#I really need a better tag for Jules

[ancient-pokehistorian]

△ Jules, what’s the scariest experience you’ve had at work?

Send me a △ and ask a really invasive question aimed at my character

"Hm...I'm suppose that would be a four or so.

If we want to be liberal with the term 'at work', nothing is ever going to top The Ultimate Weapon. However, I was an intern at the time, and very intentionally kept as far away from the story for as long as they could keep me away, for obvious reasons.

Since then, I've interviewed my fair share of dangerous people-I've almost built a name on it, really. And it never should feel any less scary, knowing you could easily be walking into a trap or a hostage situation. But I think...it's the things you don't see coming that are scarier still.

For example, there was a time I managed to get some connections to interview a Unovian crime lord. There were a lot of hoops to jump through on my part, and of course I knew they were doing their research on me in the meantime-that's how this usually goes, though it's gotten more streamlined the more stories I publish. But eventually everything was set up.

Before I left the office to catch my plane, I was chatting with my coworkers about various things: plans for a visit back home, an author I'd been interested in recently, bemoaning that I was running low on my favorite perfume, you know the type of thing. Nothing special. My taxi arrived, I said my goodbyes, and I was off.

Everything went smoothly on the trip, and in getting the article written and published. I got home a little late that night, though...

There was a gift on the coffee table, along with a nice bottle of red wine. And a note, from the crime lord:

Sorry that I missed you. I wanted to congratulate you personally, but business calls.

The gift was brand-new bottle of my favorite perfume, which isn't a very mainstream brand. I've always made a point not to drop it's name-it's fun to have a little secret like that, you know?

...Sometimes you underestimate exactly how many strings are being pulled in the shadows. I'm sure I'll hear something from him again now that I've brought it up."

[abiiors]

𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚒 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚌𝚔 𝚊𝚝 𝚊 𝚑𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚠𝚘 — 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚒

✧ — 𝚖𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚝

✮ a/n: i just know i'm going to fucking love writing these idiots

✮ cw: nothing for this, very very brief mentions of sex but nothing that would warrant a tag, dating apps (ew)

✮ wc: 2.7k

six months after the worst breakup of her life, jules downloads dating apps. 

they’re a whole different beast she never thought she would have to navigate. she’s never had to use them before anyway, she’d met max the good old-fashioned way, ran into him at a cafe. literally. but carly encourages her to get out there and explore a little, and so she does. 

the two of them sit in jules’ bedroom one afternoon, swiping left and right on guys, judging them based on their profiles and laughing till their stomachs hurt. she’s nervous, of course, she is. but jules is secretly grateful for this, she’s grateful that there might be someone else for her out there if she’s every ready for it again. that the world didn’t end with her only relationship ever. 

“ooh, what about him?” carly wiggles her fingers at the latest profile that’s popped up, freshly painted nails glinting in the sunlight. jules considers him. 

nico—he’s cute, studies international politics in uni. he’s got good answers for all the prompts. doesn’t seem shady or weird or like he’s hiding a secret girlfriend. 

“yeah i think he’s cute,” jules nods and swipes right. a second later her phone screen lights up with bright, bold letters: it’s a match. 

“oh!” jules tosses the phone away from her. she doesn’t know what to do next. 

should she just tell him straight away that she’s not looking for anything serious? what if he wants a proper relationship? she can’t give him that… she can’t give anyone that. 

“i can see you overthinking,” carly scolds her lightly and closes up the nail polish bottle. 

“look,” she makes jules turn to look at her and places both hands on her shoulders, “you don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. but if you’re going to do it, go on casual dates and fuck around, then i want you to have fun with it.”

“i know…” jules sighs, “it’s just, it’s a little nerve-wracking.”

“oh trust me, it’s very nerve-wracking! how about we have a code, would that make you feel better?”

jules considers it for a second. “what kind of code?”

“um… let’s see,” carly looks around for a second, searching for something, until her eyes land on pancake, a tiny bear jules hasn’t managed to throw out yet. pancake was a gift from max, sure, but she loves that little bear. besides, she’d been the one to pick him out so really, it’s her bear. “how about, if you need to be rescued, you send me a text saying ‘pancake’? and no matter how late it is, i’ll come get you. i’ll cause a scene if i need to.”

jules giggles at the thought, wonders what kind of scene carly might cause just to rescue her from a bad date. the options are endless and amusing.  

“i’d like that, yes.” jules holds carly’s hands in her, careful not to mess up the still drying polish. “thank you…”

“for what?”

“for being a good friend to me. i would have been so much worse off without you.”

carly tuts, about to say something when jules’ phone dings with a notification. a message from nico. a nervous flutter swirls in her stomach. carly forgets what she was going to say and claps her hands excitedly. 

“what’s that say then?”

it’s a sweet message complimenting her profile. carly must have seen her smile because she clicks her tongue and gets off the bed. “right, i’ll leave you to that,” she winks at jules who’s already busy typing a reply. 

once carly leaves, jules starfishes on her bed, phone held up in front of her face while she waits for nico, three dancing dots to turn into a reply. it’s fun, she realises. she hasn’t flirted with anyone in a long time. some part of jules feels guilty when the realisation hits. had it been her fault that she let her relationship with max go? maybe she should have flirted with him more or been better in bed or offered to do new and exciting things—

no. this is not her fault. 

he’d cheated on her, that’s on him. 

and so jules flirts with nico. it’s a little cheesy at times but what’s important is she enjoys it, and clearly nico enjoys it too, he asks to meet her that evening if she’s free. jules buries her face in the pillow for a second. is she really going to do this? go out to have casual sex?

she guesses she is. 

and so with nervous butterflies fluttering in her stomach, jules texts him back and says yes to the date.

jules takes a deep breath and puffs up her cheeks before entering the pub. firebug is close to where she lives, she’s seen the outside many times while on her way home from work. but it’s her first time inside, and she tries not to fidget with her bracelets.

it’s a cosy little place at least—not overcrowded but not completely empty either. and it’s a friday evening after all, she hadn’t expected to find empty pubs anyway. 

jules shoots nico a quick text to tell him she’s here. she’s grateful she’s a good fifteen minutes early. that way jules gets to order herself a drink and sit in silence and mentally prepare for this date. and so she makes her way to the bar and orders herself a cosmo. 

the first sip calms her a little. jules checks her phone for the time—ten more minutes, she’ll be alright by then. but then ten minutes go by and she’s almost done with her drink, and there is no sign of nico—not on text, and certainly not in the pub. jules checks her phone for any texts she might have missed. 

maybe he’s running a little late? she can excuse a few minutes. she doesn’t want to text him and bother him in case he’s driving. so she just scrolls on her phone, watching the minutes tick by. 

five more minutes, then ten, then twenty. 

he’s thirty minutes late by the time jules decides to give up and accept her fate. she already feels like shit about being stood up, she doesn’t need to sit here and get drunk alone and humiliate herself further. what was she even thinking saying yes to this? what was she thinking downloading dating apps in the first place?!

jules gulps the rest of her second drink (another cosmo) in one go and almost slams the glass on the counter, ready to gather her belongings and just leave… 

“jules?” she whirls at the sound of her name, hoping still that it’s nico. it’s not. 

“matty?” she stands, surprised to see him after so many months after that first time at his show. “hi!” 

she doesn’t know how to react quite honestly. on the one hand, jules remembers the last time she’d seen him, remembers how hot he’d looked and how, despite still being sad over max she’d flirted with matty. on the other hand she also remembers the running away. 

she’d told him she’d stay for after the show. and then she had not. 

“you remember me,” he smiles, crooked and a little teasing. “i would have thought you purged us from memory.”

jules winces, so he remembers that too then…

“i’m…sorry about that, i was… not having a great day. nothing to do with you, i promise! your show was fucking great, better than anything i’ve seen before—”

“jules,” he laughs, “i was joking.” then he points at the stool in front of her, asking for permission to sit. jules nods eagerly. 

“and better than anything, huh? i thought that particular compliment would be reserved for your boyfriend?”

jules knows it’s supposed to be a lighthearted comment, still, she can’t help the way her face twists into a grimace. matty frowns. 

“i thought you were… nevermind, sorry”

“no, say it. you thought what?” she knows what he’s going to say, and yet some masochistic part of her wants to hear him say it.

“i thought you were with that guy, max?” matty responds cautiously, like he knows he might be broaching a touchy subject. “i’ve seen you with him a couple times is all…”

“i was,” jules laughs bitterly, circling the rim of her empty glass with her finger. “it went up in flames. and now here i am, stood up by my tinder date.”

she expects him to laugh, but matty’s gaze dips down to her hands too, to the empty glass she’s toying with. then he motions for the bartender and asks for two more drinks.

“just coke for me,” jules interjects, “i’m done drinking.”

matty nods. “two cokes then.”

she observes him while they wait for their drinks. he looks so much different now than he did six months ago. he has a mohawk! although it’s already growing out. and even though jules misses the long curls, the grown out mohawk somehow suits him better. seriously, is there anything he can’t pull off?

if matty can see her ogling at him so blatantly, he doesn’t say it. perhaps she should have stopped after that first cosmo, she’s never been great with alcohol. 

when they both have their cokes in hand, matty turns to look at her again. “did he cheat on you?”

“you got there fast.”

matty sucks in air through his teeth, looking a little awkward. “not really a stretch if i’m being honest. he’s friends with ethan davies…”

she groans when he mentions ethan. she’d gone months without remembering that asshole’s existence, blissful six months where she did not have to be around him for even a single second. matty looks a little apologetic too. 

this should be a fun, flirty, light conversation and here she is, chatting about her ex with a cute (and hopefully single) boy. 

“wish i wasn’t stupid enough to ignore that,” jules jokes lamely.

matty clicks his tongue. “you’re not stupid!” his voice holds so much conviction that for a moment she only stares at him, at the serious expression on his face that just looks so out of place. matty shakes his head and smiles a little. “besides,” he continues, voice much lighter than before, “you’re definitely not stupid enough to download dating apps, really jules? tinder?”

she takes a sip of her coke and glares at him. “it’s not for relationships, matty! i don’t want those ever again.” that last part is more muttered to herself. besides, it’s a little insulting that he would thing she would search for love on the internet. she’s not that desperate. she will never be that desperate.

matty places his chin on his palm, suddenly much more interested than before. “then what is it for?”

“i don’t know, something casual,” jules mumbles, “something that doesn’t come with strings.” 

why is she so embarrassed about this? why did she mumble it like it’s a dirty little secret? she’s a grown woman for fuck’s sake she can go out and have an orgy if she wants to. jules straightens defiantly and matty raises an eyebrow. the interest on his face is clear, so is his curiosity. she can practically see the gears turning in his head, spitting out ideas. does she want to know what he’s thinking?

“i could give you that”

she chokes on her coke. “…what?”

“i said i could give you that,” matty doesn’t shy away from repeating it. if anything, he sounds even more confident than the first time. “if it’s just sex you want.”

“just sex…” she repeats dumbly as if there’s more than one interpretation of his words.

“nothing more, nothing less.” matty’s voice is firm, his face completely serious. at least she thinks it’s serious… 

what if she has read the situation completely wrong? what if he’s just playing a practical joke? maybe a second would go by and he would burst out laughing at the look on her face. she stalls a little, matty doesn’t move a muscle. 

“i can’t tell if you’re joking or not…” she whispers, shakily taking another sip of the coke. whatever buzz she’d got going on with the cosmos has faded entirely. 

“no i’m serious,” he hooks a foot under her barstool, sliding her closer until their knees are touching. she does find that a little hot if she’s being honest… 

“you’re a gorgeous girl,” he continues, giving her a once over that makes her flush a little, “and not to brag, but i’m a good looking guy who doesn’t want anything serious right now. it’s perfect.”

the more he speaks the more his eyes light up with the idea, like it’s a stroke of genius. and maybe it is, jules thinks. she has no other commitments happening, her love life is in the bin, her heart guarded behind a giant brick wall. jules takes a second to think about it, to really think about it. 

“alright yeah.”

this time, it’s matty’s turn to look taken aback. “seriously?” 

“yes, just sex is exactly what i need.” the more she speaks, the more she feels confidence flooding in her. this is perfect, it really is. “i can’t imagine ever falling in love with you, i’ve sworn off guys like you forever.”

“oi, rude!” matty glares at her, but it changes into a smile quickly. “seriously though, you don’t have to worry about me falling in love with you either. music takes over so much of my life, i don’t have time for any of that.”

jules considers his words. is she really going to do this? is she really cut out for this? “alright then,” she nods, a slight tremor to her hands, “we should have some ground rules.” matty’s lips part and jules suddenly feels a little nervous. she scrambles, “wait, is that too fast? are we moving fast? should we slow down?”

matty laughs. “this isn’t a relationship, jules, we have no expectations of sticking to a speed.”

