#I need to do more light hearted stuff to soften the blow of chapter 7

[abysswalkersknight]

A huge thanks to @tacc0yak1 for giving me permission to use their wonderful design for Sebek's mother.

Honestly this was quite a challenge for me since I'm not used to doing frills or such sharp corners for the hair and for this sort of stuff I'm considering going for a lighter brush but all in all this was a fun learning experience for me and I intend to do more. Especially with such a beautiful lady.

[irondad-creator-awards]

Nominations So Far (Updated)

I wasn’t going to update the form or list until nominations had closed, but I realized that was unfair to those nominated as their stories would not be in the collection. This is not quite complete, as there were a few more submissions in the night, but this is as fas as I’ve got over the last two days.

NOTE: Some creators have asked to not be inciuded in the awards, so if you nominated someone that’s not made the list, that’s why.

1. THE ONE THAT MADE YOU GASP! — A story which had a plot twist you didn’t see coming. Something that caught you so off guard that you had to stop a minute and take a breath before devouring the rest. What’s the story for you?

A Beautiful Lie by RayRox360

A Peter Parker Problem by Spagbol99

Chaotic Peter Parker by Isnt_It_Pretty_To_Think_So

Cycle Through by Ambivalentangst

Ever In Your Favor by Iron_Spider

Irondad Ficlets by Ironxprince

Like Father, Like Son by An_Odd_Idea

Love Leaves A Memory No-One Can Steal by Ironmum

More Peril In Thine Eye  by Iron_Spider

No Longer In Service by Starryknight09

Proof Of Concept by Flurrbee

Serenity by Jolinarjackson

Spidey Tot by Kevy_Grayce

Stab Me In The Back (I'll Catch You From Behind) by Lansfics7

Stop, Look, Listen by Forthenightisdarkandfullofterror

The Case of The Sinister Spider by ironfamjam

Unforeseen Circumstances by JLMonroe1234

      2. THE MULTI-CHAPTER YOU COULDN’T PUT DOWN — A story which kept you up all night or calling in sick for work so you were free to read. Who’s the culprit?

  A Beautiful Lie by Rayrox360

A Parent Apparent by Happyaspie

A Peter Parker Problem by Spagbol99

A Sailor Went To Sea by by Yellowdistress

Acolyte by Macabre

Air I Breathe by Heartofcathedrals

All The Devils Are Here by Yellowdistress

And You’ll Blow Us All Away by Losingmymindtonight

Astronomy In Reverse by Pansley

Breathe, Then Repeat, by Thesecretuchiha

Come My Darling, Homeward Bound by Iamirondad

Ever In Your Favor by Iron—Spider

Every Beautiful Lie (Always Has An Ugly Truth by Da_Moose

Five Times Tony And Peter Chaotically Cleaned by Ironmum

Free Like A Broken Heart by Notapartytrick

I Will Carry You (Always) by Thestarvingwriter

Identity Crisis by Kitcat992

If They All Knew About You by Mshermia

In Unlikely Places by Looneylizzie

Irondad Ficlets by Ironxprince

More Peril In Thine Eye by Iron—Spider

Mr. Parker Declined To Commentby Apisdn

Pain Will Always Come Back To Haunt You by Kevy_Grayce

Permanence by Theexhaustedalchemist

Petey And The Hermit by Eccentric_Artist_221b

Pieces Of Echoes by Geekymoviemom

Proof Spiderman Loves Clickbait         by Mauvera

Rise From The Ashes; Just To See You Again by Mintstream

Sins Of The Fathers by Geekymoviemom

Spider-Man: Avengers (And Midtown High) React by Gayplums

Stop, Look, Listen by Forthenightisdarkandfullofterror

The Lost And Forgotten by Lizcraz

The Rattle Of Their Hearts by Iron_Spider

Turn Back The Clock (And I'll Try Again In The Morning) by Madasthesea

We Accept The Love We Think We Deserve by Polaroid15

We Will Foresee Obstacles by Blackwatchandromeda (Avenris)

          3. THE ONE-SHOT THAT THAT HAD YOU HOOKED — Some writers can cram more greatness into less words than a 100k monster. What’s the one-shot that did it for you?

  5 Times Peter Sleepwalked And The 1 Time He Pretended He Did by Losingmymindtonight

A Little Gray Area (Where I Can Keep You Safe) by Divineprojectzero

Blessed Be The Boys Time Can’t Capture by Killerqueenwrites

Countless Ways To Say I Love You            by Hopeless_Hope

Familiar Faces by Happyaspie

First Wednesday Of March by The Case Of The Missing Museum Bea-Storer

Fitting In (Tiny Spaces) by Aloneintherain

For Good by Madelinedear

I Can Hold The Weight Of Worlds (If That's What You Need) by Bluesweatshirt

I Did It All For You (So I Can’t Lose You Now) by Another_Introvert

I Just Wanted To Protect You by Sunflowerspideyy

I Promise I'll Do Better by 221broadwayiron

I Promise You Kid, You're Safe Now by Bstarship

I Will Soften Every Edge by Losingmymindtonight

In My Heart There Was A Kind Of Fighting by Iron_Spider

New Dream by Writerllofllworlds

Petey And The Hermit by Eccentric_Artist_221b

Place In Your Heart by Potrix

Quaranteens by Blueh

Someone To Want Me by Fritokays

Something Here Will Eventually Have To Explode by Madasthesea

The Primary Reason Tony Stark Would Throw Down With An Anti-Vaxxer In The Street by Caraminha

To Be Like You by Polaroid15

What You're Feeling Is Probably Normal by Finny3120

    4. THE BEST THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES — A drabble (under 1k) can pack in all the goodness that you need in a coffee break read. What’s that story for you?

  Buttering Me Up by Iron_Spider

Cuddle Bug by Marvelous_Writer

Food At Home by Aimaim94

I Feel A Filth In My Bones (Wash Off My Hands Til It's Gone) by Madasthesea

Insomniacs In The Dark by Littlemissagrifina

Irondad Cuddles by Lilacsoulw

Let The Mind Games Begin by Ironmum

Of Christmas Lights And Car Chases by Marvelous_Writer

Of Masks And Memories by Littlemissagrafina

Quentin Knows Best by Undercover_Royalty

S.O.S. (Somehow Obtained Son) by Madasthesea

  5. THE BIODAD THAT TOUCHED YOUR HEART — Some of the greatest stories flip canon and make Tony Peter’s biological father. Be it baby Peter taking his first steps or Tony dealing with the fact his son is following in his superhero footsteps as Spider-Man, which is the one you loved most of all?

  A Gift Of Blood by Theeclecticsoul

An Abstract Concept by Iron-Spider

Be Careful What You Wish For, You May Just Get It by Savana_Marlark

Built From Scraps by  Peter Stank

Happy Birthday - And Merry Christmas   Thequeenofwhump

Happy Hogan Never Forgets A Face by Jen27ny

Hardest Lessons (Softest Results) by Mainstreamelectricalparade

I Love You Mother Than Anything by Iron_Spider

If They Knew All About You by Mshermia

My Little Bambino by Maicaly

My Little Bambino by Maicaly

Return To Me, The One I Love So Endlessly by Superherotiger

Slow Down, Start Again From The Beginning by Cassiecasyl

So Many Things Left To Say (Series) by Sarcasmismyweapon

Sound Logic by Aytheria

Spiderson by Emily_F6

Stars, Hide Your Fires by Yellowdistress.

The Less Than Secret Life by Yellowdistress

The One Where Peter Is Related To Tony by Marvel_Cinematic_Universe_Fan

The Ties That Bind Us by Winterturtle

They Say Boys Don't Cry (But Your Dad Has Shed A Lot Of Tears) by Tempestaurora

What We Are (Series)  by Yellowdistress

What’s In A Name? by Geekymoviemom

    6. THE ONE WITH THE FIELD TRIP — The field trip trope is one of the most popular in the fandom. What’s the story that you think pulls all the elements together to make it great?

  A Different Take by Cyberwolfwrites

Academic Commitment by Underoosstark

Constant Internal [Spider] Screaming: Semi-Connected Scenes From A Graduating Senior’s Life by Isadancurtisproduction

Everyday Superhero by Stoneage_Woman

Field Trip by Inkinmyheartandonthepage

Field Trip Flip by  Happyaspie

From Your Perspective, The World Is Flat by Blueh

I Don’t Want To Talk About It Anymore by Bees_And_Wasps

It's Above My Clearance Level by Tsk

Living With Superheros? Not Cool by Groot_Is_God

Mr Stark Enough For You? (Another Field Trip Fic Bcs We Dont Have Enough) by Livinei

Neon Liar (Hiding In Plain Sight) by Isadancurtisproduction

No Reason To Go by Pokegeek151

One Fall Weekend by Marvelous_Writer

Tower Of Donuts And Doubts by Platinumdollz

Who Is He? by Velarisstars

          7. THE TIME AFTER TIME ONE — There’s some great time travel stories out there, but which is your favorite?

  Be Careful What You Wish For, You May Just Get It by Savana_Marlark

Breathe, Then Repeat by Thesecretuchiha

Every Beautiful Lie (Always Has An Ugly Truth) by Da_Moose

Hero by Lady_Oneder

I Have Time by Peterparkr

It’s Me, Remember? by Nanixerka

Oh, Take Me Back To The Start by Theregularwriter

Peter And Morgan's 40-Year-Long-Day by Thismarvelouslife

The End Is Just A New Beginning              by Tytach

The Other Mr. Stark by Jelly_Pies

The Time Traveler’s Mentor by Iamirondad

Turn Back The Clock (And I'll Try Again In The Morning) by Madasthesea

We Will Foresee Obstacles  by Blackwatchandromeda (Avenris)

Whatever It Takes by Starryknight09

        8. THE ONE WITH ALL THE OWIES — Another massively popular Irondad trope is hurt/comfort, and there’s some amazing stuff out there. Which is the one that you love most of all?

  A Beautiful Lie by Rayrox360

A Different Take by Cyberwolfwrites

A Peter Parker Problem by Spagbol99

A Scare In The Stark Household by Marvelous_Writer

Air I Breathe by Heartofcathedrals

Atlas by Polaroid15

Be Weak by Fluencca

Broken by My Own Hand (Put Back Together by Yours) by Gwenoakley

Built From Scraps by Peterstank

But What Is Grief? by Odd_1

Cycle Through by Ambivalentangst

Cycle Through by Ambivalentangst

Danger Pizza by Alice_In_Ink

Darkness Will Be Rewritten by Marveal

Dude, Do These Tacos Taste Funny To You? by First_Page

Five Times Peter Said "Sorry" To Tony Stark by Agentnerd

Follow The North Star Home by Fallingforbees

Foolish, Fragile Spine by Plnkblue

Held On As Tightly As You Held On To Me by Itsreallylaterightnow & Killerqueenwrites

Held On As Tightly As You Held On To Me by Itsreallylaterightnow & Killerqueenwrites

Lazarus, Come Forth by by Iron_Spider

More Peril In Thine Eye by Iron—Spider

Of Flying And Falling by Polaroid15

Of Flying And Falling by Polaroid15

Outnumbered by Heartofcathedrals

Peaches by Peterparkr

Peppermint Allergy by Carpediem369

Peter's Ghost And One (1) Obnoxious Orange Stone by Bean_Reads_Fanic

Project Pride by Thesleepingowl

Seeing Without Sound by Astronomical_Alien

Shelter by Unluckyolive

Sometimes It’s Easier To Just Swim Down by Mjscorner

Stab Me In The Back (I'll Catch You From Behind) by Lansfics7

Stab Me In The Back (I'll Catch You From Behind) by Lansfics7

Statistically Speaking by Foolscapper

Stop, Look, Listen by Forthenightisdarkandfullofterror

Stuck by Jelly-Pies

Stuck by Jelly-Pies

The Adventures Of Spidy-Son And Iron-Dad (Series) by Eva7673

The Past Is Knocking On My Door by Maicaly

The Room Where It Happens by Notapartytrick

The Third Option by Uncertainty_Principle

Thirteen Minutes by Solstice

We All Chase After A Few Dying Stars by Losingmymindtonight

What I Have, I Give To You by Aatticsaltt

When My Body Won't Hold Me Anymore (Where Will I Go) by Madasthesea

You’ll Always Get There First by Crowkag

Your Heart Changed (Mine Stayed The Same) by Loisselina

  9. THE ONE THAT HURTS SO GOOD — We all like a bit of angst sometimes, so what’s the story that you wanted to hide from but you had to keep reading to get to the happy ending?

