#I think it’d be cool if Amy came back but ​I’m not going to get my hopes up

[riverofempathy]

I just watched Disenchanted, and I’m… well… disenchanted.

It didn’t even feel like the same cast of characters going on a new adventure. It felt like surface-level imitations of those characters being plopped into a watered-down plot we’ve all seen before.

We all know “happily ever after” isn’t that simple. I get what they were going for, and why. But beyond my issue of “we’ve seen this plot over and over, and you don’t even do anything groundbreaking with it”… Giselle already learned this in the first film! That was the whole point! She chose real life over happily ever after because the happily ever after didn’t make her happy.

Now, I’ve had several moments throughout the past 10-15 years of my life where I got disappointed or frustrated or confused about how different adulthood/marriage/moving was from what I expected or wanted it to be. So yes, it does make sense for Giselle to go through this kind of crisis when real life is even harder than she expected, especially after a big change, and after relationships change.

And that’s what they should have focused on more. The relationships. With actual DEPTH.

Quick tangent… Robert was ROBBED. What the hell were they thinking? He wasn’t even close to the same character! And his subplot was completely unforgettable, uninspired, and unnecessary. What was the POINT?! He had so much character growth in the first one, and in the sequel, he was just… one-dimensional. Brainwashing everyone into acting like Monrolasia was their everyday life was stupid and cheap, and it took away all their agency and personality. Sure, Amy Adams’ acting was on point with her descent into villainy, but duh, it’s Amy Adams. But even that dulled over time because she became a stereotype, without them even trying to subvert the stereotype like they did in the first film, and then she was defeated SO EASILY. Same with Malvina. She could have been amazing, but instead she was just… meh. In the beginning, I thought she was being set up as an actual real-life witch (like, clearly she’s in a coven with the other two, come on). Also, her last name’s Monroe but they never explained if she/the family built the town, but I assume so. So… why not just go all the way into making her a nefarious villain controlling the whole town, and then SHE can use magic to turn things into a fairytale. I mean, look at those houses and the marketing billboard; was that not her plan? Seriously, give me anything other than a plot convenience magic wand for Giselle & Robert’s new baby (who didn’t really add much to the plot, either. Also, really? Sofia? What, is Disney running out of names now?) I just… the whole “wish gone wrong thing” was so predictable. We all knew she was gonna do it, we all knew it’d be a disaster, and we all knew the wish would be undone at the last minute after Giselle came to her senses… Stealing magic/life from Andalasia was a cool concept, but they didn’t even hit hard with that, either. They just didn’t GO FOR IT with anything, except maybe the costumes and a couple of the songs.

Okay, back to the relationships thing.

Let’s talk about Morgan. The actress who played her was so spot-on I didn’t realize til afterward that she wasn’t the original. She was delightful. But she could have been phenomenal if she’d been given the dialogue and plot to back her up. Because it was right there: Morgan’s disenchantment with the whimsical, fantastical Disney princessness of her stepmother. (Oh, that transition from calling her Mom to calling her stepmother?? That was so realistic and relatable! Source: my mom remarried when I was 7.) Instead of everyone just saying, “Oh, teenagers are just like this,” let’s actually dive in and figure out why Morgan is like this. And don’t just “bedtime story” us into the current emotional state; take us along for the ride. Don’t just give us flashbacks of memories at the climax, let us experience those memories with them so we can actually feel their impact.

If you’re gonna montage Morgan’s whole childhood, take a little more time with it. Show her being enraptured with stories of the memory tree and drawing her own; show her embracing Giselle as her mom; and then show how the family dynamics change as they all grow older; show Morgan missing her birth mom but not knowing how to talk about it; show Morgan getting more and more embarrassed by Giselle’s bubbly, over-the-top optimism and singing in public (I do love that Morgan is following in Robert’s shoes by being weirded out by all the singing; great twist) because of course she would be! Maybe people at school start picking on her, or maybe they always have, but she finally found her own friend group… until Giselle shows up and does her dramatic, Disney princess thing, and her new friends think it’s weird. Morgan just wants to be a normal, real-life kid now; she doesn’t want the fairy tale. And she can’t believe that after all these years, Giselle is still clinging to fantasy. So they have a huge fight about it. And yeah, it can end with the big bomb drop of “stepmother.” Because that hurts.

The ending of the movie tried. It tried to show how desperately Giselle wanted to be a good mom to Morgan, and to fill her life with all the magic and joy and whimsy that connected them when they first met. It just (again) didn’t go FAR enough. It didn’t have the emotional depth behind it.

So how about this… when Morgan rejects Giselle in a way that cuts deep, how about either A) that’s when Giselle suggests they go to Monroeville, but just for vacation, to try and rekindle magic in Morgan’s life or B) they did already move to Monroeville but Giselle gets tricked into making a wish.

Let’s run with the second one.

So Malvina the obvious witch turns the world into a fairytale. Except that it’s only a fairytale on the surface. Underneath, it’s a horror movie (the Disneyfied version of course). People act happy, but they’re also not themselves. Like Robert going questing and singing musical numbers, and Morgan spending all her time blissfully doing chores. Giselle will realize this is wrong because she doesn’t even recognize the people that she loves… and then she doesn’t recognize herself. Because she didn’t say which fairy tale she wanted, did she? Now she’s becoming the wicked stepmother Cinderella-style, and she has to wake up other people from this fantasy before she’s evil for good… It takes time, but finally Morgan comes to… just in time for Giselle to cross over to the dark. So now Morgan has to bring her mother back. With the memory tree, yes. The one she drew. It also takes time, but she gets through to Giselle by talking about all the memories they shared and how yes, even if it’s embarrassing, she loves all the whimsical, over-the-top, silly things Giselle does to bring a little more magic into everyday life. That’s who she is. Neither one of them should have tried to change who the other person is. Evil!Giselle can say, “This is who I am now! You want me to be your stepmother? Fine! Now I’m your stepmother.” And Morgan realizes how badly that hurt her, and how she didn’t mean it, but also… she has to hold space for the truth of it. “So what? You’re my stepmother. But you’re also my mom. Just like how Sofia is my sister. You’re my family, and I love you. Yeah, I miss my biological mom. Of course I do. And yeah, you miss your fairytale world. Of course you do. They’re a part of us, and they always will be. But you’re a part of me. We’re a part of each other. I don’t want to let that go. I don’t want to let any of it go.“

And THAT’S the message: having a balance of reality and fantasy, holding a special place in our hearts for the past but moving on toward the future. Embracing all parts of ourselves and the ones we love. And meeting each other halfway. The epilogue scenes can include Giselle wanting to burst into song in front of Morgan’s school, but limiting it to a quiet, musical goodbye so it doesn’t embarrass her (because that’s a valid request!!) and maybe Morgan quietly sings goodbye back. Just… show that they BOTH learned something.

Or they could have gone an entirely different direction. 🤷🏻‍♀️ As long as they did it well. (Example: what if they all take a trip to Andalasia but then they get stuck and the movie’s all about getting back to the real world because fairytales are actually kind of hard, too? So like… the opposite of the first one. That could have been interesting.)

[116t98]

So, Tom Taylor made Dick being a (former) cop canon again. Considering how many parallels/similarities this run has to Chuck Dixon and D*vin Grayson’s respective runs, I have some questions about this particular development:

Does Dick’s stint as a cop mean that Amy Rohrbach is also back in canon? Because she was a good character, and it’s a shame she hasn’t been used since 2006

Was Amy Dick’s partner in this continuity? Or were they not partners at all?

Was Gannon Malloy Dick’s partner?

Does Amy know that Dick is Nightwing*? Did she ever find out to begin with?

Will Amy be reintroduced as the captain of the BPD, or as a detective?

Will Amy be reintroduced at all?

* I only ask this as speculation; I don’t actually think she’d know, since she found out during the time Dick was fighting Blockbuster, and that hasn’t happened yet in this run. But who knows? Maybe she found out in a different way (which contributed to him leaving the force), or maybe she’ll find out if she’s brought back.

[peralta-guaranteed]

good trope or bad trope: one of them waking up from surgery or something and being so high on drugs they forget they're together and the other has to explain it

good trope GOOD trope good trope! and this was probably just a question but I couldn't resiiiist

-*-

It's kind of sad to think about the fact that Amy is already used to monitors beeping in a cold hospital room around her squad and, mostly, around her partner. They've been in so many horrible situations, so many little moments where she's had to worry about them, that today she's almost glad she doesn't have to. Jake's surgery had neither been scheduled nor planned, and there had been a whole lot of panic leading up to it when she drove him to the hospital wincing in pain, his arms clutched around his lower stomach, but the doctor's told her they came in early enough for it to be a more routine procedure rather than an emergency. And now his appendix was out, and he would be hurting and healing for a while, but the trepidation about that is nowhere close to the fear she's used to feeling while sitting in these uncomfortable hospital chairs, wondering when the person in the bed next to her would wake up. The last time she'd been in this position, Rosa was hooked up to so many many more machines, and she looked like a bad wax figurine of herself, all pale and stiff.

Jake looks almost fine, no breathing mask or tube down his nostril, just a little beeping heart monitor and some infusion in his arm. The nurse told her he'd be waking up soon when she lead her into the room, and that they could probably go home later that evening already.

(She also told her that he'd been one of the more amusing patients she'd had under anesthesia, which was not a surprise, and that he'd been asking for her every time he groggily opened his eyes for just a few seconds, which was not a surprise either.)

He blinks awake slowly, eyes darting around the room as if to figure out where he is, before they land on her and stay stuck, his forehead creasing in confusion for a second before he grins.

"Heyyyy, it'sa Santiago!" He tries in a croaky voice, and Amy reaches for the cup of ice water the nurse brought in to hand it to him. He's shaky, but he can handle it alone, she notes almost subconsciously - she remembers enough moments where she's had to feed him ice chips instead because he could barely move his arms.

"Hey." She answers with a softer smile as he gulps down almost the whole cup - considering he still hates water, he must really need it. "How are you feeling?"

"Oh, just splendid, thanks." He quips before trying to sit up more and wincing, the stitches in his stomach upset. "What the hell did I do this time to end up here?"

"What?"

"I mean, I don't remember a chase or a fight, but it sure feels like I took a knife to the stomach or something?"

They look at each other, equally confused, before Amy shakes her head.

"You dont remember-? It wasn't a work thing, Jake, your appendix almost burst."

"Ah dang. That's not even a cool story for a new scar." He sighs as he leans back a bit against the pillow and carefully palms the space where she knows the skin is going to be light pink and rougher than usual from now on. "Sorry they made you wait around for my stupid ass to recover, or is the squad at least taking turns?"

She stares at him, her mind racing, and it seems to make him nervous. He's still trying to go for that usual grin, but his eyes are darting around, sticking to parts of her without looking directly into her eyes, and she can see he's getting fidgety. Mixing that with what he's saying, and the way he's saying it - his voice is different, somehow, more - guarded, or distant, it's hard to explain, but she only remembers it from a long time ago - makes her suddenly realise.

He's been given some very heavy duty painkillers and narcotics, she hears the nurse's voice in her head, so he might be disoriented or confused for quite a while. It shows differently in lots of people, so I can't tell you what to expect, but he'll be back to normal once it passes through his system.

He doesn't remember, she thinks. He doesn't remember... a lot.

"Jake." She gets his nervous attention back, trying to school her voice into something calm and friendly, instead of the equally nervous and somewhat excited giggle she wants to let out so bad. "I think you're still working through your medication. Can you tell me what the last thing you remember is?"

He leans back again and stares at the ceiling, and it's hard to read the emotions on his face.

"Just... regular work stuff, to be honest. Nothing big."

"Okay, then what is the last big thing you can think of?"

"Uh." He swallows, and Amy refills his water cup, but he doesn't take it. "I, uh, I remember Hoytsman kidnapping me." He laughs a short laugh, obviously trying to make it seem lighter than it ever was, but that's not the only reason Amy feels her heart jump.

His mind is stuck before their relationship. After Sofia left him. He thinks he's woken up after being injured at work, and there's no one there waiting for him except for a work partner who he's been trying so hard to pretend he doesn't like anymore, and for whom he obviously has to play the "I'm okay!" role still.

"Wow. Uh. Okay." She babbles, trying to find a way to be gentle and not confuse him any more. "Then, uh, I guess, well, your medication should pass soon, I think, and you'll remember more, so don't worry-"

"Amy." He's staring at her when she finally looks up, and notes her shorter hair, her far more comfortable outfit than the pantsuits he sees her wear at work, and even while high on drugs it's not that hard for him to put two and two together. "How much am I missing?"

"Quite a lot." She finally admits, but drops her look down into her lap, to her folded hands, and she unconsciously covers her wedding ring before he can see it. "A few years."

"Years?!" He squeals while leaning forward and then groans, because that has definitely upset his wound.

"It's okay, the nurse said it would happen." She quickly tries to calm him. "It's - you'll remember when the anaesthetic passes properly, so it's alright."

"Alright, yeah." He nods and finally settles into the pillow again, as silence envelops them for a few awkward moments, in which Amy's mind races through all the things he's missing right now.

"Okay." He interrupts her sad little mental storybook of their life's drama. "Let's play a game until then, huh? I call it 'Shock&Tell'."

"Jake-"

"It's easy, you'll get the rules. Basically, you tell me stuff I don't know right now and see how shocked you can get me."

"That's not funny-"

"Oh, I think it is. I know how much you like to have me speechless." He grins at her, and she can't resist.

"Title of your sex tape."

"Amy Santiago!" He gasps with a laugh, but there's hesitation in his eyes, and she remembers they weren't exactly at a flirting stage back where he is right now. "For that alone, you have to play a round with me."

"I can't think of anything shocking at the moment." She lies, and he sees right through her.

"Okay, then tell me the worst thing you think happens to me in those years, and the best. From your opinion."

She sighs and stares at her hands again, but she knows he won't let up - he's not gotten any less obnoxious from back then to now.

"Alright. The worst thing. You went to jail." She states, matter of fact, and watches his eyes practically bulge out of his head.

"Holy shi- WhAT?! Like, for a crime? Or-what-did I-what?!"

"You were innocent!" She says as fast as she can, and watches him deflate only a little.

"I sure fucking hope so! But still, what- how- why- ?"

"You and Rosa were framed by a criminally corrupt cop. It took us a few months to get evidence against her and have her sentenced instead."

"A few months." He whispers and stares at his hands, scrunching up the blanket he's wrapped in.

"You weren't alone." Her voice is soft and calm now, seeing him in such a state of unrest, and it takes all she has not to pull him into a hug - it'd probably both confuse and actually hurt him right now, given the stitches. "I mean, you were alone in prison, but we- the squad - we were all fighting for you and Rosa, and Charles and I visited you, and we- I- we never gave up on you."

He smiles, soft and a little broken, but he nods, as if that was something he'd always expect.

"Okay, now the best thing. Because lemme tell you, Santiago, you have to make up for that suckerpunch."

She smiles much wider now, almost grins as she leans forward to finally reach for his hand, entangling their fingers (to which he goes along almost automatically) and feeling her rings clink against the one on his. Jake's eyes are frozen on her hand in his, where he can see a shiny wedding band over what is clearly his Nana's old engagement ring, and he's barely breathing.

"Oh my god." He whispers a moment later, squeezing her hand almost painfully tight as he looks at her again, and she's still smiling.

"We're married?"

"Yeah."

"To- to each other?"

"Yeah, you doofus." She laughs.

"I'm- I'm your husband." He whispers again. "Even thought I went to jail?!"

"Well", she still laughs softly at the absolute shine in his eyes, the awe on his face. "You proposed after that. But I would've married you before, anyway." I would've married you before a lot of things you don't remember, she thinks but doesn't dare say, for fear he'll ask about those other things.

"You're my wife." He says, still stunned, and she nods. "We're married."

She nods again, and watches as the confused awe on his face turns into an almost relieved joy, and his bottom lip trembles as tears start rolling down his cheeks.

"Jake..." She whispers in turn now, her free hand (that is not currently being gripped by both of his) cupping his face and wiping away some of the tears that keep flowing.

"You're happy?" He asks with trepidation in his voice, and Amy wonders if the emotional rollercoaster is another side-effect of his medicine or just his lowered inhibitions. "I'm a good husband?"

"I couldn't wish for a better husband. You make me very happy." She's almost close to tears now herself. "I love you so much."

He gasps at that, and pulls her still gripped hand up to his face, pulling her closer to him in the process.

"I love you, Amy." is his answer, and she realises he means it, even with all the things he doesn't remember, all the things he doesn't know yet. "I love you so much. I can't believe I get to marry you."

His tears have calmed down a little by now, and she fixes her awkward pose of leaning forward and having both arms reach for his face by climbing up onto the bed with him, as he lowers their hands and looks at her with stars in his eyes and so much love on his face, she can't resist to pass the last few inches and kiss him.

His eyes are still closed when she pulls back and touches her forehead to his, and he's whispering again.

"Wow."

"Well, that's certainly an appreciated reaction." She giggles.

"Don't tell me I don't react like that every time you kiss me, because there's no way I'll believe that."

"Yeah." She smiles again as he opens his eyes and smiles back. "Yeah, you kinda do."

And just to prove it, she kisses him again.

[word-scribbless]

Oh Baby Chapter 7

Shoutout to the lovely @gibbsandpridegirl for brainstorming and co writing this with me

Series Masterlist Masterlist

——————-

Gibbs walked up to the officers who were trying to get the man, claiming to be Amelia’s grandfather, under control.

"Sir, do you live here?" one of the officer's asked as he approached.

“NO, but the little girl this man is yelling about is my daughter." Gibbs said, trying to take his anger but still glaring at the man.

"SHE IS NOT! "the man yelled.

The officers tried to pull the man back as he lunged at Gibbs. He swung, and if his target weren’t Gibbs he would have done some damage, but the marine and agent dodged in time and caught the man’s arm, twisting it around his back and handing him over to one of the many officers that were now there.

"I'll get her back. don't get in my way agent. you and that bitch of a wife of yours." "what the hell did you say?" Gibbs asked, hating how much he knew about his family. "She's awful pretty... that wife of yours especially when she goes on her little runs in those pink shorts." He sneered as the officer yanked him further away.

Gibbs was fuming as her turned to another officer.

"He's stalking m family.”

"we'll take him in, book him'.'

"after I see my daughter im coming down to talk to him!" Gibbs grunted.

"Sir!” The officer warned, and Gibbs realized he hadn’t IDed himself as an agent yet.

"agent" he says flashing his badge.

The cop nodded in understanding and joined his partner to discuss the situation as the other car took the man who was stalking the Gibbs family away.

"Gibbs, thank god. I'm so sorry we had to call you" Josh said shaking his hand.

"glad you did, you okay?" Gibbs said, looking around for any sign of Amelia. josh nodded and appeased him.

"Ami's upstairs with my girls. I'll get them." "Thanks for keeping them safe Josh." he said patting his arm.

"Poppa!"

Amelia yelled as Andi carried her back downstairs followed by Rylie in Josh’s arms.

"hey baby girl. I'm here. I'm here." He cooed as he scooped her out of her arms.

"I scared."

"I know princess but youre safe." He said.

"momma?" the little girl asked.

“She's on her way home. lets call her okay?" Amelia nodded quickly. The phone rang once before Y/N picked up.

"J, tell me she's okay."

"She' a just fine right meali?" "MOMMA

"Amelia squealed

" Hi baby" I Can't wait to see you. can you go thank aunt Andi-pants for me?" she asked

"Otay luv you momma." "I love you baby; she sniffed.

"J"

"he's in custody. They've been stalking us"

"well his wife is now on the run. The lawyer said she called to drop the charges minutes ago & said they’d ‘solve the problem on their own." "Shit" "we can't let this happen J!"

"i’m not letting anything happen to our family Y/N. Go straight to NCIS don’t stop for anything. I’ll get them set up with protection here and meet you there with Amelia.”

“Okay” she sniffed

“Sweetheart I’m not going to let anything happen to either of you, you know that.”

“I know, I just- god I need to be in your arms with Amelia right now.”

“Soon baby”

Gibbs caught up with one of the officers and had him stage at the house until he could get an agent there. He wrapped his daughter up his arms and kissed her head before tucking her In Her car seat.

“We’re gonna go see momma!”

“MOMMMMMA!” Amelia squealed and even in the panic in his chest, he couldn’t help but smile.

When he got to NCIS he was relieved to see Y/N already sitting in his chair, nervously biting her nails.

“Hey” he said trying not to startle her.

“Oh that god!” She huffed as she jumped up and wrapped her arms around him and Amelia.

“God I missed you” he said breathing in her scent.

“I missed you too! And you” she cooed at Amelia.

“Meals how about you go play with Abbs?” Gibbs said before Y/N stopped him.

“I really don’t-“

“In our secure conference room with a guard on the door.” He whispered to her

She nodded and let him pass her to Abby.

“I lm scared” she whimpered against his chest as he pulled her in.

“I know, I’m not letting anything happen to you.”

“Or yourself?” She sniffed.

Gibbs looked down at her.

“Promise?” she pushed

“Promise.” He said kissing her. “Always”

That, Gibbs had noticed, always calmed her, when he promised her always and he noticed it calmed him as well.

“Boss we’ve got a problem” McGee said as the team came in.

“What” Gibbs answered and y/n felt all of his fear and worry turn into a wall of anger to block everyone out.

“Mr Cobb, the man claiming to be Amelia’s grandfather just escaped.”

“WHAT?” Gibbs yelled and felt y/n flinch against him he took her hand gently as a silent apology.

“We aren’t sure what happened yet but he’s gone...”

Y/N went up to the conference room with Amelia while Gibbs and the team worked on the case. It was getting harder and harder for Gibbs to keep his cool however. And more and more difficult for y/n not to try to help in the case. When Abby came back up to play with Amelia, y/n took a moment to go check in. As she rounded the corner she heard the tell tale grunt of anger from her husband and a loud crash.

