#I've said it before but i miss my old office. there is no couch on which to flop here

[essektheylyss]

We have reached the point in the work week at which I threaten to walk into a bog, and I would like nothing more than to be writing instead. Yet here I am, sending emails.

[dumpywrites]

Cat-astrophe - Min Yoongi / Suga

Summary: Your pet cat keeps going to your neighbor’s apartment and it’s a problem. 

Genre/tags: Fluff-ish, strangers to ???, minor mention of anxiety.

Pairing: Yoongi x she/her reader

a/n: cus we're all soft for long haired Yoongi, right? hehe

It had been officially a month since you had moved to a new apartment place. You loved the new place honestly. It was cozy and the neighborhood looked nice. There were many convenience store nearby and the street was always still busy until late at night, making you feel a little bit of secure when coming home late.

While the place was nice it had one tiny downside. It was rather on the far side from your workplace. It took you an hour of bus ride just to get home from the office, so some days could be more tiring than others. And today was one of those tiring days. 

It was around nine at night on a Monday. Having to work overtime for the deadline and missed the bus, really dreaded you out. You were both tired and hungry, arriving home only to find that your pet cat was missing. It really just was not your day.

To say you were panicking would be a bit of an understatement. Cookie was barely a four month-old cat and had a very tiny body. All the negative possibilities start filling your head and you were horrified by all of them. Not to mention how it was basically forbidden to bring pets in the apartment complex. It was one of the policies but you couldn't help it since Cookie was a rescue.

When you arrived at your apartment lobby with a cat snack on your hand, there wasn’t that many people there. You walked past a guy by the front desk, who had medium-length black locks and fair skin, with headphones dangling on his neck. You began to call your pet’s name as soon as you were outside the lobby, but suddenly you felt a light tap on your shoulder. 

“Are you looking for a small black Bombay cat?” It was the same guy who just walked past you.

“Oh my god, I am! Have you seen him???” You said, your voice was a little bit shaky. 

“He’s in my place, I’m on the seventh.” 

“Oh, me too!”

“I know.”

“Oh.” You said, surprised at how stoic he sounded saying that, but didn’t further question him on it. “I’m so sorry for bothering you, can I go get him now?”

“Sure, I was just gonna go up as well.”

When you both entered the elevator, you made a mental note to ask his name or at least introduce yourself. He was a neighbor after all. It was pretty silent inside the lift and you just hoped he didn’t hear your stomach rumbling ever so slightly. You took a deep breath, bearing the hunger for a little while. 

When the elevator door opened you followed him from behind as he led you to his door. When he stopped at his front door, your eyes were widened in shock. 

“You live next to me?!” 

“Yeah.” He said casually and unlocked the door. "I've seen you multiple times."

You chose to not further question and followed him but stopped when you had only took two steps in, because technically, the homeowner had not really officially permit you to come in. The guy seemed to notice how you just stood awkwardly and looked back. 

“You can sit down for a sec, I’ll go get him.” 

“Oh, right… yeah. Thank you.” You said awkwardly and walked to sit on his couch. 

A few seconds later the man came back with your cat in his embrace. Cookie was clinging on his tshirt before he tugged him and gave him onto your lap. 

“Cookie!” You called, almost teary. 

“I think he jumped from your balcony to mine. Make sure to close your balcony door next time.”

“Thank you so much, I owe you… uh…”

“Yoongi.” 

“Thank you, Yoongi.” You repeated and introduced yourself in return. “I’m Y/N, and if you ever need anything please let me now.” You said as you stood up, already making your way out. 

“Also, thank you for not reporting it…”

“No problem.” Was all the guy said and by this point you figured he was not much of a talker. 

You bid your goodbye to your neighbor, which only gained a small nod before he closed the door on you. You walked to your door and let Cookie down as soon as you got inside. Sighing deeply, you began to feel your stomach rumble again, this time it rumbled quite loudly. Your feet were aching from standing on the bus and now your body finally got on how tired you were. 

Cookie meowed and immediately went to his cat bed and laid down. You sighed and smiled at the small creature. 

“You little rascal… you’re lucky I love you.” 

You then went to your kitchen to cook yourself some instant ramen. 

The next day you went to work and had to take another overtime. Unfortunately you had to for the rest of the week until your current project was done. It was exhausting but you had to make it and mostly thinking about the bonus pay from it helped quite a bit. You spent the next few days the same, repeating the schedules, and the tiring work. 

It was almost ten at night that you arrived home and found out Cookie had gone missing again. For some reason your first instinct was to knock on your next door, in hope the neighbor who once helped you, could lend you a hand again, and hoping maybe Cookie just ran to his place again instead of being gone somewhere where it wasn't safe for him.

You knocked on the door and didn’t get immediate answer. You waited for what felt like five minutes, before the door opened and you were greeted with the sight of your neighbor with wet hair. He had a small white towel around his neck and the hoop earring that you saw him with before was absent. His skin looked glowing, you probably needed to ask about his skin care routine later.

“So sorry to interrupt you, I was wondering if Cookie might have gone to your place again?” 

“He’s right there on the couch.” He casually pointed. His expression was straight and had you wondering if he did not mind it, bothered, or simply didn’t care. 

You slowly walked to approach your cat and bent down to its level. “Cookie, you need to stop this…” You tapped the cat's nose, as if scolding the poor cat would do anything. 

“He jumped to my balcony again, did you forget to close the door?” 

“But I made sure to close it this morning…” You looked at your neighbor, who walked closer to inspect the cat. 

“I think he knows how to turn door knobs, since he’s quite a jumper. You need to lock the door.” 

“I can’t believe this little demon…” You sighed, fingers still stroking the purring cat. 

“He’s… alright.” 

You were slightly taken aback by the response and looked up to him, but much to your disappointment, his expression still looked the same. You were about to get up and excuse yourself, but you notice a small steel bowl under his dining table, half full with what you assumed to be cat milk (I mean, it would be weird if it was his, duh!). 

“You also have a cat?”

His eyes followed yours. “Oh, that. I got it the first time Cookie came here, I figured he must be thirsty since he came in around noon time.” 

“That’s… that’s very nice of you.” You looked at him and smiled. Somehow him addressing your cat by his name sounded lovely. 

“You can have the rest of the milk if you want, since you’ve figured out how he escaped and all…” 

“It’s okay, you can keep it! Just in case he ran into you again…” You chuckled but then stopped after realizing how that just sounded like you did not mind troubling him with your cat continuously. “I mean… I’m sorry, I’ll make sure he’ll never escape again.” 

“It’s alright, I’ll keep the milk for now.” He paused for a second, rubbing the back of his neck. “Just in case.”

You looked at your neighbor and couldn’t help but to feel all warm inside. He seemed like a nice person and from the looks of it he also liked your cat. 

“Thank you so much, Yoongi. I’ll be taking this little guy here then...” You smiled at him and stood up with Cookie in your arms. 

“I got some dim sum…” 

You looked at the guy questioningly. 

“Do you maybe want some?” 

“That’d be too much, it’s okay, you go ahead and eat.” You politely declined. Although you were hungry, you could bring yourself to bother your neighbor any more than what you had done. 

“Have you eaten?” 

“Y-yeah?” You asked, afraid you heard it wrong. 

“Have you eaten?” He repeated. “If not, then I insist you take some.”

“I…” You wanted to lie, but at this point it would come off as rude if you refuse him again. “I actually haven’t. Thank you very much though, I feel so bad that you’re being this nice to me.”

“You can just eat them here.” 

“I don’t wanna disturb—“ You were awkwardly cut by the sound of your stomach rumbling. 

“You’re not disturbing me.” He cleared his throat and looked away. 

That was embarrassing. 

And that was how you ended up sitting down on your neighbor’s dining table, eating dim sums. 

In silence. 

This Yoongi guy really did not like conversation it seemed. He was sitting down on his couch and had turned the TV on. The volume was on but not quite loudly, and Cookie was on his lap, sleeping as he occasionally stroked the cat’s head softly. Funny that somehow you could see some resemblance of Yoongi with your cat.

“So… how long have you lived here?” You bit your bottom lip as you waited for his answer. You kind of regretted asking as soon as the words came out from your mouth, afraid it would be awkward. 

“Around ten months or so.” He paused. “No, I think it’s been almost a year cause I spent two months overseas.”

“Really? What were you doing overseas?” You regretted asking again. Looking at how quiet Yoongi was, you didn’t want to ask too much or indulge into too much conversation, afraid it would be too much for him. 

But much to your surprise, he answered. “I’m a producer. I was working for this artist and all the work had to be done in America.” 

“Wow, that sounds amazing!” You said. At this point you no longer were sitting facing the table, but to him. “Who was the artist?”

“Uh… Halsey.” He replied while looking at the TV screen, seemingly to avoid your stare.

“Oh my god???” You gasped. “That’s incredible! So you’re like crazy talented?!”

“I’m alright…” 

“You should show me some of your work someday!” You said enthusiastically. When Yoongi did not reply to it and stayed silent, you cursed yourself internally. “I mean compared to what I do that’s like really amazing.” You chuckled nervously. 

“I’m sure you’re great at what you do.” He looked at you, a small smile was on his lips. 

You realized it was the first time you saw him smile and it made your heart raced rather faster than usual. It was the first time you saw him with facial expression other than his usual poker face. 

“I’m just a normal product designer at a very normal company.” You shrugged. 

“Don’t downplay yourself like that. You work very hard.” 

“Thanks…” You replied shyly. 

After finishing your food, you got up and went to wash the dishes, which immediately got stopped by the homeowner. He politely told you to go back home and rest. Which again, you could not thank him more for. 

You took your pet in your arms and said your goodbyes to your neighbor. Right when you arrived back in your place you came to realize something. Yoongi did not eat with you and there was only one portion of the food. While it could just meant he had already eaten beforehand, you felt giddy, thinking about another possibility. Was this a crush you sense forming? Frankly speaking, you could not care less. You were welcoming the possibility with open arms.

— 

Friday finally came and you were ready to take it in. The days of working with your company project was going to an end, which meant you no longer need to work overtime after this. The thought of it put you in a very good mood. 

This time right after arriving home, you walked to a nearby chicken restaurant and grab some not only for you, but also for your neighbor. You wanted to repay his kindness the past few days. After changing into some comfortable clothes, not to mention the multiple times you had to re-check the outfit in the mirror for some reason, you took your cat in your left hand and the food in the other. You knocked on your neighbor’s door hoping he was home. 

And he was. You were greeted with his silence but he opened the door wider as soon as he saw your face without question. One thing that caught your eyes though was how he was dressed up like he was ready for a night out. He wasn’t in his usual sweatpants and baggy t-shirt, but instead in a ripped wide legged jeans and a light blue shirt, unbuttoned, with a plain white tee underneath. He looked handsome. And here you were, in your so-called comfy outfit that you were starting to regret.

“Before you ask, no, Cookie’s right here.” You smiled awkwardly as you raised the small cat in your hand for him to see. “I’m just here to drop by some chicken I got for you… as a thanks for your help these past few days.” You handed the plastic of food to him. “Alright, that’s all…”

He took the food from you hesitantly. “You don’t wanna come in?” 

“Aren’t you going out or something?”

“I was… but you are here.” He said, sounding unsure. 

“That’s ridiculous, why would I stop you from going out?”

“I was gonna go to your place…” 

Your mouth formed a small O shape, unable to form a word. He was going to your place? But what for??? The butterflies in your stomach were having a blast. 

“But you’re all dressed up…”

“I was gonna change back.” He sighed, running his hand through his hair, which made you gulped at the sight. “I knew this was a bad idea I shouldn't have listened to Hoseok—”

You stopped his rambling. “What do you mean?”

“I was gonna ask you if you wanted to go eat together at that one Chicken restaurant nearby…”

“Oh.” You widened your eyes.

“Yeah.” He looked at you, biting his cheek in annoyance. 

“This is awkward.” You chuckled. 

“Whatever, just… just come in first.”

You saw Yoongi putting the plastic of food on his table. You offered help after putting down your cat on his couch and walked to his direction. Both of you plated the food in comfortable silence, it felt oddly domestic and you liked it. At this point you were used to him being not talkative and see it as his charm. 

After you took the plates to the living room, Yoongi suddenly came back with cans of beers and soju in his hands. 

“We’re drinking?” You said with an amused grin. 

“You can drink, right?” 

“Sure, but can you?” You playfully eyed him. 

“Don’t challenge me.” 

You could see how he was trying to hide his smile, and it brought colors to your cheeks. 

—

You did not know how you got in this situation. Five episodes in randomly rewatching Avatar The Last Airbender and you both were drunk. You were resting your head on his shoulder as you watch the screen. It seemed like the booze gave you confidence, or made you shameless, or both, but the guy didn’t complain so it could be a sign of a good thing. While you could see Yoongi holding his alcohol better than you, he was not completely sober either. 

It was at this very moment where you saw things through a pink tinted lense. Had Yoongi’s hair always looked that soft? Had he always looked this handsome? You began to question things you should not be questioning.

“Why didn’t you change your clothes?” You randomly asked. 

“Do I look bad?” He replied, eyes still on the screen, hands stroking the sleeping cat on his lap. 

"Of course not, I just feel severely underdressed now..." You chuckled.

He eyed you from top to bottom, which made you nervous, but he shrugged, seemingly to not have any problem with your clothes.

“You look… handsome.”

“You think I look handsome?” He suddenly moved to face you, making you move to look at him as well. The tone of his voice sounded like he was teasing more than asking a question.

You nodded and bit your lips. “And you kinda look like Cookie.” You giggled. 

He raised one of his eyebrows, clearly not satisfied with your answer. 

“Your eyes…” You began to ramble. “They look just like Cookie’s, and when you look annoyed, or just your plain expression… you look like a cute cat.” 

“Really…” Yoongi hummed. 

“Yup!” You giggled like an idiot. 

You failed to notice how at this point, Yoongi has put Cookie down from his lap to the floor. His face only inches away from you as you kept rambling. 

“Your hair look so soft… like a cat’s fur.” You reached your hands closer to his hair, but stopped mid-way, scared he’d get uncomfortable. 

Yoongi surprised you again by grabbing both of your wrist and putting your hands on his hair, letting you stroke his head slowly. You saw his expression softened and as you kept playing with his hair, he closed his eyes. You swore you heard him purr. 

“Pretty.” You said with a drunk smile. 

“Hmm. Pretty.” He mirrored. 

“Okay, call me crazy but why do I kinda wanna kiss you right now.” You said, totally losing the battle with your common sense. 

Yoongi chuckled. “You’re crazy.” He ran his fingers through his hair, looking to the right. “I like it.” 

—

To be frank, you could not recall what happened after. You recalled some bits of karakoe-ing? Singing random PSY songs in your broken Korean using a bottle of whiskey as your mic. That was probably all? You couldn’t think while the throbbing headache was present in the room with you.

So why were you now in a bed that was not yours, wearing a t-shirt that was too big for you and was clearly not yours, also for heaven’s sake, WHY IS YOONGI SLEEPING NEXT TO ME??? 

You froze. Did you??? There was no way. Sure you found him attractive and all, and you definitely had this huge crush on him, but you couldn’t just sleep with a guy you barely knew. Besides your headache, your body didn’t feel any pain, so that was probably a good sign. What if he was just that gentle? Okay, you need to stop thinking at once before you started a whole fiction about you and Yoongi in your head.

When you turned your back, you felt the other side of the bed shifted as well. 

“You’re up?” He asked with a raspy voice. 

“Yeah.” You said, still back-facing him. “We didn’t… you know…”

“No, we didn’t.”

“Oh, okay good.”

Yoongi did not answered to that, but instead you felt him scooting closer. 

“I’m sorry, this isn’t probably how you’d wanna spend your weekend.” You chuckled. 

Your breath hitched when you felt a hand over your waist. “Is this okay?” He suddenly stopped when your body tensed at his touch. 

You nodded, heart beating too loudly for you to form any sentence. 

“This is nice.” He said, resting his forehead on your back. 

When you stayed silent, he took your hand and turned you over to face him. Heat immediately took over your body as soon as your eyes meet. You noticed he was back in his usual home attire, oversized tee and sweatpants. His hair was messy, but it seemed like universe had its favorite cause he still looked good. 

“You know, I haven’t had good sleep in… weeks.”

You were surprised by his sudden confession.

“It’s half past eleven now, and it’s not even ten minutes after I woke up…” He tittered. “My anxiety has been getting worse the past month and out of nowhere a black cat suddenly jumped to my balcony, meowing non-stop while I was working.”

You looked at him, letting him finish his talk. This was the most words you had ever heard coming out of Yoongi’s mouth and it made your heart flutter. 

“I haven’t been caring. I’ve stopped caring, for a while now. Seeing you care so much for such a small creature… I don’t know, it feels good. It makes me wanna care.”

“Yoongi…” You cooed, caressing his cheek. "It's not true, all you have been since I first met you until this moment, was caring."

"I'm sorry if it feels like it came out of nowhere but I feel at home with you and I don’t know why...” He tucked a strand of hair behind your ear. “Yet, at least.”

“I… like this too. A lot actually.” You said shyly. 

“I would like to get to know you more if you’d like.” He was being honest and exactly to the point, no flirty bullshit to spice his sentences.

“I’d love that...” 

Suddenly you heard a low meow from under the bed and Cookie jumped into the bed, joining you two. Apparently his bedroom door was left opened and none of you noticed how Cookie had entered. You giggled and he smiled as well, the widest smile and the most genuine you had ever seen from him, as he took the cat and cuddled both of you close.

"I think it's about time you give me your number..." You squinted at him playfully. "You know, so we don't repeat the whole chicken restaurant accident again?"

“Okay, but promise me first you won’t apologize again after kissing me.” He chuckled. 

“EXCUSE ME WHAT???”

— 

“Okay, call me crazy but why do I kinda wanna kiss you right now.” You said, totally losing the battle with your common sense. 

Yoongi laughed. “You’re crazy.” He ran his fingers through his hair, looking to the right. “I like it.” 

“I can be crazier if you open that whiskey.” You wiggled your eyebrows.

Yoongi just shook his head, smiling at your silliness. He stood up and went to grab his Hibiki anyway, which earned a shout of celebration from you. 

Things escalated quickly after opening the bottle. Somehow you were starting a drunk karaoke session which followed by many dance breaks. You ended up crying when a sad song randomly came up in the playlist and when Yoongi asked why, you replied. You replied with your lips on his.

In your head it just made sense. It was his lips’ fault for looking so juicy. Yeah, totally his fault for looking so hot that it was driving you insane.

None of you moved and it only lasted seconds before your mood turned sour again. 

“I’m so sorry I didn’t mean…” You pushed him gently. “Oh my god, you’re so gonna hate me!!!”

“Hey, calm down…“ 

You started to panic, tears now forming in your eyes again. “Please don’t hate me, I just wanted to kiss you…” You cried. 

“Okay, I think that’s enough drinking—“

And you puked. 

Yes, Yoongi did see your lilac colored bra when he helped you change into his t-shirt. But that’s a secret between him and little Cookie. 

Thank you for reading! 💎

part 2 is here!

[fuctacles]

<< six | 😺 | eight >>

"Yes? Hello, officer? There's a man in my apartment." 

Eddie stirs awake, his surroundings coming back to him in hazy waves.

"What?" he slurs out, blinking to clear his vision.

"Oh, I was just telling the officer that I've found a man sleeping on my couch," Stephanie says with a troubled expression, hovering over him.

Over the couch that he fell asleep on.

He sits up so suddenly he loses his balance and falls back against the cushion.

"I'm so sorry, please don't call the cops—!"

Stephanie immediately shakes her hands, which are free of a phone.

"I was joking, I was joking!" she reassures him quickly. "I'm sorry." She smiles apologetically, taking a seat next to him. "I guess that wasn't the best way to wake up someone." 

"No," Eddie chuckles awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Especially not an ex-drug dealer," he huffs dryly. 

Steph cocks her head with a surprised "huh" and only then does Eddie realize what he has just blurted out. 

"Ah, shit. Am I ruining my good neighbor status?" he winces.

"Not at all," Steph shakes her head, and gently pats his knee. He zeroes his focus on her hand when she decides to rest it there on his jean-clad leg. 

"I know my nice neighbor Eddie, not the drug dealer one," she smiles reassuringly. "What made you turn around? If you don't mind me asking," she squeezes his knee and retrieves her hand to lean back more comfortably on the couch. One of her cats, Garfield, jumps on her lap for a greeting, and Eddie realizes she's still wearing her jacket. He looks at the clock on the wall and realizes it's almost midnight. 

"Sorry, I'm holding you back, you're clearly tired," she backtracks quickly, watching his eyes dart around. But Eddie shakes his head.

"Nah, I just took an invigorating nap." She laughs at that and he can't help but smile as well. "I'd assume you're tired after traveling."

"I took an invigorating nap on the bus," she smiles, petting her cat. Arwen finally decides she's not above greeting her human and jumps in next to her as well, occupying Stephanie's other hand. 

Eddie reminds himself not to get jealous of felines.

"I managed to graduate," he says and when Steph looks at him in confusion, he adds: "I dealt in high school to save money for my band, thought that was my only route. But then I did graduate, on my third try, and the art teacher pulled some strings, asked around, and told me I could go study music. The guys forced me to go for it," he smiles at the memory. "My band, I mean. They said at least one of us should know some theory," he chuckles. 

"That's very nice of them," Stephanie comments. 

"Yeah. The bastards followed me after high school too." He grins. 

"And I still haven't heard your music," she sighs wistfully. 

"I'll bring a tape next time," he promises. 

"You better."

They sit in silence for a while, only the cat's purring filling the night ambiance. 

"Want some tea?"

"I guess I should go."

They speak over each other, eyes wide when they meet awkwardly. They chuckle, and Eddie can feel his cheeks warm up.

"Or I can get us a beer? Since you're not an old lady," she offers, spotting the empty bottle on the table. "Unless you really need to go."

"Beer sounds good. Considering there are no old ladies here," he smiles charmingly, daring her to protest. 

Steph doesn't say anything, only rolls her eyes and gently nudges Garfield from her lap onto the couch cushions. She scratches Eddie's head when she passes, thankfully missing the way it causes his whole body to shiver. 