  5 Times Tony Forgot Peter Was Just A Kid by Parkrstark

A Beautiful Lie by Rayrox360

A Peter Parker Problem by Spagbol99

Built From Scraps by Peterstank

Caught In A Lie by Krystalpomme

Cycle Through by Ambivalentangst

Don't Worry About Me by Chvotic

Ever In Your Favor by Iron_Spider

Fifteen Years In The Making by Potts89

Goodbye Mr. Stark, Thanks For Trying by              Jelly-Pies

Held On As Tightly As You Held On To Me by Itsreallylaterightnow And Killerqueenwrites

I Need You To Be Free by Marveal

I Promise I'll Do Better by 221broadwayiron

I Want Go by Chvotic

I Will Carry You (Always) by Thestarvingwriter

If You Can't Catch A Breath (You Can Take The Oxygen Straight Out Of My Own Chest) by Losingmymindtonight

If You Listen You Can Hear The Ibis by Yellowedistress

Jealous? by Chvotic

Let's Get On With Living (While We Can) by Almond_Blossoms

Let's Get On With Living (While We Can)              by Almond_Blossoms

Love Leaves A Memory No-One Can Steal by Ironmum

May Parker's Complete Guide On How To Raise Your Spiderling by Embarrassing_Myself

More Peril In Thine Eye  by Iron_Spider

Of Drizzly Skies And Saltwater Taffy by Eccentric_Artist_221b

Of Flying And Falling by Polaroid15

Peter's Ghost And One (1) Obnoxious Orange Stone by The-Reverse-Mermaid

Reviving Peter Parker by Yellowdistress

Stab Me In The Back (I'll Catch You From Behind) by Lansfics7

Standing On My Own Two Feet by Minigigi

Stop, Look, Listen  by Forthenightisdarkandfullofterror

Stuck by Jelly-Pies

Sunlight by Ardenskyeholmes221

The Missing 92 Days  by Yellowdistress

The Room Where It Happens by Notapartytrick

Thunder And Attrition by Magniloquentchanteuse

Turn Back The Clock (And I’ll Try Again In The Morning) by Madasthesea

When My Body Won't Hold Me Anymore (Where Will I Go) by Madasthesea

When Trauma Comes Knocking by Kevy_Grayce

        10. THE ONE THAT SOOTHES THE PAIN — What’s The Story That You Go To When You Need A Pick-Me-Up After The Angst?

  5 Times A Spider-Baby Got Dad Smooched by Buckets_Of_Stars

5 Times Peter Made Tony Laugh Out Loud by Grilledcheesing

5 Times Tony Calls Peter Baby by Madasthesea

5 Times Tony Forgot Peter Was Just A Kid by by Parkrstark

5 Times Tony Stark Protected Penny Parker by Emily_F6

A Beautiful Lie by Rayrox360

A Peter Parker Problem by Spagbol99

Be Careful What You Wish For, You May Just Get It by Savana_Marlark

Bedside Stories by Wildwaveswhist

Bitch Better Have My Money by Neicy286

Built From Scraps by Peterstank

Career Day: A Short Story by Shewritesall

Caught In A Lie  Krystalpomme

Congratulations, It's A Boy by Capiocapi

Cuddle Bug by  Marvelous_Writer

Cycle Through by Ambivalentangst

Don't Worry About Me by Chvotic

Early Childhood Education by Thedisneyoutsider

Ever In Your Favor by Iron_Spider

Fifteen Years In The Making by Potts89

Five Times Peter And Tony Chaotically Cleaned by Ironmum

Goodbye Mr. Stark, Thanks For Trying by              Jelly-Pies

Hardest Lessons (Softest Results) by Mainstreamelectricalparade

Held On As Tightly As You Held On To Me by Itsreallylaterightnow And Killerqueenwrites

I Can Hold The Weight Of The Worlds (If That's What You Need) by Bluesweatshirt

I Need You To Be Free by Marveal

I Promise I'll Do Better by 221broadwayiron

I Want Go by by Chvotic

I Will Carry You (Always) by  Thestarvingwriter

If You Can't Catch A Breath (You Can Take The Oxygen Straight Out Of My Own Chest) by Losingmymindtonight

If You Listen You Can Hear The Ibis by Yellowedistress

Instant Kill Mode by Isnt_It_Pretty_To_Think_So

It's My Party And I'll Bite If I Want To by Whumphoarder

Jealous? by Chvotic

Kids These Days by Isnt_It_Pretty_To_Think_So

Leave Me Where I Am (I'm Only Sleeping)            by Hopeless_Hope

Let's Get On With Living (While We Can) by Almond_Blossoms

Love Leaves A Memory No-One Can Steal by Ironmum

Macho Macho Man by Iron_Spider

May Parker's Complete Guide On How To Raise Your Spiderling by Embarrassing_Myself

More Peril In Thine Eye by Iron_Spider

My Boy by Thisisnotourlasthunt

No More Lonely by Shewritesall

Of Drizzly Skies And Saltwater Taffy by Eccentric_Artist_221b

Of Flying And Falling by Polaroid15

Peter Revs His Engine by Punkybunny

Peter's Ghost And One (1) Obnoxious Orange Stone by The-Reverse-Mermaid

Petey And The Hermit by Eccentric_Artist_221b

Research And Disaster by Blueh

Reviving Peter Parker by Yellowdistress

Stab Me In The Back (I'll Catch You From Behind) by Lansfics7

Standing On My Own Two Feet by Minigigi

Stop, Look, Listen by Forthenightisdarkandfullofterror

Storm by Parkerxheart

Stuck by Jelly-Pies

Sunlight by Ardenskyeholmes221

That's How You And I Will by Frostysunflowers

The Missing 92 Days by Yellowdistress

The Road So Far by Nicolemoon8

The Room Where It Happens by Notapartytrick

The Sun's Starting To Rise (These Are Beautiful Times) by Jelly-Pies

Thunder And Attrition by Magniloquentchanteuse

Turn Back The Clock (And I’ll Try Again In The Morning) by Madasthesea

What You're Feeling Is Probably Normal by Finny3120

Whatever It Takes by Starryknight90

When My Body Won't Hold Me Anymore (Where Will I Go) by Madasthesea

When Trauma Comes Knocking by Kevy_Grayce

    11. THE ONE WITHOUT A HOME TO GO TO — There’s some wonderful homeless Peter stories out there, so which is the one you were blown away by?

  A Difference In Husbandry by Happy_Cloud

After The Landslide by Freyaatterton

After The Landslide by Freyaatterton

Distracted by A Dime by Happyaspie

I Told You I Had Issues by Bergen

In The End by Annie_Walker

Is It Too Much To Ask For Home That Lasts? Ft. Peter Parker by Wakandaforever2357

Make Way For Tomorrow by Hopeless_Hope

One Step Unto The Lonely Road (Has Scarred Me For Life)  by Hopeless_Hope

Reintroducing Hope by Fernandidilly_Yo

The Art Of Publicity by Xmypandabear

The Little Things (That I Miss) by Da_Moose

The Lost And Forgotten by Litcraz

The Third Option by Uncertainty_Principle

 Thunder And Attrition by Magniloquentchanteuse

Unexpected (Everything I Never Knew I Wanted) by Moonchild2593

Unexpected Finds by Snarkymuch

Unwanted by Agib

  12. THE ONE THAT’S A WHOLE NEW WORLD — There’s lots of imaginative AUs in Irondad fic. Whether it’s Steve and Tony as baseball players or Pepper being Peter’s mom, which one is your number one?

  A Guardian Among Us by Superherotiger

A Long Way Forward by Rxcrcfllptrs

A Soul's Best Friend by Superherotiger

Ain't My Blood; Still My Boys by Parkrstark

 Can’t Erase What I Wrote In Ink (Tell Me How Can I Change The Story) by Littlemissagrafina

Dear Fellow Traveler (Series) by Superherotiger

Ever In Your Favor by Iron_Spider

Have Patience, A Quick Wit, And A Gentle Heart by Ironfamjam

I Battle My Jerk Step-Dad by Andromath

Moulded Mind by Wingswithoutstrings

Nothing Left To Lose by Notapartytrick

Only For A Little While by Eccentric_Artist_221b

Petey And The Hermit by Eccentric_Artist_221b

Return To Me, The One I Love So Endlessly by Superherotiger

Sea Spider by Bean_Reads_Fanfic

Spidey Tot by Kevy_Grayce

The Phoenix Project by Geekymoviemom

The Will Of The Force by Madasthesea

Though Everything Is A Miracle by Overtures

Though Everything Is A Miracle by Overtures

Until It Disappeared From Me by Ashleyparker2815

What We Grow To Be by Killerqueenwrites

When I Am On Your Shoulders by Ladyblackwater

You Mispronounced Spider by Lliblo

      13. THE TWEAKING THE SETTINGS ONE — There’s things we all wish we could change in canon — *cough* Endgame *cough* — so which canon divergence does it for you?

  5 Times Peter Made Tony Laugh Out Loud by Grilledcheesing

Be Careful What You Wish For, You May Just Get It by Savana_Marlark

Beautiful Boy by Emily_Davison

Bittersweet by Kevy_Grayce

Built From Scraps by Peterstank

I Will Restore All That Was Broken by Killerqueenwrites

May Parker's Complete Guide On How To Raise Your Spiderling by Embarrassing_Myself

Moulded Minds by Wingswithstrings

Pieces Of Echoes by Geekymoviemom

The End Of Infinity by Friendlyneighborhoodfangirls

The Returned by Nicolemoon8

What Was Missing Was You by Happyaspie

What Were The Words I Meant To Say Before You Left by Madasthesea

  14. THE ONE YOU GO BACK TO AGAIN AND AGAIN — Some fics deserve a re-read or ten. What’s the story you go find yourself going back to?

  5 Times Peter Fell, And Tony Caught Him. And The 1 Time Tony Didn’t by Eva7673

A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood by Ambivalentangst

A Guardian Among Us by Superherotiger

A Parent Apparent by Happyaspie

Age Regression Was Impossible... Right? by Chvotic

All The Devils Are Here by Yellowdistress

Am I Just A Shadow You Drew by Ironxprince

Apartment 43B by Ironfamjam

Back To Bed by Eccentric_Artist_221b

Beautiful Boy by Emily_Davison

Built From Scraps by Peterstank

Ever In Your Favor  by Iron—Spider

Family Is More Than Blood (It Is Light) by Moonchild2593

I Just Wanted To Protect You by Sunflowerspideyy

I'm At One by Patrochilles_Trash

Kangaroo Care by Tonystarkissist

Keeping Company by Whumphoarder And Xxx_Cat_Xxx

Lean On Me by Parkerxheart

Moulded Minds by Wingswithoutstrings

My Boy by Thisisnotourlasthunt

Never Gonna Let You Down by Emily_F6

Play by Losingmymindtonight

Reviving A Spiderling by Eccentric_Artist_221b

Rules Are Made To Be Broken by Ironmum

Sins Of The Fathers by Geekymoviemom

Spider-Man: Avengers (And Midtown High) React by Gayplums

The Darkest Hour Is Just Before The Dawn by Starryknight09

The Lost And Forgotten by Litcraz

The One Where Peter Is Bucky’s Weakness by Jinxquickfoot

The Rise And Fall Of A Spider by Spidersoning

The Spider-Man Conspiracy by   Tempestaurora

The Spider-Man Conspiracy by Tempestaurora

The Stars The Moon They Have All Been Blown Out (You Left Me In The Dark) by Madasthesea

Webcams And Webshooters (Series) by Losingmymindtonight

    15. THE SERIES THAT SWEPT YOU AWAY — Some of us love to go on a long ride with a series, so which is the world of multiple stories that you binged or waited anxiously for each update?

  Another June Day by Skeeter_110

Chaotic Peter Parker by Isnt_It_Pretty_To_Think_So

Dear Peter Parker, What To Say To You by Littlemissagrafina

Family Business- Supernatural Au by Killerqueenwrites

Home by Glwilliams97

I Love You More Than Anything (Bio Dad Au) by Iron_Spider

Identity Saga by Kitcat992

Irondad NSAP by Chvotic

Lactose Intolerant Peter by Whumphoarder

Lights To Guide You Home by Jolinarjackson

Mr. Stark & His Kid by Writerstrash

Nice Work, Kid by Madasthesea

Once Upon An Adoption by Kevy_Grayce

Out Of Darkness by Starryknight09

Pieces Of Echoes by Geekymoviemom

Single Parent Peter Parker by Prettymalfoy

Soul Stone Realm by Marvelmusicmystery

The Room Saga by Iamirondad

The Room Saga by Iamirondad

Tony Stark Is A Good Mentor by Happyaspie

Under Influence              Writerstrash

Was That A Star Wars Reference, Dr. Stark? by Jen27ny

We Forgot Peter by Inkinmyheartandonthepage

Webcams And Webshooters by Losingmymindtonight

Whumptober 2019 by Iron_Spider

  16. THE IN-PROGRESS ADVENTURE — What’s the story that has you checking your email each day, hoping for an update?

  A Beautiful Lie by Rayrox360

A Difference In Husbandry by Happy_Cloud

A Perfect Storm by Grilledcheesing

Ain't My Blood; Still My Boys by Parkrstark

All The Stars Align by Ashleyparker2815

Be Careful What You Wish For, You May Just Get It by Savana_Marlark

Come Undone by Capiocapi

Every Beautiful Lie (Always Has An Ugly Truth) by Da_Moose

Fifteen Years In The Making by Potts89

Fire With Fire by Agentianlegend

Found Family by Thedisneyoutsider

How To Repair A Broken Heart by Influentialpineapple

If They Knew All About You by Mshermia

If You're Going Through Hell, Keep On Going by Baloobird

Mr. Stark, Something Is Wrong by @Simping-For-Peggy

Outnumbered by Heartofcathedrals

Permanence by Theexhaustedalchemist

Peter’s New Step-Brother by Bowtiez

Priorities by Jlmonroe1234

Return To Me, The One I Love So Endlessly by Superherotiger

Rewind by Losingmymindtonight

Sleeping Through A Rogue Winter Storm by Pogokitten

Spider-Man: Avengers (And Midtown High) React by Gayplums

Survivors Guilt   by Ember_Darla And Marvel_Cinematic_Universe_Fan

Tech Of Nondestructive Yakking by Wabisabi

The Case Of The Missing Museum Bea-Storer by Ironmum

The Hero Of Our Own Story by Kingdomfaraway

The Many Adventures Of Iron Dad And Spider Son by Lbigreyhound13

This Warm Repair by Peterstank

Wanting To Be Betterby  MZ_Supermanfan

We Can't Have Faith For Everybody by Hale13

Webcams And Webshooters (Series) by Losingmymindtonight

What You Were Then I Am Today by Madasthesea

You Are My Sunshine by Iamconstantine

  17. THE COMPLETE FIC THAT YOU CHERISH — Whether or not you’ve got the patience for an in-progress or not, there’s a wealth of complete stories you can devour at leisure or all in one coffee-fuelled binge. What’s yours?

  5 Wishes Peter Didn't Ask For And The 1 He Did by Alice_In_Ink

A Peter Parker Problem by Spagbol99

A Soul's Best Friend by Superherotiger

Always Silent, Peter Darling by Lliblo

Come, My Darling, Homeward Bound by by Iamirondad

Five Times David Didn't Understand What Was Going On With His Girlfriend's Nephew by Bumblie_Bee

Five Times Peter And Tony Chaotically Cleaned by Ironmum

Good Publicity by Bergen

HYDRA'S NOT A HOME (Series) by TEMPESTAURORA

Intern Spider by Emily_F6

Only For A Little While by Eccentric_Artist_221b

Pupper Parker by Bean_Reads_Fanfic

Stars, Hide Your Fires by Yellowdistress

Stop, Look, Listen by Forthenightisdarkandfullofterror

The Guardian by Emily_F6

The One Who Made It Out by Tiaylasglass

The Root Is Expectation by Yellowdistress

      18. THE ONE THAT GAVE YOU ALL THE LOVE — We all love Irondad, but some stories come with bonus bonds that give us just as much. Do you have a Peter & Bucky, or a Peter & Steve working alongside which delivers all the found family goodness?

