#I need to get off tumblr now its a tad bit late

[aliens-took-my-iwa-chan]

to my followers

I am. so sorry-

[angelnix]

go-go dancer · coriolanus snow

i'm your go-go dancer, midnight answer, jukebox sweetheart, queen of the night, vegas baby, if you pay me.

; youngpresident!coryo , gogodancer/stripper!reader, a tad bit suggestive, mentions of alcohol.

w/c: 1.2k

a/n - hi omg ! this is my first-ever fic/drabble thingy on tumblr (have mercy on me), so there may be grammatical errors + a bit new to writing. i dont have a set plan for this exactly .. but enjoy ♡

p.s, critique is wanted n welcomed !! (just make sure its polite please) likes & reblogs very appreciated!

He was tired.

Tired of presidency, dealing with the districts, finding partnerships for the betterment of the Games. He's sick of it. Sick of it all.

It was a late night when something in him—something different, desperate even,—led Snow to a club. It wasn't all surprising for him to be at a bar late at night, but that was for meetings and deals. This time was different.

Snow wasn't the type to go to trashy clubs, to party with half-naked women, get hazily drunk.

But he was tired, exhausted even. He needed something to cool him off, just for a little while. Some fun.

𓈒⠀𓂃⠀⠀˖⠀𓇬⠀˖⠀⠀𓂃⠀𓈒⠀𓂃⠀⠀˖⠀𓇬⠀˖⠀⠀𓂃⠀𓈒

Opening the mahogany doors, a mix of alcoholic scents and heavy perfume washes over him.

The blonde walks over to a private booth, with his gaurds and velvet ropes surrounding the area. Taking his long coat off, exposing his white button-up. Raising his hand, he orders rum.

A waitress walks over, taking note of his order and vanishing. Shes pretty, yeah, but she isn't that eye-catching. What ultimately catches his eyes is one of the dancers, her long hair and perfectly sculpted body completely encapsulates his attention.

His eyes wander all over her body, the way her hair perfectly falls over her shoulders, her pretty arms, the way she danced. He's watering over her image when the lady from earlier hands his glass of rum.

"Your order, Sir." She gives him a flirtatious smile. Snow thanks her, although his gaze still fixated on the dancer.

He's practically eating her out with his eyes.

The waitress clears her throat, feeling the awkwardness of the situation, she can practically feel the tension of his gaze, and walks away, toward the dancer, tapping her exposed thigh and whispering something to her ear.

The noirette slows down her moves, gazing back at Snow. A slight smile creeps up her face, getting off the platform and pole, she walks over.

'Boy's desperate, hm?' You think to yourself. God, what an ego boost. You couldn't lie, Mr. President was definitely attractive. His veiny hands, his platinum blonde locks, the way the outline of his biceps peak through his white button-up shirt.

Your attraction spikes up even more when you reach his booth, he ever-so-slightly huffs when he sees her approach. Your body, your scent, he's desperate for your touch, and he doesn't even know your name.

One of Snow's bodygaurds gives him a glance, asking for confirmation if you could come in. Snow of course, nods immediately, letting the desperation leak through his actions.

You study his expression, his eyes are fixated on you; desperately wanting to touch, to feel you. Sitting down beside him, he adjusts his position, shifting his body to face you.

"Hi." The blonde blurts, it's not like him to feel shy, but the tension in between the two feels suffocating. "Your name?"

You flutter your lashes, why couldn't you answer? The fact that he is the president plays into the loss of your confidence, but that's not it. Was it the fact he towers over you, even when sitting down? His energy? Looks? The newfound confidence was immediately gone, the power now passing over to Snow as he realizes that you're not quite confident as he thought you were.

"Lux, Sir." You speak up, your eyes meeting his. He raises an eyebrow, doubting, 'Typical go-go dancer name, I guess.' Snow thinks to himself, he says "Is it really?", The man chuckles.

"No," replying, you move closer to him, "but it's something could find out later on maybe?". Trying to regain your confidence, you position yourself, legs slanted, exposing your heels. You place a hand on his thigh, and with your free hand, you trace the buttons of his shirt.

This sends a tingle down his spine. His attraction towards you was skyrocketing. Never once in his life has he felt like this.

"Nice shirt." You hum, taking off your hand on his thigh, you unbutton the first button, letting a bit of his chest peak through. "Better, no?" the girl gives him a grin, her lips oh so plump and pretty.

The tension between the two is still there. No words spoken, until she asks him for a sip of his drink, he agrees, handing her the glass. The taste of liquor warms her throat, her face immediately reddening. "Tolerance ain't high, huh?" he's amused at the fact. "Ironic, isn't it. I'm a go-go dancer with a weak tolerance for alcohol, the only thing they serve here."

It's funny. With all the years of her being here, you've never gotten properly drunk. Tipsy, maybe. But drunk? Never.

"I can change that." Snow says, raising his hand to order once more. He orders her a martini, something cute for the pretty lady.

A few sips in and you're alread tipsy, your words come out more loosely than intended.

"You know, Mr. President? I really can't lie, your're quite attractive. I like your hair. Is it natural?" You run a hand through his hair, as if it was just another one of your girlfriends.

Surprised, Snow doesn't resist. He finds it quite relaxing, actually.

Your hands move from his hair to his neck, near his shoulder, feeling him up and down, until your hand moves down to his chest.

He smiles, her touchㅡ so warm, feels innocent even. He's delighted with her, but he isn't satisfied. Not yet. He takes her hand, gently giving it a kiss.

"You're a pretty lady. Has anyone told you that?" The man asks, already knowing the answer. "Well, I think you can guess. I am half-naked 12 hours a shift after all." You chuckle, the alcohol is most definitely getting to you.

"Twirl for me, will you?" Snow asks, as if on command, you stand up immediately, giving him a twirl.

The frills on your extra miniskirt glisten in the dark lights, with the satin shining so prettily. Your bra-like top with a ribbon in the center catches his eye.

You finish giving him the twirl, a bit dizzy as the alcohol makes your senses numb a little.

"You like?" Raising your eyebrow, you give him a little grin. "Mhm. I do, pretty girl."

Your heart beats a little faster, and you feel your cheeks burn up a bit. Confusing.

'Is it the alcohol, or am I attracted to this man?'

He spreads his long legs just a bit, patting his thigh, he signals for you to sit. And you do, facing him. You cup his face with your hands unsure why. The man doesn't complain so you go along your way.

You converse, asking him what brings him here, "It's hard running a country, is all I can say," He answers.

You both don't kiss, or do anything else for the night. Though you both know you want to go further, unspokenly, none of you make a move. Instead of lust, (though lust may be for later on,) Snow finds you so captivating, like something so fresh it relieves him from all his stresses.

Attraction takes over and your hot breath approaches his cheek, giving it a quick kiss, then to his neck, the kisses turning sloppy. You can tell he loves it, but he sighs, not wanting to go further, unlike earlier, he stops you. "Not yet, pretty." The man says, pulling away. You pout, longing to go further, "Next time." he assures, giving your back a nice rub.

"Ah.. So there'll be a next time?" you reply in a cheeky tone,

"Yes, pretty girl. There most certainly will be."

And just like that, you gain a regular.

𓈒⠀𓂃⠀⠀˖⠀𓇬⠀˖⠀⠀𓂃⠀𓈒⠀𓂃⠀⠀˖⠀𓇬⠀˖⠀⠀𓂃⠀𓈒

[camrynsthoughts]

should I send this to u? I don’t think so.

using writing as an escape and to let out my thoughts has always been one of my simple pleasures in life so here I am logging back into my depressing Tumblr  account. I am sitting here on a Monday night at 11 pm, with a sore throat, listening to my “it’s the past for a reason” Spotify playlist. and of course, my brain can’t simply shut up and be quiet, it has to constantly be running and thinking. and guess who it decided to think about tonight? you.

it’s been almost two months since I heard from you last and I finally told you how I felt. and let me tell you, that shit was humbling. why did I think it was going to go any different than it did? I don’t know but it’s no surprise that I'm a tad bit delusional. so that was that and I guess I'll never hear from you again. I've done my best to ignore the fact that conversation had happened and that it was, like, really the end. but when will I learn that ignoring my emotions and pretending I'm in la la land isn’t a cure to my problems. then came last night, driving home from Bloomington and listening to music when my brain finally decided it couldn’t ignore the fact that you exist but not in my life. 

it’s such a fucking roller coaster of emotions because I know I did the right thing by saying how I truly felt about you still. and I know you did the right thing by saying you’ll stop randomly messaging me. but it’s so hard to realize that was actually the end.. or was it because I mean, we’ve said that a million times before. not the point though (this is the delusion talking). driving home from Bloomington last night, all I wanted to do was text you and ask if we could talk in your car. I just had this feeling in my gut that I needed to talk to you and nobody else. this conversation was only meant for you. you’d always tell me I could rant to you and get everything off my chest and I never had anything to get off my chest. but last night I finally did and you weren’t there. and that’s when it really fucking hit me hard that I have to get the fuck over it.

I've been so angry lately. I feel like you from before when we weren’t as mature. you were always angry and I never understood how someone could have so much anger in them, but holy fuck, I honestly get it. I'm such an angry human being and it’s so ugly. but I'm sick of being nice and happy and optimistic, holy fuck I just want to be a ball of anger. when I think of you, I get this mix of love and nostalgia but then it turns into this ugly anger. I know you’re living life and happier than before and that makes me happy for you but holy fuck I'm sick of being brainwashed for years into thinking I didn’t deserve happiness and love because I fucking do. and it enrages me knowing that everyone I know has it and I still don’t til this day. it’s not your fault but god damn I just feel so drained. and at this point I don’t have the capability to be sad. I don't remember the last time I felt sad. its just anger now. and I feel like such a bitter, jealous bitch but I don't care. I think I am allowed to be angry that everyone in my life that has thrown me off to the side is the happiest they’ve ever been while I still suffer silently with absolutely no one. 

I had such a strong urge Sunday night to talk to you, see you, anything. I knew that wasn’t tangible but I was just playing out in my head me somehow getting ahold of you. and then you’d say you’re in town and that I could drive over. I'd jump in your car and just go off. not even on you, but just in general. I want to scream and I want to release all my anger because holy shit I just want to cry. I can't get myself to cry. I have so many emotions I need to release and no one would get it but you. I'm just so fucking confused because I'm not mad at you whatsoever, but why did I get the shit end of the stick? I know I'm a good person and I deserve so fucking much in life and I don't get good things that come my way. I get stepped all over and treated like garbage and I'm so fucking sick of it. why do you get to be happy now and I don't get to be as well? its selfish but I just wish I understood the way that the universe works. 

im kind of going off on this tangent of being angry but since I can’t talk to you I guess I can just write this mess. its funny how I want to be a writer and this is the shit I write in my free time. very embarrassing because writing a diary entry isn't art Camryn. whatever that's not the point. you know, I've always wanted to send you my writing. but that would be kind of creepy because majority of it is about loving you. and also you’d then see how shit of a writer I am. but it’s also the purest part of me and I wish you could've gotten to see that. god I'm getting so off topic. but it’s my writing so I can do and say whatever really.

you know sometimes I think I’ll never get over this hurt that I was never enough for you. and I know it seems silly to say that but it’s how I feel and I'm allowed to feel how I feel. you always put me off to the side and you cheated on girls with me and I was always like this side piece and I knew it but I let myself believe I wasn't. you'd tell me I was the girl you wanted to end up being with and that now just “wasn’t the time”. so you’d talk and date other girls but then still talk to me on the side and feed me all this delusion that it’d be my time one day and that one day never came and it fucks with my head still to this day. I gave you three plus years of my life and I don't regret it at all but holy shit I wish I knew how it felt to be someone’s first choice. because lets be for real, I was never your first choice or you would've been with me and not hurting me. I remember I was so delusional thinking I actually had a chance at being your real girlfriend one day. it’s so hard when someone has hurt you so much yet has also given you the most love you’ve ever been given in your life. that’s why this shit tears me apart so much because I shouldn't love you still but god damn I still do because I don't think you're a bad person at all. I just wish I was given that chance but I never really got that, and if I did, I blew it by being psycho because I didn’t want to let you go again. I believe I ruined it for myself but I also believe I never really had a fair chance honestly because I don’t know if I'd ever be enough for you. or maybe I was too much for you. I could never tell which one was true.

I'll be honest, it pisses me off that you’re with the girl that caused me to officially leave you back in 2020. it pisses me off thinking about the possibility if I didn't give up on you that she could’ve been me. but also I don’t know what makes me think that could’ve even happened because you would’ve still chosen her over me and I know you would’ve. and that's why I left. and it seems like I was right because it seems like you guys are still going strong. but then that pisses me off even more because you aren’t even 100% loyal to her since me and you had our moments over the last year. and then it makes me realize that you haven’t changed. and I don’t know why you cheat on your girlfriends with me and I don't know why I believe if I ever did get that fair chance of dating you that you wouldn’t cheat on me. it pisses me off because I'm still In love with a cheater and I’m the one who can’t seem to be happy or find love. is this all making it make sense why I am such an angry person lately?

I know that kind of just dragged you and honestly, id say I apologize but if anything you kind of deserve it. but I'll make it even by filling you in on a secret. I never ever cheated on you, and I know I never would if I ever got the chance of being your only girl. but I cheated on my most recent ex. and no one knows because it’s fucked up and I'm embarrassed about it. so I can sit here and make it seem like you’re an asshole, and I mean you have had your asshole moments. but so have i. so I can’t hate you as much as sometimes I wish I could. sometimes I think this is also why I have so much anger in me. because I know I can be a hypocrite because god damn it camryn, why are you shitting on your first love for being a cheater when you went ahead and became a cheater as well? it was only a kiss. but then I also tried reaching out to you a few times when I was in my last relationship so that shows I didn’t love the dude like that. I still wanted you and it hurt. I'm honestly just so sick of feeling hurt and not enough. 

my recent ex was a fucking loser, bitch made, liar. but it gives me peace knowing I'll go so much further than he will in life. I was the brains in our relationship and I wore the pants and it was cool but I couldn’t date a guy like that. I like being recognized as being smart and a bad ass bitch but I need my man to be equal to that as well, not a sore loser. and that’s why I fucking love you so much because you’re the complete opposite of him when it came to everything I hated about him. he was so... dumb sometimes. but you, you are intelligent and I could sit down and talk to you for forever. I could never with him.  and don’t get me started on his music taste and fashion .... you’d roast me. 

where have I gotten with this writing? honestly no where but I can’t talk to anyone about this shit so this is all I got. i wish I could be sitting in front of you right now and just get every single little thing off of my chest without any judgement. I'm a mess and its not fun and I'm angry and sick of feeling like total shit. I'm sick of not feeling like I can be loved fully and loyally. but why would I even deserve that when I've cheated and I've helped people cheat? am I a good person? or am I just as shitty as everyone that I shit on? it makes you think. whether I'm a shitty person or not, I'm sick of feeling like shit. and I'm sick of seeing people who are as shitty as me be happy. like Im happy you're happy... but I wish I could be too at the end of the day. I wish I could be happy with you or without you but unfortunately, it’s been years and I'm still struggling. 

[midnightswithdearkatytspb]

Mob bucky/seb or mob chris/andy recs??

Updated 07/04/21 ✨ = Just Added

To be added please tag me in your future works!

Hey Anon! I’m so glad you asked this because Mob/Mafia! Any version of those boys is my favorite. In my previous fic recs I recommended...

If love was an option by @mianorth » Bucky Barnes x Reader — Part 1 🦋 Part 2 🦋 Part 3

Good Little Wife & Good Little Girl by @donutloverxo » Mob!Andy Barber x Reader – A little dark and it has some really good smut in it.

Blackmail by @stargazingfangirl18 » Soft!DarkMafia Andy Barber x Female Reader — You were just doing it to protect your family, at least that’s what you kept telling yourself, especially once you started to like it. (One-Shot)

Blow Sweet and Thick by @angrythingstarlight » Mafia!Bucky x Reader — Bucky is having a bad day, you can help him feel good. (Part of Mafia Monday’s)

Run To You by @bestofbucky » Mob!Boss Bucky x Reader — Mob boss Bucky Barnes hires you to be his bodyguard. (Series)

Can’t Run, Can’t Hide by @angrythingstarlight » Dark!MafiaBucky Barnes x Reader — When you get noticed by the infamous mob boss, you flee. But Bucky doesn’t like to be denied anything and he’s coming for you. (One-shot)

Six Feet | Ch.1 ⚰️ Ch.2 by @queenoftheworldisdead » Dark Mob!Steve x Reader + Dark Mob!Bucky x Reader — Your family’s small funeral home comes into financial trouble. In desperation your father finds the most unlikely solution to solve his financial problems. | (Short Series)

Bankrupt by @mypoisonedvine » dark!40’s!Mob!Stucky x Reader — Your husband’s gambling addiction quickly got him in hot water with the mob, and you by extension. When some debt collectors come by to settle what is owed, you realize that you have a lot more to worry about than money problems.

Partition by @angrythingstarlight » Mob!Bucky Barnes x Reader — Bucky comforts you after a bad day, and your boss learns why no one messes with his girl. —> Part 2: Let Me Show You — You wanted to know what your mobster boyfriend did, lucky for you he’s more into the show then tell.

Say the word and it’s yours by @angrythingstarlight » Mafia!Bucky Barnes x Reader — Your mobster boyfriend rescues you from a long, boring day at work. Bucky always said, “ask and its yours”

Lost Without You by @angrythingstarlight » Mafia!Bucky Barnes x Reader — Bucky Barnes would be lost with you. You’re his everything and he plans on spending Valentine’s Day proving it to you.

All Dressed In White by @angrythingstarlight » Dark!Mafia Bucky Barnes x Reader — You were going to marry someone else, Bucky won’t let that happen. You belong to him now and forever. Till Death Do You Part.

Thick As Thieves by @angrythingstarlight » Mafia!Bucky Barnes x Reader x Mafia!Steve Rogers — The only thing the Mafia hates as much as snitches are thieves. And you’re planning on stealing from Bucky and Steve, what happens if you get caught?

Won’t Let You Go by @kind-of-crazy-butthatsokay » Mob!Bucky Barnes x OFC!Kori — Kori met Bucky in one of his clubs, out to get shit-faced with a couple of friends to forget about her worries and maybe take home a guy to further rid herself of her numerous frustrations. Little did she know that the one-night stand with Bucky would turn into so much more than that.

Tell Me What You Want by @angrythingstarlight » Mafia!Steve Rogers x Reader; Mafia!Bucky Barnes x Reader — Your mob boyfriend, is none other than Steve Rogers and he is willing to get you whatever you wanted, all you have to do is ask. And be careful what you ask for because he’s going to give it to you over and over again.

To Have & To Hold by @slyyywriting » Bucky Barnes x Mob Boss!Reader — Bucky is trying his best to provide and care for his daughter who just entered first grade. Everything was alright until she asks why everyone else seems to have a mom except for her. You’re just a plain mob boss who wants to turn a new leaf. Challenges arise when the world refuses to let you take a softer, non-violent route. A little girl helps you navigate a compromise.(series)

✨ Mob!Sugar Daddy!Stucky Moodboard by @brattycherubwrites » Mob!Stucky x Reader

✨ Laced Around Your Throat by @angrythingstarlight » Mafia!Steve x Reader, Mafia!Bucky x Reader — Your Mob boyfriend knows that the only thing that looks even better than his hand around your throat is his custom made necklace. You’re his girl and the world needs to know it.

✨ Hidden Gems by @jtargaryen18 » Mob!Steve Rogers x Mob!Daughter Reader — Your father is the head of one of the most powerful crime families in Boston but he’s protected you from that life. In your quiet home outside the city, you’ve been cared for and protected. When the desires of a more powerful man with the will to dominate bursts into your life, all your illusions are shattered as he comes to claim what is his.

Necessary Arrangements by @stargazingfangirl18 » Andy Barber x Fem!Reader, Ari Levinson x (Different) Fem! Reader ft. Ransom Drysdale » One of my favorite series, chapters are decent sized and the smut is so good!

Hugs My Love by @thatfuckingweirdo » Mobster!Bucky Barnes x Reader — You just really need a hug, and Bucky is the only one you want it from.

my old man is a tough man, but he got a soul as sweet as blood red jam by @cloudystevie » Mob Boss!Steve Rogers x Fem!Reader — steve gives you what you want… kind of.

Brooklyn Wars by @world-of-aus » Stucky x Reader

Petals and Bullets by @revengingbarnes » Mob!Bucky Barnes x Reader (One of my all time favorites series)

I would check out @sinner-as-saint’s Masterlist they have quite a few Mob!Bucky series and one-shots that I have loved in the past.

Special by @buckycuddlebuddy » Bucky Barnes x Reader — this one-shot is really hot.

Love, Honor, and Obey by @constantwriter85 » Bucky Barnes — This one is good and I need to catch up on.

Mafioso by @captain-barnes-writes » Bucky Barnes x Reader — Please do yourself a favor and read.

Lipstick and Crayons by @oneoftheprettynerds » Dark!Steve Rogers x Reader - In Progress

A really good DarkMob!Steve Drabble called Please Hurt Me by @gotnofucks *chefs kiss*

The Mobster’s Little Girl by @smutsonian » Steve Rogers x Reader

off to the races 🐻 off to the races 2 by @harryspet » Soft!Dark Steve Rogers x Reader

The Ignorant Beauty & the Beast by @mysterioh » Steve Rogers x Reader – With 21 parts sadly it hasn’t been updated in 8 months, it’s one of my favorite Mob!Steve Roger fics out there. *Thanks to @inactivewhore I found out this story was moved to AO3 and is now called where angels fear to tread it was last updated on 13/11/20*

What It Takes by @cherienymphe » Bucky Barnes x Reader — You left Bucky once you found out who he really is. The one thing you thought would guarantee your safety ends up sealing your fate.

