#I think there is something to be said that Sam calls Matt when he needs him just like Rory does when she needs her mother

[sbd-laytall]

Daredevil (2016) #10

Gilmore Girls 3x13

[terrortwinunicorn]

The One With The Wedding

Narrator's POV

The following day, Luis and y/n had left to go get their marriage license. Meanwhile, Demi and Matt stayed back at the house, setting up and waiting for Joshua Fatu and the few friends and family members they called to be their guests to arrive.

Joshua dressed in a t-shirt, jeans, pink and blue sneakers, and a blazer knocked on the door, being the first to arrive. He rang the doorbell, and Demi answered with a huge smile on her face.

"I barely understood your message on the phone. What's this about y/n and Luis getting married?" he inquired, as Demi stepped aside allowing Josh into the house.

"They decided to not waste anymore opportunities and get married as soon as possible. They want you to marry them," explains Demi "They went to town hall to get their license."

"Alright, but did they want to get married today?" asks Josh.

Demi nods gently with a huge smile on her lips. "Yup!" she giggles. "Matt and I are decorating and setting up the chairs outside by the pool," as Matt came into the living room.

"Josh can I get some help," asked Matt as he joined them "Setting up some chairs pool side where Luis and y/n want to get married."

"Of course uce," smiles Josh as he took off the suit jacket tossing it over the back of the sofa following Matt pool side.

The doorbell rings again and Demi answered it. It was Luis's brother Alex who had gone to grab the food they ordered.

"I picked up the sub and wrap trays, and then I also got chips, a couple of vegetable trays, a couple of fruit trays, some different pre-made salads, cookies, and a sheet cake, as well as drinks, but I need help carrying all of it in," Alex says, pointing over his shoulder at his car.

"MATT. JOSH. We need to bring the food in," yells Demi.

Matt and Josh came in from outside as Jonathan Fatu and his wife Trinity walked up the sidewalk.

"What's going on?" asked Trinity as everyone piled out of the house.

"Bringing the food Alex picked up in," said Josh as Jonathan and Trinity turn and walks with the group.

"Talk about a village," said Trinity as she grabs the cake that Alex had the bakery write Congratulations Luis and y/n in purple and black.

"Hey when my best friends say they wanna get married asap I'm gonna make sure that they have an amazing wedding," said Demi "They gave me thirty six hours and well I was able to get everything together."

"Steven is getting our parents, step dad, sister, brother in law, niece and nephew from the airport," smiled Alex as he hands Matt the sub and wrap trays as Jonathan got the vegetable trays and Josh grabbed the fruit trays as Demi grabs the drinks as a car pulled up behind Alex's SUV. More people got out.

"Need help?" asked Charlie as he shut his driver's side door.

Demi hands him the drinks that were in her hands. She grabbed the salads as more cars arrived in front of Luis and y/n's house. Steven got out of an SUV before opening the passenger side doors for his mom, Diana, and sister, Tanya.

"What else needs to be done?" asked Sam, Charlie's wife.

"We have to still decorate the house," said Demi as they all walked into the house everyone having something in their hands.

"Set up chairs," said Matt, and Josh.

"Where's Luis and y/n?" asked Diana.

"Getting their marriage license," explained Demi.

Damian's POV

Y/N and I are heading home after obtaining our marriage license. I was in the driver's seat as Y/N sat in the passenger seat watching out the window.

"Penny for your thoughts?" I inquire.

She turned her head to me, a smile on her face.

"Just thinking. By the end of today I will be Mrs. y/n Martínez."

I grin as I take her hand in mine before bringing it to my lips, kissing the back of it.

"And honestly I can't wait to say you're my wife," I smile. "And I can't wait for tonight," I smirk.

She blushes lightly. "Remember we will have house guests," she teased.

"I accept the challenge," I chuckle.

She smiles as she shakes her head, "Luis, I honestly don't know what I'm going to do with you," she murmured.

“Well, first you say 'I do' to me. Then we dance and eat. We tell everyone to get lost, and we then have the entire house to ourselves. After that, we christen every inch of our house in newlywed bliss.”

"You do know Demi already told us we have one day off from telling the Angelo and Ginger wedding story," she giggles" I will still have to have a voice."

"I mean, I could easily just tell them about the welcome party," I smirk, wiggling my eyebrows.

"You're awful," she teased "It does suck that your family, Charlie and Sam can't stay longer."

"They dropped everything to fly down for the day to be here," I pointed out.

"I know that," she says "And that means the world to me."

"Me too. But look at it this way down the line we can throw a kick ass party celebrating this," I smile.

"I do like that. Especially since not everyone could make it on thirty-six hours' notice," she points out.

"True. I'm glad Misty and Nate are here for the birth of Ashlyn and Max's daughter," I said.

She nods, "Well, since Ash's mom is now gone, Misty is her only mom." She smiles as I pull into our gated community. Pulling up to our house, we see all the cars of our loved ones.

Y/N smiles at me, "Ready, mi amor?" I question, taking her hand in mine as I pull into our driveway. She nods.

"Let's get married," she smiles.

"Yes," I smile as we got out of the car before we are both engulfed by our guests. Demi, Trinity, Sam, my sister Tanya, Mama and Misty whisk y/n out of my sight "But?!" My pops, brothers, brother in law, Charlie, Jonathan, Josh, Matt and Nate stop me from following "Guys come on let me go."

"Sorry, we are more afraid of the women than we are of you," Alex laughed. "Come on, we have your clothes in the guest room.

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Narrator's POV

"Next time you guys want me to follow just ask. No need to kidnap me," y/n laugh lightly.

"We didn't kidnapping you," smiles Demi as she sat her in front of her vanity "We are simply getting you ready for your wedding ceremony."

Y/N glances in the mirror at Demi, "You know I can easily get myself ready right?"

"Nonsense," laughs Misty, "When will we have another opportunity to get you dolled up like this?"

Y/N rolls her eyes. "You do know ninety-nine point nine percent of the time when it's Luis and I, he doesn't see me in makeup, and when he does, it's simple minus my bold red lip."

"Well, it's not just Luis and you, y/n," Demi smiles as she drops to her knee beside y/n, looking in the mirror at y/n.

"I'm well aware of that Demi," sighs y/n "But please make me still look like me."

"Promise," smiles Tanya "Even if I have to smack everyone. You will still be you."

"I knew there was a reason I liked you," laughs Trinity. "Remember, I will help slap people."

Y/N laughs lightly as she turned in the chair, looking at the women who surrounded her: from Misty, who means the most to her, seeing as she is family, to Diana and Tanya, who by the end of the day will be family, Demi and Trinity, who are her sisters by different misters, and Sam, who has quickly become a close confidant and friend.

"Okay, let's get me ready," she smiles before the women smile, and Trinity and Demi both squeal in delight, making y/n shake her head and slightly regret saying let's get me ready.

Meanwhile, in another part of the house, the men are having a glass of whiskey. Luis was smartly dressed in Y/N's favorite suit: his black suit and purple dress shirt. Luis Senior placed the boutonniere into the lapel of the jacket.

"Ahí está, hijo mío, estás listo para casarte," smiles Luis Senior. (There it is, my son, you are ready to get married)

Luis smiles at his father and says, "Gracias, pops. I can't wait to be married," he smiles broadly.

Luis Senior cups Luis's cheek and says, "I'm so proud of you, mi hijo. I am so happy for you. Y/N is amazing, and your mother and I love her so much. We are so happy you two found each other nearly thirty-three years ago, and we are so happy that she's joining our family officially."

Luis chuckles, "Thanks, pops. Just have one regret." He waves the hand with the whiskey glass in it. "And that's I didn't tell y/n sooner I loved her. Just think this could be a twenty-fifth wedding anniversary if I had found a set and told y/n the night of my senior prom." He took a swig of whiskey before looking at the men before him. His pops, brothers, brother-in-law, best friend, three men who started as co-workers but quickly became soul brothers and Nate, his soon-to-be cousin "Let's get me married off, boys," he raised his glass.

Demi walked into the small lounge that Luis and the other men were in. "She's ready, and she's going to take your breath away," she smiled at Luis.

Luis let out a low and slow shaky breath. He had been basically preparing for this day, that y/n walked into her great aunt and great uncle's place as Francesca was preparing him lunch while she babysat him that July second day in 1993.

"Then let's get me married off," says Luis as all the men polish off the whiskey they had.

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Luis stood at the top of the aisle with Josh to his right and Charlie, Alex, and Steven on his left. He looked out at the guests who had joined them awaiting the arrival of y/n.

"You good uce?" whispered Josh as he leaned into him.

Luis nods "Fine," he smiles as Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in E Major began. Tanya began the walk down the aisle followed Misty and then Demi. Once Demi made it to the top of the aisle. Matt changed the selection to Wedding Melody: Bridal Chours /Wedding March- Traditional Version by Jim Brickman. Luis exhales as y/n came to the top of the aisle on Nate's arm as everyone rose to their feet. She wore a lilac capped sleeve dress with an A-line skirt. It's one of Luis's favorites.. He smiles as their eyes met. Y/N has tears in her eyes and Luis wipes away a few of his own before crossing his hands in front of him as y/n and Nate walk down the aisle.

Damian's POV

Y/N and Nate made it to the end of the aisle. They stood side by side as Josh took a deep breath before...

"Family and Friends," he says, "We are gathered here today to join Luis Berrios Martínez Junior and y/n y/m/n y/l/n in holy matrimony. If anyone can show just cause as to why they should not be wed, please let them speak now or forever hold their peace." When no one objected and even if they did, they would have probably been thrown into the pool by Demi and Trinity. "Please be seated," Josh gestures to have everyone sit. Once they did, he pressed forward, "Who gives this woman to be wed to this man?"

"I do," said Nathaniel as he shakes my hand before giving me y/n's hand. He sat beside Matt.

Y/N and I face Josh "Luis, do you take y/n to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health as long as you both shall live?"

"I do," I smile as I wipe away a stray tear falling down my cheek.

"Y/N, do you take Luis to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?" says Josh.

"I do," says y/n, her voice choked with emotion.

"Now as I understand you two have written your own vows," says Josh, "Thank God because vows are a lot of words and this uce doesn't have time for that," making all of us laugh "Okay, now turn to one another, and when you're ready, start your vows."

I pull a small notebook from my suit jacket pocket before opening it and looking at it, but I decide to put it back and wing it. Taking y/n's hands in mine, I exhale slowly before I begin. My eyes meet y/n's as I begin to speak.

"Y/N, when we met on July second, nineteen ninety-three, when you walked into the kitchen of your great aunt Francesca and great uncle Salvatore's, I was taken aback even at ten. I was basically brand new to the country even though I was born here. I remember Miss Frankie saying, 'Luis, this is my niece Y/N, she's staying here this summer.' I smile at the memory as y/n reached up and wiped away my tears before cupping my cheek and caressing it with the side of her thumb as I press forward. "I was shy, and so were you, as you gave me a small wave and a very quiet Hi. I shyly waved back, and I was even quieter in my Hola. Then Mrs. Frankie explained to you that I had just moved back to New York from Puerto Rico, and my first language is Spanish, but I knew some English."I laughed lightly, "Who knew that day would spark a friendship and love that has lasted for the better part of nearly thirty-three years? Now today, as we stand here exchanging vows, I thank my lucky stars you took a chance on a shy kid from Puerto Rico." I smiled, and how you sat with me so patiently teaching me English, even if I did butcher it in the beginning. Reading Dr. Seuss was fun, and I still don't want green eggs and ham," y/n giggles lightly, nodding in agreement. "But as the years past like years tend to do. My love and appreciation for you grew and I looked forward to those summers when you would come to the Bronx for your yearly visits. Then as we became teenagers I knew my heart had found the piece that fit perfectly into it. That piece was you and yes it took too many years for me to realize my missing piece was you," 'too many' says Demi from beside y/n. Making all of us smile "Yes, too many, but when I did, I didn't want to waste another minute without you by my side. And now today, as you take my last name, if I could tell ten-year-old me, you did find the happily ever after your mom always wished for, and that happily ever after begins and ends with your best friend in the world. Te amo mucho, mi vida hermosa. Siempre y para siempre."

Everybody wipes away tears as y/n looks at me with tears falling down her face, yet smiling. I reach up, cupping her cheek as I wipe away the tears.

"Great, now I have to follow that," she laughs lightly. "As if public speaking didn't scare me to the core of my soul. Now I have to follow that? Thanks, amor," she teased.

I chuckled "I'm sorry amor," I smile as I press a kiss to her forehead "Just keep your eyes on me and everything will be fine."

She nods as she looked at me and only me. She let out a slow and steady breath before she began, "Luis. The day we met in Aunt Frankie and Uncle Sal's kitchen was a day that I will never forget. I wore a pale blue sun dress and wore my hair in pigtails, and you wore a red and white raglan t-shirt and dark blue jeans. You wore your black hair in a bowl cut. But I will have to freely admit I had the worst case of puppy love. When you smiled at me, I could swear I was an instant ten-year-old puddle of goo. That first summer, the language barrier was tough, but we managed to understand each other without talking." She smiles as she holds my hands as she presses on, "The next year we talked a mile a minute to one another; at least we did according to Aunt Frankie." I laughed, as did y/n. "We met in the summer of nineteen ninety-three, and my heart went boom when I walked into that room." I smirked because, of course, she worked in Hamilton lyrics. She giggled and nodded, and without exchanging a single word, she knew I was asking her if she really just worked Hamilton into her vows "While the years passed, our friendship and love grew into something that neither one of us could explain. Something that both of us knew was something special," she let go of one of my hands, wiping away tears. "And as we loved others, no one ever compared to each other. You were my one and only. My penguin. My rock lobster," I laughed. "Now, as we stand here in front of our loved ones and each other, as we exchange vows and pledge our love to one another, if I could tell ten-year-old me that the boy who captured your heart has the key to it and will be your forever permanent best friend. And as we start this next chapter, I don't want to waste another minute. Te amo mi amor. Siempre y para siempre," she finishes as tears fell for everyone.

"Not bad for us just winging it," I whispered, making her giggle.

"Yeah," she replied.

"The rings, please," says Josh as Charlie and Demi both give him rings. "This ring represents the love between the two of you. No beginning and no end. Now Luis, put this ring on y/n's left hand," he hands me y/n's wedding band, "and repeat after me.."

"Y/N. I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness." I slipped the black gold band onto her left hand, my smile stretching from ear to ear as her eyes focus solely on me.

Josh grins softly as he hands Y/N my ring. "Y/N, place this ring on Luis's left hand and repeat after me..."

"Luis. I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness," she says as tears fell and her voice full of emotion as she slid the black gold ring onto my finger.

We smile as we turn to Josh, as he smiles, "What God has joined together let no man put asunder. By the power invested in me by the great state of Florida, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Luis, you may now kiss your wife." I smile, cupping y/n's face as I lean down, pressing my lips to y/n's. The kiss was sweet and soft. "It's my pleasure to present to you the new Mr. and Mrs. Luis and y/n Martínez Junior."

We turned to our guests. Our fingers laced together as we raised our hands as everyone stood and applauded as Matt began the Wedding March/Recessional by Mendelssohn. We headed back up the aisle as we walked into the house. I led y/n into my office, shutting the door. Sealing us off from the world for a few minutes.

"Hey Mrs. Martínez. We're married!" I exclaim, laughing, wrapping my arms around her waist as she lazily wraps her arms around my neck.

"Yes we are Mr. Martínez," she grins standing on tip toe pecking my lips "And I cannot wait to begin this next adventure with you."

"Neither can I amor," I smile as I pressed my lips against hers. Wrapping my arms tightly around y/n pulling her flush to my body. We share a deep and passionate kiss until.....

"LUIS! Y/N! WHERE DID YOU GO?" yells Demi.

I smirked against y/n's lips before breaking the kiss. "We better head back to our guests," I said as I rested my forehead against hers.

She nods softly, "Yeah. Because the faster we celebrate this, the faster we can get everyone to leave because I wanna show my husband my appreciation," she smirks as she caresses my cheek.

We leave the office and celebrate well into the night with our family and friends before they leave me alone with my wife. With one warning from Demi. 'Don't sleep in too long. Matt and I will be back for you to finish the story.'

But for tonight, it belongs to y/n and me, and all we had between us was air and time.

Tag List: @eringobragh420 @magicalbuttertarts @madhatterbri @keekee-23 @loki69zowens @caramara3 @bloodlinesbabe93 @miss-kuki-nz @surdelcielo

Remember please if you want to be tagged comment. This was just posted on Wattpad but with tomorrow being Royal Rumble and I have to watch on my good phone and I use it to transfer and write (the old one is only used for Tumblr lol) here is the latest in the Another Story Time series!!!

[2kverrr]

MATT TAYLOR - Dating Headcanons

UNTIL DAWN || Matt Taylor x Reader

like every other year, the washington family open up their lodge to their teenagers for the winter. everybody had been waiting for this time of year, booze all week long, no rules, only friends, snowfights, blasting music in the middle of nowhere - to put it shortly, it's haven.

big movie nights on the big projector with hot chocolates and lots and lots of booze

you and matt had been plotting activities since summer, dodgeball in the main living area - come on, it's massive. what else are you meant to do in a room that big?

sledding - even if it meant falling off the edge of a cliff, its all apart of the fun.

matt loved making plans with you, you've never been too sure why, because you're not very punctual, you're an extremely dangerous driver and quite forgetful.

he's an attractive guy, sporty and in shape, really kind; it was a mystery to you why he was still single. it's not like girls actually go for brains anymore - you don't think so anyway.

secretly the group were rooting for the two of you, you oblivious of course, but matt had planned this all out, all fun and games but then you 'accidentally' trip or 'accidentally' fall and in desperate need of a knight in shining armour, then that's where he comes in, heroic and masculine, you are immediately in love with him, you get married, move to fiji and have 4 kids (the first of the bunch HAD to be called matt. jr). it's pretty specific.

it's the day of the winter break we'd all been waiting for, mike had already prepped matt for this big breakthrough. mike slaps his hand onto his face and slowly drags it drown with a grown, "bro, stop being such a pussy - worst she can say is no. no?" the two continue to stroll towards the lodge, slightly unsure where they were headed in the snowy atmosphere. “yeah, i get that,” he replied, his voice barely above a whisper, “but what if she laughs at me?” the thought made his stomach twist uneasily, and he shot mike a frantic glance. you knew matt's used to being the object of jealousy, he's much like mike in that sense, he doesn't have to do much to be adored by people. “dude, she’s not some goddess in a tower,” mike said, rolling his eyes. “she's just a girl! think about it. you’ve spent half your life being friends, spilling deepest and darkest secrets, spending the majority of your time together - hell even your distant family have nicknames for him. "god damn it man! you know her better than anyone, so you should be first to know how she'd react.” matt shoved his hands into his pockets, trying to portray an air of confidence he didn’t truly feel. “just be yourself. you’ve got this.” he whispers, spotting you exiting from the ski lift, patting matt on the shoulder and leaving him with you.

the walk up was oddly awkward, in fact the first 3 days were uncomfortable with the curly-headed boy.

of course, that did not stop you from getting black out drunk every night. day drinking faded into beer pong, then faded into shot competitions, then another cheeky drink when you woke up to prevent any hangover.

matt tried his hardest to get you to lay off the drink, but automatically josh would interrupt and tempt you even more.

it had to be past midnight at this rate, ashley fell asleep on the couch with chris, beth gently placing a blanket over the two of them. sam was attempting to defuse a row between mike and emily as hannah observed hopefully, while josh was falling asleep mid-conversation with jess - embarrassing. all while you were basically fighting matt to grab the bottle out of his hands. “give!” you reach out, but just like every other time, matts long arms push at your shoulder to keep your distance. you huff, stumbling back with half closed eyes, “cocksucker. i’ll find something else. hell - i’d eat crack if josh had any.” you remark with flailing arms. you had promised yourself a good time, a good time that didn’t involve battling your best friend for a taste of liquor. "come on, how about we go find the biggest bed for you to sleep in, i'm sure emily won't notice." his eyebrows raise, awaiting your drunken response. your mouth drops in a shocked manor and your eyebrows furrow as though your offended, "wow - matt, nice going." you try to cross your arms but you end up stumbling into the counter, the boy's hands immediately reach out to stabilise you. "it'd take a lot more than that to take me to bed, thank you very much, mr taylor." you scold, trying to inject a sense of indignation into your slurred words. the room felt like it was swaying gently; perhaps it was the alcohol or maybe just your overwhelming desire to keep your balance. you glared at matt, half-heartedly trying to regain your composure, but the corners of your mouth couldn't help but twitch into a smirk.

you couldn't remember much after that, besides the blinding light bursting through the curtains beaming into your eyes, only a single silhouette there to block it.

you're quite used to getting black out drunk, in fact you've got a casual routine, wake up, hole into your head until you stumble towards the cabinet wherever you are, managing to grab some sort of pill. lie in the bath - this is a crucial step. no water besides from when you awkwardly attempt to drink some from the tap. eventually you throw up the pills you'd taken, so you take a few more. at this point you should be okay to get up and carry on with your day.

you tell yourself this is how it’s meant to be; the routine is as much a part of your identity as the lingering pallor in your cheeks. you’ll put on a brave face, mask the chaos with a smile, and carry on with your day, ever-so-slightly hopeful that today might be different.

though you're not so used to going on a three day bender, every drink you consume having at least a drop of some form of alcohol. so your routine didn't exactly apply.

