#I feel like with my style he kind of leans toward cute but can be creepy at times

[jovialturtleface]

[agirlnamedelia]

Price Tag and Credit Card Limits || Katsuki x Reader

Genre: fluff Pairing: Katsuki x FEM!Reader Synopsis: You were shopping with Bakugou but every time you saw the price tag, you just had to put it back.

You wandered into the boutique with an excited gleam in your eyes, the vibrant window display pulling you in like a moth to a flame. The racks were lined with beautiful clothes in every style imaginable, each piece seemingly tailored to your taste. Today was supposed to be a treat-yourself day, but as always, the guilt of spending too much loomed over you.

Bakugou had given you his credit card with his usual gruff dismissal, "Just get whatever the hell you want, damn it." It was his way of caring, and though you appreciated his generosity, you couldn't help but feel hesitant to spend his money so freely. He might be your sugar daddy, but that didn’t mean you had to act like some kind of gold digger.

You strolled through the store, picking up a cute blouse here, a stylish jacket there. The soft, silky fabric of a dress caught your attention, and you lifted it off the rack, holding it against your body as you admired it in the mirror. It was perfect—the kind of dress that made you feel like you could conquer the world. But as you glanced at the price tag, your heart sank.

"10,000 yen…" you muttered under your breath, eyes widening slightly.

You quickly hung the dress back on the rack, pretending to yourself and anyone watching that it wasn’t that great anyway. “Hmm, yeah, maybe not my style,” you murmured, moving on to the next item.

From across the store, Bakugou watched you with a keen eye. He wasn’t a fool; he could see the way your eyes lit up when you found something you liked, only to dim the moment you saw the price. It pissed him off a bit, honestly. What was the point of giving you his card if you were just going to put everything back?

He gritted his teeth, waiting until you had moved on to another section of the store before slipping over to the dress you had been eyeing. It was a deep emerald green, a color he knew would look stunning on you. “Excuse me,” he grunted to the nearest salesperson. “Can you get me this in whatever size they just had, and if you have it in a couple more colors, that’d be great.”

The salesperson blinked up at him, wide-eyed. “Of course, sir. Right away.”

Satisfied, Bakugou wandered back towards the center of the store, hands shoved in his pockets as he kept an eye on you. He didn’t get it. If you liked something, just get it. Money wasn’t an issue, and he wanted you to be happy.

You, meanwhile, had moved on to the accessories, fingers grazing over a row of necklaces and bracelets. One necklace in particular caught your eye—a delicate gold chain with a small, heart-shaped pendant. You reached out, your fingers brushing the cool metal, but again, you hesitated. The price tag stared back at you, mocking your hesitation.

With a sigh, you put it back, mumbling to yourself, “Maybe another time…”

Bakugou was already on the move before you had even turned away. He nodded subtly to the salesperson who had been helping him, pointing out the necklace. “Add that, too.”

This little game went on for a while. You would find something you liked, check the price, and then put it back with a wistful expression. And every time, Bakugou would follow behind you, snatching up the item and adding it to his growing pile.

Finally, you made your way to the fitting rooms with a few of the more reasonably priced items you’d picked out, unaware of the surprise that was awaiting you. As you tried on a simple sweater, Bakugou leaned against the wall outside, arms crossed over his chest.

When you stepped out, he eyed you critically, giving a small nod of approval. “Looks good,” he said simply, though his eyes flickered with a hint of satisfaction.

You smiled, doing a little twirl for him. “Thanks! I think I’ll get this one.”

Bakugou merely grunted in response, his expression giving nothing away.

As you headed towards the register, ready to make your purchase, the salesperson hurried over with a large garment bag and a smaller jewelry box. “Here you are, sir,” she said, smiling warmly. “Everything you requested, all packed up.”

You blinked in confusion, looking between Bakugou and the salesperson. “Everything…you requested?”

Bakugou smirked, stepping forward and casually handing over his credit card. “Yeah, everything. Including the stuff you kept putting back.”

Your eyes widened as the realization hit you. “Bakugou! You didn’t…”

He raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. “What? You think I didn’t notice you eyeing all that stuff and then chickening out ‘cause of the price tag?” He shook his head, his tone softer than usual. “I told you to get whatever you want, didn’t I?”

You felt a flush creep up your cheeks, embarrassment and gratitude swirling together in your chest. “I just… I didn’t want to spend too much…”

Bakugou rolled his eyes, but there was a fondness in his gaze that made your heart skip a beat. “It’s my money, and I want to spend it on you. So stop worrying about it, okay? Just let me spoil you a little, damn it.”

You couldn’t help but smile at his words, warmth flooding through you. “Thank you, Bakugou. Really, I… I appreciate it.”

He shrugged, his cheeks tinging just slightly pink. “Yeah, yeah, don’t get all sappy on me now.”

The cashier finished ringing up everything, and Bakugou grabbed the bags, handing them to you with a gruff nod. “Here. Let’s get outta here before you start crying or something.”

You laughed, taking the bags from him and leaning up to press a quick kiss to his cheek. “You’re the best, you know that?”

He snorted, looking away to hide the way his ears turned red. “Yeah, yeah, whatever. Let’s just go, dumbass.”

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[bratzforchris]

Can you do dad headcanons for Nick? (Obviously not female reader I was thinking adoption or something)

Or uncle headcanons for any of them!

-🎀

Dad Life

Dad!Nick headcanons because this fandom is SEVERELY lacking dad!Nick content :) There are two parts here: one of dad!Nick to younger kids, and one of dad!Nick to older kids because I feel like he would be the type of person to foster/adopt teens. No warnings!

Dad!Nick with younger kids ♡

☆ when nick decides that he wants to have kids, he genuinely does so much research and makes a well informed decision!

☆ whether through adoption or a surrogate mother (remember, there are different ways people can have kids <3), he is genuinely so excited to meet his baby and falls in love with them immediately

☆ the "newborn scrunch" his baby does on his chest the first time would definitely make nick cry

☆ matt and chris are always willing to help out during the first few months of the baby being home

☆ "oh my god, how did your blowout get through your onesie?"

"welcome to fatherhood, man"

☆ once he gets the hang of it, nick is genuinely the baby whisperer. whenever baby sturniolo wakes up in the middle of the crying, all it takes is some funny faces and an ariana grande lullaby in the rocking chair to get them right back to sleep

☆ nick leans more towards girl dad, but he would be happy and love his child any way <3

☆ even when the terrible toddler phase comes along, he always keeps his cool and makes it a point to never shout/get overly angry, which is a large contrast to his youtube days

☆ genuinely one of those dads who is always doing cute little handprint crafts with his baby

☆ "i'll give you a dollar if you tell your uncle chris he has a big forehead"

☆ nick's kid(s) know how to stand up for themselves. their daddy teaches them to always be kind, but not let people walk all over you. no one is bullying them off the swings

☆ he loves to play pretend with his kids because he usually ends up laughing too. pirates, princesses, you name it

☆ "daddy! i'm a princess locked in a class, save me!"

"weren't you just a ninja, honey?"

☆ running after his kids is 100% a full time job, because they take after their daddy with sassy mouths and chaotic behavior

☆ on a serious note, nick never shies away from hard conversations. he's always honest and explains everything as best as he can to his babies

Dad!Nick with older kids ♡

☆ nick gives off foster/adopt for teens, mostly because he knows teens can feel excluded since a lot of people want babies, and that's just unacceptable

☆ he's actually so accepting of all the kids that come into his home, no matter what

☆ he makes sure they have everything they need to feel confident, because he knows how hard high school can be

☆ always makes sure they get their driver's license if they want, have a working cell phone, and have money to go out with friends

☆ "dad, this guy broke up with me because i 'wear too much makeup'"

"honey, looking like THAT...he should be trying to learn from you"

☆ as much as he tries not to be, he's the parent that cries ar every homecoming, prom, graduation, etc

☆ definitely lets his teens have their style (within reason). he'd definitely be okay with fun hair colors and certain piercings

☆ nick loves to be of homework help where he can. it's an easy in to get his teens talking to him about how they feel

☆ overall, nick is just genuinely the best dad anyone could ever ask for, no matter how old his kids are <3

tags ♡: @aemrsy @jake-and-johnnies-slut @mattsfavwh3re @suyqa @chrissturnswife @mbsbaby @herxyz @ilovejohnnieg @lovingchrissposts @caffeinatedscorpio @bunny-cotton @emmagirouard @athaliahxoxo @bitchydragonparadise @dumpling-to-eat @ilydeaky @soggyslugg169 @not-phone-guy @books0fever @stingerayyy2 @strnlvr @sunsetsturniolos @mimi-luvzyu @mayhem-72 @faygo-frog @oobleoob @idek3000hi @runasvengence

note ♡: if you'd like to be added to my tag list, click here <3

[notjustjavierpena]

Are You Staying?

Main Masterpost | Support a disabled creator

A/N: Let’s face it. This is Pedro Pascal’s world, and we’re all just living in it, trying to get by. I hope you enjoy this simple one-shot, which is my very first portrayal of Javier Peña.

Summary: You have become accustomed to letting the DEA agent be your reward for snitching on narcos and their sicarios.

Pairing: Javier Peña x f!reader/you (no y/n)

Tags: +18 Smut (minors DNI), PIV sex, unprotected sex, pussy eating, fingering, couch sex, doggy style, creampie, cute banter, dirty talk.

Word count: 2.6k

Link to this work on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/46680259

Are You Staying?

“This never happened,” Javier Peña says as he stuffs a bundle of cash into your jean pocket, lingering just a moment. You find it endearing that he repeats that phrase every time that he is here but you guess that when getting intel, one can never be too careful. You have given him nothing of importance, an address to a potential hideout (which you figure will be abandoned by now), but you like to think that he often just wants an excuse to see you.

“As per usual,” you reply with a smile and pat the money in your pocket. They are not the ones of most importance in this room right now though; Javier is, and whilst cash gives you more freedom in your life, you have become accustomed to letting the DEA agent be your reward for snitching on narcos and their sicarios.

“Are you staying?” You ask nonchalantly. He doesn’t need to know just how accustomed.

Javier looks at you with the tiniest hint of a smile, reaching behind him to pull out his gun and placing it on the nearest surface. It’s what he usually does when things are going to take a turn in your favor, and you don’t need a vocal answer.

“You better remember that when you leave,” you warn with a smirk, nodding towards the firearm.

“Shut up,” he plays along, taking a step forward towards you and without thinking, you start to unbutton his shirt. It’s automatic, it's a habit. Javier doesn’t protest, “Just be glad that I won’t accidentally shoot my fucking ass off in your home. Come on, I don’t have long.”

And then he leans in to kiss you, one arm wrapping around your lower back to show you that despite your snark, he is the one in control. You don’t protest either.

His mustache tickles you but you greet him without hesitation, resting your forearms on his shoulders and linking your hands together. It is slow and hot, even more so when he slides his tongue against yours.

The kiss goes on for a moment before he breaks it to let both of his hands come up to rest on your arms, yanking them off of himself so he can guide you towards your couch.

His eyes are on you the whole time as he backs you towards the living room. The look he is giving you is making a hot sensation pool in your stomach, his eyes nearly black from desire for you. You feel like you are being hunted and cornered by a predator that you welcome with every fiber of your body. You are not going to put up a fight.

Suddenly, the armrest of the couch hits the back of your thighs. You let yourself fall backwards and Javier smirks from you having read his mind.

“Good,” he praises and you respond by undoing your jeans. He helps them off of you until they are somewhere on the floor. The generous amount of money they hold is completely irrelevant right now.

Your underwear is next. Javier hooks his thumbs into the waistband of them and pulls, ending up swearing under his breath when he sees them stick to you a bit. You cannot help yourself with him. It’s like Pavlov’s law; this kind of secret encounter with him triggers your mind to remember what always comes after. You’ve been wet since he was at the door and you beg that he has an appetite tonight.

He does; suddenly, Javier grabs your thighs and yanks you towards the end of the couch. You yelp and follow up with a giggle in surprise, ass hanging over the armrest now. Whilst Javier finds the giggling sweet, he cuts it off by sinking to his knees. You go silent.

“Mi amor,” he says to you when he is level with your cunt, breathing against it. You want to press your thighs together or cross your legs. The anticipation is killing you.

Luckily, you do not have to wait for long. Javier closes his mouth around your clit and his eagerness is absolutely filthy. You want to squirm to tone down some of the intensity but his hands are still on your thighs, roughly holding you in place as he works the tip of his tongue.

“Fuck,” you moan and let your mouth hang open, begging not to practically drool. Looking down at the top of his head, you can hear him breathing unsteadily through his nose, wondering if he was going to give in and loosen his grip on your legs soon to come back up for air. No, he powers through.

You reach down to grab his hair, threading your fingers through his well-combed locks and then pulling hard. With the little space you have to move, you buckle up your hips to meet his mouth with a sense of control of the situation despite knowing you have none. He hisses in pain against your cunt but instead of removing himself from you, he dips down to dive into you. You feel him descend, nose against your clit and tongue licking long stripes along you.

This time, you accidentally pull his hair too hard. It results in him looking up at you with narrowed eyes.

“Mierda, are you done?” He growls but you are too focused on looking at his wet mustache and shiny nose. It looks obscene, pornographic even. If he doesn’t go on soon…

“God, you’re so fucking pretty,” Javier’s hard tone is gone in the blink of an eye as he catches you clenching around nothing. He takes a moment to admire the sight of you, then dares to remove one hand from your hip.

His hand goes down your body, and after a twist of his wrist, so that his palm is upwards, two fingers enter you. You arch your back properly for the first time since you started, not restrained by two hands anymore.

His fingers crook inside of you, rubbing your g-spot and then he covers you with his mouth again. You’re gone. The world fades away to nothing more than the feeling between your thighs, and if that wasn’t enough, Javier’s free arm slides under the small of your back to lift you into his mouth.

Your thighs start trembling as his fingers fuck you open. He always knows exactly what he is doing, and you thank all the women who came before you as he makes a come-hither motion inside of you. On top of his nose buried in the mound of your cunt and him eating you out like he has been starving, you find yourself nearing your climax embarrassingly fast.

“I’m— Javi,“ you babble, eyes closed and head thrown back, “I’m gonna— ah… gonna come.”

Your body tenses up like an elastic band being pulled, a breath getting caught in your throat for just a second before coming out in a cry. The elastic band snaps and the orgasm hits you with fast and intense spasms of your cunt whilst Javier works you through it. You practically sing his name.

It takes a few moments before you have calmed down enough to even look at the DEA agent again. Javier has already gotten up from the floor, hands on the armrest and looking down at you with a big grin. His arms flex as he leans over you, “Lie back and turn around.”

“Give me a fucking break,” you let out an exhausted chuckle, a hand on your chest as if to make sure you’re breathing properly, “Get undressed instead.”

Javier pulls off his shirt, already unbuttoned by you. He hangs it over the back of the couch, then goes for his jeans which must be uncomfortable to wear at this point; from where you are lying, you can see the outline of Javier’s cock. He must be painfully hard underneath the denim.

“Speak for yourself,” he says, nodding towards your covered chest and you proceed to pull your shirt over your head. When he finally steps out of his jeans, you throw your garment at him which he catches.

“Happy?” You ask with a playful roll of your eyes, reaching around your back to unclasp your bra. You throw it onto the back of the couch with Javier’s shirt.

“Now I am,” he replies with a huff through his nose. He uses your shirt to wipe his face, specifically his mustache, and you want to curl your toes. It shouldn’t affect you as much as it does but soon you are following orders, pushing yourself back on the couch and turning onto your stomach.

“Fuck, baby,” Javier swears behind as you instinctively get up on all fours.

Nothing happens for a while until you feel the weight of Javier behind you on the couch. He is shuffling around, most likely undressing the rest of himself, and you find yourself leaning onto your forearms to show him what he is missing.

“Por favor,” you say with a shuddering breath but it does nothing but earn you a smack to your ass. You yelp.

“Don’t use my own tricks against me,” he refers to the slip of Spanish. Behind you, he reaches for both of your hips to pull you onto your hands and knees again. You wait patiently, gasp when you finally feel his cock press against you.

“Please,” you correct yourself. Javier chuckles, one hand sliding up to rest on the small of your back. He guides himself into you and a groan erupts from his lips, his cock stretching you open in a way that his fingers could never. There’s only a slight resistance, your body tensing up for just a split second before accepting him fully.

“Fuck me,” you beg.

There is more swearing but no movement. You take it that Javier is admiring you and the way his cock has disappeared inside of you. Despite how hot that thought is, you are impatient for Javier to move, so you push back into him.

“Don’t,” Javier moans in surprise, “Give a guy a warning.”

“And buy you dinner first?” You try to laugh but it is interrupted by a gasp as Javier starts fucking you, “I think– fuck, Javi… Think we’re past that.”

“You feel fucking amazing when you laugh,” he groans, fingers digging into your hip and holding you in place like when he had eaten you out. You are staying right where he wants you. He finally sets a pace that has your head swimming, filling the room with obscene noises of sex.

You cannot hold yourself up anymore, turning your head to the side and resting your cheek against the couch. You grab whatever you can in front of you for dear life, ending up nearly ripping the couch cushion underneath you apart.

With your back arched like this, a new angle sends a shot of pleasure raking up your spine. You make a wanton sound as Javier’s cock hits that same spot inside of you over and over again. How the fuck does he do it so well?

The noise coming from you must have spurred Javier on because he grabs the back of the sofa to go faster, deeper, harder. If this is how you get rug burn then so be it.

“You’re incredible, Javi,” you praise breathlessly.

“Ah— and you take me so fucking well,” he tells you in return, swearing under his breath and muttering your name as his hips start to stutter. Not yet.

“Kiss me,” you command as a distraction. You feel him reach around your torso, sprawling a strong hand across your sternum and then pushing body upwards until you are on your knees.

You feel the tip of Javier’s tongue lick a drop of sweat from between your shoulder blades, lips trailing upwards from where the drop had slid down until he is back to breathing into your ear.

“Javi,” you moan as he slowly continues fucking you with your back pressed against his sweaty chest. You turn your head to look at him over your shoulder, brows furrowed in pleasure, “Kiss me.”

He obeys, leans his head towards yours, catching your mouth in a heated kiss that is way too much teeth in the beginning because of your position. You reach up to put a hand on the back of his head, trying to guide his mouth whilst he moves with you. Javier responds by reaching up to grab your breast in his hand, a thumb brushing over your already hardened nipple.

You suck at the tip of his tongue only briefly, but end up breaking the kiss with a gasp as he pinches the nipple between his thumb and forefinger.

“Make me come,” you breathe harder, heart pounding in your ears after the slight pain of being pinched again. Javier noses along your neck, tickling you slightly before biting down at your pulse point. His free hand goes down your stomach until he has it between your legs, two fingers on your clit.

“Oh God, oh,” you moan. Javier rubs your clit fast, almost making you double over as your legs start to tremble like earlier. You’re close, and you announce it with a string of pleas for him. Almost… almost there. Just a little more.

Javier barely pulls out of you anymore at this point, rolling his hips so he can hit your g-spot with a precision that he has learned through many meetings like this. It is just what is needed to send you over the edge.

Your hand comes flying down to cover the one Javier has between your legs. Your nerve endings feel like they are on fire as you come. Warmth floods through your body, all centering in on your cunt as you feel pleasure ripple through your body. You clench around Javier’s cock, pulling a low groan from his lips.

“Oh, oh, fuck— ah,” you continue as Javier works you through your high, leaving you exhausted and spent. You lean against his chest, panting after the DEA agent slows down again.

“Next time, I’m gonna have to watch your face when you come,” he is panting himself, and you don’t blame him; he hasn’t gotten to his own endorphin high. It must be torture.

You roll your hips against him without saying anything. It earns you a soft gasp as he is suddenly seated deep inside of you again, thrusting roughly up into you a few more times before growling into your shoulder. You feel him come, feel his cock twitching before spilling inside of you. It never gets old.

Then there’s silence, only your heaving breaths being heard. It’s nice, comfortable and quiet. It takes a moment to function again, so you’ll enjoy the mutual experience of being exhausted.

“Fuck, I need a cigarette,” Javier mutters behind you, grabbing at the base of his cock and pulling out of you with a grunt. You feel empty but it doesn’t matter, right now, you need to go get cleaned up.

You get off the couch, quickly walking to your bathroom, “Be right back.”

When you come back, you’ve put on new panties. Javier is dressed on the bottom half of his body and he has placed his gun on the coffee table so he doesn’t forget it when he leaves. He is lying on the couch and has a cigarette between his lips, blowing smoke up into the air.

You walk to stand by him and he offers the smoke to you. You take a puff before handing it back to him, “That was something.”

Javier laughs quietly, “Yeah? You better come up with something better next time or I won’t have a reason to drop by.”

“Ay, Javi,” you slap his arm, and he just laughs a little louder, “Maybe I should call your little friend. Steve, was it?”

“Steve is married, you know, and I wouldn’t pick a fight with Connie. She’ll kick your ass,” Javi grabs your arm and pulls you down onto the couch with him. You roll your eyes but still kiss him.

“Fine, guess I will just have to stick with you.”

“I guess you will.”

.

.

If you would like to follow my writing then go follow @notjustjavierpena-fics and turn on notifications 💖❤️

[starry-bi-sky]

Just so you know, I've reread your answer to my ask about how you'd rewrite "Double Cross My Heart" in your Danyal Al Ghul au several times over. And I'll just say, your whole breakdown and revision of that trainwreck of a Sam centered episode is the very reason why when it comes to the phandom, both alone and in dpxdc crossovers I tend to lean more towards fanon Sam instead of canon.

Because the people that like her yet acknowledge her glaring flaws do a far better job of bringing her to task when she's being unreasonable or hypocritical in a way that's fair than the supposedly professional storyboard writers.

Anyway, you mentioned that you don't like amethyst ocean and prefer gray ghost. Same here. (though I also like pink astronaut) Since then, I can't stop imagining Danyal/Danny with the "Damian experiencing his first crush" headcanon applied to him. The idea of him treating Valerie with suspicion under the assumption she somehow poisoned or hit him with some kind of hidden anti ghost tech that affects both his human and ghost side, when in reality it's simply him developing feelings for her is just absolute hilarity. To me if no one else.

FIRST OFF YOU ARE SO SWEET <33 the fact that you've read my post about Double Cross My Heart SEVERAL TIMES means I'm now morally obligated to die for you. I'll admit! I was a bit harsh on Sam a little in my original response, because I was irritated by some depictions of her in fanon painting her as someone who could do no wrong and had the only braincell in the group. So I was kinda picking on her a little bit. Would I change a thing? No, I love her character, I just love dissecting her flaws even more.

AND ALSO YOU'RE SO RIGHT ABOUT THE DANYAL THING. That's so cute and so funny, effective immediately it is now canon🧑‍⚖️ . He fought Red Huntress earlier that day and she got a lucky good hit on him, and it's literally that one Marina reaction image where the first panel she looks shocked, the next she looks into it. At least part of it. That's literally what happened, and the next time Danny runs into Valerie at school his heart flutters.

Danny puts up this whole conspiracy board because Valerie smiled at him and his heart went all flippy-floppy and what is this FEELING. He shows it to Sam and Tucker and they both are doing that hands folded prayer-style pressed against their mouths in concern thing, and they don't know whether they should laugh or cry.

Because on one hand: oh my GOD, Danny. But on the OTHER: on my god, Danny. He's never gonna live this one down but that's because if they don't tease him about it, they're gonna get all mopey and sad about it. Just another reminder of their best friend's tragic, mysterious background.

aaa. There are some headcanons I wanna go over (like how when they go on a date, Danny and Valerie have this cute heart to heart where Danny admits that he's not used to being open with people, but he wants to try to be with Valerie because she makes him really happy. He's so shy and almost flustered, and Valerie is so charmed by this side of Danyal Fenton that she's not used to.) but I REALLY wanna think about this in terms of episodic because it was super fun doing it last time, and I really enjoyed it.

If you remember (and you prolly do since you mentioned you read the last ask you sent me several times) I said in the Gregory post that I deleted a (frankly good chunk) of writing that included how i would change the Valerie episodes leading up to the Gregory one, but I deleted it because it was kinda irrelevant to the ask, and admittedly I was getting myself all twisted in knots about it.

But I kinda wanna do that now.

So. If you don't mind I am. Gonna do that. And luckily for me! I found the website I can do. that for free, and have it pulled up! It's the same one I used for the last post to chart out the gregory episode.

So, Shades of Gray! I lowkey want this episode to be like, subtly hinting at the idea that Valerie might develop a crush on Danny first. But ultimately it gets the two of them properly introduced and established with each other, and Red Huntress going.

The episode starts out with Danny being chased by Dash because he got a bad grade in a spelling, obviously if he tried that with Danyal he's gonna get his shit wiped. So! Change! It's Danny heading to his next class, he's texting Sam and Tucker, expertly maneuvering around people in a combination of teen-texting-habit and assassin training awareness. Kinda aware of what's around him, but also not and just trusting instinct.

We meet Valerie when she's showing off a (frankly unflattering) purple polo shirt that costs, AND I QUOTE: "$579, and worth every one of my dad's pennies." to Paulina and Kwan. Girl, this shirt is a few shades off from that NEON "error, image not found" magenta. It looks incredibly unflattering on her considering it's neon-y-ness and the orange skirt and headband she's wearing. Sweetheart, get your damn money back, or at least pick a different pair of pants.

I'm telling you this because I can't resist changing the design. So instead of. that.

She is INSTEAD wearing like, this cute, ruffled, soft pastel purple crop top and some cute jean shorts. Her hair is in like, passion twist braids with little gold cuffs in them. She looks SO cute guys, so cute.

Of course maybe they made it look ugly on purpose because in the show she gets coffee dumped on her 30 seconds later from Danny crashing into Paulina while running from Dash.

I've thought of three different ways this could go, and can't pick which so I'm just gonna write them out and see which one I'm drawn to more.

Kwan, Paulina, and Valerie are standing in the hallway. Not next to a corner but close to one. Danny turns the corner, does not run into them. He briefly looks up from his phone when he hears, they kinda stare at each other, and Danny idly, disinterestedly looks at Valeria, then compliments her with a single; "Nice shirt." Pretty anticlimatic ngl, but it startles the trio a little bit because Danny doesn't often talk to other people outside his circle unless he's in some kind of group project or has to. So for him to compliment Valerie unprompted is startling. This could or could not end with one of them snarkily saying "thanks its worth more than your entire wardrobe" which Danny would take offense to because, lets not kid ourselves, Danyal and Damian Al Ghul were raised as pseudo-princes in the League. Without missing a beat he shoots back: "at least i have a personality beyond being rich." and then disappears down the hallway.

The trio begin walking down the hallway, crash into Danny. HE gets coffee splattered all over him and he immediately reels back, instinctively reverting back to his mother tongue and hissing out arabian curses as coffee drips down the front of his red hoodie and shirt. It's even in his hair. Thankfully the coffee is not as hot as it started out, but it's still uncomfortably warm. He wipes the drink from his eyes, flicks it onto the ground, and hisses out; "watch where you're going!". The trio? Kinda unsure of how to react at first; Danny is unpopular, but not unpopular enough to be worth bullying -- besides, everyone knows he wouldn't tolerate it. But then I think Paulina finds her tongue and says "what did you say?". Danny turns to her and says; "I said; watch where you're going. Need me to say it in Spanish? Mira por donde vas!" He flicks off his hoodie, grumbling in arabic about how he's going to smell like coffee all day, and stalks off. I'm pretty partial to this idea.

Valerie still gets coffee dumped on her. But instead of sic'ing Kwan on him (because she knows that won't work), she just says a few choice words to Danny and stalks off with Paulina and Kwan to go find somewhere to clean off the coffee. Danny approaches her later and gives her a list of cleaning stuff that can get coffee stains out of her shirt. And when she tells him it's made of like, this super specific fabric that needs this really specific stuff to clean, Danny raises his eyebrow at her and says that he knows, and it is a list of stuff that can clean out the stain without damaging the shirt. He says he's not an idiot, and he knows how to recognize X-Fabric when he sees it. Just because I'm fond of pseudo-prince Al Ghul here being a bit of a snob and has an extensive care and hygiene routine. He uses this moisturizer or cologne that makes him smell faintly like sandalwood and vanilla because that is my favorite scent. Tucker jokingly handed him a 13-in-1 once while they were doing a quick supply run with Sam, and Danny literally dropped it like it burned him.

I'm really partial to two and three. So i'm going to get a second opinion. [...] Second one wins! Thank you, Naviii~ <3.