Welcome Home by @punani » Chris Evans x Black!Reader — He’s been away for awhile, but he knows that his girl’s loyalty to him knows no bounds. Knows she’s been waiting for him after her adamancy in telling him there was no other option. It’s only right to make the reunion a memorable one. | So, so, so, so freaking good!

These are what I found on Tumblr that I plan on reading.

Handmaid by @extremelyblackandwhite » Sebastian Stan x ingenue!Reader — y/n works as a handmaid for the daughter of an influential mob leader who is promised to the new boss of the most powerful mob family in new york, sebastian.

AO3 Website Reccomendations

Satellite Heart » Stucky x Reader — You used to be Steve and Bucky's girl. Then they fucking left without saying goodbye. Little did they know, you were pregnant. But life went on. You raised your Talia to the best of your ability. But one day, everything goes to shit. Now your boys are back in your life. And they're not planning on leaving anytime soon.

Little Fox A/B/O Series » Soft!Dark Bucky Barnes x Soft!Dark Natasha Romanoff x OFC! & Peter Parker x Soft!Dark Tony Stark — So I can’t stress this enough you need to read the tags for this series and I kept getting confused as I read this story as to how old Violet Mason is. But this series takes you on a roller coaster, I like it, my cousin didn’t finish it, I need to catch up.

Pelmeni *finished* » Stucky x Reader — James Bucky Barnes has a good life, as a member of a powerful organized crime syndicate. His best friend Steve is a member too and his literal partner in crime. Bucky's got a problem though. You. His longtime love and secret girlfriend. Unfortunately, your father is his boss and has plans for you that involve normal life. Steve has a problem too. Steve wants in on your relationship and more than the semi-regular/occasional steamy threesomes. You don't have a problem, you're just busy with a big mob wedding coming up, which means a big celebration, that you're busy catering for.

Dying For This Love » Dark!Bucky x Reader — That was before. When you were Bucky’s girl. Now, you have a score to settle. That’s why you’re wearing Bucky’s favorite red satin dress, the one with the cuts that reach right up to the tops of your thighs, the tennis necklace he gifted you for your anniversary, and are fresh off of a mani/pedi and hair appointment. He’s going to regret the day he fucked with you. | This one is intense and a tad bit dark, but the smut is good.

off to the races » Steve Rogers x Reader — In which you call the kingpin your Daddy.

The Mobster’s Little Girl » Steve Rogers x Reader — what happens when the big bad mobster gets blackmailed by your father to marry you? (kind of fluffy kind of not. kinda dark kinda not.)

Brooklyn Sweethearts » Dark!Stucky x Reader — Bucky and Steve had always been meant to keep her safe and happy. As far as anyone else was concerned, that was their sole reason for being alive. Unfortunately, the things that kept her safe were not always the things that kept her happy. Lately, she was making it pretty damn hard for them to compromise. | Probably one of my all time favorite Mafia!Stucky stories I have ever read, just sadly it also hasn’t been updated in like 8 months and I keep hoping it will get updated.

Hot Doll » Skinny!MobBoss Steve Rogers x Reader — Steve Rogers is on the rise in the New York underground as you’re trying to keep your own place there. | Dark and good!

Doctor Doctor » Steve Rogers x PlusSize! Reader — (1940 Mobster AU!) You're a war widow down on her luck; and the King of Brooklyn, Steve Rogers, takes notice. | Another one of my favorites. A little bit dark as well.

The Widow » Dark!MobBoss x Reader — It’s the 1920s and everyone’s having a roaring time but you. | Trust me it’s just dark enough.

Those are just some on AO3, I would just go through Mafia AU tag and go to filter and click Avengers or Captain America.

[cappsikle]

It’ll be ok // fred weasley

Pairing: fred weasley x reader

Summary: the world just seems a little too heavy, but luckily, you have him by your side.

Warnings: it gets just a tad heavy mental health wise / not all of it is proofread so please forgive that

Word Count: 2.6k 

A/N: Hey guys!! Sooo this is my first ever fic on tumblr! I would just like to dedicate this piece to @ickle-ronniekins as it was her and a bunch of talented writers that inspired me to get back to writing, and I wouldn’t be doing this if it wasn’t for them!

Also if you like this fic please reblog! It would mean a lot if you did!

This fic is just a huge projection from my own feelings, quarintine has got me in my feels, and I’m sure everyone could do with some Freddie comfort. Enjoy!! <3

-----

There you were, hunched over various textbooks and pieces of parchment that seemed to cover the whole table. Fred looked up at the clock on the wall above the fireplace and then back down to you. Something in his eyes changed as he walked over to the table, quickly bidding goodnight to George and Lee as they headed up to the dorms.  

Fred sat in the chair next to yours and he couldn’t help to just take a minute to admire you. But from glancing at you now, Fred knew that something wasn’t right. From your usually very well-kept hair that now looked as though you ran your fingers through it at least a hundred times throughout the night to your joyless and sunken eyes, eyes that used to hold all the joy and spark Fred loved most about you, but are now just dull and almost... lifeless.

For a while now, Fred had noticed small changes in the way you’ve been acting recently, and it wasn’t even just him, all your other friends had taken notice as well, but no one knew what to do. It wasn’t until this very moment as he watched you tire yourself out with work that he realised just how much had changed, and he felt a pang of guilt for not talking to you about it sooner. So, in the softest voice he could muster, Fred tried to coax you from your work whilst placing a gentle hand on your arm. “Hey, love. ‘S getting a bit late, reckon we should head up to bed?”  

Your head snapped up at Fred as he spoke, only now taking notice of his presence, but you then quickly looked back down to continue scribbling mercilessly on the parchment. You needed to get this essay done before tomorrow, otherwise, you’ll slowly but surely fall behind on everything else. You can’t let that happen,  

“I’m sorry Fred, I really can’t. I have to finish this stupid essay for potions”  

“For potions? Isn’t that due next week?” You looked back up at Fred, your eyes widening as you became more distressed.  

“I-I know but if I get this done now then I can use my time to focus on other assignments. I’ve fallen behind and I need to catch up.” Fred slowly nodded his head in understanding. It seemed like a good enough excuse, hell, he’s been in this exact position before, pulling his fair share of all-nighters for assignments due the next day, but when Fred looked deep into your eyes, there was something there that he couldn’t quite place. Desperation? He wasn’t sure. 

“Look, love, you’re wearing yourself thin. You need a break”  

You don’t know why, but suddenly you’re very irritated. It’s possibly due to how much sleep you’re getting, well, more like lack of sleep. You don’t know why, but suddenly you’re snapping at him “Fred, I don’t need a break so can you just please leave me alone?” 

You don’t want to look at him, for the fear of seeing a look of hurt or the resentment that’s bound to be there you’re not sure you can take that sort of thing, so you lower your head and quickly wriggle your arm free from under his hand.  

Fred tried not to feel offended, he really tried, but you removing your arm from his touch just nicked him in his chest. He knew you didn’t have a problem with him, he knew this was something that seemed too out of his control, but he just wished he knew what to do to make you feel better. Maybe giving you some space should help.   

“Okay... I’ll head to bed then. Try not to stay up too late, yeah? I’ll see you in the morning. Goodnight” Fred placed a quick and gentle kiss to the crown of your head as he stood up and walked towards the stairs. Before ascending, he looked back towards you still slumped in your chair, and an unsettling feeling crawled its way into his stomach. With one final look, he walked up the stairs towards his room.  

Once Fred left, you chucked down your quill in frustration and rapidly ran your hands through your hair, pulling at the roots in distress. You hated this. You hated how you get annoyed at things that shouldn’t annoy you, you hated how it was impossible to get a good night’s rest, you hated how your mind just wouldn’t. Shut. Up. And what’s worst of all, you loathed how you keep pushing the one person who seems to give a crap about you. It’s not like there’s a lot of people who do.  

A sharp pain nestled in your chest, but you tried to ignore it, you always did. You weren’t even sure what it meant. Anxiety? Guilt? It was probably a mixture of both. You didn’t know how, or when, you allowed it to get so bad. With Umbridge slowly taking over the school alongside her vile punishments (you’ve had your fair share of them), the upcoming N.E.W.Ts that you needed to ace and the stress of keeping up with the DA meetings. But that doesn’t even seem like the half of it. Every little inconvenience had the power to ruin the rest of your day.  

You couldn’t deal with it anymore, with any of it. You just wished there was a way to make the world slow down to grab your bearings, to just actually breathe. You released a big sigh and grabbed your quill again, but the tip doesn’t even touch the paper. It’s stuck, just like you. Eventually, you fold your arms on the table and rest your head on them. You know you must finish but maybe... just five minutes won’t hurt. Just five minutes.   

---  

Fred lay awake on his bed, staring up at the ceiling for merlin knows how long. That weird feeling in his stomach didn’t go away, something just felt extremely off. Fred checked the watch located on the table beside his bed. It was pretty late; he’d been awake for at least a couple hours. Knowing that he wasn’t going to be getting any sleep anytime soon, Fred threw the covers from his body and gently got out of bed, careful to not wake any of his sleeping roommates.  

By the time he made it down to the bottom of the stairs, he was already wishing to be back in bed, however, what he saw made him stop in his tracks. You were still there, this time unmoving with your head resting on your arms and your deep and even breathing. Why were you still here and not in bed? As carefully as he could, Fred walked over to your sleeping self and gently laid a hand on your shoulder squeezing just enough to rouse you.  

After a few more gentle squeezes you started to stir awake. Fred almost felt bad for waking you, but he knew that you would have a much better time sleeping in an actual bed than a desk. You lifted your head and Fred couldn’t help to admire the sheer adorableness of your sleepy form. Your hair was dishevelled and sticking up in a few places, your cheek was red from where it was resting and the tiny noises that came from you whilst you stretched. However, as much as he’d love to stare, he knew he had to take care of you, or at least get you to bed.  

Once you had done stretching, you looked around the table until your eyes landed on an arm, which trailed all the way to Fred’s face. You were taken aback at suddenly seeing his face next to yours, but you quickly calmed down upon looking into his soft eyes, the glow of the fire making his brown orbs look more alive and opening.  

“Hey,” Fred said, a small smirk appearing at the corner of his lips.  

“Hi,” you smile back. For a moment, when you looked into his eyes, you felt warm, like you were safe, you always did. You loved Fred, you loved him so much but often at times you caught yourself doubting whether or not you deserved to be with him, and each and every time Fred did his absolute best to prove your thoughts wrong. Looking into his eyes, you just get that feeling... the feeling of coming home to a warm bed after a cold day. Sometimes, you feel as if your heart might explode from the amount of love you have for him, you couldn’t even out into words. But that warm and safe feeling was quickly diminished and replaced with dread once you looked down to the mess that was sitting on the table. Darn this stupid assignment.

“Crap, I can’t believe I fell asleep!” you groan as you shuffled through some of the parchment, trying to find the one you needed.

“Hey, hey, hey, slow down there” Fred placed his hand on top of yours, trying to stop your erratic movements. “Don’t you think it’s time to take a bit of a break? It’s nearly two a.m.”

“Fred, I can’t just ‘take a break’, I’ve got too much to do,”

“And it’ll all still be here after you’ve had some sleep,”

You released a groan in frustration and turned to face him, your irritation getting the better of you. “Don’t you get it? That’s the problem!” your voice started to rise with each word, the stress and lack of sleep catching up to you. “If I stop now then I’ll fall behind and I just can’t let that happen, ok? So just back off.”

“Hey,” Fred grabbed your cheeks in both his hands and guided your face, so you were looking at him. Seeing your widened eyes and reddened cheeks concerned him, as this was just so unlike you. What happened to this happy-go-lucky and incredibly bubbly person go? The person who had the purest soul than anyone he knew? You just looked... tired. He knew he had to tread carefully here if we wanted to crack all your walls to understand what the hell is going on.

You moved your hands up to try and remove his from his face, but his grip tightened ever so slightly to make your attempts futile. “Look, I’m worried about you. All this,” he tilted his head to the side to gesture to everything on the table. “it isn’t like you. Please don’t hide away, because you know I’m here for you.”

You both stayed silent for a minute, his hands holding your cheeks and yours resting on his forearms. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, you just crumbled. Your face scrunched up and your breathing became erratic as you looked down to hide your face from Fred’s gaze. You leaned forward so your head was resting against his chest, letting out a few silent sobs as you just... broke. At the sight of your crying figure, Fred immediately jumped into action. He removed his hands from your face and wrapped his arms around your waist, carrying you over so you sat in his lap. One of his hands trailed up to stroke your head as his other maneuvered your legs so they wrapped around his torso, your head pushing further into his shoulder.

You reached up and wrapped your arms around his neck, trying to get as close to him as possible. You just needed the warmth that constantly surrounded him. After a few minutes of tears and whisperings of sweet nothings into your ear along with Fred’s comforting touch, your breathing started to return to normal, and your sobs turned into the occasional hiccup. You weren’t really expecting to have a total breakdown, you honestly thought that you had things under control, but when you looked and Fred and he looked at you, you knew you couldn’t keep everything bottled up anymore.

Fred was the first to break the silence, “d’you wanna move to the couch? It'll be comfier”. The only response he got was a small nod of your head, you not really being able to trust your voice enough to speak. So, Fred stood up with you still wrapped in his arms as he carried you over to the couch in front of the fire, grabbing the spare blanket and wrapping it around you and himself. It was like a nice little cocoon of comfort and warmth.  

And for a while, you two stayed like that, basking in the silence and the warmth the fire provided. You knew you needed to say something, you just didn’t know what exactly you could say. Fred was in the same boat. Should he make a joke to try and make you feel better? That always did the trick. But... something about tonight just told him to leave it on the backburner for now. He slid his arm underneath the blanket and stroked up and down the expanse of your back, hoping to relax your tense muscles. Occasionally Fred would turn his head to place delicate kisses on your forehead, cheeks, nose... basically anywhere his lips could find.

God... what did you do to desrve someone like him? Someone so boisterous and loud, but also understanding and gentle when he needed to be. As the minutes ticked by, and Fred’s hands continuously moving across your body, you finally found the courage to speak up.

“Sometimes I just feel like...” you trailed off, trying to find the right words.  

“like?”  

“like nothing is going to be ok. Like no matter how hard I try, or pretend, I’m not going to be ok,” your voice caught in your throat as you buried your head into his shoulder, a weak attempt to shield yourself from the world threatening to beat you down. A silent tear trailed down the side of your face, but you hadn’t made any attempt to wipe it away.

Fred sighed through his nose, and he swore a piece of his heart cracked when your voice did. He knew you were struggling with something, but he was just never sure of what or how bad it was. He only wished he could just take all your pain away, even force it upon himself if it meant that you’d get the chance to be happy.  

“Oh love, I had no idea. I’m so sorry”  

“It’s okay...” you half-shrug your shoulder, removing one of your arms from around his neck to quickly wipe the corner of your eye “no one really knew, so it’s fine”  

There was a moment of silence as the both of you tried to catch up with your thoughts, until Fred finally spoke up, a strain in his voice, “no, it’s not fine. I hate that you’re feeling like this. Please, is there anything I can do to help you?”  

You shrug your shoulder again. To be completely honest, you weren’t even sure if there was anything he could do. You've barely even figured out what you can do for yourself. However, there was one thing you knew you needed, the one thing that could help you through anything. “Just be here, and hold me?”  

Fred placed his lips to your forehead, leaving them there for a bit as he gave a gentle kiss. He breathed deeply through his nose and spoke the words against your forehead. “for you, my love, anything.”  

With those final words and his fingers slowly tracing up and down your arm, you felt for the first time, that maybe, just maybe, things might turn out ok.  

-----

whew and there we go!!! My first fic completed!! I honestly have no self control when it comes to word limits, my teachers hate me for that... oopsies! anyways I hope you all enjoyed that, if you guys liked my work feel free to send in any requests! 

Reblogs and comments are greatly appreciated!!

- Mills

[theonetheycallhannah]

The Treatment of Captain Syverson-Prologue: History

Characters: OFC (Shane Benton), OMC (Elliott Thomas)

Summary: Shane Benton is a hard-working physical therapist and a loving girlfriend…but her boyfriend has a less than desirable way of showing it.

In case you’ve fallen behind or want to read more of my drabbles!

Word Count: 1.5k

Warnings:  Language, mature themes, angst, infidelity, domestic violence (moderate). Yeah, this may be a tad rough for some readers, but I tried to be mild, and mostly implicit. It was hard still, to see my fictional offspring go through this, even if she gives as good as she gets!

Author’s Note: Oh, y’all. When I needed a break from the sweet tenderness of Chapter 8, I came here and put Shane through some hell. (You can blame one of my friends I was talking about for this angst as they’re the one who put me into angsty headspace by cheating on my other friend! It’s been weighing on me! But I guess at least I’ve been able to use it!) I really hope you enjoy a bit of backstory on our heroine! I really liked writing her ferocity.

Also, I meant to have this posted yesterday, but because of some tragedy in one of my other fandoms (and the world, in general! Rest In Power, Chadwick Boseman!) and a bit of craziness in my personal life (my HS bestie wanted to hang out this weekend, so I spent a lot of time with her…also…I’ve been talking to a real live fella! OMG! And it’s entirely too soon to say that I like him, but like…I very much do…but he’s far away and recently single and things are complicated in just, several ways, so it just can’t happen at this point. But…like, we have been talking a ton recently, and…sigh. I have found it difficult to focus on the matters at hand. But, rest assured, I’m working on Chapter Nine, and it will be up just as soon as I find my rhythm!

Disclaimer: Unbeta’d because this is for fun and escapism. (Well, this isn’t a super fun chapter, I guess!)

Tags: 

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@summersong69

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@bloodyinspiredfuck

@agniavateira

@oddsnendsfanfics

@omgkatinka

@thisismysecretthirstblog

@misslaland

@speakerforthedead0

@tumblnewby

@suavechops

Hope I’m not forgetting anyone! If you want to be notified when I post a new chapter or work, I’ll be happy to add you to my tag list! (Also, if you’ve asked and aren’t on the list...well...that would be because I forgot to add you and reminding me will not offend or upset me. I think I might have ADD, or something, and being reminded about things is kind of how I survive!) Stricken blogs are getting personal messages from me when a new chapter is uploaded because Tumblr’s faulty tagging system will not stand in the way of me delivering what the people want!(?) lol! (Although…their lackadaisical notification system might…sorry for that. I have no control. lol!)

X@X@X@X@X@X@X@X

5 years ago-

Shane got home from work, exhausted. The new electronic documentation system they'd just implemented was kicking her ass. And Anita's, whom she constantly had to help with it, all the while hearing Anita bellow "When can I retire?!" which lost its charm on about the third day.

"Elliott, I'm home." She didn't smell anything cooking, despite the fact that she knew he was off all day today. Whatever. She was used to him doing virtually nothing but whatever hipster bullshit he got up to on Instagram and YouTube, trying to get off the ground as an influencer with a brand…spare her. Since when did that become a job? She didn’t mind to get takeout though, if only she knew he wasn’t cooking. Maybe she should have asked. "Honey, I could have picked something up if--" she was startled by him in the doorway to the hall, in only his anime boxers, looking like he was trying to not be surprised she was home. "What?"

"Nothing, just…excited to see you! How was your day?" Elliott asked, scratching the back of his neck, displacing his mid-length, slightly moppy light brown hair, already disheveled. That was his tell. Something was up. She knew it.

"What's going on? Are you hiding something from me?"

"Why would you ask me that? Don't you trust me, baby?!" he guilted. Knowing just the buttons to push for empathy. It wasn't gonna work today. The machine was all out of that selection and full of his bullshit currency.

"Now that you mention it, no. I sure as hell don't." she walked around to enter the hall and investigate the rest of the house. "Let me through." he wouldn't budge. He had the advantage of physical size, but she was still wearing her work uniform including sneakers…he was more than half naked. She stomped hard on his instep and smacked him in the ear as he doubled over. She felt marginally bad for that in the moment…at best he'd get mild tinnitus for a while. At worst, he could have permanent hearing damage. She'd check later for blood coming out of his ear and see if she should feel worse about it then.

She rounded the corner to their bedroom. The quilt her grandma had made her was carelessly crumpled with the top sheet and blanket at the foot board. She noticed a swatch of an orangey red lipstick on her pillow. The same shade smudged onto the full mouth of the panicking strawberry blonde frantically donning clothes in front of her antique mirror, and the same shade, she was guessing, that was smeared across certain places on Elliott’s body that were now covered by those boxers that she had always hated. You know what, Elliott, she thought to herself. Fuck Bleach, and fuck you!

"I'm sure you're a lovely person who's just been lied to by a very charming and manipulative man, but…you still only have ten seconds to get to my front door before I call the cops." Shane threatened the girl, who couldn't have been more than twenty-one…and he was thirty-three.

"She's my guest." Elliott defended.

"You're not even on the lease. Your credit was too bad." she said over her shoulder while still squared off with the girl. She turned back to her. "I'm trying to be calm here, sweetie. But do not make me tell you even one more time to get out of my…fucking…house." the girl picked up her shoes and a small messenger bag from the floor near where Shane stood, keeping as wide a berth as she could, and skittered out of the room in terror.

"How many times, Elliott?"

"Don't do this, Shane."

"No, I think this is something we should do. Count the times you’ve broken my trust. Kissed another girl, fooled around with one, fucked one…I mean…I've never caught you in our bed before, so this LOOKS like a first…I sure hope it is…because I don't recall you doing any laundry since you've lived here. And if I thought you let me sleep in the same sheets that you…I can't even look at you, you son of a bitch."

"It's not what you think, Shane." he said, calmly, as if he'd simply picked up the wrong consistency of peanut butter from the store. The wrong brand of milk. Not that he ever did the shopping.