"Won't your uncle be worried where you are?" she asks from the kitchen, giving Eddie the space he needs to collect himself. 

"I told him I'd wait for you," he answers, scratching Garfield and trying to forget how good it felt when done to him. "Also, I don't have a curfew anymore. Never had, in fact. Not with Wayne."

"Lucky you." She steps back into the room, handing him a chilled bottle. "How long have you been living with him?"

"Since high school," he answers before taking a swig. "Spent a short time in a halfway house before that. My parents couldn't handle me anymore, but they managed to reach my uncle and he took me in."

"The hell do you mean 'couldn't handle you'?" Steph asks with a frown.

Eddie chuckles at her immediate offense.

"They got into legal trouble, and couldn't afford the house anymore, I think my dad spent some time in prison too. Tax fraud and shit, never cared enough to dig into it and Wayne doesn't like talking about them either. He's a better parent they'd ever be anyway."

"Yeah," Steph softens. "I'd love to have had someone like him back in the day." Then, she deflates with a sigh. "Though even the nicest people can turn out to be bigots. Not Wayne, of course!" she rushes to add. "He knows about Robin and he's really cool about it." 

Eddie sees his opening and feels comfortable enough to use it finally. 

"He better be, since his nephew is bisexual," he says with a little huff. 

"He is?" Steph picks up curiously. 

"Yeah," Eddie scratches his cheek, suddenly sheepish. "Turned out I wasn't watching Indiana Jones for the plot."

"I think that sweaty chest is plot enough," she says and they both laugh.

"Have you dated a guy, then?" Stephanie asks next. 

"Only one for real," Eddie admits. "But it's not like I've dated many girls either, though it is easier."

"A young bachelor like you?" Stephanie raises her eyebrows in surprise. "You should be swarming with marriage proposals, the way your uncle describes you."

Eddie groans, throwing his head back against the cushions. 

"What nonsense is he telling about me?"

"Only that he has a talented, smart boy in Indy, who's always helpful and protective of his friends and family. Also, he has really frizzy hair."

"Excuse me?"

Eddie picks up his head to look at Stephanie. She's suddenly closer than before, rubbing a lock of his hair between her fingers. 

"When was the last time you had your hair done?"

"Uh." He looks between her hand and her face like he'll find the answer there. "Never? Probably? At least not that I remember."

Stephanie's mouth purses with displeasure. 

"I can fix them for you. For taking care of my cats."

Eddie wants her hands in his hair so badly, but he raises his beer like a dumbass. 

"But I already got a beer," he points out. 

She shakes her head. 

"I share beers with friends for less. I'd usually buzz Wayne too, and you'd be doing me a favor because I can't focus with your split ends right in my face."

She's really playing it up, pout and all, and unfortunately, it's working on him. 

But he'd probably do anything she asked for. 

"Then, uh... Sure, I guess."

[julieverne]

Maura thinks of Jane every time she has a human heart in her hands. Severed arterials, the scrape of a snapped ribcage, the blood that no longer pumps through a circulatory system.

Maura misses Jane; more than she should, as they have been polite colleagues more than friends for the past few years. She'd thought Paris was going to be Something, that Something would finally happen, but Jane just kept looking at her with those big doe eyes and never said anything. Never touched Maura. Never once, in eight - nine years - never once said she loved Maura.

Maura didn't know what love felt like. She knew attraction and affection, she knew anger and disappointment. She knew what a human heart felt like, cradled in the palm of her hand. Mostly because she cradled one gently right now, examining the tear. An undiagnosed hole. She knew how it felt; metaphorically, of course, because her chest scans had all come back too perfect to explain this pain in her chest since Jane had left.

She works longer hours than she used to. She sees Susie in the shadows sometimes, her beautiful dark eyes watching Maura slice everyone else open. She's good, if macabre, company.

Maura contemplates the heart again. So fragile it needs a cage to dwell in, but so strong it sends blood hundreds of miles every hour. She doesn't believe in miracles, but the heart comes pretty close.

"That might as well be mine, the way you hold my heart," a familiar voice comes from nearby. Maura doesn't flinch; it's her thirtieth hour at work. She often hears Jane's voice haunting the halls. But when she weighs the heart and makes note of the location and depth of the tear in the connective tissue, she sees Jane.

She's in a suit - a proper one, tailored to her hips and waist. There's a visitor's badge on her hip instead of a gun, which means this isn't a hallucination. The Jane of her dreams wears a gun and sometimes little else.

Maura slides on fresh gloves and continues emptying the abdominal cavity.

"You're not happy to see me." Jane's voice is flat and disappointed. "Well, I guess I deserved that. And worse."

Frost doesn't show up in the morgue; he'd always hated it down there. He shows up at his old desk. The blue gardian action figure never moves around; Frankie inherited it and Frost's desk.

Maura doesn't see dead people. She's just very, very tired.

"I'm working, and you shouldn't be in here," Maura says. Her voice is sterner than she intended but also more resigned. "Visitor's pass is only good for my office."

Jane slinks away like Maura has yelled at her. Maura completes the autopsy and scrubs up after putting the body in cold storage with the help of Todd. He prefers nights. He doesn't like people, although he tolerates Maura. He liked Jane.

Maura liked Jane. No, Maura loved Jane.

And Jane is in her office. Maura can sense her pacing before she even opens the door, but Jane is sitting sedately on the couch, looking down at the scars on her hands. Maura has assumed it's night but her watch tells her it's day again and she wonders how long she's been working.

"You look exhausted." Jane's voice is concerned. "When did you last sleep?"

"Tuesday?" It's a question. It's a guess; Jane loves those. She doesn't love Maura. Maura feels a fist slowly clench around her heart. "I don't see how it's any of your business."

"You are my business," Jane says, her voice so low that Maura's heart cracks. It's too late. Jane is relying on a shared past rather than their current relationship. They're acquaintances, if that. It was Jane's choice to pull away, and Maura let her.

"Not any more," Maura says. Her voice is steady. She could use some sleep but Jane is on the couch. She wants, more than anything, to lie down with her head in Jane's lap and have those strong fingers smooth through her hair, to rub the stress from her forehead and shoulders. Instead she sits at the desk, the sturdy wood between Jane and herself. "What do you want, Jane?"

"What I've always wanted. I want you."

Maura shakes her head. Hallucinations are common after a certain number of hours awake. Even though Jane is dressed and wearing a visitor's badge doesn't mean she isn't a hallucination. Jane would never say something like that. Jane has never, never wanted her.

"Can I take you home? You shouldn't drive like this."

"And you shouldn't drive at all. You're not real. You're not really here. You're not here."

Maura panics and calls Washington. They say Jane is on leave.

Of course they'd say that. Maura is nothing to Jane. She's not next of kin. She turns back to Jane.

"I loved you, you know," she tells Jane's ghost. "More than I ever thought a human heart was capable of. I thought it was all hormones and chemistry but it was my heart."

Jane looks worried. There is a reddish brown stain at her waist and her throat and her hands; all her old wounds are breaking open and bleeding on Maura's floor and couch.

Jane always was a slob, was Maura's last thought before darkness took her.

+++

Maura wakes on her own couch to the smell of roasted coffee. She wakes to hushed voices arguing. She wakes to Jane's face peering anxiously down at her.

"Ma said you'd thrown yourself into your work when you came back. She's worried about you. I'm worried about you."

"You've never cared about me." Maura takes the coffee and avoids the look on Jane's face; she might as well have slapped her.

"I might not have been able to say it, but you know I care about you, don't you?" Jane says. She crouches at Maura's feet, looking up at her. "It's why I'm here."

Maura's lived a life feeling unloved and lost. She doesn't know what to say.

"I don't."

"You don't care, or you don't know I care?"

Maura shakes her head and drinks her coffee, avoiding Jane's gaze. She remembers now all the things Jane used to do for her. Her comforting touch, the way she'd stay with Maura when something bad had happened, the way Jane used to hold her.

Used to, as in not for years.

"I'm a coward. You know that."

Maura has seen Jane throw herself off a bridge. She's seen Jane shoot herself. Jane's no coward.

"I didn't know how to tell you. I didn't know how to even admit it to myself. But it's always been you, you know that, right?"

She still hasn't said anything, still hasn't admitted anything. Maura sips again; the coffee is good. Jane paid attention to the details.

"I - Christ. I -" Jane doesn't manage to say what she so wanted to say. She reaches for Maura's hand instead. "Why is this so hard?"

"Because you're not really here," Maura says. "I'm hallucinating again. It's common in people who don't sleep, and I haven't slept since you left. I haven't felt safe since you left."

"I'm a hallucination, huh?" Jane's lips twitch as though she finds that amusing. "I think you should go back to bed."

Maura checks her watch. She should be working. But none of this is real. But she should be working; it's the only thing that makes sense since Jane left. It's the only thing that fills the void Jane left.

"Will you come with me? I'll keep you safe. I promise."

Maura nods; she always believes Jane even though she knows Jane lies. She lets Jane help her to her feet and up the stairs, and then out of her shoes and dress and onto her big soft bed. Jane even uses the facial wipes Maura keeps at the bedside for nights too late for skincare. Jane hovers over her.

"As long as I'm a hallucination," Jane says, and then her eyes soften. All her shields drop and she looks at Maura like she is the single most precious thing in the world. Jane leans down and kisses her, just a press of lips against Maura's. "I've always loved you," Jane whispers, her fingers brushing Maura's hair out of her face. "I was scared. I've been so scared. But a life without you in it isn't worth it. I had to tell you. If you hate me I can leave again, knowing I tried. I'm a coward because I never tried; I had so much to lose. You were too much to lose."

Maura's eyes slip closed. Hallucination Jane is kinder than Jane ever was. She always is.

+++

Maura wakes nearly a full day later. She's cold; her immune system hasn't been coping with her long hours. She shivers and digs out a big, fluffy robe that Angela bought her for Christmas one year. It's not her aesthetic, but it's thick and soft and warm. She showers, aware of the smell of her own body. She puts on pyjamas and calls out sick, then heads down to the kitchen for some hot lemon water. There should still be lemons in the bowl on the counter; they're about the only fruit TJ won't eat.

Jane's there. She's not watching the tv or doing anything. She's just there. Haunting Maura. Maura needs to call Washington again; if they've told Angela she'll need to be comforted. Everyone will be devastated, but Maura is numb.

She's been numb since Jane left.

She makes lemon and honey and yawns so hard she feels her jaw shift. Jane watches, the way Susie does in the lab.

Maura knows Jane will haunt her everywhere. She was in every element of Maura's life; her home, her car, her work. Boston is filled with the ghost of Jane.

"I missed you," Jane says quietly and Maura shrugs.

"I didn't go anywhere."

Jane chuckles but she's hurt rather than amused. Maura wonders who got to cut her open, if they were careful with her magnificent heart.

"I shouldn't have left."

"You shouldn't have." Maura would never have said this to Jane when she was alive. But she's not so it doesn't matter. She vaguely remembers a kiss. She wants to remember a kiss, so she takes one from Jane. She closes in on her and sets her mug down, pushing Jane against the counter. She looks up into a face she once knew so well and sees only -

An emotion she doesn't know. She sees all the love Jane had hidden over the years, all the cues Maura didn't take to confess her own feelings.

She's angry at herself, at Jane. Her mouth is hard and closed when it meets Jane, like a bullet into flesh. She wonders where Jane's body is, if she's in cold storage somewhere. If she's being cut open at that moment.

Jane kisses her back so softly that Maura's entire heart shatters in her chest. She knows it's not real but Jane is soft and warm and yielding in Maura's arms; she kisses like it's something she's wanted to do for a long time.

Maura can't stand it. Her brain has failed her once. She can't stand it. She pulls away.

"I've always loved you," Jane says, and her voice is so tender and honest, her fingers gentle on Maura's cheeks. "Always."

"And you waited until you were dead to tell me."

Jane looks surprised, like she doesn't know she's dead yet.

"I'm not dead," Jane says. "I came home because I was worried about you. I came home because I felt so guilty."

Maura rolls her eyes.

"Why do you think I'm dead?"

"I see Frost, sometimes," Maura says gently. "Susie, too. I figure it must have happened when I saw you last night. Washington said they couldn't locate you."

"They're not supposed to give out my location. But I assure you, I'm not dead. You're seeing dead people? Is that to do with your Chiari?"

Maura shrugs; Jane doesn't care. Jane isn't here.

"What can I do to convince you this is real? Or should I take you to the hospital?"

"Probably the hospital. I don't feel very well. You can't drive though; you're not real."

Jane doesn't complain this time.

+++

Maura wakes. There's an IV in her arm and Jane holds her hand. Jane is slumped in the same suit she'd worn to the morgue, asleep with her head lolled back against the single chair in the room. Maura head hurts.

A doctor comes in and explains the surgery they did. Maura explains that she can still see Jane.

"Of course you can. She's been here all night."

"You can see her?"

The doctor nods and makes a note on her chart.

+++

Maura wakes. Jane is smiling down at her. The smile broadens when she sees Maura looking up at her.

"Hey."

Jane helps her sit up.

"They fixed it. They missed something last time."

That means no more sweet Frost, no more smart Susie. Not that they were ever really there but they'd been good company in Jane's absence.

"You're really here?"

Jane nods and lets her fingers brush Maura's cheek.

"I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

"Good," Maura says, and she falls back asleep.

+++

It takes weeks for Maura to adjust to being alone in her own head. She watches Jane hawkishly but she never shows any signs of not being real, and Angela and Frankie respond to her in ways they don't respond to Frost. Maura had seen Frankie sit on Frost at least twice, but Frost had always joked about wanting a lap dance anyway.

It's hard. She feels alone, even though Jane has moved in with her. Jane always looks on the verge of saying something but she never does. She just watches Maura with wounded doe eyes and Maura wonders if there's something she's forgetting.

She remembers the kiss too late. Almost too late.

"I kissed you," Maura says one night. Jane is in soft cotton clothes to sleep in and her hair is its old untamed mess. Jane doesn't meet her eyes. Maura's heart sinks. "Oh. Oh. I'm sorry."

Jane's eyes snap to hers. Her mouth tightens like she wants to say something, then her shoulders slump.

"Don't be. I was too late, wasn't I? I'd already hurt you. And it wasn't like you thought I was alive at the time."

"I just figured there was no way you'd have let me if you were alive. And all the rest. I don't know. I don't really remember."

"That's a shame," Jane says lowly. "It was really nice."

"It was?"

"It was everything I'd hoped for. And I'd hoped for a lot. It was worth coming home for, even if your brain is fixed now and you don't need me. I'll find somewhere else to live soon, once you've fully recovered."

"I don't want you to live anywhere else," Maura says before she can think about it.

Jane's smile is tentative, like she knows she can't fix everything overnight. But she's not running away any more.

"It's always been you," Jane says, and she sits up. She looks at Maura's mouth, then back up to her eyes. "And now that I'm real, I'd like to start making it up to you."

Maura tilts her head in consent, and Jane cups her cheek and wends her fingers into Maura's hair. She exhales and Maura feels it on her lips, in her lungs, in her heart. Jane's lips brush hers and Maura's breath and heart catch, then resume. Jane's lower lip caresses Maura so gently that Maura's eyes water with the tenderness of her touch. Maura finds herself moving closer, finds her lips and heart opening to Jane. Jane feels so good; her touch is gentle and reverent and her lips are soft and delicate.

Jane pulls away; not far she presses her forehead against Maura's.

"I missed you. It felt like I broke my own heart." Jane's tone is low and raw and honest, and Maura pulls herself close, forcing Jane to hold her the way she used to.

She settles her head against Jane's chest and listens to the healthy heart of the woman she loves.

[essie-essex]

The Curse of Sorrow's Heart, ch. 1

It's 200 years in the future, and Asha is now a Regent in the fictional city of Sorrow's Heart. One night, she is visited by an old friend who tells her of a unique opportunity to track down his missing companion and a powerful artifact.

Asha had been in the process of designing a ritual when the apprentice came to tell her about the visitor who waited for her in the common room. Of course, the Regent knew that she had a visitor and that the apprentice had forgotten to offer him refreshment and tell him that he was not allowed past the double doors that led into the deeper chantry. She knew that the visitor would be curious about the doors and the wards that kept trespassers from crossing them. She also knew that he would approach the doors, just to take a peek at the enchantments. After this, he could do one of two options: turn around and return to the couch in the common room, or attempt to tamper with the wards, which would result in a nasty shock.

Most likely, he would leave them alone. He was a curious man, but not stupid.

Asha thanked the apprentice, reminding her to next time remember to offer their guest a glass of “wine,” which was really the blood of a human forcibly drunk on Merlot, and to warn them against messing with the double doors.

“My apologies, Regentia,” the apprentice said, bowing before turning around and hurriedly leaving her office.

Asha grinned slightly, looking after the woman as she disappeared down the hall. Stacy was new to the chantry, having been transferred from one run by a more conservative Regent. Asha could definitely imagine him requiring apprentices to bow to their superiors.

Looking down at her project, Asha took a mental note of the next step to perform, before leaving the table and turning towards the door. On her way out, she stopped by the mirror to tidy her Regent's robe and hair and then stepped from the office, closing and locking the door. Asha waited a few seconds to make sure the wards had engaged and then headed down the hall towards the front of the chantry.

Really, there was no need to hurry to greet her guest. He had been in town for almost a week now and, in that time, never bothered to contact her. She knew that there was probably a good explanation for his silence, but Asha couldn't help but feel somewhat hurt. They had been friends since her nights as a fledgling, and she looked forward to seeing him on the rare occasion that they ended up in the same city. He had come to Sorrow's Heart knowing she lived there and yet, ignored her.

Asha made it to the common room, entering through the double archway and approaching her guest.

“Good evening, Beckett. What business brings you to the chantry tonight?” she said in her most formal voice.

“Good to see you too,” replied Beckett, shrugging off her coolness towards him. He leaned back, stretching an arm over the back of the couch on which he currently rested. “I don't think I've ever heard you use that tone before with me. It makes you sound very... tremere.”

“And how else should I sound?” Asha said, more harshly than she meant to.

Beckett sighed.

“I understand that you are angry, but there's no need for the theatrics. I would have contacted you, but I have a bit of a... situation on my hands at the moment.” He tilted his head forward, glowing red eyes peeking out from behind his sunglasses.

“Oh?” said Asha, settling down on the couch across from him.

“A companion of mine has been abducted, and due to my unfamiliarity with this city, I've had some difficulty tracking her down. I also believe her abductors left a clue for me, but I can't seem to view it using my own knowledge of—” He paused as Asha shot him a hard glare. “—using my own skills and thought that you might be able to crack it. Of course, you've only been here about half a year yourself, but I thought I would ask a friend...” Beckett continued, ignoring Asha as she rolled her eyes. “...to help me out.”

The Regent regarded him silently before standing to make her way to a sideboard sitting against the wall. She opened its lower cabinet, pulling out two wine glasses and a fresh mini bottle of blood wine and then setting them down on the sideboard's surface.

“So, your quest requires someone with advanced thaumaturgical knowledge,” Asha mused, breaking the wax seal on the bottle, which had been carved with various sigils. Sliding the bottle under the corkscrew, which was attached to the table, she worked it into the cork. “And that... is the only... reason you came... to visit, then?”

“I would have come to see you sooner, but my partner was reluctant to involve anyone else in our business.”

“I see,” Asha answered, her eyes still fixed on the bottle of wine as she pulled the cork from the stem. “You said her abductors left a clue. Why would they do that?”

“I have my hypotheses. However, I should warn you... the clue is hidden by setite magic.”

Asha let out a small groan, most of her concentration on the bottle of blood wine as she heated it in her hands.

“My favorite clan,” she said sarcastically. “I've seen far too many in my own fall to them. They truly are a menace.”

“So, you have experience with them?”

“Of course,” Asha said with a sigh. “They know the Tremere's weakness for knowledge, and I've more than once had to dissuade novices, even a few adepts and masters, from dealing with them. Everyone thinks they can handle them. 'Once I get what I want, I'll leave them with nothing to show for it,' and every time, they find themselves in far too deeply to escape.”

“What do you do when that happens?” Beckett asked.

Asha gave him a knowing look.

“Of course,” the gangrel said. “It wouldn't be very tremere of you to simply leave them with a warning.”

“The setites' influence must be cut out promptly or else the corruption could spread to the rest of us.” The wine warmed to perfection, Asha carefully poured the blood into the two glasses before setting the bottle back down on the side table and handing one of the glasses to Beckett. He eyed her with a look that clearly said 'I didn't ask for this,' but still, he politely accepted the glass of warmed blood, holding it in his gloved hand. Asha took the other glass for herself, settling back onto the couch across from her companion.

“I've dealt with the setites enough to know that they are very good at exploiting one's weaknesses,” said Beckett. He took a sip from the wineglass, holding the liquid in his mouth for a second and swallowing before shooting the Regent a pointed look. “Really, Asha? It's not even midnight.”

“Really, Beckett? Have a drink. Live a little.”

“I might be a bit too dead for that, but I'll try,” he answered, taking another sip. “So, how has Sorrow's Heart been treating you?”

Asha scoffed.

“Sorrow's Heart is treating me like nothing more than the annoying local Regent. Sorrow's Heart saddles me with work more fit for ghouls, despite the fact that I helped design an app that allows Kindred to use modern technology without breaking the Masquerade. Despite the Tremere clan's help in winning Detroit. Despite the money that pours into it, due to the focus on green tech and surveillance, which was my doing.” Asha bared her teeth at the memory of that month's previous Elysium, during which she had basically been ignored, only to, at the very last minute, be burdened with the task of securing and designing a new meeting place for Kindred. “I was brought here to help revitalize the city, but it seems the residents are opposed to this goal.”

Beckett shrugged.

“Kindred don't like to give up power, and that's what they'd be doing if they let you 'revitalize the city.'”

He paused, tilting the wineglass to his mouth and drinking before speaking again. “It must have been difficult leaving Detroit, giving up all that power. Everything you built. But it's to be expected, isn't it? Both the Camarilla and the Tremere can order you to do something, and you have to obey.”

“True,” Asha confirmed. She took a sloppy swig of blood wine, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

“When I first met you, I thought that maybe you weren't so good at that,” Beckett said, looking her in the eye.

Asha sat back on the couch, crossing her legs.