Danny could just intangible the stuff off him, but that would raise questions and also I want him to go the rest of the day stained with coffee. So it stays, and he's in a sour mood for a good chunk of the day. He runs into Cujo when he disappears down an empty hallway, and gets even more irritated when his ghost sense goes off - but hey! If it's Skulker, he can at least pulverize the dude and let off some steam. But nope! It's a puppy!

And Danyal Al Ghul, local ex-member of the world's most deadliest "we speak for the trees, the trees say fuck you" group of environmentalists ever, immediately feels his troubles melt away, and he croons at Cujo. "Oh hello, habibi. Who do you belong to?" And drops down to the ground to let Cujo sniff his hand. Cujo does so, and then starts vying for his attention, and Danny is grinning very wide and very genuinely and is more than happy to give it. "You are a much better surprise than that wretched poacher. Do you have a name, pretty thing?"

Cujo has a collar on, so Danny touches it, lifts the tag, and sees the Axion labs "A" symbol on it. He hums, narrows his eyes, and murmurs "Where have I seen this before?" But before he can flip it around, Cujo then turns monstrous. We cut to the title screen!

I want to say, the next scene is in Axion labs. The way that Damon (Val's dad), Valerie, those two guards, and his boss reacts, it heavily implies that the existence of ghosts have not reached the whole of Amity Park, and that the city itself is still largely unaware of their existence. Considering that Damon's security system doesn't allocate for ghosts, and when Danny crashes at their feet, Valerie literally asks him; "What are you!?" and she seems surprised when tucker later tells her its ghosts, and is even unaware that Danny's parents are ghost hunters.

When Valerie gets coated in dog ecto-slobber, Danny does grin a little under his little half-face balaclava. Because yes, karma! He is petty, and he can't help but flip to his feet and snarkily, smugly say; "I know what I'm not," and as he says this, he leans forward and plucks some of it out of her hair, "Covered in dog slobber." and then he flicks it away.

Before Valerie can retort, Cujo breaks into the lab, and Danyal mutters curses and bounds after him. The lab gets destroyed as per canon, and Damon gets fired.

The garage sale scene happens pretty normally, when Valerie says her little "oh great, word has already oozed down to the bottom of the social grapevine." Danny's response is snarkier than in canon.

"And here Tucker was just offering some simple help to you, you looked like you needed it." He says icily, and Tucker pipes up and says "we all just want to help!" because I don't fully see Danyal being that generous especially to someone being rude to his friends.

Sam dryly says "I don't." and Danny just stays silent, neither confirming nor denying anything. He just raises an eyebrow and turns his eyes to Tucker, who is laughing nervously.

"Well, Danny hasn't said no. So most of us want to help! That's two thirds." And he gestures awkwardly to Danny, who is wearing a red muscle tee hoodie, showing that he's rather lean. "And Danny's the strongest between the three of us, so he could be a big help! There could get a lot more work done."

Valerie is not convinced, as in canon. Although for my Gray Ghost heart she does check out Danny a little bit -- but quickly shakes it off because she's still very deeply entrenched in the status quo. "Thanks, but I'll pass."

Before Danny's ghost sense goes off, I do want him to wander around the yard sale for a moment just to see what's to offer -- collector of trinkets and pretty things, he is. Projecting, I am. Slightly GNC Danny ftw, it is. There's a table of jewelry up for sale that he's drawn over to -- and almost immediately disappointed by. It's pretty, and extravagant and very obviously expensive, that's for sure, but that's not the problem. Valerie sees him looking and marches over to him, still upset that he and his friends are still there.

"Put that down, that stuff is worth more than your own wardrobe." She snaps at him, and tries to snatch an expensive, luxury sapphire necklace from his hands, and is immediately met with an icy glare from Danny as he yanks it away from her fingers.

"Who says I can't afford it?" He says -- and he can't, not really, not with the allowance he gets from the Fentons and not with their funds. However, despite their limited contact, Danny still does meet with his beloved mother. One word from him to her, and she'd ensure he got a hundred of the very same necklace. "You? You can't either, Gray. Not anymore."

Valerie looks embarrassed and furious, but Danny continues, and tosses the necklace to her. She fumbles, but manages to catch it. "I don't want this junk anyways. It's gaudy and too western. I look better in gold."

Now his ghost sense goes off, and he turns away from Valerie. He doesn't run off immediately, lingers long enough to see who the ghost is and what the danger is. And when the ground begins to shake, he grabs onto the table and reaches out on protective instinct to hold onto Valerie before she can fall over.

As you can tell, this is for my gray ghost heart. Although valerie's clothes do still get destroyed by the street water, unfortunately. And Cujo shrinks down to size by the time Valerie makes it over to her dresser to try and grab it.

Danny audibly mutters, "Its that dog again." and hurries over to scruff the thing before it can wander off. Cujo is wagging his tail and immediately, enthusiastically licks his face once he's got him up to eye level. Danny cracks a little smile, "Hello habibi, you're a little troublemaker, aren't you?"

"you know this dog?" Valerie demands, and stomps over as Danny gets Cujo settled into his arms. Sam and Tucker hurry over as well, looking mildly frazzled.

Danny scoffs at her; "Don't be ridiculous. I met him a few days ago-- wait;" and he pauses to check to see if Cujo is a boy, "--ah, yep. Him. -- I met him a few days ago in the hallway after Sanchez dumped her coffee all over me. He was rather friendly, but he ran off before I could see who he belonged to."

Sam leans over to look at Cujo, and wiggles her finger at him; "He's kinda cute, and he likes you."

Dannny has a moment where he wants to boast, of course he does, I'm fantastic with animals. But instead he keeps mum. His smile just kinda softens proudly, and he hoists Cujo into his arms a little better.

The moment is shattered by Valerie, who points accusingly at Cujo. "Whatever it is, get it out of here before it ruins anymore of my stuff!"

Annnd before Danny can do just that, Cujo begins wiggling to get out of his arms and run around. He manages to, with his ghostly strength drag Danny across the lawn before yanking himself out of his arms and knocking them both onto the sidewalk -- scraping Danny's arm in the process -- and running around.

Rather than his leg, Cujo bites Danny's arm -- and has a strong enough grip on it that he unintentionally pierces flesh and causes him to start bleeding -- and begins dragging him. But before they can reach the moving van, Danny gets his fingers wrapped around Cujo's collar, finds some purchase -- even if it means his bare arm is being dragged against the sidewalk, and yanks hard on Cujo's collar with a harsh; "HEEL."

Cujo immediately stops, and sits. Danny honestly wasn't expecting that to work immediately, but it does! And with Cujo still, he keeps one firm hand on the collar and uses his other arm -- which is now painfully road rash'd and bleeding -- to help sit up.

Sam and tucker and Valerie rush over to help. "Oh my god, Danny, are you okay?" only for Danny to hold his bad arm up to stop them from getting closer, and whirling on Cujo to scold him. He's upset enough that he reverts back to Arabic, but Cujo seems to get the point across and wilts.

Danny feels bad, but can't show Cujo any affection unless he wants to accidentally reinforce the behavior. He points to his side, and Cujo obediently goes to sit but his feet. Now he turns to the other three.

"To answer your question." He looks down to his arm and very gently brushes his fingers against the road rash, brushing out the little pebbles stuck in his skin. it stings like a bitch, and he faintly grimaces. Then he inspects the dog bite on his wrist "I'll be fine."

Even Valerie looks worried; "That looks really bad, Fenton. I think you should go to the hospital--"

"No." Danny immediately cuts her off, "No hospital. Mr. and Mrs. Fenton keep a first aid kit at home, I'll just use that."

"And what about the dog?"

"I'll figure something out."

And then they scoot off.

Cafeteria scene goes as canon, nothing much to change there other than the fact that when Valerie sees Danny, his arm is all bandaged up and he's wearing a batman merch t-shirt rather than a muscle tee, she feels a little guilty. A small part of her kinda wants to ask how he is, but the larger part that's still big on the status quo and is still humiliated by being shunned by her friends, just wants to go eat in peace. So she doesn't say anything.

(although i am thinking that if she runs into him again later after the cafeteria scene, she asks him what he did with the ghost dog, and he lies and says Phantom swooped in and took Cujo from him.)

The park scene goes relatively the same as well, at least in the beginning. But instead of Sam and Phantom being all "he's an untrained dog" they're instead all "let's see what training he does have. Maybe it can be refined."

"You're good with animals Danny, and you're the only ghost in the area. You handle it." and then she tosses the dog obedience book at him and wanders off.

Danny doesn't need the dog obedience book, so he tucks it into a pocket dimension in his cape and whistles for Cujo. There's that whole tumble down the hill, that whole chase scene happens.

I do wanna say, I actually really like how inexperienced Valerie is here. Idk maybe it's because I haven't watched a tv show in a long while, but it's nice to see that she's not immediately good at it. She wobbles on the hoverboard, two out of the three disks she threw at Danny missed, and the third only hit him by chance. She's amateurish, and I really appreciate that.

"Let me guess, first day on the job, isn't it?" and he still gets cut by the third disk like in canon. He's not impressed or convinced when she says she's going to take him down -- it's one quick once over that tells him enough.

Wobbly feet, unsteady balance on the board. -- Her first time using it, she's unconfident and doesn't trust her own tech, as if she didn't even make it herself. She's unused to the board.

Improper trigger discipline, and shaky hands on her gun. She's holding it with one hand and far away from her like she's afraid of it going off, despite the fact that she's the one on the other end of it.

Tense all the way up to her shoulders, her voice is full of false bravado. She has no idea what she's doing. Danny's thoroughly unimpressed. At least the Drs. Fenton and Walker (maddie got her doctorate with her maiden name) trust their tech wholeheartedly and treat them as an extension of themself, just as Danny does with his blades. Just as this new ghost hunter does not.

And, of course, the way she goes flying off her board the moment she fires her bazooka. Although Cujo does still come to the rescue, although like in canon, he grabs Danny by the foot. Danny manages to recollect himself though and hoist himself over Cujo's back like he's riding a horse.

This is the biggest scene change and possibly my favorite change. The fakeout makeout scene. Now, let me preface this by saying that I love the fakeout makeout concept. I think it's hilarious, and I think it's even funnier if Danny is actually rather down with the concept because the assassin-undercover part of his brain thinks it's a simple-in-a-clever way in order to brush off suspicion. I think Sam and Tucker both are very down to kiss their very attractive best friend, and whenever it comes up there have been arguments over whose turn it is to kiss Danny.

BUT. I have an image in mind for this scene, so I want Danny to be alone for this. So Cujo takes him to a cluster of trees and bushes where Sam isn't at, and Danny sends him off with a ball as per canon, but rather than get tackled by Sam, he dives up into a tree and transforms back to Al Ghul before Valerie can reach him.

He is reading the Dog Obedience book, and scares the absolute shit out of Valerie. And it's never a bad day to hurt Danny, so little miss firstie over here fires into the trees, and juuuust about skims Danny's arm. The same one that has the road rash and dog bite on it, that he's forcibly prevented himself from rapidly healing because that would arouse suspicion.

"ماذا بحق الجحيم كان ذلك!؟" ("What the hell was that!?")

Valerie knows that voice, and instantly turns ashen. "Oh no." She flies up the tree and finds Danyal sitting snug amongst the larger limbs, the dog obedience book in his lap, and he's hunched slightly and holding onto his burned arm tightly.

"Oh my god, I-- I am so sorry--" she doesn't have the time to be upset (or snarky or mean) about why he's there, considering she just shot him. Danny snaps his head up and glowers furiously at her.

"Wh- why did you do that!?" He stammers over himself, trying to find his english. Part of it is an act, part of it is genuine anger because she could've killed him with that thing. He loathes incompetence, and she has it in buckets. "Watch where you're aiming that, Trigger Finger, you could've killed me!"

Valerie is all flustered and mortified, can't even find it to get angry back. "i- I am so sorry, Fenton. I thought you were something else--"

"Something else!?" Danny yells, "So you blindly shoot?! What is wrong with you!? Don't you know any trigger discipline!?"

Iiit's. a mess? Valerie offers him a lift to the hospital, or at least out of the tree, and Danny snarls at her not to touch him, and that he's not going anywhere with her on that hunk of sheet metal. He tosses the book at her and says to make herself useful and hold that while he gets down. Valerie feels really guilty -- too guilty to protest or be mad about how angry he is with her.

When he gets down from the tree he takes the book back from her, and then asks her how she even knows his name anyways. They've never met before. "Actually, now that I think about it," he narrows his eyes at her, "you sound like someone I know."

And then he reaches for her mask.

Valerie flies back, stammering over herself and briefly forgets to feel guilty in order to feel panicked and indignant, and then just goes "What are you doing!? You're crazy, we've never met before!" And then flies off.

And, before I continue, I will say right now. Danny, as himself, forever and always from then on refers to Red Huntress (or Scarlett Hunt, as I'm thinking of as an alternative) as "Trigger" or "Trigger Finger" respectively. Whenever they run into each other as Scarlett and Danny, he always calls her Trigger and asks if she's killed anyone yet. Valerie feels really bad from then on about hitting him, because where she hit him ends up scarring.

When she's gone, Danny mutters to himself that that sounded like Valerie, and goes ghost to go find Sam and tell her what happened.

Hallway scene stays the same, and -- actually, I was gonna make fun of the fact that Valerie didn't know the Fentons were ghost hunters when it's the whole reason the family is ostracized. But you know what? I can believe it. Kids will follow the crowds' lead. Witch hunts and all that.

"So, Tucker tells me your parents are ghost hunters!"

"Yeah? What else has he told you?"

Before Cujo shows up, they do actually manage to hold some kind of conversation. However, Danny uses the time to go: "Look, if you're planning on getting into ghost hunting, try not being like the hack I met yesterday."

Valerie laughs nervously, "Ah-hah, no of course not! But uh, hack?"

Danny scowls, and twists towards her with his arms crossed -- he's wearing a red hoodie today, and a band tee. -- "Yeah! I met some chick yesterday while at the park, and Little Miss Trigger Finger shot me." He says, "Your weapon should be like an extension of yourself, not something you just use! Trigger Finger was flailing that gun in her hands like it was a ribbon, and incompetence like that will get someone killed. Your weapon -- whether it be a blade or a firearm or a blunt object -- should be as easy to move as curling your fingers, and just as easy to trust. It should not be a stranger, but a part of you. A weapon must know how to use itself if it wants to be of any use to anyone else."

Sam cuts him off with a high pitched, nervous giggle, and wraps her fingers lightly around his shoulders and tugs him back, sliding her arms around the front of his chest like an anchor. "Danny." she hisses at him quietly, and Danny snaps his jaw shut and looks away.

Tucker also laughs uneasily, "Sorry," he says, leaning around Valerie to get her attention, "Dan here uh, gets really passionate about improper weapon handling. It's one of his quirks."

Danny looks away and mutters something under his breath in arabic.

(You know this already, but Sam and Tucker still don't know about Danny's past. But they've heard him talk about weapon mishandling enough times -- and have seen him fight -- to know that the way he talks is more than just theory. He has personal experience with weapons, and has unintentionally before referred to himself as one. But whenever they ask about it, he clams up and denies any sort of involvement.)

Valerie doesn't really know what to say to that, but Danny seems to know a lot about proper weapon discipline. So she might try her chances with getting to know more about it from him later, if she can catch him. She also silently makes note to get herself acquainted to her own tools like Danny was implying.

And then Cujo shows up, and things happen as canon. Oh but wait Tucker lands on Valerie while she's trying to figure out how to open the thermos, and I want to say that she hears him say "I can help you. valerie!" before he lands on her. So her confronting him after she gets out of the basketball hoop, and practically beegs him not to tell Danny about being the same girl who shot him. She really does think his help could be valuable in the long run because of his knowledge on ghosts and weapons.

Lovestruck Tuck of course, agrees. Not without some tentative hemming and going; "I don't know Val, Danny's really clever. He'll figure it out eventually if you don't do something to hide your voice, it's pretty recognizable."

For this episode, her voice stays the same but in the future she'll be working on a voice mod, and until then refuses to speak around Danny if she knows he's present. If she has to talk, then she forcibly tries deepening it.

Anyways things proceed as canon, Danny overhears the boss with Damon say "I know we should've never gotten rid of those guard dogs."

He mutters to himself "Guard dogs? Wait..." and he holds up Cujo, peering at his collar, and finally realizing where he recognizes the symbol on the tag. Immediately his expression darkens, "Oh fuck no, they did not."

Things go as canon, although Danny sneaks in not only to find what Cujo is looking for, but to hack in and get records of their guard dogs to confirm his theory and to steal them -- plus confirmation of termination of said dogs. So he can blackmail the shit out of Axion Labs later. He stays invisible and uses his league training to sneak around, and actually gets the guard dog records and confirmation before he runs into Valerie and they fight. Danny purposely keeps his distance and focuses more on dodging.

"you're a pretty lousy shot" Valerie says when he blasts above her a metal support beam above her.

Danny retorts sharply, "I could say the same." And although she can't see it, he bares his fangs at her. "Or have you forgotten about what you did to the ghost hunters' boy a few days ago?"

(He can be VERY petty)

Which, of course, infuriates and embarrasses Val. Things remain as is, Danny finds the squeaky toy, he tells Valerie he doesn't own the dog -- although he also says that he belongs to the very same Lab that fired her dad -- she refuses his apology, Tucker pretends to get caught by the Axion security lab. Etc etc.

Danny later reveals that he also stole the records about the guard dogs and how Axion Lab wrongfully euthanized all of them in favor of a security system they didn't even end up using, and was planning on anonymously releasing it online so that Axion could face the consequences for their abuse. Tucker has to beg him not to, because then that would reveal that someone else had gotten into the lab that night and would put Valerie's dad in hot water again.

Danny... reluctantly agrees. For now. But he'll be holding onto it, and keeping his eye on Axion Labs. This sort of cruelty will not go unpunished forever, he'll make sure of it.

ending goes as ending does. They go to the dumpty humpty concert, they speculate where Valerie got her suit. Etc etc. At the lunch table I think Valerie stops by Tucker and co's table to talk to Tucker -- they seemed to end on a good note that night -- and she asks Danny how his arm is.

Danny eyes her quietly, and turns his head away. "It'll heal, so long as Trigger Finger stays away from me." and he does see Valerie wilt a little, and kinda feels bad. But also, she fucking shot him. He's lowkey less angry about that tho and more angry about her total weapon incompetence

-------

When its just Tucker -- and ykw, Sam too, who Valerie would know knows she's Red since she was yk, right there next to Tucker when he fell on Valerie -- and Valerie, he tries to reassure her about Danny's apparently grudge against Scarlett Hunt.

"Aw, chin up Val, I'm sure Danny will come around to your alter ego eventually! He just.. needs some time to heal! Literally, because you... shot him."

and when Valerie realizes Sam knows too, Sam points her pen at her and goes: "The only reason I haven't told Danny is because Tucker is also my best friend," she leans into Valerie's space; "But so help me Moses, if you shoot Danny again, I will not hesitate to tell him. And i will, in a heartbeat."

She leans back, crossing her arms; "So you better learn to control your finger, Trigger."

-

Danny having beef with Red Huntress in his civilian form was not actually in the original cards for this episode, but it came to me as I was writing and I could not pass it up. I think it'd be hilarious and also like, a real point of idk conflict for Valerie. Just one more reason she wants to be abetter ghost hunter because otherwise she'll hurt people -- shooting Danny left a mark on her, and she feels really really guilty about it. Especially after finding out it scarred.

And also it's like, objectively hilarious? It's like the Love Square from MLB but its more like a Hate Square instead. Granted Val and Danny don't hate each other but my point still stands! It's there if you squint.

Every single time Danny runs into Scarlett he calls her Trigger and asks her how her aim is, and whether she knows how to use that weapon of hers. Valerie is both very frustrated by his unwillingness to forgive her and very ashamed by the fact that she's frustrated by it. He has every right to be mad at her, she could've seriously hurt him -- and she did -- but still, his animosity is grating sometimes.

Danny does eventually get over her shooting him in his civilian form -- considering she shoots him all the time as a ghost. But what he refuses to get over is the fact that it happened at all and her lack of proper discipline before she decided to jump into the fray.

No no no, that he is still burning furious about. Tucker wasn't kidding when he said that Danny was passionate about proper weapon handling. The fact that Valerie didn't even acquaint herself with her weapons and learn how to use them properly before deciding to hunt down Cujo and Phantom is the thing that keeps his burning "hatred" against Scarlett as Fenton going.

Idk if it's ever actually confirmed that Valerie and Tucker are dating, its kinda implied that they started. But I'm gonna say that they were only in a talking stage (one that Valerie only initiated for her own needs) and after this episode it doesn't go anywhere, but they remain kinda friends. That way, Valerie can show up a few more times prior to Flirting With Disaster and lowkey hang with the gang without Tucker and Valerie actually dating.

So i was actually going to share a few more headcanons too with Gray Ghost, and delve into the "Flirting with Disaster" episode, but this got... really long, and took me all evening to write (curse adhd) so I am. not going to go into that jadlfh. Plus I have to think more about them and come up with more cute headcanons.

Like how Danny calls her affectionate petnames when they're dating/sorta-dating the moment he settles into the relationship and becomes comfortable with it. One morning when he walked into a class that they shared, he smiled at her all warm and fondly said "Good morning, beloved."

And normally that might sound too strong in the fledgling beginning of a relationship, but Danny somehow manages to make it sound super natural and not at all too-much-too-soon.

Literally everyone's jaw dropped in that room. They've never seen Danny act that way, and Valerie somehow manages to invent a new shade of maroon on her dark skin. She does this cute little giggle-snort and waves her hand at him bashfully. Danny looks very endeared.

Paulina turns to Dash and angrily demands to know why he doesn't call her any cute petnames that aren't babe.

Oh and before I forget: As Phantom, Danny calls Scarlett Hunt either "Scar" or "Little Red Riding Hood" (or some variant). It pisses her off, which he does really like doing. Also, compared to how he fights ghosts, he goes remarkably easy on her. He doesn't even unsheathe his sword for her -- which she does eventually notice and gets angry about. She thinks he's doing it to look down on her.

When it's not. She is Squishy Fragile Living Human In A Meat Shell. He is Immortal Ghost With Powers. And A Sword. And A Decade Of Assassin Training. He could kill her a dozen different ways if he didn't hold back like he is, and he doesn't want her dead.

okay okay that's all I've got for now BUT, as a bonus, while I was making those three different scenes for the coffee splash scene, I stopped midway because I got art bunnies for danny for the first time in forever, and went ahead and drew him. So!! Things in Threes Danyal doodle be Upon Ye!

[dilatorywriting]

Opposites

Vil Schoenheit x OC Word Count: 1.7k

Summary: What do you get when a cross a vampire and a vampire hunter? Arguments about color coordination, apparently.

[OC Archive]

🌶️ Obligatory Warning for Mild Sugggestive Content

Opposites attract they say.

Which Saya had never really understood, because the general population that fell into that ‘opposites’ category tended to drive her absolutely up a wall.

And then the universe had to go and spit in her face by sending her not one, but two very opposite precious people. Ro’s contrasting traits were obvious. Sweet to her spicy, soft to her sharp. Doting, and kind, and wide eyed. Vil’s shtick was a bit trickier, because at the core of them they were the same. Or at least, similar enough that the model had long since learned to pick apart every bit of her with the familiarity of someone staring into a mirror. But there were other things.

‘Did you remember to pick up the makeup kits I had sent to Sam’s for you?’

Saya sighed and rolled her eyes and typed out an irritated. ‘Yes. Of course.’

‘You should have had all this on hand already. It’s practically the basics.’

‘Okay.’

‘Don’t pull that tone with me.’

‘We’re messaging. There is no ‘tone.’’

‘Oh? Try that again then.’

For fucks’ sake. She knew he was stressing over the Halloween event, and ensuring that he and all of his little spudlings looked positively perfect for their role in it all. But still. She was half debating smearing mud across her face and showing up smelling like literal death just to give all his pissy fretting the middle finger. But at the same time, this was important to him. And ugh. Bleck. She was just going to have to tolerate his fussing. As usual.

‘Do you want me to wear the black or the grey boots?’ she sent back instead—an olive branch.

And immediately he was flooding her phone with all sorts of color scheme nonsense and rambles about the thematic importance of shading. Which. Fine. Better than the slippery slope she’d been heading towards by a long shot.  

But, ahh. They really couldn’t be more different sometimes.

Saya had managed to wrangle her way into the complicated, custom-Schoenheit-designed ensemble and was halfway through lining her lash line with heavy, dark charcoal when she heard some incredibly unsubtle footsteps sneaking along down the hallway towards the bathroom. She watched a head of styled, red, curls bob in and out of the corner of the mirror. Then, a soft curse when he whacked his knee against the tile. She puckered her lips like Vil had taught her and ignored the creeping creature in the corner.

“Boo!” Ro chirped, hands curled into claws as he popped over the side of the counter.

Saya blinked past his head, unbothered and focused, and simply continued leaning close to the mirror to smudge heavy, black eyeshadow along her lids.

The redhead pouted and leaned forward on his tiptoes, the witch hat bobbing on his head as he stretched.

“Sai-chan. I said—”

She reached out, fast as a snake, and snatched his arm. And Ro shrieked.

“Boo,” she grinned, and he wailed in indignation.

“No fair!”

“Not my fault your scare game is weak,” she taunted. “Besides, who in their right mind would be afraid of you when look like the thumbnail off some teeny-bop lofi video?”

“That’s why I’m playing the victim!” Ro chirped, bouncing back as easily as he always did under her prodding. The layers of dark, plum skirts twirled at his knees above a set of garishly striped stockings. He looked far more Lolita Magical Girl than Creepy, Kooky Witch, but it fit him well enough either way. “I thought you were too, Saya-chan. But you look intense.”

She dabbed a bit at the raccoon-smears around her eyes.

“Different kinds of victims, I guess,” she shrugged. “You’re the cute one people feel bad for, I’m the one people see and go ‘oh shit, if he can get her, I’m doomed.’” It was proper Horror Movie logic, and Saya couldn’t fault the third years for coming up with such a devious little idea. Vil had been particularly proud of her new role when he’d presented it at their pitch meeting.

“S’too bad we don’t match anymore,” Ro hummed, propping himself up on the ledge of the counter to swing his feet. “Your new costume is cool too, though!”

It really was. It looked like something ripped right off a movie set. All aged, dusty leather and intricate straps tucked beneath a fitted overcoat that felt as expensive as it looked. And knowing who had procured it for her, Saya wouldn’t be too surprised if that was actually the case.

She snapped the little compact case closed and turned on Ro with a sharp smirk.

“Ready to go make some stupid influencers shit themselves?”

He nodded, a touch too enthusiastic. “I’ll see you later, Saya-chan! After we’ve wiped all of them out.”

“…not literally,” she reminded him with a pointed glare. “Make sure your dragon remembers that, yes?”

“Yes, yes. You’ve told me, Saya-chan. He won’t actually eat anyone. That’s what I’m for!”

“Right,” Saya nodded, wiping a bit of stray gold, dust off his collar and straightening out the pointed hat atop his head. “Let’s go ruin some magicam photos.”

.

.

They really couldn’t have looked more intentionally contrasting. Vil, with the sharp, crisp lines painted around his eyes and Saya all smudged soot and grime. A sweeping, purple and gold-embroidered ensemble next to a dark, muddied beige with no discernible shimmer to speak of. Pomp versus practical. Seductive, free-spirited elegance to militaristic formality. His hair curling loose at his collarbones and hers pinned into a tight bun to give the squibs more space to splatter.  

“No way these guys are actual vampires,” one of the Magicam Monsters spluttered, taking a harried step back.

Which was Saya’s cue to step forward—silver cross at her throat and thick, woolen overcoat swirling at her knees.

“I see you’ve finally come out of hiding, beast,” she droned, lifting the prop blade from her belt to point at the space over his heart. She could hear the tourists around her chittering and whispering into their hands. If this was all part of the show. If this was real. If it was a joke. If it was— “To think you’d stoop so low as to use a place like this for your hunting grounds. I’ll strike you down where you stand.”

Vil swooped forward so suddenly it managed to genuinely startle her. And his hand snapped up to wrap around her wrist so tight it was nearly painful. The silver stake fell to the ground with a clatter and he dug his fingers into her hair—yanking her head back sharp and harsh so her neck was on full display. Saya hissed between her teeth and glared at him sourly, fighting the urge to snap out and remind him that this wasn’t real, and she would very much like to keep her limbs and dignity intact, thank you very much.