"Bullshit. Bull. Shit. Elliott. I come home and find you like this, and there's a girl in OUR bedroom, and her lipstick is all over MY pillow, and your balls, no doubt. Not gonna make you prove it, because at this point, I don't give a shit anymore. I've lost count of how many times I've forgiven you, even times you didn't care enough to ask me to. Times you probably don't even know that I know about. But it's done. You're gonna pack up all your things. And you're gonna be gone by the time I get home from work tomorrow. And don't expect me to be late…because I will not be."

"You're acting crazy. You can't do this. Where will I go, Shane?"

"That's not my concern anymore. Find an apartment that accepts Likes and subscriptions and followers as rent and cherish it. But your free ride here is done. I'm not your mom, your maid, your cook, or…anything to you anymore, Elliott."

He was getting angry now. His nostrils flared and his breaths came more quickly.

"Is this because you're fucking another guy? Hmm?" he got in her space, but she was out of the bedroom and back into the hallway. She shouted back.

"Oh, NOW you're gonna try to deflect this onto me? When in holy hell would I have time to get with anyone but you, when we don't even have sex anymore?! It's been, what, two, three months?"

"You work with guys."

"You have no idea who I am. To think that I would do something like that. No idea at all. If I don't have time at home, I certainly don't have time for sex at work, and you can ask any of my coworkers, male OR female. That place is an unsexy, unholy shit show 90% of the time. And the other ten, it's just above bearable."

"Well, I'm still not going anywhere."

"You are. Like I said. You're not on the lease. And all I have to do is call the landlord and tell him you're here without my permission and he'll have the cops here." she had gotten a glass of water…although she needed something stronger, and was standing by the sink with it. Her mouth was getting dry. She couldn't take much more of this without breaking.

"You wouldn't really do that to me though. I'm the only man who can give you what you want." he grabbed her by the arm, hard.

"Let go of me, Elliott."

"Or what." he asked for it. She got the other instep, his groin, and threw water in his face. She grabbed her purse and bolted out the door.

She got quickly on the phone with Heather her closest friend who had recently been hired on as a secretary for her clinic.

"Yello." she said, cheerful.

"Two things: can I crash at your place tonight and what kind of phone do you have?" she asked.

"Yes and a Galaxy something, I dunno, but what the fresh hell are you talking about?"

"I'll explain when I get there. I’m on my way to CVS for some essentials. Do you need anything?"

"Sounds like we need wine and ice cream!"

"Already on the list." She thanked Heather and hung up, calling her landlord.

“This’s Sam.” She heard over the receiver.

“Sam, I’m sorry to bother you, but I have a situation at the house.”

“What’s goin’ on?” He asked concerned. She’d never rented from anyone so kind. He’d become almost family. Like an uncle.

“Long story short, pest control. I’m kicking Elliott out and he has until the time I get home from work tomorrow. I told him you’d be there with the cops if he didn’t comply because he’s not on the lease. Is there any way you can help me and make that good?”

“He hurt ya, Shane?”

“Not, umm…not physically.” Although she had been rubbing the place on her arm where he’d grabbed her, certain there would be a bruise.

“That’s all I need to know. I’ve got a buddy or two on the squad here in town. I’m sure they won’t mind to help me out. You need anything?”

She held back the tears until she could hang up. “I’m staying over at a friend’s tonight and headed into CVS now for a few things I didn’t take time to grab after I kneed him in the groin and ran out.” She had just pulled into the parking lot.

“Well I’m nearby if you need anything when you’re back home.”

“Thanks. I guess just watch for smoke from the place for now. I don’t know what he might do, honestly.”

Up Next: Prologue: Onset of Injury (Sy)

[jewelserket]

So I decided to write a bit about my D&d character’s backstory. I’m pretty proud of it so I thought I’d pop it onto here. I will say that the intended audience was my fellow players and not tumblr, however I’m a busy student and don’t have a ton of time to edit it. So, without further ado, I present to you:

Dreams of Doran, P1/?

TW: Depictions of murder, child murder, gore, fire, loose depiction of PTSD and vomit.

Doran shifted awkwardly in the poorly padded seat. His father’s desk chairs were always frustratingly uncomfortable and hardly fit Doran’s hulking frame. Silence stretched over the room as he awaited his father’s arrival into the study. His gaze danced upwards to the three massive paints along the wall. They depicted the three generations of his family, each man’s stone gaze boring into Doran’s flesh. Silence shattered with the sound of the door swinging open. Doran peered back at the man who entered, his father. He watched the man stride over to the opposite side of the desk. Once his father was situated in front of him, Doran spoke up, “Hello, Lord Reaver. Glad to see you didn’t die on the way here.”

Reaver narrowed his eyes at his son, “Glad to see you're actually early for once.”

“Oh, I’m always on time.” Doran suppressed a roll of his eyes.

A low growl slid out of Reaver. One that made Doran stiffen and drop his gaze. His father meant business. Reaver ended his growl with a snarl, “If you’re done being an ass, I have a mission for you.”

Doran nodded. The weight of his father’s gaze crushed the air from his lungs. He could feel his father’s snarl relax into a satisfied smirk. Before Doran could force out a response, Reaver continued, “Good. Pull out the map.”

The son did as told. He tugged an old, yellowing map of the region from a small basket near by and rolled it out along the desk. Then he sat back in the uncomfortable chair, and watched his father pull out small, wooden figurines. He placed one on the mountain city they resided in, then several others out on enemy fields. Doran stared at them, a frown crossing his face. Reaver inspected his own work for a moment, then continued, “These are enemy encampments. You are to gather troops and go burn them down.”

Doran was silent for a moment. Then, without meeting his father’s eye, he glared down at the table, “What you’re suggesting is—“

“Is important to keeping this land safe. If we drive them out, they’ll be weaker.”

“It’s also incredibly wrong and dishonorable.”

Reaver shot to his feet, towering over his son, “You want to talk dishonorable? Their men have already destroyed our homes, murdered our families. They’ve slaughtered more than we have by the hundreds. What you’re doing is protecting our god damn people. Unless you really are too much of a worthless little worm to do even that.”

Doran’s words dried up on his tongue. Whatever fight was in him had been dashed away by his father. He nodded, small and heavy. Reaver smirked. An air of satisfaction floated about him as he continued, “I’ve already gathered your Generals. You will leave at nightfall. Do not let any of their scouts escape, or you’ll lose your surprise advantage. You’ll take them out starting closest to the mountains, and end with this camp here. Any further in is too well established in their territory. It would be a suicide mission.”

Doran nodded, then rose to his feet, “You are always the bearer of bad news, aren’t you, father.”

“Consider it an honor to be assisting our country in this way. Now get out of my sight. I have shit to do and you’re very distracting.”

Doran could only respond with a curt nod. He strode to the door, pausing for a second with his hand on the handle. His gaze shot back to his father. Reaver was staring down at the battle map, ignoring his son. Doran’s grip tightened on the handle for a moment, then he swung the door open and slipped out. The door slammed shut behind him, but Doran found himself frozen in place just outside. A shaking sigh escaped his throat. His father was right. He was doing what was needed for those in the mountains and beyond. That didn’t fix the wrong feeling that gnawed at his stomach. He did his best to push the squirming discomfort away. He had preparations to take care of, and the first step was checking on Zulius.

Smoke clogged Doran’s nose and stained his body with its scent. The heat of flame roared in front of him, but his gaze was on the night sky. They still had several hours before the sun rose, which gave Doran some uneasy relief. Under him, Zulius shifted with discomfort. He snorted and shook out his striped mane. Doran sighed, sliding an armored hand up and down the Zebra’s neck. He hated to admit that it was for his own comfort as well as the zebra’s. Around him, his men were gathering up the few survivors to prevent them from running. Doran bit his lip and led his steed over to the small crowd of soldiers.

One of his men looked up at him, “There weren’t as many in this camp, General.”

Doran rolled his shoulders back. His face was dark, intimidating, as he growled out, “I told you this twice now and I’ll tell you again. We cannot risk them escaping. Kill them.”

The man nodded and moved back to the group. Doran turned away from them, not wanting to see what he was causing. That did not stop the screams of pain from reaching his ears. The smell of blood quickly overpowered that of the smoke. A sickness rolled in his stomach that he had to force down. He trotted Zulius over to the one commander not surrounding the enemy, his marshal, and growled out, “How close is the next camp? We have only a few hours till day break.”

The marshal was curt, “One hour, Captain, give or take.”

“Then we best head out. The more ground we cover, the better. There is only one camp left, correct?”

The marshal nodded. Doran narrowed his eyes, silent for a moment. Then he spun Zulius around. He watched as his men approached him. Blood had stained up their weapons and splattered across their faces. Doran boomed his next command out to them, “Gather the soldiers. We head out now.”

Before any of them could respond, Doran marched Zulius off in the direction of their next destination. His marshal stuck close behind and, a moment later, the rest of the warriors were in tow. There was a silence about them that was only broken by the shifting of armor. Doran lifted his head a bit higher. The gaze of his subordinates dug into his back, looking for his leadership. Doran could feel the weight of their nerves and the bloodied sin of their actions. He took a deep breath and rose himself a tad bit higher. He could not afford to be weak, for their sake if not for his.

Yet, as the cold of the night time forest surrounded him, Doran felt a sickening feeling in his stomach. The urge to vomit chewed at the back of his mind. He wrote the feeling off as the weight from his actions, but something deep down whispered that something was going to go wrong.

“Fire!!”

The roar of flame coated arrows filled the air. Doran stared out at the camp which was now thoroughly surrounded by his officers. His marshal stood nearby, watching as the archers nocked their arrows. Doran’s eyes were locked on the camp itself as the first light of fire licked at the buildings. That word was what bothered Doran: Buildings. Not one or two, as would be custom for a large camp. Many house-like buildings. Flame spread across their thatch roofs at lightning speed.

“Fire!!”

Doran jumped at his marshal’s voice beside him. The lieutenant was too focused on the second volley of arrows to notice Doran’s reaction. Archers prepared their next volley as the surrounding soldiers prepared to stop any escapees. As the second volley landed, the first screams erupted into the air. Something about them was wrong. They were too high pitched, too young. Doran’s eyes widened.

“Fire!!”

From the houses poured out soldiers, yes, but more notably was the unarmored others. His eyes locked onto a mother, scorch marks crawling up her face. In her arms was a howling baby that clutched at her shirt. The mother screamed, running towards the trees. Her line of escape was stopped with a spray of blood, a sword through her chest. Others followed her, creating a panicked circle at the center of the camp. A child clung to his mother’s skirt, his legs scorched. Blood ran down the face of someone who was perhaps only thirteen, but her focus was only on that of the two children at her side. Surrounding the bubbling mass of screaming children were what few soldiers were there to protect the camp.

“Fire!!”

Doran opened his mouth to stop his marshal but he was far too late. Screams erupted into the air. Fire lit up among the crowd. Bodies dropped to the ground, dead from the first hit. Those that survived screeched in pain. The sounds rung in Doran’s ears as he watched one of the children be consumed with flame. By the end of that volley, few were left moving. The marshal opened his mouth to start the final volley, but Doran grabbed his shoulder, “No.”

The marshal looked back at him, “There’s still—“

“I’m aware. We go in and… and pick them off.”

The lieutenant rolled his eyes but called off the volley. He moved to bark an order again, but Doran stopped him again, “I’ll do it. Make sure the soldiers pick off any runners.”

The marshal started to talk back but Doran cut him off with a growl. Doran’s dark gaze forced the man to look down. Zulius let out a frustrated winnie as Doran led him towards the flames. He skirted the edges of the crumbling settlement, watching the flames lick away at the remains. His eyes caught on a particular house, where a burnt corpse had never made it out of the door before it had collapsed. They couldn’t have been older than fifteen before the wooden frame had impaled them. The look of horrified pain that stretched across the corpse’s face burned itself into the back of Doran’s mind. His hands started to shake but he forced a deep breath down his throat. The smell of burnt human flesh slithered its way up his nose, one that he was painfully accustomed to.

He continued his trot around, pausing as the fire died down enough to pass into the remains of the camp. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a runner. Their sprint was abruptly ended at the edge of the camp. An axe cleaved clean through their body. Doran suppressed a grimace. His steely gaze stayed locked on the center of the camp. Finally, he came to a stop. The smell of burnt skin clung to his senses. Bile rose up in his chest. Before him was what could only be described as a pile of flesh and bones. There were some faces in the mass, varying in age and race. Their empty eye sockets burned the image into his brain. For a moment, Doran stared. All was stillness, silence. Whatever flames remained seemed almost frozen in time. They roared louder than the pounding of his heart and burned more than the tears that threatened to break through his steeled gaze. Something moved in the pile that caught his gaze. Out pushed a kid covered in burnt viscera. He could not have been older than nine. The kid was relatively unharmed, though he was shaking. Tears cut lines through the viscera on his face. There was a grunt as a larger figure pushed out behind him. Doran’s stomach sank.

The one who pushed out behind him was a member of the opposing army. He was young, maybe sixteen, and went by the name of Riot. He was well known for going on a frenzy and slicing like a maniac through Doran’s family’s armies. Yet, in this moment was a crushing hopelessness that the kid failed to hide behind the rage in his eyes. He glared up at Doran. Doran had seen him fight in the past, watched him slice through his men. Yet, in that moment, he seemed so… small. Doran’s grip tightened around his lance.

“I thought you were taking care of it, General,” The hiss of his marshal made Doran jump.

He looked down at the marshal who stared up at him with crossed arms. There was a smirk on that bastard’s face. Doran growled, “I am. Go back to the men.”

“I’d rather watch this. Wouldn’t want to have to report a failure to your father.”

Doran’s fists turned white under his gauntlet from the strength of his grip, “So be it.”

His gaze turned back to the children before him. He lifted his lance, though sickness filled his stomach. Riot marched towards him, dragging a great sword behind him. Doran led Zulius back a few steps, then took a deep breath. He kicked Zulius into a charge, aiming his weapon. He felt it plunge into flesh far easier than it should have. Doran’s heart froze as Zulius took several steps before he slowed to a stop. His gaze slid to the end of his lance. There was the boy, the child who had crawled out of the meat pile. Doran’s hand began to shake as he tilted the lance down. Some part of him begged for the boy to breath, to not be bleeding out through his stomach. His face was set into a frozen, dark eyed gaze. Below him, the child was still, his eyes glazed over.

Doran slid his gaze back to Riot, who stared in shock. He had been pushed away by the kid. Doran instinctively lifted his lance as Riot sprinted towards him. Before the General could react, though, Riot had pushed past him. He fell to his knees beside the child, shaking him, “W-Wait! Wait no! Wake up!”

Doran led Zulius a step backwards, then turned to his lieutenant. The marshal smirked up at him, a gesture which Doran returned as a glare. He growled, “That’s enough. We’ve done enough.”

“What about-“

Doran pointed his lance at the marshal, “No. Call off the troops. We’re going back.”

The marshal snarled but turned around and stormed away. Doran’s lance grip loosened as the sick feeling welled up in his stomach. He turned back to Riot, who sat frozen over the body. For a moment, he just stared at the boy. Then he wrenched Zulius around and led him out of the camp. As he exited the camp, he felt vomit rise up and…

Doran lurched upwards. His eyes were wide and sweat slicked his brow. He half dragged, half stumbled himself over to the edge of the water. His entire body shook violent as vomit poured out of him and into the water. The smell of burnt flesh clung to his nose as he stared down at his reflection. The ink that stained his face seemed almost to be blood. Tears streaked down his face, mixing with the sweat. He squeezed his eyes shut, but the only image in his mind was the face of the child on his lance.

“Deep breath..” he whispered to himself, pushing against the rising panic in his chest. His breath was cut off as another bubble of puke tumbled out of him.

Doran sucked as deep a breath as he could. His gaze shot around the cove. Around him was the tents of Antione and Anawe. Out at the entrance of the cove was Mirka, staring out at the ocean. He clung to the edge of the rock, grateful that Mirka had not heard him awake. Another deep breath brought him enough strength to wipe the sweat from his face. He pulled his hand away, wincing at the sight of the ink. Given the darkness, it still appeared to be blood. Doran shook his head, then reached down to the water. Some part of him was thankful for its icy cold. He splashed it across his face, which helped reduce his shaking. Again, he splashed himself. Then a third time, causing his upper body to be thoroughly soaked.

He stumbled to his feet, gazing back at the sleeping form of Zulius. He sighed. There was no way in all the hells that he was going back to sleep. Doran forced himself to take one last deep breath. A smile plastered its way onto his face. He slid over to Mirka, hands hidden behind him due to their shaking. The massive man stopped beside Mirka, smiling, “H-Hey.”

Doran winced as his voice broke. He coughed a bit, then whispered again, “Hey. I’ll take watch now.”

Mirka gazed over, “Oh hey, thanks.”

The two exchanged a smile and Mirka tiptoed back inside. Doran watched them go back inside, then leaned on the wall. He slid down to sit, leaning his head back. His gaze stared up into the sky, watching the stars. It would be daylight within three or so hours, it seemed. The starlight seemed almost sickeningly familiar. He sighed and rubbed his face. It was going to be a long night.

[masked-buffoon]

Chapter 6: A colourless world (Part 3)

Warnings: minors drinking, alcohol

Author notes: this really comes out so late, I am so sorry... Tumblr is being horrible to me and I can't make posts on my computer anymore, that's why there won't be a "keep reading" limit... I'll fix it up, I promise...! I hope you enjoy that heartbreaking chapter still!

I enjoyed the crystalline tinting of the ice in my glass when the bartender set it onto the counter in front of me. This was whiskey on the rocks. With a finger, I traced the edge of the glass, admiring its features and the way light reflected onto the warm coloured alcohol. There was no doubt its taste would warm me up as well.

"Have we not come a bit too early...?" I questioned Dazai, who was also lost in his thoughts next to me.

"What?" He chuckled "Do you not like my company?"

"I-I didn't say that...!" I hurriedly protested.

If anything, I was happy to be with him only; a shameful thought I dared not tell him about.

"Then why do you ask? You're annoying, Ogawa...~"

"I'm sorry, Dazai..." I lowered my head "I did not mean to... Be a bother..."

"Stop that...! Always apologising..."

"... Is it a bother...?"

The ice cube started melting and hit the glass, creating another tinting sound.

"A bother... Is not the word. What I mean is, I don't need you to always be sorry... I prefer when you're confident, when you answer me frankly..." He smiled at his glass "When your eyes are not clouded by fear because of me... We've talked about it, haven't we?"

"Dazai..."

"Anyway..." He gulped down his whiskey, emptying his glass in one go "Another one, bartender...~!"

It was hard to know when he was serious or not, but at the moment, I wanted to believe he truly meant the words he had told me. I wanted to believe he did care about me, even the slightest. I did not want to doubt him, but sometimes, it was hard to do otherwise, regarding how he sought death. How could he befriend me if he was meant to leave me behind...? I did not want to think about it. He was everything I had in this life, everything I wanted to protect in this world; although my feelings were not shared, knowing he could be concerned was enough to soothe my heart.

"... Thank you..." I smiled, sincerely, looking away from him.

"I have done nothing that deserves you being grateful. But —"

The door opened before he could finish his sentence, and Dazai's eyes darted toward the intruder, who was none other than his friend, Oda-san. His face lit up, as always when this man entered his field of view, and he waved at him like a kid.

"Yo, Odasaku...!" He grinned, cheerful.

"Good evening, Dazai. Ogawa." He nodded at me.

"Good evening, Oda-san." I answered, more calmly than my superior "Have you had a good day?"

"More respectful words..." He seemed annoyed as he sat down "You may be the only one addressing me this way, Ogawa..."

"That's because you are older than me..." I stated "That's all..."

"Then stop it...!" He smiled at me "I already know you don't even add '-san' to Dazai's name when in private."

"How would you —" I cut myself, noting how my superior grinned at his drink "Eh... Fine then, but it'll take some time..."

"That's good." He hummed "So, what is the reason for those new bandages, Dazai?"

"That...! It's a funny story...!" He answered, chuckling "We were in the middle of an ambush, you see, but all of a sudden, I fell in a gutter...! And you know the best? This morning, I was reading a book about preventing accidental injuries...!"

I had to do my best not to let my eyes widen and my jaw fall open. What on Earth was he saying...? He did not own any book about accidental injuries — rather, a book about suicide methods — and those new wounds and bruises had only been created by me pushing him to the ground... Or could it be he had been shot and I had not noticed...? Either way, why was he lying to put on the facade of a funny man...?

"I see..." Oda — as he wanted me to call him — simply answered "Funny story indeed."

"What about you, Odasaku~? Had a nice day?"

"Well... I defused a bomb and took care of thugs in the back alley. Nothing int —"

Dazai's eyes lit up greatly, like a child discovering his gifts on a Christmas morning. However... I could perceive there was no sincerity whatsoever. He was acting. I believed his friend knew so as well, but played along not to tense up the mood. It was better this way...

"I want to defuse a bomb too...! I'd do it so poorly that I would just explode with it...~!"

"I thought you didn't like pain..." I whispered, more to myself than to him.

"Odasaku-san, you always give him weird ideas..." Someone entered the bar, interrupting the seemingly joyful conversation.

"Hey there, Ango...! You look well...!"

"Well...?" His face scrunched up "I had a trip to Tokyo for some business... Finally, it turned out it wasn't interesting... Such a waste... Oh, hello Ogawa-kun."

"Hello, Sakaguchi-san." I answered the intelligence agent of the Port Mafia.

"Well, it can't be helped~" Dazai dramatically waved his hand "At least, you get to have a drink with us."

"At least..." He let himself fall onto a stool, next to my superior.