“I begged you to take me with you.” She stared back at him with accusing eyes. “But honestly,” she continued, her gaze relaxing, “I'm glad you didn't. I had so much to learn there in LA.”

Beckett considered her for a while before speaking.

“I'm sure they taught you all about stepping on others to climb the pyramid, or however it works.”

“It's all about the bigger picture,” Asha told him with a smile.

“Sure, but when the picture grows too large, individuals tend to get lost in it.” Beckett loosely gestured at her, his wine sloshing in its glass.

“I'm not lost.” Asha's voice deepened, growing slightly more smooth, and she leaned forward, her elbows coming to rest on her knees.

“You would know best,” Beckett replied, tilting forward to meet her.

They regarded each other from the drastically shortened distance between them, and the Regent, in a rather girlish manner, wiggled her lip ring with her tongue. This earned her another half-smile from Beckett.

God, I missed you, was what Asha wanted to say, but instead, she straightened her back, plastering a business-like expression onto her face.

“So what do I get for helping you?” she asked. Beckett snorted.

“And here I thought our friendship was strong enough for us to help each other out without the need for payment in exchange,” he said dryly.

“Maybe it was... a week ago.”

Beckett chuckled under his breath.

“Could it be,” he mocked, “that I actually managed to hurt the infamous Butcher of LA? No need to cut you down, all I had to do was ignore you for a week.”

“Don't call me that,” Asha snapped, her tone harsher than she intended. “I don't think anyone has called me that in at least a century, and I had to work hard to get rid of that reputation. I would appreciate it if you kept from reminding anyone.”

The reputation Asha had earned due to her actions during the first year after her embrace had haunted her for decades. In her younger years, everywhere she went, if there was trouble, the first suspect was always her, and trouble seemed to follow her constantly. Once she became old enough for her presence to be noted in Elysium, it was always fear or ridicule that surrounded her. The comments and whispers made behind her back were enough to tempt her to swear off Elysium forever:

“Don't make her angry. She might plant a bomb in your haven.”

“Don't let her know that we're close. If she becomes my rival, she might deliver your head to me in a gift box, just for fun.”

“Of course the mysterious death was her doing. Who else?”

“How long are we going to let her run around causing trouble? She's gotten away with far too much. Surely the Tremere realize how bad she makes their clan look.”

All the shit she'd had to endure in order to gain influence in the Camarilla seemed endless. In her younger nights, sometimes she imagined going on a rampage and cutting down every single Kindred who spoke about her behind her back, but time went on. She gained resources and a new reputation: Predictable for the most part, but also not to be trusted. And, of course, there was her unwavering loyalty and dedication to clan Tremere.

“I'm no longer the impulsive, violent fledgling you met that night in LA,” Asha murmured.

“Of course,” Beckett replied. “I'll tell everyone I meet that you're as gentle as a lamb.” He downed the rest of his glass, leaning to set it on the end table next to the couch.

Asha studied Beckett's hands as he moved, which were tucked into black leather gloves. The summer nights had been warm, and she wondered if he attracted any attention, wandering the streets in gloves and a long coat. Not to mention the sunglasses. Of course, he wore it all to hide his less human features. His skin was somewhat desaturated, but it was the glowing eyes that would gain him the most attention. Beckett's claws and hairy arms also had to be hidden, but honestly, Asha felt it was a shame. She quite liked his monstrous hands—especially on the occasions she got to feel them against her own flesh.

“So, why exactly did you come to Sorrow's Heart?” She swirled the blood wine in its glass, watching it coat the inside of the bowl with a thin layer of red glaze.

“I am looking for a very specific item. An artifact that is supposed to be in a hidden room locked behind a certain door. Unfortunately, the door was destroyed,” Beckett lamented.

Asha hummed. Usually breaking down a door would allow one to enter the room behind it. Based on Beckett's tone, that was obviously not the case.

“And behind the door?” she asked.

“Nothing but solid rock. Not an illusion.” Beckett shifted on the couch.

“So, either this hidden room is in the rock or you need to open the door a certain way to access it. The door is a portal.” Asha was no stranger to doors that served as entryways to hidden rooms and pocket dimensions. Perhaps Beckett could use her help in figuring out how to access the room where the artifact had been stored.

“Yes, which is why it's very unfortunate that the door is in pieces now,” Beckett answered.

“And this artifact? What is it exactly?”

“It's called Bradley's Curse or—”

“The Curse of Sorrow's Heart,” Asha finished. She had heard a bit of the story behind the curse that had supposedly been cast upon the land, but unfortunately, the Regent had been too caught up in practical matters to do a deep dive into the city's history.

“So, you are aware of the story about the founding of this city?” Beckett asked her.

“Of course.”

“Then you know that this land was home to a purported paradise long ago, but it is said that the populace became somehow corrupt and fell prey to the land's curse. It's always been cursed, despite being rich bountiful land. The paradise fell, and later, others tried to build new settlements only for all of them to end in disaster.”

“Yes, I know this part,” Asha responded. “Then, along came Matthias Bradley who supposedly had permission by God to settle on the land.”

“His settlement thrived, but Bradley's personal life was riddled with tragedy,” Beckett continued.

“Thirteen children and three wives all died of various illnesses and accidents.”

“Well, this left Bradley alone and depressed. Then, one day, he disappeared... and that's where the legend ends, right?” Beckett folded his hands in his lap.

“As far as I know, but somehow, I think you're going to tell me there's more,” Asha predicted.

“There is more,” Beckett said with a smirk. “Some say that it wasn't God who guided Bradley to Sorrow's Heart. You see, that was all a rouse. Bradley really settled here to seek out an artifact that would allow him to control an ancient monster. One that slumbers underground. Older civilizations had trapped it there, believing that the artifact corrupts the user somehow.

“The artifact corrupts the user?”

“Yes. It supposedly affects the user, the land, some even say it corrupts the monster in some way. Bradley, not possessing the cultural knowledge of the indigenous peoples living nearby, settled the cursed land once again, dooming his own family... or so they say.”

“And how is any of this known?” asked Asha. She took a halfhearted sip from her wineglass.

“Those who went through Bradley's journals and documents found that he had written about the artifact, which he was shown through visions before settling here. Supposedly, it was under the very land on which he built his temple, but digging in that specific area was not allowed. As you know, there are a series of tunnels underneath the city, but none under the temple lands. We found another set of tunnels. Deeper. There is a door leading to the space directly underneath the temple.”

“The door that was destroyed. How did that happen, anyway?” Asha asked.

“The attackers used explosives to blow it to pieces.”

“Why?”

“Why, indeed,” Beckett answered with a snort. He moved to settle one of his arms over the back of the couch.

“And what do the Followers of Set have to do with the door and artifact?” Asha did not bother hiding her disgust upon uttering the clan's name.

“I assume due to its ability to corrupt. However, this is only conjecture. The attackers were clearly human. Probably ghouled. So, we have no idea how they're connected to the setites, if at all.”

“The only link with them is the clue that was left when your companion was taken?” Asha had no idea what to do with that information. Why leave a clue at all?

“Yes. Should you agree to help me on my mission, I'll take you to see it for yourself.”

“You think I wouldn't help you?” asked Asha, her tone softening.

“Perhaps a week ago you would have done so with no question.” Beckett replied, a smirk settling on his face. “But you've made it clear that I now have to sell you on the value of this opportunity.”

Asha replied with a soft chuckle, returning his smile.

“Of course, I will help you,” she assured. “But I do want to know more before I jump in. This artifact controls a monster. What did Bradley want with it?” she continued.

“Besides seeking an end to the ceaseless visions he received?” Beckett said with a tilt of his head. “Supposedly, anyone who possesses the artifact not only gains control of the monster, but also achieves immortality. He may have also believed he could break the curse upon the land.”

“And why is your companion so interested in this artifact? Is she looking to control the monster? Break the curse? Or to be even more immortal than she already is?”

“Jen grew up hearing the stories, having lived in Sorrow's Heart as a child. I agreed to go with her purely out of curiosity, of course.”

Asha regarded Beckett with probing eyes. Her friend was no stranger to chasing down mysteries just to sate his own curiosity, but knowing him, she felt that he agreed to help find the artifact out of more than just simple inquisitiveness.

“You went with her to prove her wrong.”

Beckett gave her one of his signature half-smiles and nodded.

“I think it's a very interesting artifact, maybe even with some sort of supernatural abilities, but no, I don't believe that it controls an ancient monster or harbors a curse.”

“Your capacity for skepticism, despite the fact that you're a walking corpse who can morph into a wolf, confounds me at times, Beckett,” Asha said, chuckling under her breath.

“So, you believe it?”

“I'm willing to entertain the idea for now. Who wouldn't want to control a monster?” Asha's eyes seemed to momentarily glow under the lamplight. “Of course, the curse angle seems like bullshit. This city certainly has its weirdness, but it's thriving.”

“Sorrow's Heart is actually considered to be a magnet for supernatural activity, and not to mention some very strange deaths and disappearances,” Beckett told her, leaning back against the couch.

“Exactly. Weirdness.” Asha took the last sip from her glass.

“You've looked into it?”

“Some of it,” Asha said, smiling cryptically. “This is just another one to add to the list.”

“I'm surprised that you didn't know the full story behind the city's curse,” Beckett admitted. “You do live here.”

“Folklore is your area of expertise. I'm more interested in contemporary information.”

Beckett laughed.

“Of course, current events and politics. The staple topics of any successful member of the Camarilla,” he teased.

“And I am successful,” Asha stated. She proudly lifted her chin, painting a confident smile onto her face.

“Personally, I wouldn't consider that anything to boast about,” said Beckett, raising an eyebrow. “But I suppose that's why I avoid such affiliations.”

“Good thing you're a gangrel and not Tremere.” The humor in the Regent's eyes faltered, but her smile stayed put.

“By your tone, I can just picture the capital 'T' you used for 'Tremere,'” Beckett said, drawing bemused laughter from the Regent.

“I was simply commenting that there is a reason why you don't hear of many autarkis Tremere,” replied Asha. She leaned over, setting her wineglass to the side.

“I can only imagine the reason,” the gangrel said sarcastically.

Straightening up in her seat, Asha allowed the conversation to lull. She looked Beckett in the eye before speaking again.

“I'd like to see this door.”

“What's left of it, you mean?” Beckett commented. “Of course. I can take you there right now, if you're free.”

“I've cleared my schedule.” Asha rose from the couch, moving to collect the two empty wineglasses. “Let me pack a few things, and we'll go.”

[sebastianstanisahotmf]

Too many missions

Bucky Barnes x Fem!reader

A/N Firstly, this fic idea is from a request from @nicoline1998enilocin to reverse the roles of my fic office sex e.g. reader visits Bucky at work. Secondly, comments, likes and reblogs are greatly appreciated and all mistakes are my own so feel free to comment below if you notice any. Also, this fic is gonna have a second part which is just aftercare.

18+ MINORS DNI, FUCK OFF YOU'RE NOT OLD ENOUGH (I WARNED YOU)

Summary Bucky is supposed to be doing his mission reports but ends up doing you instead (lmao that's so fucking cheesy)

DO NOT REPOST ON ANY OTHER APPS/SITES. THE ONLY PLACE THIS FIC IS ON IS TUMBLR.

Warnings Fluff , blowjob, unprotected sex (use protection you are not fictional)

Bucky was missing you to say the least. He had been jumping from mission to mission for the past month and hadn’t been able to properly spend time with you. However, he only had to wait one more hour and then he could give you all the attention you could ever need. 

He was filling in the last of the paperwork regarding his latest mission when he heard a knock on his office door. 

“Come in,” he shouted, not lifting his head and continuing to write more notes on the paper. Bucky still hadn’t grasped typing on a computer and still preferred to hand-write things.

You opened the door and slid in trying not to distract Bucky while he was working.

“Hey baby, I just wanted to ask you if you’re ok.” you sat down on the couch that Bucky had in his office.

Bucky turned his head quickly as soon as he heard your voice. His scowl turned into a smile at the sight of you. 

“Hey doll, I missed you.” he said while finishing a sentence before turning on his chair to face you.

You lifted the bag that was in your hand, “I brought some food for you since you’ve been working really hard lately.”

“You’re amazing, doll,” he said, taking the bag out of your hand. “I’m sorry for not being home much S.H.I.E.L.D really needed me recently.” He added with a sad look on his face. 

“It's ok baby, I know it’s not your fault. Anyways you tell me not to worry when the same thing happens to me so you shouldn’t be worrying either.” 

“I know doll, but I just feel bad for neglecting you for so long and I've missed you so much lately.” He took out the food you made him and dug in like a man starved. 

“It’s ok baby. Really. I know that you’re not intentionally going on missions. Also, I kindly spoke to Fury and he said he’s willing to give us both the next 2 months off.” 

“You know doll, I think you’re the only person I know that can intimidate THE Nick fury.” Bucky says smiling.

Bucky finished his food and you took the rubbish off him and threw it in the bin for him. Then, you got up from your seat and walked over to Bucky who was grinning like an idiot. 

“Come here doll, I need to hug you,” he said while holding his arms out to you.

You sat on his lap, facing him. Bucky wrapped one arm around your waist and placed the other at the back of your head, pressing you further into the crook of his neck. You took a deep breath and could smell the familiar scent of Bucky’s cologne. You wrapped your arms tightly around his waist and he hummed in content. 

After a few minutes, you started to get restless. You were getting aroused from being so close to Bucky especially since you hadn’t had sex with him in what felt like years. And masterbating wasn’t an option since Bucky’s skills had made you unable to cum unless it was him. 

You squirmed around a bit before stopping when you felt Bucky’s hardness beneath you. You looked up to see Bucky’s eyes almost black with lust. He let out a loud groan when you made eye contact with him.

“Doll, I-I-I need to finish the mission report and t-then we can do anything you want.”

“But daddy. I want you nowww,” you whined. 

“Stop whining like a whore,” Bucky said “I’ll fuck you after I finish the mission reports.” He pushed you off his lap and started to unbuckle his belt and open his jeans. “While i'm doing that, you can put that dirty fuckin’ mouth to use.” he pulled his cock out and started to lazily rub it up and down.

You dropped to your knees and crawled under the desk. Bucky rolled his chair under the desk, right in front of you. 

“All right doll, you know what to do.”

You shuffled closer and replaced Bucky’s hand with yours. You leaned closer and licked a stripe up the underside of his dick, repeating the action again before taking the rounded head into your mouth. This made Bucky let out a loud moan which made you suck harder. Then, you took his member deeper into your mouth until it hit the back of your throat which made you gag. 

“That’s it baby. Such a good girl,” Bucky groaned, stroking your head softly. 

Then, you hear a knock at the door. Bucky looks down at you with a grin on his face and then tells whoever it is to come in. He allows you to take one last deep breath before pushing you down.

 

Steve walked into the room and was oblivious to you with a mouthful of his best friend's cock. 

“Hey Buck, how much longer are you going to be because you need to hand in your mission reports today and it's already 10pm.” 

“I’ve got a f-few more notes to add and then I’m done, punk.” Bucky replied, clenching his fist. 

“Jerk,” Steve responded, as he exited the room. 

Bucky let out a groan as you took him all the way down now that you didn’t have an audience. 

“Doll, I need to be inside you right now,” Bucky said.

He grabbed your hair and pulled you off him before moving back on his chair so that he could pick you up. You wrapped your legs around his waist. He placed you on his desk and started to take his clothes off as you did the same.

 

When you were both naked, Bucky leaned forward to meet your lips in a kiss. It was all teeth and tongue since you haven't been able to be intimate with each other for way too long. You brought a hand up to Bucky’s face and cupped his cheek, a strangely sweet gesture for such a filthy kiss. 

“Daddy, please. I need you inside me. Please,” you begged.

“One second doll,”

Bucky grabbed your hips and pulled you to the edge of the desk. He grabbed his cock and rubbed it up and down your folds. 

“Please daddy! Fuck me!” you whined. 

Bucky just smirked before leaning forwards and pushing his dick inside you with one smooth thrust. He didn’t give you a chance to adjust before violently thrusting into you. All sense of self control had instantly dissipated the second he entered you. 

“Doll, you feel so good. So fuckin’ good” Bucky groaned. 

He put both your legs on his shoulders and leaned forwards. From this position he could reach the deepest parts of you. He reached his hand down and started to rub your swollen clit. 

“Gonna cum, m’ gonna cum,” you shouted, your legs starting to shake. 

“Cum for me doll, come on. Show daddy how good his fat cock is making you feel.” Bucky said.

Your legs had started to shake and Bucky’s thrusts were starting to become sloppy. Your vision had started to blur and you could feel your orgasm crash into you. You let out a pornographic moan and was trying to writhe away from Bucky’s hand which continued to rub your clit and extend your high. 

“Gonna cum in you baby, gonna pump you full of my cum,” Bucky let out a loud moan before stilling and filling you with his seed. 

Bucky leaned back to let your legs fall from his shoulders. He leaned forwards and rested his forehead against your breasts as you ran your fingers through his hair. A few minutes passed and then Bucky pulled away. You whined at the loss of contact. Bucky grabbed the hoodie he was wearing and helped you put it on…..

Taglist: @buckys-wintersoldier @nicoline1998enilocin

Also if you want to see posts I reblog just follow @sebastianstanisahotmf-reblogs

[lifeislikeasong]

I Have Always Loved You - Ellie Bixler (Human) x Fem Reader fic!

ATTN: @heartof-flies @gaym0m

It's here! Thanks for your patience, my sweet little followers. I had so much fun with this story. Human Ellie has a special place in my heart, and like I've said before, our girl deserved better.

WARNING: So, Jay is a complete dick in this. So is their Mom. There is a mention of S.A and domestic abuse.

I truly hope you enjoy this story as much as I enjoyed writing it (it's a particularly long read)

A/N: Please do not share to other sites without my permission.

Happy reading, my loves! xxx

EDIT: I'm considering turning this into a series - so, if anyone's interested let me know and I'll see what I can do! 😘

PROLOGUE:

Making your way towards your usual cafe at the end of the street, which is conveniently adjacent to Beth’s music store, Ellie’s tattoo studio and your law office; you thought about your two best friends, and smiled at the fact that you still continue to catch up in the exact same spot after all these years.

You often meet up three times a week for coffee or lunch, depending on how busy you all are. In between those times, you would all spend your free time at each other’s apartments. Conveniently, you all lived in the same building; a beautiful big Brownstone with apartments either next to or above the other. During those ‘down times’ the three of you often spent time helping each other out; whether it was yourself and Beth helping Ellie babysit her kids, you and Ellie cleaning up Beth’s absolute mess of an apartment, or Ellie and Beth making sure you had a fridge full of food for those long work days. Your evenings always ended in the company of your two best friends; no matter how the days went.

So it’s suffice to say the three of you were inseparable. 20 years of friendship will do to you.

However…there was always something more between you and Ellie.

She knew it.

You knew it.

Even Beth knew it. She even teased each of you about it; not while you were in each other's company, of course…cause - awkward!

See, Ellie had a way of making you feel alive; like she had awakened something in you that you previously didn’t know existed. For the life of you, you couldn’t explain why you suddenly found yourself smiling more often than not, or why your heart beat just that little bit faster whenever she entered the room, or why you suddenly missed each other after an extended period of time apart. 

Ellie always found herself gravitating towards you whether you were out in public, or at home. You often found yourselves sitting close together on the couch or at the dining table; your legs and shoulders gently brushing up against each other caused goosebumps to appear on Ellie’s slender, but incredibly strong arms. The mere scent of her perfume drove you wild; a burning feeling always sitting low in your belly. 

You often complimented each other and always offered supportive words of encouragement; as friends usually do. But still, there was always a deeper meaning behind every action, and each and every word. Beth would tease the two of you if you would playfully bicker like an old married couple; usually over who forgot to put the milk back in the fridge or put the laundry away. There were times when she would catch you two staring at the other, blissfully unaware of the longing gaze plastered on your faces whenever your backs were turned.

Beth would also tease you over the fact that you would often make excuses to see each other in the middle of the day, memorising your favourite coffee orders and dropping it off at your respective workplaces. 

Even something as simple as text messages or phone calls would make your stomach flutter. A genuine, loving smile would appear on your face at the sight of her name popping up on your lockscreen. Ellie always seemed to reach out at precisely the right moment; somehow sensing you needed a distraction while under pressure at work. She’d try, and fail miserably to send you memes, which you found absolutely endearing. 

You would also leave each other voice messages. Ellie had panic attacks ever since she was a kid which continued well into her adult life. You were the one person who she could depend on to calm her down, so she’d immediately call you; you’d answer every call you possibly could, but on the off chance you were away from your phone, you’d leave her a voice message with everything she needed to hear. Ellie would sit back, close her eyes and focus on the sound of your voice, feeling instantly soothed and calmed.

You and Ellie were fans of 90’s R&B band, Boyz II Men. Your joint favourite song was ‘4 Seasons of Loneliness’. Whenever you heard that song on the radio, or even playing randomly in Beth’s store, you couldn’t help but think of each other; imagining slow dancing in each other's arms. Beth would sometimes play it on purpose to get under your skin, as cheeky as she was. It was undoubtedly ‘your song’; it said everything about how you feel towards one another and then some. You lost your band t-shirt recently, and unbeknownst to you, Ellie still had hers; she very thoughtfully gave it to you, but, as worn down as it was, since she knew what it meant to you; it being the first concert you ever went to together. You were touched by her sweet gesture and wore that t-shirt to bed or when you're lying on the couch at home watching movies. There were times you’d subconsciously wear the shirt in Ellie’s presence which made her heart soar to the heavens above. It still has Ellie’s scent on it, and everytime you wear it, you feel wrapped up in her warmth.

There were moments when you thought for sure you would finally get together; the sexual tension between you palatable. Your gazes lingered, your hugs always lasted a few seconds longer than regular hugs with Beth and the kids; and you offered to give each other massages to help ease the stress after long, tiring days. Ellie fussed over you and worried about how much pain you would be in after sitting at a desk for hours on end or how your muscles would tense up when you’d be deep in thought about a new case. You also knew how hard she worked, sitting hunched over while tattooing her clients or cleaning up after her kids.

