#I'm about to just walk into a place and sit on the cash desk

[0m3g45n1p3r4lph4]

Modern day job hunt really helps me understand why people would rob banks

[cobaltperun]

Eternal Flame (15) - Why’d you only call me when you’re high

Jenna Ortega x Female Reader

Summary: For her it’s a passion, for you it’s an accident. And as she continues shining brighter and brighter with each role you are left mesmerized, drawn to her flame and cherishing every time she lets herself be vulnerable with you.

Spotify playlist

Masterlist / First Part / Previous part / Next part

Word Count: 4.7k

-Decided that once again I was just dreaming of bumping into you-

You felt free, finally going through your days without feeling all of that weight on your shoulders, and you were busy cleaning up all of the mistakes you made. You had to do it before you had the chance to see Jenna again, and there was still one more person from you past you needed to settle your score with, at least in a way.

Surprisingly, it was raining today and you forgot your umbrella, but frankly you didn't really care. You felt good and no amount of rain could change that, besides even through all of the rain you could occasionally see a ray of sunlight breaking through the clouds, and it just made you happy. No matter how long the rain would last, the sunlight would eventually break through the clouds, as cliche as that sounded.

You went and walked through the doors of the gym, taking off the hood from your head as you did so. You looked around, contemplating the decisions that led you here. Despite everything that happened and the fact that he pulled you into that, you couldn't deny that Davis also gave you a job, an actual proper job at this gym that could sustain you if you chose to quit fighting.

“Not exactly a busy day,” you said as you approached his desk. Why he kept the desk in the gym instead of having an office was beyond you, but it made things easier for you now. It only now crossed your mind, but now that you thought about it maybe that was how he spotted the potential fighters. You looked over the guys working out, seeing as those were his usual targets for recruitment, and wondered if any of them would take the chance if he offered it.

“Is it? I barely noticed,” sarcasm slipped through his façade of indifference, but he didn't look mad at you. Not that you really cared if he was mad, but he certainly didn't look mad. “Come and sit. Do you want something to drink or maybe grab a meal? I can order something,” hell, he seemed somewhat happy to see you.

“No, I'm good. I just wanted to come by and thank you,” you said, though you did take a seat. No matter how those fights affected your life you couldn't deny that they did give you a chance to save your parents, and later down the line, even if you did do it for different reasons, they did give you enough money to finish high school without having to spread yourself thin and find a full time job.

Davis looked at you with a raised eyebrow. “It was just business. You fought and we both earned money, I gave you a job here and your dedication to it brought me more money. At the end of the day we both profited from this arrangement.”

That was one way to look at it, and you didn’t lie to yourself, Davis did none of it out of the goodness of his heart. He just saw profit and took his chance, a businessman through and through, only connected to rather brutal business.

“You took a chance, one most people wouldn't,” he saw the desperation and found away to cash it in, cruel, but beneficial for both of you. And in a way because of that there was one more thing you wanted to do, a rather ridiculous thing to do, but you wanted the clean slate. So, you went and pulled out a fairly large envelope from your jacket and you placed it in front of him.

“What's this?” he asked and your shrugged.

“$128,000, the exact amount I earned after my parents died, for thirty wins and eight losses. I got paid so I'm giving it all back. I’m starting over so I want to completely separate myself from that time of my life. I know this doesn't erase it. nothing will ever erase it, but in some way, it feels like almost filthy money. Not in the: ‘I did something illegal’ way but in the ‘I did something I shouldn’t have’ way,” you've been thinking about it for a while now, ever since you decided to quit fighting, and you got paid enough from the movies you did lately so you could afford this.

Davis didn't think it over for one bit, he just pushed the envelope back to you. “So, then donate this to some charity. Help some people in need. I don't care how you feel about this money, but you earned it with blood and sweat, and all the effort you put into being able to fight like that. You want a clean slate? You'll never get it, accept that it was a part of you and try to do some good with it if you really want to make up for whatever hurt this caused to you or your loved ones,” he said and you found yourself considering his words. You offered the money to him, he didn't take it, so you took it back.

“Sure, you got any charity you want me to donate this to?” you asked as you got up.

“Make a wish,” his answer was immediate, and for a moment you put it all together and nodded, silently acknowledging just how similar the two of you might have been. You’d never know for sure, and you didn’t need to know for sure.

“Take care,” you turned to leave, understanding that this was the last time you would ever talk to this man. There would never be a reason for him or you to reach out to one another again.

“You too, kid. Don't go finding another person to recruit you into fights,” he replied and you raised your hand, waving slightly as you walked out of the gym.

~X~

It was late at night when Jenna stumbled through the motel, back to her room, smelling like booze and smoke, and just feeling downright awful with the headache already starting. She felt like throwing up, as if everything else wasn’t already enough. She’s been getting somewhat drunk over the past month, seeing as she could legally drink here, and her co-stars didn't mind having some fun. But tonight was just a completely different beast! She went bar hopping with Scott, and was now damn near blackout drunk as she stumbled into her room.

The alcohol hit her hard, and she should have guessed that would happen when she began mixing it. She just fell onto her bed, sick and tired of the smell that was now stuck to her clothes. She really needed to get up and go to the bathroom to freshen up, to wash her face and maybe throw up, she wasn’t sure, and she needed to drink something for her headache and the inevitable hangover.

So, she pushed herself to her feet and nearly tripped on her way to the bathroom. She wasn't even happy, she progressively got more miserable with every shot she took. With every drop of alcohol she just missed you more and more.

A cynical voice in her head invaded her mind as she began washing her face after throwing up, telling her she's gotten so far as an actress. Months ago, she got so self-conscious about her feelings for you that she couldn't black out and kiss you, yet here she was, just days ago filming a scene where she was stripped down to her underwear, crawling over to a guy 19 years older than her. If you were there you would have first of all made sure she was completely comfortable, like you did before you were supposed to kiss. She pushed through the scene, thankful that she didn’t have lines in it, because she was just thinking about you through it all.

The cynical voice kept mocking her, taunting her as she remembered the one and only time her lips touched yours. The way you so softly caressed her cheek, how right the kiss felt for her, and in her drunken state she caught herself wondering yet again just how she allowed herself to throw it all away.

She barely remembered to turn the water off, before she took her clothes off and went to the chair she left your shirt on. The feel of your shirt against her skin felt right, and Jenna glanced at the mirror. The shirt looked more like a rather short dress on her, and she went back to the bed, dropping on it before covering herself with your jacket. As the days passed she’s been getting more and more attached to these two articles of clothing, at this point they might as well be her own. Nothing about them reminded her of you anymore, other than just knowing that they were once yours. She's washed the shirt so many times that even trying to figure out what perfume you used wouldn’t help.

Yet, they still somehow brought her comfort. Just a few more days, just a few more unbearable days without you, and then she could try to fix what she did.

She wasn't exactly in the right state of mind, too drunk to even consider the consequences or think about how it would affect her decision to make sure your first contact would be face to face. She just opened her camera and snapped a picture of herself laying on the bed, your jacket thrown off and next to her, and she looked at the camera while her fingers tugged at the collar of your shirt.

And she went and sent it to you, not even caring about what time it was where you were. Hell, she wasn’t even completely aware of what time it was, she just knew it was the middle of the night, and that you should be sleeping. She didn’t even consider how this would look. Or that the first thing you would get from her wasn't even an apology or a plea to meet up, but rather a photo of her looking drunk.

She tossed her phone aside, her mind drifting to everything that happened between you. How you would hold her, lift her up, hug her, how it felt to you have your arms around her. How soft your cheeks felt against her lips, or how she felt butterflies in her stomach whenever she could feel your own lips on her skin. Jenna remembered all that in vivid detail as she drifted between being asleep and awake, just barely opening her eyes to see if you got the message. She considered sending you another one, though she didn't even have any ideas why. She just felt like doing it, besides, she’s been getting the chance to see your photos from the vacation every now and then, and she was sure you didn't know about that. So maybe it was just fair of her to let you see her now. And then she checked the messages and was immediately startled awake when she saw ‘delivered’ changing to ‘seen’.

“Oh shit!” she watched with bated breath as you did nothing. You didn't start typing, you just saw the message and in her panicked state and fear that you were now absolutely furious at her she hit the call button frantically.

The seconds almost felt as if each one lasted for an eternity, and then finally, you picked up.

“Jen?” you said her nickname, not even her name, but the nickname! And she just wasn't even sure how she felt about it, despite how much she loved hearing you say it. On one hand the relief flooded her entire body, on the other hand she felt like crying, because after all that happened the first word to come out of your mouth was her nickname. “Are you OK? Say something, please,” she heard you sitting up frantically, and for a moment she wondered if you were as nervous as she was.

“I’m not OK, I miss you,” she once again felt sick in her stomach and this time it had nothing to do with alcohol she consumed, although she guessed that only amplified everything now.

“Jen, focus on my voice. Take a deep breath for me, you'll be fine,” you spoke so softly, and she didn't feel like she deserved it. You immediately, without any apology or explanation from her, slipped right back into that same protective nature, calming her down before her anxiety could take over. “Can you do that for me?”

“I can,” she took a deep breath, audible enough for you to hear, and the sigh of relief coming from your side was almost enough to make her cry.

“Just like that, Jen, you're doing great. Focus on something else, think of being somewhere where you're not alone,” you instructed her, and Jenna knew exactly where she wanted to be.

“I want to be with you. I want you to hug me and lift me up, and take me in your arms and just-“ she suppressed a sob as best as she could. “I just want to feel you all around me, Y/N,” she buried her face in her pillow, trying to cover up her sobs.

“I can't do much from here, maybe, I don’t know, do you want to FaceTime?” you offered but she couldn't accept that, she couldn’t let you see just how broken she was by all of this, by this overwhelmingly long distance between you, and now by this sudden development. You were talking to her, she was listening to your voice, and it felt like nothing changed.

“It's not the same,” she wanted to, if she ever had the rights to do something like that again, feel you in every way she could think of. To give you everything she had, to let you take anything you wanted as long as you stayed by her side.

“I know, I miss you too,” those words filled her with warmth, and despite tears she smiled. “I wanted to see you, I want to explain myself and apologize for what happened,” you had nothing to apologize for in Jenna’s mind. You weren't the one who was refusing to see things from another perspective, you weren't the one who rejected her, she was the one who did all that, she was the one who couldn't see past the initial negative reaction she had.

“I’m the one who messed up,” she argued, crying out of despair and sorrow.

“Jen, don’t. Don’t think like that, it was a natural reaction to what you found out. There is nothing wrong with how you reacted. Jenna, listen to me, I will never blame you for anything that happened these past three months. You had every right to react like that, I kept a secret I should have never kept from you,” why were you so damn understanding when she hurt you so much. When she let things go to far, when she didn’t immediately, right in front of you, berate her father for what he did to you.

“I don't know what to do. I don't know how to make it up to you,” she whispered, wondering if she would ever be able to forgive herself because while you clearly weren't angry with her, she still struggled to forgive herself.

“How about we start over, hmm? We acknowledge what happened and move on,” despite all the negative emotions she felt this idea still made her feel happy. That was what she wanted, more than anything, to just once again have you in her life.

“I want that, I want all of you, Y/N,” and your breath hitched at that, and Jenna just realized she said the same thing she said when you were over at her parents’ house. “I want to give you all of me, anything you want.”

“You have all of me, you've had all of me for a long time now, hell before I even knew it,” she trusted every word you said. Did you even notice how easily you stopped her before her panic attack could even begin? That was how easily you affected her, how much just hearing your voice meant to her. That was how safe you made her feel, because being vulnerable felt right as long as it was with you.

“I don't know how to make my parents understand,” she admitted, hoping you would somehow put her mind to ease about that concern as well.

“I'll make an effort. I'll get them to see I'm not a danger to you,” you decided so easily, yet she didn't want that.

“That's not what I want, Y/N. You shouldn't have to prove anything to them, my dad punched you, pointed a gun at you, my entire family has been against you and if anyone should make an effort it's them,” yet, though she felt that, she had no idea how to get there. Enrique tried his best, he told them everything he told her, yet they barely listened. They acknowledged that he probably had the point, but in their eyes, it was too late now. The mistakes were made, the resentment had infected your relationship with them in their eyes. So, at this point they were choosing the easier path for them, even if the cost was her own happiness. They thought that they could just brush everything under the rug, ignore the problem and face no repercussions, because she couldn't cut them out of her life. And they knew how much they mattered to her, that she couldn't ever choose anyone if it meant cutting them off.

So, they wouldn't make that effort, hoping that their silence would perhaps chase you away. And Jenna hated it. Deep down she knew that she needed both you and her family in her life, and yet she feared that lack of effort on their part would make her lose you. That you wouldn’t be able to take it.

“I don't care,” you just shattered that concern into pieces. “I don't care who's right or wrong here. I don't care who needs to apologize, all I want is you. Jen, if having you in my life means I have to deal with awkward family reunions, or constant concerns or questions, or anything your parents can throw at me, I don't care, I still want you. This is our relationship, and I will never jeopardize it for another person, no matter who they are and no matter what they did. And I will never ask you to sacrifice anything, let alone your relationship with your family for us. So, whatever concern you have we'll get through it.”

You've never been like this before. This open and vulnerable. Something changed within you since you left Coachella on that day, and she wasn't sure what it was. But, she could feel it in every word you spoke. You had something worth fighting for, your relationship with her, and there was nothing that could make you stop fighting, nothing other than Jenna herself telling you she didn't want it. And for the first time in her life Jenna fully believed this between you was permanent. That no matter what happened or who tried to get between the two of you she knew that she was yours for the rest of her life, and if your words were any indication, you were hers as well.

“You're too much,” she managed a weak laugh, broken up by sobs. “I need you next to me so much, Y/N, need to feel you, to love you,” you were too much in the best way possible. Loving her so intensely and she found herself just giving in to it, just hoping she could love you with the same intensity.

“I'm just in love,” you said surprising her once again tonight.

It just slipped right out of her mouth as well. “I'm in love too. I love you,” as if everything else she said about how much she needed and wanted you wasn't enough of a confession, she just went and said it.

“I love your, Jenna,” she swore she could hear the smile in your words, and she was sure you were grinning. She closed her eyes and though she desperately wanted to keep this going she knew she was just about to fall asleep.

“I don't think I can stay awake for much longer,” she yawned, relieved and happy now.

“Sleep well, Love,” and you both kind of laughed at that, because that was exactly how your character called Tara. Thinking about it now, there were quite a few similarities between you and Jenna and your character and Tara.

“Stay with me until I fall asleep, please,” she asked, knowing it wouldn't take her long to fall asleep.

“Of course, I am right here, I'm not leaving you again,” you whispered and even if you were on the other side of the world Jenna felt closer to you than even back when the two of you were watching Logan.

~X~

The dream last night was the best one she had in months, the only thing that could have made it better was if you were actually physically present during the conversation instead of talking over the phone, but she figured that gave the dream some kind of plausibility and made it feel more real. “I should never drink again, that was a mistake,” Jenna groaned, burying her face in her hands, only to hear her phone dropping onto the mattress. Why was her phone in her hand? She looked at it, puzzled. She must have fallen asleep with it, it was probably nothing to be worried about. Jenna sat up and looked down at herself, blushing. Oh, she really got drunk last night.  She’s fallen asleep like this before, wearing your shirt, but this was a new low even for her. She had absolutely nothing underneath it.

And then she unlocked her phone, and her eyes widened as she came face to face with not only your messages open, but a phone call that she initiated. And above it all? A picture of her and she looked downright inappropriate on it, especially considering she had nothing underneath your shirt. She was tugging at the color of your shirt, her hair was a mess, a sleeve of your jacket could be seen next to her head, and why was she sucking in her damn lower lip like that?!

She may have been overreacting, but frankly she couldn’t tell. This this was the first thing you got from her in two and a half months? This thing was the first thing you saw? And with the way she was looking at the camera in the photo she might as well have written ‘fuck me’ on the photo! And then she had the guts to call you, ruining everything she's so meticulously planned. What did she even say to you?! And then it hit her at the time she was calling you it was already past four in the morning where you were! She woke you up, she went and woke you up drunk and emotional and who knows what else, and that dream wasn't a dream it was actually reality and it all came back to her as if in an instant! As the memories flooded her Jenna wasn't sure whether to scream, cry, laugh, or explode with happiness, because she didn't want it to turn out this way but she got the results! She told you everything she wanted to tell you, and she said it so clumsily just throwing it all at you in the complete opposite way of how she planned to do it.

