in a herd of giggles. 

“That’s not fair!” she huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. 

“DAD!” We both yelled. 

“Knock it off you two,” he mumbled. 

=========================================

“I don’t know about this guys…” I mumbled as I was getting ready for the party. 

“Well I think it’s a bad idea.” JJ imputed, his mouth full of a sandwich he helped himself to. 

“JJ I wouldn’t ask for your advice if the house was burning down.” I scoffed, smiling at his offended look through my mirror. 

“I hate to say it...but I agree with JJ.” Pope sighed, my eyes snapping to his.

“I can’t just bail on him, he’ll be so upset.” I pouted.

“What’s the worst that could happen?” John B asked, Kie shot daggers at him from across the room.

“There are so many things that could go wrong, like-” she started, but I was not going to let her spend two hours with every possible scenario that could happen.

“I’m going to stop you right there Kiki,” I chuckled, turning my attention back to the task at hand.

“All I’m saying is that maybe you shouldn’t go.” she mumbled, rolling her eyes.

“Gotta say after you takin’ that club to the side, I’m not all for this.” Pope said, casting his eyes to the floor.

“I know, but I doubt we’ll stay long. Rafe said he has other plans besides the party.” I shrugged, laughing when they all pretended to vomit.

“Ok I did NOT need that visual.” Kie groaned, throwing her head back dramatically.

=========================================

“You alright baby?” Rafe asked as we walked to the front door.

“Yeah, totally.” I lied, fidgeting with my fingers.

“You’re a horrible liar, we don’t have to go.” he insisted, grabbing one of my hands to kiss the back of it. 

“No, no these are your friends and I should at least attempt to um...get to know them?” I said as more of a question than a statement.

“We won’t stay for long, I think I have some other things in mind for us to do tonight.” he said slyly, my heart beginning to thump in my chest as he led me into the house.

“My boy, and I see you brought our resident traitor.” Kelce laughed, bro hugging Rafe.

“Watch your mouth, that’s my girl you’re talkin’ to.” Rafe said with mock humor in his tone, Kelce threw his hands up defensively.

“Come on man, I was just playin’” Kelce scoffed, handing Rafe a red solo cup. 

“What do you want to drink sweetheart?” Rafe questioned, giving me his signature smile.

“Whatever you have is fine.” I spoke, shuffling nervously on my feet as I gripped his hand tighter. He handed me a cup, and I took a huge swig, hoping that this would ease my nerves. 

=========================================

This was definitely the worst decision of my life. Rafe had ditched me not long after we arrived, leaving me sitting on the couch by myself. I wasn’t sure how long I had been sitting there, but I had about had it. I was so angry with him, and I wished more than anything I had just stayed home. 

I shot up from the couch, going to find him so I could leave. I was not going to sit around and only be a convenience to Rafe when we weren’t on Kook territory. I gasped in horror at the sight before me, rage and sadness building up inside of me. Rafe stood with the resident Kook whore Emily, laughing with her, and to top things off, he leaned down to whisper something in her ear. My mouth hung open in disgust, heart shattering into a million pieces. Rafe chose that exact moment to turn around, his face falling when he saw my expression. He made his way over quickly, but I beat him to it before he could speak.

“I can’t believe you,” I hissed, jerking away when he tried to reach for me.

“It’s not what you think, wait, baby please let me explain.” he rambled, but I couldn’t stay to listen to the rest of his excuse. I walked as fast as I could out of that house, not turning back.

“Y/n! Stop baby please!” Rafe called, I could picture him running his hand through his hair. 

“Fuck off Rafe, I’m sure Emily is missing your company.” I spat.

“No,fuck, would you please just let me explain?” he tried, but I was already in my car before he finished speaking. He knocked on my window, pleading for me to talk, but I instead turned on my car and left him standing there.

=========================================

I slammed on the breaks, tearing out of my car and stomping up the stairs. The other Pogues greeted me at the door, confusion written on their face. I felt the tears come then, my heart breaking even more if that was possible.

“Fuck, you guys were right.” I sobbed, John B threw his arms around me to hug me to him. The other Pogues joined in as well, all of us standing in the doorway as I cried in their arms. 

I sat in my room, staring at the ceiling as silent tears ran down my face. I wanted so bad for Rafe to be different, but he proved tonight that he was just like every other guy I’ve been with. Fuck, I was falling in love with the guy, and now everything is ruined. I had never been so incredibly happy then when I was with Rafe. I felt like I could be myself, and he understood me better than even my own family.

I saw lights appear in my window, but I didn’t bother to get up to know it was more than likely Rafe. I heard the truck door slam shut, knocking on the front door moments later. Since my room was right by the front door, I could easily hear the conversation happening. 

“I told you what would happen if I saw her shed one tear because of you.” John B growled.

“Guys seriously, it’s not what you think.” Rafe sighed.

“So she’s just crying for the hell of it?” JJ laughed humorlessly.

“Look...she means a lot to me. Do you think I’d be here, begging for her forgiveness if I didn’t care about her?” Rafe rambled, no doubt his hair was a disheveled mess.

“Let him go,” Kie piped in.

“What?” all three boys questioned.

“This is the happiest I’ve ever seen my sister... and I can’t- no I won’t let her be unhappy. Even if it’s Rafe making her happy, I will gladly keep it that way.” Kie explained. I heard some shuffling before my door creaked open, Rafe peeking his head in.

“I don’t want to talk to you,” I grumbled, rolling over so I was facing away from him.

“Let me explain myself, please.” he pleaded, and I felt the bed dip down on the other side.

“You were supposed to be different, I-I believed you weren’t who everyone said you were Rafe.” I sniffled, letting out a quiet sob. Rafe spooned himself against me, wrapping me tight to his chest.

“I promise you, it’s not at all what you think.” he insisted, pressing a gentle kiss right below my ear.

“Then what is it when you lean down to whisper in some bitches ear and both of you laugh?” I griped, trying to pull away from him, but he held me tighter.

“I was trying to set her up with Kelce.” he blurted, my eyes rolling.

“Bullshit Rafe,” I scoffed.

“No that’s the honest truth, you can read my messages, and I’ll even call him.” Rafe said, leaning his cheek on my shoulder.

“Well you looked awful cozy with her.” I grumbled.

“I’m sorry if it looked that way, it was not my intention.” he promised.

“There’s also the fact that you ignored me all night,” I griped.

“I know, I’m so so sorry baby.” Rafe sighed.

“You know the Kooks don’t like me Rafe, you practically fed me to the vultures.” I pointed out.

“It won’t happen again,” he insisted.

“You’ll be lucky if I ever go to a stupid party again.” I muttered, turning around in his hold.

“So am I forgiven?” he asked, a hopeful gleam in his eyes. 

“No,” I chuckled, Rafe groaned and buried his face between my breasts.

“You have to work for it Cameron,” I said, raking my fingers in his hair.

“Okay baby, I can do that.” he smirked against my skin.

“Can I take you somewhere?” he asked quietly, peaking up from my chest.

“Sure,” I nodded.

=========================================

Rafe drove down the coast line for a few miles until we got to the most gorgeous view I had ever seen in the Outer Banks. Rafe backed his truck in, my feet carrying me out the door as soon as he put it in park. We were right at the break of a spot where you could see the ocean perfectly without having to get up close, and just above the palm trees you could see the beautiful night sky. I don’t know how I hadn’t seen this place before, and I felt a surge of strong emotion that Rafe had brought me here. He took a blanket from the back seat to put over the bed of the truck, leaning against the edge of it.

“I know you like the sound of the ocean.” he mumbled, looking down as he wrung his fingers.

“What?” I whispered, slowly turning to him.

“I-...anytime I’ve seen you at a kegger, you’re always by yourself down where you can hear the ocean.” Rafe explained, reaching out to pull me against him.

“How observant of you,” I giggled, turning in his hold so I could look up at the stars.

“I come here a lot...mostly to get away from my family.” he confessed, leaning his chin on my shoulder.

“I can definitely relate to that,”  I chuckled, relishing the feeling of the warmth from his arms on the rather chilly night. 

“I know, so now if you need a safe spot to go you’ll always have one.” he hummed, kissing my cheek.

“It’s so beautiful out here,” I sighed, staring at the bright stars that stuck out among the millions of others.

“Just like you,” he chuckled.

“If that’s your way of trying to kiss up, that is a very poor attempt.” I laughed, feeling Rafe’s chest rumble as he joined in.

“I’ll try something else then.” he mumbled, moving his hands up and down from my hips to my waist. I tensed slightly as his nose skimmed my neck to my ear.

“L-Like what?” I stuttered, cursing myself for it.

“How about....I eat you out.” he said huskily, biting down on my earlobe. I inhaled sharply, my thighs rubbing together at the thought of it. 

“Hmmm baby? Would you like that?” he asked, trailing his fingers towards my shorts.

I nodded my head, quickly turning to face him. Our lips smashed together, sloppily moving our tongues to taste each other. Rafe lifted me on the edge of the truck bed, his big hands traveling up my thighs. I wrapped my legs around his waist, pulling him impossibly closer. I ripped off my shirt, my bra going next. His hands immediately came to my nipples, twisting and playing with them. I pulled his shirt off too, feeling his naked skin against mine. Rafe made quick work of ridding my shorts, taking my underwear with them. He pushed me to lay back, my breathing coming in short pants as I waited for his next moves. 

Rafe placed gentle kisses from the inside of my knee up to where I needed him, leaving love bites in their wake. His tongue took a slow lick all the way up my heat, moaning at my taste. I gasped loudly, my eyes closing tight. Rafe threw my legs over his shoulders, clamping his hands on my thighs so I couldn’t move them. I choked on a moan as he feverishly started to lick and suck everywhere, discovering the sensitive areas that left me breathless. 

“You taste so yummy sweetheart, all for me. Could your other little boyfriends get you as wet as I do baby?” he breathed out against me, even just his breath had me arching my back. 

“No, no Rafey they didn’t,” I whined, moving my hips to get more of his tongue. He took one of his hands to feel me, moving it to collect some of my wetness and spread it around. 

“So pretty, all mine.” he spoke, easing one finger in before adding another. 

“Rafe,” I gasped, my hand weaving through his hair to tug slightly.

His fingers curled inside of me, vigorously moving his tongue on my clit. I squirmed in his hold, feeling my impending release so close. Rafe switched his positions, using his tongue to lap up the slickness while his fingers rolled my clit. He was hitting all the right spots, something no other guy I had been with before could do. 

I moaned so loud when I came on his tongue, whimpering when Rafe lifted my ass in the air to drink up the cum leaking out of me. I pulled on his hair harshly, quickly becoming overstimulated. He moaned into me and I started shaking, already feeling another orgasm spinning down my spine. My thighs locked around his head when he sent me hurdling over the edge again, a mix of a grunt and a moan leaving my lips. 

Rafe sat me down gently, licking around his mouth for leftovers of my cum. My chest was heaving as I sat up to pull Rafe down to my lips, tasting myself on his tongue. My hands felt the hard muscles of his abdomen, slowly making their way up to his chest. I raked my nails over his nipples, earning a satisfied groan from Rafe. 

I scooted myself back, Rafe removing his shorts before crawling up after me. I pushed him to sit down, settling myself between his legs. He was very well endowed, bigger and thicker than any guy I had been with. I grabbed the base and squeezed my way to the tip, watching the precum ooze. Rafe cursed under his breath when I let some of my saliva drip down on him so I could move my hand better. I started twisting both of my hands, leaning to leave kisses up his neck. I bit my mark on the hinge of his jaw, soothing the bite with my tongue.

“Could your little Kook girls get you off Rafey?” I whispered, rubbing my thumb over the sensitive areas to make him moan.

“Fuck no,” he growled, taking a fist full of my hair.

“Mhm, ‘cause this dick is mine right?” I asked hotly, descending lower to lick his tip.

“Yes oh my god, don’t stop.” he grunted, pushing my head down as I took him all the way down my throat. 

I looked into his blown out eyes, fluttering my lashes at him. His pupils widened significantly, staring intently into my eyes as I blew him. Rafe threw his head back when I deep throated him so my nose touched his pubic bone, his breath coming in heavy pants. He pulled me up off of him, a string of spit still connecting up.

Rafe flipped us over quickly, prodding his length at my entrance. I nodded my head at him, and he pushed in. I welcomed the stretch, the feeling incredible because it was him. He gave a few experimental thrusts, my back arching into him when he hit that special spot inside of me. I whined when he pulled all the way out to slam home again, my breath leaving my lungs as he did it again and again. We finally got to a steady rhythm, both of us letting out disgruntled moans and grunts. 

“You feel phenomenal holy shit,” he breathed out, looking down at where we were connected. He brought one hand up so his fingers could rub my clit, tingles shooting up my spine at the feeling. 

“Shit, right there baby please,” I whined, my nails digging into his shoulders.

“Gonna take care of my girl, gonna fuck you so good you won’t know anyone’s name but mine.” he growled, hitting that spot over and over to the point I was seeing stars. 

“Oh fuck, Rafe,” I gasped, my eyes closing from the overwhelming pleasure he was providing. 

“You’re mine,” Rafe grunted, increasing his movements with both his dick and his fingers. 

“Yes,” I rasped.

“Only mine,” he panted, my heart fluttering at the utter possessiveness of his tone. I already was starting to tighten up, Rafe groaning when I clenched around him.

“You’re squeezin’ down on me baby, gonna cum?” he taunted, smile wide as he continued to ram his hips into mine hard enough I knew there would be bruises by tomorrow. 

“Fuck yeah, you make me feel so good Rafey.” I moaned, threading a hand into his completely disheveled hair to bring him down to my lips.

He then suddenly slowed his pace, my eyes popped open to see his smug smirk. I whimpered, pushing my hips up to meet his. Rafe moved his hand from my clit to take a handful of my hair, arching my neck up to expose the smooth skin. He leaned down to sink his teeth right where my neck and shoulder met, then moved a little further up to leave another love bite, and his last one was right at my pulse point. 

“Scream my name, or you won’t cum.” he whispered in my ear, simultaneously as he did that he started to pound even fast before inside of me. 

I’m sure the whole Outer Banks heard me screech his name at the top of my lungs, Rafe’s teeth shining in the moonlight as he grinned down at me. His vigorous circles on my clit came back, even stopping to roll it between his fingers. I came so hard my back left the truck bed, my head even coming up as I arched. Rafe kept his pace, stimulating me through my release. Rafe moved so both his hands came to my hips, chasing his high. 

“Cum inside me baby, I wanna feel you drip down my legs.” I smirked, scratching my nails down his abs.

He came not seconds later, hot moans of my name left his lips as he stilled. Rafe collapsed on top of me, and I welcomed his weight. I loved the safe feeling of being engulfed in his embrace. I kissed all over his face, trying to smooth out his sex hair.

“Y/n?” Rafe murmured, leaning his head up to look in my eyes.

“Yes Rafe?” I mumbled back.

“I’m falling in love with you baby,” he confessed, my eyes widening. My heart took complete flight, my lips not able to keep from forming the biggest smile.

“I’m falling in love with you too slick,” I giggled, leaning up to connect our lips in a sweet, passionate kiss.

======================================

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[maybedefinitely404]

Day 4: Anxceit

@tsshipmonth2020

Day 4: There is a trail of color only you can see that marks out where your soulmate has been.

Content warning: parental death from heart attack (none of the sides), homophobia, religious themes regarding said homophobia, concert, minor sensory overload (Virgil is technically autistic but it’s not explicit).

Word count: 3.3k

The last thing Janus Natter had ever wanted to do was return to his hometown. 

It only held bad memories that stemmed from living in a small town, of homophobia and school bullies and dirty looks from neighbours. Granted, he’d never actually been kicked out of his home after coming out, but word spread like a wildfire and the people in his neighborhood weren’t the most open minded. His mom didn’t talk to him; she blamed herself, and there were all too many nights he walked past her room and heard her praying and crying for the repentance of her baby boy.

So the moment he turned eighteen, he was out of there. Waved goodbye to the woman who stiffened every time he tried to hug her and moved halfway across the country, starting a new life for himself in a rundown apartment and a minimum wage intern job and not regretting it for a second. Everything seemed better for a while. A promotion followed a couple years after, and his apartment was upgraded to one that actually had a separate kitchen and dining room so he wasn’t eating on the counter anymore. Until he got a call from one of his aunts at three am, four days after Christmas.

Obviously, he cried when his mom died. He broke down as soon as he hung up the phone, sitting on the edge of his bed and letting the news slowly integrate into his system. Sure, they hadn’t had the best relationship, but she’d been a great mom up until he admitted the truth that drove a wedge between them. And he’d never really blamed her, knowing his own internal homophobia would only be heightened in her. But it still hurt that she hadn’t reached out whatsoever when she was put into the hospital after the first heart attack. Maybe he would have been there when the second one hit and been able to save her. Or at least say goodbye.

The funeral was rough. None of his family bothered to talk to him, and the one little cousin that ran up to give him a hug was swiftly pulled away. Not like he was expecting much else, but c’mon. It’s not infectious. At least no one commented on him crying again. 

He was on the first flight back out, and after a couple days off work to recenter himself, things seemed to back to normal. It wasn’t as if any part of his daily routine was disturbed. He wasn’t missing any motherly catch up calls, no little packages, no life advice, that he’d never gotten before, so it was almost easy to pretend that nothing had changed. Until he got another call. 

This time it was his uncle, calling in the middle of his work day, to tell him that he needed to come back home and clear out his mom’s house. He was reluctant at first. Why couldn’t someone else do it? What was so important that he had to do it? But the family seemed determined to distance themselves from the house as much as possible, and when his uncle insisted that “we’re all still in mourning, Janus,” as if to imply he wasn’t upset at the death of his own mother, he hung up the phone with a curt agreement to come back as soon as possible. He later got a text that stated the house was going to be put on the market in the coming week, so he needed to get there soon. 

That’s what led to him exiting a cab three days later in front of his childhood home, suitcase in hand, with a disgruntled expression. The house was much less threatening than it had always seemed when he lived there, unassuming and indistinguishable from the other houses on the block, but the memories of lonely nights of crying himself to sleep and craving a hug from his mother were at the forefront of his mind. You’re never going to get another hug from her. He quickly snapped out of it before the tears could rise, thanking the cab driver and walking up to the front door. 

His mother had taken his key when he left, claiming it was to give to a neighbour to water her flowers when she went on a cruise or something equally far fetched, but Janus figured she just wouldn’t want to be surprised by him visiting. This was, afterall, the first time she’d been free from his disappointing presence in years. Luckily, they’d always kept a spare under the plant by the door, now wilted and crusty and dropping leaves when he leaned it over, hand slapping the concrete underneath.

Nothing.

He picked it up off the ground entirely, sweeping the ground directly under it and then scanning the surrounding area with growing irritation. Had someone taken it after the funeral? How the hell did they expect him to get into the house? Oh yeah, come clean the house but we’re gonna take the key! Fuckers. 

A loud crash from behind the door startled him enough to drop the plant, the ceramic pot smashing on the stairs. Whoops. Another sound from inside, something that sounded like a chair scraping on the tiled kitchen floor, and Janus realized with mounting horror that the front door was open a crack. His family had all claimed to not be able to even come near the place, so… Fantastic. Someone had broken into a death house and he was going to have to deal with it. 

The wise choice would have been to call the police. 

So Janus pushed the door open and walked in, ignoring the sudden flurry of memories in favor of following the source of the noise. 

“Hello?” Yeah, smart, Janus, that always works in the horror movies!

Another scrape in the steadily approaching kitchen, accompanied by muffled swearing. As an almost last thought, Janus picked up the first small object he could feel on the entry table, acknowledging its heft and hoping it would be a suitable weapon without taking his eyes from the hall. Here goes nothing.

Then, in a move to top all stupidity, he turned into the room in a whirl, hoisting the weapon above his head, ready to beat down on whoever was rifling through his dead mother’s drawers. Only to freeze.

“Remus?”

“Janus, what the fuck!” The statement was said with a surprising amount of glee. Remus was the only person he knew who could turn swears into something joyful. 

Janus turned his gaze to the floor and the chair Remus was standing on, surrounded by a pile of glass shards. It looked to be the remnants of the entire glass collection, if the amount was anything to go by. Remus gave another shuffle of his chair, the loud shriek sounding again, as he tried to scooch closer without stepping on the shards in his bare feet.

“Why are you holding a banana?” 

It took him a solid second to process Remus’ question before he looked down at his own hand, his fingers curled around the metal banana from the decorative fruit bowl in the entry. 

“No reason. Why are you in my house, destroying my dinnerware?”

“Help me not step in glass and I’ll tell you.”

Finding a broom was easy; it was still in the same place it always had been before he left. Cleaning the glass took longer, what with Remus’ flurry of questions and Janus’ focus between answering him, sweeping, and not whacking Remus on the head with the broom handle. Apparently it didn’t take long for him to become annoying again.