“okay, yes, you’re right.” she takes a sip of her coke to calm her thudding heart. this is happening. this is really happening. she’s negotiating the rules of a no-strings-attached situationship!

“so ground rules,” matty tips his head towards her, “you go first.”

“okay… um,” she takes a moment to think, tracing shapes in the condensation left behind by her glass, “no kissing on the mouth outside of sex.”

he nods. “done. nothing romantic—no dates or going out for dinner, no candles and baths, no breakfasts in bed”

“makes sense. no pet names.” she’s shocked how quickly it comes to her. then again, the thought of being called baby or babe one more time, especially in bed, makes her feel sick to her stomach.

“alright. if one of us meets someone, we end this immediately.”

involuntarily, she laughs. it’s a cold, sardonic sound that surprises her a little too. is she just bitter and jaded now? “unlikely for me, but yes, accepted.” 

if matty finds that statement odd, he doesn’t point it out.

“should we be writing this down?”

“do you plan on having twenty different ground rules?”

jules wrinkles her nose at him. “no, i’m done. that covers all of it.”

“then we can remember four things easily.”

that, she supposes, is true. it’s a pretty short list. she doesn’t see herself breaking any of those rules—now or ever. “right then…when do we start?”

a slow smirk takes over matty’s face. he looks especially lovely then, she thinks. no, not lovely… he looks hot. he looks fuckable with his lips all pink and wet, with his hair the perfect grabbable, tuggable length. “tonight if that’s okay with you?”

a thrill shoots through her. jules looks down at herself. she’s in a pretty dress, she knows she’s shaved every inch of her body in anticipation of this and worn her prettiest lingerie. then she looks back at matty who seems to be looking at her with an equal amount of interest. his eyes scan her body, from head to toe and then back up in a way that makes her feel…desired. and their drinks are over too. 

jules stands, slings her purse over her shoulder. “let’s go,” she extends her hand to him. “your place or mine?”

[spicywhenspeaking]

Star-Crossed Connection: Chapter Three

Nick Folio x Original Female Character

WC: 2.5k -> unedited :/ if you see something wrong ....no you didn't

masterpost

this is a complete work of fiction, some characters while based on real people are totally made up. :)

Seraphina Holloway is Hollywood’s new it girl. But, when an embarrassing viral video of her ex / costar publicly dumping her goes viral, she thinks she needs a quick fix to help maintain her image. When she’s set to appear at her new movies premier she scrambles to find a date to bring that will help take the white hot spotlight away from her public dumping and show that she’s still desirable to all. Enter Nick Folio, drummer of the metalcore band that’s taking over the scene, Bad Omens. He’s a sweet down to earth guy with a heart of gold and when a smokin hot movie star asks him to be her fake boyfriend for a week he agrees to help. But will the line between fake feelings and reals ones start to blur when Seraphina lets her true self show.

Taglist: @cookiesupplier @lma1986 @to-be-written @bngurngheart @jessicafg03 @knivesforapr0 @thatchickwiththecamera @somewhere-diamond @sorrowsofsilence @malerieee @dsireland86 @collapsedglasshouses @jilliemiw86 @samanthasgone -> tags are open !

warnings: degrading language towards Seraphina is used by a character , mild physical assault.

After quickly checking in we found our room and immediately crashed onto the bed, completely exhausted from the long road trip. Tomorrow is the first day Folio and I will have to fully put on the show. Acting lovey-dovey like a real couple. We talked about it a little on the car ride up. 

“So…how do you feel about kissing?” I ask Folio as we draw nearer to our destination. He does a quick double take towards me and then back to the road and I laugh, “I didn’t mean kissing right now you dork. I mean like when we’re at the festival. If we were really dating I’d probably kiss you a little, I’ve been known to like a little PDA” I say again and he nods, his face is thoughtful as he considers. “Um, yeah I guess kissing is fine. I mean I kiss my grandma so kissing you shouldn’t be too bad” he jokes and I push his shoulder lightly. “Hey! I kiss way better than a grandma!” I protest. He raises his eyebrows suggestively, “I guess we’ll see when the time comes.” A blush takes over my cheeks that surprises me. I’m obviously attracted to Nick, I mean he’s totally hot and we definitely have chemistry so I don’t think selling that we’re attracted to each other will be hard. 

“So my assistant Jules tells me I have a four-hour block of interviews and then there’s a photo-op on the slopes that will lead to some free ski time. It should be a pretty fun day….but that does mean Conner will be around and he’s been such an ass.” I explain to Nick as I finish the last of my room service breakfast while we wait for my hair and make-up girls to arrive. “Yeah, I’ve seen the tweets. He’s a dick and if he says half of the shit he’s saying online to your face I’ll punch the shit out of him.” Nick responds and I giggle like a preteen schoolgirl talking to her crush in the hallways. 

My glam team arrives and we decide to do a simple and gentle glam with a soft half up half down hairstyle. I’m wearing a black midthigh dress that hugs my curves paired with sheer tights, knee-high boots, and a thick black wool coat. I do a spin and check myself out in the full-length mirror. Lala my stylist did an amazing job putting my looks together for this week. 

“So, How do I look?” I ask the group in front of me. “You look amazing!” my hair and make-up girls cheer. “Hot as fuck.” Nick says as he rounds the makeup area and gets a better look. Putting his hands on my hips and turning me around to face him. “Absolutely beautiful.” My glam squad quietly exists but my make-up artist pokes her head quickly back in the door to cheekily say, “Don’t mess up my make-up please!!” 

Laughing I rest my head against Folio’s shoulder, “Okay, you ready?” I ask him, looking up into his chestnut eyes. “Almost,” he whispers, moving his hand up to brush as stray hair out of my face and dipping his lips down to softly press against mine. It’s over as quickly as it began, but it’s left me breathless either way. “Didn’t want our first kiss to be in front of a bunch of strangers,” he says against my lips and I feel my knees buckle. “Mmhm, good idea,” I mumble back and pull away to fix my dress and recheck my make-up in the mirror. I look down to check my small white gold watch, “oh, we gotta go! Interview time.” I look at Nick with a smile. “Are you ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.” 

We meet my assistant, Jules in the lobby of the resort where she gives me a quick debrief of what I’m doing for the next few hours. First I’m talking to Entertainment Weekly and then Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone and last is an interview I have to do with Conner for Wired Magazine. Not looking forward to that one, not because of Wired. I’ve loved working with them in the past. It’s Conner, I should have never got involved with him. Ugh. Speaking of Conner, I see him exit from the elevators looking douchier than ever in black ski pants with a matching turtlenecked black thermal. He gives me an acknowledging nod and I roll my eyes, “fucking asshole, nodding at me like he’s not completely shitting on me on Twitter.” I grumble as Nick throws his arm over my shoulder and kisses the side of my head. “Don’t worry about him, sweetheart. He’s all talk.”

“Oh, I’m sure he’ll be on his best behavior with all these journalists surrounding us.”  

“It’ll take about four hours for me to finish the interviews, but, there’s lots to do around the resort. My credit card is attached to the room if you want to get a massage or just hang around and watch a movie.” I say to Nick as we walk closer to the conference room. “Nice, okay I’ll walk around and think about it,” he responds, and as we reach the entrance I turn to say goodbye and he quickly wraps me in his arms and presses a soft kiss to my mouth. “Good luck in there baby, knock ‘em dead.” I can’t stop the giggle and blush that comes through. “Thanks Nicky.” 

I enter into the conference room on the opposite side of Connor. They have the room sectioned off for the interviews. I head over to start my first interview with Kelly Brinks from Entertainment Weekly.

Kelly: hello there Seraphina, you are looking beautiful today. Seraphina: oh, thank you, Kelly. It’s wonderful to see you again. Kelly: and you as well. So we’re here today to talk about your upcoming Movie “Tomorrow’s Promises” a dramatic comedy that you star in alongside fellow Hollywood newcomer Conner Frank. Now how does this movie feel compared to other films you’ve worked in? Seraphina: This movie has one of the largest budgets of any film I’ve worked on so far, however, I know that budget is only a portion that can make a movie better. This is a huge production, that’s probably the biggest change, just the magnitude of the cast and crew. All wonderful and hardworking people making movie magic.  Kelly: This is a rather dramatic role, one we haven’t quite seen you in yet. How did you prepare for such emotional scenes? I mean I saw the extended trailer and you’re performance is looking potentially Oscar-worthy. Seraphina: oh wow, thank you, Kelly. That means so much to me. I did a lot of soul-searching after my father passed a few years back. I still feel a lot of emotions from that and this character and I share a lot of similarities. I was able to tap into some of my real feelings during some of those scenes which I think helped sell the performance more.  Kelly: and an amazing performance it was.  Seraphina: thank you. Kelly: Do you mind if I address the elephant in the room? Seraphina: oh Kelly, whatever do you mean?.. I’m just kidding. Of course Kelly. Kelly: There has been a bit of a rift online with you and your costar, is this something that concerns you moving forward with the rest of this festival week? Seraphina: Oh, Conner and I go way back. We’ve made some mistakes but he’s a great actor and I’m proud of the movie we made. I think whatever has happened in the past is easily left behind to ensure a harmonious festival. 

The rest of the solo interviews went, with lots of questions about the movie and some about the situation with Connor. Which is annoying, but I’m able to maneuver past them with ease. Nathan from Vanity Fair spent about twenty minutes of our interview asking me about my Bronco. Which  I didn’t mind.

Connor surprises me before our joint interview by pulling me into a side alcove, I push him back and huff an annoyed breath. 

“Connor, what the fuck?! You can’t just ask me to talk like a normal person?” I gripe out at him in a harsh tone. “Well, it’s not like you’re easy to get alone these days. What did you hire a male gigolo for the week?” I scoff offended. “Oh fuck off. He’s actually my boyfriend you jerk.” 

“Yeah, that guy? What did you find him in a hot topic catalog?” 

“You really are a piece of work. You come here with a beautiful Victoria’s Secret model but have the audacity to question my relationship? Fuck off Connor, You have made it pretty clear in your tweets that I’m nothing more than an obsessed coworker.” 

“Come on Phini, you know I didn’t mean that,” he says moving in closer and backing me up into the wall. “Get away from me Connor and don’t call me that,” I say and push him back, “we have an interview so get you’re shit together and try to keep it professional. If that’s a possibility for you.” I say walking away but he grabs my arm and pulls me back. “Come on Phini, I know you miss me, baby, There is no way he can make you feel good like me.” his grip on my arm is tight and hurts. “Let me go, Connor.” I try to move my arm but can’t get it out of his reach. 

“You don’t know how good you had it, now you’re with some new guy. Should have known you were just some whore, sleeping her way to the top.”  

“FUCK YOU LET ME GO CONNOR!” I yell louder and he reactively pushes me back against the wall. 

The commotion brings an audience of reporters from all over the room, Kelly from EW comes rushing to my side. “Seraphina, are you okay? What happened?” she asks as she helps me back up to my feet.

“She tripped,” Connor says and gives me a sharp glare. “Seraphina? Are you okay?” Kelly asks again and the sudden attention overwhelms me so I just give a small nod, “mmhm, I’m fine. It was just a trip.” 

You idiot, you’re just letting him get away with it? What’s wrong with you? You’re letting some guy push you around…

“Oscar-worthy performance” Kelly’s words ricochet through my brain. I quickly decided to bide my time, I won’t let his dramatic antics ruin this opportunity for me. I won’t be brought under by his immaturity. He will get what’s coming to him, I know it. 

 Because he’s truly a wolf in sheep’s clothing Connor and I are able to complete the Wired interview without any drama. We are actors after all. 

I get out of the conference rooms as fast as possible to meet back up with Jules and Folio so we can all grab a quick lunch before heading out to take a few pictures and the slopes. I get the opportunity to wear my pink ski suit. It looks so cute with my hair in two French braids. 

The photo-ob is cute, the cast of the movie all takes pictures in front of the snowy mountains and I even power through to take a few with Connor, fighting off the urge to push him over into the nearest pile of snow. 

Our director, Rachel McKnight, specifically asks me for a few photos and whispers in my ear, “Just don’t forget me in your acceptance speech. You are amazing.” she says softly and I fight back tears. “Of course, I couldn’t have done it without you,” I respond back to her. “Go have fun with your guy, he’s quite a looker.” 

I look off to the side and see Folio watching me with a small smile. I turn back to Rachel, my mouth forming a big grin, “he is isn’t he?” I agree. 

With the photo-ob done, we are free to ski at our leisure. “Alright let’s hit the slopes, sweetheart,” Folio says as I approach him and Jules. “Let’s go!” I cheer.

“You looked amazing Ser!” Jules remarks as we walk towards the lift together. “And Rachel asking you specifically for a photo! And not Connor! Amazing!!! I bet she wants a picture of you she can post it on Instagram when you win the Oscar!” I laugh and playfully push her, “stoooop, that would be insane, I can’t even think about that! Let’s just have a fun rest of our day.” 