"hey," a voice whispers, slowly placing a cold cloth on your head, “you okay?” it’s light and gentle, a contrast to the erratic thrum inside your skull.

you squint against the light and the silhouette shifts, revealing matt, but this time with a softer expression, worry etched into the corners of his eyes. “you were insane last night,” he says, half-smiling, half-concerned. matt takes a deep breath, the worry still lingering in his eyes, and leans back in his chair, allowing you some space.

“seriously, what were you thinking?” he asks, his tone shifting to something more serious.

“you can’t just push yourself like that, especially when you know you haven’t slept in days.” the warmth of his concern wraps around you, thick and palpable, grounding you even as the room spins slightly.

"shit, " you roll over, while trying to sit yourself up, "i'm really sorry" your hands slowly and deeply massage your face, "can't remember a thing."

matt softly chuckles, placing his hands onto the arm rests, “well, where to begin? you were fighting me for a drink. scolded me for tying to sleep with you, which was the opposite of what i was doing. you searched the house for cigarettes and eventually gave up and tried to uber 3 bricks of coke to the lodge. erm… you threw up in the hot tub, on the counter, on emily, on me and i think a bit of miles show when you threw up on emily for the second time.”

you suppress a groan, sinking back into the chair as matt’s words cascade over you, each one accompanied by an embarrassing flashback that jolts through your mind like electric shocks.

"what?" it was all you could say. frozen and still in your own embarrassment.

“oh! and let’s not forget the part where you tried to convince jessica that she was actually a mystical mermaid forced on earth to enchant her way into human hearts."

you open your mouth to speak but the curly-haired boy continues.

“-not quite done yet, darling. you couldn’t let go of this ‘mermaid theory’, convinced you could see jess’s scales. so you flung your drink at her and then yelled ‘be free, my aquatic queen’ right in her face.”

you wince, burying your head in your hands. “for fuck's sake, please tell me you're lying,” you let out a muffled groan. matt's infectious laughter rings in your ears, despite your mortification and god awful pain you're in.

matt leans forward, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “and after your mermaid debacle, you decided to perform a dramatic interpretation of 'under the Sea' from The Little Mermaid for the whole living room."

you immediately butt in, "liar!" you rarely ever laugh in front of your friends, never mind whatever this is.

"i swear I’ve never seen sam laugh and cry at the same time.” he shakes his head, barely able to contain his amusement as he gestures broadly, “you were flapping your arms like a fish out of water, and the way you-“

you roll your eyes, “enough!” you raise your voice, a slight anger in your tone as your embarrassment begins to ebb. you immediately feel bad for the once giddy boy, "sorry, i don't usually tend to have hangovers this bad…" you say, a hand attempting to tame the pounding in you heard, you put the boy at ease with a smile, "…did i at least have a good audience?"

"an audience of friends who might never look at you the same way again,” he teases, but his smile is warm and understanding. “but hey, that’s what makes us family, right? You do something outrageous, and we love you for it. maybe not jess… or emily. but the rest of us do. i love you.” his words hang in the air, unsure of their stance, good bad? neither of you knew.

“you love me?” you manage to say, half teasing and half genuinely astonished, heart fluttering uncomfortably in your chest.

he briefly fixes his posture, shuffling in his seat, “maybe. even thought you can be a bitch and you have a slight alcohol issue, you’re still lovable.”

you take a moment to take a note of reality, the mess on the floor, presumably caused by you. your hair was unspeakable, makeup smudged, deep and heavy eye bags, one of your lashes hanging off your cheek while your other was probably exploring the outside, it’s definitely… a look.

“even after all this?” you wave down your body and across the room

he leans forward, fiddling with his thumbs, eyes locking onto yours with an intensity that makes your heart race. “that’s exactly it,” he says gently, “you’re unpredictable, messy and unapologetically you, and i think it’s fucking awesome. you’re so… so, so, so real.”

his sincerity makes the room feel smaller, as it the weight of his words could encircle you both in an element of quiet intimacy. you can throw but smile, your heart swelling. “so, what does this mean for us?” you query hopefully.

“maybe it’s the start of something new.”

you made the bold decision to lay off of the drink for your own sake (also because it took you the rest of the week to recover) - instead you’d accompany matt in whatever he was up to.

mike felt a bit disappointed that his pep talk was wasted on a sappy conversation rather than a manly knight in shining armour act.

jess eventually forgave you, insuring you tell her everything about the two of you. emily would occasionally listen in nonchalantly as she clearly hadn’t forgave you for the sick-tuation (get it? i’m so sorry)

matt takes pride in waking you up with a drink or some food, it’s a bit difficult when your only options are out of the washingtons’ sparse cabinets.

you had to make a slight change in your ‘how you got together’ story when meeting his parents, either way they loved you, and thought you were a great reason for matt to take his laser focus off of football.

speaking of football, you’re at every game wearing some old spare shirt he had laying around.

when he first met your parents, god it was something you should’ve prevented. matt sides with your mum’s every word, dishes, staying out too late, waking up too early. honestly everything and anything.

he’s easily the most caring, you’re always on his mind, your wants, your needs, what you’re doing, how you’re doing.

in return you help him study, you’re not much smarter, but with matt, you find fun in the coursework.

[sunnyie-eve]

6 | Ritual

Series: Unexpected

Paring: (Matt Sturniolo x OFC Brock!) (Chris Sturniolo x OFC Brock!)

Word Count: 1.1k

Warnings: none

| MASTERLIST |

~

Going back to the boys hotel room they sit to hear about the Elevator Ritual game but the brothers weren't that excited, "It's ritual time." Sam turns to them.

"Love the sound of that." Matt sighs.

"We're gonna do something we've never done before on this channel." Sam starts, "The Elevator Game." The three applaud, "You guys said you love elevators right?"

"I hate elevators." Matt says once again.

"Perfect." Sam tells him, "Which is interesting because for this ritual we need a singular volunteer." He adds and all the guys look at Matt so he agrees to do it.

"Don't forget about our deal Matt." Dani leans forward to look at him from the other side of Colby.

Sam goes on to explain the whole game and how it's supposed to work and what they have to do, "Chris, we'll have to get our licenses immediately." Nick speaks up.

"I know." Chris agrees, "I'm really considering who's going to do the laundry now." He adds.

"They're gonna just be twins after this." Colby jokes.

"I gotta remember free food." Matt tells himself.

"If she didn't would you still do it?" Chris asks him so Matt tells him he rather it be him then him or Nick.

"I feel like you'd just do better in the elevator than Chris would." Matt adds telling Nick and Chris agrees with that statement.

"He just knows you're the least fit for it." Nick adds and Chris still agrees to it.

Down in the lobby Matt says this will either make his fear of elevators ten times worse or ten times better to which Nick says it can't actually get better, #Welcometothechannel." Sam tells him.

"Are you going to say goodbye to your siblings? You might never see them again." Colby tells him so he and the others hug each other goodbye talking about things they want of his when he doesn't come back.

"Dude, I'm not dead yet."

As Matt and Sam get into the elevator the other wish them good luck and goodbye, "Oh right, I need photos for your prayer cards." Nick takes pics of Matt in the elevator.

"Best brother award goes to." Dani laughs.

"Alright, one two three. Please take us to another world."

"Bye bye, be safe guys." Dani waves so Matt does a little wave back as the doors close.

As the four wait for them to come back, Nick's EMF finally goes off as they walk around, "This thing is called the onvoy it's basically going to say yes or no." Colby pulls out the device but then another guest in the background startles him, "Gahh, that guy scared the fuck out of me."

"That haircut..." Nick says then covers him mouth as Colby and Chris laugh.

"Nick, it's super quiet in here." Dani's eyes widen.

"Sorry, that was terrible."

"So something has to physically touch it like that." Colby explains how it works.

"Are Sam and Matt going to make it back to us, do you think?" Chris asks the thing and it says yes right before the two come right back.

"You're done already?" Nick says surprised how fat it went.

"We only asked it one question." Colby tells the two.

"The one question I asked is, is Sam and Matt going to come back down." Chris tells them, "And it said yes and then it opened."

"Do you want to do it alone?" Sam asks Matt.

"I would-, I don't-, I'd have to write down the numbers..." Matt pulls out his phone.

"Seriously alone?" Dani asks shocked.

"What if you never come back Matt?" Chris asks him, "And you're fully alone in another world? Nick or Dani go with." He looks at the two.

"No," Nick walks away.

"I'm not." Chris makes clear.

Lady

"Dani, that's you." Sam laughs looking at her stare at the box in Matt's hand before the elevator opens by its self, "Oh my god! I guess that's a yes I'm going with."

"Guys? Is that a sigh we should do it one more time?" Sam asks the group.

"I say go for it." Chris looks at the two.

"That was so fast you have to." Colby tells them, "Plus you two attract ghosts." He adds, "The goal of the game is to get a lady to come right?" Colby asks then hear how that sound as everyone laughs. "Wait, wait, ahh please cut that." He turns the camera towards himself.

"Dude Dani..." Sam laughs.

"As in a ghost lady to step inside the elevator." Colby makes clear, "No funny business with sis." He looks at Matt giving him a certain look.

"Dude, there's a camera." Matt gets embarrassed.

"You guys are killing me. Let's get this over with." She claps her hands to go so they step into the elevator.

"Please take us to another world." They both say together.

"I may regret saying that but hey, see you guys later." Matt says as the doors start to close.

As the doors close Sam starts to crack up, "I can't believe you just let Dani go with him. You never leave her alone with any guys."

"I'm her older brother. I'm protective of her." Colby sighs as Sam keeps laughing.

"Not even me and I'm you're best friend." Sam points out.

"That's not entirely true."

While they make fun of Colby before starting to ask yes or no question, Matt and Dani hope no one will interrupt them because then they fail at the game. On the first floor they go to there was luckily nobody there.

"Next number is two." Matt look at his phone pressing the button while Dani held the box.

"So far off to a good start." Dani nods her head as they move to the next floor and there was nobody again so they go to the next floor.

"The thing that scares me the most about this is that the elevator is squeaking." Matt points out what Dani has been trying to ignore for the past couple of seconds.

"I've been trying not to pay attention to it and you have to point it out. It makes my anxiety want to act up badly." Dani plays with her fingers to calm her down as the doors open to show no one.

"You have bad anxiety too?" Matt asks pressing the next floor, "Mine gets so so bad at times." He tells her about his.

"I take meds for mine so that explains how bad mine is." She giggles.

"I can't believe I'm doing this." He sighs putting his head back.

"I literally said you couldn't pay me to do this yet here I am." They both laugh but suddenly stop.

"Oh my god that one I felt the drop."

They both stay quite for a few seconds till Dani realizes something, "Matt, we're not moving..."

[sjsmith56]

Reprieve - A Private Man, Chapter 13

Summary: Ross and his associates make another attempt to take Bucky but Rebecca’s phone call pays off as he is stopped. The resurrection of the Avengers is brought up but Bucky’s reaction confuses everyone.

Length: 4.2 K

Characters: Bucky, Tracey, Rebecca, Thaddeus Ross, Rhodey, Sam, Joaquin, Janice.

Warnings: Thaddeus Ross, Bucky’s self doubt.

Author’s notes: I know that you’re thinking “Again? Ross is trying again?” The man is persistent and single minded. This isn’t the end but he does back off for a while. I originally wrote this story before the Thunderbolts announcement came out with the news that Thaddeus Ross would be President in the next Captain America movie. I had a choice to change my story to fit that announcement or to continue with my plot and story line. I chose the latter. Thaddeus Ross will never be President in this story.

<<Chapter 12

Bucky wasn't sure if he should go to work the next day, being unwilling to leave the women without protection but Rebecca, who was sitting in the kitchen when he got up told him that the police were just a phone call away, as were Matt and Foggy. With several of the neighbours around as well she convinced Bucky that it would be alright. Reluctantly he went to work as soon as Samira arrived. It never even occurred to him until he was en route to work that Rebecca got up unassisted by herself. When he arrived at the dock he clocked in and went to the office he shared with the other supervisors. His boss, Rick, was in there.

"Hey, you okay?" he asked. "Saw that shit go down on TV yesterday. What's that Ross's complaint with you?"

Bucky scowled and let out a breath. "He wants me to be an assassin again. He's starting up a black ops version of the Avengers and wants me in it. I won't do it and he's threatened me, my sister and my girlfriend over it."

"Jesus, Bucky," he said, looking past him at all the others. "You need a lawyer or something?"

"No, I have a good one but thanks," said Bucky. "I just want to do my job, and get through the day." He looked at everyone. "I appreciate the concern but really, I just want to do my job."

"Okay," said Rick, with understanding. "You're a good man and I don't want you to think we don't appreciate you. We'll back you up if you need it. But today, it's work as usual."

He used the opportunity to go over the ships still in dock, waiting for loading to be completed, and ships that were expected to dock that day. After he left, Bucky and the other supervisors went over the assignments then broke to meet up with their crews. When lunch time came he stayed at his desk after one of the other supervisors agreed to bring back some lunch for him. For a time he looked at his phone then finally dialled Tracey. She answered on the third ring.

"Hi," he said. "How's it going? Has Ross or Fontaine showed up at the house?"

"No, but Mom and I had to go to court for the protection order," she replied. "It's been granted and a police car will escort Mom and me at any moment to go to the house. I arranged for a truck rental. Amina's husband and brother-in- law will meet us there with it and help Mom take out what she wants. We'll put everything into a storage locker until she gets herself settled. How are you?"

"I didn't want to leave but Rebecca got up early and told me to go to work," he said. "She got up by herself. I didn't even think of that until I was on my way here. She can be very persuasive. I just have a feeling that Ross is going to try again and it's going to be hard not to react to it."

"I know, I feel the same," replied Tracey. "Hey, I have to go. The police are here. I'll see you later. It'll be alright, Bucky. I love you."

"I love you, too," he replied.

He ate his lunch while doing paperwork then headed back out to the dock to make sure that everything was going the way it should. All throughout the afternoon he couldn't help but feel a sense of apprehensive anticipation that something was going to happen and he just hoped it wouldn't be where people would be put into danger. When quitting time came around he clocked out and began the walk to the house. He wasn't aware of being followed or monitored but he still couldn't shake the sense that something was going to happen.

When he arrived back home there was a window repair truck parked in front of the house. Bucky went into the side yard and saw a man fixing the window.

"Hi, are you Tom's son's friend?" he asked.

The man looked at him, puzzled. "No, I don't know who Tom is," he said, then he pulled a work order out of his back pocket. "I received a pre-paid work order to fix a basement window for a James Barnes. Your wife showed me the window. Someone tried to break in? They did a real number on the frame but I'll have it finished in about 10 minutes. When it's done I'll knock on the door and you can sign off on it."

Confused, Bucky went into the house where Tracey, Rebecca, and Janice were all sitting in the living room.

"Who sent the window repair guy?" he asked. Tracey shrugged but Rebecca and Janice smiled at each other. "What are you two grinning about?"

"It's a surprise," said Rebecca. "I phoned someone in the government yesterday, and made an official complaint about Thaddeus Ross and Val de Fontaine. They said they would look into it. The repairman showed up about an hour ago."

"Rebecca, who did you phone?" asked Bucky, feeling uneasy.

"I'll tell you soon," she said. "Don't worry, we're not in trouble."

The repairman knocked on the door and both Bucky and Tracey went out to look at the replaced window. He offered the work order for Bucky to sign off and packed up his toolkit, leaving the yard. As the couple prepared to go back inside there was the sound of a commotion from the front yard. Frowning at Tracey, Bucky walked along the side of the house to the front. Ross was back with several of his men. A number of the neighbours were standing in a line blocking him from entering the yard. Tracey phoned the police while Bucky approached the group.

"Already breaking the injunction?" asked Bucky. "For a man with your standing you sure do like to play loose with the law. Your guys wrecked lights I had strung up in the back yard so I guess vandalism isn't beyond you either."

"The injunction is already quashed," said Ross. "I'm here on official government business."

"Official government business for a black ops operation?" replied Bucky. "I doubt that very much."

"Doesn't matter, Barnes," retorted Ross. "This time you're coming with me."

There was the sound of several flying suits approaching and Bucky looked up to see Sam, Joaquin Torres and Colonel Rhodes descending from above. They landed just behind Bucky where Rhodes opened his face plate and strode forward, putting himself between Bucky and Ross.

"Sorry Thaddeus," he said. "I have my orders from the President himself. Your little act yesterday has put him in a very bad light. The media are all over how you're forcing a man into being a killer against his will. An official complaint over your behaviour and a threat made by Val de Fontaine has the President ordering you to stand down immediately and await the FBI to escort you to Washington."

Ross smirked. "I'm supposed to believe that?" he said. "That's rich coming from a retired paraplegic Air Force Colonel."

"No longer retired, and you've been relieved of any sort of legitimacy that you talked the President into granting you," replied Rhodes. "Fontaine is on very thin ice and so is the current Secretary of State for coming up with this plan. The FBI are on their way to take you into custody."