DiNozzo had just informed Gibbs that a threat had been called in against him, y/n, and Amelia and that it would be best for them to go into protective custody until the case was solved. He couldn’t hold in his emotions anymore and they all came out in the form of a growl and his stapler flying across the room to Tony’s empty desk.

Y/N ran up to him, knowing she was the only option to calm him when he was like this, her or Amelia, but he didn’t like Amelia seeing him so angry.

“Hey, hey” she whispered as she took his hand and guided him to the elevator.

She felt him relax a bit but knew he would argue “y/n I gotta-“

“You just murdered a staple Jethro... you need a minute.” He huffed and let her pull him into the elevator, flipping the switch to stop it himself and pulling her in to a tight hug. She hugged him back and heard a small sniffle, that she knew meant he was tearing up.

“Baby what’s going on?”

“There was a threat... you need to go into protective custody, you and Amelia.” He said, letting his tears go free for a moment.

“Are you coming with us? She sniffed as she wiped his tears.

He frowned. “Y/n you know I can’t with these people out there, I need to get them.” She nodded and held his face as he tried to stop more tears . “B-but I don’t think I can let you go alone. I made that mistake on-“

“Hey” she cut him off. “This is not that. That was not your fault and neither is any of this. I know you’d be our detail of you could... but it’d be silly to have one of the people being threatened doing the guarding, so how about the next best thing?” She asked and smiled at his confused look.

“Have Ziva be our detail. This isn’t your case anyway, Vance is letting you work it because he knows you won’t take no for an answer and family is first, but you know you’re going to have extra cops and agents, so have Ziva be our detail... and set us up somewhere that isn’t through normal Channels. I you know we’ll be okay!”

He nodded and pulled her into a kiss. “Maybe you should head this investigation.” He smiled

“Oh no your Poppa bear anger is going to be needed on this one!” She smiled.

“I won’t be able to call, I’ll check in with Ziva but we probably may not be able to

She nodded sadly “I hate this” she said

“Me too, god I’m gonna cry saying goodbye to meals and she’ll know somethings wrong.”

“So we tell her the truth, not everything but that we have to go away for a bit to stay safe, it’s not a bad thing to show our daughter that you have emotions. I’ll be blubbering like a baby when we leave. But it isn’t goodbye! We’ll be together soon” she sniffled and he pulled her into another hug.

“Me no leave Poppa!” Amelia cried when her parents explained that they had to go stay at uncle Tony’s with aunt Ziva for a while. First she said “my Ziva!” And the. She frowned and asked if her poppa was coming with them.

She pouted at the answer and cling to him. Y/n saw the tears form in her husband’s eyes as he hugged his daughter. She mouthed “we’ll be okay” to him and scooped her family in a hug.

“I know we’ll miss Poppa baby, but he is keeping us and other people safe. And we get to have a little sleep over. And we’ll be back with daddy in No time.”

“Why daddy no come wife us?”

“I have to catch the bad guys princess, but I love you so much. You be good for momma okay?”

She nodded sadly and grabbed her dad’s face.

“I luh you poppa! ou our hero! Momma and me see ou soon!”

“I’ll see you both soon baby girl.” He whispered through tears and kissed her head and then Y/N’s.

“We love you J! Be safe please?”

“You too. Please” his voice broke and he leaned their foreheads together.

“Always. We WILL be together soon!”

It had been a few days since the girls when into protective custody and Y/N was woken up again by a screaming Amelia.

“Meali what’s going on?” She cooed scooping her up from the pack and play they were using as a crib and taking her back to the bed.

“Me want poppa! Me want poppa!”

Y/n sighed and whispered ‘me too baby, me too. He’s keeping us safe and he loves you!”

“We talk to him?”

“He’s busy bug, well hopefully he’s sleeping right now” she sighed knowing he wasn’t.

“Stay?” She asked

“Ofcourse we can snuggle here.”

“Poppa blankie!” She shrieked.

“Oops can’t forget that!” She chuckled and scooped her out of bed to get the shirt of gibb’s that she snuggles to sleep. Like mother like daughter y/n thought as she snuggled into her husband’s tee shirt and sweatshirt she wore to sleep.

The next morning y/n woke to a snoozing Amelia next to her, all curled up with Gibbs shirt and a little smirk on her face that reminded her of her husband’s.

She smiled and took out her camera. She couldn’t have her phone with her so she’d been using her old digital camera that she’d stashed in a junk drawer and grabbed while packing. She had been taking photos of her and Amelia so Gibbs didn’t have to miss anything, even if it was (hopefully) not much longer.

She had sent Ziva for scrapbook stuff and her and Amelia were working on a ‘poppa project’ to keep them busy.

Amelia woke up slowly and cooed quietly. “Momma” she said snuggling into her.

“Me miss poppa”

“Me too love”

“Poppa luh us lots”

“He sure does”

“We work on poppa project?” Amelia perked up making Y/N smile.

“After breakfast!” She smiled

A few hours late, they were sitting on the floor working on the scrap book when Amelia suddenly broke into tears. “Poppa blankie!!!!!”

“Okay baby I’ll get it”

“It no here!” She squealed.

“Okay I’m looking!!!”

Amelia was right it was no where to be found. After hours of searching and distracting her from tears, y/n finally got her to settle by putting Gibbs sweat shirt on her and wrapping her up like a little burrito. She giggled and sniffed the sweatshirt and snuggled into her momma.

“Momma snuggle?”

“Sure baby, let’s snuggle and watch a movie?”

She nodded and they both say “Moana” at the same time.

Y/n was released when Amelia was finally snoozing against her when she heard the door open. She heard Ziva’a cue that it was her and she didn’t have to worry and whispered “shh finally got the chipmunk to sleep.”

“Rough day?” She whispered

“Mhm” y/n groaned “can’t find ‘Poppa blankie’ it’s been an afternoon that’s for sure.’

“That might be our fault” she said and signaled near the door and Abby stepped out from begins the wall with an adorable rebbe bear, clearly made from Gibbs tshirt.

Y/N felt tears spring to her eyes.

“You! You made this?” She said and took the bear with the hand that wasn’t on Amelia.

“Yeah it was ziva’s idea and I did the sewing.”

“Thank you!” Her voice cracked and she settled the bear next to Amelia, smiling as she noticed how much it smelled like Gibbs.

As soon as she put the bear near Amelia her little arm shot out and she snuggled it close to her. Her eyes crack open when she smelled the bear. “Poppa blankie?” She asks, y/n smiled at the way she resembles Gibbs when she’s confused.

“Ziva and abbs made Poppa blankie into a Poppa bear!” She smiled as Amelia snuggled the bear and looked up at her ‘aunts’ “sank ou!” She squealed and blew them kisses as she snuggled the bear!

“Can I take a picture? I won’t send it to anyone I just want to show Gibbs.”

“Yeah that’s fine, they don’t know about you or I just the Gibbs’.”

“Can you print us a copy for our Poppa project?” Y/N smiled and hugged Amelia as Abby agreed and took the picture.

Y/N set Amelia and her Poppa bear down and walked Abby out. “Thank you both so much” she said through tears.

“We brought you something too” Ziva said and looked and Abby and nodded.

“Abbs?”

Abby smiled and pulled out a letter and one of gibb’s hoodies from her bag.

“He wrote you this, and told me to have you swap sweatshirts so this one smells like him, but since lil Gibbs is all wrapped up in that one I’m sure he won’t mind you having both for now.” She smiled and held the sweatshirt to her nose.

“Thank you”

“He sent this too”

It was a little wooden heart. She could tell the it was hand carved and smiled as she turned it over. All 3 of thier initials were carved in the back with the word ‘always’ she teared up and smiled as she put held the heard close to her chest and went to get the note she had written him.

“Please tell him I love it. And that we love him? I know that’s a weird thing to make you do but.”

“Not weird at all! I’ll tell him!”

“Thank you!” She whispered as she hugged her.

“And you!” She said turning to Ziva after Abby had left. “You back on duty?”

Ziva shook her head. “Nah but i figured you wouldn’t mind me camping out here? I’ll feel better.” Y/N breathed a sigh of relief, she had been dreading the first night that Ziva wouldn’t be the one watching over them.

“We will too, come on” she said pulling Ziva to finish the movie with Amelia.

Gibbs was sulking over a file at his desk when Abby walked in.

“Um... Gibbs?”

“Yeah abbs”

“Sorry to interrupt but um I saw y/n and Amelia today”

His face softened and he got a bit of a sad look in his eye.

“I took this picture for you” she said handing him the framed picture of his girls with ‘poppa bear’

He smiled and gave a soft laugh.

“Thank you for this” he said with teary eyes.

“She like the bear?”

“Loved it, wouldn’t let go of it and y/n loved the heart and says they love you. “

He nodded, eyes not leaving the picture.

“Y/n sent this”

She said giving him the envelope and noticing it felt heavier than a letter.

He opened the envelope to find the necklace Amelia and he had given her for thier first Mother’s Day.

He picked up the note and smiled through tears as he held onto the chain.

‘My sweet Jethro, you know I never take this off. But right now all I can do is hang on to the things I know mean a lot to you while we’re away. . Like your hoodie, your notes, pictures, and your Amelia. Sweet Amelia with your glare and smile and sass. Her and I love you more than you could ever know and that’s why I’m lending you this necklace. The first gift I got as a mom. Whenever I hold onto it I think about how much love and luck lives in our little family. I hope it brings that to you too. Please know that we love you and we can not wait to be back in your arms. You’re daughter is as cranky without you as you are with out coffee. I love you Jethro, and so does our daughter. Stay safe and promise you’ll see me soon and love me always.

Love always,

Your Y/N

Gibbs was holding back tears as he clasped the chain around his neck and tucked it under his shirt.

Over the next few days both Gibbs, and Amelia (and even Y/N) grew crankier and crankier. Everytime he started to get upset, he’d place his hand over y/N’s necklace that was tucked under his shirt and just think about his girls.

He was currently drinking his coffee and looking at a picture of his girls when his phone rang and showed ziva’s name. He panicked knowing she was on y/n and Amelia duty.

“Ziva, what’s wrong? Everything okay?”

“Everything is fine gunny” he heard Y/N’s voice and his breath caught

“Y/N” he whispered

“Ziva said there was no threat of them tracing calls from her phone to yours so I begged”

“I’m glad you did, I miss you”

“God Jay I miss you so much.” She said through tears.

“Baby don’t cry.”

“I can’t help it, I miss my man” she whispered.

“God I can’t wait to hold you”

“Me either.” She sighed “someone is impatiently waiting for me in the bedroom, would you like to say hi”

“God, yes. I’m glad everyone went home because if I wasn’t crying now as soon as she-”

“POPPA!?” Amelia’s squeal interrupted him and he couldn’t fight back his tears anymore .

“Hi princess! I miss you so much!”

“Me miss ou poppa! Me luh ou! Me hug poppa bear and -nuggle momma cause she no seep wifout ou!” She babbled.

“I’m so glad you’re these to take care of momma for me” he rasped out.

“She get sad and me too but den we -nuggle and work on poppa project and we okay!”

Gibbs winced at the idea of y/n being so upset but smiled at the strength of his girls.

“You are both so strong, you and momma are being so brave for me”

“We see you soon?”

“Yup as soon as I get the bad guys!”

“Me miss poppa sing”

“How about I sing you to sleep?” He smiles as he hears her cheer and clap. “You and momma all tucked in?”

“We sure are” y/n says as he hears Amelia’s little yawn.

The girls curl up together and listen to Gibbs sing until Amelia falls asleep. Gibbs and y/n talk for a while longer until gibbs phone rings with a call from McGee.

As much as Gibbs hated ending the call, it was worth it when McGee told him there was finally a breakthrough they needed. By morning, of things went right, Gibbs would have both his girls back in his arms.

Y/N woke to a knock on the bedroom door. It was the Ziva knock so, she knew she didn’t have to open it prepared for an agent she didn’t know. But when she opened the door it wasn’t Ziva in front of her, it was her husband. Tears ran down her face and she launched into his arms. He curled his arms around her and whispered how much he loved her in her ear.

She pulled away just enough to capture his lips in a passionate kiss. Needy in the sense that it was their first kiss in over 2 weeks but loving and PG enough that they remembered where they were.

They pulled away and held each other again and y/n whispered, “I never want to let go of you but we have a little girl who hasn’t been woken up by her favorite person in far too long.”

He smiled and nodded with tears in his eyes as he kissed her forehead and then carefully walked over to the bed. He kneeled down in front of her as y/n sat on the other side.

He stroked her cheek and whispered “good morning meali moo” as he leaned over to kiss her.

She woke with a gasp and yelled POPPA! As her eyes filled with tears to match her parents and she threw herself at her father, clinging on to him.

“I missed you baby”

“Me luh you poppa!”

“I love you too! And your momma!” He said as he sat on the bed and curled his free arm around his beaming wife. Thankful to finally be safely back with his family.

Next chapter

@mac99martin @kittenlittle24 @viper-official @ilovemark1951 @theofficialzivadavid @averyhotchner @andreasworlsboring101 @diesinspanishbcimhispanic

[starbuckie]

Malia’s 400 Follower Writing Challenge!

Hey there, my gorgeous, lovely followers! First of all, thank you so, so much for 400 followers!! This is incredible that there are 400, let me repeat, four-fucking-hundred people following me on this hellsite, that enjoy my friendship and/or writing. It’s nearly been a year on tumblr, and every piece of writing I’ve published, the friends I’ve made have just been absolutely monumental in my life. 4 is one of my lucky numbers, and so as a tribute to that times 100, I figured that now would be a great time to have a writing challenge. As I work on a few fics of my own, I’d also love to see what y’all come up with as well, so let’s go :)

CHALLENGE MASTERLIST

rules (ugh i don’t like that word let’s go with guidelines):

- you don’t actually gotta be following me, but that’d be pretty cool

- if you could be so kind, even if you don’t participate, please please reblog, as that would be very much appreciated

- to participate just send me an ask with the prompt or prompts you’ll be using, and the character you’ll be writing for. you can definitely choose two prompts from separate categories, but remember that prompts will become unavailable after two requests

- i’m pretty versatile with fandoms, so i’m gonna say marvel, harry potter, supernatural, star wars, criminal minds, bridgerton, and any sebastian stan characters, but if you’d like to write for a character not in any of those fandoms just tell me in the ask (so basically any fandom, i don’t know how to speak)

- please be x reader! doesn’t have to be fem!reader at all, but please make it y/n

- the fics can be any length, a drabble, headcanon, oneshot, twoshot, series, just make sure to tag me in any multipart fics because i’d love reading all your amazing fics

- while any fics are welcome (angst, fluff, smut, darkfic), i draw the line at incest and pedophilia, and make sure to TAG AND WARN YOUR FICS PROPERLY. if you are under eighteen and i see you have requested to write a smut fic, i will say a big fat NO because you should not even be reading that.

- to make sure i see it, make sure to use the tag #mals400followerwritingchallenge and tag me in it

- if i don’t reblog your fic within two days just shoot me an ask or message because i may just be dead or my tumblr is being stupid, and i will get my ass in gear

- all the fics will be put on a masterlist i’ll have on my masterlist as they are submitted, and it will be reblogged every time a new fic is added

- i know a lot of us may be in school right now or have jobs and families and shit just happens and sucks sometimes so i’m gonna make the deadline june 30, and you can sign up or submit any fics until then :)

NOW FOR THE PROMPTS:)) btw, all the line prompts are from @a-cure-for-writers-block​

angst line prompts:

“This will be the last time you lie to me.”

“You know it’s not like that.”

“How could you think this wouldn’t hurt me?”

“You’re never going to be the same after this.”

“I just think it’d be best if we never met.”

“I can’t believe you would even think to leave me like this.”

“You never loved me, did you?”

“It didn’t have to be like this, but now you’ve ruined everything.”

“What did you want once this was all through? Tell me!”

“You could’ve- could’ve stayed. You could’ve helped me fix things.”

“This isn’t going to be fixed. You’ve ruined this for good now.”

“I hope I’m not put in the same part of hell as you.”

“When did you think you could hurt me again? Today? Tomorrow?”

“You’re back in my life and I want to die again.”

“You only ever brought me pain and I’m sick of it.”

“You put yourself in that position! That wasn’t my doing!”

“When was it that you realised that you didn’t love me?”

“I really think it’s easier for people when I’m not around.”

“I know, but you didn’t have to use them like that!”

“I’m not someone who breaks easily, but I must commend you on this.”

random line prompts:

“You look like you’re going to punch me.” “I was actually going to kiss you, but if you’re into that sort of thing then I’m out.”

“I mean, if we hadn’t met at a strip club.”

“Can we get coffee?” “Is this a date or is it because you’ll end up strangling someone if you don’t get caffeine in your system.” “I shouldn’t have asked.” (@spaceodditybarnes with Bucky Barnes or Chris Beck)

“… and then he came up up to me and kissed me until I was-” “I’m going to have to tell you to shut up now.”

“We should do this again sometime!” “I would honestly rather do anything other than that again.” (@extremelyblackandwhite)

“I hope you don’t think that we all act like this.” “There’s more than just you? Jesus.”

“I’m just tired.” “That’s understandable. Go and sleep, I’ll sort everything out.”

“You drank it?!” “Yes, it was quite delicious, did you know?”

“Can you just act normal for this evening. It’s all I’ll ask of you.” “You’re asking for a lot then.”

“I haven’t got laid in like forever.” “Oh sorry, did I look like I was offering? Because I’m most certainly not.” (@adorkably​)

smutty line prompts:

“Do I look like I’m messing around? Do I look like I won’t punish you?”

“Fucking is a reward, but you haven’t been good.”

“Move an inch and you won’t be coming tonight.”

“You look just about good enough to eat.”

“Take your clothes off. Right now.”

“We’re really going to fuck here? What if someone sees us?” (@bvckysmoon​ with Bucky barnes)

“Hands behind your back.”

“Open your mouth for me, baby.”

“Is it good when I touch you here? Or maybe here?”

“You’re so in for it when we get home.”

“You can take it, you’ve done it before.”

“Just a little more.”

“I won’t apologise for marking you up, everyone should know you’re taken.”

“Suck on my fingers.”

“You look so good with my hands around your neck.”

“Keep your eyes open, look at me, baby.”

“Look how good you take it.”

“My baby, you did so well.”

“God, you feel amazing.”

“Swallow. All of it.”

tropes:

enemies to lovers

friends to lovers

mutual pining

arranged marriage

sex pollen (@jimmypagesandbrianmayshair)

sharing a bed

slow burn

arranged marriage

unrequited love

childhood sweethearts

fake relationship

roleswap

established relationship

AUs:

Highschool AU

Soulmate AU

College AU (@spaceodditybarnes with Bucky Barnes or Chris Beck)

Coffee Shop AU (@jimmypagesandbrianmayshair)

Detective AU

Historical AU

Bodyguard AU (@i-am-a-closet-fanfic-fiend​ with Steve Rogers)

CEO AU

Bakery AU

Royal AU

Mob AU

Mythology AU

Modern AU

Hospital AU (@captainscanadian with Bucky Barnes)

Bakery AU

Demon AU

(Guardian!)Angel AU

Criminal AU

songs:

Burn - Hamilton

Dancing With Your Ghost - Sasha Sloan

Tears Dry On Their Own - Amy Winehouse

Silly Girl - Chloe Moriondo

Me and My Husband - Mitski

Something - The Beatles

Uptown Girl - Billy Joel (@blueberrythor with Bucky Barnes)

I Can’t Help Myself - Four Tops

She - dodie

Let’s Fall in Love for the Night - FINNEAS (@subtlebucky with Valkyrie)

Everybody Loves Somebody - Dean Martin

A Sunday Kind Of Love - Etta James

[oboevallis]

reconcile

back in season 16 when amelia was only a couple of months pregnant

“Who was that?” Link asked as his girlfriend stepped into the kitchen, she’d left the room to take a call when her phone unexpectedly rung.

“My mother.” Amelia sighed flopping into a chair at their kitchen table. “She wants me to come visit .”

“Are you going?”

“No!” Amelia chuckled on amusement even though they were a new couple despite a baby on the way, she’d expect him to know the fact she wasn’t on the best terms with her mother.

“It seems like she wants to fix things.” The man pointed out as he plated their dinner.

“Seems like a trap.”

“Seems like she’s trying to fix her wrong. I’m not gonna force you to do anything, you know that but maybe you’ll feel better if you two figured things out.”

“I’m perfectly content with where things are, we had a pleasant conversation on a park bench.”

“Was it enough though?” Amelia sighed at her boyfriend as she not doing subtly rolled her eyes.

“No.” The neurosurgeon mumbled as she twirled her fork into the noodles. “Fine.”

“I’ll come if that’ll make you feel better.”

“No this is something I’ve got to do on my own.”

_______________________________________

Amelia crossed her arms over her chest as she anxiously waited for her bag. She hated the JFK airport it reminded her of when she was going off to college, she’d just gotten out of rehab and her mother could barely look at her but assured her that she loved her before sending her off, her brother was a different story he’d agreed to come but he was absolutely livid with his sister, she had went out and gotten herself a drug addiction while crashing his mustang in the process.

“Amy!” The neurosurgeons mother called out.

“Ma, I told you I’d get a cab.”

“There’s no need, I saved you some money.” The older woman engulfed her daughter in a hug.

“Don’t mean to rush this, but we should get going.”

“Alright let’s get moving then.” The younger woman moved to put her luggage in the trunk of her mother’s car, noticing another suitcase.

“Why is there another suitcase in the back?” Amelia asked as she settled in the passenger seat.

“We’re gonna go upstate.”