But then he was grinning down at her in a way that had her stomach dropping—his fangs peeking over his painted lips and eyes going lidded and dark. She heard one of the stupid influencers gasp and rattle out a panicked ‘should we do something?!’

“Oh, sweet thing,” he cooed, trailing a painted nail along her jawline. “I was never hiding.”

And then he leaned forward and bit her. Saya gasped and dug her fingers into his shoulders because ow! What the hell, man! He wasn’t supposed to ­actually—

The squib went off beneath her collar and thick, sticky, crimson blood began to seep its way down her neck and drip to the floor. Vil’s adam’s apple bobbed against her throat as he swallowed and Saya shivered.

The hoard of rabid influencers took off in a terrified frenzy—screaming, and shoving, and fighting their way out of the Mirror Chamber. Soon enough, the room was empty once more except for the two of them, and Saya lifted a hand to awkwardly pat against his back.

“You can—” she gulped when he shifted to bite at her collarbone. “You can stop now. They left.”

“Oh?” he hummed against her blood-splattered skin. “But what sort of Vampire Lord would I be if I didn’t make an example of the little hunter who thought herself clever enough to trap me?”

“Vil—”

“You wore the rosemary perfume.”

She blinked, thrown. “Of course I did. You said I needed to stay ‘on theme.’”

“But I didn’t tell you to,” he crooned, licking a long stripe up her throat and collecting the stray droplets of fake blood as he went. “You did that on your own.”

Saya frowned, determined to be stubbornly put out despite the fangs playing at her skin. “You said—”

“Sometimes I wonder exactly why it is I adore you so much,” he sighed, and she froze, like a deer in the headlights. Or like a poor, little human trapped between the teeth of a monster. “And then I remember that maybe we aren’t quite so different after all.”

He pulled back with a grin that was equal parts smug and soft. He reached up and rubbed at one of the red stains seeping into her skin.

“I’ll get you a cloth for that. We should get you cleaned up before the next group arrives.”

“…R-Right,” she spluttered. Of course. Yes. Cleaned up. Because that’s what this was all about. They were dawning the masks of a vampire and his hunter respectively. And they were in public.

“Oh. And, kitten?” he called over his shoulder from where he’d moved towards his stash of emergency stage makeup and costume maintenance supplies. “Do try to struggle a bit more next time, hmm? We need to make this believable.”

Absolutely intolerable. Nothing like her at all.And if Saya gasped like a victim put to the cross during their next little display—noisy and loud in all the ways that tended to make his pupils grow round and dark. If she wriggled against his grip just so to make sure she was provoking him just as much as he was for her, with perhaps the added advantage of the hidden swell of his draped cloak to shield her pressing knees. Well, that was certainly no business but her own.

.

.

[polyklok]

When they’re down bad

Dethklok and their massive, throbbing crush. You can interpret this as and xReader, xOC, or even towards each other idk I don’t make the rules.

Nathan Explosion

Unlike the other members, Nathan has had experience with actual girlfriends (rather than just flings) before, and so can identify the difference between attraction and actual romantic interest pretty quickly.

But he’s still a total idiot about it. He basically hasn’t developed his flirting style since high school; he hasn’t needed to. He’s famous! So, he just sorta forces himself into their attention all the time. He purposely bumps into them, asks to borrow random things, always stands or sits next to them. He just wants to constantly be around them.

He tries to start conversations too but, my god, he’s so awkward! They’ll be sitting in silence together and he just shouts “MAN, THIS WEATHER IS CRAZY.” While it’s been perfectly sunny for three days straight. BTW, he’s always yelling around his crush. It’s partly because he’s nervous, partly because he’s trying to assert his “dominance” (he doesn’t have any)

He tries to drop not-so-subtle hints about his feelings. Like, there will be a couple in public, clearly on a very romantic, cheesy date and he’ll be like “THAT LOOKS FUN, WE SHOULD DO THAT SOMETIME” to his crush. Or if there’s a kissing scene in a movie, he squeezes their hand or something. Just, out of the blue.

In general, he’s pretty obvious and is sort of a disaster, but it’s cute and oddly charming. 7/10 because I suddenly decided I’m ranking them

Pickles The Drummer

If Nathan was a disaster, he’s the end of the world

He desperately tries to play himself up in front of his crush, specifically trying to seem more classy and sophisticated, which are two things Pickles is not. He’s the kind of guy to try to be suave and lean up against a wall and then immediately eat shit, falling to the floor.

He likes to talk around his crush but never to his crush, ya’know? Like, if they are in a room, he’ll speak all loudly to a group about how cool he is and all the things he’s done. But in a one-on-one convo, he’s literally shaking and sweating and nodding along like his brain isn’t in full panic mode (it is). Because he physically can stand how gorgeous his crush is and how obsessed he is with them.

He’ll probably try to drink more than usual to calm his nerves, but it really makes it worse. Cause now he’s a bumbling idiot who’s only talking about how ‘damn pretty’ they are and threatening to get into a fight with the bartender.

Eventually, he does calm down. And he gets to be his natural, funny and relaxed self around them. His heart still flutters, but the anxiety doesn’t consume him like it used to and he has a real conversation with his crush and it feels like he’s falling in love all over again.

Like in most situations, Pickles is kinda a wreck. But he needs time and the right amount of booze to be a pretty great guy, 6/10

Skwisgaar Skwigelf

Sound the fucking alarms because this Swedish whore has himself a crush. Seriously though, the realization hits him like a fucking truck. He’s just like, wow this person is hot and I like spending time with them and they have a great personality and they’re funny and they make me feel nice and HOLY FUCK

He gets so pissed. Like, genuine anger at himself and them and everyone else in the world because something is wrong. He can’t bring himself to take it out on them, so he just always scoffs and ignores them for weeks on end. But the whole time, they’re in his head. He feels all warm and fuzzy in more places than just his dick for once.

Eventually, he stops being just a baby and gives them a weird, half-assed apology his ego is still fragile, ok?! And starts flirting. Hard. Constantly praising their body and making unsubtle sexual innuendos, it’s the only thing he really knows how to do in this situation. God forbid they giggle or flirt back, because his face is gonna turn completely red and he’ll need to excuse himself for a 10-minute freak out.

Skwisgaar just feels so many strong emotions, and these new, affectionate ones are just kicking his ass. There’s a good chance that he gives up because he just can’t handle it. But, he might just persist and slowly open up and let them in.

He’s pretty much a noob for these sorts of things. He’s a sex god, not a Prince Charming. 3/10

Toki Wartooth

Toki is actually more passive when it comes to romantic feelings than you would expect; he can accept potential love interests as friends very easily. But once someone has embedded themselves in his brain as more than just a groupie or a good friend, my man is COMPLETELY ride or die

Doesn’t make any effort to hide it either. He gets all giggly around them, biting his lip, twirling his hair, kicking his feet. He’s seriously smitten and everyone can tell, including the crush. He won’t deny it either, “Of course I’s likes them! Who wouldn’ts?”

His wooing methods are completely cheesy as well. Like, leaving a large, lovey-dovey gift basket on their doorstep or writing awful poetry for them completely in Norwegian. In fact, he’s pretty much always getting them little gifts and they’re all genuine, even the stereotypical ones.

He also gets very, very touchy. Greeting them with hugs and holding hands and even little surprise kisses. He knows that they’re not technically dating, but he still sees them as his one and only, so he already begins cementing himself as their partner.

Although, if they don’t show any interest back, he’ll stop after a week or so simply because he gets bored easily. I’m not gonna sit her and act like he doesn’t have the patience of a four-year-old.

Man goes all in with his flirting but it fizzes out very quickly. 7/10

William Murderface

I was wrong about Pickles; THIS is the ultimate disaster. Poor guy really can’t take it, he’s so flustered and anxious and a bit furious at the whole situation. William is so fueled by hatred and hostility that he can’t fathom the fact that he genuinely likes someone and craves their love. For him, it feels like he’s gonna die without them and yet he refuses to go within a foot of them.

Most of the time, he just stares at them with his angry look on his face. If they ask what’s wrong, he just mumbles and walks away. But really, he gets so excited that they talked to him, even though he immediately fucked it up.

Maybe with some time, he can find a slightly better way to deal with his intense feelings. He mostly just needs to learn to relax and have some confidence, but those are both things he has never been good at. But, if he does manage do to so and have a conversation with them…it’s still pretty bad. He’ll stutter and stumble, walking on eggshells because he knows that he has a tendency to say stupid shit.

Even if the relationship doesn’t ever go anywhere, there’s a very good chance he’ll be this nervous around them for months, possibly years. If his crush manages to get the message and starts encouraging his ‘advances’, it’ll still be a while until he’s anything less than a wreck.

Someone please help Murderface, he’s dying out here. 2/10

Btw I wrote this last night and am posting it without much proofreading so sorry if it’s awful

[joelswritingmistress]

Last Halloween: Chapter 12

Summary: After a tragedy involving Joel happened on Halloween one year prior, the town now shuns him while ignoring the details of the now closed case. You are seemingly the only one to offer empathy to a man the town is making out to be a monster.

Pairing: Joel x f!reader

The atmosphere was exactly as you had hoped. The late afternoon brought an unexpected chill to the air as you and Joel strolled around the little farm, hand-in-hand.

The place had its own unique trait in that half of it was in your town and half was in the town over. People often took pictures at a sign beside the brewery side of the farm that showed off the invisible town line.

You walked by to see a man taking a picture of the woman he accompanied with one foot in one town and one foot in the other. It was silly fun but you thought it was still nice.

As Joel held a giant, wooden door open that lead into the cider brewery called, Far From the Tree, you looked right at him and tugged lightly on the bill of his trucker-style baseball hat.

"This is a good look for you," you told him with a smirk. "I haven't seen you in a hat before."

Joel tugged on the front of the orange beanie cap you wore, "This is a good look for you," he countered with a grin. "It's cute."

You kissed him as you strolled into the big, open room, feeling him link up his fingers with yours again as you passed by.

Wooden tables, some high tops and some low, were scattered about neatly in the oversized space. A fireplace was roaring near the far side where people had already claimed the three leather couches in front of it.

"What are we thinking here?" Joel asked, heading toward the bar where two men and a woman were busy pouring their showcased ciders for customers.

"Hmm.." you rested a finger over your lips as you scanned the chalk boards above. The atmosphere, oddly enough, reminded you a bit of the coffee shop. "I love honeycrisp apples so that one looks good." You pointed to the board. "But the Granny Smith one looks good too."

"Oh, you're a honeycrisp girl." Joel made a face that left you chuckling.

"Is there a problem with that?" You asked, playful narrowing your eyes at him.

"I don't know. I heard the honeycrisp apples are kind of the snobs of the apple world."

"Snobby apples?"

"Oh yeah. They're like a dollar more than the rest. I feel like the honeycrisp people look down at us Gala and Macintosh lovers."

You began to laugh out loud. "Well maybe you just need better taste in apples."

Joel grinned and you leaned in to kiss him again before leaning against him as you both continued to take in the menu.

"I might do s flight," he said, "Try a handful of them and then decide what I like best."

"Good idea." You nodded and then looked over at him. "Are you boycotting the honeycrisp cider?"

"I definitely am." He chuckled and then the two of you put in your orders, sampling as many as you could between the two of you. Joel handed over his debit card, practically swatting your hand away as you tried to give the bartender yours. "You can leave the tab open," he told them.

"Joel Miller!" You said his full name in a motherly fashion. "It's supposed to be my treat."

"Nope." That's all he said, still grinning as you grabbed your little trays of beer. "Inside or outside?"

You glanced around the room. As cozy as it was, you wanted to feel the chill of autumn. Through the windows you could see some vacant seating by the outdoor fire pits.

"Outside," you decided.

Joel trailed you through the room and the chill made you shudder as you exited, leaving the warmth of the indoor area behind. Just beyond the patio was a haunted corn maze. Children and adults, alike, were handing over tickets to take on the challenge of making it through.

You sat down with a content sigh in a wooden Adirondack chair and Joel sat beside you. You both places the flights down on the ledge of the firepit and reached for one of the four little glasses.

Joel sighed even louder than you did. "This is the most relaxed I've felt in awhile." He sipped on his first cider and smacked his lips together in approval. You followed his lead.

"Oh that's good. Very sweet," you said.

"Do you want to carve a pumpkin?" Joel asked, motioning to a giant pumpkin patch fifty or so feet away.

"Those are honestly the biggest pumpkins I've ever seen," you said with a laugh. "I bet they're like twenty-five dollars."

"You know I've kind of been dreading Halloween," Joel said to you. "This whole Halloween season, actually. I had always enjoyed October before everything that happened last year."

You gave his hand a sympathetic squeeze.

"But you're making it all feel alright again." Joel had a half-grin on his face. "So, let's spend the twenty-five bucks and get one. Or two."

"I love seeing you happy," you told him. "It bothered me to see you come in to the shop sitting alone and just.." you shrugged. "I'm sorry, I don't know why I'm even bringing that up."

"No, it's okay. I was a little surprised when you asked me to do something that first time." Joel seemed to cringe a bit. "I probably came off as an asshole, huh?"

"Not at all." You shook your head. "You have every right to react the way you did."

Joel made another face and you grinned. "Does it matter what happened to lead us up to where we are now?"

"I guess not," he agreed.

You leaned in and touched your lips to his once and then sat back in your chair. "I love the fall."

Joel reached into his pocket a removed a twenty dollar bill. "After the cider we could always do the haunted hayride; or is that too cliche?"

You downed the first little glass of cider and smirked at Joel. "We better finish before the six o'clock shuttle takes off."

He looked at his phone and took one of his ciders like a shot. "One down, three to go."

"We have fifteen minutes," you challenged, reaching for your next mini glass.

"I don't think you're supposed to take these like a shot," Joel told you with a laugh. "Like other things.." he raised his eyebrows, "You're supposed to savor it."

Purposely, Joel took a slow sip from the second cider glass while making eye contact with you and then drew a finger across his lips. It made you smirk at him.

"I guess.. like other things," you echoed his words. "We aren't on a timed schedule."

"There's always another hay ride."

"Mmm.." you raised your glass and tapped it against his.

Taking your time was the best bet. You didn't make the six o'clock ride but both of you were just in time for six thirty.

Joel helped you up into the back of a wagon littered with hay bales and the two of you sat near the back.

There were some older children of maybe thirteen or fourteen on board, some kids were closer to twenty and the rest were adults.

After the warnings about the ride being too scary for children under thirteen, the bumpy hay ride started. You were perfectly buzzed from the cider and beaming with the feelings of new love amidst the most cliche but perfect fall evening you could imagine. That amplified as you laughed, but hid against Joel's shoulder when the headless horseman appeared from behind the trees on your ride through the woods. He whipped his sword, making 'woosh' sounds as he sliced through air.

"That was a real horse!" You exclaimed with a laugh.

Joel secured his arm around you and you both laughed.

The bumpy ride over a bridge to "get away" from the horseman was a nice touch. It lead the way through a zombie-infested graveyard, a werewolf den and more trick-or-treat specialties.

"These kids did a great job," you concluded at the end, still clinging to Joel's side as you made your way off of the back of the oversized wagon.

"Scared?" He teased, looking over at you as you squeezed his hand.

"No." You laughed and kissed as you walked your way to the pumpkin patch to retrieve a pair of pumpkins. "I say we have a contest."

"A contest?" Joel laughed lightly. "What kind?"

"Whoever carves.." you tossed a giant pumpkin up onto you shoulder. ".. the best pumpkin."

"Gets what?" He took one step closer.

"Whatever they want." You raised your eyebrows.

"Okay," Joel agreed, glancing around for the perfect pumpkin. "You got yourself a deal."

The two of you roamed around a bit more, grabbed a growler of cider for the road and paid for the pumpkins before heading back toward Joel's house.

"Are you going to put the jack-o-lanterns out on Halloween?" You asked, reaching for his free hand as he guided the steering wheel with the other. "You know.. after I beat you?"

Joel laughed. "I'm pretty creative."

"Yeah?"

"Don't underestimate me."

You chuckled and let out a sigh as he pulled the truck into the driveway. Right away your car and his motorcycle came into view.

"You wish we were on the bike, don't you?" Joel suspected.

You giggled. "No, I liked the truck. It has character."

"It's a piece of shit." Joel looked to you as he parked it and killed the engine.

"Well, I like it."

Joel stared at you for a second with a smirk on his face and then popped open the door. The two of you retrieved the pumpkins from the bed of the truck and then headed inside.

"Are we really doing this right now?" He asked, prompting you to nod.

"Of course!" You nodded eagerly and he agreed, locating oversized plastic, garbage bags and a short stack of newspapers piled at the edge of the counter.

You decorated the kitchen table with enough to protect it from the pumpkiny mess that was to come and then placed down the the pumpkins on top of it.

Joel retrieved a pair of kitchen knives and handed you one. "I don't have any of those fancy, little kits they sell these days."

"Well, I guess it's the traditional eyes, nose and mouth scheme, then." You grinned. "I like those better anyway."

"Good luck." He plunged the knife into the top of the pumpkin. You followed his lead and the two of you faced off, beginning with the circular cut around the stem before forming triangular eyes and a nose.

You arched your neck to look at Joel's but he spun it so you couldn't see. You then gave a second attempt and he chuckled and moved his pumpkin out of your view again. After a simultaneous laugh, you flung a handful of pumpkin seeds at him.

Joel began to laugh out loud. "Are you mad you're going to lose?" He grabbed a handful of pumpkin guts and tossed it back in your direction.

You let your mouth drop open, smiling at the same time, as you looked down to where the stringy, orange substance clung to your plaid shirt.

"You started it," Joel joked, maneuvering out of the way as you tossed another handful of the pumpkin's innards at him. This time the seeds bounced off the wall and the handful of guts stuck to it.

"Ohh!" You laughed out loud. "I'm sorry." When Joel threw a handful back at you, you ducked and watched as it smacked against the glass of the patio door.

Joel chased you around the table as you laughed wildly now, reaching for more pumpkin guts with your left hand. You breathed heavy when he finally got his hands on you.

"Okay, okay.. truce." You smiled wide and held a hand out to shake.

As Joel looked down to accept your offer you plopped the other hand of pumpkin innards onto the top of his head and attempted to run again. He laughed and quickly caught up to you again, pulling you back by the arm.

The image of him with pumpkin all over him continued to make you cackle until your sides hurt. When you finally caught your breath you placed a slimy hand on his cheek.

"I'm sorry," you told him, still unable to completely hold back on your laughter.

Joel grinned and then snickered. "No you're not." He pulled the orange, stringy substance from his hair and draped it off the edge of your nose.

"We even now?" You asked, looking back at him, knowing you looked equally as silly as he did.

"Okay," Joel agreed.

You held out your hand and asked again, "Truce?"

He pushed your hand away and leaned in to kiss you. "Truce."

CLICK HERE FOR CHAPTER 13

@untamedheart81 @amyispxnk @grogusmum @ghostwritesthings @strawbunnyx @ayamenimthiriel @noisynightmarepoetry @jiminstinypinky @tuquoquebrute @pedr0swh0r3 @runningmom94 @mellymbee

[assassinsnek]

Baizhu bf hcs

As your boyfriend, Baizhu DEFINITELY makes sure your health is in tip top shape.

I feel like Changsheng would either love you, or hate you. She would love you by sitting on your shoulders like she does with Baizhu, and hate you by slithering off Baizhu and refusing to be around him if you are. She knows when to say nothing.

I can see you and Baizhu sitting on the bed in the back room(Baizhu’s room), after the pharmacy closes Qiqi still hanging around, probably cleaning up, Baizhu leaning on you, or laying in your lap after a long day.

He 100% knows how to style hair, short or long, if you asked him to, he would style your hair however you wanted, I mean, he gives himself a traditional bun, and an extremely long braid.

He would definitely ask you to do self care with him all the time, taking a bath, he’ll ask to join you! Skin care? Sign him up! He’d also probably greatly appreciate it if you learned how to do his hair.

He’s not that big on PDA, i.e. kissing or holding you close. He believes that kind of behavior belongs in a more intimate situation, only truly appreciated when isolated. He will have a hand on the small of your back as you walk around Liyue harbor though.

Please, for the love of all archons, brush his hair for him! He will practically melt where he’s standing/sitting, you swear he could fall asleep.

I definitely see him growing medicinal herbs and incense, he would 1,000% find it endearing if you also grew or took care of plants, either it be a sweet flower, mint, or to valberries, it’s all the same.

You probably have to pull him from his desk at night. When living at your workplace, it can be difficult to identify when work ends, thus it can be easy for him to get sucked into his paperwork and medicine orders.

I see Baizhu being a slightly heavy sleeper and Changsheng being a light sleeper. You can get up and get you a glass of water, but changsheng followed you wondering what you’re doing, she’s too cute.

Totally a side sleeper, so if you decide to cuddle, y’all are spoons!! He’ll never admit it but he likes to be the little spoon, just the way you hold him so securely puts him right to sleep.

I can easily see Changsheng making lovingly sassy remarks towards you. She may sound and seem mean but you and Baizhu both know it’s in a loving way. She even probably will sit on your shoulders instead of you help out with the pharmacy.

You are automatically Qiqi’s no1 babysitter, sitting around and bird watching. For her birthday you got her a bird feeder, and bird seed that, according to Zhongli, would attract finches, that day you saw the most expressive face you’ve seen on her. Baizhu only loved you more after that.

I have no idea why but I think Changsheng would love to gossip but Baizhu dislikes it, so in the time it’s just you two and no Baizhu, y’all probably gossip, and gossip, and gossip.

A/N

My first hc post, most of these were lil’ scenarios that’ve been lingering in my head a little too long. If you notice any typos, spelling, or grammar mistakes, please tell me in the comments of msg me <3

I am very open to requests so please send them if you have any, more information is on my Masterlist

[saltofmercury]

Hello hello 👋🏻 new follower here but I love your work (the clumsy reader drabble was so cute I love our bbygirl in these “mundane” type of situations and you’ve written him into that setting so wonderfully 💕❤️) so I thought I’d shoot in a request, you can turn it into a drabble or something else of your choosing, that is of course if it appeals to you! But I thought it was a cute and funny moment which could fit well with your writing style! So I work in an office filled w a lot of men who are taller than me which means I have to crane up my neck 99% of the time to keep a conversation w them, but there’s this one coworker who has to courtesy to lean down/sit beside me and sometimes gets on his knees next to my desk on the floor whenever he comes around to talk, and the other day another coworker passed us by and he said “ [hisname], on your knees again, I see?” and he immediately clapped back w “I’ll always get down on my knees for a woman, you should try it out sometimes!” (now that I read this back it comes across as juvenile and borderline a HR nightmare but I promise it was harmless fun😭😭)

anyhoo since I have a very dirty mind in general and am currently battling a bad case of brainrot bc of a certain Austrian sniper who triggers all the kinks (size in particular🥴) I was thinking what if Konig would have a freudian slip like this around his crush and where it would lead the two of them 👀

Hope this fits the request!

"Friendship"

Small little hand touches, small flirty comments, stealing eye glances toward one another. You two had been dancing around one another. There was an obvious attraction toward one another, but afraid of overstepping your friendship boundary, you had left it kissing in the hallway, not wanting to get hurt.

König seemed like he liked to keep it as a friendship too. He would talk to you throughout the day, FaceTime at night, even sometimes making you lunch when you didn’t answer him. He knew you were busy so he tried to make your day a little easier.

He actually hated the kissing part because it left him wanting more.

“Come on one more kiss?”

He had been breathless, meeting you in the stairwell for your usual “afternoon delight.” A term he mixed up.

He pulled you in, craned his neck towards you, trapping you under his arms and lips.

“I’ve got — he kissed you

— reports to submit!”

“Last one until tomorrow,” he exhaled, rubbing your face with his thumbs, then embracing you, sticking his tongue in your mouth, you sucking it and making him moan.

You felt it. He was clearly hard against you, so you pulled away, not trying to make it worse for him.

“Hey, wait just for a minute more…” he attempted to pull you back but you dismissed him, telling him you need to get back to your report for Price.

Later that night, after you guys had FaceTimed each other, you two had been laughing at something he said.

“Ok ok, I need to go to sleep, I have to go to the gym tomorrow.” He said

“Alright, fine.” You whined. “Goodnight…”

“Okay goodnight —I love you!” He had heard what he said, wide eyed, his face turned red, and he fumbled his phone to end the call.

The next day, you hadn’t brought up the I love you, meeting with everyone to go over plans for the mission you were sending them on. You had briefed each and every member of KorTac, making sure they knew what they would be supplied with and how much time they had.

Once it was over, Horangi leaned over to König.

“God she’s strict but I like her! She’s all business. She even gave us timelines of when this should be completed.”

König stared at you standing in the hallway, fixing your jacket over your blouse.

He was never a boobs kind of guy, but he thinks you made him one. He wondered how they would feel in his mouth.

“Yeah she’s the breast… I mean best!” He stared at Horangi, who started laughing hysterically.

“Got your mind in the gutter König?”

At that moment you had turned towards them, wondering what Horangi was laughing about. You smiled, waving at them.

Two days later, you had a free afternoon, König had been talking to you about heading to the gym. You had told him you desperately wanted a shower and would skip the gym today. Not that you even went, you weren’t into fitness at all.

König had heard what you said, but insisted on having you there with him, to at least have company and sneak off to make out. But what had come out was —

“Hey wanna go shower with me?” He was stunned, you started laughing so hard you couldn’t stop. He was clearly flustered, he wasn’t sure if you had laughed it off as a joke or just merely embarrassed.

"I've got to go, i'm gonna be late." He practically gathered himself running away.

When he tried calling you that night, but you had been too preoccupied with something else. Wondering if his feelings secretly slipped a message out. Did he want more than just friends?

You touched yourself, imagining what it would feel to have his pouty lips in between your legs. What it would be like to have him moaning echoing throughout the four corners of your room. How it would be to sit on him, his thick sex entering you, stretching you out as you held onto him…

He didn't reach you, and left you a voicemail.

“Okay I know today was weird with the shower comment… if you get this call, give me a chance." It had slipped out again.

Once you heard that message it was clear. You knew he wanted it too.

You texted him to come over.

He had rushed over, sensing some priority in your message. The three knocks on your door had created an urgency inside you. You ran to the door, and grabbed him by the shirt. Pulled him into a kiss.

“I want you so bad König you don’t understand. I don’t want to be friends.”

He chuckled lightly, “I do understand…”

He picked you up and pressed you against the wall. Sucking on your neck and collarbone, leaving small bites, and hickeys in their place.

“You have no idea what you do to me, how badly I’ve wanted this.”

You grab a hold of his face in your hands, sloppily kissing him and arching your back from the wall, your breasts closer to his chest.

“Say you’ve wanted me too? Please baby.”

You pulled yourself from him, unlatching your legs around his waist, and pulling yourself down.

You proceed to undress yourself walking slowly to the bedroom.

He followed you into the room where you’ve already peeled off most of your clothes except your panties.

“I’ve wanted you so badly.”

You lay on the bed, and as his hands roam your breasts, squeezing, and fondling your nipples, he gently rubs down to your panties, his fingertips on the edge of them.

“No, König, take them off with your teeth.”

He looks at you for a second, the rush of blood going straight to his erection. He kisses you through your underwear, grabs a hold of your legs from underneath. Teeth nip lightly at your skin, grab a hold of the lace in-between and with one full motion, he’s taken them down to your knees. He rips them off your leg and puts them in his back pocket.

He looks at you, exposed, your legs wide open. Your cunt somewhat wet for him, and he’s got to taste just to be sure.

He places his tongue on you, gently flicks inside you, swirling and licking you at every inch.

He moans, nuzzling himself closer.

“ugh baby, you’ve got such a cute cunt.”

The heat rises from your stomach to your cheeks. He’s so gentle, sucking on your lips, teasing your clit.

“I’ve wanted to taste you since we’ve shared our first kiss.”

He speaks softly, placing small pecks on you. It bubbles small waves in you.

He wraps his hands around yours,

“Tell me baby, have you wondered what it’s like? What does my tongue feel like on your pretty little cunt?”

You’re overwhelmed, he’s so vocal but gentle, it makes you crazy. You let out a small moan.

“Breathe in through your nose baby, relax, I’m here.”

As soon as you take those deep breaths, it’s game over, like your body has its full attention on his tongue on your clit, sending waves of pleasure throughout your body.

He’s egging you on,

“You like it when I go fast?” He flicks your clit faster with his tongue,

then asks,

“Or slow like this?”