Still, the grinning man had been the one and only reason he’d had trouble saying goodbye to the town, the only person who still gladly befriended him after coming out. He hated to admit how much he’d missed him.   

When the floor was clear, Remus hesitantly stepped down off the chair, wiggling his toes on the ground.

“Why did you take your shoes off when you came in? It’s not like anyone’s gonna be pissed if you track mud in anymore.”

“I didn’t wear any.”

“Of course you didn’t.”

Remus shared a softer look with him, the manic smile drooping, “Hey, I’m sorry about your mom. That’s rough.”

“Yeah,” Was Janus’ incredibly eloquent response. He shook his head, and Remus accepted the subject change with no questions, “So why are you here?”

“Well, I heard you were coming to clear the place out eventually, so I thought I’d get here early and start. Help you out.”

“And…”

“... And snoop around a little bit.”

“There it is.”

“Not like, bad stuff! Just… I don’t know. Deep, dark, family secrets.”

Janus sighed, taking in the kitchen for the first time since entering. “The biggest secret this family tries to hide is me.”

“Dark.”

“Mmhm.” He gasped as two arms suddenly wrapped around his shoulders, pulling him into the most physical contact he’d had in… years.

“Welcome back, Natter.”

“Yeah, well,” He cleared his throat of voice cracks before continuing, “I only got two days off work. So I’m not staying long. I somehow need to completely clear this place out in 48 hours,” He ran a hand down his face, pulling away from the hug reluctantly, “You wouldn’t actually be interested in helping, would you?”

It was more of a statement than a question, but Remus ignored it completely. “You’re only here two days? Inconceivable!”

“You’ve been watching Princess Bride again.”

“We gotta hang out!” The pleading expression on Remus’ face was almost enough to sell him on the idea.

“Weren’t you listening? I literally don’t have the time.”

“I’m going to a concert tonight in Brookton. Come with me!” Remus continued as if he hadn’t spoken, bouncing on the balls of his feet. “Just one night, Jan. Pleeeease? I’ll even come here and help you the rest of the time.”

With an affectionate snort, he shook his head, “As fun as that sounds, I’m broke.”

“I can get you in.”

“You’re not paying for me.”

“Who said anything about paying?”

Janus raised an eyebrow, though it was more like how a parent would scold a child than surprise. They’d always gotten into trouble together as kids, and this was just… a level up, in a way. Not that he condoned it.

“I know one of the security guards. He’s one of my hookups, and he happens to owe me a favor or two.”

  Wait. “You’re gay?”

“Shit, I didn’t tell you?!” Remus shrieked, grabbing Janus’ hand and dragging him to the front door, key waving in his face, “I’ll tell you all about it on the way. C’mon, it’s an hour drive.”

Well, looks like he didn’t have a say in it. And he’d be lying if he claimed he hadn’t missed hanging out with his old best friend… or just a friend at all, really.

“Fine, but you’re stopping by your place to grab shoes!”

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

It wasn’t a small venue by any means. It wasn’t Beyonce big, but enough to know that if he lost track of Remus, he’d be fucked. In his rush out the door so soon after a morning of traveling, he’d forgotten his charger and his phone was conveniently dead. Janus kept a careful eye on Remus, following the bob of his neon green and black jacket through the crowd and only distantly wondering what band they were actually about to see. The gremlin kept pushing through, ignoring the annoyed shouts of people he shoved, leaving Janus to hastily apologize each time as he followed in his wake.

When Remus slowed just for a moment, stretching on his tiptoes to find a good spot over the sea of heads, Janus lunged forward and grabbed his sleeve. The taller man raised an eyebrow.

“As fun as it would be to get lost, I’m not in the mood.”

“Ah,” Remus’ eyes settled on a spot near the stage, one that Janus couldn’t see being a head shorter than him, “Good timing. Hang on tight.”

And hang on he did, because Remus fully embodied the physicality of a snow plow and plunged back into the crowd with new ferocity. Janus just closed his eyes and blindly let himself be led, letting the bubbling breathiness of a laugh escape his mouth. It had been too long since he’d just been able to have fun like this, without the threat of work and bills in his peripheral. The chatter was deafening in the best way possible, drowning out his worried thoughts, and the flashing lights that were still visible through his closed eyelids was invigorating. The promise for more elated him. 

When Remus finally stopped, Janus didn’t get the memo on time and ran into his back full force. He grunted and opened his eyes, focused on his throbbing nose, before realizing how close to the stage they really were. The taller man was staring down at him, grinning maniacally, seemingly impressed with their placement as well. 

Then a flash to the side caught his attention, and his throat went dry.

“Remus, look me in the eye and tell me you see that.”

His eyebrows scrunched in confusion before he followed Janus’ line of sight, seeing nothing but the dense crowd. “See what?”

“The light, the light trail…” Janus inhaled sharply through his nose, grip on the other’s sleeve tightening, “It’s my soulmate. He’s here somewhere.”

“Your soulmate? Seriously?”

“Yeah, I…”

“Well, fuck! You’re welcome, eh, Natter? I told you you should have come!” He gave Janus’ arm a light punch, smile widening. “Go find him!”

Janus seemed hesitant, eyes flickering between Remus and the deep purple light trail, weaving between the people and heading towards the back of the venue. “How will I find you again after?”

“That’s a problem for future you. Go, you idiot!”

“Okay, okay! I’m going! Just don’t leave without me!”

He was off before he could hear Remus’ answer, ducking under raised arms and trying his hardest to follow the quickly dissolving trail. Now that he had his eye on it, it had decided that it was time to disappear, and he was quickly losing sight of it. 

No, scratch that, it was definitely getting brighter now. And more concrete around the edges, instead of fading out. Was he close? He weaved past another small group of people, eyes following the purple line until-

There.

Holy shit.

He was stunning, that was the first thing Janus noticed. The purple trail stopped at him, covering him with a faint lilac aura before fading completely, content with it’s work. At first he thought the slight tint to the other’s hair was left over from the soulmark, before the lights switched and he realized, no, his hair was dyed purple. The most eye catching thing, though, besides his makeup, was the bulky pair of… were those headphones on his ears? At a concert? Granted, it hadn’t started yet, but still.

Apparently he was standing in one place for too long amongst the constantly moving hoard of people, and his stillness got the attention of the boy in front of him. He gasped sharply when they made eye contact, shocked from what Janus assumed to be the soulmark that probably surrounded him. And then he started hyperventilating. Bad.

“Shit! Okay, hey, calm down, okay? It’s fine-”

He was cut off by a loud riff of an electric guitar, almost immediately drowned out by the screaming fans that surged forward like a tidal wave. The boy in front of him curled in on himself, hands pressing into the headphones around his ears in an attempt to drown out the noise. Despite his more cautionary side, Janus reached forward and took his arm, guiding him gently towards the door.

“Let’s go outside and talk, alright?”

Maybe following a stranger outside alone wasn’t the smartest idea but… Virgil had seen the soul mark, a gentle yellow glow around this man that quickly dissipated, leaving behind a man sharing an equally shocked look on his face. So that had to mean he wasn’t totally bad, right? Either he was his soulmate or some kind of guardian angel, and neither of those were necessarily bad options. 

As soon as they stepped outside the main arena, it was as if the tight band around Virgil’s chest loosened. Not gone completely, but enough that he could catch his breath. He reached up and pulled his ear defenders off his head, relieved that the quiet was enough that he didn’t need them anymore. They were definitely a life saver, but sometimes the way they muffled noise was indescribably uncomfortable as well.

The man noticed his immediate relief, letting go of his guiding arm and slowing his pace so Virgil could walk beside him. 

“I’m Janus.” 

“Virgil.”

In a blur, they ended up outside the venue, sitting on the curb directly outside the main doors. Virgil was fiddling with his ear muffs, eyes trained on the inky darkness surrounding them. Besides the dull resounding of the bass echoing from inside and steady stream of traffic just out of their view, it was reasonably quiet.

“So, you live in Brookton?” Janus finally broke the comfortable silence, leaning back on his hands.

“Yeah. Not for long, though.”

“Oh?”

“Planning to get out soon. Don’t know where, don’t know how. But I’m not much of a ‘small town’ guy.”

“Brookton counts as a small town?”

Virgil hummed, finally placing the head gear down beside him and closing his eyes, breathing in the smell of fast food from the variety of food trucks around the area. It was a strange cacophony of oil and salt, oddly enticing even if just the scent was enough for his skin to break out. 

“What about you? From around here?”

“Sort of?” He explained his story in as few words as possible, flying over his mom’s general unacceptance and her death, and the fact that he had to clean out her house in two days. “Less than that now, I guess. One and a half. It’s gonna be hell.” His head fell into his hands, fingers rubbing at the temples as if to soothe the headache he was expecting.

Virgil was a good listener, nodding along to the right parts and avoiding those stupid sympathetic looks he was so tired of. It was a nice relief to actually feel listened to, not pitied. 

“My parents are kind of similar. It doesn’t feel like I have much to complain about, though, because… I mean, they didn’t kick me out. Don’t openly hate on me. But it still sucks. They don’t even acknowledge me half the time.”

“Exactly! And then you see people who have it worse, and it makes you feel like a piece of shit for feeling upset!”

“Good match, universe.” Virgil flopped onto his back, purple hair splayed out on the concrete. “It’s the subtle homophobia for me.”

“Ah, you’re a ‘meme person’.”

“Sucks for you, you’re stuck with me now.”

“I’ll manage,” Janus joined him on the ground, suddenly disgusted that he was still in the same outfit that he’d flown in today. He hated the smell of plane, and he must reek of it. But Virgil didn’t seem to mind his general disheveled appearance as he made an abstract comment about the moon being full today, and how that generally meant bad things. Janus made the mistake of asking him what he meant, which turned into a full blown lecture on mythology and cryptids, one that Virgil didn’t have the capability to control. It made him smile though, seeing the emo so utterly delighted to explain it, and he realized with a start that he was going to get to enjoy this man for the rest of his life. Two people who could talk, matched with a person who loved to listen equally as much. Virgil had been right. Good match, universe.

[cake-writes]

Forever Yours

Pairing: 1940s!Bucky x Reader

Warnings: SAPPY AS HELL, Fluff, Angst, War References

Summary: Two lovebirds exchange letters during the War.

Written to this song on repeat. Enjoy!

June 16, 1943

Hey sweetheart,

It’s been 19 hours since I kissed you goodbye, but I’ll never forget the dress you wore to the docks. You took my breath away! Nearly tempted me to do something I shouldn’t have... at least not without permission, and we can’t have that, can we? 

I’ve just gotta see you in a white dress again, sugar. Mark my words, as soon as I come home, I’m gonna have a long talk with your parents. Gotta ask ‘em properly. I just wish I could have done it before I left. You would have said no, though, wouldn’t you? Until I’m yours for good, not government issue. My girl’s just too smart to get tied down without thinking it through! That’s one reason out of a thousand why I love you.

I know how upset you were that you couldn’t send me off with a smile, but I’m a little happy that those tears were for me. I’m the luckiest man in the world to be able to say that you’re mine.

Miss you already.

Bucky

June 17, 1943

To my best girl,

There’s not much to do on this godforsaken ship other than write to you, so that’s what I’m gonna do. 41 hours since I saw you last and I’ve been sick as a dog. Isn’t the Army supposed to make me stronger? But here I am, barely able to keep anything down. Guess I haven’t gotten my sea legs yet.

The tablets they give us for seasickness don’t help much either, not to mention they taste awful. No one can keep ‘em down, not even Mann and he’s got a stomach of steel. Sorry doll, that’s Archie Mann. One of my bunk mates. He’s a private with B Company, says he’s originally from Mississippi but his folks moved to Brooklyn a couple years back. Small world.

The fellas all say I’m wallowing in my own misery, and you know, maybe they’re right. Wish you were here taking care of me. Then I’d be right as rain.

Forever yours, Bucky

June 18, 1943

Hey gorgeous,

67 hours now. That’s almost three days away from you.

It’s been impossible to sleep. I feel like a canned sardine – got 5000 other men on this ship with me and limited real estate. Our bunks are stacked 4 high, but at least I’ve got a bottom one thanks to my sergeant chevrons. Makes it easier to sneak up on deck at night and write to you, which is what I’m doing right now.

I might be breaking regulations, but I won’t tell if you don’t! You can keep a secret, right, doll?

It’s a full moon tonight. Nothing but ocean around for miles and miles. I think you’d love it out here. It’s peaceful – actually makes me forget for a minute that there’s a war going on. Then I remember where I am and where I’m heading.

Starting to get a little drowsy, now. Maybe it’s the sea breeze. I’m gonna try real hard to dream of you. 

See you in a few minutes, I hope.

Bucky

June 20, 1943

To the girl of my dreams,

It’s been nearly five days, and I can still smell your perfume on the handkerchief you gave me. Hope it lasts. I’m not ready to give you up yet.

You said you stitched that pretty pink flower on there just for me, so I’ve kept it hidden in my pocket for safekeeping. Embroidery is hard work, isn’t it? Becca’s always been terrible at it, but Ma’s stitching is the fastest you’ll ever see. 

When you get these letters, would you mind checking in on them for me? Becca and the girls are gonna be fine, but I’m worried about Ma. Hope she’s doing okay. Her only son going off to war… I know it’s gotta be hard for her, but she’s too proud to let it show. Maybe she’ll open up to you.

Don’t know what I’d do without you.

Love you always, Bucky

June 20, 1943

Sweetheart, 

Well, your handkerchief didn’t stay secret for long. Only for another two hours after I wrote that last letter! Can you believe it? 

The boys have seen your picture, now, too – you can thank Henderson for that. I’ve given him orders to do fifty push-ups every hour for a whole day as a punishment for going through my rucksack, but I can’t say I blame him. There’s nothing better to do. “Hurry up and wait” should be the Army’s motto.

Oh yeah. Henderson is one of my corporals. Johnny Henderson from Manhattan. He’s a rifleman. Rich family, but he wasn’t drafted.

Just seeing your face is like a breath of fresh air, though, and not just to me. Everyone’s compliments were respectful, and I’m gonna make sure they stay that way. Boy, were they all jealous! None of them have girls waiting at home like me. Called me a lucky bastard more than once, and I’ve gotta agree.

Marino said that the pink flower you stitched is a gladyolis gladiolus? That word still doesn’t look right… Correct me if I’m wrong, yeah? No dictionary. Marino’s a florist’s son. Private Joey Marino, my squad’s medic. Italian. Good guy.

Anyway, he said it means ‘faithfulness’ and ‘remembrance’. I don’t think that’s a coincidence, is it, doll? 

Yeah, I’m a lucky bastard, alright.

Unabashedly yours, Bucky

June 21, 1943

Hey beautiful,

It’s only been six days since I got a kiss from you, but it feels like it’s been six years. We’re not supposed to hit shore for another week, and after that, who knows how long I’ll be there? Or if I’ll even make it back?

No, we’ve gotta stay positive, right? That’s what you’d say. I don’t know how I’m gonna make it home to you otherwise. Some of the men here have already been over once, and the stories… well, that’s not something you need to hear. I’m sure you’re already doing enough worrying as it is for the both of us. Don’t wanna add fuel to the fire.

Sorry for the smudges by the way. Someone thought it would be a great idea to smoke while writing a letter to his favorite girl, and then he dropped ashes everywhere. Guess who? Hint: it’s me. I know, I know. It’s a nasty habit, but hear me out. It’s really helped settle my stomach, and Lucky Strikes are a dime a dozen. 

Wonder how long that’ll last where we’re headed. Or how long I’ll last.

I’m sorry. It’s hard to be positive, but I’m trying. I just miss you so damn much, and I love you more than anything. You know that, don’t you?

Bucky

June 22, 1943

To my gorgeous girl,

Dreamt about you again last night. I woke up before we got to the good part! Normally I’d be a little heartbroken, but waking up to a bunch of men laughing at me wasn’t too pleasant. I said your name in my sleep, and, well, I didn’t just say it if you know what I mean.

Why am I even writing this? I don’t know. Hope you have a good laugh at my expense anyway. You deserve to laugh. You deserve to be happy.

At least my poker skills aren’t too shabby. I won a couple packs of smokes last night. Don’t worry, I’ll brush my teeth extra good before I kiss you again... and before we do other things. Don’t you worry your pretty little head, darlin’. I’ll take good care of you when I get back.

Still thinking about you in that dress.

Bucky

P.S. Just a week away from your good graces, and look what’s happened! You’re gonna have to make a good Christian out of me when I get back.

June 24, 1943

Dear sweetheart,

It’s been nine days, I think. I’m not really sure anymore. We’ve hit some rough seas lately, which has made it pretty hard to write anything without my pen making a mess of the page. Lots of storms! I guess we’re getting closer to England. It rains a lot there, or so I’ve heard.

Rumor has it we’ll dock in just a couple more days. Then I’ll finally get to send these letters off. I hope they get to you quickly, but that’s more self-serving than anything because I can’t wait to hear from you, doll. Wonder how long it takes for mail to travel overseas?

Looks like my seasickness is finally cured! Not sure if it’s the cigarettes or because I’ve just gotten used to it. Been keeping a bucket by my bedside since I got on board, but I haven’t needed it at all the last couple days even with the stormy weather. Haven’t needed it since I started smoking, actually. Correlation or causation? What do you think?

Love you always, Bucky

June 25, 1943

To my one and only,

Never mind, I spoke too soon. Seasick again. More rain.

Do you remember when we got caught in the rain last summer? I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately. You can hear the rain even from inside the ship, and it sounds pretty similar to where we hid to wait it out. That little cabin in the woods with the tin rooftop – I really loved it there, you know? But what I loved more was spending that little bit of extra time with you. Even if we were soaking wet.

We’ll be in England in just a couple of hours, according to my master sergeant. I don’t know when I’ll have the chance to write you again, but I’ll do it whenever I can. I just hope my letters make it there in one piece.

I love you so, so much. Don’t forget that. No matter what happens. Okay?

I know it’s not fair for me to ask, but if I don’t make it through, could you please look after Ma? At least for a little while? I’ve asked her to look after you, too.

Gotta go now. I love you. 

Forever yours, Bucky

Part Two

[forkanna]

[AO3] [WATTPAD]

WARNING: A little NSFW.

NOTE: Welcome to July! I went nearly a week with no internet, but I have returned and I intend to start jamming this fic through to the end. We're essentially entering the last "arc" of the story now and I hope you're all ready for it. Thank you for the reviews and continued readership, I appreciate that so much - especially when I'm taking forever to get this finished.

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

"Aww, c'mon, why am I the only one excited about this?"

The rest of the gang sort of shrugged noncommittally. None of them seemed to want to say aloud that the reason they couldn't summon the same level of anticipation as Yosuke was that they were still missing Narukami. Chie was staring down into her usual bowl of meat, stirring it distractedly.

"Not even you, Satonaka?!"

"Why me?!" she protested grumpily. "Like, single somebody else out, you jerk!"

Wilting in defeat, Yosuke leaned back against the railing around the school roof. "Ugh… you're all impossible."

"It's just Golden Week," Yukiko protested with a slight squirm. She wanted to be kind, to resist the temptation to pop Yosuke's little bubble of joy. But she also wanted to be realistic. "I agree, it would be wonderful to have a little vacation, but if we can't agree on where to go, and aren't that excited as a group…"

"Come on, we shouldn't have to give up that easy." Rise shrugged and hopped up from her seat. "Why don't we just do Okinawa? It's far enough that it's a vacation without being so crazy that all our time would be taken up by travel. I mean, unless we have to go all the way to Hawaii or something to have a good time."

The floppy-haired boy looked at her like she was the coming Messiah, drifting down from upon high to bless him with her presence. "Bless you. Absolutely bless you for saving me! I could kiss you!"

When he started to approach, she held up a hand palm out. "Try it and I will be wearing your teeth as a necklace." As he deflated, she turned the charm back on and pressed her hands together on one side of her face, smiling a dazzling smile. "Okinawa it is! We just need an adult to accompany us, or we're gonna get hassled a lot."

"Hmm, good point," Naoto said. Then the group as one looked toward the unsuspecting Kanji.

"Huh? Wha- I'm younger than most of you guys!"

"Yeah, but you look older," Chie pointed out with a thoughtful expression, tapping her chin with her index finger. "Do you think we could pull it off?"

While the taller boy was very clearly fuming that they thought of him as an old man, Yosuke put his fists firmly on his hips. "Yeah! I'm liking this! Next stop, the island of Okinawa!"

                                                        ~ o ~

Of course, even though at that time Rise was overjoyed, there would be complications. And one of these was pointed out to her by Ebihara after school, when they were stopping off at the Shiroku store just to take a poke around.

"Why didn't you suggest everybody go see Narukami?"

Rise stopped dead with her hand halfway reaching toward a candy bar. "Oh… I… wow, that is a really good point."

"As if I make any other kind," Ai scoffed with a half-smirk. "But yeah… probably a little late now, since you have everybody amped up to go to Okinawa. But hey, there's always summer vacation."