Right on cue several large black SUVs drove onto the street, followed by another news crew. The agent who took Bucky into custody previously stepped out of a vehicle and directed the other agents to take Ross's men then he approached the older man and showed him his badge.

"Agent Michael Quade. Mr. Ross, you are to come with me," he said solemnly. "The President has ordered that you be taken into custody, pending charges."

"What charges?" demanded Ross. "I haven't done anything."

The agent sighed. "I'm only following orders, sir," he said. "I think what charges are filed depends on your actions now and in the near future. I will personally escort you to Washington for a meeting with the President to explain your actions." He turned to Bucky. "Has Mr. Ross and his associates injured you, your family, or your property?"

"They broke a window and the frame plus they cut the wires of lights I had strung up in the trees in the back yard," replied Bucky. "He also threatened to get my sister's health benefits cut off permanently, as well as deny me back pay for the years I was a POW. The window repairman just left but I don't know who sent him."

"They destroyed the lights?" asked Sam, disgusted. "What the hell for?"

The agent put his hand up. "So trespassing, property damage, and a violation of your sister's and your civil rights. Do I have that right, Mr. Barnes?"

"That's correct," said Bucky, looking Ross in the eye. "His associate Val de Fontaine also threatened my girlfriend's mother yesterday. Ross also threatened to take my house. He was just arrested yesterday for some of those actions and he's already back. Isn't that harassment?"

"Yes sir, it is," said the FBI agent, who shook his head. "I think the federal prosecutor might also consider your original arrest as harassment or perhaps the swearing out of false charges but that will be up to him. I will make a note of Ms. Fontaine's threats as she is a known associate. From where I stand Mr. Ross, you are just digging a deeper hole for yourself by refusing to come with me."

Ross sneered. "This isn't over Barnes," he said. "I will have you on my team and you will do as I order."

"No, I won't," replied Bucky. "Now go with the nice FBI agent."

The older man turned around angrily and went with the Agent Quade to the cheers and jeers of Bucky's neighbours. The reporter came up to Bucky again.

"Busy couple of days," he said. "What would you like to say?"

Looking with affection at Sam, Joaquin and Rhodes, then at his neighbours he cleared his throat. "I say thanks to my friends here and my neighbours for having my back. We should have a barbecue to celebrate."

With another cheer several of the neighbours went to get food and beer while Bucky went into the house followed by Rhodes, Sam and Joaquin, who all shed their suits inside. Bucky introduced everyone to the others who hadn't yet met. Joaquin gave Rebecca a hug and a kiss as it had been a while since they last saw each other.

"So how did you know what was happening?" asked Bucky. "I mean, Colonel you're in Washington, Sam was supposed to be in New Orleans and I don't know where you were Joaquin. How did you get here so soon after Ross was released?"

"That business yesterday ended up live on Washington TV and the President watched it," said Rhodes. "He was then phoned by a certain senior citizen who impressed upon him the potential miscarriage of justice that was certain to happen under his watch. He was horrified at Ross for trying to force you onto his team, and trying to force you to kill again. He called Fontaine to ask what gave her the right to threaten the mother of your girlfriend. She gave up the Secretary of State when she admitted they both gave Ross the green light to get you any way he could. I told him about the Wakanda plan that your lawyer phoned me about, and he hit the roof that they would even consider violating the sovereignty of a country considered an ally. Told me to come here and intervene. We phoned the police station, found out they made bail earlier and it didn't take much to figure out he would try again. Ross never did know when to stand down. I called Cap and Falcon, Wong gave us each a portal and we met up over Manhattan." He looked at Rebecca with a smile. "You're trouble, in a good way. How did you ever get them to connect you with the President?"

"I just told the truth," said Rebecca. "Told them who I was and that I wasn't going to sit back and watch Ross force my brother into being a killer against his will. I said the President was the one who pardoned him and that made him responsible for cleaning up this mess."

Rhodes looked with admiration at the older woman. "You did good. He wasn't aware of a lot of what they were up to. I brought up about Buck's pardon being conditional and how Ross was manipulating it to present Buck as still violent. It's being updated to a full pardon. No one and nothing can change that ever."

Bucky looked at his younger sister with disbelief. "You phoned the President?"

She and Janice laughed. "You were so upset yesterday when you saw they had vandalized the lights that I had to try something. I looked up the phone number of the White House and I wouldn't take no for an answer. They finally put me through to the President and I told him everything that happened. He wasn't very happy about what Ross and Fontaine had done and promised he would take care of things."

The doorbell rang with the first of the neighbours to bring food and Bucky went with him to the back yard to start up the barbecue. Within an hour the back yard was full of people from the neighbourhood, eating, drinking, and getting to know everyone else. When a delivery man showed up with new fairy lights courtesy of the President several neighbours got up to help replace the damaged ones. The lights came on as it got darker which drew admiring looks from the neighbours who talked about doing it in their own yards. Gradually as the night went on people began to leave promising to be better neighbours to Bucky, Tracey, and Rebecca. They shook hands with everyone before they left. Finally, it was just them, Janice, Rhodes, Sam, and Joaquin.

"Is there a hotel nearby?" asked Rhodes. "I don't fancy flying in the dark after what I've had to drink."

"I have a couch in the living room and a couch in the basement," said Bucky. "Janice is using the bed. They're yours if you're all okay with one of you sleeping on the floor. I'll make everyone breakfast in the morning."

"Janice can sleep with me if she doesn't mind sharing a bed with an old woman," piped up Rebecca. "I don't snore."

"Yeah, I'm good with that," replied Janice. "We can just switch out the sheets on the bed."

"I call shotgun on the bed, then," said Rhodes, with a grin.

Bucky carried Rebecca into her bedroom then left her in the care of Tracey while he got bedding and pillows for the two couches while Janice made up the bed downstairs. He could hear her and Rhodes talking and laughing as they made the bed together. There was definitely some flirting going on. She came upstairs with her night clothes and a change of clothes for the following day.

"What a nice man Rhodey is," she said, looking vibrant. "He must be a good friend to you, Bucky. He thinks very highly of you."

"He is a good man," replied Bucky. "He's been very supportive the last few months."

After kissing Rebecca good night he and Tracey left Janice in her bedroom and went out to the living room where Sam was wearing a pair of Bucky's sweat pants and a T-shirt.

"Quite the day," said his partner. "You have good neighbours. I saw several of them talking with the news crew and they all said your presence in the neighbourhood makes them feel safer, especially since that robbery."

Bucky smirked. "Only took a year to get to know them," he replied. "I don't know what I would have done if it hadn't been for Tracey and Rebecca. They make me a better man."

"You're one of the good ones," stated Tracey, grasping his hand. "I knew that as soon as I met you. Sam, thanks for coming with the others to back him up. It means a lot."

"Anytime," smiled Sam. "Now, if you don't mind I'm going to stretch out on my luxurious 4 star couch and catch some shuteye."

After saying goodnight to him they went to their room and cuddled together. Both were tired after the stress and then long evening entertaining. Just before he fell asleep Bucky thought of something that Rhodes said, that he wasn't retired anymore. Whatever did he mean by that?

The following morning Bucky was up at his usual time. After heading out to the mailbox and noticing no discarded cigarette butts he returned into the house and started the coffee. Sam woke up shortly after and Bucky offered him a cup. They both sipped from their coffee then Bucky looked at Sam.

"What did Rhodes mean that he isn't retired any more?" he asked.

"Did he? I didn't notice. Maybe he's been named to be an advisor to the President or something. Come to think of it he seemed to really enjoy what happened to Ross yesterday."

As the others started getting up Bucky phoned the docks to say he would be in later. The dock manager, Rick, was already in and told Bucky he watched the previous day's events on the news. Whatever time Bucky needed to do what he needed to do was fine with him, his exact words. With thanks Bucky hung up and began making breakfast for everyone. When everything was ready he put the food out on the kitchen counter and everyone helped themselves before sitting at the dining room table. For several minutes there was no talking then Bucky finished chewing and looked at Rhodes.

"What did you mean that you're not retired anymore?" he asked.

"Yeah, what's with that?" asked Sam. "They giving you a position on the Joint Chiefs or something?"

"No, the President put me in command of something else." Rhodey paused, smiling. "He wants me to head up resurrecting the Avengers, pending amendments to the Sokovia Accords. I told him I wouldn't consider it unless the Accords are fixed. Ross deliberately made them too restrictive to allow the Avengers to do the job properly. It looks like he wanted them to fold years ago so he could get control of us as his assets. We'll talk more but there's a place for all three of you, if you want it."

"I can't," said Bucky, quickly and quietly. "My place is here, with Rebecca and Tracey."

"Nonsense," said Rebecca. "I'm much better and I have the personal care aides. With Tracey living here we can make it work."

"But you need to have someone here at night with you," replied Bucky. "I can't ask Tracey to assume that responsibility if I'm not here. It wouldn't be fair to her."

Tracey started to speak and Bucky abruptly left the table, heading out to the back yard. Rhodes looked distressed.

"Listen, it's all in a preliminary stage of planning," he said. "It would be months before we even made anything official and that's only if the Accords are modified. I thought he would be happy about this."

"It's what he once wanted," said Tracey, quietly, watching the back door. "But he accepted that it wasn't going to happen and when Rebecca had her stroke it made the decision to stay and work a regular job easier for him. I think he likes living a private life now. He feels normal, likes his job, he has good benefits with it, and he's part of the community with his volunteer work at the newcomer centre. Now, it's like you're asking him to give that up for a job that would be irregular at best. It would take him away from Rebecca."

"And you," said Joaquin, deliberately. "He's very much in love with you. Even I can see it."

"I wouldn't hold him back," protested Tracey, then she looked again at the back door and stood up.

Putting her jacket on and taking Bucky's with her she went out to the back yard. Bucky was sitting on one of the chairs under the pergola. She approached him in the crisp morning air, putting his jacket over his shoulders. He took one of her hands and kissed it then sat back. Tracey sat on his lap.

"You wouldn't have to ask," she said softly. "I've already committed to you and Rebecca is part of that commitment by my choice. Rhodes said it would be months before they got anything off the ground."

"I know," replied Bucky. "I just don't know if I want to do it anymore. I like working at the docks. I like living in this house with you and Rebecca. I like my life here. It's normal."

"That's important to you," she replied. "I get that. Do you remember when we first met? I asked you about the Avengers, why they weren't together. You said the decision about them was someone else's responsibility. You admitted you were good at doing what the Avengers do but that was as far as you would go, as if you had reservations about doing that. Rebecca thought being an Avenger would give you a higher purpose."

Bucky smirked lightly. "Fighting the Flag Smashers came easily enough. I tried to tell Karli, the young woman who was their leader, that she was going down a dark path but she wouldn't listen to me, even though I had been on that same path. What kind of Avenger would I be if people didn't take me seriously enough to learn from my experiences? I was the Winter Soldier, a killer who always got his target. Maybe that's how they'll always see me. That's how Ross and Fontaine still see me."

She drew his head into her chest, feeling his gloom. "I think if you became an Avenger you would have more control over how you're seen," she said. "What was it the Wakandans called you? White Wolf? You could make that your code name. On your downtime you could still live here, maybe even continue to work at the docks, definitely volunteer at the newcomer centre. Imagine the kids there, seeing you walk in, knowing that you had helped rescue hostages, or helped take down a terrorist group. You could be their local hero, even more than you already are."

"What about us?" he asked. "You wouldn't want a part-time boyfriend, or husband. Not after how your ex treated you when he went on the road."

"You're not Geoff," stated Tracey emphatically. "You're so much more. Yes, I would miss you but I trust you and think our reunions would be incredible. I have my job and it fulfills me. Don't make me the reason you decide not to do this. Be involved in the planning and see what the government is willing to do. If it's better than what the docks give you then seriously consider it. If it's not, then continue to live a normal life, just like all the rest of us."

Her hands had been stroking his back and shoulders while she was talking and she could feel his demeanour change from very tense to more relaxed. When she finished her piece Bucky sighed then wrapped his arms around her waist.

"You're very persuasive Nurse Harris," he murmured. "I'll consider it, put my two cents worth in and see where it goes from there. Regardless of how it goes with the Avengers there's something that I want to ask you."

"What's that?"

"Would you marry me?

He looked up at her, his blue eyes fixed on hers. She looked upon his upturned face, at his strong jaw and cheekbones, his ever present five o'clock shadow, and his soft lips which were slightly parted as he waited on her answer.

"Yes, in a New York minute I would marry you," she answered.

Forever more she would remember his soft loving look at hearing her answer. It would always be recalled by her as the moment she completely committed to the first man she ever truly loved. Bucky would always remember the sun lighting up her hair and the beautiful smile she had on her face when she said those words. It was the day he finally and completely felt like a good man.

Chapter 14>>

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[the-faceless-bride]

It's was 'just a prank' pt.3

<- Part 2

A/n: I just had a cool idea as to how I can use the Poll options so you guys can help sway the story so it kinda feels like you're playing the game. 🙂🙃🙂 let me know if you guys like it, if not I won't use it in future chapters

Emily and Matt had left after Emily blamed Matt for losing an expensive bag of hers and she dragged him along with her to go find it, Sam had decided to take a bath after being in the freezing cold.

Josh had sent Chris and Ashley off together to find a spirit board he had laying around somewhere, while Everyone was gone you and josh had a soft silent conversation. Filling time waiting for the others to get back, that's when your conversation was interrupted.

"Alright, Josh! Let's see if you know how to hook up the hot water in your big ol' fancy lodge!" Sam teased as she made her way from the bathroom to you and Josh.

"oh yeah, it's just down in the basement. Y'gotta fire up the boiler," he said as if she knew how to do that, after a moment he realized that she couldn't possibly know how to do that and jumped up saying he'd help, Sam turns to leave to the basement and Josh turns to you, "wait for Chris and Ash Babe, don't start without me." you smile at him and nod your head as he gives you a twink, turning on his heel and following after Sam to help her.

You sat in silence looking around the lodge as you think about the long night ahead of you, your thoughts interrupted by Ashley making her way towards you and sitting on the couch awkwardly, "so..." she started before she was cut off, you both heard a scream.

What was going on?

You rushed to the basement door and pulled it open, but nobody moved. Then Chris pulled down a dark cloak from his head and said "mhm you just got munked!"

Sam didn't find this funny, She yelled at Chris for his low-blow prank before turning to Josh and accusing him of being in on it.

You slightly huffed, Josh didn't do low-blow pranks. His panks were always more intricate and complex than a simple chase in dress-up.

You all made your way to the living room, Josh teasing about how Sam, "totally pissed herself," and Sam huffing in annoyance.

Sam "had enough spooks for one night" and left to finally take that hot bath, while you, Josh, Chris, and Ash set up to use the spirit board.

You and Ash both took turns asking questions and things took a turn quickly...

"S-i-s-t-e-r --"

"Sister..."

"no! No no no we didn't kill them it was just a Prank! We didn't mean-"

"you know what... This isn't real."

"no Josh you said! You said you wanted to use the spirit board!"

"yeah well, m'not sure if you think-- messing! With me is gonna somehow help me deal with my grief but I don't need this right now."

Josh stood from his seat and began to walk away, you followed behind him.

"No, Josh C'mon-"

"no! You guys are full of it!"

And with that, you and Josh made your way down the lodge stairs.

You both stood there holding each other for a moment before Josh said he needed to do something and left you alone.

You wandered back with the two you last spoke to, they seemed to be freaking out about a photo they had found and decided to look for Josh.

"Josh was just with me," you explain

"If you go now we'll catch up to him."

Only you didn't find Josh, you all found ghosts, set up doll houses, and a passed out Sam tied in a chair, and finally you all found a man in a mask.

Chris was the first one to be put under, Ashly panicking tried to stab the killer with scissors she found you gasped as the masked man cursed under his breath, "live and learn!" and with one hit knocked Ashley out cold, and then he slowly turned to you...

You opened your eyes to a gruesome sight, Chris on the verge of tears as he looks back and forth between his long-time crush and best friend.

A distorted voice demanding that Chris make a choice before you put any input Chris pulled the lever,

"No! Chris! I thought we were friends!" Josh calls as Ashley screams and turns away,

"ahh, I see. You have chosen to save Ashley."

You rival Ashley with a Bloodcurdling scream as you watch Joshes body get torn in half, "NO! CHRIS WHY?!" you cry out as the gate opens and Chris rushes to Ashley telling her it's okay and to not look,

"why! Can't I look Chris? tell me he's okay, pleaseeeesss-" she whines out in fear, looking at Joshes hanging body as she lets out a frightened scream and falls into Chris, you cry as you hold onto Joshes cold hand.

"I'm... I'm so sorry..." Chris whimpers you shake your head, "I would've picked Josh if it were me, I would've done the same as you, Chris..."

Just as you all ran out of that shed you were all in you ran into Emily and Matt.

Chris cried out to them about what he had done. What you all had to see.

Matt was the most freaked out and Emily seemed to think it was some prank at first until she saw how scared you all really were.

You all made a plan to split up, Chris and Ashley go back to the lodge and see what they can find and be safe. While Matt and Emily look for the radio in the old tower.

"alright we have a plan, And Y/n?"

[renatogpadilla]

THOUGHTS ON CR3E92 IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER:

- FIRST EVER CR CROSSOVER EPISODE?!

LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

- Dariax said "This Flute doesn't play itself anymore." Doriax canon offscreen?

- "After all the handjobs, this is what we mean to you?!" Damn... I mean, I'm glad Opal and Cyrus found a way to relieve stress, Gods know they're both stressed, but damn.

- Ending the episode on Opal Twice-Crowned hitting phase 2 of the boss fight was EVIL!

I love it, @quiddie ! I feel like when this gets animated in a decade or so, we'll get this fight and the fight with Otohan Thull overlayed one on top of the other for a Season Finale or something!

- Raven Queen going two for two on Rogues turned Paladin! Which is great, but now I have to replan Morrighan's moveset for that imaginary Critical Role fighting game that only exists in my head (somebody ask me about it please, I NEED to talk about it!) but at least she gets some Smite options out of the Bunny Hop command jump!

- Dariax is a Bard now too! That's honestly so perfect for Matt! And the fact that both Sorcerers and Bards are Charisma Casters makes me feel like the Synergies are gonna be great!

- Oh, Dorian, wonderful blue king... That's a lot of strength that your Dice will never agree to let you use for anything cool. I missed you SO MUCH!

- Speaking of that imaginary CR fighting game, this just solidified Opal as a puppet character. The tag combos with Ted would be WILD! Think Kenshi from MK1!

- Fy'ra Rai... Just... FY'RA RAI! Gods, I've missed Anjali at the table! Her memory with Opal, her tug-of-war with her thoughts about her sister... THE LAVA WHIP! Nothing sexier than Monks! Except a pissed off Wizard or Druid.

- On the other side of the table, I LOVE the moment the girls all collectively remembered they had to break the news to Frida... Oh, that's gonna hurt BAD!

- Anyone else noticed that Ashton is BURNT OUT and laying on the ground after his Titan form wears off, but Fearne just says she's really tired and just KEEPS GOING? Ashton is DONE for now, but Fearne needs to keep moving forward... Fuck, I love these two.

- Orym... Just... Orym. If you take a level in Barbarian after this, I wouldn't blame you.