And proceeds to suck on your clit so gently, soft moans coming from his mouth.

“You taste so good, baby.”

Your brain can’t comprehend anything. The sounds you’re emitting, his tongue on you, how he expresses himself… you can feel how close you are.

“You’re gonna cum soon? I can feel it, you’re so wet. Cum for me.”

And it’s with those three words that send you over the edge. You arch your back, flares ripple through your body, and you moan his name.

He’s still sucking, making you jump slightly, pushing away from him.

He comes up towards your body, placing soft kisses on your legs, tummy, and breasts. He stops at the left one, sucking on it.

“I’ll get these next time.” He tells you, grabbing you for a deep kiss.

You stare up at him, wondering why it was ever such a bad thing to break your friendship. There was no doubt in your head you two were made for one another.

[dazedquilly]

This is my first time writing fanfiction so yeahhhh maybe I might continue this as a series idk! :D

This is a modern high school muichiro x y/n story btw and if you're 18+...

WHY ARE YOU HERE?!!??!??!?!

Anyways enjoy!

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Droplets fall on your face as you sigh, it seemed like the rain just loved to make its appearance when you didn't have an umbrella. The rain started to fall even harder, there was no place to shelter from it so you might as well stand up in the open.

Suddenly, the feeling of wet raindrops on your head disappeared. You look up to see a black umbrella and a cute boy around the age of a high school student, like you. His eyes had a beautiful shade of turquoise and so were the ends of his hair, the rest of it was black and quite long as well. He had a neutral face as he stared back at you. Neither of you said anything, just the sound of raindrops falling on the umbrella, instead of you, could be heard.

Finally, he spoke, "Aren't you gonna say thank you?" His voice taking a nonchalant tone. You gasped in realization and quickly said "Oh yes, sorry! And uh thank you..!" He looked at you and sighed. "Sure, no problem, but I hope you learn from this and always walk with an umbrella." You stared at him, now that you actually thought about it, you never considered such an idea, you just picked it up whenever it looked like it would rain and on sunny days you left it home.

"Wow, thanks for the idea!" You said cheerfully, he sighed again. "By the way, where exactly were you heading?" The guy asked out of genuine curiosity. "Home but the rain caught me. Anyways, what's your name? If you don't mind me asking..!" You atleast wanted to know the sort of kind stranger's name. "Not important." He said in a dismissive voice. "Okay, so not fond of mentioning his name. Got it!" You said to yourself, he continued. "Is your home far? I can walk you there with my umbrella if not." At first you were leaning towards not answering him for safety reasons, but then thought about it again. Even if he was a kidnapper he would have already kidnapped you by now, so you nodded as if to say "sure."

The two of you were now on your way to your house, it was not that far but not that close either. The rain steadily poured on the umbrella, the sound was oddly satisfying. You watched as cars and their blinking lights pass by and other people walking to and fro with their own umbrellas. "Don't you just love the sound and feel of rain?" You asked randomly. The boy just watched you as if he was processing the question. "Yes, it is quite relaxing. I suppose that's why people like when it rains at night so they can fall asleep better." You perked up, "I agree with that logic because it always works for me! I fall asleep like that!" You snapped your fingers as you said the last bit, it got a chuckle out of him. "Me too. Its like nature's own asmr."

The boy spaced out a bit. "Yeah its so cool, right?" Your question went unanswered and you had to snap him back to reality, "Are you a daydreamer?" He looked at you, "Sort of.. I was just listening to the rain, it sounds a bit like music, don't you think?" You listened closely to the rain to figure out what he was talking about. "Yeah you're right! It does kinda sound like music." You both chatted and talked more about  nature and the rain as you walked to your home. The boy spoke up as you entered your neighbourhood, "Where exactly is your house now?" You replied, "Just around the corner." The small Japanese styled house which was quite similar to the others in the area appeared in your sight as you spoke.

Once you reached the door step, you turned around and bowed respectfully. Both of you stared silently at each other a bit, that's when you ran up, hugged him and pulled away. "Thank you again, I still would have been stuck in the rain if you hadn't helped me!" The boy was taken back, his face looked a bit red but he also bowed. "You're welcome..." He managed say even though he was still kinda shocked. "I guess this is goodbye." You said with a pinch of sadness, although you just met him, it would have been nice to atleast know his name or get his number, he seemed fun. "Maybe not, you never know." The boy shrugged. "Yeah true." You both smiled and said your goodbyes as you watched him walk away and proceed to enter your home.

[floatysparrowthing]

he was a sk8er boi, he said annoy you l8r boi

(a teen soukoku fic, y2k style)

Chapter 14: Always

Chapter summary:

It takes less than a week of dating for their friends and family to catch on.

Snippet:

“Did something happen between you two?” Piano Man asks, black eyebrows rising into his dyed white hair.

“Hah?” Chuuya flushes. “Whaddya mean?”

“Chuuya.” Iceman levels a Look at him. Don’t bullshit us, it says.

Chuuya looks away, towards the brightly colored food court restaurants, caught halfway between embarrassment and a grin that refuses to settle down.

“That obvious, huh?” he asks.

“Let’s see, you abandon us for a week to hang out exclusively with him, then you two show up on Monday at lunch, heh,” Doc says. “And bring him to Piano Man’s only to flirt in front of us the whole time.”

“You guys keep giving each other looks,” Lippman says, meaningfully.

“We do not!” Chuuya says. What kind of “looks”? he wonders.

“You seem happier,” Iceman says.

“Happier? With that idiot? No way.” Chuuya leans back, crossing his arms.

Albatross laughs way too hard at that. “Just give it up, Chuuya! What happened? Did you guys confess your undying love to each other? Kiss each other silly? Or maybe you just up and eloped?”

Chuuya groans. “We did not elope. He’s just…” He looks toward the bathrooms to see Dazai coming back, who gives a cheerful little wave and then sticks out his tongue. Chuuya flips him off. “My, uh, boyfriend, now.” He mumbles the rest of it, but that doesn’t stop his friends from hearing him.

They erupt in a cacophony of I knew its and hell yeahs just as Dazai sits down next to Chuuya.

”What’d I miss?” he asks, eyes wide.

”They figured us out,” Chuuya mutters, shrugging.

“Oh!” Now his burgundy eyes are sparkling and, well, Chuuya likes that. But then those eyes turn towards his friends and—“You should have seen how Chuuya begged me to give him a chance.”

”I did not!” Chuuya jerks up, glaring at Dazai. He takes back every nice thought he just had about this dumbass.

“Yup!” Dazai hugs him from the side, squishing their cheeks together. “He said he couldn’t live without me and that he’s been in love with me ever since the day we met! Isn’t that nice?”

Chuuya does not appreciate how everyone is laughing at him right now, no matter how much they try to hide it.

”That’s not how it went at all,” he says, grumpily. “I lost a bet, so I had to go on a date with this bastard. Then, when I was gonna let him down easy, he just looked like a lost puppy and somehow we ended up here.”

It devolves from there into a mess of made up stories about how they got together— “Chuuya stole someone’s wedding ring and proposed!” and “Dazai put on a fuckin’ dog costume and pretended to be a stray in a box, just to get my attention. It was not cute.”—before their friends start pitching in with their own dating stories.

As they leave the food court, Dazai grabs Chuuya’s hand and gives him a little, private smile before going back to spouting bullshit.

Chuuya thought he would feel weird about them knowing, but now he’s just happy he can hold his boyfriend’s hand at the mall with his friends.

[severely-mentally-ill]

As a celebration of me reaching 769 followers, and getting my tongue pierced, here's a drabble. This is also kind of inspired by Taste, if you couldn't tell lmao.

Btw, I'm changing how my fics are styled.

Taste

♡ - Lee Felix x Male!Reader

♡ - Smut

♡ - Sub!Bottom!Felix, (kinda)HardDom!Top!Reader, rimming, oral (Reader recieving), face fucking, cum eating, unprotected sex, light degrading

Felix lifts his head, lips parted, a trail of saliva connecting his spit covered lips to the head of your dick, eyebrows furrowed and eyes squeezed shut as heavy and shaky breaths escape him. His brain is foggy, mind almost blank, the few thoughts he had only focused on the feeling of your tongue so deep inside him. The vibrations coming from your tongue really don't help him in his fucked out state.

Felix jolts forward and cries out a girlish high pitched moan when he feels your piercing hit his prostate directly. Your arms tighten around his trembling thighs as the grip your hands hold on his ass cheeks, spreading them apart, become much more firm; pulling him back towards you and keeping him in place.

You thrust your hips up, shoving your dick right back into his open mouth. It slips in easily, due to his constant drooling an previous face fucking leaving your cock covered in saliva. You hit the back of his throat and moan at the feeling of him gagging. The added vibration only make the coil in his stomach tighten.

Felix clenches around you, only causing your tongue ring to press right against his prostate and making more moans fall from his lips. You continue to thrust into his mouth, going faster with each moan that he let's out.

You don't even slow your thrusts even the slightest bit when you cum--it seems like you speed up even more. Of course, Felix swallows every drop he can. Why wouldn't he when you taste so good?

The sound of Felix's gagging seems to turn you on so much more, fueling you to make more quick and deep thrusts. Tears start to slip from his closed eyes, his throat burns, his thighs hurt, but he can't stop. He can't get enough. It's so addicting. The way you make him feel, the taste of you, the things you do to him, the way you treat him--everything. It always remind him of just how addicted he is to you.

It doesn't take much longer for Felix to feel the knot in his stomach to snap and his orgasm to wash over him. His back arches and his legs try to close, only to be stopped by your head.

You feel his release pool on your chest, causing you to slow and stop your thrusts. Once his orgasm has faded, you slowly pull out your tongue and shut off the piercing.

You grab onto Felix's waist and gently move him so he's laying down next to you before moving to sit up against the headboard. Felix opens his eyes when he feels you grab onto his waist once again. "Wh-What are you d-doing?"

You chuckle at his stutter and hoarse voice as you move him so he straddles you. "What, you didn't think we'd be done that fast, did you?" Felix gulps. "Since I did all the work just now, I think you should be a good boy and ride me. And don't forget to clean up your mess while you do."

You motion towards the cum still on your chest. Felix looks down at his release before his face breaks out in a dark flush. "B-But-"

"No buts," you cut him off, grabbing his hips and thrusting up into him. He sucks in a sharp breath at the sudden stretch as his eyes squeeze shut. "Now be a good little whore and do as I say."

Felix let's out a shaky breath as he lifts himself up before slowly sinking back down on your dick. He opens his eyes and looks up at you through his eyelashes before leaning down and licking up the cum on your chest. The new angle makes you able to see his cute little ass much better.

You can't help but chuckle at how Felix makes sure to lick up every drop of his cum. "Aren't you just such a good slut?"

Felix whines quietly, hands reaching out to grip at your shoulders as he pulls away from you chest. He looks up at you through his eyelashes--cheeks puffed out from being so full, almost making you groan at how innocent he looked dispite being in a not-so-innocent position. He had also stopped his movements at the same time.

You raise an eyebrow and smirk at him as you lean back and place your hands behind your head as a headrest. "Swallow. Every bit of it." He quickly obeys, and opens his mouth afterwards to show you. You let out a single chuckle. "Always such an eager thing, aren't you?"

Felix's face grows a light flush as he looks down, quickly realizing that he has stopped his movements. He rises up until only the tip remains inside him before quickly sinks back down. He throws his head back, eyes squeezing shut and lips parting in a breathy moan. "O-Only f-for you, Hyung. . ."

[bloodandtime]

savage good boy

uhhh inspired by this post of eddie wearing a skirt!! everyone say thank u @eddiemunsonwillbethedeathofme! wrote this in just a couple hours so this has not been edited whatsoever so have fun!! wc: 7.3k

cw: 18+ mdni, oral (m receiving) fem!reader (actually could be gn!reader i don’t think there’s description of r other than having hair!!) eddie wearing a skirt, ass smacking, bad writing, too many uses of the word ‘you’, too many pet names, weed, cum sharing, i think that’s it?

“Hey, Edwarrrrrd,” you say, letting yourself into the trailer. The music that was playing decreased in volume, “You in your room?” you call out, toeing off your shoes at the door.

You can hear Eddie grunt followed by an expletive before he calls out, slightly pained, “Yeah! I’ll be out in a sec!” Not feeling the need to respond you take a familiar path to the kitchen to grab two waters and back to the couch.

You’ll for sure be smoking, which means coughing so water’s always essential to have at your fingertips when you’re with Eddie.

You’re settled when his door creaks open, Eddie’s nervous voice rings out,

“So, I’m wearing something new.” He’s still hidden in the hallway, “Will you tell me if I look stupid?”

Your heart aches at the nervousness in his tone, “Eddie’s there’s no way you look stupid. You know I love your style.” smiling, even though he can’t see you, you continue softly, “Please come out, Eddie.”

Eddie steps around the corner and you gasp, warmth already spreading in your lower belly, and down, down, down. You grip the arm of couch, tight.

“Holy Shit, Eddie.” You sound breathless, looking him up and down, slowly drinking him in.

Eddie’s got a cropped faded black sleeveless shirt on, the exposed skin shows his happy trail leading down to a black plaid skirt that ends mid thigh, with a chain on the waistband. His pretty pale thighs are covered in fishnets that lead into his black biker boots.

His hair is in a half up half down do, with space buns. Dangling from his ears is a cross earring and two gold hoops.

You’ve been quiet a little too long and now Eddie’s nervous. One leg crossing in front of the other, closing in on himself.

You immediately stand up and take his hands, asking him to look at you. Once his watery brown eyes meet yours, you let it all out.

“Eddie, you look fucking insane.” You breathe out, he flushes a deeper red, “Like… un fucking real. You’re so beautiful.”

Eddie all but beams, finally squeezing your hands in return. He pulls you into a warm hug,

“Thank you,” he whispers, breath warm on your neck he continues “you being so kind, means a lot to me, loser.”

Pulling away to meet his gaze, you say, “I’m not just being kind, dummy” pulling on a strand of his hair teasingly, he glares but a smile is glued to his lips “you know I wouldn’t blow smoke up your ass, Eddie.”

You maneuver so you’re standing beside him with an arm around his waist and decide to be bold.

The smack you land on his ass honestly kind of stings your hand but look of shock and indignation on Eddie’s face is worth it, “Now let’s smoke sweet heart.” You smirk and move toward the couch.

“You just smacked my ass.” He deadpans.

Sitting and smiling up at him, “I did. Don’t act so scandalized, you’re a grown ass man.” Eddie finally sits, still pink in the cheeks and clearly shocked, “You’ve definitely slapped my ass too, so I really don’t know why you’re so shocked.”

He shakes his head and laughs, curls bouncing, “Why’d you smack mine though?” He presses, as he sits down, close but not touching.

You smile, shy. “I dunno, you just look cute, I felt the need to.” You finish with an embarrassed laugh, heat rising up your neck burning your cheeks.

Eddie splutters, “I am not cute. I am hot and sexy,” he finishes with a wiggle of his eyebrows and you laugh as you lean back into the couch.

You watch him roll, his long fingers make quick work of producing two joints, your eyes glued to his hands the entire time.

Watching him light up is a treat. Something about Eddie manspreading in this particular outfit sends your brain haywire. You’re usually better at hiding your crush on your best friend but today is going to be unbelievably difficult.

Eddie leans his head back on the couch as he releases the smoke from his mouth and passes you the joint, you’re too stuck in your head to notice him staring at you.

He’s curious about your reaction, smacking his ass and you really truly looked like you wanted to eat him alive when he first stepped around the corner.

Christ, if he knew this was all it took to get you going he would have bought a skirt a long time ago.

Eddie is ashing the joint and you’re both now thigh to thigh on the couch. Eddie had moved closer after he had put a movie on. Which you haven’t paid attention too, alo you can focus on is Eddie’s tummy sticking out of the crop top, and taking in every inch of his thighs that’s exposed when adjusts in his seat.

Watching him ash the joint pushes you over the edge, your self control vanishing.

“Eddie, can I suck you off?” He chokes on the exhale of his last hit, his brain just a little fuzzy so he’s worried he misheard.

“What did you say sweetheart?” He asks, brown eyes wide staring into yours. You want to fold in on yourself and run out the trailer door but you’re already in this deep.

“Can I suck you off?” Reaching out to run a hand on his thigh, you continue “I’ve not stopped thinking about it since you came out in that skirt.” You sound desperate, Eddie’s cock twitches at your tone.

“Please, Eddie.” You slide down to the floor between his legs, kneeling with your hands on your thighs.

Eddie can barely breathe, so he musters all his courage to nod his head. Placing your hands on his ankles you run them up to his thighs so slowly, then back down again, then up again, repeating. He thinks he could cum from the sight of you on your knees and the feel of your hands on him alone.

“Need your words, baby.” You say as you squeeze his thighs.

He inhales, “Please. P-please suck my cock.”

You press a kiss to the inside of both of his thighs right where his skirt ends, soft and sweet. “Good boy.” He whimpers in response and you flip up his skirt.

You gasp again.

He’s not wearing anything underneath other than his fishnets. His hard cock is stuck to his thigh, pointing up to his belly.

You groan, pressing your head against his other thigh as you look up at him. His pupils are blown wide, his cheeks are flushed and his buns are starting to fall out. He’s stunning.

“Eddie, I can’t believe you’ve just had your cock out this whole time.” You mouth at his thigh, nipping at it as you pull away and he sighs.

His cock is pretty, long and thick. It would be a stretch but you know if would feel so fucking good.

You lean forward to mouth at one of his soft balls, his cock still stuck under his fishnets. He gasps and lets out a long fuuuuuuuck as his hands find the back of your head.

“I’ll buy you new ones,” you say as you pull away and rip his tights, his cock springs up finally free. Eddie gasps, jerking his hips as you take the head of his cock in your mouth, tongue laving over his frenulum.

Eddie tugs at your hair with a long lew moan followed by, “Holy fuck, babe.”

Relaxing your jaw and pressing forward, you take him deeper. Eddie’s right hand travels a path to your cheek, his thumb stroking the apple of it.

“Look at me.” He says, voice strained.

You look up at him and he’s even more of a mess than before. You want to wreck him.

“Fuck, sweetheart,” His thumb strokes your cheek as you bob up and down on his cock, gazes locked “taking me so fucking well. You like sucking your best friend’s cock?” You groan around him and pull off.

Gasping, you agree, “I do, Eddie. Always want your cock” One hand goes to massage his balls and you lick long languid strokes up his shaft. “I especially love sucking your cock while you look so pretty in your tiny little skirt.”

He grasps at your roots and tugs. as you place your mouth back on the head of his cock and hum. You press further down on him, trying to reach the base.

What you can’t reach, you’ve started jerking off. The shlick sound of your hand loud in your ears, but all you’re really focused on is Eddie’s whimpers and moans and sweet nothings he keeps saying.

“Baby, baby, baby” he bables as you swallow around him, “i’m gonna cum, i’m gonna cum. Where do you want it?”

You hum in response, pressing further down.

He’s a whimpering babbling mess above you, gripping tight onto your hair he starts to jerk his hips up, fucking your throat.

He’s cumming in your mouth soon after, with a long pretty whine and sweet call of your name.

He yanks you up off him, and kisses you full on the mouth. You settle in his lap with a thigh on either side of his as your hands find their way to his hair. He moans as he tastes himself on you, practically licking your mouth clean of his essence.

Pulling away he licks up the rest of his cum that had leaked out and down your chin and neck. He pulls you back into a bruising kiss.

You both pull away to breathe, warm in the face and chests heaving. Eddie has both of his hands on your face, his thumbs take a gentle path back and forth on your cheeks. Closing your eyes you sigh happily and lean into his touch.

You feel his lips on yours once again and your grips tightens on his shoulders where your hands have made home.

Eddie pulls away, just enough thar you can hear him say, his lips still brushing yours with every word, “Give me 10 minutes, sweetheart and I’ll show you just how good I look in this skirt while I’m fucking you.”

[callsign-magnolia]

Right Here Waiting // Bob Floyd

A/N: This is my first reader insert story and I'm quite proud if I say so myself. This is also the longest story I have ever written! This is for @roosterforme's #Love is in the Air challenge! I wanted to have this out in February but life prevented that but it's here now and I hope you guys enjoy it!

Warnings: Major character death, mentions of cancer,, mentions of Alzheimer's, postpartum depression, mentions of cheating, smut, angst and overall sadness!

Synopsis: Your life with Robert Floyd from start to finish.

Word Count: 25.8k

Masterlist

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I met Bob Floyd when I was in college. Him at the Naval Academy, and I was at the University of Maryland in College Park. "Come on! It'll be fun! There will lots of cute guys from the Academy!" I shook my head as I laid back on my bed. "Annette, I'm not really feeling it tonight. I'd rather stay here." This was the fourth week in a row she invited me out with her. Her boyfriend was attending the Naval Academy and she went down every Friday to see him. "So, lame." I sat up, raising a brow at her. "Did you just call me lame?" She nodded, just barely glancing over her shoulder at me. "I did." She knew I couldn't stand that. "I'll show you lame! Give me twenty!"

Soon we were at a bar at Annapolis. I had on a silver party dress, heels, the whole nine yards. "That last stop at the tanning bed this morning really did it for you." Annette said and I smiled. "You think? I almost double dipped and got a spray tan too." She rolled her eyes. "What? Tanning is not just a style, it's a way of life!" I said as she led us up to a group of guys. "BABY!" She squealed, rushing up to one of the tall guys, jumping into his arms. I smiled as I watched them, high school sweethearts who were still so in love. "Luke, this is my friend!" He shook my hand as I gave him my name. "Nice to meet you." The night went on, and we partied but I noticed one guy at the bar, drinking water and sitting alone. "His name is Robert Floyd." Luke said as he came over. "He's in the Academy with us. Tends to keep to himself." I smirked. "Then I guess I'll change that."

So, I did. I walked over to him and decided to take up the seat next to him. "Wanna buy me a drink?" I joked and he looked to me, wide eyed. "M-me?" I nodded, resting my chin in my hand. "Why me?" I giggled at his question, a little tipsy. "Why not you?" He seemed confused by my question. "You've sat here all night, while your friends are drinking and dancing. Figured you could use a friend." He smiled at me. "That's very kind of you. I'm uh, Robert Floyd." He said, holding out his hand. I shook it, giving him my name. "That's a beautiful name." A blush crept up my cheeks. "Thank you." He chuckled, liking the way my cheeks heated up. "What would you like to drink?" He asked, standing to go to the other end of the bar. "An Ultra, please." He smiled, turning to leave but turned back, furrowing his brows. "You'll be here when I come back, right?" I nodded. "I'll be right here waiting."

And I was true to my word. I did wait. I was still sitting there when he came back. We hit it off, and soon we were dating. He would drive to me or I to him. Soon summer came and he asked me to meet his parents, so I booked a flight out to Oklahoma. "You're picking me up, right?" I asked as I stood at my gate, waiting to board. "Yes, honey. I'll be right here waiting." Sure enough, he was. I ran towards him, launching myself into his arms. "Oh, I missed you." I muttered into his shoulder, he chuckled, letting me down till I was steady on my feet. "It's only been three weeks." He said, a smile on his face. "Three weeks too long." He leaned down, capturing my lips with his. Once he pulled away, he pulled me close, a smile on his face as his glasses slid down his nose.

"Come on. Ma and Pa are excited to meet you." He said as he guided me over to baggage claim. "Can we stop and get some flowers before we get there?" I asked as he grabbed my suitcase from the conveyor belt. "Flowers? Why?" He asked, surprised by my request. "I'm not showing up to your parents’ house empty handed! My own mother would be angry if I did!" He chuckled, taking my hand as he led me out of the airport. His parents were amazing people, owning a small ranch in Oklahoma and raising three kids. Robby being the middle child, and one of three boys. His older brother Zeke was a chemical engineer, and his younger brother Michael was in his junior year of high school. "So dear, Robert tells us you attend the University of Maryland. What are you in school for?" His mom asked as we sat down for dinner the first night. "Oh, education. I want to be a teacher." She grinned at me. "Elementary?" I shook my head. "I love kids, but I think I'm better suited for high school. I hope to be a college history professor one day!" His dad nodded at me. "Big dreams, stick with them. Robby tells us you work hard so I have no doubt you'll achieve that goal."

His parents took me in as their own, loved me like the daughter they never had. My parents on the other hand, took a little convincing. They were worried about Robby being in the Navy, my dad feared he'd break my heart, my mom worried something would happen to him and leave me crushed. But, once they met him, they loved him. I grew up an only child. They wanted more but after me, mom couldn't have any more kids. My dad loved him like a son, taking him out to the garage to work on his cars with him. My mom stuck to embarrassing me with childhood pictures, which Robby loved.

But soon we went back to school and stayed together. Upon his graduation, I pinned his gold bars to him as he graduated second Lieutenant. It was a wonderful week for him, seeing all of his success. Pride swelled in my chest, seeing him in his dress whites. "I'm so proud of you, Robby." He grabbed my hand, kissing it. "That means a lot to me, coming from you."

I graduated the same year and soon we were separated. He went to Pensacola, and I got my first teaching job at a high school in Maryland. "You'll be here when I come visit?" I nodded. "I'll be right here waiting." He smiled, kissing me before boarding his flight for Florida. It was hard. There were times I questioned if we would make it, but after his graduation from flight school he was sent to NAS Pax River, right here in Maryland. He lived on base, and I had a tiny, one bedroom apartment not far. We spent so much time with each other, as much as we could spare, because I knew, soon he'd ship out.

That came about two months after he was stationed. Orders came and took him from me. "Keep this safe while I'm gone?" He asked, placing his class ring on my thumb, the only finger it'd fit. "I will. I won't take it off." He smiled, kissing me fervently as we stood on the docks, tears running down my face. "I don't want you to go." He gave me a teary smile, and I took his new glasses from him, cleaning them off before sliding them back on his face. "I'll always come back to you. I promise." He held me close as I nodded, my hands resting on his chest. "I'll be right here waiting. Always." He held me until he was forced to board. I sat there for the rest of the day, wishing the ship would turn around and bring him back to me. I was a wreck. My students noticed, my parents noticed, and his parents noticed when they called. I cried and cried. The facetime calls didn't help, as soon as he hung up I cried some more. My chest ached and I felt like it would never end. He never told me when he was coming home. So, I screamed when my apartment door flew open and pointed the knife in my hand at whoever came in.

But I dropped immediately as I saw Robby standing there, huffing with his hands on his knees. A cry escaped my lips as I rushed him, throwing myself into his arms. "You're home!" I cried into his shoulder. Once he caught his breath he all but dropped me, and I stumbled back as he fell to one knee. He grabbed my hand, taking his class ring off my thumb in a rush. "Marry me." It wasn't a question and I was baffled at the suddenness of it all. "I don't have a real ring; this is all I can offer you right now. But all these months apart have made me realize, more than ever, I don't want to, and I can't live my life without you by my side. So, will you do me the honor of becoming Mrs. Floyd?" I had to catch my breath, tears streaking my cheeks. "Yes. Yes!" I squealed as he pulled me into his arms, his lips finding mine. That night we called our parents and his mom sent his grandmother's engagement ring. It took a while but when it arrived, I was in love. A simple gold band with an oval cut diamond with a halo of smaller diamonds around it. Soon we were planning a wedding. He was still stationed at Pax River, so we opted for a wedding in Annapolis. In the chapel of the naval academy. Why not get married in the place it all started?

Our wedding day was hectic as everyone rushed to get ready. Annette was my Matron of honor, and Luke was Robby's best man. They got married right out of college, not wanting to wait any longer. I wore a ballgown style dress, long lace sleeves with a veil that trailed behind me. I always joked that if my husband-to-be didn't cry as I walked down the aisle, I would turn around. But I never told Robby that, and I didn't have to as tears rolled down his cheeks behind his glasses. He stood there, handsome as ever in his dress whites and I almost couldn't wait to get to the end of the aisle. My dad gave me away and Robby and I both cried through the ceremony. "I now pronounce you, man and wife. You may now kiss the bride." He grabbed me, pulling me into a passionate kiss before letting go. "I now announce to you, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Floyd!" I couldn't help the squeal that escaped me, and I leapt back into his arms, kissing him again before we made our way back down the aisle and out the door.

"I think I know what song our first dance will be to." He told me that months ago, but never told me what it would be. He just pulled me to the dance floor for our first dance and I started crying as the opening keys of Richard Marx's 'Right Here Waiting’ played. "I will always be waiting for you, Robby. Wherever we go." I said before resting my head on his chest as he slowly spun us around the dance floor.