  5 Times Happy Hogan Nearly Had A Heart Attack Because Of Peter Parker by Thespydersargon

Be Careful What You Wish For, You May Just Get It by Savana_Marlark

Brighten Up, Sunshine by Iron_Spider

I Have A Nephew! by Zimnokurw

It Must Be Nice (To Have Mrs. Potts On Your Side by Sdottkrames

It Takes A Village (To Make Sure You're Okay) by Baloobird

Kingdom Come Undone by Killerqueenwrites

Project: Get Bucky Barnes A Dog by Ruxian

Road Work Ahead by Toniwilder

Rules Are Made To Be Broken by Ironmum

When In The Dark by Kevy_Grayce

        19. THE PROLIFIC WRITER AWARD — Irondad has some amazingly prolific writers. Which are the ones you’ve subscribed to get at that fic-wonder goodness of 10 works or more?

  Aimaim94

Aimaim94

Bean_Reads_Fanfic

Buckets_Of_Stars

Emily_F6

Grilledcheesing

Happyaspie

Inkinmyheartsandonthepage

Ironmum

Iron-Spider

Jen27ny

Littlemissagrafina

Littlemissagrafina

Losingmymindtonight

Madasthesea

Magicalyss

Marvelous_Writer

Mshermia

o0citrusee0o

Parkrstark

Superherotiger

Thedumbestavenger

Turtle_Bean

  20. THE NEWBIE — New writers are joining the fandom all the time. Who’s the newbie (posting for 12 months or less) that’s delivering the good stuff for you?

          107thinfantry

Fallingforbees

Ironmum

Jinx_Frost

Just_Ppeachy

Kittybellestark

Lilacsoulw

Maicaly

Polaroid15

Spagbol99

Sunflowerspideyy

21. THE OG — Who’s the writer that’s been around for a while (12 months or more) that keeps you captivated?

  Almond_Blossoms

Ashleyparker2815

Blueh

Emily_F6

Geekymoviemom

Gremlinsr

Happyaspie

Iamirondad

Iron_Spider

Isnt_It_Pretty_To_Think_So

Jelly_Pies

Jen27ny

Jolinarjackson

Kevy_Grayce

Losingmymindtonight

Parkrstark

Snarkymuch

Spooderboyandtincan

Tempestaurora

Whumphoarder

  22. THE WILD CARD STORY — The story that does (or doesn’t) fit into the above categories but you believe deserves the prize. Which one is that for you?

  5 Times Peter Sleepwalked And The 1 Time He Pretended He Did by Losingmymindtonight

A Pressing Emergency by Whumphoarder

Aliens Really Are Out To Get You Aren't They? by Some_Sort_Of_Trash

Aliens Really Are Out To Get You Aren't They? by Some_Sort_Of_Trash

An Uncomfortable Issue by Summerartist

Bank Robber by Purplecat7

Born To Cherish by Ironfamjam

Chickpea And Bleach Curry by S0lstice

Everyday Superhero by Stoneage_Woman

Five Time Faculty Members Had To Call Peter's Emergency Contact + 1 Time He Shows Up Anyway by Kingdomfaraway

Five Times Tony And Peter Chaotically Cleaned by Ironmum

Guess I’m Not Good Enough by Freyaatterton

I Can Hold The Weight Of Worlds (If That's What You Need) by Bluesweatshirt

I Can Hold The Weight Of Worlds (If That's What You Need)         by Bluesweatshirt

I Will Soften Every Edge by Losingmymindtonight

I’m Not Telling Him. Period by Scooter3scooter

Inimitable by Ephemeralstark

Irondad Nsap by Chvotic

Kids Suck, But You're Great by Gymlily06

Long Gone | Marvel Au by Strangerlyparker

Play by Losingmymindtonight

Research And Disaster by Blueh

Tall Skies by Black_Briar

Tech Of Non-Destructive Yakking by Wabisabi

The Ghost Of Heroes by Enigmaris & Scarletnightfury

The Long Way Round by Undeerqueen

The Peter Parker Conspiracy by Tempestaurora

The Reinvention Of Tony Stark by Losingmymindtonight

This Ride Is A Wild One  by Just_Ppeachy

What You're Feeling Is Probably Normal by Finny3120

Wrong Number Kid by Blackshadow030930

  ART 1 — DIGITAL MEDIA - Who has those PhotoShop skills, who makes the best mood boards? We have some wonderful artists in the Irondad fandom, and we’re here to celebrate them. Who's your favorite artist?

    @blackchessknight (tumblr)

@broskepol  (tumblr)

@itsybitsyspiderling (tumblr)

@kitcat992(tumblr)

@monireh (tumblr)

@spidey-art (tumblr)

@superherotiger (tumblr)

    ART 2 — SKETCHES  — Who has the skills with the original medium of art in sketches? Whose pencil can create the characters we love best?

  @broskepol (Tumblr)

@dakt37 (Tumblr)

@monireh89 (Tumblr)

Ellarie.png (Instagram)

@dchanberry (Tumblr)

    ART 3 — CARTOONS — Chibis, Manga, Anime, who can create the very best?

  @Maryo274 (Tumblr)

yes-i-am-happyaspie (Tumblr)

@maryo274 (Tumblr)

Maryo274artworks (Instagram)

@akira-akatsuki (Tumblr)

@mjscorner (Tumblr)

  ART 4 — FANVID — Some of the greatest creators are the ones that match the music to the mood, find the perfect scenes to make us laugh and cry. Who does that for you?

  all my life || tony & peter (father/son au) by akapotatogirl (YouTube)

Emsxworld (YouTube)

mblaqminoz (YouTube)

My Dad's a Hero to Me by MsMorganStark (YouTube)

Tony Stark & Peter Parker (Adoption Au) || Home by andrea d (YouTube)

tony stark & peter parker | ashes by mythicalroyalty (YouTube)

You Are The Reason l Tony Stark & Peter Parker by Chocolala (YouTube)

  ART 5 — BEST IRON FAMILY FANART — Who can create those feeling of Ironfam with their art? Who captures the characters we love in that iconic family.

                @broskepol (Tumblr)

@moonestaly (Tumblr)

@superherotiger (Tumblr)

eccentric_artist_221b (AO3)

Ellarie.png (Instagram)

  ART 8 — BEST HURT/COMFORT — Who captures the pain of the moment best for you?

                @broskepol (Tumblr)

              @spidey-art (Tumblr)

              @tonystarkissist (Tumblr)

I will always love you (no matter what...) by @monireh (Tumblr)

  ART 9 — THE WILD CARD ART— The art that does (or doesn’t) fit into the above categories but you believe deserves the prize. Which one is that for you?

  @cainternn (Tumblr)

@Iwritedumbshit (Tumblr)

@rhymewithrachel (Tumblr)

Hannssm (Instagram)

[pikemoreno]

if you ever wanna be in love

Chapter I: Coffee Cures All Ills

a/n: Here it is folks! The first part of a Marcus fic heavily inspired by the Netflix rom-com Set It Up. 

It’s more structurally and conceptually inspired and not an exact scene-for-scene remake because a) I was interested in the idea of this not even really being an AU. This is extremely canon-compliant and you’ll see more of that as we continue on. 😏And b) because I had lots of ideas that spun off from watching Set It Up that I just liked better for the purpose of this fic. So that’s what you can expect. It’s gonna be cheesy and fun and great.

The first couple of chapters are a lot of, well, set up (which has been infuriating). But we’ll get into the meat of it soon. My outline says so.

As a side note, a lot of the gifs I’m going to be using are from the movie, but these are not my face claims for any of the characters. I’m using them simply for the ~vibe~ of the chapter. Reader is not a small white girl... Or she might be. She is you. Or whatever OC you’d like her to be. Period. 

And that’s it. Let’s go, I guess.

pairing: marcus pike x f!reader

word count: 2k (probably one of the shortest chapters we’re gonna see out of the 14-ish lolz)

warnings: none, and i don’t expect there to really be any serious ones in upcoming chapters either. this is just fun.

Marcus Pike never wanted to fall in love. 

He’d seen what it had done to him in failed relationships including everything up to a failed marriage. Some would argue that it wasn’t love then, that love doesn’t fail, so it couldn’t have been. But he disagreed. He knows it when it hits. It comes on you like lightning, bright and fast. You accept it, letting it run through your veins, and risk suffering a fatal blow to your heart. And it most definitely can fatally fail. It can cause joy and pain in equal measure. He’d already been struck so painfully once, the blow of the electricity going straight to his heart. He was beginning to hope to the high heavens that he wouldn’t be so unlucky as to be struck a second time, just in case it should reach his heart so painfully once more.

Marcus Pike never wanted to fall in love.

He felt that especially strongly as he watched Adrian go through his recent break-up. He felt for his fellow agent, he really did. Adrian was completely convinced Sam was the one, sold to the point of going ring shopping soon. But one brief mention of an engagement sent Sam running for the hills. He’d been moping around the office for a couple of weeks now and, as much as Marcus understood the pain, he was already really looking forward to Adrian’s rebound or some similar distraction. He was needing his friend’s signature fire back right about now, not to mention his focus. His work had gotten sloppy in this mourning period. He was constantly distracted. Marcus was dreading getting him on this case today, but maybe it was just the push he needed. He hoped. He stepped up to Adrian’s desk, watching the glazed over look in his eye.

“Hey, Adrian, do you mind getting a head start on this? I’d really like you to be our head man on--” he slid the file onto his desk, but was cut short by Adrian’s response. A response that had nothing to do with anything Marcus had just said.

“I’m gonna die alone,” he muttered, hands supporting his chin, elbows on his desk. Marcus let out an exasperated sigh that he didn’t seem to notice.

“You’re not gonna die alone,” he played along once again, rubbing his temple.

“Maybe I’ll go be a monk. They never have to worry about this shit.”

“An honorable profession.”

“Yeah.” Adrian blinked out of his dream-like state. “I’m doing it again, aren’t I?” Marcus nodded rigidly. “Sorry, Pike.” He opened the file, nodding slowly, “Yeah, I’ll get on this.”

“You look exhausted,”

“I am,” he admitted sheepishly. 

“I’m making a break room run to get coffee, you want one?”

“Please.” Marcus nodded his understanding and made his way down the hall to the break room. He doubted a case and a coffee could get his friend back on track, but he could hope, right?

***

If you had to listen through one more of Wendy’s mood swings, you might just scream. You love the girl, you really do. She’s your friend and the best boss you could’ve asked for, but Lord Almighty, had she been in rare form. Some days she was perfectly fine, strutting around like she didn’t care that her asshole boyfriend Daniel gave her an ultimatum instead of a ring on their last anniversary. Other days would see her doing a complete 180, shutting herself in her office and weeping into suspect files. Your least favorite days, though, were days where the heartbreak made her angry, where thinking about Daniel saying “It’s me or your job” made her border-line vengeful. But, unfortunately for you and the rest of the team, he wasn’t around to take the beating.

You couldn’t say you entirely understood. The short catalog of even shorter flings that you boasted brought largely apathy rather than heartbreak. You couldn’t say you’d ever been in love like Wendy had been. You’d never felt anything quite that strong-- and thank goodness for that. It wasn’t something you particularly looked forward to, at least, not the way you’d seen it lately. It was an uncontrollable force, dangerous and all-consuming. You liked control, liked being in your right mind. If love was to take up it's unfortunate residence, you could only hope it was for someone worth losing your mind over. You hadn’t seen anyone of the sort so far. 

Unfortunately, it was already too late for Wendy Harrod. The already intimidating head of the Jewelry & Gem Theft Program in Texas was in rare form. You watched as an HR intern ran from her office in near tears. Poor Randy. Her sharp “come in” in response to your knock on her door made you wince.

“Harrod, I have the results of that house search you requested if you--”

“No, no! Absolutely not, I cannot handle this right now,” she was absolutely raging, leaving you grasping at straws for a response. 

“I-- Uh-- Of course. I’ll just leave it right here whenever--” you placed it gently on the end table by the door before being interrupted again.

“Ughhhhh,” she groaned out before flopping into her desk chair, the red leather creaking as she let sit spin her around once, “I’m sorry. I’m being mean.” There was your Wendy.

“Just a little.”

“Sorry, sorry. Bring that here please.” 

“What can I do for you? As your friend, I mean. You--” you weighed your words carefully as you hand her the report, “You haven’t quite been yourself since…” you stopped that thought, “Well, lately.” She sighed, shaking her head.

“I don’t know. I don’t know what I need,” she began to skim the report before looking back up with you with a tight lipped smile, “Maybe a coffee? For the more immediate problems anyway.” You laughed.

“Now that I can do. I’m headed there now. Break room coffee ok?”

“That’d be perfect.”

“The usual?”

“The usual.” She yelled after you as you walk down the hall, “You’re an angel!”

She wasn’t gonna be saying that when you came back without coffee. 

The sign on the coffee pot reading “out of coffee” was going to seriously ruin your reputation and Wendy’s sensitive mood. You ran through the options: you couldn’t leave to get her a Starbucks; there were some bottled iced coffees in the fridge, but Wendy hated them; you could wait for someone to make a run at lunch and pass on the order, but this was too urgent. Then it hit you. Everyone knew the sixth floor had the better coffee stock anyway. The art freaks loved their fancy stuff. You could always just waltz down a floor and snag two cups from their stash. 5 minutes in and out. No harm done, no questions asked. 

Or so you thought. 

The sixth floor break room was already occupied when you walked in, finding another agent also brewing a morning cup in a single cup coffee maker. 

They really did have everything here: multiple pots, another much fancier looking machine that looked like it might come to life and attack at any moment, recyclable coffee cups, every type of creamer. You name it.

You’d have to sneak over here more often.

You stepped up to the larger coffee pot, rinsing out the carafe before reaching for the container of grounds. Empty. 

They had everything here. Except coffee. 

Was the whole damn building in a coffee famine? You didn’t have time to check.

“No, no, no, no,” you panicked, frantically searching the cabinet for another container. In your peripheral you could see the other agent look at you like you’d grown two heads. You couldn’t be bothered with his judgement, but you met his eyes to ask, maybe a little too frantically. 

“Is that the last of it?” you questioned, eyeing the cup he was brewing.

“Well, yeah, sorry.” It was obvious he meant it, but apologies were not what you were needing right now.

“Shit.” 

“Withdrawals?” he laughed a little at your panicked state, but it wasn’t demeaning. He was genuinely amused, and maybe a little concerned, but it made you narrow your eyes at him all the same. You were not in the mood for the mocking, no matter how light-hearted it may be. No matter how much it was softened by the bright smile next to you.

“It’s not for me. It’s for my boss. My very upset boss who needs just one small ounce of joy in her life right now. The kind of joy that can only come from the fueling of her caffeine addiction, so if I could please just have that cup?” You blinked at him innocently, but his dark brown eyes widened as he shook his head

“What? No. I have a friend who needs this. If I don’t bring him this, he won’t be working for the rest of the day.”