“To the cabin?” Amelia asked in shock, it’d been years since she had been there. The last time she had run away she went to the cabin where she was snorting oxy, there Kathleen walked in with her fiancé. As Kathleen was yelling at her, she could’ve sworn their mother had possessed her, and when she made the comment it only intensified her sisters anger toward her.

“Where else would be going in upstate New York?” Carolyn asked, focusing on the road before quickly looking to the side to see her daughters reaction. “Is that okay?”

“Oh, yeah yeah it’s fine. I just wasn’t expecting it that’s all.” The remainder of the drive was filled with a heavy silence, periodic awkward conversation filling the minutes here and there.

When they got to the cabin they went their separate ways and unpacked. Amelia was in the room she’d share with her Lizzie when they were younger, smirking at the bunk beds as she remember all the pranks they’d pull on one another. After getting settled she walked to the closet finding it was still a cluttered mess just as it was 20 years ago. She didn’t realize she was looking for anything before she found it. Her old unicorn stuffed animal, she quickly held it to her chest.

“Amy! What do you want for dinner?” Carolyn called out from the kitchen, the neurosurgeon composed herself before meeting up with her mother.

“Anything you’d like.”

“Come on, there must be something.”

“Your tomato soup and grilled cheese.” Amelia concluded, cracking a smile. Her mother would always make this whenever someone was sick or feeling down, it was the perfect comfort food.

“Will do.” Carolyn smiled at her daughter, she was trying to resolve things between the two of them. Since the death of her son she’d been thinking about her kid’s mortality and upon hearing about her youngest’s brain tumor she’d been terrified especially since they weren’t on good terms. She wanted this weekend to pull them closer together and forgive one another.

“I’ve missed your soup.” Amelia smiled as she carefully blew on it to cool it.

“God, I can’t remember the last time I made this for you.”

“Me either.” That was a lie, it had been the first time she was withdrawing and her mother sat with her the whole time while tears were welling in her eyes. At the time she was mad her mother was crying, she wasn’t the one coming down quickly from an amazing high. She never understood why her mother cried until she met Betty and fought to help her get sober.

“I hate that Amelia. That we can’t remember, it shouldn’t be like that. I want us to fix things, I want to be a part of your life.” Carolyn concluded letting her spoon drop against the side of the bowl, the clanking causing her daughter to jump.

“Okay.” Amelia slowly nodded. “Let’s fix things.”

After the pair had dinner they went to their rooms. Amelia went back into the closet and picked up the unicorn, she had forgotten all about it. She couldn’t remember for the life of her why it was so important to her as a child, baby brain she blamed. Carefully, she lowered herself onto the bottom bunk still tightly holding the toy. For as tired as she was from the long flight and then the long drive she couldn’t seem to settle. She had thought about calling Link but he was in surgery, and then she thought about scrolling through social media but then the blue light would really prevent her from sleeping. After a while of boring her eyes into the top on the bunk, she got up and made her way into the kitchen to make herself a cup of tea. Noticing the kettle on the stove, she turned around to see the back door opened slightly. She made her cup of tea and made her way to the porch. As kids whenever they’d go to the cabin if they needed their mother she was more than likely on the back porch watching the birds.

“You seeing any birds?” Amelia sarcastically asked it was pitch black out, other than the candle her mother had lit to keep mosquitoes away.

“Don’t be smart.” Carolyn smiled, happy that her daughter had made a sarcastic remark to her, it’d been years since she had done so. When Amy was a kid she’d always get annoyed when she make a smart remark, but now she found them lighthearted and entertaining. “Can’t sleep?”

“Nope.” Amelia ran her finger along the rim of her mug, this mug specifically reminded her of her childhood. It was her fathers favorite, just the right size, just the right handle, just the right curvature to fit in your hands comfortably, he had bought multiple of them and made sure he always had one with him where every he went.

“I see you found your childhood friend.” Carolyn pointed to the the unicorn plushie she had under her arm.

“Oh, yeah.”

“I remember the day you got that. It was a week before your birthday and you had gotten the chicken pox, we had to send all of your siblings to Nana’s because they had never had it. The whole week you stayed in our bed and we had to put two pair of mittens on your hands to prevent you from scratching. You were always a pretty independent child, didn’t want help or comfort from a soul, but that week all you want to do was cuddle with your dad and I. So the day of your birthday, after your dad went to check on the others and made sure they were behaving. He came back with cards they had written for you, and he brought that unicorn home. The four of them all put their allowances together and got you that unicorn, since they were your absolute favorite thing in the world at the time. ”

“I didn’t know that.” Amelia was surprised to hear her voice break, she hadn’t even realized she was crying. Carolyns smile was illuminated by the candle before she looked up at the night sky to try and find a consolation. “I’m pregnant.” It was barely a whisper.

“I was waiting for you to tell me.”

“You knew? Of course you knew.” She had had five babies and an army of grandchildren. She probably always knew when one of her daughters were pregnant before they even did.

“Is it Atticus’?”

“Yeah.” Amelia couldn’t contain her smile. After a comfortable silence the girls mother spoke up again.

“This isn’t like last time.”

“It isn’t.” Amelia agreed, suddenly feeling at ease from her mother’s words.

“Does he know about Christopher?”

“Yeah, he does. He’s been really understanding about my feelings.”

“I’m glad, you deserve someone who can love and support you without making you feel guilty for your feelings.”

“Yeah.” Amelia grinned, releasing a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. “Do you think Daddy would’ve liked him?”

“I think he would’ve, but never would’ve showed it. Out of all of our kids spouses he would’ve been the hardest on Link.”

“You think so?”

“I know so.” Carolyn smiled, thinking about her late husband. It saddened her how he never got to witness any of his kids weddings. He always talked about how excited her was to walk his daughters down the isle and give them away to the right man, and how he’d give Derek his watch on his wedding day.

“Do you like him?”

“I do. I’d like to get to know him better.”

“He’d like that, he’s always saying he feels bad for the impression he made.” She hated how vulnerable she was being with her mother, but was oddly at ease. Never realizing how much her mother’s validation comforted her.

“While I don’t condone the lying, it wasn’t a bad impression. It showed how much he loves you, he was willing to lie for you without question and he stood up for you without a doubt in his mind.”

“He doesn’t love me, it’s way too soon.” The neurosurgeon dismissed nervously, he had only said it once and he was obviously pretty scared. Though she knew he meant it, it was all going very fast, and didn’t want this to end up like the last time she quickly fell in love with someone.

“Amelia, we both know that isn’t true.”

“I just don’t want to screw anything up. He’s so perfect and even the things I can’t stand about him I love. I mean I loved Owen, I still do in a sense, but the things I hated about him I couldn’t stand. With Link it’s different.”

“Seems like your in love.”

“It does doesn’t it?”

[murdermusicandmagic]

my thoughts on every black mirror episode*

*these are just the things i wrote down after watching each episode so i'm sorry if they're a little harsh oops :) feel free to discuss!

the national anthem - so fucking weird, honestly the worst choice they could have made for a pilot episode lmao. i'm just glad i kept watching because they got so much better than this ew

fifteen million merits - this one wasn’t good either. i hated the entire concept of it, one of my least favorites

the entire history of you - hot damn this season was horrible. i'm literally so surprised that i kept watching because it was horrible. plus i hadn’t been desensitized to tv violence yet so the whole razor thing bothered me a lot, and i hated the main dude

be right back - this one was fucking devastating oh my fucking god. yeah this one was horrible (i don’t mean in quality) but it was fascinating to watch; just slightly disturbing.

white bear - biiiiitch oh my fucking god this one is a goddamn cinematic masterpiece. my friend telling me about this episode is what made me start watching the show to begin with. this is literally amazing and the plot twist holy fucking shit i'll never get over it jesus fucking christ

the waldo moment - oh this one was just fucking awful. awful plot, horribly boring, and the waldo puppet thing was so fucking annoying, my least favorite

white christmas - this one was fantastic. it was literally the most horrifying thing ever, and the artificial conscience thing fucked me up. the amount of different technological plot elements that combined in this was insane, and it was so fucking cool. one of the most disturbing ones i've watched, but one of my favorites

nosedive - this one was weird and kinda sad. the wedding scene was physically painful for me and i honestly just really didn’t like this one

playtest - oh my god this one was so fucking messed up on literally so many different levels. the ending thing where it was like fifteen different things happening inside his head was crazy, and it fucked me up

shut up and dance - holy fuck the most disturbing one i've seen yet by far this one fucked me up so bad and the worst part was it wasn’t even faintly unrealistic. like it literally could happen. i hated this one but it was pretty damn good, it just scared me so bad

san junipero - this one was fucking beautiful and there was absolutely nothing wrong with it i loved it so much. it was constantly so aesthetically pleasing and gorgeous and it was so happy and beautiful. it took me a little while to figure out what was going on, as with most of them, but once i got it it was fantastic. plus the girls were amazing. i literally have nothing bad to say about this it was beautiful. it's my absolute favorite and i've watched it multiple times now

men against fire - this one was weird. i didn’t like it that much, but it was okay, i guess. the whole MASS thing was weird, and i didn’t understand the concept of the roaches or why they were so bad, because they weren’t actually mutated or anything, it was just the MASS. yeah just weird

hated in the nation - oh my god this one was amazing. honestly literally just 10/10 no comments. the crucial aspect of the bees i didn’t realize was crucial, i thought it was just worldbuilding, and then they came in and it was amazing. compelling plot, fascinating storyline, lovely characters, i loved it. i can't rewatch most of them but this one was just as good the second time around

uss callister - god that one was so fucking scary. not because of the plot or anything, just that dick daly who was introduced as the protagonist and then revealed to be a massive fucking creepy ass psychopath. took me a hot minute to understand what was going on as usual, but once i got it, i was very invested in that weird ass plot. even better the second time

arkangel - that was very good but the feeling it gave me was awful. i felt so bad for the girl sara and i hated the creepy mom. i had no clue how it’d turn out and it was very sad.

crocodile - motherFUCKER i did NOT like that. that poor baby he was so cute. the uh, homicide count in that one was a little higher than usual, but thank god for that cute lil guinea pig, i knew he was gonna be important. motherFUCKer.

hang the dj - that was the most heterosexual goddamn bullshit i have ever seen, and the one (1) girl (i think) that they stuck in there for amy just made it more heterosexual oh my fucking god. the twist ending was super cool tho, and i liked the whole 998/1000 thing

metalhead - what the hell was that? no explanation, no backstory, and they died for a box of fucking teddy bears. that was the most hopeless thing i have ever seen oh my fuck. honestly not bad though.

black museum - now that was very interesting. i love letitia wright she's so good. tbh i don’t know what i was expecting the black museum to be but that was not it. that was very interesting indeed.

striking vipers - that was GAY. took me a second to understand the ending but i actually like the way it turned out. very interesting

smithereens - that was very good and i fucking LOVE andrew scott. yeah that was really good i genuinely had no idea where that was going

rachel, jack and ashley too - that was fucking fantastic. if jack got down on her knees and proposed to me i would say absofuckinglutely im gay for her goddamn. also the end with ashley fuckn o in the club with jack that was amazing. one of my favorites for sure. im glad they chose that for possibly the last black mirror episode jesus. also miley cyrus is an icon and it was just as good rewatching it thats all

[norahjakobs]

On The Sidelines

After an accident while on a mission Jinny has a broken foot and is stuck on the benches for a month. Her girlfriend Amy comes over to her home to visit and cheer her up.

(This was commissioned by @wombatking)

The knock at the door was met by a holler of “Let yourself in, key’s on the top of the door frame.”

Amy entered Jinny’s home, two shopping bags in hand both full, and a backpack on her back. It sported several pins referencing games from primarily the 90s with one or two more modern ones offering some variety.

Jinny could see her clearly from her spot on the couch. Her foot was propped up on the armrest, covered in a cast. If it weren’t for the cast on her foot she’d be with the team or out doing stuff, instead of stuck at home on the benches. She had already tried asking Robin to call one of those magic folk he knew to heal it up but apparently that would be ‘inappropriate’.

Being alone at home sucked, but at least Amy had decided to visit. Jinny would be lying if she said she hadn’t got out of her room and hobbled over to the living room to wait. She’d also be lying if she said the crutches were intuitive for her to use.

Amy set her bags down beside the couch and then leaned down to give Jinny a hug and peck on the cheek. There’s a warm smile on her face. “Hey, it’s good to see you.”

“You too. I hope you aren’t missing anything exciting for this.” Her tone made it clear she felt like she was. She’d much rather be out with Amy than here with her.

She shook her head. “Nope, nothing happening today as far as I know. But even if there were I still would come. I’m not going to leave you with netflix as your only company.”

Jinny gave a small chuckle. “You would not believe just how poor a selection they’ve got of westerns.”

“Well, no more need to worry about that. I brought some entertainment of my own.” 

Amy sat down on the floor next to her bags. Jinny watched her as she began to rifle through the bags, spotting glimpses of bright colors.

She pulled out some snacks and a bottle of soda and placed them on the coffee table, next to the TV remote. “In case you are getting peckish.”

Then out came some small novelty toys. A few of those finger skateboards, a yo-yo, and few other things to keep her hands busy. Jinny raised an eyebrow, to which Amy retorted “Have you seen how antsy you get when you don't know what to do with your hands?”

She couldn’t argue that. Between target practice and helping out around the house she had grown used to having something to occupy her hands.

Then lastly she had packed a couple of video games and one of her consoles, of course wrapped in a generous layer of bubble wrap that she tossed over to Jinny as she got it unwrapped. “I also brought some co-op games for us to play, how’s that sound?”

“It sounds good, I guess.” Jinny swung her feet down to the floor to give Amy space to sit down beside her.

Which Amy did as she placed a hand on Jinny’s shoulder. “Do you wanna talk about it?”

“Talk about what? I’m fine, really.” She answered before the question was even asked.

Amy just gave her a look, a knowing look that crumbled her defensive layer. “Jinny, you didn’t even let me get to the part where I ask how you are. So why don’t you get that foot up here so I can doodle on your cast and you tell me what’s up? I brought a pretty cool metallic sharpie.”

Jinny crossed her arms and huffed. She was fine… her glaze turned briefly to Amy and the earnest look of understanding on her face. How did she get blessed to have such a nice girlfriend?

“Fine.” Jinny propped her broken foot up by Amy, who began to doodle what looked to be a crystal heart in metallic purple. She had to admit it did look pretty cool.

“I guess I just, I feel pretty useless right now. Everybody is off and helping folks or having some sort of adventure. Then here I am, stuck at home for a month cause I jumped down from somewhere I shouldn’t have. This kind of thing doesn’t happen to Superboy, or you.”

“Jinny, that’s not true. I’ve been put out of action more than once to mundane stuff, same as you. Besides, that doesn’t even matter. Beating yourself up for an accident isn’t gonna heal your foot, it’s just going to make you grumpy.” She gave a cheeky grin.

She had to stop herself from giving a pout of ‘I’m not grumpy’ as she realized that it was possible (in fact very likely) that Amy was right. “I-, thanks Amy. I just, ya know I don’t like being passive. So this has just been real frustrating.”

“I know, but hey maybe this will teach you a little patience. But even if it doesn’t, I’m here to help you cope. You aren’t facing this alone.” Amy leaned forward and after a moment where Jinny could swear their noses were touching she gave her a kiss.

She let out a chuckle. “I’m not so sure I’ll be learning anything from this. Either way I’m glad you’re here. This would be pretty unbearable without the company.”

Amy shrugged. “Who knows, I felt pretty similarly when I tried out animal crossing. I thought I’d just do time skips, but after a bit I actually started to like the slower pace. It’s… relaxing sometimes to just have to wait.”

She put the sharpie down onto the coffee table and got off the couch to start setting up the console she brought. Jinny took a look at the finished doodles on her cast. The crystal heart she already saw was beside Amy’s signature, it was loopy and had a heart next to the Y. There was also an attempt at an 8-bit cowboy hat, a few of the lines were a little wonky but the thought was sweet and it looked bad by no means.

Jinny considered her words. She didn’t think she’d ever be somebody that would prefer to stay out of the action, but maybe part of the reason why was the novelty of it. She had to admit Amy had more experience with adventure. It was a natural conclusion that experience probably colored her view.

So it’d seem she’d have to catch up to the level of adventures Amy’s been on before she could say for sure where she stood on the issue. Either way though, she was feeling better about her time on the benches.

“So, which one do you want to play?” Amy held up two disc cases. One looked to be a high fantasy rpg and the other a western shooter.

“I think you and I both know what I’m gonna pick.” She pointed to her choice and Amy put it in. Then came back onto the couch and the two began to play video games together, Amy resting her head on Jinny’s shoulder.

[vventure]

Liar - Atsumu Miya Must Die, Ch. 2

Series Mini Mlist: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Pairing: Atsumu Miya x fem!reader

Genre: Angst (only lightly this part), Fluff

Word Count: 1.4k

Warnings: cheating, small spoiler for post time-skip manga

Summary: Atsumu Miya is a player; dating three girls from three different friend groups so they don’t find out. What happens when they do, though? And how does [Y/N] play into their plan for ultimate revenge?

A/N: Apologies on this taking so long to come out. I hope you like this next part. You’ll get to meet Osamu, and it gives you a little insight into what’s to come in the next chapters. Atsumu’s character is kind of assassinated this chapter, sorry sjfddfkjk

Taglist: @for-ests​ @miyulovestowrite​ @letmeshouyou​  @babyboytsutomu​ @captain-shittykawa​ @writeiolite​ @lunarknox​ @heccingdead​ - let me know if you’d like to be added (or taken off)!!

Last Time:

“[Y/N]?” Ami’s voice drifted through the open door as she looked for you. “We’re gonna go get something to eat now, actually. Riku is hungry and I think I am too.”

She thinks she is? You rolled over and sat up to look at her.

“Y’know, Riku seems really nice. I don’t think you have to, like, change yourself for him or whatever you usually do for the guys you date,” you said while swinging your legs over the edge of the bed to stand.

Ami just rolled her eyes and rejoined Riku in the living room. You were fast on her heels, slipping out of your house shoes and putting on your sneakers.

“Alright!” Riku said with a smile. “Let’s go get onigiri!”

The walk to the onigiri shop from the apartment was short, but lovely. Tall buildings had the slim, asphalt street surrounded and the paved sidewalks were bustling with life. You passed by food stands and flower shops as well as manga cafes and bookstores, each location giving off a leisurely and homey vibe.

Ami and Riku walked hand-in-hand in front of you, Ami pointing to various locations with a whispered comment that only Riku could hear. They were making you the third wheel, but as long as you got a tasty meal out of it you could deal with them.

The bell on the door jingled brightly as Riku held it open for you and Ami, a satisfied smile gracing his face. A tall man with black ruffled hair who appeared to be around your age was reading a little from a newspaper when you walked in, but immediately dropped his leisure activity as he took in the new customers. 

“Welcome to Onigiri Miya,” he spoke, a smile spreading easily across his face. “Good to see ya again, Riku!”

“Hey there, Osamu,” Riku responded with a small wave, striding across the length of floor between the front door and the counter where the guy stood. The guy Riku called Osamu produced three paper menus, passing them to your sister’s boyfriend.

“Who ya got with you? I’ve only ever seen you come alone,” Osamu queried, his eyebrow raised in genuine interest.

“Oh, this is my girlfriend Ami, and her sister [Y/N], they just moved down here. Ami is living with me and [Y/N] just transferred to the local university.”

“Pleasure to meet ya, Ami and [Y/N],” Osamu said, his eyes lingering on you. He spoke with a distinct accent that you found rather endearing. “By the way, Riku, do you know anyone that’s lookin’ for a job? I need to hire another assistant.”

“Hmm,” Riku said, gripping his chin. “Not off the top of my head, but I’ll ask around.”

“There’s a reason you’re my favorite customer.”

Riku stepped from the counter and gestured to one of the four-seater tables in the main area of the restaurant where the trio sat and peered at their menus.

“So, you come to this restaurant often?” Ami asked Riku, barely looking at her menu. 

“Yeah, it opened a little while ago and I like supporting the small businesses in walking distance. Osamu is a good kid. He’s actually 21, just like you [Y/N].”

“This is a big responsibility for a 21-year-old to handle on their own,” Ami said, looking over her shoulder at the young man who was now making sure all of his various ingredients were in order.

“He has help,” Riku said, closing his menu and placing it onto the laminated surface of the small table. “He’s got Chika, who’s a little older than he is and helps with cooking and the books, and he also has his twin brother Atsumu. His brother is in college, though, maybe that’s why he needs new help.”

“You should apply, [Y/N],” Ami said, setting her menu on top of Riku’s. “It’d be nice for you to have a little extra money for booze and stuff.”

“Ami,” you whispered, narrowing your eyes at her. Yet again, your sister’s brain was acting on whims, and this time she was directing them at you.

“I’m not wrong.”

“It could be a good way for you to meet new people, it’s really close to campus so a lot of university students come here for a cheap meal,” Riku interjected.

“Booze money and friends!” Ami said, clapping her hands together. You rolled your eyes at the double-team assault on this matter, but they did have a point. Having extra cash in uni was helpful and it could expose you to a lot of people you’d never get the chance to meet normally.

“I guess you’re right, I’ll ask him,” you said with a huff. “What do you guys want to eat? I’ll order while I’m asking for an application.”

You swept the menus into your hand after taking their order down mentally and walked over to Osamu, handing him the small stack of pamphlets.

“What can I get ya?”

“Can we have two salmon and a minced chicken onigiri, please?”

“You got it,” he responded, writing it down on a little pad of paper. “Anything else?”

“Uh, yeah,” you said, smiling sheepishly. “Can I have an application?”

“I don’t really have a formal application, and I’m guessing you don’t have a resume on ya,” he said, giving you a little smile. You shrugged and showed him your empty hands in response. “Well, then lemme take down your number and I’ll give ya a call for an interview. You can bring your resume then.”