Insisting on sitting between each others’ legs, long fingers worked gently, slowly and tenderly to work the large knots that formed in your shoulders. No words were spoken between you as you just simply enjoyed each others’ presence; the closeness and romance simmering beneath the surface; only little sounds of contentment, sighs and moans escaping lips. Your minds wandered, thinking about what other sounds you could entice out of the other. 

What would happen if I gently kissed her neck, just there? I’d give anything to slowly wrap my arms around her waist right now, hold her close and never let go. You’d both be thinking. 

Eyes wandering to necks, thinking about lips running down the side, over collar collarbones; back to lips…

It felt so good to have each other so close; but hurt to be so far away…

When she married Jay, it broke your heart even though you knew she didn’t love him. You did your best to be supportive, but seeing her with him devastated you.

It shattered Ellie’s heart when you got together with your previous girlfriend; she tried her best to hide her jealousy. Yes, although she was married, it pained her to see you with someone else. 

Even so, while you were with your respective ‘partners’, you still couldn’t help but seek out each others’ presence. There wasn’t really any love between you or your previous girlfriend. Sure, you cared deeply for them, but something was missing. They didn’t make you feel the way Ellie did, let alone loved you like you deserved. When you were with them, they were emotionally distant and manipulative; taking you for granted - you felt alone; not able to be your true self; like you were with Ellie. Regardless, you knew they were cheating on you and while you refused to acknowledge it, you tried your best to make it work; wanting to block out your true feelings.

In the end you couldn’t take it anymore, ultimately breaking up. 

Yes, you had one night stands with other women - wanting to fill the void, but nothing ever came close to what you wish you had with Ellie. No amount of sex or alcohol could stop you from feeling incredibly lonely.

Ellie and Jay were going through their own turmoil. He was an abusive, controlling husband and was only with Ellie because she was successful and somewhat wealthy. In other words, he used her for sex and money before cheating on and divorcing her, relinquishing his parental rights, taking off with his new girlfriend and marrying her in another country. 

Ellie confided in you and Beth that she was never in love with him, as she was more or less forced into marrying him because of her mother - since she got pregnant with Bridget in her first year of college at a frat party. Ellie was drunk, and Jay took advantage of her.

Beth and Ellie’s mother cared about social status and felt it wasn’t a good look for her eldest daughter to have a baby out of wedlock, regardless of the abuse Ellie was subjected to. Not only that, their Mom knew Ellie was gay, so she did whatever she could to hide that fact from her socialite friends; thinking Ellie’s ‘lifestyle’ would reflect negatively on her; impacting or discrediting her social status. Thus, making the decision by coercing her daughter into marrying a horrible excuse of a man. She was fully aware of the abuse Ellie suffered, but none of that mattered to her. 

When her mom died, Ellie finally found the courage to put an end to her sham of a marriage and move on with her life.

All of this had taken place four years ago…

She too, had slept with a few women, but no one could fill that void; the love she so desperately wanted - the love she wanted from you.

God knows you wanted to be together, but for whatever reason time never seemed to be on your side.

In truth, you were both scared of being open and brutally honest with each other; either in fear of getting hurt again, or losing each other.  The last thing you each wanted to do was ruin your friendship.

Which is probably why you’ve wasted the last four years….

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER 1:

Your mind raced as you tried to find the confidence to break your news to your friends. It had been brewing for the past month or so, but you didn’t say anything until it was set in stone. You figured there was no point in upsetting anyone in case nothing ever came of this promotion.

You had a habit of overthinking, and did your best to calm yourself down before arriving at the cafe.

As you eventually made your way to the end of the street, you were snapped out of your deep thought process by the sound of Ellie’s voice.

Your stomach fluttered at the sight of her.

“Hey, Y/N”, she beamed at you, her voice as sweet as honey.

“Hey, Ellie”, you smiled back, a little reserved.

She reached for you and brought you in for a hug. You lost yourself in her for a few seconds, briefly forgetting the news you had to share. 

Tensing, you let go of her.

Ellie frowned, slightly taken aback, as she bent down to look you in the eye.

You avoided eye contact and she knew instantly that something was wrong. She slowly reached up, placing her hand under your chin; you leaned into her touch; finally looking her in the eye - silently apologising for making her worry. You hadn’t intentionally worried her, but she knew you would open up eventually.

“Beth’s late again?”, you asked.

“Isn’t she always”, she laughed softly, trying to soften the mood.

You giggled as she smiled.

Yes, I got her to laugh again. God, I love that sound. She thought to herself.

As if on cue, Beth appeared in the cafe and greeted you both, apologising for being late.

“Go grab a table, it’s on me”, you told your friends.

They smiled and sat down. Collecting the order, you passed out the coffee as you all began discussing the day so far.

Beth filled you in on the weird and wacky customers that invaded her store, while Ellie shared some crazy stories about her clients. You sat back and listened in awe, proud of your friends for following their dreams and supporting their small businesses.

Beth asked how work was going for you and you tensed again, which didn’t go unnoticed by the Bixler siblings. It wasn’t like you to be nervous when talking about your job; you were nothing if not confident, but humble.

You clenched your jaw before relaxing, smiling softly.

“Y/N? You okay?”, the older sibling asked.

You felt Ellie’s eyes on you; almost piercing through your soul.

Looking up at your friends, you began to talk.

“Sorry, I don’t mean to be distant; it’s just been a long morning”, you said quietly.

They sat, still looking at you, waiting patiently. Ellie couldn’t help but think how beautiful you look; that woman is so desperately in love with you, it was painfully obvious to everyone around you.

“What’s up?, Ellie asked kindly.

“Uh, well, that deal I’ve been working on for our biggest client…We settled this morning. We got the contract”, you said.

“Corporate were impressed that the turnaround was quicker than we thought; and offered me a promotion to–”, you continued.

“That’s great news, Y/N!”, they said in unison, interrupting you.

Looking at Beth, you saw her beaming at you. Clearly she was proud of you for working so hard and achieving something you’ve always wanted. You gazed over at Ellie who looked at you with unwavering amazement, in absolute awe of you.

“What’s the promotion?”, Beth asked.

“Partner”, you said simply.

They shared a look, knowing you’ve wanted this for so long.

“Congratulations! You’ve worked so hard, Y/N - you deserve this”, Ellie said.

Smiling, you thanked your friends; chewing the inside of your cheek, contemplating whether or not you should rip the bandaid off with the next bit of news.

Now or never. Stop delaying the inevitable; be honest. You told yourself.

“Y/N?”, the siblings said, drawing you out of your thoughts yet again - not noticing you checked out for a few seconds.

“Oh, sorry…There’s more”, you said, uncomfortably shifting in your seat,

“The law firm has plans to expand the company and open up new offices in London and Sydney. Since I’m the new partner, they’ve asked me to oversee everything for the Sydney office”, you said nervously.

Beth and Ellie listened intently, sensing your hesitation. 

You didn’t dare to look at Ellie.

“They want me to relocate to Sydney in six weeks”, you said hesitantly.

“Well…that’s, uh. How long?”, Beth asked.

“Three years”, you said.

A beat of silence passed through the three of you, Ellie taking a slow sip of coffee to calm her nerves.

“There’s a lot to consider; almost too much…We only got confirmation things were moving ahead this morning; we’ve known about these new offices for a little while now, but didn’t expect it to happen so fast”, you continued hesitantly.

You heard Ellie suck in a breath, from the corner of your eye you saw her look down at her hands, instantly picking at her nails; Something she did when she was scared - a habit she picked up as a young teen. 

Beth looked between the two of you and spoke up again.

“Wow”, she said.

“Yeah”, you said.

Beth kicked Ellie’s shin under the table.

“Ow, what the fuck?”, Ellie snapped.

Beth gestured towards you and Ellie finally acknowledged you.

You met each other's eyes. Sadness, worry and despair reflected through them; it broke your heart yet again as you anxiously waited for Ellie to say something.

“I…I’m happy for you, Y/N. Excuse me, I need to get back to work. Thank you for lunch”, she said quietly; the hurt was evident in her voice.

A few seconds of awkward silence passed between you and Beth as Ellie up and left.

“I...don’t know what to do”, you said.

“What do you mean, Y/N?”, Beth asked.

You sat quietly for a few seconds, before speaking up again.

“I don’t know if I can leave and move away so quickly. I can’t pack my whole life up in six weeks. I can’t leave my family; this is happening all too fast. I accepted the promotion, but told my boss I’d need time to consider moving. It’s a fucking huge decision”, you reasoned, looking sadly out the door, watching Ellie quickly cross the road and down the street.

Beth watched you; her eyes squinting at you. She knew there was another reason why you were hesitant.

“Look, you’ve worked so hard for this. Don’t let this opportunity fall through - take it; you’re great at negotiating, so why don’t you take the time to speak to your boss and come up with an alternate decision”, Beth said.

“You know Ellie - she just needs time”, she continued.

Your eyes snapped back to her. She smirked.

“I know, okay. I’ve always known”, she said.

“I….”, you mumbled.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Beth. We should get back to work”, you said.

“Don’t avoid it. Take the time you need; just know I’m happy for you, and will be here if you need anything”, Beth smiled kindly.

Hugging you, she thanked you for lunch and you each headed back to your respective workplaces.

On your way back to work, Beth’s words played on your mind. It hurt to see Ellie’s reaction; deep down you understood why; but it still scared you.

You had a lot to contemplate. You felt lost; you wanted this opportunity, but you didn’t want it to affect your…situationship or whatever unspoken thing you had with Ellie. 

You arrived back at work, putting your feelings aside to go about the rest of the day; compartmentalising.

You would come to a solution eventually. You just needed to get used to the idea before making any concrete decisions.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER 2:

Later that same evening, you headed home - thoughts of Ellie invading your mind. You had a feeling she was thinking of you, too…and you were right. 

Across town Danny and Bridget were studying at their friends’ house, and little Kassie was fast asleep; so Ellie threw herself into cleaning the apartment, doing laundry, scrubbing the bathtub - doing anything she could to stop the ache in her heart at the thought of losing you.

Upon entering your building, you automatically smiled at the sight of Ellie’s apartment. Your smile soon faded as you didn’t hear the usual sound of old school R&B playing in the background. Instead you heard sounds of clanging pots and pans and cuss words. Just as you were about to knock on her door, Beth appeared from her apartment next door.

“She’s been doing this for almost an hour; the kids are gone for the night. She won’t talk to me”, she said, attempting to keep her voice low.

“Maybe…I could try and talk to her, help her calm down”, you said.

Suddenly the door opened; Ellie appeared.

“What are you doing?”, she asked, annoyed, her voice slurred.

You took her in; she looked like she’d been crying…and drinking. 

Shit. It had been a while since you saw Ellie this drunk.

“El, we were just talking…”, Beth said.

“Well can you keep it down? Some of us have things to do”, Ellie replied, beer in hand.

She stumbled forward bracing herself on the door, slipping slightly.

You stepped forward to catch her.

“I got you, Ellie”, you said warmly.

As drunk as she was, she looked you square in the eye; registering your presence. Losing herself in your eyes before speaking, turning angry.

“Oh, just drop the act, Y/N. If you had me, if you cared enough about me at all, you would have told me from the beginning, instead of stringing me along this whole time”, she hissed, stepping away from you.

“How long was this planned, huh? Did you know all along? The minute you finally get somewhere in life, make something of yourself, you think you’re better than everyone else and just leave? Is this life not good enough for you? Was this your plan all along; move away from the only family you have; move away from the person who lov- Mmm”, she seethed, stopping herself from finishing that sentence.

“You don’t care. You’re selfish. Look at you”, she laughed; taking a swig from her beer.

“So much for telling each other everything”, she said.

Her words cut deep. Then you remembered she was drunk; and tried not to take her words to heart - as harsh as they were.

Did Ellie really think you didn’t care? After everything you’ve been through together, how can she stand there and say that? She never spoke to you like that before.

She didn’t even stick around long enough to hear you question your promotion; she just took off. Scared; running from her true feelings again. Maybe you were more alike than you originally thought…

“She doesn’t mean that”, Beth said, noticing the hurt on your face.

“Don’t speak for me, Beth”, she snapped.

Turning her attention back to you, Ellie’s eyes looked a little bit clearer; almost like she snapped out of whatever trance she was in, seemingly realising what she had said before she spoke again. 

You braced yourself for more harsh words, but this time they didn’t come. 

“I don’t feel too good. I’m going to bed, so I need you to get out of my face before I say something else I might regret”, Ellie said sadly, her voice cracking.

“Ellie, I…”, you whispered.

With that, she firmly closed the door in your face, but not loud enough to wake Kassie.

You stood staring at the door for a few seconds, wanting to comfort your…friend, but decided against it. It was best to leave things as they were, as painful as it was. Ellie wasn’t thinking clearly, and now neither were you.

Beth stood there, shaking her head in the direction of Ellie’s apartment. She knew her sister was a real hot head at times, and wasn’t going to let this go lightly.

“I’m sorry, Y/N”, Beth said.

“It’s okay Bethy-boo. It’s not your fault”, you said sweetly, offering a meek smile.

“I’m just going to go to bed, I don’t really want to talk right now, if that’s okay. It’s been a long day”, you continued.

“Of course”, she said.

You gave her a grateful hug, squeezed her arm in thanks before heading upstairs to your colder than normal apartment.

You showered, attempting to wash this day away. Ellie’s words playing on your mind like a broken record. You couldn’t deny those words stung; you tried to remind yourself it was the alcohol talking - not Ellie. Not your sweet, kind, beautiful Ellie.

Climbing into bed, you reached for Ellie’s shirt; clutching it as you cried yourself to sleep; feeling absolutely sick to your stomach over what the next few days could bring.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

That was the sound of your alarm clock going off at… 

Groaning, you rolled over to peek at the time.

4:45am. Great. 2 and a half hours sleep. Fuck this day. You thought.

Laying there for what felt like an eternity, which in reality was only 15 minutes; your mind cast back to yesterday’s events and Ellie’s reaction. You couldn’t bring yourself to face her today; this being the first time in 20 years - her words cutting your soul. Another thought crossed your mind…

Was she comparing me to Jay? Why did she have to ask pointed questions like that? She knows I’m nothing like that scumbag ex of hers. 

That thought shattered you yet again. Sighing, you got out of bed and went about your normal routine; making your bed, running on the treadmill for 20 minutes, making your protein smoothie, got dressed and walked out your door. Your heart ached as you looked at Ellie’s apartment; in that moment, all you wanted to do was go in there and make sure she was okay, hold her close and tell her everything will be alright. But you decided against it; she genuinely hurt you last night which was a first and you needed time to sort your own headspace out.

You threw yourself into work, not daring to think about Ellie. 

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER 3:

Back at the Brownstone, Beth snuck into her sisters’ apartment to clean up the mess Ellie had made; literally and figuratively, while she slept off the grog. It was rare when Beth took on the role of ‘Mother’, but when she did, she was a damn good one. 

Little Kassie sat at the kitchen table as Beth served up her famous chocolate chip pancakes.

“Aunty Beth?”, she asked.

“Yeah, Kass?”, she responded.

“Why was Mommy yelling at Aunty Y/N last night? They never fight”, she questioned innocently.

Beth paused.

“Mommy was just stressed and very tired, Kassie. She’s been working too hard. That’s all”, Beth said.

“Okay…”, Kassie said, only half convinced.

“C’mon, eat your pancakes and I’ll take you to school”, Beth said, ruffling her niece's hair.

Heading towards Ellie’s bedroom, Beth slammed the door. Ellie groaned.

“What…the fuck”, she mumbled.

“Ellie”, Beth said.

No response.

She stood quietly for a few seconds watching Ellie. It was obvious Ellie still didn’t register her presence; or if she did, she wasn’t interested.

Sighing, she walked over to the window and opened the curtains. That got Ellie’s attention.

“BETH! You bitch!”, she yelled.

Right, I’ve had enough of this shit. Beth thought.

“Alright enough! Get up, El or I’ll move you myself”, Beth said sternly.

Sitting up slowly, Ellie rubbed her eyes taking in her surroundings. A few seconds later, a guttural groan came from her throat; a wave of nausea washing over her.

“You look like hell”, Ellie said.

“You’re one to talk”, Beth replied.

Then, it all came flooding back to her. 

Your news. Her reaction. The way she treated you. How cruel she was.

Fuck. She screwed up big time. 

Beth just continued to stand there quietly observing her sibling, seemingly reading her mind.

“I hurt her, didn’t I?”, Ellie said, her voice hoarse.

“Hurt is probably the understatement of the year, sis”, Beth replied.

“I didn’t mean what I said; that’s not how I feel at all”, Ellie expressed.

“It was…I was… Surprised. I got scared. Oh, God I’m sorry”, she tried to reason.

“Hey, I’m not the one you need to apologise to”, Beth said, putting her hands up in surrender.

“I was surprised too. But that didn’t give you the right to treat her like that, Ellie. You really fucked up last night”, Beth continued.

“I mean, what were you thinking, huh? Y/N isn’t Jay! That was cruel. You should have seen the look on her face. You know, after you so rudely walked out on lunch yesterday, she was telling me she doesn’t know if she should go. She said she had too much to consider”, Beth said bitterly, putting her sibling in her place.

“I know what I said, and I saw her face. My God, I wish I could take it back”, Ellie cried, her head in her hands.

“She is nothing like Jay. I never meant to hurt her”, she continued.

“I’m just… terrified of losing her, Bethy-boo”, she whimpered.

“And why is that?”, Beth questioned.

“Because I’m in love with her. I’ve always been in love with her”, Ellie said without hesitation, finally looking Beth in the eye.

“I love her so much, I do”, she repeated, teary eyed.

Beth smiled.

“I know. Now get up, and go make it right”, she encouraged.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

You tried your best to get on with your day, but Ellie still invaded your mind. You had received some texts from Beth, who was checking in on you and only answered a couple of them. You had important meetings with the firm's big clients so couldn’t allow outside drama to affect you. 

Placing your phone in your pocket, you went about your business.

Two hours and a half hours and two meetings later, you found yourself back in your office attempting to take a small break.

Checking your phone, you noticed 3 missed calls, 1 voicemail and 6 text messages - all from Ellie. Your heart sank at the sight of her name; missing her instantly. You debated listening to her voice message, thinking it would break you.

Before you knew it, you pressed play.

“Y/N…Hey. It’s me. It’s Ellie. I suppose you know that already; fuck what am I saying?”, you could tell just from this sentence alone Ellie was inwardly cringing. A small smile crept on to your face as you continued listening.

“I’m at the cafe waiting for Beth, I hope you’ll make it. Listen, I am…so sorry. I’m an idiot and never should have said what I said. I never wanted to hurt you, please know that. I just…*sigh* You know what, I can’t do this over the phone; I miss your face and need to see you”, she said, sounding sorrowful.

Even through the phone, you could tell she was genuine…but it still didn’t undo the hurt.

You were surprised over how abruptly the voicemail ended, and as if on cue, you heard a knock on your door. Without thinking, you got up and when you answered it, Ellie appeared holding a large cup of coffee as a peace offering.

A beat of silence passed through, taking the other in. 

While Ellie looked as beautiful as ever, it was clear to you that she was hungover, but had also been crying; her eyes sunken in and as heavy as her heart. She glanced at you; she could tell you hadn't slept all night, your eyes sore from crying; the guilt weighed heavier than ever.

In that moment, all you wanted to do was forget yesterday ever happened and hold each other the way you’ve always dreamed of. 

“Uh, hi”, you mumbled.

“Hi, Y/N”, she said meekly, smiling softly.

“I bought you a coffee, I know you can’t make it through the rest of the morning without it”, she said, awkwardly handing you the steaming cup.

You stood there equally as awkward, the tension growing steadily between you. Reaching out, you accepted the coffee; your fingers accidentally brushing against each other almost as if reigniting a spark. Ellie tried wrapping her pinkie around yours, but you stepped back at the last second.

“Can we talk?”, she asked, sounding remorseful.

“Not right now. I’m working”, you answered, more bitterly than intended.

With that, you turned to walk back to your desk but Ellie ever so gently caught your wrist, stopping you.

“Please”, she whispered.

Turning back to face her you saw tears forming in her beautiful green eyes, silently pleading with you to give her a chance. 

“Fine”, you quietly said.

Gesturing towards the opposite seat at your desk, Ellie closed the door and sat down. You stayed quiet.

“Y/N, I’m so sorry. Really. I know what I did, I know what I said, and I absolutely hate myself for it. I was drunk and stupid…I know that doesn’t make it okay; I was just surprised”, Ellie blurted out, evidently nervous.

“That person you saw last night; it wasn’t me. You know that. Listen, I’m so proud of you. You’ve worked so hard and deserve everything that’s good. I know you didn’t plan this, and I never ever meant to say you were selfish; or that you were anything like...him. I just…I just got scared”, she continued.

“Oh, so you don’t hate me then?”, you questioned.

“What? Of course not; I could never hate you”, she answered; slightly offended.

“Well that’s not the impression you gave me last night. I am not Jay”, you snapped.

“I know…I know. I’m trying to apologise, make it right”, she said sadly.

“No, Ellie. You don’t get to compare me to your abusive ex and then say I’m the selfish one just because you got scared”, you snapped again.

“Please, Y/N. Just - give me a chance to explain. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt you”, she said.

“Yeah, well you did and now you’ve got me questioning everything….I’m sorry, but I can’t do this right now”, you said, standing up.

“C’mon, Y/N. This isn’t us, this is not how we deal with things”, Ellie pleaded.

“This isn’t the time or the place”, you said, suddenly feeling drained; but indicating this conversation wasn’t over.

She followed you to the door, gently touching the side of your waist. It took everything in you not to go to her. She felt you giving up resistance ever so slightly; before you were hit with another wave of anger, stepping sideways.

“There is no us”, you said.

Shit. I shouldn’t have said that. You thought.

You didn’t mean it. Glancing up at Ellie, you knew she knew that.

“Please, just go”, you whispered.

With sad puppy dog eyes Ellie took one last look at you, defeated and walked out of your office.

I’m still not giving up. Ellie thought.

Slinking against the opposite side of the door, you began crying again.

Why is everything suddenly harder than it needs to be?

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER 4: 

Almost three weeks went by with virtually no contact from you. Time went by far too quickly, as your proposed flight date grew closer. You just focused on work, taking this time to consider the full promotion, avoiding Ellie even though you live in the same building.

