#I miss tv Mat and Jack

[cutebottledspider]

Randomly, I think Shardlake fans should be called Shardleaks.

[thetravelingtyper]

On The Same Page pt 6(Simon 'Ghost' Riley x Reader Bookshop! AU)

Stuck in by the rain, you, Simon, and Sam receive important news over dinner...

Part 5, Part 7, Masterlist

Image from GIF by tana-the-dreamchaser

Simon followed you up the stairs like a shadow, his steps even but quiet. If not for his hand seeking yours you would have thought him a ghost. He seems to seek you like a moth to starlight and you find yourself relaxing with his close presence. You reach the door at the top of the stairs and push it open to be met with the smell of a simmering spice. You perk up instantly and call out for Sam. His curls pop out of the kitchen and seeing your entwined hands he smiles.

“Are you making what I think you are making?” You ask hopefully, eyes softened towards your friend. You step into the living area and release your hand from Simon’s. He abides by it but lingers close to you, choosing to take in his surroundings. 

The vibes of the apartment are, well, eclectic. Amongst the thriving house plants, SImon can see little bits of you and Sam. The worn love seat a dappled plum color, a plush leather couch, and, he looks at the floor and chuckles, a fox in a sweater welcome mat. You move to the kitchen after asking Simon to make himself comfortable. He nods and moves to the loveseat, taking your backpack off and setting it to the side before taking a seat. He observes further as you step into the kitchen to talk to Sam. 

On the coffee table, there is a vase of sunflowers, the TV stand is an old steamer trunk, and lining the far walls across from the door are books. Upon four shelves is a library’s worth of books and Simon stands and approaches them. Upon further expectation he cracks a smile, the inner panel of the bookshelves are painted the same as the ceiling of the bookstore. A rough hand comes up and he traces the spines of some of the leather-bound books. There are books of all kinds roughly categorized by genre. Littered amongst the shelves are other things, among them, Simon finds things like a cow teapot, a Union Jack mug holding pens, leather-bound notebooks, a dragon beanie baby, and something else that pauses his searching. 

On a desk in the middle of the two sets of shelves is a collection of mechanical parts. The smell of gun oil and steel pulls memories from service and he leans down, turning on the desk lamp to examine it closer. In the middle of the desk is a typewriter. The carriage is set aside from the body of the typewriter and the smell of oil gets stronger. He looks around the table and finds a myriad of cases, some big and others small, mostly belonging to what he assumes to be typewriters. 

You pop your head out of the kitchen to call for SImon but you find him engrossed in his examination. You smile, unsurprised at his curiosity, most visitors are drawn in by the book before stumbling upon your workstation. You step out of the kitchen and call to him. He looks up and turns to you in question. 

“Dinner is ready.” 

You say it with a growing grin as Sam had made enchiladas in a Tex-Mex style you missed. Simon looks back to the disassembled typewriter once more before he approaches you and follows you into the kitchen. If the living area was eclectic the kitchen was more so. Along the walls of the modest space hung pictures of every kind. Along the side wall, under a window was an old dresser or antique buffet that held a beaten-up record player. Along the wall were art prints, old diagrams, and book posters. On the buffet, next to the kitchen table was a collection of tabletop books, big glossy things meant as eye candy. He huffs a laugh at the selection: fox photo collections, Jules Verne releases, and typewriters. 

He turns his attention to Sam who is already sitting at the table, three places set for you guys to eat. Even the cutlery and plates are a mix of wild colors and subtle finery. You move to the stove where a baking dish holds something excellent smelling. Grabbing some oven mitts (fox chefs of course) you take the dish and set it on some ceramic pot holders on the table. 

“I hope you like enchiladas.” You say it with a pleased expression before shooting Sam a nostalgic smile. You motion for Simon to sit and he does before you take the seat next to him. 

You all begin to eat without much fuss, conversation passing in softer words between you and Sam while Simon chimes in every once in a while. However, after about 15 minutes in, Sam pauses as if remembering something. 

You see a look pass over his face before he reaches behind him and picks up a letter off of the counter behind him. He offers it to you and you recognize the handwriting.

“Sofia was here earlier, she looked urgent and dropped this off mentioning for you to read it. Something about a collaboration of some kind for a release over here. She wouldn’t give me more details than that before she was rushing off to her next appointment.”

“Huh,” You work on prying the envelope open gently, “she would normally call.”

Sam shrugs but watches with curiosity as you pull out a typed document. The paper at first touch is heavy, almost a thin cardstock, and the smell of ink and paper is crisp. There is even a wax seal holding the paper close and you want to roll your eyes. The sneaking familiarity seeps into your bones as you swipe a finger under the seal breaking it and unfolding the paper. When you read the heading your stomach clenches. It was from your old company. Something in your demeanor must have changed as you lean back in your chair feeling suddenly winded. Sharp eyes turn to you and Simon and Sam both stop eating.

“What is it? Sam asks with concern, leaning forward in his chair. Simon next to you frowns as your eyes skim the letter, your shoulders getting tenser and tenser. At the end of the letter, you bite your lip before slowly closing the letter and handing it across the table to Sam without a word. He about tears it open and reads it himself. 

“This is bullshit.” These are the first words out of his mouth and he tosses the letter onto the table. You don't reply, instead pushing your almost empty plate aside and putting your head in your hands with a sigh. Simon’s hand finds your knee under the table instantly and you eye him through your hands. There is exhaustion in your eyes, one that is familiar to him. You move to lay your head down with a sigh, leaning towards Simon naturally for comfort. 

“What is it, Dove?” He asks, voice low.

“Read for yourself.” Is all you offer and he does so, reaching a long arm for the letter before reading. 

The letter begins with a ‘greetings’ in a faceless text. Following are niceties and a “wish you are well’. One that you wanted to scoff at, given your last encounter with your previous publisher. He continues over the unnecessary and gets to the meat of the letter. 

… due to the raving success of your last book under our services, we have decided to do a release tour and event of James’s new book under your direction. We have already reached out to Sofia for contact with you.  Given both books' American popularity, we expect such a collaboration to benefit not only you but also White Owl Publishing. We expect James’s arrival in London this Sunday. If you have any questions please reach us at…

Simon frowns and looks at you.

“When the hell did James start writing?” Sam asks you but you just groan and pull yourself up, a hand reaching under the table to squeeze Simon’s in silent thanks. Something serious settles over you,

“I don’t know. Maybe when he started sleeping with the CEO’s daughter.” 

You bite it, voice sharp as a knife. The woman was an accomplished author under her fathers' direction and specialized in YA and new adult romance novels. You used to hold a lot of respect for her when you first joined the company but she soon, after learning of your specialization in children's literature, became downright dismissive. That dismission partnered with a giggly fascination with James, turned you away from her and towards the more quiet of the other authors and editors. However, given her status as the CEO's daughter, there was no escaping her influence, thankfully Sofia was always with you, and due to your focus on children, you didn't have to interact with her much. Other than events like the Publisher’s Gala, and well you know how the last one turned out. 

After the gala, you had learned from one loyal person, a fellow children's author named Sarah that the affair had been going strong for months. She hadn’t known until a drunk Sabrina had bragged on his arm at an after-party that faithful night. She called the moment she discovered your plans to leave and wanted you to know. 

Back in the moment, you debate your options. Given the publication’s no doubt about you after the Gala, you couldn’t risk saying no to this. Why they wanted to associate with a ‘failure and second rate nobody’ you didn't know. You look to Sam, his family's business was now connected with one of the largest publishers in America, and you weren't going to risk their skins because of disgust and fear. A silent resolution lit up your face, Sam, seeing this, grins. 

“You're going to go with this.” It's not a question out of his mouth. A shaky smile hits your face at that. Simon just looks to you, something about your determination makes him want to smile. His hand turns to entangle with yours under the table and you look at him, taking this as his support. 

“Johnny will want to knock some heads” His voice surprises you and laughter bubbles out of your chest. It quiets down to giggles a moment later and you pull your plate back to you. He wasn't wrong. A few tea times after meeting the man you had told the Scot the story of why you ended up in London. His brows furrowed and looking at you he cursed.

“Cheat? On a prize like you lass? Need me to do him in?”

You mention this to Simon in a giggle. He smiles.

“Good man, Johnny is.” 

He runs his thumb over your knuckles and you breathe out as your heart skips a beat, tension draining from your form as you take another bite before nodding in agreement. Simon gives you a small smile before he turns back to his food with a hum, but his hand remains in yours through the rest of dinner. 

--- 

After dinner, you stand up to collect the dishes. Sam gives you a look before shooting up to race you to the sink. You beat him by a foot before splashing him with cool water. He chuckles at you, eyes brightening at your mirthful expression. You hear the sound of a chair and Simon stands. Sam looks at you with a grin and a raised brow before he pulls himself into a stretch. 

He looks at Simon and then back to himself.

“I may have a shirt and some sweats if you’d like to change Simon.” 

The taller man moves around the table and pauses, looks down at his jeans, and gives a nod. With the confirmation, Sam winks at you and leaves the kitchen for his room. You shake your head fondly before going to wash the dishes, but a hand stops you. Simon is next to you then, the proximity quickening your heart once again.

“I’ll do ‘em,” 

is a statement and he nudges you aside gently with his large frame. You realize then just how big he is. While you were by no means tiny, Simon was tall. Sam was easily 6’ but you had to tilt your head to look up at Simon. He started dutifully washing plates without any more comments so you studied the side profile of his face. With a strong jawline cut with a few scars, your eyes focus on his eyes, focused and quiet as he works. The action, so domestic, calms something in you. While you loved being with Sam, you missed being with a partner sometimes, the attraction and the comfort. You loved Sam like a brother and that came with the typical roommate squabbles sometimes, you laugh mentally. You missed James some though despite everything. Having another person to hold was a human element absent in your life. 

But, your heart murmured, there is Simon.

You sigh inwardly, your heart skipping a beat as you envision his smiles. They lit up his face in a way that took the weight of his service, the exhaustion, off his shoulders for even a brief moment. He had seemingly been open, but respectful about some sort of feelings towards you, and you cherished his careful support. 

Your hand on his arm pauses Simon, and his eyes flicker down to yours in question. Without much thought your hand traces what is exposed of his forearm, fingers swirling around the inked skin, you linger a moment. Then, with a steady exhalation from Simon, your hands follow up his arm and over the sleeve, feeling the strength of his bicep Simon stills. His other hand reaches for the hand towel and setting the plate down he pulls back from the sink and turns his attention fully to you. 

You look engrossed in your study of him, like a jeweler over a diamond or precious stone. You lift for a moment seeing the towel and step back, allowing the man to dry his hands before he takes the next step to follow you. Your eyes widen in realization when your back hits the side counter and Simon steps comfortably, naturally even, into your space. 

Your breath catches in your throat when he raises a hand to your face, it ghosts over your cheek before, heart pounding, you lean into his palm. It is rough, worn from years of work, but it's warm, and something deep in you preens at the touch. Honey eyes find yours, widening a moment as you lean in, before lowering in reverence. Here you were, he thought, 

“Sweet thing.” 

It comes out in a whisper and your heart clenches. You close your eyes, raising a hand against his, cherishing the feel of the touch. His heart stutters then when you reopen your eyes and give him a sweet smile. Your hand runs down his arm and the other wraps around his abdomen and you close the space between the both of you with an embrace. His arms drop in surprise, but as your head comes to rest against his chest, they soon engulf you in the scent of leather and smoke. 

With your ear against his sturdy chest, you can hear his heart pick up, you smile to yourself then, happy the effect is mutual. Simon inhales the scent of old books and baked goods and hums, the sound reverberating through you. He chuckles before setting his head on yours just enjoying the feeling of you in his arms. You mutter something and he questions you with another hum. You repeat it a bit louder.

“Want dessert?” The question incites a chuckle from him and his arms loose to look down at you. Something swirls in his eyes, warm like syrup, and his lips quirked up in a smile. 

“Sure, Honey.” The two syllables of endearment are languid and you bask in them like a noon sun. His eyes flicker down to your lips a moment and your breath catches, but the sound of footsteps alerts you to Sam. You know him well enough, he doesn't want to interrupt so you smile at Simon and run your hands up his arms before stepping out of his grasp. Sam enters a second later with a bundle of clothes. His eyes are lit up and after glancing at you he grins at Simon.

“Here you are, Mate.” He gives a mock British accent and hands the bundle to Simon. You then pat the taller man's arm.

“Guest room is down the hall, Sam will show you. There's a bathroom too. I hope you eat cheesecake?” 

You ask him and he just nods before Sam motions to him to follow. Simon gives you one last glance then heads after Sam. Once both men are out of the kitchen you grasp at your pounding heart as your stomach flutters. You felt giddy, a childish wonder in your heart at the affection. Simon was so warm and you felt safe in his arms. You hum to yourself as you pass to the fridge, opening it and examining the inside. 

Beside produce and leftovers sat your quarry, made a day or so ago. There sat a glorious strawberry shortcake cheesecake, made by you. Albeit there was a slice missing courtesy of Sam but the cake was an absolute unit. You pull the covered dish out carefully as Sam pads into the kitchen alone. He leans against the counter as you work and regards you. 

You hum more as you work, relaxing further in his presence, reaching to grab three plates. You then cut modest slices for each of you before sticking the rest of the cake back in the fridge.

“You’re thinking too loud Sammy.”

You then turn to him, a knowing look on your face. What surprises you is the serious look on his, Sam’s arms are crossed as he leans. You set the plates on the table before approaching your friend.

“What’s wrong?” 

Green eyes turn to you, dark as English ivy, and they flicker down to you.

“I think James means trouble.”

It is all he offers. You sigh, taking a seat at the table. You think a moment. You wondered why your manager, Sofia wouldn't have called you, but this seemed like such a sudden onset by your old publisher. Given her sudden rush to leave you wondered where this put Sam’s family. Hearing your story the small publisher was happy to take both you and Sofia under their wing. White Owl Publishing was small, but they had cherished new classics under them. Your eyes flick up to meet Sam’s.

“We can’t risk your family’s reputation. Not after everything they've done for me and Sofia.”

Sam’s jaw clenches and you are taken aback a moment when his muscles tense. Sam had always been the most level-headed person you know. 

“I don’t give a shit after what he’s done to you.” It is firm, Sam stands taller at the statement. You think back to the firm grip on your neck. Showing up at Sam’s door with tears streaming down your face, the choked sobs. It was the first but not the last time the man had laid hands on you. Weeks before the gala was marked with a possession like no other by James. In hindsight making up for his affair but you didn’t and still don’t understand why Sam triggered it. 

“I should have knocked his teeth in the first time he touched you.” 

Sam’s voice is even but you can sense the rage simmering. You get up and go to him seeking to comfort him but you jump when you see the form of Simon at the entrance of the kitchen. Your surprise has Sam turning as well, the simmer broken.

“He grabbed you, Dove?”  Simon’s voice is ice. If you thought Sam was simmering rage, Simon has the look of a soldier. His eyes are dark and his lips are up in a snarl, but he is collected, with a refined rage, trained to kill. You gulp. You nod slowly. 

“In the past month or so before the gala, when I found out he was cheating. James got possessive.” You say it calmly but there is a bubble of anxiety, black and vile, in your stomach. You try to shake it off, but the shadow of the experience hangs over you. Simon, fresh from the shower steps into the kitchen, hands open in an offering. Sam watches as you glance at Simon before stepping into the man’s embrace, something in his chest settling with firm contentment. 

Simon on the other hand wraps you in one arm and uses his hand to smooth down your hair. He rocks you slowly and you melt in his arms. You calm in his arms, staying a quiet moment before running a hand over his shoulder and reluctantly pulling back. You look up to Simon with a shy smile,

“The cake will get warm.”

He lets you go slowly and follows you and Sam to the table. He takes the same seat and is met with a heavenly smell. The smell of vanilla and strawberry draws his eyes to the masterpiece in front of him. Sam offers him a smile before taking a large bite out of the cake that makes you giggle. You look at Simon before taking your own, albeit more modest bite. Simon follows and is met with heaven. Strawberry bursts on his tongue as the combination of heavy cheesecake and fluffy shortcake mix into a powerful combination.

“Fucking hell Love.” Is all he offers and you laugh, not expecting such a reaction from the stoic man. Your laughter is music to his ears,

“Glad you like it, Simon.” 

He could get used to the sound of his name rolling off your tongue. 

End Chapter 6

Taglist!

@ghostlythots, @tapioca-milktea1978, @cmbghost, @nexthyperfix

[https-harlow]

I Should Be Missing You

Summary- You and Jack deal with the consequences of falling out of love while you are married.

Word Count- 3.8k

Warnings- Divorce

Inspired by various songs from the EP Rolling Up The Welcome Mat by Kelsea Ballerini

You and Jack had been married for 4 years and had been together for 6 years. At one point your relationship was exciting, you loved each other, but without either of you realizing it, you both fell out of love. There were a lot of small arguments, some bigger than others.

“Jack, you know how I feel, I’ve told you before. I hate when you just disappear all weekend.” You said, you had been arguing for a while now and this was an argument you had often.

“I’m not just disappearing, I’m working. Then I come home to you. I don’t know what else I can do.” Jack argued.

“I’m fucking working too, but I still make time to text you.” You said, you had at least 15 texts to Jack that were currently still sitting unread even though Jack had been home for at least a day. “You make it seem like I’m asking for something impossible. I’m not even asking for you to take 15 minutes to call me. I’m asking for you to take 30 seconds to respond to a text message. Or at least read it.” 

“I’m sorry I’m busy, I told you that you could come with me.” Jack defended himself.

“I have my own career to focus on, I was out of town all weekend working too. Do you even know where I was?” You asked and Jack froze. He knew you told him, but he couldn’t remember where you were.

“I barely know where I was this weekend.” Jack tried to play it off as a joke, laughing to himself but you glared at him.

“I can’t fucking believe you.” You said shaking your head before you turned to walk out of the room.

“Don’t leave.” Jack begged, causing you to stop walking, but you kept your back to him. “Do you even know where I was this weekend?” Jack challenged you.

“California and Georgia. You flew to Los Angeles to work on your album and then you flew to Atlanta for a meeting.” You said and Jack sighed.

You both stood in silence for a moment before you finally turned to face Jack, holding your tears back.

“I’m tired of feeling like I’m the only one trying to make this marriage work.”  You told him.

“C’mon, it’s late, let’s go to bed and we can talk about this tomorrow.” Jack suggested, and you sighed, you were over fighting with Jack, so you agreed.

“Fine.” You sighed and turned to walk to your bedroom before Jack could stop you.

“You know I love you right?” Jack asked and you sighed, looking down at your hands for a second before looking back up at Jack.

“I love you too.” You told him, but neither of you felt that way anymore. 

You and Jack got ready for bed in silence, like you had been for a while, only speaking when you got into bed.

“I know I’ve been a shitty husband, I’m sorry.” Jack apologized.

“I just want to feel like you still want to be married to me, sometimes I don’t feel that way anymore.” You admitted, even though if you were honest, there were times you didn’t want to be married to Jack anymore.

You couldn’t specifically pinpoint a time where your feelings towards Jack changed, neither of you did anything wrong. Neither of you cheated, or did anything to purposely ruin your relationship, you both had just grew to become different people then you were when you got married. 

“I do still want to be married to you.” Jack lied without realizing it. “Let’s talk about it in the morning, okay?” Jack suggested again and you nodded.

“Goodnight, I love you.” You smiled softly at Jack.

“Goodnight, I love you too baby.” Jack said, kissing you softly. 

You both fell asleep wrapped in each other’s arms but when you woke up you had your backs to each other.

You woke up before Jack, which wasn’t uncommon. You had enough time to make and eat breakfast before Jack woke up, making his way downstairs. You were sitting on the couch, some random tv show playing in the background, you turned your head as soon as you heard Jack’s footsteps.

“Good morning baby.” You said, noticing Jack was already dressed for the day.

“Good morning.” Jack said, walking towards you. “I’m going to go to the studio.” Jack told you and you looked at him confused.

“Oh, okay. I made breakfast if you want to eat before you leave.” You told him.

“Thanks, I’m just going to order something to the studio.” Jack told you and you nodded softly.

“Okay. We need to talk about last night though when you get back.” You said and Jack nodded.

“Yeah, we will.” Jack agreed, even though deep down you both knew you wouldn’t. 

“Love you, be safe, do you know when you’ll be home?” You asked. 

“Love you too.” Jack said, approaching you and pressing a kiss on the top of your head. “I will. Probably a couple hours. I’ll call you during our break for lunch, I’ll probably leave shortly after that.” He never did.

“Okay, I’ll see you later.” You said as Jack walked out the door.

This wasn’t uncommon for you two, after a fight Jack typically ended up at the studio all day for the next couple of days, and when he was home you made sure to distract yourself in any way you could.

You sat on the couch as you looked over to the picture you and Jack had hung on the wall as soon as you bought the house you were currently living in, which caused arguments on its own. 

You and Jack never actually agreed on the house, you just got tired of arguing so you gave in and bought the house he wanted. Jack wanted a house with plenty of room for as many kids as possible, but you only wanted a couple kids, not near as many as Jack wanted. The compromise that you came to was Jack got the house he wanted, you could get a dog, there was more than enough space.

The picture on the wall though, was picture of you two on your wedding day, surrounded by your friends and family. Luckily you both agreed on hanging that picture specifically, but sometimes it seemed like that was the only thing you had agreed on.

You picked up the wedding photo album that laid on the coffee table, it was a gift from Urban when you two came home from your honeymoon. You flipped through some of the pages, stopping at a picture of just the two of you, laughing, probably at some joke Jack made, his arm around you. You two were genuinely happy in the photo. 

If you would have told the couple in the photo, what their marriage would have turned into, neither of them would have believed you.