And it worked!

It not only worked, but you said you loved her back!

Just like that, one conversation, ten minutes. That's all it took for two and a half months of tension, despair, frustration, depression, loneliness, longing, and hundreds of different things she couldn't even think of right now as her migraine made her head feel like it would explode, all end. All it took to fix all of that was ten minutes of drunken rambling and crying and telling you everything she felt.

Oh, why the fuck didn't she just do it before?! If all she had to do to fix all of this was to just grab a shit-ton of alcohol, and pour it down her throat, then she should have done it sooner!

Right, that all happened… and now she was looking at the plane ticket for Denver she booked, and the eighteenth couldn’t come sooner.

~X~

Despite all the eagerness she felt when she boarded the plane from New Zealand to Denver and excitement when she met up with Barbara, Jenna now found herself progressively getting more and more nervous as Barbara’s dad drove them to your apartment building.

“You're lucky my dad is right here, or I'd be teasing the hell out of you,” Barbara turned to look at her and Jenna believed the girl wholeheartedly. If there was one thing she learned in these past two months it was that this girl had no mercy, and would only stop teasing if she really couldn't do it. For example, like right now, when her dad was in the car with them, and Jenna supposed that would be enough to tell her what kind of teasing Barbara had in mind. Probably something along the line of: ‘This is the most elaborate help me get laid plan ever’ because that was actually something Barbara said when Jenna explained what she had in mind. It wasn't even all that elaborate at all. Jenna got from New Zealand to Denver on a plane, Barbara and her dad picked her up, and the reason for that was simple. Jenna had her suitcases, and her bag, and she had, as she ever so often mentioned, noodle arms which could not handle carrying all of this stuff all at once up the stairs to your apartment.

“I'm really thankful you came to pick me up,” Jenna said, and she honestly was thankful for that because it would have been a lot more complicated if she had to do all of this by herself. She might have even gotten so desperate as to call you to help her with her suitcases, and that would just ruined everything in her mind.

“As long as you get the girl, it's all good,” Barbara clearly couldn't stop teasing entirely, and had to leave that quip in.

Barbara's dad parked close enough to the building and the three of them climbed up to your apartment. They left Jenna’s suitcases in front of your doors and Barbara turned to her. “You know, I could give you the keys so you can walk right in and surprise her like that,” Barbara suggested one last time, but Jenna didn't want that. She wanted to knock on your door and see you as you opened the doors for her. You had no idea she was coming today, she told you she would come tomorrow, and Barbara made sure that you would be home. That was the elaborate part of the plan, because she had to make excuses for you to not go anywhere while not coming by herself, and actually get you to listen to her.

“I'm good,” she took a deep breath. “Thanks again, I’ll take it from here,” Jenna turned to your doors and cleared her throat, and Barbara just patted her on the back.

“Twelve hours, remember what I told you,” Jenna blushed a dark shade of red at that, her imagination may have been going wild since the two of you reconciled over the phone. And sure it wasn't the complete reconciliation, there were some things that still needed to be talked about and she couldn't be sure that things would progress that fast, but she's definitely been thinking about it.

And so, with Barbara and her dad waving at her as they left, she was left alone in the hall, in front of your doors, trying to keep the blush off her face as she raised her hand and knocked.

Taglist: @lilbitdepressed27 @freakshow2501 @osnapitzmel1 @belatrixdragon @ijustlovemaths

@niqmandu @justspance @mirage018 @godamnityess

Masterlist / First Part / Previous part / Next part

A/N: And we're done with the angst, they do need to talk face to face, but the worst is absolutely behind us! Thanks to everyone who pushed through and stuck around!

[skzhua]

a price i'm willing to pay | part 27 - play pretend?

MASTERLIST

pairing: ceo!bang chan x entrepreneur!reader

genre: social media!au, arranged marriage, fake relationship, fluff, angst.

warnings: swearing, might have suggestive bits.

summary: following a scandal threatening the survival of your business, you have no choice but to associate yourself with a competitive company.

Needless to say, you were stressed. Even if Chan’s building was not that far from yours, the few minutes you had to wait for him were agonizing. Moving your knee up and down, biting your bottom lip as you stared at the time, picking the skin around your nails… There wasn’t a thing you weren’t doing in attempt to calm yourself.

“You good?” Changbin questioned you as he was heading out for his own lunch break.

“Yup, never been better,” you sent him a thumbs up but by the look on his face, he was not convinced in the slightest.

“I’m going for fried chicken; do you want me to bring you some?”

You swooned at the gesture but shook your head no. “Chan and I will eat together.”

The disappointment was obvious on his face but he smiled nonetheless, waving at you as he walked out. You almost felt bad until you remembered the messages exchanged with Chan. You had no idea what he wanted to talk about. Did he want to discuss your future projects? Was he regretting collaborating with you? Or worst, did he want to divorce you after realizing he made a mistake?

So many things ran through your mind that you didn’t take notice of Chan standing tall in front of your desk, blazer slouched over his shoulder. Once your eyes set on him, you swallowed thickly upon taking in how fucking handsome he was. There were times you could refrain yourself from such thoughts, but you were all over the place today.

“Really? You’re checking me out right now?” he sighed in disappointment, although he still had a hint of amusement in his tone.

“I’m not,” you argued even if you knew the blush on your face would betray you.

“Sure, sweetheart,” he chuckled. “Shall we go?”

“Where?”

He perked an eyebrow up. “To eat..?”

“Right,” you cleared your throat before gathering your jacket and purse clumsily.

There was no denying it; this was the cutest sight Chan had had of you so far. Still, he tried to not let it show through and guided you out to the café nearby. You chose a booth that was a bit further from the other tables so you could have some sort of privacy. You sat down, legs jittering under the table, and motioned the seat across from you for Chan to sit on. Only, as is he was intentionally testing your patience and making you even more nervous on purpose, he shook his head and walked to the lineup at the cash register. From there, he sent a small smile to your direction but you could only roll your eyes. This was one of the instances where you would remember why you despised him in the first place.

It only took him a few minutes but he finally sat with you as he brought along with him two carrot muffins and two lattes. You would lie it you said you didn’t find adorable how he remembered your usual and that he ordered the same for him. Nevertheless, this was not what you were here for.

“How was work this morning?” he asked after taking a sip and you deadpanned at him.

“Really? That’s what you’re going to say first?:

He sighed. “I don’ know how to bring the subject into the conversation smoothly.”

“Just say it as it is, it's killing me how I have no idea what you want to discuss about.”

His gaze softened before he cleared his throat. “I know you said to never bring it up again, but it's been on my mind for months and I think I'll go crazy if I don’t have answers.”

Your body stiffened. You knew exactly what he was referring to. The question was why would he bring it up now, after months since it occurred. If it bugged him so much, you would have maybe let him speak.

“What are your questions?”

He seemed surprised and somewhat relieved to see how calm you remained. “Why did you say to not talk about it again? Are you ashamed of it?”

“Ashamed of it?” you repeated. “No, of course not. It's just- I wasn’t thinking straight that night.”

“So your solution to something you caused was to ignore it,” he scoffed. “Does it mean you regret it?”

“Wasn’t it obvious when I ask you to not mention it again?”

His jaw clenched and he took a sip of his latte as a temporary distraction. “Is it that bad that we kissed?”

“We're business partners, Chan.”

“To you, that’s what we are. But I would have hoped after the year we had, you would maybe consider me as your friend at the very least.”

You gulped at his statement. The thing was, you never knew in what category he fitted. At first, it was your rival. Then, a business partner. But with time, you saw your relationship with him to a level you never thought it would reach. You sought to him for comfort, you would call him at random times to get your mind off things, you would actually enjoy your silly fake dates, and — although you would never admit it out loud — the posts you made about each other online made your heart swoon. He was never your friend, but he wasn’t someone you hated anymore.

“Another thing,” he continued after seeing you would not answer. “If you have something with Changbin, it was never my intention to come between the two of you. Heck, I was even a replacement for him that night since he couldn’t come.”

“That’s not true,” you were quick to correct.

“Why did you invite me over the one time he wasn’t going to be there, then?”

You groaned in frustration. “You and Changbin are two totally different people. In no way did I ever think of you as replacement for him. And to answer your question, it’s because he hates you.”

He took a second to register what you said before speaking again, hesitantly. “Do you have something going on with him?”

“Alright, jealous boy, I think we covered enough ground here,” you tried to dismiss the topic but, clearly, he had no intention for you to do so.

“Y/N, do you?”

You thought for a moment, which in itself would have sent Chan's mind into a whirlwind of overthinking, but you responded. “Wonhee thinks he does have feelings for me, but I don’t see him like this. If so, it would have happened long ago.”

He struggled with containing his satisfied smile. “And, are you seeing anybody?”

“If you don’t count, then no.”

His eyes lingered on yours for a moment which inevitably made you self-conscious of your words. You didn’t think before speaking, and somehow, it felt like you said the right thing. Still, you had no idea what you were implying with this. Did you want to be with him for real? Or did you say that because, in a way, you are seeing each other? The latter sounded like the most likely to be, but the first one had a ring to it that was melody to your ears.

“That’s all I wanted to discuss,” he ended up responding, much to your disappointment. “Just let me know if you do begin to date, because-"

“I won’t.”

He frowned at your interruption. “What?”

“We're married, I'm not going to hoe around for no reason.”

“We're married on paper, Y/N.”

“It doesn’t mean I don’t care about you. If you are uncomfortable with it, I won’t. Besides, you’re not so bad of a husband.”

His cheeks turned pink while his smile grew, showing his dimples in the process. He sent a wink your way as to tell you he knows what you meant but in all honesty, this took him aback quite a lot. And this was the moment he knew his feelings were definitely stronger than what he had originally thought. In a way, he was grateful you didn’t seem to catch onto his very flustered self. However, a part of him wanted you to know he took this compliment to heart.

“I should get going,” you broke the silence, showing him the time on your phone. “Thank you for the latte and the muffin.”

“It’s nothing. I can walk you to the company.”

You pondered for a second and smiled. “Would you mind?”

“Of course not.”

So, a few minutes later, you were strolling around the city towards your company building. The streets were rather calm, surprisingly, and the little noise there was simply made your surroundings the more welcoming. Today was just perfect.

“We can stop playing pretend, you know?”

His voice caught you off guard. “Come again?”

“You understood me the first time, Y/N,” he breathed out, stopping on his tracks. “How long are we going to keep pretending you and I aren’t something more than just a public relationship? Because, I'll keep going.”

You were out of words, speechless. How could he say something of that sort in such a bold way? You never had the time to think if this would go any further, mainly because you avoided the thought the times it did pop up in your brain. Chan was never the man you'd take interest in, even less in a romantic manner. Not only that, but you had very strong negative feelings towards him not so long ago. But again, the evening strolls with him were always something you looked forward to. The way he'd make the stupidest joke was both something that annoyed you and cheered you up. His crazy sudden dates filled you with adrenaline as you couldn’t wait to see what prepared just for you.

And the kiss at the sleepover. The way he looked so beautiful in the dim light. The softness of his lips that you still think of from time to time to this day. The gently cuddles he gave you the next morning while eating your breakfast…

“I doubt we've been playing pretend this whole time,” you said in a small voice, taking a step towards him.

He took a step closer as well. “Have we not?”

“I don’t think so…”

Crash.

In the middle of the sidewalk, not a care in the world, you were kissing him once again.

“Sunghoon?”

The latter jumped up from his seat, straightening his posture as Jisung arrived at his front desk with a smile plastered on his face. “How can I help you, Mr. Han?”

“There is a last-minute appointment this morning with Miss Park Yoonchae.”

Sunghoon looked at Chris' agenda before frowning. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I'm sure,” he answered with a roll of his eyes. “She'll be here at 10, you can send her over right away.”

“Important meeting, I see?”

“Depends of the outcome.”

And as told to Sunghoon, the woman dressed from head to toe in designer clothes was standing before him at ten o’clock sharp. As he would always do, he argued a bit with Yoonchae as she was not marked in Chan's schedule. Nonetheless, he did let her through when receiving a deathly glare from Jisung across the room.

“Mr. Bang should review his front desk staff,” Yoonchae muttered under her breath before coming up to Jisung with her innocent eyes. “Hannie! It's been a while!”

“It has.”

“Is Christopher available right now?” she asked while the man was escorting her to the big boss' office.

“If it isn’t, it must be for an emergency. Otherwise, he’s here,” Jisung affirmed, opening the door wide for the girl to walk in.

Chan was there. Only, he was not alone. Not only was Changbin sitting comfortably across him, but so was Minho. Both of the men turned around at the sound of someone entering and frowned when they took notice of Yoonchae.

“Oh, it was today, wasn’t it?” Chan asked as if the answer was not obvious already. “Yoonchae, right?”

“The one and only,” she smiled, even if her displeasure was evident.

“I apologize for my unprofessionalism; I swear it was not intentional. I can see you next week, if that works for you.”

“No.”

“Oh, well-"

“I didn’t come here today for no reason,” she sighed out, walking up to his desk. “I have an offer.”

“Miss, we're kind of in the middle of-" Changbin began but was quickly shut.

“I'm sure you can wait ten minutes or so.”

Chan and Minho exchanged looks before the latter nodded and gestured for his friend to follow him outside the room. Satisfied, Yoonchae smirked at the boys as she took their latest seats, sprawling her coat on the chair next to her. Jisung sent a thumbs up to Chan, and closed the door.

“What did you come here for?” Chan questioned in a forced way.

“Ad you may know, I have a very influential presence in the media.”

“I am aware; proof of it being the atrocious review you made of my wife and I's products.”

“I have millions of followers,” she went on to say, ignoring Chan’s remark. “Many of which could become potential customers of your brand.”

“What are you getting to?”

“I want to become an ambassador of Bahng Fragrances.”

The first reaction of Chan was to scoff out a laugh. There was no way the person who bashed on every beauty item she found would want to work with him. However, when her face remained unchanged, his own smile fell.

“You were serious.”

“Very serious.”

“I'm afraid I can’t do this.”

It was her turn to scoff. “Mr. Bahng, in all due respect, I think you have no choice.”

“My company's success does not rely on your reviews. An even better reason to refuse is the way you treated my wife.”

“I have nothing but respect for your relationship, but let’s be honest here. You are not actually together.”

Chan shook his head in disbelief. “How can you make such an assumption?”

“Because Jisung told me.”

In the split of a second, Chan froze in place. Either she was playing with him, or she was telling the truth.

“Jisung would never do that.”

“Oh, but I have text messages at hands to prove it. I can post them online whenever I please,” she giggled, holding her phone up high. “So? How about we work together, Mr. Bang?”

taglist 1: @lenilla15 | @muddy-waters | @nanaspalette | @nattisbored | @popcatx0 | @vanblack95 | @aestheticsluut | @thanxxskz | @minhoino | @taetertotsv | @luvscrazy | @lethallyprotected | @foxinnie8 | @jisuperboard | @jihanlovic | @soobin-chois | @jinxwhore28 | @purplelandsworld | @yeojoongiee | @smugrogerina | @jaehyunicecream | @urmomlikeslinotoo | @syprosight | @thesassy-mia | @chaotic-world-of-the-j | @heartsforlevi | @miyakoa | @seungincore | @skzsilentcryy | @owotalks | @hanjsquokka | @evermourning | @bangchansbae | @qweebarse | @linosllvr | @kpopsstuffs | @tinyelfperson | @jabmastersupriseee | @imsiriuslyreal | @chrizzztopherbang | @ilovejeongin_007

Copyright © 2024 skzhua. All rights reserved.

[magicalqueennightmare]

Not Exactly Lying

Butcher pushes about what exactly happened when he left you to watch after Ben....uh Soldier Boy (Reminder that reader has a nickname/supe name of Blaze due to her power being pyrokinesis)

Part 2 to Not Exactly Babysitting

Cursing, Violence, Alcohol Consumption, lewd acts, NSFW, angry sex, angst (I think that's all)

You were having a hard time keeping up with the news where Annie and Ben were concerned. Every other channel had something containing Starlight or Soldier Boy. You were just trying to stay off the radar. You would text Kimiko or Frenchie when they checked in with you but besides that you hadn't had much contact with any of the boys. Well Butcher had called quite a few times but you always managed to dodge his calls.