"Yeah, that's true… but I feel incredibly stupid. Seriously, why didn't I think of him first? We all miss him… me most of all, since he's my boyfriend."

The taller girl rolled her eyes as she picked up a bottle of green tea. "Are we going back to that? You can't do anything about it publicly right now, anyway — since the entire world is convinced you're having a 'Class S fling' before you grow up."

The words hit her so hard she had to brace against the wall to keep from pitching over. "You saw that one, huh?"

"All over every tabloid. They really like that outdated way of thinking; like girls can't legitimately want to be with girls for their whole lives. To be honest, I'm a little shocked you aren't being hounded by paparazzi at this exact second. We don't exactly have a lot of LGBT idols."

"Yes, well… there aren't any pictures, so technically, it's just a bunch of gossip from teenage girls. Only had a handful of phone calls about it, and saying 'no comment' to all those seemed to actually stop them. Pretty weird."

"That's because you're all washed up, Kujikawa," she sighed, smirking hard at her. "Yesterday's news. Retired before your time."

"Stooop! Why are you so mean to me?!" She slapped her a few times on the arm, and Ai laughed and held it up to shield herself a little better.

"Kidding! God, take a joke, bitch. But for real… maybe the word isn't out about your comeback yet, so they don't think you're worth being headline news. It will get a lot bigger when you get a lot bigger again."

At least that was a less bleak spin on the situation. Rise smiled over at her as they paid for their odds and ends and headed out. "Fine. I just don't know what difference it makes to you where we go."

"Hey, maybe I want to see Okinawa just as bad as you. Why are you the one that gets to decide everything without my input?"

"Oh, don't be such a…" Then it caught up to her, and she turned with raised eyebrows to look at her girlfriend. "What?"

"You're the one who can't finish her thought. What what?"

"I didn't think you would want to come with us."

Ai scowled as they came to a stop in the middle of the main street, hands on her hips. "You really think you're going on a big Golden Week vacation and I won't want to go with my supposed romantic partner?"

"No, not… I didn't think you would want to go with them. After what happened."

"Mm. I mean, clearly they are complete morons. But… being with you trumps having to put up with their idiotic antics. Besides… you gotta."

Jutting out her chin, she said, "Hey! I don't 'gotta' do anything but stay cute and talented!" Ai only laughed, so she stamped her foot. "Don't you laugh at me!"

"Why not? You're adorable. And anyway, I meant because I'm your giiirlfriend, so how would it look if you showed up there without me? Or if the town spotted me wandering around this week while you're out there living it up. Face it, you really painted yourself into a corner this time, Kujikawa."

Still pouting, she muttered, "Fine, senpai. I guess you know best."

"I do," she replied, mussing her hair up. Rise slapped at her hands and she laughed, and eventually Rise couldn't help laughing as well. "Sorry, I know that's a pain in the ass to fix. But you're just too cute!"

"I am," she admitted with a sigh. "And you're right; I did this whole 'public relationship' thing to get you to listen to me, and it was a dirty trick. This is my punishment. I must accept it diligently."

"Who the hell are you supposed to be now? Wait, you know what? Don't tell me. Let me just believe you lost your goddamn mind." That one earned her a lot more smackings.

                                                        ~ o ~

Everything bumped along easily enough through to the following Saturday. The minute their classes let out, the whole gang was racing home to their already-packed bags, ditching their uniforms, and hopping the train to a bus, to the airport. It was a mess of changeovers and stress, but Naoto had mapped the perfect route that would limit their time spent travelling without costing them extra. Without her, they would have been sunk.

The trip itself took the entire rest of the day. By the time they dragged themselves into their rooms in the rustic inn, they were all ready to fall immediately into bed and be dead to the world for several hours so that the next day they could enjoy themselves. The problem was…

"Wait, where are our beds?!"

Yosuke wasn't wrong. The traditional-looking room most certainly didn't have beds at all. The boy pouted as he dropped his duffel bag and clutched at his hair, scanning every nook and cranny as if one would jump out at him from the shadows.

"This does seem to be very traditional," Yukiko pointed out, scanning the room again. She immediately crossed to the closet and yanked open one of the sliding doors. "Ah! Futon."

"Futon?! Aww, I thought they'd have Western beds! We're on vacation, for cryin' out loud!"

"Don't be such a baby," Chie sighed, stretching her limbs. "Feel more sorry for those of us who don't like sleeping with a bunch of nosy jerks so close to each other. Like you."

While he was pouting and grumbling, Rise glanced between her and the dutiful Yukiko, who was already laying out the futons for everyone without prompting. Falling into her usual job. Chie probably meant that she was upset she wouldn't get much "alone time" with her girlfriend while they were all lying on top of each other. That really was too bad; even if she had barely tasted true love with Narukami, and seen hints of it in a certain affluent team manager, she knew that being kept away from it would likely be as agonising as it sounded.

And speak of the devil…

"Sucks to be you guys."

They all turned at once, and Rise cringed when she noticed everybody else froze. So she tried to be quick about announcing, "Hey, Ebi-chan! You made it!"

"Thank you, Welcoming Committee Of One," she snorted as she glanced around at the rest of them. "And you guys, too. Really doing a great job of making me feel like this trip was worth it."

"You don't have to be here," Chie muttered.

"What's that? It almost sounded like you had something to say, Bowl Cut."

Said bowl cut almost seemed to bristle as Chie rolled up the sleeve of her green jacket and started to stomp over toward her. But Kanji grabbed her by the neckline to hold her back. "Can't you guys save it till tomorrow?" he yawned. "I'm beat."

"Please?" Rise insisted. The tomboy looked like she wanted to protest, but she dropped back to fold her arms over her chest sulkily.

"Beautiful," Ai snorted. "I've just come to collect my property and then I'll head back to my room."

"What property is that?" Rise asked. When Ai pointed at her, she gulped and whispered, "Oh."

"I don't think that's very nice," Yukiko remarked with a slight frown.

Summoning a smile wasn't exactly easy when she was dealing with all those butterflies in her stomach, but Rise managed. "She's kidding, Yuki-chan. Thanks, though."

"Who says I was kidding? If you want me to keep playing along with this media circus, you're my bitch. Get used to it." Then she smirked at the others. "I promise to return her in good condition. Slightly used."

As they headed out, Rise bowing slightly and apologising, she overheard Chie muttering "The nerve of that guy" before the door shut behind them. Great.

"Did you hear that?"

"Yep."

"I'm really sorry. I tried to explain ab-"

"I don't give a shit what Bowl Cut thinks about me. They can all think I'm some drag queen if they want; there are worse things in the world. Like bigots."

"Y-yeah," she laughed nervously. "But I'm kinda hoping… we can all get along during this trip. Maybe they can even be better than-"

"Don't hold your breath."

"I will," she told her, a little frustrated with being cut off so many times. "I'll hold my breath until Golden Week is over if I want to, you aren't the boss of me. No matter what you just told them."

Finally, Ai turned to smirk at her as they walked along toward the other hotel room. She had flown ahead, given that she had access to more swift modes of transportation than the plebs; Rise could have done the same, but she wanted to hang with the group. "Oh, we'll see about that, bitch. But not tonight. Everybody's exhausted."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah." However, she changed her tune quick when Rise turned on her heel and started walking back the way they came. "Wha- hey!" She jogged a couple of steps to catch up. "Where are you going?"

"Back to crowd into that shitty little room. It's better than being called your bitch every five seconds."

"Hey, whose fault is that? And do you really wanna have a public fight where the paparazzi can see us?"

"I don't even care. Maybe that would be for the best; then it's a public end to the public thing, and you can be an asshole to… to whoever you want, on your own time! So just leave me alone and go… to…"

The hand clamped onto her own gave her pause. The touch was firm but not rough; just enough to keep her from storming any further toward where her friends were getting ready for bed. When Rise didn't try pulling away, she caught up enough to place her other hand on Rise's shoulder.

"I'm sorry."

"For?"

"Wow, you really are a jerk." Ai swallowed hard before continuing, "I'm sorry… for being so… ugh. This is a pain in the ass."

"Then I guess I'm not worth it to you."

"Wow, loaded statement much?" No response, so she pressed ahead, "I'm trying. Okay? I'm just a bitch by default, you know that — and you did some fucked shit to me. Let me work through it if you want to get anywhere."

Rise turned and buried her face in Ai's chest, nuzzling against the side of her neck. The taller girl's breath caught and held fast. "Just be nice to me. Try?"

"Rise…" After a second, her hand drifted up to press into her back, holding her there. "Come on. Let's go get some sleep."

"Yeah." They parted, turned to head for Ai's room… but weren't walking nearly as far apart this time. That was marked progress.

                                                        ~ o ~

The next morning was a lot more interesting than that evening. They were so dead tired that they only got about half their clothes off before crawling into the futons Ai had set up — right next to each other. Her rationale was that if anyone checked the suite, it would support their claim that they were a hot-and-heavy couple. Rise found it hard to argue with that.

However, waking up with a decent-sized boner digging into her hip was a fine hello.

'Oh GOD,' she squealed internally. 'This can't be happening! Ai is all horny and too asleep for me to be able to ask her to cut that out!' In fact, she had tried to dig her elbow into her side, just enough to rouse her; no luck. If she did more than that she was afraid of robbing her of her sleep, or waking her up in a bad mood that might persist for the remainder of the day. Or worse: waking her up and embarrassing her, which she didn't want to do, either.

Then again… she couldn't pretend some part of the reason she didn't wake her was interest. What was it like to touch her directly? Not just petting along it with one finger for half a second — or through underwear and a long t-shirt; she already knew what that felt like, given that she had been dealing with the sensation for about fifteen minutes by now.

The worst part was how her own body was reacting. At first, she was just nervous and maybe a little creeped out, even though her curiosity was always there. But by now… she felt her heart pounding, throat dry, and tingles in places she had rarely felt tingles before. All thanks to a rigid little monster hiding in her girlfriend's panties.

"Wakey-wakey, Ebi-chaaaan," she whispered to the figure slumbering against her side. She really did look so sweet there. So pretty… she wanted to kiss her again. But that wasn't okay! She was asleep. Even though she knew it was a relatively harmless thing to do, she still didn't feel quite right about it.

Maybe she should try to slide out from under her. Yes, that sounded like a much safer idea. Nobody would feel like they had been violated this way. So little by little, she began to inch away from her, keeping her eyes on Ai's flawless features…

"Nnnhh…"

"Hey!" Rise squeaked when the sleeping girl redoubled her grip on her. Shit! She bit her lip, trying to ignore how much closer to a certain area that firm presence was now. Could she find no relief from this personal hell?!

This was supposed to be Narukami. Oh, she had dreamed many times about waking up beside him, letting him see a glimpse of a sexy shoulder before she pulled her kimono on and went to get breakfast. Sometimes, he dragged her back to bed, began to ravage her with kisses. And sometimes…

Well, no, she didn't really imagine sex. That part wasn't as integral to her fantasies; she just wanted to enjoy the physical and emotional intimacy. The act itself might be fun but she wasn't as concerned with that. But from time to time, she did imagine Yu kissing all over her neck, or-

OH NO. Now she was even more tingly and right up against the thing that had instigated these tingles in the first place. This was getting bad! Ai was groaning a little from all the movement but not quite rousing from her slumber. So she was still stuck fast.

"Ebihara, please," she hissed, pushing at her shoulders slightly. The noises got louder. "Hey! Are you in there, somewhere?!"

"Mhhh?" she asked as her hips began to grind a little — and Rise could swear she was seeing stars. This was awakening her body for the first time and she was just starting to wish that this wouldn't stop. "Who… wha?"

When Ai's eyes slit open and she saw Rise was beneath her, she blinked a few times. Rise gulped and grimaced. Then the teen queen began to frown down at her pop star girlfriend as she struggled to come up with a proper greeting.

"Oh. I uh… good… morning?"

                                                                To Be Continued…

[janevx]

unnoticed| jung jaehyun

 friends - to lovers au

paring jung jaehyunxreader

word count: 2466

You and Jaehyun were friends since high school. You two have been trough so much things, so you both trusted you the most in the world. He was only person who was next to you when you was left alone with pregnancy. You gave birth to girl five years ago when you were 18. 

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

– Jiyong! Please, we are gonna be late!

– Wait mom!

 A 5 year old girl was coming from upstairs to you. She hugged you and smilled at you.

– Are you ready to new school day?

– Yes mommy!

 Both of yoy left their apartament and went to Jiyongs school. Before little girl left, ske kissed your cheek.

 You were in short relationship with Johnny Suh, who was known as a non-regular guy who likes fun. You didn’t care and were stupid when you had sex with him. When he heart news he was mad and simply said to you “fuck off” and left you like this. Your family was kinda mad and didn’t want to help you, but you had at your side the most precious guy in the whole world  – Jung Jaehyun. He was angel to you. Never left your side and take care of you and your daughter; He didn’t care that you did it with the most known fuckboy. He didn’t care about this, because he care about you two. He was doing eveyrthing he could to help you. You wished to have boyfriend like this, but you knew that he is out of your league and he would never look at you as someone more than a friends. It was only your though. 

 Your day at work was really stressed. Your CEO was mad at you, because you did few mistakes in rapport that was very important to her company. When you were about to leave office, you had call from Jaehyun.

– Hello swettie! What are you doing?

– Hi Jaehyun, I uhm. Actually going to take back Jiyong from school, why?

– I was just thinkig that you two could go to me. I did some brownies and I know that Jiyong loves them and some hot chocolate for all of us. If you want to of course!! If you have some others things to do it’s okay, I’m gonna eat it by myself.  – He chuckled.

– Are you crazy?! Of course we gonna come! Jiyong loves you and would never miss a chance to meet her favourite uncle Jaehyunnie.

– Nice! I’m waiting for you ladies.

 You were so happy. that Jaehyun offered you and your daughter a meet. He come back from his trip to Spain. He always wants to go there, so when I had chance he didn’t missed it. 

 Your daughter was very happy, when she heard about this that you two are going to Jaehyuns place. She loves her uncle as her daddy, but she have never deared to call him “dad”, because her mother said that she doesn’t have dad, maybe in future.

 Jiyong was running to door and was waiting till Jaehyun open them to you. You were standing next to your daughter and with her waiting for handsome guy to open the door.

– Ah my favourites ladies, come in!

 Little girl hugged really tight Jaehyun. It melts your heart. You always wanted to Jiyong to have father. Have someone to learn her how to ride a bike. To laugh at her mommy. Someone who0 would kick butts of boys from her class if they would be mean to her. But kinda Jaehyun did this. He would never let Jiyong to feel alone and aback from kids from her class. He always take care of her to not feel bad.

– Uncle I miss you! 

– I miss you too sweatheart! Look what I’ve done to you, my little girl.

 When Jiyong saw brownies she passed out. She loves this american style, that her uncle has. When she also saw her uncles dog named Johnatan she left you and Jaehyun for ourselfs.

– So how was at Spain? Did you see a lot latina girls?

– It was amazing! Such a pity, that you couldn’t see Spaiin. And yeah, I met some girl, but.. This ain’t my type.

– Jaehyun you need to find yourself a girlfriend.

– But I don’t want to! I have cool best friend and her daughter, that’s enough for me.

– Aish, this man. 

– It was amazing but I missed you two. You know, Jiyong always call me at 8 p.m asking about me and what did I do this day. It feels weird without her voice.

To be honest he didn’t miss your daughter voice only, he also missed you. You were so important to him like no one. You were his light in the dark, but he couldn’t admit this, because he thinks that you see him as only bestfriend who wasn’t left them.

– Jiyong missed you as well. She even cried first day, when you left.

– Oh no! I hat when one of you cry. It’s breaks my heart.

– But when she realized that you gonna come back, she let out. She really loves you, doesn’t she?

– I geuss so.

 Jaehyun wished it was he, who was father of your daughter.

– By the way, can I ask you something?

– Sure, go ahed y/n.

– Could you take care of Jiyong in friday? I asked about it Yuta, but he said that Jiyong is daughter of satan and he won’t dare to take care of her.

 Both of you laughed. In friday you going to have date with guy named Kim Doyoung. You met him in ice cream store and it ends with asking out.

– Sure, I have nothing to do anyway. But wat are you going to do on Friday?

– I have date!

 His gaze was different and you noticed it.

– Ah, date. A lot happend when I was off.

– Kinda yes. I met him at ice cream store and this ends like this, so..

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

 friday.

 You were getting ready/ You wore red dress and beautiful black heels. Jaehyun should be at your place about 5 minutes. It was 8 p.m and your daughter was watching some cartoons waiting for her uncle. When both of you heard knocking trough the door you knew who it was.

– Jaehyun!

 He smilled and were shocked when he saw your outfut. In his eyes you looked really amazing.

– Oh y/n, you look so good today.

– You think so? Isn’t it bad?

– It’s not. You are really pretty tonight.

 You blushed at his words. 

– Okay, Doyoung is there, so I need to go. Jiyong listen to uncle Jaehyun and be nice to him!

– I always am.

 You left this to to themselfs.

 Jaehyun was kinda jalous when you left. He was curious about this “doyoung” who the hell he was? Nevermind. Now he have to take care of this sweat little girl.

– Unclee! I haven’t eaten supper yet, can we do some sandwiches? Please.

– Of course we can! I’m hungry too, so we can make it, but.. You have to help me Jiyong, okay?

– Okay!

 She was so happy. It’s melting Jaehyuns heart when he saw her that happy from simplest things. He loves spending time with 5 year old girl. He would do everything for her and her mommy. 

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

 It’s been month since you and Doyoung was datting. He was really kind guy and Jiyong looks like was liking him. You liked it. Because you didn’t want to your daughter hates guy, who you date.

 Today is Jiyongs 6th birthday and at your place gonna be only you, Doyoung, Jiyong and Jaehyun, because party for kids gonna be in saturday. You cooked a cake for her and bought her some clothes and doll. Doyoung boiught her books about fashion, because Jiyong really enjoying fashion. You three were waiting for Jaehyun.

Aish Jaehyun.

 He hates your boyfriend. He always gives him cold stares and ingors him as most as he could. Doyoung was for him not that good. Jaehyun knew that somethings going on with guy, who “fell in love” with girl with kjid. He didn’t know what’s happening but he gonna know.

 When Jaehyun arrived everyone were sitting. He smiled at Jiyong.

– My little girl has birthday, doesn’t she? Come here Jiyong!

 He hugged her and lift her, just to turn aroung with her. He was happy, but when he say another guy his face drops a little. But he couldn’t show it, so smiles appears on his face immadietaly.

– Jaehyun, sit down. We waited with cake for you.

 You smilled at him. He nodded and take place next to your daughter. Jalous was really hiogh in him. He was mad that Doyoung was there, but he can’t help this feeling. 

 When atmoshpehere was getting better it comes time for gifts to little girl. First was you. You wished all the best for your daughter and gave her a kiss. Next was Doyoung and she said something what was shocking.

– Can you come to my fathers day competition at school?

– Of course Jiyong!

You looked at Jaehyun and at your daughter. Her eyes was shining when she was looking at Doyoung with amaze. Jaehyun face drops and his heart breaks into pieces. It was only him, who attend this kind of events. He was going to these competitions since Jiyong was 4. He get used to it. Now he was feeling really sad and bad. He took little teddy bear at the table and stand next to little girl. It was hard to him, that it’s not him now.

– Sunny I wish you all the best and health. I hope you are gonna be really happy and have good time. Also, I hope  you are gonna have the best grades! I’m really sorry, but I forgot that I have some meeting today to arrive, I’m sorry honey.

 You were shock at what you heard. You mjade sure that Jaeyun is free today and now he gotta go. Jiyong looks kinda upset too that Jaehyun was with her only half of an hour.  You didn’t really know that your daughter question made him sad and useless. 

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

Between you and Doyoung was okaty, but not that good as you wish. You were thikiong that maybe you need time to fall for him, but it’s been some time and you still haven’t change. 

 Today is day when fathers competition is. You and Jiyong were at school waiting for Doyoung. He should be there 15 minutes ago,. but he stiil wasn’t there. You called him.

– Shit y/n I’m sorry. I can’t be there today. I have meeting and not have much time. I’m really sorry for Jiyong.

– What? If she would knew, she gonna cry! You promised this to her. what I’m gonna do right now?

– I don’t know. I’m really sorry, but I have to go.

 About 30 miniutes this competition gonna start and you didn’t know what to do. You can’t leave her like this. Maybe Yuta? No, he is athletic, but your daughter always makje fun of him and it’s pissed him off. Maybe Jaehyun? You hesitate to call him, becuase since your daughter birthday he doesn’t contact you. With shaking hand you called him.

– y/n? What’s up? Aren’t you supposed to be at school with your dumbass boyfrend and Jiyong?

– Doyoung won’t come. Please, I need someone today. It’s breaks Jiyong heart if she not gonna be part of Father Day.

 When he heart that Doyoung left you two like this he was really pissed off. He knew that it was really important day for Jiyong as for him. He didn’t waste much time.