I had been careful enough to sit further from him, so his friends could take place by both his sides. I was not delusional; I could easily tell it was better this way. I sipped the last drops of my whiskey then placed the glass back on the counter, without making much noise. The three men were conversing together, exchanging happily about diverse things which were not even related to the Port Mafia. I had not been there often, but I believed it was the first time I felt so... Out, in a way. It had been months we had strived to get closer to a friendly relationship, yet, I felt slightly jealous, seeing how Oda and Sakaguchi-san could behave around Dazai, whereas I still had troubles knowing what was wrong or right to say or to do. How could I just be natural with him...?

" — Can you, Ogawa?"

I looked up, bewildered. I had not paid attention to what they were saying, lost in my own thoughts, and I was oblivious about what they could want me to do. I cleared my throat in discomfort, nodding slightly.

"Of course, Dazai..." My voice trailed off, showing my nervousness.

"Then~"

He put a camera into my hands. This was not his. This was not Oda's either. The only person who could have needed it was Sakaguchi-san. But what — oh, I understood. They wanted me to take a picture of the three of them.

"A trace of us... Such ominous words again..." I heard Oda's thoughts by accident.

It was always awkward to have me in a room full of secrets, for I could, even if not on purpose, get a glimpse of any hidden truth, and people had no guarantee I would remain quiet. However, this annoying ability which threatened to take my life could sometimes prove itself to be helpful, as it was now. What could he have meant...?

"Ogawa...?"

"I-I'm sorry, I was lost in thoughts..." I stuttered, taking a look at the camera "How do I turn this on..."

"Were you...?" He cracked a smile, surprising me "Don't do so too often... You look as though you're going to be gone forever..."

"Of course, I'll always come back for you..." I assured.

Months ago, during the Boss' birthday party, I had been introduced to the strange boy named Q, who had quite a troublesome ability. Despite remaining rather sane thanks to The Sweet Appeals, I had experienced a terrifying nightmare and had not been able to wake up from it, lost in the tormented illusion created by Q-kun. Unconsciously, my ability had activated itself and I had almost died, again, if not for the nurse. However, despite Dazai's protests and outrageous report, I had never received a single apology from Mori-san for putting me through such danger. I had loathed him ever since.

I handed the camera to Sakaguchi-san after taking a quick look at it.

"My apologies... I have never used one before..."

"I'll explain to you." He chuckled.

"I did pick you in the slums, but I can't believe you've never seen a camera, Ogawa." Dazai grinned, a tad mockingly.

"I have never seen the outside before getting thrown out of the mansion..." I confessed, embarrassed "I spent most of my time reading..."

"Is that so...?" He stared at me oddly "I understand better why you were so determined to shoot them yourself... Did you not use a camera to gather information about the place you would rob, with the thieves?"

"They did, but I was never part of the information gathering." I explained "But don't remind me... You practically killed me when we robbed the jewellery..."

"You looked like a poor lost bunny." He laughed, taking the last sip of his drink "It was amusing, seeing you run as fast as possible from me~"

"That's creepy, Dazai..." Sakaguchi-san made a comment "Will you be alright, Ogawa-kun?"

"Yes, thanks to your explanations." I smiled "Whatever, I'm glad you gave up on chasing me..."

"I don't think Dazai would have killed you, back then." Oda-san suddenly stated, casually sipping the alcohol from his glass.

"How would you know~?" My superior waddled on his stool.

"I know."

"So many secrets~ Will you ever tell me~?"

"I wonder. Perhaps in the future." He remained quiet about this matter.

"Anyway...!" I interrupted their talk "What about those pictures...?"

"Ah right...! Can you take the three of us~?" Dazai grinned "It'll be a souvenir of this evening~"

"Yes, Dazai." I smiled, walking further from the counter "Now..."

I pressed the button as they raised their glasses to "the stray dog".

[angst-fairygodmother]

Hello again! 🥰 I’ve picked out two prompts from one of the lists you’ve reblogged. I hope that is okay and it works when I send the ask this time. But can I please request a Jaskier x female reader fic with the prompts “You’ve shown me what love can feel like.” + “Why are you crying?” + “I won’t let anyone hurt you, you’re safe with me.” ✨ Thanks so much!!

A/N: After all of that slightly confusing back and forth and me learning how to navigate the tumblr inbox system, I finally have your request finished. I actually only managed to fit two of your three prompts in, but I hope you enjoy it all the same :) Word Count: 1442Content Warning: mild swearing, self-depreciation/self-hatred, mildly angsty

“Y/N?” you heard your best friend call out, following you away from the market. “Y/N, where did you go?”

Still, you forged onward, desperate to put as much distance as you could between you and…well everyone, even him, especially him.

Eventually your quick footsteps carried you to a wide, rapid-flowing river which halted your progress. You couldn’t hear much around you over the roar of the water and with a sudden, overwhelming exhaustion, you dropped to sit on its banks. You tucked your knees up to your chest and let out a wrenching sob, serving to open the floodgates and all of the pain and rage and misery that had been filling you came pouring forth.

“Y/N,” Jaskier panted, out of breath as he came upon you. “There you are! You ran off and I was so worried.” Relief gave way to concern as he dropped to a seat beside you. “Why are you crying?”

When his arms came up to encircle you, you flinched away from him and immediately they dropped back to his side.

“Y/N, please. Talk to me. Tell me what I can do to help you.”

You swiped angrily at the hot tears that rolled steady tracks down your face, shooting him a glare that might have been called withering if your eyes hadn’t been damp.

“I should consider myself lucky that looks cannot kill,” he tried to tease, voice too tight with confusion and concern to ring truly, “or else I would have dropped dead here among the bracken.”

“You really don’t know how to take a fucking hint do you Jaskier?” you snapped, pulling even further away, as far as you could get without actually rising from your seat to move. “I don’t want to talk.”

“But—“ he started, entreating.

“No! No buts. You flit about, always talking. You don’t seem to get that some of us aren’t enamored with the sound of our own voice the way you are. All you do is talk or push others to. Gods, like that’s going to fix anything!” There were more tears mixed with your snarl.

“Stop.” His voice was stern, almost cold, but you could see the hurt in his cornflower blue eyes. Gently, he took you by the shoulders, forcing you to look at him. “I understand that you are in pain from something. And if you don’t want to talk about it, I suppose I can’t force you to. But you can’t solve your problem by pushing everyone away when they try to care.”

“Yes I can,” you muttered, half under your breath and hoping that he wouldn’t hear it.

“No. All you’ll do is leave yourself to deal with the hurt alone.”

“If no one can get close, there won’t be a hurt to deal with.” You avert your eyes from his gaze, now intently focused on you, and feel yourself wilting beneath his hands.

“So you’re planning to become a hermit beside this river then for the rest of your days?”

“If that’s what it takes, then I shall build myself a lovely hovel here.” His teasing was infectious and you tried your hardest to remain upset with him even as you joined in the joke.

“Y/N, my love, I am begging you to tell me what happened today that made such a lovely, hopeful afternoon turn so sour and sending you running off into the woods apparently determined to spend the rest of your life in isolation.”

Your heart fluttered painfully against your ribcage at his words. The two of you had been friends for ages and often called each other increasingly ridiculous pet names, much to Geralt’s annoyance at times, but he had never called you that, especially not with such genuine, aching tenderness.

“Oh don’t tell me you didn’t notice.” You rolled your eyes, resting your chin against your kneecaps.

“Notice what?” he chuckled ruefully. “I have to admit, Y/N, I was distracted this afternoon.”

‘Of course he was,’ you thought with a sinking feeling. ‘It’s not like you mean anything special to him.’

You sighed and bit your lip, hesitating before deciding to let it all spill out. You told him how the afternoon and the disparaging comment from the flower seller, aimed at the pair of you and telling him to buy a sunflower for his “charity case,” had been the last straw. You tried to explain how small and pathetic you felt following him about when he never even looked twice at you. How there were times, especially in taverns late at night, when disparaging comments had given way to sneered threats from people far prettier than you who felt that you were an obstacle to overcome to be with him.

He sucked air in through his teeth. “Why haven’t you ever said anything, Y/N? I would have…I don’t know fed them their own tongues for daring to say such things to you! I’m so sorry.”

You looked up at him and were almost relieved that you saw only sorrow where you had dreaded to see pity. You shrugged and let your gaze fall once more to some distant point past him.

“I didn’t think it mattered. I mean it’s not like any of them would have acted on it…probably. One or two of them did scare me a bit honestly, but…I don’t matter, so why would what they say to me?”

“You don’t…” shock and confusion twisted his face. “Y/N, no. No no no no no. Where would you get the idea that you don’t matter?”

“Like it’s not plain as day. Geralt never even put up a fight on me coming along because I’m not even worth rating as an inconvenience. You spend time with me when you have no one better. Yennefer talks to me when she needs someone to not interrupt her. But, if I disappeared tomorrow, none of you would actually be worse off for it. I’m just…stage scenery.”

“You don’t get it, do you Y/N?” he sighed, voice dropping low. “All of those things that you just said are what makes you so incredibly special. Geralt was willing to let you come because you’re one of the few people who have never reacted in fear or hate toward him. Yennefer actually trusts you enough to come to you when she needs to talk and respects you enough to answer when you have questions. And you like me for me. Time with you isn’t about my music, or you trying to get into Geralt’s good graces, or what I might be able to do for you.”

He gently caressed your cheek, brushing away a lingering tear.

“You’ve shown me what love can feel like. When it’s infused into daily actions, when it’s just a part of you instead of some grand, performative thing. I’ve never thought it needed to be said that I love you, Y/N, because it just feels so right and natural that I assumed it was obvious. Had I only known I would have told you a thousand times a day, and if you would have it of me, I will be sure to do exactly that for the rest of our lives.”

You laughed, taking his face between his hands, eyes searching desperately for some sign that what he said was true and not just placating, meaningless words. The pure adoration that shown in his eyes, the soft ‘oh’ of his mouth, the telltale heat of blush beneath your fingers, all told you that he meant every syllable. So you did the only thing that seemed right in the circumstances.

You kissed him, passionately. Your lips moved against each other, tongues dancing questingly. His hands clutched desperately at the soft flesh of your waist, pulling you closer to straddle his lap, and yours slid back away from where they rested, to tangle and tug at his soft brown hair. He moaned as he broke the kiss, panting breathlessly.

“A thousand times a day may be a tad excessive,” you said with a smile. “But if you insist on it, I suppose you are welcome to try. I won’t be held responsible if the attempt annoys Geralt into killing you, though.”

He laughed, a sunny sound that chased off your worries and soothed your heartache. He dusted light, teasing kisses across your cheeks and jaw, down your neck and back up again.

“I love you, Y/N.” He whispered earnestly, lips just barely brushing yours. “I love you, I love you, I love you.”

You interrupted his adoring chant by leaning forward to capture his lips once more, determined to say it back just as many times without ever needing words.

[sleepydew-valley]

Quarantined Shane Day: 2

Day 1

Here is a continuation of my story of Shane in quarantine. The first part can be read in the link above. Again pretty long. I don’t know what the standard is on tumblr, but I’m not good a writing short stories so here we are

Day 2:

Nico wiped the sweat of his forehead. Even though it was still early spring, it was definitely starting to get warmer and that meant it would be a bit harder working outside. Of course, he had gotten used to the farm work, but working outside had its up and downs. Like when the weather is this good, why was he working instead of enjoying the sun in the forest or on the beach?

His work was interrupted when his phone started ringing. It was almost noon and Nico wondered who would be calling him at this time. He noticed it was number he hadn’t added to his contact yet, but still opted for answering it without any hesitation.

“Hallo?”

“Nico, hi.”

Nico felt his body stiffen. “Shane?”

He should have recognized the number, or at least saved it to his contacts from yesterday. Maybe Shane would call more often now. Or maybe he was calling to ask if Nico could bring by Jas again. Shane probably missed his niece.

“Yeah, uh it’s Shane. I’m not interrupting anything, right?” Shane said, sounding less confident with each word.

“No, no, not at all.” Nico said and looked down at his hoe, his work was luckily something that could be postponed for a little while. “What’s up?”

There was a short silence before Shane spoke up.

“Well I saved your number from yesterday and uh- I’m calling today because uhm… I wanted to thank you.”

It was clear Shane felt awkward. He cleared his throat before he continued. Nico felt the need to say he didn’t have to thank him, but he worried he would ruin the conversation and Shane would hang up on him.

“Uh, I didn’t think I would get the chance to explain the situation to Jas this soon and also I know I’m going to miss her a ton and I wasn’t sure when I would see her, because Marnie decided to let her live elsewhere in the meantime, and didn’t specify if she was planning on bringing Jas over or if I was just going to- anyway, I’m rambling, I guess what I’m trying to say is thank you for bringing her over. I mean even Marnie hadn’t thought to bring her outside my window and you don’t owe me anything but you still did this.”

“It’s not problem.” Nico said. His heart was pounding loudly in his chest. He felt the sweat in his palms, but he knew it wasn’t because of the weather this time. “I-I can bring her by again, whenever you need me to.”

“I really appreciate you doing this.”

Nico nodded. He wasn’t sure what to say next. He had been in Pelican Town for a year now, but in that time, he hadn’t had many conversations with Shane and much fewer friendly conversations with Shane. The first few interactions were Shane wondering why Nico even bothered approaching a stranger. But Shane warmed up a bit, or at least stopped being rude when he saw Nico being friendly with Jas. For some reason Nico found it easier to socialize with the kids. They were easy to impress and if he had anything, they deemed cool, they opened up to him right away. Vincent had even said he was one of the cooler adults and Jas also complimented his playing skills. He probably shouldn’t feel proud of that, but for some reason he did.

But this was different. Shane was being nice to him. Nico had expected him to be grateful, but not to call like this. Had he secretly hoped something like this would happen? No way. Not a chance. It was only for Jas.

There was a lull in the conversation and Nico wondered if the conversation was about to end here. Maybe Shane would hang up once he found the right words for saying goodbye.

“Oh uhm, that reminds that I should thank you as well.” Nico said. He should just let the conversation die here but he didn’t want to.

“For what?” Shane asked confused.

“The repair on the heater, it went really well because of your instructions. It works perfectly now… well I mean- it does its job like it should.” Nico said.

“Oh no need to thank me for that.” Shane said dismissively. “That’s just part of my job.”

“Your job? You actually work for Marnie?”

“Well I help out when I can. Obviously not that often because of my job at JojaMart… but if Marnie is not there and I’m available, we have an agreement I don’t leave the customer hanging.” Shane said. “And it’s also me who take care of the chickens, so it’s also kind of my responsibilities to know how things like the heater work.”

“Oh, so you’re the chicken man?” Nico immediately regretted the words coming out of his mouth. They were being friendly towards each other and now Nico decided it was appropriate to call Shane the chicken man, he was surely going to hate Nico from now. He wished the earth would open and swallow him.

But Shane didn’t snap at Nico, no instead he chuckled. “That’s not official title, but yes if you need help with the chickens, I’m definitely your guy.”

Nico felt the tension leave his body. Still, he felt something tug in his heart again. Also, he’d be lying if he said he didn’t enjoy the sound of Shane chuckling.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Nico said. “I’m still a bit new to the chicken care… so I’ll probably call with some questions, if that’s okay?”

“It’s not a problem.”

His heart jumped. It actually felt like his heart made a tiny leap in his chest. He had to calm down. This was just a normal conversation between two people. It was no big deal.

“So uh- besides chicken care, how are you spending your time? I mean – well how is quarantine going so far?” Normal. No big deal.

“So far I’ve been playing video games to pass time and honestly – I spend the entire time yesterday playing the games I have in my room and the thought of doing that for the next two weeks – it makes me want to throw the TV out the window.”

“I guess it’s hard being isolated by yourself.” Nico said. “you should try to find a new hobby or at least something new to do.”

He nervously playing with his nails. This was the longest interactions they ever had before.

“yeah but it’s not like I have many options in my room.”

“I guess that’s true… but if-if you need someone to talk to when you’re, you know, too bored – you’re always welcome to call me.” Nico wanted to dig a hole for himself and just disappear from the world. This was the opposite of smooth. Shane might feel like Nico was coming on too strong. But Nico wasn’t coming on or anything. He wasn’t trying to get closer to Shane. He was just offering his help. That’s all it was.

“Thanks. I might take you up on that.”

And Nico felt incredibly happy that his help was received positively by Shane, maybe a tad bit happier than one without any kind of feelings for Shane should be feeling, but this was completely normal he told himself. Normal. Not a big deal. Yet his heart still pounded loudly.

**********

Nico had talked with Shane much longer than he ever could have hoped for. It was probably because Shane was bored and there was no one at the ranch to entertain him. But even so, he still seemed interested in talking with Nico. At first, he had feared he had talked about the farm too much because of all the topics Nico could talk about, his new farm life was one he couldn’t shut up about. He talked about all the things he had renovated at the farm and improved since he moved in. He talked about how much work he was still missing and how it seemed endless. He was a bit worried he had scared Shane off with all his talk about the farm. Maybe he seemed like much less interesting person now. In fact, when Nico thought back to the conversation Shane hadn’t talked much about himself. The only thing he said was he had never been to the farm since Nico moved in (which made Nico almost invite him over after the quarantine, but he was quick to stop himself from doing something embarrassing).

Maybe Shane didn’t like talking about himself. Or maybe Nico hadn’t let him say anything about himself? Nico worried he might seem too self-absorbed to Shane now. What if this was their last call together, where it wouldn’t be Shane asking to see Jas? Or what if he didn’t even want to ask for Jas because he didn’t even want to talk to Nico?

He took a deep breath. He shouldn’t be overthinking it like this. Tomorrow would be a new day and maybe he would have chance to talk to Shane again.

He checked the time to see it was already 8 o’clock. Usually he wouldn’t finish this late but the call with Shane had slowed down his routines. He rubbed the back of his neck. He didn’t mind talking with Shane, but he had to learn how to multitask better.

He was headed for the shower when he heard a knock on the door. He wondered who would come this late in the day. When he opened the door, he saw Jas on the other side.

She was wearing a light jacket and had a small backpack on.

Nico looked around her to see if someone else was accompanying her, but as he feared no one else was outside besides her.

She looked up at him with a hopeful smile.

“Jas, what are you doing here?” He asked incredulously.

She smiled vanished at his question and she looked down at her feet. Her right foot scraped against the wooden board on the patio.

“Come inside, and we can talk.” Nico said and guided her with his hand on her back.

She walked inside and he closed the door behind her. He knelt down beside her and she looked him in the eyes.

“Did you come here alone?”

“Mayor Lewis didn’t want to take me see Shane, and he didn’t want to call him either. He was so mean and he said Shane was sick – and then Marnie came and I asked her to take me there but she wouldn’t either. And they don’t have a phone to call him with.” She finished her ramble with a pout. But then she looked away from Nico. “you said you would take me to see him whenever I needed to…”

“So that’s why you came here?”

She nodded as she looked down at her hands. Nico sighed and he pulled out his phone. He opted for video chatting Shane this time, as Jas would probably appreciate seeing her Uncle’s face.

“Hey, why are you calling-“

“Jas is here.” Nico interrupted Shane’s greeting. “She snuck out of Mayor Lewis house and came here. She was hoping I would take her to see you.”

Shane closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Nico angled the camera towards Jas when Shane asked if he could speak with her. He put his hand on Jas shoulder, silently hoping Shane wouldn’t scold her too much. At least not enough to make her sad because he wasn’t sure how he would comfort her and he didn’t want to see her sad either.

But Shane put on a small smile when he saw his niece. “Hey Pumpkin.” He said with a soothing tone.

Jas’ face lit up when she heard Shane. “Uncle Shane-“

“I know you miss me and it’s hard for you, but you can’t sneak out like this. Did you tell Marnie you were going there?”

There was no doubt about the answer. Marnie would never have let her go out alone in evening. Jas also knew she couldn’t lie and instead dropped her head and mumbled a no.

“I’ll take you to see Shane in the daytime, okay?” Nico said, trying to cheer her up.

But she didn’t raise her head. “I don’t like Mayor Lewis. He doesn’t want to play with me. And he made broccoli soup for dinner and I don’t like broccoli.”

Shane looked at her sympathetically. It was clear he was at lost for words on how to comfort her.

That’s when Nico thought of an idea. He wasn’t sure if it was good or if Shane would even like the idea, but this time it really was just for Jas.

“Maybe she could stay here instead?” He suggested.

Finally, Jas looked up and turned her head towards Nico. She had a wide smile on her face, clearly excited about the idea. “Really? Can I?” She then turned towards the phone again, “can I, Uncle Shane? Please, can I?” She added a prolonged please at the end.

Shane scratched his beard thoughtfully. Nico hadn’t noticed until now that it was becoming more pronounced than usual. Shane was only a few days away from having actual beard, as opposed to the scruff. Nico had to admit it looked good on him.

Shane interrupted his thoughts when he asked: “Are you sure you’re okay with this, Nico?”

“Yeah, of course. Jas can stay as long as needed and she can just ask me whenever she needs to talk to you.” Nico said. “At least I think she should stay with someone who at the very least have a phone.”

Mayor Lewis thought he didn’t need one because he could walk everywhere in Pelican Town and if everyone was in walking distance why would you need a phone? Nico had wanted to suggest that the “walk” was several kilometres long and seemed innocuous when just asking for small matters. But he had quickly learned Mayor Lewis didn’t take suggestions easily.

“I guess it seems better than having her sneak out like this. And I don’t want her to be miserable either.” Shane conceded. “It’s fine as long as Marnie is okay with it.”

Jas jumped slightly of joy. She took off her backpack, but Shane was quick to interrupt her.

“You still need to go see Marnie. I’m sure she’s worried, so you better go quickly.” Shane said. “Also, if she says no then I’m sorry Jas but there is nothing I can do.”

“Really?”

Shane looked to the side, “I mean of course I’ll try to talk to her, but you also have to listen to your Aunt, okay?”

Nico smiled. He had a feeling Jas could make Shane doing anything for her.

“Come on, Jas, let’s go see Marnie.”