You'd been hotel hopping, paying in cash and staying anywhere you could for the simple fact Homelander knew you ran with the boys if he got it into his head that you could be used against any of them? Well you weren't taking the chance. You were supposed to meet Maeve for a drop of cash, she'd been helping you but when she texted instead to tell you she'd dropped the envelope off with Butcher at the office you almost decided to take your chances getting money out of the bank instead.

You walked up the stairs slowly, praying that maybe anyone else would be there also. You would kill to see MM or Frenchie hell even Hughie who you knew would never do anything besides listen to Butcher. You stopped just outside the door and took a deep breath before pushing it open. There was two lamps on so the room was mainly in shadows, Butcher was sitting on the leather couch in front of one of the tall windows working on a bottle of bourbon.

No one else was in the room and you felt your stomach knot. He glanced up at you and half smiled "Hello Luv. I'm guessing you're here for what Maeve dropped off?" You nodded, walking past the empty desks to come to stand in front of him "You, Annie and Ben are making headlines. I don't need that asshole deciding I'm worth going after again" he cut his eyes up at your words. The metal of the pendant he wore was a stark contrast to the black button up shirt he had on.

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

Your eyes flicked down to his chest, taking in the expanse of chest that was visible. Butcher was a lot of things, unattractive was not one of them. "Ben, huh?" You realized your slip up but shrugged nonchalantly "Him and Annie both kind of have Homelander staying on his toes" he nodded, raising his eyes to meet yours "I never did ask how you and him passed the time when I got you to watch after him"

You refused to let yourself squirm under his harsh gaze, you'd faced worse than an interrogation by Billy Butcher. His hazel eyes studied your face and you knew he was looking for the slightest of slip as to if you were lying to him. You reached for his glass which he let you take, quickly downing the rest of the bourbon. "I read a few books, he watched a few movies. We went through like six takeout place menus and then I took the bed and he took the couch"

-----------

He nodded before standing up. You tracked his movements the entire time, stepping back a half step to give a bit of room between the two of you. The height difference and the way your stomach flipped at the look in his eyes made an entirely different face flash through your memory. "Can I ask one thing then Blaze" you raised an eye at him calling you Blaze instead of your name or a simple Luv or sweetheart. "Ask Butch"

He took a step towards you and you forced your feet to remain in place. You weren't in any actual danger from Billy, you knew that for a fact. He was standing over you, your faces mere inches from each other as he asked "Why was there scorch marks on the bed?"

You knew your features were schooled but your mind raced. Damn Ben had promised he'd make a believable lie. "Don't know, must have had a nightmare" he nodded "That's what he said too" you shrugged "See? So what's your issue here Billy? What's the attitude and the whole sitting in a darkened room waiting on me to show up?" He took a deep breath "Did he hurt you?"

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

You felt yourself deflate, the anger you'd felt building quickly dissolved. That was why he'd called you so much, why he had others checking in so much. You shook your head "No Billy. Ben didn't hurt me" He nodded slowly "Did ya fuck that cunt?" Damn, that anger of yours managed to flare right back up in that instant "What?"

He took another step towards you, close enough you weren't sure if the bourbon you tasted was on your own tongue or if it was from his breath. You felt your power threaten to flow out and it took everything in you to reign it in as you said "So let me get this straight, you haven't sought me out face to face in weeks then you sit here all melodramatic and acting like you care if I'd been hurt just to in turn ask me if I fucked him?"

He gave you a slight smirk "I do care about you luv. That's why I asked if he hurt ya. But I know ya too, if ya hadn't fucked him you would've already swung on me" your hands were practically trembling with how angry you were, flames began to dance across your fingertips. "Since when is it any of your business what I do Billy? As long as I answer when you call that's all you give a damn about right?"

He grabbed your hand and you started to snatch away, despite your anger you didn't want to hurt him but the flames weren't effecting him even as they danced over his skin. Your eyes went from your hand to his face "What the fuck did you do?" "Give us an edge over Homelander. Make sure that bastard burns for what he did to Becca, what he did to you"

You snatched away from him finally, shaking your head "You took that temp v shit Annie told me about" He smiled "It works" You shoved him back with both hands on his chest, he slid backwards but not as much as he should've had he not been using that shit. He was a supe, temp or not. Never thought you'd see the day.

"That shit is experimental, you don't know what the fuck it could be doing to your insides! Billy it could fucking kill you!" The bastard had the nerve to shrug one shoulder and throw your own words back at you "Since when is it any of your business what I do?"

Without thinking you swung on him and connected a hard punch to his jaw. He stumbled just slightly and rubbed a hand over his jaw "Damn I'm glad I've never pissed you off bad enough before, would've broke my damn jaw" "I should break your fucking jaw! God dammit Butcher you know better than to fuck around with bullshit from Vought!"

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

He smirked "I don't know I've been fucking around with you for a while now" you started to swing on him again but he caught your wrist. You stared him down and noticed how his eyes flicked down towards your lips, was this turning the asshole on?

"That what the issue is here isn't it Butch?" He raised an eyebrow in question so you pushed "You're not mad I fucked Ben, you could give a damn less as long as it was consensual. You're mad I fucked him and turned you down when you got back that day. You're mad that had you kissed me you would've been tasting Ben's cock" considering he still had your wrist you decided to see how far you could push him.

You used your free hand to slip around his neck, pulling him closer to you "That the problem Billy? Do you want to fuck me so bad that you'd go through all the dramatics instead of just asking for a fuck? Or are you worried I'll be comparing you to Ben, thinking about his cock while yours is inside of me"

A sinister grin slipped onto his face "Luv I'd fuck the thought of good old soldier boy right out of ya" "Don't think you're man enough for the job" you raised an eyebrow as you taunted him.

He dropped your wrist in favor of slipping an arm around your waist, pulling you to his chest "Say what you want here Blaze" you pulled him down to where your lips were almost touching "At the moment? I want you" he smirked slightly before his lips crashed against yours in a searing kiss.

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

He groaned into your mouth when you tugged roughly at the hair at the back of his head, deepening the kiss. Both of his hands went to your hips pulling a gasp from you when he slipped them under your ass and easily lifted you into his arms. Billy had always been strong as hell but the temp v made it where lifting you was as easy as lifting a feather. You wrapped your legs around his waist, never breaking the kiss as he walked backwards to the couch he'd been sitting on and dropped you roughly onto the cushions.

You pulled him down with you, fumbling for the buttons on his shirt while he found the hem of yours. The two of you broke away from each other long enough for Billy to toss his shirt across the room then pull yours over your head and toss it as well. The look in his eyes darkened even more as he looked down at you, the chain around his neck dangling as he left another kiss against your lips before then across your jaw to attack your neck, kissing and biting across the sensitive skin there in a way that had your hips bucking up against his.

"Easy luv. Don't want ya screaming my name just yet" he muttered against your skin and you swallowed twice before biting back "Don't flatter yourself Butch" when his lips found your clothed breast he bit down harshly on one of them causing you to bite into your bottom lip in an effort to not make any sound yet.

He glanced up at you as he pushed the cloth down off your breast, exposing the skin to his lips. He gingerly kissed the area he'd bit maintaining eye contact with you "I know you better than that cunt ever could. I know everything you like and just how to get you off" You moved your hips impatiently "Less talking" he chuckled darkly as he kissed down your stomach stopping just shy of the waistband of your jeans.

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

He unbuttoned your jeans and tapped your hips so you would raise them off the couch far enough he could slip your jeans off along with your panties. He gave you one of those smiles you'd always hated and loved from him before he lowered his mouth to your core.

The first lick was tentative, teasing but when the bastard managed to pull a whimper from your lips he gripped your hips roughly, holding them down to the couch and effectively keeping them spread. "Easy Butch. You have supe strength" you reminded him breathlessly and his grip loosened just a bit before he attacked your clit, licking and sucking the spot that made your eyes roll back into your head.

You moaned his name as he worked you closer to that edge and damn him when that building tension finally burst and your legs began to shake he didn't slow his movements any. Before you could come down fully from one orgasm he slipped two fingers in along with his tongue and found that spot deep inside of you, curling his fingers to tease over it.

"Fuck Billy" you moaned, pleasure making your vision go soft around the edges as another orgasm washed over you. You felt flames flicker to life on your fingertips but Billy simply moved his hands from your hips to your hands, smothering the flames with his skin as he worked you through your orgasm then finally broke away from your body.

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

You stared down at him feeling your entire lower half quivering from his touch "God damn you Butcher" he ran his thumbs over your hands, a slight smile slipping onto his face "You are always such a sweet talker Y/N"

You groaned flipping your hands up to grip his wrist "You want sweet talk? Get your pants off and fuck me like you mean it" he didn't say another word, simply leaned up far enough to kick his pants off then was moving back up your body to catch your lips in a rough kiss that was all teeth and tongue.

You felt his hard cock pressing against your thigh and reached down between your bodies to run your fingers across him, he broke away from your lips to bury his face into your neck "Like that luv"

You wrapped your hand around him, lining him up with your opening "Fuck me Billy" when he pushed into you a low moan escaped you both "Feel fucking amazing" he cursed as he started to roll his hips against yours, testing to see if you were ready for him to move. When your response was to wrap your legs around his waist that must have been the go ahead he needed because he pulled almost all the way out just to slam back into you.

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

He gave you a few hard thrusts but when he moved his hips just right the angle meant the head of his cock had found that spot inside of you. He bit down on your neck as he groaned "There's no way you're coming again" you couldn't exactly form a coherent response so you simply moaned "Fuck, just don't stop Butch"

You were so damn close, that familiar knot began to build in your stomach and when Billy slipped a hand between you to rub tight circles onto your clit your vision went white as another orgasm washed over you.

He fucked you through that orgasm and when your head cleared you could feel that he was holding back. You reached a hand up to cup the side of his face, nails grazing his beard "Fuck me harder Billy. You know me, I'm not gonna fucking break. I want you to come"

"Tell me if it's too much?" He asked through gritted teeth and you nodded. His thrusts got harder and deeper, he hooked your legs over his arms giving himself an even better angle. You knew he was close by how his thrusts began to stutter and could feel yourself heading for another orgasm.

When he finally came, burying himself deep inside of you the feeling of him finding his release was enough to shove you over that edge a fourth time.

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

He was holding his weight on his arms and your lower half to avoid crushing you as both of you worked to catch your breath. He leaned down to press another kiss to your lips before pulling out. You groaned at the loss of contact but gave yourself a few breaths before you sat up looking around for your clothes.

Billy watched you as you gathered your clothes and headed for the bathroom. You weren't expecting meaningful conversation but neither of you spoke a word.

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

Once you were cleaned up and fully dressed down to your boots you walked back out of the bathroom to find Billy standing just outside the door. He had a big envelope in his hand and held it out "I care enough that I don't like the thought of someone hurting you. We may need you when this all comes to a head" You took the envelope and nodded "If Ben's certain he can burn the compound v out that asshole it would be my pleasure to be there when he dies"

He nodded and stepped closer to you "Watch your back and if you need anything call" You half smiled "Is this where I'm supposed to believe you'd answer?" A look of almost guilt passed through his eyes "Am I that bad you think I wouldn't help you if you needed it?"

You shook your head "No Billy. I just know if it comes to vengeance for Becca or helping me I come second. We all know that and have for years. I don't take it to heart Billy. It just is what it is" you kissed his cheek before turning to walk out.

You heard him call himself a cunt under his breath but kept walking. You needed a shower and some sleep.

The next night you were nearly asleep when your phone started ringing. You fumbled for it half expecting to see Frenchie or MM's caller id. When you didn't recognize the number you answered it with a cautious "Hello?"

Ben's voice hit your ears "Y/N, we need to talk" you swallowed hard "Face to face or over the phone good?" You asked and he said "Can you meet me at Butchers office?" You nodded then thought about the fact that you were on the phone "Yeah. Meet ya in twenty" then hung up

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

You hadn't expected Ben to look so damn normal. He was wearing jeans, a black t-shirt under a leather jacket with boots. He was leaning against the doorway and pushed off when he saw you "Thanks for coming" you nodded then motioned at the door "I have a key if you wanna go in?" He shook his head "I found something out and it only seemed right to tell you"

You nodded "What is it?" He seemed almost nervous? Which was weird in itself. "They did a lot of experiments on me, took samples of everything. I didn't know what it was for until me, Butcher and Hughie went after Mindstorm" "ok?" You asked and he took a deep breath "He's my kid" "Who?" You started to ask but stopped dead in your tracks, the icy realization hitting you hard.

You stumbled a few steps back from him "That son of a bitch is your son?" He reached for your arm but flames flicked up it, your powers trying to protect you without you even trying "Blaze I'm not going to hurt you" you shook your head "Your kid already hurt me enough. Are you turning on Butcher? On all of us? Are you gonna go save your rapist son?"

He shook his head "Hell no. For one, I'm a man of my word, I said I'd help take him down and I will. For two, I've seen the scars of what he did to you. I'm going to kill him son or not but I wanted you to know" "Why?" You asked concentrating on snuffing the flames out on your skin as he shrugged "Just felt like I should" you nodded slowly "What now?"

"I'm headed back to the hotel I'm crashing at. Are you safe to get back to yours?" You nodded "Yeah" he reached for your arm and this time you let him. When his fingers closed around your arm he used the other hand to brush your hair back out of your face "You'll see him dead. I promise" you finally met his gaze, those green eyes holding you in place "I'll hold you to it" he almost smiled at your words "I wouldn't expect any less out of you"

@deans-spinster-witch

@what-the-hellamidoing

[criminalmindswhore]

Bosslady

sweet, goofy little blurb

I was sitting at my desk trying to make it through another boring ass paperwork day when I reached for a sip of coffee. Only to find my cup was empty and my energy levels were dangerously low. I stood up, cup in hand and headed for the coffee maker. Slightly dazed from drowsiness I couldn't hear someone following me. As I sat my cup under the machine I placed my other hand on the counter in front of me where quickly another hand was placed on top of it. Looking down I immediately knew it was Emily's. I looked at up her to see her smiling lovingly at me before removing her hand. See Emily and I have been together for almost 3 months, but haven't told anyone. We don't want the team to know yet because the second they do, the FBI director will come knocking. "JJ and Reid are staring hard right now so I'm going to get a water, and go back to my office. In about 7 minutes I'm going to answer a phone call and close my blinds. Soon after, you'll get a call. It will be me, look surprised and come up there." I smiled and nodded. Both of us hating hiding this but she just got this big promotion and is still learning the ropes. I would hate to be the reason she gets fired.

"Yo Y/n! After you pour your cup come here!" Derek shouted from across the bullpen, a cheeky smile on his, JJ's and Reid's face. I turned back around and fixed my coffee, grabbed my cup and headed to Morgan, "What's up?" I sat halfway on his desk and took a sip of my coffee, "Who are you sleeping with?" I unintentionally spit out my coffee and choked. "Woah I didn't say you could die on us." He held my arm as I coughed, JJ holding my other as I instinctively set my cup down, "No I'm *cough* fine. *cough" He smirked and sat back down, "Caught. So who is he?" I chuckled and grabbed my cup from where I set it down. "He, she, who knows?" I shrugged my shoulders and walked back to my desk with him and JJ on my heels. "Did you say he or she?" JJ asked as she grinned extremely large, "Maybe." I simply stated as I sat down, as I did Emily's blinds closed. "So all of you boys owe me 20 bucks, you all owe Garcia 20 bucks and you owe Prentiss, 50." I was shocked, "You all bet on me being gay?" They all looked away and acted innocent. "Oh Emily Prentiss is so going down."