“Agreed” Folio comments from my side, taking my hand in his as we get to the line to get on the ski lift. 

The rest of our afternoon is a blast, we take multiple runs and at one point Folio gets his skis tangled and tumbles into the snow. I approach him and try to keep the giggle I have brewing at bay. But he just looks so silly half buried in the sand. “Laughing? At a man fallen in the snow? What kind of a woman are you Ser?” he jokes and tosses a handful of soft snow at me. “I’m sorry, you just look so cute!” I say reaching out my hand to help him out.

“Oh really? Let’s see how it looks on you then,” he says and pulls me down into the snow right on top of him. “Oof! Oh, real funny Folio.” 

“Say cheese!” Jules says from above with her phone in her hand. 

“Cheese!!” we both say, smiling brightly despite wearing a full face cover and goggles. “Omg so cute! You gotta post this one Ser, sups adorable.” 

“Sups cute for sure!” Folio jokes while we climb back onto our feet and stretch for our final run. “What a crazy day!” I say once we reach the bottom of the hill and head back towards the resort for dinner.

Jules is quietly engrossed into whatever is on her phone as Folio and I continue ahead. I suddenly hear fastly approaching footsteps and Jules is calling out my name, “Ser! Ser! Oh my god! You have to see this!” she has wild eyes as she catches up to us with her phone stretched out in front of her. “Look !” she pushes the phone into my hands and as I’m asking “What is it?” I look down and see a darkly lit video of Conner and me, the volume is low but you can make out the growl in his voice and see the ferocity in his eyes. You can clearly make out when he calls me a whore and then see him push me into the wall. Folio looking at the video over my shoulder has gone completely still. 

“When did this happen Seraphina?”

[talibunny30]

📙 and 🐶 (you’re so good at compliments)

Thank you for the ask you wonderful person @mistandmemories 🫶🏻

📔 - A Court of Ash and Redemption

The Autumn Court in its entirety intrigues me. Firstly, they fuck like fire is in their blood... I need more information about this... For science 😅

Secondly, there is something about Eris that just SCREAMS 'look deeper'. He is an onion and I want so desperately to peel back those delicious layers and see underneath those perfect masks, the Autumn Court fashion, that sliver tongue... I know he is more than a pompous heir. He is more than a power hungry, move making high fae.

🐶 - there are so many creators that I want to tag. Everyone who has written something I have read that has Eris in their story. I am obviously an Azris girlie through and through, but I enjoy Eris in his own right.

Off the top of my head though:

@chunkypossum - Kerosene will forever be one of my favourite things I have ever read. The way you opened my eyes to a different kind of Eris was spectacular. Your writing style is easy to read, there are so many layers to your take on these characters, the nuance you write them with is still astonishing to me and I hope you never stop creating because you are just so very good at it.

@traceyloveschad1 - I Will Gladly Break My Heart For You is my Roman Empire. I reread it almost every month and I think about it near constantly. Eris is delicious and tragic, powerful and vulnerable, the most powerful High Lord and a living god of fire. He embodies realness while still having that ethereal vibe and the way you have written him is my favourite Eris.

@shadowsandlint - Words We Use In The Shadows is one of the best modern AU I have ever read. Your love for poetry shines through this fic and your Eris is so real and raw. He is traumatised and masking. Sexy and sad... Your original poems are a joy to read! If anyone wants to know how I feel about that fic they can read my obsessive comments on each chapter 😅

@iftheshoef1tz - Our Bodies Possessed by Light is a masterpiece. Chess, cheese, dumb bats, beautiful writing, a looooooong fic (my faves), character development, hard hitting truths... It is delightful. Every word of it comes across as painstakingly curated and it really is wonderful. The first Azris fic I read and your Eris is so logical and pragmatic, powerful but wanting to be better. The way you show him having regrets but working through his pain to make a better Autumn and Prythian is beautiful.

This is getting long, but there are just so many talented and gifted writers who have made Eris so much more than just a prissy brat on some pages. @jules-writes-stories @the-darkestminds @mistandmemories Tessabeth (gosh the amount I can talk about her Eris is obscene) @acourtofladydeath @withmychainzon @witch-and-her-witcher @melonsfantasyworld @futurehunt and so so many more have each taken Eris and made him their own while still keeping him so quintessentially Eris.

[olenvasynyt]

Writing tag by @bonecarversbestie !

Describe your writing process from idea to posting/publishing?

I usually have a very simple concept to start with but I can pick it up pretty quickly and go from there. I start writing a chapter by doing a very quick blurb that summarizes what will happen: “Lucien is walking back to the forest house after a Winter trip.” Where is he walking? What are his emotions? I can write a pretty long summary and then write the actual chapter when I get inspired. I’ll end up separating the summary into sections and eventually I’ll have a draft! My issue is editing haha I despise editing because I overthink. But I have gotten better. This is fanfic, so usually I will finish up my draft and glue parts together, go over some words I think I repeated too much, and then I say fuck it and go!

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

DEFINITELY a plotter. I got a huge huge spreadsheet of my plot for A Court of Embers and Sunlight which includes keeping track of my words, having a little summary, who’s POV, what I need to add etc to each chapter.

What do you listen to when you are writing?

I got a playlist for my Court of Embers and Sunlight fic, but I mainly listen to this classical playlist.

What’s your drink of choice(while writing)?

I often write at my local coffee shop and I either get a honey comb latte (honey, cinnamon, vanilla with oat milk) or a cafe mocha. When I’m at home, I usually just have water.

Promote yourself! What’s your favorite thing you’ve written?

A Court of Embers and Sunlight will always have my heart! It’s a 2 year project with over 140,000 words! About Lucien’s life in the Autumn court with Jesminda and how they tragically ended. I also have LoA plots, and Eris plots! I’m proud of my worldbuilding and the emotional stories that I tell. It’s taking me forever to get out though 😭 I have SO MANY chapters and plots I want everyone to read!!

Share a fic of yours that you think is underrated/deserves more love.

The Tree Have Eyes! 3 chapter fic of Eris and little 8 year old Lucien going on a hunting trip!! It’s sweet and emo and fun and full of cool nature.

Do you have any advice for new writers?

I would say don’t think too much about other’s work. This is coming from someone who thinks A LOT, but a lot of people worry that their writer isn’t as good as someone else’s, or they aren’t getting a lot of kudos so it must be bad, etc. Don’t beat yourself up! It’s hard to stop comparing but this writing is for you, and there will ALWAYS be someone who loves to read your stuff. Also make friends with other writers! You get like minded people who can support you and help you out. I’m often a loner but I get so excited when I get friends sharing their work or talking about their work, talking about my work etc! It is very motivating.

What is a writing style/technique that others do really well that you'd like to get better at?

Oh god, dialogue…this is me thinking too much but I never feel very confident in when writing dialogue. So many people write it so naturally and it’s always the first thing they start when drafting! I can start with dialogue but I always enjoy prose and descriptions more.

Is there a character you were surprised you enjoyed writing as much as you did?

Rhysand! He jumped on me when I was first drafting ACOEAS and he was very very fun. Difficult sometimes (because I am not as hot or clever as Rhys lmao) but still very fun.

Thank you for tagging me @yaralulu @sad-scarred-sassy and thank you for starting this @bonecarversbestie ! I feel like most of my writing friends already did this haha.

But no pressure tags: @sadiegirl2021 @ennawrite @jules-writes-stories @clockwork-ashes @highlordofkrypton

[hayconrisa]

First off, TYSM FOR ALL THE WONDERFUL TAGS AND QUESTIONS 🫶🫶

Second, to answer all this (I’m just gonna answer them here as to not clog my blog)

- I’d say they spent an equal amount of time on the Lady Lucrezia (Ty for reminding me of the name) and that log cabin/mansion lake house thing Divan also owns. Where they’re staying really just depends on where Divans staying. If he decides to not bring them on a business trip/on the Lucrezia for whatever reason, they taken care of by Argent and the rest of his staff back at the lake house.

- Yes, unfortunately, due to the environment they grew up in, Rea and Jules are really desensitized to unwinding by the time they’re adults. I also think Roberta and Divan put a ton of pro-unwinding propaganda in their heads during childhood to drive home the point further.

- For now, I’m saying the twins became parts pirates because they feel sorta indebted to their caregivers and feel the need to carry on their business and beliefs even though unwinding has definitely fizzled out a lot by the time they start working.

ALSO YES PLS DRAW MY BABIES IN THEIR FANCY LITTLE OUTFITS ILL CRY AND LYSM /P

OH GODDDDDDD I LOVE THEM SO MUCH ACTUALLY???????? morally grey characters who are the way they are because their parents are morally grey and not just because they because. villains. for lack of a better word. always a story about the antagonist and never a story about the legacy that the antagonist leaves that affects the people around them. reagen and jules are that legacy. im so obsessed with them this entire concept is just so good. something something bust your kneecaps by pomplamoose. it just fits them so well!

love the lake house... me when i grow up living in a lake house and the world's largest airplane ever built with my sibling like my parents are divorced and i spend every two weeks at each place but they actually just hate each other and didn't want to deal with raising me so they make the most influential guy in the parts market raise me instead. actually do roberta and nelson hate each other? what is their deal with each other? are either of them in the picture at all or did they literally just ship reagan and jules off to divan to be raised...

and again with the legacy of the antagonist thing. im so fascinated with what their moral outlooks must be like because holy shit imagine growing up around both the head of proactive citizenry and the scariest guy in the parts market and being fed all of that. what do they think when they meet someone who isn't pro-unwinding??? i mean that must just be so foreign to them. and of course they'd become parts pirates because it's all they know, gotta carry on the family legacy, it's a dying art and we are the only people who can preserve it etc (do they have complexes about that...). do reagen and jules feel differently about unwinding or do they both mostly feel the same?

i am so so so fascinated by these two oh my god. putting them in a jar and observing them under a microscope. i need to understand what goes on in those heads of yours.

here is a little drawing of them because they are silly!!!! i hope it looks like them 🙏 i wanted to doodle them first before I drew them in their silly little fancy outfits so hopefully that is coming soon...

[larkral]

Hello!! Thanks for the tags @hushed-chorus, @bookish-bogwitch, @cosmicalart, @j-nipper-95, @forabeatofadrum, @orange-peony, @ileadacharmedlife and @aroace-genderfluid-sheep! So fun to see what everyone is working on!

I've been doing some tests for audio for my @caught-on-tape-fest, which has been difficult because my children have been home sick almost every day this week. Anyway, got a first roll of a fic and learned a lot, like: I'm definitely not going to be trying a British accent (comes out half-Australian, I blame Bluey), I need a working doc so that I can highlight different characters dialogue in different colors to allow for different pacing and emphasis, and I need to talk slower. 

That said, I am excited and it's fun. Haven't yet done any editing but I have done that before and I feel pretty sure I'll be able to manage. 

Also this week I wrote some Simon's Two Mums and some of one of my CORB pieces. Sentences from both below!

My CORB piece, draft titled mechanic!Simon:

One of my foster families had three cars up on blocks in the backgarden. Kitty said she collected kids and Jules collected cars. It worked for them. Worked for me too. Kitty wasn't my biggest fan, but Jules didn't mind a quiet pair of eyes watching him, tools being passed his way when he reached for them. He didn't talk a lot either, but when he bought the Mini ('74) he patted the hood and said, "Happy Birthday, Simon."

Simon's two mums (draft titled normal!Simon even though he's reallllly not) also this is 8 sentences. Ah well:

Baz uses words like purview. I can barely get my lips around them. Why the crucible thought that he and I would be good as roommates, I don't know.  But I do like him. And he likes Penny. And Penny likes me. So it works out, even if it does kind of suck to be the in-between friend.  Not that Keris and Penny are better suited as roommates than Baz and me.

One thing that's helping me to work on these two pieces in tandem is that they're both stories where the WOM timeline doesn't happen the way it does in canon, so I get to be really generative in thinking about what the actual universe of CO is like, and what the social and political dynamics would be like if the events that happen canonically hadn't happened. Fun! Difficult! My jam.

Tag/hellos under the cut. :)

Tagging @stitchyqueer @thewholelemon @confused-bi-queer @raenestee @facewithoutheart @cutestkilla @sillyunicorn @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @basiltonbutliketheherb @asocialpessimist @aristocratic-otter @captain-aralias @petedavidsonscock @takitalks @artsyunderstudy @yeonjunenby @carryonvisinata @takenabackbytuesdays @martsonmars @nausikaaa @nightimedreamersghost @chen-chen-chen-again-chen @ionlydrinkhotwater @shrekgogurt @palimpsessed @fatalfangirl​ @blackberrysummerblog​ @valeffelees @imagineacoolusername @whogaveyoupermission @wellbelesbian @rimeswithpurple

[fieldofdaisiies]

elain x lucien | warnings: none | masterlist | ao3

“Beron is dead.” The words still echo in Lucien’s head, even moments after Rhysand has told him mind-to-mind. For centuries he has hoped for this news and now, now he doesn’t really know how to deal with it. And he isn’t the only one struggling to grasp his emotions and make out exactly what he is feeling.