“If I don’t bring my boss a cup of coffee in the next two minutes, I will probably not be working again. Ever. I will be dead. Do you want to be complicit in a murder, Agent--” you glanced at his badge, “Pike? Can you really live with that?”

“You’re awfully dramatic aren’t you?”

“I wish it was an exaggeration.” He inspected your badge then too.

“Jewelry and Gem Theft. Floor 7, right? What brings you down here to steal our coffee?” The argument was pointed, but his demeanor was anything but. He was smiling, enjoying this. A little too much, you seethed. You couldn’t stand around arguing all day.

“We’re out too.”

“Try another floor?”

“Time is of the essence here, Art Squad.” There was no room for addressing him politely now, he was riling you up on purpose. 

“If you didn’t stand here arguing with me you could’ve tried another floor by now, Jewels.”

He must think he’s so clever.

“Please. This is DEFCON 5.”

“You do know DEFCON 5 is the good one, right?”

“You know what I mean. Please.” He looked at you and then the newly brewed cup, biting the inside of his cheek, thinking through the problem.

“Tell you what. I am willing to split this if you are. Maybe it’s enough to fix both of them.” The crease between his eyebrows was deep as he studied your face, “I know Adrian is too out of it to notice he’s getting jipped, not sure about your boss.” You shrugged.

“Wendy will manage. It’s enough to keep her from throwing something at my head next time I walk in.” He dutifully split the coffee between two of the recyclable travel cups and handed one to you. You took it gratefully. 

“I hope this keeps you from… Dying? What’s up with that anyway?” You’re not sure what made this person that was essentially a stranger so interested in your life, but something about it feels nice.

“She had a really bad breakup: anniversary, thought it was going to be a proposal, instead it was him being a piss-baby. She’s a little all over the place right now. They’d been together for years and now there’s just… A hole. She doesn’t know how to deal with it.” Pike’s nod in response is emphatic, giving the cup in his hand a little wave.

“Same with him. Terrible breakup. He didn’t see it coming at all. She broke up with him on a voicemail… Then moved. ‘Course it just put him in this crazy funk, though. Doesn’t wanna work or do much of anything. No violence. Yet. But it’s sad to see.” You winced.

“That’s a rough one. Best of luck with him, Art Squad. Thank you. I owe you one. Seriously.”

“You definitely do, Jewels.” His smile is blindingly bright as he jokes. It makes you smile back.

“See you around.”

series taglist: @whiskeyslasso​ @ahopelessromanticwritersworld​

forever tags: @acomplicatedprofession​ @hdlynn​ @makaela27 @space-floozy @catfishingmorales​ @ithinkhesgaybutwesavedmufasa​ @princessbatears​ @synystersilenceinblacknwhite @findhimfives​

[sweater-daddiesdumbdork]

Life After Snowpiercer: Tell Me, Please?

Summary- Curtis Everett x Y/N. Tensions are still there between you two, but Curtis demands an answer. Your group collects the last bit of supplies and makes it towards the front, only to be confronted at the end. Trauma, Some Violence. Word Count- 4.9k

Chapter 7 / Masterlist

Curtis watched you sleep, in sleep you relaxed yourself from whatever plagued you, during the night having pulled in half sprawled across his very sore ribs, and laid your head in the center. The rise and fall of your shoulders so slight that he would have to really be studying them to see that yes, you were still asleep. You faced away from him, but you sighed softly and shifted yourself, tilting yourself closer, his eyes able to rove over the curve of your nose, and how your lips have chapped slightly. The dark bruises under your eye, at first it would see to have been tiredness, but much to the anger he was feeling coil in his gut, someone must have hit you hard at some point the past few days. His eyes continued to rove, noticing other scrapes, and bruises along your scalp line.  Would you tell him though? Further he noticed that there was a cut in the corner of your mouth and without a thought, his fingers brushed along the mark, hissing to himself when your eyes shot open, unfocused and a touch of fear clouding them. In all the years you two have known each other, you never looked at him like that, and it phased him more then you could know. 

You were fallen in one of those dreamless deep sleeps, the kind where your cocooned in darkness and nothing is drawing you forward into images. Blackness, soothing blackness. There was no visual moments where you had to think and rationalize. It was peaceful. Things merely ceased to exist. 

A touch brought you back, so light but the sting it left near your lips brought it back and you tensed, ready to yank away when your eyes opened, prepared for the worst, that sneering grin reaching for you in your safe place, ready to drag you out and put vile pain all over your body. No, we escaped, we got out.

Curtis face sharpened second later in your view, and you softened, loosening your grasp in his jacket where you had fisted your hands to keep from being pulled away. See Y/N, your safe. This is home. Curtis hand slid from your mouth to brush aside the soft hairs curling over your cheek, and you dragged in a deep breath, and released it, feeling your chest expand and his steady heart beating underneath your cheek kept you grounded. “Bad dream?” Curtis asked after a few seconds of the two of you just staying silent. You quirk the corner of your mouth a bit “Nothing serious Curtis.” Your hand smoothed over his chest and you realzined where you were laying. “Shit sorry baby, your ribs.” Going to move his hand clasped on the back of your neck to keep you from moving. 

“Dont, they are fine. Tell me about what you were dreaming about?” Hoping she would relax enough just the two of them to talk about what you were thinking about. His grasp turned lighter now that you werent moving, sliding his thumb over the column, and you slightly relaxed once more, biting your already chapped lips and wincing slightly at the sting. 

“Yea, I saw you favoring your side Curtis” You informed him, but you didnt move. Honestly after the past few days, you were just fucking thankful you got to do this again. “And nothing, hell I think I was so damn tired, it wasnt sleep. Somewhere just before a coma.” You rub your face lightly against his chest and sigh. “I could slip back into it right now if we didnt have to prepare to move to the front.” His thumb continued to feather along your neck, circling over the bruises of fingertips that had pressed down to hard. Faint, but Curtis saw them better now that your hair wasnt covering them. 

“What happened Y/N?” his brows coming together and lifting the heaviness of your hair back from your neck. You then pulled away and straightened your hair back over your neck. He shifted to half sit up on his elbows. “Y/N, you gotta tell me who put hands on you?-” His inquiry got interrupted when your name got called, and you took the moment to avoid Curtis questions, calling back out. “In here!” Tugging on your jacket and looking at Curtis “We will talk about it later baby, promise.” His hand moved against your arm to keep you with him, but you slipped out of his hold. Leaving him there with more questions and no answers. His lips thinned tightly and his jaw clenched, a dark suspicion inkling its way into his thoughts. 

All of those fuckers are dead. His thoughts snapped as he snatched his jacket, trying to keep from blowing over. Im going to hunt every single on of them down.   It was the last thing you needed was him loosing his temper, but that didnt stop the rage building in his chest, or the guilt. Why didnt I leave them with protection? Gone back, brought them weapons... Hearing your footsteps descend away, Curtis knew that you were heading towards the wounded. Grasping his beanie, and leaving the warmth and comfort of the momentary home, and slipped it on. Now that it was day, he could see just how far the group had been able to do. They had gone through several cars and hauled out anything decent. Catching a glimpse of you leaning down to check Saras shoulder, you also caught sight of Edgar sitting up, and a box next to him, stuffing something into his mouth. 

“Is that... crackers?” Curtis asked as Edgar held his arm out to grasp and get up. With some effort, Edgar managed to get to a stand, hauling the beat up cracker box with him. “Yea, they found a bit of this kind of stuff a few cars up. Dried goods, flour, sugar, cans.” He held out the box for Curtis to reach his hand into and withdrew a few crackers that he took a bite of. It was stale as fuck, salty, and just about one of the best things he can remember ever having. 

“Yes, I remember passing through right after the water, supplies Im assuming for the rest of the train. There was a few more similar closer to thre front as well” Curtis mentioned, and Edgar nodded over to where a pile of food had been made, along with clothing and blankets. “Im sure the front survivors have already raided some of those others.” Maybe they will be okay until were able to figure out a more permanent solution. “Hows your back?” Curtis turned his attention away from the supplies, and Edgar turned, lifting his shirt enough so Curtis could see. The length of the actual stab looked to be a good three inches long, red all around. Although burned from where the ax blade had laid across it, it was sealed. You came on over just then and ducked around Curtis, getting in for a closer look. 

“Thank God they got it sealed” You breathed out and tugged on Edgars shirt to have him put it back down, when he turned to face you, you drew in close and hugged around his neck. “You punk, I told you to be careful” Curtis cast a downward glance, regret and guilt passing and Edgar shook his head lightly Dont... You never saw the exchange pass between the two men. “Yea well, when I ever bloody listen anyways?” Edgar withdrew and smirked at you, causing you to scowl at him. 

“Well Im back now, so your gonna.” You point a finger at him, and then smooth your hand against his arm in a loving gesture. 

“Are the people able to travel? Or do they still need some recovery time?” Curtis changing the subject from Edgar, his hand rested against your waist, and it felt heavy to you, like he wasnt ready to let you go, that you were actually with him. He must have really believed he wouldnt see me again. 

“If we go slow, Im sure we can. Everyones so exhausted though, another day might not hurt anyone.” You tip your head towards Edgar and he immediately rebutes it although you ignore him. “Sara, shes bad off. Its inflamed and im worried I might not have gotten everything out. It was hard to tell...” You drifted off as Curtis took a glance at the woman you were talking about. Seeing her huddled against the wall, head tipped forward. “She says she can travel, but she will need to stop alot.”

 That confirmed it for Curtis, he shook his head. “Then we stay, one more day.” 

The rest of the time was spent sorting through supplies, packing it in a way it could be carried. Outside fires were kept stroked and burning, using debris off the train, and someone found large hollowed metal bins that with some scrubbing could work to melt snow in. The idea of being able to wash up appealed to you, and once you were sure the others waters needs were met hours later, you worked on warming up a pot for yourself. One of the cars towards the back had side rooms available for actual privacy, and you planned on taking full advantage. 

You didnt need much and using a blanket to handle the hot container, you hauled your bit of hot water through the car to the end, slipping inside. Of course Curtis noticed from where he had been helping to pack up the dried goods in blankets to easier carry them, and he turned to Edgar “Get as much packed as possible, if we have to we will come back for the rest.”  

“Yea, sure... where you going?” He asked as Curtis moved away from the group, calling over his shoulder. 

“Got someone to take care of” Edgar just shrugged and went back to what he was doing. 

You were in the process of undressing, when a soft knock happened on the door. Squeaking in alarm, you say loudly so there was no denying that whomever heard you. “Occupied!” 

“I know, Im coming in.” Curtis said as he opened the door and you withdrew from sight, looking to grab your shirt and cover yourself. 

“Curtis! Im busy” In which he just arched a brow and shut the door behind him, okay lame on your part, not much was kept hidden in the tail end and youve never been super shy before with him. Your fingers played in the shirt, looking down and away from where he stood. It was thankfully darkish in the room, you felt better being somewhat hidden, not wanting that question you know was coming. 

Just seeing you react, he knew. He could see it all over your face that you were dealing with a heavy mix of emotions, but the one he saw the most was shame, and he couldnt for the life of him understand why. How he wanted to go and wrap you in against him, take away all of those memories and protect you better, I should have... fuck why didnt I leave people behind. “Y/N, Baby, I know something happened. Please tell me. You were scared this morning, and youve been avoiding me. I-” he sighed and took a cautionary step closer, and could see the glimmer of tears streaking down your face. “- just got you back. I cant loose you again, especially like this.” His voice lowered, gruffer, you could tell he was trying to keep himself in check. 

Standing there, trying not to let him see you, how you wish you could shrink away into the wall. You tried so hard to fight back and just werent strong enough, spit it out you scolded yourself, but you stayed silent, lifting your face to look at him and dropped your shirt. Curtis took an audible gasp at the bruising that littered your body, your pale skin dark and yellowed with discernible finger and hand prints. Covering your face in your shame. “Oh god, Im sorry Curtis, I tried to stop them.” 

What?!  Oh babygirl, no....He stepped forward and wrapped his hands gently around your wrists and pulled them away. “Babygirl sshhh.... Im not mad at you.” You blinked up at him with that wide eyed stare of yours and then pushed in against him, sobbing into his chest and he lowered the two of you to the floor, careful to keep you in his lap, and rocking you softly. The pain blossomed in his chest at what you were saying, the way your whole body sobbed into his, and he let you. Nothing but the soft swaying motion, like one would do for a child, and his chin rested atop your head as it was buried in against him. There were no words he could say at this moment to make it better, you had to be able to simply cry it out until you were ready to tell him what happened. But even now, he could see the bruises down your back. When I get my hands on them, all those fuckers are going to pay. Oh it wasnt an If, Curtis was all about When. He wouldnt stop till he had his hands on there throats, squeezing the last breath from there lungs.

You finally fell silent in his arms, a occasional body rocking hiccup stirring from you, but that was all you had. His hand came up to your face and gently brushed aside the hair that had gotten stuck to your face from the tears, looking down at you with a soft expression. “sorry” you hiccup out and it seems to be the only thing you can think to say. 

“Babygirl, they are the ones who will be sorry.” he shifted you a bit so you werent so folded up, letting his hand rest against your knee and his thumb sweeping over it gently. “The fact they touched you will make them regret everything they have done in life. Im going to see to it personally.” You gulped a bit listening to him, the promise in his face, the rage simmering in his eyes, it was all there. You were just thankful it wasnt directed at you, cause even now it was scaring you. And in the same breath, it blossomed a warm raging happiness in your chest, spiraling in a way that made you shake slightly. They would hurt to, not just for what they did to you, but you were sure that others suffered a similar fate that day.

He leaned forward and dipped his fingers into the water, finding it still warm. “How about we clean you up Babygirl? and then go get you something to eat. I know you havent had anything today.” You slowly unfold yourself from around him and Curtis takes the rag, dipping it in the water and wringing it out. He holds his hand out for you to take it, but you turn instead your back to him, reaching behind you to gather your hair and lift it off your neck. You trusted him, you knew his touch would be gentle and caring along your bruises, and it was an intimacy you desired to share with him. Dipping your head when you felt the cloth brush over your shoulder, sure enough he was gentle as it went down your back and over your hip, continuing downwards, he squatted down to do the back of her thighs and calves. “Face me Y/N” he said, giving the softest brush of a kiss against a tender looking spot on your hip. You twisted to face him as he rose up to start from your shoulders and down again. 