I grabbed my phone and headed for her office, ripping the door open, "You bet on me with the boys?" I pretended to be upset leaving the door wide open. "Oh don't act you all didn't do the same for me!" Emily yelled loud enough for the whole team to hear, followed by guilty laughter. "Shall I close the door and we plan revenge?" I asked playing a suggestive smirk on my face. "Absolutely. And that's an order." I closed the door and turned around to see Emily sitting on the front of her desk. I swiftly made my way in between her legs and leaned down the kiss her but stopped inches away, "Is this one of the perks of being the bosslady, Unit Chief Emily Prentiss?" She smiled, "Absolutely SSA Y/f/n Y/l/n." She stated before softly placing her lips on mine and wrapping her hands around my waist pulling me closer. Our lips picked up speed and she slid her hands down further placing them in my back pockets. Mine rested on her right cheek and the back of her head, slightly gripping her hair. I pulled away and leaned further down kissing behind her ear and down the back of her neck, "Don't. I swear to god if you leave me the female version of blue balls until 6 tonight-"I stopped and pecked her lips again, "Might wanna fix your hair." I winked at her before walking out of her office. Derek and Reid still dumbfounded by my desk as JJ counted some cash. I laughed loudly and walked back to Garcia's office to get her statement for Emily.

[bullet-prooflove]

Hey Donna I'm sorry if I'm sending a double but can I please get #3 for once, you let go Of your fears and your ghosts with criminal joe

References to upcoming fic Love Letter

Criminal!Joe:

The Wolf - Joe meets his queen in an unexpected place.

Reward - Joe rewards you for your loyalty.

One More (NSFW) - Joe ruins you when you display your devotion. 

Pictures of You (feat: Mike Duarte) - Mike discovers you’re alive.

Bleed - Joe learns the story behind your scars.

Flowers (feat: Mike Duarte) - It’s been a long time since Mike has bought you flowers.

Use Me (NSFW) - Joe surrenders to you.

Red Flag - Terry thinks your a red flag in Joe’s operation.

You don’t say I love you, the truth is you don’t believe in it anymore. You haven’t since Mike abandoned you, leaving you in the hands of your captors. You’d lost everything during that year, you were broken, brutalised, ruined. That sweet naïve girl, the one who used to grow roses on the veranda is gone and all that’s left is you, a survivor, someone who refuses to end up being fucked every night by five different men for a handful of cash that she won’t even see.

When you’re sold to The Wolf you see your opportunity. You’ve heard from the other girls that he usually takes one of his newest acquisitions to bed, the prettiest one. You just have to make sure it’s you. Already you have an advantage over all the others, they haven’t experienced the horror that you have, they aren’t as hardened as you.

You have class, pedigree, emotional intelligence.

You think The Wolf must get bored of these girls, their compliance.

What he needs is a woman, one who knows how to please a man, how to make him feel wanted.

You don’t expect him to be handsome, his dark eyes that burn like coals as he tips your chin up and looks into your eyes. Every other woman in the room looks away, but you meet his gaze. He likes that, the defiance in you, you can tell. It’s what earns you a spot in his bed.

You ruin him that night but he ruins you too. You don’t expect to want him, to end up on your back with his head buried between your thighs as he devours you like you’re his favourite fucking desert. You certainly don’t expect to come, twice.

He surprises you even further in the aftermath. He draws you to him, holding you close. His thumb trails over the scars that are etched into your skin and you find yourself relaxing for the first time in over a year.

It doesn’t take long for him to fall in love with you, you see it in his eyes when he looks at you, the way he smiles when you walk into the room. The problem is, you fall in love with him too. You see the man beyond the legend, the one that was forged through years of violence and abuse. He’s a survivor just like you.

You try to fight it, to resist because loving someone else means giving up your power and you can’t do that, not after everything that happened to you.

It’s the letter that changes things, the one Terry gives you. Seeing those words committed to paper, knowing that Joe was willing to sacrifice everything for you, you realise you can’t leave those things unsaid.

He’s sitting at his desk when you enter his office, closing the door behind you. He looks up distractedly from his laptop, his dark eyebrows furrowed in concentration. Mike has given him a problem to solve, coupled with the information you'd supplied he's going to track down the men who hurt you. It's simply a matter of time.

“Mi amor?” Joe questions as he watches you approach.

You slip into his lap, the hem of your dress climbing a couple of inches as your thighs straddle his hips. You cradle his face between your hands, your nose trailing along the length of his as you look into his eyes. Your fingertips ghost over his cheek and you can see the adoration this man has for you, it’s written on his face clear as day.

“Mi Amor.” He whispers, his lips brushing over yours. “I’m going to find them, I’m going to…”

You silence him with a kiss because you don’t care about that right now, you just care about him, that he knows how you feel, that you meant what you said back in Mike’s restaurant.

“I love you.” You say fiercely, your gaze fixed on his. “I will love you until the day I die.”

@plaidbooks @misscharlielulu @witches-unruly-heart @storiesofsvu @magic-multicolored-miracle @rosaliedepp @cycat4077 @deekaag @cixrosie @im-just-a-mississippi-girl @mysoulisasunflower @legit9thlunaticwarrior @thatesqcrush @mydarkestsecretlol @upsteadlogic @wooshwastaken @imaginecrushes @kiwiithecrazybird @justreblogginfics @anime-weeb-4-life @alwaysachorusgirl @telepathay @weiwei0210 @anaferreira-4 @dancingonthebeachatdawn @spaghettificationandpretzels @nu1freakshow @trublu2u @yezzyyae @thiashazzywriting @altsvu @whateversomethingbruh @a-noni-love @collegegirl83

[alice-the-crack-head]

DARK SECRETS | MW2+MW3

Simon Ghost riley x reader part 1

Part 1

Other parts here

Pairing: simon "ghost" riley x fem!reader

Tags: gun fire, swearing, deaths, dark honor, war, cartels, Terrace, bombs, all that of course and there will be sex but later but not yet

Friends to lovers!!

Summary: you have a lot of secrets and you keep them in a lock cage and never tell a soul but when you join 141 one person with a skull mask start getting in the picture can notice there something missing about you and will figure it out

You are alice!!

Alice join the task force 5 years ago, gets along with the team members and she is one of the best members of the task force with snipping enemies, mostly the best one but one thing has that she has a big secret and she will never tell anyone that only for her to know for good she was take that secret until she 6 feet underground.

-

Alice is in the training room just holding a pistol and firing it in the firing range soap beside her doing a bet with her to see if they can only shoot the target paper in the head without missing, and who misses lose and have to give $30's to the winner "your so losing mohawk" she chuckles and aims and shoots, 15 minutes later she won the bet and holds her hand out to soap "pay up Johnny" she said smiling "God why are you so good at this" soap said pull out cash and placing it in her hands "your just jealous Johnny" she chuckles, smiling walking away to put her pistol away "I'll see you later I'm going to my room" she said looking at him before walking out of the room to her room and counts her money as she walking towards her room and opens the door and walk in and close it, she sighs and toss it on the bed and sit down at her desk, she thinks deeply about her past

_

6 years ago

Was stand there holding a gun after firing it, my face was sweaty dirty from dirt and looking a teammate or mostly a old friend on the ground lifeless

_

sit there quietly, stand up shaking the thought out of her head and walks out to get some food in the cafeteria and see ghost being quiet as always "hey ghostie" she said his nickname with a smile ghost just glance up from his cup of tea he made and he looks back down "what did I say about that nickname Alice I'm your lieutenant" he said quietly "and we're friends ghost" she smile and make a bowl of soup, pours the soup in her bowl and she smiles at ghost "get some Lt it may put a smile on your face" she tease him and smiles, ghost just give her blank eye look and she starts laughing "okie okie I'm sorry Lt I was only messing with you" ghost speak low while looking at her "120 laps tomorrow during training" he blanky said "whatt?!" She shouts "I'll make it 2,000" he said not even looking at her "nope 120 good" she said quickly "good" he said as he take a sip of his tea, she stand there and sighs and she walks away with the bowl of soup in her hands

Alice goes to sit down on the couch that been here for years and she eats her soup looking at the mini TV in the corner of the room and gaz is sitting there reading a book and she looks at him and then sighs looking away to look at the mini TV and watch whatever on TV

-

Weeks later

Was outside ready to go out on a mission and was partnered with ghost and soap and she is okie with that she get along with them mostly soap but ghost it a whole there level but he does have a honor with some good jokes she hears it all the time with ghost and soap when their on missions and she find it funny and she walks with them patting there shoulders "after this were going to the bar" soap looks at her and nods smiling "yes let go to one" ghost just blankly watched soap and her and signs then nods "but let Focus on the mission sergeant's" he said simply calm and walks ahead of them and sit down pulling out a knife and start sharping it easily, soap and Alice stand there for a moment and growns walking in "always buzz kill but he didn't disagree tho" she said smirking at soap he nods "your right" he chuckles and smirks, she nods and smiles happily "we're so getting him drunk when this is over" soap nods agreeing "agreed" he said smiling at her

-

Hours later

Alice and ghost wait on different roof tops watching over soap as he and his team fire and fights against a lot of people and she look through the scoop watching soap and radio to ghost "I see soap but no target Lt" she said, ghost look through a scoop "he will be on sight soon" looks moving the view a few times looking for the target and Alice move the scoop around and see the target "sir I found him on the 5 floor heading towards your side" she speak in the radio "eyes out" ghost speak and get ready to shoot the target and keeps an eye out and holds her breath as alice look through the scoop and see the target come back into her view and talking in the mic to her radio "target back on sight" she said as she keep an eye on the target and then ghost voice comes to the radio and he gives the sign to take the shot she look through the scoop and holds her breath and then aim perfectly and she shoot the target straight into the head, she looks away from the scoop and takes a slow deep breath and she talks in the mic connected to the radio "target down" she said through the radio ghost looks through the scoop and turn it over to see alice "good job" he said through the radio 

-

we got back to base like a week later from the mission and everyone is leaving for the holidays but alice and ghost stay in base and we just do whatever because we don't go home for the holidays.

alice is relaxing in bed just reading a book and thinking of doing something with ghost for fun so were both not bored being here and she get up putting her book down and goes to look for ghost bored "ghostttttttttt where are you in this empty old base" she shouts and smiles, sighs and walks down the halls and she start skipping down the hall looking in every room looking for ghost and turn to the firing ranga room and see ghost by the guns as he taking them apart and putting back together, she looks and nods not questioning anything and she slowly walks over to ghost and smiles "ghost what you doing is this what your going to be doing for the next 3 weeks?" she said softly ghost didnt even look up and nods not saying a word, she stand there and sighs "lets go do something fun like make something lets make cookies i bet you lik-' ghost cut her off and not even looking and he said "not right now alice just do it yourself i'm busy" she blankly stairs and then soigh looking down thinking and look back at him " oh come one lets have fun man we got nothing to do and also stuck here" she spins a little and smiles at him ghost just finally looks up and give her his blank eyes "alice im busy just go" she stops and looks at him and sighs "fine you butthead" she walks away and sighs and she walk to the locker room to go take a shower and she stands in the shower remembering something that happen 17 years ago and she blankly stairs at the floor 

"im sorry *****"

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

Masterlist

[kuwdora]

for all the art i've made and sold and received lovely photos of my art on other people's walls, I have historically had a hard time getting things up on my own wall. but a few weeks ago I managed to do it! so I gotta share and celebrate my win.

This is my gallery wall above my desk. I designed the layout around @andordean 's fiber art heart. I'm so happy with how this space turned out.

left wall

top left: Cumulus Cat by Shaylin Wallice whose work makes me 😍

top right: one of my own acrylic pour paintings

bottom left: empty frame, TBD what goes there

bottom right: @perseruna 's wonderful yennefer/jaskier art

bottom right: unicorn art by autistic mixed media artist and illustrator Vyara Brennan (closeup beneath the readmore).

right wall

first column:

Sleep, Adam by Sunny Jin Smith

Forest Fiber art Heart by @andordean

Yennefer & Geralt art by @llorithaine (Inprnt shop here)

second column:

empty frame, TBD !!

small green 6x6 acrylic pour art that i made in 2022

a sketch of a deer in a field by @aurumcalendula

a photo of several large boulders in the shade, a thoughtful card sent to me by my friend destina

third column:

an illustration of a hummingbird, a thriftstore treasure, artist unknown

a photo of a tree during the autumn, taken by a friend in scotland

a woman in a glittery monarch butterfly-esque skirt. Art by Bella Pilar. This was another card from destina.

fourth column:

empty frame, TBD!! hopefully some @sassaffrassa art

art by local neighborhood child named Ronon

empty frame, TBD!

the Thor Love and Thunder poster is Jane wielding the hammer and part of @elipie's current roster of Marvel posters. I decided to put Ronon's art right next to it because I liked the swirl of red and blue together.

beneath the cut: some closeups of my thriftstore frames and the art I couldn't find online.

The bottom art here in the purple flower frame is Vyara Brennan's unicorn illustration. She's a mixed media artist and illustrator. I met her at an art festival and was captivated by all the texture and colors her work displayed. She and her friend seemed confused and surprised that I had stopped to make small talk. I had asked about her use of felt in the designs and her original characters which were quite varied and I misgendered several of them along the way with my questions but was happily corrected. It was a great conversation. I think a lot of people walked by without stopping to check out her table. She and her friend were extra surprised when I said I had to run to the ATM to get cash and I actually came back. So many her collages were so varied and complex with her original characters and chunky felt and other very tactile things that made my brain go happy. I got a number of art postcards of her various characters. She's loaded up her Etsy shop since I last checked, so you can have a look and see what's available. SHOP LINK. Also I really love this thriftstore frame with it!!

this is art by @aurumcalendula who sends me the most wonderful nature art. I have a ton aurum's colorful birds and other sketches in scrapbooks right now but I pulled this one out after noticing a green and nature theme from my layout design. I found this frame during one of my many excursions to thrift stores in the area. I love thrift store frames so much and was so happy to finally use this one.

art by Bella Pilar whose cards are so beautiful. I placed this specifically on the wall so it would catch the mid/late afternoon light and glitter nicely when I'm sitting at my desk. The words destina wrote me inside I have treasured for years, just like I have been treasuring destina's words since I read her Stargate fic a million years ago.

There was an art festival nearby a few months ago and I was heading over to check it out. I came across Ronon and his mom set up on a corner several blocks away and he had his own art out for sale. He couldn't have been more than 10 or 11. He and his mom were so surprised that I had stopped at all, let alone started asking him questions about what he had been making and being excited about it. In addition to some abstract watercolory pieces, he had this amazing 16x20 canvas featuring characters Among Us. He had such a strong figurative skills, I was really impressed. I didn't really have good wallspace for a canvas that big. I opted for two smaller abstract canvases and gave him a $20. By the look on his face I think I might have been his first ever sale. His mom was also so shocked that I bought something. I gave her my old art instagram to connect with me, I told them I could offer up some of my old art supplies if he ever ran out. I haven't heard back but that's alright. There had been a moderate amount of foot traffic of the neighborhood coming and going to the art festival but I got the impression that they had been ignored by everyone all morning. Which was sad because he was a cool little guy and his art was great.

so that is the art on my wall! I have many feelings about the art and managing to get!! it! UP!

art ❤️❤️❤️

[ballinandcantgetup452]

The Last Will and Testament of Lex Luthor, Part 3

It's been about a year since Lex Luthor was last seen. Clark has almost forgotten that Lex was even a thing. Sure, every once and a while, he'd think about Luthor, and maybe he'd even check and see if he's been spotted anywhere if he felt like it. But, at this point, he had just begun to feel nothing in regards to Lex. Not love, not hate, just a neutral feeling.

That is until a Lex-Bot tackled him and kamikazed him while he was flying.

He called Batman and the Atom over and they got to the wreckage as soon as they could. All that they could recover was a hard drive. They found it due to nanites, courtesy of Ray Palmer. It had essentially shot itself out of the Lex-Bot and into the nearest trash can. The nanites helped to find it.

After buying a random laptop because nobody wanted to put the Lex Luthor hard drive into theirs (and having an awkward conversation paying for a laptop completely in cash while in costume at a random Best Buy), they finally put the flash drive in to see what was on it. The only thing on it was coordinates. Coordinates placed a mile under Smallville, Kansas.