“Okay, cool,” you said, taking the pad of paper out of his hand and jotting down your digits.

“Your order number is 22, I’ll give you a shout when your food is ready.”

--

Osamu called you the next day to ask you to an interview. On the way out of the restaurant that night Riku had lagged behind, putting in a good word for you so that when you got to the interview with the young entrepreneur it was more of an orientation than anything else. He provided you with an apron and baseball cap and started in on teaching you how to make each of the onigiri on the menu. 

It wasn’t expected that you’d know what you were doing right away, so in the following days he made sure to put you on the schedule with either he or Chika. This type of partnering saddled you with bussing tables and checking on customers while they were eating, which you were more than happy to do. 

You got to know Osamu pretty well, but really bonded with Chika. She was older than you were, but she’d gone to university at the same school you’d be moving into at the end of the week. Her insights into the school--such as quirks about your dorm building’s location and what food was best--were invaluable and you were thankful that you’d gotten to spend so much time with her.

The week between moving to Hyogo and starting university flew by with your new job, as Osamu put you on the schedule almost daily to free himself up to do paperwork and budgeting for the flourishing establishment. 

It was midday on the eve of moving into your dorm, and Onigiri Miya was quiet. Chika was playing on her cell phone as you read from the book you’d been trying to finish before school started when the chime on the door rang to announce the entrance of a customer.

You looked up from your position behind the counter with a smile, but had to do a double take when you examined who’d entered. The guy looked exactly like Osamu, but his hair was bleached blond and he had a girl dressed in a tight-fitting tracksuit attached to his hand. 

“Hey, Atsumu,” Chika said, barely looking up from her phone to acknowledge him. 

“What’s up,” the young man said with a wide smirk, pulling a chair out from one of the tables with two seats and offering it to his companion. “You know the usual, right?”

“Yep, coming up,” Chika said, putting her phone in the pocket of her apron and getting started on the food that he’d ordered without even saying what it was. 

Atsumu--it sounded familiar to you, and you wracked your brain to find the solution to your confusion. He looked just like Osamu, hadn’t Riku mentioned a brother? One with that name? 

“Who’s that?” You questioned Chika. She turned and gave you a small chuckle.

“That’s Atsumu, Osamu’s twin brother,” she replied, shaping the onigiri. “And one of his little friends.”

“Twin brother? One of?”

“Yeah, that’s why they look exactly alike, dumbass,” she said, elbowing your side playfully. “And you’ll see what I mean later today.”

You took another glance at the couple seated in the dining room. Atsumu had his hand over his date’s, his eyes fixated lovingly on her as she stared moonily back at him. They made a cute, sporty couple in your eyes.

That image of Atsumu’s infatuation with his obvious girlfriend quickly disappeared when he entered the restaurant for a second time that day, another woman on his arm but this one with a pastel, preppy style. Same order, same interactions between Atsumu and his companion.

“What the hell,” you murmured to Chika, grabbing at her sleeve and gesturing. 

“Help me with this,” was all she said, dismissing your confusion.

The final straw came when Atsumu waltzed through the door for a third and final time that day, 45 minutes before closing. Yet another woman accompanied him, this one different from the last with an adorable teal dress and wedges. You didn’t question it while he was in the business this time, opting to wait until you and Chika were closing to grill her about the situation. 

Stopping your sweeping, you called to Chika, her head popping out from the back room where the dishwasher was.

“I’m guessing you want your answer now,” she said, wiping her hands on a stained white towel before slinging it over her shoulder. “Sit.”

Chika laid down the facts: Atsumu was dating three different girls from three different friend groups. It was a secret to everyone but he and Chika, and now you, that he was doing this. Atsumu would only come to Onigiri Miya when Osamu wasn’t working. 

He was somewhat of an idiot in that respect, and Osamu had caught him with different girls at the establishment before, but the bleached twin had played it off as him seeing different girls every week; something that wasn’t outside of the realm of possibility for the player.

Chika went on to explain that while Atsumu used to work at the onigiri shop for his brother, he had taken time off in order to focus on university and his club volleyball team at the school. He was arrogant and self-centered, and often lied to his brother even about small things. The picture Chika painted was far from flattering.

You sat looking at her during her spiel, your jaw basically on the floor. 

“So, yeah,” she finished. “He’s kind of a mess and a jackass.”

“Thanks for the warning, I’ll try to avoid him.”

“About that,” her smile strained as she spoke her next words: “He’s moving into the same dorm as you tomorrow.”

[oh-theres-a-woman]

Blood Doilies; Part Three

A/N: Warnings for mentions of abuse and abusive relationships. Please read at your own discretion. The next chapter will also have the same warning. I understand that such topics can be triggering to some people, this is pure to show what the Female Reader has experienced in married life and her breaking away from that with the aid of the Blinders. Once more thank you for taking the time to read this story, feel free to reblog or comment if you’re enjoying this. 

Taglist: @zodiyack , @itsfrancisneptun , @shelbys-we-get-the-job-done, @amy-booxx​ & @fandom-fucking-shit​

Parts: [ 1 ] , [ 2 ], [ 4 ], [ 5 ], [ 6 ], [ 7 ], [ 8 ], [ 9 ]

Pairing: Thomas Shelby X Female Reader

Word Count: 1923

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You set the tea down on the coffee table noticing the children had both fallen asleep on Mister Shelby’s knee. Offering a smile at the sleeping children. Whispering softly that you could take the children to bed, Thomas simply rose to his footing. Carrying both the children upstairs, calmly following him. Showing the beds for each child. Annabeth curled up into a ball with her little dolly looking absolutely smitten and at peace. Leaning down you kissed the little girl’s head, smoothing the messy mop of hair away from her face. Pulling the blankets up to her shoulders, brushing the back of your knuckle lovingly over her cheek.

Repeating the same action for Marcus, knowing that he’d need another feeding in a few hours time. “You’re a good mother, you do so much for your children,” Thomas said observantly from the door watching on with silent awe. Aunt Pol had always warmed someplace in his heart at her mothering but it had been a time since all the Shebly children had ground. Now the mothering seemed like a nagging.

Maybe it was the war that changed him but watching you at that moment. He didn’t see the harshness of his own upbringing. But the solid foundations of nurturing and admiration. Tommy didn’t quite remember the loving gaze of his mother, only her death. It had been the first of many lives that were lost. Charlie Strong had been the replacement when his father walked out of them and Pol took the helm of mothering. Swift in her workings and proved very stern for the young Sheblys’ that were left like orphans before she swooped in.

However, you were a different case. There was something about your maternal instincts that caused Thomas to stop a moment. Admire the qualities of a woman. The way in your wounds and bruises from an abusive husband, no matter the pain. You carried on your task of being a mother never let anything go to chance or mess with you. Easily smoothing a hand over baby Marcus’s locks whose were just like your own. Beautifully soft with a slight wave in the front. Tucking your son in, you watched him for a moment listening to his breathing, the little snores that left his buzzing button nose.

Thomas and yourself wandered back downstairs to the tea. Looking at each other for a moment. The narrow stairs led to you brushing hands in the walk. Causing you steps to falter for one moment. However, the Blinder once more found his seat again. Marking the page he had been reading to the children as if he’d continue that story for them another time. Picking up his teacup, he added some cream and one sugar. Stirring with the provided teaspoon then offering the spoon to you. Carefully, you poured the creamer not adding any sugar. Enjoying the strength of the tea. Lips slightly pursed together, glancing back to Thomas Shelby again. “Thank you for offering my family this safe house for the time until we get our lives back on track,” you said with a warm blush on your cheeks.

“It is alright, Mrs [Y/N],” Thomas said in a swift and noble tone of voice. Leaning back into his chair observing you. “The Peaky Blinders don’t take kindly to men who bash into their women and children.” Thomas’s words sparked a cool murderous rage in him. His eyes were like a cool fire, burning hotter than any red flame you’d seen in your lifetime. Glancing down at the marks that riddled your body and all that was hidden under your clothes. You hadn’t remembered a day where things weren’t thrown or fists were flying. Once upon a time, it was a social norm for a husband to beat his wife.

“I’ve had it happen all my life, my father was a drunk and my mother a prostitute. I don’t really know any better…” You admitted in a defeated manner. Clenching your fists on your legs thinking about the life you led. “But, I want this cycle to end. Because if I let this keep happening, it’ll only happen to my children and they won’t know how to respect each other or their future loved ones.”  Deep down you knew this was the right thing, the sudden separation to make sure no more harm would come to yourself or the children if your husband overstepped his normal range of violence.

“Do you need my help in any way of separating from the man, because once you're divorced of him that debt owed is only on him. I don’t believe in wives cleaning up their husband’s debts when they have a family to protect. By those marks too, I’d believe you’ve been looking over them for some time too.” Mister Shelby said, reaching into his coat pocket, procuring a silver cigarette case. Opening it and offering you one with a slight incline of his arm. Reaching out you picked up one of the expensive tailor-made, always used to the harsh rolling without a filter.

Placing the stick of nicotine in between your lips, that were chapped and broken from a hit. Picking up a matchbook from the table lighting up your cigarette, then leaning out to light Thomas’s. He leant into the flame. The small light of the match burning embers of life at the end of the neatly rolled tobacco. Watching the embers eat at the paper when Tommy puffed. The flame licking at your fingertips were lighting the sharper features of the Shelby before you, causing a feeling of enchantment to pull over you.

Tingling burns at your fingertips, causing you to finally shake the match and drop it into the ashtray. Settling back into your seat letting out a calm inhale and sighing softly. The sitting room clouded with an illusion-like smoke cloud. Giving a new atmosphere to the room. Like it wasn’t heavy in the topics of conversation. The stress had been disbursed in to the air, exhaled with the carbon-dioxide and smoke through lips and nostrils.

“I need to find a way to get divorced from him, I know it’d help my case that we’re living separately from one another. It would be a year’s process at the longest, I’d need to find a way to keep the tea house. My own business… I don’t want to lose it to him. Need some form of income to keep a roof over the wee ones’ heads.” You muttered, flicking the ash into the crystal tray on the table. Wondering in all seriousness how much it cost to buy because it was impeccable. Everything in the Watery Lane home was beautifully charming and way out of your price range.

“I’m hoping to get settled then go back to work, have a friend lookout for the kids.” You said to the man, who seemed to offer a small nod. Knowing the modest little establishment in your ownership. By far considered the loveliest tea shop in Small Heath, it had charm and class to the small little shop. He’d remembered Ada gushing over it opening some years ago, by a beautiful young woman that had the dream to do so. Through the proper means, she opened the shop by herself. Even without her husband’s help. This seemed like an even biggest motivator for Tommy’s little sister feminist ideals.

“Given your current condition, I’d recommend your healing before heading back to work. Keeping a low-profile due to your husband’s likely retaliation to your left with the children. For your safety, I’d advise you take a week at the least, then return to work. I or one of the Blinders will be there to escort you home after.” Thomas took a swift to inhale of his cigarette. He didn’t know why he was so adamant to protect you. Normally the Blinders would help get rid of the trouble and then recoil. Yet, deep down he knew it's because he’d seen what the government and church would do if they caught wind of things happening.

You’d lose your children. Thomas didn’t want to see that happen, because you’d taken responsibility for your husband’s debt and tried to clear it up. Even in such a state that you were in. Trying to protect the little family you’d been in. Keeping those well-behaved children in line, working the long hours that he found out on an investigation prior. Where your morning shift could start as early as four-five o’clock in the morning for the baked goods. Then until closing hours in the evening. A short break in between to take your children home, giving the neighbour a break.

Only to have most of the money earnt wasted on your husband’s addictions and there were plenty of them. Never in a million years did he even expect anyone at that meeting today. But, there you were to shock him. Taking time out of your day, to see him and try to make things right. Surprisingly, it gave Tommy a little bit of hope for some of the women in this day and age. So, the patriarch of the Shelby family sat there and discussed with you into the long hours of the night. Things were arranged for your meeting with a solicitor under the guidance of Polly Gray. Moral support. Plus, everyone seemed to be as scared of her as they were with Tommy. Bonus.

*********** 

The following days passed quickly with everything being prepared. Marks began to fade on your skin and it restored some of your lacking confidence. You felt happier in the safe house. Not because of the fancy layout because your children were happy, they were settling in nicely. The Shelbys’ came to visit enough. John Shelby bought over his children someday and they all played while business and things were attended to. More often than not it meant walking in on the children all snuggled up on each other and napping; after having an argument or fight. Everything was sorted with a simple nap together, then they were as good as rain. It made you often wish that adults were as simple as children.

By the following Monday, you were returning to work. Your workers had been running the ship well and left things in perfect condition. It was nice to see the faces of the customers again. Hours were long like normal, but that’s how you enjoyed working. Things were peaceful and you didn’t feel an ounce of stress because Thomas had promised to come to pick you up after work and walk you home. It was safe… Well, that’s what you thought.

Hours passed by swiftly and you finished the till counting after hours in the office. The last thing was to do the bins. When you were collecting the bins. Wandering in the dark alley, tossing things into the larger bins outside for landfill. You were so focused on your task that the sound of someone sneaking up on you escaped your knowledge. A rough hand, the smell of hard liquor and cigars filled your nostrils. You knew that scent from anywhere. Your husband. 

He holds a hold on you, smothering your screams of utter terror and pinning your body against the firmness of his body. “It’s not nice to say goodbye in a letter,” he whispered in your ear with vile intent. Holding out in front of you, the wedding band you letter on the letter. Forcefully sliding it back onto your finger as tears fell. 

[wordofrecall]

character playlists: ori

so. let’s do this. my playlists are long and scattered, but they make me happy, so i might as well share them and the thoughts behind song choices. so. here’s some songs for runaway knights & wannabe witches, and what have you.

something holy - childhood & riches & wonders

pearl diver - mitski - oh hunter, if you didn’t want the beautiful so badly, perhaps you would’ve found it in your spirit singing softly - look. it's on the nose, considering that her title is "the pearl hunter," but also, like, that rules. this is a song for wren, i think; ori in the present reflecting on her mother and the similarities between them.

icicles - the scary jokes - i can only be forgiven if i’m giving myself up to you on a silver serving tray / must i bare myself to the stabbing of your knife & gnashing teeth while our lovely company appears so entertained? - aaand a song for childhood. 99% of ori's socialization came from her parents having important guests over, so. uh. yeah. show off your reclusive child prodigy like a pageant whenever you have the opportunity. she probably won't grow to loathe you.

life: the cruel interlude (on god) - kilo kish - why do i dare believe in me when i bleed? - questioning was. always a big thing for ori. i don't think she ever believed that the mirzha was god, and i known that she never truster her father's patron, but. in her studies, in her passions, there's always this tiny sense of desperation for something to have faith in something. not herself.

bluejays & cardinals - the mountain goats - the stars come out of hiding for you, & i would too - there is. a lot, in ori's relationship with her brother. she was the favorite child, yeah, the one destined for great things in spite of her... troubles. but he never had those troubles! she didn't, doesn't understand how he went through life so unafraid. there's envy there. i also think that the line i quoted is terribly true, like, canonically. because. she sure did do that stupid shit.

be calm - fun. - take it from me, i’ve been there a thousand times--you hate your pulse because it thinks you’re still alive! - sometimes you have intense social phobia. and that's okay!

country death song - violent femmes - kiss your mother goodnight & remember that God saves, kiss your mother goodnight & remember that God saves - i think andrei is a much less pitiable or even sympathetic man than the narrator of this song, but. like. it's a country song about a father killing his daughter while preaching godliness. i had to.

i’m all bloody inside - liam lynch - inside me, well, it’s dark & gross as hell, i’m not a pretty sight - the family business!

the hazards of love 3 (revenge!) - the decemberists - but father, don’t you fear, your children are all here - fantasies. part of the fantasy is imagining a world where she doesn't feel terrible about the thought.

shankill butchers - sarah jarosz - they used to be just like me & you, they used to be sweet little boys - "blood hunters are ghost stories." "and also, they're fucking terrible. violent, cruel, zealous. the worst."

sparrow - st. vincent - & no eyes are on the sparrow, eyes are on the sparrow, how could that be the case? the lark keeps whistling his number, silly little number, as if he isn't prey - pity for the boy. sort of retrospective, but it's a thought that's been there since she was a child.

something burning - rituals & fire & running

starchild - ghost quartet - but i will transcend & vomit this loser out of me; i will become the next big thing, i will light myself on fire - maybe she is some kind of angel? bursting with radiance and terrifying to look upon.

arsonist’s lullabye - hozier - don’t you ever tame your demons, always keep them on a leash / when i was sixteen, my senses fooled me - oooor maybe she is a sixteen year-old who is having a panic attack and setting everything in sight on fire by accident.

blood - my chemical romance - i’m the kind of human wreckage that you love! - so she's broken.

girl anachronism - the dresden dolls - it’s not the way i’m meant to be, it’s just the way the operation made me - so she's failed and she's broken and she's sick, and there's no time to fucking think.

when the chips are down - anais mitchell - cast your eyes to heaven, you’ll get a knife in the back. - so she does what her mother did before her, and she runs from that which she has always known.

body terror song - ajj - i’m so sorry that you have to have a body / one that will hurt you, & be the subject of so much of your fear - feelings on being built Wrong; feelings on your mind's undue control upon your body.

in corolla - the mountain goats - & no one was gonna come & get me, there wasn't anybody gonna know, even though i leave a trail of burnt things in my wake every single place i go - very good as an ori song in general but this is her justification to herself in the water. under the docks, she says this to herself.

the harrowed & the haunted - the decemberists - will i be so brave? - just to get that oceanic vibe up.

luna - the mountain goats - rise through the flames & end again in flames at last - an inexplicable feeling.

unwhere - reeder - a song for leaving what you've always known.

something lonely - years & woods & dreaming

runs in the family - amanda palmer - run from their pity, from responsibility, run from the country & run from the city, i can run from the law, i can run from myself, i can run for my life, i can run into debt, i can run from it all, i can run 'till I'm gone - she is broken and all she can think to do is get as far away as possible

panic attack - liza anne - i hate that i can be seen like this

black eyes - david wirsig - my hammering heart hears the voices of spirits that tempt us, the scorn that they’ve spoken

for the departed - shayfer james - they will bury me alive, but i’m not inclined to care; i am too far gone now

hurt - johnny cash - everyone i know goes away in the end; you can have it all, my empire of dirt

my body’s made of crushed little stars - mitski - i work better under a deadline! i work better under a deadline!

blood in the cut - k. flay - guess i’m contagious; it’d be safest if you ran--fuck, that’s what they all just end up doing in the end

little pistol - mother mother - i think i might be scared of the world & the way it makes you feel afraid & how it gets in the way

villains pt. 1 - emma blackery - built to create, designed to destroy

the beer - kimya dawson - & the christians gave me comic books as if i would be scared of burning in hell while i was already there [...] i tried to scream fuck you but blood was pouring out my mouth

something safe - family & finding it & fighting together

haunted house - sir babygirl - i’m running just to hide & i’m hiding just to breathe & around every corner is the same night on repeat

your heart is a muscle the size of your fist - ramshackle glory - i love you & you make me glad to be alive; i promise that i’m gonna pay you back / you always know how funny everything is, even when i’m so serious that it’s gonna be the death of me

medicines - the taxpayers - o, but our rotting corpses lying there soon began to leak & grow these lesions that all smelled just like a rose / & all the blood & guts inside us germinated into timeless pages stained with lines of lovely prose

autoclave - the mountain goats - i am this great unstable mass of blood & foam

alligator skin boots - mccafferty - i’m cool to the touch, leap to my death, i’ll die for you all, i’ll die for my friends, it goes like this

100 years - florence + the machine - lord, don’t let me break this, let me hold it lightly, give me arms to pray with instead of ones that hold too tightly

tomorrow will be kinder - the secret sisters - but i feel warmth on my skin, the stars have all aligned

armour - rae spoon - you know i placed was to build a life for you

amy aka spent gladiator 1 - the mountain goats - play with matches if you think you need to play with matches; seek out the hidden places where the fire burns hot & bright / find where the heat’s unbearable & stay there if you have to--don’t hurt anybody on your way up to the light, and stay alive

curses - the crane wives - won’t you stay with me, my darling, when my walls start burning down?

something daring - islands & visions & loss

jane’s dream - janelle monáe

beekeeper - keaton henson - hear me, o woman that has gone astray, gone astray

fire - kimya dawson - i’m reading books about how they’re corrupt [...] as long as i’m burning, i’ll keep on yearning to save the world, not sure how, but i’m learning

cosmic hero - car seat headrest - i love you, but i can’t stand the touch, & of course i’m alright with death

turn the lights off - tally hall - everbody likes to get taken for turns to see how bright the fire inside of us burns [...] should be stronger, books abandoned

eat you alive - the oh hellos - child, i’m afraid for your soul; these things that you’re after, they can’t be controlled

cry for judas - the mountain goats - hallucinate a shady grove where judas went to die

o death - monica martin - no wealth, no land, no silver, no gold, nothing satisfies me but your soul

blood of angels - brown bird - and i would wage my soul to bet that there ain’t no one throwing lightning anyhow

the universe is going to catch you - the antlers - the arms of the universe kept you from falling [...] those arms did not come back

a burning hill - mitski - i am the fire & i am the forest & i am the witness watching it / i stand in the valley watching it

something terrifying - conversations & selfhood & divination

the lamb - dessa - but blood is blood, & what’s done is done; blood is blood, & its burden is a beast

going invisible 2 - the mountain goats - i’m gonna burn it all down today & sweep all the ashes away

the lion’s roar - first aid kit - she plays a tune for those who wish to overlook the fact that they’ve been blindly deceived by those who preach & pray & teach, but she falls short & the night explodes in laughter

the villain i appear to be - connor spiotto - even if you can’t see the good inside me, i don’t have the time to tell you why i do the things that i do, just please hold on & soon you’ll seem

up the wolves - the mountain goats - there’s bound to be a ghost at the back of closet, no matter where you live; there’ll be a few things, maybe several things that you’re gonna find really difficult to forgive

thursday girl - mitski - glory, glory, glory to the night that shows me what i am

at the bottom of everything - bright eyes - we must take all of the medicines to expensive now to sel; set fire to the preacher who is promising us hell

everybody does - julien baker - i know i’m a pile of filthy wreckage you will wish you’d never touched, but you’re gonna run when you find out who i am

tongues & teeth - the crane wives - i know that you mean so well, but i am not a vessel for your good intent 

a pearl - mitski - you’re growing tired of me and all the things i don’t talk about / sorry, i don’t want your touch--it’s not that i don’t want you

[thewalkingdead-fan101]

In this hell Daryl Dixon X Reader part 1/??