You closed the photo album, setting it back where you got it from before leaning back on the couch and pulling your knees to your chest. You let yourself cry. You never thought you would consider ending your marriage to Jack, but here you were. Sobbing on the couch while he distracted himself with work. 

It was a couple hours later, Jack was finally taking a break at the studio. At least he followed through with his word and called you, often he didn’t. 

“Hey baby, what are you doing?” Jack asked, though he wasn’t fully paying attention. 

“I’m taking a break from some work and I’m looking at some dogs that are at the shelter.” You told Jack.

“Is it really a good idea for us to get a dog right now? I mean we’re both so busy and everything.” Jack said.

“We have friends and family who’ve said they will watch the dog when we’re out of town. Plus, you were talking the other day about wanting to have kids soon, if we can handle kids, then we can handle a dog.” You said and Jack sighed.

“Yeah, sure, I guess. What kind of dog were you looking at?” Jack asked, putting his phone on speaker, and setting it down before he started pressing some buttons on the sound board.

“I was looking at two, ones a poodle, and the other is a lab. I can make an appointment for us to go meet them later this afternoon once you get home.” You said.

“About that, I think I’m going to be at the studio all night. You can go by yourself though if you want to.” Jack suggested.

“Jack, you’re always at the studio all day. You’re barely home anymore. You’ve literally been at the studio more days than not for the past 3 months.” You said.

“It’s just that we’re in the middle of something, if we don’t finish it today, we won’t ever get it done.” Jack argued, some of the people in the room looking at Jack confused. Jack waved his hand, telling them to be quiet.

“That’s fine I guess.” You sighed. “I’ll go see them by myself.” You told Jack.

“Okay, well I’ll see you tonight.” Jack said.

“Okay, I love you.” 

“I love you too.” Jack said before hanging up the phone.

“We’ve barely done anything today.” Clay said once he saw Jack hang up.

“I’ve been working on some lyrics by myself I wanted to record.” Jack said. 

“You’ve been calling last minute studio sessions almost every day.” Ace said.

“I’ve been coming up with last minute ideas.” Jack tried to deflect the questions.

“You’re not wearing your wedding ring.” Urban pointed out. “You haven’t been most of the time I see you anymore unless you’re with Y/N. You’re not cheating on her right?” Urban asked and Jack rolled his eyes.

“I come here to not get fucking questioned.” Jack said underneath his breath. “I forgot my ring, it’s not a big deal, I’m not cheating, I come to the studio and then go home.”

“You didn’t have your wedding ring last weekend on the trip.” Urban said. 

“Like you haven’t forgotten something before a trip.” Jack rolled his eyes.

“Something as important as a wedding ring? No, I haven’t.” Urban said. 

“Y/N wears hers all the time. It’s okay. We’re fine.” Jack said, getting up and walking into the recording booth just so everyone would stop asking him questions. Everyone dropped the topic of you after that. 

You ended up going to the animal shelter, more as a way to take your mind off of things and get out of the house. You didn’t end up adopting either of the dogs, because you didn’t want to make a decision without Jack. 

Even though you decided to get dinner on your way home, you still got home hours before Jack did. Jack didn’t get home until almost midnight. You had tried to stay up, but like most nights you fell asleep before Jack got home.

Jack walked into the living room, seeing you asleep on the couch. He sighed softly, before walking over to you. 

“Baby.” Jack said quietly, brushing a strand of hair back that fell in front of your face.

“Hm?” You shifted slightly.

“I’m home, do you want to go to sleep?” Jack asked, and you nodded softly, opening your eyes, and sitting up. 

“Yeah.” You said, letting out a yawn. 

“I’m sorry I was gone so long.” Jack apologized, and you sighed softly.

“You’re always gone all day.” You said, standing up.

“I know.” Jack sighed. “Once I get this album done, I’ll be able to be home more.” Jack told you. 

“But then you’ll have to promote it, and then you’ll go on tour.” You said. 

“We’ll figure it out when the time comes for that okay?” Jack said and you nodded.

“Let’s just go to bed.” You told Jack and he nodded, following you to the bedroom, and just like the night before you got ready in silence, only saying I love you and good night before you fell asleep in each other’s arms before waking up facing away from each other. 

In the following days you and Jack never ended up talking about your argument, that wasn’t uncommon, you never did. One of you just found something to distract yourself with so you didn’t have to talk. 

You were right though, as soon as Jack’s album was done, he went right into promoting it, and went on tour. You couldn’t just up and leave to go with him, you had your own career you also wanted to focus on. 

Jack had been on tour for about a month and a half when he was supposed to have a break to come home for a week. You had only seen each other on non-consistent facetime calls where you weren’t even sure if Jack was paying attention, always seeming to be distracted by something else that ended up forcing the call to end.

“When does your flight land?” You asked Jack, he was supposed to fly home tomorrow. 

“My flight?” Jack asked, confused.

“Yeah, you’re coming home for your break, aren’t you?” You asked.

“Uhh, no. Neelam scheduled some last-minute press stuff, so I’ll be staying here. She didn’t tell you?” Jack asked and you scoffed, you weren’t even sure what you should address first.

“Jack, I’m your wife, Neelam shouldn’t have to tell me anything. You should be the one telling me when you’re not going to be home.” You spoke. 

“I know, I should, I just got busy and didn’t want to forget, so I asked her too. I’m sorry.” Jack apologized. 

“Do you even want to come home?” You asked. 

“Of course, I do, I miss you. You know I’m just trying to work as much as I can now so when we start a family I can stay home as long as possible.” Jack said, and if you believed that was true, you would have forgiven him, but you didn’t. 

“I’m not sure I believe you anymore Jack. You’re always gone. I don’t even know the last time we both just spent the day with each other at home. I’m not saying it’s all your fault, I could take time off work too, but it seems like any time I do, you find some way to work yourself.” You said. 

“If you want me to, I’ll cancel the press and come home.” Jack offered.

“I don’t want you to do it because I want you to. I want you to do it because you care about spending time with me.” You sighed.

“Let me see what I can do okay?” Jack asked.

“Okay.” 

“I have to go, I love you.” Jack said.

“I love you too. I miss you.” You said, faking a smile for the facetime call.

“I miss you too, I’ll see what I can do about this week.” Jack said before hanging up.

 You don’t know why you did, but you had some hope that Jack cared enough to come home, and the next morning you prepared just in case. 

You knew his flight was supposed to come in in the morning, so you got up, made breakfast, and set out plates for the two of you. You sighed, picking up your phone and only seeing your usual good morning text. No text saying he left, landed, wasn’t going to make it, only a good morning. 

You tried to call Jack, but it went straight to voicemail. He called you back about a half an hour later.

“Hey baby, did you need something?” Jack asked.

“Hey. I was just curious if you were coming home.” You said and you heard Jack sigh.

“No, I’m not going to be able to make it. I tried. Do you fly home tonight?” Jack asked.

“I flew in last night so that I would be home when you got here.” You said. 

“Oh, yeah, that’s right, you were supposed to fly in before me.” Jack said.

“When’s your next break?” You asked. 

“I think in a month. I’ll come home then I promise.” Jack said but you didn’t believe him anymore.

“Okay, I’ll see you then I guess.” You and Jack said goodbye before hanging up the phone. 

As soon as you hung up the phone, you realized that for the first time, you didn’t really miss him. You didn’t miss Jack as much as you felt like you should.

Over the next week, all you got from Jack was good morning and good night texts, nothing in-between, but you didn’t send anything other then that either. You couldn’t help but keep up with Jack through him and Urban’s Instagram’s, which you saw absolutely no signs of him doing any sort of press. You saw him exploring the city he was in, which you couldn’t blame him, it looked like a beautiful place from what you saw.

You knew you could have offered to fly to Jack, since you had taken time from your career to make sure you were home, but you didn’t. It wasn’t even about missing Jack anymore, because at this point in your marriage, him being on tour and him being home weren’t very different. You just wanted to think that he was putting effort into your marriage. You hadn’t been putting as much effort into your marriage as you used to either though because normally you would have flown to him. You didn’t feel like you should have to do that anymore.

Over the next 3 weeks, the only thing keeping you up with what Jack was doing, was his Instagram. You kept up with your good morning and goodnight texts, but that was it. You had maybe facetimed him once a week since he didn’t come home for his break. You both gave up without realizing it, neither of you wanted to try to force something that clearly wasn’t there anymore.

You and Jack did make plans for you to fly out during his next couple days off, so you did. You had come to a conclusion that you never wanted to come to, and you decided you would rather tell Jack in person then over a FaceTime call.

You had been in town for almost a day when you and Jack were alone for the first time and not going to bed. 

“Jack, can we talk?” You asked as you both stepped into your hotel room. 

“You’re not going to go shopping with Neelam?” Jack asked and you shook your head, sitting down on the edge of the bed. Going shopping was your main reason to not be with Jack when you traveled with him.

“No, we need to talk. There’s something I need to tell you.” You said and Jack sat down next to you but left space between you two.

“Yeah, okay what is it?” He asked, looking over at you, giving you his full attention for the first time since you showed up.

“I don’t know an easy way to say this, I don’t think there is one, but I think we should get a divorce.” You told Jack, holding back your tears. Even though you didn’t feel like you loved Jack anymore, didn’t make the situation any easier for you.

“What?” Jack asked. “Why?”

“Jack, don’t pretend we both haven’t given up on this marriage. You can’t honestly try and tell me that you’ve been putting 100% into this marriage. I haven’t been either, I’m not putting all the blame on you.” You said and Jack sighed.

“I’m not going to sit here and try to convince you otherwise. I think we should talk about it first, but if that’s what you want, then I guess that’s fine.” Jack said.

“When was the last time we actually sat down and talked about an argument we had or something we disagreed on?” You asked.

“When we were in marriage counseling.” Jack said quietly, coming to the realization himself.

“It’s been 2 years since we were in marriage counseling, even when we were in marriage counseling the appointments were the only time we talked about anything. We both gave up along time ago. I didn’t want to admit that, and it took me awhile to admit that.” You said and Jack nodded softly.

“I guess maybe we did.” Jack sighed.

“I won’t start the process of anything until after your tour is over, but I just needed to tell you. I’m sorry.” You said, standing up from the bed. Jack didn’t say anything as you walked out of the room because you were right, he had given up a while ago.

Several months later and you and Jack were in the process of your divorce. You were moving out of your shared house. You and Jack had barely spoke since the night you told him you wanted a divorce, but Urban was helping you pack some things up. He had been a big support to you and to Jack during your divorce, never getting in the middle, but doing enough to show you he was there for both of you.

“Do you want this?” Urban asked, holding up your and Jack’s wedding photo album.

“Uh, just throw it in the box, I’ll figure out what to do with it later.” You said and Urban nodded, putting it in a box. 

“You know you don’t have to keep it just because I gave it to you. If you want to get rid of it you can, I’ll even help you burn it.” Urban joked, making you laugh softly. 

“I mean, it’s not like I can just throw away the fact that I was married to him. At one point we were happy, so it doesn’t hurt to keep some of the happy memories, even if they eventually turned into bad ones.” You said and Urban nodded.

“Yeah, that’s true.” Urban agreed. “Let’s take a break.” Urban said and you nodded, both making your way to the couch, turning on a random tv show.

“Thank you for all of this by the way. You didn’t have to help me at all.” You told him and Urban shrugged.

“I don’t mind helping a friend out, I know it’s been tough for you so it’s the least I can do.” Urban said and you nodded. You didn’t respond, you both just looked at each other for a moment and before either of you knew it, you were both leaning forward, connecting your lips with a kiss. You both deepened the kiss for a moment before you pulled away.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that.” You apologized almost immediately. 

“Don’t apologize. I kissed you too, but just know that my goal in helping you out isn’t to kiss you.” Urban joked and you laughed softly.

“I know.” You smiled softly at him.

That was the first time you kissed someone since Jack, and it was also one of the first times you didn’t know where Jack was. You felt the last part of you that was still attached to Jack, move on. 

Tag list @jackharloww @harlowcomehome @nattinatalia @hoodharlow @itsyagirljaz @heavyhitterheaux @harlowsbby @awhore4moree

[scarletsaphire]

Maddie has a quiet moment to herself, but then hears a sound coming from somewhere within Fentonworks.

---

For Ectoberhaunt day 13: Horror Flick

The downstairs of Fentonworks was uncharacteristically quiet. Jack had taken the GAV to the dump, looking to find some usable parts for their newest invention. Jazz was volunteering at the library. Danny was... well, Maddie didn't know where exactly Danny was. It had become far more trouble to keep an eye on him than it was worth, and he always came home safe and sound. For the most part. That meant that Maddie had the house to herself for a little while.

Normally, she wouldn't care. She'd hole herself up in the lab, working on something. She would have been doing that now, if it wasn't for the part they were missing. She could try working on a different project, but that might end with her losing her mojo for this one. So she was taking Jazz's advice and taking a well deserved break, at least until Jack got back. 

They hadn't had a lot of food in the kitchen, unsurprisingly; none of them had ever been very talented in the kitchen. But Maddie had found some tea, and there had been some leftover lo mein shoved in the back corner of the fridge that was good enough. Certainly not the most orthodox of meals, but since when has Maddie ever been orthodox?

Maddie wasn't used to the quiet of everyday life. She was used to the sound of her husband's excited chatter, to the whirring, clanging sounds of machinery. Now, all she could hear was the occasional car passing by outside, the sound of her chewing, and the soft padding of...something. That was weird. Normally, Maddie was pretty good at recognizing what a sound was. It was important to be aware and vigilant as a ghost hunter. But this sound wasn't one she recognized, and it was coming from somewhere inside the house.

Maddie turned away from the window, scanning the living room. Nothing looked out of place. The couch hadn't been moved, the TV was still turned off,  the windows were shut tight. It could have been coming from upstairs, perhaps? She turned towards the stairs, and immediately froze.

On the ceiling near the staircase was a ghost, crawling on the ceiling exorcist style. His head was flipped backwards, staring down at Maddie with glazed eyes. His face was a mess, covered in scratches and bruises, and his tongue lulled out, flopping around. His white hair was matted together, splotches of blood and dirt clearly visible. 

Maddie nearly dropped her cup of tea, but was able to stable herself enough to set it down on the counter. She turned back to the specter with a scowl. "Daniel James Fenton, put your head back on right and get off the ceiling this instant."

Danny laughed, contorting his body inhumanly and putting his head back on straight before floating gently to the floor. "I got you good, though," he said, still laughing.

Maddie shook her head with a sigh. "Yes, you did. But what happened to your face? Who was it this time?" Maddie reached into the upper cupboard, grabbing the modified first aid kit they kept for Danny.

Danny sat at the kitchen table, propping his head up on his hand. "Johnny and Shadow. Got tied to their motorcycle and dragged behind them for a mile or so."

Maddie hummed, and started to clean out some of Danny's scrapes. He didn't even flinch at the antibacterial wipes. "And was this his fault, or was this your bad idea?"

Danny smiled sheepishly. "Can't it be both?" 

"What were you trying to do?" Maddie asked.

"We wanted to see if I could slow him down by acting like a kite. Or if it would make me fly faster. Turns out, I am not good enough at body modification to kite myself. Yet."

Maddie sighed. "Yet, meaning you're going to keep trying?" Danny just smiled at her in lieu of an answer. "You're just like your father. Now, space bandages?"

Danny nodded, and continued chatting as Maddie grabbed the bandages from the first aid kit. She liked this much more than quiet.

[mythuzalasheir3]

Paul Matthews’ Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Night In Dulvey Ch1

~*~

After his wife, Emma, went missing three years ago, Paul Matthews receives a cryptic email allegedly from her, summoning him to the Chasity House in Dulvey.

~*~

Cast list:

Ethan Winters: Paul Matthews

Mia Winters: Emma Perkins

Jack Baker: Mark Chasity

Marguerite Baker: Karen Chasity

Zoe Baker: Becky Barnes

Eveline: Grace Chasity

Chris Redfield: General John Macnamara

~*~

Bc I’ve locked all my fics due to AI scraping, I’m cross posting it on here :))) Enjoy :))

TWs in the tags xoxo

Reblogs>>>Likes

~*~

Paul Matthews sat in his room, watching over the last video he had of his wife, Emma.

“Hey, Paul!” Emma smiled, on some ship with the sun shining behind her and seagulls flying in the background. “Sorry I haven’t been able to talk as much on this trip, but this job is keeping me busy! But the moment this babysitting job is over, I’ll be at home… with you…”

Then there was a shuddering on the recording, like something on the ship was shaking.

“I gotta go, but I love you and I’ll see you soon, okay?”

Then the video ended.

Paul had watched the last video message Emma had sent him approximately 643 times since she went missing a few years ago, he could recite it from memory and watch it in his sleep.

Little did he know that Emma had recorded another message that failed to send, admitting to lying and begging him to stay away.

Then an email pinged on his phone.

He swiped it open and noticed it was from Emma.

“Chasity House, Dulvey

Find me.” It read.

Paul packed a bag and got on the road to Dulvey, Louisiana, calling out of work as the urban world he was used to faded into grassy marshland, the moisture and heat hanging low in the air, almost touchable.

Paul parked his car in the seemingly abandoned garage of the Chasitys’ house and walked through.

The whole place looked like it had been abandoned in the middle of dinner, a large pot of rotting meatloaf sat covered in the table.

“Okay…” Paul said nervously as he opened it up and saw bugs crawling out over the top of it.

Paul grabbed an old, slightly rusted knife for protection.

He took in the faded, peeling paintwork, moth bitten holes in the blinds and patches of black and blue mold in the corner as he made his way to the living room, which had old mugs of coffee on the end tables, faded and worn magazines on the table and a videotape in the television, depicting the death and disappearance of a group of ‘paranormal investigation’ television hosts.

Paul found the key for the basement in one of the mugs of coffee.

The basement was much larger and darker than the rest of the house, with old, creaking steps leading down into what felt like the belly of the beast.

Paul turned his phone flashlight on as he walked in, hand against the wall to find a light switch.

Then his hand felt something strange, soft and sticky, yet cold.

Paul turned his phone torch over to see what he had found.

He leapt back in shock, wiping his hand furiously against his jeans as he realised he had the heel of his hand in the severed jaw of the rotting corpse of one of the camera crew from the show that was in the TV upstairs.

“Okay… Okay… Okay! Okay… Okay…” Paul muttered to himself, trying to ignore the feeling of congealed blood smeared on his hands like jelly.

He was immensely grateful that there was a leaky pipe nearby to wash it all off.

Paul turned the corner in the basement to see a cell, with a woman sleeping on an old worn mattress inside.

Paul noticed bolt cutters nearby to cut the rusted chain holding the cell door closed.

He got a closer look at the woman. She was worse for wear, her hair matted and her skin grimy, but it was most certainly her.

“Emma?” Paul gently shook her awake.

“...Paul?” Emma gently woke up, her eyes bleary and unfocused.

“Hey… I found you. I got your email.”

“...Email?!” Emma sat up, suddenly afraid.

“What?”

“We need to go. Now.” She stood up, still rather groggy, but the adrenaline was keeping her going.

They slowly made their way out, as Emma wasn’t well.

Paul was constantly pausing to check up on her, seeing how she was, if she was able to continue.

They could smell the mold that seemed persistent about the whole house.

“Paul… go on ahead. I’ll catch you up.” Emma sat on the stairs leading out of the basement.

“Are you sure?”

“Yep. Just need to catch my breath…”

Paul nodded and went up the creaking wooden stairs one by one, no sound aside from his footsteps, thrumming heartbeat and the creaking of the old, slowly rotting wooden floorboards.

Then a house phone at the end of the hallway rang.

Paul left Emma to answer that phone.

The phone was covered in grime.

“Hello?” Paul answered.

“Paul, is it?” The woman on the other end of the line said.

“Y-yeah… who are you?”

“A friend of a friend. The front exit is not an option right now. Head up to the attic and run.”

“I need to get Emma.”

“I’ll meet you at the exit of the estate and we’ll get out of here together.”

“Okay…”

Mysterious Phone Lady hung up, leaving the whole area in silence, aside from the quiet hum of bugs and insects nearby. It was too quiet.

Paul hesitantly approached the stairs where he left Emma, slowly getting more worried with each creaking step he took.

“E-Emma?” Paul called out quietly.

Then Emma leapt in front of Paul’s face but she was all wrong.

Her face was sickly pale, contrasted by the raised blackened veins on her neck, her eyes were pitch black and her breath smelled of rot.

“Emma?!” Paul said, backing away slowly as she raised the box cutter in her hand, slashing wildly at Paul. “Emma… It’s me…”

He rushed back, trying to run away from his wife, who was grunting and crying like some sort of wounded, scared animal as she slashed wildly.

What had happened to her?

“Shit!” Paul yelped as Emma jammed the box cutter into his hand, pinning it against the wall as she exchanged it for a chainsaw nearby. “Emma! Emma, please! Don’t do this!”

She couldn’t hear her husband’s pleas as she dragged the chainsaw which looked so heavy in her hands with how weak she had become.

She brought it over her head and down onto Paul’s wrist, painfully and brutally severing his hand from the rest of his body.

Paul grabbed the kitchen knife with his remaining hand and started slashing wildly, trying to push Emma away and scare her off.

He pushed her down the stairs to the basement.

“I’m sorry, Em!” Paul said, scarpering, trying to find something else, preferably an exit.

He grabbed a handgun from a drawer nearby, along with a few rounds, as he ran toward the attic.

There was a surprising amount of mold in the attic, and there was no way to climb out of the window.

Paul began moving boxes to clear the ladder to the skylight.

Then he heard the revving of a chainsaw behind him and he turned around to see the sickly, monstrous version of Emma lumber toward him swinging the chainsaw wildly.

“Emma! Forgive me!” Paul started firing the gun equally as wildly, not wanting to kill his wife, but fearing for his life.

“Paul… I’m… sorry…” She said as she finally went down, collapsing onto the floor like a limp ragdoll.