He stood up and took her hand. They said their goodbyes to Shane and started the walk towards the town. These are times where Nico would have appreciated Mayor Lewis having a phone. Marnie at least had a landline, but it did no good when she wasn’t there to pick up the phone.

“Do you think she’ll be angry with me?”

Nico would do anything for Marnie not to be angry with Jas. She already looked so sad and Nico didn’t want to see her scolded. Although he knew she had done wrong, he also understood why she had done it. But it wasn’t his job to parent her and he couldn’t interfere with how Marnie chose to handle the situation. He also realized he wasn’t that different from Shane and he would probably do anything for her.

“I think she’s worried and you know what you did what wrong, but I also think she’ll understand.” Nico said and hoped he was right.

As they neared the town and made the walk towards Mayor Lewis house, Nico looked around him just to make sure they didn’t miss Marnie or Lewis on the way to the house. It could be they were outside looking for Jas. Luckily for them though, when they knocked on the door to the house, Marnie was the one to open it.

“Jas!” She exclaimed as soon as she saw the little girl. She quickly enveloped her into a hug.

Lewis stood behind Marnie and although not nearly as excited as Marnie to see Jas, he looked incredibly relieved.

“She came to my house, hoping to get a chance to talk to Shane.” Nico explained. “We talked with Shane earlier… and I guess she came to me hoping for the same thing to happen again.”

Marnie’s face softened when she heard that. She leaned out of the hug and caressed Jas’ hair.

“I’m sorry, Jas. I know you miss him.”

“It’s not fair that he has to be all alone.”

Well Marnie would be at the ranch – but that’s when Nico noticed Marnie was in her nightgown. She had intended to sleep here with Jas. Now he really felt sorry for Shane.

“We actually have an idea.” Nico said. “And I already talked to Shane about it… but I suggested maybe Jas could stay at my house, while Shane is quarantined. That way I can call Shane whenever she needs to talk with him… and we avoid incidents like this.”

Marnie looked up at Nico, and he instantly wondered if this was a horrible idea and she was about to tell him off for even suggesting it.

“Shane said as long as you’re good with it, he doesn’t mind.” Nico quickly clarified.

Marnie looked back at Mayor Lewis who only shrugged.

“Well I don’t want to come between you and Uncle Shane.” Marnie said. She didn’t sound too keen on the idea, but at least she was on board. “and I can come by and check up on your once in awhile.”

Jas beamed at the words. She ran into the bedroom, presumably to get all of her things.

“I promise to take good care of her.”

Marnie just nodded with smile before she went to the bedroom to help Jas pack her things.

[howtodisassembleyourdeviant]

Be My Garden of Eden Ch.3

I kinda screwed up. I didn't realize it, but I ended the last chapter too early, so this is more like ch. 2.5, but I'll just post it as it's own and call it good. I'm still new to Tumblr, and I have to use my phone, so if the format keeps changing or I do weird things, it's because I don't know what the f*ck I'm doing. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy!!!

.....

He didn't want to disturb you, so he left, moving to the couch. Turning on the tv, he flipped through the channels, ensuring the volume was low. A cooking show popped up and he paused. An older woman promoting independence from androids giving step by step instructions on how to make crepes. He watched with rapt attention, the end result looks quite beautiful. It seemed simple enough.

An idea occurred to him. He moved to the kitchen, forming a list of ingredients he would need. He was... Giddy. He had never cooked before. It wasn't a program required for a sex android, particularly one from such a low-grade shack as Mimosa. He was happy to discover you were fully stocked, quickly finding all the items and tools he would require.

You awoke the next morning, a jarring sound waking you. Jumping up, you almost ran out without a top on, rushing to throw on your robe.

"Connor? Are you alright?" You looked around the living room, seeing no sign of the android. Hearing another banging sound, you rounded to the kitchen, peeking inside.

"Wow." You gaped. Your kitchen was an absolute mess. What looked like pancake batter was splattered everywhere, a large puddle on the floor, and from the skidmark in it, you'd guess the sound that woke you up was Connor falling. You could see the scorchmark around one of the burners, baking soda adding to the mess on the floor and counters. Good to know you could have burned to death in your sleep. The pan in question lay abandoned in the sink, doused in the white powder and still smoking a bit.

Connor stood by the stove, just as messy as your kitchen, batter all down the right side of his jeans. Guilt made him look far too much like a kicked puppy, head down with his doe-eyes staring up at you through his long lashes. Next to him was a plate of crepes, in various states, some looked undercooked, while others were completely burnt. The best looking ones were on a separate plate, topped with strawberries and whipped cream.

"I'm sorry, I promise I'll-"

"Looks tasty," you giggled. His eyes shifted up, "did you make it for me?" You gestured to the plate.

"Uh, y-yes, I did," stammering, he handed you the plate.

"Thank you," you grabbed a fork and moved to the small breakfast nook. He watched with bated breath as you took your first bite. He relaxed when you hummed happily.

"This is really good, thank you, Con!" You really were surprised, considering the mess. His cheeks tinted a light shade of blue. Was he... Is that how androids blush? It looks absolutely adorable on him.

"I'm happy you enjoy it," he beamed, solidifying his puppy appearance in your mind. If he had a tail, it'd be wagging. You're not sure what you're enjoying more, the food or the sight of the delighted android. It's definitely a great way to wake up in the morning.

You couldn't help but wonder if this is how couples felt in the company of their lover, but you quickly stopped that train of thought. He's not staying. You can't afford for him to stay, and even if you could, he would go to Canada to start a new life. Without you. Still, it's nice to dream.

You ate while he cleaned the mess. you offered to take over from there, since he did cook for you, but he adamantly denied. Letting you clean would completely undo what he was trying to do. Not to mention, he was certain that, at your height, you would not be able to reach the splatters on the roof. You laughed when you noticed. How did he even manage that?

"You might want to clean yourself up as well," you jested, trying not to laugh at how the crepe mix kept dripping from his hair onto anything he was cleaning. he glanced down at himself, seeming to have just noticed how filthy he was, grimacing. The showers at the club were more identical to high-pressure decontamination chambers and lately it's been bothering his synthetic skin. He tries not to be in there any longer than necessary, but this might take longer to remove. When he just stood there, you sighed.

"Come on, there's still a couple hours left," you dragged him to the shower, "just leave your clothes outside the door. Hope you don't mind my girly soaps," you chuckled as you shut the door.

He stood, baffled for a moment, before he scanned the bathroom. He often wondered if the other androids felt the need to scan a room every time they entered one, or if it was none of their concern. Still, he took in the multicolored bottles of various bathroom supplies, noting nothing of significance.

He began to strip, realizing he could see himself in the mirror. He looked over his body, seeing the many imperfections along his skin. They were healed as well as they could be, but there were still marks, synthetic skin raised in a similar way to scar tissue, but tinted in a way that hid them well, at least, until they were touched. The most recent one, a strike to his hip, was still healing, the white chassis visible. Tentatively, he touched it, flinching away from his own fingers as a jolt of unpleasant tingles shot out from the wound. Pain. Why could he feel pain? He tore his attention away from it, pushing his fear away. He can't think about it now. It was too… real. He can't make it real.

Connor turned his attention to his face, bringing up the memory of your painting. He looked similar to the man, but where the man's eyes held a sense of serenity, his own looked empty, devoid of something. How could you see anything in such a vacant stare?

Looking at himself, he finds, is ruining the illusion. He was making things real when all he wants to do is pretend that this was his life. That there was no outside world. No Club Mimosa. No humans using him as a sex toy. No owner beating him. Just him and you, watching cartoons. He turned away from the mirror.

Just him and you.

When he exited the shower, smelling wholly of you, something he quite enjoyed, he realized he had no clothes. You had taken them to be washed after he left them outside of the bathroom. He tried knocking on the door, but you didn't answer. You were a modest person, so he figured you would not appreciate him walking out naked. He took a towel, noting its small size, and wrapped it around his waist before walking out. After a quick search, he found you rummaging around your closet.

"Y/n?" You jumped.

"Shit! I didn't hear you…" your voice trailed off as you twirled to look at him, coming face to face with six-foot of dripping android, muscular chest bare for the world to see. Your cheeks flared and your mouth suddenly felt parched. You turned away, returning to your search. Connor would be lying if he said he didn't like how flustered you looked.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's fine," your voice was a tad jittery.

After a moment, you called "Ah-Haa!" Holding up a large pair of sweatpants, far too large for yourself.

"Some of my last roommate's clothes were thrown in one of my moving boxes. They should fit you, at least until your clothes are done in the wash." You tossed him the sweats and a sweater you had already placed on the side, finally emerging from the closet. "You go ahead and get dressed, I gotta make a phone call." He nodded, watching as your cheeks flushed again while you made your exit.

The material was soft on his skin, and he didn't feel constricted as he had in his android labeled clothes. The sweater was quite large on him, but he liked it, how it hung off him, burying him in its softness. The odd stripes on it were rather jarring, but the individual pigments are pleasant.

"…later on tonight. Thanks." You hung up the phone. "Well, I can't afford another night, but you don't have to go running off once your clothes are done." He smiled. Just a little longer. He doesn't have to break the illusion just yet.

"Thank you," it was all he could think to say, but it didn't come anywhere close to how much he truly appreciated what you were doing for him.

"It's no problem. I wish I could offer you better," the last sentence was said under your breath as you looked away, towards the window. "Wanna see the fish? I forgot to feed them yesterday, so they must be quite hungry."

He wanted to tell you how much this time with you meant to him. Every moment cherished. If he had to suffer a thousand beatings just to get one more minute with you, it would be worth it. You made him feel different. You made him feel…

Alive.

But, even as the words burned his tongue in their desperation to leave his lips, he only smiled, following you to the backyard.

The afternoon was spent enjoying the early autumn sun, watching the brightly colored fish, dashing to their meal, or simply floating along, letting the food come to them. There were even a couple of turtles, sunning themselves on the rocks. It was tranquil, like a dream.

And like all dreams, he had to wake up sometime.

The setting sun marked his time to leave, exchanging the comfort of your sweater for his stiff android uniform. You gave him a pouch of thirium, figuring he could find a way to hide it, before hugging him. You held on so tightly, hands clinging to him harder than the last time. He held on for as long as he could before breaking away, feeling an ache in his chest.

[is0gild]

Ice Cream and Fire Oven Pizza - Chapter 11

Pairing: Elsa x Lea/Axel || Side Pairing: Riku x OC

Summary: Modern AU. She's an introvert ball of nerves who works at Ice Palace, a mall food court ice cream shop. He's the outgoing, sassy goofball who works at the Pizza Planet across the way. Hilarity, snark, and fluffy romcom hijinks ensue.

Word Count: 8,761

FIRST CHAPTER || PREVIOUS CHAPTER || NEXT CHAPTER

Credit for super friggin’ cute and super friggin’ amazing cover art goes to the super friggin’ talented ky-jane here on tumblr!

“Please, Ray, think of the child!”

“I am! Cuz this is my last few months of freedom!”

It was getting late and things were winding down now in 7th Heaven. Most of the gang from the mall had already split and there were just a few stragglers left. It may have come as a shock to find me among them. Or maybe not, given Anna and I were carpooling and my little sister had never, ever been one to call it an early night.

Rayne apparently wasn’t ready for the party to be over yet either. Much to Riku’s dismay, she had climbed up onto a table for what was probably now the sixth time tonight and was rocking her best dancing queen moves. I snorted as I watched her work it, always managing to boogie-dodge out of the way whenever Riku would make a desperate grab for her ankles. I was almost surprised Anna wasn’t up there cutting the proverbial rug with her right now like she had been earlier.

“Trying to wrangle the wife so you two can head out for the night?” I asked, stepping up beside Riku.

His shoulders slumped as he released a long suffering sigh, “Yeah, if only she’d stand still long enough.” Once again his hand swiped out and once again she evaded him with ease as she razzed her tongue at him before spinning around to shake her munny-maker in his general direction. “Now she’s just taunting me,” he grumbled.

I brought a hand up to hide my grin. “Need help?”

“Nah, I got it.” He glanced at me out of the corner of his eyes. “You catching a ride home with us tonight?”

“No thanks,” I shook my head. “Anna is more alcohol than person at this point. She has no business being behind a wheel, so she’s going to need me to drive her. Will it be okay if she sleeps on your couch?”

He nodded, “Fine by me. Sure you yourself are good to drive?”

I cocked an eyebrow at him. “If you’re referring to that one sip I had on the karaoke stage, that was hours ago. Trust me, I’m good.” Looking around, I then asked, “Any idea where Anna may have gotten off to?”

“Haven’t seen her for a while now, but I’m sure she’ll turn up. Maybe check with-”

“Catch me!”

Eyes going round, Riku hastily threw his arms out just in time for Rayne to land in them princess-style. Giggling, she wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a loud smooch on his cheek. He gave an amused huff through his nose, muttering, “Woman, you’re gonna be the death of me.”

“And you’ll love every minute of it, my knight in shining armor,” she cooed, hugging him tighter and nuzzling her face into his neck.

He snerked, closing his eyes. “You’re right. Probably need my head examined.”

I felt a tug at one corner of my mouth. “Looks like you have your hands full with this one, Riku. Good luck.”

“Eh, it’s just this place. She’ll be all sobered up by the time we’re on the road. Speaking of which, we should probably get going.” Still carrying her, he started to turn to leave but then stopped and peered back at me with a smile. “Oh, and Elsa? Great job at the mic tonight. You were amazing.”

I blinked, then looked down with a weak chuckle. “No, not really.”

He gave my leg a friendly nudge with his shoe, seeing as how his hands were otherwise occupied. “Yes, really. Anyway, see you back at home.”

“Hi-ho Silver, away!” Rayne cried, jabbing a finger out and kicking up a leg.

“If you’re expecting me to gallop and whinny, sorry, not happening,” Riku said flatly as he started making his way towards the door.

“Aw, please?” she dragged out the word and I could all but hear the pout in her voice.

I hummed a soft laugh as I watched them go. I’d said it before and I’ll say it again… they really were so sweet. It was hard not to envy them and what they had, the relationship and life they’d built together. I wondered if I could ever have anything like that with someone. I mean, I’d had my chance with my ex and had blown it. I’d never felt anything even remotely like that for him in the years we’d been together. Could I if the right person came along? Or was I just…

...not built that way?

In any case, this wasn’t the time to be thinking about such things. Romance was the least of my worries at the moment. What with having made the wholly unwise and completely spur of the moment decision to turn my entire life utterly upside down, there were much more pressing matters to deal with.

Not the least of which was locating one rambunctious and currently quite heavily sauced little sister.

Now where to even start looking? Hmmm… pretty sure I’d seen her last holed up in one of the booths with Xion, heads hunched together, whispering and cackling about something. What exactly? Not entirely sure. Part of me had been a little too afraid to find out. Either way, checking in with Xion would probably be my best bet. I knew she’d been making the rounds and saying good night to everyone, but I didn’t think she’d left just yet.

It took a few minutes as the bar was still pretty jam packed, but I finally caught sight of her over by the arcade machines chatting with Olette and Hayner. She waved goodbye to the other two before turning and spotting me as I approached. “Oh hiya!” she smiled broadly. “Glad you decided to join us tonight, hope you had fun!”

I smiled back, “I did, thanks.” And I wasn’t just being polite. Oddly enough, I actually meant it. “So hey, any clue where Anna might be?”

She pursed her lips to one side, giving a low hum before at last shaking her head. “Nope! Sorry. She and I were hanging out a bit ago, but then she ran off. Haven’t seen her since. Why don’t you try calling her? You’re still phoneless, right?” She dug hers out of one of her pockets. “Here, use mine.”

I took it from her and almost dropped it when it immediately started vibrating against my palm. The screen lit up with Anna’s name and a photo selfie of her next to Xion in one of the booths here, both posing with duck face and white girl gangsta hand gestures. Speak of the devil. Apparently, the phone was receiving an incoming call from my sister. I arched an eyebrow up at Xion, to which she just laughed, “Oh yeah, we exchanged numbers. Perfect timing, huh?”

Perfecting timing indeed.

Shrugging it off, I pressed the green button and brought the device up to my ear, “Anna?”

A loud dramatic gasp came through from the other end, “Xi-Xi! Has anyone ever told you that you sound exactly like my sister?”

My eyelids drooped. “This is your sister.”

Another gasp. “Sis! Has anyone ever told you that you sound exactly like Xi-Xi doing a spot on impression of you?”

“You’d be the first,” I rolled my eyes, squinting as I took another quick glance around the pub. “Where are you? We should probably get going.”

“But I am going!” her voice slurred through the speaker. “I’m already loooooong gone, baby, woo!”

“Oh, no doubt about that,” I snerked. Xion pointed over to Meg and Tiana, indicating she wanted to catch them before they left and I nodded as she walked off. “But no, I mean going as in driving. You know, like in a car? Beep beep, vroom vroom?”

She huffed, “But that’s what I’m saying! I am in a car with all the beep beeps and vroom vrooms!”

My eyebrows knit together. “You are? With who?”

“Ray-Ray and Ri-Ri of course!” she chirped.

Anna was oh so clever and original at coming up with nicknames, if you hadn’t guessed by this point. “What? But I told Riku I’d be driving you. Like, not even five minutes ago.”

“Yeah, I caught them as they were leaving and Ri-Ri said something about that, but told him I figured I’d just snag a ride with them cuz you decided to stay a tad longer to hang out with yo peeps!”

“Oh I did, did I?” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Funny, I don’t remember saying anything like that.”

“Well, no, not in so many words, but I knew. I could tell. Sisterly intu… intu-ish-ish, uh…” she sluggishly stumbled over the word for a bit before instead settling on, “I’m psychic!”

“I see. Fine then, oh great and powerful reader of minds, what am I thinking about right this second?”

There was a pause. Then, “You’re thinking… no, wondering… how… glue doesn’t stick to the inside of its own bottle?”

“No.” Well… yes actually, since she’d brought it up, now I was. But Anna didn’t need to know that! “I’m wondering where the keys to your car are.”

“Oh!” Another pause, then some shuffling noises followed by a loud jangle. “Right here!”

I frowned, heaving a sigh through my nose. “Perfect. So then tell me, Anna, because I’d really love to know… how am I supposed to get home?”

“Easy peasy lemon squeezy! Just ask someone there to take ya. Oh oh, ask Xi-Xi! Besides, you shouldn’t be driving anyway, ya boozehound!”

“Oh my god, it was just one sip!” I facepalmed. “Look, can you just put Riku on the phone? You guys can’t have driven that far yet, I’m sure he won’t mind turning around. Besides, we shouldn’t just leave your car here overnight.”

She scoffed, “It’ll be fine, I can get it in the morning!”

“Anna, please, can you just hand the phone to-”

“What was that?” she asked before making a loud, crackly hiss through her teeth in a super obvious and super fake attempt at static noises. “Sis? You’re breaking up! I’m going through a tunnel, I can’t-” More hissing followed by a long beep, presumably Anna pressing down on what she thought was the ‘End Call’ button. It wasn’t. “...hehehe, all according to plan.”

 “You know I’m still here and can still hear you, right?” I deadpanned.

“Gah!” Another beep and the line actually went dead this time.

I pulled the phone away from my ear to narrow my eyes down at it.

What were you up to, brat?

“So!” Xion beamed as she abruptly popped back up in front of me, making me jump as my hand flew up to my chest. “Looks like you’re hitching a ride with me!”

My brow furrowed, “How did you-?”

“We better hit the road then!” she took her phone back as she slung her other arm around my shoulders, making me stagger into a walk beside her as she directed us towards the exit. “I gave the boys my keys so they could let themselves into the car, so they should already be all buckled in and good to go!”

Okay, something was beyond fishy here.

I started reaching towards her hand to remove it, “Thank you, but this isn’t necessary. Could I just maybe borrow your phone again and try Riku’s or Rayne’s numbers directly? I don’t want to be any trouble, really.”

“Nonsense!” She swatted my hand away before barreling us through the door and out into the night. “No trouble at all! I’m only too happy to drive you. Besides, with all that testosterone swimming in giggle juice stuffed into one teeny-tiny car, I’m grateful for another sane female presence. Trust me, you’re doing me a favor!”

As we made our way down the steps and into the parking lot, I tried again, “But-”

“Arr, avast ye scallywags!” Roxas suddenly jumped out in front of us from between two cars, earning a yelp from the both of us. He drunkenly wobbled into a battle stance, brandishing a broken tree branch in our faces. “Surrender yer booty or taste the cold steel of my blade, yar!”

Xion fixed him with a dull stare and crossed her arms. “Roxas, that’s a stick.”

“Wha?” Blinking groggily at his makeshift weapon a couple times, he then shouted, “Think fast!” He chucked it, missing us by miles and instead hitting some random car, setting off its alarm. Then he sniggered and spun around to make a break for it, only to trip over his own two feet and hit the asphalt hard. He hiccuped before calling out a weak, “I’m okay!” Scrambling to his feet once more, he managed to stumble across Xion’s Prius a few vehicles down and dive (well… more like fall) head first through one of the backseat windows, shoes flailing about wildly in the air for a few seconds before getting pulled inside with the rest of him.

Her lips flapped as she puffed out a breath. “Ugh, Rox is such a lightweight. At least Lea knows how to hold his hooch a little better. But see? See what I have to put up with?” She pressed her palms together and held them up under her chin, “Please, please just let me give you a ride home so you can keep those baboons from driving me bonkers.”

My lips pressed into a thin line. “...oh, alright.” Then I scraped together a small smile, “Thanks.” 

“Yes!” she pumped her fist before she resumed walking and I reluctantly followed. “And don’t mention it!”

As I gave her my address to put in her phone for directions, we walked around behind her car and I looked longingly at Anna’s Porsche, just one space over. So close, I could reach out and touch it. Ugh. Besides not being able to quite shake the feeling that I was wandering headlong into a carefully laid trap courtesy of Anna and I was beginning to strongly suspect Xion too, I’d just plain had enough of being around people for one night. My social battery was depleted and in serious need of recharging, so even something so simple as a car ride with others sounded like a lot.