Hey guys! This is my first ever story that I have published/ might ever publish? This story Is following the survivors from season one, and the reader of course. 

I do apologise in advance if its not the greatest, but I hope you guys like it :)

Warnings- Talk of Abuse, Abuse, Swearing, Blood, Gore (its the walking dead so I Guess that's a part of it :))

It has been two months now... Two months since the world had gone to shit, two months since my brother Shane kicked down my door and shoved me into a car with a woman who would turn out to be my best friend and her son who was like a nephew to me.

Since the outbreak had hit, we have found other survivors, now we are a group. We work together to continue to live to continue to exist.

I never thought that I’d be in this predicament. I laugh out of spite as I look down at the two little sticks in my hand, two blue lines on one and a plus on the other.

I hear a twig snap and turn around to see a walker snarling and slowly stumbling my way.

Shoving the tests into my jacket pocket, and wipe my tears before walking towards it. The snarls get louder and greedier as I get closer.

“Oh shut up.” I say as I kick the walker in the stomach and watch it fall down, stomping on its head, hearing the crunch of it’s skull between the earth and my boot. The sound making me sick.

The walk back to camp was quiet, all I could hear was the crunch of fallen leaves under my shoes.

My mind was wandering.

How could I let this happen? How stupid could i be? It’s the fucking apocalypse! In what way is this okay?!

I see the RV and Dale standing up top, keeping watch as he was when I left. His attention snapped towards me as I walked out of the tree-line.

“Hey Dale, it’s just me.” “I was wondering where you ran off to.” “Just went for a little stroll. I ran into a walker, about 5 clicks south east.” “What?! Are you okay?” “I’m fine Dale, I put it down. They seem to be getting closer.” “We will keep an eye on it. You’ll have to tell Shane.” “I will, do you know where he is?” “He went down to the quarry to get water.” “Okay, I’ll y’all to him when he gets back, do you know where Lori is?” “I don’t, try her tent though.” “Will do, thanks Dale.”

I made my way through the camp and around the fire pit. I found myself standing outside of the blue and cream coloured tent and took a deep breath.

"Lori?" I heard a rustle and the door was pulled aside, revealing her familiar brown eyes.

"Oh, hey sweetheart, come in." She smiled "Where's Carl?" I asked. "He is with Sophia and Carol, I just finished cutting his hair. Why?"

I softly smiled, then the tears started flowing. Lori ran over and hugged me, sitting us both down on her cot. "Shhh,  honey what's wrong?" She asked rubbing soft circles on my back. “Lori, I messed up.” I said between sniffles. “What? What do you mean?”

I stood up and paced before her. I could feel her eyes on me.

“(Y/n) you’re worrying me, what’s going on?”

I reached into my pocket and handed her the two tests. The silence was deafening, it felt like hours until Lori spoke up.

“How?” “I don’t know. I made sure we used protection, and we always do.” “What made you suspect this?” “I’ve been feeling off, not to mention I’m late. I’ve never been late.” “How are you feeling?” “All I want to do is cry. I’m terrified.” I softly cried. “Come here.”

She opened her arms and pulled me close, softy rocking me.

“You’ll be okay, it’s all going to be okay.” “What if it’s not?” “What’s done is done. There’s no point in thinking the worst. You have to be positive. You have to deal with this now.”

I sat quietly with her, so many thoughts rushing through my head.

“I didn’t know you were seeing anyone.” She softly joked. “It’s Daryl’s isn’t it?” I nodded my head and laid back. “How’d you know?” “I’ve noticed small changes lately between the two of you.” “What do you mean?” “If anyone goes near you or gets too close he glares.” “That’s just him.” “No honey..You need to tell him.” “I know, I just don’t want him to hate me.” “Oh honey..." She sighed. "I-I don't know what to do.." "Just tell him, it’s never an easy thing to do.” "I know.” “And you have to tell Shane.” “I almost forgot about Shane for a minute.” “Don’t tell him that. I don’t know how his ego would take it.”

We both laughed.

“Thank you.” “What for honey?” “The advice, listening.” “Look, im here for you. Your family now.” “Thank you." I hugged her. “I remember telling Rick I was Pregnant with Carl. I was worried for nothing.” "How did he die?" "Rick?" I nodded. "He was shot on duty, Shane was with him when it happened. He was comatose when everything happened. Shane went to get Rick before he came and got us and he was gone.” "I'm so sorry Lori." I whispered hugging her once more. "It's ok." She smiled weakly.

We were both startled by the sound of a blaring car alarm.

"What is that?" I asked "I don't know, let's go and see." We ran outside and to the R.V. "Dale! What is that?!"I yelled up to him. "A stolen car Is my guess." He answered

I nodded and looked towards where the source of the noise was coming from. It was a red Dodge Challenger that pulled up, only for Glenn to jump out, smiling as if he had just won the lottery.

"Holy crap, turn that damn thing off!" "I don't know how!" "Pop the hood, please." "My sister, Andrea" Amy began "Pop the damn hood!" "Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!" "Is she alright?" "Yeah, yeah, she's ok, she's ok!" "Why aren't they with you?" I asked "Why isn't she with you? Where is she?" "She's ok?" "Yes! Yeah fine, everybody is..well Merle, not so much..." "Are you crazy? Driving this squealing bastard up here? You trying to draw every walker for miles?" Shane snapped. "Shane.." I tried "I think we're ok." Dale said "You call being stupid ok?" He asked dale in disbelief. "The alarm was echoing all over these hills. It'd be hard to pinpoint the source....." Shane glared at him. "I'm not arguing, I'm just saying.. And It wouldn't hurt you to think more carefully next time, would it?" He scolded Glenn. "Sorry...got a cool car" he smiled sheepishly. A truck pulled up behind the car. And everyone got out.

"Amy" "Andrea!" Amy sobbed as they ran to each other and hugging as if they were dying tomorrow. "Papa! Daddy!" Morales's kids ran up to him as did his wife. I looked at Lori who was now with Carl talking to him, tears in both of their eyes . "You are a welcome sight" dale laughed hugging morales. "I thought we had lost you folks for sure!" He exclaimed. "How did y'all get out of there anyway?" Shane asked. "A new guy.. He got us out." Glenn said. "What do you mean new guy?" I asked "New guy?" Shane asked "Yeah, crazy vato just got into town.." Morales said. "Hey, helicopter boy! Come say hello." He called out to the truck. A man dressed in a police uniform emerged. "The guys a cop, just like you.."

I looked at Shane's face and he looked stunned.

Carl had ran past me and Lori following in pursuit. The man started to cry and he ran to Carl. "Dad! Dad!" They all hugged sobbing.

I started to cry, for the reunion of a family, that was thought to be impossible.

Later on that night I was lying on my cot, staring at the tarp. My tent door opened and Shane put his head  in. "Come on. Foods getting cold." "I'm not hungry." I sighed. "What? You're always hungry." He laughed. "Shut up." I smiled and smacked his arm.

I sat up making room for him to sit next to me. "Any way what's up. You seem different. More weird.” He asked sitting with me. “So, I need you to Promise me that you won't be mad.” "What’s going on?” “Shane.” “Okay, I promise?" He asked. "Shane... I'm scared" "What why? Walkers can't come near us.." "They’re getting close though, I ran into one earlier today. I’m okay, I wasn’t hurt. But It's not that." He nodded. "I’ll do another perimeter check first thing in the morning. What is it? "I'm pregnant." I blurted out. He tensed up. "Shane." "No... Just be quiet.." He whispered. "You promi-“ "I don’t care. I’m mad. You're 18! So who is it? Please don't be Glenn."

I shook my head.

"Ok please be Glenn." “It’s not Glenn.” He sighed. “By the way im 22.” “Still too young.” “Shane-“ “Who is the father?” “Look it’s not a big-“ “I’m only asking you one more time, before I go out and ask everyone in the camp if they’ve slept with you.” “Daryl.” I sighed softly. “I can’t hear you.” “Daryl is.” I said more confident. “Are you kidding?” “What? no.” “When did this start?” “Shane, I-“ “When did this start?” He asked raising his voice slightly. “About 6 weeks.” “How?” “What?” “How did it start?” “Shane this isn’t any of your business.” “It’s is. How did it start?” “Merle was being a creep and Daryl told him to leave me alone and then he and I started talking. He is really sweet.” “He isn’t-“ “Shane, shut up. You asked and I’m telling you. Anyway. The next day was the same as every other day. Daryl being Daryl and keeping to himself, I tried to talk to him and he was weary. After a week he was a little more talkative and then one night we ran into each other and one thing led to another. For a while there it was only hook ups, and then after a few weeks we connected. He still is weary and doesn’t really talk much.” "(Y/n)! he is like twice your age!" "Not even." "I don't care" “How is this any different than you and mrs Cooper?” He stayed silent.

"Just please Shane.. Don't do anything.." "I don’t like this.." “You don’t have to. Can I show you something?" "I guess..." I stood up and grabbed my jacket, bringing out the two tests. "Is that?" “Yeah, I didn’t want to just ‘guess’ I was pregnant.” "Wow..how far along do you think?" "3 or 4 weeks." I said. "Who knows?" "Only you and Lori..." “I’m not happy with this, but I love you. And if this is what you want I can’t stand in your way. Make sure you eat.”

Shane left the tent and I laid back down. After about an hour of hearing thunder rumbling I fell asleep.

I woke up, and I watched the shadow of the leaves dancing in the wind on the roof of my tent above me. Sighing, I sit up and stretch. I pull on my worn jeans and slip my boots on over my socks.

Walking out of the tent and looking around everyone else seemed to be awake, Rick was the only one asleep... I don't blame him "Hello (Y/N) ." "Morning Dale." I smiled. I climbed atop the R.v. He looked over and smiled. “Sleep well? We missed you at dinner last night.” “Yeah, I wasn’t really hungry.” “Whatever you and Shane spoke about last night he was a bit hot headed when he returned to the fire.” “Yeah. I wouldn’t doubt it. We got into an argument.” “Are you okay?” “Yeah I’m good.” “As long as you’re alright.” I smiled. “Hey Dale.” "Yeah?" "I can trust you with anything right?" "Yeah.. Why?" “I want you to know because you’re really important to me.” “Go on” "I'm pregnant." "What was that?” "I'm pregnant, Roughly 3-4 weeks. I’m telling you because i respect you a lot and you’re a father figure to me. Thank you.” “You’re pregnant? That’s great! I mean it’s not the greatest timing but a baby is a blessing.” “Really?” “Yes! Irva and I were going to have a baby. We lost it though. Didn’t want to try again.” “I’m so sorry you went through that Dale.” “I just want to say thank you for trusting me enough to tell me, your secret is safe with me.”

We shared a quick hug before I walked towards the ladder. "I should probably start getting things ready." "Don't do anything too exhausting." He smiled. "I'll try" I laughed.

Once I touched the ground I walked over towards Carol. "Hey honey." She smiled at me, the faint outlines of bruises on her arms. I smiled softly back. "Hey Carol..do you need any help?" "Sure honey." She smiled I grabbed one of the baskets and started to hang up clothing. After about half an hour Rick emerged from the Grimes’ tent. We all greeted him. "They're still a little damp. But the sun'll have them dry in no time." Carol said to him. "You washed my clothes?" "Well, best we could, scrubbing on a washboard ain't half as good as my old Maytag back home." "Yeah or the laundromats" I said softly, making Carol laugh and Rick smile. "That's very kind. Thank you."

I finished up with the laundry and walked over to where Glenn was standing watching his precious car get torn up. "It's a shame... I'd love to have that car." I said aloud. "It's nice isn't it?" "Yeah." I smiled. Shane came back in the jeep with the huge containers of water. He got out. "Water's here y'all, just a reminder to boil before use." He yelled out.

It wasn’t long until we heard a scream. "Mom!" "Carl?" "Dad!" We all ran towards the screaming. "Baby!" "Mom!" "Mommy!" "Rick!" Morales threw rick a weapon as we all made our way through the trees. "Carl!" "Carl!" "Mom!" "Carl! Baby!" "Mom!" "I've got him, I've got him." Lori hugged Carl. And Sophia hugged Carol. I followed behind the guys and saw a walker eating a deer.

Amy and Andrea both stood next to me. I've grown close to everyone in the group, well with the exception of Ed... And I've been accepting Merle.

All of the guys started to bash the hell out of the walker. Amy and Andrea hugged each other. When finally the head came off. "It's the first one we've had up here. The first one this close. They never come this far up the mountain." Dale said. "Well, they're running out of food in the city, that's what." Jim said A branch snapped and everyone was alert. "Oh Jesus." Dale sighed. "Son of a bitch... That's my deer!" I heard the familiar voice of Daryl call out. I tensed up and smiled.

"Look at it, all gnawed on by this... Filthy, disease bearing, motherless poxy bastard!" He exclaimed kicking its body. "Calm down, son. That's not helping." Dale interrupted "What do you know about it old man?, why don't you take that stupid hat and go back to On Golden Pond?" Daryl then sighed. "I've been tracking this deer for miles." He said pulling out every arrow. "I was gonna drag it back to camp, cook us up some venison., do you think we could cut around this chewed up part right here?" "I would not risk that." "That's a damn shame, well, I got some squirrel, about a dozen or so. That'll have to do."

The smell of the walker was travelling to my nostril and I started to feel nauseous. The decapitated head started to move, Turning around i ran to the closest shrub, collapsing to my knees and vomiting. "Oh my god.." I heard Amy say behind me. "Come on people, what the hell?" Daryl asked using an arrow on its head.

I felt some one up behind me holding my hair back and rubbing my back. "Sweetie it's ok, let it all out." Lori soothed. It just kept coming and coming. By now everyone was around me. "What's wrong? Ain't ever seen a walker die before?" Daryl sneered. "Are you ok?" Amy asked. "What happened to her?" After a few minutes it was safe to get up. I wiped my mouth. "Sorry." I managed to get out. "It's ok, but are you?" Andrea asked.

All of the men left leaving just me, Lori, Amy, Andrea, Jacqui and carol, as well as Miranda. "Guys-." I looked over at Lori when she started to speak.

"(Y/n) is pregnant..." "I'm 3 or 4 weeks along." "I thought you were, I just didn't want to bring it up honey, you’ve got all the symptoms.." Carol sighed. "Oh my god, you're having a baby." Amy squeaked quietly. "Yeah." "Congratulations." They all said and hugged me. “This is crazy. You know that right?” Andrea asked “Yeah, can you guys please not say anything to anyone..." "We won't. " We walked back over and stood under the shelter of the R.V.

"Merle! Merle! Get your ugly ass out here! I got us some squirrel! Lets stew 'em up." "Daryl, just slow up a bit, I need to talk to you." Shane called. "About what?" "About Merle. There was a... There was a problem in Atlanta" "He dead?" "We're not sure." "He either is or he ain't!" "No easy way to say this, so, I'll just say it." Rick said "Who are you?" "Rick grimes" "Rick grimes, you got something you want to tell me?" "Your brother was a danger to us all, so I handcuffed him on a roof, hooked to a piece of metal. He's still there. "Hold on, let me process this. You're saying you hand cuffed my brother to a roof? And you left him there?!" "Yeah.” I knew what he was thinking so I pushed Rick out of the way as Daryl threw the chain of squirrels, hitting me with full force. Shane tackled him to the ground. Lori ran over to me as did Andrea and Amy, helping me and bringing me back to the R.v. "Are you ok?" Lori asked. I nodded my head watching Daryl. He pulled a knife out.

"Watch out for the knife." Rick pushed daryl back, getting Shane to put him into a head lock. "You'd best let me go!" "Nah, I think it's better if I don't." "Choke holding's illegal." "Yeah, you can file a complaint." Shane said not letting go. "Come on man, we'll keep this up all day." "I'd like to have a calm discussion on this topic. Do you think we can manage that?" Daryl glared at him. "Do you think we can manage that?" Rick asked once again. They let him go.

"What I did was not on a whim. Your brother does not work and play well with others." "It's not Rick’s fault." We all looked at T-dog. "I had the key, I dropped it." "You couldn't  pick it up?!" "Well I dropped it down a drain." "Dary-" "Just shut up!" "If its supposed to make me feel Better, it dont" "Maybe this will. Look, I chained the door to the roof, so the geeks couldn't Get at him, with a pad lock." "It's gotta count for something." "Daryl.." I tried "Not now!" He snapped. We were all silent. "Hell with all y'all!" He looked at Rick and then T-dog.

"Just tell me where he is, so I can go get him." "He'll show you, isn't that right." Lori said "I'm going back." Rick said making Lori go to Carl. After half an hour Rick was ready and he was having a  discussion with Shane. "I need to talk to you." I told him. "Not now." Daryl replied "Yes now!, I've been waiting to talk and now that you're leaving again I thought I should tell you." "I'm not interested in what ya have to say! I'm getting my brother back." "Thanks." I said with a scoff "Wh-" "Just go! Your brother is more important." I sighed walking away.

After another 10minutes they got in and left. "You didn't tell him did you?" I looked at Dale. "No, he didn't give me a chance." I sighed. "(Y/n)!, we need your help!" I saw the girls starting to take the washing down to quarry. "Duty calls." "Go ." He smiled at me.

I ran to catch up. I grabbed a basket and went down with them. Once we reached the quarry I saw Shane with Carl across with a net, Shane started yelling and splashing around  making Carl laugh. I was walking with Jacqui and Andrea with more clothes from Carols wagon to the water. "I'm beginning to question the division of labour here." Jacqui said. We continued to wash the clothes. "Can someone explain to me how the women wound up doing all the Hattie McDaniel work?" "The world ended. Didn't you get the memo?" Amy said making us giggle I looked to carol who looked over to Ed. "It's just the way it is" she said. "I do miss my Maytag.” Carol sighed. "I miss my Benz, my sat-nav" Andrea piped up "I miss my coffee maker, with that dual-drip filter and built-in grinder, honey." "I miss my computer, and texting." Amy sighed. "I miss hot water..." I stated. "We hear you honey." Jacqui said. "I miss my vibrator." Andrea confessed. "Oh!" Jacqui said. "Oh my god!" Amy laughed. "Me too" Carol said. Making us all laugh loudly. "What's so funny?" Ed asked "Just swapping war stories, Ed." "Yeah" "Problem, Ed?" "Not that concerns you" "And you ought to focus on your work. This ain't no comedy club." He said toward carol. "Ed, we’re just having a little laugh to brighten things up a bit, something you obviously don't know how to do." I said bitterly. "You shut your mouth." He said to me.

I turned around and continued washing. He stayed there for what felt like forever until Andrea spoke up. "Ed, tell you what... You don't like how your laundry is done, you are welcome to pitch in and do it yourself. Here." She threw it at him. And he threw it back. "Oh!" "Ain't my job missy." "Andrea don't." "No Andrea." I backed Amy up. "What is your job, ed? Sitting on your ass smoking cigarettes" "It sure as hell ain't listening to some uppity smart-mouthed bitch." "And ours isn't listening to a halfwit asshole such as your self." I answered him. "I've told you before shut up! Now come on let's go!" He said towards Carol. "I don't think she needs to go anywhere with you Ed." Andrea said to him. "It's none of your business, come on now, you heard me." "Carol." We all asked. "Andrea, please, it doesn't matter..." She said "Carol yes it does." "No honey" she whispered. "Hey don't think I won't knock you on your ass, just cos you are come college educated cooze, all right." He said to Andrea. "You'd have to get through me first." I warned. He looked at carol. "Now you come on now, or you gonna regret it later." He said to Carol. "So she can show up with fresh bruises later, Ed? Yeah we've seen them." Jacqui spoke up. "Stay out of this." He chuckled. "Now come on! You know what, this ain't none of y'all's business." "No, I've stayed outta this for too long, and now it is my business." I said. "You don't wanna keep prodding the bull here, ok? Now I am done talking, come on." He grabbed carol. "No, no carol, you don't" "You don't tell me what?! I’ll tell you what!" He slapped her and Andrea pushed him. His grip had tightened. All of us yelling at him. "Get off her!" "Come here! Come here!" He kept yelling. We finally got her away from him. "ED!" I yelled at him. He looked at me and I hit him square in the jaw. Making him slap me harder than he had hit Carol, I fell to the ground.

He was dragged away, and I saw Shane being the one who dragged him away. "Are you okay?" Amy asked. "I'm fine, look after carol." "Get off me!" Ed yelled at Shane. I looked over to see Shane throwing punch after punch. "Shane!" "Shane! Stop! Just stop!" "Shane!! Stop it!" "Stop!" He stopped. "You put up your hands on your wife, your little girl, my sister or anybody else in this camp I will not stop next time. Do you hear me? Do you hear me? I'll beat you to death ed!" Shane punched  him one last time. Carol ran to ed after and kept apologising.

"Are you sure you’re ok?" Jacqui and Amy asked. "I'm fine just a busted lip and bloody nose. I grew up with Shane, i’ll be fine." I said getting up.