Clark immediately booked it out of the Best Buy and flew as fast as he could to the location. All that was running through Clark's mind was what Lex could possibly be doing in Smallville of all places. How does he even know that's significant to him? He began to run through every horrible thing Lex could be doing to his parents. He got faster. He began to think about the horrible things that could be happening to Lois because Lex would leak his secret identity. He got even faster. Clark's anxiety began to rapidly build up. He's never been more nervous in his life. He got to the coordinates and saw a big box made of lead about 300 feet down. Clark figured that Lex made that to make sure that Clark knew he was the one that made it. Clark began to spin down, creating a tunnel. He didn't have time to be subtle about this. Besides, nobody was around for about 20 miles. Which in country terms meant he had at least 20 minutes before somebody drove by on their way to somewhere else. He heated up his eyes in case he needed to go in guns blazing. Once he found lead, he tore it in two and landed right in front of Lex. His eyes glowing red and his game face on. He then calmed down upon seeing him. Seemingly dropping all potential for a fight. Lex looked over at Clark. He wasn't sitting in a desk with his parents in test tubes of Joker toxin. He wasn't in a power suit with a Kryptonite spear in hand, ready to throw down. Lex Luthor was on a hospital bed. An IV was inserted into his arm. Beside his bed was a table with a lead box. There was a monitor projecting his heartrate. Clark used his X-Ray vision to see what was going on with Lex.

Lex had heart cancer, and he was going to die. Soon. Very soon.

Lex coughed,

"You know, the coordinates I gave you would've put you right at the door. You could've simply waltzed right on in here, have Mercy walk you in, have some pretzels," Lex began to cough even more violently, "but instead you choose to punch a hole in this $7,000,000 facility."

Clark looked over at Lex and had nothing but sympathy in his eyes,

"Lex, I'm sorry."

Lex shrugged,

"Eh, figures. I put something in my hometown, you take it as an invitation to be as subtle as a cinder brick since there's no infrastructure around. It teaches me a lesson in the dangers of nostalgia."

Lex signals to the chair beside of him.

"Sit. Alien. I've got some things to tell you before I die."

"You're not going to die, Lex."

"Yes. I am. And there's no way in hell you're saving me."

"...what did you want to tell me?"

Lex's eyes began to fill with hatred and disdain.

"Checkmate."

Clark's look of sympathy turned into confusion,

"What?"

Lex grabbed the tiny lead box on the table beside him and opened it up. As soon as Clark saw the tiniest green shine emanate from the crack of the box Lex barely began to open, he sped over to him to force the box closed. He used his heat vision to seal it shut. Lex rolled his eyes at Clark.

"Relax, Superman, there isn't any Kryptonite in there. Mercy took it away from me months ago. I just wanted to give you a little scare, you looked too comfortable," Lex noticed that Clark began to look around the lead-made building to see if he could maybe spot any Kryptonite, "I know you're trying to spot any Kryptonite. In hindsight, that scare wasn't worth it. To make sure I have your undivided attention, the only pieces of Kryptonite are in the rail gun in Mercy's arm. I really was expecting you to take the door."

Lex continued with his diatribe.

"I win, Superman. I've managed to concoct a plan to get someone you'll never beat." Lex began to violently cough, "Do you know who it is?"

Clark already knew.

Lex continued after finishing his coughing fit,

"Death. You can never beat death. Admittedly, the premise of the idea was an accident. You see, Kryptonite can obviously affect Kryptonians. However, it can also affect humans as well. Especially humans arrogant enough to keep a piece in the breast pocket of their suits for 15 years. At first I thought I'd give you cancer, too. Hijack somebody's rocket ship doing research on the sun and force you to intervene and fly extremely close to the sun, thus causing your cells to become so supercharged they start slowly killing you. But, lucky for you, I found that to be too petty. But then I realized something, I can prove I'm better than you by doing something you could never do."

Clark looked at Lex in utter terror,

"Lex, what have you done?"

"Simple, Superman. I saved the world better than you ever could. I cured cancer."

[thatcanadianfangirl]

JJ Maybank// Healing Takes Time Pt.2

JJ Maybank X Jade (Booker) Routledge

Plot: When Jade is all alone at the chateau falling asleep on the hottest night of the year she hears a loud noise that makes her skin crawl. She discovers JJ on the sofa after what seems like a run-in with the kooks again. With some reluctance he allows his best friend's Twin to patch him up. Falling apart in her clutch that night she discovers that the clash he experienced earlier was something deeper than just some lousy rich boy. He returns to her every time it occurs, he never talks and always leaves before Jade stirs away. That is until one day he does.

Word Count: 4.7k+

Disclaimer: Brother's bestfriend, slow burn, talks of domestic abuse, and mentions of underage drinking. minor writing errors even though this is edited.

{Part One}

----

The excruciating heat from the summer sun had made sleep too uncomfortable to keep. Sweat began to latch onto every inch of my body like a second skin. I felt drowsy as my mind began pulling to the front again.

The empty space beside me still radiated warmth from the boy who occupied it last night. A strange feeling of lost overwhelmed me at the knowledge of JJ escaping while I was unconscious. But there also was a foreign and very pleasant emotion starting to plant its-self.

What the fuck is happening to me?

With a cat nap stretch I grasps the most ancient iPhone I've laid eyes on, but it was $500 dollars cheaper than a brand new one, I shouldn't be complaining. Three hours before my shift at the Pelican Yacht Club and another hour ahead of my alarm. Unfortunately there's no chance of me passing out again with the temperatures so high today.

With a heavy heart I scoured the house just incase JJ decided to relocate himself. Every room was completely vacant and there was no sign of life anywhere. John B still appeared to on hiatus and the concern began fluttering. That kid better have the decency to send me a text soon.

After a hot shower I still felt mentally exhausted from the night I had with JJ. It shattered my heart to see him that vulnerable, that broken. I want that prick to drown himself six-hundred feet under the sea. Jay wasn't anything close to perfect but he definitely didn't deserve to be beaten by the one person who was suppose to protect him.

I hoped that blonde boy didn't escape back home to that sorry excuse of a man he was forced to call dad. My throat tightened and it was hard to contain the burning tears.

I took my time preparing myself. I wasn't a fan of your every day kook but with the pay my promotion brought just about made up for it.

Capturing my Jeep keys, I made my way out of the Chateau and through the porch. The yard was Pogue-less and the Twinkie was not in her original spot. Where the hell was my brother? Although my day would go a lot more seamless if I knew where he was. I'm still passive-aggressive towards him for leaving me in that damned place alone.

With the spare time and extra cash I had I was able to grab a bite to eat and hit up the gas station. I really needed to get mobile minutes and fill up the Jeep for the rest of the week.

----

I was relived to be sitting at the reception desk in the cool air conditioned building. Watching a few others from the cut maintaining and fuel up various boats out on the docks. A job I had last year and frankly didn't miss for a single second. Taking this job serious was the best decision I've made in my entire life.

Through the glass door I could see a familiar SUV pulling up front. I spotted Kiara, another friend of my twin brother. She rounded the rear and started for the front doors. I consider Kie a friend of mine as well, she often pulled me along with them. Always mentioning how nice it was to have another girl around to balance out that intoxication masculine energy.

"Good evening, Miss Carrera. Is there anything I help you with today?" I announced in my service voice once she walked through the doors. She flashed me a mischievous grin and I swore I could giggle at the sight.

Kiara wore a vibrant and suitable outfit for the hot weather. She always had such a fun style making me yearn for a body I didn't have. I loved my curves but the hope for Kiara donating to my empty closet was almost comparable. It was hard to find cute discounted or thrifted clothing in my size.

"Yes, Miss Routledge I need the Carrera's Princess y72 fueled and prepped for an evening trip to the mainland." She held an elegant tone and straighten her posture as she addressed me.

I forced a laugh down and continued to play along with our ruse. "Not a problem, It'll be ready for 3:00pm. How does that sound?"

"That simply will not do." She shook her head and both of her front braids followed. "Did you not hear me? I said evening trip." I almost chocked sensing how much she struggled to keep the kook behavior.

"My apologies Miss Carrera. How does 5:00pm sound instead." I offered,

"Yes, why couldn't you just get it right the first time?" she pawed the air in displeasure.

It took two seconds before we fell into a fit of laughter so hard it began to hurt. Her dark skin starting to turn pink as she gasped for air and it only made me laugh harder.

The clearing of ones voice had me swallowing down the ounce of happiness I had today. Fear washed over me as I spotted my boss Pike, standing a few feet away. Arms crossed over his lean chest as he analyzed the scene before him.

"Sorry, sir." I croaked.

He approached the reception desk and leaned his body weight against it. With firm green eyes he stared me down. At the tense anticipation I prepared myself for a scolding. A small one, but a scolding nonetheless.

Glancing at Kiara I could have sworn her eyes almost rolled out of their sockets. I opened my mouth to investigate my punishment but nothing came out.

"Loosen up kid." He breaks into humorous smile. "You dedicated so much to this company and as long as you're doing your job I don't care who comes to visit you during your shift." He shrugs nonchalantly.

The sword above my head vanished into thin air and my lungs began filling back up with oxygen again. "You have no idea how good it feels to hear you say that. I was worried you were fed up with me." I say with a smile of appreciation.

"I could never be, just keep up the good work." He replies with a wink and a too friendly smile as he began retreating.

"As always." I speak over my shoulder watching his tall frame disappear behind the pristine blue wall. My presentable mannerism fleeting my being once my attention clung onto Kiara again.

"Now what were you going to ask me before you almost got me fired." I sassed and gave her a lighthearted glare.

She scoffs dramatically and says "If anything I pushed you closer to the manager position. Pike really seems to be impressed with your work ethic." Kiara's face softened and I couldn't help the proud smile spreading onto my lips at the adoration swirling in her brown eyes.

"Maybe," I shrug. "But it's a tinsey bit fetched considering I'm part-time for ten months out of the year." I say knowing this might be it for me.

"You'll get there, I promise." She says it like she too understood the hardships of living on the cut. As if she had to take bread from the clearance shelf and store it in the freezer. Or fill five dollar condition half way when it was a quarter way empty.

I could taste the bitterness trying to over take this tender moment I was sharing with Kie. I despised myself for every comparing my life against hers. Sure it was unfortunate I born into poverty, but it wasn't her fault she had all these advantages in life.

"I'll hold you to it." I tease lassoing back that buoyant atmosphere we held minutes ago.

"Good." She nods. Her heart is too big for this world.

"Now when do you get off work?" She asks innocently twirling one of her braids with her finger, "I think Seven, why? What do you have planned for tonight?" I asked cautiously. Last time she asked me this I got alcohol poisoning from a 'little' kegger as she put it. Those few days I've spent in the hospital wasn't exactly my idea of a good time.

"Don't worry it's nothing too crazy. We're going surfing tonight and I wanted you to come. I know you cant resist a good wave or two. Plus you can show us some of those tricks we can never get down."

My eyes caught movement through the glass doors again. Leaning against Kie's vehicle was none other than JJ himself. My breathe caught in my throat at seeing him for the first time since last night. He was wearing John's clothes telling me he hasn't gone home yet. His blonde hair was no longer matted in sweat and was now looking perfect again.

His eye looked swollen and I cursed that boy for not fetching something from the ice box. His sewn eyebrow was starting to purple. Despite his face, I found the guy so unbelievably attractive.

Kiara noticed my glance was lingering a little too long past her shoulder and trailed my gaze.

Shit!

She's about to discover that her best friend is the only one in a mile radius and blow the entire thing out of the water.

"Was that sew up job yours?"

"No, I haven't seen JJ since last week." I lied and instantly regretted it, Kiara knew I say him two days ago in my backyard. Circling the fire, roasting marshmallows and having a few light drinks.

A knowing glint sparkled in her eyes and she nodded her head. "Right." She finally says dragging the word on for decades. I shook my head in agreement but feeling guilty that I knew she knew I was lying through my damn teeth.

I had no clue why I was trying to keep the patch up job I did on JJ's face under wraps. I've done it a million times and none of them thought it was scandalous before, I've never shoved it under a rock before either. I didn't plan on hiding it, but I wanted to keep that vulnerable moment to myself. I'm not confident on who was aware of his fathers abuse and I wasn't going to crumble the sliver of trust he has with me.

"So whose all going to be there?" I asked reminding myself to wash my sins away later.

"The usually, John B, Pope, Sarah, me and...Jayj." She left Jay's name for last and I fucking knew it was trap, but I still looked past her and at the golden boy again. This will be at the top of the stupidest shit I've done and it's a long list. It didn't take a rocket scientist to understand he was avoiding eye contact with me. Understandable and yet it still pinched.

'I'll be ready by 7:30." I said not really having the energy for it, but I needed to get rid of her before she had the chance to question my odd behavior towards him.

Kie was quiet for a minute reading into my soul. "Okay. Not a minute later." Kiara finally declares starting to walk backwards, towards the automatic doors. The knowing glint that I was holding something back was still evident in her eyes.

I smile in agreement trying desperately to lock down the wariness that wanted to combust.

"I'll see you tonight, Surf Queen."

----

I'm completely wiped as I pull my green 1995 jeep Cherokee right beside the Twinkie. Cutting the engine I guided the stick shift into first gear and yanked the hand brake all the way up securing its parking spot.

Jumping out I winched as my feet hit the ground and the aching in my bones rattled up. The sight of my brother finally home had me forgetting all about the rage I was holding for him. He was surrounded by his friends, sharing the cheapest case of liquor Maybank could get his hands on and having the best time. My heart glowed at his found family. I

I stayed there awhile watching them before I announced my arrival. I admired the way they all could get lost in one another's company and not hear the loud engine of my jeep approaching.

I'm so drained from my shift, But I already promised Kie I'd tag along. I wasn't prepared to struck a crack into another friendship. The more time I spent with Kie the more I seen her as a real friend. And as much as I hated it, it was time to slip that mask on again.

"Holy shit Is that my twin brother as I live and breathe." I spoke loudly capturing everyone's attention. Almost all of them cheered for my appearance and it nearly felt like I was one of them.

If I wasn't the glorious JB's twin sister I wouldn't try so hard to distance myself. I'm my own person and I wanted to make it clear I was separate from my brother. I'm nothing like him or our father dropping everything to search for long forgotten treasure. It's extremely hard being a twin but it was absolutely brutal being a Routledge twin. Especially for one who didn't have her own circle of friend and trying to hijack one of his. Maybe I needed an animal companion or a boyfriend, probably both.

"Jade! I was wondering when you'd get your little butt down here." Pope hollers over with a giant welcoming grin. "I missed you too, Pope." I chuckled at his enthusiasm and returned a warm smile that didn't take up too much energy.

Pope is definitely someone you could hangout with after a long day of work and talk about the mysteries of the universe. He was loyal like the rest of them were and is always the one to knock sense into anyone who needed it.

Forcing my body onto the porch I engulfed John into a bone crushing embrace. He returned it and I clung on tighter to him. Being in his grasp felt like a warm bed and a home cooked meal. Coos and awes could be heard from the Pogues behind us murmuring something about sibling love.

"Please don't ever leave me in this house alone ever again. If you do I will sink a knife in all four tires on the Twinkie." I croaked into his chest.

Letting go me he grabbed each of my shoulders, "Did something happen last night?" He bursts out frantically, concern etched into his facial features.

on instinct my eyes drifted from his and focused on the blonde boy. It was only for a split second but JB caught it and looked back. I could skin myself alive if that were ever possible. Jay still refused to look at me and shrugged at what I assumed is an accusatory glare. His posture was lose as if he wasn't sporting my stitches on his eyebrow.

"I left the front door open." I started distracting him from his locked gaze, "A deer must've wandered in. It spooked me pretty bad." I said the first tale that floated into my brain.

"were you harmed?" John follows even the doubt swam in his eyes.

"No I-I managed to scare it out of the house." I stuttered,

"Well that explains why my floorboard was popped and the bat left in the hallway." JB notes humorously and that's when it dawned on me that I forgot about the damned bat.

How could I forgot? Oh right! There was a certain broken blonde boy crying in my arms last night.

"Yeah." I say guilty and nod my head weakly.

"I'm just glad you're okay." He says, petting my hair comfortably and I fought the urge to ask him why he cared, he's never here and I needed him in the long moments I thought someone broke in. But this wasn't the time to bring up how he's been a shitty brother lately. I wanted to savour this memory with him where he finally bothered care about me and I believed him.

"Let me get this straight." Pope says breaking the heartfelt aura. "Last night. You almost bashed a deer's brains in?" He finishes with a serious tone. It was so absurd that I struggled to keep a composed face.

"That's such a Routledge thing to do." Sarah comments, It almost caused me to shut down and call it day. I never confided in her about the twin conversation so I shouldn't be reacting to her comment the way I was.