“I don’t know what to say.” She shakes her head and her throat works on a swallow. “All my life I have spent with him. All my life I have been with him. I don’t even know what life without Beron feels like.” Her forehead forms deep creases.

“It will take some time to adapt to your new life,” Lucien tells her, his voice still soft, careful. His gaze wanders to the window, the darkness lurking outside. “But everything will be better now. I know it.”

A breathy hum slips through her lips and Lucien can feel her eyes on him. “I think so too,” she tells him, still looking at him. And she continues to do so for a long time, her lower lip trembling, her cheeks still wet with tears. “There is something we need to talk about. You have found out already, you have always been so smart, but I can’t withhold the truth from you any longer.”

Lucien has an inkling of what is about to come, but he stays silent, waiting for his mother to continue. He knows it will have a different effect on him than when Feyre told him. Hearing it from his mother will have a much deeper impact.

“Beron, he…he was not–” Imala starts but her voice breaks. 

“My father.” He folds both his hands over hers and his throat bobs. “I know this. My friend, Feyre, High Lady has figured it out and has informed me. She deeply regrets not giving you the chance to do so, but she thought it to be fair that I know.”

More tears escape her eyes when she begins to nod. “I am glad you have known for longer, although I would have wished to be the one to tell you who your father is. To explain to you and apologise that because of my decision your life in the Autumn Court was so–”

“Without your decision I wouldn’t be here, Mother.” A smile tugs at the corner of Lucien’s mouth, a single tear slides out of his eye. “I know that it was never your intention, and you can’t choose who you love.”

“Tell me about your mate. I haven’t had a chance to speak to her, but I heard that she is quite beautiful.” Her voice is so silent, so fragile Lucien thinks she is about to cry again.

“She is the most beautiful female I have ever seen, mother. And kind and smart. She has a good heart and she … we haven’t accepted the bond yet. We need a bit more time.”

She nods and understanding shines in her eyes. But also a hint of sadness, as if she worries about him not revealing the whole truth. She is about to open her mouth when Lucien cuts in, asking a completely different question, but for once he doesn’t want to think about Elain Archeron. She is always on his mind, anyway, but for now he wants to focus on his mother and make up for the time they have lost.

continue on ao3

general Elucien tag list  @shadowhunter2003 @my-inner-crisis @ladyelain @acourtofthought @itwasalwaysaboutthetea @multifictional @moonlightazriel @brekkershadowsinger @sunshinebingo @gracie-rosee @a-frog-with-a-laptop @aayo-whatt @honeysuckle-daydreams13 @thelovelymadone @berryzxx @jules-writes-stories @bookishbroadwaybish @the-darkestminds @goldenmagnolias @isnotwhatyourethinking

[munsons-hellfire]

Chapter 4: State Of Bliss

SUMMARY: You and Eddie have been living with each other for 3 weeks now. After your mother and step-father show up and some truth is revealed, Eddie is determined to make you feel better by taking you on a date just outside of Hawkins.

PAIRINGS: Biker!Eddie Munson x Teacher!Fem!Reader

PART 4 IN THE DARK PARADISE SERIES

CONTENT WARNINGS: NSFW, 18+ MDNI, mentions of a fight (does not involve Eddie or Reader), Smut, Language, oral (f receiving), vaginal fingering, protected p in v sex, aftercare, smut with a plot, she/her pronouns, Reader is 24 (almost 25), Eddie is 26, modern take, mentions of drugs, rival biker gangs, mentions of depression, mentions of anxiety, angst (reader's mother and step father show up), post-upside down

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Here is the long awaited part 4, I hope you enjoy this very much. I have finally found a name for the series and it is going to be called the Dark Paradise Series. If you wish to listen to playlist while reading this, there is a link in the series masterlist. Also this is my first time writing smut so I apologize in advance if it sucks. If you wish to be added to the tag list for this series please let me know in the comments down below. But I hope you enjoy it!

WORD COUNT: 5.6K Words

THE DARK PARADISE SERIES MASTERLIST

Three weeks had passed since the phone call with Jules. A date had been set in motion for when Jules would come down with her family even though it was making your sleeping habits bad. And if it hadn't cleared up before the kids came back to school you were in for a rude awakening. In the two weeks since the call Eddie had stayed with you and things had taken a turn that you were happy with.

Somewhere down the line of the two weeks together something had shifted between both of you and things had started to take a different direction. One thing you had told yourself when you left New York was to not allow yourself into another relationship. And well with Eddie that all went out the door. You sat down on the couch in your living room reading a book for work to get lesson plans ready for the first month.

From what you were sure of Eddie was still asleep in the bedroom that he had taken when he had moved in. You were lucky that your apartment had two bedrooms. You didn't need it but that's really what was available at short notice of you moving across the states. You had been so lost in thought on what you were doing you didn't even notice Eddie walk into the kitchen. When you finally looked up from your book you saw that he was shirtless.

His back was to you, but you could see the few tattoos that scattered his back muscles. Finally Eddie turned around but had his eyes elsewhere to notice that you were staring. When he had turned around you could see more of his tattoos, looking down lower you could see a happy trail that lead right into his sweatpants that hung low on his hips.

"See something you like, sweetheart?" Eddie questioned, with a smirk plastered to his lips. He had caught you red handed and you were quick to look away hoping that he couldn't see how red your face had gotten.

"I don't know what you're talking about." You replied, trying to brush off the fact that you were staring.

"It's okay, I know, I'm good lookin' and sexy. I got nothin' to be ashamed of."

"Of course not." A knock on the front door caused the conversation to come to an end. You looked at the door, then at Eddie as another knock could be heard.

"You expecting anyone?" Eddie questioned, brown eyes on you.

"No, I'm not." Eddie could hear the panic clear as day in your voice. You closed your book and set it down on the table and stood up from the couch.

Eddie quickly disappeared back into the room he had come out of. All while you cautiously walked to the front door of your apartment. A shaky breath leapt off your lips as you got closer and closer to the door. Another knock came from the other side of it. You looked back at the biker as he entered back into the front of the apartment. A gun rested in his hand.

"Just for protection, I can't let anything happen to you." Eddie whispered softly.

You sent him a small nod, then moved closer to the door. You stood on your toes looking through the peephole to see who stood on the other side of your door and it wasn't who you'd thought it would be. Your mother and step-father stood outside your door, both had angry looks plastered right on their faces as they waited for an answer. You lowered yourself and pressed your forehead to the door.

A million different things were flying through your head right now, but only one was front and center. Why were your mother and step-father here and what did they want? Slowly you backed away from the door and started to unlock it.

"It's just my mom and step-father." You paused, staring down at the gun. "Please hide that and please if you can stay close to me. I can't have you doing something stupid." Your voice was soft, with a little bit of sternness as you looked at Eddie.

"Okay, sweetheart." He walked towards the couch and slid his gun underneath it, wanting to keep it close in case he had to use it. Then he came back up behind you and placed a hand on your shoulder giving you a comforting squeeze as you opened the door.

"'Bout time, what the hell were you doing?" Your mother asked as the door opened wide. Her eyes trailed over to Eddie who still stood behind you. "Oh, I see you were just fucking." You rolled your eyes at your mother.

"What are you doing here, mom?" You asked, ignoring her rudeness.

"I wanted to know why my brat of a daughter left without saying so much as a goodbye? Had to find out from my ex-husband that said brat daughter came back home. What the hell?" The woman pushed past you, entering your apartment. Your step-father stepped in as well, his eyes lingering on you.

A chill ran down your body after seeing the way he was looking at you. Eddie gently and slowly slid his hand down into yours and held onto it.

"I'm here, you're not alone, Bug." You squeezed Eddie's hand back to let him know that you had heard him.

"Last time I checked, I don't need to let you know where I'm moving." Your voice was stern and distant, it was easy to pick up.

"Last time I checked you lived under our house which means you follow our rules." Your step-father said, eyes drilling into you like a saw.

You stepped forward, letting go of Eddie's hand. "I did live under your roof but now I don't. And you're not my father, you can't tell me what to do."

You had wished you could take back the words you had said, while you did mean them you hadn't meant for it to come out like that. Your step-father took a step towards you and raised his hand. You flinched lifting your hands up to protect yourself however nothing happened.

"Don't you dare lay a finger on her." Eddie said through gritted teeth as he held onto the wrist of your step-father.

"What are you gonna do about it boy? She's a brat who deserves what's comin' to her." The words didn't come from your step-father, they came from the last person you expected them to come from but weren't surprised in the least. Your mother had her eyes on Eddie, glaring daggers at him.

"No." It was a simple word spoken from Eddie but it meant more to you than you could possibly say. "You two can stay the night, not here. I'm sure the drive from New York was long. But you're gone in the morning. If you ever contact her or come back to Hawkins so help me I will make sure you regret it."

Shock etched onto your face as well as your mother and step-father, none of you had expected that outburst from Eddie. But deep down you were thankful for it. Eddie dropped your step-father's wrist and walked over to the door opening it up for them.

"Now get the hell outta here."

Begrudgingly your step-father was the first to walk past you and head out of your apartment. Your mother on the other hand walked up to you and stared at you. You could see the angry evident in her eyes as she continued to look at you.

"You got lucky this time because of that boy. But next time, well, next time he won't be able to save you." That right there should've been an indication of your future, but you were too blind to see it. You walked down the hallway towards your room before Eddie had even closed the door. Walking to your bed you collapsed down in it and let everything you were holding in come out.

Eddie walked over to the couch and grabbed his gun, taking it back into his room. He gave you some alone time while he made a call to your father. With his phone up to his ear and his door closed he turned some Metallica on so you wouldn't be able to hear the conversation. Eddie had picked up on what you hadn't and he wasn't so sure he wanted to tell you right now, not in the state you were in.

"Everything okay, Munson?" Allen asked, as soon as he picked up on his end of the line.

"No, your lovely ex-wife and her husband just showed up at the apartment." Eddie answered.

Allen became alerted and told everyone in the room to be quiet. "Is Bug okay?" Sam asked, it was clear to Eddie that he was on speaker now.

"Just upset. I'm letting her cool off before I go in to make sure she's okay. But that's not why I called."

"Why did you call then?" Hopper was the one who asked the next question. Eddie wasn't shocked he was there considering how good friends Allen and Hopper were.

"I have reason to believe that Bug's mom is the one who wants her dead, and the Stingers are the ones who were hired." Eddie could hear how silent everyone was on the other end.

"How?"

"Well, she said that Bug was lucky I was here because next time I wouldn't be able to save her." Eddie closed his eyes at the thought of something happening to you when he wasn't around you.

"Okay. Give me a few hours to figure some things out. In the meantime keep a closer eye on Bug, make sure she's okay."

"You got it, boss." With those words Eddie hung up the phone and turned off his music. Opening the door he walked out of his room and headed back towards yours. You were still in your bed curled up and holding onto a pillow tightly. He walked over to the bed, on the side that you weren't lying down on. Climbing into the bed he laid down and pulled you towards him adjusting your body so your head was resting on his chest. He held onto you as tightly as he could hoping it would bring some kind of comfort. "You okay, sweetheart?" He asked soothingly.

You sniffled quietly, "I'll be okay eventually." You adjusted yourself so you could move into Eddie's warmth, this was the closest you've been to him since he moved in and you honestly didn't mind. Your eyes closed again, while you ran over everything that had just happened. Your thoughts were getting the better of you.

"How, uh, how would you like to get out of the apartment for a little bit?" Eddie questioned. You adjusted your head slightly, looking up at Eddie as he stared down at you waiting for an answer.

"Like a date?"

"Unless you don't want to call it a date." Eddie seemed nervous, which you thought was cute. So cute that this man who didn't have an issue holding your mother and step-father at gunpoint, but had an issue asking you out on a date.

"No, I think that would be a lot of fun. Do you have anything in mind?"

"I do. I'm gonna go get ready, wear somethin' nice." Eddie removed himself from your grip and climbed off the bed. You dropped your head into the pillow already missing his warmth. When the door was closed you began to get ready for the date.

───── ❝ ◂ ❚ ⊱ꕥ⊰ ❚ ▸ ❞ ─────

You sat on the back of Eddie's bike as he pulled up to a small bar outside of Hawkins. He wanted to get you away from the town for a bit. The shock of seeing your mother and step-father still rattled you slightly, but you were curious as to why they were here. You pushed the thought to the back of your head and removed your arms from Eddie's waist, something you didn't want to let go.

Afterwards your fingers grabbed a hold of the helmet and pulled it off your head. Eddie turned his bike off and kicked the kickstand out. You placed the helmet on his bike as Eddie grasped a hold of your fingers and laced them with his. You looked down where your fingers tangled together, a small but noticeable smile appeared on your face and Eddie saw it as his first victory of the night.