Paul went to continue his exit, moving boxes to access the ladder that would free him and lead to his escape.

Then he felt a hand on his shoulder.

A tall man in glasses and a worn plain shirt, with a moth eaten sweater tied over his shoulders.

“Welcome to the family.” He punched Paul in the face with a surprising amount of strength, sending him to the floor.

Then the man stomped on Paul’s head, and everything went dark.

[spiderling-space]

As I mentioned before, I'm doing a piece for Balkanoid MC. It's something I can %100 relate. This will be a mix of headcanon, scenario and incorrect quote. Also each different scenario/hc/quote is separated with ----

There are a lot of countries in the Balkans. This work will focus on things that everyone living in the Balkans can relate to. I'm avoiding certain stuff because it would be too heavy for [tumblr]

Setting: MC is from the Balkans

——

MC is just thrown into a whole new world, no friends, no family, just all alone. There is nothing that resembles their home and it doesn't seem like Dire is going to do find a way for them to go back so they decide to make Ramshackle a homely place. It took them over 2 weeks to clean the entire Ramshackle with the help of Ace, Deuce, Jack, ghosts and Grim.

After the cleanup, MC wiped the floors clean one last time and then they were done. Now they were just chilling on the couch.

"Oi prefect!" Ace opens the main door and just walks in. "Let's go an-"

MC isn't listening to what he is saying. Their focus is on Ace who just walked into their house with shoes on.

"Take your goddamn shoes off and wipe the floor you stepped in."

"Don't be ridiculous, I-"

"So you've chosen death..."

Ace is confused why they are so insistent on not wearing shoes inside. "What are you talking about?"

The closest thing they have is their house slippers. They took it in their hand and hit it on their other hand, making a slapping sound. "I won't hesitate to go over there and teach you manners."

Ace gulps as he sees the look on MC's face. "I'LL DO IT!" He takes off his shoes and leaves them outside, then asks where the mop is.

After MC tells where the cleaning supplies are, there is only one thought in their head "Mama, I'm making you proud!"

———

Random TWST cast: 90s were the best years!

MC, remembers the 90s of Balkans: Lol what?

----

MC and the rest of the first years go on lunch in a restaurant. They eat it and it is time to pay

MC: Waiter, please give me the receipt, I'll pay for everyone

Ace: Niceeee

Sebek: HUMAN! DON'T INSULT ME! I HAVE MONEY TO PAY AS A KNIGHT!

Deuce: I cannot let you pay by yourself 

Jack: Thank you MC but it is not necessary

Epel: I can't either, I can pay for my food

MC: So none of you is going to fight for paying for all? 

Everyone gives them a strange look: What are you talking about?

MC, taking out their wallet: It is the Balkan way

----

Ramshackle dorm is perfectly clean and everything is well organized but there is something that's missing. MC couldn't point out what it was until they managed to get a second-hand TV in the lounge.

"My grandma's white knit thingy!" Oh boy, Mc is so happy to find the missing piece. For the record, they have never understood why their grandma would knit a square-shaped balloon net but now they just missed that homey feeling. "I'm going to knit myself as I cannot afford to buy."

After a few days and countless tries, MC manages to knit a few balloon nets and they put it everywhere in the living room such as on the coffee table, on top of the couch's backside, over the fireplace and on side tables. As the final touch, they put one on TV.

"Now it feels like grandma came over!"

-----

MC is arranging a bag that has basic needs; bottled waters, crackers, canned food, whistle, blanket, first aid kit, sleeping mat, flashlight with extra batteries, some cash, wet and dry napkins and the medicines they use

Deuce: Are you planning on going camping?

Ace: Deuce, go get us two tents, I'll be in the same one as MC and you can have a tent for yourself

MC: What? No! Where did you get that idea? Also, Ace ewww!

Ace: Hey wait a sec-

Deuce: It's because of your bag...

MC: Oh! This is my bag for an earthquake. Everything in this essential if I get stuck under the rumble

Deuce: Eh?!

Ace: Silly magicless MC, every building is protected with magic here, there has never been any damage on structures or people

MC, cries in Balkan

-----

MC, internally: Hmm, interesting, dorm members resemble their dorm's icons so much. Hmm, Ignihyde is based on Hades who is a Greek God. I heard their dorm leader is from Isle of Lamentation which is from Greek myths so he must be a Greek!

Later

MC: Idia!

Idia, silently: Oh shit

MC: My fellow Balkanoid! *tries to greet him by kissing his cheeks*

Idia, freaks out and retreats: I have no idea what they mean!

MC: Well, you are Greek

Idia: I have no idea what that means either. I'll pay you to stay away

MC: Wait, you have money?

Idia, nods

MC: You know what, I'll just leave... Clearly, you are westernized! Here I thought I met a chad Balkan fellow!

----

MC, learns that Malleus and Leona are royalty

MC: Wait, there are non-corrupted country leaders?!

Leona: Tch, there is absolutely no chance that Ferena is corrupted. You thought I was?

MC: No?

Leona: Tch herbivore...

Malleus, offended: Did you mean my grandmother?

MC: Nope! That’s why I said non corrupt

Malleus: I'm saddened by your statement. What made you think this, child of man?

MC, laughs: Bro, bro... I lived in Balkans

-------

One of the foods that MC would miss dearly is burek/börek.

They would pause and ask for a moment when someone asks about the relationship between MC's country and its neighbours and the history behind it. They only say the good parts and don't get into details much.

MC would slap the watermelon to understand if it would taste good.

MC would be overjoyed when Divus doesn't call them a useless tool for giving him the wrong tool while fixing his car.

They would secretly miss those "good morning" pictures with flowers or babies on the background sent by elderly people around MC.

If MC has to stay more than the academic term, their choice of residence would be Land of Pyroxene as it is likely to resemble Germany.

They would find it weird that countries getting along with their neighbours.

It is a weird feeling to live on their own as they expected to live with their parents until marriage or until they found a job outside the city.

MC would find it basic that people are driving automatic shifted gear.

MC would get weird looks when they tell that their mom also calls them "mom".

MC is used to greeting people by kissing each cheek so it is weird to not do that in Twisted Wonderland.

[eagles-translated]

Eagles Transcript S04E08 – Endgame

This is the English transcript for the eighth episode of season 4. Watch the subtitled episode here.

Influencers: Felicia Kroon is back on social media. She's back! We have to talk about it. She is back! She's gone out and been super honest in her latest post about her mental health. I'm just so impressed by her, and I think we all should… We don't know if it's true, but apparently they've arrested the person who leaked all the information… I have to say that I think it's really huge for Felicia to not name this person, it would've been really easy to… She is the bigger person here. And Felicia, there are so many of us supporting you. We're all behind you. I'm just hoping that Felicia and her family are doing well, and that they can finally relax a little.

-

Reporter on TV: Now that the scandal surrounding the Kroon family has blown over, one question remains: Is Elias Kroon playing the deciding game tonight? Eagles will want their best player with them when the final for an SHL spot is decided.

Mats: How's it going?

Elias: It's going good. I feel fine. I'm ready.

Mats: Yeah. We'll see what the doctor says.

Elias: Hey, a shot at SHL! We wouldn't have believed that last fall, right?

Mats: No! It's crazy. But that wasn't really what I was thinking about. How's it going with Amie? You have to follow your instinct. Go with your gut feeling.

Elias: Are you going to force me to shoot at a bottle again? What? She's going to the US, I'm left here, it's… That's it.

Mats: You don't know that. Shit, don't make the same mistake I did. Hey… You don't actually know what's going to happen. For example, I didn't think I would retire voluntarily.

Elias: You're retiring?

Mats: I sent in my letter of resignation yesterday.

Elias: Are you kidding?

Mats: No, no. I'm done. No matter how it goes. SHL or not, I'm done.

Elias: Okay.

Mats: I've never done anything else in my whole life other than hockey. It's… Time to try something new.

Elias: Okay. Congratulations, I guess. But you'll become restless as hell. What are you going to do? You're terrible at golf!

Mats: Yeah, I won't be trading one stick for another. I've started looking into this whole thing with shares. That's pretty exciting.

-

Ludde: Andreas? Andreas, how are you doing?

Andreas: You're pushing me so slowly that I'm falling asleep. Damn it, I miss my van. Come on, it was a little funny. What? Why are you so grumpy? It's a Swedish summer and Eagles are in the finals. Jack got busted without ratting me out. What is it? You need to stop listening to the doctors. They're all pessimists, the whole lot of them. Should I say that I'll come crash on your couch in London, and then you'll wish you got rid of me?

Ludde: Stop it now.

Andreas: Hey… Just because I'm stuck here doesn't mean you should be, okay? You're not like me!

Ludde: Andreas? Andreas? Should I get somebody? I can get you inside.

Andreas: No. No. Just stay with me for a while.

-

Klara: Yes, so as you can see here… The share holders' outlook regarding a move of GECED's operation abroad has changed to a strong negative.

Businessman: Well… I don't understand this. How could it have changed so quickly? What have you done?

Klara: I didn't do anything. They take care of themselves. But we did get a new investor last week. That could have affected their opinion.

Businessman: This is completely unacceptable! We were just about to—

Klara: It's pretty simple, actually. The numbers don't add up. Do you understand?

-

Amie: So what did you reply to his text, then?

Petra: Oh. No, yuck! He acted like an old man.

Amie: What, so you just left him on read?

Petra: What? Red? I just didn't answer. Hey, how many shots have you done now?

Amie: Quiet!

Petra: Hey, I was thinking about this with Micke… Do you want him to come to your graduation? How do you feel about it?

Amie: No, well… I don't know. It feels weird since we barely know each other yet.

Petra: Yeah. But if you'd like him to come, I won't put a stop to it in any way. Well, well, well!

Amie: Yes!

Petra: So I guess we can go home now? Or maybe you're going to… To the game?

Amie: No. Felicia and Klara are going, but I don't think I feel like it.

Petra: No?

Amie: Don't think sol

Petra: Are you sure? I thought that maybe there was someone who'd like it if you… Showed up. But I wouldn't know.

-

Felicia: Oh… Hello?

Naima: Hello, stranger!

Felicia: Naima.

Naima: I read that you lost a building block! Congratulations!

Felicia: I… I've tried to call you so many times.

Naima: I know. It's my mom, she's… She's overprotective, so…

Felicia: How are you? Can we meet?

Naima: Yeah, I guess we can. Oh, but I have to hang up now. There's some crazy person in a hat here staring at me. Hi.

Felicia: Oh! Hi! What the hell are you doing here?

Naima: Well, I… I'm going back. To… Tove and the gang. So my mom is driving me, and this was on the way there. Kind of on the way there.

Felicia: But that's good. That's great. And… If it weren't for… With me, if it weren't for you, then…

Naima: No. My god, stop.

Felicia: Yeah. I've thought about you. A lot. And… I just want you to know that if there's anything you need, then I… I'll help you. If there's anything you want. Whatever, then…

Naima: A date? I mean, not now!

Felicia: Okay.

Naima: But later.

Felicia: Yeah… I guess we can do that. Just no karaoke.

Naima: What?

Felicia: Yeah.

Naima: Why not?!

Felicia: That wasn't my thing.

Naima: Come on, it was such a success!

Felicia: No, never again. But…

Naima: Oh.

Felicia: Mom.

Naima: Yeah, mom. I have to go.

Felicia: I get it. But I'll see you?

Naima: Soon.

Felicia: Take care.

Naima: You too.

Felicia: Tell Tove I said hi.

Naima: I will.

Felicia: Bye.

Naima: Bye.

-

Andreas: Right! Come here.

Ludde: What is it?

Andreas: Come here, I'm going to show you something.

Ludde: What is it? What the hell…

Andreas: I tried to pawn it, but… It was completely worthless, like I said. So you'll have to take it back. But you'll go to London. Okay? You can't waste a chance like this. Whatever happens. You promise?

Ludde: Whatever, you keep it. I don't want it anyway.

Andreas: I love you.

Ludde: I know.

Andreas: Hey. You're going to the game today.

Ludde: What?

Andreas: Yeah, you're a part of the team. You have to be there and experience it.

Ludde: What, so you're going to be here alone?

Andreas: Sam's coming later. You shouldn't be here babysitting. We'll watch the game on TV, and then next year I'll be in the stands. Fuck, SHL! Shit.

Ludde: But are you sure?

Andreas: Yeah, one hundred percent. Go Eagles!

Ludde: Go Eagles.

-

Medic: So… Everything looks fine. It's up to how you feel. How are you doing?

Elias: I feel fine. I haven't been working hard in ten days, I've… Slept and eaten well, so…

Medic: Okay. He can play, but in short shifts. Two minutes max at a time. Okay.

Mats: Okay. Are you sure about this? There's no shame in dropping out.

Elias: Let's win this shit.

Mats: Okay.

-

Mats: Out with the puck!

-

Adam: So fucking bad! The worst I've ever seen!

Mats: Come on, boys! We'll turn this around. If we've come this far it would be a damn shame to give up.

Adam: So why have you already given up on us, then?

Mats: What? What the hell are you talking about?

Adam: We heard you quit. That's just really cheerful to do right before the end of the season.

Mats: That's… That's not about you guys at all. That's because of personal reasons.

Adam: Sure, you couldn't have waited?

Player: Molin, for fuck's sake! That's enough!

Adam: But it's true!

Player: Now's not the time!

Adam: We're playing like shit and there's a reason for that!

Elias: Boys! It's enough. I get that you're tired. I am too. But we would've never gotten this far if it weren't for him. He's the only one who believed this was possible! You can't forget where we were last fall. We were second to last, boys. Second to last! Every fucking person had given up on us! But never my dad! Because he loves this team. I don't think you understand how much this man has fought for us! And now we're sitting here. With a shot at SHL. He's not quitting because he doesn't believe in us anymore. He's quitting because he knows he's done everything he can for this team! And now it's our turn. This might be the last game we ever play together. And in that case I want this said. I'm fucking proud to be your teammate. Sure, that period was a catastrophe. It's tough. You have to create some suspense too, right? So don't sit here and ask why he's quitting! The only question you should be asking yourselves is… If we should give up or go out on the ice, show who we are, and win! What do you say?! Should we win or lose?!

Team: Win! Come on!

Elias: I can't hear you! Should we lose or win?

Team: Win! Come on!

Mats: Go Eagles.

Team: Go Eagles! Come on!

-

Announcer: Number 9, Elias Kroon, equalizes Eagles to 2–2.

Coach: Kroon! Time for a change.

Elias: What?

Coach: Time for a change!

Elias: No, I'm playing some more.

Coach: No, no, no.

Elias: Yes, I'll play some more!

Mats: Elias, no! Come back here! Elias!

Ludde: What the fuck is that?! What the fuck are you doing?!

Felicia: No, no! Come on, Elias! Elias!

Mats: Ref. Ref! Time out!

Announcer: Eagles take a time out with 42 seconds left of the period.

Coach: Jönsson, Ekbäck, Lindén.

Ludde: Kroon! Kroon! Kroon! Kroon!

Felicia: Kroon, Kroon, Kroon!

Team: Come on now!

Mats: Elias, where are you going?

Elias: I'm playing too.

Mats: No, no, no!

Felicia: Come on, Elias!

Omar: Where's my camera? Do you have my camera? Hello? Come on! I have to film this! I have to film this!

Mats: Yeah!

Sören: I knew it! I knew you'd do it! And hey, it's not too late to take back your resignation! You know that. We need some help with…

Mats: No, no, no, I've decided. I've decided. Yes, I've decided.

Klara: Congratulations, Mats!

Mats: Congratulations to you! To us!

Klara: Yeah, I guess so.

Mats: Hey, this should be really good for GECED's stocks, right?

Klara: Yeah.

Mats: I'm expecting a juicy Christmas bonus this year!

Klara: Of course, of course.

Felicia: Congratulations!

Amie: Elias! Elias! Congratulations! You know, I don't give a shit if there's an ocean between us or whatever. None of that matters. I just want to be with you. I love you too.

Elias: I love you.

Felicia: Sam! Sam, they won! Yeah, they won! What are you saying? Wait, I can't hear you. What did you say?

[butgilinsky]

10 angst w mat

a/n; UPDATE MADDIE YOU CHANGED MY LIFE W THIS READ MORE THING ✋😩 anyways enjoy mwah ily

10. Today I drove through the suburbs and pictured I was driving home to you. - Olivia Rodrigo (driver’s license)

he remembered the laugh that tumbled past your lips when he told you to sit back down, that you were being unsafe.

“you’re only going like 10 mph, maty.” the nickname he once hated sounded so sweet dripping off of your tongue. it was one of the things that easily allowed people who knew mat to realize just how fucked he was for you. he had never let anyone else ever call him that, claiming it made his skin crawl. now he thinks it was just the universe’s way of warning him. if she was the one that was supposed to use it everyday, maybe that’s why it sounded so horrendous coming from everyone else.

“10 miles over the speed that warrants no seatbelt!” you rolled your eyes but smiled. mat was a worrier, and you had trouble recognizing when things were more dangerous than you made them out to be. you sat back in your seat to please the boy who was anxiously chewing on his tongue and pressed a firm kiss to his cheek. he’d return it, but he was watching the road to make sure no kids or animals popped up out of nowhere.

“i love you. even if you’re a worry wart.” he rolled his eyes but accepted the affirmation and easily slipped it back to you.

it hits him like a truck every now and then, that his passenger seat is empty and he has nowhere to actually go. there’s no one to point out brick houses that stand out to them or to make up scenarios that will most definitely never happen. he wants someone to lay their head in his lap despite the fact that the cup holders are digging into her back and it’s hard to avoid the fear shift. he misses you, misses your laugh that easily filled the air and never failed to bring a smile to his face. he misses feeling your hand rest on the back of his neck while your fingers thread themselves in and out of his hair.

he misses you, and i matter how many times he thinks of calling you or wishes your name will appear on his phone screen, he knows it’s a lost cause. he remembers the picture he recently saw on his instagram feed where your smile practically lit up an entire room while your arms were wrapped around someone that wasn’t him. he remembers the pair of hands that sat on your hips that didn’t belong to him and the caption that suggested you were as happy as ever.

and though that may be true, mat can’t help but miss you lying beside him while he looks up at his ceiling with a bottle of jack in his hand and your favorite record spinning on his turntable.

the ringing sounded far away as mat slipped into a state of distance, a state where the phone sounded miles away from him or like he was sitting underwater. he wasn’t surprised to get your voice mail, in fact he would’ve been more surprised if you had picked up. so he waited for the beep and started talking.

“hey, i know it’s a friday night and the likelihood of you even seeing this call is ridiculous. even if you did, i didn’t expect you to pick up. you never pick up anymore. i miss you. i miss you more than i wish i did, but i just can’t help it. i cook enough food for two and always end up staring at the left overs with a heart heavy enough to fall straight out of my ass. today I drove through the suburbs and pictured I was driving home to you. and then i got here and you weren’t here, and it hit me. you’re not coming back. no matter how much i sit and wait and stare at the front door, you’re not going to come home. the bed feels cold, and the sheets are never as soft as they used to be. maybe i do the laundry wrong, or maybe it’s just because you’re not here. everything feels wrong without you and i don’t know how to-“

it wasn’t the first time he’d been cut off by a second beep, a way to tell him that he’d rambled for too long and he’d filled your voice mail box with tens of messages you probably don’t listen to. mat stared at his phone and wondered if he should call again or if the blurry vision he was sporting due to the build up in his eyes was a sign to put the phone down and sulk all on his own.

he’d fall asleep that night with a lump in his throat and wet cheeks, wishing you were the thing propping his arm up rather than a half deflated pillow. he’d wake up in a confused state where he almost thought you were the noises he heard outside of the bedroom only to be let down by the fact that it was the tv that he forgot to turn off.

he’d drive through suburbs again and again after that, figuring that it was a healthy way for him to cope with the fact that he’d never buy one of these houses for you. you’d never wake him up by tugging open the curtains and presenting him with a bright smile and a cup of coffee. it was a harsh realization, one he was still working through, but he was trying. he was trying to move on and one day, driving through the suburbs didn’t make him feel sick to his stomach.

[mikeisthricedeceased]

You’re My Home 4

Catfish x OC

Part 4: Movement

Word Count: ~7.2k

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Warnings: Smut 18+, oral (f & m receiving), fluff, Nita and Frankie being corny as fuck, hints of a suit kink?

A/N: I’m sorry this took so damn long. My brain has been pretty fried these past few months. Hopefully, this was worth the wait.

Summary: Frankie goes to Nita’s place for the first time. They get interrupted in the middle of something. Frankie learns a few things about himself, and they get to make up for a few things they’ve missed out on since they started dating.

AO3 | Masterlist

~*~*~*~

“You know, I’ve lived here for a while and it still surprises me how fucking big Travis County is,” Frankie said, tapping his fingers as he looked out at the houses they drove past. “Are we still in Austin?”

“Honey, we’ve only been driving for twenty minutes.” She glanced over at him with a smile. “We’re still in Austin.”

He shrugged, unable to prevent a little smile of his own. “I just don’t think I’ve ever really come this way. Nothing looks familiar and it’s throwing me off.”

Nita hummed. “And I thought you drove all over for your supply transports. Figured you’d know the county like the back of your hand.”

“Nah. I go to maybe five different places total,” he said with a chuckle. “They occasionally throw in somewhere new, but I can’t say I’ve had to drive past many mansions.”

“I don’t believe that for a second. Everything’s bigger in Texas,” she said matter-of-factly.

He turned to look at her again, silently raising an eyebrow until she caught his eye and he watched her fight to keep a straight face.

“I can kick you out of this car, Frankie,” she threatened, but he heard the amused note in her voice.

“Nope. You like me too much.”

“Oh?” She glanced his way, eyes narrowed. “Is that right?”

He pursed his lips. “Maybe. Maybe not. This is the first time I’m visiting your place, so…”

“I swear…” She shook her head as she looked ahead at the road, a smile tugging at her lips.