You received a handful of texts from Ellie, who just kept apologising over and over again which you ignored. You did bump into her a few times, of course; when she was carrying a load of laundry or grocery bags while you left for work or the gym. She smiled at you, to which you acknowledged her, said a quick hello, then went on your way. She respected the fact that you needed space, and trusted you would speak eventually; as much as it pained her not to be around you.

Even though it had only been a short amount of time since your last conversation, it was obvious you two were struggling with how much you missed each other. If this is what it felt like when you were in Australia, then you didn’t want it. 

If you did go to Sydney without seeing or talking things out with Ellie before you left, it would kill you. You haven’t felt this much pain since she was forced to marry Jay.

You received messages from Beth and met for coffee twice. She told you Ellie was miserable, and that the kids knew something was wrong. She accused you of both being hotheaded and stubborn, but also told you she thought you were being equally as cruel by avoiding her when you knew you had to talk. 

Upon reflection, Beth was right. It was time to communicate; you didn’t want to punish Ellie anymore.

While on a break at work, you decided to text Ellie.

“Hey, Ellie. I think it’s time we talk, would you like to come to my place tonight?”, you sent.

Almost immediately, your phone chimed.

“Hey, Y/N. Me too - I’d like that”, she replied.

“6pm?” you asked.

“Perfect”, she wrote.

Smiling softly you placed your phone back in your pocket, anticipating seeing your best friend again.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The night rolled around quicker than you realised. You arrived home at 5pm, cleaned up, showered and prepared some food and drinks. This evening could go one of two ways but you were willing to work through it.

Checking the clock, you saw it was 5:58pm. Ellie knocked at your door once before you leapt from your spot on the couch and opened it. 

There she was, beautiful as ever. 

Two minutes early, and just as keen to see you.

“Hi”, she said nervously; trying to hide how delighted she was to see you again.

“Hi”, you smiled, albeit anxiously.

You gestured for her to step inside. 

“Can I get you a drink?”, you asked, breaking apart and instantly missing the closeness.

“Uh..yes”, she said.

You poured two small glasses of whiskey, sitting in close proximity to each other.

“How are the kids?”, you asked.

“Good; Beth’s with them tonight. They’ve been asking about you. They…they miss you”, she said quietly.

“I miss them, too”, you said.

Silence grew around you again as you maintained precious eye-contact. 

“So…”, she started.

“Ellie, I’ve missed you”, you said, deciding to jump right into it.

“I’ve missed you, too”, she said.

Relief swept over the two of you after hearing those words. The air suddenly shifted around you. You couldn’t take it any longer and engulfed Ellie in a tight hug, which she readily returned; her strong arms feeling like home. Without saying a word, you stood there holding each other for what felt like hours. 

“I’ve been thinking, and…you were right. This isn’t how we do things. I’ve hated these past few weeks without you. I should’ve handled this whole thing better than I have. I just wanted to say I’m sorry; truly - for everything”, you said.

You held on to both her hands, clutching tightly.

“You don’t have anything to apologise for, Y/N. It’s me. I never should have walked away from you; I’m an idiot for speaking to you the way that I did. But like I said the other day, that person you saw wasn’t me. I need you to know that, more than anything”, Ellie pleaded.

“Y/N, I know you’re not Jay. What I said…it - It was absolutely uncalled for. I know how hard you’ve worked for this. You’re not selfish; you are somebody - somebody special and a damn good lawyer. I know you’re never going to abandon your family. I’m happy for you, I really am…it’s just, you’re my best friend and I don’t want to lose you”, she said.

“We’ve been through so much together, and if I’m being honest it will hurt to see you go; but I promise I’ll support you. I just don’t want to stand in your way; again, I’m so sorry I hurt you. Can you forgive me?”, Ellie asked, on the verge of tears.

Taking a beat, you answered.

“Look, I know you never meant it. I know you’re not that person. These past few weeks haven’t been easy for either of us; we’ve both said things we don’t mean, but I promise you, you’re not going to lose me. For the record, you have never stood in my way, Ellie. In fact, you inspire me.…and, yes, I’ll forgive you. I hope you can forgive me, too”, you said.

Ellie sucked in a breath; finally letting a few tears escape her eyes.

“I forgive you”, she uttered.

You reached out and gently dabbed them away with the base of your thumb. She closed her eyes, as you sweetly stroked her cheekbone.

“I’m sorry I said there is no “us”, Ellie”, you said quietly.

She opened her eyes and studied your face.

“What?”, she whispered, her eyes now clear and hopeful.

You smiled.

“Wha-what about your promotion? Sydney?”, she asked.

You sighed. 

Standing up, you walked slowly towards the window, closing it; suddenly nervous about the next obvious conversation. 

Picking up your whisky glass, you took a slow sip before you spoke.

“I’ve decided I’m not moving”, you mumbled.

Ellie couldn’t believe what you said. 

“What do you mean, ‘you’re not moving’?”, she asked.

“I negotiated a new deal. I’ll still go to Sydney eventually, but it won’t be for three years. Most of it will be remote, while the building is constructed; then I’ll only have to travel there twice a year for 5 weeks”, you said, staring out the window.

“I’m staying”, you said, turning back to face her, your expression pensive.

A sense of relief washed over Ellie. 

“I can’t do this anymore, Ellie”, you continued, as tears formed in your eyes.

Her heart sank for a minute, thinking the worst.

No, this isn’t how it’s supposed to go. She thought.

Ellie stood from her place on the couch, heading in your direction. Your heart started beating faster the closer she came to you; her eyes silently searching yours for any hint of uncertainty. She ever so slowly extended her hand, tucking a loose strand of hair behind your ear.

“What are you talking about, Y/N?”, she asked quietly, her voice low and smooth.

“I think you know, El”, you said equally quiet.

You reached up, taking hold of her hand against your chest as you looked deep in her mesmerising eyes, stepping closer so there was no more distance between you.

“El, we can’t ignore our feelings any longer…I-I’m deeply in love with you; I always have been, and that’s why I’m staying; I’m tired of running. I’m done being stupid. For the first time in my life, I’m choosing love; Ellie, I could never leave you behind”, you said, your voice full of warmth and adoration; your smile reaching your ears.

Oh my God. I can’t believe this is actually happening, she thought.

“Y/N, I’ve been in love with you since the moment we met. I never knew this type of love existed until I met you. No one has ever made me feel the way you do. That’s why I got scared; I don’t just want you; I need you, Y/N. You’re my heart. You’re the only person I’ve ever truly loved, and I couldn’t bear the thought of being without you”, she said; her tone matching yours.

“Well, it’s a good thing that you won’t ever have to worry about that. I’m not going anywhere”, you said lovingly.

“I can’t believe you’re really staying”, she said, pressing your foreheads together.

You wrapped your arms around her neck; her long arms going around your waist.

“You better believe it; I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Ellie”, you said.

“Really?”, she smiled; teary eyes searching yours.

You began swaying gently in her arms.

“Yeah, really”, you beamed.

“In that case, Y/N, will you be my girl?”, she whispered.

“Always”, you whispered back, your eyes darting to her lips.

Since you were slightly shorter than Ellie, you had to stand up on your tippy-toes. She giggled softly, meeting you halfway to join your lips in your very first kiss.

It started off sweet and slow, little sighs and moans escaping lips. You moved your hands up to her neck, gently cradling the back of her head as she held your waist, tenderly stroking your skin.

“I love you”, she whispered into the kiss.

“I love you too”, you whispered back, smiling against her lips.

A burning feeling ignited low in your bodies, as all your senses were heightened; completely wrapped up in each other.

The kiss progressively grew deeper, more passionate; your hands beginning to wander down each other's bodies, exploring, as you slowly began making your way to the bedroom; never breaking away from the embrace. Once inside, you locked the door - shutting out the rest of the world.

That night, you and Ellie became one. For better or worse.

It was the first night of the rest of your lives. 

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

EPILOGUE: 6 months later

The house was loud and lively for a warm Saturday night; everyone was home for a nice change, so Ellie thought it would be nice if her family watched a movie together. After much deliberation and bickering between Danny, Bridget and Kassie, Up! was eventually chosen.

Beth sat on the floor, as Kassie insisted she braid her hair. Danny sat lounging on a spare recliner, with his trusty headphones around his neck as he mindlessly played a videogame on his phone. Bridget sat on the opposite side of the couch reading her protest book. 

You and Ellie were in the kitchen washing up the dishes from dinner, playfully slapping each other on the butt with a tea towel while stealing sweet kisses along the way.

“Mom! Momma! Hurry up! The movie is starting!”, Kassie yelled from the living room.

“We’re coming! Hold your horses”, Ellie giggled.

You planted one last kiss on her lips before taking each other by the hand, and headed towards the living room. Ellie sat down and immediately made grabby hands at you; you smirked at her adorable neediness and sat down next to her, resting your arm across her chest. She kissed the top of your head, burying her fingers in your hair.

“Okay, guys come on. You wanted to watch this movie, so get off your phone and put the book away. Kassie, put Staphanie down”, Ellie said.

20 minutes into the movie, Danny realised there were no snacks on the table.

“Mom, can you get us some popcorn?”, he asked.

“Uh, no. I asked you before if you wanted anything and you said no. If you want it, get it yourself”, Ellie said.

“Yeah, you loser. Go and get some”, Bridget teased.

Danny picked up the nearest pillow and yeeted it in Bridget’s direction, hitting her in the face, knocking her book off the armrest. She poked her tongue out at her brother, who stuck his middle finger up in response.

Everybody giggled, before Danny asked again.

“Seriously, Mom? Can you make us some?”, he asked.

“Can you bring us some candy, too?”, Kassie called out.

“Ugh, alright, alright!”, she joked.

Ellie groaned. She was comfortable snuggling up to you; enjoying the feel of your hands playing with hers. She didn’t want to move, but got up anyway.

“Wanna come with me, babe?”, she asked suggestively, raising her eyebrows.

Your stomach fluttered at the pet name.

“Of course”, you smiled; rubbing your nose against hers affectionately, picking up on the double entendre.

Getting up, you walked back into the kitchen.

“I want M&M’s!”, Bridget called out.

“And SKITTLES!!”, Kassie bellowed.

Ellie groaned again, throwing her hands up in surrender. 

“These kids, I love them, I do, but I swear they get on my last nerve…”, Ellie said, with a hint of mischief in her voice.

You laughed and rubbed her back as she placed the popcorn bag in the microwave.

“Aw, my poor baby”, you said sarcastically, smirking at her.

Ellie turned sideways, sauntered slowly over to you and grabbed you by the waist.

“Oh, so now you’re being a shithead, too? Think you’re funny?” she asked; her eyes glistening with cheekiness. 

“Maybe”, you winked.

“You know they’ll officially be your kids, too in a few months, my love. Are you sure you want a lifetime of this? Last chance to back out”, she teased, inching closer to you, knowing it’ll get under your skin.

Your breathing quickened as Ellie backed you up against the benchtop; trapping you sexily, clearly enjoying the playfulness between you.

“Hey, I proposed to you. Of course I want this, honey; they’re all a mini version of you. Who wouldn’t want more of that?”, you said, meaning every word before squeezing her butt affectionately.

Her heart skipped another beat.

Smirking, Ellie bent down slightly and hooked her long, strong arms under your legs lifting you with ease, placing you on the kitchen bench to stand between your legs. Snatching the tea towel from your hands, Ellie twisted it in hers, using it as a makeshift scarf to pull you impossibly closer, placing a tantalising kiss on your lips. 

You giggled, placing your arms loosely around her shoulders.

“That’s sweet, dear - but as I recall I proposed first…we just happened to plan it on the same night”, she insisted.

“If you say so”, you teased.

“I do”, she replied, proud of herself.

“You know you’re supposed to say that on our wedding day, don’t you? Not now”, you teased again.

“So? I said it now, I’ll say it again, and I’ll say it on our wedding day. I’ll continue to say it until the day I die”, she said, her tone changing from cheeky to sincere.

You got lost in your own little world for a minute; eyes searching, gazing lovingly, adoringly at each other - taking a moment to appreciate this tender moment.

“I can’t wait to marry you, baby”, you whispered, inching closer to her lips.

She cheekily dodged your lips to place tender kisses on your neck; smirking at the way you moaned and leaned sideways to allow her more access.

“I can’t wait to marry you, future Mrs…Bixler”, she whispered back, finally capturing your lips between hers.

Before you knew it, you engaged in an intense make out session; completely forgetting the snacks. She cradled your face, softly stroking your cheekbones with her thumbs. You slid your hands under her oversized t-shirt, leisurely dragging your nails along her abdomen; she moaned at the touch as her stomach clenched; growling softly in your ear; a sound you’d never get tired of. You chuckled, loving the effect you had on her.

Just as she began sliding her hands up your thighs, you remembered the snacks.

“Babe, we should stop”, you husked.

“Do we have to?”, she whined.

“Yes”, you whimpered.

Suddenly, Bridget walked in - putting a stop to your little romp.

“What’s taking so long?”, she asked.

“Oh. Oh, man! Get a room!”, she exclaimed, after catching you in an embrace.

You broke apart enough so you were decent, but still cuddling.

“We had one before you walked in”, you joked, smiling at your soon-to-be adopted daughter.

“We’ll finish this later”, you quickly whispered to Ellie, who smirked.

“I swear to God, you two can’t keep your hands off each other for more than five minutes!”, she teased.

You and Ellie shared a look, feeling coy.

I wouldn’t want it any other way, was the unspoken, shared thought between you.

“Now if you two are done, can we please finish the movie? Danny’s being a smart ass, and it’s taking everything in me not to stab him”, Bridget said, deadpan.

She grabbed the snacks and walked back towards the living room; not before she took one last look at her Moms and smiled.

“I’m glad you’ve found each other again”, she said.

“Hurry up Bridge!”, Danny and Kassie bellowed, interrupting a sweet moment.

“Yeah, we’re getting hungry out here!”, Beth called out a few seconds after.

“ALRIGHT! Fuck!”, Bridget yelled.

“Hey, language!”, you and Ellie yelled in unison, giggling at each other.

“Moms were making out in the kitchen again!”, Bridget announced, walking back into the living room, laughing at the collective groan from her siblings and Aunty.

As soon as Danny spotted the food, he leaped out of his seat, snatching what he wanted out of Bridget’s hands. Kassie then snatched it from him, then Beth snatched it from her.

“Bagsies! Mine!”, Beth laughed.

Kassie jumped on Beth and soon after Bridget and Danny joined in, attacking their Aunty with countless pillows as Beth squealed.

You and Ellie peaked in, watching the commotion unfold.

“Help! Sis? Y/N?”, Beth laughed.

“You’re on your own with this one, Bethy-boo!”, Ellie chuckled at her sister, kissing your forehead.

Helping you off the kitchen bench, Ellie took your hand and lead you back to the couch. She took the opportunity to wrap her arms around your waist once again, as you put your hand on her chest, placing your head above her heart, listening to her now steady heartbeat; the two of you laughing at the chaos in front of you.

Taking in the amazing image in front of her, Ellie couldn’t believe how many years were wasted. But instead of dwelling on what was, she continued to look to the future. You seemed to be thinking the same thing as you looked up at her, kissing her cheek affectionately.

“I love you, Ellie”, you said, smiling lovingly at your fiance.

“I love you, too, Y/N”, she replied, her smile reaching her eyes once again.

Sharing another sweet kiss, Beth and the kids began mocking the two of you. You laughed as Ellie flipped them the bird, before you all turned your attention back to the movie. 

Yeah, this is us.

[plaidpajamallama]

(You scared me) RHEA RIPLEY X JEY USO

Chapter 3

_________________

After the Bad Blood kickoff, Rhea was just walking around waiting for Damian to finish his segment with Finn.

She was wearing black jeans with a black tank top with lace trim and tall black boots.

It didn’t take Damian long to finish his segment; he found her after.

Hey, are you good?

Yea, I just hate him. I can’t wait to make him eat his words tomorrow.

Damian said with the sounds of hate and a little bit of pain in his voice,

She could tell what Finn had said got to him a little bit.

She put a hand on his shoulder. Don’t worry, you got it! I’m going to get my title back, and you're going to win, and we’ll be done with them for good. Alright, yeah, come out, let go back to the hotel, and meet up with Jey as Damian said that he put his arm around her as

_________________

As they walked in the hotel, Rhea pulled out her phone to text Jey.

R Hey, what are you doing?

R You want to have a drink in Damian room to celebrate our winning tomorrow?

J Yeah, I’ll be there in a sec.

She put her phone back in her pocket and looked at Damian; he said,

Yeah, he’ll be a minute."

Okay, Damian said as he pushed the elevator button,

Were you okay yesterday? Yea, it’s cool we watched a movie.

Oh, what movie did you guys watch? He asked as they walked in the elevator and pushed the 4th floor.

We watched the old beetle juice; he had never seen it.

Did he like it? Yeah, he said it was good.

She thought back on yesterday; she could remember his hands on her leg.

The funny thing was that her leg actually felt a little better.

The elevator door opened, and they walked out towards Damian’s room.

When they got closer, they could see something by his room.

As they got closer, they noticed it was a person; it was Jey.

He was just standing there.

He turned around, hearing them. Finally, Jey said, Yea yea," Damian said as he pushed Jey out the way as he opened the door.

Rhea looked at Jey. He was wearing a YEET cutoff shirt with his face on it with black sweatpants and white Air Force and his YEET glasses on top of his head. They all walked into the Damian room. It was nice.

There was a dresser/desk. There was a bed made on the opposite wall. There was a nice couch under the window. But most importantly, there was a fully stocked minibar.

Rhea sat down on the edge of the bed. Jey sat in the office chair.

Damian grabbed some glasses off the table and poured vodka and coke in three glasses and handed them both one.

Damian leaned on the table. Rhea raised her glasses to us being done with the street trash and Jey winning his first single championship! YEET!

Jey interrupted before taking a sip of his drink. Rhea took a sip as well.

Rhea gets up to go to the bathroom.

Damian turned to Jey. You know we got your back tomorrow.

Yea, I got yours too. If you want it, I know firsthand how you like to win on your own, he said with a chuckle.

Damian smiled at that as he said it’s not like Finn can’t beat me on his own, so I think I’ll be alright and took a sip of his drink.

I know that’s right, your going Beat that man black and blue. Just made sure you hit him extra hard for me.

If not for him, I would be champ right now.

I don’t know about that now, Damian says with a joking tone.

Oh, I want to say thanks for hitting me up and letting me hang with you guys, because I would probably just be sitting around watching TV right now.

No problem Rhea told me you guys watched Beetlejuice last night.

Oh yeah, I've never seen it, and it’s her favorite, so Jey says as he fidgets with his glass, looking down at the floor before

Damian can say anything. Rhea opens the bathroom door and sits back on the bed.

________________

Sorry if I missed spelled anything 🖤

[veryberryjelly]

Matcha Latte:

Matt Murdock x reader and this line from book The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo:

"I've spend half of my time loving her, and the other half hiding how much I love her"

Thanks ❣

𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭

i decided to do this as a part 2 to this request cause i think it matches so well !!

you had not seen or spoken to either of you parents after the absolutely atrocious way they treated you and matt.

and you had not missed their impact on your life.

you and matt had been incredibly happy with your relationship, as you had been before you ever told them you were together.

everything was good.

until your dad decided to pay matt a visit to try and talk him out of dating you.

you were at work, and matt was working on a case at your apartment because they were having some work done at the office, and he thought it odd to hear a knock on the door in the middle of the day.

he just assumed it was a package and thought nothing else of it, hoping they would just leave it at the door.

but when he heard his name in your fathers angry tone he whipped up from his place on the couch

" what are you doing here ? " matt questioned, knowing you wouldn't be too happy with your dad showing up at your shared flat.

" i came to talk about your relationship with my daughter. "

matt could not stop the audible sigh from leaving his lips.

" i have nothing to say to you about y/n. " he said, keeping his frame blocking the door so that he couldn't come in.

" matt, she is 22 years old. she's too young to know what she wants and it's disgusting that you want to take advantage of her. "

matt could feel the blood boiling in his veins and tired his best not to let his fist fly into your dad's jaw.

" i am not taking advantage of her. she is an adult. she knows what she's doing and what she wants. " his words were strained, not wanting to yell and disturb neighbours.

" she's half your age, murdock. you need to end this with her. she is too young to know what proper love is and you are sick for encouraging her to think you love her. "

that was the last straw for matt.

" she is the love of my life. i spend half my time loving her and the other half hiding how much i love her because of assholes like you who judge something they know nothing about. goodbye "

he shut the door in your dads face, sitting back down on the couch and letting out a sigh of frustration.

he didnt end up getting any work done until you walked in through the door, brining some joy back into his day.

[tuttle-4077]

Find the Word!

Find the words from the list in your WIPs and post the paragraph they belong to.

Thanks for the tag @benevolenterrancy. I've been working hard to clean out my WIPs, but I still have a few kicking around. I don't know how many words I'm going to find, but I'll see what's up.

Accident

“Now, you might remember that, after we rescued Miss Newkirk, we unsealed a new set of codes and couriered them to Papa Bear for immediate use,” Campbell continued. The other men nodded. “Gentlemen, those codes were found in the possession of the men we just arrested.”

There was a stunned silence. “But how?” O’Malley demanded. “It’s only been four days!” His face hardened. “Who had access to those codes?”

“The men in this room,” Sinclair answered. “And, of course, the couriers, I suppose.”

“And where are they?”

“We have them in interrogation now,” Campbell informed him. “But, so far, they seem legitimate.”

“Anyone else?” O’Malley asked.

Sinclair shook his head. “Not to my knowledge, sir. The codes were sealed and under lock and key. And Major Campbell and I drafted them in private.” It had been a brilliant code if he did say so himself. It was a shame that it was now compromised.

“Well Jerry didn’t get them by accident,” O’Malley said.

“We’re questioning the German agents,” Campbell reported. “But they, ah, will require more persuasive techniques.”

--From the as of yet untitled sequel to Papa Bear's List

Okay, that's more than a paragraph, but dialogue is funny that way.

Hope

“Perfectly,” he said stiffly while mentally cursing. He hoped she didn’t notice the tremble in his hand even while he ordered it to stop. “I really ought to be asking you that,” he continued. “How are you holding up, Miss Newkirk?”