- Side-Note: This means Dorian DID get Orym's last message before they went to the moon! He just didn't/couldn't answer! Which means, through the static and everything, Dorian COULD hear Orym! And now he's probably gonna get this message once the battle is over... Jesus, if they get to Zephra and Keyleth went to the Lodge next to the lake that's gonna be a problem...

- Side-Note Side-Note: Anyone else hoping to GOD that Allura called the Nein to help? Cause Beau and Caleb were involved, but now it feels like an "All Hands on Deck" situation, and we could use Kingsley's small army of pirates right about now...

- So much happened this episode between the grieving and the flashbacks and the rolling for handjobs that I didn't have time to process the splinter cell of Xhorhasians that split their soul in twain until I woke up... Opal may have forgotten, but maybe Ted hasn't? Though if they're the same person, maybe they both forgot...

- Aabria, the corrupting of the Memories was FOUL, I LOVE IT!!!

- Somebody needs to tell Essek about the soul-splitters. In fact, let's get to that while we deal with Ashton too!

- IF OPAL DIES, AMY CAN COME OVER AS DENI$E! Like, I don't WANT her to die, but Westruun isn't that far... 👀

- I just realized this is the first ever FULL episode of CR without Sam at the table... Fuck, man, when it hurts it hurts. Glad Marisha brought back the fan.

"Forgot the Consonants?" "No Letters." OUCH, MISS RAY, WHAT THE FUCK?!

- Raven Queen Paladins hasting themselves first thing in the fight. Vax is back, and he's a Bunny Girl now!

- I like that the Crownkeepers are a two-way Overwatch reunion (McCree Cassidy and Symmetra) and a three-way Persona 5 reunion (Yusuke, Ann Futaba and Akechi).

- Everything was so fucked this episode that everything with Liliana got knocked to the background for me, THAT'S how good it was!

- The SECOND Evoroa said Ludinos was on Exandria I knew EXACTLY where he would be! Now we HAVE to get the Nein involved, right? Unless the bastard makes the city float again...

I cannot WAIT for the next episode! And if Sam brings a new character when all the groups are together, it would be SPECTACULAR! I'm guessing he's going to play one of the moon races, because that just sounds cool... Either that or Tary!

[wolfjackle-creates]

Two Ghost Motel Chapter 2

Summary:

Danny is tired. Endless ghost fights with too many responsibilities and too little time; he barely passed sophomore year. When Ember visits town for a bit of fun, she mentions the Two Ghost Motel, a place of peace and refuge for restless ghosts who aren't ready to cross over. “I’m fine, Ember.” Danny’s got a home and friends. He’s fine, really. But when his parents begin experimenting with electricity to destabilize ghosts, it’s too much for Danny. Unfortunately, neither Sam nor Tucker can host him for the night and he’s left wandering in the night, alone. Then he sees it: The Two Ghost Motel. He checks in. “Welcome.”

Word Count: 5k

Warnings: Minor Original Character Death

Fandom: DPxDC (though no knowledge of DC is necessary for this fic.)

AO3, Chapter 1

-----

The next morning, he woke up to pale sunlight shining through the blinds. Danny groaned and threw an arm over his eyes. He didn’t want to go home.

Something shifted next to him, and Danny jumped out of the bed, taking a defensive stance in the air above the bed. Only to relax when he saw Jay blinking blearily at him.

Danny laughed self-consciously as he set down on the floor.

“Your mask makes that sound so creepy,” said Jay through a yawn.

“Makes what sound creepy?”

“You laughing. I wish my mask did that.”

Danny cocked his head. “You don’t have a mask.”

“Yes I do.”

“Why aren’t you wearing it?”

Jay shrugged and rolled over so he was facing away from Danny. “Dunno. I don’t remember what it looked like, so I can’t wear it. Did you forget a lot of things when you died? I wasn’t like this in life. I know that much.”

Danny chewed the inside of his lip as he stared at his companion. “No,” he said eventually. “But my death was a bit weird. I wouldn’t recommend using me as an example of normal.”

That got Jay to turn around and look at him again. “Weird how?”

Danny just shrugged. “Just weird. I don’t want to talk about it.”

Something passed over Jay’s face and he nodded before getting out of bed. “Come on, it’s daytime. Let’s go outside. There’s a basketball hoop out back.”

Danny shook his head. “I should be getting back home. My parents will be expecting me.”

“There’s someone waiting for me, too. I can’t stay here long.”

Danny landed on the floor and began stuffing his few belongings back into his backpack. “Who do you want to get back to?”

Jay paused with his hand on the door handle. “I need to tell him it wasn’t his fault.”

Danny tossed his backpack onto his shoulders and threw and arm over Jay’s. “Well then, let’s check out. Where’re you from? I got here through Amity Park in Illinois.” He led them out of the room to the walkway.

“I’m from a Park, too. But I don’t remember more than that. We never called it Park, though. I think it was an alley? It was near the ocean.”

“You know, I’ve never seen the ocean. What’s it like?”

Danny felt more than saw Jay’s shrug. “It’s impossible to describe. Unimaginably big, though. When you’re on a boat and can’t see land anymore…” he trailed off and Danny didn’t force him to continue. None of the other ghosts he’d met seemed to have Jay’s issues with memories. But then, most of them weren’t as fixated on their past lives, either.

At the bottom of the stairs, one of the boys he’d met last night was still playing jacks, but his friend was no where to be seen.

“Hey, Matt. Where’s Alan this morning,” asked Danny.

It took a moment, but Matt eventually looked at him with a blank expression. “Alan?”

“Isn’t that your friend’s name? I thought it was. The boy you were playing with last night?”

Matt blinked at him. “I don’t have any friends. I play by myself.”

Danny and Jay exchanged a look and Jay walked over to sit opposite Matt. “I know how to play,” he said. “And jacks is way more fun with two players. Want to start over with me?”

A slight smile flashed across Matt’s face, though it was gone as soon as it appeared. “Fine. I go first.”

Jay shrugged. “Betcha I can beat you anyway.”

Danny joined them on the ground. “Mind explaining the rules to me as you go? I always wanted to learn.”

“Sure,” said Jay. “We’re gonna start with the onesies round. Matt, start whenever you’re ready.”

Matt tossed the jacks on the ground and tossed up a bouncy ball. It’d bounce once, he’d pick up a jack and catch the ball, then repeat the process. Jay explained the rules as they went.

Once Matt collected all the jacks, he spread them out again and handed the ball to Jay who began the process again.

“So how long have you been here, Matt?” asked Danny.

Matt shook his head. “Dunno. Ma’ll get me when it’s time to go home.” He was entirely focused on Jay’s hands and the ball.

“Are you afraid Jay’ll cheat?”

“You always cheat if you can get away with it. He’d be stupid not to.”

Danny laughed, “Got it. An unspoken rule?”

Jay picked up the last jack and caught the ball. “Not one I’ve heard.” He tossed the ball over to Matt. “Your turn, squirt.”

It was hard to get Matt to talk and even harder to get him to talk about anything other than the game. But Danny did manage to learn that he was born in New York City in the fifties and that he was waiting at the motel for his parents.

He didn’t seem to know he was dead, and he didn’t remember anything about Alan.

Jay won the first round and Matt was setting up another game before they could protest. This time, Matt won. When he set up the third game, Danny joined in. He failed miserably. His complete incompetence made Matt smile again, though, so he considered it a win and was happy to go for a fourth game.

By the time they finished, the sun was much higher in the sky.

“Oh, shit. I need to get home,” Danny said, once he noticed. He looked around and saw more ghosts were wandering around now that it was day.

Two men in suits were leaning against the wall smoking cigarettes, a woman in a floral dress was walking a dog. And leaning against a railing, looking over the drained pool, was Tom.

“Wait, I met that man last night. I’m gonna go say hi. I’ll check out after I talk to him.”

Jay waved him off as he set up another game with Matt.

Danny ran over to Tom and took up a space next to him. “What are you looking at, Mr. Tom.” The cement of the pool was cracked and ghostly plants like the ones in the parking lot grew through them.

“Doesn’t the water look nice? I remember swimming before. With a child? A boy, I think. And a woman. We had fun.”

Danny looked up at Tom sharply. “What are you talking about? The pool’s been drained. It’s just a cement hole right now.”

“They want me to join them.”

“Who wants you to join them? There’s no one there!”

But Tom merely stepped forward through the fence. Danny reached out to grab his arm, only for his hand to pass right through it. “What?” He’d never had a hard time grabbing a ghost before. “Tom! Wait, there’s nothing there.”

Tom ignored him and kept walking. Danny rushed after him, but the delay meant he was still several steps back when Tom lifted his hands and dove off the side of the pool into the empty hole.

As soon as the man was out of sight, Danny’s ghost sense lessened. He ran to the edge and looked down into an empty pool.

“What just happened?” he asked himself. Something about the pool made him uneasy and he backed away from the ledge. Tom must’ve turned intangible and dived below ground. Or invisible and was playing a prank on him.

His back hit the metal fence hard and he winced. He hadn’t realized how quickly he’d been moving. With a mental shake, he turned intangible and walked through it back to Jay and Matt.

“Jay,” said Danny.

His friend ignored him as he bounced the ball once more.

“Birdie!” Danny half-shouted this time.

Jay missed catching the ball and let out a curse. “What’d you do that for?” he demanded. “I was doing well!”

“I think there’s something strange about this place,” said Danny. “Tom— he just, he just disappeared.”

Jay rolled his eyes. “We’re all just here for a short rest before returning to where we came from. He probably just went home.”

“He thought the pool was filled with water and dove right into it. Said something about someone calling him to join them. And then I stopped sensing him!”

The panic in Danny’s voice was enough to get Jay standing. He placed a comforting hand on Danny’s shoulder. “Hey, Phantom. It’s okay. I’m sure he’s fine. Why don’t we ask the receptionist which room he’s in and see if he went back there?”

“I… Okay. Yeah. Let’s do that.” He looked down at Matt. “Want to join us, Matt? See more of the motel?”

He shook his head. “Mom told me to wait. She’ll come for me.”

Danny and Jay exchanged a look, but Danny just nodded. “All right, kiddo. But you come find me if you need anything, okay? I’m in room 214. And Jay’s in 215. Either one of us will help you if you need it.”

But Matt was back to ignoring them as he tossed the bouncy ball in the air and resumed his game.

Jay grabbed Danny’s hand and pulled him to the front office. “Come on, we’ll go find out what happened to Tom.”

The office didn’t look much different by light of day. The women on the couch had gone, replaced with a man and a boy. Both were dressed formally; the man was reading a newspaper while the boy had a comic book. Danny thought he recognized Spiderman on the cover, though it was hard to see with how the kid was holding it.

The same receptionist from the night before sat behind the desk and Jay hurried them through until they were standing opposite her.

She didn’t so much as twitch.

“Hey, lady,” demanded Jay, “we’ve a question for you.”

“Jay!” protested Danny. “Don’t be rude.” To the woman, he said, “I’m so sorry for my friend. I had a concern about another guest and I wanted to find out which room he was staying in so I could check on him. Can you give me that information?”

But she still sat there frozen as if she were a mannequin rather than a person or even a ghost.

Jay leaned forward and snapped his fingers in front of her face. When she still didn’t react, he shrugged and reached down to grab the log book from under her hand.

That, however, did cause a reaction.

The receptionist’s hand transformed into claws that wrapped around Jay’s wrist. As she stood, she grew until she was towering above them. Her hair transformed into flames that framed her face. The lights flickered and the shadows deepened.

Jay screamed in pain and Danny rushed forward. He shot an ectoblast at the receptionist, then another. She didn’t let go.

She let out a breath of fire. “Motel records are private!” she screeched.

With one hand, Danny threw up a shield to block the flames while he used his other hand to grab an ectoknife he had in a pocket in his suit. Maintaining the shield, he sliced at her arm. It got her to loosen her grip just enough for him to yank Jay free and get between them.

“We’re sorry!” he yelled. “We didn’t realize! We were just trying to find someone’s room number because I was worried about him.” He grit his teeth and braced himself against her attack. He felt himself pushed back a foot, but managed to keep the shield going.

The flames continued for another moment and Danny’s arm began shaking. But then she stopped. He lowered his arm, but remained ready to jump back into the fight at the slightest provocation.

She stood, so tall she had to stoop or her head would be through the ceiling. Her hair glowed fire red-yellow as it licked around her chin and shoulders. Her eyes were black and teeth pointed at she glared at them. Her injured hand to her chest was clutched to her chest, but the other one was poised protectively over the log book.

“Motel records are private,” she repeated.

“I understand,” said Danny. “We didn’t realize. Would you be able to tell me which room Tom is staying in? He was in the office last night when I checked in. We were talking this morning and he disappeared. I just want to make sure he’s okay.”

She seemed to shrink in on herself slightly, though her hair remained flames and her fingers claws. But she was no longer taller than the room. Danny felt Jay shift behind him and froze his feet to the floor to hopefully keep him from making things worse again. “Don’t you dare,” he hissed.

He ignored the whispered, “Hey!”

The receptionist lifted up her logbook and flipped through a few pages. “No Tom is currently a guest at the Motel.”

“Did he check out? Because I spoke to him just ten minutes ago. Actually, how do we check out? You didn’t react when we first came in and tried to talk to you. Only reason we touched the logbook to begin with.”

And suddenly she was back to looking like a normal, human woman. “Is something not to your liking?” she asked with her slight Southern accent. “Is the television not working? Do we not have your preferred snacks in the vending machine? We have coffee, as well. The pot is over there.” She pointed at a table that had two coffee pots and some mugs. Danny hadn’t noticed it last night—was it new?

“I— no. Everything has been great,” said Danny. It was only his experience with Dora’s and the Lunch Lady’s mood swings that kept him from taking a step back.

Behind him, he heard Jay let out a whispered, “The fuck?”

“I am glad to hear it! If you need more towels or anything, there is a tag you can put on your door handle—”

“It’s not that!” interrupted Danny. “I just want to know about Tom. You said there’s no Tom staying here, what about a Thomas? I’m afraid I never got to know his last name.” He was tense and ready to throw up another shield at a moment’s notice, though his hand shook. He felt exhausted already and he’d barely done anything. What was going on? He bit his cheek and locked his knees.

The receptionist just smiled at him. “No one by the name of Tom or Thomas is currently staying here as a guest.”

Danny hesitated and asked, “What about Alan? Or Matt?”

She flipped through her log again. “There is no Alan here, either. However a Matt has been assigned room 117.”

Danny nodded and smiled only to remember he was still in his ghost form and had the full mask. He bowed his head in acknowledgment of her information. “Thank you for your assistance. Just wanted to confirm, when is checkout due by? I need to leave today, but want to try and find Tom and Alan before I do.”

The woman smiled sweetly at him. “We do not have a checkout policy. And we have no guests named Tom or Alan at this time.”

“So I can checkout whenever? Great.”

She repeated herself. “We do not have a checkout policy.”

Jay snorted behind him. In a near-whisper he said, “I don’t trust her.”

Danny kicked his ankle to try and get him to shut up. “Oh, and one last question. How long has the pool been out of order?” Could Tom be from another time? If he was existing in a time when the pool was open, it could explain why he saw things Danny didn’t. Might also be the reason Danny couldn’t touch him.

“I apologize for the inconvenience, however the pool is out of commission at this time. We will inform guests as soon as it is operational.”

“I know it’s out of order, how long has it been out of order?”

All she did was repeat the same apology as before.

Danny let out a grunt of frustration. Behind him, Jay shifted and asked, “What else is off-limits to guests?”

“Guests have access to their rooms and all public areas. Public areas include the walkways to the rooms, the parking lot, the pool area, the basketball hoops, and the paved area behind the motel. The areas behind this desk, the door behind me, and any service areas such as the electrical and boiler rooms are off-limits. No guest is allowed to view any motel records or documents.”

“Good to know,” said Danny. “You’ve been very helpful, thank you for your assistance.”

“Of course. Please come to me with any questions you may have.” Then the woman settled back in her chair and froze in the position Danny had seen her in each time he’d entered.

Only now, there was a thin slice on her one wrist. It didn’t bleed, but the skin was damaged and a thin wisp of gray smoke seemed to rise from the wound.

Danny backed away, and grabbed Jay’s wrist. Only to let it go when his friend hissed in pain. “Sorry! Forgot you were injured there. Let’s get outside and I’ll take a look.” With a thought, the ice covering Jay’s feet disappeared.

“How’d you do that?” asked Jay as they exited the office.

Danny didn’t answer, just led them further from the door. Now that the danger appeared to be over, he felt the ache in his core that indicated he’d over-exerted himself. Which shouldn’t have been possible. He’d had much tougher fights than that one.

But his legs shook with every step and he gave up walking and sat down on the asphalt in the middle of the parking lot rather than near the sign like he’d been planning.

Jay sat across from him. “You okay?”

Danny waved off his concern. “Just a bit tired. She was stronger than she looked. Let me see your wrist.”

Jay held out his arm and Danny could see burn marks where the receptionist’s claws had grasped him.

Danny looked around, even kneeling to check under the cars, and confirmed no one was near them. He reached up and unclasped the mask of his hazmat suit, revealing his face to his new friend.

“Holy shit! You’re just a kid!”

Danny snorted. “Oh, come on. You look like you’re about my age, too.”

“Yeah, but I’m used to being the youngest. Thought you were older than me. Especially since you can do so much more than I can. Speaking of, how did you fight her off? Could I do that?”

“I’m sixteen. How old are you?”

“Fifteen.”

Danny nodded as he breathed in deeply. Then he blew out, freezing his breath into frost as he did so in a technique Frostbite taught him. The frost coated Jay’s burned wrist, soothing the angry burn and causing the other boy to sigh in relief.

“Damn, wish I could do that.”

“I’ve got an ice core. Means I can control ice and snow. My doctor taught me that trick. If you have an ice core, you could do it as well. But you should be able to make an ectoshield and shoot ectoblasts and stuff. Those are powers all ghosts have.”

“I’ve never seen anyone here do anything like that. Sometimes they’ll walk through walls or objects, but never anything more than that.”

“Huh, weird.”

“You’ll teach me, right?”

Danny shrugged. “Sure, I guess. Never had to teach someone before, so don’t blame me if I’m bad at it, though. But I want to focus on finding Tom and Alan.”

“Obviously.”

Danny couldn’t help but look back towards the motel. Only this time, instead of welcoming, all he could feel was foreboding. “Something’s wrong about this place.”

Jay looked over, too, but shrugged. “I haven’t noticed anything.”

“What movie did we watch last night?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You came to my room and we watched a movie. Your favorite. You told me all about it as we watched it and we fell asleep at some point which is why you were still in my room this morning. What movie was it?”

Jay looked down and scuffed his foot on the pavement. One of the plants tried to bite at it, but his shoe kept it from hurting him. “I… We did watch a movie, didn’t we. Why don’t I remember?”

Danny chewed his lip and wished he could soften his voice. “Birdie, how long have you been here?”

Jay frowned. “Just a night or two.”

The foreboding feeling grew at that response and Danny shook his head. “I’ve been here for one night. It’s mid-morning now. You are much more familiar with this place and the people here than I am.”