A grin stayed on his face, even as he turned his attention back out the window. After a few minutes of comfortable silence, he glanced back over at her. “Where are we heading, anyway?” He gestured to the large houses on either side of them with a smirk. “Is one of these yours?”

“No, we’re heading to Spanish Oaks.”

“Spanish Oaks,” he repeated, frowning in concentration. “I’ve heard that somewhere before.”

“Gated community,” Nita supplied, “right around Barton Creek.”

He gave her a surprised look. “Gated? That sounds pretty fancy.”

She shrugged. “Yeah, I guess it is. I think it’s nice. Some of the people in the area are snobs though, which can get frustrating.”

“I can only imagine,” he said, shaking his head.

~*~*~*~

After passing through the main gates into Spanish Oaks, Frankie and Nita got wrapped up in discussing their favorite ABBA songs, which quickly turned into the two of them listing their favorite artists from the 70s, all because they’d caught the tail end of “Dancing Queen” when Nita turned the radio up a bit.

The discussion also distracted Frankie to the point that he hadn’t been paying attention to much outside of the car until Nita parked in her driveway and they were both getting out.

“I’m just saying, I like Billy Joel just as much as the next person, and I will absolutely sing along to “Piano Man” whenever I hear it, but I have to go with Stevie Nicks,” he stated, brows raised. “Fleetwood Mac has been my go-to for pretty much my whole life.”

Nita shut her door behind her and went to open the back. “Alright, I completely understand that. Now, just consider—” she held up a hand as she paused. “Stevie Wonder.”

Frankie pursed his lips thoughtfully, lifting his hat to scratch at his forehead. “Well, shit.”

“Exactly!”

He just snorted and shook his head at her. “Yeah, yeah.”

Nita slung his duffle bag over her shoulder and pushed the door closed with her hip. As she walked back around the car, she looked over to find Frankie staring up at the house.

“What?” she asked.

He blinked incredulously. “This is where you live?”

She frowned. “Yes. Why?”

“Nita, this is a mansion,” he told her, shifting his wide eyes to her.

“I don’t know about that,” she said. “It’s a big house, but I don’t know if it qualifies as a mansion.”

“It’s a mansion.”

With a sigh, she started making her way to the front door. Frankie took another second to gaze at the house before he was following her.

“Are you the only one that lives here?” he asked as she unlocked the door and pushed it open.

“Yep. Just me.” She kicked her shoes off onto a mat just inside the door and he did the same. “I’ll have people over for parties or movie nights sometimes. Anyone too tired or drunk to make it home is free to crash in the bedrooms or on the couches. It’s nice when I have guests, y’know?” She made a face. “Even if the clean-up gets a little iffy.”

“Oh? Are those some potential stories I hear?”

Nita flashed him a grin. “They might be. You’ll just have to stick around for a bit to hear them.”

“I don’t think I’ll have any problems with that,” he said, smiling right back.

“Such a flirt,” she mused. “Let me go drop this off in the bedroom really quick.”

He watched her walk down the hall with his duffle bag, leaving him in what he assumed was the living room.

There was one of those big, L-shaped sectionals and two plush looking chairs facing a TV. It was definitely a big space, but it didn’t quite fit what he would’ve expected the inside of a mansion to be like. It wasn’t minimalistic or particularly grandiose. Apart from the sheer amount of space, it was fairly normal. Neat, but still personal, with pictures on the walls and mismatched knick-knacks almost overcrowding the shelves. A stack of mail on the coffee table, next to a little set of coasters. Instead of a tasteful throw, there were what seemed like three different, brightly colored blankets haphazardly folded over the back of the sofa.

It just felt like Nita’s home.

Frankie turned back toward the hall when he heard her coming. She brushed by him as she made her way into the kitchen.

“Do you want a drink or anything?” she asked, opening up the fridge and grabbing a can of ginger ale. “I have Coke, orange soda, some La Croixs, ginger ale.” She turned to him with raised brows.

“I’m fine for right now,” he said, taking the room in as he walked around the bar. “Thanks, though.”

He glanced over at the table, which sat right between the kitchen and the doors that led out to the backyard. There was a nice looking patio area and—

“Is that a pool?”

“No, it’s a flooded half-pipe.”

Frankie shot her a look that made her laugh as she grabbed a glass from one of the cabinets. “Yes, it’s a pool.”

He just shook his head again, shuffling over to the kitchen table. Pulling out one of the chairs, he eased himself down, trying not to bend forward too much as he did so. “We spent all that time in my shitty apartment while you had a place like this.”

“And who’s the one that kept inviting me over?” she said, giving him a look. “Besides, we’re here now.” She walked over to the table and stood in front of him, setting her glass down. She smirked as she cupped his face and bent to kiss his cheek. “So stop whining.”

“I’m not whining,” he huffed, even as he leaned into her kiss.

“Sure.” She pulled his hat off and set it backwards on her own head, moving to peck his lips.

He reached up for the hand on his face, taking hold of her wrist lightly and trailing a thumb over her skin. “I’m not.”

Smiling against his lips, she slid a hand into his hair. “Right.” She was standing between his legs now, eyes shut as she kissed him.

“Sit?” he offered quietly, breaking away to look at her.

Her fingers trailed along his jaw. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

He squeezed her wrist and grinned. “I think I’ll be okay.” His free hand moved up to her hip, pulling her forward.

She scoffed but did nothing to hide the way the corners of her lips rose as she straddled his lap. Both of his hands dropped down to her hips and she scooted closer, not quite pressing flush against his chest.

He rested his forehead against hers, brown eyes warm. “Hey,” he said softly.

“Hi,” she whispered, fingers combing through his hair before she bit her lip. “Y’know, I feel a little stupid for not really putting it together that Frankie is short for Francisco.”

Shifting in the seat a little, he shrugged a shoulder. “Everyone has always just called me Frankie. Or Catfish, after I joined the army.”

She made a face. “God, why did you guys get such shitty nicknames?”

“Fuck you,” he said, chuckling.

She kissed his lips again as she laughed. “At least Jack isn’t as much of a stretch.”

He raised an eyebrow. “That’s not a stretch? Juanita to Juan, Juan to John, John to Jack?”

“It was about the fucking Billy Joel song,” she said with a scoff. “That other shit was just to connect it more to my actual name.” She let her nails drag over his scalp, earning a contented sigh from him. “And I like your name. Francisco sounds nice.”

His face was beginning to feel warm and he had to shift in the chair again.

Nita leaned back, hands leaving his hair and resting on his shoulders as she looked him over, concern in her eyes. “You okay? Was I leaning on your chest too much?”

He shook his head. “No, I’m alright. Just trying to get more comfortable.”

“You sure?” she asked, kneading his shoulders gently.

“Promise,” he said, squeezing her hips. He tilted his head forward, hiding a grin. “I like it when you play with my hair.”

She gave a gruff “necesitado” and moved back into place, running her fingers through his hair once again as they leaned into each other. “You’re lucky you’re so pretty, Francisco.”

Heat spread down his neck and he tightened his hold on her hips to adjust her on his lap, suddenly registering the fact that he was getting hard. He shifted his hands so that his thumbs rested above the waistband of her jeans and brushed her bare skin under her shirt.

She tugged his hair just enough to make him lean back, fixing him with a knowing look. “Now I see why you’re getting restless,” she said with a coy grin. “Don’t get too excited, honey, you’re still healing.”

“My lips aren’t bruised,” he said, pouting slightly for emphasis.

“Mm-hmm,” she hummed, pecking his lips again as she smiled. “You’ve got me there, Francisco.”

They both felt how his cock twitched that time. He glanced down.

Oh.

He looked up to find Nita’s eyes shining mischievously.

Oh.

“Interesting,” she said lowly as his face flushed. “And I thought it was just the hair.” Her grip on his hair tightened a bit and she leaned in to capture his mouth fully, his hands sliding down to hold her thighs. She didn’t press into his chest, but used her elbows on his shoulders to push him against the back of the chair and to steady herself as she slowly rocked her hips.

He groaned, squeezing her thighs and pushing them wider to get her that little bit closer. His instinctive buck up against her shot pain across his ribs, making him grunt softly before he focused on staying still, savoring the way she ground down on his lap.

“You feel so good, Francisco,” she whispered against his mouth, grinding slowly over the erection in his jeans.

His low moan seemed to fill the kitchen, only ending when she deepened the kiss. She trailed her fingers along his scruffy jawline, her tongue brushing his and coaxing more muffled groans out of him as he moved to cup her ass with both hands.

As much as he enjoyed the moments like this, a part of him was already bracing for the inevitable guilt that always showed up before they could get very far. Tension pulled across his shoulders no matter how much he tried to relax them, even as his mouth and hands moved fluidly with her.

“Of all the times to learn a new turn on,” she said, bringing her lips to a spot under his jaw as she tugged his head back further, “had to be while you’re all banged up.”

He let out a wheeze of laughter, eyelids fluttering when her teeth grazed over his pulse.

She scooted back on his lap a fraction, one hand leaving his hair and he made a disappointed sound in the back of his throat.

It was quickly replaced by a sharp gasp when that hand pressed down on his cock, making him jolt in the chair. He let out a gravelly “fuck” and tightened his grip on her.

Frankie could feel her smiling against his neck. A firm squeeze had him moaning her name and shifting his legs wider. She smoothed her hand over him, slowly stroking him through his jeans as she rolled her hips against one of his thighs.

“Good?” she breathed against his throat.

He squeezed her ass again, groaning “Yes.”

She pulled back slightly, giving a satisfied hum, and looked him over. His eyes were closed, brows raised a bit, lips parted. She could see the slight flush on his face and neck, as well as the spot along the side of his neck that was a shade or two darker, right where she’d been focusing her attention.

One of his eyes peeked open, the corner of his mouth lifting. “Be better if you were kissing me again,” he mused.

“You getting mouthy with me, Francisco?” she teased, pressing her hand down on him a little harder.

His eyes squeezed shut again as he held back another moan, voice coming out strained. “Maybe.”

She leaned in again, gently nipping his lower lip. “It’s probably not a good idea to ride you right now,” she whispered into his mouth.

His responding moan was almost pained.

“But,” her hand slowly trailed up from his crotch to his belt buckle, “I can always suck your cock instead.”

“Fuck, Nita,” he breathed, one hand coming up to tangle in her hair and pull her mouth to his in desperation.

It was her turn to moan softly as she relaxed in his hold, fingers still working at his belt. The warmth of his palm where it cradled the back of her head made everything feel molten and electric. His fingers nudged the hat up a little higher on her head.

She’d just gotten his belt undone when they were suddenly jolting apart at the sound of her phone ringing on the counter.

Nita cursed, throwing a glare toward her phone. She turned her attention back to Frankie even as she moved off of his lap, offering him an apologetic look. “I’m sorry. I’ve been waiting for a call about an order that’s supposed to come in today.”

He just gave a dismissive wave, still catching his breath. “It’s fine. I should—” he cleared his throat, running a hand down his face and through his hair, “I should probably take a shower anyway.”

“Okay.” She leaned down to press a softer kiss to his lips. “I am sorry, honey.”

With one last shared look, she turned around and went to snatch up her phone.

Frankie sighed, closing his eyes for a moment and trying to calm his racing heart before standing up to go take that shower.

It was while he was actually in the shower that he realized something. Even though things had ended right around where they usually did, he didn’t feel the lingering cold or heaviness that tended to take up space deep in his chest whenever he and Nita got a little intimate. He’d gotten so used to bracing for that guilt that it took him a while to notice that it hadn’t crept up on him this time.

In that same space, he just felt a warm sort of buzz instead. And it was a very welcome change.

~*~*~*~

After Frankie got out of the shower, Nita gave him a quick tour of the house. He was working very hard to keep his jaw from dropping open, especially when they went upstairs and walked into the movie theater. There was a movie theater in the house!

Around 5 o’clock, Nita started getting ready for work, having decided to get there early to make sure everything was going smoothly with the stuff that she had ordered and to have it at least mostly set up before the club opened.

Frankie spent most of that time making sure he understood how the big flat screen in the living room worked. He could barely figure out how his phone worked a lot of the time, and this TV seemed even more complex than that.

“You have to hold down the button on the bottom left. It just has a line on it,” Nita was instructing him, having to yell from the master bedroom.

He scowled at the remote in frustration. “It’s not working!”

“Hold it longer!”

After holding the button for longer than one second, the menu he was looking for appeared at the top of the screen. “Oh.”

Nita walked out of the bedroom a moment later. “Did you get it?”

“Yeah,” he said sheepishly, glancing her way, “thank you.” Then, he was doing a double take, mild embarrassment forgotten as he watched her walk by the back of the couch.

She was wearing a suit. A three-piece, navy suit that fit her very well. There were silver cufflinks that matched the silver tie-clip, which was clipped to the burgundy tie that matched the burgundy pocket square. It all looked very good on her.

“Do you—do you have a business meeting?” There was the faintest waver in his voice.

Shuffling through a small stack of papers on the kitchen counter, Nita didn’t seem to notice the change. “No, this is just what I usually wear to work. I thought I mentioned the suits,” she said.

“You did. I just…” he shook his head, still staring. “You look nice.”

She flashed him a sweet little smile. “Thank you. I feel nice.” Exchanging the papers for her car keys, she made her way over to where he sat on the couch. “You look nice, too,” she told him, leaning down to give him a quick kiss that made his heart skip.

“Yeah, an old t-shirt and jeans are incredibly fashionable,” he said, chuckling.

Rolling her eyes, she let her fingers brush through his hair. “Just because you’re wearing comfortable clothes doesn’t mean you look any less nice.”

He smirked. “You might be a little biased.”

“I thought you said I didn’t like you because it’s the first time you’ve seen my house.”

“Nah, I know you like me. Why else would you put up with my technological struggles?”

She laughed. “You know, it makes me feel a little iffy about the whole army pilot thing,” she teased.

“Helicopters make sense, though.” He gestured toward the TV. “This shit is made to be confusing.”

She raised an eyebrow skeptically. “TV add-ons exist to antagonize you, hmm?”

“They do!”

She just shook her head, looking him over with fond amusement. “Just try not to break it, okay?” Her nails gently grazed his scalp and the sensation swept down his spine. “There’s all kinds of stuff in the kitchen whenever you decide to have dinner. I made baked spaghetti the other day and there’s leftovers if you’re interested.” She bent to give him one last kiss. “I need to get going. Call me if you need anything, alright?”

He grinned up at her. “I’ll be fine. What time are you getting back?”

“I usually make it here a little after midnight,” she said with a shrug. “Not exactly a normal workday sort of business.”

“I’ll see you then.”

She gave a small wave as she headed toward the front door. “See you. And make sure you rest!”

“Yeah, yeah,” he called back, sneaking a look at her retreating form when she turned away.

As soon as the front door closed behind her, he groaned, letting his head fall against the back of the couch as he covered his face.

That fucking suit.

~*~*~*~

He spent most of his time wandering around the house or lounging on the couch with a movie. At one point, he thought about trying to play a video game, but given that he hadn’t really touched one since Santi found a copy of Halo to play using a base’s XBox years ago, he wasn’t terribly confident in his ability to set it up.

The pain meds he’d been sent home with were making it easier to get up and move around without much incident, but he wasn’t going to be doing toe touches anytime soon. He also wasn’t able to comfortably pop his back, which was a far more pressing annoyance.

He didn’t realize just how much time had passed until his eyelids were drooping and he couldn’t focus on the movie he’d put on anymore.

Nita would get back soon, so he brought his dinner plate to the sink and threw out his empty can of orange soda. He made sure the few dishes were washed before he shuffled into the bedroom to change and get ready for bed.

It was while he was brushing his teeth that he heard the front door open and the faint jingle of Nita’s keys.

“Honey?” she called.

“Bathroom,” he replied, voice slightly muffled by toothpaste before he spat into the sink.

He didn’t think to brace himself before she walked into the bedroom and stopped in the doorway of the en suite. One glance toward her and his eyes went wide just like they had before she left, heart rate rising.

Jesus Christ, she wore this sort of thing every time she went to work? He was going to lose his mind while he was staying with her.

She seemed amused, brows lifting at his reaction. “What’s that look about?”

He just shook his head, feeling a little warm in the face as his eyes dropped back down to the sink.

She walked into the bathroom and stopped at his side, brushing a hand across his shoulders as she leaned a hip against the counter. “What?” she prodded gently.

He rinsed off his toothbrush, taking a few seconds to respond. “You look nice.”

“You said that before I left, Frankie,” she said, smirking as she played with the curling hair at his nape.

“I know.” He turned to her, jaw rocking as he tried to convey himself. “I really mean it.”

She nodded slowly. “Okay…”

Sighing in frustration, he reached out to draw her closer and rest his hand in the curve of her waist. The corners of her mouth lifted as he gazed down at her. “When you said that you wore suits to work,” he said, voice low, “I didn’t realize just how sexy that would be.”

“So, that’s what the look was about,” she mused.

His eyes drifted down to her lips. “Yeah.”

She rose up just enough to press a warm kiss to his lips, still twirling his hair around her fingers.

When they broke apart, she smiled. “I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.”

~*~*~*~

Sleep lingered for a while, leaving him to slowly drift closer to consciousness. He was comfortable, he knew that much. The sheets smelled clean and familiar. The people in the apartment upstairs either weren’t up yet or they had already left, and he considered himself lucky for that. They made so much noise in the mornings and he always felt bad about that when Nita stayed over.

Nita.

As more awareness crept in, he felt the subtle weight pressing against his arm. Opening his eyes felt like a Herculean task, but he squinted over to his left.

She was on her side, facing him, clearly still asleep. Dark hair surrounded her head, a few strands that had fallen in front of her face were now gently disturbed with each breath. One hand was tucked against her chest, the other lay curled against his arm.

He turned his head toward the nightstand to check the time, frowning when his alarm clock wasn’t there. When did he buy a new lamp?

He settled further into consciousness and turned back to Nita. Right. They were at her place now.

Carefully, chest twinging and aching with every move, he rolled onto his side to look at her. The meds he’d taken before falling asleep were clearly wearing off, but he couldn’t bring himself to care too much yet.

His hand covered hers, thumb brushing over her knuckles and tracing her fingers. He wasn’t entirely sure how he’d ended up here. After the big downward spiral that had happened a little over a year ago, he had been existing in anxious monotony, just waiting for the next thing to knock his feet out from under him.

In a way, he was still waiting for that. Getting hit so hard with bad memories that he’d put himself in the hospital wasn’t exactly an improvement. As bad as that had gone, as bad as that could have gone, the brunt of it only took up one morning.

And how many mornings had been like this, these last few weeks? Where he felt reluctant to leave bed, not to avoid the day, but to have just a few more minutes of quiet with her. They could just lay here and enjoy each other’s warmth, stay tucked close until the last possible moment.

Maybe, something that had gone missing from his life wasn’t quite missing anymore.

Nita stirred, her hand twitching under his as she shifted closer. Her eyes barely opened before falling shut again. “Morning,” she mumbled.

He grinned, lifting her hand to his lips and kissing her knuckles. “Good morning.”

Her eyes opened again, staying that way this time, though she was still squinting against the dim light. “I like your morning voice,” she informed him, lips quirking up.

“My morning voice?”

“Mm-hmm.” She gently freed her hand from his hold and trailed her fingertips up his arm. “Soft and raspy and deep. It’s nice.”

He flushed a bit, reaching to brush the hair out of her face and letting his hand settle against her cheek. “You’re beautiful,” he said softly. “And I like your morning voice too.”

“Sap,” she whispered, smiling against his palm.

“You started it.”

She laughed.

He’d never get enough of her laugh.

“How are you feeling? Do you need to take something yet?” she asked.

He shook his head. “I’m alright for now. I’ll take something once we make coffee.” His thumb lightly traced her lower lip and he could feel her watching him before he brought his eyes back up to hers.

“Francisco,” she breathed, gently kissing the pad of his thumb.

It warmed him from the inside out and he was leaning in before he knew it.

Her lips were soft and moved with his languidly, setting a slow and leisurely pace. He could feel himself sinking into it when the kiss deepened, unhurried as he explored her mouth, hands roaming down to skim over her bare thigh and grip her hip.

Her hands were in his hair, combing through the stuck up and messy curls. She scooted closer and he wrapped both arms around her, ignoring the burning ache across his ribcage.

She shivered when his hand slid under her shirt, fingers brushing up her spine, a low moan muffled against his mouth.

He was becoming increasingly aware of an entirely different ache, this one making him consider adjusting his boxers, but he decided against it since that would mean letting go of Nita.

His heart skipped when her knee nudged up by his hip, not quite hooking around him, and he swiftly gave in. “I want you,” he groaned, a hand cupping her ass and drawing her closer.

She didn’t miss his slight wince at the move, shaking her head and holding his face in her hands. “We can’t do that, honey.”

“Fuck,” he grunted, leaning his forehead against hers. They were both breathing a little heavily, one of his hands still under her shirt, drawing circles over her back. He let out a long exhale and shifted back enough to meet her eyes, biting his lip thoughtfully. “What if...you sit on the edge of the bed? And I’ll kneel on the floor?”

Her brows shot up. “Oh?” She moved closer again, glancing down at his mouth. “Is that what you want?” she asked.

He nodded, lips parting as she kissed him again.

“I want that, Francisco.”

He peppered kisses across her face, drawing that laugh out of her again, before he slid back and off  of the bed, easing down onto the floor with a wide grin.

She shuffled over, sharing his smile as she arranged herself on the edge of the bed. “Do I need to take anything off? Not really wearing much to begin with.” She traced a finger down his nose.

He smoothed his hands down his thighs before he trailed them up her calves. “I’ve got it,” he said, pressing a kiss to the side of her knee.