– I’ll be there in 10.

And he was. He arrived with smile. When 6 year old girl saw him she hugged her a lot.

– Where is Doyoubng?

– This asshole couldn’t come.

– Jaehyun! Doyoun can’t because of work, honey.

 When you were watching Jaehyun and Jiyong run, painting, and do another activitaes it makes sure to you that you love another man. And it wasn’t Doyoung. It was Jaehyun. It’s always been Jaehyun. You knew that you need to end everything with Doyoung as soon as possible.

 At the end of competitions Jaehyun and Jiyoung won and were at the first place! You couldn’t realize that you were crying at the sight. You were so proud of them. Also, Jaehyun looks so proud next to your daughter. 

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

 You were at Doyoungs place. He was sitting at the couch and at the same time both ouf you spoke.

– We need to end this.

– Yes, y/n you are right. I’m not used to being father and I geuss we aren’t mean to us.

– I thinlk so. You are really nice guy, but 

– You loves Jaehyun? It’s clear. 

– Yeah. I should go. I hope you find someone, who will love you and who you will love.

– Thankjs.

 You were happy that now you could face Jaehyun.

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

 He waz at your place taking care again of Jiyong. You asked him about this. When you arrived she was sleeping and Jaehyun was almost asleep at the couch, but when he saw you he stood up.

– I’m going now. She is asleep and  –

– I broke up with Doyoung.

 He was shocked.

– What? Why?

– I don’t love him. I love another guy.

– Damn y/n. Is there any other? How much do I have to do to make it more obvious? I love you y/n! I’m fuckin unnoticed by you by 6years now. I love you about 6 years. You have never noticed me, haven’t you? Damn and when you had started dating this jerk Doyoung I was mad. I was sad that now Jiyong would call him daddy not me. Aish, nevermind. I’m sorry, I know that you see me only as a friend and  –

– I love you Jaehyun.

– What? R-really?

– Yes! I thought you see me only as female friend who need to have someone by her side. I thought i’m out of your league.

– Shit, y/n you are amazing! You are the most prettiest woman I have ever met! And I love you and Jiyong the most in the world. Will you give us a chance?

– Of course I will!

– Now uncled Jaehyun will be my daddy? Yes! I love you daddy!

  Jiyong ran to your direction and hugged both of you. It looks so perfect. since now you have your small family.

[writers-block246]

Bucky Barnes x Reader - The Light Amidst my Darkness

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4,

Warning: Mentions of mental illness. I tried to present Bucky’s challenges as accurately as possible. However, if anyone has some suggestions as to better portray his illness and resulting therapy, please lmk! (I researched to depict his struggle with mental illness and the type of therapy he would recieve as accurately as I could). Curse words are also included.

Notes: Italics are thoughts and emphasis. Set before Infinity War and Endgame. Slow burn.

——————————————————————————

Chapter 5:

You were worried.

James hadn’t shown up to any of your recent sessions, and you had yet to glimpse those striking blue eyes.

What do I do now?

You were struggling with how to approach the subject. On one hand, you wanted to give him his space. On the other, however, you were worried that time away from your consistent sessions would only be detrimental.

To put it simply, you were running out of ideas.

You were already taking more strolls around the compound in hopes of seeing him. What I would do if I did run into him still remained a mystery, though. You dared to go to Fury, subtly inquiring over his whereabouts, and yet, according to the Director, no one had seen the sergeant. (Fury then told you to get your issue solved quickly. Although, his orders were a little more crude). You even went to his favorite coffee shop, though you suspected he wouldn’t be gracing it with his presence anytime soon.

Now, you were left with one option.

Steve Rogers.

Initially, you did not want to ask him for help because of his close relationship with James. You had even discussed confidentiality with Steve before. At this point though, you were willing to cross the confines of your profession, as long as it was for James’s well-being.

Whether you liked it or not, it was time to find Steve.

Sighing, you stood from your chair, ready to begin your journey to find the Captain.

And then a knock sounded at your office door.

Could it be...?

It wasn’t.

But it was the next best thing.

Standing at your door was Steve Rogers, in all his Captain America glory.

Huh, I must’ve summoned him.

The two of you made eye contact.

“Have you seen James?”

Well, so much for his help, you thought.

At the same time, both of you had inquired the same question of each other. Steve looked panicked, and you sighed. “No, I haven’t. Not since his last outburst.”

Steve was visibly upset. “I was hoping he had came back, but I should’ve known better. He’s stubborn as a mule.”

You snorted. “You got that right. Come on in.”

With that, Steve stepped around you and into your office.

Both of you taking a seat, you relayed to him what had happened during your last session.

Steve sighed. “I know he’s hard on himself because of what he’s been through. But he seemed to be doing so well with you.”

You nodded. “Yeah. Though to be completely honest, I was waiting for something like this to happen.”

Steve raised his head. “You were?”

“Definitely. It’s common, expected even, for patients with great mental trauma to act out and separate themselves from others. But with his background, handling the situation is very difficult and delicate. I mean, the first issue would be to find him, and no one, not even you, has seen him. Hell, we are literally dealing with an ex-assassin, here. I wish there was like—a book, or a manual over him, ” you gave a non-humorous laugh.

Steve looked thoughtful. “I might just know where he is, now that you mention it. Honestly, I can’t believe I didn’t think of it sooner,” he mumbled half to himself.

He stood, purposefully ignoring your confused expression.

“You’ll see him, soon,” he confidently stated as he strode out of the room.

Well, okay then.

Bucky didn’t know what to do.

You had to hate him now. He knew, he knew, his behavior was absolutely horrid. You had to fear him at this point. You had to see him as the monster everyone else did.

But oh, how he didn’t want you to.

He wanted, so desperately, to hide his outbursts from you. He had talked to you about them, yes, but he never wanted to actually show them to you.

He didn’t want you to leave him once you saw how bad he could really get.

The funny thing, though? You didn’t even look scared. You just sat there, waiting for him to finish. But it had to be a mask, right? You had to be scared of him. After all, everyone else was. The only time you showed any emotion was when he had called you a liar.

He didn’t mean it.

He was just so angry after his run-in with the man in the coffee shop. The stranger (and, really? A stranger had affected him this much? Pathetic) had confirmed his worst fears and destroyed one of his favorite places all in one go. And he didn’t know what to do. Where to go. Except to you. He had went to you for comfort (because you were his only true source of consolation, if he were to be honest), but the time spent making his way to you only served to make him feel more angry, more confused. His emotions came crashing over him like waves in the storm he is, and by the time he reached you, the only form of communication he could use was taking his frustration out on you. He couldn’t help himself, he just needed a release, and you were the closest person to direct it at.

And he knew, knows, you aren’t a liar. After all, you

truly didn’t think he was a monster. Or, at least, you didn’t before.

I’m sure you think differently now.

Even after everything, he still wanted to go back to you. To continue as if nothing ever happened. To have you comfort him. But he knew that was impossible.

Sighing, he strolled along the book store’s aisles, noticing a familiar head of blonde hair.

Steve.

James sighed, his friend truly did know him well. Maybe too well.

“Hey, Buck.”

James looked up from the book in his hands. “Couldn’t just leave me alone, could ya, punk?”

Steve smiled. “You know I can’t.”

Bucky sighed again. “I know why you’re here. Just spit it out already.”

“You need to go back. She really helps you, Buck. Don’t throw that away over one incident.”

“Incident?” James scoffed. “I destroyed her office.”

“Bucky, she’s a trained professional. She’s used to dealing with her patient’s emotions, good or bad. Hell, it’s her job.”

James looked down at his feet, shaking his head. “She has to hate me now. Or at the very least, not want to come anywhere near me.“

Steve laughed.

James whipped his head up. “What?” he snarled.

Steve laughed again. “It’s quite the opposite, pal.”

James looked confused. “What do you mean?”

“She’s been looking all over the tower for you, Buck. She’s been asking after you and everything. Even faced Fury’s wrath just to see if you were okay. She wants you to come back, pal.”

James gave a shaky breath. “She does?” he asked meekly.

“Yes. And you want to go back, too. Don’t deny it, I know you. Just do us all a favor and continue your sessions.”

A solemn look crossed the sergeant’s face. “The things I said to her, Steve. I—I don’t know if I can face her after that.”

Steve sighed. “Buck, look, I know you’re beating yourself up over it. But, she’s a trained professional, like I said. She’s used to outbursts and angry patients. She didn’t take anything you said to heart, not really. And she’s already forgiven you for it. Even though, and I quote, you “didn’t do anything that needed forgiveness.”’

James laughed shakily. “Yeah, that sounds like something she would say.”

Steve smiled. “So, it’s settled, then? You’ll go back?”

After a moments deliberation, James nodded.

Steve slapped a hand on his shoulder. “Alright, then. You’ve got an appointment.”

For the past few hours you had been busying yourself with work, trying to keep your mind off of James and whatever the hell Steve was up to.

Did Steve find him? Will—can—he get James to come back?

You had never been so tied up with a patient before. Sure, you worried over all of them and wished them the best. But this—this was different. You wanted—no needed—James to come back. You needed to make sure he was okay. You needed to see his smile again (and what a beautiful smile it was). You needed to make sure you didn’t lose a close friend, one who you had gotten to know very deeply over the past few months.

He wasn’t just a patient to you anymore.

And you were worried.

So, like any other healthy individual (ironic because of your profession), you dived into your work. You were so fixated on your task that you almost—almost— didn’t catch the timid knock on your door.

Your hand stilled on your piece of paper.

It’s him.

You just knew it was. You could feel it.

What do I do now?

Taking a deep breath, you steeled yourself and called for him to enter.

This is it.

He had become very comfortable with you over your time together. To the point where his silent steps has turned confident. Now, however, it seemed to be his first session, with how bashfully he entered your office.

“Take a seat, Mr. Barnes.”

“Bucky.”

You blinked. “What?”

“I think we’ve been through enough together that you can call me Bucky.”

Swallowing, you nodded. “Okay, Bucky. How are you doing today?”

He looked baffled. “So you’re just gonna pretend my whole scene didn’t happen?”

You smiled. “Look, Bucky. I’m used to that sort of thing. I deal with it, sometimes, on a daily basis. It happens. You were upset, and you acted on it. It’s as simple as that.”

He shook his head. “People don’t throw shit and cuss out their friends when they get mad.”

Laughing, you said: “Well, some do. But with your history of mental distress, it’s totally normal for you to get overwhelmed and need an outlet. I’m fine being that outlet, Bucky. I am your therapist.”

He frowned. “Aren’t you mad at me?”

Always so blunt. Gotta admire that, though.

You smiled once more. “No, Bucky. I was never mad.”

He looked a little shocked. “You weren’t?”

“No. Like I said, your behavior was totally normal. I’m not going to get mad at you when I completely understand where you were coming from.”

He snorted. “I take it Steve told you what happened.”

“Yes, and I’m glad he did. It helped me better understand what was going through that head of yours.”

He looked a little uncomfortable at that last statement, not quite ready to divulge his feelings. He needed a little time to get readjusted, and you were pretty sure he was still worried that you were mad at him. So, you changed the subject. “Anyway, where did Steve find you today?”

“A bookstore,” he quietly replied.

Your face lit up. “The one on 75th?”

He looked up in surprise. “Yeah. Have you been?”

You sighed blissfully. “Yes! It’s like my favorite place. Right after Fort Washington Park.”

He looked contemplative. “Hmm, I’ve never been to that park before.”

You smiled. “I highly recommend it. I love to just sit and read. A little break from all the chaos around here, ya know?”

He smiled ruefully. “Yeah, I think I get what you mean.”

You frowned. “You’re not part of the chaos, by the way. In fact, you make it all the more bearable.”

“I find that hard to believe,” he scoffed.

“I’m not lying, Bucky. I truly never have.”

He looked down at his lap. “I know.”

Relief settled in your stomach. You were so glad he didn’t truly think you a liar. Just as you had expected, those words were just out of anger—not at you.

You grinned. “Good. And I never will. I don’t make it a habit of lying to my friends.”

Because if there was one thing Bucky Barnes needed in this world, it was a friend.

-Admin Cheyenne :)

More chapters on the way!!

[bubbyleh]

it was arrogance to think you knew how to handle this - chapter 4

another chapter! so soon! this got kinda long so i cut it off. i might post a link later to the ao3 fic.

chapter 4: anyway gordon time

It takes everything Gordon has not to scream his frustration to the Fae (Benrey, APPARENTLY), who he’s SURE was watching him from somewhere. He bites his tongue, forcing himself to keep his ugly sobs and rampant swearing in. If only for the fact that he just put Josh down for a nap.

Gordon sweeps at the ash from the letter with his foot, scattering it across his front step. This has gone on long enough.

When Joshua wakes up, Gordon is going to tell him that they’re moving. He doesn’t care what complaints Josh may have, the fact of the matter is their house no longer feels safe. Hell, Gordon’s been sleeping with a bat next to his bed lately.

He can’t live like this. Not with the constant fear of someone coming to take Josh from him because he can’t be a good enough father. Never before have Gordon’s anxieties taken such a physical form.

Glancing at the clock, Gordon realizes that Josh has been asleep for a bit, close to two hours. It’s only slightly longer than usual (time sure flies when you’re teetering on the edge of a panic attack!), but it’s such a mundane thing that Gordon jumps on the chance to be worried about that instead. Quietly, he makes his way to Josh’s room.

Gordon hears thumps from his son’s bedroom as he approaches, so he knows Joshua is awake. He expects to find him going through his toy box, but when Gordon opens the door, he sees Joshua attempting to climb onto his window sill. A jolt of panic races through Gordon’s heart.

“Josh,” is all Gordon has to say, and suddenly Josh has turned around and is acting like he wasn’t doing anything.

“Daddy!” Josh returns with a smile. He runs towards Gordon and latches onto one of his legs.

Gordon tries very hard not to let Josh distract him. He picks Joshua up. “What were you just doin’, buddy?” he questions.

“Um.” Josh squirms, his eyes glancing towards his window. “I wanna go outside.”

Gordon’s mind flashes back to the letter. “I’m not so sure about that, Joshie…”

“B-but!” Josh begins to whine, and oh goodness, he’s breaking out the puppy dog eyes. “You never let me play outside anymore! It’s not fair! I wanna play outside!” He grabs onto Gordon’s shirt.

Joshua looks like he’s about to cry, but oh boy, does Gordon feel like it. God, what kind of parent doesn’t let their kid play outside? Well, the kind that’s had a stranger come around the house and demand their child, but when Gordon really thinks about it, maybe Benrey had a point? He’s gotta be fucking up real hard if Josh is so upset about not being able to play outside.

Gordon runs through a risk assessment in his head, ignoring Joshua’s constant stream of “Please please please please!” Despite his concerns, Benrey has never tried to forcefully take Josh. Sure, there have been a few home invasions here and there, but as far as Gordon’s seen, they haven’t even laid a hand on his son. Not to mention, Gordon’s a responsible parent. He’s going to be watching Josh the whole time, so if they do try anything, he’ll be there.

“Alright,” Gordon concedes. Joshua cheers, but Gordon is quick to add, “Backyard, though. Go get your shoes.”

It turns out Josh is happy with anything, as he’s waiting happily by their back door for Gordon to put his shoes on for him. Gordon tries not to think about how bad he feels for keeping Josh cooped up inside all this time.

Gordon puts all his energy towards staying in the mindset of ‘I’m just a regular, level-headed dad taking his kid to play outside.’ However, stepping outside, Gordon is reminded of the fact that they live in the middle of nowhere and, aside from a small clearing for a few planets, their house is completely surrounded by the woods.

This was a bad idea.

But the way Joshua’s eyes light up, his hand gripping tightly to his bucket of outdoor toys, makes Gordon feel like maybe it’s alright.

Josh seems content to play on his own. In fact, he shoos Gordon away when he picks up one of his toys. Gordon isn’t sure whether it’s good that Josh is a little independent at his age, or if it’s a sign that his parenting is lacking.

Hopefully the former.

So Gordon is content to sit on their back step, watching as Josh pulls worms from the dirt and places them into the bucket. He’s not… entirely sure what the point is, but he’ll find out eventually.

There’s something to be said about having a kid. Sure, Josh looks like him, but it’s more than that. Whenever Joshua does anything, good or bad, Gordon’s heart swells for a moment, because damn, that’s his, isn’t it?

Joshua seems to have forgotten about the worm bucket. He’s focusing on his hands, Gordon recognizing his puzzled expression from… right before he discovered his wings. And before he can stop whatever magical bullshit is about to happen, there’s a flame between Josh’s hands.

“Joshua!” Gordon shouts, mind going into full Dad Mode. Joshua moves his hands apart, and the flame fizzles out. Gordon is at his side in an instant, checking his hands. “Are you okay? What was that!?”

“My hands felt funny!” is all Josh can say, but Gordon can see the confusion in his eyes as well.

After a moment of inspection, Gordon can see that Joshua’s hands are unscathed. He sighs in relief and pulls Josh in. The only warning Gordon can manage is, “Please be careful.”

“And you thought our dear friend Benrey was mistaken!” an unfamiliar voice says.

Gordon’s head immediately shoots up towards the source of the noise, but there’s nobody there.

“Crap, he heard you,” a different voice notes.

“Who the hell is there!?” Gordon calls out, moving between Joshua and the treeline.

The first voice ignores him. “Ah, well. It was bound to happen. We might as well introduce ourselves.”

Two figures suddenly appear where they were very much NOT standing before, and yeah, they’re both clearly Fae. One is sharp and gangly, while the other is short and round.

“Hello there!” the shorter one beams. “I’m Coomer. It’s a pleasure to meet you!”

“Hey,” the tall one sneers, “can I have your name?”

Gordon feels like he’s about to rip his hair out.

“Bubby!” Coomer admonishes, elbowing him. “That’s quite rude! We just met this man!”

Gordon smirks. “Bubby?” He can hear Joshua giggling behind him.

“Sh-shut up!” Bubby’s face turns a darker shade of blue. He deserves a little bit of embarrassment.

Coomer clears his throat. “Anyway. I presume you are this young man’s father, are you not?” He gestures to Joshua, who waves when he notices Coomer looking at him. Coomer waves back.

“Yes, I am,” Gordon states, trying to sound as firm as possible.

“Wonderful!” Coomer claps his hands together. “I believe we need to speak to you.”

[and-other-savory-things]

Phillip & Schmidt pt. 4

Can you tell it’s quarantine I’m actually writing shit. CW for mentioned child abuse and more angst than anything else. you can find the rest of these guys here if tumblr is nice to me.

Phillip was not expecting to come home today and see his brother for the first time in 6 years leaning outside his apartment building.

“Phil…” Damien stood up immediately once Phillip was in sight.

The two brothers stood 6 feet apart, staring at each other in silence before one of them moved. His brother looked like he was going in for a hug, and Phillip instinctively stopped him with what could have been passed as a wave. “Hey, Damien.”

He changed tactic. “You’ve gotten so tall, man.”

“Yeah, 6 and a half years will do that to you,” Phillip replies as he lets himself into the building. “Come on up, I guess.”

Once inside his apartment, Phillip shed his bag and jacket. “How’d you find me?”

Damien laughed, as if any of this situation was humourous. “You don’t exactly keep a low profile, dude. And when I heard that Dad was gone-”

“That was 2 years ago, Damien.” Phillip shot him a look before turning to grab the loaf of bread on his counter. It was quiet for long enough that Phillip was half way through making his sandwich before he got suspicious and looked up at the other man. His brother was staring with a furrow in his brow at what Phillip was doing. “What?”

“Shit, Phil… what happened to your arm?”

Phillip looked down at the nasty gash of a scar across his forearm, visible in his t-shirt. “Oh, this?” he threw down the butter knife and turned to face Damien, a bite in his voice and a snarling smile on his face. “Yeah, that was from your friend, what was his name again? You helped him out a lot, gave him tips on how to create the weapon that did this actually. Thanks for that, real heroic of you. Oh, and this one?” Damien looked like he was going to say something, but Phillip wasn’t done yet. He yanked his shirt collar to the side, revealing another scar along his collar bone and top of his shoulder. His plastered on smile dropped from his face. “This one’s from dear old Pops, who you left me with, alone, when I was 15, Damien.” His voice dropped into a snarl. “I started my first day of grade 10 with a black eye and hunting for a brother who didn’t love me enough to stick around, so why the hell do you think you can show up now?”

Damien’s face was pale, looking like he’d just been stabbed. Phillip didn’t care. “Phillip, I… I’m so sorry. I left because I loved you. I wanted-”

“Oh, fuck off!” Phillip shook his head silently, trying to wrap his mouth around words in anger. “I used to defend you! I used to say the exact same thing, but did it make you come back? Did it mean you were there for me when I needed you?” His angry rampage was interrupted by the buzzing of his phone. An alert from Cassidy, his tech girl.

King and John. Rooftop.

“Sorry, bro.” His voice drips with contempt as he holds up his phone. “Gotta go save the city you abandoned.”