“No I’m not. No one has ever acknowledged me before. Not like Matt did when we played with him.”

“Matt and Alan. There were two of them, remember?”

Jay reached up and rubbed at his face before nodding. “Two, right.”

“Now, please answer the question: how long have you been here?”

“I—” Jay scowled as he glared at a crack in the pavement. “I don’t remember. I remember sleeping in my room more than once, though.”

“And once in mine. Jay, I think this place is messing with our heads. I can’t remember last night’s movie. It was new-to-me, but you were so excited about it. I remember you talking about it, I remember pausing it so you could go on rants. But I can’t remember what those rants were or what movie it was.”

Jay shook his head. “I need to go back; they’re waiting for me.”

“Who, Jay? Who’s waiting?”

Jay jumped to his feet and kicked a rock. “I don’t remember! They need me though!” He punched the air before squatting down and burying his face in his knees.

Danny moved so they were side-by-side and put an arm around his shoulders. “We’ll figure this out and get you home. But we can’t leave just yet. I won’t leave until I know what happened to Tom and Alan and can make sure Matt is safe.”

“His mom isn’t coming, is she?”

“I don’t think so, no.”

“I don’t think my mom was any good.”

“My parents try, but they’re too focused on their work to notice when my sister or I need anything.”

“Why do you want to go back? Can you remember?” Jay looked over at him and Danny pretended he didn’t notice the wetness on his cheeks.

“Yeah, I can.” Danny tilted his head back until he was looking up at the sky, it was overcast, a uniform gray that stretched from horizon to horizon. “I’m… needed back home. If I don’t go back, people will get hurt. Ghosts, too. I stop them from hurting each other. As much as I can as a high school kid.”

Jay hummed. “It’s a lot, isn’t it?” he asked, as if he understood. With a grunt, he pushed himself up and held out a hand to Danny. “Well, what do you say? Let’s see if anyone knows Alan or Tom. We’ll save some people, then get the hell outta Dodge.”

Danny grinned at him and took his hand. “Yeah. Let’s do it.” Once on his feet, Danny reattached his mask.

“Why do you wear that, anyway? Is that normal clothing where you come from?”

Danny looked at his glove-covered hands and shrugged. “Of course not. But it’s what I died in. Been wearing it ever since.”

Jay shuddered. “I’m glad I’m not stuck in the clothes I died in.”

Danny gave a wry smile Jay couldn’t see and shrugged. “It is what it is. I’m used to it by now.”

“So how do I know if I have an ice core or whatever?” asked Jay as they began walking back to the motel.

He was still tired, but the short rest had helped a little and he didn’t feel like he was going to fall over as he walked. “I’ve never tried to describe it before. Can you feel for your core?”

Jay’s brow furrowed. “How do I do that?”

“Ghosts really only have one organ and that’s their core. Think of it as, like, your soul. It’s your brain and heart in one. As long as their core is intact, a ghost can survive anything that happens to them. The body you have around it is just ectoplasm given shape by your own expectations and perception of yourself.”

Jay hummed. “Okay, so you want me to try and mentally connect to my core?”

“Yeah. That’s where ghosts get our powers from. If you have the strength and there’s enough ectoplasm around, you can shape it and use it in interesting ways. And that’s on top of the flight, invisibility, and intangibility that any ghost can do.”

“You’ll have to show me how to do that, too.”

“Frostbite—my doctor,” he clarified at Jay’s confused look. “He made it sound like this was instinctive for most ghosts.”

Jay shrugged. “Well it’s not for me. How do I know if I’ve connected to my core?”

Danny threw up his hands. “I don’t know! Mine feels like a ball of cold ice in my chest, only comforting. When I’m afraid, I feel it jolt. When I push myself too hard, it aches. When I’m happy, it pulses.”

Jay bit his lip and seemed to consider Danny’s words. Silence stretched between them as they walked. By unspoken agreement, the two avoided the main office and instead made their way towards one of the far ends of the motel.

A woman in a patched coat and skirts was sitting on a bench there with a sketch pad on her lap.

Right before they were about to reach her, Jay said, “I had magic when I was alive, you know.”

Danny’s steps faltered. “Humans don’t have magic.”

Jay rolled his eyes. “Some do. Look at the Justice League. But that’s not what I meant. I had a type of magic. Something that made me more than just a regular human. But I can’t remember what it was or how I got it. I wonder if that’s why I can’t find my core.”

Danny shrugged. “I don’t know. It could have to do with your memory issues, too. I don’t think most ghosts have problems like that.”

“All here do,” said the woman on the bench.

“Do you know what is going on here?” asked Danny.

She said nothing, just kept drawing on her sketchbook.

“What are you working on?” asked Jay.

She set her pencil down on the bench next to her and turned the notebook around. On the page was a swirling black mass, far too reminiscent of the portal in his basement.

But then he realized it wasn’t just a dark circle. Ghosts were drawn on top of ghosts. The ones on the edges, he could make out some features—a face or a hat. He thought he recognized the women from the office the night he’d checked in. But at the center, so many figures had been drawn on top of each other that no details could be made out and it looked like a solid drawing.

Instinctively, Danny took a step back. Jay, however, stepped closer.

“Is that me?” he asked, pointing to a figure near the edge. His face was clear, with only the faintest lines from other figures crossing it.

“It is all of us,” she replied. She pulled the book back and picked up her pencil once more to resume her work.

“You’re really talented,” said Jay. “It looks just like me.”

Like the rest of the people they’d met, she didn’t react to his statement. Jay didn’t seem to care, though, and moved until he was standing behind her and could watch what she was doing. Danny hesitated, but joined his friend when he was waved over.

They watched as she started adding a new figure to the mess. It wasn’t long before Danny’s core sunk in fear.

“Dude, I think that’s you,” said Jay.

Danny swallowed, mouth suddenly dry. The more detail she added, the more obvious it was.

“Why are you drawing me?” he asked.

“You’re here, now. One of us,” she said absently.

“I’m leaving. Once I find out what happened to Tom and Alan, I’m leaving.”

“No one leaves,” she said as she continued to draw.

Danny bit his lip, then asked, “Do you know a ghost by the name of Tom? Or Alan? I can’t find them and the receptionist said there weren’t any guests here by that name. But I met them, I know I did.”

“No one leaves,” she repeated.

“I’m gonna leave!” protested Jay. “There are people waiting for me.”

But it appeared the woman was done replying. She just kept drawing Danny, at the edge of the vortex of ghosts, one of his arms extended as if trying to escape. Then, once every detail was finished, she drew a crown over his head.

Danny’s brow furrowed. “Why’d you give me a crown?”

When they got no response, Danny and Jay exchanged glances.

“You’re definitely not wearing a crown,” said Jay with a shrug.

On the page, however, it was the clearest part of her drawing. Nothing crossed the path of the crown.

“Look, lets just go,” said Danny when it was clear the artist wasn’t going to say anything else. “Maybe one of the other ghosts can tell us something.” Danny grabbed Jay’s upper arm and led him away.

-----

Chapter 3

And this marks the halfway point of the fic! Hope you enjoy.

Couldn't resist the little nod at the end there to Ghost King Danny. And it's a trope @i-think-in-metaphors (my artist) likes, so I didn't even try.

[joggerfive]

Sorry

A little post-S1 M1 fic about Five getting to know Sam (and Maxine) after their arrival at Abel. Featuring a bag of frozen peas.

Link to the fic on AO3 if you prefer to read on there!

Enjoy! :)

-----

“Do you think that’s who they’ve assigned for Project Greenshoot?”

Five whipped their head around behind them to see who had said that, remembering how the Mullins pilot had mentioned the same codeword earlier before all hell broke loose. 

The two women didn’t react at all when the new arrival stared directly at them, standing close together, both with their arms crossed. Though they didn’t match in their physical appearance - one tall, one small. One with pale skin, one with darker skin. One with her hair down and brushing her shoulders, one with a tight bun. - they were wearing similar outfits, akin to army generals, covered in khaki green and deep browns and matte blacks.

Before Five could approach them, the boy that had been talking to them over the headset spoke again, voice still slightly tinged with unease.

“You should go to the hospital.”

The runner looked at him quizzically, then followed his gaze down to their right arm, which was covered in dark blood. They wanted to argue that it wasn’t theirs, but knew that seeing a medic was probably a good port of call anyway.

They nodded, waiting for instruction.

Sam was still for a moment, then the realisation dawned on him, “Oh! Right. I need to show you where that is. Come with me!”

He spun on his heel and began walking further into the township, not checking if Five was following.

Five gave another quick glance to the two women, both of them still regarding them with caution, curiosity, and something else that Five couldn’t quite identify. 

Tearing their gaze away, they followed Sam, easily spotted even as he was many paces away, his orange hoodie bright against the drab environment around him.

—

Five fought to stay still as they sat on the hospital bed, mostly because they weren’t sure that the rusted rickety frame could handle their fidgeting without buckling beneath them.

Sam sat on an equally precarious looking chair at their side, giving them an awkward smile as his leg bounced nervously, seemingly unsure of what to say. Luckily, someone else entered the large tent before he needed to think of a conversation starter.

She looked slightly frazzled, strands of her tightly coiled hair escaping from the scarlet red hair wrap. She hurried over to the bed, left hand swiping a worn pair of gloves from a wooden desk as she went past.

“Hi-”

As soon as she spoke, Five recognised the voice as the doctor that spoke to them when they’d been running towards the township. The one that said she would refuse them entry if they didn’t bring the medical kits. 

She had seemed strict over the microphone, but it was hard to associate that voice with the person in front of them now, graced by her soft face and kind eyes. Five could tell that she would’ve been a good doctor before all of this. The sort that put her patients at ease and asked for permission before doing anything.

“I need you to strip so I can search for bites.”

Five supposed that the apocalypse had changed most people.

Sam looked sheepish at their side, pulling his sleeves down over his hands, “I’ll, uh, leave you with the doc. Don’t want to-”

He stood, and before Five could even realise what they were doing or why, their hand shot out to grasp Sam’s forearm tightly. It took him by as much surprise as it did them, his brown eyes looking down at the hand, then back up to Five’s face. Only seconds later, Five let go as if they had been burned, face aflame. 

Maxine glanced between the two of them for a few moments, then seemed to settle on a compromise.

“I’ll just do a quick check here.”

Five let out a breath they hadn’t known they were holding as Sam sat back down.

Maxine continued, watching their face, “Am I alright to roll your clothing up to look?”

They nodded mutely, trying to relax their muscles as the doctor’s covered hands moved across their body, gently prying sweaty clothing from their skin. Five simply stared up at the tent’s dark green ceiling, watching as the thick fabric moved with the wind. 

“This used to be an ex-army tent, apparently,” Sam supplied, following their line of sight, “It was good that we found it. Though, it was a real ball-ache to bring it here. Three and Four saw it first, and thought they could bring it by themselves-”

Five listened to the story, grateful to have their attention taken away from the doctor’s wandering hands and eyes. 

Suddenly, the voice talking changed.

“Does your knee hurt?”

Five looked towards Maxine, tilting their head in question. She had her hands bracketed on either side of their right knee, the fabric of their trousers now rolled up just above the joint. 

It was only when Five looked at the other knee beside it that they could tell it was rather swollen in comparison.

Still, they shook their head, genuinely not feeling any pain in it even as Maxine pressed harder in multiple places around it.

Maxine pulled her lips to the side in thought, then nodded to herself, “I’ll put an ice pack on it anyway. One moment.”

She removed herself from the bedside, bowing as she moved the tent flap and left. Five saw a glimpse of the outside, now dark. They couldn’t even calculate how long they’d been there, time seeming to halt and propel forward too fast all at once. 

The two remaining people stayed silent, the only sound around them being the rustling of the tent fabric and a few muffled voices from outside, no words recognizable. Five fiddled with their hands in their lap, rubbing at the dried blood on their fingertips. They didn’t even know where it had come from. The pilot? A zom? Themselves? Maybe even Alice-

“You’ll be alright now.”

Five looked over at Sam at the statement. He gave a small smile, moving his arm ever so slightly, then freezing it in the space between the two of them. He seemed to make up his mind, placing his hand on Five’s forearm, mirroring what they had done before.

Five didn’t know why, but the contact seemed to loosen something in their chest that had been tight ever since the missile made contact with the helicopter, a choked sob escaping before they could contain it. They clamped their mouth shut, but their body still shook with silent sobs, even as they tried their hardest to stop, feeling self conscious about being seen like this by someone they’d just met. 

Maxine entered the tent once more, holding a half opened bag of frozen peas with a blue elastic band wrapped around it.

“I didn’t do anything!” Sam exclaimed as he held his hands up, looking like a young child in trouble with a parent.

Maxine seemed slightly amused at the panicked words as she wrapped the bag of peas in a worn shirt then put it on Five’s injured knee.

“It’ll be the adrenaline wearing off,” she explained to both of them, a calmness in her tone, “it’s alright. I expect the pain might kick in as well soon.”

Five didn’t seem to hear the words as they tried to focus on breathing steadily to calm themselves down. Their chest still felt painful even as they knew there was nothing wrong, heart thudding heavily. They moved a closed fist over it in circles, reminding themselves to take deep breaths, but also-

“You don’t need to be sorry.”

Five looked at him in alarm, the motion halting.

“What?” Maxine asked, brows furrowed as she tried to understand what she’d missed.

Five looked just as confused, hand still in place.

Sam’s eyes darted between the two, “Was that… You were signing, right?”

They hadn’t really considered that they had been doing it, let alone that someone would understand them. 

“You know sign?” They asked, moving their hands in three quick motions.

“Uh,” Sam’s mouth opened and closed as he considered his words, “Not like… officially or anything. But my sister’s hard of hearing, so I tried to learn with her growing up. It was like our secret language that Mum and Dad didn’t know.”

There was a look on his face that Five didn’t know how to interpret. A smile, but tinged with wistfulness and sadness too. They didn’t know what happened to his sister, but they could definitely guess based on the status quo. 

A voice broke the silence, even as she spoke quietly, “I’m going to put this bag back in the kitchen, it’s already getting warm.”

“Huh?” Sam looked at Maxine as if he’d completely forgotten she was there, “Oh, yeah, sure.” He said, even though she was already through the door.

The silence came again, but this time it felt more welcoming somehow. Five simply watched as Sam’s thoughts came across his face, waiting it out.

“Maxine was right,” he said finally, “it’s what she would’ve wanted. Alice, I mean.”

Five smiled solemnly, putting a hand on his forearm, repeating their earlier gesture. They gave it a friendly squeeze, making sure it was not too tight as they felt the bone beneath his slender arm, even though the thick hoodie material.

Sam took an extra second to compose himself, then breathed in sharply, as if resetting.

“Anyway! Good to have someone new.” He grinned at them, all traces of sadness pushed away. “Don’t remember the last time we had a new person! I hope you’ll come to like it here.”

Five mirrored his expression, feeling relaxed for the first time in a while. 

They hoped so too.

[marcussour]

C3E118 random thoughts and bits

Ludinus' Hannibal Lecter moment

I loved that bit when Ludinus dropped every ounce of performative pleasantness and went with the "why should I believe you?". It honestly has been fascinating, because, even though I saw it coming episodes ago, the fact that Bells Hells appears to be almost hell bent on taking on Predathos themselves, while not something I agree with, it does put them in this weird position regarding the idea that Ludinus originally had. Thing is, you could say how quickly the tables how turned in this conversation, but at the same time, without context, it could be suddenly really easy to paint Bells Hells as villains.

"What happened to your family?", "I've literally just told you"

"what was your mother name?"

"Fuck, what it wrong with you? Get over it, grow up"

"I'm here because I'm really curious, and if the world's going to burn, I want to have a front row seat" - Look, as far as Fearne's quotes go, this one should be on the top 3

It's so hard to fathom what must be going on in Orym's mind right now. I do also appreciate the honesty, but the whole weight of emotions and the past, and the conflict regarding how his personal tragedy connects with everything that has been going on, and what he might have to do regarding whatever they decide to do with Predathos, it's a lot (and bless Liam for playing it to perfection).

"The best villains always think they're right", "We think we're right too". See, that's the thing, I've been saying it a lot, and it's been nothing but clear this episode, they depending of how things turn out and the optics of it all, Bells Hells might end up being the villains in their own story. And from the immediate reaction, it's clear that the cast is more than well aware of this too.

Glad that they eventually realized that Ludinus was stalling, because as thrilling as the conversation was, it was pretty evident that even though he was caged, he still had the upper hand.

Chetney invented pogs canon confirmed

"I'm gonna reach out and touch it" - a bit dissapointed no one made a Depeche Mode reference

Oh, the whole "everyone leaves the table" the moment Sam asked to pray to it's god. And of course it was ASMODEUS (cue Ghost's "Year Zero") instead of Bahamut!

How amazing it would've been if Brennan had sprung out of nowhere to sit on the chair

STANLEY

Man, Braius asking the fucking' Lord of Lies for a family and a place to call his own.

"How will I be strong enough to betray them?" - OH, IT'S ON, I LOVE THIS

I love how Matt is more overt and less subtle than Brennan as playing Asmodeus, and yet, he played the precise keys that Braius needed to hear. He always appears as the most beautiful face the viewer has ever seen after all.

It would've been so amazing if Travis had got him with a C-POP 1/4 limited edition

9th LEVEL RAVENOUS VOID

I agree with Travis, Matt's way too happy that he finally get to fully unleash Ludinus, 9th level spells and all

Look at Marisha correcting Matt with regards to how Spell Sniper works, how far we've come

Oh no, Matt became a victim of google AI. Like he said "FUCK AI"

Matt gave Ludinus a Boss Weak Point™

Those back to back nat 20's between Travis and Laura were clutch af

Chet leaving Ludinus with constitution disadvantage for one whole round until his next turn is pretty huge

"I'm gonna cast Moon Beam. Weirdly, on the moon, it's only called Beam"

What a sight to behold, like, Ludinus on the cusp of crossing the threshold, and suddenly out of nowhere comes Paté, who just, hump him in his neck weak spot, and electrocutes him not only hurting him, but making him drop 2 spell slots

Matt telling Sam about the positioning of Moon Beam "cause you wouldn't hurt your friends" ring a lot different, knowing that the cast has no idea what Braius just talked about with Asmodeus

"I did it all for the Nookie"

IRA MOTHERFUCKIN' WENDAGOTH

"What if we pretend we are shooting a porn? It's worked before"

When Ludinus did that chain lightning, technically everyone who took half damage should've taken 1 more point of damage, cause it was 27 not 26 (it's the first time in years I've actually payed attention to the math like that)

"It's a surprisingly motley crew of bullshitters"

Power Word: Stun! Let's go Imogen

EAT SHIT LUDINUS!

Man, I'm so happy that if anyone would've taken him down, it was Orym, it had to be Orym. How much did he suffered and endured because of Ludinus' machinations? His husband and father figure just, collateral damage in an trial attempt to see if they could make Vax appear if Keyleth was ever in trouble, and then the fact just that their deaths were just brushed aside by Ludinus as just, a cost of his crusade. A sacrifice that he had to make, disregarding Orym's pain for what he saw as a greater good.

"So much pride, so much plotting..."