She leaned back, holding herself up so she could watch as his lips trailed slowly from her knee and up her inner thigh, his touch featherlight across her skin. As he moved higher, she let her thighs fall open wider, chewing her lip. She sucked in a breath when his teeth grazed her skin, his eyes meeting hers.

Kissing him had already gotten her started, but then having him offer to get on his knees and eat her out had ensured that she was thoroughly turned on. Now, just seeing it, feeling him work his way closer, was only adding to the arousal that was steadily burning through her.

The scruff along his jaw added just enough roughness to set her nerves alight and draw out quiet sighs, making her eyes slip shut.

He was almost where she needed him when he began pressing hot, open kisses to her inner thighs, his tongue a soothing contrast to the faint nips and scratch of facial hair.

“I didn’t realize you were a tease, honey,” she crooned, tangling a hand in his hair.

He chuckled, breath huffing over her skin. “Just want to be sure.”

“I’m very sure.”

“Alright,” he laughed, “point taken.” One more soft kiss and he was leaning back, letting her legs close before he hooked his fingers into the waistband of her panties and slowly pulled them down her legs.

He shuffled closer, drawing one of her thighs up over his shoulder and making her flop onto her back with a laugh. “You are so gorgeous, baby,” he said, brushing his cheek against her inner thigh and locking eyes with her as she smiled at him.

“Totally a sap,” she teased, making him roll his eyes and grin as he leaned in.

The first brush of his tongue had her sliding both hands into his hair. He pushed her thighs open wider, delving between her folds with a groan. His mouth was so hot against her, tongue scorching with each lick over her pussy.

The tip of his nose brushed her clit and her hold on his hair tightened in response. He moaned, pressing deeper into her pussy and skimming his hands along her thighs. She tensed and relaxed under his hands, body shifting with every tilt of his head as he worked her over.

Arousal warmed her skin, pleasure tingling through her and slowly coiling tighter and tighter. She leaned her head back into the mattress, lips parting with a faint huff.

He brought his attention to her clit, his mouth going soft, tongue laving gently as her back arched.

“Fuck,” she gasped. “Just like that, Francisco.”

Nita tugged on his hair, sending pinpricks of pleasure down his spine. Sucking her clit between his lips, he traced the tip of his tongue over the bundle, her responding moan filling the quiet room and setting off a little spark of pride within him.

The heel of her foot pressed into his back, drew him impossibly closer, and he was happy to give in. He opened his eyes, taking in the sight of her, arched and breathless. Lifting her other thigh up onto his shoulder, the muscles trembling faintly, he slid a hand up her side. He stopped at her breast, tracing her nipple through the thin sleep shirt.

She moaned his name, covering his hand with one of her own and rolling her hips to meet his face. “So fucking good,” she praised. Her grip on his hair tightened further, pulling a moan from him. The vibration made her shiver, adding another level of stimulation right against her clit.

His tongue dipped back down and slid into her pussy as he buried his face between her thighs, mouth fully engulfing her.

“Yes, Francisco,” she breathed. “Close.”

Frankie was already long gone, breathless with the need to tip her over the edge, the way she moaned his name and writhed under his mouth completely fogging his mind with pleasure. He swiped the tip of his tongue across her clit, adding more pressure until the prickle of her hold on his hair turned sharp and her thighs tensed around his head.

The sound she made as she came almost had him following suit. He kept going, bringing the pressure back down slowly, softly kneading her breast. When she was moaning quietly, limbs almost entirely limp, he finally sat back, panting. The burning ache across his ribs was nothing compared to his contented happiness.

He let his gaze trail over her. Skin flushed and warm, her chest still heaving, eyes closed and lips parted as she came back down to Earth. Her thighs still spread open and pussy in full view, shining with her arousal, same as his face.

She pushed herself up slowly, running a hand through her own hair and meeting his eyes with a satisfied smile, which he returned.

“I always like waking up to you, honey, but that was…” Nita sighed, leaning her head back. “Fuck.”

He chuckled under his breath. “That was my application for the boyfriend position. How’d I do?”

“We’ll definitely take you under consideration.” She bit back a grin, lightly knocking her foot against his thigh.

He huffed playfully. “Damn. Really thought I’d get it with that.”

She giggled, reaching out to comb through his hair, which she’d thoroughly ruffled. She leaned down closer to him. “After further consideration, it’s been determined that you don’t need to apply for a position that you already hold.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. Now, are you gonna kiss me?”

He closed the small gap between them in answer, cupping her face and winding his fingers into her hair.

She groaned softly at the taste of herself on his lips, hands brushing up his arms. She could feel him smile into the kiss just before they broke apart.

“Do you still have that fancy coffee?” he asked.

She almost snorted. “Our minds are in two very different places right now.”

“I can be thinking about more than one thing at a time.”

“Oh, yeah?” She squeezed one of his shoulders.

“I should wipe my face,” he mumbled.

Her hands came up to cup his jaw. “Should you?”

Exhaling slowly through his nose, he touched his forehead to hers. “Honey…”

“Okay, you do things your way,” she said, drawing back. “But if you’d like an idea of what I want to do…” She tilted her head, throwing a very pointed look downward.

He was quick to stand up, grunting in discomfort for more than just his chest, a blush warming his cheeks as he tried to discreetly adjust himself on his way to the bathroom.

Reappearing a moment later with a damp cloth and a clean face, he wiped away the bit of slick he’d gotten on her face when they kissed and then brought the cloth down between her legs. He made quick work of cleaning her up, but suddenly slowed.

She thought he was just being overly gentle until the cloth brushed, rather deliberately, against her sensitive clit.

Nita cursed, slapping his hand away while he laughed. “You’re the one who wanted coffee, payaso.” She swatted at his ass when he turned to drop the rag into the hamper. “Vamos!”

He gave her a pout, saying “I’m not a clown,” as she stood up to pull her underwear back on and follow him out of the bedroom. He reached back to offer his hand, which she took after a moment, rolling her eyes.

“You’re something.”

He grinned, the dimple in his cheek immediately making her own expression soften. “Soy el novio,” he said cheerily.

She squeezed his hand. “Sí lo eres.”

When they got to the kitchen, he stopped and pulled her close. “I don’t know where the coffee is,” he told her.

She pointed. “The cabinet over the coffee maker.”

His gaze fell on the coffee maker and he nodded. “Right.” Shuffling over, he opened the cabinet and started pulling things down to get the coffee ready.

“Frankie.”

He glanced back at her. “Yeah?”

“I can make the coffee,” she said, smirking.

He just shrugged. “I got it.”

She watched him measure out beans and put them in the grinder for a few seconds. Next thing she knew, her gaze had shifted from what he was doing to just admiring him. Unruly hair that was just a little too long and so incredibly soft, broad shoulders under an old t-shirt, toned arms that, based on her own experience, were perfect for falling asleep in, long legs that were just as nice, along with what she considered to be a very cute little butt.

She crossed the short distance to him right as he poured the ground coffee into a filter and set it in the coffee maker. She wrapped her arms around him, mindful of his ribs, and kissed his shoulder. “I have a proposition.”

“Alright.”

“I got that call about the shipment yesterday,” she began slowly.

His brow furrowed in confusion. “Yeah?”

“We got interrupted.” She let her hands move down a few inches. “And I’d really like to pick up where we left off. Do what I was gonna do before the call.”

The warm flush from earlier returned full force as he swallowed hard, trying to wrap the bag of coffee beans back up. “Yeah?” he repeated, voice straining.

She hummed, hands now tracing the waistband of his boxers. “What do you think?” One hand lowered the slightest bit further. “I couldn’t help but notice that you looked a little stiff when we left bed.”

He’d slowly been bringing himself down, cock starting to soften as he ignored it to keep her from feeling like she had to return the favor. He’d been wanting to make her feel good since that first night at his apartment, and he got a lot out of knowing he’d done just that before they’d gotten out of bed.

But now he was aching all over again. “I think—I think you’re the tease now.”

“Let’s fix that,” she said softly. She reached further and cupped him through his boxers, giving him a firm squeeze.

His mouth fell open and he gripped the edge of the countertop, a rough moan rising up from deep in his chest, his eyes falling shut. She carefully turned him around so he could lean back against the counter, readjusting her hold on his cock as she pressed her lips to his throat. He opened his eyes, lids feeling heavy with lust as he blinked down at her.

She seemed very pleased with his reaction. “You are very good with that mouth, honey.” She rose up higher, kissing the corner of his mouth before lowering her voice. “And the fact that eating me out made you this hard is so fucking sexy.”

He rested a hand at her hip. “Jesus, baby…”

Her lips brushed along his jaw as she traced her thumb over his clothed length. “I want to suck your cock, Francisco,” she whispered near his ear.

“Please,” he ground out.

Nita pulled back with a coy grin. Without wasting another second, she tugged his boxers down and slid down onto her knees. Her nails lightly dragged up along the outsides of his thighs as she kissed from his hip bones inward. She took hold of him, steadying his heavy cock and running the flat of her tongue over the head, glancing up into his eyes.

Two dark, lust blown gazes met and Nita closed her lips around the head of him, sucking gently. He could feel himself throb, his grip on the counter tightening as arousal burned through his veins.

It had been a while for him. He already felt so close to the edge.

The tip of her tongue pressed into the underside of his cock, just under the crown, and he cursed, a hand reaching to slip into her hair. Her pleased hum sent jolts of electricity across his nerves. She bobbed steadily, taking a bit more of him into her mouth each time. He was almost dizzy when he reached the back of her throat, biting his lip hard.

She looked up at him again, watching the tendons in his neck stand out as he strained to keep himself from losing it. His eyes were closed and he was trying not to breathe too hard. As she drew back, she couldn’t help but smirk a bit.

She worked her way back down his shaft until he was at the back of her throat again. Then, she kept going forward, taking him deeper until her lips were wrapped around the base, nose pressing into the coarse hair just above it.

Her jaw ached and her eyes were watering, drool sliding down her chin. But it was beyond worth it when she swallowed around his cock and he made the most breathtakingly broken sound she’d ever heard.

His whole body trembled at the feeling, brow furrowed and mouth dropping open.

She drew back far enough to breathe, pressing her tongue up against the vein that ran along the underside of his shaft, and cupped his balls in one hand.

On instinct, his fingers tangled further in her hair and he gave a slight, jerky thrust of his hips. He gritted his teeth. “Shit, baby, I’m so—“

She took him down her throat again, gently massaging his balls, and his voice died. His whole body buzzed with pleasure and he couldn’t hold back when she swallowed this time. He came undone with a low moan of her name, knuckles white where he gripped the counter.

She drew off of him slowly, taking everything he gave until his shoulders sagged in blissful relief and his knees were close to giving out beneath him.

They were both panting, her sitting back, teary eyed with spit around her lips and chin, him leaning heavily against the counter, head tilted back. Nita got to her feet after a moment and grabbed a napkin to dab at her eyes and wipe her mouth. She also took the liberty of pulling Frankie’s boxers back up his legs, patting his hip as she smiled up at him.

“So. Coffee?” she asked, voice a little rough.

Frankie huffed a laugh, pulling her into a lazy kiss.

~*~*~*~

Taglist

@zeldasayer @beskars @winters-buck @the-feckless-wonder @yodaswrinkles @wickedfrsgrl @roxypeanut @mrsparknuts @spacegayofficial @i-hide-inside-my-head @lestrange2703 @tintinwrites @shadow-assassin-blix @flightlessangelwings @agentpike @woakiees @darksideofclarke @velvetmel0n @damerondjarin @poeticandors @thirsty-flygirl @perropascal @writefightandflightclub @yougottakeeponkeepinon @huliabitch @hopelikethesun @maxlordd @absurdthirst @pablopascal @ezrasarm @storiesofthefandomlovers @catfishingmorales @cinewhore

~ Mike

[the-awkward-outlaw]

Hi hun, hope you've been well. I have a request. Modern reader turns off Red Dead Redemption 2 for the night. She goes to sleep and starts to dream of herself being in the game and meeting everyone. Morning comes, she realizes it was just a dream (and it was getting good too, don't you hate that?) She starts the game again and Arthur breaks the fourth wall to blink at her, making her blush.

Hey there, Anon! I hope you’re not too disheartened by how long it’s taken me to get to this! This one was a shorter blurb, but I thought it turned out real sweet. Hope you find it to be as well. 

Masterlist

Read on AO3

Sweet Dreams Are Made of These

You yawn heavily, your eyes stinging from the late hour and from staring at your TV the last few hours. It’s been a rare day where you’ve had it entirely to yourself so you’ve spent the majority of it playing Red Dead.

It’s been a while since you played the game; you’ve forgotten how much this game calms you. The beautiful scenery, the complexity of the people animated in it (even the NPCs). The endless things to do. Rockstar really pulled out the stops for this game. Especially when it comes to Arthur.

You’ve been harboring a massive crush on him since the end of your first playthrough. You’ve done plenty of diving into the thirst part of the fandom on Tumblr, which only made your attractions to him worse. Oh, why can’t he just be real? As you’ve played today, you’ve been shameless of your ogling of him. You started a new game this morning and when you hit chapter 2, you put him in clothes you found him sexy in and styled his hair. Not that he needs much help in looking good in the first place. 

However, it’s late now and your eyes are begging for sleep. As much as you’d like to keep on playing, you need to go to bed. After all, you’ll be able to play more tomorrow as it’s another rare free day. So you resolve yourself, save your game and turn it off. 

When you’re lying in bed, you think a bit more about the game, mostly Arthur. You even day dream a little about him in attempts to fall asleep, which works better than you’d like. However, it seems your mind is just as determined to stay with Arthur and the gang. 

You’re walking just outside the cluster of trees that marks Horseshoe Overlook. It’s warm out here, with the sun happily beaming down as it’s setting beyond the horizon. The birds are happily singing away, you hear a raccoon chattering away not too far off. Of course, you know what you might find in Horseshoe Overlook if you go in there, but you also know that the gang doesn’t stay there permanently. Will they be there? 

As you begin to walk, you look down at yourself. You’re wearing clothes that fit in with the time period and the game. Dusty jeans, a button down shirt that looks like you’ve had it a few years. As you reach up to brush a strand of hair from your face, your fingers caress a hat on your head. Well, at least if the gang is there, you won’t look entirely out of place. You smile, thinking that you feel like you’ve come home after a long day. 

Just as you enter the trees, you can smell the smoke coming from wood fires, the sound of people ahead talking. Someone comes walking out of the trees and you recognize Bill. 

“Who’s there?” he demands. 

“Hey Bill,” you say, wondering what he might do or say to you, an outsider. 

“Bout time you got back. Thought you’d gotten lost or somethin’,” he snarls before wandering off to continue patrolling, repeater in hand. 

Feeling a little confused that he seemed to recognize you, you decide to keep on heading into the trees, closer to camp. Will the others react in much the same way? 

When you get into the heart of camp, you see several of the other gang members. Hosea’s reading a book on his sleeping mat, Charles is fiddling with an arrow near the fire, which Jack is poking. Javier and Lenny are having a game of five finger fillet, Micah watching near the tree line. Most of the girls are sitting at their wagon, chatting easily as they stitch. As you stare around at them, you see Arthur walking over to you, his shoulders rolling as he walks. 

“Hey there,” he says to you, tipping his hat as he continues walking over to Pearson’s pot. 

“H-hey Arthur,” you say nervously, wondering if he’ll catch on to you being an outsider. But like Bill, he acts as though you’re another gang member. 

“About time you came back, girl!” comes the harsh voice of Grimshaw. She stands in front of you, hands on her hips, looking harsh. “I sure hope you had interesting adventures out there, you been gone so long I started to think you forgot where we were!” 

“S-sorry, Miss Grimshaw,” you say, unable to help but smile a little mischievously. She seems to accept it and walks off, muttering under her breath. 

By now, the sun has almost fully set, and you see several of the gang going to the campfire or the round table close by. Sean quickly begins to sing with Uncle, Javier strumming on his guitar. Feeling a bit more confident that you’re not going to be hurt by anyone, you go over to the fire. There’s only one free spot and it’s next to Arthur. Gathering your courage, you sit down next to him. 

“Hey sweetheart. Glad you joined us. Thought you might be too tired,” he says, his hand sliding onto your knee. 

Sweetheart? Did Arthur Morgan just call you sweetheart? You’re confused but you try to hide it. 

“Never too tired to be with you, honey,” you say, trying to sound like this isn’t unusual. He smiles back, his hand squeezing your knee. 

Hosea speaks up from his chair on the other side of the fire. “You know, I used to want to be an actor when I was a young man. I once saw a drama as a boy and I loved it. But I thought if I ever did get into the acting life, I’d want to be part of a comedy.” 

You only listen partially, still heavily distracted by Arthur’s hand on your knee. He acts as though the two of you have been together for some time. How badly you wish it were so. Figuring that you’re already here and you’d be lying if you said you never pretended to do this, you slide your hand over his and lean onto his shoulder. It surprises you when Arthur gently kisses the top of your head. 

After Hosea finishes telling his story of his failed career as an actor, Javier picks up a tune with his guitar again. You recognize it because you’ve heard him play the song in the game. The others quickly join in singing, Arthur included. 

“I ain’t got no father to buy the clothes I wear. I’m a poor lonesome cowboy. Poor lonesome cowboy; I’m a poor lonesome cowboy.” 

You listen as they sing, feeling the verberations of Arthur’s voice through his shoulder as you continue leaning on him. For the first time, you feel like you really belong here. The characters from the game seem so real here, you could easily believe they’re real. However, you feel that this whole scenario is merely temporary, as much as you wish it wasn’t. 

When the song is finished, Arthur squeezes your hand again. “Come on, darlin’. Think it’s time we get some sleep.” 

As much as you want to stay and listen to the others, you look up at him and nod, feeling curious about where things will lead if you follow him. He guides you over to his tent and wagon and closes the flaps, giving you some privacy. 

You feel nervous as he turns. Will he try and get you naked in his bed? You hope not. However, when he looks at you, he doesn’t have that hunger in his eye. He smiles softly and then pulls you into a hug. 

“Mm, you been gone too long, darlin’. I’ve missed you.” 

“I’ve missed you too, Arthur. Hmm, you feel nice.” And he does. His warmth soaks into you as his arms create a protective cocoon around you. Your head presses into him and your body molds to his like a puzzle piece. His hand leaves your back and he cups your cheek, guiding you to look at him. His eyes are bright, alive but gentle. His eyes dart down to your lips. Unable to help yourself, you loop your arms around his neck, bringing yourself closer to him. 

Arthur begins bending down, reading your mind. Your heart quickens in your chest, his wild scent flooding your nose. His lips are centimeters from yours, you can feel the heat of his skin. Just as you’re about to press against him, your eyes flash open. 

Arthur’s gone. HIs tent is gone. The sound of the fire and the others singing is nowhere to be heard. You’re lying in your bed, slightly chilly from the early morning. Your heart sinks as you realize that your little journey was no more than a dream. None of it had been real. But it had felt so real. This dream had been different. 

Sighing, you try not to let yourself feel miserable about it. It wouldn’t do you nor anyone else any favors. 

After taking a quick shower and eating some breakfast, you decide to play the game again. Sure, it might be disappointing in comparison to the dream you’ve just had, but this is the best you’re going to be able to get at this point. 

After loading into the game, you look around Arthur, taking in the view of the Heartlands. You’d stopped playing last night with him being not too far from Emerald Ranch. This is one of your favorite places on the map because of how real it looks. You try not to give into the temptation to look at Arthur, but your resolve doesn’t last long. 

You whirl the camera around to look at Arthur. You expect him to just stare into the distance like normal. You did not expect him to suddenly stare straight at you and blink as though he can see you. Just as you’re processing what you saw, he suddenly smiles and tips his hat. “Hey, sweetheart.”

[agent-whiskeys-sweetheart]

The Boys When You're Sunburnt

When Javi found out you hadn't come into work that morning, he immediately found Steve to ask what had happened. "I think she's sunburnt pretty bad, can't move." The response made Javi scoff. He went about the rest of the day like normal, glancing at your empty desk a few times. When it was time to turn in for the day, Javi decided to pay you a visit on his way home. He stopped at a drug store and picked up some aloe vera before heading over to your place. When you heard a knock at your door, it was all you could do not to have a panic attack. "It's Javi." He shouted through the door, causing you to relax. "Key's under the mat." You holler back. He steps inside to find you laid out on the couch. "A sunburn. Really?" He would critic as he sits next to you. "I know, I know." He wouldn't say another word about it, handing you the aloe vera and turning on the tv. You both sat there for an hour, talking and watching tv. Later, when you showed back up at work fully healed, he would smirk at you, realizing how much he had missed you.

After his arranged marriage to you, a young Northern noblewoman, Prince Oberyn quickly became skeptical of how you would fare in the extreme climate of his homeland. It didn't take long to realize that the Dornish sun was not your friend. A few days after your arrival, Oberyn realized he hadn't seen you. He made his way to your chambers, inviting himself in. Lo and behold, he found you curled up in bed, your face a deep shade of red. "You poor thing." He would mumble, stroking careful circles on your back. "Let me help you, mi amor." He would quickly bring in healers with various ointments to soothe your sunburn. He let you stay in bed all day and sleep until you felt better. When you needed to eat, he would stop by and feed you with a smile, talking to you about life outside your room. He came around anytime you needed him and did whatever you asked, but he didn't stay. He wanted to leave you alone so you could heal. Once you were better, he always made sure you were seated in the shade to avoid another nasty mishap.

Maxwell was most definitely not happy when you called him to explain that you couldn't come in to work. "I'm sorry, Mr. Lord. I have a sunburn. I can't move." He would hang up quickly, making you a bit embarrassed. The last thing you expected was for him to show up on the doorstep of your apartment. He let himself in, carrying big bags in both hands. "What are you--" He threw the bags on the table, interrupting you. "I can't believe you were stupid enough to get a sunburn. What have I told you about taking care of yourself? Your body is a temple, a temple that belongs to me and I don't appreciate you neglecting it." You listened as he lectured you, all the while emptying his bags onto your coffee table. There were expensive lotions, creams, medicines, food, blankets, clothing, alcohol, and a dozen other amenities. "This should all last until you're healed. Just some things to help you get better." You thanked him. "I expect to see you at work soon." With that, he disappeared and you didn't see him again until the next time you showed up at work.