We all packed up the things and Carol got Ed into the car, she drove him and the laundry up to camp, the rest of us decided to walk. "Thank you." Andrea spoke. "For what?" I asked. "For helping me stand up to him." "I actually can't believe you hit him." Amy laughed "I know.. Neither can I.” I laughed “I just hope that the baby is alright." Jacqui said looking down. "It'll be fine." We made it back to the camp after 10 minutes.

I made eye contact with Lori who rushed over as soon as she seen the blood. "What happened?!" "Lori! Calm down I copped a hit off of ed after he copped one off of me. It’s only a busted lip and a bloody nose." "He deserved it." "Shane almost killed him." "I wouldn't blame him." "Look I'm going to go and lie down, I'm tired." "Ok honey." "(Y/n)!" I looked over to Shane. "Are you ok?" "God! I'm fine." "Ok, just tell me other wise." "Will do!" I went to my tent and fell asleep. I woke up to Lori shaking me. "Dinner is ready." I nodded and sat up. "Sounds good, what are we having?" "Fish, Amy and Andrea caught them." "Ok, let's go." I smiled.

We walked towards the campfire and sat down. I ate some of my food and laughed along with everyone's jokes and their stories. "(Y/n), what was Shane like growing up?" Jacqui asked, "Here we go." Shane laughed. "He was the type of brother that would do anything for his little sister, including tea parties and dress ups, oh and the make-up and hair do's oh and this one -" "Ok enough of that." Shane cut me off. "I was going to say this one time I fell out of the tree in our backyard, I would’ve been about 12, I broke my arm and Shane was in the hospital with me, he bought me chocolates and balloons and a flower, that happened to be dead." Everyone awed. "And where do you think you're going?" Andrea asked Amy as Amy stood up. "I'm going to go and pee.. So much for being discreet around here." We all laughed. I started to play with my food, not feeling well, and the fact that daryl probably hates me right now. "(Y/n)?" "Huh? What?" I asked. "I said are you ok?" morales asked "Oh, I'm-"

I was cut off by a loud scream, both Andrea and I looked over to where Amy was, now being eaten alive by a walker. Everyone started running and yelling, grabbing weapons. Carl was with Lori, and Sophia with Carol. I grabbed my knife and started to help with killing the walkers. One was coming up behind Shane, so I ran up behind it and stabbed it with my knife. "(Y/n/n)! Get in the RV now!" Shane scolded. "No! Shane I am helping." I said killing another walker. "I am not risking your life! So get inside!" He stated killing one also. "No Shane! And that's final!" I said as I killed more and more walkers. I dropped my knife, a walker cornering me ,and everyone was pretty much out of ammo, when all of a sudden an arrow went through the walkers head, making it fall on me. I pushed it off of me. There were then gunshots and soon after the walkers were dead, I heard a snarl turning around, I seen one behind me, an arrow lodging itself through its eye, I stood frozen. I felt two hands on my shoulders. "Are you ok?" Daryl asked. I started to function properly again and I hugged him. “I needed you and you weren't here." I whispered "I was trying to get Merle.” "And how did that work out for you? I don’t see him anywhere!” I pushed him off me. “What is wrong with ya?” He snapped. I scoffed. “What is wrong with me? The group was just attacked and you went out on a rescue mission. I get that he is your brother, and I respect that. If it was Shane I would go back as well. Daryl we just lost our people.” “They might be your people, they sure as shit ain’t mine.” “Merle is a trigger happy idiot, he only cares for himself! He doesn't care for you!" "He is the only one that has ever cared for me he’s the only family i'll ever have!" He yelled. "You know what you're an ass!" I said pushing him backwards.
 I walked away, and I sat with Andrea who was sitting over Amy's body. "I'm so sorry." I whispered, rubbing circles on her back. "It's not your fault." "I'll give you some time. If you need me, im here.” "Thank you." She whispered hugging me.
 I got up and walked over to Shane. “You were an idiot out there! I told you to get to safety. What were you thinking?”
 “Shane, if I didn’t help, we could’ve lost a lot more of our people.”
 “I don’t care, we could’ve lost you.” "I know, but it should've been me not them, they were all good people Shane." "Don't say that." He scolded me as I hugged him. "They all were good people, we lost them, and If I lost my baby sister Id never." "What?" "Never be able to cope." "Shane?" "Yeah?" "You scared me the earlier today." "When?" "At the quarry." "I'm sorry." "I know."
He hugged me close as he looked around for anymore possible threats. 
After we were given the clear, we all sat down and grieved for our lost ones. After a few hours the sun was rising. I got up when I saw Daryl walking toward me. I tried to walk off when he grabbed my arm, pulling me over to him.
 "What's wrong with you Lately?” "Nothing that you can do about it anyway." "Honestly why are you being a bitch?" I know that what he said wasn't bad, but it hurt like hell, hormones of being pregnant I guess.
Normally I would take being called a bitch into my stride. I saw Jacqui looking at me, she started to walk over.

"Dixon, treat her with more respect! She doesn't deserve this." She said walking away with me. “Mind ya own business. Stuck up-”

Before I could process what was happening my hand collided with his face.
Everyone’s faces were shocked when I turned around. "I guess you and merle are more alike Thani thought Daryl." I said to him grabbing Jacqui's hand and walking away. "Why would you do that?" She asked. "Because you definitely don't deserve to be spoken to like that.” I looked back and saw him walking to help everyone else. "Sit down honey, we will do this." I nodded and sat down.

"Why do we all get stuck with doing work, you don't have to do anything?" Jim asked. "Jim, shut up" Shane snapped. He did as told and continued working. Lori came over to me and started talking.

"Still haven't told him yet?" "No." "Honey." "I know. It’s just hard." I looked over to where he was, angrily shoving the pick-axe into the dead skulls, to make sure, sweat on his forehead. “A walker got him!" Jacqui called out.
 I looked over to Jim and Jacqui, everyone rushing over to where they were. I pushed everyone out of the way and he held the shovel tighter to protect himself. Someone pushed me behind them protectively, coming face to face with a pair of angel wings. "Show us." Daryl said, still making sure I was there.
After a minute of arguing Shane ripped Jim's shirt up, revealing the gruesome bite. Lori sat down with Jim as the rest of us moved away and started talking.
 "We should put a pick-axe through his skull and the dead girls and be done with it." Daryl stated. "For the love of god, the mans still alive." T-dog whispered. "Only a matter of time." Daryl replied loudly, making  us look at Jim. "How long does it have to kill you?" Glenn asked quietly "I've never seen a survivor of a bite before, have you?" Jacqui asked. I shook my head. "I'm not going to take a chance." Daryl said turning around, "No Daryl, if we do that, that's our humanity gone and I am not-" "You're not what?" Daryl asked suspiciously. "Nothing, I don't feel too good." I said backing up.
 My breath hitched in my throat and I turned around and ran. I didn't get far as I dropped to my knees, heaving and gagging. "Oh shit!" I heard Shane, shortly after the sound of footsteps came close and someone was kneeling beside me. "Are you ok?" Shane asked me. I shook my head in response. After what seemed like forever I finally got all of the contents of my stomach out. I reached out for Shane and he helped me up slowly. I turned around and saw everyone staring at me. The girls all knew and so did Dale and Shane. Daryl looked at me and sighed.
 "We're you bit?" He asked aloud from a distance making sure everyone could hear. "No, It's just the smell, it's getting to me, and I didn't eat much." I covered up. "Daryl, if she was bit, she'd have a fever." "Shane, I need to tell him.” He nodded in response. "Daryl! Come here.” Daryl nodded.
 We walked over to where my tent is. “What? I need to get rid of ‘em.” He motioned to the bodies. “What I am about to tell you is really important. I really, really like you Daryl.”
“Get on with it, we don’t have all day.” He rolled his eyes, with his arms crossed. “Daryl, I’m pregnant.” Breathed out.
“Na, you ain’t.” “I am, I took two tests.” “It ain’t mine. It’s probably T-dogs. You two are close.”
“Are you being serious?”
“We always used condoms. It ain’t mine.”
“Daryl. It’s your baby. I’ve only been with you. Condoms can break.”
He shook his head.
“We have been together every second night if not every night, since we started this thing between us, there is no way that this isn’t your baby.”
He stormed off, grabbing his crossbow.
 I stood there alone, watching him walk away and start loading corpses into his truck. I waited until he was out of sight, until I made my way back to the others.
"Are you alright?" Lori asked as I rejoined what was left of our small group. “I told him. He is mad, thinks I slept with T-dog.” "You should've said something." "I tried. Numerous times." "Don't stress, it isn't good for the baby." She said hugging me.
I heard a branch snap.
 "I think we should deal with this right now!" I heard daryl yell, coming out of the woods raising his crossbow at Jim. Rick raised his gun a Daryl's head. "We don't kill the living." "Says the one with a gun to my head." "Daryl, put it down. Please." I whispered the last part softly touching his arm, making him slowly lower the crossbow, looking at me out of the corner of his eye. Rick lowered his gun and I saw Daryl glare at him. "Come with me." Rick looked at Jim. "Where are you taking me?" "Somewhere safe" Rick said taking him to the RV.
 After about an hour Amy woke up. Andrea had shot her at least five minutes after she awoke. I watched her wrap her own sister up in a white sheet. "(Y/n)?" I heard Rick ask. "Yeah?" "I need you to stay here and watch Jim as we bury the others." "Yeah, I'll do it." "No you aren't!" I head both Daryl and Shane protest. I looked at them both. "Why not?" I challenged. I saw Shane back up a bit. "What if he turns, and you get bit." Daryl snapped. “Look im an adult, not that you’d care at this point, regarding our previous conversation Dixon. I won't, because i'll have this." I said pulling my knife out of my boot. Daryl shot Rick a glare. "If she gets hurt I'm going to stomp your ass." He threatened leaving. Shane looked at him and walked away. "Go, I'll watch him." I smiled Rick thanked me before joining his wife and son. I climbed up into the RV and saw Carol sitting there looking after him.
 "You can go, it’s my turn to look over him." I smiled weakly. "Are you sure? I-" "Carol, you have to bury your husband. Sophia needs you honey." I hugged her. "I-ill be back soon." Carol stuttered with tears slowly running down her face. I nodded and sat down. "How are you going to do it?" Jim asked coughing "Do what?" "End this" "Jim. I'm not going to hurt you. I promise." I smiled dampening a cloth and wiping the sweat off of his head. "Thank you." He panted. "Would you like a drink?" "Please." I got up and went to the refrigerator grabbing the bottle of water that had been placed in there. I walked back to Jim. He couldn't hold the bottle still he was shaking that bad. "Here, I'll help." I steadied the bottle to his mouth and he drank. I pulled the bottle away and done the cap up. "I- I never got to say congratulations." He said with a weak and tired smile. "Thanks." I whispered. He went to smile but he started to cough, I handed him the red bucket that he had become far to familiar with. Blood was coming up with each cough. After a few minutes he stopped. "I'm sorry you have to look over me." "Jim, please stop saying sorry." He nodded his head. I heard a voice outside of the RV and looked out of the window. I saw almost everyone walking back. Jacqui came in and sat down next to me.
"It's my watch honey." She stated. "Are-" "Just go, I'm surprised that you put up with me that long." Jim softly laughed. "Honestly Jim! You make me sound horrible." I said amused. He smiled at me and I smiled back. "I'm going to see you soon okay?" I asked. He nodded his head. I slowly walked out of the RV. I went to my tent and entered it.

I laid down on my sleeping bag and looked at the tarp that lay above. I heard footsteps outside of my tent, followed by Daryl entering and laying next to me. He pulled me close and I rested my head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry for snapping earlier." He spoke. "I'm sorry for not telling you when I was originally going to." “When was that?” "You were angry at everyone for leaving merle on that Roof, I tried To tell you then.”
The tent was quiet, I could only hear Daryls breath, and my own. “Im 3-4 weeks along-” "It's been decided. We're heading to the CDC" he cut me off. "Rick or Shane's idea?" "Ricks" "I bet Shane wasn't happy about that." I laughed.
 The silence was too much, I lifted my head and kissed his lips softly, him kissing back. The kiss slowly turned into a heated make out session. "(Y/n)! We're leaving in 20!" Shane called out interrupting us. I pulled away. "Cock-block" Daryl groaned. I softly laughed. I got my back pack and daryl got his crossbow and his bag. "I'll put our things with Merle's bike in the truck." Daryl said taking my bag. I sighed as I started to take our tent apart. "Here, let me help you." I looked up to see Lori. "Thanks." "You should be doing the light stuff." "I'm fine with this honestly." “If you say so." She said.
 I looked over to see Shane walk over. "Ok ladies, this is a mans job." He said pulling the tent apart. Lori scoffed and left. After 5 minutes Shane looked at me.
 "And that is how you pack away a tent." "Nice job. Now take it to the RV with the other tents." I smiled sweetly. He rolled his eyes as he grabbed it and started to walk away. I walked to where the rest of the group was.
 "Now, everyone stay on channel 40, but keep the chatter down. Jim will stay in the RV with Jacqui, so he is in good hands. Questions?" Rick asked I shook my head but morales stood up, his family joining. "We're not going." I looked at him shocked. "What?" I asked in disbelief. "Heading the opposite way, we've got family in Birmingham." He finished. "You won't make it alone." Rick said. "We'll take our chances." "That's a lot of pressure to hold on yourself." "We can handle it." Miranda said with a soft smile. "I really think-" "I've got to do what's best for my family." Morales spoke Rick nodded his head. "I understand. Channel 40 ... If you change your mind." He softly smiled back. Morales nodded. We all said our goodbyes and they got into the van. After a while they where out of sight. "Is everyone ready to go?" "Yeah." "Yep." "Sure." We all piled into out vehicles. The RV pulled out onto the road, Rick following behind in the Cherokee, then T-dog in the church van, Daryl and myself and then Shane following in his jeep..... 
The journey so far has been silent, we’ve been on the road for about 20 minutes.
I put my head on the window and sighed. "What's wrong with ya?" Daryl asked "Nothing." "Bullshit." “Im just tired?” “It ain’t that.”
“It’s not important.” "Fine." We sat in silence for at least another 5 minutes, when everyone in front of us had started to pull up. "What the hell?" Daryl started. We both got out and gathered around the front of the RV. "What happened?" I asked "It's the hose, it's completely shot." Dale sighed. "I thought you fixed it earlier." I commented. "Yeah, didn't you jury-rig it or something?" Rick asked. "It's not holding, I was going to strip the cube van." "Shit." Shane sighed. "There's got to be a gas station, or an abandoned car between here and the highway." Rick sighed. We all traded wary looks. "Glenn, Dale, it shouldn't take us long." Rick stated. "I'll go this time." Shane piped up. "You sure?" "Yeah, you stay with your family." Shane said putting some things in his jeep. I looked at Daryl. "Shane!" I called after him. He turned around. "What?" "Be safe" He nodded. I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Your brother is the toughest son of a bitch there is." I heard Rick say removing his hand. "You don't say" I chuckled. "I never knew that Shane had a sister." I sighed. "Well, I wasn't the best person to be related to, I was 14 when our parents died, I was in Shane's custody , Shane and I got into a huge fight causing Shane to move out. He left me with my fathers brother who was an alcoholic, he was an abusive drunk, I almost died a few times, so I-I ran away, Shane doesn't know about our uncle. I stole from a gas station, that at the time earlier in the same week a someone tried to hold it up, so they had a few police men stationed there. I refused to tell them who my family was, because I at the time I was on my own, I mean Shane was alive, I thought he hated me, my uncle was a drunk who would get me into more trouble, my parents were dead and if they Weren't they'd be disappointed. It turns out, my cousin worked at the station and he called our grandmother, she took me in and helped me through everything, she had gotten me a job at the bakery that she worked at, she swore she'd never tell Shane about any of this, she kept to her word and didn't, after 6 years of living with her on the out skirts of King County, she had passed, and I re-united with my brother at our grams funeral. When the outbreak hit he showed up at our grandmothers house with Lori and Carl. For quite a chunk of our lives, Shane and I lost contact. Which is why you haven’t heard about me.” By the time I had finished everyone was standing with us listening. "Sorry." I whispered. "Don't be." "What were you two fighting about?" Dale asked. Memories came flooding back. "I-I- dont remember." I lied pushing past people.

I was waiting, for two and a half hours.
I was at the movies with a friend, it had finished at 7.15pm. I was 14, Shane was meant to pick me up. So at 9.20 I decided to walk home, it was a twenty minute drive from home to the cinema, he should’ve been here by now. It was 9.55 by the time I got home.
Shane was no where to be seen.
I sat on the bottom step, watching the front door, waiting for my brother to walk in. Surely he had a good reason to not be there when he said he would. After an hour of waiting, Shane still wasn’t home. I stood up, and got a glass of water to take with me to bed. I hear the door open and I walked over to see Shane walk in with three women, Barely dressed, caked faces.
The girls were giggling, Shane was plastered. They ignored me and made their way up the stairs and into the master room. The next day the girls left, and Shane walked out, pleased with himself. "What was that a new record?" I asked sourly. "What's up your ass?" He scoffed. “You forgot about me again.”
 “No I didn’t.” “The movie finished at 7.15 last night and I waited until 9.20 for you.”
“I had plans.”
 “I could see that.”
 “You got home, it’s not a big deal.”
 “To you it might not be. But it is to me Shane, you promised. Mom and dad can’t come pick me up because you forgot.” “So what? You’re okay. You’re grown. Deal with it.” “Shane-“ “I can’t fucking do this. Im not your father, I don’t want you.” Shane grabbed a coat and left. This time he didn’t come back.

I walked to the truck, grabbed my bag and pulled out my water bottle, taking a sip. "What are ya doing?" Daryl asked. I offered my bottle to him, for him to shake his head. I put the bottle back. “I was thirsty.” I responded.
 “Are you okay?” "Sure." I said shoving my bag back into the truck. I tried to push past but he blocked me. "Don't start." He said. “Start what?”
 “Being a bitch.” “You gonna hit me like ed hit me, knock me on my ass? Go on, take your shot." I slightly raised my voice. Pure anger went through his eyes. "When did he hit you?!" He said raising his voice only that the two of us could hear. “It doesn’t matter, im okay.”  I replied, softly pushing him out of the way. I walked to where T-dog and Jacqui were sitting. "You alright, I saw you two talking.” Jacqui asked. “Yeah im good.” "I'm sorry." T-dog said "About?" "Your past." "Don't be, that's why it's in the past, we gotta keep, keeping on.” They both smiled. "(Y/n)!" I turned my head and saw Lori, signalling for me to goto her. "I'll talk to you guys later." I smiled.

I walked to the Cherokee and stood with her. "Hey, is everything okay?" "Yeah it's fine, word of advice.." "Yeah." "Fit in as much sex before you start growing bigger, trust me." She whispered I laughed causing everyones attention to land on us. "Don't make me laugh, I doubt we will be even sleeping next to each other." "Why?" "I don’t think this is something he wants.” "Daryl loves you, I can see it in his eyes." I looked over to where Daryl was, talking with Rick about whatever. I heard a rustle in a bush and grabbed my knife. Lori heard it too, pushing the kids behind her. I looked to where Daryl was with Rick and they were still talking, so were the others. "(Y/n). Don't."

I ignored Lori's protests and started walking. I saw a squirrel, torn to shreds on the ground, and saw a walker eating another one. I quietly snuck up behind it and as it turned around I shoved the knife into its skull, blood now all over my knife and a little bit on my shirt.

I heard a twig snap behind me and I turned around, running into a hard chest. "You shouldn't be alone out here." "Daryl you scared the shit out of me.” “I don’t want you out here alone.” “Daryl. I’m not a doll.” I snapped.     Moving around him and heading back to the cars, he grabs my waist and pull me into him, kissing me hard, dropping his crossbow. I kissed back with just as much force. He licked my bottom lip, begging for entrance. I parted my mouth and our tongues fought for dominance. My hands slipped under his vest and ran over his chest. He held me close, not letting me go. We were interrupted by a snapping twig. There was a walker, it was coming toward us. He walked in front of me and grabbed the crossbow, shooting it in the eye. "We should go back." I whispered. "Yeah." He nodded. He grabbed my hand and we walked back to the others.

"Are you okay?" Lori asked as soon as she saw me. "Yeah, I'm fine. We just talked." "Are you going to use my advice?" "To be honest. We kind of tried that then, until a walker ruined it. My sex drive is on high and I just." "I know, I was exactly like that when i was pregnant with Carl." I saw Shane pull up in the jeep, getting out and handing the hose to dale. Glenn and dale started to work on the hose. "It will only take me a few minutes." Dale said looking back to everyone. "Everyone, let's get ready to head out, as soon as the RV is fixed we are moving out." Shane called. Shane made his was to his jeep, passing the RV door. It opened, Rick carrying Jim.
 "What is going on?" Shane asked Rick. "Rick?" I asked "He doesn't want to go any further." Rick said regretting it. Rick carried Jim to a tree and set him down against it. "Are we just going to leave him here?" Glenn asked "No! We can't. It isn't right!" I protested. "Please just go." Jim sighed softly. We all stood there, looking at Jim. "He wants to die peacefully." Andrea spoke up. We all looked at her. Rick got out a bottle of water and placed it beside Jim. "What the hell man?!" Daryl asked. "He's made his decision, I can't force him, I can't force anyone of you." "What's the point of going to the CDC then? we're close." Shane said. "I think it's still the right plan." Rick argued softly "He can't take the bouncing around in that thing, look at him." Carol sighed. We all looked at him. Shane focused on Rick. "We're really just walking away? I don't want to live with that." Shane said. "Shouldn't we.. You know?" T-dog asked. Rick cut him down with a glare.