"It's a very Jade thing to do in a dire situation." Kiara makes an effort to over shine her comment. She understood just how much I battled to accept that me and John were so much a like in too many ways to deny.

I gave her a grateful smile, thankful for her words. She tipped her head in acknowledgment "I'll be out in ten. I still need to grab my board from the shed." I mumbled heading into the house.

"Of course, take your time." Kiara replies gently,

"Me and JJ, are going to pack your board onto the Jeep for you." JB calls before I hear him barrel off the steps and almost trip and fumble to the ground. John is a good brother don't get me wrong but I missed him being around all the time.

I understood his determination to pick up dad's treasure map where he left off, it has been weeks since his disappearance. I miss the old guy like I lost every too, but I didn't ignore our situation to chase after a ghost ship. I'm the only one keeping us above water and I needed him to realize how much I craved for him to be my brother again. He's the only family I have left.

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

Three vehicles and six boards later we arrived at the beach. Kiara and JJ in her SUV, me and Pope in my Jeep, the Greenie, and lastly Sarah and John in the Twinkie.

Strangely enough the beach was so scare we could all park together near the sand. It's hitting the golden hour an absolute stunning even to catch a few wave, so gorgeous that it wounded my soul to see it deserted

I knew pope was giving me an odd look as the others started uphauling their boards while I stayed in my seat. I admired the view I was able to experience in this point in time, absolutely breath taking. Ever since the day I rode my very first wave with the help of a certain golden retriever boy. I could hear the ocean wailing for me like a lost soulmate in the wind.

It has been a long time my first love.

"There everyone goes, leaving us behind..." Pope trails longingly,

I roll my eyes and shake my head at his dramatics. "All of you are always go go go, or too wrapped up in each other to just stop, and really enjoy the scenery around you that this earth has given us."

Being here with them gave me a knew found sense of home, like I wasn't just here living this life alone. I think it's time I let these pogues wiggle their way into being there for me. It'll take some time for me to allow them and get more comfortable with being in their presence more. But I'm willing to try for myself, for John, for the Pogues.

Pope is quiet weighing in my spoken thoughts, "You're right I really need to appreciate it a lot more, but right now isn't the time. It seems we're holding everyone up."

I whipped my head fast enough for it to strain and begin to throb in pain. A few feet away I spotted Kie with her board tucked under her one arm and resting against her hip. An expecting look displayed onto her soft features, behind her Sarah and John were beckoning me forward.

JJ was already at the shore line, the high tides crashing into his ankles. He stuck his gaze to the front of the Greenie. Wearing John's bright red shirt that had a white lobster on the chest confirming my suspicion of further injury. Jay was comfortable with his muscular build and it was unusual to find him sporting a shirt while surfing. He must be hiding from the others as well knowing they'd raise havoc at the new found information.

was I bad person for wanting him to really see me? look at me and acknowledge the night we shared? I knew the pain he faced and the time he needed to numb his trauma over. Maybe when he looked at me he was reliving it all again in a rush of conflicted emotion.

One look was all I craved. Just a tiny glance into those storming blue eyes.

"Are you ready?" Pope asks, gentle hopefulness danced in his dark brown eyes. It dawned on me then like a bucket of ice. They had thought I was going to leave like I've done a few times before. This time was different because I truly wanted to be here with them.

"Yeah, I'm ready, Pope." I say grateful for his patience,

Unclasping our boards, Pope jogged alongside me catching up with the rest of them. Soon he fell into step with John B, both of them rush towards their blonde counter part. Kiara and Sarah flanked me and it almost felt like they knew everything that happened last night. Waiting for me to spill but there was not a single thing to share. Nothing happened and I seemed to be reading into it too much.

"Are you okay? You seemed to be hesitating?" Kie asks as we reached the ocean kneeling onto our boards and paddling out. Entering the water gave me this soft security and had woken my sleeping muscles.

"Yeah." I said contently, "I was admiring how beautiful the ocean appeared in the golden hour."

"I love how you can just get lost in the nature around you. Finding the beauty in smallest of things," Sarah notes,

I shrug, " I was taught to appreciate what I was given." It wasn't a jab at their pedigree. It was more of we're different and that's not a terrible thing. They both hum understanding my words weren't malicious.

I felt complete in this moment, smiling at the both of them I could feel my mask breaking into pieces letting my true thoughts be known. It was a radiating feeling.

Looking behind me, the shore in the distance. I could sense we were at the perfect location to catch a few good waves. The others did too and halted their paddling and sat up onto their boards.

All six us stared at the wall of waves building and crashing just a few yards away. Rocking our boards once it rode out and reached past us.

"I love your bikini." Kie says, I look down at the old fading teal bikini. I got it at a thrift store two years ago and a few sizes too small. "You say that every time and you know damn well this is the only one I got." I say playfully and Kiara smiles giving me a wink.

Sarah shrugs, "Kie's right its so cute, but we should all go shopping for new ones. Like a girls day, god know we need it." She says poking her glance past us and we follow her gaze to see the boys barking at each other in deep tones and hyping themselves up.

We burst out laughing at how ridiculous they were being. Snapping their heads towards our laughter they glare teasingly, "What?!" They shout in unison, "What are you guys doing?" Kiara askes, "It looks very intimate." Sarah calls after.

It warmed my heart to JJ enjoying himself considering what he's been through in the last twenty-four hours. It nicked to know he could never be like that with me ever again.

"Our masculine chant." JB states,

"We need to level out the feminine vibe." Jay retorts aiming his words at me. I was stunned to say the least. It bent my heart and I swore that was the last time I ever helped him. it must've been written on my face because John reaches over and smacks him upside the head.

I coughed to over my laugh, but I couldn't help but feel like a fucking out cast again. Maybe letting them in wasn't the best idea.

"I didn't know your masculinity was so fragile, Jay." I spat,

"It's not!" He shot back desperately

"I'm catching the first wave." I blankly said, paddling for the wave. Behind me I could hear John giving JJ shit for treating me like some Kook whose fucking with his feelings.

My body took control catching the wave like I've done many times before. Everything with JJ and John forgotten like none of it happened and I was completely content with that. The adrenaline raced into my blood as I rode the wave with such perfect ease.

After padding back to my spot beside Kiara and Sarah, JJ went next. It was easy to detect that our surfing styles were similar. I would've loved that I replicated his style to the tee a year ago, but now it made me sick to my stomach.

"I've never noticed how you and JJ have the same style." Sarah comments and Kiara's attention snapped to me, I shrugged "JJ Taught me how to surf."

Sarah gave an amused look, "Really? I would've thought John B did." Kie laughs and I shook my head, "Nope." I popped the 'p' "The jackass was too busy laughing at me while I drowned."

"I was not!" John B yelled over catching our conversation,

"Keep telling yourself that buddy." Kie calls returning her attention back to our triangle. Pope snickers and John B squints his eyes at him," I would've taught her but Jayj was the better teacher."

"beside if John did teach me, I wouldn't be able to land a few of my tricks." I shrug,

"What happened between the two of you?' Sarah asks the one question I was dreading, But her eyes were hopeful and I truly wanted to be close friends with her.

"I'm wondering the same thing. We use to be good friends when we were younger, then one day he pulled away. Stopped hanging out with me and never shared anything with me. It was very cold turkey and so fucking strange."

"I'm sorry, that must've been confusing." She replies and I brush it off.

"Nothing I can do now." I say flatly. Noticing Kiara has been quiet I trailed my glace to her, a weak smile spread across her face and I could've sworn I saw guilt swirling in her brown eyes. She must know something that I didn't and I had the urge to dig deeper.

We stayed there for two more hours, surfing and showing off our technique. The sun was ready to disappear over the horizon and god was it gorgeous but it was time to bring it in.

Dragging our bodies near the shore I walked between the girls again. after a successful day session on the waves I felt emotionally and mentally full and healthy. It was as if the ocean had the ability to revive me.

"Are both of you still down to go bikini shopping?" Sarah askes,

"Yeah absolutely, Jade what about you?" Kie replies looking at me expectantly.

"Operation feminine energy is a go!" I shout to the rising moon. Both of them celebrate like they won a marathon, I join them and somehow feel like I'm apart of something outside of being a Routledge twin.

Ahead of us the boys give us weird looks and I couldn't careless, but the lingering glance from JJ had me conflicted. In his storm blue eyes I saw a flicker of regret and I found it hard to breathe.

I held a façade for Kiara and Sarah, but I felt utterly lost when it came to that boy. Carrying our boards back to the vehicles I tried to focus on our new found girl squad.

--

Pat two took so long because I changed quite a bit from the original piece and added over 1k words. I definitely restrained myself from writing more JJ it's just not time for them yet.

Part two took so long because I wanted to write more JJ, but it's not for it yet.

This is very slow burn and I truly wanted to write about what living on the cut was really like.

Thank you so much for reading It means the worlds you decided to read something I wrote. I love you.

[alvisiscrazy]

The demon of the night. (pt 1)

TW-blood play, curssing, sex talk, drugs

summary- a cook for Elvis comes to realize he is really more to what we know, he is something outta this world like a book or a fairytale.

I gotten to work at the time I was supposed to lately I’ve been trying to move out my apartment while on top of working it was starting to get stressful but I needed the money.

“Y/n I need you on the night shift tonight and tomorrow night” my manger said

I nod, changing into my uniform looking in the mirror I looked alright, I started my shift preparing for breakfast which was Elvis’s favorite meal of the day. One thing I liked about working for Elvis I never had to face him alone they’d be two of us going to give him the food he never was the type to complain, I had prepared the eggs with less salt and pepper using a little now making his toast once I was finished the second cook had made his favorite juice (cranberry juice) “All set let’s get this food up to him” We went upstairs knocking on the door once for him to know his food is ready, I went to clean the dishes I had used then I heard the beeper go off “Can someone come upstairs Mr. Presley needs assistance” I answered the phone “I will be up” I said making my way to the side staircase knocking on the door “Come in” He sounded piss I let out the air in my lungs now opening the door. He turned in a quickness “These eggs have no seasoning, take this trash back” he said nearly throwing the place at me “Yes sir- right away” I said grabbing the plate “And clean up this damn mess” I quickly hurried downstairs to grab the broom, I had cleaned up the mess “Tell Macy to come up” Macy was my manger “Yes sir” I said I went into the office "Mary, Elvis wants you" She sighed "It's always something with him" She said putting the stack of papers in her desk, I made my way back into the kitchen to finsh cleaning "Y/n come in my office" She yelled I made my way into her office "Sit" she said I sat "Elvis said you have inproved your cooking skills,he wants you to travel with him" What? I thought he hated my cooking "Oh well um- thanks I need some time to think" I said "You get paid extra for traveling he isn't that hard to handle" That triggerd something in my brain "Well okay when do I start?" I asked "In two days, so get packed" Macy said. I gotten home from work in shock that I got offered to be Elvis's personal chef "What's gotten into you?" My roomate Kelly asked "I gotten offered to be Elvis, the king's personal chef while he travels" Kelly's face had dropped "What did you say?" "I said hell yea, I mostly need the extra cash" I said "I'm glad you need to get out see the world, speaking James had came by looking for you" She said "Gross, why?" She shook her head, I took a shower getting ready for bed I gotten the chills no air was on I was confused I felt this presence cold just cold I didn't mind it thinking I left my windown open.

(two days later)

I was all packed I placed my bags in my trunk now heading to work, I had some time to grab a coffee I gotten to work on time as always ( the first one here), I walked in heading to the basement to change into my uniform I looked at the meal list today (waffles, eggs) I made homemade waffles that my grandma had showed when I was little I even made the eggs how Elvis liked it, I knocked on the door “Bring the food to me, I can't get up" He said I slowly opened the door "Morning sir" I said with a smile I couldn't read what mood he was in today. I placed the napkins on his lap and putting the food tray over his legs "Anything else you would like sir?" I said with a smile once again "No...go" He said looking at the tv "Wait.. My heart sunk out my chest... "The food is good, keep up the good work" He said with a smile "Thank you sir" I closed the door letting out all the air in my lungs.

The day had went by fast now my shift was over I waited for Elvis to call and come get me from my house..... The phone had rung twice I didn't even notice "Hello, goddamn about damn time, I'm here" He said with a harsh tone "Oh- ok coming sir" I ended the line I made my way to Kelly's room "I'm off, wish me luck" I said waving "Bye, goodluck" I made my way out the door seeing Elvis's limo I got in the limo the men placed my bags in the trunk I sat in the back close to Elvis once again getting that cold feeling my arm brushed up against his arm cold just cold.

We gotten to the airport around 12 ish Elvis had gotten a private jet he didn’t want to be consumed by any fans, I gotten on the plane after Elvis looking for something to drink I opened the mini fridge seeing blood bags of all kinds and I looked up I saw Elvis running towards me “What the hell are you doin?” He yelled closing the mini fridge “Sorry I just wanted water” “Under no circumstances you go in my fridge ya hear?” He said staring in my eyes “Yes sir” I said backing up.... He was being was weird

I was nervous after what happened earlier so I kept my distance from Elvis going into the bed he said I could sleep in, I woke up looking outside the window it was daylight I turned over seeing him asleep he looked so peaceful his messy hair his soft looking lips.... I shouldn't be saying this I gotten up making my way into the front of the plane I had asked one of the workers for water and food, In the next hour we finally landed, at the hotel Jerry one of Elvis's workers told me I will be working in a private kicthen from everyone else which I didn't mind... I gotten my own room away from everyone I was more then happy I called my mom "Hey, guess where I am" I said laughing "Where?" She asked "In Vegas" My hometown "Oh, Y/n I wanna see you" She said with a happy tone "Me to, maybe I could get out of working sometime" I said thinking "You came out here for work?" She asked "Yes, I still work forElvis I am his personal chef" "Well, talk to him I wanna see you" She said I was getting a call from a diffrent line "Hey, I'll call you later Love you" "Okay, love you" I ended the line with my mom "Hello" I said "Elvis says come up for lunch" Jerry said "Um- Okay I will be up soon" I said ended the line, Looking for a okay outfit since tomorrow is my first day on the job I ended up putting on a pair of jeans and a T- shirt with some old converse....

I waited by the elevator (ding ding) I went up the penthouse "Welcome" Jerry said he glanced at my outfit chucking to himself "His gonna love this" I heard him say... He opened the door to the penthouse all eyes shot on me I sat at the table smiling at everyone... We ate lunch but I stayed quiet mostly the whole group started to reminisce on old times... Elvis excued the table I gotten up "Y/n stay seated" He said I sat once again awkwardly He waited for everyone to leave the penthouse he sighed really loud "May I ask why'd you come in here dressed like a hippy?" "Well I didn't bring anything else I thought I was only here for work" I said looking down "I don't like it, so change it" He said harshly "Okay, I will" I said looking up at him noticing the color change in his eyes "Jerry will take you to my favoite stores tomorrow, you may be excued"

I gotten up in the quickness heading the door holding back my tears... I gotten to my room calling my mom "Hey, I can see you now" I said "How about you come for dinner?" "Sounds good to me" I said "Okay, see you then" I ended the line.... I stayed in my room til it was 5 then my lined rung "Hello" I said "Hey, Elvis wanted to know what you wanted for dinner" Jerry said "I'm going over my mom's for dinner tonight" I said "I will let Elvis know" Jerry said ending the line

I gotten ready putting on a skirt set with my white converse I put my hair in a high ponytale doing my makeup.... I went to the lobby seeing a familer limo... Elvis rolled the window down "Get in" He said I rolled my eyes "What?" "Get in the damn car y/n" I got in the limo crossing my arms "I want to meet your mother" He said "You don't even know where she lives" I said "I do, wasn't that hard to find it" I gottten the chills I turned my head facing the window "I like the outfit" He said I didn't mind him at all then I thought of Macy's words "He isn't that hard to handle" He was I can tell this was starting to be a bad idea.... We pulled in the driveway I quickly gotten out heading the door knocking on the door my father had opened the door "Hey, y/n I missed you" "I miss you to daddy" I said hugging him It's been 4 whole years since I seen my parents "How the hell are you" He asked "I'm great" I saw his eyes widen "And you brought a guest Elvis" he shouts "Oh, that's my boss" I said "Where's mom?" I asked "She went to the store, but your sister is in town as well" I nod he opened the door letting us in the house still looks the same as when I left it brought me peace I went upstairs to see my old room the posters the hippy stuff I laid on my old bed day dreaming of how it used to be before life came at me with everything it had. “You are a true hippy" I heard him say.