Our first year of marriage was bliss, he moved off base with me and stayed stationed at Pax River until orders came. Once again, I had to let him go and it wasn't any easier than the first time. "I'll be right here waiting for you." I said as he kissed me. "And I'll always come home to you." With that, he was gone and all I could do was work and wait. But Robby was different when he came home this time. More closed off, more reserved. I never pushed him to talk but soon he started getting up in the middle of the night, leaving and coming home early in the morning and immediately showering. He wouldn't hardly touch me anymore. All the signs pointed to another woman, but I didn't want to believe it, I couldn't. The Robby I loved would never do that to me, but I didn't know this Robby. So one morning after his shower, I cornered him before he could get dressed for work.

"Are you okay?" He just hummed, nodding. "Where do you go?" He stopped, turning to me. His pants were unzipped, unbuttoned, and he had no shirt on. His jaw was slack, as if he couldn't believe I'd ask. He ignored my question, getting dressed as tears rolled down my face. "Is it another woman?" I asked as he walked by me, and he stopped. "I don't want to believe it. But every sign points to it." He just stared at me in shock. "If you're struggling, I want to help you. But if there's someone else, you have to tell me." He shook his head, rushing over and taking my face in his hands. "No. Honey, I would never. I just- this last deployment was hard. We lost some good people and I’m struggling to process it."

My heart broke for him. I was so stupid to think he'd ever do that to me. I took his glasses off, running my thumbs under his eyes to wipe away tears before holding his face. "Let me in, Robby. Let me help you." At my words, he broke. He sunk to his knees, holding me close and burying his face in my stomach. I just shushed him, running my fingers through his hair as he cried. I let him cry until he was done, standing and holding him close. "Don't shut me out again? You shouldn't have to carry all of this alone." He kissed my head before resting his cheek on my head. "Thank you, darlin. You don't know how much that means to me." I smiled, pulling away, keeping my hands on his ribs as I looked up at him. "I'm right here, Robby. Always waiting for you."

A few more years down the line, Robby was called up for Top Gun. We cheered as he hoisted me into his arms. "I always knew you were the best, honey!" We celebrated until he left for San Diego and while it was hard for us to be separated, it was a little easier knowing what an achievement it was. I was unable to get off work for his graduation, which hurt but he knew I was right here, waiting for him. He got orders for a mission immediately after and he would be gone another two weeks and had to be completely dark. But once he docked back in San Diego, he called me. "We're moving." I furrowed my brows as I sat at my desk once the school day finished. "Moving?" He hummed on the other end. "Lemoore, California." And with that we got to packing. He moved out there before me, it was three weeks from the end of the school year, so I decided to crash with a coworker until I finally left for Lemoore.

I launched myself into Robby's arms at the airport, just happy to be with him again. "You ready to see our house?" My eyes widened at his words. "House?" He nodded, carrying me over to baggage claim. "No more apartments! We have a house, with a large porch and a big yard. Perfect for little feet to run around." I leaned back as he held me, my hands resting on his chest. "Wait. Are you saying you're ready to try?" We had talked about kids, but we wanted to enjoy being married for a while first. "I am if you are." I smiled widely, resting my forehead on his. "I say we start as soon as we get home." He kissed me passionately, holding me so close. "We'll christen every room of the house." I squealed, kicking my feet in excitement as he set me down to grab my bags.

Of course, when we got home, he kept his promise. "Fuck, Robby." I cried as I bit into his shoulder. He had me up on the kitchen counter as he thrust into me. "That's it, Darlin." He moaned into my neck. It was almost animalistic, the way he fucked me. I was never left unsatisfied, unless he did it on purpose. In the midst of my thinking, Robby pulled out. I gasped as I heard the familiar pop and the empty feeling that followed. "Robby, please." I whined as I tried to pull him back in. "Nope. I said every room, darlin." His voice was husky as he chased his breath. He wrapped his arms under my thighs, carrying me to the living room which was lacking a couch. He laid me on the floor under the large picture window before slipping back in again.

"Fuck me, Robby. Please." I begged. "You're so pretty when you beg for me." He said as he ran his finger down my cheek, fucking into me again. He kissed across my chest, taking one of my nipples in his mouth, making me moan loudly. "I can't wait to see you pregnant. Swollen with my baby." He said as his hands rested on my waist. His words alone were enough to send me over the edge, making me cry out as I came. My legs locked around his waist as he finished, making sure he came inside me, keeping him there. "I love you, Mrs. Floyd." He said as he tried to catch his breath. "I love you so much more, Mr. Floyd."

We tried and we failed many times. "I'm sorry, Robby." I cried into his chest as he held me on the couch. "Don't apologize, darlin. It'll happen when it's our time." He said as he kissed my head. Soon I quit sobbing and only had a few hiccups here and there. "I just want to give you everything." He chuckled, playing with my hair. "You're everything I could ever need, darlin'. I'll always be right here." Once again, another deployment came though, a shorter one. Twelve weeks in the pacific. I scored a teaching job on base, which kept me busy during his deployment, and so did the puking. I had been getting sick since two weeks after Robby left and I immediately grabbed some pregnancy tests from the pharmacy on my way home. I threw everything in the floor by the front door as I rushed down the hallway to Robby and I's room. I went into the en suite, peeing on the sticks before letting them rest on the counter. I waited in the bathroom floor , twiddling my fingers as I waited for my phone to go off. Once it did I scrambled for the tests, dropping them into the floor before flipping them over. Three positives stared back at me.

I squealed loudly, jumping to my feet as I bounced around the bedroom. I rushed over to my full length mirror, lifting my shirt. There was nothing there, nothing to be noticed. But I felt it, my whole body filled with joy, and I could feel the little baby inside me. "Your daddy is gonna be ecstatic." After that I went to see my gynecologist, struggling to keep still as they did the ultrasound. "There they are!" He cheered, pointing at the screen. "There's your baby." He printed off pictures and I kept one on me at all times. I wanted to tell Robby, but he had to go dark for the entire mission, so I wouldn't be able to talk to him till he came home.

But soon, the twelve weeks were up and now I was just waiting for him to show. I was in the middle of teaching when I heard my class start whispering and giggling. "I didn't think the Civil War was funny." I said as I turned around, eyebrows raised. My students were all facing the door to my right, and I turned. A gasp escaped my lips as Robby stood there in his dress whites, flowers in hand. I rushed forward, launching myself at him, wrapping my arms around him. "Your home!" I cried as he held me. "I'm home." I gasped again, fighting my way out of his arms and rushing for my purse. I grabbed the ultrasound, running over and holding it up. "I'm pregnant." He was shocked, gently taking the picture, staring at it through his large glasses. "You're pregnant." I nodded and he set the flowers down on my desk, swooping me into his arms again. "How long?"

"Twelve weeks as of two days ago." He cheered, spinning me around. "YOU'RE PREGNANT?!" One of my students yelled, making everyone else get excited. "Yes, I am!" They all cheered as Robby took me in his arms again. "I love you Mrs. Floyd. More than anything in the entire world." He muttered against my lips as his hand drifted down to my stomach. As the months went by, Robby was a champ at dealing with me. Midnight cravings, he was up and getting it. He even took me to McDonalds at two a.m. because I wanted their fries. So, we sat in the truck, fries resting on my small belly as devoured them. As I got bigger, he slid my shoes on my feet for me, he helped me shave, he made my food. Anything I need, he did. Until he had to leave again.

"Back to Top Gun?" I asked as I sliced some radishes. "Has that ever happened before?" He shrugged, taking a radish slice from the cutting board. "Beats me." I sighed, setting the knife down and looking at him. "How long?" He smiled at me. "Three weeks." I laughed. "That's a cake walk compared to any other deployment you've done!" I looked at him again and he kept his head low. Looking at me through his glasses. "Darlin." He took my hands, leading me to the couch and setting me down as he kneeled in front of me. "This... is the most dangerous mission I will probably ever go on. It's likely someone isn't coming home, and that someone could be me." "Don't say that." "Hon-" "No! Don't put that out in the universe! I don't want anyone to die, but especially not you!"

I grabbed his cheeks, running my thumbs under his eyes. "Robby, I can't go through life without you. Me and ducky, we need you. I can't do this by myself. Don-don't say that because if something happens I-I can-I won-" "Okay! Okay, I'll be fine. This mission will be fine, and I'll be home before you know it." After seeing how upset he made me, he made sure not to say something like that again. So, the day he left for Miramar, he kissed me on our front porch and cradled my swollen belly. "I love you. So much and I'll be home before you know it." I nodded as he kissed me again. "Stay right here, Ducky. Don't even think about making an early debut." He said to my belly before placing a kiss on it. "I'm just barely seven months pregnant and the doctor says everything is normal. By the time you come home we'll be gearing up for the delivery." He smiled at me, kissing me and my belly one more time before he walked out to his car. "I love you!" He waved. "We love you too! We'll be right here waiting!" I yelled as I waved back.

But I wasn't waiting. Two weeks later I was in the middle of class when my phone went off. I ignored it but it immediately rang again. "Um, excuse me for a second guys." I told my senior class as I grabbed my phone. "Hello?" I answered the unfamiliar number. "Is this Mrs. Floyd?" My heart sped up. "This is she." "Mrs. Floyd, I'm sorry to report that your husbands plane crashed during a training exercise. A bird strike occurred and took out their engines." My chest tightened at her words as I leaned over on my desk. "He'll be transferred to Sharp Coronado Hospital." I opened my mouth to ask a question, but she beat me to it. "I'm afraid I have no information on his condition as search and rescue are still looking for him and his pilot." "Thank you." I wheezed out before she hung up. "Oh god." I cried as one of my students, Cassidee came over. "Mrs. Floyd you need to sit down." She helped me into my chair as she sent another student next door.

Soon, my coworker Miranda came in. "What happened?" She asked as she rushed over. "His plane went down! They haven't found him yet; I don't even know if he's alive!" I squalled. All she could do was hug me, holding me as I soaked her dress. I was sent home, which killed me. I called the hospital, looking for word and no one had one. I waited for another call, but no one ever did. So, I did the next best thing. I packed a duffel bag and hopped in my car, driving down to North Island. I cried the entire five-hour drive, showing my ID to get on base and immediately went to the hospital. It was ten o'clock by this point and I walked over to the front desk in the ER. "Hi, I'm Robert Floyd's wife. I was told he was being brought here but I haven't been told anything else." The nurse nodded, typing in the information I gave. "Oh my, he's been here for a while now. He's up on the ninth floor. Go through these doors and take the first elevator on your right up to the ninth floor." I nodded and rushed through the doors, taking the elevator up to the ninth floor.

Once I arrived, I saw a nurses station and rushed over. "My husband is here. I just got here, and I don't know what state he's in, can I see him?" "Ma'am, I need you to calm down." I took a deep breath, knowing she was right. "Visiting hours are over. You can come back at eight." My eyebrows shot up. "Eight?! I just drove here five hours from Lemoore because no one can even tell me if my husband is alive! I want to see him!" I said as I slammed my hand on the counter. The girl just raised a brow at me. "You can't see him. Visiting hours are over." I scoffed. "Can you at least tell me if he's alive?" Surely she could, if he was on a floor, he had to be alive right? "Come back at eight a.m." What the hell? "I'm his wife! I have a right to know if he's alive or not!" She groaned, rolling her eyes. "Look, those doors aren't going to open for visitors until eight a.m. You can either leave, or I can call security and have you escorted out!" If I wasn't pregnant, I'd come across this desk. "No! I'm going to park my pregnant ass in a chair, and you can stare at me all night! Then, at eight a.m. you're gonna open those fucking doors for me!" I said before marching towards a chair and settling in it.

"Does she want me to feel bad for her?" She remarked. The other girls looked uncomfortable, but never said anything. Soon I drifted off from exhaustion, with tears soaking my cheeks, and laid in the chair, waiting. "Mrs. Floyd?" My eyes fluttered open to see an older gentleman looking at me. "Whose asking?" I groaned, rubbing my belly as a small cramp passed through. "I'm Captain Mitchell. I've been training your husband." At the mention of Robby, I jumped up as best I could. "I'm so sorry, Captain." He grabbed my arms, steadying me. "Bob wasn't lying, you are pretty far along." I nodded, my hand running over my belly. It was a comfort at this point. "Robby. Is he okay?" Captain Mitchell furrowed his brows. "Has no one called you?" I shook my head. "I got the original call saying his jet went down. I don't even know if he's alive. He has to be, right?" He nodded quickly, reassuring me. A cry escaped my lips, realizing he was alive. "He is. They kept him overnight for observations, but he did get a few scrapes and bruises. Have you not seen him?" I shook my head. "I got here at ten last night and she told me I could only see him at eight. Is it eight?" I asked, looking down at my watch.

His face contorted in to anger before he stormed away from me, over to the nurses station. I couldn't tell what he said, until he yelled. "SHE'S HIS PREGNANT WIFE AND YOU COULDN'T EVEN TELL HER HE WAS ALIVE?!" It startled me, making me jump slightly. My watch said nine-thirty, and I sighed, walking over. "Come on. I'll take you to see him." I nodded, following Captain Mitchell as his hand rested on my back. It was aching from the chair, so the pressure was nice. "He's in here." I looked through the sliding glass door to see him in the bed closest to the window and a girl in the bed closest to the door. A whole group of people stood around them. Captain Mitchell opened the door, alerting everyone of our presence. "Holy-Darlin, what are you doing here?" He asked as I cried and pushed past everyone to get to him. I sat on the bed as I pulled him into my arms. "You're alive. Thank god." He held me as I cried into his neck. "Of course, I'm alive. Why would you think otherwise?" He pulled away, holding me a few inches away. "I only got the first call. They hadn't found you yet and no one called to update me."

His face hardened in anger, something I don't see often. "I'll set it straight, honey. Don't worry." He said as he kissed my forehead. "I can't believe you drove down here." I nodded as another small cramp went through me. "Can barely get behind the wheel but I made it." Someone cleared their throat and we turned to see his team staring at us. "When were you gonna tell us you were married?" The short guy with a buzz cut asked. "Yeah, and with a little rugrat on the way." The one with a mustache remarked. "Keeping me a secret, huh?" I smirked at him. "Wasn't my plan. Guys this is my wife." The way my name rolled off his lips always made a warm feeling settle in my belly. "Do you know what you’re having yet?" The girl in the bed next to his asked. We shook our heads as Robby grabbed my hand. "We want to be surprised." She grinned as Robby introduced me to everyone.

"Honey, this is Natasha Trace or Phoenix. She's my front seater." I waved at her before turning to everyone else. "This is Payback and Fanboy, Fanboy is a WSO like me. Then you have Coyote, Hangman and Rooster." I waved at everyone before the nurse came in. "Well good news. You both have clean scans and are free to be discharged." Natasha sat up, looking to the nurse. "Are we allowed to fly?" The nurse nodded enthusiastically. "Sure are!" Everyone cheered and I stood, a sharper cramp shooting through my belly and I winced slightly. "Hey, you okay?" Fanboy asked and I nodded, before another cramp hit, making my hand fly to my swollen belly. "You okay, honey?" I nodded but cried out as another cramp hit, the sharp pain making me bend over slightly, resting my hand on the bed.

"Hey, darlin. You gotta talk to me here, what's goin' on?" He asked as I sat back down, his hand slowly rubbing my belly. "I think it's Braxton hicks, but god it hurts!" I said as tears welled in my eyes. "Should she be seen?" Rooster asked and I shook my head. "No, you're getting seen." I shook my head as a sob escaped me. "No, my doctor is in Lemoore, we can't have this baby here." Robby stood, grabbing my hand in his. "Well, you can't have it out in the parking lot either. Come on, mama." The nurse said as another young nurse brought a wheelchair in. "No." I said and Robby sighed, standing and saying my name with a stern tone. "Get up, we're going to get you and Ducky looked at." I couldn't argue in my state, so I let him and the nurse help me up and get me into the wheelchair. "I'm gonna get changed and I'll be there." I nodded as the nurse wheeled me out.

They got me in a room and started doing exams when Robby burst in. "Shouldn't you be in training?" He shook his head. "I'll go after this. Maverick said I needed to be here." I nodded as he took my hand, kissing my wedding ring before we turned out attention to the doctor. "So, it looks like all the stress has pushed you into early labor." Both of our eyes widened. "Wh-what?! We don't have my hospital bag packed; we don't have any of the babies stuff!" The doctor quickly shook his head. "I'm not comfortable letting you go into labor at twenty-seven weeks. So, we are going to stop the labor but you will have to be on bed rest until you give birth." I sighed but nodded. "We are going to keep you here for a while for observations, and if everything goes well you will be discharged this evening." I nodded as he walked out. "Where are you staying?" I bit my lip, knowing he would be very upset with me for sleeping in the waiting room. "I don't know. I slept in the waiting room last night." "You what?!" I leaned me head back, looking up at him with doe eyes. "Why would you do that, darlin?"

"I didn't know if you were alive, and the girl at the nurses’ station was a grade A bitch. I wasn't leaving till I saw you." I crossed my arms over my chest, looking out the window. He chuckled, pressing a kiss to my head. "I love you, Mrs. Floyd." I turned to face him, his lips softly landing on my own. "I love you too, Mr. Floyd." His hand rubbed my belly, bringing me a little comfort. "I love you too, Ducky." He said leaning down and kissing my belly. "Okay, go. You need to train if you're gonna come home to me. No more accidents." His gorgeous blue eyes stared into my own. "You know, you two were the only things I could think of when we burned in. The thought of leaving you two alone, it killed me." I gave him a teary smile as he kissed me again. "That's why you're training, so you don't leave us alone." He nodded, kissing my head before standing in his flight suit. "I will figure out where you're going to stay until I get back. You're on bed rest and I don't want you too far." I nodded and pointed to my purse. "And I guess I will find a sub for my class." He handed me my purse and kissed me one more time before, begrudgingly, leaving.

I found a sub and relaxed the rest of the day and soon, as I was getting dressed to be discharged, Robby came back in after his day of training, showered and in a fresh set of jeans and a white t-shirt. "Hi, honey." I said, taking his face in my hands and placing a kiss to his lips. "Help me?" He nodded, clipping my bra and helping me pull my leggings on. I groaned as I sat on the bed, leaning back so he could slip my shoes on me. "I'll be glad when I can dress myself." He chuckled as someone knocked on the door. "Come in." The door opened and I turned, surprised to find Rooster there. "Oh, hi!" I said, attempting to sit up. Robby chuckled, taking my hands and pulling me up. "Sorry. I'm just a little big to be sitting up without rolling off the bed." I said and he laughed. "Honey?" I turned to Robby who looked nervous. "I didn't feel comfortable putting you in a hotel room. But Rooster has a spare room in his house and said you're more than welcome to stay with him." I bit my lip, nervous. It wasn't that I didn't trust Rooster, he seemed kind and caring but I would be invading his space, and a lot of it.

"Oh, Rooster. I appreciate it but I don't want to invade your space." He shook his head. "No problem, it was my parents’ house and honestly, it's a little quiet in there. If it makes you feel any better, my roommate in college got pregnant and I helped her through the entire pregnancy. So, I have some experience." I smiled at him but opened my mouth to protest. "I'm not giving you an option on this one." I raised a brow at him in surprise. "I never tell you what to do, but I am now. You need someone there with you when I can't be, and I trust Rooster." I sighed, knowing there was no point in fighting with him. "Okay." He kissed my forehead before helping me stand. We took my car, following Rooster to his cute little bungalow about a mile off base. Robby grabbed my bag as Rooster helped me inside. "Okay, guest room is upstairs. I'll show you." Robby and I followed Rooster upstairs and into the medium sized room. It had a bed, a dresser and a small chair in the corner. "Okay, it's not huge but the bed is really comfortable, and the sun keeps the room warm." I smiled as I sat in the chair, finding it was comfortable. "Thank you, Rooster. I really, really appreciate this." I said as my hand fell to my belly.

"No problem, I'll let Bob help you get settled. How does chinese sound?" I moaned as my head fell back. "Heavenly." He chuckled, turning to Robby. "You staying for dinner?" He nodded as Rooster stepped out and Robby helped me get settled. "I don't know how I'm going to sleep." I said as I refolded a shirt before handing it to him to put in the dresser drawer. "I know, and I'm sorry, honey. I am just more comfortable with you being here than in some hotel farther away from base. I'll be here every evening after training, until I absolutely have to be back on base." I smiled, leaning up and kissing him. "And I'll be right here waiting for you."

I was, Robby came by every evening and only left when he had to. As for me, I wasn't sleeping. "Hey." I jumped slightly, turning to see Rooster leaning against the kitchen door frame. "I'm sorry, Rooster. Did I wake you?" He shook his head. "No, I got up to use the bathroom and noticed the light from upstairs." I nodded, eating the croissant I pulled from the container I got from the grocery store. "How do you feel?" He asked, leaning against the stove, drinking his water. "I'd be better if ducky would get off my bladder and stop rolling around." He raised a brow. "Ducky?" I nodded. "We don't know the gender and we got tired of saying 'it' or 'they'." Suddenly, Ducky rolled around, making me groan. "Ducky is also upset Robby isn't here. He's the only one who can calm ‘em." Rooster grinned at me, coming closer as Ducky stuck their foot in my rib. "Wanna feel?" He nodded and I grabbed his hand, placing it on the left side of my belly. "Hang on." I said, shifting his hand before we both gasped, mine in pain and his in amazement. "That always amazes me." He said as Ducky kicked his hand again before stopping all together.

"Ducky stopped." He said and I nodded. "Sure did. Your hands are about the same size as Robby's, probably thinks your him." He removed his hand, and thankfully, Ducky stayed still. Rooster finished his water and turned to leave before I stopped him. "Rooster?" He turned to me, a soft smile on his face. "What are the odds Robby doesn't come home?" I asked as tears gathered in my eyes. "Well, I can tell you they're choosing two teams and with his and Phoenix's accident, their chances of being chosen are a little slimmer. But Phoenix is one of the best pilots I know, and Bob is an amazing WSO so it's not impossible they'd be picked. But I can promise, we'll all do their best to bring him home." It made me feel a little bit better knowing he had a team who would do their best to bring him home. "Thank you, Rooster. That does make me feel a little better." I said as I stood. "Now, let's go back to bed before Ducky decides to wake up and roll around some more." He chuckled, helping me back upstairs and into the guest room. "Goodnight, Rooster." I said as I sat on the comfy bed. "Goodnight."

"Our mission was moved up." Robby said as we sat on Rooster's sectional, my feet in his lap as he rubbed them. My eyebrows shot up in confusion. "What?" They nodded. "A whole week." I groaned, my head falling back. "Well, at least that means this is all over faster. Then we can go home." He nodded, kissing my forehead. That night, with a lot of help, Bob and Rooster took me to the Hard Deck. It was so odd being pregnant and in a bar. "Here, mama." Penny, the bartender and owner said, setting two glasses of water down in front of Robby and I. "Thank you, Penny. I hate to be a bother, but can I also get an order of those loaded tots?" She nodded, putting in the order. "Bob, come on. Play a round." Hangman called and Robby kissed me sweetly, before getting up and going over to the pool table.

Penny came back, setting the basket of tots down in front of me. "So, how are you feeling, having to be on bed rest and all?" I sighed, leaning back. "It's killing me. I'm a busy body. I'm used to getting to work at seven and staying till four, then I'm usually bustling around the house until Robby and I go to bed. Now, Rooster gets me set up on his couch before he leaves for work, and I stay there most of the day." She gave me a small smile. "I was on bed rest with Amelia. We were high risk, so I spent most of my time on the couch as well." I sighed, resting my chin in my hand. "And now their mission was moved up and I'm worried. What if something happens while they're gone? I'll be all alone." She smiled, resting her hand between my shoulder blades. "You're not alone. You can call me any time, day or night. If you have a question, or if somethings wrong. I live ten minutes from Rooster, so I'm close by if you need me." I smiled at her.

"That makes me feel so much better, thank you Penny." She nodded. "Stop by the bar before you leave, and I'll give you my number." I nodded, and she rubbed my back before standing and walking back to the bar. "Everything okay?" Robby asked as he came over, pool cue in hand as he picked up his water. "Yeah, Penny is gonna give me her number before we leave. She said she would help keep an eye on me while you guys are gone. Which makes me feel a lot better." He visibly relaxed, his head tilting slightly. "That makes me feel a lot better too, darlin'." He said before leaning over the table, kissing my forehead. Everything would be okay, it had to be.

The end of the week I stood on the docks, Robby holding me close as his lips rested on my forehead. Penny standing behind us, ready to take me home when they left. "We'll be back before you know it." His words caused me to sob as I wrapped my arms around him. "Come home to me." He sighed as one hand drifted down over my belly. "Honey, you know I can't promise that." I stood straight, looking into those blue eyes that I fell in love with. "No! You promise me this time Robby! Please!" I begged as I fisted his shirt. "Darlin-" "Robby, please!" I was a wreck, burying my face in his chest. I had been upset saying goodbye before, but my gut didn't feel right. I wanted to beg him to stay, but I knew I couldn't. He would've been ripped from my arms anyway, so this was the next best thing. "I can't promise you that." His words broke me, my shoulders shaking violently as he held me. "I can't live without you, Robby."

He swayed us back and forth as he held me. I'm sure I was attracting a lot of attention, but I didn't care. The horn on the ship blew, saying it was time for them to board. "No. No!" I yelled as Penny gently grabbed my shoulders. "Honey." Her grip was firm, but not harsh. "He has to go. He'll be home soon." Robby nodded, taking my hand and kissing my ring. "Here." He said, slipping off his class ring, sliding it on my thumb. "Keep this safe till I come home." I barely managed to nod, the memory of his first deployment playing in my mind. Penny held my head against her shoulder as Natasha came over, resting her hand on Robby's bicep. "Time to go." She muttered. I lunged forward, grabbing her hand. "Natasha. Just, watch out for him and please, try to bring him home." She nodded. "I'll do my best; you just keep Ducky safe in there till we bring him back." I nodded as her hand brushed my large swollen belly before walking away with him. "Are you usually this tore up about him leaving?" Penny asked as she wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "No. Not since his first deployment." She nodded. "What's different?" I sighed, resting my head on her shoulder.

"Him and Natasha were picked to fly this mission. Since his accident I've been betting on them getting made spares, but they aren't." She squeezed me but we were both caught off guard when we saw Robby shove past Hangman and Coyote, rushing towards us. "What's wrong?" I asked when he got within earshot. He never stopped, grabbing my cheeks and pulling me into a searing kiss. "I didn't kiss you goodbye." He said, kissing me again before getting on his knees, kissing my belly. "And you. No more surprises, you be good for your mama." He muttered against my belly, and Ducky decided to kick against his hand that stayed attached to my belly as he stood. "I love you, Mrs. Floyd. More than anything in this world." He said before kissing me one more time. "Lieutenant Floyd!" A tall man yelled behind him. "Better go, Cyclone can be a hard ass." Penny said and he nodded, kissing me one more time. "I'll miss you two." I nodded. "We'll be right here waiting." I said before he sprinted back towards the ship.

Penny and I stood there waving as they set off, the ship growing smaller and smaller as it drifted. After a few minutes Penny turned to me, "Do you want to stay a while?" I shook my head immediately. "It won't do me any good. My back is killing me anyway." I said as I pressed on my lower back. Penny smiled at me and took me back to Rooster's. The rest of the week dragged by this bed rest was killing me. But what killed me more was the no contact rule Robby had. I could only wonder what was going on out there, in his world. Halfway through the week Penny called, telling me she forgot she promised her daughter, Amelia, she would take her on a sailing trip this week. I told her to go, but she decided to wait until the day everyone came home. I was buzzing that morning, excited and nervous. I wanted to hold Robby in my arms, but what if he doesn't come off the ship?

Soon, I couldn't stand it and decided to go to the docks an hour early. When I arrived, there were only a handful of people there, milling about, making conversation with each other. I stood in my sundress, hair hanging down around my shoulders, and sunglasses covering my eyes. The sun beamed down as I wrapped my hands under my belly, ducky rolling around, making me groan. "Ducky, please. Your daddy will be home soon." I started swaying in hopes it would soothe ducky, but no such luck. "Do you want to sit?" I turned to see who spoke, seeing a woman around my age with a little girl in her lap. Normally I would say no but sitting sounded too good right now. "Yes, please." I said as she slid over, allowing me to sit next to her.