The riddled marks on your body, now fully seeing what you had been through destroyed a sane part of Curtis, he never wanted to kill anyone more then these men, not even Wilford for all the evilness he had done. There was just a few on your back, careful as he traced over them. You must have fallen from up high, or they took a boot to you. Having you turn for him, he make his way down in a similar fashion. The worst bruises seemed to be on your hips and inside of your thighs, and to see them in such a intimate spot. It was his spot to rest his hands whenever he held you, not anyone elses, and it hurt him that you had to bare such marks. They actually made him growl softly and he was caught by surprise when you cupped his face, running your fingers through his beard. Focus Curtis... He chided himself as he continued with your legs and then swept up the inside of your calves and thighs, this time placing a soft kiss on your belly button and back up to a stand. 

This time when he offered you the rag you took it, to finish up, and you thought about what had transpired. Now Curtis had seen all of what they had done, and getting dressed again, you thought about what he had seen and his reaction. It was foolish for me to think he would be mad at me. Sometimes theres no rational reason for your reactions. He remained silent as he handed you clothing, slipping them on a piece at a time. Grasping your coat, he held it up for you and you backed into it, sliding your arms in one at a time. Before you could start to button it up, he turned you back to face him, doing the buttons himself, smiling softly. “You always have a hard time with these babygirl” 

“I know, you would think after all this time I wouldnt need  your help doing them up.” You chuckled softly at them, all different mismatched sizes, not quite placed right. You could patch a person up, but damned if you could sew decently. 

“Well, let me tell you babygirl, Im glad you still need me to do this.” He finished up the last one, and lifted his hand up to cup your face, cradling it in both hands, his thumbs brushing along the softness of your cheeks, the soft downy hairs brushing under the pad of his thumb. Your hands folded over his wrists while looking up at him. “Y/N, nothing, certainly not this changes anything between us. So whatever you think would drive me away, its not going to happen.” He wouldnt break his eyes from yours, needing you to know just how serious he was. 

“I know... I- I panicked. I felt that what happened, I should have stopped it.” You admitted, and took a deep breath, ragged from earlier, but no tears sprang forth talking about it. Curtis had been correct in you needing that release, a cleanse. Maybe now this was the beginning of coming to terms with it. Keeping his darker thoughts to himself that throbbed in his temples, as you gave a brief description of what happened, this would be a trial and error for you two, Curtis not wanting to push you in a way you werent ready, and you craving the exact same vibe you two had before. It would take time, to heal. Curtis isnt going anywhere.... 

Leading you out of the room, he carried the water, and you followed along behind, your hand fisting in the loose part of his jacket. You lighten considerably he noticed once you joined the group, immediately falling back into old habits of stopping and chatting with groups, looking over those you considered your patients, and falling right back into playing with the kids for the rest of the evening, you even made an effort to eat a can of beans that Curtis pried open for you, sharing with the kids you went to hang out with. There wasnt much difference in how you were as from before, and he gave you your freedom, sticking nearby with Edgar, first finishing there earlier project, then Curtis finished his tale of what had happened. 

“You mean Matt is actually still alive?!” Edgar remembered the boy well, back then. Looked up to him, almost like a brother. Curtis nodded. 

“Yes, and dumbass me left them tied up in the engine. Im sure they have been released now. I tried telling Y/N what hes like... hes dangerous. If he comes around her, I dont know... watch him extra close. She wouldn't forgive me if I hurt him.” A glance over to you showed you laughing while playing itsy bitsy spider with one of the smaller children, cuddling them in your lap while you twisted your fingers to go up the pole, and then sprinkle your fingers down to tickle the youngin’ on the neck. 

“Curtis, maybe it wont come to something like that, Y/N is a pretty good judge of people... Im sure she will see how twisted he is.” 

Curtis shrugged, he hoped so. But this was her brother, she loved this kid more then anyone else on the train, and he almost lost her then. If she gets her heart broken again, forcing her to give a damn might not be so easy. Making her choose between Matt and Himself, he didnt want to put her in that spot, maybe a bit of fear stabbing at the back of his unconscious, would she pick him if she was forced between them?  “We will see probably tomorrow afternoon. I want to get us out of here and back to the front, before they decide they dont need us, and have basically the majority of the supplies once more. Were not equipped enough to survive out there and eventually were going to have to move away from the train for food. Most the cars up there are still upright and can be used for shelter.” 

You looked up to see Curtis and Edgar deep in a discussion, and you untangle yourself from the kids. “Bedtime for all of us. Tomorrow were going to the front.” 

“The front?!”

“For reals this time” 

“wonder what its like?”

“I dont know” You shrug “We just gotta wait and see tomorrow, now off to bed.” You shooed them away to a nest of blankets they made for themselves, and wandered over to Curtis. “Im heading off to sleep, see you all in the morning.” You waved off to the group. Curtis gave you a few minutes to get yourself ready and then excused himself as well. 

When he got there  you were already curled under the blankets, just a soft pile of your hair showing above the blankets. He shredded out of the majority of his clothing and slipped in beside you, thinking you was already asleep, but surprising him as you flipped to her other side, starting at him in the dark. 

“I love you, thank you for coming back for me.” 

“I will always come back for you, I love you to babygirl.” Curtis declared, and you moved over closer and lifted his arm to go around you, your head resting on his shoulder, and your hand slid under his shirt and rubbed your hands across the all familiar soft hairs and broad muscles of his chest, settling over where you could feel that familiar thump of life. This was familiar, comforting, and relaxed into this. The past 36 hours was your hell, and this was your salvation. You actually fell asleep and this time you dreamed, not of what happened, but what was to come. 

The next morning proved to be busy chaos. After taking a few moments to wake up, Curtis was never one to just roll up and go unless necessary, usually proving him to be rougher around the edges, well more so then usual with the upcoming unknown going back to the front now with the tail enders. “Get up, time to get a move on.” he rumbled, the toe of his boot nudging people as he passed through the group, Edgar grumbling and flipping him off as he to got a toe to the leg and a “Get the fuck up, we dont got all day.” 

You rubbed your eyes and snorted in laughter at the grumblings you heard through the crowd, although they complied. You helped hand off sacks of food that they all packed in blankets the day before and you went to your patients, checking them over right quick. The only person you were really concerned for was Sara. If anything she looked paler then the day before. But her wound was  still firey red. Biting the inside of your cheek, you smiled, and helped her up. “Dont hesitate to ask for help, I wont be far off” You stress to her till Sara gives a nod and Johanna wraps an arm around her. “Dont worry, we got her.” 

Maybe it will all be okay. 

The group filed out, Curtis again taking up the rear, watching for any sign of the aggressors from the day before, he had skimmed over the cliff edge, and checked out the path back up, but found no signs. Maybe the fuckers are gone.... He wistfully considered, as he trudged along behind, holding a rifle over his shoulder and in his hands a heavy axe was kept close. In any hand to hand fight, he would rather have the axe on hand instead of the rifle. You made your way back through the crowd and fell in step with him, looking over your shoulder, it seemed like the train was an endless line of cars. You all must be getting close.

“Theres so many to sort through still.” Talking about the cars, Curtis grunted in agreement, glancing down at you. “Well I wouldnt bother with any holding people, all the stuff we need is in those storage ones. Im just hoping the front end had the sense to get into the livestock cars and save anything that survived.” You blinked a bit in surprise, you never actually thought there would be any kind of livestock on the train, the front end having stopped giving the boiled eggs a few years ago. 

“Like... chickens and such?”

“Chickens, pigs, some beef cows, couple of those your supposed to milk and all. Yes, had them all. Plus at least 2 cars filled with frozen butchered meat, a large green house cart. The front end didnt have our struggles, that is for damn sure.” 

Fuck when was the last time you had a roasted chicken? Steak? Your mouth literally watered at the idea of it. 

“No they certainly didnt.”

A few moments of silence between them, the occasional brush of shoulders as Curtis shortened his stride matching your, the change in it made you hide a smile, looking down. You were sure he didnt intend on you to notice and it just resolved in you what you already knew about him. He would always look out for you. Your shared silence was interrupted by a shout as the group started to bunch up and come to a halt. “Curtis Everett to the front, I know your leading this mess.”

 Curtis then picked up his pace, you following behind him closely as he weaved through the people milling into a group and coming out in the front. You were about to follow alongside him but Edgar caught the back of your coat, keeping you back slightly and thats when you saw what was before you. 

Heavily armed group of people, waiting and they parted as a man and Claude came through. The smirk on the mans face shined right into his eyes, so fucking cold, and you felt your heart sink in your stomach. It really was Matt, just as Curtis described it. 

“Well we knew you would come back Curtis.” His arms folded over his chest, as he surveyed the people behind Curtis. “And brought your little rag tag mess of people.” Matt turned his attention to those that started to line up around Curtis, assessing the threat before them. “You might as well just join us everyone, there really is no better answer. You may have the numbers, but we have the supplies, and that includes the rifles.” Matt looked up and down his line of people, smug, satisfied, he won. “So you might as well give up, well before this has to turn ugly Curtis, I mean... We are in this mess cause of you after all.” Claude hung on Matts arm, but he pulled it away and took a step forward till he was standing before Curtis, who glared down at him. “So what do you say tail ender? I clearly won.” 

“Matt!” You yanked your arm from Edgar and snapped up right in his face, inches away, anger rolling off you in steams. “What the fuck is wrong with you?!” Curtis arm shot out and grabbed you by the arm, pulling you back to him, not trusting Matt to not hurt you physically. You pulled on your arm, but Curtis grasp was iron and unrelenting. “You are our family, how DARE you even speak like that, after all we been through to get up here.” 

“Yea Sister” He said with such venom in his tone, your mouth snapped shut, jaw clenching in your anger and confusion. “All we been through, you had if just fine in the tail end, but not good enough, sending your man up here to wreck it all, correct?” 

That was the last line when Curtis fist connected with Matts face, his head snapping back sharply. 

Curtis could tolerate alot of things, your brother disrespecting you clearly wasnt one of them. 

Fuck it all.  

@curtisbbq​ @what-is-your-plan-today​ @jtargaryen18​ @p8tn0lish​ @jeremyrennerfanxxxx123​ @official-and-unstable-satan​ @thatweirdwalangpake​

[cooperjones2020]

Second City, chp. 7

Summary: Sometimes she worries she’s settling — for a smaller job, a smaller city, a smaller life than she’d promised herself — but that was before she found out Jughead Jones lives in Chicago. That was before she found out the final secret of Jason Blossom’s murder.

A/N: FYI anyone who hasn’t seen the Before Sunrise trilogy needs to stop reading and go watch it immediately because it will change your life.

ao3–>http://archiveofourown.org/works/11409360/chapters/25556550

Second City one / two / three / four / five / six (ao3)

Nobodies Nobody Knows one / two / three / four (ao3)

In which rogue parents appear

Being friends with Jughead is surprisingly easy. He does watch Before Sunset a few days later and texts her his thoughts. That spirals into an ongoing discussion of their favorite movies, tv shows, books, music. Jughead keeps much later hours than she does, so every day this week she’s woken up to a novel-length diatribe on a Thing she has to read or watch Right Now.

Veronica’s words sneak back into her head, as does Kevin’s face when she told him she and Jughead were trying to be friends, but she does her best to suppress them. Blowing up at him seems to have eased some of the pressure inside her. She fully acknowledges that she has a crush on him. But that’s all it is, a crush. He is attractive, and she regrets how it ended between them before, but he’s definitely a different man now. The boy she loves doesn’t exist anymore. She’s enjoying getting to know the man.

She’s in the middle of texting him at work when her phone rings. He’s trying to convince her to watch Django Unchained. She’s trying to distract him by asking him to help her think of a synonym for ‘asperity’ that doesn’t sound as mean. So when FaceTime opens up right in the middle of her typing, she answers it before she realizes what’s happening. But not before she sees who’s calling.

Mom. Normally Betty has to prepare herself to talk to Alice, to manufacture the acceptable emotions. Today though, the smile comes easily.

“Hi Mom!” Alice holds the phone too close so all Betty can see is the sharp planes of her mother’s face.

“Betty. Why are you answering the phone at work?” Time and grandmotherhood had softened Alice Cooper in many ways, but her opinions on most aspects of her daughters’ lives, up to and including how they spend their time, are just as strong as ever.

“Ah—if you didn’t want me to answer, why did you call?”

“Don’t be silly, of course I wanted you to answer. I’m just surprised you’re free. Are you sure this job isn’t too easy for you?”

“The job’s great, Mom. How are you? Have you guys heard from JJ and Rose?”

“They’re fine. Your sister heard from them. She also mentioned you’ve been seeing Jughead.” Okay, or we’ll go straight in for the kill.

“I’m not seeing him, Mom. I’ve just seen him. For work and stuff.”

“Good. I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to get involved with that boy.”

Betty sighs, not surprised by the turn this conversation has taken. Then she asks softly, “Why do you hate him, Mom?”

“He broke your heart, sweetie, isn’t that reason enough?” It might be. If Alice were a normal mom.

“But that’s not it, though. You didn’t hate him then. It’s only been since—”

But Alice interrupts her before she can finish flipping through her mental calendar. “Have you talked to Hunter since you got to Chicago?”

“No, Mom. And I don’t plan to. We broke up. I’m okay with it. He’s okay with it. You’re the only one not okay with it.”

“I just think it was so sudden! What with that and moving so far away, are sure you’ve thought everything through? And now you’re seeing Jughead, I just want you to be sure you’re not making a mistake.” Betty resists the urge to rub her temples. It’s a conversation they’ve had before. More than once. Though the Jughead dimension adds some new seasoning to the mix. But Betty isn’t going to convince her today, and, regardless of answering the phone—or even texting—at work, she does still have things to get done.

“I am sure, Mom. Oh—Cynthia’s coming. Gotta go, love you, bye!”

She hangs up the phone and turns it face down before leaning back in her chair and running her hands over her face.

Alice still pronounces “Jughead” as if his name were two words.

She had liked him once. Betty could remember a time when she preferred him to Archie. But then, a few years ago Betty had brought The Final Fissure home to read on a visit, and Alice’s face puckered up like she was sipping on vinegar. The couple of times Jughead has come up since, Alice’s face has darkened and she’s changed the topic as quickly as possible.

When they return from New York, Mary and Mike host a belated Fourth of July barbecue. They string up a triangular American flag banner and twinkle lights. Neighbors mingle on the sidewalk and in the yard. Kids play pick-up ball in the cul-de-sac. It’s quaint in a way Betty didn’t know cities could be. She arrives before Jughead, and wanders with a diet Coke in hand, sometimes stopping to talk or to help Mary refill a cooler or a party tray.