--Another snippet from the PBL sequel

Touch

Carter gingerly touched his knee and gagged from the pain. He sucked in several quick breaths and looked down. He couldn’t see much in the darkness, but he could feel blood covering his hand and soaking his pant leg. The fact that he wasn’t dead yet and that the blood wasn’t squirting out of him meant the bullet hadn’t hit an artery, but Carter had to stem the flow of blood anyway. Awkwardly, he shucked off his shirt, wincing a little as he pulled his hand through the sleeve. He had had to break his thumb to free himself from the cuffs. All for nothing, he reminded himself sourly. And now his chances of escape were altogether abysmal even with the fact that Hochstetter hadn't bothered to cuff his hands again. 

--From Hochstetter's Revenge. This bit is technically not a WIP since it's posted, but the story itself is a WIP

Sweet

"How sweet,” Hochstetter said. “You must be a proud father. I’d hate for anything to happen to your children. So young.” He turned a dangerous eye to Carter. “On the couch, Sergeant," he ordered. Carter slowly backed up until he was seated. Hochstetter stayed near the entrance and surveyed the room.

--Another (posted) snippet from Hochstetter's Revenge

Yell Anger (no yell in my WIPs, so I used a word from a previous post)

Once he got over being mad at himself, he turned his anger towards London. They must have known the old mines were there—someone had told Hogan before he arrived—and they didn’t do anything about it. They could have started up the operation long before. Surely there was a British officer who was just as capable as Hogan. Why did they have to wait for him, of all people? There were times that Newkirk fancied that he could have been the leader. He was undoubtedly cunning enough to pull it off. One didn’t grow up on the streets of London without learning a trick or two. 

--From As the Romans Do, a sequel to Distant Sun

Ummmm. Okay. I don't know who's who on tumblr but let's see. @belphegor1982 and @yeaaaaaa-faebee and @frau-wilhelm-klink do you want to play? Do have WIPs?

Okay, here are some words: sigh, hint, heart, toast, operation

[rinwellisathing]

Papa Bhaal's House of Horrors Part 4

Enver tossed his coat and briefcase on one of the overstuffed couches in the cramped waiting room of his office as he returned to the trailer that night. His current security personnel, a tall red dragonborn and a burly half orc, both in Flaming Fist surplus (it certainly paid to have connections in the city) nodded to him as he entered the office and his personal assistant, a primly dressed tiefling woman with smooth black hair and purple skin, offered him the day's relevant files to look over before placing a glass of whiskey down on his desk for him and collecting her things. “Have a good night, Miss Everett.” Enver raised the glass to her. The woman nodded. “You as well, Mr. Gortash.”

Enver returned his focus to the papers on his desk, taking a sip from the whiskey glass and picking up one of the files, his eyes skimming over the words, barely able to focus. Most of these were legal documents found in the abandoned cars and campers of the family's victims, things Enver really wasn't 'dealing with' so much as making sure they disappeared to hinder identification. Still, it was always interesting to find out who these people had been. One never knew what a little knowledge, a little information, could be worth and so very often it paid to at least commit some things to memory. Besides that, he knew that for whatever reason, 'Papa' Sarevok expected his children to kill with a certain level of frequency. Sentry and Gary got antsy when they hadn't come across proper 'sacrifices' in a while and he would be lying if he said he didn't believe either man would turn on him if they were properly desperate. After all, that sense of danger was certainly part of what made fucking them so arousing. Still, Enver certainly didn't want to be their main course any time soon, and so he began to make note of some names and next of kin for past victims, people who might warrant an anonymous tip that maybe, just maybe, their loved one was still out there and in need of rescuing.

He wasn't sure how long he had been working when the scent of blood began to prick at his nostrils and a shadow cast over his paper before several were sent flying as a lean body flopped across his desk, those sharp, somewhat uneven teeth grinning up at him eagerly. “Hiiiii Envy.” Sentry grinned, pressing his blood slick fingers to the paper Enver was holding, pressing it down to look him in the eye. Enver sighed and shook his head but couldn't help but chuckle. “Sentry, what are you doing here at this hour?” “I got bored with my night time chores and the sacrifice won't be for hours, so I came to do a little extra credit for dear old dad...well, and do a solid for a friend.” He giggled. “I see, and you were so eager to see me again you just had to stop by...all covered in blood...tracking it into my office.” Enver blinked, peering past the tiefling and his eagerly wagging tail and towards the foot prints across the carpet. Sentry rolled his eyes. “Oh Fel will clean it up, you know him. They'll send him round to get me in a little while and he'll make it all good as new.” He waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, but also this is sort of business as well as social, because I've got some stuff for you.” He reached into the pocket of his flannel and produced a fine leather wallet, several gaudy rings, and a gold pendant Enver recognized as being popular in Amn.

He looked over the things Sentry had handed him and squeezed his eyes shut, inhaling deeply. “Sentry....These aren't from a tourist, are they?” The pretty tiefling shook his head, grin never leaving his face. “You killed your friend's boss, didn't you?” Enver sighed, rubbing his temples.

Sentry nodded, grin widening. “He was a prick anyway. I went to go talk to Rolan and see if he wanted anything I got from the car wreck earlier and his boss was there instead, he bitched at me for wasting time and said he'd fire my buddy.” “Did you at least clean up THAT mess?” “Don't worry, I hid him AND I made it look like 'The Mad Devil' did it in case anyone finds him.” Sentry grinned, clearly pleased with himself. “Dragged the body to the abandoned diner and everything!” “And no one saw you doing that?” Enver asked with concern. “Nope! All the windows were dark, most people are in bed at this hour...” He hinted coyly. Enver relaxed just a bit, there was something enticing about the way the blood slicked Sentry's pale, freckled skin. The way it accentuated his silvery hair. He pressed a hand to the tiefling's face, pulling him into a kiss, earning a deep, sensual purr and a nip at his lips. He unbuttoned his own green silk shirt and climbed up onto the desk, taking Sentry's wrists in his hands and deepening the kiss as he felt the tiefling's tail wrap around his leg eagerly.

------ 'Rolan, Hey buddy! I know what you said about more cassette tapes but my big brother said they're cluttering up the house and I need to get rid of them. Sorry! Also something came up and I need to stop by the lawyer's place so I can't do the pub tonight, but here's some gold to cover your drinks cause I left you high and dry like this! Thanks! Sentry'

Rolan blinked as he looked from the hastily scrawled chicken scratch letter to the box of cassette tapes and various articles of clothing and boxes of miscellaneous items his friend had left on the counter. He raised an eyebrow, surprised Lorroakan hadn't shouted at Sentry and chased him out of the store for this. Or maybe he had, thus the letter. He shrugged. It was closing time anyway and at least his friend had left him some pub money, this was honestly preferable as now he had a night to himself.

He pocketed the gold and the letter, beginning to close down the store, deciding he would inventory, price, and stock this junk tomorrow. A small, nagging thought at the back of his head wondered where his boss had gotten to. Lorroakan was irresponsible and incompetent, yes, but certainly he wouldn't leave the store unattended? Rolan shook his head. Of course he would. He would do it and then blame Rolan if anything happened, yet another stupid cruel 'test' to make Rolan 'really earn that tuition money'. He rolled his eyes and scoffed with disgust at the thought as he made his way out the door and locked up before heading down the road to The Waning Moon. He was eager to have a moment of down time after work before Cal and Lia came home, so he didn't spare a second glance into the alley behind the shop where the bins were located and the fall air had given way to allergy season, dulling his sense of smell. He didn't pick up on the coppery scent of blood coming from the bins. ----- “Officer Zevlor, I had no idea they had expanded the high way up into these woods...and here I thought they were protected habitat or whatever it is those druids preach.” Sheriff Z'rell was a tall, imposing female orc dressed in the dark grey uniform of Reithwin's Finest. Her arms were folded across her chest as she stalked a circle around Zevlor, looking him up and down with a smug sense of satisfaction, having caught him out of his jurisdiction. “Or could it be you're trying to act on my territory again? With your crackpot theories about murder cults and cannibals?” She scoffed, shaking her head. “You've seen too many bad movies, sir, and people around here don't take kindly to your haughty little city boy stereotypes.” “There was a wreck on the side of the road, Z'rell. I thought they might have come up this way looking for help.”Zevlor replied evenly. It wasn't entirely untrue, that WAS his initial thought, the idea that the family in that house might be up to no good was really secondary technically.

“Kar'niss and the others are hauling it to town as we speak. We take our jobs seriously here. Why don't you do the smart thing and get back to your beat? Or, if you really need a breather that badly, pop into The Waning Moon for a spell.” Z'rell took a step towards him, neatly between him and the clearest path towards the house now. The tiefling frowned, eyes narrowed as he looked from Z'rell to the house and then back the way he came. Pushing down a wave of anger, he weighed his options and let his expression soften, swallowing his pride and turning around. “I'll be at The Waning Moon, then. If the owners of the car show up, would you let me know? Just so I can get back to HQ with a resolution.” He sighed. Z'rell smirked. “Of course, so long as Judge Ketheric doesn't find anything questionable, no probable cause to detain them. Moonrise County business comes first, you understand.” Zevlor forced a smile and nodded. “Of course, Sheriff.”

----- Jaina could hear voices outside the bedroom door, she gently shook Wyll awake, brow furrowed as she listened intently to try and pick up what they were saying, but they sounded angry. One she recognized as the drow they'd met in the woods, but the other two hadn't spoken as much at dinner, so she was having trouble placing them. Her best guess was the dragonborn and the imposing human. “The father made him for you, Chosen. He is your responsibility.” One of the voices growled. “Already you let him run amok and reach beyond his place, I warned you this is what would come of indulging him.” “Well, at least we're beyond the denying him who he is bullshit, so that's progress.” A smooth, dangerous male voice cut in, the subtle reptilian hiss to it probably meant this was the Dragonborn. “At any rate, brother Sentry is young, but he understands how important tonight is, he will come when he's called.”

“Well time's running out and he was supposed to come right back after he took that shit to the incinerator. Worse than that, Orin refuses to listen to me, she's insisting she doesn't have to. He did that, it's his influence!” The Drow snapped. “Or the fact that you whine more than you actually contribute.” The Dragonborn replied lazily. “I know you're going to protest 'but Gary, I brought the sacrifices!' and you did. Good for you. But how long has it been since you've made a proper offering to father that wasn't a group effort?”

“I....that highway patrol guy....he's got an eye on me!” The drow sputtered. “Then be creative. Hunt somewhere else or make him your target.” The dragonborn sneered. “Now I know a big, strong patrolman with weapons is probably too big an ask for you, brother, but there is an entire commune of peaceful druids down in the valley ripe for the picking and yet you never bother.”

The conversation continued as Jaina leaned in close to Wyll. “Sacrifices?” “I heard that too” He nodded, frowning nervously towards the door. “I think it's time we found a way out of here.” Jaina inclined her head in agreement, scooting out of bed and making her way over to the window, attempting to open it with some effort before the strain in her arms became too much. Her eyes scanned the top for any sort of latch or lock, only to find that it had been broken off, leaving the window jammed. “Shit...” “Hey, what about this?” Wyll nodded towards a strange slat in the wall, about large enough for someone to perhaps crouch into. He pushed it open, revealing ropes hanging down. “A dumbwaiter.” “But what if it leads right into one of their rooms? Or worse, some kind of....I dunno, ritual chamber?” Jaina asked, gripping her upper arms nervously. “Is that any more dangerous than staying here and waiting for their brother to come back?” Wyll asked. “I guess not...” Jaina looked anxiously at the hole. ----- Alfira bolted upright in bed, eyes wide, breathing heavily. She threw off the covers and stumbled to her feet, hurrying blearily to the window and pulling back the curtain. Slowly, she pushed the window up to get a little fresh air, the nightmare still vivid in her mind. She was awake, she was safe. She was in her apartment in the back of the radio station back in sleepy little Reithwin Town, not the bloodstained performing arts building back at Elturgarde College. She told herself it had already been almost two years since Lihala's death, even if they somehow still hadn't caught the killer, whoever it was was a long way away.

She peered back towards the bed, watching the gentle ebb and flow of Lakrissa's soft breath as she slept, even letting the occasional snort or snore calm her and bring a smile of relief to her face. She was warm, alive, waiting for her. This was silly, nightmares couldn't hurt Alfira any more than those dumb horror movies her girlfriend loved so much. She turned to give one last glance out the window, the crescent sign reading 'Waning Moon' blinked in the distance and the night was quiet other than the low buzz of that and the few other neon signs that were still on. And another buzz, a different one, more frantic and uneven. The smell of blood tinged the night air somewhere nearby and Alfira tried to tell herself this was a hallucination, a side effect of the nightmare, but no. She heard flies buzzing and she smelled blood. Warily, she closed the window, flicking the lock on it before going to pull her hoodie from the door knob and slip on her canvas sneakers, grabbing her keys from the table as she slowly and quietly made her way out of her apartment. A small part of her was screaming at her to go back to bed, whatever this was didn't concern her, she was putting herself in unnecessary danger over something that wasn't her business. Another part still told her it was just some unlucky animal a dog or cat had gotten to, something so mundane and unimportant...But if it was, she needed to know that for a fact. She reasoned that she could not safely return to her bed without making certain that was all this was.

She slowly made her way down the side street and into the back alley between Sorcerous Salvage and Last Light FM, moving as quietly and cautiously as she was able. She barely even breathed, afraid that slightest bit of sound would cost her everything, and when she finally reached the bins behind the shop, she swiftly covered her mouth with her hands and bit back a scream of terror as she saw the carnage that awaited her there. ---- Rolan looked up as he heard the bell above the bar's door ring, signifying someone else entering the establishment which he seemed determined to remain in as long as possible. His eyes darted towards the door and as quickly as he'd looked over, he turned back to his drink, face flushed and head lowered as that highway patrol officer, handsome...well...if you liked older men that is, Rolan supposed, entered the bar and approached the counter, taking a seat a few down from him. “Ah! Patrolman! Welcome! What're you drinking tonight?” Thisobald boomed enthusiastically, bringing down a dubiously clean mug and placing it in front of Zevlor. “Ah...whiskey, I suppose...no ice...” Zevlor murmured, accepting the drink as the boisterous barman poured it for him. There was something in his voice, Rolan noticed. A note of worry. The younger tiefling decided to ignore it. It wasn't his business and anyway, Zevlor's looks didn't negate the fact that he was an outsider here sticking his nose in local business and making things difficult. Rolan hated that do-gooder nonsense. He'd learned all his life you keep your head down and watch out for your own, it had served him well so far, and it was what would eventually get him and his siblings out of here and to the city. Still, he couldn't help but spare the occasional glance at Zevlor, curious what was bothering him.

As the two drank in silence, the door jingled again and Alfira stumbled in, eyes wide with terror, struggling to find the words to say. She was dressed in pajamas still, a hoodie and sneakers haphazardly thrown on and her hair still wild from sleep. All three men looked at her, Rolan's eyes wide with surprise, Zevlor's face brimming with concern, and Thisobald pulling down another mug. “T....There......He....It's....oh gods.....” Alfira whimpered between small frightened sobs. “Take a deep breath, girl. We're listening.” Zevlor held out his hands in a gesture of peace. “There's been a murder.” Alfira managed, sinking into a chair and breathing heavily.

[cakemagemaeve]

On Friday, we said goodbye to our last dog, Pippin. He was an old man, and it was clear that the Rimadyl was having less and less of an effect on his arthritis, and so on Monday I made his final appointment, and we proceeded to spend the next few days spoiling him as hard as we could and doing everything we could to make sure he knew how much we love him. We showered him with treats, tummy-rubs, and back massages with my old curry-comb. Also, this year my family had hamburgers for Christmas dinner (why? Because we had hot dogs for Thanksgiving dinner.) and mom made him his own patty, which he deeply enjoyed even if it had to be slowly fed to him piece-by-piece. Mom also took him for short walks every day (Pippin loved us all, but he was unquestionably her dog), and he'd get so excited every time, though it clearly took a lot out of him as well.

We all went to the vet with him on Friday, and when they gave him the anesthesia, they put him on the exam table, which had a soft, plush blanket on it for extra comfort. After she administered the meds the vet said we could put him on the couch while we waited for them to kick in, but when dad went to pick him up, he picked the blanket up with him, which immediately proved to be a big mistake when Pippin slipped right out of it and onto the floor, nose-first. If you're thinking that it must have been utterly horrifying beyond reason, then you're right. I'm still kind of in shock, and I truly don't know if I'll ever be over it. It just keeps replaying over and over in my mind and it hurts more every time. It was just a freak accident, but oh, it was the last thing Pippin deserved and I hate hate hate that his last few minutes were that much more painful for him (and us). Needless to say, it messed dad up pretty badly too, and he feels incredibly guilty about it, and he probably always will. I know I would.

We finally got Pippin settled on the office couch, laying between me and mom (his favorite place to be). We petted him and apologized to him and told him over and over what a good dog he was (and he was. He was such a good dog) while the medication slowly took effect. He fought it, though. He kept trying to stay awake, like he wasn't ready to go just yet, and so of course that left us all feeling even more guilty and conflicted than before. Eventually though, he went under, and the vet came and gave him his final shot while all three of us had our hands on him, and he quietly slipped away.

Dad had already dug the grave (right next to his brother Jig's), so when we got home we brought him inside so that the cats could see him one last time. Pippin was beloved by all of the cats, especially the kittens. He had an extra-special bond with both Sir Cheeto and his older half-sister Squeaktoy (they have the same dad, a clever stray named Joe Dirt, whom we've been trying to capture and neuter for years). Squeak sniffed at his body and then ran out of the room (she's been through this before with Jig and Sokka), but poor Cheeto just kept pawing at Pippin's face and nudging him with his nose like he was trying to wake him up, and it was utterly devastating to watch.

We then carried Pippin back outside, and dad gently lowered him into the hole. He looked so peaceful, like he was only sleeping. We each threw a handful of dirt over him (it's a family tradition), and then Mom and I stayed and watched as dad finished burying him. It was a deeply traumatic and painful experience all around, but at least he's not hurting anymore, and he never will again. Cold comfort perhaps, but it's all we have.

You know what's weird, though? I haven't really cried once since he died. I teared up a little at the vet's office and while we were burying him (and right now as I type this), but I haven't wept for him the way I have for every other animal I've lost. I cried for his brother earlier this year, and I cried for dad's cat Miss Chi, but I still haven't cried for Pippin and I don't know why. My mom says it's most likely because of my medications, and she's probably right, but I still feel like a horrible person. Pippin was such a wonderful little dog and I miss him terribly. The house feels so wrong without him. The past few days have been utterly surreal, and I feel so empty inside, like I'm barely even present most of the time. I've just been running on auto-pilot. And yet at the same time, I'm going through a manic phase that has me barely able to keep still or sleep or focus on anything. It's like part of me is climbing the walls like a feral cat, while the other part of me is stuck in a grey void of numbness listening to the sounds of static. It kinda sucks. Wonder if I need my meds adjusted again. Anyway, I may not be able to process emotions properly right now, but I know that I'll always love and miss that sweet dog.

Goodbye, Pippin Moon Moon Hellhound. You were an amazing dog and a deeply beloved member of my family. I was lucky I got to have you in my life for so long. It was a privilege to get to be there to welcome you and your brother Jig the White Devil Hellhound into the world and I'm glad I could be there with you (both of you) when you left it, too. Sweet dreams, Pippin. I love you. Say hi to Jig, Mac and Sokka.

[lost-girl-2021]

Do have any head cannons for the Days into Decades characters?

I have a couple that I've (mostly) worked into the story, but here're some random thoughts.

KIRI

Kiri is low-key a drug dealer. Like, not in a shady way, just 'in the spirit of enlightenment' sort of way. She started smoking maybe a year or two before, the summer before she started high school, and she may or may not have a small garden growing under her conveniently high bed.

She wants to be a doctor, but wants to specialize in homeopathic/alternative medicines. She volunteers/interns as a candy striper type of thing at the hospital where her mom works and enjoys spending time at the hospital. However, she also has seen the dangers of painkillers and their addictive properties, which spurred her interest in alternative medicine.

She wants to be a doctors because of her mom, both of them. Growing up, she saw Neytiri as a hero, saving lives and curing people. When she was old enough to understand what happened to Grace (I think I said she was dead-dead in this one, I don't remember anymore) it inspired her to become a doctor even more. Because, while her mother was more of a scientist than a healer, she was working to help people just like Neytiri. Both of them are her heroes and she is eager to be like them.

NETEYAM

Neteyam is definitely a studier. He's very strict with himself when it comes to schoolwork (and pretty much everything). He skipped a grade in school, not just because he's super smart, but because he's been so dedicated to his studies, to the point where he'd been bumped up a grade in junior high.

He's also a private person. He doesn't really hide anything from his friends and family, so much as he just doesn't feel the need to share every little thing. He's pretty self-reliant and he kind of acts like a self-cleaning oven sometimes. He does everything and takes care of himself in every way, which sometimes brings to him shutting people out on accident. Because, he doesn't need anyone or anything and he has to remember that other people don't run at 100% capacity like he seems to.

Probably will have a small mental breakdown sometime during his first semester at college. Because, even though he's been preparing for this for years, he's never been away from his family for so long and he misses home and he just needs a break. Probably cries as soon as he gets home for winter break, freaking out absolutely everyone. His mom is convinced he's injured, his dad flat out carries him to a couch or his bed, his siblings are running around like chickens with their heads cut off.

He dates. I'm not saying Neteyam is a player or anything, but contrary to his sibling's (and Spider's) belief, he dates. He's had two girlfriends, one no more than a middle school fling. He's currently back with his second girlfriend in Days Into Decades, but they're keeping it casual, to say the least. She kind of bossy, which works out well because he needs to learn how to relax and nobody else can talk him away from studying.

LO'AK

My dude Lo'ak is kind of crazy. Like, not crazy, but he's just chaotic as fuck. Probably has ADHD, and definitely needs someone to tell him he's going too far sometimes. That's part of why him and Tsireya work so well. She's calm where he's energetic and he's spontaneous where she's detail-oriented. Yin and Yang style.