I want to know what they looted from his body

See, I knew it would happen immediately. Orym decided that they should cave the place and just left, the work done. And the rest want to keep going towards Predathos, searching for whatever justification they can to carry on. Like, I get the why, this idea of "this is already out in the open, so many other people might do it, it better be us, because we think we know better", I do, and I've gotten this feeling for a long time that they wanted to do this, no matter the cost. But Imogen herself said the "why does it have to be one or the other?", and yet decided the only alternative was, well, one or the other.

Interesting orb of short rest there

Look, I get why they jumped to the conclusion that Ludinus used the staff to potentially save his soul. But I get also Orym's doubts regarding if it was something else or not (and also, the fact that Matt never told them if they were right or not). It's complicated, because there might be a more than likely chance that he managed to escape death in some way, but also, there's an equal bigger chance of the party just trying to find a point of justification in order for them to go towards Predathos.

Predathos behaving like a small child of light is the biggest red flag, and the fact that they haven't noticed it, it doesn't sit right

It's incredible that it took them more than 4 hours to notice Sam's shirt

I love Imogen, but her proclivity towards Predathos' power has been worrying me since before we knew what it was we were actually dealing with. Like, the fact that she actually enjoyed the ruidian flare, even though it hut everyone else (I get that she gained 24 temporary hp but compare that with how Fearne reacted).

Oh, this whole threads of fate thing is interesting, but again, is so hard to understand if there's actually a correct path of action

What did Imogen really expected was gonna happen?

See, even Laura agrees, "what was I thinking?"

Man, I'm so conflicted, I get that the narrative decision they chose to take is certainly interesting and juicy. But I think pretty much we all knew in some way what was gonna happen, and what a bad decision it was, and then we still watch it unfold like a car crash in slow motion. Can't wait to see how everything else turns out.

[sesamestreep]

a little friend-iversary gift 💕

for the amazing, magical @firstelevens: a fic set in her critically acclaimed and universally beloved teachers AU. Thanks for all the good advice and hand holding and 8 hour video calls this past year, and for always generously welcoming me to play around in the sandboxes you build!

The idea starts innocently enough. Well, okay, maybe “innocently” is a bit of a stretch. Sam’s an English teacher; he should know better than to try and make words mean something they don’t. Perhaps the best way to explain it is that he didn’t come up with the idea himself. Everything that comes after is definitely his fault, but the inception of the idea? That can definitely be blamed on his students.

It’s during the period where he’s got study hall that the fateful conversation happens. He normally doesn’t pay attention to what the students chat about as long as they don’t get too loud or rambunctious. He usually has his own work that he needs to get done, and it’s better to just leave them to their own devices rather than micromanage their behavior. But on this particular day, Aida comes in late with a pass from the guidance office and barely responds to Sam’s greeting before she’s sliding into a desk next to her friends and urgently whispering about something to them. That captures his attention pretty effectively. And it’s not his fault that they’re sitting close to his desk, close enough to overhear with minimal effort.

If it had been about other students or personal matters, Sam would have probably checked out immediately and gone back to his work. He makes it his policy not to get overly invested in student gossip, unless someone’s in danger or the student involved comes to him personally to talk about it. This isn’t that. This, it turns out, is faculty gossip.

“Heartbreaking news,” Aida declares somewhat dramatically. 

“Oh, God,” Courtney says, “did something happen with your scholarship application?!”

“What? No. I mean, Mr. Murdock helped me finish it, so it’s, like, all set now, yay! But that’s not the news!”

“What happened?”

“Mr. Murdock BROKE MY HEART!”

Sam’s eyebrows raise at that. Matt’s been working at this school for a few years now and he’s always seemed totally solid in Sam’s opinion. Sam has never once seen him be weird or inappropriate with any student, to the point that Foggy often teases him for being too guarded with them. Most of the students adore him anyway, though, so this conversation is more than a little surprising.

“Oh, here we go,” Courtney says, and Sam doesn’t have to look over to see an eye roll when he can hear one in her tone so clearly. “Aida, you’ve gotta stop listening to every rumor about the teachers here! They’re not all secretly dating or like mysteriously independently wealthy.”

“Yeah, but that thing about Coach Barton LARP-ing in his spare time turned out to be true, though!”

“Okay, good point.”

“Besides, I’m like convinced that Mr. Murdock and Mr. Nelson are dating.”

“Mr. Nelson wears a ring, dingus,” Bridgit chimes in. 

“And Mr. Murdock doesn’t,” Courtney adds. “Case closed.”

“Listen, I won’t go through all my evidence again,” Aida replies. “Because…I’ve finally seen the light.”

“Wait, what?!”

“Are you feeling alright?!”

“Yes,” Aida says, bravely. “I just came from Mr. Murdock’s office and we were talking about my scholarship applications and that got us talking about how I volunteer at the senior center and I was saying that I was going to help at their Valentine’s Day event this week and then I asked if he was doing anything special for the holiday and…”

“Aida!” Bridgit shrieks “You did not!”

“It’s not that weird to ask!” She pauses for a second, clearly thinking it over. “I mean, is it?”

“It’s so weird. What’s wrong with you?” Courtney says.

“Well, he was more normal about it than either of you. He just said he didn’t have anything special planned, that he’d probably have a chill night in.”

There’s a significant pause, before Bridgit asks, “Sorry, how does this qualify as heartbreaking news exactly?”

“Um, maybe because Kris had a meeting with Mr. Nelson yesterday where he said he was going to cook this big, fancy meal for his partner and said that it was going to take days to prepare?? And Mr. Murdock isn’t doing anything, so they’re obviously not together.”

“We literally already knew that.”

“I didn’t!”

“That’s because you’re delusional,” Courtney says, not quite gently. “And you have a weird parasocial relationship with our guidance counselors.”

“That’s not true! I just thought, based on how they are when they're together at school, they must have something going on outside of it!”

“Despite the fact that one of them wears a wedding ring and references a partner all the time, and one of them doesn’t and refuses to confirm or deny the existence of a significant other at all.”

“Despite the fact that Kamala and Miles totally saw him with a beautiful, blonde woman at a Nationals game that one time.”

“He can have beautiful female friends, you know,” Aida protests. “I stand by that. I was just maybe wrong about him and Mr. Nelson.”

“Listen, everyone knows those two are, like, work married. They’re just not married married for real. There’s no way.”

“Yeah, Mr. Murdock is for sure straight, too.”

“You don’t know that,” Aida replies, defensively. “I mean, not that I’m speculating, but you can’t know. Not for sure. He’d never talk about that.”

“No, of course not, but like…he is. Just look at him!”

“That’s offensive,” Aida sniffs. “You can’t tell anyone’s sexuality by looking at them!”

“Sometimes you can.”

“Yeah, some people are just so straight, you know?”

“Ugh, whatever,” Aida says, sliding down further into her chair. “No one understands the depth of my despair.”

“Penny told me that she doesn’t even think Mr. Murdock’s met Mr. Nelson’s partner.”

“That’s crazy! Even if they’re not dating, they’re like besties, right?”

“Maybe it’s just at work,” Courtney says. “Maybe they’re indifferent to each other in real life.”

“I guess I just always imagined like, even if they were dating other people, they still like hung out together outside of school, you know?”

Bridgit snorts. “If I was dating a guy and he was that close to his co-worker, I don’t think I’d want them hanging out outside of school, to be honest.”

Aida gasps. “God, you’re so right. Their partners must be so jealous!”

Next to her, Courtney sighs in frustration. “I feel like you almost learned a lesson about not getting too obsessed with other people’s personal lives there and then you went right back to making shit up again.”

“What? I was just saying, hypothetically, if they are dating other people, it must be weird!”

“Yeah, okay. I need help with my Calc homework, if you’re done being creepy about the faculty here.”

The conversation obviously loses Sam’s interest there, but he spends the rest of the day thinking about it, formulating a plan that he can only call, well, evil.

*

“I have a really, really stupid idea,” he says to Bucky later, while he’s grading papers on the couch and Bucky is frowning at the saucepan he’s got on the stove. “And I need you to talk me out of it.”

Bucky looks up at that to frown at Sam instead. Luckily, frowning at things is kind of Bucky’s love language, so Sam isn’t worried.

“When have I ever successfully talked you out of anything, Sam?” he asks, amusement peaking through in his tone and the way he tilts his head. “I don’t think I’m the man for the job.”

Sam sighs and tells him the whole study hall gossip saga anyway, which just ends with Bucky looking even more confused and concerned.

“God,” he says, rubbing his forehead, “you don’t think they talk about us like that, do you?”

“Oh, I’m sure they say worse about us,” Sam replies, feeling both pity for Bucky’s poor nerves and amusement at his innocence. “I’m sure they say worse about Matt and Foggy, honestly. This was probably on the tame end.”

Bucky considers this for a moment. “You know, I’ve heard students talking about Matt having a girlfriend before, or a wife or whatever, and how she must hate how close he is with Foggy. I didn’t know this was a thing, though. I just thought it was two students being crazy, you know?”

“Oh, no. There’s lore. And it’s been getting more intense since Foggy came back from break with a wedding ring. The kids have been going bonkers over it. They’re convinced there’s some mystery afoot.”

Bucky shakes his head. “We might need to give them more homework, if they have the time to come up with this stuff.”

Sam stifles a laugh at that. “Or at least a unit on creative writing so they can get this kind of thing out of their systems.”

“These are all good ideas, though,” Bucky says, with a small smile. “So I don’t understand what your bad one is. You want me to talk you out of giving these kids detention? Or telling Foggy what you overheard?”

“God, no! Nothing that sensible. I told you it was a stupid idea, Buck. Remember?”

“It’s apparently so stupid that I can’t even conceive of it, based on what I know now.”

“I want to fan the flames a little,” Sam admits, only slightly embarrassed to own up to such a thing in front of his boyfriend.

“Fan the flames…how exactly?”

“Listen,” Sam sighs, as he pushes himself up to a seated position, “I know I’m supposed to be a grown up about this stuff, but Foggy gave me so much shit when you and I were…”

“Dancing around each other for the better part of a year?” Bucky suggests, with a smile.

“I was going to say ‘figuring our stuff out’, but sure, that works too,” Sam says. “I just want to give him a little grief back.”

“You still haven’t told me your plan, you know,” Bucky says, knowingly. 

“I—” Sam starts to say and then pauses. “I just want to remind you, before I explain this, that you love me and you think I’m a cool, mature person most of the time.”

“Well, half of that’s true.”

Sam narrows his eyes at him. “It better be the first half!”

Bucky smiles. “It is. Proceed.”

Once Sam is done explaining the plan, he fully expects to see Bucky standing there, hands on his hips, frowning in a classic disappointed dad pose. Sam also expects that will be all it takes to talk him out of this, that another adult’s disapproval is all he needs to act like an adult himself. What he’s not expecting is for Bucky to open and close his mouth a few times and clearly struggle with what to say first. Sam’s at the point of formulating an apology and maybe, you know, fleeing the country in embarrassment, when Bucky finally speaks up.

“I don’t know how to say this right, Sam, like in a way that conveys the depths of my love and admiration for you, but I guess…do you want my credit card?”

Sam beams, and does not tell Bucky to return anything he’s bought for him in preparation for Valentine’s Day because this is all he’ll ever need, but he does think it. He thinks it very much.

*

Sam wishes he could say that his own childish antics didn’t fully distract him when Valentine’s Day comes around, but he’d definitely be lying. He’s giddy to the point of antsy to hear what happens, as a matter of fact, and, luckily for him, he has study hall on the day in question. He trusts the students who started this all will be able to give him some updates, at the very least.

Aida doesn’t disappoint. She sprints into Sam’s classroom just as the bell is ringing, towing Bridgit behind her, and basically Tokyo drifts into her seat next to Courtney.

“Oh my GOD,” she whisper-shouts while trying to catch her breath. “You will not believe what Bridgit and I just heard!”

“What is it?” Courtney asks, not sounding that intrigued despite the theatrics.

“Mr. Nelson’s spouse sent him this huge bouquet of roses—”

“Like freaking enormous,” Bridgit interjects.

“Yeah, like, whatever you’re thinking of for a massive bouquet of roses, think bigger,” Aida says. “Anyway, he got this ridiculous floral arrangement delivered to the school and it took up, like, his whole desk and everyone in the office is giving him such a hard time about it, because it’s just so much, and now he’s giving away roses to everyone!”

“Ew, he gave you a rose?” Courtney asks, horrified.

“No, not students,” Aida replies, affronted. “He’s giving them to the staff and stuff. Although I heard there’s a small arrangement of them at the front desk and they were letting students take from there, if they wanted. But I only know about it because Nurse Palmer had like four of them in a little cup in her office when I went to see her.”

“Oh my god, why were you at the nurse?!”

“She got smacked in the head with a volleyball in gym,” Bridgit supplies. “Again.”

“My peripheral vision sucks, okay? I don’t want to talk about it!”

“Fine. Why is Mr. Nelson giving away the flowers? Won’t his partner be mad?”

“Nurse Palmer told me that he can’t bring the flowers home because he said his cat would just attack them and make a mess.”

“Aren’t roses toxic to cats?”

“No, that’s lilies,” Bridgit says, wisely. 

“Still,” Courtney says, scandalized, “I feel like his partner would know that! Why would they send him flowers he can’t bring home?”

“I don’t know,” Aida replies, smugly. “Maybe they just wanted to remind a certain co-worker of his that he’s taken…”

“Oh my god! Not this again!”

“Well! It’s like you said, his partner would know that their cat would destroy the flowers! So, clearly, the flowers were never meant to make it home! It was obviously all for show!”

“Sending your partner flowers to their place of work always is,” Courtney says, darkly. 

“So petty,” Bridgit agrees.

“I like flowers,” Aida objects, pulling a notebook out of her backpack hesitantly.

“There’s nothing wrong with flowers! It’s the method of delivery that I find tacky.”

“Yeah, that’s true, I guess.”

“How did Mr. Murdock take it?”

“I don’t know,” Aida says. “I haven’t been to the office today.”

“I think my lab partner Gabe has a meeting with him this afternoon,” Bridgit adds. “I should tell him to snoop.”

“Oh my god,” Aida coos, delightedly.

“You’re both maniacs,” Courtney says.

“Oh, yeah, like you’re not a little curious! Be for real!”

“I’m not! I don’t care about this at all!”

“Okay, so if Gabe finds out anything, I shouldn’t tell you?”

There’s a meaningful pause while Sam is turned away, pretending to look through his file cabinet. “I mean, obviously you should tell me,” Courtney grumbles. “But only because I like to be included.”

“Right, of course,” Aida says.

Sam finishes with the pretend business he had with the filing cabinet and turns back towards his desk. “Hey, Courtney,” he says, feigning casualness. “You got that big game against Horizons this week, right?”

“Yeah, it’s Friday, Mr. Wilson,” she replies.

“How’s the team feeling?”

“Okay,” she says. “I think we’re ready but, you know, they’re having a good season, so…could go either way.”

“I hear ya,” he says, settling back down at his desk. “Well, good luck!”

“Thanks!”

“Mr. Wilson, have you been by the main office today?” Aida asks, sweetly, and if he hadn’t been anticipating it, he might have missed the wide-eyed look Bridgit shoots her immediately afterwards, but he doesn’t. He does catch it, though, and enjoys it immensely.

“Not since first thing this morning when I came in,” Sam replies, innocently. “Why?”

“I heard they’re giving out roses.”

Sam schools his features into a mildly perplexed look. “Roses? Why?”

“I don’t know,” Aida says. “One of the teachers or someone got a bouquet delivered for Valentine’s Day or something?”

“Huh,” Sam replies, channeling his inner Angela Bassett and turning in what he hopes is an Oscar-worthy performance. “You know, maybe it’s just me, but I’ve always thought sending someone flowers at their place of work for Valentine’s Day is a little…much.”

“Totally,” Bridgit agrees.

“I was just saying,” Courtney adds, pleased.

“Are you doing anything special for the holiday, Mr. Wilson?” Aida asks, matching Sam’s faux-innocence with some of her own.

“Besides spending my day with the best students in the world, you mean?” he asks, all charm.

“Yeah,” Aida says, with a discreet eye roll in her friends’ direction. “I meant besides that.”

“Nothing much, really. I’ll probably go get a rose from the main office, though, since you gave me the tip on that and since no one bothered to send me any flowers at work.”

The girls all exchange an unimpressed look at that, which mostly tells him that they save gossiping about his personal life for when they are, mercifully, not in his classroom. All things considered, he appreciates the restraint.

*

Sam is still cleaning what remains of his last class’s lesson off the whiteboard (because several students lingered behind to ask him questions about their assignments that he definitely answered in the handout for it that he gave them already) when he hears a knock on the doorframe of his classroom. He turns to find Foggy leaning there with a single red rose in his hand.

“Hey there, Romeo,” Sam calls. “How can I help you?”

“Sam Wilson,” Foggy says, too earnestly, as he approaches, “will you accept this rose?”

“Oh, thank God,” Sam replies, as he reaches out to take it. “I was dreading having to debrief with Chris Harrison after this, if you didn’t pick me.”

“How could I not? After all, I believe I have you to thank for making today one of the weirdest days of my life.”

“I don’t know what you mean,” Sam says, twirling the stem between his fingers.

“Really? You mean to tell me you’re not responsible for sending me a frankly absurd amount of roses with a note that implied I’d always be your sugar plum?”

“The note was meant to say outright that you’d always be my sugar plum, Foggy. I hope the kid at the flower shop accurately captured my vision. I certainly paid enough for it!”

Foggy shakes his head, smiling. “I still don’t know what you were up to with this, Sam, but it must have cost you a fortune.”

“Well, I figured that your no-good husband would never shower you with lavish gifts at work and I thought you deserved something nice.”

“Listen, I know I’ve been upping my skincare game lately, but I don’t think I look good enough to pass for having been born yesterday,” Foggy says. “What’s your angle?”

“I still can’t believe you knew it was me.”

“It has the trademark Sam Wilson charm all over it.”

Sam smiles and leans against the edge of his desk. “I didn’t really embarrass you that bad, did I?”

“Only a little,” Foggy replies. “I assume I did something to deserve it.”

“Yeah, you made the mistake of befriending me in grad school and staying in contact ever since.”

“Oh, yeah. That’s a rookie move, for sure.”

“And you didn’t invite me to your wedding.”

“No one was invited to my wedding! We got married at City Hall!”

“A likely story.”

“If you’re really upset about that, you’re going to have to get in line,” Foggy says. “My mom is definitely more annoyed at me than you are.”

“It wasn’t that, don’t worry. The kids in my study hall were just gossiping again,” Sam adds, finally dropping the bit. “About how Matt’s girlfriend and your partner are probably jealous of your bromance.”

“God, these kids,” Foggy laughs, shaking his head. “Couldn't you assign them more homework or something?”

“Bucky and I are on it.”

“Thanks.”

“Some of it’s on you for just showing up for the new semester with a wedding ring and no explanation, you know.”

Foggy sighs. “I know, but it’s always weird finding the line with students. I don’t care what they know about my personal life, but I don’t want to find out I overshared when it’s too late and I’ve got some upset parent emailing me about how I’m setting a bad example for their kid by implying I date sometimes.”

“Well, your dating days are done, at least,” Sam says, sympathetically.