After an hour though, he still hasn’t returned her texts. She’s a little worried, it seems out of character for the short time they’ve been texting, so she heads upstairs where it’s quiet enough to call him. But on the landing, she can hear a familiar voice coming through a bedroom door.

She knocks twice before cracking the door open and peaking her head in. Jughead is sitting on the foot of the bed, one hand holding the phone to his ear, the other pinching the bridge of his nose.

He looks up, confused, when she opens the door but then waves her in.

“I know, Dad. I know. No, she’s just— Look, can you just talk to her? Maybe she’ll listen to you. I know that, but you can at least explain my reasons. Fine. Can we come back to this conversation later? Yeah, okay. Love you too.”

“Hey.”

“Hey.” His eyes are soft but his mouth still holds tension. He looks back down at his phone. “Oh, you texted.”

“Yeah, nothing important. How’s FP?”

“Fine.”

She quirks an eyebrow at him. “He is. JB on the other hand…” But he trails off, leaving Betty to fill in the blanks with information she does not have.

“Wanna talk about it?” She moves to sit next to him on the bed.

He shrugs and continues to talk down to his hands, where they hold the phone on his lap. “She got into Syracuse but she’s insisting she’s going to stay home and go to community college. Wants to study sound engineering or something.”

“I mean if that’s what she wants to do. You don’t want her spending four years unhappy and coming out of it in debt.”

“But that’s not it. She thinks we don’t know it’s cause she doesn’t want to leave FP. And she’s the one who always insists he’s okay. Tells me I worry too much.”

Betty pauses before she responds. She can see how delicate the situation is. If Jughead bought their house, Jellybean probably thinks this is her way of contributing. And, irrational as it is—families don’t keep score, not even hers—she understands where Jellybean is coming from. But Betty knows Jughead would shut that line of reasoning down. He’ll forever see the baby sister that needs love instead than the young woman that needs to give it.

“How does FP feel about it?”

“He says she’s an adult and can make her own decisions. She’s sure as hell not an adult if she’s gonna screw all her decisions up.” He moves one hand from his lap to crumple the comforter beside him.

“But you know you can’t decide for her.” She rubs a hand up and down his arm. “So why the blow up now? Didn’t she have to decide on a school a few months ago?”

“Well, yeah. But I may have thought she was gonna come to her senses and sent in a deposit for her.”

“Oh, Jug.” He looks up at her through a curtain of hair and her breath hitches. The co-mingled frustration-sadness-exhaustion on his face arrests her. It’s a face he wore so often in high school. The face of someone forced to be an adult too young. It’s a face she knows he’s trying to save Jellybean from.

So she encourages him to vent, and he does, a little. But before the tension has fully left his face, she sees him make the effort to smile at her. “Hey, let’s go rejoin the party. They’re probably wondering where you are.”

“Yeah, okay.” She lets him lead her out of the room, his hand on the space between her shoulder blades.

When they make it downstairs, he manages to shake off the mood. They get food and proceed outside to mingle, but he doesn’t leave her side unless it’s to refill her drink. And when either of them is away, it’s as if a magnet draws them back together.

Occasionally, his hand brushes against her lower back. She knows he’s just being considerate—maybe it’s some residual protectiveness redirected from Jellybean. But she can’t help that every touch drops heat into her bloodstream. And even as her blood heats up, that same protectiveness turns her ovaries to mush.

She tries to beat her hormones into submission.

Eventually, she leaves him chatting with Mike and heads inside to cut up another tray of fruit.

He does it again while she’s slicing up the watermelon, and she’s so startled the knife slips and cuts a gash in her thumb. For a moment she freezes, watching the blood well up, then Jughead grabs her wrist and drags her to the sink.

“Jesus, Betty, I’m sorry. I just wanted to check on you —”

“It’s okay Jug, it’s just a cut. It’ll be fine.”

The water stains the porcelain bowl of the sink a pale pink as it flushes the cut. Jughead squirts some soap into his hands and rubs them together until it foams before taking her hand again. He cups it gently in both of his and make shallow passes over the cut with his own thumb. For some reason, she feels tears sting the back of her throat.

When the water clears and the suds slip away down the drain, he says, “Here, come on. I’ll wrap it up.”

She follows him back upstairs, to the bathroom she’s since learned houses the advil. She hops up onto the counter while he rummages under the sink for the first aid kit. He’s not wearing his beanie again today. She resists the urge to run her fingers through his waves.

Then he lays the supplies out to the left of her and moves to stand in front of her parted legs. He picks up her left hand. It’s still a little damp. He frowns at it, and next at the hand towel laying beside the sink. Unsanitary, she thinks. Then he bends his head and blows softly on the cut. Betty gasps. Jughead freezes. The tops of his ears turn pink.

He drops her hand and leans over to grab the antibiotic ointment.

“It looks pretty shallow, so you should be fine. No stitches, or anything. Obviously,” he says, still looking away from her. When he dropped her hand, she’d curled it into her chest. The movement of her arm when she re-extends it draws his eyes back to her. He picks her hand back up and proceeds to smear the ointment on and attach the bandage with almost-clinical efficiency. But then he doesn’t let go.

Betty barely breathes. She can see the tight rise and fall of her chest in her peripheral vision.

“Jug?” He looks up from her hand, where his thumb is tracing circles on the soft underside of her wrist, as if to soothe away the pain she’d stopped noticing. “I promise it’s okay. You’re a great nurse.” She’s almost at his eye level.

He smiles. “Thanks. I am sorry though.”

“I know.” Her eyes slide to his mouth, where his front teeth keep catching and releasing his lower lip, and when she looks back up he’s watching her. His eyes are impossibly dark, pupils blown wide. He’d moved closer to her in the process of bandaging her thumb, into the cradle of her knees. She’d merely have to shift to bring their mouths together.

“I—”

He presses his lips against hers, kissing her so softly, as if he’s asking permission. She gasps again, which he must take for a yes because he squeezes her shoulder with his other hand and deepens the kiss. She kisses him back, sweeping her tongue across his, urging him to kiss her harder, but he refuses to be urged. She doesn’t think she’s ever been kissed so thoroughly, so languidly. The heat that’s been building in her belly for hours rises up and floods her system. It washes over her in dizzying, intoxicating waves.

When he moves to her neck, she lets out a small noise that makes him stop.

“I’m sorry. We shouldn’t do this.”

“We’re not doing anything. We’re making out in a bathroom.”

Betty isn’t funny. She isn’t sardonic like Jughead or full of witty one-liners like Veronica or Kevin. Even Cheryl’s insults usually make her laugh. And she’s not trying to be funny now. The single remaining synapse in her brain still capable of firing finds it advisable to simply take stock of the situation. They are making out in a bathroom, after all.

But Jughead laughs. Before he’s finished, she’s hauled his mouth back to hers and wrapped an arm around his neck. Now, she controls the kiss. She bumps her teeth against his as she kisses him messily.

After a few minutes in which she finally gets him to pick up the pace, gets his lips to match the urgency she feels, he pulls back again.

“Betty, stop. There are things I need to—“

“Later.” His next protest turns into a groan when she sucks on his tongue. That seems to flip a switch in him. He kisses her so hard he shakes the breath from her lungs and she feels something begin to uncoil in the center of her chest.

His hands move from her waist down to her thighs, sliding up and down until he hooks them under her knees and lifts a little. It stretches her hips and feels as if he’s folding her, but it brings him closer. She wraps her legs around his waist, and her eyes go wide when she feels he’s already hard. His hands go to her ribcage, but she pulls them up to cup her breasts, where he strokes gentle circles. The sensation brings her hands to his arms and she squeezes muscles that were not there the last time they did this. Then, when he tugs on her lower lip with his teeth and soothes the bite with the flat of his tongue, she rakes her fingers across his scalp and he hisses against her.

She releases his mouth with a gasp and when he opens it to speak again she cuts him off. “If you stop or ask me if I’m okay or do anything other than kiss me again, I will bite you.”

He smirks at her, then pulls her face back to his with a hand on her neck. He whispers against her lips, “As you wish.” Then he uses his thumb, the same thumb that so delicately washed hers and stroked her wrist, to force her head back. He lays a series of sucking kisses down the column of her neck, and then he scrapes his teeth against her collarbone.

Bastard.

A knock sounds on the door. Jughead groans and rests his forehead on her shoulder.

Luckily it’s a guest. Someone who does not know them and who does not comment on their flushed faces and rumpled clothing. Betty slips out while Jughead sweeps the first aid supplies back under the sink.

They get separated again downstairs. But throughout the rest of the evening, when he’s not next to her, occasionally brushing his hand against her lower back, she can feel the weight of his gaze on her as she moves. Sometimes she catches him. Sometimes he blushes. Sometimes his brow is furrowed as if she’s a puzzle he’s trying to solve. Sometimes his face is so open she cannot read it.

He’s not the boy she loved. But she’s not the same girl either. Today wasn’t a continuation or a re-do. But it was fun. And he’s hot. And they’re millennials. They can hook up at a party and keep just being friends. 

Right?

[sevralships]

“Just Because You Can” Part 6 of 7, Chapters 20-22

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7 FIN]

The Pines triplets, Mabel, Dipper, and Jolene, have always been best friends. But lately, there’s been some distance growing between the Mystery Kids, due in part to the forbidden feelings with which they are each struggling. How will they manage to see eye to eye, when torn between wanting each other and craving adventure?

(This is a new AU that I’ve been calling Jolene AU, devised by myself and @handleonthescandal​ after one of us asked the question “What if Mabel and Dipper were triplets but with another sister?”. Although this AU is similar, it is not connected to Double Dippin’ AU, and Jolene is in no way connected to Tyrone.)

Shoutout to @sirwaddlesesquire for being the trustiest squire and an insightful, helpful, and supportive beta.

Mostly SFW, mostly angst with some action/adventure and a little bit of fluff, tw incest

Fic under the cut, enjoy!

Chapter 20: The Elephant In the Car

“Oh this is great!” Dipper said hotly, smacking the steering wheel with both hands, “This is just fan-fucking-tastic!” They were only a couple miles from the exit to Lone Pine, California, but red brake lights stretched about as far as they could see, “Why the hell is there traffic this late anyway?!”

“Maybe there’s an accident or something?” Mabel offered, reasonably. Since when is my job to be the reasonable one?

“Pfft, fuckin’ accidents,” Dip scoffed, “I mean, how do they even allow half these lunatics on the road? These people are a menace--”

“A menace?” Mabel raised an eyebrow, “Dip, cool it. Any second now you’ll be chasing kids-these-days off your lawn.”

“But I mean, what’s really idiotic is this road,” Dipper’s knuckles were white from clenching the wheel, “These roads were never meant for this volume of traffic, I mean, only two stinking lanes each way?!”

“Dipper, honestly,” Mabel rolled her eyes, “You sound like a granny.”

“But I mean, why?” Dipper pressed, his tone growing more hysterical, “Why is this road only four lanes? Why was there an accident? Why is this happening?!”

“I don’t know, Dipstick,” Mabel said, in the closest thing to a soothing voice she could manage, “It’s oka--”

“Don’t you dare tell me it’s okay right now, Mabel,” Dipper spat, holding up his right hand to her in a stop motion, “Unless your definition of ‘okay’ includes our sister running headfirst into a grisly fucking death, I don’t wanna hear it!”

“Whoa, whoa, don’t yell at me!” Mabel bristled, “I didn’t design the stupid road!”

“Oh, c’mon, Mabel,” Dipper said, exasperated, “Don’t gimme the innocent act.”

“It’s not an act!” Mabel snapped, “This isn’t my fault!”

“I didn’t blame you, Mabe--”

“Oh, shut up,” Mabel rolled her eyes, “You’ve been blaming me since she left!”

“Oh, I have not!”

“Have to!” Mabel insisted petulantly.

“I’m telling you, I have not!”

“Since she left, you have been treating me like I’m the bad guy!”

“Well, she wouldn’t have left if--” Dipper began.

“There it is,” Mabel pointed at him, “Go ahead and say what you mean,” she gestured at the inching traffic, “We got time. She wouldn’t have left if I hadn’t what?” Dipper shifted uneasily in his seat, “Hadn’t kissed you?”

Dipper dragged in a long-suffering sigh through his nostrils, his eyes shut, “Yes, Mabel,” he admitted, softly, “She wouldn’t have left if you hadn’t kissed me.”

Mabel pushed down the icky rejection feelings his words planted in her chest, “Well, I’m sorry I kissed you then.” She said, stiffly, keeping her eyes on the license plate of the car in front of them.

She could feel Dipper’s eyes on her, but forced her gaze to remain forward, “Mabel, it just… Out of nowhere like that? You were yelling at me one second and then kissing me, and, I mean,” he dragged his hand through his hair anxiously, “You are my sister and--”

“You don’t need to spare my feelings,” She said, shaking her head, “It won’t happen again.”

“Wait, Mabes, no!” Dipper turned to her, frantically, looking away from the car-clotted road. His eyes were troubled, his face conflicted, “That’s not what I meant! That’s, uh,” he glanced down, “Not what I want, is that... what you want?”

Mabel couldn’t help but smile a little. She shook her head, “No, you nerd.” He met her eyes again, his mouth curling ever so slightly upwards, “That’s not what I want. Why the heck dya think I kissed you?”

“I dunno, I don’t really get a lot of what you do, sis,” Dipper admitted, drily.

“That’s fair, I guess,” Mabel said, but it wasn’t the answer she’d been looking for.

“I love you, Mabel,” Dipper said tentatively.

“I love you too, Dip,” Mabel grinned and leaned across the center console to plant a soft, decisive kiss on his lips. He pressed his lips against hers in eager agreement. For a brief moment, everything fell away. The worry about Jo, the anger and confusion, the honking of the cars caught in gridlock with them, it all disappeared. But the moment was indeed brief, too brief Mabel thought. She opened her eyes after their lips parted and met Dipper’s. She saw the same love and fear she felt mirrored back at her, and gave a small nod, “Okay, so that’s settled. We love each other and we like kissing.”

Dipper snorted a laugh, “We love each other and we like kissing, okay.” His smile soon wilted, “I’m sorry about the play.”

Mabel frowned, “That was really lame of you guys.”

“I know,” Dipper said, pulling the van up a few inches, “I know it was, and I really am sorry.”

“We got bigger fish to fry,” Mabel changed the subject, we can talk about the play later. Dipper grimaced, never one for confrontation of any sort, “So we love each other and we like kissing, but we should maybe return to the elephant in the car that you so kindly brought up.” Dipper raised an eyebrow. Mabel rolled her eyes, “I’m your sister.”

“Oh, that elephant,” Dipper said grimly.