Hmm... wonder what my chances of success would be if I tried to break in and hotwire Anna’s car?

Probably not the best considering when it came to grand theft auto, I didn’t have the foggiest of where to even begin. But hey, someone had to be the first to figure out how to start up a car sans keys. And that person wouldn’t have even had Youtube tutorial videos to help them through the whole process, so who knew, maybe I had a shot.

Meh. I should just suck it up and go with Xion. Ten more minutes of human interaction wasn’t going to kill me.

...famous last words.

Xion opened the door to the backseat and held out her hand to whoever was seated inside, curling and uncurling her fingers a couple times. “Keys.”

Another hand stretched out from within the car, dropping the requested item into her awaiting palm with a muted clink. As the arm was pulled back inside, it was replaced by a fiery head of hair poking out to quirk an eyebrow back at me. “El?” Lea called out. “What’re you doing here?”

Xion stepped aside so I could walk up, coming to a stop between the open door and where he was buckled in in the back. With a tiny, awkward laugh, I said, “It, uh… looks like I’ll be catching a ride with you guys tonight.”

“Oh?” he smiled up at me, but then it quickly faded. “But there’s not really space…”

“There’s not?” I frowned, bowing down a bit to get a better look into the car. Sitting next to Lea were two Roxases. Or rather… I guess one was his brother… Ventus, was it? I didn’t know them well enough yet to tell which was which. Drat, I couldn’t even remember what Roxas had been wearing thirty seconds ago when he’d tried to hold us up at stick-point. And neither one was in their work clothes, so I didn’t even have that as a clue. As for the front passenger spot, that was already occupied as well. Naminé had twisted around her seat there to give me a wave with a warm grin.

“Oopsie,” Xion singsonged behind me a touch too innocently, “looks like I miscalculated available car space!”

I turned to squint suspiciously at her. “You told me you needed another,” here I used finger quotes, “sane female presence in the car with you.”

“Yeah, another. Never said anything about you being the only one.”

My gaze shot skyward as I released a soft huff. “Well… thanks anyway, but looks like I’ll be needing Riku to come back for me after all. Could someone lend me their phone please?”

“Nah, it’s fine, don’t make him drive all the way here again,” Lea batted a hand and started reaching for his seatbelt. “El, take my seat, I’ll just walk back to my place, it’s not that far.”

“Please, I’m not letting you walk your drunk ass home in the middle of the night,” Xion said sternly.

“Yeah, we’ll just stuff your drunk ass into the trunk instead!” Roxas (or was it Ventus?) cackled beside him.

He snorted, “Like I’d even fit in there. If anyone’s going in the trunk, it’s Nams. She’s the smallest.”

She blinked back at the boys before tapping a finger to her chin, “Well, I guess if it’ll make everything easier…”

“No one’s going in the trunk, Nams, he was joking,” Xion rolled her eyes.

I decided to try again, “Now about that phone?”

“Worry not! We can make this work,” Xion smirked and I didn't like that sudden gleam in her eye. “It’ll just get a lil cozy, but that’s okay. We’re all friends here, right? Right.” And with that, her hands shot forward, shoving me into a backward stumble.

And straight into Lea’s lap.

I felt his whole body jerk and tense beneath mine. As my brain was still trying to catch up and process what exactly it was that had just happened, Xion cooed all sugary sweet like, “Watch your toesies there,” lightly kicking my feet in along with the rest of me before slamming the car door shut.

“Xion!” Lea yelled, grabbing the door handle and yanking on it several times, but it remained shut tight. “This isn’t funny! Open the door!” She just brought her face down to the window, sticking her tongue out as she waggled her fingers at him before skipping off around to the other side of the car. He banged his fist against the window glass, “Damn it!”

Oh no…

Oh.

No.

“W-what’s wrong with the door?” I asked, my breathing growing rapid as I pulled on the handle a few times myself, but still it didn’t budge. “Is it stuck?”

Lea flopped his head back against the headrest, raking his fingers through his hair as he grumbled, “Child lock.”

“Yup!” piped Xion as she plopped down into the driver's seat, buckling herself in. “Rox here has tried one too many times now to jump outta a moving vehicle while plastered.”

“Keep telling ya, I’ll be fine!” the one next to the other backseat window snapped. Guess that’d make him Roxas.

She snorted, turning the key in the ignition. “For the last time, no, you won’t. Being three sheets to the wind doesn’t make you as invulnerable as you seem to think it does, sorry bud.”

I barely heard a word that was being said, heart thudding loudly now as my fingers frantically and repeatedly pressed the window button. I was not above climbing out that way to escape! However, the window remained firmly closed and I heard the one opposite of us rolling up as well.

I caught Naminé casting me a look of concern through the rearview mirror before she glanced at Xion, “Um… maybe this isn’t really the best id-”

“Shush, it’ll be fine!” Xion brushed her off before backing the car out of the parking space. “And we’re off!”

Oh god, oh god, oh god, this was really happening. I rigidly sat as far forward on his legs as I could, self-consciously tugging at the hem of my mini skirt. I still hadn’t purchased any tights to wear under them, so there was also that. 

Worst. 

Work attire. 

Ever. 

I stopped fussing with it, instead concentrating on sitting as still as humanly possible, planting my elbows on my knees and clasping my hands over my nose, mouth, and searing cheeks.

Breathe. Breathe. Okay, Elsa, calm down. This isn’t another person you’re sitting on. It’s a chair. Just… just a chair…

A very warm, firm, shifting, breathing, distressingly person-shaped chair.

Yeah, no, that wasn’t helping.

My eyes screwed tightly shut.

Alright, okay, try this instead! Just picture like you’re a child again, sitting on Santa's lap and telling him what you want for Christmas!

...except I’d always been terrified of Santa Claus as a kid and had screamed bloody murder until they’d take me away from him.

Ugh, this wasn’t working! Were we there yet? Was it almost over? Please, oh please let us almost be back to the apartment!

I peeked one eye open and...

We weren’t. In fact, we’d just barely left the parking lot and were waiting at a light. Out of my peripheral, I saw Lea’s hands hovering about awkwardly, clearly not sure what to do with them. At last, he settled on one grabbing the edge of the seat to the left of his knees while the other fumbled about against the door, the window, the ceiling, basically trying to be anywhere but on me.

This was awful. One could all but choke on the sheer amount of awkward, it was so palpable. This was one hundred and ten percent the type of situation I would usually nopety-nope the hell out of faster than you could say ‘panic attack’. But I couldn’t! I was trapped! No way out!

Except… hold up, maybe there was one way out… it was a long shot, but...

Squeezing my eyes shut once again, I clicked my heels together three times.

There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home…

I peeked one eye open.

Fudge, still here.

Maybe it’d help if I actually had ruby slippers.

Stupid, useless, non-magical, suede ankle boots. 

“I’m really sorry about this,” I heard Lea mumble behind me.

I twitched, then quickly shook my head, “Don’t be, it’s not-”

“Sweet! Light’s green!” Xion whooped before slamming the pedal to the metal.

The car leapt forward, knocking me into a backward slide along Lea’s lap, my back thumping against his chest. I heard him suck in a sharp breath and groan softly, his hand on the seat cushion gripping harder. I stammered, “S-sorry, did I hurt you?”

Voice somewhat strained, he said, “No, not at all, it’s, er… hm, it’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.” His breath tickled against my neck and shoulder, making me shiver and my blush burn hotter. It was a wonder my whole body wasn’t glowing in the dark at this point. “Your, ah… your hair… may I ask the, um… the scent?”

Oh gosh, he must have gotten a face full of ponytail when I had been thrown up against him just now. “Snowberry? I believe is the, erm… the flavor of shampoo.” I winced. “Not flavor! D-don’t know why I said that, I don’t know what it tastes like! Not like I go around eating shampoo, who would do that? Crazy people, that’s who! I’m perfectly normal and eat normal things like-” Ugh, stop rambling! You may not eat shampoo, but you’re definitely sounding like a crazy person right now! “Nevermind. Anyway, sorry… I know it- the shampoo that is... that the smell tends to be a bit strong.”

“No, no, it’s, uh…” he cleared his throat, “... it’s nice. Very-”

There was a loud thud that jolted the whole car, making me bounce in his lap, much to my utter horror. I heard a tiny whimper from Lea as his knuckles started turning white. 

“Sorry,” Xion laughed, “pothole!”

Oh, Xion. Dear, sweet Xion… what did I ever do to you to deserve all this? Did I mess up one of your ice cream orders? Give you a sugar cone when you had wanted waffle? Or only two scoops when you had asked for three? Served you a Sea Salt that was an insultingly subpar shade of blue?

And Anna… oh-ho, trust me, this little stunt had that hellion’s name written all over it, no doubt about that. I don’t know what she was even trying to accomplish here, but when I got my hands on her… sorry, Mother, Father, but your littlest would be coming home to you in a friggin’ body bag.

“So Lea,” Ventus elbowed him in the arm abruptly, “I feel like you and I don’t get to talk much, like, ever. Figure now’s a good a time as any to fix that. So tell me, buddy, cuz I really wanna know…” his lips curled wickedly as he leaned in closer to him, eyebrows waggling, “...what’s up?”

Lea shoved him away and into Roxas, who snickered, “Ooo, sore subject, I take it? Don’t worry about it, big guy. Too much booze can do that to man and-”

A second, more forceful shove from Lea, this time knocking the twins’ heads together with a satisfying smack as he snarled, “If you two twerps don’t cram it, I’m gonna-”

“Oopsie, stop sign!” Xion announced brightly, stomping down on the brakes hard.

As the tires squealed to a stop, I flew forward, but was saved by Lea’s arm instinctively latching around my waist. He breathed a sigh of relief, but then his muscles stiffened. “S-sorry,” he hastily removed his hand from my hip… only to rest it on my bare thigh instead. Instantly realizing his mistake, another louder, more panicked, “Sorry!” as he jerked the hand away, electing to jam it under his leg instead.

One had to wonder what the boiling point of human was, because at the rate my head-to-toe blush was going, I had to be fast approaching it.

“Onward!” Xion cheerfully boomed, flooring it once more, flinging me back and starting the whole cycle anew.

The rest of the trip probably lasted only a grand total of five more minutes. However, it felt like five centuries, with a decade tacked on for every sudden acceleration, sharp turn or jerky stop. I swear Xion was purposely seeking out every last dang bump and ditch in the stupid road. I never even realized there were so many! If I hadn’t known any better, I’d have suspected her of doubling back to hit some of them twice.

Finally, after what seemed like an absolute gut-wrenching eternity, she mercifully sang out a chipper, “Here we are!” as we pulled into the parking lot for my apartment complex.

Oh thank goodness!

As we came to what had to be the smoothest stop the whole ride, I was already tugging on the door handle restlessly, impatient for Xion to release the infernal child lock. “Alright, alright, hold your horses,” she snerked, taking her sweet time to tap a button on her armrest. There was a click beside me and with one final pull of the handle, the car door popped open. In the blink of an eye, I was gone.

Road Runner, eat your heart out.

“Elsa, wait!” Lea called out behind me. 

I was feeling so humiliated, so mortified, so wanting to be anywhere but here in that exact second that nothing could have stopped me. Not hell or high water. Not the zombie apocalypse. Not an alien invasion. Not the inevitable heat death of the universe snuffing out all life and existence as we know it everywhere. Nothing.

Well… almost nothing.

Turns out the one thing that could stop me was a clattering sound, followed by a, “Motherfu-” then a heavy tumbling thud accompanied by a pained grunt, all topped off at the end with a tiny, almost inaudible “Ow.”

I froze a mere few inches short of the building entrance, my hand already reaching for the door - aka my ticket out of this nightmare - and haltingly glanced back over my shoulder. There Lea was, halfway out the car, back sprawled flat against the pavement, eyes squeezed shut in a grimace, feet still up inside the vehicle where they’d somehow gotten all tangled in the seatbelt.

...this… dork…

Despite every fiber of my being still telling me to run, something in me found the will to resist. Instead I turned and slowly, reluctantly walked back, coming to a stop beside him and squatting down, knees together and arms folded over them. “...you okay?”

His eyes snapped open and he blinked up at me a couple times, surprised to see me there. Then he scrabbled to get up, failed miserably due to the seatbelt predicament and instead just ended up flopping about like a hooked fish. Finally, feet still up above his head, he just settled for rolling over onto one side, propping himself up on an elbow while the other hand went to his head with a soft hiss. “Yeah, nothing bruised ‘sides my ego.” He paused, peeking at me out of the corner of his eye. “...are we?”

I stared blankly at him, slightly tipping my head to one side.

“Okay, that is,” he elaborated. “Please believe me, I had nothing to do with this, had zero clue what the, erm… seating arrangements were gonna be.” I looked away, feeling a now all too familiar warmth creeping back into my face as the corner of my lips pulled down. He was quick to add, “And make no mistake, the culprit will not go unpunished. Heads will roll. There will be repercussions, young lady!” he directed the last threat in a yell back towards the car.

“You’re not my real dad!” Xion shouted back and it was followed by a chorus of giggles from the rest of Prius’s occupants.

Lea hung his head and heaved a sigh. “I swear, I get no respect.”

I shifted one arm to prop my chin in my palm, fingers hiding a growing grin despite myself. I nodded, “...yeah. You and I... we’re okay.” I then turned my head to shoot a small glare back towards my apartment building, “I can’t say the same though for my own little troublemaker. Yours didn’t act alone and had an accomplice, one who’ll soon be reaping the excruciating consequences of her actions.”

“I pity anyone fool enough to provoke your wrath,” he chuckled.

“Trust me, I know how to bring the pain. She will rue the day.”

“Oh, I have no doubt about that.” There was a thunk as one of Lea’s feet suddenly fell free. It seemed Naminé, feeling sorry for the big lug, had sat up on her knees and flipped around, leaning over the back of her seat so she could disentwine his ankles from the impromptu snare. With one down, her fingers set to work on unwinding the other one. “Thanks Nams! Looks like I have a new bestie, cuz my current ones suck and/or are not long for this world.”

The car’s engine revved and abruptly rolled forward a few feet, dragging Lea with it. “Xion!” he snapped and the wheels screeched to a stop.

“Ven did it!” Xion blurted out, voice bubbling with laughter.

“Wha- Did not!”

“Don’t lie, I saw you,” an identical voice could be heard, tone colored by a smirk.

“You’re the liar, Rox!”

Again, the Prius started to inch forward. Reacting on impulse, my hands darted out and latched onto Lea’s wrists. That combined with a now distraught Naminé working feverishly to finish untangling the seatbelt finally had his other leg pulling loose. He was fast to hop up to his feet and as I straightened up to join him, he scratched the back of his head with a sheepish smile. “Heh, thanks! Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a couple of ex-friends to brutally slaughter.”

And with that, he charged off in a blur after the car. Cackles and jeers from within echoed out into the night, mingled with the tires shrieking as Xion burned rubber to stay ahead of him. I shook my head, deciding to leave them to it as I turned my back on the scene and made my way inside.

I was still a little rattled from that whole… ahem, experience. My cheeks had yet to make a full recovery, still redder than molten magma and three times as hot. But hey, that was an improvement over the ten times as hot they’d been during the entire car ride, so… progress! Awesome. Not to mention I felt physically and emotionally exhausted and was pretty sure at least five years had been taken off my life. I was just about ready to curl up in bed and hibernate until next Spring.

But first I had a certain sister to march to the gallows.

After climbing several flights of stairs to reach the door to my apartment, I unlocked it and stepped inside to find the room dark. My hand groped about the wall for a second before locating and flicking the switch, light flooding the space.

“Do you have any idea what time it is you’re coming home, missy?”

Startled, I spun around to find Rayne seated at the dining table, arms crossed, eyes stern, and steaming mug resting atop a coaster in front of her. Yeesh, at this rate, my heart wasn’t going to hold out much longer. Hadn’t the poor, defenseless organ suffered enough scares for one evening? Eyelids drooping, I said, “I don’t know… maybe ten minutes after you got home?”

Her lips pursed to one side. “...touché.”

“So how long have you just been sitting here in the dark like a weirdo?” I asked as I dropped my keys onto the table and moved to the fridge, opening it up.

She shrugged and grinned, “Not long. Maybe a minute or two. Thought it really sold the whole vibe I was going for.”

“Oh, it did,” I pulled out a water bottle, nudging the door shut behind me as I unscrewed the cap. “Nice mother voice, by the way. That I’m-not-mad-just-disappointed tone of yours is really coming along quite beautifully.”

“Aw, thanks!”

This whole being her parenting test dummy thing was starting to get a bit out of hand. But eh, it sort of grows on you after a while.

“So where’s Riku? Surprised he’s not out here too, enabling your neurosis,” I quirked an eyebrow as I brought the water to my lips.

Rayne waved a dismissive hand, “Brushing his teeth and getting ready for bed.”

“And Anna?” Was kind of shocked the flat was as quiet as it was right now, given that the crimson tornado that was my sister was supposedly lurking about somewhere.

As if on cue, there was a rumbling, disembodied snuffle, followed by a mumbled, “...pink yetis… fluffy unicycles…”

She jerked a thumb over her shoulder. “Passed out stone cold on the couch like the absolute lush she is.”

Setting the plastic bottle down on the table, I went over to the sofa to discover Anna flopped there in an undignified heap, hair already knotted into a bedheaded rat’s nest, arms snuggling a pillow close as she snored and murmured more incoherent gibberish.

So even evil criminal masterminds looked all sweet and innocent while sleeping. Go figure.

“So you gonna fill me in?” Rayne asked, drawing my attention back to her.

My brow furrowed. “On what?”

She blew on her beverage before taking a careful sip, shooting me a deadpan look. “On whatever happened that has your cheeks lit up like a pair of stoplights and has you looking ready to strangle your lil sis.”

“Stopl-?!” I scoffed, turning my head to one side. Come on, face, you’re weak! Get your act together already. “My cheeks are fine and I most certainly do not want to strangle her.”

“Tell that to your hands.”

I looked down and said hands were clawed and halfway to Anna’s throat.

Hehe… how did those get there?

Hastily snatching them back to hide behind me, I just gave Rayne a feeble chuckle by way of answer. She patted the chair beside her, “Sit.”

I hesitated before doing as I was told. As I lowered myself into the seat, I pulled my hair free of its ponytail, my anxious fingers combing through the soft, platinum strands. My little talk with Lea after the whole ordeal had actually been rather comforting and an odd calm had managed to settle over me in the minutes since. I say ‘odd’ because it was me after all, the PanicBot 3000. However, now that I was running over the events again in my head and trying to figure out how to best put them into words, I could feel that calm fraying at the edges and beginning to unravel. 

Gnawing on my lower lip, I began, “So, you know... cars… right?”

Oh excellent. Off to a superb start here. Simply smashing.

She gave me a dull stare. “...I’m aware of the concept, yes.”

My hands, unable to keep still, moved to haphazardly weave my hair into a loose braid. “And you know how they have, uh… limited seating?” She merely gave a patient nod and here I struggled, feeling my cheeks crank up the heat again.

Damn it, face, what did we just talk about?! 

What little poise I had left suddenly ripped to tatters like tissue paper and I snapped, “Well I had to get home somehow, didn’t I? And you’d left and Anna’d left and, and the keys had left! I tried to get them to come back but Anna was too busy talking about glue and making static noises and- ugh, she can be such a- anyway, I considered hotwiring her car, obviously, but had to toss out that idea due to lack of tools or experience or, you know, actually knowing how to hotwire, so when Xion offered, I… well, there really was no other choice, was there? But there were no more- I shouldn’t have been surprised, really, I just knew something was up and oh-ho, you can bet she and Anna planned it all, but still, that doesn’t change the fact that I had to sit somewhere and there was really no other alternatives, I mean… okay, Xion? Driving. The twins? Twigs. Uncomfortable. And Naminé? So small, I would have crushed her. So, I guess, by process of elimination, when… when you really think about it, Lea was just the just most logical choice! I mean, I didn’t want to, I didn’t even know what was- not until it had already- and then once I was… ya know, there, Xion, she… she just kept stopping and starting and stopping and, and hitting every- it was like a damn bouncy castle in there! I wanted to leave, oh dear god, you have no idea how much I just wanted to leave, but I couldn’t because apparently Roxas likes to pull a friggin’ Superman or whatever on the highway whenever he’s-”

Rayne clamped a hand over my mouth, silencing me except for the loud, rapid breaths through my nose. Her eyes squinted at me. “So… cliff notes version? Xion gave you a ride home.”

Her palm still effectively muzzling me, I simply nodded.

“...but she already had a full car and there were no seats left?”

I nodded again, hands twisting and tugging on my now complete, if somewhat sloppy braid.

“So you had to sit,” here a slow smirk curled her lips, “on Lea.”

My head bobbed frantically now and I was jerking on the braid so hard, I was afraid I‘d rip it clean out of my scalp. 

She snerked. Then spluttered. Then busted up laughing, nearly falling out of her chair.

...so not cool.

I kicked her in the shin, shutting her up just as Anna shot up on the couch, disturbed from her slumber by all the noise. My sister looked around, all bleary-eyed and slack-jawed, doing her best zombie impersonation. Don’t think she’d quite made a full exit out of dreamland. She groggily turned her head towards us, smacked her lips and mumbled, “What’s the sum of pizza divided by the square root of sandwiches?”

We both blinked at her before I shrugged and Rayne shook her head.

“Chartreuse,” she enunciated slowly and with an air of authority. Then she flumped back down, snoring thunderously once more.

Rayne began to snicker again, more softly this time and I shoved away the hand that was still acting as a jury-rigged gag, huffing, “I fail to see what’s so funny about all this.”