He pulled you close to him and the two of you walked into the bar. When the two of you walked in, music was playing in the background. There were people out on the floor dancing to the music, while others were eating and some were at the bar drinking whatever they could get their hands on.

"Have you been here before?" You questioned, your curious eyes finding Eddie as he gave you a quick nod.

"Done business here a couple of times, it's a good place to be outside of Hawkins." Eddie answered, leading you over to a booth so you two could get something to eat. You sat down across from him, only seconds after the two of you sat down a waiter came over and took your order.

"So what's the furthest my father has made you travel?" You were curious to know more about the biker life and how everything worked.

"Uh, California is the furthest I've gone. Before the Stingers took over we had business with the Vipers. They have since relocated on the East coast so if I have to go out to see them for a meeting there in New York."

You looked down at your hands as Eddie explained his answer to your question. It got you wondering, if they were in New York does that mean that they were protecting you from Jules. Another question popped into your head and you had to know, because you needed to know if your friend whom you had a falling out with in the weeks prior to you leaving New York.

"Did uh- was I under their protection? You know in New York?" You wanted to release a defeated sigh when Eddie gave you a nod, but it made you happy to know that your dad and brother had someone watching over you.

"Allen picked out a few people, even before he knew there was a hit out on you he wanted to keep you safe if he couldn’t see you all the time. I know that the one thing your dad regrets, because he told me, is that he didn't fight harder for you."

"That's why he's fighting so hard now?"

"Yeah."

"Makes sense, my mother wouldn't let him visit us in New York. There were times where I didn't get to see him or Sam and I didn't understand it. It wasn't until I got older and had a phone that I was actually able to build a relationship with my older brother. Though it's really sad that I had to build my relationship with him through FaceTime, or calls, or texts. It's the one thing I'll never be able to forgive my mother for."

"I'm really sorry that all this is happening. I don't think you deserve it." You could hear the sadness in his voice as he apologized, even though you didn't need an apology from him. You reached over the table and grabbed his hand holding it in yours. Gently Eddie started to rub your palm while his brown eyes stared back into yours.

"Please, don't apologize for something you have no control over. I am the daughter of the largest and most powerful biker gang out there. It was bound to happen sooner or later. I'm just glad I'll be here when the attack happens."

"It's my job to protect you now, and I'm not gonna let you die when she comes to town."

You smiled softly. "You can't protect me from Jules. It's a fight neither of us will win, Eddie."

Before Eddie could say anything your food arrived at the table. The conversation was dropped and you two ate quietly not sure what to say to each other. You knew deep down that you were right, Jules would eventually follow through on her plan and you knew she would kill you even if that meant killing anyone that would get in her way.

When the food was finished Eddie climbed out of the booth and held his hand out to you. You looked at his hand with confused eyes. "I wanna take you somewhere else, I think you'll like it, sweetheart." You smiled and placed your hand in his.

And it was a good thing too because a fight erupted in the bar. Eddie pulled you close to his chest shielding you from the glass that was being thrown around just like the punches. You laughed at how fast you and Eddie had made it out of the bar. Making it over to the bike you place the helmet back over your head and climb on wrapping your arms around his waist.

───── ❝ ◂ ❚ ⊱ꕥ⊰ ❚ ▸ ❞ ─────

Eddie pulled up to a lake and knocked the kickstand off, he turned his bike off and removed your arms from his waist. Then he took the helmet off and grabbed your hand. You weren't entirely familiar with the lake but you knew of it because your brother had mentioned it a few times. Eddie placed his hand behind your back and guided you over to the edge of the lake where the sun was starting to set.

A smile smeared across your lips reaching your eyes. You couldn't get something like this in New York where you had lived. Moving to Hawkins made it worth it.

"Whaddya think, sweetheart?" Eddie questioned breaking the silence.

"This is so beautiful. I've never seen a sunset like this."

"Don't worry, there will be more to see for as long as you're here. I just thought this would be a good way to end the night before we go back to your apartment and call it a night." Eddie wanted to be hopeful that something more would happen tonight, but he pushed it aside.

You turned to look at him, grabbing a hold of his hands. "What if I don't want tonight to end when we get back to my apartment?" You said, though it was a question and you hoped Eddie picked up on what you were asking.

Eddie moved closer the space between you closing as he chest came in contact with yours. He stared down at your eyes looking for any sign that you didn't want this. Eddie licked his lips, "then I think we should get back home." You released a surprised gasp when Eddie's lips landed on yours in a sweet kiss.

You nodded your head when he pulled away. "I agree." You whispered. Giggling, you ran as quick as you could back to Eddie's bike, with Eddie hot on your trail.

───── ❝ ◂ ❚ ⊱ꕥ⊰ ❚ ▸ ❞ ─────

The second you were at the door Eddie had his hands wrapped around you, your hair was on the side while he placed soft kisses up your neck. You had your keys in your hand and had been trying to unlock the door but Eddie was distracting you. He seemed to notice, gently he lifted his hand and placed it over top of yours helping you open your door.

With the door now open the two of you were able to enter the apartment. Eddie kicked the door shut and threw your keys and bag to the table. His soft lips found home on yours, continuing to kiss you as he pushed you back down the hallway towards your room. When the back of your knees hit your bed he removed his lips from yours.

An unintentionally wine leaves your lips and causes Eddie to smirk down at you. "Now now, you'll have my lips back on you soon enough, sweetheart." His voice was dripping with lust as he said it. Gently he pushed you down onto your bed and hovered over you. His lips found purchase on your neck.

He placed sweet kisses on your neck, slowly moving his way down your body. Eventually he came to a stop, his hands gripped the dress you were wearing and slid it up your body slightly to reveal your panties. Leaning forward Eddie placed kisses on each thigh sending shivers down your body. He lowered himself to the bed and gently leaned forward placing another kiss on your clothed pussy.

Pushing his hands up he placed his fingers on the waistband of your panties, Eddie looked up at you and you gave a nod letting him know it was okay. He gently pulled them down your legs until they were off. He turned back coming face to face with your already wet cunt.

"So pretty." He murmured. "Is all this for me?" His brown eyes were on you as you stared back at him.

You gave a small nod, "only for you." You whispered.

The biker leaned forward, holding his tongue out flat he licked a long strip from your hole moving between your folds and ending up on your clit. A moan escaped from your lips, one that Eddie wanted to hear more of. His attack starts slow, licking your clit gently as he moves his fingers towards your hole.

Eddie sucks your clit into his mouth while his first finger breaches your hole. Slowly he slides it inside you and curls it up. Another moan leaves your mouth, your eyes flutter close. Eddie flicks his tongue around your bud, you arch your back off the bed. You slam your hands into the bed and grab a hold of your sheets. He sets his pace, licking and fingering you fast enough to get you close to your first orgasm.

"Fuck, Eddie." You moaned out, reaching your hand forward and tangling it into his curls. He could feel you clench around his fingers, he smirked, having you just where he wanted, having you falling apart from just his tongue and fingers.

Eddie pulled away from your clit and added a third finger inside you. He looked at you through his lust blown brown eyes. "Taste so fucking sweet." He whispered but loud enough for you to hear. He dipped his head back down and attached back to your clit sucking on it. Eddie’s free hand moved up your soft skin until it fell onto one of your breasts.

His fingers found your nipple and rolled it between his thumb and index finger. Your hands removed themselves from your sheets and entangled into Eddie’s hair gripping onto it tightly. "Fuck." You gasped at the pleasure he was making you feel. It was like nothing you’d have felt before, not with any of your previous partners. "So close." You mumbled, a broken moan falling from your lips after.

Eddie looked at you from between your legs, a smirk making its way to his lips. "Let go for me, sweetheart." He ordered, you clenched around his fingers. Your orgasm hitting you just after he had told you to let go.

"Oh my god." You breathed out, eyes closed as the orgasm continued to wash over you.

"Good girl." Eddie said, he gently pulled his fingers from your hole. You whimpered at the loss as you let go of his hair. The biker lifted to his knees and placed his fingers into his mouth, liking your slick off his fingers. "Tastes so good, princess." You smiled shyly, and watched him remove his fingers from his mouth. Eddie grabbed a hold of his shirt and removed it, throwing it to your floor.

You looked at Eddie, getting a better look at the tattoo’s that littered his toned body. It was hot to say the least and turned you on. You moved yourself around and moved your fingers toward his pants. You placed your hands on his belt and began to unbuckle it. However Eddie grasped the hold of your wrist and looked down at you.

"What are you doing?" Eddie questioned a soft smirk on his face.

"I wanna taste you." You whispered, eyeing the outline of his cock in his pants.

“Next time. I really need to be inside you.” And it clicked right then and there what Eddie needed. You leaned back down on bed watching Eddie remove his pants. Finally he removed his boxers, his cock sprung out the tip hitting his happy trail. Eddie gripped his length moving his hand up and down. You reached over to your side dresser pulling a condom out.

You ripped it open and pulled the rubber out. Leaning forward slightly you placed it on Eddie's cock and rolled it down his length. He groaned at the way your hand felt wrapped around him. He gently pushed you back down to your bed and moved in between your legs. Gripping himself he slipped his cock through your folds causing a moan to escape from your mouth.

Finally after a long wait, Eddie slid his cock into your entrance. You whimpered at the feeling of him inside you. He was pulled in, you were gripping him tightly. The brunette lowered his forehead and rested it on top of yours. He gave you a few seconds to get adjusted to his side. Eddie had completely bottomed out inside you, and it was a whole new feeling of pleasure. Your head fell back against the pillow waiting for some kind of friction.

"Please, please, please." You begged, soft eyes on Eddie as his brown eyes stared into yours.

"God, you're so fucking tight." Eddie whispered into your ear, he moved his head down to your neck and started to suck on your soft skin and he began to pull his hips back out only to slam them down. A loud moan escaped your lips, feeling Eddie move inside you. It was pure bliss, something you never wanted to end.

Eddie's thrusts were slow to start, but eventually he found his rhythm and his pace picked up. The noise of skin slapping skin was the only other thing that could be heard in your room other than your desperate moans. Eddie pulled back from your neck looking at the mark he had left. A smile fell onto his lips. You lifted your legs from your bed and wrapped them around Eddie's waist not letting him go.

Eddie hit the sweet spot inside you, prompting you to squeeze around him. Another moan left his lips as he continued to pull his hips back and slam them down into you. You were close, Eddie could feel it the way you were squeezing him. He leaned himself up and connected his lips to yours, kissing you softly.

"Mm-close." You said, when you pulled away from the kiss. Eddie understood what you were asking for and moved one of his hands between your bodies. His thumb found your clit and he started to circle around your clit. The pressure was building, beads of sweat were dripping down your body and Eddie's too.

"Need to feel you cum on my cock, sweetheart." Eddie whispered against your ear. "Cum for me." Eddie placed a kiss on it and moved back down on your neck to suck on the sweet spot. With Eddie giving you the permission you didn't know you needed, your release hit you. You arch off your bed, chest moving closer to Eddie's. Your finger nails are digging into Eddie's shoulders as you come apart under him.

Eddie's thrust starts to slow down his own climax just on the way. The biker pulls out of you, you whimper at the loss but watch in a state of bliss as he pulls the condom off his hard length. Eddie wraps his hand around himself and starts to move his hand up and down his dick. A moan escapes his mouth as ropes of his cum hit your stomach. He milked his cock for every last drip until there was no more.

You exhaled, as you came down from your high. Eddie walked out of your room for a brief moment. When he came back he had a glass of water in one hand with a snack and a wet rag in the other. Eddie set it down on your dresser. He leaned over you and moved the wet rag between your legs. You gasped at the sudden touch, still sensitive from the events moments ago.

"Sorry." Eddie whispered softly, eyes looking up at you through his bangs.

"'S okay." You said, sending him a smile. "Thank you."

"For what, princess?" Eddie threw the rag towards your basket and grabbed a hold of his boxers sliding them back on. Then he grabbed the glass of water and held it out to you. "Hydrate." He added.

"For tonight, it was perfect." You hadn't felt this way in a while, you hadn't felt calm, safe, happy, since probably before you left Hawkins for good. "I haven't felt this happy in a long time."

Eddie gave you a half smile as he handed a snack over to you so you could eat it. "I'm glad that I could make it memorable." Eddie leaned forward, grabbing his shirt from the floor. He turned back towards you and held it out. "Here." You smiled, taking his shirt you slid it on.

"I have to go to the bathroom." Eddie gave a nod of his head. You leaned forward and gave him a quick peck on his lips. "And then we're discussing what this means." A giggle erupted from your mouth.

Eddie turned on your bed watching you walk towards the bathroom. "I think you know what it means, Bug." Eddie said. He took the time to get a good look at the things that you had in your room now that it had been decorated. There didn't seem to be much from New York. You had a few photos, mostly of you and your brother when you were younger. But nothing recent.