------

Schmidt looked up when the blue-haired superhero landed on the rooftop with him. “Hey, nice of you to join us!” His grin contrasted Phillip’s murderous glare.

“Look, Schmidt, I am really not in the mood for this.” He motioned to the villain and his equipment. “Cut this shit, your plan won’t work anyways, and we’ll not do this whole thing tonight, yeah?”

Schmidt narrowed his eyes. “Um, no? I worked on this plan for weeks, I’m going through with it. I’m not going to stop just because you’re in a pissy mood.”

Phillip rubbed his eyes. “Are you seriou- fine.” He lit his hands on fire. “Fine! You wanna do it this way? We’ll do it this way.”

------

The fight went miserably for Phillip, if getting knocked out and waking up tied to a chair was anything to go by. He struggled for a minute before looking up and seeing Schmidt in front of him, leaning back in his own chair with his arms and ankles crossed.

Schmidt waited until he stopped thrashing before he spoke. “You want to tell me what’s up with you tonight?”

“Fuck you,” Phillip snarled, “I’m not having some heart to heart with the guy who chucked me off a building a half hour ago.”

Schmidt tilted his head and raised his eyebrows. “It’s been at least an hour and a half, but okay. Guess we’ll just sit here then.”

“Guess so.” Phillip’s glare met his opponent’s unimpressed expression for a good 5 minutes before he looked away and sighed.

“My brother’s back,” he said to the floor.

Schmidt’s eyebrows shot up in disbelief before his expression morphed into the smile of a man intent on murder. “Really.”

Phillip flicked his eyes up and back down. “Yeah he-” Phillip lifted up his head as he registered Schmidt’s expression. “What are you- why are you smiling like that, Schmidty, don’t fucking… murder my brother!”

“I wasn’t going to! I wasn’t. Not… completely.” Schmidt schooled his expression. “Why is he back?”

Phillip shrugged as much as he could with his hands tied behind his back. “I dunno. To apologize? Reunite?” Schmidt snorted, and Phillip looked at him, confused. “Okay, what do you have against him?” “Besides the fact that he’s clearly upset you enough to make you put up the worst fight I’ve seen in years?”

Phillip dipped his head, chagrined. “Besides that, yeah.”

Schmidt’s tone turned serious again. “Because he left you. I don’t care what the situation is, that’s not what a brother does.”

Phillip huffed. “And you’d know?”

“Yeah! I would!” Schmidt retorts. “I’m a great brother! I call my sister once a week. She lives in Memphis and has two sons who I would turn over the world for and I would never abandon her. Especially if she needed me.”

Phillip is silent for a moment before letting out a small laugh. “You’re something, Schmidty, you know that?” He sighs. “I can’t blame him for leaving, though. I mean, I would have, too, if I was him. It… sucked. I just wish he’d taken me with him. But I can’t really blame him for that either.”

Schmidt shifted forward and placed a hand on the young man’s shoulder. “You were a kid, Phillip. You didn’t deserve to go through any of the things you did. And I’m sorry for the times I didn’t see how much you were hurting.”

Phillip sniffed. “You were probably a better brother to me than he was, honestly.”

Schmidt scrunched his face up tight and took a deep breath. “Don’t make me cry, kid, or I’m going to have to punch you again.”

Phillip laughed and shook the tear out of his own eye. “Could you just untie me instead, please?”

[doc-pickles]

it’s nothing funny just to talk (p.3)

What happens when you text that random number graffitied on a bathroom stall in your favorite bar? Jo Wilson is about to find out. - In which Bar Princess and Doctor Evil Spawn meet via text.

Chapter threeee. What do you think? Any predictions?

Sunday 10:28 AM

oh man

you’re pretty funny

Shhh you’re talking too loud. 

i’m texting you

Well stop it. You’re being too loud. 

okaaaaay i’ll leave you alone

Wait come back… I miss you. 

ahhh the truth comes out 

you do like me

Of course I do, I wouldn’t be texting you if I didn’t. 

well that’s good to know 

i’m assuming your head is pounding?

Very much so. I'm about to chug a gallon of orange juice and pray I don’t die. 

can you sing while you do it?

I don’t sing. 

but you serenaded me last night 

it was an amazing song called “bar princess” 

Oh shit. Really?

yes and then you told me that you couldn’t sing to me because jo would be mad

In my defense it was my buddies bachelor party. 

that excuse didn’t stop you from calling me bar princess

I think i’m gonna name you… doctor rockstar 

Somehow that’s actually worse than Doctor Evil Spawn

it'll grow on you 

hey go check your porch

You didn’t. 

oh but I did

Breakfast and coffee? You’re the best. Thank you. 

it’s my thank you for the donuts yesterday

and for keeping me sane almost everyday

It’s nothing, I enjoy our friendship just as much as you do. 

  Sunday 3:33 PM

What’s with all these sirens in the area? You think someone died?

oh…. that might’ve been me…

WHAT?!

Are you okay?

Jo???

  Sunday 3:45 PM

Incoming Voice Call

“Hey it’s Jo! I can’t come to the phone right now but leave me a message and I’ll call ya back!”

  Sunday 3:47 PM

i’m fine gimme a second

You’re freaking me out. 

  Sunday 4:17 PM

Incoming Voice Call

“Jo?”

“I’m fine, I‘m fine.”

“What the hell happened?”

“I tried to make lunch and I set something on fire. It’s fine, I just couldn’t contain it.”

“You want me to come help out? I can be there in five minutes.”

“Alex, I’m fine. And I told you, I don’t wanna see you until our date.”

“Oh screw all that. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yes! Now stop worrying about me, I’m perfectly fine.”

“Okay I’ll take your word for it, Bar Princess.”

“Good. Now stop freaking out, I can hear you hyperventilating over there.”

“I told you, I don’t want our first meeting to be at your funeral. I’m protecting myself obviously.”

“Right okay. Well I have to go and talk Steph down from killing me. I’ll talk to you soon. And Alex?”

“Yes Jo?”

“Thanks… just for caring about me. I’ve never had anyone who would be that concerned about me setting the fire alarm off. It means a lot. More than you know.”

“Well I like you, a lot. And you mean a lot to me. More than you know. Hey, when are you free next week?”

“I get back on Sunday night so anytime after that.”

“I’m off Wednesday, does that work for you?”

“Absolutely. It’s a date?”

“It is definitely a date. I’ll talk to you soon. Bye.”

“Bye!”

  Monday 9:36 AM

so steph killed me 

almost

  Monday 10:06 AM

You’re texting me so I’m assuming that’s a good sign. 

yeah I started crying and she let me off the hook

You started crying??

well fake crying but yeah

it did the job

You’re full of surprises aren’t you?

only always

I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised when we meet

I hope so. Gotta go yell at interns, catch ya on the flip side. 

the 90s called they want their catchphrase back

  Monday 4:21 PM

pretty sure our AC is broken

i’m sweating like a pig

Oof, not fun. Did you call it in?

yup but they can’t get out till next weekend

i’m in shorts and a tank top I don’t think I can strip more without izzie yelling at me

I wouldn’t complain if you wanted to come and strip for me. 

that was very forward doctor rockstar

at least take me out to dinner first

I’m trying to. Surgeons are busy people. 

it’s okay it’ll be well worth the wait 

and i’m holding you to what you said

I say a lot of things to you, you’ll have to be more specific. 

when you said you’d kiss me as soon as we met

i’ll be waiting for that

I’ll make sure to put chapstick on in the car then. 

you should do stand up comedy 

Once you get to know me you’ll understand how terrible of an idea that is. 

oh shoot

bridezilla just stormed in crying

OH MY GOD SHE GOT A FAKE TAN SHE LOOKS LIKE AN ORANGE 

have to run damage control we’ll talk later 

Lemon juice and a loofah. At least that’s what Meredith is telling me. Good luck. 

  Tuesday 10:28 AM

can you kiss meredith for me

she saved my ass yesterday 

That would be kind of awkward seeing as she’s married. But I’ll pass on your thanks. 

there were so many tears 

it was horrendous

izzie and I stayed up until 2 am washing that stuff off

Jesus Christ. I’m sure you’ll be relieved once this wedding is over and done with. 

four more days!!

i’m excited of course but like… I want this done with

I can’t take much more bridezilla madness

Neither can I. 

you’re not even dealing with it!!

Yeah but I have to hear you dealing with it and it just doesn’t sound fun. I pity you. 

you’re so sweet

Doctor Feel Good

That sounds borderline inappropriate. 

it was 100% inappropriate 

see i’ve flipped the tables 

now i’m trying to seduce you

I applaud your efforts. Giving me a sexy nickname definitely helped your chances.

really??

You asked me to kiss you as soon as we met, I assumed that you would also be putting out on the first date.

W O W

you’re not wrong

BUT WOW

Knew it. I’d love to continue talking about what you’re going to do to me after our first date, but I have a high volume trauma coming in. Probably won’t be around for a few hours.

good luck, keep your wits about you

don’t be a hero, we still have a standing date

Wouldn’t miss it for the world.

  Tuesday 11:38 PM

Incoming Voice Call

“Alex?”

“Hey. I hope I didn’t wake you up.” “No… No, I wasn’t sleeping, I was watching a movie. Are you okay?” “Yeah. Yeah I’m fine.” “You don’t sound fine.” “It’s just been a long day… a lot happened.” “Do you wanna talk about it?” “No I… there was a pileup, on the freeway. It was really bad. And there… there was a van full of kids. It’s just been a long day.” “I’m sorry, I can’t imagine how hard it is going through that. What can I do to help?” “Can you… can you just talk to me?” “Of course I can. Oh! I’ll tell you Izzie’s muffin story! That’s a good one.”

“Okay yeah. Yeah, that sounds good.” “So Izzie and her boyfriend had gone through a BAD breakup, I mean monumental. She was so upset and she just started baking…”

  Wednesday 9:59 AM

Incoming Voice Call

“Jesus Christ what time is it?” “It’s 10 AM.” “Alex! I didn’t check the caller ID. Are you okay?” “I’m fine. I’m fine… I’m sorry I woke you up.” “No! It’s okay, you know I love to hear your voice.” “Well that’s a relief, I was worried you were gonna drop me because I keep waking you up.” “You only woke me up once!” “Listen Bar Princess, you may think you’re a good liar but you aren’t. I know I woke you up last night when I called.” “No I-”

“No buts. Thank you for that, I really appreciated it. It’s… it’s hard being in my line of work somedays.” “Well, you’ll always have me to lean on.” “I just need you to know…” “Know what? Oh my god you’re not married are you?” “What? No! Jo… just listen. Can you do that?” “Yes, I can.” “Somedays this job drags me down. It wears me down to my core and it doesn’t make it easier when I’ve got babies and kids on the table. It’s hard and I hate to admit it but I fall apart. I fall apart and I’m messy and I get all dark and twisty sometimes.” “Dark and twisty?” “Meredith says that. But it’s true. I get dark and twisty sometimes and you… last night you pulled me out of that dark and twisty place and I just…” “Just what? You can tell me, Alex.” “I don’t want to rely on you if pulling me out of the dark and twisty place is too much for you to handle. I want… I know I sound crazy and you’re probably freaking out-”

“I’m not freaking out.” “But I want this. You and me and I don’t want to get comfortable if you’re not in. Because I’m in, I’m in Jo. It’s ridiculous and I don’t even know what you look like but I’m in.”

“I’m in. I’m so in, I’m all in and if that makes us crazy then… Then I wanna be crazy with you.”

“Kissing you sounds really good right now.” “Listen, just because I said I’m in this for the long haul doesn’t mean you get to see me before our first date. If anything, this makes things more romantic.” “Okay okay, I’ll listen to you. You better be prepared because this first kiss, it’s gonna be the most epic kiss you’ll ever get.” “I’m waiting in eager anticipation, Doctor Feelgood.”

“It’s feels wrong to like it when you call me that.”

“You’re a real charmer. I would love to keep up the sexy talk, but Bridezilla is here and I’m pretty sure she’s going to rip my head off. Talk later?”

“Don’t we always. Thanks… for hearing me out. And being there. And being you. I can’t wait to kiss you.”

“I can’t wait to kiss you eit-“

“JO GET YOUR ASS DOWN HERE BEFORE I DRAG YOU DOWN THE STAIRS.”

“Have fun, call me if you need an alibi.”

  Wednesday 1:18 PM

had to hide in the bathroom 

the living room is covered in glitter 

Aren’t you used to that? Being a teacher and all?

ohhhhhh no 

i have banned the use of glitter in my house and classroom

i’m not a monster

Oh glad to know you have your wits about you. 

of course i do

my only slipup ever has been the time i drunk texted that phone number that was graffitied in a bar bathroom

oh wait

Hahaha very funny. By the way, I thanked Cristina profusely and even bought her a coffee.

what are we thanking cristina for? For putting my phone number up in the bathroom. I might need you to go and scratch it out though. I don’t need any other drunk teachers at bachelorette parties texting me, I’ve met my quota. 

well that was oddly touching

you’re a big softy aren’t you doctor evil spawn

I’m a pediatric surgeon, I think that tells you everything you need to know.

you’re making some very good points here

oh shit she found me

i’ll be back (hopefully)

I have a bone to pick with bridezilla. She keeps taking my texting buddy away.

  Wednesday 6:06 PM

good god i’m gonna die before we get to this wedding

i just had to pack chocolate almonds into tiny little bags and tie them with bows

WHO HAS CHOCOLATE ALMONDS ANYMORE IT’S NOT 1985

You seem to have a lot of strong feelings about almonds.

i can't feel my fingers

If you can’t feel your fingers how are you texting me? i’m making siri do it for me while i lay on the floor drinking wine

I’m so proud of you. I’m on NICU overnight duty, so I have to stay awake and I’m bored. 

shouldn’t you be like… taking care of the babies? Oh these kids are fighters. I just gotta make sure they don’t rip off their tubes.

well it seems like you have an easy night

Until I die of boredom or hunger. Whichever one happens first.

i’m pretty sure you’re the doctor here so you know that won’t happen

Wow, you really pulled the doctor card on me huh? of course i did, it’s like you don’t even know me

You’re right I should’ve expected that. Gotta do rounds, I’ll text you in a bit.

  Wednesday 8:28 PM

I’m pretty sure it was my turn to bring you food, not the other way around.

i sent the egg rolls and chow mein! 

apparently you’re a regular because the guy at the restaurant suggested everything else and offered to deliver it to you

Thank you, you did kind of save my night. This chicken chow mein is amazing.

it’s my favorite

just like you :) Now who’s the softy? i’m a fourth grade teacher, i think that tells you everything you need to know

Touche. Okay now I really have to go be a doctor. Thank you again for dinner, one more week until we get to see each other.

the happy dance i just did was embarrassing, that’s how excited i am

  Thursday 10:28 AM

if I never have to participate in another wedding it’ll be too soon

i’m so exhausted I wish I was in a room filled with fourth graders instead of here

Don’t you wanna get married someday?

if I ever get married i’m going to the courthouse and getting pizza after

that’s my dream wedding

At least you don’t wanna spend 10k on a couple hours of celebrating. Pizza is as good a celebration as any in my book. 

exactly you get it 

pizza and beer trumps uncomfy dress and socializing with people any day

What’s bridezilla got you doing today?

making table numbers and centerpieces today

then we drive up tomorrow night

then I get shit faced at the open bar

At least you know what your agenda is. 

that’s always my wedding agenda 

hopefully I won’t puke on my shoes this time

That would be a funny wedding story though, good for small talk. 

you’re right maybe I should peueowownspdjd

Did you have a stroke? 

Jo???

Jo’s phone has been confiscated so she can focus all of her attention on helping with wedding preparations. She’ll get it back later today. Sincerely, Bridezilla 

  Thursday 4:17 PM

Incoming Phone Call

“I have to call my mom, I’ll be right back!”

“Jo that excuse doesn’t work, we all know you don’t have a mom!”

“So now you’re lying to talk to me?”

“Hey you saw what Bridezilla did earlier! I had to run out the door while she went pee so she wouldn’t catch me.”

“You’re willing to risk death for me? You really do care.”

“I love her but she’s suffocating me and all I want is to get drunk and possibly make out with you.”

“Mmm should I come by and rescue you?”

“No! No, I really wanna make out with you but I wanna wait. Just six more days.”

“Six days. I promise there will be beer and pizza and lots of kissing.”

“Good. That’s the only thing getting me through this weekend. I gotta go back, but I’ll text you as soon as I can.”

“I’ll be relentlessly staring at my phone until my friends make fun of me or you text, whatever happens first. Bye Jo.”

“Bye Alex.”

  Thursday 8:33 PM

good god I finally got her to leave

only because I reminded her we have a bunch of shit to do tomorrow

I need a drink

Take a shot of Fireball for me. I’m on my final overnight shift before my weekend vacation. 

done, one for me and one for you

Jesus woman you’re unstoppable. 

well I do try to be a borderline alcoholic in my day to day life

(that was sarcasm)

You’re hilarious. And my favorite person to talk to. 

right back at ya doctor feel good

I gotta sleep, i’m tired as hell and were leaving early tomorrow 

Sleep well, I’ll talk to you tomorrow Bar Princess. 

goodniiiiiiight

  Friday 9:47 AM

Incoming Phone Call

“Mmm hello?”

“Hi it’s me, I’m sorry it’s so early, I know you probably haven’t slept much.”

“S’okay, you know I like hearing your voice.”

“I just wanted to say bye. I mean not forever, but the wedding is gonna keep me busy all weekend and I don’t even know if we’ll have service. So this’ll be the longest we’ve gone without talking.”

“You’re rambling, Jo.”

“I know, I know. I just… I’m gonna miss talking to you at all hours of the day. Especially when You Know Who gets all psycho.”

“Mmm well I’ll see you on Wednesday right? That’s…”

“Five days.”

“Exactly. Five days away. Not that long.”

“I know.”

“You already said that. Are you attached to my lingering presence?”

“Maybe, maybe not. I gotta go, Steph is about to leave without me. But you should check your doorstep.”

“Damn it Jo, it’s my turn not yours. Thank you anyways though, I always love that you think of me.”

“Only all the time. I’ll talk to you soon. Bye Alex.”

“Goodbye Jo.”

[multifandom-stranger]

4 . 10 . 16

The Broken Few Pt. 2

Pt 1, Pt 2, Pt 3

Genre: Angst, but like more light-hearted because my heart needed a break

Word Count: 3.5k

Warnings: Some swearing here and there

That night Mark came back to the apartment he could barely keep his shit together. He wasn’t depressed by any means. He was pissed off to no end. Mark had this sudden wake up call as he ran back to the new place he called home. Why did he ever listen to that foster dad of his? He held no power over him, had no real connection to him, and Mark could care less what that shit parental figure thought of him. This epiphany had him sitting on a big bean bag in the corner of the eclectic room completely zoned. For the other boys it was even weirder to see the poor kid up at 1 AM staring off into space. Taeyong had left to go do something and so did Ten. Doyoung was the only one conscious in the room since Jaehyin passed out around 10:30. “Kid, you good? Where did you run off to anyway?” Doyoung got up from his spot where he had been sitting with his knees tucked under his arms as he hunched over his phone. The older boy shuffled his way over till he was now lying on the floor, his head propped up by the same beanbag Mark placed himself upon hours ago.  “Go ahead. Speak.”  Doyoung said in a sarcastic tone that drew out a small laugh from the two of them.

“I’m just amazed at how much I’ve let other people control me. For the dumbest reasons as well. It makes no sense why I let myself suffer for so long when I could do something the whole time.” Mark finally let his gaze fall to Doyoung who looked up at him with thoughtful eyes. 

“Maybe we were the push you needed. Something to prove there’s a way out and a place of belonging.” He gave Mark a small nudge to his leg before seeing if he could push a bit further without getting too deep. “Still didn’t answer my last question.” Mark took a deep breath before nudging him back with his knee.

 “Maybe another time. It’s really late so we should get some sleep.” Doyoung chuckled and started to saunter off to his little cot in the corner of the room. “Beddy-bye for the little one.” He teased before plopping down with a smile. “Night hyung.” Mark said with a hint of his laughter carrying over into his words. 

The next morning when he woke up their tiny room was rather full. Ten and Taeyong had come back at some point in the night and now were asleep in their beds. Well, not beds. Taeyong had the other extra large bean bag and Ten had this cool hammock setup where he hung it from these really sketchy makeshift hooks. He shifted as quietly as he could to not wake anyone as he headed to the outside area at the rooftop surrounding their little home. Mark was simply trying to get some fresh air so the last thing he expected was another person to be sleeping outside on the large wooden table out there. Some dude with short grey hair and sharp eyes was lying on his stomach and holding his phone in front of him. Once Mark let the door close a bit louder than expected, though it wasn’t loud enough to wake the others, the man looked over at Mark. “Uh, hey?” He said as awkwardly as he normally would when meeting strangers.