Wiping the corners of her eyes, she tried to sober her expression but only ended up cracking up again, saying, “You gave Lea a lap dance!”

Just about every last ounce of blood in my body flooded up into my face. “Wha- I- He- I most certainly did not!”

Her hand now went to pat my shoulder, “Okay, okay, sweetie, just answer a few quick and simple questions for me. Were you or were you not in his lap?”

“Well, yes, technically, but-”

“And did you not dance in said lap?”

“No, I did no such-”

“Fine,” her hands came up in a placating gesture, “allow me to retract and rephrase the question. Was there not the shifting and moving of your body in his lap? Answer truthfully now,” she tacked on quickly as I opened my mouth, “for I do believe the term ‘bouncy castle’ was used earlier.”

My teeth clicked shut as I glowered at her. “...well, yes, I suppose there may have been some… inadvertent shifting, but-”

“And,” she pressed on gleefully, “is not ‘the moving and shifting of one’s body’ an acceptable, working definition of the word… dancing?”

I narrowed my eyes at her and said nothing.

She smugly relaxed back in her seat. “Let the record show the defendant is speechless. I rest my case.”

“...I really hate you right now,” I grumbled, snatching up my water bottle again and unscrewing the lid.

“Love ya too, sweetpea,” Rayne winked and blew me a kiss. She then fell silent for a second, eyeing me thoughtfully as I took a sip. Then, “You know Lea used to be a big ol’ man-slut?”

I choked.

Nope, still can’t breathe water yet.

Coughing and wheezing as I put my drink back down, I struggled to get out, “Excuse me?”

“Oh yeah,” she plonked her elbows on the table, chin nestled in her palms as she smiled big at me. “You know the type. Smooth talker, real charmer, taking a different girl back to his place every night. It was almost kind of amazing watching him work. He had it down to an art form, but not like in a sleazy douchebag way… he just loved the ladies and the ladies loved him, I suppose.”

“...okay?” Wasn’t quite sure why she was telling me this.

“And when you and him got left alone in the booth earlier tonight? Well there was a time not too long ago that the, ah… discourse between you two? Would have ended up a lot less vertical and a little more horizontal, if ya know what I’m saying,” she waggled her eyebrows at me.

I scoffed, “Please. I don’t care how much of a ladykiller he was, this is still me we’re talking about here.”

She gave a low hum at that. “True. Talk about unstoppable force meets immovable object. Now I’m actually pretty curious about how that all would’ve really played out.” Her shoulders shrugged, “Anyway, when he went back to college again, he decided to hang up his casanova hat. He really wanted to give his education a fair shake this time around, which to him meant cutting out all his vices and distractions, including women. None of us took him seriously at first, but he’s surprised us all by sticking to it. For over a year now, he’s been on his best behavior. A total priest.”

Huh. I do remember when he was telling me about going back to school, he did say something about dropping old habits… I guess maybe dating had been one of them?

Rayne gave an abrupt, tiny snerk, muffling it behind her knuckles. A crease formed between my eyebrows, “What?”

She shook her head, “Sorry, sweetheart, I didn’t mean to laugh. You just, heh… looked a smidge disappointed there for a second.”

Annnnd there my cheeks went again. I swear, like a couple of furnaces, they were. Averting my gaze with a scowl, I said, “I’m not- ugh! I... was just trying to figure out where all this was coming from, why you felt the need to share.”

“Ah.” Her eyes crinkled and I got the feeling she didn’t quite fully believe me. Whatever, if seeing things that weren’t there made her happy, then more power to her. Let the crazy woman have her delusions. “I just wanted to give you some context. Knowing all that about Lea now, does it come as any real surprise then that Xion decided to have some fun at his expense tonight by testing his resolve and literally dropping a cute girl in his lap that he obviously has a little crush on?”

Those furnaces exploded into a fiery wreckage. “He- he absolutely does not!” I take it back. The crazy woman needs to have her delusions confiscated, no good can come from them in her demented hands! “This isn’t kindergarten, please! He hardly even knows me.”

“That’s the thing about crushes, boo. You don’t have to really know the person,” she flashed a cheshire grin and poked me in the nose, “just think they’re a total cutie-patootie! And trust me, the minute those sweet, candy lips of yours found their way to his on that fateful day, that poor boy was a goner.”

I rolled my eyes, “Oh shush, you’re just being silly now.”

“Am not. In fact, betcha that’s why Anna was Xion’s cohort in all of this. She wanted to play cupid.”

“No, Anna was just sowing chaos and mayhem like the demon imp she is because that’s what Anna does best,” I shot my sister an accusatory glance. In response, she defended herself most eloquently by snoring louder. Returning my attention to Rayne, I sighed, “Seriously, Lea doesn’t see me that way. We’re just friends.”

“You’d be singing a different tune if you saw the way he was looking at you during karaoke,” she lilted playfully.

Voice flat, I said, “What, like I was some kind of tone-deaf walrus?”

She gave a soft tch, “Girl, don’t even. Self-deprecating isn’t a good color on you. You crushed it, and I mean crushed it. And you know I never sugarcoat things, so you know I’m telling the truth! But no, I was talking specifically about during the second verse of the song.”

“The second…?” I frowned, thinking back. “...you mean the part where I got embarrassed by the lyrics and closed my eyes?”

Rayne nodded, “Mm-hm. And do you know what else you were doing?”

“Um…” Was this a trick question? “...singing?”

“And?” she prompted. I just stared at her blankly. Both eyebrows shot up her forehead and she smirked. “Oh pumpkin, you really have no idea, do you? Well, allow me to enlighten you. You had yourself a cute lil shimmy going, complete with swaying hips, a seductive crook of your finger, and a hand gliding up and down your thigh as you sang,” her voice got theatrically husky, “feel your way.”

I grew paler and my eyes more round with every word. “I- I did not! I w-would have known if- I wouldn’t j-just…” The words died on my tongue as she just simply nodded slyly at me. My mouth went dry as my face scrunched up in disbelief, my hands wrenching at my braid once more. “...did I? I mean, I… I was picturing the scene from the movie in my head, pretending I was there instead of making a fool of myself in front of a room full of people. I guess maybe I was just, I don’t know... getting into character?”

She shrugged, “Whatever you were doing, it certainly caused Lea to experience some, uh, heh… minor technical difficulties.”

Oh gosh, and here I’d thought the car ride was bad enough, but this? This was just the cherry on top. Not to mention the Kissident or... fudge, I just couldn't stop humiliating myself in front of this guy, could I? “I was… probably just making him awkward and uncomfortable, that’s all. But he really is always so nice about everything.” I stared down at my fingers, fidgeting with them now. “Do you know what he actually said after karaoke? He said I should try looking into singing professionally… which is absolutely ridiculous, of course, but still, it was sweet of him to say.”

“Don’t think I didn’t notice the oh so subtle attempt to change the subject there, sugarcube,” she gave a wry harrumph into her mug. I just avoided her gaze. Can you blame me? I just wanted to put this ludicrous and baseless topic behind us already. “But I’ll let it slide. And that’s actually not a bad idea.”

My eyes blinked at her. “You’re joking. Become a successful singer? Please, one has better odds of winning the lottery while being struck by lightning and hit by a rogue meteor at the same time!”

“And who said anything about becoming a career singer? There are other ways of putting that silver voice of yours to work. Like, for example... musicals. You know, as in play acting. Now don’t give me that look, it’s not like I’m not talking Broadway or nothing… not yet anyway. But there’s plenty of small theaters out there that would kill to have a nightingale like you on retainer.”

I huffed out a tiny snort through my nose. “Aren’t you forgetting something? Like, oh say, I don’t know… my crippling anxiety, crushing stage fright, and, ya know… absolutely zero acting experience?”

She folded her arms under her chest, “And aren’t you forgetting something? Like, oh say, I don’t know… summer camp musicals? And how you always just freaking slayed at all the lead parts?”

...oh wow, I actually had forgotten all about those. Camp felt like ages ago by now. Almost nothing more than a distant, fading dream. Frowning up at the ceiling, I murmured, “The musicals… were one of my favorite things about camp. They were the one place where I didn’t have to be my awkward, scared, pathetic self, that I could pretend to be someone else completely. It was an escape, it… helped.” Then I slowly shook my head, “But that’s different. It was a long time ago, I was a kid, I… I couldn’t be like that today.”

“Couldn’t you?” her head tilted slightly. “You really seemed to get into it with the karaoke. You said it yourself, you got into character without even realizing it. It was like the very spirit of Sandra D had possessed you.” She smiled, closing her eyes, “I think you might be a natural, cupcake.”

...me? A natural? Yeah right! There was no way, not in a million years! …I mean, unless… maybe… maybe if-

I shook my head again, more rapidly this time, banishing any such preposterous notions from my mind before scooting my chair out and rising to my feet. “Clearly you’re still fake drunk. You should really get to work sleeping it off.  I’ll be heading to bed now myself. Good night,” I said firmly. End of discussion. Topic closed. I grabbed my water bottle and marched off towards the door to my room.

Of all the silly, crazy, absurd-

“You know I’m right,” she called out brightly after me. “And hey… any verdict on Anna yet?”

I paused long enough to shoot the girl in question a sour look over my shoulder. She mumbled something in her sleep, rolled over and brazenly flung one leg up over the back of the couch. My lips pressed together into a thin line.

“...let her sleep. I’ll murder her in the morning.”

Author’s Note: The takeaway this chapter? Xion and Anna are evil xP Despite their questionable methods however, they DO mean well... I think xD But oh gosh, I do so love to torture Elsa! And by extension, Lea too, tho it’s a very different kind of torture xD But I think I managed to wrap up that lil car misadventure sweetly enough by the end of it! And hmmmmm, those were some interesting things Ray was saying... very, veeeeeeeery interesting...

Next chapter, what will Elsa do with these new thoughts buzzing around her head? Does our dear fire boi actually have a crush on her? Or is Ray just talking crazy from all them baby hormones making her loopy? And will Anna live to see the blessed light of day ever again? How DOES glue not stick to the inside of its own bottle? Stay tuned!

Thanks for reading, I super duper appreciate it! And an extra BIG thank you to those of you who’ve liked, reblogged, and followed so far, seeing those lil notifications always brings the biggest, goofiest smile to my face!

FIRST CHAPTER || PREVIOUS CHAPTER || NEXT CHAPTER

[rose-ellis]

They Will Rise Again

I think I may start posting some of my writing on Tumblr. Here is a little piece (~1500 words) that I wrote for a fiction workshop last fall. I sort of had a gender neutral Crowley and fem Aziraphale in mind when I wrote this, but the general story itself has nothing to do with Good Omens. I didn’t have a solid idea when I started it so I kind of just put down whatever came to mind, but I actually like how it turned out.

I love getting feedback, so let me know what you think!

Title: They Will Rise Again

Type: Angst/Fluff? (I honestly have no idea)