You climbed onto the bed, Eddie's shirt wrapped around your body and a fresh pair of underwear on. When you made it over to him you wrapped your arms around his waist and placed soft kisses on his shoulders.

"Do you want the honest truth?" You asked, bringing up words from a previous conversation the two of you had shared. He smiled and turned around in your arms pulling you close to him. The two of you fell to your bed, both laughing.

"Of course I do." Eddie placed a gentle kiss onto your lips before he pulled away. His hand fell underneath his hair, holding up his head so he could still look at you.

"I'm scared of what this means. I like you a lot Eddie, and this was so so magical. The best night I could've possibly asked for. But I'm scared that you'll realize that I'm not good enough for you, that I'm broken, or that you might not want the same things I want. I've been trying to get this through everyone's head before I've gone further into a relationship." You paused, a shaky breath falling from your lips. Eddie pushed his hand forward and grabbed a hold of yours.

"Hey, it's okay, you can tell me Bug." You could hear the seriousness in his voice as he talked to you. He was gently rubbing a circle around the palm of your hand with his thumb, his brown eyes were still on your soft but scared eyes.

"I want everything that comes with a relationship, not just the arguments, or the great sex, I want the good qualities. I want kids and marriage, I want it all. But I'm afraid that you might be like the others and will only be in it for the ride. I'm afraid that you'll realize you can do better than what I have to offer." A tear cascaded down your face and Eddie was quick to swipe it away from his thumb, after removing it from your hand. He kept his hand there on your cheek and you of course pushed into it feeling the warmth.

"I'm not gonna lie, all that future talk scares the shit out of me too. With the life I lead, there's always the possibility something bad could happen. I'm scared shitless to be a parent, and even a husband." Eddie paused, he was getting ready to tell his truth. "You are the first person that's walked into my life and I've seen a future with. I don't want to lose whatever it is we have. I'm not saying no to the idea of family, but I think that should be revisited when the time comes."

You felt the bricks that had been resting on your chest finally fall off. It wasn't close to the answer you wanted but it was a better one than what you had gotten from Mikey and Jules.

"Okay." You smiled at him. "I'm sorry for bringing it up. But I just needed to know that there was a possibility in the future."

Eddie pulled you to his chest and held onto you tightly. "Don't be sorry. You have every right to feel the way that you do." You leaned down, your hair falling around you. Your soft lips fell onto Eddie's again and the two of you kissed like you didn't want to let go. And you didn't because you had found the one person you knew you wanted to be with for the long run. You just didn't realize the damage it would do to the both of you.

TAGS: @inhumansxx @lma1986 @corrodedcoffincumslut @squidscottjeans @joantje @whenshelanded @bexreadstoomuch @bl4ckt00thgr1n @wiltedwonderland @lluviamg06 @kaitebugg03 @kimmi-kat @oneforthemunny

[the-void-writes]

All That Thaws In The Cold 2024

I wanted to combine one of @tryingtimi ‘s winter prompts, “Warming the other with body heat,” with the Mistletoe game she tagged us in a while back. Thank you again Timi for the sprints and the inspiration, it really helped me finish this beast lol 💖

Freaks of Preston - Warmth

Summary: Jason and Rio end up snowed in together during a power outage. The growing storm brings both a bitter chill and a handful of sad memories. Rio does his best to dispel them all with some wine, his love, and a forgotten clump of mistletoe.

WC: 1,804

TW: 18+ only for sexual content

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jason pushed his phone aside on the table and rubbed his temples. One of Preston’s record winter storms had hit the company, knocking out its power. The medical annex was thankfully still running on generators, but the housing units were stuck in a blackout.

Knowing Vesely’s track record of employees, the electricians likely wouldn’t have the power back until the next day— if they were lucky. It wouldn’t have surprised Jason if he was snowed in without power for the rest of the week. He couldn’t stomach the thought of camping out in the cafeteria with all of the engineers and scientists, tearing the building apart to complete their projects.

At least, for tonight, he was snowed in with pleasant company. As he leaned back on the couch, Rio wandered back into the living room. He had called in to make sure their patients were okay, especially his daughter. His soft smile was brighter than any of their handful of candles.

“I’m glad you’re okay,” he said. “If you need anything, Jules or Cece are right there— and if it’s an emergency, I’ll grapple down the building.”

Jason laughed to himself. He could hear Jin’s sweet voice crackle through the phone’s speaker.

“Goodnight, Papa.”

Rio chuckled. “Goodnight, sweetie. Stay warm.”

He waited for her to hang up before he sat down next to Jason. Through the windows, the snowstorm grew harsher, a flurry of white against the deep blue forest. Rio sighed and reached for his glass of wine on the table.

“Good thing we pulled out those leftovers early.”

“Oh, definitely,” Jason said. “We can only hope they’ll fix it before noon tomorrow. Otherwise, we’re eating cereal for lunch, as well.”

“If it gets to that point, I’ll grab the kids and sneak us out to the city.”

Jason snickered. “Is that right? You’ll steal a company van for us?”

“Hell yeah, I will— and we’ll hole up in a big hotel for the night, something with a bar and an indoor pool, or a hot tub.”

“Are we still considering the children, or are you just trying to whisk me away for the weekend?”

Rio grinned. “You got me.”

He leaned over and kissed Jason, grunting suddenly as he sat closer.

“Jay, you’re freezing.”

“I just take longer to warm up,” Jason said. “It’s not easy when you’re as pale as a sheet.”

“Come over here, then. Let me help you.”

Jason smiled and let Rio pull him onto his chest. Even through his shirt, his skin was remarkably warm. His rough hands traced soothing circles into Jason’s shoulder blades, pulling him deeper into his embrace.

“Thank you,” Jason mumbled, burying his face in Rio’s neck.

“Yeah, much better.”

“For me or for you?”

“I hope it’s both.”

Jason curled his hand around Rio’s. “It is, love.”

They watched the snow and wind whip away at the dead branches, preparing the town for what was sure to be its thickest winter yet. Somewhere in that town, Henry would be setting up a tent in the living room for him and Alvie, trading stories to get through the outage. Across the streets, Mary would be sitting by the fireplace with her daughters, maybe even toasting marshmallows.

And somewhere under all that snow was the grave of a boy that would have loved to play in the streets with his family. A boy who would have stayed up all night catching snowflakes as they fell from the dark sky, who would have shown Jason each one he caught before it melted in his scarred hands…

“You’re thinking about them,” Rio said.

Jason sniffled and cleared his face, unsure of when he had started crying. “Sorry.”

“It’s only natural. Do you want to talk?”

“There’s nothing left to say,” Jason said with a sigh. “I ruined everything, and they’ll never want to see me again. It’s all over and done.”

The shadows of falling snow distorted Rio’s frown. “It was never your fault. Any sensible person could see that.”

“Don’t say that, please. They’re perfectly sensible… I should have done better.”

“You did everything that you could, Jay.” Rio kissed the top of his head. “It may be over and done for them, but not for us. We see who you are, Jay, and we love you.”

Jason smiled briefly. “I love you, too.”

After another glass or two of wine, Jason settled deeper into Rio’s arms. His vision was starting to swirl, twisting the frosted shapes on the windows, and the flickering lights of the candles, and the metal vents that ran across the ceiling…

“Oh, you think you’re so clever, don’t you?”

“What was that?” Rio asked.

Jason pointed at the ceiling over the sofa, where a sprig of mistletoe hung from a string. He was still sober enough to recognize it, at least. Rio bit back a smile.

“Ah, how did that get there?”

“Oh, I wonder.” Jason pinched his shoulder. “Have you been hiding that this whole time?”

“I wanted to see how long it would take you to notice it— but I’ll be honest, I forgot it was there, for a moment.”

“I’m sure you did, you cheeky bastard.”

“Did I at least make you smile?”

Jason tried to fight it, but Rio’s smug grin got him to break. It had been so long since someone could truly make him laugh. He would always be grateful to Vesely for his second chance, but it was Rio who had saved his life.

“I’ve still got it,” Rio said, resting his arms behind his head.

“Don’t get cocky.”

“Hey, I could have put it over the bed. How’s that for cocky?”

“Why didn’t you? Are you scared I’d say no?”

Rio stared at him softly. “Would you?”

Jason cupped his face and kissed him, over and over again. “I’ll tell you, if you ask me for real.”

All thoughts of the storm and the town disappeared as Rio’s arms surrounded Jason, caressing his back as he kissed him with unyielding passion. The sour tingle of wine still lingered on his lips.

“Jay,” he whispered between heavy breaths, “can I show you how much I love you?”

Jason grinned. “Please do.”

A soft, childish giggle left his lips as Rio picked him up and carried him to the bedroom. He laid Jason down on cold sheets and made quick work of the sweaters and belts that separated them from each other, tossing them to the floor. The whole undressing part always made Jason anxious, in both good and bad ways. Here Rio was, a gorgeous man seemingly chiseled from stone— and here Jason was, a pale and stretched-out stick.

And yet, Rio couldn’t take his eyes off of him. He pulled the covers up around them, trapping them in their own warmth, with a smile that Jason thought he would never earn from anyone again.

“Jay,” Rio said, “you’re so beautiful.”

Jason turned his head, overwhelmed by the love in Rio’s eyes, but Rio took his chin and guided him back delicately.

“I mean it.”

“I know you do,” Jason said, taking his hand. “It means everything to me that you do.”

“Then let yourself relax, doll. No need to be shy in front of me.”

Strong, calloused hands gently undid the locks on Jason’s prosthesis and set it aside. Rio trailed his hand across his exposed thigh, sending little shocks through his body with only a touch.

“How’s it feeling?” Rio asked. “Any pain?”

“None,” Jason said. “It feels nice, actually, when you do that.”

“Then I won’t stop.”

Rio leaned down for a kiss, still holding Jason’s thigh against his hip. Jason ran his hands up his partner’s neck, through his hair, and down his back. The warmth of his skin seemed just out of Jason’s reach. It taunted him, it beckoned him, closer and closer.

Rough, bristled lips traveled down his jaw to his neck. Rio’s warm breath brushed his collar as he kissed every inch of skin that Jason typically kept hidden. A soft, desperate noise left his lips as he pulled Rio closer. The sound drew a deep growl from the soldier’s chest.

“Keep singing for me,” he whispered.

His kisses were full of hunger, teeth scratching the skin from Jason’s neck down to his shoulder. Each bite brought a heavier feeling of bliss. Without thinking, Jason tried to return the favor, biting down a bit too harshly on Rio’s collar. The soldier sucked in his breath.

“Jason…”

He hissed his name with such devotion that Jason would have mistaken it for prayer. Rio pulled him closer, gripping his hips tightly. The force of his hands, along with the alternating kisses and scratches at his neck, felt like pure heaven. Tears formed in the corners of Jason’s eyes.

“Jay?” Rio pried himself from his neck. “What’s wrong?”

Jason smiled and wiped away his tears. “Nothing, my love. Nothing, at all.”

He pulled Rio down by the neck to kiss him, but before they could lose themselves again, Rio broke away.

“If I’m hurting you, you have to tell me.”

“You’re not hurting me.”

“You’re sure?”

“Honestly, Rio, I’m not made of glass.”

Rio chuckled. “I know, I know— I’m just making sure. God forbid, I go too far, and you end up with a bruise somewhere that everyone can see.”

“Is that really so bad?”

“If we still want to keep this between us, then yes. They know you hang out with me all the time, so if you show up with marks—”

He paused, but Jason filled in the blanks.

“They’ll know it was you… You don’t want them to think ill of you.”

Rio said nothing, looking anywhere else but into Jason’s eyes. Jason cupped the side of his face and traced his thumb under his scarred eye.

“You carry so much guilt with you. I can’t pretend I understand it all, but I’ve seen for myself that deep in your core, you’re a good person. You could never hurt me, Rio.”

Something dark and heavy stirred in Rio’s eyes, but it cleared as soon as he smiled.

“You’re too good for me.”

“No, love. You have to believe that you’re good enough. Promise me you’ll try.”

Rio kissed his palm. “I promise.”

“Thank you.” Jason wrapped his arms around his neck. “Now, can I show you how much I love you?”

A spark seemed to go off in Rio’s eyes. “Please do, angel.”

For the rest of the night, there were no thoughts of guilt, or pain, or outages, or the cold that consumed the world outside their windows. There was only the raw, unbreakable love that they shared between them, the love that kept them both alive. The world outside could freeze over, for all they cared. In Rio’s embrace, Jason only knew warmth.