“Sup kid. I heard you're the newbie.” The unknown man shifted till he was sat criss-cross on the platform. He patted the spot next to him casually but Mark was very curious and hesitant to sit. As far as he knew this was just some dude who snuck up to catch some z’s somewhere. Then again, he had a feeling new faces were gonna come at him left and right. “I’m Taeil. Also a part of the family so no need to… look at me like that.” 

“Huh? Oh uh, sorry. Didn’t mean to stare.” Mark rubbed at the back of his neck as he apologized for the accidental unnecessarily long stare. What was he supposed to do? He just bumped into some new dude in a new place. He was beginning to worry about fitting in. How many people were there anyways? What did they really do? He still had too many questions and concerns about something he already swore a blood oath to. A hand waved in front of his face to catch his attention after another hardcore zoning out session.

“Hello?~ Earth to new kid. Wanna introduce yourself or will I have to just call you newbie forever?” Taeil was already taken by the poor kid. Taeyong had texted him about a new member to their little family last night. He could see he was probably still trying to figure out what the hell was even going on in his life. It was just so sad to see kids like him join though. Mark was young looking, probably not even eighteen yet and here he was living with them now. The only upside that lessened the pull at Taeil’s heartstrings was the idea that at least with the family these poor kids off the street may have a chance in this world. Something slightly better than before at the very least.

Mark snapped his head to Taeil and apologized again under his breath before another shy introduction. Before he could finish a thud was heard from behind them.”Yah! You fucks woke me up with the-”  Mark jumped a bit and whipped his head over to the source of the voice yelling at them. Taeil lulled his head over to the small shack that was outside the actual apartment to see Kun peeked out the door to it. 

“Meet Kun. Our local Chinese nagging mom.” Taeil said with much amusement in his voice. Mark was really thrown off at this point. First a man sleeping outside, not an angry man in the shed. What next, someone popping out from the roof? Kun was flustered as well. He hadn't even said hi to the kid before screaming at him. Not really his style. Not at all. 

“Ha, good morning. Your name's Mark, right? I’m sorry I yelled. I just really like my sleep.” Kun slumped his way over, seemingly still half asleep. He stuck a hand out to Mark, which was taken and shook by the younger boy. “I claimed the shed because I was promised quiet anyways.” An awkward slightly ticked laugh followed. Man, what a character.

“Thanks for waking the whole family fatso.” Taeyong chirped in, his head peeking from behind the door to the apartment. “What are you doing with the baby? Mother’s should treat their kiddos nice after all.” He stuck his tongue out at Kun before ducking back into the home for safety. Taeyong was well aware of the nagging he’d receive, even at eight AM, from Kun and he was not having any of it. Not this damn early. 

The three on the rooftop were left to stare at the door in silence before Taeyong peeked around it once more in a rush. “Oh, and all three of you get in here. Time to break in down for said baby.” He pointed to Mark with a big grin before leaving once again in a flash. 

“Best not to fight it. Come on guys.” Taeil said as he got up with a stretch and quick yawn. Kun followed suit without a word and he patted Mark’s shoulder gently. Mark got up as well and followed the other two into the small building. It was two rooms, and yet they found a way to fit all seven of them in the small space. Mark and Doyoung sat upon his big bean bag, Ten and Kun were on the hammock, Jaehyun and Taeil on the cot, and Taeyong sat on the other bean bag. The gang's all here.

“Alright Mark, you’ve already met Kun and Taeil I see. There’s still more people to come though. Yuta’s off with Winwin trying to ease up some conflict we’ve been having on the streets.” Jaehyin scoffed at the mention of the fights. It was so dumb. Recently a gang on the streets of Seoul had been giving them shit for running activities in their area. They called themselves Got7, and they were known for their wide and vast network of connections. Jaehyun had only met them once to discuss the very topic of who got which parts of the city to roam around. He was rather upset to hear that they had told Taeyong that their family was breaking the agreement even though they had not once had anyone cross any lines. His best bet was that those bastards were trying to cheat them out of land simply because they could. They were bigger, better, and more powerful so they easily could corner their rag tag group of kids. He was pissed. 

“So, today is the day we go over what we do and then send you off to do it. So far we do work for hire and take fees from local businesses as well. That’s our main income. It used to be a lot of petty crime like pickpocketing and breaking into cars, but we’ve made somewhat of a name for ourselves. No more of that shit.” Taeyong was hoping the kid wouldn’t freak out and bail. Most of the time they were hesitant, which was understandable. Some people, like Kun who patches them up, just aren’t meant for the life they lead. “Also, how old are you exactly? Not that it particularly matters.”

Mark gave a confused look before responding with “Seventeen. Why?” He was kind of lost as to how this related to anything they were talking about. What could Taeyong be getting at? Taeyong smiled and clapped his hands once for emphasis. He looked oddly satisfied.

“You also gotta get one of these. Can you show him Doyoung?” Douyoung nodded before pulling up his sleeve and revealing a small tattoo. Mark looked over to see the long and thin letters that spelled out NCT. He tilted his head and furrowed his brows. He had no clue what was going on or what that even meant. 

“Wait a sec. You’re saying I’m gonna get that tattooed on me? What’s it mean and why?” 

“Where you from kid?” Jaehyun asked out of the blue. Once again, Mark hardly saw any relation to the current subject. What’s with these random questions to answer his own questions?

“Canada originally. Could you please just answer one damn question I’ve asked” 

“It stands for Neo Culture Tech. It means we want to spread our family’s ideals to the world in our own way. So, for example,  you came all the way from Canada and now are a part of it. Ten’s from Thailand, Kun and Winwin are from China, Yuta is from Japan.” Jaehyun sighed seeing that Mark was still a bit lost. He could see in the unchanged look on his face that was true. “You get the fucking tattoo to rep the family. It’s like an ID to prove your one of us if you run into trouble. God.” All Jaehyun could think was that Mark was just dense enough to be slightly annoying. He’d have to prove himself useful in his own waay at some point.

Mark could clearly tell he was not on Jaehyun’s good side. He came off as very blunt and result oriented to Mark. A man who just wants to get shit done as soon as possible but still does it right. Probably made him very good at whatever he did. Mark made it a point to especially work hard around him and be on his game.

“Ease up on him Jaehyun.” Taeyong butted in after Jaehyun had stopped. He knew how Jaeyhun could get with these newer boys sometimes and it seemed to be worse than usual with Mark. The reason why was something he’d never know but he wasn’t having any hatred. Not in his family. “Know what, you and Ten can take him on the day's errands as well as getting tatted up! Isn’t that just lovely?” He gave a shit-eating grin as he leaned over just enough to lay an arm over Jaehyun’s shoulder and make eye contact quite obviously. Jaehyun closed his eyes and sighed knowing full why he chose the three. 

“Got it. Let’s head out guys.” Jaehyun said flatly as he rose to his feet, brushing Taeyong off. Ten got up with a smile and made his way to Mark in quick, eager steps. He pushed him playfully from behind to tease.

“Let’s go newb! Time to learn the ropes!” Mark went along with it easily and walked out the door with Ten following right behind. Jaehyun left last, rolling his eyes at the duo’s antics. All three of them were certain this was gonna be one hell of a day, for different reasons obviously.

The trio headed for the streets with Jaehyun leading the way as Ten and Mark held a light conversation the whole way. He would rarely add in his thoughts or remark on their silly topics. Mark was slowly learning to like Jaehyun. He certainly could throw in his own sarcastic remarks on a whim and end up cracking the other two up. It was surprising to Mark and welcome to Ten.  Ten and Mark hadn’t talked much till now and boy did they seem to get along. Both were childish in nature and liked to have fun. It was like talking with an old friend, yet this was their first real chat. All in all, the three of them were slowly growing on each other.

Mark and Ten were lucky to have Jaehyun around since they could barely tell any time had passed at all. Their seemingly short journey had already led them to a small tattoo shop lit up by neon lights that spelled out open even though it was a bright and sunny morning in the city. Mark peered into the shop windows to see that not much was going on in the small building. There were empty chairs he could see from the back and one girl at the counter with all the artbooks of designs on display. All three of them entered the tattoo parlor to be greeted by the rather pretty girl.

“Hiya boys. ‘Nother new face, huh?” Jaehyun and Ten struck up a bit of small talk with the girl for a while before she leaned over to a quiet and curious Mark. “Alright cutie, head to the back and I’ll take care of you real nice.~” She added a wink just to tease the young boy to which Mark could only blush a bit and remain silently flustered. 

“Thanks again Sunmi. We owe you.” Ten sang out as Mark followed said girl to the back. She gestured for him to sit with grace before getting inks and her machine ready. 

“Okay hun, you know where you want it?” Mark though on it a bit. He’d obviously never had a tattoo before since he was still underage. Wait… It was just now occurring to him this was kinda illegal. He had a feeling this would be far on the tame side of things to come so fuck it. If he wanted to commit to this shit, he was gonna really commit. “Can I get it here?” He places a hand over his heart. Why he did so was a simple reason. He already felt like he got along with these boys better than anyone else who had come into his life beforehand. Taeyong instantly empathized with his pains and struggles. Not in a patronizing way, but as someone understanding; Someone who lived it. Him and Ten were already friends as far as he was concerned. All the others opened right up to him with full honesty. Even Jaehyun was nice to Mark in his own way. He was family now and he meant it with all his heart to stick together. Especially if Taeyong planned to help others like him get to a better place in life. 

Sunmi smiled at him before nodding. “You got it. Now off with the shirt.” 

“Huh?” Mark huffed out a little louder than intended. “Oh uh- Yeah.” Sunmi could only giggle at the young boy’s antics. The boy was just too shy, sweet, and awkward. She hoped he had what it took to live the life of a Neo Tech member. Mark pulled his t shirt over his head and continued to sit there looking like a fucking dope. He shifted back and forth before Sunmi came back over to transfer the stencil to his chest with ease. From then on Mark made no eye contact, even when spoken to by the sweet girl. He also noticed the stifled laughter from not only Ten but Jaehyun as well. He leaned over to see them both doubled over and laughing to themselves. Or so they thought. “Hey!” He hollered at the two with a new subtle blush forming on his cheeks. That only caused the two of them to continue their laughter freely and stumble around a bit. 

After Mark leaned back to a comfortable place again Sunmi held up her tattoo machine with a half smile. “Wanna know what it feels like first?”

“Sure.” A small hum was heard as she switched it on and pulled Mark by the hand. She placed the machine to the skin of his forearm causing Mark to jump just a little bit at the unfamiliar feeling. He scoffed with amusement due to the fact that it wasn’t that bad at all. “Not as bad as I thought it’d be.”

“I’m surprised, kid. Just doing this has made some people back out.” She pulled back and dipped into her ink. “Ready for the real deal”

“Go ahead.”

After a not so bad session of tattooing with small talk between Sunmi and Mark he finished up like a champ according to her. She covered the tattoo and told him how to care for it. Mark put his shirt back on. He thanked her with a smile before heading back to the front of the building again. Sat there was Tan and Jaehyun who both smiled and smirked respectively once he entered.

“What?” He asked flat out. Jaehyun shook his head and both him and Ten ros to their feet. 

“Tell ya in a bit.” He said with much amusement, something rare for Jaehyun. He headed to the door, the other boys joining him as they all waved and said their goodbyes. “Thanks again Sunmi. You’re the best.” 

She smiled and leaned over the counter with a coy smile. “Bye guys,” She made direct eye contact with Mark before adding “Hope to see you soon.~” with a quick wink. Mark was once again left a blushing awkward little kid. He gave her a shy wave once more before leaving with the others. Once they had left the beauty alone at the small counter of the shop she sighed. “If only he was older.” 

The moment the boys were past the building and on the streets again he was met with a swift slap to the back from Jaehyun. “Damn dude.” He chuckled at Mark’s obvious confusion before Ten joined him just like before.

“What?! I don’t get it. Tell me what’s so damn funny to you two!” 

“Poor thing doesn't even know!” Ten managed to choke out in between wheezes and fits of laughter. The youngest was looking back and forth at them, as if that would give him an answer quicker.

“First of all, you are soooo fucking awkward.” He patted a hand on Mark’s shoulder for emphasis. “Second, your one lucky kid.” 

Mark persisted to question them over and over as to what the hell they were talking about only to be met with more chuckles and grins but never an answer until finally Jaehyun gave in. “Did she kiss the stencil?” 

Mark thought back to sitting there in the chair and staring off into space. He did see Sunmi raise it to her face at one point. He thought it was to look at or something. He didn’t really put much thought into it till now because why would he? “Yeah, I think she did.”

Ten elbowed Jaehyun harshly, almost pushing him into a passerby. “See! Called that shit. You owe me.”

“Ohmygodcouldyoujusttellmealready!” Mark groaned out, highly frustrated. Why was he always left out of the loop?

“Means you're gonna do well. That and she likes you. The only time she does that is when she gets a good feeling about someone so we consider it a lucky sign.” Jaehyun finally explained.

Mark tilted his head a bit. “Who else did she do that for?” 

“Taeyong, Kun, Yuta, and you so far. And me of course.” He nudged Ten back just as hard, almost sending him into the side of a building. “One of these things isn’t like the other.” He teased.

Ten rolled his eyes after recovering his balance and shot back with, “Whatever man, not like it matters too much. Let’s just go get to work already.” 

Once again Jaehyun led the trio to their destination. Though Mark had no idea where it was or what they’d do he was surprised at how good he felt. He was oddly excited to see what his future with the family truly held.

Author’s note: Hiiii! I feel like I wanna explain a bit of my story so that they have a bit more meaning so expect a post dedicated to that soon. Also, I’m SO HYPE FOR MANDATORY JACKSON CAMEO. You know I had to. Aaaaanyways, thanks for reading! The next chapter will finally get into the serious stuff so if that’s what your waiting for then stuck around! Also, low key messing with format and stuff so let me know if it’s still okay. Love ya all! ❤️

[lovemesomesurveys]

1. What plans do you have for the weekend?  Same things I do everyday.

2. What were you doing at 10:30 this morning?  It’s only 5:29AM. Hopefully, I’ll be asleep by then.

3. Tell me about the last conversation you had with someone you find attractive. What did you talk about?  I don’t remember, it’s been a few years.

4. Do you chew your pens?  No.

5. Have you ever made notes in a lesson, then looked back at them and found you couldn’t understand what they meant?  It happened sometimes. 

6. Which do you like best - History or Geography? Why?  >> History. I find humans more interesting than landmasses, I guess. <<< lol exactly.

7. How many pets do you have?  What are their names?  I have a doggo named Princess Leia.

8. Who was the last person you had a weird, funny, or random conversation with?  My brother.

9. Are you upset about anything atm?  I’m annoyed that I stayed up even later than I normally do yesterday so I could make sure I was up when my doctor’s office opened and call them first thing. I ended up waiting for over an hour on hold before just finally hanging up. I have a hard time getting through to them every month, it’s super frustrating. Anyway, I attempted sleep after that and only got about 2 hours (somehow I’ve been up since then, which was about 1230ish in the afternoon, and it’s now 5:37AM...). I tried calling later after I got up, but had no luck, so here I am waiting for them to open again. D: It’s for my prescription refill for my medicine that I’m almost out of, which is important, so that’s why I’m doing this.

10. Think back to March 2012. Who were you in a relationship with?  Joseph and I had our thing going on.

11. Is there anything that’s happened recently, that you wish had turned out differently?  Yes.

12. Who was the last person of the opposite sex that you talked to on the phone?  My dad.

13. Are you blood related to the last person you hugged?  Yes.

14. Is there something you do on a regular basis, that you don’t enjoy doing? Why?  Simple mundane tasks because even those take a lot of energy that I don’t have, so it takes a lot for me to do and it’s not enjoyable. Even eating can feel like a chore at times.

15. Do you have any Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston or Celine Dion songs on your iPod?  Actually, I don’t have any songs by any of them on my Spotify. :O

16. Have you ever felt jealous of anyone else’s success?  I’m happy for other peoples’ success, I want people to succeed. I do feel envious at times, though. 

17. Who did you last speak to in person?  My mom and brother.

18. Have you ever had a one-night stand? If you have, did you regret it afterwards?  No, I haven’t. 

19. Have you ever done something that you said you’d NEVER do?  Yes.

20. What was the last thing you asked for help with? Who did you go to for help?  I asked my brother to get me a bowl from the cabinet last night cause I couldn’t reach it.

21. Do you think it’s possible to love someone after being in a relationship for only a short amount of time?  Sure, but I personally haven’t experienced that. I fell fast and hard for people, but love took some time.

22. Who was the last person to text you? If you were gone tomorrow, how much do you think that person would miss you? My mom. I know she would miss me a lot.

23. If your significant other had several other sexual partners before you, how much would that bother you? Would you worry about being compared to the others? How many previous sexual partners do you think is acceptable?  As an almost 31 year old with no sexual experience and no change in that in sight, I’m going to assume that whomever I end up dating (IF I ever find anyone) will have been with other people. Especially the older I get. And I don’t have a problem with that. I would expect him to have a life before me lol. I certainly wouldn’t be surprised if he’s had other sexual partners, I would expect that. I wouldn’t find it necessary to know how many, though. All I would care about is our relationship and our life together going forward. That being said, I would most definitely feel self-conscious and inadequate because of my inexperience. I would worry about being compared. 

24. Who was the last person of the opposite sex to send you a message on Facebook? What if you had a baby with that person?  Uh, NOOOO. My older brother was the last person of the opposite sex to message me on Facebook.

25. Who were the last girl and the last guy to facebook message you? What if these two people had a baby together?  My aunt and my brother, again NOOOO.

26. How many people of your preferred sex have hurt you?  Two.

27. Have your friends ever talked to you about the forms of contraception they use? What form of contraception do you prefer?  My former best friend talked about that quite a bit. I’ve never been on any type of birth control, so I don’t have a preference. 

28. Has the last person you hugged ever made you cry?  Yes.

29. When was the last time you ate chocolate?  I had brownies like a week ago.

30. Do you like Charles Dickens novels?  Gotta love A Christmas Carol.

31. If you told your parents that you were going to be a parent, how do you think they would react?  I can’t get pregnant and I don’t want to have kids, so.

32. You find out that the person you love/like is having a child with someone else. What do you say?  I don’t like/love anyone in that way.

33. When was the last time you said something and thought “Why the hell did I say that?” What exactly did you say, and who did you say it to? How did the person react?  I do that often. I just overanalyze every little thing and dwell on things like that. 

34. Who was the last person outside of family that told you they loved you? No one outside of my family has said that in a very long time.

35. Who is your 4th Facebook message from? Have you ever hugged/kissed that person? My aunt and yes.

36. Did someone/something upset you today?  Like I said earlier, I’m just annoyed about having to wait up again to call my doctor and who knows if I’ll even  get through to anyone today. I have this feeling that they’re not having regular hours right now despite what their automated message thing says when I call. If that’s the case, it would be nice if they could update that. 37. What song reminds you of your first boyfriend/girlfriend?  lol what comes to mind is Jay’s Rap from Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back cause it was his favorite bit from one of his favorite movies, he used to say it all the time. “Fifteen bucks little man, put that shit in my hand. If that money doesn’t show, then you owe me, owe me, owe.” I’ve never even seen those movies, but I still remember that.

38. Outside of family, who were the last 3 girls you talked to?  A couple of my nurses and Elisabeth.

39. Outside of family, who were the last 3 guys you talked to?  Lane is the only guy outside of my family that I’ve talked to in a long time.

40. Who was the last person of the same sex to text you? How much do you know about the love life/sex life of that person?  My mom. She’s told me about a couple boyfriends she had when she was in high school and then of course I know about my dad cause they’ve been together my whole life (a couple years before that even). She certainly doesn’t talk to me about her sex life and I definitely don’t want to know haha. 

41. Who is/was your strictest teacher in school?  I had 2 really awful math professors at the community college I attended. 

42. Have you ever felt so ill that you literally didn’t know what to do?  Yes, I’ve felt that way a lot.

43. Do you know all the words to the last song you listened to? Would you sing that song on karaoke? I forget what the last song I listened to was at the moment.

[jacscorner]

Obligatory Pokemon Rant

Now, I’m not the first person to point this out or say all these points, so I’ll just give you the cliff notes that make up the foundation of my rant.

>Ever since Gen 6, the Pokemon Games have been getting easier/GameFreak has been focusing primarily on its younger audience and has been ignoring the longterm fans.

>Pokemon has gotten stale with its repetitive/linear storytelling.

>Pokemon’s idea of mixing the battle system up is adding a new gimmick that only a handful of Pokemon get, usually the older ones/fan favorites while other mons who could use it more get ignored and these gimmicks either get pushed aside, ignored, or just abandoned by the next gen.

Now that we got the foundation out of the way, allow me to get to the point of this: if Pokemon’s not gonna evolve with the times, they should at least find some kind of happy medium between making their younger audience happy and making their older fans happy. And, personally speaking, I don’t mean releasing a sequel to Pokemon Snap.