Lo'ak feels like the odd one out in his family, sometimes. Unlike in canon, he's not particularly different species-wise ig, but he's constantly comparing himself to his siblings. It feels like everyone has there place except him. Neteyam is going to become an officer in the military or something and Lo'ak knows he doesn't have the discipline for all of that. Kiri is basically a doctor in her own right at this point, always glued to their mother's side when they aren't at school. Tuk is the baby, the apple of her parent's eye. She can do no wrong. And, in the past couple of years, Lo'ak feels like all he can do is wrong.

Spider makes him feel better, when they're together. They have the most in common out of everyone, between skating and music (and weed). When Spider moved, it hit him especially hard, because they hadn't talked in forever and just as they repaired their friendship, he was gone.

I like the idea that Lo'ak used to sneak over when he was mad at his parents, or when he knew Spider had a particularly shitty day. The McGregor's had a gazillion guest rooms, but Lo'ak would stay with Spider, either crashing on the bean bag or ending up sprawled on the bed next to Spider (100% platonically, FYI). Usually he'd wake up with hair or a foot in his face, but it was usually worth it.

TUK

Tuk is just vibing in this AU. She goes to elementary school and then her dad picks her up and they usually get ice cream or go to the library for an hour or so until her siblings get out of school. Every drawing goes on the fridge.

Probably one of those kids who collects cool bugs and then tries to figure out what kind they are. Butterflies too. She tried to catch a bird once, but it didn't work out well. She got to hold a baby chick once though and she didn't stop talking about it for at least two weeks.

Sees Spider as just another one of her brothers, even if he doesn't live with them. Before he went to live with Quaritch, he'd ride with them to school every day and he'd been around constantly for as long as Tuk can remember. She doesn't even question it, just accepts it as a fact. Cause, Kiri has a birth mom and then a mom-mom and she's still Tuk's sister, so obviously it works the same with Spider.

NEYTIRI

Neytiri is like Cristina Yang plus a strong family drive. Badass, and cutthroat when she needs to be. All the new doctors/nurses/staff are surprised as fuck when scary Dr. Sully shows up with an actual ray of sunshine named Kiri, who's the scariest doctor's daughter. (Kiri thinks this is very funny and feeds into the rumor mill of how scary her mom is).

She works long hours, but they're steady and after so long at the hospital she's managed to secure weekends off for the most part. Her shifts are 48 hours, but she usually manages to go home for an hour or two to say goodnight to her children or have dinner with them.

JAKE

Works Private Security now that he's out of the army. Usually a goofy guy, full of dad jokes and shit, but when it comes to serious stuff it's a complete switch. The kids all know that mom's the strict one, but Dad's the one they don't want to get mad. He'll ground someone for a whole week just for cursing. Lo'ak once shoplifted when he was twelve and he lost his skateboard for the summer.

PTA dad. Knows all the events, has a whole calender that's color-coded and everything. Knows other parents by first names. He treats it like a very important job. (All the other PTA moms are jealous of Neytiri, some of the school bs is just so boring, they'd love husbands who wanted to take over the bake sale).

SPIDER

Has and will be grouped in with the Sully kids. Not even just by Jake and Neytiri, but the school and people around town. Like, the school faculty know he's a foster kid and they just kind of assume he's the Sully's foster kid. So do classmates who always see them together, carpooling and hanging out and stuff. Like, some of them have been going to school together since kindergarten, it's just kind of an unspoken acknowledgment.

Jake and Neytiri have definitely punished him before (usually when he does something stupid alongside one of their kids and he's caught with them). He's had his skateboard taken, been put in time-outs, etc. Mostly when he was younger and fully a wild child. One time jake saw him at a coffee shop when he was supposed to be in school and went full truant officer on him.

[emocka]

Letters for the heart

Aether x reader

Plot: Aether died in a crash. It broke you. A peice of you went missing when his eye went blank. But little did you know he left several letters for you.

Note: I figured it was a time I faced my grandmother's passing after 2 years and 8 months. This is for those who are struggling to face the reality of a loved one passing. The rant reader gives is a rant I went through as well. Everyone grieves differently.

Notes:angst with some comfort. Everyone is aged up for obvious reasons, mentions of past violence, and disasters

Final note: caelus is the trailblazer name in atar rail, and someone drew something with both caelus and aether in it

'Come closer' He said cupping your cheek.

You did as he said.

'I'm so sorry kit kat know I love you.' He said before kissing your cheek gently. He hand fell on the bed.

You wailed as the light in his eyes went dull. The monitor flat lining. Doctors and nurses rushed to help him. One nurse gently guided you out of the room.

A few minutes he was pronounced dead. You cried as a nurse led you down the hall to a quiet room.

'I'm sorry for your loss' He said as he sat you down. 'IF you want anything just call'

With that he left you alone.

You sobbed for hours. The reality hitting you hard.

Your husband of 25 years was gone. No more making new memories, no more dancing in the living room, spending time in the backyard watching the rain fall, stealing his jacket before work, it was all gone.

There was a knock on the door. You looked up as the same nurse entered the room.

'I know your having a hard time but they were going to throw these out.' He held up aether scarf and jacket. You lunged out of the chair grabbing them.

'What about his wedding ring?' You asked quietly wrapping the scarf around your neck.

'Would you like his jewelry?' The nurse asked.

'Please' you whispered burying your face in the jacket.

'OK. I'll grab it all.' He left.

You started crying again. Keeping your face in the jacket. You wished you had prevented him from leaving this morning.

The nurse returned.

'Hey, I have his earrings and wedding ring' He said holding them out for you.

You took them thanking the nurse before asking where the exit was.

----

The next several days were difficult for you. You were sleeping on the couch, trying to avoid the bedroom. Your fifteen year old daughter Reyna worried sick. Your sister in law calling, trying to get you to get up.

'Hey mom, look what I found' Reyna said. 'Dad left a letter behind'

You looked at her confused. Letter? She held out a lavender envelope. On it in his handwriting was your name. Reaching out slowly you took it and stared.

'Buts he's dead...this is...' You stared at it more before opening the letter up.

Dear kit kat,

So your probably curious as to why I started calling you kit kat. Well remember the incident back in college? The one that landed you in the deans office with a week suspension?

You fought someone over a kit kat bar. We were at a party that night and you had it in your hand. Some guy snatched it out of your hand and ate it in front you.

I've never seen someone so angry over a piece of candy that they curbed stomped their butt. I almost didn't pull you off him but while he did deserve it I couldn't stand to see you in jail so I pulled you off him. Who knew you had it in you to beat someone bloody.

That night we went to my dorm room and hung out. You were crying due to the time of the month. You were in a lot of pain. So i bandaged your hands then gave you a kiss.

Thats when I started calling you kit kat. You remember what I say everytime you asked for one?

'Kit kat for my kit kat?' You roll your eyes every time i say that line.

I should wrap this up. But know I love you so much.

Your prince,

Aether ♡

You sniffed as your daughter fell on the floor laughing.

'You got into a physical fight in college? Over some candy?!' Reyna laughed more

'Hey, when you're on your monthly and craving something only for someone to snatch it out of your hands, you get down to business and beat someone heads!' You glared at her. 'Where did you find this?'

'I was in the kitchen when I opened the spice cabinet.' She said, sitting up. It was taped on the door. Are you doing ok?'

You nodded a small smile appearing.

'Yea I'm doing ok' you hugged the letter close.

'So what's next?' She asked.

'I don't know...I don't know' you trembled slightly.

'Hey well be ok! I promise!' Reyna said trying to cheer you up. 'Oh I have an idea!'

You looked at the child as she ran off.

----

You were cleaning the living room when you stumbled across another letter. Same colored envelope same handwriting.

Dear princess,

What a night huh? Started off with classes ending in the hospital. Why did we agree to that stupid party?

Oh well hope your head feeling better cause we need to shop for a new table since the one we had broke. We also received a noise complaint from the neighbors. That party was ok. I'm just glad we came home. Though I'm curious as what drove you to asking me to do body shots.

Oh God. You remember that night. You two were alone doing body shots which led to an intense make out session. The table broke under the weight of two people. Aether had managed to protect you but you still hit your head against his hard.

I wonder if you remember what you told me last night. You sounded scared of the future. You asked if we would ever break up. I told you no it wouldn't happen. Your to precious to break up with.

All that aside I think we learned our lesson on body shots and tables. Not to say it won't happen again I did enjoy it ;).

Love you,

Aether

You smiled at the letter and the memory.

'I really miss you,' you said out loud. 'I wonder...'

You looked down the hall at the bedroom you shared with him.

'Should i?'

----

'Hey mom?' You looked up from photo album. 'You said dad left something for me?'

You nodded standing up. Walking over to the desk you pulled open the drawer and collected his wedding ring.

'I want you to have this' you held it out.

She looked at the ring before shaking her head no.

'I want you to have that. Can I redeem it for something else instead?' She asked.

You raised an eyebrow as she pointed at the scarf.

'I want dad's scarf. I have more memories with the scarf than the ring.'

You nodded placing the ring back in the drawer.

'Thanks mom' she hugged you. 'Hey wanna go out to the movies? They have some good one right now'

You hugged her back smiling.

'Yea let's go.'

----

'Hi lumine,' you were standing at the front door.

Lumine had shown up at your door. Why? You weren't sure.

'His things are still in the bedroom.' You stepped aside as she entered heading for the room.

'Where's his wedding ring? I want that.'

'No. Your not getting it. That mine.' You said. 'I gave him that not you.'

'Give me the wedding ring' She demanded.

'No'a voice said. You looked over and saw lumine mom. 'The wedding ring holds many memories for her. For archons sake lumine. The ring is hers. Lets go. Y/n dear? I hope you come by soon. We love you' the two left.

'Mom was that grandma I just saw in the drive way?' Reyna asked walking in confused.

You nodded.

'Your friend willing to let you sleep over? I have to work tonight'

She nodded.

'Yea she said her dad kazuha said it was fine.' Reyna looked at you. 'I can go get a job to help with the bills'

'No. Focus on school and friends. Besides work is making some arrangements for me to do it at home. So this situation is almost over.' You looked at her.

'Mom...I know it's been hard since he passed away. I see how bad it affected you.' Reyna approached you. 'You need a break or help. I want my mom back. The fun loving smart sassy mom.'

You watched as she cried going in for a hug. You accepted the hug.

'Mom just take a break please, do it for me' she mumbled in your shoulder.

Tears streaked your face.

'Please mom' Reyna asked. 'Please?'

'I can't . When the house is empty I feel alone. It so empty without him.'

'I know mom. I feel the same way but he wouldn't want us to be this way. He'd want us to perk up and have fun. Do you want to know what dad told me?'

You nodded.

'A few years ago I asked him how much he loved you. His response? He'd follow you across time. Everytime he looked at you it was like the first day You met all over again. So let live a happier life. His presence is still around us. Let try ok?'

You sobbed as she spoke. Reyna tightened the hug.

'We'll both do it for him ok?' She cried.

'When did you become a therapist?' You asked.

----

Reyna held the shoe box close. What you didn't know was the aether had given her a bunch of letters. She had counted over thousands of them. It was like he was writing every hour of the day.

....

'Rey?' She looked up as aether walked in.

In his arms was a box.

'I want you to have these.' He held the box out.

'What this dad?' She asked taking the box.

'Believe ot or not those are letters to your mom. Would you believe me if I told you I was writing these since I was twelve years old?'

'What? You told me you met in college!?' Reyna giggled.

'Officially yes but what she doesn't know is that I was the child bully in elementary school. I got my kumpets later for that.'

'You use to make fun of mom?' She asked.

He nodded. 'How did it bite you in the butt?'

'In the form of my sister knocking me out' He said laughing

'You got ko'ed by aunt lumi?' He nodded.

'Say Rey? If you ever fall in love, treat them well, ok?' Aether looked at her '. You never know what can happen.'

'AETHER. DID YOU CAN LUMINE?' You shouted.

'Oh darn I forgot it was date night' He ran out of her room.

....

'OK. I'm gonna hide this one on the couch.' Reyna said.

She did just that. Placing the letter in the couch while you were in the kitchen cooking. You found the letter.

Dear kit kat,

As I write this I can still hear the screams and sobbing. This has been a bad week for us. First the bomb threat then the school shooting now it the hurricane.

The shooting and hurricane were the worst.

I can still hear your screams from the hurricane. My heart sank. I know it was scary for the both of us. Hell I cried with you while we we in the tub during the storm.

To make up for the disasters, I'm going to take you on a week vacation. School is closed for the week. Who knows, maybe we'll get lucky and well have decent TV shows to watch. I promise you a lot of cuddles and 'cuddles'

Love

Aether ;)

You recalled those events. You and aether hid in the girls bathroom. You were crying terrified of what was going to happen. Aether held you hand over your mouth lips touching your temple constantly, your head against his chest.

During the hurricane you were both hiding in the tub. Aether was indeed crying but he kept silent while you were screaming. You were so terrified. In the end you both fell asleep in said tub. The only warmth you both had was his jacket. He had put it on you to keep you warm. He was the first to wake up checking on you making sure you were ok.

'Hey kit kat, it's over' He said waking you up gently. 'Lets get out of the tub and in an actual bed.'

You smiled at the memory towards the end.

'Thank for the letter prince' you said hugging it to your chest.

Suddenly there was a knock on your door. You went to answer it.

Opening the door you looked at your brother.

'Hiezou?' You looked at him 'why are you here?'

He didn't answer instead opting to hug you. You hugged him back..

'Mom told me what happened. ' He said. 'I'm sorry for your loss'

'Thanks.' You said.

'I also came by to see my neice.' He said.

'HIEZOU' You jumped at Reyna voice.

She ran and crashed into you and him.

'OK. Lemme go. Hiezou how long you staying?' You asked pushing arms off you.

'Awhile. Not sure when.' He said as you got up.

'OK um-' you started.

'I'll take the couch' He said hugging reyna.

Oh. You left the room.

---

It was half past nine and you were staring at the bedroom door. You want to go in but your were panicking. It was becoming too much.

'OK y/n' you whispered. '1...2...3!'

You swung the bedroom door open, taking a deep breath you walked in. Looking around the room was the same. Aether desks clean and organized, your desk slightly messy. One side of the room was filled with stuffed animals. Your wedding photo hug by the bed which was shoved in the corner. Next to it was another picture you in a cheer uniform him in his college volleyball uniform. He had you up in his arms. It was the day you two got engaged.

He had gotten down on one knee after winning a volleyball state championship. You said yes. You recalled him saying you'll marry after graduation.

Walking over to the bed you grabbed the picture hugging it close.

'I hope your in a better place'you whispered before lying down in the bed.

That night Reyna snuck in the room to place a letter under the pillow. She came out only to be caught by hiezou.

'Its a long story if your curious' She said looking at him.

'I love stories so tell me in the living room' He smiled.

----

You groaned as the sun peeked through the window. Turning around you slide your hand under the pillow behind your head. You felt it. Opening your eyes more you pulled the letter from the pillow. Smiling at the letter you opened it.

Dear kitten,

I'm going to kill that guy! He had no right to ask you about your body. And he didnt see the ring?!

I'm sorry he made you insecure. I know you don't want to be touched right now. Maybe we can discuss this tomorrow. I think I'll surprise you with something special.

I'm gonna head to bed soon. Hopefully you'll be up for a hug tomorrow.

Love you,

Aether

Oh that's right. That did happen. Some dude kept asking about your body commenting on your chest and how small it was. You remember crying as aether told him for the hundredth time to stop it. When it came to the comment about your chest aether had socked the guy in the jaw. The guy was out cold on the floor while aether rushed you out. You did not want to be touched after that comment. Aether respected that opting you stay next to you. The next morning he was sleeping in his own bed. So you crawled over to him. He had a small smile on his face as he pulled the comforter over your heads.

'Sleep in kitkat' He said before planting a kiss to your head.

----

'Mom?' You looked at Reyna. 'Can i have dad's jac-'

'No' you said.

'But-' She began

'No.'

'Why? You have his ring.' She said. 'I want his jacket.'

'Too bad I said no' you glared at her.

'I want the jacket mom. You don't even wear it. I want it. Just let me-'

'You have his scarf.'

'So I cant have his jacket too. Why so attached to it?'

'Why are you asking for it?'

'I don't know. Why are you attached to it?'

'Were you the one who was hiding in a girls bathroom when shots were fired? Hurricane causing you to fall asleep with him in the bathtub? Three earthquakes? Two floods? The night I announced we were expecting? When I was giving birth? Oh what about the college dance? He was wearing that jacket during those events. That jacket hold many memories both good and bad.' You glared at her. 'I won't let you have it.'

'Mom it just his volleyball jacket from college'

'Yea and? It holds a lot of memories. You not getting it and that's final' you left the kitchen.

She stood there dumbfounded. Over a piece of clothes? She just wanted it cause why not?

So she decided to do something she never done.

----

You were at work when she took it. Former nurse turned dispatcher. Answering emergency calls.

'Hey y/n?' The trainee asked 'I have someone on the line about to give birth'

You switched over to the line guiding them through the process.

'Oh I did it!' The person said as you heard cries. 'Here babe. You did it.'

You smiled as tear pricked your eyes.

'Ma'am?'You heard the women. 'Do you know any good boy names.'

'Oh no. My husband and I had a daughter. Never got around to having another child.' You said a few tears falling.

'Oh.' The was a pause before she asked. 'What was his name?'

'Aether Caelus' you said.

'Oh.' You heard the male in the background 'those are wonderful names'

'Aether it is' you burst in to sobs at that.

'Are you ok?' Your co worker asked.

You nodded hanging up on the call.

'Its so hard! How do you process a death?! Especially when you were suppose to tell him your were expecting?!'

'I processed my mom's death by writing letters, and going to therapy.' She said. 'How have you been coping?'

'I've been finding letter around the house lately' you sniffed taking off your ear piece 'the dates start from college. I've found four so far.'

'Reading them help?' She asked.

'It just takes me down memory lane' you said.

'Do you feel better after you've read them?' She asked again.

'Yea' you looked at your coworker.

'Start there and go' She smiled. 'It'll get better'

----

'Hey mom...'you looked at Reyna. 'So I did something bad'

.....

She lost the jacket. She took it off. One moment of was on her desk the next it was gone.

Reyna went into full panic mode.

'Reyna? What wrong' tomo asked her.

'I lost my dad's jacket. The one my mom wouldn't let me have' she panicked. 'That jacket hold meaning for my mom'

'What does it look like?' He asked concerned.

'White and gold with the number 4' she began. 'It has dad's last name on it'

'What's his last name'

'In college it was Caelus.'

He nodded.

....

'You took it?' You asked quietly. 'Despite my saying to not?'

She nodded sobbing.

'Fine. Your grounded. One week no tomo' you said.

'What did i-' tomo started

'No Tomo!' You glared at him.

'No Tomo' He left.

'I'm gonna finish dinner. Go do your homework' you said turning back to the stove.

'O-ok'she left.

You finished cooking serving a plate for Reyna. After you called her to eat you went to the bedroom to cry.

Reyna sat at the table looking at the food.

'I'm sorry. I didn't realize how much it meant.' She left the table food untouched. Heizou entered the house the moment she left the kitchen.

'You ok?' He asked her.

'Heizou? How important was dad's jacket to mom? How many memories does it hold for her?' Reyna looked at her.

'Too many to count. The first memory of the jacket happens to be the first time they actully talked. You mother accidentally knocked him out with her baton.' Heizou smiled.

'Huh?'

'Its a long story' He said sitting down 'wanna hear it?'

'Yea' Reyna sat back down.

'Freshman year of college. We were in week two'

....

Aether sighed.

'Lumine why?' He asked her.

'I don't know. Mom said it.' She replied twirling her hair. 'Come. Their about to start the baton twirling.'

'GO ARCHONS!' They looked over at the cheerleaders. They were in a giant pyramid. 'And down. SLOWLY PEOPLE! THAT HOW WE BREAK OUR LEGS'

You were at the top of the pyramid listening to the captain. You looked behind you to see the guy arms out waiting for you. You fell backwards into his arms.

'Thanks' you said getting on your feet.

'OK girls when you have finished disassembling grab a baton.' The captain said helping girls down.

'So why are we here watching this? I have practice in a hour' Aether watched you. 'Is that y/n?'

Lumine looked at him.

'You have hearts for eyes. Yes it her. You saw her last year.' She said rolling her eyes. 'Just go talk to her. She probably forgot about the whole bully situation.'

'I dont like her. And o was making dun of her' He looked at lumine. 'You know how kids pull on girls hair because they like them?'

'Really? So you teased her to the point of crying?' She asked raising and eyebrow.

'OK I'll admit i took it too far but regardless I had still do have the biggest crush on her.' He said staring at you.

'Weird way of showing it' lumine muttered punching his arm.

'Ow what was that for?' Aether asked rubbing his arm.

'Just go talk to her.' Lumine smiled.

'OK girls you can practice tossing and catching. I'm gonna take care a of a few things. Feel free to leave when it's five thirty.' The cheer captain said before leaving.

The squad stayed talking and tossing the batons. Aether sighed before standing up from the bleachers.

'Come on. I need to go talk to the volleyball captain. He said he has my jacket ready.'

Lumine looked at him.

'Yea ok.' She sighed standing up. They retrieved his jacket.

'Oh and don't forget physical' the coach said.

The two started walking from the office. As you had tossed the baton up in the air twirling around.

The next two seconds slowed down for you both. Aether looked up as you stared in horror.

'Look out!' You shouted.

Aether just stood there as the baton hit him.

'Oh my archons I am so sorry!' You ran over to him. 'This is my fault.'

You started running a mental checklist.

'He conked out.' You brought your phone out calling heizou.

Heizou came and with his help you managed to get him in the car. Heizou threw a fit when aether woke up throwing up.

'NOT MY CAR!' Heizou shrieked.

'Oh shut up.' You replied smacking his shoulder. 'We both own this car. I'm the one paying the insurance. Mom and dad gave it to both of us for college. Shut your gay ass up and PAY ATTENTION! YOU IDIOT!'

Heizou swerved to avoid a crash. Aether whimpered at the movement before blacking out.

'Hey its ok' you said quietly rubbing his head.

'How do you know im gay?' He asked.