[idontknowwfc]

Thanks for the tag @rippledawn you had some great answers

Last Song: I’ve got such a basic answer to that but I went Christmas shopping yesterday so I was in the spirit lol. “Driving home from Christmas” according to my playlist”

Favorite Color: Green as well! But a very dark kinda green

Last Book: I’ve just finished “you can’t spell treason without tea.” I really liked it! A cosy fantasy but still with a bit of action. A bit sappy sometimes but I like some sappy gays in my books lol

Last Movie: sadly probably one of those mass produced Christmas movies they send every year. They mostly suck but it’s tradition for me to watch as many as possible lol

Last Show: hmm does Great British bake off count? Cause if so I’ve just started watching the new season. What can I say it’s my comfort show, even though the previous version was better

Sweet/Spicy/Savory: I’ve got such a sweet tooth so I’m probably gonna have to go with that mainly because of chocolate, but I also love savoury foods

Last Google Search: I really hope it isn’t embarrassing.. oh it’s fine I was looking for a new necklace so it’s just a lot of pictures of that

Current Obsession: the new, well now non-existing, queer couple on greys. Jules/Mika, but I’ve literally only watch their clips cause I don’t care about the rest of the show😅… I really need to stop getting into doomed gay couple shows

Looking Forward To: Christmas! And the nap I’m about to take

. @hernightsky @reminiscingtonight @bbangsoul

[onboardsorasora]

@lights-out-go you didn't tag me per say but I love sharing snippets so I've inserted myself into this tag lmao

This happens directly after Daniel leaves in Wreck Me

Daniel stumbled into the front door, kicking it closed before throwing himself into the plush single seater couch. He groaned softly and dragged his palms down his sweaty face. 

"I take it didn't go well" A voice asked kindly with a sigh.

"He was brutal mate." Daniel exhaled loudly.

"You knew it was a possibility. You had your hopes too high."

"Jules…not now. Please." Daniel groaned, slouching further into the chair until his knees touched the coffee table. He felt exhausted, miserably so.

"I told you not to go." Jules muttered, throwing his slipper in Daniel's direction. 

"Oi!" Daniel complained. "Alright alright, ya cunt. You were right. Happy now?" He threw the slipper back, smiling when it bounced off the 'cowering' man.

"So what happened?"

Daniel sighed gustily. "Well, he asked me if I needed money. Then called me a coward and a parasite." he chuckled to himself, "in that order." Daniel rubbed his chest, the hurt manifesting like a dull ache. It used to be a fierce burn, but he got used to it. The pain. 

Jules winced, his face contorting into one of sympathy. He opened his mouth to say something thing, then thought better of it.

"It's fine J." Daniel smiled wanly at his friend. "Closure or whatever." He shrugged, he wasn't quite sure how he felt or was supposed to really feel. He felt numb. 

"So what now?" 

"That's a good question. You wanna go do stupid shit?"

"I'm not sure if you should be doing stupid shit."

Daniel scoffed and ambled to his feet with a groan, scratching at his exposed knee through the hole in his jeans.

Lol not tagging anyone, lets all share some WIPs on this fine Thursday!

[baellielurk]

Share 5 things you like about yourself publicly, then tag 5 followers you want to get to know better!

my music taste fucks

i can draw hot people at will and just keep them in a folder that i never show to anyone ever

no seriously i don't talk enough about how good my playlists are

like my strahd playlist? incredible selection. i could write essays.

OR my ireena playlist! mwahh <3 i could write essays.

but also - i know this is more than five now - my neven playlist, who is an OC but still, her playlist is excellent even without context. well, a little context might be needed, but i think the yearning is clear. Pairs extremely well with this playlist. i mean, the descriptions are about as much context as one needs. lowkey considering writing about them in a novel way sooner or later, the dnd part is really not a must for their story and i think the world could use some more unwell lesbians who fuck each other up terribly <3

and I just have to highlight another playlist i adore, which is the playlist of my homebrew campaign's bbeg.

and tagging uhh @jules-makes-stuff @romanaisalive @churchyardgrim @direful @moldwood and whoever else feels like it.

[libelelle]

Hello, I'm sorry for the intrusion (and this might be really weird) but I was browsing the Sonic Underground tag here on Tumblr and I came across your sibling + tails redesigns and in the tags you were asking "please pretty please somebody ask me questions about my tcof!au" and I know that you made that post two years ago and I'm incredibly new here (only followed pretty much today) so I don't even know if you're working on it anymore but this is my personal request to hear all about it because I think the Sonic Underground characters deserve more love than they typically get

AWWWW not an intrusion at all!! i don't really think about that AU all that much any more but i can dump all the ideas i had for it!! I'll put under the read more : ]

ANYWAYS the original concept of the au was literally "Tails is in Underground" and spiralled like crazy from there. it was originally inspired by Starrjoy's Pandora AU (on an indefinite hiatus but worth checking out if you havent already, Joy is a phenomenal artist and a really sweet person : ])

The actual story had the same premise as underground naturally. Robotnik took over Mobius and Aleena sent her children away, under the guidance of a prophecy. years later the triplets reunite and begin their search for their mother and their fight against Robotnik.

Except the search goes on a long time, and Sonia Manic and Sonic get older, on the run, until one day Sonic runs off on his own. he ends up in a town where he tries to blow off some steam by attacking the SWAT bots stationed there, when he finds a small little fox with two tails!! and Sonic is like welp! better take this cute little thing with me, and thats that. he brings tails back to the van and Sonia is mad and Manic is confused and Sonic has gotten them all a new little brother.

from there things continue as usual, looking for their mother, except now Aleena has a loophole in form of Tails. Since he isnt a triplet, she will visit him when hes on his own to check on him and the others. A lot of other things happen, so in bullet points here are some of them

the Debutants ball of course still happens. except its good and Sonia is wearing a better dress

Jules (like. from Archie Sonic) is a character and was Aleenas husband, before being roboticized. he gets rescued at some point by Aleena and Bernadette (also the Archie Sonic character. i dont need to explain myself)

Bernadette is a member of the resistance and later becomes its head of intelligence. she Jules and Aleena have worlds most epic Polyamory relationship

Aleena wasn't given the prophecy in this, she made the prophecy herself in an attempt to give her and her children a way out during Robotniks inevitable takeover of the kingdom. shes spent years adhering to her own rules in hopes her magic would eventually save them. she has clairvoyance among other abilities

Amy is also here, shes one of the children in the Sanctuary, he got really mad when Tail joined the triplets because Sonic has told her on multiple occasions that she couldnt come with them because she was too young. She ends up going out on her own and finding her Piko Piko hammer and becomes a hero in her own right. which she DOES rub in his face later

Knuckles is there, his main role is similar to the show but like. he ends up way more involved. ends up being a bit of a resistance outpost and regularly hosts Aleena on angel island.

Sonia ends up loving Tails (naturally) and in an uphill battle trying to teach him class and mitigate Sonics "good for nothing influence"

Manic loves Tails at first but ends up feeling kind of useless in light of Tails genius. Tails still can't figure out the van though and Manic is so proud of this

because tech is Tails thing, i needed to give Manic a thing, and because his mother can do magic, Manic inherited it. he can do illusion stuff (fits in well with his sleight of hand/pickpocket theif stuff) he's been unconsiously weaving his magic into his inventions for years, hence why Tails can't figure out the van even a little

Oh Uncle Chuck is also here, he works in the resistance and sent Bernadette to help Aleena. He also introduced Jules and Aleena

also worth mentioning that Tails feels really terrible about not being involved in the prophecy. hes doing everything he can to help, but he does really feel like a part of the family, by virtue of being excluded by the prophecy

Anywasy as the plot progresses, the prophecy gets harder and harder to maintain, Sonic gets more reckless and more irritable and so on. Sonic never really likes the prophecy to begin with, and likes to act out against it. hes a firm believer in the direct action route.

Eventually the prophecy fails. Aleena, Sonia and Manic are devasted and Robotnik wins again.

except Sonic isnt ready to let it lie like that. the prophecy never meant anything to him, so the prophecy failing did nothing to break his spirit

HONESTLY i never fully thought out how it ended, all i know id that Sonic had to overcome the prophecy and Tails had to play a very important role in it

Theres likely more in my au tag on my blog, but this is al the stuff i can remember right now. it was a really fun au and if you have any thoughts on it id love to hear them : ]

[logansargey]

https://www.tumblr.com/logansargey/753004552763195392/im-not-trying-to-be-rude-but-can-you-tag-your

You are so kind to anons, @logansargey! People like this really need to take a chill pill ❄️💊 like, that type of analysis and discourse is exactly what these tags are for? 🤔🤦🏻‍♀️

And it’s way better than the far too common driver hate that floods these tags because people love to hate post about drivers they don’t like (although why they give them that much of their time if they hate them so much, I don’t know 🤷🏻‍♀️ ).

And I love your analyses of Maxiel, Piarles, and L*stappen! Super accurate!

I started in L*stappen because of some great fanfic, but I had to cast it aside for Maxiel and Piarles as soon as I actually started paying attention to the lore and how they all interact with each other.

Because of course none of this is actually real, but the hard core L*stappies really don’t like to admit that Charles has more chemistry, and a deeper friendship, with Daniel than with Max 🤭

And no hate on L*stappen, because most L*stappies are great and just want to enjoy their ship. But the problematic people in fandom who think death threats are okay seem to be mostly into L*stappen at the moment, for whatever reason. (Maybe because the ship is built on more delusions than most others, as a friend who is also an ex-L*stappie used to say? 🤭)

Most importantly, I’m so sorry that they sent you threats! What the hell is wrong with some people?! I do hope you’re okay? Much love to you ❤️❤️ and you’re so right: let us stay strong in Maxiel and Piarles, just for these idiots! 🤭🤣)

Yes I fully agree, people hating on drivers is insane. To give someone that amount of time in your life, it's just damp behavior.

And thank you! I spend a lot of time analyzing Piarles and Maxiel and other ships (mostly because I don't have a life.)

I also started in the Lestappen fandom but quickly realized, there's literally nothing there. I tried to stay but I would rather lick a sidewalk. I also loved the chemistry Piarles and Maxiel had tg.

Charles does have a good amount of Chemistry with Daniel, more than he does with Max obviously. Mostly because Daniel and Jules were quite good friends so he kind of took Charles under his wing.

And I feel like I get a pass saying I don't see anything in that ship, because I actually did used to ship them, but now I literally can't. There's nothing there for me.

And love you too!! I will be staying strong for the Piarles and Maxiel girls✊🏼

[highwaytothedangerzone502]

Foxtrot Alpha Alpha - Chapter 18

Pairing: Hangman x Female OC

Word Count: 2882

Warnings: Mention of death, swearing

Summary: Hangman learned his lesson a long time ago to never show his true feelings when someone's words or actions hurt him. To do so showed weakness that could be exploited, and Seresin men couldn't show weakness. Of course, there was an exception to every rule, and Jake's always came in the form of women, three in particular: his mom, Juliette Kazansky, and the girl whose name he could no longer bring himself to speak. She was the girl that got away; she was his biggest 'what if' and his biggest regret; she would forever be the ghost that haunted his dreams. Jake believed that's where she'd stay, for he would surely never see her again after what he did.

Or so he thought.

Notes: This is the sequel to India Lima Yankee; I'm using the same callsign for the Female OC as in Ghost Story because I just really like it, but they are different characters; chapters in italics are flashbacks.

Chapter Songs: Homecoming Queen The Archer

****

Ghost

Raptor and Lightning greeted the girls exuberantly when they entered the house. Ghost took them out to use the bathroom while Juliette changed into comfier clothes. Ten minutes later, they were all on the couch scrolling through Instagram and watching The Notebook in the background. 

Juliette gave Ghost a sideways glance. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Someone mentioned that you weren't too... enthused to be at the bar earlier. You also seemed more than a little gung-ho to leave. Everything okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. There's a lot going on right now, and I wasn't in the mood to socialize, but I'd promised Jackie I'd go," Ghost admitted, fiddling with her dog tags. "It's Ghoul's birthday today, so that's been on my mind mostly. Not to mention, my stunt from earlier didn't go over so well with Maverick. I was mortified when he confronted me about it."

"And? I know that look, Ghost."

"It's the only look I got."

"Annalise."

Ghost sighed and slumped into the cushions, her cheeks flaming while the truth rolled from her lips. If it had been anyone but Juliette, she would've played dumb, but for better or worse, Jules could see through all her bullshit. "I felt out of place. I mean, I had you, Rooster, Jackie, Bob, and Coyote, of course, but I can't rely on y'all to be my conversation holders the entire night. I don't know... I just wish I could be like Jackie sometimes. I don't know how she does it. She barely knew any of them but seemed to have no issues connecting with them, whereas I couldn't even figure out a stupid thing to say to start a conversation."

"Hey, you can always come to me when you feel out of place because I've been where you are. Hell, sometimes I feel like that, too, even with my history with the Daggers. It's nothing any of them do to make me feel that way, but they're all these kickass fighter pilots, and I'm me. They put their lives on the line every day, and I help make designs for jets. Point is you're not alone. If I'm there, you have me as backup, no matter what."