Seriously, I feel, like, the only person who didn’t ask for this...

Now, there’s at least, like, one point I’m gonna bring up that was in this video by JelloApocalypse, so for the sake of putting down my references, I’ll just put a link in the video below, which I really like and sometimes listen to.

That video probably has better ideas than my own anyway, so I think you should watch it anyway. In fact, no hate if you prefer Jello’s video to my 4 AM rant that’s only being written cause I got over an upset stomach and slept all day and now all my buddies are asleep cause they got REAL lives.

So, here’s what I mean by Pokemon striking a happy medium between satisfying both halves of their fan base; since Pokemon likes to make two different games and seems to just be 100% against putting in some kind of ‘Hard Mode’, then why not make a ‘Normal Game’ and a ‘Hard Game’?

Like, instead of a ‘Sword & Shield’, we’d get ‘Pokemon A’ and then, like, 6-7 months later, we get ‘Pokemon B’ And, no, B isn’t just an Emerald or Crystal, where it’s the same game with a few tweaks and quality of life improvements, it’s just a straight-up harder game with the story MAYBE being expanded upon to be more mature. That way, Pokemon can still have it’s kid-friendly atmosphere to cater to its target demographic and the older fans can patiently wait for their game to come later.

And if they don’t wanna wait? Then they can also sell the game as DLC to the Pokemon A crowd as a half-off DLC pack, like buying a New Game Plus function. So that way, the people wanting more out of Pokemon can get a game tailored to their skill level, and those who want to just play Pokemon can get that experience AND have the option to try a harder game.

And for all the tough-as-nails players who just buy and train Pokemon for the competitive scene...like, no. Ya’ll ain’t valid. Actually, no, we’re not valid. XD Like, Pokemon should just make some kind of ‘Pokemon Simulator’ thing in their games, so players can just do ‘Virtual Battles’ for the competitive.

Because, like, jokes aside; it’s really dumb to have to keep charts of what IVs and EVs do and how to grind them for the UBERmons and breed them for the SPECIFIC ability and SPECIFIC nature that goes with that ability and-

Stop. No. Just stop. 

Just put Pokemon Showdown into the game. Make it, like, a thing in the Pokemon Center and you can build simulated teams and all the stuff you can do in Pokemon Showdown proper. I refuse to believe that there’s nobody at GameFreak who just isn’t aware of what the hell Pokemon Showdown is. Pokemon fangames are sniped and wiped out of existence like a Thanos Snap, but Smogon is still under the radar? Tauros Shit.

Hell, you want it to be a thing in the game? Say you can only use Pokemon if you’ve seen them in your Pokedex and you can look them up online in your PC, so you don’t have to catch a Pokemon in order to use it in your simulator.

Maybe there’s a bunch of Super Nerds running around and if you beat them, they’ll upload a bunch of Pokemon data into your dex or something, so you can use them in your simulator without needing to spend, like, 10 hours trying to find this uber rare Pokemon that can only be found in this one dungeon 5% of the time.

My point is that Pokemon has no reason to not make two different versions of one game with the difference being difficulty. People for years have been wanting harder Pokemon Games, at LEAST since Gen 6, if not further back. And it sucks when old time fans have to grapple with ‘am I too old for Pokemon’ or ‘was Pokemon always bad’?

Like, I’ve been playing since Gen 1, I only stopped watching the anime fairly recently and when I see snippets of it and clips it’s still just SO HYPE!

Like, this battle was amazing! I don’t care for the general direction the anime has gone for, but even an old man like me can say that this battle was so cool to watch and that the anime has these REALLY GOOD MOMENTS of really great story telling that just blows seasons prior out of the water. I don’t gotta like it to tell you that the anime is still good.

So, yeah. TL;DR: If Pokemon won’t make a Normal and Hard Mode, then they should make a Normal Game, and a Harder Game/Mode as DLC a few months later.

PS: stop making version exclusive Pokemon. Most people aren’t gonna shill out the money for both games.

[xserpentlife]

Open Your Eyes (Pt.3)

Requested: Anon Hello! Can I request a fangsxreader where she’s jughead sister and dating Fangs and instead of Fangs the reader is the one who gets shot and fangs is like super worried and thinking that reader could die? I love loveloveeee your blog so much thanks.

A/N: Final part. I am so in love with what this story turned out to be. It made me incredibly happy how well everything flowed. Thankyou to @wayward-river for being my main beta on this and helped me figure everything out.

Warnings: Blood, mentions of death. Gunshot, guns

Word Count: Little more than 2200

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

“Is she okay!”

“Sir are you family”

“We are all family” FP stood in front of the doctor then.

“Well good news, no great news. They are both going to be just fine the bullet missed many…”

“Wait… huh?” Did I hear what he said correctly? Did he say both? There is no way… well I mean there is, however… she would've told me. “Uhm doc you said both…?”

“Yes, both Miss Jones and the baby are doing great. Vitals are great and they are both very healthy”

“Oh my god”

“Are you alright sir” My face fell, I was gonna be a dad. How did I not know I was gonna be a dad.

“You knocked up my daughter!”

“Sir I need you to stop yelling or you will be escorted out of the hospital”

“Let’s take a walk dad”

“I’m gonna be a dad…”

“Oh your the father congratulations”

“Thank you… uhm are you sure everything is alright with the baby I don’t think Y/N knows yet”

“Well we checked on both her and the child as far as it looks like everything is great, I can give you a name of a few doctors she can choose from for further check ups if you would like”

“That would be great thank you”

“Well sir again congratulations and if you would like to go visit her she is in room 124. She should be awake by now I will be in soon to let you guys know everything. I would like her to stay the night for observation though” The doc left but I stood still.

“Fogarty you good”

“No how am I gonna do this Pea?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m gonna be a dad, Pea. I… I don’t even have a dad how the fuck am I gonna do this. How am I gonna fucking raise a child? I can’t raise a child!”

“Look at me. Your having a baby with Y/N the girl who you say is the life of your life. Fuck not having a dad in your own life. Your gonna be a great dad, you know why Fogarty? Your gonna be a great dad cause your gonna be better than your own and your already a step ahead cause you haven't left yet”

“What if…”

“No stop with the fuckin what if’s it ain't gonna be rainbows and unicorns… well maybe if you have a girl but you get my point. It may not be easy but you guys are gonna be fine. You have each other, fuck you have an entire family standing in this room right now that are gonna be there for both of you. I’m here for you and I’m here for her okay, you’re not alone in this”

“Thank you Pea”

“Oh shut up you know you don’t need to thank me. Now go get your girls Fogarty”

“Girls we don’t…”

“Oh that’s my guess you gonna have a mini Y/N running around”

“Save me now”

“Go you idiot” It was time to see my girl, and meet my baby for the first time. Well, not meet but see. No not see touch, I don’t...  first time to be in the presence of my baby. I had to tell her because she didn’t even know yet.

*Knocks* Y/N POV

“Come in”

“Hi baby, how you feeling”

“I’m okay now they gave me some more medicine for the pain”

“I thought I lost you…”

“Fangs!” You couldn’t hold the tears in.

“Hey, hey I’m right here no need to cry baby it’s okay, your okay now” You watched as he brought your hands to his lips and felt tears slipping out of his eyes.

“Well if I’m not allowed to cry you’re not allowed either”

“Hey I deserve to cry, my worst nightmare came true when I thought I was gonna lose you. Fuck I thought you were gone. Why would you do that!”

“What like I wanted to get shot”

“No but why did you push me out of the way, I should be in here not you not…”

“I’m sorry okay I barely had time to think after I saw the gun, but you know I don’t regret it for one second. The doc said that if I had been over even a tiny bit more it would have hit a major artery. So you know maybe me pushing you out of the way was the better thing because I couldn’t handle you dying Fangs. I need you now more than ever. I'm sorry I put our baby in danger though I didn’t know. I’m already risking her life how am I gonna fucking do this�� You put your baby in danger. Yeah, you may not have had any idea that you were pregnant, but you could’ve killed her with that gunshot. You felt like you were gonna be a terrible mother. You had nothing to go off of. Your mother left you years ago when you and Jug were around 3 years old.

“Hey you are going to be a great mother Y/N”

“But I have nothing to go off of Fangs, fuck I never had a mom how will I…”

“I said the same things earlier”

“Hey! I love your mother”

“No, no about my dad baby”

“Fangs… your way better than him”

“I know that now. Pea kinda stopped me from freaking out but he said something important. He said You have each other, fuck you have an entire family standing in this room right now that are gonna be there for both of you. And he’s right we have an entire family backing us. Hell even if we didn’t there is no one I’d rather be having a baby with”

“Fangs we’re so young though how are we gonna do this!”

“I don’t know but we will figure it out”

“Fangs I get if you wanna leave this shouldn’t be your problem I should've been more careful”

“I’m not going anywhere. Plus it kinda is my fault… ya know. We made a baby together so that is kinda like 50% my fault”

“You're a dork”

“Oh I know, A dork that fucking loves you and this child till the end of time. I am so happy to be having a baby with you Y/N. I mean I am scared shitless but I am so fucking happy” He leaned in slowly placing his hand on your stomach as he brought his lips to your own.

“Fangs can you come lay with me… miss you”

“I’m right here baby. I don’t wanna hurt you”

“Please” You scooted over slightly and he took his boots off and laid his jacket over the chair before climbing into the bed. “Thank you”

“I’m just here to please my queen”

“Shut up”

“I love you”

“I love you too” You laid your head on his chest.

“I’ll be right here when you wake up, not gonna move okay”

“Okay” You slowly drifted to sleep. With him everything was calm. You could always sleep in his arms no matter the situation. He was warm, comfortable. He was home.

*knock*

You slept for about a half-hour cuddled into the chest of Fangs. You slowly drifting into consciousness recognizing the sounds of your father and brother talking to Fangs, but you wanted to hear what they had to say so you pretended to be asleep.

“How is my baby?”

“She’s doing okay, she was in a little pain but they gave her more medicine for it. I think that’s why she fell asleep”

“It’s weird not having my sister up and yelling”

“She only yells cause she cares”

“I know”

“Look FP, Jug I am so sorry”

“No boy, stop. I’m sorry I never should have blamed you for her getting shot. It was her choice, hell I would’ve done it if it was her in your position too. Hell, we all would’ve done it so I get it. I understand her choice. I mean I’d rather her not have done it but still, I’m not upset with you, I’m not upset with her”

“Fangs, I’m sorry for turning in that tape to the sheriff. I just, I thought you had cheated and I was so mad. She’s just my sis you know and I got a step ahead of myself”

“It’s fine. You just wanted to protect her, I get it. I feel the same way. I would do anything to protect her. Hell I would’ve probably done the same thing”

“You really love her huh?”

“She’s my everything Jug. With her, nothing can go wrong. We could be sitting there doing nothing just being in her company makes me undeniably happy and now, now I have this little bean growing inside of her that’s half mine and somehow I love her even more if that is even possible”

“Fogarty… look boy I’m sorry I got over my head earlier when the doc told us. I was so shocked. Their mom and I were so young when we had them I didn’t want that life for her, but ya know you're a better man than I was and I know you're going to be there. I just wanna say sorry for getting pissed and sorry for yell…” He yelled at your man. The one thing you always tell him not to do since the first time he did it.

“I’m sorry dad you what!”

“Oh hi, baby glad your awake uhm…”

“Dad I swear to god if I could get up out of this bed quick enough I…”

“I know baby I already apologized, I’m sorry. We were all kinda shocked with the whole you getting shot and then the whole baby thing it was just a lot. I am glad you're okay I don’t know what I would’ve done” See the thing with your father was it was not often that he cried. But you saw the tears in his eyes.

“Dad… hey come here give me a hug, I’m okay”

“I know I just”

“No, we are not thinking about that. I am fine and that is all that matters. Your grandchild and I are fine we don’t need to think about the what if’s”

“Okay, hey ima head home do you need anything?”

“No, I’m okay dad thankyou”

“Bye sis”

“Bye Juggy” You watched as they closed the door. You instantly snuggled back into Fang’s chest.

“Wanna go home Fangs”

“Doc said you gotta stay till tomorrow morning baby, he wants to make sure everything is good with you two”

“Well, then you should go home and get some sleep babe, just pick me up tomorrow” He started laughing and you didn’t understand why. “Uhm…”

“Your funny Jones”

“What are you talking about?”

“Go home… are you insane? Oh, sweet girl, you ain’t getting out of my sight. I told you I would be here when you wake up. I’m not leaving”

“What if they kick you out”

“I’ll hide in the closet”

“You are insane”

“I know… now get some sleep baby and tomorrow we can go home okay, promise”

“I love you Fogarty” with a kiss to the top of your head you slowly drifted to sleep. You woke up the next morning to kissed on your forehead and a hand rubbing circle along your stomach.

“Hi baby”

“Hi sweet girl”

“I love seeing you open your eyes thought I would never…”

“Stop”

“I’m sorry”

“I know it was hard Fangs, I get what I did was hard for everyone, just wanna forget”

“Okay baby, hey the doc came in said you can go if your feeling alright. I had Pea grab us clothes so if you wanna get dressed we can head out”

“I’m fine not too much pain, I just wanna go home”

“Okay, can you let go so I can get up?”

“But you're so warm”

“Okay I know but… we can be warm in our own bed if you let me take you home”

“Okay”

“He stood up grabbing the duffel and placing it on the bed. You stood up Fangs helping you as you gabbed the clothes from him. You took your pants of but leaning down hurt a bit.

“Fangs…” “You okay?”

“This is embarrassing”

“What is?”

“Need help getting dressed, it hurts a bit. But nevermind I can do it”

“No, I’m right here, I wanna help. Baby that isn’t embarrassing” He began helping you step into the clothes. “Imagine in a few months you’ll be in the same boat won’t even be able to tie your own shoes”

“Oh no…” You looked down in embarrassment.

“Hey, hey but don’t worry I'll  be right here just like I am now”

“I know babe”

“Alright, you good to go?”

“Mhm,” He grabbed your arm helping you walk out of the room.

“Say goodbye to the hospital baby because we are not ever stepping foot back in here for you unless it’s for that little bean growing in your stomach got it” You were signing the paperwork to check out when Fangs turned to the nurse “You know the next time we are here she’s gonna be having our baby” You laughed at his antics. He could always make you laugh no matter what. He was so happy, you saw the light in his eyes when he talked about the little bean you were carrying. His little bean.

Taglist: @chipster-21

[charliesshitposts]

Supernatural Omens (part three)

The nice and inaccurate prophecies of someone.somewhere about something that never happened. A fan fiction.

Warnings: None (: Feel free to read this in front of your parents and pets.

Word count: it’s short (I think). This might be the shortest chapter I’ve written. And the thought of that is honestly bothering me.

Authors note:I’ll be adding and editing to make it longer when I get the chance to do so. This week is honestly hectic which is why it’s not my best chapter. I’m real sorry about that.

——————————————————————————

  Castiel stood confused next to Aziraphale. The angel paged rapidly through the book Jack had given him. He didn’t speak. He just stared  at each page with wide eyes and an equally wide smile. This crept the Seraph out.

  “All our answers are in here. This book,The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnus Nutter, this was written by a witch who could see way into the future. Maybe..just maybe..she saw...oh dear lord here it is!” 

  The angel got closer to show the seraph what he was looking at. Castiel read quietly. Aziraphale handed him the book without a word and went back to where the boys were asleep. He came back with a notepad and a pen.

“Let me see something.” He said whilst taking the book back from Castiel.

“What’s happening?” Asked Cas.

“Hang on my friend.” He said. Aziraphale grabbed his phone off the receiver and dialed. Cas watched as the angel talked for a split second over the phone before rapidly hanging up.

“We’ve got him.” Aziraphale muttered.

“What?”

“We’ve got him! We’ve got the boy! I mean,obviously we don’t have him. I know where he is though. Number 4 Hogback Lane,Tadfield.”

“Well alright then,let’s go.”

Aziraphale put his hand against Castiels chest to stop him.”It’s not that easy. We can’t go personally. Well have to send someone to keep an eye on him.”

Cas breathed out through his nose.”But..” he saw the look in Aziraphales eyes and sighed.”Alright fine.”

“I’ll have to report to Crowley in a few hours.” It seemed as though Aziraphale was going to add something to his sentence. He was,but he quickly stopped himself. Instead he said “Would to come with me?”

“Well..” Castiel thought.”If you go then the boys have to go.”

Again Aziraphale took a moments pause to think it through. Finally he nodded.”Okay..How’s your cocoa?”

Cas looked down at his still full cup. It warmed his his palms.”I haven’t had a sip yet. How did you get so used to eating and drinking?”

The angel smiled.”One gets used to human traits after a while of being around them. Let’s sit down by the window and wait for sun rise. I’d love to hear about your life back in your universe.”

The Seraph was led to a small round table. A cinnamon scented candle burned on top of it. Next to the candle was a plate of oatmeal cookies. They sat across from one another. Unlike Aziraphale,who looked more awake and livelier than ever,Castiel looked exhausted and run down. Cas had never known what rest was because his body and mind were constantly on alert,fearing for the next threat. He low key envied the angel,who’s life up until that point seemed better than his.

“So tell me about yourself.” Aziraphale said.

Cas brought the mug away from his lips. He liked the cocoa.”About myself or about my life with the boys?”

“Let’s start off with your life.”

“Alright. Life up in heaven was strictly based on following orders with no questions asked. I have to give credit to the Winchester’s. If it hadn’t been for them I’d still be a tight ass. I was given the order to pull Dean out of Hell,which I did. But first I needed a vessel to inhabit during my time on earth. A devoted man named a Jimmy Novak prayed for this,and well.you’re looking at him. His body,that is. He died a long ago and I kept living in here.Dean was skeptical about angels and other celestial beings at first but that gradually changed over time. Sam thought I’d be different because I was kind of a dick to him when we first met. But he changed his mind once he got to know me.Over time I grew fond of humans,and the angels running heaven didn’t like that.Then when the time came to choose between the order or my human friends I didn’t hesitate for a second in choosing them. I’ve ‘died’ and came back many times.”

Aziraphale had the rim of his cup pressed to his lips but he had yet taken a sip. His hand and the rest of his body had frozen with hearing Castiels story. He couldn’t believe what he had heard. And yet he wanted to hear more of the Seraphs life.

“Fascinating.” Aziraphale breathed out. He took his sip and set the cup down.”Tell me about your life with the boys. What’s your daily routine with them?”

“My daily routine is hectic. Sam,Dean,Jack and I are always on the go. Sometimes the Archangel Gabriel tags along.Solving cases take up to two weeks to do. If the case is important or life threatening it takes more time. We had just finished our biggest one,killing the devil,weeks ago. But then the Archangel Micheal,who had killed the devil whilst wearing Dean as a vessel,took off with Dean. He had broken the deal they had made prior.So then we had to search for them. Thankfully he found us first. It was just Dean. Micheal had been there briefly but he was killed.We then felt it was time for a much needed break. But then you and Crowley popped up in our library and here we are.”

The angel frowned.”I didn’t know that.Im so sorry we ruined it for you guys.”

Castiel smiled.”It’s alright. There’s no need to apologize. I’ll admit i was upset at first but I’m not anymore. Your a pretty nice angel, Aziraphale. Much more nicer than the ones back in our world.”

Aziraphales eyes widened.”That can’t be possible. All angels are nice.”

“No.” Castiel shook his head.”Not where I’m from. Everyone is uptight,righteous and always wanting to follow their given orders word for word. Nobody questions their orders.Nobody thinks about the consequences those orders could have on others. I was like that before I met Dean. He’s the reason why I am the way I am now,and I’m eternally greatful. The only angels that are easy to get along with are the ones that have been living with humans for a long time. The only other one besides myself is Gabriel. But he wasn’t easy going at first.”

“What do you mean?”

“Gabriel didn’t tell us at first that he was an archangel. He said he was a trickster and,before joining us,messed with Sam and Dean numerous times. It took a time of talking and making him see what he was doing was wrong before he stopped. It also took a long time for Sam and Dean to trust him.In fact he’s back in our world house sitting for us.”

Aziraphale smiled.”Would you like to call him to see how everything is going?”

Cas nodded.”That be nice. Could I get more cocoa please?”

“Yes you most certainly can.” Aziraphale set the phone in front of Cas. He retrieved both his and the seraphs cup and left to refill them.

Cas dialed the long distance number,followed by the international number,followed by the area code then finally the 7 numbers to the housephone in the bunker. It rang,and rang,and rang until finally Gabe picked up.

“Who are you and how did you get this number?”

“It’s me you flip flop.” Cas said.

“Cas!” Gabriel exclaimed.”How’ve you been buddy? It feels like it’s been years since we’ve spoken. Where are you guys at? How’s Sammy?”

“I’ve been good,thank you for asking. We are in London. It’s very pretty over here. The people are really nice. Sams doing fine. He’s sleeping. How are you doing? How’s the bunker?”