When you told Max you had gotten sunburnt there was an uncomfortable silence on the other end of the phone. "I'm sorry. I know you have a thing about the sun, being a vampire and all." He took a breath. "Well, do you need anything? Do you ... need me to come over?" You could tell he didn't like the idea. "I should be fine. I'm sure I have some aloe vera somewhere." He sighed heavily. "It's fine. I can bring you some things." You thanked him profusely and hung up. Later that day, you got a text message from Max. "Left some stuff on your porch. Sorry I couldn't stick around. Sunburns really gross me out. Not that you're gross. Anyway, I hope you get better soon. Kisses, Max." You stumbled to the front door and brought in the bag he'd left. There was aloe vera, some ice cream, and a movie. The gesture made you smile. When you saw Max, you kissed him in gratitude. Needless to say, he was definitely glad to see you sunburn free.

When Jack found out you were sunburnt, he immediately rushed to your side. "I'm so sorry, honey. What can I do for you? Just name it." He made sure that he was at your beck and call. Even when you didn't ask for anything, he found something to do for you. He rubbed your feet, fed you, picked up around your apartment, fluffed your pillows. It was overwhelming how helpful he was being. After your tenth careful massage of the day, you stopped him. "Jack, please. It's just a sunburn. I'm not dying. I appreciate all of your help but do you think we could just watch a movie or something for a while." Jack chuckled. "Of course, baby." He would curl up next to you, pulling you carefully into his chest. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bug you. It's just that ... I want to take care of you. Even if it is just a sunburn. It's my job to protect you. I swear, if I could I would blow that stupid sun out if the sky." This made you giggle. "I love you Y/N." You smiled. "I love you, too, Jack." Shortly after that you both fell asleep in each other's arms and you were healed in no time (thanks to Jack's care).

Hey, guess what I have. Yep, a really bad sunburn. It got me thinking about how the boys would be taking care of me right now. 🤭 Send in your requests my sweets. I love writing about my favorite boys for you. 💖

[ksj-com]

There Is No Game Over-

Welcome to the Family

- Pairing: Namjoon x Reader

- Genre: Resident Evil 7!AU, horror, angst, action, violence, slight fluff

- Warnings/Tags: torture cutting scene, characters tied up against will, reader torture gagged, mentally insane characters, cussing, gore, killing scenes, monsters, may need prior Resident Evil 7 knowledge to understand some scenes, life or death scenes, deputy Jungkook, death, weapons mention, argument scene, light jokes, little kissing, feeling of helplessness, sudden ending, Namjoon having to choose between you or other people to save

- Word Count: 6,613 words

- Summary: Being kidnapped by the Bakers always put you on edge when playing Resident Evil 7. Tagging along with Namjoon and helping him escape to find his girlfriend, you grow a deeper connection with him then you did while playing on a VR. 

|| Masterlist ||

A/N: Credit to @pjm-com​ for writing some of these scenes

The sound of a man screaming rings through your ears drums. You thought it was going to be Jungkook, but the next time you opened your eyes there was a man sitting next to you. Another man, who you realized was Jack from Resident Evil 7, was cutting the man’s cheek. You remembered this scene so vividly: Namjoon, the main character, didn’t want to eat the Baker family’s dinner because it was a bunch of organs and bugs. In result, Jack’s temper led to the moment that was unfolding in front of your eyes. Namjoon couldn’t fight back since he was restrained by ropes that tied his arms and legs to the chair. You wanted to get up and run, you knew this game map like the back of your hand, but you were in the same situation. Your arms and legs were tied tightly against the chair you were sitting on. A rag wrapped around your head, touching the back of your throat to cause you to gag if a sound threatened to come out. You decided to not risk budging, and continued to watch.

“He’s not eatin’ it, Jack! He’s not eatin’ it!” Marguerite shouts at the top of her lungs, her voice making you cringe.

“Shut the hell up, Marguerite,” Jack groans. Marguerite storms off as a response, leaving you both with Jack, Lucas, and Grandma Eveline. Jack was about to cut another slice in Namjoon’s other cheek, but the doorbell rings throughout the house.

“I bet it’s that damn cop again,” Lucas mentions before they both exit the kitchen. Eveline stayed in her wheelchair, perfectly silent and still. Because you’ve already played this game before, you knew she was nothing to worry about for now.

You watch Namjoon take this chance to try to escape the confines of the chair, tipping and knocking the chair over on its side. The weak wood chair breaks under Namjoon’s crashing weight. You both cringe from the loud noise that echoes from the crash. The second he shakes the rope off his wrists and ankles he rushes over to you, untying the cloth around your mouth and all the areas you were being tied down. Once he reaches your ankles, he notices that you have the same heartbeat watch that he has on his wrist.

“Looks like whatever they did to my wrist, they did the same to your ankle” he says. You look at his wrist for the first time. Previously in the game, Namjoon went through a chainsaw fight and the result ended in him losing one of his hands. Now, his hand looked as if it was stapled back on and fully functional. On top of that, he had a watch that tracked his health when playing the game. Comparing his wrist to your ankle, it looked exactly the same except your foot was the one that was stapled on instead.

You thought about what was going through Namjoon’s head during this whole game. Through the horrors and dangers of the infected household; did he ever think Mia wasn’t worth it? After all, his girlfriend is the reason why he was here in the first place.

“Namjoon, is Mia really worth all of this?” Your voice croaks. You were parched from having a rag pushed all the way to the back of your throat for so long.

He looks up at you flabbergasted. “Of course, why wouldn’t she be? There’s obviously something wrong with her and this place in general.”

You nod agreeing with him. You didn’t want to be here. You finished this game once and you definitely didn’t want to do it again…like this.

“Plus, she was your best friend. Don’t you think she’s worth it too?” He asks you. So that’s why you’re here. Memories flood into your head like a barrier just broke within your mind. You remember the beginning of the story now from your perspective.

•••

You were in the middle of watching TV when you saw the phone call from Namjoon. 

“Hello?” You brought the phone to your ear. You haven’t talked to Namjoon ever sense Mia went missing three years ago. He went off the walls when she was declared dead by the police. He knew something couldn’t be right.

“Hey, (Y/N). It’s Namjoon. Before you hang up I need to ask you something,” He waits to see if you would stay on the call before he dared to continue.

You sigh. “Is this about Mia?”

“Yes, but she’s alive. Trust me. She sent me video footage of her and I think she’s in danger. She’s in Louisiana and I was thinking that—“

“I could come with you?” You interrupt. The phone line goes silent. He was scared of your response. He obviously didn’t want to go alone. “Send me the video she sent you,” You say and hang up the call. There was no way you were actually considering going to Louisiana with Namjoon to find her…but she was your best friend after all.

A minute later you receive the video from Namjoon:

“What the fuck?” You mutter to yourself. You immediately go back to the text conversation between you and Namjoon. ‘I’m in,‘ you text him.

•••

And just like that, you were sucked into this mess. You snap back to present day, now untied from the chair. You knew exactly what to do: help Namjoon find Mia and get the hell out of this game…if you survive. You didn’t know how to tell Namjoon that you knew exactly what to do. Every jump scare, every fighting scene, every plot twist was ingrained into your mind. “Namjoon can I ask you one thing?” You rub the raw skin on your wrists.

“Anything.”

“Just…do what I say and follow me when I tell you to. You aren’t exactly logical when it comes to Mia sometimes,” you feel as though that’s the best possible way to tell him that you are in charge here. His brows furrow, but he nods in agreement. “Okay good, let’s looks around here.” You knew everything that needed to be found, opening drawers that contained ammo for the gun you will be getting later.

“I found a hatch!” Namjoon whispers loudly to get your attention. You had hoped he would find that hatch since that’s what you needed to get through to get to the next part of the game. He pulls at the wood door on the ground, but it doesn’t budge. “God dammit, it’s locked” he huffs.

“Stick with me. Let’s find the key.” This was the challenging part: the key was at the end of the hallway. In the game, when you approach the key area, Jack reappears. And worst of the all, he sees you and ends up chasing you around until you pick up the key and step into the hatch.

You and Namjoon were now sitting at the end of the hallway. As you stood in front of him, you slowly walk forward. “Why are you being so sl-“ Namjoon’s whisper stops abruptly when Jack comes walking to the end of the hallway. His posture hangs over a table, where the key was sitting, until he notices you both.

“Thought you’d just slip out before dinner was done?” Jack approaches with an axe in his hand.

You turn around, slipping past Namjoon for you to be in front again. You had to do this right because who knows if you would get a second chance. You grip Namjoon’s hand so you didn’t leave him behind anywhere. Making your way around the dining room and into the living room as Jack was on your heels. You circled around the living room table and back out to the hallway that contained no threat. This was your time as you both ran towards the key, but Namjoon smacks into your nonmoving back when Jack breaks through the wall in front of you.

“You’re wasting your time” Jack grunts.

You were so out of breath but the fear of death has you turning back around. Luckily, the new hole in the wall was in the room that contained the hatch. You looped around once again, going through the hole in the wall and snatching the key up on the table. Jack was no longer behind you both, but that didn’t stop you from rushing to the hatch door and unlocking it as quick as possible. You and Namjoon hopped in and closed the door behind you. The space was so cramped that you both had to be on your hands and knees to fit. It looked as if you were under the house. Ripped up foundation was the ceiling, while the floor was matted down dirt and trash. Broken windows, lawn equipment, and trash bags all crammed against the walls. You had wondered how they even stored this stuff down here to begin with.

“It reeks down here,” Namjoon scrunches his nose. The smell of mildew and garbage made you want to puke while you both crawl your way over to the other side of the hatch. The other side led you to a hole opening to another room in the house. He waits for you to pull yourself out of the opening before saying, “Where the hell are we now?”

The safe room, you thought to yourself. “Looks like the laundry room, I think we’re safe otherwise he would’ve been waiting here for us,” you patted yourself on the back for the improv.

“You’re right, but how do we get out of here without him seeing us?” He pulls his fingers through his tangled hair. You knew that once you stepped out of the room Jack wouldn’t be there, but one of the many boss battles that occur in the game is coming up sooner than you would like.

You eventually convinced Namjoon that you couldn’t stay in that room forever, and he finally grew enough courage to follow you through the open door. Once he realized that Jack was no where to be found, he continued to scavenge the area for any remaining things that could be useful.

A knocking on one of the windows stopped Namjoon in his tracks. You approach it, but Namjoon grabs your wrist. “What the hell are you doing? Would if it’s one of them?” He hisses.

Annoyed, you yank your wrist from his grasp. You knew who it was and you knew you were going to be safe. It was out of his knowledge to know these things, but you still couldn’t help but feel a bit offended that he would think that you would be stupid enough to approach something you weren’t sure about. You kept walking, ignoring his questions. He follows close behind, curious to see if something bad occurs. Not to your surprise, a cop stands at the window. Barb wire and broken wood planks spread across the window frame, but there was still enough space between the ripped up boards to see him in his uniform. The usual person that you would see as the cop in the game was replaced by someone that sent chills down your spine. It was Jungkook.

“Jungkook?” You gasp to yourself He looks at you confused, he didn’t recognize his own name. Is this a glitch?

“It’s deputy,” he scoffs.

“Okay, deputy, I know this is asking for a lot but could we use your pocket knife? We’re being held hostage in this house with no protection and we need your help. There are crazy people in this house,” You wanted to hide the fact that your eyes were bulging out of your skull because of the person you were talking to right now.

“Whoa whoa…not so fast. You don’t exactly seem like you’re playing with a full deck of cards yourself,” he reads your expression, brows furrowed and eyes narrowed into yours.

“Are you serious?” You say. He says that same line to Namjoon in the original game, but he’s talking to you this time. You figured he would go off script at least for that one.

“Listen, there have been several missing person cases around here, how do I know you’re not involved?” His flashlight is shining brightly at your face.

“You let me borrow your pocket knife and I’ll tell you whatever you want in the garage. The garage door is opened by a button which is inside a box that’s covered in tape. I need to get in there somehow,” You pray that this works since you weren’t going by the original dialogue of the video game cutscene anymore.

‘Jungkook’ thinks for a second before nodding slightly. He hands you a small knife through the gap in the window, “Garage. Now.”

You give him a nod before turning back around to meet the eyes of a confused Namjoon. “What?” You question. What does he have to say now?

“What was that?” he crosses his arms, quizzing you.

You roll your eyes. “What was what, Namjoon?” Your attitude raises, you just wanted to get out of here.

“The pocket knife, it wasn’t even in his hand or in sight when you asked him for it…how did you know he had one?” Namjoon’s voice was the only thing that made sound in the house.

You felt your body run cold, letting out a laugh to hide the fact that you had no logical explanation to give him. “Just a lucky guess. It’s a cop, so I just assumed he had something other than one gun,” you play it off with a shrug. Walking past him, you make your way down to the garage to cut open the taped barrier. A red button was now clearly visible when opening the metal cabinet-like door, so you don’t hesitate to smash the button and watch the door to the garage scale up. The garage was now completely laid out in front of you and Namjoon now. A police car and it’s lights rotated around the walls. The cop noticed you both immediately and approached you aggressively.

“Now, tell me what you guys are doing out here tonight?” He yells.

Namjoon couldn’t stand letting you talk all the time, so he steps in front of you to answer. “I’m trying to find my wife that went missing and things went bat-shit crazy—“

The police’s head whips around to see that the garage door that separates the outside world from this hellhole was now closing. “Put that door back up! Put that door back up!” He points his finger at you frantically, but by then it was too late. Namjoon stumbles back from fear, gasping for breath. A shovel was pushed through the deputy’s head from behind, the top of his head slides off of the shovel and onto the ground to reveal who was behind this act. It was Jack.

You’re half surprised that Jack is standing behind the beheaded cop, considering Jungkook, or who you thought was Jungkook, was in the game. You have a slight worry that the game won’t follow it’s normal track, but for now you act on instinct.

“Lets go!” You yell, yanking Namjoon by the arm considering he’s frozen to the floor. Making a jump for it, you scramble to get the keys that are lying innocently on the workbench before dashing to the other side of the garage. Namjoon is tripping over his own feet, rambling about how you even knew the keys were there. The sound of Jack’s shovel is slamming into the large metal shelf placed in the middle of the floor, sending cans of paint and debris everywhere. You use that little setback to shove Namjoon into the passenger seat, hopping in the drivers side and shoving the keys into the ignition. You’re almost convinced that the starter won’t flip, but after a few clicks the engine rumbles to life.

“Is this my own fucking car?” Namjoon yells, and you ignore him while pushing the pedal to the floor and attempting to run over Jack. Namjoon is scrambling to get his seatbelt on as if you guys were even leaving the garage. “Y/N, what the fuck are you doing?”

Sometimes, you wanted to just duck tape his mouth. “Namjoon, shut the hell up.”

He says nothing further as you throw the gear into reverse and step on the gas, backing up into the concrete wall before flooring it forwards again. It takes a few tries, but after the third or fourth crash, Jack is gone. You know better that he isn’t on the ground, and within seconds is peeling the roof back. Even if you know what’s coming, you and Namjoon share the same screaming as Jack pushes you aside and starts to drive the car. You remember the line perfectly, but the sound of Jack talking is drowned out by the tires squealing and various things breaking in the garage. You duck in your seat, bracing for the impact.

“Lower your head!”

“Why?” Namjoon says back, like it was the calmest thing in the word. His eyes bulge as he looks in front of him, and he’s sinking into his seat in seconds before Jack is driving the car into the metal beam.

Silence fills the garage and it’s almost deafening. You take a quick look towards Jack, not breathing in the middle of the seat, before scrambling out of the car and grabbing the gun. Namjoon unbuckles his belt and does the same, eyes glued to the figure in the car as you back into the opposite wall. Your faces light with red tones as the car goes up in flames, Jack coming out unscathed with his hand out. You’re quick to aim the gun at his head, shooting three times before he drops to the ground, the final explosion of the car leaving you and Namjoon on your feet. Once deemed safe, you’re locking your arms together and moving towards the ladder that drops to the floor.

���That was fucking crazy,” Namjoon shouts, and you can’t do anything else besides agree with him. He starts searching the garage for first aid med’s and any coins, or lock picks he could find. At least he still had that common sense. “Can I have the gun?” All shakiness aside, you hand the gun to him, heart slamming at the base of your sternum while Namjoon motions to climb the ladder. You’re one foot up before Jack spawns right next to you, leaving you caged between him and Namjoon.

“Do I have your attention? I’m about to show you something wonderful.”

You practically mouthed those words as he said them, eyes shut before you feel the hot blood splatter all over your face. The gunshot silences the room, even Namjoon’s breathing had come to a halt as the sound of Jack’s body hits the floor. You’re almost unfazed as you start climbing the ladder, leaving Namjoon down there wondering what the fuck just happened. He moves slow, sluggish like he’s about to pass out. You don’t care that you’re leaving him in the dust. You needed to get the metal ox head to open the door for later, and that’s the only thing on your mind.

Jack was out of the way. For now.

It’s been hours.

You and Namjoon haven’t made a dent in getting out it seems. You can feel the weight of the two brass dog heads in your pocket and the way they clink together is almost teasing. You need the third one to unlock the door to the outside, your mind is going crazy just thinking about it. The game is still on track, the monsters popping out at certain times, and you know that soon you’re going to have to face Jack again.

“Y/N. You think we have enough ammo?” Namjoon asks softly, like he’s tired. You can see it in his face too. His eyes look sunken in, back hunched even though he is steadily alert. You nod silently at his question, knowing that he was itching to get out of here too. You both halt before the double doors, knowing what lies behind them and in the back of his mind, Namjoon does too. He’s terrified. That he’s fighting for nothing, that he might lose you in the next fight. That he won’t be useful to you or Mia.

He’s not even sure why the hell he keeps going, any man in their right mind would’ve left the moment they entered the house but something tells Namjoon to stay. As you both enter the downstairs shower room, you can hear the low growl of the monsters pulling out of the wall, the black tar connecting them to the house as if it was one being.

You wince at the sight, shotgun ready as Namjoon loads up the Albert-01, and you both stand back to back to look at the masses slugging towards you. The huge black monster was most likely someone that had died in the Baker house. Maybe Clancy. The black claws on the end of the deformed hands were lunging at you both left and right, the head with huge canines for teeth wide open with the tongue hanging out. You leave minimal time to examine them further since you’re sick of seeing them, and move the shotgun barrel closer before pulling the tigger.

“Works every time,” you say to yourself, watching the head explode into black chunks that dissolve into the tile grout underneath your feet. You watch Namjoon take out the other monster one shot at a time, bullets flying through the skin before finally dropping to the ground. You’re unfazed as you reach the morgue, stomach dropping at the sight of the body bags dangling from the ceiling, the bronze dog head glinting in the light. You feel a wave of relief wash over you. You wanted to get out of this fucking mess.

“Joon! Look,” you breathe, scrambling up the stairs with Namjoon in tow. You both sit like idiots, watching it suspend from the metal beams over your head.

“Fucking finally. Let’s grab it and get out of here.”

You grab his hand, and prepare to jump as soon as you hear the floor boards creak behind you. You could never get away from him.

Pushing off of the ledge, you and Namjoon hurdle into the bottom half of the morgue, considering the area was a loft type of room. You both tuck before you hit the ground, rolling a little bit and soon in seconds you’re back on your feet. Jack jumps down like he’s supposed to, a huge version of hedge trimmers lay in his hand, snapping at any skin he could. Pushing the body bag to stun him like in the game, you soon get bored from the Mary-go-round game you play. It seems Jack does too considering he’s ripping open the chainlink fence.

“Another chainsaw!” Namjoon shouts, lunging across the concrete floor to grab at it before distancing himself. You, having already finished the game, pull out the circular saw. You didn’t wanna use it until now when it would be super handy. This wouldn’t have worked in the game, but once you both get Jack down, you and Namjoon stick the blades of each weapon into his gorging tumor. It shreds through the various amounts of adipose tissue, ripping through the dermal layer of skin before exploding the entire upper torso.

Great, you think. Another fluid to wash off my body. Back to the wall, you watch Jack’s nerve endings come alive in the bottom half of his body. It takes a couple steps towards you before falling.

Namjoon winces. “Just fucking stay dead, okay!?”

You felt a little more sluggish as you made your way back upstairs, glad no other monsters were spawning. You were beyond irritated. What if you actually died in this game? Would you wake up and it would’ve all been a fever dream? Or would your mom come in and find you gone? Would you re-spawn over and over again? It hurt your head to think about, so you leave it alone. Namjoon can feel your tense emotion as he trudges in front of you, flashlight pointing at the dark tunnels of the basement.

“You think we got a good chance of finding Mia?” He sounds cautious as he turns back to you, eyes pleading for you to say something. You’ve been silent for a little. You chew on your lip, debating if you even wanted to start something right now. You wanted to get out of there, too. Not at the expense of your life. So you decide to not bite your tongue.

“You still want to?”

Namjoon’s eyes widen a little. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“Because!” You snap, stopping in the middle of the tar-soaked hallway crossing your arms over your chest. “She almost beat you within an inch of your life the first twenty minutes we were inside the house! This family has been trying to kill us over and over again, and I have no doubt that they will come back. Why do you still want to stay?” Namjoon is deep in thought, voice cracking as he tries to speak.

“Other than the fact that I love her… It’s the right thing to do. I don’t know what else to do, so can’t you just work with me here?!” He’s yelling now, tears welling in his eyes while the ridges of his knuckles turning white as he clenches his fist around the Albert-01. You’re ready to rip out your hair, turning on him.