"How far along are you?" She asked, nodding to my belly. "Twenty-nine weeks. She tried coming two weeks ago, but the doctor stopped my labor." She smiled at me. "Grace here came at twenty-five weeks. We spent a while in the NICU, but now, she's the happiest baby." I smiled as the little girl reached out, resting her hand on my belly. "I'm Maria." I smiled at her, giving her my name before looking back at Grace. "How old is she?" I asked as she wrapped her hand around my finger. "Eight months." She said as Grace leaned forward, resting her head on my belly, making us laugh. We sat there talking for a while until finally the ship docked. I knew it would be a little longer before his group would deboard, so I sat there with Maria until her husband rushed forward, gathering both of them in his arms. Maria introduced me to her husband before they left.

With that, I was alone. I decided to stand, wandering through the crowd as I held the bottom of my belly. After another twenty minutes, and his group started stepping off. Rooster stepped off first, looking rough. Mav almost matching him as far as cuts and bruises went. My heart rate sped up as his team filed off, Hangman, Phoenix, Coyote, and the rest of the team. My breathing became labored as I didn't see him, that is, until he came rushing off the ship. Tears spilled down my cheeks as I saw him attempting to look over everyone, looking for me. I put my hand up, catching Rooster's attention who grabbed Robby's shoulder, turning him to me. His smile lit up his face as he rushed over. He dropped his bag just before he got to me. "You're home!" I cried as he gently wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. His hands rubbed my back as he buried his face in my neck. "I'm here. I'm here." He reassured me. Soon he pulled back, lifting my sunglasses to rest on top of my head and brushing hair from my face. "Oh, I love you." He whispered before he leaned in, his lips pressing against mine. Our lips molded together, warm and familiar as my hands rested on his neck as his wandered to my belly. He held me as close as he could with my belly in the way. He pulled away, resting his forehead on mine.

"How was Ducky while I was gone?" He asked as he rubbed my belly. "Fine. But honey, Ducky is gonna have to play a sport. They've spent a lot of time rolling around in here." He chuckled, getting on his knees, kissing my belly. Ducky kicked his hand, making his bright smile cover his face. "Oh my god, I have missed you two." He chuckled as he stood, kissing me again. "I told you; we'd be right here waiting for you." He smiled, kissing me again, stealing my breath. Soon we went back to Rooster's where the boys showered as I tossed some sandwiches together for them. "So, I got orders to relocate." Robby said as he held me. "What?" I asked as my face fell. "We're ten weeks out and Ducky will probably be here before that. Where?" I rushed out as he tried to calm me down. "Here. Miramar." I groaned, resting my head on his shoulder. "When does it go into effect?" I asked as he rubbed my back. "For me, immediately."

"What are we gonna do? All our stuff is still in Lemoore, including all the baby stuff. We finished the nursery, I mean, Robby we had dreams of raising kids in that house! It'll take forever to get base housing; we'll have to stay in a hotel until something becomes available!"

"What about living off base?" Rooster asked as he came in, rubbing his hair with a towel. "There's a house just down the road that's been on the market for a few months. You guys are also more than welcome to stay here as long as you need." My shoulders slumped, feeling defeated. "Hey," Robby said, pulling me into him. "It can't hurt to look at the house. Who knows, we may fall in love with it." I nodded my head slightly as I wrapped my arms around his midsection. "Okay." And we did. We met with the realtor and fell in love with the two story bungalow. It had four bedrooms, three and a half baths, large kitchen that I couldn't wait to get in. But what sealed it for us was the enormous backyard that had a white privacy fence around it. We put in the bid and now we could only wait.

"We still have to get all of our stuff. That's gonna take time." I said as I laid my legs across Robby's lap. His strong hands immediately found my feet, making me moan in pleasure. "Fuuuuuuck." He chuckled as he massaged my feet. "We can hire movers." I bit my lip. "Yeah, but that will cut into the cost of the house, if we get it of course." He hummed before we sat there in silence. "You think your parents would come out and help?" I groaned, my head falling back on the couch. "Probably, but then they won't leave until Ducky arrives. I love my mother but seven to ten weeks of her is too much." He chuckled and nodded. "What if the team helped you guys move?" Bradley said as he sat on the other side of the sectional. "We couldn't take up your leave like that." I said and he shrugged. "I really don't think anyone is going to mind. Even if everyone else says no, I'll help." I smiled at him before turning to Robby. "We're keeping him around." I said, making them laugh.

That night was the first night we shared a bed in weeks. Robby laid his head on my chest, his hand rubbing my belly as mine played with his hair. "Have you thought about if they're a boy or a girl?" He asked me. "I'm set on a girl." I said and he smiled. "Me too." I bit my lip, looking up at the ceiling. "So Violet Marie Floyd for a girl." He nodded. "And Zachary Robert Floyd if it's a boy." My heart pounded at the thought of our baby being named after him. "I love you Mr. Floyd." He grinned, placing a kiss to my collar bone. "I love you, Mrs. Floyd." He still made my heart flutter, and I had a feeling he always would. That weekend the team went with us back to Lemoore to get all our stuff. We rented a U-Haul and hit the road. Once we got there I was exhausted, only wanting to sit on the couch. "Where do we start first?" Hangman asked. "I would start with the kitchen. We'll leave the bedroom furniture and couch for last that way if we have to stay the night, we have places to sleep." They nodded and set off. "Hey, honey!" I called from my spot on the couch.

"Yeah?" He asked, coming to stand next to the couch and running his hand through my hair. "Could you bring me some of our clothes, or the baby’s clothes? I'll fold them." He sighed, squatting down and resting his hand on my leg. "Are you sure you should be here? You seem exhausted." I nodded. "I am, and my back kills. But our obstetrician cleared me for this, so long as I don't lift anything heavy." He pursed his lips but nodded. "Okay." With that he kissed my head and went to get me some clothes. By the next day we were home, and within two weeks we closed on the house down the road. "We'll get out of your hair, Rooster." I said as I carried a small bag in my hands, Robby not letting me carry anything else. "I'm actually gonna miss you guys being here. I've gotten used to the noise." Rooster and the team helped us get the nursery set up, painting, hanging curtains, setting the crib up.

And just in time too. Two days later I was lying in bed, staring at the clock. A harsh cramp shot through my belly, and after a minute it went away. Five minutes later another and after thirty minutes of contractions I turned to Robby. "Robby." I said and before I could reach for him, he sat up. "Are you okay? Is it time?" I nodded. "It is." His grin lit up his face before he leaned forward, his lips landing on mine as his hands cradled my face. "It's time. Oh my god." I could see tears welling in his eyes. "It is, we have time but let's not wait too long." He nodded. "Okay, let's get you changed into something warmer, and I'll get dressed." He leapt up, getting us dressed before we made our way downstairs. Robby drove us to the hospital, and soon we were in a room. "Get some sleep Robby, it'll be a while." He shook his head, pulling a chair up and grabbing my hand. "No, you get some rest. I'll be right here waiting when you wake up." I leaned down, kissing him softly before closing my eyes and attempting to get some rest.

There was no rest, even after my epidural. After eighteen hours, my legs were in the stirrups, and Robby held my hand, his other hand wiping sweat from my forehead. "Come on honey, just a little more." He said as I was mid push. "I see the head!" The doctor called, but I eased up as the contraction ended. "I can't. Robby I can't." I cried as he brushed loose hairs from my sweaty forehead. "We can't back out now. Ducky is almost here." He said as he knelt on the bed next to me. "You are strong, and brave. Now, we're right at the end here. So, on this next contraction, you have to push darlin." I took a deep breath and nodded as the next contraction hit. "Okay, mama. We need you to push." I did as the doctor said, a scream ripping from my throat. "IT'S A GIRL!" The doctor yelled, but it was quiet. "Why isn't she crying?!" I asked in a panic. Anxiety shot through me as I sat up, squeezing Robby's hand. I watched as a nurse suctioned something from her mouth and soon, a noise more beautiful than anything else I'd ever heard echoed throughout the room.

"Here mom." A nurse said, opening my gown to lay her on my chest. "Oh my god." I said as tears rolled down my face. "Hi, sweetie. Hi Violet." Robby said, running his hand over her head, little tufts of hair covering it. "Darlin', she's perfect. Thank you." He said as he kissed my lips softly. Robby changed that day, in the best way. I knew he loved me, but his love for Violet was beyond comprehension. Mine was as well, but they immediately formed a bond that made them inseparable. "I love you. Yes, you're perfect." He said as he cradled her in his arms. She had to stay in the hospital for a few days, as her bilirubin levels were higher, and she became Jaundiced. Robby and I stayed with her as much as possible, rotating out when we were there but soon, we got to bring her home.

That was terrifying. No one else there to monitor her except Robby and me. But it was a breeze, she was an easy baby, not giving us many problems. I waited till the next school year to go back to work, wanting time with Violet and Robby. But finally, the time came, and I started at a school on base, Violet going to daycare just up the street. I was excited to go back, ready to be back in a classroom and teaching. But that first day, I realized something. "I want to go back to school for my PhD." I told Robby that evening. "Hm, Dr. Floyd. I like it." He said as he wrapped his arms around me. "So, you're okay if I go back to school?" He nodded, kissing me sweetly. "Anything you want, honey. I'll be there to support you." I squealed, wrapping my arms around him. "Thank you!" He chuckled, swinging me around until a scream from the floor caught our attention. Violet sat on the floor, her bottom lip wobbling as she looked at us. "Oh, did we leave you out of the love?" Robby asked, swooping her off the ground. Seven months old and she was a daddy’s girl through and through. I walked over as he held her, wrapping my arms around him. We both kissed her cheeks, making her giggle as she sat in her father’s arms.

With that I started on my PhD and poured myself into work and my family, and on Violet's second birthday I walked up to Robby. "I have a present for you." He furrowed his brows as he hung streamers along a wall in the living room. "It's Violet's birthday, not mine." He said as I held out the little box to him. He kept one arm around my waist as he opened the box. "You're serious?" He asked, looking to me with teary eyes. "You're pregnant again?" I nodded as he kissed me. "Yes, we're having another baby." I said as I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, kissing him sweetly. That evening once both of our parents and the dagger squad arrived, we announced it. "OH MY GOD!" My mom screamed, rushing me as I stood next to Robby. Throughout the nine months I was pregnant, it was fairly easy, much like my pregnancy with Violet, without stress sending me into early labor. But soon we welcomed Zachary Robert Floyd into the world. He's the one that pushed our boundaries, seeing just how far we could go. He was also, of course, Violet's little brother and the one she'd tease constantly.

But a year after Zach was born, I finished my PhD, and scored a job at a university on base. "You're going to kill it today." Robby said as he took my hand, helping me out of the car. "I love you, Mr. Floyd." I said, kissing him softly before pulling away. "I love you too, Doctor Floyd." He annunciated, making me grin. "Okay, go. I can't have you being late. Maverick will humiliate you if you are." He nodded, getting back in as I walked inside and into my office. I had been here a few days prior setting it up, but I had one last thing to add to the shelf above my desk. A picture of Robby and I, both holding the kids. Him with Violet in his arms and me with Zach. I smiled at it before heading into the lecture hall. Many of my students were already here, scrolling on phones or laptops, not paying me any attention. After ten minutes almost every seat was full, and my heart was pounding with nerves. I picked up my phone, texting Robby.

I'm shaking, what if I screw up?

I set my phone down, pulling up my syllabus on the screen before looking back at my phone.

You won't. You're Dr. Floyd, a kick ass history professor and my amazing wife and beautiful mother of my children. You know your lecture in and out, there's no doubt in my mind you'll do great.

Tears welled in my eyes that I had to wipe away. 'I got this, I can do it'. I told myself before standing in the middle of the floor. "Good morning." I said and got a mumbled response back, something I wasn't used to as my high school students would echo back loudly. "I am Dr. Floyd. My degree is from the University of Maryland, where I'm from. Also, where I met my husband who was in the Naval Academy at the time. We are now stationed here permanently on North Island, and we have two kids." I was trying to personalize myself with them, maybe make them more comfortable. First days are uncomfortable for everyone. "College history is a little different from high school. There is no sugar coating the horrors that took place. It can make you feel uncomfortable, which is good, that's how we prevent these things from repeating. But history isn't all bad, we had great things happen. The discovery of DNA, signing of the Magna Carta, the development of CPR, discovery of Vaccines, the Suffrage Movement. We hear a lot about the bad, I also want to highlight the good. Now, before I go over the syllabus, any questions?" My smile took over my face as many hands shot up. Maybe I would be good at this.

A few years later, Robby and I celebrated ten years together. Of course, we celebrated when I handed him another pregnancy test. "Really?" I nodded as he took my face in his hands, kissing me fervently. "Baby Floyd number three!" We cheered. Little did I know, this pregnancy would be much different. I was sick the entire pregnancy, up until the last few weeks of it. But my back killed by that point, I was so big I could barely waddle. I was twelve days late and if I didn't go into labor the next two days, I would be induced. "I can't anymore." I cried as I sat on the edge of the bed. Robby held me close as I cried. The kids were at school and daycare while Robby and I were at home, hoping I would go into labor. "I know, darlin'." He said as he kissed my head. "We've done everything we know to induce labor." He said as I continued to cry. Until it hit me. I sat up straight, looking up at him. "Have sex with me." He furrowed his brows. "You sure? You haven't wanted me to hardly look at you this whole pregnancy." I nodded, scooting back and laying on the bed, attempting to push my shorts down my legs. "Yes, now get your pants off and come on!" I demanded. He stripped before helping me to get my own clothes off.

"Hey." He said as he grabbed my thighs, hiking them on his hips. I looked up at him as he leaned down, kissing my cheeks, cleaning them of the tears. "No matter what, we'll be okay." He said and I stared up at him. He gave me a small smile and I reached up, my hand resting on his cheek before slowly traveling up into his hair. My other hand grabbed the stem of his glasses, pulling them off and setting them on the bed side table. "I know we will, we always are." He smiled, leaning down and kissing me gently. His hands held my hips gently as my fingers entwined in his hair. He kissed from my lips, down my cheeks until he got to my neck, where he paused licking under my ear. A moan slipped through my lips, making his cock twitch between my legs. "You're sure about this?" He muttered against my neck before he kissed his way down, taking my nipple in his mouth. "Yes." It was a high-pitched whine. The sight of him leaned over me, nipple in his mouth, cock ready for me had me soaked. "Robby, please." I begged, my nails raking across his shoulders. "Whatever you want, honey." He said as he grabbed his cock, nudging my entrance.

I gasped as he entered me, it's been months since we've had sex, so I had to readjust to his size. "Are you okay? Do you want me to stop?" I shook my head, my arms wrapping around his shoulders as he kissed my neck. "No, Robby move, please." I could feel him grin against me, thrusting into me gently. "Fuck, darlin'. God, I've missed you." He moaned out. He sat up, sitting back on his calves as he held my hips. "You look so pretty beneath me, so full of me." He had a raging breeding kink and at almost forty-two weeks pregnant that shouldn't turn me on, but it did. His hand ran over my belly before his hand slid up, grabbing my breast as he fucked me. Soon I felt a cramp ripple through me, but I didn't want to stop. I had missed him, and it would be weeks before we could be this close again. He had a glow to him, a thin sheen of sweat covered his body, making him glow. "Robby." I cried as he rolled my clit in his fingers. "Come on, darlin'. I know what you need." He mumbled as he continued to thrust into me. His hair was a mess from where I had my hands in it, his lips swollen from all the kissing we've done. "I love you." I moaned as he rubbed my clit, making my core tighten. "I'm gonna cum, fuck Robby, I'm close." I cried as he smirked at me before he leaned down, taking my nipple into his mouth again. The stimulation was enough to push me over the edge. "Fuck!" I cried out as I came, clenching around his cock, legs shaking. His jaw dropped as he came inside me, making him look almost ethereal.

He laid next to me, laying his hand on my belly. "Anything?" I nodded as another contraction hit. "Yep, contractions started not long after we did." He shot up as his eyes widened. "What?! Why didn't you tell me?!" I giggled, pulling him into my kiss. "I wanted a little more time with my husband." He just sighed, resting his forehead on mine. His hand rubbed my belly. "I love you too." I smiled at him, and we laid there, waiting on my contractions to get closer together.

And they did, but ducky number three was difficult, not wanting to come out easy like the other two. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Floyd. You need to have a C-section." I was breathing heavily as I looked up at Robby. "Is that the only way?" He asked as he held my hand, swiping my hair from my forehead. "If she keeps up her chances of losing her or the baby or both increase exponentially." We both nodded immediately. "Do it." He nodded and soon I was rolled into an OR as Robby stood next to me, holding my hand. "It's gonna be okay. You both are going to be okay." He said as tears welled behind his glasses, as he held my hand. I cried when they laid our baby on my chest. "Hi." I cried as he looked at me, eyes matching his daddies. "Hi, Michael." Michael William Floyd was our third baby. He was the perfect baby like Violet was, generally happy most of the time, even when you'd expect him to be upset. Four weeks after Michael was born, Robby got deployed for an entire month. "NO!" Violet screamed as she held onto her father. "Baby, daddy will be back." I said as I crouched down next to her, holding onto her so she wouldn't chase him down. Michael and Zach were sitting in the double stroller thankfully, I couldn't handle all three loose.

Robby came over and crouched down in front of her, her little arms going around his neck as he did. "Daddy, don't go." She mumbled into his shoulder. He looked at me, tears running down his face at her little voice. "Baby, I have to go. But I'll come back, I'll always fight to come back to you." She cried as he pulled away, clinging on to him as best she could. "Here, I want you to keep this safe for me." He said as he held out his class ring to her. Her sobs turned into little hiccups as her head rested on his collar bone, her little fingers wrapping around the ring. "You ring?" She asked, toying with it. "Yeah, you know I used to give it to mommy when I went away. It was my way of telling her I would be home soon." Violet looked up at him, her eyes that were an exact replica of his, showing the love and adoration she had for him. "I'll be back, baby. I promise." He said as he pressed a kiss to her forehead, taking her into his arms and standing. "Can you be good for mommy while I'm gone? Help her with your brothers?" She nodded, resting her head on his shoulder. "I don't feel good leaving you alone here. You're still recovering from your surgery, a major surgery." He emphasized. "I'll be fine. I will just have to take it easy for a while, and that means you'll have to walk on your own two feet little missy." I said as I tickled Violet's belly, making her giggle. It was still the most beautiful noise I'd ever heard. "Bobby!" Hangman cheered as him, Coyote and Rooster walked over. Violet grinned, reaching for her uncle Jake. Those two get into all sorts of trouble together, making him her favorite uncle, but Rooster was Zach's favorite. "TOOSTER!"

Rooster reached down, plucking him from the stroller. "How's my little buddy?" Zach pulled his thumb from his mouth, looking at him. "Tired." He said as he laid his head on his shoulder. Soon the boat signaled it was time for them to board, Hangman handed Violet back to Robby who squeezed her tightly. "I'm coming home, okay?" She nodded but the tears running down her face told me she still wasn't happy. Rooster set Zach back in the strolled and Robby set Violet on the ground as I crouched down, taking her in my arms. "DADDY!" She screeched as I held her. Robby had tears streaming down his face as he boarded the ship. Violet flailed in my arms as we watched the ship set off, I tried to give her a few minutes but soon half an hour went by, and she was still inconsolable. I wasn't supposed to lift her but as she laid on the ground, I knew she wouldn't get up any time soon.

"Vi, come on baby. Let's go home and get you some lunch." I grabbed her under her arms and as I lifted her, I felt the pull in my belly, but she decided to kick her feet. Landing a kick right to my incision, making me yell out. I was already stressed about Robby leaving and she wasn't helping. Wrangling the kids while recovering from surgery was so hard, and I felt like a failure most of the time. Violet cried most of the week, in turn making her brothers cry. The only relief we got was when we all piled into the bed at night, little feet in my side as Michael slept in his bassinet next to the bed. The day Robby came home the kids had been awful and I wasn't handling it well. When he walked through the door, I was breastfeeding Michael, almost falling asleep as Violet and Zach fought with each other over toys.

I barely managed to give him a smile before he came around the couch. He kissed my forehead before our oldest two tackled him to the floor. The noise didn't go away, but now, it was easier to deal with and everything felt right in the world. Soon he managed to come around and sit on the couch with me, taking Michael when he was done eating. "I got him, honey." I shook my head. "You just got home, why don't you go shower?" He shook his head. "I just want to hold you both for a while." He said as he held Michael and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. That night after we ate dinner, Robby attempted to pull me into the shower with him. "No, Robby. You shower in peace. I should stay out here so if one of the kids wake up-" "They won't. Come on, I just want to be close with my wife." I wanted to, but after having my C-section, I didn't feel like myself and I didn't want him to see me. "No." I shook my head, pulling away.

He let me go, and I closed the door behind me. I checked on Michael in his bassinet before deciding to just go ahead and lie down. I was exhausted and in pain. I haven't had proper downtime since a little before Robby left and I was paying for it now. So, I laid in the bed, covers pulled up to my chin, darkness laying over me like a blanket. Robby came out of the bathroom, turning the lights off before walking down the hall to the kids’ rooms. It's what he always does, he goes and watches them for a few before coming back. I was comfortable and warm when he came in, but not asleep. I felt his hand brush some hair off my forehead, back into the bun I've had in for a week.

"Mommy's not herself, huh buddy." I opened my eyes to see him bent down into the bassinet, his finger brushing Michael's cheek softly. "I guess I wouldn't be either if I'd done all the things she has. She gives me you and your brother and your sister. You kids and your mama make my life complete." Michael gave a yawn in response, making Robby's shoulder's shake in a chuckle. "Goodnight, little buddy. I love you." He leaned into the bassinet, kissing his chubby cheek before coming around to his side of the bed. I shifted closer to the edge as he laid down on his side of the bed. I wanted more than anything to roll over and curl into him, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I looked even worse than when he left. My shirt was covered in milk stains, my hair was all kinds of knotted, I haven't had a proper shower in a week, only able to get in long enough to rinse off. So, as we laid there in the dark, I felt more distant from my husband than ever. The thought gutted me, tears streaming down my cheeks as I silently cried.

"Okay!" He jumped up, turning on the lamp on his side of the bed. "I can't take this. Darlin', please, just look at me." I didn't until he reached across me, his hand cradling my cheek and coercing me to roll over. "I need you to talk to me. I can't help you if you don't and to be honest, you're scaring me right now." Sobs racked my body as his blue eyes gazed down at me. "I'm such a bad mom!" I cried and he sighed, pulling me into his lap as he sat back against our headboard. "You're an amazing mom-" "No I’m not! Every time I turned around, I was just yelling at the kids because they just wouldn't behave! I let them eat candy for breakfast, watch as much tv as they wanted. I just couldn't handle it! How can I be a good mom if I don't make them eat healthy, or make them play outside?" He sighed, pressing his lips to my forehead. "Stop. You're a good mom and you were put in a situation you've never really been in, and you've also been recovering from surgery. You did what you could." He muttered against my forehead, his hands holding me close as his thumb rubbed my side.

"There's more to it though. I can tell." My eyes were locked on Michael's bassinet. "I hate myself." It was barely a whisper, but he heard it. His hands stopped and his hold loosened. "What?" It was as if he couldn't believe me. It's hard to see how we couldn't believe me. "Look at me," I said as I sat up, pushing myself away from him. "I'm a mess, and I've gained so much weight. I look like shit; I feel like shit. How can you even stand to be around me?" I asked as I stood from the bed, pacing next to it. "Honey-" "I'm so fucking gross, Robby. Why don't you feel the same way I do?" I stopped, finally. Standing before him as more tears fell and my body slumped. "Okay first off," He said as he crawled to his knees on the bed, taking my face in his hands. "You're not gross. I don't feel that way about you because I love you. I don't care what you look like. Because to me, you will always be my gorgeous wife and I will always view you as the woman standing at the other end of the aisle looking like a literal angel." He finally sat, pulling me down next to him as he did. "You had a surgery and Michael is our third baby. Your body is going to need time to heal and recover and it's not going to happen overnight. But I don't care about any of that, because this body. It gave me some of the greatest gifts I have ever received. It has given me three more reasons to live, to fight to come home."

He had tears streaming down his own face now, and I felt bad for making him cry. "I think you're gorgeous, and I will never view you as anything less." He was silent for a moment before standing, pulling me with him into the bathroom. "What are you doing, Robby?" He lifted me onto the counter, grabbing the bottom of my shirt, my hands flying out to stop him. "I'm making sure that you never view yourself like this again. We're gonna get you back in the right headspace, honey. I promise." That night I finally let him undress me, his lips placing soft kisses along my body as he did so. A shudder flew through my body as he kissed the curved scar on my belly. He helped me into the shower, joining me as he took my hair down, knots tugging on my scalp as he did. He gently picked out what he could before washing and conditioning my hair and taking his time to wash my body. Once we were done, he carried me back to bed, but I sighed as soon as we laid down because Michael woke up.

"Stay. I got him." I shook my head, sitting up. "Robby-" "Honey, in all honesty I really just wanna hold him and feed him." I couldn't help but nod and lay back down. "Is there any milk downstairs?" I nodded. "I put some in the fridge the other day for you." He smiled, leaning down and kissing my forehead. "I'll be right here waiting." He nodded before taking Michael downstairs. I laid there thinking about how lucky I am to have such an amazing husband, wondering what I did to deserve him. I tried to stay awake, but I was exhausted and soon drifted off, but I woke up just enough to feel his arms wrap around me and a kiss being placed on my forehead. It got better after that. He spent time with the kids like he wanted and even invited Annette to visit so I could have some time to feel like an adult. He said, "You need time to remember you're a person outside of being a mother and my wife." After talking to my doctor, he put me on some anti-depressants which made a tremendous difference in how I saw the world. I had more patience and was able to be a better mother and wife.

We made great strides as parents and in our careers. "Yo-you wanna make me head of the history department?" Dean Lowden nodded. "We do. Your work has proven that you're one of the best we have and we want you to head up the department." I accepted of course, and as I rushed home I was surprised to see Robby still in his flight suit, which was unusual because he liked to come home clean for the kids. "What's-" "They wanna promote me to Commander!" My jaw dropped before I rushed him, launching myself into his arms. "Oh my god! Oh my god!" I screamed as he held me. "I have news as well!" "Please not another baby, not right now!" I shook my head with a laugh. "The Dean appointed me head of the department!" His jaw dropped as he yelled out. We were both jumping around and yelling as Violet came downstairs. "What's wrong with you two?" She had sass now, at eight years old. "Oh!" Robby said as he swooped her up. "Great things are happening baby girl!" He said as he squeezed her, making her giggle. Soon our other two came downstairs to see why we were all yelling. Zach at six and Michael at four. Things seemed to be right in the world at the moment. "You know, you said something about a baby." His eyebrows shot up. "No, but I think we're done. I think these three are all I want." He grinned, leaning down and kissing me sweetly. "If that's what you want, I'm happy with it."

"Thanks for having us over, guys!" Jake said as he grabbed another beer as he held Violet. "You're welcome, we love having you guys over!" I said as I followed him to set the charcuterie board on the coffee table. The past year since we both got promotions has been great. We were spending so much time with the kids, and each other, we were thriving. As I set the tray down everyone reached for it and I managed to barely get out of the way. I chuckled as I wrapped my arms around Robby, his own holding me close. We watched as the team watched the football game and played with the kids, their own kids joining in. I watched as Michael squealed when Coyote tossed him across his shoulder. "Are we sure we're done having babies?" I asked and just after that, Zach got sick in the hallway. "Yep. We're done." He said as we both grabbed Zach to clean him and the floor.

A few months later I got sick and felt like I was dying. So much so Robby called Rooster and Phoenix to watch the kids while he took me to the ER. I was constantly puking; I hadn't eaten in two days and I was severely dehydrated. Once they got me in, Robby sat with me as they ran tests. "Dr. Floyd. We're going to take you in for an X-ray. Is there any way you could be pregnant?" I shook my head no. Once we decided we were done having kids we went back to birth control and using condoms. "Alright, let's get her in." A nurse grabbed my bed as I looked at Robby. "I'll be right here waiting for you." He leaned down and kissed my forehead before they wheeled me out. They laid me on the table as I felt nauseous again and just as they were about to do the scan the door blew open. "STOP!" I was so confused and growing nervous. "She's pregnant!" "WHAT?!" I yelled, almost rolling off the table.