[casspurrjoybell-33]

Wreckless - Getting settled

*Warning Adult Content*

Emmett

The chicken is cooked well and still juicy and even if it weren't, the amount of salad dressing that Finnegan dumped on his salad would have hidden it.

I tell myself that he's still getting all the nutrients and fiber from the salad which is what really matters.

I'm definitely going to need to buy more dressing.

Something has been floating around in the back of my head all through dinner and I finally realize what it is.

"I think Andy has an extra desk. I'll have him send over a picture and you can decide if it'll work for you or not."

"I can just buy one and get it delivered," he says as if it's not a concern. 

I will never get used to him having so much money. 

Furniture is expensive.

"Or we can save some trees and cash and have it here tonight and get you settled."

I'm already texting Andy.

"Do either of you have a steamer? My suits are probably a rumbled mess by now."

"Is that like an iron?" 

Steamers are yummy but that's definitely not what he's talking about.

"Yes and that question means you don't have one. No worries, Amazon will save us."

That I'm going to let him handle because I don't even know exactly what one is.

Andy comes through with the picture and I show my phone to Finnegan.

"Actually that will work great and I love that it has drawers."

A few more texts and it's set.

"I was going to borrow your fancy SUV and go pick it up but Andy's brother is over and offered to help load it so Andy's going to drop it off here which gives us a few minutes to get your office cleaned up."

"Not what I was hoping to do tonight, Emmett but thank you. Just tell me what to do." 

"Patience, darling, patience."

The first thing he needs to do is put on some pants.

He doesn't seem happy about that but soon he's presentable. 

It doesn't take us long to get ready, the room is mostly empty because it's ferret-proofed.

I keep the whole upstairs pretty sparse, actually.

I get the top half of the bookshelf cleared off and Finn vacuums while I empty out the closet except for the highest shelf.

I didn't realize how much shit I have.

Still, there's plenty of room for the desk and he decides to put it right under the back windows.

He runs extension cords and dusts while I wait for Andy.

He's right on time and ten minutes later the desk is up and in place.

He's even brought over a wheeled chair although it's definitely seen better days.

Finnegan tugs on my sleeve and whispers

"Should I tip him? Pay him?"

"No, darling, this is what friends do."

"My friends have never loaned me furniture," he replies and I believe him.

He's probably never used anything second-hand before but that's also a bit sad. 

Maybe his friends just loan him planes, I don't know.

"Nice seeing you again Finnegan," Andy says as he heads out the door.

He really is a good guy.

"You too, Andy and thank you."

As soon as the door closes, Finnegan is taking back off his jeans.

"I can unpack tomorrow, really."

"No, tonight."

"But why?" he whines.

Fine? He wants to know?

I walk up behind him and press my chest against his back.

"Because once we start making up for the past month, Finnegan. You're going to be in no shape to bend, lift or even think. I'm going to take very, very good care of you so you need to have everything ready for Monday. Do you understand?"

"Yes Sir. I'm going to need more hangers. Pants hangers too and a tie organizer. And a chair. I don't think I can sit in that one for more than an hour without my ass being sore in bad ways. And a steamer."

"I'll go get you some hangers and look for a steamer and chair. You'll have to order whatever I can't find at Walmart."

"You don't have to..."

He's being impossible.

"Finnegan? Let me do what I want."

His eyes cloud over and he's cute as hell.

"Yes, Sir."

"Get as much done as you can while I'm gone."

Against all odds... I get everything he's asked for and then some.

I get a little desk lamp and small trashcan for him.

I grab some curtains for the windows.

I never bothered before because I have mini-blinds but he might prefer curtains since his desk faces that way.

I get him a notepad and some pens because it just seems like something he should have and might not have brought with him.

Good enough for today.

When I get home he has one suitcase almost emptied and his laptop is set up on the desk.

He's sitting in the chair and turns, handing me a check.

"What's that for?"

"It's what I would have paid for my apartment this week. If it's not enough just let me know. How much do I owe you for all this?" he asks, smiling as he pulls out the lamp.

"So thoughtful."

I take the check and glance down.

"No, not happening."

"Emmett."

He's serious... Just saying my name like that says a whole paragraph.

"It's my room allowance and you are providing me room and board, plus laundry and shopping and all kinds of things."

He heads into the bathroom, then plugs the steamer in and starts hanging up his suits.

"It's too much."

"No it's not. I'll give you another one next weekend. Look, I want to pay my way while I'm here, it's the least I can do."

"This isn't paying your way, this is most of my mortgage."

That seems to surprise him.

"You got a good deal but it's irrelevant. It's what I would have spent. Just take it, Emmett. Take it and buy me toys and cute undies and gel pens. Put my chair together for me and take the fee out of that. I don't care how you work it out in your own head but I'd really like you to accept it."

It's not that I can't use it but not every week, no.

"This check is for the whole month. That's as much as I'm willing to take."

He turns and stares me down.

"Twice a month."

"What? That's your idea of compromising? Bartering like we're in a Mexican market?"

"If the shoe fits. Twice a month. That's my final offer."

He steps up to me and gives me a kiss on the cheek.

"I don't like worrying about you, either. I don't want to mentally keep track of how much the presents and yummy dinners cost. I don't want to feel bad about using a ton of electricity. I'm just not going to have much brain space to deal with it and it would make things a lot easier on me if I could just pay you enough that I know the little incidentals will be covered."

Incidentals? This is more than some people's paychecks. 

"I don't like the idea of being paid to take care of you."

"I pay Megan to take care of me. True story, my dad always says that every man needs a good woman in his life. When I came out to him I told him that I was just going to have to find a good secretary instead and he joked and said that at least he didn't have to worry about me getting her pregnant. Look, I'm not paying you to care, Emmett and I'm not paying you for sex."

'That's true, I suppose.'

"Okay."

"You say I'll get used to your cock and if I can do that, I think you can get used to this. Now, steamer time."

How can he just SAY that? But, he may be right.

He's also a little scary waving that steamer around so gleefully.

I make my escape and head into the hallway to put his chair together.

[ravenwitch45]

Imagine that Bayonetta decides to visit The Richest Cup one day. How do you think that would go down?

(And if you're feeling particularly creative, you could even have her bring Jeanne along too! 😈)

Oh my. These two make a scene wherever they go, so in a cafe mainly patroned by some of the most conservative demons in Hell, oh this will be fun I'm sure

Bayonetta and Jeanne visiting The Richest Cup.

We all know these two have expensive tastes. Apparently Nunning and Teaching pay quite well so they can more the afford it, walking in dressed in their finest clothes, and dropping a fine wad of cash on the receptions Imp's desk, Jeanne just replying "Keep the change" and there immediately led to an open table, sitting down and beginning to gossip as they do.

Now getting into a bit of headcanon, but I highly doubt with how most Goetia's are, that tips are commonplace in a establishment where the lower class serving you is treated like a selling point. So two human looking women making their entrance by dropping a huge wad of cash certainly makes them stand out the second they show up.

There more then used to being gossiped about behind there backs. Heiress dating an Outcast and all, so they just ignore the whispers as they talk and order their drinks and meals, holding hands paying noone any mind, except the very nice staff, which are very bewildred when the witches actually try to start a conversation with them, politely asking what's good around here, what food they suggest and all.

Overall they are truly probably some of the nicest patrons that's ever been there, treating the servers with respect and Jeanne going "Complements to the chef. They do good work, and of course generous tips cause that's just how they are in my eyes.

If anyone felt disturbed enough by the presence of just two women minding their buisness to walk up to them and complain, then oh I cannot see anything but Bayonetta sipping her drink before getting up making sure her heel stomps on the floor, and that foolish goetia gets a full Elektra Abundance style roast. Jeanne just smirking and chuckling the entire time.

"We are simply enjoying ourselves, and if you take offense in that, well you have less sense then Enzo, and class even lower. If you cannot handle seeing two ladies relaxed, then I suggest you head back to your pampered palace cause in my eyes your hardly ready for anything else"The witch spits with more Venom then any infernal, Making the goetia walk off, stunned into silence, not even scoffing. The two witchs just chuckling to themselves. "You always knew how to tell it Cereza."

They both enjoy the trip, always liking putting privelaged people and there place, and treating others with respect they deserve whether or not they often get it. A nice memory they'll remember fondly.

Okay that was fun! Haven't written Jeanne much so it was fun bringing her into this, Umbran Witches just keep making scene huh? XP

[dark-twist-fairytales]