“Yes, but my gay marriage days are just beginning, which is a whole new can of worms.”

“True enough,” Sam replies. “Hey, if you learn anything about navigating this kind of thing, be sure to report back to the rest of us.”

“Why is that, Sam? You got gay marriage on your mind for some reason?”

Sam feels his face heat. “Shut up,” he says. “This whole situation today was supposed to give me a reprieve from you being smug about my love life for once.”

“There’s nothing on earth that could stop me being smug about that, sweetheart, but I applaud you for trying.”

“Applaud Bucky too,” Sam replies. “He footed the bill for this overture.”

“Did he?” Foggy asks, sounding reluctantly impressed. “Well, I hope you two weren’t saving up for anything important, because these flowers probably bankrupted him.”

“We’ll manage. Consider it a wedding present from us.”

Foggy nods, absently. “You know, speaking of Bucky…sorry, I actually don’t know the right way to say this…”

Sam feels himself tense. Even though he trusts Bucky completely and is happier with him than he can remember being with anyone else, the look on Foggy’s face is giving him pause. What if Foggy’s about to say he’s never actually liked Bucky? What if something happened to him and Sam somehow hadn’t heard? That seems pretty unlikely, but it’s not like Foggy to be cagey about anything.

“What is it?” Sam asks, pretending as hard as he can to be normal.

“It’s just—and maybe this isn’t my place to say, but—I just think, if Bucky’s not meeting your needs and you feel the need to act out like this, well, I have to say something—”

Sam sputters as he tries not to laugh and fails miserably. “Goddammit, Foggy!”

“I’m just saying, if you’re not feeling satisfied, I’d be happy to take him aside and give him a few pointers, you know, maybe point out a few erogenous zones he’s never heard of…”

“That won’t be necessary,” Sam replies, getting himself under control.

“I know it would be an awkward conversation,” Foggy says, hand to heart, “but you’re my friend and I’d do it for your sake.”

“Thanks, man. That’s really too kind of you. But why don’t you save that mojo for your husband?”

“Well, not to brag, but I’m doing well enough in that department that he doesn’t feel the need to send people prank bouquets just to start rumors about them.”

“I bet he wouldn’t even be able to find the time to think of it honestly.”

“Nope,” Foggy replies. “He’s far too sexually satisfied for such puerile pranks.”

Sam snorts. “I’m also perfectly satisfied, thank you!”

“If you say so.”

“I do,” Sam says, just as another knock sounds on his door. “Come in!”

“Hey, Sam,” Matt says, as he enters. “Sorry to interrupt.”

“No worries. Foggy was just insulting my boyfriend’s lovemaking skills.”

“Sounds about right,” Matt replies, coming to stand next to Foggy. “You ready to head out?”

“If you are,” Foggy says, and Matt inclines his head. “Thanks again for all the unnecessary drama, Sam.”

“You’re so welcome, Foggy. Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your mysterious, jealous partner and to Matt’s beautiful, blonde girlfriend.”

Matt’s eyebrows draw together in confusion. “My what?”

“Some woman a couple of students saw you with at a Nationals game, apparently,” Sam says. “I didn’t even know you liked baseball.”

“I can take it or leave it, honestly,” Matt says, “but Karen loves it, so we went to a game when she was in town.”

“Oh, okay,” Foggy says, comprehension dawning. “I heard that one too and I could not for the life of me figure out who they were talking about.”

“You were at that conference and your flight home got delayed,” Matt supplies. 

“Right. Lucky me.”

“You fared better than the Nationals did, at least,” Matt says.

“Though, that’s not a high bar to clear,” Sam adds.

Matt acknowledges that with a tilt of his head. “True enough,” he says. “That’s really where that rumor came from?”

“Apparently. Unless you’ve been cavorting around town with multiple beautiful, blonde women.”

“Not that I know of,” Matt says. “Though, you’re blond, right, Foggy?”

“Yes, and in the right light, I can be mistaken for a beautiful woman.”

“I can’t tell if that’s the sort of comment I should agree or disagree with to avoid insulting you.”

“And they say keeping the mystery alive in your marriage is difficult,” Foggy replies, with an arch look in Sam’s direction.

“Hey, is that why Matt refuses to wear his ring at school?” Sam asks. “Just to keep everyone guessing? Or is it something like how some couples will pretend not to know each other at parties and pick each other up as if they’re strangers?”

“Sure, let’s go with that and not the fact that Matt keeps conveniently forgetting to get his ring resized.”

Matt frowns. “I resent the implication that I’m deliberately avoiding it for no apparent reason.”

“Matt, it’s been like two months!”

“And I’m very easily distracted!”

Foggy sighs. “You see what I have to deal with?”

“This is why I sent you flowers,” Sam replies. “To remind you that you have options.”

“Thanks, Sam,” Matt says, darkly. “I’ll get the ring re-sized this weekend, I promise.”

“Well, actually, you might do better to wait,” Sam says. “Just think of how many idiot boyfriends are going to propose tonight without checking their girlfriend’s ring size beforehand. Jewelers are going to be busy for a few weeks from that alone.”

“That’s a good point,” Matt replies, thoughtfully.

“Why are you discouraging him?” Foggy asks, desperately. “Haven’t you interfered in my relationship enough for one day?”

“Foggy, you and Matt could get matching neon signs installed over your heads that say ‘happily married’ and the students would still think you’re seeing other people. A wedding ring on Matt’s finger is not going to do the trick.”

“Yeah, you’re right. In fact, it’s almost like I don’t care at all what the students say about my love life. I’d just like the man I love to wear the damn ring I bought him.”

“It’s actually because he wants other people to stop hitting on me at the grocery store when he’s like two feet away,” Matt says, leaning into Foggy’s side in an obvious bid for attention, which Foggy immediately indulges by putting his arm around Matt’s shoulders. 

Sam snorts and then feels bad about it. “Does that happen a lot?”

“Let’s just say I mostly go grocery shopping by myself these days,” Foggy says. “The masses cannot be trusted around Matt and his beautiful face.”

“You’re a brave man, Foggy Nelson.”

“For what? Going grocery shopping alone? Or being in love with Matt?”

“Both,” Sam replies.

“The dangers of marrying up,” Foggy says, and Matt elbows him immediately for it. “Someone ought to warn Bucky.”

“Hey now,” Sam warns, but he ruins the effect by laughing. “Bucky’s very handsome.”

“And you’re stunning! You’re a literal earth angel, Sam! They wrote that song about you!”

“Damn, if I’d known all it took to get these kinds of compliments from you was a floral arrangement, I’d have splurged years ago.”

“Sure, I go to one baseball game with a female friend and the rumor that I have a girlfriend persists for a year,” Matt says, grouchily, “but you guys talk like this all the time to each other and there’s no rumors about you two dating.”

“That’s true,” Sam concedes. “It is kind of weird, now that you mention it.”

“It’s because there’s no drama there,” Foggy says. “Sam and Bucky get rumors because there’s tension. They’re in the same department. You and me get rumors because there’s the potential for scandal. Me and Sam, our relationship is too pure to speculate about.”

“Too pure? Did I not just walk in on you offering to give his boyfriend sex tips a few minutes ago?”

“Yes, you did,” Foggy says, unapologetic. “And I stand by that offer, by the way. It could help!”

“No, thank you,” Sam replies, firmly. “As I said, save that energy for Matt.”

“Yeah, save that energy for me,” Matt says, giving Foggy a significant look. “And don’t think I missed that ‘marrying up’ comment a while back. I heard it and we’re going to discuss it in the car.”

Foggy sighs. “This is what I get for marrying a guidance counselor.”

Sam smiles at him. “Good thing you love him, huh?”

“A very good thing,” Foggy says. “Otherwise these persistent rumors about how he’s got a beautiful model girlfriend at home because he’s so straight would really get me down.”

“A beautiful model girlfriend who’s insanely threatened by his relationship to you, though.”

“Good point.”

“Well, I hope you and Bucky didn’t spend all your money on flowers for my husband,” Matt says. “That would make your own Valentine’s Day plans pretty bleak.”

Sam laughs. “We’re not literally bankrupt, don’t worry.”

“Just morally, then,” Foggy replies.

“Yeah. And my only regret is that you couldn’t even take the flowers home. Seems a waste. Ziggy would really go after them?”

“Oh, Ziggy would take any flowers or plants in the apartment as an act of warfare,” Foggy says.

“We tried to bring home a fern once,” Matt adds, looking haunted. “Didn’t survive the night.”

“He still hasn’t forgiven me for bringing Matt home,” Foggy says, shaking his head.

“My bad,” Sam says, considering the rose in his hand and thinking how Alpine would feel about it. After a moment of consideration, he realizes he’s getting a little ahead of himself and banishes the thought to the back of his mind.

“Honestly, it might have been more fun distributing them to everyone here than it would have been to just keep them at our house,” Foggy says, with a shrug. “Really got me in the spirit.”

“You’re welcome, then.”

“I still don’t know if I’d go so far as to thank you for it.”

“I wasn’t talking to you,” Sam replies. “I was talking to Matt.”

“I’m welcome?” Matt asks, perplexed. “For what, exactly?”

“Getting your husband in the Valentine’s Day spirit,” Sam says, with a wink.

“Sam just winked at you,” Foggy adds, for Matt’s benefit.

“Makes sense.”

“I believe he’s trying to imply that any sex we’ll be having tonight is his doing.”

“I’m following, Foggy. Thank you.”

“Little does he know—”

“We really should be going,” Matt says, grabbing Foggy by the arm. “Have a good night, Sam.”

“And remember: my offer to give Bucky some pointers is always open,” Foggy calls over his shoulder as Matt drags him bodily from the room. 

“Yeah, yeah,” Sam says, waving them both off.

Once they’re gone, he focuses his attention back on cleaning up his classroom and getting his things together, which takes only a few more minutes. When that’s done, he shuts off the lights and closes the door behind him before making his way down the hallway to Bucky’s classroom.

Pausing in the doorway, he sees Bucky glaring at something on his laptop screen, which probably means he got a parent email right as he was trying to wrap up for the day and it fully derailed his routine. Sam knocks on the doorframe twice with no response before letting himself in. Once he’s standing next to Bucky’s desk, still without being noticed, he pokes him in the shoulder to get his attention.

Bucky does a comical double take, as if he can’t believe Sam is actually there, and then very clearly takes in the time on the clock on the wall and realizes how long he’s been distracted. Then, he notices the rose in Sam’s hand.

“Don’t tell me I have a rival for your affections,” he jokes, even as the scowl doesn’t fully disappear from his face.

“Of course not,” Sam smiles. “This is for you.”

“Really?”

“Yep. The last remains of our little Valentine’s Day gift to Foggy.”

“Oh,” Bucky replies, taking the rose gingerly from Sam’s outstretched hand. “Thanks.”

“Thank you,” Sam says, grandly, trying to put his dumb feelings into nice words. “There’s, uh, nobody I’d rather do stupid, immature shit with than you.”

Bucky puts a hand to his chest. “Honestly, Sam, if you make me cry at work…”

“That will be on you for still being at work at this hour.”

“You’re still here too!”

“Waiting for you,” Sam fires back. “And on Valentine’s Day, no less!”

Bucky sighs, but closes his laptop anyway. “Alright, you win. This will keep. Let’s go home.”

“At last he sees sense!”

Bucky stands up and starts packing his things into his bag. “Did Foggy enjoy the flowers, at least?”

“Apparently, he got a lot of shit from the faculty for being the recipient of such an obvious and desperate romantic gesture. And our efforts were aided by Ziggy, who apparently doesn’t tolerate any plants in the house, which means Foggy had to give away the flowers and it only added to the supposed drama according to the students.”

“What a tangled web,” Bucky replies, shaking his head as he throws on his jacket.

“He said to thank you for the mild humiliation and the bankruptcy you risked to achieve it,” Sam says, and leaves out the other stuff Foggy said about Bucky for now. That’s more of an ‘at home’ conversation.

“Oh, I’m always happy to torment people with you, Sam. It was truly my pleasure!”

“Well, the feeling is mutual.”

Bucky pauses as he’s hoisting his backpack onto his shoulder, looking serious again. “I mean it, you know. What you said before, about how there’s no one you’d rather do stupid stuff with…?”

“Yeah? What about it?”

“There’s no one I’d rather do anything with than you,” Bucky says, earnestly. “I hope you know that.”

Sam smiles, even though the feeling swirling in his chest right now is not precisely happy or amused, but rather everything mixed together. Happy and amused and overwhelmed and confused and delighted and scared and…well, everything.

“Now who’s trying to make someone cry at work?” he asks, rather than admit to any of that. Yet another ‘at home’ conversation.

“You’re right,” Bucky acquiesces, with a small smile. “Let’s get out of here, so we can cry as much as we want.”

“Romantic,” Sam quips, barely holding back his own smile or the still very possible tears. “Home, then?”

“Yeah,” Bucky says, looking right at him. “Home.”

[sparring-spirals]

hi! sorry to bother you with this but I don’t really know how to search for it online and I don’t know anyone else that follows cr/has seen C2, so… when they brought devexian back online I know he was very broken and couldn’t remember much, but he was… somewhat functional, right? like, his core was intact etc?

I’m asking because I’ve been having this feeling lately that they’ll get to the repair terminal in the genesis ward in the next ep or so, and for the live show they’ll somehow fix fcg through the same means the mighty nein used for D (and that’s how sam would make his appearance at the show), since they kept the pieces after the explosion…

I guess my question is… would it work? can they fix fcg there? or would the core need to be intact for that? was devexian’s? could the repair terminal give them another core or is their core intrinsically linked to their soul? (I guess the last question is more of a meta question since there’s no way we can know that😂 but I’d love to know your opinion on it)

thank you and sorry again for the ramblings🫶🏻

hello anon. I'm deeply flattered you asked me and I am also SO sorry i did not see this until way late. I'm not even sure this answer is still any use given the liveshow has already gappened. but uhm. im here now! Never apologize for asking clarifying questions to me, i dont mind, just know that I sometimes (often) won't know. Or might go AWOL! apparently. This goes quadruple-fold for when I am some million hours behind on the campaign.

Also you sent this in BEFORE the live show and since then the live show has happened and Sam has returned with a hot flirty hunk of a character so I guess that answers that part of your question? I Am. So Sorry. But imo your broader question about if they could bring back F.C.G at all remains.

so that said, knowing that I havent been properly caught up for some 30-40 episodes, I'm going to give my very handwavey opinion, then turn you over to the hands of my followers who are probably more well informed and also probably caught up on the campaign.

I think its important to consider any kind of F.C.G revival on both an out of game perspective and in game perspective, bc I think with revival the latter influences the former a LOT. I think if Sam were really interested in bringing back F.C.G the repair terminals and them keeping parts of F.C.G could factor into it. There's definitely the question of "what makes F.C.G F.C.G" that would have to factor in, which gets philosophical very quick- I think there would have to be some equivalent of a standard revival ritual where they call something back from the beyond, because IMO, putting a "new" core in wouldnt bring back FCG.

Before we even get into the nitty gritty of the philosophy, though I don't know that Sam would want to bring F.C.G back? I mean the live show ended and there's now a hot minotaur in the party so its easy for me to say that. But Sam has also always been someone to commit to the big swings for characters- including losses- and his treatment of F.C.G's death felt like he thought it was meaningful and impactful and said what he wanted it to say. So in that vein- maybe it isnt possible to bring F.C.G back, largely because I think Matt would respect if Sam wouldn't want to leave that on the table.

TL;DR: Its not that I think there's no way to viably justify an F.C.G revival using the repair terminals, but it would be tricky and I don't see them doing that, from what I know. Is there an opportunity for something similar to Molly -> Kingsley towards the end of the campaign? Shore. Maybe. but i dont count that in the bucket youre describing.

anyway. im so sorry for the delay on this anon. i hope you had a good time watching the live show and are enjoying Sam's new character and im sorry i was not present enough to see this and respond earlier 😅

[let-me-love-you-loki]

Everything Has Changed--Ch. 27

Chapter 27

Shaye

           Good God, it felt like my heart had turned inside out and clawed its way into my throat. For a moment—from the instant that he spoke—I couldn’t breathe. I was suddenly right back in that train station in Tokyo. On the steep-sloped trail along the side of Mount Tsukuba. Standing at the wide windows looking out over the sprawling Katsushida ward below. In the Bullet Club locker room in Osaka. In Central Park along the side of a pond.

           In Winnipeg, standing shivering in the dirt driveway of that house. Watching Kota Ibushi appear out of nowhere, knowing that I had just been kidding myself that Kenny and I would ever have worked out.

           And yet here I was… with him on the phone. The moment that I felt most alone, I’d turned back to the person who had broken me so thoroughly.

           “You’re still there, Shaytan,” Kenny’s voice said in my ear. It had an undercurrent of something that I couldn’t quite place. It made my skin crawl just as much as it made me wonder what might have been. “I can hear you.”

           It was like my whole body crumpled in on itself. I slipped from the edge of Damon’s bed to the floor. The force of the landing rocketed through my spine as I landed, knocking the breath out of my lungs. It rushed out of me in a gasp that caught in my throat.

           There was a sound like a soft hum that came down the line. I could see his face in my mind. A gentle smile on his lips as he leaned forward to put his elbows on his knees. It was past midnight in New York. In Tokyo it was early afternoon. Kenny would have been just coming back to his flat from his workout and lunch at the little hole-in-the-wall spot down the street from the gym. The image ran through me with a shiver up my spine.

           “What’s the matter, Shaytan?” he asked softly.

           Before I could stop them, the tears came. They came in a torrent that rushed down my cheeks, stealing what little breath I had left. An ache settled behind my ribs like a hook in my heart that yanked and tore and pulled.

           His voice lilted up and down with that sweet concern that he had. “Iki o sutte kudasai, koibito. Watashi wa koko ni imasu.” It had been so long since I’d heard or spoken Japanese. It took a moment for my brain to make sense of what it was hearing.

           Take a breath, sweetheart. I am right here. That hook in my chest twisted and yanked, feeling as if it were tearing my heart from behind my ribs. I sank forward, curling in on myself. Wrapping my free arm around my stomach as if I were trying to hold my guts inside me.

           “Damon…” My brother’s name caught in my throat. I thought of where he might have gone. What trouble he might be getting himself into. “I can’t… he’s gone… he ran off.”

           I heard a faint rustle on the other end of the line. I tried to imagine what he was doing. Was he walking through the quiet streets back to his flat? Was he still in the little restaurant in his favorite booth? Had he slipped a little and gotten another deep-fried Mars bar?

           “What do you want from me?” Kenny went quiet for a moment as if to let me think. “What do you need?”

           My lungs ached as I sucked in a breath. I knew the answer almost before he’d finished asking the question. But I hated myself for it.

           “You.”

Nick

           “Oh my God, Nick. Stop it,” Sam said from across the table. There was a whine in her voice that was part annoyance and part frustration. She kicked my shin underneath the table. She, Matt, and I were at our favorite table at Black Bear Diner with our usual spread between us.

           My phone sat face up by my plate. Every few minutes, I’d tap the screen, look forlornly at the glowing glass, and then heaving a sigh when there was nothing. All three of us knew what I was doing—checking for messages from Shaye. There was no denying it.