“How many elephants dya think are in here?” Mabel teased, looking around the van’s interior, the couch and garment racks, and amplifier holding no answers. Dipper snorted, “Anyway,” Mabel continued, “I, uh, love you and stuff and the sibling thing is weird ‘n’ all, but I’m like, okay with it, I guess? But obviously Jo-jo isn’t, and like, we can’t just do something this bonkers if she’s not okay with it. And it’s a little too late to hide it from her, but that probably wouldn’t have worked anywho.”

“I don’t want to hide anything from Jo, ever,” Dipper agreed, his tone grown a bit sullen.

“I mean, I can’t blame her for being freaked by incest, though,” Mabel conceded.

Dipper shook his head, “I don’t know if that’s what she’s upset about.”

Mabel scoffed, “Oh, c’mon, Dip. If I didn’t feel it, I’d be freaked out too. Shoot, it freaks me out a little and I do feel it.”

“Well, that’s just it, Mabes,” Dipper inched a little closer to the bumper of the car ahead of them, “I’m pretty sure Jo does feel it.”

Mabel felt the blood drain from her face, “Say what?”

“Well, uhm, before you got home,” Dipper fidgeted uncomfortably in the driver’s seat, “We were both, um, like really amped about the...interview,” Dipper said the word quietly, trying to soften the blow, but it stung Mabel nonetheless, “And we uhh, almost… well, kissed.”

For a silent moment, Mabel blinked at the sea of red brake lights, trying to process what Dipper had just said. She was the one he really wanted, you’re just his second choice. Tears prickled Mabel’s eyes again and she looked out her window, as if fascinated by the minivan in the finally-moving lane to their right, “You almost kissed her, or she almost kissed you?”

“Well, kinda both,” Dipper said, sounding a little unsure, “I think.”

“You think?” Mabel’s voice was sharper than intended.

“No, no, I’m sure,” Dipper grumbled, “She wanted to kiss me and I wanted to kiss her.”

Jealousy poured molten hot into Mabel’s stomach. While she was driving home, tearful and angry, while she was parking and glaring at the light in Dipper’s window...that’s what had been happening? They’d been excited, they’d been celebrating, they’d been almost kissing, “You wanted to kiss her.” she echoed.

Dipper picked up on Mabel’s jealousy then, “Mabel, no…”

Jo’s words rang in her sister’s head, coulda sworn being excited nearly had the same effect! Guess anything might inspire some sister-smooching! She looked at Dipper sharply, as he pulled up impatiently, the traffic finally loosening up a little at a time. No sooner had the words formed in her head than she was speaking them, “Dipper, is it really me you want, or her?”

Dipper’s heart ached at Mabel’s inevitable and unanswerable question, “It’s not like that, Mabes,” he tried to explain, “It’s both of you, it’s always been both of you.”

Both of us? That had never occurred to her. All this time, she’d wondered and feared how, in the unlikely event that anything like this could come to pass, Dipper would have to choose one sister over the other. All this time, she had been thinking of Jolene as a friend and sometime-adversary, trying not to notice how beautiful she was, how smart, how vibrant. How she blushed and sweated around her, how she could hardly keep her eyes away when she got undressed, how incredibly cute the noises were that she made in her sleep. “Holy shit,” Mabel muttered out loud. She’d known that the way she thought about her sister was unusual, but it had seemed like small potatoes compared to her high-octane crush on her bro. Yet suddenly it was unbelievable that she hadn’t realized the nature of these feelings for Jolene before. It had been different with Dipper, maybe because of that first summer in Gravity Falls, maybe because he was a boy, she had recognized what she felt early on. She’d been so busy seeing Jo as competition, hating her unique closeness with Dipper, hating the ways their differing appearance favored Jo, she hadn’t realized Jo might be seeing her the same way, or seeing Dipper as competition for me. She dropped her head in her hands, “Holyshit, holyshit, holy-guacamoley-bowls-o-shit.”

“...Mabel?” Dipper asked cautiously, unsure if Mabel was angry with him.

“Dipper,” Mabel said, desperately, reaching for his hand. He gave it to her without hesitation and she squeezed hard enough to make him wince.

“Mabes, what’s going on in there?”

“I think I love Jo,” she whispered.

Dipper felt a stab of jealousy, ohh now I get it, “You…”

Mabel picked up on his uncertainty, “No, no, Dip, I love you too. Of course, I love you.” she managed a watery smile at him, “Both of you. I get it. I get it.” Tears streamed down her cheeks, “Ohmygolly, we are such a mess.”

“A psychiatrist’s field day, I know,” Dipper’s heart soared at the sound of Mabel’s laugh at his comment.

“We both love each other, and we both love her,” Mabel stated, a little stunned.

“I have a feeling she doesn’t know the latter,” Dipper said, his brow furrowing.

“Well, we’ll just have to go tell her then.” Mabel said, in a sure tone, wiping the tears from her face, grateful that the traffic was finally letting up. She had something important to tell her sister and it couldn’t wait.

Chapter 21: Lone Pine Mountain

It was a hard rocky climb, and Jo was thankful for the flashlight she always kept in her pack. Even with its help, it was a treacherous hike. Dipper never would have considered this climb at night, she knew, because Dipper’s smart. She shook the thoughts of Dipper away, reminding herself that he was not beside her and he likely never would be again. She just focused on the path, or what passed for one. Jo was weary, but she could tell the summit wasn’t far off now. She had that sense one has just before a peak, of the sky getting bigger and the land shrinking before them.

Much as Jolene tried to focus on the task at hand, tried to push away the cacophony of her thoughts, it was inescapable. Tears kept blurring her vision, making it difficult to tell where the best footholds were. She had slipped and mis-stepped countless times, leaving her ankles sore, her knees and palms stinging with scrapes. But however she pushed her thoughts away and tried to swipe away her inconvenient tears, they kept creeping back. One moment she’d be seeing the beam of her flashlight across the stony terrain, and the next it was as if she was transported back to her childhood home, watching that kiss. The way Dipper’s hand tightened on Mabel’s dainty little waist, the way Mabel’s cheeks flushed prettily as the kiss deepened. They had looked so strangely natural, like two puzzle pieces made to fit together. Jo slipped again, catching herself again on her skinned palms, hearing the pebbles clattering down the steep descent behind her.

She realized she was actually much steadier crawling and so she moved ahead that way. She could feel the wetness of blood on her hands and knees from the jagged bedrock, but didn’t much care. The immediacy of the physical pain gave her something to focus on, drawing her mind just a little bit further from Dipper and Mabel’s kiss. There was something comforting about pain of the body, as compared to the unmanageable pain of the soul.

With a suddenness that surprised her into a smile, Jo realized she was no longer ascending. The steepness had given way to fairly even ground. She stood up, wobbling a little at being back on her feet and turned in a circle a couple times, sweeping the flashlight across her surroundings to get her bearings. She had finally reached the summit, or at least one of the lower landings around the highest point. It was sparse, mostly rocky and open, with some scrubby bushes and a few weathered pine trees, tall, black, and austere in the dim light. It was quiet, apart from the occasional whisper of wind through the pine needles, as if even the trees here were holding their breath.

The moonlight illuminated more evenly and Jolene shut off her flashlight to conserve energy, blinking rapidly to get her eyes to adjust. Dipper would be proud of that kinda foresight, she thought before she could help herself, slipping the flashlight into her back pocket. It was easy enough to push Mabel from her mind in this situation, but exploring like this without Dipper was strange. She’d practically never gone on any sort of Mystery Hunt without him, although he’d gone on plenty without her that first summer in Oregon. As always, a pit of envy and exclusion bubbled in her stomach thinking of that summer. Up here alone with the pine trees, she could almost pretend she was in the Oregon hills, seeking monsters from the entries in Grunkle Ford’s old journals and about to run into Bill Cipher around any corner.

“Stopit,stopit,stopit,” Jolene scolded herself, hating how pathetic her tearful whisper sounded in the still of the night. Stop thinking about Dipper, stop thinking about Gravity Falls, and for fuck’s sake, stop thinking about Bill Cipher! There were many dangers in these hills, but Bill Cipher was not among them. Dwelling on him now would do her no good, just as it never had.

Jo wiped the grit and blood off of her palms onto her shorts. What now? She asked herself, surprised to find herself wishing for one of Dipper’s plans. She took a few more steps and halted. Her breath was coming a little heavy from the steep climb, but she found it wasn’t slowing, rattling unevenly out of her. It was catching up with her, all of it. She’d driven here fast and reckless, her foot demanding the gas pedal put more distance between her and her problems. She’d climbed in a fever, desperately scrambling up, zigzagging along the rockface in hopes she’d shake the pain that was following close behind. But she had stopped running now for the first time in all the hours since she’d fled, and she couldn’t outrun it anymore.

The tears hit her hard, tearing through the center of her like a blast from a shotgun. An agonizing certainty flooded her that everything of value was over. A lifetime of friendship and longing bubbled over in her, all bitter with the burnt taste of loss. Gone, they’re gone, they’re gone. She didn’t realize how violently she was shaking until she felt her raw knees hit the ground. She hugged herself hard, trying to hold herself together, feeling as though her body would be torn asunder by the sheer force of emotion within her. Since running from home, Jo had been trying so hard to escape the breakdown ticking away like a timebomb inside her, but now that it had detonated there was too much, far too much all at once. I’m meaningless, it screamed at her, I have always been superfluous, I have always been the other triplet, I have always been nothing. She could hear herself wailing, the heartwrenched sound eerie in the quiet of the mountaintop. What was the use? Why love so deeply when it opened you up to being infected by pain like this? There was no longer any avoiding the kiss she had seen Mabel and Dipper share. They love each other, she knew with a brutal finality, and they are complete without me.

As the weight of that realization truly sank over Jo, weighing down her shoulders, her sobs quieted. There was no reason left to cry. They were lost to her, and there was no reason to keep fighting. Jo covered her face with her hands, her tears stinging against her cuts. She held her breath for a moment, trying in vain to still the throbbing of her heart.

With a sudden prickling at the back of her neck Jolene knew something was wrong. She didn’t realize why at first. She saw nothing in the darkness behind her hands. But the trees were making a different sound now, not the whispering rustle of pine needles but a softly sinister swish. A hiss broke the silence, and she knew. It was no hiss an animal should make. Not the hiss of a cat, or even of a snake. It was the sound of menace itself given flesh.

Jo realized the swishing was not the trees, not the wind, but the sound of feathers, bristling, spreading, settling. They’re real! She thought, with an intoxicating rush of satisfaction, that she was witnessing what no one had proven. What no one survived to prove, Dipper’s voice reminded her sternly in her head. For an instant, Jo embraced the idea that she was among them, one of those who had climbed this mountain, met these monsters, met their demise. That the knowledge of them would die with her, just like countless others. But the resignation gave way nearly at once to a force far more powerful.

I’m not ready, she knew with sudden clarity, I don’t want to die. I want to get away, I want to go home! She raised her face, as if woken and startled from sleep, her eyes met with dark figures, larger than she had imagined. Her eyes adjusted, identifying fangs, feathers, talons. I’m going home in one piece. She resolved stubbornly, And I’m getting a picture before I go.

She cried out in surprise as something sliced into her shoulder. As she pulled away on reflex, she felt the weight of her pack shift, the strap on her injured shoulder severed by whatever cut her, a talon most likely, she deduced in her head. She looked around, seeking a gap between the shadowy creatures closing in around her, I’m getting home, she rose to her feet, but not if I’m dinner.

Chapter 22: Preternatural

“I cannot believe we’re doing this in the dark,” Dipper muttered for the umpteenth time. He could hear Mabel close in front of him. She was breathing heavy, grunting with every few steps. In their eagerness to get on the road, to follow Jo, Mabel had forgotten to consider the suitability of her footwear. Dipper’s flashlight was lending a little bit of assistance, but there were no two ways around the fact that flimsy ballet flats with no treads on the soles were dangerous shoes to climb a mountain in. “I cannot believe we’re doing this in the da--”

“Will you please shut your pie-hole, Dipdot?” Mabel interrupted irritably, halting and shooting him a sharp look over her shoulder, before her expression softened and she grumbled an apology.

“No, I’m sorry, Mabes,” Dipper said, honestly contrite and honestly pretty terrified, “But I just... really cannot believe we’re doing something this stupid.”

Mabel sighed and squeezed Dipper’s free hand, “I know, all those years of dorktastic lists and here you are being impulsive. But it’s for Jo-jo.”

Dipper nodded, relenting. Mabel started walking again and he followed suit, saying to her back, “I think we’re almost at the summit.”

“That’s good!” Mabel said, her enthusiasm not very convincing through the small groans of pain.

The summit is where we’ll find the Devils, if they are in fact real, Dipper considered, his heart quickening instantly at the prospect of danger so close at hand, and whether they are real is a crazy gamble. But he knew, with a certainty that scared him more than the Lone Pine Mountain Devils, that his sister needed him. He had felt both triumphant and discouraged when he parked the school van beside the Chariot. Until seeing the familiar vehicle, there had been a small shred of hope that maybe he was wrong, that maybe Jolene hadn’t come here, that maybe she was somewhere safer.

“Your silence does not inspire confidence, Dip,” Mabel chided, trying to sound like she wasn’t really frightened.

“It is good, Mabel,” Dipper said, far too late to inspire any confidence whatsoever, “It’s just also…”

“Bad.” Mabel finished, “It’s also bad.”

Dipper nodded, even though her back was to him and she couldn’t see, “On the bright side,” he said, glancing up at the dizzyingly pitch black sky, “The sun will rise before too long.”

“Bright side?? HA!” Mabel blew a raspberry, “I get it, a daylight pun. Nice one.”

“Okay, sure,” Dipper said, but couldn’t resist a chuckle. Mabel’s ability to see good news and laughter in such a bleak situation warmed him more than he could say. Was climbing a mountain in the dark without a map or gear to save their hysterical sister from nightmarish monsters insane? Certifiably. But he had Mabel and her impossible optimism to buoy him above his own terror. And she loves me, he reminded himself, a vast migration of butterflies flying through him. She loves me. And if it’s possible that my amazing, colorful, out-of-my-fucking-league sister can love me back, then hell, anything can happen.

As if on cue, said amazing, colorful sister whooped in excitement. The sound instantly pulled Dipper out of his own head, “Yo, bro-bro!” Mabel exclaimed, “This sure as shitake looks like a summit to me!”