Andrea kneeled and kissed Jim's forehead, she stood back up and turned away. Glenn stood forward. "Hang in there bro." Dale follows. "Good luck." "I really wish that we weren't doing this, but it is what you want and I respect that.” I said kneeling and kissing his forehead, and wiping his hair away from his eyes. I stood up and walked to the pick up. Daryl looked at Jim and nodded coldly, the followed me to the truck. The others followed with their goodbyes. The RV pulled out slowly, all of us following pursuit. Looking out of the window I share one last smile at Jim. Series Masterlist   Next Part

[letsperaltiago]

we'll turn this better thing to the best

HAPPY MAY 15TH, EVERYONE!

Prompt #57: "This is probably a bad time, but marry me?"

This is just me not being able to resist writing something about Jake and Amy celebrating (or trying to) their 3rd anniversary as a married couple. This is also me, yet again, beating around that smut-bush, huh??:))

Or 

Jake and Amy try to have a sexy anniversary-morning, but Mac Santiago-Peralta has other plans 

Read here or on ao3!

Nothing could ever come close to beating, even marginally, waking up to Jake Peralta already having his arms around middle in the lulling position that was spooning the length of her body like a perfectly fitting puzzle piece: a leg nudge in between hers while the other wrapped around them and his fingers mindlessly playing with the hem of her shirt. 

The appreciation for the current state they were in was especially appreciated and heartwarming when it was taken into consideration that there’d been multiple, horrible parts of their timeline where he hadn’t been around to do so.

Everything from the sudden chaos of being sent into WitSec with Holt to him and Rosa being falsely convicted were periods they both tried to not think of and dwell on. But of course, given the powerfull impression these times in their lives had made on them, it was sometimes hard not to compare; hard not to feel that much better simply because Jake was around and not taken from her anymore. They always made sure to appreciate the other, even during eventual fights or disagreement, and if they had to say one “positive” thing about the involuntary distance WitSec and prison had forced upon them it was that it had definitely only made them grow even fonder and stronger.

So this year, another year of waking up in his arms on what she knew was an extra special day, she obviously felt crazy butterflies zooming around her belly and snuggled back closer into his hold on her with still closed eyes and a tiny content smile on her face.

This year’s anniversary had to be enjoyed for its small, tiniest moments, she knew. There was no time nor energy, they’d agreed, for grand gestures and outings when this May 15th all at once held the same special sentiment as previous year yet also a completely new range of feelings.

Today, for the past three years, May 15th had been a special date which held a dear place in both Jake and Amy’s hearts as it reminded them of the day that sealed their love for eternity. Although this year, their third anniversary, May 15th 2021 to be exact, was simply a tiny bit more special than usual: this year they weren't just the two of them - this year they had a teeny tiny son and he was as soft and sweet as he was time-craving and a tiny character of his own. Especially on a day like today, filled with an extra dash of love and reflecting upon the past, life before Mac seemed vaguely blurred: not in a bad way per se, just not as perfectly chaotic and wonderful as now that Mac Peralta was around.

Amy, still somewhat half-sleeping, quietly relished in her husband’s affectionate embrace and in the thought of having her entire world, Jake and baby-Mac, within the four walls of her home on a special day like this, but nonetheless also made sure to give some extra appreciation to the fact that Mac had been sleeping since she last fed him before bed last night. Considering the intense teething period he was currently going through that was truly a miracle she did not dare to fully believe in, but perhaps, just maybe, her little one could sense that it was mommy and daddy’s day today.

The feeling of her husband switching a bit in his spot against her back paired with a pleased sigh caught her attention hinting at the fact that he was surely somewhat awake, and though Amy wanted him to enjoy the tiny amount of sleeping in Mac they were currently offered, she also happened to crave his woken presence, deep brown eyes and loving smile.

“Happy 3 years of childish, distracting marriage…” as if on cue, having read her thoughts, Jake mumbled tiredly into the back of her head before reposition himself closer to have his head rest in the crook between her shoulder and neck nuzzling his nose tiredly into the side of her face.

Gosh, she loved him so much it still, even after 6 years together, came crashing down on her like a huge wave of giddiness and first date-feelings. She smiled to herself at his congratulations. “Dito. It’s been 3 great ones, huh?”

“It has..,” He yawned loudly, “… Especially when our son decides to sleep in like this.”

“Especially then, yes,” she huffed out a small laugh sharing the sentiment even though the fact that her baby very rarely needed night feeds anymore also meant he was growing up - too fast, if you asked her. Her barely 7-month old was wonderful and both parents had the time of their lives watching him grow up. Yet it was no lie that from time to time it’d hit Amy just how fast, almost by the day, her son grew, learned a new skill and became more of a an actual person. Sometimes even to an extent where it’d overwhelm her leaving her feeling borderline… sad? Even though it had been exhausting for the first few months, and still was from time to time, she also now kinda missed the little things like the ritual of breast-feeding. She loved sleep but loved the primal, instinctual feeling of nursing her son, even more the closeness that came with it, more.

“What time is it?”

Jake’s groggy voice snapped her out of her tumbling train of thoughts and forcing her to open her eyes to check the clock on her night stand.

“6 AM which means-“

Jake knew what his wife was about to say, but beat her to it and changed then and there somewhat narrative of their morning.

“Mac should be waking up anytime soon, I know but, babe, let him stay in bed till he asks to be picked up… Perhaps this is the morning we get lucky?”

Amy wanted to question what exactly that was supposed to mean but he beat her to it an said question was quickly answered by her husband’s warm lips sending thrills down her spine with the way they gently placed small, tender pecks to where his head had previously rested. Immediately she felt her body perk up in reaction to this and the heavy, tired feeling from before was gone within a matter of pecks. Alas, in the back of her mind, Amy knew and was still somewhat aware of three things:

One: where she wanted this to go

Two: where this could take them

Three: where her son was sleeping just 20 feet from their bed

“Jake,” the full-on whine that came out of her as provoked directly by his kisses was ascribable to two facts:

Firstly that, yes, she of course reacted by the book to her husband’s touches. But also, secondly, and if not more realistically, the fact that their sex-life had definitely simmered down for the past months - that’s what having a baby will do to you - and that it really didn’t take much for either of them, even less than before, to get foolishly, easily impassioned by the other’s intimate cues. One kiss, just a bit deeper than the casual peck, was apparently enough to throw all sense of control out the window.

If they used to be turned on by the other as effortlessly as faucets then they could now definitely be compared to gardens hoses playfully twisted by a kid’s hand as to block the water surge: bu with one move, the letting go of the hose, the water flow would pick right up where it’d been blocked within a matter of milliseconds and there was no stopping the powerful rush.

By then his hands, having previously rested on the soft remains of her baby bump that she tended to feel insecure about but he, on the other hand absolutely loved, had moved up under her night shirt only to continue to her breasts which definitely didn’t help her stay cool in the moment.

“Babe… ” she whined again even though she also definitely did not put  up her strongest fight: she loved nursing her son, and although the two matters were far from comparable, she would also be the last one to complain about Jake benefiting from her breast in… other ways.

“… Mac is in the room.”

“We can be quiet,” his pecks had evolved into love bites and passionate suckles the minute his hands made their way under her shirt, and by now it seemed like they’d reached the point of no return - sleeping baby son only feet away and all.

“You know we can’t,” she breathed heavily voicing her gradual subjection to the development of the moment while simultaneously trying to stay aware of her surroundings. Alas in vain and only to come to terms with having miserably, doubtlessly failed the second Jake managed to flip her to her other side thus enabling him to push her onto her back and using his weight kiss her even more deeply than before.

“Well…” he chuckled allowing himself a short break from her lips to speak although, obsessed and addicted, making sure to pick up where he left up as soon as his talking allowed a natural pause.

“… Either that or we’ll have to explain to our baby son why mommy and daddy were making weird noises in bed.”

“Jake!” she exclaimed at this statement, the hypothetical scenarios in her head getting too real, causing Jake to react right away by pulling away using his arms to hover his weight over her thus allowing her some space and them to look get a proper look at each other.

Suddenly his before aroused expression was replaced by a note of concern in both his eyes and voice. “I’m so sorry! We can totally stop if you don’t want to go any further. I didn’t mean to cross a line.”

Amy herself paused momentarily, mostly out of surprise since their mutual consent, after having been in a relationship so long, was rarely explicitly verbalised: generally being very attentive of the other during sex and knowing the other’s body and signals so well they could easily tell when to stop and when to move forward. Unless they were straight up experimenting and treading unknown land, their intimate moments had rarely to never caused this kind of sudden halts. So seeing this extra considerate side of her husband, although she never doubted that it was there to make her feel safe, made her heart flutter momentarily reminding her of the feeling of Mac’s tiny kicks inside her womb months ago.

“Hey, don’t worry,” she reassured him by reaching up to run her fingers through his curls aka. an attribute of Jake’s which their son (to her very immense satisfaction) had inherited. “I know you meant well and I didn’t mean to proclaim like that,” she made sure to throw on her warmest smile and eyes to reassure him. “I was just being weary of Mac, but I think I need to allow myself some…not very mommy-like pleasure.”

He smiled letting her speak out.

“Also I just, like completely out of nowhere, remembered reading this article pointing out that babies this young won’t actually… ” she tried to form her point in her mind whilst her husband looked at her with an amused smile on his face “… like, they won’t be affected by it so, I guess we could…”

How come she all of the sudden, as a woman in her late 30s, suddenly felt like a silly teenager when talking about something as natural to them as sex?

“Honey,” he disrupted her internal spiralling running a hand through her hair the way she’d so lovingly done just seconds ago. He trailed and picked at it where was spread out across her pillow with his fingers as his amused grin took on a more comforting nature. “We don’t have to do anything you don’t feel comfortable with, okay? Today’s date, and the fact that your butt will forever be the bomb, just got me caught up in the moment. But I totally get it if you feel weird doing anything with Mac around and you shouldn’t have to compromise that - even for me. It’s more than okay,” he lowered himself to peck her forehead before refocusing on her face and what she was about to say.

And how she loved him even more for always taking into consideration her feelings and reactions, even after 6 years together, but something about his strong arms flexing under his weight on either side of her head, his ruffled-up curls and already saturated, glowing even, pink lips made something in the back of her mind click. She quickly did the math in her head:

Mac was still an infant lacking anything near the ability to understand the nature of the sounds his parents were making and the concept of sex. He was feet away, safe in his crib with no direct outlook on them, and all of this was not even taking into consideration that he was still fast asleep. It was now or never - or so it felt like.

“Jacob Santiago-Peralta,” her eyes suddenly switched to a shade of dark, almost black, brown Jake hadn’t seen in quite a while immediately causing more than just his eyes to bulge. “We’re definitely inaugurating our third year as a married couple and we’re doing it now.”

And seeing a more than convincing look on his wife’s face Jake didn’t have to be told twice before crashing their lips together, resuming him repositioning himself between his wife’s thighs to give her sacred body, the one that carried their son for 9 months, the love it so very much and rightfully deserved.

Within minutes the very limited pieces of clothing they slept in were discarded, thrown carelessly onto the bedroom floor as if they were discovering each other for the first time, and after a reasonable amount of foreplay (mostly timewise since Mac waking up was just a matter of minutes) Jake painted a trail of sloppy kisses along his wife’s sleek collarbone as he, after a lot of shifting and moving around during preceding sexy actives, repositioned himself one last time.

Under the weight and spell of his naked body, physically and metaphorically,  Amy was desperately writhing having thrown all sense of control and modesty out the window a long time ago and grasped onto his upper back in a demand for more and an urge she’d put aside so many times these past months for the sake of dedication to being a mother.

“God, please don’t laugh at me when I definitely, ‘cause I will, finish within 5 minutes,” she finished her sentence with a moan as he bit down on the skin spurring her collar bones. Perhaps 5 minutes was even an optimistic exaggeration when her body already felt on the urge of exploding and he hadn’t even entered her yet.

She could tell her very honest comment earned her a soft chuckle, but she was too far gone and caught up in a whirlwind of pleasure to care plus, even if it would only last minutes, she just needed her husband inside of her now.

“5 minutes sound incredible, Ames,” he breathed out frankly not even minding the fact that their before very vigorous stamina had definitely gone downhill since having Mac. Instead he simply appreciated his favorite feeling in the world which, since the day he got to feel it for the first time, was the one of Amy Santiago wrapped around him.

Though he would never give it up permanently for anything in the world, even incredible sex with his incredible wife, he was just as excited as her to slip out of his father-role for what would probably end up being just a matter of 20 minutes in total or so. He was breathing heavily, growling, as he redirected his lips to hers where he hoped to, although the method had been proven faulty before, quell her upcoming sounds of pleasure.

“I love you,” she claimed out of breath bracing herself for the wonderful stretch she knew was approaching by the second.

“Love you too,” he sloppily replied between kisses. “So much,” was added in closing of the exchange of words of love as he braced and steadied himself for the initial thrust.

Then, planted so horribly perfectly that they could’ve sworn they were taking part in a movie, a cry cut through the thick intimate tension without delay bursting the bubble Jake and Amy had formed around themselves in the heat of the moment.

Becoming a parent came with the incredible ability to completely switch your focus within matter of seconds and thus react to whatever need your baby called out for. Right then and there was a perfect example, and though picking up where they’d come to, which was so close, seemed dangerously tempting they both knew there was no way they were actually going there.

They were a married couple wanting to celebrate each other and their love, yes, but first and foremost, even more importantly, they were parents.

Jake carefully bent his arms not needing the leverage anymore and lowered himself onto his wife before rolling onto his back besides her. Both started blankly into the air for second, almost unknowingly recreating the scene after their first time together, not saying anything but burning with repressed lust on the inside.

Then they broke into a collective chuckle.

Amy turned onto her side to look at her husband’s profile, taking it in before he imitated her action and they were left staring into each other’s eyes with knowing, amused expressions.

This was really their life now and though not always as easy as being “just married” it was definitely the life they’d always wished for and felt blessed to have. The irony of it all which existed in the clash between their love and physical yearning for each other, and their shared responsibility and love for their son, interruptions considered, was all at once humorous and tragic. But even then they had no doubt in their minds: their love for each other was unbreakable and celebrating their three years of marriage with their so very loved son interrupting much needed sex was still collectively considered somewhat perfect.

Nothing could ever take away the melting feeling she still got whenever Jake looked at her like he did now, so calm and in love, and knowing he now also shared that look with their son still reminded her of a surreal, perfect dream. He had so much love for the both of them: so much that she was sometimes convinced of the fact that it couldn’t be real. But then times like these reminded her of the fact that it was indeed very much so and that she would marry him all over again if she was given the chance.

The fussy sounds coming from the crib increased by the second and Jake knew that the second either of them decided to get up for their son, which would be sooner than later, this tiny bubble of an amorous moment would be gone. And so he decided to just go with what felt appropriate because, really and truly, looking at her right now he felt as if he could marry her all over again.

“I know our baby is screaming for attention, and that he needs it more than me and that this is probably a bad time but… marry me?” He smiled widely running a hand through her tousled hair earning him a just as wide smile of appreciation and adoration back.

She leaned in and offered him a kiss, long and tender but controlled as she knew she’d have to get up now. Managing to not get caught up she pulled back caressing his cheek with the hand that allowed him to feel the soft stroke of her wedding band and engagement ring.

“First I’m going to go get our son, but then…” she leaned in and gave his lips a final peck, this time withdrawing just enough to look at him but still have their noses touch before finishing what she’d started, “… Yes, I will marry you all over again, as many times as you want, every day, week, month and year, for eternity and beyond, Jake Peralta.”

[adenei]

Auror 99 - Ch. 6

Chapter 6: A Break in the Case

A/N: Special shout out to @avatarvader for helping storyboard the ideas in this mystery fic! I’d still be stuck on chapter 3 without him.

After receiving word that Jake had gotten home safely, Ron collapsed onto the sofa. Harry and Hermione joined him. “So what exactly happened?” Harry asked.

Ron took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “We waited for him to show up, which he obviously did. He was looking for some information from that wizard in the alley. They definitely exchanged something, but it was too dark and I couldn’t see anything.”

“Well, at least you got the facial recognition on him. I should be able to scour the databases tomorrow with Amy,” Hermione interrupted.

“How? We don’t have access to any MACUSA directories in the muggle world.” Ron looked warily at her.

“Don’t worry,” Hermione said, taking out a small flash drive from her pocket. “It’s all here, but disguised as muggle technology, so they won’t suspect anything.”

“Brilliant, you are,” Ron said.

“What about Gerteso?” Harry brought their attention back to the main focus. 

“Right. He was really quick to duel. We’re not going to be able to take him down single handedly. Have either of you really studied his picture?” Both Hermione and Harry kind of shrugged. “Here, take a look. He reminds me a lot of Scrimgeour. Could he be a vampire?”

“I don’t know Ron, the physical description matches, but the vampires in England were all but exterminated by Voldemort. And Gerteso isn’t listed as one..” Hermione contemplated.

“Maybe that’s why he’s not listed as one. To somehow protect him from that slaughter in 1998,” Ron suggested.

“Why did Voldemort kill off all the vampires anyway? Out of spite for Scrimgeour?” Harry asked.

“No,” said Hermione plainly. “He was threatened by Vampire Mob, so he thought it would be easier to just kill them all. I’m not sure what he was thinking since it’s far more prevalent in Italy and in…” she trailed off and looked at them.

“Hermione, you know we hate when you trail off like that. Will you finish the sentence?!” Ron admonished.

“....New York City.”

“You don’t think..” Harry asked.

“Maybe,” Hermione said.

“Finally a decent break in the case!” Ron pumped his fist in the air.

“We don’t know for certain, though!” Hermione reminded him.

“But it’s closer than we’ve been all week,” Harry countered.

“So, about tomorrow then,” Ron said with a renewed sense of optimism. “Hermione, you and Amy will search for the second person in the systems. I’ll work with Jake to find out more about Gerteso’s origins. Harry, it might be best if you, Boyle and Diaz went to visit McLeod’s to see if you can get any information out of that shop owner.  We wouldn’t want him to somehow recognize Jake or me from any cameras he may have set up,” He formulated the plan out loud.

“If we can get some solid evidence backing our claims, we should probably see Captain Holt about touching base with Kingsley,” Harry said.

“I’m surprised he hasn’t reached out. It’s been a week,” Hermione frowned.

“Well, hopefully we’ll have something for him tomorrow. Let’s get to bed,” Ron said as he got up and headed for the other room.

********************************

The next day everyone on the team had a lie in before heading into the precinct. Ron went through the plan he’d thought of last night, and everyone set to work on their respective duties that Ron had assigned. Hermione walked over to the copier and scanned in the paper that Ron gave her last night. She opened up the laptop and inserted the flash drive. When the picture came in, she forwarded it to Amy.

“Why don’t you search the NYPD database, while I search the British ones here,” Hermione suggested to Amy, who nodded. It took a while to sift through the electronic system, but suddenly a match came up. 

The mystery person’s name was Artie Rettinburg. He was a wanted smuggler, who specialized in selling stolen wand info. Hermione choked on the coffee she had taken a sip of when she saw it. Of course! Stealing muggle identities could have been practice for stealing magical identities. Is this why Gerteso needed access to the Woolworth building? Or did Rettinburg have what Gerteso was looking for? 

Hermione began furiously scribbling information down. She supposed she could have just printed it, but there was something satisfying about handwriting it. As she was finishing up, she noticed one piece of information at the bottom. ‘Has been involved in squib trafficking circles - known low level lackey for The Cryptic.’ 

“Whoa,” Hermione let escape her lips. 

“What’d you find? I haven’t had any luck at all,” Amy looked frustrated.

“His name’s Artie Rettinburg. He’s a wanted smuggler, specializing in selling identities.”

“So Gerteso’s still on the identity kick.”

“Looks like it. I’ll go call Ha-Jason and Boyle.”

Hermione got up and dialed Harry. “Hey, we’re just pulling up to McLeod’s. Did you find anything?”

“Yes, I did! The second suspect’s name is Artie Rittenburg. Try and see if the owner can tell you anything. Maybe you can find and apprehend him. We really need this Harry. There’s more to it that I can’t talk about now, but he’s all magic, no muggle,” Hermione lowered her voice.

“Got it. We’ll do our best, Charlotte.” 

Hermione hung up the phone and walked back in. Now she needed to learn more about the Italian mob, and see if there were any connections to the Vampire mob. Where was the Hogwarts library when she needed it…

*******************

“That was Charlotte,” Harry said. “We’re looking for an Artie Rittenburg,” he told Boyle and Diaz.

“Right, okay so how do we want to play this?” Boyle asked.

“I think Rosa should go in. Pretend to be looking for him because he owes her and hasn’t paid up. See if we can get a location out of him.” Harry thought out loud.

“That shouldn’t be too hard. Do you have the coms, Boyle?’ Diaz asked. She took the earpiece and tiny microphone from Boyle and hooked it up. 

Boyle did the same and Harry followed suit. They all nodded and Rosa took off. Harry was pretty impressed at Rosa’s ability to be intimidating and gather information. It didn’t take long for the shop owner to give up the whereabouts of Rettinburg’s location. Of course it all made sense that several of the goods from his store were smuggled illegally so he could take a bigger cut.

“...Okay, okay! He’s got a shipment coming in at 2:00 in the harbor!” the shopkeeper had said.

Rosa checked her watch and made her way out of the store. “Better buckle up Jason, we don’t have long to get there. Rosa’s got this one.” Sure enough, Rosa opened the driver side door and jumped in. The keys were in the ignition and Rosa floored it. 

They made it to the harbor in record time, just as one of the shipping freights was settling into the dock. “We’ll have a better shot if we split up,” Diaz suggested. Harry nodded, placed his hand on his holster and took off in one direction, while Boyle and Diaz went in other directions. 

When Harry was out of sight of them, he turned off the mic to his com, grabbed his wand and had it at the ready. He saw someone on the far side of the dock, and noticed a shipping container that was near that he could apparate to and hide behind. He did so, and then peered around the corner. That was Rittenburg alright. Harry looked around, and once he was satisfied that no one was around, he cast an anti-apparition charm around them.