           It had been weeks since I’d heard from her. Every single day, I wanted to call her. I wanted to text her. Just to know that she was still there. It was hard to explain, and I knew that it was going to tear me up inside the longer I lingered on the thought. I could feel the ache starting deep in my chest, just behind my ribs. It sucked the breath out of my lungs and I nearly choked.

           “That’s it,” she said, reaching across the table and snatching my phone before I could get my hands on it. She hit the button on the side, holding it down until it turned off completely. Then she tucked it underneath her thigh.

           “Give me my phone,” I said, holding out my hand.

           Sam shook her head and went back to her food. She took a bite of her turkey sandwich and turned her attention to Matt. “When do you have to go to Reseda again?”

           “Sam, give me my phone,” I demanded. Frustration boiled just below the surface of my voice.

           She ignored me. “I have to do a showing this weekend for one of my classes.”

           Matt dug his phone from his pocket and opened up his calendar. He swiped through it before putting it away. “Next PWG show is Friday night. I guess you’re going to miss it, then.”

           “Well, it depends on where you are on the card. I might be able to swing it if you’re near the end of the show.”

           The two of them carried on their conversation as if they were alone at the table. My guts churned with jealousy and envy. Seeing them together made me miss Shaye even more. It didn’t matter that there had never really been anything between the two of us. I’d fallen in love with her in Osaka the first time I’d met her. That hadn’t changed just because she’d cut me out of her life.

           My patience snapped. “Samantha, give me my damn phone!”

           “Watch your tone,” Matt said, his voice sharp. “Calm down.”

           I rubbed my eyes hard with my fingers, trying to push back the tears that were threatening to rush to the surface. “Please, just give me my phone. I’m going home.”

           “Nick—”

           Sam put my phone on the table. I snatched it up and threw a twenty on the table. Sam drove us all to the diner. I called an Uber.

Shaye

           Despite myself, Kenny’s voice made me weak in the knees. All I could envision was the way he’d looked that first day in the Tokyo train station. How kind his eyes had been. How soft his voice echoed in my memory. I squeezed my eyes shut, fighting nausea at the idea of calling him.

           “It’s good to hear from you, Shaytan,” he said confidently. The timbre of his voice conjured images of nights overlooking the streets of the ward with Kenny’s hands on me. “I’ve missed you.”

           My body ached with want and sadness and loneliness. “Don’t call me that,” I said softly. “You don’t get to call me that anymore.”

           It didn’t matter that I’d called him. That I’d told him that I needed him.

           I could hear his smile when he spoke again. “You will always be my unmei no akai ito.” For a moment, I thought I sensed sadness in his voice. “It isn’t right without you. I’m not right without you.”

           Something burned in my throat. Bile and tears and self-loathing. “Stop. Just stop,” I gasped, trying to stop myself from breaking down into pieces. What had I done? How had I been so stupid as to call him? “You don’t get to say those things. You don’t get to be sad and upset and lonely. Because you did this. All of this is your fault. Everything that’s happened is because you did it. You and Kota fucking Ibushi ruined everything. Absolutely everything.”

           It went quiet on the other end of the line. When he spoke again, his voice was soft. Almost contrite. “It wasn’t what you think, Shaye. If you’d given me five minutes to explain, I would have told you everything.”

           “And what was that, Kenny?” Anger and hurt and hatred burned through my veins. “That you were fucking Kota behind my back? That you were going dark on me because you wanted to sneak away? Because that’s exactly what it looked like to me.”

           “Did it bother you at all that Nick came with you? That he was so willing to fly from California to Winnipeg just like that? Without a moment’s notice?” There was something bordering on fury in his voice. “It didn’t occur to you at all that he was a little too helpful?”

           It was the same thing he’d tried to convince me about when he’d called when I was in California. “Stop. Just stop. I don’t believe you. Don’t you dare lie about Nick that way! He was there when you completely broke me!”

           Kenny chuckled darkly. “You never asked him, did you?”

           I wanted to scream. My stomach churned. “Fuck you,” I said, my voice far less sure than I wanted. “I hate you!”

           His voice dropped into a whisper that I’d heard a thousand times before. “You called me, Shaytan. When you needed someone, you didn’t call Nick Jackson. You called me.”

_______________________

Tag List

@imagineall-the-fandoms

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[justmultifandom]

Kidge summer event

Day 25: House party (Stranger things AU)

Keith let out a sigh of relief as his feet hit the sidewalk, finally feeling that he was outside the Holts' backyard. Even though they were only going to a summer evening party (which he had actually used as an excuse to invite her out as a real date), he was dead scared when he picked her up in his new red car (a gift from Shiro) with Colleen had threatened to snap him in half if he tried to make Katie come home late, Sam had sworn to kick him out of afternoon space science classes if she came home drunk, and Matt had threatened to cut off his penis if he ever dare to touch her (he took the scissors as he said it).

Katie walked over to him, wrapping her hands around his arm and guiding him towards the car, her tight, short dress fluttering with every step.

“Matt makes you wear something like this?” he pointed out, starting the engine and starting to drive.

“We had a bitter quarrel about it”: she replied, adjusting her lipstick looking at the mirror, to then look at him: “He threatened you, didn't he?”

"Exactly": he replied, looking at the road and parking a few houses away from the one of the party, but they didn't get off immediately: "You think your brother is afraid of the Mind Flayer?"

"Come on! Matt doesn't even know the Mind Flayer exists!”: She exclaimed, bouncing her hands on her thighs as he shrugged and stepped out of the car.

“Look, I know that a lot of shit has happened in these three years, but tonight, at least tonight, can we pretend we're just normal teenagers?!”: she exclaimed, grabbing his cheeks with her hands and looking at him: “No Mind Flayer, no Russian dudes hiding in the mall, no Upsidedown, ok?”

"Only us": he repeated, giving her a quick kiss and then taking her by the hand and leading her to the house where they could hear the music and lights. There were a lot of boys and girls dancing, throwing toilet paper and drinking a strange dark red drink. Neither of them had any idea why Lance had decided out of the blue to throw such a party, with the Mind Flayer and his people around, but everyone needed a break after all.

“You think Lance invited his girlfriend?” Keith yelled, approaching the kitchen island, filled with food and drinks.

“The one from summer camp in England?! I don't think she's going to travel to another continent for a simple party”: Katie chuckled: “If he ever had a girlfriend!”

He laughed back as she shifted her attention to the table, waving her hands and feet in time to the music, reaching for an open but still nearly full bottle.

“What is it?”: she asked, reading the label but understanding that she was in a foreign language.

“It's Italian wine,” Hunk replied, popping up suddenly as he ate some pizza and chips, while his girlfriend Shay nibbled on his plate moving from his right shoulder to left.

"I brought it": Shay replied, chewing: "My parents took it on their travels, then they became stems and it would be a waste to leave them there"

Katie smiled, giving her a thumbs up, removing the cap and taking a sip. She made a happy expression and kept drinking until half bottle.

“Katie, I promised your father to bring you home undrunk!” Keith rolled his eyes as she staggered as the alcohol surged through her brain.

“But I'm perfectly fiiiiiine”: she hummed, shrugging to the music and approaching him: “Let's daaaaance”

"Katie, you're obviously drunk," he pointed out as she took his hand and led him into the middle of the DIY dance floor of Lance's house. She started to dance, holding that drunken smile on her mouth as she had her hands clasped between his. He felt embarrassed for a moment: he had never been to many large parties and he certainly had never unloaded dancing among other people.

"Hey, Keith": he looked at her when he heard her call and she wasted no time getting up on her toes and giving him a passionate kiss. He opened his mouth to say something, but she took the opportunity to deepen the kiss and slide her tongue in, studying his palate and leaving a sour alcohol taste.

“You're beauuuuuutiful”: she exclaimed, breaking the kiss and drinking some more from her bottle. He blushed furiously, snatching the bottle from her hands and pulling her out of the house, towards his car.

“But Keeeef”: she whined, “We were having fun!”

“Katie, you're drunk, we have to go back to your house, hoping your parents don't kill us!” Keith exclaimed, taking her bride style so he could walk faster.

“The Mind Flayer will kill us”: she grumbled, as he put her back on her passenger seat: “If you don't give me a kiss”

He turned looking at Katie, who had made puppy eyes. He rolled his eyes.

“No”: he put on his belt.

“Not even a little one?” She persisted, leaning forward towards him, nimbly dodging the gears and sitting down on his lap, grabbing him by the collar of his jacket.

"Katie": he looked at her, raising an eyebrow: "Not in these conditions"

“Mm”: she pouted at him, leaning forward and biting his lip: “Then I'll stay like this for the whole trip”

“It's a five-minute ride to your house”: he pointed out: “I can handle it”

"You'll see that five minutes will be enough for me": she smiled, kissing him again.

[justkpopjokes]

SEVENTEEN as Alternative/Indie/Rock Songs

Several years ago, I started making this list of all the alt/indie/rock songs I associate with Seventeen! It’s my favourite genre of music, so I’ll be doing these for a few groups.

This was originally going to be a GFX series, so Jeonghan and Jun have links to my GFX posts. Otherwise, links are to the songs on YouTube!

S.COUPS

King — Zayde Wølf

Seungcheol is King, what else needs to be said?????

Mr. Wølf has got a full(?)/clean voice that I think matches well with Cheol's vibe

JEONGHAN

This is Gospel — Panic! At the Disco

((Check out the GFX here!))

Thought of Hannie when listening to the piano version actually

I think the fact there’s 2 official versions with different vibes kinda show Jeonghan’s softness vs the fact he’s cool af

(Like ALL HIS HIDDEN TALENTS?? ok Jeonghan I see u)

JOSHUA

Heart of Gold — Foreign Figures

The warmth this song radiates reminds me of Shua

I think it fits his vibe and he could sing it!

It’s not exactly his style, but he could rock it

JUN

Top of the World — Greek Fire

I feel like Junhui could sing a ver. of this where the tune is the same but has different instruments and less of shouting

Like the verses definitely fit!!

BONUS ! JUN

Let Me Down Slowly - Alec Benjamin

((Check out the GFX here!))

Bonus bc it’s technically indie pop not rock (though someone did make an alt rock cover!!!)

On that note, it’s also kind of like a ballad which wbk junhui slays

Junhui’s softness matched with Alec’s!! They both got soft voices like cotton candy

I still think Junhui’s voice is very purple and fits this song

HOSHI

Kung Fu — IAMCOUCHSURF

This song is definitely more of a fun/silly vibe than the others, which gives me Hoshi vibes!

I had another song for Hoshi that he could dance to, whereas this one is more of just a song to jam to than one he’d dance to

Though the singing style sounds kind of like Hoshi (in a rock context)

WONWOO

Man or a Monster — Sam Tinnesz ft. Zayde Wølf

Ngl if Wonu sang this... I would cry

The vibe of this song fits him really well imo

And the lyrics are smth I could write a fic abt w/him!! The point is it’s very vibey

WOOZI

Way Down We Go — KALEO

The piano is an immediate tie in to Jihoon's vibe

Soft indie rock!! Maybe not something he could sing himself, but it reminds me of him

THE8

Call Me Fighter — Matt Beilis

THINKING OF AN FMV WITH MINGHAO OOOH

This has soft verses but then the chorus really ramps it up

It’s like... such epic vibes and I feel like Hao could cover it if it was a little different? (like what I said abt Jun’s)

He could pull off the verses in Chinese for sure

MINGYU

Monster — Willyecho

I FEEL LIKE A *beat drop* *guitar riff* MONSTER

If you don't see Gyu playing electric guitar to that then idk what to say

I really love Mingyu as this song lol, he could really rock parts of it!!

DK

Hell No! — Mel Senese

I think Dokyeom could sing this

But also I picked it because the vibe is definitely DK’s vibe (maybe even BooSeokSoon)

Like the hook and chorus give DK energy

SEUNGKWAN

Birds — Imagine Dragons

Originally I had this one for DK but I think Seungkwan’s voice fits the entire song better rather than DK who fits just the chorus/bridge

Like Seungkwan could sing this!! Maybe it’s not entirely his vibe but he could!!

I think this being more vocal-driven than other Imagine Dragons songs also lends to the Seungkwan vibes

VERNON

Dreamin' — The Score ft. Blackbear

Sorry can I get a cover of this from Vernon pls thanks Mr. Chwe 👉👈

Lyrics kind of fit him too; if you told me he wrote this song I would believe you

The lyrics are abt pursuing your dreams despite what other people say & that could be tied into his own issues, while having a vibe that fits him imo

"Listen to me now as I wash away my fears" YOU CAN’T TELL ME THAT’S NOT A VERNON LYRIC

DINO

Play with Fire — Sam Tinnesz

I would be lying if said I didn’t imagine myself w/Chan dancing to a choreo I made of this LMFAO

I think Chan could rock this song sO HARD if he made choreo

((ALSO I made this post literal years ago; SKZ Hyunjin did a dance for this song which is exactly what I was thinking of at the time))

WHOLE GROUP

Citizen of Heaven — Tauren Wells

This is gospel rock lol but I think this fits like a very specific early era of SVT

Like Shining Diamonds era and around that time!!

BONUS ! LEADER LINE

Can’t Stop Me Now — Oh The Larceny

Ok I don’t think this actually fits them vibe-wise, but nothing can stop these 3 like cmon now

So this is more of a theme song for them rather than smth they’d sing themselves

BONUS ! PERFORMANCE UNIT

Revenge, And A Little Bit More — Unlike Pluto

Pluto himself calls his style electronic rock so I’m including it lol

SVT could make a choreo to this and I would cry

I’m not sure why I thought of perf. unit but somehow it works??

[jimsmovieworld]

SCREAM 6- 2023 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

GHOSTFACE TAKES MANHATTAN!

Absolutely loved Scream 6.

The Core Four move from Woodsboro to New York City to go to college and ghostface isnt far behind them.

The opening was inventive and fresh. Samara Weaving was great. The moment ghostface took his mask off really shocked me. I thought maybe this was a stab movie or something. Then ghostface calls him and he becomes the victim. I didnt understand why until later in the film but really liked all this.

Also a great Friday the 13th 8 nod with that on the tv.

The New York setting was brilliant and a breath of fresh air. Absolutely love Woodsboro but was nice to mix it up. The scene in the convenience store was so cool. Ghostface with a shotgun! ❤️

Ghostface in general was really scary in this. Really vicious kills and a lot less clumsy than he usually is. Scream 6 had some really tense moments and chase sequences. The ladder kill was absolutely terrifying.

As for the characters....

Just as Scream 2022 did. This film gives plenty of screen time to newer characters before introducing any of the legacy cast.

I think it really worked here and set up a lot for the film. Tara and Sams relationship was very well written. Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega were both amazing. So happy to have them as the centre of these movies. Both very likable.

Chad and Mindy were great. Chads relationships with Tara was sweet and Scream 6 confirms Mindy is Randy (Meeks). Just as her uncle Randy used to do she is the horror buff who gets to to explain the updated rules. And does it very well. Although i think her haircut is probably the worst Scream haircut since Gale in Scream 3.

I was very happy they brought Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich) back again through Sams thoughts. Love Sams conversations with him. Its hilarious that he is always trying to convince her to become a serial killer like him but he also watches out for her. Theyve found the perfect way to bring Billy back and should continue to do so for as long as Sam is around.

Now as for his boyfriend Stu, he was mentioned to be dead and then Mindy said:

"If you believe hes dead".

This is all i need to hear to continue holding out hope for him to still be alive and the next killer...

Other returning characters were Roger L Jackson as the iconic voice of ghostface.

Courteney Cox returns as Gale Weathers. Despite saying she wouldnt write a book about the last movie she does anyway. This leads to one of the best moments of the film when Sam tries to punch Gale. Gale ducks it only to be punched moments later by Tara. Hilarious. Somehow this is also the first time she has talked to Ghostface on the phone. Her putting him on hold had me laughing. That whole scene was great, Gale is badass and put up a great fight. I was genuinely surprised she survived, i thought she was going to die for sure.

She is also now the only person to appear on screen in every Scream movie.

Neve Campbell declined to return over a salary dispute sadly. The film mentions Sidney, shes alive and well and has taken Mark and the kids somewhere safe.

I did miss seeing Sid as shes my favourite final girl ever, but the film was so good that the story didnt need her to work. Glad shes still alive though in that universe so we can bring her back. Pay Neve Campbell anything she wants she deserves it.

Also returning was Kirby (Hayden Panettiere). Everyones favourite character from Scream 4 was brought back from the dead and now works for the FBI. She took a special interest in the ghostface killings naturally and helps them solve the case. Great idea bringing her back. Shes a great legacy character, had good chemistry with the new gang and would love to see more of her.

As for the killers....

Really liked their motive. Its Richies family. They explain they killed the film student wannabes at the start after they got everything they needed from them.

This is a great nod to the killers motives in Scream 2 which this film parallels in many ways. The most obvious of which being they go to college (the frats and sororities even have the same names as in Scream 2).

Richies family out for revenge is like Debbie Salt and the guys killed at the start are like Mickey.

Good stuff.

This is now the most killers ever to be in a Scream film which was interesting. Even if you dont count the guys at the start, three is a record.

The double knife clean from the dual ghostfaces was perfect. Out of the kids i much preffered Quinn. I thought Quinn was really great when we saw her earlier and i didnt see the twist coming that she was still alive. Her brother seemed completely boring to me during the film. Showed a lot more personality when he was revealed as a killer though to be fair. I thought Dermot Mulroney was good but the bit where he called and warned Sam about Kirby being the killer sadly was a dead give away. Its obviously not Kirby so therefore was him. I thought the three killers was really interesting. They all had brilliant deaths i thought. Love that Sam resists being a killer but when she does get to stab someone she stabs them 100 times.

Also loved the way this movie pays tribute to every previous Scream film and not just the original. Great to see underated killers like Roman Bridger get some props. The ghostface museum filled with all the previous killers costumes and other props was absolutely incredible.

After seeing this on Wednesday for the first time i was annoyed to hear there is a post credits scene that i missed. Went back yesterday and rewatched it and stayed til the end.

Its a five second clip of Mindy saying:

"Not every film needs a post credits scene".

Now theres only one thing i had a problem with.

I didnt have an issue with no main characters dying. This is rare for a Scream film but you can do it every now and again as long as get some in the next sequel. With Dewey dead and Sidney unavailable, we are running fairly short of Legacy characters so im glad Gale and Kirby lived.

I love the Core Four so glad they all lived. But for gods sake you have to sell the stab wounds a bit more. Chad got stabbed like a million times, its fine for him to survive the film but make it seem believable, there is no way someone could live through that.

Mindy was even worse. Stabbed twice directly im the guts. So less than Chad, but not only did she survive but she was running around unphased 30 minutes later with the explanation that they gave her strong drugs? I absolutely loved the subway stabbing scene so will give it a pass. Very creepy and loved all the iconic horror costumes people had.

Scream 6 has topped the box office with an opening weekend of 44million plus domestically making it the best debut for any Scream film ever. Its been getting rave reviews from fans and critics and currently stands at a 7.4 on imdb. With all that happening its all but guaranteed we will have another Scream movie on the way before long.

What a time to be alive.

Directed by Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli Olpin.