Dipper hurried a few steps to reach her and both dread and relief swelled in his chest. Definitely a summit of some sort, they had reached a relatively flat area dotted with bushes and tall pine trees like silent, black sentinels. It was hard to tell in the dark how far it extended in any given direction, and Dipper wished fervently that the sun would rise already. He wasn’t afraid of the dark at all, but when the darkness potentially held bloodthirsty monsters, it took on a decidedly scarier quality. Dipper placed a hand on Mabel’s shoulder, “Stay close to me, Mabes,” he said, panning the beam of his flashlight across the terrain before them, “We’re safer if we don’t split up.”

“Aye-aye, cap’n,” Mabel joked, her hand finding Dipper’s again and giving it a reassuring squeeze, “The buddy system has never failed us yet.”

He squeezed Mabel’s hand gratefully, “I won’t let anything happen to you, Mabel,” he said gravely.

“Aw, you dorkus,” Mabel nudged an elbow into his side, “Haven’t you had enough sentimental mushy stuff for one night?”

“I dunnoooo,” Dipper couldn’t help shooting her a smile in the darkness, “If sentimental mushy stuff is what we’ve been doing, I think I’m developing a taste for it.”

Mabel laughed, “Okay, casanova, let’s save our sister first and then we can sentimentally mush till the cows come home.”

“Ha, okay, sounds like a plan,” Dipper agreed.

“High praise,” Mabel teased, “From the nerd who loves his plans so much.”

Dipper snorted a laugh, making no move to deny the jab. I could really go for a plan right about now, he admitted to himself, ‘the buddy system’ isn’t quite as sophisticated a plan as I would like. But he knew Mabel was right, the buddy system had never failed them. We’ve never failed each other, he told himself, and tonight was no time to start. If we could survive that first summer in Gravity Falls, he considered, we can handle some birds of prey.

“But, soft, Sir Plans-a-lot,” Mabel said, her grin audible through her mock-proper tone, “What dost thou thinketh we shalt do hence?”

“Sir Plans-a-lot?” Dipper repeated, unable to restrain the tone of admiration in his voice, “That’s a good one, Mabes.”

“Answer the question, Plans-a-lot,” Mabel needled, “What we doin’ hence?”

“...That means ‘next’, right?” Dipper clarified.

“Aye, Dipstick, verily,” Mabel said, a slight edge to her voice, “If you’d had a nice refresher on your Shakespeare earlier, ya might know that.”

“Okay, okay, message received,” Dipper replied, guilt lapping at the edges of his mind. There was no time to dwell on the Twelfth Night mishap at present, but he knew that if they got back home intact, there would be at least a week of apology favors to do. He wondered absently if apology favors would take on a different meaning in light of his and Mabel’s newfound shared feelings, but put the thought out of his mind. We’re going to get home, and I’ll worry about that then. For now...what next? And his own words, ludicrously formal, popped into his mind, ‘4B2, screen for evidence of preternatural presence’. The Lone Pine Mountain Devils were about a zillion times more dangerous and more unpredictable than Tahoe Tessie, but it seemed the inevitable next step, “Next, or hence, I guess, we should screen for evidence of preternatural presence… or Jolene.” he added. Finding Jo before the Devils would be ideal.

Mabel and Dipper lapsed into silence, walking tentatively forward. Everything is spooky as heck, Mabel thought, How are we supposed to know what the ‘preternatural’ bits are? She knew Dipper must be scared, he didn’t even like going to the mall without a plan, but he seemed calm. No doubt his mind was going a hundred miles a minute, but he wasn’t really showing it. I don’t know how he does this adventure junk, Mabel thought, trying to ignore the pain in her feet and ankles. Calling this place ‘spooky as heck’ was an understatement. Mabel had just about exhausted her reserve of humor and found herself focused simply keeping her fear at bay. Jo is here, she told herself firmly, And we’re going to find her and bring her home. No spookiness can come between the Mystery Kids.

All of Mabel’s resolve went out the window when her foot landed on something that gave a sickening, brittle snap. She felt its echo in her own bones, through the thin sole of her shoe, and knew with a nauseous certainty what it was before the illumination of Dipper’s flashlight could reveal it. Her shriek was out of her before she could think, the splintered tibia, the crumbling rows of ribs, the blindly staring skull a brilliant white. On instinct, Mabel had grabbed Dipper and he clutched her securely to his side as he swept the light around, counting softly against her forehead.

“Th-that was a person, Dipper,” Mabel pointed out superfluously.

“Yes,” Dipper agreed distractedly, “One of eight, by my count. And I know who they are.” There was a slightly vindicated tone to his voice, as if he were relieved they were real, that angered Mabel.

“Cut it out!” Mabel wrenched herself from his side, “Don’t sound so happy about it!”

“Mabes, please, I’m not happy I--”

Dipper’s words were interrupted by an infernal hiss that froze Mabel’s blood in her veins. He saw it, but she didn’t, in the instant before he shut off his flashlight. His hand grabbed herself, and they were running. Mabel’s toes were curled in his shoes, trying desperately not to lose them. In their aimlessness, they knocked into the sap-sticky trunk of one of the looming pines, “Climb,” Dipper breathed, practically inaudible, and without question, Mabel obeyed.

Continue to Part 7

[dailyaudiobible]

09/27/2018 DAB Transcript

Isaiah 51:1-53:12, Ephesians 5:1-33, Psalms 69:19-36, Proverbs 24:7

Today is the 27th day of September. Welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I am Brian. It's great to be here with you today and, of course, every day. And we come together around this global campfire every day for, well, probably for more than one reason, but for one primary reason, that is to take the next step forward as we move our way through the Bible this year. So, we have a ways to go in the book of Isaiah. So, we’ll go back out to Isaiah for our Old Testament reading and working our way through Ephesians in the New Testament. We’re reading from the New Living Translation this week. Isaiah chapter 51, 52, and 53 today.

Commentary:

Okay. So, in the book of Isaiah we spent almost the entire reading, reading prophetic utterances about Jesus and depictions of Jesus that are well known and certainly often quoted. And we can probably quote some of what we read today, right? He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God's paths to follow our own, yet the Lord laid on Him the sins of us all. That's a pretty stark portrait. Sometimes with well-known passages of Scripture we lose their impact out of repetition. This is a pretty stark picture and it spills over into what Paul is talking about in Ephesians today about living in the light. We begin to realize that the grand vista and gift of eternal life and collaboration and relationship with God right now. This didn’t just happen. It was offered to us at a great cost. And, so, the outflow of realizing this should compel us forward into the life God envisions for us.

Paul said it like this, imitate God. Okay. So, let’s just stop there. That's a big thing to say. Imitate God therefore, in everything you do because you are His dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Okay. So, on the one hand the idea that we are God's dear children and we can imitate the Almighty in everything we do is like mind blowing stuff. On the other hand, this came at a price, the sacrifice of our beloved Jesus. We can joyously partake of all of the awe-inspiring gifts that God has bestowed upon us that is being described in the book of Ephesians because they are ours for the taking, but the outpouring of love that made this possible should…should humble us and give us a view of what unconditional, true love really looks like. And where does the rubber meet the road on most of this? And we keep bringing this up as we move forward. It shows up in our marriages. This is where we would experience it first and most immediately, which is where Paul took the discussion today, right? Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord, for a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. And then for husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up His life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God's word. Okay, so like for years this particular portion of Ephesians has been used in all kinds of ways and some of them have been unhealthy and controlling. So, so husbands consider what we read in Isaiah that began everything that we’re talking about today. That is what Jesus did for you. His desire and love for you compelled Him to sacrifice Himself. You husbands, including me, are to love our wives like that, as Christ loved the church. That is a totally different thing than being manipulative and controlling and power crazy. Instead, what Ephesians reveals is that you as a husband tangibly bring the love of Jesus to your wife. Like that is a big deal. And wives, think about the same portrait we read in as Isaiah. That is what Jesus did for you. And His desire and love for you compelled Him to sacrifice Himself on your behalf. You are to submit to your husband as to the Lord, right? This doesn't mean you're to be abused. That’s a different thing. What Ephesians is talking about is, if your husband is loving you as Christ loved the church, then you must respond to that respectfully as you would to Jesus. And it’s not such a stretch to consider submitting and trusting in a love so deep that it's willing to die for you, which means that we are in a way talking about abuse or control. We are to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ, which means we are to love each other with the love of Christ as we imitate God. And, you know, the phrase is common enough to be cliché, right? Love one another with the love of Christ. But think about the implications, right? These clichés, they lose their impact. Think about what we’re saying. We are to love each other with the love of Christ that is within us as we imitate the Almighty God who has given us a new nature and dwells within us. We have some significant power. I mean, the reality we’re talking about touches everything about us and if we would pay attention to the implications and actually live into this is a reality, we would eliminate the turmoil, right? And we would find the joy of living in the light that Paul talked about today. If we won't, then…then we’ll remain in the darkness. So, Paul put it best, live as people of light for this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

Prayer:

Father, we invite You into that by first acknowledging the price that You were willing to pay to offer this to us. We acknowledge this, that it was foretold long ago and that we have the benefit of seeing that prophecy fulfilled and participating in eternal life and collaboration and relationship with You. We acknowledge that. We acknowledge that we've been living less than that significantly, and that it manifests or materializes in our lives in profound ways. And somehow we have diminished this and chosen not to live in the fullness of what You've offered us. And we see this showing up in our relationships like our marriages. We invite You Holy Spirit. This is not about dominance. This is not about being controlled or being controlling. This is about loving each other the way that You have modeled for us in laying our lives down for each other. And we confess, that’s hard and we don't always do it well. In fact, we fail more than we succeed. And yet, our marriages, this is the unit that best shows us what intimacy with You looks like. So, we can look at the condition of our marriage and we can look at the condition of our spiritual life and find striking parallels. So, we invite You Holy Spirit into all of this. Come Jesus. Less of us, more of You. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Community Prayer and Praise:

Hello my DAB family, this is Mark Street from Sydney Australia. Today is Monday, the 24th of September and I’m calling in for a few things today. I just started listening to this week’s community prayer and but God just popped a name into my mind as I was on the bus today, Arjun. I can’t even remember where you’re from but, you know what Arjun, God put you in my mind because He wants to let you know He’s thinking of you Arjun. We haven’t heard from you for a long time. And Arjun, I’m sure you’re gonna get this message because this is what God wants you to hear. So, Arjun, you’re well loved by God because He’s thinking of you. I wanted to pray for Candace from Oregon. I heard how exhausted you were and I’m praying for you too my dear sister as well and also Terry the trucker. I can feel the…the dismay in your voice to __. So, I’m going to pray for these three people. Heavenly Father, we come to You with lots of worries and __ and it’s bringing us down to the point of exhaustion in our life Lord. And I feel this as well Lord. So, I empathize with our dear brothers and sisters here. Lord, sometimes life can get so hard that we don’t feel that there’s a way out and we thank You Lord that You’ve given us this community that we can come to, to unload our burdens to You dear Jesus. And Candace and Terry are coming to You feeling exhausted as well. And Lord we ask You to please God give Candace that rest she needs. __ her birthday as well Father. And give her life __. Bless her son as well as Candace said he has improved, but sometimes, we so want our children to…

Good afternoon Daily Audio Bible family this is Anita out of Ohio. It is September 23rd, Sunday 10:12 PM and I’m calling in regards to my mother. She has stage IV cancer and it’s really looking like it’s at its final stages. And all the way up until this point a few days ago before she came really lethargic and not being able to move, she held onto a lot of resentment and anger up until this point. So, I’m asking that you guys keep her lifted in prayer and that God, you know, softens her heart because she can’t really speak right now. So, it’s not good at all if she holds onto this. And I’m pretty sure this is what helped to feed the cancer as well. So, any of you who are holding onto anger or resentment, just know that a result of this, it affects your body and it’s not for the better. It really, really makes you sick and you start to see it through the symptoms. It plays out in the symptoms that you experience, such as cancer, heart disease, and almost lot of other things __. But anyway, if you could just keep her lifted in prayer. Pray for her heart. And I’m praying that she could be healed. I believe God; however I still trust Him. Whatever He chooses to do with her. And just keep praying. Thank you. Love you all and I am praying with you daily.

This is Michelle from Gettysburg. Good morning daily Bible. I am calling on the 24th of September for a gentleman, I missed his name, calling about his teen. And she’s got a new phone and just parenting teenagers. I would say to you and to all of us, myself included, God has their hearts and we can’t live in fear. How many times do we hear do not fear, do not be afraid? And if we would look those scriptures up we would see that God just doesn’t drop us at do not be afraid. He gives us more. When Peter’s stepping out of the boat He says, be encouraged, be courageous, do not be afraid. So, look up those “do not be afraid” and see what the follow-on part is because God has our heart He has our teenagers. I would also say, in lessons learned, I’ve never been a 51-year-old with an 18-year-old. So, all of that is new to us, right? We lean on God and they see our strength leaning on God. But it’s also a time where they want to talk and they want to have their opinion heard. And we’ve learned that if we do what Jesus did, ask questions that don’t end in the yes or no answers. If we do what Jesus did in looking for just the right words, He asked so many questions because He knew that each one of us has the answer within and He’s drawing it out. And in Proverbs, we’re to draw out those things, mostly in our teenagers I have found. Let them answer so they hear their answer and they don’t block out our words because they don’t hear us. They have to hear it. Draw out of them by asking questions cause God has already put the answer within them. And, of course, always directing them back to Jesus who is our strength. As the will see us lean on Him they too will lean on. So, I would say, parents of teenagers, do not be afraid. Be courageous and brave.

He DAB family this is Jocelyn and Atlanta. I just…I want to call and pray for everyone. And when I say everyone, I…I honestly…I mean everyone on this planet. I just…I know myself and my family we’re experiencing a lot of challenges right now and I know we’re not alone in that. And, so, I just want to lift everyone up in prayer right now. Heavenly Father, we thank You so much that we can come before You and ask for Your encouragement and for Your protection. And Lord, I just pray against any attacks of the enemy that would come against anyone, spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally, financially. God I just…I lay this all that Your feet and we bind the attack of the enemy with the blood of Jesus because we know that He paid that price to protect us, to keep us safe, to watch over us, and to give us the opportunity to rely on You and Your strength and not our own strength and that we don’t have to figure this all out, that You’ve got it all figured out. We already know how this ends. You win and the enemy is defeated. And we take comfort and solace and we are inspired in knowing that we do not need to feel overwhelmed and that we are loved by You and that we are called by You to show Your love to others and even in the most challenging and different cult of circumstances. Lord we love You and we ask that You would bring to our attention anything that needs to be dealt with on our part to be able to make us whole and You. And I thank You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. Love You DAB family. Have a great day.