“That’s good to hear. I’m doing great. I’ve spent this whole time doing a massive clean up around here,your rooms included. I’ve dusted,wiped down,moped,swept and washed everything around the house. I’m currently doing a load of laundry and I’ve got popcorn popping in the kettle.”

Castiel smiled big.”Thats great Gabe. Thank you so much for taking care of the place. I’m sure the boys will appreciate it.”

“It’s no problem at all. Oh! Now that I have you on the line. Are those cats yours? The ones that have been hanging around the bunkers garden and like to eat all the plants?”

“No.They aren’t. Jacks been feeding them but we’ve been telling him not to. If you feed them they won’t leave.”

“........Well it looks like you’re going to have to buy a scratch post.”

“Why?!”

“...........I let them in.”

“Gabriel!! Why would you do that??”

“I thought they were yours!”

“Why on earth would you think they’d be ours!? Dean could barley take care of that goldfish he won at the fair. Poor thing died after 3 days.Sam’s allergic to cats,which you should know! And Jack,although he says he can take care of them and go to school ,can’t take care of them!”

“What about you?!”

“I’ve got my hands full with other things!”

Gabriel chuckled.”Well..you should of thought of that before you decided to get six cats.”

“SIX?!”

“Hey my popcorns done. Gotta go. Buy me a souvenir.Like a hat or a postcard or a fridge magnet! Oh! Oh! Buy me a fridge magnet!! Say hi to Sam for me. Bye Cas!”

“GABRIEL DONT YOU DARE HANG UP ON ME!” Cas shouted. But the line was already dead.

Aziraphale set three cups down at the table. A sleepy eyed Dean approached Cas,who was staring at the phone receiver with a blank face. He had gotten up when he overheard that Cas was talking to Gabriel.

“What’s the matter Cas?” He asked in his groggily morning voice.

“Apparently we have six cats.”

Dean closed his eyes tightly. His head fell back.”Dammit! Gabe let them in?!”

Cas nodded.”Yes. He thought they were ours.”

“Darn it Gabe. He’s going to have to get rid of them before we get home. Jack can’t know. It’ll be harder to get rid of them if he does.” Aziraphale came into Dean’s peripheral vision. He looked over at the angel and smiled.”Good morning.”

“Good morning Dean. Congratulations on your cats.”

Dean chuckled.”Thank you. Do you have any cookies to go along with this cocoa?”

“I do. They’re on the table.” While Dean ate Cas and Aziraphale brought him up to date with what had happened while he was asleep. The finding of the antichrists address and the book with prophecies that Aziraphale was more than likely not to give back.

Dean immediately stood up.”Well let’s quit wasting time and get going.I’ll wake up Sam and I’ll leave a note for Jack.”

“Hang on.” Cas said,standing up too.”It’s not that easy.”

“Why not? We know where the kid is,let’s go and talk him out doing what he’s doing to do before he does it.”

“It’s not that easy.”

“Seems pretty easy to me.”

Aziraphale checked his watch.”Actually fellas,it’s time to report to Crowley. You and Cas are more than welcome to come with me.”

“Jack and Sam have to come too.” Dean said.

“Fine.” Aziraphale said. “But please hurry.”

————————————————————————-

In the taxi on the way to the spot where they were supposed to meet Sam was anxious. He had a sixth sense his brother didn’t have. The sense of impending problems. He didn’t say anything. It was a Winchester trait not to say when something was bothering them. But Dean knew his brother. He take it out of Sam wether or not he wanted too.

While Castiel and Jack talked about nonrelated things,Dean leaned in to whisper to his brother.”What’s wrong?”

Sam furrowed his eyebrows.”Nothing. Why do you ask?”

Dean rolled his eyes.”Come on man. Clearly somethings wrong. Just look at how tense you are.”

Sams eyes trailed down to his hands which were clasped tightly together. He sighed.”Alright,your right. I can’t help but get a feeling that something is going to happen very soon.”

“You mean like the apocalypse?”

“No,something between all of us. Aziraphale and Crowley included.”

Dean looked over at where Aziraphale sat,in front with the driver.”What kind of something?”

“I don’t know. But be prepared for whatever might happen. I could be wrong though. It could just be my head playing games with me.”

The oldest Winchester leaned back in his seat. “Let’s hope so.”

—————————————————————————-

Just like when they arrived at the ex convent, they were the first ones to arrive at the bandstand where the demon and the angel had agreed to meet.. Jack went to explore the surrounding areas but he promised he’d be back soon. Aziraphale looked at Sam quizzically.

“You have a tense nerve in your neck.”

Sam chuckled.” I do not.”

With a small hand motion Sams neck twisted involuntary. He let out a gasp followed by an exhale.”I guess i did.” He laughed,his hand rubbing his neck.”Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Dean came trotting over towards them excitedly.” Hey Aziraphale,can you crack my back for me?!”

Cas looked at him sternly.”Dean-“But before he could continue,Crowley arrived.

He talked to the three as he approached them.”Good morning to you all! Great to see the band back together. How did everyone sleep?”

“Great!” Jack greeted. He had appeared out of nowhere right beside Dean. “How did you sleep?”

Crowley laughed.”Great. I slept great kid. Thanks for asking. So- any word on the antichrists location?”

Sam spoke up.”Castiel and Aziraphale we’re working on that all night and-“

Aziraphale cut in quickly.” We found nothing.” The four outsiders stared at the angel in shock. The angel didn’t notice. Or rather he did but he didn’t acknowledge it.”Sadly we’ve found nothing.”

“Oh great.” Crowley said.��That’s just bloody dandy isn’t it!!”

“Crowley..it’s all part of the Great Plan.”

“Screw all of this! Screw the damn plan.”

“You’re forgiven for that remark.”

“I can’t be forgiven you lopsided boob!” Crowley took three long strides to stand directly in front of Aziraphales. Their faces touching at the nose.”Forgiveness isn’t part of a demons job description. I’m eternally unforgivable.”

Aziraphale looked up to meet Crowley’s stare.”You mustn’t forget you were once an angel.”

“I know but that was a long time ago.”

“Aziraphale-“ Castiel said. With a snap of the angels fingers the seraph went mute. As if Aziraphale had pulled out his voice box.

“Cas!” Dean rushed over to help his friend who desperately tried to find his voice. Sam grabbed Jack by the shoulder and pulled him a few inches back. It’s what he had feared.

Aziraphale went back to talking to Crowley.”The angels can find the boy.”

“Alright so they find them. And then what?!” Crowley growled.”We kill him??”

“No..not them.”

Crowley looked incredulous at the angel. He took a few steps back.”You’re seriously not suggesting that I do it.”

“Angels don’t kill kids. Angels don’t kill anyone. If you do it then it will look as though heaven didn’t have anything to do with this.”

“So your wanting to dump it all on hell?” Crowley mock Aziraphale .”’Oh I’m a dumb bum angel! I don’t do wrong! I just sit up here on my cloud making good choices.Not like those dirty demons who lurk around creating havoc everywhere they go!!’””

“That’s not what I said Crowley and you know it!” Aziraphale exclaimed.

“Whatever. Alright whatever! But you bet your fluffy ass I’m not going to kill him. If there’s anybody here who should be chosen to kill him it should be you.”

“I’m doing no such thing.”

“Fine then you know what? I’m leaving. I quit,im leaving. Good day to you sir...sirs.”

Aziraphale followed him to the entrance of the bandstand.”Where?? There’s no where else to go.”

“It’s a big ass word i can go wherever I please. We can go wherever we please.” Crowley ran back to Aziraphale. Both of the demons hands pressed the angels shoulder. “You and me. Let’s run away. We can leave the apocalypse behind. We can go wherever we want. You and me. We’ve been friends since since the beginning of the universe. Let’s pull a Bonnie and Clyde and ditch everything and everyone. What do you say?”

If Aziraphale wasn’t who he was,he would have said yes in a heartbeat. He would have apologized to the four outsiders for bringing them here and wasting their time.He’d suggest that if they wanted to stay and stop the apocalypse themselves then he and Crowley would give them all the information gathered up until that point. But unfortunately or fortunately Aziraphale was who he was,an angel. A rival of the demon.

“You can’t be serious.” Said the angel.”We are a demon and an angel. You and me were never friends. We can never be friends. Not in this life time,not in the next life time. I never even liked you.”

“Oh come on. You love me.”

“We’re on opposing sides.”

“We are on the same side.”

“No Crowley.”

“Aziraphale..angel,please!”

“No.” Aziraphale said sternly.”For the last time no.”

“FINE!” Crowley choked (screamed) out,clearly hurt.”Fine! Have it your way..but If you think you’re going to stay with all four outsiders then you’ve got another thing coming. We both get an even custody.”

“Even custody? We aren’t married. They aren’t our children.”

“I get the humans! Dibs on the humans. The humans are mine.” Crowley marched over towards Dean and Sam. He grabbed them both by the collar and pulled them away. It looked as easy as pulling a shoe string.He talked over his shoulder as he dragged them away.”You can stay with the angels. Your all the same. A bunch of soul crushing leavers who don’t care about anyone else but yourselves..”Dean and Sam watched in silence as Aziraphale,Cas and Jack grew tiny with the distance. Sam could clearly see that Aziraphale was hurt. He was crying. Dean heard sniffles coming from Crowley. He was crying too.

“Crowley bring them back!” Shouted Aziraphale “You’re being ridiculous!”

But Crowley didn’t hear him. He pulled the Winchester’s towards his Bentley,quietly crying the whole way there.

[emma--anacortes]

To Find You: Chapter 4

To Find You

Emma_Anacortes

https://archiveofourown.org/works/14134578/chapters/50253428

Chapter 4

The happy moment didn’t last long. Tony practically beamed seeing Peter’s shining eyes at the new revelation, and wanted to keep talking to him, keep making Peter happy – but Ben’s voice came barreling through.

“Stark. We’ve gotta talk.”

Tony looked up at him from his kneeling position. “What? Right now?” He gestured to Peter. “Can I just finish -- ?”

“What is there to finish?” said Ben, standing up, looking very unhappy. “You told him – you’re his dad. Now we need to talk.” He jerked his head, indication that Tony needed to follow.

What the actual hell?

What the fuck was wrong with this guy? He was so fucking weird. First he was mean, then he was snarky, then he was pissy. What was his problem? Was he pissed about Tony getting his sister pregnant? Or was he upset at Tony for just showing up at his house?

He didn’t want to fight with this man in front of Peter. Instead, he stood up as well and looked Peter hard in the face saying, “I’ll go talk to him. But I’ll be back, ok?”

Peter looked completely dumbfounded – happy, but dumbfounded. Tony couldn’t blame him. So many things had happened for such a young kid in just a few hours. But, he nodded slowly and whispered to Tony, “Okay. I’ll wait for you.”

Tony crinkled a smile. Fucking cute kid. He couldn’t believe how alike they looked. Except, the kid had a mop of curly hair. That had to be all his mom. Even though it had been so long ago, he still remembered Mary Parker’s long curly hair.

*

Tony’s self-esteem was in the toilet tonight. His form of self-care was to go to the bar, get drunk, and hopefully take a woman home. This bar tonight was nice and loud, with plenty of numbing alcohol to go around. He scanned the room, being conceited and looking for the prettiest girl in the room.

She caught his eye instantly. Her dress was completely backless, legs darkened by tights, and lips a deep red stain. The coiled, thick ringlets in her hair fell past her shoulders. Tony smirked, already knowing what to ask her.

“Is that your natural hair?” He questioned her enticingly, striding forward and amplifying his voice over the club music. She looked up at him from her seat at the bar, eyes widening when she saw who asked the question.

Tony waited for it. The, ‘oh my gosh, you’re Tony Stark!’ and the obvious, desperate flirting that followed. But she surprised him. Instead, she changed her surprised expression in a flash and smiled slightly.

“It is,” the woman answered, tone even. “Real boobs too, if that’s what you were really wondering.” She turned back to her drink.

Tony actually had been wondering. He was going to bring it up in a smoother way than that, but fuck. Maybe women thought that was stupid? Or maybe just this woman. All the others couldn’t stop giggling when he’d asked. ‘Tony Stark thinks I have nice boobs? Oh my gosh I can’t wait to tell my friends!’

He sat down on the stool next to her. “Can I get you a drink? Anything you’d like. I could swing something fancier than what you’ve got there,”

She turned her head and held his gaze. There was something about her eyes. They were stunning, hardened, no-nonsense. “Oh Mr. Stark, trust me,” she took another sip of her drink. “I could get any drink in this place. You think I don’t know why you sat next to me?”

“All right, all right,” Tony held his hands up. Gosh, he was so fucking intrigued how. Sex be damned, (well, no, sex with this woman would probably rock) something in him wanted to ask this girl all about her life, find out what was going on in her head. “I’m sorry. I just –” He let out a laugh. “What’s your name?”

She was still looking him in the eyes. “Mary,”

“Pretty,” Tony said. “I’m – well, you know.” He shrugged.

Mary laughed. “Yes, I do. But I’m sorry, Mr. Stark. I have a boyfriend.”

Psh. Tony didn’t skip a beat. “Is he a good boyfriend?”

Her face darkened. But again, she changed that expression within a second. But Tony was quick. He saw.

“No?” Tony prodded further. Mary’s lips were tightened in a line.

“You’re getting a little too personal here, Mr. Stark.”

“Please. It’s Tony.”

“I prefer Mr. Stark,” She crossed her legs to the other side, so her foot was dangling the other way. “It keeps a distance.”

“Okay Mary,” Tony said. “I don’t want to be a bother, it’s just –” He placed his hand on top of hers gently. She didn’t flinch away. “When’s the last time your boyfriend told you how absolutely stunning you are?”

Mary blinked. Her mouth curved a little and she rolled her eyes. “You’re very predictable, Mr. Stark,”

“I know, I’m boring. I’m not nearly as interesting as people think – but just this one question –”

“Five years,” Mary interrupted, looking at Tony again. “We started dating five years ago, and once he had me as his girlfriend, he stopped telling me I was beautiful.”

It felt like all the breath left Tony’s lungs. He squeezed her hand, which he was still holding. “Well,” Tony choked, feeling horrible. “You are. You’re beautiful. And interesting. And –”

“Do you want to get out of here?” Mary ventured boldly, interrupting Tony again. He didn’t mind the interruption. It was mildly refreshing.

“I mean,” He laughed. “That’s why I came over here, to be honest.”

“No honesty needed. I know.”

“But we don’t have to do that,” He told her quickly. Something about this girl – he didn’t know. He didn’t want to be just one of those guys to her. “We can go get something to eat, um, go to central park. I um –” He thought frantically. What would impress her? “I have a private jet, ya know, if there’s ever somewhere in the world you’ve wanted to go –”

Mary coughed up some of her drink she’d been taking another sip of. “What?” She said, looking bewildered. “What the hell? You can’t be serious.”

Tony grinned at her. “I am. Why not? What the hell else do I have to do?”

Mary’s eyes sparkled. “Uh, yeah. Yes. Okay.” She sat up a little. “I have something in mind.”

Tony followed Ben into the kitchen. He still couldn’t quite pinpoint what the deal was with this guy. While Mary had been so likable and genuine, her brother seemed to just be – a bit of a loser.

Ben rounded on Tony quickly. “Listen here, Stark,”

“Listening,” Tony shot back in a sing-song voice.

That earned a glare from Ben. “I don’t know who you think you are just walking in here, fucking uninvited –”

“Okay, seriously? If Peter hadn’t almost gotten kidnapped today, all this would have happened very differently. But we don’t exactly have time for that. There’s people after him – I didn’t even know he existed until they sent threats to my friends –”

“So you’re gonna take him? That’s it? You’re here to take him away?” Ben’s jaw was set.

Tony paused for a moment, baffled. How had he jumped to that conclusion? “What? No, no – “ He thought of Ben’s harsh words towards Peter, the insults. “Do I need to take him away?”

“His mother made me swear I’d take care of him. She didn’t want you for him, she wanted me. He stays here.”

“Okay! I was never planning on taking him away –”

“Fucking bull. You just said –”

“Well I won’t! Okay? I’m here so we can protect him, all right?”

Ben’s face was screwed in anger, but unclenched the fist that had been at his side the entire conversation. “All right. You can do that. But he –”

“Stays here,” Tony finished for him, hiding the hurt swirling inside. “Got it.”

They stood there in stagnant, uncomfortable silence for a few seconds. Tony burned with disappointment, upset at the first meeting with the son he’d never known about. And, the more he thought about it – why hadn’t he known about Peter? Why didn’t Mary at least write him a letter? The time they’d had together – it had been incredible. Wouldn’t she have wanted Tony in Peter’s life? Why was Peter trapped in this craphole anyways?

A horrible thought Tony hadn’t considered entered his thoughts.

“Where is Mary?” Tony asked, burning fear sweltering in his stomach. “Why does Peter live with you?”

Ben didn’t answer right away. He roamed over to the fridge, pulled out a beer, took a long swig of it, and said harshly, “She’s dead. Died years ago.” He then retreated into his room and slammed the door shut.

*

After taking about a minute to be in shock, Tony shakily poked his head back into the apartment’s living room to check on Peter. The kid was slumped on the couch, elbows on knees and head drooped.

“Hey, bud,” Tony said carefully. Peter’s head shot up instantly.

“Mr. Iron – um, Stark! Tony!”

“There ya go, you got it on the last one,” He walked further into the room. “Just Tony,”

Carefully, he sat next to Peter on the couch. Peter picked at the sides of his nails. He didn’t know what to tell him, his own kid. He opened his mouth to say something stupid, but Peter beat him to it.

“So there’s people that want to get me,” Peter said glumly. “That’s why you’re here?”

“There are people that have discovered you’re my son, yes. They want to use you to hurt me.”

Peter kept picking his nails, head back down. “I’m sorry,” He muttered.

“Hey,” Tony put a hand over Peter’s. “Please don’t be – there’s nothing for you to be sorry for. I – I don’t –” He let out a big puff of air. “I’m going to be honest here, kid. I don’t really know what I’m doing. This situation, I don’t –”

“This… situation?” Peter questioned.

“Yeah, like, having a kid. All this. I don’t know –”

“What do you know?” Peter said, not unkindly. It was a genuine question, a desire to understand Tony’s real intentions, who he was, what he wanted. Tony marveled at the twelve-year-old’s quiet wisdom and maturity. He deserved a real answer.

“I know that –” He paused. “I know that I’m really happy I have a son.”

Peter’s eyes sparkled, just like his mother’s. “You are?” he breathed.

“Yes.” Tony grasped Peter’s hand, so his wasn’t just resting on top. Peter, wonderfully, grasped back. “I know I felt so excited when Rhodey – or War Machine – told me about you. I know I’m – I’m scared that there’s people who know you’re my son. Because a lot of people don’t like me.”

“That’s ok,” Peter assured. “No one really likes me either.”

“Right. Wait. What?”

Tony knew Peter didn’t mean that to be the saddest fucking comment ever, but damn. That was the saddest fucking comment ever.

“Kid, don’t say that. I’m sure lots of people like you.”

“No,” Peter said simply. “I mean, I guess my friend Ned. He likes me. But no one else at school likes me. Or my teachers. Or – or –” He looked sorrowfully at Ben’s closed door.

“Well,” Tony continued on with the earlier question. “I also know that I like you. And – I want us to try and spend some time together. Would you like that?”

“Yes,” Peter answered quickly. “Yes, I would. I’d really like to.”

“It’s a deal, then,” Tony patted Peter on the shoulder. “I should probably head out, I don’t wanna offend your Uncle or anything.”

Something that looked like dread filled Peter’s eyes. Maybe the kid was scared? That would make sense – he had gotten freaking attacked today. “Of course,” Peter said. “That’s – probably smart.”

“But I’ll have someone watching this house, night and day. You’ll be perfectly safe. If anything happens, I can be here in minutes.” Tony stood and pulled Peter up with him. “I promise.”

As Tony was leaving the apartment, he felt a strong desire to hug Peter, wrap him up, get him out of this messy and sad apartment. But who was Tony to know what was best for the kid? He hadn’t been with him for any of his life. How could he be so arrogant to think he’d be any better for Peter?

So he held himself back. But he needed to say something in parting – something that would help Peter know how much he cared.

“I’ll see you soon, bud,” Tony told his son at the door. Peter brushed some hair from his face. “And, well – there’s one more thing I know.” He knelt down one more time so they were eye-level. “If I’d have known about you sooner, I would have been here in a second.”

It was almost impossible to turn around and close the door on Peter’s sweet, awestruck face. Once out in the hall, there was a loneliness inside that he’d never felt. He missed this kid who he hadn’t even known existed a bit ago. Despite what he’d told Ben, he truly did want to take Peter home with him.

Please, Tony thought harshly to himself. He’d hate living with you. You could never take care of a kid.

As he headed outside to see multiple angry texts and missed calls from Rhodey, more dark thoughts filtered into his mind. The darkest being the realization that Ben hadn’t even asked – or cared – when Tony said his nephew had almost been kidnapped today.