Harry stepped out from behind the container and began walking up slowly behind him. When he was satisfied he was close enough, Harry said clearly, “Artie Rittenburg, you’re under arrest.” 

Artie jumped around in surprise, but before he could pull his wand, Harry cast incarcerous, and he was tangled in a set of ropes.

“I didn’t do nothin’!” He spat. 

“Maybe not yet,” Harry said as he quickly pulled out the muggle handcuffs and cuffed his wrists, “But you certainly did last night with Gerteso, and we’re interested in what it was. I’ll be taking that.” Harry took his wand and tucked it away in his jacket. “Oh, by the way, you’re being apprehended by muggles, er, no-majs, so they don’t need to know anything about magic.” Harry cast a complicated language jumbling charm that should hold through his questioning back at the precinct. It would change his words depending on the listener. If they were magical, it’d be the real story. If they were muggle, the spell would alter the story to make it believable in the muggle world.

Harry turned his com back on. “I got him. Meet you back at the squad car.” He vanished the ropes, satisfied the cuffs were working. Harry then yanked him up to his feet and half dragged him back to the car. 

“Nice work, Cooper!” Boyle said as Diaz nodded in agreement. “Let’s head back to the station and interrogate this piece of scum!”

***********

Back at the station, Jake and Ron were working on learning everything they could about Gerteso, with minimal luck. Hermione and Amy had teamed up with them after identifying Rittenburg, so they were looking at things from the Italian mob angle. But before they’d done so, Amy had pulled Hermione aside.

“Hey, about last night..” Amy had said.

“What about it?” Hermione asked, feigning ignorance.

“Just, suggesting I take the first ‘shift’ with Jake. You know Charles would have spent the whole night there with no break.” Amy was trying to play it cool, and Hermione tried to hide the smirk. “You know Charles, he would do anything for Jake. It was smart for you to suggest I stay there for a little bit. So I guess I’m, um, thanking you for Charles!”

“Anytime,” Hermione said, no longer able to hide her facial expression.

“What’s that look for Charlotte?” Amy asked.

“Nothing! Just that you’re a terrible liar,” Hermione laughed.

“I am not!” Amy said, acting affronted.

Hermione gave her a look. She leaned in closer and whispered. “Come on, you don’t have to lie to me...I can tell you like him.”

“I- no, that’s not-” Amy shook her head. “It would never work. He’s too goofy and not serious about anything, and I’m- a rule follower and maybe too serious for him.”

“Whatever you say,” Hermione said.

Amy wanted to retort, but thought better of it when she noticed Gina trying to eavesdrop from her desk. It was then that she’d suggested they team up with the guys. Jake and Amy set to work scouring the databases for mob members, hoping to find a match with Rittenburg, Gerteso, or The Cryptic, while Ron and Hermione were doing the same thing but on the disguised servers. There were no mentions of Gerteso anywhere, and Rittenburg was mentioned once or twice, but his involvement wasn’t notable. 

The Cryptic was mentioned many times, but only as a suspicion. No hard evidence was ever found that connected him to anything. There were dozens of missing persons cases. All squibs, which lined up with what Hermione found with Rittenburg. They were about to take a break when Harry, Charles and Rosa returned with Rittenburg in custody. Rosa brought him into the interrogation room as Harry and Charles joined the rest of the group.

“You got him!” said Jake, who tried to stand up, but quickly sat back down as he winced in pain.

“Yes! Who’s ready for interrogation time?” Charles asked excitedly. 

“Do you think he’ll actually give us some answers?” Hermione said worriedly.

“They always break eventually,” Ron reassured her.

“I think Brown and Cooper should go in first, and see what they can get.” They all turned to see Holt standing in the doorway of his office.

“But Captain Holt-” Jake started to say.

“Peralta, you were injured last night. He doesn’t need to see that. It may keep him tight-lipped if he knows what more Gerteso’s capable of. Brown, Cooper, I’ll expect a word in my office following the interrogation,” Captain Holt said firmly.

“Yes, sir,” Harry and Ron both said. Ron helped Jake up as Charles handed him his crutch and the six of them went to meet Rosa down the hall.

After making sure everyone was settled, it was time for Harry and Ron to enter on the other side of the glass and get some answers. They stopped outside the door. Ron looked at Harry, and knowing what he was thinking, Harry said, “Don’t worry, I did the dialogue changing charm. The magical elements will be adjusted for muggle ears.” Ron nodded as he opened the door and walked inside.

“Mr. Rettinburg,” Ron said first.

“Who’re you? You weren’t one of the cops that arrested me,” Rettinburg spat.

“No, but I am working this case with them. “I’m Agent Brown, and I believe you’ve met Agent Cooper. We’re with the British Auror division, and we’re hoping you’ll cooperate with us.”

“I wasn’t doin’ nothin! You can’t prove anything!” Rettinburg said quickly.

“We didn’t say that you were, though if you keep denying it, we may have cause to hand you over to MACUSA,” Harry threatened.

“You mean you’re not going to already?” This got Rettinburg’s attention. 

“Maybe not, depending on if you choose to cooperate,” Ron said. “You met with Howard Gerteso last night in the alleyway by McLeod’s shop. What did he want?”

“Can’t tell you that. Swore to secrecy.” Rettinburg clearly wasn’t going to give it away that easily.

“Did he force you into an unbreakable vow?” Harry pressed.

“Well, no I ain’t that stupid-” 

“Then there’s no real reason why you can’t tell us,” Harry said simply.

“Said he’d kill me if I ratted him out though,” Rettinburg defended.

“Ratted him out to who?” Ron asked.

“Can’t tell you that,” Rettinburg smirked.

“Us?” Harry asked, starting to lose his patience.

“Maybe. Maybe not.”

Ron didn’t normally play his best move this early, but they were on a time crunch. “The Cryptic?” He raised an eyebrow as he said it.

All of the color drained from Rettinburg’s face. “Y-you know about The Cryptic? Nobody’s supposed to know about him!”

“So he does exist,” Ron said, lying out of his ass. “We all thought he was only a figment of the imagination.”

“ ‘Course he exists! He’s as real as Al Capone, but better! Everyone would kill to be in his inner circles.”

“Are you in his inner circles?” 

Rettinburg laughed bitterly. “Nah. I don’t have the right make-up if you know what I mean.”

“So you’re not a vampire,” Harry said.

“You’re observant, aren’t you,” Rittenburg said sarcastically.

“So what does Gerteso want with The Cryptic?” Ron tried to get him back on track.

“You really stupid enough to think he’d tell me?”

“But it does have to do with The Cryptic?”

“I assume so, but I’d never be able to get my hands on those kinds of records.”

“What records?” Harry jumped in.

“You’ll let me go if I tell you?”

“That depends,” Ron said. “The very least, we’ll make sure your charges are lessened for cooperation.”

“But I didn’t give ‘im nothin! Wanted his wand records, didn’t he? I can hook ‘im up with lower level people, but somethin’ that high up? No way. He’s gonna have to break into MACUSA himself to get those records. I’ll keep to my low life smuggling, thank you very much!” Harry and Ron both grinned as Rettinburg realized what he’d just admitted. “Oh, shit, no! Did I say smuggle? I meant receive the perfectly legal goods I purchased!”

“Maybe we could forget the smuggle part if you can give us a day or time when Geresto is trying to break into MACUSA and steal the records?”

“Why would I know that? I only told him that wand records can be found on the fourth floor in the legal documents office!”

“Just keep digging a deeper grave,” Ron chuckled. “Is there anything else you can tell us about The Cryptic or Geresto that might make us forget that little slip?”

“Pretty sure Geresto’s a vampire,” Rettinburg offered. “Something about taking his ‘rightful’ place in the Sanguinity. But that’s all I know, I swear! Now, will ya let me go?”

Harry and Ron looked at each other, making sure they didn’t have any more questions between the two. They nodded in agreement as they uncuffed him and prepared to let him out of the room. Harry opened the door and saw him out as Ron stopped, blocked by the door, and discreetly placed a tracking spell on him. He’d make sure to tell Kingsley to have the MACUSA Aurors after him.

“I’ll see you out,” Harry said after they’d agreed to meet back in the common office space. Ron went to join the others in the room. 

“That was incredible!” Boyle gushed. “You and Cooper worked so well together that it’s almost like you two have been partners for years and not you and Charlotte.”

“Er, thanks, Boyle. It’s probably the best mate thing,” Ron said, trying to divert the insinuation.

“Nevermind that,” Amy said quickly. “We know what Gerteso’s after now! He wants The Cryptic’s personal information, and can only get that in the archives on the fourth floor of the Woolworth.”

“Yeah, Ames, but what’s he want with them? I doubt he just wants to steal his identity. Though that bit about ‘taking what’s rightfully his’ sounded creepy, yet intriguing,” Jake commented.

“If Gerteso can gain The Cryptic’s personal information, he may be able to track him down.”

“So we could potentially catch a mob boss and Gerteso if we let Gerteso keep going?” Diaz suggested.

“Potentially,” Hermione said slowly. “But I think that needs to be discussed with Captain Holt and Agent King first.”

Ron nodded. “Charlotte’s right, we should go meet Jason now so we can discuss next steps.”

[amyscascadingtabs]

all the kingdom lights shined just for me and you

read on ao3

(jake's internal monologue in the scene™️ from manhunter. that's it.)

Amy doesn’t seem to agree with him about Brad Pitt being Jake’s natural replacement in the upcoming action movie he’s sure they’re going to make about today’s epic manhunt, and, frankly, it offends him a little. He’s gotten pretty buff lately, thanks to the occasional visit to the precinct gym and the fact that his best pizza place closed for renovations. Pitt would totally be the logical choice.

 But then she mentions another thing happening today, and he can tell she’s nervous. It’s in the higher tone of her voice, the way her expression turns all weighty like she’s confessing something, and she says the words I thought I might be pregnant and a multitude of thoughts fire through his head at once.

First, there’s shock. Out of all the things he might have expected her to say, pregnant was not among them. He feels guilty for it throwing him off like that, but he conceals it.

There’s not fear, exactly, but there’s a bit of apprehension. If she’s pregnant that means they’re doing this, no take-backs, and if they’re doing this, he has to be ready. Kids are definite, kids aren’t something you change your mind about if you as much as vaguely care about being a parent, and there are nervous butterflies in his stomach as he quickly puts his phone away.

 “Really?”

“Yeah. I’m not,” she assures him, saying the words in a rush before explaining about her period and the failed pregnancy test. It’s clearly the water’s fault, which, it should be obvious. Water ruins everything. He makes a joke to mask the odd feeling of disappointment he can’t explain even to himself, but she doesn’t play along, just reminds him of the actual matter at hand, which makes him shift into a worried mode. Whatever his feelings about this might be, hers are more important right now, and she doesn’t look sad but she looks let down in a sense that makes him wonder. He asks, and she launches into an explanation of how she was stressed, how it wouldn’t have agreed with the careful plan they’ve made, and then she says that it would’ve been crazy, right?

 It would be crazy. It would be absolutely insane. It would go against their official agreement of waiting another year, and they even wrote that down to have proof of the decision. A year is a long time, and he was sure it would be long enough for him to feel certain before they started trying. He thought he would have longer. He’s made massive strides of progress in his mental journey towards feeling like he might not completely ruin a child, but there’s still such a long list of things he doesn’t know if he’s ready for, just yet.

“It would have been,” he agrees, and she says okay in this voice that sounds of reluctant acceptance and awakens another stream of thoughts for him, one going in a very different direction.

 He’s accepted that maybe he’s always going to be that little bit scared of fatherhood, that his fear doesn’t have to be an entirely negative thing. Being scared means he cares about whether he fucks up or not and that distinction already sets him apart from Roger Peralta. He still wants to be ready, desperately doesn’t want to bring a child into this world if it’s not one-hundred percent wanted and welcomed.

 At the same time, the longer he goes, the more he sees that it doesn’t seem like anyone is ever fully ready to have kids. They met the newest Santiago baby a couple of weekends ago. Her parents looked like they hadn’t slept in months, and they still seemed fully mesmerized by their daughter. It was like they were zombies, but also fully in a trance, and they wouldn’t stop talking about how parenting was so different from what they thought it’d be and it was worse but it was also better.

 Recently, Jake’s had this new feeling washing over him at seemingly random times, and it’s unlike anything he’s ever felt but it’s not unpleasant. It happened when he watched Amy hold her youngest niece and the baby looked so at home in her arms, so right, that suddenly he was picturing her holding their future kid and getting emotional at the thought. It was there when it was his turn to hold her, too, although that was much more terrifying because Camila was giving him scrutinizing looks throughout. It’s come to him as he’s walked past a display of baby clothes while out shopping, making him wonder how small a pair of socks really can be, and whether it would be crazy of him to buy a pair now and save them. There are these moments when he sees a couple out walking with a stroller, and the thought of that being him and Amy doesn’t paralyze him with fear anymore. It makes him excited.

It doesn’t matter, because she’s not pregnant, but he realizes that if she’d said she was, he wouldn’t have panicked. He would have been happy, and it’s a novel kind of sensation but he likes it.

 “But also,” he says, speaking the words out loud which have been slowly taking shape inside his head for the last months, “might’ve been… kind of cool.”

“Honestly? I was secretly bummed when the test came back negative.”

 It’s a spontaneous thought, but at the same time, it’s not spontaneous at all. It’s been there for a while, growing on him with the persistence and security of something permanent, vaguely reminding him of the feeling he got that evening of April 28th, 2017, when he knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Amy. It’s different, still containing a small dose of fear he’ll have to learn how to live with, but it’s safe and it’s unwavering and it keeps growing stronger.

 He shrugs, even though this is as far from casual as it gets, and then he asks,

“Should we just start trying?”

“Seriously?”

 He’s serious. Amy looks relieved, or maybe it’s surprise, maybe it’s a combination of the two. She laughs - that subtle little laugh, it’s one of the cutest things she does, he should tell her that more often - and then her hand is on his cheek and she’s kissing him something soft and light and yet with all the meaning of a thousand declarations of love.

 Her forehead rests against his for a second after, her nose softly rubbing against his, and he’s holding onto her wrist as she laughs again and he thinks, not for the first time, that his wife is magic.

 After the whole news fiasco, they cuddle. Even though he’s feeling pretty sorry for himself, because come on, he lets Amy be the little spoon since she’s on her period and she’s had a long day and also, he just really wants to hug her. The television stays on for a while, playing a segment about the weather on low volume.

 Jake wonders quietly to himself around which age their kids would be old enough to start watching cartoons. He imagines them creeping into their bed early on a Saturday morning, making space between him and Amy to make sure they're the center of attention before asking to turn on the TV. He knows kids shouldn't have too much screen time, but he could never tell them no if they wanted to watch Ninja Turtles with him. He also can't remember if you're supposed to allow your kids in your bed or not. He might be thinking of dogs. It doesn't matter, because Jake wouldn't be able to stop them. Most likely he’d be longing for a chance to snuggle them anyway, pepper their sweet little faces with kisses the way he does with Amy sometimes, until they started complaining.

Jake decides that his kids will always be welcome in their bed, and always be allowed to watch cartoons there. It feels right.

Amy turns off the television. They both turn out the light from the nightstands, and he hugs her even closer because she's warm and she smells good and god, he loves her so much. She's not pregnant, but maybe one day in the near future, she will be, and the thought makes him feel all warm inside.

 He brushes his hand over her stomach through her pink t-shirt. Someday soon, she'll be growing their child there, and one day, he’ll get to feel them kick underneath his hands. Maybe they’ll recognize his voice the way he's learned that babies can do already before they're born, or maybe he’ll play them Taylor Swift songs so they’re familiar with the greatest songwriter of all time at a young age. One day, and maybe it’s closer than he could guess, he’ll get to hold them in his arms for the very first time.

 He can't even picture what it will feel like, but he presses another kiss to Amy’s cheek before closing his eyes, and he knows he can’t wait to find out.

[sunflowerbi]

4 and 26 😳😳😳😳 for the fluffy prompts!!! ✨✨

I DID IT

I finally did it!!

okay okay i really wasnt sure i’d manage, but i did. im not sure how great it is, i think i like it but i’m a bit rusty, honestly. thank you for being patient!!! i really hope you enjoy it lovely! i’ll try to be,, quicker in the future 

ao3 / writing tag  / fluffy prompt list ✨

--

Villanelle woke slowly, lazily reaching for her girlfriend, frowning as she only felt cool sheets and a smooth piece of paper. She didn’t intend on sleeping late, truly, she was going to get up when Eve did, but they’d both been insatiable the night before, and there was nothing Villanelle enjoyed more than a lazy post-sex morning. Except for maybe lazy post-sex morning sex. Either way, she would just bring Eve some breakfast, or maybe lunch, depending on just how late she’d slept. She grabbed the paper, reading it on her way to take a quick shower.

V,

I got a work call early, and last time I tried to wake you up before 9 you started mumbling about slicing open my throat, so I decided to let you sleep. I’ll see you later, baby. xx

Eve

           After letting the hot water wash away any remaining sleep, Villanelle stepped into her room to get herself dressed, opting to steal Eve’s shirt from the day before, tying it in the front and throwing on a pair of black jean shorts to match the bra just barely showing through the white of the shirt. It was nearly 11 so she figured it’d be best to grab a few sandwiches from across the street before heading over to see Eve, hopefully she’d be able to pull her away from work long enough to have lunch at the park right next to the MI6 building.

           It was nice outside, slightly cool with the sun warm against Villanelle’s skin as she walked towards café, ordering their usual lunch, a fake French accent rolling easily off her tongue. She still disguised herself sometimes, the instinct fresh in her mind. The people at the café knew her as Danielle, who spoke with a soft French accent and never had much to say, but the people in the bar down the road knew her as Amy, who spoke with the faintest hint of an Irish accent. Still, more people knew her by Villanelle these days, as she tried to allow herself room to relax. She spent a lot of time thinking about Oksana, letting the name roll around in her head, listening to it fall out of other’s mouths, but it never felt quite right. Oksana was the little girl who was beaten by her mother and by kids in the orphanage who were bigger than her, the little Russian girl who everyone thought would die on the streets high on cheap drugs. Villanelle was not perfect, but it was who she was.

           She smiled as she stepped into the MI6 elevator, fiddling with the paper bags in her hands. She worked here too, now. With her girlfriend, taking down the people who had stolen so much from her. She still got to kill people too, which was a bonus. Eve often came in early, most of her work was still done in the office, with Villanelle primarily in the field.

           “Hi, I come with lunch. I think you should give me credit I showed up at work on my day off.” Villanelle announced as she walked into Eve’s office.

“Villanelle, you fina-” Eve stopped as she turned around, her eyes landing on the blonde leaning against her doorframe. “you finally woke up.”

“Yes, and you are staring at me.” Villanelle smirked, crossing the room and pressing a kiss against Eve’s cheek.

           “Can a woman not stare at her very attractive girlfriend?” Eve finally let her eyes drop, noticing the sandwiches held in her hand.

           “Of course she can, do you think she can also have lunch with the attractive girlfriend? Preferably at the park?”

           “I think she can arrange that, how did you sleep, darling?” She grabbed her bag and powered off her computer, happy for the break from hours of tedious research.

           “Like a baby, which is only natural considering what you did to me last night.” Villanelle smiled, memories flooding her system.

           “What I did to you? If I remember correctly you are the one who waltzed into our room in nothing but a robe and a strap-on.”

           “Fine. I am hungry though; can we go eat now?”

           Eve just rolled her eyes as they made their way to the elevator, allowing herself to stare a bit more openly now that her coworkers couldn’t decide to poke their heads in at any second. For all the shit Villanelle had given Eve about her taste in clothes, here she was, with one of Eve’s white button-downs.

           “You are staring again, rodnaya, is there something on my face?”

           “No, it’s just, I can- I really can’t believe you’re wearing my clothes.” Eve stumbled out, finding it more distracting now that she’d mentioned it out loud.

           “Oh, yes, it surprised me too. It turns out not all of your clothes are completely unwearable, and this shirt smells like you, which is a nice bonus.” She noted, pulling the collar up to her nose.

           “I am going to call Carolyn, take the rest of the day off. I did most of the research already anyway, and I can finish at home.” Eve said, reaching out to fuss with the knot in Villanelle’s shirt.

           “Why do you need the rest of the aftern- ohhh, we are going to have sex. Can we still have lunch in the park? I did not eat breakfast.”

           “Definitely, I think we’ll both need the energy.” Eve answered as they walked off the elevator, taking Villanelle’s free hand in her own. The rest of the walk was quiet, Villanelle with a pleased smirk and Eve biting at her bottom lip, her mind running a mile a minute with different pictures of the rest of the afternoon.

           They eventually stopped at a bench, sitting down to actually eat their food, although Eve took the opportunity to trace patterns down Villanelle’s back, distracting both of them from making much progress.

           “If you do not stop that I will never finish this sandwich, and I think the people over there will call the police if I fuck you on the park bench.”

           “It’s not my fault that you look hot in my clothes.” Eve noted, her fingers now slipping up the back of the shirt.

           “Eve, I have been to a Russian prison, if you don’t think I will spend the night in a cell here for stripping naked in a public park and fucking my girlfriend, you are underestimating me, which never goes well.” Villanelle warned, her voice low.

           “Well why don’t you take me home to strip naked and fuck me?” Eve teased, leaning as close to Villanelle as she could without jumping climbing into her lap, “It would avoid all the prison nonsense, at least.”

           “You are insatiable, a woman cannot even eat her lunch.” Villanelle shoved a final bite into her mouth, standing up and throwing their trash away before dragging Eve behind her.

           “Although, I have a good idea of something you will let me eat.”