“I’ve been working with you, Namjoon! This whole fucking time!” You scream, voice straining. “Risking my life for someone who’s already infected! Aren’t you tired? Don’t you want to go home!?” Your chest is heaving, hands pushing your hair back as you drop the subject, continuing down the hall and up the stairs. It stays painfully silent, the tension thick between you and Namjoon. Once you enter the safe room, you feel little relieved as you push the cassette tape into the recorder.

The room was dimly lit by a single lamp placed in a wooden desk. The floor was slightly messy, papers were pressed into the floor boards and the shelves had miscellaneous items lazily thrown about. Random paintings were placed on the wall, one of a woman in a victorian-like dress and the others of simple nature. The huge green chest was sitting off to the side which held all of the things we didn’t need or didn’t have room to carry around.

“I’m sorry” Namjoon’s voice comes in from behind you

“Just forget it,” you scoff, back still facing towards him.

“No,” he shakes his head, eyes still focused on the back of your head.

“Namjoon-“

“You have no idea how important you are to me, (Y/N)!” He cuts you off before you could counter anything he had to say. You turn around to meet eyes with him. “I can’t lose you too…” he shakes his head. The feeling of your arms around him, makes his inner dam break. Tears flow down his cheeks and his sobs are hard as he gasps for breath after each cry. You just stood there, not letting go of his shaking body. This is what he needed right now.

“We’ll find her, and if we don’t, then we’ll die doing it” those words coming out of your mouth scared the shit out of you, but you couldn’t let Namjoon see that right now.

“Would if she’s not worth dying for?” He says quietly. You finally decide to let him go, both of you still close to one another.

“Then we won’t die,” you look up at him. Although he was more than half a foot taller than you, you didn’t feel small in front of him. Mentally, he looked up to you. He always thought you were the strongest person he ever met, and you were still living up to those standards. “Maybe we should try to wipe some of this blood and nasty black shit off or something?” You say, breaking away from his gaze.

“Sounds like a good idea” he laughs.

You take one of the pieces of fabric off of one of the drawers. “Damn, no mirrors in here,” you look around.

“Give it to me, I can do it.” You hand him the cloth and he searches your face. Why did this seem like such an intimate act to him? The cloth barely makes contact with your face. His motions were so gentle and slow. His wristband showed a red line across his wrist that you couldn’t help but glance at. You watched his face focus on the areas he was trying to wipe. When you met eyes, a smile broke onto both of your faces.

“Almost done?” Your voice hums.

“Yup, my turn,” he smiles and drops the cloth into your palms. He sits on the desk, making you more eye level to him. You swallow harshly before stepping in front of his open legged position. You peel his dark brown hair off of his sticky forehead.

“You got some sweaty ass forehead,” you joke.

“Shut up” he chuckles. The cloth drags down his face and around his mouth. Running along his lips, he pushes your hand down and away from his face. To your surprise, he brings his lips to yours. His hands lightly rested at the bottom of your back as his lips moved slowly around yours. Your eyes flutter shut and you felt yourself get lost in the moment. The kiss remained slow and meaningful until you pulled away.

“Namjoon this is—“

“Wrong? It doesn’t feel like it,” he kisses you again, except after a few seconds he’s the one that pulls away. “Unless it does for you, we can stop.”

“Shut up you dummy,” you take his head in your hands and pull him into another kiss. His arms wrap completely around you and pull you as close as you could be. He takes your bottom lip between his teeth, pulling and letting it snap back. Once the kiss was finished, both of your lips were red and swollen. The smiles on your lips slowly faded when you realized the reality that you two were in again.

“I suppose we should heal up ourselves with some med kits before going back out there,” you sigh. He nodded, watching you dig through the big green chest and scrounge up two medkits. Returning to Namjoon, you were about to shoot the medkit into his vein until you caught a look at his wristwatch. It was already green.

Wait, what? You thought to yourself. You swore that he was in the red a couple minutes ago.

“You healed me,” he answers the confusion that you were thinking to yourself.

You look up to him still confused. “How?”

“Hell if I know, but look at yours. You’re no different” he says. You look down at your ankle, what was once a blinking orange line, was now green as well.

“Well I guess we don’t need medkits anymore,” you look up at him bright-eyed. You had this game in the bag now! After placing the medkits back into the chest, it was time to go. Namjoon cocked his gun for it to be ready to fire at anytime.

“Let’s get the fuck out of here.”

You were determined, now more than ever, to finally get the fuck out of the property.

Killing the mom was the scariest for you. It seemed like everywhere you went, the bugs were following you. In your ear, in your mouth.. But finally, Namjoon had killed the mom, grabbing the lantern and bolting out of there. Grabbing the two key cards was easy enough, but if you were honest, Lucas was scary in a psycho sadistic way. You had a feeling he knew how to fuck with somebody’s mind, which made traveling through his house all the more scarier.

Namjoon was quick to outsmart him, putting the bomb in the wall and giving you guys an exit. He had an iron grip on your hand, basically dragging you through the docks as you made it to the boat house. It was the last final fucking stretch and you feel like you could burst into tears.

“Namjoon!!” You scream, watching a four legged molded come from the water and block the way. The brunette was quick on his feet, shotgun aimed at the head of the body, firing within seconds as you both stepped over the corpse. Reaching the final chest. You both rummage through the container, grabbing everything you could and then some.

Armed with Albert-01 and the grenade launcher, you push as many bullets as you can into the bag, while packing the flame rounds into the gun. Namjoon is stocking on the med kits just in case, both of the shotguns strapped to his frame. A deep feeling settles in the pit of your stomach as you reach the top of the boat house to meet Mia and Zoe. You aren’t gonna see Namjoon again, and you’ll finally wake up in your own house. Unfortunately you have to table the thoughts as Zoe hands him the serum, Namjoon pocketing them as you brace for the worst impact of the game.

Jacks last, but not least, form in the game is a grotesque monster with eyes all over the skin. It was a boss battle you wanted to finish once, and never again, but you didn’t have that luck. You feel a hand wrap around your body, squishing flat against Namjoon’s as you’re thrown onto the wood of the deck, rolling before you come to a ragged stop. You’re on your feet in a few seconds, Namjoon struggling to regain his balance while you have the first few shots off at the eyes. They go out in three shots total, making Albert-01 your best friend as you run away from the hand that slaps down on the wooden planks.

You’re dodging the swipes, left and right, but Jack’s swings finally get the best of you. His arm launches you off the first floor. The shallow water from the second floor splashes in your mouth as you cough from the impact of falling on your back. The wind gets knocked right from your lungs, leaving you lying there breathless for a few seconds before shaking out of your daze.

Jack was focused on Namjoon when you got yourself back on your feet. This gave you a clear shot of the eyes that laid around Jack’s back and tail. You took the opportunity of a lifetime and began shooting like a mad man. Thankfully, your good aim managed to take them all out before Jack turned to face you again. You jumped up the ladder two bars at a time to be able to make it back to Namjoon.

“He’s just got one more eye on his stomach!” Your voice barely carries across the room as Jack shouted his offensive statements. “Someone has to distract him!”

As someone distracted Jack on the top level, the other person sneaks down to the lower level right under Jack. Thus, giving them the clear shot of the last eye placed on his stomach.

“You distract him, I got this.” Namjoon nods at you.

You fucking better, you thought to yourself. You took a deep breath to shake the anxiety dwelling deep within your body. Aimless gunshots exploded out of your gun as you drew Jack away from the only way down. Jack dragged his enormous body towards you. Thankfully his AI wasn’t made for two people so he was easily distracted from Namjoon.

There was little good news for you on the other hand, while you were cornered now with no ammo left in your gun. The only thing left was your grenade launcher. You quickly switched and started shooting at Jack helplessly. The kickback of the massive weapon left your shoulder aching, but the adrenaline running through your body left that a problem for later. Eventually, the grenade launcher used its last grenade and you were left with nothing.

You stood there defeated, watching Jack wind up his deadly arm. Not even a block would protect you from the blow. Is this it? You’re going to die in a video game?

Before your thoughts could roam even more into the unknown, Jack’s body fell through the floorboards. He did it.

You flew down the ladder to reunite with Namjoon once more. “We did it! We did it!” You jump into his arms. His arms wrapped around you tightly, you both spinning around the flooded room. You wanted nothing more than to get the hell out of there, so you took his hand in yours and ran for the exit where Zoe and Mia were waiting. Now was the time that could determine everything. There’s only one cure left and Namjoon had three different people that needed it. Will he choose Mia, his wife, and my best friend, that we both came here for? Or will he choose Zoe, the one that mentored us along the way? Or, is there even a slim chance that he’ll choose you?

You all three stood in front of him, watching the gears turning inside his head. Your heart was beating through your chest. You wanted him to pick you, but you understood the circumstances. He came here for Mia and he will choose Mia in the end.

“Mia…” Namjoon looks down at his feet while Mia walks toward his figure with a smile on her face. He finally makes eye contact with her, catching a glimpse of you in the background.

“I’m sorry. I came here for you, but I can’t use this on you,” He walks past her and inches towards you. “(Y/N), you’ve saved my ass too many times for me to leave you here to die.” He pushes the syringe into your wrist, making sure every last drop of the cure goes into your blood system.

You were left speechless, along with everyone else. Namjoon didn’t have the heart to look at Mia’s and Zoe’s face before guiding you both onto the boat out of there. You happened to see Mia and Zoe watching you both row off with the look of true fear on their face. You would be in that same position if Namjoon didn’t choose you. What would you have done then? You turned to face Namjoon again.

“Thank you…I should’ve said it sooner, but I was so shocked. I really thought you were going to pick Mia,” His eyes meet yours. There was no doubt that he was sad about leaving Mia behind, but after everything you both had been through he thought you were more important. It seemed harsh but it was true.

“I know I made the right choice. No looking back,” Namjoon gives you a warm smile. That was the last time you saw Namjoon when the boat flipped over and pure darkness devoured your vision.

[the-starsabove-you]

The Spotlight

Chapter 19- The Parents  Reviews are welcomed! Thanks for reading! It’s a long one! Next chapter will be fun as Michelle befriends the most unlikely person, A certain Flyer!  “Emily, I’m freaking out” Michelle said as she was packing her suitcase. She was going to meet Mat in an hour so they could get to the airport and get into a plane. Making their way to All-Star Weekend. “Don’t be! It’s only his mom and dad. It’s not like it’s the whole Barzal Clan” Emily said and Michelle narrowed her eyes “Listen, it was already last second that Mat told me his family is coming. I’ll have a heart attack if it was his whole family” “Tito says his parents are super polite. Plus you’re probably the opposite of what they’re expecting. You’re not some stuck up model or rude at all” Emily said and Michelle let out a sigh “I don’t want his family to hate me” “Just be yourself and they’ll love you!” Emily said and Michelle nodded “How’s vacation with Tito and Brassard?” “It’s been a pretty fun trip! We’re just enjoying ourselves and out in the sun. The boys have been playing football and basketball while I’ve been watching and joining at times. But we’re having a great time!” “Lucky, I wish Mat and I were on vacation” She said and Emily nodded “Yeah you had like three days or so?” She asked and Michelle nodded “We just went upstate to get out of the city for a bit.” Michelle saw Mat was calling in “Em, I have to go. Mat’s downstairs” She said and Emily grinned “I’ll send you pictures of the poolside. Make sure you send pictures of our All-Star over there” She said and Michelle smiled “Of course!” She quickly went on the phone with Mat “I’ll be down in a couple, I’m closing my suitcase now” She said and Mat chuckled “Okay, warning you now that once we get to the airport, there’s gonna be people taking videos and pictures so look out for that” “I’ll be hanging in the back if anything” She said as Mat nodded. Michelle made her way downstairs and saw Mat’s car in the front and Mat got out of the car and helped Michelle with her stuff. Both of them getting into the car and Mat leaned forward and kissed Michelle “Ready?” He asked and she nodded. 

They got to the airport and Mat was right, there were media people for the Islanders. Mat and Michelle got out of the car and their suitcases were being taken care of. Mat grabbed Michelle’s hand to start walking towards the plane but one of the media people stopped him “We need a picture of Mat entering the airplane.” She said and Michelle nodded and she stepped back and behind the media people as they were recording and taking pictures of Mat entering the plane by himself. Michelle got into the plane soon after and the media people were taking pictures of Mat and Michelle talking, Mat and Michelle watching carefully of their actions. Mat was grinning as he sat back as he looked towards her “You excited to meet my family?” He asked and Michelle let out a soft sigh “More nervous” She said and Mat nodded “I’m sorry for telling you last second they’re coming. But they’re excited to meet you. My mom mostly” He said taking her hand and she nodded “It was bound to happen sooner or later. I just don’t want to fuck anything up” She said and Mat nodded “I understand. You’re sweet and truly one of a kind. I know they won’t hate you” He smiled softly and Michelle leaned forward to kiss him and he tilted his head a bit to kiss her back. Michelled opened her eyes after a nap when she felt a squeeze on her knee and she saw Mat squeezed it. He was looking at her “We’re landing now, my parents are at the airport so we’ll be taking a car with them to the hotel” He said and suddenly Michelle felt nervous and Mat saw that, he kissed her forehead “We’re gonna have a fun weekend, promise” He muttered and MIchelle let out a breath “Don’t know what I’m more nervous for, meeting your parents or your friends” She muttered and Mat grinned “Trust me, You’ll be fine” Michelle nodded and getting her purse and her jacket before stopping, allowing Mat to exit the plane first so she couldn’t get in any of the pictures or videos of Mat stepping out of plane and a moment later, she stepped out of the plane to see Mat waiting for her. Once she got down the stairs she went towards Mat and they intertwined their fingers together before one of the media person stopped them “Do you guys want a picture?” She asked and Mat and Michelle looked at each other for a moment before Mat nodded and they stood next to each other and Mat wrapped his arm around her waist and both were smiling. Mat grabbed Michelle’s hand and they were walking towards the car and Michelle saw an older couple and she knew that those were Mat’s parents and they were beaming when they saw Mat coming towards them, holding hands with Michelle. 

“Hey Mom, Dad” Mat said warmly as he released Michelle’s hand to bring his parents into a tight hug and they both hugged him back as tightly and Michelle watched the scene with a soft smile on her face, she knew Mat missed his family a lot during the season. So it was very nice to see them together for the weekend. Mat let go of his parents and he beckoned Michelle over and she had a smile “Hi!” She said softly and suddenly Mat’s mom brought her into a tight hug “It’s so nice to finally meet you, Mat won’t stop talking about you” “Really?” Michelle let out a small chuckle and Mat was next to her and was smiling and his mother nodded “It’s crazy how much he does talk about you! Tells us about the dates and the cute little moments you have.” She gushed and Michelle was blushing and Mat’s dad laughed and he hugged her greetings “He always tells us about the jobs you do and what you’re doing so we could see also! It was weird seeing you on TV or online and not actually meeting you. So we’re happy” Michelle was smiling as she hugged his parents “He loves you guys so much, and I’m so happy to finally meet you” She said and she felt like a bit of her nerves were gone as they were talking. Mat squeezing her hand “We gotta get back to the hotel. I need to get ready to walk the carpet too.” “Okay! Your parents and I can go out and get some lunch” She said and Mat nodded “You wanna join me on the floor for media day?” He asked and she nodded “I’ll just walk around the floor, catch a couple of interviews from you and other players as well” Mat nodded “Perfect” He said and turned to his parents “You guys are going out to be tourists for a bit and then joining us?” He asked and his mother nodded “Would love to see what this place has to offer” “I’ll give you my number so we can meet up” Michelle said and Mat’s mom smiled “Yes! We can go see the other things going on too, I always like seeing if there’s mascots around” Mat was smiling the entire car ride as his parents and Michelle were getting along quite well. Everything was running smoothly until Mat’s mom asked “How are your parents?” Michelle was silent for a moment until she looked down “My mom is a detective, my father is a lawyer. I’m not very sure about how they’re doing.. I haven’t spoken to them in a while” “Oh dear, I’m so sorry” Mat’s mom said and Michelle gave a sad smile “I know they said they’re okay with my career. But I was suppose to be a doctor.. They were so proud of me becoming that until they found out I dropped out to be a model” She said and his mother looked at her in sympathy and nodded “Some parents won’t be happy with their kids’ choices. We supported Mat’s choices from day one, but they probably wanted what’s best” “My father’s always been hard on since I was a kid. He’s been easier on my brother but I guess since I was the oldest, and we lived in a small neighborhood, he wanted to make sure I was successful like them I guess”

Mat’s father nodded and Mat saw how uncomfortable Michelle was getting and he cleared his throat “Michelle and I are going to the club tomorrow night after the Skills challenge, also introduce her to some of the boys” 

“Seth must very excited to meet her.” His mother said and Mat nodded “Going to introduce her to Jack too. Chris too.” “You nervous for meeting them?” Mat’s dad asked and Michelle nodded “A bit, I think it will be exciting to see other players from other teams. I’m very excited to see Mat in the fastest skater challenge” Michelle said and both of his parents were grinning “Same here! Here’s to hoping he beats McDavid!” “Cheers to that!” Michelle said as everyone was grinning. The hotel room was very nice. It had a huge bedroom and kitchen while the living room was nice and homey. Mat’s parents were staying across the hall as well and Michelle literally dropped into the bed and groaned with happiness “Do we have to leave?” She muttered and Mat chuckled and dropped beside her and laid on his back “I need to get a haircut, get my suit on and get going to the carpet” He muttered and Michelle smirked “Your camo suit jacket is quite sexy” She said and he was grinning “I’ll keep it around for date nights” “Oh please do, If your parents weren’t down the hall I would be jumping you tonight” She said and he smirked “You can if you want to” Michelle hit his shoulder “Oh no, I’m not doing anything with you when your parents are nearby” Mat pouted “You’re no fun” He said and she grinned “We can do all that when we get back” She said and he was still pouting before Michelle kissed him “Okay, stop pouting. You need to go and get ready” Mat laughed as he got up and he kissed Michelle farewell before he walked out to get ready. Michelle was on her phone texting Emily until someone was knocking on the door and she opened to see Mat’s parents as they were grinning “Come on! We don’t want you to be alone here in the hotel until it was okay to walk the floor.” Mat’s dad said as Michelle grinned “You guys are the best!” She said as she grabbed her leather jacket and closed the door. Walking the streets of St Louis was an adventure. Mat’s mom was holding her hand and  dragging her while his father was looking on with a smile on his face. Michelle was taking pictures of the sights and then taking pictures of his parents. She knew that Mat would love to see those pictures later on. They were walking the streets until someone with a Mat Barzal jersey stopped them, the guy looked at Michelle “Can I take a picture with you?” Michelle got a bit nervous. She wanted her trip to not have much attention. So she never added anything on social media. But she nodded as the guy took their picture and he thanked her. Mat’s mom saw the frown on her face and she placed a hand on her shoulder “Everything okay?” “I just wanted to make sure no one really knew I was on this trip. I’m probably going to get hounded by my agent and the media that now I’m suddenly at All Stars Weekend with Mat” Mat’s father looked at her “You guys haven’t made your relationship public?” He said and Michelle shook her head “No..” Mat’s mom nodded in understanding “Mat is very protective, I think he just wants to protect what you guys have for as long as he can” “I just wanna shout it from the rooftops that I’m with someone that makes me so happy. But I know the media won’t be so kind.. That he’ll probably get stalked by the Paps or they’ll dig up something he didn’t want to come out.. It’s hard because..” “You care about him so much but you don’t wanna seem like you ruined his life” Mat’s dad said and Michelle let out a breath “Yeah..” “I think you’re both very mature to be private about it.. But it’s gonna come back to bite you guys one day” Mat’s mom said and Michelle nodded “I know he’s scared as well to make this public.. He doesn’t want all the unwanted things and attention when it comes to dating a supermodel.” “As long as you’re both happy and you’re safe from any harm.. That’s all that matters in the end” Mat’s mom said and she smiled “You guys are very good together. It’s so cute to watch you guys” Michelle smiled as she hugged the two “Thank you.. I’m so happy that I finally got to meet you” She said and his father nodded “You need to come over to our home over the summer with him. Meet his sister too.. We can have some family adventures” Michelle grinned “I would love that, I’m also looking forward for it” She nodded. The media floor was crowded with cameras and was full of people. The dinner went nicely as Mat’s parents were telling Michelle stories of Mat when he was a child. Michelle was grinning ear to ear and had promised to keep some of the stories a secret. Michelle and Mat’s parents were walking, in awe of the areas around them and they spotted Mat sitting at a small table and answering questions for the media. He saw his girlfriend and his parents and gave them a quick wink before going back to answering questions. Michelle knew that some pictures were taken of her. But she tried her best to ignore them as she couldn’t focus on that. This was Mat’s weekend. She was mostly excited to see what was in store and would be wearing her Barzal jersey throughout everything. 

[iwantthedean]

A New Fall

Graphic courtesy of @atc74. 

Part One: McIntosh. Juicy, tangy, tart. 

Summary: Y/N gets bad news about her beloved home. Jensen arrives in Boston following a potentially rash decision.  Pairing: None ... yet.  Word Count: 1507 Warnings: Drinking. Set post-Season 15, which I know makes a lot of people sad to think about. Square Filled: This entire series will fill my proposal square for BTZ Bingo. 

A/N: I’m so excited to be posting a series here again! In case you missed the announcement, this will fall in line with series I’ve written before like Hard to Find, or True Fluff. The taglist is open, so if you like what you read here, feel free to request to be added! HUGE THANKS to @atc74 and @d-s-winchester for not only encouraging me to come back and write when I was ready, but for hearing me out about this series. I love you both to pieces! 

The nature of living with an apple orchard in your backyard was that the house always had a slight tinge of apple scent to it. When you pulled out the season’s first pan of apple cinnamon cookies from the oven, the scent only grew stronger. You smiled; this was the smell of your childhood. You and your grandmother had spent countless hours in this kitchen, preparing this very recipe -- one that had been handed down over four generations now.