Ghost smiled appreciatively at her best friend. "Thank you, Jules. Have I ever told you how grateful I am for you?"

"No, but you don't need to. I know. Oh! Speaking of being grateful, I'm so happy you posted a new video on Instagram! You had this pregnant lady in tears."

"It wasn't meant to make you cry!"

"But I could feel your emotion in it! And don't worry about it; a lot of things make me cry right now. I blame it on the raging pregnancy hormones. Seriously, I cried because I finished off a pint of Ben & Jerry's, and then cried more when I realized how stupid it was that I was crying over ice cream."

"Uh, I would cry too. Ben & Jerry's is delicious! Do you have some?"

Juliette nodded. "Rooster is a saint and bought about twenty cartons when he discovered me staring at the empty container in tears. Once my nausea passes, you can bet your ass I'm getting one, but you're welcome to have one too."

"I'll wait-"

"Don't you dare wait for me if you want some!" Juliette argued, pointing a firm finger at her friend.

Ghost raised an eyebrow at her. "I don't know how this nausea thing works, though. Like, will you get sick watching me eat it? Or will the smell get to you? Because, and I mean this in the nicest way possible, I don't think you'll be able to get up off the couch and to the toilet in time if you do need to be sick."

"... I hate that you have a point. I'll be back." Juliette pushed herself off the couch and disappeared for a moment. She returned with an empty trash bin lined with a plastic bag. She collapsed onto the cushions and chirped, "Now I don't have to go to the bathroom. Go get that ice cream."

"Fine, fine, but let me know when you're ready for yours, and I'll get it for you."

"Yes, yes, now go." While Ghost headed to the kitchen, Juliette shouted after her, "So, the caption in your last video was kind of vague. Who were you singing the song about?"

Damn it, I was hoping she'd moved on from that. "Uh, an old acquaintance. We used to be best friends, shit happened, and we fell apart. That's all. Really not much to it," Ghost insisted, keeping the explanation short and to the point. Then, choosing to direct the conversation in an entirely different direction, she said, "Now, enough about me and my woes. Have you and Rooster chosen baby names yet?"

Juliette lit up like the sun. "Yes! We want to honor our dads and Bradley's mom. For girls, we're pretty set on Carole or Michelle."

"Michelle?"

"Feminine version of Mitchell. For boys, we have more options: Nick, Thomas, Mitchell, and Pete. Mitchell will be a middle name at most since that's my nephew's name. Bradley's been working on the nursery. We're going to have the babies share for a bit, and then we'll add an addition onto the house, make my office one of their bedrooms, and the new addition my office."

"If y'all need help with the nursery or the addition later on, let me know. I enjoy home renovation projects. Mainly the demolition part."

Juliette snorted. "That's Rooster's favorite part too. It's a wonder you and him didn't end up together with that shared mentality."

"Please don't remind me that I slept with your fiancé," Ghost groaned, burying her face in her hands. "I know I didn't know you at the time it happened, but it's still mortifying, even more so than when you told me who he was to you because you were at least broken up back then. Now, y'all are together and expecting babies-"

"Ghost!" Juliette grasped her friend's shoulder tightly. "Relax, okay? If it bothered me, I wouldn't bring it up, let alone joke about it. I trust you around him. If I didn't, you'd know. Besides-" a glimmer of mischief sparkled in her eyes- "I see how you look at Hangman."

Ghost scoffed. "You mean the look of utter contempt?"

"The first time I saw you two, I couldn't decide if you were going to kiss or kill each other. You may be old acquaintances, but he obviously made an impression on you the first time you met."

You're not wrong. "That's one way to put it. Now, are we going to talk about Hangman, or are we going to ogle Ryan Gosling?"

"Like you even have to ask." Juliette settled into the cushions, and a relieved Ghost followed suit. It's not that she was afraid Jules wouldn't understand her feelings toward Hangman, but Ghost didn't want to put her friend in an uncomfortable position between two of her closest friends. Besides, it's not like she didn't know some of the story already; Juliette simply hadn't put two and two together of the story Ghost told her long ago, and that was how she intended to keep it for as long as she could.

****

Ghost groggily opened her eyes and looked around in a daze, aware that The Notebook no longer played on the TV; instead, the iconic "what excellent boiled potatoes" line sounded, immediately alerting her to the new movie playing, another favorite of hers. Straightening up, she looked over at Juliette, who happily munched away on a pint of ice cream while watching Pride and Prejudice.

"How long have I been out?" Ghost asked, blinking the sleep out of her eyes.

"About four hours. Just in time for the comedy show," Juliette replied with a smirk.

Ghost tilted her head. "The comedy show?"

At that moment, the door leading to the garage opened. Rooster's unmistakable voice whispered loudly, "SHHHHH. You're going to wake them up."

"This is why your call sign is Rooster. You're loud as fuck when people are trying to sleep," Hangman joked in an equally loud whisper. Ghost and Juliette shared a look and smothered their laughter.

"DOGS!" Coyote exclaimed gleefully and with no reservation in his tone. A solid smack sounded immediately after, followed by Coyote's disgruntled, "Ow!"

"Boys-" came Maverick's calm, sober voice- "they're already awake."

"Wait, they are?" Rooster's head popped out from behind the door frame, his sunglasses covering his eyes. Frowning, he stepped into the kitchen and placed his hands on his hips. Motioning at the girls, he said, "Look what you've done, Hangman!"

"Me?!" Hangman demanded indignantly, coming into view. For someone who was evidently more than a little tipsy, he appeared much more put together than his comrade. "You're the one who can't whisper to save his life. I bet Jules isn't getting sleep because you're one loud mother-"

"Don't swear! The babies could hear you!"

Hangman's expression twisted into annoyed confusion. "They won't remember if I say 'fuck' at this age."

"They will with how loud you're saying it."

Ghost leaned over and inquired quietly, "Are they always like this?"

"Yeah, pretty much," Juliette confirmed, eating one last spoonful of ice cream before standing up. Smiling in amusement at the boys, she asked, "How was tonight?"

"It was great!" Rooster replied cheerfully, hurrying over to his fiancée and kissing her. He turned to Ghost and hugged her tightly. "We missed you two there. Not the same. What have you been up to?"

"We had a girl's night, watched movies, ate some ice cream, and had a grand old time," Juliette responded, peering behind Rooster at Maverick. "Did you have much trouble getting him home?"

Maverick shook his head, chuckling. "Not really. Once I said you were waiting for him, he practically teleported to the Jeep. Hangman and Coyote followed to see you and the dogs."

"Speaking of Coyote-" Ghost looked at the kitchen area- "where exactly is he?"

Maverick glanced down beside him. "On the floor getting licked to death by the dogs."

"Wait, did I hear Ghost?!" Coyote inquired, suddenly popping up from behind the counter. "Ghost!"

He hurried over to her and lifted her into an air hug. Ghost laughed at his exuberance. Setting her back down, he asked, "What are you doing here?" 

"I thought you knew I was going to be here?" Ghost answered, steadying her friend when he wobbled slightly.

"I knew you were leaving. Didn't know you were staying with Jules. Hey, Hangman, did you know?"

Jake, now kneeling on the floor and petting the dogs, shrugged. "Yeah, I figured she'd be here."

Coyote leaned in conspiratorially and said in a hushed tone, "That's why he wanted to come with us then."

"Uh-huh, sure, Javy." Ghost patted his shoulder. "Captain Mitchell, do you need help getting these two back in your car?"

"No, I think they're okay. Mostly." Maverick eyed a swaying Coyote. "Ghost, do you have a ride home, or are you staying with Jules?"

"I was going to call an Uber."

Maverick waved a dismissive hand. "Don't. I've got you covered. Where do you live?"

"About five minutes north of here, but I don't want to add to the route if it's too out of the way."

"Don't worry about it. We're heading that way to Hangman and Coyote's, so it's no issue."

Ghost hesitated for a moment, wondering whether she should accept or not, but deciding against causing a potential scene, she agreed. Turning to Juliette, she said, "Thanks for letting me hang out with you tonight. Talk to you tomorrow?"

"Of course. Maybe you can come over after Jackie leaves if you want to."

"Sounds like a plan. Good luck getting Rooster to bed."

"I have a feeling we're both going to be sleeping on the couch tonight," Juliette said, her eyes flicking over to the sofa where Rooster already snored softly. "Well, that didn't take long. Anyway, you guys get home safely. Text me to let me know."

"Yes, ma'am!" Coyote saluted her from the ground, rolled over, stood, and then marched out of the house. Hangman rolled his eyes, hugged Juliette goodbye, and then trailed after his friend. Maverick followed suit with Ghost on his heels. They approached the Jeep, where Hangman held the passenger door open. To her surprise, he motioned for Ghost to get in. All she could do was thank him and slide onto the seat. He shut the door after her, then moved to sit behind Maverick. Soon, they hit the road and headed to her place. With it being so late at night, traffic was nearly non-existent, and they arrived without any issue.

"Thanks for the ride, Captain Mitchell," Ghost said, unbuckling her seatbelt.

"Don't mention it. And please, call me Maverick. All my kids do," he told her kindly.

Ghost couldn't help the small smile that broke through. "I'll remember that, sir," she replied. Then, turning around to face Coyote behind, she added, "Thanks again for saving me from that guy at the bar earlier. I really do owe you one."

"No, no, no, you owe me nothing. Besides, I can't take all the credit. I wouldn't have even known had Hangman not mentioned something to me."

Ghost's eyes flicked to Jake, who visibly stiffened at the remark. Clearing his throat, he said casually, "I caught you trying to catch your sister's eye to send the SOS signal. I figured it was better to send Coyote to help you."

Ghost's heart wrenched painfully in her chest because she heard the unspoken words in his statement: Better to send Coyote to help than me. She remembered the last time he'd helped her all too well, how she questioned so many of her morals because of him. God knows what would've happened had he stepped in tonight instead of Coyote. As sincerely as she could, Ghost said, "Thank you, Jake."

His green eyes softened ever so slightly as he nodded in response. Suddenly feeling an overwhelming tension in the air, Ghost hurriedly said, "I'll see y'all soon. Get home safely, okay?"

Thanking Mav one more time for the ride, Ghost jumped out of the Jeep and rushed to her door, walking as fast as her legs would carry her without making it look like she wanted to run. Once inside, she sank against the door down to the floor, staring up at the ceiling in a desperate, futile attempt to view the heavens above.

"I wish you were here, Ghoul," Ghost whispered, wiping a tear off her cheek. "I could use your advice right now. Or your humor. I'd take either one at this point. I don't know what to do. I thought I hated him. I thought, after all this time, that this grudge that's been... that's been festering inside me all this time would turn into hatred, but it hasn't. It's annoyingly just stayed a grudge. And the truth of the matter is, I still love him, and I hate that I still do. It'd be so much easier if I hated him. It'd be easier to ignore him, to not overanalyze every fucking interaction and conversation we have, to not think about him even when he's not around. It'd be easier to move on with my life. But all I can think about, all I've thought about these past few years whenever something happens, is how I wish he were there with me or within reach so I can talk to him. When I got promoted, do you know who I wanted to tell first? Not my mom or my dad, not my sister, him. I physically reached for my phone and pulled up his name before I remembered I had cut him out of my life because he treated me like I was nothing when I needed him most. And when I think about that time, I remind myself that that's why I've kept my distance from him. Because I don't know what would happen if I let him break my heart like that again. I barely pulled myself back together after you died, and I can't... I can't go through that again. I'd rather face an entire terrorist organization by myself than go through feeling like that again. I'd rather feel nothing at all."

By now, the tears streamed freely down Ghost's cheeks, and her entire neck ached from trying to speak through the knot lodged in her throat. Still, she continued, the words spilling forth of their own free will with no intention of stopping until Ghost finally voiced what she'd been dying to say. "I'm so lost, Ghoul. I have friends around me, great friends; I have Juliette and Rooster; I have Coyote and Phoenix, but I still feel so alone. I wish you were here so badly. If you're listening, I need a sign. Give me a sign of what I'm supposed to do or who I'm supposed to talk to. Please. I'm begging you."

She waited for a text, a call, a knock, something, but nothing happened. Only silence responded to her anguished, tearful pleas. Ghost braced her head on her knees and quietly sobbed in the darkness of her apartment. 

****

Tags: @lgg5989 @shanimallina87 @polikszena @summ3rlotus @icemansgirl1999 @supernaturaldawning @thedarkinmansfield @lyannaforpresident @lapilark @getmyprettynameoutofyourmouth @simpofthecentury @shadeops21 @pansexualwitchwhoneedstherapy @double-j @bradshawsandbridgetons @catsandgeekyandnerd @peachiicherries @multifandomcnova @fandomsstolemylife00 @bookloverhorses @mak-32 @midnightmagpiemama @luckyladycreator2 @ellamae021 @kmc1989

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