That was a really hard time for us. We wanted this baby, but our hearts were set on enjoying watching our kids grow without starting over. "It takes two to make a baby!" I huffed as I stormed out into the garage, not wanting the kids to hear us arguing. "No shit sherlock! But you're the one who forgot the condom!" I said as I whipped around to face Robby who followed me out into the garage. "And how do you know you didn't forget a pill? Huh?" I crossed my arms over my chest, giving him a smug look. "Because I checked when we got home from the hospital." He scoffed. "Not hard enough because I also checked and you missed a pill, the same night I forgot the condom!" I furrowed my brows. "There's no way." I pushed past him and rushed up to our room. I pulled the pack from my bedside table, cursing when I saw the pill still in there. "Oh my god." I groaned, sinking down onto the bed. It wasn't that I blamed Robby for this, I should've noticed he didn't grab a condom, but we were all over each other and rushing to get out of our clothes.

"This is on both of us. The blame doesn't fall to just one of us." He said as he sat next to me, but I just jumped up, going into the bathroom. I was mad at myself for letting this happen, mad at our situation. I stayed mad throughout my shower and after we put the kids to bed, as a couple like always, before we silently went to bed ourselves. I'm not sure how long we laid there, both on our backs, staring at the ceiling but soon he spoke up. "I love you." I couldn't help how the corner of my lips twitched upwards. "I love you too." After a moment, his hand found mine under the covers, intertwining our fingers. "We're gonna love this baby just like we love Vi, Zach and Michael. Right?" I could only nod as tears welled in my eyes. "Robby?" "Yeah honey?" It took me a minute to reply, my throat feeling thick as I started to cry. "Hold me?" He rolled over, pulling me into him and I buried my face in his bare chest to cry. The very next morning he told me he scheduled a vasectomy. I was a little surprised, but I wasn't complaining.

Nine months later we welcomed another boy, Alexander Thomas Floyd. The recovery from this c-section was harder physically but easier mentally because Robby got to stay home longer. Violet was older and dying to help as much as possible and so was Zach. Michael wasn't too happy about no longer being the youngest, but he soon grew to adore his baby brother. Not long after Alex was born, Robby's parents came to visit, which was a big help in my recovery and gave Robby and I some time together. In fact, about six weeks after, while his parents kept the kids we went out to the hard deck. "HEY!" Everyone cheered as we walked up. "How you feelin', Mama?" Rooster asked, pulling me into a hug. "I'm sore. But I'm happy to be here." He chuckled before letting me go and I hugged everyone else, saving Phoenix for last. She squeezed me before pulling back, tears in her eyes. "What's wrong?" She shook her head before reaching back into her purse, pulling out an all too familiar stick. "I'm pregnant." She said it so quietly, but I couldn't help but scream. Soon everyone knew and the question came. "Okay, but who’s the baby daddy?" Hangman asked, his arm around his own girlfriend.

Rooster sneakily slid a little closer, his hand on her back. "YOU MOTHERFUCKER!" I yelled, smacking his shoulder. "Are y'all dating?" She nodded quickly. "We have been for about eight months. We wanted to keep it quiet for a while, but then this happened." I could tell by the look in her eyes, she was scared, terrified. "Were you guys planning on having a baby?" Rooster shook his head. "That was pure accident." Robby chuckled. "We know a thing or two about accidents." I chuckled, tucking myself into his side. The rest of the night was filled with questions from Natasha and Rooster who both were scared shitless. Once the night was over, Robby drove us to the hotel room he booked. We were giggling like teenagers as we rushed into the elevator and up to our floor. As we approached our room, he lifted me into his arms, bridal style, and carried me into the room before he carefully sat me on the bed, leaning over me. "I love you, Mrs. Floyd." He said as he leaned down to kiss me, but I stopped him with a finger on his lips. "I have a title, Mr. Floyd." He just grinned against my finger. "I love you, Dr. Floyd." I laughed, pulling him into a kiss. "I love you, Commander Floyd."

Soon he pulled us up, dragging me to join him in the shower. His lips were attached to my neck as his hands wandered my body. "Fuck, Robby." He chuckled against my skin as his fingers brushed over my scar. "You keep that up and I'll have to ignore the doctor." I moaned out as he nipped at the space just behind my ear. "No, you won't." He said as he pulled away. I whined as he did so, but he just smiled, and we finished out shower before curling up in the fluffy bed together. "We're really done having kids this time." He said as his hand ran across my belly. I still had baby weight, but I have to remind myself I wouldn't lose it all right away. "Well, I hope so because you got snipped. If I get pregnant, we have a problem!" He chuckled and we laid there in the quiet before finally drifting off.

We made sure to do things like that often, reminding each other we have lives outside of our children and our jobs. It rekindled that spark we had at the beginning of our relationship, not that we ever lost it, we just make time to enjoy it now. As the kids grew, they all formed their own interests. Like Violet, she picked up softball and she fell in love. When she wasn't training, she was working with Bradley who offered to train her in his down time. Zach picked up a fascination for aviation. He loved going on base and seeing the jets take off. But one thing he loved even more was when he turned ten, Mav's gift to him was taking him up in the Mustang. Seeing a smile like that on his face was one of the best feelings as a mom. Michael was super into dinosaurs and every chance he got he was telling us whatever new facts he learned. Alex, well he was still pretty young, so he was into whatever his siblings were into.

When Violet was thirteen, I started noticing differences in my own body. My hormones were raging, and I was constantly upset with Robby even when he did nothing wrong. Then my periods became sporadic. I went to the doctor expecting them to tell me it was just menopause. But I came through the door with a blank look on my face which caused worry to flash across Robby's own face. "Hey, darlin'. What's wrong? What'd the doctor say?" He asked as he took my face in his hands. I shook my head, and he took my hands, leading me to the couch. "Honey, you gotta tell me what's wrong." My mouth opened and closed a few times before I finally pushed the words out of my throat.

"I'm pregnant."

His hands slowly let go of mine, falling into his own lap. "What?" I shook my head. "I'm still trying to wrap my head around it." He pushed off the couch, pacing in front of the fireplace. I watched him for a few minutes before he turned to me, tossing his arms out. "What?" I asked, getting irritated. It took him a moment before he asked a question that sent me reeling. "Are you cheating on me?" I could only stare at him in shock. "No. Absolutely not. I can't believe you'd even ask me that!" I said as I stood up. He scoffed. "I've had a vasectomy and you’re pregnant!" "They don't always work a hundred percent!" This rocked our marriage. We were hardly talking to each other, once the kids went to bed he went to the couch. We didn't want the kids to see it, but they all sensed we were tense with each other.

A few weeks later Robby came in, a sad look on his face. "Can we talk?" I nodded, following him out to the front porch, sitting on the swing we had on the porch. "I want to apologize. I um, went and got tested and the surgery was not one hundred percent successful." I pursed my lips, not really knowing how to respond. "Even if it was, I know you never would cheat on me and I was just so thrown off by the news, that was the first place my brain went to." I nodded, looking down at my legs which were tucked under me. He pushed off the house, coming over and taking my hands in his. "Hey, look at me." I lifted my head, his crystal blue eyes catching my own. "I'm sorry, and I'm excited for this baby." I nodded. "I'm getting a hysterectomy after this one." He chuckled, capturing my lips in a kiss. "I love you, Dr. Floyd." He whispered as he pulled away. "I love you too, Mr. Floyd." I said before pulling him into another kiss. "It is going to be a while before I can forgive you, because that hurt." He nodded, kissing my forehead. "Whatever you need."

Things slowly started getting better, and crashed back down when we told the kids. "You're what?" Violet was now thirteen and took after me when speaking her mind. "I'm pregnant." She scoffed, standing from the couch. "Vi-" "Don't you know what causes that?! I mean isn't four kids enough?!" She yelled before storming upstairs. "Violet Marie!" I called, attempting to follow her before Robby grabbed my arm stopping me. "Just let her cool off, we'll talk to her later." I nodded and we turned to the other three. Zach was eleven now, Michael was nine and Alex was five. They were all whispering to each other before turning to us. We just raised our brows at them, and Zach smirked. "We all agree that we want another brother." All I could do was groan and rest my forehead on Robby's shoulder. "There's too much testosterone in this house." Robby could only chuckle and kiss my head.

As time went on, Violet was still upset with us, and she wasn't letting up. We tried to talk to her, but it never worked. "Violet?" I called. After a minute she padded into the kitchen. "What?" Her tone was snippy, and I wanted to say something but it would be no use. "Could you help me clean the kitchen, please? I'll do dishes while you wipe down the counters and the table?" She huffed but did so anyway. "Done." She said, tossing the dirty rag into the laundry room before rushing up to her room. I sighed and finished the dishes before going up there. I was already starting to show, and my back was feeling it. Robby was kind enough to massage it and I'll have to remember that when we go to bed. "Vi?" I knocked on her door. It was quiet for a moment before I heard her quiet voice on the other side. I opened the door, the darkness taking me by surprise. I walked over to her bed where she was laying down, facing the wall.

I sighed, leaning down and rubbing her arm. "Make room?" I thought she would tell me no, but she just quietly slid closer to the wall. I smiled, grabbing her covers and crawling in, pulling her back into me and placing a kiss on her head. I was trying to think of what to say, but I didn't have to as she started sobbing in my arms. "Oh, baby." I held her as she cried, letting her get it out before I questioned her. "You wanna talk?" I asked. "Why did you guys have to have another baby?" I sighed, pulling her closer. "We didn't plan on any more after Michael. But we were careless, and we got Alex. After your dad's surgery, it was supposed to be impossible. But I guess when they say nothing is impossible, they mean nothing." Her sniffles broke my heart, knowing that a new addition to the family had her this upset worried me. "Why does this have you so upset?" I asked, brushing some hair away from her face. "You'll think it's stupid." I kissed the back of her head as her hand found my arm. "I would never think that anything that has to do with your feelings would be stupid."

Another beat of silence and she spoke up, her voice almost a whisper. "I feel like you have less and less time for me." My heart shattered at her words. I sat up, leaning on her headboard before turning her over, her head on my chest. "I'm sorry that we've made you feel that way, and your feelings are totally valid." She sniffled as her arms wrapped around me. "We can't take this back, and we don't want to. But you are my oldest, my first baby. I love your dad, but you made us realize what love really was. You changed our lives, even before you were born." I held her close, hoping she'd listen this time. "You know, we wanted to be surprised if you were a boy or a girl." She furrowed her brows. "Then what did you call me till I was born?" I giggled. With the boys, we always found out, so we called them their names during my pregnancies. "Ducky." She snorted out a laugh as she held onto me. After a few minutes her hand drifted to my belly, rubbing slightly. "Can we be surprised this time? And call it ducky?" I smiled at the memory of my first pregnancy. "I think that'd be nice."

Things got better after that, and she was fully invested in this pregnancy. The kids loved kissing my belly and talking to ducky, Violet especially. About seven months in, Robby got deployed for a mission. "Be thinking of baby names while I'm gone." Robby told Violet as he squeezed her on the docks. "I will, daddy." She kissed his cheek before he took me by the waist. "This feels too familiar." I muttered after he kissed me. "Reminds me of your pregnancy with Violet." I nodded. "Well, just be careful and I won't be stressed into labor this time." He nodded. "You'll be here when I come back?" I smiled. "Maybe not this exact spot. But we'll be right here waiting." He kissed me again and him and the team headed out. That week at work was when I noticed all the stares. You'd think they would've started when I began to show, seeing as I only told necessary people instead of a department wide announcement. A few women in the department would walk past my office, looking in, pointing and whispering. I knew what they all thought, and I didn't give a damn. At least that's what I told myself.

"Hi." Melissa, another professor in the department said as she knocked on my door. "Can I come in?" I had a class in fifteen minutes, and I really didn't want to talk to her. "No, I- Oh, you're sitting down anyway." I huffed as she clasped her hands together, resting them on her knees. "I just wanted to talk to you about your pregnancy." I raised a brow, curious as to what she thought she had to talk to me about. "Don't you think you're a little old to have another baby? Plus, you have four other kids who need you." I stared at her in shock. I knew she just spouted things off, but this is crossing a line. "I mean, after your pregnancy with Alex, are you sure you want this baby? Is your husband forcing you to keep it?" My hand flew out, smacking her clean across the face and knocking her into the floor. A squeal escaped her as I stood, coming around my desk when people crowded around my door. "Get up!" She scrambled to her feet, not meeting my gaze. "Get the fuck out of my office, and don't come back. How dare you say those things to me. My family and my marriage are none of your business." It was basically a growl, and she ran out of my office as fast as possible. Everyone continued to stare at me which pissed me off even more. "What are you staring at?! Go! I have a lecture to teach!" Everyone ran as I walked out, rushing for the lecture hall.

"Bye daddy!" the kids all screamed as their time on the video call ended, now it was my turn. "Hey, darlin'. How you feelin?" I shook my head. "Like shit. I'm still puking, my back kills, and I'm so damn tired." He gave me a sad smile. "Well just think, eight more days and then I'm home." I nodded. "I also got put on maternity leave early." His brows furrowed in confusion. "What? What happened?" I sighed, trying not to tear up. "Do you think we're too old to have this baby?" I asked as tears started streaming down my face. "What?" I wiped my eyes, trying not to full on sob on this call. "Melissa came into my office and started asking me if I was too old to have another baby. She said I had four other kids who needed me and then she said we weren't too excited about Alex." I stopped to wipe my tears again, hoping my makeup wasn't running. "She even asked me if you were forcing me to keep it! Who thinks that way?" My voice was just growing louder and louder. "I don't even remember reaching across my desk, but I smacked her so hard she landed in the floor." He just stared at me in shock.

"I just feel like maybe she's right." I said feeling defeated. "No honey. Sure, it was a huge surprise, but I don't think you are. The doctor says you're perfectly healthy." I groaned. "I'm forty-two Robby! This is literally considered a geriatric pregnancy!" I said as more tears streamed down my face. "Fuck what she says, and you were right for smacking her!" He exploded. I jumped, his loud voice startled me, taking me by surprise. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "Honey, I know this is hard. But you’ve gone through four other pregnancies, some of which were harder than this one. Tell me, would you trade this baby in for anything else?” I immediately shook my head, but he knew my answer. “This baby is gonna be just as loved as the rest of our kids.” I nodded, feeling a little better. “You’re the most badass mama I know. I can’t think of anyone else who could handle a pregnancy at our age.” I chuckled, cleaning my face off. “Don’t tell Phoenix that.” He laughed. “I think Caroline will be all her and Rooster have.” I nodded. “She sure is a handful.” Caroline was almost four now, her birthday almost exactly nine months after Michael’s and she was the perfect mix of Rooster and Phoenix, in looks and personality. “Time’s almost up, darlin’.” I gave him a sad smile. “KIDS! DADDY’S CALL IS ALMOST OVER! I love you, and we’ll be right here waiting for you to come home.” He smiled. “I love you too.” The thunderous sound of four kids rushing me was enough to make me feel better. Michael crawled into my lap as the other three leaned over the chair waving. “Bye daddy! We love you!” He managed to say one more ‘I love you’ before the screen went black.

“Can we order pizza and watch a movie?” Zach asked. “That sounds great.” Violet snatched my laptop, ordering the pizza for us as the boys tried to agree on a movie. This was what I loved. The kids didn’t always get along, but they surprised me sometimes with how they loved and cared for each other. A few more weeks went by with Violet and the boys helping me get the rest of the nursery set up as well as my hospital bag. We moved Zach and Michael into the same room, and Alex will share with the nursery. Seeing as we only had a four-bedroom house, we had to make room and it has been quite the adjustment. “Mama.” I rolled over, looking past Robby’s side of the bed to see Alex standing in the doorway, blankie in hand as he rubbed his eyes. It was so adorable I thought I would combust. “What is it baby?” He walked over, looking at me from across the bed. “I don’t like my new room.” I sighed, pursing my lips. “This has become a nightly thing, especially since Robby left. “Can I sleep with you?” I nodded. “Come on.” He managed to pull himself into the bed and tucked himself into my side. “I miss daddy.” I sighed. “Me too, buddy. Me too.” His little hand rested on my belly, and I rubbed his back, slowly soothing him to sleep. “Mama?” I looked over to see both Zach and Michael standing in the doorway. “Come on.” I scooted Alex over as Zach came and laid on my other side as Michael laid next to Alex. We all slowly drifted off, but I woke up later feeling something shift the bed.

I looked at the end of the bed, seeing Violet had joined us, laying across our feet with one of her blankets over her. All my babies in one bed? It was cramped but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Finally, I fell back asleep, but woke up once again when I heard footsteps coming down the hall. I sat up, leaning against the headboard, wondering who the hell it could be? I was ready to throw myself out of bed when the figure stopped in the doorway. “Hey darlin’.” I immediately relaxed when I saw Robby leaning against the doorway. He quietly walked over, around to my side of the bed, leaning down to kiss me. His lips were soft against mine as he tucked some of my hair behind my ear. “God, I missed you.” He muttered against my lips. “I missed you too.” He smiled at me, kissing me again before he pulled away, opting to kiss my forehead. “I’m gonna shower really quick.” I nodded as he walked into the bathroom. Once he was done, he came over, looking at the bed. “I’m sorry.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “I can fix this.” He gently grabbed Alex, holding him against his chest as he scooted Michael over before he slid into the bed as he decided to lay down. He held Alex on his chest, running his hand through his blonde curls. “I miss when they were all little and would lay on my chest.” I nodded. “Soon you’ll have another little baby to snuggle.” He nodded. Robby always loved snuggling with the kids, he’d take them, go crawl in bed and take a nap whenever he could. “I love you.” He whispered as he tossed his hand on top of my belly, his thumb rubbing me gently.

That morning the kids piled on him, and he ate it up. I know it’s hard on him when he’s gone so these moments are the ones he cherishes. He made sure to spend as much time as possible with the kids in the weeks leading up to ducky’s birth. But soon, we were in the hospital, and I was going in for my c-section. The doctor also did a cesarean hysterectomy for me, so he took my uterus and ovaries in the same procedure as my c-section. I was a train wreck when they handed me another little boy. I was in pain, and I was overwhelmed. Baby number five and it was another little boy. After a few hours Hangman brought in the kids, they all rushed the bed, Robby stopping them all. “Slow guys. Violet.” He motioned our oldest over, and she stood on the side of the bed staring down at the little boy in my arms feeding. “What name did you come up with?” She stared at him for another moment before looking up at her dad. “Liam James.” It was a perfect fit, and I couldn’t imagine naming him anything else. “You like it?” She asked me and I nodded. “It’s perfect baby.” I pulled her down so I could kiss her forehead and soon, he got passed around, all the kids holding him. Alex struggled even with his dad helping him, once Liam started crying, he handed him off. “I don’t like him. He loud.” It was hard not to laugh at that and over time it didn’t get much better. Poor Alex was having a hard time no longer being the baby, and not too keen on taking on the position of big brother.

Time went on and five years later things changed drastically. Violet was eighteen and she had offers from a few schools to go play softball on a scholarship, and she was struggling on which to choose. “I don’t know which to choose.” She whined as she sat at the island. “Well, you need to look at who has the better biology program.” Violet had taken an interest in Marine Biology and planned to study it wherever she went. She had offers from University of Texas, San Diego State University and University of California at San Diego. She just groaned, looking like she was ready to pull her hair out. “I just wish you could tell me what to do.” I huffed, turning to her. “You want my opinion?” She nodded. “Go to UT. It’s a great way to get a grasp of living out of the house, you can always come home and go to one of the other two after you finish prerequisites if you want.” She nodded. “I needed that.” I knew she’d take it into consideration. That Friday, she had to decide who she would sign with, and I watched as my oldest sat at the table, looking at the different National Letters of Intent in front of her. Robby and I stood by her as Rooster and Hangman stood on her other side. Rooster continued to coach her well through high school and is helping her condition for college ball, Hangman was just dying for her to sign with UT. She took her time, before slowly sliding the UT hat closer to her and signing their contract. “YEAH!” Jake yelled, shaking her shoulders. She stood and I expected her to hug Rooster, but she clung to me. “Thank you for believing in me.” I squeezed her tightly as Robby rubbed her back. “I will always believe in you baby.”

Before we knew it, we headed out to Texas to ger her setup. We took the day and stayed in a hotel that night, the next day we stopped on campus to see her one last time before leaving. “Remember to check the oil in your car every so often. Can’t have it messing up all the way out here.” She nodded, hugging me one last time. Soon she let go and hugged her dad. “You’ll let me know every time you deploy?” Robby nodded. He was now a Rear Admiral, and even though he isn’t in the air as often as he used to be, he still deploys on the ships. “I will. You have my email so you can email me when I ship out.” She pulled away, tears streaming down her face. “We love you, and if you need us, we’re a call away.” It was hard leaving, Robby and I both crying for a few days. But as soon as the tears dried, it was Liam’s first day of kindergarten. It was weird, realizing we just sent our oldest off to college and we’re sending our youngest to kindergarten. “Bye mama!” Liam said before running off. “Wh-what? No! He’s supposed to cry and hold me and beg me not to leave!” Robby pulled me close, a few tears of his own slipping. “He’s always been more outgoing and independent than the others.” I choked back a sob, watching him turn into his classroom. “Come on, honey.” Robby said, turning us around. We were halfway to the front doors when I heard a little voice behind us. "MAMA! DADDY!"

We turned to see Liam sprinting for us, throwing himself into Robby's arms, allowing his father to pick him up. “What is it buddy?” I asked, brushing some hair out of his face as he squeezed Robby’s neck. “I forgot to hug you and say I wove you.” He said turning to me, clinging to me like a Koala. “We love you too, Buddy.” I held him for another minute before he wanted down. I put him on his feet, looking at how small he really was. He stared down the hallway, children and adults filling it to the brim. I could see the hesitation in his eyes, so I crouched down next to him. “Do you want us to walk you back to your classroom?" He nodded, squeezing my hand. He took Robby’s hand, and we led him down the hall, me giving a fist pump as Robby laughed at me. Once we arrived at his classroom, he looked up at us. “Will you be here to get me?” I nodded. “We’ll be right here waiting, buddy.” Robby said before kissing his chubby cheek. He gave us a toothy grin before rushing inside. We thought it would get easier after that, until we were called into the high school principals office for Michael. He was a freshman this year while Zach was a junior. Once we walked in, Michael was sitting in the chair across from the principle, his head lolled back. “Rear Admiral.” The principal shook his hand. “Doctor.” He said before shaking my hand.

We took a seat, Michael between us. “So, Mr. Floyd here was caught purchasing not only marijuana, but also Adderall.” My jaw dropped as I looked to him. “Michael William!” I scolded as Robby shared my shocked look. “The other student has been expelled.” I crossed my legs, very mad. “Michael is an exceptional student, one of the best we’ve had. He even tutors other students during lunch. I don’t want to expel him. So, I wanna give him the chance to redeem himself. I think out of school suspension will be a good way to go, and he continues to tutor students.” We nodded. “I think that’s fair.” He sighed, putting his head in his hands. “His teachers will email him his work and I think being here at five-thirty for tutoring is good.” We agreed wholeheartedly. Soon he was dismissed, and we all walked out. “Mom I-“ I held my hand out. “We will talk when we get home. You are coming with me, and you will sit in my office and do your schoolwork every day, then I will bring you back here for tutoring.” He just nodded, following me out the door. It was frustrating, knowing your child did something that they knew they would be in major trouble for, and even more frustrating because he was mad at Robby and I for how we punished him. “Really Michael?” We were sat out on the back porch, away from his other three siblings. “It’s weed! It’s legal in California!”

“For adult recreational use. You are fourteen, you are not an adult. But that doesn’t matter because not only are you under eighteen, but you also live under our roof, and smoking anything isn’t good for your lungs. Whenever you are over eighteen and out from under our roof, you can do as you please.” He sighed, rolling his eyes. “Roll them eyes one more time and see if they don’t roll down the street!” I snapped, Robby grabbing the finger I pointed at Michael. “Okay, mama. Take a breather.” I was raging, trying to calm myself. “It wasn’t just the weed, Michael. You bought Adderall-“ “It helps me focus!” “You think it does. You have no medical need for it. It’s doing you more harm than good.” Robby said, trying to get him to see reason. “Is that why you haven’t been eating?” He raised a brow at us. “Or why you haven’t been sleeping?” He seemed to fall back, like he’s been caught. “I only started the Adderall two weeks ago. I haven't slept right in months.” My face fell into one of concern. “Why?” He just shrugged, leaning his head back. “I don’t know. I just haven’t been sleeping. I try and try, and I’m lucky if I can be asleep by four or five a.m.” And all the kids are up by six to get ready for school. “Okay. Well, is there anything going on that may be keeping you up? Stress about school? Adjusting to your sister being gone?” He shook his head, not meeting my eyes. “No.” I sighed. I wanted to help him, but it was hard when he didn’t know what was causing it. “Do you want to see a doctor?” He shook his head. I looked to Robby who looked as stumped as me. I looked back to Michael to see his eyes glazed over and it tugged on my heart. “Oh, baby.” I got up, crouching down next to his chair and laying my hand on the arm that was holding his chin. “Talk to me, please.” I was begging at this point. A tear slipped down his cheek, and he mumbled something. “What? I couldn’t hear you.” It was like a damn broke, he leaned over, practically putting his head between his knees. “I don’t wanna be alive.”

I was scared shitless.

I gathered him in my arms, holding him as Robby came over, holding us both. “We’re gonna get you help, buddy. We promise.” Robby said as he rubbed his back and kissed his head. We got him in with a doctor who referred us to a psychiatrist. He started on antidepressants and even started therapy, which he asked to do all on his own. It took a few months, but I started to see parts of my little boy again. The one who loved spending time with his father, cooking with me in the kitchen, and enjoyed watching movies with his siblings. “Mama?” I turned to Michael who was smiling at me from the other side of the island. “Yeah?” I asked as I flipped the burger on the stove. “Thank you. You and dad both for helping me and not judging me.” I smiled, walking over and pulling him into a hug. “I’d do anything to help you. I’ve been in your position before, just after you were born.” He raised a brow at me, looking for an explanation. “Your dad was deployed right after you were born, it was my first c-section, and I was with three kids all alone. It was hard. I didn’t feel like anything other than a mom, I felt like I had nothing outside of that. But your dad came home and bless that man. He got me up, he took care of me and helped me get back to who I was before I had you kids.” I heard a throat clear behind us and we turned to see Robby. “Are you talking about me?” He asked, walking over and tossing his arm over my shoulder. “All good things.” He pecked my lips as Michael leaned away. “God, you two are so gross.” We laughed, looking at each other. “It’s okay. If you have kids, they’ll say the same thing to you.” He shook his head, mumbling something about not having kids and walking away. “I’m glad he’s doing better.” I nodded. “Me too, it’s a relief to know he feels better.”

Two years later, and Zach had graduated high school. He decided to join the navy like his father and wanted to be a pilot, so he applied for the Naval Academy. “Anything yet?” Rooster asked as he walked in. The entire team came over to hear the results, eager to see if Zach would be part of the next generation of fighter pilots. “Not yet.” Robby said as Rooster joined the crowd. Zach was sweating bullets, nervous for this email, so much so he called his sister to have her on facetime while he opened it. Robby rubbed Zach’s shoulders as he refreshed his emails. “Just remember, if you don’t get in, it’s not the end all be all.” Robby uttered to him, and Zach shook his head. “I know.” He groaned. “Oh my god. It’s here!” We all jumped to stand behind him, staring at the screen as he opened the email. He stared at it for a second, the tension building. “Congratulations, you have been accepted to the Naval Academy based in Annapolis, Maryland!” He screamed, standing up and hugging his father. Everyone yelled and congratulated him before he turned to me. “I am so proud of you.” It was terrifying when your kids join the military, especially when you yourself know what it’s like to stand on the other side. But there’s also a sense of pride that flows through you. A few weeks later we all packed up, heading out to drop him at Annapolis. “We love you and we’ll be right here waiting.” He nodded, kissing my cheek before hugging his dad and his siblings. It was hard to watch him go, but he had to start his Plebe summer and he was eager to do it. “You think he’ll be okay?” Robby nodded. “He’ll be fine. He’s our kid.” I laughed at that. “We are pretty resilient.”