You waited for the cookies to cool a bit before using a nylon spatula to slide them from the still-warm pan to the wire rack on the cream-colored, tile counter. Using an ice cream scoop to help you keep the portions fairly equal, you loaded the silicon mat on the cookie sheet and again slid the pan into the oven. You set the timer on the oven and washed the bits of cookie dough from your hands.

Outside the window over the kitchen sink, the leaves of the trees decorating the yard were turning the brilliant colors of Autumn: red and yellow and orange. There was even some brown, which didn’t put you off the way the drab color normally would have. Autumn had a late start this year, but here it was, right before your eyes.

“That bodes well for the Fall Festival,” you smiled to yourself, not caring that no one was around to listen. The festival was something you looked forward to every year since you were a kid; for you, it was right up there with decorating for Christmas.

You finished the cookies, loaded and started the dishwasher, then put the cookies in an airtight container -- but not before sneaking one for yourself.

“Just like Granny made.”

Satisfied with your baking endeavor, you left the cookies alone and went to freshen up for your meeting with the farm’s business manager. This was something you did monthly, to make certain everything was in order, and while you normally didn’t mind the business side of running the place, things hadn’t exactly been looking up lately.

Bartholomew Kemp was a good man. He had grown up with your father and knew your family well. After your grandparents died and your father moved to the Midwest where most of the extended family lived now, you stayed behind in Massachusetts to keep watch over the family farm.

It wasn’t much, really. Thirty-five acres of land, most of which were taken up with the orchard. The main house and the barn took up a couple of acres, and there was a small pumpkin patch that covered a few acres, too. There was a lot of upkeep required, but you loved every inch of the place, and the people who worked the land so that you could stay there and keep everything in your family’s name.

The pleasant thoughts of the place you called home faded away when you saw Bartholomew’s face. As soon as his eyes registered your presence, his expression read regret.

“It’s not good, Y/N,” Bartholomew sighed, handing over the latest financial reports. “Nothing has improved with the ripening of the apples and your sales. They’re not flying out of the market the same way they used to do. More people are buying organic from the store than chancing recalls by buying direct locally.”

You frowned as you looked over the numbers. “I don’t understand. I mean -- I understand these reports coming back from the market, but I don’t understand why I’m not getting more stock back, then. The market is constantly asking for more apples, and they’ve already cleared out of our pumpkins once … it doesn’t make sense.”

“I wish I had an explanation for you, but the numbers are all there. I’ve checked and double-checked them. Triple-checked.”

You drew in a deep breath, willing yourself to not have an emotional reaction until you were alone in your car, if not all the way home. You set your copies of the reports on the desk and looked at Bartholomew.

“So, what does this mean?”

The older man leaned forward on his desk. He looked around as if wishing someone would come in and interrupt. Finally, he looked you in the eye.

“You’re going to have to sell, Y/N.”

Tears stung your eyes, and professionalism went out the window. “Sell? No, Mr. Kemp, I can’t sell! That’s my home -- my family’s home. My dad retired and moved West and he left me the place. He trusted me!”

Bartholomew reached across the table to take your hand. He squeezed, an effort to reassure you. “And you’ve done a great job, dear, but it’s the times. It’s not you. Your father has no reason to be anything other than proud of you.”

“What about -- what about refinancing?”

You could see from his demeanor this wasn’t an easy conversation. “You could try, but -- you are an amazing teacher. The kids and parents alike love you. Your employees all love you. I don’t know if that’s something you can take to the bank against your salary, though.”

“The least I can do is try.”

Bartholomew nodded. He gave you a manila envelope to put all the reports in, and offered his assistance with your loan application should you need any. You thanked him again, then hightailed it out to your car. Before you had the key in the ignition, you lost control of your emotions. The tears flowed freely all the way back home.

* * * * *

While he waited to get off the plane in Boston, Jensen adjusted the ball cap he was sporting, then quietly undid his seatbelt. He didn’t want to catch any complaints from the flight attendants for unbuckling while the seatbelt light was still on, but having the thing secured was giving him some weird sort of anxiety.

The passengers were finally allowed to file into the airport. Jensen shouldered his carry-on and made way for the rental car counter. Once behind the wheel, the GPS told him it was an hour drive from Boston to Attleboro.

“An hour?” he groaned. “Nah. I’ll get a hotel and find the town tomorrow.”

Jensen’s first thought was to head to the Four Seasons, but he made a last-minute decision to book a room at the DoubleTree instead. It wasn’t about money, it was about simplicity. Wasn’t that the whole point of this trip? To simplify his life?

Once settled in his room, he ordered from a delivery service that would bring him both food and alcohol, turned on his favorite playlist, and stared out the window. Below him, cars raced past. People huddled in thick jackets against the chilly wind. Vancouver was probably colder now than Boston, but it was still about twenty degrees colder than Austin.

Jensen took a deep breath and turned away from the window. He pulled clean boxers from his bag and let out that breath as he headed for a hot shower. All he needed was a quick one before the delivery service showed up to get his head straight.

“A quick, hot shower,” he muttered, turning his face away from the initial cold spray of water, “and to find a place to be.”

After fifteen years on the same show with not much to vary his days, Supernatural had ended. He didn’t regret a minute of being on the show, being around the fans, or the family that had formed during his years as Dean Winchester. Now, though, he was restless. Summer was fine; those weeks felt like hiatus. Then August came and, of course, filming still had not resumed, and the restlessness had set in.

No scripts came through that caught his interest. The Austin nightlife wasn’t really keeping his attention, but there didn’t seem to be a point in going back to Vancouver. So, he started looking for other options. How this orchard had even come across his screen, Jensen couldn’t remember. He only knew that once the seed was planted in his mind, he couldn’t stop thinking about it.

So now Jensen was laying on a hotel bed in Boston, watching sports highlights on television and knocking back whiskey on the rocks. Tomorrow, when he woke up, maybe he wouldn’t even be interested in the orchard anymore -- he’d just take a plane back to Texas and be back at square one.

“Put the lid on the whiskey bottle, Ackles. Call it a night.”

Taking his own advice, he knocked back what was left in his glass, put the bottle across the room for now, and turned off the lights. He set the sleep timer on the TV and drifted off to a restless sleep.

When Jensen woke up the next morning, the sun was barely peeking over the horizon. Seeing and potentially buying the orchard seemed less like an irrational choice and more of the quiet, new adventure he was seeking. There were new possibilities here, he could feel it in his bones -- and he couldn’t get on the road fast enough to find out just what those possibilities were.

* * * * * * * * * *

The Whole Shebang: @illisea @ashleymalfoy @busybee612 @mrswhozeewhatsis @sherlock44 @ravenesque @feelmyroarrrr @atc74  @theplaidshirtmadness  @blacktithe7  @moonlessnight14 @kitchenwitchsuperwhovian @smoothdogsgirl  @melbrandes  @xtina2191 @spnbaby-67 @emoryhemsworth @goldenolaf25 @gabriels-trix @applesugar88 @rainflowermoon @deansgirl215 @thisismysecrethappyplace @calaofnoldor

Jack Attack: @tiffanycaruso @girl-with-a-fandom-fettish

Two for the Money: @jayankles @akshi8278 @jensensjaredsandmishaslover @supernatural-jackles @adoptdontshoppets

A New Fall: @marilynnlew @backseat-of-deans-67chevy @traceyaudette @ellen-reincarnated1967

[eagles-translated]

"Eagles 2022 – Everything about the final season"

This is a translation of a Swedish blog post which you can find here. I don't know if this is an SVT-approved article, but it basically recaps the plot points from last season and gives a run-down of what will be explored in season 4.

Most of it aligns with the season 4 episode descriptions but also confirms additional details, so if you'd rather go in blind when the season premieres I would ignore this post!

At the end of the article I've written a short paragraph of my personal thoughts.

Friday the 28th of January is the premiere of the fourth and final season of Eagles on SVT Play. The final season will touch on how to take command of your own life, orthorexia, and what to do when the life you've gotten used to is shaken up and a new chapter begins. Who gets their dreams fulfilled? Who was shot on New Year's Eve? And will Ludde and Felicia have a happy ending?

The synopsis for Eagles season 4

The last semester of high school has begun and everything should be fantastic. However, the characters are instead faced with transformative events and life choices. Felicia (Alva Bratt) is in rehab after her suicide attempt and she just wants to focus on her well-being and graduate. But the person she needs the most to be able to move on is not there. For Ludvig (Adrian Öjvindsson), the weight of the shooting between Jack (Filip Wolfe Sjunnesson) and his brother Andreas (Oskar Laring) weighs heavy on his shoulders.

Amie (Yandeh Sallah) tries to find the balance between her music career and just being herself. But her record label has completely different plans in mind. Amie and Elias (Edvard Olsson) are also at the beginning of their relationship, but Elias has a completely different focus. He trains manically, keeps a strict diet, and is completely engrossed in achieving his hockey dreams. Whatever it may cost.

Klara (Sarah Gustafsson) feels like she carries the whole of Oskarshamn on her shoulders. The GECED company will be closed down and a large portion of the jobs in town will disappear. Now it's up to Klara to prevent that.

Eagles has been, and will also end, as a drama series about the life choices and emotions teenagers experience. Among these things are first love, friendships, betrayal, and dreams about the future.

SVT Play Friday 28 January at 02.00. The episodes are published in pairs every Friday.

For those who missed the three previous seasons, or want to catch up before the premiere, the episodes can be watched on SVT Play.

The cast in Eagles 2022

Felicia – Alva Bratt Ludvig – Adrian Öjvindsson Amie – Yandeh Sallah Elias – Edvard Olsson Klara – Sarah Gustafsson Naima – Tina Pour Davoy Andreas – Oskar Laring Jack – Filip Wolfe Sjunnesson Mats – Per Lasson Petra – Anna Sise Leila – Charlotta Jonsson Irene – Maria Alm Norell

Source: (x) Posted on January 19th, 2022 by admin

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There's a lot to unpack here, so I'll just go in chronological order and try to keep my thoughts brief.

First off, if the information in this article is accurate, that means the writers are actually going for an eating disorder storyline with Elias. We knew they were doing something with Elias as we had one scene of him overworking himself in the gym and another scene with Mats commenting on the fact that Elias mostly consumes powdered nutrients instead of real food.

I think a storyline like this has potential to really educate the audience. First off, orthorexia nervosa isn't something that's seen that often on TV. On top of that it's even more rare to show a male character with an eating disorder. I'm really interested to see how this will play out, maybe with the focus shifting a little from Felicia's mental health to instead focus on Elias's which has mostly been a question mark throughout the first three seasons.

Speaking of Felicia, the article mentions that she's out of rehab and that the person she needs the most isn't there. This could be either Ludde or Elias, but I'm leaning more towards Elias since he's her brother. Based on the episode descriptions we also know that when Felicia gets home from rehab, Elias is supposedly out partying.

They're keeping the details on the Andreas and Jack situation pretty hush-hush, but that's understandable.

As I've speculated before, Amie and Elias are probably heading for a rough patch now that we know Elias's focus lies more with his training.

This article also confirms that the GECED company is shutting down, but we'll see Klara try to prevent that.

The last thing I'd like to comment on is the cast list. Pretty standard, right? I'm not so sure. After listing the five main characters, there's an additional name wedged between Klara and Andreas (both pretty major characters). That name is Naima, played by an actress called Tina Pour Davoy. It seems that she'll have a significant role to play if she's included in the cast list. Just what that might be remains to be seen.

If you guys have any theories on what this might bring to the table in season 4, I'm very eager to hear them!

[strongsassysexysloane]

Take me for a Ride, Jack... 5

I don’t really care how bad this may be, im having too much fun writing it. 

. . . . 

It's mid morning when you regret not getting a coffee to go at the Diner but it seems Jack may be able to read your mind as she brings you a cup of coffee. Hopefully she hasn't been able to read any of your other thoughts.

"I was just thinking I needed one of these. Thank you." You smile at her sweetly, thankfully her body blocks the team from seeing your stupid grin.

Jack smile brightens. "You're welcome."

"Hey, what about us?" Nick whines from behind Jack causing her to turn and step aside so you can see everyone. Ellie has a big grin directed at you. McGee looked between you and Jack then went back to his work. Nick however is looking at Jack like a sad puppy who wants attention.

"Don't know your coffee order Nick." She gives him a one shoulder shrug sipping her coffee.

"It's called a phone, Jack."

"Oh yeah, forgot we all have one of those. I can't remember, when was the last time you got me a coffee?" You smirk at the sarcasm dripping from her tone. Both Ellie and McGee scoff as Jack has clearly got the upper hand over Nick.

"Last..." He scratches the back of his neck.

"Never." Jack raises her eyebrow and Nick slumps in his chair in defeat.

"Fine, when did Y/N last buy you a coffee then?" He turns his gaze to you and you sip your coffee innocently looking at your computer trying to not pay attention to them.

"She'd tried to this morning." And with that drop of too much information she exits stage left and you are left with curious eyes all on you again.

"Great." You mumble into your cup, suddenly the nice gesture of coffee isn't worth the questions that are about to start.

Thankfully Gibbs re-enters the bullpen and the questions on everyone's tongue disappear and they dive back into work.

It is around lunch time when McGee finds a lead, Petty Officer had a few recent callers from a different burner phone each month. Turns out his older brother owed some bad people some money and when he couldn't pay up he went to his family for money, parents cut him off a few months ago so he slunk to his good little brother for help. Petty Officer didn't have much but he gave his brother what he could but that stopped as well a month ago. Brother confessed to his debt, threats from the cartel boss about hurting his family and he guessed they went through with it after he couldn't find the cash.

The team stakeout the cartel hangouts over the next few days, finally when Friday rolls around you get audio of one of the higher members talking about whacking a petty officer and going after his mum next if the punk brother doesn't pay up. The team arrest him and the case is thankfully closed right in time for the weekend.

"Netflix and chill please and thank you." You sigh, collecting your things and turning off your desk lamp as everyone else packs up as well.

"Jack coming over?" Nick smirks.

"Wow, no." You laugh nervously, you hadn't even thought about asking her, should you? You'd talked a few times but it was mainly case related and you'd brought her coffee yesterday as pay back for her's the other day. "Sister is ordering pizza as we speak and I am picking up icecream on the way home. Much never sister bonding time." You all say your goodbyes and all head home.

The night relaxing, exactly what you needed after a stakeout and dealing with cartel men. Jamie has the pizza ready for when you get home and you shove the icecream in the freezer for later then get changed into comfy clothes. You watch one of your favourite movies and now you're half way through Jamie's favourite when you feel your phone vibrate.

'Sorry I missed you tonight, wanted to ask if you wanted to join me on a ride this weekend?' Sent by Jack. You grin from ear to ear.

"That message from Jack?" Jamie slips down into the couch beside you and bumps your elbow.

You shove her off, trying to hide your smile. "Maybe." Your fingers ghost over your mobile, trying to figure out how to reply.

"Love how your hesitate every time she texts you." Jamie laughs, sipping on her glass of wine and you just poke your tongue at her. "Child."

You don't reply to your sister. Instead turning your attention back to your phone. You take a bite of your pizza before replying.

'I would love to. When and Where?'

You place your phone beside you on the arm of the couch and pick up your wine glass, side eyeing your phone every few seconds waiting for the reply. It takes a few minutes and you get up to refill your glass of wine and finish your slice when your phone dings from the couch. You run to it as Jamie goes to take it. "Don't you dare!" You snatch it right before she can reach it.

"Just teasing. Someones fiesty."

You walk back into the kitchen with your phone and jump up onto the kitchen counter, your back facing the lounge room.

'How about Sunday? Any places you want to visit? I don't mind where we go.' You smile at her open to suggestion reply, clearly she was more interested in the company than the ride.

'Sunday works for me. Gives me Saturday to do all the fun chores that my sister always forgets to do. Did I mention I want to move out? You pick the destination as you're the one driving.' You slip off the counter, sipping your wine, you walk back to the couch.

"What you two talking about? I need some juicy love life gossip." Jamie giggled, looking from you to the tv.

Shrugging slightly. "We are making plans to go for a ride on Sunday." You look over at your sister who is waggling her eyebrows at you. "Shut up."

"Never. When will I get to meet her?"

"Hopefully not soon." You tease and Jamie just laughs.

"I'll be around on Sunday." She suggests and you just drop your head back onto the couch, just a tad dramatically.

"No. I'll be out the door before you know she's here." Leaning forward to sip your wine before placing it back down on the coffee table.

Jamie smiles at you less teasingly now. Her tone softer. "You really do like her."

"Jams, I've never felt like this before. I just don't want anything to mess this up before it's even started." You sigh and turn your face back to the movie.

Your phone vibrates again. 'But if you move out, you'll still do the chores so what's the difference? Let me have a think, do you enjoy going to markets?'

You snort at yourself thinking of a reply.

"What?" Jamie pokes your shoulder.

"Nothing."

'The difference is, there'd be no one poking me every few minutes wanting to know what we're texting about. I enjoy a good market.'

"You're making fun of me in your texting, aren't you?" You fake a shock expression at Jamie and laugh. "I knew it."

"Only a little. Just how you don't like doing chores."

"Hey you hate them as much as me!" She flicks your shoulder. "There's your girlfriend again." She smirks, hearing the vibrations of your phone.

'Your poker face needs work then, sweetheart.' You almost spurt out your wine reading the last word. You hear Jamie laugh and show her the text.

"Nawwww." She coo's at Jack's text. "She likes you." You feel the phone vibrate in your hand and snap back to see Jack sent another text.

'I hope you didn't spit your wine out over that.' You drop your head back onto the couch. She knows you too well already.

'You've either got cameras in my apartment or I'm just too predictable.' You send, her reply doesnt come for a few minutes, the wait makes you squirm. The movie lost in the background.

'Only in the bedroom and livinig room, kidding! I may have had a few scotchs before sending this.'

You laugh. 'I like tipsy Jack.' Really you just like everything, Jack.

'I'm glad. What are you and Jamie up to?' You love that she continues the conversation on past the initial weekend planning, although you realise you actually hadn't made a time.

'Netflix, wine, pizza and soon to be icecream. What are you up to?'

The movie you've been ignoring comes to an end and Jamie picks another one as you didn't reply to her offer. To which you now regret.

'Slightly jealous. I'm reading and drinking the Scotch I mentioned.'

Now you have a picture of Jack with her reading glasses sitting on the tip of her nose, licking the tip of her tongue and turning the page in her book and the visual makes you close your eyes and hold in a very quiet moan.

'I'll invite you over next time. Although your night sounds just as inviting'

It takes a while for Jack to send a reply through and you get fidgety thinking you may have over stepped the welcome mat but she started the flirt texting. You're onto your fourth very full glass of wine and half way through your ice cream when you hear your phone vibrate again.

'Sorry, fell asleep. I'd like that. I'll bring the Scotch and pizza.' You don't have the heart to tell her you arent a big Scotch drinker but she could twist your arm into starting.

'Done deal. I won't keep you up, good night J.' You spent way too long trying to figure out the right way to finish the text and you think making a nickname for Jack is good enough.

'Good night, sweetheart, I'm sure I'll dream about you and that's not just the drunk me talking.' This time you did slightly spit out your wine.

"I'm glad she makes you happy but please don't waste my wine." Jamie shakes her head.

'I can't wait for sober J to read this conversation. G'Night, Sweety.' You regret send Sweety but can't think of a better one because you really want to type babe but feel it's way too soon.

There's no reply from Jack and you spend the next hour finishing the awful movie Jamie picked out and eating icecream. It's past midnight when you hit the rack, falling asleep or passing out when your head hits the pillow and you don't wake to your phone vibrating a few times early in the morning. You wake up when there's a crash of glasses in the kitchen at around 0800.

"What?!" You groan and walk down the hall, checking on Jamie.

"Sorry, wanted a glass from the dish rack but all of them wanted to come with it. Don't give me that look, my head hurts as much as yours does." She whines, filling up a glass with water and chucking two aspirin in her mouth followed by the water.

"Hand me one will ya." She does as you instructed and you groan sitting down at the counter. "We should know better." You rest your head on the counter and moan.

"It's always fun at the time. You heard from Jack  this morning?" At the sound of her name, you jump up too fast and hold your head in response to the banging going on because of your quick movement but you head back to your bedroom to find your phone.

'Oh. My. God.' Reads the first text, you are already laughing.

'I really should learn to put a harder pin on my phone for when drunk me thinks its good to over step boundaries.'

'Hope we are still on for Sunday?:)' They were all sent within a minute of each other around 0600.

You flop down on your stomach onto your bed and think of a reply. 'You were quite entertaining last night. No boundaries were over stepped, just pushed further along. What time you picking me up tomorrow? You aren't getting out of it that easily, J. :)'

It takes a minute but she replies. 'I've only been in embarrassment waiting for your reply for the past two hours. I see you've made my name even shorter, I like it. How does 0800 sound?'

'Well I didn't pass out as early as someone did. I needed my beauty sleep but it didn't help this killer head ache, you're lucky I didn't wake up to your texts, I'm no morning girl, J. 0800 is great.'

'Someones feisty in the mornings. Sweetheart, you don't need beauty sleep, come on. 0800 it is.' You can see her eye roll and laugh.

You don't reply, letting her wait a little, you wake yourself up with a nice hot shower and get changed into track pants and a sloppy joe before replying to Jack. 'Alright, feisty me has gone. What are you up to today?' You wonder back into the kitchen to find Jamie has left, conveniently in time for when you decide to do chores. First you need a coffee though.

. . . . 

And there it is. Apologies for any mistakes. I enjoy the writing not so much the editing. However this will be the last chapter for a while as I’m going to the US tomorrow for a quick holiday :D NCIS Paleyfest here I come