Have another.. Uhhh, 5 1/2 hours left of work, and here we go of Keegan joining the clan!

~~~

Sitting in a tiny apartment, Keegan glanced around the room. Clean, other than the cigarette smoke stained walls, and the small pile of dirty clothes in his hamper. He had to take a moment, just glancing around and looking out of the window. Broad daylight, on a Sunday at noon. A few hums left him, before he clicked his tongue, settling his mental debate, and standing up quickly. He went to another basket, this time with clean clothes, before pulling out a nicer outfit and throwing it on.

Checking himself to make sure he looked civil, Keegan smiled and put his hands in his pockets. Deep, exactly what he was looking for. Taking them out again, he made his way quickly to leave and go outside, small chirps leaving him as he did move swiftly: rushing down a hall, hopping down a stairwell, and running out of the main door while hearing his renter faintly scream something out.

Okay, he was past due on his rent.

Now outside and away from his apartment, he glanced around towards a park. A very high-end park, and since he lived pretty close toa higher-end neighborhood, this was his target. He got closer to it, hopping the fence once it came up and glancing around the place, surveying the adults. Wallets, purses, watches that would sell nicely.. But there was one particular person that caught his eye, and while he looked like the rest, he was Keegan's target. He then began his wondering around the trees and trail, blending in pretty seamlessly as an everyday-joe, which was the hard part of him.

Between wanting to stim and press his palms together, as well as wanting to chirp and click his tongue, and keeping his mind on a one-way of track getting that person's wallet: He was struggling a little. But, he was going to do it.

A little bit of walking and fitting in, their paths were about to cross. Dipping his head down enough to look at the ground, and forcing a spaced-out look, Keegan kept walking at the right speed to collide with the guy...

Collide they did.

Keegan stumbled backwards, looking to see that the guy fell. He started muttering apologies, helping the guy back onto his feet and helping dust him off, apologizing once more, before rushing off. Why did he rush off so quickly?

Not only did he steal the guy's watch, but also his wallet. Jackpot.

Keegan hopped over the fence on the other side, hearing the guy call out angrily. He kept running, until he was able to dip into a nearby maze of alleyways. He lost the guy after a few turns, emerging on the busier side of town. He casually opened the wallet, taking out the cash that was there and hiding the wallet in a garbage bin that wasn't in use. The watch was around his wrist, now hidden underneath his sleeve, before he then walked away from the crime scene.

---

"Goddammit!"

The door slamming caught the attention of his roommate. Turning towards him, he continued on: "I got robbed. Again! I'm pretty sure it was that same guy from last time!"

Now, the guy screaming out? None other than Sal Malone. His roommate? Two-Ton Tony, aka, Tony Franz. Before Sal's abrupt entrance, Tony had been peacefully reading at his desk, the outside being blocked by a cloth book-cover as to hide the title from everyone else. It didn't exactly make him jump: Sal's sudden slamming of the door wasn't anything new to him, but with the exclamation, this was something new. If he was just aggravated, it would be a simple groan or 'fuck'. Past that, being stressed out beyond belief, it would be a 'fuck me' or swear in Italian. But 'goddammit'? Unheard of by Sal.

"Again? It can't be the same guy." Tony finally responded back, with Sal stripping of his over-coat to show- No watch on his right wrist. Just to prove further, Sal flipped his pockets inside-out. No wallet. Fake identity completely stolen from him.

"I'm tell you, Tony. It's the same guy. A foot taller than me, looks homeless and clean at the sametime- The hair even! Tony, no one has that hair." Sal said, flopping onto their shared couch after tucking his pockets in. "I mean- What is the guy doin'?"

"Ya know.." Tony started, marking his place in the book, before closing it and setting it down. He then turned around in his chair, facing Sal. "If what you're saying is true? He may be worth a catch in the clan. I mean- He's evaded you twice! What if I went with you next time to catch him? Bring this up with the chief even?"

A long thought, and an even longer talk: A plan was in motion.

---

About three weeks later, Keegan was low on cash again. Since it was colder outside, he got himself dressed in some warmer clothing, but also packed up everything he had. He was going big this time, to move since he was slowly becoming wanted by the local authorities. He got his backpack and his duffel bag packed, before he walked out of his apartment and to his renter. A bit of talking, he got his security deposit, and began his way to the same park.

Another hop over the fence, he actually began to walk around the trees, admiring them a bit. Not as good as stars, but still pretty. He began his walk towards the other side of the park, finding a similarly familiar fellow. The same guy he robbed. And seeing the new watch...

'Bingo.' He clicked his tongue and began to rush. Bolder, but not dumber. Another collision, but instead of apologizing, Keegan leaned down and snatched the wallet right from the guy's pocket, before rushing off, actively being chased by him. Jumping over the fence, he ran as fast as his legs could carry him, but he spotted something passing his normal entrance point to the maze of alleyways: Someone stood there, and they were not happy.

They went into the maze, but Keegan didn't enter from that way; He entered in another way a few buildings down, turning in to try and lose the person he robbed-

He felt some tackle him down, being cautious with his backpack and catching himself on the ground. The wind has gotten knocked out of him as he was held down from fighting, no matter how much he started to fight back. Distressed noises left him, especially when the guy he robbed came up and started speaking in a foreign language.

But, moments later, he felt.. Weird. The weight of the person left him, clutching his duffle bag close to his chest, as he finally got a chance to look around. Metal, sleek, bright- This wasn't an alleyway anymore.

"You didn't have to tackle him, Tony." This caused Keegan to gasp, pushing himself to sit up as he looked up. The voice was British, belonging to a male with a cane held in his left hand, moving from red at the top to yellow at the bottom. "We want him as a recruit, not for him to be hurt."

Keegan couldn't stop himself, pressing his palms together and latching his fingers around them, his knees close to his body. Slowly drumming against the back of his own hands, he kept himself calm and level headed.

As he looked around more, he jumped when he saw a hand reach down to him. Keegan lifted his head up slowly, spotting a male with orange hair, slightly darkened, and mustach to match. Eyes narrowed, and wide brimmed top hat. It was almost boring holes into him, but this didn't shake Keegan. He moved his hands to let the guy grab his sleeve, helping himself up.

"Well, I'm sorry about those two." Keegan looked to this proper male, tilting his head to the side as he grabbed his duffel bag, setting his palms together again and near his chest afterwards. "My name is Reginald Copperbottom, and I'm the leader of the Toppat Clan."

"Huh?" Keegan mumbled, tilting his head to the side. He now knew the male as Reginald, but his mind wasn't able to come up with how to say it. "Reg."

"Oi, only after you get to know him." The male that helped him up spoke, very firmly. Scottish accent rather than British. Keegan looked down to the other, a very confused look on his face, before he shook his head. "No?"

"Right, stand down. We have no clue about him." Reginald spoke, before motioning Keegan to follow him. Right followed Right beside Reginald, with Sal and Tony lingering behind Keegan, but still following. "You've been quite well in stealing from one of our own Toppat members, and from several other's in richer parts, I'm sure of." Reginald's voice broke the silence, with Keegan tilting his head to the side again in confusion.

"You've stolen from me multiple times." Sal spoke, looking to Keegan while being right beside him. "How the Hell do you manage to steal a watch AND wallet from the same guy at the same time?! Why?"

"Bills." Keegan spoke, shaking his head and blowing a short raspberry as he faced forward. "Job." He spoke, but this ultimately confused everyone surrounding the single-word sentenced male. He was quick to notice and shook his head once again, this time in a clear dissapointed manner. "Forget.."

A bit more walking, Sal and Tony broke off while Reginald and Right lead him to the leaders office, where he was allowed to sit down in a chair nearby per Reginald's request. "Now, we do have a sheet for you to fill out, of course, if you're wanting to join the clan. We can find some skills of yours that may be helpful to the clan." As Reginald spoke, he searched the cabinets for the folder that held all of the information that Keegan needed to write down. Once he did, he handed it over, along with a pencil, before allowing Keegan to use the desk to write.

Keegan sat down his bags, looking at all of the information, before beginning to jot down...

After thirty minutes passed, he finished and pushed it over to Reginald, allowing to read it. Specifically, the disability section.

"Ahh, I see. That explains the short words." Reginald voice, purposefully to catch the attention of his right hand man. "'Speech disability: Unable to pronounce complex words, or the 'N' sound. Including, but not limited to, names of people and places.' Well, the person you'll be rooming with will be perfect."

Motioning to a wall, he tapped a button to let it open up, showing a WIDE variety of colored top hats, with different sized brims, and different titles that they're labeled as. "Since you'll be a member, we do require everyone to wear a top hat. Pick out title and color."

Keegan slowly stood up from his spot, dropping his backpack onto the floor (gently) by the strap, before walking over to the wall. Hums left him as he looked to each title and label, soon stopping when he found 'seamstress', before looking at the colors. His eyebrows furrowed together when he saw that they were all dark shades of green or grey. That was..

He maroon caught his eye, looking over and seeing it was still under 'seamstress'. Giggling, he grabbed the top hat quickly and looked to it, giving a small 'oo' at the base look of it, before giving a firm nod and turning around to Reginald, showing the top hat to him.

"Excellent. Make sure it fits." Reginald said, watching as Keegan put the top hat on and made sure it was comfortable on his head. Perfect fit. "Step away while it closes." He spoke, before Keegan listened and the wall closed again. He took the top hat off again, looking at it while he pulled his chair back to where he found it, along with his bags, before sitting down and just taking a moment to admire it.

'No more worries.. I'll be safe here'

"Oi, Reg, It's Ezhno."

[psychopathsimp-blog]

Loona x reader Frozen yogurt

"Y/n! yyyyyyyyyyyy/nnnnnnnnnn!!!!" BlitzØ Screamed running into the building.

"What do you want now?" Y/n grumbled leaning back in their chair.

" Don't sass me! " BlitzØ put his hand on his hips. ''Anyway , I had an amazing idea!"

"Oh? What is it this time?" Y/n rolled their eyes thinking back to the last "amazing idea".

The last one had them all screaming in anger as they watched their office burn.

" No more fire please!" Moxxie screamed from the couch.

" Relax dear im sure boss isnt that stupid." Mille patted his shoulder reassuringly.

"Hey!" BlitzØ said, offended.

" What's your idea? I'm a busy demon here you know." Y/n crossed their arms.

" That is not true at all, you just kill and track the people we kill. Right now you're just sitting on your lazy ass not doing anything. " Moxxie observed.

" Shut the hell up you annoying prick." Y/n glared at them.

Millie glared back.

"Will all of you please shut the fuck up!" Loona yelled from her desk.

" now if your done being annoying little fuckers time for my idea. Loona listen because this also involves you. Now I just got two coupons for the frozen yogurt place down the street. Now y/n loona you are both sad individuals with no life so i'm giving you the coupons. " BlitzØ said, sounding triumphant.

"What?!" Loona almost dropped her phone.

" 1st off how dare you and 2nd what?!" Y/n's chair fell forward.

"You heard me. No if ands or butts you're both going. "

" We don't associate! We know nothing about each other." Y/n said.

"Liar! I've seen you two scaring and stealing from the kids at the park.''Millie chimed in.

" Shut up old lady." Loona growled.

" Scaring kids is one thing. Being friends are entirely different. " Y/n said to blitzØ ignoring the fight Loona and Millie were having.

" My point is neither of you have friends! Loona is my baby and she's lonely. And you're okayish." BlitzØ said, straightening his suit.

" wow i'm flattered you think of me so highly." Y/n put a hand to their chest and batted their eyes.

"Ugh. Now both of you take the coupons and go." BlitzØ shoved the coupons in your hand.

Y/n sighed and got out of the chair they were sitting in. When blitzØ had an idea in his head you couldn't get it out.

"Loona! Get up and get some frozen yogurt. And don't bite the waitress." BlitzØ said, pulling Loona to her feet.

" Let go of me bitch." Loona snatched her arm away and followed y/n out the building.

" Let's get this straight, I'm only going because I want to get away from blitzØ and I'm hungry. Not that I want to spend time with you." Loona said, scrolling through her phone.

As y/n and loona walked y/n kept one eye on loona to make sure she didn't run into anything. She surprisingly didn't though she did trip a couple of demons.

" I think this is the place. " y/n muttered as they stopped in front of a shop. " Do you want to order or do you want me to?"

Loona shrugged, not looking up from her phone. Y/n sighed and ordered. The dude at the cash register was a dick which didn't surprise y/n. Hell was full of assholes.

"So what are you doing here gorgeous?" He asked Loona.

" Fuck off you prick." Loona grabbed her yogurt and went to a table.

Y/n grabbed theer yogurt and followed her. The table she chose was in the back. She sat on one side propped her feet on the table, scrolled through her phone and ate her yogurt. Y/n sat on the other side and ate their yogurt.

" What if we tricked him?" they said suddenly.

" Who blitzØ?" Loona asked.

"No, the king of hell. Duh blitzØ!" Y/n shook their head.

" Don't be smart with me bitch." Loona said, narrowing her eyes.

" Okay but listen. He wants us to be friends. Why don't we pretend so he'll leave us alone. " Y/n sat back with their treat and ate it while waiting for Loona's answer.

" So we just pretend? We don't have to get..close?" Loona checked.

" Nope. Just in front of him but the moment he turns his back we can ignore each other." Y/n said.

Loona looked at y/n. " You're smart, I'll give you that. Eh it could work."

" So you're willing to try?" Y/n asked, leaning forward.

" mhm." Loona stared at the cups of almost empty frozen yogurt. " hey do you want to ditch this and go wreak havoc?"

" fuck yeah!" Y/n grinned.

They got up leaving their trash at the table and left without paying.

a/n-

Hiyo!!! I'm so sorry this is short. i just wanted to post something. I'll also make a part two. From now on i'm going to try to make them better and longer.

[ancuninbrainrot]

My Dragoncon ADVENTURE (slightly abridged)

Or, "how this trip was entirely cursed." This is so long, so cutting it.

I have wanted to go to Dragoncon for decades, but I live far away and the cost has always been hideously prohibitive. But this year, the stars fell into place and ya girl had enough money to go. Tickets bought, plane tickets bought, cheap hotel booked, gonna grab Lyfts to and from because my childhood memories of Atlanta traffic told me this was NOT an option.

So I get to the airport on Thursday 2 hours early. Line up at the gate to figure out where I needed to be.

My flight had been canceled. I'd received notice THAT DAY from the third party site I booked through that I was good to go. So I sit on hold with them for 45 minutes because babies, I have nothing but time. Meanwhile I'm booking a same day flight, which leaves about 2 hours later, has a stop in DC, and then off to ATL (side note, not having a direct flight to ATL is stupid, I have NEVER not been routed through there).

Get the booking sorted with American Airlines, prepare to wait. I have books, I have headphones, emergency granola bars...we're fine. Get to DC, about 2 hours layover, grab some truly disgusting chili and settle down.

Check email. Flight from DC to ATL canceled. Go to customer service, which is ofc a ginormous line (This will be a theme). They give us handouts essentially saying, "please just go on the website." I do. Next flight they can offer is the next afternoon...with a 10 hour layover in Dallas Ft. Worth. Look at a map and explain that to me.

I'm still in line for the customer service desk, because maybe they have a better option. They do not. They can get me there Saturday afternoon!

Did I mention I have a 4-day pass and a hotel booked from Thursday to Tuesday? Glad I'm made of cash.

So I book a flight with Delta, get a hotel near DCA that has a shuttle service, and go to grab my bags.

I do not get to leave the hellscape of DCA until 10:30 p.m. I got to my local airport at 10:30 a.m. This should have taken about half that time with the last minute booking. I can’t leave because they made me check my single carryon because every aspect of air travel is designed to be the worst possible experience. And ofc since the plane was canceled due to weather, the baggage carriers can't unload the plane in case Thor seeks his revenge on puny mortals.

So we all wait in the endless hell of DCA's baggage claim. It is a desolate prison with approximately 5 seats. The rest of us are sitting on concrete floors for hours while occasionally, maybe every 20 minutes a single bag will make it off the plane and onto the conveyor belt.

I use this time to call my other hotel and try to explain what's going on, to try and coordinate things (because there was supposed to be a car to get me to the hotel in Atlanta, but obviously that's not happening). The ride company tries to get shitty with me and I tell them to keep their $30 because I don't have the time or patience. I read fanfic, I eat a granola bar, and I wait because I have NO OTHER OPTIONS. Trust me, I checked to see how long it would take to just goddamn drive to Atlanta. Finally I am free, and the shuttle is there, and the hotel is much nicer than I pick because I didn't have a choice.

The next day I eat a reasonable hotel breakfast (freeeeeee), get to the airport and things go fine. ATL is less of a hellmouth, I get my bag, grab a Lyft, have several moments of confusion with the front desk about my reservation, get up to my room and debate going to the con. Nah. Rest, steam the wrinkles out of my clothes, have a food.

Google is amazingly unhelpful about delivery here, but Pizza Hut will deliver in about 45 minutes. It's a Friday night, that's fine. It takes an hour and a half. Did I mention I hadn't eaten since breakfast? My blood sugar hates me and I also hate me.

I get up the next day, try to figure out which hotel I should be dropped off at, pick wrong, and walk there. Wait in line for an hour to get badge, and I am free. Dragoncon is across like 5 hotels. There is no fast way to do anything, nor any way to see and do things you want to because they are packed fucking schedules. I sit in at a couple panels (full, so mostly on the floor). I find out where the signings are, not realizing the authors and actors are in 2 different, non adjacent buildings, so I am in the actor's hall. Or at least I am in another line to get in there.

Time passes. We get in. I do a circle and see Neil Newbon's table and have a mini crisis.

I am HERE for BG3, and Neil specifically. I am, however, the worst human in the world at interacting with people whose work I admire. This is why I wanted my husband along, but he didn't think there'd be enough for him to do. So I made insane plans to try and mitigate my bad brain. I know immediately that my struggles have been in vain and I will absolutely fuck this up. But I've traveled too far and I will DO THE THING DAMMIT.

I don't want to say the con was not prepared for the draw of Neil. But the line for him is bananas, weirdly spread out into 3 overflows. We get through the first couple in a reasonable-ish amount of time. And we are in overflow one, huzzah. By this point I've been chatting with the other people in line, talking cosplays and whatnot, we're all friends here.

Well. Then the actors leave for photo ops. We try to settle, we tell each other our hopes and dreams, we are yelled at for sitting, 2 of them make a dash for water, I give a starving college cosplayer one of my emergency snacks, and he's adorably grateful ("do you want me to give you something for this?" "No, I want you to eat it, man.").

And Neil returns! And now I can see him and my knees aren't okay and my hands are shaking. FUCKERY BLAST IT, WHY AM I SO BAD AT THIS? I am a competent, funny, smart person. I can talk to anyone, I speak on panels, I am not shy, dammit.

His helper asks me what I want, and I say a signature. "You want him to put something particular?" "No." "Sorry?" "No thanks." I am too quiet and anyone who has ever been in my proximity knows that is NOT NORMAL. My nervous stupid self knocks stacks of pictures askew, and I am third in line.

Another assistant asks if I'm doing a selfie as well, and I chat with him like a normal, sane person who is allowed to vote. And then I get to Neil.

And I freeze tf up. As I knew would happen. I literally made a card for this occasion because of who I am as a person.

Neil: Hi Tanis, I'm Neil. (Hubs later during my scream session, "'oh really? I thought this was the line for the bathroom.'" "IF I HAD THE BRAIN FOR WIT AT THE TIME, MY LOVE.") Me: presents pic to sign and card of panic I'm nervous. Him: You're fine, Tanis. Me: I also have a picture with you tomorrow. Him: Good, I'll see you then. Me: Hopefully by then I'll be more able to talk. Him: I think you'll find you're talking now, you're just being too hard on yourself.

I flee and send a series of panicked missives to friends and spouse:

I order dreadful Chinese takeout (funfact, not a single delivery place remembered my drinks, so ya girl was running on bad hotel coffee and lukewarm tap water this weekend) and pray that I have done my worst. I was going to go to the Voltaire concert there, but alas my social battery is dead, my feet hurt, my pride is bleeding out, and I'm just staying in for the night.

(Funnily enough Friday he's going to be like an hour away from us, so I tell hubs to get tickets so we can both go.) Next day is surprisingly fine, some panels, absolutely no author's signings I could go to, so I schlepped a bunch of books around for 3 days for no reason. I eat overpriced hotel buffet brunch in the place the photos are supposed to be. I decide to find Voltaire's booth, since apparently we're going to see him soon, and have a normal, human conversation.

I do a commerce and have a CD, bid him farewell and go downstairs to wait for my picture for the next hour and a half because I'm broken as a person.

My beta wrote me a cheat sheet and husband wrote the single sweetest thing anyone has ever written in case I got to talk to Neil again.

Contrary to the lines everywhere else, this one moves fast. So fast. Too fast. I am flung at Neil like a gazelle and take the second worst photo with a celebrity I have ever had (first goes to a picture with Joel from MST3k because I'm wearing a bright neon yellow volunteer shirt, and with my complexion, I look like I have a disease). I go back to my hotel feeling like a bedraggled potato and take a selfie just to prove that I do have human features still (remarkable because I do not take selfies, as a rule).

The next day is the last day of the con, and I only have one goal since I missed it Friday because American Airlines sucks balls: I will go to the BG3 panel. I leave the hotel hilariously early, and am dropped off at the wrong Hyatt hotel. GPS says I can walk there in 15 minutes, and proceeds to give me the worst directions anywhere ever (example, it is 8:30, I am facing the sun. The GPS: HEAD WEST. Bruh, I'm not a girl scout, but that's objectively not correct). I run into another con-goer and follow him to the hotels, thank fucking god. I am two hours and some change early to the panel.

The line stretches outside already.

I wait on concrete to be let back into the building with a zillion other people, but the seat I get is phenomenal, literally the best seat in the house. (I do not take a picture of the people because I feel like a creep doing so. I know it's fine, but my brain is broken. Hubs: Maybe I wanted a picture. Me: YOU SHOULD HAVE COME, THEN.)

The panel is lovely, I have a magnificent time. I leave the con after one last attempt to get books signed (nada), and go back to the hotel to do laundry before my flight the next day.

I venture outside after my nap to try and get change at a CVS and maybe some laundry soap, but no dice on either. I try at a gas station, and also no. The hotel does have laundry soap, but won't take my cash, but whatever. What the fuck ever.

Minor digression: Traveling solo as a woman sucks for a variety of reasons, but one I didn't expect at my advanced unfuckable age was the sheer volume of catcalls I experienced this weekend, like more than in the last decade combined in 3 days. Just dudes on the streets and in trucks felt the need to comment on my appearance, and I'm puzzled and also not a fan.

Minor Boomer moment: Doing laundry at hotels is stupid now because I had to download a fucking laundry app. Just let me use money, or scan the QR code and have it work, ffs.

The laundry is gently wiggled damp, and I check my email. Delta: hey, check in for your flight. American Airlines: Hey check in for your flight.

I'm sorry, what?

Apparently I'm going from ATL to Charlotte on American Airlines which is news to me because I'd canceled any return trip with them days ago, and a return was supposed to be processed. I call them and the lady's like, "Oh so you need to cancel?" "I never scheduled it, so yes. And a refund." "Oh we don't give refunds, there's a credit on your account." "Yeah, I'm not flying with you again, how do I get money instead?" "Go to the site and fill out a form." "What information will I need for that?" "Your ticket number (rattles off a 72-digit long string of numbers)." Glad I asked because that number was nowhere in the email. Sometime eventually my money will return to me, but probably not the extra expense of an emergency DC hotel room, and certainly not the lost two days of fucking convention that I paid for.

Now I'm home, thank gods, in possession of an autographed piece of art, a hideous picture of myself, and 3 impossibly velcro cats who have never been loved in their lives and I am not doing this again. I did the scary things, I'm not sorry I went, but this has been the single worst traveling experience of my existence.