Warnings: None

Word count: 1480

~~~~~

     There are several things that one can do in the English countryside that the streets of London simply do not allow. Breathing, for example – rather important, that one. Another is sitting in near-complete silence in the middle of the day.

     A young woman of some twenty years sat alone in a small cottage in the north of Oxfordshire, taking advantage of both of those simple pleasures. The town in which she resided is not important; very few apart from the locals would recognise the name. Surrounded by sprawling fields of wheat and corn, it was the sort of place that was easily passed through without sparing it a glance, and so unremarkable that those who did take note usually forgot about it soon after leaving the town limits.

     This meant that apart from the cattle and chickens belonging to the family next door, and the occasional yelling from Mrs. Simmons across the way when she forgot to turn on her hearing aids, there was very little outside the cottage to disturb the peaceful quiet that usually settled over the property.

     This was not to suggest that there was never trouble in the village. Those who move from the city to the country should not be (yet invariably are) surprised to learn that people, regardless of where they live, are human. And quite often, humans are assholes.

     That morning, however, had passed with no apparent trouble as far as the young woman was aware. The sun had risen as it is wont to do, and the birds that had nested in the eaves (despite many efforts to relocate them) had sung their tune to their hearts’ content. Breakfast had been made and eaten, and the woman now lounged in the kitchen, where the only sounds to be heard were the rumbling of the electric kettle and the rustling of paper as she flipped through the weekly news.

     It had become a Saturday ritual – get up late, read the paper, drink tea, stay inside, and pray that no visitors came. So far, everything had gone to plan. She was still dressed in her pyjamas from the night before with no intention to change out of them. Tight, frizzy curls protruded every which way from where her dark hair was piled messily atop her head.

     She hummed to herself as an article caught her attention. The legs of her round-framed glasses were just slightly too long, causing the specs to slowly slip down the arch of her pointed nose. Every few moments she would nudge them back into place, her eyes never pausing as they roamed across the pages. She was so engrossed in the words that she hardly noticed the way that her lips moved silently as she read – a habit that she adamantly denied having, even after catching herself on more than one occasion. She sighed in content.

     The peaceful atmosphere was suddenly broken a moment later when the outside door was violently flung open. It swung back on its hinges until it collided with the wall, banging loudly upon impact. Another dent was added to the ever-growing collection left behind by the doorknob. The young woman had given up trying to fix them long ago, knowing that more would appear soon after.

     Just inside the door there stood a rather striking individual. They were tall – so much so that they had needed to stoop to enter the cottage. Their slender figure, clad in all black, only emphasized this further. A deadly looking scowl hung on their lips and they muttered complaints and vague threats under their breath.

     It was hardly the first time that the figure had burst in, impassioned by some unknown source. So regular an occurrence was this that the young woman did not even flinch at the noise. Her eyes never strayed from the print before her, nor did she acknowledge the slew of words that would have made poor old Mrs. Simmons want to turn off her hearing aids for good. She simply turned the page of her newspaper, continuing to read the article on the other side as she waited for the explanation that would inevitably come.

     Despite their sudden appearance and apparent eagerness, they took their time to close the door and saunter over to the table. There was such a swing to their gait that it led most to believe that they had either been seriously injured or had become well acquainted with the contents of the liquor cabinet. Both were incorrect, but only one person had ever been brave enough to ask.

     The woman rose from her seat as the kettle shut itself off, intending to fix herself some tea. Instinctively, she reached into the cupboard to retrieve a second cup. Her companion slipped by her on their way to the table, dropped the post from the box on the counter, then dramatically threw themselves down onto a chair.

     “If I ever get my hands on those bastards, I’ll tear their heads clean off their bodies,” they seethed, white-knuckled as they slammed their fists onto the wooden surface. Their dark eyes blazed with untamed rage.

     “That’s called murder, dear,” the woman reminded them patiently, pouring hot water into the pair cups. “Quite frowned upon, I’m afraid. Tea?”

     Her partner grumbled in response and a moment later, a dainty porcelain cup and saucer were placed before them on the table. Their long, boney fingers tried clumsily to pick it up by the small handle, nearly spilling it in the process. Upon successfully lifting it to their lips, they found that the correct amount of sugar (two heaping spoons) and a splash of milk – not one drop more – had been added.

     “You think they cared about it being bloody frowned upon?” They shook their head. “Murderers – beasts, the lot of them. Didn’t even hesitate, ripping them apart and throwing their heads in the mud.”

     As she settled back into her seat, the woman’s gaze wandered to the nearby vase. In seconds, realization dawned over her. “I understand that you’re upset, darling, but don’t you think you’re being tad bit dramatic? It’s probably just the children, after all.”

     Her companion narrowed their eyes at the accusation. “That’s hardly an excuse – they’re hellions, I tell you! Savages!” Impassioned, their hand came down onto the table once more, their cup roughly clanking onto its saucer.

     “You’ve gotten yourself all in a tizz. Now, calm down and finish your tea.” When they tried to protest, the woman pointed a stern finger in their direction. “And if you break one more of my teacups, those ‘hellions’ will be the least of your worries.”

     “Yes dear.” The cup was gingerly returned to its saucer.

     Unbeknownst to them, their conversation had not been private. A delivery man, new to the job, had chosen a rather unfortunate time to drop off a package. He stood outside their door, slack jawed as he tried to process what he had heard. As far as he could tell, there had been multiple murders in the town – committed by children, no less – and someone inside the cottage was more concerned about their teacup than the fact that people’s heads had been ripped off and thrown in the mud.

     He quickly retreated to his lorry, his eyes darting mistrustfully to the two young boys who skated past on the opposite side of the laneway. The package was still clutched in his hands. Some other unlucky sod could be the one to deliver it.

     The couple inside the cottage was unaware of the vehicle as it sped away. They sat in silence as they continued to sip their tea. The woman observed as the tension slowly retreated from her companion’s shoulders, leaving them to sag dejectedly. A pout had replaced the scowl on their lips, and sorrow had drowned out the last embers of rage that had burned in their eyes.

     Reaching across the table, she rested her hand atop her partner’s, holding it carefully as she caressed it with her thumb. “I know you loved them, darling,” she said, “I did too.”

     “It’s not just that.” They slouched forward to rest their chin on their crossed arms.

     “Then what is it?”

     “They were for you,” her lover replied, a sad smile passing over their face. “And those little bastards just threw them aside like they were nothing.”

     “Are they still out there?” She received a curious nod in reply. “Then we shall lay them to rest.”

     That Saturday, they left their cottage, hand in hand, to approach their flower garden. Dozens of sunflowers had been uprooted, their stems torn to pieces and their heads discarded in the mud along the side of the lane. Tenderly, they cleaned up the site of the massacre, evened out the soil, and buried the dead. Soon enough, they would rise again.

[saxxxology]

THE CURSED - Epilogue

Being an English Princess in 1739 is everything for Y/N, a Princess from a prosperous, powerful kingdom, to be happy about… until her parents arrange for her to marry a Prince from a nearby kingdom against her wishes. Unable to join her on her journey, the Royal family hires the Winchesters, two experienced Rangers, to guide her. However, the Princess and the younger brother begin to display affection for each other, and when her heat threatens her life, Sam makes a possibly deadly decision to save it.

PAIRING: Alpha!Sam x Omega!Reader

WORD COUNT: 760

OVERALL WARNINGS: a/b/o dynamics (heat/rut, claiming, knotting), age gap, smut of varying levels, descriptions of injury and gore, a tad of dub-con and 18th-century sexism from time to time, occasional bits of angst, fighting, and violence, eventual minor character death

NOTE: Edited by @crispychrissy and @quiddy-writes - please heed all warnings! Please keep in mind that this series is set in the 18th century - society is not what it is today. I do not control where your eyes go; if you feel disturbed or think something may trigger you, it is your responsibility to either stop reading or scroll past.

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THIS WORK IS 18+ ONLY. DO NOT REPOST MY WORK ON ANY OTHER SITES.

Four Years Later…

“Mama! Mama, look!”

Y/N glanced over at the little boy as he tottered over from the edge of the lake, a large smooth stone clutched in his hand. He handed it to Jo, who took it from him and set it on an ever-growing tower of rocks. Dean was invested in teaching his son how to properly skip rocks, but the boy was more interested in making towers out of them than throwing them across the water.

“It’s a very beautiful stone, Jonathan,” Jo pulled him into her arms and kissed his pudgy cheek, “want to go help your father find another for your little tower?”

Jonathan nodded and took off back towards the water. Jo laughed as his little legs splashed in the shallow water. “God, he’s so much like Dean,” she sighed and stared at the soft swell of Y/N’s belly. “You’ve got a lot to look forward to.”

Y/N grinned and rubbed her hand over the bump. She was almost seven months along, and was due in late July. “I can’t wait. Sam’s already fussing around everywhere, won’t let me do anything in case I get hurt.”

“Nesting,” Jo sighed and shook her head, “Dean was horrible, kept trying to straighten everything out before little Jonathan came along… drove me out of my mind until I started doing the same thing.”

Y/N tilted her head back, letting the sunlight wash over her face. “I’m trying to convince him to move into town before the baby comes.”

“You should,” Jo replied, “there’s a bigger cottage now, the family left for Scotland. It could serve you well until your home here is finished.”

Y/N glanced over her shoulder at the large, half-constructed cabin Sam, Dean, and several other men from the village had been busy with for the past two months. The last winter had been harsh, and with one of the massive cross-beams in their smaller cottage weakening, Sam made a vow to build his growing family a newer, bigger home.

“He still thinks people are afraid of him,” she explained. “It’s been four years, but he’s still worried of going into town for anything other than food.”

“Keep nagging,” Jo laughed, “he’ll come around eventually.” She reached over and rubbed her palm over Y/N’s stomach and looked over when Jonathan began calling her. “I’ll be back.”

Y/N watched as she jogged off to meet her son on the shoreline, and seconds later Shadow’s heavy hoofbeats boots pounded on the ground several feet away. She turned her head to see him dismounting from the massive horse and pulling her saddle off before letting her roam into her small paddock. He set the saddle on its stand and plopped down on the grass next to her, his bare torso glistening with sweat.

“There you are,” she scolded him, “You’ve been gone for hours.”

“Got held up at the market.” Sam touched her belly, “how’s the babe?”

“They’re doing very well,” Y/N replied, “kicked up a storm before breakfast.”

Sam bent to kiss her stomach and handed her a flask of water. “Strong. Like their mother.” His eyes flickered up and down her profile. “I will say, Omega… you look absolutely ravishing.”

Y/N blushed. “I’m pregnant, there’s nothing ravishing about me.”

“No.” Sam moved closer, seductively nuzzling under her jaw and emitting a low growl. He ignored his brother’s jeering and ran his palm over his Omega’s swollen belly. “You look beautiful, all round with our pup… God, it makes me want to take you over and over again while you’re lying out here in the sun.”

Y/N shivered at the thought, but wrinkled her nose when Sam’s sweaty body pressed against hers. “I don’t mean to be rude, love, but you need to bathe.”

Grumbling, Sam stood and playfully glared at her. “You love me, though.”

“I do, but I’ll love you more when you stop smelling like a gutter. Now go see your nephew, he’s been waiting to see you.” Y/N giggled and watched Sam stretch his powerful arms over his head before taking off towards the water. He splashed in, dousing his nephew in a wave of chilly water before picking the boy up and swinging him around.

Y/N watched them play, laughing along with the high-pitched giggles coming from the little boy as Sam plopped him down in the water before pulling his brother into a hug. She felt the growing pup inside her give a little kick and smiled, closed her eyes, and let the sounds of her family playing in the water consume her.

If you really enjoyed this series, please reblog and leave a comment! This work took a year and a half to create, and with Tumblr’s content filters being what they are, my work isn’t getting as much visibility as it has in the past.

Forever tags: @atc74 @becaamm @bamby0304 @crispychrissy @crashdevlin @curly-haired-disaster @cameronbraswell @emoryhemsworth @ellen-reincarnated1967 @kittenofdoomage @kayteonline @kdfrqqg @littlegreenplasticsoldier @lunarsaturn88 @leatherwhiskeycoffeeplaid @manawhaat @mrswhozeewhatsis @meganwinchester1999 @oneshoeshort @percussiongirl2017 @serpentbaby @spnwoman @smallgirlbigpersonality @shaelyn102 @thelittleredwhocould @winchesterprincessbride @winecatsandpizza @zombiewerewolfqueen @85natalie 

[grant-spiraltf]

The 2nd Annual Gift Exchange

This time I got to write for my buddy @thegreatstoryteller, I hope you enjoy what I did to you Jay :) Enjoy!

(I’m so sorry it’s a month late, both life and tumblr are working against me)

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

Jay opened the door to his living room on this early Christmas morning. The tree had shed a bunch more needles on the ground, but most of them were caught on top of the presents that were placed the night before. He already knew what was in them since he purchased them himself, but it still brought him a lot of joy to tear the wrapping off and play with his self-bought gifts. This year’s presents were mostly games, books and other ways to relax, which he desperately needed to distract himself from current events. 

After dumping all the wrapping paper in the right recycling bin, he gazed out of the windows onto the city. Although his day was filled with fun activities, he just couldn’t shake off the feeling that something weird was going to happen. That’s when he noticed an unfamiliar package in the reflection. It was hidden under a branch, but he didn’t remember buying any other gifts than the one already unpacked. He reached out to it and the wrapping felt weird. It looked like regular paper, but it was soft like silk to the touch, with a big gold bow on top. With curiosity and care, he pulled the box from under the tree to inspect it more closely. Even though it didn’t look that big when he first saw it, the present was huge! It was about 40x40x40cm, which was bigger than anything he had on his wishlist. Jay’s mind started running while his hand went to unwrap the bow. The more he thought about it, there was no way that it actually would have fit under the dense branches. It was almost like...

Magic! Jay quickly retracted his arm while hoping that the realisation didn’t come too late, but in his haste, he accidentally opened the window with his elbow. The wind that was rushing outside quickly found the aperture but Jay quickly turned around and shut the window. When he directed his attention to the gift in front of him again, he was shocked to see that the loose bow on top had been undone by the wind and the cover was on the floor. “How did that even come off?!” At the moment, Jay had no idea what he was supposed to do. The faint light coming out of the box was really alluring, but he knew that a magical gift could also mean a lot of trouble. Even though it was probably a bad idea, Jay couldn’t help himself but sneak a quick peek inside before backing up. “Some sort of boots, a helmet and spandex? What the hell?” Jay leaned in closer again to see if there was a note attached to it, but there was nothing except for the helmet and spandex. Wait, wasn’t there also a pair of boots?

Jay backed up slowly before feeling something soft underneath him. When he looked down he saw that he stepped on the shoes. Before Jay could ask himself how those got there, the fabric started to heat up and he could feel it move under his feet. He instinctively jumped up to get away from it, but the boots clung onto his soles like they were stuck. Within seconds, his feet were completely covered. “What the heck.” He tried to bend down to inspect his new footwear, but his knees just wouldn’t bend, like he’d lost all control over his legs. Suddenly he started moving forward, back to the tree and open present. He tried to resist, but his legs were moving like they had a clear purpose.

When he reached the box, his legs decided to lose all strength and he fell down on his knees, his head above the box. The thump of his knees hitting the hardwood floor was a trigger for the latex suit, which became ‘alive’ and started to slither over the side of the box. Even though he knew it was futile, Jay still tried to back up but again, no such luck. He had lost track of the latex during his escape attempt, but he was quickly reminded of its existence by slithering up his body over his spine, the cold material making Jay shudder. When it reached the base of his skull, Jay could feel the material move over his back, slowly expanding and wrapping itself around his body. It started dripping over his shoulders onto his pecs. Jay was content with his body, but he never wore skintight clothing since it revealed everything. When the suit was done growing, he turned around and looked in the mirror. He was glad he regained control of his legs again, and this time he wasn’t letting go. He checked himself out in the mirror. Something was... off. “Am I bigger? Or is it this thing filled with extra layers?” Jay flexed a little and much to his surprise, he actually looked a bit bigger.

He suddenly got a little dizzy. He stumbled, regained his posture, and looked back at himself. “Wait, why am I wearing this? Oh right, a gift from a fan.” Jay looked at his muscles. God he looked good. He flexed his biceps and gave it a quick kiss. He failed to notice it gaining volume, but he was a little preoccupied with worshipping himself. He did a different pose which brought out his stomach and flexed his abs. Luckily the latex was so tight that his perfect six pack protruded with ease. His powerful arm went towards the back of his neck, and pulled down the zipper. The bones in his back rearranged when the zipper passed them, making Jay broader with every second. He looked down and noticed that his legs looked a little small. “Heh. Must have skipped leg day!” Jay flexed his calves and thighs, framing his stuffed crotch perfectly between the growing legs. He slapped his ass playfully, which grew to about the size of two ripe watermelons. Jay moaned in ecstasy. His hand started playing with his asshole, trying to finger himself through the thin material while the other hand trailed towards his pecs. He glanced at them in the mirror and he was filled with confusion. “They look a little small? What’s even happening, do I need new lights?” He tweaked his nipples and the front of his suit instantly turned dark in the crotch area. Not that he would notice the dark cumstain. Jay has his eyes closed and his head thrown back in pure bliss from the tweaking of his nipples. When he looked back at his pecs, they seemed completely normal again. They were large, firm and very sensitive. He was a little confused, but he brushed it off as needing to drink more water. He checked himself out once more. God he loved posing for himself. It was then that he noticed a strange thing behind him in the corner of his eye. Ripping his eyes from his muscles, he looked over his shoulder through the mirror and saw what looked like a floating, spinning helmet. The helmet stopped spinning and it was ‘looking’ straight at him. “What the...” The helmet started charging at him, and before it hit he remembered everything. The gift, the shoes, the latex and now this. But it was a tad too late.

The back of his head still hurt a little from the impact, but not as much as he’d expected. Steve pulled off his helmet and rubbed the back of his head. “Stupid branches.” Some people noticed him standing there and he could see that they’d beg for a pic. Right when the fans wanted to snap the photo, Steve noticed a piece of paper flying around. He snatched it out of the gust of wind that had been carrying it.

You’re welcome. Grant Spiral.

“Dumb tourist never clean their trash.” He muttered to himself. He crumbled the paper and gave it to a passerby, asking them to throw it away. He then focussed on giving the fans what they wanted to see, so he flexed all the visible muscles. They were lucky he was taking a break when they saw him, but he’d be sledding down the track in minutes. “Jay!” He heard a manly voice shout behind him. He turned around instinctively, seeing the man who had called out and then seeing the kid called Jay he had called out to. “Why did I even react to that?” He pondered. He shrugged it off as not drinking enough water and began his descent.

[youknowmymethods]

Content Creator Interview #2

In this week’s interview, fandom friends @lilsherlockian1975 and @mrsmcrieff talk about whether they found Sherlock hot or not at first sight, how publicly sharing their work changed their writing, and the hardest thing about writing smutfic (pun fully intended).

And for those who don’t know, today is Lillian’s Birthday, so m’dear, Many Happy Returns!!!!

Hey, so Lilsherlockian1975 and myself, MrsMCrieff, have decided to interview each other for Aine’s challenge. We’re going to try to answer each other’s questions but there is always the danger of us going massively off piste. Our conversations in the past have been eclectic and very wide-ranging not to mention M rated.

 Anyway, I thought we could start by saying how we came into the fandom and more than that writing in the fandom. Lil, do you want to start?

Lil: All right, my sister on another continent, here’s how it went: As I’ve explained about finding The Full House on Pinterest, let’s explore what came before that moment, then just after... I was working third shift at a hotel (I had to as Mr Lil and I didn’t really have any childcare options at the time, so we just worked opposite shifts). The hotel was in a very small town - we were never busy, some nights we sold maybe 2 rooms - I usually spent my time watching Netflix. After making my way through Doctor Who, Star Trek Next Gen, Voyager then (God help me) DS9, Farscape and Firefly, I’d finally run out of anything to watch. You’d be surprised how quickly you can burn through a series binge watching for 8 hours at a time (and getting paid for it!).

 Then… then I found Sherlock. Well, that changed things… a bit.

 “Good Lord, who is the Cumberstud chap and why won’t he have all the sex with me!?” was my first thought, my second was, “Maybe I have a chance with the dishy DI?” and third? “Oh… what fresh hell is this ‘Mycroft’? Yummy!” Then finally, “Ahh, did the casting director somehow read my diary? Creepy but… all right.” To my defense, it was late and I usually worked on very little sleep. Also, I’m a kinky bitch.

 I’d never been involved in a ‘fandom proper’, I suppose. That’s not to say that I wasn’t a fangirl. I am and always have been. I was hugely into the Kevin Smith movies, going as far as visiting the Quick Stop and RST Video in Lenardo, NJ, respectively, as well as The Secret Stash, in Red Bank. I was a comic book geek in my youth, Marvel mostly, but some DC as well.

 After reading The Full House, I desperately needed MORE Sherlock and luckily enough, there was more to be found.

 At first I was just reading, then I wrote and posted a couple of (horrible) fics and met this fellow writer named MrsMCrieff (I might have had a little ‘writing crush’ on you, Mrs!). We chatted on FF.net and struck up a friendship.

 So, for me, writing came before fandom. Mrs was doing some betaing for me, but I didn’t ask for help often; I hated bothering her all the time for the multitude of stories I was turning out. At some point around here, I got an elusive invite to AO3 from sherlockian87, bless her soul, because I kept trying to join and couldn’t get a blessed invitation. Also around this time, I had written a prompt and got a PM from MizJoely asking if she could fix some of my mistakes (she was very sweet about it, even though I totally flipped - half fangirling, half losing my shit because ‘Crap, I screwed up so bad, here was The MizJoely asking if she could edit out my mistakes!’) but she wasn’t being critical at all, of course, just helpful as I soon found out. Shortly after, now having formed a friendship with MIz, she suggested that I start a Tumblr blog. And that’s how it all started.

Yes, sorry… I, um, tend to be a tad loquacious. Writing out my answers doesn’t help one little bit.

 Okay, Mrs, right back atcha!

 Mrs: OK, shall I try to be more concise? I’ll probably fail as I’m terrible as writing short fics they always seem to end up spread over multiple chapters.

 I’m another one who had always been a fangirl, Doctor Who, Buffy, Twilight, vampire Diaries (yeah, I love my vampires) but I’d also been a Sherlock Holmes fan. I’d read all the books in my teens, watched the Basil Rathbone and Jeremy Brett adaptations and even stayed at the Sherlock Holmes hotel on Baker St so when a new series was advertised it was an easy sale.

 I was late to the cumberobsession though. I have to admit watching the first two series as they came out and I remember thinking I like them but it’s a shame Sherlock isn’t that hot. I know, I know, I’m embarrassed even as I write that.

 It all changed after watching season 3 and I blame the Sherlolly kiss 100%. I watched the series, DELETED the records!! And then realised I was spending a lot of time thinking about Sherlock and Benedict...that turned into looking him up online and from there it was a short step to reading Sherlolly fics on fanfic (I was already reading fics for other shipping obsessions). Anyway, it didn’t take long before Sherlolly took over all my other ships and Benedict was my number one hottie.

 As for writing, I hadn’t written anything fiction based since school and school was a long time ago...almost thirty years. But one day I was looking for a specific fic, I wanted to read about Sherlock and Molly having to share body heat and I just couldn’t find anything that satisfied me. I’m not sure why but in that moment I decided to write it myself and in half an hour I’d written Frozen...my first ever fic. It took another couple of hours to pluck up the courage to post it and I clearly remember feeling a bit sick and my hand shaking as I pressed the final button to post.

 Thankfully, I almost immediately started to receive positive reviews and feedback and it wasn’t long before I started to write more...the rest as they say is history. Lil got in touch soon after and it was fun chatting to another writer just starting out. We soon found we were not dissimilar in age and both had two sons and the friendship started there.

 We’ve been through quite a lot over the last few years Lil and written some fab stories. Wouldn’t you agree?

 (I should let on that we are now faffing about trying to find the original list of questions...we are trying to be professional).

 Ok Lil, so I’ve looked at Aine’s questions and they look really hard. Any preferences on which ones you want to answer :).

 Lil: I think a great follow up to that first one is this: How did posting your first story change your process of writing? So I’m shooting it back to you, Mrs, and you can send me that one or select a new one for me. Tag, you’re it!

 Mrs: I can tell you quite simply how it changed my process of writing...given that it was my first piece of writing in 30 years I was starting from scratch when it came to any process. One thing that I started with that’s held true for me ever since is that my stories are fully mapped out and written before I even start posting the first chapter. I will edit and make refinements but the bones of the story are there.

 I know lots of people post a chapter and then write the next chapter but that would put me under too much pressure. The downside is that if someone gives me a prompt they could be waiting months before they see it posted. The upside is if I’ve started posting a fic you will get the end of it as it’s already been written.

 There have only been two exceptions to this method: Sherlock Holmes, Vampire which I worked on over a year or so posting four chapters every so often as I wrote them...it was stressful. And the other is Never Have I Ever which was/is more of a collection of one shots woven together into a fic.

 How about you Lil? How did it change for you?

 Lil: So, I’d been writing little stories and whatnot for years and years but, having no idea that there was such a thing as ff.net or AO3, I had no place to put them. Writing was always a very, very distant dream of mine. I have loads of notebooks filled with stories, story ideas and my own personal ramblings (unfortunately, my Tumblr followers now have to read the ‘ramblings business’). I stopped for many years after my roommate/best friend since childhood found some of my writing in college that I’d carefully hidden under my bed. I came home to find her in my room, sat on the floor, on the phone with our Art History professor (whom she was sleeping with), as she read him my story and laughed hysterically at its awfulness.

 I was devastated and vowed never to write again.

 But that changed, of course. Those first maybe ten stories were just me letting my mind go and getting out what I wanted to say (aided by liberal amounts of wine). Since then, however, my ‘process’ has changed drastically. I don’t always write an outline (never for one shots, which I write often) but I generally do for long fics. If not, it’s easy for me to get lost and miss critical points. My writing has become more about ‘layering’ for lack of a better word.

 I found after those first few posted fics, that in going back and re-reading them I wanted to make changes. I didn’t re-edit them (because I’m lazy), but it made me realize that my writing required more time and proofing before posting; that first draft is just the start for me - a thin layer of primer paint on a canvas, if you will. I then read over it and add more details and more and more until I get the desired effect. Again, much like oil painting, I have to build things up, layer by layer. This works for me; I have no idea if it’s a proper method of writing. So, posting my first fic(s) helped me learn that I shouldn’t be so trigger happy about posting if the story wasn’t ready.

 Okay, Mrs, this one is geared specifically towards you. I don’t think anyone would argue with me about your supernatural ability to write ‘case fics’, so let me ask: Which do you prefer writing, case fics or fluffy smut-filled romps? And why?

 Mrs: Oh God, ask me something easy why don’t you. Both, I like writing both. I love the depth of a case fic, the idea, the research, plotting it out and working out the characters and detail but it’s so time consuming and I often write a bit, leave it, come back to it etc. etc. so a detailed case fic can take six months.

 Fluff on the other hand is less satisfying but quicker (my minds already in the gutter with an analogy).

 Woohoo I kept is fairly short for once. So, here’s one that’s good for you. I’m endlessly envious of how easily you make friends and how you know so many people in the fandom whereas I’m the introverted hermit. Which other authors are you friends with, and how have they help you become a better writer?

 Lil: Goodness! You make me sound like a social butterfly (Mr Lil calls me that all the time!). I like people, plain and simple. Other than you, I am close to MizJoely and Darnedchild, that’s no secret, so I’ll talk about them first (you included, because you’ve made me a better writer, I’m sure of it - have actual proof!)

 I cannot count the ways Miz has helped me improve my writing. She figuratively took me by the ear and said “okay, you don’t suck but do you even know what a comma is used for?” No, not those actual words, she was much kinder about it, but I got the hidden meaning and I needed it, trust me. She also challenges me and is not afraid to be honest with me when I’ve written something that isn’t good or perhaps doesn’t fit. I know I’ve improved since she started betaing for me, like a 1000%. And Child… When I volunteered to beta for the Big Bang Challenge, I had no idea what I was getting into, but man… she’d written and enormous fic. Good, amazing really, but it was longer than anything I’d ever worked on before. It scared the shit out of me but I really think it was exactly what I needed. Betaing someone else’s work can really make you see your own mistakes from a new perspective. I feel like I jumped ahead after working on the BBC with Child. As for you, MrsMCrieff, just the other day I had The Best compliment… someone actually thought I was British! Yes, that happened. I can only attribute that little feat to you, my friend. You’ve taught me when to add a ‘u’, when not to zed and about many different terms like pavement, taps, hob, loo, trousers (we really don’t say that here!). Not to mention the fact that most European men aren’t circumcised. Who knew?! It’s pretty common in the US.

 But that’s just a few. I cannot count the number of fandom friends who have helped me and all the ways that they’ve done so. That doesn’t mean I won’t try…

 There’s likingthistoomuch who always listens to my ideas and encouraged me to post my first Harry Potter fic. OhAine has been a true friend from the very beginning, always insightful and supportive. Mellovesall who is just too sweet for words and always helps with edits, no matter what’s going on in her life. Kendrapendragon who let me bounce ideas for my Mirror Has Two Faces AU off of her for like a whole day! the-sapphiresky who has helped me with this historical AU that may or may not ever see the light of day. Allthebellsinvenice who answered about a dozen questions (over two years!) for Dig Down Deep when I’d panic about some D/s situation I’d written myself into. o0katiekins0o who backs me up when I’m in the middle of a sensitive subject. I can always depend on her to help me when I’m afraid I’m crossing a line. Broomclosetkink, Lord help me! She’s pinch hit for me when I’ve written a fic for Miz or if I just need a good laugh. She’s the best. Sweets… it’s very hard to talk about sweet-sweet-escape. I still cannot even bring myself read her stories or the ones I wrote for her without breaking down, but no one was more supportive or kind to me than Sweets. I miss her so much.

 Then there’s all the love and support I received from everyone during The Fic That Shall Not Be Named debacle. That’s when I knew how much this fandom (well, this ship, really) had my back! I will never forget how much love and support I received. Bless you all!

 I’m forgetting people and I hate that. But I really do love all my fandom friends as if I see them and hang out with them every day. I mean that.

 Okay, Mrs, here’s one for you (I’m going back to the list for this one because I like it and I think it’s interesting): What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters of the opposite sex?

 Mrs: See, see I said you knew loads of people!

 As for your question that’s easy to answer...knowing what it feels like when they get aroused and orgasm. I’m more than happy being female but it would be kind of interesting just to be a guy for one day. It would improve my writing no end.

 On a wider note when it comes to writing characters I don’t think any of us made it easy on ourselves when we decided to try to write being a high functioning sociopathic genius. I think I can speak for most of us when I say he’s not the easiest person to try to write authentically. I just wish I had half his knowledge then I wouldn’t feel like such an idiot when I’m writing him.

 I gave my youngest son the option of any number between 1 and 40. He chose 7 so does writing energise or exhaust you?

 Lil: It absolutely energises me! I do get frustrated trying to find time to write, but actually writing does amazing things for my mental and physical self. I find that I’m much more productive around the house when I’m in the middle of a writing jag. I’ll sit and write for a while, then get up and pound out some chores (usually more quickly as to get back to my computer). Somehow, this works for me. Frankly, it’s probably got to do with my ADHD. I’m the kind of person who needs to do multiple things at once. I’m the same at work; I cannot just stand behind the registrar for 8 hours. I practically beg my managers for extra work, which they’re happy to give me.

 I have an original question for you, love: How does a bad review affect you?

 Mrs: I’ll be honest I don’t react well to a bad review but it does depend on whether I think it’s valid or not. You probably know each and every time I’ve had one because I will probably have sent you a screen shot and asked your opinion. Thankfully they have been few and far between, occasionally they have made me think...especially if I’m being accused of using a tired old trope and I’ve made the effort to up my game in future fics but often they are just being nasty for the sake of it.

 Writing is such a personal thing though, we give a piece of ourselves in each and every fic so it’s hard to not take criticism very personally.

 Same question to you Lil.

 Lil: Oh, I’m a giant baby about a bad review and have been known to take it very personally. At first I brood… like really hard, thinking on the entire thing much longer than necessary. I suppose it depends on the nature and tone, for the most part though. If it’s attacking and spiteful, I’ll attack right back but if it’s coming from a ‘goodish’ place, I do try to look at my writing a bit more objectively (I don’t always succeed). Anonymous bad reviews get to me the most. The fact that I cannot reply drives me up the wall!

 Okay, we’re wrapping this up (else we could go on forever!) Thanks so much and a big thanks to Aine for organizing this as well!

 Mrs & Lil

Next Week:

Posting on Friday 01 March it’s @ohaine ‘s turn (eek!) to interview @ashockinglackofsatin