'Were twins. Trust me I've known since we were 12' you replied. 'Plus your crush on the next door neighbor kazuha'

---

'OK so he has a concussion. Luckily it's a mild one. All you need to do is make sure he's getting rest.' The nurse said.

You nodded.

'OK here a list of mods he can take to help with a headache' you took the paper. 'You two have a great day.'

The nurse left.

'Your pretty' Aether said.

'Thanks. Let's go back to campus. Heizou took the car so I'll order a rideshare' you smiled at him before unlocking your phone.

......

'What other memories?' She asked.

'Well I think she and your dad had their first kiss at a theater. From what I saw he had given her the jacket cause it was cold. There the shooting that happened. Now that was scary. Um earthquakes, hurricanes, proposal, day of your birth, school dance, the fight,'

'Fight?' Reyna asked.

'Your dad got into a fist fight with someone at a bar and landed in jail for it. Your mom bailed him out. He was very protective of your mom. To the point that he got suspended three times.'

'What was the fight about?' Reyna looked at him curious.

'Remember what we're always teaching you? About being safe whem drinking?' He asked smiling.

'Yea, im not an adult though'She replied confused.

'Ah ah ah. What's the rule?' He gave her a look.

'Any thing I drink can be spiked soda, water. If i suspect its been apiked report it.' She sighed. 'So?'

'Someone spiked your moms drink on thier third year anniversary while they were at a bar. Aether noticed she was acting out of sorts and tracked down the person after he got her to the hospital. That fight got him a two week suspension jail and off the court for one game' heizou looked at reyna. 'He was serious about her safety.'

'I see'reyna looked at the floor. 'I see why the jacket is important.'

'Want help finding it' He asked.

'Please.'

-----

You were sleeping when heizou snuck in.

'Hey sis' He whispered 'I found it. Had to pay up money for it.'

Heizou placed the jacket on the bed.

'I know your hurting and trying to hold on to what you can. And that's fine but I think his death is taking you down. Mom says you haven't been to visit her. She say your throwing yourself into your work.'

You stirred slightly adjusting your position. Heizou went quiet as you mumbled.

'Aether...I miscarried' a few tears escape. 'I'm sorry'

Heizou took a deep breath.

'We should sit down and talk about it' He sighed quietly leaving the bedroom.

Reyna snuck in after him placing a letter on the jacket.

---

You woke up the next morning tears streaming down your face. The dream you had felt real. You were talking to him, telling him.you miscarried. The kiss felt real.

But the kiss wasn't. Sitting up you looked around before spotting the letter and jacket. You lunged for the items. Hugging the jacket you looked at the letter. Putting the jacket down you opened the letter carefully.

Dear princess,

I know your feeling really depressed. I did research on postpartum depression and pulled a plan for us. What your going through breaks my heart. I see how it affecting you. It's why I helped you bathe. I know you were embarrassed about the whole thing but I don't care. I just want my precious wife to be happy.

I'm going to ask my sister to take Reyna for a few days. I think we could use some time alone. Maybe catch up on sleep, watch some TV. That one Kdrama you haven't watched for a while released a new season. If you want we can also go out to eat.

I know I can't experience what your going through but I do know you need support. I'll be that support.

Love,

Aether

You smiled going down memory lane.

.....

'Hey kit kat can you come with me?'Aether asked.

You had just put Reyna down for her nap. Your face was stained with tear streaks. You nodded following him.

Aether took your hand guiding to the bathroom. The shower was running. You cried embarrassed for letting yourself go.

'Hey don't cry' He cupped your cheek. 'I want to do this. Come on. Let undress.'

Aether kissed your cheek as he helped you in the shower.

You guys were out an hour later. Aether was Towel drying your hair.

'You want to braid it? Curl it?' He asked as he ran his hand through your hair.

It was mostly dry now.

'Curl it please' you said quielty.

'OK. Let me get the hair dryer and curler.' Aether planted a gentle kiss on your head.

He climbed off the bed and went in the bathroom to retrieve said items among a few other things.

Aether had a hair routine that you occasionally followed. Returning back he went behind you and started the routine. After running the dryer he started curling it.

'Hey princess. What do you want to do tonight?' He pulled at the newly made curl gently, making it fluffy.

'I want take out and sleep.' You replied enjoying the warmth from the curling iron. 'When did you learn to use a curling iron?'

'Watching you' Aether pinched your cheek gently. 'We can do take out.'

You hummed in response as aether continued. After awhile he finished your hair.

'There all done. How does my pretty girl feel now?' He asked unplugging the curling iron.

'I feel somewhat alright.' You said as aether put everything away.

'That better than not being ok' Aether turned off the bathroom light. 'Anything in particular sound good?'

You shook your head no.

'OK I'll choose food. ' He grabbed his phone. 'You rest. I'll be back. Kiss.'

You gave him a kiss as you pulled the blankets up to your neck.

'Thanks Ae' you looked at him.

'Your very welcome princess.' He smiled before you closed your eyes.

....

'Thanks for that' you whispered hugging the letter.

You sighed quietly, slipping the letter in the drawer next to the bed. You got off the bed, walking over to the door.

Heizou opened it.

'Can we talk?'He asked.

'Sure. What happened?' You looked at him.

'Its about aether and his death' heizou looked at you 'moms worried, our cousin is worried, lumines worried'

You scoffed at lumines name.

'She sure seems worried. She wanted the wedding ring. I don't know what she took'

'She wanted the ring because she wanted to do something for you. She knew how much aether meant to you. She said she had his volleyball ring, high school graduation ring. Not the point though. It's about how your handling it. So start talking' He gave you a look.

You sighed.

'Fine wanna hear me rant?' You asked. 'I'll rant. I'm mad that I didn't stop him from leaving that morning. I'm mad at him cause now I have to raise Reyna by myself, he broke the promise to always be together. I'm upset the doctors gave up on him,'

Heizou listened as you started rasing your voice. You were turning red. He knew what you were going through.

Suddenly you started crying

'Im alone, raising a 15 year old daughter. I had a miscarriage and wasn't able to tell him, he's going to miss Reyna important life events, no more midnight walks, everything is gone' you looked at him tears streaming down your face.

'He may be gone but he's still in your heart. A part of him is in Reyna as well.' Heizou pulled you forward wrapping his arms around you. 'I know it's been difficult. Everyone watched you two as the love you guys had bloomed. While I know I don't understand his death, I do understand how bad it affected you. But you need help.'

You nodded.

'And as your older brother-'

'You ten seconds older' you said.

'As your older brother I demand we go to therapy' He said.

You thought about it before nodding.

'Ok.'

'Good cause my therapist wants to see you today' He said.

----

'So you two are twins' the therapist said. 'Ok, y/n?'

You nodded.

'Lets dive into aether death.' She said as the session began.

You talked. Heizou was in the lobby so he didn't see the scene.

'Ever since he died letters have been showing up' you looked at her.

'Tell me about these letters' you pulled out a letter as she asked.

'There letters from him. The dates are different. But each letter talks about a different event. This one talks about the affects after giving birth to our daughter' you held it out.

The therapist took the letter.

'May I read it?' You nodded.

'How do you feel about these letters?' She looked up from the letter.

'Honestly...it helps. I like that i can see what his thoughts were on some things.' You held your hand out for the letter. 'I can go back to the past in a way'

She handed you the letter.

'Ok' you watched as she wrote something down. 'Well continue this in two week's. Send in your brother. He's next'

You nodded standing up.

----

You waited in the lobby as heizou talked to the therapist. You were scrolling through your phone looking at photos and videos. You stopped at one vidoe and looked at it. You hit play.

'Hey aether?' You asked. 'You promise we'll have an eternity together?'

Aether looked at the camera.

'I promise. Celestia can't tear us apart' he said. 'No matter what'

'Swear?'

He was nodding.

'Cool! Bet you can't poke your tongue out cross your eyes and look down at the same time?' You said giggling.

He did that causing you to laugh.

'Hey that's not fair!' He whined.

The vidoe ended as you smiled.

'Ready to go?' Heizou asked.

You looked up nodding.

'OK. Lets go. Reyna still at school right?' You nodded. 'OK wanna go hang out? It's been year since we did sibling stuff. We can go to the mall, movies, whatever you want'

You gave it some thought.

'Mall sounds nice.' You said standing up. 'Lets go'

He smiled as you both left the building.

----

'Seriously? I thought I his it really well' hiezou said.

You laughed.

'It was obvious. The way you stared at him made it clear.' You said. 'That how I knew you were gay. But I love you as you are gay or not.'

'How come you never outed me?' He asked.

'Wasn't my place. ' You looked at him. 'But the day you came out to our parents was terrifying'

Heizou nodded. Your parents had kicked him out at 16. You panicked and managed to make arrangements with some friendly cousins to house him. You were forbidden from talking to him.

You said screw that rule. Heizou was your twin, brother and best friend. You weren't loosing him because of his preference. Your mom eventually came around to accepting his sexuality while your dad was dead set against it.

'Thanks for making those arrangements. Don't know where I'd be.'

'Anything for my brother. Besides your stuck with me for ever. Even if your ten seconds older.' You smiled opening your arms for a hug.

'Thanks' He hugged you.

'Your welcome' you said.

---

That night you returned home and walked into the bedroom. You sat down at aether desk and looked at it. Looking over the desk you spotted his phones.

Miraculously it survived the crash. You touched the phone gently.

Aether always let you on his phone. Sometimes your take it out of his hands to take random pictures, videos ect. In return he would take your phone as well. It was a fun thing you guys had and honestly you learned more about 3ach other this way.

Popping the phone on the charger you watched as the screen came to life. You took a deep breath before swiping up to unlock it.

You tried the wedding date as the pin. It worked.

'You did always use the same pass for everything.' You smiled as you began to scroll through his phone.

You opened the gallery on his phone. You looked at the pictures smiling going over the memories.

'I love you' You said turning the phone off.

Getting ready tonsleep you crawled in the bed looking at the phone one last time.

'I think...I think...I think I can start healing.' You said nodding off.

----

Over the next six months you found several more letters from him. Each letter talked about a different event that happened, he talked a out his feeling in that moments, exclaimed his love for you.

You kept all letter you found. Currently you were making dinner when heizou came home with reyna.

'Welcome back you two.'You said setting the lid down. 'Reyna how was the sleep over with tomo?'

'It was great!' She put her bag on the couch. 'What's for dinner?'

'Golden shrimp balls' you slapped heizou hand. 'Keep away from the food I'm not done.'

'But im hungry!' He put his hand yo his chest in a dramatic way.

You rolled your eyes at him.

'Drama queen' heizou gasped.

'I'm telling mom!' He whined.

You giggled as you finished making the food.

'Dinner is served.' You grabbed plates and handed one to heizou. 'Now you may eat'

'Hey mom?' Rey watched 'how come you and heizou are really close?'

'I dont know' you both said.

'Dad says you two were crazy back in college' She giggled.

'He's not wrong' you replied. 'At the bar in the middle of the dance floor shaking our butt to shake senora, screaming lyric to whatever song played during a car ride.'

Heizou nodded as he sat down.

'Your dad didn't get mad or anything he just rolled his eyes' you said giggling.

'Weird' Rey said.

'Weird?' You raised an eye brow 'that's coming from the girl who still smacks jello with a spatula, and made yogurt art on my kitchen wall'

'Huh?' Heizou looked confused.

'MOM!' Reyna looked away embarrassed.

'As I thought' you said smiling.

'I told you it just something funny' she said. 'I'm gonna go eat dinner in my room. I'll do homework then I'm heading off to tomos again.'

You nodded. Handing her a plate she left for her room.

'Explain the jello thing' heizou demanded.

You sighed and launched into the story.

'She was four'

-----

You watched as aether placed the plate on top of the bowl flipping it over.

'Thanks for that ' you said.

'No worries kit kat' He smiled. 'Now I'm gonna take a shower. Please join?'

'Sure' you had placed the jello on the table. 'Shell be fine while we shower right? She's only four'

Aether gave it some thought enfore walking over to the frigde. He grabbed a couple yogurt packets setting them on the table.

For a four year old Reyna was tall. At this time she was also getting sassy and bossy. Wonder who it came from. But over all she was the sweetest person you gave birth too.

'OK. Up you go' He said sweeping you off your feet.

'Hey!' You laughed as he made a dash toward your master bathroom.

----

'How does-' heizou started but you shushed him.

-----

During the shower Reyna had come out of her room. She was allowed in the kitchen juat not the fridge. So everytimw you and aether showered you left out something for her to eat.

Entering the kitchen she spotted the yogurt. Climbing the chair she began to open them when her four year old mind had an idea. Taking the dairy treat she threw it at the wall multiple times. After she was satisfied she spotted the jello. She spotted a spatula. Grabbing it she started smacking the jello making noises.

You remember part clearly as while aether was washing your hair you guys heard a scream. You and aether had rushed out of the shower only to find Reyna giggling as she smacked the jello. The scream? One of Joy.

Aether sighed.

'Last time I leave jello out' you said. 'Come on let's go finish our shower. That'll keep her entertained'

You started laughing as you and h returned to finish the shower.

----

'After that I cleaned it up.' You watched as heizou laughed.

'So that why you called her jello smack' He said.

'Hey, aether and i wanted a shower. At least we got a laugh out of it' you smiled sitting at the table. 'But the after math wasn't fun. Aether cleaned the mess while I gave her a bath.'

He smiled.

'You know what? I think I can learn to move past this.' You said looking at your brother.

'Think you'll go back out in the sea of dating?' He asked.

'No. I know I already found the one. I've always known that. I don't want to date again.'

Heizou smiled as he nodded.

----

As the years passed you watched as you kept finding the letters reading them, saving them. You got to watch Reyna big events, her milestones.

Your time came when you were in your sixties. Reyna had accepted that fact. She knew you wouldn't come back. So she revealed what she was doing. Her lover tomo behind her.

'I suspected. But I'm glad you did it.'you smiled before closing your eyes one last time.

'So...what's next?' Tomo asked as he squeezed Reyna hand.

'We live' She smiled.

---

The star in teyvat had you place. You remwber waking up in a sea full of weird gold orbs.

'Where am i?' You asked as you felt a breeze.

'Oh your here!' You heard a familiar voice. 'I've been waiting for you kitkat.'

You felt a pair of arm wrap around you. You looked at the arms. They looker familiar. So you turned to look at the source of the voice.

'Aether?' You looked at him.

'Rwmwber the saying?' He asked.

'The stars in teyvat has a place for you' You said. 'Oh dear I must look like I'm in my sixties....why do you look like your 24?'

'You'd still look beautiful.' He said pointing down at the floor.

You looked down. You saw yourself. You looked 24.

'Come on.' He held his hand out. 'We can walk among the stars now.'

You smiled taking his hand. As you stood up a small white dress appeared on your body.

'I love you, Aether'

'I love you, y/n'

[generaltrashshecox]

Anthony starts to have an anxiety/panic attack with filming, doesn’t tell anybody that’s what it is so he goes to his office to deal with it by himself. Even though Damien wasn’t told what was happening he’s got experience with attacks like it (whether it’s with him or he has friends who have had them is up to you) so he goes to Anthony’s office to make sure he doesn’t have to go through it alone. What happens after that is up to you.

Anthony felt the familiar tightness in his chest, the tingling throughout his body, the shortness of breath, the fear... Why? Nothing was happening why now? It hadn't happened in years what was triggering it? He didn't know what he did know is he wanted to be in his office before anyone noticed. He took some deep breaths trying to ignore the tremble in his hands as he asked if they were done with the shoot. Everyone nodded and he smiled before making a beeline to his office. He sat on the couch in there trying to take deep breaths.

"You're okay you're okay..." he quietly repeated to himself. Then there was a faint knock on his door.

"Anthony?" a voiced asked concerned. Damien? What was he doing here?

"Do you need something?" He hesitated.

"Well no I just... Wanted to check on you," the man said softly. "I saw you were shaking-" dammit "and I uh got worried. I'm sorry I know it's none of my business I just-"

"No no you're fine... You can come in if you want I'm fine," he said gently trying to keep his voice even. The door opened and Damien stepped in closing the door behind him. His eyes ran over him looking him over and Anthony tried supress the shake but the eyes seemed to make the tremble worse as well as the overall anxiety. He took a shaky breath.

"You don't look fine," Damien said bluntly before his eyes went wide and he covered his mouth. "Sorry I didn't mean to-"

"It's... It's fine," he said putting his head in his hands. "I'm not doing well I-" he swallowed thickly. "Panic attack. Haven't had one in years and yet-" he felt the sting behind his eyes. Damien fidgeted.

"Could I sit?" he asked gesturing to the couch beside him. Anthony nodded. "I just wanted to say sometimes things like this come out of nowhere. Maybe it's from everything new and changing. You're happy of course but it's a huge change and our bodies and brains are weird." He nodded. At least that was true. He was only a few weeks into owning Smosh again and things were still very new. But still why now? "Do you want to talk about something? Take your mind off of things?" he asked gently.

"Sure," he said needing anything to get his mind off the fear coursing through his body.

"So... Have you played anything new lately? I started the new Legend of Zelda and I've really been liking it. If you haven't started it you should. I know you and Ian are a bit of old heads about games but it's really good," he said hoping to help. Anthony smiled.

"No I've started it thankfully. It's really good I just haven't had much time with everything," he said truthfully. He didn't have much time for anything but he did try and squeeze a few hours of gaming in.

"Awesome! Then I won't spoil ya. We should play sometime ya know? Like at company game nights or something. I would definitely like to get to know my other boss better," he said looking at him, an excited smile on his face. That was right he'd started just as he was leaving just missing him as he was working on Games.

"I'd like that too. You seem like a caring person Damien... Hell you don't even really know me and yet you still came in to check on me," he said with and Damien shook his head.

"It's not much. I just understand what it feels like ya know? My mental health has always been meh and it wasn't until recently I found some other things... I never want people to feel alone so when I saw you I felt like I had to help... Sorry that was dumb," he said sheepishly. "Anyways anything new you've gotten into? I have a few new projects coming up that I'm excited for!"

"Tell me about them," he wasn't up for much talking but listening to Damien was definitely helping.

"Ooh well a lot of them are kept under wraps NDAs and all that but they're very exciting. Let's just say my resume is getting full. Though one I think I can talk about," he said giddily. "Just promise not to tell anyone please?" Anthony made a movement crossing his heart. "Okay good... I'm playing the love interest in a shojo. It's honestly fucking insane really I grew up watching anime and suddenly I'm playing a pretty anime boy? It feels like a dream honestly same with all the games I voiced in. A few I can't talk about but so many and it's exciting! Sorry I feel like I'm rambling..."

"No no I enjoy listening it's part of my job ya know? It's super exciting and I'm happy for you, really. I'm glad things are working out but I hope you stick around," he said jokingly.

"Don't worry I'm not leaving any time soon," he said with a smile. "Are you feeling a little better now?" Anthony froze from a moment. He still felt the tingling of the adrenaline as it wore away and could feel his heart race just a little faster but he was calming down thankfully.

"Yeah a little. Thanks really... That probably would've lasted longer if you didn't help me," he said chuckling darkly. He knew the feeling well...

"It's no problem dawg honestly. I just wanted to help and I'm glad I could." Anthony nodded again. He checked his watch and saw it was almost lunch time. He clapped a hand on Damien's shoulder.

"How about we get lunch? My treat as thanks for helping me," he said smiling. Damien looked a bit taken aback but he agreed.

"Uh sure. Thank you," he said softly.

"It's no problem really... Dawg." Damien rolled his eyes and laughed. "C'mon let's get going." He couldn't help but feel grateful for his company in the moment. He'd have to thank him properly at some point but lunch felt like a nice start.

[suckerforcate]

okay hear me out.Larissa x reader Angst. full of it

Larissa’s been cheating on reader and r finds out one night when she answers Larissa’s phone without thinking anything of it but Larissa’s mistress/lover/whatever is the one calling😬😬

i am so sorry (am not) but i’m a sucker for Angst😐

I'm leaving

Pairing: Larissa Weems x Reader

Word Count: 509

Warning: swearing, cheating, angst

A/n: I hope you like it!!

You had felt Larissa pull away more and more. At the beginning you thought it was because of the work she had, she was stressed and didn't have that much time for you but with time it grew stranger. Often you went to her office and she wasn't there, even though she had told you she needed to work.

It felt like you drifted apart, maybe she didn't love you anymore. Maybe you weren't enough for her. Thoughts like that often wandered your mind but never, not for one second, would you have suspected that she cheated on you. Until now.

Larissa was in the kitchen while you sat on the couch. Her phone, laying on the table, rang and out of habit you picked it up and answered. Before you could say anything a soft female voice started talking.

"Hello, love. Is (Y/n) with you or can I come over. I really miss your touch." You didn't even look what to answer, for a second you thought it was a joke. But as the reality of it hit you, the phone slowly slid through your hand and crashed onto the floor. Silently tears escaped you, and you felt like someone had ripped the floor under your feet away.

Larissa came back from the kitchen and looked at you shocked, she just wanted to ask what had happened, as the voice said something again. So quiet you couldn't make out words, but Larissa knew directly who it was. Her eyes shot open, and she walked over to you. Grabbing the phone and hanging up, she wanted to touch your arm.

As if you were afraid of her, you stepped away.

"Don't touch me." Through tears, you tried to get out words.

"Why- What have I done wrong? I've loved you, I've been there for you, I held you when you needed me. I thought we would grow old together. You-." Your tears stained your face, falling to the ground and making your lips salty.

"I'm so sorry, (Y/n). I-" you cut her off, slowly the anger overtook the shock and the heartbreak.

"You should have thought about that, before you fucked someone else. Was she good? Better than me? Did she give you what I couldn't?" You practically screamed at Larissa, not letting her talk. You didn't want to hear her stupid, useless apologies. They would stitch your heart back together.

"I thought you were the love of my life. No one, has ever hurt me like this." Maniacally you started running through the apartment, Larissa following, trying to talk, but always being cut of by you.

"Cut it- I don't want to hear it." You packed a bag, with all the thing you needed.

"I'm leaving. Now your fuck toy can come over." Putting on your shoes and throwing the bag over your shoulder, you opened the door.

"Please, (Y/n). Stay, I-" you didn't hear anything more, as you had slammed the door in her face and rushed away. Tears blocking your vision and uncontrollable sobs escaping you.