And that proved true a few years later. It was Violet’s last year of college, Zach’s sophomore year at the academy, Michael’s senior year of high school, Alex was starting his eighth-grade year and Liam was eight and just loving his little life. “Um, can you go to the doctor with me tomorrow?” Robby asked when he came back from telling Liam goodnight. “Um, sure?” I asked as I rubbed lotion on my legs. “He’s called me back in, wants to talk to me about my CT scan.” I stopped, looking up at him. “Did he say why?” He shook his head. “Nope, he wouldn’t tell me anything over the phone.” That was never good, we both knew that. But we looked on the bright side anyway, having a quiet, passionate night with each other. The next day we sat in the doctor’s office, two chairs across from his desk as he looked at some paper work. “We found something abnormal in your scans, and upon closer look we found it is lung cancer, stage two. So far it is only in your right lung, which is good, that means it hasn’t spread.” I gasped, my hand clutching his tighter than ever. “What are my chances?” Robby asked, both of his hands clutching my one. He voice never wavered, but I could tell by the way he held my hand and spun my wedding ring he was scared and so was I. “Given you are fifty, and age does play a factor, we usually give around a sixty-eight percent chance of survival for five years after remission.” The numbers made me feel slightly better, but those numbers only matter if he makes it to remission.

We worked out a treatment plan and soon went home. We had to tell the kids, and we needed to tell them together, so we waited the additional week before Violet came home after graduation and Zach came home for summer leave. Once they were home Robby didn’t want to wait, so we sat them all down on the couch as Robby and I took a seat on the coffee table. He was scared to tell them, and nervous about their reactions, which was totally understandable. I rubbed his back as he held back tears. “Daddy, what is it?” Violet asked, leaning forward and grabbing his hand. He took a deep breath, Violet’s simple action almost sending him over the edge. “I had to go to the doctor not too long ago and had a few scans done. They found something abnormal, and they determined it was lung cancer.” All at once, I saw five little hearts shatter on the ground. Violet immediately broke down into tears, Michael not far behind her. Zach and Alex were barely holding it in, and poor Liam looked so lost. “Is it terminal?” Violet choked out and Robby shook his head. “No, baby. It’s not. The doctor thinks that if I go through with the chemo and radiation therapy, I have a good shot at going into remission.” Violet leaned over, her head on her knees as she held Robby’s hand. That alone broke him. Tears fell from behind his glasses as he squeezed her hand. “Make room.” He said, separating Violet and Michael and sitting between them. I opted to sit between Alex and Liam, but Liam decided to crawl into my lap. “You’re almost too big for this buddy.” I whispered as I brushed some of his hair back and kissed his forehead.

“So, daddy’s sick?” I nodded as I wrapped my free arm around Alex who was crying. “He is. This isn’t going to be easy on daddy.” He laid his head on my chest as I rubbed his back. “Is daddy gonna die?” God, kids are blunt. How do you answer such a question? “The doctors are gonna do everything in their power to keep that from happening.” He just nodded before climbing out of my lap and walking over to Robby, leaning over his legs and laying his head in his lap. That night we spent some real time together as a family, we ate dinner together, played cards at the table and finished the night all knocking out on the couch. Liam curled up against Violet, as Violet’s legs were tossed in Michael’s lap, the other three boys were all leaning against each other. Robby and I laid on the other side of the sectional, his arms around my waist as he pulled me back into his chest. “We’re gonna be okay, right?” He asked and I nodded. “You are, we are. Everything will be okay. I’ll be right here with you every step of the way.” He kissed the back of my head, squeezing my lightly. “I love you Mrs. Floyd.” Even after twenty-five years of marriage, that still makes me giddy like a little school girl. “I love you too, Mr. Floyd.” Soon after, we told the team and it was just as bad as telling the kids. Lots of tears, poor Phoenix was beside herself. I couldn’t handle anymore tears, walking away to the kitchen where I was preparing lunch. I was chopping some celery when there was a knock on the door frame. “Hey.” Rooster whispered as I looked up. His hair had started greying not long after Caroline was born, and even more after him and Phoenix got married. “Hi.” I whispered, going back to chopping the celery. He came over, grabbing my wrist. That’s when I realized not only was I aggressively chopping the vegetable, but I was about to slice my fingers.

“How are you feeling?” I planted my hands on the counter, my head hanging low. “Fine.” He scoffed. “You’re lying. And I know you are because you said the same thing that first night you moved in with me before the uranium mission. You had a complete breakdown that night.” The fact he knew me so well made my throat feel thick and more tears welled in my eyes. “I just- I can’t lose him.” Finally, the dam broke. I hadn’t really cried once since we got the diagnoses, so this was everything escaping me. “I can’t live without him, Bradley.” He pulled me into him, holding me as I cried. He rubbed my back, a few tears of his own landing in my hair. “You know he’s not giving up without a fight.” I was gasping for breath at this point. “But what if he doesn’t win?” I cried and he squeezed me a little tighter. “If that happens, then we will be here. You and the kids won’t be alone.” He held me till I calmed down, handing me a kleenex to clean my face off. “What’s going on?” Robby was standing in the doorway, looking confused. I rushed past Rooster, throwing myself into his arms. “I’m so scared, Robby.” He buried his face in my neck as he held me. “Me too, darlin’. Me too.”

Soon he started chemo, me taking time off work to go with him. “Mama, go to work. I’ll take him today.” Violet said as I got up that morning. “Are you sure?” I didn’t want to miss it, but we couldn’t afford all of our bills as well as the medical expenses if I kept missing work. “Positive. Zach, Michael and I have all agreed to rotate out.” My bottom lip wobbled as I pulled her into a hug. “God, how did I get such amazing kids?” She chuckled as she rubbed my back. “We’re just that good.” I laughed, pushing her out of my bedroom. Violet got a job in San Diego after graduation and started right away, Zach was still on summer leave and Michael is in a local trade school for diesel mechanics so they’re all local and dying to help. While it wasn’t their responsibility, they made it so much easier to juggle everything. Even Liam was more than happy to get his daddy anything he needs, water, glasses, blankets, you name it and he’s got it. I saw the effects the chemo had on him, making him sick, and soon his hair started falling out. “Dammit. The one good thing I had going.” I laughed as he sat in the kitchen as I held the clippers in my hands. “Nah, you got a lot going for you that I love.” I said as I kissed his cheek. “You’re sure?” He nodded and I clicked the clippers on, gently running them over his scalp until soon, there was no hair left. “All done.” I said as I wiped what little hair was left off his scalp. He was taking everything in stride, but soon it caught up to him.

After nine months we didn’t see much improvement and it broke my heart, because soon the chemo started causing pain. So much so he would curl up in bed and cry. “It hurts.” He sobbed and all I could do was hold him, rubbing his back as he cried into my chest. “I know. I know and I’m so sorry Robby.” My own tears slid down my cheeks, wanting nothing more than to take the pain away. “I don’t know how much longer I can do this.” I quietly gasped, trying to catch my breath at his words. I sat up, rolling him onto his back as I leaned over him. “Hey. Look at me.” Those crystal blue eyes stared back into me, into my soul. “If you want to stop. I will be right here by your side. As much as I want to spend the next thirty to forty years with you, I don’t want you to spend them suffering.” I said as my hand fell to his cheek, holding it. “This is your choice, and I want you to do whatever you feel like you need to do. I love you so much and it's killing me to see you in so much pain.” He continued to sob as I kissed his forehead, a sob escaping me as I did so. I didn’t want to lose him, I couldn’t but seeing him in pain wasn’t worth the time I so selfishly wanted with him.

We had talked about it, and he decided to quit treatments, until we went to his doctor appointment and saw he was improving. “It’s hard, but I can’t quit now.” Were his words, and with that he carried on with treatments and it paid off. Another nine months go by, and he received his last treatment, officially going into remission. Violet had dragged him with her to run some errands while the dagger squad and I got everything ready. “Get that banner up higher Javy!” He threw his hands up at me as his wife laughed. “It’s gonna be okay.” Hangman said, placing his hands on my shoulders. “It has to be perfect!” I said as I set the bowl of dip on the table. He just laughed, watching as I blew by Rooster who was watching Alex and Caroline sitting on the couch. They’ve grown close over the years, being so close in age. “He’s here!” Fanboy yelled, and I rushed into the living room with everyone else. We heard them walk up on the porch and as the door opened, we all screamed. “Congratulations!” Robby was caught off guard, almost stumbling back into Violet. A smile cracked on his face, as he turned to Violet, seeming to ask her if she knew about this. She nodded and he pulled her into a hug before coming over and hugging everyone else. When he got to me, he pulled me close grinning at me. “I love you. You are amazing.” He said before kissing me sweetly. “You have no idea how relieved I am.” I said as I laid my head on his shoulder. “Don’t worry, darlin’. I’m gonna be here for a long time.”

And he was, we got to see all of our kids get married. Violet married a boat captain that worked for a local motor yacht company, and her wedding was probably the hardest for Robby to deal with. She was his only daughter and our oldest, so giving her away was so emotional for him and it was hard to let her go, but she stayed local, giving us three grandkids. Zach married a catapult officer in the Navy, and she kept him on his toes. Michael and his girlfriend had a baby before they got married, but he was the sweetest little baby. Alex went to med school, getting married to Caroline in his last year of his residency, which everyone saw coming. Liam decided to go to culinary school, getting married to a local school teacher when he was just twenty one. Over the course of those years, we got older, and greyer. Arthritis setting in, joints locking up. But it was okay, because even though our house was now empty most of the time, I had Robby. We spent those years after he went into remission enjoying ourselves and traveling. We took a few family vacations a year, and quite a few solo trips. We saw Hawaii, Greece, Italy, Scotland and many other gorgeous countries. We made the most of our golden years.

We lost friends along the way. I found out Annette had passed after she developed sepsis from a hip replacement surgery and that was hard. Over the years we kept up with each other and Robby and I even went on trips with her and Luke, rekindling that friendship we lost after a while. Fanboy had developed heart disease some years ago and he passed when his heart finally gave out. Javy had gotten pneumonia and he just couldn’t kick it. It hurt me to lose them, but it hurt Robby so much more. He put his life in their hands, he trusted these people, spent his days with them. So, it hurt to see him hurting. I wrapped my arms around him as he cried, kissing his head. “I’m sorry, honey.” It was all I could say, all I could do. It was part of aging, you start losing those close to you, and it hurts but it’s sadly part of life. Another few years later, we were seventy-eight and laying in bed together. “What do you think our lives will be like when one of us is gone?” He asked, making me furrow my brows. “Why do you ask?” I asked as I took off my own glasses and laid my book in my lap. “I don’t know.” He seemed very confused as to why he asked. “I was just curious I guess.” He said as he picked his own book back up. It was quiet for a minute before I spoke up. “Miserable.” He looked to me. “What honey?” I sighed, laying my book down. “Miserable. When you had cancer, I knew I couldn’t live without you, just because we got older doesn’t mean that changed. I don’t know if I could go through the rest of my life without you.”

He grabbed my hand, squeezing tightly before bringing it up and kissing it gently. “I couldn’t live life without you either.” I smiled at him before leaning over for a quick kiss. “Goodnight, Robby.” I said as I shifted down in the bed, him following. He tossed his arm over his waist, just like he’s done since we got together and kissed the back of my head. I was almost asleep when I heard him behind me, whispering oh so quietly. “I love you, darlin.” I smiled, intertwining my fingers with his. “I love you too, Robby.” With that we fell asleep. It was odd for Robby to ask things like that, he didn’t really focus on living life without each other. He always talked about our next trip or what plans to make with the grandkids that weekend. So I have to wonder if a part of him knew before he was consciously aware of what was happening. The next morning, I woke up I was surprised to see him still in bed. Even in our old age, all the years in the navy still had him getting up before me. “Robby? You okay?” I asked as I stretched in bed, my arms raising up over my head before I rolled over to face his back. “Robby.” I said as I placed my hand on his arm. I immediately knew something was wrong, I rolled him onto his back, shaking him. “Robby?” My heart sped up as I reached for his neck. As soon as I felt how cold his skin was, it was like the ground was ripped out from under me. “Robby?” My hand was on his chest as I shook him, my voice breaking. “Robby?” This wasn’t happening. We had a trip with the kids in a few weeks and he was so excited to see all of our grandkids on the beach together. “No. No!” I cried as I buried my face in his chest.

A pulmonary embolism in the middle of the night is what took him. I felt numb. The world wasn’t as bright as it usually was, I couldn’t find joy like I used to, even with the kids or my grandkids. When the funeral came around I just sat in the chair by his casket, shaking hands and giving fake smiles as I listened to people tell me how they knew Robby. “Mama. You need some water.” Violet said, holding out a bottle to me. “No, I’m fine baby.” She sighed, grabbing the hand held out and pushing the bottle into it. “You haven’t had water since yesterday morning and I know you haven’t eaten since then.” I sighed, taking the bottle just to please her but she was right. I wasn’t taking care of myself, and Robby would give me the scolding of a lifetime. So, I gave in and ate something as well as making sure I drank plenty of water. I held it together through the funeral for the most part, only breaking down as the jets flew overhead performing the missing man formation. I approached the casket for the last time, leaning on it as I cried. “Mama.” Liam said as he came over, hugging me, and soon so did all the others. All five kids and all eleven grandkids came up, comforting me. “I don’t know how I’m gonna do this.” I gasped out. I stayed like that for who knows how long, but eventually Zach and Michael helped me up. “It’ll be okay, mama. We’ll make sure of it.”

It was never truly okay. You never get over losing your best friend, your other half. It’s a pain you simply make room for. The days seemed longer, the winters were colder, and the house was lonely. Not long after I turned eighty-three Violet moved into the house with her husband and kids. The house was lively again, just like it was when the kids were younger, but there was still this gaping hole that could never be filled. Rooster and Phoenix came over often, Hangman and his wife would take me out, the team was trying to make sure I knew I wasn’t alone. But these days that’s all I wanted. To sit alone and flip through photo albums and reminisce on our life together. I did it sometimes, other times I would spray his side of the bed with his cologne or go through old videos or voicemail’s. I was so scared that I would forget what he smelled like, or the sound of his voice. Then one day it did slip my mind. “Mama? Do you want to go down to the beach with the kids and I?” Violet asked as she stood in my bedroom doorway, watching me fold laundry. “Sure, go ask your father. You know he loves to see the kids play in the surf.” It was quiet for a minute and I looked up. Violet had tears streaking her cheeks as she stared at me. “Mama.” She said as she came over, sitting on the bed next to me. She took my hand, squeezing it. “Daddy’s been gone for a few years now.” Suddenly everything came rushing back, all the painful memories of losing Robby. “Oh my god.” I cried, my head falling down to my hands. “I’m so sorry Violet.” My words reminded Violet of one of the worst days of her life, and I felt like an awful mother for reopening those wounds. “No, mama. It’s okay, it happens.” Except it doesn’t. Lab tests and imaging proved it to be Alzheimer’s and slowly it got worse. I was forgetting who my kids were, constantly forgetting Robby was gone. Life becomes hard when you don’t understand the world anymore.

At the age of ninety-two I went into the hospital for aspiration pneumonia. Too much food and liquid going down the windpipe and allowing infection to settle in my lungs. “There’s nothing we can do?” Liam asked as he sat by my bedside. “I’m sorry. We’ve done everything we could, but sadly this is what happens with most Alzheimer’s patients.” Liam nodded, squeezing my hand as I tried to pull away. “It’s okay mama. It’s me, Liam.” It was like everything became clear again. “Liam?” He nodded, his eyes glassy with tears and for a minute I saw my baby boy. “Yeah. It’s me.” Soon all the kids were in the room, sitting around my bed. “I’m so tired.” Zach nodded, patting my arm. “We’ve all talked, mama and we agree. If you’re ready. So are we.” It was like the world lifted off my shoulders in that moment and a sense of peace washed over me. “We love you, mama.” My eyes flashed to Michael who spoke and as I did, I caught a figure in the corner. The figure was leaned against the wall, faded jeans, white t-shirt, hair styled and large frame glasses resting on his nose. He pushed off the wall, stepping into the light, making me gasp. “Robby?” He looked just like he did when we met, so young and bright. “Hey, darlin’.” He said as he came over, his fingers running through my thin, gray hair. “What are you doin’ here?” It was a mumble as I stared up at him. He stood next to Violet, looking at her before looking at me. “I’m right here waitin’ for you, honey.” I nodded as he squatted down, leaning his arms on the bed. “They’ll be okay. We did good with ‘em.” Tears ran down my cheeks as I looked at him, still in shock that he was standing next to me. “Go to sleep, darlin’. I’ll see you when you wake up.” I nodded, watching as he walked out of the room. My eyes grew heavy as the kids held onto me in some way. “We love you, mama.” I barely heard it, but it made me smile. “I love you too.” With that, I drifted off.

When I opened my eyes later I was standing on a beach, which was so confusing. I looked down, seeing my white painted toes in the sand and I looked at my hands. Same nail color, but my hands were so soft, and all the wrinkles were gone. My wedding ring gleaming in the sunlight, making me smile. I had on a white halter top, backless sun dress which allowed me to feel the warm breeze. I looked around, seeing palm trees across from the endless ocean. As I turned my head I saw a figure in the distance, I couldn’t make out any discerning features except for the white shirt and faded jeans. I took a few steps closer and a grin threatened to split my face in half. I took off in a sprint down the beach throwing myself into Robby’s arms when I reached him. My legs wrapped around his waist as my arms squeezed his neck. He smelled just like his cologne and I could’ve drowned in it, burying my face in his neck. His hands splayed across my back and I missed the feeling of him on my skin, the way his cologne would linger on me for a while. I pulled back, looking into those crystal blue eyes that I adored. “Is this real?” He nodded. “So real.” I grinned at him, my forehead resting on his as my fingers played with the hair on the nape of his neck. “You were waiting?” He nodded. “For too long, honey. I’ve wanted nothing more than to hold you in my arms since the minute I got here.” My grin never faded. “Kiss me honey. I’ve waited too long.” He whispered and I giggled. “Anything you want, Mr. Floyd.” I said before my lips pressed against his in one of the most passionate kisses we’ve ever had. He held me tightly against him as our noses lightly bumped each other’s, his hands drifting over the expanse of my back, my fingers buried in his hair. We pulled away forehead’s resting each other’s again as we caught our breath. “I can’t believe you’re finally here.” I giggled as he set me on my own feet. “What is this place?” I asked as we looked around. Robby shrugged his shoulders. “Heaven? Valhalla? Who knows, I just call it paradise, and it really just became paradise with you here, darlin’.” He said as he tilted my chin up, kissing me again. “I just hate we had to leave the kids.” He smiled, tugging me along to follow him. “Come here, I wanna show you something.”

He led me to a little tide pool between some rocks. “Look.” I looked at it, and after a moment it showed me all the kids sitting in a waiting room, Liam and Zach with their heads in their hands as they cried. My heart shattered, realizing what I left behind. “Mom would tell us we don’t need to cry because she’s with dad and they’re probably picking on each other.” All the kids broke out in giggles at Michael’s words. He wasn’t far off; Robby and I do enjoy picking on each other sometimes. “Picking on me, huh?” Robby asked, arms crossed over his chest. “Yes. Because I love you.” I said as I wrapped my arms around his midsection, leaning up and kissing him. When we pulled away I rested my head on his chest as he held me. “You think the kids will be okay?” He immediately nodded. “They will be. And when they’re ready, we’ll be right here waiting for them.” I nodded, looking back down at the tide pool, seeing Violet shove Zach from his chair. Life is full of joy, and heart ache. It pushes your boundaries and shows you what you’re made of. “Yeah, we’ll be right here waiting.” He kissed my forehead one more time before grabbing my hand and pulling me down the beach as the sun set behind us.

[alwaysbethewest]

Kingsman fic: That's You for Me

Folks, you know that thing where you see a cowboy and you think, he's cute and all, but what if I wrote him as troubled and sad on New Year's Eve? Well—

Title: That's You for Me Pairing: Agent Whiskey/f!Reader Rating: Mature Word Count: 1.8k Content/warnings: alcohol, lingerie, a maudlin cowboy, established relationship, mundanity, softness, lap sitting, neither plot nor porn, kind of emotional hurt/comfort I guess? Reader is mostly blank slate but is described as having cleavage. Unbetaed but as always thank you to @mourningbirds1 and @fleetwoodmactshirt for being my sounding boards and cheerleaders 💞

It’s raining out, and the backseat of this car is a welcome refuge, warm and dry and clean. The driver has K-LOVE playing on the radio—quiet, contemporary love songs to Jesus after dark—and you wonder if he sees you as a soul in need of saving. You probably look the part—eye makeup overdone and smudged by now, and cleavage peeking out from under your coat. You’re buzzed on good champagne and mid-shelf vodka and you meet his eyes in the rearview mirror and give him a smile, because you can’t help it, because it’s New Year’s Eve and you’re filled with a sense of warmth and goodwill toward your fellow man.

Your own man had stayed home tonight, claiming a pile of work needed his attention, and the tone of his voice had told you it was an excuse, and the look on his face had told you not to push it, so you didn’t. The party was fun, even without him on your arm, but the want of him had been tugging you back home all evening and you’d bowed out well before midnight and summoned a cab.

The house is quiet, lit just enough for you to slip off your shoes and pick your way through the foyer and down the hall to the bedroom. You’re expecting him there, dozing already or relaxing with a book, ready to draw you in close and ring in the new year.

The bedroom is empty.

You wander through the house, making a detour to the kitchen for a glass of water and a plate of leftover iced sugar cookies from Christmas, and eventually you find Jack in the only place he ever could have been—his study.

It’s his favorite room in the house, the only one untouched by hired decorators or exes or you. It’s dark, and warm, and simple yet plush. His desk is massive, and he cuts an imposing figure behind it when he wants to. This room is designed to intimidate visitors as much as it is to suit himself.

Tonight, his posture is slumped in the sturdy desk chair, body half illuminated by the Tiffany-style table lamp to his right. The door is open, and you’re on bare feet, but he still catches you coming in and glances at his watch as he straightens upright.

“You’re back early,” he observes. “Welcome home.”

“Thank you.”

Under your feet, the carpet is soft. You dig your toes into the threads as you walk towards him, enjoying the sensation. You still have your coat on, and it makes you feel sexy, like showing up in nothing but a trench coat, even though you’re fully dressed. You pause by the side of his desk to set down your treats and make a show of slipping off the coat.

Jack pushes his chair back from the desk, leaning back, and looks you up and down. “Well, well, well. Those legs go all the way down to the floor, now don’t they.”

“Well, well, well,” you drawl, with a laugh, “where else would they go, honey?”

He waggles his eyebrows. “I can think of a few places.”

“Very clever,” you tell him dryly, but the champagne bubbling through your system must be impairing your judgment because you feel genuinely amused and can’t hold back a smile.

You slip in front of his chair, perching against the edge of the desk, and he swivels to face you head on, letting his gaze linger on your thighs where your hem is riding high. He’s taken by the sight, distracted from whatever he’d been at before you came in, but there’s a tightness around his eyes that you recognize, that you know won’t dissipate all that easy.

You cock your head, listening to the music he’s got playing quietly on the stereo system. It’s a woman’s voice, high-pitched and full of heartache, singing a song that you can’t quite place. It would sound sad even if you couldn’t make out the words.

“Tammy?” you ask. His eyes travel up to meet your own and he looks a little sheepish. He knows that you, more than anyone, can see right through him.

“She’s been keeping me company.”

You lift one foot and rub it against his ankle. He feels far away from you still, despite sitting right there.

“I would’ve stayed home with you,” you tell him.

He’s silent for a beat.

“I wanted you to have fun,” he says. He reaches past you to pick up the glass of whiskey on his desk, and then rolls in closer so you’re nearly touching.

You open your legs for him, making room for his knees between yours. He rests his left hand, broad and warm, on the bare expanse of your thigh, and takes a slow sip of his drink.

“Tell me about the party,” he says.

You brush your fingers over his knuckles, drifting your eyes down his body. He’s wearing a soft, dark blue cashmere sweater and well-fitting charcoal trousers. It’s an elegant look for lounging around the house, and for a moment you find yourself wishing he’d come with you tonight, just for the image you would’ve struck together, his subdued, clean lines and your sparkly, low-cut dress.

“It was fun,” you tell him. “Trace and Geri were there. They were sorry not to see you.”

He shifts his jaw, thoughtfully.

“I told them you had pressing work to take care of,” you assure him. “They understood. Geri said she’ll find a date to have us over for dinner soon. Just the four of us.”

He nods.

“Linda brought her new boyfriend,” you continue. “You would’ve hated him.”

Jack laughs, surprised. “Why’s that?”

You shrug. “Call it intuition.”

Call it the fact that the young man in question was clearly coked up all night, more like, but telling Jack that would ruin the good mood you’re trying to coax him into.

He makes a skeptical sound and slides his hand an inch higher, fingertips threatening to edge under the hem of your dress.

“What brought you home so early?” he asks. “I thought you’d be out past midnight.”

“The catering was no good,” you tell him. “And the music was too loud. And… I just thought—I would rather be here with you, anyway.”

He smiles, and shakes his head a little, like he doesn’t agree with your decision-making but appreciates the sentiment nonetheless. You reach your hand out to cup his jaw, brushing your thumb along his chin and up to the corner of his mouth, and you lean in closer, carefully, so he has nowhere to look but at you.

“Jack,” you whisper. “This is always where I’d rather be.”

He blinks, and you see something shift in his face—that tightness he’d been trying to mask momentarily relaxing away—a break in the self-punishing armor he’s put on tonight to keep everyone out. You’ve given him a statement of truth and he’s absorbing it now, reckoning with it, feeling the unhappy lies he’s told himself being tilted on their heads. He inhales, swallows hard, closes his eyes for a long moment. When he opens them again his face has gone a little softer, tension fading into relief, confusion turning to acceptance.

“Come here,” he murmurs, tugging at your hips.

He pulls you into his lap, straddling his thighs. Your dress rides up indecently and the space between you is shrouded dark and silky—his trouser fabric soft under your thighs and brushing through the thin layer of your underwear. His hands span across your back, holding you close and secure, and he tips his head up to press a kiss under your jawline before leaning forward and down to nose into the valley of your cleavage. He rests there for a long moment, just breathing in slowly, angling his head to arch into it when you scratch your fingers lightly into the hair at the nape of his neck.

“Nice perfume,” he says, muffled slightly against your chest.

“You gave it to me,” you remind him.

He hums, a self-satisfied sound. “I guess I have good taste.”

“I guess you do.”

He pulls upright again to look at you, and opens his mouth to say something, then hesitates. You wait him out, fingers still massaging at the back of his head, and after a moment he has that sheepish look again, see-through, like he’s remembering there’s no use hiding if it is from you.

“Thank you for choosing me,” he says quietly.

You feel something deep in your chest, a swell of tender affection for him overtaking you.

“Thank you for being everything I need,” you say.

He doesn’t shake his head this time. He searches your face, seeing the truth of it, and gives you a small, sincere smile.

He glances at his watch again.

“It’s only eleven. You want me to help keep you awake until midnight?”

“Yes please.”

“There’s a catch,” he warns you. You raise an eyebrow. “You have to take off this dress,” he says disapprovingly. “You look—incredibly sexy, but—those sequins are scratchy as a briar patch. I want to feel you.”

You laugh and gesture over your shoulder. “The zipper is right there, baby.” His hands are reaching for it before your sentence is complete, and your laughter at his haste gets lost in the slinky fabric pulling over your head as he takes the dress off you. He tosses it onto the desk and runs his hands down your sides, giving you a low whistle.

“That’s much better,” he says. “I guess I have good taste in lingerie, too.”

It’s warm in the study, and surprisingly comfortable sitting astride his lap in nothing but your bra and panties. He wasn’t wrong about the scratch of the sequins and how much nicer it is to touch your soft, bare skin. You lean forward, experimentally, and press your body to his, enjoying the luxurious feel of his cashmere sweater. You can smell the whiskey on his breath, pairing with your own warmly scented perfume, perfect complements to each other.

“I have a proposition for you,” you say.

“I like the sound of that.” He palms your ass and squeezes with intent.

“I’ll trade you one of my cookies for a sip of your whiskey.”

“A cookie—” He shifts under you, glancing around to find your plate of Christmas cookies. “Sugar, this is a two hundred dollar bottle of liquor. That’s just not a fair trade.”

You pull away, shooting him a small mock frown. “Two cookies, then.”

He looks calculating. “One cookie,” he says, holding up a finger, “and two kisses.”

“It’s really two hundred dollars?” you ask, and he nods. “Alright,” you decide. “One cookie, two kisses, and I’m going to throw in another one for free.”

“You’re a terrible negotiator,” he observes, but he doesn’t seem to mind it when you lean in for your kiss, and you don’t mind it either that you only get your whiskey half a dozen kisses later.

(teensy tiny tag list for this one: @loversandantiheroes, @pedrostories, @littlemisspascal, @thirstworldproblemss, @knittingqueen13)